“She’s back.” That was all that Ume told her partner, Hope. From her grievous expression, Hope already knew her partner’s meaning.
“Crazy.” Hope rubbed her head. “I’d hoped we’d never see her again. At least not so soon, but with Seina’s talent for getting in trouble. I suppose it was inevitable. What are you going to do?”
“Kill her.” Ume’s mind flashed to a rather unpleasant memory of when her team stood up against Yuuka, confident they could stop her. It’d be a bloodbath.
Ume stared at her palm, remembering it holding Hinata as she lay dying. It’d seemed impossible back then that anyone could defeat her best friend. In that single moment, the rock that’d held her life together had shattered, starting her on the path she lived today. And Yuuka had only gotten stronger and more deranged since then.
“Somehow.” Ume’s voice was barely a whisper, shaking with pent-up emotion. The target for all her grief was so close, yet impossibility out of grasp. What a joke!
“We’ll get through this, okay,” Hope said, giving Ume’s arm a tight squeeze.
“Thanks,” Ume said, giving her partner a tight hug. She didn’t know if she’d kept her sanity without her dear partner.
“What do you mean Miko’s here?” Jin yelled from another room. “How the heck did she find us?”
Seina only shrugged. “She went looking for Emiyo, I guess. She just showed up!”
“It must be Nyx!” Jin uttered some very unladylike curses. “Miko must have found her while cleaning. If only partnered fairies weren’t impossible to kill! It would have been easier to dispose of her!”
Ume smiled in amusement at Seina’s uncomfortable expression when Jin said this. The poor girl had no stomach for this unforgiving war they fought. But, sadly, she’d have to learn differently or die. It was a painful, yet inescapable reality.
The poor girl. But Ume would share the burden, keeping Seina’s hands clean of as much blood as possible. She was happy to play the executioner, especially if it meant taking Yuuka’s head.
“Seriously, you took some of Emiyo’s magic, Colten?” Jin said, listening in amazement as the others explained the crazy happenings of the last few hours. “That’s amazing! Impossible!”
“Well, my team is known for doing the impossible!” Colten replied smugly. “Though I still need more training.” He said, deflating somewhat.
“Huh,” Jin said, lost in thought. Then she pestered Colten about the details of his encounter with the vampires and taking Emiyo’s blood. She openly wondered what would have happened if he’d taken more.
“I’m fine the way I am, thanks,” Colten replied. “I hated drinking her blood, even if it was only a few drops. It left me weird for a couple of hours. It’s not an experience I recommend.”
“Still Jin, with Miko here, maybe you could convince her to combine forces against Yuuka,” Himari said, her tone hopeful.
Seina’s bodyguard made a thoughtful expression. “Would she be open to that?”
“I doubt it,” Jin replied, putting the kibosh on such a proposal. “Miko isn’t the type to forgive and forget. She’d never turn against Starlight Dream.”
“It was worth a shot,” Himari said, deflating. Ume wasn't optimistic about a defection, either. Takako and Himari were the exceptions, not the rule of magical girls in Ume’s mind.
“We’ll just have to handle this ourselves,” Seina said. “And…” She froze, eyes wide as a familiar face suddenly appeared in the room. Everyone stumbled as they hastily tried getting to their feet. “How are you? Why?”
“I got bored. A day’s too long!” The Devil Princess said, her fairy partner hanging on to her shoulder. “Who has that time to waste?”
“It’s only been an hour. We still need time to plan!” Seina said, fighting off pure panic. So much for keeping the number of her allies hidden. Her bodyguard threw his body in front of his charge, despite knowing it was a useless gesture.
“To a magical girl, an hour’s an eternity!” Yuuka said, waving a dismissive hand. From her smug expression, Ume realized that the Devil Princess had no intention of allowing them to rest up and plan. It was another cruel twist of the knife , giving them false fleeting hope and then snatching it away.
She must have followed Seina to learn who her allies were.
