“Here we are again,” Seina whispered, breathing the cool night air.
“Remarkable.” Mr. Kiyojiro said, marveling at the crystalline buildings that lined the streets. They sparkled in rainbow colors from the streetlamps, bathing them in warm light. Even considering the hour, the streets were eerily quiet, devoid of life. The city’s abominable citizens must be out causing the widespread destruction across the multiverse as the Devil Princesses had mandated.
“Yep, home sweet home,” Colten said with little enthusiasm.
“So that’s the Needle of the Cosmos?” Her bodyguard’s eyes widened as he absorbed the tower’s impossible height, the structure seemed boundless in its height. Rumors claimed it stretched across the entire multiverse. But its majesty had been corrupted, Seina noting the deep lines running across its base.
“Impossible! Isn’t the Needle of the Cosmos indestructible? No magical girl has even scratched the thing!” Emiyo said, alarmed.
“...”
“I don’t know! Nobody has ever gleaned its purpose.” Emiyo replied to Chō’s question.
“If it falls, what happens to Starlight Dream?” Colten said, alarmed. Despite despising his former home, the fairy didn’t want to see it destroyed.
“It can’t be good.” Seina’s hackles raised, knowing time was short. Her heart skipped a beat as a crack spread wider across its surface. “We should hurry. Chō, what’s your plan?”
“...” Chō’s expression turned smug, pulling out her sketchbook and scribbling something onto it. When she presented it to the group, it revealed a picture of a mechanical dog. With a slight flick of a wrist, the creation sprung to life. A metallic bark came from its metal muzzle as it ran circles around them, eager to play with its new friends.
“And the plan?” Takako asked, smiling as the dog scurried from person to person.
“...”
“That explains it. Good thinking, Chō!” Emiyo said, proud of her friend. When everyone sent her an expectant look, the former lieutenant explained Chō’s intentions. “This dog can sniff out any unusual magic signatures. Even sealed away, the Wicked Queen will still emit at least some low-level magic. With her staff, finding her magical scent should be simple!”
“And with everyone gone. It’ll make the process much easier.” Mr. Kiyojiro said, nodding.
“Good boy!” Seina said, laughing as a metal tongue lapped across her face. After giving the metal beast some neck scratches, the good boy got to work. Play would come later. Takako summoned her dancing ribbon, a rainbow-colored fissure appearing as she whirled it in a circle. Seina plunged her hand in, withdrawing a winged, pink staff ordained with a glowing apple jewel.
“Nifty trick. A pocket dimension?” Emiyo asked.
“Yep, it’s where I store all my manga.” Takako thrust in her hand, withdrawing a manga displaying a red-haired youth holding a basketball. “Don’t mind me. Start your search.”
“Yeah, it’s not like we’re in mortal peril or anything,” Colten groaned, exasperated as the girl started reading her manga volume.
“Okay, boy, can you sniff out this staff’s owner?” Seina asked, presenting the rod to the robodog.
After a quick sniff, the mechanical dog spun around in a circle and barked. It ran deeper into the city, barking when they didn’t immediately follow.
“Seems like he found it!” Seina said, beaming as they chased after her.
---
“Really, here?” Takako said, rolling her eyes. “Should have known.”
“What happened to the Hall of Agony?!” Emiyo said, alarmed. “It was a fourth-dimensional structure, impenetrable to anything!”
“Thank Himari, her power broke it,” Seina replied, still remembering the ringing in her ears as the building had imploded with her inside it. Her friend’s dimensional abilities were incredible.
“That runt did this?” Emiyo asked, a twinge of fear entering her voice.
“Himari’s pretty cool.” Seina only hoped her friend was safe wherever she was hiding. Shame they didn’t have time to find her. “So the seal is here?”
The mechanical dog barked, pawing through the rubble. Seina furrowed her brow, wondering how deep they buried the Old Queen. Or was there a secret underground chamber? She wondered if dimensional shenanigans might still be afoot. Emiyo kept on high alert, fretful that a Devil Princess might appear from nowhere.
“So, we dig, I guess? Takako, can you make the rock disappear?” Before her friend could reply, full-blown panic flashed on Emiyo’s face.
“Duck,” Emiyo hissed, pulling Seina behind some cover. They scrambled to vanish into the darkness as two figures entered the lot. One was the Devil Princesses’ secretary. Seina’s heart skipped a beat when she spotted the magical girl walking alongside her. It was Reiko, the Poison Ivy.
“What a glorious night!” Reiko said, gazing up at the night sky whose stars were countless twinkling universes across the multiverse. “So empty and devoid of life. Can you imagine? Soon, we’ll be the only souls remaining in the multiverse.”
“Yes, it’s thrilling.” The secretary said, sarcasm hidden behind her words. She winced as the Devil Princess leaned a friendly arm on her. Reiko, of course, took great pleasure in the other girl’s obvious discomfort. The secretary hadn’t forgotten the suffering the Devil Princess had wished upon her on a whim after she’d failed to stop Seina and Himari’s escape.
