Scene #2765: Holding Back 2

Owner	Pose
Chrono Harlaown	Chrono Harlaown had launched himself as best he could, redirecting the tentacle just enough, managing to escape it... Fortunately... just enough space. Just enough distance. Just enough focus. Ever ounce, every iota of focus on the battle, on the threat before him. There was no relaxed, casual smile. No calm, gentle 'I have everything under control' energy. There was just focus. Just the energy of 'Try not to die'. And that... Still hadn't been enough. The second attack, the second blast... But there was hope. Because it was at this time, about when the flames washed towards him, that he threw himself to the right, hard. He spun hard to the right, the sheer power of dark energy only glancing off the shield he threw up, but even that glance an the shockwave was enough to send him flying away as if he'd just been launched out of a cannon, slamming into the water so hard he bounced three times before coming to a stop. Had it actually hit him? He'd... well... He didn't want to think about it. The damage would have been catastrophic. As it was, he rose out of the water, panting, clutching his rod in his right hand, singed, dripping with water... And it was then... That the barrier around them began to snack. Crackle. And finally... Collapse. Shards around it falling apart before as the reality re-asserted itself. And they'd see Chrono, hovering there, looking.... Definitely worse for the wear. Burned, definitely hurt. Probably the first time they saw him in battle without the calm 'Don't worry, I have everything under control' smile on his face. Soaking wet and well... The moment he had a lock, he setup a communication. Probably the first time he didn't wait for Rashmi to do it. A sign of just how serious the situation was. << We need to get out of here. Now. I threw everything I had at him, as an Enforcer. Everything. It just made him stop holding back. >>
Souta Camero	Well that didn't sound good. Inspector Camero had started to move the moment he heard that Enforcer Harlaown was in trouble. That alone was enough reason to spring into action. Yet as he got more and more information about the issue his steps got ever more urgent. Jogging became dashing, and dashing became sprinting across rooftops. By the time he got to the edge of the barrier he was all business, all speed, in a flow mindset where his only concern was combat and the safety of his fellow mahoujin. Now the barrier is down, and Riventon is being a Big Problem, and Chrono needs immediate help. So Souta sends him some. "Deploy Shield Spark, Max Charge." < Shield Spark MAX > A shining beacon of mana flies out of the Inspector's twin Tonfas and over Chrono's head, creating a protective bubble around the beleaguered Enforcer which will hopefully give him just a little bit more survivability. Camero comes to a stop in between Chrono and Riventon, Tonfas crossed in front of him defensively. "Cease and Desist!" he shouts. "If you have a grievance with the TSAB, go file a complaint with the head office."
Rashmi Terios	---- THEN ---- A distress call from S2U? Rashmi was henshined and moving before she even had a location to home in on, and her contact list up. Souta and Coco were both near... and knowing Souta, he was already on his way. TXT to Coco -- Coco-chan Chrono's in trouble and we're defintiely gona need your help to get him out of it. I'm on my way there, I won't be hard to spot. >> ---- NOW ---- << On it, >> she says curtly as the Barrier goes down and she can see the full extent of the hairball in which her boyfriend has gotten himself tangled, and soars in closer. << Yellow Pearl-chan, can you protect Chrono? We'll make some space so we can all get away. >> << BONG! >> << SOLAR BARRAGE >> If there's one thing that can manage to grab as much attention as an Inspector in one's face, it's a three-Barret-per-second stream of Midchildan pacification being walked in a line, purposefully to a) keep clear of Souta, and b) herd Riventon backward. "Remember to fill out the forms in triplicate, or they'll get buried in the Who Cares You're Being A Jerk filing cabinet!"
