"Ouch." Seina groaned, pushing aside a piece of rock that had toppled on top of her. Darkness surrounded her, leaving her confused about where she was.
"Seina! You still alive?" Came her partner's muffled voice, making everything that had happened return in a rush.
"Colten, are you okay?" Seina summoned her staff and created a glowing bubble. Beyond the rubble, the floating orb illuminated little.
"She's okay! Over here. Mr. Kiyojiro!" Her partner's voice was almost blocked by tons of rock.
"Mr. Kiyojiro!" She'd tried to protect her bodyguard from the explosions but lost track of him amongst the chaos.
"Thank goodness you're okay! How injured are you?" Mr. Kiyojiro asked.
"I'm okay." Her head still rang, but she'd manage. She definitely wouldn't forget the flames anytime soon. She cursed that maniac for using her own power against her.
"Oh, crap! How are Emiyo and Arisu?" Seina said, realizing they were still in dire straights. If those star-destroying explosions hadn't killed her, it seemed unlike it'd do much to a Devil Princess!
"We don't know." Mr. Kiyojiro said, voice pensive. "We have found no trace of the Poison Ivy either. But one problem at a time. Can you dig your way out?"
"Shouldn't be an issue. Step back." Her staff summoned a bubble that would disintegrate anything it touched. It floated outward, digging a path toward her friend's voices.
"Seina! I was so scared! You took the worst of that blast!" Colten threw himself into a big hug. When she'd finally gotten free of the rubble. It seemed she'd entered what remained of the original chamber.
"Me too." Seina returned the hug. She sighed in relief to find her bodyguard unharmed after all that craziness. How did he survive?
"I sent himminutes into the future before the explosion hit us," Colten said, answering her unasked question.
"Fat good it did." Mr. Kiyojiro said, voice self-deprecating. "It was a dumb idea to join you to Starlight Dream. I'm just getting in the way. Colten could have used his power to save you instead."
"You're good moral support, regardless!" Seina said, maybe too quickly. It was hard to deny he might have a point. She quickly changed the subject for her bodyguard's sake. "Where are Liam and Charity?"
"We haven't found them yet," Colten said, annoyed. "We've been kinda trapped down here."
"First things first. Find them, then to the surface!" With luck, the evil, hateful magical girl thought them dead. It provided them the perfect opportunity to regroup and plan. While Seina was still uncertain if Takako and Chō were safe, they could at least join forces with Himari. That was something, at least. Though, how they'd defeat Reiko was beyond anyone's guess.
With some effect, they found Charity and Liam unharmed. Using her remarkable prediction power, the Wicked Queen's partner had found the perfect spot to escape most of the damage.
"Charity, you're still here," Seina said, relieved. "That must mean your partner didn't die in the explosion." Remarkable considering she'd been at the epicenter.
"She's a survivor, always has been," Charity replied.
"I just hope she's okay." After still finding no sign of Emiyo or her partner, Seina feared the worst. She dreaded what they'd discover once they reached the surface. If Charity seemed concerned about their situation, she didn't show it. Instead, she directed them upwards.
"Let's go!" She was ready to fight, mostly healed from their encounter with the mad Poison Ivy.
The surface of Starlight Dream was worse than they imagined, scarred by the intensity of the explosion. Many fairy homes were in ruins, with relatives crying for their fallen kin. She winced as fairies pulled out of a wounded child from a collapsed roof. Despite their heinous corruption by the Devil Princesses, they didn't deserve this.
"Heave!" A fairy said, guiding other fairies as they tried to push a crystal beam off an unconscious fairy. Without hesitation, Seina rushed to their aid.
"I got it." With one hand, she lifted the beam like it'd been cardboard. Fairies tensed as they saw a magical girl approaching, sending hateful glares in their direction.
"We don't need your help, magical girl." An older fairy whose white fur had grayed with age said. "You're the one that caused this mess!"
"I..." Tears stung Seina's eyes at the rebuke.
"Grandpa! You can't say such a thing!" A terrified young fairy said, taking a proactive stance in front of her senior. "Blessed magical girl. Forgive my elder's harsh words. He doesn't know what he's saying! If it pleases you, mighty and wonderful magical girl, we'll kill the wounded fairy to placate you. Such insolence should be paid for with blood."
Much to Seina's horror, the fairy pulled a sharpened crystal from some rubble and intended to do as she'd promised. "That's unnecessary! I'm only here to help!"
