615/Hatched Plans: Richie Rich

Hatched Plans: Richie Rich
Date of Scene:	22 November 2015
Location:	Uminari City - Juuban Avenue - South
Synopsis:	Ikuto robs 2 of 3 pieces of some sort of artifact. Some sort of magical policeman tries to handle a video game powered madman. Do we really need to go into more detail!? Oh right. Amu and Tadase yell at Ikuto a lot.
Cast of Characters:	Tadase Hotori, Ikuto Tsukiyomi, Amu Hinamori, Mikoto Nakajima, Alejandro Tatakai, 123

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Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
Ike Kaoru is a rich socialite. He has a collection of artifacts. None of them are magical. Just old. It's why he's left alone by magical powers that be- no strange bussinessmen trying to buy out his collection, etc. He has security--- but just electronic. No guards. This is a home. Not a museum.

It's easy for Ikuto to sneak in and grab the big diamond that rests in a bed in a large display of various gems. Like before, this one glows a light blue and looks exactly like the other one. He places his hands on it- and nothing happens this time! Oh--whew. This one didn't scream. Ikuto can leave the same way he left. It's when he gets outside- onto the top of the building that he hears it. That same voice calling out!---

To those with heart eggs- they hear the call directly, as words---

Help...!

Everyone else just feels like something is going on and needs to be stopped. They don't hear the worlds. Magical instincts are weird.

SUDDENLY....

Some sort of pixelated money is ooking from a tree. On top of the tree, sits a man in what seems to be some person in a grey barrier jacket and some sort of glove like device. It isn't talking.

"Man. That /is/ annoying." he mutters outloud at that weird call of help. "Ugh, I shouldn't be out here. This is lame. I HAVE RESEARCH TO DO!" he yells standing up on the tree.

The weird pixelated video game monkey scrrreccches in agreement.

He points to Ikuto. "HEY CAT YOU BETTER GET AWAY WITH THAT." he points. He's loud and obvious.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
It's getting colder, and with the cold comes a need to suffer a little more for the sake of fashion. And when your mom is super fashion-conscious, that means a lot more suffering. As is often the case, Amu Hinamori is in a short skirted dress--today it's black, with a ruched top, and a pink belt loosely cinched about her waist. But it's also cold, so she's accompanied the dress with tall stockings, pink with thin black stripes, and a blue-and-white pokemon hoodie. The outfit is completed iwth a pair of Mary Jane flats, and a black collar around her neck for style.

Fashion is not without benefits, though, for Amu gets a few nods of approval from various shopkeepers as she wanders through Tokyo's Mitakihara district, poking her nose in the manga and candy shops, and just looking through windows of the clothing and novelty stores. "Someday," she notes, "I'm actually going to be able to afford all those pretty cosplay outfits." Not that she'd ever actually buy one; that'd be way too embarassing.

"Mmmhm," Ran replies excitedly at the idea. "And then we can dress up like your favourite magical girl and go pretend to fight bad guys."

Amu turns and fixes the chara with a flat look, while Miki falls over laughing at the very idea. Su, meanwhile, is sitting on Amu's shoulder, appreciating all the fine outfits as much as Amu is.

When the cry for 'help' comes, though, all fun and games is abandoned. "Amu-chan," Miki chimes in, to make sure the pink-haired girl heard.

"I know," Amu says, furrowing her brow as she ducks into an alleyway. "Ran, let's go."

"Right!" Ran replies. "Hop!" A pair of fluffy wings form on Amu's wrists, "Step!" another pair on her ankles, "Jump!" and Amu leaps for the skies, clearing tall buildings in a single bound. Or at least making it to the roof so she can start bounding her way in the direction of the cry for help.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Tadase is actually the furthest away from the point of impending conflict - he's been spending a lot of time wandering around the city today, aimlessly - and being aimless is not something he's known for. Occasionally he's been making small comments to Kiseki, but largely, the events of last night have been weighing on his mind a bit.

That's why he grits his teeth when that cry for help comes out, and looks in the direction it came from.

"Tadase..." Kiseki says, knowing he can sense it to. Tadase nods - it looks like one of his worries is going to kick over sooner rather than later. "Are you good, Tadase?" Kiseki asks. Tadase nods.

"It's not always easy..." he says, begining a speech he's given to others often, but this time it's designed for himself. "...to do the right thing. Sometimes it's the hardest thing. But it's still the right thing. Lets go, Kiseki."

Kiseki nods, and returns to his egg - and a moment later, there's a very frilly King jumping across the rooftops of the city, saved from confusing onlookers only by the fact that people in Tokyo conincidentally never look up when there's a magical boy in the air.

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
Here is another young soul out on the streets today. He is not fashion-conscious in the least. His sneakers are scruffed and worn, his jeans look like they might develop a hole in one knee very soon, his sweatshirt is oversized and will probably fit him for quite a while, given it extends down over his knuckles and almost to his knees. He's drowning in it. He doesn't really seem to much care. This little boy apparently has places to be, or at least things to worry over, both hands brought up to clutch at the strap of a messanger bag he has slung across his body. He seems very protective of the bag; for those with the senses to notice, there's a pair of heart eggs in it, still waiting to hatch.

He's trying to mind his own business, he really is. But then there's that *voice* calling for help. Alejo is fairly certain he's never heard it before, but it's asking for *help*, so it doesn't really matter. He stops dead in his tracks, grip tightening on his bag's strap. His head comes up and he starts to search the area, trying to find who is asking for help. Something in his bag shifts. He finds himself peering up at the tree and the shouting people in abstract confusion. What does he do??

