Author's Note: I'M REALLY VERY SORRY!!! A lot of things have slowed me down during the course of making this chapter. Blame Nanoha, Mai-Otome, Gurren-Lagann among all things (sees Intelligent and Armed Devices, Gadget Drones, Jail's Numbers, Slaves, Giant Elements, Ganmen, Ganmen Bearing Giant Drills with pilots addicted to Spiral Power (ALL HAIL KAMINA AND KITTAN!), Antispirals and the Chou Ginga Gurren-Lagann pointed at him) OKAY! Stop giving me the death threats!!!
Battle Phase 2-46: Arrival of a Higher Power
Sunday morning. It was raining hard and the forecasts have not been bright as well. Also adding to the weight of it were the flood warnings.
"This just in… flood warnings have been issued for the following areas in town; Barrier District, Riverside, North and West Side… and landslide warnings for North, East and West Slopes…" the town's public PA system, installed during the town's early days, announced.
In the main room of the Hoshikawa complex, Kaito and the adults were in a meeting.
"Okay, we must be ready for any landslides in our vicinity, even though this area of East Slope is the most stable…" Kaito again reminded the staff. "All the parents of the children must advise their children of the alerts and devise emegency procedures. All the shrine maidens and attendants, please remind the parisioners of the alert- but don't close the temple- the last thing we want to have are angry people who have lost faith. Ai, ready the house for any power outages and yes… I have recived word that someone important will arrive in the next few hours, so shape up people…"
"Yes sir!" all the staff replied.
Meanwhile at the hotel where Lina's group was staying, said deus was a bit down, partly because of the rain and partly because of her friend's sudden leave. Compounding that was that for a country with diverse TV programming as Japan, nothing was in a sense, "good on TV".
"Don't worry about her Lina…" Miki advised. "She's more likely to survive out there than me…"
"Except 'that fact' though…"
"Yeah… we could have at least given her a map."
Lina simply sweatdropped.
Meanwhile at the train station, Hideo, his wife Sakura and their companion Natalie step off the train. And as soon as Hideo's foot stepped on the platform, some personalities in the city felt something- namely, Sakura, Tomoyo, Yayoi, Yvonne, Kaito and particularly, Miyuki Kawada.
"He's here… Death." Miyuki thought while she somewhat cowered in a corner of her room, sound of raindrops loud. "But why did he come here?"
At the station.
"Hmm… too much rain." Hideo hummed as he looked around him.
"Oh dear…" his wife Sakura commented. "How dreary…"
"Hey… I'm back here…" Natalie could only think. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Go find a place to warm up a bit while I look for umbrellas…" Hideo then spoke, pointing to an in-station café.
At the house…
"Did you feel that Tomoyo?" Sakura asked moments after the two of them felt it.
"Yes… oh dear, what do we do now?"
Moments later with Kaito and head priest Chito…
"I see, so it was he who tripped the wards." Chito could only comment. "Honestly, I'm as scared as ever… correction, I'm much more scared now than before."
"No cause for concern… I have already sent word to anyone in the know about his comecoming… but why here? Daisetsu Village, Tomoeda, Sendai or even the summer house at Lake Kasumi would have been better places… is it maybe because…"
"The layer?" Sakura then brought out a word.
"Probably… and with Andrei out for the count up in space, he might ask too many questions…" the house patriarch then spoke and called out. "Ai…"
On cue, a door opens and Ai was in the opening.
"Yes sir…"
"Our guest of honor has come to town, prepare whatever you can…"
Ai simply nodded and closed the door. Back at the station, Hideo was at a payphone, on one hand a couple of newly brought umbrellas.
"What did you mean that my car was phased out? I guess even that length of time can be detrimental… what is there then? A what? A Mitsubishi-Sugo Asurada Type M? Okay… I want it in an hour and three mobile phones as well…"
Moments later, at the café…
"What's the matter dear?" Sakura asked her husband as he sat beside her. "And here, I ordered you some coffee to ward off the cold…"
"Just called the garage and told me that my car was replaced by a new one- it will be here in the hour…"
Natalie simply kept silent.
"Don't worry… nothing will harm us here… while I'm around. Though this rain sure times itself nicely- might as well ask him as to why and how long this downpour will last…"
"Him?" the American asked.
