Tamotsu sighed blowing a bit of fire upwards during the exhale. "Hanaaaaaaaaaaaaa~~" He called out in a sort of whine. "Is Misa okay yeeeeeeeeeeett~" The exageration of the words and the whine were consistent. He didn't like his little dragon buddy being all down in the dumps. He sighed just wanting to make her better. "Give her some time. I thinkshe really had some strong feelings for Ryuji." Joseph said calmly. "Of course she did! He's a Shirahama. There's no way the girl he likes wouldn't feel the same for him." Emily said making assumptions on the situation even though she'd barely been around. Still she was there now. Keeping Aegis on one of the sofa's so he could rest after the battle as she cuddled with him. She was surprisingly gentle and docile now... Towards him anyway.

---

Meanwhile in the infirmary was a new nurse who'd just arrived today. The other's were on break right now and she was quietly sorting paper work. She'd gotten the gist of the injuries and was prepared to help anyway possible. And when Rico came she'd be at the door to greet him. "How may I help you?" She'd say. That's at least how it should have gone in her head. Though now she was day dreaming... Yeah...

---

And as everything occurred Jonathan and Ryoko were busy with other more public affairs. They had to let the corruption of the council among other things come out smoothly so as not to lose the respect and trust of the people. They were busy around the clock. This could take quite some time to properly handle and control so as not to allow the world to fall into chaos. And yet something was wrong. What was the feeling of impending horror they got? Perhaps it was nothing. The two had grown to be more cautious in their age.

Hana sighed as she sat down beside her husband, resting her head on his shoulder and gazing up into his eyes, "I think it goes deeper than just love, you know? Joey and I are linked in a way that I can't put into words... Like we're meant to be together," she said before kissing him on the cheek.

Aegis rolled his eyes at the sight of teachers getting all ridiculous and lovey dovey, "I would have no idea," he muttered as he stroked Emily like a pet. Honestly he had no clue why she was clinging to him, but.. it felt strange. Like he'd found peace somewhere in the back of his mind.

"Don't look so ashamed, Aegis~" Luka joined in, "Your teachers aren't even out of their teen years yet! Neither am I... We just happen to be an awesome bunch of mages, who are all still quite young."

---

"Morning, Doc'! ...Hello?" Rico had peered his head through the door to the infirmary, ready to get those final checkups and be done with this whole 'visit every single day' nonsense. Oversleeping was so much better... Well, the good doctor wasn't there. Who was there, was a girl that Rico hadn't seen before. Or maybe he hadn't taken notice.

"Hey, uh... Where's everyone else?" he asked. For a moment he went completely silent, his eyes examining the nurse's face. Her hair, her features, those glasses...

Wow, she's pretty...

For the most part the group was acting as it always did. Meli meanwhile came to the door of Misa's room. "Misa? Let me in. We should talk about this." She said calmly knocking on the door softly. "It's just me. You know you can trust me. I won't try to force you out like Tamotsu or Hana."

---

"Ah... Um... Hi!" Yuuki said quickly jumping to her feet. "The doctor said you would be here for your final check u...aaaah!" She let out a loud shout as she tripped attempting to run over to the young man falling on top of him. "Ow... S-sorry..."

"I'm alright! My back saved my fall..." Rico winced painfully, but he had a stupid grin on his face the whole time. He half-expected himself to make a clumsy mistake like that... For a moment he just stared up at her in complete silence, wondering what he should be saying or doing.

"You're uh.. you're not hurt, are you?" he asked sheepishly.

---

"I know..." Misa muffled. She could be heard moving on the bed inside the room, and a few moments later the door opened with a swirling blue wind, "I could really use a human pillow right now..."

"S-sorry." Emily said as she got up and then proceeded to help him. "I'm okay though." She then answered. "But what about you?! I'm supposed to be helping you not the other way around." She was red with embarrassment as she led the mage to the bed and sat him down. "Are you feeling okay?"