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto's in the form of Black Lynx again for this. Even if it's more than he needs to pull this off, it's better to have the extra power and not need it, right? It's true, Ikuto cringes when he reaches for the gem, remembering what happened the last time. But when the gem makes no indication it's going to make noise, he relaxes a little.

Until he gets to the roof, that is. "...Crap," he mutters.

And then suddenly a pixel monkey. Ikuto pauses, raising an eyebrow. Though as he sees Tsukumo, his eyebrow twitches. Great. He looks up at the researcher, with a frown. "Here, if you're so worried about getting back to Easter with it, why don't you take it and go?" He holds the gem up in Tsukumo's general direction. "Go on, you're too loud. Someone's going to hear you."

Not only that, if Tsukumo takes the gem and runs, he'll be out of Ikuto's hair if Tadase and Amu show up. So then Ikuto will be free to not hurt either of them. And who cares who gets back with the gem as long as someone does?

Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
"HEY, IS THAT SASS CAT!? YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SASS!" he says.

Ookook! The Pixel Money throws a pixel coconut at Ikuto's general direction. It explodes in a burst of magical energy. "THEY GET THE MONKEY!" he points. "TAKE IT AND RUN!" he yells. "OR THERE SHALL BE UN-ENDING CONSEQUENCES FO-----"

He turns around. Oh. Arriving people incoming. "Well then... Barrier Setuppppppp~" he calls out.

He errects a barrier around the area. It's your typical Nanoha Barrier world. Only- everything looks like it's through an 8-bit filter. It's wacky.

"Let them face me. /the final boss/- Glitch Matrix who is most certainly not the utterly handsome Tsukumo!" he says. NOTICE ME SOMEDAY YUKARI! is unsaid.

He is /way/ too cocksure about his abilities and trying to play himself up. The monkey continues ooking every 4 seconds on cue.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu bounds from building to building, then smiles when she spots Platinum Royale nearby. She adjusts her trajectory to be near him, then asks, "You think it's the cat again?"

Before he can even answer, she lands on a rooftop not far away, the arches her brow when she spots the barrier. "What the heck is that, even? Ran, let's transform," she suggests to her Chara.

"Mmhm!" Ran agrees readily.

Amu flashes her fingers in front of the humpty lock.

"Atashi no kokoro: UNLOCK!"

There is a brilliant flash of light as the device's powers are unlocked. It flickers between several colours, but then flashes pink twice. Amu is engulfed in the light; it surrounds her and embraces her and draws her into itself. Ran winks at Platinum Royale, then dances into her egg as Amu holds out her arms for it. The pair merge, and a moment later, the pinkest cheerleader ever appears where Amu was only moments before.

"Chara Nari: Amulet Heart!"

Amulet Heart leaps into the air and draws out a baton, which she whirls between her fingers meaningfully as she finishes closing the distance towards Ikuto and his ally.


"Hey, you stupid cat, put back the egg or gem or whatever it is you stole, this time! I'm only going to ask nicely once!"

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Platinum Royale hits the rooftop about the same time that Amulet Heart makes it there, and he's got his scepter out. He's pointing it towards Ikuto - but he's also got a glare out of the corner of his eye for the goofy looking guy with the monkey. The barrier sweeps around him.

"Look, I don't know who you think you are, but this isn't a game. You're doing something wicked, and I'm not going to stand for it!" he adds. "I'm only going to ask once this time. Drop the thing that's calling for help, or I'll make you drop it."

In Tadase's mind, perhaps he's given Ikuto too much leeway - it's strange, in a sense, but he feels somehow responsible for Ikuto continually doing these sorts of things. Is it because he's not strong enough to stand up to him, to stop him? Then he'll just have to BE strong enough. That's what he's got Kiseki for!

"Amulet Heart..." he says, looking over to her, but suppressing his star-struckness. "Let's make this one a Game Over."

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Barriers are such useful magic. Mikoto's done some research on them, and possible uses for them, but the default is pretty nifty. And a nice way to conceal magical battles from the muggles. There's only one problem with them.

When it comes to a Mage - or in her case, a Knight - who was already inside the effect radius, they really don't help much. She lets the activation pulse wash over her, activates her Barrier Jacket with a whirl of the familiar Belkan triangle, and gets herself in position.

She's been following Ikuto, after all, as they'd discussed a couple of days ago, so as to avoid giving away their real plans. A cat has to keep his cover, after all. So she knew exactly where to be and when... although she didn't expect a Mage to be supporting the Easter side of things. It's going to put a crimp in her plans, but she can deal with that.

Wide Area Search spheres, little translucent spheres of magical sensor and relay spells, flick out from her to all sides, spreading around to survey the interior of the barrier, checking for any other hidden support... it isn't hard to locate the loudmouth with the monkey.

((Level One Flakschrecken ready. Stacking Flicker Shots.)) 'Level One' is practically a training shot, like she used against Amu the last time they ran into one of Ikuto's thefts. The Flicker Shots are most emphatically not Level One, however.

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
While Alejo is standing a little starstruck and confused, watching as *magical people* arrive, his little bag keeps rocking. Then there's this *voice*, suddenly, coming out of the bag, and Alejo's whole spine stiffens, eyes widening. It says, muffled but determined, 'You can't let them get away with this! Whatever it is! You have to DO something! Come on!' Before Alejo really knows what's going on, a little blue band appears on his left arm, around his bicep, like the kind of armband a police officer might wear.

