View source for 15/The Fresh Witch of Mitakihara

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/05/24
|Location=Infinity University - Classrooms
|Synopsis=Hannah, Mami, Homura, and Takashi face the power of terrible 90's rap! Also a Witch.
|Cast of Characters=9, 23, 27, 47
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> ~Several Hours Ago~ <br /><br /> Hannah had been reporting to Infinity Labs on her usual duties as an intern. Numbers won't crunch themselves, and papers won't get shredded with dark energy alone! But her /second/ job as a magical girl for the company takes precedence as she feels something coming from the school itself. Specifically, a tug at her senses from Infinity Middle. Making a judgement call, one cellphone call later, and a less magically inclined intern takes over her duties. <br /><br /> Five minutes later, swiping her staff card on the building's front door and then elevator, Hannah arrives at the school's rooftop. Mid-ride, she henshins, barrier jacket and the twin golden knuckles of Raging Tempest are clenched as floors zip by. With a 'ding', she walks out. <br /><br /> The woman pauses, Raging Tempest screaming warnings in her head. Scowling, she plucks a single yen coin from her pockets and tosses it in front of her. Three feet away, it dissappears from sight and something ripples through the air currents. <br /><br /> It feels, to her, like a barrier. And yet unlike any she's encountered. Better sense and curiousity war, before she finally decides on better judgement. <br /><br /> She needs backup. One phone call to the more higher-ups of the Lab, and feelers are sent out. A name from the gargantuan evil corporation is pulled out after several short conference calls and emails backed up by government-surpassing encryption. <br /><br /> A fellow Infinity student, and Device wielder, Takashi Agera is picked. He'll get a call soon enough, to support a 'White-san'. Roof of Infinity Middle, get there in half an hour. <br /><br /> ~Now, Rooftop of Infinity Middle School~ <br /><br /> Hannah has her arms crossed as she and Raging Tempest keep watch for her compatriot to be, green lines of magic stretch across...and /through/ the barrier before her invisibly. Area Search returns just the slightest idea of what's beyond. <br /><br /> The 'hallway' into the Witch's abode is a junkyard of stacked boomboxes, golden chains, and empty beer bottles. Records and songs from a decade ago all combined assault the ears of those who enter the slightly narrow area, and the occasional gunshot or other sounds can be heard as the music plays. Even amidst all of that, there's a feeling of despair within. It's enough, that even Hannah looks cautious before just barging in. Particularly with Boris elsewhere right now. <br /><br /> Hannah wipes away a nosebleed from searching the area inside. Something calls to her, desperate and pitiful, as well as terribly dangerous. The look on the young woman's face is equal parts excitement, cat-like curiousity, and adrenaline from fear and expectation of a fight. This is no Device user's barrier. To Hannah's sensitive nose, it smells like a youma. <br /><br /> The feeling, to anyone who is nearby, would be just as strong. Particularly for those used to dealing with Witches.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Takashi Agera is, for once, not within the deepest parts of some Eclipse laboratory in the center of Mitakihara, but just leaving his Science Club meeting at Infinity Univeristy - which is why his name gets plucked out of the list, and why his phone buzzes. But he almost doesn't need it, because he can sense -something- wrong above him. On his way up the stairwell, he stops.<br /><br />&lt;STANDBY, READY&gt;announces the device that sits on his wrist in a stern, mid-chidlian male voice.<br /><br />"Good. Axion, EXECUTE."<br /><br />&lt;BARRIER JACKET,&gt;the device suddenly becomes garbeled, and its voice abruptly switches to a Belkan female voice, continuing without a hitch. Ansi&lt;SCHATTEN UMHANG, AUSFUHREN BESTATIGT!&gt;<br /><br />The device bursts a blast of dark blue negative energy in front of it, which Takashi punches first one arm through, then the other. That energy continues to coat his arms and body, before he pushes himself through it completly - arriving on the other side in what appears to be almost a blue robe with silver buttons, and orange and black accents along the cuffs and neck, with long pants to match and dark black shoes. The most visible change, however, is to his face - it is covered by a swirling mass of negative energy, with two bright green eyes and a red mouth to show his expressions.<br /><br />&lt;BARRIEREMANTEL UND&gt;&lt;SHADOW GUISE READY&gt; the device reports, in its confused twin voices. Takashi - now Riventon, turns to continue up the stairs, now bounding them a set at a time, as the device that covers his right wrist and lower arm in a gauntlet begins to store up negative energy for any ensuing conflicts. Eventually, as he reaches the witches' barrier and the word goes completly insane, his robes are hidden by a tight coating of negative energy, as well - a further shield to the hostile threat of the outside world. As everything twists and reforms into an almost kalediscope dream, Riventon is at once annoyed by the wierdness, and incredibly interested by the altered world around him. &lt;GEANDERT PLATZ&gt;&lt;DETECTED, USE CAUTION SIR.