Rated TV-14 (DLSV)

Artemisia: Salutations to you all. As you start watching the program, be sure you're in a brightly-lit room, and that you're not sitting too close to the monitor. Who am I, you may ask? You'll find out.



Narrator: In New York City's fight against crime, the dedicated detectives who pursue the most vicious criminals are members of an elite unit known as ACME Crime Net.

[132 Madison Street, Wednesday, November 6th, 10:33am]

[Lilith wipes the tables while humming a familiar song; Ellen approaches]

Ellen: You seem to be in a happy mood, Lilith.

Lilith: I should be. My cousin is flying in from England today. So I'm tidying up in preparation for her visit.

Ellen: What's so great about your cousin, anyway?

Lilith: What's so great about my cousin? What's so great about my cousin?! She's one of the finest combatants in my family. When we were little, she taught me all she knew. That's why I've aced Tomoe's martial arts classes. Were it not for her, I wouldn't be a Crystal Exceed.

Ellen: But why were you humming something so cheerful?

Lilith: This song is one of her favorites, and one of mine, too. We used to sing this old British song on one of her father's records, and it went something like this.

[She breaks into a song and dance number]

Lilith: [sings] Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
I do like to be beside the sea.
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom,
where the brass bands play "tiddely-om-pom-pom!".
So just let me be beside the seaside.
I'll be beside myself with glee.
And there's lots of girls besides,
I should like to be beside,
beside the seaside,
beside the sea.

[She poses]

Lilith: You see, Ellen, whenever I hear, sing, or hum that song, I think of my cousin, and whenever I think of her, I can't help but get into the song.

Ellen: How long has it been since you last saw each other?

Lilith: About five years. When I got the call from her last night, I was ecstatic.

[Her smartphone buzzes; Lilith checks it to see she has a text from Ryouko: "Just picked up your cousin. We're on our way over."]

Lilith: [squeals] She's landed! She's on her way!

Ellen: Tell me, Lilith, what's your cousin like?

Lilith: She's got blonde hair, like I do, except it's longer, and in a semi-braid. We also have matching blue eyes. It's almost as if she's my own elder sister. Except she's actually the only daughter of my father's sister.

Ellen: Did you tell Tor she's coming?

Lilith: Him and the other Exceeds. They can't wait to meet her.

Ellen: I'd sure like to meet her, too. She must be a very nice woman.

Lilith: Believe me, Ellen, she is.

[Tor, Julie, Miyabi, Tomoe, Imari, and Tsukimi come out of their room with a banner: "Welcome!"]

Tor: How's this, Lilith?

Julie: It wasn't easy to match your original concept.

[Lilith stares at the banner, then looks at a concept banner image in her smartphone and compares the two]

Lilith: The exclamation point is slightly thinner than my concept, but that will do just fine. Now, remember, when my cousin arrives, hold up the banner.

Tsukimi: Just one question, Miss Priss. Do you have a recent picture of her?

Lilith: [holds up an old photograph of herself and her cousin as children] This is the only one I've got. It was taken when I was seven, and she was 10.

[Ellen stares at the photo]

Ellen: [in her mind] Why does she look familiar?

Tomoe: How much longer 'til she gets here?

Lilith: It won't be long now, Tomoe. Won't be long now.

[Shido and his group enter]

Shido: Hey, guys. What's all the hubbub?

Miyabi: Lilith's cousin is coming, and we're all gonna greet her.

Kotori: You know, we're also expecting a friend of ours in town soon. Said she'd be here in a jiffy.

Origami: She volunteered to help us out with our arsenal, and to be a nanny.

Ellen: Oh, yeah, that's right. Even though Karen and I are the babies' nannies, Tohka and Miku are expecting babies of their own.

Julie: Speaking of which, how much longer?

Tohka: Less than eight months. I think they're both due in June.

Miku: [rubs her belly] I can almost imagine it. Me, my Darling, and our baby.

