First, I would like to say Thanks so much for the response of this story! I really enjoy reading all of your comments and feedback!

Adding to that, I noticed some people are uncomfortable with the nature of this story, and I do apologize for that if it seems mean-spirited—that wasn't my intention. I am basically following the whole "A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." Quote where I want to write a story about a character overcoming adversity but do a different take on it as I noticed not a lot of people write deaf characters—instead doing mute or blind as common ones, and I wanted to try a deaf character. It won't always be like this. The whole point of this story was for me to experiment with a deaf character, the underdog formula, and to commentary on things that actually can happen.

Some people have said they can't really believe that teachers or people can act like this, but I've gotten shit from teachers, been denied accommodations, etc. I'm not deaf—I have PTSD—and these things have happened to me. I don't know what is the case for the HOH population, so I cannot speak for them, but I do know sometimes the disabled community can get shat on instead of receiving help. That said, in my own experience, I have received great support from my peers and doctors outside of school, but I have had run-ins with teachers, therapists, family, former friends, etc. about my disability in negative connotations. I'm sorry if you have felt uncomfortable, and if you don't want to read this story because it makes you uncomfortable, then that's okay.

Fair warning, I think I didn't write Amanda, Constanze, or Jasminka very well so I'm so sorry for that.

Credit for the term "Sign Casting" goes to DeGraphics Literature on

Disclaimer: I don't own Little Witch Academia

"A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom."

—Bob Dylan

Chapter Seven:

"F-L-O-W-E-R. Flower."

"Flower."

"S-U-N-S-H-I-N-E. Sunshine."

"Sunshine."

"You're catching on quickly, Diana." Lotte said amazed as Akko was demonstrating signs for Diana to follow. Diana gave a smile.

"At first, I didn't quite understand, but once we practiced the alphabet, I found it easier." Diana told them, signing to Akko, "How do you say S-M-I-L-E?"

"Smile." Akko demonstrated the sign. She beamed when Diana signed to her, "Your smile is like sunshine." Her cheeks turned pink at the compliment, giggling. Diana flushed in shyness, but found she liked complimenting the girl.

Lotte, Diana, and Akko were having a signing session on the floor of the dorm room Sucy, Akko, and Lotte shared. Sucy was mediating on her bed while the other three were relaxing on the floorboards.

"I like it when Diana smiles." Akko signed, grinning. "You look a lot more at peace."

"What was the last sign?" Diana gestured.

"P-E-A-C-E. Peace." Akko finger spelled and repeated the sign. Diana felt herself warm from the compliment.

"Akko's right, Diana. You seem more relaxed." Lotte spoke and signed.

"I… it's been so long since I got to hang out and just talk to people without being expected to do things for them or uphold an image." Diana said. Akko looped an arm around her, grinning.

"One of us!" she cheered. Despite her loud tone, no one winced. They found her statement to be very heartfelt, and they agreed with her sentiment.

Sadly though, all things must come to an end.

"I should probably head back. Hannah and Barbara are probably wondering where I am." Diana rose up from the floor. Sucy cracked her eye open.

"I assume you'll want to keep it a secret you hung out with us?" she snarked. Nonetheless, she was surprised when Diana shook her head.

"I don't wish to hide my friendship with you three. If Hannah and Barbara or anyone else doesn't like it, I don't care what they think. I'm tired of trying to uphold an image that doesn't give me any benefits to myself." Diana explained with conviction. The other three witches smiled at her, proud she was making changes to help herself.

"Will you be back?" Akko signed. Diana gave her a gentle smile, finding her eagerness infectious.

"Yes. I want to learn more about this new form of magic using Sign." Diana told her, and Akko smiled.

"What should we call it? We should probably come up with a name." Sucy asked. Lotte looked pensive.

"How about 'Sign Casting'? It's simple and catchy." Lotte answered, beaming at them in excitement. The others nodded in approval, glee at their discovery of this new form of magic.

"Sounds good." Diana said and signed. With that, she departed their dorm room, leaving the three witches behind.

