jigokulogs | Raid on Dandelion

[ By all possible meanings of the word, Dandelion is safe. This is something she imagines to be true if only because she’s suitably trained the staff on who to avoid, and where exits are— plainly labeled, of course. Easy access in dire situations is important.

It’s what makes her feel a little silly when, while hearing and feeling the chaos across the city, bombs going off in what feels like every possible way, she hears it. The sound of banging, against a door. Not the door. She’s half-way through a text to Haru, asking her to not come in if she’s okay, to take her butt to the clinic and start helping, but Aerith stops, raising her head, and looks out onto the floor, catching the eye of everyone left in the shop.

Doors give, she thinks. It’s a good cover. But… it could be… someone looking for safety?

No, something doesn’t feel right. ]

Do you guys hear that? [ Unsaid, but meant all the same: Do you feel it?

Already, she’s making her way towards the side entrance, a bit further to the back, but not too far. She pauses only for a moment, to pick up the Mythril Rod from behind the counter. It jingles when she pulls it out. It’s louder, more purposeful now.

She should have been texting Cloud. ]

(shin's never been too good at this whole thing. kidnappings, assassination attempts, attacks that end in flames, all this is awfully foreign, and he feels like he'll die if he takes a step out of the little corner he's sitting against. music plays from his fingers, power off as it is simply a method of self-soothing, something to ground him from spiraling down into anxiety.

at least he has people here, people he trusts, people who can deal with these things and guide him through the panic.

but the thumping sends him right through it. fingers halt, and he looks at her with terror in his eyes.)

Aerith, don't go!

[ It had really only occurred to her when she was more than halfway to Dandelion that she could have texted Aerith to explain the situation happening in Shuten territory and ask to change her shift to a different day. She didn't need to go to the store itself.

All the same, though, Haru's a little frazzled from the chaos and it's probably best to explain in person at this point, or so she's decided. She has her grenade launcher in a long, massive black bag slung over her shoulder, usually a decisive way to end a potential conflict before it starts, and it feels honestly a bit like a security blanket.

But as she draws near to Dandelion, ice clogs her veins. Those aren't customers clustering around the store. They're too armed and too outright suspicious-looking, and while Haru isn't one to judge based off appearances, this is probably one of those times where it makes sense to do just that.

She doesn't think. She strides forward, blue flames flickering around her, changing her outfit to a strangely Musketeer-like attire, and lets the straps of the bag fall into a waiting hand. Within seconds, she's pulled the grenade launcher out, and hovering behind her is a semi-transparent masked ballgown with no actual face and an underskirt that's. Just guns. ]

What do you think you're doing to our store?!

[ It's loud, much louder than her usual soft tone. It's meant to be. It's meant to warn. ]

[ The door cracks under three kicks, giving way and allowing several of the attackers to flood into the store itself, raising crossbows and training them on their target. ]

Kill anyone else in the store, just disable the girl!

[ They hesitated though, mostly because of what they heard going on behind them...

Those still outside turned crossbows on Haru, as well, and were a lot less careful with firing, shooting freely at the girl and her strange apparition friend. Those inside also fired at Aerith, though their aim was a lot less sure, trying to hit shoulders or feet when doing so was already doing to be difficult... ]

[ It was really only meant to be a check in, given that the city was in a big of chaos with the recent explosion and the bombs that have been planted everywhere. He knows some lost souls have made progress diffusing some of the bombs, but who really knows how many there actually are? Just to ease his anxious mind, he's gone over to check things out, and it only takes a glance at the store to know that that was the right choice.

It's an open space outside the store. That means he can use Nue to join the fray and support Haru (and the grenade launcher certainly gets ... a look, but there's no time for straight man comments). ]

Take down the shooters!

