Ariamis

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

In the two weeks that had passed, the situation in Penrose began to develop in an unusual manner. The crowd of homeless corrupted girls returned back to the Sanctuary; some were enthusiastic by their return back home, while others seemed less eager, missing the warmth and the sun. Dan was saddened, but still glad for the brief visit of so many visitors, claiming it gave him a great boost in magic, as well as ideas on how to utilize it.

Covington Industries began to influence the city through marketing and other means as they announced that they were hiring for various new projects they were beginning to develop. Because of this, new blood began to slowly pour in from other cities, drawn in by the promise of cheap apartments and the good reputation the company held in the industry. Penrose, while still a city on the verge of abandonment, had begun to see hope in the form of new life on the streets. Some were suspicious on the attention the company was giving to the city, but none could deny the profitability of their move, drawing in other companies who also wanted a slice of the action.

Rachel was furious from the twins' disappearance, but in the end decided not to pursue them, focusing on the situation in Penrose. The Ascendancy thus kept to their regular patrols, but now only found regular monsters to hunt, with only a few spottings of monster and dark girls; most have either found refuge at the Sanctuary, or joined the Ebon Mint family, with scarce between. Elora also made a small update to the Beacon's website which caught Penny's attention, but she found nothing major aside from a few small bug fixes and optimization changes.

As magical girls increased in monster hunting activity, the streets were beginning to become safe again. The drug cartels that had previously haunted it were scattered; some blamed the Ascendancy and their policing, but some believe it was the Sanctuary's and Penny's influence on the underground community that caused such a change. A few even claimed it was a ploy by Ebon Mint, but none could tell the rumors from the truth.

Things seemed to calm down for once despite the tension between the factions, which was a rarity for the Penrose magical community.

“Aaah, it’s todayyyy!”
Lily was ecstatic that morning when a blue portal resembling a swirling vortex appeared; she had eaten her breakfast faster than Alex could wake up from all the noise she was causing, followed by clapping her hands to the tune of “Jingle Bells.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see what Dan has in store! Knowing him, it’s going to be amazing!!” When Umukamui arrived to check on her, the ferret-like being was greeted by a Christmas card that Lily held in her hands.
“If you’re not too busy at the moment, would you like to join us? I think you’ll get to meet lots of magical girls at this party!”

---

Once they were ready, they entered through the enchanted passage, and arrived in a place completely different from what they were expecting: a large wooden hall decorated with wreaths and lights that sparkled like the colors of the rainbow. The lodge had a second floor visible beyond the railings. At the very middle of this lodge, surrounded by chairs and tables, stood an enormous Christmas tree with countless ornaments hanging from it’s leafy branches, and a shining star at the very top. Various present boxes lied at the base of the tree, wrapped in pretty ribbons. At the back of the hall was a lit hearth, it’s gentle flames exuding warmth to every corner of the place as if it was the beating heart of the building itself. Of course, the fire itself was behind a protective pane of glass, and pipes delivered the heat before dissipating from a chimney outside. The faint scent of peppermint could be caught in the air.

Lodge

“B-Bwuh?” Lily exclaimed, her eyes wide open as she took in the sights, and then at herself. Unlike at the beach, her uniform had changed into a Christmas-themed costume, complete with a hat that sat snugly on her green locks of hair.

Lily

“Wow, it’s so comfy!” Lily spun in place with her arms out, causing the dress to slightly flare out from the motion.
”Are we really at Dan’s beach? It looks so different now!”
She ran over to the nearest window, wiped away some of the fog on it, and peered outside.
This was immediately followed by audible awe as she saw the world they ended up in:

Winter Wonderland

It was an island covered in pure white snow that seemed to glitter like diamond dust. There were lamp posts and other lights illuminating the whole place, as well as some hills and trees. Around the building seemed to be various other buildings in festive style, giving the place the atmosphere of a Christmas-themed amusement park, with strange spherical white creatures resembling feline snowballs rolling around.

Snowbun

In the far distance, Lily saw the ocean, and other islands with no snow on them. “This isn’t the beach! It’s another island!” She told Alex, and took both of his hands.
“There’s so much snow!” She bounced up and down in excitement.
Soon enough others also arrived from portals of their own.
“Oh, Alicia! Dina! Connie, Mia!” She waved to the various girls she recognized, and ran up to hug them. “I’m so glad to see you all here too! You look super cute!”
Among the people she didn’t recognize were FanFan, who had arrived with graceful poise.

“Oh my, this is quite the extravagant party,” the courteous Ascendancy girl stated, and examined the fingerless gloves she now had.
“Such strange magic...Well, I suppose it does fit with the theme~”

FanFan

“Oh, you look positively fabulous, FanFan!” Sally grabbed FanFan’s arm, her smile wide.

Sally

“Oh, I just know we’re going to have the most fortunate fun here!”

“Yep! Isn’t that right, Alicia?” Kimble asked as she took Alicia’s hand in her own, a warm smile on her face.

Kimble

Another arrival was a girl who at first attempted hiding behind Maura, staring at her surroundings with a vacant expression before she sighed and gave up, stepping into view with a blush.

Justine

"...I should have stayed dead in the Cradle," she mumbled.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Free time has now started, and hunts may be started or continued.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Reaver found the grip of a familiar hand on his shoulder; onlookers saw as a wrathful Sonia had appeared right behind him, and whisked him away.
He knew where he'd end up: Al's office. The man himself had his chair turned away.
"Good job with the distraction, peguci. You bought time for the rest to make their escape before they were overwhelmed by reinforcements. You'll get the payment later, with bonus for...adaptability." He puffed his cigar.
"Miss Sonia here explained the situation." His hand could be seen lazily waving fingers at Sonia's direction, who had crossed her arms.
"You were taken against your will, and did not jump on me. However, I advise you to be more careful, and not let others mark you in the future. I won't tolerate another mistake like that. Dismissed."

Lily felt power surge within her from Alex’ Reinforcement, her green hair glowing with emerald hues. “Not bad, floofy boy.” Helga didn’t seem too impressed by the showy enchantment, however, but she did give a small nod in affirmation of Alex’ skills before she joined Lily in demolishing the obstacle.
“Don’t call Alex a floofy boy! You’ll hurt his feelings!” Lily cried out in defense of her boyfriend, probably embarrassing him further in the process.

After they reached the others and Lily stopped to take a small breather, she sighed as Alex chastised him.
“I know how to pace, uh, myself,” she blurted out an excuse, and then closed her eyes as the healing magic rejuvenated her, bringing her bright smile back as she lifted her head up.
“See? Now I’m all better!”

That was when Lily heard Melisa apologize to her. But as she was about to respond to her, Dina was revealed, and she gasped. “Oh no! Alex, can you-” Penny was already on the scene, administering an injection of sorts with creepy fingernail syringes.
“-heal...her?”
Lily’s legs shook a bit, and she placed a hand on Alex’s hand as he moved closer to examine the catgirl and the procedure Penny had performed on her. It seemed the green-haired girl had been frightened, but she still managed an uneasy smile at Melisa.
“I-It’s fine. You were just trying to protect the people you care about. And we did kind of barge in without notice...Sorry for the confusion,” she apologized, a hand on the back of her head.

Dina opened her eyes, and Lily sighed in relief, having desummoned her weapon when it became clear that the fight was already over. She listened as Penny conversed with Dina, and her eyes widened when the former brought up Sanctuary’s hidden status and the Cradle.
She felt like she wasn’t supposed to be listening, and turned away with an uneasy back-and-forth swing to her heels.

Finally, Penny expressed her gratitude, and Lily smiled back the best she could.
“No need to thank us. We didn’t reach this place in time anyway, so we don’t deserve any credit, haha.”
“We did see a pink girl handle the slime on our way here,” Helga mentioned.
“You might want to thank her when you get the opportunity.”