Then he's starting to charge right across the street towards the tree and the altercation starting there, yelling monkeys and crying-out gems and everything. He's going *way* faster than he should be able to, dodging any obstacles with more agility than he's ever shown in his young life before now. He's also pointing, jabbing one finger through the air. "You listen to them! Whatever you're doing, you stop it!"

Yeah, that's really going to be impressive with Platinum Royale and Amulet Heart right here.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto hops back from the thrown coconut, scowling a little at Tsukumo. "No, you can take the gem and go back and I'll lead anyone who shows up in another direction." It makes sense tactically. But 'sense' and 'Tsukumo' seem to be having a time out at the moment. Because suddenly the man's setting up a Barrier. Ikuto's ears lay back. Dammit, Tsukumo...

Any further commentary's cut off, though, when Amu arrives. And then Tadase. How did I know it was gonna be them? But, well. He needs to be the bad guy here. And he needs to be convincing about it, not the half-assed effort from before. Because if he's not, Tsukumo will twig to it. Because as much of a moron as Tsukumo acts like, Ikuto knows he isn't.

He does, however, completely ignore Tsukumo. He turns to Amu and Tadase. "Somehow I had a feeling that Strawberry and Vanilla would show up," he quips. He's still holding the gem, so Amu and Tadase can actually see the thing that was calling out for help. He tosses the gem in his hand a few times, the sparkle catching the light. Yes, he's showing it to them. He's also giving someone with scanning capabilities the chance to do so. Hint hint nudge nudge. After hopefully long enough to allow this, at least partially, he slides the gem into a pocket.

Ikuto is aware of Mikoto arriving, hence his juggling the gem for so long. He looks in her direction and sends her a very subtle nod. Just like they talked about. Tsukumo was an unplanned-for variable, but hopefully it wouldn't break the plan too badly.

Actually Alejo's words ARE impressive. Because those Barriers are supposed to keep normal people from noticing. Then he sees the armband. And Yoru confirms in a muffled voice, "He's a Chara Bearer...! And he's got two eggs-nya...!" He's trying to keep it quiet because he doesn't want loudmouth over there to hear him.

To cover it up, he states, "So. Unlike him," Ikuto cants his head back at the Glitch, "I don't really feel like a punch-up. I'd really rather be taking a nap. So go away." None of that should surprise Tsukumo; Ikuto is known as something of a lazy cat.

Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
Glitch Matrix waves at Amu. "HEYHEY! IGNORE THE CAT!" he screams.

Oh, there's a king. "Sorry jerk, but your princess is in another castle!" he huffs. "Also that pun deserves MONKEY CONSEQUENCES."

The monkey leaps for Tadase and attempts to collide with him. It explodes in a magical burst. These constructs seem about made for this purpose.

"I am-- Glitch Matrix and you're interfering with my quest for a power-up. I mean. You THINK you can trust cats but you can't." he asides.

Then he stares at Alejandro. He squints. "What." he says. "What are you going to do!? Point me to death. That only works if you can do this!"

He 'unholsters' his hands at the hip and begins shooting a barrage of energy pellets straight from some video game shooter at the group. They also explode in magical bursts. They're not strong. Tadase's probably gonna wanna block those.

He pauses. "Wait is that another mage. What. Why does that girl hate you guys now?" he asks.

Uh oh. Tsukumo's asking questions Ikuto may not want him to start asking outloud.

He also just glares at Ikuto. He'll yell at him later.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
"Amu-chan, there's someone else nearby," Miki chimes in over Amulet Heart's shoulder. "I can sense magical energies from somewhere, I just don't know where, but it's not these two."

That's about all the warning Amulet Heart has time for, because the poor boy from last night is charging in like a super-duper hero all on his own. "Oh geeze, no no no! Tadase, he's just got his eggs," Amulet Heart says.

But frankly, saving people isn't her strong suit. Maybe if she were Clover, or even Spade, she'd think to dive down and pluck Alejo out of this mess. But that just isn't Amulet Heart's style.

Instead, she leaps forward aggressively, ignoring the strange man who claims to be behind it all in favor of going straight for Ikuto. "SPIRAL HEART!" she shouts, sending her baton towards him with a streak of magical energy.

This time she doesn't even try to have it hit him on the backswing; it's a direct shot straight for his face, and if he doesn't dodge fast, that's a whole lot of kinetic energy coming his way, followed shortly by a very aggressive Amulet Heart trying to get in his personal space.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Platinum Royale's scepter is glowing with a brilliant light as he prepares to unleash it on Ikuto - right before Amulet Heart shouts out the warning about Alejandro, and then closes in herself. Well, he can adapt.

Platinum Royale turns and levels the scepter at Glitch Matrix - just in time for the monkey construct to slam into him and unleash its own blast of energy - right as Tadase shouts 'HOLY JUDMGEN-WHOA!' and a very large burst of energy surges forward at Glitch Matrix's perch - intending to keep him from attacking either Alejandro OR Amu.

Tadase is knocked over by the energy surge but gets up quickly. "Be careful down there, kid!" he says - to the kid that's obviously the same age as him - "these guys aren't playing around, despite the looks of the area!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Everything is going according to plan. Except for the git with the video-game obsession. That's okay. Mikoto is if nothing else adaptable. No battle plan survives contact with reality, after all.

((Scanning...)) She stays in position, most of Carnwennan's processing time going towards the scan, so only a small handful of Flicker Shots to stack up.

Except new person. Ahh, new heroes. Well, very new, it would seem. She grits her teeth... this is going to make things interesting. And by interesting, we mean complicated. Time to make her appearance.

