Lily was apprehensive at first, but she let out a giggle when she saw Tim sit on him. [color=fff200]"He really likes you, Alex! Anyway, I'm glad you're okay. Things are really starting to look up now."[/color] She lifted Tim off his head, and petted the weasel's head. ¨ [color=fff200]"But that's a lot of pets you're taking care of. It's really sweet of you."[/color] She then went to the balcony, taking in the fresh air as she continued petting Tim. Then, she suddenly turned, a big grin on her face. [color=fff200]"Next time, you're taking me to solve crime too, Alex! I knew you sneaked off; I can tell it from your face. Besides, I can't wait to get to use my new magic."[/color] [hr] A couple of days later... [hider="Scheming at the Manor of Mirrors"] There was a long, rectangular table, sitting in place within a large dining hall in Mariette’s Manor of Mirrors. Seated at the very end was Mariette, looking intently across at the other champions of Asengav; the group had come together after a couple of days. On her left, in order, sat [url=https://i.imgur.com/N53ToUw.png]Lea Keufer[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/OoibQu3.png]Josefin Hermansson[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/sqHfYs3.png]Taihei Kumi[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/MkfZ90q.jpg]Jelena Dias[/url], and one empty seat belonging to [url=https://i.imgur.com/D8A8SOp.png]Mayra McCullough[/url], who’s not here now. On her right, in order, sat [url=https://i.imgur.com/5o9ObXJ.png]Freya Cameron[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/ad92PvD.png]Tullia Barese[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/3tj5n3Y.jpg]Victoria Tretyakova[/url], [url=https://i.imgur.com/4rEtFz1.png]Suzette Laderoute[/url], and one empty seat belonging to [url=https://i.imgur.com/m4rTXOi.jpg]Ronja Koskela[/url], who’s not here either. There was also one empty chair straight ahead of Mariette. Out of those who should be here, three were missing. Regardless, this was Asengav’s champions gathered from multiple worlds. Eli was currently out, the only girl currently on a mission. [color=1462ba]‘… Repeat that,’[/color] Mariette asked, looking to her right at Freya. To her left Lea glowered, the mystical representative of Asengav taking note of every word said. [color=abc8d6]‘I said,’[/color] Freya repeated, frowning. [color=abc8d6]‘that Ronja took on multiple hostiles on her own and attempted to kill them but got herself countered and injected with lethal poison. She engaged them in order to feed her spider “babies”.’[/color] So sounded the report, and there was a silence hanging over the room. [color=faf07f]‘As in, her minion shadow spiders?’[/color] Josefin asked. [color=fcda2b]‘Nope!’[/color] Suzette, the one closest with Ronja of those present in the room, told. [color=fcda2b]‘Completely normal, if oversized and deadly, spiders that follow their mother, and she loves them back.’[/color] Suzette was enjoying herself, thinking this situation hilarious. [color=c1eb9b]‘… She’s not their mother,’[/color] Lea stated blankly, as if insulted by the idea. [color=c1eb9b]‘The mate with which she’d produce said babies with does not exist. She cannot even have adopted them, she has no Beast-specialization with which to control them.’[/color] The question of “So, what gives?” hung silently in the air. [color=4e5478]‘That’s… on me,’[/color] Taihei raised one of her limbs, staring down into the table as she sat and the rest turned to look at her. [color=4e5478]‘She asked me to make children for her, so I did. I designed them and made them love her, at her request. Figures she’d go get herself offed while trying to use things that I made. It’s probably all my fault.’[/color] [color=abc8d6]‘She’s not dead,’[/color] Freya told, frowning. [color=abc8d6]‘Thanks to Suzette diving into a world of kindness and using said kindness to heal her, Ronja was brought back from utter ruin. We’ve locked her up for now, though. She’s not doing anything until she’s reflected on her mistakes. Which I’m sure she will, seeing how the poison has rendered her permanently blind.’[/color] There were numerous twitches of uncomfortability among the less stoic of the group, like Josefin, Tullia and Victoria. Mariette nodded. Ronja was one whose powers were vital for their plan to work, losing her would have been disastrous. Fortunately, Freya had been quick to recover her when the word that she was in danger had been reported. Onto point two… [color=1462ba]‘Where’s Mayra?’