Hilde’s paranormal search soon yielded results; like cold winds that freeze one’s heart, the spirits of the fallen gladly whispered their secrets in exchange for release from their earthly regrets. While most of it seemed to be nonsensical and useless, little more than rumors, soon, Hilde recognized common patterns in their tales; a girl of red eyes and leathery bat wings had been seen appearing right in the midst of battle, accompanied by a servant. The girl was finely dressed, like a noble of ages past, and grabbed her victims, whisking them away and leaving nothing behind, like a fleeting dream. One spirit even gave a name: “the accursed Visceral…”

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200314/56372802c7cec71e5fc577d906baad3c.png[/img][/center]

[color=0054a6]"Lady Justine, the agents from RN had arrived,"[/color] Sonia informed the vampire once the SUV appeared. The monster girl giggled a bit to herself as she looked at Alicia’s response on her phone, and picked up a goblet; Sonia summoned a bottle in her hands, and poured wine into it.

[color=bc8dbf]“Greetings, gentlemen,”[/color] Justine addressed the Red Nest operatives by standing up from her seat and giving a noble curtsy. She then blinked as one of them demanded for refreshments.
[color=bc8dbf]“Oh, you’re absolutely right. Excuse me for not providing some catering for our meeting. Sonia, could you be a dear and set a table for us?”[/color]
[color=0054a6]"As you wish."[/color]
Sonia immediately got to work summoning items and objects, while Justine turned her attention back to the feline mobsters.
[color=bc8dbf]"I am certain of it. Veronica is a much simpler Patron than she would have you believe; she won’t ignore the bait presented to her."[/color]

[hr]
The rest of the study group stopped their chatting the moment Alicia addressed them; they were far too aware that the Penrose branch leader’s change in tone could only mean something ominous. Rachel was the first to know, and she adjusted her glasses with a grim but respectful nod.
“Very well. As you know, the Ascendancy cannot currently fully support the local branch’s operations. However, I can assign a couple of members to you for the mission.”
She took out her personal device, and scrolled through the list.
“Mariette Pedersen specializes in her magical power over all else, relying on her portals for both movement and combat. For that reason, I will assign Leena to you; her powers of Nullification will surely prove useful. I will also assign her sister-in-arms FanFan; together, the two are a formidable duo. That is all.”
Leena and FanFan arrived, and they saluted Alicia.
“Just let me get to her, and I will bring her to justice,” Leena spoke, and the two presented their anti-magic stone cuffs. Rachel continued.
“Elora will monitor the situation and keep in touch, assisting with intelligence if possible. I will keep vigilant watch over Penrose while you are gone. May the light of Beacon guide you through the darkness, Paladin Seraph,” the Inquisitor stated with a salute of her own, and then parted ways.

With the Ascendancy’s numbers crippled as they were, most of the Beacon girls in the local branch had to fill in for patrolling and other operations Alicia had set in order to foster development in Penrose and better relations with its magical denizens.
However, there were members who had agreed to join; Aurelio, Sally, Kimble, and even Hyun Long; the latter three saluted the Paladin Seraph upon her arrival.
“Reporting for duty, ma’m!” Sally saluted with a big grin. “I’ll make that goth gal pay for tricking me like that! I won’t let you down, promise!”
Kimble also saluted, a look of determination in her eyes.
[color=8dc73f]"Kimble reporting for duty, Mis-Alicia."[/color] She corrected herself.
[color=8dc73f]"I will follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond!"[/color]
Then it was Hyun Long’s turn to address her. She slightly shook.
“Paladin Seraph...Hyun Long, reporting for duty. Allow me to join in this holy mission, and cleanse the corruption with sacred flame.“

[hr]
When all the preparations had been made by Beacon, the strike force teleported into the underground parking garage. The first thing they noticed was the strange assortment of furniture prepared at the center of the hall, illuminated by a single light in the ceiling: there was a satin red rug, over which stood a large round table, lined with simple chairs. Justine sat at the very end of the table on a more fancy wooden chair, beyond the reach of the light. She smirked upon seeing Alicia, and took a sip of her goblet filled with blood. Sonia stood by her; like a waiter at a fancy restaurant, she bowed her head and gestured for the chairs. The group also saw weretigers in fancy suits, one of them eating a plate stacked with fresh meat.
[color=0054a6]”Welcome. Please take your seats. Lady Justine will soon commence the briefing."[/color]
A careful eye could see something shuffling in the void behind Justine; they were silhouettes of magical girls.
Justine waited until Ronin and her retinue arrived before she began the meeting.

