//------------------------------// // Chapter 7- Evacuate The Dancefloor // Story: When The Bass Drops // by BlakeCorman //------------------------------// Chapter 7- Evacuate The Dancefloor The hustle and bustle of the city whirled around the young mare as she stood on a street corner, waiting for the light across from her to go from the motionless orange pony to the white image of the same pony walking. Ponyless carriages, dubbed carrs by their inventor, drove by, their drivers not bothering to take the time to look her way as the moved along their way to work or the store or home or a million other places their intentions might take them. That was just how it was in New Canterlot and the mare wouldn’t have it any other way. She let out a little smile, itching at the border of her red-haired wig and low-dollar shades. There was nothing she could do about her aquamarine-gray fur or opal eyes, but very few ponies would notice her in the simple black blouse and sheer skirt she wore and even if they did, they wouldn’t recognize her without one of her gaudy outfits or long pink and purple ponytail. The mare gave a little smirk. No, they really wouldn’t, would they? Coloratura asked herself. She glanced up at the light just as it changed, taking her turn to walk across the street by herself, the morning still heavy with the new day mist that always accompanied the city before the sun could properly chase it away. She trotted along her way, not in any particular hurry though still deadset on her destination. She’d gotten a very… interesting message the evening before, one that had left her both curious and a bit steamed. I'll have to have a talk with Sven when I get back, she thought to herself darkly before a shadow fell on her. She gasped and hopped out of the way of the humanoid rushing passed her. “S-sorry!” The green and yellow Normal Navi stuttered as it stumbled away from her, trying to keep the stack of books it carried in one hand stable while the other tried not to drop a large paper cup of coffee. She only gave a small smile and a wave in response as it rounded the corner. Once out of sight she gave an irritated snort. Some ponies, she thought to herself before continuing on her way. Sure NetNavis can have physical forms, but that’s no excuse to use them like servants! She let out a small sigh and lowered her head. Not that I’d really know anything about it so I shouldn’t judge. She looked up as she came to her destination; Donut Joe’s. The bell over the door jingled as she pushed the door open to reveal a very small group of clientele, especially for that time of day. She walked in, letting the door slowly close behind her as she glanced from one occupied table to another discreetly. Finally, her eyes landed on just who she was looking for. She approached the wall booth and slid into the cushioned seat. “Good morning,” she greeted, looking up at the slender off-white and blonde pegasus in front of her. No response followed immediately as the mare put down her mug of steaming coffee, her pale magenta eyes reading slowly through the newspaper. “Good morning,” the taller mare finally replied, her glass clinking lightly on the table. “I hope the walk here was uneventful.” “Asides from almost colliding with somepony’s Navi, it was fine,” Coloratura replied, idly waving a hoof as the pony across from her folded her newspaper and stashed it at her side. “I’m sorry,” the blonde apologized with a small, apologetic smile. “Canterlot can sometimes bustle around itself without taking notice of others.” “It’s quite alright,” the pop star answered with a good-natured chuckle. “I’m used to it by now.” The mare across from her simply hummed as her smile widened a bit. “Would you like me to get you something?” She offered, holding a hoof bottom up. “Joe makes an exquisite cup of coffee.” “No, thank you,” Coloratura declined politely, waving a hoof. “Coffee stains my teeth and sugar runs straight to my flanks.” “I see,” the mare replied with a bit of distaste in her tone. “They keep you on a very strict diet, don’t they?” “Yes,” the musician groaned, looking towards the ceiling a moment. “If it weren’t for fruit and a good exercise routine, I’d have no energy at all.” The slender pony nodded in understanding. “I’ve been there,” she sympathized before she shrugged. “Then I realized that no matter my position, I’m still my own pony.” Coloratura inspected the pony before her for a moment. “...Pardon me if I’m speaking out of turn,” she apologized ahead of time, “but what is it you called me here for, princess? Surely not to make small talk, though the gesture is greatly appreciated.” The incognito royal smirked slyly behind her sparkling magenta eyes as she once more lifted her mug to her lips. “Straight to the point,” Celestia murmured, still smiling as she flipped some of the blonde mane out