[She imagines herself and Shido with her baby]

Tohka: I know the feeling, Miku.

[She imagines herself and Shido with her baby]

Shido: [sighs] It's already a hassle handling two babies. Who knows how much it'll be with four?

Ellen: [pats Shido on the head] You're gonna be fine, Shido. You've got eight months to figure something out.

[Shido nods; there is a knock at the door]

Lilith: Oh! That must be her now! [runs up to the door] Everyone, I'd like you to meet my dearest cousin!

[She opens the door, revealing Karen holding a bag of groceries]

Karen: Cousin? Ewan's my only cousin.

Lilith: Oh, Karen. I thought you were her. Anyway, come right in.

[Karen enters; Lilith shuts the door sheepishly]

Ellen: At least you came here before our visitor.

Karen: I got the ingredients for the trifle. She's gonna love it after tea.

Lilith: Oh, what a coincidence. My cousin loves trifle. Especially fruit trifle.

Karen: That's exactly what our guest loves.

Ellen: Hmm...

[There is another knock at the door]

Ryouko: [behind the door] We're here!

Lilith: Okay, chaps. You know your cues.

[The rest of her group holds up the banner; Lilith opens the door, letting Ryouko in with suitcases]

Ryouko: Thank you, Lilith. Come on in, Artie.

[Entering the warehouse is...]


Artemisia: Hello, Lily, my darling cousin.

Lilith: Oh, Artie!

[She and Artemisia embrace; Shido's group is in shock]

Kotori: Artemisia is Lilith's cousin?!

Karen: No wonder they both love fruit trifle.

Ellen: I knew it!

[Artemisia turns to Shido's group]

Artemisia: Oh! Hello, everybody! What's the matter? You act as if you haven't seen me in ages.

Shido: Uh, no, Artemisia. We're always happy to see you.

Tohka: We just had no idea you and Lilith were related.

Artemisia: Sorry. I got so excited about seeing her, I never got the chance to tell you.

Lilith: [to Shido's group] Oh! So you've already met my cousin. Well, this is quite the surprise. Anyway, for those who don't know her, I'd like you all to meet my favorite cousin.

Artemisia: Her only cousin. Artemisia Bell Ashcroft.

Tor: Tor Kokonoe.

Julie: Julie Sigtuna.

Tomoe: Tomoe Tachibana.

Miyabi: Miyabi Hotaka.

Imari: Imari Nagakura.

Tsukimi: Rito Tsukimi.

Artemisia: [to Tor] Ah! You must be Lily's lover.

Tor: Yeah, I am.

Artemisia: [notices the other girls] And quite the six-timer.

Tor: Actually, five. Miss Tsukimi's just a friend and mentor.

Tsukimi: [in her mind] At least for now.

Artemisia: Well, it's an honor to officially meet you all. I heard a lot of you from my cousin.

[She walks up to Ellen]

Artemisia: Long time, no see, Ellen.

Ellen: You've come a long way from the SSS, Artemisia. A very long way.

[Both women smile and shake hands]

Artemisia: I look forward to working with you again, even if it's under different circumstances.

Ellen: Ditto.

Lilith: So, Artie, what brings you to town?

Artemisia: Well, when Captain Kusakabe told me about the Demonoid attack, I knew the Spirit Soldiers needed my help, so that's why I flew all the way here to New York. Luckily for me, Lily, you happen to be living here with your lover and the rest of his harem. By the way, have you any children?

Tor: No. Not yet, anyway. We're too wrapped up in missions to focus on having kids.

Artemisia: Oh, well. Anyway, Lilith, I hope you haven't forgotten our song.

Lilith: Why would I? Music!

[The same tune from earlier is heard; Lilith and Artemisia break into a song and dance]

Lilith: [sings] Everyone delights to spend a summer's holiday
down beside the side of the silvery sea.
I'm no exception to the rule. In fact, if I'd my way,
I'd reside by the side of the silvery sea.
But when you're just the common garden Smith or Jones or Brown,
at business up in town,
you've got to settle down.
You save up all the money you can 'til summer comes around.
Then away you go
to a spot you know,
where the cockleshells are found.