"Ah! I didn't realize it was that late." Lotte said, noticing the time. The sky outside was dark and the moon shined brightly in the night. The three of them hurriedly got changed into their pajamas and climbed into their beds. Sucy and Lotte set forth on going to sleep. Akko, however, took shelter under her covers, Birdy-san and her sharing a look before she stuck her tongue out in concentration.

"LIGHT" she signed, a small spark coming forth, but dying quickly. She huffed, not one to be discouraged, and began practicing again.

"Light…" Akko signed tiredly, a spark sizzling out. She didn't know how long she was awake for, but she was determined to produce a light that could sustain itself until she said so. She figured out a lot of visualization and feeling went into the casting, and if one didn't perfect their visualization, or the feelings that went into it, it wasn't going to work. It was also important to make sure the sign is precise when casting.

She figured once someone honed those skills, Sign Casting could become like second nature like any oral incantation. Sign Language was ingrained in her like muscle memory—she just needed to get skilled in imaging and feeling.

Akko began dozing off, eyes shutting of their own accord. Birdy-san pecked her to keep her awake. Akko squeaked quietly, startled, but patted Birdy-san when she found he was trying to help her stay awake. She prepared herself to sign again, but a glow outside of her blanket fort caught her eye. She uncovered herself, and she found herself face-to-face with a green glow, floating in the middle of the room. She got up from her bed, creeping closer to it, reaching to touch it, but the light then moved swiftly towards the window, beckoning her.

Akko put on her sneakers, curious about the glow, and Birdy-san quickly flew to her head to prevent her from going alone. She sneaked towards the door and exited, making sure to do everything softly so she didn't wake Sucy and Lotte.

Racing outside, Akko shivered when she realized she didn't have a jacket but kept going to where the light at her window was. Arriving at the foot of the window, the glow noticed her and flew away, beseeching her to follow. Akko narrowed her eyes in determination, pursuing the ball of light. This could be the sign from the Shiny Rod she was looking for! Maybe finally the voice wanted to speak to her and give her answers!

'Maybe I should've woken up Sucy and Lotte…' Akko thought, but shook her head. It's too late now and she was going to see this through. She could do things herself—she didn't always need Lotte and Sucy to protect her. She was beginning to feel like a constant burden towards them because they hovered over her so much because of everyone's treatment of her. 'I'm a big girl! Just like I told Kaa-san and Tou-san! I'm capable just like anyone else!'

Birdy-san squirmed on her head, realizing they were walking further into the woods, away from the dorm. Akko cooed at him, trying to reassure the stuffed bird that everything was fine. The glow beckoned her further, flying around in hurried movements to make her go faster. Urgency filled her, and her heart pounded in anticipation.

Finally, after a while, Akko and Birdy-san found themselves surrounded by trees. Akko figured this must be a desolate part of the school grounds as only the moon served as a source of illumination. The glow stopped short, sizzling out at last, and Akko was left with only the moon to light up her way.

"Voice?" she asked, searching around. She stepped forward, squinting her eyes. Suddenly, something tightened around her leg, yanking her upward. Birdy-san was flung from her head, flapping to safety as Akko screamed. She found herself hanging upside down from a tree branch, the blood rushing to her head.

She frantically searched, trying to find an enemy, and her eyes widened when she caught sight of three Luna Nova students revealing themselves from the bushes. Akko could barely make out their green sashes, and the tall one looked like she was laughing in delight while the big pink haired girl was munching on chips and the small blue haired girl had a stoic expression.

"Help!" Akko cried, hoping her voice would get their attention. They glanced up at her and the tall one appeared to be laughing. Akko squinted, frustrated she couldn't read any of their lips as they talked to each other.

"Wow! Can't believe that was so easy!" Amanda grinned, surveying the caught Akko. She turned to Constanze. "Nice trap, Constanze!"

The blue haired girl gave her a thumbs up. Jasminka continued to munch on her chips. Amanda then directed her attention towards Akko.

"Hey you! We got you in our trap now so you gotta do what we say!" Amanda told the trapped witch. However, Akko continued crying for help and struggling. Amanda sweat-dropped. "Right… she can't hear. Whoops."

"Maybe she'll calm down if we give her food?" Jasminka suggested.

