Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 2/Episode 23

This is the eleventh episode, "Puella" (プエラ), of the second chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

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Episode text
Somewhere in the Himalayas, Yamamoto found himself on the ground, bewildered as to what had just happened. One moment, he was speeding back to his base with the World Orb, then suddenly the World Orb exploded.

–Yamamoto: Just... how could they fool me so convincingly? Just what kind of power do those girls possess?

Yamamoto got up, and was about to take off when he noticed three girls flying towards him.

–Yamamoto: Hmph. Looks like they've come to finish me off. No matter. They have clearly underestimated my strength.

Yamamoto readied his sword, when he noticed that one of the three girls was carrying a white flag. He put his sword away. After a while, the three girls landed and approached Yamamoto.

–Yamamoto: What do you want from me, Akari?

The girl carrying the flag stepped forward.

–Akari: Yamamoto, in the wake of recent events, the nations of Earth have declared you hostis humani generis. That means that any nation on this planet can, and will, try to capture you and put you to trial. I will give you this single chance to leave the planet of your own volition.

–Yamamoto: All nations are my enemy. One day, I will destroy all nations, so it is no surprise that they have declared me an enemy. What about you, Akari? Will you consider me an enemy as well?

–Akari: Yamamoto, in some ways I am like you. We both have our own way of doing things, and we both strive to bring about our ideal worlds. However, you must realise that humanity is flawed. For as long as humans remain human, evil will remain. That is what I realised after I defeated Gakran. I cannot say whether you're wrong, or whether the nations are wrong. All I know is that your actions have drawn fierce opposition simply because of human nature. Gakran may have been a demon, but he was once a human, a human corrupted by evil.

–Yamamoto: So you're saying that I'm doomed to fail, and that you're just going to stand there and do nothing about it? And that I will fail because of the inherent evil within humans?

–Akari: Nothing lasts forever in this world. No matter how many miracles we bring about, we can only delay the inevitable. As humans, the most we can do is make the most of our lives, and hope to reincarnate as a better person in the future.

–Michiru: Yamamoto, you did enlist the help of Pablo Méndez, right?

–Yamamoto: That I did. What about it?

–Michiru: That man is exceptionally dangerous. I suggest that you cut off any connections you have with him. He has turned into a demon, after all, and could betray you at any moment.

–Yamamoto: What do you know about it? I know that man very well, and I have relied on him before.

–Yayoi: Yet you seem to be blind regarding his true intentions. I was speaking to Chelsea and Catherine a few days ago, and they mentioned that after their mother defeated Pablo for the first time, he muttered "Mataré Dios". Yes, he intends to kill God. For what, I don't know.

–Yamamoto: Even for a demon, that's impossible. God is supposed to exist outside the plane of existence.

–Akari: Yet, according to Donsilan legends, it has been done before. Although, to be honest, I don't really know much about Donsilan religion. They seem to claim that our world came about because someone or something killed God, destroying the previous world.

–Yayoi: Anyway, you better come with us. We will only offer you one chance to obtain safe passage to leave Earth.

–Akari: We can take you to Krukia. Are you coming or not?

–Yamamoto: Very well. I will come with you. But tell me, why are you helping me?

–Akari: I'm not exactly helping you, although my current actions aren't from Zodiac Warriors orders, but rather a request by my mother.

–Yamamoto: What does Akane want with me?

–Akari: I'm not sure. Anyway, come with us.

At Puella headquarters in Reykjavík, Uzuki and the others gathered at the chamber where the fifth World Orb was held. The orb itself, resting on a large pedestal with four additional slots for the other World Orbs, was glowing in a brilliant white light.

–Wakaba: So this must be where we're supposed to gather the World Orbs, right?

–Uzuki: Looks like it. Wakaba, can you place the air-elemental World Orb on the pedestal?

–Wakaba: Ah, okay.

Wakaba placed the air-elemental World Orb on to its corresponding slot on the pedestal.

–Uzuki: Benio, you too.

Benio placed the fire-elemental World Orb on the pedestal.

–Uzuki: It looks like we have to wait for the other World Orbs to arrive.

Flavia entered the chamber.

–Flavia: Uzuki, everyone, can you come with me for a moment? There's something I wish to discuss with you.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

Everyone followed Flavia out of the chamber, along the hallway, up the stairs to the second floor, and into a meeting room. Inside was a girl who looked around five years older than Flavia.

–Uzuki: Wait, who is she?

–Miho: That girl may not look like it, but she is the acting leader of Puella, the queen of Cedysna, and Flavia's older sister.

–Aoi: You mean Cecilia?

–Tamaki: To be honest, I didn't think I'd meet her in person.

Louise walked up to Cecilia.

