Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4

[Oldmansour]

>Are they speaking to each other?
>And can we make out any of the words they are saying?
>How does Sanae look? Can we read her expression?

>Elis is presently speaking. In typical fashion, she sounds fairly annoyed. "Will you two just get out of my way? You're not who I want."
>Suwako replies, rather angrily, but the exact words she uses are obscured by the sound of the wind around you.
>Sanae looks much less angry than her parents. In fact, the look she seems to be giving Elis is one of recognition. Patchouli's expression isn't too off from that either, though more curious than familiar.

>Should we attack? Rin asks you and Lily.

[DracoOmega]

>I'm not so certain. Elis could have blown them away by now and hasn't - why? And look at Sanae's expression. Something about this has felt like it hasn't added up from the start.
>How close are we to effective firing range, anyway? Particularly along an angle that doesn't risk endangering other people.

[Oldmansour]

>I'm not so certain. Elis could have blown them away by now and hasn't - why? And look at Sanae's expression. Something about this has felt like it hasn't added up from the start.
>How close are we to effective firing range, anyway? Particularly along an angle that doesn't risk endangering other people.

>Plus, if Air dodges, we'd probably hit a person. Rin adds.
>Aren't demons people?
>I didn't know what other word to use. the kasha protests.

>You're within range now. But you'd need to drift laterally a bit, or your shots would be very much in line with one of the bystanders down there.

[DracoOmega]

>Then let's move to the side to get a better potential shot, though try to avoid coming into Elis's line of sight
>Do we think we could create a sort of external barrier around the key to Water's prison that could keep Patchouli's power from flowing into it? And do so quickly? It doesn't need to be long-lasting - just enough to stem the flow for a short while until we can give it more proper attention again.

[Oldmansour]

>Do we think we could create a sort of external barrier around the key to Water's prison that could keep Patchouli's power from flowing into it? And do so quickly? It doesn't need to be long-lasting - just enough to stem the flow for a short while until we can give it more proper attention again.

>Creating a small shield around the vial of water you carry is possible, but there's no telling how long it will last without your constant attention, especially with the increased flow you sense.

>Then let's move to the side to get a better potential shot, though try to avoid coming into Elis's line of sight

>In an attempt not to hit the wrong target should you need to fire upon the Champion of Air, you and your two comrades drift out to your left, placing yourself at an angle where you might hit the Moonside apartment building, but no one being other than the demon of Air. Said demon, meanwhile, having let Suwako and Kanako say their peace, then listens to Sanae say something next. Something which, somehow, you can hear, as her own voice carries on the wind around you. "Calm down you two. She won't hurt me."
>"You're right. You're the one person in this world I would never hurt. And I won't hurt the rest of you, either, so just leave us alone."
>Despite her insistance, not one of the assembled Terrans obeys Elis' command.

[DracoOmega]

>Then let's place a shield around the vial. Try to make it reasonably strong for something we can do quickly, but surely any countermeasure is better than nothing.
>Are we close enough that we think Sanae and company could hear us if we spoke loudly, or would it be better to get closer?

[Oldmansour]

>Are we close enough that we think Sanae and company could hear us if we spoke loudly, or would it be better to get closer?

>Uncertain. While you can hear Sanae, you could not hear Kanako or Suwako when they spoke. Your voice could be lost in the turbulent winds stirred by Elis' presence, or like Sanae's, it could be carried upon them. Assuming the former, you might need to amplify your voice to make yourself heard.

>Then let's place a shield around the vial. Try to make it reasonably strong for something we can do quickly, but surely any countermeasure is better than nothing.

>As you continue to drift out to Elis's left, you place your hand over the little vial of salt water and generate a sphere of power around it. The flow of power that had been heading down towards the Champion of Water's cell does not stop coming, but it is blocked by your shield completely. It might not last for more than a matter of minutes, but at least for now, that's one less worry to deal with.

[DracoOmega]

>Then let's project our voice a little and/or move a little closer and call out to her: "Sanae! What makes you feel so confident of this woman's actions?"

[Oldmansour]

>Then let's project our voice a little and/or move a little closer and call out to her: "Sanae! What makes you feel so confident of this woman's actions?"

>Unsure which will be more effective, you opt for both. Unfortunately for you, the first person's attention you catch is Elis', as the Champion of Air whirls in place to face you, causing the gusting winds to tremor in the action. "You again?! What do I have to do to get rid of you?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Giving us a better explanation for some things would be a start. And since Sanae is here, I would like to hear her side of things as well."

