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[hider=Summertime Madness]
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[Sub].:⋮Prematch: Playing around⋮:.[/Sub]

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[color=9e0039][u][b]“I was hoping that Christmas would have had a stronger pull on everyone as well”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would commiserate as she started leading the way towards one of the archways in the little village square that was set up around the Lodge. They acted as portals to other parts of the island, and now also had one set up to head towards the Beach island. Her pace was rather sedate, all things considered and she kept FanFan’s cake securely in hand. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But some people just like getting coal too much I suppose.”[/b][/u][/color] People like Oros and Rachel came to mind, though that might not be entirely fair to Rachel.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“To answer your question however. Keijo”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would pause for a moment searching for the right word as her other hand already sought out MDP’s to hold. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Keijo is absurdity. I’ve got very little practical experience with it, and only learned of it last time I was at Dan’s beach.”[/b][/u][/color] She would begin to explain a wry look on her face. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It is ostensibly a sport, and to that end it shares similarities with Sumo. The competitors involved all get placed on a semi free floating platform in the middle of a pool and the objective is to be the last one standing on the platform.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“The absurdity of it comes with the restrictions involved in trying to accomplish that. Because the thing is you can’t touch the other competitors with anything other than your bust or butt.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny’s delivery of this bit of news did nothing to hide her low opinion of the ‘sport’. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Much like the rest of Dan’s realm, hostile actions are outright banned, as is using magic on the other competitors.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Only reason I played a match at all last time was because Dan was offering a Gold to anyone who played a match.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say, shrugging a little at the confession. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Though as a way to settle disputes it gets points for being less harmful then how most magials try and handle things.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Still, Dan did help out me and mine. So I’ll likely be joining in on the tourney to return the favor.”[/b][/u][/color] She would tack on grimacing slightly. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve got no desire to see the place go to ruin. Or most of the place, at any rate.”[/b][/u][/color]

MDP tilted her head in innocent confusion when Penny began explaining the particulars of Keijo, before frowning as she tried to visualize what her girlfriend was describing in her ADHD addled mind. [color=DeepPink]“Like, that soundy woundies super duper silly willy…”[/color] the whimsical girl observed. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses it could be fun… And, like, if playing Keijo Weijo is the only way we can save Danny Wanny’s placey wacey, then Magical Dream Princess wants to do everthingie wingie she can to help you, Penny Wenny~! (giggle!)”[/color] she declared, her demeanor brighting considerably. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies that seeing Penny Wenny in a bikini wini would be nicey wicey, too~”[/color] she added, although the ditzy girl probably didn’t intend to say that out loud, at least if the amount she was blushing was anything to go by.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“As I said absurd”[/b][/u][/color] She would reiterate with a chuckle. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We could play a few rounds when we get to the stadium if you want so you have a better idea of what’s involved.”[/b][/u][/color] Would help Penny at the very least get an idea of what it was she needed to recalibrate to be ready for Keijo. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And you might want to prepare for that second bit as well”[/b][/u][/color] A slightly mischievous look sliding onto her face as she spoke. [color=9e0039][u][b]“All of Dan’s islands have an enforced dress code I’ve come to learn. So once we are through the gate we are both going to be dressed for the beach.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain with a smile. She too was interested in how her girlfriend would look in a Bikini, and to a lesser extent which of her outfits from last time would be the one she appeared in. Or if she would by chance get a new one.

[color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess would wuv to~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP replied when Penny suggested a practice match. [color=DeepPink]“She just hopes she remember wemebers all the rules and stuffy wuffy, since her brainy wainy is, like, super duper terrible werrible when she’s Magical Dream Princess…”[/color] the whimsical girl added, frowning slightly.

However, she perked up significantly when Penny mentioned the beach’s ‘dress code’. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess has been to Danny Wanny’s beachy weachy beforesie, so she knows aaaall about [i]that~[/i] (giggle!)”[/color] the childish girl explained. [color=DeepPink]“But Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies it’ll be lots more funsie wunsie if [i]you're[/i] there, Penny Wenny~”[/color] she added, giving her girlfriend an affectionate smile. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ha”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would let out a bark of laughter [color=9e0039][u][b]“I can already promise you that you’ll make my second trip to the Beach a lot more enjoyable then my first trip”[/b][/u][/color] She would return the smile with one of her own. Picking up the pace slightly as she did. [color=9e0039][u][b]“The rules are simple”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reassure MDP [color=9e0039][u][b]“But we can worry more about them when we find an open room to practice in.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“For now, let's see what the Beach has to say for our apparel”[/b][/u][/color] She would add since they were soon to make it to their destination of the Beach Portal.

Walking through the portal would effortlessly take them from the little village square around the lodge to near the center of the Beach resort walkway. A smooth and easy transition helped in no small part to the magic of each island keeping the environmental aspects inherent to them comfortable. So moving from the crisp chill of the snow capped mountain to the gentle warmth of the shimmering Beach wasn’t as bad a shock as it could have been.

For Penny in particular she could feel the wash of magic rolling over her as they stepped between the two islands, stripping away the holiday outfit and replacing it with a more tropically appropriate one.

In fact it was an outfit that [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/75/4f/4a/754f4a39fc05a607d20cbb98ccc707a1.jpg]Penny[/url] was already well acquainted with. It even still had the sensitivity interface she installed last time. [color=9e0039]“Seems we keep our last outfit”[/color] She would say in appreciation as she finished checking her own outfit.

​​[color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP chirped when Penny told her that they could focus on rules later. For now, they would just enjoy being in the warmer part of the dimension.

The whimsical girl giggled with innocent delight as she felt her Christmas outfit shift into the [url=https://imgur.com/eMkelXY]swimsuit[/url] she’d worn on her previous trip to Dan’s beach and she marveled in childish wonderment at having essentially traveled from winter to summer in a single step. Then she saw what Penny was wearing…

[color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~”[/color] she said dreamily as she stared at her girlfriend in a love-struck daze, small hearts popping into existence all around her.

Penny wouldn’t bother to stifle her giggle at her girlfriend's reaction. She looked good and knew it. At the same time she would also be very willing to admit that the same could be said about her girlfriend. Who she gave an appreciative once over before smirking at her [color=9e0039]“You’re looking pretty ‘Wow’ yourself”[/color] She would say before tugging on MDP’s hand to get them moving again.

[color=DeepPink]“Like, thankie wankies~”[/color] MDP replied, still very much in a state of dreamy delirium, as she allowed Penny to lead her along, a trail of floating hearts strung out behind her.

Penny would laugh a little bit at the still dazed state of her girlfriend. It was quite the ego boost if she was honest, but she knew it was likely exacerbated by the effect MDP’s magic had on how she thought. 

Regardless, she would lead the two of them over to the stadium where the Keijo tournament was housed last time. She also pointedly didn’t look at the theater building next to the stadium. There were already plenty of people here from the looks of things, but finding an empty training room wasn’t too much of a hassle. 

The pool was a smaller one, all things considered, and only had one floating platform that was about fifteen feet in diameter. There were plenty of areas for seating as well so it was less a directed training room so much as an empty match room. But overall it would suit the point of the visit.

[color=9e0039]“Nice. That wasn’t too hard.”[/color] Penny would remark upon finding the space.

[color=9e0039]“Prime”[/color] They would both hear shortly after they were done looking over the area. Standing near the entrance was one of Penny’s counterfeits. [color=9e0039]“FanFan’s not far from here.”[/color] The copy would say nodding towards the door.

