Location: Golden Field (Inner Forest)

  Time of Day: Evening

  Slayer's breathing grew heavy inside his helmet. His eyes darted between the skeletal Echo standing by Lumina's body and the pale porcelain figure now blocking his way. The skeletal one tilted its head back again. KSSSHHH! Its hiss cut through the clearing, skeletal claws twitching as the pendulum in it's hollow chest glowed brighter.

  The porcelain Echo took a slow, exaggerated bow, its joints cracking as if mocking him. Then it placed its palms against nothing, spreading them wide. CRRKK! Another invisible wall closed in behind Slayer, boxing him tighter.

  Slayer glanced over his shoulder. "Another wall?! Are you kidding me?!" He tightened his grip on his shield. "It's trying to box me in..."

  The porcelain Echo slowly raised its hands again, palms pressing against the empty air. THUNK THUNK! Two more invisible walls shot up on either side of Slayer, closing him into a narrow box.

  Slayer turned sharply, shield scraping one wall, shoulder brushing the other. "Tch, damn it! You think this'll be enough to hold me?!" He flared his blue aura and slammed his shield against the nearest wall. BOOM! Cracks of blue light webbed across it, but it didn't break. He tried the opposite side BOOM! same result. Inside his helmet, his breathing grew heavier. His visor shifted back toward Lumina's body lying motionless in the grass. "Just hang on, Lumina... I'm not letting this box be my coffin."

  Across the clearing, the skeletal figure's pendulum swung wider, golden light pulsing with each tick. Tick... tick... tick. The rhythm pressed down on him, both Echos watching in silence - as if waiting for him to break.

  Meanwhile, at the far end of the field...

  Captain dropped to one knee beside Hikari's crumpled body. He set his rifle down and reached for her shoulder. "Hikari." He shook her to wake up. "Hey Hikari, can you hear me?!"But there was no response from her. "Shit," Captain muttered. He checked her over fast, for cuts, bruises, anything. His fingers pressed against her neck, there was still a pulse. "Good... you're still breathing." He placed a hand on her forehead, voice low. "Don't you dare check out on me now. We still need you..."

  Behind him, the ticking grew louder. Tick. Tick. Tick. Captain's head snapped up and saw them across the field. The skeletal figure was still standing, claws dripping, pendulum swinging. Between it and Slayer, the porcelain Echo stood tall, translucent, glass-like walls locked Slayer into a kill box, catching Captain's eye with their faint reflections. His jaw tightened as he grabbed his rifle. "What the hell... a second Echo?!" His eyes flicked to Lumina, bleeding and motionless in the grass. "Impossible... Lumina's out cold too? Damn it... this is bad. Really bad."

  Captain stayed on one knee beside Hikari, rifle resting against his shoulder. His eyes swept the field, first to Lumina and then to Slayer, before dropping back down to her. His mind raced. ("Damn it, Slayer's in trouble. Do I help him first...?) His gaze flicked to Lumina. ("But she's bleeding out... if I don't move fast, she won't make it.") Then to Hikari. ("But I need her. She's the only one who can turn this around with her aura.") "Damn it... think, think!" Captain hissed, jaw tight. His voice softened as he glanced at Hikari. "C'mon Hikari... I know you're in there."

  Then it happened...

  The Artifact in Hikari's coat pulsed. THUMMM! A faint dark glow bleeding through the fabric. As if answering his call for help. Captain didn't notice; his eyes stayed locked on the battlefield, torn between choices. A voice slipped into Hikari's mind, soft but firm. ("Wake up... Hikari... they still need you...")

  With Slayer...

  Slayer slammed his shield into the invisible wall again. BOOOM! The impact shook the air, but the barrier didn't budge. The porcelain Echo tilted its head, its red painted grin stretching wider. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! It clapped its hands fast, like it was enjoying the sight of Slayer struggling.

  Slayer gritted his teeth. "Oh, so I'm the entertainment now, huh? Glad you're enjoying the Slayer Show." He shoved against the wall again, armor groaning. "Fine. Keep watching, but spoiler alert you're not gonna like the ending." The porcelain Echo just continued to clap. Clap! Clap! Clap!

  An idea sparked in Slayer's mind. "Wait... that's it." He raised his voice, taunting. "Hey, you dumb doll! What good's this fancy box if you can't even touch me in it? Huh? Gonna sit there clapping all day like a broken toy?" The porcelain figure froze mid-clap. Its grin faded into a flat, neutral stare. Slayer chuckled. "There it is. I struck it's nerves. You hear that, clock-for-brains?" he shouted toward the skeletal figure. "Your buddy can't handle a little banter!"

