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Alicia Hayden was tired. Exhaustion radiated through her bones, diffused through her being. It was another long night, and despite her best efforts there was only so much she could do in the circumstances.  There was anger, frustration, and the feeling that things were falling apart around her.

The worst part was that she couldn’t ask Sylvia for advice either. Sure she had the others, like Aurelio and Serenity, but at the end of the day it was her call. They didn’t have the same experience managing an organization. So she had to handle it all, the fights, the hostility from the general magical girl populace, the fallout from the Rave and the bomb, and her own relationship with the Ascendancy.

That last thing was what she was addressing now. Bracing herself, she did what she could to hide her tired look, the haunted echo in her eyes from what she’d seen. Then she knocked on the door to Rachel’s office. A meeting had already been scheduled, but she wanted to be courteous. Get things going on the right foot. 

Now then, fingers crossed. 

Rachel’s voice promptly carried through the door. “Ah yes, come in.”

When she entered, she found Rachel standing beside a table, inspecting what looked like some kind of cooking utensil. However, upon closer inspection, she realized the items were not intended for cooking pasta or baking a delicious blueberry pie.
“You came in at the right time, Paladin Seraph. Thanks to your valorous efforts in the neutralization of the riots, we have received much useful information.”
She then noticed that Alicia was looking at the table. She smiled, and presented a [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Oral_pear.jpg/800px-Oral_pear.jpg]strange-looking device[/url] to Alicia.
“Did you know that the Pear of Anguish was not originally intended to be an implement for use in interrogation? It was actually an invention of a deranged robber as aid in crime. However, it’s ability to open up a mouth makes it especially useful when combined with magical potions.”
She placed the implement down.
“Anyway, you wished to speak with me, correct?”

Entering the office, Alicia had not expected to find Rachel looking over her tools for some purpose or other. Not that she had to ask, as the Inquisitor seemed very eager to tell her what it was and how it could be used. More information than she needed, but the Paladin shook her head to clear those thoughts before returning to the matter at hand. 

[color=aba000]”I did, for a couple of reasons,”[/color] she confirmed with a small nod, though she left her head bowed. [color=aba000]”First I….wanted to apologize. What happened at the Rave, if I’d been faster, or better informed, it could have been prevented. I’m sorry.”[/color] Tears threatened to well up talking about it, but she kept them down for now. 

Rachel noticed Alicia’s vulnerable nature, and walked up to her. She then placed a hand on her shoulder. “Alicia Hayden...What you witnessed was the true reality of our world, and not something you could have prevented. You did your best, and that is what matters, not what could have been.” She sighed. “We were given a grim reminder of the vileness that infests Penrose. It is in the darkest day that our resolve is truly tested, but also when our faith shines the brightest.” She lifted Alicia’s chin. “Save your mourning for later, Paladin Seraph. You are like a shepherd to your branch; they rely on you to stand strong, and to be the unshakable pillar on whom they can lean on. Once our blessed duty is fulfilled, and Penrose is free of sin, then can we properly perform our rites for the avenged fallen.”

Hands clenched tight, Alicia took deep breaths as Rachel walked over. She felt the hand on her shoulder, let her head be lifted, and heard the Inquisitor’s words. It was hard to think and accept, even though she knew that Rachel had a wealth of experience that she lacked. Even if they did not agree on everything, she had to take heed of that. 

[color=aba000]”it’s just….this was the first time I saw something like this as a magical girl. Even after the bombing, I wasn’t actually there for it. And that was just a distraction. This was deliberate, malicious, like they wanted to kill as many of us as possible and make it as painful as they could.”[/color] she admitted. [color=aba000]”It’s taking some getting used to.”[/color]

“It’s not something anyone should get used to,” Rachel answered, and removed her touch from Alicia. “The attack was not designed by any loose group of corrupted witches. No, this required the resources of an organization. They had planned for this ever since you arrived back from your dimensional prison.” She crossed her arms. “The Penrose Independent will pay for this. As for you…” Her expression turned more serious. “You have the opportunity to punish the one who caused Penrose’s downfall. Have you started making preparations?”

There was something comforting knowing that she was not expected to get used to this, to become cold and distant to the brutality with which this attack had been committed. While it did not erase the visions in her head, it made her feel less like she stood out from the norm of her peers right now. 