Coco Kiumi	As soon as Coco receives Rashmi's message, she leaves everything behind, and transforms, carried through the air by the Live Stage, eyes darting around rapidly trying to locate the Page Mage while the redhead is on the way to where the distress signal originated. She wasn't sure how much Rashmi knew about what threat Chrono was facing, and there wasn't really time to ask for clarification in the current circumstances. << I am right after you >>, she limits herself to saying, trying to keep the Live Stage as dimmed as possible. It wasn't really what it was made for, but it was important their arrival wasn't noticed before they could get close. With her present on the scene, she immediately heads to the TSAB Enforcer's location, starting to sing and getting close enough so her Live Stage takes him in. Loving past the limits of the heart inside Finding out the reasons after all has died Holding on to hope inside a hopeless place Knowing all was worth it just to see your face All my love erupting in a fountain All my love ascending up the mountains All my love is reaching to the bottom of the sea All my love enraptured by your visage All my love outside for you to witness All my love I'd give to you so we can swim again Reinforced by the purifying song to repel something that might reach at them despite the strength of Souta's shields, the Live Stage reaches its full brightness, and Chrono will be able to feel the fatigue fade, and the superficial burns he has been hit with will likewise start to be mended, though at a slower pace he might expect from cases with other healers.
Takashi Agera	Riventon grumble-snarls, seeing Chrono still conscious, having long since let the anger flow through him in order to empower himself in this fight, in order to FINISH this fight. And any other fights with Chrono in one fell swoop. But then the Barrier he put up shatters - a mix of external effort and his own lack of focus on it - and Riventon is standing outside a warehouse in Tokyo, looking out at the water where Chrono was just sent - as the bubble shield wraps around Chrono. Riventon is visibly bleeding Dark Energy - there's a literal aura of it around him - but when Rashmi's Solar Barrage comes in, he'll need more than that and his barrier jacket. Unfortunantly for the rescuers, he's got just such a spell, and his Device casts it for him. <<KAISERLICHE VERBUNDPANZERUNG>>. Axion announces as several sheets of energy erupt from Riventon's gauntlets, each wrapping around him like a palpable magic shield. Rashmi's barrets collide into them, trading layers of shielding for Riventon not getting damaged - except that more layers are simultaniously added, like an onion growing at the same time as the layers are being peeled. Coco's song also does the same, helping Rashmi's barrets at least make some progress in unpeeling Riventon's new defense, but in the meantime - Riventon's moving forward. "OH I'VE GOT A GRIEVANCE OR FIFTY TO FILE BUT I'M NOT DOING IT IN TEXT." Riventon yells. "You called for help BUT I DON'T THINK YOU GOT ENOUGH!" he says, as Barrets and Battlesong challenge his aura armor, winning but slowly. "Fine, I'll get some reinforcements too, once they get here they can PICK UP THE PEICES WHEN I'M DONE." Riventon growls, though also informing the others that if they wait too long it might not be just Riventon... "Now, I'm going to need YOU to shut up..." he says to Yellow Pearl Voice, generating a series of liquid Dark Energy orbs on the left side of his body, "You to get away from my prey, whoever-the-hell-you-are..." a series generates above his head as he looks at Souta, "and you to... also shut up but not because you're singing!" he says, looking at Rashmi as the right side set generate.<<DAMMERUNGSFEUER - GEZEITENMODUS>> calls his device, then "ENGAGE!" Riventon calls as he launches the ice-cold partially-Panthalassan liquid Dark Energy once again, this time at Chrono's rescuers. Because he can't keep burning energy to resist their attacks for long, but looking at Chrono, Riventon's current thought is that he doesn't have to. He just has to get one good hit in on the Enforcer to do it. Then he can duskport out after a decisive strike, or even challenge the others with reinforcements - or at least thats HIS plan.
Chrono Harlaown	Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but appreciate the impeccable timing. And while he didn't confirm the fact he'd called for help... he didn't deny it. He'd rather just let him stew on it and consider it. If he knew? Great. If he was unsure? Great. Let him think that Chrono called for help from inside the barrier, or that they'd seen it, somehow. Anything, really, it wasn't a big deal either way. All that truly mattered was that help had come and he was not dead. The protective shield from the mermaid and the bubble from Camero, however, were appreciated as he made his retreat. It was telling that he didn't quip back, that he still wasn't smiling. That he was entirely focused on fleeing from this monster, trying to get away and put as much distance as possible between himself and Riventon. There'd be time to go over the data he'd stolen later. For now? All he was doing was flying away, skimming along the water and fleeing, allowing the others to cover him as he fled, kicking up water as he ran away... Not even putting up any argument or a token resistance at the idea of trying to not run away. As he was fleeing, both Souta and Rashmi's devices would be getting a lot of battle information, a link established and... information being shared... just in case things still turned out badly. From here.
