[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YwQiYys.png[/img]
[h1]Second Chances[/h1][/center]
Turning to Beacon for something like this was risky. Knowing where an enemy of theirs was had the potential to turn the organization against her if she didn’t give him up. But there was not that many other places to turn. Beacon, for all their hard line views and practices, were the only ones that had some method of cleaning up a corrupted individual. How that was done was a mystery as it was never discussed with outsiders, but there was enough talk to say that even then it was a rare event. About the only other lead for the chapter in Penrose is that one of their members had specifically been purified and passed trial for having been manipulated. While not entirely the same situation, Shannon hoped she could make a good enough case to get her friend at least past being a target. 

After a while of scouting the rooftops of Penrose, Shannon found a patrol of Beacon girls, and approached them. They knew who she was but they weren’t going to let just anyone walk up to them, especially considering the latest events and how she was considered KIA in the graveyard battle. "Halt, state your name and business!" One of the Beacon girls called out. 

[color=tan]"Shannon Bron. I seek audience with Sylvia on a matter. I have information on one of the Bates twins."[/color] Outing that she knew something on Elroy was not the most appealing place to start. However, it was likely the best way to fast track to talking to someone that could make things happen. 

The girls looked alarmed at the reveal; one of them continued watching her, while the rest huddled together to whisper to each other. It didn’t take long before they had an answer.
“Very well. However, we must ask you to put on this blindfold.” One of the girls tossed a small bundle of white cloth for Shannon to catch; it inscribed with golden runes that slightly shimmered. “It is for security purposes, as our HQ is hidden.” Once Shannon was done putting the cloth on, two girls placed their hands on her shoulders. At that moment, Shannon felt a feeling similar to shifting, as space seemed to warp around her. “We brought an informant,” she heard the leading girl speak, followed by the sound of doors opening before her. She was briskly led inside, and the blindfold was removed. Shannon then saw that she was in the Beacon HQ’s entrance hall, where visitors could wait on benches and sofas set against the walls. “Sorry about that. Can’t be too careful these days,” the girls earnestly explained. “Wait just a moment, and you’ll be taken to Sylvia.”

Following instructions Shannon took a seat. Looking around the building was clearly new, which was no surprise. Though not really having much interest in how things were arranged she smiled and set her hands in her lap. [color=tan]”Completely understand. Thank you.”[/color] Reclining in the chair a bit there was no way to know how long she would be sitting. Almost felt like a doctors appointment to an extent. Now that was something she hadn’t done in quite some time.

Shannon saw that after the incident at the graveyard, Beacon girls have mobilized for civilian rescue and cleanup, as the tornadoes left their marks on the streets. However, everyone seemed to be in good spirits, if exhausted. Shannon was led to a small meeting room; the kind usually seen in office buildings, with a projector fitted for the back wall. “Greetings. My name is Sylvia.” The silver-haired magical girl stood up to shake hands with her. “You fought against Soth, if I am not mistaken. Is there something we can do for you?” She asked, and took a cup of tea from another Beacon girl, before shutting the room.

Shaking the hand Shannon smiled at the warm greeting. There were only a couple of ways to answer the question presented. So as not to waste the Beacon girl's time she cut to the chase. [color=tan]"I did, and I'm hoping you can. I'm looking for a way that I can purify a friend of the corruptive magic he's been dealt. I am aware that you have some internal way of doing that, but more specifically the rumor is that you were able to purify one of your own not that long ago. I am not privy to how that was accomplished but is there any way that process is replicable?"[/color] Biting her lip it sounded like a tall order. Especially given who she was trying to help. Desperate times.

Sylvia sat down, and sipped her tea. “Yes, we have a method for purifying corrupted magic. That should be no secret to any member of the magical community.” She placed the cup down, and raised an eyebrow. “But it sounds to me like you are referring to something else, correct?” She sighed. “No matter what we do, rumors and gossip always finds their way out.” She clasped her fingers together. “In that case, there is no point in denying its existence; yes, we have a new, replicable method of purifying any corrupted magical girl with no complications.” She looked serious. “Who is this friend of yours? And why haven’t they given themselves up to Beacon if they do wish to be purified?”

Valid questions, though Shannon's heart jumped slightly at hearing there was something that could help Elroy. Thinking on her feet though she responded [color=tan]"There are a few reasons. The first is he only just woke up a day ago. I don't know if it was passed on to you but the person I'm talking about is one of the Bates, Elroy. He's a friend and I pulled him off the battlefield before anyone else could get to him in case…"[/color] She trailed off briefly. [color=tan]"Well, I wasn't entirely sure I could trust his wellbeing to you or anyone else there. I don't mean to offend. From what I can tell you've made some attempts at changing your stance on monster girls but I had to be sure. I also can't trust a rumor for something so important."[/color] Having got through that she could breathe again.