She stiffened at the mention of their other task, before nodding. [color=aba000]”I have,”[/color] she confirmed. [color=aba000]”I’ve acquired some magical items that may be of use, and started scouting members of the strike force. I’ve also been scrying Mariette to see what other resources she has at her command, so hopefully there will be less surprises.”[/color] 

Honestly she wasn’t sure that Mariette was the reason Penrose was like this, but she wasn’t going to bring that up. Whether she was or not, this still needed to happen. 

Rachel nodded. "Good. From what we have learned of Mariette Pedersen, she is an extremely dangerous magical girl, with power over gateways. In a way, she is like Alice, having sunk down the rabbit hole…" She looked aside. "...But instead of Wonderland, she has discovered an ancient evil." She then blinked, having realized something. "How is Hyun Long?"

[color=aba000]”If she’s Alice then what does that make us?”[/color] Alicia observed when faced with the unusual literary reference. She supposed that it fit, if one did not look at it too deeply. At least they could both agree on how dangerous she was. 

The question of Hyun Long brought her to pause, as she considered events so far. [color=aba000]”Adjusting to how we operate. Eager to make up for the harm she caused when she was under the influence of her corruption. Why do you ask?”[/color] 

"If that is the case...Enlist her in the task force." Rachel adjusted her glasses. "If she wishes to atone for her past, she is to prove herself in the battlefield. Her Fire magic is potent, even if she has lost much power. Don't you agree?"

An eyebrow rose as Rachel made her proposal, but after some consideration Alicia nodded. [color=aba000]”I can do that. It shouldn’t be an issue.”[/color] This sort of thing might not be what Hyun was expecting, but she was confident that she could impress the importance of this on the new recruit.

With that said, she paused and turned the subject to other matters that she needed to address. [color=aba000]”Besides that, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be going into the Overcity for a bit in the next couple of days. I plan to reach out to some of the girls there, but I’m not entirely sure how long it will take.”[/color] 

She just wanted to be sure the city would still be standing when she got back. 

"Don't worry, I shall take upon your duties until you return," Rachel responded, and took Alicia's hand for a shake. "Blessings to your recruitment, Paladin Seraph."

Alicia returned the handshake with a smile, glad that there had been no complications. It gave her a bit more confidence for this next step. [color=aba000]”Thanks. We’ll see how it goes.”[/color] A bit of extra luck couldn’t hurt. 

Now then, about that other matter. [color=aba000]”There’s one other thing I would like to do,”[/color] she admitted once the handshake had concluded. [color=aba000]”We’ve had a public relations problem to this point, at least where normal magical girls are concerned. I want to pull back the curtain a bit, remind them that we’re still human too. I want to let them see a remembrance ceremony.”[/color] 

Rachel did not react to her suggestion.  "I will allow it, on the condition that the proper security measures are taken. We don't want a repeat of the tragedy to occur under no circumstances."

Alicia would admit, that had been easier than she had expected it would be. It wasn’t unreasonable to assume that Rachel would try to defend the sanctity of their traditions, which had always been a more private affair. Which aspect of her argument had caused the Inquisitor to change her mind? Or was it just the accumulated weight of everything that had happened? 

[color=aba000]”I will,”[/color] she assured her comrade. [color=aba000]”I’m going to combine it with our footage of the event, make sure people don’t get misled into thinking that the violence only started because we attacked first. If anyone is willing to listen, anyway.”[/color] 

"Very good." Rachel went back to the table. "We all have our part to play. Yours is in reaching out to the people." She sighed. "I still remember the speech you made. Back then, I couldn't admit it but...I was moved." She began cleaning the table and placing the items into a box. "If anyone can improve our relations to the unwashed masses, it's you." When she was done, she turned back. "Anything else?"