[color=9e0039]“Ah good.”[/color] Penny would reply, turning to the door before stopping herself. [color=9e0039]“Would you mind if you were left with just a copy for a bit?”[/color] She would ask her girlfriend. [color=9e0039]“I want to go give FanFan her cake back before I forget.”[/color] 

[color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess is okie dokie with that~”[/color] MDP replied. [color=DeepPink]“FanFany WanWany needs to get her cakey wakey back, after allsie~ But Magical Dream Princess doesn’t thinky winky Penny Wenny would ever wever forget anythingywingie~! (giggle!)”[/color] the cheerful girl added. [color=DeepPink]“Her memory wemory is, like, [i]lots[/i] better than Magical Dream Princess’s~”[/color] In addition to the importance of returning the cake, Penny’s various duplicates appeared to be virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, and MDP was curious if that extended to their personalities as well. [color=DeepPink]“Sooo…”[/color] the childish magical girl spoke up once she was alone with the duplicate.  [color=DeepPink]“Are you, like, linky winkied to the original wiginal Penny Wenny, or are you, like, a totally wotally separate weparate person werson~?”[/color] she asked, still finding such things fascinating, even as her whimsical transformed self.

Penny would chuckle a bit as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. [color=9e0039]“True I wouldn’t forget. I just say things like that to make people relax.”[/color] She was a machine. Forgetting didn’t happen unless she deleted the memory. [color=9e0039]“I can stop with that around you if you want?”[/color] She would offer up. Before leaving to go deliver cake. [color=9e0039]“I’ll be as quick as I can!”[/color]

Standing next to each other it was easier to tell that the counterfeit wasn’t a perfect copy of Penny. The Prime had a sort of presence that made her standout compared to her copies, but it wasn’t something one could really point at.

[color=9e0039]“Yes to both.”[/color] The counterfeit would answer the question. [color=9e0039]“Due to my nature all of my copies are linked up to the Prime with a sort of Peer to Peer network. Snoopy is doing a fair bit of work as a signal router as well, but that’s more for added security. All of us also still have our own local systems. The counterfeits do have an altered set of runtimes though.”[/color] She would explain with a smile enjoying the honest fascination that was being shown. [color=9e0039]“The altered runtimes don’t change much, but it does mean that the counterfeits are all actively aware that they are fabrications and that self preservation is lowered on the priority list. Also lowers magic based solutions when trying to figure out how to proceed. Prime has lower external magical capability, counterfeits have none.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“From a personal perspective it feels more like remote controlling as many ‘mes’ as are out, while still piloting myself as well. Kinda strange, but not terribly so.”[/color]

[color=DeepPink]“Huh~?”[/color] MDP would inquire, tilting her head in confusion. [color=DeepPink]“Like, why would pretending wending to be forgetful wetful make people weple relaxy waxy~?”[/color] she asked with childish innocence. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess [i]wuvs[/i] how totally wotally amazing wazing Penny Wenny is at everythingie wingie, so, like, you don’t have to pretendy wendy around her~! (giggle!) And, like, Magical Dream Princess feels super duper relaxy waxied around Penny Wenny, because she knows she’s totally wotally safey wafey, and if she can’t remember wember something womething, she knows Penny Wenny can, like, totally wotally help her~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added cheerfully. 

[color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie~!”[/color] she called, waving to Penny Prime as she went to return FanFan’s cake. [color=DeepPink]“Bye bye for nowie~! (giggle!)”[/color]

MDP listened intently as Penny’s duplicate answered her questions. Although the whimsical girl’s attention span was normally painfully small, when it came to her girlfriend, the rest of the world seemed to melt away. The ditzy girl always found herself spellbound whenever Penny talked about herself, the robotic girl’s voice seeming to calm even [i]her[/i] ADHD addled brain. And even though her current mental state prevented her from fully understanding all the terms Penny’s duplicate was using, she still retained just enough of her former intelligence to get the basic idea. And she knew she would remember everything with complete clarity, once she reverted to her mundane self, anyway, so full comprehension wasn’t really important right now.

[color=DeepPink]“Golly wolly~! Magical Dream Princess thinky winkies that’s, like, sooo super duper cool~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP exclaimed. [color=DeepPink]“So, like, Penny Wenny can devidey widey her brainy wainy into lots and lots of different wifferent pieces wieces, and, like, do lots and lots of different wifferent thingie wingies at the same timey wimey~?!”[/color] she asked, clearly very impressed. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess would wuv to be able wable to do that~! (giggle!) Especially wecially when she’s her normal wormal selfy welfy, cause, like, she has to take care of soooo many wany different wiffernt thingie wingies that she totally wotally forgot the namey wamies of, and it’s, like, super duper stressful wessful, even weven for her super duper smarty warty normal wormal selfy welfy, so, like, being able wable to do what Penny Wenny can do would be, like, a super duper big helpy welpy~! (giggle!)”[/color] she explained, concluding her ditzy ramblings with a big smile. 

With an uncomfortable chuckle Penny would also answer the other question posed. [color=9e0039]“I pretend to have human characteristics or mannerisms. Like forgetting things or needing to breathe. As otherwise I’m pretty sure a lot of people would be very put off by me. I don’t think in the same way as you do, and a lot of people haven't realized that me going Skynet or AM is within my capabilities. Stalling out those realizations, or making it seem less likely just seems like a better idea most of the time.”[/color] There was also the fact that neither of those routes would do much to fix anything in Penrose at the moment. As there weren't enough systems hooked up that she would be able to twist into her control that were worth that level of investment.

[color=9e0039]“Still”[/color] She would pull MDP in for a hug [color=9e0039]“Thanks and feel free to give me a call if you want help outside of costume. I’ll always be able to dedicate some processing power to helping you out at the very least.”[/color] She would let the hug linger for a moment before stepping back.

[color=9e0039]“Now”[/color] she would boop MDP lightly on the nose [color=9e0039]“Shall we give this Keijo thing a shot?”[/color]

MDP giggled when Penny gave her a hug. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses that makes sense…”[/color] the whimsical girl replied as she nuzzled her girlfriend affectionately. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, none of that stuffy wuffy bother wothers Magical Dream Princess~”[/color] she added softly. [color=DeepPink]“Like, even right nowie, Penny Wenny could totally wotally snappy wappy Magical Dream Princess like a twiggy wiggy, but she’s being soooo super duper gentle wentle, instead~”[/color] the childish girl cooed, closing her eyes in blissful contentment. [color=DeepPink]“So, like, even if Penny Wenny can become a super duper cool overmindy windy thingie wingie, she wouldn’t be like Skynet Wynet, because she’d [i]never[/i] do anythingie wingie that was evil wevil~ She’d just helpy welpy everybodywody, and keep people weple safey wafey from all the evil wevil thingie wingies that want to hurt them, just like she does with Magical Dream Princess~! (giggle!)”[/color]

[color=DeepPink]“Like, super duper thankie wankies, Penny Wenny~!”[/color] MDP chirped when her girlfriend mentioned potentially helping her with business-related matters. [color=DeepPink]“Like, hearing that makes Magical Dream Princess feel sooo warm and fuzzy wuzzy insidey widey~ (giggle!) But, like, Penny Wenny needs to be super duper careful wareful,”[/color] she added in a whisper, [color=DeepPink]“‘Cause, like, Magical Dream Princess’s normal wormal selfy welfy isn’t supposed to know anythingie wingie about magical wagical stuffy wuffy, so, like, we gotta be super duper sneaky weaky~! (giggle!)”[/color] the playful girl explained, finding the idea of such covert activities quite exciting, especially with her current, more innocent mindset.

