Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 2/Episode 22

This is the tenth episode, "Essence of the World Orb" (世界の小玉の神髄), of the second chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

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Episode text
"Today is the day. Today is the day we take the final World Orb of this planet. However, we have Yamamoto to contend with. Our strategy is simple. A combined multinational force will attack his headquarters in Kolkata directly, while we head across the Himalayas while they are distracted to reach the location of the air-elemental World Orb."

At daybreak, Uzuki woke up and noticed that everyone else had already left the tent. She exited the tent, where the other girls were waiting.

–Benio: Ah, you're finally awake, Uzuki!

–Aoi: We were waiting for you to wake up. Everyone else is ready.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay. By the way, Louise, can we go over what we need to do one last time?

–Aria: Uzuki, we went over this pretty much every day. Don't tell me, you forgot what to do?

–Louise: Calm down, Aria; Uzuki just wants to make sure that everyone understands what to do. Anyway, here's the plan. Rani has already gone ahead and scouted the area, so when she gives the all clear, we will go. Everyone, take a look at this map.

Everyone gathered around the map, which was lying on the ground.

–Himawari: As you already know, we had Melody head to other parts of Tibet to help us pinpoint the exact location of the World Orb. It is marked here.

Himawari pointed at the red X.

–Miho: Now, none of us have actually approached the area. Yamamoto's troops have gathered in the entire area, and if we were to try and enter the cave where the World Orb is, we would surely attract their attention and lead them to the World Orb itself. With the simultaneous attack on his headquarters, we may be able to sneak in.

–Kanade: I have one question.

–Louise: What is it, Kanade?

–Kanade: What if we end up meeting Yamamoto himself in the cave? We know how powerful he is, and I think it's prudent to consider that situation.

–Uzuki: You're right, Kanade. There is my Inherent Ability, but we can't use that in normal combat. Tama-chan's Inherent Ability doesn't take into account power...

–Benio: And we'll be screwed anyway if he activates Full Burst mode and obliterates us in one strike...

–Wakaba: Aoi, do you have any ideas?

–Aoi: I might be able to reduce the impact with my Inherent Ability, but... there is the risk of a mana explosion, or the attack simply being too strong.

–Lyra: Umm... Miporin...

–Miho: What is it, Lyra?

–Lyra: Umm... can I call you that? I hear Uzuki call you that...

–Miho: Of course you can call me "Miporin".

–Uzuki: And you can call me "U-chan" as well, Lyra. I know you like to give nicknames, so why not?

–Lyra: Ah, okay. Anyway, Miporin, will your Inherent Ability help?

–Miho: My Inherent Ability, Duplicator, allows me to exactly replicate a spell and send it back to the one who originally cast it. It's useful if our opponent is stronger than us, but we're going to be fighting in cramped spaces, so we may be at risk of a cave-in regardless. Not only that, it can drain my mana quite quickly.

–Melody: Oh, and about Full Burst mode, we can take care of that.

–Louise: Ah, I forgot about that.

–Himawari: Anyway, our scouts have found the exact location of the cave, and we are to approach it from the south.

–Wakaba: Wait, why the south? Aren't we northeast of the cave?

–Uzuki: Wakaba, we'll be taking the long way. A direct route may draw too much attention, so if it appears that we're not actually heading towards the cave, then it might distract them enough for us to sneak in.

–Wakaba: Then, what route will we take?

Miho took out a red pen, and drew a path from the camp to the location of the World Orb on the map.

–Miho: That is the path we'll take.

Tamaki took out a black pen, and drew some circles on the map.

–Tamaki: Our scouts have found enemies gathering in these places. We should try and avoid coming into contact with them.

–Uzuki: Tama-chan, do you have any idea how powerful they are?

–Tamaki: Alone, each of Yamamoto's soldiers aren't very powerful. They only have rudimentary weapons and protection; one hit from one of our magic bullets can easily turn them into pieces, and their magic spells won't even get past our natural resistance to magic, let alone scratch our mage outfits. However, they have guns, and I'm sure you know that thousands of bullets at once can do a fair amount of damage.