of her eyes. “I appreciate that in a pony.” She cleared her throat and straightened up, squaring her shoulders in a more regal pose. “Simply put, my sister and I were hoping you would join in on a charity concert we put together for tonight. However, as late as it is, you’d be our last performance of the night.” Coloratura raised an interested eyebrow at that. “You want me to play the finale at your concert?” She asked, wanting to make sure she heard correctly. “We do,” Celestia assured, giving a small nod. “All proceeds go towards the Equestrian school system. It’s come to our attention that some of the schools in the more remote locations of our nation are starting to suffer from lack of attention. We plan to correct that and we’re hoping the concert will both boost the signal to the rest of the country and raise a nice chunk to begin with.” “Alright,” the younger mare murmured, bringing a hoof to her chin. “Who else will be playing at the concert?” “Oh, some of the more prevalent musicians Equestria has to offer,” the princess answered, flipping a hoof. “Sapphire Shores, the Royal Canterlot Orchestra, and a DJ that Luna insisted on having. Apparently she’s been quite the star to the night crowd.” “And you counted me among them?” The songstress questioned, quirking an eyebrow. “My little pony,” Celestia began, a smile and gentle look in her eye. “You were our first choice.” The young star’s jaw dropped at that, though the princess continued. “You’re young, very new to the scene, all the rage among the younger crowd, and your talent and showmanship are truly one of a kind. We wanted you to open the concert, but, well, here we are.” She paused and sipped her coffee again. “‘Save the best for last’ and all that, I suppose.” The blonde mare set her mug down and smiled at her guest, Coloratura sitting starstruck in her booth seat. “...Wow,” the young mare breathed, sitting back. “That… that means so much, princess.” The superstar removed her shades and wiped her eyes a moment before replacing them on her muzzled. “Thank you.” “My pleasure,” the pegasus replied with a small bow of her head before looking back up. “Should I send the details to your manager or…?” “Oh, here,” Coloratura answered rustling at her side for a moment before bringing out a type-one PET, the colors matching her natural mane colors, dark indigo with opal accents. The front flipped open and displayed a green screen that showed off various widgets. “No, Navi?” The royal asked as she took out her own gold and blue type-two PET, an upgraded version of the type-one that had been based off the very first PET known to pony kind; the Advanced PET. Celestia held her Personal Terminal next to Coloratura’s, the front opening up like the first to reveal a golden sarcophagus, eyes closed and arms closed. “Pharaohman, if you would.” “Unfortunately not,” the star answered as the NetNavi woke up, took a look around and started to transfer some data between the devices. “I’ve already got ponies waiting on me hoof and horn and Svengallop handles the schedule so it doesn’t really feel right to have one.” “The modest type,” the blonde hummed, another smile appearing. “I quite like that.” She looked to her PET. “Thank you, Pharaohman.” “My pleasure, majesty,” the Navi replied before returning to sleep, the two mares closing their devices and stashing them once more. “I appreciate that, princess,” Coloratura replied with a small grin. “Is there anything else I should know about the concert?” “Not that I can think of off the top of my head,” the pegasus replied, shaking her head. “And if there is something I forgot, all the details are in the folder Pharaohman sent you.” “Thank you, princess,” the mare accepted, bowing her head. “I’ll make sure Sven gets in touch with the show’s planner. If you’ll excuse me, I know you must be extremely busy, and I’m probably keeping you.” “Oh, not at all,” Celestia replied as Coloratura climbed out of the booth. “It was actually quite nice just to sit and chat over a cup of coffee.” She took a sip to accentuate her meaning. “However, you have a show to prepare for, so I won’t keep you.” The disguised earth pony nodded her head, a smile playing on her face. “We’ll make this a show ponies will be talking about for a long time,” she promised, her smile only widening as the princess’ own smile reappeared. “I’m sure you will,” the blonde replied, bowing her head as Coloratura bowed her own before turning and trotting away, ideas already running rampant in her mind. “No, no, no!” A gray hoof stomped the ground as the other pointed heatedly. “The rainbows arc off at thirty degrees! Not Forty-five!” The construction Navis rolled their eyes, the bulky navigators hefting the large wooden prop and adjusting the angle. Svengallop frowned as he watched, finally giving a sigh and turning to walk over with a