[/color] Mariette asked, looking over to those in the back of the table. Victoria sat with her arms crossed, frowning, while Jelena grinned while closing her eyes. [color=9c87c9]‘She deigned to stay,’[/color] Victoria said. [color=a699ad]‘We were off fighting for fun, just testing out a couple of locals…’[/color] Jelena said, still grinning, remembering that battle. [color=a699ad]‘… And Mayra took a liking to them and is now hanging out with them,’[/color] [color=1462ba]‘Hm,’[/color] Mariette made a noise of acknowledgement, considering it. [color=faf07f]‘Er, isn’t that bad?’[/color] Josefin asked, looking worried. [color=faf07f]‘Mayra’s the most chaotic and unpredictable of us,’[/color] she says right after Ronja did something so extremely silly, [color=faf07f]‘isn’t there a chance she’ll start talking about things she shouldn’t with them?’[/color] [color=a699ad]‘Nah,’[/color] Jelena grinned. [color=a699ad]‘Like the rest of us, she’s utterly terrified of pissing off Asengav. While she gladly partakes in what new things there are, because she’s so fundamentally curious, loving making new friends and seeing what new people have to offer, there’s no escaping that when the time comes she’ll be fighting on our side. She won’t leak anything~’[/color] [color=abc8d6]‘That’s still dangerous,’[/color] Freya said. [color=abc8d6]‘They’ll eventually figure out her connection to us, and then they might catch her, either to hold as a captive against us or try to get information out of her.’[/color] [color=a699ad]‘You underestimate Mayra,’[/color] Jelena giggled with a grin. [color=abc8d6]‘You underestimate our enemies,’[/color] Freya replied, frowning. [color=fcda2b]‘What about your own problem, Freya?’[/color] Suzette suddenly asked, looking mischievous. [color=fcda2b]‘How many have you killed since coming to this city, all to satisfy that burning hunger inside?’[/color] Freya shuddered, looking away from Jelena and Suzette. [color=abc8d6]‘… Five. I’ve eaten five innocent people,’[/color] she replied, hesitant. [color=fcda2b]‘Do you think it might become a problem that someone will seek out who has eaten these five innocent people?’[/color] Suzette asked, smiling like she was poking at a weakness. [color=abc8d6]‘Hardly,’[/color] Freya replied. [color=abc8d6]‘This town has a multitude of magical murderers. I’m probably definitely not the worst huntress of the night. I’m a drop in the ocean.’[/color] Between the Vixen’s and Massacrer’s and others’ activities, Freya’s would hardly be noticed… she hoped. [color=6cbad4]‘We are off-track,’[/color] Tullia spoke up, hoping to be a voice of reason. [color=6cbad4]‘There was an army of skeletons in town, and there was a giant in the stadium. What gives?’[/color] [color=c1eb9b]‘We have detailed documentation of what went down at the stadium,’[/color] Lea spoke out. [color=c1eb9b]‘Our friends were kind enough to share their notes. We have a pretty good idea of all that happened there. We can plan accordingly,’[/color] she said, proud of her words. Mariette nodded. It was helpful to have a being so well-connected with the mystical forces of the world here, all manners of Lesser Forces and Gods which she could contact… [color=abc8d6]‘… But we are clueless as to who summoned the skeletons, or why,’[/color] Freya followed it up with. [color=9c87c9]‘They were cleverly made, the magic made damaged skeletons join together to make more powerful ones,’[/color] Victoria, the witness at the scene, reported. [color=9c87c9]‘It wasn’t a random incident. Someone summoned them there with intention, but what that intention was is beyond me. They were marching on the park, though.’[/color] A silence hung over those present for a time. [color=6cbad4]‘… Were they after Esther?’[/color] Tullia asked. [color=9c87c9]‘Why would they? What could that possibly have achieved? Eh,’[/color] Victoria shrugged and leaned back, placing her hands behind her head. [color=c1eb9b]‘We’ll look into it. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter in the grand scope of things. More importantly,’[/color] Lea said as she looked to Suzette first, then Tullia and Freya. [color=c1eb9b]‘I heard you did some distracting while you two were setting up?’[/color] [color=fcda2b]‘Yeah, distraction successful! It went off without a hitch, and I got to scare some degenerates while I was at it! There was even this other empath that tried to attack me. She was pretty adorable, thinking she could actually match me,’[/color] Suzette smirked widely, reminiscing. [color=6cbad4]‘Without a hitch, huh,’[/color] Tullia commented, looking to her. [color=fcda2b]‘… Okay, so I was hit by a sniper. Wouldn’t have been a problem if YOUR healing artifact worked like intended!’