&gt;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura Akemi wouldn't normally come to the campus on a weekend, but it just so happened that she forgot her notebook, and she /really/ didn't want strangers taking a peep at what she wrote when she wasn't paying attention to the classes she's already had before. Witch haunting grounds, common disaster areas, a schedule of the days ahead that seemed terribly irrelevant and unreliable in this new and strange timeline, and other very important and private Puella Magi stuff.<br /><br />It wasn't the kind of thing that Homura wanted to leave laying around. Sure, she could probably explain it away as some kind of 'horror fiction' that she was writing, but she'd rather not have to explain it at all.<br /><br />Yet, as she stepped onto the campus, a cold, empty chill settled upon her gut. It was a familiar feeling, a feeling well-known by her: The feeling of a Witch.<br /><br />No, it couldn't be. Why would there be a Witch here? Homura's eyes grew wider as apprehension dawned upon her. There is no way this could ever be possible. Why had everything changed so much?<br /><br />She grew more and more angry at the Witch who /dared/ to dwell at her school. She swore she wouldn't allow it to fester here. Not in this place, so close to Madoka. The Witch's presence was inexcusable. Mami could probably take care of it if she were around... but Homura wasn't really in a position to call her, and waiting until classes started again was not an option.<br /><br />She tried many tricks to find it. She looked for the Witch's Kiss on the necks of students who were here for clubs, or faculty who had work to do on the weekend. She tried to sense the familiars that might be coming from the witch's labyrinth. Once she determined that it was on the rooftop, she decided to henshin into her Puella Magi form and enter the witch's barrier.<br /><br />INSIDE THE LABYRINTH<br /><br />When she sees Hannah and Takashi, Homura instinctively starts, "You shouldn't be he-..." but after a moment, she recognizes the girl from the concert the other day. "Oh, it's you. I'm guessing you felt it, too. The Witch's Labyrinth."<br /><br />Homura isn't quite aware that other kinds of magical girls exist yet. As far as she knows, there are just more Puella Magi around than usual, and they tend to have a greater variety. Homura assumes that Hannah is like herself.<br /><br />"I don't care one way or another about the Grief Seed. I have my own stockpile. Yet I find the presence of this Witch inexcusable. I won't allow it. It'll be safer with the three of us, in case something happens."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Despite the situation, Hannah is all polite smiles as her co-worker arrives. She hums lightly, her Device-gifted 'sight' feeling the flutter of blue robes, and her magical senses offering that slightly chilly feeling of negative energy. She's somewhat used to it after this past year or so. It comes with the territory as an Infinity Labs Magical Intern. <br /><br /> "Good evening!" She states, taking the plunge into bad-90's-rap-land alongside her compatriot. Almost immediately, she dons a pair of over-ear noise-dampening headphones to preserve her precious ears. All some Eclipse-subsidiary brand of course! <br /><br /> "White-san, it is a pleasure to meet you! Ah, but let us not stand on tradition, hmm?" Riventon doesn't strike her as the social type. He hasn't even said a word yet! <br /><br /> Hannah's own shield occasionally grows green as she cancels Area Search, helping defend her from the light assault that wouldn't do much to any form of magical girl, but certainly hammer a normal human. No doubt the other two manage to fend it off as well! A background buzzing that only makes this more irritating. <br /><br /> Before they can get much past the entrance, suddenly, there's a familiar sized-and-voiced girl before them. Hannah smiles a bit wider at that, pausing, and turning about. The signs had led Homura there truly. <br /><br /> "Ah! Vice-Security-Chief-san! Has anyone /ever/ told you that your timing is both impeccable and a little unnerving?" A grin, and then a giggle. She offers a traditional japanese bow. The woman had proven herself impressive. Despite the risk, she's not turning down the help. Particularly when juicy morsels of information are dropped. <br /><br /> She now knows what this is, at least by now, and something else. A 'grief seed'. Hannah pauses, faltering only a second, before smiling. <br /><br /> "...Is that so? Well! The more the merrier I say! Please call me 'Miss White' for the moment. If your actions and combat abilities from earlier are any indication, I will assume you are our sempai in matters such as this? Anything I should refer to you as?" She questions rather jovially despite the circumstances. <br /><br /> There's something of a 'door' in front of them, being a series of crossed golden chains. One strong arm leans back as she walks ahead of the others, and slams a right hook into it. Green magic bursts from her device and blows them away. <br /><br /> She pauses before entering. "Right. Ground-rules: fight bravely, protect each other, but remember the old addage of valor and its greater part. I want to toast to victory, not drag back corpses. Agreed?" A warm smile to the pair and a pumped fist, then she walks past the now 'fuzzy' door. <br /><br /> The trio, once past the gate, enters a club. All around them a varitable wall of bodies makes up the room. Completely indistinct, constantly warping figures too thin and reedy to give gender or race to constantly move, dance, and raise their arms in a chaotic timing to the utterly befuddling music. Hannah grits her teeth before the green barrier around her intensifies. It's not even /good/ rap music. <br /><br /> But interacting with the infinitely deep crowd is worthless, like touching a solid, pulsating wall. In the center of the circular area, the floor like walking on a series of boomboxes that constantly shake the room, is a gigantic figure. A four-armed being, with grey 'skin' amidst the clothing of a dozen different places' vision of a delinquent and punk singer. One hand holds a mic to its mouth filled with gold teeth that are pointed, and spit out the horrible lyrics all at once. The other three hold a human-size molotov cocktail, and the other two golden uzis whose bullets could likely rip a man in half from sheer size.