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[center][h1][i][b]Chapter Five- 
Say Goodbye[/b][/i][/h1][/center]

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[color=DarkMagenta]“So, what did ya think?!”[/color] Nykannis asked once the final episode of Beautiful Guardian Gunslinger Alexis had concluded. [color=DarkMagenta]“Pretty awesome, right?!”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Well, it may not have been as whimsical as my favorite magical girl shows, but it was still quite enjoyable,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“Although, Xylannis seemed to be nothing more than a fictional version of yourself.”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Damn straight!”[/color] Nykannis confirmed with a grin. [color=DarkMagenta]“That’s what makes her the best character!”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“If you say so…”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“In any case, thank you for letting me see it. As an avid follower of magical girl series, I’m honestly surprised I’ve never heard of it before.”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“There’s a very good reason for that,”[/color] Nykannis explained. [color=DarkMagenta]“It doesn’t actually exist in your universe.”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“What?”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“It’s from another universe,”[/color] Nykannis reiterated. [color=DarkMagenta]“One that’s over a hundred and fifty years further along the timeline than your own. So even if yours [i]does[/i] get its own version, it probably won’t be made for another few decades, at least. Then again…”[/color] she muttered thoughtfully. [color=DarkMagenta]“There are analogs of certain individuals from that universe in this one, existing over a century before their counterparts’ births, so maybe it’ll be sooner than that…”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Another universe?”[/color] Violet echoed, her eyes widening in amazement. [color=BlueViolet]“So there really [i]is[/i] a multiverse out there…”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“You bet your sparkly ass there is!”[/color] Nykannis confirmed. [color=DarkMagenta]“In fact, if you like cute things so much, I have [i]just[/i] the person to help me prove it!”[/color]

Tapping a small holoconsole, Nykannis brought up an image depicting several clusters of shimmering spheres, grouped in such a way as to almost resemble trees. 

[color=DarkMagenta]“I surreptitiously inserted a tracking device into the inner workings of his Syllogismobile, so I’m able to follow his various wanderings with pinpoint accuracy,”[/color] Nykannis explained. [color=DarkMagenta]“He makes for such a wonderful source of amusement,”[/color] she added with a smirk. [color=DarkMagenta]“Almost as entertaining as that clockwork kid in Esper Land. Hmmm… It looks like he’s transitioning to a new reality plenum right now. Let’s see where he ends up… Oh, wow!”[/color] the mad scientist exclaimed when one of the spheres began to emit a golden glow. [color=DarkMagenta]“He’s going there?!”[/color] A few more taps on her holoconsole, and the image on the main display shifted to a candle-lit corridor inside what looked to be a gothic castle. A [url=https://imgur.com/PKVyRQd]stunningly beautiful young woman in a sparkling blue evening robe[/url] was walking down it, followed closely by an oversized… bedsheet ghost? With tentacles…? [color=DarkMagenta]“Nyahahaha!”[/color] Nykannis cackled in maniacal glee.

[color=BlueViolet]“What are we even looking at?”[/color] Violet inquired.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Oh, you’ll see, Princess!”[/color] Nykannis replied. [color=DarkMagenta]“This is gonna be great!”[/color] 

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[center][h1][i]Meets[/i][/h1][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Z158lZb.png[/img][/center]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Hasn’t tonight been simply [i]wonderful[/i], darling?!”[/color] the blonde beauty was saying to her sizable companion as she walked along the corridor. [color=LightSkyBlue]“All the various games and activities were immensely enjoyable, and the ambiance is positively enchanting!”[/color] she continued to gush, a dazzling smile spreading across her lovely face as she spread her arms wide to encompass their somewhat creepy surroundings. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I only wish we had been able to see a real ghost…”[/color] the fair maiden added, her smile drooping into a slight frown of disappointment. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh well… Perhaps we’ll have better luck in the art roo… Hm?”[/color] she inquired as a steadily growing hum caught her attention. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Whatever could [i]that[/i] be?”[/color]

The azure-clad maiden’s query was answered a moment later as, with a loud “*VOP!*”, a faint, spinning shape began to slowly materialize a short distance ahead of her. 