–Louise: It has been a while, Cecilia.

–Cecilia: It really has, Louise. I heard that you're leading the search for the World Orbs, is that correct?

–Louise: Yes, that's true.

–Cecilia: And Himawari, this must be the first time we've met.

–Himawari: Ah, I guess so. My sister has told me quite a fair bit about you, though.

–Flavia: Anyway, let's all sit down.

Everyone sat down at the chairs surrounding the large table in the centre of the room.

–Flavia: Louise, can you report on all issues you and your group have found in the search for the World Orbs?

–Louise: Our first issue was the revelation of Yamamoto's treachery. When we had reached the water-elemental World Orb, Yamamoto ordered us to hand it over. We refused, and exploited the properties of the World Orb to escape. Unfortunately, this meant that Yamamoto was able to take the World Orb.

–Flavia: I see. Anyway, regarding that World Orb, Akari has taken it back from him. As we speak, it's on its way here. Anyway, continue.

–Louise: The next issue was damage found on the fire-elemental World Orb.

–Flavia: We already know that. And in any case, it cannot be repaired until we get the other World Orbs here. Were there any other issues?

–Louise: Not that I can recall.

–Uzuki: May I speak, Flavia?

–Flavia: Go ahead, Uzuki.

–Uzuki: When we retrieved the air-elemental World Orb, it spoke to us.

–Cecilia: Wait, this is new to us. Uzuki, what did the World Orb say?

–Uzuki: It said that someone or something is destroying World Orbs, and that this destruction is causing the seal within the Cave of Illusions to weaken.

–Cecilia: Do you have any idea what is causing this destruction?

–Uzuki: No...

–Flavia: And how long do we have until the seal is broken?

–Uzuki: Around 120 days, so probably until the end of September.

–Cecilia: I see. Tamaki, you investigated the Cave of Illusions earlier, am I correct?

–Tamaki: Yes, that is correct. It was as Uzuki said. The seal is weakening. Incidentally, I also came to the conclusion that the seal will break in September.

–Cecilia: We have also been made aware of the weakening seal from the Tyragian embassy. The Tyragian government has labelled any potential failure of the seal as a "Code Black" threat, one that could threaten not only Tyrag, as would a "Code Red", but the entirety of Ocypsa, and possibly the rest of the galaxy.

–Aria: That is why it's imperative for us to find the April Light. We know what is sealed inside that cave, and that thing, if unsealed, will destroy the galaxy.

–Melody: As of now, no one knows who or what is destroying the World Orbs. In the absence of any hard evidence, we must continue to search for the April Light.

–Flavia: And continue we will. From what little intelligence we have gathered, the entity responsible is far too powerful for us to confront directly. Not only that, it is believed that the seal has reached the point of no return.

–Melody: Wait, you're saying that the seal is weakening on its own now?

–Flavia: Unfortunately, that is the case. Even the extra World Orb placed on Ocypsa was not able to arrest the process. As Uzuki said, we have around 120 days until the seal is broken.

–Benio: But is four months enough for us to find the April Light?

–Himawari: I think we'll manage. After all, we're nearly done here.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

–Flavia: Come in.

The door opened. It was Lyra and Kanade.

–Louise: Ah, you're back. How did it go?

–Lyra: We were successful in retrieving the earth-elemental World Orb. It's already in the chamber, as is the water-elemental World Orb.

–Flavia: Okay, then, let's head down to the chamber.

The girls left their seats and headed back to the chamber.

On the pedestal inside the chamber rested the five World Orbs. Four of them were glowing.

–Aoi: So, what happens now? The fire-elemental World Orb needs to be repaired, so...

Aria walked up to the pedestal and placed her hand on the fire-elemental World orb. She then placed her pendant on her hand. Suddenly, the orb began to glow brightly.

–Aria: Here goes...

Aria began to cast a spell, and a green magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Aria: Lyra, Melody, Kanade, can you help as well?

–Kanade: Ah, we will. Let's do this.

Lyra, Melody and Kanade began to cast their respective spells. The chamber began to fill with a bright white light.

–Wakaba: So bright...

–Tamaki: Uzuki, step forward.

–Uzuki: Eh? Why me?

–Tamaki: Just do as I say.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

Uzuki stepped forward and held out her right hand. Suddenly, a telepathic voice began to speak to her.

–Voice: &lt;Child of Fuenod. You have been chosen to lead the search for the April Light. Work with the pendant holders, and your allies, to retrieve the World Orbs of the main planets, and receive their gifts.&gt;

–Uzuki: Gifts? And why me?