–Louise: But remember, though, we're not trying to kill them. It's best we avoid them and try to sneak in.

–Miho: I'm guessing that was aimed at me...

Tamaki giggled.

–Uzuki: Anyway, once we get to the cave, we shouldn't all go in. It'll only be Wakaba, Melody, Aria and I who will enter. Tama-chan, you are to remain on standby at the entrance, just in case we need your help. The rest of you are to defend the area.

–Aoi: Wait, who decided this?

–Louise: Ah, Uzuki and I discussed this in private last night. If everyone went inside, then there would be a chance that Yamamoto could ambush us. If we instead have only a few enter the cave, and have the rest defend the entrance, then we can avoid any potential ambushes.

–Aoi: I understand. But what makes you think that we have a better chance against Yamamoto in open space?

–Uzuki: Aocchi, I'm sure we can manage. After all, we have driven away Pablo not just once, but twice.

–Aoi: I guess so.

–Louise: Anyway, I believe it's time for us to go. Is everyone ready?

–Everyone: Yes!

–Louise: Right, then, let's go!

Everyone changed into their mage outfits, and took off.

In the distance the girls spotted a group of Yamamoto's soldiers.

–Himawari: Everyone, to the right! There are enemies this way!

The girls turned right to avoid the soldiers.

–Melody: Is it just me, or are we finding enemies everywhere we turn?

–Uzuki: I feel the same way as well. Tama-chan, can you tell where the enemy forces are right now?

–Tamaki: I can, but let's stop first.

Everyone stopped. Tamaki began to focus, and a pink magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Tamaki: They're... everywhere! I believe they've spread out since we left the camp.

–Miho: Now what?! How are we not going to get spotted?

–Kanade: Hold on. I know a way.

Kanade began to cast a spell, and a red magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Suddenly, a red glow began to surround the girls.

–Uzuki: Kanade... what is this?

–Kanade: My Inherent Ability. It completely masks any mana signatures inside the field, and also blocks detection by sight, hearing and even smell.

–Louise: If that's the case, then... let's go. From here, the cave is about 25 kilometres north.

Everyone took off.

Eventually, everyone reached the cave's entrance. Himawari looked around and could not find any of Yamamoto's soldiers.

–Himawari: I don't see any of Yamamoto's forces here. Tamaki, can you check?

–Tamaki: Okay.

Tamaki began to focus, and a pink magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Tamaki: They may be out of sight, but I can still detect them. In the mean time, let's land.

–Louise: Okay. Everyone, let us head back down.

The girls floated down on to the ground.

–Tamaki: Uzuki, I'm going to distract them, while your group sneaks inside. Kanade, accompany them to the entrance.

–Kanade: Got it!

–Uzuki: Right, then, let's go.

Uzuki, Wakaba, Melody and Aria headed towards the entrance. Kanade followed close behind. Meanwhile, Tamaki took out her bag and dropped it on the ground. It opened to reveal a massive rocket.

–Miho: Tama-chan... what is that?

–Tamaki: This? It's a magic-powered ballistic missile.

–Miho: W-W-Wait, that's overkill! And besides, where are you going to fire that thing?

–Tamaki: The target... is Yamamoto's headquarters.

–Louise: Makes sense to me. Tamaki, you may fire when ready.

–Tamaki: Okay, then. Here goes...

Tamaki began to cast a spell, and a massive pink magic circle appeared beneath her feet. The rocket began to glow white, and within seconds there was a massive sound emanating from the bag as the rocket began to take off.

–Kanade: Okay, then, Uzuki. This is as far as I'll go.

–Uzuki: Thanks, Kanade. Everyone, let's go.

The four girls headed inside the cave. Kanade observed the rocket blasting off and heading towards its target. Almost immediately, Yamamoto's forces appeared and opened fire at the other girls.

–Kanade: I better go.

Kanade took off.

The four girls managed to reach the deepest part of the cave without incident.

–Melody: There it is. The air-elemental World Orb.