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The music stops as the three enters, a record-scratch making the silence deafening. <br /><br /> Only to start up once more, a constant, more tolerable background beat. It's energetic, without lyrics, despite those gold teeth still moving. The Witch's head bobs, it's dozens of clock-faces and other chains jangling. Then one of those guns fires a dozen bullets at the group. Hannah acts instantly, trying to get within covering distance of her two 'partners'. <br /><br /> Fists go up, and intercept two of the bullets as they clash before the spikes of Raging Tempest. The metallic boombox floor breaks and shatters as her legs flex from the pure force of the impact. <br /><br /> "TOO WEAK!" Hannah screams, and a burst of wind magic turns the massive, rotating bullet the other way. The follow up jab sends the massive bullets backwards, skittering from the force of muscle and wind. Hannah lets out a deep breath, and laughs. <br /><br /> "And here I thought I was going to be /bored/! You are truly a worthy opponent...WITCH!" A nod to her compatriots, and as her legs glow green, she rushes for the massive creature just as it begins to ready another volley of fire!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mami Tomoe patrols Mitakihara. She has done so for her few years she has been a Puella Magi, and for reasons exactly like this - when she gets the feeling of a Witch's Barrier nearby her own Unfinity University, she looks extremely cross for a moment, before giving a sigh. She doesn't say it out loud, but to have one so blantantly set up at such a location, why, it annoys her. She makes her way towards the school, holding up her hand in front of her as she goes. <br /> <br /> One empty alleyway and henshin later, Mami steps out towards the school in her henshin, brushing the feather back on her Soul Gem hairpiece before she makes her way straight towards the barrier. Lord knows what may have happened while she was out checking other areas - sure, she knows there are other Puella Magi around, but who checks the school on the off days? <br /> <br /> Kyouko doesn't, she doesn't even go to school. So... really, Mami inwardly schools herself as she breaks into a run through the barrier. Yes, it's a little weird. But on the flip side, she's been in a witch's barrier enough time to not be (totally) freaked out, and instead stays at a brisk run while also inwardly catalouging the look of everything, as if trying to see what she might be getting herself into. <br /> <br /> Wait-- <br /> <br /> Were those voices?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon follows his new compatriots inside, and... ugh... Rap. He HATES rap. "The things one does in the name of science." he says, speaking for the first as the shadowy mask that he donned earlier retreats into the mass of negative energy swirling around him, revealing his face - young, with long white hair that frames it and green eyes. Despite all the negative energy, and the situation, his voice sounds not only calm, but pleasant. Even kind! "White-san... and her plus one..." he continues, taking a breath as he watches Hannah intercept some of the attacks "..let's resolve this little oddity." He's actually intensely curious, but he's learned from past experience not to show it - then OTHER people get curious and he has to fight them.<br /><br />&lt;TRENNEN SCHATTEN GESTIRN&gt; reports his device as he holds his hand out, breaching the thick black energy that surrounds him. Despite the Belkan speech of the device, the dark blue magic circle that appears under him is clearly Mid-Childan. From the wrist of his gauntlet, two large blue orbs detach, and begin to swirl around him. They start flying forward, shooting blasts of dark energy at more bullets the familiars continue shooting, helping Miss White keep them away.<br /><br />"I think we should deal with the smaller ones first, or they may become overwhelming!" he adds loudly - still in that eerily calm, nice voice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura produces a conventional pistol and starts blasting away at the familiars that approach her. Her firing pattern is odd, as she seems to be firing in multiple directions at once, or firing multiple bullets at the same target. Hannah saw hints of her powers before, though Homura isn't one to explain herself.<br /><br />As Hannah asks for her name, Homura Akemi runs her hand back through her long black hair, flipping it up before she responds. "I don't have much use for superhero names or disguises. You can just call me Homura Akemi. I'm in the 8th grade at Infinity Middle. People I care about attend this school, so a Witch showing up here makes it personal."<br /><br />Homura pauses as a familiar comes too close for her comfort. She reacts too-quickly, a shotgun appearing out of nowhere to blast the creature back. "Well, if you're new at this, then I guess I can give you the rundown. The Familiars are the tiny ones. Killing them can be important, but generally killing the Witch takes care of them, too. As long as we stick together, don't get lost, and destroy the Witch quickly there shouldn't be any problems."