[color=DeepPink]“Like, totally wotally~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP replied when Penny asked if she was ready to learn Keijo. [color=DeepPink]“Weeee~!”[/color] the bubbly girl cheered as she somersaulted over to the pool, before jumping onto the platform. [color=DeepPink]“Tadaaa~! Magical Dream Princess is ready to go~! (giggle!)”[/color] she announced, waving to Penny, while bouncing up and down with eager anticipation.

Penny made sure to log a reminder to revisit giving assistance to MDP while she was out of costume. Considering the nature of the divide between her mundane and magical personas it would likely be better to address it while MDP was out of costume. Whimsy and fun do sometimes need to be put aside for the sake of safety. 

Set aside those thoughts, and other more recently acquired thoughts, Penny would make the leap to the platform herself. Her touchdown was notably heavier than MDP’s, kicking up some chop in the water due to her weight. [color=9e0039]“Okay!”[/color] She would state with a bit of enthusiasm. [color=9e0039]“Rules are simple. No using magic on each other, can only hit each other with your chest or your butt, and first one to hit the water loses”[/color] She would roll her neck and shoulders in a way that would emphasise her illusory muscles.

[color=9e0039]“Ready?”[/color]

[color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies she can remember wember [i]that[/i]~!”[/color] the bubbly girl replied after Penny reiterated the rules.

[color=DeepPink]“Yeperoonie~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP confirmed with a playful salute. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies this is gonna be, like, super duper fun~!”[/color]
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[hider=Beachside Beacon]
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[Sub].:⋮Prematch: Ante up⋮:.[/Sub]

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 Penny was not by her nature a very nervous being. But that didn’t stop her from wondering just what would happen when she pushed open the door in front of her. On the other side she could hear Rachel and the rest of the Beacon members practicing for the upcoming Keijo event. It honestly raised a mixed bag of feelings for Penny since she was in a sense excluded from the gathering. She wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, nor did she know if it was malicious or not. 

Part of it was her own fault she knew, she was with her girlfriend when they all left. Not to mention she was the one to instigate the change in line up, but she wasn’t sure if they knew that. So it stung that they simply left her behind. While it also relieved her that no one had instantly rounded on her.

With another fake breath Penny would push on into the practice room. A cake box tucked securely under her arm, since with luck FanFan would be here as well. She didn’t want the girl to lose out on her Christmas gift after all.

Penny could hear sounds of fighting before she opened the door, recognizing Kimble’s voice among the yelps. Then, as she entered the practice room, she saw the reason for it; [url=https://i.imgur.com/G2bt7uz.jpg]Kimble[/url] was hopping around the platform with great finesse, barely able to keep up with [url=https://i.imgur.com/oaUj7lI.jpg]Rachel’s[/url] brutal assault. It seemed the two were sparring; the Inquisitor’s movements, while rough and cumbersome, more than made up for with speed and aggressiveness, leaving even someone as swift as Kimble no room to counter.
Penny also saw Alicia and [url=https://i.imgur.com/FZIM4Sq.jpg]Violette[/url], who were observing the session by the pool. [url=https://i.imgur.com/u8NWJVT.jpg]FanFan[/url] was sitting in the spectator seats a bit further away, hugging her knees; something seemed to be bothering her.

After a final slam that sent Kimble flying like a bullet into the water, the glasses-wearing girl turned and noticed Penny; she blushed, and her hand reflexively moved as if about to cover herself, only to huff and place them at her hips in defiance.
“Penny,” she addressed the robotic girl. “Some here believe that you will be the finalist for this tournament. If that is the case, the two of us will meet in the ring-” Her eyes dipped down, and her eyebrows furrowed. “What is that box?”

[url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/75/4f/4a/754f4a39fc05a607d20cbb98ccc707a1.jpg]Penny[/url] was once again struck with the odd feeling of being an outsider in the room. Nor was it lost on her that she and Kimble were the only two wearing more revealing swimwear, though she wondered if anyone else had noticed such.

[color=9e0039]“Cake”[/color] Would come Penny reply as she held the box up since it had become the focus for the moment. [color=9e0039]“It’s FanFan’s white elephant gift. She left it back at the lodge. Didn’t want it to get lost or left behind.”[/color] She would explain simply extending it slightly towards FanFan as she did.

[color=9e0039]“And I am definitely aiming to win, but I’m not sure if we would need to face off.”[/color] She would add drawing the conversation back to what Rachel was saying originally. 

Rachel's eyebrow rose. "I see…" She muttered, and glanced back to see FanFan having come down from the audience seats to greet Penny.
"Oh, there it is!" She accepted the box with a bow of her head. "It seems I forgot it in the middle of this chaos. Thank you, Penny!"

"Yes yes, your pastry has been secured," Rachel dismissively followed up, having jumped down to the two of them. "Now make sure not to lose it again. And check it for poison as well," she added, causing FanFan to blink.
"Inquisitor, are you suggesting-"
"I'm not suggesting anything, just keeping track of safety protocol. There are more than a couple of deviants here who would think of such a scheme."
By this point Penny saw how Kimble had climbed out of the water by this point, breathing heavily.
Rachel turned to Penny as she followed up on the reason for her arrival.
"Are you suggesting something?" She asked, her arms crossed under her chest. 

Penny’s brow would crease as she observed Rachel interact with FanFan. Seems that her original interpretation of Rachel being callous was still valid. [color=9e0039]“And here I thought you had a higher opinion of me”[/color] Penny would chime in with a note of annoyance in her voice. [color=9e0039]“FanFan set it down to talk with you and it’s not been more than a foot away from me since.”[/color]

She would visibly brush aside that talking point though, feeling that it would likely end in an argument quickly.

[color=9e0039]“And I was suggesting that if I was to win the Black Mirror we could simply leave with it.”[/color] She would move to check on Kimble as she spoke. The level of exhaustion Kimble seemed to have for a simple spar, a Keijo spar at that, was a touch worrying to Penny. But that could easily just be her being too cautious for the former catgirl.

Rachel adjusted her glasses, glaring behind them at Penny, but decided not to follow up on it once FanFan left the conversation to place the cake somewhere else.
Upon hearing her suggestion, she lifted an eyebrow, and tapped her forefinger.
“Leave? Whom are you referring to? And where do you plan on taking it?” Rachel continued with a predictable rant about the Black Mirror’s hazardous qualities and how Penny shouldn’t be going anywhere with it, but the robotic girl had already moved on to check on Kimble; the tired girl had stood up, and waved slightly to Penny.
[color=8dc73f]“Oh, hi Penny. I-I’m okay, no need to worry,”[/color]
 she said. 
[color=8dc73f]“I’m training with Rachel for the tournament. I-I bet I’ll become really strong like this...ow.”[/color] She put a hand to her arm as she winced.

Kimble’s attempt at reassurance had the opposite effect, not that it was easily noticed. [color=9e0039]“Don’t forget to take it easy as well.”[/color] Penny would say softly genuine concern lacing her voice. [color=9e0039]“Strength comes one day at a time. And me and Alicia will be there to keep helping you if you want it so there is no worries in taking a break.”[/color] She’d say as she placed a gentle hand on Kimble’s shoulder. [color=9e0039]“Can’t have the girl who bested me burning out before she makes it back to the stage after all, yeah?”[/color] A small smile would quirk on her lips as she finished.

Kimble smiled slightly back, moved by Penny's kindness. 
[color=8dc73f]"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Penny. I'll remember to keep breaks."[/color]

Although Penny had moved over to Kimble she never stopped paying attention to Rachel. [color=9e0039]“Us? Beacon? We are all in favor of keeping the Horror’s treasure out of Horror's hands are we not? And I was planning on taking it back to HQ.”[/color] She would answer when she heard a pause in the Inquisitors rant. Her demeanor shifted away from the comforting one she had for Kimble as she turned once again to face Rachel. 

