Battle Hymn of the Republic

One Summoner, or whatever Percy happened to be, was down. A Mahou Shojou had become mentally broken. And Duncan was useful like everyone else until he took an arrow to the butt.

The American boy could only stand by and watch as the situation fell apart. Things were quickly unraveling, the pace of which chaos encroached on them all accelerating with each second! Though Jane was closing in on the Trickster with Ruarc not too far behind at ground level, she was still ahead of them by several leaps and bounds despite not noticing she had pursuers hot on her tail. Miyuki was making better progress believe it or not! As she randomly ran away gibbering nonsense, the Mahou Shoujou had set herself on a course cutting off the trickster! Meanwhile, Percival was sleeping with a dandelion up his nose. It was a good outlook at a glance Duncan admitted, but what would happen if they caught up to the Trickster without subduing him or her? A flashy showdown was the last thing they needed at this point! There had to be a way to prevent this, because if it came down to that -

"Attention, this is your Principal speaking. Due to a small gas leak on campus, school will be closing early today. Students are advised to avoid the science classrooms; any student belongings inside have been moved to the class A-4. Thank you for your patience, and have a nice day," a voice spoke over the school loudspeakers. Students all around looked both confused and happy, some cheering, while others milled about uncertain what to do next; some even formed a circle around the passed out pitcher and his girlfriend as she went into hysterics over accidentally knocking him out. Eventually, they started to make their way to their lockers to grab their belongings and leave. It was all too timely and perfect.

"Someone else is making their move," Duncan realized in horror.

As she neared the edge of the roof, she was about to jump when she heard something behind her and turned to see a young girl running toward her. Yipes! No one's ever come after me before.. she thought with a worry, and crouched down, she ran her hand against the ground in a sliding motion from left to right, saw a faint glow, then jumped into the air and floated over to the next roof over using the fly runes in her shoes.

The runes she had placed on the roof behind her suddenly activated just a few seconds later, spewing force water on the ground that would make it difficult for someone to gain any traction. However, as Sakura was rather excited now at the prospect of a challenge, she decided to do one other thing and formed two runes in the air. One Air, the other Water. "When I combine them," she muttered to herself as the two runes lit up and began then merged into one another.

When the merger was completed, a water spout appeared on the roof and began to move toward the group that was giving chase below. This should slow them down a bit but... aghs... she rubbed her hand, noting several fresh cuts that were now bleeding. No matter how much I try to control the wind when combining it with another rune, it seems I can't get it to work right, which means this attack will only last at most a minute or two before it'll seperate and bath the area with water... I better find myself another thing to use, that announcement mentioned gas? Hmm... I might be able to use that, place a fire rune within and just waste for them to come, with the plan in her mind she turned around and kept running along the roof, though she was dropping a few other pre-pared runes behind her to give anyone else who gave chase.

Three or four feet in front of Duncan a rather solid brick wall - that happened to be just exactly the American boy's height and three times his width - just appeared. No smoke heralded its arrival, it didn't fade into view, or rise from the ground like some resurrected masonry from times past, the wall was just not there one moment and then standing, stoically there the next.

Smack dab in the middle of this curiously apparated obstruction was a large yellow and black frowny face; seemingly having been scrawled onto the faded brick surface with at least a dozen crayons of each respective colour. This menacing piece of graffiti as a whole was tilted slightly clockwise giving it an eye-catching quality that would be devoid in such piece if it had been completely straightened and almost making it seem as if the unsmiling face's gaze was attempting to drill its displeasure into the recipient.

Behind Duncan a much more real - albeit much smaller in comparison - figure had appeared. Wearing her Phantom Mantle, the hood pulled completely down, Riley Erin Alstad stood with an exact copy of Percy's signature beret (illusioned into being and similiarly re-sized) set jauntily over her short hair.

The young girl's face was red and her expression seemed to be frequently warring back and forth between worry, anger, and slight tinges of fear.

"Wh- what are ya- yoo-" Riley took a deep breath as she cut off her stuttering; staring harder into Duncan, the villian, as she brought up her reserves of bravery and stage trained experience. " Was'it you tha' knocked out our good and dear Watson (Percy)?"

Her question out the way Riley brought her left arm out from under her cloak; her dragon head hand puppet's maw already wide open and letting out early, hopeful tendrels of sulfuric smoke.

Ruarc continued to follow along from the ground looking up and had since caught up with the target’s pace, and all the while his eye continued to show they were dropping runes to throw off pursuit.

“A rune user, huh?” Ruarc mumbled as he watched the effects of the marks. “They’re a little sloppy, or perhaps just reckless.” As he continued along the base of the building he heard the announcement over the loudspeakers. Although he wasn’t sure what to make of it he was pleased that it did a good job of clearing up the area of bystanders. After a cursory glance around he found the area he was in to be all but vacated. Quickening his pace, the fleet footed Irishman gave himself some distance ahead.