"Well this is a polytheistic country- there are a lot of gods here…"
Back at the compound, Miharu was in her room lying on her futon, with Lacus lying on her chest and mewing cheerfully as her master stroked her. Then the door opens, revealing Misaki.
"I know…" Miharu spoke. "Tomorrow will be no classes… it's really depressing when classes get stopped especially with the final exams around the corner."
"Final Exams?"
"Why didn't you know? Hoshikawa Academy's school period starts after summer- as opposed to most of the schools in the country, when spring is the first semester's start- that means that your first semester exams are our final exams. And… I somehow scared by this rain… can you feel it too Misaki?"
"Scary? I don't know. This rain is somewhat… calming of sorts."
"Calming huh? Sometimes, I find you strange Misaki- sometimes; you act all childish one time and then act wise-like another…"
"Am I?" Misaki asked. "You are the strange one here Miharu…"
"Eh?"
Misaki then points to the middle of Miharu's forehead, where three red gemstones were placed there.
"Ah these? Mom went into my room when I was just up and stuck them- she said it was for good luck…"
Then, the door opens once again, revealing Yayoi.
"So here you are Misaki…" Miharu's mom spoke. "Come here for a bit and this won't take long…"
Misaki went near Yayoi and said adult then tapped the middle of her forehead.
"There all done…"
"Huh?" Misaki then thought and then felt the middle of her forehead. "Wait a minute…"
"Lucky gems, or so they say… it's been a family tradition." Yayoi then spoke. "These fine stones are gathered in the nearby stream- where you had the ritual, and then cut and finely polished… and for some reason, they only stick to special people…"
"That looks nice on you Misaki…" Miharu then commented, biringing out a mirror. "Look…"
Misaki looked at the mirror and saw a small, thin blue jewel in the middle of her forehead.
"Violet… the color of understanding. It fits your eyes perfectly."
Then, something flashes back in Misaki's memory- looking at herself, but with violet eyes. Yayoi notices it.
"Misaki, is there anything wrong?"
"Uhm… nothing… just nothing."
"Okay then… and girls, tidy yourselves up- we may have an important guest coming."
"Guest?" Miharu then asked.
"Well we don't know the details yet… but prepared for any eventuality- even landslides."
"Landslides?" Misaki then asked.
"Don't worry, this temple is built on solid ground, so it won't slide."
In the meantime in another part of the compound.
"You didn't have to come here man…" Kotaro commented at Yukinari, who had just entered.
"I have to. I'm a volunteer for East Slope during flood and landslide warnings and also to check up on you guys…"
"She's in her room with Misaki…" Kotaro instantly answered.
"Hey! What was that answer for?!! She's also in Miharu's room you know! And don't even get any thoughts about it…"
Meanwhile, at the Shigure Residence, Aya was cooking up curry for lunch when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it…" Asa's voice came in from the living room.
At the covered gate…
"Sorry to disturb but there has been a flood warning issued… is Mrs. Shigure here?" someone from the neighborhood watch committee spoke.
"Yes, what is it?" Aya then asked, head peeking out of the door. "Ah! Mister Sakuradai…"
"Here's your radio…" the committee member spoke, handing the radio to Asa. "Please be at the community hall as soon as possible…"
"Okay, I'll be there."
At the Suzuki Household.
"Okay, I'll watch over Kei and Miyaka while you do the rounds…" Isuki spoke to her husband. "Mrs. Shigure will later come, probably after lunch… so do your best there, Mister Assistant chairman…"
Minutes later, Miyuki appears from upstairs.
"What happened?"
"Well, flood warning- the members of the East Side district committee conduct regular rounds to ensure safety- Mrs. Shigure is the chairperson. Why sister, anything wrong?"
"Nothing… it's just that… I can feel… him…"
"Him?"
"Death… for a person in such a state as I am… death is what we really fear…"
"Hmm… what I think… well he may not take you… or he's looking for somebody else…"
"Somebody else?!! Suzuhara!"
And with that, Miyuki dashed out of the house and into the rain, followed closely by her younger (in spirit that is) sister- well after securing the house and saying sorry to a still down Kei that she had to chase Miyaka.
"It must be her he's after…" Miyuki can only think. "But… he wouldn't take anyone inconsiderately… but why?"
She suddenly stops, realizing something.
"I see… a teacher…"
Back at the station- well the front exactly, a sleek white car pulls alongside Hideo's group, drawing looks from the people that were there.