She soars into view from between a couple of tallish buildings, cat-ears still present on her Barrier Jacket, out of solidarity with Ikuto. "I'd listen to sceptre-boy, new kid," she calls, grinning as she settles into a position about midway between Iktuo and Amu... and well out of direct line between them.

"So, Koneko-chan," she calls to Ikuto. "Toying with a maiden's heart is definitely not allowed! Bad kitty!" She waves Carnwennan's rapier form at him, the Device's blade shimmering with magical energy ready to be unleashed.

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
There's a possibility that some of those little video game pellets are coming in Alejo's direction. A sensible person would probably go running in the other direction, screaming for their lives. Alejo has, apparently, recently ceased to be a sensible person. Instead of running away, he keeps running towards, hopping to the side every time one of those pellets seems like it's going to explode near him. He seems to manage it, too, evading damage with a look of grim determination on his face. Maybe he's about to apologize to Platinum Royale, but then there's Mikoto's words.

Something in Alejo bristles, at the idea that he's only just come into this supposed *special power* and people are already trying to tell him that he doesn't belong. His resolves burns more fiercely, and he shouts again, voice firm. "No way! I'm not going anywhere! People need help and that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna *help!*"

If only he had any idea how to do that. His mind wheels, wheels, clicks--"Hey! Diddy Kong! Don't you have an outdated video game to go slink back to?!"

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Figures Tsukumo would bring all the attention to himself. Part of Ikuto wants to just retreat to the far corner of the Barrier-- since he knows he can't leave until the Glitch gets his face punched in-- and just letting Tsukumo take over. But firstly he doesn't want to just sit by, for fear that Tsukumo will hurt someone here. Secondly?

THERE IS A BATON BEING THROWN AT HIS FACE.

Ikuto choses to parry with his claw, and sparks fly from the metal as he's pushed back several steps. The thing seems to be pushing against his arms with its own mind! After a few moments of struggle, Ikuto manages to swing his claw to get the thing away from him. Though it's probably only going to go back to her.

Not good, Tadase is going after Glitch. Ikuto's attention is split now, as he needs to keep an eye on Tadase and make sure Glitch isn't about to hurt Tadase seriously! This, however, also means his attention is not on Mikoto until she speaks. He looks to her almost with surprise. Though he quickly gets a smirk on his face. "Have you ever heard the phrase 'the ends justify the means'?" he says quietly.

Ikuto hopes that shouty one down on the ground can take care of himself. Can he Character Transform? Ikuto hopes so. Suddenly he gets an idea. Utau's proximity to the Dumpty Key let her learn to Character Transform. Maybe it'd work for that guy?

"It's not hearts I'm after," he states. And then he leaps off the building in the direction he heard the voice. He should hit the ground near Alejo-- much like a cat, he lands on his feet. Actually he lands in a bestial crouch. He tilts his head up and back, visibly scenting the air in Alejo's direction. "...Are those eggs I smell...?"

...Uh-oh.

Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
Amu and Mikoto seem to be going after Ikuto now. Huh. He taps his head a moment and turns back to Tadase and Alejandro---and HOLY CRIPES! Holy Judgement crashes into his tree and sends him flying backwards into a mess on the ground. A little display pops over him of ten hearts. One goes pop. The display dissapears. He gets back up.

"Hey those puns are lame! I have INFINITE LIVES and you are all on your LAST GUYS! and I have all the CHEAT CODES!" he calls out.

Man these jerks are brave. Is that jerk just trouncing through his pixelated firepower!? Man- even that Prince Jerk just stands there with a shield.

"Rocks fall then you die!" he calls out. An array of pixelated boulders fall from nowhere above over the group. He jumps into the air and hovers.

"I am the ultimate /GAME MASTER/ and you're just all lame players. WITH THE THIRD PARTY CONTROLLERS!" he screams out.

He looks at Ikuto. "Wait, what Eggs. plural." he peeks back at Alejo with a renewed intrest as rocks fall.

"EXPERIMENTATION!" he screams out loud. Look, if you're going to fight and be loud, you might aswell yell science terms for little reason and have fun with it.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
The baton does indeed return right back to Amulet Heart's outstretched hand. She arrives only a split-second too late to punch the catboy in the face, but it's still late nonetheless. Her momentum doesn't stop there, either, so she bounds up against hte building and twists in the air, landing with both feet in a crouch on the side of the structure.

"Man, Ikuto, I knew you were a jerk but I didn't know you had to catch em all!" See? She can get in on the game references, too! From here, though, hse sees an opportunity, and tries again. "SPIRAL HEART!" she calls, sending her baton out with a sudden force. It angles towards Ikuto and Alejo, but passes right by them both without connecting, because she quite frankly doesn't want to risk hurting Alejo.

Of course, she's angled it so it will arc around and smack Glitch Matrix in the back, if she's very luck and he doesn't move too much!

As before, Amulet chases her baton down, trying to get into melee range so she can lock Ikuto down. Just then, rocks start falling from the sky, and Amulet Heart lets out a shriek of terror as she starts dodging between them like the Prince of Persia, her attack on Ikuto foiled. "Whoa whoa, who ordered the meteor swarm!?" she asks aloud, as every footstep brings an explosion of energy beneath her feet. Somehow she manages to avoid getting blown to bits, but not to avoid getting battered and bruised. She might have to Transform with a more defensive chara, at this rate.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Platinum Royale looks up at the falling rocks - and looks over at Alejandro. Amu seems to be handling herself well against Ikuto, and he's decided to deal with the scientist jerk. It saves him from dealing with uncomfortable questions about Ikuto, since he has no grounding for the guy with the Device not acting like a jerk.