[color=LightSkyBlue]“I-I don’t believe it, darling!”[/color] she cried happily. [color=LightSkyBlue]“An actual ghost!”[/color]

As it came into better focus, the blonde beauty saw that the strange, shimmering, semi-transparent object appeared to resemble a gyroscope, and was about the size of an easy chair, or small desk. At its center was what looked to be a control panel of some sort, and a small, cushioned chair. However, it was the [url=https://imgur.com/XDvYvUP]figure[/url] [i]sitting[/i] in that chair that caused the lovely lady to gasp in amazement.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh my goodness! It’s a little dog!”[/color] she exclaimed, her enchanting visage taking on a look of delighted wonderment. [color=LightSkyBlue]“A little [i]ghost[/i] dog! Oh, and I simply [i]love[/i] his outfit! It’s positively [i]adorable![/i] Oh, gosh, darling!”[/color] she added as a thought occurred to her. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Do you think he’s a friend of Winston’s?!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“I do apologize, my dear young lady,”[/color] an almost comically refined voice spoke up. [color=Goldenrod]“But I am afraid I have yet to make the acquaintance of anyone by that name. Moreover, I have just now arrived in this reality plenum for the first, and quite probably last, time. Thus, I believe the odds of my knowing any of its residents to be exceedingly slim. Furthermore, I am most assuredly [i]not[/i] a ghost!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Y-You can talk?!”[/color] the blonde beauty gasped in astonishment.

[color=Goldenrod]“Why of [i]course[/i] I can talk, my good lady,”[/color] the dog replied. [color=Goldenrod]“Why are so many people so astounded by that fact? Oh! But where are my manners? I’ve been babbling away for nearly half a minute, and I’ve yet to introduce myself! A thousand pardons!”[/color] Removing his top hat, and giving a small bow, he continued. [color=Goldenrod]“Parrthineas E. Doxxon the First , at your service! But you may call me Parr, for short.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“I-It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, Parr,”[/color] the fair maiden replied with an elegant curtsy, before kneeling down to get a better look at both the strange canine and his even stranger contraption. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I’m Olivia Bell, aka Magical Maiden Ethereal Rose, but you can just call me Olivia,”[/color] she told him. [color=LightSkyBlue]“And this dashing gentleman behind me is my darling Xolys,”[/color] she added, gesturing to the towering bedsheet ghost.

[color=MediumBlue]“Thyerg’Xolys, Master of Xhar’doth,”[/color] the looming figure intoned in an otherworldly, but still exceedingly polite voice. [color=MediumBlue]“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well,”[/color] he added with a bow.  

[color=Goldenrod]“Likewise!”[/color] Parr replied, holding out his paw for them to shake.

However, when Olivia reached out to take it, she found that her hand completely passed through the offered appendage, causing the fair maiden to give voice to a startled gasp.

[color=Goldenrod]“Goodness me!”[/color] Parr exclaimed. [color=Goldenrod]“It would appear that I am still somewhat out of phase… Haven’t quite ‘settled in’ yet, as it were,”[/color] he added with a chuckle.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Settled in?”[/color] Olivia repeated, looking quite perplexed.

[color=Goldenrod]“Into this reality plenum,”[/color] he clarified. [color=Goldenrod]“That is to say, this universe.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Y-You’re from a different… [i]universe?[/i]”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Quite correct, Miss Olivia,”[/color] Parr confirmed. [color=Goldenrod]“You see, I am something of a traveler, although I must admit, not entirely of my own volition.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Whatever do you mean?”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Well, it all began quite some time ago, in a universe most distant,”[/color] Parr explained. [color=Goldenrod]“I had taken up a professorship at my old alma mater, Fae Creek Academy, and was hard at work on a recreation of my esteemed father’s greatest invention, the Far Prior Machine, when I had a most fascinating conversation with a visiting scientist. Seeing that I had reached something of an impasse in my efforts, they encouraged me to start work on a [i]new[/i] project, one completely unrelated to the accomplishments of my renowned progenitor. Thus, inspired by their tales of the vast omniverse in which all possibilities exist and where even works of fiction can be found as fully manifested realities, I resolved to create a conveyance capable of reaching any world I could dream of, and [i]this[/i] is the result of that endeavor,”[/color] he announced, gesturing to the strange contraption in which he sat. [color=Goldenrod]“The Syllogismobile!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh wow!”[/color] Olivia exclaimed, her eyes seeming to glitter with wonderment. [color=LightSkyBlue]“That sounds absolutely fascinating!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Indeed it is, Miss Olivia!”[/color] Parr agreed. [color=Goldenrod]“Unfortunately, my trans-plenumic engineering skills weren’t quite up to the task, and upon activating my cross world conveyance for the first time, I found myself utterly lost, adrift on the turbulent tides of the vast omnidimensional ocean! Now I travel from plenum to plenum, in the hopes that I might some day return to my home universe.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“T-That’s so very awful!”[/color] Olivia cried, her azure eyes beginning to glisten as tears welled up.