[color=9e0039]“I assume we’d have a way of destroying the thing there. If not I’d have at least one idea of how to get rid of the damned thing.”[/color] She would add [color=9e0039]“Why, what was your plan for it?”[/color]

Though Rachel kept an expression as firm as stone, her eyes showed surprise by Penny's suggestion. "What? You still think-ah, I see." She stepped closer to her, and glanced at the others, in particular Alicia. "Alicia, go spar with Kimble and the others. I need to have a talk with Penny."
She waited until Alicia complied to her request and the two were left alone, and then sighed.

"Penny...In my many years as an Inquisitor, I've seen many things. For example, there was once a city where the Masquerade was unusually weak, and some humans actually formed monster-hunting cells. Of course, they were wiped out in days, having encountered bloodthirsty wendigos." She turned to look at the pool, where Kimble was sparring. "I have also seen certain monsters who hunt exclusively others. Even monsters who would ally with each other." She shook her head. "One such time this happened, it was in a small village, with a population of about 500. Can you guess what they did once they joined forces, Penny?"

Whatever it was the Inquisitor cut herself off from finishing, Penny had heard enough to be wary. Because coupled with the look of surprise it sounded like Rachel didn’t think that Penny would still view herself as an ally.

Nevertheless Penny would step closer to listen. But she would keep her focus towards Rachel rather than the next practice match happening nearby. She would swallow the snarky reply that first came to mind and actually consider the situation. [color=9e0039]“I’d assume that there was probably a lull in activity for a bit. Somewhere in the range of two to three weeks, where things were peaceful. Then something set them off, we don’t know what, and then chaos broke out leading to the devastation of the village. We swept in somewhere near the height of the chaos, or shortly after it’s peak and purged the place.”[/color] She would answer seriously.

"Devastation is correct," Rachel answered, though there seemed to be a subtle hint of sorrow in that voice. "But it wasn't just a slaughter...It was worse." She slightly stiffened. 

"You see, many of the villagers there worked at a logging camp located deeper in the wilderness. One day, a monster appeared, having gathered a following of other monsters; a horrific dryad-like being, with a skin of rotten bark and body festering with fungus and lichen. She deemed the villagers murderers, that they have cut down her friends just to be used by humans.
So she decided to reverse the damage...By turning the village into a forest."

She paused, having adjusted her glasses as she took a sharp breath.
"They destroyed the roads and blocked the exits out of the village, ensuring nobody could escape. Then they rounded up the people to the central square...And the demon's unholy rite began." She grit her teeth.
"The villagers were first crucified, using the lumber from the logging camp. Then, one by one, the monster fed a seed to them…" She closed her eyes.
"They were cursed, warped into gnarled trees, their screaming faces petrified in unending agony. They were going to taint the land with their lives, to spread foul roots that wouldn't stop consuming human civilization. I...I still remember her insane ranting."

She turned to look Penny in the eye.
"If it wasn't for Beacon's arrival...I would have shared my mother's fate. I don't remember much afterwards...But a pillar of radiant light, burning that garden of filth away, until only ashes remained. That was when I knew what I must do...What my destiny was."

She ended her story by taking a deep breath.
"Anyway, what I meant to say was...I have seen a lot, Penny. I've seen what unrestrained magic, congregated and unchallenged, can do. Inevitably, someone will open Pandora's box...But there isn't always somebody to close the lid."

"..."

[color=9e0039]“...The Dryad deserved what she got.”[/color] Penny would say after a moment of silence. [color=9e0039]“And I’m sorry that you had to live through that.”[/color] She would say honestly. It was much easier to understand and empathize with Rachel’s stance now for Penny. Such a horrific event would scar anyone who went through it. 

That didn’t mean she agreed with it though. [color=9e0039]“Pandora’s box has never been a cautionary tale for me however.”[/color] She would say [color=9e0039]“For all of the faults and dangers that came from opening the box, it is always important to remember that the greatest gift mankind received was also within the box. I’m not afraid of opening it, I’d shatter it across my knee if given the chance, because the idea of leaving Hope trapped within it is abhorrent to me.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Because without it the world is a much worse place.”[/color] She would say softly, even as her eyes hardened with conviction. [color=9e0039]“Without it a young girl would have no reason to dream that tomorrow would be better. Would have no reason to get up each morning to face a hostile new world that wanted her dead for circumstances outside of her control.”[/color] 

It wasn’t hard for Penny to put together that her role of Queen was already known to the Ascendency, if not the title. It wouldn’t surprise her too much if they knew where the Sanctuary was located either. So if this was to be the last time she would be able to speak to Rachel without conflict, she would do her best to explain herself. [color=9e0039]“Because you have had your crucible, it was abhorrent and cruel. But it only lasted a day. Mine lasted for three and a half months. My first home was a carved out niche behind a dumpster, my second was an abandoned and useless sedan. My third had me squatting out of a rundown gas station. Two of those were destroyed and razed to the ground simply because I was living there. It was luck and paranoia that the Mint didn’t find me. It was providence that I was able to survive those that wanted me dead.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“If I had given into despair, something that hounded me each and every day and was compounded by my ignorance. I would not be here today. I am unsure if I would even be alive. Yet I know that my own circumstances were far from the worst out there.”[/color] She took a breath of her own. This next part would either make or break her chances. [color=9e0039]“I will never condone what the Dryad did, would have been first in line if given a chance to help reclaim the village lost. But I will not condemn her. She lost her friends, perhaps the only one to ever not treat her with suspicion or outright hate. I will not abandon them to have to face this world alone. I will not become another source of pain and suffering for them if I can avoid it.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Because I am proof that we can all hold the light of humanity. And too many have lost themselves to the belief that they are nothing more than monsters. Because that is what everyone treats them as.”[/color]

Rachel's hands balled up into tight, trembling fists.
"...Only a day?"
She gave an angry, disgusted look.
"I've had to live through this nightmare every day, no, every second, for years upon years! Everywhere I go, I see your kind rampage and devastate, despoil and hunger! You don't have the slightest idea what I've gone through!" She now stepped even closer, their bodies only inches from each other. 

Her expression shifted to an uncanny smile.
"You seem to have realized it already...Queen of Sanctuary." The light from the ceiling reflected off of her glasses, concealing them from Penny.
"As I thought, you're too stubborn to realize what you're doing is futile. You think you can control them, but you're only delaying the inevitable. Sooner or later, the darkness in them takes over, and countless more will suffer and die, laying the foundation for a new generation of beasts as they feed on the innocent. The cycle will continue anew. But it won't happen this time."
She now pushed her chest against Penny's. The robotic girl could see the cold, vicious look in the Inquisitor's eyes, devoid of mercy.

"You will give up on this tournament, Penny, and you will surrender yourself and the Sanctuary for purification. Because that is the only thing you can do, like the meaningless monarch that you are."

Penny’s look was one of sadness and resignation even as she did not back down. [color=9e0039]“Yes. A day. Just because your scars persist doesn't mean your crucible continued as well. But you have chosen to inflict those scars onto everyone you encounter. Forcing them to fit within your mold and your purview.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“But you are still correct. I don’t know what you’ve been through. Just as you don’t know what it is I’ve been through. Yet it seems that you would willingly inflict the same devastation onto me that was inflicted onto you. And do so with a smile. Still I agree that the cycle will be broken.”[/color] She would take a step away from Rachel and give a small bow. Her stance shifted to a more regal one as she rose. [color=9e0039]“I am Penny Asimov, Queen of Penrose, Founder of the Sanctuary, and Beacon of Hope. I do not wish to be your enemy Inquisitor but I will not stand aside and let you destroy my home and the home of those that I shelter. I will not let you drive them and others into the dark just to satisfy your blind need to see evil in every shadow.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039]“To that end I will ask; If I win the Mirror will you accept it in exchange for relinquishing your intention of purging the Beach?”[/color]

Rachel turned furious again, her eyes seemingly glowing with the familiar aura of Reinforcement.
“You insolent-!”
But then, Penny made an offer that Rachel did not see coming, taking her off-guard.
“Huh? This place?” She glanced back to the pool, where Alicia had knocked Kimble into the water.
“I expected you to beg for your subjects instead of the demon’s abode. Yet you would rather protect a space of delinquency than your precious Sanctuary. Why is that?”