Rachel’s words were somewhat undercut by the use of the term ‘unwashed masses’, but Alicia chose to appreciate the sentiment even if the exact message was a bit awkward. It was moving to know that she had had an effect on the Inquisitor, even at a time like that. [color=aba000]”Thank you, I appreciate you telling me that. I’m grateful for the leeway you’ve given me thus far, and I hope to keep working for the good of all of us.”[/color]

With that, she shook her head. [color=aba000]”No, that was it. I’ll let you know how my Overcity trip goes.”[/color]

For the briefest moment, Rachel's expression had a warm smile thanks to Alicia's compliments, only to be quickly replaced with a hard glare. "Indeed. Now, tarry not; a good deed waits on the maker." She then went back to work at her desk, like always; Alicia had never seen the girl take a break.

With a nod Alicia turned and moved towards the door. [color=aba000]”Right. Talk to you soon.”[/color] And with that, she left the office to go about making her plans a reality. 

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[h3]Some People You've Never Heard of Before[/h3][/b][/center]

The time had arrived at last. Climbing the last flight of stairs, Alicia grinned silently to herself as she beheld a tear in reality. It was not visible to the naked eye, but to her magically enhanced Third Eye it was as clear as day. 

She had previously told Rachel that she was going to go into the Overcity, and that was the task she was currently embarked on.There was no outstanding business when she left, and anything that arose could be handled by others. For now she had made her way to the back of some apartment complex, where the opening rested near the door to the roof. She had known that she could do this, but seeing it in action was impressive. 

Activating it took a lot longer, but it was time that she was willing to invest. There was no one up here to bother her, so she was free to experiment, pulsing magic and feeding the entry until it opened. She supposed it would have been easier to just have someone Shift her there, but she wanted to do this herself. That way she’d have practice for the future if she ever needed it.

[color=aba000]”Alright, let’s go for it,”[/color] she said to herself, taking a deep breath as she faced the opened doorway. Then she stepped through and into the Overcity. 

Then she was there. It was surprisingly easy, and a different experience from shifting. Alicia took a moment to marvel at her surroundings; the buildings, the people, the sky above, and just how alien it all was from Earth. 

But she wasn’t here to sightsee. The Seraph pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and glanced down at it. On it were names of former Beacon members who now lived within the Overcity. Names, addresses, even a few known occupations. It was her hope that she could perhaps persuade them back with her hopes for reform. At the very least she could learn from them.

Mind made up, she began to move. First she needed to figure out where she was in the Overcity, then she would begin with the nearest person on the list. Not a perfect method, but with a place this big it was the most feasible. [color=aba000]”Well, at least it’s a nice day for a walk.”[/color] 

Alicia soon learned from one of the locals that the Overcity consisted of districts, each with their own theme. There was the Bazaar District, where people from across different realities would converge and trade exotic commodities. There was also the Entertainment District, where one could find both the highest of the high in thrills and pastimes, yet also the lowest of the low in the various gangs and crooks that lurked there.

Going through the list of districts, she decided to go to one of the numerous residential districts, where all kinds of magical girls lived. She would note that most former Beacon girls were situated in the same residential districts; one of them was the Angel District, aptly named for the winged magical girls who lived there.
She knocked on the first door. She heard a young-sounding girl’s voice:
“Go away! I’m not buying anything!”

Looking over the list, Alicia couldn’t help but notice the concentration of former girls. While it was specifically those she had pulled, it seemed likely that this was deliberately done by the Beckoners so they could keep an eye on girls after they had left the organization. This would take less resources if they were concentrated in a few areas.

Entering the Angel district, she noted the setup of the dwellings here. There was a lot of verticality to the place, seemingly designed to allow those who dwelt here to take advantage of their wings. A good thing she had her own then, as she joined other denizens of the Overcity in flying to her destination. That was easier too, whether it be because of physics or the latent magic here. 

At last she reached her destination. Coming to a stop, Alicia pulled her wings back in and checked the address, before knocking on the door. She pushed past the initial response, instead speaking up. [color=aba000]”I’m not here to sell anything,”[/color] she called. [color=aba000]”I just want to talk. I was told to come here by a friend.”[/color] 

“A friend?” The door opened, and a magical girl in pajamas greeted Alicia with an irritated look. “Who told you to come bother me? I was just about to beat Dragon’s Souls, and you caused me to die. Now I have to go through the stage all over again.”

Pajamas was not what Alicia was expecting. Or being chewed out over video games. At least this wasn’t the worst reception she could have gotten, though it was hard to consider it ‘good’ But the door was open, so that was a good step. 