Sitting on a pedestal was the World Orb. It was bathed in a green glow, but did not appear to be responding to the girls' presence.

–Aria: That's odd. It should have attacked us by now.

Wakaba approached the World Orb, and placed a hand on it.

–Wakaba: Uzuki, come here.

–Uzuki: Eh, why?

–Wakaba: Just come.

Uzuki walked up to the World Orb.

–Wakaba: The orb is asking me to tell you to place your hand on it. Melody, come here as well, and place your pendant on the orb.

–Melody: Okay.

Melody took out her pendant, and approached the World Orb. She placed the pendant on top of the orb, and the pendant almost immediately began to glow.

–Melody: The magical girl fights with wind magic. That's all I can determine from this World Orb.

–Uzuki: Thanks. Anyway... it feels as if the orb is trying to speak to us.

–Wakaba: Wait, you're right.

–Voice: &lt;Child of Earth. Child of Fuenod. This is an urgent warning to your kind, from us, the essence of the World Orbs.&gt;

–Uzuki: Eh? A warning?

–Voice: &lt;As you may have already known, the seal within the Cave of Illusions is weakening as we speak. It is only a matter of months before the seal will break, and through the cries of many shattered World Orbs through the years we have determined that someone is deliberately destroying us in order to unleash the very being sealed inside.&gt;

–Wakaba: We understand this pretty well. Just how long do we have?

–Voice: &lt;At this rate, there are only around 120 days until the being is unleashed. That is why you must work with the pendant holders to find the April Light, to defeat this being once and for all.&gt;

–Uzuki: And what about the fire-elemental World Orb of this planet? It was damaged and unresponsive.

–Voice: &lt;That has already been taken to the location of this planet's fifth World Orb, thanks to your witch.&gt;

–Uzuki: Wait, is Puella headquarters located on the site of the fifth World Orb?

–Aria: I found it a bit hard to believe, but it's true.

–Melody: I was surprised as well. I never thought that humans would even be able to find the location of the fifth World Orb.

–Wakaba: But, knowing us, it was probably a fluke.

–Voice: &lt;You are to take this World Orb, as well as the other two, to the location of the fifth World Orb. Once all the World Orbs of this planet have been gathered at that location, any damaged World Orbs will be repaired and you will receive your next clue.&gt;

The orb's glow died down.

–Wakaba: So... we're taking this orb to Puella headquarters?

–Uzuki: I believe so.

Wakaba took the World Orb from the pedestal.

–Uzuki: Anyway, let's head back. We're done here.

The four girls headed back up the cave.

Meanwhile, in the air, Lyra was scouting the area, looking for any hostile forces. She was holding what appeared to be a green orb, about the size of a World Orb. In the distance she noticed a large force coming from the southeast.

–Lyra: Everyone, more enemies are coming from the southeast!

–Himawari: Got it. Miho!

–Miho: Right!

Miho began to cast a spell, and a purple magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Thousands of purple lances appeared in the air, and were thrown in the direction of the enemy force. The impact created a massive dust cloud in the distance.

–Tamaki: Hang on, what is that?

Tamaki pointed south. Louise looked in that direction, and could not believe her eyes.

–Louise: Yamamoto. I cannot believe that he would go all the way out here when his own base is under attack. Everyone, be on your guard. And Lyra, what exactly are you holding? It looks suspiciously like a World Orb.

–Lyra: For now, I won't say. In the mean time, just treat it as if it were a real World Orb.

–Louise: Ah, okay. Anyway, here he comes!

In less than a minute, Yamamoto arrived. He looked up at Lyra.

–Yamamoto: I see. You've spared me the effort of retrieving the World Orb. I suggest that you give that to me now.

–Lyra: No. Just for what purpose do you want the World Orbs?

–Yamamoto: I will use them to bring about a new Golden Age for humanity. You shall not stand in my way!

–Kanade: You do realise that humans are not the only inhabitants of the galaxy. I'm sure the others won't appreciate it if one selfish miscreant of an upstart race decided to declare himself king of the galaxy.

–Himawari: And besides, how are you going to achieve that?