“Of course, there’ll need to be more culling.” Reiko continued. “Knowing Mei, she’ll only want the most worthy in her new multiverse. A real stick in the mud, as usual. Even as a newbie, she always rambled about justice and whatnot. Makes you wonder if Operation: Extinction is about justice too, punishing the universe for that tragic day.”
“I suppose.” The secretary replied diplomatically.
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“That girl can’t bear the pressure of being perfect. And, of course, demands perfection in return. That’s why she’s so bitter. The universe can’t help but disappoint her.”
“So, that’s what this is about?” The secretary wrinkled her brow.
“Hell if I know. Can anyone understand the mindset of the truly mad?” The Devil Princess replied without a hint of irony. “Like having me on guard duty.” Pure rage entered her voice, the other magical girl flinching in response.
“The nerve! The humiliation!” With a push, Reiko sent the secretary’s face into the rubble. “And nothing to do but torment you! How droll.”
“Such a shame!” Gugu said, sitting on the secretary’s head.
The secretary scowled, whipping the blood from a gash on her forehead, but wisely offering no reply.
“It better be worth it,” Reiko said, turning her attention towards the Needle of the Cosmos. “When the tower falls, it better cause some excitement.”
Seina’s ears perked up, eager to gain more insight into their enemy’s plans.
“I guess?” The secretary shrugged. “Will it destroy the multiverse if it falls? Some say it’s existed since the dawn of time.”
“And those people are idiots,” Reiko replied. “Of course, it won’t. That tower wasn’t there when I first arrived in Starlight Dream.”
“Yep! It’s new! Well, newish.” Her fairy partner replied.
“What?” The secretary’s eyes widened in surprise.
“It’s that damn Wicked Queen’s creation. Why? Who knows?” This revelation made Seina’s head spin. Dang, how powerful was the old queen? And why create it? Pure ice entered her veins, realizing they were fighting for stakes she didn’t understand. As the two magical girls spoke further, Seina pulled her friends away.
“Guys! Guys! What can this mean?” Seina hissed as they hid behind another building. They continued to watch the Devil Princess from the shadows, fearful they might get noticed at any moment.
“Well, Colten? Is the tower new?” Her bodyguard asked.
“Beats me,” Colten replied with a faint shrug. “It’s been there as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve never given it much thought.”
“While many considered the old queen eccentric, I doubt she created the Needle for no reason,” Liam said, musing. A shutter of unease filled him as he stared up at the impossible tower, sharing Seina’s fears. Whatever the tower’s falling meant, it couldn’t be good.
Mr. Kiyojiro returned them to the main problem at hand. “No doubt the old queen will explain everything once we free her, But the question is, how do we get past them?” He pointed at the Devil Princess playfully smashing her secretary’s head into the floor, tormenting the other girl with a gleeful smile.
“Uh, that’s a good question.” While they outnumbered the Devil Princess, Seina still feared a direct confrontation with Reiko.
“We need a distraction!” Takako said boldly. “I’ll keep her busy. You break inside!”
“Wait!” Seina said, hoping to curb her friend’s impulsiveness. “Besides, the Devil Princess’s secretary’s dimensional powers guard whatever’s hidden under the Hall of Agony. It wouldn’t be easy to bypass!”
“That’s her power? Damn,” Takako said, settling down.
“Can you pierce through it?” Her bodyguard asked.
“Maybe?” But Seina feared blasting giant holes in reality would only draw unwanted attention. Worse, the other Devil Princesses could be lurking anywhere.
“I could break through it,” Liam said, surprising everyone.
“Really?” Emiyo asked, her tone doubtful.
“Did you forget fairies can use their partner’s power?” Himari’s partner puffed out his chest. “I haven’t been idle, you know.”
“Fine, sorry.” Emiyo said, relenting. “What about the terrible duo? I doubt Takako can handle them alone.”
“...”
“No! It’s suicide!” Emiyo said, eyes widening.
“...”
“I understand that, but it’s still too risky! Let Takako risk her fool life!”
Chō’s expression hardened, getting into her friend’s face. “...”
This response made Emiyo wither like a dying flower. She nodded, looking away. “Fine. Just good luck, okay?”
“...” She stepped over to Takako and nodded, ready to enact this crazy scheme.
“Brave girl.” Mr. Kiyojiro said, tone approving.
“I’ve never seen her angry at me before.” Emiyo said, her tone wry. “Chō’s always been tougher than I expected.”
“Okay, let’s cause some chaos!” Takako said, beaming. Her eyes glittered with mischief. The same glint shone in Chō’s eyes, eagerly she pulled out her notebook. In a blink, they vanished from sight.
For several moments, nothing happened. Every second passing heightened Seina’s anxiety, fearing for her friend’s safety. They were taking a terrible risk, no matter how necessary it might be. More time passed, and Seina’s nerves frayed even more, had something gone wrong? Then an enormous explosion boomed across the street, shaking the very foundations beneath them.