“Time to open up a little and show how to properly use a rune,” the Druid said as he pulled to runes out of his pocket; a wind and a light. The wind he pooled some energy into just before tossing it onto the ground, so as he stepped on top of it jettisoned him up towards the rooftop. With the light rune he did much the same only this time he tossed the small, flat stone in an arc out in front of the young girl.

The light rune bounced a little on the roof in front of the girl before activating. The stone lit up like a small sun, in hopes of recreating the effects of a small distraction grenade, just as Ruarc crested the lip of the roof.
“I can’t believe that actually worked,” Ruarc thought as he landed. Now on the same level as the other rune user he tried to cut off her escape route.

Sakura yelped, crouching down at the flash of light, shielded only by her hands and because she had noticed it at the very last second. As her eye-sight began to return, she was left baffled and confused at what just happened. The heck? Did one of my runes break... no.. that felt, different I guess?, as it wasn't one of her runes as she knows what those feel like and the flash that occured just now truly did feel different to her.

Shaking her head, she then looked around to see if the horse-dismounted girl was still after her, only to spot yet another person on the roof heading right for her. Another one? Who the heck are these people?! I've never had anyone chase me like this before.. she stood up and turned toward the other person following her, I gotta make him lose my tail, and I gotta figure out what just happened now, could it be that I did place a rune earlier and just completely forgot? But no, it felt... Aughs I don't understand! I gotta make some distance, I need a place to think! But first..

She took out several more Runes, all water and electricity based, then threw them toward Ruarc before running up to the edge of the roof and taking a flying leap toward the next roof over, her objective still on her mind. When the runes hit the ground, the water burst forth, followed by the electricity cursing over the water to form a barrier.

The bell had rung, and students were leaving; some briefly loitered to stare at the horse before being dissuaded by the magical field now presiding over the campus. It was as though a red veil was settling over the school as the sun turned from a bright, happy yellow to a dull crimson despite being high in the sky.

Though she was beginning to become impatient as the magic took hold, the nurse stood there waiting for Miyuki's reply - her duffel bag was by her side and apparently packed. Chances were, the nurse was just about to call it a day. As the Mahou Shojou stood there stammering however, she could see quite a sight; on the rooftops was a scene that could have come straight out of television! A golden haired cowgirl with pistols by her side chased after a black cloaked figure! Just as the black cloaked evildoer was about to leap, a small sun popped into existence, announcing the arrival of a figure that could only be described as a Druid. Things were starting to heat up!

And for Duncan, that was the case as well - the boy nearly walked head on into the brick wall, only to stumble back in surprise, only to wave his hands about in front of himself impotently upon realizing it was Riley standing in front of him, angry. "It wasn't me, I swear!" he pleaded. The American pointed with a red stained hand at the school roof, "There! That person was shooting arrows at me, and she even got me in the butt!" he went on explaining, turning around to show her the hole in his pants and the burgundy stain that had spread around it.

At that, a piercing scream could be heard across the campus. The departing people, nurse included, briefly wondered just what it was, but quickly stopped caring before going back to their business. Duncan had turned to look, only too see something that made the boy's fearful expression towards Riley turn into one of absolute horror as he saw what was happening. "Oh god no, not here. Not here!"

It was difficult to see in the crimson light, but it was there. It had silently crept up on them all and attacked, first binding the black cloaked figure with a length of silken cloth and reeling her in closer. Next, it fired out another pair of spinning lengths which entwined both Jane's and Ruarc's feet before tying themselves into a neat bow, tripping them both over. It was a tall, womanly figure enshrouded in red ribbon from head to toe - she was held aloft by several more of her ribbons as though they were spindly spider legs which sprouted from her body. Not a hint of flesh shown from her wrapped, shapely figure, but it was quickly made apparent by the way her ribbons grasped and squeezed the previous cloaked figure that Ruarc and Jane had chased that this newcomer wasn't friendly in the slightest. Separated by the wall of electrified water, they could only watch at first as the Trickster was pulled in closer, the hood falling back to reveal a girl just as old as they were.

As Sakura struggled more, the ribbons holding her squeezed.

Sakura yelped, coming to a dead stop when she saw this odd figure in front of her, but had no time to react before a ribbon wrapped around her chest and arms, bringing them to her sides. She struggled and kicked the air, growing ever more frightened by the sight as it was nothing she'd ever seen before.

With her arms bound, she couldn't use any of her runes, which means the ones in her pocket wouldn't work. Though something that was a bit more terrifying was when she noticed that her bow, which she grasped in her right hand, was being tugged away by a ribbon. She scowled, but the scowl quickly fadded when she looked back at the thing. Finally, wasted mentally by what was going on, and scared out of her mind, Sakura shouted. "Someone! Please help me!!" she continued to struggle, attempting to break free, a look of shear terror on her face as tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Haruka stood at her desk and was busy stowing away her books, all the while watching with half-interest at the action going on outside. Everyone else in the classroom had already left due to the announcement, which was probably a good thing as Haruka seemed to be in an argument with herself.