"What? Why?" The fairy peered at Seina suspiciously.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Who are you? I haven't seen you around. A new recruit?" The fairy asked.
"She must be part of Himari's rebels!" Another fairy said, disgusted. "Expel her before she gets us all killed!" The fairies hooted and jeered, wanting this troublemaker gone before more trouble fell upon their little heads. Seina tensed as a tin can smacked against her skull, recoiling from the scorn. But they weren't wrong. The vengeful Devil Princesses would destroy these innocent fairies if they found Seina and her friends here.
"I'll tell you who she is!" Colten bolted forward, head held high and proud. "This is Seina. She's here to free us all from the Devil Princesses!"
"Seina, the Butcher?" A terrified fairy said, wide-eyed. The other fairies backed away in terror.
"No, don't be ridiculous!" Seina snapped back, eye twitching. "I'm Seina, the one who only wants fairies to be free."
"Seina, This is why you need a moniker," Colten replied. "Otherwise, people will make one for you."
"Oh, shut up. It wouldn't have stopped them." Seina said, shooting back.
As the pair fought, the fairy from before stepped forward, expression amazed. "Colten, is that you?"
"It's me, sis." Colten puffed out his chest. "With a partner and everything."
"You have a sister?" Seina said, dumbfounded by this revelation.
"And, like always, you ruin everything. You've partnered with a notorious outlaw? Mom will be so disappointed." Colten's sister replied.
"Shows how much you know, Botan!" Colten shot back. "I'm doing what our kind should have done all along, fight against the Devil Princess."
"To your death! And ours! Do you think they'll show your home village any mercy once they discover you're Seina the Butcher's partner?" Botan said.
"That's not my name!" But everyone ignored Seina as the fairies jeered at Colten.
"So this is the fairy kingdom." Mr. Kiyojiro said, shaking his head. "Doesn't it remind you of something?"
"Just like home, back when the vampires still ruled." Seina said with bated breath. "They're just scared, wanting to survive, even at a terrible cost."
"Stop it!"
"Ouch!" Botan winced as the older fairy smacked her with a cane.
"Don't speak to your brother like that!" The older fairy smacked her again.
"Grandpa! Stay out of this. Do you realize what this maniac has done?" Botan said, glaring.
But the older fairy ignored her, examining his grandson. "Truly, you've bonded with a partner, Colt?"
Colten puffed out his chest with pride. "Sure have! We're a mighty duo! Seina's the most powerful magical girl out there. She beat a Devil Princess!"
"Not alone! I had help!" But the fairies ignored her, muttering to themselves. They'd heard rumors about this, but it'd been a shock to have them confirmed.
"Never thought it was possible." A tear came to Grandpa fairy eye's. While other fairies became even more fearful, others gave Seina deference, like she was a deity. It was a little overwhelming.
"It still doesn't change that they'll send Starlight Dream's wrath against us!" Botan scowled.
"I hope to change that," Seina said with passion. "I'm creating a better future where fairies and magical girls can live together in peace and harmony!"
"Colten, is your partner simple?" Botan replied, unimpressed.
'Hey!', thought Seina, 'That was a good, inspiring speech!'
"Is there somewhere safe you can hide? The fight against the Devil Princesses might get messy." Mr. Kiyojiro said, changing the subject to something more useful.
"Good idea! Gramps, please spread the word. We need to evacuate Starlight Dream." Colten glanced up at the deteriorating Needle of the Cosmos, flinching as the spider web cracks spread further. "We don't have long."
"Don't worry, lad." The old fairy replied. "We'll handle this. Just be careful, okay?"
"You're not mad?" Colten asked, tears welling in his eyes. "I'll fix everything and return Starlight Dream to its rightful state! I promise!"
"What, return Starlight Dream to the nightmare of the Wicked Queen's reign?" Botan replied sarcastically. But the other fairies nodded. Colten's words had sparked hope within them, which they coveted greedily.
"Goji!" A fairy said, pointing to another. "Fly to the next town over. I'm going to Crystal Paradise! Fairies need to hear the word!" The other fairy nodded, disappearing through a summoned portal. Fairies grabbed children and anything they deemed essential for the trip. They knew how dangerous a fight between magical girls could get and dare not linger.
"Crazy." Botan only shook her head. "You've done it now, Colten! Can't you do anything without causing trouble? You're lucky Mom and Dad are out visiting family!"
