“We did it.” Seina said, hardly believing her own words. After struggling against the impossible, they’d broken through and gained victory.

“Yes! Yes!” Colten appeared from nowhere and threw his tiny paws across her neck in a massive hug. Seina joined the jubilation and swung him around.

“Told you!” Takako said, shooting her twin pistols in the air. Massive firework-like explosions rocked them as the bullets exploded far above. “We kick ass!”

“Heh.” But Seina noticed a sad tint to Charity’s smile. While Kaguya’s destruction had been necessary, she hadn’t relished it.

“Thank goodness. It’s finished,” Paliah said, sheathing his sword. “Seems our desperate gambit worked.”

“Paliah, you’re fading!” Seina said, gasping as the knight suddenly became more transparent.

“I’ve lingered too long,” Paliah replied. “When my Seina gave up her powers, it weakened me. I’m fading away.”

“No.” Seina’s voice caught in her throat. This meant whatever alternate future he came from was finally disappearing for good. Her alternate self had sacrificed everything to defeat the last Devil Princess.

But Paliah didn’t seem afraid of his existence disappearing. Instead, he smiled warmly. “Hey, other me. Take care of her, okay? She’s a special lady.”

Lost for words, Colten only nodded. He’d understood Paliah’s sacrifice as much as Seina did. This person was him, after all. With a slight wave, the white knight vanished into nothing.

“Dang it!” Seina wanted to scream. They’d finally won, but it almost didn’t seem worth it anymore. Gentle tears flooded her eyes, overwhelmed with grief. While she hadn’t known the alternate Colten long, it seemed she’d known him forever, too.

Takako placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. No quips or snark, only gentle comfort. She accepted Seina’s tearful hug, but her eyes were also wet. Colten hugged her. No tears, but she sensed his sorrow.

“Let’s go,” Seina finally said. There was still much to do. To honor Paliah and her other self’s sacrifice, she’d tear her world free of the vampires once and for all. And nothing would stop her.

Takako smirked as she laid out her plan. “I’m for it. Let’s wipe out those nasty bloodsuckers! No offense to you, Seina.”

“I’m not even sure I’m really a vampire anymore.” No longer did she sense any thirst. While she still had her fangs and red eyes, she’d regained her soul. The dark urges had vanished, buried by something more powerful, love.

“It’s a worthy goal,” Charity said. “Charity wishes you luck.”

“You’re not coming?” Colten said, a quizzical tilt to his head.

“No, Charity needs to find her partner. With the seal broken, she’ll show up somewhere.” The Wicked Queen’s fairy gave a slight smile. “And she’s going to be hopping mad.”

“I can imagine,” Seina replied. And with no bad guys left, the Wicked Queen won’t have an outlet for her frustration.

“Don’t worry about us. Charity knows a group of roaming pirates Arisu can play with.”

“Poor them.” Seina stifled a laugh. “Goodbye, Charity.”

“Oh, Charity will see you again.” Huh, did Charity know something? “Good hunting.” The fairy vanished in a flash of light.

“Let’s get going already,” Takako said, lifting her twin pistols. “I’m eager for some destruction!”

“Yeah! Let’s kick their butts!” Seina had a score to settle with a certain annoying ex-vampire king.

---

“You won’t get away with this!” a hulking vampire said, eyeing his fallen comrades with a frightened eye. “W-with my power, I can increase my strength a million-fold! You ain’t leaving here alive, traitor!”

Traitor was a label she’d heard countless times since the Earth’s liberation. Even some humans called her the Traitor Queen. But Seina would bear the label, even if it hurt. Despite her new leaf, people still feared her and called her a monster. It seemed, despite her purification, the vampire taint still ran deep, even if it wasn’t by blood.

“That right?” Seina said, releasing a deep sigh. These dang vampires seemed to have a never-ending supply of bravado.

“Need any help?” Takako said, raising her head from her manga volume.

“No, I got this.”

“Fool!” the vampire said, regaining his confidence. “It’s your funeral! You’re facing Jentin, the Big Boss of Osaka!”

“That’s right!” his buddies said, jeering at them. “You ain’t knowing what you’re messing with!”

“You’re dead meat, traitorous scum!” However, Seina saw the fear hidden behind Jentin’s eyes. He was acting tough to bolster his men’s flagging morale.

With a booming thud, Jentin slammed his fists together and cracked his neck. “You’ll pay for your arrogance, Traitor Queen. Let me demonstrate the power of a fist that can obliterate supernovas.”

The boasting failed to impress Seina, who only yawned. She might as well humor him. Rage bypassing common sense, the vampire charged at full force. His steps were like thunder as the vibrations rattled the entire planet.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Jentin’s arms bulged to grotesque levels, a roadmap of purple tendrils spidering across his biceps. Any fear left the vampire’s eyes, replaced with exultation. The punch’s power surprised Seina, knocking her off her feet and causing nearby buildings to shiver at their bases.