[/color] Suzette shot a glare across at Taihei. Taihei sat, completely unintimidated, giving a tired stare back at Suzette. [color=4e5478]‘You took an item I had made,’[/color] she replied, calmly. [color=4e5478]‘I don’t know what you were expecting. Really, you should have seen it coming. I don’t know why you insist my things should bring you good fortune, or something. It’ll heal you eventually, though, just keep using it.’[/color] [color=fcda2b]‘Pah, hahaha! Why do we have this girl?’[/color] Suzette laughed a bit, looking at her. [color=faf07f]‘Hey! Taihei’s exceptional!’[/color] Josefin immediately defended. [color=faf07f]‘She just… has a lot to deal with!’[/color] [color=fcda2b]‘Ooooh, look at little miss untouchable speaking,’[/color] Suzette laughed. [color=fcda2b]‘You’re, like, only paired with Taihei because you’re the only one [i]lucky[/i] enough to survive her presence!’[/color] Taihei stayed quiet, though a slightly upset Josefin sat straighter and prepared to defend. [color=faf07f]‘That’s not-’[/color] [color=1462ba]‘Enough,’[/color] Mariette declared, stopping them before they could bicker further. The rest fell silent as their designated leader had spoken. She could command any of them, minus Lea, due to the whole representative of Asengav thing. [color=abc8d6]‘There’s another point that needs to be discussed,’[/color] Freya told, cutting the silence after it became clear Mariette wasn’t saying anything further. [color=abc8d6]‘A wish has been made to the duo known as the Djinn Sisters. A Magical Girl made a wish to protect those under the veil of ignorance within Penrose. That is to say, the non-magical mortals.’[/color] [color=fcda2b]‘Puff, how boring of her…’[/color] Suzette commented, looking snide. [color=abc8d6]‘I’ve tested it out earlier. It does not protect them if I just go up and stab one of them. It does, however, stop magical attacks from affecting them. They won’t be affected by any insufficiently powerful collateral magic or rituals. Any magic spell cast upon them is dispelled. They are immune to any magical effects, as well as their destructive power, though can be killed by collateral damage from destroyed buildings or so,’[/color] Freya told, eyes narrowed. [color=6cbad4]‘Wha- Those two are powerful enough to grant that sort of wishes!?’[/color] Tullia asked, alarmed, eyes wide. [color=a699ad]‘Heh, I wonder if they’ll grant my wishes if I go to them?’[/color] Jelena asked, a grin on her face. [color=c1eb9b]‘I suggest you don’t,’[/color] Leo told, in her “I am smarter than you” tone. Jelena scowled at her. Lea continued, unphased. [color=c1eb9b]‘The Djinn Sisters have a history of occasionally messing with those who wish with them, causing undesired effects and the likes. Making wishes to them is too dangerous to be applicable. However, they are sufficiently powerful to make wishes like this, which has every chance of becoming a major thorn in our sides. I say we execute them, immediately.’[/color] Mariette frowned the slightest where she sat. It was the natural course of action. Yet… yet thanks to a wish of the past, in their previous encounter, she had a connection to them. One that made this proposal… undesirable. [color=4e5478]‘… Can’t I try to wish away my predicament, first?’[/color] Taihei asked. [color=fcda2b]‘NOPE!’[/color] Suzette declared with the widest smile. [color=fcda2b]‘Out of all of us, you’re the LAST person we want using an unstable wish machine!’[/color] [color=4e5478]‘… Aww,’[/color] Taihei made a disappointed noise. [color=faf07f]‘Then, uh, let me?’[/color] Josefin asked, giving a little hopeful smile. [color=c1eb9b]‘No,’[/color] Lea declared, making Josefin hang her head in sadness at being shot down. [color=c1eb9b]‘No wishing with the Djinn Sisters. Instead, let’s plan how to dispose of-’[/color] [color=1462ba]‘I’ll talk to them,’[/color] Mariette told. Eyes turned to her as Mariette had said something. Holding an expressionless face, she looked to them all, ignoring Lea’s intent look. [color=1462ba]‘I know them from an earlier event. I will negotiate, and see if we can come to a separate arrangement. Until then, we will work around whatever wishes they’ve declared. Do not worry, because a previous wish of Eli’s has ensured they cannot intentionally get in our way,’[/color] Mariette told, the eyes of the people around looking at them. [color=c1eb9b]‘They can cause us considerable trouble unintentionally, as well,’[/color] Lea said, unconvinced. [color=1462ba]‘I’ll talk to them,’[/color] Mariette repeated. [color=1462ba]‘We are still on track. Overall, we’ve been successful. We have plenty of information on the residents of this city, we know roughly what to expect. We’ll be ready in time. I have tasks which will need to be accomplished in the coming days. In the meantime, I expect you all to finish preparing the city. Soon enough, we’ll be able to-’[/color] She was interrupted by a message to her phone, which she had been forced to learn how to use. All the other champions also got a message. Mariette and the others, minus Lea who could not be bothered, fished out their phones and took a look. The message was simple and concise. A new player was going to enter the mix.