[h3][center][color=aba000]Rania[/color], [color=a2d39c]Alara [/color]and... [color=goldenrod]?[/color][/center][/h3]

For the past few days, Rania had been residing in her lavish condo, smack in the middle of one of the richest part of Miso City. Her sole company; Chiaki. She had been looking out for her partner ever since Luna's death. On that evening, Rania remembers having held the umbrella atop Chiaki for as long as she needed. Not out of sympathy, but of respect. Thus was their relationship. Still, she was loyal to her partner and, to a degree, sole friend, and gladly allowed her the time she'd need to mourn, think or whatever it was Chiaki was waiting for before going back out there. Rania cared not to ask about how they felt as she would know only once her partner would tell her. Or not. 

Every night she would leave and scour the city, fully profiting from the increase of nightmares to cull them wherever they were and bask in her increasing strength as she absorbed them. Tonight, however, things were different. As Apep discarded the third Nightmare, Pharaoh began to realize that they seemed [i]stronger[/i] than usual. Interesting. 

It didn't take long for her to pick up the scent of something much more interesting, and following it's origin was rather easy. She just had to follow the humans that were being butchered by what they could not see - but she did. Pharaoh would cut down those in her path, while not going out of her way to protect the fleeing humans...until she saw her. 

Apep slowly crept up behind the girl; standing almost in the middle of the road, unaffected by the chaos around [i]and[/i] having such a curious aura about her. There was no mistaking it. The ex-Code Keeper jumped down from her snake, as it then raised it's head, hissing at the potential target. 

[color=aba000]"Truly...this night has been full of surprises! Are you the one I have to give thanks to for this...[i]opportunity[/i]?"[/color] she said, theatrically raising both arms and turning on herself to show all of what was happening around them. 

[color=goldenrod]"...and here I was hoping I could enjoy the city sights without interference."[/color] Contrasted to Rania's boistrous optimism, the new girl spoke with an irritated venom in her voice. No matter; because it was all the same for her, and as such, she turned to take in the Dark Magical Girl. Rania had successfully taken away a good number of her new creations, albiet not enough to stop the rampage going on. [color=goldenrod]"If you were aiming for a minimal loss of life, you'll need to put more effort in, Dark Magical Girl."[/color] The girl twirled her umbrella, glancing up at the sky. The humans were too busy scrambling about to notice she was talking to what would look to them as invisible air. [color=goldenrod]"What do you want. I'm a fan of the work here so if you speak quickly, I might not use your entrails as bird feed..."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Scary."[/color] Rania simply answered, a smirk on her face. Fear was simply not part of who she was. [color=aba000]"I think I actually believe you, but even then - you are mistaken. I am here for my profit alone. This increase in Nightmares gives ample opportunity...I was merely curious."[/color] As she said so, Apep lashed out at yet another creation that lurked too close, tearing it in pieces while absorbing it for it's Mistress. it slightly raised it's tail for Pharaoh to sit upon it, crossing her legs while she kept on talking. "...and if truly you are as powerful as you say, then you truly have got my attention. May I be as bold as asking your name at least?"[color=aba000][/color]

[color=goldenrod]"Cute pet,"[/color] the girl mused, eyes watching the great serpent crush her new toys. [color=goldenrod]"I'm glad to see someone is taking advantage of the excess negativity. Though it's a little frustating to see you break such hard work on my part...."[/color] A sigh passed between the girl's lips and she fixed Rania with a stare. Her eyes seemed to gleam in the dark light of the night, and her pupils were merely slits of black that appeared inhuman. [color=goldenrod]"My name is Palis. Short for Palisade. Did you just come to gossip? Maybe ask me on a date~?"[/color]

[color=aba000]"You created more than enough for me to pick some...don't be selfish."[/color] Rania scanned the girl form head to toe, noting her strange cat-like eyes. She definitely did not belong to the Light, but there was something strange about her and not just about her powers. If she truly did create Nightmares, then maybe Rania [i]should[/i] be afraid.[color=aba000] "If you are asking if I came for a fight, the answer is no. I truly am a curious person." [/color] She shifted her legs "What a strange name...and just what exactly are you, [i]Palisade[/i]?"