Sylvia squinted at the mention of the monster boy’s name. “A friend? I hope you realize that he was the cause for summoning Soth to our world? Alongside his Twin, that is.” She took a bigger sip from her tea. “We have had some policy changes, yes, but nothing can excuse him for what he’s done. He needs to face justice.” She then sighed. “Anyway, please continue.”

A smile returning to Shannon's face the girl addressed the concern. 
[color=tan]"Ah, yes. I assumed that may be the case. However Elroy cannot be wholly held responsible. As I'm sure you know as a Twin Soul the twin will often follow the lead of the other unless something terrible was done against them by their counterpart. Something that, in this case, did occur. As a Friendship girl I know for a fact that Regina had been using her Psychic magic to manipulate him into doing what she wanted."[/color] Thankfully Janet's trial set a precedent in Beacon for mental manipulation. Double that given the monster girl had managed to brainwash several Beacon girls on top of that. Having a couple other items on her mind she resumed. [color=tan]"There was one other reason I'm here in his stead right now. Being a monster boy and using a Black Coin has done a number on his mental state. He is currently prone to extreme violence and I didn't think it wise to have him around others for his and others safety. He did express to me his desire to be free of that though and I for one believe him."[/color]

Sylvia nodded, deep in thought. 
“Hmm...Regina was the brains of the operation, and did have the power to control minds...so it is possible she also controlled him.” She tapped the side of her teacup in rhythmic fashion. 
“If that is the case...It might be a similar situation to what happened to one of our own members recently.” She listened as Shannon further explained the circumstances behind Elroy, nodding occasionally. 
“You seem like a trustworthy girl, Shannon.”
She stood up, and picked something out of her pocket, offering it to her; the girl exclaimed in surprise at what she saw. 
“This is a White Coin; if what you’re saying is true, and Elroy truly wishes to be free of Regina’s taint, have him use this.” However, as Shannon reached for it, Sylvia closed her fist tight. 
“But a word of warning: if I later find out you lied to me, and took this to further a selfish end...I won’t show mercy again.” And with that, she slowly opened her palm, letting her take it.

Shannon had not expected several things that had just happened. Beacon was apparently way ahead of her in being prepared, and this is new? She had never heard of such a thing. Just as a surprise was that Sylvia was giving it to her here and now. Was it really that easy? When given the warning she didn't flinch. When she did finally have hold of the White Coin the girl cupped the object in her hands and stared at it for a while. Walking out with the solution she sought had never crossed her mind. [color=tan]"T-thank you. How-"[/color] Shaking her head she dropped the question. That wasn't important right now. Putting on a determined expression she clutched the coin. [color=tan]"I won't betray your trust! This is amazing. This works and you can bet you'll be the first to know."[/color] A gesture like this was no small potatoes. This thing works then there was a lot more to magic crafting than Shannon imagined. Being an Empty Pockets Puchuu girl there was no way she could ever manage something like this.

“I’m glad to hear. There’s been far too many times when we have had to drink from the foul cup of treachery,” Sylvia spoke, and averted her eyes. “Because of that, it has been tough to try to be valorous. But if Elroy’s violence can be abated, it would save many lives. And for that, I’ll put my faith in you, Shannon.” She gestured to the Beacon girl waiting outside in the corridor. “She is free to leave on her own; she is good at heart.” And so, Shannon was allowed to leave the Beacon HQ, which turned invisible as she walked outside of it.

[hr]

Heading back outside Penrose with her prize in hand so to speak, Shannon shifted to the area she had left Elroy. Going back to a place in the other world after a time was a tricky thing. Stuff had a way of meandering around so you generally didn't end up just where you expected. Advantage to Shannon that she could plant objects into the ground to act as landmarks. Heading in the direction the forest was now she tried to locate the monster boy. [color=tan]"Elroy, I'm back!"[/color]

Elroy had not moved far from the tree where Shannon had left him. What was far more curious was that he was looking into the eyes of someone Shannon recognized. 

It was his sister.

