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“Like, super duper thankie wankies, Samurai-chan~! (giggle!)” MDP told Ronin cheerfully. “That makes Magical Dream Princess, like, sooo super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!)”

Then came the lasers, followed by the approaching monster patrol, which Connie swiftly dealt with by using her nightmare magic.

“Humph, Magical Dream Princess would have liked to dazzle wazzle them with sweet dreamy weamies instead of giving them awful wawful nightmares,” MDP pouted. “But, like, you did get them to go away without hurting them, so, like, Magical Dream Princess thinks Connie Wonnie did, like, a super duper good job~! (giggle!)”

“T-Thanks…” Connie replied. “I-I’m just g-glad I c-could h-help…” She was still a little shaken up, but she was starting to feel a bit better, especially after seeing how successful her spell had been. Of course, had she known that her actions had caught ???’s attention, and that she was now being placed in the same threat category as Leena, she would have felt considerably more concerned. As it was, her slightly more optimistic outlook quickly changed once they reached the stairs…

No sooner had they started their ascent, than a barrier slammed shut behind them, while above them, a magma bomb detonated with a loud roar and a flash of light. Alicia began snapping orders on how to deal with this latest threat, but before she could finish a single sentence, she would find that the situation had already been taken care of.

“Golly wolly~!” MDP exclaimed as the molten magma spilled down towards them. Not wasting a second, and moving with the swiftness of a hyperactive child on the world’s greatest sugar rush, she conjured her Dream Barrier, fully encapsulating the entire team in a small bubble of warped reality. They would find themselves in a colorful land of fluffy, pastel clouds, stars, hearts, rainbows, unicorns, and other such incredibly whimsical and sickeningly cute things. They would also discover that the deluge of magma had transformed into a torrent of skittles and other small candies. “Mmmm~! Yummy~! (giggle!)” the childish magical girl cheered as she scooped up some of the candy and popped it into her mouth. “Magical Dream Princess just wuvs candy wandy~! (giggle!)”

Just what she needs, more sugar… Gaia thought to herself, while she helped Connie keep her footing as the candy surged around them.

So as to keep the sugary surge from getting too intense, a large cutesy cartoon caterpillar suddenly appeared among them, holding a massive umbrella, which it used to part the candy’s flow. “Like, thankie wankies, Mister Caterpillar Willar thingie wingie~! (giggle!)” MDP told the creature, before giving it a big hug. “Oh, wow~! Like, the candy wandy floody wudy’s all done~! Bye bye for nowies~! (giggle!)” she said with a cute wave as the Dream Barrier dissipated, leaving them in the mansion’s (now magma free) stairway once more.

The moment the Dream Barrier dissolved, Connie fell to her knees, whimpering and clutching her head.

DREAMS!!! the voice of her Patron roared in her mind. SHE WAS USING DREAM MAGIC, EMPRESS!!! SHE IS THE SERVANT OF MY MOST HATED FOE, THE SOVEREIGN OF SWEET DREAMS!!! YOU MUST DESTROY HER EMPRESS!!! YOU MUST ENGULF HER IN ENDLESS NIGHTMARES!!! DO NOT WASTE A MOMENT, EMPRESS!!! DO IT NOW!!!

N-N-No… Connie whimpered. S-S-She’s m-my f-f-friend… A-A-And s-she h-hasn’t d-done a-anything w-wrong…

WHAAAT?!!! YOU DARE TO DEFY ME?!!!

Y-Y-Yes…! I-I w-won’t h-hurt m-my f-friends! Y-You c-can’t m-make m-me! J-Just… J-Just… GO AWAY!!!

For a moment, crackling tendrils of dark energy swirled around Connie, before suddenly dissipating as she collapsed with an exhausted sigh.

“Connie!” Gaia cried in alarm as she rushed to her friend’s side. “Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yeah, I-I’m f-fine, Mia,” Connie replied shakily as Gaia helped her to her feet. “I j-just had a l-little p-panic attack, t-that’s all. I-I’m f-feeling b-better n-now,” she added, while giving her friend what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

“All right, little sister,” Gaia said, her eyes still filled with concern. “If you say so. Come on,” she added, “let’s catch up to the others.”

