>Upon hearing the news, you all fly through the neighborhood with less regard than usual as to how suspicious you look.
>Once you all land at the large, beautiful house, the door opens before any of you even get close enough to knock on it.
>A man who looks to be in his mid-twenties with light brown hair opens the door. “I take it you’re all here to see her.”
>Dean Crystal wordlessly nods.
>The man steps aside and beckons you all in.
>You’re all led up two flights of stairs, and through a hallway adorned with pictures and art.
>You see wonders such as a beautiful piano room and a large home library, but now’s not the time to admire it.
>Soon, the embellished doors of the master bedroom are opened to reveal the bed-ridden headmistress.
>She wears a weak smile. Though the usual energy and radiance in her form are greatly diminished.
>All of you slowly walk up to her. The dean and professor give her questioning looks. Cinderbelle and Carrie look shocked. Cadenza, Artemis, Amelia, and you wear slightly solemn faces.
>”Aww, what’s with those looks? Everyone gets sick every once in a while.” The headmistress says.
>”But Spicy, who was running things while you were out?” Professor Gardener asks.
>The headmistress sits up a little more in her bed. “Dean Sparkle of course.”
>”Oooof course.” Dean Crystal comments with a hint of sarcasm.
>”Don’t worry, the settlement hasn’t sank into the ground just yet.” The headmistress starts. “Besides, I’ll be back to my old self before long really. Also I heard about the mission. Good job, all of you.”
>The headmistresses eyes scan over all of you as she says this. You’d like to relish in the compliment. The situation makes it difficult, though.
>”But Selene got away.” Dean Crystal says. “The thought that she’s still out and about makes me anxious. It probably means we’ll have another problem on our hands soon.”
>”You can talk about that in the conference room.” The headmistress then devolves into a coughing fit.
>You’re all taken aback.
>”Hey, I’ll go get more water.” Her husband then walks past you out of the room.
>Finally the headmistress stops coughing. ”On a more positive note… five crystals we have now. Neat! You can put it with the other two that the academy has.”
“Is there anything at all we can do for you?”
>Even you are a little surprised at your speaking up, but you felt like you had to say it.
>The headmistress looks over to you. “Oh Sunset, it hasn’t been that long, but you look like you’ve grown up so much since you first entered this place.”
>You rub the back of your neck.
“Oh, you think?”
>”All you need to do for me is to keep becoming a better witch. That goes for all of you. My cute hubby here is doing all of the nursing I need.”
>As if on cue, the man shows up with the water he promised. His face is a little flushed at his wife’s comment.
>Before long, you all exit the house and are met again with the cloudy sky above the settlement.
>”Well, I guess that’s that.” Professor Gardener says flatly.
>Dean Crystal groans. “This means we’ll have to deal with Dean Sparkle and her lackies without the headmistress. What fun.”
>Dean Crystal turns to the rest of you. “You all should go back to your dorms. I’m sure you have plenty of things to catch up on.”
>You all nod. With that, the dean and professor get on their brooms and take their leave.

~

>It feels good to walk through the halls of The Academy again. The witches around you wear the same robe again, which is comforting in an admittedly kind of shallow way.
>It’s also warmer here. It’s still cold since it’s late in the year, but a far cry from the old country’s northernmost state.
>And while you appreciate the marble classical-style architecture back in Cloudsdale, you missed the gothic designs here.
>As you, Artemis, and Amelia sit down for breakfast a few weeks after your return, Amelia picks up a newspaper.
>”Gang of rouge witches led by Selene Sparkle terrorize Cloudsdale.” Amelia reads flatly. “Cool! We’re in the news.”
>Artemis swallows her slightly undercooked eggs and replies. “Not cool. Depending on your point of view at least. I know the headmistress wanted to keep this whole thing a secret—just like the hotel settlement.”
“An attempt to not cause unrest?”
>Artemis nods. “This settlement’s subjects in particular really don’t want to hear any news that even imply a conflict could happen.”
>”Eh, I mean the truth is the truth. Also we’re in the news!” Amelia gives a big toothy smile as she makes her statement again.
>You get up and get a paper yourself. You all are only really mentioned briefly as members of the party. Most of the article is about Selene and her gang. You do notice it says nothing about the crystal.
>As more people file in you get some stares from other witches that presumably are recognizing you from the paper.
>Cadenza, Carrie, and Cinderbelle join you all.
>”The news, girls. Check it out!” Amelia hands Cinderbelle the paper and she reads through.
>”Interesting. Selene is yet another traitor to a settlement.” Cinderbelle says.
>A short, but impactful silence falls at the table.
“So… what about ours then?”
>”No way, right?” Carrie says. “Here? There’s no way there’s a traitor.”
>Her voice was inundated with uncertainty which you all could feel.
>”There’s no reason to speculate about these kinds of things. Especially not out loud. Not unless we have a concrete reason to believe.” Artemis says.
>Cadenza breaks the silence. “In other news, I’m glad to be back here away from super high elevation and away from Celestia.”
>You, Amelia, and Carrie give Cadenza cheeky smiles.
>Cadenza looks confused for a moment. “What?”
“You have a love-hate relationship with that girl, don’t you?”
>”A-are you kidding me!” Cadenza is visibly flustered. “No way! I hate her.”
>Carrie scoots closer to her. “And yet you keep bringing her up.”
>”Like an ex you just can’t get over.” Amelia adds.
>You three begin to snicker.
>”It’s WAY to early for this!” A blushing Cadenza finally gets up and gets her things to head to class.
>You three start all out laughing at Cadenza’s expense. Even Cinderbelle can’t help but crack a smile.
>Soon the laughter dies down.
>”We should get going too, I suppose.” Artemis says.
>You all file into professor Storm’s class amongst the crowd of witches that have to go there. Another quirk of this place you suddenly become aware of after having been without it for a while.
>Eventually the lecture starts and the room quiets down. You start taking notes as usual. Cinderbelle does too. Cadenza seems to vary between listening and going back to writing something in that music journal of hers. Artemis focuses intently on the lecture without writing anything down. Carrie and Amelia are both half asleep.
>”As for your coming assessment…”
>You feel the focus around the room rise. Carrie and Amelia sit back up at full attention.
>”Each team will be getting their timeslots soon. Each wave of students are to meet up at the hills over east. Details of the assessment will be given right before the challenge as to force you to be prepared for anything—just like last time. And as always, being late for your timeslot means failure.”
>Murmurs start to come from around the room.
>”She said each team.” Amelia comments. “We’re not getting slots as individuals this time?”
“That’s a good thing, right? If we’re together, there’s no way we won’t do well.”
>You think back to how you had to navigate your way through Appolusa last time around. Not all that pleasant really.
>”Yeah. You’re right!” Amelia replies.

~

>”Sunset,” Rose begins. “You can’t just go around taking things even if it’s from a bad girl. It’s kind of like tampering with a crime scene.”
“Hey, I’m pretty sure the professor saw. She didn’t say anything. It must be okay then!”
>You give her an unconfident smile.
>Rose sighs. “It’s more likely she just let it slide. Professor Gardener is like that.”
>You begin to pace a bit. And ignore the sensation of stepping on various small parts on the floor of the wand lab—because there was just about no way to avoid it what with how dirty it is.
“What would they do with it anyway? Like, surely the high witches would have confiscated all of their weapons anyway.”
>Rose spins Nera’s wand in her hand, looking at every detail with great care. “I don’t know that one, actually. Probably study it themselves.”
“Hey, you want to eventually work in the big league labs, right? If you help me with this, you can show them you’re worthy.”
>”That is, if I don’t get scolded for using stolen material.” 
>You scratch the back of your head.
“Right…”
>”But still,” Rose holds the wand out to the side of her seat and makes it change to it’s mace form. Then changes it to a broom. “more than one transformation on this thing. I’ve never seen that before. The higher ups with Vannie’s wand are probably wondering where in the world they managed to make these.”
>You clasp your hands together as to plead to Rose.
“You’re the best one at this I have access to. Can you help me understand it? We’ll both learn more about wands. Especially me. What if we manage to make our own?”
>Rose looks down on the desk and gets lost in thought.
“I’ll even-“
>”Fine.”
>Rose looks up at you from her seat with a determined look. “But we need a much stricter schedule for this now. Every day in here. Probably at 6 PM or so—so that everyone else is gone.”
>In addition to the regular schoolwork you need to catch up on? This is going to be hell. But…
>You nod.
“Alright.”
>Thus began your new day to day schedule. Catching up on coursework was painful enough. But you manage it somehow along with meeting with Rose to dissect Nera’s wand every day. 

~

“Are you sure this is the right way?”
>Amelia leads you through the settlement to a place quite a ways out from the middle. The buildings get noticeable less stone and decorated and more wooden and minimalist.
>The people around here are definitely not witches or sons of witches.
>”Yeah. I’ve been here a million times. Once we go in, you’re gonna change your tune. Just wait.”
>You two walk in silence for a moment. Both of you simply watching the passing scenery.
“Amelia, why don’t you ever seem to be as busy as everyone else?”
>Amelia looks down to you. Suddenly you become a little self-conscious of what you said.
“I mean, if you don’t mind.”
>”Eh, I finish what I have to do and be done with it. I don’t spend more time than I need to studying or whatever. It’s not like I do poorly in class, I just don’t go out of my way to be perfect. I’d rather be Doing something, y’know?”
“No problem as long as that works for you, I guess.”
>”Aaand, we’re here!”
>You barely noticed where you were walking the last couple of minutes. Now you find yourself in front of a large wood cabin that is simply labeled ‘Wares.’
“Where exactly?”
>Amelia chuckles. “Good one!” She then begins to walk toward the door.
>You stand confused for just a moment before you finally get it.
>You facepalm, sigh, then enter after her.
>Behind the doors is a surprisingly orderly store of seemingly random items. There are three floors of store shelves that you can clearly see because each ‘floor’ is really an oversized balcony that circles the middle of the store. Ladders around the cabin lead to the higher floors. The middle of the whole cabin is empty save for one woman with long, messy black hair and green eyes behind the counter.
>”Why helllooo Ameliaaaaa.” The woman speaks in a quiet, eerie voice.
>”Hi, Helen.” The casualness with which Amelia replies surprises you a bit.
>”I sssseee you’ve brought a fffffriend.” The woman looks at you with the one eye that’s not covered by her hair.
>You smile nervously.
“Hey. I’m Sunset.”
>The woman simply holds her smile and nods at you.
>”C’mon, Sunset. Let’s go.” Amelia grabs your hand and pulls you toward the ladders to the store.
>Up on the shelves you find things of radically varying value. Some things look like complete junk such as soda bottles and old boots. You also see some various appliances that are more familiar to you such as clothes irons, crock pots, and vaccum cleaners—do they even still work?
>Every now and then you see pieces of old pieces of technology that are after your time. All of them look quite broken though. A lot you can’t even tell the purpose of.
>”Nothin’ interesting here. Let’s go up again.” Amelia suggests.
>Up another floor is a set of random items much like the previous.
>This isn’t the kind of place you’d expect to find Amelia though. 
>You look over to see her looking through the items intently… Her eyes glaze over the shelves like a famer looking for the ripest fruit.
>Something on the shelves catches your eyes however, and you turn to see a hat.
>An old, worn purple ‘witch’ hat in the classical sense. You know just the person to give this to!
>”Hey, Sunset! Check this out!” Amelia’s voice comes from somewhere out of view.
>You take the hat off the shelf and follow the voice.
>You turn a corner to see Amelia looking at an old record player with a turn crank.
>She kneels down and looks it over behind, in front, and from above.
>”With this we could play music in our own room!”
“Yeah?”
>Amelia raises an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you’re so nonchalant about this!” She then sighs. “I forget you’re from the past sometimes.”
>I guess that means you’re fitting in.
“Well, I haven’t seen it done since I got here. Does it even work?”
>”Good question.” Amelia turns the crank. Once it’s at its limit, she puts the needle onto the spinning record.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCgmhrJtMFI
>”Whaaaaat isssss thaaaaat!?” Helen asks from below.
>Amelia gets startled at this, and takes the needle off the record not long after the song starts.
“What do you know? It does work.”
>Amelia laughs nervously.
>She and Helen argue over the price of the record player and a few records for a good few minutes as you zone out. Eventually you come to when it’s over and accept the first price offered for the hat—much to Helen’s delight.
>Amelia carries the record player right over her shoulder on the way back. While you wear the purple hat.
>For some silly reason, the hat raises your spirits. You wear a stupid grin as you walk through the common area back toward The Academy.
>Throughout the crowd of people, you see a toddler—a little girl who is frantically looking through the crowds.
>Amelia takes notice and approaches her. You follow.
>Amelia bends her knees as to get a little closer and addresses the girl. “Hey, are you lost?”
>The girl looks up at Amelia and dons an inquisitive face. You can’t really blame her, you’d react the same to a girl holding a record player.
>You smile at her.
“Do you need help finding your mother?”
>”…Yeah.” The girl says in a stuffy voice. She’s obviously trying not to cry.
>You don’t have to look for very long, as woman with two cribs approaches you two. “Catie, just where did you run off to?”
>The girl, presumably Catie, runs to the mother and hugs her.
>”You can’t just go off by yourself like that.” The woman speaks in a stern tone, but caresses her daughter with supremely affectionate touch.
>The woman looks up at you two and you see her green eyes. “Thank you for finding her.”
>Amelia chuckles. ”Thanks… but we didn’t really do much.”
>With that, the woman leaves.
>Finally back in the room, Amelia looks around for a place to put the “””new””” record player.
>Eventually she settles on a spot right next to her dresser, then she sits on her bed and looks out the window.
>You go to your desk and begin to work on an assignment for your conjuring class. Complete ‘fun.’
>After a while, you see that Amelia is still looking out of the window. She doesn’t generally sit still this long.
“Don’t you want to play the record player again?”
>”Oh.” She seems to be snapped out of a trance. “Uh, maybe later.”
>She then refocuses on something out the window.
>What’s gotten into her?
>You walk over to her and she doesn’t even seem to register your presence. 
“Amelia, did you notice something weird about that woman?”
>Finally she looks at you. ”Eh? No. Did you?”
“No. I’m asking because I thought you did.”
>She tilts her head. “What makes you think I did?”
“Because you’re acting weird. Amelia doesn’t stare into the horizon. She goes out and conquers it!”
>She raises and eyebrow at you. Then she slowly smiles. Then you both start to laugh.
>Amelia sighs after the laughter wears off. “If you have to know, I was thinking about a goal I had.”
>You sit down next to her.
“Oh?”
>Amelia hugs herself and blushes. “I want to have babies.”
“Oh.”
>You thought it would be something much more pressing.
“Seeing that mother with all of those kids must have flared up those feelings, huh?”
>”You’re telling me? I FELT that in my ovaries, Sunset. I may not look it, but I actually always wanted to be a mom.”
>You chuckle.
>Amelia narrows her eyes at you. “Laughing at my dreams, eh?”
>You wave your hand as if to dispel the thought.
“No, no. It’s really cute. It’s not like it’s a controversial thing. Witches are always told to have babies.”
>”Yeah, but that’s because we’re all nearly infertile. The idea of barely scraping by with one kid makes my stomach sink. I want to have a lot!”
>You’ve heard that witches have a hard time getting pregnant, but you never really took the time to internalize it. That means you, too, are barely able to reproduce.
>Having children was never a goal you specifically had for yourself, but you can’t help but feel negative thoughts when you think about being completely barren. That’s just nature, you guess…
>You get back into the routine of studying in the day and tinkering with Rose in the evening and night. Days pass, eventually the time for your assessment comes.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 25: Those Noises
>February 6, 2090
>The Purple plague is starting to really spread around the world now.
>And in return the world panics.
>I’ve been keeping myself calm. Which, admittedly, is easier than most since I’m a witch. But I fear for the world, despite what all the ones who fear us may think.
>I still have some unease though. It manifests at night.
>I had an awful dream last night…
>There were men and women. Stuck in disgusting, grotesque bodies.
>I don’t remember any details on their appearance actually, but all I know is that they were utterly abominable. One mere glance at them made my want to vomit. True insults to God. 
>But if you stomached it for a little you could see the deep pain they were in through their eyes.
>Those people desperately wanted to get out of their bastardized forms.
>They lashed out at anything and everything in anger over their condition. It was sad.
>Their vocal chords were decomposing. All sounds that came from them sounded like garbled, otherworldly howls.
>I had put the nightmare out of my memory…
>Then today my close friend Tangy Sweet told me that her daughter reported similar sounds one day in a particular room in the basement of the castle.
>I went there myself thereafter… more times than I’d like to admit.
>I never heard anything out of the ordinary there.
>… But I did feel an overwhelming aura of dread and despair when I entered that plain, uninteresting room.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon. 

~

>You hear Artemis ask you something. Despite her being right behind her on the broom, the sound of the wind muffles out her voice just enough for it to go past you.
“What was that?”
>”I asked if you’re ready?” She repeats.
>You give a determined nod.
“Definitely.”
>”That’s the spirit!” An Amelia that’s flying right next to you exclaims.
>Soon, the sight of the assessment come into view. It’s on top of a particular hill among many in the area. 
>You see a crowd of witches in a plaza—that must be your destination.
>You, Artemis, and Amelia land; the attention of all the witches in the area fall upon you three.
>Professor Storm along with around 20 or so student witches are present.
>”Great, you’re here.” The professor says. She then begins to tap on the tip of her want impatiently. “Just one more group now… they have only a few more minutes.”
>Time goes by and the students have small talk amongst themselves. Amelia goes to speak amongst some people you don’t know. Artemis closes her eyes and seems to be meditating. You don’t want to disturb her.
>Looking around you see a few small buildings around, though the area as a whole is quite rural. You think this might have once been a university…
>*DOOOSH!* Suddenly, the sound of a very hard landing near you gets everyone’s attention.
>You see Veronica.
>Along with her two apparent team mates. One a girl with long hair parts red and blue with light blue eyes. She wears an optimistic smile on her face. The other a girl with long pink and blue hair and blue eyes. She looks as excited as a child who just got off a roller coaster.
>Veronica stands in the middle. Expressionless as usual.
>”You three are nearly late!” Professor Storm scolds.
>”We’re so sorry.” The red and blue one says. “We just wanted to make sure we were as ready as possible!”
>”None of the excuses. We were THIS close to starting without you… is what I would say.” Professor Storm looks over the landscape. “But the truth is we’re not quite done with setup either. So you’re all going to have to wait a bit longer.” She extends her wand into its form as a broom and gets ready to fly off. “I’ll be back. Don’t move from this spot.” Then she’s off.
>”She gets all worked up over our punctuality then pulls that?” Amelia says, suddenly back to you and Artemis.
>”I know right, how lame.” The girl who was speaking to the professor floats over toward you three. Literally floats.
>”Hey, Gun.” Amelia replies to the girl.
>The girl then turns her attention to you. “Oh hey.” She lowers herself to the ground. “You must be Sunset. I’m Gunnel.”
>You give her a smile and a nod.
“Nice to meet you.”
>”The first girl to earn entrance here through an exam, huh? And to be put on a team with Artemis and Amelia too. You must be impressive.”
>You look away bashfully.
“It wasn’t much really.”
>”What’s much is that everyone here now has a free fuckin’ target!”
>You jump a little out of shock, then turn around to see the other girl on Veronica’s team.
“Target?”
>”Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. Your team and ours is here. And so are all the other top expedition teams. Meaning everyone here is highly rated except for one.”
>Artemis is out of her meditation by this point, and simply looks at the girl inquisitively.
>”Huh, that’s true isn’t it.” Gunnel says.
>You look around to see the various witches amongst the crowd staring at you… you try to tell yourself it’s just the commotion of the conversation to a shaky degree of success.
>Amelia pulls you over to her by the arm and wraps her arms around you, pulling your back into her. “There’s nothing to worry about because Sunset’s super strong! There just hasn’t been a chance for her to show her stuff again yet. You’ll see, Marble.”
>Amelia releases you.
>”Welp, I fuckin’ hope so for your sake!” Marble replies.
“Hey. Worry about yourself why don’t you?”
>Gunnel laughs nervously. “Don’t mind her. That’s her way of expressing genuine concern. Marble’s an interesting unit.”
>Marble raises an eyebrow at Gunnel for that comment. “The fuck did you just say about m-“
>She cuts off to look at something in the distance.
>You notice and look too.
>What you see is an enormous… zeppelin? Not quite like the zeppelins you know. It looks both new and old—much like some of the technology you saw at that pawn shop earlier. It looks like it was once mostly white, but it has many stains due to age. Lights on the airship flicker. It’s quieter than you expected.
>The airship slowly rolls up leaving a large shadow in its wake as it approaches. Eventually it stalls in the air floating.
>Professor Storm and a few other adult witches exit and fly back down toward the group.
>”Now,” The professor begins. “Your assessment. You all are the first timeslot, so I guess you’re the guinea pigs. Two teams.” She holds up ‘twos’ with both hands to emphasize. “We’ve already chosen them. Each starts at one end of the zeppelin. Each team has one member chosen as ‘queen.’ The queen is responsible for giving her team commands to follow. In this game, the goal is to sack the opposing team’s queen by throwing her out of the zeppelin. Any questions so far?”
>No one says a thing.
>”In fact, anyone who gets thrown out of the zeppelin and falls to the ground is out of the game for good. There will be no brooms or wands in this assessment.” Professor Storm looks up at the airship at this point. It’s quite a ways off the ground. The fall would definitely kill anyone who’s not a witch. “Uhh… land with your legs bent. Then roll.”
>You can see various unamused and slightly worried faces amongst the students.
>”Now for the teams…”
>Professor Storm calls out expedition teams and files them to either one side or another. Each line stands opposing one another so the teams are made apparent. 
>You smile as your team is placed to one side. How could you possibly lose with Artemis and Amelia on your team?
>”Oh, and the queens! They’ll be chosen at random.”
>Professor Storm sticks her wand into the air. “One witches wand from each side should light! Those are your queens.”
>On the other side, you see Veronica’s purple wand shine. She silently acknowledges it.
“Is that a good thing for us?”
>”Kind of.” Artemis says. “It means she can’t be on the offensive at least.”
“But who’s our queen?”
>You look side to side and only see dim wands. 
>Your side slowly loses its energy, and focuses their eyes on you.
>… There’s no way. What are the odds.
>You meet Amelia’s sympathetic look in her eyes. Then you reach into your robe to pull out your—lighted—wand.
>”BAHAHAHAHAHAA!” Marbles laughter erupts from the other side. “Easiest win of my life!”
>The witches on that side have various looks of amusement. By comparison, yours gives you various shades of disappointment.
>”Shut up!” Professor Storm commands. 
>The students promptly obey.
>”Suck it up and do the damn assessment. Or you can fail, if you’d like.”
>Silence and the slight whistle of the wind is all that can be heard.
>Professor Storm sighs. “One more thing… this airship might be out of commission, but that doesn’t mean you can be reckless. Anyone we find to be unnecessarily destructive of the ship will be docked points.” 
>The two teams get onto the zeppelin. One in markedly higher spirits than the other. 
>The inside is quite spacious really. You can see conference rooms, recreational areas, and windows. The view of the landscape from the windows is almost enough to alleviate the stress of the situation. Almost.
>You hear a static-like noise before you hear Professor Storm’s voice over the intercom. “Both teams are in place. Good. I’ll give you about ten minutes to prepare. Then I’ll announce when it starts. Good luck.”
>The air is thick and filled with tension amongst your robe-less (as to differentiate themselves from the opposing side) team. 
>Both the anxiety of not knowing your teammates and the weight of having to be the queen makes you feel queasy. You can hardly make eye contact with anyone.
>Who’s going to listen to a lowly-rated outsider? What if you say something stupid? What are you supposed to do?
>These worries race through your mind…
>Until you meet the smiles of Artemis and Amelia.
>”Well.” Amelia begins. “What are your orders, queen?”
>This snaps you out of your spell just enough. You smile in return.
>You turn to the rest of them. “What are all of your names and powers?”
>Mechanically, your team members go through a process of introducing themselves and telling you their main magic.
>Two in particular stand out to you.
>One, a girl with blue and blonde hair. “My name’s Crescent. I shoot lasers from my eyes.” She speaks with a soft voice and looks very pretty and delicate. However, you can’t shake the feeling that there’s more than meets the eye with her.
>The other, a shorter girl with light purple eyes and light brown hair with the cutest looking braid on her head. “I’m Sieghild. I can harden the air.”
“Harden it? Can you show me?”
>”Sure.” Sieghild puts her finger up and casts her spell.
>You see a block of air harden in front of her. It looks a little like glass, but it’s duller and without reflection. It also stays suspended in place.
>You reach up and touch it. 
“Interesting.”
>You turn to your whole team.
“And I’m Sunset Shimmer. I can read people’s minds upon touching them.”
>You get a chorus of ‘heys,’ ‘his,’ ‘hellos,’ and nods.
“As for our plan. Amelia, Sieghild—I need you two to stay and defend me.”
>”Roger that!” Amelia replies.
>Sieghild gives you a nod.
“Artemis and Crescent. You two should lead the charge and attack Veronica.”
>They look at each other, look back at you, then nod.
“And I need the rest of you to support those two and open a path to their queen. Move together. Join them if you clear enough of the enemy out.”
>You turn to Artemis.
“Sound good?”
>She gives you a cheeky smile. “You’re the queen.”
>You sigh in response.
>At this point the intercom blares to life. “Alright witches. The assessment starts now.”
“We have our plan. Let’s do this, alright?”
>In response you get a chorus of “Yeah.”
>Not exactly the most hype you’ve seen for an operation, but it’s a step up from where you began.
“Get Artemis and Crescent as deep into their side as you can. Go!”
>Everyone except for you, Sieghild, and Amelia moves deeper into the battlefield that is this airship.
>”So what do we do? Are we really just going to wait here?” Sieghild asks. “What if someone sneaks past them?”
“I have a plan. Follow me.”
>You lead Amelia and Sieghild to the side of the zeppelin. It’s a conference room. A dusty wood table is surrounded by dusty and degrading wood and metal chairs. There’s also a podium. There are windows in this room, but they’re closed. You’ll have to go a bit further in.
>When you three get to the door on the far end you stop.
“Amelia, can you check if it’s clear?”
>She nods and slowly slides the door open a crack. Then she sticks her head out and looks.
>”It’s clear.” 
>You three go through the door into a new part of the hall.
>The sound of battle can be heard in the distance. It makes you tense. You three proceed as to not draw any attention or make much noise.
>Deeper in you find another door on the outskirts.
>Entering you see that it’s a game room. There’re are couple of ripped up pool tables. You also see a large, dusty screen on one side of the room. 
>Most importantly however, the windows in this room are able to be open.
>You open the window and feel the cool air flood in.
>”So, what are we doing?” Amelia asks.
“Getting on top of this airship.”
>Sieghild raises an eyebrow. ”On top?”
“Because who would think we’d be on top of it?”
>They look at each other. Then Sieghild shrugs. ”Alright then.” 
>She closes her eyes and waves her hands as if she was conducting an orchestra for a moment.
>Then the air steps materialize.
“Nice! I need you to go first and check it out. Then I’ll follow, then Amelia.”
>”Alright.” With that, Sieghild exits the zeppelin and ascends her air stairs.
“Guess it’s my turn now…”
>You slowly maneuver your body out the window and onto the transparent air steps.
>Seeing the drop really gets your blood pumping. The cool air doesn’t make things better.
>*CRASH* A loud sound presumably from the battle down the airship hallway causes you to jump a little. You lose your balance for a moment but stay on the air steps.
>”You alright?” Amelia asks.
“…Yeah.”
>You take a moment to calm down, then ascend the steps.
>Sieghild waits for you at the top. Amelia makes it up before long, then Sieghild gets rid of the stairs.
“We’re all here now!”
>”Now what?” Amelia asks.
“We put our faith in the rest of the team. This puts some pressure off of them. Even if all they can do is stall the others, think how confused they’ll be to get to our end and not find us. Surely Artemis and Crescent can deal with Veronica before they figure out where we are.”
>”Hmm…” Sieghild seems to ponder your words.
>”Y’know, that might just be crazy enough to work!” Amelia says.
“Right?”
>You sit down on the airship ceiling. The other two join you.
“Easiest test of my life.”
>Your smile seems to spread to the other two. A moment of contentedness comes.
>A realization seems to hit Sieghild. “One player on the opposing team could be a problem.”
“You mean… Gunnel?”
>”Yeah. Her power makes her especially pesky in this assessment.”
“True. She literally can’t get thrown out since she can fly. Now that I think of it, what would we do if she was made queen?”
>”Ugh. Let’s not get bothered with those possibilities.” Amelia says. “Besides, I can handle Gun easily.”
>You all are alerted by the sounds and vibrations of the battles below.
“You better not have jinxed us, Amelia.”
>She smiles and shrugs.
>The three of you move towards the edge of the zeppelin (while being careful not to slip!).
>What you see are a couple of witches falling from the airship.
“Umm. They’re not wearing robes, are they?”
>Sieghild looks at you with a mildly distraught look. “No, they’re not.”
>You begin to have some doubts about your orders… Should you have fought with them? What should you do now? Where are Veronica and Artemis?
>Amelia seems to read your mind. “We already have our plan and we should stick with it. If we go in now, you’re at much higher risk.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
>More time passes. Though this time you’re much more on edge than before. Every jolt due to the battles below cause an adrenaline rush.
>Ironically, it’s with an eerie silence that Gunnel finally ascends from the quarters below with Marble and another witch in tow.
>”Well,” Amelia begins. “we knew this moment would come.”
“Sieghild, stay close to me.”
>She nods and steps closer to you.
>”Tsk, tsk.” Gunnel starts as she lowers her team mates to the ceiling of the zeppelin. “So this is where you’ve been hiding. Kind of clever.”
>Sieghild and Amelia get in front of you and get into stance.
“Where’s Artemis?”
>Marble give you a thumbs down. “As far as you’re concerned, absolutely fucked. Now let’s end this thing.”
>You scowl and get into stance yourself.
>”Gee, this setup makes us look like such villains. I fancy myself a hero, you know.” Gunnel says.
>With that, Amelia lunges at Gunnel.
>She responds by ascending to the sky.
>Amelia attempts to jump up after her.
>Then the other girl—someone you don’t know with grey eyes and hair—motions at Amelia and seems to bring her back down to the ground toward her. This causes Amelia to be unable to Reach Gunnel.
>Does she have some kind of attraction power?
>You don’t have time to mull it over as Marble rushes at you with a manic look on her face.
>From each of her palms comes a whip of magical energy. They shine a bright yellow. You can instantly tell they’re painful to the touch.
>Marble spins and gets ready to strike. Time seems to slow down.
>Sieghild steps in front of you and summons a wall of solid air.
>Upon contact with Marble’s whips, the solid air cracks and quickly dissolves.
>Marble keeps up her assault. Moving around you two and swinging her whips where she sees an opening.
>Sieghild continues to block the whips, but each time they seem to get a little closer…
>Meanwhile you can still see Amelia’s battle with Gunnel and the other girl. Whenever she gets too close to Gun the other girl pulls her away with her power. And whenever she tries to fight magnet-girl Gun seems to swoop in and attack her. It looks like a frustrating fight.
“How long can you keep this up, Sieghild!?”
>You hope she can hear you over the crack of the whips.
>”Not long…, but I have a plan.”
>With that, Sieghild makes a platform of solid air a few meters above you two. And in two quick motions jumps up on that ‘ceiling,’ then jumps down and tackles Marble down to the zeppelin’s surface.
>”Egh, get off me!” Marble shouts.
>You watch them struggle for a moment, then it occurs to you that you should actually do something.
>But what?
>You think you best help Amelia out.
>While magnet girl is annoying Amelia you rush behind her and put her in a headlock.
>While trying to resist her struggles you see Amelia give you a nod of approval then go attack Gunnel.
>Eventually she gets out of your grasp and throws a punch at you.
>You move your head to dodge it, only to notice a kick to the shin that makes you recoil.
>She then gets in a punch on your face.
>Well, at least you got her attention off Amelia.
>You reorient yourself.
>”Sunset!”
>Your attention is drawn to a Sieghild that’s being hurled through the air directly toward you.
>You duck.
>Sieghild hits the magnet girl causing her to slide too far to the edge of the zeppelin and fall off.
>Sieghild starts to slip too before you grab her hand and drag her back up.
“That’s one way to do it.”
>”I guess.” She chuckles. “Thanks for getting me.”
“No problem.”
>At this point you see her eyes widen and you instinctively look back to see Marble with a maniacal look on her face. “This ends here.”
>Several more of Marble’s magic whips start to come from her forearm.
>Sieghild wipes her brow and speaks to you in a hushed tone. “Between you and me, Sunset—my power can’t help us in this position.”
>You give her a nervous smile.
“Great. Don’t suppose you have another plan?”
>”…Kind of. Just watch.”
>Huh?
>At this moment, Marble raises her arms and charges in for one large vertical attack of her whips.
>Sieghild jumps as this happens and seems to take the blow. “AAh!” She yelps.
>This causes you to flinch and close your eyes.
>When you open them, you see that Sieghild caught the whips over her shoulders as if she was holding two large logs. The impact and energy of the whips seem to have burned her arms and parts of her back.
>Despite the apparent pain, she holds on to them.
>”Are you insane!?” A surprised Marble asks. “Let go!”
>Sieghild is sweating bullets, and has a very uncomfortable look on her face. Through it all she manages to give Marble a smirk.
>Then she starts to walk backwards pulling Marble along… toward the edge of the aircraft.
>Their tug-of-war rages on.
>”Sunset…” Sieghild begins. “Go push her. She can’t attack you like this.”
>You open your mouth to protest, but the look on Sieghild’s face is all you need to know her determination.
>You run over behind Marble.
>She looks back with ferocity and a bit of worry as she tries to dig her heels into the ground. “Don’t you dare!”
>You give her a toothy smile, then crouch down and sweep her legs out from under her with a kick.
>”RAAAAAAAGH!” Marble yells as she falls.
>And of course, Sieghild fell too…
>…
>”Earth to Sunset!” Amelia’s voice rings out and prompts you to turn around to see a flying Gunnel charging at you.
>Adrenaline pumps through you as you dive to the side and roll back onto your feet.
>Amelia gets into stance beside you. “Just one more, alright. Stay focused.”
>Gunnel descends back onto the zeppelin opposed to you two. “Wow, good job beating Marble.”
>You know she’s being genuine. The nature of the situation makes it feel patronizing though.
>Amelia cracks her knuckles and smiles. “We’re about to do an even better job getting rid of you.”
>Gunnel giggles. “Gonna be a liiiittle difficult for you considering I can fly.”
>”Oh yeah.” Amelia says flatly.
>”Oh my gosh, did you actually forget?”
>”N-no!”
“I’m sure Artemis and Crescent are making quick work of Veronica now. We just have to survive, Amelia.”
>”Uh.. Yeah, that’s right.”
>Gunnel puts her hand to her chin. “Mmm. Are they really though…?”
>You get into stance yourself at this point.
“Definitely!”
>”Stay by me. She can’t win as long as I’m protecting you.” Amelia says.
>With that, Gunnel bends her legs and gets into a ready stance—then rushes at you in flight.
>The speed with which she comes at you startles you and you know the very instant that you aren’t ready.
>Amelia however is ready and steps in front of you to block Gunnel’s charge. Then she breaks the clash with her raw strength.
>Gunnel is undeterred, and quickly flies toward you from another angle.
>In an instant you turn to her. Before you get the chance to react you notice Amelia’s fist rush past your head toward Gun.
>Your hair dances as the sheer wind power of Amelia’s attack rushes by.
>Gunnel moves back before she can meet the fist.
>She then flies far to the side.
>Then she rushes you again. Amelia is ready again, but Gunnel flies right past you without even a clash.
>This happens quickly several times over.
>She must be trying to fake us out.
>Amelia seems to get aggravated. “Enough of this!”
>On one of Gunnel’s charges, she rushes right at her.
>They both fly off the edge of the airship.
>Gunnel attempts to fly with Amelia on her, but it’s clearly erratic and unstable. “Get off of me!”
>”Alright then!” Amelia responds.
>Once they’re both in a position above the airship, Amelia lands a hard punch of Gunnel, sending her right down to the surface of the ship with a satisfying clang of the surface.
>”UHHHH!” Gunnel grunts as she hits the zeppelin.
>Amelia lands beside Gunnel’s unmoving body.
>You run up to her.
“What now?”
>Amelia looks down on Gunnel for a few seconds before turning to you. “Is there a way back inside the ship?”
“Sieghild’s not here anymore… so I don’t know.”
>”Hey, follow me.” Amelia says.
>You both move and look over the side of the zeppelin, careful not to slip and fall off.
>You can’t see the innards or entrance from here. They’re completely covered by the bulk of the airship’s top.
“Maybe we should just wait up here?”
>”I worry. Though it’s not like we have any real way of checking.”
>You turn back around towards Gunnel. 
“By the way, we should throw her off the side.”
>”You’re right.” Amelia walks over to Gunnel and reaches down for her.
>Amelia hoists her up over her shoulder, walks to the edge of the airship, and throws her off.
“She was unconscious. She’ll land safely right?”
>”Uhh… surely Professor Storm is watching. There must be some kind of safety in place… right?”
“That would make sense.”
>*BLAM*
>As soon as you internalize the sudden strong impact on your back, you realize that you’re falling.
>What happened?
>You turn around to see Gunnel flying again over the zeppelin.
>”Playing dead!? Seriously!?” You hear Amelia complain. 
>”I gotta do what I gotta do.” Gunnel responds.
>Of all the ways you could lose… this had to be it?

~

>You are Dean Crystal.
>It’s another pretty uneventful day here in the conference room.
>Dean Crystal and Dean Xenia are getting angry at something unimportant again. You kind of zoned out of what exactly it is this time though.
>Professor Gardener probably has it taken care of though. Hopefully.
>The only real anxiety on anyone’s mind is that the headmistress is still sick.
>”But isn’t it kind of weird though?” Professor Gardener starts. “Incidents involving rouge witches has decreased dramatically. Everyone we talk to in neighboring settlements report the same thing.”
“Patrols have been more aggressive since the incident with Evelyn. It makes sense.”
>”I guess. But you know, paired with little news on you-know-who since the Cloudsdale incident it’s a little worrying.”
>”Sure.” Dean Xenia begins. “But speculation will get us nowhere. We can’t do anything till we actually know if something is happening.”
>”The best we could do even more patrols if you’re that worried.” Dean Sparkle says. “But your response will probably be: ‘That would make our neighbors paranoid.’”
>Professor Gardener giggles. “Yes, that is my response.”
>Dean Sparkle smiles her ominous smile. ”The wait continues then…”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 24: Traditions
>December 25th, 2089
>Actually, a lot of interesting traditions from the other side of that ocean to the east were absorbed into witch culture.
>I’m not exactly sure how it turned out that way, not that I’m complaining.
>One of which is Smorgasbord.
>For us, it’s not just a feast.
>Somewhere along the line it turned into a dance, dinner, and festival for the sake of celebration on Christmas day.
>An old running joke is that Santa Claus died of Magicopia, so we had to do something else.
>Pretty dark joke… yeah.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon. 

~

“Ouch!”
>You instinctively yell as Dr. Cream presses the damp rag against your bruised and fractured leg.
>The odd slimy texture doesn’t do much to assuage the pain.
>Dr. Cream slowly looks up at your face. “Well you know, Professor Storm DID tell you to land and roll correctly.” She speaks flatly.
“Yeah, yeah.”
>As if you needed any more humiliation over your loss. This is just the absolute icing on the cake.
>You let down Artemis and Amelia… and Sieghild and all the rest of them. Showing your face to them again is going to be so embarrassing…
>*Snap! Snap!*
>Dr. Cream snapped her fingers to get your attention. “Now, girl. I can see that you’re too deep in your head.”
>Her face softens. “It happens to everyone at some point…”
>You only manage to respond with a nod.
>”Great. You can go now. Just don’t do anything too strenuous for about three days or so, alright?”
“Alright.”
>With that, you get up and the doctor leads you out of the room.
>”Have a nice weekend.” With that, she reenters her office.
>Oh yeah. It is the weekend now. It didn’t even register with you considering the pressures of the day.
>Tomorrow you’ll have to work with Rose. But until then you’re actually free.
>You power walk to your room in earnest with the sole focus and intention of collapsing on your bed and not waking up for at least an aeon or two.
>The crowds of The Academy are noticeably sparser as the day winds down, but it doesn’t stop it from tiring you out.
>Up the stairs, through more crowds, down more hallways, and finally you’re back at your room.
>You open the door and-
>”She’s here!”
>Huh?
>Amelia, Gunnel, and Marble are here? And they sure seem to have made themselves comfortable on YOUR bed of all places.  
“Uh, what are you all doing here?”
>”We were waiting for you to get back so we could go out.” Amelia says.
“To where?”
>Gunnel shrugs. “I dunno. I hear Gold Spoon is having a house party.”
>”Is she fuckin’ insane?” Marble asks. “Is her house even fixed from last time?”
>”No.” Amelia answers flatly.
>You massage your temples as you process this.
“Wait, why are you two here?”
>You point to Gunnel and Marble.
“Shouldn’t you be with Veronica or something?”
>Marble sits up from being splayed over your (now very unkempt, much to your displeasure) bed. “Please. Just because we’re on a team with her doesn’t mean we hang out with her. Who would want to hang out with Veronica? Would you do it if YOU were on her expedition team.”
>You sigh.
“Point taken…”
>”Now since that’s out of the way, we should get going. Come on, Sunset.” Amelia gets up.
>The other two follow.
“Wait. I never agreed to go.”
>”Oh come on. Don’t be a pussy. It’ll be fun.” Marble says.
“Look, I just came back from losing an assessment and subsequently needing to get medical attention for my legs. I just wanted to come to my room, collapse on the bed, and never wake up!”
>Marble looks at you with a mix of disbelief and annoyance. “Excuse me? What did you just say to me!?”
>Her sheer disbelief of your words takes you aback. You can make the logical connection that there was nothing wrong with your statement, but somehow the raw power of her gesture and genuine confusion at your intentions make you question yourself for just a moment. Peculiar girl, this Marble.
>Gunnel claps her hands together as if to plead. “Please come, Sunset. I promise you’ll have a lot of fun. Plus you seemed really cool earlier today. Oh, and sorry for knocking you off the airship and all.”
“It’s whatever. You were just participating like everyone else.”
>”Aaaand you’ll come with us right?” Amelia asks.
“Fine.”
>You take a deep breath.
“I’ll go.”

