Rachel scowled as Alicia informed her of the mission’s failure, and sighed. “Acknowledged. The infirmary is prepared for you; go and rest there, Paladin Seraph. I will hear the rest once I’m back.” She beckoned for her fellow Ascendancy operatives present to follow her as she left. “Insubordinate traitors...” She could be heard grumbling on her way out, while Leena and FanFan, both weary from battle, headed off towards the infirmary. "Damn, we were close," Leena mumbled, while FanFan patted her on the back. "Oh, don't be so gloomy. At least Justine was dealt with. Now, how about a spot of tea?" [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4Q1QloC.png[/img][/center] Lily had decided to take a visit outside the hotel lobby and catch some fresh air, away from the bustling crowd. She managed to sneak out thanks to Dan distracting Alex. "Oh, no need to worry! I fixed the space-time continuum, so now the dimension is synchronized with the others. In fact, I can explain it in song!" And so a whole musical was made. [color=fff200]“It’s still so bright and nice here...”[/color] She muttered to herself, when she noticed a certain girl had slowly approached her. The moment she saw her, she averted her eyes, biting her lower lip: it was Mariette. [color=fff200]“Oh, Mariette...”[/color] She tried to keep herself spirited, but she was unable to fully look her in the eye. [color=fff200]“So, uh...Well, this is, maybe just a bit awkward.”[/color] Mariette had walked directly to her, her one visible eye entirely focused. There was but one question on her mind, and she wasn’t going to even bother trying to de-awkward Lily before asking. [color=077ae6]‘Why did you throw me at Ronin?’[/color] she simply asked, focused. She could add details to why she was asking, but for now, sharpness. Lily expected the question, but she still winced at the accusative tone that accompanied it. [color=fff200]“Look, Mariette, I...”[/color] She took a deep breath, and faced her; her eyes trembled. [color=fff200]“You need help. And I don’t mean help with fighting, or something like that. I haven’t been your friend for long, but even I can tell you’re not really like this. I saw how you assembled all those monsters, harnessed dark magic...Even if it was for a good cause, like fighting against a bad girl like Justine, it’s still...bad. You’re doing bad things.”[/color] She paused as she sniffled, holding back her tears. [color=fff200]“And I fear, if you keep going down this path...”[/color] She paused for a moment. [color=fff200]“A true friend protects their friends...Even from themselves, you know. That’s why I did what I did, Mariette. I wanted to save you.”[/color] Mariette held quiet, listening to Lily’s words. She didn’t detect any lies. Still, that raised the question… [color=077ae6]‘How would throwing me at Ronin save me?’[/color] she asked, same tone. Lily blinked, unsure how to answer. She did promise she would keep Ronin’s plan a secret, yet she felt like she should come clean about her betrayal, to save what little goodwill remained. Finally, she spoke: [color=fff200]“Because Ronin...also wants to save you, Mariette,”[/color] she spoke, and a tear swept down her cheek. [color=fff200]“She told me it was the only way to do so.”[/color] Mariette frowned a bit at this statement, trying to work out what it all meant. Because, that last part was a lie. Why it was a lie, why Lily would lie… no, that wasn’t it. She’d convinced herself of it, hadn’t she? … [color=077ae6]‘Very well. Thank you for answering. I will take my leave now,’[/color] Mariette said, intending on turning away and walking. Lily nodded with a sad look, and wiped the tears from her face with her hands. [color=fff200]“I’m sorry, Mariette...”[/color] However, after Mariette turned a corner, she came face to face with someone she didn’t recognize at first. However, it didn’t take her long to realize who it was: Dan, having taken the form of a blue-skinned woman. [hider=Danalia][img]https://i.imgur.com/lcYIINE.png[/img][/hider] “Mariette, we need to talk,” the Lesser Force spoke, now carrying a mature, husky tone in her voice that completely differed from his usual squeaky self. She approached Mariette, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “First of all, I would like to apologize for not having been able to fully assist as I promised. I was not prepared for the horrors that I witnessed in the battlefield.” Her look turned sterner. “Which brings me to my second point: while your motivations to combat Justine were justified, the methods to do so were not. You attempted killing everyone but your own allies using my powers, and mercilessly cut down girls brainwashed by Justine, among other crimes.” She sighed, and crossed her arms. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Mariette heard Lily’s words, but did not respond. It wasn’t something she could easily forgive. She didn’t blame Lily for her actions, and did not consider her less of a person for it. It was just… unacceptable for other reasons. Then Mariette rounded the corner and ran into a person far more intimidating than the squeaky dolphin he usually was. Mariette winced, swallowing a bit as the woman form’s hand was placed on her shoulder, and Mariette found herself looking into the ground like some child who knew she’d done bad. [color=077ae6]‘… I didn’t think Beacon would be there. I thought it would be just Justine, but there were a bunch more girls unaffiliated with her. Justine is the terror I described to you. The rest… I wouldn’t have requested your help against the others.’