<br /><br />"Just don't take it lightly. I've seen far too many magical girls die in one of these. Any other questions are going to have to wait."<br /><br />Around the end of her briefing, they enter the club. Hannah correctly identifies the witch, and Homura looks on, unsettled. She has never seen a Rap witch before. It bothers her more than the 90s Rap music does. As the others complain about the music, Homura responds, "There's no accounting for taste when it comes to Witches."<br /><br />Riventon goes after the familiars, but Homura steps forward to approach the Witch. "You go after them. If you can keep them off my back, I can handle the witch."<br /><br />Suddenly, Homura moves, again far too fast, and an array of rocket launcher appears before her. They are set up like mortars, and each one is aimed at the Gangster Rap Witch. They fire simultaniously, launching their explosive payloads at those gold teeth.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Appreciated, Akemi-sempai. I understand." There's an actual note of warmth and respect despite the din of battle beginning. Hannah might hate such abstracts as defenders of justice, but defending one's friends is something she can appreciate. <br /><br /> A single golden knuckle is waved in the direction of her voice. "...Just be careful. Some of us would use that information. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer saving what little scraps of dignity I have left. Right, less talking, more killing!" A bitter, low laugh. She'll cling to her own honor like a rabid dog. <br /><br /> Mami's run through the barrier is an odd experience, though perhaps less outside of common sense than most. Walls made of too-tall, indistinct people dancing to the suddenly coherent beat. Sounds of gunfire and growing rap lyrics ahead. It'd be a veritable party if it weren't for the feeling of despair and magic and anger just ahead. Mami reaches a doorway, shattered golden chains making way to the trio of Homura, Hannah, and Riventon. <br /><br /> Those same people-walls make up a circular arena-like area, where the trio of Puella (????) are doing battle. All around them, in the walls, familiars blending in fire smaller firearms at the trio. When Mami enters? Quite a few turn towards her! In the center area, the massive form of the Witch fires massive bullets at the trio, though it seems a majority of them miss! This creature fires wildly indeed, as do the familiars! <br /><br /> "Agreed! These small ones are annoying my barrier!" Hannah isn't much on defense as much as evasion, and so one or two of the tinier bullets get through. But her honed boxer's instincts and the constant feed of data let her duck, weave, and generally move about unimpeded aside from a few scratches on her cheeks. The others might note her reactions, if they peer her way: she only seems to react to things around her in a certain range! Hard to tell just how wide it is, given all of the chaos. <br /><br /> Ducking out of the way of one of the Witch's own bursts, the dark energy blasts of Riventon toasts more than a few of the audience, and the incoming smaller gunfire peters off to a minimum. Hannah jabs and kicks short-range bursts of cutting winds at a few remaining familiars, only for Homura's own gunfire and odd firing lanes to completely cause the chaos to stop. The strange crowd actually pauses. There's actual /fear/ emanating from the walls of the arena. <br /><br /> Even the Witch pauses. It's enough for Hannah to speak, slightly breathy, but filled with /excitement/. There's fear, confusion, and all the other emotions of being in a barrier for perhaps the first time. But under it all, she enjoys it. Bloodlust lurks under a ton of good intentions. <br /><br /> Once again, Homura shows off her impressive powers, and Raging Tempest offers the confusing mix of reports that has so intrigued the woman. But for once, she doesn't bother to record, too busy keeping out of explosives range. Those rocks land right into the face of the Witch. The pure force of so many heavy artillery bits going off sends golden teeth to the floor, spittle, and one of the arms of the creature to the floor. It bleeds, horribly, a golden gun lost amidst the chaos.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The other arms work, however. A massive Uzi is aimed for Riventon, firing off wildly in his direction. Already half-way to the great creature, Hannah slams down her forward most foot as she senses the creature tossing that huge molotov cocktail at her! It's a desperate leap backwards, but not nearly enough! Glass shatters, and a burst of fire leaps at the girl! <br /><br /> Skidding along the ground, Hannah kicks her legs, and manages to kick away enough of the fire over and around herself to not instantly be incinerated. There's nothing but flame for a moment before it dies down, Hannah getting to her feet. She's smelling of smoke, barrier jacket lightly on fire and sweaty, but otherwise okay. <br /><br /> The witch aims once more, this time firing a burst of gunfire at Homura, and screeching into its microphone. The pure sound waves cause Hannah to knuckle down and guard, green barrier bursting around her, the sonic pressure driving her into the floor! With every moment, her bones and flesh and jacket ache, everyone in the arena pounded by pure sound! <br /><br /> But Mami, not nearly as close as the others, isn't yet touched! A perfect opportunity for the fourth magical person!