"Not a chance," Gladiator said.

"It was an order," Gargoyle said.

"I thought I would be sitting the rest of this out," Gamer Man remarked.

"It was a stupid order," Gladiator corrected, "I'm not giving-"

"Lending," Gamer Man said.

"-My trident to Gamer Man!" Gladiator finished.

"Gamer Man needs a weapon to fight Gorestrike with,” Christopher seethed, “And you have one.”

“Then what am I going to fight with?” Gladiator demanded.

“A rifle!” Christopher barked, “We need Gamer Man to lure out Gorestrike, and the only way to do that is for Gamer Man to challenge Gorestrike to close quarters combat.”

“Then why can’t he have Zealot’s axe?” Gladiator demanded.

“Because I’m not going to give him my axe!” Zealot shouted, “It’s mine!”

“Couldn’t I just have a bayonet?” Gamer Man asked.

“Do you really think a bayonet is going to hurt Gorestrike?” Wytch demanded.

“Well, no,” Gamer Man admitted, “But I also don’t think I’m going to hurt Gorestrike, not without my armor at the least. Besides, the point isn’t for me to fight Gorestrike, it’s to lure him out. If this is such a problem, I could ask if one of the Sailors could lend me her sword.”

“Sailors are going to defend the artillery line,” Christopher said, “Gorestrike isn’t the only threat here, just because Gorestrike is going to be chasing you doesn’t mean the rest of his team is going to watch us blow up their castle.”

"Are we thinking that the Sailors can fend off GianTessa and Psychedelika at once?" Gamer Man asked.

"We plan on arming them," Christopher explained, "And they can all fly."

"I don't want to put children, foreign children, in the line of duty," Gargoyle said.

"But it's their job," Gamer Man said, "And they fight monsters all the time."

"I thought that was a cartoon or something," Gladiator said.

"Gargoyle, you're going to be leading the New Adventurers in the rescue mission," Christopher instructed, "Gamer Man, I'm giving you full access to the armory, grab whatever you think will help you against Gorestrike, then inform the Sailors what their role is going to be. Dismissed!"

Heavy artillery trundled down torn concrete roads, the Sailors flying low in a defensive ring. The soldiers gawking at them, grumbling about being protected by a bunch of brightly colored schoolgirls, honestly they even dyed their hair with neon and glitter to match their color. A stack contrast to the urban camo fatigues, and the rifles and sidearms the Sailors all carried.

Blue listened close to the earpiece she had been given. She couldn't understand much, or anything really, but Gamer Man had told her he would keep her updated.

“In position,” Gargoyle reported, “Artillery crew, report in.”

“ETA five minutes,” the soldier reported.

“In position,” Gamer Man reported.

“Gamer Man, start the operation,” Christopher ordered.

“Good copy,” Gamer Man said. His new bits of equipment were roughshod, little more than the work Gamer Man could do in a few hours. Armor plating had been strapped to Love in the hopes that it would help Gamer Man survive at least one hit, and his new shock club was just three heavy copper rods strapped together with a thick coat of electrical tape for a handle, and wired to a car battery strapped to his hip. He tried tossing bits of MREs at the thing, just to test the electrical output, and found it zapped and blackened anything it touched.

Ramshackle armor had been put on his motorcycle, along with a long metal spike that his club could fit in, in the event Gamer Man needed to joust Gorestrike. A bayonet had been placed under Gamer Man’s shock rifle, and he really, really hoped he wouldn’t need to use it.

Gamer Man put a megaphone to his lips and boldly declared “Gorestrike! I’m over here! Take my head before I take yours!”

The effects were immediate. Gorestrike came charging out of his castle so soon that Gorestrike had to have been waiting for the challenge, and Gamer Man realized he probably was.

“Engaging Gorestrike!” Gamer Man barked into the headset, “Engaging Gorestrike! GianTessa and Psychedelika are headed for the artillery line! Repeat! GianTessa, Psychedelika, and the mutant army are moving for the artillery line!” Gamer Man switched to Japanese. “Blue! Prepare for combat! Enemies heading your way!”

“Mounted combat!” Gorestrike bellowed, moving at Gamer Man with a sprinting charge, “And here I lack a steed!”

Gamer Man revved the engine as Gorestrike raised his axe and morning star, and Gamer Man met Gorestrike with a jousting lance.

Yellow drifted upward and saw GianTessa and a wave of mutated beasts moving towards the artillery line.

“That way!” Yellow shouted, pointing for the other Sailors to see.

“For love and justice!” Blue declared, her body glowing with glittering blue energy, “Swords up!”

The Sailors flew for GianTessa, the giant woman laughing as the girls raced towards her. Red swept under a thrown cannonball, diving to cut across GianTessa’s calf. The villainess yelped, and the Sailors pressed the attack, Blue swiping at her knee, Yellow stabbing GianTessa in the thigh, Green’s scimitar flashing across GianTessa’s ankle, and Pink’s sword digging hard into GainTessa’s knee.