“And now the game begins!” Yuuka said, raising a hand. “If you tap me three times on the head, I’ll leave you all in peace!”
Yeah, like we believe that after this stunt! Ume’s blood boiled, the casual cruelty setting her temper aflame. It took considerable effort to regain some measure of calm, helped by Hope giving her hand a squeeze. She gave her partner a nod of thanks, knowing she’d need a clear head in this nightmare.
I’ve gotten stronger since our last encounter. This time, I won’t be so easy prey. Ume stared into the Devil Princess’s eyes with abject fury, but no recognition reflected back. Yuuka stared at Ume like a complete stranger, like she hadn’t just destroyed the other girl’s entire life.
You saw me cradle my dead friend’s body! How can you… Ume found herself lost for words.
“And begin!” Yuuka said, throwing down her hand. She vanished from the room, Ume’s hackles rising as she heard a nearby explosion.
“Good luck out there. You can do this.” Seina’s bodyguard said. Without a preamble, his charge gave him a quick hug before summoning her brooch.
“We won’t make this easy for her,” Colten said, producing his mask.
Himari slapped herself on the face. “You’re strong, Himari! You’re strong!”
This is the day you die, Yuuka Tsujikawa! Ume thought, producing her broach.
“Change Change, Magical Love Dress Up.”
In a flash, they exited the dojo to search for the disturbance’s source. A whiff of smoke rose in a column several miles away across the city. She was so quick! Even without her full magical girl abilities.
“Watch out,” Ume said, realizing she hadn’t told the others an important detail that might save their lives. “Yuuka’s power allows her to alter the state of things.”
“What do you mean?” Seina asked as they darted across the city.
“It’s hard to explain. Yuuka can stop things from working. It’s a dangerous power, don’t underestimate it!” Ume shuttered at the thought of when Yuuka had used her powers to turn a late comrade of hers named Asuka’s bones to mush. The Devil Princess had rolled the poor unfortunate girl into a sphere and used it as a beanie ball.
“Of course. Things can never be easy.” Himari said, sighing. But she developed a thoughtful expression, pondering something. She never got the chance to explain her thoughts as they arrived.
People were panicking, fleeing from the scene. They screamed as a truck flew over them, smashing through a building, the impact causing a small fire. There Yuuka stood chasing hapless people away, laughing with delight. She suddenly appeared in front of a fleeing five-year-old girl and laughed as she tripped her. As the little girl cried, the Devil Princess guffawed like this was the funniest thing possible.
“Stop right there,” Seina said, leaping towards the Devil Princess.
“If you can!” Yuuka said, her tone singsong. But Ume used this distraction, altering space, so she was right behind the damnable villain. Energy gathering around her hand, she slashed forward to decapitate the Devil Princess.
With a bored gate, Yuuka slipped aside. Before the Devil Princess could rub the failure in Ume’s face, her foe had already disappeared. Using the distraction, Seina punched forward with her full strength. Paliah joined her, attacking in perfect synchronization from the other side. With such stakes, neither dared hold back. Momentary surprise flashed in the Devil Princess’s eyes, both from Seina’s speed and Paliah’s erratic movements as he slipped along time. Together, they struck as one. Even by attacking her blind spots, Yuuka proved an impeccable foe.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“You are more fun than I expected!” A wide grin grew on the Devil Princess’s face as she deflected Seina’s blow with a fist and blocked Paliah’s sword with a knee. She didn’t bother blocking Ume, instead ducking under her attack.
“How about I make it a circus?” Takako said, summoning her dancing wand. With a twirl, thousands of tiny bulbs of light appeared around them. “Boom!”
Ume ducked for cover as each light orb exploded, blasting energy in every direction. There wasn’t any pattern to their attack, Ume wincing as one slashed against her middle. The blast decimated the area, reducing it to dust.
“Are you crazy, Takako?” Seina said, standing over the crying girl with a protective gaite. “You almost hurt this little girl!”