Akko watched them talking to each other and her eyes narrowed in realization. They weren't here to help her—they were the ones that captured her! She immediately set forth to trying to free herself from the rope, but the clamp was tight. She readied her hands, the image of a sliced rope clear in her mind, desperation flooding to her finger-tips.

"CUT" she signed. The rope was sliced by an invisible force, and Akko plummeted to the ground. She maneuvered herself so she landed on her stomach, propping herself up quickly even though she was in immense pain, and propelled forward into a sprint.

Nevertheless, her victory was short-lived as tiny robots blocked her path of escape, their flashing lights shining angrily at her. She pivoted herself towards another direction, but more robots came to stop her. A hand clamped itself on her shoulder and she turned, swinging her fist forward. Her fist landed on its intended target and the tall one doubled over. Ropes burst from the robots, capturing her and rendering her hands useless at her sides. Her crimson eyes were like an inferno, glaring at the three witches. The witches lit up their wands, the small girl producing a flashlight instead.

"Damn, that was some punch." The tall one's lips read, wiping her bloody lip with an impressed grin. The pink haired witch just had a smile on her face as she ate snacks, and the smallest one had the same stoic expression on her face. "We should've accounted for her using her magic to free herself." The tall one said to her companion.

I miscalculated she could be sharp when in turmoil. The small girl wrote on her chalk board. Akko's eyes widened.

'She's mute!' Akko realized, recalling being told about another witch at the academy with a disability who was using magitek instead of actual magic due to not being able to incant. 'How did she make all these robots?'

Her attention was called back to the tall girl as the orange and red-haired girl grasped her chin, and Akko focused on her lips as she talked.

"Relax. We mean no harm. We just needed to use your services with that nifty Sign Casting." The girl told her, and Akko's eyes expanded at the information. How did they know about Sign Casting?!

'They must've spied on us!' Akko concluded in fury, struggling against her restraints. She spat in the girl's face, and instead of backing off, the girl was amused and patted Akko on the head like she was a little kid who she was fond of.

"Man! You are just a treat!" the tall girl appeared to have said. Her bright green eyes sparked with mischief. "You're just what we need."

Birdy-san observed from the shadows, watching the three witches lead Akko away from the woods towards their destination. He flapped towards where Sucy and Lotte were frantically to get help.

Akko glared at the tall witch's back as her kidnappers lead her what appeared to be the town where the Leyline station was. She glanced down at the cuffs in dismay as she felt all her magic seeped from her. The small blue haired girl presented her a chalk board.

They're cuffs that lock up magical reserves. You can't use any Sign Casting until we removed them. It said. She handed Akko the chalk board and chalk, in order to communicate with her.

You're mute. Akko wrote. It wasn't a question. She handed the board back to the smaller girl.

And you're deaf. Was her response.

If you know that, then why are you preventing me from signing? That's how I talk. You wouldn't like it if someone took away your chalk board, would you? Akko wrote annoyed. The girl read her response and it appeared to have affected her.

I'm sorry. We just don't want you escaping. The small girl wrote, a sincere shine in her eyes, I'm Constanze. Jasminka's the one eating chips and Amanda's the loud one.

Akko snorted and pointed to her ears, and Constanze understood what exactly she wrote.

Sorry. She's the one who you punched.

Thanks.

I'm not used to communicating with someone who has a disability like me. I'm so used to everyone being fully functional.

You ARE fully functional. Akko passionately wrote, jamming her finger onto the statement to emphasize. And so am I! Just because I can't hear, and you can't speak doesn't mean that we're less capable than anyone else.

But I can't do proper magic… here Constanze furrowed her brow in irritation at her handicap. Akko speedily wrote down her response.

But you learned another way that is good for you! Just because Magitek isn't traditional doesn't mean it's a weaker form. You can control robots! As far as I am concerned that is pretty impressive! She presented the board to Constanze with an encouraging grin. The girl looked shocked.

No one's ever praised me for using Magitek besides these two. Constanze told her. Akko's eyes widened.

But it's so cool! Akko wrote.