[color=f200f2]"…That doesn’t change anything. "[/color] Apparently they had been talking for a while before Shannon showed up. [color=f200f2]"You’re still in danger, and Shannon is too. And once she gets back-"[/color] Regina turned her head. [color=f200f2]"We were waiting for you."[/color]

Elroy turned his head to look at Shannon. [color=c9272c]"Scarf girl. She found us."[/color]

[color=f200f2]"He won’t listen to me, so you have to tell him."[/color] Regina held something out. [color=f200f2]"This is a Red Coin. You can use it to change your identity."[/color] She pointed towards Elroy. [color=f200f2]"I want us to use it so that we don’t get hunted down and killed."[/color]

Elroy grit his teeth. [color=c9272c]"Why don’t you just take control of me and get it over with?"[/color]

[color=f200f2]"That’s exactly why I’m not doing that!"[/color] Regina’s voice cracked. [color=f200f2]"Everything I do turns to shit, so we need to make this choice together."[/color]

Well this wasn’t what she expected to come up to. Seeing Regina wasn’t exactly something she wanted to do right now, but that didn’t mean it was a terrible thing. What was more concerning was there was yet another coin. Seemed like an odd coincidence that two new coins suddenly popped up about the same time. Hard to say which came first though. Walking up to the two she was glad at least that they were willing to talk the situation out. [color=tan]”Well this is awkward. Uh, so explain to me what you mean by ‘change your identity.’”[/color]

Regina took a breath and composed herself. [color=f200f2]"A tiny detective girl was involved in an experiment with these coins. She was in a good mood so she gave me one because I looked sad."[/color] Regina looked over the coin in her hand. [color=f200f2]"If I use this coin, I can change everything about myself. It just scrambles everything. I’d have a different type of magic, different look, everything. It’s a brand new identity."[/color] Regina closed her hand around it. [color=f200f2]"But what’s important is why we need to use it."[/color]

Elroy pointed at Shannon. [color=c9272c]"Scarf girl got me something for this corruption you subjected us to."[/color]

[color=f200f2]"That’s not the point."[/color] Regina looked at Shannon this time.[color=f200f2]"The archive wants to know how I enslaved those beacon girls. They put a curse on Elroy and now they have a bone spider that can write his thoughts as he has them. They are trying to use him to find me. The only way we can reliably protect this horrible secret is to become someone else. That’s what I’ve decided."[/color]

Elroy’s hands balled into fists. [color=c9272c]"Why don’t you just kill yourself then? Not like I know how you did it."[/color]

[color=f200f2]"Elroy, they are going to know what you do for the rest of your life. At any moment, they can just drop in on whatever you’re doing. If you become an obstacle to them, they’ll have no problem removing you."[/color] Regina turned the coin over in her hand. [color=f200f2]"I could have just used this coin on myself, but that wouldn’t have protected you."[/color]

[color=c9272c]"Did you bring it, Shannon?"[/color] Elroy said through clenched teeth. [color=c9272c]"What do you have?"[/color]

[color=tan]”Right!”[/color] Reaching into her pocket she presented the White Coin. [color=tan]”Beacon apparently used something similar to clear Janet of Justene’s corruption and turn her back into a regular magical girl. That’s not an insignificant feat but I don’t know of anyone else that has that capability. It might be able to remove the curse as well.”[/color] Admittedly this was well outside her scope of knowledge. The Red Coin sounded like it could work as well.... Maybe.

Tapping her chin she considered what was going on. The bone spider thing really made a mess of things. And here she thought this would be easy. Well, after getting the coin as least. [color=tan]”So if you became someone else the curse would break? Would the mental mutations still be in effect? Because that is what I’m trying to help Elroy with. Although if you’re both here then I suppose you could use it as well, if you wanted.”[/color] When did magic get so complicated? Shannon remembered when all she had to worry about is fighting monsters and keeping factions from killing each other.

Regina shook her head. [color=f200f2]"The white coin will cleanse us of our corruption, but I’m not sure if it’s going to do anything to the bone spider that was made from Elroy. It will still be alive, writing his memories every moment he’s alive. I’ll admit I don’t know a lot about it but-"[/color] Regina took a step towards Shannon. [color=f200f2]"I’m not saying we should use the white coin instead of the red coin, I’m saying we should use both."[/color] 

Elroy stepped in front of Shannon. [color=c9272c]"What she hasn’t told you yet is one of the conditions that will get ‘shuffled away’ is the effect that makes us two different people. There will be no Regina and Elroy, only one of us will be left."[/color]

[color=f200f2]"Technically, it will be neither of us, but also both of us."[/color] Regina hugged herself [color=f200f2]"Whoever we were before we became magical boy and girl. The whole that both of our halves make up."[/color]