[color=9e0039]“Because I owe it to Dan.”[/color] Penny would reply [color=9e0039]“He’s not evil, at worst he is a moron. And when my home was attacked by the Mint he did what he could to send help. I want to repay that kindness and that's the primary reason I’m in this tournament; to protect the Beach. If all you had targeted was the Mirror I would have stayed with my girlfriend and laughed at people from the stands.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“The Warehouse will be a sad loss when you come for it. But it’s out of the way enough that the rest of the City thankfully won’t be in any danger if you catch us before we’ve been able to move and it won’t be the first home I’ve been chased out of.”[/color] She would add on. [color=9e0039]“And besides you won’t target all of my subjects. Not even you are zealous enough to kill everyone in Penrose simply to spite me. I am the Queen of [i]Penrose[/i]”[/color] She would reiterate. [color=9e0039]“And the Sanctuary is here for anyone in Penrose who needs it. Unfortunately that does include more than Dark magicals and Monstergirls.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“But if I am wrong. Then I will simply stand between you and them. And do everything I can to protect them.”[/color]

Rachel lifted an eyebrow as she listened to Penny’s reasoning, her arms once again crossed under her chest.
“The Mint, you say...” she stated, looking at one of the corners in the practice room. She bit the corner of her lip, looking frustrated.
“I knew they were involved, but that demon too?”
She shook her head...And sighed in an irritated tone.
“Ludicrous...But not something I can ignore. I could use the lead...”
She placed her hands on her hips.
“Fine! I agree to your terms...On these conditions.” She glared down at Penny.
“You are to give up all information you have on the Mint, no exceptions. Also, I want any footage you may have collected from the streets of Penrose.”
She waited to see Penny’s reaction.
“Yes, your hacking has been discovered. Elora has plugged the backholes you’ve used to access Beacon’s confidential systems. For all your cyber terrorism, you at least did not sabotage them.”
She turned away.
“However, don’t take this the wrong way. I haven’t given up on purifying Penrose completely. I’m simply allowing you to momentarily co-operate on more pressing issues until I have a more clear read on the city’s situation. Do you understand?”

[color=9e0039]“The Mint hates me just as you do.”[/color] Penny would say [color=9e0039]“No one sane would work with them if they had better options and comparatively that is what I am to a lot of the girls here. And I’ve told Alicia most everything I know about the Mint. Only thing I’ve not told her is something that occurred to me recently. That they had connections to the Pit Stop Diner in East Penrose. Veronica used to work there before she split off to found the Crimson cradle.”[/color]

Penny would raise an eyebrow at the admission that Elora had gone and patched Beacon’s systems. [color=9e0039]“Why would I sabotage Beacon?”[/color] She would ask rhetorically [color=9e0039]“I am part of Beacon”[/color] For as long as they would allow her at any rate. [color=9e0039]“And have no desire to see it fall. I also don’t have any footage stored from the various cameras across the city. I rarely ducked into those systems as it is, on emergency response requests or if I am trying to track someone down.”[/color] Which was true, she had not wanted to tip off that she had access to those systems so kept her use of them light. Her biggest use of them was to track down Amaryllis before the swordswoman vanished and even that was done mostly on the back of her access to the civilian networks.

[color=9e0039]“I understand that Penrose is a powder keg, doused in gas and everyone has a sparkler. You don’t like me, fine. But I don’t want to see this city fall apart again. If you need assistance I am willing to offer it.”[/color] She would explain [color=9e0039]“I am willing to share what I know, at no cost. I believe that Beacon’s overall mission is right. I just don’t agree that everyone touched by corruption is to be culled or purified. I don’t want to be your enemy.”[/color]

Rachel turned back, her teeth grit.
“Do not test my patience, Penny. The only reason I’m giving you this chance is because I want results. So don’t give me any excuses.” She pressed a couple of fingers to her temple.
“No camera feed...Disappointing, but I suppose I shouldn’t have expected much.”
She noticed how Violette began walking towards them, and grabbed Penny’s shoulder, dragging her face right up to hers.
“Not a word about this, Penny. The next time we speak will be on the platform in the finals. Until then...Goodbye.”
She then released Penny just as Violette came within speaking distance, looking cautious.
“Um, is something wrong, Inquisitor?”
Rachel shook her head.
“No. Penny and I have come to an agreement. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some training to do.”
But as she went, she gave one last glare at Penny, as if telling her through telepathy that loose lips would sink ships.

Penny would just scoff and shake her head as Rachel walked away. [color=9e0039]“Is she always this intense?”[/color] She would ask turning towards Violette. [color=9e0039]“It was hardly that complex of an agreement.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Anyway, can I help out? Or was it specifically the Inquisitor that you were needing?”[/color] She would continue on. She would protect the agreement, for now. But Alicia and Dina would learn about it in time. No need to tell them about it if she failed to get the Mirror after all.

Violette looked uneasy. “Well, she has been forced into very...un-Beacon-like activity,” she stated, trying to find the correct words. “I think anyone would be in her shoes.” She shook her head.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Penny.” She looked her over. 
“I suggest you also prepare for the tournament; I’ve heard rumors that Patrons may be joining, so even a fan favorite like you could struggle.”

[color=9e0039]“Heard the same thing, though I know it’s not going to be Odin’s. Overheard him and Dan talking before I came over. Odin’s going to be ensuring that the rules are followed, somehow. So only leaves the Witches I’ve seen about.”[/color] Penny would explain before shrugging. [color=9e0039]“Still, thanks for the heads up.”[/color]

She would give Violett a small wave as she turned to leave, stopping at the door to let out a loud whistle so she could wave goodbye to Alicia and Kimble as well. Violette was right after all, Penny did need to prepare.

Which is what the Prime and the other counterfeits were up to.

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[hider=Techno Oracular Opportunities ]
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[Sub].:⋮Prematch: Backroom Prep⋮:.[/Sub]

[color=Red]I’m not really even in this post, but SOMEONE was too lazy to make a new banner…[/color]
[color=888888]-Kate[/color]

[/center]

It is always impressive to witness the inherent synchronicity of large machines. Each gear and cog and piece moving in tandem to accomplish a larger task. Sadly no one would be able to lay eyes on the opening moves of this particular bit of harmony. For, while Penny and MDP started heading towards the main Beach island, the rest of the Penny’s all started moving to their own destinations.

For one such counterfeit it was back up into the lodge, and once more to the hidden room she had found earlier. She wouldn’t bother to slow or to knock as she once again entered Nykannis’ borrowed room. She would come to pause when she noticed that she was currently alone in the room however. A moment of surprise, and a quick conferring with the rest of her network, later and that mystery would be resolved.

However, with the owner of the holo display currently not in the room. Penny was faced with an interesting opportunity. She was alone with the Holo Display and if she was quick there were plenty of doors open to her. If she had been the Prime she could have simply taken the tech with her, useful now, and possible upgrades later. But as a counterfeit she was instead giving the room a closer examination. If she could hide it would give her the chance to gather intel on more than just what everyone else on the islands were doing, but also possibly get more insight into the mind of the mad scientist herself.