You three are the only ones to think so… A dejected glint appeared in Constanze's eyes and Akko wondered how many times Constanze has been rejected because she was different. She remembered when she came to Luna Nova and how everyone acted with her besides Lotte and Sucy, and she found she empathized with the smaller girl. She had been only dealing with it for a short time, but Constanze was here longer, and therefore had to put up with others putting her down because she couldn't cast traditionally more. Akko reached out, grasping the girl's hands, resolve stirring within her. She gently took the chalk board from Constanze with her permission, jotting down her response.

Would you like to learn Sign Casting?

Constanze's eyes widened, gazing at her. In that moment, all Akko saw was a vulnerable girl who just wanted to fit in with her peers but was so hardened by rejection that she began pushing others away except for Amanda and Jasminka—she knew then she was making the right decision.

You are aware I kidnapped you against your will, yes? Constanze wrote, making sure Akko didn't damage her brain from her fall earlier.

I am very much aware here Akko laughed a bit as she held up her bound hands. But you want to help your friend, and I'm the way to do it. I can't say if Sucy or Lotte needed me for something, I would outright say no either. You must love Amanda a lot to follow her, even if she's doing something bad. She wrote.

It's just for a dumb broom rally. Amanda wants to beat Diana. Constanze rolled her eyes. Akko scoffed.

Well that explains why she's crazy enough to do a kidnapping to do it. Diana is good on a broom. Akko praised Diana, remembering her skills on a broom. She hoped one day she would be able to be that talented in broom work like her. I'm not sabotaging Diana's broom though so you're out of luck. Akko refused to hurt her new friend.

No, Amanda just wants you to steal something. Constanze explained. Akko furrowed her brow in confusion.

Like what? She asked. Constanze scribbled out her reply.

A broom that's so fast it's said to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in one go. It doesn't need the magic from the sorcerer's stone to fly either.

Akko's had a shocked expression on her face. A broom that didn't need the magic of the Sorcerer's Stone? That sounded like a very powerful broom.

The store has magical wards that can detect wand magic, but if you use Sign Casting, you might be able to get passed the security measures. Constanze told her. I promise we'll let you go as soon as you get the Shooting Star.

And if I refuse? Akko wrote. Constanze shrugged.

Amanda said something about "or else" but never specified. I believe her words were "I'm so awesome she'll just do it." Here Constanze gave Akko her usual deadpan stare.

I see. Akko sweat dropped.

If you do this, we'll keep quiet about your Sign Casting. Finnelan would probably have an aneurysm and try to get you expelled for "butchering tradition." Constanze promised. Akko rolled her eyes, snorting.

While I would normally decline since I could care less about Finnelan, I don't want Sucy, Lotte, and Diana to go down with me. Sign Casting is still new—the less eyes on us the better. Akko agreed. She gave the smaller witch a sincere look My offer still stands regardless. You wanna learn Sign Casting just say the word.

Why? Constanze asked, gazing at her in suspicion. You have no reason to teach me.

Akko took the offered chalkboard, scribbling out her reply, her eyes passionate.

I know what it's like to be trapped in your own head, not being able to properly communicate with the world. She presented the board to Constanze before erasing and resumed writing more. Believing in Chariot helped me break out of my cage—showed me I still have a voice and that I'm not alone as long as I believe in myself. I want to show others that they aren't alone either! My belief is my magic after all! Chariot showed me that!

Constanze stared at her in disbelief. The brown-haired witch's gaze did not waver, her conviction clear on her face.

You're a strange one. Constanze wrote. Finally, they came to a stop in front of a shop. Akko noticed it was some kind of magic shop. Amanda guided them in the shadows and lit up her wand.

"Okay, Miss Sign Caster," Amanda began, Akko reading her lips. "I want you to unlock the door and take down all the wards. When that's done, you come out and let us in." Amanda ordered. Akko sighed dejectedly, knowing she couldn't do anything until they removed her cuffs. Amanda grinned, seeing Akko nod, and patted Constanze on the head. "Don't bother trying to run cause Constanze will send her robots after you. Got it?"

Akko nodded, holding out her restrained wrists impatiently. Once free, she felt her magic surging through her like a sudden adrenaline rush. Then she made her way to the entrance begrudgingly.

"Hey Constanze," Amanda leaned down, whispering. "You two seemed really chatty on the way here. What were you talking about?" she asked.

