>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 23: The Truth About The Purple Plague
>November 22, 2089
>I needed to write this because there are certain ‘people’ among us, and I use that term loosely, who would like to lie about this most terrible disease for the sake of the public perception of witches.
>I would say to these fools—we already are hated by them anyway. We’re doing the Earth no favors by keeping these things secret.
>No matter, though. History will judge these traitors as the most pathetic and cowardly things to ever walk this Earth. For that reason, no more is needed to be said on them for now.
>To preface, I am no scientist and I am no doctor. However, I have the great ‘pleasure’ of seeing the state of those infected by this atrocity at the quarantined zones of the witch academy. I am simply writing down what I can observe and what surface knowledge I know.
>Without further adieu, The Purple Plague (or Magicopia) is a mutation of influenza spurred on by being excited by the newly found magical energy that Twilight Sparkle found eight decades ago.
>It is highly contagious. The infected are killed about 40% of the time.
>All women who are not witches are vulnerable to the disease. All men are vulnerable to it bar none.
>Among witches all or at least the overwhelming majority are immune.
>After two days after catching the disease, the infected begin developing itchy rashes on the surface of their skin.
>Within an additional day the infected can be seen scratching furiously at their skin. The victims prioritize this over nearly all else, and even prioritize constant scratching over eating food or drinking water.
>The rashes take on a dreary purple color. Hence the name ‘Purple Plague.’
>It’s important to note that blights similar to the ones on the surface of the skin occur inside the body as well. This causes great discomfort to the victim, as they feel an itch on the inside of their bodies that they cannot assuage.
>Inside the quarantined zones of the bunker I reside at, it was not unheard of for the infected to commit suicide or cause irreparable damage to themselves at this point. But the relatively fortunate among them who do not damage themselves can experience recovery after perhaps two more full days of constant agony and screaming.
>The less fortunate among them have a much harder ‘life’ ahead of them.
>About a full 24 hours after initially showing symptoms, the dying infected will start to feel great pain instead of the previous constant itching.
>The blights that manifested themselves in their insides will begin to cause complications for the doomed.
>Internal bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. 
>The infected generally eat and drink less than normal upon first getting symptoms, but the dying victims cease all eating and drinking at this point. This is because the blights that fester in their throats begin to become painful.
>The risk of the infected committing suicide rises dramatically around this point. Even in the quarantined zones subjects were often found to have killed themselves with their bare hands, or were found to have repeatedly thrown their skulls at the walls or floor until they died.
>Victims that have not committed suicide by this point eventually die of dehydration.
>Upon inspecting the bodies of the deceased, it was found that in addition to the welts that spread over their stomach, intestines, liver, lungs, and the undersides of their skin—they also often developed cancer in various parts of the body. Though none lived long enough for it to become a serious problem.
>This disease spreads by touch. That is, touching the infected’s skin or any of their bodily fluids. And one is susceptible to catch it from the infected even before they begin to display symptoms.
>Lastly, there is no cure of course. No vaccine has been made either. And no spell known to witches can help it. In fact, any magic often intensifies the symptoms. It is to be expected, since the disease is essentially a non-witches’ incompatible body reacting to the magic-based mutation present in the disease.
>That’s all for now.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.
 
~

>You are Sunset. And you’re on a drive with your friends afterschool.
“It’s been a great week, honestly.”
>”You can say that again! Not only did we win our soccer match, but we saved the city three times! Three!”
>”Saved the city? Dear, we stopped some guys from robbing a convenience store and saved two cats stuck in trees.”
>”C’mon Rarity, don’t rain on my parade like that.”
>”She’s just speakin’ the truth you know, Rainbow.” 
>”I know. I’ve just been so excited ever since we got our powers. Just feels like we could be doing more, you know?”
>”Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still don’t know what these things can do. There could be unexpected side effects for all we know.”
>The girls fell to silence at Twilight’s words. It was an uncomfortable thought, to be sure. Objects like these are unprecedented in this world. For all you know they could be toxic to humans.
>You reach to your neck and hold your crystal up to your face.
>It shined a brilliant red. Just like the first time you got it. 
>After all of the odd magical phenomena that occurred ever since you’ve arrived in the human world you truly wanted to believe that some magic here could be used for good.
>”I want to put all of these worries to rest by running some simple tests on these crystals.”
“What kind?”
>”Nothing too fancy. Just measuring some…
>You zone out as Twilight talks. You don’t even try to understand the magical and scientific babble she says. Seems like everyone else had a similar idea.
>”Alright, alright. You can take it. Just spare me the egghead talk.”
>Rainbow Dash proceeds to hand her crystal to Twilight. You and the rest of the girls follow.
>You look outside and enjoy the lush, green landscape. In time you fall asleep.

“Who? What? Where!?”
>You wake up to the sound of clapping right in your ear.
>”It’s me Sunset. We’re at yer house. I’ve already dropped all the others off.”
“Oh.”
>You and Applejack share a giggle.
“Well, see you on Monday then.”
>Just as you’re about to leave the truck you spot something in the corner of your eye.
“Isn’t that Twilight’s phone?”
>”Looks like it is. She’s usually so meticulous about things. Seems odd that she’d forget it.”
>Applejack inspects it, and then hands it to you.
>”Look, granny will be real cross with me if I don’t get back soon. Could you do me a favor and bring this back to Twilight?”
“Yeah of course.”

>You pull up to Twilight’s house.
>The house is impressive. Like all of the houses in the neighborhood, of course. It’s to be expected of one who normally would be attending Crystal Prep Academy.
>It was large and well-kept. Along with the pristine lawn it went far in making someone like you who lives in an apartment feel out of place.
>You approach and ring her doorbell.
>Twilight opens the door soon after.
>”Oh, hey Sunset! What did you need?”
“You left your phone in Applejack’s van.”
>You hand her the phone and her eyes go wide with delight.
>”Thank you so much! I was so worried when I got home.”
>Twilight hugs you tightly and you return the gesture.
“Hey it’s not that big a deal. You don’t have to crush my spine.”
>She releases you. “Why don’t you come inside? You can see the progress I’ve made on inspecting those crystals.”
>You ponder the offer for a moment. It’s been awhile since you’ve been to Twilight’s, but on the other hand you don’t really understand her science experiments, nor do you want to have to assure her parents that she’s no longer being bullied at school again.
>”My parents aren’t home and I have lemonade!”
“Works for me!”
>You enter.
>To this day you remain impressed by how nice Twilight’s lab is even though it’s in her own home.
>You look around the bright finished basement.
>All the equipment was in its proper place and the room was very clean.
>Everything was meticulously placed just as one would expect any place where Twilight dwelled.
>The equipment was not all that fancy or expensive, but it got the job done whenever Twilight didn’t want to have to use the school’s equipment.
>You sip on your lemonade as Twilight leads you over to the bench that supported the crystals and a few chemicals.
>Each crystal is hooked up to either a geiger counter, oscilloscope, or other contraption you don’t quite recognize or understand.
>”Well, nothing about these immediately scream out danger. So I guess we’re good to go for now.”
“That’s a relief. So we can keep on ‘fighting crime.’”
>”You use those air-quotes now, but what about the next time some other weird magical event occurs? I think we should be prepared.”
>Deep down you knew she was right, but you wanted to believe that those kinds of threats would be greatly diminished. It has been a few months since the last time any of you have seen anything of the sort.
“So, what do you think we should do? Should a couple of teenage girls like us really be out fighting crime?”
>”I don’t know about that, but I do want magic to used as a force of good in this world. Since so few even know about it right now I think we’re in a position to set an example of how to use it right.”
>You take a moment to admire how far Twilight has come since she was the shy girl you found at Crystal Prep.
>Everyday she reminded you more and more of princess Twilight. She started looking more like her more every day too.
>It’s as if they’re the same person or something!
>You smile at Twilight.
>”What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.”
>”Well, I’m going to go upstairs to cook something. Come join me.”
“I’ll be right up.”
>Twilight ascends the stairs.
>You walk over and pick up your red crystal and put it around your neck once more.
>It seems childish, but having it around your neck makes you feel more secure. Magic or not, that it was one of the crystals among your friends made it feel special.
>You turn to leave the lab. 
>Your foot gets caught on a power cord, you trip and barely break your fall with your arms.
>The pain in your cheek is only barely suppressed by the adrenaline flowing through your veins when you realize that some of the contents of the bench fell onto the floor with you including the remaining crystals.
>You cover your head as you hear the glass of the chemicals breaking on the floor along with the metallic clangs of some of the equipment.
>When the chemicals met the crystals they started to glow.
>“Sunset! Get away, quick!”
>By the time Twilight’s voice registered in your brain and you began to move the reaction occurring with the crystals already reached it’s climax, and you are enveloped in a bright flash of light.

~

>Your whole body aches. 
>You can tell that you’re on the ground, in the dirt in fact.
>How did you get outside?
>Upon attempting to stand up, you’re met with fierce opposition from your muscles.
>After falling back to the ground a couple of times you manage to get up.
>You look around to see that you’re in the middle of nowhere.
>A dying forest, to be exact. The grass is patchy and a fair few of the trees are dead.
>You take out your phone and see that you have no service. No surprise, really.
>How did you get here? What were you doing before this?
>Oh right, you were at Twilights! And you ruined her tests on the crystals… Way to go, Sunset.
>You reach around your neck and are relieved to feel your own still there.
>It’s red shine calms you.
>You look around for any sign of civilization or landmark.
>You think you know this place, kind of. You and the class passed it on your trip to camp Everfree. At least this means you’re not too far away.
>Did those crystals manage to teleport you?
>You wander in the general direction of where you believe the road to be.

>You’ve been walking on the side of the worn road for hours and you’ve found nothing.
>You hear your stomach begin to groan. 
>You’ve been trying so hard to resist the urge to panic.
>You miss your friends… Is Twilight alright? Did she also get teleported?
>Panic starts to set in as you see the sun start to set.
>Will you really have to sleep outside in the middle of who-knows-where?
>It’s only getting colder and you only have your light jacket.
>You begin to walk faster knowing full well it won’t help.
>Eventually you find what looks to be a small carriage in the distance.
>You eventually catch up to it and attempt to get the attention of whoever is steering it.
“Hey, hey! Can I get some help?”
>The carriage comes to a stop and the horses grunt and neigh.
>A woman comes down from the steering seat and you see another exit the carriage.
>They both appear to be in their late twenties. They seem to be dressed in old, worn clothes.
>The one who was steering the carriage seems a little dirtier than the one who was in the carriage.
>Are they some kind of Amish people?
“Uh, hello.”
>”And just what is it you need help with?” the cleaner woman asks.
“I’m lost. I’ve been out here for hours. Do you know which way Canterlot is?”
>Both women give you a suspicious look and then one whispers something to the other.
>The woman who was steering the carriage begins to speak “Canterlot is over west maybe 20 or so miles, but why in the world would you want to go there? Honestly, you don’t look prepared.”
“Huh? No. My home and friends are there.”
>Both women look at you very skeptically.
>”You live there?”
>Is your hometown really that hated?
“I know it has it’s share of problems more than anyone. And sometimes I wonder if there are some better places out there, but regardless it is my home. Anyway, thanks for the directions.”
>You begin to walk away and pull out your phone to check the time.
>”Wait. Just where did you get that thing?” 
“My phone? I bought it a few years ago…”
>You hear one of them whisper something about old world technology to the other…
>”I’ll trade you for it.” The cleaner woman asks. “20 coins and about a weeks worth of crops. I’ll even give you a ride if you want.”
>Just 20 coins? That won’t even come close to cutting it. And though you’re definitely hungry, you think you can make it home in one more day at the most.
“No thanks. Thanks for the help.”
>You continue walking.
>”…Take it from her.”
>You stop in your tracks, and look back to see one of the women running at you.
>Before you can react you get punched in the face. Your phone goes flying.
“Ow!”
>You rub your face and attempt to quickly regain a sense of reality.
“Sorry, but I know a guy who will pay a lot for this thing. You should have known better than to wander out here alone!”
>The horses are whipped into a sprint and they get away.
“Wait! Give that back!”
>You make a fruitless attempt at trying to catch them, but ultimately fail.
>Your eyes well up with rage and frustration.
>You scream at the top of your lungs.
>How could everything possibly go so wrong so fast? You did nothing to deserve this.
>For returning a friends property to her, you somehow managed to get your property stolen from you. 

>More hours have passed and it’s gotten dark.
>You lay down on the cold hard ground.
>Your jacket serves as the only thing keeping you warm and separating your body from the dirt below.
>How did it turn out like this!?
>You try to remember your life back in Canterlot. Your modest, yet cozy apartment, the school, the local stores—all of it.
>You took it all for granted. And even though on any absolute scale you’re right next to it all, it all feels so far away.
>Why did the crystals have to teleport you here? Why did the only other humans you ran into have to mug you? Why does the landscape look so depressing?
>Everything starts to irritate you. You feel sticky and gross from being outside all day, and having to sleep outside.
>Somewhere along the night, you fall asleep.
>A full day has passed since you got mugged. At least you think. You no longer have any method of telling the time.
>As it turns out, 20 miles is a lot for 24 hours when you’re on an empty stomach.
>And you have not eaten or drank since you got mugged…
>You run into a large hill and begin to walk up it. Your legs roar in protest.
>It’s all so demoralizing. 
>As you get top of the hill hope begins to brew in you that you’ll see Canterlot at the top.
>The burst of energy is almost enough to get you to forget your aches and hunger.
>As you jog up it looks like the peak is moving away.
>Painful stride by painful stride you make your way up to look over the cliff to find… nothing.
>You recognize the landscape. In the distance you should be seeing your home.
>Instead you see some… ruins.
>A lot of decayed and unkept buildings. Many have fallen or are falling apart.
>The vegetation is starting to overtake this place. Various plants threaten to overwhelm all of the man-made structures.
>You recognize some of these buildings. In fact, Canterlot High can be seen from where you stand.
>Your stomach sinks.
>The last thing you remember before this all began was the shining light of the crystals.
>Did you… do this?
>You breathing becomes quick and erratic, and your pulse increases dramatically.
>Your school. Your neighbors. Your classmates. Your friends. Your friend’s families. Could you have fucked up and killed all of them?
>You scream and wail at the top of your lungs once again. And keep doing so until you no longer have the energy to continue.
>You, Sunset Shimmer, are the pathetic girl that managed to kill countless people by tripping over a damn wire. All this not too long after antagonizing many of these same people as a literal while they were just trying to go about their school lives.

~

>”It makes me sick that we have to be anywhere near this place, Artemis. I mean, this really shouldn’t be our job if you think about it.”
“Yes, I know. In case you didn’t think I picked up on it the last 17 times you’ve mentioned it.”
>”I keep mentioning it because I need you to relate to me and lessen my annoyance. Just what does the headmistress think she’ll find here?”
>For the record, you’re not too thrilled that you got this job either. But when one of the higher ups detect strong magic relatively close to the academy someone has to investigate. 
>”ACK! GUHH!”
>You look back at Amelia.
>”Uhh, might have just caught a bug in my mouth. Eww.”
>You smile and look forward. You find Amelia to be amusing sometimes. And it was nice to get out every once in awhile and fly on your broom.
“The magicometer. Is it picking anything up, Amy?”
>”Yeah. Looks like our target is up ahead a mile or so. She’s probably in Canterlot.”
“I get it, let’s hurry up.”

>This isn’t the first time you’ve stepped foot in this place, but it still has the same effect on you that it did the first time you came here.
>You had a love hate relationship with Canterlot.
>On one hand, it was depressing to see the long abandoned lives of the ones who once resided here.
>Doubtlessly, there were dreams that were never met. There were promises never fulfilled. Families that have been here for generations were here no longer.
>On the other hand, that the ruins were still here at all was fascinating to you. You get to see a glimpse into a long lost age. Supposedly an age of abundance and great prosperity.
>Not anymore of course, the place has been abandoned and re-abandoned.
>Once many a conflict was fought for the old technology and resources that were here. Now just about everything of value was gone from all buildings.
>All that is left is the peculiar fusion of forest and civilization.
“Are you sure it’s here?”
>”Doubt me do you?” Amelia tosses the magicometer to you and you catch it.
>The device was warm as usual. An odd contraption made from both parts from old world technology as well as the magic-based parts that are had today. It was the newest version of a device once invented by one of the founding witches.
>You inspect the screen and see that the object in question—whatever it is—is in fact here.
“It’s near here.”
>You direct Amelia’s attention to a building with a horse statue. The statue has moss covering much of it, and many parts of the horse are broken off such as the tail.
>As you circle the statue you admire it’s features, and fail to immediately see the girl sitting and staring at the base of the statue in the front.
“Hello?”
>She continues to stare blankly at the statue as if she didn’t hear you. She sits there motionless. Amelia appears confused as well.
>You begin to wonder if she’s even alive, and you approach her.
>”None of this makes any sense.” She speaks softly.
“What was that?”
>”This town was fine just a few days ago. Did I do this?”
>She might be insane.
>You consider ignoring her and leaving before you see a shiny object around her neck.

>You are Sunset.
>Who are these girls?
>You didn’t mean to speak your mind out to them like that, but in your state of confusion and disarray you just felt compelled to say it.
>There are two girls before you. They’re in matching outfits. Long dark red robes with an emblem in the front. Both are wearing white gloves.
>Both girls appear to be around the same age as you. One is much taller than the other. The shorter one has long white hair. She appears calm and calculating. She looks at you with a questioning and curious look.
>The taller girl has blonde hair that’s about shoulder length. She looks at you with a bewildered look.
>”That jewel around you neck, what is it?” She asks.
>Remembering the two women before who mugged you, you clench the crystal tightly and tense up.
“Nothing. Just a worthless thing my friends gave to me.”
>”Hey, we’re witches from The Academy, so there’s no need to be so afraid. I’m Amelia and this tiny one is Artemis. What’s your name?” The tall blonde girl, apparently Amelia, asks with a smile.
“Sunset.” 
>”Reminds me of names from old times. I like it!”
>Amelia walks over and sits on her knees next to you. “The thing is our headmistress is really interested in that crystal. So, it would be a great help to our cause if you would cooperate with us on this!”
“…Witches? And what’s The Academy?”
>Amelia’s face takes on a look of pity mixed with uncertainty
>Artemis approaches you and holds out her hand. “I’ll help you up.”
>You take it and stand.  
>Looking down at her you can see that she has a soft smile on her face. She continues to hold your hand.
>”I get that it all might be confusing to someone new to it all, but we really do mean no harm.”
>Artemis places her other hand on top of yours.
>”We’re not going to take it from you. We only ask that you come see our headmistress and discuss it.”
>You look into her eyes. This person is a stranger, but the truth is you have nowhere to go anyway. Your home is apparently gone anyway. Along with the entirety of your hometown.
>These two don’t seem immediately dangerous either.
“Alright. I’ll speak to her.”
>”Are you sure about this, Artemis?”
>”Yeah. She won’t be a problem, I can tell.”
>”I know better than to doubt your judgement.”
>Artemis releases your hand and speaks again. “I get the feeling you haven’t gotten anything to eat or drink for awhile. Is that right?”
“It’s been a few days…”
>Your stomach begins to growl. It makes you feel embarrassed.
>”Come with us.” Artemis says.


>Amelia and Artemis walk you out of the ruins of Canterlot and back into the forest towards where you assume the aforementioned Witch Academy is.
>Soon it becomes dark outside, and they decide to stop and set up camp.
>”Alright Sunset, prepare to be amazed at my genius!”
>Amelia claps her hands and slowly pulls them apart.
>A small white sphere of light manifests itself between her hands and slowly grows as she brings her hands apart.
>Out of the sphere comes a large tent and three sleeping bags.
>Just how did she do that!?
“Wow! With witch magic you can make those!”
>Amelia grins a big grin, puts her hand on her hips.
>”Yeah, I’m just that good.”
>”She didn’t make it at all.” Artemis adds. “It’s merely a storage-transportation spell.”
>Amelia deflates. “You could have given me a slightly longer time in the spotlight!”
“Well, it’s still pretty amazing to me.”
>”Yeah, yeah.”
>Artemis sighs. “You’ll learn to regret inflating her ego.”