–Yamamoto: I will work to benifit humanity. I will eliminate the decadent nation-states that cover the planets, and bring all of humanity under one rule.

–Louise: You know, it's not that easy. Humans are selfish by nature; they're not likely to accept some foreign ruler that easily, no matter how much effort you put into your words. What you are planning to do will result in millions, if not billions of lives lost. To say that humanity is weary of war by now is an understatement. Yamamoto, are you really sure this is the path you want to go down? The Federation of Four Earths is nothing more than a loose alliance right now, and it'll remain that way for as long as someone, somewhere, clings on to the notion that nations should rule themselves. If you want to unite humanity, war is literally the only choice you have.

–Yamamoto: Tell me, why do you oppose me? Why do you oppose this ideal?

–Louise: I am not qualified to answer that question, as I am a princess.

–Miho: We oppose you not because we disagree with you, but because we are human. We oppose this ideal because it is not human nature. Throughout history, there has always been a struggle between those with power and those without, whether it be within a family, a town, a state, or even the entire world. The best way, and possibly the only way, to solve this struggle is to give everyone this power, that is, democracy. What you are trying to bring about is a system that has already been proven to result in power struggles, not only within the population, but also between the subjects and their ruler, that is, you.

–Yamamoto: That is irrelevant; you already know that I'm one of the most powerful mages in this galaxy. I will make them follow me, even if it means killing them!

–Benio: Yeah, you can kill or torture people for dissent all you want. But nothing lasts forever. One day, someone, somewhere, will arise and defeat you and make all of your efforts go to waste.

–Yamamoto: Once I have the World Orbs in my possession, I will possess the massive power they possess. No one, not even the Donsilans, will be able to stop me then!

–Tamaki: Memento mori.

–Yamamoto: What was that?

–Tamaki: All things must come to and end. Death and destruction are the only things that are inevitable. Yamamoto, even with the power of the World Orbs, there is always the possibility that someone could take you down.

–Yamamoto: I will guarantee that won't happen. Now, enough talking. Give me the orb!

–Lyra: No!

Lyra began to cast a spell, and a white magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Yamamoto: I will not show any mercy!

A massive orange magic circle appeared beneath Yamamoto's feet. Massive flames began to surround him. Meanwhile, Aoi began to cast a spell, and a blue magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Several massive icicles appeared beside her. She threw the icicles at Yamamoto; however, he responded by throwing a flame jet towards the icicles, melting them and neutralising the attack.

–Yamamoto: Fools! You know your power is no match for mine!

Yamamoto sent a massive flame jet towards the girls. Miho reacted by casting a spell of her own. A purple magic circle appeared in front of her, and from it flew a near-identical flame jet. The two jets collided, causing embers to fly all over the area.

–Miho: Yamamoto, whatever you throw at me I will throw back at you.

Yamamoto responded by drawing his sword and charging straight towards Miho. Just as he was about to swing his sword, Aoi stepped beside Miho and parried Yamamoto's sword with her spear, before rotating it 180 degrees to strike him with the side of the spearhead.

–Yamamoto: You...

Yamamoto leapt up towards Lyra, and snatched the orb she was holding. Lyra attempted to fight back by firing a magic beam, but it was wayward and only damaged the landscape. Yamamoto sent her hurtling towards the ground in response.

–Yamamoto: Just be glad that I have gone easy on you. The next time we meet, you won't be so lucky.

Yamamoto flew off, carrying the orb with him. Meanwhile, Himawari was attending to Lyra, who had hit the ground hard.

–Himawari: Lyra, are you okay?

–Lyra: I'm fine, Hima-chan. But the orb...

Wakaba ran towards the girls, holding what appeared to be a watermelon.

–Wakaba: Everyone, we've retrieved the World Orb. Louise, everyone, we've been told by the essence of this World Orb to take all of Earth's World Orbs to Puella headquarters. So, I suggest that we put this... huh?

It was only then that Wakaba noticed that she appeared to be holding a watermelon. Meanwhile, Uzuki arrived.

–Wakaba: Why am I holding a watermelon? I swear I had the orb.