Another moment of thought would lead her to abandon that idea however. And instead she would simply lift her chair from earlier over to just in front of the holo display before sitting down and focusing on the wealth of incoming surveillance data. Spying might have gotten her something of worth, but the odds of being found were too high to risk at the moment considering there was still the situation with the Artifact unresolved.

She would just have to hope she would be able to convince Nykannis to let her stay for a while longer when the scientist returned.

Down in the feast hall, Nykannis was in the process of shoveling food into her mouth, when an alert caught her attention. [color=DarkMagenta]“What the hell?”[/color] she muttered after taking a large gulp from her mug of ale. [color=DarkMagenta]“Hmm, figures it would be [i]her,[/i]”[/color] she added with an amused snort.

[color=Red]“What’s up?”[/color] Kate asked. 

[color=DarkMagenta]“Penny’s in our private room,”[/color] the mad scientist explained. [color=DarkMagenta]“I’m gonna go see what she wants. This hopefully won’t take long, so you can stay here.”[/color]

[color=Red]“Sounds good to me!”[/color] Kate replied as she went back to devouring her meal.

Upon reaching their private room, Nykannis found Penny engrossed in the data feeds playing out across her various holographic displays.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Y’know, if you wanted to borrow my equipment, you could have just asked,”[/color] the mad scientist told the robotic girl as she walked over. [color=DarkMagenta]“I gotta say, Penny, I’m a little disappointed in you,”[/color] she added, taking a seat next to her uninvited guest. [color=DarkMagenta]“When a literal clown like Oros can come up with a better plan than a metaphysical AI, then something is [i]seriously[/i] wrong with the universe.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You weren’t in here to ask”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply absently, her attention never shifting away from the information in front of her.  She was a bit shocked at the prompt return of Nykannis, but not surprised when she thought about it a bit more. It would only make sense for the scientist to have alarms around her equipment. Made Penny glad she chose to go for the straight forward approach in using the holo display. [color=9e0039][u][b]“At that, if you want me to leave, just say the word.”[/b][/u][/color] She wasn’t here to damage the tenuous relationship if she could avoid it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure how you came to the conclusion that my plan is worse than Find and replace’s though'[/b][/u][/color]' She would continue. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Hers was doom from the start, and mine’s already accomplished two of the things I was hoping for.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“[i]Has[/i] it now?”[/color] Nykannis asked, somewhat intrigued by her guest’s pronouncement. [color=DarkMagenta]“Well, good for you,”[/color] she added in a far more dismissive manner. [color=DarkMagenta]“What I [i]meant[/i] was that the class clown’s strategy of only fighting whoever wins against miss ‘sanctimonious stick up her ass’ is a crap ton more effective than going through a whole fucking tournament to get to the same place. I mean, I know [i]you[/i] could probably do it, but even so, you’d still be pretty tired out by the time you got to ‘find and replace’. And why the hell do you keep calling her that, by the way? Is it some kinda in-joke between you two? Well, whatever… ANYWAYS, you’ve also got the issue of letting her see all your moves and figure out ways to counter ‘em, which I’m guessing is why you came up here in the first place, right? To spy on the competition? I’m fine with you doing it and all, so don’t worry about being kicked out, it’s just that I don’t really see it helping all that much. I mean, your main problem is gonna be endurance, cause even an overpowered demigoddess like you has her limits.”[/color] She sighed in exasperation. [color=DarkMagenta]“I’d help ya out with that, in exchange for a few favors of course, but Dan’s stupid rules prevent me from…”[/color] Her voice trailed off and her eyes went wide as an idea suddenly occurred to her. [color=DarkMagenta]“The rules…”[/color] she whispered as the corners of her mouth curled into a demented grin. [color=DarkMagenta]“THE RULES!!!”[/color] Tilting her head back, the mad scientist unleashed a deafening peal of maniacal laughter that could probably even be heard in the feast hall below. [color=DarkMagenta]“NYAHAHAHA!!! I’M [i]SUCH[/i] A GENIUS!!! Alright, Penny!”[/color] she told the mechanical monarch. [color=DarkMagenta]“You wanna win this thing? Well, then get the Prime up here! I’ve just come up with something she’s gonna [i]LOVE…[/i]”[/color]  

Penny would turn away from the feeds to give Nykannis a curious look. She wasn’t expecting the maniacal laughter, which might have been a mistake on her part. [color=9e0039][u][b]“In order of least to most importance. I’m insulting her with such, but context is a bit convoluted. Her strategy is sound, but irrelevant since Rachel wouldn’t have fought again for something that was already won, and I really doubt anyone else would do so either. I’m here to facilitate my spying, yes, but not all of that is relevant to the tournament.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d answer most of the questions posed in the ramble rant.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What is your genius idea that needs the Prime?”[/b][/u][/color] She would then ask, though she had a fairly decent idea of what direction Nykannis’ answer would take.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Well, since I can’t give her an upgrade via my usual methods, I’m just gonna use some good old fashioned Christmas Magic to do the same thing!”[/color] the mad scientist explained. [color=DarkMagenta]“And obviously, since you’re basically just a cheap knockoff, the process wouldn’t have nearly as much of an affect on you,”[/color] she added, rolling her eyes in slight annoyance.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Excuse you”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a roll of her eyes [color=9e0039][u][b]“I am premium knock off thank you very much.”[/b][/u][/color] She would be smirking though, because Nykannis was right. Upgrades were always something that Penny enjoyed.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“How much time do you think the upgrades would take? And what did you have in mind?”[/b][/u][/color] She would still ask. [color=9e0039][u][b]“You are absolutely correct, I love the idea, I’m just also spending time with my girlfriend.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain pointing out Penny and MDP together on the data feeds. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And don’t want her to have to spend time with one of my premium knock offs for too long.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Less than five minutes,”[/color] Nykannis replied. [color=DarkMagenta]“And it figures you and her royal ditziness would end up together,”[/color] the mad scientist added with a tired sigh. [color=DarkMagenta]“What I [i]can’t[/i] figure out is how the hell you can put up with how annoying she is… Anyway, as for the specifics of what I’m planning to do, let’s just say I’ll be significantly enhancing your already ridiculously overpowered physical capabilities even [i]further,[/i] really plus ultraing the shit outta ‘em! And as for [i]why[/i] I’m doing it, well, aside from a few small favors, I just wanna see the look on Oros’s face when you beat the shit outta her,”[/color] she explained with a malicious grin.