“Just explain it all like I’ve come from another world, alright. It might as well be true.”
>You, Artemis, and Amelia are sitting around a fire while finishing your food.
>Or more accurately, while they finish a fiery session of ‘take modest bites of food while watching Sunset scarf down a metric ton of corn and beef.
>Artemis begins to speak. “As was said, we are witches. Some of the few women in this world who can use magic.”
“Since when did witches exist?”
>”A little more than a century ago or so? Probably. Hard to keep track of things that happened before the world became what it is… 
>You sit in the expectation that she will go on.
>”First, there were six founding witches. They were the first known to have ever used magic. They spread their teachings on how to use magic for good among others. And so our order was born.”
>Six?
>”Naturally their powers brought with them a lot of persecution from others. Accusations of being demons or mutants and what not were not uncommon. Even if the witches did good in the world, some would just point to any mistake they made as a confirmation of how terrible witches were for the world.”
>”But when the plague spread everyone blamed it on witches. They believed we caused it.”
“The… plague?”
>”There’s no way.” Amelia says. “Were you genuinely living under a rock? You could not have missed this your whole life. The plague? You know the thing killing humans all over and keeping our population at a hard cap of like two people?”
“I… lived an extremely sheltered life.”
>Well, it was technically true.
>”It’s a deadly disease that can only affect and kill non-witches.” Artemis adds. “The world was depopulated all over. Nearly all cities became like the ruins you saw today at Canterlot solely due to the lack of people needed to keep up maintenance on them.”
>Just what’s going on? Did travel to some alternate dimension?
>Artemis continues. “The persecution witches received increased ten-fold as the disease broke out. Eventually we retreated into secluded places and only took care of ourselves. Many of the ones who could create and operate the technology of the past died out.”
>You stare at the flame and attempt to take it all in. This ‘bizzaro history’ absolutely confused you.
“…What were the names of the six founding witches?”
>”Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle.”
>You’re in the future.
>Somehow by tripping over a damn wire you managed to fuck up and teleport yourself more than a century into the future.
>Your friends are dead. You have nowhere to go.
>Earlier, you checked the horse statue. It was irreparably damaged. There’s no chance in hell you could go to Equestria.
>”So Sunset.” Amelia says. “Can you tell us where you’re from?”
“I’ll meet with your headmistress.”
>Both girls are a little taken aback by your sudden exclamation.
>With a determined look you say, “I’ll explain everything there.”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 45: The New World
>June 7, 2094
>By the way, the world is quite empty now.
>Again, recently we witches finally stopped hiding in our bunkers.
>In just a few short years, the population has dropped drastically. In a city you can find only a few scavengers now.
>We managed to find a few enclaves of non-witches who have also secluded themselves from the outside world during the debacle. It took awhile to find them even with our magic. Clever hiding places indeed!
>Unfortunately, there are still those who catch the purple plague. 
>Luckily, they’re in only certain regions of this country (if you can even call it a country anymore), so you can be reasonably certain where the disease is and isn’t.
>As for the cities, truly there is only so long they will be able to stand proud.
>They’re already showing their age, but with too few people available to do the proper maintenance they will inevitably decay.
>We witches did not bother to take in any books on the most advanced of the past technology, so it’s only so long it can be used. No one knows how to make more.
>No one from the healthy human enclaves found know how to make more.
>All that is left is the hybrid technology that the witches have pioneered by the great witch Twilight Sparkle. The magicometer being the first of its kind.
>Who knows how this new world will turn out.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You wake up in the morning to the sensation of Amelia poking your cheek.
>”Up and at ‘em!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
>You get up and go through your new morning routine of dusting yourself off and trying to do your hair all with your hands. You still haven’t gotten used to this world without make up, shampoo, or deodorant and you don’t think you ever will.
>Artemis walks over to as you stand up. She’s holding a short staff that seems to be partially electronic and partially magical in a way you don’t quite understand.
“What is tha-oh!”
>She taps your forehead with the top of the staff that has a small shiny orb the size of a baseball. It’s warm to the touch.
>You feel your body become noticeably less sticky and grimy. Your clothes are now free of dirt as well.
“Wow! I feel great.”
>”I could no longer stand your stench.” Artemis remarks.
“Thanks.” You reply sarcastically.
>Artemis giggles. She waves the same staff in the air as all of the sleeping bags as well as the outdoor tent that served as your shelter are sucked into that same orb.
>”You’ve never flown on a broom before have you, Sunset?” Amelia asks. 
“I haven’t.”
>”You’re gonna love this.” Amelia picks up a staff like Artemis’.
>The girls’ staffs transform into ‘brooms.’ Not like the typical broom you know though. 
>The front end of each broom had the same orb in the staff’s original shape. The rest of the body of the broom was half glazed-finished wood at the top. While the bottom of the brooms body was like that of a slick electronic.
>The bristles in the back split to reveal a flame that seem to act as a kind of faux thruster.
>Artemis signals for you to come over to her.
>”Now stand behind me with your legs on either side of it just like you’d expect. And grab on tight.”
>You do as instructed and wrap your arms around her waist. Heat can be felt throughout your body from her own body heat as well as from what you presume to be her focus of energy.
>The broom slowly rises your body off the ground.
“Whoa. We really are flying on a broom!”
>”Is your grip steady?” Artemis asks?
“Yea-“
>You begin to accelerate much faster than you expected. Your heart stops for a moment and you reflexively hold tightly onto Artemis.
>After you get yourself together you observe your surroundings.
>You can see the vast landscape pass you by as you zip through the skies. 
>You can still see the remnants of your home town when you look back. Everything that’s happened since you’ve tripped more than a century ago… it all still overwhelms you.
>Over to your side you can see Amelia riding on her broom. She notices you watching and smiles.
>It occurs to you that the ‘thrusters’ in the back of the brooms are mostly for show. A white flame is cast from them, but you feel no heat from them.
>You’re a little anxious over what this witch academy will be like, but if it was really founded by your friends then how bad could it be? Besides, Artemis and Amelia don’t seem like bad people.
>The rising sun warms your face as you ascend higher into the sky. You feel oddly calm.

~

>”Sunset, we’re here.”
>You look up in response to Artemis’s voice. Somewhere along the journey you started to zone out. 
>If it wasn’t for the fact that you were afraid of falling off the broom you might have even fell asleep.
>Far into the distance you can see a large settlement on the ground. 
>It’s surrounded by a tall wooden fence and there are guards positioned in various locations around it. 
>The settlement is comprised mostly out of wood cabins, shacks, gardens, and small farms on the outer portions.
>Toward the middle of it you can make out a castle. 
>”Normally we’d be able to fly in.”  Amelia says.
>”But if you attempted to cross the barrier from the sky you’d probably set off some alarms.”
“Barrier? But I don’t see anything.”
>”It’s magical! Duh.”
>Readjusting yourself after landing proved to be a bigger challenge than you thought.
>You stretch out your legs and attempt to get the blood flowing again.
>Artemis and Amelia’s brooms retract back into the staffs they were before.
>Amelia speaks to you. “Look alive, you’re about to face the guards.”
>Looking up, you can see the gate that leads into the settlement. 
>It’s a heavily fortified part wood, part stone structure. It rises about 40 feet high and looks very thick too. Guards are stationed all over the whole fence, but especially so at the gate.
>Guards also monitor the border of the settlement from atop the fence. Every guard is in witch attire like Aretmis and Ameila wear. 
>They’re in various different colors, but they all wear a type of robe with an identical emblem on the front.
>You approach the guards in front of the gate with Artemis and Amelia to your sides. You suddenly feel extremely self conscious of the fact that your clothes are different from everyone around you.
>The guards in particular have large, embellished, and intimidating staffs along with robes that are a powerful shade of red.
>They make eye contact with you and you can’t help but feel much smaller.
>One of the guards speaks up. “Artemis, nice to see you again. Who is this?”
>She wastes no time questioning your presence.
>”The headmistress has business with her.” Artemis replies.
>The guards both eye you up and down and you start to become nervous. One guard motions for you to approach them.
>”Come here, miss.”
>You do as they say and try to look natural. The attempt is probably failing.
>One guard takes a stone out of her pocket. “Your hand, miss.”
>You raise it. The guard takes your hand and places the stone in your palm and holds it there for about 5 seconds.
>She removes the stone and inspects it for a moment.
>”Alright she’s clean, go on ahead.” 
>The large door becomes coated in a magical aura and then begins to roar open.
>Entering the settlement you a greeted with the most lively place you’ve seen since you time traveled.
>It’s by no means crowded, but you can see shops, markets, and eateries scattered about the settlement. All structures seem to be cabins made of wood.
>And for the first time since you’ve arrived you actually see men and boys. 
“Hey Artemis, are there any men that can use magic?”
>”No. At least not in recorded history.”
>Bummer. That would explain why all the guards are women.
>You mount the broom again along with Artemis and take to the skies.
>As you approach the center of the settlement the wood cabins and modest shacks start to turn into ambitious homes with stone finishes and much more well-kept vegetation. It’s in stark contrast to the disarray and depressing landscape outside the settlement.
>You land in front of the large structure at the center of the settlement which you assume to be the academy. It looks like another settlement inside the settlement. The academy as a whole is almost entirely gothic architecture including the walls that serve as its outer portion.
>Artemis walks to the doors that lead into it and puts her hands to the door. She casts some kind of spell and the doors begin to open.
>Inside you see a very  well-kept courtyard along with many witches going about their business. Some eye you questionably, but continue on their way as they notice Amelia and Artemis to your sides.
>You become increasingly more insecure over your attire… Your jacket looks casual and tacky compared to the witch attire. If only Rarity were here to see this…
>The inside of the academy is similarly well kept and clean. You pass by classrooms, libraries, eateries, and even a few rudimentary labs. You imagine some witches were probably pretty out of touch with the outside world given the high class lifestyle they live compared with the rest of the settlement.
>”So, what do you think?” Amelia asks. “Neat huh?”
“Yeah. It’s a very pretty place.”
>”You aren’t as excited as you should be. Still thinking about what you should say to the headmistress?”
“Yeah…”
>Amelia puts an arm around you and pulls you close.
>”Well I can tell ya that you’re probably stressing far too much. The headmistress is real down to earth.”
>You sure hope so. You’re going to have to explain how you got an apparently highly important item to a high-ranking individual from a world you’re completely unfamiliar with. You still haven’t even decided the best way to go about this. Should you lie about how you’re somehow from the past? Do witches believe in time travel?
>You’re led to a highly embellished staircase that’s protected by two more witch guards. Artemis and Amelia approach them. One of them begins to speak
>”Artemis, Amelia, and… Sunset?” the guard asks.
>How the hell did she know you’re name?
>”That’s right.” Artemis replies.
>”Go on ahead. The headmistress was expecting you three.”
>The guards part and clear the way up the staircase. You can’t help but get more nervous.
>The guards eye you as you pass through.
>The staircase is long and is shaped in a spiral. You suppose a room above all the others in the academy is fitting for someone who is apparently the head, but it doesn’t do much to ease your nerves.
>”Arty, are you feeling what I’m thinking?” Amelia says.
>”Yeah. There’s no mistaking that aura. Dean Sparkle is here.” 
“Sparkle?”
>”A descendent of Twilight Sparkle.” Artemis replies.
>”And she has a huge stick up her ass for it.” Amelia adds. “She’s probably not gonna be too happy about seeing an outsider in this academy.”
“Just my luck…”
>But how bad could she be? She’s related to Twilight after all. You know your friend is good-natured.
>At the top of the staircase Artemis opens the highly decorated door to what you assume is the headmistress’s headquarters. You and Amelia enter behind her.
>You enter the room to see a table surrounded by what you assume to be high ranking witches. The table is a well-finished wood carving with a lot of symbols you don’t recognize.
>The room as a whole is well decorated. There are art pieces as well as various pieces of technology that seem to be partially futuristic, but degraded and refurbished with more rudimentary parts. 
>At the tail-end of the table you see a woman with light blue hair facing away from you. She’s in the most brilliant and most decorated witch robe you’ve seen. You can only assume this is the headmistress…
>All of the witches in the room save the headmistress turn to eye you. 
>You become exponentially more insecure about your clothes.
>”Sunset, I’ve been expecting you.” The headmistress speaks.
“H-how did you know I was coming? And how did you know my name?”
>She chuckles an eerie chuckle. “I have my ways.”
>”I told her using a short-range communication spell.” Artemis states matter-of-fact-ly.
>The headmistress turns around with a flustered look.
>”Gee, thanks Arty. Way to ruin the dramatic tension there!” The headmistresses voice is suddenly far more natural and friendly.
>You hear Amelia laughing next to you. “Yeah, she was shaking in her boots. Why did you have to ruin it?”
>You give Amelia an unamused glare. Amelia smiles in return.
>You take a good look at the headmistress. She’s a tall woman who looks to be in her early 30s. Her blue eyes match her light blue hair. Her hair is very well kept and is about shoulder length, and her face houses a very nice smile with a few freckles to complement it on the sides.
>She stands from her seat and speaks more. “You were supposed to sweat buckets at the sound of my mysterious voice, and shriek at the thought of my otherworldly powers before ‘someone’ ruined it all.”
>She begins to walk towards you. “But let’s cut to the chase. We’re here to talk about this crystal around your neck.”
>”You should know that we witches are very particular about collecting all magical artifacts. Both due to sentimentality and so that they don’t fall into wrong hands. We believe that particular crystal is closely related to the geodes of our six founding witches.”
>”As headmistress and the descendent of the great witch Sour Sweet I must do my best to expand our collection when we can! We don’t mean to rob you or hurt you at all. In fact we’re here to negotiate…”
>Sour Sweet huh? You never would have expected that one.
>The headmistress comes closer and puts her hands on your shoulders and looks you right in the eyes. You find her touch comforting.
>”So, can you tell me all about how you came across that beauty? And what can I give you in exchange for it?”
>She looks incredibly sincere. Which is why it hurts you that you have to say-
“It’s not for sale.”
>The room is dead silent.
“This crystal… is a one of 7 that I shared with my friends. This might sound crazy, but I just don’t know how else to explain it. I come from the past. Back when Canterlot was in tact. Twilight was running an experiment on the crystals that messed up and sent me here.”
>The headmistress stares into your eyes blankly, as if she’s searching deep and desperately for some answer to everything.
>You look around the room to see plenty of disapproving looks from the witches around the table.
>Artemis and Amelia look shocked as well.
>One witch in the back rises and begins to speak. “Well, I think we’ve had quite enough of this.”
>The middle aged woman looks at you fiercely and you feel your heart skip a beat.
>”She’s spoken just three sentences and already she’s disrespected our history with her delusions. To add onto that she has accused my own flesh and blood of conducting some odd experiments.”
>You don’t see the resemblance at all. She has the purple hair, but none of the substance. Twilight’s caring smile, her warm demeanor, all of her best qualities—you could tell they were lost to this woman.
>”Headmistress, I implore you take that crystal and banish this girl from the settlement. And Artemis, Amelia, expect to be punished for bringing her here.”
>You hear Amelia curse under her breath. Artemis simply narrows her eyes at her.
>The headmistress turns from you and walks away a few feet.
>You feel your desperation rising and begin to defend yourself.
“Wait! I get that it sounds weird. But I can prove I’m from the past. I still have a working smartpho-“
>You momentarily forgot that it was stolen from you. Now you’ve made an even bigger fool out of yourself as you’ve emptied your pockets of the nothing that’s housed in there.
>”This is ridiculous. You’ve brought a madwoman into this room.” Dean Sparkle says.
>The headmistress turns from you and walks a few feet away from you.
>”Sorry Sunset. We need that crystal to be in the possession of witches…”
>Your heart drops. This crystal is the only thing you have left in this world… The only thing that still reminds you of your friends. You just can’t lose it.
>You briefly consider potential escape routes. There are guards at the door you entered from. The only other way out is through a window. But there was no way you could survive the fall. Besides, all the witches could probably fly on brooms and catch you.
>You lower you head and clutch the crystal in your hand. You feel more defeated than ever before.
>”But if what you’re saying is true, then you must be a witch too.”
>Murmurs can be heard around the room. Will she let you keep it after all?
>Dean Sparkle stares daggers at the headmistress. “Are you actually considering leaving that thing with this crazy child!? Do you know how important that thing potentially is to us?”
>”Let me explain.” The headmistress turns back toward you. “Sunset, consider this a test of both your honesty and your will to hang onto that crystal.”
>”Witches are generally born into their position in this academy, but for you Sunset we will hold the first ever entrance exam.”
>You’re not sure what to make of this. What would the entrance exam entail? That aside, you hear murmurs in the back about ‘tradition’ and ‘inexperienced headmistresses.’ Guess there are factions here like in any organization.
>Artemis and Amelia continue to look on from the side. They seem to be as surprised as everyone else to hear this.
>The headmistress smiles at you. ”I flirted with the idea of implementing this in the future for any promising witches we happen to stumble upon outside the settlement anyway. You can serve as a kind of test run.”
>Then her face gets quite serious. ”But I’m warning you, it won’t be easy. We take this whole thing very seriously. I owe it to the students, staff, and in fact the whole settlement to make sure the witches here are quality people and skilled in magic. If I find you can’t make the cut-- you’ll be banished from this academy, and we will be taking that crystal from you…”
>She perks up once again. “But if you succeed you’ll get to keep it, and you’ll be this academy’s first ever student from a family that’s not a historical witch family!”
>The headmistress turns to the table. “So now instead of implementing it large scale we can see how this thing could work with young Sunset here. Fair compromise, don’t you all think? All in favor say aye.”
>You hear maybe half of the table say it. The headmistress laughs a hearty laugh.
>”I didn’t even count. Not that it matters, anything I say goes here after all.”
>Dean Sparkle stares daggers at the headmistress, but says nothing. Others around the table have varying looks on their face ranging from nods of approval to annoyance.
>”I’d like to speak to Sunset in private now, if you all don’t mind. The conversation we were having prior was going nowhere anyway. So we’re adjourned.”
>Soon after the witches around the table get up and begin leaving the room. Artemis and Amelia begin leaving too.
>”Wait.” Says the headmistress. “you two stay as well.”
>Soon just you, Artemis, Amelia, and the headmistress remain.
>The headmistress takes her robe off and puts it on a chair. “I tell you, those women are a pain to deal with. It’s always ‘this faction won’t like this’, ‘these guys may be hurt by that’, or ‘that change will hurt my feelings.’ When did being a head of state get so hard, girls?”
>”Since time immemorial.” Artemis says.
>”Eh, details. Sunset, we witches have three main jobs. One, we protect and govern over the whole settlement—that includes people who aren’t witches. Special care given to protect them from the plague. Two, we educate young witches. And three, we are the ones who venture outside the settlement to solve any problems or get materials needed for the settlement.”
>”I tell you this to lead into my next question. Do you accept my proposal?”
“What choice do I have really. If I don’t I’ll lose what little I have.”
>The headmistress chuckles. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
>She looks at you and holds up her finger. “One month. That’s the amount of time I can give you before your entrance exam. You can use any of the public resources provided at this academy and make any alliances that you want, but until you’re an official student here I’m afraid I can’t let you use attend any lectures or use the more exclusive resources here.”
“That’s not much time, but still… why are you putting so much trust into a girl you just met?”
>”Easy, I like you.”
“Huh?” 
>”You could be insane, sure. Who comes into a place and exclaims they’re from the past? Even if it’s true? Shoulda known that wouldn’t get you anywhere.”
“Yeah…”
>”But I like to think I’m a good judge of character. I can tell you’re at least trying to be sincere. That’s why I’m giving this opportunity to you.”
>A soft smile finds its way onto your face. You just can’t help but appreciate the kindness this woman is showing to you.
>”Now, about those alliances I mentioned. They’re gonna be pretty important to you. The thing is I can’t spare anyone to actually teach you anything. If you start with these two, you’d already have a good head start. They’re the best two witches of their generation.”
>Amelia sighs. “Do I really have to? I can’t babysit this crazy girl while trying to keep my ratings up.”
>”Well, if you don’t want to I won’t force you.” Replies the headmistress.
>You lower your head. You really have no idea where you should start if these two decide not to help you.
>You’d have to resort to asking random witches around school if they want to help this random outisider… your only hope is if Artemis agrees.
>”I’ll do it.” Artemis states. “It might be harder on us, but consider this Amelia—if Sunset succeeds we might not have to work with… her.”
>Amelia pipes up at the mention of ‘her.’ You have no idea who they’re referring to.
>”I suppose you have a point. Better a loony girl than her.”
>You’re a little hurt by Amelia’s distrust of you, but you can’t help but be grateful for her help.
“Thanks, girls.”
>”I had a feeling this exchange would turn out like this.” The headmistress states. “Stand up, Sunset.”
>The headmistress stands as you do and approaches you.
>She puts her hand on your cheek and caresses your face.
>It feels warm to the touch. Warmer than a hand should feel. The warmth spreads throughout your body.
“Did you cast a spell on me?”
>”Yup! You can go through the barrier now when and if you learn how to fly a broom. Also I caressed your face.” 
>Then that part was unnecessary? Kind of embarrassing.
>”You can’t wear the robes until you’re a student here, but for God’s sake get this girl some better clothes. That’s all, you’re all dismissed.”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 47: Settlements
>June 1, 2095
>Many of the different sects of witches decided to cut deals with some of the different groups of surviving non-witches.
>It was one of the oldest kinds of transactions in human history. 
>The witches would promise to protect the non-witches from the disease and from any outside threats.
>In exchange the non-witches were to pay taxes to the witches in both money, food, and men.
>In short, it was feudalism.
>But it was a deal the non-witches could not resist. The magic-based hybrid technology was far superior than the scraps they managed to salvage from the old world. And our magic was far superior for defense than most of their decaying guns.
>Naturally, some argued that we were taking advantage of the non-witches. I don’t think so.
>I truly do believe it’s a mutually beneficial set up. Perhaps the only way to have a sustainable birthrate for either party at this point. Even with the population of humans as low as it is now, the overwhelming majority of women are still non-witches.
>Settlements of this kind seem to be beginning to be formed all over the few parts of the former country that aren’t heavily affected by Magicopia.
>My one fear is that future generations of witches might make it such that the non-witches don’t have the choice to leave at anytime—that could ruin the setup.
>It’s for this reason that certain strict rules must be set in place in our order…
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

>Breath steady. Form good. You can do this.
>After bracing yourself, you skip forward and ready your arm.
>With all your might you hurl the javelin through the air. You can hear it cutting through the wind as it soars ahead of you.
>You regain steady footing and watch it fly. 
>Soon it hits the ground.
>”… That was about 35 meters!” Amelia shouts from above on her broom.
“Hey, that’s my best!”
>Artemis has an unamused look on her face.
>”Yeah, but it’s still severely lacking.” She sighs. “You just don’t get it do you? A witch should be comparable to all the top old Olympic athletes in any given Olympic sport—and much more durable to boot.”
“Hey, I’m trying. I’ve only been at this a week. Perhaps I need to reread the book…”
>”No no no no.” Amelia lands next to you. “You’ve read the book enough. Even children learn to channel their mana into their body as young as 5 sometimes. Your intuition is lacking not your book-smarts.”
>You sigh.
>”Let’s try again. Your form was off a bit, too.”
>Amelia approaches you and gives you another javelin. She guides your hands to the correct position.
>”Your grip should be exactly like this.”
>She walks behind you and positions your arms into the correct form.
>”And this is exactly where your arms should be before you go for the throw. You’re reading my mind right now, right?”
“Yeah…” 
>Mind reading is still the only magic you know how to do. Right now Amelia is telling you through her mind to try and recreate the feeling from using this magic and channel it into your muscles.
>…and also that you have really soft skin.
“You witches are pretty touchy-feely don’t you think?”
>Amelia wraps her arms up over your shoulders and pulls you close to her. It makes you acutely aware of the size difference between you two. Amelia was taller than you, which was rare for a girl. You can feel that she’s very toned.
>”Touchy-feely is how we operate, you best get used to it.” 
>Amelia releases you and gets back onto her broom. She take her position back in the sky again.
>”Now watch me. Your throw should look something like this.” Artemis takes a javelin and readies herself.
>She it with force that makes you flinch a bit. The wind made a cutting noise that put all of your throws to shame.
>“About 95 meters!” Amelia shouts. “That must have been you, Artemis.”
>Just how was all of that power packed into this small girl?
>”Brilliant right? Now remember all you’ve learned and try it yourself.”
>The grip. The stance. You think you have it down.
>Now you just have to recreate the feeling you feel when you read minds—the feeling of using magic… and channel it to your muscles.
>You dig deep and really try to focus on the sensation you remember from using magic. Once you have a clear picture in your mind you start your motions and hurl the javelin with all your might.
>”30 meters!” Amelia shouts. “Ugh, Sunset get good at this already.”
>“Perhaps we should take a break.” Artemis says.  “Let’s head back.”