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> There is the sound of gunfire. Mami picks up speed, ribbons appearing here and there to flash out at bullets, batting the closest ones away from her before she gets to a spot where she can see the trio fighting the actual witch. Mami looks at the familiars around here, and what they're using to fight - and she smiles a small bit, before clearing her throat and curtseying a little bit, lifting her skirt as matchlock rifles drop of hammerspace to surround her. She pauses, encircled - then she immediately grabs one gun and goes into... well... <br /> <br /> ... it can only be called gun kata. She fires off multiple shots, but stays within the same area, but moves to face each gun as she grabs it, the guns dissipating into ribbons and then disappearing after each use. God bless magical ribbons that you can turn into guns, and this is why you don't bring Mami Tomoe into a gun fight especially against an actual gun Witch. <br /> <br /> She is also singularly going for the familiars. Too many people on one Witch can cause problems. Her gunfire, also, is probably different sounding from the gunfire of the familiars. Also it keeps her moving! A moving target is harder to hit. She knows this. No interference yet, though, from her to the others. Better off for her to... work alone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura purses her lips as Hannah says something that seems rather odd to her. Use what information? This is what a Puella Magi needs to know in order to live.<br /><br />On that note, what is a boy doing here as a Puella Magi?<br /><br />Something doesn't make sense to her here. Well, /in addition to everything else/, something doesn't make sense to her. Yet, she herself said that questions will have to wait. There really isn't time for them in the middle of a fight.<br /><br />A burst of fire comes at Homura, and time slows down around her. Within the moment of stopped time, Homura leaps from one bullet to the next, using them to get closer and closer to the Rap Witch. Atop the last giant bullet fired, Homura produces a belt full of grenades. For each one, she pulls the pins and throws, each one freezing as they leave her hand. She leaps down from the bullet, landing on the ground.<br /><br />When time resumes, Homura begins to hear the loud sonic assault. There isn't much she can do to avoid it, even with timestop powers, so it knocks her onto the ground, pinning her down while she struggles to stand. It's during this moment of vulnerability that she sees a familiar face: Mami Tomoe.<br /><br />Mami seems to be keeping her distance. Well, that's just fine. Homura works better when she doesn't have to worry about her explosives blasting someone in the face.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon continues to work on the familiars; but just as importantly, he watches Hannah and Homura fight. Homura perplexes him, so she gets more of his attention as a 'curiosity'. It's this divided attention that nearly gets him into an awful lot of trouble. Thankfully, Axion is more aware than he is.<br /><br />&lt;DEFENSER&gt;is Axion's response to the incoming hail of bullets, the opaque wall of energy interposing itself. But there are an awful lot of bullets, and there's magic behind them, as well. Riventon, only slightly shaken by the surprise, uses his other hand to reinforce the shield with the dark energy that surrounds him.<br /><br />Riventon is also, therefore, the first one to notice Mami - and too busy to give her the kind of attention he'd like. He starts to make a fighting retreat backwards, hoping to give himself a better command of the battlefield, his two shadow orbs picking off the seemingly endless stream of familiars.<br /><br />"This music is not getting any better. Do we have an ETA on when I can hear myself think again?" He asks, still painfully politeley.<br /><br />A familiar gets too close, and he touches it directly with his glove, causing it to detonate in a fireworks display of dark energy. "This isn't even music! It's just noise to an irregular beat!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Amidst the chaos, all of the gun, Witch, ribbon, and dark-fire, Hannah finds time to smirk in her co-worker's direction. <br /><br /> "We have a saying in this far more musically competent age. GIVE ME METAL OR GIVE ME DEATH, YOU LYRICALLY INCOMPETENT WRETCH!" Seems that someone else is not a fan of early rap. <br /><br /> It seems the level of firearms only increases, as Mami produces ribbon-matchlocks that when fired utterly blow away the familiars! The crowd around them all starts to dissipate, with every pull of Mami's weaponry. Flecks of gold and screams of familiars fill the air one less potential Witch in the world. Soon enough, the wall of people is reduced to floating bits of gold from Mami's assault, and Riventon's dark-magic fire further turns the various familiars to pure dust. When finally the sounds of it all ends, there's only fire, the Witch, and bullets from the being left to contend with. <br /><br /> Oh, and a sonic scream. One that immediately ends as Homura pauses time and shoves a belt of grenades in the creature's face. To Hannah's senses, the woman is gone and then there, with explosions, and yet she can trace part of a track. She laughs and tries not to think too hard amidst the fight. That alone adds dizziness to the sonic vibrations still running through her very bones. <br /><br /> The Witch reels from the blast of Homura's weaponry, dark-gooey blood spewing from a lost jaw. Even