The insult towards Magical Dream Princess would lead to Penny leveling a flat stare at the scientist. Not quite a glare but a warning look nevertheless. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I can get here in about ten minutes or so.”[/b][/u][/color] She would before shifting her attention back to the data feeds. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I fail to see how MDP is at all annoying. She’s generally cheery, actively helpful, smart and cute. Don’t see how that’s annoying.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“While we are waiting for the Prime, mind pitching what kind of favors you are wanting for this?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Ten minutes, huh? That gives me [i]plenty[/i] of time to get everything ready,”[/color] Nykannis observed with a gleeful smile as she eagerly rubbed her hands together. [color=DarkMagenta]“And I meant her personality,”[/color] she added, in response to Penny’s question about MDP. [color=DarkMagenta]“She’s just so sickeningly cute, and the way she [i]talks…[/i]”[/color] The mad scientist shuddered a bit, before addressing Penny’s next question. [color=DarkMagenta]“My requests are simple enough. First, I’d like the chance to study the Black Mirror, y’know, run some tests on it. Second, when you get control of this place, I want to be allowed to dissect a Harebringer. Now, before you get all offended, I promise the process will be completely painless, and, once I’m finished, I’ll put it back together, good as new!”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Both of those should be do-able”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would admit after a moment of contemplation. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Mirror might be on a time crunch, since I don’t want to hold on to the thing long term since so many people are gunning for it. But that is the only issue I’m seeing with that.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll admit I’m not sure if a Harebringer can be dissected, I’m operating under the impression they are more magic than fluff, but that doesn’t bother me.”[/b][/u][/color] She wasn’t going to try and correct the fact that she wasn’t going to end up with control of the Beach. Didn’t seem like it would be worth much at the moment and talking Dan into allowing such didn’t sound like it would be a large hassle.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Circling back around to MDP, while we wait for the Prime”[/b][/u][/color] Who was just now splitting away from MDP on the feeds. She would stop by another counterfeit before moving towards the lodge, with the Counterfeit moving off towards the Beacon contingent. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I find the cute, well, cute. And from my perspective she’s no more difficult to understand than anyone else. After all, what do you think you sound like to me?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask with a raised brow.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Okay, great,”[/color] Nykannis grinned. [color=DarkMagenta]“Now that we’ve got [i]that[/i] taken care of, I can get to work on my little Christmas construction project!”[/color] Snapping her finger, and pointing out the window, a gold-plated robotic snowman warped into existence. Its almost laughably thin, pipe cleaner-like arms held an axe with a glowing blade, surrounded by a halo of crackling blue lightning. For a moment, it hovered in the air above the balcony on a wispy cloud of sparkling green energy, before racing off towards the snow-covered forest. 

Immediately after its departure, Penny returned the conversation to MDP, and, in particular, her voice, and how the robotic girl perceived it.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Probably just a bunch of sterile sonic waveforms,”[/color] Nykannis conceded with a chuckle. [color=DarkMagenta]“But even if you eliminate that high-pitched voice, and translate her words into normal-person speak, you’re still left with that playful flippancy, that total inability to take anything even [i]remotely[/i] seriously. She’s just a hyperactive child! How can [i]that[/i] be endearing?!”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s not really a fair assessment.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would defend [color=9e0039][u][b]“She is entirely capable of being serious and focused. Her magic is just seriously fucking with her and giving her a case of ADHD from hell.”[/b][/u][/color] She would lean back into her chair folding her arms with a frustrated look. [color=9e0039][u][b]“If she wasn’t as driven and intelligent as she was out of costume she’d be incapable of functioning because of it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And who cares if she’s having fun with it? It’s magic! And I’m pretty sure she’s under six months of having it.”[/b][/u][/color] She would conclude with a huff. She really wanted to say more, but knew that MDP wanted to keep her identity secret, otherwise she would be singing more praise to her girlfriend. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It says a lot about a person who is able to deal with everything she’s facing and still view it with joy.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“So you know who she really is, huh?”[/color] Nykannis asked with a raised eyebrow. [color=DarkMagenta][i]That’s[/i] hardly surprising. I bet you do extensive background checks on [i]all[/i] your potential romantic interests,”[/color] she added with a smirk. [color=DarkMagenta]“But I don’t think that really changes anything. I mean, I’m pretty sure she [i]enjoys[/i] acting so loopy. It’s like stress relief, or something, which makes a certain amount of sense for someone so repressed, but it’s still pretty sick. I mean, I wouldn’t consider someone who chooses to essentially get drugged out of their mind in order to escape reality all that commendable… ANYWAY, enough talking about your stupid girlfriend. I need to get things ready for when the Prime arrives, so no more distractions!”[/color]

Penny would grimace at the final point made but refrained from further retort. That possibility hadn't occurred to her before now and was thus left wondering.

A moment later, the robotic snowman returned with a large evergreen and placed it into a bizarre, technomantic tree stand, which a swarm of nanites had constructed in less than two seconds.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Excellent!”[/color] Nykannis declared, an unhinged gleam in her eye. [color=DarkMagenta]“The festive foundation has arrived! Now to decorate it!”[/color]

With that, the Monarch of Mad Science set to work, giggling maniacally and humming “O Tannenbaum” as she did so. Small hovering drones, swirling swarms of nanites, and tool-tipped tentacular mechadendrites descended upon the tree in a blur of motion. First, she added the lights, glowing orbs of energy in a myriad of colors. Some of them seemed to be filled with bubbling liquid, while others were plasma spheres, or contained sparking Tesla Coils and Jacob’s Ladders. A few even seemed to hold miniature galaxies within them. Myriad wires and tubes of wildly varying thickness served as garland and tinsel, while the candy canes seemed to be mechanical devices that moved in a way which called to mind an old-fashioned barber shop pole. Then it was time for the ornaments… These came in a vast array of shapes and sizes, but all were strangely technological in nature. Some resembled small gyroscopes, while others took the form of oddly-shaped bubbling beakers, and still others looked like bizarre pinwheels, with crackling orbs of multicolored energy at the ends of each spoke. Regardless of appearance, they all spun, hummed, bubbled, and glowed with ever-increasing intensity as they filled the “tree’s” various power accumulators with truly stupendous levels of energy. However, Nykannis knew there was still one final item to add, before her Christmas creation would be complete.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Angel or star… Angel or star…”[/color] she muttered as she thought over how best to top her super scientific ultra magitech Christmas Tree. [color=DarkMagenta]“Oh, screw it! I’ll just add both! Nyahahaha!”[/color]

Instructing two of her helper drones to take up position on either side of the tree, Nykannis employed them to assist a cloud of nanites in tearing a hole in the fabric of reality, and bringing forth a most bizarre entity. It closely resembled Ramiel, the singing diamond, but where that octahedral angel had been blue, this construct shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum as it rapidly shifted its form into various alien geometries.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Nyahahaha!”[/color] Nykannis cackled upon completing her strange creation. [color=DarkMagenta]“So, whatdaya think, Penny?!”[/color] she asked excitedly. [color=DarkMagenta]“It’s a hyperholidayenchantech device that can syphon all the Christmas Magic permeating this place and employ it for any purpose I desire! A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE MACHINE!!!”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That is very impressive”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply, but her voice wouldn’t be coming from next to Nykannis as it had been for the entirety of the conversation so far. It was coming from behind her, near the door. Standing just inside it with her arms crossed under her chest was Penny Prime. And her attention was focused on the incredibly bizarre looking tree. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I like your choice of Angel, or at least the angel you used for reference.”[/b][/u][/color] She would comment as she stepped closer to the tree.