The area where they were standing was beginning to clear it. The humans had fled to wherever their hearts led them while the Nightmares continued to hunt. Ever still were the efforts of other Magical Girls, though they followed where the Nightmares swarmed; away from their conversation. Palis turned her head, expecting Rania to follow her movement. She was looking in the direction of where Aegis had been flung. [color=goldenrod]"You feel that? That, right there,"[/color] she said, knowing the dark girl could pick up Aegis' disgusting aura. [color=goldenrod]"I'm the opposite of that. Rightfully so." [/color]

[color=aba000]"Hard to miss."[/color] she simply commented. Rania had felt the aura earlier, and might even have investigated it if she didn't also felt that others were grouping there - it became more of a bother than anything else then. [color=aba000]"You do not seem in a hurry to stop her - though it looks like someone else is on that already."[/color] With a quick movement she replaced her hairs before looking back at Palis. Chances were, the new girl was feeling it; Pharaoh's was increasingly on guard, ready to strike at a moment's notice. [color=aba000]"Well. I am sure you know how the circle works; Nightmares appears, we kill them and we become stronger. It would be a problem if someone was to start defending them or making them too strong, you know..."[/color] her voice was still sarcastic, taking a bothered tone. 

[color=goldenrod]"Oh yes. Yes, that would be a problem."[/color] Palis didn't move her head away from Aegis' direction. For a moment, her words were barbed, filled with the same venom she had shown Rania earlier. But soon enough, they dulled back down and a whimisical sigh passed through her lips. [color=goldenrod]"But you girls are strong. Why, I'm sure of it; you can take down whatever Nightmares I conjure up and throw at you. The batch from earlier were easily dispatched by the light girls you know."[/color] Palis twirled her umbrella in her hand, looking at something Rania could not see. [color=goldenrod]"Oh, I don't doubt the strength you Magical Girls possess, light or dark. Come to think of it....that one was strong too. What was her name again?"[/color]

Palis smirked to herself, the punchline to whatever joke she had memorized coming back to her. Or rather, that was what her expression looked like. [color=goldenrod]"Yeah, there was this strong muscle head. All words, too flashy. She kept telling me the stupidest things. I almost forgot her name you know..."[/color] Palis snickered, finally turning her head to look back at Rania. [color=goldenrod]"What was her name...ah, yeah. Lun. Ah~"[/color]

Yurei nearly tripped out into view. Her phased body quietly following the pair out of sight. Was she really the murderer? If this was the case, she couldn't stay out of the conversation any longer. Never again would she allow another to fall victim in her town. And this way, this [i]dark[/i] girl wouldn't have to fight alone should it come to that. Preparing a small barrier around Rania, she stepped out from the wall she hid herself in. A sour look staring at Palis as she stood her guard. She was willing to play however the dark girl wanted to take this, but at least she wouldn't be alone. It was apparent she couldn't or wasn't going to respond to anybody anyhow.

As an answer to Palis, Rania's eyes narrowed ever slightly [color=aba000] "If you are trying to get to me, you are using the wro--"[/color] her sentence was cut short when she felt something appear around her. Immediatily, Apep hissed in iritation as a newcomer revealed herself close by; a Light girl? [color=aba000]"Tsk..."[/color] how troublesome to have her appear at this particular time. If what Palis said was true, then she could do it again. If so, this girl was in real danger of death, and although Rania would like nothing more than to smash the justice out of her she had to respect the code. For Chiaki, if nothing else. 

[color=aba000]"Get out, Kid. Vengeance is not your cup of tea - get out before you regret it."[/color] her voice was dry and snapping at Yurei. She was truly attempting to save her life, and at the same time she was ready to make a move against Palis if need be.