"Well, well… what is this?"
Then a car window rolls down, revealing no driver. But then…
"Sorry for the delay sir… the police had to make sure that my AI was up to legal standards…" a female voice suprisingly, came out. "And working properly…"
"…" Natalie could only say.
"Yup… this is it…"
"Hey look at that…" one civilian noted. "It's a Mitsubishi Asurada… the most technologically advanced and most expensive car in the world. It's most noted feature is the independent AI that can help in navigation and can steer the car for you if needed- without any road aids- just GPS."
Then the doors open, front and left back.
"Okay, into the car… and nice to hear you again… Iris."
As soon as the trio sat, the doors automatically closed and on top of the dashboard, a mirror-type of accessory appeared and turned at Hideo, as if looking at him.
"Where to sir? In this weather condition, I can't perform well."
"Houshinjoutai (Stargazing) temple…"
"Hoshikawa Residence, inbound…" the car AI replied and proceeded to rev the engine.
As the car proceeded at a safe speed, Hideo and his wife were looking at the scenery of the streets.
"Things do change you know…" Sakura can only say.
"But some things remain the same…" Hideo finished the thought and then turned to Natalie. "So, are you comfy back there?"
The man's voice somehow caught her off guard, making her look at him with some embarrassment. Looking at her, Hideo notices the girl's shivering from nervousness.
"Can you adjust the heaters for the back section?" Hideo then asks the car.
"Sure thing sir…"
Back at the compound, Yukinari and Kotaro had met up with Miharu and Misaki. Miharu and Yuki hugged discreetly while Misaki and Kotaro simply looked at each other.
"So…" Yuki then spoke. "Who's up for volunteering?"
"Volunteering? For what?" Misaki wondered.
"It's for neighborhood watch, since a warning was issued. This town prides itself in having the best community in the country. And we do need to look out for each other- it's tradition in this town." Miharu replied proudly, like the resident that she was.
"Tradition?" Both Misaki and Kotaro wondered.
Moments later, in another part of the complex, the library. All four people were now looking at a book titled "History of the town".
"Here it is…" Miharu now spoke after flipping a few pages. "The town was established fifty years ago, around the now Saint Hoshikawa Academy, called 'Institute 4' back then- to support the personnel working there- infact, some of the families of the original workers still live here. The town was small, since it was tied to the facility. And then, the academy was built 25 years ago as an extension of the institute."
"What did the institute do anyways?" Kotaro asks. "And why was the school tied to it?"
"It doesn't say. But anyways, after the 'unveiling', the town further expanded, since the institute was no longer needed, the school can now expand and hence, the town followed. Now, the Academy is a world-class learning facility- so it figures."
"And what does it have to do with the tradtion of volunteering?" Misaki then follows.
"Maybe I can answer that…" a familiar voice came in, making them look.
"Miss Ai…" Misaki replied. "What is it then?"
"What did your history classes say about the events leading up to 'the unveiling'?" the green haired chief servant then asked.
"Well, aliens attacked the earth, forcing the SF to reveal themselves to repel them…" Kotaro answered.
"That is true, but do you know where the aliens attacked?"
"No… but…" Miharu then realized. "That means…"
"This… very… town…" Ai then replied. "Institute 4 is the alien detection and protection center before NORAD accepted the responsibility. And this town, along with the institute that centers it, was defended not just by soldiers, but also by some selected students of the academy- among them, Miharu's mother and aunts Yuko and Hinata, teachers Kurama and Arashiyama, as well as the two older Suzuhara siblings…"
"My mother and aunt Aya too?" Misaki asked.
"Well they were in charge of monitor while the defenders repelled the invaders. The volunteer patrol was founded to aid the institute, and the town in times of peril, so it remains today."
Meanwhile back in Tokyo, we place ourselves at the Piffle Princess, where new promo posters were being placed, the same event occuring at branches all over the country. As soon as they were up, people gathered to read at them.
"Get a chance to have full access with the National Layer Team at the first ever Angelic Layer International Championships, coming summer this year." The poster began to read out. "To quailify, please provide us with a fitting name for our national team and the reason why we should pick this name. Write your entries, along with your name, age, electronic or mailing address and mobile number in the entry form provided at your local branch or it can be downloaded from our website. Prizes for the winner include honorary membership with the current national team in the world championships, permanent 'piffle club' membership, 100,000 AP or its cash equivalent of 2 million yen and a full outfit for your angel. Don't miss this once in a lifetime and historical opportunity!"