>You, Artemis, and Amelia go back to the academy. Eventually you three make your way over to one of the eateries.
>You still feel a little out of place considering you don’t have a robe, but the feeling is assuaged some by the fact that most witches are wearing similar polyester clothes underneath their robes.
>As it turns out, witches really love polyester. And with magic, they can make it without coal or petroleum.
>While sitting down, a voice is directed at your table.
>”Artemis, Amelia hey!”
>”Hi Cinderbelle.” Artemis replies.
>Cinderbelle was a friend of Artemis and Amelia that accompanied you three at times when you were at the academy. She was green haired and blue eyed girl who was often wearing a pleasant smile.
>Next to her was a girl you haven’t seen before. A small girl with black eyes and short black hair.
>She wastes no time addressing you. “Are the rumors true, Sunset? Are you a secret spy from the future that’s here to steal our secrets and sell them to raiders?”
“Umm.”
>”You’ll have to excuse Carrie.” Remarks Amelia. “She’s genuinely insane and probably made up those rumors on the spot.”
>”Oh yeah, Amelia!? How do I know you’re not in on the conspiracy? Big titty-monsters like yourself are always the most suspicious!”
>”What was that!?” Amelia puts Carrie into a head lock and gives her a rough noogie.
>Cinderbelle sits next to you. “They show each other affection in such unorthodox ways. Isn’t it cute?”
“Something like that.”
>”So how is it going? Preparing for the entrance exam, I mean?”
>”We haven’t made any progress.” Artemis chimes in.
>You sigh and look down.
“Yeah…”
>”I can tell it’s something about your mentality that’s blocking you from using mana throughout your body, Sunset.” Artemis continues. “I wish I could help, but unlike you I can’t read minds.”
>Your mentality? What could it be? Do you not truly believe that you can use magic? No, you use it when you read minds—you know you can do it. So what’s stopping you from using it for any other application?
>”Is mind reading your main magic, Sunset?” Cinderbelle asks.
“Main magic?”
>”It’s your strongest and most intuitive magic power.” Artemis says. “All witches can learn some general magic, but your main magic is specific to you.”
>Carrie gives you an odd look. “Read minds? That’s freaky, Sunset. The perfect ability for the arsenal of a spy.”
>”Oh! I think it’s really neat. Can you do me?” Cinderbelle offers you her hand.
“Sure thing.”
>You take her hand and focus. The sensations that come with reading another’s mind flow through you as you dig through her consciousness. 
>Her thoughts intertwine with yours and you feel them. 
“You were thinking that I’ll succeed. And thanks!”
>”That’s correct. Amazing.”
>”Is this the one Artemis?”
>You hear the voice from behind as you see the others give various looks ranging from neutrality to annoyance at the source.
>You turn to see a girl with long dark blue hair and eyes staring back at you. Her is without emotion.
>”Mother has been nagging constantly over this outsider corrupting our halls here. It’s really irritating. Your actions affect others, you know.”
“Excuse me?”
>”Don’t you have anything better to do, Veronica Sparkle?” Amelia interrupts.
>Sparkle. Then her mother must have been the Dean Sparkle that was arguing with the headmistress then. It unnerves you that her mind is still on you.
>”I wanted to see this weird one in person before she’s potentially banished and never to be seen again. Just what was the headmistress thinking I wonder? Why is it that she didn’t simply take that crystal and tell you to leave?”
>Other witches nearby are starting to turn their heads towards the scene. 
>Just what’s this girl’s deal? You did nothing to her.
“Hey, look. I’m not crazy, and I don’t mean this place any harm. So there’s no need to get aggressive.” 
>”I’m not really getting aggressive. But you know what? This is fortunate for me. When Artemis’s and Amelia’s ratings tank due to baby sitting you I’ll finally have the first place I deserve.”
>”That’s enough, Veronica.” Artemis says. “Leave us.”
>She and Amelia stand in front of you as to shield you from Veronica.
>Veronica simply stares into Artemis’s eyes blankly for awhile.
>”You’re not a real witch, Sunset.” Veronica turns and leaves.
>Everyone sits back down to the table. Eventually the onlookers begin to go about their business again.
>You sit in silence for awhile.
>Cinderbelle puts a hand on your shoulder. ”Are you alright?” 
>”If it’s any consolation she acts like that towards a lot of others too.” Amelia adds. “Me and Artemis especially.”
“Why so?”
>”Her last name is Sparkle. It upsets her to no end that anyone without that last name has higher ratings.”
>”But the way she speaks is…” Artemis muses.
“What was that?” Carrie asks.
>”Nothing.” 
>What went wrong? Why is Twilight’s family so unpleasant now? You’ll have to get to the bottom of it one day.
>And what was with that insult? She said you weren’t a real witch.
>You look down at the crystal around you neck and stare into it.
>You’re a witch just as much as your friends were.
>You are a witch…
“Hey.”
>Everyone at the table looks at you in anticipation of what you have to say.
“I want to try again.”

>You’re back at the field outside the settlement with the javelins at your side.
>”I believe in you, Sunset!” Carrie cheers. “I mean I have no logical reason to but I just have a good feeling!”
>”You could have left off that second sentence.” Amelia snaps.
>Cinderbelle simply smiles and watches.
>Artemis is in position in the sky, ready to judge the distance of your throw.
>You ready yourself.
>Artemis said a problem with your mentality was stopping you from properly using your mana. You know now that she was right.
>Ironically, you have Veronica to thank for showing you your shortcomings.
>All this time you’ve still subconsciously seen yourself as something separate from these weird foreign beings called witches.
>But you were in the wrong. You ARE a witch. One of the original in fact.
>Your mind was not one with your body, and thus you could not use your body to its potential!
>Getting your body into position you start your skip forward.
>You feel sensations you haven’t felt quite before. Every muscle feels more responsive. Every limb feels lighter. 
>You chuck the javelin and hear the satisfying sound of it cutting the air.
>”There it is!” Amelia shouts.
>After regaining your footing, you look up to see the javelin soaring through the sky much farther than you ever thought you’d be able to throw it.
>Carrie, Cinderbelle, and Amelia begin to cheer.
>”90 meters!” Artemis shouts.


>”Alright, we’re done for the day guys. Go home.”
>The men begin to put the logs and axes back into their respective places and get ready to leave.
>You do the same.
>”Sunset, come over here.”
>You walk over to your boss.
>”Great work out there. It’s not often a witch will do these sorts of things, you know. You’re a huge help.”
“Thanks, no problem.”
>That’s right, you had to take some sort of job because as one who isn’t part of the academy yet you have the housing witches normally get.
>After you learned to enhance your physical capabilities with magic you could take on much more physically demanding tasks. Your body was a bit sporadic and awkward at times now, but it works for carrying heavy things.
>Besides, this was much better than your former job of bartending and trying to navigate your way through the advances of many a drunken men.
>”You sure you don’t want to keep doing this when you’re finally a part of the academy?”
“Haha. I’m not sure if I even could.”
>”Don’t worry, I’m mostly messing with ya. Don’t waste your talent on little old me. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

>You, Artemis, and Amelia meet each other in one of the academy’s courtyards.
>It’s one of the more obscure ones, so there are few other witches here to distract you.
>An underrated place if one asks you. Though it’s a bit smaller than other courtyards, it’s a cozy place with just one big tree at its center.
>”You have a little less than three weeks now until your entrance exam.” Artemis states. “In just three weeks you have to learn at least a few general magic spells and attempt to develop a combat style.”
“That sounds like a lot for such a small amount of time.”
>Amelia sits on the ground and takes on a tired look. ”That’s because it is, Sunset. Normally one would do this in half a year minimum. This looks grim. I need you to defy all odds and expectations so that I don’t have to have Veronica on our expedition team!”
“Expedition team?”
>”The people you’re sent out with whenever you’re assigned a task that requires teamwork. Also they’re your roommates.” Artemis says.
>Amelia speaks up. “Yup. Me and Artemis have the best scores of all the witches in our generation. Veronica is third best, so she’ll likely be paired with us because witches are generally grouped based on skill level.”
>”Unless we have close ties to another witch and we request her, that is. The hope is that you can be that witch Sunset.”
“Why not ask Carrie or Cinderbelle though?”
>”They already have a third you see, but that’s enough of that.” Artemis takes her wand out of the holder on the side of her outfit, and tosses it to you. 
>”Now that you have some control over the mana in your body, it’s time for you to learn some general spells. Some can be done without a want, most can’t.”
>You inspect the wand. Your eyes are drawn the slightly transparent orb at the top that allows you to see inside. The technology inside is beyond you, but it looks very pretty.
>”The wand is at least partially electronic, and is powered by the magic you put into it. Try aimlessly channeling mana into it—it’s similar to how you do it through your body.”
>You do so. The wand begins to elongate into a broom. This makes you jump in surprise.
“Just like I’ve seen you guys do before, amazing.”
>”You’ll have to channel your magic in different ways through the wand to get different spells.” Artemis adds. “Sorry about this, but we’ll have to go through these things quickly from now on. You’ll have to practice on your own time.”
>…Just like a horn! If it’s similar, then you think you can get the hang of this quickly.
“Don’t worry about it, Artemis.”
>You give her a determined look.
“I think I can learn this in record time.”
>”I hope so.” Amelia says. “We have tests of our own to prepare for.”
“What are your tests like?”
>”There’s a lot of variety. Some are written. Sometimes we have to demonstrate certain magic. Every now and then we have big assessments of our physical and magical skills.”
>If you do pass your own entrance exam, you’ll have to deal with the academy’s regular exams afterwards. 

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 19: Better Magic
>December 4, 2087
>If the magic of a witch could be bolstered just a little bit, then we could do so much more.
>Twilight began to flirt with the idea of a device that could achieve this, but unfortunately, she died before she could make any significant progress.
>I’ve taken it upon myself to continue this work.
>I’m excited to see where we can go with the idea. I imagine, witches who have an incredibly wide arsenal of elements to weave into their spells—even if they don’t have a natural affinity for it via their main magic.
>I don’t think this device will ever be able to make it such that main magic is redundant, but it could certainly prove to be useful in some select situations.
>I may update this with any significant progress I make.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>”Veronica was kind of right about one thing, your main magic is no good for attacks.” Amelia says flatly.
“Yeah, I know.”
>It was true. You really couldn’t read someone’s mind to death. 
>”That’s going to be a little trouble.” Artemis adds. “Because usually the development of a combat style starts with one’s main magic.”
“By the way you two. What’s your main magic?”
>”Super strength!” Amelia emphasizes the statement by flexing her arms and smiling. “All witches are physically tough, but I’m just much tougher.”
>You giggle. Her smile was contagious.
>”Hey, what are you laughing at?” she responds.
“Oh, nothing. What about you, Artemis?”
>”I can manipulate the air.”
>You feel a sudden breeze in your face that lasts for a about a second.
“Interesting! You guys are making me feel bad about having such lame main magic…”
>And general magic won’t be much help either at this point. You’ve been practicing all your free time in learning various spells. You’ve only managed to turn a wand into a flashlight, create a small spark, and use a few hygienic spells (incredibly convenient, by the way!).
>”I have an idea on how you can use your main magic though.” Artemis says.
>You and Amelia give her your attention.
>”If you can read your opponent’s mind quickly, maybe you can react to their movements and be a formattable fighter in close combat.”
“Hmm. Maybe it could work, but it’s never really been that quick and I’m not sure if it can pick up someone’s reflexes.”
>Amelia pipes up. “Think of all the possibilities if it DID work though. You could quickly become like one of those karate masters!”
>”It’s worth a shot. Even if it doesn’t work, you can get the practice with close combat that you need.”
>”All right then!” Amelia stands up. “I’ll have to teach you. Let’s spar.”
“Wait, wait, wait. You won’t kill me with super strength will you?”
>”Don’t worry I won’t use it for now, relax. We’ll start with the basics…”

>You had to get yourself into a schedule. 
>In the morning  you worked with your boss on building cabins. In the afternoon you trained yourself in doing magic. In the evenings you spared with Amelia—not without Artemis being there to coach you as well, of course.
>Readjusting to this new life was harsh on you at first. Being away from your old school and friends often weighed on you hard at night.
>But you had no choice but to push through. If you failed this entrance exam… you might not be able to have a life at all! And you would lose your crystal too.
>And with this schedule you eventually made it to the day of the entrance exam.

>Artemis and Amelia escort you once again over to the headmistresses quarters.
>It gives you a striking sense of déjà vu.
>Only this time, you instead of the beat up old clothes from your own old life you wore polyester clothes that witches typically wore under their robes.
>After this, you could get a robe yourself. And keep your crystal.
>You enter the headmistress’s quarters.
>She and four other high ranking witches are in the room waiting for you.
>”Ah, just the girl I was looking for.” The headmistress says. ”I’d ask ‘are you ready for your entrance exam?’ but I guess that doesn’t really matter now.”
“Haha, yeah…”
>That didn’t exactly do much to ease your nerves. The butterflies in your stomach are roaring to life.
>”Artemis, Amelia. You two may leave now.”
>”Yes headmistress.” They say in unison. They then leave.
>Other than the headmistress, the four other witches in the room make you feel nervous. Especially since one of them you recognize as Dean Sparkle.
>”Alrighty then, Sunset.” The headmistress steps forward and speaks. “First, you may be wondering why I didn’t tell you what your entrance exam would consist of beforehand. I’ll go ahead and tell you that it’s because we didn’t want you preparing for the exam instead of practicing your general magic. If you have a good grip on magic as a whole, then you should do just fine.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear that wasn’t a mistake.”
>”Please.” She waves her hand. “I don’t make mistakes.”
>The headmistress is in her same playful demeanor, but the air in the room is still heavy. The four other witches eye you in either blank neutrality or suspicion.
>”Your entrance exam will be in three phases. First is a written test. Second phase you’ll get to demonstrate your magic to us. The third phase is an oral test.”
>That a written test sounds like the least horrifying part of all this is in itself pretty horrifying. An oral test!? You’ll have to answer right on the spot. No digging through your brain for too long and no going back to change your answer. 
>”Professor Gardener, if you’ll start the first phase please.”
>”Yes, headmistress.” The one, presumably Professor Gardener, lights her hands and performs a storage-transportation spell. In her hand appears a stack of cotton paper.
>She walks over to you. “Come with me, please.”
>It’s very early in the morning, but there are still a few witches here and there throughout the academy.
>They give you questioning or interested stares as they see you walking through with Professor Gardener.
>You pass by Amelia sitting at a table half-asleep. She notices you and pipes up.
>”Good luck, Sunset!”
>Professor Gardener giggles. “Popular already I see.” This is the first time she broke her neutral expression.
“Heh. Something like that.”
>The professor opens the door to a room in what you can tell is a more obscure part of the academy.
>Inside it looks like a regular classroom, but with none of the modern materials you’re used to. Wood desks and chairs, a blackboard, and lanterns are in the room. You can see the sun rising out of the two windows.
>”Have a seat wherever you want.”
>You pick a seat in the back next to the window. No matter how bad this goes, the sun is still rising right?
>The Professor giggles again. “I would have chosen the same spot.”
>You smile a little. At least she’s nice.
>The professor approaches you and hands you the book she summoned as well as a pencil.
>The cover reads: ‘Basic Magic Arts.’ Doesn’t sound bad. You studied this stuff a little with Artemis during your early days here (much to Amelia’s displeasure).
>”You have six hours to work through that book.”
>Six hours… hell.
>”I’ll be in here to make sure you don’t cheat. If you’re using magic to find the answers, I’ll know!”
>You gulp and take a look out the window. You hold your crystal up and see the sunlight shine through it. You’re doing this for your friends. You have to do your best.
>”Begin.”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 17: Magic Arts
>January 9, 2088
>Personally, I never liked studying magic arts.
>When I say that, it often surprises people. I don’t really blame them. I give off a really ‘studious’ vibe, I know. And while a student I often did the best in written magic arts.
>I just don’t think the ‘magic’ of magic really shines when you’re just going through all the formulas, elemental combinations, and theory.
>I can see some of my colleagues already seething at the mouth. Readying themselves to tell me of the beauty that comes with proving whatever magic combinations are possible or how glorious it is when you craft that potion on paper before making it and seeing your paperwork come to life.
>I hate to say it, but I’m really one of those people that likes to ‘feel’ the magic as it comes to me and improvise it in real life.
>Don’t worry dear reader, I’m not one of those people that will argue that written magic arts aren’t needed for teaching witches.
>I’ll concede that any witch with half a brain should be able to do basic magic arts.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>Two hours in.
>You’re panicking.
>Just what about this is basic!?
>All your studying with Artemis has only netted you about the first forth of the book, and it seems to be getting more difficult as you go through it.
>You’ve already had to move on from legitimately answering questions with your knowledge to resorting to hoping that parts of some questions are answered in the statements of other questions.
>Other questions require formulas that you definitely don’t know.
>You look up to see professor Gardener reading a book.
>She notices your gaze and gives you a smile before returning to it.
>You go back to the test.
>’How do you conjure a polio healing spell with oxygen, copper, radon, and with tree-essence magic style. Give an answer for morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Do not disregard the air’s aura.
>Well, you have to write down something…

>You hear professor Gardener close her book. “Times up, Sunset. Close your test please.”
>You close your book as your heart sinks.
>There’s definitely an answer you wrote down for every question…
>But most of them are utter nonsense and you know it. You’ll just have to do your best with the other phases of the exam.
>You reluctantly give your test book to the professor.
“Hey, Professor Gardener is it?”
>”Yes Sunset?”
“There wouldn’t happen to be partial credit on that exam would there?”
>She giggles. “We’ll have to work that out later. Your entrance exam is an experiment for one of the headmistresses projects, after all.”
>At least it’s not completely out of the question. Not that you didn’t do abysmally even with partial credit.

>Soon after you hand your written test to professor Gardener the door opens.
>In walks the headmistress along with the three other witches that were previously in her quarters.
>”Sunset, it’s time for phase two.” The headmistress says.
>She is carrying five different wands in her arms. She walks over and places them on the long desk in front of you.
>”For the second phase you’ll have to demonstrate your abilities in an exercise, but first you’ll have to choose a temporary wand. Choose any you want.”
>You open your mouth to begin to ask ‘What’s different about them?’, but you choose not to so as to avoid the risk of sounding oblivious of something that should be obvious to you.
>Inspecting the wands, you can see that they have different colored orbs on their tips. The colors are from left to right teal, red, yellow, silver, and violet.
>You can’t see anything different about the shaft of the wands… is it just an aesthetic choice, or will this decision affect how you can do magic?
>You end up taking the teal one, as you remember both Artemis and Amelia had it.
>The headmistress smiles. “I see. You can leave the other one’s here. Follow us.”
>Now that it’s later in the day you get many more stares and whispers as the witches lead you to your destination. 
>You’re at a loss as to where you’re going though.
>After going through many twists and turns through the academy you’re lead down a staircase.
>Down the staircase is a passage lit only by lanterns that lined the walls. 
>The passage is obviously underground. It was decked out in bricks. For the most part it was plain, except every now and then you would pass by a door. 
>You weren’t being imprisoned, were you?
>Your fears are (mostly) assuaged when you’re led to a staircase that leads back up.
>At the top of the staircase is a door.
>As one of the high ranking witches opens the door you shield your eyes from the intense light coming from it.
>You’re… outside.
>The door is connected to a hill that’s… outside the settlement.
>You can see the border of the settlement near the hill you just came out of.
>”Over here, Sunset.” You hear the headmistress say.
>You turn your attention over to see about 100 young witches lined near the border of the settlement with who you’re assuming is their professor nearby.
>”If and when I get around to implementing the entrance exam in full, normally I’d have every applicant do this assessment together.”
>You look to the headmistress as she leads you over.
>”But that’s not possible since you’re in this alone. That’s why you’re joining in on one of the regular assessments today.”
>As you get closer you hear a voice coming from the lined up girls.
>”Sunset, is that you?”
>You look closer to see Amelia among them.
>”Quiet.” The professor shouts. 
>The professor turns her attention to you. “Hurry up and line with these ones.”
>You walk over and line up next to Artemis and Amelia.
>Artemis whispers to you. “What are you doing here?”
“I was told this is the second phase of my entrance exam.”
>Artemis’s eyes widen. “Entrance exam? This is one of our tests.”
>Attention witches!” The professor exclaims. “This assessment is important. It’s the first time you all will be using your magic for an assignment outside of the academy. Your placement into expedition teams will depend on our analysis of each of your strengths and weaknesses that we see during this.”
>”The abandoned city of Appolusa is north of here about 40 or so miles out. In it, we have placed charms that look exactly like this one.”
>The professor holds up a small gold witch hat in the palm of her hand.
>”Your task is simple. Go to Appolusa, retrieve a charm, and come back.”
>One witch in the line raises her hand, the professor permits her to speak. “I thought this assessment was to gauge how we could use our magic? In what way is it required here?”
>The professor perks up. “Oh that’s easy. It’s because there are 54 charms and 108 of you.”
>The line begins bustling with conversation.
>”Quiet!” The line becomes silent at the professor’s request. “So as you’ve probably figured out, you’ll have to fight over these charms. We scouted out the city earlier and placed a temporary barrier around it, so no outsiders will disturb you. This barrier also has another purpose, you can’t leave with a charm unless it was possessed by any one witch or multiple witches for at least an hour—don’t think you can just get a charm and run back. The assessment ends at sundown. By then you should all be back here. Medical witches will go over at that time for those who happen to get injured, but it will count against the healthy who aren’t back by then.”
>So then there are a few things you know various people will try. Some will try to take a charm and defend it to the end. Others may try to take one and hide. It would also be valid to try to take a charm from someone who already has the charm through it’s time limit. What should you do?
>You see a golden seal develop on the professor’s forehead. Upon closer inspection it looks like another small gold witch hat.
>”Oh, and one more thing.” The professor states. “Having a charm in your possession will give you this mark on your forehead.”
>”Professor Storm!” You hear another witch yell. The professor beckons her to speak. “For the half of us that don’t bring a charm back, do we instantly fail?”
>The professor smirks a bit. “Maybe.”
>The line begins to rumble to life with chit chat again. You can tell they’re weary of the prospect of failing. You’re much more worried of the prospect of being denied entry into the academy. Despite the fact that you’ve only been at this a month you have to be in the top 50% of these experienced witches to look good.
>And with your performance on the first phase, you’ll have to do well…
>”Hey, Veronica.”
>You hear the voice coming from outside the line and look over. It’s dean Sparkle. Looking over you see that Veronica is next to Artemis.
>When she sees her mother you finally see emotion on her face for the first time.
>It was slight, and you had to look twice to confirm it was there, but she was enraged.
>Dean Sparkle approaches her and whispers something into her ear. Afterwards she tries to touch her.
>Veronica slaps her hand away.
>Dean Sparkle sighs and then smiles. “Do your best, dear.” With that, she walks off.
>Veronica appears even more angry than before.
>Tension can be felt in the air, and all the witches in the line are whispering and looking at Veronica.
>Obviously wanting to take attention away from the quarrel, professor Storm speaks up.
>”Witches, we are about to begin. The assessment will end at sundown. Be back by then. On your marks.”
>All the witches in the line turn their wands into brooms. You do the same.
>”Get set.”
>”Artemis.” You hear Veronica speak. “Prepare yourself.”
>Artemis simply looks over at her for a moment and then looks forward again.
>”Go!”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 48: Combat
>June 17, 2095
>Witches have had to use their powers for fighting a lot more since the world has become what it is.
>I actually like seeing the various ways witches fight.
>It sounds barbaric, I know. But you can’t deny how entertaining they are.
>Some heavily use their main magic. Others use their general magic in crafty ways.
>Every now and then there’s a witch that’s quite physical, preferring to fight with punches and kicks.
>I don’t get into fights often. It’s not my style.
>Luckily for me though, when I do have to my main magic is suited for long range combat. It keeps me from having to move around too much.
>Back when Twilight was alive, she complimented my main magic. She thought it was really similar to her own.
>Her daughters and granddaughters aren’t quite as big of fans of it, though.
>It will be more important for witches to know combat in this new world since they’ll have to know how to protect and provide for the new settlements.
>Unfortunately, there are witches out there that aren’t so benign now. More on them later.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>A massive blast disorients you. You can feel great wind and magic emanating from where Artemis and Veronica stood.
>You look up to see those two flying far ahead of the pack. All that from the force of wind pressure and magic?
>Wait. Ahead of the pack!?
>You quickly take off on your own broom and hurry as fast as you can.
>It just started and you’re already behind…

>You are Artemis.
>Veronica is being quite aggressive today.
>You haven’t even got to the city yet and she’s already firing off magic blasts at you.
>You fend them off with strong bursts of air pressure.
>The battle causes a lot of the other witches to steer clear of you two. At least this means you’ll get to Appolusa before the pack.
>Just what did her mom tell her? Did she tell her to target you? 
>It’s possible. Dean Sparkle has never exactly been a fan of you.
>But you can’t be sure. Veronica often takes out her anger on you. This is just the first time she had an excuse to use magic on you too.
>You conserve energy by dodging some of her attacks with a few maneuvers with your broom.
>You can tell Veronica’s attacks aren’t her best. She knows better than to go her hardest at the start.
>The G forces are giving you a bit of a rush at least.
>Veronica sends a volley of blasts at you.
>You fly under and overpass to shield yourself.
>…No regard for ‘ancient’ architecture.