[/hider] [hr] A week later... [hider=”Do We Fight Now?"] It was getting dark out, but the orange sun was still hanging in the sky. If not for the surrounding buildings, their shadows likely could have reached outside the city. The wind felt...almost cathartic, despite the busy sounds of the city being not too far away. At least to the void-touched magical girl, sitting in place upon the roof of an abandoned building as she stared out upon the dancing lights in the distance. It had been a while since she had been saved by the Beacon Buddies, and she’d lived with Regina and Elroy since then. Though in the long term it was perhaps the blinking of an eye for many, for her...heh, it had been a lot to handle in just the last while alone. Since arriving in Penrose, she had been through more than anything else her magical girl life had managed to put her through. Some of it was….bad, and hurt even now. Thinking she could talk to Rina and Amaryllis...slaughtering much of a stadium of people even. Her boss overriding her control on her powers like it was nothing, lecturing her on things she hated...and maybe a bit she needed to hear as well. She’d had much of an arm cut off, replaced by what seemed to be an arm made of magical chains derived from Amaryllis’ magic. At times... even now….she felt the phantom feelings of that former piece of her that...wouldn’t be coming back. Her boss wouldn’t even tell her his plans as of yet, not the big plans. Nor would any of the most important parts that had driven her to this point be revealed yet, it seemed. Yet some of her time here was good as well, moments she’d treasure as long as she lived. The taste of good food, walking about the city and seeing a new place, dinner with friends for the first time, helping a person find the pawn shop….heh. Even the moonlight at night as it glistened on the morning dew, and the feeling of warm sunshine on her face during the day. The little things, she supposed. But most importantly, she...felt very happy she had found Elroy...and especially Regina. And speaking of, Regina seemed to phase out of the shadows not too far away. [color=f200f2]"Um."[/color] Regina hugged herself. [color=f200f2]"Hello Annabelle."[/color] A small smile came to Annabelle’s face as she heard that familiar voice, one echoing softly in her ears like a beautiful bell chime. Or perhaps she was being a tad dramatic in her thoughts about how Regina sounded. Timid with people, but fierce in battle like a rampaging valkyrie. Ever since they had met, Annabelle had done her best to try to be there for her, a thing which had surprised herself a bit at the start even. She liked a cute face, but….hmmm, it was different. Different than a lust for food, than pain becoming pleasure, different than anything she had enjoyed so far in life. To her, Regina felt ‘real’, as real as could be. Heh. Were she of a more superstitious sort, she’d have leaped upon the chance to call it a “red thread of fate”. Some belief she heard about from Japan or something...it was a long time ago she had last heard about it, really. Actually...a small tidbit of info from her past life. But it talked about something like two being being destined to meet each other, if she remembered right. She liked the sound of that, if she had to be honest...or perhaps she was a romantic at heart. Haha. [color=silver]“Seems Elroy isn’t hanging around tonight, haha….Though I don’t ever mind being alone with you, as long as...you are ok with it,”[/color] the magical girl said, swinging her legs around from where they had been hanging over the roof’s edge, standing up and walking calmly over to Regina in her magical girl form. Not getting up to her too close, but...not too far either. Though as she saw Regina in that self-hugging state a small pang of worry came into her mind and onto her face, [color=silver]“Hey there, Regina. Ah...Is something wrong?”[/color] [color=f200f2]"N-nothing's wrong. I just had Elroy stay home today."[/color] She took a deep breath. [color=f200f2]"Would you mind taking a walk with me?"[/color] A-a walk?! Annabelle felt a ping of surprise leap into her at the very thought, and for the first time in a long time the void-touched girl had a tiny bit of blush on her face. Albeit, she hoped Regina would not be seeing it. Though as soon as she began to blush, she quickly calmed herself down. It wasn’t a normal Regina request as far as she could remember, but...yes, she would be glad for a nice walk. Night air felt pretty clear for the most part, even. [color=silver]”I would love to take a walk with you. It feels great out tonight, perfect weather for a walk!”