We have our title drop

[empress_without_a_throne]

1.

[When the DuskBird returns to Sakihama Base and is dispelled back into Mizuki's shadow, the woman's limping and wincing.  And also in strange, regal apparel.  Black silks with gold embroidery, necklaces, a sash... lots of fancy stuff she didn't go out in.  And Sara's standing there, looking shocked and running to her friend's side.]



Mizuki...!  My god, with what happened out there.  You and Ken and... and everyone!  Don't... scare me like that!  Please!



I'm fine, I'm fine... just got a little taste of what some of my predecessors had to deal with.  And believe me... I'm glad to see a Sara who ISN'T trying to kill me.

[So have a friendly hug... just a noisy one because, again, all that jewelry.]

2.



[Some time later though...]

[Video]

So... I was thinking...

... How do people feel about the word "Savior"?  Like the "Savior Team"... or "SolSavior".

Comments

1

[a_linear_mind]

[Willis descends from Strahlend, the machine once again in almost pristine condition despite the damage it took during the mission.]

That's an interesting outfit to go out to a fight in.

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Oh boy, it's him again. And telling the whole truth about this won't exactly-]



Well... as a matter of fact, it's a byproduct of what happens when Mizuki uses the power of the Abyss Sanction. Drawing her full strength to the surface has this effect on her clothes.

[She gives her friend a pat on the back.]

It looks nice and it means she's always ready for formal occasions, but unfortunately we can't sell off the material. Not honestly, at any rate.



It all changes back to normal after a while. And yes... it's a holdover from what I was meant to be; the mark that I'm the Abyss Empress.

[a_linear_mind]

Here I was thinking that you arrived late to the fight because you were putting on all of that.

[Well at least that trolling route was nipped in the bud.]

I didn't notice it earlier but it looks like they did quite the number on you.

[empress_without_a_throne]

If I had to, I'd never be able to arrive at a mission at all. And... yeah. They did do a number.

Like I said before, the DuskBird's as much a part of my body as my arms or legs. The most resilient part, but that kind of energy that the Maverick Firestorm threw around isn't something I like rubbing any part of my body against.

[a_linear_mind]

She was a bit overwhelming, wasn't she?

You seemed familiar with her.

[empress_without_a_throne]

First time I've met the Maverick Firestorm, but when I was being created by the Great Black Void, it took the time to inform me of her and that she was a tremendous threat. She and her partner crossed paths with some of the Void's creations in the past and they were also there during SolCrusader's final battles.

Age hasn't slowed her down at all...