[color=bc8dbf]"Now, let us talk about what is to come. Sonia here has made some preliminary research of Mariette’s hideout, and has identified two entrances into the dimension."[/color]
She set her gaze to Sonia, who nodded in turn.
[color=0054a6]"I did not enter the dimension, so I was unable to inquire further details. However, what I gathered was the following. One entrance into the dimension lies at the outskirts of the domain, most likely in open space. The other entrance is located closer towards the core, and seems to be inside a building. I have reason to believe this is the main entrance that Mariette and her underlings use, and is more likely to be under heavy surveillance."[/color]
Justine cast her ruby-like eyes towards Alicia.

[color=bc8dbf]“Was the Beacon able to scry anything based on the information I have previously provided?,”[/color] She asked, leaning on the table with her elbows with her fingers interlocked.

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

Lily calmed down from Alex’ reassuring touch, but she kept her eyes aside, looking unsure. 
[color=fff200]”Yeah, we should talk to her at least,”[/color] she said, agreeing with a nod as she took his other hand. She smiled at his words, and turned to look at him again.
[color=fff200]”Because if Ronin’s right...”[/color]
She didn’t dare to finish that sentence, and instead sent a message to Mariette: 

[color=fff200][ Hey Mariette! Are you busy right now? Maybe we could talk? ][/color]

[color=fff200][ Oh, could I come visit your house? I’d like to try if this key works (ᗒᗨᗕ) ][/color]

After she sent the messages, she plopped down on the couch, and leaned her head back to look at Alex with an anxious look.

[color=fff200]”Let’s hope we’re not too late.”[/color]

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

“Jus-BWHAAH?!” Helga exclaimed, and frantically pursued Su, spilling some of the coffee in her cup. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1qju6V1jLM]“Ahh shit, here we go again!”[/url]

[hr]
The denizens of the Sanctuary turned to attention when Penny first began her speech, eager to hear the word of their Queen; she was the foundation upon which they leaned on in these dire times, and they were shocked by Penny’s speech, and especially the announcement given by a “Cindy” that none of them recognized. Even Goblina cringed when Cindy came to view, but gradually began to nod to the various points this new Cindy presented, as did many others. When Penny’s speech ended, many flocked to the offered potions and coins, happy with having the chance to purify themselves of their cursed existences.

However, just like Dina and Nuncio, many were not enthusiastic by the implications behind the Beacon-positive lines given to them.

“But that’s not Cindy! I saw her die with my own eyes!” A centaur monster girl in the crowd shouted.

“What’s with this Beacon propaganda? Are we supposed to just forgive them for having slaughtered us all this time?” A dark magical girl spoke out.

“We need compensation for all the terrible things we’ve suffered, not mere platitudes!”

“Those potions and coins are from Beacon, right? They probably got some brainwashing or tracking magic hidden in them.”

“The old Cindy would never have accepted this! Not my Cindy! Not my Cindy!” Another began to chant.

“The Queen’s a Beacon sympathizer!” Another one accused her.

“She’s selling us out! This is the beginning of magical segregation and apartheid! Monster lives matter!”
A particularly obnoxious monster girl screamed, and soon enough there was no silencing the outrage.
While the silent majority stayed where they were, the vocal minority of the population split off to elsewhere, clearly upset by what had transpired.

Later, after Dina had her talk with Shane, she found herself approached by a crowd of the disillusioned denizens.
“Hey, you’re one of the court ladies for queen Penny, correct? Could you try talking sense to her?” One of them asked her. “We’ll sign a petition, anything, as long as Beacon doesn’t get to ruin this place too.”