frown. “Really, I just cannot understand,” the suited pony muttered, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle as he approached Coloratura’s dressing area. “Why run the risk of derailing your national for some silly out of the way concert?” “Because Sven,” the mare answered, keeping still as her stylist made a few more adjustments to her wig. “This goes to benefit fillies and foals all over Equestria and besides, it’s only one night and one song. We don’t even have to pay for the venue.” “And we’re not going to get paid, either,” the ginger muttered under his breath before clearing his throat softly. “All I’m saying is that our next show is in Ponyville and I want you to be rested and ready for it and this show could throw all of that out of alignment.” “The Ponyville show isn’t for another week, Sven,” the show pony replied with a small chuckle, turning around to look at her manager as her stylist finished. “Everything will be fine. I do this show, we get back in the road, and arrive in Ponyvile, all while making a difference in the lives of thousands of young lives. Besides,” she turned back to her mirror as her makeup artist appeared, “the princesses asked for me personally.” The stallion only snorted at that. “I’m surprised it was actually the princesses,” he grumbled, reaching inside his suit jacket. “Do you know how many messages I get from the ‘princesses’?” Opal eyes glanced at him from the mirror as he pulled out a black and green type-one PET. “Videoman, please bring up all messages from the ‘princesses’.” A slender black and green Navi with AVI ports on his head nodded, bringing a hand up to his chest and pressing the “play” button that made up his Navi badge. Instantly, message upon message started to scroll by at an alarming rate, Svengallop holding the screen up for the popstar to see. Coloratura’s eyes widened at the sheer number of them all. “You’re very lucky the message that you got was from the princess,” the older pony chided, looking over his glasses at her. “For all you knew, it could have been anypony waiting for you.” He put the PET away and took a strong stance. “You could have been seriously hurt or worse.” The mare stared at him through the mirror for a few seconds more. Finally, she gave a deep sigh. "I'm sorry, Svengallop," she apologized genuinely, her head bowing as the makeup artist moved away. The manager looked down his muzzle with a frown, scrutinizing her expression. After a moment, he let out a heated breath. "Good," he grumbled, turning away from her. "Just keep in mind that if something were to happen to you now, it wouldn't just affect you anymore." Coloratura looked up into the mirror as the stallion walked away. She let out one more sigh before lifting her head, her hooves taking up the veil on the tabletop and, with practiced ease, placed it on her head to hide her face. She slid the chair back and lowered herself to the floor. The concert had started long ago, most of the musicians having already played their parts. This meant that the backstage area had been cleared out quite a bit, making it much easier for the pop star to make her way around. “-n’t follow you here.” Coloratura’s ears perked at the familiar voice, eyes turning to see a pair of ponies standing a bit out of the way, looking at one another with not so happy expressions. The taller of two, a gray earth pony mare with a contemporary dark mane, seemed far more upset than the other, a shorter white unicorn, her usual purple shades pushed up onto her blue-haired forehead. “I got asked to be here by the princesses, just like everypony else.” “And yet you still took time to seek me out,” the gray mare replied, her frown deepening as her mulberry eyes narrowed further. “How many times are we going to have to go through this?” “I didn’t ‘seek you out’, Tavi,” the red-eyed unicorn replied, lifting a hoof from the ground and holding it bottom-up. “We just so happen to have prep areas close to each other. The last thing I wanted was to upset you.” “Oh, really?” The dark maned mare questioned, Coloratura practically seeing her hackles raise like a feline as her accent started to thicken. “Where was that attitude three months ago?” The lighter pony looked like she’d been physically struck, taking a step back as pain flashed through her eyes. Coloratura’s eyes widened, her beating faster as she watched the two ponies and finally decided to step in in the only way she knew how. “Oh. Em. Gee!” She cried out as she came fully into view of the two ponies, lifting herself enough to bring both hooves up to her muzzle as if she were surprised. “Vinyl, Octavia!” She put her hooves back down and started to trot forward as both mares tried to regain some form of composure, Vinyl Scratch throwing her shades back down and throwing on a slightly smug grin while Octavia Melody fixed her purple