"No, I'm not joining them."

"Come on. You have magic powers now! And they seem to be playing so why not join them?"

"No. It's childish and irresponsible, especially with so many people around!"

"So? It'll b-"

She cut short as everything began taking a red hue. Looking around nervously as she timidly asked herself, "Is this...?"

"Go!" Haruka seemed to yell at herself just as she finally felt the malicious magical presence. She dropped her bag as she headed towards the roof. "You really need to work on this!"

"I know, I know!" she replied. The amulet around her neck briefly glowed as it was pieced together, before Haruka's whole body was covered in light. A second later details faded back into view to reveal Haruka's school uniform replaced with her magical outfit. In her hand, her weapon, a gunlance, materialized just as she burst through the door to the roof. The trainee magical girl immediately guessed that the ribbon-covered woman was the evil one, what with the attempted crushing/murder and all of the feeling of evilness. She at least hoped the others were less evil, or at least less stupid than they appeared. After all, they had been throwing magic around when regular people were still around.

The newcomer lowered her lance, as the barrel glowed. "Come on, come on, hit!" she pleaded as the gunlance let out a blast of energy in the direction of the ribbon-lady.

As the lights turned dim Percival's mind, they woke up in his dreams. Once again, the young Welshman found himself on the Platform of the Aegis, the circular disc which floated in the skies of the mysterious realm of the Elementalia Magicus. The young boy was no longer dressed in his casuals, rather the white, regal pajamas of a dreamer. As more of his consciousness returned to him, the boy curled over to him stomach, and slowly pushed himself up to his hands and knees. The Platform was unusually windy today, what with the boys hair flowing within occasional gusts, and his clothes rippling to every cross-wind. He could only imagine Zulan was near, with the winds being her presence of the seas.

"You're awake I see." called a voice from behind, a man's. Though, it sounded nothing like Aurus'. Percival, stood with a start, turning quickly to face this stranger, only to be faced by what seemed to be an angelic lancer. The fellow was a warrior, no doubt, armored head to toe in porcelain plates, neatly engraved with gusts of wind. His helmet came a point, as did the tips of the gauntlet's fingers, and the boots he wore. The entire armor itself seemed fit to travel into the wind, but that was what stood out most. His wings were large, white, and almost encompassing enough to cover himself with them. Small tufts of feathers rolled off the tips now and then, only to be taken by the wind to disappear. "Took a nasty hit to the head there. Looks like you're still dazed."

It took Percival a second to realize that he had been staring.

"Oh, no, I'm quite fine now. I'm just... I don't think we've met." clarified Percy, running his hands through his hair. The warrior laughed.

"Heh heh, of course. I have but recently awakened. I am Akanus, Hero of Wind, Lord of the Storms." Akanus took a few steps forward, his plates rubbing against one another with the sound of glass rubbing against glass, but with a lucid tone. "I am to understand you are responsible for our awakening?"

"I... ah... yes." Percy shrunk a bit as the God of Wind approached him.

"Then I am your man. I will serve you honorably."

"Really? N-No odd quirks? No huggy feeling? No prodding my mind? No belittling me?"

"Hardly. You are the young Prince of the Elementalia Magicus, and its savior. I am a God, a lord, and humble servant to realm and king." Akanus bowed to one knee, putting his fist to stone engravings of the Platform's floor, "I am your man, m'lord. Protect the Elementalia, and I will protect you."

This was certainly new. Such respect! Percy had never been garnered respect before! No wonder Rai Hime always acted so stuck up. Aurus had always belittled him, and Zulan always coddled him like a child. He looked down at his feet, which were slowly disappearing, and began considering the implications of this. Such a matter--...

Wait, his feet were disappearing! Which meant... He looked to his hands, and found them wisping away too! He was waking up! Akanus seemed to show no concern, still simply bowing to the master, at least, to Percy's fading vision.

"Augh! Quick, Akanus! Tell me your summoning phrase! We're in... troubl--...!" He was cut off just as his consciousness wisped away back to his body.

----

Pain greeted Percival as he woke up on the grass-splotched ground. He took a breath, but almost choked on the dandelion in his nose, of which he quickly ripped out. He groaned in pain as he rolled over again, much like he had done on the platform. Only extremely mindful of the bottom of the table this time, and... and...

Miyuki's thighs.

