Even More Tales From The Timeskip
(The next post will be about things that actually matter, guys, I swear!)
A nervous tension pervaded Covington Industries’ primary R&D facility, deep in the heart of Covington Tower. Violet Covington, heiress of the Covington family and acting CEO of Covington Industries, was making her weekly inspection. A young woman of frosty demeanor and piercing gaze, she was the living embodiment of the “aloof dark-haired girl” stereotype. However, Violet was more than just some aristocratic snob, lording it over the pitiful researchers working on projects far beyond her juvenile comprehension. She was a gifted scientist in her own right, one who had played an influential part in the development of some of CI’s most advanced creations, and
this was what truly made the assembled R&D staff shudder at the young heiress’s approach. It was no secret that Violet held herself to an exceedingly high standard, and that she expected others to strive for that same lofty pinnacle, a pinnacle few ever seemed able to reach…
Perhaps farthest from attaining that goal was
Dr. Priscilla Morris, a mousy, bespectacled young woman who worked on drone AI development. She was everything Violet was not: a clumsy, nervous, socially awkward daydreamer, who frequently got distracted and liked to fill the margins of her various notebooks with whimsical doodles. Thus, it was perhaps unsurprising that, when Violet entered the lab, her purposeful strides delivered her straight to Priscilla’s workstation.
“Dr. Morris, may I have a moment of your time?” the heiress inquired.
“O-Oh, gosh!” Priscilla stammered, jolting her head up from the work she’d previously been engrossed in. “M-Miss Covington! I-I’m so sorry! I-I didn’t notice you enter! Oh!” she gasped as she quickly set to work cleaning up her note-filled workstation. “A-And, I’m sorry for still using paper, a-and for making doodles… I-I know you said that it was primitive and childish, b-but I find it it helps me think better, and⏤”
“Dr. Morris,” Violet snapped, cutting off Priscilla’s nervous rambling.
“I did not come here to speak about mere trifles. I’ve been told that your productivity has noticeably declined of late, and that you seem utterly exhausted, something your present appearance clearly attests.” Indeed, the young woman’s face appeared haggard and worn, while dark bags hung under her bloodshot eyes.
“Have you been getting enough sleep?”“U-Um, well, I
have been having some slight sleeping problems,” Priscilla conceded. “B-But it’s really nothing to worry yourself about, Miss Covington!” she hastened to add.
“I believe I shall be the judge of that,” Violet replied sternly.
“Especially when it has a detrimental effect on your work. So tell me, what kind of sleeping problems are you having?”Priscilla remained silent for a moment, as if she were embarrassed to answer the heiress’s question. “T-They’re… They’re nightmares,” she eventually admitted. “I’ve been having an unusually vivid reoccurring nightmare, and it’s so stressful that when I wake up, I can’t seem to get back to sleep.” She looked down at her notes, unable to meet Violet’s eyes. “I-I know. It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?” she added despondently. “I’m a grown woman. I-I shouldn’t be letting things like this get to me. That’s what I keep telling myself, but…”
Her voice trailed off as she felt Violet’s hand on her shoulder.
“No, it’s not ridiculous at all,” the heiress told her.
“I have enough familiarity with them myself to know that nightmares should be taken seriously.”“
Y-You have nightmares?” Priscilla asked, sounding more than a little incredulous.
“Everyone has nightmares,” Violet clarified.
“What’s important is determining why you’re having them, and then solving whatever that issue may be.”Priscilla seemed to pale at that suggestion. “Y-You mean, I should see a therapist?” she asked.
“Perhaps,” Violet mused thoughtfully.
“But for now, let’s just see if the nightmares continue to persist, and then take things from there. In the meantime,” she added, while glancing at a wall clock.
“I think you should head home now and try to get some rest.”“W-What?” Priscilla gasped. “B-But my work…”
“Can be completed tomorrow,” Violet finished, in a tone that said she would not permit further discussion.
“I am well aware of how time-sensitive your current project is, but I would prefer it to be completed without error, and in your current state, I fear that is far from guaranteed.”“A-All right,” Priscilla conceded. “A-And, um, t-thank you very much, Miss Covington,” she added with a timid smile.
“There is no need to thank me,” the heiress replied with a dismissive wave of her hand as she turned to continue her inspection.
“Your health directly influences productivity, thus it is only natural that I would seek its improvement.”It’s actually rather admirable that she has such dedication to her work, Violet reflected as she walked away.
Don’t worry, Priscilla. With any luck, your nightmares shall end tonight.Indeed, Violet Covington knew well just how dangerous nightmares could be, and although medical treatment and therapy could perhaps provide a solution to them, there was something, or rather, some
one far more suited to the task…
As orphans themselves, most would consider Connie and Mia to be the perfect people to help a fellow orphan in need, and that was exactly what had brought the pair back to the orphanage that had been their home until only a few short hours ago. Indeed, it filled them with feelings both strange and nostalgic to be returning so soon, but there was someone here who required their help, and neither of the two kindhearted young women would allow anything to prevent them from providing it…
…
…
…
Their first inkling that something wasn’t quite right had come as they were packing their belongings in preparation for the move to their new home. Kayli Devon, an experienced magical woman, had recently adopted the pair, and they would now be living in her suburban home, along with her two “daughters”, Rose and Iris. Connie and Mia were already good friends with the twins, and thought quite highly of Kayli herself as well, and so they were very much looking forward to this new stage of their lives. They had just finished the last few boxes, when they heard a commotion coming from the hallway.
Opening the door, they were greeted with the deeply upsetting sight of a small girl wearing dark sunglasses and holding a cane being tormented by a group of the orphanage’s worst bullies. In addition to the verbal abuse, several were shooting spitballs at her, while a particularly cruel brute named Kevin stuck his leg out in front of her path, causing the poor girl to land flat on her face. Groaning in pain, she slowly lifted her head, at which point her sunglasses were snatched away by a blonde girl named Rita. “What’s
this?” the stuck up girl inquired contemptuously. “Do you seriously think these will make you look cool?” she sneered.
“She looks cooler than you, ya fuckin’ bitch!” Mia snarled as she charged forward and yanked the stollen glasses from Rita’s hand. The snooty blonde gasped as the tomboy proceeded to slam her against the wall.
“So ya like pickin’ on blind girls, huh?” Mia growled.
“How about tryin’ that shit on someone who can actually fight back?!”Meanwhile, a horrified Connie had rushed to the fallen girl’s side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“O-Oh my gosh, a-are you all right?” she asked.
“Y-Yeah…” the girl replied as she was helped to her feet. “T-This kind of thing happens to me a lot…”
“The only reason that pathetic little cripple is even here is because she cried so much to Miss Turnbuckle that the old hag decided to throw her in your old room,” Rita spat. “Honestly, it’s where she
belongs, way up here in the ass end of nowhere, just like you and Cowardly Connie, over th⏤”
Rita’s stream of insults abruptly cut off as Mia pressed her forearm against the girl’s throat.
“If you had even half a brain, you’d know that insulting Connie when I’m around to hear it is a REALLY BAD IDEA…” she hissed, while Rita desperately gasped for breath. Just as the blonde’s face was starting to turn blue, Mia released her hold and flung the bully down the hall. Giving the others a look that could kill, she added,
“The rest of you shitbags better beat it, or my fist is goin’ through every last one of your faces!”In a frantic scramble, the bullies fled down the hallway before disappearing down the stairs.
“Here,” Mia said in a far softer tone as she gently placed the recovered glasses in the blind girl’s hand.
“I’m really sorry you had to deal with that.”“I-It’s okay,” she replied. “I mean, it’s nothing new… B-But thank you for sticking up for me,” she added with a smile as tears began to stream down her cheeks. “I… I’ve never had anyone defend me before…”
“T-That’s so awful!” Connie gasped, her own eyes beginning to water.
“I’m Mia,” the tomboy introduced herself.
“And this is my best friend, Connie. She’s been bullied by those losers, too.”“I-I’m Clara,” the blind girl replied. “I-It’s very nice to meet you both.”
“S-So, umm, h-how long have you b-been s-staying at the orphanage?” Connie asked.
“Oh, only a few months,” Clara explained. “My parents were abusive,” she continued, her hand instinctively resting on her bruised arm. “Eventually, someone saw them punching me in public and called child services. I… I thought things might be better here, but…” her voice trailed off into a sullen sigh as she lowered her head.
Connie, who by this point was positively bawling, leaned over and wrapped Clara’s small form up in a big hug.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Mia said, while placing a reassuring hand on Clara’s shoulder.
“You’ve got friends now. We’ll make sure those pieces of crap never bother you again.”“B-But how?” Clara asked, tilting her head in confusion. “A-Aren’t you leaving?”
“J-Just b-because we d-don’t live here anymore d-doesn’t mean we c-can’t still be friends,” Connie told her as she continued to fight back tears.
“Damn straight,” Mia concurred.
“So don’t worry, okay? Everything’ll be just fine.”…
…
…
Although the ride to their new home was certainly exciting, the two friends couldn’t help but reflect on Clara’s plight. She had been at the orphanage, suffering the same torments Connie herself once had, and neither of them had realized it. They had been so concerned with helping their various new friends in the magical community, that they had been blinded to the pain endured by someone living under the same roof. It didn’t help matters that the pair had done all they could to distance themselves from the rest of the orphanage. Ostensibly, this was to protect Connie from the excessive bullying she’d been experiencing, but while it did serve that purpose, it also meant that they would be blissfully unaware if others were suffering the same fate. Now that they had seen first hand that such truly was the case, they had both vowed to do something about it. So it was that Connie and Mia found themselves outside the orphanage this rainy night, although if anyone within were to glimpse them now, they would find the two friends completely unrecognizable…
In place of the tough tomboy was a verdant beauty, who closely resembled a forest nymph, Mia having assumed the mantle of Gaia, Daughter of Mother Earth. Meanwhile, in place of the timid Connie was the imposing form of the Empress of Nightmares, a masked woman with long, stringy hair, who looked like she had walked straight out of a horror movie. Having created a makeshift umbrella out of large-leafed plant, Gaia led her friend to the tree just outside the window of their old room. After placing an emerald hand upon the trunk, the tree lowered a thick branch, and, once the pair were resting securely on it, brought it back up to the window. Because they had made use of this method multiple times in the past, Gaia had ensured that there was a hidden way of opening the window from the outside. Employing it now, the two friends slipped into their old room and closed the window behind them.
No sooner had they done so, then they noticed the sound of plaintive sobbing coming from the bed. Curled up beneath the blankets, Clara’s small form shuddered in fright, occasionally convulsing, as if struck by a painful blow. Gasping in shock at the sight, Connie pressed a hand over her aching heart and moved swiftly to her new friend’s side. Gently placing her hand upon the sleeping girl’s head, she closed the eyes of her mask and concentrated. The amethyst gem embedded in her mask’s forehead gleamed brightly for a moment, before dimming to its usual soft glow. As it did so, Clara’s sobs and shudders ceased, her nightmare having been taken from her. As the girl’s breathing settled into a more relaxed and peaceful rhythm, Connie removed her hand and sighed in relief.
“T-Thank goodness… I-I w-wasn’t sure if t-that would a-actually work…”“Well done, little sister,” Gaia whispered.
“You’ve really come a long way in gaining control over your magic.”“T-Thanks, Mia,” Connie replied, her mask forming a smile that some might have found a little creepy, at least if they didn’t know the kind heart behind it.
“Now,” Gaia added, her normally serene visage taking on a far more ominous countenance.
