Stage 9-5: Salome's Decision
An angry mob forms around the Sacred Tome once it hands.
"Oh, boy..." says Nabiki. "We're in trouble now! Just look at their power levels!"
"What about their power levels?" asks Lucca. "They're barely over 70. Nothing we can't handle."
Steve grins sinisterly, and leaps into the fray! Slashing furiously, he leads a charge to try and get rid of as many enemies as he can.
"It doesn't look like a one-turn victory is in the cards," he says, "but I think we did a pretty job, don't you?"
The enemy fighters ar eall collapsed on the ground, moaning "You bastard..." over and over.
"A bit sloppy, yeah," said Meredith, "but it got the job done. Good work, boss."
Kashiwa puts her hand to Meredith's forehead. "Are you feeling all right? This amount of gratitude is unusual, even for you."
"Hey...just because I can be a bit boorish at times doesn't mean that I can't express gratitude when it's called for, you know."
"Right. My apologies. Let's move on. We don't have much time."
Stage 9-6: Salome's Psyche
The group reaches a desolate courtyard, where a group of professors come by in new and unfamiliar war machines.
"TX-5 Hopsters and FX-7 Skydivers? In this part of the Netherworld?" Bob yells. "I've never seen anything like it!"
"It would be nice to have something like that in our arsenal," says Lucca, "but since we don't, we'll just have to smash them to pieces so that they can't be used against us."
The jumping and flying machines approach Zetta's base camp rapidly.
"What are you waiting for?" says Io. "Crush them!"
"Hold on," says Steve. "We don't know what they're capable of yet. If we go in rushing too soon, they'll tear us apart."
The delaying tactic works, as Zetta's army's strength in numbers overpowers the machines of impending doom, leaving the soldier women to grumble amongst themselves, blaming each other for their loss.
"We'd better warn Lady Salome," says one. "It doesn't look like Zetta's going to give up as easily, either."
Stage 9-7: Fearless Salome
An eerie calm surrounds the wasteland near Zetta's position. Everyone wonders if they finally have Salome on the run, but groups of angry demons on the west and east sides give them pause. Steve and Meredith use this opportunity to try to build their mana power to absurd levels.
Stage 9-8: Salome's Soiree
"Four straight battles without breaks?" says Nabiki. "I feel exhausted just watching you guys."
She "accidentally" drives over an enemy Watcher to try to vent her frustration. However, there are about a half-dozen more lying in wait. Two of them trick Miyako into playing "catch" with a bomb. Since she's built up her strength so high, she doesn't suffer any permanent injuries.
After a few turns, a Night Gaunt lumbers forth to attempt to attempt to ruin the party's fun, but the leaders come out just in time to break up any attempts to even the odds.
Stage 9-9: Determined Salome
Zetta's army draws closer, as they reach the front gate of Salome's castle. A group of determined guards (mostly consisting of priestesses and spear-wielding slimes) try to block the entrance.
"None shall pass," says one of them.
Tessa pulls in front of them riding the Justice Gear. "Oh yeah? Well, Our boss wants to have a chat with your boss."
"Did you not hear me? I said, 'None shall pass'."
"And didn't you hear me? Take us to see Lady Salome, or you're going to have a date with Mr. Omega Laser."
Salome's priestess nods, and lays down her arms as Tessa uses the laser cannon to vaporize every last one of them.
Zetta breaks out into his loudest, most boisterous Evil Laugh yet. "I told you...I'm the baddest freakin' Overlord that ever lived! You think a few measly grunts is going to stop me, Salome! You were my pupil once. You should know better than this! Now, it's time to end this foolishness!"
Nabiki parks her doom buggy outside of her shop, right before falling asleep in front of the wheel. "Can we do this tomorrow, Lord Zetta?" she says sleepily. "I'm...ready to...count some sheepies..."