Now that both Prime and a counterfeit were in the same room Nykannis would be able to note the subtle distinctions between the two of them. The Real Penny had a weight to her presence that was simply lacking in her copy. Likewise there was a sort of otherness to her movements that made her standout in comparison. The clone was a work of art, of that there was no doubt, but there was something almost ethereal to the original that simply wasn’t maintained across the duplications.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’d love a chance to see the math of how you are able to determine the thematic aetheric currents.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say looking over the tree with a critical eye. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I recognize the Gunthers array’s and the Noonian condensers. But everything else looks like custom hardware.”[/b][/u][/color] Walking part way around the tree Penny would nod a bit before moving back to face Nykannis herself. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m jealous as well. Finding the materials for my own mechadendrites has been slow. And I don’t think that I’d be able to find the tech to build a nano forge on my planet.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Your magic must help circumvent so many of those issues.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“At last! Pennimus Prime!”[/color] Nykannis exulted. [color=DarkMagenta]“Now we can finally begin!”[/color]

The mad scientist grinned as Penny Prime inspected her creation and complemented her abilities.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Yeah, it certainly plays a large part,”[/color] she conceded with a nod when the robotic girl mentioned how helpful her rather esoteric magic must be with such tasks. [color=DarkMagenta]“But having an entire pocket dimension filled with energy-to-matter replicators doesn’t hurt,”[/color] she added. [color=DarkMagenta]“And [i]your[/i] main problem is that your planet is pretty much still in the stone age, as far as technological scales are concerned, so I’m not surprised you’re having issues.”[/color] Producing a small, glowing cube of yellowy-green light, she tossed it over to Penny. [color=DarkMagenta]“Here, that data cube has all the relevant calculations, though I doubt you could truly duplicate it, even if you [i]did[/i] have access to all of my resources. There’s a certain spark of genius required, that you currently lack. But enough of that. Let’s get started! If you could just stand riiiight here,”[/color] she instructed, pointing to a spot on the floor in front of her “tree”. [color=DarkMagenta]“Great,”[/color] she’d confirm, as Penny complied. [color=DarkMagenta]“Just like that. Oh, and you might wanna shield your optics,”[/color] she added, while producing a green control pad with a large red button in the center. [color=DarkMagenta]“This is gonna be one hell of a light show! And five!”[/color] she began counting as she dramatically raised the control pad above her head, while the robotic snowman began a drumroll. [color=DarkMagenta]“Four! Three! TWO! JOY TOOO THE WOOOORLD!!!”[/color] she sang as she pressed the button with both thumbs.

The next instant, her crazy Christmas creation began glowing with even greater intensity, as transcendent power built up to overwhelming levels. The bubbling of the beakers reached a fever pitch, while the whirling of the pinwheels had reached such a frenzied speed that they seemed to warp the very fabric of reality. Some of the ornaments even started rapidly phasing in and out of existence, like a TARDIS on an acid trip. And somehow, over all this, “The Hallelujah Chorus” resounded throughout the small room.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Yeah, I know it’s not really associated with this [i]particular[/i] angel,”[/color] Nykannis noted, shouting to be heard over the rising cacophony. [color=DarkMagenta]“BUT I DON’T FUCKING CARE!!! NYAHAHAHA!!!”[/color]  

Speaking of, the angel/star on the top of the “tree” was now exuding enough light to blind a normal human instantly, while the space around it began to noticeably twist and warp. As it continued to charge with unfathomable energies, it emitted a rising whine, which soon eclipsed all other sound. Just when its shrieking had reached a deafening crescendo, it emitted a prismatic beam of raw mystic power, which fell directly upon Penny.

The mechanical monarch would feel herself infused with the equivalent of a max-strength 34 MAG Reinforcement spell as the beam continued to supercharge her physical abilities for several seconds, before finally fizzling out. For a few moments, Penny would glow with the same prismatic aura emitted by the “tree” and the star/angel at its pinnacle. However, the strange creation itself was now a mere shadow of its former glory, a smoldering cinder, which more closely resembled the Griswold Family Christmas Tree, than the marvel of hyper advanced magitech it had once been.

[color=DarkMagenta]“So, how do you feel, Penny?”[/color] Nykannis inquired expectantly, eager to learn if her experiment had been a success. 

The blinding light wasn’t much of an issue for either Penny. The ability to simply turn off their optics proved to be a very handy one in that regard. Though the counterfeit did keep one of her operational, mainly to record just how much light the thing actually gave off.

The mass surge of magic was actually something of a worry, however, as Penny’s systems weren’t quite ready for it to happen as quickly as it did. It took a bit of quick thinking on Penny’s part, and some assistance from the ShineSpark, to keep it from spilling into an accidental corruption or a backfiring of the spell entirely.

Layering a few of her own enhancements into the incoming effects, dismissing a few of her extra counterfeits, halting Mana regeneration. While also creating some extra reservoirs for the spell, based off of Nykannis’ own work from earlier with the help of Evolution. Was able to bleed off or store enough of the magic so that it didn’t end up warping Penny. It blunted the enhancement a bit but did come with the added benefit of allowing her to reapply it, albeit at a much lower intensity, a time or two over the course of the tournament for short extra bursts. And if she could snag a moment to go over the Data cube she could set the reservoirs to draw from the Beach theme while she was there for possibly one full recast.

Slowly she would raise her hand and watch her hand as she flexed it a few times. Internally she was running a full diagnostic. All systems and all caches, no exceptions. Surface readings were good, but she couldn’t say it would surprise her if Nykannis tried to slip something in during the upgrades. And since she still had three copies she had something to check her systems against as well.

Once everything came back clean. She would look up at Nykannis with a vicious grin. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m pretty sure I could take down this island without much trouble if I wanted”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer. She had absolutely no qualms about accepting this enhancement either. She was sure that others will have done similar things themselves in the lead up to the matches. 

[color=DarkMagenta]“[i]Eeeexcellent…[/i]”[/color] Nykannis replied, her maniacal grin spreading from ear to ear. [color=DarkMagenta]“That’s [i]exactly[/i] what I wanted to hear! Just so you know, this is only a temporary boost, what with it being Christmas Magic and all,”[/color] the mad scientist added. [color=DarkMagenta]“But it’ll definitely last long enough for you to wipe the floor with Rachel, Oros, and all those other losers.”[/color]

Penny would nod in understanding. Just before she would say anything in reply Dan’s announcement would be heard [color=9e0039][u][b]“Seems we are just in time as well.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say with a chuckle. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Are you going to be staying in here for the matches?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask taking a step towards leaving.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Yep,”[/color] Nykannis confirmed. [color=DarkMagenta]“This is probably the best place for it- safe, private, and with everyone else heading over to view the matches in person, I can bring rest of the feast hall food up here and eat while I watch,”[/color] she added with a devious smirk. [color=DarkMagenta]“I’d wish you good luck, but that would imply you actually [i]needed[/i] it.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll take the luck anyway.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would respond as she finished turning to leave. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Any luck I have is luck they don’t after all.”[/b][/u][/color] She would pass by her counterfeit on the way out the two of them tapping knuckles against each other on the pass. In a wink of digital static the Counterfeit would vanish.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll see you later, Nykannis.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say just before opening the door. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Feel free to send me a stream connection or a ping if you've got any questions during the matches.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d offer before stepping through the door and the S.E.P.

It was almost go time. Just one last errand to take care of, but that should be done by the time she made it to the Stadium.

[/hider]

[hr]

The upside to being so close to the stadium when the message went out was that Penny was still able to get into the place and move around a bit before everyone else showed up. It wasn't hard to slip into the AV room while no one was around and plug herself into the system in charge of the Cameras. A few moments later on and Penny would just as quietly slip out her work done. Her original plan with her clones was to have a few of the min the audience to give her an all around view of the arenas and let her stay with her girlfriend. But now she had access to the cameras in the stadium so now she wasn't up her Copycat, but was missing out on time with her girlfriend, but only during her matches. 

It was needed though since her clones running around had actually drained her of more mana then she had realized. Her task done she would give out a relieved sigh before moving into the seating area of the stadium and sitting down next to another Penny. A moment later a third Penny would appear carrying a large tray of assorted metal bits and bobs. This Penny would set it down on the arm of the seat of the first Penny, before sitting down on the other open seat.

There would be a few moments of silence between the three Penny's before the last Penny arrived. This Penny would reach out and touch all of the other Penny's and the sitting Penny's would all vanish in a flash of static. The sole remaining Penny, the Prime, would then sit down in the now open seats and start snacking on the tray of metal.

[color=9e0039]"Now then, lets see what there is too see before my match shall we?"[/color] Her eyes would flash as she accessed the camera systems. There was never a bad time to gather intel on future opposition after all.