“Let’s share Clara’s nightmare with the ones responsible for giving it to her…”…
…
…
Into the room of each bully silently slid a series of thin vines, each tipped by a large bulb. rising up over the beds of each of Clara’s tormentors, the bulbs opened to spray thick clouds of spores into each bully’s face. Containing a powerful sedative, the spores would ensure that none of the bullies would wake as larger vines slithered in and pulled them from their beds. Once every last bully had been brought to the basement, the real work would begin…
As the brightly shining gem on her forehead filled the chamber with a purplish glow, Connie summoned Clara’s nightmare into her hands, a crackling sphere of malignant energy. Pouring her own magic into it, she greatly strengthened the sphere’s power, causing writhing tendrils to shoot forth. With a silent command, they darted out to impale the foreheads of each slumbering tormentor, at which point they proceeded to flood their victims’ subconscious minds with nightmare energy.
Clara’s nightmare energy…
It wasn’t long before the peaceful forms began writhing in anguish, the once silent chamber now filled with screams and sobs. A part of Connie hated to see this, but another part of her knew that this was merely the result of their own horrible treatment of an innocent girl, and it was only right that they got to experience the misery they had wrought for themselves. Of course, it wasn’t
just Clara’s anguish they were experiencing. At Gaia’s suggestion, Connie had reluctantly added some extra, and particularly traumatic, elements to the end of each nightmare, a ‘false awakening’, which would occur after Clara’s nightmare had run its course. ‘Awakening’ to find themselves in the basement of the orphanage, the very same place in which they had once imprisoned a terrified Connie, the bullies would soon notice their skin start to ripple and bulge, as if something was
growing beneath it. A moment later, hundreds of thorny plants would burst from their flesh and pour out of every orifice. Their shuddering bodies would twist and warp, limbs shooting off and eyes popping out from the sheer force of the fiendish foliage exploding outwards. The pain was immeasurable, the horror, unimaginable, yet still they continued to live, still continued to
feel the indescribable torture being inflicted upon them.
Some might consider this an excessively brutal punishment for “mere” bullying, Connie herself certainly had, but Gaia was not one of them. She knew just how brutal bullying could be, was well aware that many victims even went so far as to take their own lives, just to escape their tormentors, and she wanted
these bullies to feel every ounce of that same soul-crushing despair for themselves. As far as the Daughter of Mother Earth was concerned, they deserved everything they were getting, and the fact that their current torment provided the perfect segue into the next, and final, stage of her and Connie's plan was only an added bonus.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of utter agony, the dreamers awoke. Their hellish experience had been so intense that many had wet themselves, and all were hyperventilating, their hands clutching their chests. At first, there were sighs and sobs of relief that their ordeal was finally over, and that it had, in fact, merely been a nightmare. Then they noticed where they were, and the sinister clutches of terror began to close around them once more…
It was at this point that Gaia chose to announce her presence.
“That was rather unpleasant, wasn’t it?” the Daughter of Mother Earth inquired, her voice like ice.
“Now you know what your victims feel like. What poor Clara feels like. That was her nightmare, by the way,” she added as she glided closer, her normally serene visage now filled with utter contempt.
“The one you gave her. I thought it was only fair to share it with you.”“W-Who are you?!” Rita sobbed hysterically.
“I-Is t-this s-still a n-nightmare?!” one of the boys whimpered.
“No, this is very real,” Gaia assured them.
“And as for who I am, let’s just say I’m someone who really hates bullying. Now then,” she added.
“I want you to promise me that you will never bully anyone, ever again. Especially Clara. Otherwise, we can do all this again tomorrow night. And the night after that,” she continued, moving ever closer.
“And the one after that, and the one after that.” By this point, she was standing directly over her trembling “audience”, and she took special care to look into the terrified eyes of each one. When she got to Rita, her gaze lingered, before she knelt down in front of the whimpering blonde and held out a closed fist.
“And if that doesn’t work,” she added with a malicious smirk as she turned her hand palm up and opened her fingers.
“We can do this for real…” At that, a tiny whirlwind of emerald energy swirled around her open palm, before coalescing into a group of spiny seeds.
“Say ‘aaah~’”The pitiful collection of formerly fearsome tormentors screamed in horror as they frantically backed away from the verdant young woman, a look of unbridled terror in their eyes. W-We promise! We promise!” they pleaded desperately. “We swear we’ll be good! We swear it! We’ll apologize to her, first thing tomorrow! Y-Yeah!” Rita added, nodding vigorously. “A-And I-I’ll be her best friend from now on! I’ll take her shopping and even get her one of those seeing eye dogs!”
“I’m sure she’d like that very much,” Gaia replied, her demeanor returning to its usual tranquil state as she dissolved the seeds in a burst of green mist.
“Well, it looks like you’ve learned your lesson, so I think we should probably get you back to your rooms now, hmm~?”Not wasting a moment, she had the vines that had been slowly creeping up once again dowse the group with sedative spores, after which they wrapped up each teen and carried them to their respective rooms.
“See, that wasn’t too bad, was it?” Gaia asked as she and Connie made their way back to Clara’s room.
“Thanks to your help, I was able to edit the nightmare myself, so you didn’t have to see anything scary, Clara won’t be bullied anymore, and she might even make a few new friends.”“I-I g-guess so…” Connie reluctantly conceded, her mask forming a slight frown.
“B-But w-what you d-did to t-those bullies was k-kinda mean…”“It’s like I told you before, we just gave them a taste of their own medicine. Now they know what being bullied feels like, so hopefully their bullying days are done.”
For their sake…“W-Well, w-when you p-put it t-that way, it d-does k-kinda make s-sense… A-And I’m sure Clara will love h-having some n-new friends!”Opening the door, they were greeted by the sight of the girl in question slumbering peacefully. As Gaia glided over to the window, Connie went to sit down on the edge of the bed.
“S-Sweet dreams, Clara,” she whispered, while gently stroking the girl’s hair.
“I h-hope you have a r-really great day tomorrow.”“She will, little sister,” Gaia insisted, giving her friend a warm smile.
“Thanks to you. Never forget that.”“I-I won’t,” Connie replied, returning Gaia’s smile with one of her own.
M-Maybe Mia’s right… she reflected as she turned to leave.
Maybe these horrible powers really can help people. Still, I’d love to be able to give people sweet dreams, rather than just take away their nightmares, she sighed wistfully.
That must truly be wonderful…
She could never get tired of this. Magical Dream Princess was more adamant about that fact than anything else in her life, especially when said life was filled to bursting with images to uphold and responsibilities to carry out. Yes, in light of this avalanche of stress, who wouldn’t want to return to a simpler, more idyllic state, free from worry or care? A childish state, which fulfilled the desperate longings hidden deep within herself, yet paradoxically, a state in which she could accomplish so much more on behalf of others than even a wealthy heiress ever could. For with this innocent and cheerful new self came the power to turn sadness to joy, darkness to light, the power to make
dreams into
reality… Even so, there was nothing bright or cheerful about the place in which she now found herself. Indeed, it was little more than a pitch-black pit of sorrow and despair, the only sound echoing through its cold and lifeless depths being the haunting sobs of one who has given up all hope. This place was, quite literally, a
nightmare… “Awww… It’s all icky wicky and gloomy woomy in heresie weresie…” MDP observed with a frown.
“Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies this placey wacey needs some shiny whiny sparkly warklies super duper bad!” With a wave of her wand, the Princess of Dreams created a glittering prismatic streamer of light, which she twirled around herself until it formed a glowing bubble.
“Theresie~! (giggle!)” MDP declared with a happy smile.
“That’s, like, lots better~! (giggle!)”Having been suitably cheered by her little light show, the whimsical girl began gleefully skipping through the dreary landscape, searching for the person she had come here to help.
“Priscilla Willa~? Priscilla Wiiiillaaaa~” MDP called in a playful sing-song.
“Ah~! There you aresie~! (giggle!)” she exclaimed upon finally catching sight of the bespectacled young woman.
She was cured up in a tight ball, trembling hands clutching at her knees, while her sobs continued to fill the shadowy space around her.
“Aww, don’t cry, Priscilla Willa~” MDP told her gently, while kneeling beside her and giving her some affectionate head pats.
“It’s okie dokie, Magical Dream Princess is here nowie~! She’ll helpy welpy make this nasty wasty nightmare go bye bye, and that’s, like, her special wecial pinky winky promise womise~! (giggle!)”“M-Magical Dream Princess…?” Priscilla asked hesitantly, as she slowly raised her head. The young woman’s eyes widened when she saw just who had addressed her. “A-Are you… A-Are you a… M-Magical Girl?”
“Yeperoonie~! (giggle!)” MDP confirmed with playful wink and a peace sign salute.
“A-And you can really get rid of my nightmares?”
“Like, Magical Dream Princess wouldn’t be Magical Dream Princess if she couldn’t~! (giggle!) But, like, she’s gonna need your helpy weply, too, Priscilla Willa~!”“M-My help? B-But, I can’t do anything! I’m just a useless, childish screw up… I know that’s what
she thinks, and she’s right. I’m so pathetic… I can’t help anyone…”
“Like, that’s not true at allsie!” MDP declared, looking quite upset.
“Priscilla Willa is, like, super duper talented walented~! She’s, like, really really smart, and, like, Magical Dream Princess just wuvs the cute little thingie wingies she draws in her notebook wotebooks~! (giggle!)”“Y-You’ve seen my drawings?”
“Uh huh~!” MDP confirmed with several excited nods.
“B-But… Oh, never mind…” the bespectacled young woman sighed in sullen resignation. “You’re just a figment of my imagination. You can’t help me. No one can help me…” she added, her voice little more than a plaintive whisper.
“Magical Dream Princess isn’t a figment wigment!” the whimsical girl shot back, while stomping her foot down.
“And she, like, totally wotally can helpy welpy, but only if you let her! So, come on, Priscilla Willa~!” she added, reaching out her hand.
“Magical Dream Princess can’t do it all by herselfy welfy~!” “But it’s impossible!” Priscilla cried, shaking her head. “She’s just too strong…”
“Aww, don’t be silly, Priscilla Willa~! Like, nothing is impossible wossible when friendy wendies work together wether~! (giggle!)”“F-Friends…?” Priscilla echoed. “N-No one’s ever wanted to be friends with me before…”
“Really?!” MDP exclaimed, her eyes going wide in shock.
“Like, that makes Magical Dream Princess super duper sad, so she’s gonna changey wangey that right nowie~!” Not wasting a moment, MDP pulled Priscilla into a big hug.
“This is Magical Dream Princess’s super duper dreamy weamy friendship wendship huggy wuggy~!” MDP announced.
“Now Priscilla Willa and Magical Dream Princess are friendy wendies for ever and ever~! (giggle!)”“T-Thank you,” the bespectacled young woman whispered as she squeezed her new friend tight, the tears streaming down her cheeks no longer tears of sadness, but of joy.
“You’re, like, totally wotally welcome, Priscilla Willa~! (giggle!)” MDP replied cheerily.
“Okie dokie, so like, before Magical Dream Princess can do anythingy wingy, can Priscilla Willa show her where this meanie weanie person worsen who’s been saying such terrible werrible stuffy wuffy is~?”“Umm, I-I’m not exactly sure… I-I think she’s…” Priscilla’s voice trailed off as jagged bolts of lightning illuminated a massive figure rising up from the surrounding gloom. “O-Oh, crap! S-She’s here!”