Rashmi Terios	Chrono wasn't kidding at all about Riventon having new tricks. A lot of new tricks. That was bad enough, but the fact that Chrono is just immediately employing the better part of valor the moment his reinforcements came... told Rashmi a lot about what the situation was like before they showed up. Riventon was saying words, but they didn't really matter so much as the Dark Energy he was conjuring and about to set on them. << ...We need to break line of sight, >> she says as the first grouping of Panthalassesque Barrets is summoned. << I can put up a Shield big enough to obscure all three of us but we'll need to leave the moment I put it up. Also I do not like what I'm looking at, here... Nicomachea, I need more to not like. >> << BONG! >> << MANA INVESTIGATION >> Among the next dozen Barrets conjured around Rashmi is a sensor ball... physically indistinguishable from a Barret, excepting perhaps a lack of attack-magic malice. But that's all the prep time she gets as the tide is sent to crash upon them. Her Barrets are launched out in front of her; primarily to intercept and perhaps cancel out some of the oncoming attack, but also to fly cover for the sensor streaking near Riventon's position. Perhaps it'll be dismissed and dodged! Peraps it'll be blocked. Either way... Rashmi has been making a personal project out of upgrading Nicomachea's sensors. And this is the perfect opportunity to field-test the spectral analyzer. But she doesn't let that be her only defense against the incoming attack; Tucking herself up, Rashmi watches the liquid Dark Energy roll in... closer... closer... << BONG! >> << SOLAR FLASH >> And her flash-step spell carries her through the attack front, and begin what is becoming a very, very familiar kind of chase, jinking and dodging and suddenly altering vectors and-- --HOLY OW-- She cannot help but loose a cry of pain as the Twilight Fire splashes against her leg, and the sickly fire of Dark Energy takes hold and begins its corrosive work on her Barrier Jacket. But that's a risk she knew she was taking...
Souta Camero	Paradise Spectrum informs Souta that Rashmi and Coco are also here. He doesn't need to look at them to ''know'' where they are because his ID fills in the gaps of his spacial awareness. At the same time, Paradise is in contact with S2U, processing and updating battle data as needed. Souta recognizes Riventon from the Moon Wedding, though he's not shocked that the recognition isn't returned. A Best Man stands out a fair bit more than a face in the crowd. "Inspector Camero," he introduces himself, out of habit, "and your ''prey'' is my fellow officer." It's both a show of bravado and a cope, to be calm in this situation. He was taught not to show weakness or fear in the face of the enemy, no matter how powerful they are, but courage and idiocy are actually very different things. While Souta has always endeavored to be brave, he has ''never'' envied a fool. Which is why, as his device gives him a realistic appraisal of their chances of victory, he listens. < Recommendation: Flee before his reinforcements arrive. > The liquid darkness is launched at him. Paradise automatically casts, < Return Shield >. A swirling magical circle appears in front of Souta, absorbing the first impact, cracking at the second, and more at the third. Camero has only a brief few moments to really understand just ''how'' the Enforcer ended up in such bad shape before one of those dark energy shots breaks through his shield and hits his Barrier Jacket, knocking him back into the air where he rolls before landing on his feet. The fire burns into the outer layers of his Barrier Jacket, making scary-looking holes in his henshin armor. "Halberd mode," he calls out, as his twin tonfas glow bright green before merging into one long shaft, with a blazing energy blade at the tip. He lunges forward, towards the monster that is Riventon, holding his Device up high before bringing it down on the Vice Director, then stepping back and trying to stay at the edge of his range. Normally at this point he'd be combining this with Barret Sparks, but he went all in on protecting Chrono and he needs a moment for that to recharge. His mind racing, he relies upon a different spell. < Paradise Chain > announces his device, as a glowing green magic circle appears around Riventon's feet, which in turn instantly launches several green chains that wrap around him with the intent of binding him down, even if only for a moment. In response to Rashmi, he transmits, << Just give the word when it's time to move. Whatever we do, it needs to work. >>