[color=Goldenrod]“Now, now,”[/color] Parr consoled her. [color=Goldenrod]“My current predicament, while indeed troubling, is not without its benefits. After all, I do so love exploring, and I now find myself with ample opportunities for such activities!”[/color] he noted with a chuckle. [color=Goldenrod]“With that in mind, I would be most grateful if you could enlighten me about my present surroundings.”[/color] 

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh! Um, of course!”[/color] Olivia replied. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I would be happy to! This is Marrywell Academy, a school for Magical Girls in London, England,”[/color] Olivia explained. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Although we’re currently in a castle next to the school that Miss Valeria created for our slumber party,”[/color] she added.

[color=Goldenrod]“My word!”[/color] Parr exclaimed. [color=Goldenrod]“This entire edifice was constructed just for a slumber party?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Yes, that’s right!”[/color] Olivia confirmed happily. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Miss Valeria is so very talented when it comes to building things, so when she found out that my friend Bonnie and I were planning a sleepover in the possibly-haunted music room, she completely demolished it and constructed this lovely castle in its place, all in one night!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“How extraordinary!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“It really is!”[/color] Olivia agreed with an enthusiastic nod. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Especially since we didn’t know she was the one responsible at first, so I thought that perhaps the rumors about the music room’s haunted piano sending people to another world were true, and that, instead of sending [i]us[/i] there, it brought the castle [i]here![/i] Oh! But even if that wasn’t the case, there must still be [i]some[/i] truth to it, because [i]you’re[/i] from another world yourself!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Ah, but [i]I[/i] arrived here via my Syllogismobile, and not the transdimensional tune of an enchanted piano,”[/color] Parr corrected. [color=Goldenrod]“Although it is quite a fascinating coincidence, I must admit!”[/color] 

[color=LightSkyBlue]“But what if the piano was what [i]drew[/i] you to this universe?”[/color] Olivia persisted. [color=LightSkyBlue]“You said yourself that you have no control over your destination.”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Perhaps,”[/color] Parr conceded. [color=Goldenrod]“But did you not say that the music room was completely demolished?”[/color] he asked. [color=Goldenrod]“Would not the piano have been destroyed along with it?”[/color]

 [color=LightSkyBlue]“Well, since it’s a [i]haunted[/i] piano, then maybe its ghost is still around,”[/color] Olivia suggested.

[color=Goldenrod]“A most intriguing possibility, to be sure,”[/color] Parr noted. [color=Goldenrod]“Though in any case, I must inquire if your universe possesses any means by which I might be allowed to return to my universe of origin,”[/color] he added. [color=Goldenrod]“You mentioned that this was a learning institution for Magical Girls, correct? And if they are anything like the students of Fae Creek Academy, then they are no doubt in possession of a vast and varied array of intriguing abilities, so would you happen to know if any  of your classmates, or faculty members, for that matter, have the capability to transverse the plenumic barrier?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Um, well, the students and teachers here have all sorts of amazing powers, but I’m not sure if any of them can travel to different universes…”[/color] Olivia replied with an uncertain frown. [color=LightSkyBlue]“And I don’t really know [i]every[/i] student and teacher here, so maybe if there’s someone here with a Grimoire involving travel to another world…”[/color] she mused. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Maybe someone with an Alice in Wonderland Grimoire?”[/color] 