He jumps across the battlefield, a couple of times getting into the air just as a rock WHUMPs and then explodes into energy behind him (though he never looks back) and closes on Glitch Matrix.

"Well, my controller has autofire - and you can't use yours if you can't push buttons!" he says, leveling the scepter at him in mid flight. "ROYAL SEAL!" he announces, and a set of rays bursts out from the scepter, headed for the video-game loving scientist - if it hits him, it'll bind him up and hopefully give the heroes a break from all the projectile spam.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto looks away from Ikuto, towards the new villain, Glitch whateverhisnameis. "Rocks? That's it?" She shakes her head sadly. "Ten skillion video games ever made and he goes for rocks. Narutard."

She doesn't even bother to dodge them, trusting to Carnwennan's autoguard to deflect any that come near her. She seems to have dismissed him entirely, in favor of launching a volley of Flakschrecken at Ikuto. Or, at least, at a spot three inches to his left. It's a good thing she isn't behind Amulet Heart.

"Drop the rock and come home, cat-boy, you know you aren't going to get away with this."

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
"What?" Alejo is briefly distracted by the fact that Ikuto's talking about eggs, and he's well aware that at least one of them is still nestled in his bag, needing protecting. He swings it around so that his body blocks Ikuto from the bag itself, face scrunching into an almost petulant grimace. "You aren't getting them! And you aren't taking that gem, I won't let you--"

Now there's *rocks* falling on his head and generally in other circumstances, this might have been too much. Now, *now* things are different, and Alejo isn't about to give up. He made a promise to protect those eggs, and beyond that, he was told he could use them to *help*. He wants to HELP.

"Mi Corazon: Unlock!" This is when Amulet Heart's lock starts to glow. So does Alejo, standing defiantly in the street with his arms up like he thinks he's going to fight off the rocks with his fists. The lights swells, broadens, overwhelms and engulfs the boy at a rapid pace. As it does, an egg starts to lift out of the bag he's carrying at his hip. The glowing form of Alejo reaches out to embrace it as it lifts free, pulling it into his chest with a tender, careful gesture. The two become one. "Mi Converti: Responder Aegis!"

When the light fades, Alejo has been left in what looks to be a stylized police officer's uniform, complete with shiny knee-boots and a badge symbol on his arm. He has what seems to be a telescoping billy club in one hand, but more importantly, in the other he has a riot shield. Without thinking or considering what just happened to him, Alejo takes a knee, raising the shield up over his head to allow the rocks go rebounding off.

'Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Crap!

Ikuto hadn't meant to reveal THAT much! He was committed to it now, though. He straightens, that very not-nice smirk still on his face. "So. Why don't we talk about those eggs, hm?" It's a falsely polite tone, a drawl, and most definitely doesn't speak that he has anything good in mind. He's rather firmly establishing himself as a 'Stranger Danger' with his tone. Suddenly Amu is interfering, and he dodges to the side to avoid the baton a second time. But then he has to be aware of her FIST swinging at his face.

It would be so easy, raise his claw, let her hurt herself on the sharp things. Or better yet, meet her fist with his. But instead he raises the arm without the claw, and grunts as the fist finds purchase on his forearm. That hurt-- Amu is pretty strong in this form. And again, instead of attacking her, he swings that arm quickly, trying to 'throw' her away from him.

Ikuto pauses, as soon as he has a free moment, and turns to look at Tadase again. He can't spare too much time, but he wants to make sure. For the time being the white prince seems to be holding his own. There's enough time for Ikuto to almost smile. He's gotten so strong...

Mikoto's fire wakes him up, though. She can probably see his surprised look. Whoops, he got distracted. But then he does jump back from where the shots were aimed, with a smirk. "Who says?" he quips in reply.

And then suddenly the new guy is Character Transforming! He knows it a second before it happens, thanks to the Dumpty Key. There's a frisson of power that runs through the Key. Good! And if there's any way Ikuto can contribute to that Transformation through his possession of the Key, he's going to!

Except there are rocks falling, and even Ikuto jumps back from them. He looks to the newly minted Character Transformed Bearer, and notes with relief that the other boy has a shield. That's good.

And then the wheels in Ikuto's head start to turn. With all this help, maybe it's time to start putting his plan into action. Besides that, it might take Glitch off-guard, and that'll be good for the heroes. "BAKA!" He calls up to Glitch. "Be careful, he might have the Embryo!"

Yes, he totally meant to do that. But the hand he claps over his mouth in a carefully choreographed 'oops' gesture says otherwise. Yoru does it. Maybe it carries over to him?

Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
Amulet Heart leaps across boulders. Somehow she makes a beepy jump sound when she does this. This barrier is really weird. The explosions also sound like a mess of sine waves like an explosion.

Glitch Matrix looks back and----he's royal sealed!? Indeed, the rays burst out and seem to cause some sort of futzy weirdness. "HEY! STUN EFFECTS ARE CHEAP YOU JERK!" he suddenly gasps. "HEY!" he yells at Mikoto. "SHUTUP!" is all he can say. His Naurto collection is safe on a shelf somewhere, leave him alone!

Wait--did that guy just character transform!? Into a police officer!? Shit it's the fuzz!---wait. That makes no sense.