Lily nodded at the mention of the Mint, and sighed.
“Why is it that whenever anything happens in this city, it’s them?”
She whispered to Alex, and then addressed Penny, finding herself drawn by Penny's metaphorical pull. Helga did not budge, her demeanor kept firm.
“I’m Lily Lightning. We’ve met a couple of times before, but I don’t hold it against you if you don’t remember me,” she said, stepping back.
“Dan asked us to come help you, and dropped us at the entrance to this place.
“I’m Helga,” the toothy girl answered with a bored tone with her arms crossed before her, a thumb pointed at Lily.. “Also sent by Dan.” Helga then spoke in a whisper to Su, subtly using Sound magic to hide the sound of her voice from the others. “Looks like the cat managed to claw her way up into a high position. We might be able to use this.”

”Well, now that the Mint’s gone, I suppose me and Alex will be going now,” she spoke, and summoned her motorbike.
“Let’s go back to Dan and tell him the good news. Mission success!” She exclaimed, and lifted her hand up in an attempt to high-five Alex as they rode off.
Meanwhile, Helga approached Dina with a polite curtsy.
“Regent Dina, I am glad to see you be well again. We must be off now, but if you were to be interested in our services at the Golden Trove, our doors will be open to you.”
She then waited to see if Su had anything else to add, and then bid their goodbyes to the Sanctuary court before they also departed. Not long after, Dan had appeared.
“Dina! You’re safe! Oh, what a joyous da-” he was then scratched by the irritated catgirl, knocking him right through a wall and leaving a dolphin-shaped hole behind.

His head popped out from the bottom of the hole, stars circling his head.

“...Personal space...Right.”

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Lily’s expression quickly changed from friendly to tense when the doll openly threatened her with violence, and she summoned her magical bow Ramuh, taking a combat stance as she took note of the girl’s Metal magic. She didn’t know whether the doll girl was one of the local residents in the Sanctuary or an assailant, but regardless, she wouldn’t let herself be intimidated.
“I’m Lily Lightning, defender of justice and punisher of evil!” She announced in a stern tone, and summoned a lightning arrow, nocking it.
“And if you don’t let me pass and help these people, you’re going to regret it!”
However, before things escalated, Eliza arrived.
“Eliza?”
Lily recognized her from the last time they met as well as by the doll calling her by name, and she let the lightning arrow’s electricity flow back into her palm. That was when the place shook, as sounds of a great battle raged above.
“We don’t have time for this! Come on!”
She attempted following the doll girl by running up the wall, but the slimy surface proved too slippery to climb, causing her to fall. However, using her great dexterity, she oriented herself with a flip, and made a recovery landing.
“Dammit! Take this!”
Frustrated, she shot at the barriers with her lightning arrows and bolts.

---

Helga winced as Su came to her side, and nodded with a grimace. “Should have figured...Ugh, I was careless again.” With her help, she stood back up to her feet and advanced further into the Sanctuary through another tunnel. They soon arrived at what looked like a residential area, the floor covered with a strange, magically reactive slime. They saw how Magical Dream Princess was working her magic nearby, transforming the foul environment into a pastel-colored wonderland, purifying the area in the process. Helga’s eyes widened as she was honestly impressed. “Huh...That girl may be a few apples short of a bushel, but she can get work done.” In the distance, they saw an unnaturally made metal box, as well as Lily, who had approached a doll-like girl. They soon caught up with them, only for the toothy girl to sneer when the doll girl fled the scene. “So all the action’s past this wall? Fine, let me rip and tear it apart!”

It took a moment, but with everyone working together, they broke down the obstacle, allowing them to pass through. However, the fighting seemed to have already ended, as they now found a group of people: Shane, Penny, as well as a trio of witches. Lily managed to catch the very last snippet of their dialogue where Penny mentioned going somewhere.
“Penny! Shane! I’ll help too!!” She yelled between bouts of heavy breathing as she pressed her palms on her knees. Helga on the other hand groaned. “So can someone tell us what the hell is going on? We saw some weird gunk on our way here, and I think that’s not a part of the local decor.”

---

Meanwhile, at the Beacon’s front desk, where Delphi was currently working at, she received a strange message. “Sanctuary….Monster Rampage...Penny, Mariette, Cradle?!” She immediately checked the message’s data, but the tracer device couldn’t track the broken mobile phone. She knew who to turn to in this case as she activated her communicator. “Technical Chief, come in. We have just received an anonymous message. Patching it in.” The voice soon responded. “Confirmed. Beginning BTS scan...Transmission network identified.” Elora spoke, typing away fast as a holographic map of Penrose pinged with a radar-like circle. For a moment, she simply looked at the map.

“...Interesting.”

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Dan was glad to see how many had agreed to lend a hand of assistance to Dina, and bowed his head many times as girls rushed through the portal, one after another. “Thank you! Please be careful!” He waved after them, and sighed once things calmed down again. Now with about two fifths of the total population of girls left and with concern over Dina’s wellbeing on his mind, Dan sat down on one of the sofas with less energy than before. “Well, you girls can go have fun now, but call me if you need anything.” An oversized newspaper appeared, with most of the pages dedicated to comics, and his fins humorously extended to hold it by its sides, hiding his body as he now read it in very uncharacteristic silence.

Lily could sense the feelings of barely suppressed rage and anger that welled within Alex. She could tell he was tired, yet he did not refuse her hand when she took him along. At first, she didn’t think of it with the crisis as a priority to her. But as they rode down the tunnel, she had a thought. “Hey, Alex…” She spoke up.
”After we have saved these people...Let’s just chill, ok? Just me and you, and maybe some anim-I mean, something you’d want to watch?” She corrected herself, followed by a nod at his mention of the chaotic mess from before. Her eyes dipped down, and with wide eyes noticed strange pools of magical liquid. She heard the sounds of fighting at an upper level.
”I hope so too...But it’s starting to look like one.”

She then called out for Dina, hoping the catgirl would hear them. In return, she only heard Mariette’s voice faintly echoing from multiple directions, mentioning portals. While she did sigh from relief knowing she was at the scene, she didn’t like the fact she didn’t hear Dina’s response yet.

”Oh, I hope she’s all right...” She mumbled, and continued driving to the other layers of the underground city, continuing to call out for her. That was when she happened upon what looked like a metal container; it stuck out as having been made from overlapping sheets of what looked like iron. And from the box emerged a small doll-like monster girl. Lily called out at the doll.

”Hey, what’s going on here? Where’s Dina?”

---

At the Sanctuary’s second level, a battle raged between a terrible monster and an assortment of both magical and monster girls, as well as a mysterious coven of witches. In the midst of it all, portals appeared, Mariette’s voice guiding Sanctuary’s residents away from the battlezone and into safety. Some were wary of the enchanted passages, but most decided to take the chance and leave, soon followed by even the hardiest of skeptics. As a result, Mariette successfully evacuated nearly all of the endangered locals.

---

Helga gasped as Su forcibly removed the bandages she had placed on her, and shook her head, causing her hair drills to sway. “No Su, we can’t! You still need to recover from your wounds!” But it was too late, as Su gave her argument for helping an ally of Penrose, and she groaned as she followed her through the portal.
“This time I won’t let you hurt yourself like that, Su!”

Helga and Su passed through the portal, back in their battle gear, and ready for a new fight. The toothy girl squinted as she heard fighting sounds with her enhanced hearing, and started running.
“I’ll take point, while you give support, Su,” she told her girlfriend, and then began to run, her claws readied behind her as she ran ninja-style...And activated an explosive rune that detonated right under her foot with a flash of light and a loud explosion, causing her to hit her back against the tunnel wall from the impact. Reaver had arrived just after Lily and Alex had passed off, giving him time to set up traps before the rest had arrived there.