[Oldmansour]

>"I've got a better start." the demon roars as she clenches her fists. You brace yourself against some new onslaught while Rin flies out ahead of you a little bit, her hands clenched in casting pose.
>And then you see Sanae raise her hand and hear her say "Stop." And Elis unclenches her fists, the chaotic wind calming a little. Sanae steps up to stand between her parents, and turns her gaze up at you. "Those girls saved me before."
>"Why would you help my avater?" the Air Champion asks of you.

[DracoOmega]

>"Because she was endangered. That is enough."

[Oldmansour]

>"Because she was endangered. That is enough."

>"She's a hero." Sanae adds.
>Elis gives her a frustrated look, then turns her eyes back to you. "So you came here to help again. And so have I. Is that what you Terrans call iron-y?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, considering one of the main reasons we intercepted you where we did was to keep you from harming her, I think there are some important gaps in knowledge that all of us would benefit from clarifying. Surely that is better than having another battle among people that neither of us wish to see harm befall?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, considering one of the main reasons we intercepted you where we did was to keep you from harming her, I think there are some important gaps in knowledge that all of us would benefit from clarifying. Surely that is better than having another battle among people that neither of us which to see harm befall?"

>"Yeah, there ARE gaps." Elis agrees, turning back to Sanae. "And I'm here to fill one."
>"You are, aren't you?" Sanae says quietly. "I know you, don't I?"
>"We're part of each other. I don't know why you can't remember, but it doesn't matter. You've lost part of yourself, Sanae. I'm here to give it back to you." To your surprise, the demon smiles at Sanae, a gesture completely devoid of malice or ill intent.
>Suwako, however, is not smiling at all, and she screams up at you, "What are you waiting for, blast her already!"

[DracoOmega]

>To Suwako: "Whatever Elis's other intentions, I do not think she means your daughter harm, and a battle here would put all the rest of you in jeopardy."
>To Elis, firmly: "But it would be much better if you could explain clearly what you mean to do and what the result will be. You may know little of Terran customs and social bonds, but some of these people here are Sanae's family and friends and right now they're all very worried about her well-being and about the threat to it that you appear to represent. You cannot dismiss their concerns so abruptly without doing an unkindness to Sanae as well, for she certainly cares deeply for her family also. If this matter is as important to you as it seems, then you can surely take a little more time to see it done respectfully to her and the people she cares about."

[Oldmansour]

>To Suwako: "Whatever Elis's other intentions, I do not think she means your daughter harm, and a battle here would put all the rest of you in jeopardy."
>To Elis, firmly: "But it would be much better if you could explain clearly what you mean to do and what the result will be. You may know little of Terran customs and social bonds, but some of these people here are Sanae's family and friends and right now they're all very worried about her well-being and about the threat to it that you appear to represent. You cannot dismiss their concerns so abruptly without doing an unkindness to Sanae as well, for she certainly cares deeply for her family also. If this matter is as important to you as it seems, then you can surely take a little more time to see it done respectfully to her and the people she cares about."

>"I've taken enough time." the Champion of Air retorts, finding her anger again. "And Sanae's waited long enough, too." And with that, the demon starts to descend down towards the ground, and the young girl who waits there for her.

[DracoOmega]

>Even more firmly: "Why don't you ask her about that?"
>Surely Sanae can say something less passive on her own behalf? Elis won't listen to us, but she might listen to her.

[Oldmansour]

>Even more firmly: "Why don't you ask her about that?"
>Surely Sanae can say something less passive on her own behalf? Elis won't listen to us, but she might listen to her.

>"No, it's all right." Sanae calls up to you with a wave of her hand, her eyes on the Air Champion. "This is... right." She spares a glance at Patchouli. "It's like we were talking earlier. All my life, I felt there was something missing from my life, something I could never really explain." She turns her mystified gaze back up to Elis. "I felt it every time I looked up at the sky. Every time I felt the wind blow across my face. There was a... a hole in my soul, yeah, that's the word. Something in me that I'd lost, or never had. It was you, wasn't it?"
>The Champion of Air nods. "I am the missing part of your life, and you've been the missing part of mine. Neither one of us has been whole." Elis extends her hand out to Sanae, offering it to her. "It's time for us to be whole."