"Thank goodness." Colten sighed in relief. "That's a conversation I'd rather avoid right now." From what Seina understood, their relationship wasn't great.
"Now that's settled, let's find your partner, Liam." Mr. Kiyojiro said. "You can sense her, right?"
"Yeah, but she's on another plane of existence. Give me a sec. I'll find her." Without another word, Liam's body just faded away like a ghost.
"You're quiet, Charity," Seina asked the Wicked Queen's partner. She hadn't spoken a single word during this entire conversation.
Much to Seina's trepidation, the fairy looked worried. She replaced the expression with a smile, peering into a nearby house that the occupants had vacated. "Fairy architecture has changed since my day. We preferred more castle-like structures then. This whole area used to be a sprawling, expansive city. Not these bare huts."
And Seina saw she was right. The fairies possessed very little, living in almost squalor despite living in beautiful crystalline structures.
"The great battle must have done worse damage than Charity thought." Charity's expression became glummer. "With the Devil Princesses in charge, they never got a chance to rebuild it. Charity and her father used to love playing in the park. Gone now, though, nothing but an empty patch of weeds. Crushed by time and neglect."
Without prompting, Seina gave the fairy a tight hug. "I'm sure we can rebuild Starlight Dream into something grand again."
"Thanks. But forget Charity's foolishness. She's dwelling on old days long since past. Not important to our mission."
"Was this great battle against the Devil Princesses?" Seina asked, curious.
"No, they exploited an already weakened Starlight Dream." This caught everyone's attention. "A great evil tried to steal Starlight Dream's power for themselves. It nearly cost us everything! It even cost the great Fairy Queen's life."
"Oh, so there was a queen!" Seina said, pleased after having her previous image of Arisu shattered. Someone had to rule Starlight Dream.
Reading her thoughts, Charity chuckled, nodding. "But it wasn't my partner. She's never been one for authority."
"What was this evil you fought?" Mr. Kiyojiro said, crossing his arms. "Is it related to that giant needle?"
Before Charity could answer, Liam reappeared. Much to Seina's disappointment, he was alone. "Guys, I know what happened. The Poison Ivy wished Takako, Chō, and their partners to different points across the multiverse. So far, Himari has only found Takako."
"To make it easier to chase after us instead," Seina said, scowling.
"She'll return with Takako soon," Liam said.
It was better than nothing. "Okay, with that settled. Let's find Arisu." Since Reiko hadn't chased after them yet, Seina guessed the battle hadn't gone in the Devil Princess's favor. Still, the lack of explosions and fireworks concerned her.
"Sounds good to me." Mr. Kiyojiro said, and everyone agreed.
"Hold on, what are you doing?" Colten asked when he noticed they had an extra party member.
"I'm not leaving you alone," Botan replied. "I can't let you screw up anything! Too much is at stake! While I still think fighting against the Devil Princesses is utter insanity, I can't abandon my idiot brother."
Colten only groaned. "So annoying as usual. This is why I never mentioned her." His sister responded with a rude gesture. "Leave with the others, Botan!"
"I agree. It's too dangerous." Her bodyguard's month formed into a hard line. "I've already seen what power these monsters can throw around."
"Speak for yourself," Botan replied, tone haughty. "I have more reason to be than some dumb, ordinary human. Drop him, he's dead weight. Why is he even here?"
Before Mr. Kiyojiro could protest, Seina broke in. "Against the Devil princesses, we'll need every bit of help we can get."
"Simple girl. Whatever, it's his death wish," Botan said, rolling her eyes.
"Bossy little fairy, isn't she?" Mr. Kiyojiro muttered to himself.
"Now that we're all friends, let's find Arisu!" Seina said, stomping towards the enormous crater in the distance. She prayed things hadn't gone too badly.
"Who?" Botan asked, furrowing her brow. "Is she another rebel?"
"She's this one's partner," Colten said, smug that he knew something his sister didn't. "You might have heard of her. Some call her the Wicked Queen!"
"What?" Botan said, eyes widening to dinner plates.
---
"Hey." A familiar face said, crouched down in her usual position.
"You survived!" Seina said, amazed. And the infamous magical girl didn't even seem that hurt. Tears stung her eyes as she spotted Emiyo nearby. "And you're okay, too!"
"Barely," Emiyo replied, giving a shaky smile. "But we did it. Reiko, the Poison Ivy is no more."
This news earned an audible gasp from her entire group. It seemed impossible anyone could slay that monster.