[color=Goldenrod]“Grimoire?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, they’re the enchanted storybooks that give Magical Girls their powers,”[/color] Olivia explained. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Do things work differently in other universes?”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Indeed they do,”[/color] Parr replied. [color=Goldenrod]“In fact, magical powers are entirely absent in some universes, and even when they do exist, their methods of operation vary quite drastically. For instance, in one particularly peculiar universe, certain young ladies are able to wield remarkable mystical powers, but only until they receive their license to operate a motorized conveyance, at which point, their abilities completely vanish!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Gosh… That [i]does[/i] sound rather inconvenient,”[/color] Olivia noted. [color=LightSkyBlue]“And speaking of inconvenient, now that I think about it, Alice didn’t really have a great deal of control over her travels, so an Alice in Wonderland Grimoire probably wouldn’t work… Oh! But maybe someone who’s good with machines would be better? Someone who could make something like your Syllogismobile!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Someone like this Miss Valeria?”[/color] Parr inquired.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Yes!”[/color] Olivia confirmed. [color=LightSkyBlue]“She can be a little intense, but I’m sure once we explain things, she’ll be more than happy to—”[/color]

[color=MediumBlue]“I do not believe it would be wise to seek out Miss Valeria at the present time,”[/color] Xolys advised. [color=MediumBlue]“She appeared to be rather… [i]occupied[/i] when last we saw her.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh gosh, darling! You’re right!”[/color] Olivia noted. [color=LightSkyBlue]“She [i]did[/i] say something about having a secret planning session with Charlotte, so we probably shouldn’t interrupt them. Who knows what exciting new activities they’re setting up for us?! Maybe turning the art room into a haunted art gallery, where the paintings come to life?!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Dear me, that sounds like the most delightful fun!”[/color] Parr declared. [color=Goldenrod]“And fret not, Miss Olivia,”[/color] he added. [color=Goldenrod]“I can simply run a quick scan to determine if this reality plenum can indeed provide the assistance I require.”[/color]  

With that, the dapper canine produced a wand-like device, featuring four spinning protrusions with a small glowing sphere at the end of each. Three additional, slightly glowing, prongs sat atop it, and as he slowly moved the device across the surrounding area, a faint wedge of golden energy extended from them. After the beam had made a full 360 degree sweep of the corridor, Parr examined a small readout on the lower portion of the device.

[color=Goldenrod]“Hmm… Yes, yes, I see…”[/color] he murmured. [color=Goldenrod]“Well, that [i]is[/i] rather disappointing, but not entirely unexpected,”[/color] he noted, returning his attention to Olivia once more.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“So, you didn’t find anything that might help?”[/color] the blonde beauty inquired.

[color=Goldenrod]“No, I regret to say I did not,”[/color] Parr replied. [color=Goldenrod]“Yet, I would not say my visit here was entirely bereft of value. After all, I [i]was[/i] provided the opportunity to meet a most charming young lady and her imposing consort,”[/color] he added with a wink. [color=Goldenrod]“Now then, it would appear that the possibility particles by which my conveyance is powered are almost fully replenished, but before I depart, I should like to learn a little more about you and your fellow students. That said, would you be so kind as to answer a few questions?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, of course!”[/color] Olivia agreed with a nod. [color=LightSkyBlue]“What would you like to know?”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Most splendid!”[/color] Parr declared, clapping his paws together excitedly. [color=Goldenrod]“To begin, you had mentioned that magical powers were bestowed by enchanted storybooks in this universe, and I was curious as to what [i]your[/i] tale might be.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“It’s an altered version of [i]Beauty and the Beast,[/i]”[/color] Olivia replied. [color=LightSkyBlue]“It’s a story about an imperiled maiden, who gets transported to another world and is saved from some horrible villains by a gorgeous creature. She and the creature become the closest of friends, and she decides to stay with him for the rest of her life.”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“What a fascinating tale! And I assume Master Xolys is the creature in question?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Yes, that’s right!”[/color] Olivia acknowledged.

[color=Goldenrod]“How very interesting…”[/color] Parr mused. [color=Goldenrod]“In that case,”[/color] he added, turning to gaze up at Xolys’s towering form. [color=Goldenrod]“Are you the same being from the original tale, or simply a recreation of him, formed via the magic of the tome?”[/color]

[color=MediumBlue]“I am indeed the same being,”[/color] Xolys confirmed. [color=MediumBlue]“As a pandimensional entity, I am capable of transcending time and space, allowing me to exist in multiple realities simultaneously, albeit only via the link of an enchanted storybook. Thus, I cannot travel the myriad reality plenums freely, nor can I enable my dearest Olivia to visit Xhar’doth, no matter how much we both might wish it,”[/color] he added, tenderly wrapping a tendril around the fair maiden’s elegant hand.   