[DracoOmega]

>I hope I'm not making a very serious mistake in allowing this to happen.
>Offer a prayer for Sanae's well-being and let's see what happens

[Hello Purvis]

>Don't just give in yet.
>"If you've waited your whole life, then one more day to think about the implications of it all won't hurt, will it? You should make sure this is truly what you believe it is."

[Oldmansour]

>I hope I'm not making a very serious mistake in allowing this to happen.
>Offer a prayer for Sanae's well-being and let's see what happens

>Don't just give in yet.
>"If you've waited your whole life, then one more day to think about the implications of it all won't hurt, will it? You should make sure this is truly what you believe it is."

>Neither Sanae nor Elis react at all to your last appeal. They seem oblivious to the world. Even when Kanako, worry plain on her face, asks her daughter "You're sure about this?" all Sanae gives her a very faint nod before stepping forward to stand face to face with the bat-winged Child. Sanae smiles when she takes the demon's hand.
>A faint gust of wind blows out from the joined hands of the two women, but this one does not carry the foul reek you've grown accustomed to smelling whenever Elis is around. This one carries the scent of wood smoke, a pleasant, nostalgic scent, and the air itself is warm and not harsh at all. You feel the power connecting Elis and Sanae flare in intensity, and then, to your surprise, disappear altogether. Even more surprising, the flow of power coming from Patchouli intensifies.

>After a moment, Sanae removes her hand from Elis'. There is a ring on her finger that was not there before, and the green haired girl stares at the thing in a state of wonderment. "What did you do?!" Suwako screams at the Air Champion, breaking the silence.
>"I gave her back the skies." Elis replies, her voice triumphant. She tilts her head over her shoulder and levels a positively fierce grin at you. "You're gonna love this, Hero."

[DracoOmega]

>A scary grin or a joyful one?
>What kind of power do we sense from Sanae's ring? Does it feel in any way malevolent? Like the rings Water made for Kiku and her other servant, or closer to ours?
>Give Sanae a moment

[Oldmansour]

>A scary grin or a joyful one?
>What kind of power do we sense from Sanae's ring? Does it feel in any way malevolent? Like the rings Water made for Kiku and her other servant, or closer to ours?
>Give Sanae a moment

>Both. Joyful for her, but that look on her face isn't doing your worries any favors.
>It feels.... Very much like yours, in fact. But there is a difference, something you can't quite put your finger on.
>The green haired woman breathes heavily a couple of times, then breaks into a lopsided grin. "Are you all right?" Kanako asks her.
>"I will be." Sanae breathes. "I will be. I understand now. I should have flying all along. But I was trapped on the ground. I lost my wings." She clenches her fist suddenly, and a surge of power bursts from her. This surge reveals the difference between your power and hers. Your power comes from the connections you share with the people around you, the love you feel for them, and the love they feel for you. But the ring on Sanae's finger draws its power from a much darker place. Its power feels like isolation and frustration. Sanae raises her clenched fist over her head, and as Elis looks on with that look of triumph on her face, Sanae yells out, "Dark Air Descent!"

>Black energy streams out of her ring and cascades down over her. And it does, you find your mind flashing back to something from the past. A memory very similar- No. The same memory you were chasing before. That tall maternal woman standing over you, smiling, and saying "I can't do this without you." There were other people there, six others, besides you and her. And one of them was Sanae. Except she didn't look as she does now. Her face and arms were covered in horrible burns.

[DracoOmega]

>Do we remember when this was? How this was?
>This power... it's very like what we first felt when we gained our ring, isn't it? Before we rejected it in favor of love and light.

[Oldmansour]

>Do we remember when this was? How this was?
>This power... it's very like what we first felt when we gained our ring, isn't it? Before we rejected it in favor of love and light.

>No more precisely than the first time. Only a sense that it was a very, very long time ago.
>It isn't precisely the same, but it's definately in the same ballpark.

[DracoOmega]

>Very, very long ago, and yet Sanae was still recognizably the same person?
>Can we remember any other details about that scene quickly, now that this is jogging our memory? Anything at all.

[Oldmansour]

>Very, very long ago, and yet Sanae was still recognizably the same person?
>Can we remember any other details about that scene quickly, now that this is jogging our memory? Anything at all.

>Apart from the terrible burns on her body, yes.
>... Yes. Your chest hurts.

[DracoOmega]

>What?
>Our chest hurts now or we remember our chest hurting then or what?

[Oldmansour]

>What?
>Our chest hurts now or we remember our chest hurting then or what?

>In your memories. Although... you do feel an ache in your chest now. Not as sharp or intense, but the same location.