“Die, you little..!” But Jentin never even finished his punch, blood pooling from his mouth. Everyone blinked in surprise as the vampire’s chest expanded like a balloon before his entire body burst apart. Seina recoiled as black blood splashed onto her face.

“Heh? So much for the Big Boss of Osaka.” A dark figure said.

“Huh? Who are you?” Seina asked the newcomer, somewhat horrified. With distaste, she wiped away the ichor that had landed on her dress.

“Yeah, what’s your business?” Takako tensed, lowering her book.

“Momoe Nakamura, the Tansy Terror, Dark Lady,” With a flushing, the green-haired girl curtsied in her skirt. Tiny yellow fuzzy petals decorated her dress, making the girl seem like a bouquet of sunshine flowers. Next to her hovered a fairy.

“Not bad, eh? I created a shield inside the vampire’s body until his body burst to pieces. Pretty cool, huh? I’m at your service!”

“That’s right. We’re yours to command! I’m Lala!” the fairy partner said, head lifted pridefully.

“Uh, why?” Seina asked, confused.

“We heard you overthrew the Devil Princesses and stole their throne for yourself. You even destroyed Starlight Dream to cripple any chance of retaliation. We wish to join you, the Last Devil Princess. We’ll do anything you ask.”

“Sorry?” Seina blinked, even more confused. This magical girl thought Seina was the newest Devil Princess?

Sweat trickled down Momoe’s forehead, this wasn’t the reaction she’d expected from Seina. “Just let me prove myself. Watch this! I’ll eliminate all these rebel scum daring to oppose your righteous reign as Devil Princess!” With a glint in her eye, she flicked a finger and each of the remaining vampires’ heads just exploded off their bodies like a bottle with a cap flicked off.

Seina, however, only stared, mystified by this bold pronouncement. “Reign? Hold on, I think you’re under the wrong impression. I don’t rule anything! I’m not a Devil Princess! Nor did I destroy Starlight Dream!”

“I’m still more than willing to serve as a henchman!” Momoe said, her voice getting more desperate. Her bravado faded, replaced with raw terror. “Any chores you need to be done, we’ll do them.”

“Laundry, dishes, gardening, assassinations?” Lala added, desperation heightening her voice. “We can do it all! Please, don’t abandon us!”

“What the heck?” Takako shook her head, baffled.

“It’s fine. I’ll help you!” Seina said, trying to calm the frantic magical girl.

“Thank you!” The girl and fairy clutched at Seina’s legs, tears of relief streaming down their faces.

“Why are you so scared, anyway?” Colten asked. “What can scare a magical girl?”

“The huntress. She’s coming after us all,” Momoe said, hugging herself tight. “With Starlight Dream gone, and magical girls scattered to the winds, we’re defenseless. There’s nowhere safe!”

This story earned a frown from Colten. “It makes sense. With Starlight Dream and the Devil Princesses gone, plenty of people will take revenge for the bad things they’ve done.”

“But a new Devil Princess changes everything!” Momoe said, face brightening with hope. “The multiverse shall tremble in terror at our very name!”

“I’m not a Devil Princess,” Seina put a strong emphasis on the unwanted title. “And we’re not causing anyone to fear us!”

“What?! But causing fear and destruction is what magical girls do!” Momoe said, scandalized.

“Yeah, what gives? It’s Starlight Dream’s mission statement!” Lala said, outraged.

“Who cares about that crap?” Takako replied. “It’s dull. I’d rather read manga.”

“Some of us actually take our duties seriously!” Momoe shot back, giving Takako a scathing glare. “I know you. Aren’t you that layabout Lieutenant Emiyo used to complain about?” In response, Takako only yawned and shrugged.

“Well, it’s not what we do anymore. We bring peace to the multiverse now. So says I, the new leader of the magical girls!” While Seina hated making this commitment, someone had to make the claim. What if another magical girl tried becoming another Devil Princess? She’d gone through too much hell to suffer that mess again.

“What?!” Momoe stared at her, shocked that anyone would pronounce such blasphemies.

“My house, my rules. Or you can leave,” Seina said pointedly. “I won’t tolerate any more pointless bloodshed!”

Momoe sagged, realizing Seina would never budge on this issue. “Okay, Lady Devil Princess.”

“And don’t call me that! Just Seina will do.” Dark Lady and Traitor Queen were bad enough. She didn’t need more stupid nicknames.

“How about Lady Twilight?” Colten said, musing.

“No, not that either.” But Seina groaned as a light lit in Momoe’s eyes, pleased to have some honorific to call her new mistress.