[/color] the white-haired magical girl said, smiling softly at Regina. It felt as of late as if her emotions that normally didn’t come out had been in play. Ever since the stadium....ah, she didn’t need to ponder on that right now. Even now it panged a bit within her as a sore spot, though she wasn’t going to deny it either. More than anything, a lost chance for friends, to be a helpful magical girl, Regina and Elroy putting themselves in danger for her….those had struck chords within herself where the violent actions and death hadn’t even phased her. Not like those latter most thing could phase her anymore, though… Regina took Annabelle across the roof. The buildings might have been run down, and a few had even collapsed. Yet it was still possible to walk from roof to roof with little effort. There did not seem to be any intended destination. [color=f200f2]"When you took Elroy and I out to eat, you said that you couldn't remember your past."[/color] They were walking side by side, and Regina was looking straight ahead. [color=f200f2]"Do you still not remember anything?"[/color] [color=silver]”....Truly, I don’t remember anything but glimpses of information, but...no voices, no images of people i once knew….,”[/color] the white haired girl said, keeping pace with Regina calmly as she let the breeze caress her hair, pulling the hood of her outfit down to let it happen as she looked at the twinkling stars above whilst walking, [color=silver]”....Sometimes i dream about what life before might have been like. But...that is all they are. Dreams. Albeit, as of late I keep finding mostly you….and on occasion Elroy and the Beacon Buddies...in them without fail. Haha, and i don’t mind that at all! Just makes those dreams even better.”[/color] Regina slowed to a stop. [color=f200f2]”I'm happy to hear that, actually."[/color] She turned towards Annabelle. [color=f200f2]”I've only been a magical girl for a few months, but you're the only one who hasn't tried to exploit me for anything. Well, you and Elroy."[/color] Regina was coiling a lock of hair around her finger. [color=f200f2]”But if I'm being honest, my life is a lot happier now that I'm a magical girl."[/color] Regina turned her head so that she was giving Annabelle a sideways glance. [color=f200f2]”I suppose as an amnesiac, it's easy to think that you were robbed of precious memories. Your first day of school, your first kiss, your first job, your last birthday, your last Christmas, it's impossible to know what any of those must be like. But even knowing that..."[/color] she closed her eyes and shook her head. [color=f200f2]”... I envy you so much."[/color] Regina's eyes drifted towards the sun. Just a few more seconds and it would get swallowed up by the ocean. [color=f200f2]”I can't remember why my parents were so angry, only that it had something to do with me. My mother left me early in my life, and when my father wasn't drinking, he was beating me. I'm not sure why he kept me around. I think it was for the welfare money. I don't think I ever remember him leaving the house to do more than check the mailbox."[/color] She wiped her eyes. [color=f200f2]”I got groceries for us. That was the best time of my life. I can't remember any birthdays, or even a single Christmas. But shopping, it got me out of the house and away from school. I had to be careful though."[/color] She inhaled through her teeth. [color=f200f2]”When you shop for things, you're always tempted to get something for yourself. I wanted to buy a makeup kit for myself. He found out about it. It was painful. Time around him was always painful."[/color] She took a deep breath. [color=f200f2]”I thought Elroy would be the only friend I ever had."[/color]Annabelle could feel something warm in her hand: slender fingers wrapping around her palm. [color=f200f2]”I'm so lucky to have found you."