[color=aba000]”Sorry about that,”[/color] she replied with a chagrined expression. She quickly moved to the pitch though, before said door slammed shut.  [color=aba000]”My name is Alicia Hayden. I’m the head of Beacon’s Penrose Branch. I wanted to talk to you about coming back to the organization.”[/color]

The girl had a stupefied expression. “Beacon? No, I think you’re talking to the wrong girl...I think...” Her cheeks puffed as her eyes stared forward, as if a memory was about to come up, only to pass. “No, I’m sure. Besides, I’ve retired. I don’t do the monster hunting thing anymore.”

Alicia had been warned to expect something like this, since Beacon girls were mind wiped when they left the organization. So she did not falter. [color=aba000]”Let me show you a different perspective,”[/color] she offered, a hand rising. Before there was any sort of objection she released a flash of light, letting her magic clear the spell on the girl’s mind that kept her from remembering. 

The girl's eyes sparkled, and she ended jumping from the rush of memories that flooded in.
"Woah! Wait, I...I was in Beacon after all! But then...Damn." She sighed, and offered her hand to shake.
"Well, might as well talk this over a hot cup of butterbeer. I'm Gabriel."

[color=aba000]”Nice to meet you,”[/color] Alicia replied, now that the truth was out there. She shook Gabriel’s hand before they both moved inside to get that drink she was talking about.

The interior of the place was almost overwhelming. There were figurines, posters, some well used furniture, a nice tv, and more takeout boxes than was probably healthy. A few things she recognized, but there was much more she didn’t. She had the feeling that not all of it was from Earth either. 

[color=aba000]”This is pretty impressive,”[/color] she noted. [color=aba000]”I see you’ve been managing well for yourself.”[/color] 

"I guess," Gabriel stated while in the kitchen preparing drinks, looking more downtrodden now that her memory was restored. "So you're from Penrose, right?" She asked as she brought two cups to the table; they had a pleasant, buttery scent to them. "I used to work in the local branch there. Did something happen?"

A rueful chuckle escaped as Alicia took a seat. She did one more sweeping look of the room before her gaze returned to Gabriel. [color=aba000]“Well we’ve stopped a ritual to remove all emotion in the world, stopped a Horror from manifesting an avatar, had our headquarters bombed, gotten stuck in a paradise dimension for months, had the Ascendancy deployed in the city, had a bunch of girls from the Ascendancy killed in a mass psychic attack...so yeah, a lot of stuff has happened.”[/color]

"No kidding," Gabriel added, looking shocked.

There was an inherent sigh, but it did not escape. [color=aba000]”That’s not why I’m here though. You said you were done fighting monsters, and I respect that. But I, personally, need your help.”[/color] 

Gabriel sipped on her cup, a morose expression on her face. "But why would you want someone like me? I failed and failed again, getting nowhere. And when I tried to make changes, I was hushed out of the room. Eventually, I decided it was pointless, and resigned. It was great to forget all that misery and frustration…" She mumbled, her cheek resting on the table.

Taking her cup, Alicia sipped from the drink while Gabriel expressed her frustration. From what she had read in the database, she couldn’t blame her for quitting. Sometimes she wondered if she would have ended up in the same spot, if things had not worked out as they had. 

[color=aba000]”i’m sorry if it brings up painful memories. But I think that the time for change is coming. I think all of this bad stuff is causing them to re-examine how they do things and consider that change is necessary,”[/color] Alicia explained. [color=aba000]”We’ve allied with monster girls, gone through a trial where the person who had been mind controlled into bombing our HQ was not put to death, modified the Spark, things that would be crazy before. And so far, the Beckoners have supported this.”[/color] 

Gabriel's eyes widened, and she took a big swig. "No way. All that? I've never heard of Beckoners who'd allow that."

Her hands tightened around the cup as she leaned forwards, hoping to push out some of her passion to the dejected girl. [color=aba000]”I want help from you and others like you who left because I think that the louder a voice we have towards the changes we think need to be made, the more likely it is that we’ll be successful.”[/color]

The pajama girl was silent as she thought about Alicia's words. "So you were serious about all that…" she sloshed her drink in the cup. "I got into games because deep down, I still wanted to fight for a just cause. But you're giving the real deal." She slammed her hand on the table, groaning in annoyance. "Fine. I'm in. You better deliver on your promise of change, Alicia."