bowtie and collar. She stopped in front of them and quickly gave each a hug, the DJ reciprocating the gesture with equal enthusiasm while the cellist was less sincere at the pop pony’s sudden appearance. “I heard you guys would be playing the show,” the white-wigged mare began again, leaning away from the classical pony as they ended their hug. “But I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see you two. How’s life in the royal orchestra?” “Oh, it’s always an adventure,” Octavia answered dismissively, waving a hoof. “So many places to play, so little time. And everyone is asking for ‘Equestria’s premiere cellist’ at their private events.” “Totes amazing,” Coloratura congratulated before looking towards Vinyl. “What about you, Vivi? Haven’t heard much from you since you helped me with that last record.” “Ah, you know,” the unicorn replied, feigning confidence. “Been playin’ parties all over. Clubs from all over want some of my beats to keep the party goin’, y’know what I’m sayin’?” “That’s great, Vinyl!” The Countess cheered, flashing a smile to the DJ. “It’s good to know hasn’t slowed down for you.” “Quite,” Octavia added, glancing at the unicorn from the corner of her eye before focusing once more on the flashy musician. “And what about you Coloratura? We haven’t really spoken since we attended Manehattan’s Academy of Fine Arts together, and that was years ago.” The pop star let out a bit of a nervous chuckle at the question, rubbing the back of her neck. “Well, after we graduated,” she began, still not quite looking the gray mare in the eye, “I started playing in a few clubs and, um, less savory places until one night I played at a place called Dusty’s where my manager Svengallop just so happened to be. He took me to a studio and recorded a few songs that the record company just loved. A few albums and solo concerts later and here we are.” “Wow,” Vinyl Scratch marveled before a smile broke out on her face. “Talk about some origin story.” Another strained chuckle left the aquamarine mare, her eyes drifting towards the ceiling. “Yeah I guess you could call it that,” she mumbled before another pony, a lavender mare with a headset, approached them. “Countess,” she said, looing to the prepped musician. “You’re on in five.” “Alright, thank you,” Coloratura replied as the mare turned stoutly and marched off before looking back to the other two mares. “I’d better get going. It was really nice getting to catch up with you girls, especially you, Octavia.” She stopped and gave a mischevious little wink. “Maybe next time we won’t wait years to see each other again.” A small smile spread across the prim pony’s face for the first time that night. “I hope not,” she agreed, holding a hoof out. Coloratura shook the offered hoof before turning to Vinyl and mirroring Octavia. “Pft, nah, girl,” the DJ joked, taking the hoof lazily and pulling the pop star in. “You know how we do.” The Countess giggled a bit as they each threw a foreleg over the other’s withers. “Yeah, I do,” the purple-clad mare laughed before they separated. “I’ll see you girls later.” With that, Countess Coloratura turned and made her way towards the stage. A small frown crossed her face as she went. I hope everything’s okay between those two, she thought to herself, eyes drifting towards the floor. At the academy, Octavia was absolutely head over hooves for that filly. Then again, Vivi didn’t really mention her when we recorded that song…. The young mare shook her head and lifted her eyes to the small set of steps that lead to the top of her show’s centerpiece. She rolled her shoulders and steeled her features. No time for that now, she told herself, taking a long, deep breath before taking the first step. It’s time for the spectacle. The crowd cheered as Songbird Serenade took her final bow in front of the closed curtains, Celestia and Luna watching from their private box, the princesses clapping their hooves together along with the crowd. “This truly has been quite the show, sister,” Luna declared, glancing briefly at her older sister. “That it has, Luna,” the taller alicorn replied, giving a small smirk before looking at the lunar diarch with a twinkle in her eyes. “But it’s not quite over yet.” Luna’s expression turned to confusion before the lights died and the curtains drew back. Before the question could leave her lips, the beat started and lights flashed. Seconds later, before her figure could even be clearly seen, the Countess began to sing. She pranced her way down the stairs and down the runway, the crowd exploding as light beams and fire exploded next to the pop star and the show began in full. Luna’s eyes widened and a wide, open smile split her features. “You actually got her to attend!” “Of course,” Celestia answered a small, happy smile on her face at her sister’s expression. “You wanted her here and I