Elroy placed a hand on Shannon’s shoulder. [color=c9272c]"It’s insane, isn’t it?"[/color]

[color=f200f2]”It’s the only way to protect your future."[/color]

Shannon had a confused expression for a bit before it finally clicked. They had to use it together if they wanted to use it at all. Or at the very least, if Regina used it she would lose her Twinned Soul and in effect Elroy. That would break the curse because he would no longer exist as his own individual. Folding her arms she stared at the ground for a while. There was no easy solution here. [color=tan]”I get it.[/color] Looking up at Elroy she shook her head. How did she get herself into this mess? Friendship she supposed. [color=tan]”I can’t tell you what to do, but I can say this. Regina is right. If they have your thoughts then you’ll never truly be free. You may be clear of mental mutations but anything you learn could be used against you or those around you. There aren’t that many options after that if you want to keep people safe. They could just use you whenever they want.”[/color] 

Saying that was hard because Shannon knew it would be pushing him to effectively end his own individual existence. But being used like a pawn forever wasn’t much better unless you isolated yourself from everything. And even then that didn’t quite eliminate the potential of being captured. Thankfully Elroy was out when she brought him here otherwise they could have been located already.

[color=c9272c]"Shannon!"[/color] Elroy put his other hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer. [color=c9272c]"Regina, I… I hate her. I despise her."[/color] Regina lowered her head, but Elroy kept speaking. [color=c9272c]"But I don’t know if it’s the mutations or me talking anymore."[/color] He was growling. [color=c9272c]"You saved my life, you’re giving me another chance with this coin."[/color] Tears were starting to stream down his face. [color=c9272c]"I can’t make choices for myself anymore. If I was in your position, I’d have left me to die at the graveyard. "[/color] His breathing was becoming more horse. [color=c9272c]"You saved this life, you care about this life, you decide what happens to it."[/color] He looked back at Regina. [color=c9272c]"They could be on their way here already, what do I do?"[/color]

When Elroy put both of his hands on her shoulders and started losing grip on what to do Shannon lip quivered. This wasn’t how things were supposed to turn out. [color=tan]”Use it. Use the Red Coin. It’s your best chance.”[/color] She said quietly. She’d lost friends before in her career. Ben in the business too long to not have. But as a Friendship girl it was like losing a small piece of yourself each time. But she’d never had to tell someone else to do something like that. A life as an unwitting informant was not really a life at all. It would only lead to tragedy either by paranoia, Regina’s methods being found out, Elroy being used, or potentially him getting killed. None of those options were good. And there wasn’t much time as she suspected that Elroy was ready to snap and at least one of those things would come to pass.

Elroy hesitated. Looking directly into the forehead of the girl who gave him everything. [color=c9272c]"Alright."[/color] He wiped away his tears. [color=c9272c]"I trust you, I trust your judgement."[/color]  He extended his hand and took the white coin before walking over to Regina. [color=c9272c]"I guess we’re doing it your way."[/color]

[color=f200f2]”This isn’t easy for me either."[/color] She extended her hand, with the red coin inside it. [color=f200f2]”I think we’re going to be the first twin souls to unify."[/color] 

[color=c9272c]"Whatever, let’s just make this end already."[/color]

Elroy and Regina’s hands came together, both grasping one of two magical coins. The magic swirled around them in a chaotic fashion. Coin magic was very potent, and the twins were using two at the same time. It wasn’t a surprise that the two of them were consumed by a sparkling cloud. White and red smoke, White and red thunder. The magic of the coins almost enveloped Shannon too, but the smoke soon floated away, leaving a single entity in its wake.

[color=e1119b]"Grrah!"[/color] The [url=https://i.imgur.com/y81R414.jpg]woman[/url] fell to one knee. [color=e1119b]"Ahhhh!"[/color] She fell onto her hands and knees. [color=e1119b]"This is…"[/color] She placed her hands on her head. [color=e1119b]"This is so weird."[/color]

Having taken some steps back from the cloud when it began to approach her Shannon watched as the magic consumed her friends. When everything cleared and a single form could be made out she huffed. It was an expected result even if she didn't like it. Stepping over once she was sure the effects were over she knelt down next to the girl and put a hand on her back gently. [color=tan]"How… how are you feeling?"[/color] Probably a vague question to ask but what does one ask after two people rejoin together? What do you call them on top of that? Probably the next question in a line that would come up in the next few minutes. 