Alicia was prepared to argue on, to make her case that this time could be different, despite the presence of the Ascendancy within the city. As a result, Gabriel agreeing like that caught her off guard. [color=aba000]”i know things aren’t great right now but-wait, really? Just like that?”[/color]

Confusion held her features for several moments before she was able to respond. [color=aba000]”I thought this would be a lot harder. I still had more pitch ready.”[/color] 

"What, you want me to refuse?" Gabriel answered angrily. "If you're going to butt heads with the Ascendancy, that means you're willing to change Beacon to it's very foundation. And I want to be there to make sure the changes will stay." She drank her cup empty, and slammed it down. 
"Are you recruiting others too?"

[color=aba000]”Of course not. I just figured it would take more convincing.”[/color] Alicia sipped her drink as well, not wanting it to go to waste. At the following question she nodded, lifting up the paper that she had brought with so Gabriel could see it. [color=aba000]”I am. I’ve got a list from the database of girls who left in circumstances like yourself. I just started here because it was closest.”[/color]

"Can I take a look?" Upon being handed the list, she nodded. "I know a lot of these names from the neighborhood. Some are even in my 'Muggles and Muds' game group. Can I help you gather these people to one place? These people know me, so they will come. Then you could do your memory restoration on them all at once, and speed up the recruitment process."

Nodding, Alicia passed over the list without hesitation. She waited to see what the outcome would be, and was not disappointed. [color=aba000]”Sure, that would be a lot of help.”[/color] At the very least it would save them time, and she was not going to complain in that case. 

"Alright. You can count on me," Gabriel said with a thumbs up, and walked out of the door...Before returning. "Oh yeah. I could change my clothes."

…

Gabriel proceeded to spend the rest of the day calling up other former Beacon girls in Angel District. The sun was setting by the time Alicia went to the local activity center where the girls were gathered. As she entered, she saw Gabriel chatting with a group of girls, while other groups were scattered about; she could count 24 girls in total. "So nice of you to invite us Gabriel," a posh girl spoke. "You usually stay cooped up in your apartment. What's the occasion?" She spotted Alicia. "Oh my," another girl commented. "Don't tell me you got a girlfriend all of a sudden~"
Gabriel snickered. "Yeah, right. Anyway, I'd like to introduce Alicia Hayden, Paladin Seraph and branch leader of the Penrose Beacon. Take it away, A."

While Gabriel contacted the people she knew, Alicia would find ways to spend some time in the Overcity, whether it be exploring or writing. But soon everyone was gathered, and she stepped into the activity center to find a good amount of magical girls waiting for her. While she had no doubt she could have gotten to them on her own, this was definitely easier. 

Stepping forward, she nodded to all of those gathered here as her gaze swept the room. [color=aba000]”Hello. Once you believed in a greater cause, of making a better world where people are judged on their actions and not their appearances. I’m here to bring you back to fight for that cause.”[/color]

Before they could object or scoff at her as Gabriel had before, she unleashed a burst of Light magic to clear the magic from their minds. Now it was time to see what they had to work with here. 

When the light swept through the crowd, Alicia saw a mix of reactions; some were agitated, some were shocked, and some were confused. But most seemed to lose brightness in their eyes and lost their smiles, having been reminded of their hardships and downfall.

"Wh-I remember now!" One girl in the back exclaimed. "I was in Beacon!" "Me too!" Another girl shouted. "But….Oof. This sucks." A clamor soon manifested as the girls all at once came to grips with their memories. Gabriel crossed her arms, not saying a thing. Once the girls calmed down, one of them asked: "You said we could fight again. What do you mean by that?"
One girl immediately began walking away. "Don't care what it is. I'm not going through that shit again," they crudely spat out before they left out the front door.

Alicia waited, letting them all get a grasp on what they remembered before she would begin to speak again. The fact that only one girl left was pretty good all told, and she did not focus on that. That was their choice, and she would not waste the effort when still so many remained to hear her out. 