“Urghhh...” She groaned, stabbing her claws into the tunnel wall to lift herself up in dizziness; her enhanced hearing left her weak to an auditory attack at that moment, causing her to turn momentarily deaf and stunned. That was when Su and the Cradle agents, who had just joined them, noticed someone in the darkness of the tunnel; though his face was obscured by an illusory rune, they could tell from the black spiky armor that he might be a Sanctuary resident, or the source of their plight. MDP then arrived, unaware of what had happened, and oblivious of the shadowy person as she took in her new environment.

---

The door to the containment cell was opened, and Jenna was escorted to the Hall of Divine Judgement. Unlike before, there was no water cooler next to the door; it seems the Ascendancy deemed it better placed farther down the corridor. Unlike the strange mix of futuristic and fantastic that Beacon had for it’s interior design, the Ascendancy was more practical, and had turned it into an inquisition; a long hall with a single podium flanked by seats on either side, and a court at the end where the Ascendancy’s officers had taken their seats. Much like with Alicia’s trial, Ishtar served as judge in the highest seat, with Rachel sitting next to her. Alicia had now taken the place of the prosecution.
“We now start the trial for Jenna Howell,” Rachel announced. “By law, you are permitted to a defense attorney. If you cannot name one, the court will assign one for you.”

Despite the circumstances Jenna had sat quietly and waited until she was brought before the court. Presented the choice of one to provide her defense Jenna considered it for a moment. Aurelio was the most obvious choice on first pass. He was however important to her case and placing him in that position could be more risky. This was the Ascendancy after all. "I would like to be represented by Shamrock Sally." She said after some consideration. The two weren't all that close, but Sally should at least know Jenna and her sister's character enough to at least understand some of their thinking.

The crowd murmured softly as Jenna presented her answer, to which Rachel nodded. “Very well. Sally Shamrock, do you accept the position?” Sally stood up from the audience with a surprised look. “Oh, me? Uh, sure! I’ve never been a defense attorney, but I’m sure it’ll work out.” She casually walked over to Jenna’s side, and Ishtar softly hit her mallet to quieten the hall. Then Rachel spoke again. “Jenna Howell, you are accused of colluding with the Crimson Cradle and Mariette Pedersen, and conspiring against the Beacon. How do you plead?”

”Not guilty.” She said simply and calmly.

Rachel nodded again, and glanced over at Elora, who transcribed every word spoken during the proceedings on her laptop. “The prosecution may now make their case.”

It was strange, being back in this courtroom. Alicia looked around at the gathered crowd, trying to be comfortable in her position. Once she had been down there, standing over the pit that held the downfall of negative judgment. And now she was up here, carrying out that judgment. It was to be expected from her rise in status of course, but for the first time there was still something strange about it.

She stood by, nodding silently as Rachel began the trial, and Jenna chose her defense. Alicia shot a sympathetic look to Sally as she was selected, certainly not wishing any ill will upon her. She’d done what she could to help after all.

Well, this was it. The big moment. Alicia took a breath to steel herself as she glanced over at Rachel, before her gaze fell upon the defendant. “I call on Jenna Howell,” she began. ”Can you tell the court what you did after arriving in Mariette’s pocket dimension at the call for reinforcements?”

”Of course.” She would start. ”Upon arriving I found the Void World active. As instructed by Elora I went to assist Aurelio as his Final Act seemed to be the most hindered by the nullification. The boy transferred his magic to his cane in order for Justine’s bane to be delivered by physical contact. The cane was then entrusted to me to strike the vampire down. I copied the power of another girl on the battlefield in order to gain access to other specializations. This allowed me to close the distance to Justine. The attack would have been clean, but another monster girl got in the way. Regardless the magic severely injured the target and brought her down to a manageable level.” There was a brief pause.

”I and several other girls worked to take down Justine. Most of them had been fighting on Mariette’s side as I later learned. As we had encountered defeated foes seeming to come back from the dead, be retrieved by their patrons, or otherwise taken to be used by evil forces I poured a potion over the remains to purify the body and sever Justine’s connection to Father. I then attempted to return to HQ with her when Silhouette arrived. Then and there I was outnumbered by members of the Crimson Cradle. We could have fought them, however with the Void World gone my Third Eye could see that the dimension was not going to hold up long. Rather than risk all of our lives over a corpse that no longer had corrupted energies I made the decision to negotiate. I go with them to see Justine’s fate and they keep her body. The terms could perhaps have been better, but there was no way to be sure how much time was left before the dimension’s inevitable collapse. It seemed sufficient enough to know she was gone in the moment. I made sure two of the Aurelio clones were aware of the whole conversation so they could report it in. I couldn’t be sure the Cradle wouldn’t turn on me and no one would know where I’d gone or who was responsible. I was also aware that hiding my intentions, purposely or not, could very well result in me standing here before you.” She looked up at those accusing her, but not directly at any one of them with any harshness. Thus far she hadn’t told any lies and she spoke as though she was sure of herself. There was still a little more to the tale to tell though.

”I digress. Having come to an agreement I left with the Cradle members as you know. Unsurprisingly they were wary of me and I found that they’d placed Justine in some location where I could no longer continue to observe her. I left them under somewhat amicable terms that once things settled we could discuss me seeing Justine. Not an ideal situation I am aware and I intend to pursue our late enemy. I returned back here to HQ. I do not return with nothing but empty words though... “ Reaching into her sleeve she revealed and presented a pure white feather. ”This was retrieved from Justine. It bares her essence and the markings of a newly purified magical girl. Whatever her fate the terror Justine once posed is at an end.”

While thus far it seemed as though Jenna was telling the truth, Alicia squinted as she watched Jenna nonetheless. It could have all been reasonable. But at the same time she could not help but feel as if there was more that was being omitted. She had to push on for the sake of the truth. ”Assuming the Cradle does not simply corrupt her again, of course,” Alicia observed. Justine was stuck in their custody after all, who knew what they could do to her now that there were no prying eyes to watch them. And despite her previous interactions with Veronica, they had spent a lot of time defending bad guys recently….

But for now it was time to pluck the next thread. ”When I talked with you before, you expressed a reluctance to take part in the operation against Mariette. Can you tell the court your feelings towards Justine von Visceral?”

“O-Objection!” Sally suddenly stood up from her seat. “The defendant’s feelings are irrelevant to the situation-”

“Objection voided,” Ishtar calmly interrupted the hasty girl with a soft clap of her mallet. “Please answer the question.”

Sally sat down, the bow on her head drooping like sad rabbit ears. “V-Very well then.”

Jenna nodded. "I've no love for the Visceral's or any of Father's followers. They corrupted my sister. Her death was some time coming. If she still lives in a purified state I will abide by my Vow and do my best to support her in the light." By her tone it wasn't hard to tell that she wasn't as enthused by the chance of a purified Justine. Not that it wasn’t something she and her sister hadn’t thought about from the very moment that they gained the knowledge of how to purify others. A reformed Justine would be more helpful than a dead one.

Alicia was silent as Sally made her objection, before they moved on to Jenna’s response. It matched what Alicia had expected, which was a good thing. It played along into her narrative pretty well. ”Thank you for confirming that. After arriving in Mariette’s pocket dimension, how long did it take to realize that Mariette herself had not yet been defeated? And do you remember us discussing the operation before it happened?”