[/color] Mariette shook her head a bit. [color=077ae6]‘The rest was all in interest of self-preservation. Her brainwashed girls were attacking me, I had to defend myself, by any means necessary. I don’t see what I could have done differently. … And I changed my mind on the collapsing dimension thing. That was triggered by someone other than me,’[/color] she said, her mind jumping to the worst possible conclusions about what Dan might do to her. Danalia kept a stoic expression on her face as she listened to Mariette’s words, slightly nodding at the mention of Beacon. “It is true that Justine possessed far more allies and power than either of us could have predicted. Still, your selfishness and cowardice gave way to cruel methods, and the spreading of suffering. That is not saving smiles like you once told me, even if Justine was defeated in the end.” She turned away, looking up at the bright sun. “Do not worry, Mariette; I won’t imprison you here. That is how I’ll repay you for not fulfilling my promise. Instead, I have taken something your master values greatly.” She turned her head to glance at Mariette with a cold glare. “I have placed the Black Mirror somewhere where it can only reflect the pure brightness, and will be safe there. But if I ever learn that you or some other girl of your master’s threatens Penrose...I won’t hesitate to destroy it. Did I make myself clear?” [color=077ae6]‘… We don’t know how many people might smile when they otherwise wouldn’t, if Justine isn’t there to take their smiles away,’[/color] Mariette defended on that first point, though feeling awkward as she did. Then, though, came the part about the Black Mirror, that Mariette had already suspected. She breathed in a bit fearfully as what she had suspected turned out to be true, Dan had taken the mirror. It may have been a mistake to try to employ the dolphin’s services. Mariette looked up at the dolphin’s woman form for a second or two, but found she couldn’t maintain eye-contact and looked down again. [color=077ae6]‘… I understand…’[/color] was all she could say. Danalia nodded, and turned back to face Mariette with a content smile. “Now that you have accepted your punishment, I will offer you a chance to redeem yourself.” A magical envelope appeared with a poof in her hand, and she offered it to the eyepatched girl. It had a red seal with Dan’s face on it. “I will be holding a Christmas party, and will be inviting as many magical girls of Penrose as I can there. I would like you and any other girls you know to attend this party. Simply accept the invitation inside, and you will be taken there on the day of the festivities. You can also copy it as many times as you want to.” She gently lifted Mariette’s chin up so she would look into her eyes. “I know there is a caring, kind girl deep inside of you. If you can prove to me you have changed your ways...I will return the Black Mirror to you.” She then lifted her touch off her, and sighed in relief. “That is all I have to say for now. You may leave as you wish.” She snapped her fingers, and Mariette felt how her magical powers were restored. Mariette looked a bit surprised by the turn of events. Inviting to a Christmas party? Mariette swallowed a bit, because she couldn’t see how that would prove that she’d changed her ways. Especially because [i]she really hadn’t[/i]. However, she also [i]needed[/i] to get that Black Mirror back. How would she [i]change her ways[/i] while still accomplishing Asengav’s goals? It seemed… impossible. Mariette took the letter in her hand, and focused on it a bit… and as Dan had said, it duplicated into two as she desired it. She looked back to the female form. [color=077ae6]‘Is there anyone you’ve already invited, or others that are inviting people, or should I… invite everyone?’[/color] Because she would. Nobody in Penrose would be safe. “You are the first one I have told,” Danalia answered with a sweet smile, and patted Mariette’s head. “I’m happy to see your eagerness to accomplish this task, so I will leave it up to you. I look forward to seeing how many friends you will bring to the party.” She then turned towards the hotel entrance. “Now then, I must return and take care of the wounded. Goodbye, and best of luck in your quest.” And with that, she teleported away in a puff of sparkling blue smoke. Mariette nodded to the words being spoken. Then, she took a deep breath, as her magical power spread its might. Then, with the letters duplicating in her grip… [@everyone at the beach resort] She one by one opened a portal to every single magical girl currently in the beach dimension, and handed them a copy of the magical envelope with Dan’s face on the seal. [color=077ae6]‘Dan’s holding a Christmas party, and everyone's invited. Please bring as many friends as you can. If you focus on the envelope, it will duplicate, so go ahead and spread them as far as you can. I will see you there,’[/color] she’d tell each person, looking a tad embarrassed as she did, but nonetheless, determined to see this through. [hr] Things at the Sanctuary were spiraling quickly. Two others had arrived to defend the place but there was too much happening for the motley forces to reliably hold for long. A nightmare monster, some lingering toxic magic, and the Mint that most had yet to realize were even there were all assaulting the place of peace. Seemed that perhaps one of the threats had left but she had taken down two defenders in the process. Shane was going to need some assistance. Ordinarily Paree would contact the local Beacon but in this case it would only make things much much worse. [indent]A call went out into the local area, anyone who could rapidly respond and was sympathetic to the Sanctuary’s cause would be made aware of the current threats (Nightmare monster, toxic magic, and the Mint). Anyone that did not meet those two criteria were excluded and did not receive the message.