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
I do like to be beside the sea.
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom,
where the brass bands play "tiddely-om-pom-pom!".
So just let me be beside the seaside.
I'll be beside myself with glee.
And there's lots of girls besides,
I should like to be beside,
beside the seaside,
beside the sea.

Take it, Artie!

Artemisia: Timothy went to Blackpool for the day last Eastertide
to see what he could see by the side of the sea.
As soon as he reached the station, there, the first thing he espied
was the wine lodge door stood open invitingly.
To quench his thirst, he toddled inside and called out for a wine,
which grew to eight or nine,
'til his nose began to shine.
Said he "What people see in the sea, I'm sure I fail to see".
Then he caught the train
back home again,
and to his wife said he...

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
I do like to be beside the sea.
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom,
where the brass bands play "tiddely-om-pom-pom!".
So just let me be beside the seaside.
I'll be beside myself with glee.
And there's lots of girls besides,
I should like to be beside,
beside the seaside,
beside the sea.

Lilith: William Sykes the burglar he'd been out to work one night
filled his bags with jewels, cash and plate.
Artemisia: Constable Brown felt quite surprised when William hove in sight.
Said he, "The hours you're keeping are far too late."
Lilith and Artemisia: So he grabbed him by the collar and lodged him safe and sound in jail.
The next morning, looking pale,
Bill told a tearful tale.
The judge said, "For a couple of months I'm sending you away."
Lilith: Said Bill, "How kind!"
Artemisia: "Well, if you don't mind,..."
Lilith and Artemisia: "...where will I spend my holiday?"

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
I do like to be beside the sea.
Artemisia: I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom,
Lilith: ...where the brass bands play "tiddely-om-pom-pom!".
Lilith and Artemisia: So just let me be beside the seaside.
I'll be beside myself with glee.
And there's lots of girls besides,
I should like to be beside,
beside the seaside,
beside the sea!

[The others applaud; Lilith and Artemisia bow; unknown to anyone, outside, the Xia twins are spying on them]

Yu Fan: Ashcroft. Contact JB.

Yu Lan: Yes, Sis.

[Neo-DEM Industries, 11:33am]

[JB enters Westcott's office]

JB: Master Westcott, I just got a report from the twins. The one known as Artemisia Bell Ashcroft has arrived in New York.

Westcott: We've already lost LN. The last thing we need is a third traitor to foil my plans.

Nervadrone: [enters] Pardon me, sir. Ma'am. I couldn't help overhearing. There's an Ashcroft in New York?

Westcott: A former DEM Wizard who abandoned my company after my original death. Artemisia Bell Ashcroft.

Nervadrone: [growls] That sick bitch. My old enemy.

JB: Old enemy?

Westcott: That's right. You two were never acquainted back in the day. Back then, she was not only a member of DEM, but also a member of the Special Sorcery Service, a British version of the Anti-Spirit Team. Ashcroft worked for the same service.

Nervadrone: And she scarred me in the eye. I vowed revenge against her and scrambled her mind. But even after you made her comatose and later got her working with you, I still despised her until that little AST brat crushed my skull and killed me!

Westcott: And now, you shall have your revenge,... Minerva.

[Nervadrone smirks and snickers]

Nervadrone: Foxoid!

[Her Reynard-like Demonoid approaches]

Foxoid: You hollered, Lady Nervadrone?

Nervadrone: Artemisia Bell Ashcroft is at ACME Crime Net's warehouse, where the Spirit Soldiers are shacking up. She's got something up her sleeve, and I wanna know.

Foxoid: No problem. I've got the perfect disguise.

[She transforms into a familiar young woman]


JB: A very inconspicuous disguise, indeed. But what's the point?