[color=Goldenrod]“I see… And this maiden from the tale, she was the Olivia of your prime universe, correct?”[/color]

[color=MediumBlue]“Yes,”[/color] Xolys replied with a nod. [color=MediumBlue]“We share a special bond, she and I. Throughout all the realities in which I exist, she is present as well,”[/color] he explained, while Olivia smiled up at him. [color=MediumBlue]“Thus, our connection shall [i]always[/i] remain.”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“My word! How sublimely beautiful!”[/color] Parr gushed as a tear glistened in his eye.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Do you have a special someone Parr?”[/color] Olivia asked.

[color=Goldenrod]“Thankfully, I do not,”[/color] the canine traveler replied after wiping his eye with a handkerchief. [color=Goldenrod]“I can only imagine the anguish they would feel at my sudden disappearance, waiting and wondering when, or even [i]if[/i], I would ever return! Still, I was fortunate to have many dear friends, like my old roommates, Miss Sarah and Miss Mela,”[/color] he added with a wistful smile. [color=Goldenrod]“They both had such intriguing abilities!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“What could they do?”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Well, Miss Sarah could shapeshift into any animal, while Miss Mela could turn into an apple!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“An… [i]apple?[/i]”[/color] Olivia asked with a confused frown.

[color=Goldenrod]“Yes, indeed!”[/color] Parr confirmed. [color=Goldenrod]“A talking apple, with a face and everything! It was really quite extraordinary!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Gosh, that must have been quite something!”[/color] Olivia marveled. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I know someone who can turn into a tiger, but I never considered someone turning into a fruit or vegetable before… It doesn’t really seem like it would be particularly helpful…”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“You know, if memory serves, I believe she actually [i]started[/i] life as an apple, so it would perhaps be more accurate to say she was able to turn into a human,”[/color] Parr noted. [color=Goldenrod]“Oh, but since we’re on the subject of abilities, what are some of the magical talents of your classmates?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Let’s see… There’s Wilhelmina who can summon ghost sailors and enhance the abilities of her allies, Chinami can become a very powerful knight, Tesni can summon a staff that can grow very large, Nessie can control water, and my roommate, Suzuya, can turn into a fox girl with lots of really soft tails and fire magic! Oh! And then there’s Miss Reinhardt! She can actually improve the capabilities of our Grimoires! It’s just too bad her power only works on enchanted storybooks… Otherwise, she might have been able to help fix your Syllogismobile…”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“Fear not, Miss Olivia,”[/color] Parr reassured her. [color=Goldenrod]“I have no doubt that I shall one day cross paths with someone who can provide the solution I seek! In fact, the wise scientist who inspired me to construct my Syllogismobile in the first place was an accomplished omniversal traveler herself, so there is even a chance [i]she[/i] may be the the one to help me return home at long last!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, gosh, I truly hope so!”[/color]

[color=Goldenrod]“As do I! And now, Miss Olivia, Master Xolys, I must bid you both a fond farewell! With luck, we may yet cross paths again at some point in the future! Tally ho!”[/color]

An instant later, there was the sound of a loud “*VOP!*”, and the next thing the blonde beauty and her sizable companion knew, both Parr and his Syllogismobile had vanished without a trace.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh my goodness, darling! That was absolutely [i]amazing![/i]”[/color] Olivia gushed. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, I simply cannot [i]wait[/i] to tell Suzuya all about it!”[/color] she added with a happy giggle, before sobering slightly. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I only hope Parr can find his way home soon… I know he enjoys exploring new places, but I could tell he misses his old friends a great deal.”[/color]

[color=MediumBlue]“I am sure that in the fullness of time, he shall indeed attain that goal, my sweet,”[/color] Xolys told her gently.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“You’re right, darling. And who knows? Maybe his friends are searching for [i]him[/i] right now! I’d like to think that’s what our friends would do if [i]we[/i] ever got lost in the omniverse, and I’m just so happy we’ve made so many wonderful ones in our short time here at Marrywell!”[/color]