Continuing up the stairs, they found the rest of the team standing in a spacious foyer. Something unpleasant must have recently occurred here, because the entire room was covered in gore, as if some giant creature had been blown to bits. Noticeably free from the bloody mess covering the rest of the room, pictures of several magical and monster girls were hung upon the wall, although one of the images appeared to be blank. Ronin drew their attention to this one, explaining that “she” was an information specialist, who was probably following their every move. This was certainly a bit unnerving, but Ronin went on to add that this mystery girl was probably working from a secluded room. If they could somehow find her, Ronin was fairly sure that she wouldn’t be able to put up much of a fight. After that, she could presumably locate Mariette for them or something. The diminutive samurai wasn’t too clear on that part… In any event, MDP wasn’t really paying too much attention, having been drawn to the portrait of a scaly monster girl in a fiery landscape.

“Oooohhh~! Like, who’s this dragony wagony person werson~?!” she asked Ronin excitedly.




“Indeed I do, Miss Steph!” Sir Gravy replied after Steph inquired about the possibility of finding a map. “Right this way!”

As they followed the paladin, Steph returned Sarah’s sympathetic smile. “Thanks, Sarah,” she told the pink-haired girl. “It was really nice to see her again, even if it was just a holographic recording. Mom worked on a lot of stuff, to be perfectly honest,” she added with a chuckle after Sarah had voiced her question. “As you saw, she even did some work on Project Prometheus, back in its early days, but her real focus was nanotechnology.”

“Aha! Here we are!” Sir Gravy declared, gesturing to a large map.

Steph couldn’t help but gasp at the sight. The land masses depicted looked nothing like the world she had known.

Could Harbinger really have changed the world this drastically…? she thought as she scanned over the map and its legend, committing their various details to memory.

“Hmmm… Even if the world’s geography has been completely altered, and taking into account that this map may not be scaled correctly, we can still use it as a rough guide,” Steph told them as she placed the holographic map atop the physical one. “If we use the complex my parents and I worked in as a starting point,” she began, moving the holo map to place the complex’s location atop where Tinkertown was displayed, “we can extrapolate where these other locations might be found.”

Sarah then spoke up, noting that potential Oracles might be found by following up on rumors of people exhibiting strange abilities.

“Good thinking,” Steph commended. “Although, I doubt such news travels all that quickly these days, unless you have some form of rapid communication I don’t know about,” she added, while glancing at Peter and Sir Gravy.




“Yeah, that’s right,” Steph confirmed after Sarah attempted to answer Peter’s question. “I guess you could say that it’s a bunch of very small artificial workers reassembling the basic components of things, like someone turning a piece of wood into a table or chair.”

A moment later, the holographic display flicked to life, and Steph couldn’t help but give voice to a small gasp.

“Mom…” she whispered as she felt her eyes begin to moisten. She watched in silence, while her mother described her work on Project Prometheus.

She looks so young… Steph reflected. This must have been recorded shortly after I was born…

That seemed about right. After all, Prometheus was clearly still in its early stages, and Dr. Westfield was still alive…

After her mother had concluded her report, a map of the world was displayed, indicating the locations of various facilities linked to Project Prometheus.

“It’s a report from my mom about a project she was working on,” Steph explained to Peter. “And this here is a map of the world. At least, of how the world used to look… I imagine its geography is quite different now,” she added, while adjusting the map so that the globe was now a flat, 2D projection, “but if we can find a more current map, we can superimpose this one on top of it. I don’t suppose you know where we might find one?” she asked, turning to Sir Gravy.
Well, it's been a little over a month since I made my poll, and somewhat surprisingly, Angela is in the lead. I guess she really is the Best Magical Girl, at least among my side characters.

I was also really surprised that Ari of all people voted for Nykannis, the most game-breaking character on the list.

And someone apparently voted for Karen...

Anyway, thanks to all who voted. Now we'll just have to see what I decide to do with these results...




“Thank you, your Majesty,” Steph replied, slightly amused by having been called a ‘fair maiden’.

Following Sir Gravy to the Archives, Steph waited with Sarah and Peter, while the knight set off to retrieve the journal. “Yeah, I guess you could say that,” Steph agreed after Sarah inquired about her mother. “She was certainly brilliant, and she worked very hard to ensure that her research would be preserved for future generations. She was also very kind,” she added in a softer tone. “She was always trying to make the world a better place, and she wanted to use technology to achieve that goal. That’s why she became a scientist. To see the world now, in this state… It would probably break her heart…”

At this point, Sir Gravy returned and apologized for having come back empty handed. He had just begun to search one more shelf, when a small crystal fell to the ground. Picking it up, the knight seemed puzzled by its presence in the Archives, wondering if perhaps it belonged in the Royal Treasury instead.