As the imposing figure made its grand entrance, the flashes of lightning became even more intense. The harsh strobing cast the jagged landscape around the towering titan in sharp relief, but that was nothing when placed against what it revealed of the mountainous monstrosity itself…
The creature had long, writhing, tendril-like hair, each strand tipped with a small mouth, which spoke an endless stream of mockery and contempt. Its looming visage was one of imperious disdain, its cold gaze literally looking down on all before it. Its gargantuan body was encased in sinister, gothic armor, which still gave clear evidence of a female form. Even as dreamer and dream princess watched, the cruel claws of a gauntleted hand splayed threateningly overhead, a spiked cage about to descend and usher them into a world of pain and torment forever. But perhaps this creature’s most terrifying aspect, at least as far as Magical Dream Princess was concerned, was its familiarity. She
knew who this was. For all it’s horrifying aspects, it’s identity was unmistakable…
“G-Golly wolly…” she whispered, her wide eyes filled with utter incredulity.
“T-That’s… That’s…”
Me…Yes, MDP had to admit, the towering figure bore more than a passing resemblance to her mundane self, at least, if her mundane self had been crossed with an eldritch horror…
“V-Violet Covington!” Priscilla cried in horror. “S-She’s found us! W-What do we do now?!”
“V-Violet Wiolet’s your nightmare wightmare?” MDP asked, her voice filled with astonishment.
“But… why?”“S-She’s always looked down on me,” a trembling Priscilla replied. “Always thought I was worthless. A-And she was right! She’s so much better than I am, at everything! She’s so smart and strong and confident and pretty…”
She’s not very pretty witty right nowie… MDP thought to herself, as she continued to behold her own twisted visage.
Wait…
“You… You thinky winky Violet Wiolet is pretty witty?” MDP asked, a blush coloring her cheeks.
“Of course,” Priscilla replied adamantly. “She has such amazing skin and hair, and her bearing is so confident and regal. Meanwhile
I’m just a plain, mousey… LOOK OUT!” she cried, as the giant clawed hand descended upon them.
With a quick twirl of her magic wand, MDP blinked them away to a rocky overlook, some distance away from Nightmare!Violet, just before the armored giantess slammed her spiky fist into the space they’d just occupied.
“Wowie zowie~!” MDP exclaimed with an excited smile.
“That was super duper closey wosey, huh~?! Okie dokie~!” she declared, striking a cute pose.
“If we’re gonna stoppy woppy that big meanie weanie, then we gotta do it right nowie~! Firsty worsty, you’ve gotta stop listening to all those awful waful thingie wingies she says about you!” the whimsical girl instructed.
“You are a smarty warty, and a total wotal cutie wutie, too~! (giggle!) But, most of allsie, you have a super duper imaginationwation~! Magical Dream Princess knows you wuv magical wagical girls just as much a she does, so she thinkie winkies you could, like, totally wotally be an awesome wasome magical wagical girl, too~!”“M-Me?! B-Be a magical girl?!” Priscilla stammered. “B-But I can’t! I-I mean…”
“Like, you totally wotally can~! (giggle!)” MDP insisted.
“Magical Dream Princess believes in you lots and lots~! This is your dreamy weamy, Priscilla Willa~!” the whimsical girl added.
“You can be anythingy wingy you want to be~!”“I… I
can,” Priscilla whispered. “I
will!” she declared, her voice swelling with newfound confidence.
Magical Dream Princess believes in me, so it’s only right that I start believing… In myself!The next instant, Priscilla’s body was consumed by a sparkling, prismatic whirlwind, one which burst apart in a brilliant explosion a moment later to reveal…
“Painting the world with joy and love, Pretty Painter Princess Priscilla~!”“Wowie zowie~!” MDP squealed with delight.
“You look sooo super duper adorable worable, Priscilla Willa~! You’re like a super duper cute painter wainter person werson~! (giggle!) Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies you can totally wotally stop that big meanie weanie head, nowie~!” Looking considerably more cheerful and youthful, the
new magical girl struck a cute pose, before dramatically pointing her finger at the imposing form of Nightmare!Violet.
“Dreams should be filled happiness and hope!” Priscilla declared.
“Darkness and gloom have no place here!” Sweeping her enchanted paintbrush across the twisted landscape before her, a stream of rainbow-colored paint washed over the nightmare realm, changing it into a bright and whimsical fairyland.
“This dream is my canvas,” she continued.
“And I’m gonna paint the kind of world I want to live in~!”Not wasting another moment, Priscilla painted herself a pair of roller skates, followed by a sky borne rainbow road, which led straight to where Nightmare!Violet loomed over the now bright and cheerful landscape. Before the imposing giantess could swipe away a single happy little cloud or stomp even one happy little tree, Priscilla raced across the prismatic path to engage her in colorful combat. With a swipe of her paintbrush, the magical artist set to work on the writhing tendrils that served as her nightmarish foe’s hair, swiftly changing the dark stands into bright pink ringlets, loops, and swirls. Soon, the stringy mass was a pair of cute twintails, the dark grey crown mounted atop it now one of shining gold. Next, Priscilla turned her attention to the towing titan’s outfit. With only a few well-placed strokes, the spiky armor had become a frilly pink dress, the dark violet gemstone embedded in its chest piece now a glittering jewel of prismatic light.
Meanwhile, Magical Dream Princess wasn’t just standing around during her friend’s explosion of artistic activity. Indeed, she had conjured a pair of glittery pink pompoms and begun what could perhaps best be described as a cheerleader routine mixed with an idol performance.
“Go Priscilla Momilla, Bananafanna Fofilla, Mi My Moh Milla~! Go Prisciiiilla~!” she sang, dancing and jumping around with childish delight.
Encouraged by MDP’s performance, Priscilla continued to paint over Nightmare!Violet’s unhappy visage, until it was a perfect reflection of Magical Dream Princess’s own. Finally finished, she skated back over to her friend so they could both admire her finished creation.
“Yaaaay~! Priscilla Willa did it~! (giggle!) Hip hip horaaaay~!” MDP cheered as she jumped up in the air, arms spread wide.
“Wowie zowie~!” the whimsical girl exclaimed a moment later when she realized just what her mundane self’s nightmarish doppelgänger had been changed into.
“She looks just like Magical Dream Princess nowie~! (giggle!)”“Yep!” Priscilla confirmed with a cheerful smile.
“I wanted to make something in honor of my new friend!” she added, wrapping MDP up in a big hug. For several seconds, the two magical girls remained in their warm embrace, while giving voice to a stream of sweet giggles.
“Thank you so much for believing in me, Magical Dream Princess! I couldn’t have done it without you!”“Aww~ You’re, like, totally wotally welcome, Priscilla Willa~! (giggle!)” MDP replied, her cheeks blushing slightly as she gave her friend a playful wink.
After concluding their hug, the two magical girls proceeded to sit down on the edge of the cliff and talk for what seemed like several hours, idly kicking their legs and giggling in blissful contentment. However, all good things must come to an end, and so it soon came time for Magical Dream Princess to depart.
“A-Are you sure you have to go?” Priscilla asked with a despondent frown.
“I-I mean, I know you’re not real, but… You’ve been such a wonderful friend, and… And it hurts to lose you…”“Aww, don’t be silly willy, Priscilla Willa~!” MDP replied with a big smile.
“Like, Magical Dream Princess is totally wotally realsie~! And, like, even weven if she can’t see you anymoresie, she’s, like, super duper positive wositve that you’ll meet other friendy wendies who wuv the same stuffy wuffy you do~! (giggle!)” “Y-You really think so?”“Totally wotally~! (giggle!)” MDP confirmed with a cute wink and an adorable little peace sign salute.
“Maybe waybe it’s even weven somebodywody you’ve already met beforsie~!”“Maybe,” Priscilla conceded.
“But I don’t think I know anyone like that… A-And what about you? W-When I wake up, will I even remember you, or any of this?”“Don’t worry, Priscilla Willa~!” MDP instructed, her sweet voice filled with confidence.
“You’ll totally wotally remember wember~! Weeeell… Maybe waybe not up heresie,” she conceded, while tapping her head.
“But you totally wotally will in heresie~!” she added, placing a hand over her heart.
“And that’s what matter watters most~! (giggle!)”“Yeah, I guess it is…” Priscilla replied wth a smile, before giving her friend a final embrace.
“Okie dokie, it’s timey wimey for Priscilla Willa to wake up nowie~” MDP announced in a soft and gentle voice as the whimsical dream world dissolved.
“And Magical Dream Princess just knows it’s gonna be a super duper day~”
What an awful fucking day… Angela grumbled to herself as she trudged along the crowded streets of a massive, interdimensional metropolis. With each step she took, the annoyed young woman cursed the ill fortune that had led her here. This was the very
last thing she wanted to be doing, and yet, her pride refused to allow her to turn back. This was simply another challenge, and she would overcome it, just like all the others she had faced. After all, she
was the Best Magical Girl…
…
…
…
In an out-of-the-way corner of the Overcity, there is a quaint little tea shop, A Taste of Heaven. Its quiet and soothing atmosphere have made it a favorite of the few who know of its existence, and its proprietress, one Tea Angel Vanessa, always does her best to ensure that all her customers have the most pleasant dining experience possible. In addition to the main tea room itself, there is also a smaller back room, which often plays host to more private gatherings. In this particular instance, it was hosting the latest meeting of the Inconvenient Magical Abilities Support Group.
“Hello again, everyone!” the group’s organizer,
Healing Fairy Isis, greeted the gathered magical girls.
“I have some exciting news to tell you all! We have a very special guest joining us today! None other than The Angel of Hope!”Angela cringed inwardly. Although she loved being the center of attention, this particular group was nothing to write home about. They were just a bunch of losers who didn’t like, or couldn’t control, their magic. And yet, Chiichuu had insisted that she attend a meeting, and perhaps help some of them with her gifted Reinforcement magic. Angela had rolled her eyes at the idea, but it wasn’t as though she had much of a choice…
Might as well get this over with…There was a flash of light as the curtains draped over the room’s entrance parted to reveal the radiant form of The Angel of Hope.
“Warmest greetings, everyone!” she announced in a soothing and serene voice.
“It is my great honor to join you all this glorious day!”“The honor is ours,” Isis replied with a curtsy as she fluttered in front of the new arrival.
“Never before has our humble gathering been graced with the presence of such a renowned guest!”“You flatter me greatly,” the Angel replied, blushing as she placed an elegant hand over her heart.
“I am merely the humble servant of anyone in need, wherever they may be. Pray tell, how may I be of assistance today?”“I think it might be best if we began with introductions,” Isis suggested.
“Would you all be so kind as to tell our guest a little bit about yourselves and your unique problems?” The gathered girls slowly nodded in agreement.
“Wonderful! Kali, would you like to go first?”“I guess…” a
blue-skinned young woman with multiple arms said in a sullen voice.
“Hi, I’m Kali, or rather, ‘Death Goddess Kali’, if you want to use my magical girl name,” she added with a sigh. It was painfully clear that she hated the title.
“I was just a normal girl, until about a month ago, when I found out I’m the avatar of a goddess, and now my life is a living nightmare… I mean, look at me!” she stood up to her full, towering height and gestured at her monstrous body.
“I’m a freak! How am I supposed to live a normal life looking like this?!” Clenching her fists, the blue-skinned monster girl shuddered with pent up anger.