>You’re closing in on the city.
>Veronica shoots off one last assault on you.
>The broom makes twists, turns, and rotations as you maneuver around the blasts.
>You send a large burst of air pressure towards her, you then retract your broom back into a want and cast a sea-sick spell.
>She dodges your air blast, but not the sea-sickness.
>That ought to keep her off you for a while.
>The air brushes past you as you free fall to the city. You see that you’re about to land in a street filled with a few old, decaying cars.
>You push the wind up around you as to ease your fall onto the ground.
>You take a look around the city.
>This is the first time you’ve been to Appolusa. That means it’s very likely that it’s the first time for all the other witches too. It makes sense. No reason to give an unfair advantage to you and send everyone to a place you’ve been.
>The city was much bigger than Canterlot. It was also just as abandoned and taken by vegetation.
>The street is already half grass.
>This huge city has 54 small charms hidden around it… finding them is going to be a pain.
>If you were a professor of magic, where would you hide a charm?
>With that thought in mind, you begin your search.

>You are Spicy Sweet.
>Or the headmistress, as everyone around here seems to prefer.
>You’re in your quarters watching the events of one of the younger generations’ assessment from the comfort of your quarters.
>On the large screen you can see and toggle through many perspectives throughout the city.
>The witches were a little shy at first in using their magic against their peers, but it seems they eventually got into the swing of it.
>Some witches formed alliances to search for charms for all of their teammates, but eventually they had to at least attack singular witches in order to attempt to accomplish it.
>Some of the more passive witches really wanted to avoid conflict and searched for the more well-hidden charms. It’s possible, but it will take a little special magic to find the more well-hidden ones.
>After all, not all witches are fighters and them finding a well-hidden charm is still a great display of their abilities.
>It was all so fascinating to you.
>One caveat though, you’ll have to suggest some team building exercises to professor Storm after this one. Can’t have the witches at each other’s throats after such a harsh competition.
>We’re all on the same team in the end after all!
>”Headmistress.”
>You look over to see professor Gardener.
“What is it?”
>”Why not tell the young witches that temporary cameras are set up around the city?”
“I didn’t want them to focus any time or energy on trying to spot the cameras, of course. Besides. The cameras are hidden in plain sight. Magic-technology that’s invisible. Most probably won’t even notice they’re there, and they’ll dissolve after a while anyway.”
>Professor Gardener giggles. “Artemis is looking right into one.”
“Hey! I said ‘most’ remember.”
>You look around the room.
>All the other high-ranking witches have their sights mostly one girl.
>Sunset Shimmer is in Appolusa now.
>Let’s see how you’ll handle this, girl from the past.

>You are Sunset.
>You finally land in the city on a tall building.
>From here, you can see a few fights between witches.
>It’s for the best that you avoid them.
>You have to go find one of those charms. If you find one that’s really well hidden you could simply hide there for the hour the charm needs!
>You descend into the building.
>It’s an old, abandoned office building. Though you can tell it was once quite nice. A few old, broken computers can be found lying around along with filing cabinets, printers, etc.
>You try to stop yourself from pondering how this place was.
>You’re here on a mission after all.
>A huge city and just 54 charms are here. And probably a few were already found, hence the fights outside.
>With such a huge city and just a few small charms you know you have to use magic to find them.
>But what to use?
>There’s a spell you studied for a little bit that enhances all five of your senses.
>If you had known your exam would be like this you would have practiced it much more…
>You take your wand, close your eyes, and focus your mana through it.
>You can feel your energy move through your body and towards your eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and skin.
>It worked. A little. The spell documentation said it should be better than this, but you’ll have to make do with what you have.
>You can see through the darkness a little better, and shiny objects stand out more. This should make things go by more smoothly.

>The building was a bust. With only so much time until sundown you could only take a quick look at each floor before leaving.
>You use your broom to fly across the city. Where would they hide such a charm?
>You stop at the sight and sound of vines moving from a building to capture two witches and pin them to it.
>What in the world?
>Someone can be heard coming from a nearby alleyway. 
>A mixture of fear and curiosity is stopping you from moving, though you know you should get away.
>The footsteps are amplified by your sensory enhancement spell, and the emotions the footsteps are causing are amplified similarly.
>You eventually get the resolve to move, when you hear a voice.
>”Oh Sunset, is that you?”
>You look over.
“Cinderbelle? Did you do this to these two?”
>”Well of course. They have something I need.”
>Cinderbelle walks over to the beaten and bruised witches to take a charm from them.
>”Wait, please.” The bounded witch manages to quietly plead.
>But Cinderbelle took the charm from the robe’s pocket wearing that same pleasant smile on her face. You see the gold witch hat disappear from the bounded witch’s forehead, and one develops on Cinderbelle’s.
>It was kind of creepy. You’ll have to remind yourself not to get on her bad side. You never took Cinderbelle to be someone with such power, but the plant power suits her.
“Hey, want to team up? I could help fend off attackers and you could help me find a charm!”
>”Probably not the best idea, Sunset. I don’t want to put a beginner like you in danger like that. It’s likely that I will be attacked by witches without a charm.”
>You slump your shoulders and sigh. She politely said you would be dead weight to her, and she’s probably right.
>”Hey don’t be sad.” Cinderbelle walks toward you and takes your hand. “I’ll make it up to you after this is over. I promise.”
>Her smile is just too contagious. 
>”Well, I’d better go hide somewhere. Bye, Sunset.”
>With that, she takes off on her broom.
>Well, back to square one. Where to look?

>You stumble across a stairwell into the ground. This must have been a subway once.
>It’s dark in there… but your instincts tell you it’s the perfect place to hide a charm.
>You light your wand and descend into the subway.
>The subway looked particularly eerie. All the lights were long since fried and broken. Tiles were cracked, and all service desks were abandoned. The train was dirty and rusting. All windows were broken.
>Searching through the train you can see an advertisement for new robotic house maids as well as one for an orbital hotel. 
>Just how much did you miss?
>You get a bit angsty searching around the bus. Creaks and drips in this creepy place are putting you on edge. And your lack of a charm is getting frustrating.
>You don’t even know how close to sundown it is in here.
>Exiting the bus, you go and look through some of the service areas.
>Broken security cameras and filing cabinets dot the rooms that once housed the employees of this subway.
>You look through the filing cabinets to find old cigarette packs, a gun, and lots of paper.
>But no charm.
>You slam one of the cabinets shut. Where are those things? Were they really all taken? You can’t risk returning without one of those things. 
>You lie your wand down and look at the crystal around your neck. It calms you.
>Exiting the room, you decide to venture down the train tracks. Not like you were in danger of getting run over.

>Your sensory-enhancing spell is beginning to wear off.
>You re-cast it.
>You can see further past the light of your wand.
>It’s only a slight morale boost, but you’ll take what you can get.
>After for walking for what feels like years you see a glint under the tracks.
>You run over and inspect it.
>It’s a charm! Yes!
>It takes considerable strength to pull the tracks apart enough to take it, but you eventually get the job done.
>You feel a warm sensation on your forehead and see that slight light is coming from it.
>That must be the seal.
>You’ve now just need to wait an hour to be able to leave. Someone could attack you in that time…
>But you don’t want to wait it out here in the dark where you don’t even know what time it is either.
>The best course of action is probably to wait near the staircase. You could can see the light coming through from the outside and still stay hidden.
>You start walking back the way you came.

>You breathe a breath of relief as you find your way back to the boarding station.
>It might have been a straight track, but you’re still glad you’re not lost in this dark place.
>It’s best you get a feel for the time you have left here so you don’t hide too long.
>You walk up the stairs back up to the surface. 
>The sun’s not too close to the ground yet, you’re good.
“Eh!?”
>As you turn around you’re startled to see another witch standing between you and the stairs. 
>How could you have not noticed her? She just slightly shorter than you and has blue eyes with long black hair. She has no mark on her forehead which suggests she has no charm.
>Which means…
>”I’ll be taking that charm from you.”
>You get into a defensive stance.
>”You. You’re the one who was working with Artemis and Amelia to be admitted into this academy aren’t you?”
“Yeah. So what?”
>She has a pretty calm look on her face. Analyzing you up and down. Sizing you up.
>”On one hand anyone they’ve spent so much time on should be strong. On the other hand everything about you screams rookie. I’m curious about you.”
“You know what? I’m curious about you too. We can talk later. Tomorrow perhaps?”
>She begins to walk toward you. Hell.
>”What is it about you that would make our high witches make such and exception for you?”
>You have no choice now, you’re going to have to fight her.
>This is your first real fight. You’re nervous… how should you approach? What kind of magic will she use? Should you wait for her to make the first move?
>She continues to walk closer. You have to get her off your tail.
>You channel your mana through your body, then throw a swift punch to her stomach.
>She stands there unflinching. You don’t move from your position either.
>You’re attack did nothing. Because it was a normal punch. 
>This is not the kind of strength you should have with your magic.
“Agh!”
>She kicks you in the face and you fly back a good two meters.
>You’re still not good at using your mana for your physical movements.
>Your nervousness compromising your focus, and by extensions your ability to use magic. That’s why your punch didn’t work.
>”I had wondered for a moment if you were playing some kind of trick or doing some odd spell. But I was wrong, you’re just really weak.”
>She approaches you while you’re still on the ground.
>”If this is all you’ve got just give me the charm. You wouldn’t do well here anyway.”
>She reaches for the charm in your pocket.
>You move to slap her hand away, but she catches your arm and kicks you over again.
“Ow…”
>And it really does hurt. You’re starting to panic. There’s no way you can gain the focus to attack now.
>You don’t know what to do…
>She makes it over to your body and your eyes widen.
>”I really don’t like hitting those who are already down. So please give me the charm.”
>She kneels down to take your charm again. You have to think fast!
>You roll away quickly.
>Then you take out your wand and focus it’s light like a lazer pointer and point it at her eye.
>”Agh!”
>This causes her to flinch. You turn and attempt to mount your broom.
“Shit!”
>You feel a sharp pain in your back and stumble.
>She threw a large rock at you back.
>She swiftly takes out her own wand as she scowls and points it at you.
>A dull beam comes out and hits you.
>Nothing happened.
>You begin to cough. And then you cough a little more.
>Before long you’re hacking and coughing a lot. Breathing is becoming much more difficult. Panic starts to set in as you grasp at your throat.
>”Don’t worry. You’re not actually suffocating. It only feels like it.”
>It doesn’t do much to ease your worry.
>She walks toward you again.
>You’re back at square one. Only now you feel like you’re dying. Great.
>She pushes you back onto the ground and begins punching you in the face repeatedly.
>Soon the suffocation spell wears off, but she’s still hitting you. You don’t have the will or energy to move.
>This goes on for what feels like years…

>*Raina, you douche!*
“Raina?”
>Your attacker stops punching you and looks down.
>”What was that?”
>In this moment you realize two things.
>First is that you just read her mind.
>Second is that you’ve regained your focus.
>Your arms come to life and you push her off of you.
>She stumbles back.
>You run up and give her the punch in the gut that you intended to give her in the beginning.
>”Hrk!”
>The pain in your body dulls as your magical energy flows through your muscles as it should.
>It’s a good start, but it was one punch and you’re the one who’s bleeding.
>You run up to pay her back for at least one of the kicks she gave to you.
>When it connects… nothing happens.
“Wha?”
>Did you fuck up your focus again!?
>No.
>There’s a barrier on the area of her body where your foot is. It reminds you of Rarity’s except it’s bound to her. This must be her main magic.
>She takes her wand out and shoots a few magic bullets at you.
>You raise your arms in defense.
>They sting. But you can tell they’re nothing compared to Veronica’s.
>As you open your eyes you see that she’s already closed the distance.
>You attempt to punch her again, but are met with another barrier.
>She kicks you back.
>This was going to be a long fight.

>You are Artemis.
>And just where is Sunset?
>You lost track of her right at the beginning of the assessment.
>Flying over the city you spot a few other witches, but not the one you’re trying to find.
>If her magic was stronger you could maybe try to sense her by that alone, but alas, she is a beginner.
>You nearly zone out seeing the city scape and witch battles pass you by.
>You shoot a bit of wind at your face to wake yourself up.
>Hmm. It’s Laina.
>…and Sunset too.
>You nearly steer your broom down to see her when you spot Veronica on a rooftop looking down at Sunset’s battle.
>What are her intentions? Either way, it’s never a bad time to mess with your rival.
>You land on the tall building a fair distance away from Veronica.
”See something interesting?”
>She simply turns towards you and looks at you with no emotion.
>That’s her usual shtick, though. You know she’s feeling emotions behind that face of hers.
”Your eyes are as pupil-less as ever.”
>Technically her pupils were just the same color as her irises, but calling her pupil-less angers her, so you went with it.
>”Do you need something?” 
“I can see that you have a charm, and I’m willing to bet you had it for long enough a time. Why are you still here?”
>”None of your concern.” She turns around and looks back down the building.
>…Just what is she thinking? Your mind drifts to when her mother spoke something to her before the assessment started. You couldn’t manage to hear it, not even with the subtle sense spell you cast. The dean probably accounted for the possibility with a spell of her own.
“Let’s cut to the chase. You have a charm.”
>She turns back around to you.
>“You could get a charm from any other witch easily.”
“Please. I know you’re not satisfied waltzing into this and walking out without a challenge. I’m not either. Besides, don’t you want to finish what you started at the beginning of this?”
>”If you think you can take my charm away, then you’re a fool.”
“Maybe so, but think of how entertaining it would be if I did!”
>She stands still. You do too.
>…
>Once you sense the slightest oddity in the air you send a blast of air.
>It collides with her magic and causes a blast.
>You put your arm over your forehead to shield from the wind.
>It’s funny. The first time you saw telekinesis used you thought it was the ultimate magic. Impossible to resist if the user was adept enough at it, as there was no way for the victim to know he was targeted until it was too late.
>But action at a distance isn’t real, not even with magic—so there should be, and there IS a way to repel it.
>For this to work, you should stay a distance from her, and also stay away from the shockwaves of your attacks colliding.
>Veronica will probably let it happen, she loves to attack from a distance.

>You are Sunset.
>And your fight with this girl rages on.
>You’re left only able to defend and take the hits she deals to you.
>All your hits are met with the barriers she can control over her body at will.
>Dealing with her is going to be tough… but not impossible!
>She throws a punch at your face.
>You dodge it and deliver a heavy push with your leg.
>It hits a barrier, of course. But you’ve confirmed one thing at least—she can be pushed.
>She recovers and deals a knee to your gut.
>You throw a punch at her face, and follow with a knee to her gut.
>The punch hits a barrier, the knee hits her stomach.
>That confirms another thing—she can’t see through her own barrier.
>As your fight continues you notice some loud sounds from above. 
>You look to see blasts of air pressure and magic.
“Artemis and Veronica?”
>You refocus back on your current adversary just in time to duck under another suffocation spell.
>You get out your wand to shine another lazer in her eye.
>She grabs your arm to prevent it.
>You quickly move your other arm to grab her face.
>It meets a barrier.
>You then sweep her legs to trip her and drive her head into the ground.
>”Agh!” she yells.
>You don’t know if she used a barrier for the back of her head, but that’s still got to hurt right?
>The barrier on her face is still up, but she doesn’t move.
>You get up and take a few steps back.
>Did you actually win!?
>You take a couple more cautionary steps back, and then take out your broom.
>Once you do, she points her wand up while still on the ground a lobs a spell at you.
>You get out of the way, but when it hits the ground smoke emanates from the area and it clouds your vision.
>You get paranoid. Just what will she do next?
>You hear her transform her wand. Is she running?
>Your question is answered as you feel yourself hit hard with a huge human shaped object.
>It’s your adversary seems to have used the momentum from her broom riding to tackle you at a high speed. She’s cloaked entirely in her barrier.
>You get driven into the side of a building.
“Owww…”
>You barely find the strength to open your eyes and look at her.
>Your vision begins to blur.

>*You’re someone.*
*”Hey Raina! Let’s play together again!”*
>*”I can’t. My friends are expecting me to come see them soon.*”
*”What’s with you? You used to play with me all the time, sis.”*
>*”I’m sorry. I promise you I’ll do it next time!*”

>*You lie on the ground. Defeated once again.*
*”Ugh.”*
>*”Even with main magic suited for combat you don’t cover your weaknesses well, Laina. What good is a barrier if it can’t protect such a sensitive spot like the back of your neck?”*
*”I can’t help it! No matter how hard I try I can’t make it appear there.”*
>*”To be defeated by a witch like me who’s main magic isn’t suited for battle at all. You have to do better.”*


>*”C’mon Raina, cut loose. You finally managed to get a top 5 rating for your witch class!”*
>*”I know, I know. I just don’t want to do anything stupid.”*
*”Haha. I’m gonna go use the bathroom guys.”*
>*”Alright.”*
>*”Thank God she’s gone, she’s so annoying.”*
>*”Agreed. Don’t you think so, Raina?”*
>*”I know, she’s the bitch sister.”*

>You’re Sunset.
>…
>Your vision is coming back to you.
>Laina is walking away with your charm.
>You look up.
>Veronica and Artemis are still fighting too.
“Get over it.”
>She turns back to look at you with a confused look.
“People grow up and stop playing with their baby sisters. It happens all the time. The fact that you’re still not over it at your age is painfully pathetic.”
>She starts scowling at you.
>”Can you read minds?”
>You stand back up on your feet. It takes you a little bit to regain your proper footing.
“And frankly, I would have done the same thing. Such a brat of a kid sister. And such a stupid weakness that you STILL can’t work around.”
>She looks down for a moment motionless.
“Hey, did you hear m-“
>”Just shut up! I don’t give a damn what your magic is!”
>Up till now, she looked like such a calm and collected type. You must have truly struck a nerve.
>”Nothing gives you the right to say that! You don’t know the first fucking thing about my family!”
>Time to drive this home.
“The power to see your past! That’s what I have. Here’s a secret that even you couldn’t see. Your mom and dad think you’re the bitch sister too!”
>Laina mounts her broom and coats herself in her barrier. A thick magical aura surrounds her broom, and it ignites with energy.
>It looks like she intends to ram you again.
>If you get hit this time you might not wake up again.
>You’re nervous, but you also have just one shot at this. You have to focus.
>You get on your broom and charge up into the sky.
>Laina follows, she can still sense your magic. To be expected.
>You have a head start, but she’s gaining on you. You have to be quick!
>You make a beeline to where you see Artemis’s battle taking place.
>Your heartrate increases dramatically as you close in. This is one of the most insane ideas you’ve ever had.
>Laina starts getting dangerously close as you start getting dangerously close to the mayhem on the rooftop.
>She’s still blinded by rage.
>Time to do or die!
>Time slows as you attempt to maneuver through both Artemis and Veronica’s attacks. 
>You were only in the cross fire for a second, but it felt like much longer. 
>”AAAAGH!”
>You cringe a bit as you hear the sound of magic hitting flesh.
>You land on the building and look back.
>Laina was hit in the crossfire. 