[color=goldenrod]"What is this,"[/color] Palis mused dryly, smirk remaining. The appearance of Yurei brought with it a fresh wave of annoyance, one that washed over Palis' body. "I could see you the whole time you know," she said to the checkered girl, amused by Rania's heat. [color=goldenrod]"No, but seriously, what even is this. A light and dark girl working together? Seriously? And you; why does it even matter to you."[/color] This time, Palis' eyes were honed in on Rania, as if she was looking right through her. [color=goldenrod]"Luna or whatever was spouting some idiotic sense of justice. That has nothing to do with you. Why do you care if I put her in her place, six feet under. It doesn't effect you."[/color]

Like a witch in the night, Palis suddenly glided forward at immense speed. Rania too would lurch, albiet backwards and crashing against a wall. Palis held her still with a hand clenched around her throat, smirk gone, eyes uncaring. [color=goldenrod]"But if you're going to be a problem and get in my way, I'm not opposed to killing a dark girl too, you know."[/color] Clenching down tightly, Palis turned to look at Yurei. [color=goldenrod]"Was that supposed to be a barrier? Cause you really suck at it. Keep sucking at it and you'll be getting her blood on your hands,"[/color] Palis hissed.

Yurei could only sidestep Rania's concern for her safety by rolling her eyes. She could almost send the warning back her way. She was confident she could at least extend their lives some should things get violent; but part of her wondered if they should also not reach out for help. The other light girls were only down the stre- 

Yurei stoped thinking. Her barrier failed and it was obvious to her that someone would have no problem striking down Luna. She gritted her teeth and quickly ran to Palis. She didn't have much to offer in terms of offence, in fact she was hoping to save this for a more dire time, but she could at least try to buy a second. Reaching out, she grabbed Palis by her arm, phasing out the mystery woman even for a second. Enough time to free Rania from the tight grasp.

While Palis' speed was staggering, it was not unexpected. By the time Rania was taken off of her seat and slammed into the wall with enough strength to make her groan in pain, her mouth soon turned into a small smirk. Behind them, Apep was no more and instead had risen an army of Dark Skeletons, each armed and ready. As soon as Rania was freed from the grasp, she grabbed her whip and attempted to get it around Palis' neck, hoping the troublesom Light girl would understand to stop whatever technique she used to allow the graps to give suit. 
[color=aba000]"Let's see how your magic taste..."[/color] she said as her skeletons were dangerously getting close to surrounding her. 

[color=goldenrod]"You still didn't answer my question."[/color] Palis' nails dug into thin air as Yurei managed to phase her newfound companion out of her grip. It mattered little when their opponent was whirling around, stare boring into the both of them. [color=goldenrod]"You're pretty fired up for someone who was corrupted a long time ago. Don't tell me you're feeling remorse about Luna now. Cause I don't think I'll buy it and neither will you."[/color] The mass of undead that had sprung to life made Palis roll her eyes. But that wasn't the fun part; the fun came when Rania attempted to use her whip.

All it took was a subtle shift to the left and Palis snatched the weapon's length in her grasp, yanking it forward to pull Rania along. [color=goldenrod]"There really is no need to kill you, but I'll do it if you keep being a nuisance. Besides, I know you agree with me. Justice brought about by the weak is only a fragile, temporary kind of peace."[/color] With her grip still held tight on the whip, Palis flicked her arm to drag Rania along and samsh her into the skeletal army. At the same time, she let go right when Yurei was in place, seeking to throw the dark girl right at her light counterpart with the speed and weight of a missile. 

Yurei's fist clenched as Palis spoke, but quickly released as she tried to catch the incoming Rania.  Not being one of physical might, she was quickly flown back with the other girl on top of her. But she held on to her tight. Magic coursing through the two of them to heal them both back to full spirit. Although the landing still took a lot out of Yurei, having been smooshed between the girl and the ground, it wasn't anything that would threaten them so easily. As pointless as it was, she created another barrier around the two of them, looking at her teamate for her next plan.