its mic is dropped from the combination of assaults upon its form! One that Hannah hardly is going to leave open. Wind magic boosts her speed, and she's over in a lunge along air currents. A hard uppercut to the being half of a jaw sends it tilting upwards as smoke from the explosion billows out. Hannah's 'sight' hardly cares, as she aims hard punches to the chest and limbs of the creature as gravity pulls her down, a flurry of jabs that make horrible crunching sounds despite the size of the being. Pure suffering and pain emits from the Witch as it's pummeled, and Hannah lands. <br /><br /> Two more hands drop uselessly, broken from the assault from the boxer-mage. The last rises up, and thrusts towards her. Hannah flicks her leather-jacket from her shoulders towards the beast, the billowing garment catching the blow even as the pure power of the Witch forces her skidding back and amidst Homura and Riventon. That part of her barrier jacket shatters into magical dust, only her kimono left. <br /><br /> It's around then that she realizes she has another compatriot. <br /><br /> "Homura-san, Riv-san, Miss? Care to finish matters?" She offers, waving a knuckle before herself. <br /><br /> The Witch pathetically staggers, remaining arms limp and bleeding horribly. It cannot even fire, a perfect target for so many ranged magical persons.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> /That/ is why you don't bring Mami Tomoe to a gunfight. It's unfair to everyone else. <br /> <br /> Mami puts her hands up over her head, palms facing outwards. A burst of golden light appears, a series of red ribbons appearing out of her hands. A matchlock rifle appears, but it goes substantially, until it's much, much bigger than it should be - tank like, even. It even grows a set of legs so Mami doesn't have to support it. She takes aim. <br /> <br /> "TIRO!" It fires. "FINALE!" <br /> <br /> It is something like a giant laser cannon. Out of a gun. Made of ribbons. It doesn't make sense, but it's super effective. Also long ranged.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura is feeling somewhat optimistic. Well, relatively optimistic for Homura anyways. She might actually get through this fight without losing anyone. That's always a good feeling. It's probably one of the best feelings that a Puella Magi can have once she fully understands just how doomed she is.<br /><br />She does kindof need to look at the bright side, once in a while, to stave off the overwhelming despair. Not dying counts as a bright side!<br /><br />Mami's firepower is a welcome addition, though Homura might not be the kind who'd say it. Riventon's dark powers are certainly interesting, though Homura isn't sure what to make of him. Hannah seems to value her life enough to be professional, and that's something that Homura can respect. They have a pretty decent team here, all things considered.<br /><br />Riventon's weapon speaks to him. That's interesting.<br /><br />The breaking of part of Hannah's barrier jacket causes Homura to start worrying again, and the Puella Magi stands in front of the device-user while holding up her shield to cover Homura's torso. A purple barrier surrounds Homura, standing between the Witch and Hannah, possibly giving Hannah some time to recover.<br /><br />"Are you going to be okay? Don't take unnecessary risks."<br /><br />The waves of emotion from the Witch don't phase Homura. She's used to that kind of thing by now. Seeing the Witch in a weakened state, Homura decides to take this opening to strike. At Hannah's prompting, Homura states, "Gladly. Let's get this over with."<br /><br />Homura pauses time, and starts it again. At first it may be unnoticable, because it doesn't look like Homura has moved from her defensive position. Yet, suddenly, the Witch is covered in C4, mines, grenades, and all manner of explosives.<br /><br />They all go off at once.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon looks at the horrid creature. Even watches it for a moment... his device chimes in. &lt;NO USEFUL DATA.&gt; "I agree." he adds.<br /><br />Riventon raises his hand and begins to charge up a large ball of dark energy, which draws in more and more energy from the swirling malestrom around him. After a momentary thought, he decides not to put his all into it... the other girls could do that.<br /><br />Even still, he was going to make sure that he did enough of his part not to draw suspicion... and he brought up both hands, the Magic circles begining to form around his glove, expand... spin...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;GOTTLOS SCHLAG!&gt;<br /><br />Riventon fired off the channeled blast of energy straight for the witch's ugly head. The tremendous force of his attack had the effect of pushing him back a good five feet. He wasn't sure if he was happier about the fact it was about to go down, or the fact it was about to -shut up-. Even still, as he often did, he remained alert.