[center][h1]A lot of Magical Girls[/h1][/center]

	The large voice in the sky startled Amber into falling backwards,Helga would have been able to catch her if she wasn’t just as startled by the sudden appearance of the ruining god. Amber propped up her hat and looked into the sky to see what was going on. 

	[color=cyan]”I’d ask who you are, but I probably can’t even pronounce your name. “[/color] Amber chuckled nervously. She had heard about patron gods, but never actually seen one. The pirate wasn’t even sure if this was one. Amber turned her head to her side and looked at Penny. [cyan]”Is this guy a friend of yours? “[/cyan] 

	[color=9e0039][b][u]”That is my Patron..”[/u][/b][/color] Was Penny’s distracted reply as she looked up at Laat with awe. In the various time she had talked with Him he had always seems relaxed, so too see him now so filled with hate and anger was quite the sight. 

	She would have likely kept staring for a good while if it weren’t for the fact that Laat had turned his attention on to Amber as she had addressed him. In doing such the manners that Penny had forgotten earlier had her responding [color=9e0039][b][u]”That is Laat’AlOfan, He who brushes away the old. Deity of destruction and runination. My lord has offered you a boon and awaits your response.”[/u][/b][/color] Her tone had become formal, and it wasn’t hard to see that Penny was acting as Laat’s mouth piece so that his titanic voice wouldn't drawn any more attention than it already had.

	Shaking her head Penny added in a normal tone [color=9e0039][b][u]”Ugh this is going to be a weird conversation”[/u][/b][/color] It was part of her role as The Gray Lady to act as his voice at times, this would be her first time doing such.

	[Color=lightblue]"Hey what's- [i]Oh sweet nightingale.[/i]"[/color] Scout and Anaya appeared from Mariette's portal, the witch stopping to look up at Penny's patron, eyes widen in shock and awe. Anaya instead walked up to the deity, having overheard his offer. [color=FF4F76]"I'm unsure about the others' thoughts. But I myself accept your assistance in ridding Visceral, and will help reforge the water user's ship."[/color] the spirit mage answered, bowing down like a knight would.

	The pirate fret her brow [color=cyan]”The water user’s name is Shining Scale!“[/color] the pirate sat upright. [color=cyan]”A-and thanks guys!“[/color] she looked up into the sky with a smile. [color=cyan]”Our goals seem to align in that regard.Sign me up!“[/color]

	Alexander blinked in confusion “[color=aba000]well, it looks like you’ve got everything taken care of here.[/color]” Then turning to the portal, he spoke again “[color=aba000]well then Mariette, I’m ready; send me to that bitch’s place[/color]” His voice was oddly somber for him “[color=aba000]Hey Amber; If I don’t see you again...I just wanted to say; you were tolerable. I...realize that might sound like a pretty shitty compliment, but coming from me it means something[/color]”

	[Color=lightblue]"Nice to meet ya Shining Sc- wait what?!"[/color] Just before Scout could introduce herself, Alex had decided that he would face Justine alone. [Color=lightblue]"You can't rescue Lily by yourself! Who know's how strong this chick is!"[/color] The witch objected, before grabbing her rifle from her back. [Color=lightblue]"If anything, I'm going with you!"[/color]

	[color=cyan]”H-hey! “[/color] Amber sprung to her feet. [color=cyan]”I’m not a hundred percent sure what happened while I was up there, but I don’t see Lily around here, and even a blind rat could see you guys were close.“[/color] The pirate was gritting her teeth. [color=cyan]”You’ll drive me to scurvy, but you’re not going to throw away your life on some quest for revenge! CAPTAIN’S ORDERS!“[/color] 

	Right on cue, Helga and Sue moved between Alexander and the portal. Sue had to transform into a human again, but she seemed a lot less sure of what she was doing than Helga did. But she did her best to at least look like she was holding the line. “A-at least you got Amber acting like a real pirate captain again.” The familiar forced a smile.

