act44side

The TV station's in total chaos...

Wow...

Grandma told me stories about Northern Court special forces infiltrating Mitsukue in her youth.

I didn't think much of it at the time. Thinking about it now, though, what we're seeing is just a fraction of what could really happen...

What do you think about my surprise for Kinbee?

I think it might be a little <i>too</i> big...

Well, we should focus on our own tasks. Moriuchi-san has already infiltrated the TV station. We need to head to the accession ceremony.

There shouldn't be many people there at this time, but you'll need to help out if there's any resistance.

Gotcha.

All that's left to do is act! I'll lead the way. Climb up this vent!

Follow me!

I-I'm coming!

It... it's so high...

Don't worry, I've got a light. Hold my hand, and I'll lead you on.

Momoka tries not to look down, but she cannot keep herself from shaking.

They are moving through massive formations of steel rebar. The darkness of night hangs above, while it is bright as day underneath their feet.

TV station staff, yakuza, and ninja form a picture of chaos beneath them.

How are you doing, Kichisei?

A-Alright.

Good.

You don't come up to this kind of place often?

Who does? Are you a deserting ninja or something?

No, I got used to this kind of place while hiding from ninjas.

Hiding?

That's not important—we're here!

Hmph, we've got people down below...

Momoka, jump over this gap and follow those pipes down to the stage. You should be able to stay out of their view.

That far?!

I, I'll try...

Momoka clenches her fists, her eyes fixed forward, and kicks the ground hard—

The steel structure suddenly starts moving, and the platform beneath Momoka's feet begins to vibrate irregularly.

Why did it start moving all of a sudden?!

I, I think I'm falling!

Watch your head!

What's going on...?

Whoa!

She fell?!

We're going down too! Sarasa!

Ya—hoo!

Are you alright, Momoka?

I'm alright! Hanging in there.

Get on the stage! I'll get the console! Start once the lights come on!

I can't wait for Momoka's show—

I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

Mio-san...?

...Momoka.

You've come to stop me, haven't you?

Yes.

Why?

For the Kinsekikai.

I know what you're going to say. That will ruin the Kinsekikai.

Mio-san, Hoshiguma has shown up at the door of the TV station. You should go now, according to Mifune-san's instructions—

Hoshiguma showed up for her.

But Mifune-san—

The other one watching me, I know you're there. Go and tell Mifune-san that Hoshiguma will definitely come, and I'll be waiting for her here.

Now, Momoka, Kichisei-san, and that girl hiding behind the console, whose name I do not know.

I suggest you stay put until Hoshiguma shows up.

Your grievances against Mifune-san and Kinsekikai are certainly legitimate. But this place is also home to me, and to many others.

I can't let you destroy it.

She's bluffing! Momoka—

The black ethereal hand suddenly appears in front of Kichisei's neck. She instinctively takes a step back and pulls the trigger.

The ethereal hand shreds the bead-shaped grenade.

The lights go out, and the stage darkens, illuminated only by a faint light in the direction of the console.

Mio walks towards the light, sword in one hand, tantou in the other.

That's right, I'm here... come on now...

One of the spotlights suddenly turns on, shining straight into Mio's eyes. Then another, and another, and another—

Then they all turn off at the same time.

Mio's hesitation lasts only an instant. She takes a moment to collect herself, then charges at the console—

Bang!

A falling spotlight narrowly misses Mio's head. By the time she turns her gaze back to the control console, there is no longer anyone there.

While Mio is occupied with the console, Kichisei, Momoka and Sarasa begin running towards the side stage exit.

She locked the door! Let's try another—

Click, click, click.

They hear the sounds of locks being engaged...

The lights above their head turn back on.

Mio slowly walks towards the gathered trio.

The lights are no longer under your control. Resistance is futile.

You think so?

Sarasa closes her eyes and raises her lamp-shaped staff.

Mio's pace quickens.

Suddenly, the tip of the staff emits a blinding light, and the spotlights above the stage turn off again.

Not just the spotlights. All the light that remains on the stage is trapped in the liquid bouncing at the tip of the staff—

Lights out, ice queen!

—and even the last glimmer of light is utterly consumed.

Sarasa?!

Let... me sleep... I'm... so tired...

(Whisper) Wh-What do we do? I can hear Mio-san's footsteps! She's coming!

(Whisper) Let's try the other side of the stage. Maybe the door there's still unlocked...

(Whisper) No, it's too far. She'll find us!

(Whisper) This is where we fell, isn't it? Can we go back the way we came?

(Whisper) The vents—

Kichisei puts Sarasa on her back and was about to move, when they hear Mio's voice coming from center stage.

Don't bother. I can hear you.

What do we do?!

It's all or nothing. I'll deal with her—

Suddenly, she hears the sound of knocking behind her.

Is it locked? I guess we'll have to do this the hard way.

Get out of the way!

A massive crash, and the locked door swings open, bringing in light from beyond.

The next instant, as though answering the call of the light coming in from the door, bright orbs of light float up from Sarasa's staff and go back to where they came from—