“Sometimes, I just wanna strangle someone and…” her voice trailed off as she noticed the dark energy forming around her hands. She gave a lengthy sigh, causing the energy to dissipate, before sitting back down and cradling her head in her hands.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“I haven’t eaten yet… I always get a little edgy when I haven’t eaten.”“That’s another one of her problems,” Isis explained.
“Kali can’t eat normal food anymore. She needs to feed upon the life force of living things to survive now. Venessa has been able to create a substitute, but it takes her some time to brew it. She’s been kind enough to allow Kali to live here, so she can get the potion to her as soon as it’s ready, but that means Kali is essentially a prisoner, unable to leave out of fear of losing control of her hunger.”“I’m so afraid I might hurt someone,” Kali added, her voice filled with anguish.
“I hate my magic, and what it’s done to my body. I-I just want to live a normal life…”“Oh, you poor thing!” the Angel of Hope sobbed as she rushed over to embrace the monster girl.
“I cannot even imagine the agony you must be going through! Please know that I shall do everything in my power to free you from this terrible affliction!”What a whiny bitch… And stupid too. Here she is with a kick ass power set, and she doesn’t even know how to use it! If she had half a brain, she’d hunt down monsters to feed on. Just looking at her, I’ll bet she could be one hell of a monster killing machine, if she ever decided to get serious. Too bad she seems like a total wimp… What a waste… Still, for aiding this poor soul I am sure to receive such wondrous bliss! Master Chiichuu has truly blessed his humble servant in that regard, and I am eternally grateful to him!Fuckin’ fuzzball…“T-Thank you,” Kali replied, blushing as she gave the Angel a small smile.
“That really means a lot. It’s so nice to know that there are kind people, like you and Miss Isis, who are willing to help me, despite my monstrous appearance.”“You are most welcome, Miss Kali,” the Angel replied with a warm smile of her own.
“And to those who see with eyes of kindness and love, it matters not what one’s outward appearance might be. It is the heart that gives proof of one’s true nature, and, if I may be permitted to be so bold, I believe that yours is a very gentle and noble one indeed.” Holy fuck… Is it even possible for that to have come out any cornier?Kali herself was left speechless at the Angel’s kind words.
“Our guest is quite correct,” Isis concurred as she fluttered over and placed a comforting hand on the blue-skinned monster girl’s shoulder.
“You did not ask for this to happen to you, and none of it is your fault. Now then, let’s move along to our next member,” she added glancing at a
gloomy-looking girl in a raincoat. Unlike many magical girls, the outfit seemed to have a practical use, as a dark cloud hovered over her, unleashing an unceasing deluge upon the poor girl.
“Uh, hi,” she spoke up in a dull voice.
“I’m ‘Storm Lady Selene’. But I’d prefer it if you just called me Selene. Y’know, like a normal person? My problem, in case it’s not completely obvious, is that I can’t turn off my magic. I’ve had this fucking raincloud over my head ever since I got my powers,” she continued, pointing her middle finger at the cloud in question.
“Wanna guess how much fun dealing with this shit for a whole fucking month has been?”“Selene, language…” Isis chided gently.
“Oh fuck off, Isis!” Selene snapped.
“You’d be pissed, too, if you had to live every single day in the middle of a fucking monsoon! I didn’t sign up for this, and I sure as fuck don’t wanna stay like this.” “My apologies,” Isis said softly.
“I simply didn’t want our guest to feel⏤”“You know what I want?! I want my fucking life back!”“Please believe that I shall do all I can to return it to you!” the Angel cried as she clasped both hands together over her ample chest.
“The sight of your suffering brings such agony to my heart!” Holy shit… How stupid is this girl?! She’s been a magical girl for an entire month, and she hasn’t figured out how to untransform yet?!“If I may be so bold,” the Angel began.
“Perhaps if you were to undo your transformation, the storm cloud might dissipate. If you are unsure how, and it is nothing to be ashamed of if that is the case, I would be only too happy to guide you through the process.”Selene gave a weary sigh.
“I am untransformed. You seriously don’t wanna see what happens when I go full magical girl…”What.“Oh my goodness!” the Angel exclaimed.
“I-I had no idea! Please forgive me!” she pleaded, bowing before Selene and adding her tears to the puddle on the floor.
“I assumed far too much!”“I-It’s okay,” Selene told the weeping woman, while reaching out an awkward hand to comfort her.
“You don’t need to apologize. A-And please don’t cry, it’s really weirding me out…”“A thousand pardons!” the angelic beauty gasped, rising to her full hight and wiping her tears with an elegant hand.
“I did not mean to cause you any further discomfort! I am truly sorry!”“P-Perhaps we should move on now?” Isis suggested.
“This is Magical Maiden Alice,” she added, gesturing to a nervous-looking girl in a
pink, bunny eared hoodie with vibrant green hair.“H-Hello…” the girl replied hesitantly.
“And I’m Gem Maiden Margret!” the exuberant girl next to her announced with a cheerful smile.
“I’m Alice’s best friend and emotional support person!” she added, leaning over and giving the green-haired girl a big hug.
“M-More of a nuisance…” Alice muttered under her breath.
“See, Alice here can’t fully control her magic,” Margret explained.
“Isn’t that just awful?!”“Oh, it is indeed!” the Angel concurred.
“Pray tell, what precisely does this lack of control entail?”“W-Well, um, I think it has to do with my Specialization,” Alice clarified.
“I-It’s a very strange oddball spec called ‘Randomness’. Basically, whenever I try to use my magic, I’ll get a random Specialization, and a random power level. S-So, one moment I might only be able to make a small flame appear over one finger, and the next, I cause a whole city to be buried by a blizzard. I have no idea what will happen, so I try not to use any magic at all, but, needless to say, that makes me a pretty useless magical girl, something my patron never fails to remind me of…” she added sullenly.
Damn… Talk about getting fucked over by your Specialization…“He’s just a big meanie!” Margret shot back.
“Don’t listen to him!” Turning back to the Angel, she added,
“So, um, can you help her, Miss Angel?”“Please fear not!” the Angel bade them.
“I shall do all that I can to assist you with this dreadful burden! This is my most solemn vow!”“Thanks so much!” Margret cheered, while wrapping the Angel in a warm embrace.
“Y-Yeah… thanks…” Alice whispered.
“Please, no thanks are necessary!” the Angel insisted.
“I am only too happy to help!”“And now for our final member,” Isis announced, moving to hover next to a glowing force field bubble, within which sat
a haggard-looking young woman with pale, sickly skin and sunken, sullen eyes. Even more unnerving were the various tumors and boils covering much of her exposed skin, to the point that it was hard to believe she was still alive.
The Angel gasped at the sight, placing her trembling hands over her mouth.
“I-I’m… Plague Empress Akari…” the girl’s tired voice croaked between pained gasps for breath.
“I-It’s… nice to meet you.”“Akari’s situation is similar to Selene’s,” Isis explained,
“in that her powers are far too strong for her to control. She’s constantly surrounded by a plague aura, which sickens everything in close proximity, including Akari herself. Thankfully, Gear Goddess Miyuki here,” she added, gesturing to the
silver-haired gadgeteer in question,
"was kind enough to create this protective containment unit for her. This way, she can interact with people without harming them.”“Oh, you poor, poor darling!” the Angel sobbed.
“Words cannot express my sorrow for your tragic plight!”Fuck… Sucks to be her…
My tender heart aches at such a horrid sight!“I-It’s… okay,” Akari whispered.
“I-I… brought… much of this… upon myself…”“W-Whatever do you mean?”“Y-You… see… I…” Akari began, before descending into a fit of coughing and wheezing.
“It’s okay, Akari,” Miyuki told her gently, while reaching an energy-sheathed hand into the containment field and placing it upon the emaciated girl’s shoulder.
“I’ll take it from here.” After waiting for Akari to give a small nod, the technopath continued.
“You see, Akari’s powers don’t just spread disease, they can actually remove diseases and ailments from others. Thanks to Akari’s kind heart, she spent her first few years as a magical girl curing people of all sorts of medical problems: asthma, aids, cancer, the common cold, you name it. The thing is, she was only able to do that by taking those aliments on herself. She can’t actually die from any of them, but they still affect her, as you can plainly see… B-But, even though she could see it, could feel it happening, she refused to stop. She wanted to help as many people as she could before…” Miyuki closed her eyes in a vain attempt to hold back tears.
“Before it got to a point where she couldn’t hold the illnesses back anymore,” Isis finished, her voice soft and mournful.
“Yes,” Miyuki confirmed, wiping her eyes.
“That’s what causes the plague aura,” she added.
“That’s why she has to suffer like this… I-I've done everything I can for her but...”By this point, everyone was weeping, the Angel of Hope most of all.
“P-Please… d-don’t… cry…” Akari begged.
“I-I… chose this. I-I… d-don’t regret… a single… t-thing…”“Such exquisite selflessness should not be repaid with such agonizing anguish!” the Angel declared.
“I shall help you to find a cure,” she added, her heavenly voice filled with conviction.
“I shall help all of you! No matter how long it may take, no matter how far I must travel, I shall find a way to aid each and every one of you! I know you have all placed your hopes in me, and I vow that I shall not allow those hopes to be in vain! I shall not rest until all of you have been freed from the dark clutches of despair! So swears The Angel of Hope!”Yeah, that wasn’t cringey at all……
…
…
“You did very well, today,” Chiichuu was saying as Angela threw herself down on her bed.
After all the tiring tedium of the past few hours, she was thankful to finally return to her home in the suburbs of Hydrangopolis. And yet, even here, it seemed peace and quiet would ultimately elude her…
“Do you have any idea how annoying that was?!” she snapped at the small creature.
“And how in the hell do you think I’m gonna find ways of fixing all those rejects’ problems?!” she continued.
“I may be the Best Magical Girl, but even my abilities have their limits!”“Incidentally, I was just about to address that issue,” the Puchuu replied calmly. “As it happens, there appear to be several individuals residing in Penrose who may be able to provide the solutions you seek. Furthermore, and in light of this, I believe it may be prudent for you to take up permanent residence there for the foreseeable future.”
“WHAT?!” Angela roared.
“Are you shitting me?! Like hell I’m going back to that shitthole! Besides, it’s on the other side of the fucking continent! How the fuck do you expect me to even begin to explain that to my parents?!” “There is no need for you to,” Chiichuu replied. “I have some good news,” he added. “Your Father has just received a promotion.” At that, he produced a colorful party horn and gave it a blow. “I’m sorry if I ruined the surprise. This move will, of course, necessitate a transfer to Penrose.”
“You fucking…”“Now, now, don’t get testy,” the Puchuu chided. “You need to appear happy for your father once he gets home. After all, attaining a senior management position at Covington Industries’ world headquarters is no small accomplishment. So please, try to calm yourself. And don’t worry, Casey has proven herself to be more than capable of guarding Hydrangopolis on her own, so there’s no cause for concern on your local friends’ account. That is, of course, assuming you
have any friends here,” he added. There was the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. “Oh, I do believe that’s him now,” Chiichuu noted, before winking out of existence.
I swear, one of these days I’m gonna murder that fuckin’ fuzzb⏤“Heeey there, my little pogchamp!” an amiable voice called as the door to her room swung open.
“Dad, no. Just…. no…” Angela groaned as she squeezed her eyes shut.
“What? Isn’t that what all the kids are saying to each other these days?” he asked before giving voice to a light hearted chuckle. “But, hey, guess what? Something really cool happened today!”
“You were promoted?” Angela deadpanned.
“No! I was pro… Wait a tick, how did
you know?!”