found a way to do just that.” The younger sister didn’t say anything more, her attention enraptured by the lights, singing, and choreography of the performance. The crowd only crowed louder as a beam of magic lanced into the necklace around the singer’s throat, her voice amplified and distorted as she brought the song to its apex before beginning the last round of the chorus. She danced her way down the runway once more before starting to sashay back towards her dancers. “Not just anypony, I am the-” The performer was cut off by an explosion that rocked the concert hall. Coloratura’s eyes widened as flames began to burn from the back of the auditorium, ponies beginning to scream and ran from the source. From the middle of the flames, a figure began to loom and a gasp ripped itself from her chest as she stood frozen. The NetNavi that emerged from the flames was taller than most, standing above six feet, its body a bright red with a gold belt around its waist. Its upper torso and head resembled a flaming smokestack with eyes, blocky shoulders leading to twin cylinders, both of which spewed flames from the open ends where hands should be. The Navi badge on its chest gleamed dangerously, showing the insignia of a falling ball of flame. It leveled one of its arms at the surrounding crowd and unleashed a wall of flames, sending even more ponies and some Navis into further panic. “Luna!” Princess Celestia shouted, jumping to her hooves as her PET appeared in her magical aura. “Yes, sister!” Princess Luna answered, on her own hooves as she levitated up a purple and red type-two PET. “Pharoahman!” “Shadowman!” “Materialize and power up!” Each Princess inserted upgrade units to their PETs, plugging them into the battlechip slot. A magnifying glasslike arm flipped down, covering the protective screen before light shone from the devices. A figure jumped from each miniature portal, a gold grid lined silhouette from Celestia’s and a purple grid lined one jumped from her sister’s. What looked like colorful flesh or fabric started to materialize around each figure and collect on them. In seconds, Pharaohman and a purple suited ninja with a red metallic scarf appeared in the air before them. “Pharoahman! Protect the crowd!” Celestia ordered, pointing a hoof at the panicked bystanders. “Shadowman!” Luna followed, eyes on her Navi before locking darkly on the fire Navi. “Take that fiend down!” “Yes, majesty!” Both NetNavis replied, rushing to their respective tasks. Shadowman drew the katana from his back and rushed the rogue Navi, slashing out only to find that his sword was blocked by an orange beam that sprouted from his opponent’s arm. “How did-” Shadowman was cut off as the Navi slammed its opposite arm into his midsection, unleashing a blast of fire into the dark NetNavi. The ninja flew back until he slammed into a wall behind him, the fires dying to reveal him embedded in the surface with scorch covering himself and his surroundings. “Did you see that, Luna?” Celestia asked as she prepared to load a battlechip. “How could I miss it?” The darker alicorn questioned, grimacing as she loaded a Recov120 chip into her PET, green light shining around Shadowman below. “That was a fire sword.” “Meaning it has an operator nearby,” the elder sister concluded as she inserted two IronBody chips, storing them for Pharoahman’s use. “I’ll take some guards and search the area. I’ll leave Pharaohman here to assist you and Shadowman.” Luna only nodded, eyes following the fight as Shadowman dashed forward again and paying no mind as her sister teleported away. Down below, Shadowman summoned two clones and they rushed their adversary from three sides. Before they could strike, the Navi crossed its arms and threw them out, unleashing a ball of flame around it, dispersing both clones on impact. It turned its gaze on Shadowman and fired a large fireball at him, the ball exploding upon impact. The shinobi Navi hit the ground and slid through several rows of seats. Without skipping a beat, the rogue lifted its right arm, the same that had the FireSwrd, and slammed it into the ground, the exhaust ports around the base flaring with flames. The ground seemed to glow orange in a straight line towards Shadowman, the dark Navi groaning as he sat up, only for the light to stop and a pillar of flame burst from the ground and engulfed him. Shadowman let out a cry of pain, Luna letting out a gasp as her eyes widened at the sight of her partner disappearing in the swirling flames. The fires died and Shadowman swayed in place for a moment before sinking to one knee. He looked up as the red Navi aimed its arm cannon at him. Luna grit her teeth as she watched from above, two battlechips appearing in her aura. “One last trick,” she growled, quickly inserting the two battlechips. Shadowman got back to his feet and the fire Navi