[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q4au2SQ.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]

Thankfully, the secret passage in the castle wall was opened without issue. Unfortunately, it immediately became apparent that Branch Nose would be unable to accompany them down the narrow passage, a fact the ancient tree promptly gave voice to.

[color=SpringGreen]“Thank you for accompanying us this far,”[/color] Gaia told the great tree as she placed a hand against his trunk. [color=SpringGreen]“If possible, would you be so kind as to wait for us in the cluster of trees that we were just taking concealment in?”[/color] the verdant maiden inquired. 

A moment later, the sound of voices were heard around the corner of the castle wall. Gaia placed herself in front of Connie and readied her mystic staff, but it soon became apparent that the voices belonged to allies, rather than enemies, although not before Lily gave voice to a startled scream that the botanical beauty fervently hoped wouldn’t attract any attention. Indeed, as the bubbly greenette proceeded to exchange words with Rachel and Alicia, Gaia couldn’t help but reflect on the puzzling lack of defenses for what was ostensibly the seat of the Queen of Heart’s power. The troops that had chased after Mayra couldn’t possibly be all the forces the castle contained, and yet, despite the sizable commotion just beyond its walls, no further response or investigation had manifested itself.

[color=SpringGreen][i]I only hope the reason for that isn’t because we’re walking into a trap…[/i][/color] the verdant maiden mused, her emerald lips forming a concerned frown.

Meanwhile, Connie waved to the diminutive twins who had arrived with the Beacon contingent. [color=DarkOrchid]“H-Hi, Ronin! H-Hi, Miko!”[/color] she greeted, her mask forming a happy smile. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m r-really glad e-everything went w-well at t-the f-factory. B-But, um, w-wasn’t M-Magical Dream Princess w-with you, t-too?”[/color] she asked, curious as to the current whereabouts of her whimsical friend.

[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/udsgqgr.png[/img][/center]
[center][hider=MDP Stats]
[center][color=DeepPink][h2]Magical Dream Princess[/h2][/color]
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3
4 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 9

Oddball: Sweet Dreams | Barrage 

Wealth and Resources (not while tf'd) | Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Dual Weapon | Natural Aging | Money | Intuition

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

Alien Mind | Formless | Rival Force | Clueless

[/center]

[/hider][/center]

Back at said whimsical friend’s now-halted procession, Mister Plier was just about to begin prying the Penny copy open, when the duplicate protested that there wasn’t anyone trapped inside her that needed rescuing.

[color=DeepPink]“Huh~?”[/color] MDP inquired, tilting her head in confusion. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, why did Penny Wenny’s holography waphy message wessage say there [i]was[/i] a person werson insidey widey you~?”[/color] However, before the facsimile could respond, an idea popped into the playful Princess of Dreams’ bubbly brain. [color=DeepPink]“Oh~! Magical Dream Princess knows~! (giggle!)”[/color] she exclaimed cheerfully. [color=DeepPink]“Like, maybe waybe the person werson insidey widey you made you super duper forgetful wetful~! Magical Dream Princess is, like, super duper familiar wiliar with thatsie watsie~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl explained with a wink. [color=DeepPink]“Like, she forgets super duper important wortant stuffy wuffy all the timey wimey, which is why she got this super duper special wecial dreamy weamy journal wournal thingie wingie to remember wember everythingie wingie she needs to~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added, holding up the sticker and glitter-covered book in question.