Existensia: Chapter 18,5: Magic, Guns and Tea!

Actually, this ,5 chapter is important to the story, so that's new.

Now for the continued adventures of Dingo! And the two others what's their names...

(Party: Kanji, Cocona and Dingo)

The small group knew the journey to "Anomia" could be very long, so they spent the night on
the sweet, hard ground to get some rest with Dingo as night watch.

Early next morning...

Dingo stood with blood-shot eyes.

(Background Music: BlazBlue OST - Flos)

-Good Morning, would you like a revitalising electric shock to re-energize you? asked a synthetic female voice from Dingo.
-Ugh... yawned Dingo tiredly after being awake 20 hours straight.
Not now, Ada.
Dingo was talking to his newly re-installed AI, ADA.      
-Commencing. said ADA in monotone.
BZZT
-Arg! What was that for?! yelled Dingo.
-Your awareness level were slipping. You are quite awake now.
-ADA. You don't have to give me near lethal shocks to keep me awake!
Cocona had awoken due to the commotion.
-Yaaaawn. Good morning, Dingo. How's it going with you and your AI friend? asked Cocona.
-Not so well. My problem is that ADA is connected to ME instead of a machine which gives her too much control over my actions like applying shocks etc. said Dingo.
It's good to have her again through.
BZZT
-WHAT. said Dingo frustrated.
-Your conciousness were slipping again. informed ADA.
-I think you two will work out just fine. said Cocona.
She went back to to Kanji.
-Hey, Kanji. Wakey-wakey. said Cocona.
Kanji snored like a beast.
-Come on... said Cocona with a sigh.
Cocona kicked Kanji lightly.
-AAAAAA! BEAVERS! HELL! BEAVERS IN HELL! shouted Kanji as if snapping out of a nightmare.
-O..K... said Cocona with a glare.
-I had the weirdest dream about beavers. said Kanji.
I must have fallen asleep while that nature channel was on in the living room.
-Get up. We have a long day of productive wandering ahead of us! said Cocona drill-sergeant style.
-Man. My feet just can't catch a break can they? muttered Kanji.
And the group left the small area.

Cocona suddenly remembered a question she wanted to ask.
-Hey, Kanji? asked Cocona.
-What? answered Kanji.
-You know that Naoto person earlier?
How do you know him?
You too seemed close.

(Background Music: Persona 4 OST- Reasoning)

-Naoto? started Kanji.
Umm... Well... She's a class mate of mine. answered Kanji.
I were wrapped up in a murder and met Naoto when she thought I was the next target.
And then I joined up on the investigation for the culprit, Naoto were constantly bugging us with how the cops would take care of everything and shit like that.
We caught the bastard and Naoto lost her case.
She started at our school, 'cuase when your not on a case, your a normal human like everyone else.
-Really? That's cool.
You keep mention "she" through.
Naoto IS a boy, right? asked Cocona.
I mean, Kanji, I can see in your face that you like him, and that's cool.
You can have feelings for him even if he's a boy. You love the person for the person, not the gender, right?
-SHUT YOUR TRAP! NAOTO'S A CHICK, SERIOUSLY!!! said Kanji outraged while he was completely red in the face.
-Poor Kanji... He can't even be true about the one he has a crush on.
-Actually, I think Naoto was a woman, now then I think about it. commented Dingo.
-Well, Team Kanji-2, Team Cocona-0 or what? said Cocona in disbelief.
-Let's talk about something else. said Kanji.
-Right. said Dingo.
One thing I have noticed is that the wildlife started to become very varied and more aggressive. Some of them almost looks... warped.
-It's not like we have seen to little of those SOBs.
We spent god knows how many hours on beating the guys to level up and become stronger.
-Kanji, you're leaning towards the fourth wall again. said Cocona.
-Right, sorry.