[ The ones shooting at Haru outside. Nue swoops down at them much like a hawk, attempting to give them an electric shock. ]

[ Nue's electric field, by happy coincidence, manages to catch a trail of old rain water that hadn't quite dried out near the feat of the scavengers outside the shop (at least the ones firing on Haru), jolting all of them at once, and forcing them to drop their crossbows. ]

[Izuku heard the explosions in the streets and got texts from various friends about the chaos starting in the city. The frustration at not being able to help everywhere at once gnaws at Izuku almost immediately. But he has to try and do his best to deal with one threat at a time and save who he can.

The people ambushing the flower shop are different. Seeing them attack makes Izuku think they must be connected to the bomb threats. But what if it's something else?]

Aerith-san, stay back!

[Izuku steps up next to Megumi to support him as he nods to Haru now safe from bullets from her side of the crowd. Green electricity starts to spark up around Izuku dangerously.]

No matter what we have to keep the shop and everyone in it safe. Fushiguro-kun, watch my back!

[With the distraction from the electric field Izuku darts forward at an alarming speed and attacks the closest ones to the flower shop with a collection of powered-up high kicks. He's aiming to knock them out as soon as possible.]

[Things were in absolute chaos right now. The smart thing to do would be to hang low until the worst has blown over-- he's an idol, not a fighter. But he's been entrusted with a sword to keep him and the people he cares about safe, so there are a few people and a few places he absolutely needs to check on. One of the first things he thinks of is the flower shop. He really didn't want to see anything bad happen to it.

Fortunately at the very least, being an idol means he's in good shape. He knows there's no time to waste, so he rushes straight there; only making detours where the worst damage requires it.

His heart drops into his stomach when he sees the state things are in. The door has already been breached, so there's no point in hesitating. But if he can at least draw away some of the people trying to block the emergency exits... then they won't be able to back up the ones trying to charge their way inside.

...reckless? Yeah. But it's a little late for playing it safe. He draws the blade. Well... here goes nothing. If he makes enough noise, Aerith and the others will know that the back isn't safe either, ideally.]

Hey you! Yeah. You know you don't belong here, right? I'll be your opponent so, come on!

[ She’s starting to realize a few things; namely, the sheer amount of them who came back to check on the shop, possibly worried about her and Shin. Haru, Megumi, Izuku, Nazuna... Acting as a distraction? That’s her rulebook, thank you very much. Aerith breaks into a run, not staying long enough to see when the bolts narrowly miss her. They strike the wood of the wall, sticking straight out of it, and Aerith just keeps running.

By her count, it’s just her and Shin here inside. The commotion is outdoors. She needs to get to him quickly, and Aerith takes stock of her arsenal before making it into the front room— Right now, the Mythril Rod is great for boppng them in the heads or striking them with long range magic, but…

As she runs, she grows grass, leaves, flowers, anything big that could cover them, and at the entrance where the the front of the shop meets the back, just below the spiral staircase: ]

Shin. You’ve got this.

[ She casts Ray of Judgment, aiming the beam of light as well as she can. It might be enough to let him run. Anything else is the cherry on top: if they want her, she’ll bargain for it, but only if there’s no choice. ]

[ Well, this has been pleasant. The projectiles pass through said apparition, but Haru isn't as lucky and is forced to dodge. By the time Megumi and Izuku show up, she's gotten grazed a fair few times, which isn't great, but it's very clearly nothing critical or fatal.

But she's more than a little irritated now, and as she gives both boys a grateful nod, she reaches up to tip her hat down. ]

Thank you. We really need to clear them out before more of them make it inside. This isn't the only entrance.

Milady!!

[ She's already running towards the closest group of men who aren't incapacitated or distracted in some way, swinging the grenade launcher out with all of her strength (much like someone would swing a baseball bat). Because for now, she doesn't want to risk firing and damaging the store instead. As she does, the Persona floating above her flicks her fan forward and sends out a wave of psychic energy. ]

[ The combined efforts of the three heroes outside is more than enough to send the goons outside into a stumble; it will take them a bit to recover from this, and for the moment, the three have a clear way inside of the building.

Or at least they did.