[/indent] Not finding many available magical girls in the nearby area the Puchuu put out a call to get Dina’s patron’s attention. Just like a certain other Puchuu, Paree had the connections to pull some magical strings and get in touch with the Lesser Force; he was happily humming as he returned back to the hotel, pleased with how he had resolved the situation with Mariette when he received the call, taking the form of a cartoony old-fashioned phone that poofed next to him. "Oh, another one?" Paree could hear a squeaky voice on the other side of the magical voice channel he had formed, alongside random noise in the background such as shouting girls and general revelry. “I’m kind of busy for a talk right now, but I guess you also want to see how your magical girl is doing?” Never one for small talk, Paree got right to the point. [color=olive]”I have a magical boy in need of immediate assistance at the location they call the Sanctuary in Penrose. I believe one of your own is also on site, the cat girl.”[/color] He didn’t bother specifying a name. [color=olive]”It sounds as if you have a number of individuals there. I would like to enter your realm to see if there are any who would answer my call.”[/color] “Dina!” Dan yelled in shock upon realizing who Paree had referred to. “So that’s what she was so worried about...Hilaria, please wait a moment, this call is important.” Dan had momentarily responded to someone apparently asking about food. “All right, I will open an entrance for you.” Then, a blue vortex appeared near the Puchuu, like a whirlpool of vibrant azure energy. Strolling in the Puchuu arrived at Dan’s beach, now donning a woven sunhat and a pair of sunglasses with dark round lenses. Paree snapped his tiny fingers and the same message as before went out to those present at the beach. The only difference is they should report to Dan to be transported. He turned to the dolphin creature. [color=olive]”I need to investigate another anomaly, do you believe you can handle transportation?”[/color] The glasses made the cute creature’s business minded approach seem a whole lot cooler than it had any right to be. When Paree arrived, Dan opened his beak in an attempt to greet him, only to be shut down immediately by the stoic Patron. “Sheesh, at least the other one had a sense of fun, not to mention easy on the eyes”, he mumbled under his breath. He then nodded as the Puchuu made his request, and his fin mysteriously formed a bump resembling a raised thumb. “You can count on me, buddy. I’ll make sure Dina gets the help she needs.” [color=olive]”If you could place those that respond outside the Sanctuary I believe that should be a safe space to start from. Do let them know to be careful of the magical waste. There may still be some lingering.”[/color] Dan blinked, and furrowed his brow as he rubbed his fins against the sides of his head. “The Sanctuary, eh? Ah, Dina’s there,” he said, as he sensed her presence from the magical bond the two shared. “Yep, that works. But are you sure you have to leave right now? Surely you can spare a mome-” [color=olive]”People are dying.”[/color] He said calmly. The Puchuu tilted the hat back and leaned his head down to look over the glasses. [color=olive]”If Shane does a good job perhaps I will allow him the pleasure of a visit. With your permission of course.”[/color] He didn’t really care either way, but it seemed an easier way to get the aquatic patron off his back. Dan’s bottlenose drooped down and he sighed, though he seemed to get a tiny bit relieved that Paree was lenient enough to let Shane have a reward. “Yes, I understand. Shane is of course always welcome to visit this place, so let him know, ok?” Paree simply nodded. [color=olive]”And should you need assistance yourself do consider us as a contact. While I may not have much to offer I do believe in returning the favor.”[/color] He seemed ready to go but would allow one last response. Dan managed a small smile, and gave Paree a salute. He didn’t like the little furball’s no-nonsense attitude, but at least he could respect his work morale and desire for peace. “Thank you, comrade. Let’s make sure the day is saved.” [color=olive]”Agreed.”[/color] He turned and vanished. [hr] Lily had returned back to Alex in the hotel. [color=fff200]“Hey Alex...”[/color] She held an arm behind her back as she looked down at the floor with a frown in her face. [color=fff200]“I talked with Mariette, but it didn’t work out. She was still upset. I don’t know what to do next...”[/color] It was at that moment when Mariette’s message reached everyone, including Maura who had already left the hotel, and Connie’s group, who were just about to also exit the building. Lily received the letter among the rest of them, her mouth wide in surprise as she held the letter before her. [color=fff200]“A Christmas party? Wow! What a surprise! Thank you so much, Mariette!”