[hider=BGM][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYTEJ7fdDrg[/youtube][/hider]

The dim light cast by slowly burning torches on the wall painted flickering shadows over the walls of the crypt-like hall. The chamber, resembling a tomb at first glance, what with the numerous caskets placed into indents on the walls, was furnished with baroque items of grandeur, such as great paintings depicting royal ladies in fancy dresses, or shelves filled with musty tomes. At the very back of the chamber, sitting upon the throne, her face hidden in the darkness, was a girl who looked as menacing as she was regal; Justine von Visceral. She held a cup filled with red, thick liquid, and set it aside as her crimson eyes staring from the dark looked down upon Caroline standing before her; Caroline's legs were shaking as she looked down at her feet, not daring to look at her directly.

There were also other girls present; Sonia was at the forefront, kneeling down at the bottom of the steps leading to the throne. Behind her were two other girls, also knelt down; they were in the shadows, with only faint glimpses of a gothic lolita outfit and long, rec hair able to be seen.

[color=662d91]"Oh, my sweet Caroline, you know that you are forbidden from venturing outside. Who knows what strangers you may chance to meet upon."[/color] She placed her hand on her shoulder, and gripped it tightly, causing Caroline to shiver, her mouth open ajar.

[color=92278f]"Caroline knows...Caroline always listens to big sister...But, it's dark...Caroline wanted to play with dolls...And...Caroline met a... boy..."[/color]

[color=662d91]"And? What did this boy do to you?"[/color] The noble girl gripped her throne.

Caroline hesitated, but then, after a deep breath, she whispered: [color=92278f]"The boy...They said...they...[b]loved[/b] Caroline."[/color]

[color=662d91]"Those sick, depraved peasants!"[/color] She stood up from her throne, and the torch light revealed her [url=http://i.imgur.com/EP8nQH5.jpg]visage[/url]: she possessed unearthly beauty and grace, but beneath her red eyes was a mind of pure, malevolent ambition.
[color=662d91]"They will pay for their defilement in their blood."[/color] She moved closer to Caroline, her fingernail sweeping over her cheek. Then, she slapped her cheek, causing Caroline to wince. But, that wince was accompanied with a strange, unnerving smile.
[color=662d91]"But don't worry, Caroline. No matter how angry I am with you...No matter how much I want to punish you..."[/color] Her fingers slowly crept around her neck.
[color=662d91]"...Big sister will never be [b]gentle[/b] with you. You will be pure again, Caroline. Soon. I promise you."[/color]

Caroline's eyes teared up, and she placed her hands over hers, smiling earnestly even as she was hurting her.
[color=92278f]"Thank you, big sister."[/color] Justine released her grasp, and Caroline dropped to the floor, gasping for breath when the regal girl turned towards Sonia and the other girls. 
[color=662d91]"What happened to Helga? Did she succeed in her given task?"[/color]

[color=0054a6]"She fell in battle against the Beacon, my Lady; they had the assistance of unaffiliated magical girls as well as a boy. Her boisterous and animalistic tactics were her undoing despite her power to hear the thoughts of others."[/color] 
Justine bared her long fangs, her mouth twisted into a snarl. [color=662d91]"Who was it who slayed her, the mistress of combat?"[/color]
[color=0054a6]"She was put down by a certain thunder-wielding girl....Lily Lightning, if I am not mistaken."[/color]

Justine sat back on her throne, her fingers tapping rapidly against the armrests. 
[color=662d91]"It was a mistake to outright attack the Beacon. Death only spurs them on, and no matter how many are slain they keep fighting, singing praise to their fallen as martyrs to the cause..."[/color] Then, her eyes widened, and her lips turned into a wicked grin.
[color=662d91]"Ah-ha! Now I know what to do. We shall destroy them...From the inside. Yes, we shall turn their blind loyalty and faith against them, and rip asunder everything they believe in! Leave them with nothing but hollow hopes and desiccated dreams!"[/color]

She lifted her open palm before her. 

Over it floated the black crystal, and she looked upon it with insane glee.

She giggled, and it gradually turned into a noblewoman's laughter as she held the back of her other hand before her mouth, until it devolved into maniacal cackling. 

[color=662d91]"Yes...I SHALL CAST THEM INTO THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF DESPAIR!"[/color]

[hr]
After the events at the hospital, Penrose returned to some kind of normalcy. The news reported that the incident was a terrorist-incited chemical attack where they hallucinogens were deployed with the use of bombs on the hospital's roof, explaining the signs of fire and explosions there and explaining the strange sights that civilians saw while escaping from the scene.

Lily breathed in the morning air; she wasn't sure how long she had been sleeping, but she knew that she couldn't stay in bed any longer; she was now sure that Mariette's warning was real, and that she had to find magical girls who would join her cause in fighting against the ominous danger.
[color=fff200]"Alright, where do you think magical girls hang out, Alex? Let's try and look for someone who doesn't want us dead at first sight."[/color]