He summons up an ARM CANNON like some sort of... Ultra Person. He aims it at the police officer- Embyro! NRG. Dammit. The Cat is right and also HE YELLED THAT OUTLOUD IKUTO IS AN IDIOT.

He's still bound, but he's able to raise the cannon and he shoots pellets at Tadase.

"I'M CHARGING MY SPECIAL ATTACK! CAN YOU AVOID MY SPECIAL ATTACK!?." he calls out.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amulet heart performs a front-flip when she reaches the top of the pile of rocks, and then spreads her arms wide and soars as she regains her bearings. Whent he lock around her neck starts to glow, she blinks in confusion. "Ran? What's--" but then the boy she met last night is transforming, and Amulet Heart gasps in surprise. She remembers this happening to Tadase, not too long ago, but it's still a complete surprise.

"Go, Responder Aegis, go!" she calls, cheering him on in a very Ran-like moment. Her baton starts the return trip, arcing around for the back of Glitch Matrix's head, but Amulet Heart isn't watching it. It will come back on its own, eventually!

Instead, she tucks her arms in, banishing the glide as she dives straight down for Ikuto from above, allowing gravity to do most of the work in carrying her into a powerful punch attack.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Platinum Royale's eyes are wide as the new ally Chara Transforms too! Well, that's pretty great. It makes him feel even better about their chances, and - also - about leaving him to his own devices. Which is good, because he's still got a bone to pick. A Fish bone. Because Ikuto's a cat. Just work with me here.

But there's a bunch of video game pellets coming at him first! Platinum dodges the first two (because he can only have three on the screen at one time) and for the third one, he BATS IT BACK at Glitch Matrix! That should give him the leeway he needs, and he leaps into the air, brandishing his scepter like a bat, again. It worked last night after all.

"IKUTO!" he shouts as he jumps. "Stop this before you don't leave me any choice!" What he'd be forcing Tadase to do is left open. This also means he's coming at Ikuto from a different angle than Amulet Heart is.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Ahh, good on the new kid. Managing a transformation the first time... takes some effort. She knows how hard it was for her to get Carnwennan activated that first time, with her 'Uncle' holding off a youma with gunfire and a tire iron.

If Tadase and Amu are going to go after Ikuto, that leaves Glitch Snitch to Mikoto to deal with. She flits in closer, snapping her blade up in salute. "So," she inquires, "Ever played SAO: Hollow Fragment?" She holds out the shimmering blade in a fencing pose. Wow, she looks an awful lot like Asuna like that. It's an image she cultivates.

And then she zooms forward, her flight spell propelling her into a wicked thrust with the enchanted blade, striking straight at the Easter-aligned Devicer.

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
Responder Aegis shudders a little with the impact of each rock on his shield, but he doesn't falter. He doesn't even question /why/ he's Responder Aegis, now. He just goes with it, because he needs to go with it, to get this done. After the second or third blow, he readjusts the angle of his shield, giving himself the space to hold the hand with his baton out like he's going to use it. This has an added advantage; the shield is now *reflecting* projectiles rather than simply *protecting* Responser Aegis from them. It only takes one or two hits before he has them going right back at the person causing them. It seems Platinum Royale isn't the only one who thinks Glitch Matrix should taste a little of his own medicine! Slowly, the uniformed boy starts to advance, creeping up on Glitch Matrix's position.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Exactly as planned. Well, not quite. Tsukumo's got that super attack. Hopefully it's just as telegraphed as a typical similar move in videogames. But he has a Falling Amu to deal with himself. So he oddly jumps UP, catches her fist-- though it's with an audible grunt and a visible wince of pain-- and lets the punch carry him back down to the ground. Still on the ground, he raises a claw to parry Tadase's scepter. He's not really attacking them. Yet.

He does, however, look to Amu. "You should be worried about him." He looks to Glitch Matrix. "Don't you play video games? When he charges his attack... it'll be a full party wipe. And then your little king will fall." That smirk becomes just absolutely horrible. "'Long live the king'? Maybe not." Yes, he's playing with their emotions. He's betting on Amu wanting to protect Tadase, and Tadase wanting to protect Amu.

Mikoto seems to have the right idea, which Ikuto's thankful for. And so does the newly transformed Chara-Bearer. For now, though, he lets Amu and Tadase decide what they're going to do. Will two people really be enough against Glitch Matrix's super attack? Do the Joker and King want to risk it?

Tsukumo Yoshimasa (123) has posed:
Platinum Royale bats a pellet back at him- this impacts against him---but shocks him enough to free him from his pervious rope in. Then Responder Aegis is throwing rocks back at him!?

"ARE YOU READY FOR MY /SPECIAL ATTACK!?/."

He calls out.

Then Glitch Matrix dissapears into a teleport. Then the 8-bit barrier drops.

There is a textbox in his wake....

'Glitch Matrix has ran away...'.

Oh, then that falls to the ground and bursts into energy too in case anyone gets too close.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amulet Heart did not expect to be caught mid-attack! She blushes in surprise, but doesn't even really try to squirm out of Ikuto's arms. "Wh...?" she says, confused at what he's saying. "No, I don't play video games," she explains, glancing past him towards the 'villain'.

But it seems the villain is going to vanish, and leave Ikuto holding the bag--err stolen gem--along with a captured princess. She blinks in surprise as Glitch Matrix vanishes. Spiral heart flies through the space he was just at and returns to Amulet Heart's hand. "Do we really have to fight like this?" she asks Ikuto uncertainly. "Can't you just ... fight against them instead of for them?" Okay she lied, apparently she's giving him another chance.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Without Glitch Matrix to worry about, as Platinum Royale clangs off Ikuto's claw (and Ikuto goes up into the air with Amu) there's only one thing for him to do - shout at Ikuto, obviously.

