The city of Penrose, though cold and desolate, had a heart beating from the inside. It’s pulse spread to every corner of the city, drawing in a crowd of creatures of the night; those who would stay up and dance until dawn. There was electricity in the air, as the doors finally opened to the Dark Rave.

[hider=Club Music][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jnyyUzRbts[/youtube][/hider]
Music began loudly playing, rumbling up; it blasted from the secret basement of an innocuous warehouse, the stage where magical girls from all walks of life would meet. Inside, the dance floor was lighted up with colorful lights and bars were stocked with drinks. Go-go cages were chained from the ceiling, and inside mosnter girls danced and raved, clattering the iron bars like enraged animals. Strobe-lights flashed in hypnotizing patterns, and corrupted girls swarmed the house, swaying to the beat, and letting the rhythm take over their very being.

[url=https://imgur.com/8hC4HZf]Cindy[/url] was the first to arrive alongside her trusted lieutenants, having assisted in logistics and materials for building the subterranean club. She was, of course, followed by a large group of corrupted girls. “Goblina, you will be in charge of the security detail,” she spoke as they descended down the stairs and into the neon jungle.
“Post guards in and outside the party. We need to be ready.” Goblina saluted, and left Cindy to talk with the bouncer, a burly monster girl with tusks and shaggy fur.

Then, [url=https://imgur.com/TVHDu1W]a girl in a glamorous black dress[/url] next arrived, accompanied by her ever-present servant, also dressed for the occasion. 
[color=662d91]“So this is the famous party? Well, of course the belle of the ball needs to attend such a prestigious occasion.”[/color]
“Maybe we can also find more allies for our cause?” Sonia asked, walking beside her.
[color=662d91]“That would be nice, but I’d rather just have a bit of fun. I predict that this party will be quite entertaining before long, hm hm~”[/color]

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

Helga, Su and Mika arrived before the warehouse. Helga grinned, looking excited. “Oh man, my heart is going a hundred miles an hour!” She spoke, and spoke to Su and Mika. “Are we good to go, right?” She noticed that Mika didn’t seem to be enthused, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s go and have some fun, okay? I bet you can find lots of friends here.”

[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zLmcB5Q.png[/img][/center]

[url=https://imgur.com/vTCTQ1K]Lily[/url] had also arrived with Alex; she and Alicia had messaged each other since the meeting, and agreed to meet at the party. She drove her motorcycle right down the street despite the crowd of partygoers in her way; she caused some to run and dodge in fear of colliding with her, but she otherwise reached the destination with no accidents. 
[color=fff200]”Woohoo! This is it, Alex! A real magical girl party! I can’t wait to get inside!”[/color]
She took Alex’ hand, and practically dragged him to the party.
[color=fff200]”Or should we wait for Alicia outside?”[/color] She stopped mid-thought.
[color=fff200]”But maybe she’s already inside...Oof, I don’t know.”[/color]
She released Alex and now paced back and forth, looking nervous.
[color=fff200]”I’ve only gone to a party a couple of times, so I don’t know what’s the normal thing to do. Oh, I’m getting antsy!”[/color] 

On a rooftop facing the street where the warehouse was, the Ascendancy had gathered, having set up a cloaking field to mask their magical auras and presence. Rachel was talking to Alicia; the Paladin Seraph saw Lily down at the street, oblivious of her presence.
“Me and my troops will be setting lookouts, but we will only interfere if we see signs of trouble down there, or when Vi makes her official appearance. Until then, you are to infiltrate the party, find out who are the masterminds behind the operation and whether this is actually a trap, and keep us updated. I don’t care if you personally do it or send agents in, but I’m going to trust you with this, Seraph Paladin.” She offered her hand in a handshake, looking deathly serious.

“Inquisitor, may I accompany her on this mission as a bodyguard?” Leena asked, looking worried. “This is enemy territory; in case we need to stage an exit. You never know with these corrupted what they’re scheming.” FanFan also volunteered. “I would like to join as well, for guarding, yes. I do admit the social interactions also intrigue, but only to further our own cause, of course.”

[hr]
Back at the Beacon HQ, Elora was on surveillance detail, using the video feed of cameras the Ascendancy agents had placed on their clothes as well as a couple of new drones Sylvia had whipped up; up in the night sky, they were practically invisible.
She had decided to check through the Glimmr logs of the organization.
“Hm, that’s strange; the Cardinal has some logs from the other day...” However, her eyes widened as she realized the contents of the posts.
“Wait, Cardinal is-CARDINAL!” She turned her floating cube, and quickly zipped down to the entrance hall, where the Cardinal was; she was leaving.

“Cardinal ,where are you going?” Elora asked, looking worried. The praying girl didn’t turn as she answered. “I’m going to save a lost lamb, Elora.”
Elora moved to block her. “But it’s a trap! They’re going to kill you!”
At that moment, Elora’s eyes welled up with tears, and Ishtar gently moved her aside. “Do not worry. I may not look like much...But I am not afraid of those who would hurt my blessed sisters. I will save Divina.” Before Elora could say another word, she had fallen asleep. Ishtar carried her over to the nearest chair, and placed her there. “Rest, sister. You’ve had many long nights.”
Ishtar whispered, and then left into the dark city. She looked down at the gift Hilaria gave to her, just before they parted ways. The innocuous shell in her palm reminded her of what she fought for...And what she would risk her life for.
“Divina...Wait for me.”