”I did not fully know Mariette’s status until the Void World came down. Since I was told of Aurelio’s spell before entering I assumed that was the opening. I could not keep my usual sense of everything that was occurring with our communication and my magical senses being suppressed. So yes, I do recall we had planned to go after Justine once Mariette was dealt with. I don’t believe we ever discussed specifics though.” Her words were true enough. She probably could have made a greater effort to confirm if Mariette was defeated prior to going after Justine. That very well could have been her blinded by vengeance.

”We did not discuss specifics because you had indicated you did not wish to be involved,” Alicia pointed out. Clearly that had been a mistake.

She turned to the jury then, her arm sweeping out as she gestured down to Jenna. “So, you admit that Justine ‘had her death coming’. You admit that although the situation on the ground was different from what you had expected, you nonetheless persisted in striking down Justine and allowing the Cradle to take her to a secret location of their choosing, whether she is alive or not. Meanwhile Mariette was able to escape, and after the opposition we faced just to get to that point you deprived us of one of the foremost assets we had against her.”

That said, there was still one element left to pursue. So she returned to Jenna a last time. ”Before I finish, there is one last thing. You said you ‘intend to pursue our late enemy’. May I ask where Janet is right now?”

Jenna had something to say about depriving an asset, but she would save that for later. Before directly answering the question though she would address one thing. ”For clarification, ‘late enemy’ refers to Justine. As to Janet’s whereabouts I would like to request communicating that information telepathically to the court as it is sensitive.” Normally things would be fine to speak out loud. She could not be sure anyone not part of the proceedings might not let something out or perhaps it could be listened in by some manner.

Rachel seemed to react, but before she could speak, Ishtar nodded. "Very well. Your telepathic message to the prosecutor shall be left confidential." She glanced at a certain Ascendancy girl, who in turn nodded and closed her eyes, before she hit her mallet. "Please proceed."

Seeing Rachel’s reaction, Jenna raised a hand briefly. ”I do not intend to exclude you or the Cardinal, Inquisitor. I would not want to call into question the prosecution’s integrity.” If no objections were given she would proceed and include Ishtar, Rachel, and Alicia.

I would simply say this out loud, but until we have more I would rather keep this knowledge from spreading beyond a few. If Janet is still out of contact then most likely she has captured and cleansed one of Mariette’s allies, the slime girl known as Eli. It was not by design, but by going with the Cradle I was able to place a suggestion that should lead Mariette to Janet to do the same.”

Tilting her head slightly, Alicia listened as Jenna conveyed the message telepathically into her mind. Her gaze narrowed, her frown deepened, and a deep breath escaped as she took in what was said. She couldn’t even really use this as evidence, due to the confidential nature of it. But it was hard not to guess what her feelings were.

Her head fell as she spoke, voice subdued but still barely audible to those nearby who did not have the benefit of Sound spec. ”After everything, you still don’t trust me.”

She snapped back to some semblance of attention, and nodded to Rachel. “The prosecution rests its case.”

Rachel subtly grimaced, but quickly composed herself once the message was received, while Ishtar only blinked. “Very well then. The defense attorney may now make their case.”

Sally stood up, now looking confident again. “I would like to call forth The Great Aurelio as a witness.” Murmurs spread softly through the courtroom as the magician took his place in the witness stand. Sally then approached him. “So, um, first...” Sally hastily went through her hastily scribbled notes. “You were at the mission Jenna was assigned to, correct? Could you recount to us what you saw there?”

At first glance Aurelio looked as he always did, but it wasn’t hard to see that he was exhausted. His smile was strained and he was slouched as he walked to the witness stand. And when he sat down he visibly winced at being the focus of everyone’s attention. “That’s correct,” he would answer before taking a steadying breath.

“It-” He ran a hand over his face “My apologies” A cloud of smoke enveloped Aurelio for a moment. And when it vanished it was clear that he had detransformed.

“I only recently got all of my clones back so I’m rather exhausted.” Kyle would explain running a hand through his hair.

“My recounting would start before the mission was underway, at the staging ground. Everyone assigned to the mission arrived together, there we were met by Justine and her retinue. Which consisted of at least a dozen or so magical girls most of which I feel were pressed into service unwillingly, as well as another half dozen magicals that she claimed to be associates of hers. Lastly her personal servant Sonia.”

“From there we split into two groups. A frontal assault group and an infiltration group. I was assigned to the assault group, as was Justine and the majority of the other magicals that had been gathered. Our goal was to storm the mansion within Mariette’s dimension, both to draw attention away from the infiltration group and to try and force our way inside.”

He took a deep breath as he recalled the violent affair that seemed like it had happened both so long ago and only just moments ago. “It turned sour fast.” He shook his head, before going on to explain the frantic mess that was the frontal assault. The land mines, the enemies in the snow, the worm like monsters, Justine’s utter disregard for anyone other than herself. The devastating ambush at the front of the house that nearly wiped them out completely.

“At that point I was unbalanced and close to a breakdown due to all the negative emotions in the air. I called in a request to move forward one of the plans in place, as otherwise I wasn’t going to be able to stick around long enough to be of any use when it was time for it. But when I tried to put it into motion again everything went sideways. Again.”

He would go on to explain Leena’s Void World, and the mess of a confrontation that was both the Infiltration team and the assault team meeting up as Mariette and the rest of the Defenders of the house appeared to try and take down Justine. And Reaver’s appearance.

“Within the Nullification I wasn’t able to do much, I’m focused around supporting others with my magic. So with not a lot of options I charged my cane with as much Love as I could and passed it off to Jenna, before rushing to save one of our allies who had taken a spear to the chest.”

He would conclude with the Null field dropping and the mad scramble to get everyone out before the dimension fell apart with them still in it. Mentioning Dan’s portal being guarded by a Hydra, as well as the cradle members taking Justine’s body away and Jenna following after. Only touching upon the potion and projected conversation lightly since this was just a recap at the moment.

The court nodded intermittently in silence as Aurelio exposited of their journey to Mariette’s hideout. Sally scribbled what she could with little success. “Thank you, Aurelio, you may now leave.” She turned to the judge and jury. “As you have heard, my client’s testimony is corrobobated by a trustworthy witness. Corroborated, I mean,” she quickly added. “The defense, uh, rests their case.”

For a moment, frantic whispering filled the sanctified hall, as Beacon girls both old and new tried to make sense of the chaos that had been unveiled from the mission. Finally, Ishtar softly hit her mallet. “This is a complicated case, but the answer is clear. Jenna Howell, for the crimes of colluding with the Crimson Cradle and Mariette Pedersen, and conspiring against the Beacon, I declare you...Not guilty. Your intentions of serving Beacon’s cause is without question, and you have provided evidence of purifying Justine.” But before Jenna could celebrate, Ishtar interrupted her. “However, your methods are unorthodox, and your hastiness and lack of self-control are a cause for concern. I do not know how the local Beacon chapter has handled the training of their recruits, but it seems there may be some improvement to be made. Thus, I sentence you and Janet Howell to 40 hours of discipline training, with at least 2 hours but no more than 8 hours spent every day starting tomorrow. The training program will utilize the Beacon Recruit Basic Training options. This training is to be modified as per the level of proficiency perceived by Alicia Hayden, who will oversee the first day of training to ensure it has been started properly. You may perform this training outside of the local Beacon HQ, but only under supervision from a Beacon officer of higher rank. This training may not be interrupted or denied by anyone, no matter their rank. Any duties you may have are to be delayed until this training is complete, after which you will report to your supervising officer who will assess the results.” Rachel bit her lip at the last sentence, displeased with the verdict, but she only looked away.
“Court is dismissed,” she announced with one final hit of her mallet.

Taking a deep breath, Alicia bowed her head as the verdict was given. It was not the result she wanted, but she would accept it nonetheless. ”Alright. As you decree, Cardinal.” It seemed everything was in Janet’s hands now.