"STOP TAKING THINGS THAT AREN'T YOURS, IKTUO!" Does he mean the gem, or does he mean Amu? (yes).

He levels his scepter at Ikuto, but it's likely that EVERY PERSON THERE knows that he's not going to blast Ikuto while he's got Amu in his hands. He can't blast him, or conk him on the head, or really anything. But he can yell.

"You coward, why are you always running away! At least fight, if you won't explain your actions! YOU ALWAYS RUN AWAY!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
And Glitch-boy runs away from Mikoto. (Well, and from Responder Whatever, but she's not counting New Boy until the fight's over.) She hurls a few Flicker Shots after him to keep him honest, just in case he's gone invisible instead of teleporting. It's been known to happen.

"HEY!" she yells, whipping around to confront Tadase. "Don't yell at Ikuto!" That's her job.

She hurls a single 'level one' Flakschrecken at him, whipping her blade down to send the mana vortex slamming into the ground at his feet.

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
The bad guy seems to have run off. At least, one of the bad guys seems to have run off. The other bad guy is--maybe running off? With the girl? Responder Aegis frowns as he straightens up from where he'd been hiding behind his shield. He's about to start demanding why everyone is still fighting and why the gem can't just be returned to its rightful owner, and then Mikoto's throwing energy-whatevers at Platinum Royale and Alejo? Alejo is still working on sheer overwhelmed reflex.

Which is why he blurs into a run, trying to skid across the ground in front of Platinum Royale like he's stealing a base, in a desperate attempt to get that shield in the way of the incumbent attack. He's not exactly the best at this yet, but he's *trying*. He probably gets dirt in his mouth either way. Gross.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Some special attack. But Ikuto can use this to his advantage too. The surprise at the sudden teleport must surely be able to get him a FEW seconds' time. He uses it to backflip out of effective striking range. Though he lets go of Amu first. He wants some distance from her too. Because she might choose to bat him.

Amu's words strike a chord, apparently (even though she's not transformed with Miki). And even someone who doesn't know him will see it, the lightning-fast switch of demeanor. Where he had been evil and all too willing to sneer and laugh at them, any trace of levity vanishes from his face. His shoulders slump a little-- he's either slumping or slouching, it's hard to tell.

"We don't have to fight, no," he says flatly. "But you won't stay out of things. So that's a little out of my hands, isn't it?" Yes, he is totally blaming Amu and Tadase. Or at least, that's what it sounds like. Purposely so. Amu's being too forgiving, too nice. He can't have that.

At Tadase's words, a bit of that fire comes back, and he smirks, though the expression is as brittle as glass. And he crosses his arms. "I think I've given you quite enough." He's referring to his very loud mention of the Embryo. "You should be luck I don't take more." His gaze flicks to Amu again.

Though there's a look of surprise when Mikoto shoots at Tadase. He looks like he's about ready to jump in and defend Tadase himself, but he relaxes when he notices where it was aimed. And then Responder Aegis jumps in. And Ikuto smirks again. "I think you were safe," he teases.

"Well. I'd love to stay and chat, but I've still got horrible things to do to undeserving people tonight. Also we have school tomorrow." Though he does pause, to send a look at Responder Aegis. "I'll be in touch, you can bet on that." Another pause, and then he looks at Mikoto. Strangely he has no smartass comments to say to her. But the look he gives her is almost fond. And then he's leaping up onto a tall building, starting to leap away.

Mikoto will get a text on her phone-- not now, but later, when things are settled down-- when Ikuto is safe again. The text will read simply 'thx, nya'. The latter word indicating it was from Yoru as well.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amulet Heart blushes again as she's dropped to the ground at Tadase's side, but she doesn't have time to give chase. Ikuto's already fleeing, and she knows he's faster. "Ah, shoot," she grumbles. "He got away with it again." She glances towards Mikoto, but she has a suspicion this fight is over.

In fact, she's confident enough in it that she separates from Ran. Her henshin vanishes with a suble pop that leaves Amu dressed at least a little more appropriately for the cold November weather. She's panting a little, out of breath from all the exertion, as her trio of Charas fly up around her.

It's about then that she realises all evidence of the fight is just gone. No destruction, no rocky debris. Amu blinks and recoils in surprise. "What?! Where did all the rocks go!?"

Tadase Hotori has posed:
"We can't let him keep doing this." Tadase says to Amu, with a bit of a forlorn glance as Ikuto jumps away. He turns to Mikoto. "I want to talk to you sometime. Not now. But soon. If you want to help him, you need to make sure he doesn't keep walking this path."

When everything dissapears and fades back to normal, and Amu questions it, he just shrugs. "It was a magical barrier. We weren't fighting in the real world." He looks to Alejandro. "Thank you for your help." He hasn't unhenshin'd yet.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto flashes Tadase a light, playful smile. Just for him. She waits, blade at the ready, until she's sure Ikuto is well away, outside of the chance of pursuit... a wide-area-search drone following him, just to keep in touch.

"I'd be glad to talk... and I have to say you fought well yesterday. But I won't allow you to hurt Ikuto." She waves her blade at him, then slides it back into its sheathe. "If he has to be stopped, I will stop him."