---

Meli smiled and glomped her bff tackling her clear across the room onto the bed. "Yay." She said with a scat like smile

"Heh, yeah. I think I'm doing alright now, it's just scrapes and grazes. Kinda surprised I'm still alive! Some S-Classers they were... I bet none of them even passed their trials really~, probably all honorary promotions for the Council's loyalty." Rico chattered along casually, lifting his black shirt to reveal heavy bandaging around his midriff. The blade-inflicted scar across it was faded, barely a threat to his health anymore. He then rolled up his sleeve where there was a plaster, "Got shot here... Would you mind taking a look? Doesn't hurt anymore, but it'd be nice to make sure I'm in the clear to go crazy again...!" he chuckled.

Finally, he looked at Yuuki and gave her a proud smile, "Don't look so nervous, you're doing fine..."

---

Misa giggled and rolled so she was on top of Meli, "Well, there's nothing we really need to talk about. When Ryuji's free and he comes back to us I'll feel whole again. I need both of you by my side.. to be Misa."

"Th-thank you." Yuuki said with a small smile. "I just want to make sure I do more good than bad. The whole reason I do this is because I want to help people." She said as she then proceeded to check the gun shot wound. "You people really did a good thing from what I heard." Yuuki smiled before making sure ot sanitize and rewrap any wounds. "Just wear the bandages for another day to make sure you're okay. After the fall and everything I just wanna make sure. You'll should be able to stop wearing them tomorrow."

---

Melissa smiled holding Misaki tight. "We'll always be by your side you know." She said with a calm smile on her face. "And I'm sure Jonathan and Ryoko will be able to make everything blow over. They're amazing you know."

"Yeah~" Misa rolled over, "...Everything will work itself out. I'm sure."

---

Rico cheerfully smirked, "And then it'll be back to the fight! I just got this weird feeling everything's about to take a turn for the worst. But whatever... We handled a bunch of S-Classers and didn't die, I'll bet we could handle worse!" he laughed nervously.

"So... Are you from the Academy?"

---

Somewhere in the Highlands...

The dark glow from a massive purple lacrima crystal dimly illuminated the dungeon through it's small windows. A white-haired young man grunted and twitched at the light, something he hadn't seen in days now. There was another with him in the large dungeon chamber. Their captors needed not chain them up whilst they were already mentally bound to her will. They could still think for themselves, speak for themselves, but they couldn't act on their own initiative if she didn't want them to.

"So, I have to apologise again... I am so sorry for killing you, Takashi." Zephyr said for about the 43rd time since their capture. The Ice and Lightning Dragon Slayers had absolutely nothing to do but wait. Minerva had something in mind...

"If you apologize one more time..." Takashi threatened with a bit of malice fueling his words. He hadn't really cared that Zephyr had killed him. It was a natural reaction to a betrayal on his level, but after about the 21st time he'd just been fed up with it. "Let's just Hope whatever we're gonna be used for we can be stopped." He then said changing the subject.

---

"Ah.... No I'm not in the academy. I was home schooled for a time and now I kind of am studying to be a doctor. I'm a bit farther ahead than I probably should be." She said with a light blush of embarrassment and a smile. "But on the note of fighting you should be careful. Wouldn't want my first patient to die." She joked a bit trying not to sound creepy or anything.

---

"So how about you finally get up and go out?" Misa finally said after a brief silence. "Tamotsu's been trying to see you for days and I think it's only a matter of time before he breaks the door down." She said with a bit of a laugh.

"I'm sure they can find a way to stop us without killing us, we.. ace.. dragon slayers.. Actually, on second thought, it might not be that easy." Zephyr sighed in defeat. The Ice Dragon Slayer tossed a little stone across the floor, listening to the echoing it produced in this silent environment. His gaze found Takashi again as he thought of something that rekindled his hope.

"Remember the little one? The Sky Dragon kid? By now I'll bet she's tough. And there's Tamotsu, that Emiya White Dragon, and the guys at Dragonblood. We'll be fine. They'll find a way to make it all work for the best..." Zephyr smirked, his game-on expression dropping into a sheepishly funny one, "If Tamotsu doesn't incinerate me on sight."

---

"If Tamotsu took the door down I would just take him down," Misaki hopped off the bed, stretching and yawning, before making her way out of the bedroom. When she came downstairs finally, Hana gave her little sister a warm smile just as Heise did. Enya gave her a two-fingered salute which the twintailed girl returned proudly.

