-Jane Doe POV-
Having dealt with ambushes and rogue Hunters before, I knew exactly what was coming the moment he came in. Adam Redus, the Gunslinger Hunter. Rangers are often only thought of as archers but that's never quite been the case. Ether powered guns, crossbows, cannons.. I've seen it all.
"Die, you filthy rat!" One of the rogue Hunters comes at me with some sort of twinned blade staff.
*SWISH!*
I duck the first swing, seeing him twirl the blade, then step out of the way of a stab. His movements are skilled but he prioritizes flashy moves in place of practicality.
*THUD!*
Another tries to sneak behind me, not realizing my ears are more than just a cute accessory. I leap up, planting my feet on his shoulders and stomp the back of his head into the twinblade Hunter. Easy enough to incapacitate them on the floor.
*BANG! BANG!*
That is, if only that brute Adam hadn't started shooting at me.
Forced to jump back and pivot away from the rain of bullets coming at me, I spot the vigilante.. performing some familiar kicks? She's pulling off my moves, as I've noticed. But there's something so uncanny about it.
I flip back, avoiding the swing of a halberd from a tank and curb stomp the two rogue Hunters I toppled. Then, I see Miss Vigilante perform a backflip dropkick into some poor bastard who tried to sneak up on her and stab her.
I hum as a thought passes my mind, 'There's a difference between copying moves you've seen a few times and this..'
*THWACK* "AGH!! You bitch-"
I chuckle a little at how angry the aggressive tank is. His impressive shield and armor is hardly impenetrable. Finding a crack isn't too hard, usually. Of course, a tried and true method I tend to use is kicking them in the balls.
"Wear a jockstrap next time~" With a little friendly advice, I once more find myself avoiding attacks such as: flying magic bolts, daggers, swords and even a few active skills.
'Ah what was I thinking about?' I ask myself as move around, quick enough to avoid a sure shot from Adam.
*Slice!* "What.. What the fuck is she!?"
'Ah yes, my companion~' Though when I look at her, I get a bit surprised too.
She was currently cutting into the armor of a tank with that blade arm of hers. Only, somehow she had become more fluid in her footwork. She was getting better during the fight. Her dodges graceful yet practical. She even has that little hip wiggle I do..
*BANG!*
"Jane!" Miss Vigilante called out and tackled me as a shot rang out.
I quickly realize what happened as she held me in place and slid away from the rogue Hunters. Looking up, I see Adam scowling while reloading his revolvers.
"You.. saved me? Ah, it seems I got distracted, Partner~" I laugh it off but I'm genuinely grateful for her help.
For a half second I take in her features. Upper back length white hair, pearlescent eyes, a strange white wheel above her head and.. is that a white tail I see behind her?
Miss Vigilante immediately stood up after straddling me, her tail catching a warrior's leg. She then spun on her heel and used the new appendage to swing the bulky man like a bat and smack two more incoming rogue Hunters away before smashing his head into the ground so hard it cracked, completely knocking the warrior out.
For a second I almost miss the intimate contact, but then I get up again, standing beside my new partner.
"Let's finish these guys up, maybe we can continue that later~" I shoot her a little tease and see her tail stand up straight.
"Yes M-y dear partner.. let's.." I contain my growing amusement at her cute reaction and focused back on the scum in front of us once more. Though now.. with a good motivator~
-3rd POV-
Belle and Jane dashed into the crowd of the now dozen or so Hunters, their bodies thrumming with energy. Jane's red, entering a state referred to as 'Passion' as she quickly and nimbly shot into the crows of Hunters, her blades clashing with their weapons. While Belle copied and incorporated her own style, using the Blade of Extermination and Nikana prime to quickly parry, cut and weave away from deadly attacks. Glancing hits now completely missing as she moved away quicker and more effectively. Though that was due to-
*Clink*
[Master! I have noticed a fifteen percent increase in combat performance. Although the Divine General Mahoraga's ability is slower to activate, it is remarkably good in adapting to many situations]
Fairy notified. Though the communication happened in 0.1 seconds, due to her integration with Belle's implant.
[I have also logged the changes to your physiology and have a theory as to why Master has grown a tail, much like the one Divine General Mahoraga possesses. I calculate a 60% chance it is due to your Template and Photographic Reflex abilitiy. Adaptation and seeing subject: Jane Doe utilizing her tail may have influenced Master to grow one of her own]
Belle hummed as she ducked two swings of a flail and a gunblade, dropping low and Manji kicking the Rapier wielding Hunter in the head just as he activated a rapid thrust attack skill.
*THWACK!*
'So what are the other possibilities?'
[The other possibilities may include Master fully becoming a Mahoraga-like being in appearance. Probability: 20%]
Belle shivered as her and Jane leapt up and performed a series of slashes that decimated all but 4 Hunters, who looked at them both with an increasing amount of fear.
'If I looked like a Mommy-fied version that'd be fine.. But I think I'd scare the shit out of Wise if I woke up one day as a seven foot tall Opp Stoppa Shikigami..'
Jane twirled her two porcelume daggers around her fingers and once more dashed into the crowd. Though Belle had a sudden bad feeling. The hairs on her neck raised up as a result of a sort of sixth sense.
[Master, subject: 'Jane Doe' is in immediate danger. Opponent: 'Adam Redus' has acquired a fusion weapon and is setting his sights on subject: 'Jane Doe']
Fairy notified, urging Belle to look up where Adam had been. One of the other Hunters who stayed back with him handed him a bizzare looking rifle. One that had what seemed to be the core of an Ethereal in the center of the gun, while the barrel and metal were made of a magical material. He aimed the iron sights at Jane with a malicious grin.
Belle acted quickly, holding her metal arm out and shooting a beam of pure Ether at Adam, making the competent Hunter stumble back with a bloody, burnt flesh wound in the center of his chest. His lined up shot missed and shot a three foot hole through one of his Hunter henchmen's chest, killing him on the spot. The energy even striking the metal hull and punching through.
*VrrrrrrRRRR!!*
Jane, noticing the shot, looked at Belle, then Adam, quickly connecting the events. Her gaze softened as she glanced at Belle and grew cold once she focused on Adam.
"Miss Vigilante.. We have to take him down together. That toy's just a little too dangerous in his hands~" Though she spoke seductively, Belle could tell she was pissed. Pissed that there had been an avoidable death on her watch, pissed at herself for not paying attention to Adam, pissed at Adam for even having such a dangerous weapon.
"Tss... That's some power ya got there, ya Thiren freak. Gave me a second degree burn and cut up my chest there. But I'm done playin'. My boys haven't done much but expend your energy. It'll have to do." Adam grunted and launched himself off the upper floor he was standing on, landing heavily in front of them and cocking his fusion rifle.
"Time to die."
[AN: Next 2 chaps are of Apex plus 1 Rat since the vote was split exactly in half lol]