Nervadrone: Now, now, Lady JB. There's more to this plan. Huddle.

[The three female Demonoids huddle]

[132 Madison Street, 11:33am]

[Sarah serves Lilith and Artemisia fish and chips]

Sarah: Here you are, miladies. Fish and chips, just as you like them.

Artemisia: Thank you, Sarah. Just the smell of it takes me back to my childhood.

Sarah: Hmm. [leaves] Bon appetit.

Lilith: Much appreciated. [sniffs and sighs] So delicious.

Lilith and Artemisia: Thank you for the food!

[They start eating]

Artemisia: When it comes to our favorite hot dish, your stewardess never fails.

Lilith: She's one of the best cooks in our family, though the girls and I do take the time to cook for Tor. It's our job as his lovers.

Artemisia: Doesn't he ever cook for himself or for you girls?

Lilith: Oh, yes. He's had his fair share. Plus, he brews the best apple tea. [pours two cups of apple tea and hands one to her cousin] Here. Have a sip.

[Artemisia takes a sip of her tea and smiles]

Artemisia: Can't argue with you there, Lily.

[The two girls clink their cups]

Lilith: So, what do you have planned for the Spirit Soldiers?

Artemisia: Well, I've been developing some new arsenal. For instance, a new weapon that will combine with the Spirit Soldiers' Sephira Bazooka and Sephira Buster.

Lilith: Hmm. I'm sure they can't wait to catch a glimpse.

[There is a knock at the door]

Lilith: I wonder who that could be?

[She walks up to the door]

Lilith: Who is it?

Voice: [behind the door; Cockney accent] I'm looking for Artemisia Bell Ashcroft. Is she here?

Lilith: May I ask your name, please?

Voice: I'm Ashley Sinclair.

Artemisia: [gets out of her seat] Let me.

[She peers through the peephole and sees who appears to be her associate]

Artemisia: Ah! Ashley, I wasn't expecting you. Do come in.

[She opens the door, letting the fake Ashley in; she has a laptop on hand]

Artemisia: Ashley, this is my cousin Lilith. Lily, Ashley. We worked together in the Special Sorcery Service.

Foxoid: Indeed, we have.

Lilith: She looks awfully sweet. But that shirt...

Artemisia: Oh, that's just a habit of hers. She loves punk rock.

Foxoid: I do? Oh, yes. I do.

Artemisia: How are Cecile and Leonora?

Foxoid: Them? Oh, they're fine. They send their regards.

Artemisia: Anyway, what brings you to America?

Foxoid: I wanted to have a talk with you, about new arsenal for Ratatoskr.

Artemisia: Oh, Ash, you flew in for nothing. I already have plans for new arsenal. But I suppose you could use some for the SSS.

Foxoid: Oh, how thoughtful.

Artemisia: The data's in my laptop in my guest room. I'll show you.

[They enter the extra guest room; Artemisia opens her laptop]

[The alarm blares; Lilith's phone buzzes; Lilith picks up and sees a notification: "Bandersnatch located in front of the warehouse!"]

Lilith: Bandersnatch? Pardon me, ladies. I have a battle to fight.

Artemisia: Ashley, I hope you don't mind, but my cousin...

Foxoid: No, no, you go ahead. I'll see what I can do.

[Artemisia smiles, then follows Lilith outside, where they encounter an army of Bandersnatch 2.0 units]

Artemisia: Mind if I lend a hand?

Lilith: Seeing as you're a Wizard, I don't see why not. Remember, aim for the emblems on their chests.

Artemisia: Right! Let's do this!

[Both girls fight the Bandersnatch]

[On board the Fraxinus, Kotori and the crew observe the fight]

Kotori: I'm beginning to think that there's something off about Ashley Sinclair.

Kannazuki: Why would she arrive so suddenly?

[A notification appears: "Transmission from England"]

Karen: A transmission from England?