	Mariette could have rolled her eyes at Alexander's statement. She had been waiting on the other side of the portal, listening in. Of course, the others pointed out his foolishness, ensuring she didn't have to. Mariette wandered through the portal herself, walking on top of another portal that moved so that each step still landed on the portal, letting the bigger portal collapse because everybody was through already. She opened a smaller portal for Eli, who had been further away, letting the darkness harpy appear behind her.

	[color=1462ba]‘Consider your preparations well,’[/color] she stated to those present, also as a warning to Alex. Seeing new individuals present, including the deity, she stated her position again. [color=1462ba]‘I've agreed to ferry those willing to fight to Justine's base, and whatever equipment they intend to use, through my portals. I will do so when you've determined yourselves ready, as a group. I remind that I've been in contact with Alicia, who's furthering my proposition to Beacon, as I've suggested I can assist their attack on Justine as well. I've been intending to go check on her progress.’[/color]

	With that, they should be informed of the situation. Mariette intentionally didn't look in Amber's direction while talking.

	Alexander was baffled “[color=aba000]you’re...all coming with me?[/color]” The poor boy didn’t know what to do in this situation “[color=aba000]but...it’ll be dangerous and you could all die! Hell, I’m not even sure why [i]I’m[/i] going. I mean yeah, it’s to save Lily...but I don’t understand why I want to so much. I’m...not used to not being alone.[/color]”

	[h3][color=9e0b0f][b]”It Seems That An Accord Has Been Reached”[/b][/color][/h3] Laat boomed out as he surveyed those gathered below him with a critical eye. What he felt about the gathering was anyone’s guess as he was impossible to read.

	Penny, meanwhile, was glad that everyone had been able to talk Alex down from his suicidal plan, she wanted to help with that but she was in a weird position at the moment acting as Laat’s voice. Stepping forward she once again spoke up in a formal tone [color=9e0039][b][u]“By my lord's decree we shall receive the supplies needed remake the Sky Bastion as well as the temporary knowledge needed to facilitate this process, those among us who have pledged support in this endeavor, who also seek the decimation of the Visceral family, shall be granted supplies for personal use as well.”[/u][/b][/color] her gaze swept across all those gathered as she spoke [color=9e0039][b][u]”The supplies offered are primarily of mundane origin, and most shall be tools or weapons that will be of use in the coming assault. After which any supplies left over or unused are yours to do with what you will as payment for the services rendered.”[/u][/b][/color] As Penny spoke the color seemed to leech itself from her until she was completely grey, save for the neon blue of her eyes.

	After a moment she turned to face Mariette [color=9e0039][b][u]”My lord and I are aware of the Alicia of whom you speak, as we stand in alliance with her and The Beacon for the moment. With luck they shall be able to muster their forces in time for this assault, regardless, your assistance Is much welcomed.”[/u][/b][/color]

	[Color=lightblue]"Dangerous my ass, I'm not letting another friend of mine get killed cause of my stupidity!"[/color] Scout told Alex, before Anaya turned back to the group. [Color=FF4F76]"The eight of us aren't enough. If we're dealing with what made Penrose the core of monster sightings, we might be going against one of the strongest magical girls I've ever known."[/color]

	Sue breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, it seems like we're all unified in cause.”

	Unlike Mariette, Amber seemed rather insistent on looking in the portal witch's direction. Her eyes were squinted, but she remained silent. [color=cyan]”Yea.”[/color] She turned to face Penny, but her eyes were still on Mariette. [color=cyan]”I'd send the Viscerals to Davy Jones's locker for free. Getting compensated for it is just a bonus!”[/color]

	Mariette nodded to the deity and Penny's words, then listened to the following exchange. [color=1462ba]‘I wish to add that Justine von Visceral is exceptionally confident in her plan, calling me a fool for trying to play her game. She has a game-plan that she doesn't think can fail, and that will include circumstances where she's attacked,’[/color] Mariette added to what Anaya said. [color=1462ba]‘That said,’[/color] Mariette continued, [color=1462ba]‘the fact she manufactured the collapse of the alliance proposed by Victoria Reales proves it may have been a threat to her. Also, I have now survived two attempts on my life from her side. My still being here proves she is not infallible. She can be overcome.’[/color]

	So Mariette shared. It was also a low-key message from Mariette that "Justine wants me dead, keep that in mind". She was aware of Amber's gaze, but intentionally didn't react to it.