“Lucky guess?”“Ha
ha! That’s my girl!” he beamed, putting his arm around a clearly exasperated Angela. “You always
were a smart cookie!” he added with a chuckle as he ruffled her hair. “But it’s not just
any promotion!” he added with an exuberant grin. “I’m being transferred to CI HQ, in Penrose! I’ll be rubbing shoulders with the big boss himself! And I hear his daughter is around
your age!” he continued. “Wouldn’t it be just swell if you two became friends?!”
Fuck that noise… Angela seethed.
I’d never be caught dead hanging out with such a stuck up bitch! Must be nice though, being the daughter of some rich tycoon… she mused.
I bet she spends all day doing whatever she wants, without having to worry about a single pointless obligation, especially not an idiotic quest on behalf of some pitiful group of born losers… Yeah… she smiled as her father continued to babble.
That must be the life…
Violet gave voice to a tired sigh as another long day of work drew to a close. Sitting here, in the peaceful silence of her private study, she could begin winding down from the dizzying rollercoaster of meetings, progress reports, event attendance, and media interviews. The very worst of these being her weekly sparring matches with CI’s quarrelsome board of directors. It was painfully clear to see that they all resented having to interact with a mere teenager, and Violet was well aware that they only managed to put forth the bare minimum amount of respect because her father’s influence still loomed large over their small-minded heads. Despite his illness, the elder Covington’s imposing presence was undiminished. Indeed, even if he was forced to interact with the wider world via hologram or display screen, the patrician visage of Thane Covington still appeared hearty and hale, ready and able to take on all who dared to threaten his control over the company his grandfather had built. And as his hand-picked representative, Violet acted with all the considerable authority her father possessed, making any direct move against her a metaphorical death sentence. But that still didn’t mean they respected her, and it still didn’t make
dealing with them any easier…
But now… Now that the stressful cacophony of the day’s various tasks and obligations had finally quieted, Violet could rest for a few hours, before beginning her far less stressful “after-work activities”. Normally, those hours would elapse in solitude, but that would not be the case today. Today, the young heiress had one more, highly important obligation to attend to, one she had only just recently realized she had been neglecting for far too long. But no longer. Today, she would make things
right…“Miss Covington?” The voice of her secretary called over the intercom.
“Your guest has just arrived.”“Thank you, Melisa,” the heiress replied.
“Please send her in.”A moment later, the door to the study slowly opened and the bespectacled, and clearly nervous face of Dr. Priscilla Morris appeared around it.
“Umm, y-you wanted to see me, Miss Covington?” the researcher asked.
“Yes,” Violet confirmed with a warm smile.
“Please, come in and have a seat,” she added, gesturing to a comfy-looking chair in front of her desk.
“O-Okay…” Priscilla replied, hesitantly entering the room and making her way over to the desk. Upon sitting down in the offered chair she gasped as she sank into the soft fabric. “Wow, this is really comfortable!” she marveled.
“That is the idea,” Violet confirmed with a slight grin.
“It’s designed to make a guest feel right at home, to ease any tension or trepidation they may be feeling. How is it working?”“Wonderfully! I-In fact, I think that if I close my eyes, I could probably fall asleep in seconds!”
“It’s a new creation of our furniture department,” Violet explained.
“If all goes according to plan, they’ll be available for purchase by the end of the month.”“Really?” Priscilla asked, her eyes going wide. “Gosh, I’d love to have one of these… But it’s probably more than I could afford…” she added glumly.
“Perhaps someone will get one for you as a birthday present?” Violet suggested.
“But… No one ever gets me birthday presents…” Priscilla whispered with a despondent sigh.
“Then just imagine what a surprise it will be if you do get something.”“S-Speaking of surprises, I didn’t know your secretary was an AI! She’s really extraordinary!”
“Thank you. I built her myself.”“Really?!” Priscilla exclaimed. “That’s amazing! You’re just so talented, Miss Covington,” the bespectacled young woman continued. “Sometimes I wonder why you even keep people like me around…”
Violet frowned upon hearing the researcher’s disparaging remark, but chose not to address it.
“Priscilla,” she began, before stopping as a thought occurred to her.
“Is it all right if I call you Priscilla?”“O-Of course, Miss Covington!” the researcher replied with a vigorous nod. “Y-You can call me whatever you like!”
“Thank you. So, were you able to get some sleep last night, Priscilla? I must say, you look significantly more well-rested.”“Yes, I actually did,” the bespectacled young woman confirmed. “I started having that nightmare again, but then a… well, a magical girl appeared and helped me banish it forever. I-I know it sounds very childish,” she added after a moment. “I’m sorry. Y-You probably didn’t want to hear all that…”
“Not at all,” Violet replied.
“And I am the one who should apologize. I’ve been treating you in a most unacceptable manner, and for that I am so very sorry.”“W-What…?” Priscilla whispered, not entirely sure if she wasn’t just imagining things.
“In fact, that’s the main reason I asked to have this little meeting,” Violet continued.
“I thought perhaps we might start our relationship over afresh. You’re quite fond of magical girls, aren’t you?” she asked with a smile.
“Y-Yes…” the young researcher replied with a slight blush.
“As it happens, I am rather fond of them as well,” Violet revealed.
“Y-You?!” Priscilla gasped. “B-But…”
“Yes, it’s completely inconceivable, I know,” Violet agreed with a sigh.
“In fact, I’ve spent my entire life up until now carefully cultivating the image of the perfect heiress to the Covington name. I’ve had to work very hard to keep my true feelings hidden from everyone, as I felt that any sign of weakness I might display would cause my father to view me as a failure. He wouldn’t permit me to have anything to do with ‘childish things’,” the young heiress continued.
“But I still longed for them, nonetheless. I… I think that is why I felt the need to berate you, when I saw your drawings, even though I admired them very much. I-It was because I was jealous of you, of how you could display your love for such things so plainly, in a way I never could.”“Y-You were jealous… o-of
me?!” Priscilla gasped. “A-And you actually
like my drawings? B-But you called them…”
“Like I said, I was being disgustingly petty,” Violet reiterated.
“And for that, I am so very sorry, Priscilla.”“I-It’s okay, Miss Covington,” Priscilla insisted, raising her trembling hands in a placating manner. “I-I mean, I fully deserved to be reprimanded. A-After all, someone of my age and position shouldn’t be doing something so childish as doodling on their notes…”
“Perhaps not,” Violet conceded.
“But you should never feel ashamed of the things you love. That is a lesson I’ve only just begun to learn myself. And please,” she added with a tender smile as she gently took hold of Priscilla’s trembling hands.
“When we are together like this, simply call me Violet.” “O-Oh! Uh, o-okay, Violet…” the bespectacled researcher replied, still more than a little dazed and wondering if perhaps she wasn’t just dreaming all this. “I-Is, um, is that all you wanted to talk about?”
“For the most part,” the young heiress confirmed.
“Although there was one other thing I wanted to ask you.” Opening a hidden compartment in her desk, she retrieved an old DVD case and presented it to her guest, who’s eyes went wide at the sight.
“I understand if you’d like to head home now,” Violet continued.
“But if you wouldn’t mind staying a while longer, I thought we might watch this together. Would… Would you like that?”“O-Oh my gosh!” Priscilla exclaimed, not believing her eyes. “T-This… T-This is a limited edition of Prism Princess, the complete series! It has all sorts of special features that were never included in any other set! Oh, I-I’d
love to watch this with you!” she declared, grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you so much!”
“You are more than welcome, Priscilla,” Violet replied warmly.
“Now then, shall we begin?”“Yes, let’s!” Priscilla agreed, nodding vigorously.
Placing one of the set’s disks into the custom player built into her desk, Violet darkened the room and activated a panoramic holodisplay. A moment later, a carefully chosen episode of Prism Princess began to play…
“Oh wow! This episode is the start of the Friendship Force arc! When the Prism Princess teams from all the previous seasons team up for the very first time!”
“That’s right,” Violet confirmed with a smile.
“It’s one of my personal favorites.”“Mine too!”
The unlikely pair went on to watch the entirety of Friendship Force, and, by the epic story’s exiting and heartwarming conclusion, found that they had become friends themselves.
“Thanks again, Violet,” Priscilla said as the lights came back on. “I had so much fun, and.. Um, i-it really means a lot that you decided to share this with me.”
“Well, I think it’s only right that Friendship Force should be viewed alongside a friend, don't you?” Violet asked with a playful smirk.
“Yeah,” Priscilla agreed with a warm smile. “I guess you’re right! Um, Violet…?” the bespectacled young woman added hesitantly. “Do… Do you think there could really be a multiverse out there, like in the show? I-I mean, do you think there might be a place where magical girls really
do exist?”
“Who can say?” the heiress replied with a shrug.
“Our knowledge is currently very limited in that regard, so I think anything is possible.”“Oh, I really hope so, don’t you? I mean, meeting an actual magical girl? It would be like a dream come true!”
Yes, it probably would be, Violet reflected with a smile. Then again, she mused as she felt a sudden chill prick her spine, if the multiverse held
dreams, it only stood to reason that it held
nightmares as well…
Never say “Never”
(aka: Yes, Virginia, there is a Multiverse)
In a secluded corner of a certain reality plenum, hidden within the depths of a fold in the dimensional fabric, resides a particularly intriguing pocket universe. Although its creator simply calls it The Lab, it is much more than that. Much,
much more… There is the expected profusion of super-scientific paraphernalia, of course, but instead of occupying a small room, or even a vast chamber, it sprawls across an entire continent, a vast, mind-boggling landscape of technorganic apparatuses, a bizarre fusion of mega city and gargantuan living organism. Towering techno spires reach to the very heavens, their ever watchful oracular nodes crowned with menacing quantum quills, from which spew forth crackling arcs of actinic lightning. Power accumulators of the most esoteric types whir and spin, glow, gurgle, and hum, as they fuel the creation of inventions too impossible to describe, their multicolored rhylythian reactor spheres, poly-phasic power cores, and cross-continuua containment pods drawing forth the starkly inconceivable energies of hypercane swarms, quantum singularities, and the birth pangs of several newborn universes. Farther afield, rank upon rank of pulsating cybermantic techno wombs rival the Himalayas, a legion of biomechanical titans waiting to be unleashed on an unsuspecting multiverse as they gestate in bubbling amniotic fluid, while high above, tens of thousands of transdimensional warships rest in a labyrinthian latticework of repair cradles, a swarm of moon-sized, aracnoidal caretaker drones weave technorunic defensive matrices of cosmic string, and ensure that each vessel’s infinite polycyclic neutrino particle cannons and hyper aetheric transposition fields are fully charged, in anticipation of the grand day upon which their creator will make her triumphant return to the omniversal stage.
But that day is still a long way off, and so said creator, the legendary Monarch of Mad Science herself, must regrettably find
other things with which to occupy her time. To that end, she has set into motion several lesser plans, from unlocking the secrets of The Artifact, to enacting her grand and glorious revenge upon a certain lilac-haired lover of butterflies. And then there was that servant she had offered to create for what was quite possibly the most annoying person she had ever met, outside of MDP. Some people might wonder why she was even going through with such a project, especially since the overwhelmingly annoying individual in question had left the local multiversal cluster,
“never to return”. But those hypothetical people would be forgetting that Doctor Nikki Yolanda Kannis was Queen of the
Mad Scientists, and as such, would never refuse a challenge, especially if it was to prove to some idiot the true scope of her super-scientific majesty.