Ellen: Maybe it's the rest of the SSS.

Kotori: Accept the transmission.

Ellen: [accepts the the transmission] Yes, commander.

[The monitor opens a channel to Cecile O'Brien, Leonore Sears, and Ashley Sinclair (the real Ashley)]

Cecile: Greetings, Ratatoskr. This is Cecile O'Brien,...

Leonore: Leonore Sears,...

Ashley: ...and Ashley Sinclair.

Elliot: Good to hear from you three.

Cecile: We heard that Artemisia is currently in New York.

Leonore: How is she adjusting?

Kotori: Just dandy, thanks for asking. [notices Ashley] Wait a minute. Ashley, didn't I already see you enter the warehouse?

Ashley: What are you talking about? I'd sent a text to Artie after she told me she'd landed.

Cecile: Quite. Ashley's been with us all day.

Karen: Then Artemisia's been had.

Kotori: I'll contact the other Spirit Soldiers.

[Back outside the warehouse, Artemisia kicks two Bandersnatch in the emblems, destroying them; Lilith kicks two more in the same area, destroying them, as well]

Artemisia: Well, that's the last of them.

Lilith: Never lost your touch, Artie.

Artemisia: Same to you, Lily. [eyes widen] Hold it. Excuse me.

[She takes her phone out of her pocket and looks through her texts; among them is one from Ashley in a group text with her, Leonore, and Cecile an hour prior: "Have fun! We miss you!", along with a selfie of the three]

Artemisia: [groans] How stupid can one woman be?!

Lilith: What's the matter?

Artemisia: I forgot that Ashley texted me a selfie of herself and the others at Cecile's after I landed.

Lilith: There's no way she could've flown all the way from London in one hour. The Ashley that just arrived must be an impostor!

Artemisia: My laptop!

[They rush back into the warehouse and confront the fake Ashley in the guest room; she has ripped Artemisia's laptop apart and is holding the laptop's hard drive in her hands]

Lilith: Oh, my God!

Artemisia: Drop that hard drive, you phony!

Foxoid: Oh, so you've finally guessed. [reverts to normal; normal accent] Yes. I'm really the Demonoid Foxoid. [crushes the hard drive to pieces] And you two are too late to stop me.

[The hard drive shards fall to the floor; Foxoid laughs and vanishes]

Artemisia: So that's one of the Demonoids.

Lilith: [sighs] Artie, I'm so sorry about your computer and all your data.

Artemisia: [pats her cousin on the head] Oh, Lily. There, now. We had no way of knowing. [reaches into one of her suitcases] But of course, she had no way of knowing that I always have backups.

[She extracts a small box and opens it; inside are seven external solid-state drives (ranging from 250GB to 2TB) and four cases of SD and microSD cards]

Artemisia: Whatever data I had on that computer-- I backed up to each of these storage devices. Especially the data for the new weapon.

Lilith: Artie, you think of everything!

[Both women smile; Shido's group enters with the Mathers sisters]

Shido: Girls, Kotori told us there was an attack.

Origami: You two all right?

Artemisia: Yes, but unfortunately, my laptop isn't, thanks to that bogus Ashley.

Nia: Then the data you promised us is gone?

Artemisia: Quite the contrary. Never underestimate a tech-savvy Wizard. [hands Origami an SSD] This should give you the necessary data.

Origami: How do you know the data's in here?

Artemisia: I backed it up to everything I had. I knew something like this would happen.

Kotori: [gathers the pieces of the broken laptop and hard drive and hands them to Ellen] The crew will have your computer repaired within a few hours.

Artemisia: Thank you, Kotori.

Origami: In the meantime, we've got a new weapon to build.

[The alarm blares; Shido's Spirit Brace beeps]

Shido: [responds] Go.

Ryouko: Nervadrone's attacking the Meatpacking District with a fox-like Demonoid.

Lilith: Probably the same one Artie and I encountered.