–Voice: &lt;The gifts we bestow upon you are the weapons used to seal the Donsilans' mortal enemy in the Cave of Illusions. There are thirteen weapons, three each possessed by the World Orbs of the planets of humanity, and one by the World Orbs of the Donsilans. We will bestow these weapons so that when the time comes, our enemy shall be defeated by the April Light. Child of Fuenod, you have been chosen because of your spiritual composition.&gt;

–Uzuki: My spiritual... composition? You mean my soul?

–Voice: &lt;That is correct. The only other individual with a similar spiritual composition... is the slayer of Gakran.&gt;

–Tamaki: !

–Voice: &lt;Now, Child of Fuenod, take these weapons. And imprint into your mind, Taurus 24.&gt;

Three weapons appeared in front of Uzuki: a sword, a gun and a staff. Almost immediately, they transformed into small objects, as if they were magic devices. Uzuki collected them. After a while, the light died down.

–Aria: I guess that's it. The World Orb has been repaired, and I've been able to figure out that the magical girl uses fire magic.

–Lyra: I see. Then that's all the clues for this planet's set; let's head to the next planet.

The girls noticed that Uzuki was simply staring at the World Orbs, while holding something close to her heart.

–Benio: Umm, Uzuki?

–Uzuki: Ah, sorry about that. I just spaced out.

–Miho: U-chan, let's head back.

–Uzuki: Umm, everyone, wait.

–Louise: What is it, Uzuki? I need to head back home to prepare for our next mission.

–Himawari: Me too. Wait, is something bothering you?

–Uzuki: The thing is... the World Orbs spoke to me.

–Wakaba: Again?

–Flavia: This is important. Uzuki, what did they tell you.

–Uzuki: Well, they gave me these.

Uzuki held out the three magic devices.

–Louise: Magic devices?

–Miho: Wait, could they be...

–Uzuki: They were used to seal away that thing in the Cave of Illusions. The other sets of World Orbs have similar weapons as well. Also, it mentioned Taurus 24. What is that supposed to mean?

–Benio: I'm not sure. Aoi, what about you?

–Aoi: Uzuki, your birthday is on May 13, right?

–Uzuki: Wait, where did that come from? Aocchi, this really isn't the time.

–Aoi: No, I'm serious. If we assume that Taurus 1 is April 20, as it normally is, then Taurus 24 is...

–Kanade: May 13, by this planet's calendar system.

–Uzuki: But why my birthday?

–Wakaba: Maybe you're one of the four magical girls.

–Himawari: Wakaba, while I wouldn't rule that out, please remember that there are thousands of magical girls who share February 29 as their birthday. We can't assume that one particular individual having a specific trait is the one we're looking for, when there are tens of thousands of other candidates.

–Tamaki: Uzuki, when that voice said that you were chosen because of your spiritual composition, I knew exactly what it meant.

–Uzuki: Was that why you asked me to step forward?

–Tamaki: Precisely. In fact, it outright said that your spiritual composition is similar to that of Akari.

–Uzuki: But why me?

–Flavia: I don't have an answer to your question.

–Tamaki: Actually, I may know something.

–Uzuki: Tama-chan?

–Himawari: Tamaki, what do you know?

–Tamaki: This is just hearsay, but, I overheard my mother saying something about engineering magical girls with specific spiritual traits that grant them incredible power.

–Miho: Hang on, Tama-chan, the queen mother of Cedysna mentioned the same thing, about engineering magical girls.

–Flavia: Wait, my mother was involved in all of this? Miho, are you sure it's not just some lie someone made up?

–Miho: I heard it straight from her mouth. And my memory is quite good.

–Flavia: Still, it's hard to believe.

–Miho: If I recall, it involved nearly the entire previous generation of magical girls who fought against the Dark Angel and Gakran. Flavia, you are aware that a magical girl's raw power is not inherited, right?

–Flavia: I know that. So how does this factor in to this "engineering"?

–Miho: It was plain obvious that people like Lily, Jacinta, and Akane, who wielded immense power even as magical girls, were extremely rare. And it was these types of magical girls who were needed to solve later crises, as it became clear that the power of our enemies will only increase from there.

–Louise: But our generation is managing just fine.

–Miho: Actually, the only reason we're coping with the current crises is... we're the products of their engineering.

Everyone stood in silence for a moment.

–Tamaki: I don't know how it was done, but the fact is that we possess power far beyond what would be expected of ordinary magical girls. We can fight witches by blood one-on-one, and even overwhelm demons.

–Aoi: But... I don't know what to think... being modified like that...

–Kanade: I see you humans haven't changed one bit. Always grappling over your ethics instead of making real progress, as whoever was responsible clearly has done. Everything we Donsilans do, we do for the greater good.

–Lyra: Kanade, humans can be surprisingly stubborn about their beliefs. After all, it took an existential threat for much of Earth's population to accept magic in the first place. And even then, there are some holdouts.