  The porcelain figure turned its head toward the skeletal Echo, which only gave a slow, careless shrug. Slayer tilted his visor. "Wait... are you two working together or not? Either way doesn't matter to me since you both will fall soon enough."

  The porcelain figure gave a silent chuckle, shoulders shaking without a sound. Then it spread its arms wide. CRRRK! The invisible walls lit up, glowing faint yellow as they started to close in. Slayer's visor flared. "Ooooh, finally! Took you long enough to actually throw a punch." GRRRRK! The walls pressed tighter, the space shrinking. His shield creaked under the crushing force, sword arm straining. Slayer braced himself, shoulders trembling. "There we go... just a little more... come on..."

  The walls closed in harder. His armor groaned, the pressure building. CRK-CRK-CRK! Then Slayer roared. "NOW, MOMENTUM GUARD!" FWOOOM! A spiral of blue light burst out from his shield, coiling around his body before exploding outward. KRRRSHHH! The crushing walls shattered into fragments of light, raining down around him.

  Slayer staggered forward, panting. "Phew... thought I was almost a goner there." He straightened, planting his sword in the dirt. His visor tilted up at the porcelain Echo, which had stepped back in surprise.

  "Hah! Didn't see that one coming, did you?" That's called Momentum Guard." He slammed his fist against his shield. CLANG! "Hit me or my shield enough, and I store the impact." He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Then I send it back twice as hard. And of course no refunds!"

  The skeletal figure hissed sharply, KSSSHHH! Its pendulum swung violently. TICK-TICK-TICK! The sound grew faster, sharper, like an angry clock about to break. Slayer's grin widened. "Ohhh, I get it. Didn't like that one, huh? Good. That means I'm doing something right."

  The porcelain Echo snapped its head toward Slayer, joints creaking as its painted grin stretched wide again. At the same moment, the skeletal figure leaned forward, pendulum swinging harder, claws twitching in rhythm. TICK-TICK-TICK!

  Then both lunged. FWOOOSH! The skeletal figure rushed at Slayer, its claws honing to sharp points. Right behind it, the porcelain figure charged low, arms jerking like a puppet on strings.

  Slayer quickly gripped his planted sword and brought his shield up, bracing for the impact. CLANG! Sparks flew as the Skeletal's claw strike slammed into the metal, the force rattling his arm. The porcelain Echo twisted past the shield and swiped. SHHHK! Its porcelain fingers screeched against Slayer's armor, carving faint lines into the steel.

  Slayer grunted, bracing under the double assault. "Heh... finally, you're both awake. Took you long enough to stop staring!" He shoved forward, shield flaring with blue light. "Take this!" BOOM! The force shoved both Echos back a step. He spun his sword up, aura flaring. "Alright then... prepare yourselves."

  KSSSHHH! The skeletal figure lunged again, pendulum swinging as its claws cut through the air. FWOOOSH! The porcelain Echo darted from the side, arms snapping at sharp angles, aiming to trap Slayer between them. Slayer planted his boots and raised his shield. BOOOOM! "RADIANT BASTION!" A surge of blue energy erupted outward, the blue dome surrounding him, knocked both Echos back a pace.

  The dome faded away, but he didn't give them time to recover. "OATHBLADE SURGE!" Slayer swung his sword in a wide arc, FWOOOM! releasing crescent-shaped waves of blue energy. They carved glowing lines across the ground, SHWOO! striking the skeletal figure in the chest. KRRRSHH! Its ribcage lit up as it was knocked flat.

  The porcelain Echo staggered in too, its mask tilting silently. Then it moved in close to him. Slayer smirked. "Here, try this!" He let it hammer his shield with both arms. CLANG! CLANG! Energy built along the shield's surface, blue aura spiraling tighter and tighter. "Now... take it back! MOMENTUM GUARD!" FWOOOM! He released the stored energy in a roaring pulse, blasting the porcelain Echo off its feet and sending it crashing into the skeletal one. BOOM! Both hit the grass flat.

  Slayer dropped back into stance, shield glowing, sword angled forward. His visor tilted toward the downed enemies, cocky grin hidden but clear in his voice. "That's what you get for double-teaming me. Who's next?" Tick... tick... tick. Both Echos pushed themselves up at once. The skeletal figure stood as if untouched, while the porcelain Echo’s mask now bore a thin crack - its painted grin stretching wider than what should be possible.