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> This Witch is about to have a bad day. The utterly massive ribbon-cannon that is Tiro Finale appears in Mami's hands, and the resulting ribbon-cannon-bullet pierces right through the 'heart' of the Rap Witch. It staggers, blown spine-breakingly backwards from the force of Mami's blow so hard that Hannah winces at the sound of whatever passes for a spine utterly shatters. All that's left is a being bent, twisted, and waiting for death. <br /><br /> Which the others happily provide. Hannah isn't too proud to not take the refuge of Homura's barrier. She smiles. <br /><br /> "If I were alone, this is where I would be either dead, or making a tactical retreat. Now? I am fine. This feeling, this power, this /magic/? My gut tells me that I am safe. Nothing more, nothing less." She offers to those about, laughing. <br /><br /> It's a laugh of victory. <br /><br /> A frankly obscene amount of explosives results in the Witch losing its last arm, and much of its body. The creature is a stubborn thing, writhing about in a pool of its own despair-filled magic-blood, and offers punches and thrusts of its stumps of arms to those around. Thankfully everyone is far away by now, and so it only hurts itself. <br /><br /> Then Riventon fires off a blast of pure dark energy towards its remaining head. Popping like a terrible grape in a burst of negative-energy-blood, the Witch finally falls still. Its body shudders, and falls still, dissolving away along with the rest of the barrier to leave behind the pointed, round, circular black bit that is a Grief Seed. <br /><br /> Hannah starts to walk towards the results of their combined work. Perhaps she's too soft, too open, but she trusts Homura's words. <br /><br /> As the Seed drops to the ground, Hannah turns on her heels as she walks towards it, smiling towards Mami and Homura in particular. <br /><br /> "As they say in England, bloody good job one and all! And just a few scratches! I should hug every single one of you for such a perfect performance of such interesting abilities!" Hannah may well have taken the worst, just a few blood trails on cheeks. Nothing too bad. <br /><br /> She'll walk to the grief seed, and pick it up, if no other magical person stops her. <br /><br /> "...I trust there are no objections to our previous arrangement, Homura-san?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Like I said," Homura adds. "I don't care what happens to that particular Grief Seed." She can't speak for Mami in this case, but she keeps her word, " ... though I wonder, what coud it possibly mean to you?"<br /><br />With the Witch dead, Homura decides that now is the time to start asking questions. Her shield's barrier fades, and she doesn't seem to have any weapons out. Yet she remains in her henshin.<br /><br />"You don't really seem like any Puella Magi I've seen before, and I've never heard of a male Puella Magi either." Homura gestures towards Riventon when she makes that observation. "In fact I'm pretty sure that's impossible."<br /><br />"...which means that I've made some false assumptions about you."<br /><br />Homura glances between Riventon and Hannah, before saying, "I don't suppose you'd mind explaining what gives you the kind of power to fight a Witch?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The Tiro Cannon, as it might be called, dissipates into nothingness. Mami watches the other person, the other girl she doesn't know, head straight for the Grief Seed, and Mami looks intensely, temporarily troubled, her gaze going from Hannah to Homura at the mention of Homura's name. <br /> <br /> She lifts her voice. "/What/ arrangement?" <br /> <br /> Then it becomes apparent what the agreement is, and she frowns. "Do you even know what that is?" She asks of Hannah, gesturing at the Grief Seed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon walks over to the seed as well - he doesn't even need Axion blaring in his head about it to know it's something he wants - as much for Eclipse, for himself - and that he's not ready to give it up. He stands next to Hannah as Mami seems to be unwilling to honor Homura's agreement.<br /><br />"We're taking the trinket." he says, firmly, standing clearly next to Hannah, his energy still swirling about him. The two energy orbs that have been assisting him in his work interpose themselves between Hannah - and the grief seed - and Mami.<br /><br />"I thank you for your cooperation - but I think everything would end most polietly if we were all to part company now, with no further discussion. We will be taking the item." he emphasizes again. At no point does his politeness or niceness in his voice waver or change.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hannah lets out a deep sigh. Riventon gets her attention even as she snatches up the Grief Seed, and offers a smile to Mami and Homura. There's some amount of heartfelt things in that sightless look. She legitimately wouldn't have survived without Homura, Riventon, and Mami. She doesn't bother to hide it. <br /><br /> She starts with Mami just as she scoops up the Grief Seed. <br /><br /> "Homura-san does not require this particular Grief Seed." She states openly. <br /><br /> "And therefore it belongs to us. Please forgive any such arrangements, you came a moment or two belated to partake. Finders, keepers, et cetara." <br /><br /> She waggles the pointed end at Mami. <br /><br /> Then she dips into a bow at Riventon's words. <br /><br /> "I should seek to hug and cuddle this Grief Seed upon my bosom like a lover, my good Akemi-san! That is what I shall say for now." An over-dramatic response, full of laughs and giggles and teasing. Utter deflection to Homura's real question. <br /><br /> She bows to the pair. <br /><br /> "My thanks as well. Still..." An arm is reached for Riventon's neck, to pull him close. Her Device whispers. <br /><br /> "Transfer." <br /><br /> "Until next time, I hope to hear your voices again." Call her brazen, but she flicks a pair of cards to the two Puella. There's a number to a 'Miss White', on a burner phone for the two girls, as she tries to magically teleport herself and Riventon away. <br /><br /> "...Stay safe, hmm?' She offers, gently, as she dissappears in a burst of wind magic.