"Impossible!" But Botan wasn't as quick to believe, incredulous, nothing could beat such an undefeatable, wish-granting bane of fairykind. But Seina couldn't blame her. It'd been difficult for people to accept the vampire king's sudden defeat too.
"Are you a dumbass? Of course, it's true. We're standing, aren't we?" The glare the Wicked Queen sent Botan's way sent her scrambling behind Mr. Kiyojiro's enormous frame.
"Anyway, with Yuuka gone, only two Devil Princesses remain!" Seina said, excited.
"Yuuka, the mad, chaos-loving lunatic is dead?" Arisu asked, standing bolt upright. "No kidding?"
"Thank Seina," Charity replied, beaming. "She dealt the final blow."
"Not alone." Seina's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "Another magical girl named Ume helped! I wouldn't have won without her!"
"I really owe you that drink, then." Arisu gave Seina's shoulder a playful punch. "That monster killed a dear friend of mine."
"Someone needed to stop her. And grape juice would be fine, thanks." Seina gave a weak smile.
"Is this really the Wicked Queen?" Botan said, peering at the odd girl. "She's not quite what I expected."
"I knew all along that rumors about the Wicked Queen were wrong. It didn't surprise me at all." Colten lied, trying to one-up his sister.
"Hey, Kiyojiro. Do you smoke?" Arisu asked.
"No, sorry."
"Damn." Arisu gave an annoyed sigh.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you can ask Takako to summon you some," Charity said, exasperated. While she clearly thought this was beneath a magical girl's dignity, Charity wanted to help her partner, regardless. "And here she comes."
"Guys!" Himari said, popping from nowhere. Attached to her arm was a shaken Takako. "Thank goodness you're okay!"
"That's an interesting way to travel." Takako shook her head, her pupils a little too large.
"Sorry, Takako, but slipping into a higher universe was the quickest way to get here." Himari turned to address her friends. "Hey!"
Seina hadn't a clue what that meant, but okay. "You will not believe this! Reiko has been defeated!"
"Truly?" Himari said, beaming.
"And we found that Wicked Queen! She helped us defeat her!" Seina gestured at the squatting girl.
"Yo!" Arisu gave a slight wave. "Arisu Ikehara."
Himari seemed flabbergasted at the girl's unusual demeanor, but Takako only beamed, pleased. "Takako. She seems pretty cool!"
As usual, nothing flummoxed the cool, collected Takako. They exchanged a quick version of their stories, confirming that Reiko was, in fact, dead. Time was against them. Soon, Kaguya would return with reinforcements. Seina noticed Arisu's sour expression when she mentioned the Dreamer's name.
"Do you know Kaguya?" Seina asked.
"We go way back. Though seeing her again puts a sour taste in my mouth. She has a lot to answer for!"
"What happened? Why are the Devil Princesses destroying the multiverse to topple the Needle of the Cosmos?"
"Apotheosis!" Everyone tensed as Kaguya the Dreamer appeared from nowhere. Behind her stood a grim Mei, her lips set in a firm line behind her metal, demon-like face mask. "That's what everyone wants to obtain in their brief lives, to become something great!
"You have some nerve, Kaguya, creating this mess." Arisu spat on the ground. "How much slaughter will satisfy you, beast?"
Unlike the other Devil Princesses, the Dreamer wasn't wary of the Wicked Queen. No, she seemed to delight in how much pain she'd caused Arisu. Her eyes were alight with mischief. "And I will continue to do so. That's the difference between the two of us. I'm stronger. You act all tough, but inside, you're a scared, weak little girl who can't accomplish what needs to be done. This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't shown me mercy years ago."
"Shut up. I'll show everyone the real difference between us." In a flash, Arisu disappeared. She reappeared behind the two Devil Princesses. To everyone's surprise, she clutched Kaguya's sleeping partner in her fist. Everyone gasped as the Wicked Queen tightened her grip, and the fairy shattered into dust.
"You're nothing but a fake," Arisu said, breaking the shocked silence. "You aren't a magical girl, never were. That pretty face hides the monster within. Much to my shame, I didn't recognize it centuries ago. I truly believed I could save you."
"What? She's not a magical girl?" Seina's head spun at the implication. What did this mean?
"Not a magical girl, a vampire. A Great Vampire." Arisu pointed at the Needle of the Cosmos. "And that stake is impaled in the heart of Kaguya's real body."