  Slayer rolled his shoulders, the shield still humming as blue light swirled across it. He muttered under his breath, "Dammit... the skeletal one's good as new. And that porcelain freak, its hits are getting stronger. I can feel every impact pounding through my shield." He steadied his stance, visor narrowing. "Hmph... guess I'll just have to keep pushing through. I need to get to Lumina, fast."

  The porcelain figure tilted its head, then let out a hollow, broken laugh. Hhhahhh-hhhahhh... Its arms opened wide, palms up, like it was daring Slayer to strike. Slayer lowered his stance, visor narrowing. "What the hell are you doing? Want me to hit you or something?" He mocked, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. I'll gladly help you with that!"

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  He raised his sword high. FWOOOM! "OATHBLADE SURGE!" Crescent waves of blue energy ripped through the air, one after another. KRRRSHHH! KRRRSHHH! KRRRSHHH! The blasts tore into the porcelain Echo, the force kicking up dirt and smoke until the entire clearing was a storm of dust and light. Slayer lowered his sword slightly, visor locked on the haze. "That should've done it..."

  Then he saw it. The porcelain figure stepped out of the dust, fractured and cracked all over, pieces of its porcelain skin barely holding together. Its painted smile twitched... then it straightened. "Wait..." Slayer muttered.

  SHHHK! From its body, shards fractured away, falling like broken glass before forming into perfect copies. One. Two. Four. Eight. Each one took position around the true body, hands clapping slowly. CLAP... CLAP... CLAP... The sound multiplied as more appeared, the silent crowd filling the field with their eerie applause.

  Slayer's visor flicked left, then right, tracking them. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."

  The true porcelain figure raised its hand, joints snapping, and the clones clapped louder. With each wave, its body twitched sharper, moving faster, stronger, like the applause was fueling it. Slayer tightened his grip on his shield. "So that's it... you wanted me to hit you. This whole thing was a damn trick to break yourself apart and power up." His visor shifted toward the skeletal figure. "Perfect. One Echo that doesn't take any damage at all, and another that gets stronger the more I hit it. Just my lucky day."

  The skeletal figure's pendulum swung harder in the background. WHUM-WHUM-WHUM! Slayer's voice dropped low and steady, turning his attention to the Porcelain crowd. "Alright then. You want a fight with me and your dumb little fan club? C'mon bring it!"

  The true porcelain Echo stayed back, its painted grin fixed. Its arms moved in wide deliberate sweeps. At its command, the clones rushed in. FWOOOSH!

  Slayer swung his sword. SLASH! SLASH! Two clones shattered into porcelain shards, scattering across the dirt. But more came... too many. "Dammit!" He braced behind his shield as another wave struck. CLANG-CLANG-CLANG! Their blows hammered him from all sides. His boots dug into the earth. Blue light built around his shield. VMMMM! "MOMENTUM GUARD!" BOOOOM! The blast burst out, shattering half a dozen clones into shards. Slayer panted, smoke hissing from his armor. "Hah... next!"

  The true porcelain Echo chuckled softly. Hhhahhh-hhhahhh... More cracks split across its body. SHHHK! More clones spawned, clapping in eerie unison before rushing in again. Slayer slammed his shield into the dirt, sparks flying. CLANG-CLANG-CLANG! "Fine... I'll break every last one of you!" He triggered Momentum Guard again. BOOOOM! Clones shattered, shards raining down. But already, more took their place. His breathing grew heavier, his aura dimming. "Tch... I can't keep this up forever."

  Then he felt it. A presence at his back. FWOOOSH! The skeletal figure blurred around him in a flash. Slayer spun, shield up at the last second KRRRSHH! but the impact sent him flying across the field. He hit the ground hard. THUD! SKRRSH! Dirt and grass tore under his armor as he skidded. Groaning, Slayer forced himself to rise, but his shield arm shook under the weight.

  The true porcelain Echo tilted its head, smiling wider. It stepped forward, raising one cracked hand. Clones spread out to clear the way. The air itself felt heavier, the finale closing in. It silently chuckled, grin stretching impossibly long, and lunged. SHHHK! But then...

  PEW-PEW!

  Pink and red bullets cracked across the clearing. KRRSHH! The porcelain figure’s head snapped back, shards flying as the shot blasted through its mask. Clones around it shattered like glass, TCHHK-CRRSHH! collapsing into dust.