“Actually, I think that might be what we’re looking for,” Steph spoke up. “Yeah, this is definitely a data crystal,” she confirmed after taking a closer look. “We’re gonna need a device to be able to access it, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

With a single thought, Steph sent her nanite swarm into motion. Disassembling an unused pouch on her backpack, they reformed it into a palm-sized data crystal reader.

“Just stick the crystal into this opening here,” Steph instructed. “Then we should be able to access whatever information it contains.”


“Another Ars Magi?!” Dana echoed incredulously after Astrelle made her observation about Victoria’s opponent. “B-But… Ars Magi are all on the same side!”

Aren’t they…?

Perhaps what she had always been told, what she had always believed, had been wrong. Perhaps there were Ars Magi that had been corrupted by the Void and now served them, or maybe even controlled them… It was a disquieting thought, to be sure, and something Dana didn’t particularly want to dwell on. Thankfully, something more pressing soon drew her attention, as Nicole volunteered to go back for Penny and Vanna.

“I’ll come with ya!” Dana started to say, before she found herself being forcibly restrained by two of the soldiers. Thanks to her impressive speed and agility, Nicole was able to deftly avoid them, but the worn out Dana was simply no match. “H-Hey!” she yelped. “What’s the big idea?! I’m just tryin’ to help my friends!”

“You can do that best by staying here.” The soldier told her firmly. “Besides, you look completely exhausted. Just rest a bit,” he added in a slightly more friendly tone, while glancing at the wounded man the girls had brought with them. “You’ve already done more than enough.”

“O-Okay,” Dana relented. “I guess you’re right…”

She hated to admit it, but she was feeling incredibly tired, like her body had been utterly drained of energy. Sitting down next to Astrelle, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes for a moment.

“Wow… This really does feel… good…”

…..

…………

……………………..

“…is clear and back on route,” the voice of Victoria Glass was saying. Slowly opening her eyes, Dana was greeted with the sight of the Ars Magi herself standing over them. She seemed to be a bit beaten up from her duel.

Huh… Guess I fell asleep…

Victoria went on to inform them that they would be landing in less than an hour, after which they would all be examined and treated for potential Nox poisoning, although the Ars Magi was doubtful that there was anything to worry about. That’s when Penny spoke up, asking about the cause of Victoria’s injuries.

“Y-Yeah,” Dana added, still a little groggy from her unplanned nap. “I-It looked like you were fightin’ another Ars Magi… W-Was it some kinda Void that could shape shift?”




“Yeah, I suppose I have,” Steph agreed with a sigh, feeling a slight despondency at the thought of the world’s current, primitive state. “The harpy?” Steph asked after the king had inquired about the creature. “Well, it appeared to be leading the attack on the village, and it could also fire some kind of blue energy beam from its mouth. To answer your question about Sarah’s lack of memory,” she continued, “I think I might have an idea. Back in my time, there was talk of a project to create several genetically enhanced beings, capable of manipulating something called ‘biogenic energy’. It was all very cutting edge stuff,” she added, while turning to face the pink-haired girl, “and I don’t really know much more about it than that, but from what you’ve said, I think it’s very likely that you were one of the prototypes. Speaking of the old world,” Steph said after a moment, her voice containing more than a hint of trepidation. “There was something else I was meaning to ask you, your Majesty. Master Minoc told me that my mother’s journal had been brought here. If that’s the case, may I be permitted to see it?”




“Its nice to meet you, Sarah,” Steph said with a smile. “You too, Pip,” she added, giggling as she gently pet the dog’s head. “And I don’t mind the attention. I’ve always loved dogs.”

“Thank you, your Majesty,” she said after the king bid her enter. “Master Minoc was fine when we left him, although Tinkertown did suffer a monster attack a short while ago… Yeah, I suppose I should start at the beginning,” she sighed after the king had inquired about her tale. “I’m originally from what I guess you would call the ‘Old World’, that is, the world before the cataclysm. My parents and I were scientists working at an underground complex. When the world started coming apart at the seams, they placed me in a cryostasis chamber, and, well, I just woke up about a day ago. Obviously, I was shocked by how long I had slept and by how much the world had changed, but with the town I found myself in under attack, I knew I had to figure out some way to help them. Long story short, I was able to come up with a plan and get rid of most of the monsters, including this really creepy harpy. I then met Master Minoc. He told me about Draygon, introduced me to Peter, and instructed me to take this sword to Master Tornel, here at the Castle of Solace. But for some reason,” she added, casting a fierce glare at the wizard, “Tornel locked us in a chamber, claiming we were servants of Draygon.”