[/color] She never could have expected Mariette to do something this nice to them, and she smiled. [color=fff200]“So if I want to share this-Oh, it’s that easy!”[/color] The letter copied itself, and she gave one to Alex, jumping up and down in excitement. [color=fff200]“I’ve completely forgotten it’s nearly Christmas already! Oh man, I haven’t made my list yet! Or sent out Christmas greeting cards! I should also-”[/color] “Ahem, may I have your attention please!” Dan interrupted the raucous crowd with the sound of a Party Horn of In-Laws Slaying (with a +9 bonus) blaring out. Now, I know you all may be excited for this party, but there is a crisis on our hands! The Penrose Sanctuary is under attack, putting everyone there in danger!” He then opened a blue portal. “This portal will lead you right outside the Sanctuary. If anyone here could please go there and help Dina save the locals, I would be grateful.” Dan hated having to put these girls through another ordeal, and bring trouble to their paradise, but he had come to learn that evil rarely rested. Lily was the first one to respond, holding her fist out with a determined smile. [color=fff200]“Not a problem, Dan! This is a job for us magical girls! Come on, let’s go, Alex!”[/color] She then grabbed his hand. [color=fff200]“Oh, I’m fine now, no need to worry!”[/color] She then quickly blurted out, as if expecting Alex to raise a logical concern over her recovery. As she ran through the portal, she waved at Mariette, who had arrived upon hearing the call for help. [color=fff200]“Thanks for the invitation Mariette! See ya at the partyyy!”[/color] And with that, the two disappeared through the portal. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/72bEcUi.png[/img][/center] Lily and Alex arrived outside the Sanctuary. Even from so far away, they could hear faint screams and sounds of destruction in the distance. She summoned her motorcycle. [color=fff200]“Let’s go find Dina!”[/color] Lily said, having assumed her magical girl look, and the two dashed through the interconnected web of passages and chambers, with Lily occasionally driving on the ceiling of tube-shaped tunnels until at last she found the catgirl. [color=fff200]“Dina! We’re here to help!”[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PtFX7c8.png[/img][/center] Helga was enjoying her time talking with Su and enjoying the can of Mountain Dan she had received, when suddenly Mariette’s hand popped out from a portal offering them letters. “Huh? A party?” She took the invitation, and stared at it for a moment, trying to comprehend what Mariette said. “Hey, that’s great! Thanks a lot!” She turned to Su. “Hey Su, you thinking what I’m thinking?” She winked. “There’s no way we can pass up on an opportunity like this, right?” Unfortunately, Su’s response would be drowned out by Dan, resulting in Helga sighing. “The Sanctuary? Isn’t that the place where monster girls hang out?” [hr] At a distant alley in Penrose, the sound of displaced air prefaced Sonia and Reaver’s arrival there; the Space magical girl had forcefully grabbed his shoulder and teleported the two of them there. Still holding him in a tight grip, she took a look at her surroundings. [color=0054a6]“Hmm...Well, it looks indiscrete and out of the way as you mentioned the entrance to be,”[/color] she noted, and then glanced at him. [color=0054a6]“I will now send you to the Sanctuary, as you have requested. Goodbye for now.”[/color] Her hand briefly glowed, and Reaver was teleported, into the very same spot at the Sanctuary where he was taken from. Sonia then summoned a handkerchief, and wiped her hands. [color=0054a6]“Disgusting pervert. Now then, let’s see...”[/color] She approached the back wall and stopped, a hand outstretched before her. She concentrated, and created an entryway into a black-and-white space familiar to agents of Mint: Al’s office. The Coin Broker himself was standing before a window at the back of it, staring at the city at an impossibly high angle, like the room was located on the top floor of a towering building. He took a puff of smoke. “Visceral is dead.” Sonia squinted, looking tense. [color=0054a6]“You would be the first to learn that. Typical.”[/color] “It’s my job, miss. A proper businessman is aware of the slightest changes in the industry.” He turned towards her; he was smiling. “I am also aware that you wished to speak with me. Now then, how may I help you?” He gestured towards a seat, and Sonia begrudgingly took it with grace, as the door behind them closed and disappeared from the alley. So it was that Sonia would take her first steps on the path of revenge, for Justine’s sake. But little did she know of the events that followed after Justine’s fall. At the exact moment death would have claimed hold of her, a potion of purification had blessed her, courtesy of Jenna. The potion washed away the centuries of corruption and malice that Father had cursed the vampire girl with, and she was miraculously reborn anew, as immaculate as any magical girl. Yet, she did not wake from her deathly sleep, as the gradual corruption around her prevented her from recovering. But it would take untold eons before the purified girl would begin to wither. And so, trapped in Veronica’s darkness that is the Cradle, she was Snow White incarnate, cursed with eternal slumber. But unlike the fabled princess, who found her happily ever after, Justine would receive a true love’s kiss… [url=https://i.imgur.com/kb6hq1L.png]Nevermore.[/url]