5 minutes, 54 seconds to go.

I looked up and found that our enemies were gathering on the opposite end of the great hall. Many of them had large shields and complicated looking helmets. They were talking amongst themselves for the most part, though a few are doing stretches or jogging in large circles. One was showing off a vile but well crafted sword. I passed a look over our group. Miata was using the remaining time to catch a quick nap. Alero and Celica were involved in a heated game of tiddlywinks. I hoped they'd be finished in time. There's nothing worse then being interrupted mid-game and then never knowing who would have won. Kia was catching a bite to eat; he's a growing boy after all. But he was literally catching. Anglia was a couple of feet away tossing various fruits and assorted snacks in his mouth. And I, finding mercy in my heart once more, was giving Camry a back massage. It's the least I can do… he's still waiting for a reason as to why I punched him. Maybe I just wanted him momentarily indisposed? The leader generally knows best, no? But, while I hardly feel the need to explain any of my actions to him, this once I think I will. Once I've figured it out myself, that is.

3 minutes, 32 seconds.

Kia has managed to exceed all of our expectations. We're currently trying to get the trail mix in his throat unlodged. Anglia claims no responsibility.

1 minute, 11 seconds.

Celica won the tiddlywinks game while Alero was distracted with the scent of designer cologne. Apparently our enemies will only do battle while looking and smelling their best. You never know if an agent is watching, after all.

36 seconds

What was my first line going to be? Drat, I had this all planned out.

24 seconds

My mind was blank.

13 seconds

Miata finally woke up. He was cutting it close there.

8 seconds

This is not the time to panic. The time to panic is in another seven seconds.

5 seconds

I can't remember it. I'm not going to remember it. My hands are sweaty and clinched and my poor teeth are grinding themselves to powder. A foreboding fear is creeping into my mind and I don't like it one bit. Not one stinking, terrifying, oh-my-gosh-I-think-I'm-going-to-be-sick little bit.

1 second

What was my line? What was my line?!! Boo hiss in the harshest way!! What was I going to do?

The enemy let out a rather frightening cry in one voice and began hightailing it to chop us to bits. Here I am in my element and yet drastically not living up to my tremendous reputation. In fact, my feet seem to be rooted in one place. My hand is gripping my disgustingly girly magical wand so tightly that I can't feel my fingers. I'm going to die here. The end is near and there's absolutely nothing I can do to stop it. I am going to die right here where I stand and it's going to be tragic and people will cry. They'll weep, they'll sob, they'll shout out to the heavens seeking answers because I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to smack Camry.

"Keep your mind on the enemy and your eyes off my rack!!"

Mr. Bad Man's minion's massed around us like a herd of cattle. Cattle with swords and axes and other hurtful objects of pain and destruction. This makes for some dangerous cattle. That's not the problem though. The problem is that there are too many of them.

I grabbed the dagger I'd hidden in my boot and hacked at a bad guy to my left. He clutched at my arm and tried to bring me down with him. Panic seized me. Blood seeped from his wound and his eyes rolled back, but his grip did not relax. The bad guy to my right had seen this and was about to take the opportunity to drive his spiky mace in my back. This is not a gift I'd like to receive. I was about to unleash my pure and wonderful fire on the cretin when suddenly I was engulfed in a wave of light. It was blinding. And either someone pumped the background music or my wand had developed vocal talent.

Suddenly, my magical girl outfit melted away. Oh come on! I'm hardly in the mood to be naked! Not to mention glowing!

Everyone paused in their fighting to shield their eyes from the ridiculous glare I was creating. The only thing I could be grateful for was that the light was so bright it was difficult to actually see anything. Or at least, I couldn't make out a dratted thing. It was horribly intense, like when you're on the expressway and suddenly the sun decides it wants to come up and blind you so that you're a driving hazard and an accident waiting to happen. It was shockingly bright, mind fryingly, retina burningly bright… and then a pain ripped through my head and everything went black.