“I knew you’d protect her,” Takako replied, nonplussed. Thankfully, everyone else had fled to a safe distance.
The tiny girl trembled under Seina’s protective grip, coughing on the dust that’d perpetrated the area. Bizarrely, Himari stood stock still, like the energy blasts hadn’t even bothered her. How fast was she?
“That wasn’t very fun,” Yuuka said, no longer smiling. Blood oozed from a wound on her side, wincing as she moved. “Are you okay, Kindness?”
“Yeah, just a scrap across the head.” The fairy winced, paw held against a black spot on her head.
“I don’t play games,” Takako said, pointing her ribbon wand toward the Devil Princess. She vanished, her ribbon slashing toward the wounded Yuuka. Much to their collective surprise, the ribbon froze midair before it touched Yuuka’s flesh. The Devil Princess smiled with malevolence.
“Okay, then I won’t either.” With a flick of her hand, Takako’s ribbon exploded into scraps. Paliah appeared from nowhere, slashing at her back. His armor crumbled as Yuuka dodged away and at the same time delivered a punishing blow to his chest. Their knight crumpled to the floor, his breathing pained and erratic. “You asked for this. Change Change, Magical Love Genocide Dress Up!”
The air sucked from Ume’s lungs as the Devil Princess activated her powers. The air shimmered, reality distorted by the sheer weight of her magic.
“You idiot, Takako! You made things worse!” Ume said, fear edging into her voice. Now they were more screwed than ever! At least in her civilian form, they stood a chance. Yet, Takako stayed maddeningly calm.
“Let’s not pretend it wasn’t going to happen anyway. Now Himari!”
“Right!” The bracelet around the girl’s right wrist jingled as she thrust her hand forward. It drew Ume’s attention. It was golden with interwoven bands of metal. Inlaid at the top was a blue jewel whose appearance matched Himari’s namesake, a coriander. Ume gasped as she sensed incredible power pouring from it.
“Dimensional crash!”
The Devil Princess stumbled as the weight of something stuck against her, causing her to grimace in pain. Seeing her chance, Ume joined Seina as they charged their enemy. But Yuuka recovered with frightening speed, battering them aside with a wave of her hand. More orbs of energy appeared around the Devil Princess, but she seemed unbothered by the prospect.
In her hand formed a weapon that struck terror in its owner’s prey. Its size almost dwarfed Yuuka as she held it, its cool steel reflecting sunlight. Instead of attacking with her newly created two-handed broadsword, as Ume expected, Yuuka dashed away. The Devil Princess grinned, laughing all the while as she fled.
“Catch me if you can!” With a swing of her sword, Yuuka rained death upon the helpless folks of Osaka. She’d renewed her game instead of engaging them in battle.
“You have got to be kidding me!” Seina said, scowling. Unlike the others, Seina couldn’t fly. It made pursuing the Devil Princess a much more difficult prospect for her. With a wave, she guided the girl she’d been protecting to safety.
“It shows how seriously she takes us,” Himari said, sighing. “Such lack of respect!”
“But it’s something we can use to our advantage,” Paliah said, appearing from nowhere. While his armor still appeared bent out of shape, he seemed otherwise fine.
Ume scowled, gripping her fist tight enough to draw blood. “Let’s go. She isn’t getting away so easily!”
Her eyes widened as Yuuka plucked a building from its foundations with her hands and then punted it into the ocean, laughing as it skipped across the surface.
It’s just like last time. There isn’t any rhyme or reason to the Devil Princess's actions. She’s like a child smashing two toys together, taking joy in the senseless fun of hitting something.
I wonder how she’d like it if we took her toys away from her. Then a fragmented idea formed in their head, pieces appearing when she grew in her head.
“Himari, I need your help!” Ume asked.
“What is it?” Himari replied.
“Do you have a plan?” Seina asked, eyes lighting with excitement.