She offered to teach me Sign Casting. Constanze wrote. Amanda's eyes widened, but then a grin overtook her face.

"Really? Wow, she's a good sport! You interested?" Amanda inquired. Constanze looked torn. "You seem to be thinking really hard. She say anything else?"

Not really anything worth you knowing… Constanze replied.

Sucy groaned, swatting at the point that was jabbing her. Her red eyes cracked open, preparing to smite the object. Yet, when she saw it was Birdy-san, she woke up fully. Usually, Birdy-san slept with Akko.

'Akko better not be waking me for something dumb.' She thought waspishly.

"Hey Akko! Tell Birdy-san to go to bed." Sucy ordered, turning her head to face Akko's bed so the girl could read her lips. Nevertheless, her eyes widened when she saw Akko wasn't there. "Akko?" she called, despite the fact that Akko wouldn't hear her, looking around to find her. Birdy-san pecked her forehead hard, Sucy wincing, deciding to throw him but he flew to the open window away from her, pointing his beak towards outside. A sense of forbidding filled Sucy as she quickly got up from her bed to approach Birdy-san. "Where's Akko, Birdy-san?"

Birdy-san continued to point towards the horizon. Alarm seized Sucy at the implied message. She hurriedly climbed up to Lotte's bed, shaking her.

"Wake up, Lotte!" Sucy urged. Lotte groaned, tiredly sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Sucy? What's going on?" Lotte yawned, stretching.

"Akko's missing. Birdy-san woke me up and is frantically pointing outside." Sucy replied with a severe expression. Immediately, Lotte sprung up at Sucy's words.

"Akko's gone?! Where is she?" Lotte panicked, retrieving her glasses.

"I don't know, but Birdy-san might." Sucy said. The two speedily threw on bath robes, grabbing their brooms and wands.

"It's dark! How are we supposed to locate her with just the two of us?" Lotte fretted. Sucy grabbed a shirt of Akko's.

"We're not. Diana has the largest range with tracking and detection spells. Let's go get her."

"Oh right! Good idea!"

They exited their dorm room, Birdy-san in tow, and crept through the hallways as quickly, yet silently, as possible. Arriving at Diana's dorm, Lotte hastily knocked over and over until a cross Barbara answered. She glared when she saw who it was.

"What do you two want? Leave before I call the professors!" Barbara commanded. Lotte glared back, preparing to fire out a retort, but Sucy jumped in.

"We need Diana. Akko's missing."

"Ha! And why should I care—Ack!"

Barbara was promptly shoved out of the way revealing a disheveled Diana.

"Akko's missing? What happened?" she demanded.

"We don't know. It happened when we were sleeping. Birdy-san came to get us." Sucy shrugged.

"Birdy-san?" Diana blinked.

"Her animated plush Sucy made for her." Lotte supplied.

"I see. Well, let's go then." Diana said, retrieving a bath robe, her broom, and her wand. Barbara recovered from Diana's assault and spluttered.

"D-Diana, are you serious? Why would you help that—"

"Say anything against Akko and I will not associate with you anymore, Barbara!" Diana threatened. Barbara clamped her mouth shut immediately. Diana than left with Sucy and Lotte, leaving a shell-shocked Barbara behind.

"Did that just happen?" Hannah asked Barbara, just as confused.

"Do you have something of Akko's?" Diana asked the two as they left the dorm building. Sucy held up the shirt she took. She grimaced at the odor, pinching her nose.

"She's gotta stop binging on pickled plums…" Sucy commented. Diana prepared her wand.

"Semita!" she casted. The shirt glowed green, a thread of light springing out and connecting to where Akko was.

"Tia Freyre!" they cried, their brooms launching from the ground. They followed the thread.

Meanwhile, Akko was examining the lock, pondering what to do. She was incredibly tired. Would her Sign Casting even work? She was extremely exhausted and had been using it excessively.

'Well, I don't really have another option' Akko thought, squaring her shoulders. She had to protect her friends just like they have protected her. She took a deep breath, relaxing her posture. Her mind zeroed in on the lock, imagining it unlatching for her. 'Come on! I'm tired!' Akko poured all her frustration and fatigue into her signing.