>Everyone on the rooftop stopped attacking.
>Laina laid on the ground between you and the other two.
>As soon as you regain mental clarity you run over to the girl and rummage through her pockets.
>The charm. You found it. 
>”Sunset!”
>Artemis runs towards you and embraces you.
>”Are you alright?”
“Yeah. Not sure I can say the same for her.”
>Artemis looks down at Laina.
>”She shouldn’t be dead at least, but she’s definitely out of this competition.”
“Hey, that means I won!”
>Artemis hugs you harder. “But that was a risky move, you silly girl.”
>You didn’t know Artemis cared so much for your well-being. She’s generally pretty emotionally reserved. You don’t dislike this though.
>Artemis looks into the sky while she embraces you.
>”The sun is starting to get low, and your charm has been found for more than enough time. Let’s get out of here.”
>Artemis gets up and offers you her hand. You take it and rise to your feet.
>She then transforms her wand into a broom. “Get on.”
>You do so.
>”Wait just a minute!” 
>Both you and Artemis look over to a seemingly confused Veronica.
>”You don’t have a charm, Artemis. You can’t leave!”
“Is that true.”
>Artemis giggles. “Just what gave you that impression?”
>Artemis holds up her long bangs to reveal a seal that suggests she in fact does possess a charm.
>Veronica’s eyes widen.
>Artemis gets your attention. “Hold on tight, Sunset.”
>”ARTEMIS!” Even with the force of Artemis’s air-pressure take-off, you could still hear Veronica’s angered voice.

>You and Artemis manage to get back to the border of the settlement near sundown.
>Despite her apparent anger, Veronica didn’t bother attacking Artemis on her broom a second time.
>You dismount near the professor.
>”Artemis. And Sunset, huh?”
>Professor Storm doesn’t bother hiding her surprise that you managed to get back with a seal.
>”That’s right.” Artemis affirms.
>The professor puts a mark next to both of your names on a paper. Then she takes your charms and sucks them into her wand.
>The seal on your forehead disappears. Presumably (she still has long bangs), Artemis’s does too.
>”Welp, that’s all for now. You both are done for the day.”
>You and Artemis begin to walk towards the settlement.
>”Hey!” Amelia runs up to you two. “What took you guys so long? I was waiting here for hours!”
>”I had a hot date with a certain blue-head.” 
>As if on que Veronica returns. She checks in with the professor then takes right back off into the settlement.
>”Were you two really fighting that whole time?” Amelia muses.
>”Not the whole time. Just at the beginning and the end. I couldn’t figure out her intentions in staying there. She was watching over Sunset’s fight with Laina.”
>”Eh, you never quite know what she’s thinking.” 
>Amelia puts her arm around your shoulder.
>”In other news, my girl managed to put the smack down on Laina! Good job!”
“Well, it was more like I dug through her thoughts, employed some mild psychological warfare, and lured her into a trap—but I’ll take it.”
>”A win is a win. Don’t sell yourself short.”
>Still. You felt a little bad. You feel like you kind of reverted back to your former self when you were a bully at CHS. And you couldn’t even finish her with your own power.
>When you start to walk again you stumble.
>”Whoa there. Are you hurt?” Amelia asks.
“Yeah.”
>As if getting hit with a super powered witch when your magic wasn’t increasing your durability at first didn’t hurt enough, she still managed to pin you to a building at high speeds later.
>Needless to say, you were feeling quite a bit of pain.

>You aren’t used to witch hospitals.
>Sure it’s clean, and you can see a few old antibiotics and medicine around.
>But the number of odd potions and mixtures is unnerving. None of these chemicals are approved by the now non-existent alphabet agencies.
>The doctor already cleaned and bandaged what needed to be bandaged on you.
>But now it was time for potions…
>”Now, now, don’t be like that. Take this potion. It will speed up your recovery.”
>Dr. Cream seemed genuine enough. She was an old lady with a really empathetic aura about her. You feel the need to take the medicine for the same reason you might feel the need to eat and enjoy your grandma’s cooking.
>Reluctantly, you drink the potion. It stings your throat, but it tastes kind of sweet.
“I… feel the same.”
>”Well of course you do dear, you just drank the thing!”
>Heh. You should have known the potions wouldn’t instantly fix you like they did in the movies.
>”You should feel fine in the morning. Get plenty of rest.”
>The doctor leaves you and closes the curtain to move on to the other witches that earned a spot in the hospital. 
>You sigh and close your eyes.
>You still don’t even know if you passed your entrance exam. And you’re skeptical about your performance.
>Sure, you managed to get a charm, but it was already revealed that they were watching everything that went down Appolusa. Meaning they know they underhanded trick you used to beat Laina.
>Not to mention you probably bombed the first phase.
>And THAT is nothing to say of what happens to the third phase of the exam now that you’re bed-ridden.
>The curtain is pulled open.
>You look up to see the headmistress, Artemis, Amelia, Professor Gardener, and a few other high ranking witches.
>”Sunset, the third phase of your entrance exam. Would you like to take it right now?” The headmistress asks.
“Can I do that in this state?”
>”It’s an oral exam that’s just one question. It won’t take more than a minute, I promise.”
“Alright…”
>You weren’t sure what to expect, but you wanted this to all be over. 
>”Okay then.” The headmistress walks over to a chair on your bedside and sits down.
>”When we first met, I said witches have three jobs. What did I say they were?”
>You open your mouth to speak, but then close it again. After all that went down since that time you didn’t have your mind on it. But you’re not entirely lost.
“Protect the residents of the settlement… was one.”
>”Yes.”
“… Going on ventures outside the settlement was another.”
>”It was.”
>The headmistress stares at you intently with a slight smile. You should be nervous, but you find her presence calming.
>You can’t help but smile yourself.
“And the last was teaching young witches.”
>”Good.”
>The headmistress stands up. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”
“But wait. What about the rest of the entrance exam? Did I pass?”
>”A panel of five high ranking witches including me judged each of the previous phases of your exam. If at least three out of the five us as decided you passed a phase, then you passed that phase. It was decided that if you passed at least one other phase along with the third then you would be admitted.”
“…How many of you said I passed the first phase?”
>”None of us.”
>Fuck. You should have known that, though.
>”And the second?”
>”Your tactics in trying to locate the charm weren’t the best, you had trouble augmenting your physical abilities, and your method of finishing off Laina could be considered ‘crass’ by some.”
>”But Sunset, your instincts were good, you used your limited arsenal of magic to the fullest, and you did manage to use your main magic in a creative way. You were brave enough to do what you had to do to get that charm back. Four of us. Four of us thought you deserved to pass the second phase. That crystal stays with you.” The headmistress smiles a big smile.
>”Right on!” Amelia shouts. She moves over to embrace you.
“Whoa relax, my body still hurts.”
>”But you really do need to start hitting the books, Sunset. Just who was it that suggested you train your body so much more than your mind?”
>Amelia blushes and attempts to make herself look small. Considering her size, it doesn’t work.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 51: Polyester
>February 20, 2097
>Before the plague, we had better materials lying around.
>Things that were super hydrophobic, incredibly durable, and comfortable too.
>But creating those requires scientific know how that’s now lost to us.
>Magic and magic technology makes some things that were pretty difficult to do with regular electronics and normal scientific methods easy but makes other things that are normally pretty easy quite difficult.
>And in this case, the best material for cloth that we can easily make with magical methods is polyester.
>As someone who was alive before the world became what it is, it’s quite the downgrade honestly.
>But I say to future generations: It could have been worse.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You feel warm.
>Really warm.
>You feel intense, weighty warmth that the temperature and time of the year simply cannot explain.
>You open your eyes.
>It’s morning. The sunlight coming from the window is bright and intense.
>”Good morning, Sunset.”
>You look to your side to see Artemis snuggled up to you in just your undergarments.
“Wait, what are you doing here?”
>”That’s a pretty bold question for someone who has only recently moved into this room.” Artemis says with a smile.
>You try and sit up and fail. Something is holding you down.
>You turn your head over to see a big mass of flesh with blonde hair and undergarments.
“Amelia too?”
>She’s sound asleep, though. And her grip is strong. You feel her large body against your backside along with all it’s intense warmth. You can feel her chest rise and fall with her breath.
“Hey! Let me go will you.” You struggle more, but you’re only tiring yourself out. She won’t budge. She won’t even wake up.
>”It’s rude to wake someone up early on the weekend, Sunset.” 
“Sure, but how do I get out of here?”
>Artemis giggles. “You’re just going to have to wait till she wakes up!”
“And that will be…?”
>Artemis looks out the window at the sun. “About now.”
>As if on cue you feel Amelia begin to stir and then let out a big yawn. “Oh, good morning, Sunset!”
>It’s not lost upon you that everyone is treating this like a completely normal situation.
“Can you let me go now?”
>”Fiiine.” She lets go and you sit up.
“Why are we in the same bed!?”
>”If fosters trust between teammates and it helps you recover faster.” Artemis states matter-of-factly.
>”And you WILL be our team member, and you WERE injured after all.” Amelia adds.
“…Don’t you think that’s a little uh… too much trust?” You ask.
>Amelia gives you a confused look. Artemis looks at you blankly. It becomes apparent to you that the culture of this place will take some getting used to.
“Uh, never mind.”
>You take a look around the room and see that it’s quite spacious. It has three beds, three closets, three desks, and a bathroom. The set of furniture to your right and in the middle of the room are decorated. The left side of the room is plain. 
>You remember that Artemis and Amelia have yet to have a third, and technically wouldn’t until the expedition teams were made official.
>You turn around and sit on the bed to look out the window. There’s a brilliant view of the settlement and the landscape. The sun gently embraces the land as the day is born.
“This place is pretty.”
>”You must be feeling better.” Artemis says.
>That’s right. You were in a fair amount of pain yesterday, but that potion apparently did the trick. Now you feel just like your usual self. 
>You look down at your body. You don’t even have scars or bruises. Your amazement is almost enough to make you not realize that the only thing you’re wearing is your undergarments and your crystal. 
“Whoa those potions sure did the trick, I feel just fine.”
>The other two smile at you. It hits you that you no longer have to do magic practice for the sake of making sure you have a place to stay and keeping your crystal anymore. Now, like all the other witches, it would be your calling and duty. 
“So, what do we do now?”
>”The headmistress told me you need to see Dean Crystal to start your orientation today.” Artemis says. “I’m not sure what I’ll do. Perhaps I’ll read a book…”
>Amelia puts her arm around you. “Look, despite not having your power I can tell what you’re thinking.”
“You can?”
>”You want to celebrate your acceptance into the academy all ready, but that kind of thing has to wait until much later in the day, Sunset.”
“Thaaat wasn’t it.”
>”Hmm. I get the feeling you want this celebration more than her, Amelia.”
>Amelia shrugs.

>Your new morning routine will take some getting used to.
>First off, witches had no running water. Most water came from one lake in the settlement, and when that wasn’t enough—they’d send witches outside to get water.
>The academy kept a good amount of fresh water inside, but it was each room’s responsibility to go get some when needed. Artemis and Amelia already had some of such water in the room, and it was with that water that you took your bath. 
>As it turns out, the cleaning spell Artemis once used on you was only temporary. Once it wore off your stench came back stronger than before, so you have to eventually bathe.
>But the inconveniences end there. Cleaning your teeth just takes one spell that doesn’t just delay the uncleanliness. There is also a spell to instantly style your hair as long as you’ve styled it in the particular fashion manually at least once.
>At this point normally you’d do your makeup, but you’ve learned witches don’t wear makeup unless it’s a special occasion.
>Next you had to choose your clothes for the day. Which is pretty easy because witches all wear the same shirts, pants, panties, bras, and socks (which are all made of polyester).
>Today, you should finally be able to get a robe. Then you’ll fit right in with everyone else.
>…
>Once upon a time, you looked down on a school that had mandatory school uniforms. 
>You think back on the friendship games and all your old school’s quarrels with Crystal Prep. What was supposed to be a sporting event ended up being another weird encounter with magic. Something the world was not to aware of at the time.
>How would your friends react to being put into the situation you were put into?
>Look at you reminiscing over the ‘good ol’ days’. God, you’re old.
>You move to exit the room to start your new life!
>”Sunset wait.”
>You stop in your tracks and turn around.
>”Do you even know where Dean Crystal’s office is?” Artemis asks.
“Uhh…”
>Artemis sighs and Amelia giggles.

>You follow Artemis’s directions to the best of your ability. The Academy is fairly large, and you can already tell you’re going to have to get lost one or two times to learn the ins and outs.
>The eighth floor of the academy is kind of intimidating. It’s embellished with much art and apparel all with distinctly witch-like style. 
>On the East wing of the eighth floor you finally find the room labeled “Dean Crystal.”
>You hesitate for a little while before gaining the courage to knock.
>You hear nothing.
>Could she be running late? It is kind of early after all. You look both ways down the hall and see nothing.
>After waiting a few minutes you try knocking one more time.
>There’s stirring behind the door. You can hear the shuffling of various items.
>You then hear a tired groan. “J-just a minute!”
>You wait outside at the sound of hurried preparation. Just what does she have going on in there?
>The door creaks open just a little and you can see someone look through.
>”Oh! It’s just a student. Thank God.”
>Then the door is opened entirely.
>Behind it you find a short girl with dark grey hair and orange eyes. Her hair is a mess. Her robe looks quite wrinkled as well. She’s carrying a mug of coffee. You can tell she just woke up as soon as you knocked on the door.
>The room itself looks like it would be nice if it wasn’t for the sheer disarray. The desk is covered in papers, books, and artifacts. The floor doesn’t fair much better. Behind the desk you see a sleeping bag.
“You wouldn’t happen to be... Dean Crystal would you?”
>”Yup. That would be me! So what do you need? Schedule change? Therapy session? Perhaps a beer?”
“How old are you?”
>Dean Crystal give you an annoyed look “Ugh, that’s what they all ask. You were thinking ‘Dean Crystal looks waaaaay too young to actually be a dean’, right? Well it’s really me. I’m not some random girl who has snuck into the office, and I’m not the dean’s secret daughter or assistant. I’m the real 27 year old dean.”
>If she’s telling the truth, she looks like she’s less than half her actual age! That’s kind of amazing but on the other hand she obviously has a complex over it.
“Anyway, I’m Sunset Shimmer. I’m supposed to have orientation today I think.”
>Dean Crystal studies you for a bit. Then she circles around you.
>”So you’re the one, huh? I guess that explains your lack of a robe. Come in.”
>She enters her office. You attempt to by trying to step on the floor instead of a paper or artifact. 
>The dean begins searching through all of her various files for something. You begin to accept that this will probably take up a good chunk of time when you hear a “Ah ha!”
>”Alright. This here is the book of courses here at The Academy. And this form will be the ones that you choose.”
>You skim through the book and see that there are hundreds of courses offered with subjects ranging from things you’re more familiar with such as math and history to things that seem new such as potion conjuring and wand building.
>The form looks to serve as a guide on what sections of classes you must choose from and what electives you can take.
>Dean Crystal ”This orientation might be a little disorganized and rushed-
>Yeah, you figured that might be the case as soon as you laid eyes on her.
>”-but you are just one girl in an experimental situation, after all.” She sighs. “I suppose I should take you on a tour or something at this point if you’d like. At the end I can show you where you can get a robe.”
“Oh, yes. I’d like that.”
>You power up your wand to store the book and form back in Artemis’ and Amelia’s (and your?) room.
>Dean Crystal takes your hand and leads you out of her office.

~

>”And that about concludes our tour of the academic departments. We didn’t cover where the more esoteric electives are, but I think we’ve been running around enough.”
“Yeah, that’s for sure. It feels like we’ve walked for miles.”
>”Before we get your robe, just one more stop Sunset. I promise. Follow me outside.”
>Dean Crystal leads you outside The Academy to the rolling hills and well crafted neighborhood of the inner settlement. The homes are large and decorated much like The Academy. You can see a few children playing around one particular home—shouting with joy as they go about their day. 
“These houses are huge. How much do they cost?”
>”No idea. Rarely do these houses go up for sale. Most of these homes belong to prominent witch families, of course.”
“Oh, that would explain it.”
>”You really aren’t from around here. I heard rumors that you were from the past or something. Crazy right?”
>You laugh awkwardly.
“Yeah… crazy.”
>You really want to change the subject.
“Does your family live around here Dean Crystal?”
>”Nah. My family lives a bit further out. We’re not one of the big names. I can’t complain too much though, our home is pretty nice. Not that I sleep there half the time anyway. What about your family, Sunset? Do they live outside the settlement on their own or do they live in a different one?”
>Your family… you haven’t seen them since you arrived in the human world. Hell, you haven’t seen them ever since Celestia first took you under her wing. And now you’re far into the future. They’re doubtlessly dead by now. You don’t even remember your last words to them.
>”Sunset? Are you alright?” Dean Crystal’s inquiry brought you back to your senses.
“Oh, yeah. I just spaced out for a bit. You see I-”
>”Don’t worry about it, we’re here.”
>In front of you stands a building that’s in very similar style to the houses in the area.
>A plaque on the front reads “Wand Shop”, and you see a symbol of a wand instead of a family crest.
”Wand shop?”
>”That’s right. As an acceptance gift I’ll buy you a wand! This is a one time thing though, and I won’t go above 1000 coins either.”
>She said that as if it’s a hard limit, just how expensive are these wands?
>Upon entry you see a woman behind a counter look up in attention.
“Oh, hello Dean Crystal. And you must be Sunset! What brings you two here?”
>How’d she know your name? Does word spread that fast?
>”I’m helping Sunset pick out a wand. Got anything cheap and for beginners?”
>”Of course I do. C’mon Dean, someone of your rank should know that!”
>Dean Crystal huffs and pouts. “Gimmie a break. I haven’t had to pick out a new wand in years!”
>”Alright fine…” the woman stands up. “Follow me.”
>Deeper into the shop you see shelves after shelves of wands. The shop looks to be a home refitted into being a shop. You only see about one or two other witches browsing the stock. 
>You now understand Dean Cystal’s attitude towards the prices, because many of these seem to run the buyer 3000 coins or more.
>That would be about six months rent at your old place before you moved into the Academy.
“Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what actually makes a wand more expensive than another?”
>”Better technology.” The dean says. “And better technology usually means it’s easier to cast spells in general, or some particular spells.”
“I see.”
>You’re led up one flight of stairs to see even more shelves of wands. The store clerk then leads you and the dean toward a section near a window.
>”Alright, I think these wands might be the right wands for you!”
>You look to the nearby shelves to see wands that look similar to the ones the headmistress laid out for you earlier. They come in various colors and sizes.
>”Without going into too much detail,” the store clerk begins “the orb color can determine the optimal mindset for using your magic.”
“Mindset? So one wand might work better if I’m happy or something?”
>”Something like that. But the best way for you to see which works best for you would be for you to simply try them. Just try transforming each into brooms.”
>You pick up a wand with a yellow orb and inspect it for a moment before attempting it’s transformation to a broom.
>You get it done. But you feel… more hyper than before.
“Whoa.”
>The store clerk smiles. “Well, I don’t want to disturb you the whole time while you try these out. Just call me if you have any questions.”
>”I’ll wait downstairs too.” The dean says. She narrows her eyes at you. “Remember my price cap though.”
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t.”
>Both women turn and go back down stairs, though you can still hear the footsteps of maybe one or two customers nearby.
>You revert the wand you’re carrying and put it back in its place on the shelf.
>So the yellow orb seemed to respond to your excitement. To use the wands you have been using with teal orbs you focused on your pride as a witch—just like when you used magic for the first time.
>Your eyes drift towards a wand with a silver orb.
>You pick it up and attempt its transformation, but you can’t get it to work. 
>Similar results come with attempting a wand with a violet orb.
>Lastly, you attempt a wand with a red orb.
>It doesn’t work, but you feel like you’re close.
>You try it again and you get it to work but,… you feel… angry? No. Passionate. …And a little aroused.
>You put it back on the shelf and let your eyes wander.
>Dean Crystal said not to go out of the price range, but that doesn’t mean you can’t just try out some other ones right?
>You walk around the floor until a wand with a particularly striking appearance catches your eye.
>It’s a black wand with what you think is light from yellow LEDs from its inner components. It has a logo with a cute cartoonish demon face, and the rod is complete with stubby little demon horns near the end near the red orb. You would have liked something like this when you first entered Canterlot high…
>But not now, you put the wand back to the shelf.
>You turn around an-
“Eep!”
>You jump a little at the sight of Lainah. With a few more bandages around her arms this time, you might add. She doesn’t look to happy to see you as she stands there with her arms crossed.
“Uhh… hey. Fancy seeing you here.”
>She holds her scowl wordlessly. 
>You sigh.
“Look, I really said some things to you that I shouldn’t ha-“
>”You think! And now I have to walk around with these itchy things because you couldn’t even win without cheap tricks!”
“Hey, give me a break. I had to come up with something.”
>You take a step back. She takes one forward towards you.
>”You’re lucky I’m still recovering.”
>She turns around and begins to walk away.
>”But this isn’t the end of this.”
>You stand still as you hear Lainah’s footsteps subside as she leaves the floor.
>You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. How annoying… you didn’t do anything wrong by outsmarting her.
>”Gee Sunset, how’d you manage to make an enemy already?”
>You turn around to see Dean Crystal with a concerned look on her face.
“Two enemies, actually.”
>”At this rate you might as well be a governing witch. Anyway, did you choose a wand yet.”
>You walk over to the black rod you put back before and effortlessly complete it’s broom transformation.
“I think this is the one.”

~

 >”And here’s your robe!”
>The headmistress holds the neatly folded garment to you.
>Slowly, you raise your arms to meet and take it. You smile.
“Thanks.”
>”Yeah, well we have a slightly more sophisticated ceremony for the little witches when they’re around five. I had a feeling you wouldn’t want to join in on that.”
>She’s right. Probably would have been awkward standing out so much around a bunch of kids.
>”Well what are you waiting for? Try it on!”
>You unfold the robe and hold it out at it’s full length in front of you. After inspecting if for a moment you finally don it.
>A few random onlookers in the courtyard begin to clap. The headmistress giggles.
>This makes you blush a bit.
>”A perfect fit. Look for yourself.”
>The headmistress raises her hand and a mirror manifests itself at her palm. Looking into it you can see that the robe is in fact, a perfect fit. You were never THAT much into fashion, but you think the design and red color matches your hair.
>After having a good look at yourself the mirror disappears, and the headmistress’s palm is bare again.
>”I guess that about does it for your orientation.” Dean Crystal states. “Just make sure you can get your course selection back to me by the end of the day alright.”
“I will!”
>”Glad to have you on board, Sunset.” The headmistress states.
>You smile and nod, and both of them walk away to go about their business.
>You look up into the sky to see that it’s beginning to get late into the evening.
>What should you do until Monday?