“I hope it’s a good one,” Paliah said, signing. “I feel I’m out of my depths here.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. It likely won’t accomplish much. But it will foil her plans somewhat.” Ume replied.
Despite this grim pronouncement, Seina only grinned. “I’ll take it. It’s something, at least. Anything to ruin this game.”
“I’m in too,” Takako added. “Anything to spit that maniac.”
“What’s the plan?” Paliah said after a shrug.
“Okay, here’s what we'll do.”
---
“Those idiots!” Miko said in sheer disbelief. It’d been simple. Just keep Yuuka distracted and kill her before she transformed. While not a foolproof plan, it, at last, gave them a chance. But no, Takako had to provoke the Devil Princess into using her full power. Now they were beyond screwed!
“Never underestimate the capabilities of fools,” Emiyo said wryly.
“...”
“Right! Now what?” Miko said, giving Emiyo an expectant look. From their vantage point, they saw Seina and her allies huddle together for another of their doomed plans.
“Nothing changes. You keep searching for weakness to exploit, and we’ll strike when she’s vulnerable.” Their leader replied, not providing much comfort. “Hey, it’s the best I’ve got!”
“...”
“You’re right.” They watched as Seina’s group separated for some unknown task. Miko made a snap decision, following Seina. Chō’s mech stayed with Ume while Emiyo tailed Takako.
Miko frowned as Seina hunched behind a trash bin, watching as Takako chased around Yuuka without luck. Beams shot from her ribbon weapon but they struck nothing but empty air. They continued for several exchanges before Takako stopped and floated back to the ground. Yuuka blinked as her attacker surrendered and entered the fetal position.
“It’s not fair. What’s the point of this?” Takako said. “I give up. The others were right to flee.”
“Did they?” Yuuka said, scowling. “So that’s where they went!”
“Yep, they’re waiting for me to weaken you enough so they can escape past your barrier. It’s supposed to be a noble sacrifice! But we all know the truth. I’m the poor, doomed sap they abandoned so they could escape. Typical magical girl behavior, right? Can’t trust them to look out for anyone but themselves!”
Miko could only smirk at this, gladdened that Seina’s sanctimonious attitude was only self-righteous prattle. In reality, she was just a selfish monster like the rest of them.
“What now? It wouldn’t be any fun just destroying the universe! Or destroying this already ruined world!” Kindness said, fuming.
“I have it!” Much to Miko’s astonishment, Yuuka undid her magical girl transformation. “I was being too hasty. If they wouldn’t fight me when there isn’t any chance? Then I’ll just change that.”
“Brilliant plan, Yuuka.” Her partner said. “It's illusion of hope will surely bring them in.”
“What are you doing?” Takako said, head raising from her defeatist pose.
“Calling all magical girls.” Yuuka said, her voice booming, “I know your plan, but it won’t work. I stole the possibility of escaping this universe. That’s my ability, stealing anything I want. And it will continue to be lost until I’m dead. So your little plan is pointless.”
You have got to be kidding me! Despair gripped Miko’s heart, realizing how doomed they were.
“But I’m a nice gal willing to give you another chance! Look at me! I’m not using my magical girl power anymore. I, like, am super vulnerable and killable. Thinking about it, if you gang up on me enough, you might kill me! The numbers are in your favor! See, am I not a fair and generous girl? I promise I won't use my magical girl transformation while I’m in this universe. Isn't that simpler for everyone?”
“You’re really making yourself mortal on purpose?” Takako said, barely believing her luck.
“So come on! Ambush me! Overwhelm me! Kill me if you dare.” Yuuka spread her arms wide. “It has a fair second round of combat.”
“Y-You mean it?” Seina said, coming out from cover. Her voice held a visible tremor.
“On my honor!” Yuuka said, giving a salute.
“Well?” Seina asked her once ally.
“Don’t talk to me.” Takako stared beams of hatred toward the girl. “We’re settling this later.”