"UNLOCK" she signed. However, instead of simply unlocking, the entire lock and door knob blew clean off. She yelped, dodging the flying metal.

'Guess I put a little too much annoyance into it…' Akko sweat dropped. She cautiously reached forward, pushing the door open, the moonlight flooding in from the outside. She made sure to take soft steps in the establishment, the door swinging shut behind her. She squeaked, darkness overtaking her sight. She huffed, bringing her hands forward.

"LIGHT" she quickly signed, sparks erupting from the air, allowing her to catch a quick view of the shop before going out. Akko growled. Seems like she still couldn't sustain a glow…

She held her hands out forward, feeling her way around to where the Shooting Star would hopefully be. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, finding odd trinkets and potion ingredients on the shelves. She made sure she was careful with how she walked around, not wanting to break anything or sound an alarm.

Her hand landed on a glass case, and she moved closer to inspect it. Though, she jumped away when the case violently rattled. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest at the sudden movement. She warily approached the case, placing her face closer to inspect it. She squinted, making out the shape of a broom. She pressed her face against the glass, eyes roaming over the silhouette of the what she assumed was the Shooting Star.

The case rattled intensely again. Akko cried as she fell back and landed on her butt. She propped herself up with her hands, staring in apprehension of the glass case. She screamed when a flashlight suddenly illuminated the room, and Akko whipped her head around to see Amanda, Constanze, and Jasminka, the former two gazing down at her impatiently.

"Remove the wards already! You're taking too long." Amanda's lips read. Akko turned back to the trembling case, eyes taking in the chained-up broom for the first time. It was struggling against its restraints greatly, but the chains wouldn't budge. Akko's eyes widened.

'The broom's alive!' she realized shocked. Her eyes narrowed then, fury stirring within her. 'They're keeping it a prisoner!' She quickly got up from the floorboards and glared at the three witches.

"Broom Alive!" she informed them, angry at the treatment of it. Amanda scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Of course it's alive! It doesn't need the sorcerer's stone! And I'm going to be its new owner!" Amanda grinned in anticipation.

"Its choice?" Akko hissed. Amanda blinked and then grinned.

"Like it would want anything else! It's rebellious! It would bond great with a rebellious rider who understands it." Amanda explained to her, shrugging. She approached the case and knocked on it. The case's—the cage, Akko growled—response was another shake, startling the bi-colored haired girl. Akko glanced between Amanda and the Shooting Star.

"Should be free! Let it choose!" Akko shouted, and the three witches grimaced at her volume. Amanda glared at her.

"Hey, keep it down! I know you can't hear but you're going to wake up the town. Brooms are meant to be ridden—a broom without a rider is just ridiculous." Amanda whispered loudly. Akko's cheeks flushed brightly in fury, her fists clenched at her sides when she read Amanda's lips. "Now undo the wards before you take it out."

Akko's eye twitched. She felt blood on her palms from how deep her nails were pressing. She whipped her head to glare at Constanze.

"You know? Don't like your cage—think broom likes it?" Akko snarled at the small girl. Constanze's eyes widened a fraction at the way Akko addressed her, the open scorn from someone who was so friendly with her earlier a shock. "Coward! Break free! Broom like us! Can free it like us!" Akko yelled, making sure she was as loud as she could be.

"Quiet!" Amanda hissed. Jasminka just surveyed the situation worriedly. The cage rattled even louder now, seeming to rally at Akko's words. Amanda brought out her wand to protect themselves in case the broom broke out. Akko gritted her teeth, wanting the cage to shatter, and the energy zapped towards her finger tips.

"BREAK" Akko signed. The cage shattered. The shrill sound of the alarm blared.

"No!" Amanda cried, casting up a shield to keep Jasminka, Constanze, and herself safe. The Shooting Star shot out like a bullet, dragging its cage with it. The chain caught Akko, and she was yanked screaming outside into the sky with the Shooting Star.

"Ugh! Come on! We gotta go after that broom!" Amanda urged them. However, as she ran for the doorway in pursuit, robots blocked her path. Amanda whipped her head around to look at Constanze in flabbergasted.