Nodding respectfully, Jenna looked over to Alicia for a bit before eventually making her way over. "Maybe this is for the best. Could help us get back on track. Uhm..." She paused for a bit before speaking again. "I can tell you're angry with me. I don't want our friendship to be stressed because of our antics. I would like the chance to work things out if we could." Her expression was remorseful, even though she wasn't entirely sure what she'd done for such a response. She looked down at the floor as she wrung her hands a bit.

Alicia shifted as Jenna approached, and she regarded the girl with a cautious gaze. As much as there was the desire to make up, there were other parts of herself too charged to simply forgive and forget that quickly. Not with how personal it had become. ”We’ll see. And let's hope your scheme works out the way you want it to.” With that she turned and began making her way out of the courtroom. There were other things she needed to do now that the trial was over, and she would not permit herself to dawdle for too long.

Everyone began filtering out of the court room. Not really having any other reason to stay, Jenna exited as well and went to assist with any other injured that may be left.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Rachel scowled as Alicia informed her of the mission’s failure, and sighed. “Acknowledged. The infirmary is prepared for you; go and rest there, Paladin Seraph. I will hear the rest once I’m back.” She beckoned for her fellow Ascendancy operatives present to follow her as she left. “Insubordinate traitors...” She could be heard grumbling on her way out, while Leena and FanFan, both weary from battle, headed off towards the infirmary. "Damn, we were close," Leena mumbled, while FanFan patted her on the back. "Oh, don't be so gloomy. At least Justine was dealt with. Now, how about a spot of tea?"

---

Lily had decided to take a visit outside the hotel lobby and catch some fresh air, away from the bustling crowd. She managed to sneak out thanks to Dan distracting Alex. "Oh, no need to worry! I fixed the space-time continuum, so now the dimension is synchronized with the others. In fact, I can explain it in song!" And so a whole musical was made.

“It’s still so bright and nice here...” She muttered to herself, when she noticed a certain girl had slowly approached her. The moment she saw her, she averted her eyes, biting her lower lip: it was Mariette.
“Oh, Mariette...” She tried to keep herself spirited, but she was unable to fully look her in the eye.
“So, uh...Well, this is, maybe just a bit awkward.”

Mariette had walked directly to her, her one visible eye entirely focused. There was but one question on her mind, and she wasn’t going to even bother trying to de-awkward Lily before asking.

‘Why did you throw me at Ronin?’ she simply asked, focused. She could add details to why she was asking, but for now, sharpness.

Lily expected the question, but she still winced at the accusative tone that accompanied it.
“Look, Mariette, I...” She took a deep breath, and faced her; her eyes trembled.
“You need help. And I don’t mean help with fighting, or something like that. I haven’t been your friend for long, but even I can tell you’re not really like this. I saw how you assembled all those monsters, harnessed dark magic...Even if it was for a good cause, like fighting against a bad girl like Justine, it’s still...bad. You’re doing bad things.” She paused as she sniffled, holding back her tears.
“And I fear, if you keep going down this path...” She paused for a moment.
“A true friend protects their friends...Even from themselves, you know. That’s why I did what I did, Mariette. I wanted to save you.”

Mariette held quiet, listening to Lily’s words. She didn’t detect any lies. Still, that raised the question…

‘How would throwing me at Ronin save me?’ she asked, same tone.

Lily blinked, unsure how to answer. She did promise she would keep Ronin’s plan a secret, yet she felt like she should come clean about her betrayal, to save what little goodwill remained. Finally, she spoke:
“Because Ronin...also wants to save you, Mariette,” she spoke, and a tear swept down her cheek.
“She told me it was the only way to do so.”

Mariette frowned a bit at this statement, trying to work out what it all meant. Because, that last part was a lie. Why it was a lie, why Lily would lie… no, that wasn’t it. She’d convinced herself of it, hadn’t she? …

‘Very well. Thank you for answering. I will take my leave now,’ Mariette said, intending on turning away and walking.

Lily nodded with a sad look, and wiped the tears from her face with her hands.
“I’m sorry, Mariette...”

However, after Mariette turned a corner, she came face to face with someone she didn’t recognize at first. However, it didn’t take her long to realize who it was: Dan, having taken the form of a blue-skinned woman.

Danalia

“Mariette, we need to talk,” the Lesser Force spoke, now carrying a mature, husky tone in her voice that completely differed from his usual squeaky self. She approached Mariette, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “First of all, I would like to apologize for not having been able to fully assist as I promised. I was not prepared for the horrors that I witnessed in the battlefield.”
Her look turned sterner. “Which brings me to my second point: while your motivations to combat Justine were justified, the methods to do so were not. You attempted killing everyone but your own allies using my powers, and mercilessly cut down girls brainwashed by Justine, among other crimes.” She sighed, and crossed her arms. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Mariette heard Lily’s words, but did not respond. It wasn’t something she could easily forgive. She didn’t blame Lily for her actions, and did not consider her less of a person for it. It was just… unacceptable for other reasons.

Then Mariette rounded the corner and ran into a person far more intimidating than the squeaky dolphin he usually was. Mariette winced, swallowing a bit as the woman form’s hand was placed on her shoulder, and Mariette found herself looking into the ground like some child who knew she’d done bad.

‘… I didn’t think Beacon would be there. I thought it would be just Justine, but there were a bunch more girls unaffiliated with her. Justine is the terror I described to you. The rest… I wouldn’t have requested your help against the others.’ Mariette shook her head a bit. ‘The rest was all in interest of self-preservation. Her brainwashed girls were attacking me, I had to defend myself, by any means necessary. I don’t see what I could have done differently. … And I changed my mind on the collapsing dimension thing. That was triggered by someone other than me,’ she said, her mind jumping to the worst possible conclusions about what Dan might do to her.

Danalia kept a stoic expression on her face as she listened to Mariette’s words, slightly nodding at the mention of Beacon. “It is true that Justine possessed far more allies and power than either of us could have predicted. Still, your selfishness and cowardice gave way to cruel methods, and the spreading of suffering. That is not saving smiles like you once told me, even if Justine was defeated in the end.” She turned away, looking up at the bright sun.
“Do not worry, Mariette; I won’t imprison you here. That is how I’ll repay you for not fulfilling my promise. Instead, I have taken something your master values greatly.”
She turned her head to glance at Mariette with a cold glare. “I have placed the Black Mirror somewhere where it can only reflect the pure brightness, and will be safe there. But if I ever learn that you or some other girl of your master’s threatens Penrose...I won’t hesitate to destroy it. Did I make myself clear?”

‘… We don’t know how many people might smile when they otherwise wouldn’t, if Justine isn’t there to take their smiles away,’ Mariette defended on that first point, though feeling awkward as she did. Then, though, came the part about the Black Mirror, that Mariette had already suspected. She breathed in a bit fearfully as what she had suspected turned out to be true, Dan had taken the mirror. It may have been a mistake to try to employ the dolphin’s services. Mariette looked up at the dolphin’s woman form for a second or two, but found she couldn’t maintain eye-contact and looked down again.

‘… I understand…’ was all she could say.

Danalia nodded, and turned back to face Mariette with a content smile.
“Now that you have accepted your punishment, I will offer you a chance to redeem yourself.” A magical envelope appeared with a poof in her hand, and she offered it to the eyepatched girl. It had a red seal with Dan’s face on it. “I will be holding a Christmas party, and will be inviting as many magical girls of Penrose as I can there. I would like you and any other girls you know to attend this party. Simply accept the invitation inside, and you will be taken there on the day of the festivities. You can also copy it as many times as you want to.”
She gently lifted Mariette’s chin up so she would look into her eyes. “I know there is a caring, kind girl deep inside of you. If you can prove to me you have changed your ways...I will return the Black Mirror to you.” She then lifted her touch off her, and sighed in relief. “That is all I have to say for now. You may leave as you wish.” She snapped her fingers, and Mariette felt how her magical powers were restored.