“What the hell was that?” Reiko’s eyes peered around, coughing as a wave of dust washed over her.
“Are we under attack?” The secretary asked, nerves taut. Before the Devil Princess could answer, Reiko yelped in surprise as a giant robotic dragon appeared from nowhere and slammed into her. It sent her flying, driving her into a nearby building.
“Reiko!” The secretary said, rushing after her ally as the metal monstrosity rampaged across town.
“That was their distraction?!” Emiyo said, jaw dropping in disbelief. Their friends hadn’t gone for anything even remotely subtle. “Are they trying to bring the whole Starlight Dream down on our heads?!”
“It worked?” Seina only shrugged, knowing Takako did nothing with restraint.
“We better get going.” Her bodyguard said, and they followed Liam to the pile of rubble of the late Hall of Agony.
The fairy studied the fallen pillars and broken stone before nodding. He drove a paw into a piece of fallen roof and grunted as he pushed through its hard surface. Much to their collective astonishment, a tear in reality appeared. Behind the portal was a bland hallway, untouched by any damage.
“Hurry,” Liam said, struggling to widen the hole. While the magical girls and their partners entered easily, it’d taken some effort to force through the only adult-sized person. The sounds of fighting and chaos vanished as the hole collapsed when Liam entered.
“What’s with this place?” The silence was oppressive as Seina observed her new surroundings. The very air seemed to choke her, each breath vile and distasteful.
“Not sure,” Colten said, ears twitching. “But I hear something in that direction.”
The distaste intensified, their breathing getting labored as they explored further. Terrible images filled their heads, despair eating at their souls.
“Why must these things happen?” Seina said, tears flooding her cheeks. “Can’t people be happy? Why must they suffer?” She lost all control of her emotions, curling into a ball against the wall. Every bad thing she’d experienced flashed through her mind, returning with sharp-edged intensity. Why couldn’t her parents love her? Why must they always betray her?
“Seina.” The voice seemed so far away, but a hand gripped her arm, returning her to reality. It was her bodyguard, Mr. Kiyojiro. He stood over her, his expression kind and protective.
“Sorry,” Seina said, fighting back a sob.
“We’re feeling the entire multiverse’s collected suffering,” Liam said, voice husky. “They’re channeling it here.”
“Here.” Mr. Kiyojiro pulled his ward onto his back, daintily carrying her.
“Thanks.” With some effort, Seina collected herself but allowed herself to be carried. It felt nice, fighting back the despair trying to consume her. Seina filled her mind with thoughts of her sister Seiko and Colten to combat the cloud of suffering. The evil subsided, repulsed by Seina’s feelings of love.
“You’re certain the Wicked Queen is sealed down here?” Emiyo said, clutching at her head.
“She sure is!” A friendly voice said, startling them all. It came from the chamber ahead of them. Seina’s heart skipped as she recognized the voice.
“Charity?” Seina asked, awed as they entered an expansive chamber dug into the earth. A piece of a pillar dominated the room, its stone surface blackened and cracked. Seina blinked. What was that darkness clinging to its surface?
“Charity is pleased to see you!” Chains rattled as the old queen’s fairy waved from her bonds.
“You’re here too?” Seina asked, surprised.
“Oh yes, they wanted Charity somewhere close, so she couldn’t escape again.” The fairy replied.
“What is this place? What’s that?” Seina pointed at an orb that seemed to suck the surrounding light like a black hole.
“That is the poison of despair, eating away at the Needle,” Charity replied. “That’s why the Devil Princesses need suffering. It weakens the very fabric of reality, allowing them to damage the Needle.”
“Why?” Her bodyguard asked.
“It’s a long story, Charity can’t repeat it now.” Charity waved a restrained leg. “Can you free Charity from this wall first?”
“Sure.” With a quick tug, the chains shattered under Seina’s incredible strength. “So, suffering weakens Starlight Dream?”
“Thank you, Seina!” The fairy fluttered in delight at the insightful guess. “Yes, the Needle uses Starlight Dream’s magic to sustain itself. That’s why it can’t normally be hurt.”
“Fascinating. You’re the Wicked Queen’s partner, right?” Emiyo asked. “But then, where’s your partner? Is she not here?”
“Oh, she’s here, deeper beneath us. But Charity’s afraid we won’t get to her easily.” The fairy’s words make Seina’s skin crawl, knowing the fairy could see the future. They each froze as a low, melodious laugh echoed through the chamber.
“I commend you, little fairy.” A girl with disheveled, raven hair appeared from the shadows, pajamas messy like she’d just woken up. A fairy sat on her shoulder, still fast asleep. “Again, you positioned this girl right where you needed her, and right under my nose.”
“Kaguya, the Dreamer,” Emiyo said, voice caught in her throat.
“But I’m afraid your manipulations end here, little fairy.” A cruel smile grew on the Devil Princess’s lips. “You overplayed your hand. You’ve walked your only trump card into the serpent’s nest.”