"No. We flee before cops show up." The bot spoke for Constanze. Amanda gawked as Jasminka looked at Constanze curiously. The alarms were shrill around them. Then they caught wind of sirens approaching.

"Argh! Fine! Let's go!" Amanda conceded. They quickly fled the magic shop.

Akko clung onto the chain for dear life. The wind was violently whipping against her face like a cold slap over and over. She yelped at the speed and altitude they were going. Akko gazed up at the Shooting Star increasing speed.

"Stop!" Akko cried. The broom simply went faster, the chain swinging widely. Akko shouted as she was flung up into the air and landed on the Shooting Star, the chain snapping off right after she let go of it. She clutched the head clamp tightly, heart beating erratically in her chest.

"Please stop!" Akko begged. Then she glared in determination, positioning herself as shown to her in class, and tried commanding the broom to yield to her.

Yet, the velocity of the Shooting Star was so intense that the head clamp couldn't endure her holding onto it. Akko's eyes widened in panic while she watched helplessly while the head clamp breaking apart. Everything went in slow motion then until everything sped up and she was tossed into the air, plunging towards the ground screaming at the top of her lungs.

However, her fall was cut short as a hand grabbed her, her body recoiling harshly. Her eyes were clenched tight, not bearing to watch herself come closer and closer to the ground. Noticing she wasn't falling anymore, she cracked her eyes open hesitantly before they snapped open at the realization she was saved. She turned her head and ruby met aquamarine.

"Daiyana!" Akko cried happily. Diana held her wrist tightly, smiling down at her in relief. Sucy and Lotte were also there, hastily flying to her assist her in getting on Diana's broom. Once settled, Akko clutched Diana snuggly around the waist.

"Akko! You're safe!" Lotte signed. Akko nodded, still shaken from her near-death experience.

"We should take her back to the dorm." Sucy advised.

"One moment. I would like a word with those three." Diana hissed, zeroing in on Amanda, Constanze, and Jasminka below. Lotte took Akko onto her broom, so Diana could pursue them, Sucy quickly following while Lotte went slower for Akko's sake.

Amanda yelped when Diana landed right in front of her, not expecting Luna Nova's Pride and Joy to be staring at her with her coldest stare.

"What are you three doing out so late?" Diana demanded. Amanda tried to play it cool.

"Could say the same for you, Princess, but then again I guess we all don't get special privileges." Amanda jabbed. Vines launched from the ground, capturing her, making the bi-colored haired girl exclaim, "What the hell?!"

"Answer her." Sucy commanded, storing the remaining potion contents in her pocket.

"You were the ones that kidnapped Akko!" Lotte arrived, Birdy-san pointing at them accusingly from her head. Diana and Sucy's glares were like ice, and the Green Team gulped when their gazes were directed at them.

"You make it sound so criminal—we more borrowed her…" Amanda tried to explain, but the vines tightened. "C-Constanze! Get me out of here!"

"You kinda deserve it." Constanze's bot spoke. Jasminka nodded. A vein throbbed on Amanda's temple.

"H-Hey don't you two try to pin this one on me!" Amanda protested.

"Then who's idea was it?!" Diana snarled. Sucy's eye glinted and the vines encased Amanda even more.

"Please excuse Amanda." Jasminka implored, not snacking for once. "We went along with it, so we would all like to take responsibility."

"I see." Diana said. "So, you three would like a punishment together. Is that it?"

"What?! No way!" Amanda whined, struggling against the vines. "Diana, don't you dare do anything to Jasminka and Constanze!"

"Why should we spare them when you took one of our teammates and didn't give her any courtesy?" Sucy asked. Amanda glared.

"Because it was my idea! They went along with it cause they're my friends!" Amanda exclaimed. "I won't let my teammates suffer for something I did!"

"Enough!" Akko signed, stepping in front of Amanda, Constanze, and Jasminka, shielding them from her friends. "It's fine! They didn't hurt me!" she hand gestured.

"Akko, they kidnapped you!" Lotte protested, signing and speaking so everyone else could understand. "What if they do it again?"

"They won't." Akko promised signing. "They just wanted to win some stupid broom rally and needed me to steal the Shooting Star broom." She signed. Lotte translated.