"Well, ...I'm back." Misa said cheerfully, "Tamotsu must have really wanted a hug all that time~!" she added before breaking into a sprint and dive hugging her fire-attuned big bro.

---

Rico shrugged, "Aha.. I do my best not to get myself killed. It's worked out so far," he chuckled nervously. He turned a bit red himself as he became absorbed by something, staring blankly at Yuuki while something in his throat refused to budge. Gulping, he patted the empty space on the bed beside him. "You mind if we just.. talk? You're.. interesting."

"Ah... Um... I don't know." Yuuki said a bit sheepishly. "I have work to do. And... Um... This isn't really the social environment one would want." She looked away her face going deep red. "But... Um... If you wanted to go out or something. I wouldn't say no." She said in almost a whisper.

---

"Finally! My little bud is back!" Tamotsu laughed as Misaki dive hugged him. He squeezed her tight. And after a few seconds she might notice it get a little painful. "Can't believe you worried me like that you little twin tailed munchkin." Believe it or not this was Tamotsu being a bit over protective and over eager to play. He might have squeezed the life out of her if Joseph had's pried his arms open.

"Don't kill the girl." The Emiya laughed a bit before patting Misa on the head. "Now remember. No fighting in the main rooms. Take it to the training room." He said calmly just to remind the girl whowas quick to fight.

---

Takashi sighed. "I really hope you're right dude. Because otherwise. We might end up causing a greater catastrophe than the war." He couldn't really bring himself to laugh or joke or anything. The situation seemed so hopeless. Though he had to admit. The thought of the kid and the others was uplifting. Even if only a little.

"How the hell did you get so strong?! You're like Heise now!" Misaki said with an expression of shock. Her older brother cursed under his breath and closed his eyes at the mention of Tamotsu's strength. But then, ...Joseph just overpowered Tamotsu. Saito Clan physical prowess just wasn't cutting it anymore. Probably because none of the clan actually trained, they just looked scrawny but had unnatural strength. Those who did train, like Hana, were probably going to be on par with people who could call themselves 'naturally' superhuman. Heise himself though, he just wasn't bothering as much as he should - and now he was gradually becoming a weaker mage than even his little sisters!

---

By now Rico was stuck with that weird feeling and it just wouldn't go away. He met a nice girl not ten minutes ago, and now she was agreeing to go out with him! He didn't even ask! "That's.. That's awesome! We really should do stuff together, get to know each other and whatnot!" he chucked along nervously. "It would be my first time going out though. I don't have any experience with dating and stuff..."

"Well... I have some experience. But... Um... They weren't the best. Just... Be yourself. I like you." Yuuki said before turning away her face completely red. "You... You can go now. I'll see you later tonight." She said calmly. "About 7;30. That's when I'm officially off duty."

---

Tamotsu laughed. "I make sure to do at least a little training every day." He said calmly before pointing at Luka. "Right Luka?" He asked with a smile asking her to vouch for him. It was usually in the morning or at night. Which she mostly witnessed since they'd shared Hotel rooms and what not for a while now. Though he wasn't about to make that stuff big news. Misa and Meli would have a field day with that and after the incident with the Dragon Blood Squad and the news of Takashi's life he wasn't really up for treading that area.

Joseph sighed. "Yeah... And sometimes continuing to grow strong is necessary to keep certain people under control." He said before glancing at Hana. Other aspects of the relationship were kind of helps and made more fun.(If ya know what I mean ;P) For moment his eyes met with Tamotsu. They nodded and both agreed the situation with Luka and Joseph's private life shouldn't be brought up.

"So what's sex like for you superhumans?" Melissa and Misaki asked Hana in unison rather loudly. Joseph and Tamotsu seemed to collapse at the sound. Apparently not bringing things up didn't matter. These girls could bring it up no problem. They used to be so sweet and innocent too. Good thing Chris wasn't hear. Or Jessica. Chris had a habit of blaming his older sister for that part of Meli which rubbed off onto Misa. Did these girls even know the word DISCRETION?

"UH, NO. TIME OUT!" Hana roared as she seemingly instantly appeared behind the girls, grabbing them both by their hair and lifting them as high as she could. "Aren't you two kids a little young to be discussing adult matters?! There's such a thing called privacy, ya' know? Ever heard of it?!" she growled at them. It looked a lot like Hana wanted to smash them together, but was hesitating very well. At least she'd mastered controlling the bloodlust that came with her clan's traits...