[color=MediumBlue]“Yes, the decision to come here has truly brought with it a great many blessings, indeed,”[/color] Xolys agreed. [color=MediumBlue]“It pains me greatly to think of all the years you were forced to spend bereft of friendship, and thus, I am so profoundly happy that you have been granted such admirable companions at long last, my sweetest rose.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Thank you, darling,”[/color] Olivia said, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. [color=LightSkyBlue]“And just think! If all this could happen at the site of the old music room, imagine how much fun a sleepover in the [i]art room[/i] will be!”[/color] 

[hr]

[color=DarkMagenta]“NYAHAHAHA!!!”[/color] Nykannis cackled as she deactivated the interdimensional viewer. [color=DarkMagenta]“He’s such an IDIOT!!! That stupid mutt seriously thinks he’s gonna get help from the same person who sabotaged his pathetic little contraption to BEGIN with! Nyahahahaha!”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“And I take it that person was [i]you?[/i]”[/color] Violet asked pointedly.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Of COURSE it was!”[/color] Nykannis replied between bouts of maniacal laughter.

[color=BlueViolet]“[i]Why?[/i]”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Because it’s fucking hilarious! He actually succeeded in building a fully functional Syllogismobile, and he STILL hasn’t figured out what I did to it! It’d be SO painfully easy to fix, too! Yet here he is, blindly going from world to world, hoping that he’ll just happen run into a person who can actually help him. And the REALLY great part is, when he finally DOES, he’ll realize just how much of a colossal moron he really is, and even THAT probably won’t break him, because he’s just THAT FUCKING CLUELESS!!! Nyahahaha! See?! It’s comedic genius!”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“No,”[/color] Violet corrected in an icy tone. [color=BlueViolet]“It’s [i]sadism.[/i]”[/color]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Whatever,”[/color] Nykannis replied flippantly. [color=DarkMagenta]“I wouldn’t expect a goody-two-shoes like you to understand. Anyway, I think we’re done here,”[/color] the mad scientist added, while hopping off her command chair.

[color=BlueViolet]“Is this the part where you erase my memory?”[/color] Violet inquired with a notable lack of concern.

[color=DarkMagenta]“Normally, yes,”[/color] Nykannis confirmed. [color=DarkMagenta]“But I’ve decided it would probably be best if I held off on that,”[/color] she added. [color=DarkMagenta]“See, I’ve been thinking, Princess, and I’ve come to the conclusion that if I [i]did[/i] go through with wiping your mind, somehow, [i]someone[/i] would find out about it. That’s just the way things work in this reality plenum, [i]especially[/i] where your girlfriend is concerned. And that’d be considerably worse for me than if I just let you leave as-is, so [i]that’s[/i] what I’m gonna do.”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“How very magnanimous of you,”[/color] Violet replied in her typical cool tone.

[color=DarkMagenta]“I’d like to think so,”[/color] Nykannis agreed, completely ignoring the heiress’s sarcasm. [color=DarkMagenta]“Although I’d appreciate it if you never speak a word about anything that happened to you today.”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“There is no need to worry about that,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“I believe we have suitably reconciled, and as such, you have my solemn vow that I shall never reveal any of the actions you felt justified to take against me.”[/color] Then, smiling broadly, and giving a playful wink, she added. [color=DeepPink]“Like, it’ll be our super duper special wecial secret wecret~! (giggle!)”[/color] 

[color=DarkMagenta]“Yeah, I think it’s time for you to go,”[/color] Nykannis muttered, while opening a crackling portal.

[color=BlueViolet]“And this will take me back to Penrose?”[/color] Violet asked. 

[color=DarkMagenta]“Yep,”[/color] Nykannis confirmed. [color=DarkMagenta]“To the same rooftop you met Phase Two on. Although…”[/color] she added, pulling up a small holo display. [color=DarkMagenta]“I [i]might[/i] know of an even [i]better[/i] destination…”[/color]

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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q4au2SQ.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rSlSWzD.png[/img][/center]
[center][hider=Connie and Mia Stats]
[center][color=DarkOrchid][h2]Connie[/h2][/color]
3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3
5 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 5

Oddball: Nightmares | Tentacles 

Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Mystic Artifact | Ally | Interdimensional Home