GianTessa staggered on her feet, dropping to one knee as she fought through her mounting wounds.

“Form up!” Blue ordered, raising her sword high as the Sailors moved to flank her.

“We are the Sensational Sword Saint Sailors!” Blue declared, her katana igniting in a fountain of blue energy, “Warriors of hope!”

“Love!” Red declared.

“Peace!” Green declared.

“Couraged!” Yellow declared.

“Joy!” Pink declared.

With each declaration, the swords of the Sailors ignited with their signature color, turning from individual flames to a towering pillar of pearlescent light as the Sailors brought their weapons together.

“Five fold!” the Sailors yelled in unison, “Legend Sl-”

Blue realized something was wrong. GianTessa was smiling a ruthless, cruel smirk as a wave of energy washed over her. The energy was the multicolored aura of Psychedelika, infusing GianTessa and the mutant army with unnatural might. GianTessa’s eyes narrowed to pinpricks and her smirk became a rictus berserk strength. GianTessa launched herself through the air, her fist smashing into Blue, knocking the Sailors out of formation and shattering their magic.

“The monsters are getting to the artillery!” Green shouted.

“I’ll handle it!” Pink yelled, flying for the monsters.

“Wait!” Red barked, watching Pink fly away, “Ugh! Yellow, go help her!”

The crack of gunfire filled the air as the soldiers shot into the encroaching monster ranks, commanders calling out targets to focus fire into. Despite the sheer weight of gunfire, Ascension’s mutants stomped forward, unaware of the damage and injuries they took.

“For innocent maidens!” Pink shouted, flying down between the monsters and the soldiers. “Joyous Dance!”

Pink moved with a rush of energy, her sword taking to the monsters like a scythe to wheat, chopping cleanly through biologically enhanced hide, muscle and bone, trailing pink cherry blossoms as Pink sprang about the monster ranks.

For every beast Pink felled, it seemed like three more staggered forward to take their place. For all her speed and fervor, Pink found herself getting slowly surrounded by the mutant tide.

“Pink!” Yellow barked, lifting the Sailor up as monsters started to swipe at her, “Get ready!”

“For blossoming youths!” Yellow called, drifting back towards the artillery lines.

“For days of wonder!” Pink answered, combining their magic into a large rectangle.

“Love Letter!” Pink and Yellow cheered, the rectangular construct opening to unleash a wave and glittering magic. Lovely power washed over the monsters, blasting hostile thoughts from their minds as the biologically engineer creatures, most of them not even a month old, began to reminisce about days spent in highschool and teenage crushes.

“Hand in hand!” Red declared, flying tight circles around GianTessa to avoid her berserk swings.

“The world rejoices!” Green continued, matching Red’s pace.

“Peace and Love!” the Sailors shouted, their magic combining into a pillar of soft, soothing light that enveloped GianTessa.

“I don’t have to be evil,” GianTessa realized, looking at her hand in shock, “I could just play baseball.”

“Although,” GianTessa muttered to herself, “I do like being evil. It’s been great for my confidence. An’ I don’t want to disappoint Gorestrike, not after everything he’s done for me.”

“Do you think it’s working?” Green asked.

“Green, this move never works,” Red said, “Get ready to stab her.”

“I’m going to try talking to her,” Green decided.

“Suit yourself,” Red said, “I’m going to get ready to stab her in the shoulder.”

Green flew up in front of GianTessa’s face, and began talking. It was an impassioned speech about how violence wasn’t the answer, how everyone could work together to make the world a better place, how tomorrow could be better than yesterday.

“Wussat?” GianTessa asked, “Do y’all speak English?”

Green let out a frustrated sigh, and gestured to Red. Red wasted no time driving her longsword into GianTessa’s shoulder. GianTessa growled in pain, swatting Green to the ground and lifting a boot to stomp her flat. Blue flew in low and fast, scooping Green up just before GianTessa’s foot slammed into the pavement, swinging her katana up to land a shallow cut on her foot.

“Gah!” GianTessa barked, “Psychedelika, I’m getting carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey! Drug me again!”

With most of Gorestrike’s army gone, Gargoyle and the New Adventurers had a fairly easy time sneaking up the Castle Gorestrike, stacking up in front of the giant skull entrance.

“Wytch, you’re going in,” Gargoyle ordered, “Cloak yourself and find Faery Fire.”

“Copy that,” Wytch said, “Are we keeping radio silence?”

“No need,” Zealot said, “Even if they know our frequency, it will be better to stay in contact. You can report if the coast is clear, we can come running if you get caught.”

“That’s,” Gargoyle started, “A well thought out, coherent idea.”

“What?” Zealot said.

“I thought you were more of an insane berserker,” Gargoyle said.

“Eh, depends on the situation,” Zealot admitted.

“Going in,” Wytch said, putting an illusion ahead of her as she slunk into Castle Gorestrike.