"Ow, ow! It was an honest question, we were curious!" Misaki cried as if she did nothing wrong. The innocent kid act made her older sister look like a bully! It was definitely justified though.

---

"Well then, ...we have a date!" Rico laughed before getting to his feet and giving Yuuki a one-armed hug. "See you then!"

"Stop Hana!" Melissa shouted. She was struggling wildly up until a thought popped into her head. "Or maybe you're just mad because you and Joey haven't had too much alone time lately. Feeling a little pent up?" She said rather shamelessly. There was a long pause and multiple gasps. Joseph responded of course by rushing to the three and grabbing Hana's wrists. "Let them go now." He began in a hurried voice with a hint of worry and nervousness in his voice. "And you two shut up before she kills you. Literally." He said before going back to trying to calm down Hana.

Tamotsu was meanwhile laughing up a storm. So was Emily, but she for the most part was still cuddling up on Aegis with little to no care about the affairs of the others.

"NOPE!" Hana decided the girls' fate on the spot and smashed them together with Joseph in the middle, making oh so sure not to break their delicate heads open. Or maybe they were thick skulled, seeing as they couldn't take in how dangerous it was to mess with Hana's privacy and personal life. "...Okay, I'm calm now."

As Hana let go, Misaki slumped to the floor with a puzzled expression on her face, her eyes swirling. With the twisted logic the two had, she just couldn't understand why they deserved that!

Aegis rolled his eyes at the sight of the blue-haired girls completely dazed by the shock and force at which Mrs Emiya slammed their heads together. "Perhaps not the best idea, boss. You might be just like your sister, but~ ...pfft!" he teased Misa with an uncommon smirk, "You have nothing on the teachers." He chuckled as he continued to stroke Emily's hair.

Joseph sighed and put his hands on Hana's shoulders. "Couldn't just contain yourself could ya?" He asked with a bit of a laugh.

"Don't laugh! That's huuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrtttttt!!!!!!" Melissa cried out as she held her head in a daze. She didn't get it. It was an honest question. She was sincerely curious. What the hell?! Still she didn't wanna get hurt anymore. So she stayed quiet. "Adults are mean." She mumbled under her breath.

Tamotsu laughed a bit. "Looks like the girls really hit the nail on the head." Tamotsu barked with a laugh referring to Hana and Joseph's personal live. He couldn't help it. Even if he was kind of fueling the flames unintentionally. It's not like Hana would lash out at him anyway right? Even if she did. He could actually fight back. But he wasn't trying to offend. It was just funny to him and the reactions were priceless. This was one of Tamotsu's acting without thinking moments.

"...Quite..." Hana replied much more calmly to Tamotsu. It was an adult matter, not a kiddie matter! Misa and Meli weren't supposed to even think about stuff like that yet! "I hope you two have learned your lesson... Seriously, this is the seventh time I've tried to teach you.. Did you think there was an alternate ending?"

Misa tried to reply, but all that could be heard was incomprehensible, muddled mumbling. This usually wore off after a good ten minutes of seeing stars and not moving an inch.

Luka socked Tamotsu in the shoulder at his comment, "Maybe not the best idea to join in with the girls. Badass Dragon Slayer or no, Hana is.. like a frickin' bulldozer when you press her 'fuck you' button."

"Y-...You mean... buttons...!" Misa painfully giggled, prompting Hana to requip two daggers, which she pinned her little sister's twin tails to the floorboards with.

Aegis, Enya and Luka all facepalmed in unison as Misa used the last of her strength to dig herself a larger grave.

"Seems to me like Joey needs to get to work playing with those buttons." Tamotsu laughed a little more poking fun at his comrades despite currently rubbing his shoulder a bit.

Joseph facepalmed at the comments from the girls and now Tamotsu. His face was flushed red and he didn't know what to say or do right now. "Can we just drop the subject?" It was a wonder why he hadn't taken on Tamotsu himself to teach him a lesson as well. Of course, that may have been to avoid the collateral damage that would ensue.