Rania quickly got away from Yurei's touch, even after she helped her. Even giving the girl a disgusted look for a split second before looking back to Palis. [color=aba000]"My, oh my..."[/color] she said as she lowered her weapon, smiling. Her skeletons even stopped moving, following their Master's wish. "I don't care for that girl's death in the slightest, that much is true." Rania took a few steps forward, slowly and not menacingly, avoiding Yurei's stare as she did so. [color=aba000]"The only reason I am 'fired up' is because you are strong. I have not met someone as strong as you since the President. You might be even stronger. The thing is; we have a code. As a Code keeper, I have to stand by it. You thought about killing this one too, did you not?"[/color] she said as she waved her head towards Yurei, still avoiding her stare.[color=aba000] "This became such a bother, I am almost tempted to let you do it. Especially since she apparently wants to due, seeing how I told her to [i]leave[/i]..."[/color] only then did her eyes briefly met Yurei's.

As Rania's army, or what was left of it, halted in its advance, so too did the smile return to Palis' features. She had been clenching her hands so tight in annoyance that she almost forgot she was carrying an umbrella. [color=goldenrod]"You understand life perfectly. That's expected of a Dark Magical Girl,"[/color] she said, walking closer to the two of them. [color=goldenrod]"You realize that above all else, strength is what matters. Strength is what is valued and power is what carries those who don't have it. That's what true justice is; the powerful must bear responsibility in leading the weak."[/color]

Palis was only inches away from the two girls now and her cat-like eyes flickered over to Yurei. [color=goldenrod]"You on the other hand...you make me want to vomit. You're weak, incredibly so, yet you still think you have any right to protect anyone? Don't make me laugh,"[/color] Palis sneered. [color=goldenrod]"Although...I do like the little tricks you Magical Girls made. Kind of like this~"[/color] A flurry of darkness engulfed her body and frame, bathing her for a second before parting to reveal her own [url=https://i.imgur.com/eOguunO.jpg]transformation[/url]. Her hand, which had once held her umbrella, now gripped a mighty staff that pulsed with a power most unholy, one that reverberated in Rania's core.

[b][color=goldenrod]"Let this be a lesson for you...Magical Girl."[/color][/b] Quicker than Yurei could react, the staff's end swung for her crown. As soon as the Emblem fell to the ground, forcing Yurei's transformation to dissipate, Palis stabbed her staff into it. The very familiar, very telling wave of negativity would become all too apparent for Rania to witness; Alara was becoming corrupted. [b][color=goldenrod]"How can you save anyone when you can't even save yourself? If you were stronger, this wouldn't be happening,"[/color][/b] Palis hissed, ensuring the process by keeping an eye on both girls. [b][color=goldenrod]"Be thankful I won't kill you tonight; your friend here's put me in a good mood since we share the same will. No, no...I'm giving you a second chance to see real justice. To see what true strength feels like. In darkness~"[/color][/b]

Rania's smile slowly faded as Palis' words reached her on a whole new level; they ringed true to her. The human nature was as it is, and only strength could enforce change and affect this world they lived in. Strength was the only thing that mattered in this world, the rest always was only lies and fantasies to reassure the weaker ones. Rania's skeletons dispelled as she stepped aside, leaving the route to Yurei unopposed, an almost maniacal smile on her face now. Her truth had been renewed, never to be doubted again. 

In one moment, Yurei felt fear as the girl transformed infront of her. Her umbrella taking shape and pulsating with darkness only allowed her to stand there before she soon found it swinging out towards her. Instintivly, she raised her arms to cover her face; but instead her crown was knocked off, and with it everything that stood beside the dark magical girl. Yurei fell to the ground, her transformed state dispersing back into her nightly clothing. Hand reaching out desprately to recover the crown as the spear stabbed into it. Her heart beat, pained as the pure was forced out of her and replaced. Tears streaming out as she laid unable to save herself.