Coco Kiumi	Despite the joy she is putting in that song, Coco feels troubled when Riventon claims to be calling reinforcements too. She doesn't think there are other Device Mages at Obsidian at least, so that might get them a bit more time before anyone picks up a phone and reads it. << How long do you think we have before anyone comes? >> Coco asks, though it doesn't really change they have to get out of there, and fast. The liquid dark energy looks just as concerning as she would have thought once she had seen Riventon was on the other side of this conflict, even more so with his recent augments. The vicious attack impacts the sphere of light with a loud impact that makes her teeth rattle and her head pulse. It fiercely adheres to the Live Stage, overpowering its own repelling effect. But it doesn't get all the way in long enough that the mermaid princess can will the sphere of light out of the way, letting the bubbling darkness land on somewhere else. She wasn't really expecting otherwise, but just a second in, and they have already been hit full force. All my love across a yellow sky Trapped inside waiting to reach your mind All I have is what you mean to me Our bond across seven seas All my love across a moonlit night Held inside waiting to set you free All I have is what you mean to me Our bond across seven seas Our bond across seven seas Our bond is everything to me So when you're sinking deep Into a restless sleep I will guide your dreams to me A burning torch to light the way A promise that I'll never break Til nothing's stopping you and me The tranquil melody vibrates in the air, conveying a serenity clashing with their current situation, fueled by the trust she has in her friends, and the conviction she has always held to. A look of alarm appears on her face when Chrono runs out of the Live Stage's protection, and she rushes after him, using her song to create another one for the TSAB Officer. She still fills the air with the melody, trying to purify any dark energy that may still come after them, and push it away with the Live Stage. Hopefully.
Takashi Agera	In the ''immediate'' term, Riventon's renforcements take the form of a large group of Kindabads - the animated black jumpsuits with red glasses that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, one of several groups of Putty Patrol threat youma that Obsidian has access to - there's a large quantity of them, spilling out of the warehouse. They're well behind Riventon, though, because he's trying to move forward and dash in to break through to Chrono, green eyes aglow. While pushing forward, Riventon is largely concerned with trying to get to Chrono before he gets away or recovers; this means that the barrets and mermaid song continue to drive into his shields and wear them down, but the one that doesn't is less dismissed and more not a priority. Axion notes the presence of the different orb, though. But it too, has more important things to deal with. Souta's halberd could be the last hit to finish off Riventon's regenerating aura of armor, being worn down by Barrets and damaging Merfolk song this whole time, and it can't let that happen. <DEFENSER.> it calls, autocasting the Midchildan barrier to resist Souta's halberd long enough for Riventon to respond on his own. The two sources of energy crackle against each other as Riventon's momentum is stopped. "Out of my way, Additional Inspector Zenigata." Riventon growls, trying to push past him more than through him - except the binds creep up and prevent him from going around him. "You're going make me break you too, huh?" he asks. Too close to meet the halberd with his energy line, but maybe Souta doesn't want to be this close either. Just as the halberd breaks through, Riventon is able to break the bind and shift out of the way, and he tries to reach out for and grab onto any exposed part of Souta's skin with his left hand - aiming to just grab him and drain his energy if he gets ahold of him. "Fine, I'll have your energy AND we'll bring the others down!" Pearl Voice's music cause the Kindabads who try to swarm to also grab their ears and stall, but a slightly taller one near the warehouse begins to organize the others, speaking unintelligible gibberish to each other. And then a group of them come out of a set of double doors, a half-dozen Kindabads as a group carrying some sort of very large, likely Riventon-built magitech cannon-like-tube. Which is increasingly more likely to be a cannon as it clearly begins to charge up energy in the barrel.
Chrono Harlaown	<< Not long. Just pull back, go. He's unlikely to pursue now that help is here. >> Chrono said over the communication line and, fortunately, it looked like they were pulling back... And now, Chrono managed to do the most insufferable thing, covered by the stages and the mermaid... He got away. Into the city proper. Now, it wasn't very far, heading towards Radiant Heart, mind. Only a block or so away to regroup and reconvene with everyone else as they pulled back to head out as a full unit... But it was far enough that he was out of sight and able to mask his signature and presence much better. And, more importantly... With reinforcements here, it was quickly getting to a more difficult case for Riventon. Because who knew who else was on the way? Heading towards Radiant Heart, and fleeing his home field advantage... Now? The others just needed to extract... And Chrono... Chrono still wasn't smiling... Because none of that, not a single bit of that... had been good.