~
“And that’s about how my day went down.”
>”Two enemies already, Sunset? How do you do it?” Carrie asks.
>You respond by simply shrugging and lying back on your bean bag.
>You look around the second dorm room you’ve ever entered here at The Academy. Three beds just like yours. Cinderbelle sits on her bed idly listening to your conversation all while keeping her signature smile. Artemis sits on another bed reading a book. And you, Amelia, and Carrie sit on the floor in bean bags.
>Outside you can see the modest lights of the nighttime settlement along with far more stars than you’ve ever seen this close to Canterlot. For a moment, you all simply listen to the ambient noise of the crickets outside and the occasional shift of Artemis flipping a page.
>”Hey, where’s Cadenza?” Amelia asks.
>”That’s a good question.” Carrie responds. “She’s usually done practicing by this time.”
“Who is this girl who practices this late on a Saturday?”
>Cinderbelle finally speaks up. “Not practicing magic. Practicing music. And Cadenza is our roommate and presumptuous team member.”
>”Oh Cinderbelle, what if our girl accidentally choked on a flute or poked her eye with a bow? Or worse, abducted by the music gods. She could be in intense agony and we wouldn’t even know!”
>”Kinda doubting that one.” Amelia replies.
>”Well if you’re that worried, you can always check on her. I’m sure she’s in her usual spot.”
>Carrie jumps onto her feet. “You’re right, Cinderbelle. Let’s go. Adventure awaits, girls!”
>”I’ll sit this one out.” Artemis quickly responds.
>Cinderbelle speaks. ”I’ll do the same. I’m sure she’s fine.”
>”Wow you two are boring.” Amelia stands up. “You’ll come with us, right Sunset?”
>You sure as hell don’t have much else to do. You stand up.
“Yeah.”
>Electric light is very sparse in The Academy. It’s mostly lit by lanterns. This especially rings true for the more esoteric parts of the building. You find yourself taking second looks at some shadows just to find that they were cast by an inanimate object more often than you’d like to admit.
>”We didn’t take a wrong turn, did we?” Amelia asks.
>”Pfft. No way. Nobody knows navigation like Carrie Basket!”
>”Yeah I suppose you’re right. It takes a special kind of character to get lost in an abandoned super market.”
>”That was a year ago, get over it!”
>Amelia snickers. You do the same.
>”Well! We’re here now. No thanks to you two!” Carrie huffs.
>You reach your hand towards the door knob and methodically open the door.
>Inside you see a room lit with many lanterns. Instruments can be found around the whole room.
>In the middle you see a girl with light brown hair and pink eyes slumped down in a chair. She seems to be staring at the wall lost in thought. She did not even react to your entrance.
>Carrie walks up to her uncertainly. “Cadenza?”
>”I’m worthless.”
>Carrie is taken aback. “What?”
>”I’m worthless, Carrie! This has all been for nothing!”
>”What are you saying? You’re a natural at every instrument you ever pick up.” Amelia pleads.
>”As if that matters.” Cadenza stands and finally faces your party. “My family is a family of singers. Singers! And now my mom is making me sing in front of an audience tomorrow and my singing voice is terrible and I’m gonna embarrass myself!”
“Why not just ask your mom to turn it into a performance of some other instrument?”
>”Well bacon-haired girl, -“
“It’s Sunset…” You say unamused.
>”-I’ve to this day never told mother about my poor singing voice. I’ve been covering it up since I was small and now it’s too late for me to fix this.”
>”Well, if you really can’t find the courage to tell her then there’s just thing to do!” Amelia states.
>You all look to her in anticipation.
>”You just need to practice singing all night! Then you’ll definitely be ready by tomorrow!”
>Cadenza puts her palm to her face. “That’s not how bad singing voices work, Amelia…”
>”Just because that’s the solution for the exams you put off studying for doesn’t mean it will work for everything.” Carrie snickers.
>Amelia crosses her arms and huffs. “Well you know, either way we just have to work with what we have.”
>The room is silent for a moment.
“I think Amelia is right… If you have to do this, the most anyone can ask for is your best.”
>Carrie perks up. “Yeah. Besides, now that I think of it I’ve never heard you sing before Cadenza.”
>Cadenza blushes. “You girls won’t really make me sing in front of you, will you?”
>”C’mon. How bad could it be? I promise I won’t laugh no matter what!” Amelia finishes her statement with a thumbs up.
>Cadenza sheepishly looks down. Then to the side. And shifts a bit before readying herself for her vocal exercise.
>What you hear next is the most beautiful singing you’ve ever heard in person. The song is slow and sappy—which perfectly compliments her voice. You feel serene while Cadenza sings. You can tell Amelia and Carrie feel the same.
>You’re brought back to your senses when she stops singing. All is silent.
>”What’s with those shocked looks?” Cadenza asks. “My singing was terrible wasn’t it? I’m dead meat tomorrow!”
“Cadenza, you’re singing is amazing. What are you worried about?”
>”Yeah, yeah! If you sing like that you’ll knock it out of the park!” Carrie says.
>”You guys are just saying that aren’t you? I didn’t project my voice enough, I got the first couple of notes wrong, my voice got nasally, and…”
>You begin to tune out Cadenza’s own criticisms of herself as the shock of how low her self-esteem with regards to her voice hits you.
>Amelia puts her hands up to signal Cadenza to stop talking. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Your problem isn’t with your voice or whatever. You just need to de-stress and get a dose of self-confidence my friend. You’ve been in here far too much lately, haven’t you? I mean, Sunsets been with us for a month and you’re just now meeting her.”
>”A month…?” Cadenza makes eye contact with you for a moment then sighs. “Maybe I have been in here too much.” 
>”You said it. It’s been awhile since we’ve really hung out. Let’s do something!” Carrie suggests excitedly.
“It’s getting pretty late though. What could we do?”
>Amelia perks up. “We could take a bath!”
“What?”
>”At the hot springs I mean.”
>…Wait. There should be a natural hot spring around here. You were going to go with your friends from your time, but you never got around to it.
>”I’m down. Cadenza will get to unwind, and we can all catch up.” Carrie says. “Are you two with us?”
>”Yeah.” Cadenza replies.
>If you didn’t go, all you would have to do is sleep or browse through the course catalog.
“Yeah, I’ll go.”

~

>You take in the view of the lantern-lit hot spring. The neatly organized rocks bordering the water, the steam, and the various witches de-stressing all came together to form a calm vibe. Getting here was kind of a chore though, as this is just about the only piece of land on the border of the settlement that witches dwelled in.
>It was almost enough to take your mind off the fact that you and everyone surrounding you was naked.
>But if everyone else was going to pretend this was a normal situation, then you weren’t going to address the elephant in the room either.
>”So Sunset.” Carrie begins. “How do you like it here so far?”
>You think back through your month at the settlement. It already feels like it’s been a lifetime.
“It’s been brutal at times. A lot more brutal than my past life.”
>The others stare at you for a moment, unsure if you’ll continue.
“But I can’t complain too much. I could have easily had to fend for myself out there. The headmistress has been more than kind. I think I can look forward to what will happen here.”
>The others remain silent but seem satisfied with your response.
>Cadenza nears you. “Where are you from anyway?”
>You pause for a moment. Should you really be honest about this? But if you don’t, what could you even say? ‘I’m from that abandoned city a few miles out.’
>”She’s from the past.”
“Amelia!”
>”What? That’s what you said. And in front of our governing body I should add.”
>Carrie has a deeply confused look on her face.
>Cadenza has a skeptical look. ”The past? You expect me to believe that?”
“No. Which is why I wasn’t going to say it.”
>”… I’ll humor you for a moment. How far back in the past are you from?”
“I’m not exactly sure,… but I’m technically the same age as Twilight Sparkle. She’s actually a good friend of mine. I mean… she WAS a good friend of mine.”
>That’s right. Twilight’s dead now. Same with everyone else that you ever knew. Their equestrian counterparts are dead too. Every now and then this thought hits you again and you feel a bit of existential sadness.
>You’re brought back to your senses when Cadenza speaks again. “Well then. If you’re really from the past, then you should be able to answer this.”
>You look to Cadenza in anticipation.
>”What was Adagio like?”
>Adagio? Why specifically he-
>You take a good look at Cadenza’s face. Then you giggle.
>”What are you laughing at?”
“Well for one thing, you look really similar to her. Can you do me a favor one of these days and poof your hair up a lot? Dye it orange too.”
>”Orange poofy hair?” Carrie asks. “What was she, a clown?”
>Amelia begins to laugh, and Cadenza blushes.
>”N-no way! You’re just pulling my leg. You’re not really from the past.”
“But hey, she pulled off the style really well. She was really pretty. Promise.”
>Cadenza continues to listen idly. You look into the distance as you reminisce.
“She was really self-confident. Seductive too. She didn’t want to admit it, but… she cared a whole lot about her two closest friends.”
>You decide to leave out the part where she tried to control the school with a magical pendant. What happened to her after that anyway?
“But you know, Adagio had the courage to sing in front of the whole school. Competitively even. I think she would want you to be able to do the same.”
>You deliver the last sentence with the most sincere smile you can muster. Cadenza looks away and huffs, but silently moves right up next to you. How cute! You’re not sure how good a job you did at being convincing, though.
>Eventually, you and the others leave the hot springs. The next day is uneventful save handing your course selection to Dean crystal and Cadenza’s performance at night. Her singing was exemplary. You go to sleep at night with thoughts of how your first day studying as a witch will go.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 20: Twilight’s Last Days
>March 1, 2089
>I remember it.
>I was only about 12 years old.
>Twilight was demented in her final days. But I don’t think it was for long before she died.
>She kept going on and on about crystals and about sunsets. 
>Every now and then I try to look back and extract meaning from those ramblings, but every time I fail.
>Was Twilight trying to tell me something? Am I failing her by being unable to pick up on it?
>Or is that just me being too reverent of Twilight—crediting her with more clarity than she truly had in those last days.
>I just don’t know…
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon

~

>The air is a little thick.
>Well, at least in your head it is.
>You can’t help but feel a little nervous as you walk down the hall towards your first witch class ever.
>And if that wasn’t enough, it’s a required one. Every witch in your generation will be there.
>There’s a group of witches walking to the designated room that you’re walking with.
>You started this journey with your roommates, but you lost them with the crowd.
>Eventually you manage to make it to the large room through the decorated double doors.
>You take in the large room. It’s a large auditorium that’s heavily decorated. You see witch statues around the room. All the various wood structures around the room are embellished including the balcony. You think you can see around 1000 people in the room. There is a single screen at the front of the room behind the podium.
>You see your friends wave at you and you go sit by them.
>You can only wait for class to start as you hear the murmur of the crowd around the room.
>Artemis notices an unusually wide grin on Amelia. “What’s gotten you in such a good mood?”
>”Oh Artemis, I’m just reveling in this moment.”
>”What’s so special about it?”
>”It’s the very LAST moment that you will be ahead of yours truly!”
>”Oh is that so?”
>”You can keep that confident smile all you want, but I’ve done all of the calculations. Based off how long it took each of us to finish that last assessment, I should be ahead of you by miles. And I’ll finally take my rightful place at the top of this place!”
>”I’ll be looking forward to it.” Artemis says with an unwavering voice.
>In time Professor Storm enters at the front of the room and beckons the room to quiet down.
>”So I know you all are really eager to see the results of your recent assessment. So I won’t bother beating around the bush. On the screen you’ll see the results of the assessment along with your new ratings. It’ll show 100 witches from bottom to top. Each group of 100 will be up for about a minute, so pay attention! As usual, next to each name you’ll see an assessment score, a rating, a rank, and an arrow to suggest whether you’ve went up or down. The rating is your raw score as a witch, and the rank is your placement in your generation from 1 to 1023.”
>”Without further adieu!” 
>The first screen goes up showing ranks  1001 to 1023, and you instantly hear the room erupt with noise. Some disappointed “awws” and laughter can be heard. Your eyes dart through the screen in hopes that you don’t see your name—and luckily you don’t.
>You breathe a sigh of relief. But you did get a charm after all, surely you should be in the top 50 right?
>The next screen comes up showing ranks 901 to 1000. You still don’t see anyone you recognize.
>This goes on for the next couple of screens. As they go along the reactions to the results become more positive. You begin to hear some cheers.
>You finally see your name at rank 447. Could be worse. 
>You see Lainah at rank 448. With a big red arrow pointing down near her name to suggest she decreased in rank. You react instinctually.
“Ha!”
>”Oh… Lainah can’t be happy about that.” Carrie says with a sly smile.
>Your adrenaline pumps through your bloodstream and you look behind and near you. Luckily, she’s not nearby.
>You breathe a sigh of relief.
>”Lesson one of having rivals,” Artemis begins. “don’t show any weakness near your rival. Especially when you’re winning.”
>Artemis points her finger down the balcony towards the ground floor. Off to the left side you see Lainah looking back at you.
>You fight the urge to look away and hold eye contact. Even at this distance you can tell it’s not a congratulatory gaze.
>The stare down ends when she finally turns back towards the podium. 
>”Better.” Artemis says.
>You smile and give her a nod.
>Cheers erupt as ranks in the 300s are shown. And again as the 200s are revealed.
>”Oh neat, I went up!” Cinderbelle states.
>Along with her you can see both Carrie and Cadenza. All of them with ranks in the 260s.
>You can’t help but appreciate the excitement and buzz at the reveal of each screen. Friendly rivalries, arch nemesis’s, and everything in between are revealed in the reactions of the crowd. Professor Storm seems to enjoy it too by the looks of that wide grin on her face as she scans her eyes over the crowd at each reveal.
>At the reveal of ranks 4 through 100 you hear the most energetic reaction yet.
>After a minute, professor Storm gets the attention of the auditorium by whistling. “Alright everyone, time for the reveal of the current top three!”
>”As if we don’t know who they are.” Cadenza says.
>Amelia perks up. “This time, it’s about who they are—it’s about their ORDER. Right Artemis?”
>Artemis remains unphased by Amelia’s teasing. “Sure is.”
>”Number three… Veronica!”
>A photo of Veronica appears on screen along with her stats. The crowd cheers. 
>You spot Veronica in the crowd. She seems rather neutral to the whole ordeal. You can’t help notice the sizable gap between the rating of the number 4 witch and Veronica’s. It was comparable to the difference between two other witches who were about 50 ranks apart.
>”Aaaand number two: Amelia!” Amelia’s likeness and stats appear on the screen. You hear applause around the room save from one location…
>”NO!” Amelia exclaims and covers her red face. 
>”I-I was just kidding about what I said before, Artemis. I knew this would happen!” Amelia speaks without removing her hands from her face.
>”It’s okay, I believe you.”
>”Number one—give it up for Artemis!”
>Artemis stands, gives a quick bow, and sits back down.
>”Wow, good job Artemis! Ahem. And you too Amelia.” Carrie says.
>Artemis nods. Amelia, clearly still a little embarrassed, simply huffs.
>After awhile, professor Storm attempts to silence the room “All right, that’s enough. As always, if you have a problem with your standing then do better. We’ll be sending notices to those rooms who have a team member that diverged greatly from the others in rank, because the expedition teams may shift around a little. They will be finalized by Friday. If you have any requests then talk to me directly, but know that we can’t guarantee anything. Without further adieu, it’s time for our lesson for the day. Today it’s all about counter attacks…”
>Oh no. Artemis and Amelia are leagues ahead of you. You’ll definitely have to make an appeal to the professor… You really can’t complain about your rank, but you can’t help but feel a little irked that you’re the lowest out of your friends.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 50: Mankind and Witchkind
>January 2, 2096
>Mankind is cursed.
>They have Magicopia, and it won’t go away. 
>If it weren’t for witches, it would definitely kill them entirely. Their only buffer against this, is the existence of witches. We can separate them from the outside world so they can exist.
>No purple plague or mosquito can enter.
>Witchkind is cursed.
>In exchange for our magic, our biology ruined.
>The innards of a witch are almost completely toxic to sperm. We’re lucky we can exist at all.
>After much more effort than a non-witch would have to go through, a witch can have a child. However, there’s about an eighty percent chance that it will be a daughter.
>Left alone, witches would not ever be able to sustain their own existence.
>Our only buffer against this, is the existence of mankind. They can produce a normal amount of males.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You head back to your room when you’re done with your classes for the day.
>The room is empty. 
>You take the time to review your notes from your classes while you wait for your roommates.
>A little while later both Artemis and Amelia enter together. You rise from the desk.
“Girls! We have to go see professor Storm.”
>”I know.” Artemis responds promptly. “Let’s go.”
>As you three make it towards the professor’s office you see that there’s a moderately long line.
>”Oh boy, just what I needed…” 
>”Between this line and having to potentially live with Veronica,” Artemis begins. “I’d take the line every time.”
>Eventually, you three make it to the end and approach professor Storm.
>Before any of you have a chance to speak, the professor holds up a hand to signal you to not begin. “Forget it. The answer is no.”
>Amelia is the first to react. “What!? You’ve got to be kidding!”
>”First—don’t raise your voice at me. Second—I’m not kidding. Do you really think I can put someone halfway down the list on difficult missions with the top two in good conscience?”
>It can’t be. Will this really be it for your time with the two people that saved your life? I’m sure you could still see them again, but… 
>Your mind flashes back through all the time you spent training with these two. The frustrations and the wins. The highs and the lows. Even the short time you spent rooming with them was filled with worthwhile memories. All your development during your time here has been with them—you don’t want to give it up!
>You have to come up with something to say.
“I know I’m not the best witch out there, but these two have been with me every step of the way. They only went through the trouble of helping me get here because they wanted me to work with them. It was never all about strength; it was because they trusted me. At least give me the chance.”
>”No.”
>What a quick response. 
>”This isn’t a soccer team, kid. Your lives, the fate of the settlement, our goals, they all will hang in the balance. If I was put you all together and for whatever reason you dragged the operation down, then the blame for that would rest on me. Understand?”
>Amelia looks like she wants to say something, but decides not to. Artemis looks down seemingly lost in thought. 
>You look down in defeat.
>The professor speaks again. “Now if that’s all, then you can le-“
>”Consider this.” Artemis begins. “Sunset, who a month ago has never so much as held a wand, managed to make it to the top fifty percent of our generation. That’s only because we helped her get there. Imagine if we had one more month with her. We’d have the team skill and compatibility together. You know full well that our assignments won’t be all that dangerous right off the bat. Watch. In a month, I could get Sunset to be a comparable member of our team.”
>The professor puts her hand to her chin and inspects Artemis while seemingly deep in thought. Artemis looks back into the professors eyes unwaveringly.
>Artemis continues. “When has my judgement ever been wrong?”
>Professor Storm sighs and begins to speak. “Look, I get that you guys aren’t on the best terms with Veronica. It doesn’t have to be he-“
>”That’s not all this is about!” Amelia shouts. “Don’t you get it? We want it to be her.”
>”Then forget it! … Leave my office witches…”
>You three turn around and do as you’re told. Other witches who were in line to witness the commotion stare and whisper as you leave.
>Not much is said that evening. The air was thick in the room, but no one wanted to address it.
>Your mind went over the events that transpired over and over again. Your thoughts constantly switch between beating yourself up for saying the wrong thing or believing this would be the inevitable result no matter what you said.
>You attempt to read over your class notes, but your focus is compromised.
>You go to bed early that night.
 
~

>You wake up the next morning.
>Grogginess plagues you for a little while, but when you look over to Artemis and Amelia sleeping in their separate beds the memories from yesterday hit you.
>You can see that it’s cloudy outside the window.
>You go through your morning routine, attempting to be quiet throughout as to not wake your (temporary…) roommates.
>You walk through the quiet hallways and staircases of The Academy to the eateries which are just beginning to open for breakfast.
>Eventually you get your plate of sunny side up eggs and hash browns. You’ve eaten a breakfast like this here before, but for some reason it looks and tastes particularly undercooked and slimy today.
>You eat in silence for awhile. 
>”Hey Sunset…”
>You look up to see that Cadenza and Cinderbelle have joined you. You didn’t even notice their approach.
>”Are you alright? You look a little down?” Cinderbelle asks.
>”Perhaps she’s just not a morning person, Cinderbelle. Don’t pry.”
>”Oh, I suppose that could be it.”
“Yeah. I’m a little tired…”
>That’s technically true.
“But…”
>You tell them the situation.
>Cadenza is the first to respond. “Wow, that sucks. Do you know who you’ll be with instead?”
“Not yet.”
>”Maybe it won’t be so bad. We’re also not on a team with Artemis or Amelia, but we see them all the time.”
“It just doesn’t feel right though. I know one of the main reasons they decided to help me was so I could work with them. It feels a little like I let them down. As if I won a battle by getting here, but lost the war.”
>”…Geez.” Is all Cadenza could manage to respond with. “If it’s any consolation, I doubt they’re mad at you.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right about that.”

~

>Your day seems to blend together. Hours of taking notes and trying to decipher all the new material makes you a bit anxious.
>This lack of focus definitely isn’t what you need right now…
>Despite knowing this, somewhere along the way you give in and begin to zone out.
>…
“Sunset.”
>You snap back into focus and take in your surroundings as quickly as you can. A few chuckles can be heard around the room.
>You’re in a wand mechanics and design class. There appears to be a problem written on the board that you try to decipher in record time.
>”Why don’t you come up and try to solve this?”
“Uhh, okay.”
>You walk up to the blackboard and scribble down some work to the best of your ability. When you’re done you put the chalk down and step back. 
>You’re pretty sure you did it wrong…
>”Well, that’s almost right. Not quite though.”
>A couple of chuckles can be heard again as you go back to your seat. 
>You pay attention for the rest of class.
>After it’s over all the witches file out to go about their business for the rest of the day.
>You begin to join this crowd when you hear your name called.
>“Sunset. May I have a word with you?”
“What is it professor…?”
>”It’s professor Kristin.”
“Right. Sorry.”
>You get a good look at the professor. She’s a woman with long blonde hair with light brown eyes to match it. She stands with an elegant aura and a sincere smile.
>”It’s alright. I couldn’t help but notice you seem out of it today. I haven’t seen much of you before, but I get the feeling this isn’t your usual self.”
“You’re right. It’s just… a lot has happened recently.”
>”I imagine it must be difficult being the only one who didn’t grow up here. Are you fitting in at all?”
“I think. There’s a few people I can rely on.”
>Though, that might not be so true soon. You might have to go to a new room with absolute strangers.
>The professor seems to sense your uncertainty and puts a hand on your shoulder.
>”When I said you almost got that problem that I asked your right—I meant it. It was a difficult one.”
“Really?”
>”Yes. Look, if you want you can join me and some students in the wand crafting lab in the east wing of the second floor. I know this is a lot to take in but consider coming in the evening any time you’re available on a weekday. I’m sure they would love to have you.”
“I’ll consider it. Thank you, professor Kristen.”
>”You’re welcome.” The professor ceases caressing your shoulder. “Have a good day, Sunset.”