[/color] Annabelle gently gripped those slender, warm fingers in return, before gently lifting up Regina’s hand and placing a chaste kiss upon the back of the girl’s hand. She then let their hands back down, though...she wasn’t letting go. Not squeezing tightly, no oppressive or clingy feelings...just seemingly happy to hold the demonic-looking girl’s hand. [color=silver]”I can’t say who is luckier right now, but....I always feel like the luckiest magical girl alive when I and with you. I never knew you had been through so much, and here i am feeling a bit sorry for myself not remembering the past….I feel so foolish, but… ...I suppose I have always wanted friends because….I’ve always been alone. Serving Lord Soth, working with minions, sending monsters back to the void….most magical girls seemed to hate me. Many shrugged me off. A few….a few i know tried to chase me to kill me, and what happened to them I don’t want to think about even in my worst dreams….. I cannot say I went through that...abuse, that hell that you wish to forget. If I could hand over that amnesia and bear that burden for you….I would without a second thought. But if nothing else, though I can’t change the past, though...neither of us can…..I can promise you something, some things I know for sure right now.”[/color] Annabelle reached over, gingerly taking both of Regina’s hands into her own. Regina trembled, but only momentarily. She looked into Regina’s eyes. [color=silver]”If anyone even tries to hurt you again, i am going to kick their asses, Regina. If they try to kill you, i will kill them. I won’t let anyone hurt you, ever, EVER again. I’ll buy you all the makeup you want. I will treat you to the best dinners, and the best movies, and whatever else you want in this world. I will listen to whatever you need to say, and if there is any way i can help you i will if you but ask me. I would sail around the world on a wooden raft, if I had to, through storms and hell and back….all just to be by your side. I suppose...what i mean to say is…...I want to make you the happiest magical girl in all the world, Regina. The happiest magical girl in the universe. Nothing less than that.“[/color] And then the sun sank into the ocean. It was a moonless night, and what little light came from the living part of Penrose. [hr] After Regina and Annabelle had parted ways, the monster girl made her way to a secluded area of the slums. [color=f200f2]”Soth, I know you're around here."[/color] She fret her brow. [color=f200f2]”Answer me."[/color] As if responding the call of Regina’s voice, the air around her seemed to shudder, as if the world itself had been shaken by a deep rumbling...a stirring. And as if peeling away shards of glass from a broken mirror, the world around her seemed to crumble….save for the bit of roof she was standing on. Night sky and distant light, they were replaced with an oppressively vapid darkness that seemed to surround her on all sides. In effect, it would all seem much like being pulled into the Overcity, but...this was far from being the Overcity, if anything. Then above Regina, another occurrence. The shimmering of a portal, far larger than anything that had been at the stadium a time ago. Titanic in size, emanating an oppressive pressure from it upon all in the vicinity, even a bit upon Regina herself despite how incredibly far up it was above her. Out of this portal then began to slither tentacles, some covered in eyes, some barbed and jagged, some covered in mouths with several sets of razor-sharp teeth. Some tentacles as big as skyscrapers, whilst some seemed as tiny as as a mere human being in comparison. But finally, barely sticking through the portal came a single, great eye. The glistening orb was black, as dark as the abyss it came from, with a single, white iris. Though far from being the rest of his body, this was a sight more rare...and terrible...indeed. A glimpse of part of the terrible form of Lord Soth, restrained only to avoid driving the witnessing magical girl insane, or crushing her with this part’s mere aura alone. [color=crimson][b]”Ah, young one. You wished an audience with me? I feel it would be better spoken of in this place, A space i have formed for such conversations on….special occasions. Now, little magical girl, what is your request of me?”[/b][/color] As grotesque as the horror was, Regina didn't flinch in its presence. [color=f200f2]” I do not care for you, and I'm unsure how much I should be helping a horror. Forwarding your plan is going to hurt a lot of people. But..."[/color] Regina sighed. [color=f200f2]”Are we going to be safe? Is Annabelle going to be alright once this all goes into effect?"