stopped, hesitating a moment. Two clones once more appeared at Shadowman’s sides, the trio rushing to surround it before unleashing a barrage of shurikens. The Navi’s eyes widened and it straitened its arms, light flashing around the cannons before streams of intense flame seared the shurikens from the air, continuing on to ignite the three Shadowmans. Each one arched their back before disappearing. The rogue looked visibly shocked at the disappearance before a shadow fell over it. It whirled around just in time to shoot an arm out and catch Shadowman’s katana with the end of its cannon, the blade slashing partway through it before getting stuck. Shadowman’s eyes widened as the fire Navi reared its other arm back and slammed it into his middle, a huge cone of flames bursting from his back upon impact. “Shadowman, logging out,” a voice announced, the dark NetNavi dematerializing before his data rushed back to Luna’s PET, the mare’s eyes wide in shock until movement caught her eye. She looked down to find the other Navi aiming its fiery weapon at her, a dangerous glint in its eye. “Pharoahman!” Luna shouted as flames erupted from the barrel. Wind rushed past her and light flashed, the flames splitting and failing to touch her as Pharaohman floated in front of her, wrapped in one of the IronBody chips that Celestia had left him. “The crowd has been evacuated, princess,” the sarcophagus reported as the flames and IronBody faded away. “Please allow me to put an end to this.” “Do it quickly, Pharoahman,” she instructed, eyes still locked on their opponent. “I don’t believe the building can take much more.” “Understood.” With that, Pharaohman glared and two coffins appeared, opening and unleashing twin lasers. The red NetNavi jumped out of the way, displaying far more agility than it had during its fight with Shadowman. It leveled its arm cannons at the gold Navi and fired off streams of flame. Pharaohman dropped down, avoiding the attack before summoning Anubis statues around his adversary. The NetNavi stopped moving, eyeing the five statues that surrounded it. It raised its gaze to its enemy, each one eyeing each other, another flash of light blanketing its arms for a moment. Pharaohman glared at the fiery Navi, ready to use his last battlechip. The red NetNavi jerked its arm up and Pharaohman summoned another coffin, each firing their respective weapons. Pharaohman activated IronBody, letting the flames wash over him. When his vision cleared, he found his opponent in front of him, arm already reared back. Just like with Shadowman, the other Navi slammed its arm into Pharaohman, lifting him up and above its head. Flames licked at its feet before a tower of hellish flames engulfed the both of them. “Pharaohman, logging out.” Luna’s eyes widened and she took several steps back. “How?” She questioned, sight locked on the rogue. “What kind of NetNavi are you?” The Navigator lowered its gaze until it locked eyes with her, the princess drawing in breath. Neither blinked and neither looked away. That is until a soft clop drew their attention to the stage where Coloratura remained frozen, a terror so clear on her features that no one could have questioned what it was or what had caused it. Her opal eyes remained glued to the fiery Navi, the red navigator returning her gaze with its own. “...Finally,” it muttered turning its weapon on her. “No!” Luna made to rush forward, her wings flaring too late as a ball of flame raced from the barrel. Coloratura’s eyes widened, her shadow growing longer as the blast grew closer. A low hum filled the air and shadow filled her vision, the mare clenching her eyes shut before a boom sounded out. Several seconds passed as the young singer waited for the flames to engulf her, feeling their heat burst around her momentarily. However, as no such sensation occurred, she opened her eyes slowly and looked up. What she found shocked her to say the least. A dark NetNavi, wrapped in a tattered tan cloak, stood in front of her, one arm extended to the side while the other held the cloak up in front of itself, creating a wall between the pony and the fireball’s origins. The Navi straightened up, its four crested helmet tilting back and turning. A single emerald eye wrapped in purple came into view, the gaze washing over her form with practiced ease. “You okay, kid?” The sudden question didn’t surprise her as much as the feminine tone of the voice, Coloratura taking a moment to make sure it had come from the Navi. Even when she could verify, the only thing the pony could do was swallow and nod. A sigh of relief escaped her savior, the green eye closing momentarily. “Good,” the female Navi remarked, turning her attention to the red NetNavi in front of them. “Luna,” the princess jumped slightly at the sudden bark, “take care of her while I take out the trash.” With that, she stepped