“There, that should about do it,” Nykannis nodded with approval as she put the finishing touches on the artificial life form. A rather fetishistic creature, it resembled an adorably cute cat girl, wearing an elaborate French maid’s outfit. Although the Mad Scientist Supreme would never even
think of making such a thing under normal circumstances, her pride dictated that she meet, and indeed
exceed her client’s every specification.
“Now, what the hell to do with you…” the mad scientist muttered.
“I suppose I could just open up a portal and dump it on her head at a particularly inconvenient time,” she mused, a maniacal grin spreading across her face at the thought. However, before she could even open her interdimensional viewer,
someone beat her to the punch…
Nikki would turn her head to a sudden disturbance. In her high minded technological world, one that made perfect sense to her, was a sudden spark of entropy. Something that even madness itself couldn’t explain had appeared in her home. A pair of grey hands pushed through reality itself and pulled open a portal to another world. At a glance, Nikki could see a landscape that was like her home, but only in the sense of its immense scope.
The rocky ranges were the same color as a sunset, as was the night sky. It was filled with stars that fell to earth in spirals, only to be swept up by a sideways flowing waterfall. Any inhabitants had taken refuge under whatever they could, even as some trees with upside down branches burned in an orange snowstorm. The wall between a warm organic hell had opened up to Nikki’s cold cybertech purgatory. Nikki could see some of the worlds inhabitants looking at her from their burrows, likely as upset as she was furious.
But her view of this undesirable world would be cut off as two people walked through the portal. The first was a woman in a black garb with billowing
pink hair. Following close behind her was a
young girl in a purple dress with a pleased smile on her face. They were both carrying boxes filled with…scrap parts? The pink haired girl dropped her box on the floor with little thought, while the girl in purple placed her box on top of it, careful not to be too rough.
”This should be fine, Aigorost. I’ll give you a ring when we’re ready to leave.” The dark garbed woman waved her hand at the fingers, which slid out of this reality.
The purple-dressed girl looked at the pink haired stranger.
”Should I remember any of this?””Nah, none of this would look familiar to you.” The black garbed figure turned to look at the scientist and flung apart her arms.
”Nyan! It’s so good to see you!”For several seconds, Nykannis was stunned speechless, as she watched the dimensional fabric be rent asunder, and through that tear step the last two people she
ever expected to see. Then again, perhaps she
should have expected it, for if
anyone could break into her private pocket dimension uninvited, it was
them. “YOU?!” Nykannis roared, not even bothering to address the butchering of her name.
“What the hell are YOU doing here?!” Calming sightly at the sight of the containers filled with machine parts (but making no attempt to provide her visitor with the hug they seemed to be hoping for), she allowed a contemptuous sneer to spread across her face.
“Did you get bored of Esper World already?” she asked, her voice dripping with contempt.
”Are you kidding? I love it!” Oros reached her hands above her head.
”I believe you knew me as Aria.” The girl in purple bowed, and some butterflies flew around her head.
”Oros tells me that I was originally from this world. I have little snippets from my old memories, but I’m afraid I don’t remember everything. Regardless, I should be able to maintain my part of the deal with you.”At Aria’s greeting, the mad scientist glared in the young woman’s direction. So, she’d had most of her memory wiped, had she? That was rather disappointing, but viewed another way, it was actually somewhat providential, at least in regard to certain future endeavors…
”Hey, is this my assistant?” Oros tipped her head side to side as she examined the fetish maid.
“That’s right,” Nykannis confirmed.
“Exactly as requested. In fact, I was just about to send it over to you, before you decided to INVADE MY PRIVATE LAB!!!” Oros nodded, totally unbothered by her annoyed tone.
”Yea I couldn’t really tell just by looking at it. Is there some kind of Unnatural Reality Lense I can use to refresh my memory? You know, like a U.R.L. ?”The mad scientist gave voice to a contemptuous snort.
“What, you decided to give yourself a mind wipe, too? Or is your memory just that terrible? Well, whatever,” she added with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“Does this ring any bells?”Pressing a key on a holodisplay that had just now winked into existence, Nykannis activated a localized, panoramic U.R.L. In an instant, the bizarre technomantic landscape around them was replaced by a small balcony, decorated for Christmas, beyond which was a whimsical wintry landscape. Gathered around a snack-covered table were Oros, Nykannis, and a diminutive, tomboyish girl with equally short hair. All three were bedecked in festive attire, and appeared to be
deep in conversation, although Nykannis and Oros seemed to be doing most of the talking.
”Hah! I forgot how painfully generic you made it. No wonder I forgot in the months I’ve been in ‘Esper land.’” Oros nodded.
”Alright, so here’s Aria. Say hi. I’m gunna play with the cat maid and decide a name for her.” She lifted up the robot maid’s skirt.
”After I figure out how to turn her on. Isn’t it usually down here?”Nykannis’s eyes widened as she watched Oros’s attempts to find her new servant’s “On Switch”.
“What. The. FUCK?! Look, I know I made that thing out of pure, undiluted fetish fuel, but could you PLEASE save that crap until after you get back home?” Giving a small shudder, she continued,
“And if you want to activate it, just ask it to wake up. It’s been programed to recognize your voice pattern, along with your unique metaphysical signature. Y’know, your soul? That way, if some other version of you tries to take control of it, they’ll get nothing more than a middle finger. Oh, and one more thing,” the mad scientist added, raising her own middle finger for emphasis.
“Although it’s completely loyal to you, and will obey your every perverted whim without question, it’ll do so because it wants to. It’s not some simple automaton. I made sure to equip it with a full array of Soultech systems: AF, EPU, the works. You’re looking at a fully sentient, sapient, biomechanical entity, so if you’re the kind of sick fuck I know you are, you’ll be pleased to hear that your new plaything has real feelings for you. It actually enjoys making you happy, so, uh, feel free to abuse the hell outta it, I guess…””Hah! My date game is a little better than yours, Nyan. It’s not hard to make people want a body like mine!” Oros pat the still powered down cat servant on the head.
”Don’t worry babe, we’ll achieve Muv-Luv regardless of what that big meanie thinks.” Since Nykannis had more or less ignored Aria, her eyes drifted to the screen where their conversation was happening.
”Magical scientist? I was one in this world too then?” She grinned.
”The more things change, the more they stay the same. Since we’re in the same multiverse, maybe there is something I could help you with?”Turning her attention to Aria, the mad scientist smirked.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that, although you never came close to equaling my abilities. Still, I was told you were once a member of a certain collective of magical artificers called The Gourd, but I doubt you’d recall any of that, what with the whole ‘memory wipe’ thing. On the OTHER hand,” she added, a maniacal gleam in her eye as she looked over the containers her guests had brought with them.
“I see you come bearing gifts!” As she plucked out one of the mechanisms to examine it more closely, a wide grin spread across her face.
“Are these parts what I think they are?!” she asked, completely unable to contain her excitement. But she would have to, as Aria smacked her hand with just enough force to get her to drop it back in the box.
”They are not a gift, sorry. But they are exactly what you think they are. As for my status as a member of the gourd…” Aria’s grin got a bit wider.
”Who can say? I was a revered G.E.M.I.N.I. scientist, so maybe I’ve actually surpassed you this time around?”Nykannis’s eyes filled with utter fury when Aria slapped her hand away, but her rage quickly subsided to simple contempt at the girl’s next words.
So, it’s less of a “memory wipe”, and more of a “memory alteration”, huh? the mad scientist mused.
“I highly doubt that,” she replied with a mocking sneer.
“I’ve done some commission work for S.O.N., your former home’s actual equivalent of G.E.M.I.N.I., and they’re a complete joke. Unlike those two, The Gourd’s multidimensional in scope, which means they might actually have information worth looking into, but enough of this shit,” she added, focusing her attention on the two containers once more.
“If you weren’t planning on giving this stuff to me, then why the hell did you bring it here in the first place?” Glaring at Oros, she continued,
“I’m pretty sure I don’t need to tell you how big an asset these parts would be to Phase Two, especially now that the Mint’s mass producing their own version of Miss ‘Tin Titan’, here. Or was that the whole point? Was this simply another one of your dickish stunts, just to piss me off?” ”For someone who despises Oros so much, you sure try to interact with her as much as possible. These parts are for a possible second deal, one that was entirely my idea. But I won’t even entertain it until we’ve concluded the first one. So keep that in mind.” The former owner of monarch artificing delivered her shrewd ultimatum from a pair of smiling lips. Only a merchant who perfected the art of bartering could possibly be so savage yet sound fair in their delivery.
”Now, you have made a cat maid that seems to meet Oros’s expectations. She has tried to fulfill her part of the bargain by bringing me to you. Well, almost. It seems that another researcher was part of the deal. However, you have written off my abilities based on the fact that G.E.M.I.N.I. has not mastered interdimensional travel yet. Which is fair, if that’s important to you.” She folded her hands in front of herself.
”Have we reached an impasse already, or is it possible that I can convince you of my worth in other ways? And please don’t try to suggest that even a single piece of scrap from these crates is a worthy trade for your maid.”Nykannis’s eyes narrowed as Aria spoke.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” the mad scientist spat, the acid in her voice almost palpable.
“That glorified sex toy wouldn’t come close to equaling even a single molecule of this stuff. But you wanna make a second deal for it, huh?” the mad scientist inquired with a raised eyebrow.
“Aren’t we ambitious… Well, whatever… As far as I’m concerned, it’s up to you to prove that you’re as much of a big shot as Oros claims you are. I mean, I’m sure you used to have some halfway decent knowledge and abilities, at least if that little augmentation you gave What’s Her Face was any indication, but now? And you’re right,” she added with a cruel, humorless smile.
“I was promised the chance to chat with another supposed ‘gifted scientist’, too, but they’ve either been erased from existence, or had their memories altered so drastically as to make them utterly useless to me. So come on, Miss “Butterfly Queen”, brag to me. Tell me everything that makes you so great…” ”Just making sure I had your attention.” She chuckled.
”I think there’s a misconception about my abilities. Yes, the people of my world on average are weaker than the ones here. If my surfacing memories are to be believed, this world experiences a horror outbreak every few weeks. There isn’t even enough mana in Pax Septimus to attract a single one.” Aria rolled back her shoulders.
”But I am not merely average. While I follow Oros, it is not because she is stronger than me. We are equals in power, united in vision. You must understand this on some level, given your ability to analyze everything. Anything I could do before I’m sure I could do just as well, if not better now.” Aria placed her hand on top of the crate and her fingers sunk into the scrap.
”Besides, you are a resourceful girl. My memories may not be in a place I can easily access, but they do come to me. I doubt it would take you much time to dig them up if you really wanted them. Given that I was the only member of the gourd working in the Penrose area, I think it’s an avenue worth exploring.” She nodded like she had just been offered a sandwich.
”As for the other researcher, I think-””Here you go!” Oros stepped out of a portal and tossed Binky onto the floor.
”Did you even think to look in the Golden Trove? Binky never came with me, so there’s still a version of her in this world.“I was under the impression that your old pal, the Lord of Cringe had erased, or otherwise relocated everyone you’d ever interacted with,” Nykannis replied dryly.
“But I guess he decided to do a bit of a retcon on that, huh? Typical…””You know what happens when you assuuuuuuuuuume!” Oros giggled.
”What the grand magistrates decide to do here is totally out of my hands.””Oof!” The malnourished magical girl tumbled across the floor.
”Oh no, what’s going on?”Aria’s eyes shot open and she took cover behind the crates.