Aeriths' Ray of Judgement fires off perfectly, at full strength, even, but either by pure reflex or maybe a touch of disastrous happenstance, all of the assailents manage to dodge, the beam reflecting off of an obstacle and ricocheting to the outside. The speed and velocity are intense, and given young Haru wasn't expecting it, the girl has no time to dodge, taking the full brunt of the attack square into the chest.

Meanwhile, at the back entrance, Nazuna doesn't make for much of an intimidating presence, but the sheer surprise of his arrival is enough to make the two at that exit at least flinch, granting the young idol an opportunity to blow past them. ]

I got nothing!!! I GOT NOTHING!!!

(what the FUCK aerith!!

much like nazuna, he's just a musician, and not even one who has to stay fit to begin with. no meat in his bones, and while powered, it's the last thing in his mind. it's different when he's not panicking.

so, his legs don't move aside from the shaking, his heart beats out of his chest, and noise is so faint to his ears. the first surface he sees is what keeps him from falling.

just wait till he sees the crocs, things'll turn around.)

[ While Nue did deliver a successful attack, it wasn't enough to take the assailants down completely, and he curses himself for that. Now, despite their best efforts, Haru's been struck, and she's falling to the ground. ]

Okumura! 'Tch! [ But there's little time to bring her to the hospital, given that there are more assailants they have to stamp out. He doesn't know who's actually inside the store, but it's likely that Aerith herself is, and that both worries him immensely and provides an opportunity. Aerith can heal, after all. Megumi scoops Haru up in his arms, using this window they have to shove through the entrance and keep an eye out for Aerith.

The beauty of being a shikigami user is the ability to multitask. With a clasp of the hand, Nue melts into the shadows and taking their place is ... not his usual dog, but an absurd amount of rabbits that flood every corner of the store, surrounding the assailants inside the store. ]

Midoriya. We'll sneak past them and get to the others as they're surrounded.

[If they can sneak past the assailants and get in front of Aerith and Shin, they can protect them better and get Haru healed up. ]

Okumura-san!!

[Izuku growls angrily. Seeing the girl get hit by another stray attack has Izuku see red. But luckily Megumi is there to pick up the moment with his swarm of shadow rabbits so Izuku can take a moment to kick down another outside assailant coming at them. With the amount of chaos going on it's hard to keep track of everyone so Megumi is right that they need to band together and protect who is still inside.]

Right. I'm right behind you. Get Okumura-san to Aerith as fast as you can.

[Izuku will cover both Megumi and Haru as they sneak their way back inside. Following the rush of rabbits trying to make their way to the others. He'll make a beeline for the others. If he has to Izuku will throw himself into the middle of the fight to protect any non-combatants like the two musicians! He'll make an attempt to cover them if he sees them.]

Edited 2022-09-25 22:59 (UTC)

[No one is more surprised than he is when his arrival startles the guys guarding the back entrance. Seems like his vocal training has been paying off in more ways than one.

Violence isn’t the answer— and it would be pretty stupid to push his luck too far when he’s in no position to take on several stronger opponents at once… even with a weapon. But he will take this precious opening to blow past them. He does make an attempt at the back of the guys necks in passing with the scabbard… to see if he can knock them out or at least stun them. He won’t lament the loss of something like that if it’s broken or lost in the process and it definitely packs more of a punch than his bare hands would. But he’s not stopping long enough to see if it worked— or if it even hit. He keeps running towards the shop where the others should be.

Throwing himself at the back door and inside, he slams it shut just as quickly. Making his entrance a pretty loud and sudden one.]

—Sorry I’m late! Is everyone alright?!

[ The trio bursting into the shop, announced loudly by Nazuna’s voice and the swarm of rabbits, is a welcome surprise. Less welcome is the knowledge that it was Haru who got hit with that stray ray now… Aerith winces, guilty, but stands and moves to grab Shin and pull him with her, to the crowd growing at the front of the shop. Strength in numbers, right? ]

We’re great.