[color=aba000]”I’ve read the reports. I know why you chose to leave, and I probably would have done the same if I were in your shoes. But I’m here now to tell you that I think we’re approaching a pivotal moment that could change Beacon forever.”[/color]

Once more her gaze swept the room, making eye contact with everyone that she could. [color=aba000]”So much has happened in the past months, things that would have been inconceivable before. We’ve allied with Monster Girls, changed the Spark itself, they’ve even put me in charge of a Branch, and we’ve had support from Beckoners in doing this! With everything that has happened recently, they’re realizing that the system doesn’t work if they want to stay relevant in the modern age.”[/color]

She took a step forward, hands clasped together as she made her plea. [color=aba000]”You don’t have to fight if you don’t want to. But with your support and your belief in the good that Beacon can be, we can ensure that they listen to us and do the right thing, rather than doubling down on everything that has made the community hate Beacon to this point.”[/color] With that said, she braced for the reception either way. 

While some of the girls nodded, agreeing with either hesitant smiles or frowns, most were not convinced. The moment Alicia said that they wouldn't need to fight, three girls began to leave. "We're not staying then. She's just some try hard."

However, Gabriel stepped before them with her arms spread. "Wait. Please, listen to her for just a bit more. She is serious about this." "Does she have any proof though?" One of the leaving girls asked. "To me it sounds like she's just BS:ing a bunch of lies just so she could gain more power. Sounds just like old Beacon politics to me."

The misstep was too late to take back, and the realization was nigh immediate. Alicia had wanted to be considerate towards them but she had merely undermined her own footing. Now they doubted her, questioned her, thought she was just doing politics. [color=aba000]”Wait, no...I-”[/color]

Her head fell, tears threatening to rise as she considered what she could do, say. How could she make them believe her? 

Then she remembered what Ishtar had told her before, about her sincerity, perseverance. She had to speak with her true feelings despite all opposition. Her head remained bowed, yet her voice was clear. [color=aba000]”Several months ago, a girl arranged a meeting of all the magical girls in Penrose to combat a looming threat. She was killed at that meeting, and as far as anyone could tell we were the ones responsible. We had no evidence otherwise, none they would believe. We eventually found out what that threat was and stopped it, but not before our headquarters was bombed by one of our sisters who had been abducted and mind controlled. She was my friend."[/color]

The girls in the crowd gasped and held their hands up to their mouths, shocked at the revelation. The girl leading the skeptics turned with a raised eyebrow, but no longer attempted leaving.

Alicia continued. [color=aba000]”"More stuff happened after that evil was defeated. My friend was found, she was purified, they put her on trial. We stopped a Horror from incarnating on Earth, we found a way to make the Spark resist mind alteration. Then we got swept away by some Lesser Force to a paradise dimension for what we thought was a few days but ended up being months. The Ascendancy moved in to restore order. When we all came back me and my friends were put on trial for heresy, for working with monsters and going against tradition. Then when it seemed like things were returning to normal, some girl uses emotion magic to cause a city wide riot, another tries to assassinate a Cardinal, and a third uses a mass Psychic spell to destroy the minds of our sisters deployed to stop the violence.”[/color]

The girls continued to be shocked, and one weaker-looking girl actually fainted, held up by another. The skeptics group looked at each other with concern; it seemed Alicia's speech was causing them to think things over.

A sigh escaped Alicia, her hands clenched into trembling fists as images flashed before her eyes. She choked back tears, her heart speaking for itself. [color=aba000]”It’s so hard not to agree with the Ascendancy, when it feels like every success comes at that kind of cost. We try to help people, protect them, and they lash out at us. Maybe we should just kill them all and be done with it. It would be the simplest way.”[/color]

Her head rose, eyes shimmering with emotions that threatened to spill out. [color=aba000]”But I believe in Beacon, I believe in the mission and in my sisters. We should be an example people can look up to and aspire towards. But we can’t do that while we’re stuck in the past.”[/color] God, maybe she should have brought Penny after all…..