Mariette looked a bit surprised by the turn of events. Inviting to a Christmas party? Mariette swallowed a bit, because she couldn’t see how that would prove that she’d changed her ways. Especially because she really hadn’t. However, she also needed to get that Black Mirror back. How would she change her ways while still accomplishing Asengav’s goals? It seemed… impossible. Mariette took the letter in her hand, and focused on it a bit… and as Dan had said, it duplicated into two as she desired it. She looked back to the female form.

‘Is there anyone you’ve already invited, or others that are inviting people, or should I… invite everyone?’ Because she would. Nobody in Penrose would be safe.

“You are the first one I have told,” Danalia answered with a sweet smile, and patted Mariette’s head. “I’m happy to see your eagerness to accomplish this task, so I will leave it up to you. I look forward to seeing how many friends you will bring to the party.” She then turned towards the hotel entrance. “Now then, I must return and take care of the wounded. Goodbye, and best of luck in your quest.” And with that, she teleported away in a puff of sparkling blue smoke.

Mariette nodded to the words being spoken. Then, she took a deep breath, as her magical power spread its might. Then, with the letters duplicating in her grip…

[@everyone at the beach resort]

She one by one opened a portal to every single magical girl currently in the beach dimension, and handed them a copy of the magical envelope with Dan’s face on the seal.

‘Dan’s holding a Christmas party, and everyone's invited. Please bring as many friends as you can. If you focus on the envelope, it will duplicate, so go ahead and spread them as far as you can. I will see you there,’ she’d tell each person, looking a tad embarrassed as she did, but nonetheless, determined to see this through.

---

Things at the Sanctuary were spiraling quickly. Two others had arrived to defend the place but there was too much happening for the motley forces to reliably hold for long. A nightmare monster, some lingering toxic magic, and the Mint that most had yet to realize were even there were all assaulting the place of peace. Seemed that perhaps one of the threats had left but she had taken down two defenders in the process. Shane was going to need some assistance. Ordinarily Paree would contact the local Beacon but in this case it would only make things much much worse.

A call went out into the local area, anyone who could rapidly respond and was sympathetic to the Sanctuary’s cause would be made aware of the current threats (Nightmare monster, toxic magic, and the Mint). Anyone that did not meet those two criteria were excluded and did not receive the message.

Not finding many available magical girls in the nearby area the Puchuu put out a call to get Dina’s patron’s attention.

Just like a certain other Puchuu, Paree had the connections to pull some magical strings and get in touch with the Lesser Force; he was happily humming as he returned back to the hotel, pleased with how he had resolved the situation with Mariette when he received the call, taking the form of a cartoony old-fashioned phone that poofed next to him.
"Oh, another one?" Paree could hear a squeaky voice on the other side of the magical voice channel he had formed, alongside random noise in the background such as shouting girls and general revelry.
“I’m kind of busy for a talk right now, but I guess you also want to see how your magical girl is doing?”

Never one for small talk, Paree got right to the point. ”I have a magical boy in need of immediate assistance at the location they call the Sanctuary in Penrose. I believe one of your own is also on site, the cat girl.” He didn’t bother specifying a name. ”It sounds as if you have a number of individuals there. I would like to enter your realm to see if there are any who would answer my call.”

“Dina!” Dan yelled in shock upon realizing who Paree had referred to. “So that’s what she was so worried about...Hilaria, please wait a moment, this call is important.” Dan had momentarily responded to someone apparently asking about food. “All right, I will open an entrance for you.”
Then, a blue vortex appeared near the Puchuu, like a whirlpool of vibrant azure energy.

Strolling in the Puchuu arrived at Dan’s beach, now donning a woven sunhat and a pair of sunglasses with dark round lenses. Paree snapped his tiny fingers and the same message as before went out to those present at the beach. The only difference is they should report to Dan to be transported. He turned to the dolphin creature. ”I need to investigate another anomaly, do you believe you can handle transportation?” The glasses made the cute creature’s business minded approach seem a whole lot cooler than it had any right to be.

When Paree arrived, Dan opened his beak in an attempt to greet him, only to be shut down immediately by the stoic Patron. “Sheesh, at least the other one had a sense of fun, not to mention easy on the eyes”, he mumbled under his breath. He then nodded as the Puchuu made his request, and his fin mysteriously formed a bump resembling a raised thumb. “You can count on me, buddy. I’ll make sure Dina gets the help she needs.”

”If you could place those that respond outside the Sanctuary I believe that should be a safe space to start from. Do let them know to be careful of the magical waste. There may still be some lingering.”

Dan blinked, and furrowed his brow as he rubbed his fins against the sides of his head. “The Sanctuary, eh? Ah, Dina’s there,” he said, as he sensed her presence from the magical bond the two shared. “Yep, that works. But are you sure you have to leave right now? Surely you can spare a mome-”

”People are dying.” He said calmly. The Puchuu tilted the hat back and leaned his head down to look over the glasses. ”If Shane does a good job perhaps I will allow him the pleasure of a visit. With your permission of course.” He didn’t really care either way, but it seemed an easier way to get the aquatic patron off his back.

Dan’s bottlenose drooped down and he sighed, though he seemed to get a tiny bit relieved that Paree was lenient enough to let Shane have a reward. “Yes, I understand. Shane is of course always welcome to visit this place, so let him know, ok?”

Paree simply nodded. ”And should you need assistance yourself do consider us as a contact. While I may not have much to offer I do believe in returning the favor.” He seemed ready to go but would allow one last response.

Dan managed a small smile, and gave Paree a salute. He didn’t like the little furball’s no-nonsense attitude, but at least he could respect his work morale and desire for peace. “Thank you, comrade. Let’s make sure the day is saved.”

”Agreed.” He turned and vanished.

---

Lily had returned back to Alex in the hotel.
“Hey Alex...” She held an arm behind her back as she looked down at the floor with a frown in her face.
“I talked with Mariette, but it didn’t work out. She was still upset. I don’t know what to do next...”

It was at that moment when Mariette’s message reached everyone, including Maura who had already left the hotel, and Connie’s group, who were just about to also exit the building.
Lily received the letter among the rest of them, her mouth wide in surprise as she held the letter before her.
“A Christmas party? Wow! What a surprise! Thank you so much, Mariette!” She never could have expected Mariette to do something this nice to them, and she smiled.
“So if I want to share this-Oh, it’s that easy!”
The letter copied itself, and she gave one to Alex, jumping up and down in excitement.
“I’ve completely forgotten it’s nearly Christmas already! Oh man, I haven’t made my list yet! Or sent out Christmas greeting cards! I should also-”

“Ahem, may I have your attention please!” Dan interrupted the raucous crowd with the sound of a Party Horn of In-Laws Slaying (with a +9 bonus) blaring out.
Now, I know you all may be excited for this party, but there is a crisis on our hands! The Penrose Sanctuary is under attack, putting everyone there in danger!” He then opened a blue portal. “This portal will lead you right outside the Sanctuary. If anyone here could please go there and help Dina save the locals, I would be grateful.”
Dan hated having to put these girls through another ordeal, and bring trouble to their paradise, but he had come to learn that evil rarely rested.

Lily was the first one to respond, holding her fist out with a determined smile.
“Not a problem, Dan! This is a job for us magical girls! Come on, let’s go, Alex!” She then grabbed his hand. “Oh, I’m fine now, no need to worry!” She then quickly blurted out, as if expecting Alex to raise a logical concern over her recovery.
As she ran through the portal, she waved at Mariette, who had arrived upon hearing the call for help.
“Thanks for the invitation Mariette! See ya at the partyyy!”
And with that, the two disappeared through the portal.