Ryouko: Mikie and Mana and I are on the way there right now to hold 'em off, but this is gonna require you Spirit Soldiers.

Shido: We're on our way. But please tell Mana not to overuse her powers.

Ryouko: Roger that. Over and out.

Origami: I'll stay behind and help Mildred and Artemisia with the new weapon. You go on ahead.

Kotori: Okay, guys. Let's go to work.

[Meatpacking District, 11:46am]

[Ryouko, Mikie, and Mana confront Nervadrone and Foxoid]

Nervadrone: Oh, look. The Spirit Soldiers' own cannon fodder.

Ryouko: [scoffs] As if you could talk.

Mana: They didn't send us. We came ourselves.

Mikie: And we know how to keep punks like you at bay.

All three Wizards: Equip!

[They get equipped with their CR-Units (Mana's is Vanagandr)]

Ryouko: Remember, Mana, you need to conserve your energy. Don't use too much.

Mana: Roger that, Captain.

[All three Wizards fight the two Demonoids, who fight back]

Nervadrone: Whatever your little Brit friend has planned for you is history, thanks to Foxoid!

Foxoid: And once we're through with you three, she's next!

Ryouko: Your little trap will only prolong your defeat!

[She strikes Foxoid with her blade; Foxoid strikes back with her metallic tail]

Foxoid: Pitiful human.

Nervadrone: [punches Mana backwards] Back off, you little traitor! [pins Mikie to the ground] And you! You really sicken me with your presence. Do you remember the day you crushed my skull?

Mikie: Crushed your skull? What are you talking about? You're a robot, not a human!

Nervadrone: You do realize that JB was a human once.

[Mana is shocked; she gets back on her feet]

Mana: She has a point, Mikie. JB was Jessica Bailey. Remember?

Mikie: Then could Nervadrone be...?

[She has a flashback of her final battle with Minerva Riddell, right down to when Mikie killed her]


[Back to the present; Mikie grits her teeth, growls, and furiously pushes Nervadrone backwards; both get back on their feet]

Mikie: Minerva Riddell!!

Nervadrone: Yes! The very Wizard you murdered. After Westcott's submarine was destroyed, he harnessed the power of Argon's heart and reincarnated my soul into this Demonoid body, and that's how I became Nervadrone. And now, I--

Ryouko: [scoffs] You're no different than Westcott or JB. Revenge, revenge, revenge! Doesn't that get old?!

Nervadrone: And yet, none of us have succeeded in achieving our goals. Not yet, anyway.

Mana: And how many people have succeeded in their revenge plots without getting punished for it?

Nervadrone: There's always a first time.

Mana: Wrong! Lightning Strike Gallery!

[She releases a star-shaped net of electric air slashes upon Nervadrone and Foxoid, zapping them both]

Mana: Unequip!

[She reverts to normal, just as the Spirit Soldiers (minus White) enter the scene]

Shido: Thanks for holdin' 'em off, ladies.

Mana: Go get 'em, Big Brother!

Nervadrone: All of you-- Bandersnatch!

[An army of Bandersnatch units appears; they fight the Spirit Soldiers, who fight back with their standard weapons]

Foxoid: Hold on. Lady Nervadrone, I only counted 11 of them. One's missing.

Nervadrone: Yeah, where's White?

[Back on the Fraxinus, Origami and Artemisia forge a new weapon in Sephira Steel; they gently place the hot weapon on top of the table; Ellen and Karen grind and polish the weapon; after a while, the weapon is complete]

Artemisia: Just one final touch of Sephira-X should do it.

[She gives the weapon a small coat of Sephira-X; the weapon takes the form of a silver arm-mounted blade]

Artemisia: Behold, my friends-- The Sephira Blade!

Ellen: It looks impressive, Artemisia, but how is it supposed to combine with the Sephira Bazooka and the Sephira Buster?