”That’s Binky? Are we really safe here?””Oh! Hi Aria!” Binky put on a weak smile and waved to her master.
”I um, I own a hotel now! But I’m still working on my coin magic! Can’t stop dreaming, right?”Aria cleared her throat with a cough, and her composure returned.
”Ah, seems the dimensions are easier on some than others.” She sat on top of the crates and folded one leg over the other. She didn't seem too bothered by the sharp metal bits poking her rear.
”Anyway, that’s about it. I have no reason to evaluate my powers and what I once knew should be attainable in theory. And um.” Aria inhaled deeply when she looked at Binky.
”Binky is the second researcher, who is less formidable than I remember. So! The deal is still on then?”“You bet your ass it is,” Nykannis told her with a maniacal grin.
“Especially if you’re giving me permission to poke around in your head a bit,” she added, her eyes gleaming with barely contained delight.
“And you,” she continued, pointing a finger at the most recent arrival.
“I’m told you’re the one responsible for the new types of Cosmic Omniversial Infusion Numinouspheric Synthesizers that have been popping up around Penrose these past few months. That kinda expertise will really help with the optimization of Phase Two, so I’m gonna need you to tell me everything about your creation process. I mean, I could always just give one of the new operatives I’m making an Oddball: Coin Crafting Spec…Oros nodded.
”Yup! Someone did something like that! My patron will never forget the atrocities committed that day!””But there’s nothing quite like having the original template to use as a starting point. But what is ‘Phase Two’, you ask? Well, it’s nothing less than the mass production of magical agents, made to order, and tailored to the exact specifications of whatever clients my current employer wants to sell them to! Y’know, kinda like what the Mint’s doing with their cheap knockoffs of the Brave Little Toaster, but ten trillion times better! And how do I know about that, you may wonder? Well, S.O.N. recently invited me over to their top secret HQ to give a little presentation on how Phase Two was progressing, and I was so fucking bored that I decided to hack their central database. Turns out they had TONS of sweet info concerning the Mint’s recent operations in Penrose, but I guess that’s not really surprising, since they also apparently snuck a team into Beacon’s Penrose HQ, right under the nose of the Ass-endancy! If they can do that, they can definitely spy on a bunch of bumbling buffoons like the Mint.””I don’t think anyone asked, but I just wanted to say I’m glad you’ve taken to calling them the ass-endancy like I used to.” A tear of pride rolled down Oros’s cheek.
“ANYWAYS!” Nykannis declared, turning to fix Aria with an unnervingly intense stare.
“Did you want to me to do that memory retrieval while you’re sitting on that crate, or would you like to move someplace a bit more comfortable?”
”Hmmm.” Aria tapped her chin.
”I don’t know how long it’s going to take you. Would it be easier if I was positioned elsewhere? Otherwise, I’m fine right here.”“Actually, I just thought you’d like to sit in a proper chair,” Nykannis replied with a shrug.
“But if you’d rather have all those sharp-edged parts murder your ass, that’s fine by me. And it won’t take long at all,” she added, as an insectoid drone floated overhead.
“In fact, it’ll be over in a..”*SNAP!*
To the outside observer, nothing seemed to have happened, other than the drone having suddenly blinked out of existence. However, if one were capable of slowing down the flow of time to a millionth of a fraction of its normal rate, such an individual
might be able to see that, in the span of time between when Nykannis snapped her fingers, and the sound reached the ears of her guests, the drone had fired a cone of swirling energy at Aria’s head. The Finder Beam tunneled deep inside the girl’s brain, its transphasic tendrils of living cosmic particles probing every dark corner and hidden recess of her mind, employing powers most inconceivable to break through barriers imposed by no less than an eldritch horror. Once access was attained, their work shifted to retrieving the lost knowledge, while reconciling contradictory narratives, thereby separating the true memories from the implanted and altered ones (which, while far less valuable, were still of no small amount of interest).
Although staggeringly invasive, the process was entirely painless. Indeed, Aria would have no idea it was even happening, but that didn’t
have to be the case. If Nykannis had wished, the process could have been agony incarnate, Aria helplessly trapped between ticks of the clock, while enduring unimaginable torture for what would seem to her like countless millennia. One might understandably wonder why the Monarch of Mad Science chose to spare the butterfly-themed girl from such a horrific fate, especially in light of her great desire for revenge against said girl, and, were such a hypothetical curious individual to probe Nykannis’s
own mind, they would discover that, since meeting Aria in person, the mad scientist’s anger towards the former shopkeeper had shifted… to
pity. The Aria before her now was a truly pathetic creature, one who probably didn’t even remember insulting her in the first place. She had willingly let herself become the plaything of an eldritch horror, her mind twisted and warped to suit its mad whims. To be molded like clay, in order to fit into that narcissistic creature’s vision of an idealized world. It was actually rather laughable…
“Nyahahaha!” Nykannis cackled a split second after snapping her finger.
“There, now wasn’t that easy?! I told you it wouldn’t take long! Nyahahaha! So,” she added with an eager grin.
“What’s this second deal you wanna make? I’m guessing, based on the quality of your proposed payment, it’s something completely universe-shattering, the kind of project I can REALLY get invested in… Am I right?” While Aria’s treatment might have been over, her “recovery” would take a bit longer. One does not have a lifetime of memories awakened in their head and just shrug it off.
”Oh my, it’s almost like I just inhaled smelling salts.” She slid off the box and stumbled a bit.
”There’s so much to unpack here. And these memories are truly mine? Does that mean my new ones were fake?””Depends on your definition of ‘fake’ I guess.” Oros was reclining in one of the doctor’s chairs while her new cat maid massaged her shoulders.
”Time progresses at different rates between worlds, and not at a consistent rate. It might be easier to think of it as being reborn with your old memories being from a past life.””Ah, interesting. If a bit confusing.” Aria folded her hands behind her back.
”But where were we?” She raised a finger to her lip.
”Oh yes, the second deal! Though I’m afraid you may have misinterpreted my intention. It’s not a payment, it’s part of the commission.” Aria looked to Oros.
But she was on the verge of passing out. Her eyelids twitched as the maid drew her fingers down Oros’s exposed back. Her kimono was hanging around her waist, but she was wearing a tube top that read “personality” in big bold letters. Not that this RP has had any problem with indecency in the past. But when the room became quiet, Oros looked up.
”My turn?” Oros sat upright, but made no attempt to cover herself up.
”Right, so I thought you could take the parts and build something a bit more interesting with them. Something truly formidable, but also fun to look at. I figure you’re plenty resourceful and just getting to work with high grade alloys will be enough for the great and wondrous Nyan. Though if you’d rather keep the alloy, well, anything can be negotiated for.” Oros grinned before leaning onto her fist, which was propped off of her knee by her arm.
”You’d have to do more than just build me a cute super weapon.” Nykannis bristled upon being told that the crates wouldn’t be given to her as payment, but her annoyance shifted to curiosity as Oros went on to clarify the specifics of her request.
“Yeah… That’s definitely something you’d come up with, all right,” she noted, while looking over the image of what Oros wanted her to make. Now, one might wonder how Oros was able to conjure up her own U.R.L., not to mention getting The Lab’s all-pervasive nanites to form a comfy chair for herself. One might
even be tempted to think that Oros had somehow managed to thoroughly infiltrate the inner workings of Nykannis’s most secure sanctum, but this was most manifestly
not the case. Rather, in a small concession for her guests, Nykannis had mentally activated The Lab’s hospitality functions shortly after they’d arrived, and Oros had predictably wasted no time in putting them to use.
“And, although I REALLY hate to say it,” Nykannis continued.
“You’re actually right. I don’t need to keep this stuff if I’m gonna be working with it anyway. Someone of my super-scientific genius only needs to study something in order to replicate it herself. I figure it’ll take about a week to put this thing together exactly the way you want it. That should give me more than enough time to harvest every last bit of useful data these pieces and parts contain. One question, though- What are you gonna name it?””Name? Hah! I only just thought of a name for this maid.” She pointed at the cat maid behind herself.
”But nah, I’ve got an idea for her too. Before we get into that though, it feels like I’m taking a pretty big risk on you hmmm? I bring you a shit load of primo enchanted steel that you can clone forever, and I get a suitably deadly android if you don’t suddenly lose interest in building it for me, or it doesn’t just decide to murder me on a whim. I take all the risk for the smaller reward.” Oros stood up and walked across the lab.
”I think I need something else to put my mind at ease. Something that could let me… get to know you better.” She kneeled beside the scientist.
”What do you say… We go on a date together?”Aria tipped her head.
”Oros?”Binky had been making a copy of their notes for the mad doctor, but even she looked up when Oros mentioned their idea.
”Is that really a fair deal?”
”Yea!” Oros laughed.
”And every week after that, you gotta go on another one with me!” With a hum, Oros looked back at the doctor.
”It’s fair, see? You’re a singularity like Aria and I, so I can’t save-scum to go down your route. That would make our outings precious! And because you don’t like me, you’ll make sure it’s done on time. Or maybe your cold heart will crack, and you’ll leave it unfinished so that we can do shit together every week!” Her laughter became more maniacal as she went on.
”If you accept, I’ll tell you what I’m naming her.”If Nykannis had been capable of being afflicted by physical ailments, she would have had a heart attack and dropped dead on the spot. Even so, for a moment, the mad scientist was stunned speechless, her eyes seeming to bulge out of her head. But the suspense generated by this pause wouldn’t last for long…
“WHAAAT?!!” Nykannis roared, her small body shaking with utter fury.
“THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I WOULD EVER GO ON A DATE WITH THE LIKES OF YOU!!!” Pausing for a moment to catch her breath and ever so slightly compose herself, she added,
“You want to set up another meeting to chat about something I might actually find interesting, then fine, but I DON’T do romance! And if I understand correctly, this little arrangement only lasts until I finish your little bionic build-a-bear, right? So it’ll just be ONE meeting, ‘MEETING’, NOT ‘DATE’,” she clarified.
“And there’re gonna be some non-negotiable stipulations,” she added as she began listing them off on her fingers.
“First, absolutely NO TOUCHING. Second, I choose the place. And third, no one here speaks a word of this to ANYONE. I mean it. The LAST thing I need is for people to start thinking I’m in some kind of…” at this point, the good doctor’s face scrunched up as if she had just swallowed the most disgusting thing imaginable.
“Relationship with you…”
She grinned.
”Oh man, that really hurt.” Oros placed a hand on her chest, which covered up part of the writing and caused it to read “personal.”
”Those are some pretty steep ‘stipulations’ on something that’s supposed to encourage me to go along with this. I really wanted to go grocery shopping with you. Perhaps I should add some stipulations of my own?” She tapped the corner of her lips.
”Firstly, I get to pick your outfit out of your wardrobe. Second, I choose the time, both when we arrive and go home. Third, you’re going to make an effort to be nice to me. No snarky remarks, make an effort to convince me you actually wanna attend this ‘meeting.’” Oros extended her hand to shake.
”Needless to say, if you break one of my stipulations, I’ll break one of yours. And just an FYI, but ‘no touching’ is definitely going to come off first should that happen.”Nykannis couldn’t resist the desire to smirk as Oros provided her own set of conditions. The perverted, pink-haired lunatic probably thought she was being clever with her choices, but none of them particularly perturbed the mad scientist. Most of her outfits were small variations on what she was already wearing, so if Oros was hoping to find something formal, let alone embarrassing, she would be sorely disappointed. The meeting’s length wouldn’t be an issue either, since Nykannis was fully capable of multitasking, which just left the last item… Being “nice” to Oros for an indeterminate amount of time would normally be a tall order, to say the least, but even here, Oros had unwittingly provided her with a loophole, one Nykannis would most assuredly exploit. Oros said she only had to make an
effort to be nice, and so she would, at least until Oros made the mistake of doing something particularly dickish, at which point all bets were off.