(Background Music: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Gradus Prohibitus, Theme for Outer Anomia)

The further the group went in the direction Naoto went, the crasser the land became.
No more green fields, all trees where withered and cracks where spread over the pale ground.
-Holy... shit... said Kanji in disbelief.
-What is this? said Cocona unnerved.
-Aftermath. said Dingo.
War takes countless of lives, but the real terror comes to those on the sidelines.
Those who don't fight and only remember the horrors.
-Man, that's... horrible. said Kanji with a depressed look.
-So we're heading to the heart of this mess, aren't we? said Cocona.

The group went a few steps forward.
-I'm receiving odd signals. said ADA.
-I can hear that. said Dingo.
-The possibility exists that the signal is from an hostile. Be prepared and do not die.
Cocona looked up and saw a humanoid-like creature with wings descending.
It landed on the ground fast and fell on knee.
The wings were tattered with pulled feathers.
It's body armour were grey with purple lines, through with many buckles, cuts and bullet-holes and other cracks.
It stood up.
It's head looked like a mask with a empty smile.
The mask where broken so half of the smile and one eye-shape where missing.
The cracks and broken mask showed the purple exterior the Emmerich and the Kuthreth also possessed.
The signal screeched.
-ARGH! shouted Dingo as he covered his ears.
-What are you? said Kanji sternly.
The winged one replied in a bizarre noise.
-Translation ON. said ADA with a click.
Translation:
.h. . am do.s.'t ..t.e.
-Huh? said Cocona.
-It can actually talk? said Kanji.
Translation:
I d. ..t ..o. w.y y..'re ...e.
Pl..., re.... ..ere ..u ca.. .... .
Ano... .s ..ad.
Do.'t g., I'm begging yo.!
-Punk, if you're just gonna stand there, beat it. said Kanji and shoved the winged one to the side.
A sword-like laser came out of the winged one's arm.
Translation:
.....! D..'t!
Y.u c..'t go!
-Screw you! said Kanji.
Kanji smashed the winged one with a folded chair he war carrying!
It went into battle posture.

(Background Music: Persona 3 - Master of Shadow)

-Get ready, guys! said Cocona while readying her baton.

Boss Battle:
Name: Ingway
HP: 189763
Race: Consumed
EX: Wings without freedom
Info: Looks like Ingwux from previous fight.
But this one seem to be worried for the group's safety, and is thus a hypocrite for trying to cut them down.

Ingway started flying upwards!
-Get back here! shouted Kanji.
Kanji used Take-Mikazutchi (Ziodyne)!
A thunder bolt flew towards Ingway!
Ingway absorbed the thunder!
-You gotta be shittin' me... said Kanji.
-Cheater! yelled Cocona towards Ingway.
-I'll do it! said Dingo.
His suit's back folded out boosters which carried Dingo upwards.
-I'll show this freak a air battle!
A fair few meters above ground...
Dingo reached the same hight as Ingway.
The landscape where grey while looking forwards and greener backwards.
-Target locked-on. said ADA.
-Let's start it, then. replied Dingo.
Dingo used rapid-fire weapon Phalanx!
A hail of bullets flew towards Ingway.
Ingway almost phased through existence to avoided them, emerging unharmed.
-How did it dodge that?! exclaimed Dingo.
-The target possess the ability to turn into an non-physical state for a split-second.      
Ingway flew towards Dingo, blade first!
BLOCK!
Dingo blocked the strike with his suit's shoulder blade.
Ingway launched another chain of strikes!
BLOCKx3!
Ingway's energy weapon shattered into pixels at the third block.
-Eat this!
Dingo slashed towards Ingway!
Ingway took 28147 damage!
-One more!
Dingo landed another slice!
Ingway took 24174 damage!
-And finish!
Dingo slashed a third time!
Ingway suddenly turned transparent and avoided the attack entirely!
Ingway recreated it's blade and slashed Dingo's mid-section.
-WH-...HURG? yelled Dingo pained.