~

“Is anyone there? It looks about as active as any of the other houses nearby.”
>Indeed. It looked like the rest of the quiet neighborhood here in the packet of prominent witch homes. You were skeptical of the claim that there were house parties here at all. Seems really opposed to the general order of the area.
>The Spoon house stands as quietly and elegantly as the others.
>”Well of course it’s quiet. Can’t disturb the neighbors.” Amelia says.
“Huh.”
>Guess this will be pretty laid back. You got a completely different impression from the way they were talking about it before.
>You three get to the door.
>*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
“Do you really have the knock that hard, Marble?”
>”Definitely.” She responds.
>Not long after, the door opens to reveal… a barrier. Out of the barrier steps a girl who’s almost as tall as Amelia.
>”Oh, hey Marble, Gun, Amelia.” The girl then looks to you. “And who is this one?”
>”Shut the FUCK up and let us in!” Marble replies.
>The girl puts her hands up defensively. ”Okay, okay. Just doing my job. No need to be so fussy.”
>She steps aside and gestures you all to the barrier.
>Marble walks in and phases right through. Gunnel follows.
>You hesitate for just a moment, but the pressure of the bouncer and Amelia looking at you expectantly urges you on.
>You go through the barrier.
>The first thing you notice is that you now know where the missing noise is. You can hear much singing and a lot of loud talking too.
>The house is large as expected of a house from this area. Though it still manages to be fairly crowded. You recognize a few people from some of your classes dancing or drinking about.
>You also spot a crater in the wood floor that exposes the stone foundation below… people are sitting in it.
>Is this what they meant when they said ‘the house isn’t fixed since last time?’
>You realize you don’t know where to begin with all of this.
>Amelia breaks you out of your thoughts by taking your hand. “Follow me.”
>She leads you up the stairs. The second floor is about as rowdy as the first. Though you see much more food and a lot of dart throwing.
>You cringe as you see a girl get hit with one. “Ah! You’ll pay for that!” She threatens.
>Up another flight and it’s a (relatively) quiet hallway.
“Where are we going?”
>Amelia looks at you with lidded eyes. “A bedroom.”
>Guess that must be where Gunnel and Marble went off to… right?
>Amelia continues to guide you along by your hand.
>*Ohh~ Uhhn~*
>Huh?
>You heard that from one of the rooms you passed by…
>”Alright, here we are.” Amelia opens a door and begins to drag you in.
>Your face suddenly goes flush.
“W-whoa, wait Amelia! I-“
>Inside the room you see Marble, Gunnel, and other people you don’t know.
>Amelia looks at you with a sly smile. “What is it, Sunset?”
“Oh. Uhh… nothing. Everything’s fine.”
>You laugh nervously. Your face is still flushed. Now for a different reason…
>Gunnel looks to another girl in the room. A witch with blonde hair put in a hime cut and purple eyes. “That’s Sunset, Golden Spoon.”
>Gunnel then looks at you. “Sunset, this is our host, Golden Spoon.”
>”Oh, nice to meet you.” She says.
“Nice to meet you too.”
>You sit down and start to settle into that signature mode of keeping quiet while people you don’t know near you converse.
>You pick up a few interesting tidbits. Golden Spoon can only throw these parties because her mom is apparently constantly sent out on missions—she still has no idea how she’s going to explain the crater. Dean Crystal once attended one of these, none of the other high witches have apparently ever figured out. Apparently the witches one generation after this one was generally pretty bad, which worried the leadership for a time. Gunnel, Marble, and Golden Spoon are all related though not immediate family. Amelia supposedly didn’t develop main magic until she was 13—a witch generally finds it at about 5.
>And…
>”Veronica sleeps with a stuffed puppy.” Marble says.
“For real?”
>You blurt it out to your surprise.
“Did you see it while she was living with you, Amelia?”
>”I didn’t. Then again, I wasn’t paying attention to her while she slept.”
>”You didn’t see it because she left it in the dorm.” Marble replies.
>”I can attest. She does sleep with an old stuffed puppy.” Gunnel adds. “It’s a wonder how it managed to stay together all these years…”
>Some girl you don’t know speaks up. “Who would have guessed one of the strongest witches of our generation has to comfort herself with a stuffed animal?”
>Marble chuckles. “I know right? What a pansy!”
>Golden leans forward and gives her a sly smile. “She’s not the only one with a soft spot.~”
>”What are you saying? I don’t do any of that gay shit. Just ask Gun.”
>”Oh really?” Golden Spoon teases.
>Marble gets closer to her. “Really.”
>At this point Gunnel sneaks up to Marble and hugs her from behind.
>You witness one of those things one would really need to see in order to believe.
>Marble’s face softens significantly, and she goes limp in Gunnel’s embrace. It was about as radical a transformation as there can be without a true physical transformation. Hell, you think they’re might have been a physical transformation if you look really closely—Marble’s demeanor has certainly taken a much more submissive expression.
>”W-w-what are you doing, Gun?” Marble whines.
>The room erupts into laughter.
>”I can’t believe you still do this!” Amelia exclaims.
>Gunnel sits back down next to you with Marble still in her arms. She gently pats her head. “There, there.” Gunnel says with a cheeky smile.
>You continue to look in disbelief.
“But why?”
>”Some mysteries will never be solved.” Golden Spoon remarks.
>Gunnel looks to you. “Do you want to hold her, Sunset?”
>”I’m not a p-pet.” Marble barely squeaks out.
“…I guess.”
>”Alright. Put your arms around her before I let go, or she’ll revert.”
>Revert? Just like that?
>You put your arms around the limp Marble and carefully lift her up onto your lap. 
>She looks up at you with those glistening blue eyes. She honestly looks cute like this. Not a trace of the aggressive behavior she typically shows.
>…What’s she thinking?
>*Everyone here is such a bully. I’m a tough girl! I’ll show them!... Except Sunset. She’s warm.*
>!
>Eventually the night dies down and you finally get to collapse on your bed. You fall asleep instantly. The next few weeks pass with your typical schedule.

~

>”Higher.” Rose commands.
>You move the magnifying glass up once again. Rose begins to prod again at the innards of Nera’s wand.
>If you can call it that anymore. You and Rose have messed with it enough such that it’s completely different. However, you still haven’t managed to figure out how it could possibly transform into anything other than a broom.
>You two went in believing it would be easy since an example was in front of you. You learned the hard way that nothing is ever that easy in this world.
>”Lower.” 
>You obey.
>Rose begins to prod again, then smoke begins to come from it.
>”Darn.” Rose reflexively pulls a part out of the contraption and puts it on the desk. “That was the last rune coil. At least the last in this room.”
“Where would any more be?”
>Rose puts her hand on her cheek and thinks for a moment. You can see beads of sweat across her forehead and around her pink eye brows. You can’t help but appreciate that beautiful glow of her skin. And you can’t help but be a little jealous. She IS older than you, after all… Biologically speaking of course.
>”In Professor Kristen’s office probably.”
“Great. I’ll go get some.”
>”Wait. How are we going to explain how we burned through so many?”
>You put a finger to your chin.
“Good point. I’m sure I’ll think of something on the way.”
>You make your way out of the lab in a brisk walk.
>On your way out you hear Rose almost object, but stop before she says a full word.
>You just can’t help it. She’s done so much for you and the least you could do is find some parts. How hard could convincing the professor be?
>You make your way through the hallways and up the stairs.
>Once you get to professor Kristen’s door, you knock on it… and receive no response.
>You knock again. And again, get no response.
>What now? Go back? And let Rose down on this simple task? You can’t!
>You look side to side down this hallway of offices and find no one.
>… You try turning the knob. It’s not locked.
>Inside the professor’s office is a pretty well-kept library and desk. There’s also a pretty rug on the ground. This surprises you because, well, part of you expected the office to be something like Dean Crystal’s. You scold yourself for thinking that she could possibly be the norm for literally anything.
>But where are the parts you need?
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFm4Nfix4pM
>Also, inside the small room is another door. Could that possibly be where her parts are?
>You try this door to find that it’s locked.
>Drat.
>The drawers on the desk then? There are a few parts in there, but not what you need… You also find what you’re pretty sure is erotic literature. Time to forget you saw that.
>You could have sworn Rose said there were rune coils here. And if they’re not in the drawers, they have to be in that extra room. Meaning you have to unlock that door.
>You walk up to the door and put a hand on it. It’s not locked by a spell—that can be a good thing! It means you need a key.
>Is the key on the professor? If she’s careless enough to leave the office unlocked, maybe the key’s in here. But where?
>First you peek into the hallway and confirm no one’s around once again.
>It’s time to check under the rug. Nothing.
>The library shelves then? You skim over the books and find nothing out of the ordinary. Under the shelf has nothing too.
>One thing is bothering you though… The line of books has one space in it. 
>Looking in that space you find nothing.  You even pull out your wand and try a basic unlocking spell… still nothing.
>…
>You open the drawer once again and pull out that erotic book. ‘The One Magic Rod Witches Don’t Have.’
>You shudder.
>Then you put it into the empty space and… nothing happens. Of course!
>You sigh. Maybe you’re putting way too much thought and effort into this? It’s just one part. Perhaps you should just wait for the professor or ask around?
>You just… can’t return to Rose without some kind of success. You have to pull all the stops before you resort to waiting. Who knows where she is? She could be at home for the day. Think Sunset!
>You scan over the room again for anything that could be important. Nothing stands out.
>The book shelves… look normal… even in alphabetical order. At least barring-
>Barring the erotica!
>You remove the steamy prose and put it in another place on the shelf that fills the gap so that the books are tight and makes the entire collection in alphabetical order.
>… You hear a magical sound behind you. As if telekinesis was used on something. 
>One of the floorboards seems to be propped up from the ground.
>Under it is the key!
>You quickly get it and try it on the door—it opens!
>Just what is so important in here that needs to be hidden in this manner?
>It looks like wand parts. Good. 
>And.
>Quite.
>A
>Few.
>Dildos.
>You look through the bins, find the rune coils, and grab a handful of them to stuff into your robe pockets.
>Then you turn around to get out of here.
>You close the door, put the key back under the floor board, put the erotica back into the drawer, exit the office, and come FACE TO FACE WITH THE PROFESSOR.
“Oh, hi professor Kristen. I was looking for you.”
>Your heart pumps at around 10^10 beats per second.
>”Oh, alright. What is it?” She responds in her normal pleasant demeanor, but you just can’t look at her the same anymore. You feel a little guilty.
“Me and Rose ran out of rune coils and we were wondering if you have any? I-uh. I mean w-we’re doing something pretty experimental, so we keep burning them out.”
>You didn’t mean to sound that sketchy!
>The professor only smiles. “Well. I’m glad you finally found something to be passionate about here at The Academy. Of course I have rune coils. Wait here while I get some.”
>She enters her office and closes the door.
>That could have gone a lot worse.
>You hear ruffling in the office. Then you hear the other door open.
>Your eyes widen.
>You didn’t actually relock the door.
>Surely she put the key in anyway, though. Maybe she didn’t notice? A million other copes and bargains rush through your panicking mind.
>The professor emerges from the office with an absolutely unreadable look on her face. Her eyes pry into your soul.
>She hands you (even more) rune coils silently.
>You take them silently and walk away.
>Once you’re around the corner, you pick up the pace significantly.
>Eventually you get back to the lab.
>Rose notices the odd look on your face. “What’s wrong?”
“How… did you come to find out the professor had wand parts in her office?”
>She raises an eyebrow at you. “I just asked for some once and she went in and got some. Why?”
“Did she enter the office by herself when that happened, per chance?”
>”Well, yeah? Is that important?”
“Nevermind. Look, she let us have a TON of rune coils!”
>Rose looks at you worriedly, but moves on, nevertheless. “Great, let’s get back to it.”
“Can I do the honors this time?”
>”You promise you won’t short anything?”
“Hey, I learned my lesson.”
>Rose giggles. “Fine then.”
>You sit down and pick up the tweezers. Rose steadies the magnifying glass for you.
>You’ve learned a lot about these kinds of things since starting your projects with Rose. It’s really helped with your wand theory class too!
>Doesn’t mean you’re making any progress with this though. Nera’s wand is apparently foreign tech even for this place. Where in the world did she and the rest of Selene’s goons get it?
>You prod and pry carefully. Trying new combinations and schemes.
>*WWWWRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGG*
>The siren startles you, and causes your sudden movement to make something in the wand spark.
>You look to Rose.
“What does this mean?”
>”Either someone in the settlement has Magicopia, or someone’s invaded our settlement.”
>At once, flashbacks of the events at the hotel settlement and Cloudsdale run through your mind. All that… could happen here?
“What should we do?”
>The sound of the siren’s constant blaring doesn’t do much to ease your stress.
>”Stay where we are. Guard witches are about to do a run of the whole settlement. Anyone moving about too much will be seen as suspicious, so the best thing we can do is wait here.”
“Great. That’s nerve wracking.”
>”Yeah. It is…”
>You both forget about the wand while the siren screeches. Neither of you would manage to focus on it anyway. The sun begins to set as well.
>Naturally, negative fantasies begin to creep into your mind. Will we have to quarantine large swaths of the settlement’s population? Is Selene here? What are Artemis and your friends doing? What about the headmistress—she’s still sick!
>”Sunset, where are you from?” Rose must be trying to take your mind off the situation. You appreciate the thought.
“Canterlot.”
>”Canterlot?”
>Oh yeah. It’s an abandoned town that’s slowly becoming a forest again now.
“Uh, around there at least. It’s complicated.”
>”I think that’s neat. I haven’t been out of the settlement much, so your travels seem interesting to me.”
“Really? It’s nothing much.”
>”Why did you decide to try and join this settlement anyway? If you don’t mind me asking.”
>Why did you? Because if you didn’t, you’d have had to fend for yourself in a world with none of the amenities you’re used to. Which means if you didn’t you would have died most likely. Crazy to think about. The headmistress really saved your life…
“…I figured I’d be safer here.”
>”Fair enough.”
>The siren continues…
>”Hey Sunset.”
“Yeah?”
>”Hypothetically, would you accept a job as an executioner?”
“An executioner?”
>Rose nods.
>That sounds rough. You never saw yourself as one to kill people. Though they would be convicted criminals. And how would you have to kill them? A ban on cruel punishment doesn’t exist in this settlement, does it?
“I think… I’d do it for large pay.”
>Rose puts her hands together. ”That’s what I said!”
“Glad we’re on the same page, I guess.”
>At that moment, the door to the lab swings open revealing about four guard witches.
>Two immediately begin searching around the room aggressively. The other two approach you two.
>”Are you two alright? Anything out of the ordinary happen here?” One guard asks.
>”Nope. We were just working on a wand. We’re fine.” Rose answers.
>”I see.” The guard eyes you both up and down. Once satisfied, they join their partners in searching the room for a while. 
>Once they’re satisfied with the room, they speak to you one more time. “Stay in here until further notice. If the sirens go off, then everything’s fine and you can leave. If we switch to a quieter siren, then you both need to report to a high witch and receive further instruction. Understand?”
>You both nod. The guards then leave.
“And they have to do that to every room?”
>”Yeah, I hear they have it down to a science though. Guard witches are insane.”
>In about an hour, the sirens go off. It’s now dark outside.
“So, everything’s alright then! Right?”
>”I guess so.”
>Rose goes back up to the bench with the wand and promptly inspects it. “Sunset…”
>Oh no that’s right. You made a sudden movement when the siren went off. Did you break it? 
>Your stomach sinks.
>”I think you might have done it!” Rose exclaims.
“Huh?”
>Rose takes the wand off its stand and begins to cover up the innards.
>Once that’s done, she stands up and takes the wand in her hand. First, it transforms into a broom as usual. Then, a hammer!
“Huh!”
>”We’ve been at this for weeks! And you finally did it! You’re a genius, Sunset!”
>You scratch the back of your head. 
“That’s a little much.”
>Rose does a little fangirl squeal. Her happiness is pretty contagious. We actually did it. Our work paid off!
>”We’ve got to show this to the professor. Maybe even the professionals!”
“Right now?”
>”Not now… I need to sleep.”
>You can relate.
>”Also, we should wait till after Smorgasbord.”
“Smorgasbord?”
>Rose looks at you bewildered for a split second, but the look goes as soon as it comes. “It’s the great dinner we have to celebrate Christmas. There’s a dance to accompany it too. No one’s going to want to humor us before then.”
“I see. Makes sense.”
>Rose hands you the wand. “Keep this safe till then.”
“You’re giving it to me?”
>”You’re the one who figured it out. Of course!”
>You’re REALLY getting too much credit for this. But you take the wand nonetheless. 
>Another wand with a red orb at the top. It’s mostly a shiny light blue, though there are some dulled out parts due to you two messing with it so much. You should probably get it polished. Red LED lights circle and line the wand at parts. It has flame-shaped embellishments on it as well.
>”Well, goodnight then! I have a feeling both of us are going to sleep well though.” Rose smiles.
“Definitely.”
>You go back to your dorm room and speak to Artemis and Amelia a bit about the siren. Allegedly it was a false alarm.
>Then, you fall asleep.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 48: Lulamoon Family Secrets
>June 15, 2095
>Would you like to know the esoteric and legendary knowledge that keeps the Lulamoon family as witchkind’s premiere family?
>Well, if you had the will to hunt down this sacred document then I figure you have the right to know.
>All I ask is that you don’t share this half-heartedly. If this falls into the wrong hands, then it’s lights-out for this world.
>Without further adieu…
>First off, much care is put into the young of the Lulamoon family.
>Babies are breastfed naturally. They get plenty of sleep. Plenty of contact with their mothers. And all are properly socialized.
>The children are fed a balanced diet of meat and vegetables. Also, they drink plenty of water.
>The education of each child is highly stressed, and each is encouraged and expected to exceed their peers.
>Any that fail to do this receive a special intervention in which their strengths are weaknesses are assessed and strong suggestions are made as to improve their performance.
>Character is highly cherished here in the Lulamoon family. So strict disciplinary measures are employed if need be. Spare the rod, hate the child.
>Also, we all get at least seven hours of sleep routinely.
>Dear reader, now you know.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>Ah, the weekend.
>There’s a cliff near the settlement that has the most beautiful view of the forest. And a beautiful forest it is. A line of thick line of snow-covered trees can be seen throughout the land. In the distance, the snow-covered hills can be seen as well.
>On this cliff you and your friends sit for the day. A warm fire burns pleasantly behind you all.
>It’s cold, but not windy. You feel content.
>”So,” Amelia begins. “Smorgasbord soon. I wonder what they’re serving?”
>”Steak, pork, beef, and all the typical sides probably. You know, just like the last three years.” Cinderbelle replies.
>Carrie snickers. “Amelia had a brain fart again.”
>”I mean, it wasn’t ALWAYS the same. They could surprise us!”
>“Surprise us with what?” Cadenza muses.
>”I dunno. Seafood or something. We’re pretty close to the coast. And to a lake.”
>”You want to go the couple hundred miles out and fish for us?” Carrie teases.
>”Ugh. Give me a break. I’m trying to get hyped here.” Amelia relents.
>”Well at least we’ll have an excuse to wear our dresses again.” Cinderbelle says. “Oh, and see boys for once.”
>”Right. You can say that again. The Academy is a complete…” Carrie seems to be at a loss for words. “waffle fest?”
>”Taco fest?” Amelia suggests.
>Artemis narrows her eyes. “Just say there are a lot of women.”
“Eh, doesn’t have the ‘zing’ to it.”
>”I know right?” Amelia says.
>Artemis give you a look that screams ‘I thought you were better than this.’
>Perhaps being with Amelia and her other friends rubbed off on you a little too much…
>A dress huh? You suppose you could just ask Rarity... If she weren’t dead for centuries now of course!
“Uh, where can I buy a dress?”
>”That fully depends on how much you’re willing to pay.” Cadenza says.
>You shrug.
“Just enough to look cute and follow dressing conventions.”
>”Oh great! I’ll shop with you, Sunset.” Cinderbelle offers.
“That would be a big help! Thanks.”
>Cinderbelle and Cadenza go with you through some of the clothes shops of the settlement. It occurs to you that this is your first-time clothes shopping in this new world, technically.
>As you first lay your eyes on the dresses you question whether you’re prepping for a Christmas dinner or a Volksfest. Your two companions assure you this is appropriate wear, however.
>Eventually you settle on a red and white dress that you think compliments your hair quite nicely.

~

>A week and a half passes and Christmas day, and thus Smorgasbord arrives.
>The great ball room in The Academy is used. It’s a beautifully decorated place lined with great witch statues, flowers and plants, chandelier, and music—some of which is sang by your own Cadenza.
>You dance with a few boys, but none of them really click with you. Especially since you have the ‘blessing’ of knowing just what they think of you and your body.
>The dining hall is similarly decorated, and the food is brilliant.
>You… kind of have fun. But something doesn’t feel right.
>At the end you notice that Artemis and Amelia are no where to be seen when everyone else is conversing.
>You exit the main hubs of activity and go looking for them.
>Eventually you find them on a balcony of The Academy overlooking the settlement.
“There you two are.”
>They both turn to you.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S0r6qtcKZY
>”Hey, Sunset.” Artemis greets.
“Artemis I can understand, but Amelia having to ‘get some fresh air?’ Something’s not right.” 
>Amelia puts her hands up. “Whoa, stereotypes. I’m not a one dimensional being you know.”
>You three laugh.
>”But…” Amelia looks out over the balcony. “It’s weird. Being taller than a lot of the boys and all.”
>You join them at the balcony.
“Yeah, I’ve had that problem in the past at my height. I can only imagine how awkward that can be for you. Sorry.”
>Amelia smiles. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything!”
>She puts her fists to her hips. “Besides, those are just the wusses. Ol’ Amelia can turn heads at any male establishment.”
>Her face goes neutral again. “…But, it’s also bothering me that I still haven’t fulfilled a promise to someone…”
>… The son of the hotel settlement’s headmistress. Nate.
“What about you Artemis? Did you dance with anyone?”
>”Yes.”
>Silence fills the balcony.
>”Aaand?” Amelia prods.
>”I don’t really know what’s good for me, really.” Artemis replies.
>She doesn’t know what kind of man she wants? Actually, what kind do YOU want? If you were asked before you time traveled, you’d have said someone who was attractive, made decent money, and was pleasant to talk to. In this society, that’s down to attractive and pleasant to talk to. 
>You think you can see where Artemis might be at a loss. If part of being ‘pleasant to talk to’ is being similarly intelligent, then that may be out of the question for her. Men like to lead women. It makes them feel like they’ve fulfilled their role. But what if the woman actually DOES know everything for once. What is his place then? Especially in this world of witches.
>Which leaves simply being attractive, which while it has some real value, it’s also a shallow metric.
“Well you are first in the generation. At least you get first pick, right?”
>Your attempt at optimism seems to have mixed results. Artemis simply continues to stare into the distance.
>This mood needs to be lightened…
“I’ll be right back.”
>You go to the dorm room to get the two ‘magic’ items.
>Then you hurry back.
>”Hey,” Amelia starts. “Why’d you get my record player?”
“Because it looks like you two really need it.”
>You put on the perfect record for the occasion and wind it up.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHVIVNoIPVM
>”Aww. I do like this song.” Amelia says.
>You walk up to Artemis.
“And I forgot to give you this.”
>Artemis puts her hand to her chin and inspects the purple hat that you’re holding. “Thanks, I guess.”
“You guess?”
>You put the hat on her head. You must say if it wasn’t so old, it would mend well with the purple color of her dress. You find it both cute and amusing.
“Whatever you say, ‘great and powerful Artemis.’”
>Artemis’ eyes go wide, and she blushes. Then she smiles. “Thanks, Sunset.”
>Amelia seems to get a kick out of it as well.
>Good vibes successfully restored!
>You stay with them for a while longer.
>There’s just one last person that you’d really like to see today. You decide she’s one person you want to show your new wand to. You can only imagine she’d be willing to help you and Rose.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 56: There Are Seven
>April 5th, 2098
>Because it wouldn’t make sense otherwise.
>All six crystals together are powerful.
>But they’re not strong enough to satisfy the theoretical conditions of their being.
>Our scientists are kidding themselves with their loose explanations. No witches own magic can make the difference, not even the original six.
>And no other magical sources in nature can channel power the way the crystals do.
>So, I will apply Occam’s Razor, and conclude there is a seventh.
>But every crystal linked itself to a person. Those were the six.
>Who is this person that is linked to the seventh?
>Want to know what’s worse? I can’t ask these questions.
>Because THAT family will get on my case if I do. THEY are hiding something. And everyone knows it.
>If they think they can get past me, they’ve got another thing coming.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You are Spicy Sweet.
>You really wanted to see your little witches at Smorgasbord today, you really did.
>But your condition is still poor. You couldn’t show up like this. 
>You are getting better though. And since it’s sunny, you think it might be a good time to go out for some fresh air despite the coldness.
>Maybe you’ll even drop by The Academy if you feel up to it in a bit.
>You reflect on many things as you find yourself walking through the trails of the settlement’s nature reserves.
>Like your predecessor. What would the late Maia Lulamoon think of your job as headmistress so far?
>You never did manage to put into place that admission system. Sunset. She’s still the only one.
>But you did manage to get the outskirts of the settlement to start looking a little better.
>You’d also really like to be the one to get all the crystals in one place again. The more you’ve tried, the more you’ve come into contact with this mysterious person named Selene. Who’s motives you don’t quite understand.
>You suddenly become aware of your surroundings—seeing that you’re in a clearing of untouched snow save for your footprints.
>The reflection of the sun glistens over the icy blanket.
>You think it’s time to head back. You turn around.
>Then you realize that something feels VERY wrong.
>You duck.
>*ZAPPP!*
>As the blast assaults the tree line behind you, you turn instinctively to see the source of the blast.
>A witch in full body armor. Really good armor. In fact, it’s made out of advanced magic-electronic hybrid technology. It’s slick blue sheen reflects the snow around it. Her face is covered too. 
>But, that should be impossible. No one’s had that since Magicopia broke out.
“Who are you!?”
>The figure continues to walk forward.
>You draw your wand.
“You’re making a BIG mistake.”
>”Hello, headmistress.” Her voice is modulated and metallic.
“Before you get yourself killed, what do you want?”
>How did she get in here? Did she trigger the siren that time? How did we miss her?
>”Quit the bluff.”
“Excuse me.”
>”Malnourished witches can’t use magic. A headmistress is no different. Right now you’re no different from the women in the outskirts that you look down on.”
“Look freakshow, I don’t look down on anyone. Do you work with Selene?”
>The witch laughs and puts a hand to her chest. “Yes. In fact, I am Selene. Nice to meet you, headmistress Sweet.”
>You scowl.
“What. Do. You. Want?”
>”Ultimately? To restore the witch order to its former greatness.” Selene begins to walk toward you again. “Right now? Your head.”
>Selene’s wand changes into a spear then she chucks it at you.
>Mid air, magic coats it such that it looks more like a comet.
>Unfortunately, she was right about one thing. Malnourished witches really can’t use magic. And you haven’t been eating properly lately what with your sickness.
>You dodge the spear and watch the tree line become ever more bastardized. A fire begins to start.
>You need to get out of here stat.
>Selene rushes you. In that armor, her speed is super human. 
>You manage to catch her hands. It takes all of your lessened strength to keep this iron-clad evildoer at bay. 
>You both grunt in struggle.
>You knee her in the stomach.
>*CLANG*
>You feel the vibration of the metal in your body.
>”Weak.” She responds with a knee of her own.
“Guh.”
>You felt that one.
>It also triggers your cough.
>”Is this really the headmistress? How the mighty have fallen.” Selene taunts.
>You have to muster some of your old strength. Now’s NOT the time to let sickness get to you.
>You put as much strength as you can muster into pushing her back.
>She struggles back.
“You won’t get away with this!”
>Your war cry complements your effort and you manage to break the clash. You then give her a punch to the face. The hard surface of her armor hurts, but you endure it.
>She takes a step back. Then give you a punch of her own.
>You fall back into the snow.
>Selene chuckles.
>Quickly, you begin to get up.
>Then you hear something rustling from the forest behind you.
>Looking back, you see the comet spear heading at you again.
>You dive out of the way, but it still skims your back.
“Ouch!”
>Your back burns. Looking up, you see your blood tainting the snow.
>Your cough comes back again. Shit, not now.
>Selene, spear in hand, walks up to your grounded form. “Guess high witches aren’t all that after all.”
>She raises the spear.
>What do you do?
>The spear starts to move. Your mind starts to panic.
>WHAT DO YOU DO?
>*CLANG!*
>The armored form turns and blocks another wand instead of hitting you with the spear.
>Electricity dances through the snow.
>That’s Sunset Shimmer! 
>”Better settle down there, ‘great witch.’” Selene mocks.
>The clash breaks. Sunset’s wand turns into a hammer.
>Selene looks surprised. “What?”
>Sunset hits her square in the chest sending her into the snow.
>She then moves over to you.
>You are Sunset.
“Are you alright, headmistress?”
>”I am now.” She sits up. “Focus on her alright? I’ll be right here when you win.”
>You nod.
>Turning back to the armored witch, you see her get up.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mth_zWkvOc
“Who are you?”
>”I am Selene Sparkle. And it is SUCH an honor to meet one of the first seven witches, Sunset.”
>That modulated voice is uncanny.
>And this is the Selene you’ve heard about? Artemis and Veronica apparently couldn’t beat her. What can you do?
>Your heartrate is high. And the rush of the adrenaline warms you despite only being in a regular shirt now.
>Selene rushes toward you. You clash and dance with the various attacks of her spear.
>On one swing you catch the spear.
>You respond by swinging your hammer at her head.
>She ducks and grabs your throat.
“Gah!”
>”Where did you get that wand?” 
“I… could ask the.. same of… you.”
>You change the hammer back to a wand and cast a thunderbolt down on Selene.
>She releases you and jumps back.
>You continue a line of those bolts causing her to keep on the move.
>She then chucks her spear at you.
>You dodge it and throw your electric hammer.
>She dodges that and comes at you.
>She probably thinks you’re down a wand.
>That’s where she’s wrong!
>You pull out your signature bat wing wand and cast disorientation on her.
>The armored-witches running begins to get erratic.
>You guide the hammer back to you and slam it against her side.
>She recoils a few steps back.
>Her spear comes back to her and she catches it.
>It changes back to a wand and she shoots magic bullets at you.
>You put up a barrier. The reverberating sound of magic hitting magic engulfs the clearing. There’s no one around for quite some distance to hear, however.
>It’s weird… you’ve never met Selene before. Yet, the more you fight her—the more you suspect that this isn’t her.
>’Selene’ manages to scrape your calf with her spear causing you to flinch. She then take the opportunity to punch you in the face, sending you to the ground.
>”Sunset!” The headmistress yells. You see her attempt to get up and fail.
>You can’t let her down.
>The armored girl sends her spear down and you roll out of the way and hear the sound of snow being cut.
>You get up, point a wand at her, and let loose an explosion.
>She’s knocked to the ground, but quickly gets back up.
>A part of her right arm is unarmored now.
>”Keep it up!” The headmistress cheers.
>”Shut up!” The armored witch takes aim at the head mistress and shoots bullets at her.
“No!”
>The headmistress does have the strength to roll out of the way however.
>You take the opportunity to close the distance between you and the armored one.
>You grab her arm and with the other hand rev up the hammer with a ton of electricity.
“Now WHO are you!?”
>*CRASH*
>Your hammer hits her face sending her down to the ground.

~

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-bw3LJCyZ4
>*There once were two sisters.*
>*One was red. Beautiful, graceful, and strong. She brought joy to everyone near her. She exceled at everything she attempted.*
>*The other was black. Weak, unsightly, and wrong. She drained the patience and empathy of all she attracted.*
>*Red loved black.*
>*And black loved her back.*
>*But black misunderstood this world.*
>*To her, a ranking is a rape and hierarchies are hate.*
>*The sister she loved, the only thing she felt for her was murder lust to sate.*
>*Her mother was no help. Her father made liberal use of the belt.*
>*It all only made her little sanity melt.*
>*In cold blood she murdered, she thought she could get away.*
>*Little did black know—there was but one witness that day.*
>*The shadowy hime-cutted figure spoke.*
>*And black couldn’t help but choke.*
>*”You killer! You wretch! You will listen or I will make your life a joke.*
>*”This order you detest. This law you put to the test. I will allow you to circumvent it, if you one day repay me without jest.*
>*And agree black did, with power in her voice.*
>*As at the end of the day she didn’t really have a choice.*
>And so, you looked down at the pathetic form in front of you with pity. You stood up straight. You weren’t in a battle stance, and you felt no danger.
>Because the angry, teary-eyed form in front of you was no more mature than a baby in a manger.
>…The sun has been long since engulfed by the menacing cold cumulonimbus clouds.
>…
>…
>…
>…
>…
>”Sunset.” Lainah speaks quietly, but harshly.
“Yes?”
>”What did you see?”
>https://youtu.be/UWF0pFVJL9k?t=92
>This breaks you out of your trance, and you get back into stance.
“Nothing.”
>”Sunset!”
>You don’t respond.
>”SUNSET!” The earth seems to tremble at the weight of the witch’s rage. Lainah stands up and wipes the blood off her brow. 
>All you see is fire in her eyes and the ferocity of her gnashed teeth before her power fills the gaps in her armor.
>In the places where her eyes are normally covered then shine a brilliant red—and you can sense that she can see through them.
>She throws her wand away. And in its place a solid weapon made entirely out of the hard magic that’s usually in her armor forms. A sword. One in the other hand too. And two more float around her.
>Lainah then sprints at you.
>You can barely keep up blocking all of the blows with your two wands.
>And soon, that fails. You begin to get cut up by Lainah’s dance of floating and wielded swords.
>Out of desperation you use both wands to send a large discharge in no particular direction.
>This pushes Lainah back for just a moment, before she rushes at you again.
>You put a flat barrier up between you two.
>A swift swipe of two swords breaks the barrier.
>You begin to get shredded again. And you begin to feel yourself bleed.
>You’re pushed back.
>”Sunset, focus!” The headmistress calls out.
>Lainah no longer pays her any mind.
>She puts her arm forth calling the grounded spear to roar to life and fly at you.
>You duck under it.
>Only to find a sprinting Lainah to kick you back across the snow a few meters. Her legs are still in armor.
>You fight through the pain and jump up and back to get some distance.
>Lainah points at you causing the two floating swords to spiral in your direction—cleaving through the air in their path.
>You knock them away with your hammer, only for them to pursue you again as if they had a mind of their own.
>What do you do now!?
>As the swords spiral down onto you, you avoid them with a somersault back. 
>Snow is swept off the ground from the impact of the spiraling blades.
>”Don’t you dare run away!” Lainah raises in to the air and sources many, many large floating bow and arrow pairs.
>They begin to circle her.
>One by one each fires at you sending a rapid stream of the magic arrows.
>You turn one wand to a broom and begin flying around the clearing to dodge the arrows. 
>Each arrow violently explodes upon impact in the trees or snow.
>You fly as fast and desperately as you can, but you just can’t run away and leave the headmistress. And you can’t let Lainah roam free like this.
>Eventually, one arrow hits you across the shoulder and you fall to the ground.
“Aaagh!”
>You feel the sharp pain instantly.
>You whip your head back up and put up a barrier to stop any more arrows.
>It can only withstand about three before it breaks and you’re hit with two more across your leg and the side of your stomach.
>”Sunset! You have to win!” The headmistress pleads.
>Lainah walks quickly to your grounded form.
>And points her wand down at you.
>You can feel the sheer malice behind that armor of hers. This is not even the Lainah from a few weeks ago.
>What happened to that time you fought together? You thought you were beginning to heal old wounds. Was it all an illusion?
>You look down and gnash your teeth while you claw at the snow in frustration.
>The wand lights up.
>”Lainah! Don’t!” The headmistress pleads.
>Lainah retracts the armor on her face and looks over to her with an unamused look. “Oh, so you know my name?”
>The headmistress looks at her with a confused and worried look. “Of course. I always know the names of my little witches.”
>Lainah reads the headmistresses face for a moment.
>And you seize the opportunity to set off another explosion from your wand at her, pushing her again to the ground.
>Then you tackle her.
>One arm on one of hers, your foot on her other arm, and your last arm holding your wand above her head.
>There are no words to describe the sheer resentment contorted in her face. You have never seen a more hostile look in your whole life.
>”How is it always you! Get the FUCK off me you cunt!” She roars.
>The sheer energy of her voice almost knocks you back.
>She continues to yell profanities at you, and you’re honestly at a loss for what to do at this point.
>Soon, guard witches along with Artemis, Amelia, Cadenza, Carrie, and Cinderbelle show up.
>Lainah finally shuts up and simply turns her head toward them with a dead look in her eyes. “Of course.”
>A guard witch approaches you two. “You can get off of her now, we can take it from here.”
>At this moment, some undefinable mass begins to materialize in front of you and Lainah.
>From it comes a dark blue magic blast that hits you off Lainah. More are sent at the guards sending them back.
>In a flash of blue, this undefinable mass materializes into a witch. Very tall. Long blue and black hair. Blue eyes. Wearing a sophisticated blue and black robe.
>”Selene!” Artemis says.
>So this is the real one, huh? She has that aura about her. You can believe it this time.
>She approaches the downed Lainah and kneels down toward her. “For shame. What have you all done to my poor companion?”
>Lainah looks at her blankly.
>The guards all draw their wands. “Don’t move. You’re surrounded.” 
>”Am I?” Selene snaps her fingers sourcing four blue flashes. These flashes materialize into four more witches.
>All are in the same foreign robe that Selene is in, barring one large witch who is also in magic armor.
>Everyone including the guards gets into stance, excluding you and the headmistress who are still grounded.
>”What is this?” The headmistress asks. “Do you really think the five of you alone can win here?”
>”We’re not here to fight.” Selene says. “At least not yet. Think of this… as an invitation.“
>”You know the drill.” The headmistress seems quite annoyed at this point. “Why are you here and what do you want. And no riddles!”
>”Our old home.” Selene starts. “I found it.”
>The headmistress raises an eyebrow. ”You mean…”
>”Yes. Our old technology, buildings, and all. Now we don’t need these worthless settlements anymore.”
>”And you’ll be the leader, right?” Artemis says. “What makes you think anyone would go along with that?”
>”See, that’s the thing. The sheer power of the technology of the old order combined with all of the rouge witches that have joined me, could steamroll all of the settlements a few times over. I figured I’d be nice and allow you a chance to come over peacefully.”
>One girl in Selene’s circle with long orange and purple pig tails speaks up. “Oh, the old castle is a lot of fun too. It’d be a shame if you died before you entered it!”
>You sit up and look at the form sitting in the snow behind Selene.
“Lainah! What are you doing with them?!”
>”That’s… Lainah?” Cinderbelle has a look of utter disbelief on her fect.
>Lainah breaks eye-contact and looks blankly into the forest.
>Selene laughs, then points at your neck. “And that crystal. In fact this settlement has all the ones we don’t have. In time we will be taking them.”
>The girl with the pigtails makes eye contact with Cadenza and waves at her.
>Cadenza looks confused.
>With that, a similar blue light appears, and they’re all gone—including Lainah.

~A week and a half ago~

>You are Lainah.
>You smile and laugh.
“You want to be a train conductor when you grow up?”
>The little girl nods vigorously. “Even if trains aren’t real anymore… I’ll make them real!”
>Soon, the day begins to wrap up. 
>You sit with Mrs. Candlecake and Cinderbelle as the children begin to put up their toys. And what a chore it was to get them to actually do it!
>”Good work today, girls.” Mrs. Candlecake says.
>You nod.
>Cinderbelle yawns. “Thanks. I’m ready to go home and nap for sure.”
>You’re with her on that one. Then, tomorrow you’ll need to find a new dress for Smorgasbord… There’s a boy you need to impress.
>*WWWRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGG*
>You’re quickly brought out of your thoughts by the siren. 
>The children begin to shriek. 
>Mrs. Candlecake looks to you two. “We have to get all the children to the basement. Stat.”
>You and Cinderbelle don’t waste time. You do whatever it takes to get the children to comply. Even letting them take a few of their favorite toys or books to calm them.
>”Lainah.” One girl calls meekly as you descend the stairs. “What’s gonna happen to us?”
>You don’t know, of course. But it would be bad form to tell that to her in this situation.
“We’re with you all, so you’ll all be safe. I promise.”
>You add the best smile you can muster. Which you admittedly need to work on, but it has been getting better since you started volunteering here.
>The basement is dimly lit by the lanterns. The children whimper as the siren roars on. 
>There are only so many pre-packaged words of encouragement you could give them.
>The time spent down here feels like days.
>Could you, Cinderbelle, and Mrs. Candlecake really protect these children if there actually are invaders?
>*Tap, tap, tap.*
>Those are the stairs!
>You jerk your head over. Cinderbelle and Mrs. Candlecake do the same.
>Your palms are incredibly sweaty…
>Finally, down the stairs comes… the guards.
>You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding.
>They search the premises and even help assure the children that everything will be fine—making your job that much easier.
>They leave and in time, the sirens go off.
>”See?” Cinderbelle begins. “We told you everything would be alright.”
>”Maple! There you are!” The mother embraces her child with great relief. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
>She turns to you three. “Thank you for protecting her.”
“No problem.”
>The same process repeats with a few more witch mothers, until the last child is finally paired with her parents.
>”A false alarm huh?” Cinderbelle muses. “What could cause such a thing?” She asks.
>”It’s happened before.” Mrs. Candlecake responds. “Last time a guard simply thought she saw something she didn’t at the gate.”
>You suppose mistakes are bound to happen sometimes. Better safe than sorry.
>On your way home you debate using your usual scenic route since it is really cold today. Trekking through the semi-cleared paths was already a little painful.
>You decide to do it however, and in minutes you find yourself in one of the settlement’s many forest clearings. Grass blades just barely stick out of the snow.
>”Oh, there she is.” The powerful voice seems to have come from nowhere… What?
“Is somebody there?”
>”Yes.” Five blue flashes appear around you and you draw your wand and get into stance instantly.
>Five witches appear from those lights. They’re clothed with foreign robes. Barring one huge witch who is in… armor.
”Who are you? Are you the ones who triggered the siren?”
>One witch here seems to be the leader. A tall woman with long blue and black hair and blue eyes. Her body is well-shaped. And despite it’s hostile aura, so is her face. She’s the one who spoke to you before they all appeared. “Yes. I am Selene Sparkle. And I’m here because you have a debt to pay.” Her voice is powerful yet feminine.
“You’re the one from Cloudsdale.”
>Didn’t Artemis and Veronica fight her? She’s allegedly the ringleader behind Evelyn and the other two you and Sunset fought.
“What debt do I have to you!?”
>A short witch with long orange and purple pigtails speaks. “Don’t play dumb with us missy. You got away with a nasty crime in exchange for a favor one day!” The girl puts her fists in the air like an excited child. “Today’s pay day!”
>Your eyes go wide. You put your hands to your temples, and you remember… The screams and panic.
>You never wanted to think about this again.
>”Aww… having a little regret?” One witch with chin length white hair asks. “It’s a few years too late fore that.”
>You look up at Selene.
“How in the hell do you know about that!”
>Selene smiles. “I have my sources, see.”
>… You get it now.
>You begin to laugh. 
>You laugh and laugh for a good minute.
>”Ummm. You okay?” The pigtailed girl asks.
“I see. Then this settlement is more disgusting than meets the eye. Much more disgusting.”
>”Indeed.” Selene responds. “Which is why we need your help to make something better.”
>But… but you DON’T need that deal anymore.
>You’re doing so much better as a witch now. You have plans for the future. Children to take care of. You made a massive mistake in the past—one you can never make up for…
>The least you can do is get rid of these goons.
>You light up your wand and get into stance.
>”Shame… it didn’t have to be this way.” Selene says.
>Then she laughs. “Tell you what. I’ll even fight you by myself. One on one. If you win, I’ll let you go.”
“Better not regret that choice later.”
>Now it’s pigtail’s turn to laugh. “Boy are you one to talk!”
>”Hmph.” Selene snaps and teleports the other four away.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYjKEl7t6vQ
>Selene raises an arm.
>You feel… a disturbance.
>You dive and roll just in time for a dark blue laser to jet down where you stood. The snow around it evaporates.
>More and more lasers come, keeping you on the run.
>While in the middle of movement you point your wand at her and fire magic bullets.
>Selene puts her arm up and stops them with telekinesis, then she sends them right back at you.
>You don your armor to endure them.
>Fighting her from a distance is definitely a no go…
>Before the smoke clears, you come forth and charge her.
>Your punch in blocked easily. So is your kick.
>When you put your wand up to her, she already has a magic blast in her hand ready to counter it.
>You retract your arm and feel the magic blast burst forth beside you.
>Selene swiftly grabs you by the face and lifts you up.
>She throws a punch at your gut, but you block it with your magic armor.
>This surprises her for a split second.
>You use the time to source flames from your wand and put it to her arm that holds you up.
>She releases you, you jump back a bit.
>Let’s try this again.
>You spray a wave of water across the snow. Selene jumps back a bit as the ground turns from snow to ice.
>You skate across the ice and attempt more punches that get blocked or dodged. 
>You skate around her and become more aggressive. Showering every side of her with punches and kicks… that get avoided or blocked.
>Eventually you break the exchange and slide back a bit.
>What do you do now?
>Selene draws her wand, which turns into a great longsword. Then she charges you.
>Looks like your question is answered.
>Selene skillfully skates across the ice and inundates you with her sword.
>You frantically dodge or block as much as you can with your short wand.
>You can feel your movements getting sloppier, however.
>One large blow comes down on your face and you put your wand up to block it just inches away.
>The screech of the friction can be readily heard.
>”Last chance, Lainah.” Selene says. “You will pay that debt one way or another.”
>You grunt.
“Piss off!”
>You break the clash and coat your wand in flames, then you swing it at her.
>She blocks each and every blow with her sword.
>At one point you see and opening and try to grab the arm holding her sword with your left hand.
>She catches your arm, however, and soon after you feel unimaginable pain.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzgNN-3N2m0
>*CRACK*
>The sound of cut meat and grinded bones last just one damning moment.
“AAAA-“
>You feel telekinesis across your mouth muffling your screams.
>You keel over to the ground in a poor attempt to cope with the pain.
>The ice becomes pooled with your blood.
>Shock clouds your mind as you look down at your unattached lower forearm and bleeding stub.
>The tears from your eyes add in a negligible contribution to the liquid mess that taints the ground.
>What the hell!? You can’t move your left wrist or fingers. They’re not fucking there!
>Your whimpers fill the clearing for a few moments as Selene looks down on you. Her eyes filled with pity. Her mouth in a slight frown.
>Selene sticks her sword to the ground and walks to your side. Then she kneels near you such that her face is just a few inches above yours.
>”But you see… that pain was nothing compared to the deeds you’ve done. Nobody here will accept you if they knew the real you…” 
>You continue to cry muffled noises. 
>”If you think baby-sitting a few children will redeem you in their eyes, then you’re sorely mistaken.”
>The sight of the blood brings back memories of the blood you spilt all that time ago. What have you done? What are you? Not a human. Humans have two hands.
>”But you know what?” Selene takes your ruined, contorted, pathetic face in her two hands and faces it toward her. “I’ll still accept you, Lainah.”
>You see the reflection of your red-tinted, veiny, crying eyes in hers. Her face softens and becomes like that of a mother’s.
>”Because I can see the good in you. And we’ll hold our end of deal. You’ll be on the top—with us. No longer will you have to deal with the discrimination you face in this degenerate world of theirs.”
>Selene begins to caress your right cheek with her left hand.
>”They replaced you with an outsider. Discarded you like trash. They’re just waiting for the final excuse to push you out of this realm for good… I know what it’s like to be betrayed, Lainah. My own family. Even some of them have abandoned me. Out of empathy, I’m offering to replace one of my own… with you.”
>You can’t form your own thoughts anymore due to the agony. Selene’s words are the only coherent thoughts that enter.
>”The castle. The old home. It’s more marvelous than this old homeless shelter could ever be.”
>Selene takes her right hand and begins to wipe away a few of the tears of your left eye as you continue to whimper. “So, will you join me?”
>…She’s… right. The people here will never accept you. You’re dead to them. They’d rather have a girl from nowhere than one who was born here. Your goals here were doomed from the start. The only thing you can do is…
>You muster a slow nod. Selene smiles a genuine smile.
>The telekinesis on your mouth fades.
>”Look at you. All witches are from the same stock, but you even look like a Sparkle. Forget this place’s customs. From now on you’ll be part of the premier witch family that has the sole right to rule over all others. And by extension, the right to rule over the whole earth.”
>Selene puts one hand under your chin. The blue of her eyes reflects the blue of hers and you two meet as surely as a baby bound to its mother by the umbilical cord.
“From now on, you will be called Nillight Sparkle.”
>Selene looks up. “Because you represent the light disappearing from this old, degenerate witch order.”
“Nil… light?”
>Selene looks back to you, then embraces you. “Yes. The new and improved you.”