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The two disappear, before Mami can make her move to try to get the Grief Seed, leaving her with just Homura. Her jaw tightens, and she turns to look at the other Puella Magi. <br /> <br /> "Why?" She asks, simply, her tone soft, flat. She doesn't make a move, but she's still in her henshined form.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura frowns. No explaination? Well that's disappointing.<br /><br />Hannah also leaves before Homura can warn her about how dangerous that thing is, which makes Homura's stomach jump into her throat.<br /><br />She shouts to the now-empty air, far too late to be heard. "Don't be stupid! You could get killed messing around with a thing like that!"<br /><br />Homura falls to her knees, wondering for a moment just how much trouble she has just caused. Worse case, the witch could appear again, and they'd have to fight it all over again. Some people might die before they figured out where the witch went.<br /><br />Yet, somehow Homura isn't sure that this is the only thing that can go wrong. With everything having changed on her, can she really be sure of what will happen as a result of this?<br /><br />For the first time in a long while, Homura has no idea of what the consequences of her actions might be.<br /><br />In response to Mami, she speaks while keeping here eyes on the ground. "... I thought they were like us. I just assumed. I wasn't thinking. I figured if I offered it to them, I could avoid fighting over something stupid and focus on the Witch."<br /><br />"If I knew... I wouldn't have made that kind of deal."<br /><br />Turning up to Mami, she says, "Look... if you need one... I have some spare. You did come here to fight, after all, and it's my fault we lost it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "So we've got people with some sort of magical power that ... possibly aren't Puella Magi. That can take Grief Seeds." Mami says, thinking out loud. <br /> <br /> "Well. That's good to know." She may have to find Kyouko. "I'm... good for right now. Thank you, though, Akemi-san."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Maybe it wont be a big deal," says Homura. "I wonder if Kyubey would take notice."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Unfortunately Homura's warning escapes Hannah, the woman teleporting away blissfully. <br /><br /> Hannah and Riventon end up at the front door of Tomoe Labs. In her Henshin'd knuckles is both a single spiked golden form of Raging Tempest, as well as the black-metal form of a Grief Seed. She flicks the simple magical device in her fingers, sighing aloud. <br /><br /> Finally she releases her fellow Eclipse member. <br /><br /> "...What an interesting pair. Grief Seed, is it? I wonder what this thing truly is?" She offers to the fellow Mahou, as she enters into the Tomoe Laboratories. <br /><br /> "But let us see what those above us can offer, hmm? Well done, Riv-san. I have a good feeling about all of this." She smiles, nodding to her fellow compatriot as she walks towards Tomoe Labs' innards.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Well, if you see Kyubey before I do, ask them. Wasn't one of them a guy, anyways?" Mami was a bit far away, she didn't really get close enough looks at anyone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:47|Takashi Agera (47)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riventon is surprised but accepting of the teleport. "A good way to defuse the situation - just getting us right out of the area." he adds, making a mental note of it. "Those two certainly were interesting, especially the one that you arrived with. I thought we might come to blows despite the agreement - the blonde seemed to me making somewhat aggressive forward movement." he continues, almost musing in his mind. He sees White-san walking with the prise into the laboratories.<br /><br />"Ah." he begins. "I see you will deliver the goods and I will write the report, then?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"He was, yeah," says Homura. "That shouldn't really be possible, right? Kyubey never makes contracts with boys."<br /><br />Homura keeps quiet about what she'll say to Kyubey, though she does know that shooting him does no good.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Hannah Sharpe (27)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hannah rolls the Grief Seed in her fingers, spine over spine. <br /><br /> The girl takes a deep breath, amd sighs, putting the Seed in her pocket. <br /><br /> "Interesting indeed! I just hope those two take up my number. Please. Offer the report. Any more information from those two? Right into the company's database~." She offers to Riventon, smirking. She waves her burner-phone. <br /><br /> "I wonder what those two shall offer to Eclipse, hmm?" A smirk, and then they're into a proper office building. <br /><br /> Hannah for her part takes in all of the recuperation and paperwork to end this particular offering to her organization.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:9|Mami Tomoe (9)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "... Mmm. Well. Thank you for your assistance with keeping Mitakihara safe, Akemi-san." Mami says, before she heads back off on her patrols.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Homura says, "Yeah... See you around, Mami. Stay safe."<br /><br />Homura stands up, brushes herself off, and goes to find that notebook she came her for to begin with.<br> <br>
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