down from the stage and began to walk towards the fire program. “Interfere and you will be deleted,” the rogue navigator warned, aiming its arm at the newcomer. The newcomer threw her head back and gave a hardy laugh at that. “Buddy,” she snickered, tilting her head forward and wiping a tear from her scared left eye. “You’re about one army short of taking me down.” Her smile vanished and in a single fluid movement, she grabbed the neck of her cloak and tossed the piece away, the fabric disappearing in a cloud of purple data squares. “What do you want with the filly, Fireman?” Fireman took a step back, visibly shaken by the blatant revelation of his identity from the stranger. “I-it is none of your concern!” He shouted in response, waving a flaming arm in front of his body. “Just get out of the way or be deleted!” The other Navi smirked darkly, a low chuckle leaving her lips. “Deleted, huh?” She questioned, her body going lax. “Guess I should get serious.” She straightened up, steel eyes staring into his. She lifted a finger and snapped, three viruses appearing in the air behind her, looking like light blue trumpets turned upright, red orbs keeping them afloat as headphones rested on their heads. “Track eighteen.” As the music began to play, Amelia Jaegar started to step forward like a cat on a tight rope. Fireman raised both arms and fired one ball of flame after another. Amelia had no trouble sidestepping the first, cartwheeling out of the way of the next, spun past a third, and tilted her body back to avoid the next, all the while drawing closer to him. The fire Navi’s eyes widened and he took a step back, leveling both arms before unleashing twin columns of fire. The black program grinned as she jumped into the air, spinning and flipping through the air until she landed on the opposite side of him, much closer than before. Fireman spun to face her, lashing out with a wave of fire that she effortlessly dived over, doing roll and ending in a sitting position on the floor, leaning back on her forearms while she left her feet a shoulder-length apart. Her smug grin hadn’t left and didn’t leave when Fireman let out a roar and began firing a barrage of fireballs. She threw her right leg under her left, sliding the majority of her body out of the way of two blasts that hit the floor in front of her. The next was dodged as she kept her momentum, spinning with her legs as a ball raced past. She lifted herself up on her hands as her legs spun, straightening them as they whipped around her body and whiffed another shot before separating them as she lifted a hand and stepped out of the way of the next shot. She bent her elbows and pushed herself into the air, avoiding the rest of the volley. She arched through the air until she landed right in front of the other Navi who quickly slashed at her with a renewed FireSwrd. She ducked the slash, rolling her body out of the way of a fiery punch. She rolled until her body straightened, a glint in her eye as six flashes of light poured over her body, three green and three blue. She danced back just in time to miss his backswing, stabilizing her stance. Fireman made to lunge forward only to stop as Amelia lifted a hand in his face, her middle finger tucked under her thumb, the fingers visibly straining. “Game over, bitch.” She flicked her fingers out, nailing Fireman directly between the eyes. The air pressure annihilated the next five rows of chairs, dark aura bursting out from Amelia momentarily as the much larger Navi was sent hurtling away. Fireman slammed into and through the wall, three more crashes coming from the hole he made. Four more flashes spread over her arm, her hand folding into her gauntlet before the massive Powered Cannon formed over the entirety of her right arm. “And stay out!” She shouted, eyes glinting red before a beam of pure purple energy ripped itself from the cannon, widening the hole in the wall by almost double. After several seconds, the beam died down alongside the song and only one sound came from the smoking hole. “Fireman, logging out.” Amelia raised the Powered Cannon towards the ceiling, the massive weapon folding back down to her arm as green eyes and a sneer stared into the dark hole the dark Navi had created. She dropped her hand, cocking a hip and placing a hand on it, letting out a huff as she jerked her chin at it. The green-eyed woman turned back to the stage where Luna stood with a protective wing in front of Countess Coloratura and started forward. She stopped once she was only a few yards away and looked up with gleaming eyes and a smile. “So, Lu,” she started, her form glowing before light whirled around her and dispersed, leaving her in a blue flight suit that was unzipped to the waist, arms tied around her waist to reveal the tight-fitting purple sleeveless shirt underneath. “Did you guys miss me?”