(Background Music: Persona 3 - Mistic)

Dingo saw red falling from his stomach.
-Damage critical. Retreat is advised.
-N-never... couched Dingo as he lifted his arm with blade weakly.
Ingway easily outmanoeuvred Dingo and cut him in the side.
-Critical condition, emergency shut-down.
Dingo lost the power of flight.
Ingway slashed Dingo one final time across his chest.
He fell towards the ground with a hand weakly reaching out.
-Dingo? said Cocona while looking upwards.
Dingo hit the ground with a small impact.
-Dingo? Dingo? Wake up! FUUUUUUU- could be heard from Kanji.
-Termination.
Dingo's vision blacked out...

(Background Music: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Puella in Somnio)

All of Dingo's five senses were disabled, like being dead.

One hour later...
Things were coming back to Dingo, like a sudden coma recovery.    
He moved his arm over the cold, feature-less ground.
He opened his eyes and sat up slowly.
Neither Kanji or Cocona were there.
-What happened? asked Dingo.
-You sustained critical level of damage and were forced to shut-down. answered ADA
-Shut-down? What are you talking about? said Dingo confused.
-As long as you wear the PROTOTYPE-ORBITAL Armour, it becomes a non-permanent part of you.
Even if your body can't handle falling from high places or blood-loss, your protective suit can, and will heal any wounds you sustain over time. This maintenance took 1 hour to complete.
-I'm at a loss for words. And yet, this is not so different from before. pondered Dingo.
When I lost my lungs in a operation and were hooked up to the Jehuty for oxygen, I were also part-machine, I guess.
Well, we have to find Tatsumi and Bartel.
Dingo rose up.
-Let's go!
-That someone could survive such a harsh beating without a soul-gem...
Technology has come far. could a kind woman's voice be heard from behind.
-What? said Dingo slightly confused.
He turned around to see a yellow-haired sharply dressed young woman... WITH A HAT!

(Background Music: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Salve, Terrae Magicae)

-I apologize for talking behind your back.
Why don't we talk over a cup of tea or two? asked the woman as she twirled an suddenly held a platter with two cup fine tea.
Dingo cautiously took a cup.
The two got seated on pillow-like objects on the ground.
-And you are? asked Dingo slightly baffled by the randomness of it all.
-My manners! said the woman.
My name is Tomoe Mami, but call me Mami.
-Mommy? said Dingo unsure.
-MA-MI. said Mami with a delightful smile.
-So, Mami, why do you want to talk with me? asked Dingo.
Why are someone like you here?
-I fight abstract entities known as Witches, those that passively feed on humans.
-Witches? Really now? said Dingo slightly interested.
After all the fuzzy science talk he heard back on his home, it was nice to hear about someone seemingly completely liberated from logic.
-I am personally looking for a powerful witch called Bellatrix and is a hazard to all it meets. It wandered this general area the last time I saw it.
But I more interested to hear more about you, Mr...?
-Dingo, Dingo Egeret.
-I found you completely beyond healing in this wasteland, with cuts all over.
It has healed quite nicely. May I ask something?
-What? said Dingo.
-Is this the latest innovations within infantry military?
I mean, a suit that's Self-regenerating, has concealed weapons of mass destruction, and is not terribly heavy?
Mankind sure puts much resources in the name of effective elimination... said Mami slightly depressed.
Sorry, I made this subject into I depressing rabble about war, didn't I?
-It's no problem. Really. said Dingo.
-It's nice talking to someone again. said Mami.
Travelling in this world is a isolated and lonely experience if you're unlucky.
I did travel with two other wanderers earlier, but we split our paths.
I would like to continue this talk later.
-What do you mean? asked Dingo.
-It's Bellatrix. said Mami while readying herself.
Dingo, you have to go. You are not equipped to fight a Witch.
-I won't leave. If it's dangerous, why fight alone? I'll help you! said Dingo.
-You would really stay? said Mami a little tear-eyed.
-Till death! said Dingo.
-Then, here it comes!

(Background Music: Nothing)

The world turned bizarre and twisted as the presence grew stronger.
It was almost like passing threw progressively deeper doors.
And then the last one opened...

(Background Music: Kalafina - Magia (Slow Version))

The final sight was shocking.
A burning world with a grey filter over all destruction and death.
In the middle of all devastation stood a badly put-together abomination.
Bellatrix.
With three monstrous mouths, many arms and purple texture, it was beyond mere words.