Souta Camero	<< I see he wasn't kidding about the reinforcements being on the way, >> notes Souta with the kind of calmness that comes from being in the zone rather than in his feelings. The Kindabads are now coming out of the warehouse and ''swarming them''. While on any other day he'd be more than happy to give the PreCure version of the Putty Patrol a direct demonstration of the inverse ninja law, it's a bit hard to actually fight them while ''also'' fighting Riventon. << I believe the perfect time to pull back would be now, actually. >> The Inspector is far too close to Riventon, and the Vice Director grabs him, and while he may have been aiming for exposed skin Souta blocks his efforts with the sleeve of his Barrier Jacket's jacket. He dashes backwards, without breaking Taka's grip, slipping out of the henshin jacket and revealing a black jumpsuit underneath. The fate of his stylish jacket is sealed as the dark fire slowly takes it over, and eventually it will turn into nothing, but luckily for Souta he'll likely be able to summon another one the next time he henshins. "Sorry to cut our first real meeting short, but I'm afraid I have a prior engagement," he quips, in stark contrast to how very much Serious Business his expression is. < Spark Barret > announces Paradise Spectrum, before launching a shining mote of mana that flies around Riventon and tries to pelt him with green barrets. Meanwhile, Souta turns away, dashes forward, and lets a burst of magic fire from his feet to rocket him forward, kicking up dust in his wake. He flees, immediately, as is his responsibility in this particular tactic. Heading for the nearest seemingly empty building, dashing around the corner, breaking line of sight and staying low to avoid detect. He's very quick on his feet, very nimble, and very confident in his ability to move. << We can regroup once we're safe. Is everyone still okay? >>
Rashmi Terios	One of the screens above Nicomachea's pages comes alive with scrolling numbers, waveforms, and readings... Which would probably be extremely interesting but best studied in detail later. Right now, she slips a module from her Device's cover, slotting it into place and waiting... ...for Souta to break away. << BONG! >> << AREA INDEX: SOLAR SHIELD -- GLACE SHIFT >> Generally, the largest directional Shield Rashmi can create by herself is roughly five meters in diameter, just enough to cover her and one or two other people. The half-circle of light conjured by this spell, with the Area Index's boost, is easily ten times that, the length of an Olympic swimming pool at its base. And as the Kindabads begin to charge their cannon, the light screeeches, then CRACKS into a meter-thick wall of spiked, golden ice, very much a visual warn-off as it is a Barrier. And the moment the ice slams into place, Rashmi herself turns and flies at top speed in the general direction Away From Here. There might be a couple Solar Flashes to augment her escape. Rashmi isn't the fastest Devicer in the air, after all. << Leg hurts but I'm pretty sure I'll be fine, >> she reports. << And I probably got some readings that'll go interestingly with your combat data, Chrono. Yellow Pearl, how're you doing? >>
Coco Kiumi	Now that Coco isn't so focused on trying to survive the impact of Riventon's attacks, she starts picking up on the odd familiarity of his attacks. Not wholly, but part of it sort of made her feel just like she did when they were facing Gaito. It really was that distinctive. They should probably discuss this, when they don't have the scientist bearing down on them. If Riventon has successfully merged the power of the Panthalassa into his, he has probably already made plans for how to do the same with every other system of magic. At least all of them are now out, and they don't have to worry about the sudden swarm of Kindabads. Has he already worked out the Phantom Empire's power, or has Queen Mirage just chosen to send them out instead of her generals? Weird choice, but she isn't going to complain if it's the latter. If it's the former... << I am ok. The Live Stage managed to hold Riventon's attack off in the end, and I think Chrono should feel better too >>, she notes, looking at the concerned party to make sure that actually was the case. She is not sure if something went in the way of her song's restoration, or if they were in the clear. << Did you feel it too? How part of Riventon's power had a similar feeling to Gaito's? He must have reached his goal, and maybe with the Phantom Empire's power too >> she shares her doubts, pursing her lips.