"Wow… a once in a lifetime chance… it's not like everyday you get to name a national team…"
Up in the branch control room…
"What's Mister Mihara thinking of now?" one techie asked, curious of the promo.
"Who knows… better that than putting strange things in our pants… hehehe…" another replied, pointing to Ogata.
In another corner of the control room, Mr and Mrs Inada were also wondering.
"What is the boss thinking with this plan?" Mrs. Inada or Yuko, asked. "I'm sure he can think of ideas but why ask the country for a team name? Why not simply call it 'Team Japan'?"
"He's probably too busy to even think of a name… and why not ask the best minds of the country?"
"You probably have a point… but what kind of a person can think of the perfect name of the national layer team? For me I don't want any bad people in the team, even if they are honorary members."
Back at the Hoshikawa compound, at the outhouse laboratory, Icchan was thrilled at the data the tourney had provided so far and was busy cataloguing it when Shinji came in.
"At it again?" Shinji sighed. "You know… you should not pick up that much inertia- hit a wall and you'll be crushed…"
"Oh shut up… you know how time-strapped we are…"
"What you need…" Shinji began to speak. "Is a girlfriend- you are not going to get younger…"
"I know that- you've been giving earfuls of that stuff ever since you got married to Shuuko…" Ichiro puffed. "But you did not answer my question back then…"
"You shoud know the answer to that… I'm not you…"
"As long as no one meets my standards… I'll work on my works, not on my relationships."
"Oh shut it… and by the way, isn't Hibiya supposed to come here?"
At the hotel lobby, Hibiya looks forlorn, looking at the rain and then at the empty umbrella rack.
"But with this rain…" Icchan then speaks. "Okay… I'm itching for a rain drive…"
"Rain drive? You'll need a boat to get to there in this weather."
"I'll just use whatever vehicle I can find."
"You better come back quick Ichi, I overheard Yayoi talking about someone coming here…"
"Okay, okay…"
Icchan goes out of the lab and heads for the garage, upon which he finds a green car with covered wheels with a plate with the letters "AI'S CAR" and surprisingly, finds the key in the driver's side keyhole. He opens the door and hops in, inserting the key into the ignition and turned it on. The engine began to run, but in a very strange running sound- more akin to a jet engine than to a car. Then, it suddenly shakes and moved up a bit- just enough for the driver to take notice- looking out the window.
"What the? Some car this is…" he could only say as he saw that there were no wheels on the car- the car was floating.
And off goes Ichiro, out of the garage and into the driveway, but not before being spotted by Ai.
"My car…" she could say. "I'm not yet finished building it yet…"
Back in the Asurada, they spot someone waving at them at the distance.
"Shall we stop?" Sakura asked.
"We shall, it's not nice to leave someone looking for a ride in the rain…" Hideo could only replied.
Natalie just kept silent as the car slowly pulled up beside the hitchhiker, who was wearing a raincoat over his seemingly businesslike attire. The passenger side window opens.
"Hop in…" Hideo spoke as the door beside Natalie opened up. "And where to?"
"Thanks very much sir…" the man spoke, quickly entering the car and removing his raincoat, placing it in a door bin that the car had opened up. "Can you folks take me to the Hoshikawa residence?"
"Good timing, we are headed there as well… what is our purpose of heading there this weather?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself…" the businessman pardoned. "I'm Mister Verossa Acous from the Technical Services And Business Machines Corporation…"
"Technical Services…" Hideo hummed as the car continued on its slow way. "Ah! That's a really good company… why are you here then, Mister Acous, if we are not so probing?"
"My manager sent here to formalize a deal we made a couple of months ago… there was a bid for a good technical services company that will service the layers for the upcoming World Championships. And pardon me if I'm a bit proud but, the deal was secured with a maximum of a ten million dollars…."
"Sounds too…" Sakura began to comment. "Cheap… that huge an undertaking?"
"Reasonable…" Hideo countered.
"Really, we do specialize in high quality services for the lowest prices… the next lowest bid was about a hundred million…"
"Honey, remember 25 years ago…" Hideo then spoke.
"Ah… I see…" Sakura replied.
Both businessman and teen were dumbfounded.
"What was that?"