  Slayer froze mid-struggle, visor whipping toward the source. There they were. Hikari stood tall, aura flaring pink, her three drones humming beside her in formation. One hand rested casually on her hip, the other guiding her drones. Captain lowered his rifle, the barrel smoking faintly, his red aura surging around him.

  Hikari smirked. "Oops. Soorrryy, but I just saw that it wasn't a fair fight so I decided to intervene a little."

  Captain kept his rifle leveled, eyes locked on the broken porcelain figure. "And I don't believe in fair fights anyway."

  Slayer chuckled behind his visor, half-exhausted, half-relieved. "About damn time! I was starting to think you two were just gonna let me put on the whole show."

  The porcelain figure slowly pushed itself upright. Its mask was nearly gone now, cracks spreading across its face with only a small part of that red painted smile left. Behind the broken pieces, red flesh showed through, moving slightly as it breathed. Its body shook with rage, every movement jerky and violent.

  Hikari's eyes narrowed. "So we're dealing with this one huh... Marionette Mime."

  The skeletal figure tilted its head back and hissed. KSSSHHH! Its pendulum glowed brighter.

  Hikari didn't flinch. "And you... Clockwork Reaper. That lesson you gave me earlier?" She made a jokingly sad face. “Really hurt, by the way.”

  Captain glanced between them, rifle steady. "Names are nice, but what exactly are we dealing with here?"

  Slayer groaned as he forced himself upright, staggering a few steps toward them. "Oh, I can answer that for you." He stopped just short of collapsing, then pointed his sword at both Echos. "A couple of maniacs, that's what they are!"

  Hikari gave a small chuckle. "At least you're still alive and talking. That's good enough for me."

  She signaled one of her drones. It floated over to Slayer and released a pulse of pink light. VMMM! The glow washed over him, closing cuts, repairing armor, and steadying his breathing.

  Slayer rolled his shoulder, standing a little taller. "Awe man much better. Thanks, Doc."

  Hikari nodded and smiled, "You're welcome tin can." Her expression hardened as her eyes shifted to Lumina's body. "I need to heal her now." The drones buzzed louder, shifting into protective formation. "Wait here, I'll go get her."

  Captain frowned as he reached and stepped forward. "That's too risky." His eyes darted to Lumina's bleeding body, then back to Hikari, his jaw tightening.

  "You serious, Hikari? Those freaks are just waiting to jump you the second you move toward her," Slayer said, worry edging his voice as he tightened his grip on his shield. "We should plan this out safely."

  Hikari's eyes hardened. "There's no time. Her aura's fading and she's losing too much blood. I'll go alone. You two cover me." She sprinted toward Lumina, drones humming at her side.

  "Tch, dammit," Captain muttered. He snapped his rifle back up, aura flaring red as he tracked the field. "Just be careful!"

  Slayer took a stance, gripping his shield and sword. "We'll hold these freaks off as much as we can, just get her back on her feet!"

  Hikari's lips pressed into the faintest smile as she ran, not daring to look back. ("Thanks, you two... I'll handle the rest from here.")

  The Clockwork Reaper reacted instantly. FWOOOSH! It blurred forward, claws slicing through the air to cut her off. Hikari's eyes flared pink. "Hmph. I don't think so." She thrust her hand forward. "Drones!" VMMMMM! All three drones shot ahead of her in formation, their pink cores blazing as they intercepted the Reaper's slash. CLANG-CLANG-CLANG! Sparks exploded as the drones locked against its claws, holding the monster back in mid-swing.

  "Configuration shift... sniper mode," Captain muttered. His rifle shifted with a sharp CHK-CHK! The scope locked onto the Reaper as the chamber lit red. HMMM! He squeezed the trigger BOOM! The crimson shot cut through the air and slammed into its chest. KRRRSH! The Reaper staggered back, gears grinding.

  "Good hit," Hikari said quickly, her drones breaking formation to fire volleys of pink beams. PEW-PEW-PEW! Each shot drove the Reaper further back, forcing it to retreat for the moment.

  Hikari dropped to her knees beside Lumina, a pool of blood spreading under her. "Lumina!" Her hands hovered uncertainly before she pressed one gently against her torso. VMMMM. Pink light flowed from her hand into Lumina's wounds, sealing cuts and knitting flesh, but the blood loss was heavy.