“Right,” Seina said, giving a grim nod. “How about the rest of you?” She shouted, but nobody else appeared. “Fine, whatever, cowards. We don’t need you!”
Everything was falling into place. With Yuuka in her civilian form, they could stop her! And with Seina’s team divided, they’d be easy pickings once they dealt with the Devil Princess.
“Go get them, Yuuka!” The Devil Princess’s fairy partner said over her shoulder. “Show them your ability. Let the nightmares begin.”
Takako started the fight, summoning black spheres into the air with a flick of her ribbon. No, they weren’t black, Miko realized. ight was being drawn into them. Amazingly, with a gesture, Takako summoned a swarm of black holes to surround the devil Princess. Even from this distance, Miko felt the oppressive power of their gravity well, pulling from her hiding spot.
“Is that all?” With a gesture, Yuuka walked through the gravity fields like they didn’t exist. They didn’t even sway her hair. “How about that? I stole gravity’s effect on me!” Then Miko realized that the Devil Princess wasn’t walking, but floating in the air. With a childish laugh, she did a barrel roll.
Seina lunged forward, but Miko saw its pointlessness. Her ability allowed her to find weaknesses, and she’d discovered none despite Yuuka seeming openness. Yuuka blocked the fist with a foot, Seina yelping in pain as her face planted into the ground with a sudden twist, as Yuuka grabbed her fist with her feet.
The two continued to fight. Takako blasted beams of energy that scorched everything they touched. Seina used this to attack the Devil Princess’s blind spots while she dodged. But Yuuka continued to float like a cloud, just staying out of reach. When a punch finally connected, Yuuka only stole the momentum of the blow, so its impact was pathetically minimal. Miko watched the exchange, searching for the Devil Princess’s true weakness. It wasn’t a very hopeful endeavor, only appearing for the briefest micro milliseconds. However, Miko believed she’d gained insight into how Yuuka’s power worked.
They’re useless! But Miko realized something. Seina was more accommodating than her supposed break up with Takako suggested. They worked in tandem, naturally complementing each other.
Of course. They only pretended to be at odds to make Yuuka drop her guard. Fat lot of good that did though.
But it raised Miko’s opinion of them by a single percentage. It didn’t make their efforts less doomed. Unless I help them.
But terror stayed Miko’s hand, knowing just how exposed that would make her. She’d seen how Yuuka responded to genuine threats. The Devil Princess would crack her like a twig without a second thought.
Still, the two magical girls fought with such courage and ferocity. It brought shame to Miko’s cheeks. They were risking everything to stop this monster, and she was cowering in a corner.
With my help, they might actually win. But the odds seemed almost impossible. Any blow they inflicted against Yuuka was rendered useless without the needed momentum to inflict injury. Switching strategies, Seina summoned her wand. A barrage of bubbles flew toward the Devil Princess, instantly devolving whatever they touched with acid. Sweat trickled down Yuuka’s forehead as Seina obstructed her movement with her bubbles, making it easier for Takako’s ribbon to attack.
A lucky slash stabbed at the Devil Princess’s stomach, only to have its momentum robbed again. But Seina had been expecting this. She popped a bubble above Yuuka, raining acid onto her. The Devil Princess howled in pain as her skin burned and bubbled, instantly eating to the bone. But the effect faded as Yuuka took away its acidicity.
Pure rage filled Yuuka’s eyes. Furious she’d even been superficially damaged. There, Miko saw her chance. The Devil Princess’s weak point flashed like a beacon. Miko didn’t hesitate to throw her kunai despite how exposed it left her.
“Change, Change!” Yuuka winced as a knife slashed across her hand, making her drop her wand. It was a perfect opening for an attack and Takako’s ribbon stabbed forward. Yuuka howled in pain as the razor-sharp ribbon stabbed through her chest. Her eyes extended into dinner plates, unable to process she’d just been stabbed through the heart. Crimson spattered her fireman’s outfit as she coughed her lifeblood onto it.