Then, a green car passes them.
"We're near…" Hideo spoke and then turned to the car. "Iris, any instability?"
"No sir, but the grip the tires have will be reduced as soon as we start to ascend…"
"Okay then, make measures…"
As the car began to start up another of its strange features, namely a pair of fan blowers behind the passenger cabin, it began its slow drive on the hill road. Back at the complex, Misaki and the others were now wearing raincoats.
"Okay then, I'll tell your respective parents that you've gone to help with the patrol. But as a precaution, I want you to check in every 10-15 minutes, so that they know you're there…" Ai gave them precautionary instructions as they went into the rain. "Lady Miharu and Sasaki will instruct you whenever possible, do you understand?"
"Yes Miss Ai." Misaki and Kotaro replied.
"You two…" Ai then spoke to the the boys. "You have to take care of them or else…"
The two boys see a terrifying image, Ai holding a giant pair of scissors, the head servant opening and closing them, as if shearing something off.
"YES!!!" the both of them replied quickly.
"Well then… do your jobs."
The four then headed out, raincoats donned into the front yard. They then proceeded towards the parking area, since the vehicle path was much shorter than the steps, though a steeper by a margin. By the time they reach the bottom they stopped, seeing a pair of headlights approaching. Miharu takes out a baton and switches it on, waving it towards the approaching vehicle.
Back in the Asurada…
"Mobile warning sign spotted…" the car's AI responded.
"We're near… and this is a mountain road after all…" Hideo spoke as he now took control from the car, slowly driving towards the waving person.
The car now stops beside the waving person, opening the window slightly. The raincoated figure began to speak as soon as the window had stopped moving- a girl with long blue hair.
"This area is under flood and landslide alert, please drive slowly or better yet, turn back and wait out the storm."
"Don't worry, we know. Can we shelter here in this temple then?" Hideo then asked.
"Yes… I'll tell my folks to let you shelter here…" the girl then spoke as she motioned for a radio.
Someone gave a radio.
"Miss Ai, are you there?"
"Here I am…" a voice came in from the radio.
"Car here out at the front gate. Can we let them in for the storm?"
"Of course… the gate's open since we are expecting some visitors."
"Okay then… Okay then sir, you can enter… and welcome."
"Don't mind if I do, young ones… and thanks." The driver then closed his window and turned towards the vehicle path.
"Nice kids, aren't they?" Sakura then commented. "Helping like that."
"And I have to pay them back for their kindness…"
Back at the group.
"That's one car down…" Miharu sighed. "Now, let's go downhill and head towards Teacher Shigure's house. She'll be needing all the help that can come."
"Auntie Aya's house?" Misaki wondered.
"She's the head of the East Slope Volunteers…" Yuki quickly took over the conversation. "We have to report to her."
"Let's go then, we shouldn't keep her waiting, do we?"
Shigure Residence.
"Auntie's not home?" Misaki asked, after hearing the answer from Asa.
"Yes, she already went to the ward hall…" Asa replied. "You guys volunteering too?"
"Yes, senior Asa." Miharu replied. "Well it was supposed to be only Yukinari, but we pitched in."
"Wel just look by the ward hall or ask by means of the radio."
Just in cue, the radio beeped in. Aya was on the other end.
"Hello, is Misaki on?"
"Yes, I'm here…" Misaki replied.
"Where are you?"
"We're here at your house, Teacher Shigure." Miharu replied.
"Stay there. I'll just head over and give your assignments- the creek near the hall is about to top its banks, so it might be too dangerous."
"Roger that… we'll be here."
"What did mother say?" Asa then asked.
"She says to wait for her here, for the creek near the hall is flooding."
"Well, come in first guys, the rain is hard and will not end soon- might as well shelter while not doing something."
"Thank you for letting us in…" Both Misaki and Miharu replied and bowed in respect, as Asa led them in.
The group then removed their raincoats and entered the living room, where the TV was on. On the small table was a bowl of curry with rice- Asa's bowl to be exact, because it had her name on the side.
"You guys want some curry too?" Asa then asked, seeing them spotting the bowl. "You guys think I'm weird because I eat curry and rice out of a bowl?"
The group shook their heads.
"But to be honest, mom's curry blending is bland for my taste." Asa then commented, sitting on one of the floor pillows and picking up her bowl once again. "Here… taste it."