“I think I can work with that,” the mad scientist replied, taking Oros’s offered hand (but not before sheathing her own hand in a series of invisible protective energy barriers, nearly a million layers thick).
“So, let’s talk project details. I suppose you want your pet super weapon to have the same Soultech setup as your maid, but what about her capabilities? Do you want to keep her at around the same power level she had before she played Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots with herself, or do you want me to give her a bit of an upgrade? The only reason I ask is ‘cause I’m aware of the… issues certain parties had with her when she was only at Challenger Grade. I wouldn’t want to cause the complete collapse of the reality plenum your lord and master spent sooo much time developing if I crank her all the way up to APEX Grade,” she added with a maniacal grin.
”I’m glad you care enough about me to watch the fight.”Oros grinned in return.
” But come on, Nyan. I don’t mind stroking your ego, but you’re truly mad if you think you have any say in how strong something is once it goes to the other world. The elemental chaos ain’t quite the same as the overcity.” She released Nyan’s hand, or more specifically, the several barriers to keep the two separate.
”I wouldn’t mind if you made it as strong as you could, just to see what happens. Though more important than that is her kit. I want a real robot companion, you know? All the high tech gizmos, from lazers to missiles to enhanced vision. If I watch robot anime made in the past forty or so years, I want my robot girl to be able to do it.” She held out her sword, and there was a tiny chip at the end.
”Also I dunno how soultech works, but this one still has a soul. So maybe you can like, edit it or something? Just keep the pieces away from mercury for the time being.”“Don’t worry,” Nykannis replied, while rolling her eyes in clear annoyance.
“Even I’m not arrogant enough to think that I can challenge a Gand Magistrate’s control over their own reality plenum. But you better believe I’ll make her as powerful as possible. Oh, and that much is a given,” Nykannis added with a confident smirk when Oros asked for her new toy to be kitted out with what was probably the broadest possible array of features.
“Full mechamorphic capability, teleportation, matter displacement, nearly unlimited technopathy, detachable counter-gravity weapons drones, nanotech matter fabricators, ultra aetheric transposition fields, multiphasic transdimensional hypertech homing lasers, you name it, she’ll have it.” Then Oros held up her sword…
“Wait…You mean she’s STILL ALIVE?!!””He’s still alive, yea.”By now, the good doctor’s excitement had reached a fever pitch. The splayed fingers of her trembling hands hovered around the seemingly innocuous chip on the tip of Oros’s blade, her countenance one of incredulous awe.
“T-This… THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! Do you have any IDEA how much data her ACTUAL FUCKING SOUL COULD PROVIDE?!!” Not giving Oros a chance to answer, Nykannis continued.
“And edit it? You bet your ASS I can edit it! Nyahahaha! Aigorost isn’t the ONLY one who can fuck with memories! I’ll recreate her entire history and personality from the ground up! She’ll be whatever twisted fantasy your perverted, sadistic little mind can think of! Oh, and you don’t need to be concerned about me taking control of her and having her murder you in your sleep,” she added in a lower voice, almost as an afterthought.
“I don’t kill the people I REALLY hate. I make them suffer…””Well, if you bungle the robot somehow, I’m not too worried about it. That just means we get to go on more ‘meetings’ together while you work on my commission.” Her eyes trailed up and down Nykannis’s small form.
”Yea, your patron knew what the hell they were doing when they created you. As for robo girl’s memories and shit, I actually intended to make her an acquaintance of Aria. You know? And then I was gunna call her ‘Rupee’ after Aria’s familiar. See? I’m actually pretty thoughtful when I want to be.”
”Oh that would be wonderful!” Aria placed her hands together.
”Is that why she has giant wings like a butterfly?””Yea, I didn’t do it because I thought the artwork was hot or anything, hahahahahahaha! Hrm...” She folded her arms, which just caused her “personality” to swell.
Aria swooned.
”I wonder if she could construct something like Rupee from my memories?”
”Of course she can, she’s more busted than I am!” Oros swatted down so that she and the doctor could see eye to eye.
”Seems like the robot stuff is taken care of. We might as well talk about that meeting.” Oros’s eyes half closed, acquiring an almost seductive quality.
”Where did you have in mind? There are some pretty nice places in area one ex one, or are you more the type to take things straight to the Personal Domains?”Nykannis continued to roll her eyes as Oros bantered with Aria, but when the pink-haired psychopath asked about the location of their upcoming meeting, the mad scientist couldn’t help but smirk.
“Yeah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she sneered.
“But I was thinking of somewhere a bit more respectable than some interdimensional porno set. In particular, the Garden de Lux, in Silverburg. Nice atmosphere, great food, and, if you’re lucky, maybe even a floor show. But not THAT KIND, you sick fuck,” she was quick to add.
Oros put up her nose.
”My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.” “It’s a respectable establishment, so keep that in mind. As for you,” she continued, turning to Aria.
“Remember when I said your partner’s new toy would have full mechamorphic capabilities? Well, that means she can turn into whatever your sad little heart desires. So,” she inquired after giving the butterfly-themed girl a moment to let that information sink in.
“You still think I’m a ‘second rate scientist’?””I’d have to see it with my own eyes first. But if you could, why, I might even have to go on a date with you.” Aria winked, and a tiny star shot out of her eye.
”I’d love to spend the evening with a first rate scientist!”
”If she doesn’t wanna date me, she’s not gunna date you!” Oros rubbed her chin.
”Kind of a pain in the ass that it’s here, but as long as I don’t need to fill out one of those Champion Submission forms, I guess I’m more or less okay with it. So we're done here? I just need to pick out your outfit and maybe let you converse with the other scientific minds?”“Oh, you’ll see it, all right,” Nykannis told Aria with an ever-so-slightly malicious grin.
“But like I said before, I don’t do dates, although if you wanna tag along for my little meeting with your perverted pal, I wouldn’t mind. In fact, having you there might take the edge off. Anyway,” she added, addressing Oros once more.
“Yeah, it looks like we’re mostly done, as far as this deal’s concerned, so knock yourself out choosing what lab coat I’ll be wearing. And don’t get your tits in a twist about having to spend time in your least favorite reality plenum. You know as well as I do that the Grand Magistrate only cares about shit if it happens in his precious little Penrose. Silverburg’s pretty much as drama-free as you can possibly get.” ”Sounds about right.” Oros extended her hand, and a portal opened up over it. Then a large pair of fingers placed a large box in her palm. It was heart shaped, and wrapped with a bow.
”What doesn’t sound right is someone thinking they can enter some fine dining establishment in a fuckin’ lab coat.” She extended the box towards Nykannis.
”I think this would be much better.”Nykannis flinched away from the box as if it were something that had been pulled out of a toilet.
“First,” she said with a scowl.
“They make a special accommodation for me, since I’ve done them a few favors in the past. It’s also why I get to eat there for free whenever I want. Second,” she added, narrowing her eyes.
“I thought we agreed you pick an outfit from my wardrobe, not some fetish fuel created by your twisted patron.””It’s yours now.” She set the box down on the floor and stepped away from it.
”Thus, it is now part of your wardrobe.” After grinning for a few seconds, Oros grabbed at her ponytail with both hands and tugged it in either direction, at which point she scowled.
”Will you at least look at it!?!?”“It’s not mine unless I accept it,” Nykannis grinned back.
“But if you want me to see it so badly, why don’t you open it yourself and take it out?”
”Didn’t realize what a fuckin’ wuss you were. fine!” Oros sheathed her sword and walked up to the box.
”I just want you to know I wrapped this myself. I think I did a pretty good job.” She lifted the box off of the ground and tugged the ribbon off. She then flicked the lid of the box off, placed her hand inside, and pulled out a
green dress It had a long, flowing skirt and came with a few accessories.
Aria observed the dress from the side.
”It’s not too different from the one I’m wearing. Well, minus the color and the butterfly accessories.” She looked at Binky.
”I even think you would look good in something like that.”
Binky looked over the dress.
”It’s not really what I was expecting from Oros.” She looked between Oros and the dress.
”But I wouldn't mind wearing something like that.” the green haired girl looked at her own garbs, which were more reminiscent of something a cultist might wear.
“Gotta say, that’s a LOT less embarrassing than what I expected,” Nykannis conceded.
“Fine,” she added with a sigh.
“I’ll wear it…”
”What do you think I am, some kind of animal?” When Oros went to fold the dress back up some
baby doll underwear slipped out of the bottom and fell onto the floor.
”Whoa! How did that get there?” Oros lifted a hand to her mouth in what seemed, to the untrained eye at least, to be genuine surprise.
”Wow, uh, interesting. I don’t remember that in my amazon order. I guess you can keep it anyway.”
Binky raised her hand.
”And if you don’t want it, I could-”
Oros smacked Binky’s hand.
”So uh, I guess we’re more or less done for the moment?”“I suppose…” Nykannis replied, while looking over Binky’s notes, and not even deigning to respond to Oros’s “accidental” clothing reveal.
“This is actually some pretty impressive stuff,” she told the green-haired coin researcher.
“Especially for an amateur like yourself. You’ve got some real talent,” she added with a nod.
“It’s a shame you had to waste it by working with these clowns.””I mean.” Binky’s eyes shifted side to side.
”Aria taught me everything I know, so I wouldn’t call her a clown. And from my understanding, Oros was a clown for a time, wasn’t she? Was that not intended as an insult?”
”Probably not. Nyan likes me, after all.” Oros stretched.
”Anyway, I think now is a good time to fade to black with everyone discussing your truly mad plan. Unfortunate that we didn’t get to twenty pages like your patron wanted, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”“I’ll take your word for it,” Nykannis muttered.
“But, just out of curiosity, exactly which of my mad plans are we talking about?”…
…
…
“Well, that was kinda unexpected, huh?” an amused voice noted with a chuckle once Oros and friends had finally departed.
“You can say that again,” Nykannis agreed as she turned to face
the girl who had just stepped out of the shadows of some gargantuan machinery. She was a short-haired girl, of diminutive stature and tomboyish appearance. The same girl, in fact, that had sat with Nykannis and Oros in the recording.
“Pretty cool though, right? I mean, you got to have that chat you wanted, and you get to have a follow-up meeting, too!”“Yeah, but I have to share that meeting with my least favorite person in the multiversal cluster,” Nykannis grumbled.
“At least outside of You-Know-Who… Still,” she added as she began a detailed inspection of the parts Oros had brought.
“I suppose it’s a small price to pay to be able to work with all this!”“Sooo… I guess you’re gonna cancel that whole ‘revenge plot’ now, huh? I mean, she did kinda apologize for insulting you and all.”“Are you shitting me?!” Nykannis sneered, her countenance one of utter incredulity.
“Of COURSE I’m not canceling it! I said I’d show them ALL, remember?! Besides,” she added, activating a holodisplay depicting a young woman in futuristic attire.
“The wheels are already in motion! It’s TOO LATE to turn back now! The Vessel has already been bestowed upon the chosen recipient,” the Monarch of Mad Science explained, a crazed gleam in her eye.
“And I, for one, am very interested to see how she progresses…”
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