"Fine fine." Tamotsu said before standing up. He lifted Melissa over one shoulder and then Misa over the other. "I'm gonna go get these two fed and then get some training in. That'll probably help get these adult ideas out of their minds right?" He asked with a small laughed before looking at Luka. His feeling towards her had fluctuated a bit since the news about Takashi. In essence since they'd come back from the little mission he'd tried not to spend too much time together with her. "No complaints then?" He asked.

Melissa seemed to twitch a bit, but she probably wouldn't do anything for a few. At least not until her daze wore off. She was amazed Misa was able to say anything to be honest.

Emily had dozed off a bit while cuddling with Aegis. In truth during her time with the council she hadn't had too much time to really rest. So a lot of the time currently she would easily doze off if not doing anything.

"I could come with, if ya' want." Luka offered, requipping her two signature revolvers, "You and your brother seemed to enjoy dodging bullets... I know it paid off~" she said with a big smile.

Misa slowly turned her swirling eyes to Luka's direction. Even though she could no longer speak, you could tell the whining sound was probably an expression of not wanting to get shot at! The kid already felt too smashed up already for anything physical. Not even the idea of getting to fight Tamotsu again was enough of a pick-me-up right now.

Hana and Heise rolled their eyes in unison as the two girls were being carried away, "Meh, all she needs is something to eat. She'll be fine," they said.

---

"Minerva, you're going to make the world tremble again. This time our father isn't here, and we don't have an army of demons to fight across the world for us. All we have is our own military forces and us three." Kuro told his sister as she stood before the giant lacrima, preparing to cast a dark ritual. She looked tired, uncertain, but strangely determined. "Are you sure you're okay with this? Infinite Night was extreme - but this has the potential to destroy life as we know it."

"...And we shall return to what we originally were. Magic. We will be at one with magic again, and start over from nothing." Minerva said in melancholy. By the end of the week, she would have made her move. All life would become pure magic essence, in the hopes that the next incarnation of sentient life would be able to do away with all the restrictions on magic. It was insane. But Minerva was done trying to reason with the Council, with the world... Change would happen, but it would come at a terrible cost.

"I can't turn you away from this, can I? ...But I can't betray my family either." Kuro looked out into the courtyard of the massive castle grounds and frowned, "I'll prepare the shield generator for the lacrima room. Espada, you wait in the courtyard - you're our ace against any attackers. We'll position troops everywhere, and leave our enemies no choice but to fight through the place."

Minerva finally smirked at all the strategic talk, quickly caving in to her evil emotions, "I'll remain in the lacrima room, and unleash our two pet Dragon Slayers on the enemy." Her gaze turned to a red-haired girl standing in the corner of the room. The girl had a bushy tail and those unmistakable ears, "You - Neko. You will be in charge of firing the Etherion Cannon at London. Defy me, and I will activate your shock collar and leave it running for as long as it takes to slowly, and torturously kill you."

The cat girl stiffly nodded at Minerva in fear, causing Kuro to sigh sadly. "Minerva, don't scare her. She's barely even-" he was interrupted.

"I don't care. A tool is a tool; and I'm going to use her like one." Minerva snapped back before returning to focus on the ritual preparation.

Espada merely shrugged at all this, throwing a magic energy blade at the Neko's leg. Of course it wouldn't be deep, just searingly painful. She quietly gasped and fell to one knee, clutching it trying to stop the bleeding. Kuro stepped in front of her, glaring at his brother. Espada chuckled to himself and walked out of the observation room, "A tool is a tool, bro'. I can have my fun with her if I want... But, whatever... I'll be outside, waiting to kill something."

"...I'll go set up the shield. Girl, you should get to your station too. I apologise for my siblings' attitudes. Ignore them." Kuro said, taking a bow before leaving and slowly walking through the castle halls. When out of ear range he murmured to himself, "...I'm on the wrong side, but at the same time I'm not. This might be funny if the stakes weren't so high..."

The Neko got up and rushed out of the room before Minerva decided to activate her collar, and would head for the very top platform of the castle walls. It nearly touched the clouds... Up on this platform was a massive gun, meant to obliterate entire settlements in single blasts. This is where the slave girl would do her duty for her masters, the Shades - she would be ordered to kill millions...