~

>When you get back to ‘your’ room at the end of the day you see a letter wedged between the floor and the bottom of the door.
>You pick it up. 
>As you read through it your heart sinks. You’ll have to move to a new room today…
>This sucks. You don’t want this at all. Though, stalling will only serve to make this more painful than it needs to be.
>You don’t think you’d be able to keep it together if you saw Artemis or Amelia right now.
>The trek to the new room is easy considering you didn’t own much in the first place. Just some clothes, your two wands, and your notes.
>You get to the new room and knock.
“Hello. Is anyone there?”
>No answer. You enter to find that the room is empty and barebones. It doesn’t look like anyone lives here at all. 
>You’re kind of relieved at this, you’re not in the mood to meet anyone right now.
>The overwhelming silence of your room begins to get to you after a while. After you’ve read your notes a couple of times over, there are no distractions left. 
>The only company available to you here is the sound of the wind outside and the three empty beds. You know staying here isn’t good for you, but you still couldn’t bring yourself to face your friends. The rest of the boring day goes by incredibly slowly…
>You wake up in your room. 
>There’s still nothing here. The silence is crushing you.
>You get ready and go to class.
>The walk to professor Storm’s lecture is as crowded and annoying as ever. Especially now that you’re making the commute alone.
>As you walk, whiteness begins to slowly overtake your peripherals and move in toward the middle of your vision.
“Huh?”
>Adrenaline begins to pump through your blood, but you don’t make any sudden movements.
>The whiteness quickens and overtakes your sight. You find yourself surrounded by nothing.
>”Hey, Sunset.”
>You turn around.
“Headmistress?”
>”That’s right.”
“What is this?”
>”Why it’s a communication spell, of course.”
>You look around the white space once again. There’s no floor, ceiling, or walls. It’s as if you’re standing on nothing. It would be maddening if you were here alone.
>”Hey, there’s no need to be afraid. In fact, you can’t feel pain here.”
“Really?”
>You pinch your hand. You can only feel pressure—no pain. Even if you pinch with your nails.
“Whoa.”
>The headmistress giggles. “Anyway, I’m here to ask you to come to my house. I have a special task for you.”
“But what about lecture?”
>The headmistress waves her hand. “Forget about it. What I’ll be telling you is closely related anyway.”
“What is this about?”
>”I’ll tell you when you get here.”
>The message ends, and the world returns to the instant your vision began to white out as if the conversation never happened at all. Even the reflexes and state of mind you previously had returned to you.
>…Did it happen at all?
>After the reality of the situation dawns on you stop in your tracks, much to the crowd of students’ dismay.
>You turn around to exit The Academy.

~

>The headmistress’s house was easy to find since it’s a large house that’s very close to The Academy.
>It also helps that her family crest, which is on the house, has ‘Sweet’ written on it.
>Approaching her house proves intimidating however, since you notice the suspicious glares of witches in the neighborhood. 
>You really hope you’re not breaking some sort of unspoken rule…
>You knock on the door.
>Before long, it opens for you to find Artemis.
“Oh. Hey. What are you doing here?”
>”Headmistress called for me. I assume she’s done the same for you.”
“Yeah…”
>You feel a little uneasy. This is the first time you’re seeing Artemis since the fiasco with Professor Storm and your new room. You left without saying goodbye.
>Artemis steps aside and beckons you in.
>You find Amelia and the headmistress sitting on a couch
>This picture brings back some memories…
>”Sunset. You made it!” The headmistress says. “Have a seat will ‘ya?”
>You do so. You look to your former roommates. Amelia seems to be unsure of the situation. Artemis waits patiently for the headmistress to speak.
>”Good news. I know where another one of those crystals are.”
>You perk up.
“You mean another like this one!?”
>You lift the crystal around your neck for emphasis.
>”That’s right.” The headmistress stands up and begins to pace. “If we can get this one, it would be the fourth crystal we have here.”
>”Fourth?” Amelia asks. “When did we get the other two?”
“Sending some witches out to get them. So far they’ve been out in nature, albeit in pretty dicey places. Our problem now is that the rest are in the possession of other people or at a completely unknown location. The truth is I can’t convince the other high witches to help me get them—they don’t believe they’re important.”
“Why do you believe they’re important, headmistress?”
>”The crystals once belonged to each of the six founding witches. Together, they had the strongest magic ever seen.” The headmistress looks deeply into her fireplace as if looking into the past. “But, somewhere amidst the chaos of magicopia, they were split and so were their crystals—that ultimate magic lost ever since. It just doesn’t sit right with me that the history is all spread out like that and potentially lost forever, you know?”
>All three of you look to the headmistress, highly invested in what she had to say.
>You think you understand though. People back in your time didn’t like to lose historical works either.
>”Besides, we can’t just leave items with so much power lying around in random places or with random people. Some of them are with trusted allies, but this is the strongest settlement around. It would be more secure here.”
>”If no high witches want to help you with this, how are we going to get them?” Amelia asks.
>“That’s where you guys come in.”
>”Oh, I get it.” Amelia begins. “We’re your super secret personal special task force!”
>The headmistress laughs. “That’s one way to put it.”
>But wait… we’re not even a team…
>The headmistress stands up and walks over to her bar and begins to pour a drink.
>Her bar?
>You take a look at your surroundings. You’ve been so curious as to what the headmistress has to say that you forgot to take the place in. The house is incredibly large—to be expected for the house of a head of state. The ceiling is high and has fancy chandelier. The furniture looks like it was carved with great artistic detail and attention to style. 
>Above the well-decorated fire place you find a family crest as well as a picture of the headmistress along with what you assume to be her husband and infant daughter. 
>Two marble sculptures are on either side of the fireplace. Walking up to them you see that they are busts of Sour Sweet. In one, she looks incredibly calm and ethereal. In the other, she looks more unhinged. She looks just as you remember her…
>”So,” The headmistress’s words snap you back to reality. “in a week a large expedition will be held with witches from your generation to help a smaller settlement cope with an outbreak of the plague.”
>”Really?” Amelia asks. “Which one?”
>”The one at the hotel about 300 miles northwest of here.”
>”That close!? It shouldn’t be in this region at all right?”
>”It shouldn’t. That’s what makes it both important to us to help them, and important to us to investigate.”
>Artemis exits what seems to be deep thought and begins to speak. “No one with magicopia, or any group that has even one infected with magicopia should be able to travel to this part of the country. They’d die before they got here.”
>”Unless…” The headmistress says.
>”They were kept in a controlled environment while traveling.” Artemis continues.
>”Which means…”
>”They were brought here…” 
>”Yeah.” The headmistress concludes. Then she proceeds to drink a sizable amount of her drink, which you are quite sure is alcoholic.
>Amelia stands. ”Who in the world would willingly bring an infected person or people here? And why!?”
>”Question of the century, right!” The headmistress replies. “The other crystal is also at this settlement. I hate to say it but…”
>”You want to use our help as a bargaining chip for it, and you want us to make the negotiations.”
>”You’ve always been good at reading me, Artemis!”
”E-excuse me.”
>Everyone in the room turns their attention to you. You feel yourself shrink, but continue.
“This all seems really sensitive and high-level right? Why send witches as young as us?”
>The headmistress sighs. “Artemis and Amelia already know this, but… there are a lot of governing witches that aren’t entirely behind me. If I made this into a proper mission, I’d have to go through them. I might be the headmistress, but if the governing witches distrust me too much then they won’t carry out my orders you know.” The headmistress takes another large swig of her drink. 
>The room gets quiet.
>”But don’t worry. You all are more than skilled enough for this. I wouldn’t ask this of you if you weren’t!”
>You begin to feel a bit nervous. Here you are. You’ve been here a month. And now you’re in the highest ranking witch’s home and discussing doing a secret operation with two far more talented witches. You feel really out of place. Why are you here? What if professor Storm was right? You could really slow everyone down out there on a real mission.
>”But wait!” Amelia says. “Uh… we’re not… a team.”
>”What?” 
>”Professor Storm said-“
>”Stop there. Geez. She means well, but that woman’s way too anal sometimes. You’re a team. I’ll tell  her myself. What was she thinking? Why would I go through the trouble of putting you three together if not for an expedition team!?”
>Well. Looks like that problem is resolved. You think you see the faintest smile on Artemis.
>The headmistress finishes her drink and slides it aside. “Now. It’s time to talk strategy.”
>”Why not talk to your own strategists, headmistress?”
>The headmistress giggles. “You know you’re worth 100 of them, Artemis.”

~

>”I’m sorry!”
>Artemis apologized profusely as you came back to your old room.
>You raise an eyebrow in confusion.
“What are you apologizing for?”
>”I took your place as part of our team for granted. I didn’t think ahead at all, and I almost lost you because of it.”
>As she says this, she circles behind you and takes off your robe. Then, she walks to the closet to hang up both your robe and hers.
“That wasn’t your fault! How could you have possibly known how Professor Storm would react?”
>Artemis begins to take off her shoes. “I figured it was a possibility. That’s more than enough. I should have prepared…” She leads you to your bed and gestures for you to sit down. Then she takes off your shoes.
“You’re really hard on yourself, huh?”
>Artemis sits next to you. You make eye contact. It’s the first time you notice the dark magenta color of her eyes. Up till now you thought they were just black. She looks up at you with a slight smile on her face.
>”I’m usually better about these kinds of things. And I am responsible for you as the leader of this team.”
>Artemis embraces you. You can feel her hands caress your abdomen and her face nuzzling against your shoulder. 
>It surprises you a bit, but it feels nice. She quickly becomes more aggressive and pushes you over onto the bed.
>You let out a small gasp as she straddles you.
>”A good leader should notice all the subtle struggles of her team members. For example…”
>Artemis intertwines her fingers with yours. “I noticed that you were feeling nervous over our mission. You’re worried you might underperform, yes?”
>It takes you a little while to snap out of your trance and answer.
“Uh, yeah. A little… You and Amelia are so far ahead of me. And this will be my first real mission and all.”
>”Well, you don’t have to worry at all. The headmistress may seem a little carefree at times, but she wouldn’t assign anyone a task unless she truly believed it would work out, alright.”
“What makes you so sure?”
>”Because I’ll be there with you. You’ll do just fine. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. All you have to do is listen to your elder witch, alright?”
>You can feel your worries fade as you listen to her words and feel her body against yours. It was the kind of comfort you haven’t felt since you were a child and were comforted by your mother. You feel your cheeks flush. Should you feel this way over a girl that’s smaller than you?
“How old are you anyway?”
>”Fifteen.”
“Then I’m a year older than you.”
>Artemis giggles. “Being elder is a state of mind.”
>Somewhere along the line you both fall asleep. 
>Your mood increased dramatically the next few days. You’ll never take getting to live with Artemis and Amelia for granted again. You prepared for your upcoming mission by getting supplies and training. The day of departure came before you knew it.

~

>The sun warms your side as it rises into the sky. 
>Not too long ago, this land scape seemed like an enemy you just couldn’t stand up to.
>Now you’re flying over it like it’s nothing. And it’s all because of the two flying next to you.
>Artemis flies slightly ahead of you and Amelia as she has said she remembers the map of the way there. Even while flying on her broom she looks incredibly focused. As if she’s one with the wind.
>Amelia looks far more impatient. Her eyes dart across the landscape for something to focus on. Often, you can find her playing with a part of her broom or her clothes.
>”Hey, when are we going to stop to eat?” Amelia asks.
>”It’s only been maybe 3 hours since we ate breakfast and left, Amelia.”
>”That’s long enough! These muscles won’t fuel themselves you know.”
>Artemis sighs, and you chuckle.
>”But we should stop.” Artemis then halts in the air. You and Amelia do the same soon after.
“What is it?”
>Artemis looks down. “Carrie, Cadenza. You both can come out now.”
>”What!? They’re here?”
>Artemis extends an arm down at the clouds. “Yes, they are.”
>When she raises it, you see a windstream bring two bodies out from under the clouds.
>”WAAAAAAAAH!”
>The two take some time to stabilize their flight. When they do, they both have nervous faces.
>”Gee. Didn’t expect to see you three out here.” Carrie says. “W-we were just on our way back home!”
>”Why were you following us?” Artemis asks.
>”Following? Don’t be ridicu-“
>”We were just really curious as to where you were going, that’s all.” Cadenza cuts off Carrie.
>”And you didn’t think we weren’t just going on a mission as usual?” Amelia asks.
>”Well, people don’t usually get assigned with stuff when class expeditions are near. And I know Sunset was separated from your team earlier so…” Cadenza says this while starting to blush and shift around on her broom.
>”Aww. You thought we were running away together just to be with Sunset?” Artemis says.
“Huh?”
>”As cute as that story sounds, the headmistress really did put us back together and assigned us a mission.”
>”Pfft. I wasn’t worried about that. Don’t be ridiculous. Curiosity just got the better of me is all.”
>Everyone including Carrie look at Cadenza unconvinced.
>”Well… I guess we should be going now.” Carrie says.
>”Wait.” Artemis interjects. “If I wanted you two to stay back, I would have told you so a long time ago.”
>”You want us to join you?”
>”I’m sure the headmistress wouldn’t mind. And I’d also save you the 3 hours going back.”
>”I can’t argue with that.” 
>”I don’t mind joining you, but…” Cadenza begins. “You let us pretend to be hidden for 3 hours!?”
>Artemis giggles. “Alright. Now that it’s settled, let’s go.” She begins to drift off.
>”Hey! I won’t let you sweep this under the rug, Artemis!”

~

>”Your attire would suggest that you lot are witches from another settlement. We were expecting visitors, but not till a few days from now. What business do you have here?”
>The gate to the hotel was guarded by women in formal business attire. Characteristic of a hotel, but it looks out of place outside it. They carry suitcases with magical embellishments on them. Something tells you they could defend themselves well.
>Artemis speaks up. “We were sent by headmistress Sweet to discuss the terms of helping out with your magicopia problem…”
>The conversation drags on for awhile as Artemis convinces them that she and her crew are here for legitimate reasons. 
>Eventually, they let you through.
>You’re amazed at what you find when you enter the gates to the second settlement you’ve ever entered.
>It was like an oasis of luxury and civilization in the deserted place that the world has become. The hotel looked as if it had never left your time. It appeared exactly as you’d expect a luxury hotel to look. Ample amounts of well-managed vegetation, fountains, and lights are to be found around the hotel.
>The hotel itself was very large. It was wide, and had many floors. It had a parking lot, but there were no cars to be found. You can see plenty of people out and about around the hotel though.
>”Wow!” Carrie exclaims as you all land. “This place is so cool! I should have come here sooner.”
>”This is my first time here too. It looks just how I always imagined the old world looked.” Amelia says. “Does it, Sunset?”
“Yeah. Though, I could never afford to be anywhere near a place like this.”
>You could barely afford your apartment. Only in your wildest dreams could you imagine living in a hotel like this.
>Now that you think of it, what happened to your apartment and all of your belongings?
>Artemis snaps you back to reality. “We’re getting weird looks from the locals, girls. We’re here on a mission!”
>Upon entering the hotel you get lost in the scenery again. 
>The inside looked like a luxury hotel just like the outside. You can see a bar and some slot machines just here at the entrance.
>There’s also a reception desk with more women in suits behind it. 
>You begin to feel a little out of place again. But at least this time you have a few others with you.
>Artemis once again explains the situation and a woman offers to guide you to their headmistress.
>”Whoa!” Carrie exclaims. “I’ve never been in a working elevator before!”
>”That’s to be expected I suppose.” The guide says as the elevator opens. “Go ahead.”
>Carrie braces herself and walks into the elevator. The rest of you follow.
>”Whoa, we’re actually going up! Is it magic?” She asks.
>”No, it’s a pulley.” The guide states matter-of-factly.
>”Oh.”

~

>You and your friends are escorted to a room at the top of the hotel that looks like it should be reserved for people who paid a premium price.
>Upon entering you see that it’s a conference room. It looks more like it could be a room from your time than the room you met your headmistress in.
>Every witch in the room except for your crew is in either business attire or a dress. Not that there are that many in the room. Only a handful are present.
 >You can really appreciate that the luxury hotel vibe is still alive even though the world has become what it is.
>You’re also glad that you’re not the one who needs to do the talking this time. 
>Artemis doesn’t look nervous at all. She walks ahead of the rest of you and right next to the guide.
>”Excuse me, headmistress.” Your guide exclaims. “Witches from Mrs. Sweet’s settlement are here to speak to you.”
>A woman in a suit with long blonde hair at the tail end of the conference table looks at Artemis and the rest of you.
>”I see, please sit down.”
>You all do as you’re told.
>”I’m headmistress Regas. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” She speaks with a soft voice and a pleasant smile. You get both a sense of strong leadership and of service from her.
>”I’m Carrie Basket!”
>”Amelia. Nice to meet you.”
>”Cadenza Dazzle.”
>”Oooh, a Dazzle. How nice.” Headmistress Regas remarks. 
>Cadenza responds with a smile and a nod.
“I’m Sunset Shimmer.”
>”And I’m Artemis. It’s a pleasure.”
>”You know witches from Mrs. Sweet’s settlement are always welcome here, but weren’t you all supposed to arrive a few days from now?”
>”Two reasons. First, we’re here to discuss the terms on which our settlement will aid yours.”
>”Really? I’m a little sad that such cute young witches are here to talk about something so boring.”
>Artemis giggles. “I’m sorry, but this is something our headmistress could only count on us to do.”
>”Oh really?”
>”Yeah… Do you happen to have a crystal reminiscent of the one around Sunset’s neck.”
>You jolt to attention at the mention of your name, and hold up your crystal.
>Headmistress Regas inspects it for a moment. “Yeah, I believe I do. Is that really all you want?”
>”Yes! That’s all.” Artemis responds.
>”No problem at all then. You can have it. Is that all?”

~

>The elevator descends down to the basement.
>Despite everyone along with the guide woman being on the elevator again, you can only hear the whir of the elevator as it slips down into the abyss along with the occasional shift of one of the girls.
>Cadenza eventually breaks the silence. “You sure we have to do this to help the investigation, Artemis?”
>”I know it sucks, but if there’s a chance it’ll give us a lead then we should take it. This settlement doesn’t have as many witches as ours does, all of them are occupied with trying to alleviate and contain you-know-what. Consider it a good dead towards them and our headmistress.”
>”Tsk.” Cadenza begins to rub her arms. You can see that she has goosebumps.
>Even Carrie is unusually quiet right now. It makes you feel uneasy.
>The elevator dings as it hits the intended floor. You look and see that it’s the lowest floor, B5. The doors open and you all exit.
>You’re all now in a room that looks unfinished. It looks wildly different from the rest of the hotel. It’s all grey and without any decoration. It was probably once used for storage. 
>You see many witches moving about, but instead of business suits they’re in either regular polyester clothes or white overcoats. They all look quite frantic and stressed.
>”Hey Anna! What the hell are you doing down here? Who are these girls!?” One witch in a labcoat asks your guide, presumably named Anna.
>”These girls need to see one of the first infected. The headmistress gave the okay.”
>”Why the fuck?” The woman gives you all a quizzical look.
>Artemis speaks up. “One of us has magic that can read minds. If we know the details of how one of the first got infected, we can explain this whole fiasco. Convenient, huh?”
>”Interesting. It’d be the first time I’ve effectively seen someone talk to the dead.”
>”Are you saying all of the first are beyond saving?” Amelia asks.
>”I’m saying the ONE left is beyond saving. The rest of his stock is deader than disco.” The woman chuckles. No one else does. “Huh? C’mon. Gotta keep on laughing at things in this place even if the jokes are retarded else you fall into deep depression. Anyway, you can still see the guy if you want.”
>”That would be great.” Artemis replies.
>”Follow me through those double doors down there when you all are ready.”
>The woman walks off.
>”You’ll have to excuse her.” Anna states. “She’s telling the truth though, some people really need various ways to cope with working down here. I’m thankful I can keep my place guarding the settlement. Speaking of, I need to return to my post. I wish you all good luck.”
”Thank you for guiding us.”
>Anna gives a small nod.
>You all make your way toward the double doors. When you’re all a few meters from the door Artemis stops.
>”You all can go ahead, I need to talk to Sunset for a moment.”
>The rest of the girls give various uncertain looks, but ultimately follow Artemis’ orders.
>Artemis turns toward you and looks up into your eyes. “You’re not squeamish are you, Sunset?”
>No, not really. You’ve never been one to scare all that easily. All you’ve got to do is touch a dying person. It’s a little out of the ordinary, but you think you can do it.
“No. I’ll be fine, really.”
>Artemis give you a smile and takes your hands into hers. You can still feel the warmth of her hands through her gloves. It makes you blush a little. “Remember that as a witch you can’t become infected, and I’ll be right next to you the whole time, all right?”
>You give a smile in return.
“All right!”
>Upon entering, you’re assaulted with an absolutely abhorrent stench. It truly smelled like shit. Shit along with the smell of meat and eggs that’s been left to fester in the sun for too long. You cover your nose with your hands and shirt to keep from gagging too hard.
>Suddenly you feel something tap your hands while they’re covering your nose.
>You look down to see that it was Artemis’s wand. “You can let go of your nose now, you won’t smell anything.”
>Slowly, you do so. And you’re surprised to find that she was right. You breathe a sigh of relief that’s interrupted as you take in your surroundings.
>The room is wide open, but… it’s sectioned off into ‘rooms’ using clearly visible albeit transparent magic barriers.
>Inside each is a single… mass? They look like slimy purple masses. It took you awhile to notice their otherworldly movements are them… scratching.
>You see them rub themselves on the cold ground, desperately searching for any crack or crevice to alleviate their suffering. 
>Or, mostly cold ground. Their ‘rooms’ have buckets in them that you can tell are their waste. Some of it spills over onto the floor.
>The sounds you hear aren’t helping. The noise coming from their throats are nowhere near words. It’s all sloshy gurgles as if you can hear something digging through their organs.
>All this you process in a few seconds and you respond by covering your eyes and mouth with an arm each. You somehow overcome the urge to vomit. 
>Your mind races, but can’t seem to make any sense of the situation. No coherent thoughts are formed.
>In your shock you settle for letting your instincts take over and continuing to use your arms to shield yourself.
>”Sunset!?” It was Artemis’s voice. It snaps you part way back to attention.
>You open your eyes to look at her. She gives you a somber, yet reassuring smile.
>You look up to see the rest of the girls with various gloomy looks on their faces.
>”Can we get this done already?... I don’t want to be here anymore…” Carrie says.
>You and Artemis walk forward. 
>The doctor has a dull look on her face as well. “Yeah… This shit sucks, huh? I hate it whenever we have to move more people down here. Soon we won’t even have the space to give them these makeshift rooms. It’ll be like a real mass grave…” 
>She turns around. “Please help us out, I don’t want to move any more people down here.” The joking tone she had from earlier is gone entirely. She begins to walk. The rest of you follow.
>You have to put effort into every step. Your mind stays blank. You keep your eyes toward the ground.
>Eventually the group stops at a particular location. You nearly bump into Amelia.
>”Alright, here it is.” The doctor says. “Any of you should be able to enter and leave at will. And hey, this one has a clear path to walk without stepping in any shit!”
>Artemis grabs one of your hands. “Alright, we’ll go together.”
>You give her a lifeless nod.
>Slowly, you and Artemis step through the barrier and into someone’s ‘room.’
>Your eyes are closed shut. You try to focus on Artemis’s hand as you slowly walk together towards the person.
>”Alright Sunset, now we just ask him where he got sick and read his mind for the answer.”
>You open your eyes and stop.
>The thing in front of you looks revolting. It makes your skin crawl. The way it sloshes on the ground is just unnatural… that was a person once?
>Your stomach drops. You feel a big lump in your throat. Your eyes begin to well up a bit.
>”…Sunset?” You barely make out Artemis’s voice.
>You reach your limit as the thing makes a lazy attempt to inch toward you.
>You turn around and run. You run to the doors as fast as you can.