Thump thump thump thump thump, drummed Percival's heart as he began thinking back to that lucidly embarrassing moment where he had thrashed under the table, and lodged his face right into the girl's skirt! His face began to redden, almost glow considerably as he thought of it, even as the events outside were unfolding. It was a terrible thing to do to her, as she was a great friend to him. To sour that with something that seemed so perverted! It was... ungentlemanly! It was... was... mildly enjoyable. Percy had never really come so close to a girl like that before. Were all girl's like that? Was there always some kind of subconscious joy in being close to such specimens? No wonder people around there were so worried about dating! The opposite sex is awesome.

Though it still made Percy's face undoubtedly red. Yet... every moment he thought back to Miyuki's thighs against his cheeks, he felt a strong mix of shame and embarrassment.

That, and his nose had begun to bleed suddenly, which was something he couldn't find an explanation for. Maybe it was the stress.

"M'lord, are you quite done fantasizing of the fine young ladies of your institute?"

"I-- I! I'm not fantasizing! I -- am --..."

"Lord-Prince, come to understand that these feelings are quite natural, there is nothing to be embarrassed about being attracted to females. I simply wish to inform that your environment in currently hazardous for day-dreaming about them."

Percy's head was about to pop like a grape. "I'm not--! I wouldn't--... Just give me your summoning phrase."

"Of course, Sire. It is 'Sor! O Erot O Gal'"

The Welsh boy put his thought aside to crawl out from below the table, and look up at the sky. It was tinted red, and the aura of a magical barrier surrounded the entire area. The magical presence was everywhere. Duncan, Miyuki, Ruarc, and Jane he could all feel. Yet there were... Four!? There were four presences he could feel of which he could not designate.

Unity appeared in his hands, and he slammed the end of the staff into the ground, sending out a small shockwave of force.

"SOR! O EROT O GAL!" roared Percy, causing the staff glow at the head, before firing out a ball of white energy out like a mortar. The ball sprawled out as it touched sky, and sprouted wings to form the miniaturized body of Akanus. The small god curled around left and surveyed the field.

"Lord Prince, I have the full-view of the field. There seems to be quite the commotion, including one lady bound by ribbon, one adorned in them, with most of the mage assailing said dressed one."

"If we attack the dressed one, we can probably loosen up the..."

"No, as a Knight of the Skies, I am morally and critically obligated to help a lady in need."

"Wha--!?"

THOOM! Akanus cut across the sky with the sound of a sonic boom down to Sakura. With a bright glow, a lance appeared in his hand, before sinking down to girl and slicing right at the edge of the ribbons with unnatural precision.

No, one was familiar... He felt it, and saw it as well. Riley was here! Shit!

Just when he thought the current ruckus was close to ending a bone chilling scream sent a shiver down his spine, and before he knew what was going on he was bound and toppled over. After hitting the rooftop with a solid thump Ruarc looked for the source. Once he locked on to the entity his mind dredged up an old tale he heard as a child about banshees that stalked the Irish countryside in ages passed. The ribbon clad figure in front of him didn’t match the traditional descriptions from the histories in his Tome, never-the-less the idea of facing one, or something like it, was an intimidating prospect.

Whatever the hell it was didn’t change the fact that it was not here for peaceful purposes, and if it really was related to a banshee then it was Ruarc’s job as a Keeper to subdue it.
“First I had to deal with corrupt animals, and now I have to deal with a damned harbinger of death,” Ruarc said to himself in Irish as he began to try and free up his legs.

The ribbons were wrapped very tightly around his lower body, and the Druid struggled to try and loosen them up. The best he was able to manage was to get a hand into the pocket he kept his runes in. To his delight the first one he felt was just what he needed. He touched his fingers to the rune and channeled energy into it, and a moment later there was a warm glow followed by the ribbons loosening up. Ruarc kicked the ribbons away as he found room to get free.

On his feet once more, Ruarc let the spent Dispel rune drop to the ground as he turned to face the ribbon clad demon. His timing was just right to observe a new figure charging with a lance and a loud entrance. Given its general appearance Ruarc attributed it to Percy.

Intent on also joining the battle, but first Ruarc had to get passed the electrified water wall that his original target had laid down to as a defense. The druid reached into his pocket once more to find another Dispel rune. To his dismay he had used up his only one getting out of the ribbons.
“Damn, times like this I wish my cloak appeared in a transformation sequence like some of the others’ outfits, then I could get through this no problem,” the Irishman mumbled as he took a few steps back in order to get a good start. “Well here goes.”

Ruarc ran forward to pick up momentum and leapt just before he reached the electrified water. As his momentum carried him the rest of the way through he would have liked to make a comment about the water being chilly, but instead all that ran through his mind was how unpleasant getting electrocuted was.

“Diabhal é,” Ruarc swore as he stumbled on the other side of the water. “Runes likely won’t be enough. Time to try out summoning that staff again. Cara Cre.”

Understandably there was a delay between when he called for the staff and when it would arrive, so for now Ruarc tried to make his way behind the banshee.