	“[color=aba000]Huh. This...might actually be possible[/color]” now that defeat was no longer an absolute in Alexander’s mind, he racking his brain for any way that they could further improve their odds “[color=aba000]I think...[/color]” he began “[color=aba000]I’d have to talk to Sol first, but if it’s cool with him, I should be able to temporarily bless the airship after it’s been rebuilt. I’ve got a lot of different blessings on my house, but for the ship I’d just focus on Blessings of Fortitude, to make the ship even harder to damage.[/color]”

	[Color=lightblue]"Sounds good, but what does that mean?"[/color] Scout asked the portal witch.[Color=FF4F76]"We need to finish what Victoria started."[/color] Anaya answered, before turning to Theresa and Sue. [Color=FF4F76]"Do you mind spreading the word around? We need all the help we can get."[/color]

	[b]"I'll try my best."[/b] Theresa said, taking a bow.

	Sue placed her hands together and lowered her head. "O-of course! I'm sure Amber plans on filling her ship up with as many people as she can find. At least, that had been our plan from the start."

	[Color=FF4F76]"Great. Unless anyone objects, let's do this."[/color]

	Laat gave one more look across the assembled Maho, giving them time to speak their objections if they had them. When it was clear that none would be voiced he hefted his massive weapon in preparation. Penny glanced up at her patron with a hint of unease about what was coming next. Laat’s gifts of knowledge tended to feel very disorientating at first.

	Without any delay Laat swung his titanic maul at the wreckage of the Sky Bastion, rather than turning the street and the nearby building in to rubble with the strike there was a sound not dissimilar to that of shattering glass. When Laat raised his weapon again there was dozens of shipping containers filled with all the material they could possibly need and more to rebuild the Sky Bastion, in the wake of where it he had struck,  alongside the crates sat a few rows of ethereal looking industrial machines. A quick glance of the machines would prove that they would be able to fashion the materials they had in anyway they would want or need.

	After raising his maul again Laat proceeded to bring it down upon those gathered in shared want of the Vicerals demise. The moment the strike landed the world of those struck would be drowned in sound, and their sight would fade for just a moment as years worth of experience in metal working, shipbuilding, tank construction, large scale weapon manufacturing were forcefully added in to their minds. The new knowledge would feel pointedly out of place and incredibly vivid for days to come. In addition these temporarily granted skills would come a detailed blueprint for a new ship. The ship in question would use the Sky Bastion as a base, but rather then a skyship the plans detailed a ship that would be able to freely travers land as sea, It was also a highly fortified war ship, armed with row upon row of cannons. Altogether it would be a vessel of vast destructive potential that would be difficult to render to scrap again.

	[h3][color=9e0b0f][b]”For Now, This Shall Suffice.”[/b][/color][/h3] Laat said after giving those below a moment to regain their equilibrium.

	[color=9e0039][b][u]”Within the creates is everything we will need to reforge the Sky Bastion as well as a variety of explosive ordnance for use with the cannons as well as on foot when we storm the castle. There is some basic medical supplies as well as a small amount of food stored as well . Everything that is left over after the assault is yours to take as per the agreement.[/u][/b][/color] Penny explained to everyone, as she had been gifted that knowledge as well the gifted skills [color=9e0039][b][u]“The capabilities Laat’AlOfan has granted to us will only last until the ship has been reforged, the machines that have been sent to assist will also fade at that time.”[/u][/b][/color] As she finished explaining she turned to face the deity and gave Him a bow. Laat gave a nod of his head in return as he turned to leave. His form shattering into countless stars before he completed a single step. The moment Laat vanished Penny visibly shook. 