[ There’s a smile playing at her lips, relieved to see them all well, too, and the fact they made it in… Without another word, she sets upon casting Pray over Haru, golden light trickling down from the ceiling. This should do the trick. It may not be a complete fix, but it should be something.

Looking up at them, each of their expressions battle ready (save for, well, Shin…), Aerith casts a glance back to the intruders— then back to them, and speaks. ]

Take Haru and Shin out of here after this. I’ll go.

[ Simple, straight to the point. She’s already caused a lot of damage; the fact they all came, at all, means the world to her. How can she ever repay them? ]

(each time more, he's more confused. from aerith telling him lies, to the swarm of white rabbits, to the people coming into the room, and the intruders in his view, while aerith heals haru - in ways that he didn't even know were possible to her. it's such a blurr that he doesn't even process that she's been hurt until she's healed, to which his expression drops, as well as he does to her.)

Are you ok?!

(and from the corner of his eye, he sees it. the green, obnoxious, bright pair of crocs in one of the assailants. it's not even him attempting to use his power, it's just the bitch inside him snapping him back into reality as he blurts out:)

... And you thought you could do anything when you can't even dress yourself? Where was all that determination when you were picking your shoes? Fucking basic... No wonder you're getting your ass kicked...

(rip. assailant?? oh, yeah, he remembers now.)

[ Haru has just been mulling over the fact that today has been very strange and problematic and she would like both of those things to ease off a bit, while being in equally problematic amounts of pain from being hit in the chest by something.

Still, she's aware enough to process things as the healing begins and she smiles wearily at Shin, nodding to show she's fine. And he--

Oh. Well. You know what, it's fine if he pisses off an assailant, probably? She'd quite happily launch a grenade in the guy's face if he takes it personally. Once she can move.

Instead, she lifts her gaze up to Aerith and rather calmly, but firmly-- ]

Pardon my rudeness, Aerith, but that's stupid. I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. I'm a little infuriated at the moment.

[ Honestly, out in the wastes, you get what you can get, and crocs happened to be pretty good for the desert! Shin doesn't know that, though, and thus the full, biting force of his magic, fueled by his panic, takes hold and hits the be-croc'd marauder with so much force it sends them flying back, disarming them, and crashing through the wall behind them.

The other marauders are so struck by what happened, they're briefly stunned. They knew some of the employees had magic, but nothing quite... like that. ]

Edited 2022-09-26 00:14 (UTC)

[ What Aerith was proposing? Not okay with him at all, and Megumi can feel himself becoming riled up in response, ready to give his biting retort. Haru beats him to the punch, though, and there isn't anything he can say that she hasn't already said, their collective worry expressed in their frustration.

Though, what happens next definitely cuts right through the heavy mood. Like, seriously?

Seriously? ]

Did that really just happen ... [ Also, what's wrong with crocs? In fact, he just bought some in black. But maybe he won't wear them in front of Shin ... ]

[ But everyone's collective surprise at Shin's attack provides an interesting opportunity. The assailants are now off guard, staring at their fallen friend in stunned silence. ]

Divine Dog! [ The rabbits disappear in a second, and taking their place now is Totality, a large werewolf-like creature that charges at one of the assailants and attempts to maul them with his teeth.

Megumi pulls his sword out as well, attempting to slice it across the chest of another assailant near to him. ]

[ Both attacks land well, though not mortal wounds. Their leathers are armored pretty damn well, after all, but the fight is NOT going their way. These Lost Souls were proving a lot stronger than scouting had suggested. Still, while Megumi and his shadow beast attacked, the others readied their weapons... nasty looking things, and prepared for the next attack. ]

[When Shinichi was telling him over the app that he may or may not have gained a special ability from showing up in this place he was not expecting it to be such sick burns that they're literally explosive...]

I think it did.

[Izuku sweatdrops. But hey- any help is a good help in this situation. As much as Izuku would have liked to keep the fight outside of the shop (damage management! please! the flowers he's been working on!!) it is what it is. He glances over his shoulder to make sure that Haru and the others are doing okay and honestly he can agree with Haru too.