~*Four years ago*~

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”
>You cover your face in your hands and scream as loud as you can.
>You feel the tears seep from your eyes and through your fingers.
>Your legs are weakening as you slouch down in horror… How could any of this be real?
>”What in the world has gotten into you, Veronica? This isn’t the first time we’ve done this.” Evelyn says.
>… She’s right. But this was one time too many. You just can’t do this anymore.
>You take your hands from your face and look to her.
“This isn’t right!”
>Your voice is hoarse and shaky.
“No one should have to go through this! What are we doing this for!?”
>Evelyn walks over and yanks you to your feet by your arm.
>Through your teary eyes you can see her annoyed look. But… you can also see a slight level of sympathy.
>”Because if we DON’T do this we’ll go EXTINCT. Get it? No more witches. No more magic. Anything you, your family, the original six, or any witch will be for nothing!”
>You finally find some strength in your legs and pull away.
“There… has to be… another way.”
>You choke out the words between whimpers.
>”Do you think I like looking at shit like this every day? If there was another way, we’d go for it in a heartbeat, Veronica.” Evelyn spits out.
>The metal door to the lab screeches to life and you hear someone enter.
>You turn around to see the girl with long orange and purple pigtails.
>Evelyn huffs. “What is it, Galaxy?”
>“Lady Selene wanted to know how progress is going but…” Galaxy looks over to the subject and contorts her face in disgust. “Yeah… I can see pretty clearly now, y’know.”
>She sets her eyes on you. “Oh, and what kind of drama is going on here?”
>”The kid got shaken up a bit, it’s nothing.” Evelyn states flatly.
>”It IS pretty gross, after all.”
“Tell me.”
>You look at Galaxy. She looks a little taken aback at you suddenly addressing her.
“Do you think this is worthwhile too?”
>”Yeah sure why not? This ride’s pretty fun right?”
>You have no words. All of this and THAT’S all she has to say about this?
>Your eyes begin to re-tear and your mind races… How did you end up here? Why aren’t you playing with the other kids? What’s wrong with you?
>Galaxy looks as if she remembered something. “Oh, and don’t forget to report to you know where tonight. We have more leads on where the castle and the crystals are.”
>”Nice.” Evelyn says. “Now get out.”
>Galaxy giggles, then turns around and leaves.

~*Present*~

>You look up at Twilight.
>She looks… the same as always. The hime-cut that mirrors yours. Those innocent eyes. That ever so slight, optimistic smile.
>Considering the situation, it annoys you a little.
“I don’t think you’d be smiling if you knew the state of our world.”
>The bust doesn’t respond of course.
>As it’s overcast outside, the house itself looks dull and gloomy too.
>The shadows around the home seem to creep and crawl over the furniture and walls. The house creaks and groans despite its build quality.
>Other than the houses silent wails, you can hear the strong snow storm outside. Winds howl sending white fury over the windows and in fact—the whole settlement.
>You’re alone in this house. You don’t know what to do. You’ve been sitting here for hours… 
>You’re sick of your thoughts wandering. They haunt you. 
>…
>Not another second.
>You finally find the strength to rise from the couch. The pressure of finally feeling your weight again makes your legs groan.
>Slowly, you make it to the door and exit the house.
>The cold air and snow hits you like a ton of bricks.
>You recoil by putting your arm up and shielding your face.
>After closing and locking your door, you trudge on through the white void…
>Guard witches are just about the only ones you see outside. Unsurprisingly, there have been a lot more of them around since the incident.
>The storm seems to strengthen as you move through. The clouds continue their menacing attack on the Earth.
>Your mind starts to go blank and you’re left simply walking out of habit…
>The whiteness goes on and on…
>…
>You’re brought back to your senses when you realize you’re at The Academy.
>The pain in your fingertips and on your face due to the sheer cold also starts to come into your awareness.
>You pick up the pace and trudge along into the building.
>The shock of entering a much warmer place coats your body. You stomp the snow off of your robe and boots.
>Your entrance earns you a bit of attention from the few witches that bother to leave their rooms at a time like this.
>Not that you’re self-conscious; you never had any friends anyway.
>You walk to the stand and pick up a newspaper.
>The same war. The same enemy. The same rate of death as before. The same adult witches working day in and day out to fuel supply lines.
>You look around the lobby once more. The same student witches that are the only ones that have nothing to do but wait and worry.
>It truly hasn’t been THAT long. But it’s starting to feel like it.
>Where would you be right now if you hadn’t done what you did at Cloudsdale?
>… Did you contribute to this?
>No. You won’t let your mind wander off into depressing memories again.
>You refocus on the paper.
>We’re… losing?
>That’s right. Our forces against Selene and her rouge witches. 
>But Selene has the old castle now. And all of the advanced fortification that was lost witch knowledge to us.
>A large wall. And a barrier. We can’t get past.
>And to think she waited there for us to find her. As if to mock this settlement’s efforts. What if she really does win? What if she gets here? What a fool she’ll make of you then.
>Your stomach drops, and you slam the paper right down where you found it.
>The noise draws a little more attention from those around.
>You pay them no heed and move along…

~

>You are Sunset.
>Your alarm sounds and you shoot up.
>You hit it with your hand and take in your surroundings.
>Your apartment looks particularly cheery today! Sun beams from both the window behind and in front of your bed.
>You throw your yellow sheets aside and foot it downstairs and open your closet.
>What should you wear today? Something with a sun on it of course! Because it’s sunny.
>And your name has sun in it. 
>What other reason do you need!?
>You get dressed. You do your hair. You do your make-up.
>Breakfast time. You have to be quick—and healthy too. Granola bar it is.
>You hear the sounds of the birds chirping outside along with the morning traffic.
>Your mind wanders as you go through the motions. What are your friend’s mornings generally like?
>Not like you can’t just ask them.
>Finally, you put on your boots, pick up your backpack, and leave the apartment.
>Another day in Canterlot. You can’t help but like this town.
>The traffic is just enough to be lively, but not so much that it’s congested.
>The sidewalks are clean and numerous.
>And all your favorite, familiar parts of town greet you as you make your way to Canterlot High.
>The walk signal turns on and you cross the street.
>And there’s one of your friends!
“Hey Cinderbelle!”
>She turns around and gives you a smile. “Hey, Sunset!”
>You catch up to her and match pace.
>”So… have you figured out what your chemistry project is going to be?”
“Ugh. Did you have to remind me?”
>Cinderbelle chuckles. “Sorry I couldn’t resist.”
“Do YOU even know what you’re going to do?”
>”Uhh…”
>Your face slowly becomes more smug.
>”Oh, look we’re here. We better get to our lockers and then to class, eh Sunset?”
“Don’t change the subject!”
>You two enter the school and take your separate ways to get to your lockers.
>You walk through the various students that populate the hallways of your high school. As the bells get ever closer to ringing, the hallways fill evermore.
“Hey Carrie. Hey Cadenza.”
>You walk up your locker that’s right between theirs.
>”What’s up, Sunset?” Carrie asks.
“Same as every Monday. Trying not to die.”
>”You say that, but you look oddly chipper today.” Cadenza comments. “What’s gotten into you?”
>Your smile broadens.
“You know, I’m not exactly sure what it is myself.”
>”Oh.” Carrie closes her eyes and nods. “I totally get it.”
>You tilt your head.
“You… do?”
>”Of course, Sunset.” Carrie closes her locker and leans on it. A sly smile is across her face. “It happens to all of us one day or another.”
“Something tells me you DON’T get i-“
>”You’re in love.” Carrie cuts you off.
“What!? No way.”
>”Who’s the lucky guy, huh? Tell me!”
“I’m telling you it’s no one!”
>”Tsk. That’s what they all say at first.”
>Cadenza closes her locker. ”Give it a rest, Carrie.”
“Thanks for talking sense into her.”
>Cadenza smiles. “She can tell us about her crush when she’s good and ready.”
>Carrie begins to giggle.
“Not you too!
>Before long the warning bell rings, and you get to homeroom.
>You take your seat and get yourself situated.
>Mrs. Gardener sits at her desk and silently passes the time reading something until homeroom formally starts.
>You notice a familiar amazon blondie enter the room and sit next to you.
“How was your weekend, Amelia?”
>”Y’know, pretty good. Did you know they had a laser tag place near here?”
“I didn’t. They really have one?”
>”Sure do. Went there with the team to celebrate our victory last Friday.”
“Glad to hear you girls won. I wasn’t keeping up with it.”
>Amelia chuckles. “Please. We don’t lose.”
“You sure about that? Because a few weeks ago-“
>Amelia swiftly wags a finger at you. ”Uh uh uh! We don’t lose.”
>You giggle.
“Sure thing.”
>The bell rings. Homeroom starts.
>Classes go by. Lunch period begins.
>After you get your lunchbox you rush over to the cafeteria. The sound of a lot of chatter fills your ears as you open the doors.
>You make your way over to the usual spot and take your seat amongst your friends.
>”What took you so long?” Cadenza asks.
“Just misplaced something. But I’m here now.”
>Just to the left of you, Artemis finishes taking a sizable gulp of her orange juice. “Glad you’re here now. We all have something to discuss.”
>”Oh really?” Cinderbelle muses. “What is it?”
>”Have any of you noticed anything… off lately?” Artemis asks.
>”That’s an extremely general question.” Carrie states.
>”Yeah, you’re right. But something’s wrong about all of this. It’s like it’s on the tip of my tongue.” 
>”Why not just give a few examples of things you noticed that were ‘off.’” Amelia suggests.
>”Sure.” Artemis puts a finger to her chin and thinks for a moment. “Well, do you girls remember anything from a full week ago or earlier? Like, anything at all?”
>”Well of course!” Amelia starts. “We… Uhh…”
>… You don’t either. What? What in the world happened a week ago? 
>Your stomach drops. How does that work? You can’t have just appeared one day. How could you all have amnesia? Where did you come from? How did you get here?
>”You’re right, Artemis.” Cadenza says. “I don’t remember anything from a week ago. This isn’t right…”
>”Another thing.” Artemis starts. “Does this word have any significance to any of you? The word is: Ma-“
>”SUNSET!”
>You (and a fair portion of this side of the cafeteria) look at the source of the commotion.
>It’s Lainah… you and her have had some ‘disagreements’ in the past to say the least. Though… you can’t remember all the specifics for some reason.
>What’s she mad about now?
>She storms up to you with a gnarly scowl. “Did you really think you’d get away with that shit, huh? You fucking sow.”
>You and your friends stand up.
>”What did you say!?” Amelia asks.
>”Stay out of this. This is between me and her.”
“What did I even do? Or is it just that time of the month for you?”
>”Selective memory huh?”
>A crowd begins to form around the scene as students watch what’s about to go down. You were in such a good mood too…
>”Did you really think for a second that anyone would think you simply forgot?” Lainah asks.
“Out with it! I really don’t know what you mean.”
>Lainah chuckles. “Let me jog your memory… Sunset.”
>Lainah lifts her left arm at you and you begin to move to defend yourself.
>The lower end of her arm then hits the ground...
>What?
>”What?” Cadenza muses.
>Lainah’s stub then begins bleeding…
>Her blood pools and stains your boots.
>You stand in shock. 
>”Sunset.” Lainah says. Her voice is shaky and soft. Her face has a deeply unsettling, pained, scared smile on it. “How could you forget?”
>”Sunset, I get it now!” Artemis says. “Look at me. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.”
>You look to Artemis for a second, but something about the crowd catches your eye.
>You look around to find the students of the crowd beginning to grow hideous dark purple hives over themselves.
>Pained, gurgled moans and screams begin to fill the cafeteria.
>Artemis grabs your hand. ”Sunset. Eyes on me.”
>”No Sunset, don’t listen to her.”  Lainah puts her right hand on your shoulder which causes you to jump a bit. “You have to pay for your mistakes. This is because of you.” Her voice is still pained and fragile.
>At once. An absolutely revolting stench fills your nostrils. It’s the crowd of students. The pulsating blights on their bodies have grown ever more. Blood and vomit can be seen spewing amongst them.
>This disease is…
>”Sunset, please listen!” Artemis pleads. “We don’t have much time. You need to realize that-“
>”Sunset!” Lainah shouts. “You need to pay for your mistakes!”
>Your eyes begin to well up. What’s going on?
>”Sunset!”
>”Sunset!”
>”Sunset!”
>”Sunset!”
>”Sunset!”
>You shut your eyes tightly, turn towards Artemis, and embrace her with all your might.
“MAKE IT STOP!”

~

>…
>”…Okay. I’ll try my best.”
>That was Artemis’s voice. But it’s much less urgent.
>You open your eyes and break the embrace.
>You’re in your bed. In your dorm room. At The Academy.
>A nightmare…
>”Are you alright, Sunset?”
>Artemis sits on your bed in front of you in her nightwear. She looks up at you with a worried expression in those purple eyes.
>”I’m going to have to second that question.” Amelia states from her own bed.
>Slowly, your heartrate settles.
“Yeah. It was just a bad dream.”
>You should have known. How could people in the settlement possibly be in Canterlot back when it wasn’t a ruin? But I guess if it was that easy everyone would break out of their nightmares.
“Ugh.”
>With that groan, you collapse once again on the bed facing up. You simply stare at the ceiling and let your mind wander.
>”This blows. It’s bad enough we’re in a war now. But we have nothing to do but wait and rot.” Amelia complains.
>Artemis yawns. “Settlement policy. They don’t want to send minors.”
>The war. The one between this settlement and Selene’s gang of rouge witches over at the castle. We know nothing about it other than that it’s happening at this point. News is slow since there’s no organized mass media and all.
“Are we… winning?”
>”Don’t know.” Artemis answers. “Can’t give a good guess either. Who knows what kind of equipment Selene has at that castle?”
>Artemis looks up just slightly. Then speaks incredibly softly. “…Who knows…?”
>”Uh, what was that?” Amelia asks.
>At this, Artemis gets up and begins to quickly dress herself. 
>You and Amelia just watch while being a little confused.
>When she’s about to head out the door, she looks back. “I’m going to check something.”
>With that, she leaves.
>Amelia looks at you. ”What was that all about?”
“I guess she wants to learn all she can about the fight. I can’t blame her. But, what can knowing about it really do if we can’t fight anyway?”
>*BOOM*
>The thunder roars and you look out the window. The clouds are thick and the snow is relentless. The settlement itself doesn’t look much better. It’s coated in snow. The only ones outside are the guard witches; the guard witches are more numerous now too, what with the state of affairs.
>Silence engulfs the room again. 
>Your thoughts drift back to your dream. And then to Lainah. 
>Why did she join Selene? When you read her mind, all the details weren’t clear… A shadowy woman with a-
>Your thoughts are interrupted by Amelia getting on your bed.
>”Sunset. We have a problem.”
“Oh? What is it?”
>She crawls closer to you. “It’s that you’re always hugging all over Artemis. I mean, that’s nice and all. She is your teammate. But what about me?”
“Huh?”
>She crawls further until her face is mere inches from yours. “And even this morning Artemis is the first one you went for. Do I not exist to you?”
>What’s gotten into her?
“She was nearby, that’s all.”
>”Yeah? Well now it’s my turn…”
>Amelia gently pushes you down onto the bed and climbs over you.
>You look up at Amelia. She bites her lips and looks back down at you. Let’s just say her bedhead is now creating a completely different aura about her now than it was moments ago.
“Wha?”
>”Just let this happen, Sunset.~” Amelia speaks softly.
>!!!
>Amelia slowly moves her right hand and it gently lands on your left cheek like a feather. She sensually caresses your cheek and strokes your hair. 
>You don’t know what to say or think, and your body feels in between being relaxed and flustered. You settle on staring back into Amelia’s big blue eyes.
>Soon, Amelia sits back up on the bed. “Alright, now this.”
>Your eyes remained fixed on the ceiling when Amelia went out of view, but when she reenters your sight she is now without her bra. Her pink nipples harden at contact with the air.
>Your lips part a bit as you parse the sight.
>”That’s no good. I can’t be alone in this.”
>Amelia reaches her arms behind you and sits back again, this time bringing your upper body with her such that she’s sitting in your lap. Her body weighs heavily on your thighs. You become acutely aware of the massive skin to skin contact between you two as she embraces you. 
>You feel her hands undo your bra. You feel your face get hot.
“Amelia!?”
>”Relax, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
>The bra falls down on her lap, and she gets off yours… Now it’s your nipples’ turn to harden.
>Before you can cover them you see a pair of arms come from behind you and cover them in your stead.
“Hey!”
>”They always talk about my rack, but yours is nothing to look down at either huh?”
>Amelia continues to fondle your breasts as you squirm. After some time, she suddenly stops and gets up onto the floor.
>”Alright, guess we best be getting up and ready then.”
>You stare at her dumbfoundedly and with a slight scowl as she gets dressed. Did she actually just do that?
>Once she’s about to exit the room, Amelia stops and turns to address you with a smug face. “Oh, sorry, guess I left you hanging there. Did you want me to continue?”
“Completely WRONG!”
>Amelia laughs and leaves the room.
>This girl…
>After a moment, you smile. Because she succeeded in keeping your mind off more negative things.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 40: Paradise Lost
>November 30, 2092
>So, it’s finally come to this.
>The purple plague has spread relentlessly through the world. 
>And not it’s in this home of ours too.
>The only non-witches here were only ever men. That was supposed to lessen the likely hood of spread to this place. 
>So much for that. 
>No one is quite sure how it happened, supposedly. It doesn’t matter right now, though.
>Now many husbands are sons are infected here. It would be such a pain to clean them out now that infected are closing in on the outside too.
>We’ve got to leave this place. We may come back later if in when this situation blows over.
>But so that no one other than us can come back this place is going to be sealed up.
>No one will be staying here now, considering the new situation we’ve found ourselves in.
>I will stick with the same plan I’ve had before. Me and a few choice others will start a trek eastward.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You are Artemis.
>You put the paper back down where you got it and sigh.
>It would seem the castle has a barrier of some sort of a type that no one now recognizes. As a result, our witches are stuck at a massive disadvantage in this fight. Not to mention the apparently superior equipment Selene’s rabble has that was in that castle.
>You knew Selene had to have SOMETHING up her sleeve. I mean, she did kind of invite us there. 
>But… is a barrier really all?
>Only way to find out is to get past you suppose. 
>You begin to pace around the plaza of The Academy. A few witches look at you curiously, but you’re far too lost in thought to pay them any mind.
>Just with the information given in this newspaper, you could see what you could learn in the library. 
>But that would be a waste of time. There’s no chance the knowledge base over there doesn’t have information that’s already here.
>Meaning that if there’s anything you can do—you’re going to have to go to an unorthodox source.
>…Sources you probably can’t access now. Because minors can’t leave the settlement in wartime.
>Unless… No, probably not.

~

>You are Sunset.
>The harsh winds and snow assault the windows.
>The sad strings flow and settle into your eardrum.
>Each chord burrows itself into your subconscious and beckons the makeup of your brain to secrete chemicals that bring sadness.
>But not for lack of beauty. The song is well composed. Each string is highly pleasurable to your eardrum.
>Cadenza ends the song and silence fills the room.
>Amelia breaks the silence. “Couldn’t you have played something happier?”
>Cadenza shrugs. ”Eh, it wouldn’t come out as well if the song didn’t fit our surroundings.” 
>*Sniff!*
>Your attention turns to Carrie, who is now visibly holding back tears.
>”Alright, it wasn’t THAT sad.” Amelia says.
>”Yes it was!” Carrie gets up and gets a tissue.
>Your eyes now drift to the green haired girl right next to you. Who is.. staring blankly to the distance.
“Cinderbelle?”
>She doesn’t respond.
>You put a hand on her shoulder and address her again.
“Hello?”
>”Oh!” She finally wakes from her trance with a jump. “Heh heh, sorry about that.”
“What was that all about?”
>Cinderbelle’s expression dulls as her brows furrow and she looks down. She nearly reenters her trance. “I can’t stop thinking about Lainah…”
“Oh.”
>”She used to help us at the day care all the time. How did I miss this part of her? I should have known somehow.”
>You couldn’t keep your mind off her either, really. She’s in your nightmares now even. The scenes from that day with her and Selene replay in your mind all of time. You keep on thinking about what if you did was right or wrong. What could you have done or said? How could you have changed this? Could you have saved her? 
>The questions drive you mad.
“I don’t get it either. I mean, we hated each other yeah. But not like this…”
>You look up at the ceiling.
>”She must have been secretly spying on us, no? Just like Evelyn did at the other settlement.” Carrie suggests.
>”That… That just doesn’t add up.” Cinderbelle speaks definitively. Which takes you all by surprise, since it’s so unlike her.
>”Uh. Sorry.” Cinderbelle stands. “I think I’ll go for a walk.” She leaves the room.
>The door closes. Carrie sighs. “This sucks.”
“Yeah…”
>You get up and walk over to the window as silence takes the room again.
>Same old same old. Snowstorm is calming though. Nobody but guard witches out there as usual.
>Wait.
>Is that Veronica?
>She trudges through the snow away from The Academy.
>Then, she falls into the snow!
>In her position no one may find her for a while…
>You turn around to leave the room.
>”You ditching us too?” Carrie asks.
“Uh… Just have to check on something.”

~

>Cold wind blows and you retract further into your robe and shiver.
>You’ve got to get done with this quickly.
>You scan over the white landscape…
>And there’s a red robe!
>You run over and attempt to wake the floored girl.
“Veronica? Veronica!”
>Veronica’s eyes slowly open. She looks incredibly cold. She shivers causing snowflakes to dance through her hair.
“Whoa. Are you alright?”
>She says something inaudible.
“What was that?”
>”…Take me home.”
“Alright.”
>You wrap her arm around her back and hoist her up.
“It’s where the other witch homes are, right?”
>Veronica nods, and you go forth.
>You get some weird looks from guard witches on the way, but none bother you two. 
>Veronica is completely silent, and you don’t want to try your luck by breaking the silence.
>It’s incredibly awkward. The last time you had kind of conversation with this girl was when you first got here. And you didn’t exactly become fast friends.
>What came over you to help her? You didn’t really think about it.
>You’re brought out of your thoughts as you realize you’re in the neighborhood… Now, to her house.
>Which house just screams ‘Sparkle?’
>”There..” Veronica weakly speaks.
>You look up and you see it. Oh, you probably should have known it was the large one with Twilight’s own symbol on it.
>Veronica still in tow, you get up to the door and turn the knob. It’s unlocked… 
>You enter and marvel at the innards. Purple granite columns lined the family room. The ceilings were high and the walls were decorated with various art of various witches.
“Wow.”
>Veronica coughs, and it brings your attention back to the matter at hand.
>You walk over to the couch and lay her down on it.
>Then you look around. There are no blankets in sight…
>You take your robe off and put it over her. Then you walk over to the big, tiled fireplace.
>It already had wood in it, so you use your wand to ignite it.
>You turn back to Veronica.
“So, is everything alright now?”
>She opens her eyes and looks at you for a moment.
>You squirm a bit under the gaze of her blue eyes.
>”Yes. You can go now.” Veronica closes her eyes once again.
>What is this girl? 
>You turn to the door and go on your way.
>”Sunset.” 
>You turn back around.
>”Thanks.”
>You crack a small smile, then leave.
>Back through the snow you go toward The Academy.
>Half way through, you see something sparkle in the snow.
>Walk over.
>It’s a wand. Expertly made. Beautiful shooting stars make up the wand’s design. The tip is purple. 
>This may be Veronica’s!
>You pick it up and board your own broom. You’ve got to get it back to her.
>Flying through the snow is annoying, but you get back to her house quickly.
>When you get back you knock on the door.
>No response.
>You try one more time.
>Still nothing.
>Trying the door, you find it’s still open.
>You enter.
“Hey. Sorry for intruding, but you left your wand.”
>You say it out to the air, but you find no Veronica.
>Walking through the house once more you find that she is no longer in front of the fireplace.
>Where is she?
>You place the wand down on the couch.
>It’s bad to hang out in someone’s home uninvited… But where did she go off to so quickly? She was lying down and didn’t look especially mobile in the moment and you weren’t gone long.
>And admittedly, you kind of want to see more of her home.
>You begin to search around for her.
>And by ‘search around,’ you mean look in awe at the gorgeous house and all of the art inside.
>Seriously, this girl’s house is like a museum. You find many sculptures and paintings. All the furniture looks handmade and well embellished. 
>You walk over to one large wall and you see what looks like a family tree. On the bottom is a younger Veronica. She’s wearing a cute, toothy smile. Aww. Why doesn’t she ever smile like this today?
>Higher you see Dean Sparkle. From the frame of the picture, you learn her name is Sharon Sparkle. She looks as uptight as ever.
>And Veronica’s father. A very tall man with black hair and grey eyes. Earthlight Sparkle is his name.
>Various witches can be seen higher on the wall. It’s quite linear, since witches don’t have all that many kids after all. But an unbroken maternal line of witches with blue, black, or purple hair. Very often in hime cuts. It ends after a certain point. There wouldn’t be the space to go all the way back to Twilight you suppose.
>You walk around the house more until you’ve covered the whole ground floor. The house was utterly silent this whole time. Veronica couldn’t have left, the only fresh tracks you saw when you came back were from the last time you came.
>Perhaps you should leave… You spent enough time trespassing.
>*THUMP*
>!
>That came from below. 
>You open up the door to the basement.
>It’s dim down there.
>You’ve come too far now, the least creepy thing would be to at least admit you entered.
>…You also want to see what she’s up to too.
>You descend the staircase as quietly as you can.
>As you peak around the corner you see Veronica facing away at a desk. A candle is next to her. As well as a fat stack of books.
>Suddenly she closes the book with much force and puts it down with similar enthusiasm.
>”That’s it then! I’ll stop Selene myself if I have too.”
>You walk out from behind the corner.
“Really? How?”
>Veronica turns around and looks at you with wide eyes. “What are you doing still in my house?”
>You stop in your tracks.
“Uh, you dropped your wand. It’s up on your couch now.”
>Veronica sighs. ”Great. Thanks. Now go.”
>You chuckle.
“You can’t just stay cooped up in your house all the time, Twil… Veronica…”
>Veronica crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. “Sunset is it?”
“Yeah?”
>”How did the headmistress find and pick you?”
“Artemis and Amelia found me and brought me to her. I had a crystal with me. You raise the necklace that holds the crystal from your neck and look at it. I think they tracked me because of it.”
>You look back at her.
“I can’t tell you why the headmistress accepted me. I made a terrible first impression, honestly. You’d have to ask her yourself.”
>”Where are you from then?”
“Canterlot.”
>”An abandoned ruin?”
“I- I had a very odd lifestyle.”
>You try to speak before she can question you further.
“You asked me all those questions. Now I get a turn. How do you plan to stop Selene?”
>Veronica scratches the back of her neck and looks off to the side. “Maybe it was just an incoherent outburst. Why do you care anyway?”
“We’ve all been sitting around doing nothing but waiting. Any number of our elders could be dead now. I want to do whatever I can to help. So, if you have any idea I want to hear. Please.”
>Veronica flips her hair. ”Just how much do you want to help?” 
“As much as possible.”
>”Really? Even if you had to, say, hypothetically, ignore some settlement rules?”
>You pause for a moment and put a hand to your chin.
“I… suppose that depends on what rules.”
>”We’d have to exit this settlement.” Veronica narrows her eyes. “And do a little… special operations.” 
“You want join the battle?”
>”Not exactly. There’s a barrier around the castle. One our settlement is unfamiliar with. It’s causing the battle to be lost.”
>Veronica starts to walk toward you slowly. “But if I know Selene, then I think I’ve figured it out. I can’t get many people through. And I refuse to give this information to the adults and not do it myself. It’s my RESPONSIBILITY to deal this blow to her.” Veronica stops in front of you and looks up into your eyes. “So, will you finally become a real witch and help me or not?”
>Veronica stares at you with those deep blue eyes of hers expectantly. 
“It sounds a lot like that pride of yours just won’t let anyone else do it. Even if it costs us a war.”
>Veronica’s eyes narrow, and she scowls ever so slightly.
>You break eye contact and look down at your gloved hands as if they’re holding something.
“But, the major story of my life ever since I got here was just stopping her plans. Whether I knew it or not. I’m no different really. I have to see it through.”
>You look back at her.
“So, I want to help.”
>Veronica’s face returns to neutrality again.
“On one condition though. We have to bring the whole team. Everyone that went with us to Cloudsdale.”
>”Why them?”
“They deserve the same closure too. While we’re at it we can get Lainah back; we can put an end to this debacle for good.”
>Veronica closes her eyes. “You’re far too optimistic. I was going to try to get Artemis on board anyway, though. So sure.”
“Great!”
>Veronica starts walking past you.
“Say, what would you have done if I hadn’t agreed?”
>She chuckles. “Probably would have tied you up or something.”
>You don’t think that was a joke…

~

>In a private room in The Academy’s library where no one will bother or hear them, the seven gather.
>”So, let me get this straight.” Cadenza begins. “You want us sneak around the guards, haul ourselves across the continent to the battlefield, somehow get around both our and the enemies’ forces to get to that barrier, get in with some esoteric method that only Veronica knows for God knows why, storm the castle, then somehow beat Selene all on our own. Have I got that right?”
>Well when she puts it that way…
“Yup.”
>”You’re both insane.” Cadenza says flatly.
>”Then don’t come. I’m not here to recruit cowards.” Veronica replies.
>Cadenza sighs.
“Hey, come on now, Veronica. We won’t get anywhere like that.”
>”You know, I’m okay with the plan.” Amelia says.
>Everyone looks at her.
>She puts her hands behind her head, closes her eyes, and leans back in her chair. ”But I still don’t approve.”
>”Why?” Carrie inquires.
>”Simple. Because the idea is Veronica’s.”
>”THAT’S your main issue with it?” Cadenza asks.
“You wanted to help somehow so much, and you’ll pass up your chance for something so petty?”
>Amelia opens her eyes again. ”I mean, she has to be plotting something. How is it that she’s conveniently the only one who knows how to deal with this barrier? Is this a trap, huh?”
>”That is a good point.” Cinderbelle comments.
>”I used to work with Selene.”
>Eyes widen across the room.
>”Unsurprising.” Amelia states.
“Seriously?”
>”What!? For how long?” Cadenza asks.
>”I was recruited by Selene when I was small. Before I even knew what in the world I was getting into. Where else did I have to go? Home wasn’t exactly the most welcoming place in the world. Mom is mom, and dad is dead.”
>”Save me the sob story.” Cadenza snaps. “You didn’t answer my question. How long were you with her?”
>Veronica blinks. “Officially? Up until we went to Cloudsdale.”
>Amelia begins to laugh heartily. “Wow. What a crook you are! It took you that long to figure out that trafficking humans and subverting settlements was evil? Why shouldn’t we turn you in now?”
>Veronica keeps her cool, but you can tell she’s getting frustrated by her ever so slight scowl.
“Is that true?”
>Artemis finally breaks her silence. “It is true. And I knew. Because I was there when she betrayed Selene.”
>Attention now shifts to her. Veronica turns around to face Artemis too.
>”…Why didn’t you tell us?” Cinderbelle asks.
>”I wanted to make sure whether or not she actually changed sides is all.”
>”…Then you trusted her on some level.” Carrie adds.
>Artemis and Veronica stare at each other with unreadable expressions.
>”Yeah.” Artemis says. “I guess I did.”
>Veronica turns back around toward everyone else. “If I was lying, what good would it do me to betray you now anyway? I already told Selene off. Artemis was there to witness it. And if I was going to backstab you after that, the ideal time would have been when Selene invaded.”
>”What if you just want to get us alone in the castle, so you can surround us?” Carrie asks.
>”No one would go through such a convoluted plan. Besides our mission in the first place is to infiltrate and get rid of the head honchos. If one more is enough to deter you, the plan isn’t for you in the first place now is it?”
>Silence engulfs the room.
>”Now onto that…” Cadenza breaks the silence. “Why should we believe it will work at all?”
>”Because most of Selene’s rouge witches won’t be in the castle. In fact, only her and five others will be inside. We get in, we kill them, we get out.” Veronica says.
>”How do you know that?” Cinderbelle asks.
>”It’s the nature of the war barrier. Few in the middle. Most in the outskirts. Likely every witch is contributing to the barrier somehow. Break the formation and it wouldn’t work. But as long as most are on the outskirts they can stay inside until they’re ready fight. It’s why we can’t win at the moment.”
>”And how do you know about this type of barrier? And how do you know it’s the type she’s using?” Artemis asks.
>”Selene spoke about it before. That simple. I can’t confirm it’s the type she’s using, but it’s all we have to go on.”
”Are you sure you know how to get through?”
>Veronica sighs. ”In theory. Won’t know for sure until we try of course.”
>”That’s pretty sketchy.” Amelia comments.
>”Yeah? Well so is Selene getting to this settlement. Which is exactly what’s going to happen if something doesn’t happen. I should be clear. Whether any of you join me or not, I’m going. It’s just I could theoretically take just a few others with me what with how long I should be able to hold it open.”
>Cadenza scowls. ”Tsk. How annoying.”
>”Alright.” Artemis begins. “Then I’ll join you.”
>Amelia looks at her. ”Seriously?”
>”If she’s going to go anyway, there’s no reason to not.” Artemis says.
>”Not true.” Cadenza begins. “There’s no reason we can’t tell the guards. They could stop her and give the information about the barrier to someone more qualified.”
>”We could…” Artemis says.
>”But admittedly, I want to do it myself.” Artemis concludes.
“I feel the same.”
>”What!?” Cadenza exclaims. “This is actual conflict. A real war! And you want to jeopardize it with your pride?”
>”Well, if we’ve already given into working with Veronica—then I’m in too.” Amelia says. “Not like we haven’t been in real conflict before. Besides, SOMEONE has to do this, or we’ll lose at this rate.” Amelia smiles. “I just want it to be me.”
>”For real?” Cadenza muses.
>”No point in refusing now.” Cinderbelle says. “I’m in.”
>”Me too!” Carrie exclaims.
>”There’s a decidedly lower chance of victory if we go than if they get adults to do it.” Cadenza states.
>”It’s my responsibility to do it.” Veronica says.
>”Who’s more qualified to fight Selene than us?” Artemis says.
>”We have to stick by our friends.” Cinderbelle says.
>”We started this thing, we might as well finish it.” Carrie says.
“Don’t you want closure, Cadenza? After all the work we’ve done to stop her plans.”
>”And I want to feel her throat under my boot!” Amelia says. “Cadenza, you’re one of us. I know it’s in you to feel the same.”
>”Of course it is!” Cadenza says. “But If we lose we’ll be seen as foolish insubordinates that only hindered a war effort. Just a footnote in a history book about an utter failure of a plan when we could had someone else think this through.”
>Veronica takes one step forward. ”Yes, that’s true. But we will win. And insofar as we will win, we’ll be seen as the heroes that made final victory possible. We can do it. And the glory is ours. As always, our lives are not guaranteed. But we will do this anyway.”
>Cadenza takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and smiles softly. “Alright then.” 