[/color] A moment of silence seemed to hang in the air, but as soon as it came it seemed to disappear once more as the voice of the great horror rang again through the entire space. [color=crimson][b]”Ah, yes. The girl, Annabelle, my ‘Herald’ as many have taken to calling her. You seem to have developed some level of care about her well-being. How...interesting, yet quaint. Once completed, my plan shall see my use of the girl at its end. You may do with her what you wish at that time moving forward, as she will be out of my service. I am sure that she would feel great joy over that, wouldn’t you agree? Though as for all of you...well, I cannot promise there won’t be potential….’collateral damage’. Nothing you humans haven’t rebuilt from before, though, so I worry not about it. Though many worlds have suffered, so truly it isn’t a matter to concern one’s mind over in the long term. And I am sure Beacon would arise to the occasion to assert some influence by assisting in such efforts to repair anything that had been destroyed or damaged. Truly, once they are done searching out all opposition, like rats scurrying about amidst the rubble~”[/b][/color] [color=f200f2]”I don't care about any of that, so long as we're safe."[/color] Regina let her arms swing at her sides. [color=f200f2]”Is there anything you need that can be used to accelerate your plan?"[/color] [color=crimson][b]”Oh? You are quite the mortal to jump to the point, aren’t you? Hahaha! ...My passing amusement aside with this affair, i have need of one last resource my servants had located after much searching. The whole corpse of a magical girl, which lies there ready for harvesting. With it, my plans can finish very soon indeed.” You and your forces are to secure this corpse, whilst i make final preparations for what is to come and reinforce my territory. In this mission, i shall provide support from some of my most lesser underlings, if only merely to provide a portal by which the corpse can be transported more directly to the abandoned school. Nothing larger, as i did before on a mere whim~ However...Annabelle shall remain at the school during this mission and right after, as I have need of her for the more…’crucial’ aspects of my plan. Upon delivery of the fully-intact corpse, however, payment shall be immediately given to you. Then you and your forces are to all vacate the school grounds immediately, so I can begin. Then once all is done, you may come retrieve your friend, as promised.[/b][/color] [color=f200f2]"That shouldn't be a problem."[/color] Regina turned her back to the Horror. [color=f200f2]"Now let me out of here so that I can get you a damn body."[/color][/hider] [hr] Another week later... [hider="At Beacon"] After Binky was taken to questioning, the Beckoners discussed privately for an entire day. The angelic Beckoner then appeared before Alicia, and informed her that they have accepted Binky's offer, and ordered her to bring Binky under Beacon's protection. Sylvia oversaw the construction of a private magical workshop in a hidden location, where Binky was given access to all the tools and materials she required to produce Red Coins. "It seems the Beckoners want to make these strange new coins using that poor girl," she told Alicia at lunch break. "Not that I'm going to question them. At least she has a real home here. Isn't that right, Kimble?" She petted the catgirl, who sat on the floor next to them, ruffling her cat ears, to which she purred in response. "It's been quiet though, and that worries me. Sally's also lost some of her energy." She glanced at Sally, who was playing baccarat with Janet. "She told me that some Beacon girls had been brainwashed by a pair called 'The Bates'. A fortnight of combing the city, and still not trace of them..." She muttered, and chugged down a big cup of cocoa. "Anyway, I guess we-" she was interrupted by a messenger girl, whose whisper in her ear caused her to gasp. [/hider] [hider="A New Challenger Arrives"] On top of one of the larger buildings in Penrose, looking down over the streets, stood five individuals. [url=https://i.imgur.com/dBX6ZNI.png]Two twins[/url] stood by talking to one another and pointing out details of the scenery, the latter’s birds currently telling her the results of their scouting mission. [url=https://i.imgur.com/4Okky5V.jpg]One body[/url] stood glaring down at cars and such while holding her head beneath her armpit in lack of other places, magic energy rising like smoke from her severed neck. A [url=https://i.imgur.com/6JY2mn6.jpg]winged, scaled monster girl[/url] stood grumbling next to their leader. Said leader was a glowing blue being floating in mid-air, electricity surging through her constantly and occasionally zapping off her. She wasn’t even bothering to notice said out-of-control electricity, merely let it be. [color=f09595]‘We should currently be safe from attacks,’[/color] the pink-haired one of the twins turned and told their leader, who simply nodded. They were pretty exposed here, but there was a matter of showing that they were not afraid. [color=9fd9fc]‘Beatrice,’[/color] the blue monster-girl told. The winger monster-girl turned to stare at her with a little smirk. [color=9fd9fc]‘Is your spell ready?’