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
Now the fighting *does* seem to be over, and Responder Aegis relaxes a bit as he stands up. His shoulders slump, and he goes to put the shield down--which is about the time that the henshin fades from around him. The look of slightly tired surprise doesn't fade, however, even when he goes back to being just an eleven year old kid in an oversized hoodie. Over his left shoulder there is a little floating chara in a policeman's uniform, but mostly Alejo isn't actually *looking* at him yet.

Instead, he glances down to his bag, where there's more motion, and then gets a look of absent concern. "Is...is anyone hurt? Is everybody okay?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu takes a deep breath, then reaches up to wipe at her forehead. She worked up a sweat, with all that exertion, and now it's chilling. With a shiver, she hunches into her pokemon hoodie a little more, the better to get the product in the camera.

"Look, none of us want to hurt him," Amu calls to Mikoto. "I don't want to hurt him. I just want him to stop taking things that aren't his; to stop doing evil things. He's so much better than this. He brought me candy when he didn't have to. He's sweet and kind, and I don't understand why he's being such a jerk. So if your'e going to stop him, do it. Please. For all of us. But mostly for him!"

Tadase Hotori has posed:
"Ikuto is the only one who would make me hurt him, and that's only if he doesn't stop doing things that are wrong - stealing things, putting kid's dreams at risk! Platinum Royale shouts at her.

Then, he blinks. And he turns to Amu.

"When did Ikuto bring you candy?" is all he asks, incredulously.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto chuckles softly. "Evil things? You don't even begin to understand." She shakes her head. "And you have more important things to do. Like teach the noob the ropes." She waves her now-empty hand at Alejandro.

"Now, YOU, young lady," she turns to Amu, "You need to pick up your practice. Up for another lesson?"

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
"No? Nobody? Okay, good. Good, I'm, uh. I'm just...gonna..." Alejo seems to be patently aware he's mostly talking to himself at this point. One hand smooths nervously over the flap of his messenger bag.

The chara floating next to him, however, doesn't seem nearly as reserved as his charge. The tiny police officer puts both hands on his hips, or near to them, and says in as loud a voice as that little body can muster, "Hey! Okay, can we do the love triangle thing later? Maybe like *after* someone's told us what the heck is going o--"

This seems to be reflex, too, the way Alejo looks scandalized and immediately reaches up to try and silence his chara with one hand. This basically covers the officer's whole HEAD, which leads to a lot of muffled protest.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
"Tch!" Amu looks caught betwen embarassed, angry, and terrified at the question from Platinum Royale. She starts to blush furiously. How can she possibly admit to that? It was a horrible experience! Except she's not really mad at him, anymore; sure it was inconvenient timing, but he couldn't have known. Could he? And he did bring her candy; really tasty candy. He didn't try to steal the green egg, that night, either. Really, Ikuto's a good guy. But telling Tadase all of this is just going to make things so much worse. Except she's trying to be honest with him; to be forthright. How can she possibly tell him such an embarassing thing? She can't do it. She's not like that!

"So change," whispers Ran into Amu's ear. "From a girl who is embarassed, into a girl who tells the truth!"

Amu straightens very suddenly and says, "He snuck into my room one night right after my bath, and brought me a bagful of my favourite candies! I was really mad at him for doing it, but then we got to talking about manga, and it turns out he likes all the same ones I like, and he's a really sweet guy and she's right: I don't understand what's really going on with him, but I know that the sweet guy who brought me candy is his inner character, and the thieving cat is just who he pretends to be because he thinks he has to!"

Miki and Su stand stock still a moment, and then Miki falls over laughing so hard she nearly falls out of the sky. She's busy rolling in the air, doing aileron rolls with her laughter. And Amu? Amu looks about as embarassed as a girl can possibly get. Hastily, he turns to run away as fast as her legs can possibly carry her.

Tadase Hotori has posed:
Platinum Royale is so taken aback by Amu's honest commentary of what happened - and it's both annoying, strange, infuriating, /and/ confirms some of his own thoughts about Ikuto, that it bothers him on SO MANY LEVELS.

Frankly, he barely holds his henshin together.

He takes a very big breath, and turns to Alejandro. "Come to the Royal Garden tomorrow after school, and I'll... explain a little more, okay? Right now I uh..."

Platinum Royale takes a very large leap into the sky and vacates the vicinity, in a different direction than Amu left.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto stares after the departing Amu. Blinks. Wait, Ikuto what? Well, she knew he was nice... and apparently he's been that way longer than she's known. Well, that's good! It's just more proof that he's worth the effort she's going to!

And then Tadase leaves, too. And leaves her alone with Noob-san. Apparently he knows she's trustworthy enough not to hurt the poor guy.

And that just leaves Noob-san. "So... new kid. Welcome to the Fun. Congratulations, and all that." She flashes him a smile. "I'd spin you a long tale about how cat-boy's a decent sort and you should just let me handle it, but the Guardians will take care of that for me. I'd keep that Garden appointment if I were you."

Alejandro Tatakai has posed:
Alejandro stares after the recently departed with a mildly bemused expression. He lets go of the little police officer, who crosses his arms and floats indignantly over Alejo's shoulder. At least he's quiet.

That leaves Alejo to turn and smile at Mikoto, seemingly *grateful*. It's an honest look, maybe *too* honest, a very real smile. He seems like a genuine person. "Thank you." He says, for whatever reason. "I think I will. I'm glad you weren't hurt." He actually even gives her a little bow.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto returns Alejandro's bow, still smiling. "Until next time, then, Noob-san." She waves cheerfully... and then flies off after Ikuto. Time to give a certain cat a piece of her mind. Or maybe other pieces.