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 18: A Nice Quote
>July 22, 2088
>I believe it was a group of people across the sea and to the far north who once said:
>>Cattle die.
>>And kinsmen die.
>>And so must one die oneself.
>>But there’s one thing I know of that never dies—the fame of a dead man’s deeds.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>From this mountain view, you see it down below.
>For the first time you lay eyes on the old witch homeland.
>In and of itself, it’s a beautiful place. Sheer effort was put into the architecture. Every building and home is artistically molded into a unified whole. Much white brick is used. Much gold too. Nature is well mixed in with the man-made structures. Even from where you are you can see small parks with green grass and trees. And the castle in the middle is phenomenal too. It looks like a large delicate, highly detailed medieval castle. It’s a bit surreal seeing one that looks as if it’s new. Great bells, clocks, walls, art, and balconies can be seen.
>You however, can’t say the sight as a whole is pleasant. Because right outside the transparent purple barrier, much chaos can be seen due to the ongoing battle. You can see all of Selene’s forces waiting right on the inside of the barrier. They file out at will from their defenses. You can see how it’s frustrating for the witches of your settlement…
>In the air there’s plenty of action from witches on brooms and airships too. You seven have to work hard to not be detected by either side of this conflict.
>The seven lie low amongst the snow and trees of the mountain. The noise and vibrations of the battle attack your senses. The wails of many a human, machine, and warhorse reverberate through the air. You can see the distaste among your peers in their faces. You try not to look at it.
>Carrie looks down and sneers something vicious. “Hell. Maybe this wasn’t so great an idea.”
>Cinderbelle gently pushes Carrie’s head up and directs her gaze toward the inside of the barrier. “Not our focus, Carrie.”
>Various shades of stress coat the faces of your comrades. Their robes now plagued with snow and dirt. Not long ago you lived the carefree life of a high schooler. A time of near unprecedented wealth and safety. Now, people were dying below you. And you’re about to attempt to storm a castle. I guess this is more par for course when history is taken in context, however.
>The only one’s keeping calm are Veronica—who even now keeps her hyper focus and signature stoic gaze—and Artemis—who seems to be meditating again.
>After a few seconds Artemis opens her eyes, smiles, and turns to address the other six. “Girls. Now’s the time. We have the perfect opportunity in front of us; we are the only ones who can finally remove Selene permanently from this world. And then we can go home and live on happily again.”
>You and the rest nod.
>”You all know what to do now. Veronica, you can get us in right?”
>Veronica nods and approaches Artemis up at the front of the pack.
>Artemis’ wand becomes a broom. As does Amelia’s and Cadenza’s. Two to a broom. Except for the leading broom. Veronica takes the very front of the charge. Artemis sits right behind her. Then it’s you. Amelia and Cinderbelle are in the middle. The tail broom holds Carrie and Cadenza.
>You note how hard your heart is beating and the extreme butterflies of your stomach… Even your legs are shaking a bit. You could really die here. Then what would your trip to the future be for?
>The in-line brooms now become one. One large brilliant broom with a large thruster in the back that screeches to life.
>Veronica gets her wand out. A brilliant blue light shines from it. “Okay. Whenever you’re ready.”
>”You CAN get us through, right?” Amelia asks.
>”How many times are you going to ask?” Veronica responds.
>Artemis interjects. ”She gave us her word that she can. Don’t worry about it.”
>”Is everyone ready?” Artemis asks.
>”Yes.” Is said in unison.
>As ready as you’re ever going to be. Never let it be said that you didn’t take any risks in your life!
>With this, the broom chain moves forth.
>Time seems to stop as you fly from the (Read: relative) comfort of the mountain and out into the open chaos.
>The wind whips by with astounding speed. This must be the fastest you’ve ever flown on a broom!
>And yet, the barrier seems so far away…
>In little time, your vehicle is spotted. And it doesn’t look like it’s by anyone from your settlement.
>Some magic blasts near your party. You can’t tell who sent them either.
>Cadenza and Carrie stand. They spin their lit wands and deflect some of the blasts. Others are countered with Artemis’ air bullets.
>You flinch at the turmoil. 
>Soon after, three of Selene’s witches come from the front toward the vehicle.
>Amelia stands. “Sunset, can you help with this?”
>You stand and draw your hammer.
“Yes!”
>With a mighty blow of your hammer, you knock one of them out of the way.
>Amelia takes out two out with a punch that looked as if it broke the sound barrier.
>They won’t be able to catch up after that.
>”Sit down, I’ll make us go faster!” Artemis says.
>You obey. The wind around you pushes the broom to ever greater speeds.
>”Look above!” Carrie shouts.
>Sure enough, an airship of Selene’s sources ever more witches to block your path.
>”Oh come on! They don’t even know what we’re doing.” Amelia complains.
>Dozens of witches now block the path toward the barrier.
>“What do we do now!?” Cadenza asks.
>”Tsk.” Veronica takes one hand off her wand and raises it toward the crowd.
>”No. Don’t.” Artemis interjects. “Focus on the barrier. I can do it.”
>Veronica gazes at her for half a second and returns her hand to the wand. ”If you say so.”
>”Everyone else focus on moving the broom.”
>Artemis closes her eyes and puts her hands together.
>You get closer to the crowd as her concentration deepens.
>”You’re going to do something, right?” Carrie asks.
>”She will. Have some trust, will you?” Amelia responds.
>The witches put their wands together and begin to form a large blast.
>Amelia’s confidence wavers. ”Umm.”
>At this moment, Artemis stands. Then she releases an enormous blast of air toward the enemy.
>The first thing you notice is the gnarly sound that erupts from the attack. Like a trillion balloons popping in unison in one exact location.
>The second thing you notice milliseconds after that is that the wand moves off course due to the recoil. You put your focus into directing it again.
>More milliseconds pass, and you notice the sheer damage Artemis’ attack brought upon the human blockade.
>Their attack is gone now, as it was unable to meet completion before the impact of the air. And the witches themselves are now disoriented; a path forward for the broom is now open.
>Artemis’ body goes limp and she begins to breathe heavily.
“Are you okay?”
>”Yes.” She utters between breaths.
>The broom zooms ever forward. The barrier now draws near. Moment of truth. Either Veronica’s theories are right, and you all pass through—or you all feel the full impact of the barrier and face severe injury and likely death
>As the barrier draws near at breakneck speed, Veronica’s wand shines ever more brightly. The aura of her wand coats you seven.
>You resist the urge to close your eyes as the broom comes into contact and-
>*CRASH*
>…

~

>When you finally recompile your thoughts, you note that you’re hurling through the air.
>And falling toward the ground!
>Panicking, you take out your wand and go through what spells you know that could possibly help you.
>The only thing you can think of is shooting magic at the ground and hoping the recoil will break your fall.
>Extremely sloppy, but it will have to do.
>As you ready your blast, you find yourself coated in a blue aura. Huh?
>Then you gently land on the ground.
>You look up.
>The rest of the six fall gently in a similar fashion courtesy of Veronica’s magic. In the air you also see the pink barrier… That means!!
>”We actually made it!” Cinderbelle exclaims. “It actually worked.”
>You look around. You are indeed inside the barrier. The castle is not far away. Seeing the original witch home up close arouses a reverent feeling in you. The homes and buildings are all well preserved. And the structures are crafted with a brilliant unified aesthetic—as if the whole place is one large art piece. The place is quite clean and peaceful. Not even the sound of the outside battle can get in.
>You also note that it’s markedly warmer inside this barrier. No snow is to be found here as opposed to the deep winter right outside. 
>”Veronica actually pulled through.” Amelia pats her on the back. “Color me impressed.”
>Veronica looks unamused. “I could have let you drop, you know.”
>”Shame about the broom though.” Carrie says.
>Right. The broom couldn’t enter for some reason. Such is the source of that crashing sound upon entrance.
>”Hell. I’m down a wand.” Cadenza comments.
“Here.”
>You toss Cadenza your demon wand.
>”Thanks, but what about Amelia and Artemis?” Cadenza asks.
>Amelia smiles. ”Heh, you’ll need it more.”
>Cadenza scowls. “What’s THAT supposed to mean?”
>Your attention turns to Artemis. Who looks quite light-headed.
“Are you sure you’re alright? That attack must have taken a lot out of you.”
>”Yeah. I’ll be back to my old self. It’ll just take some time.” She replies.
>”How much?” Carrie asks. “We probably don’t have all the time in the world.”
>”Carrie’s right.” Veronica says. “In fact we need to move now to the castle. That way there’s less chance of any of Selene’s forces on the inside to come hunt us as the rules of this barrier dictate.”
>”Let’s go then. I’ll be fine.” Artemis says.
>With this, you seven approached the doors of the castle. It’s along a white brick path with fountains and statues on the edge, which border great green lawns.
>The doors themselves are large wooden structures. Carved into them are illustrations of some witches looking at the night sky.
>You seven look up at the tall doors in silence for a moment.
>”Anything special we need to do?” Cinderbelle asks while still looking up at the structure.
>Artemis walks forth. “No.”
“Should… we take a less obvious entrance?”
>”No.” Veronica says. “No doubt they know we’re here now anyway.”
>Artemis puts one hand on one door. The other hand on the opposing door.
>And the door opens. No rituals or spells required. You’re not sure what you were expecting.
>And so, you seven enter the castle.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNXlDLmf5pk
>An ethereal feeling comes over you as you look at the innards of the castle. It was highly decorated. A great purple and red rug lined the path deeper into the structure. Many plants and statues line the room. The most prominent being six statues of your old friends—the six founding witches.
>The sunlight shines through the windows which further decorate the entrance with gorgeous light shafts.
>You look up. 
>There’s a great painting on the ceiling in the style of renaissance art. Many naked witches are illustrated.
>This is your first time here, but somehow—it kind of feels like you belong here.
>”Wow!” Carrie exclaims. “This place is amazing. Why did we ever leave this place again?”
>”To protect it from magicopia and hostiles. It was hidden with a great spell.” Cinderbelle replies.
>”So goes the OFFICIAL story.” Veronica adds.
“What’s the not so official story?”
>Carrie perks up. “The truth behind some ancient assassinations are in here. Can’t let the general populace learn such secrets.”
>”You know, that wouldn’t surprise me actually.” Cadenza says.
>What good would it do now anyway? The government is long gone. What became of the capital anyway?
>”Focus girls. We have a Selene to fight.” Artemis says.
>On the far side opposite of the doors you just entered is a great staircase the leads to yet another door. 
>You all jog up the stairs and to this door.
>You’re the first to reach it.
>When you come in contact with it—you pause. An other-worldly feeling comes over you and you know it’s from the door.
>”What is it?” Cinderbelle asks.
“I’m… not sure.”
>Cinderbelle and Veronica come up to the door too, but they also pause upon contact. You can see it in their faces when it hits them.
>”Come on, girls.” Amelia complains. “Have you never seen a door before?”
>”This definitely isn’t normal.” Veronica states. Then she looks back up to the door with determination. “But I don’t think it’s unsafe.”
>She opens the door.
>What you see absolutely boggles your mind. And absolutely amazes you. 
>The room was large. Very large. The ceiling looked as if it was hundreds of meters away. The walls were no different. That wasn’t the most baffling thing, however.
>The ‘room’ absolutely defied any traditional building standards. And a few laws of physics for that matter. Stairsteps, walls, rails, windows, doors, art pieces, and floors floated or stood in absolutely arbitrary places. Where were you supposed to go?
>The place also feels heavy. You don’t think gravity is actually any stronger, but it feels like using magic will be more difficult.
>”Umm?” Carrie inquires.
>”Selene probably did this on purpose.” Cinderbelle starts. “To slow us down.”
>Artemis points at a particularly flashy door. One with more embellishment than usual. This door also has a Roman numeral I on it. “Doors like that are probably our targets.”
>You can also see a door with a IV and a II, but not any others. You’re getting III must be out of view.
“Let’s get going then.”
>”Wait. My wand isn’t working.” Veronica says. “Do any of yours?”
>At once, the rest of you draw your wands and attempt to use any kind of magic.
>”Doesn’t seem like it…” Cinderbelle says.
>Artemis sighs. “Another attempt to slow us down. There’s no way Selene would disable magic where she is though, so we just have to get through here.”
“Alright, then we should still get going.”
>”Wait a moment.” Veronica begins. “If she’s really slowing us down, we need to get to each and every one of those doors as soon as possible. Some may lead to dead ends or traps.”
>”Are you implying we should split up?” Artemis asks.
>”I am.”
>You’ve seen enough horror films to know that’s a sketchy idea.
>Carrie seems to have your same thought process. “If there are traps, isn’t that just more reason to stick together?”
>”We don’t have to split up into individuals. But we also can’t be too slow.” Veronica says.
“There’re four doors at least. Four groups?”
>”Three.” Artemis says. “That way no one will have to go alone. One group will just have to go through two doors. Ideally that would be the one group of three, but there’s no telling what’s beyond this point or what we’ll have to deal with. Anyone who gets back here will just have to go through the final door.”
>Suddenly the danger of this situation starts to dawn on you. The eerie room around you gets even eerier. And you realize that Selene and her underlings could be anywhere in here to attack you all. They could be watching, waiting for you to make some kind of mistake. You’re really at a massive disadvantage here.
>”Don’t worry Sunset.” You’re brought out of your thoughts by Artemis’ voice. “You’re with me.”
>Carrie takes Cadenza and Cinderbelle by their arms and pulls them toward her. “I call the group of three!”
>”Aw, come on! You’re going to leave me with Ms. Killjoy?” Amelia complains.
>Veronica only sighs.
>“Think about it this way: you hate Selene much more, right?” Cinderbelle offers.
>Amelia crosses her arms.
>Artemis turns to Cinderbelle and her team. “Can you girls get door one?”
>They all nod.
>”Amelia, Veronica, door two?”
>”Yeah.” Veronica replies.
>”Then we’ll get door three. If you explore your door, come out and check door four. Stay safe, everyone.”
>With that, everyone disperses.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 53: The First Six Families
>March 21, 2097
>Of the first six families of the first six witches, the biggest are the Sparkles. Obviously.
>The second largest is the Apple family.
>The Pie family, the Dash family, and the family of Fluttershy are all pretty small.
>Now Rarity’s family is extinct.
>One may be tempted to think that she simply had new or no children in the first place.
>But no, she had eleven daughters and a son. I vaguely remembered this mentioned myself sometime before the loss of our home, and records have confirmed this.
>Nobody could tell me what happened to them, as if they simply vanished into thin air one day.
>Naturally, I couldn’t accept such a nonchalant record of such a distinguished family.
>I sent a few witches from this settlement to other ones to get information as to what was their fate. None of them knew… except one settlement to the northeast.
>They simply said: they drowned. No other context could be given.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You are Cinderbelle.
>The other ‘teams’ begin to go about their way. 
>There’s an anxious mood in the air. This odd room doesn’t help.
>”Door one, huh?” Cadenza finally says. “Well, the sooner we go in the sooner we can be done.”
>You can see the door in the distance. It’s at the top of a staircase across the enormous floor of this room. It looks like the easiest door to get to by far.
>“Come on, let’s go!” Carrie yells as she begins to run toward the door.
”Carrie wait!”
>You begin to run after her.
>You catch up with Carrie at the base of the stairs. 
>The staircase is curved such that the stairs are convex from your point of view. The stairs start out very wide, but become more narrow as they reach the door at the top. The stairs along with the artistic railing would look nice, if it wasn’t filled with cracks and holes that is. You’ll have to be careful scaling this tall staircase.
>”Seems simple enough. Compared to the other doors.” Cadenza comments.
>You looks around the room. 
”Yeah, without our wands getting to some of the other doors will be a challenge for the others.”
>The other doors seem to be in odd places around this confusing room. You don’t immediately understand how you’d get to them.
>You’re brought out of your thoughts by Carrie’s voice. “We best get a move on.”
>You and Cadenza nod, then you all begin to jog up the stairs.
“Watch your step everyone.”
>”C’mon, I’m not a five year old!” Carrie replies.
>”Yeah? You’re about as tall as one.” Cadenza says smugly.
>”I’m ignoring that.” Carrie growls.
>After a little while, Cadenza stops.
>You and Carrie do the same, then you both look back to her.
“What’s wrong?”
>Cadenza looks down the stairs. “… Were the stairs always this tall?”
>Now it’s your turn to look down. You didn’t pay that much attention to the details of the staircase, but it looks about the same to you.
>”Eh? You sure it’s not all in your head?” Carrie asks.
>”Whatever, let’s continue.” Cadenza says.
>You all begin your ascent up the stairs yet again.
>After hearing what Cadenza said you begin to get paranoid.
>It’s as if the staircase is just a little taller every time you blink, but that’s not possible… Right?
>*CRACK!*
>Parts of the staircase begin to crumble and fall. It was already beaten and filled with holes, but to get worse while you’re ascending is troublesome.
>Carrie yelps as she has to jump over a hole in the stairs.
>You’ll have to watch where you’re going.
>And why aren’t you all at the top yet!?
>You refocus on the door. It has to be farther away than when you started!
>In your peripherals, you notice Cadenza and Carrie running past you.
>”Hurry up, Cinderbelle. Behind you!” Cadenza yells.
>Sure enough, behind you the stairs were beginning to fully collapse.
>You pick up the pace.
>Now the stairs are blatantly lengthening in front of you. More and more crumbled, decaying steps are sourced distancing you three ever further from the door you seek.
>Running and avoiding the holes in the steps begins to get tiring. It’s a little like jumping hurdles. 
>!!
>You see the horizon quickly rise as you realize you mis stepped and are falling to the ground.
>Your adrenaline pumps as you put your arms in front of you and brace for impact with the stairs—the reality of the collapsing steps behind you heightens your anxiety. 
>”Cinderbelle!” Carrie yells.
>Suddenly your foot hits something solid.
>You look down. That’s Carrie’s power.
>Quickly you look up to see her with her hands clasped together. “Hurry! They’re still falling behind you!”
>You don’t waste time getting up and continuing the run.
>Not long after, you all finally get to the top of the stairs where the door is.
>The door has a beautiful sculpture depicting a few witches flying on their brooms in a formation. You’d love to stay and admire it, but you’re not willing to wait and see whether the stairs will continue to collapse further.
>You open the door.
“Quick, come through!”
>Cadenza and Carrie enter and you shut the door.
>You three stop to catch your breath.
>”That door was supposed to be easy…” Carrie complains.
>Cadenza wipes sweat off her forehead. “Well, it’s over now.”
>You turn around away from the door.
“…Wow.”
>You’re in another section of the castle. And this time it looks like a proper castle and not some abstract bizzaro-castle. Much effort was put into this place. The entire hallway is like one large art piece. The walls are adorned with intricate designs and paintings. The windows are large and framed with curtains of the finest silk and with decorative ropes to draw said curtains. Even the baseboard is embellished with carvings.
>Cadenza walks to one of the windows and looks out. You follow.
>Outside it looks just like you left it. An untouched castle and chaos outside the dome. No evidence of the unnatural, enormous room you just exited. The magic must be exclusive to inside that room.
“The mayhem continues.”
>”That just means we need to hurry up and figure this place out!” Carrie surprises you with her voice.
>You and Cadenza turn around to meet her determined face. Then you look at each other and smile.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
>Down the hallway, you three run into the first door and enter.
>It’s… a kitchen!
>One like you’ve never seen before. It’s incredibly clean and has a lot of high-tech appliances that you don’t understand. Many appliances seem to have screens on them. You wonder if Sunset would understand these.
>”Neat.” Carrie comments. “We should have a snack break!”
>”Let’s not.” Cadenza replies flatly.
>Carrie pouts.
>On one of the counters you spot a book.
>You approach it and open it up. 
>It’s filled with VERY sugary recipes. But they all look delicious.
>What was this book called again?
>You close it and look at the cover. ‘Sugarcube Corner Super-Duper Secret Recipes’ by Pinkie Pie.
>!
>You all exit the room, and again traverse down the hallway.
>You come to another door and open it.
>It’s a brilliant library. Large shelves of books line the room. The shelves are of course, made with much artistic liberty.
>”Artemis better not find this place. She’ll never leave.” Carrie says.
>You giggle.
“Yeah.”
>You spot a large, thin screen in the front of the room. You almost mistook it for a piece of glass.
>”Ah, I heard they had things like this before the purple plague.” Cadenza starts.
>She lights her wand, and the screen turns on. When it boots up it reads: ‘Digital Library.’ Then, an interface showing a catalogue of more books comes up.
“How neat!”
>”It is… but we need to go.” Cadenza says.
>She’s right. If only you had found this castle under different circumstances…
>”Girls! Check this out.” You hear Carrie’s voice from the other side of the room.
>On the other side of the bookcases you see three bronze statues of three witches. A plaque in front of them has their names so faded that you cannot read them. The rest of it reads: “Thanks to the exploits of these three brilliant ‘crusaders’ much of the contents of this library was saved from certain destruction by the hands of those that do not understand magic.”
>Have you heard of these three before?
 >”Pretty. But we still have to go.” Cadenza says.
>”Yeah, yeah. Fine.” Carrie relents.
>You three exit the room and enter the hallway once more.
>As you enter yet another door you’re met with a larger room that looks like it was once some sort of community room. It simply has a few tables (which are highly decorated of course), a fireplace, and windows a plenty. On the other side of the room is yet another door.
>As you three walk through the room you’re surprised by three purple flashes that appear at the other end with the door.
>Three witches appear. One with long black hair with orange streaks. Her eyes glow an ominous orange. It’s as if her eyes are peaking out of a dark corridor despite the fact she’s in broad daylight. Another with chin length white hair that’s cut evenly. She has blue eyes. The last is a girl has long purple pigtails with bangs that slant down into one spike in the middle of her forehead. Her hair is purple with orange streaks, and her eyes are blue. She has her wand out; she must have been the one to use the teleportation. All three of them look to be in their early twenties.
>All three witches have those now familiar black robes on.
>”I remember you freaks!” Carrie starts. “From back in our settlement.”
>”Thaaat’s riiight.” The pigtailed one speaks.
>You and your friends get into stance.
“Where’s Selene!?”
>”She has important work to do in order to win this battle. So, I’m tasked with babysitting you children until Lady Selene can finish this. You all just had to go and split up. Thanks for making this hard for me.” Pigtails has such a bratty voice.
>”What does that mean? What’s she doing?” Cadenza asks.
>”Explaining it to dead witches would be a waste of time. Also, I can NOT believe you made a tangent to Lady Selene before even asking my name. Just for the record, I am Galaxy. Descendent of Twilight Sparkle and Sonata Dusk. I guess that makes us family friends, huh Cadenza?” 
>Cadenza sneers. “Somehow I don’t buy that logic.”
>”Why are you doing this!?” Carrie asks. “Why not leave all the settlements alone?”
>Galaxy giggles. “Please. Don’t you want our castle back? And our former glory? This time without the judgement and ridicule of stupid non-witch governments. We’ll finally be able to become what we were always meant to be: the aristocrats of this continent.”
“Even if we wanted that, we sure don’t need someone like Selene to do it!”
>Galaxy puts a finger to her lip. ”Maaaybe.” She then takes it off and reasserts her unwarranted confidence. “But the early bird gets the worm, right? We found the castle, after all.”
>”We’ll see about that…” Cadenza hisses.
>”So we will.” Galaxy replies. “Persephone.” The black and orange haired witch steps forth. “And Gram.” The white haired one steps forth. “Dispose of these losers.”
>”I hope you’re not implying that you’re going to run away!” Cadenza yells.
>Galaxy begins to twirl her wand in front of her. “Say bye to your new duchess, Dazzle.~ And to everything else in this world for that matter.”
>Cadenza begins to sprint at Galaxy. “No you don’t!”
>Cadenza swipes her wand down to release a spell…, but nothing happens.
>Galaxy laughs. Then teleports away.
>Persephone takes advantage of the opening by punching at Cadenza, who jumps back to you and Carrie.
>”Guess our wands are STILL useless.” Cadenza remarks.
“You don’t usually lose your temper this easily.”
>Cadenza wipes her brow. “Something about her annoys me. Maybe it’s her tone.”
>”Looks like we’ll have to deal with these two first.” Carrie says.
>She’s right. You observe the two. They still haven’t said a word, and only stare at you three with eerie smiles. They’re standing up straight too. Must be some show of confidence.
>Will main magic work? Unfortunately, you can’t try. A major drawback of your power is that you can’t use it indoors.
>Suddenly, the two enemies look up as if they noticed something—then they jump to the side just as spiked, grey crystals burst out of the ground quite violently. 
>”Good news, girls!” Carrie exclaims.
>”Yeah, I see.” Cadenza says.
>So much for preserving this castle…
>Carrie looks a little frustrated about something, but you don’t have time to dwell on it.
>At once everything goes black.
>You move your head to look around. Nothing. You move your hands to where you think the front of your face should be. You see nothing.
>What?
(“Cadenza! Carrie!”)
>That’s what you THINK you say anyway. Because you didn’t hear your own voice.
>You begin to get anxious. Are you dead?
>You touch your arm. You still feel yourself. It’s something.
>Suddenly, you feel several blows on your chest and face.
(“Ugh!”)
>You grab your stomach in recoil. Afterwards, the lights turn on.
>Looking around the room everything looks the same. The two enemies sit with the same smiles they held before. The room is identical. Carrie and Cadenza however, seem to have flinched in pain too.
>”What just happened?” Carrie asks.
>”Who’s power was that!?” Cadenza asks.
>Persephone and Gram only stare back the same way they always have. The silent treatment, huh?
”Carrie, attack when there’s an opening.”
>She nods in response.
“Cadenza-“
>”I know.” She replies.
>You run and engage Gram while Cadenza takes Persephone.
>You start with a back hand that Gram catches.
>She retaliates with a punch.
>You lean all the way back to dodge it, then sweep your legs up as you complete the hand-stand.
>Gram jumps back to avoid your kick.
>You jump back to your feet.
>In your peripheral you see Persephone fighting Cadenza while being careful not to look her in the eye. Which means they knew all your magic beforehand… 
>Crystals erupt from the ground targeting Gram, but she avoids them.
“Carrie, can you be quicker?”
>”I should be… Something’s not right.” She replies.
>You look back to her with a curious look. What does that mean?
>You don’t have time to ponder it however, as Gram once again closes in on you.
>And begins again with physical attacks. 
>In fact, you’ve only SEEN both of them use physical attacks. Are they trying to hide their magic? 
>Losing yourself in your thoughts proves to be a mistake, as you take a few blows to the face.
>Eventually you catch one of Gram’s arms.
>Then you kick her back.
“Wall her off for a moment!”
>”Okay.” Carrie complies. And a large wall of grey crystal sections off a corner of the room.
>There’s no way that will hold her long, but if you’re going to get any of them to show their magic you need to put on pressure.
>You turn to Persephone and Cadenza and move in as quickly as you can.
>The perfect opening appears as Cadenza blocks an attack and distance is made between them.
>You draw your wand and raise it like a baseball bat.
>If it won’t work for magic then it will at least work for this!
>Persephone notices and sports a worried look, but by now it’s too late.
>Right before the orb connects with her temple, blackness ensues.
>Again!?
>You look around (at least you think you do), but still see and hear nothing.
>Remembering the damage you took last time, you reflexively put your arms up in front of your face and chest.
>Then it comes. Across your stomach and legs the blows appear with fury.
>Your drop to a knee as your senses come back.
>You look to the side. Cadenza appears to have been knocked to the ground, but gets up.
>Then you look in front of you.
>Persephone… is rubbing her temple.
>The wall that once trapped Gram is gone and she now stands in front of you beside Persephone.
>Your hit must have landed, but you still have no clue what their magic is.
>Gram raises her wand, which then changes into an axe. 
>As quickly as you can, you roll to the side to avoid it. Then you jump back with Cadenza and Carrie.
“So they can use their wands?”
>”Girls.” Carrie begins. “For a moment… I stopped feeling weird.”
>What?
>”I get it now.” Cadenza stands up and faces the two.
>She points to Persephone. “You’re the one who kills our senses.” Then she points to Gram. “And you dull our magic.”
>The two smirk.
>”Yeah, that’s right.” Gram says. “Not that it matters. You still won’t get past us.”
>Cadenza wipes her brow. “We’ll see about that!”
>We won’t get past them?
>You look out of the window for a moment.
>They really do seek to waste as much of your time as possible. And Gram especially, is hindering the efforts of not just you three but all of your friends.
“Carrie, can we switch places? I’ll be the one to hang back for a while. I have a plan.”
>”Huh? You realize there’s no plant life around right? What are you going to do?” Carrie asks.
“I know. Trust me, alright? I need you and Cadenza to protect me for a moment.”
>Cadenza nods. “If you say so.”
>”In case you haven’t noticed.” Gram starts. “We already know all your main magic. Drawbacks and all. Courtesy of Lady Selene. There’s no trick that can get past us. And we know you especially can’t do much in this place.”
“If you’re so sure,”
>You sit down in a ‘crisscross’ fashion and put your fists together.
“then this should be no threat to you, right?”
>“Sure, but since it’ll kill your morale I’ll stop you anyway!” Both of them close in on you with great speed.
>Your eyes widen as they get closer.
>*CLANG*
>Vibrations can be felt around the room as Cadenza and Carrie clash with their adversaries.
>Good. Now you have to get this right. You won’t be able to try again…

~

>You are Carrie.
>You have a lot of questions about what Cinderbelle is doing, but you trust your friend!
>And you wish you could trust your own strength as much. Your wand and arms screech under the weight of Gram’s.
>Your crystals burst forth from behind Gram.
>She breaks the clash and jumps back.
>Ugh, it’s so annoying how slow and weak your magic is. And she’s the one causing it.
>”Cadenza, keep up the pressure on Persephone. Don’t let her use her magic!” Cinderbelle yells.
>”We’ll see about that!” Persephone replies.
>Ignoring that other battle, you brace yourself for Gram who is moving in on you.
>An onslaught of punches is released upon you.
>You do your best to block all of them. It’s kind of clumsy but it works.
>As you feel your defenses begin to fail, you swiftly roll over to Gram’s side then throw a heavy punch of your own.
>Without even looking at you, Gram blocks it with her palm.
>’Heavy punch’…
>Before the shock of your failure subsides—Gram knocks your fist aside and grabs you by the neck.
>She lifts you into the air.
>Reflexively your hands move to your neck in attempt to relieve as much pressure as possible.
>You see Gram’s face too. She sports that same annoying smirk from before.
>You raise several thin spiked crystals right from under her.
>She side-steps them, however.
>Then, she throws you across the room.
>”Hang in there!” Cinderbelle shouts as you feel the impact of hitting a table.
>This sucks.
>”You have such a small, weak body.” Gram states. “Without your magic you really are nothing, huh?”
>In your peripheral you see Cadenza in dance with her enemy. She keeps the pressure on Persephone with the great graceful flips and kicks she always employs while fighting.
>Yeah, if only you could fight like her or Amelia. 
>You stand back up and move the hair out from in front of your eyes.
>If only you weren’t so short for a witch!
>Gram moves in again.
>You pick up a chair and hurl it at her.
>She sidesteps it.
>You throw more as she advances.
>”You child!” Gram shouts as she avoids them.
>Your chair assault continues.
>Aggravated, she eventually draws her wand. 
>She changes it’s form back to that of an axe to swing at the chairs.
>Now’s your chance!
>With a sweep of your arm, several rugged, spiked crystals burst forth from the ground. First a few feet from you. Then they rapidly make their way toward Gram while tearing through the floor.
>As soon as Gram notices panic spreads across her face quickly.
>Surprised, she jumps back. It isn’t far enough though since the attack is right on her as she lands.
>Her wand reverts back to its original form, and she puts her arm up.
>”HUH!” She grunts. Presumably, she used her magic dulling powers again.
>You cease the attack. In front of you lies the huge crystal structure that you made. It covers Gram from view.
>Quickly, you scale it to the top.
>Once you see your opponent catching her breath, you jump down and reel up punch.
>Gram looks up and notices you, but by then it’s too late.
>You land a strong punch to her face.
>Gram gasps as she falls to the ground. A thump vibrates through the room as her head hits the floor.
>The event is seemingly significant enough to get the attention of Cadenza and Persephone.
>You take a few steps back. Then stumble to a knee as your crystals dissolve.
>”You didn’t seriously go down that easily did you?” Persephone asks.
>Gram starts to get up. “Of course not, idiot.”
>You knew she wasn’t down. You just wish you had more time for you back and throat to stop hurting.
>Gram stands up and draws her axe menacingly. Caution to the wind, huh?
>”Carrie-“ Cadenza looks like she was about to move in to help, but Persephone cuts her off.
>You get up and draw your wand. Then you do your best attempt at a smile.
“Glad you’re done fighting like a pussy.”
>Gram produces a smirk of her own, then dashes at you at the drop of a hat.
>Your first reaction is to aim many crystal spikes from the ground at her.
>She side steps them.
>You being to produce smaller, yet quicker spikes that she beings to dance around.
>With a wave of her axe she casts a spell that sends daggers your way.
>You erect a wall to stop them.
>Soon, you hear a sound above you. Then you dodge Gram’s incoming axe attack by rolling to the side.
>You cast a disorienting spell.
>Gram dodges that and closes in on you.
>You dodge a few swings with side-steps, hops, and rolls. 
>Eventually, you send up a step of crystal fast enough to throw you away from Gram.
>As you through the air you use your wand to send magic blasts at her.
>Gram blocks all of them with her axe.
“How about this, then!”
>You stomp and push up crystal walls around Gram in a cylindrical shape.
>Again, you send magic blasts which enter the top of the structure.
>Like fireworks, the impact of the blasts can be heard.
>No other sounds come from the structure.
>You take the short time to note the state of the room. Any furniture is now destroyed. Along with many parts of the floor (much thanks to you). Cadenza and Persephone continue their battle, which is also taking its toll on the room. Their not giving each other any downtime at all. You can tell they’re frustrated with each other. 
>You’re brought out of your thoughts as your crystal wall begins to fade.
>What now?
>Suddenly, you see five blue magic blasts come from the position.
>You light your wand, then move in to deflect them.
>As your wand makes contact something unexpected happens.
>The ‘blast’ latches onto the wand and drags it out of your hand. Those aren’t blasts at all!
>By then it’s too late, the other four attach themselves to your limbs.
>They continue through their path—pinning you to the side wall.
>You struggle to move your limbs to no avail.
>Gram walks toward you and draws her axe. “Well, that was a fun game.”
>She raises an arm an clenches her fist. As she does this the binds get tighter.
“Eerrgh..”
>Bloodflow is beginning to be cut from your hands and feet.
>Persephone notices your situation as she’s locked in close combat with Cadenza.
>She smirks, then a black distortion coats them. They disappear.
>What? Is that what happened to you before?
>Gram stops her advance. “Oh. I won’t get closer to you. I know you can attack me from that wall with those pesky rocks of yours.”
>Drat. There goes that plan…
>You can’t reach the ground either. What now?
>Gram raises her axe. “For the record—that was pretty entertaining at least.”
>The gravity of the situation starts to dawn on you, and your stomach sinks. Your eyes widen. Your heartrate increases.
>You look over to Cinderbelle. She sits with her eyes closed. Seemingly deeply focused on SOMETHING. Is she going to do something!?
>Gram notices your gaze. “Oh? I don’t know what her deal is, but-“
>She spins her axe once and erects a barrier that traps Cinderbelle.
“Hey!”
>”-she can’t help you either way.”
>”You could have just stayed home… At least you’d have been able to see Lady Selene’s creation then. We’ll make sure your name goes down in history—as an enemy.” With that, Gram hurls her axe at you.
>You focus your energy into the wall. 
>In a hurry, you send grey crystals out of the wall and at the axe.
>Gram makes a short chuckle.
>When the axe makes contact it burrows right through your defenses as if they weren’t even there!
>Adrenaline pumps at 800 mph through your body the nanosecond you make this realization.
>You shut your eyes tightly
“AAAH!”
>*CRASH*
>Enormous impact vibrates through the room as you hear the sound of a ton of different thing breaking violently.
>You fall to the floor with a thud.
>You feel pain… from hitting the floor that is.
>But nothing else.
>You open your eyes.
“What the hell?”
>The entire opposite wall is completely destroyed windows and all.
>Because an enormous tree has now been shoved through it. It had to be at least 3 meters in diameter on it’s main stalk. It had plenty of rugged branches and razor sharp leaves. 
>On the opposite wall, the wall you were once pinned to, there is also much destruction. This tree must have stopped the axe! That must have been Cinderbelle! Too bad about the destroyed room.
>”Carrie!” That’s her voice.
“Cinderbelle! I’m here.”
>”Oh, thank God. Come over here. The base of the tree should be clear.
>You run to the wall where the tree entered where it has less foliage. Then you climb over.
>You see Cinderbelle, then run to hug her.
“Don’t scare me like that again! You took way too long.”
>”I told you I would help. I knew you were strong enough to hold out.”
>You hear some glass and bricks from the wall crumble more as your embrace continues.
“I thought I was gonna die for a second there.”
>”Not on my watch. Never.” Cinderbelle responds.
>You finally let her go and open your eyes and look at her. She gives you the pleasant smile she always does.
>…Then you turn around.
>There’s Gram. A very mangled Gram who has nearly half her body crushed under the weight of that tree. She appears to be struggling to breath. Or make any noises that aren’t a garbled mess. 
>You jump at the sight.
>”Yeah, it looks pretty bad huh?” Cinderbelle understates. “But this kind of surprise attack was all I could think of. Anything less than a finishing blow would have been a waste. There were no trees around, so I needed a lot of time to create and-“
“Enough.”
>”Huh?”
>You turn back to her.
“You don’t have to justify anything to me.”
>You muster a weak smile.
“I mean this is a war and all.”
>”…Yeah…”
>You walk toward Gram. Cinderbelle joins you.
>Her bloodshot eyes move toward you. It just barely takes your attention away from the blood she’s drooling.
>You feel a lump in your throat. What should you even say to her? Should you say anything?
“I-I don’t know anything about you. Or why you did what you did, but I wish things were different! You didn’t have to follow Selene. You could have stayed home too!”
>Your eyes begin to water.
“This wouldn’t have happened to you…”
>You look down for a moment.
>The silence is interrupted by Gram’s fleshy gurgling.
>You look up.
>”…You really are… a child.” Gram has the slightest smile you’ve ever seen.
>…
>Those were her last words.
>You hear a whirling sound that’s a little like the sound of wind.
>You look over to see Persephone coming out of a black portal a lot like the one she entered.
>Her face becomes pale. “W-What!?”
>You and Cinderbelle say nothing.
>She looks around the newly ‘tree’d’ room in a stupefied fashion. “How did this happen!?”
>You hear another similar sound followed by a thud. The sounds came from the other side of the tree.
>”Cadenza, is that you?” Cinderbelle asks.
>”Umm, yeah. I think? I’m a little disoriented. What happened to this place?” She responds.
>This was all so sudden to you even though you were here the whole time. Who knows how Cadenza, who was taken by Persephone to some unidentified location, is processing this?
>”Gram’s gone. We have this taken care of. You have the door on that side, right? Go follow Galaxy.” Cinderbelle says.
>”Seriously?” Cadenza responds.
>You look at Cinderbelle. That same look she gave you when she began her little meditation to summon this tree. You questioned it before, but now it puts you at ease.
>”I followed through on my last vague promise. Trust me again here. Selene needs time for something. Well, you can’t let her have it. Defeat Galaxy. Then find our friends and defeat Selene. You can do it.” 
>Persephone, still in shock over the whole situation, looks from Cinderbelle to the tree in deep confusion and rage.
>”You sure you don’t need my help?” Cadenza asks.
“We do. We need your help beating Selene. So go do it for us, alright? Go now!”
>”If you say so.” You hear Cadenza begin her journey.
>Persephone snaps to her senses at this point. “No you don’t!”
>She rushes toward the other side of the room.
>Cinderbelle motions her arm at the tree, more branches come from it and move toward Persephone.
>She jumps back. When the branches hit the ground they then form into a large wooden fence.
>You hear Cadenza exit the room.
>”Sorry, but I can’t let you get past us.” Cinderbelle says.
>Persephone scowls ferociously. “Get past you?”
>Yet more of the room crumbles under the pressure of the tree and it’s branches. For a split second, you wonder what your other friends are doing right now? Are they also in battle? In some castle trap? Or have they already found Selene? Thoughts of your family also flash across your mind. What in the world would they think about your situation at this moment. You know one thing: you absolutely cannot fail any of them right now.
>”Girl!” Persephone roars. “You won’t leave this room alive! I’ll make Gram’s fate look like a luxury retreat!”
>Persephone extends her arms out as a jet-black aura coats her hands.
>A beam of the aura hits the floor at her feet. Then it rapidly expands from that portion of the floor around the room.
>As it gets to you, you put your arms up instinctively to protect yourself.
>You don’t feel anything…
>Putting your arms down and opening your eyes you see… nothing. Just like last time.
>(“Cinderbelle!”)
>Once again you can’t even hear yourself.
>This feeling is just as oppressive as last time.
>No, more so.
>You feel a pressure over your body. It continues to get stronger by the moment.
>What’s happening? Are you stuck here forever?
>You begin to struggle, but you don’t know what for. It’s like your whole body is drowning at once instead of just your lungs.
>It can’t seriously end like this! How could you fail your friends in such a lame way!?
>…
>You feel something on your hand.
>It’s another hand. It feels soft. And liberating. The pressure that coated your whole body is now gone on your right hand.
>The pressure begins to be relieved starting at the hand and radiating out toward the rest of your body.
>Then the relief reaches your eyes.
>You see Cinderbelle. Once again with those great green eyes and long green hair. A light to contrast the darkness of this place. The light of her yellow wand reflects off her. 
“How?”
>Cinderbelle puts her free hand on your cheek. “A sensory enhancing spell. Where we are now though, it only gives us back the senses we lost.”
“…Where we are?”
>You look around. You’re floating somewhere dark. You get it now. Your senses weren’t turned off. This is some kind of cursed place that Persephone brought you to. 
>Actually, you’re falling. But you’re falling slowly. At a constant speed at that. You find it disorienting.
>It’s as if you’re in some kind of deep sea trench without the water. It’s a rocky and depressing place. There is vegetation, but it’s dark and corrupted in a way you’ve never seen before. Amongst the jagged surface you see streams of raging magma in some places, as well as streams of dark and decrepit water. You definitely wouldn’t attempt to drink either. Land is pretty sparse, however. The few landing spots you see are like stalagmites that extend out from a seemingly bottomless pit. Magmafalls and waterfalls fall into it to die. Looking ‘up,’ you see depressing clouds that reflect the color of the liquids below. Stalactites also extend down from the clouds. It’s as if a storm is constantly beginning to start.
>*BOOM*
>The commotion and movement brings you out of your thoughts.
>A magic blast seems to have been shot at you two, The explosion from Cinderbelle’s wand propelled you both out of the way.
>And of course, Persephone is here now. “You two figured out how to use your eyes, congrats.”
>Persephone seems to be able to move about freely throughout this place. Meanwhile you two drift around like you’re in water. You’re at a clear disadvantage…
>”How do you like my true main magic? This is my dark realm. I could use it for only a moment while Gram was blocking our magic, but here’s the full thing. Beautiful, huh?”
“You can stop too!”
>Persephone cocks her head. “What?”
“Just like Gram could have. What could Selene possibly have that would make you risk this!?”
>”Kid, you’re NOT the one who came from the past, right? How could you be so innocent?”
“Your teammate died for this. It must be for something. Do you even care?”
>”Gram met that fate because she lost. That simple. Because I’ll win it won’t be a problem.”
“If that’s all there is to it, you could have-“
>”Stayed home?”
>You raise your eyes at the shock of her finishing your sentence.
>”That’s what you told Gram, right? Do you even know what home is for us? News flash: For us it’s not a settlement. None of us were part of any of your secret societies. If you’re born a witch out in the middle of nowhere then you have no one. Non-witches and settlement witches alike hate us regardless. And with no wands or direction on how to really even use magic. We were always outnumbered severely. Even now in this battle…” Persephone seems to zone out at that.
“Where’s… your mom?”
>”Don’t know. Don’t care. Doesn’t matter now. When we win, it’ll be someone else with the sob story.”
>Persephone spreads her hands and points her palms at the underworld below, then motions her arms up.
>It seems like the whole world is having an earthquake. The air around you seems to react as well. You hold on tightly to Cinderbelle’s hand.
>*ROAAAAAARR!*
>Instinctively you look down to find the source of that oppressively powerful sound. From the pit below the first thing you see is a gigantic set of teeth. Then… two more huge sets of teeth. Then three large dragon heads. Then the necks like enormous columns, and the wings whose movement seems to be even affecting the clouds above.
>Persephone lands on the black behemoth as if she’s immune to its power.
>The turmoil pushes you and Cinderbelle over to a stalactite that you both hold on to.
“What do we do? How do we fight that thing like this? We can’t even move…”
>Cinderbelle looks at the Dragon. Then around at this realm. “I can help you move, but that’s all I’ll be able to do. Can you win, Carrie?”
>You give her a bewildered look. 
“Are you insane!? Do you realize we’re facing a three headed dragon!?”
>As if on cue, the beast roars and flaps its monstrous wings once more.
>You see the beast start to charge and adrenaline instantly courses through your veins.
>Cinderbelle points her wand in a direction. “Carrie, together!”
>You point your wand parallel to hers and you both let out large energy blasts to propel yourselves just as the dragon rushes.
>Many of the rocky structures are turned to rubble from the beast’s charge.
>You both manage to dodge the rush, but you’re not unaffected by the raging winds and debris.
>You both run into yet another stalactite and hide behind it.
>You can feel your heart race at 10,000 beats per minute.
>After a while, you hear Persephone’s voice. “Hiding! Seriously!? Just a minute ago you were telling me to go home, Carrie!”
>*BANG!*
>Rubble explodes as you realize she’s destroying structures in pursuit of you two. Sweat runs down your forehead and you breathe heavily.
>Cinderbelle puts her hands on either side of your head to get your attention. “Listen, I think I can use these plants to move you and keep your senses working. I won’t be able to do much else using all that magic, but you’ll be able to fight her.”
“Tsk.”
>You look down at the hellscape below.
>”What’s your objection? Do you have any other idea?”
>You don’t of course. Other than: you’re afraid. How will this even work?
>*BOOM*
>More rock formations destroyed… this time it sounds closer to your location. The vibrations rattle your body.
>”Come out, come out!~ Don’t you want another chance to talk to Gram, my little brunette?” Persephone mocks.
>Why is she so focused on you…? Cinderbelle is here too, you clown. 
>”Carrie.” Cinderbelle says sternly as to get your attention. “Please. You can do this.”
>Cinderbelle reaches up to a corrupted vine on the stalactite.
“Hey, you don’t know what that can d-“
>Before you can finish your warning she touches it. And moves it. It starts slowly, but then moves around faster as the corruption wears off and it becomes green like a proper vine again.
>”See? I’ll be able to guide you, trust me.” Cinderbelle squeezes your hand a bit tighter. “I’ll be watching you the whole time and helping when I can. Go put her in her place.”
>You sigh.
“Not like we have any other choice.”
>Cinderbelle raises your chin so that you look into her eyes. “You’ll win. Focus on Persephone herself. The dragon is just a distraction.”
>One HELL of a distraction.
“Alright.”
>Cinderbelle winds back then extends her arm, beckoning the vine to become a much thicker tree branch. Thick roots grow and straddle the stalactite for support. The healthy tree and it’s green leaves exist in stark contrast to the rest of this place.
>”If you leave any of my support for long, you’ll lose your senses again. I’ll create more.”
>You nod, then jump on to the tree. The lack of gravity here makes your movement clumsy. With a wave of your wand, you cast a spell to make your feet sticker… At least this should make walking on it bearable. 
>As it grows larger and longer you’re again out from behind the stalactite.
>The three headed dragon comes into view. And along with it, you see Persephone on top of the middle head.
>As the beast finishes wrecking some other area, both it and the witch catch sight of you.
>”I’m glad you’re finally done playing hide and seek!” Persephone taunts.
>As a few of the dragon’s slit pupils focuses in on you, it roars.
>Honestly, you shake a bit in fear.
>The tree you’re on grows ever more in front of you and branches out to give you some room.
>You look back and see Cinderbelle working hard on it by adding different vines to complement you. It would be assuring… if you weren’t up against a three-headed dragon.
>Persephone and her gargantuan pet begin to move toward you.
>You start to run across the treescape that grows as you move.
>Just go after Persephone… It’ll work, right?
>”NO more tricks and secrets are under your sleeves! How do you expect to win this time!” She yells.
>Your run turns to a sprint as you charge into your uncertain fate. This is do or die time. The vegetation in front of you grows faster as you go. 
>”Carrie! Now’s not the time to conserve any magic, alright!” Cinderbelle yells.
>You get it. Not that you can afford to like this.
>The beast and it’s handler draws closer as you panic internally and weigh your (very few) options.
>One of the dragon’s heads opens it’s huge mouth wide and rushes you.
>With all the strength you can muster you jump on top of it from the tree tops.
>You land. Then quickly note that your senses are fading.
>You rush across it’s head and dodge the small fireballs coming from Persephone’s wand.
>Quickly, you jump off the head and back onto the treetops just as your senses were about to fade completely. The movements are awkward. You have to jump toward your targets rather than up above them considering the physics of this place.
>You look up and make note of two things: How the head Persephone is on hangs back, and how one of the dragon’s arms is about to decimate your entire ‘neck of the woods.’
>”Carrie! Go for it!” You hear Cinderbelle shout.
>You waste no time wondering about it and sprint toward Persephone, watching the faux-forest grow as you go.
>*DOOSH*
>You can feel the vibrations as several pieces of vegetation die under the weight of the Dragon’s arm.
>Persephone notices your approach and sticks her wand out. A whirlwind forms. 
>First a few leaves around you begin to get sucked in, then you feel yourself pulled a little—quickening your run.
>But why?
>The dragon’s mouth opens wide and reveals it’s razor sharp teeth, saliva, and black hole of a throat. That answer’s your question.
>”Carrie, attack with this!” You hear Cinderbelle’s voice and look to your left.
>You see a huge wood platform with its face pointed toward the dragon grow from one of the branches in front of you.
>Cinderbelle has got to be getting tired of this. This might be your only shot.
>You stretch your right arm back as you run at the mouth of a dragon!
“AAAAHHHHHHHHH!”
>As you sound your war cry you bring your arm forth and try to muster as much magic into this as possible. 
>A thick wad of crystal spikes emerges from that wood platform. You create as much as you can from the space you have. 
>*BOOM*
>The dragon’s head collides with your spikes. And the vibrations from the impact and from its screeches nearly knocks you off balance.
>As soon as you reorient yourself you look up. Then, your eyes widen with shock.
>It’s practically unharmed… A few scratches here and there. But it just looks angry now.
>Persephone laughs. “That looked like it took a lot out of you. Was that your ultimate move?”
>The head of the dragon you hit growls.
>You break out of your trance and try to conquer your fear. You can’t waste time, you have to attack Persephone somehow. 
>You get ready for another attack.
>*BAM!*
>An arm of the dragon you weren’t watching rams itself into you and the neck of the woods you were inhabiting, sending you flying.
>Pain all over your body reverberates. Is this what it’s like to be hit by a train?
>As a consequence of leaving Cinderbelle’s field of influence, your vision and hearing begins you fade as you fall into who knows what…
>…
>You feel many great vibrations for a while. You panic internally.
>Your body is exhausted.  Both from injury and from using so much magic. You feel like you ran a few marathons.
>You continue to feel the sensation of your body falling.
>Eventually, you feel something wrap around you and carry you.
>It must be Cinderbelle. She saved you again!
>Your senses return, and you open your eyes.
>You’re held up to a stalactite by the branches of a thick tree.
>To your side you see Cinderbelle. Her legs look as if they’re inside the great tree and only her body from the torso up sticks out. Her hair floats gracefully and her eyes are glowing. The tree is large and healthy with several flowers and great green leaves. Is this some kind of new form?
>In the distance you see the dragon and Persephone fighting branches of this tree which had become huge carnivorous plants.
“Wow. Cinderbelle, you’re winning! Amazing.”
>Cinderbelle turns toward you. “…No.”
“Huh?”
>On cue, the dragon gets the upper hand and shreds the plants apart with its powerful jaws and claws. Persephone laughs along.
>”This was too little too late. I bought you a few more minutes is all…”
>You take a closer look at Cinderbelle. She’s shaking. As if all her muscles are sore and overexerted. And she’s breathing heavily.
“Then. What-“
>”I’m at my limit now, Carrie.”
>Persephone laughs as the last of the carnivorous vegetation around her oversized pet is crushed. She then turns her attention to you two.
>Your stomach drops.
“What about Cadenza and the rest of our friends? We’re going to regroup with them, right?”
>Cinderbelle turns to you and gives you a sympathetic look as the light in her eyes begins to return to normal and fade. “This was never for nothing. Because of us, Cadenza got to move on. She and everyone else can beat Selene either way.”
>”You two!” Persephone starts. “I’ve never seen anyone cling to life quite as hard as your duo before!”
>A lump in your throat begins to form.
>”Carrie.” Cinderbelle gets your attention away from Persephone. “No matter what happens, I’ll be satisfied if you do one more thing.”
>From in front of Cinderbelle another branch extends out from the tree she’s in.
>”I can help you one more time I think. Get it?” 
>You sniff and nod.
>Then, you get up and jump onto the branch.
>”Seriously!? You’re gonna try the same thing again!?” Persephone taunts.
>You look back at Cinderbelle. She gives you a solemn smile.
>”Especially when I can see it coming this time.” Persephone jumps off the dragon head and onto its back.
>…What chance do you have of getting to her now? Especially when none of the heads have to be distracted with Cinderbelle.
>The beast gears up for another rush.
>You start to think about your previous life. The time with your family and friends at the settlement. Years of good memories and struggles. Hell, even a week ago. And now, you’re in the underworld. Should you have done this?
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jGHbkM8e4
>The dragon starts to move forward. Your heart skips a beat. And a weak smile crosses your face.
>Oh yeah… Your friends are in this castle too. Of course you should have done this. If you hadn’t of gotten sucked up here, beating Selene would be all the more difficult for them. You have to do this!
>”Carrie, go!” Cinderbelle starts.
>At the sound of her voice you sprint off as fast as you can.
>”Attack on my signal!”
>If this is your last moment, you can at least take solace in the fact that you ran full speed at a dragon fearlessly. Twice! You’re such a badass!
>Cinderbelle does her work as forest develops in front of you as you go. Along with thick pads of branches for you to run along.
>”We’ll see which one get to go home after this one!” Persephone shouts.
>At that you see the flurry of dark purple fireballs she casted out at you.
>Using your wand you put up a barrier. It holds off a few, but once it breaks you side step the rest of the attacks.
>You focus your eyes as the beast draws near and consider how you’ll attack. How will you reach Persephone!? You have to think fast!
>You see all heads at once closing in on you. Not seeing a clear target, you begin to panic. 
>Where should you aim!?
>Suddenly, more large carnivorous plants sprout from the forest path you’re on. They attack the heads. The dragons begin to struggle in earnest.
>”Not gonna work!” Persephone roars as she swipes her wand and sends magic blades out to assault the plants.
>Your green helpers fall to the power of this attack.
>Time slows and your heart pumps quickly as the dragon draws near.
>”Carrie! This is it!” Cinderbelle yells.
>Behind you hear one last branch rapidly emerge. The thick branch grows strongly. Several small flowers and leaves of green, red, orange, and purple coat it.
>You jump on it and begin to run up it as it rapidly grows. At the end of its growth the largest flower you’ve ever seen emerges—large enough to rival the size of the three heads.
>You lock eyes with Persephone as you reel back your arm for attack.
>The dragon heads open their wide jaws and show their razor sharp teeth of diamond-like hardness.
>You channel power from your innermost being. 
>Cinderbelle, Cadenza, Sunset, Artemis, Amelia, and Veronica too. This is for you. Even if it’s the last thing I do!
>You extend your arm, and with it comes your crystals out from that flower. Powerful and hard spiked crystals of a ruddy color. Orange at the base and a darker red on the tips. 
>The beast and your attack meet—and your power swiftly prevails!
>All three heads are destroyed by the destructive power of the spikes. The realm vibrates with the last roars of the dragon and the vibrations of the clash.
>Persephone floats off the dragon and watches in shock.
>She’s still unharmed. You need more!
>You channel your magic and stomp on the flowerhead.
>The ruddy spikes extend further through the neck of the beast and assault Persephone.
>Heartrate still high, once you process the situation you know what you have to do.
>Using your left arm, you point your wand behind you and let loose a blast as you use it and your legs to propel you towards your enemy.
>Instantly, you begin to notice your senses fading. You’ll have to be fast.
>Using your right arm you ball your fist and reel your arm back.
>You find the wounded, angry Persephone. She sees you—when it’s too late.
>*WHAM*