[color=e1119b]"Well."[/color] She looked at her arms. [color=e1119b]"I feel… Complete?"[/color] She rubbed her shoulders. [color=e1119b]" It’s weird. I thought I was going to feel more like Elroy or Regina, Just a segmented person. But it’s not really like that."[/color] She placed her hands on her face and then removed them to inspect her palms. [color=e1119b]"I remember being both of them. It’s like remembering two completely different days."[/color] She folded her hands in her lap. [color=e1119b]"Regina’s desire to find love, Elroy’s desire to be noticed. I don’t even think their past memories were complete. Regina always had to complain about her parents, and Elroy loved them. I was living two different lives, separated from the other half of my soul."[/color] She nodded. [color=e1119b]"Did that make sense? I just feel, complete now."[/color]

[color=tan]"I... suppose."[/color] How does one respond to that without having been through it? It sounded good at least. Other than Elroy to an extent Shannon wasn't really sure how the Bates felt about her. There had been a lot of baggage cluttering up their feelings. There was one other thing to sort out first. [color=tan]"So, what should I call you now?"[/color] Given they had become one and were trying to hide it would be a little weird to call her by their old names. 

She tipped her head. [color=e1119b]"Well, I don’t think we have to make this any harder than it has to be."[/color] She shrugged her shoulders. [color=e1119b]"I was Regina before becoming a magical girl. We decided to call Elroy, well, Elroy because it’s the latin word for king. Because Regina means queen."[/color] She placed a hand over her face. [color=e1119b]"Funny how that worked out."[/color] She placed her hands in her lap again. [color=e1119b]"So I guess you can keep calling me Regina."[/color] She lifted her hand up to her mouth. [color=e1119b]"That’s okay right? I know you didn’t like Regina very much, but that’s always been my name. Um."[/color] She turned to face Shannon. [color=e1119b]"I’m naming myself Regina after the person I’ve always been, not Regina as you knew her."[/color] She bit one of her fingers and averted her eyes. [color=e1119b]"I’m sorry, I don’t really know how to act around you. I feel like you should be mad at me, but I also feel like you should be happy I’m still here. I guess that’s probably how the twins would have felt if they were still separated."[/color] Her lips trembled. [color=e1119b]"How do you feel about me? Do you feel mad, happy, anything? I feel some kind of emotion stirring inside you."[/color]

Ah, so an Emotion girl then? Shannon's feelings on the matter was somewhat mixed at the moment. Although with each passing moment her feelings were settling on the positive side. [color=tan]"No no, it's fine really. I didn't really hate Regina or anything. It was the things she would do that was problematic. But you, well I guess I'm partly starting over. You're not exactly either of them per se."[/color] Shannon's own magic was having trouble getting a read on the new Regina. Having relied on Power of Friendship to direct her in and out it failing her was somewhat nerve wracking. It was also awkward as neither seemed to know how to deal with the other. Falling back to her ordinary senses she looked over Regina and her mannerisms. It was actually rather adorable how she panicked about how Shannon felt. She'd also turned out to be rather cute in retrospect. 

The girl seemed to be relaxing now. Whatever Shannon had said seemed to do the trick. [color=e1119b]"Alright, well, that’s good."[/color] A smile crossed her face.   [color=e1119b]"I guess this will all be easier if we just pretend we’re meeting for the first time then. Leaving the twins out of it makes this a lot simpler."[/color] She extended her hand. [color=e1119b]"I’m Regina, how do you do?"[/color]

Smiling softly at the gesture Shannon seemed to have made up her mind. Taking the hand she shook it briefly before pulling the girl closer and giving her a hug. Letting her go she put hands on her shoulders. [color=tan]"You don't have to worry about your pasts. They're still a part of you. They were my friends and if you still want that then I'm yours too. Okay?"[/color] She had a warm glow about her as she spoke. Hard to say if this was just her normal friendly demeanor or something else.

Regina gave Shannon a thumbs up. [color=e1119b]"Sounds good, scarf girl!"[/color]

The nickname sticking was good. Laughing a bit she offered her hand. [color=tan]"There is one other thing we need to do. I told Beacon if this worked that I would let them know. And since you've been cleansed I'd like to show them the new you."[/color] 

[color=e1119b]"Ahhhh!"[/color] She she put her hands on the side of her face. [color=e1119b]"I’m kind of nervous, but I guess it’s for the best. If they decide I’m okay, I shouldn’t have to hide anymore."[/color]

[color=tan]"They did give me the coin for Elroy to use. If they see it worked for both of the Bates I'm sure they would be ecstatic."[/color] Shannon reassured the other girl. Holding out her hand again they shifted back to the normal world and made their way back into the city to find Beacon.