“So, what now, Lady Twilight? How do we handle the huntress?” Momoe said. “She’s utterly relentless. She’s chased us over three galaxies!”

“Such a nuisance!” Takako said with a huff.

“We need to create a haven for the remaining magical girls.” Despite their crimes, she needed to stop this mysterious hunter from preying upon the survivors of Starlight Dream.

“Hey, like a new Starlight Dream!” Colten said, brightening. While he put up a brave face, the fact his race was nearing extinction troubled him greatly. “Neo Starlight Dream!”

“Let’s gather more survivors first. We can name our new home later.” But Seina knew her partner would provide a hundred other ridiculous suggestions before the night’s end.

“And if they cause trouble, we’ll blow them to bits!” Momoe said, ecstatic at the prospect of more violence. She shrank at the glare Seina gave her. “Or just give them a stern talking to!”

“Better.” A small smile twisted Seina’s mouth. “No fighting unless provoked, and they won’t listen to reason!”

“I suppose we must. So much work!” Takako rolled her eyes. Yet, the prospect of this new project pleased her. This might mean redemption for magical girls.

Not every magical girl was a murderous lunatic, forced into evil by the remorseless Devil Princesses. Takako proved that. But now magical girls could walk a new path. Seina’s heart raced with excitement.

Seina pondered the location for the new Starlight Dream’s home. Not her planet, obviously. But it needed to be somewhere close, somewhere in the same universe, a quick hop from home. There had to be a habitable planet somewhere near Earth.

Despite the hardships awaiting her, Seina bristled with excitement. “Let’s get to work.”

---

“What do you think?” Seina asked as she peered into the bubble. She beamed with pride. “She’s doing pretty well for herself.”

“In any timeline, we make a kick-ass team!” Takako said, showing teeth.

“I hope I’ll be okay in this timeline,” Himari said, worry written across her features. “This hunter sounds scary. I hope my past self redeems herself, too.” The poor girl still beat herself up for her past transgression. It must have been something terrible.

“It’s probably Ume causing problems again,” Seina said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. That girl was relentless. Even though they’d become sort of friends in her timelines, their relationship hadn’t been the best. The poor girl had died before she could become a true hero. Perhaps this younger, alternate Ume will fulfill her true potential.

“...” Chō stared at the image of the other Seina declaring her new mission with fascination.

“Will this even work?” Paliah said. “Momoe is a maniac, and Seina wants a planet full of magical girls like her?”

“She’ll work something out.” With a wave of her hand, Seina dismissed the bubble she’d used to create a link between her and the alternate history. “Still, I feel kind of guilty making her think we’re all dead.”

“It was necessary,” Mr. Kiyojiro said in Seina’s head. “For everyone’s sake, it’s best we keep our timelines separate.” Thanks to Kaguya’s meddling, she’d made her history into an aberrant one. The rules of time dictate they should cease to exist. Only Mr. Kiyojiro and Botan’s tireless work with the Heart of Starlight saved them from nonexistence.

“I suppose,” Seina said, bummed out. Her alternate self had a tireless job ahead of her. It was a pity she couldn’t even send Paliah to help. Still, her bodyguard’s words had wisdom. Her counterpart had to solve her own problems. Besides, they had plenty of their own.

Reading her thoughts, Mr. Kiyojiro responded. “Some good news on that front. The edges of the dimensional barrier are expanding. In a couple of hours, we should have ten new universes. Empty, but they’ll be there.”

“And let me guess, it’ll be our job to fill them up?” Takako said, rolling her eyes. When Mr. Kiyojiro gave her a mental glare, her friend relented. “Fine. I can fill them with star stuff. They’ll eventually have their own planets and even life, given a whole lot of time.”

“I suppose I can speed things up,” Paliah said. “We can’t sit around for billions of years for something to happen, can we?”

“A whole new multiverse, ours to create.” Seina felt overwhelmed with the task and responsibility. In some ways, their timeline had the tougher task. Still, as a magical girl, it was their responsibility. Her little sister Seiko deserved to live in a vibrant, live multiverse.

She shook her head, wondering how it came to this. Seina's dream had always been a peaceful life, not the burden of creating a brand new multiverse.

“Growing up sucks!” Seina thought to herself. To make matters worse, since she’d never grow taller, always be too short to drive, even when she became a legal adult! Still, this was her responsibility. She’d make this work.

Besides, she had her friends. Chō and Himari grinned at her, eager to do their own parts in this mighty endeavor. Could she honestly claim this as the worst timeline? For all the suffering the vampires and Devil Princesses caused her, she’d gained something hundreds of times more precious. Heck, she was prepared to create this new multiverse to spite them. After what they’d gone through, they all deserved a new beginning, no matter the hardships. In many ways, they’d started an even more exciting adventure.