~

>After a weird distortion you’re back in the castle.
>Once you gather your thoughts you frantically look around.
>Just as you left it. A large tree that broke through the wall. Ruined floors from your crystals… A dead Gram.
>But new this time is a Cinderbelle that’s lying on the floor!
“Cinderbelle!”
>Your stomach drops and you quickly kneel beside her and check her pulse.
>She’s alive. A huge relief. That form you saw her in before is gone though. Her robes are ripped up. Much like yours now, honestly. 
>You notice the breathing of someone else in the room and look up.
>Persephone stands before you. She’s panting. And looking at you with sheer rage in her eyes. She has bloody holes on her legs and torso.
>You stand. Slowly. And find yourself getting lightheaded. Your body screams at you and all your muscles are sore. You know it’s both from getting hit by the dragon and overusing your magic.
“It looks like keeping us in that place so long and summoning that dragon took a lot out of you.”
>She smirks. “Yeah… It did. Don’t pretend you’re any better off though.”
>Persephone takes a step forward.
>You get into stance. Your muscles still feel like crap.
>Shit. If this comes down to a physical fight—can you win? And you’ll have to protect Cinderbelle too. You have to stand your ground right here!
>She takes a few more steps toward you until she’s about a meter from you.
>You look up at her in anticipation. Still that smirk and ominous orange eyes…
>Then parts of her start to fade into black. What is this!?
>”You remind me of myself a long time ago.” As she finished that sentence, her facial expression took a much sadder tone.
>Her whole body faded to black and then disappeared soon after.
>You stand in anticipation for a few more moments. Then drop and sit on the ground.
>What?

~*Earlier*~

>You’re getting fed up with the pain.
>You look down at your ‘left arm.’ Truly the left arm of this armor. Supposedly a popular suit among witches back before magicopia spread. Metal, lights, magical charms, and wires appear where your flesh should be.
>On your right arm, you know your flesh sits just under the mechanical coating.
>But on your left… you know that’s all it is. The stub still hurts. And even if it didn’t—it itches. As if there’s a swarm of termites using the metal cast as a nest.
>You ball ‘your’ left fist in frustration.
>You hear the distinct sound of teleportation magic from behind you. You instantly know who it is. You and Lady Selene turn to see exactly who you were expecting—Galaxy.
>”Lady Selene, guests have arrived in the castle.”
>”Let me guess. Artemis and her crew?” Selene responds.
>”Youuuu know it!”
>Selene smiles softly. “I had a feeling they would come. Now we can have two extra crystals to do this. More than we need. Provided they brought them.”
>Galaxy turns her attention to you. ”Are you excited to see your old friends again, Nilight?” 
>You don’t bother looking her in the eye.
“What do you think?”
>No way. You have no real desire to see them ever again, really. There’s nothing left for you with them.
>”Relax, I’m just pulling your leg.” Galaxy waves a hand as if to dispel the topic. “After this is all over us blue eyed people may own the whole continent. How exciting!”
>”Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There will be much work to do. Even then.” Selene starts. “Galaxy, I can trust you and the others to either kill or stall them, right?”
>Galaxy puts her fist on her chest. “Of course!”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 4: My Plan
>April 4, 2084
>I decided I’ll do whatever it takes to get a place in the northwestern lab.
>All the most interesting and impactful discoveries come out of it. I need to be a part of it.
>They’re really nepotistic though. A problem for me.
>Who’s heard of the Lulamoon family? No one. I’ll have to practically beg someone to give me a chance…
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You, Amelia, enter the room and take in your surroundings.
“Wow.”
>It’s a big circular room with much decoration. In the middle you see a fountain. Water sprays out of the top and into the small pool below. Above it is a large window. In the middle of this window is chandelier. The floor has an intricate carpet with many artistic depictions of witches and natural landscape. On the outer rim of this circular room are alternating doors and windows. A few potted plants are on either side of some doors. On the other end of the room, however is a large passage that leads out of this complex.
“Check it out, you think those are bedrooms?”
>”Does it matter?” Veronica responds.
“Heh, heh.”
>You run to the middle of the room toward the fountain and rummage through your robe pockets for a gold coin.
>Once you get one you flip it into the fountain. It lands with a satisfying small splash.
>Veronica walks up and raises an eyebrow.
“Alright, I’m done.”
>You and Veronica then begin walking at the same time. You toward one of the outer rooms, her toward the exit of this complex.
>Before long Veronica notices this. “For real?”
>You shrug.
“There could be something important.”
>Veronica sighs and relents.  “Let’s not waste more time than we need to.”
>With this, you get up to one of the doors and ring the doorbell.
>After a while, you realize there’s no way no ones actually waiting in there and you blush.
>”For. REAL?” Veronica muses.
“Quiet! You don’t know if anyone’s in there or not.”
>You quickly shift to actually trying the door handle.
>Locked.
>”Welp, too bad. Let’s go.” Veronica starts walking away.
>You sigh. Then lift your left leg up.
>*BOOM*
>You hear the metal rod holding the door close break, and the door swings open under the weight of your kick.
>Get it a look into the room. It’s not just a bedroom. It’s like a whole small house. A master bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and family room are all behind the door. All decorated in the same style as the rest of the castle.
“Wow, how cool!”
>You walk in, then then jump on the bed and roll around a bit.
>Feels amazing. The bedding is soft and cushiony
>”Ever think there may be such thing as too few inhibitions?”
>You sit up to see Veronica.
“Please. Don’t tell me you weren’t at least a little bit curious what this place looked like.”
>She responds with only an unamused look.
>You look around the room and your eyes are drawn toward a picture on the wall. It looks like a family photo. All are in normal attire except the mother, who is in an intricate blue witch robe. You’ve never seen any equipment from the old world before.
“You gotta wonder what happened to these people, huh?”
>Veronica traces your line of sight to the photograph. 
>She inspects it for a moment before speaking. “Everyone here eventually evacuated before the whole place was hidden. Surely they found a settlement somewhere.”
“Wow, you did it!”
>Veronica turns toward you with a confused look. “Huh?”
“You replied to something I said without being super snide!”
>”Don’t get used to it.” Veronica once again moves to exit. “And let’s go for real this time.”
>You follow out of the circular complex.
>Out of it you find yourself in another large room. It has the biggest windows you’ve seen in this castle yet. Plenty of sun gets through… and plenty of view of the battle outside the dome. Shock flows through you for a moment as you remember that.
>The rest of the room is lined with plants. Various kinds of various colors. A machine you don’t understand hangs over the plants. You figure they must take care of them somehow.
“Cinderbelle would like this place.”
>Veronica continues to walk beside you in silence before she decides to answer you a few seconds later. “I guess.”
>Silence ensues with the only noise being the sound of your and Veronica’s footsteps.
“Have any hobbies, Veronica?”
>”Magic.” She responds flatly.
“Well, I figured that…”
>”Glad I could make it straightforward then.”
>The silent walk through the plants continues…
“Any interesting childhood stories?”
>”Nope.”
>More silence.
“What’s Selene like? As a person?”
>Veronica dons an annoyed look. ”You talk too much.”
“Maybe you just talk too little? If you did, you’d probably not be alone all the time.”
>”And have enlightening conversations with you, right? Just what I needed in my life.”
“Oh, come on. Even Artemis isn’t this lame.”
>Veronica ignores your comment and continues walking again, leaving you a few paces behind.
>You huff, then catch up with her.
>You both walk into the next room. 
>This time it’s an art room. As if there wasn’t enough art in this place.
>You can see canvases, paint, clay, and other materials strewn about. Some canvases seem to have half done paintings on them. There are also some ovens; presumably to bake the clay. On one side of the room you can see finished products. Several sculptures, paintings, and pottery line the wall.
“This place has everything.”
>Veronica scans the room. ”But does it have a way forward? There’s no other door here. Is it a dead end?” 
>One painting on the wall of finished works catches your eye.
>It was a portrait of Celestia I, her infant daughter, and Twilight. Celestia sits and holds the baby in her arms and looks at it with a warm smile on her face. Twilight is kneeling beside the two and is looking at the baby similarly.
>Twilight appears to be in her mid twenties here. The youngest you’ve ever seen her likeness. You wonder why. You know they had cameras in that time, after all.
>”Amelia!”
>You turn around at Veronica’s voice. “The balcony. It’s our way forward. Pay attention.”
“Fine, fine.”
>You follow her out the window and onto the balcony. The view of the rest of the buildings within the barrier are pretty at least. Homes crafted like miniature castles themselves. Each home has a large and colorful garden.
>Suddenly a question comes to you.  
“After this whole thing is over, what’ll we do next? Will everything really be able to go back to the way things were?”
>”How could I possibly know that? Let’s keep going.” Veronica answers as she comes up on a ladder.
“You’re still trying to avoid talking to me…”
>She responds by raising an eyebrow at you.
“Our families were friends once, you know.”
>”That was then, this is now. You put too much stake in the past.” Veronica begins climbing the ladder.

~

>You are Sunset.
>Once you pass through the door out of that trippy room you lean over to put your hands on your knees to catch your breath. 
“What a drag. Glad that’s over.”
>You shut your eyes.
>After a few seconds you feel another body against yours. 
>You open your eyes to see the expected. Artemis wraps her arms around your waist and nuzzles her head into your chest.
“At a time like this? We better get going, right?”
>”No matter the situation, I’m always happy to have Sunset all to myself.”
>You feel your face heat up, then gently pry her off.
>”Fine, alright then.” Artemis speaks with a smile.
>Then she looks around the room.
>You follow suit.
>It’s… the same room you were met with when you entered! What?
“Why are we here again?”
>”Don’t know. I hope we’re not stuck in a loop.” Artemis replies.
>You run to the back of the room and (once again) up the stairs. Artemis follows.
>You touch the door.
>”Well?”
“It… doesn’t feel as weird this time.”
>Opening the door you find… a regular room this time! Well, comparatively.
>The room seems to be a directory of sorts. There are stairways and elevators along with signs pointing out what parts of the castle they lead to. 
>You become enamored with the visual details put into all the components.
>”Good. Guess each door sent us to some part of the castle. Real parts of the castle this time.” Artemis says.
“Which way do we go? There’s so many floors.”
>”We can try finding Selene. Lainah too, if she’s here. Only problem is we don’t know any of the markers of her other servants—who could be anywhere.”
>The same way you found Nera and Vannie that time.
“Alright.”
>You let Artemis borrow your wand. Before long, she gets an idea of which direction Selene is in.
>You both board an elevator and ride it up to the highest floor.
>You get off the elevator and find yourselves met with a short passage to another door. Next to the door is a sign that says ‘Authorized Personnel Only.’
“Well, ‘Authorized Personnel’ no longer exist. Should we break it down? It might set off an alarm.”
>”I don’t think it matters at this point.” Artemis says.
>She steps forward.
>A powerful gust of wind blows the door back.
>After wiping the hair out of your eyes, you enter the hallway.
>The floor is made of granite. One particular seal is repeated in the ground every few meters. Surrounding it are various other symbols. On one side doors line this hallway. On the other side are windows that look not outside, but to another section in the castle.
>You and Artemis walk up to one of these windows and look down. 
>It’s a large room with many near throne level seats. Each seat is embellished in many carvings and jewels. One seat on the end of the room is above the others and most certainly is a throne. The throne’s most distinctive property is the large gold bird at its head. The same seal that lines the floor you stand on is in an enlarged form in the middle of the room. Around the room on the edges are various statues of various witches. Some you recognize, some you don’t. 
“Incredible. Is this congress or something?”
>Artemis seems as enamored as you are. “Looks like it.”
>After a while you continue down the hallway.
>You notice that each door is labeled with high ranks such as ‘general,’ or ‘senator.’ 
>You’d be lying if you said you weren’t at least a little intimidated at being in such an important place. Even if it is deserted.
>At the end of the hallway is another elevator down. Presumably, it takes you to the room below.
>As you go down Artemis addresses you. “You’re excited, aren’t you?”
“Ah, yeah. I guess I am. What gave it away?”
>”You looked so giddy as we got into this elevator.”
>You laugh.
“Oops.”
>As the doors open you jog out into the room. 
>You two enter from the side opposite the big throne. It feels so large from the inside.
>”Sunset, Artemis. Hello.” You don’t recognize this voice.
>!
>Someone’s on the throne. You remember this person. She was with Selene. It’s a girl with long purple and orange pigtails, and bangs that form a triangle in front of her forehead.
“Who are you!?”
>She sits on the throne in a lazy, slackened position with her fist on her cheek. “Galaxy. Welcome to Lady Selene’s castle.~”
>You draw your wand.
>”Whoa, whoa! Feisty, aren’t you? I didn’t even do anything yet.” Galaxy whines.
>”Where’s Selene? And what’s she doing?” Artemis asks.
>Galaxy stands up on the throne. “Now, why would I just reveal that all willy-nilly? Sunset.”
“What?”
>”I’m getting chills. I can’t believe I’m in the presence of one the first witches ever. All this-” Galaxy gestures at the whole room with her arms. “Is first because of you and those six behind me.”
>You’re already tired of being addressed like this. 
“You-“
>”Lady Selene believed it as soon as she heard, you know.” Galaxy interrupts and points at you. “Unlike the bozos at your settlement.
>Artemis narrows her eyes.
“Yeah? Well it will take much more than that to flatter me! What are you here for? Are you going to fight us or what?”
>Galaxy puts her hands on her hips. ”Wrangling all of you children is a drag in itself. I’m not going to spend the energy FIGHTING you, but…”
>Suddenly, a transparent barrier appears that surrounds the clear floorspace you’re in. It separates you and Artemis from Galaxy and all of the seats and statues.
>”Did you know this place also served as a courtroom?” Galaxy says with a toothy smile.
>Artemis quickly runs beside you. “Sunset, heads up. Something’s going to attack.”
>”If any of the poor, tied up witches was given a… ‘hefty’ sentence, people wanted to be sure they could execute it quickly.”
>You begin to hear mechanical shifting and clanking around you, but you can’t quite pinpoint the source of the sounds.
>You and Artemis begin to look around for the source.
>”I hate to do this, Sunset… But for the high crime of helping Lulamoon, and for conspiring against Lady Selene—I sentence you to… death!”
>Some of the marble tiles on the outskirts of the floor begin to open.
>Out of the slots come… flying witch hats? No. They’re made out of metal. You see some steel and gold in them. They float about while rotating. You can’t tell what aspects of them are magic, and which are mechanic or electrical. It’s a little uncanny to you.
>Out from the bottom of the ‘hats’ come guns.
>Artemis tries a preemptive attack and sends a few air bullets at the drones.
>The drones gracefully avoid the attacks. Then start shooting.
>With your wand, you cast a spell that summons a barricade of sandbags around you two.
>Sharp pain runs across your shoulder as you do this, however.
“OW!”
>Artemis keeps pressure on the hats with air attacks as you two duck down into it. “Are you alright?” She asks.
>You think you can at least ignore it for the time being.
“Yeah…”
>You change your wand to hammer mode. Together with Artemis, you attack any of the hats that come into view over the walls of the barricade by throwing your hammer. 
>You two sit paranoid in ‘castle del sandia’ for a while before you gain the courage to look over and see if any are left.
“It’s clear!”
>You and Artemis exit the barricade and observe the broken hat drones lying about. The barrier surrounding the place is gone now. And bullet shells are over the ground as well. The floors themselves are without a scratch—proof enough they were made with this punishment in mind.
>”Sunset, your shoulder.” Artemis comes to you an inspects it.
“Yeah, it hurts.”
>Your robe is wet with blood. But it doesn’t hurt as much as you thought getting shot would. Is that the power of being a witch?
>”Will you be alright?”
“I think so.”
>”Good.” Artemis turns back toward the barricade. “About this then. I know you had to think fast and all…”
>Yeah, it’s not exactly witch-like.
“It worked, didn’t it?”
>Artemis chuckles. “Yeah, it did.”
>You walk over to one of the hats and pick it up. It’s broken now, and you can see the innards. It reminds you some of the inside of a wand. But still there are plenty of parts you absolutely don’t understand. It looks very slick and well designed, however. You could really appreciate it if it didn’t try to kill you.
>You put it back down.
>”I don’t see Galaxy.” Artemis says.
“Guess she ran away. Probably just wanted to waste more of our time.”
>You jog toward the other end of the room and jump into the stands. 
>You run up the stairs up to the throne. Then, of course, you sit in it.
>”You just had to, huh!?” Artemis asks from below. A smug smile on her face.
“You can’t tell me you weren’t at least thinking about it!”
>Artemis and you burst into laughter.
>Eventually the laughter dies down.
>”What are your orders, Queen Sunset?” Artemis asks with a smile.
>You put a finger to your cheek.
“Hmm… Help me defeat Selene.”
>Artemis begins to walk toward you. ”Consider it done! Also, let me close that bullet hole of yours. You’re getting blood on the throne.”
>Oh yeah. 

~

>You are Amelia.
>Down the balcony there was another entrance back into the castle.
>It was only a heavy velvet curtain that separated this open doorway from the elements. You note that the open doors look quite heavy. With a slot which you think is intended to house a charm.
>Adjacent to this entrance is for one thing, a hallway. One with statues of armored witches lining the sides about every three meters or so. It’s a tall arched hallway with a great rug lining it.
>On the other side is a door that rivals the entrance of the castle in terms of build quality and design. It’s a bronze door with carvings depicting some witches and some men side by side tilling land. Some parts of this sculpture are emphasized with gold. On both sides of this door are armored witch sculptures much like those that line the hallway.
“Is this where we need to go?”
>”Probably.” Veronica answers. “At least, I know Selene is in this direction. That such an important looking door is here makes me think we’re about to face something important.
>Veronica walks toward the door and touches it. Then stops.
“What is it THIS time?”
>”The door’s unlocked. Does this look like a door that should be unlocked?” 
“Whooooo cares?”
>You walk up and open the door yourself. 
>Veronica rolls her eyes.
>You look at the room you just opened. And stare in awe at the unexpected discovery.
“Holy smokes! Check this out!”
>Veronica walks in beside you and her eyes widen.
>It’s a large vault. A vault of many treasures. This must me a treasury in fact.
>You see stacks of gold bars lining the edges of the room. Countless stacks housing countless bars. The vault is decorated enough to complement its premium content. The walls are all large paintings. On the wall to your right you see an elegant painting of the six founding witches standing side by side in a grassland. The wall has a quote written in golden letters near the top that reads: ‘Money represents labor done or services rendered—nothing else.’ 
>The other wall depicts a man and woman in a barn. The muscular man holds the woman and looks longingly at her. The woman looks up to the man with an eager smile. The night sky can be seen outside the barn with bright and brilliant stars along with the crescent moon. The couple’s blond hair glistens in the moonlight. The quote on this wall reads: ‘He who possesses little is possessed all the less. Blessed be moderate poverty.’
>All that however, is not the most striking thing about this vault. On the far side of the vault you see various pieces and statues made out of precious metal. You also see a few items you suspect are extremely rare. You can’t see the details from here at the entrance, however. You can see the painting on the back wall though. It depicts the castle itself. In a much more peaceful time no doubt. A quote above reads: ‘The things we do for this place.’
“Let’s find out what that stuff is!”
>You grab Veronica by the hand and practically drag her over with you.
>”Hey! What’re you-“
>Finally, you get to the end of the room and see the artifacts. Several gold pieces, charms, and jewelry line the shelves.
“Woooow.”
>Suddenly you feel Veronica vigorously free her hand from yours.
>”Y-you do realize you ran head first in what is almost certainly a trap, right?”
>Her face looks a bit flushed. Is she really that mad about it?
“If it is a trap, we’ll deal with it. Easy.”
>As if on que, you hear the door slam shut.
>As you and Veronica look over, you see two blue flashes. Out of them come two beings. Two you remember seeing before at the settlement with Selene. One of them a woman with long purple pigtails. Another who’s in an enormous set of armor. She must at least be eight feet tall!
>”Galaxy!” Veronica reacts first. She quickly donned a look of disgust on her face that you’ve never seen before. That’s saying a lot—you’ve gotten plenty of nasty faces from this girl. But this one’s a different breed altogheter.
>It does not faze Galaxy in the slightest, however. ”Veronica… I really didn’t expect you to come here. Did you regret your decision? Are you coming back to us?” 
>Veronica looks deeply unamused. “What do YOU think!?”
>Galaxy laughs. “You remind me of someone.~”
>Guess it’s showtime then. 
>You make a show out of punching your hand.
“Have you come to fight!? Doesn’t matter who you are. You made a big mistake trapping yourself in with THE Amelia.”
>Galaxy shifts her gaze to you and looks you over. “I like your style.”
>You flip your hair.
“Thanks, still gotta kill ‘ya though.”
>”Well-“
>*BOOM*
>Galaxy’s sentence is cut off by Veronica using a large magic blast to propel herself toward the two adversaries.
>Like a firework, she soars over the floor of the vault leaving a smoke trail.
>Mid way through her flight, she shoots magic blasts.
>Galaxy gnashes her teeth and draws her wand. Then deflects the blasts.
>”Gaia! Get her!”
>The armored one crouches as if she’s about to rush. Each of her movements are paired with the sounds of mechanical whirs and the pneumatic release of air. It’s kind of eerie.
>The undeterred Veronica forms a strong, bright magic blast in her hand at this. Her eyes are determined as if she intends to break right through them both.
>As Veronica closes in on the two, Gaia finally breaks her stance and bursts forth! Despite her size she zips toward Veronica like lightning.
>*CRASH*
>The room violently vibrates and some of the gold and pieces are shifted about. Smoke covers the site of the impact from Veronica’s attack.
>Man, she’s not pulling any punches. What kind of grudge does she have against these people?
“Whoa. You alright in there?”
>You hear nothing as the smoke continues to dance about the room.
>When it clears you see… Veronica. Held by her arm by one arm of the upstanding, utterly unharmed armored being. As if she was picked up like a mere insubordinate child.
>Gaia lifts her arm so that Veronica is face to face with the mechanical behemoth and its shining yellow LED eyes. 
>Veronica doesn’t meet her eyes, however. She looks down as her bangs cast shadows over her face.
“Veronica!”
>”AHAHAHAHAHA! Nice try, little girl.” Galaxy points and mocks. “Still throwing tantrums like this! You haven’t grown at all.”
>You don’t like this at all. You have to help her.
>It’s your turn to make your rush toward the metal monster.
“Hey! Put her down!”
>As you near Gaia, she swings Veronica back—then throws her at you!
“Seriously!”
>You catch Veronica and hold her with your left arm. 
>Gaia begins to run toward you!
>You continue your assault too and wind back your right fist.
“You’re going to regret this!”
>The air splits as your fist moves toward the bucket of bolts.
>*CLANG*
>The echo of the vibrating metal disperses around the room.
>The shock enters your arm and you recoil in pain.
“Ow!”
>You drop Veronica. That’s no ordinary metal. What’s that armor made of?
>Gaia takes the opportunity to attempt to grab you.
>You react and meet her hands resulting in a power struggle. Your arms scream under the weight of Gaia.
“Gee, you’re pretty tough huh?”
>”Amelia.” Galaxy walks over while you deal with Gaia. 
>You can only afford to glance over to her for a second as to not lose your focus and strength. You really hope she doesn’t attack you… There’s not much you can do. And Veronica is still on the ground…
>”Sources tell me you are the proud owner of your ancestor Applejack’s crystal. Do you have it with you?”
“Maybe I do. M-maybe I don’t. What’s it to you!?”
>Talking is difficult under the weight of Gaia. You begin to feel your feet slip and you put conscious effort into getting solid footing.
>Veronica begins to shift, and then get onto her elbows and knees. “Galaxy, you.”
>”Shut her up, Gaia!” Galaxy says promptly.
>The behemoth raises a leg and stomps Veronica back into the ground.
>”AAAGH!”
“Hey! Stop that!”
>You put more strength into fighting off this thing. You have to save her!
>You… you think you feel its arms moving back a little.
>”Your tone would suggest that you DON’T have the crystal with you… Gooood.” Galaxy says. “Gaia will have no trouble taking care of you then.”
>!
>You release the pressure in your arms causing Gaia to move forward toward you. At the same time you raise your right leg and kick the metal menace right in the torso with great force.
>This forces Gaia to take a few steps back and off of Veronica.
>Quickly, you dig through your robe pockets and pull out the orange crystal.
“So this is that things weakness, huh? Too bad. I do have it.”
>Galaxy smiles. A great big, toothy smile. Then she crouches to the ground and puts both hands flat on the floor.
>What?
>A magic beam shoots out of the ground at your feet causing you to jump back in panic.
>The beam flows up through the roof like a column.
>Once you regain your footing you see Galaxy floating the crystal into her hand using telekinesis!
>”All too easy.”
>Veronica stares at the scene wide eyed. Then looks to you. “YOU IDIOT!”
>Your stomach drops as you realize what just happened. You freeze in shock and embarrassment.
>Gaia kicks Veronica up off the ground and at you.
>”Ugh!” She yells as her body flies into yours and knocks you both down.
>Some of Veronica’s blood gets onto your body…
>”Well, that’s all I need here.” Galaxy says matter-of-factly. “Gaia. I trust you can kill them.”
>Veronica slowly gets up off you and faces Galaxy. “I really… hate you.”
>Galaxy only turns her head back as she walks away. “Yeah, I know.”
>As she gets to the entrance of the vault, Veronica tries one more time to lift her arm and attack Galaxy.
>Gaia begins to merely walk toward you two, and Veronica’s arm goes limp at the realization. Galaxy leaves—the door is sealed once again with magic.
>The only sound left in the room are the heavy footsteps of the machine walking toward you. Every step seems to shake the whole Earth.
>Is this thing even human?
>Shit, this is bad. You’re such a fucking retard!

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 60: The Headmistress
>August 9, 2102
>The headmistress for all practical purposes is the monarch of the settlement.
>After a period of chaotic decision making, this setup has finally been decided upon.
>How did this get decided upon?
>For one thing, it’s easy. For another, people want order ever since the chaos of the purple plague.
>And most importantly, because the Sparkle family doesn’t want anyone else to have any say in this.
>There was once a time where I may have been okay with this. Not now.
>For the sake of this place, none of them can ever be headmistress.
>At the old place I was nobody. The one silver lining of this situation was that I was able to make a name for myself.
>I have to be the first headmistress. If I don’t this settlement will have bad momentum right from the beginning.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>”I really… hate you.”  Veronica’s words were drenched with malice. 
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESpOXeFVVSE 
>”Yeah, I know.” Galaxy replies smugly as she leaves the room.
>You could see indescribable pain and anger in Veronica’s eyes. And as the monstrous Gaia approaches you think Veronica’s eyes may have welled up just slightly.
>You’ve seen this look before!
>A long time ago… Seven years ago. The first time you fought anyone! Everyone was excited to see two promising children show what they were made of.
>You thought she was looking at you with those vicious eyes. It angered you…
>You know now that that was completely wrong. She was tangled up with these people even then.
>Veronica! The last thing you needed back then was for me to fight you. You needed saving. If only you knew… you were stupid.
>The great Veronica. Who seldom ever shows any emotion and stay calm against all adversaries shouldn’t react like this… What you are watching is reminiscent of a child finally facing his bully and failing.
>You look down at your fist as you sit there on the ground and clench it.
>And you’ve only made things worse. You’re such a fucking retard. What are you doing?
>Veronica stares helplessly at the approaching adversary.
>And you can’t stand the sight. You have to fix this!
>You stand up. And walk just ahead of Veronica. 
>Gaia isn’t deterred in the slightest. Her(?)… IT’S advance continues. Slowly and menacingly.
“I’ve decided…”
>Veronica seems to just now notice your new position.
“I’m going to get you out of here. And free you from these people. No matter what it takes.”
>”…Who said I needed you to save me from anything?”
>You smile. 
“Help me then. Use your telekinesis and-”
>”Won’t work. As if I haven’t tri-“
“I know. You only need to slow her down. That’s it.”
>You brace yourself and get into stance.
>Gaia stops her advance around 10 meters in front of you. Then raises her right arm. The palm of her hand houses a gray orb. Is that… a wand?
>Though you saw that she can make very fast movements in decisive moments—her movements are slow and obvious. And you know it’s because she’s confident that she’s an unstoppable force. It pisses you off!
“I’ll take care of all the rest. I just realized. I’m more than seven years too late… Sorry.”
 >You feel Veronica’s eyes peer into the back of your head as you look at the enemy. You can just about feel her blank expression.
>The orb on Gaia’s palm begins to glow!
>This thing has incredible strength. That much is obvious. Wasting time with lesser blows will just waste your energy. You’ll need nothing short of the power you used in your final blow against Evelyn!
>As you get ready for your charge you can feel every muscle fiber begin to strain. 
“And you! If you can talk at all—you’re going to tell me where Galaxy is!”
>*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
>In an instant a volley of what look like electric cannon balls are shot from Gaia’s palm.
>In the same instant you begin your charge forward.
>Veronica did her work. You could tell. If she hadn’t, there would be no way you could see and knock these magic cannon balls out of the way!
>Craters and vibrations fill the room as the projectiles rip into the vault.
>In the blink of an eye you’re in front of Gaia.
>This is your chance. 
>You reel your fist back.
“I’LL KNOCK YOU RIGHT OUT OF THIS VAULT!”
>*BOOM*
>With wind splitting speed your fist rams into the metal beast.
>The shockwaves of the impact send some of the gold and debris flying about.
>But… your fist was caught. Caught by Gaia’s other hand.
“How?”
>Your eyes widen at the realization. Then just as quickly adrenaline courses through you and you use your other fist.
>*BOOM!*
>More shockwaves. Same result. The same kind of power struggle you were in earlier. Only this time your muscles are all cursing you all over. 
>Veronica’s telekinesis is still affecting Gaia, but it hardly matters in this situation.
“How are you this strong?”
>The armored thing shakily holds you off. But nonetheless it does. You may not have another chance. You need a finishing blow!
“Ngh!”
>You throw your arms out and break the clash.
>Quickly, you jump to the ceiling. Just as quickly, you zip back down on Gaia.
>*SLAM!*
>Like lightning, your punch rains down on Gaia’s head and sends her to the ground.
>Once again, debris around the vault are stirred.
>You breathe heavily as you look down at it. Her armor is slightly submerged into the ground because of your blow, but even hitting her helmet with your fist didn’t put a scratch on it. She doesn’t seem to be moving though.
>You stand up straight and stumble back, still trying to catch your breath.
>”You alright?” Veronica comes up to you and looks you over.
>You can see why... You can barely stand. And your gloves (along with a few other parts of your robe and clothing) have been shredded to nothingness.
“There’s still work to do!”
>”What do you-“
“She may only be down temporarily. We have to work on that doo-“
>*BANG*
>Before you realize what’s happening, something hits you in the back and sends you right into one of the vault walls.
“AAGH!”
>Combined with your muscle injuries, the pain is overwhelming.
>Using what’s left of your strength, you push yourself of the wall and fall onto the floor.
>The cannonball that attacked your back falls to the ground as well. Meaning… Gaia’s still conscious. Of course.
>Veronica looks at you wide eyed, then turns her attention to the metal monstrosity that’s getting back on its feet.
>A look of sheer fear crosses her face (and yours too).
>”Ver-oni-ca.” Gaia speaks with an awkward robotic and static-y voice. As if it were coming through a radio. “I wouldn’t have to do this if you came back with us. It would make it easier for both of us.”
>Veronica’s face turns in to a scowl.
>She somersaults back quickly and draws her wand—in a swift motion casts a spell causing a green aura to coat her.
>You know this spell… it increases her agility.
>Veronica shoots a few blasts once she has some distance, which Gaia easily knocks out of the way.
>Gaia’s boots ignite and she’s propelled like a rocket toward Veronica.
>Gaia attempts to stomp on Veronica, but she rolls out of the way. The ground cracks under the force.
>You attempt to get off the ground with little success. You’re still in a lot of pain. The sweat on your face mixes with your blood. Can you really only watch this?
>Veronica coats both hands with the aura of her magic, but before she can make any movements Gaia is once again on her with more physical attacks.
>The metal beast is much faster than it looks. Veronica can only avoid its attacks.
>As she avoids them, Veronica taps Gaia in different spots leaving behind magic orbs on its body.
>Gaia puts both fists together for one decisive slam on Veronica.
>She avoids it however, and finally makes distance between them.
>”Be GONE!” Veronica snaps. And all of the orbs she put around Gaia explode violently.
>Veronica catches her breath.
>*ZOOM*
>In a flash, from the smoke come electronic missiles much like the cannons from earlier. They seem to be closing in on Veronica.
>Adrenaline seemingly bursts through Veronica’s veins and she quickly counters with a large blast of magic.
>The impact of the two attacks shakes the room (which is already in much disarray by this point).
>You can’t waste anymore time. You have to get up. Using the damaged wall as an anchor, you attempt to get yourself on your feet…
>”Just GO AWAY!” Veronica shouts in frustration.
>The smoke clears.
>That mechanical voice of Gaia’s comes to life again. “Why did… you ever leave?”
>”Because I never wanted to be with you people in the first place.” Veronica quickly replies.
>”I see…” Gaia puts her fingers together on both hands as if to form karate chops. The armor of her arms begins to shift and move. You see little pistons, motors, and slick spotless chrome parts move about as her forearms transform into drills. On the base of each drill is an orb—you’re guessing that’s where the magic is channeled.
>Light starts from the orbs and begins to disperse through the whole of Gaia’s armor including the drills. Electricity sparks around the machine as the drills begin to turn.
>”For the record,” Gaia begins. “I never once disliked you. This is my task is all.”
>”Great… that makes me feel much better.” Veronica pants and coats her hands in her weak aura. She’s shaking and panting.
>Gaia starts to move towards Veronica. Her eyes widen. So do yours.
>Time seems to stop for just a split second. And when it resumes, you’re in front of Veronica.
>The biggest upset the room has experienced is underway. A small whirlwind whips out from the clash, it disperses as soon as it goes.
>Gaia seems to be just as shocked at your actions as you are. Nothing less than full hysterical strength on your part could stop that drill. Ignoring the great damage you’ve done to your hand as a consequence, you turn your head back to Veronica.
“I’m such an idiot, huh?”
>Veronica stares at you wide eyed, with her mouth slightly parted. As if she’s constantly looking for words that aren’t there. Her pupils scan you over as she processes the situation.
“First I got us stuck in here. And if that wasn’t enough, I sat by and watched you suffer more after I said I’d get you out of here. How lame is that?”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l__jSgTAmQ
>You turn your attention back to Gaia. Then dig your fingers into the side of the drill with your sheer strength. Then reel your left fist back.
“I have no business opting out of this fight due to the pain! Especially since you’ve suffered it from them for years on end!”
>Despite the massive pain in your body, you put all your power into your left fist and slam it right into Gaia.
>*BLAM*
>For the first time, the metal beast takes real damage! It’s blown a mere few meters away onto its back.
>”You idiot…” Veronica says.
>You look back to her mildly confused, but find her looking down with a smile on her face that she’s seemingly trying to hide. “Don’t keep such an insane promise to me just to look cool.”
>You smile yourself, then look back to Gaia—who’s already getting back up.
>Right as it’s on its feet you’re right on Gaia again.
>Quickly, it swipes a drill at you which you duck under.
>You retaliate with a sweep of its feet.
>Gaia is only knocked to the side a little before its footing is regained and another drill comes down on you.
>You roll to the side and back on your feet.
“I get it now!”
>You land another punch on Gaia that causes the machine to flinch.
“You’re built to withstand the short bursts of power in my finishing moves!”
>Gaia proves to be persistent, and a drill flies by you close enough to shred your robe.
>You use its (narrowly) missed opportunity to rain more punches down on it.
“Unlucky for you. I’m reckless enough to use nothing but finishing attacks to win!”
>The fury and chaos of the fight helps you forget the immense pain your limbs are all in. At the back of your head though, you know that you can’t afford to be hit even one time by her now…
>You have to win whatever it takes!
>As Gaia regains its footing, you retreat back to one of the walls.
>It turns back on a dime, points a drill at you, and shoots it!
>You weren’t expecting that! Will you get away in time!?
>As you get away from your old position out of the corner of your eye you see the drill submerged in the wall. With purple aura over it.
“Veronica! Thanks for that!”
>Quickly, you dash to the opposite side of Gaia. Just as quickly the machine draws its drill back to its arm and faces you.
“And now to fulfill my promise!”
>In one last explosive movement of your legs you launch yourself at Gaia.
>Gaia retaliates in kind. The thrusters on its feet roar to life more powerfully than they ever had before. Power charges through its suit as the drills spin at mach speeds.
>This is your chance. You have to do this, no matter what!
>”Will you sacrifice your life for this, Amelia!” Gaia finally speaks its first words to you.
“I won’t be sacrificing anything!”
>Mid charge, you bash your legs to the ground to bounce you with upward angled trajectory. The floor of the vault breaks under the force of your jump.
>You tuck your arms and legs in for a few rapid flips.
>As you get over Gaia you extend, facing upside down now you reach your arms down and grab her head.
“GET ME OUT OF THIS VAULT!”
>With the help of your little war cry, you grip the head of Gaia as hard as you can.
>Using the hysterical strength in your arms and the momentum of your jump, you raise Gaia off the ground with you.
>After one more (very painful) flip, you slam Gaia’s weight at the damaged wall!
>*CRASH!!*
>Sunlight pours into the room that was previously lit only with artificial light…
>For a moment you watch Gaia fall down to the ground below. Then, you finally regain feeling in your body. And it does NOT feel good!
>Your vision slowly fades…
>…