He's pretty annoyed at this entire thing. If more of the assailants are prepping those nasty weapons even with Megumi's beast attacking Izuku will aim his attack at them. Brightly etched electric marks start to overtake most of Izuku's body as he prepares 10% of his power.]

Full Cowling...!!

[He will kick towards the armed npcs with the force of his quirk. If it lands it will blow them back with a severe rush of power. If it backfires on Izuku if could very well break a bone.]

[Since coming here, Nazuna has seen a lot of new kinds of crazy things. He knows what he's seeing is incredible, but at the same time it's hard to really let that sink in at the moment when everything is happening so fast, he can't properly process it all. What he does know is that it's good for them. Things are turning in their favor now.

Nazuna plants himself firmly between the assailants and the girls. Even with Aerith taking care of Haru, it's going to be a while before they're in any shape to deal with these guys. He draws the sword out in front of him; prepared to strike the moment anyone tries to get to close to them, but he's not going to make any careless moves and swing unless they try something first. His primary goal isn't fighting, it's protecting the people here. But if they try anything, he won't hesitate.]

...Haru-chin's right. No one's going anywhere without anyone. We came this far because we all feel strongly about it, right? We're not losing anyone.

[He's had more than enough of that. Shin, Megumi, Deku-- they've all done a great job against them. If they keep this up, everything will be fine.]

[ With the shock of witnessing their comrade put through a wall worn off, they're well more ready for the next attack. Izuku grazes his target, but ultimately it's sidestepped, with an axe-looking metal weapon of some kind, spiked end, coming down to strike him over the back on the way past. It's a nasty blow, but Izuku's had worse. He'll be fine.

More importantly, the enemy is re-focused, and charging in on the trio hanging back, still knowing their aim is to get Aerith. ]

I'm not leaving you either. I'm sorry, I was scared, but I think I'm good now.

(making someone fly through a wall at full speed and force does wonders to one's motivation, but there's no time to really bask in it. do something, do something-)

Izuku! You're cute as hell! Your freckles are adorable!! Axe-kun, you will die alone without ever knowing true love or the warmth of a woman.

(hopefully, that dopamine rush helps izuku deal with the pain, and the insult does something to incapacitate the instigator.)

Edited 2022-09-26 01:33 (UTC)

[ The boon allows Izuku to fight through the pain, should he need it, and makes the marauder's follow-up swing miss entirely, nearly losing the grip on his weapon in the process.

The other attackers are still barreling down on them though. ]

[ When Pray does it’s job, she’s pulling Haru and herself back into the foray. If Aerith knows her at all, she’s got something up her sleeve that might be able to cinch this for them, but the trio of “no”s does the job. She looks between them all for a moment, touched, but there’s no room for much. The lowest point of the Mythril Rod hits the floor once more. ]

—Watch the flowers!

[ Ah… a display goes toppling to the floor, from where the hole now exists… Though a flurry of things happen, this is, in truth, the thing that gets her. Petals scatter to the floor, a ruined red rose spreading like blood. This place was supposed to be safe. ]

Okay. Now I’m mad.

[ They had put that there, grown those flowers themselves, arranged them just so... The idea of someone trying to trample on their hard work is enough to make her blood boil. One more time, for the road— Ray of Judgement is cast with force, enough so that this time, she’s raising off her feet, an arcanic ward burning into the wood below Aerith’s feet. Hopefully everyone is behind her this time; now, there’s definitely no negotiating in her mind. Might as well burn the bridge. ]

[ No lucky dodges or errant ricochets this time. Ray of Judgement finds a target; the big guy himself, the clear leader, pushing him back from the other attacker who was no very suddenly by himself when trying to assault a group of Radical Teens while his other cohorts were either already KO'd or otherwise in other scuffles.

It's not great being alone, is it? ]

I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but please seek medical attention elsewhere if this hits. [ with a bit of a sigh, but she's dragged back into the fray, still not completely recovered but more than recovered enough to finally swing the grenade launcher up and take aim.