Focused |  Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might

Alien Mind | Formless | Rival Force | Clueless

[/center]

[hr]
[center][color=SpringGreen][h2]Mia[/h2][/color]
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3
5 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 5

Wood | Barrage 

Enhanced Weapon | Dual Weapon | Purification Artifact | Big Red Button

Blessing | Divine Competence | Gifted Item | Mana Font | Mystic Might

Rites| Arrogance | Big Brother | Clueless
[/center][/hider][/center]

[center][hider=Angel of Hope Stats]
[center][color=DeepSkyBlue][h2]Angel of Hope[/h2][/color]
3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3
5 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 5

Reinforcement | Third Eye 

Enhanced Outfit | Enhanced Weapon | Enhanced Sustenance | Wings | Gifted 

Job Satisfaction | Chatty | Mana Font | Mystic Might

Cagey | Expendable | Big Brother 

[/center]


[/hider][/center]

Even as her botanical barrage laid waste to the club soldiers and their armored vehicles, Gaia’s eyes widened in a mixture of shock and horror as she watched the vine tendrils she’d sent to ensnare the scarecrow be corrupted by the bizarre monster and turned against her. 

[color=SpringGreen]“W-What?!”[/color] the verdant maiden gasped as the twisted vines wrapped around her and then began swiftly draining away her mana. [color=SpringGreen]“H-How is this even possible?!”[/color] 

A feeling of profound exhaustion flooded the nymph-like beauty’s rapidly weakening body, while her once vibrantly green skin dulled to a sickly pale brown and her luxurious emerald tresses withered into dry, brittle, blackened strands. Indeed, it felt as though her very life force was being sucked away, and it wasn’t long before she was struggling just to breathe. However, just when it seemed like she was about to pass out, Gaia heard a voice calling to her. A moment later, comforting arms were holding her in a protective embrace, the mystic power flowing through them filling her with energy and vitality once more. Sighing in welcome relief, the verdant maiden watched as her rescuer’s power disintegrated the corrupted vines in a flash of emerald light, even as a small, mouse-eared girl moved in to [s]eat[/s] engage the scarecrow.

[color=SpringGreen]“You are most welcome, Annabelle,”[/color] Gaia told her fellow Wood Mage with a warm smile when the girl thanked her for taking such good care of her sunflowers. [color=SpringGreen]“And thank [i]you[/i] for saving me from that hideously corrupted foliage,”[/color] she added, gripping her staff and taking up position next to Annabelle. [color=SpringGreen]“It would be my great honor to fight these defilers of Mother Earth at your side!”[/color] 

Looking out over the battlefield, Gaia saw that Mayra had recovered from her earlier soaking, and was now augmenting the botanical bombardment with fire magic.

[color=SpringGreen]“Good thinking, Mayra,”[/color] the verdant maiden told her draconic friend. [color=SpringGreen]“I am most grateful for [i]your[/i] assistance as well!”[/color]

Charging up Nature’s Blossom with mystic power, Gaia was just about to fire off a blast, when she heard Justine call out. Not only had the flyers penetrated their defenses, but they were also armed with [i]bombs…[/i]

[color=SpringGreen]“Connie!”[/color] Gaia called over her ear piece. [color=SpringGreen]“Airborne troops have breached the barrier and are dropping bombs on the town! Get to the evac shelter as fast as you can!”[/color] she instructed. [color=SpringGreen]“And I [i]thought[/i] you said you could handle them, Justine!”[/color] she added with an annoyed scowl as she aimed her staff at one of the spade soldiers and fired a condensed blast of emerald energy. Hopefully, it would be strong enough to not only eliminate her aerial adversary, but also push him away from the town to explode over his fellow soldiers…

Meanwhile, the power boost provided by the Angel of Hope allowed the new arrivals to finally finish off the strange, armless girl.

[color=DeepSkyBlue][b]“You are most welcome, valiant champion!”[/b][/color] the heavenly beauty told Nefer after the Egyptian-styled girl thanked her for the help, the cheeks of her radiant visage reddening slightly in response to the mysterious maiden’s flirty wink. [color=DeepSkyBlue][b]“It brings this humble servant such great joy to know that her meager assistance was put to such splendid use!”[/b][/color] 

However, her jubilation was short-lived.