  "She's lost too much blood..." Hikari's voice trembled, her eyes narrowing. "If I don't act now, I'll lose her." Her mind raced for a few seconds and then it clicked. "Yes... that might work." She pressed her other hand against the pool of blood soaking the ground beside Lumina. Her pink aura flared bright. FWOOOM! "Aura Tech Link... engage!" Her aura surged, weaving into both Lumina's body and the spilled blood at once. Hikari's eyes glowed pink as her consciousness spread, overriding the dying cells. "Come on... come on... reset, restore..."

  The blood shimmered, the dark crimson fading into healthy red. Hikari gritted her teeth, channeling harder. She pulled the healed blood with her aura, connecting it directly to Lumina's veins through the Tech Link. VMMMMMMM!

  "Yes... yes, it's linking!" she gasped, her hair flicking wildly in the glow. "Stay with me, Lumina. You're not dying on me. Not now." Hikari's aura flared brighter, eyes glowing brighter.

  VMMMMMM! Sweat ran down her face as she forced the transfer, pink light streaming from the pool of blood into Lumina's body. "Come on... almost there..." Hikari muttered, arms trembling. Her vision blurred, but she refused to let go of the link. "Don't fade on me, Lumina..." For a moment, nothing changed. Lumina's skin stayed pale, her body limp, her breathing faint.

  Hikari gritted her teeth, voice sharp with urgency. "Dammit stay with me! I'm not losing you here!" The pink light surged one last time, flooding through Lumina's body in a wave. FWOOOOM! Then...

  "Hhhhk-khhh!" Lumina coughed, her body jolting as she pulled in a deeper breath. Her chest rose, a bit of color returning to her face. She shifted weakly, showing the first signs of strength.

  Hikari's shoulders eased, her hand still pressed against Lumina as the Tech Link faded. "Yes... there you are." Her voice softened, low enough that only Lumina could hear. Behind them, Captain's rifle cracked another shot. PEW! Slayer's shield rang out as he blocked a strike. Neither noticed what Hikari had done.

  Lumina blinked, her vision hazy, then slowly turned her head. "Hikari...?" Her voice was weak, but there was relief in it. "You're... alive..."

  Hikari gave a small smile. "Of course I am. And you're alive too now, so glad to be in the same page."

  For a moment, Lumina just stared at her, breath unsteady, then let out a rough smirk through the pain. "Tch... always throwing yourself in for others huh. That hasn't changed."

  "Yeah, well," Hikari said with a small smile, "get used to it because I don't plan on letting anyone die."

  Lumina winced as she pushed herself upright, refusing to stay down. She reached for her katana and gripped it tight. "I guess I owe you one now."

  Hikari stood up. "Don't thank me just yet," She said, eyes sharp. "The fight's still not over." She nodded toward the field where the two Echos still clashed with Captain and Slayer.

  Lumina followed her gaze and froze. Her eyes locked onto the tall, pale figure moving with puppet-like motions, its cracked mask stretched in a grotesque grin. "What... the hell is that thing?" she muttered, her grip tightening on her katana.

  Hikari's expression hardened. "That one's called Marionette Mime. And the other, the skeletal one with the pendulum... is Clockwork Reaper. Both are Yuila class type Echos, and they are formidable foes."

  Lumina's eyes narrowed, her green aura flowing faintly around her once more. "Hmph, figures. I get knocked out to dream world for one moment and miss the introduction of a nightmare." She sheathed her katana and smirked faintly. "Well, what do you say we join the fight? Slayer and Captain look like they could use some help."

  Across the field, BOOOM! A dome of blue light burst outward as Slayer shouted, "RADIANT BASTION!" His shield slammed into the ground, energy flaring to keep the Echos back. BRRRR! Captain's rifle cracked, crimson shots streaking across the field and hammering the Reaper's bones. Overhead, VMMMM! Hikari's drones swept in, pink bolts raining down to pin the Reaper and Mime between all sides.

  "Like we have a choice," Hikari said, lips curving into a small smile. "But first, let me give your aura a boost. You'll need the strength." She pressed her glowing hand against Lumina's arm. VMMMM! A pulse of pink energy surged through her, the green aura around Lumina blazing brighter now.

  Lumina rolled her shoulders, the strength flooding back. "Thanks... that's much better."

  "Good," Hikari said, her eyes sharp. "Now let's move."

  Together, they broke into a run DUN-DUN-DUN! charging straight back to rejoin their team.