Lily and Alex arrived outside the Sanctuary. Even from so far away, they could hear faint screams and sounds of destruction in the distance. She summoned her motorcycle.
“Let’s go find Dina!” Lily said, having assumed her magical girl look, and the two dashed through the interconnected web of passages and chambers, with Lily occasionally driving on the ceiling of tube-shaped tunnels until at last she found the catgirl.
“Dina! We’re here to help!”

---

Helga was enjoying her time talking with Su and enjoying the can of Mountain Dan she had received, when suddenly Mariette’s hand popped out from a portal offering them letters.
“Huh? A party?” She took the invitation, and stared at it for a moment, trying to comprehend what Mariette said. “Hey, that’s great! Thanks a lot!” She turned to Su. “Hey Su, you thinking what I’m thinking?” She winked. “There’s no way we can pass up on an opportunity like this, right?”

Unfortunately, Su’s response would be drowned out by Dan, resulting in Helga sighing. “The Sanctuary? Isn’t that the place where monster girls hang out?”

---

At a distant alley in Penrose, the sound of displaced air prefaced Sonia and Reaver’s arrival there; the Space magical girl had forcefully grabbed his shoulder and teleported the two of them there. Still holding him in a tight grip, she took a look at her surroundings.

“Hmm...Well, it looks indiscrete and out of the way as you mentioned the entrance to be,” she noted, and then glanced at him.
“I will now send you to the Sanctuary, as you have requested. Goodbye for now.” Her hand briefly glowed, and Reaver was teleported, into the very same spot at the Sanctuary where he was taken from. Sonia then summoned a handkerchief, and wiped her hands.
“Disgusting pervert. Now then, let’s see...”
She approached the back wall and stopped, a hand outstretched before her. She concentrated, and created an entryway into a black-and-white space familiar to agents of Mint: Al’s office. The Coin Broker himself was standing before a window at the back of it, staring at the city at an impossibly high angle, like the room was located on the top floor of a towering building. He took a puff of smoke.

“Visceral is dead.”

Sonia squinted, looking tense.
“You would be the first to learn that. Typical.”

“It’s my job, miss. A proper businessman is aware of the slightest changes in the industry.”
He turned towards her; he was smiling. “I am also aware that you wished to speak with me. Now then, how may I help you?”
He gestured towards a seat, and Sonia begrudgingly took it with grace, as the door behind them closed and disappeared from the alley.

So it was that Sonia would take her first steps on the path of revenge, for Justine’s sake. But little did she know of the events that followed after Justine’s fall. At the exact moment death would have claimed hold of her, a potion of purification had blessed her, courtesy of Jenna. The potion washed away the centuries of corruption and malice that Father had cursed the vampire girl with, and she was miraculously reborn anew, as immaculate as any magical girl. Yet, she did not wake from her deathly sleep, as the gradual corruption around her prevented her from recovering. But it would take untold eons before the purified girl would begin to wither.
And so, trapped in Veronica’s darkness that is the Cradle, she was Snow White incarnate, cursed with eternal slumber. But unlike the fabled princess, who found her happily ever after, Justine would receive a true love’s kiss…

Nevermore.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

New post incoming either later today or tomorrow.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

BGM

Alex rushed to Lily’s side, who had managed to rise up to her knees, still holding on to her shot arm.
”I-I’m okay,” she claimed, despite her appearance clearly stating the opposite. ”But, did Mariette-” She tried to see where the eyepatched girl was, but her headache intensified, causing her to wince.
”Dan made a portal. We gotta...leave...” She wrapped an arm around Alex’ shoulder, and took support from him as she did her best to run, stumbling along the way.

---

When Veronica peered into Sonia's mind, she discovered a long and tragic backstory far too long to spend a moment of exposition. But as she skimmed through it, she learned that unlike all of Justine's other servants, Sonia was never brainwashed or magically controlled, her loyalty to her unbreakable and resolute.

Justine charged, aiming for Jenna’s heart, when Eliza stepped in the way, ready to intercept just in time. However, it did not dissuade the vampiric monster girl, who had predicted her move.
”Eliza! You shall die together with her!”
Justine caught Jenna’s spear with the jagged edges of her own, cautious of her ability to use her Bane against her as she showed her uncanny dexterity and power. She simultaneously reacted to Freya’s attack, and matched it with two red arms that caught her claws, wrestling at near-even strength. That was when Samantha called out. Justine had no love for her servants, as she truly did not for any but her sister. Even Sonia, her most valued and trusted companion, was but a maid. But despite that, something deep inside her compelled her to turn her eyes to Sonia, even if for a fleeting moment.

She felt the sting of the thornwitch in her chest as Eliza took the opportunity to stab. She plunged the cursed weapon she hid with her twirl, and unleashed it’s terrible magic. Roots shot through her accursed veins, causing Justine to cough up blood, her eyes wide and pupils dilated. She gargled her speech from blood in her throat:
”No way...You...You….”

But then, she gave a creepy smile, and opened them again, now crying tears of blood.
”You...FOOL!”
Eliza was caught; both of her arms and her torso squeezed by three red clawed arms, immobilized as Justine shook, while a fourth arm punched it’s claws at Freya; the monster girl was resistant enough to avoid being impaled, but she was sent flying back, her scales dropping from her front. The fifth one grabbed Jenna’s spear, causing her to wince in pain as the last remnants of Jenna’s love enchantment burned her.
The blood that dripped from the corner of her lip sizzled, and Eliza realized how Justine was still alive; she had turned her blood acidic, and destroyed the roots before they ruptured her body to death. Still, they caused enough damage for black veins to form on her face and limbs, visibly disfiguring her as she struggled to stand on her feet. She gave a horrific smile as she crushed Eliza’s arm to the point of breaking her bones, causing her to drop the Thornwitch Blade; the broken weapon emitted a dull clang as it hit the black ground.
”I feel my blood running dry...You shall quench it!”
She opened her mouth, about to bite into Eliza’s neck…!

Justine’s eyes darted to her side, and her final red arm lashed out to grab Sakura, surrounded by an aura of yellow energy. ”DAMN BRAT!”
She snarled as she attempted crushing the small magical girl, while Viridian attempted pulling her off. However, both were too late, as Sakura’s Killing Blow, powered up to a great storm of crackling lightning, beared down the vengeful fist of Narukami on her.

”NNNOOOOOOOO!!!”

In that moment, the combatants were blinded by a great flash of light, their ears nearly deafened by the crack of thunder.

In the aftermath, everyone was scattered around the smoking crater that had formed; Sakura was the farthest, having received nearly as much damage as she intended to inflict, her skin burnt and her hair standing upright and with small fires on the tip of it. When she came to, she had turned back to human form, having spent her magic. Eliza, Jenna, and Viridian were nearby, also struck by the blast due to proximity, but with lesser injuries thanks to being dragged away by Freya at the last moment.

Justine was sprawled at the center of the crater; her body had been heavily burnt black and smoking, with strokes of boiling blood that left her to form a pool. Her eyes were blank and glazed; she had been defeated.

---

Leena was not amused by Su’s wordplay, and proceeded to attempt to whack the clingy girl with another one. However, she winced as Josefin used her mana-draining spell on her, causing her to grunt and release her grip on the young-looking magical girl mid-swing. “Dammit!” Josefin was slammed against Su, though not as hard as Leena originally intended; it caused damage in the form of heavy bruising on Josefin and a concussion on Su. Josefin began to free-fall, but was grabbed by a string of spiderweb launched by Ronja alongside Suzette and Esther. She swung her allies towards the portal, and then hopped off the rooftop, letting herself be carried by the velocity of her friends right through the misty archway.