–Melody: Kanade, I didn't expect you, of all people, to be lecturing humanity. You seemed the kind of person who would rather guide races to enlightenment.

–Kanade: Hey, I can be harsh, you know!

–Louise: Anyway, Miho, who exactly was modified? And do you know how it was done?

–Miho: I don't know exactly how it was done, but every human in this chamber was modified. In fact, there are around hundreds of modified magical girls, and girls like Akari appear to be success stories. If that's the case, then...

–Wakaba: What about that magical girl who split her soul into two to find a way to defeat Gakran?

–Flavia: Wait, Wakaba, what are you getting at?

–Wakaba: If Uzuki has the same "spiritual composition" as Akari, then, maybe, she could be that magical girl's other reincarnation.

–Tamaki: That sounds plausible. But we'll only know once we actually retrieve the diary.

–Louise: Well, our next planet is Fuenod anyway. We'll try and retrieve the diary when we can.

–Himawari: Anyway, we better prepare to head off. Uzuki, everyone, are you ready for what is about to come?

–Uzuki: Yes.

–Flavia: Hold on, are you leaving already?

–Miho: Well, we need to head home first to prepare... actually, have you heard anything about Yamamoto lately?

–Flavia: He has been sent to Krukia. But I don't know why. In any case, he won't bother you for quite a while.

–Tamaki: I see. Well, that makes it a lot easier.

–Louise: Anyway, we're heading off now.

–Flavia: Ah, good luck, everyone.

The girls left the chamber.

"But, I've been thinking, what about Pablo? Surely he'll return, and when he does..."

Four days later, Uzuki and her friends had returned to Japan, and returned to school. After school that day, they stayed behind to speak to their teacher.

–Nomura: Miyana-san, I heard everything about what you did. At times, you had me quite worried.

–Uzuki: You did, Nomura-sensei?

–Kanade: Wait, who told you?

–Aoi: Kanade, she's the advisor for the Flower Club. In fact, she's a member of the Zodiac Warriors.

–Kanade: I see.

–Nomura: Well, I'm glad to see all of you back in one piece. At the very least, you were able to keep up with school while you were away.

–Benio: I guess that's one of the advantages of living in this era. The very fact that we can keep up with our school work over the Internet does make it convenient.

–Aoi: Anyway, Nomura-sensei, we'll be leaving again soon, and we'll often be away every now and again, at least until summer break.

–Nomura: I heard. Well, I'll give you my blessing, but at least be back for the tests. Or if you can't, you can take them at Mihara instead.

–Uzuki: Ah, we'll keep that in mind.

–Nomura: Anyway, I wish you all the best. When will you be leaving?

–Uzuki: Next Monday. However, we won't go via the shrine; the Portal Monolith has been inactive for nearly three years, and reactivating it would likely take a month. We can't go via spaceship, as they are currently undergoing repairs.

–Aoi: Therefore, we've agreed to head to Ireland and use the only active two-way Portal Monolith leading to Fuenod.

–Nomura: Okay. Anyway, I need to head to a meeting, so I'll see you later.

–Uzuki: Okay, then.

Nomura left the room.

–Wakaba: I guess we better head back home now.

–Uzuki: Okay.

The girls left the room, and the building, and made their way to the school's entrance, where Miho was waiting.

–Uzuki: Ah, Miporin!

–Miho: U-chan!

–Uzuki: What did they say? Did they say that you can come with us when we leave next week?

–Miho: They did. By the way, what do you plan to do with those magic devices you received from the World Orbs?

–Uzuki: I'm not even sure if we can even use them, so I'm going to show them to Hiyorin.

–Miho: I see. I would've thought that you might give them to Tama-chan.

–Uzuki: I could, but I've decided not to do that. Anyway, let's head home.

–Miho: Okay.

The girls continued on their way home.

End of Episode 23

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Commentary
Regarding the location of the sea-based Portal Monolith leading to Fuenod, it gradually moves over time. In c. 1000, it was somewhere north of Scotland, while in 2012, it has moved into the Irish Sea. The Fuenodian end likewise has moved; in c. 1000 it was directly north of Lobehaben Bay, while in 2012 it is approximately 350 kilometres north of Widberg, which is itself around 150 kilometres east of Lobehaben.

Even if the Donsilans genuinely want to help humanity, they cannot help but feel a bit smug about their superiority. Obviously, this applies to Melody and Aria, but as shown above, Kanade can show this at times (in her case, it's usually commenting on how humans still do X), and even Lyra can display this behaviour (often commenting on humans' stubbornness and other undesirable traits), despite having lived with humans for a fair portion of her life.