~

>From the aether, a dimmed voice greets you. “Wake up. Amelia!”
>You don’t comprehend it at all. Neither the language, who it could be, or who you are.
>Then, one by one, every detail about the world and your history comes to you. Eventually you realize that you are Amelia. You’re in a castle somewhere. And the person talking is probably Veronica!
>Your senses come back to you before you open your eyes.
>“What am I going to do with you?” Veronica asks exasperated.
>With that, you open your eyes.
“Owwwwww.” 
>“Did I do something wrong? Should I put you in a particular position?”
>You gnash your teeth and clench your eyelids for a moment. 
“No. I guess this is all my fault, huh?”
>Veronica gets out her wand with one arm and point it at you. “I don’t know anything that can heal, but this should ease the pain.”
>From her wand tiny balls of light that sparkle in the sunlight like dust fall upon you.
>You smile softly, and your lips quiver.
“Yeah… this is a little better.”
>Veronica holds you in place, one arm around your back and the other holding her wand in your lap.
>She looks into your eyes and seems to zone out. Her eye lids are ever so slightly lowered, and lips are ever so slightly parted. 
>For some reason, you don’t find it awkward. You stare right back at her eyes. What could she possibly be thinking right now?
>You zone out for a moment too until the reality of the situation dawns on you again.
“Gaia.”
>Veronica’s eyes widen and she whips her head behind her at light speed. “Huh!?”
”No, I mean she’s not here. We should check on her.”
>Veronica breathes out heavily in relief. “You’re right. Can you stand?”
”One way to find out.” 
>You attempt to stand… Keyword ATTEMPT. 
>After seeing your struggle, Veronica helps you onto your feet. 
>Leaning on her for support, you two go over to the hole in the wall you just threw Gaia out of. 
>Veronica takes a moment to look over the damage done to the side of the vault. Then, you both look over to your adversary. 
>There she lay. In a crater in the pavement. Even from here you can see that serious damage has been done to her (and the surrounding area). But something about the sight looks off, you can’t quite tell what it is from here.
“Can you float us down?”
>Veronica complies, and you both approach the grounded figure.
>Both of you are stunned at the sight.
>Gaia’s armor is cracked and damaged in several places. At least one of the drills seems to have mistakenly damaged Gaia—leaving one side especially damaged. Inside the armor was filled with tubes that are dripping various liquids. Some you recognize as certain potions. There are also various contraptions that you think help with breathing or other bodily functions. It’s as if the armor also acted as life support.
>Most shocking of the sight however, is the front and the helmet; the parts of the armor that came into contact with the wall and the helmet which your death grip was once upon are utterly destroyed. 
>The (disgusting) true form of Gaia is revealed.
>First off, Gaia REEKS. 
>Both of you move at least one hand to cover your noses.
>Past that, Gaia is… an emaciated figure with absolutely diseased skin. Purple growths exist all over its body that are secreting some unidentifiable liquid. Instantly you both understand.
>Gaia has the purple plague!
>But this is one of the most severe cases you’ve seen. The lumps of the disease pulsate and move in a deeply upsetting way. Other growths on the body are new to you. Small, hard rods that look a little like the legs of a fly sprout out in various places.
>When your eyes drift to the face of Gaia, you’re met with yet another shocking revelation.
>Gaia… is a man.
>Unable to take the sight anymore, Veronica pulls away bringing you along with her. “We’re getting FAR away from here!”
>You two enter the castle through the cloth that led you to the vault door in the first place.
>You and Veronica sit side by side in front of the door in silence—spurred on by Veronica’s apparent need to catch her breath.
>You’re the first to break the silence.
“Did you know that was a man the whole time?”
>”…No.” Veronica starts. “I’ve never seen him outside the armor until now.”
“You realize the gravity of this, right? He was using MAGIC.”
>”I know… Then they must have succeeded.”
“Succeeded?”
>Veronica looks at you then blinks just once. “One of the reasons these rouge witches do experiments with Magicopia was in attempt to imbue males with the ability to use magic. I’ve seen a lot of attempts, but I never thought they got this far. Gaia joined not long before I finally got the will to attempt to escape them. I never realized what he was…”
“That’s insane.”
>Suddenly, you think about how it felt to live as Gaia. Or… whatever his true name is. You think about that tired, robotic and staticy voice that had to be filtered through several contraptions. You think about what it would be like to always have various hard, intrusive machines running through your body that you can’t live without. You think about what it must be like to constantly be in the agony of the purple plague and never able to die.
>And you re-evaluate what that one statement by Gaia really meant… ‘I wouldn’t have to do this if you [Veronica] came back with us. It would make it easier for both of us.’
“He was being forced to fight…”
>You and Veronica simply look up at the ceiling.
>”Yeah… I guess, we really weren’t much different.” Veronica responds solemnly. “If I had stayed or had been captured back there…” She begins to breathe just a bit quicker, as if she was getting anxious about something. Steadily, her breath rate increases.
>You hug Veronica.
>And her breathing slows once again.
“There’s no need for that anymore. You’re saved now.”
>Veronica first freezes up as if she doesn’t know how to react. Then, she softens up.
>And then, she throws her arms around you in quite an aggressive return of your affections.
>Now it’s YOUR turn to be shocked.
>Veronica nestles her face in your neck and holds you tightly. “I never treated you as anything more than a nuisance… ever since we first met.” Her voice is brittle. “And still you tried so hard just to get me out of there. After my dad died, nobody has ever cared about me past how well I could use magic. So why?”
>Why? Now was one of those moments where one is supposed to say something impactful. Unfortunately for you, you never had any sophisticated reason for what you did back there. You put one hand over Veronica’s head. In the end, all you can do is tell the truth.
“You looked like you needed saving.”
~

>You are Cadenza.
>You made it back to that distorted ‘hub room’ after breaking off from Carrie and Cinderbelle. 
>After the trouble of getting through the obstacle course of castle parts to lead you to the final door, you exit it.
>Not much relief came to you. As you were met with a dimly lit room once you got out. There are no windows here… Only artificial light. Certainly one of the more depressing parts of the castle.
>The far part of the room there’s an intimidating door. Bronze gargoyle statues are on either side. The door itself is relatively simple. Carved into the door is the depiction of two witches on their knees embracing each other. The room itself also has a solemn feel to it. Dark granite surfaces line the floors and walls. And along with the walls there are sophisticated holders for the lights. Closer inspection on these reveals more small gargoyle sculptures.
>For a moment you question leaving your friends behind… But nonetheless you go toward the door.
>As you approach you grow the suspicion that there were once guards to this place.
>You open the doors.
>On the other side is a larger room. Much in the same style as the previous room. This one is circular however, and it has two stories.  The balcony separating the stories has dragon, gargoyle, and witch statues. The circular balcony is lined with granite columns below it. In the middle is a column which is wholly a screen. The screen reads ‘Research and Imprisonment Wing.’ Other parts of the screen describe where the door lead on the outer rim of the room.
>Research and Imprisonment? Not two things you’d normally pair together.
>And more importantly, where are you going? Is Galaxy or Selene really here?
>You’ve at least marginally felt Galaxy’s magic before… Maybe you can track her.
>You get out Sunset’s wand… then stop to inspect it for a moment. It served you well for the short time you’ve used it. This is the first time you’ve used a red-tipped wand for any significant amount of time. It makes you feel hot… In more ways than one.
>You perform the tracking spell.
>If you did it right, then Galaxy is in the direction that the screen labels ‘Imprisonment.’ The label is on top of another one. You think that denotes that it’s on the top floor.
>Quickly, you ‘broom-ize’ the wand and fly to the second floor. 
>This door looks heavier than the others. Which makes sense.
>You try the door. It’s unlocked, actually. Which isn’t what you expected. 
>One one hand, that’s convenient. On the other, it’s ominous.
>What you find first through the door is an eerie hallway that’s in a similar style to the rest of this area. The ceiling however depicts a bronze engraving of who you think is the great witch Lyra playing a harp while in the background someone is being hanged.
>You think this was a significant event… but you forgot the details. No time to ponder it now.
>The hallway ends and opens up to a prison. It was a large room that was tall, but comparatively much longer. Like a rectangular prism.
>About twenty stories of nothing but cells. Heavy high-tech doors which you’re sure were one day also imbued with magic are in front of every cell. The place looks dull and lifeless, but you’re sure that’s intentional. Stairways line the interior of this room on all levels but the ground floor. The ground floor is clear. A few of the cells are open. And also, on the right end of the room is what you think is an elevator.
>The lights in the room flicker. This causes you to be on edge.
>You can’t turn back now though…
>Curiosity overtakes you. The first place you go to is one of the open cells. In it you find a bunk bed, a toilet, a sink, and a desk. The top of the room has a dome with a gem on the inside. You’re not sure what it’s for or exactly what material the dome is made of. Surveillance or disabling the magic of the inmates would be your guess.
>On the wall next to the beds you see scratches in the wall. Upon closer inspection they read ‘THEY’RE EVIL THEY’RE EVIL THEY’RE EVIL THEY’RE EVIL THEY’RE EVIL.’
>You hear a bump somewhere and you jump and turn around.
>Running out of the cell you conclude that it was nothing significant.
>Get it together, Cadenza…
>You get on the broom and fly over to the far side of the room.
>Dismounting when you get to the elevator, you enter. 
>The elevator seems to have but one destination one floor below… The trip takes a long time though.
>Just how far below ground are you now?
>Once you get out of the elevator you find another hallway. This time with one wall being a thick window. The window lets you see into another enormous room.
>This is an extremely tall room that seems to have no bottom. From the ceiling are eleven extremely large, thick chains. Ten chains in a circle surrounding one in the center. At the end of the chains are cells that are suspended in midair. A path extends from the entrance down the hall and around the central cell. Branching paths radiate outward from the circular inner path toward the other cells.
>Just who were they keeping in here?
>You enter the large room and instantly feel the anxiety of such a large drop below you. Looking down, you really can’t see the end of the drop.
>Carefully, you walk over to the central cell. 
>It’s completely sealed. There is a touch pad next to it for controls.
>You touch it. 
>Instantly the cell door becomes transparent. Inside is merely a ‘socket’ where a human would fit perfectly into. Several contraptions are connected that you don’t understand. The pad lights up with different commands such as a speaker (presumably to talk to the inmate) and a couple of what you’re pretty sure are torture methods.
>Just WHO were they keeping in here?
>You hear the familiar sound of teleportation along with purple light.
>In a nanosecond you jump back and look up on top of the cell.
>”Cadenza Dazzle! I’m so happy you came for me.” Galaxy says.
“Just where were you hiding? And what are you doing in a place like this?”
>”Did you know I always wanted to meet you, Cadenza? Out of the seven bozos, you’re my favorite.”
“Feeling isn’t mutual, sorry.”
>Galaxy laughs. Then points to somewhere behind you toward the entrance. “You always were one of the more independent minded of the bunch, so I thought: ‘What better way for her to die than alone in a bottomless pit!”
>From Galaxy’s finger shoots a small magic blast that hits a pad next to the entrance.
>Instantly the path around the cells begins to rapidly recede starting with the outer paths then in toward the entrance.
>In a display of quick reflex, you jump off the path and onto one of the cells before the ground comes up from under you. The cell wobbles some as you regain your footing…
>Galaxy claps. ”Bravo.”
“So it’s a fight you want… You go around with such a confident and smug look on your face, but you can’t fool me. I know teleporting around like that is tiring for you.”
>You wipe the sweat off your brow and get into stance.
“But I’m still fresh. And you didn’t even bring friends this time. Like this, I can beat you!”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72aoI1fA_Ac
>”Let’s see it then.” Galaxy quickly waves her arm out, causing the room to burst to life.
>Flames burst down from the openings in the ceiling where the chains come from, though they don’t go far enough to reach any of you. LED lights of various colors line the room. Panels around the rim of the room open to reveal spikes.
>This room is dangerous!
>Galaxy directs a palm towards you and in an instant adrenaline bursts through your veins causing you to jump to the top of another cell.
>”Not GOOD enough!” Galaxy points her palm toward the cell you’re jumping towards!
>As you land, a purple aura coats it and it swings back toward the spikes in the back.
>At the same time Galaxy shoots magic blasts towards you.
>You jump up and climb up the chain to avoid the danger, then propel yourself off it towards Galaxy.
>You have to get in close no matter what!
>Galaxy points one palm up and raises the central cell she’s standing on—causing you to fall BELOW it!
>Your heart races as you look into the pit.
>”You’re supposed to jump AT me.” Galaxy mocks.
>In a smooth motion, you bring out the broom, fly in an arc below the cell and up the other side above the cell, change it back into a wand and shoot a spell at Galaxy.
>She side steps it and it hits the surface of the cell.
>Then she slips. It was a friction eliminating spell after all!
>A blast from your wand propels you toward Galaxy once again.
>Galaxy looks up with wide eyes and a sneer as she’s on all fours.
>You ball your fist and reel it back.
“You asked me to jump at you, so here it is!”
>Just as your fist is about to contact her face, you’re stopped by her magic.
>You see that with one arm she grabbed the chain of the cell, and with the other she blasts you back.
>You land on another cell and rub your cheek.
“Ow…”
>Galaxy waves her wand and dispels the frictionless surface you put on her cell.
>”That really got my heart racing.” 
>Galaxy stands back up. “I guess it makes sense, huh?”
“What?”
>She shrugs. “Your power really isn’t all that strong, and it can’t be used unless you touch me. You attempt to make up for that with sharp reflexes and wand spells.”
“Want to tell me anything else, captain obvious?”
>”Hmph. We of the Sparkle family are blessed with the greatest magic of ALL witches. Your athleticism will get you nowhere.”
>You scowl.
>What a brat.
>You both brace yourselves.
>”This will be a VERY hard battle for you!” Galaxy motions her arm up and the cell you’re standing on begins to rise quickly towards the flames.
>”Will your voice still be so pretty when you’re aflame!?”
>Only when you’re near the flames do you finally jump off the cell… It’s hot, but you have a plan.
>You light the wand and coat it with some of the flames—this spell can control the flames for a time!
“Thanks for the compliment!”
>Galaxy directs a palm of her hand at you and intends to push you up towards the fire with her power.
>As she does you point the wand down and send the flames past you and at her.
>The fire and her magic clash.
>”Another creative little wand trick. You never fail to impress, Cadenza!” Galaxy taunts as she puts more power into it.
>You put in more power yourself. The fire exhausted behind you is more than enough, but… you don’t know how much more of the heat you can take. As it turns out, being right next to fire really hurts. Being pushed right into it would hurt even more however, so you keep on.
>You’re held up by the pressure of the clash. Galaxy’s magic is gaining ground!
>You put more power into moving the flames towards her, the flames flow violently around you and at Galaxy’s attack.
>The flames being so near to you still hurts… You feel yourself becoming lightheaded due to the heat. You can’t keep this up much longer! You have to think of a way out, but what? If you stop the attack you’ll be killed by the flames behind you or her magic. What do you do!?
>Your whole body is surrounded by fire. Only the meager magic of your wand is keeping it at bay and siphoning it towards Galaxy. You can’t even see in front of you. What a painful way to go this will be if you fail!
>*CRASH!*
>You hear the sound of glass breaking. Is that from this room’s window?
>”GUH! For real!?” Galaxy complains about… something, and you feel the pressure of her attack go.
>You can’t take the heat anymore, so you end your magic and use the broom to fly down away from the jets.
>In the split second as soon as you get out from the flames you see that Galaxy is focused on something else.
>You fly down towards her as fast as you can.
>At the last moment she notices your approach and side steps you.
>You land hard on the cell and it begins to swing.
>Then you reach out for her.
>Galaxy’s eyes go wide and she steps back.
>You manage to grab… her hair.
>As soon as she can she hits you with a magic blast, you retreat to one of the outer cells.
>You’re shocked to realize that your robe has caught fire! You quickly take it off and throw it to the pit.
>“Stupid brat, you ruined my pigtails!” Galaxy removes (what’s left) of the holds keeping her hairstyle together, and lets her hair down.
>”You should have outgrown them about a decade ago.”
>That voice!
>You look across the room and see her.
>”So you got out of the vault somehow... Veronica.” Galaxy hisses her name.
“Where’s Amelia!?”
>Veronica jumps out from the hallway through the broken glass pane and onto a cell. “Somewhere safe. She’ll be fine.”
>”Ooo, your wording suggests Gaia must have done quite a number on her.~”
>”You’ll… pay for what you did to him.”
>Galaxy raises an eyebrow. “So, you figured it out then?”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSgN5EWKi9Y
>Veronica only continues to look angrily at Galaxy. 
>You’re not sure what’s going on here, but you’re curious enough to keep watching.
>”Oh come on.” Galaxy starts. “Men all over the world for centuries have dreamed of doing what he managed to do as a mere male—he could use magic! Don’t feel bad for him.”
>!
>Veronica looks down. “How many years has he gone having to live with tubes and charms in his organs? In that suit there was no way to stay cool, scratch an itch, use the bathroom normally, or see without the filter of a raggedy visor.” Veronica looks up and gets into stance; her hands light with her blue aura. “For years there was no way to ease the pain of the disease you intentionally inflicted him with.”
>Galaxy smiles smugly. “You’re showing a lot of emotion, Veronica. Didn’t you decide to finally stop being a crybaby years ago? I think the blank stares fit you more. Honestly, why do you resent the stay you had with us so much? So you saw a few scenes that weren’t so pretty and you had to do some things you didn’t like. That’s life.”
>Veronica tilts her head up slightly and gives Galaxy a death glare. She begins to speak just a little quieter. Her voice strained and frustrated. “You know damn well it was much worse than that… and that you put me through more.”
>Galaxy’s cheeks flush just slightly. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But hey, we were BOTH children. You have no excuse…”
>!?
>Both get into stance and look at each other very intently.
>”Tsk. So you want your little fated battle against me, huh?” Galaxy begins. “You think you’ll be able to get your comeuppance and live happily ever after? Well life won’t work so smoothly for you, Veronica!”
>With a large swing of her right arm, Galaxy releases a flurry of magic beams that coalesce on Veronica’s location.
>In a swift movement, Veronica mounts her broom, flies through the blast, dismounts, and uses the resulting momentum to move in on Galaxy.
>Galaxy for a moment seems surprised at the advance, but quickly regains her composure and retaliates. 
>Veronica gets hit across the face by Galaxy as soon as she gets on her cell, then she responds with a kick that is caught.
>A punch by Veronica is caught by Galaxy as well. Both their magic stir in their hands during the clash resulting in an explosion.
>Veronica is knocked back to the side of another cell and barely grabs a hold while Galaxy is blown away toward a wall with spikes.
>Before she hits the spikes, Galaxy violently propels herself away with her magic. First slowing her down to a stop, then quickly back toward Veronica.
>Galaxy lands on Veronica’s cell as she’s still trying to get up and she pushes her right back down to the edge with her foot.
>Galaxy then points her wand at Veronica’s surprised and horrified face. “Told you it wouldn’t go so smoothly…”
>The wand lights, and you then begin to mount your broom and move.
>You have no time to think of a spell. Please make it in time!
>In a smooth motion you dismount your broom and punch Galaxy across the face before she has the chance to fire anything off.
>She falls off the cell.
>You offer a hand to Veronica, she instantly accepts and climbs back up.
>”Thanks.” Veronica says, clearly at least a little unsure how to respond.
>You take a deep breath.
“No problem.”
>Veroinca looks down. “Jump!”
>At once, you and her jump to another cell as a magic blast violently hits and destroys the cell you two were previously on. Parts fall to the abyss and the chain breaks. Other parts hit the flames above.
>Shortly after, Galaxy flies back up upright with the broom between her legs like a pole dancer…
>”How annoying, Cadenza. I forgot you existed there…”
“I wish you didn’t exist at all.”
>Galaxy smiles. “Feisty. Why save this whelp anyway? She is after all, one of us.”
>Veronica scowls. “I’m no-“
“She’s not one of you!”
>Both of them seem surprised at your outburst.
“Look, I don’t know what happened between you two.”
>You point at Galaxy.
“But I can tell that you’re bad news. If Amelia really did go through so much to help her, then I will do the same.”
>”Big talk from one of inferior stock.” Galaxy retorts.
“Oh please, you forfeited the right to be called ‘Sparkle’ years ago when you acted in ways that would make Twilight downright ashamed, you branch family bastard child!”
>Galaxy becomes visibly angered at that remark. She puts her arm up and faces her palm toward the ceiling and the flames. “…Alright then.”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZPUk1JjBE 
>At once, the chains of every cell are dropped by the ceiling, causing them all to fall.
>Once you realize this you grab Veronica by the hand and take out your broom to stop both your falls.
>”I swear it’s like this place was made for me!” Galaxy, with the motion of one arm, shuts with exit to the room that leads to the elevator. With the other arm she manipulates the ceiling that exhausts the flames. As it turns out it wasn’t a regular ceiling at all. It was a large piston, and the exhausts begin to move downward. They start slow, then quicken their descent.
>Galaxy flies down past you both before you make this realization. “Let’s do this then!”
>”Cadenza! Fall past her!” Veronica says in a panic.
>You start to fly down as fast as you can.
“Can you stop the fall of this thing?”
>”There’s too much momentum on it at this point, I wouldn’t be able to protect us.” Veronica replies.
>”No use! You can’t afford to get hit even once now unless you want to be cooked well done!” Galaxy shoots blasts up at you two.
>In a rush of adrenaline you dodge it by flying to the side.
>The ceiling, and consequently, the flames begin to accelerate down ever faster as this goes on through the influence of Galaxy’s telekinesis. 
>”We’re closer to the ceiling because of that. Fly straight down.” Veronica says.
“How do I dodge then?”
>Galaxy shoots another blast at you two. ”You DON’T!”
>Veronica puts her arm past you and shoots a blast to counter.
>The purple and blue light of the clash rival even the flames.
>”You’re going to have to work hard fighting momentum like that.~” Galaxy mocks.
>Surely enough, the magic was getting closer to you two. Truly you and Veronica are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
>How can you help!?
>”Cadenza… Don’t worry… keep flying down and I’ll take care of her.” Veronica says.
>She moves her other arm past your other side and aims it at the wall. Then shoots a blast that hits the wall and ricochets into Galaxy causing her attack to let up and the clash to end.
>*POP!*
>The disperse of the magic still burns you a bit. You resist the urge to flinch and fall back (or up rather).
>The energy of the battle, the flames, and the speed of your flight causes your heartrate to rise and your instincts to go into over drive.
>”Cheap little trick, but it won’t work again!” Galaxy says.
>In the distance you see the floor rapidly approaching! If Galaxy gets there first she can probably leave and block the exits!
>You can’t die here. You quickly and sloppily come up with a vague plan in your head, and make the snap decision to see it through.
“Aaugh! Veronica, grab onto me tight with one arm and propel us as hard as you can with the other! Send us to the floor!”
>”Wha-“
“Just do it!”
>She does as she’s told and wraps one arm around you right under your breasts and leans in close to you. The other she points behind you both.
“Now! Hold nothing back!”
>Galaxy points her arms at you. “You wanna die that badly!?”
>*BOOM!*
>Veronica lets her magic loose and you feel hard force pushing you down toward Galaxy.
>Galaxy lets loose a blast of her own.
>This is the hard part. Please, God, let it work!
>At once, you retract your broom and cast a spell with the resulting wand to shield you both.
>Despite the shielding, you feel the immense pressure and the shield already starts to fail. 
“Keep going, Veronica!”
>You see the barrier begin to fade and crack and your heart races.
>And it fades more and more and more and more.
>And then the barrier fades completely…!
>That is, just as you break through Galaxy’s attack and fly past her!
>Time seems to slow, and Galaxy looks at you with wide eyes as you pass her.
>Veronica latches onto you with both arms now.
>In a smooth motion you turn your body around and kick Galaxy as hard as you can up toward the ceiling!
>The backward (upward, truly) momentum sends her towards the flame, and you two descend toward the ground.
>”DAZZLE YOU CUNT!” Galaxy screams.
>You mockingly salute her.
>Veronica softens your and her landing with her magic (Though, it’s still quite a hard landing).
>”AAAAAAAAGGHH!” 
>You both promptly look up.
>Galaxy, as she’s burning—stops the fall of the ceiling piston, drops to the ground, and motions her arms out to disperse the flames on her body using her magic.
>She wasn’t in the flames long enough to have any severe burns,… but she looks absolutely pissed.
>You, Veronica, and Galaxy pant hard for a few seconds during this stand-off. Galaxy especially looks out of breath. She stands hunched over with her hands on her knees, but head up just enough to give you two a gnarly scowl. It almost seemed like she had unlimited magic until now. Still, what a high limit she has.
>You sacrifice your own breath to make another snide remark.
“A little undercooked, but it’ll do.”
>Galaxy’s scowl gets more intense and she generates bright and powerful magic in her palm.
>You can feel the pressure from here.
>No way! How can she still fight like this!?
>You and Veronica get into stance.
>Then, unexpectedly, Galaxy takes a deep breath and disperses the magic. Then she stands up straight again. “Alright, you win this one.”
>Veronica blinks. “What do you mean?”
>”Just what I said. I have to go.”
“You can’t just go. This is a war. A death battle. You’re done when we catch you or you’re dead!”
>Galaxy manages another smug smile despite her fatigue. “By those standards you can consider this a tactical retreat then.”
>Veronica finally catches her breath. ”You can’t just keep running to different parts of the castle, Galaxy. Very soon you’ll run out of energy and we’ll fi-“
>“As if! Who said I’m spending the rest of my life cooped up in this lame place?” Galaxy turns around and raises her arms. “There’s a whole world out there!”
“You’re… betraying Selene? Just like that?”
>Galaxy turns her head back and smiles. “I’m not betraying Lady Sparkle at all. We will have this continent. I can assure you that…”
>At this, she snaps. The familiar purple flash comes back. And just like that, she’s gone.
>You fall to the ground to sit. Veronica follows shortly thereafter.
>You’re both in silence for a moment.
“Where’s Amelia exactly?”
>”In a house outside the castle. She used up a lot of energy fighting Gaia, so she’s recovering. I tried to pick some place inconspicuous so no one would find her. I gave her my wand too just in case.”
>You smile slightly.
“That’s a lot of care for someone you’ve barely talked to before today.”
>Veronica blushes, closes her eyes, and looks away. “I-It’s just that we’re comrades in this fight.”
>You have to put in effort to not laugh.
>”And thanks… for standing up for me back there.”
>You close your eyes.
“I should be thanking you for saving me. There’s no telling what would have happened to me if you didn’t show up.”
>You feel her hand gently fall over yours and you open your eyes.
>She’s still looking away with that same blush. You never thought you’d see this side of this girl. Her deep blue eyes that once looked so intense now look gentle and cute. What exactly changed in her?
>You both sit in silence for another few moments.
>Eventually, you stand up.
“I think it’s safe to say Sunset and Artemis found the right way toward Selene. We should get Amelia, then follow through the door they went through.”
>”Then they’ll see danger soon then, if not already. I’ll go on ahead while you get Amelia.”
“True, but are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”
>Veronica gets up. “I will. I’ll never tire as long as I know Selene is still within my reach.”
“Alright then. Now, to get out of here…”
>Here at the bottom of this torture pit is but one door out.
>Upon opening it you find… a stairway… stretching all the way up the pit. Truly this is torture.

~

>You are Sunset.
>This castle has so many floors and rooms. Twists and turns have led you to so many different places and so many interesting things. 
>Though you often feel lost, Artemis assures you the two of you are heading in the right direction.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhHCCBxpKI
>Eventually you happen upon a room. A bright, tall room filled with large tall windows. Some clear to let in the sun. Others are stained glass depicting beautiful witches, men, and children. Artistic merit can be seen at all corners of the room. Beautiful chandelier lines the top of the room. It looks exceedingly clean. A lot of the room is unashamedly white and without any stains. The room has four stories each with it’s own balcony and set of sculptures. One particular door to a new room stands out though—the one in front of you. It’s at the top of a wide staircase and is large, and white, with much embellishment, including a fantastic emblem of Twilight on the front of it. Above it is a painting of Twilight. She appears to be in her twenties in the painting. That you’ve never seen her that age before makes you unsure how to react.
>You take it all in.
>”What a gorgeous place.” Artemis comments exactly what you’re thinking.
“Yeah. I can’t stand the thought of this place being defiled.”
>Artemis turns toward you and gives you a confident look. “We won’t let it.”
>You smile.
“Yeah!”
>Something about this feels so final though… Like being at the last save point before the final boss in a video game… It makes you a little nervous. You can’t stop now though! So much is riding on this!
>”Let’s quickly check out a few of these rooms before the big one.” Artemis suggests.
>Artemis senses the same aura as you no doubt. She probably wants to see the room to mentally prepare herself as much as for the exploratory value. You can’t agree more.
>There is one opening on the first floor that leads to another small room.
>In it you find a life size marble sculpture of Sour Sweet. Along with a few paintings of her across the room. In the sculpture she is naked and lying belly down. Her legs are bent up. Her elbows are on the pedestal while her hands are on her cheeks. She is looking up either aloofly or in thought.
>What kind of life did Sour Sweet live you wonder.
>Naturally, your mind drifts to the headmistress.
>You remember she once addressed her as a ‘great witch.’ If she has a whole room dedicated to her she must have done some good stuff.
>You and Artemis approach the statue to read the plaque. ‘Sour Sweet. 2002-2048. Inventor of several spells and a good friend of Twilight Sparkle. She coined the idea of building our beloved castle and was heavily involved in a lot of its construction.’
>Interesting!
>On the second floor you find another room. It has a few chairs, a fireplace, and a large screen.
>You think nothing of it at first.
>Artemis approaches the screen and gently taps on it with her wand.
>It lights and shows what you think are news announcements. 
>One reads: ‘Evacuation Imminent. Please contact your nearest officer for further instruction.’ Others refer to the weather for the next few days which… you think is STILL accurate to this day. What kind of technology goes into this thing?
>On the fourth floor you and Artemis find a door with a tree on it.
>Opening it you find a room that’s completely empty save one red gem embedded in the far wall. It even has a frame around it as if it’s a picture.
“What’s going on here?”
>”I’m not quite sure.” Artemis approaches the gem. “I don’t think it’s anything malicious though.”
>The gem has a gentle glow that reflects over the room. It’s quite pretty.
>You follow Artemis and stand in front of the gem.
>Artemis lifts her left hand towards it then looks to you. “Together.”
>You nod and lift your right hand and touch the gem as she does.
>The light of the gem grows brighter until your vision is completely white.
>When the light subsides, you find yourself… 
>In Twilight’s library in all its wooden glory! Are you in Equestria!?
>You look around the place shocked, amazed, and nostalgic all at once.
>Artemis notices your reaction. “You alright?”
“This is incredible. How did we get here?”
>”That gem is illusion magic.” Artemis begins to look around herself. “What a cute little library.”
“Illusion? Then…”
>You run over to one of the windows. Outside there is only whiteness. 
>Artemis approaches you. “Do you know this place?”
“Yeah. I… used to live near this place.”
>And now, you’re not only a dimension away, but also a few hundred years. What a life you’ve lived, Sunset Shimmer.
>Artemis smiles and takes your hand. “This must be a place you and Twilight know from your childhood then. I feel blessed to see it.”
>You smile yourself.
“Thank you.”
>You walk through the library for a little longer. Every detail brings back a few memories for you. You even see Twilight and spikes old living quarters.
>Eventually, you and Artemis exit through the front door—that ends the illusion and you’re back in the room with the red gem.
>You and Artemis get to the big door at the top of the staircase and stop.
>”… There’s a good chance Selene is beyond this door. I can sense it.” Artemis turns and looks up at you. “Are you ready?”
“I was supposed to be there for my friends a really, really long time ago. Every day I think: ‘What could have changed had I been around?’ What if I could have been around for Twilight’s daughters? Or what if I could have helped stop Magicopia?”
>You look down.
“I may be being delusional about me being able to do anything about those anyway… But I can’t shake the feeling that I’m finally getting around to something I should have done a long time ago.”
>You look back at Artemis.
“So yes. I’m very ready.”
>”Alright.” Artemis puts her hands on one of the double doors.
>You put your hands on the other.
>”Let’s go!”
>Together, you push the doors open!
>You find… a tall, wide, and long white hallway leading to a set of incredibly large doors. Doors that rival even the entrance. There is a beautifully designed rug leading to this door. There are also more tall windows that line this hallway and cast beautiful natural light into the room. Lining the hallway are statues of lions as well as vacant witch armor in tall, triumphant poses.
>There is also one more armor set that’s facing away from you in the middle of the hallway. Well, it’s missing the helmet. And you can see long, black hair flowing from this figure. And of course, you recognize her instantly.
>Neither you nor Artemis call out to her. Both of you know she knows you’re here. 
>You and Artemis merely walk forth toward her.
>When you’re both about five meters from her, you stop.
>Lainah lifts her head, still facing away from you two. “What’s wrong, Sunset? Not going to tell me to come back to you?”
>You take a deep breath.
“Can’t say I haven’t thought about it…”
>The room is dead silent aside from your voices, so the echo is apparent.
“But you’re a big girl, Lainah. You’re made your choice. So if you’re gonna stand in our way-“
>Lainah turns around. A blank look she holds. As if she’s talking s “Then you’ll defeat me? You’re a little less naïve then you seem.”
>For some reason, it feels like a face you haven’t seen in a million years. This little rival of yours… The first witch you’ve ever fought. Suddenly you long for that one moment you sat on a broom together.
>Lainah looks at Artemis. “And what do you think of me, number one?”
>”At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what I think, now does it? Artemis replies.
“For what it’s worth… I always did feel at least a little responsible for what happened with you. After all, it just so happens that I resemble Rainah—right?”
>”Yes.” Lainah looks at her left hand (or the left hand of the armor, rather). “You’re like her in more ways than you think.”
>”You’re more calm than you were before, correct?” Artemis comments. “What about you? What do you think of what you are now?”
>In the distance, you hear the muffled noise of the battle outside the barrier in the cold. None of you pay any attention to it. You’re all too invested in the moment.
>Lainah looks back up. ”It’s all I could ever be. The Sparkle family are the only ones who won’t try to kill me now. After all, it just so happens that I resemble one—right?”
>You draw your wand and get into stance. 
>Artemis motions for you to stand down.
>?
>She walks over to Lainah. Lainah only stares down at Artemis.
>When Artemis touches Lainah she begins to fade!
>Lainah’s form becomes like an ethereal gas whose particles rapidly flow away into the door ahead until it’s all gone.
>”An illusion.” Artemis states.
“Then, it’s not just Selene. Lainah will be ahead too…”
>Artemis sighs. “Right. What we need to do hasn’t changed.”
>You nod. Then, you both go through the hallway to the second (and final) pair of doors.
>The door is tall and unashamedly white like the rest of this section of the castle. The door has very angular embellishments complete with a few crystals on it. Near the top of the door the likeness of a crown is designed and embedded into the door in gold.
“Then this is the throne room.”
>”Yes.” Artemis turns to you. “Is your resolve still there?”
>You give her a determined nod.
“Absolutely!”
>Time to end this!
>Together, you both open the door.
>The gorgeous, enormous throne room shines light upon you from it’s large windows. An ethereal feeling comes over you as you stare at the brilliant craftmanship of the room. It’s almost like an old church. The most beautiful room in the castle it would be indeed…
>If it weren’t for the two sitting on the throne.
>”Sunset! Behind the throne.” Artemis points out at something.
>You follow her line of sight…
>Your stomach drops and dread comes over you.
“What… is that?”