Let's begin. said Mami.

Boss Battle:
Name: Bellatrix
HP: 719365
Race: Witch/Consumed
EX: Feast on the Weak
Info: A creature created from a young woman's wish to end poverty and hunger.
Irony is that she became a creature that feasts on the defenceless.

Bellatrix launched a long arm towards Dingo!
Dingo avoided the arm and slashed the arm!
It turned into black dust!
Bellatrix took 21986 damage!
-This is my duty as a magical girl, even in death! said Mami.
She lifted her hat in front of her.
A Flintlock rifle flew almost out of nowhere from the hat!
-Really?! said Dingo.
-You better believe it. said Mami.
I'll put you to sleep! she boasted towards Bellatrix.
She jumped and fired the rifle. The bullet created a minor explosion!
Bellatrix took 19674 damage!
Mami threw away the rifle and summoned a new one!
Another shot!
Bellatrix took 23176 damage!
We're just chipping it's vitality slowly. said Dingo.
We need more fire-power!
Mami, I'm going to use my greatest weapon, the Vector Cannon.
It takes some time charging. Cover me!
-Understood!
Mami jumped on one of Bellatrix arms!
Summoning four rifles, she started shooting while Bellatrix tried to swat her away!
She skilfully dodged and returned fire.
-Activating Vector Cannon... said ADA.
5% charged.
-Hurry up! said Dingo.
Bellatrix punched Mami with a gigantic fist!
Mami flew like a base-ball, but recovered in mid-air!
The rubber like hands flew towards her.
She summoned two new rifles and stroke two hands with the rifles used like metal pipes, and she then fired!
A hail of black dust flew!
Bellatrix took 52819 damage!
-45%. noted ADA.
-COME ON! said Dingo frustraded as he couldn't move while he was charging.
Mami was busy deflecting purple hands and shooting.
She landed on Bellatrix's head(or whatever the heck it was)
where an obvious weak spot were located.
-70%. noted ADA.
-I CAN see the progress myself now, you know. said Dingo.
Mami stomped the weak spot!
Bellatrix recoiled and took 31265 damage!
All of Bellatrix's arms reached towards Mami!
-100%. said ADA.
-EAT THIS! roared Dingo as he punched threw the air and a gigantic laser pierced Bellatrix!
Bellatrix took 419756 damage!
-It's still alive?! said Ding in disbelief.
Mami jumped out of the explosion.
Time for the great finish! said Mami.
She unwrapped her ribbon and twirled it.
It turned into a BFG! (Big Frikkin' Gun)
She jumped.
-Tiro Finale! shouted Mami as a massive shot sent Bellatrix back to oblivion!          
The disturbed wall started to collapse!

(Background Music: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Clementia)

-So it's over. said Mami.
She picked up a grey pin-like object from the earlier spot of the monstrosity.
-What's that? asked Dingo.
-A grief seed. We magical girls use it to gain more powers and more.
Witches, like the creature we just fought, is a creature created from corrupted hope.
What a horrible existence it must be, living while seeing all that you wished for getting destroyed.
The two stood silent until Dingo started talking.
-Are we splinting paths? asked Dingo.
-Probably. answered Mami.
Where are you going, by the way?
-Anomia. said Dingo.
My friends are heading there.
-... Mami stood silent.
I'm coming too. said Mami seriously.
-Changed your mind? asked Dingo.
-They are in grave danger. warned Mami.
We have to get going as fast as possible.
-Right.
Let's go then.

(Background Music: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Credens Justitiam)

And so the new duo headed towards Anomia.
Just how much does Mami know?
And will they get to Kanji and Cocona in time?
Now it's only Claus and co. who haven't headed to Anomia yet.
The end is drawing closer...

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mami is from the anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
"Wait!" I hear you yell. "That isn't a gaim!" Well my nit-picky reader, the series was adapted into... a game! SO, HA!
ADA is the instructive helper AI in Zone of The Enders.