	[color=9e0039][b][u]”Blegh. That was all sorts of weird”[/u][/b][/color] She complained as her color returned in a sudden rush. She looked at all that had been deposited at the base of the ship when a sudden realization came to her [color=9e0039][b][u]“How are going to move all of this?”[/u][/b][/color]

	[Color=FF4F76]"Leave that to me."[/color] Anaya reassured Penny, before summoning her doll army back to her side. [Color=FF4F76]"With them, re-building the ship will be more efficient. Yet we still need transportation for new recruits to here..."[/color] the spirit mage went into thought, before her griffin walked to her side from the portal. 

	[Color=FF4F76]"Guess that answers my question."[/color] Anaya said, petting the mythical beast.

	Mariette had stood silent watching the god speak, summon items and then staggered when new information was added to her mind. Did they expect her to actually grab a hammer and help with construction? ... Mariette was silently thankful when Anaya summoned her army. They had workers, good. But... about this matter of "spreading the word around"...

	[color=1462ba]‘New recruits?’[/color] Mariette asked. [color=1462ba]‘Do you intend on getting more people to join this charge?’[/color]

	[Color=FF4F76]"Why yes. Like I said, we'll need all the help we can get."[/color]

	Mariette considered, briefly. [color=1462ba]‘Then, we may be of assistance,’[/color] she said, briefly glancing at Eli. [color=1462ba]‘Eli, reexamine the list. Consider whom of those remaining may be willing to join a crusade and where they're likely to be located.’[/color] 

	[color=57a345]‘Ah- yes, mistress!’[/color] Eli called somewhat in surprise, bringing up her notebook, full with information on those they had considered kidnapping, starting to quickly leaf through it with her liquid wings, eyes scanning and reading. There were a fair amount they eventually decided not to kidnap, and it was useful to keep track of as many Magical Girls as possible anyways, for perhaps times just like this.

	[color=1462ba]‘We have a list,’[/color] Mariette continued, [color=1462ba]‘of Magical Girls that my underlings have scouted in the past. Using those notes, my portals and Eli's sight, we can find most of them again in moments. Just request a portal, and I can bring you around. I'll keep a small portal open at the place you entered a new area, so you can tell me you want back.’[/color] So Mariette said, still squeezing her bunny.

	[color=1462ba]‘Would that be relevant?’[/color] Mariette then asked, looking at Anaya but open for anyone to reply.

	“I think that would be really useful!” Sue hugged herself. “If we're going to grab magical girls on such short notice, we need to make sure none of them are going to be a problem.”

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OuA3B6J.png[/img]

[hider=Tonya “Mac” Murphy]
[b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity
Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration | Moirai
Wings, Soul Jar, Martial Training, Familiar, Environmental Sealing, Gifted, Awareness, Mystic Artifact

Magical Overload, Paragon, Blessing, Gifted Item | Monster Form, Big Brother, Arrogance, Vendetta
Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b]

STR: 05 | AGI: 04 |  VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03

STR: 12 | AGI: 08 |  VIT: 10 | MAG: 16 | LCK: 05

Earnings this post: 

Total: 0 Gold, 38 Silver, 41 Bronze
[/hider][/center]

	Heh...

	Ever since Tonya got here, she had been working in the background. Bending events to her patrons will to prevent things from turning out too bad. It wasn't a job she fully understood, but she knew it was important. It was, however, a bit lonely. And while Tonya didn't mind working by herself for periods of time, it did take its toll after a while. No, it wasn't the loneliness, it was just that she couldn't see the fruit of her actions. She was just fighting, and actively avoiding discovery. 

	But to see so many magical girls working together to rebuild the ship was a sight to behold. It was quite the occasion. Never again would Penrose get to see so many different factions working together to achieve a common goal. This was the kind of world that Tonya wanted to live in, one where power was distributed evenly, and good people could come together to make something special. 

	With a sigh, Tonya retreated into the ship. There were a few places she could reasonably sleep without being noticed by anyone. With her spool of thread, she could be sure of that much.