Artemisia: You mount the Sephira Bazooka over the back of the blade, and the Sephira Buster beneath the handle. That formation shall be known as the Sephira Cannon. But you know, I actually designed it with a 13th Spirit Soldier in mind.

Ellen: 13th?

Origami: But Shido and the other Spirits and I--

Artemisia: I know. But much as I'd love to be, I have someone else in mind.

[The Mathers sisters and Origami stare at her, then at each other, then shrug]

Artemisia: At any rate, for now, the Sephira Blade is only suitable for combining with the other weapons.

Origami: Thanks, Artemisia. [takes the blade] I'd better go now. The others are waiting.

Artemisia: Good luck, Origami.

Origami: Sephira, GO!

[She gets suited up and teleports to the Meatpacking District with the blade]

Origami: Guys! It's ready!

Shido: Not a moment too soon.

Foxoid: Huh?! Where did that thing come from?!

Shido: Let's combine our weapons!

[He, Tohka, Miku, Origami, Yoshino, and Kotori combine their weapons to form the Sephira Bazooka; the other Spirit Soldiers combine their weapons to form the Sephira Buster; Shido mounts the Sephira Bazooka over the back of the blade, and the Sephira Buster beneath the handle]

Spirit Soldiers: Sephira Enforcer!

Nervadrone: This must be Ashcroft's doing!

Foxoid: If that's true, then I trashed her hard drive for nothing?!

Shido: Lock on target!

[The Sephira Enforcer locks on to the two Demonoids and the Bandersnatch]

Shido: Ready!

Origami: Aim!

All Spirit Soldiers: FIRE!!

[The Sephira Enforcer unleashes a burst of spiritual energy upon the Demonoid army, hitting them all hard; Nervadrone transports out; Foxoid and the Bandersnatch engulf in a massive explosion; out of the explosion pop two charred Demonoid chips]

Ryouko: Mind if I do the honors?

Shido: Shoot.

[Ryouko fires a blast from her <Auldist> gatling gun at the chips, vaporizing them both]

Shido: Termination complete! Sephira Squadron...!

All 12 Spirit Soldiers: Spirit Soldiers!

Ryouko: [blows on the barrel] Not bad, eh?

Mikie: Too bad Miner-- I mean, Nervadrone, got away.

[The Spirit Soldiers stare at her]

Origami: Mikie, were you actually gonna say "Minerva"?

Mikie: [sighs] Origami, this is a long story.

[Back at Neo-DEM HQ, JB strikes Nervadrone repeatedly with her whip]

JB: You should have ordered Foxoid to destroy all of Ashcroft's belongings! Not just her computer and hard drive!

Nervadrone: How the hell was I supposed to know she'd make backups of her data?!

JB: It doesn't matter! Ratatoskr and ACME now have it all, and it's all your fault!

Nervadrone: Lady JB, forgive me!

[Westcott enters]

Westcott: That's enough, JB! Save it for when her last two Demonoids fail her.

JB: [stops whipping] Yes, sir.

Westcott: Now that that's over with, have any of you seen ZIEG?

Nervadrone: No, sir. I haven't seen him around all day.

JB: Neither have I.

Westcott: He's not in the brig, he's not in his office. There's something off with him.

[Meanwhile, in Central Park, ZIEG enters approaches a large memorial; he looks through the names until he finds a certain name:]

ZIEG: Zachary Graves. Hmm...

[He assumes a human form]

ZIEG: [approaches an elderly passerby] Excuse me. Are you familiar with one Zachary Graves?

Passerby: Oh, yeah. Good old Zach. He and I were classmates in grade school.

ZIEG: Do you know where he is?

Passerby: The same place he's been for the past 30 years. Woodlawn Cemetery.

[Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY]

[ZIEG, back in Demonoid form, observes numerous graves, until he finds one with a photograph of a human man and engraved:
Zachary Ivan Edward Graves
January 22, 1944-December 23, 1989]

ZIEG: Zachary Ivan Edward Graves, 1944-1989. [snickers] How foolish.