~

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5beVMiOvs
>A gorgeous room it was… The winter stopped at the barrier. Inside the snow died like it does in the March sun. The sunlight, along with the air, are about the only things that make it cleanly through that barrier. Consequently, the brilliant sun shines its light through the great artistic windows on either side of the throne room… The room is hot. 
>Even though the life of this castle as a home to witches was relatively short lived. It still feels like the hopes, dreams, and the will of countless generations of them permeated the room. You could feel it in the marble, in the stone, in the granite, in the gold, in the crystals, and in the air. The few witch armors that lined the room along with the great statues of Celestia, Luna, and Twilight perpetually payed homage to this collective spirit.
>Looking up was like looking into heaven. The most gorgeous and intricate chandelier you’ve ever seen in your life was complemented by one of the most beautiful paintings you’ve ever seen on the ceiling. A depiction of angels bestowing power on witches. The room was so big that looking into the distance was like looking over a grassland.
>Looking on into the far side of the room you saw the glorious throne. An excellent piece of craftmanship if there ever was one. Made nearly entirely out of gold, angel wings sprout from either side of the seat. At the head of the seat, a crystal is embedded in the shape of a witch hat. At each side of the throne, there’s a statue of a lion.
>It was all so perfect. It took your breath away. A room worthy of God it would be… if it weren’t for the two sole blights on the room, the two sitting on the throne—Lainah and Selene. Despite the distance, you know their eyes are locked on you from that high seat. Selene eyes you smugly while stroking Lainah’s hair like she’s her dog. Lainah leans into Selene and watches you out of the corner of her eye like she’s walking past a homeless beggar. 
>The sight angers you.
>”Sunset.” Artemis gets your attention.
>You look over to her. Her eyes are locked on something in the distance as well. She continues to stare at it for a moment before she raises her arm and points to something. “Behind the throne.”
>Behind the throne… you’ve been so focused on the two in the throne that you didn’t even think about it.
>Behind the throne however you see the biggest wand you’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s embedded in the wall. Angel wings sculped to either side in the wall in likeness to the throne. But it’s glowing. It’s glowing a lot. Like it’s… charging. If the two in front of it have anything to do with it, then it can’t be for anything good.
“What… is that?”
>”A spell most likely.” Artemis says. “Certainly not one in our interests.”
>”Sunset Shimmer,” Selene’s voice echoes through the room. “Artemis Lulamoon; Welcome.”
>Artemis begins to walk forward. You do the same.
>”What’s the giant spell for?” Artemis asks.
>”That which will win this skirmish for us.”
“It’s a big attack then… We’ll stop it. You watch!”
>Selene’s smile gets just a little wider.
>Artemis’ pace quickens. ”I won’t bother asking about your grand scheme. You want to be queen of the continent—I won’t let you!”
>”It’s not a matter of what you’ll ‘let’ me do, now is it?” Selene responds.
>”You’ve tortured countless people with your little experiments, who would possibly want you to lead them?”
>Selene sits up straighter. “The non-witches you mean… Lulamoon, there are countless numbers of them out there suffering from the purple plague and you people never lifted a finger to do a thing about it… Save a select few to be your lapdogs. Don’t get all high and mighty with me. You sat by idly. We attempted to bestow them with their own magic. Such experiments have been going on for much longer th-”
>Artemis scowls. ”You’re not helping and you know it!”
>You’re a bit taken aback by her outburst. It’s rare to see Artemis angry like this.
>”You’ve gotten not an inch closer than your gang has gotten eons ago!”
>Selene gnashes her teeth. ”Perhaps we WOULD have… if someone just as ignorant and light-haired as you didn’t lose her mind. Do you really understand? We could have had it all, Artemis. The continent, the respect of the non-witches, all the technology we had then including the things we’ve built from the failure of that time to now.”
>Selene stands up from her seat along with Lainah. “You say we’re not helping them…, but the advent of witches was the best thing that ever happened to them. Do you remember the lives they led? Exploration, kinship, true knowledge, and honest exchange were all irreparably lost to them under the weight of their system. Their shiny toys brought them no satisfaction in the face of a life like that. Materially plentiful—spiritually dead. 
>Selene looks up. “When witches came to be… there was true mystery and discovery again. No longer did people have to resort to petty distractions. Suddenly there were things to explore, and find, and ponder again.” Selene looks back to Artemis. ”Suddenly the great fantasies of ancient times didn’t seem so fantastic anymore, hence your name-“ Selene points to Artemis. “-and mine!” Selene points to herself. “If we had succeeded then… if I succeed now… it would all be complete, and the witch would have a true companion in this world.”
>Artemis only stares back at her for a moment, then looks down. “… Yes, people forgot a lot of important things in that time. Maybe everyone knew deep down. Everyone drowned it out with next generation bread and circuses. If there is one good thing that witches and Magicopia have brought, then it was that it forced people to remember the fundamental things of this world…”
>Selene’s eyes widen. “Then let’s complete it. We CAN have it all. The return to form. The union of magic between the two sexes. The continent. Once the dirty work’s done it’s done forever. We ca-“
>Artemis looks back up. “No.”
>Selene gives a glare something fierce.
>”All in all, that was a nice pivot off the fact that you put people through inhumane experiments. You almost had me fooled. Perhaps it would have been easier if men also had magic, or if they were the ones who had it in the first place. But we can’t change what is. No matter how hard we try. We are what we’re born as. As with everything on this Earth. All we can control is what we do with what we have. You’re thoroughly lost on this concept. That you didn’t understand that is proof enough that you aren’t fit to be any kind of leader. Not of witches. Not of men.”
>… The air is heavy in the silent moment.
>Selene sighs. “So many years have passed, and still nothing has changed. Over and over again. I was a fool to think I could reason with a Lulamoon.” 
>Selene draws her great long sword. Lainah gets into stance too.
>You and Artemis get into stance as well.
“Hey Artemis?”
>”Yes, Sunset?”
“When this is over, and Spring comes—let’s take a vacation. You, me, and the rest of the girls. Let’s go to the beach or something.”
>”Of course, Sunset.”
>Slowly, Selene reels back one arm. You feel an immense pressure building.
>Artemis’ eyes widen. “Sunset, get behind me!”
>You obey.
>Artemis mirrors the motion.
>It feels like the whole Earth is vibrating steadily. Disturbance gradually flows through you much like the animals know when a storm is coming.
>At once, Artemis and Selene bring their arms forth!
>*BANG!*
>The sound of the impact of the two attacks mixes with the sound of the ceiling being instantly and utterly demolished.
>The mighty wave of dark blue destructive magic is matched by the ferocious wind pressure. All the windows break as the debris of the ceiling crashes down and further ruins the once pristine room.
>You cover your face and try to stand your ground in the face of the massive blowback.
>The pillar of wind and magic tears into the sky as if it came from the heavens itself.
>After what feels like eons, the spectacle dissipates.
>The first thing you notice is Artemis’s back as she faces away from you.
>Remembering her state after the strong attack she made this morning, you quickly move to her side and inspect her.
>She stands stoically… she’s attempting to stand strong in the face of…
>You look to the other side of the room Selene stands as she did before the exchange. Lainah dissipates a barrier made of her main magic.
>Selene smiles. Then begins to walk forth with Lainah.
>You and Artemis begin to walk towards them.
>You feel your heart rate steadily rise as the tension increases and the distance between the two parties lessens…
>You look at Selene as she approaches… she wears a soft smile as her boots clack against the now cracked floor. She’s looking at Artemis.
>You look at Lainah and make eye contact with her.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV6L92DA8nU
>Once the two parties are about 5 meters apart, Selene extends her arm out and grabs a hold of Artemis via telekinesis.
>In the blink of an eye, Artemis is brought forth towards her.
>Just as fast, Selene draws her physical sword; Lainah draws a sword of her magic.
>Instinct overflows in you, and you just start to react when Artemis dispels the telekinesis acting on her and blows back the blades with one burst of her wind.
>In another lightning fast burst of wind Artemis charges at Selene and drives her back to another section of the room.
>You watch the two exchange a few fast and violent blows of wind and dark blue magic before you see a sword in your peripheral.
>You draw your wand and block Lainah’s attack just in time.
>She’s already clad in her magic armor.
>Lainah chuckles. “You seem a little distracted.”
>You don’t bother coming up with a response. 
>You put your strength into the clash and deflect her blow.
>After deflecting a few more, you point your wand at her and let loose a lightning beam!
>She’s pushed back.
>…But is unharmed. 
>Lainah regains her footing immediately and charges at you.
>She unleashes a storm of punches on you. The hardness of her coated fists combined with the amplified strength make it hard for you to defend.
>Eventually you take several hard blows to the face.
>Lainah grabs you by the neck.
>Instinctively you bring your hand to your throat in attempt to relieve the tension.
>”What’s wrong, Sunset? Can’t read my mind through this?” Lainah looks at you through the yellow slits on the helmet of her magic armor.
>Behind her, Artemis and Selene zip around the room in their own battle…
>You have to find a way to take out Lainah and help Artemis, and you have to figure out fast!
>In a swift motion, you transform your wand into a hammer and slam it into Lainah.
>You can feel the resistance her protection puts up…, but this gets her to release you.
>You jump back.
>If you don’t find a way to get through her defenses, this won’t go well for you…
>You frantically look around the room to see what can help.
>”Where are you looking!?”
>Your attention is instantly brought back to your surroundings and you see several swords of Lainah’s magic surround and point at you.
>As soon as your reflexes kick in you jump and narrowly dodge the swords as they all move in.
>Lainah jumps at you as you move through the air.
>You narrowly deflect a few of her attacks with your wand.
>Eventually she strikes your face with her fist sending you toward the ground.
>You forcefully and awkwardly land on your feet.
“Ow…”
>Lainah lands next to you and begins an onslaught of punches of which most connect with your face.
>*Pow!*
>With one last forceful blow sends you a few meters back and on to the ground.
>She’s fighting much more fiercely now… This girl’s really got it out for you.
>You rub the blood off your face and taint your white glove..., then look up at her as she makes an (overly dramatic) slow approach towards your grounded self. She retracts her magic armor off of her head just so she can look down on you with her naked eyes.
>”You left all your bravado in the last room, Sunset.”
>Artemis’ battle rages on in the background as both her and Selene zip around the room throwing magic at each other.
>”Sunset!” Artemis looks to you while engaging with Selene mid-air. Then pushes her adversary back some with one air blast, and finally propels herself toward you with one more.
>Selene quickly recovers and intercepts her path.
“Don’t worry about me! I’ll win this!”
>Lainah scowls. ”That so?”
>She extends her arms and sources ten floating magic bows and arrows. Without a moment of hesitation, the arrows shoot.
>As fast as you can, you cast a barrier and reflect the arrows.
>The barrier dissipates as soon as it does its job, then you get up and energize your hammer.
>Then, you slam it into Lainah.
>Lainah slides back a few meters, but her defenses hold up…
>”How annoying.” Lainah forms two swords in her hands and charges you.
>You begin to deflect her blows with your wand.
>During your exchange, spears of hers appear above you.
>As they rain down on your position you deflect a blow of one of Lainah’s swords and maneuver behind her to dodge them.
>The spears crack the floor.
>You swing the hammer at Lainah.
>*CLANG*
>Lainah puts an arm back and a shield forms and deflects your blow.
>Shit. She’s getting better at this.
>Lainah waves and arm and sources several bows and arrows and spears above her.
>Not good!
>The spears jet toward you and the bows begin rapid fire.
>You take to your broom to dodge the onslaught.
>You’ll have to be careful to avoid the area Artemis and Selene are in. 
>The arrows shoot out like a machine gun directly from Lainah’s position to yours while the spears fly behind you.
>Your heartrate rises as the storm of razor-sharp magic continues.
>Your power is seriously lacking compared to hers now. Can you really only just run away?
>The room gets damaged further as the walls and art are destroyed by Lainah’s weapons to say nothing of the mayhem of the other battle.
>You maneuver and narrowly dodge one cloud of spears.
>Lainah hasn’t left her position. She only watches through the glowing yellow slits of her blue magic armor.
>Suddenly, she retracts the portion covering her head and her black hair flows down. Then, she lifts her arms.
>A blue light shines and great energy forms above her. The bows and arrows dissipate. The spears behind you continue their chase.
>What now!?
>Lainah smiles. ”This is the end, Sunset!” The blue magic finally takes the shape of a great javelin. Blue flames rage on its side and back.  
>You’re making no progress in this fight, and you can’t let yourself get hit by that!
>You send electricity through your broom as you continue to avoid the other weapons.
>Lainah laughs. The javelin gets bigger, and its energy gets stronger. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad I met you Sunset!” 
>The javelin begins to move—first slowly and threateningly. You get a dreaded feeling in your stomach.
>”You made me realize who I am!”
>With blinding speed and the roar of its rear flames, the javelin makes a beeline to you like a heat-seeking missile.
>Adrenaline rushes though you as you realize you won’t be able to outrun this.
>”Bye!”
>You don’t have time to think, but you know you absolutely can’t get hit by that javelin!
>Mid air you turn your broom back to its hammer form as electricity still runs through it you hurl it at the javelin.
>Please work!
>*BOOM!*
>The hammer hits the javelin and great energy and light is released. 
>The javelin indeed cracks under the weight and electricity of your hammer… but residue magic from it still comes your way.
>And you feel extreme pain around your body.
“AAGGGH!”
>…
>The energy of the attacks subsides.
>Here you are. You fended off the javelin. But it was for nothing. The spears that you neglected took off a few chunks of meat on you. One skimmed the part of your back that Nera butchered way back when. Another rests next to your face, and you feel the blood from your cheek flow to your lips and chin. Two others butchered your right thigh. Still others missed and rest around you, but still taunt you like the bars of a prison cell.
>As you feel the pain and grasp the severity of the situation, your emotional state begins to falter
>Your robe is also pinned to the ground by the spears. Not that you had the energy to move from your pained kneeling position either way.
>You whimper as you try to cover the wound on your thigh.
>”Sunset!” Artemis calls out to you, but is far too occupied with Selene to do a thing.
>Lainah walks up to you. Slowly. Her magic armor retracts completely revealing only the power armor along with her smug smile. Every clank of her footsteps fills you with dread. She stops when she’s in front of you. “You always were much luckier than you deserved to be, huh? How did you manage to keep all those spears from impaling you somewhere vital?”
>”Lainah, make sure you get the crystal.” Selene says this as she counters a fierce sharp wind attack from Artemis with her magic-coated long sword.
>”Out of my way!” Artemis protests.
>Lainah, still utterly focused on you. Kneels down so her face is level with yours.
>She puts her hand under your chin and looks into your eyes.
>You scowl at her.
>”I still so clearly remember the day we met. The way you cheated me out of my victory. You said it yourself, how else could you win? You always were weaker than me, huh? And now, you can’t even use your feeble power against me who you can’t even touch.”
>Frustration gets the better of you.
“Why are you so fucking intent on talking to me now, anyway!? If you’re going to kill me, then do it!”
>*Bam!*
“Ahh!”
>Lainah punches you in the face. The metal of her power armor painfully assaults your jaw.
>”Because I lost everything! And it only made matters worse when you decided show your offensive little face in this time!” Small drops of saliva from Lainah’s mouth comes in contact with your face as she spits the venom of her words at you. Her face reddens with malice.
>You scowl harder.
>”Call it petty, but I want you to feel what I did! No, worse. The nobody that came from nowhere DESERVES to have less than I do. Who gives a SHIT who you knew in the past!? Here you’re nothing!”
>You feel your throat tighten and your eyes begin to well. But you’ll be damned if you let yourself shed a single tear in front of this cunt. You can’t let her have that satisfaction.
>Lainah puts one finger below your chin as to raise it just slightly. The wicked smile returns to her face. “Your story loses its grandeur right here. Now to make it official…~”
>Her finger slowly runs back over your chin and toward your neck. 
>She’s going for your crystal!
>You become acutely aware of your heartbeat and her finger as it lurches down your neck.
>Her finger reaches the crystal and your eyes widen.
“…Don’t.”
>At seeing this, Lainah’s smile widens along with her eyes. “That’s more like it.”
>Lainah runs her finger past the crystal and mocks you by sticking her finger into your cleavage. 
>You flinch.
>”That’s how someone like you should act in front of me.” Lainah then runs her finger back up and rips the crystal necklace from you.
>You look down at the floor and close your eyes tightly and gnash your teeth.
>The room goes silent as this happens. Even Artemis and Selene pause at the scene. Artemis with a deeply angry look. Selene still faces Artemis, but has her eyes turned toward the event and looks on with a soft smile.
>Lainah walks over to your gold wand which was lying on the floor the whole time. Then, she picks it up. ”I’ll get back to you after we deal with your friend here.” 
>Then the points the wand at you. “Sit tight till then and think about how you feel right now.” 
>A silver beam shoots from the wand toward you.
>”No!” You hear Artemis complain, before the sounds of her struggle against Selene reignite.
>…
>!
>Without looking up you swiftly lean to the side and dodge the attack.
>Lainah grunts. Then shoots another.
>You dodge it in a similar fashion.
>“What’s happening!?”
>You pick your right knee up and plant your right foot to the ground—assuming a kneeling position.
“What’s happening is that you’re losing, Lainah!”
>”Don’t-“
“Don’t mock me!? After all you’ve said, you have no right in the slightest to say that!”
>You slip out of the robe and slowly stand up. As you do, you continue to look at the ground as you become light-headed and feel the pain of your wounds.
>Lainah sneers. “Just-!”
“Just stay down already!?”
>You look at Lainah.
“I’d never let you get away with this, Lainah! Not this or your past crimes.”
>You ball your fists and get into stance.
“So let’s do it! This no name witch is going to rip you a new one!”
>Lainah gnashes her teeth and draws her own wand. She transforms it into a spear, she then coats it with her magic armor and chucks it.
>Under Lainah’s influence the spear turns and quickly spirals in your direction like a tornado in an unpredictable way, then at once, it ceases its spin and makes a beeline toward you.
>You influence your own wand in the hand of Lainah and turn it to its hammer form.
>Lainah is surprised as you draw it from her grip toward you and deflect the spear into the air, then bring the wand back to your hands.
>The metallic clash of the weapons reverberates through the room.
>”How!?” Lainah complains. “You can’t be-“
“Reading your mind? Yes, I am! I don’t need to be anywhere near you now!”
>You didn’t realize it at the moment, but that’s how you avoided being impaled by the spears before. They’re controlled by Lainah’s will.
>Lainah catches the spear and scowls.
“Artemis, I’ll join you against Selene soon!”
>Lainah looks down at her left hand intensely… “The only thing you’ll join is a cemetery!”
>Lainah dons the armor of her magic again body over, mounts her broom, and charges at you.
>You can feel it. 
>The actions Lainah plans to take! You know them even without touching her!
>From the orb of your gold wand you produce a sword of pure electric magic.
>You run forth toward Lainah, and sidestep her charge.
>Then, you slash her back.
>”Urgh.” Lainah dismounts the broom and lands awkwardly onto her feet.
>It damaged her! Good.
>Lainah turns around back toward you with ferocity burning in her yellow eye slits.
>Her wand takes on the form of a spear and she charges at you once again.
>Anticipating this, with a smooth move you side step the spear and kick her across the chest and back a few meters.
>Then from your wand you shoot a magic blast at her!
>Lainah regains her footing.
“See, you can’t beat me! I am great witch Sunset Shimmer! Your power is nothing compared to mine! I’ll take back what you took from me!”
>Lainah raises her spear. And from your power, though you can’t get specific thoughts, you can feel the sheer anger directed at you.
>You imagine the fierce face behind that mask.
>She charges at you again. “SUNSET!”

~

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7O5LE9ZM0k
>You are Artemis.
>Selene’s mastery over her magic allows her aerial movement that’s on par with yours.
>An explosive dark blue aura sets off around her and she’s once again flying toward you with that long sword.
>You have no weapon with which to deflect it, but you don’t need one.
>Quickly yet delicately, you move your palm up toward the sword.
>The wind obeys your command, and the sword ceases its flight as if it hit a brick wall.
>With your other arm you reach toward Selene, and the wind guides your arm, and your arm guides the wind.
>Selene’s opposing arm, with the brutal force of her dark blue aura, fends off against your attack.
>You sense you’ll get nothing out of this exchange.
>In a smooth motion, the wind twirls you behind Selene.
>You bring a wind blade down on her back.
>Selene moves her sword behind her to defend herself, then she brings herself back to the ground.
>As you fall you note Sunset and Lainah’s battle far on the other side of the enormous throne room. She was having trouble before, but it seems she’s doing fine now. You have to beat Selene and assist her! 
>You land a few meters in front of Selene.
“The giant wand—what does it really do?”
>”Now, you want to know? Shouldn’t you be focused on the battle in front of you?” Selene grasps and moves in toward you.
>Selene’s sword violently slams down on you.
>With your arms, you gracefully get the wind to defend you.
>Your adversary passes by you as her sword attack ends, but several dark blue sphere’s hover around you in her wake.
>You jump up from your position as lasers sourced from the spheres assault your previous position.
“You made it hard to, since you’re not fighting seriously.”
>You face your palm toward her and shoot off a high pressured wind tunnel at her.
>Under the influence of her own magic, Selene deflects the attack and bursts towards you.
>You clash with her once more in the air.
“Except when I move toward the wand or Sunset, of course.”
>Selene quickly breaks the clash, and then unleashes a barrage of sword swings.
>With supreme focus you motion the wind to spare you from each strike.
“You could have attacked Sunset, but you didn’t. Just what are you planning?”
>You both land but the exchange continues for a short time more.
>Selene finishes an attack attempt with her sword and brings her other hand forth for an attack of her magic.
>You block with the wind, but the pressure still slides you back a few meters.
>”Despite your impression of me, I don’t attack people unnecessarily.” Selene says. “Whatever my subordinate will with her.”
>More debris from the ruined ceiling gives way, and you hear the rumble of the solid material hitting the dusty and ruined throne room floor.
>The ambient noise of Sunset’s battle, and the dulled sounds of the battles outside the barrier flow through the space.
>You can’t let her have Sunset… And you can’t let Selene do whatever she’s going to do with the giant wand. If she wants to draw this out, then it just means you have to end this quickly. And you do have to. For every time Selene attacks you with that longsword, you have to expend some magic to defend your wandless self.
>You’ve recovered from your big defense at the beginning of this fight. And now you can end this!
>You get into a ready stance and draw your right arm back; hand open.
>Selene smiles. “Do you really think you can do it? With inferior magic like that?”
>…
>You loosen your stance just slightly.
“You know…, it isn’t relevant to this fight—because I myself am going to defeat you. But Selene, no matter what you say—Twilight loved Catherine.
>… Selene continues to stand straight. She stares back at you with her eyes narrowed just a little bit, and her brow furled just a little bit. 
>Then at once her eyes widen, and she gets into a stance of her own. 
>…
>You bring your arm forth and fire five large air bullets.
>Selene’s sword glows blue, and she deflects the attacks.
>Then, she waves an arm and sources ten large dark blue orbs that begin to move toward you.
>The orbs begin to shoot blasts and lasers of their own at you.
>You block each one with wind of your own. 
>After each flurry of blast, the orbs swiftly move into new positions and restart the process.
>But every laser requires more magic on your part to defend against than does a blast, and you don’t think you can afford to use more than you need to.
>Along with their movements, it makes defending against it taxing mentally and physically.
>Nonetheless, you do it. With every move of the orbs, the air and your senses pick up on them. And like the particles of the air pick up on all movements so too do your arms.
>Selene begins to join and throw blasts at you herself.
>That’s enough!
>In one large burst of air you send yourself toward Selene.
>You source one attack behind as to sandwich her between you and the attack.
>She notices and jumps into the air.
>You morph the attack now heading at you into air that propels you into the sky at her.
>The orbs chase you as you chase Selene.
>Selene rains down blasts as you both rise into the air.
>Careful maneuvering of the wind helps you avoid her barrage.
>You both rise through the hole in the throne room ceiling and into the outside air.
>From those dark blue menacing orbs, blasts and lasers violently shoot toward you. They stalk you with arbitrary and awkward movements.
>It takes great care to get the wind to propel you away form danger. With it, you jump from surfaces of the great castle roof and sidings as well as at points mid-air.
>You’re wasting magic, you CAN’T let this continue.
>You’ll finish this and then save Sunset.
>With great determination, the air sends you at one orb above the castle tip you rested on.
>Narrowly, you avoid the magic it sent at you.
>One blast from Selene herself nears you during your ascent.
>With great effort, you get the wind to pick it up. With its help, you sling the magic at the orb above.
>Selene’s magic hits the orb and corrupts the orb. It cracks and begins to glow. Then…
>*BANG!*
>In a bright flash, the orb explodes.
>Only nine left then…
>Selene scowls. From her standing point at another tip on the castle roof, she motions her arms and seemingly gains more direct control of the orbs.
>The orbs begin to orbit you at odd angles…
>No matter where you go, they follow and keep the same orbit with respect to you with little delay.
>In intervals of about two seconds, one seemingly random orb shoots a powerful laser toward you.
>*RIP*
“Ow!”
>You feel the heat of one you narrowly dodge. It shreds through your robe.
>You settle in one place on the roof of the castle. There’s no reason to move anyway.
>You continue to dodge every laser at each interval with jumps, sidesteps, and ducks.
>Slowly, the intervals get smaller…
>You begin to get tired and disoriented at the orbiting orbs and constant dodging.
>*ZAP!... ZAP!... ZAP!... ZAP!*
>The rhythmic attacks become maddening.
>As the interval approaches about half a second, you push the wind toward one orb.
>When the laser shoots from it, the energy is caught and is reflected back at it!
>Your prediction was correct!
>The orb swells and glows…
>*BOOM!*
>It explodes and the other orbs move back.
>… Eight left.
>Selene motions her arms together, and pairs of orbs fuse to create four larger and more menacing orbs. They radiate black magic.
>At once, the orbs begin to charge at you.
>Your eyes widen as adrenaline courses through your veins.
>You use the wind to send yourself flying away from the orbs. 
>The orbs shoot blasts and lasers at you as they give aggressive chase.
>You feel the G-forces through your body as you fly around the castle. You weave through the different structures of the building.
>All the while, the orbs follow close behind.
>Destruction follows in your wake as the orbs destroy with no regard to collateral damage.
>They seek you as a hawk seeks its prey.
>You move erratically like a roller coaster. If the situation wasn’t so tense, it may even be fun… if.
>You fly through a bell tower only to see the orbs shoot up the top as you fly through it.
>A few orbs burrow through causing debris to go everywhere.
>You see Selene in your sights, still motioning the orbs.
>You shoot a few air blasts at her that she easily deflects with her sword.
>A waste of effort, you should have known. You have to get these things off your tail.
>…Of course!
>The wind once again zips you through the structures of the castle. 
>These movements have to be a little erratic so she won’t catch on…
>You feel yourself begin to tire as you weave below bridges, through alleys, and above gardens; the orbs leaving destruction during their chase.
>You’re reminded that you have to finish this as fast as you can… You’re not meant to fly like this for this long and this is the longest you’ve ever done it.
>As you dip down a wall, you exit Selene’s line of sight.
>Then the wind quickly sends you forth.
>Outward and outward and outward…
>As you near the barrier, you see two witches fighting. One in robes of your settlement and another rogue.
>Your fellow settler notices you, but the rogue witch, facing away, does not.
>With influence of the wind, you swiftly fly back behind the orbs in your pursuit.
>With all your might you put your arms forth to push one toward the barrier with a large air pulse.
>The witch from your settlement jumps back as the orb hits the barrier, corrupts, and explodes.
>*BANG!*
>”Ugh!” The barrier remains in-tact, but the shockwave knocks the rogue witch off her feet.
>The witch from your settlement moves back in and uses magic to pin the other to the ground.
>”What the hell!? Let me go!” She complains.
>The other witch ignores her and addresses you. “Is that really you, Artemis? What is a child like you doing here?”
>A few other witches begin to take notice in the midst of the. You feel relieved that witches from your settlement managed to get this close to the barrier… but also some unease—as Selene probably meant for this. The snowy outside world contrasts harshly with the Spring-like castle inside the barrier.
“I don’t have time to explain. Tell the headmistress I-“
>You feel pressure behind you, and look back to see Selene charging at you long sword in hands; with the remaining three orbs above her.
>They begin to shoot at you.
>You take to the air to avoid the assault.
>You get a little lightheaded as you take off due to fatigue.
>Magic tears through your robe ever more.
>The air is cut as Selene violently flies toward you.
>You take a deep breath and focus… you feel the sweat drip down your forehead and cheek.
>She closes in on you and you deflect her severe rain of slashes and magic from the orbs with the wind.
>Each use of the wind now sends weariness throughout your muscles and nerves. You’re slowing down… 
>After you deflect one swing of her sword, Selene sends an unexpected left punch!
>*Pow!*
“Ow!”
>You’re burned twice by two lasers from the orbs.
>With a burst of wind you retreat behind a chimney. 
>Only a few seconds of respite, but every second counts!
>You get out from behind the chimney just in time to see Selene destroy it with her magic and the resulting debris.
>Your movements are slowing more… did you waste too much time?
>Selene closes in on you and you’re in yet another exchange with her.
>You defend yourself, but it hurts. And your movements are slow and dull as one would feel after lifting weights constantly for hours on end.
>Selene dons an intense face.  She puts her sword away and opts for the brute force use of her trademark Sparkle family magic.
>Blast after blast rains down on you. Telekinesis attempt after telekinesis attempt is barely kept at bay by the air.
>You’re pushed back.
>Selene reels an arm back that’s coated in dense blue magic. “Artemis.”
>Her arm extends and a powerful dark blue beam comes from it.
>Adrenaline flows through you.
>You extend your arm and shoot an air pulse at it.
>It stalls only for a short time before it breaks through your weakened defenses.
“Ngh!”
>You lean your body to the side to avoid it, but the blast hits and damages your shoulder.
>”Give up.” Selene puts her other arm forth…
>And you can no longer move most of your body. 
>You roll your eyes down.
>Telekinesis.
>Selene calmly walks towards you with the three remaining orbs in tow. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
>*BOOM!*
>As she still looks at you, Selene has her left arm extended up. The magic that covers her hand blocks Sunsets attempt to hit her with her hammer.
>”Let her go!” Sunset growls.
“Hey! Get back!”
>”You should listen to her.” Selene’s hand begins to glow.
>*BANG!*
>A blast of her hand sends Sunset into the air.
>”You’re only concern is with me!” Lainah then swoops in and engages Sunset in the air.
>”Get OUT of my way!” Sunset complains.
>Selene lowers her arm. “The ‘great witch’ will be dealt with later.”
“What does Lainah plan to do with her!?”
>Selene simply looks up.
>You do the same, and grunt at the sight of the two other witches going at it.
>Lainah has gone insane. She’s attached all the frustration of her life onto Sunset. She’s a wildcard alright…, but it’s a comparatively easy problem to solve compared to the one in front of you.
>Selene draws her longsword and points it to your neck. “For what it’s worth, you are worthy of your name.” Selene smiles. “Unfortunately for you—I am worthy of mine.”
>And yet… you don’t have to worry at all, Sunset!
>You smile.
“I’m NOT going to lose this! We’re returning home. And you’ll have to give up on ruling this castle.”
>You close your eyes.
>Selene scowls. “Stubborn to the bitter end.”
>The longsword is coated with her trademark dark blue aura. The atom-sharp blade parts the air like butter as Selene reels it back.
>*SWISH!*
>Her blade moves forth!
>*CRACK!*
>Like a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier, the air sends you out of her magic’s grasp.
>You lunge into her at breakneck speed and send you both into the air.
>Your fist hits her stomach.
>Selene hacks and spits at the force of the blow.
>”What!? There’s no way you had all of this left! Was it all an act!?” Selene shouts.
“Ironic coming from you, isn’t it? You try so hard to keep a tough face. But you’re running out of strength too, aren’t you? What a cheap intimidation tactic you used, blowing off all that magic at the beginning of this fight!”
>Selene’s face contorts into anger you don’t think you’ve ever seen before on a human.
>If you can just replicate the power you showed at the start of the fight!! You have to outdo her!
>The wind only speeds you both up. Pressure builds—from both of you. Shooting through the air like a comet, you know this will be your last attack.
>The spectacle of your flight catches the attention of those outside the barrier. Some of whom even stall their battles to watch.
>You thrust your palm into Selene’s stomach.
>”What!?” 
>You can finally do this!
“This is for my settlement! And all of the others you wrecked! And for all the humans you killed! And for my friends who followed me here! And for Veronica—who’s life you carelessly destroyed!”
>The pressure of the flight begins to condense in your palm…
>For once, Selene actually shows worry on her face. Her pupils shrink and her expression wavers. Her normally noble façade begins to fail her as the slightest hint of fear finally emanates from her. And also, great anger. “Don’t you dare!” She barks.
>The vast lands of the castle pass you by so fast they’re like a blur, and yet, you still can make out Sunset on the ruins of the throne room ceiling ahead. She and Lainah have suspended their battle to watch you two.
“… And for Sunset!...”
>… A-and for you too, mother!
>All the power condenses in your palm. This is the heaviest you’ve ever felt the wind. Only the sheer force of your power keeps it from liquifying.
“Goodbye, Selene.”
>You speak softly.
>You begin to release the attack.
>*FFFFBOOM!*
>!!
>You feel a burning sensation across your face and chest. You were hit with a magic blast.
>You look over to see it was the orbs from earlier! They dissipate and explode as the last of their magic was used up.
>NO! Your focus is gone. Your attack!!
>Selene grasps your wrist and moves it away from her. Then she grabs you neck.
>Selene laughs. ”I told you that you wouldn’t get away with this.	”
>Selene’s whole body glows dark blue. That aura begins to overtake yours, and you both glow with her wicked dark magic as you fly through the air.
>Your eyes widen.
“…No…”
>”The magic of the Sparkle family is absolutely infinite. I’ll show you.”
>Selene smiles an evil and wide smile.
>The abominable aura grows stronger and roars aflame.
>”Now that I think of it.” Selene begins. “You’re the last one, aren’t you?”
>…
>”Goodbye, Lulamoon.”

~

>*BOOM!*
>*CRASH!*
>Your legs begin to falter, and you drop to your knees.
>From your vantage point on the roof, you see the enormous blast of magic shoot straight up to the top of the barrier… and blow a gaping hole through it.
>The shock wave of the blast blows your clothes and hair back.
>…
>After what feels like hours, the beam dissipates.
>Two bodies fall back into the castle throne room.
>Your stomach drops.
“ARTEMIS!”
>You jump down to the throne room floor. Your heart pumps wildly.
>Your land is awkward, but you don’t care at all.
>You sprint to the grounded Artemis’s side and kneel next to her.
>You flip her over.
>Burns. All over her. Her clothes are shredded. Her eyes are shut. And she hasn’t moved at all.
>You feel a nauseating feeling in your stomach.
>Gently shaking her, you begin to speak.
“Hey, wake up. Artemis… It’s me.”
>The only warmth you feel on her is the residue of the blast…
>You begin to shake her more.
“…Hey… Artemis… ”
>No response.
>The silence around the room is deafening. 
>You shake her more… and more… and more… and more… and more… and…
>You see tears on your gloves…
“Hey Artemis… I need you… Please wake up… “
>You hear sounds from nearby and you head snaps up.
>Selene… begins to move.
>She has some burns on her too. Her black and blue hair is disheveled. And her previous black robe is gone revealing just a regular shirt.
>Shakily she gets onto her feet. One arm caresses her stomach.
>You simply stare wide eyed…
>She gives you a slight smile. ”…Why that look, girl? Be honest, how did you expect this thing to turn out when you came here?”
>…
>You hear the sound of feet hitting the floor behind you. Your head turns toward it.
>Lainah speaks with an absolutely chipper voice. “Lady Selene, I told the rouge witches to guard the hole in the barrier until it can reform. This way things’ll proceed as planned.” She stands tall. Her chest stuck out just a bit. There’s an absolutely maddening bounce in her step that’s just barely noticeable. 
>Selene coughs, wipes her mouth, then smiles. “Good. You’ve done well, Nilight.” Selene turns and looks up at the giant wand. “Witches will celebrate this day from now on...”
>The wand glows more powerfully now. A sickening dark blue and purple aura emanates from the orb.
>”Aha, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” 
>Your head turns to the source of that atrocious laugh.
>”Sorry, I can’t help it!” Lainah starts. “You’re just like me now, see? You only became anything in this world because of the sick luck of Artemis and the headmistress taking you in. And now Artemis is gone. And now that settlement will belong to us.”
>Your eyes water more. Your face twitches. But you make not the slightest noise.
>”Oh, and of course!” Lainah takes out the red crystal and holds it in her palm towards you. “Your little relic of the past—I have that too!”
>Your tears begin to pool on the floor as you look on at the scene helplessly. Your body shakes and you begin to involuntarily urinate some.
>”You lost everything like I have! What’s wrong, Sunset!? Aren’t you going to call me a big girl and insult my decisions!?”
>…
>Selene sits on the throne. ”A pathetic display to be sure, I expected one of the original seven to put up  more of a fight. If anything, this validates your story though. You really are just a schoolgirl from a unique time in history of utter abundance. And now, you’re stuck in an unfamiliar world where people die.” Selene rests her cheek on her fist and begins to nurse her wounds with her wand. “Nilight, do what you will with her.”
“AAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH!”
>Something about her words cuts deep, and you can no longer restrain yourself from bawling.
>You bury your head in Artemis’ chest and wet her neck with your raw tears.
“PLEASE COME BACK, ARTEMIS! I-I CAN’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT YOU!”
>Your pathetic wails echo through the room and act as the only sound source save the commotion at the barrier above and the low whir of the giant wand behind Selene’s throne. 
>Both Lainah and Selene only stare at you with condescending eyes and frowns.
>Maybe it was pity on some level, or maybe they were simply taken aback—but they allow you to continue to cry for what feels like eons. Your mind is overwhelmed with dread over the loss of your friend. Every memory of the white-haired girl makes your cries more intense. Your neck strains from sustaining your screams.
>This wasn’t the way it was supposed to end! Friendship always wins out in the end! So why is Artemis gone!?
>What the fuck was everything up till now all for? If you just lose your old friends and your new ones? WHAT WAS IT ALL FOR!?
>Drool begins to seep on to Artemis’ clothes as your fit continues.
>After your eternity in hell that was truly only several minutes, your bawling finally dies down to whimpers.
>You hear the footsteps of Lainah approach. “THAT’S seriously your reaction…? No last stand? Not going to try to avenge her?”
>You reply by gnashing your teeth and holding Artemis even closer.
>What would be the point of any of that? This isn’t a fucking movie. You’re not any stronger by her death. Who even cares what happens now…
>Lainah draws her wand and changes it to a spear. “If that’s truly all you have, then you can hardly blame me for THIS.”
>You flinch at the metallic sound of the spear. 
>You’re seriously going to die! Artemis is dead and you’re going to die too…
>You whimper pathetically.
>You’re scared…, but you just can’t bring yourself to do anything. There’s a chance you’ll see Artemis and even your old friends… right?
>*CLUNK*
>You hear the distinct sound of the doors of the throne room door blowing open.
>”HEY SELENE!”
>You recognize that voice!

~

>As you zip through the doors you take in the contents of the room at lightning speed, and you make a firm judgement as to what you must do.
>You close in on Lainah before she knows what’s even going on and you deck her in the stomach.
>”Guh!” Drops of saliva exit her mouth as she absorbs your blow.
>You generate a blast in your fist, and let it go to send Lainah flying at Selene on the throne.
>The sounds of the wind being cut can be heard as she flies through the air.
>With an unamused face, Selene lazily puts a hand up as she sits on the throne and stops Lainah.
>She lets Lainah down as the girl scowls at you.
>You take a moment to get a fuller picture of the room. Artemis… lies on the ground lifeless. She looks oddly peaceful in a childlike way you can’t quite describe. Her hair is disheveled and her clothes torn and tattered.
>The rest of the enormous throne room looks like a couple of tornadoes passed through it. Art broken and battered. Windows shattered. Debris and dust lines the floor. Craters and cracks are in the ground. And there’s a gaping hole in the ceiling revealing the warring witches in a now broken and reforming barrier. The rogue witches fight hard to keep everyone away from the opening. They have some airships that float above the opening that are more advanced than any you have ever seen. Rapid fire magic is shot from them at the ground and at enemy ships.
>And behind Selene… That giant wand… it’s gathering immense power. It emits a steady whirring sound. It glows with an oppressing dark blue aura. Is it going to launch some kind of spell? That Selene simply sits and waits… this must be integral to her plan.
 “You look like you’ve seen better days, Selene. Did a little girl take that much out of you?”
>”The practically traumatized orphan finally found her way here. If she couldn’t do it, what makes you think your fate will be any different,… Veronica?”
>Yeah… despite the differences between you and her—you honestly don’t like this result.
>You look over down at the girl… and Sunset, who clings to the girl with empty, scarred eyes as if she just watched a gory genocide.
>If you were just a bit faster…
>You turn back toward Selene.
“That giant wand? What will it do?”
>”It’s fueled by some of the crystals. An attack to finish off the enemy...” Selene states flatly.
>So you’ve got to move fast.
“You can act as confident as you like, but I see how tired you are. All your minions in this castle have been beaten!”
>You turn back toward Sunset.
“Sunset. Together we can beat her. Lainah is weak, Selene is on her last leg. One more final push and-“
>Suddenly it begins to sink in just how far gone Sunset is. She stares down at Artemis’ body with lightless eyes. Dried tears stain her face. Despite the fact that her body looks technically healthy, she sits there as if starving and longing for a meal she’ll never have.
>”AHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Lainah begins to laugh. “’Together,’ huh? It looks like it’s just you to me. With a dead weight to defend to boot.”
>You kneel down next to Sunset, put your hands to the sides of her face to force her to look at you, and speak to her. “Come on. You want to finish what she started, right? You don’t have to die with her. We can win this if you get up!”
>…
>Sunset simply stares back… Or rather, stares THROUGH you…
“Sunset!”
>”… Artemis won’t wake up…” Sunset states in a monotone voice. “… We lost. What’s the point?...”
“Tch!”
>You scowl and let her go.
>Then, you face your adversaries and get into stance.
>Lainah looks at you amusedly. “Huh? Gonna fight alone?”
“Don’t get so cocky. You KNOW how much stronger I am than you. Sucking Selene’s clit didn’t change THAT!”
>Lainah gnashes her teeth and scowls at you. “We’ll see how you fare protecting that girl!”
>Lainah’s body becomes covered with a hard blue substance made of magic. It acts as armor on top of the power armor she already had. This must be her main magic.
>She charges at you with her spear.
>You put your right arm forth to grab her spear with telekinesis.
>Nothing’s happening!...
>You look behind Lainah and see Selene motioning with one arm with a smug smile on her face. 
>How annoying…
>You put both arms forth and begin to shoot blasts at Lainah.
>With great speed she weaves between them and closes in on you.
>You don’t remember her movements being this good… is it the power armor?
>You grab her spear and pull it past and beside you.
>As you bring Lainah it you put a blast straight to her face.
>*BANG!*
>Lainah staggers back a bit and releases her spear to you, but is still standing.
>Impressive defenses… but nothing you can’t deal with!
>You put your hands together to focus a stronger attack…
>You see Lainah motion with her hands, and you hear something behind you.
>You reflexively turn back and see two magic bow and arrow pairs preparing to attack Sunset.
>Quickly, you blast them out of existence.
>When you turn back toward Lainah she’s already closed in on you.
>*POW!*
>She punches you and you feel the hardness of BOTH sets of her armor.
>You fall into Sunset… Who hardly reacts to the impact at all.
“This is because of you, you know? Get up and help me!”
>”…Nnn…” … Sunset doesn’t even look at you while making that noise, and instead opts to continue to stare longingly at Artemis’ body.
“Ugh!”
>You get back up and face Lainah.
“If I win this I’ll make sure your cowardice goes down in history, you whelp!”
>”IF.” Selene starts shooting blasts at you.
>”Hehehe.” Lainah spreads her arms and sources axes that surround you and Sunset.
>You attempt to defend against it all with your own magic. They keep on coming.
>A few of Selene’s blasts start to slip through and hit you… it hurts.
>Shit! Lainah would be nothing if Sunset and Selene weren’t here. You should have asked Cadenza to come with you… Shit…
>The whirring of the giant wand grows louder. It’s emanating energy becomes severe like lightning. The inside of the orb looks like a whirlpool of dark blue death.
>You’re running out of time…
“Sunset, please! Artemis wouldn’t want you to give up like this! What about the others that followed us here? What about the settlement!?”
>…
>No response.
>You feel the sweat drip down your face as you try to deflect your two adversaries continued attacks both from you and the one behind you.
>Should you just give Sunset what she clearly wants and move out from in front of her? It’s certainly tempting.
>…But after you were just saved… you have no right to think like that.
>But what do you do!? You can’t move and can hardly get an attack out like this.
>More blasts cut through your defenses and the burns of Selene’s blasts begin to make your focus faulter.
>That’s it! It’s brutish, but you know what you have to do. Since Artemis weakened her, it may just work…
>You reel your arm back, and feel the magic flow to your hand.
>They’re tired, and you’re still strong. You CAN do this!
“Aaaaaggh!”
>With your war cry, you sweep your arm forth and your magic moves out toward Lainah and Selene like a tidal wave.
>*BOOM!*
>The room shakes and breaks (even further) as your attack sweeps through.
>You breathe harder as exhaustion starts to overtake you…
>Your eyes widen once the dust clears.
>A large shield that’s many times the size of a human protects your adversaries. It’s made of Lainah’s magic and coated with Selene’s.
>*CRACK!*
>The shield cracks, then shatters.
>Lainah and Selene are in the same positions as before—unharmed.
>Selene exits her lazily seated position with her fist on her cheek and sits up straight. “The difference between your power and Artemis’s is so utterly apparent. In both finesse and in brute strength compared to her you really are nothing. What a poor representative of our family you make.”
>You gnash your teeth.
>Lainah puts one arm to the air, and a large lance begins to form.
>Selene adds her own magic to it. The lance begins to spin and great magic seems to emanate from it like flames.
>Another sweat bead rolls down your face. 
>After your last attack… Can you even defend yourself from this?
>At once it launches.
>You reflexively put your arms in front of you to use your magic to repel it.
>*BOOSH!*
>The instant the two powers clash you feel the overwhelming power.
>You know you won’t be able to hold this off long!
>The screech of the friction between your boots and the floor fills the room as you’re pushed back.
>Pain fills the nerves of your arms as you’re reminded of the attack you just attempted.
>Is this really your ignoble end?
“C-come on. It can’t end like THIS.”
>Eventually you find yourself within arm’s reach of Sunset and Artemis… who are both in their same positions. One dead. The other dead for all practical purposes…
>Selene puts her arm forth once more.
>You instantly flinch, yet there’s nothing you can do.
>Yet nothing happens.
>You look back up to her.
>”For what it’s worth, you were helpful to me back before you decided to become a filthy traitor. Oh, what you could have had if you hadn’t crossed me. You reap what you sew. Give my regards to Artemis in the afterlife, little Veronica.”
>One more blast from Selene sends you to the ground next to Sunset.
>Your defense against the Lance ceases, and it’s acceleration quickly begins again uninterrupted.
>You close your eyes tightly.
“Nooo!”
>*BOOM!*
>You feel vibrations around you… but you’re unharmed.
>You open your eyes.
“…Sunset?”
>Finally, she’s standing up.
>And her wand is pointed at the lance. 
>An electric barrier protects you and her from it.
>”You…” Sunset looks up at Selene with a severe scowl. “You tried to hurt her AGAIN!”
>?
>Oh.
>You look back down at Artemis’ body.
>”You won’t lay another finger on her!” The barrier charges and expands as she says this.
>The lance and the barrier accelerate outward for a time before they both explode.
>Vibrations coat the room once again.
“Are you-“
>”Sorry Veronica. I’m alright now…” 
>She says that, but tears run down her face anew. She stares back at Lainah and Selene with fire and fury. She’s certainly high on her emotions…
>It’s better than her vegetative state from moments ago though.
>You stand up.
“Then let’s end this.”
>Selene’s eyes narrow slightly in annoyance.
>At this moment you suddenly become more aware of the hectic noise of the battle above. Looking up, you see through the ruined roof and the ruined top of the barrier to see the rogue witch airships shooting all manner of attacks at their enemies. The airships were built on this castle ground before magicopia spread you can tell, and there far superior to anything your settlement has. Thus, they’re fending off witches from your settlement and keeping them from the barrier opening despite being outnumbered.
>Selene really is riding everything on whatever that giant wand will do…
>You refocus on the room.
>*Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!*
>The giant wand begins to melt and wear down it’s immediate surroundings with its immense power.
>Selene looks over to it upon noticing the phenomena and smiles. “No matter the child’s renewed passion, this battle has already been won. But-”
>She looks back at you both, then stands and draws her sword. “I’ll at least give you the honor of dying by my hand. It’s what you’ve been waiting years for after all,… Veronica.”
>You tighten your fists. All those years… you did what this woman told you to do. Your mother never gave a shit about you. The abomination in front of you practically raised you. She made you do and see awful things. You never got to truly BE a child because of her. 
“Sunset, keep Lainah busy. I’ll-“
>”Wait.” Sunset speaks.
>You look over to her.
>Sunset grips her gold wand. “With your power… You’re the only one who can protect her body. Please…”
>”Still on that? Don’t you think it’s time to let go?” Lainah says indignantly.
>You look down at Artemis…
“Where could I possibly even take her in a place like this? And how will you be okay alone?”
>Sunset’s grip gets tighter and her frown gets deeper. “Even the next room is fine. Just put her away from these freak shows. I’ll be fine.”
“But-“
>”Shut up and do it!” 
>Sunset’s outburst surprises you.
>”Go wherever you want.” Selene begins. “There’s no stopping my victory now.”
>Sunset wipes her face and scowls at Selene. “I’ll blow your toy to smithereens. Then you’re next.”
>Selene smiles in amusement at this.
>Sunset looks at you. “Veronica.”
“Fine.”
>At that moment, Sunset points her wand at Selene and releases a ton of yellow lightning toward her.
>Selene puts up her left arm and counters it with her magic.
>You take the moment to turn around and pick up Artemis’s body with your telekinesis. The area preceding the throne room is peaceful enough. If it will satisfy Sunset, it’ll do.
>You hover Artemis near you as you sprint back towards the doors.
>Selene seems content to wait this out from now on… you should be clear to do this and come back.
>”No you don’t!” 
>You hear Lainah’s voice behind you and you instantly look back.
>Flying at you are Lainah magic arrows.
>You zig-zag your path to avoid the attacks yourself, and move Artemis’ body away from harm as well.
“The hell’s your problem!?”
>More attacks come your way.
>You slip through the door and behind the cover of the wall before they get to you or your ‘cargo.’ You’re back in the hallway leading to the throne.
>Lainah’s blue spears and arrows hit the area outside the door and burn and wreck the carpet.
>You peek through the door and see Lainah flying high speed on her broom toward you.
>*THUMP!*
>You use telekinesis to close the door on her. 
>You can’t help but chuckle a bit at that as you continue your sprint down the hallway.
>The door bursts open and this time Lainah’s magic is shaped like missiles. 
>You avoid them well as you make your way down the hallway. You shoot blasts back at Lainah to slow her down.
>As you near the other end of the hallway you float Artemis through the door back into the art room—then you close the doors.
>As you turn back you pressure Lainah’s rain of missiles with your own magic. You focus, and your aura overtakes her attacks.
>The missiles stall in the air before they can get to you. 
>”Tsk.” Lainah frowns.
“Now Lainah... what did you go and do that for?”
>You turn the missiles so that they’re pointed at her. Then, you put your arm forth and with a satisfying thud you close the door to the throne room.
“Now you’re trapped here with me. Surely you know how much stronger I am than you without your wrangler here.”
>Lainah dons her armor as you rain her own attacks at her.
>You feel the room vibrate as the missiles impact her.
>When you run out, dust covers the area where Lainah was.
>All you hear is the sound of the battle in the throne room for a moment before Lainah suddenly flies out of the dust cloud on her broom.
>She makes a beeline toward you.
>As she nears you, you stop her with your magic.
>”Uuugh!” Lainah struggles to move.
“Hmph.”
>You lift her to the ceiling…
>Then slam her into the ground!
>*CRASH!*
>Your aura blows up around her as she makes impact, making the attack stronger.
>A small crater surrounds Lainah’s form as she lies down. 
>You walk over to her and look down at her.
>She releases her helmet and scowls up at you. “Your face.”
>?
“What?”
>”You used to look like I do.” Lainah says. “You were the only one at that whole dreaded settlement that was even remotely relatable. What changed!?”
>You look down and inspect your hands… your gloves are ripped, tattered, and covered in dirt.
>You think of all that transpired during your stay at this one castle and almost get lost in your thoughts.
“Some things happened… And I met some people.”
>”What a joke.” Lainah replies flatly.
>”Like a children’s cartoon. You’re going to tell me THAT saved you from a life isolation and pain?” Lainah slowly and shakily sits up. ”You must be just as daft as that redhead on the inside.”
>You blink.
“I was never like you, Lainah. You chose this willingly. I never did.”
>Lainah narrows her eyes.
>The room is silent.
“Why did you follow me, Lainah? Was that really all?”
>Lainah struggles to stand up. “It’s Artemis.”
“Do you really want to desecrate a body that badly?”
>”Sunset… I hate her.” Lainah gets on to one knee and continues her struggle to a full stand. “She dare ignore me? I’ll show her…”
>You watch her as she shakily rises…
>You blink again.
“Your issues run deeper than I thought.”
>”I don’t need your pity.” Lainah spits.
>You raise your hand to her face.
“You don’t have it.”
>You blast her right in the face and send her flying back.
>”Aaagh!” Lainah cries.
>With your right arm you take control of Lainah’s body and begin slamming her into the walls, ceiling, and floor. Vibrations and rubble fill the room as you work your magic.
>You can’t help but smile a bit as you do this.
>This is good. You needed to let off steam, and you need to get rid of her quick and return to Sunset.
>One more fling into the ceiling and your aura explodes once more, and Lainah falls to the ground and shakily lands on all fours.
>You begin to walk to her slowly…
“Lainah, you’ve lost. Don’t stay and fight to the death for someone who doesn’t care about you. Get lost and never show your face here or at North Canterlot again.”
>Lainah looks up at you and smiles slightly.
>?
>”… Hehehe. You’re really not like me, huh?” Lainah stands up straight again.
>Then suddenly, she looks at you fiercely. “You think just because you were born with some half-decent magic you can talk down to me!?”
>!?
>”I don’t care who your parents were!” Lainah braces her self and gets into a stance. “You, Artemis, Sunset, I’ll show you all that you’re nothing compared to me!”
>Beside Lainah’s arms form two of the big lances. Complete with flame like thrust. Only this time, with drill tips. Lainah’s aura pours out from the weapons.
“Don’t make me kill you.”
>”I should be the one saying that to you, you dog!” The drill lances become bigger and spin faster.
>You put your palms forth toward her and prepare your magic.
>”You won’t beat me!” Lainah launches the drills and they tear through the wind. The thrust ruins the floor ever more, and you’re a little surprised at the high speeds too.
>A little…
>Your body becomes inundated with your own magic. You run toward the drills, and slide under them in a smooth motion.
>”Wha-?” Lainah goes wide eyed.
>You put your left arm forth and grab Lainah once again.
>*CRASH!*
>You hear the drills assault the wall behind you as this happens.
>You bring the girl toward you and with your right arm you punch her across the face.
“What a spoiled brat you are!”
>You keep her suspended in air with your telekinesis and punch her again with your left fist.
>Lainah’s saliva flies out of her mouth at the blow.
“Did you want this or something!?”
>You grab her face with both hands, and slam her head down on your knee as you lift it up.
“Your self-destructive behavior is unsightly and childish!”
>*BOOM!*
>One last time, you slam Lainah’s body into the ground and your aura explodes once more.
>”OOOOoooogh!” Lainah moans in pain.
“And get that FAKE out of my face. Everyone sees what it is!”
>You send a blast down on her left ‘’’arm’’’ and obliterate the armor. Her stump is revealed.
“A fake arm for a fake Sparkle… fitting.”
>You begin to catch your breath a bit… That was a little unlike you. But something about this girl… made you snap—despite the fact you hardly ever interacted with her before.
>…
>You can tell she’s grounded for good now. Her face is bloody and her armor broken. 
>You see something red and shiny exposed on Lainah’s back out of one of the busted pieces of her armor, and you recognize it as the red crystal.
>With your telekinesis, you float it up to your hand and catch it. Then, you pocket it.
>You see some… tears… in her eyes.
>The girl whimpers. “So… what if I did want this?”
>Despite the sounds of the battles right outside the room, the room feels silent.
>Lainah whimpers for a few more moments in this pathetic position.
>You look down at her. But this time… you feel some understanding...
>After a moment, you face a palm toward her.
>…
>Something feels wrong.
>You jump back!
>*POP!*
>Instantly you sneer.
>”Oh, puh-lease.” The abomination says. “I should be the one giving YOU that look.”
“Go die, Galaxy.”
>She’s back. Burnt outfit and all, but she’s clearly recovered much since your last encounter.
>Galaxy puts a finger to her cheek. “Ironic. I’m the one who’s exiting this place alive, after all. NOT you.”
>You scowl and get into stance.
>”No no no no no.” Galaxy waves her hands as if it would actually quell you. “No more. I’m out. I’m tired of this dump of a castle, really.”
“I don’t care.”
>You explode your magic behind you and propel yourself forward toward Galaxy as fast as possible.
“You won’t get away again!”
>Galaxy quickly grabs Lainah by the arm (that’s intact) and braces herself as you close in.
>At this you reflexively bring your right arm forth mid launch and shoot a blast at Galaxy.
>Before you know it you find that you hit.. nothing.
>Galaxy isn’t in front of you anymore.
>You put your feet down and skid to a stop.
>”Tsk, tsk, tsk. So fierce, Veronica.”
>You feel Galaxy’s voice behind you and you pivot around as fast as you can to find her with Lainah over her back and standing with a smug look.
>Your scowl deepens.
>”But you have no finesse.”
“You can’t fool me! I know you have no juice left.”
>You turn toward her fully and put a fist to your chest.
“I can kill you.”
>”Like I said, I have no need to fight anymore.” Galaxy looks over toward the door to the throne.
>You look over as well. You can hear and feel the vibrations from Sunset and Selene… How’s the girl holding up? You’ll have to help her. You didn’t expect this to take so long.
>”Selene won’t leave that room. Play with her.”
>You look back to Galaxy.
“I don’t get it. Why are you abandoning her? And why are you taking Lainah?”
>Lainah lies across Galaxy’s shoulder. She’s seems to have passed out somewhere along the way… 
>”Eh? She’ll be useful to us is all.” Galaxy points at you. “Especially since a certain filthy traitor decided to show her true colors.”
“Us?”
>Galaxy chuckles and quickly takes out a glowing purple wand and spins it.
>Shit! You were distracted.
“NO!”
>You shoot blasts at Galaxy who vanishes before they can come into contact with her…
>The room vibrates as your blasts strike the floor.
>You clench your fists and gnash your teeth.

