[002] ☿ Nightmare

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[It's a dream calculated to hurt.

She's looking over video feed posts in the little desk area she's made for herself when the other girls head towards the door. Surprised, she calls out to ask where they're going.

They barely look at her, barely even pause. The accusations come easily. 'We don't need you with us.' 'You don't mind anyway.' 'You're too weak. You should have just died with our world.' 'You can do what you really want: Study.'

Ami flinches before she can stop herself. This can't be true. She knows, absolutely, these aren't her friends' feelings. "That isn't true!" she pleads with them. "I want to be with you! I want to help you! This isn't right!"

As if she's angered them by her protests, the girls attack, lunging for Ami's throat, cold and precise, kicks and punches delivered without ceasing. She can't bring herself to fight back aggressively - surely they're only under some influence? - and she's knocked around easily despite her efforts to block and defend. She slams into one wall and then another, recoiling with the force of the blows, but she keeps her feet by force of will.

(ooc: all are very welcome, separate senshi subthread is just for organization)

Comments

Senshi Subthread: Illusion fight + Altantica discussion

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[video]

[abracadabrapon.livejournal.com]

Ami!

[Damn it all. She wasn't there to help. She'd just untransformed after aiding Aqua and--

No, she couldn't think like that. Ami tried to help her even though she was far away. Setsuna could at least do the same, call out to her!]

Ami, it's a trick! A nightmare! It isn't real! Can you hear me!?

[video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[If it helps - Setsuna, at least - Ami seems to be aware enough that she isn't attacking the others.

The problem is that she still assumes it's them.]

They're being manipulated, aren't they?

[video]

[abracadabrapon.livejournal.com]

It is possible.

[A beat.]

Or it could be the other way around.

[video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

What?! Usagi-chan and everyone wouldn't do that!

[action] for active fighting!

[faithfulthunder.livejournal.com]

Everyone! We need help.

[action] for active fighting!

[mandalaflame.livejournal.com]

[ The commotion was what alerted Rei, and she came in from the balcony where she'd been meditating to see Jupiter throw Makoto across the room. Dumbfounded for only a second, Rei raised her crystal to the air and transformed, eyes narrowing her her double.

The arrow of flame she sent the copy's way sent it flying into a nearby coffee table. ]

What's going on?!

[Action for active fighting; party style!]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

NO!

[Ami put herself in the middle before a new attack could come. This wasn't right! Her friends wouldn't act that way, never. But- She'd been so sure it was them, just manipulated. Where were these others coming from?

Right now, she didn't know which was real.]

Who are you?

[She was in a dangerous position right now. The question was pointed at all of them.]

Re: [Action for active fighting; party style!]

[mandalaflame.livejournal.com]

[ Mars lowered her second arrow, and dissipated it, staring at Ami in shock. ] Ami-chan, it's me!

[Video]

[mrsbrisby.livejournal.com]

What terrible things to say! You shouldn’t…

[And then the pack of girls lunges for Ami. ]

Oh! Watch out!

[Video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[They are terrible. And she knows without a doubt that her friends would never say these things, and certainly wouldn't attack her.]

They must have touched one of the illusions! [She still misinterprets the situation, which is why she can't bring herself to be violent in return. She dodges a few kicks, but the fake Makoto grabs her and holds her still.]

[Video] 1/2

[mrsbrisby.livejournal.com]

But…

[That doesn’t sound right. ]

Wouldn’t they be in nightmares of their own?

[Video] 2/2

[mrsbrisby.livejournal.com]

[Gasp! She was caught! ]

Stop! You don’t have to attack anyone! Just let her go!

[Video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[That's just it: their nightmare, turning them against their friend.]

If they think I'm the enemy...

[Despite being unwilling to harm them, she struggles for her freedom as much as she can. Finally, she escapes and flees to the other side of the room. She looks around desperately for something to use to keep them in place.]

[Video]

[mrsbrisby.livejournal.com]

[Mrs. Brisby doesn’t know about all of that… maybe is was possible? What she did know was.]

Have you seen a duck!? Some how these nightmares are being caused by ducks!

Video

[namaste-jagat.livejournal.com]

[None of this makes any sense... hadn't those girls been good friends? Why would they suddenly turn on each other? At least that seemed to be the implication. He tried to implore the others to stop and rethink their actions]

She may not have the same strengths as the rest of you, however we all are born with our own. It is merely finding the method to best utilize them that can be baffling.

Rest assured, if she's made it here it is because she must possess a strong heart.

Video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[They are her friends. This shouldn't be happening. Fortunately, even in the illusion, she knows that. But borrowing her friends' faces makes it so hard for her fight them.]

I've always done the best I can! For everyone!

Video

[namaste-jagat.livejournal.com]

[Their entreaties don't seem to be having much of an effect on the other girls.]

Watch out. Miss!

[Said as the girls rush Ami]

Video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[She winces as she's struck, proving that the illusions are still solid - and capable of hurting. As they gloat over just how easy she is to treat this way, she tries to catch her breath and finally gets her feet again.]

I have to get to the other room.

Video

[namaste-jagat.livejournal.com]

[It's hard to watch the girl get attacked without wincing himself. If only he could do something to help her]

That is an excellent idea. Anything you can put between yourself and them.

video

[kidnapbait.livejournal.com]

[What in the world...?]

No, stop! Leave her be!

[Video] OHAI YOU :D

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[Ami's head turns sharply once she has room to breathe.]

This isn't right! [She doesn't even know how to start explaining that this is impossible and she doesn't have time anyway.] They're under an illusion!

[She's half right, at least.]

[Video] o/

[kidnapbait.livejournal.com]

There must be a way to make them see clearly.

[Unfortunately, Esuna doesn't work from a distance.]

[Video] /high-fives

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

The source of the illusion has to be destroyed. [But she doesn't exactly have time, while she's still trying to hold them back without hurting them, to search for it.]

[Video]

[kidnapbait.livejournal.com]

Yes, that makes sense. Where are you? What can I do?