"Steal?!" Diana exclaimed. She zeroed in on the Green Team. "You were planning to cheat!"

"Cheating is a strong word. I would say more of bending the rules." Amanda grinned. Diana's eye twitched, readying her wand to blast Amanda, but Akko stopped her.

"No more." Akko commanded with a firm tone. One of Constanze's bots approached her and handed her a communicator.

"This is one of Constanze's coms. She wants you to have it in case you are ever in trouble and need us as penance for kidnapping you." Jasminka said. Lotte signed for Akko what Jasminka said. Akko nodded, clutching the com close to her. She walked over to Constanze, who gazed at her in return.

Sorry. You were right. Constanze wrote on her board. Akko smiled, reading Constanze's words. She signed and spoke.

"Thank you."

"Akko, are you sure?" Diana signed. Akko nodded. Diana sighed, giving a glare to the Green Team. Sucy released Amanda. "You're free to go."

"Sweet! Thanks a lot Miss Sign Caster! I knew we'd grow on you!" Amanda looped an arm around Akko, who had a vein throb at her temple at the fact that Amanda was being so touchy with her after she put her through crap. She maneuvered out of Amanda's hold.

"We will keep quiet about Sign Casting." Constanze's robot promised.

"Yeah, we won't tell anyone." Jasminka agreed.

"I guess I'm outnumbered." Amanda picked her ear and sighed. "Fine! We'll keep quiet about your little project! I do illegal stuff all the time, so I can't really judge." Amanda shrugged. "Anyways, I don't need a special broom to beat you Diana! I'll thrash you with my own skills!" Amanda proclaimed, placing her hands on her hips proudly. Diana gave her a dead pan stare.

"Please go away." The blonde stated.

Jasminka, Amanda, and Constanze waved as they retreated. Diana, Sucy, Lotte, and Akko watched them go, happy the ordeal was over. Akko jumped when Diana, Sucy, and Lotte directed their sharp gazes at her.

"Akko, how did they kidnap you?" Lotte signed and spoke. Akko answered, not knowing what was with them.

"They sent a glow to our room and I followed it and they set up a trap." She signed. Lotte translated. Sucy's eye widened.

"Why would you follow something that was so obviously a trap?" Sucy demanded. Since it was dark, it was hard to read lips unless she was close to them, so Lotte signed the whole conversation to make sure Akko understand.

"I thought it was the Shiny Rod trying to talk to me." Akko signed, not liking the expression on their faces.

"Then why not take Shiny Rod with you? Why leave yourself defenseless?" Sucy countered, placing her hands at her hips. When Lotte signed out Sucy's words, Akko sweat dropped.

"Right… that is a good point." Akko signed back.

"You have to be careful more, Akko." Diana signed and spoke. Akko narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not a kid! I know how to take care of myself!" Akko furiously signed. "I am not glass! You guys act like I can't take it, but I'm just like anyone else!" she gestured lividly.

"Akko… we don't do these things because we think you can't handle it." Lotte signed and spoke. "We care about you and want to shoulder your burdens as well. That's what friends do."

"You are our friend. We want us to be your strength just like you're ours." Diana spoke, Lotte signing for her. Diana walked closer, taking Akko's hand and intertwining their fingers. Akko was stunned.

"You're so dumb." Sucy complained, but she had a fond smile on her face, taking Akko's other hand. "You don't have to do it all alone anymore—that's what we mean when we show you we care. Don't forget it, dummy."

'Not alone…' Akko thought, realizing that for once, she didn't always have to place everything on her own shoulders anymore. It wasn't just the memory and philosophy of Chariot's words keeping her company now. She could finally share her troubles. Back in Japan, she talked to people, but no one had really taken to her or her them despite their friendly deposition. A smile blossomed on her face, feeling warm.

'I'm not alone anymore.'

Holy crap! Over 6000 words! I'm so sorry for butchering the characters. I really hope this didn't decrease anyone's like for the story.

Please let me know what you think if you can!

Replies to Reviews

Egnarregnar- Thank you so much! I hope you didn't mind the character writing in this one!

DeGraphics Literature- Thank you so much for letting me use "Sign Casting"! It is such a good idea.

Namikaze Nara- Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it!