Uzuki and Lyra giggled. Tamaki turned towards Wakaba, noticed something odd, then began to giggle as well.

–Wakaba: What is it? What's so funny?

–Uzuki: Wakaba... that really is the World Orb. It's not a watermelon; it's an illusion.

–Lyra: Ah, that's my Inherent Ability. The orb Yamamoto carried away, that wasn't a World Orb. That was actually a bomb I took from Tamaki's bag.

–Wakaba: Then how come Yamamoto didn't figure out that it wasn't a World Orb in the first place?

Melody and Aria flew back to where the girls were.

–Aria: All four of us pendant holders have Inherent Abilities related to altering people's senses. In some ways, we can influence what a person sees, hears, smells or otherwise senses. Of course, we can see through each other's illusions, and a select few human magical girls can as well.

–Melody: For as long as Lyra keeps this spell up, Yamamoto will not have any idea he's actually carrying a bomb. For the mean time, Lyra, can you keep it active until we reach Puella headquarters?

–Lyra: Ah, okay.

–Louise: Anyway, we should head back to camp. We'll figure out what to do next once we're back.

–?????: Everyone, hold on for a bit!

Everyone turned towards the direction of the voice.

–Uzuki: Inorin!

It was Inori, who was flying towards the girls.

–Uzuki: What are you doing here?

–Inori: Uzuki, everyone, about the damaged World Orb... Kotone told me that all the World Orbs must be gathered at Puella headquarters for it to be repaired, and told me to tell you that.

–Wakaba: We already know. The air-elemental World Orb told us.

–Miho: But why did Kotone tell you to go tell us? She could've told us directly.

–Inori: Ah, well, she's a bit... busy. From what I gather, it's a joint Zodiac Warriors and Puella project, with Mirai.

–Louise: What for, though?

–Inori: I'm not exactly sure, but I believe it has something to do with finding a way to seal away Pablo.

–Louise: I see. Well, I hope that they're successful.

–Inori: Anyway, I've also been told to take you directly to Puella headquarters. However, this really is the middle of nowhere...

Inori noticed someone in the distance.

–Inori: Ah, senpai!

Uzuki turned towards where Inori was looking, and noticed a girl flying towards them.

–Uzuki: Mizutani-san?

–Himawari: Well, I knew Fuyuka was operating around here.

The girl stopped beside everyone.

–Fuyuka: Everyone, Rani told me that we've taken back New Delhi from Yamamoto's forces. She also said that everyone should head there to report on what has happened.

–Louise: Oh, and one thing I've been meaning to ask. What is the situation in Kolkata?

–Fuyuka: Yamamoto's headquarters had a sophisticated missile defence system in place, so most of our attacks were ineffective. We already ruled out storming the area in the first place, but the constant barrage not only destroyed the barriers, but tied up the point defences enough that Tamaki's own attack managed a direct hit.

–Tamaki: You saw as well?

–Fuyuka: Yes. Anyway, Yamamoto's headquarters has been annihilated, and there are also reports of an explosion at where Yamamoto himself was last seen.

–Louise: I see. Anyway, should we get going?

–Uzuki: Okay. Everyone, let's go.

The girls took off, heading south.

End of Episode 22

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Commentary
I originally planned to have this episode be a two-parter, with the battle against Yamamoto extending into episode 23. However, I've since decided to cut the number of episodes in chapter 2 from 13 to 12.

I originally intended for the "World Orb" carried by Lyra and taken by Yamamoto to be an actual watermelon; however, the fact that the destruction of Yamamoto's headquarters meant that he had nowhere to go encouraged me to change it into a bomb. (I also didn't intend to have Tamaki distract Yamamoto's forces by attacking his headquarters directly, so that may explain the change).

Tamaki's bag holds a massive amount of military ordnance (taken from various sources), some implausibly large (such as the ballistic missile). According to a few characters, Tamaki apparently even has an entire battleship in her bag. Of course, thanks to her Inherent Ability, Tamaki is able to use every single piece of equipment in her bag like an expert (or a thousand experts).