~

>The giant gold wand emits dark power like a lightning rod of the gods.
>The shockwaves reverberate through the room as if it’s shining wings were truly flapping.
>The dark blue power inside churns, compresses, and rages. Like a dragon at slumber, it lies dormant in wait to flex its prowess to the world.
>You, Sunset—are going to end this! At any cost!
>Selene propels herself at you with her magic with the intent to skewer you with her sword.
>In a fit of adrenaline you (barely!) sidestep it, earning you yet another cut on your body in the process.
>As Selene passes by you retaliate by cutting the air with the electric blade emitting from your wand.
>The sparking arc races toward Selene.
>She puts and arm back and counters it with her own magic.
>*CRACK!*
>The clash cancels the two powers.
>”Putting that much power into just your wand, I know that’s hard on you!”
>She’s right… it hurts… your throat hurts. Your muscles hurt. You feel nauseous. And yet…!
>Selene turns toward you fully and puts her fingers forth.
>Five blue lasers arc toward you heart.
“Ugh!”
>You spin the blade and deflect the lasers.
>Selene does not give you time to rest and shoots toward you again.
>Her sword comes down on you again and you desperately deflect the blows with the electric sword.
>Your body is so slow... if it wasn’t for your main magic developing—the ability to know her intention ever so shortly before she executes it—you’d be long decapitated.
>But after all this… you have to find a way!
>You channel your magic to your wand and discharge a lot of electricity randomly.
>*CRACK!*
>”Guh!” Selene takes some damage, and is forced to defend herself and jump back.
“Agggh!”
>You hunch over at the pain of overexerting yourself.
>Then, you open your eyes and look at Selene.
“Your magic is weak now! I can win!”
>”Such bravado after such a disgraceful move.” Selene puts her arm forth and shoots a blast at you.
>You clumsily dive to the side to get out of the way. You land on the floor and slide awkwardly.
>Selene then chucks her sword at you. “I’m curious, Sunset.”
>You panic and scurry to plant your hands and feet into the ground so you can push off and avoid the sword.
>You land on your butt and slide awkwardly a few more feet.
>“What do you want out of this witch life we have?” Selene uses her telekinesis to grab her sword out from being embedded in the broken marble ground, and sends it at you again.
>You somersault back onto your feet and deflect the multiple blows of the floating sword with your electric blade.
“I want… to kill you!”
>With one last swing you hit the blade a fair distance away, then you point your wand behind you and set off and explosion to propel yourself toward Selene herself.
>You sense Selene will act before you make it to her, so you change your trajectory with yet another blast of your wand to avoid her attack.
>”Let’s say that’s possible. Then what?”
“What is this? A job interview!?”
>You see Selene’s sword coming blade first at you.
>You change your wand to hammer form and chuck it at it.
>*CLANG!*
>!
>You notice Selene closing in on you while you were distracted.
>You turn to face her, but it’s too late.
>You take a blast to your stomach and you’re sent flying several meters back.
>Pain reverberates through your body as you lay on the floor. Your body twitches as you fully take notice of your exhaustion and your injuries.
>Once the gravity of the situation enters your mind again, you clumsily and shakily sit up to look at Selene.
>”Your whole time here you haven’t truly been doing as you please, have you? Artemis has driven your destiny.” Selene points at you. “But now, you are free. Why does great witch Sunset Shimmer bear her magic?”
“I-I’ll use it to stop evil like you.”
>You put your arm forth to call your wand back, and it lazily responds. As it flies through the air Selene motions at it without even looking and intercepts its flight… She stops it mid air. It’s under her control as it is imbued with her dark blue aura.
>You scowl.
“How dare you say Artemis was controlling me. I believed in her! People follow great people like her willingly! She didn’t have to scam a bunch of rouge mercenaries!”
>Selene brings her sword and your wand toward her and catches them, then she begins to walk toward you.
>You scurry to your feet and your mind starts racing.
>What should you do?
>How do you fight now!?
>”Her sway over you and the others was just one of her tools to help her exercise her will on the world...” Selene twirls your hammer a few times as if to mock you, and continues her walk forth. “My mercenaries are MY tools…, but Artemis didn’t have the right tools to overcome.”
>Selene stands but about two meters in front of you now.
>You don a shaky stance and try to ready your fists. Your eyes are wide and you can feel the sweat pour from your face…
>Selene picks up on your anxiety and smiles. “What about you? Do you have the right tools?”
“D-don’t try to deflect. You just want power for yourself just for your sake!”
>”With the reclaiming of this castle, the resources witches have will be such that we can bring stability back to much of the continent.”
>You hate talking to her, but you secretly appreciate the moment to catch your breath. You feel the tremor of your hands due to exhaustion.
“You continued to experiment on people without magic. If you only had pure intentions, you’d have shared your knowledge of this place with Cloudsdale. Or us.”
>Selene shakes her head. “I’ve spent years gathering artifacts and reverse engineering forgotten spells to find this. This is a place where my family were the rightful and undisputed masters. Twilight founded it. It was hers. You respect your old friend, right?” Selene puts her arms up as to gesture at the grand (albeit now broken) place. “Do you seriously think I’d just give it up to the Celestia dynasty. Or worse, the Lulamoon dynasty?”
“I don’t know what problem you have with Artemis’ family, but it doesn’t matter. Dean Sparkles still there north of Canterlot. And if you haven’t noticed…”
>You gnash your teeth.
“You mercilessly killed Artemis!”
>Selene looks down for a moment. “Dean Sparkle huh? You really are naïve…”
>?
“Huh?”
>Selene readies her sword. “This place is my birthright, nothing can stop me from saving this realm. Not you, or-“ 
>Selene points your wand with her other hand to the side and shoots a blast that counters the one bursting through the door to the throneroom.
>The clash vibrates the tired room once more.
>”-or you, Veronica.”
>Veronica walks through the doors with an annoyed look on her face.
>Then, with a burst of her magic she jumps the long distance from the door over in front of you. “Lainah is of no use to you anymore. You can’t win.”
>Selene smiles. “The giant wand will pierce the barrier and annihilate everything outside it. It was the only way to capture this place with such little organization compared to your lot. It’s a spell they don’t know of or nor can they defend against. And… it will launch in about three minutes now. If by some miracle you killed me, what victory would you really have?”
>You walk over next to Veronica and get into stance.
“Together this time, alright?”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpoy309g5ro
>Veronica nods. “Hey Sunset…” The girl extends out her hand sideways to you while still looking at Selene. 
>Admittedly, it takes you a second to understand.
>Your fingers intertwine with hers and her intentions become clear.
>*You need to tell me what Selene is going to do as fast as you can.* Veronica tells you through her thoughts. *Only the combination of our powers stands any chance, get it!?*
“Yes, now get back!”
>As if on cue, Selene points your wand at you two and causes the ground below you to crumble like hyper quicksand.
>You and Veronica jump back and get your feet off the floor just in time.
>Veronica then shoots a few blasts at Selene, who deflects them with skillful twirls of her sword.
“How did you know I could read her movements from a distance now?”
>*You moved before she did anything when I saw you fight her. You move like an obese non-witch, so it’s obvious.*
“Thanks.”
>*So our plan, we have to attack the giant wand. Even if at the expense of actually attacking Selene. It’s the one with the time limit, not her.*
>Selene uses the orb of her sword and casts a spell. 
“Above you!”
>Veroinca looks up to see the ice spikes the formed from the air raining down on her, and she retaliates by crushing them with her telekinesis.
>*But we’ll have to be subtle about it. We have to make it look like we’re focused on her.*
“To the left!”
>A lion statue under the influence of Selene’s magic comes flying at you two.
>Both of you duck under it.
>Veronica blasts and destroys it.
>*Look at how she’s conserving her magic… I can hold her off. She can’t have much left.*
>Veronica swipes her hand and sends a thin blade of her blue magic to cut a column, causing the column to fall onto Selene’s position.
>*That’s where you come in. You can destroy the wand! Give it all you’ve got. As long as you can do it we can win.*
“But first-“
>*-your hammer, I know.*
>With your wand, Selene covers herself with a barrier.  The column breaks upon impact with it, leaving Selene unharmed.
>Veronica puts her free hand forth and influences the broken pieces of the column. They circle Selene and close in on her arbitrarily. 
>Selene cuts through some with her sword, then finally casts a radial spell that disintegrates the pieces.
>!
“She’s coming.”
>And as you predicted, Selene jumps forward using a boost of her magic.
>*Release my hand and go for your wand when she gets here. Don’t hesitate even if you sense her retaliation. I’ll take care of the rest. Trust me.*
>You give Veronica a nod then turn your attention back to Selene.
>In the blink of an eye Selene closes in on you two.
>You conquer your fear and stretch both arms out toward Selene’s right hand—which is holding your golden wand.
>As your adversary notices she begins to swing down on your face with her longsword.
>It takes all of your courage to not falter in the moment. 
>Veronica, please protect me!
>Surely enough, your hands land on your wand, and you hear a blast whizz by from Veronica that Selene was forced to defend herself against.
>Veronica closes in on her and aims a fist cased in her aura at Selene’s stomach.
>Seeing your chance, you cast an explosion from your wand to rip it out of Selene’s grip and get you away from her.
>Selene scowls deeply, then grabs Veronica by the neck before her attack can connect.
>”Gah!” The girl makes a throaty gasp as the pressure engulfs her neck, and her hands try to relieve the pressure instinctively.
“Veronica!”
>You turn and sprint back at the two.
“Let her g-“
>*BOOM!*
>Before you can finish the sentence, Selene throws Veronica at you using the force of her magic.
>You stop your run and catch Veronica.
>As you try to gather your thoughts, you sense that Selene will attack again with no time to spare.
>You jump back in time to see her blade pierce the floor in your previous position.
“Are you alright!?”
>Veronica rubs her neck, but doesn’t speak.
>*Yes.. put me down.* She thinks.
>You put her down and grab her hand once more.
>*Now Sunset, interrupting any spell causes absolutely unpredictable effects. So something this big…*
“I know.”
>You look at her and give her a bittersweet smile.
“Let’s win this. For everyone.”
>*Right.*
>Despite the gravity of the situation, speaking to Veronica through her thoughts feels oddly calming. It makes you feel very much NOT alone. It’s hard to explain…
>”Annoying flies.” Selene begins. “Your struggle will amount to nothing in the end.”
>*So, we’ll fake her out then. Stay a little behind me. Divert your course when the time is right. Get it? We’ve got just one chance at this.*
“Yes.”
>With a spin of her sword, Selene sources four fireballs that circle her. She then coats her sword with her dark blue aura and gets into stance.
>”Great witch Sunset Shimmer. Veronica Sparkle. Know that you didn’t ever have to show up here. Your end was the result of your own failures alone.” The aura around Selene’s sword gets more intense, and it beings to crack like flames and spark like lightning.
>Veronica releases your hand and reels her arm back to prepare an attack of her own. Compared to Selene’s aura, Veronica’s is a purer and slightly lighter blue. She looks on with pure determination in her eyes. Your shirt is tattered and torn, but Veronica’s robe is still in good shape comparatively. The red of her wear contrasts nicely with her hair, eyes, and aura.
>You grip your hammer in both hands and allow electricity to flow through it.
>In the blink of an eye, Selene begins her dash forward using a burst of her magic to propel her through the air.
>You and Veronica sprint forward on that note.
>With her free hand, Selene releases a large wave of her magic. It rivals even the attack she used when she first came face to face with Artemis. At the same time, she throws her sword and it spins like helicopter blades.
>The sword makes a beeline toward you. You have to defend yourself… should you still go for the big wand?
>Veronica responds by releasing her attack. 
>*BOOSH!*
>As the two great powers clash, Veronica uses her other hand in attempt to influence Selene’s sword.
>It slows it, but still you grab both ends of your hammer to block the incoming projectile.
>Even with Veronica dulling the force, you can feel the intense energy of the spin. You’re afraid it may even begin to break your wand if this keeps up too long.
>”Sunset!” Veronica exclaims. “I can take care of it. Remember?”
>You look over to her and give her a look to say: ‘Are you sure?’
>But with the determined look and nod as a response, you’re convinced of her capability.
>You break your clash and jump back. And you can see that Veronica’s magic has still slowed it.
>At once you turn on a dime and make a beeline for the giant wand. It surges still with ever increasing energy. And now, you can put an end to it!
>*SLASH!*
>”AAAAAAGGH!”
>You skid to a stop, and turn around at Veronica’s blood curdling screech.
>The sword’s tip has pierced Veronica’s side… right under her rib… She trembles as she keeps it from going any further with all her might.
>”Uggghhh.” Veronica whines, and sheds a tear. 
>Then her eyes widen.
>*BOOM!*
>In a fit of hysterical strength, she blows the sword far away across the room. 
>The power she uses to counter Selene’s magic wave falters. And she struggles to keep it at bay.
“Veronica!”
>”Well, well, well. Sunset. What will you do now?” Selene speaks while continuing the pressure of her attack on Veronica. “Will you abandon this girl to die to stop the great spell?”
>Veronica coughs as her legs tremble. “Sunset. Ignore her taunting… Break the wand. We don’t… have much time.”
>You watch the scene in front of you… Veronica pathetically covers her wound with one hand. Her glove is stained with her blood. Hunched over, she desperately pours blue magic out with her other hand to counter Selene’s attack. Her power is weak… She hacks and groans in pain as her wound screams at her excessive use of energy.
>And Selene? Is torturing her. You can tell she could finish off Veronica at any moment she wants. But for the sake of making this as painful as possible for Veronica, and out of morbid curiosity of what you’ll choose to do, she perpetuates this atrocity. With a wicked smile she continues her own magic wave with both hands. Her head faces towards Veronica. Her eyes face you as if to ask ‘What are you going to do about it?’
>And you? Are frozen in place. Standing. What do you do? If you take another step toward the wand, Selene will kill her. Could you even save her? You have maybe two minutes to break the wand. Even if you can save her, can you do it in time? And every second you sit here panicking over it… your chances of doing anything lessens! 
>”Sunset!” Veronica screams. “The wand! Destroy it!” Despite her attempt to sound determined, you can hear the fear and pain in her voice. The voice of someone who’s death is imminent.
>”Veronica.” Selene speaks. “I found you when you were a child. Your mother, Sharon, never cared about you in the slightest. A lonely girl with no connections.”
>Veronica does something in between a scowl and a face of pain.
>”Because you were my flesh and blood, and because you COULD have done good work with me, I took you in. But you betrayed me because you didn’t like my methods. What a petty reason to give up this whole castle for!” Selene increases the power she puts into her attack slightly, and Veronica recoils in pain. “You came to this place with the childish fantasy of getting revenge against me. You acted just as foolish as your rival, Artemis Lulamoon—and for that, you will meet her same fate no matter what Sunset decides to do…”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1UiD2sxoWo
>Veronica coughs once again and closes her eyes tightly.
>You lost your six friends from your own time. You have four friends missing in action through the chaos of this castle. You lost one due to Selene. But another…
>Your stomach drops and your eyes widen.
>You can’t lose another… You can’t lose another… You can’t lose another……
>”Sunset!” Veronica screams. “Please! Destroy the wand! End this!”
“I can’t lose another friend!”
>Your body MOVES. And you sprint to Veronica’s side.
>From your golden wand comes the gold electric blade, and you push it into the wave Veronica has made and add your power.
>Veronica looks up at you with wide, pained eyes. “What are you doing!?”
>”So,” Selene begins. “You’ve chosen to give up this castle and all North Canterlot for this de jure orphan. You’ll meet a fitting end as well, ‘great witch.’”
>Veronica gnashes her teeth. “What are you doing? Why the fuck did you come for me!? Sunset. You could have ended thi-“
“Shut up!”
>Veronica looks up at you once more, this time with a confused look on her face.
“You’re not fooling anyone. You planned this from the start. I didn’t need to read your mind to figure THAT out. You want to die with Selene in some attempt to make up for your past. Tell me I’m wrong!”
>Veronica only stares back.
“Selene was right about one thing, you came in here with such a childish mindset!”
>You pour magic into Veronica’s attack, and electricity flows through it.
>You bear your teeth as you do so, using so much wand magic makes your muscles scream at you. You won’t last long like this at all…
“Dying here won’t solve a thing. You’re not that isolated little girl anymore. People will miss you if you go. At least, I will… I know better than anyone else that people can change. I did unforgivable things to my friends in my time. Twilight included. I tried to kill her.”
>”Huh?” Veronica and Selene seem to react in unison to this.
“But she changed me. She forgave me even then. Still she called me her friend. If there’s hope for me then there’s hope for you too!”
>”An abominable act.” Selene says. “Even more reason to end this.”
>Selene’s wave becomes stronger, and both you and Veronica begin to skid back as you try to hold back her power.
>Sweat pours down your face as you feel the heat of the magic.
>”Aauuuuuhhhh.” Veronica wails as her wound pains her further. Her free hand desperately clutches the opening.
>You put in more magic into Veronica’s counterattack, but honestly, it’s negligible. The truth is your magic isn’t fit for such large attacks. Especially using wand magic.
“Veronica, you have more power. I know you do. Use it!”
>”Your story is touching and all…, but I’m really all out.” Tears begin to flow more freely from Veronica’s eyes now. “If you wanted to save me, you should have spoken up, idiot… 
>”I have no more magic.” Veronica grits her teeth and hangs her head as she puts in the last of what she has into this defense.
>The room weeps as the force of Selene’s blast encroaches on you two. Everything is broken now. The art. The windows. The ceiling. The only things that are in decent shape are the throne… and of course that dreaded wand—which continues to pour out power of its own like a dark thunderstorm. 
>Your life flashes before your eyes. And what an odd life you went through. Being raised in a horse world… Being sent here… making your friends… learning magic… then getting sent to the future. Let it never be said that you didn’t live life to the fullest!
>But you can go back to the previous question you asked yourself with more clarity now… What WAS it all for?
>Memories flow through your mind. One by one. The common theme of it all… 
>Your eyes open.
“No, you’re wrong!”
>”What do you mean?”
“Veronica! You have me. I’m your friend! Friendship is magic!”
>Veronica looks up. And her eyes widen as if she remembered something from a very long time ago.
>Then she blushes ever so slightly and smiles.
>Slowly Veronica raises her right hand which was once clutching her wound, and puts it toward her own magic wave. “And you call me the childish one… Saying that cheesy thing I haven’t heard since I was a toddler.”
>Veronica, with a smile, releases more magic into her own magic wave and pushes Selene’s back! “You really are a fake witch!”
>”So the orphan has another orphan. The result is the same.” Selene taunts.
>You look to Veronica, and give her a nod of confidence.
>Under the cover of the magic waves, you retract your wand from the clash and turn it back into a hammer. You imbue it with electricity.
>You throw it to the side, and it curves around the clash toward Selene!
>*BAM!*
>The attack connects. Selene is thrown off balance.
“Veronica! You can win! Use all your magic now!”
>Veronica inhales deeply and gnashes her teeth. With one last push she throws what’s left of her magic into the wave.
>”Guh!” Selene is pushed back, and stunned from the electricity of the previous blow.
>Selene sends the magic upwards thereby breaking the clash. The magic moves through the ceiling like a huge firework.
>*POP! BOOM!*
>The force of the two great powers shakes the room once more. All is coated in the blue light.
>With a mighty leap you make your way to Selene as fast as possible.
>You catch your hammer mid air.
>Selene hasn’t quite got her wits about her yet. Every fiber of your being tells you that you won’t get another chance like this again.
>With your left hand you catch Selene’s neck.
*Everyone that has ever fought alongside you did it for money or power. Not one joined you for your charisma, vision, or good judgement. You are alone. And so, you’re lacking in the most precious of magic that Twilight spent the bulk of her life in pursuit of. You attacked and assaulted various settlements for the sake of your goals, including my own. And because of that I came for you. You have never once shown any sign of repentance—so you get no second chance. You killed Artemis. In the same vein I will kill you.*
>You take Selene to the ground with the force of your impact.
>And with great force you bring your hammer down on her head…

~

>The bluehead clutches her side as she bleeds onto the floor. Her face contorted as she feels the pain. 
>The room roars as rubble, statue, jewel, window, and dust dance under the thunder of the giant wand and it’s dark blue winds. Its power reverberates and it feels as if you could almost grasp the pressure in the air.
>Despite all that, the girl is all you can see. And so you run to her.
“Veronica!”
>You kneel down and grab her shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
>”Yeah…” Veronica weakly says. “I’ll be okay I promise. Just please… Please destroy the wand.”
“Right.”
>You draw your wand and run toward it.
>As you pass the throne, you come face to face with it. As its power violently emanates through its surroundings you become a bit weary.
>You really hope you can destroy this thing… Only one way to find out.
>You turn your wand back into a hammer.
>Then, you chuck it at the orb of the wand with all your might.
>*CLANG!*
>The hammer comes back to you and you catch it, but there’s no visible damage on the wand…
“No…”
>”Keep trying!” Veronica yells. “Please! You have probably thirty seconds left!”
>You charge your hammer and hurl it at the giant wand again.
>And again.
>And again.
>And again and again.
>Still no effect.
>You begin to get frustrated.
“Damn it!”
>Orb tips usually aren’t this strong. Will all your efforts seriously amount to failing here!? 
>You clench your fists.
>You can’t lose here!
>”Sunset!” Veronica begins. “Try a different attack! Anything! Just stay calm and keep trying!”
>The wand and room vibrate violently as the time ticks. The wings of the wand look as if they might literally take flight.
>But… stay calm.
>This wand is purple at its base. With a blue glow due to the influence of Selene’s own magic, but the orb itself is purple.
>Your wand is red. You’ve been using emotionally charged attacks. Not so effective against this.
>But calm magic like that typically of a silver wand, should be able to do this.
>You turn your hammer back into a wand, point it at the giant orb, and close your eyes.
>This will take extra effort as you have an inappropriate wand tip and you aren’t very used to this spell. But you have to!
>You take a few deep breaths.
>Then, an ice cold beam of ice shoots from the tip of your wand.
>the ice beam pierces the orb of the giant wand.
>*CRACK!*
>The orb of the giant wand begins to crack, and great light shines from it.
“Yes!”
>You pump your fist.
>”Sunset! Good!” Veronica yells. She has a pained smile as she sits on the ground. 
>You run back over to her and skid to her position.
“Frankly… it still looks pretty violent. What now!?”
>”I don’t know. It’s effects are completely unpredictable now.” Veronica attempts to stand.
>You catch her as she falters.
>”Let’s get as far away from it as possible. I put Artemis in the white exhibit room.”
>You pick her up in a princess carry and sprint there.
>You try to drown out the cracks, vibrations, and pops of the lethal power behind you.
>As you run through the throne room doors into the hallway, you find that the cracks of the orb have spread throughout the throne room and into the hallway.
>This urges you to run faster.
“What’s going on?”
>Veronica simply looks at the surroundings silently. Sweat beads flow down her face in light of her pain. 
>You burst through the doors to the exhibit room in all its whiteness. At the bottom of the staircase rests Artemis.
>You run down the stairs and kneel down and place Veronica next to her.
>You see that the cracks have spread already to this room, and they emit shining lights.
“I… don’t think getting any farther will help.”
>”Yeah… You may be right.” Veronica simply looks up as she breaths deeply.
>You grab one of her hands with both of yours and squeeze it gently.
>Your eyes meet for a moment as the cracks spread and the Earth shakes…
“I don’t know any good healing magic, I’m sorry. Thank you for saving me back there.”
>Veronica smiles ever so slightly. “Of course. Thank YOU for saving ME. No matter what happens here, I can rest peacefully now. Because Selene is dead.”
>You give Veronica a solemn smile of your own.
>Veronica turns her head and looks over at Artemis… “Sorry I couldn’t move a little faster.”
“It’s not your fault. You went as fast as you could. I know you did.”
>The white light of the cracks start to shine ever more intensely. 
>Veronica stares straight up. “Sunset, is it really true? Are you from the past? Did you live when Twilight  lived?”
>It’s easy even for you to forget that you’ve only been in this time for about half a year. Your old time. Your old home. Hell, even your time back in Equestria. It all seems like such a distant memory. But there’s no mistaking it. All of your exploits with Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity were all real. You did know those near mythical figures in the flesh. You laughed and enjoyed time with them every day. 
“Yes… I am.”
>”That’s good.” Veronica chuckles. “It would explain your naivete. Living in such a carefree time.”
“You really must be okay to be taking shots at me in a time like this.”
>”I guess so…” Veronica closes her eyes. “On that note… Sunset.”
“What is it?”
>Veronica makes a smug smile. ”Friendship is magic? Seriously? How old are you again?”
>You feel your face heat up and your eyes widen.
“G-give me a break.”
>Veronica begins to laugh again.
>You point at her.
“Hey! Don’t forget you’re the one who was actually energized by it. You have to take some of the fall too!”
>Veronica’s laugh eventually ends and she caresses her wound and smiles weakly at the ceiling. ”… I guess you’re right.”
>…
>You two endure the shaking and deterioration of the room in silence for a moment, before Veronica seems to realize something.
>She reaches into the pocket of her robe.
>”Sunset, this is yours…”
>She hands you the red crystal…
“You got it back from Lainah…”
>You smile.
“Thank you.”
>*Thunk!*
>”Sunset! Veronica! Artemis!”
>You look over to see the doors to the exhibit room open. Out runs Amelia, Carrie, Cinderbelle, and Cadenza.
“Girls!”
>You get up and run to them, but you’re stopped by one of the cracks sourced from the wand separating you from them. The floor splits, and the white light from the cracks become impenetrable.
>”What’s gonna happen!?” Carrie asks.
>Veronica sits up while grasping at her wound. “A grand spell of Selene’s was interrupted. Anything can happen now.”
>”Artemis!” Amelia yells. “What’s wrong with her!?”
>The room shakes and splits ever further as you simply give Amelia a solemn look and shake your head.
>They all understand. Deep frowns are revealed across the board.
>”I know we don’t have much time, but if we survive this I’ll find you all. I promise!” Amelia bangs her fists against the barrier of the chasm separating you from her and the rest as she gives her oath.
>The light of the barriers becomes more intense. Just when it becomes so bright that you can’t see you speak one more time.
“I’ll never forget any of you! Thank you!”

~

>The room is cold, and filled with unfeeling, judgmental faces. Rows of seats behind and beside you are filled with witches that all wish they were somewhere else. There are no windows in the room, which makes you feel a little claustrophobic.
>Your robe (if the shredded thing could even be called as such anymore) was taken away. And behind your back are your wrists bound in a type of handcuff you’ve certainly never seen back in your time. A slight hum comes from the device as if it were a computer loading an enormous file, and you’re scared to figure out what it needs such cooling for.
>Beside you stands Veronica, who’s in a similar situation. She takes it as she seems to take the majority of scenarios in her life: by holding her poker face and staring forward intensely. Behind those eyes you’re not sure if there’s truly supreme calmness or it’s just a façade. You sure hope it’s the former, and if it is, you’re jealous of her composure.
>Veronica’s got proper bandages for her wound now..., but you can tell it still bothers her. Poor girl…
>You’re not without your share of bandages either. They itch. It’s especially unpleasant around your back and legs. You can only imagine how it is for Veronica.
>In front of you is the elevated judge’s desk. Complete with various grand symbols and art to decorate the honored position. And in the seat sits your headmistress—Spicy Sweet—with a disapproving face similar to everyone else in the room.
>”Now both of you are guilty of disobeying important orders. You interfered with an organized war effort for the sake of your own interests. Both of you are complicit in bringing danger to other minors—resulting in four missing in action,  one in critical condition, and two wounded. The two latter ones being you yourselves.”
>You scowl a bit and stare down a spot on the ground. 
>What a crappy situation. You didn’t think about all the things you did wrong when you went to the castle. You all were high on your determination to win. Who knew actions had consequences?
>”Also as a result you dismantled a grand spell with no preparation thereby causing the apparent scattering of countless people within the spell’s range. Many witches, both friend and foe, are now missing in action because of you.” The headmistress wipes her forehead, flips her hair, and sighs. “As headmistress, I sentence you both to five years of full time hard labor. Your rooms will be revoked and replaced with lesser ones conducive to the labor you perform. Your access to any unnecessary facilities within the settlement are revoked.”
>The headmistress brings her hand to her mouth and clears her throat. “You both can start with heading back to the castle. See professor Storm, as I’m sure there’s plenty of work no one else wants to do there what with the place being decimated and all—in part due to your actions. That’s all. We’re adjourned.”
>The bored faces around the room start to slowly come to life as everyone moves to leave and go on about their business.
>You breathe out deeply and get ready to move yourself.
>”But!” The headmistress speaks out and everyone freezes for a moment. “That’s what I had to say as headmistress. As a fellow witch here in this settlement north of Canterlot, I must acknowledge that you two indeed helped kill Selene. You did it in the rashest way imaginable, but still it was done. For that, I thank you both.” The headmistress smiles and nods at you and Veronica.
>You smile slightly and nod back weakly. You appreciate the gesture, but it just doesn’t stack up to everything preceding it. You’re exhausted… And you have somewhere you absolutely need to be.
>You and Veronica are led out by the headmistress and a few other high witches into a private room behind the court room.
>”Alright.” The headmistress starts. “You can take the handcuffs off of them.”
>One of the other high witches moves toward you two to begin carrying out the order.
>The headmistress begins to pace. “You know, you both ought to be incredibly grateful I could get your punishment to be as lenient as it is. Others have suggested things far worse.”
>You stretch and flex your wrists now that they’re out of their shackles. The air around them now feels heavenly.
>The headmistress stops pacing and faces you. “It was only out of the acknowledgement that you won and that you’ve been through the loss of friends already that I could make it like this. Sunset, Veronica. Rules are in place so that we wouldn’t have had to lose those girls.” The headmistress speaks with furrowed brows and a frown.
“I understand… ”
>This was hardly even your operation. Just your luck that you would have to take the meat of the blame.
>Veronica rubs the area under her shirt where the bandages cover her wound and sighs. “Thanks, mom.”
>The headmistress gives Veronica a stern look. Then she moves in on you both.
>You flinch… before you realize you’re brought into a hug.
>”You say that jokingly, but I consider myself a mother to all witches here. I worry when you girls are in danger.”
>Somehow this kind gesture makes you feel even more guilty.
>The headmistress releases her embrace. Then, she sighs. “In the wreckage of the throne room were three crystals they were using to power the large wand. The pink, the orange, and the white. We took them. It seems they must have gotten the orange crystal from Amelia somehow. Sunset, they almost got yours too, didn’t they?”
>You rub your arm and look down.
>”For security reasons-“
>You take your crystal off its necklace and hold it out to her.
“Fine. Just get it over with.”
>The headmistress methodically moves her hands to your palm and caresses it from the top and bottom. “Thank you, Sunset. I’ll do my best to protect it.” As she slides her hands off, she takes the crystal. “On a more positive note, we have all but one now.”
>Now when you got the orange crystal Evelyn had at the hotel settlement, that made four in this settlement’s possession—including yours. Then at Cloudsdale we got the blue crystal.
“Hmm? Which are we missing?”
>”The purple.” The headmistress states.
>Twilight’s… But that would be the last one you’d expect to be lost. Twilight’s family seems to be pretty on top of their history and belongings. How did they manage to lose it? On the other hand, it would be the most coveted too…
>You’re brought out of your thoughts by the approach of someone else.
>”Please Sunset, I have to ask-“ A red and orange haired woman among those presents steps toward you. “Please, was Cadenza alright? Did she get hurt?”
>You scan her worried face and clasped hands for a moment before you realize that this is indeed Mrs. Dazzle.
>”She was unharmed.” Veronia answers. “Consistent with the effects of the spell, she’s probably in an unknown location. But she was alright.”
>”It’s something.” Mrs. Dazzle smiles. “I hope she comes home soon.”
“I’ll find her.”
>All eyes are on you, as you stated this a little more loudly than you meant to…
“I promised her that I would.”
>”If you do, I’d be forever in your debt.” Mrs. Dazzle says.
>As you leave the room everything is a blur as you weave through traffic and obstacles to your fated place.
>Nothing else matters but this. Not the reunion with the gothic architecture of The Academy nor the various people trying to get your attention. 
>The door comes into view.
>*Slam!*
>Dr. Cream turns her head in surprise as you manhandle her door. “Just what do you think you’re do-“
“Artemis!”
>You waste no time running to the girl’s side and looking at her.
>Along her body she has a few magical contraptions that you don’t understand. Her chest rises and falls slowly and gently as she breaths. But her eyes remain closed. As you look upon her peaceful sleep, you’re almost calmed yourself.
>Dr. Cream walks around to the other side of the girl. “She really is a strong girl to have survived all that. It’s a miracle she’s managed to just become comatose rather than die.”
>You frown.
“When will she wake up?”
>”When she first got here she had burns and bruises all over her body and internal damage as well. Naturally, some of that damage went to her head as well.” The doctor runs her fingers over Artemis’ forehead and brushes her bangs. “Hence her state. I could manage to heal a lot of the damage, but I don’t know when she’ll wake up.”
>You lower your face closer to hers.
“Please wake up, Artemis. I’ll be here when you do. We said we’d go on a vacation together, remember?”
>”If I know anything about that girl-“
>Your head shoots up at the sound of Veronica’s voice. You didn’t even notice her presence until now…
>”-it’s that she wouldn’t let herself go so easily. She’ll be up again.”
>”Still, it really is a shame to see her like this. She was always so capable. It was like she was invincible.”
>You look over beside you to find that it was Gunnel that spoke those words. A girl you had to fight (and subsequently lose against) at the last assessment. 
“Oh, hey. What are you doing here?”
>She raises an eyebrow at you. ”What am I doing here?” Then she looks to Veronica. “How about finally seeing my team mate again after she ran off on a near suicidal journey.”
>Veronica simply blinks then shrugs.
>*Bam!*
>You jump at the sound of the door slamming open again.
>Dr. Cream gets agitated at this. ”You guys have got to stop do-“ 
>”Veronica! Sunset! What the hell happened back there!?”
>And here is Marble. Veronica and Gunnel’s other overly loud teammate.
>”You two are the talk of the settlement, you know.” She power walks over to Veronica and moves her face close enough to visibly make the bluehead uncomfortable. “You need to tell me the WHOLE story.”
>”Now’s not the time…” Veronica whines.
>Gunnel puts her fingers over her mouth and gasps. “Oh Veronica. Usually you’d close your eyes and brush her off with a snide remark. Now here you are blushing and acting all bashful, what happened?”
>”How annoying.” Veronica’s blush now gets to the point that you notice it and she pushes Marble away. “Me and Sunset have work to go do.”
>*Bam!*
>”Seriously!? There are other patients you’re disturbing with that.” The doctor begins to get agitated.
>”Yes, you two DO have work to do!” This time it’s an enraged Dean Crystal that bursts into the room. Wand drawn and all. Behind her is professor Storm, who makes a far more subdued entrance.
>*Pop!*
“Ow!”
>Dean Crystal hits your head with her wand, causing you to rub your crown with both hands.
>”What were you girls thinking when you decided to up and invade a dangerous hostile power!? Literally WHO even does that? Now one of you is on the bed and four are missing! Not to mention the all the other missing ones who got caught in the blast zone! There’s a difference between courage and stupidity, blondie!”
>Once the disorientation of the blow to the head subsides you respond.
“I already got chewed out by the headmistress in public, I know. Do you have to hit me though? Also, I’m only HALF blonde.”
>*Pop!*
“Ouch!”
>”Close enough!”
>Despite her rage, you find the dean to be a welcome sight. You missed her charming disorganization and (extremely) young looks for her age.
>Dean Crystal’s gaze then turns to Artemis and softens. “Still… You all fought Selene together and some of you got out alive. Good job I guess.” The Dean caresses the girl’s forearm, and methodically massages it down to Artemis’ hand. “I do hope she wakes up soon.”
>”We should get going.” Professor Storm finally speaks. “All of you. Especially the trouble-makers.”
>”All of us?” Veronica asks.
>”Yeah, yeah. All of us have to help out at the castle in some capacity.” Marble answers. “We just don’t have to do it for half a decade like you fuckups.”
>That’s right… Five years of hard labor. It definitely could have been worse, but it’s still not going to be fun. And what about your friends? Will they find there way back? You promised you’d all find each other again.
>You look once more at Artemis’ peaceful face.
>And when will this girl come back… You feel angsty. Something feels wrong. There has to be something you can do now instead of waiting and hoping things work out…
>*Creak…*
>You hear the door open one more time.
>”Headmistress Sweet, how are you?” Dean Crystal asks.
>”Good, good. Sunset, you left so fast and I forgot to give you something to deliver to Artemis.” The headmistress walks over to you and reaches for something in her robe.
“Something to deliver to her?”
>You look over to the sleeping girl.
>What could she possibly need right now?
>The headmistress finally gets what she’s looking for, and hands it to you. “Here. I found this in the castle as well. It seemed appropriate.”
>You see that it’s a paper, and take it from her.
>”Go ahead, read it.” 
>It’s… a letter?
>”Hurry up, now I really want to know what it is!” Marble complains.
“Fine, fine.”
>You clear your throat.
“Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 22: To my Beautiful Daughter—My Most Prized Possession”
“May 17, 2089”
“Isabella, you have no idea how happy I am that you were born on this day.”
“You’re special, I know it. It’s a complete miracle that you were born so soon after me and your father were married.”
“Right now, you’re next to me. I often lose myself looking at your brilliant grey eyes. Your white hair complements them. You have the serenity of the glaciers, and the calmness of the northern lights.”
“You cried but one time: when you left my womb. Since then, you’ve had the temperament of a monk, and the aura of an angel.”
“Not too long ago was my eighteenth birthday. For better or for worse, I’m not too old and wise myself.”
“But I will do my very best to learn what it takes to raise you right. I will make you healthy both in body and mind. Whatever threatens you threatens me. And I will help you navigate all the stormy waters of life.”
“You will always be a part of me. And I will always be a part of you. Even when we die.”
“As my mother is with me. And you will be with your daughter. May the gracefulness of the Lulamoon family last forever.”
“Sincerely,”
“Catherine Lulamoon.”
>You lower the paper and smile. The mood in the room changed dramatically. Smiles and reverent eyes can be seen across the board. 
>You’ll find your friends. And when Artemis wakes up, everything will be alright again!

~