[/color] [color=f06943]‘Prepared as you wanted it, ma’am,’[/color] Beatrice chuckled a bit. [color=f06943]‘It’s gonna take all my potential with Sound-magic, but I’ll do it. Just say the word, and I’ll have your voice echoing throughout the streets at a steady volume for a large distance in all directions. Those who don’t hear it will hear about it soon enough. I’m ready when you are.’[/color] [color=525866]‘Ueh-heh-heh, time to fight for our lives. Are we ready for this?’[/color] the head carried by its body asked, sounding partly excited and partly apprehensive. [color=9fd9fc]‘It doesn’t matter,’[/color] the leader said, turning her head to look at the four individuals gathered to their left. Locals that they had contacted ahead of time, gathered because they seemed to be in hiding and had something to gain from their cooperation. [color=9fd9fc]‘You are all agreeing to this by the terms laid out?’[/color] [color=f03aa1]‘Keh-heh!’[/color] laughed [url=https://i.imgur.com/3fX9xeD.jpg]a little witch in purple and blue clothing[/url] with a small round creature flying by her head. [color=f03aa1]‘I get to open my magical store of gizmos and fortune telling, and you protect me when I’m in danger? In exchange for some help occasionally? Sounds good to me~!’[/color] [color=ffb3d2]‘Hmm-mm,’[/color] a [url=https://i.imgur.com/QUELk1w.png]smiling girl in white, blue and pink flashy uniform[/url] carrying a golden staff and a wand made a little noise. [color=ffb3d2]‘Help me find what I’m looking for, and the Walker family will provide some manner of aid, which will hopefully be of use to you,’[/color] she agreed. [color=e04a4a]‘I, uh…’[/color] stammered a girl usually sure of herself, a [url=https://i.imgur.com/PRFUDa5.jpg]monster-girl with red dragon-scales along her indecently clad body[/url], small magic engines attached to her limbs, shoulders and horns. [color=e04a4a]‘… I’ve had to live in the dark to avoid Beacon long enough. Protect me from them, and I’m on your side.’[/color] Fourth stood a quiet, [url=https://i.imgur.com/YAgDy0O.jpg]blue clad girl with green hair, and behind her stood a gargantuan horned monster on two legs[/url], awaiting her commands. She looked forth, and confirmed. [color=7881a1]‘Darkness grows, beyond our sights. Promise me you will help deal with them, and I will help deal with your foes in turn.’[/color] The blue electric leader nodded to them, confirming that what they asked for will be looked into, and then turned to face out towards the city. [color=9fd9fc]‘Beatrice, begin,’[/color] their electric blue leader told, as she began drifting out to stand at the edge of the building. Beatrice flexed her wings and then clasped her hands together, channeling a powerful spell. The leader waited until the spell touched her body, surging through her, before she yelled out. Her voice carried across the city, any wake being of the magical world would surely hear her, while any normal person would dismiss it immediately for something natural. Cindy Ford spoke. [hider=Cindy Ford][center][url=https://i.imgur.com/V05SWCC.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/V05SWCCl.png[/img][/url][/center][/hider] [color=9fd9fc]‘Magical denizens of Penrose!’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘I am Cindy Ford, champion of the Thunderbird. I hereby designate myself as the ruler of this city.’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘If you wish to contest my claim, then face me in combat. In absence of such, I will assume rule has been deferred to me.’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘As ruler, I will hold sway of how this city is run. I will wish to know who lives in my city, and be quick to rally those I need in times of peril. If you cause trouble in my city, then it will be within my right to banish you from these lands, with punishment should you return.’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘If you wish to support me, then I welcome you to contact me. Standing atop Penrose Town Hall will be seen as seeking an audience with me. Those who join me will be under my protection, and I shall wreak havoc upon those who threaten my vassals.’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘I do not intend to interfere in the lives of Magical Girls. Your personal goals and lives are your own. Live as you have, it is your city. However, I require you to acknowledge that I am your ruler, and act accordingly when I appear before you or demand something of you.’[/color] [color=9fd9fc]‘That is all.’[/color] … With that, the spell of sound faded, and Cindy drifted back to her companions. The call had been made. It was now a matter to see how people would respond to it.[/hider]