Out of courtesy, Misaki takes a spoonful and gives it a taste.
"Well?"
"Hmm… it tastes fine…" Misaki replied, such to the dismay of Asa.
"You're no fun… how about you?" Asa then asks Miharu.
Miharu takes a bite.
"Well?"
Miharu munches on. And then silently puts the spoon down. Then, her eyes light up and a reaction that was really unusual came over her.
"Wow…" Miharu began "I've never tasted curry like this before! The blend of spices, just the right degree of heat and just the tiniest bit of tang…"
"Don't tell me… you're a princess of curry?" Asa asked, with a tinge of dread.
As if from a comic show, Miharu remained in that state- trapped in a fantasy world of curry. Back in the house though, the people there could only wish for a fantasy- as someone rang the front door bell.
"That's him…" Kaito quickly spoke as he heard the bell. "Quickly let him in and be respectful."
Back at the front door, it slowly opened, revealing one of the many servants of the house.
"Ah… finally… we came to seek the master of this house." Hideo then calmly spoke.
"Right this way Master Hideo… please put your umbrellas in the rack and coats on the hanger… and please observe minimal noise."
"This is the same place…" Natalie thought as she began following the adult trio. "But why here?"
At every step they proceeded; each person they see seemed to make way and bow in respect- servants, thought Natalie.
The finally arrived at a set of doors, infront of what seemed to Natalie, the main focal room of the house. Hideo slowly opened the door, revealing a wide space within- she was right, they were actually entering the central hall.
"Welcome…" Kaito's voice came in- though hushed a bit.
"No need for hush… we are soaked, cold and hungry…" Hideo quickly said. "We talk after we are comfortable, okay?"
In a clap of Kaito's hands, the servants promptly served the guests. And as the guests began to eat, they were also served. It was a silent meal, with all except Natalie- who was fumbling with the chopsticks.
"No.. not like that…" Hideo softly spoke and lent his hands on Natalie's. "Like this…"
Meanwhile, the teen could not do anything but let her hands be manipulated on the proper way of using chopsticks. His wife could only giggle.
"Ah yes… time to talk now I suppose…" Hideo then turned to his hosts. "Now tell me everything I need to know…"
Back in the outhouse laboratory, Yayoi was a bit irritated as to what Shinji said as to the whereabouts of Icchan.
"Great… I have someone from Technical Services arriving here to further tell us of the plan we have secured for ten million." Yayoi puffed. "And this as well…"
Yayoi then loaded a disc with the title "Proposed Additional Skill Trees for Angelic Layer Angels" into the DVD player and began to view the contents.
"Limit Test, Test Subject C… Reinforce I… 'Hraeslvgr'." Was the title of the file that Yayoi chose to open.
It was a taped angel demonstration, with the only angel- which Yayoi pointed out as "Reinforce I"- an angel in black, with long white hair, with white wings on her hips, shoulders and ankles, holding what seemed to be a book. The angel the raised an arm into the air and at her feet, what seemed to be a triangle of light appeared.
"This is…" Yayoi could only whisper.
Four more triangles open around the angel, each one bearing a point of light at the center. But before it can be used, Yayoi suddenly stopped the disc.
"What's the matter?" Shinji asked.
"You can view this on your own… Let's just hope that this addition will be a good thing."
"Yayoi?"
"I prefer to be surprised… along with the rest of us."
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT!
(Exhausted after some negotiations with a lot of people)
Creator-Kun: Well... Only three chapters before the end of Battle Phase 2 and I'd say that this is the first work that has reached EPIC, not only in length, but in content quality, and character integration. After some negotiations, i have managed to rally most of them to have angels appearing- yes, you guys heard it... so expect more than just your average kind of angels, as these incoming angels have the capability to Materialize in the battlefield, under Exceed Mode and bearing Giant Drills that can pierce the Heavens, Starlight Breakering when in a pinch, using their Inherent Skills to become the Element of victory against impossible odds from seemingly Antispiral enemies.
Well I guess only only one or two can catch the refs, but at this point, let me just give you guys a preview of a scene from Phase 3.
"Ikeeeeeeee!!!"
Sky Blue Sapphire... Bolt from the Blue... 3... 2... 1... 0... RELEASE
"What the, Hikaru blocked Arika's Attack?!!"
"What's this? Hikaru's rumored Inherent Skill Circle Appears!!!"