[Unbeknownst to him, 30 feet away, Delta and Epsilon observe graves:
Adelle Chambers
Respected college student and loving sister
1966-1985
Tricia Chambers
So young, so precious, so soon
1974-1985]

Delta: Damn it, Westcott. I had a long life ahead of me. And Tricia-- She was only 11.

Epsilon: Prescott made a grave mistake in resurrecting him. I hope he never wakes up, but more importantly, I hope Westcott gets sent back to Hell where he belongs!

Delta: Temper, honey. Temper.

[The two Demonoids suddenly notice ZIEG standing in front of Graves' grave]

Epsilon: [quietly] Sis, that's ZIEG!

Delta: Keep quiet, or he'll hear us.

Epsilon: But why's he looking over that grave?

Delta: I don't know, but something's off.

ZIEG: [to himself] Little do they know.

Epsilon: "Little do they know"? Whoever's grave that is, could he have been the killer?

Delta: [kanabo on hand] We'll see.

[She slowly approaches ZIEG, then tosses it at him, knocking him to the ground]

ZIEG: [groans; gets back on his feet] Who did this?!

[He gets up and notices the Demonoid sisters]

ZIEG: You two! Westcott's been looking for you, you turncoats!

Epsilon: [takes a close look at the grave] Zachary Graves. Someone you knew?

ZIEG: Who wants to know?

Delta: Whoever he was, you must've had quite the grudge against him.

ZIEG: You two have no right to meddle around here. I'm the first Demonoid!

Epsilon: In a mask?!

[She whacks the mask off ZIEG's face, revealing he has a human face]

Delta: She was right! You're not a Demonoid at all! You're not even a robot! You're a human!

[Epsilon takes another look at the grave and compares the face in the photo to ZIEG's human face; they are a perfect match]

Epsilon: So you didn't kill Zachary Graves.

ZIEG: No. I was Graves. [puts his mask back on] This is your punishment, not only for betraying your organization, but for attempting to expose me.

[He unleashes a barrage of missiles at the Demonoid sisters, who repel them with their staffs; ZIEG furiously unleashes wires from the palms of his hands and zaps them both]

Delta and Epsilon: You... total... coward!

[They soon start to slump; their eyes glow red]

ZIEG: [snickers] If I can't destroy you, this is the only way I can ever be sure you don't expose me.

Delta: Master ZIEG, how may we serve you?

Epsilon: We pledge our allegiance to you.

ZIEG: First, come with me to my hiding place. I have a plan.

[132 Madison Street, 12:44pm]

[Kotori hands Artemisia her fully-repaired laptop]

Kotori: Here you are, Artemisia. Good as new.

Ellen: We even added a 1TB solid-state drive to replace your old 512GB hard drive.

Artemisia: Thank you very much. I've been wanting to get this upgraded, anyway.

Tohka: And you'll be happy to know that the Sephira Blade really did the trick.

Ryouko: The new Sephira Enforcer was enough to blow out both of Foxoid's chips at once, giving me the opportunity to destroy them.

Artemisia: You all did wonderfully. I'm honored to be a part of your group again.

Lilith: Okay, everyone. Who wants fruit trifle?!

[Everyone gathers around the dining table; Artemisia suddenly notices Shido and Mana looking out the window in the Spirit Soldiers' guest room; she approaches them]

Artemisia: Shido, Mana, you want some fruit trifle?

Mana: In a minute.

Artemisia: What are you two thinking about?

Shido: Something inside tells me that we're really close to finding out what connection ZIEG has to our real parents.

Artemisia: ZIEG?

Mana: One of Westcott's generals. If he knows about our parents, he might know where they are.

Artemisia: I'm sure you'll find out soon. C'mon. The fruit trifle won't last.

[The three exit the room]


Shido: Next time: The Search Ends.

Last edited by TVLubber (3/24/2023 5:45 pm)