The crowd began to murmur one another, and now Gabriel spoke up. "Like you girls, I was someone who decided to quit from the Beacon. I felt that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't better the lives of people, that I'd just perpetuate the cycle of hate that Beacon is based around. But as Alicia said, we need to believe!" She pointed to the crowd. "Alicia had risked her life numerous times, fought against world-destroying plots, just like all of us. But she is still walking forward, carrying all those burdens. That's because she believes in a new future. It may sound like mere politics, but if that's the case, would she admit to have been nearly convicted of heresy? Would she have come to us veterans, bittered by our treatment, if she just wanted followers? She could have just as easily gathered some naive rookies to do that." The murmurs grew stronger, until the skeptics once again spoke.
"What do you suggest we do, then? How can we move on from our past?" They asked, willing to hear Alicia out.

Elation then. Alicia’s heart rose as her words reached the girls who had previously considered leaving. The fainting was a bit awkward, but hopefully they would be alright. At the same time she knew she couldn’t rest easy. It would be too easy to throw it all away like she almost had before. 

So she turned to their question. [color=aba000]”We show that our way works. We help people, do good for the places we’re assigned to. We hold true to our beliefs and we find people in Beacon who feel like we do and who are losing hope or still struggling to do the right thing, and we support them so they know they aren’t alone.”[/color]

Her head rose, sadness no longer present as she advocated for action. [color=aba000]”I have the feeling that real soon the higher ups are going to have to address this issue, otherwise the Penrose Branch will be on a different path from the rest of the organization. When they do, we’ll have our moment.”[/color] And if they didn’t, well, Alicia could always force the issue if she had to. But that was for the future. 

Most of the skeptics nodded, only one of them still frowning with a cold stare. "When that happens, you're going to be squashed. I've seen it before. I can't take it. The rest of you can try your luck." She then passed by Gabriel, who stepped aside, and left from the center. The rest of the girls stayed. "I believe in what she's saying." "Let's give it another try! If the Spark can change, so can Beacon!" "Beats staying at home." Alicia heard a number of voices, each unique, yet all of them sharing the same sentiment. "Uhh, excuse me," one strange-looking magical girl raised her hand. "So, uhh, where do we go? Back to our previous branches? I was in Briarazor, but that town was wiped out," she admitted with grit teeth.

It seemed her words had persuaded many. Not everyone, but she did not fault them for their choices. She did consider offering them mind wipes again, but if they wanted it they wouldn’t have stormed out. It would be fine, probably. 

Instead she turned to the question. [color=aba000]”Anyone who wants to come to Penrose can,”[/color] she replied. [color=aba000]”As you may have noticed things are a bit crazy there, but there are a lot of good people there too. Otherwise I’ll put in a word with the Cardinal to have you sent back to your old branch or anywhere else you might want to go.”[/color]

“Hands up, who’s fine with going to Penrose?” Gabriel asked. In response, 19 people lifted their hands. “Alright, we’ll work out your relocations later for the rest of you, so wait for a call. As for the rest of you...Welcome aboard!” She shook hands with the girls, and they in turn went to shake hands with Alicia. “I’m still on the fence about this,” one of the girls said. “But I’m willing to give this another shot.” 

All in all, Alicia couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. There had been some rough spots, but it had gone better than she had thought it would. This was nothing to sneeze at. [color=aba000]”Thank you everyone.”[/color]

The handshakes would be returned with an earnest sincerity, as she wanted to make sure they knew just how much she appreciated their decision. [color=aba000]”I’m honored that you’;re willing to give me this chance. I’m sure you all have a lot to teach me as well.”[/color]

After the handshakes were done, the girls began to leave in scattered groups, and Gabriel went over to Alicia. “Good job, Alicia! We managed to convince a big chunk out of the Angel District girls! Word of this might spread to other districts too, so we could get more girls to join back to Beacon. I’ll go work out the details in rejoining now, but let’s stay in touch.” As she said that she offered her phone number to Alicia.

[color=aba000]”That sounds good to me, though I’m not sure how many of them will remember they used to be part of Beacon. But it will only help,”[/color] Alicia agreed once the group began to disperse. 

Alicia took the phone number before giving her own back. [color=aba000]”Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll be over as quick as I can.”[/color]

Gabriel smiled after the exchange. “Got it. See you later!” She waved, and then left the activity center.  

[color=aba000]”See you later.”[/color] Alicia watched her go, humming to herself. With a pleased smile she looked around the room before heading for the entrance that had brought her to the Overcity the first time. It had been a very productive day.