Takashi Agera	It's the combination of everyone's work that gets them out alive - particular when whatever the device the Kindabads are holding fires and crackles a nasty, sickly purple-pink-black burst of collected Dark Energy against Rashmi's barrier. Whether it punches through in the end after a moment is irrelevant; the cannon heats up bright red and the Kindabads drop it, and in any case, everyone is free. Except Riventon, who thanks to Souta's green flares from the mana mote was unable to follow them quite as quickly as he'd like. The magical heroes escape this day, though some of them may hear Riventon cursing nearby as he continues to look for them for a short period before they can reconvene.
Chrono Harlaown	The moment the others are with him... he's off once more, flying away towards safety and the school. << There's going to be a lot of data to share after this. He... has become quite the interesting, troublesome opponent. A shame he's so incredibly, mind numbingly dense. He could do so much good if he could get over himself.>> Alas, he didn't see that happening anytime soon. As it was? Almost every bit of himself ached and he'd pushed himself in a way he hadn't since... Well... he couldn't remember ever pushing himself since coming here. Heck, in a way he COULDN'T when he first came here, until he'd begun to better adapt to how this world's magic even worked. << I do feel better, though. Thank you, Yellow Pearl Voice. There's going to be a lot to go over. A lot to consider. And thank you very much for the save. I'm not sure how much longer I could have held out. He... came within inches this time of making good on his threats. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell the difference between this magic and other dark energy types. >>
Rashmi Terios	<< I've never seen Gaito's magic outside of that other world, >> Rashmi admits. << But I'm pretty sure I can think of a few ways to confirm, now. Also... >> She banks in the air, altering her flight path to the point that she comes within arm's reach of Chrono, and a silly little smile spreads over her face. << We have got to stop meeting like this, Enforcer... >> Because nothing signposts 'you're gonna be okay' like reminding your boyfriend how they met, right? But a thought strikes her and with a quick mental command, Nicomachea modifies the Telepathy spell just enough to send a private thought to Coco. << Coco-chan... I... think I'm gonna need to ask for a big favor. Can I meet you at the Pier after school tomorrow? >> With her own personal project more or less complete... it's time to get off the dime. Chrono almost didn't make it, this time. That cannot be allowed to happen again.
Souta Camero	Souta isn't sure what to think about the theft of Gaito's power. He's heard of the Panthalassian villain from reports, but he lacks the first hand experience. << Whatever that was most certainly wasn't any kind of Device magic. If he's taking multiple different power sources and merging them together, I have no idea what manner of magic would result from that. I hope I'm not seeing the creation of another Lost Logia. >> Souta's voice is tense and all business, but as they manage to reach relative safety a lot of that tension leaves. He lets out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding, then looks over to Chrono and Rashmi. He slightly smiles, knowing that they've at least managed to make it through another day. Then he frowns. Is Riventon getting more serious? More dangerous? It didn't seem like he was only trying to ''scare'' Chrono. That's not the impression he had of the scientist, based upon the reports he was given. Souta has concerns. He keeps them to himself, because right now it's time to make sure Chrono is really okay and, eventually, to start pouring over the data he's risked so much to bring them.
Coco Kiumi	"All right, and don't worry about it", she confirms to Chrono upon hearing that he is indeed fine, at least enough that they can keep moving. And with Riventon not following them, they can say that tonight's little adventure is closed off. She gives a smile at hearing Rashmi joke about their date, and she lets the second Live Stage fade, leaving it to the two of them to handle everything else. Or at least that's what she intends to do with the two lovers, and she raises an eyebrow when she mentally reads the redhead's message. << Of course >>, Coco replies on the private channel Rashmi just created. "I will tell Nikora you will be coming too, and we can work at anything you need. Hopefully they are not going to get to that point even if it's indeed Riventon's intention, Coco thinks as she gives Souta a nod of agreement.
Chrono Harlaown	Chrono Harlaown glanced towards Rashmi and, for the first time since Riventon took his smile... he smiled. For her. << Oh, I don't know. It usually seems to work pretty well for me.>> Then, however, his tone turned more serious (for him). << He's practically a living lost logia as it is, however. Which is part of what makes dealing with him so difficult... Fortunately... there are plenty on our side I would call living lost logias at time as well...>> For now, though, Chrono had nothing left to say. They'd done it, so there was just information to dissect... joy to be had. They'd managed to make it through another dangerous situation. Always worth celebrating.