From her vantage point high above the battle, the Angel watched its latest developments unfold with increasing concern. Even though a vast number of enemies had been eliminated, the Wonderlanders’ artillery bombardment continued, causing a breach in the barrier that a squad of flying spade troopers had slipped through to wreak havoc on the town.

[color=DeepSkyBlue][i]Fuck… That blood magic bitch is [b]clearly[/b] no match for these guys. I mean, they’ve got rotary cannons and rocket launchers, for shit’s sake! And here [b]I[/b] am, forced to be a useless fucking pacifist! Well, at least I can try to save some of these [b]kind and helpful souls from these vile villains’ senseless savagery![/b][/i][/color]

Waving her radiant staff over the besieged town, she sent a swarm of glowing spheres racing towards each of those working to evacuate the populace. The barriers they generated would not be particularly strong, but they would serve as adequate protection from shrapnel or flaming debris.

[color=DeepSkyBlue][i]That should help for the time being. Still, I would have thought Miss ‘One Woman Army’ would have made it to the artillery by now… What the fuck’s taking her so long?[/i][/color]   

While all this was transpiring, Connie was trying to overcome one of her biggest challenges- socializing with someone she’d never met before. Thankfully, even in light of her clear nervousness, things seemed to be going rather well, with the ghost boy finding her timid and anxious nature endearing. However, before their conversation could get too far, the pair heard Justine’s warning about the flying spade soldiers, which was immediately followed by said soldiers opening fire on everyone below with an assortment of powerful weapons.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Eeep!”[/color] Connie yelped in startled surprise as Oliver scooped her up and began running to the evac shelter even as a nearby building exploded. A moment later, she heard Gaia through her ear piece, telling her to get to safety. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I-I k-know!”[/color] she told her worried friend in a panicked and shaky voice. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m o-on m-m-my w-way t-there r-r-right n-n-now!”[/color] she added, the attacking soldiers, coupled with the fact that she was currently being held in the arms of someone she had only just met, bringing her nervousness to a fever pitch. Indeed, she had only ever been carried in such a way on precious rare occasions, and [i]never[/i] by a boy! Needless to say, the chalk white cheeks of her mask seemed to be turning a brighter shade of crimson with each passing second. And although the shelter did seem to be the safest place in town, Connie could only wonder how long that would remain the case…

[hr]

As it happened, help for that particular problem [i]was[/i] on the way, even if their sense of urgency left a little something to be desired. Thankfully for all concerned, they were about to receive a bit of unexpected assistance… 

As the Beacon quartet’s enchanted van sped along, those inside would hear an annoyingly high-pitched voice cheerfully call out, [color=DeepPink]“Hyiiiiiiieee~!”[/color] A moment later, a colorful rainicorn pegasus pulled up beside the vehicle’s passenger window, with a smiling pink-haired girl riding atop it. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess heard that this towny wowny with a really funny namey wamey that Magical Dream Princess totally wotally forgot is in lots and [i]lots[/i] of trouble wouble, and, like, you need to get there super [i]duper[/i] fasty wasty, so, like, she’s heresie weresie to helpy welpy~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl declared. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, she needs [i]your[/i] helpy welpy, too~! So, like, if everybodywody thinky winkies super duper happy wappy thoughts about getting to the towny wowny right nowie, Magical Dream Princess can, like, makey wakey a magical wagical dreamy weamy portal wortal thingie wingie to take you right theresie in a blinky winkie~! (giggle!)”[/color]

[hr]

Back at Bolorton, a concealed spade soldier was taking aim on Gaia even as she blasted his squad mate. However, before he could fire, a baleful beam of yellowy-green incandescent annihilation stripped the skin from his bones and then his bones from existence, until all that was left was a wisp of dissipating dust on the wind. Simultaneously, a series of crackling nega-matter vortices tore open inside a half dozen approaching tanks, savagely twisting and warping them into inconceivable geometries as the very fabric of reality itself was brutally rent asunder. In mere seconds the once imposing war machines had become little more than knotted strings of metal, scarcely thicker than a human hair…

[color=DarkMagenta]“Hey, guys,”[/color] an amused voiced called out. [color=DarkMagenta]“[url=https://i.imgur.com/1EJrXdy.png]Need a little help?[/url]”[/color]