Dana returned Nicole’s smile as the redhead stepped over to help her carry the wounded soldier. “Gotcha,” she confirmed with a nod after Nicole explained her plan. “And don’t worry about me,” she added. “I’ll be right behind ya!”

Although passing by the Void was certainly dangerous, it was also the best chance they had to get the soldier somewhere his wounds could be tended to, and that was the important thing. Or maybe not, if Astrelle’s opinion was anything to go by… Dana was unable to hide her shock when the other girl so casually suggested they leave the wounded man behind. That was simply unacceptable. There was simply no way that Dana would ever abandon someone in need, and, in her opinion, it was a horrible attitude for any Ars Magi candidate to have. She was about to tell Astrelle as much, when the other girl suddenly dissolved into the shadows.

Fine, if that’s how she’s gonna be…

“Okay, Nicole! Ready when you are!”

Not wasting another moment, the redhead leapt past the Void, while carrying the soldier with her. Dana was right behind her, once again taking her place on the opposite side of the wounded man the moment they had returned to the corridor floor. With that accomplished, they proceeded on their way to the control room. Even with the added burden of the wounded soldier, they still managed to arrive at their destination shortly after Astrelle. It should be noted that before departing, Dana had conjured a second, smaller sphere of light for Penny and Vanna to make use of. It wouldn’t last long without Dana around to maintain it, but it would hopefully provide enough illumination for the two girls to finish off the Void.

Upon arriving at the control room, they were greeted by a rather chaotic scene, with soldiers and crewmembers rushing to and fro. A flash of light drew Dana’s attention to the forward view port, through which she could vaguely make out the forms of two figures dueling in the darkness.

“Woah…” Dana whispered as she observed the combat with a look of awe. “That looks like Miss Victoria, but… who’s she fighting?”

The answer to that question would have to wait, as they were soon approached by some crewmen, who took the wounded soldier off their hands, while demanding to know where Penny and Vanna were.

“T-They stayed behind to keep the Void distracted so we could escape,” Dana explained, somewhat taken aback by the crewman’s intensity. “They should be here shortly.”

I hope…


“Greetings, your Majesty,” Steph said as she entered and bowed before the king. Her eyes hardened as she took note that Tornel was also present, along with a pink-haired girl. Presumably this was the “Sarah” the fairy had mentioned. “My name is Stephanie, and this is Peter,” she informed, gesturing to the young apprentice who was currently cowering behind her.

“H-Hello…” the apprentice said meekly, rather overwhelmed by his current situation. First an oracle, then the leader of the wizards, and now the king himself! This was certainly the most remarkable day of his young life, and it was getting to be a bit much for the poor young man.

“We came here at the request of Master Minoc,” Steph continued. “He told us that we would be met by the wise wizard Tornel, but when we arrived, Tornel locked us in a chamber and called us servants of Draygon! Minoc even told us to present this weapon to him,” she explained, while retrieving the sword from her backpack. “But he carelessly dismissed it without even looking at it! There’s one other thing,” she added in a more reserved tone. “I’m not an apprentice of Minoc. I’m actually what you people would call an oracle. I’m sorry, Sir Gravy,” she told the knight, trying not to laugh as she said his ridiculous name. “I didn’t want to lie to you, but we needed to see the king and explain the situation to him.”

“Gadzooks!” the paladin exclaimed. “Are you to tell me that I have been in the presence of one of the legendary oracles this entire time?! Truly extraordinary! It was my honor to be of service to you, my lady!” he declared, bowing to her in deference. Then, sobering, he added, “And though I bristle at your deception, I can see that it was for a worthy cause. Thus, it shall be my great pleasure to accept your apology!”

“Thank you,” Steph said while treating the paladin to a warm smile. “That really means a lot. Oh, and you don’t need to do the whole ‘my lady’ thing. Just call me Steph.”

“Very well, young Steph,” Sir Gravy acquiesced. “I shall respect your wish for modesty. And what of you young Peter,” the paladin inquired. “Are you also an oracle of legend?”

“N-No, sir,” Peter stammered. “I-I’m just an ordinary apprentice. I-In fact, I p-probably shouldn’t even be here…”
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