Su on the other hand still managed to hold on through sheer willpower. Leena coughed, her body spasming as her limbs began to be deprived of oxygen. She looked up, and saw the enormous hydra, it’s numerous serpentine heads spread like Behemoth from the End Times.
She heard Alicia’s order, and coughed again as she let go of the sword stuck to the wall, the strength in her limbs having failed her. “Rhh, Beacon damn it all to hell!” She groaned, as she fell down. Despite her stubbornness, she had to admit defeat in this situation, right as Su lost her grip, and fell.

---

“Huh?” Aurelio heard Elora suppress a groan of frustration as she heard the explanation for the Beacon team’s complications. “She can be stubborn, but she’s never endangered the mission like this! Snap her out of it, by force if you must!” Fortunately, Aurelio did not have to resort to any ungentlemanly maneuvers. With a sigh, Leena released her Nullification Field, allowing magical forces to permeate once more through the devastated battlefield. The moment she did, she was barraged by Elora’s voice in her intercoms.
“Abort the mission and prepare to extract!”
It was too late for the dimension to stabilize; the Black Mirror having been removed from the realm, sealing its fate. Second by second a quake began to manifest as the world began to collapse unto itself in a spiral pattern, like a planet that is slowly, but inevitably, approaching the event horizon of a black hole.

---

Helga had barely managed to recover from her fall when she noticed Su falling down. With her magic having been returned, FanFan launched herself up at a diagonal trajectory using her sound cannons, catching Su at the apex of the jump. “Gotcha!” With another burst of sound cannons, she made another jump, this time slowing her descent to a roll with Su over her shoulder. “Phew, landed it! Now hold on!” She then ran like Usain Bolt, dashing through the portal.

---

FanFan was close to running Esther’s mana out with the sawblade when Esther suddenly released her hold on the building; as FanFan had grabbed entirely onto Esther, relying on the tree-monster to prioritize keeping herself rooted, she also began to fall alongside her. “W-What? What kind of tree uproots itself like that? Cheeky barkskin!~”

She looked past Esther to see who gave her the command, and her eyes widened upon seeing Suzette rear up for a punch. She grit her teeth as she braced for impact, only to be heroically saved by a Rider Kick from Alicia; it hit Suzette right in the cheek, causing some of her teeth to fly off as she tasted blood and also flew from the impact. “Paladin Seraph!” FanFan yelled with a wide smile, and grabbed Alicia with her human arms while using a metal arm to hang on to a windowsill, and the other to catch Leena from above. “She...Escaped...” Leena groaned. FanFan nodded, and turned to Alicia.
“Thank you for your rescue. The target has left, which means we must abort the mission,” she said as the group descended down to ground level, and witnessed the aftermath of the battle. FanFan sighed. “It seems there was quite a brawl here. But still, Justine was not as formidable as she had advertised herself as, to lose like this. Ready for extraction,” she notified Elora.

---

The rumbling and shaking of the dimension intensified, and the combatants of the great magical battle began to flee by any means necessary. Mayra was the first one through Dan’s portal with Mariette in her arms, followed by Taihei tripped on a loose fragment of the crumbling mansion as she ran. In the process, she accidentally tackled Mia as she and Connie also rapidly approached portal, causing the two of them to roll through the portal in a most undignified exit, with a terrified Connie and skipping MDP not far behind. Alex saw the portal Lily pointed to, and using one of his prehensile tails swung himself and Lily down and through the swirling vortex.
Once the coast was clear, Tullia, Olivia, Victoria carrying the Black Mirror, and a generic NPC-looking girl rushed from the crumbling mansion; the building collapsing behind them, causing them to propel themselves faster from the shockwave as they dashed through the portal.

Aurelio’s clones got to work; they swiftly dashed to the rescue of anyone who still remained in the dimension and couldn’t reach a portal or otherwise exit in time, taking hold of numerous innocent maidens’ hands (to the shock of a few) and teleporting them out of the dimension. Curiously, Justine was left out of this list; she would be the only one left behind and consumed by the cosmic collapse.

---

Aurelio brought his fellow Beacon comrades to the Beacon headquarters, with the exception of Alicia, who arrived later. At the teleportation chamber, a team of magical girl medics were on standby, and immediately began applying first aid magic to the wounded agents. Rachel was waiting for them there. “Get these girls and boy to the infirmary ASAP,” she ordered the medics.
“Once they are in speaking condition, let me know. I am interested to hear the results of this mission.”

The unlucky few were brought to the cold night of Penrose Park, illuminated by a single lamp in a sea of darkness. However, as ominous as it was, none could deny the breath of fresh air and sense of safety that came with escaping from Mariette’s gothic realm.

---

BGM

All of the girls who passed through Dan’s portal found themselves in a pleasantly warm, air-conditioned hotel lobby. It looked to be at least five stars based on the interior decorating and sense of style, with a vivid and colorful palette. There were wide and soft couches and lounging chairs placed throughout the lobby, as well as a table with a pile of various items on it. Curiously, these items were first-aid kits, bandage rolls, blood transfusion bags and even bags of ice, as well as IV drips around the table; it seemed Dan had prepared for the worst by placing such items in advance. Anyone who would approach the table would immediately receive first aid from the items as they spontaneously came to life with magical sparkles and began treating wounds and injuries, as if handled by invisible nurses and doctors with potent healing power.

There were large windows that reached up to the ceiling, showing the sunny, sandy world outside, with a bright blue ocean that stretched far to the horizon; this was the first sign to Connie, Mia, and Magical Dream Princess that they were no longer in the cold winter of Penrose. The second was when they noticed something had happened to everyone’s appearances; they would discover that their magical uniforms had transformed into swimsuits, as have the uniforms of everyone who arrived.

Lily slowly opened her eyes, and managed to smile as she found herself on the bright and cheerful island. She noticed how her swimsuit had changed from last time; whether it was by Dan’s whimsical will, Lily’s own choice, or some magical law of the strange world, it was a complete mystery.

Lily

”Thanks for letting us escape here Dan,” She spoke with a tired voice, holding a bag of ice on her head that Dan gave to her. The Lesser Force was quick to accommodate everyone with seats and provide them with care and attention; he was wearing a protective facemask and surgeon’s reflective mirror on his brow.
”We probably would have been goners without you.”
The dolphin squeaked excitedly in response:
“Don’t mention it, Lily. Besides, it’s my pleasure to have so many of you again as guests. Oh, we also have new arrivals!”
He floated over to Connie and Mia, and shook hands with them using his tiny fins. “Hi there! I'm Dan The Dolphin! Welcome to Isla Paradiso! Please enjoy your stay, and let me know if you need anything!”

“I know I need to treat Su. Do you have anything for head wounds?”
Helga was also there, and immediately brought Su to a sofa to lie down sideways on it, before she went to retrieve some first aid supplies for her. Before she knew it, Su’s head was wrapped with a bandage that possessed restorative qualities, gradually mending her fractured skull and closing her wounds.

Helga

Everyone felt how they could still cast magic as normal, but for some reason any magical spells intended to hurt or harm would end up as harmless magician’s tricks or showers of stardust, and summoned weapons would turn into pool noodles and beach balls among other instruments of fun. Second-time visitors to Dan’s dimension would note that they were not obstructed from leaving the realm by magical means or contacting beyond it. The lone exception to this rule was Mariette, who was unable to open portals or send messages; it seemed Dan was not willing to let her of all magical girls leave just yet. Then, Mariette and her fellow Asengav’s chosen soon realized: they no longer possessed the Black Mirror.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

New post probably coming out Wednesday or Thursday, just letting everyone know.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Post is now up for real.