They had gotten intel on Castle Gorestrike’s layout from the harem girls Gamer Man had rescued. They all had their stories straight, were glad to give information, and everything one of them said matched up with what the rest of them said.

It was strange how quickly the harem had gotten over the tragedy and trauma of being kidnapped and forced to serve Gorestrike, but in the face of oncoming danger, this was quickly dismissed. One less problem to worry about, the heroes decided.

Thanks to them, Wytch knew the path to Ascension’s laboratory, where they suspected Faery Fire was being held prisoner, and Wytch wasted little time scouting to lead the New Adventurers into Castle Gorestrike.

“She’s just ahead,” Wytch said, “But we need to hurry. It looks like Ascension is preparing to operate on her.”

“What’s the plan?” Gladiator asked.

“Do we jump him?” Zealot asked.

“Quiet,” Gargoyle ordered, “This is team two, in position. Artillery teams, are you ready to fire?”

“We’re dealing with hostiles,” the artillery team reported, “The girls are dealing with the worst of it! Ready to fire!”

“Good copy,” Gargoyle said, tuning his headset to the frequency the harem had given him, “Gargoyle to Castle Gorestrike, Gargoyle to Castle Gorestrike.”

“Hmm?” Ascension remarked, striding over to the radio, “How did you get this frequency?”

“We have ways,” Gargoyle said, “This is Gargoyle, speaking on behalf of the United States military.”

“And are you here to make demands?” Ascension asked.

“Negative,” Gargoyle said, “We are prepared to bargain for Faery Fire’s release.”

“Faery Fire’s release,” Ascension pondered, “Hmm. What do you have to offer?”

“Before negotiations,” Gargoyle said, “I want to speak with Faery Fire.”

“Ah, to prove she is of sound mind,” Ascension remarked, “Worry not, I wouldn’t dream of diminishing a mind as bright and brilliant as hers. Faery Fire, people wish to speak with you.”

“Who is this?” Faery Fire asked, her voice sounded tired. Worn down.

“Gargoyle,” Gargoyle answered, “I have a question for you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Faery Fire said.

“Are you ready to give your life for your country?” Gargoyle asked.

Ascension watched in delight as the fire and zeal returned, just a bit, to Faery Fire’s eyes.

“Tell the Sailors I hope they found someone who will adopt them,” Faery Fire, “Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for them, that I wish I could have spent more time with them, that I’m happy for the time I had. Yes, Gargoyle, I’m ready.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Ascension bellowed.

“Artillery teams, fire away!” Gargoyle ordered, switching the frequency to match Castle Gorestrike and the military channel.

“You wouldn’t-” Ascension spat.

A rumble of thunder rolled over Castle Gorestrike as bombardment started, sending Ascension staggering on his feet and power flickering across Castle Gorestrike.

“You!” Ascension spat, bearing down on Faery Fire. Faery Fire had never seen Ascension like this, his face so twisted with hatred and rage. “You dare betray me!”

“Go!” Gargoyle ordered, waving the New Adventurers in.

“Witch!” Ascension screamed, “Crone! Wretch! You would mock me? Insolent fool! Scum! I curse you!”

“Die!” Zealot yelled, slamming her bardiche into the back of Ascension’s head.

“I made you immortal!” Ascension continued, the strike glancing off his skull, “Gave you beauty! Gave you everything!”

“Get the lock!” Gargoyle barked, “Get her free!”

“And you dare betray me?” Ascension howled, “I curse you!” Ascension’s face twisted and spat a black ichor onto Faery Fire, unaware of the heroes working to free her.

“I said,” Zealot shouted, pulling back her bardiche, “Die!”

Zealot swung for Ascension’s knee, and the villain spun around and caught Zealot’s axe between his fingers. Zealot paused when she saw the pained emptiness in Ascension’s eyes.

“Who are you?” Ascension asked, the question sounding as bizarre as it did honest.

“I’m-” Zealot said, Ascension’s fist gliding through her, blasting Zealot into countless shards of a broken illusion.

“I’m incredibly lucky,” Zealot said, standing a foot from Ascension’s fist.

“Oh, Gargoyle,” Ascension said, ignoring Zealot, “What are you doing here?”

“A rescue op,” Gargoyle ground out, “You finally lose it?”

“Her?” Ascension balked, “You can’t rescue her.”

“I don’t want to disagree,” Gladiator said, wrenching a lock up with his trident, “But it looks like we can.”

“She is beyond your meager ability. You cannot save. You cannot help her,” Ascension said, “Leave me. This is a time of great mourning. A great work of art has been destroyed.”

“Any idea what he’s doing?” Wytch asked.

“No,” Faery Fire said, hopping to her feet, “And I don’t think I’ve ever known.”

“The girls are doing well,” Gargoyle said.

“Glad to hear it,” Faery Fire said, “Let’s get out of here.”

“Gargoyle to Artillery team,” Gargoyle said, “Rescue was a success, moving to extraction. Cease fire. Repeat, cease fire.”