At least there's already a hole in the wall. ]

Everyone else, please cover your ears!!

[ Because yes. Haru is firing the grenade launcher. ]

[ And what could any of them, in that small of a space, really do against a grenade? No matter how well armed they were, there was just no winning against that kind of force in so contained an area. Even the allies of the shop would face some damage, though not as much as the attackers in this case. By serendipity, they'd be mostly alright, being blown back by concussive force aside.

Boom.

It takes a moment for the dust to settle, but the largest of the marauders doesn't need to call out to his cohorts to know... they're as good as dead, if not still dying. The ones outside are all useless. This mission wasn't allowed to fail, however.

The words of Iron Bear echoed in his mind, his holy proclamation. That this forsaken city should bear witness to them. To the glory of the Sun. ]

"And I shall walk into the light... Behold as I stride! Behold as I ignite!"

[ The large man rips off his mask, shouting as he pulls from his vest the last resort, what they'd been prepared to do if everything failed...

The sound of shattering clay is heard.

And it's followed by an unholy scream.

Magenta colored flames rip out, spreading like tendrils, like vines, wrapping over everything in sight, first claiming the marauders and using them as fuel to burn everything to the ground. ]

[ Just when Megumi thought it was finally over, that he could heave a sigh of relief and focus on incapacitating the recovering marauders, that leader of theirs goes and burns it all to the ground. The flames swept across them in seconds, leaving Megumi no time to react, no time to shield both himself and his friends behind him. The smoke is making him choke, burning his through his windpipe, and that lick of flame has caught onto his shirt, dancing up his skin and sides, searingly painful to the point he wants to scream.

But there's no time for that. People are in danger. The people that he cares about.

It's a shame about the new shop, but ... ]

The radical ones are the most troublesome. We're leaving right now!

[ The shadow he's casting behind him seems to take a liquid-like quality, looking less like a shadow and more like a tar pit. It's a portal that will open up to the outside of the store. The ones with a lesser chance of surviving this -- he has to get them out! ]

The other side of my shadow will lead to the outside. Anyone who can hear me -- jump in!

[ With their eyes ringing, can anyone hear him, though? Before he loses focus from the pain of having his skin charred up, he has to save someone. Divine Dog reaches for Shin, attempting to grab the boy so that it can shove him into the shadow. ]

[ It happens so fast that the fire alarm goes off almost instantly. It melts just as quickly, as flames crawl up the walls and eat away at the foundation of the shop. The flowers burn, going up in powerful, strong, unnaturally colored flames, and she hears it, feels it… it’s agonizing. The blast from the grenade has her ears ringing, her head pounding and her body still adjusting and the smoke now filling her lungs doesn’t help. She feels the heat like she’s being cooked.

Aerith, then, steps back, coughing as she tries to clear her airways. The men who intruded upon the shop are dead, gone, finito, and she doesn’t feel a lick of sympathy or guilt for them. They had come to collect her, and had aimed to kill the rest of them. Associating with Aerith put a bounty on their heads. It shakes her to her core, and she feels guilt for that, and nothing else. The Mythril Rod starts to burn in her grip, retaining the heat, but she kicks the doors behind them open and cries out, ] Run! Now!

[ Her chest burns. She thinks of Cloud, of Tifa, of Zack… Goodness, a number of names come to mind, their faces all mixing together in the haze of her panic and upset. Kim, Andy, Eula, Emily… Musashi, too— She needs to make it out here alive. Her grip tightens, and she raises the staff over her head. Immediately, raindrops sprinkle to the floor. It’s a small, tiny little rain cloud… it blooms in size, slowly but surely, as Aerith focuses more and more. As the drops fall, they leave rivulets that heal in their wake. Enough, she hopes, to help.

She smiles, looks at the rest of them, and pushes. The cloud grows. ]

C’mon, don’t I look like I know what I’m doing? Just go.

[ Her vision is already straining. She can’t let them know. ]

Raid on Dandelion

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