~

>As soon as you feel a modicum of consciousness you jolt up. You look around. You’re in a hotel room. A nice one at that.
>It’s a large, clean room that has everything you’d expect a hotel room to have except for a TV.
>Artemis and Amelia sleep next to you on the large white bed. Another bed in the room has Cadenza and Carrie sleeping on it.
>On the wall is an analog clock that shows that it’s 5 AM.
 >Instantly it all comes back to you. The descent into the basement, the disease, your run.
>You recoil by burying your face in your hands. 
>That’s the disease that made the world as deserted as it is. How many people you knew from your old life got infected and had to go through that.
>Your heart sinks at the thought.
>You lie back down and hug Artemis to your body.
(“I’m sorry, I gave you trouble again.”)
>You whisper this to her and try to go back to sleep.
>You think you may have felt her shift a bit afterwards.

~

>Breakfast is had in silence.
>The food is well made and all. In fact it kind of reminds you of your own time, but it doesn’t do much to raise your or anyone else’s spirits.
>Amelia eats as if to keep herself from focusing on anything else.
>Carrie kind picks at her food and only occasionally takes a bite.
>Cadenza hardly eats at all, and instead opts to read a journal of hers that you think has something to do with music.
>Artemis has finished eating and is now deep in thought.
>It doesn’t help that the formally dressed witches of the hotel seem to give your group odd looks as they pass by. 
>After awhile Anna approaches your table with a sympathetic look. “Hey… is there anything else I can help you girls with? Or will you go home…?”
>”We’ll continue the investigation, of course.” Artemis says without a moment’s hesitation.
>Anna seems to be a little surprised at the quick response, but quickly composes herself.
>Artemis continues. “There have to be other leads. All I ask for is to be able to search the settlement. Is that alright?”
>Anna considers the question for a moment before answering. “Obviously I can’t let you look just anywhere…, but you can look through anyplace that doesn’t have guards or otherwise require special access. For that you’d need to ask the headmistress or one of the other higher ups. Basically, use common sense.”
>”Good enough for me.” Artemis replies.
“We’re gonna keep going? Where will we look?”
>”We’re just going to have to ask around and look for any clues.”
>”We get to be detectives!?” Carrie suddenly perks up.
>”Easier said than done.” Cadenza states. “Just because a few among us are extroverted doesn’t necessarily mean we have what it takes to extract information.”
>”Hey!” Carrie and Amelia shout simultaneously.
>You and Cadenza laugh. “I didn’t even say who I was talking about, you know. Do you have deep seated insecurities?”
>Artemis chimes in before the banter can escalate. “There’s two of us who have magic that would be good for getting information, and there’s a lot a ground to cover. We should split into two teams. One to cover the outside of the hotel and one for the inside. Me, Amelia, and Sunset can search the inside. Cadenza and Carrie can search the outside.”
>”Objection.” Cadenza abruptly says.
>Everyone looks at her curiously.
>”Sorry, but if I end up having to use my magic to know anything it’ll be painfully obvious unless I drag someone into a dark corner. And you’re good enough with your words to get information from people, Artemis. Let Sunset be with us.”
>Artemis ponders for a minute with a slightly worried look on her face. “…Fine.”
>Cadenza smiles. “I promise I’ll take really good care of her.~”
>Artemis looks unamused. 
>You all finish your meal and begin to head down the hall to go your separate ways.
>Before you manage to separate your group crosses paths with headmistress Regas walking with a boy.
>”Oh hello, girls.”
“Hi.”
 >You and the rest respond with either a short greeting or a nod.
>”I heard about yesterday. I sincerely apologize you had to witness such a ghoulish scene.”
>”It’s alright. It’s not like you had a choice.” Artemis replies.
>”Whether we should put them out of their misery, or do what we can for them to the very end. It’s an ongoing debate at many settlements. I’m not sure there’s a right answer. What do you girls think? Did we do the right thing?”
>Regas has a slight frown on her face. None of you answer immediately. Understandable. The question was unexpected and touchy. You hate to think back to what you saw yesterday. What’s still there below your feet a few floors under. What if they simply released the hopelessly infected ones into the outside? But where? They’d also probably infect some wildlife or maybe some other stray people. What if they did just put the hopelessly infected down? Is that all right? But then again, can it really be said that it’s ‘right’ to keep them alive and suffering even if it’s only for a few days?
>”This isn’t your fault. We’re going to find out who did this to you.” Artemis replies.
>Headmistress Regas cocks her head to the side. “So you’re going to continue to investigate then?”
>”Yeah! Our detective work will bring whoever’s responsible for bringing the plague here to justice! You don’t have to feel any guilt at all.” Carrie remarks.
>”Oh, and who is this little cutie?” Amelia approaches the boy by Regas’s side and bends her knees as if to get closer to eye level with him.
>”I’m not little, I’m fourteen. You’re just a huge cow.” The boy retorts.
>Amelia dons an annoyed look. ”Gee thanks, Sunshine.” 
>Headmistress Regas yanks the boys arm firmly all while still looking forward and smiling. “This is my son, Nate.” She then looks at him with a fierce look. “And he really needs to learn some manners.”
>The headmistress drags her son away as you and the rest watch in mild confusion.
>”It’s a shame he’s such a brat. He’s so cute! I could just hug and kiss him and never let go!” Amelia hugs herself while she says this as to simulate her fantasy.
>”That’s a lot of kind words for a boy that called you a cow.” Carrie says.
>Cadenza huffs. ”I’m not sure I like the tone you used towards such a young boy, Amelia.” 
>”Oh, c’mon. Two years is a perfectly acceptable age gap! Besides, if he’s old enough to have shot his first load then it’s all good, right?”
“…I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
>Artemis sighs. “We’re wasting time, girls. Investigation remember?”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 14: A Status Symbol
>February 4th, 2087
>Often, you’ll run into someone who buys inferior technology for the sake of its brand.
>They’re often more expensive too. The user gets nothing more out of them than technology outside the brand. 
>It’s all just a status symbol.
>Why do I bring this up?
>Because the same line of thinking can be attributed to the desire of witches to want husbands that were born of witches.
>What’s the difference between the son of a witch and the son of a non-witch?
>Not much.
>So why then do my friends always pester me to introduce them to my unextraordinary brother when they could all get any boy out there they want just by virtue of being witches?
>It’s all just a status symbol.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFm4Nfix4pM
>You, Cadenza, and Carrie step out of the hotel and once again see the outsides.
>What you think was once the parking lot is now walking paths along a beautiful garden with well placed trees and other vegetation. A refreshing sight.
“So, where should we start?”
>”How could magicopia have gotten into this settlement? That’s the question we should first ask ourselves.” Cadenza responds.
>Carrie perks up. ”Yeah, yeah. It’s normally nowhere near this region right?” 
“Our headmistress guessed that someone snuck an infected person into this place. That’s why she was worried enough to send us on this mission.”
>”Right. So if this place is anything like our settlement, then there are people that keep track of all shipments in and out of this place. We should talk to them first.” Cadenza responds.
>You three walk to the guard witches that you met when you first entered. 
>”Hey, may we have a word with you?” Cadenza asks.
>”What is it?” The guard asks.
>”Do you two remember who was on guard duty the day the outbreak here first occurred?” 
>The guard raises and eyebrow. “Look, we do know. We have a schedule that’s consistent from week to week. This won’t get you anywhere though, as nobody has reported anyone entering from the gates for the past month. That means there were no shipments we know of.”
>”Really? Has anyone entered or exited at all?”
>”Sure. On broom. This settlement has a barrier just like yours, though. Only witches from here could have got in or out.”
“Can we see the schedule anyway? Maybe the guards on duty that day saw something unusual.”
>”If you really want to, they probably have a copy at the front desk.” 
>Cadenza sighs. “I suppose that’s all then.”
>”See ya’, and good luck.” The guard responds.
>You and your party walk away from the gate.
>”So, are we going to get that schedule?” Carrie asks.
>”Soon. First, I want to talk to the people that live out here. We were assigned to the outside after all.” Cadenza replies.

~

>The outside of this settlement is nicer than the outskirts of yours.
>You suppose that they can afford this since their settlement is smaller, plus the fact that they have a large hotel to serve as the homes of many witches.
>The one blight on the place was the fact that some areas were quarantined due to the outbreak. You can’t help but feel a little sorry for those inside.
>Unfortunately, the place’s beauty was all you could get out of it—because no one had any useful information about the first to be infected nor did anyone notice someone sneak in.
>You all go back to your room at the end of the day.
>”I don’t get it. How could nothing have been seen entering or leaving for the past month? An infected person has to have been snuck in, right?” Amelia asks.
>”Maybe it simply developed here just like it originally did?” Carrie offers.
>Cadenza shakes her head. ”The likelihood of that is far too slim. There’s just no way.”
“I’m not too well versed on barriers but is it possible that someone could have disabled it?”
>”Yes, but that would trigger an alarm all the same. Someone would have noticed.” Cadenza responds.
>Artemis giggles. ”I’ve got it.”
>You all look at her as she sits crisscross on the hotel bed.
>”W-w-why are you guys looking at me like that? It’s so embarrassing!” She feigns embarrassment as she raises the sheets of the bed over her face.
>”C’mon, don’t be like that. Tell us!” Carrie demands.
>”But I want to see that satisfaction on your faces when you get it yourself. Think about it. If the disease has to have been snuck in, and we’ve been told there were no reports of any shipments in or out in the past month, and only approved witches have entered or exited in that time frame—then there are two potential explanations for this.”
>”Nggh. What are you a professor?” Amelia retorts.
>Artemis looks to the ceiling as if day dreaming. “I’ve considered that line of work. I’m not sure it’s quite my style, though.”
>All of you barring Artemis begin to sink deep into thought. Cadenza begins pacing. Amelia sits in a chair lazily and looks to the ceiling. Carrie lays on a couch with her head in her arms and makes a small grunt every now and then as if she’s exercising. 
>”…Someone was snuck in… more than a month ago?” Carrie asks.
>Artemis makes a thumbs down. “Impossible. Said person would have shown symptoms a month ago, and we would have been here a month prior instead of now. Magicopia has never been known to lie dormant in a person for more than 4 days at the absolute most.”
>”Well then isn’t it obvious?” Amelia stands. “There’s a traitor among the guards! That’s why they didn’t report any shipments.”
>”Good Amelia, that’s one work around to the parameters we’ve established. Is it likely, though?” Artemis asks.
>Cadenza walks to the window and looks out to the gate. “Guards are stationed all around the gate, even at night. There wouldn’t have been one traitor, there would have been like seven!”
>”Is it that far fetched? One of them could have just paid the others off or something.” Amelia offers.
>”Hey… we’re walking in a minefield guys. Are we really going to go in another group’s settlement and start accusing them of treason?”
>“Now that you say it, that probably won’t go over well…” Amelia says. “But should that really stop us from finding the truth?”
“It’s way too soon to push forward with this line of thinking. The guards would need a motive to infect their own settlement with a disease. What reason would they have, right?”
>”Right.” Artemis says.
>”How else could it possibly be done then?” Cadenza asks while biting the side of her finger in thought.
>Carrie bounces off the couch. ”Look girls, isn’t it obvious!?”
>You all look to her in confusion.
>”It was aaaaliens! With alien technology!”
>”Are you retarded?” Cadenza retorts.
>Amelia sighs. ”I dunno, I mean a girl came here from the past.” 
>Cadenza looks at Amelia unamused.
>”All I’m saying is there’s a lot out there we don’t understand.” Amelia dons a nervous smile under Cadenza’s gaze.
>”You know… technically Carrie could be right.” Artemis remarks.
>”Excuse me?” Cadenza reacts.
>”Now don’t get me wrong, green people didn’t come from outer-space with lazer cannons. Think about it though.” Artemis says.
>The room goes silent once again for a while.
>Artemis looks at you. “Come on Sunset, someone from your time should know how this is possible.”
>…
>You understand.
“I understand!”
>All eyes are on you.
“No person was snuck in. Magicopia was snuck in! It happened a month ago. Maybe more.”
>Artemis smiles. “That’s right.”
>”What do you mean? Magicopia is a disease you know? How are you just going to take it somewhere by itself?” Amelia pleads.
“In my time people carried cultures of different diseases all the time. Usually for study or to make a vaccine or something.”
>”How is someone going to do that now though?” Cadenza asks. “You can’t just take a swab of infected blood with a cotton ball and carry it around. You need a special environment, right? Not even our settlement still has the technology for that.”
>”Hey, our settlement, as good as it is with technology, isn’t the best with everything. There could very well be gadgets we never looked for that made this possible. Especially from the regions infected with Magicopia, which we avoid. It’s a possibility we should consider.”
>Artemis makes a show of yawning, and then continues. “You know, even at our settlement we check packages for either anything electronic or with harmful magical energy. Something organic could slip right through.”
>The room falls silent at Artemis’s words.
>”Ugh. I don’t like the thought of that. Someone could have infected the food. Or shook the hand of a non-witch with the stuff covered on her hand.” Carrie remarks.
>”And how do we even track the culprit now? I could be anyone having to do with shipments from a month ago and before. It could be someone who’s far away.” Cadenza says.
“What in the world is the plan of someone who went out of their way to get a culture of Magicopia and spread it around?”
>”Even I don’t know that one yet.” Artemis remaks.
>Amelia groans. “I don’t want to think about this anymore for tonight.” 
>”Me too.” Carrie complains. “I wish Cinderbelle was here to hug me and tell me everything is going to be okay.”
>You’re ready to stop thinking about this too… we should probably tell headmistress Sweet to start having the guards check everything that comes in before it’s let into the settlement. Heh, a ramp-up in security after a terrorist attack. Reminds you of an event that took place just a little before your time.
>Soon you all go to sleep.

~

>Now that you’re more calm, you feel you can finally take in the surroundings of the hotel settlement’s dining facility. As guests you’re allowed to be on one of the high floors. The food is from self serve stations that are themselves decorated enough such that you make sure not to spill even a crumb. The room itself looks like a ball room. The carpet is well designed. In the center is a fountain. One wall is nearly all window with an impressive view of the outside of the settlement. Everyone in the room, with the exception of you and your lot, is in business attire—characteristic of the hotel. Everyone is quite welcoming of your presence however.
>You sit down with the girls and dig into your gourmet eggs and bacon. 
>Well, supposedly gourmet. They taste like regular eggs and bacon to you, but you’re not going to say that out loud.
>”So, do we keep investigating today?” Cadenza asks.
>Artemis finishes a swig of orange juice and speaks. “Well, at this point we know enough such that we could just wait for our witches to get here, tell our headmistress and headmistress Regas what we’ve found, treat the patients who can be helped, start a controlled fire to clean the bottom floor, and go home. Then a more qualified team will probably be put to the task of figuring the rest out.”
“True. We did our job. That crystal is as good as ours after our settlement helps out here. And the idea of a culture of Magicopia is worthy lead.”
>”So what do we do for today?” Cadenza asks.
>”We can finally enjoy this rad hotel, right!?” Amelia offers.
>”Oh yeah! This was once like a vacation spot you know. It probably has all sorts of fun stuff!” Carrie exclaims.
>Amelia looks at Artemis. “And you will come with us, right? Surely you’re not gonna be lame and read a book or something?”
>Artemis sighs. “Fine… but there’s one thing I need to check out first.”
>”What is it?” Cadenza asks.
>”Nothing all that important, don’t worry about it.”
>As always, when someone says not to worry about something it makes you worry about it. You don’t want to upset Artemis by prying though.
“I’ll explore the hotel with you guys.”
>After you all finish eating you and the rest except Artemis explore the hotel. You all play the slots at the casino for a few rounds. You give up after a few. Carrie gets carried away and loses a large sum of coins.
>Next you and your crew find your way to a massage parlor. Some of the masseuses remark that they found themselves to be quite relaxed by the process too because of Cadenza’s apparently insatiable need to hum while being massaged. 
>Eventually you all find yourselves outside again. It warms your spirit a bit to see that things are at least marginally less hectic than when you came here two days ago. There are more people outside, and the quarantine looks like it will soon be lifted.
>You and the rest get snow cones and sit down at a bench.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask. What do we do about the work we’ve missed while we’re here?”
>”Usually you’re allowed to take any exams you’ve missed once you get back, and some busywork might be waived for you depending on what it is. Luckily we’re here over the weekend, but…” Cadenza looks into the distance with a tired look. “I was technically never assigned to this. I could get into trouble over the stuff I missed on Friday.”
>Carrie gasps. “You’re right! I was already falling behind. Ohh, you’ll let me copy your homework right?”
>”No.” Cadenza promptly responds.
>You and Amelia laugh.
>”Hey, I’m going to use the bathroom.” Amelia states this as she gets up and goes towards the hotel.
>You take another bite of your snow cone as you and the others fall to silence. Now that you think of it, you didn’t do much on this mission at the end of the day. You did help investigate, but part of you wanted to be able to really prove yourself somehow. It doesn’t help that you didn’t have the courage to get information from the infected. 
>Recalling the scene makes you shudder. Here you are sitting peacefully with your friends as that horror goes on below your feet. You try to put it out of your mind.
>”Hey Sunset.” 
“What is it, Cadenza?”
>”You never did tell me what your main magic is, and it never came up. What is it?”
“Oh yeah. I can read minds!”
>”Seriously?” Cadenza’s eyes widen. “H-how much do you know?” 
>Cadenza blushes profusely and puts her hands to her cheeks. 
>…
“All of it.”
>You don a smug grin.
>Carrie looks taken aback.
>Cadenza continues to blush and whimpers a bit. “Well, w-what do you think?”
“Huh?”
>”D-do you think I’m weird?”
>You can no longer hold it back and begin to laugh causing Cadenza to cover her face in embarrassment.
>”Whoa wait what’s going on right now?” Carrie asks.
“Relax Cadenza, I can only read someone’s mind when I touch them with the intent to. I don’t know any of your dirty secrets.”
>Cadenza stands up and looks at you sternly. “I can’t believe you! Why didn’t you say anything?” You can see that she’s still blushing.
“It was way too good an opportunity to pass up.”
>Carrie giggles. “Ooooh, now I get it!”
“What’s yours? And I don’t know Carrie’s either for that matter.”
>Cadenza begins to compose herself and sighs. “It’s seduction. The combination of eye contact and physical contact allows me to control anyone for about 10 seconds. I’d have half a mind to tell you to slap yourself right now.” Cadenza huffs. 
>You smile.
>”Hey, watch this!” Carrie snaps and you see a small block made out of a somewhat transparent solid material come out of the ground. “I can make these crystals emerge from most solid surfaces, but I can only make a few basic shapes. It also dissolves pretty quickly.”
>As if on cue, the material begins to fade and assimilate back into the ground.
“Interesting.”
>Cadenza takes out her wand which is shining in a peculiar manner.
“Cadenza, what are you doing?”
>”Hey girls, are you somewhere private?”
>It was Artemis’s voice coming through that wand. You didn’t know wands could act like phones.
>Cadenza looks around to make sure no one is around and then answers. ”Yes, we are.” 
>”Good. Look, I need you girls to exit the settlement.” Artemis commands.
>”What? Why?” Carrie asks.
>”The crystal. It’s probably no longer here. Once I reveal this fact to the headmistress, the settlement will probably be locked down until they’re reasonably sure the place is secure. I’ll be unable to leave to help you girls look for it.”
>You all take a moment to take in all that she told you. 
“Wait. Why do you think it isn’t there? And why do you think it’s close by?”
>”To make a long story short. Someone stole it. Our culprit could be long gone by now… It’s only a hunch that it’s close by, but I’m not about to fail our headmistress without giving it my all. I’m counting on you girls. Get out of here. Search for any deep magical energy. Follow it. Please give it your all. And get out of here quickly. There’s no telling when the settlement will be closed.” 
>”All right! You can count on us.” Carrie responds.
>”What choice do we have I guess.” Cadenza states.
>”Great. I’ll be with you all as soon as I can.”
>Cadenza’s wand dims, presumably signaling the end of the call.
>”So… I guess we should go.” Carrie says.
“But what about Amelia? She’s still in the building.”
>”Artemis told us to get out of here quickly. I think we should go ahead.” Cadenza says.
“But…”
>”It’ll be fine. She can take care of herself. You want to make Artemis happy right?” 
“Yeah, but… something doesn’t feel right. Why can’t Artemis come with us?”
>”Sunset. What if she’s right? How would it look if we all came back with their crystal and said it just so happened to be stolen and we just so happened to have found it?”
“True…”
>Cadenza starts walking towards the gate. “Then let’s get to it.”

~

>You are Artemis.
>Something didn’t sit right with you, and you wanted to put your worries to rest.
>After looking through the records of the shipments in and out of this settlement something popped out at you.
>Curiously, what was inside the shipments stopped being recorded around the time the outbreak started…
>It took a lot of asking around, but eventually you managed to get the name of the particular witch that was responsible for that. This witch was also a guard on the top floors of the hotel. This witch also mysteriously went missing since a month ago.
>This witch is probably a traitor. You’re likely the only one who bothered to look at the various records to put two and two together
>You exit the elevator, and traverse the hall of the top floor of the hotel towards the lavish door that leads to the conference room where you first met headmistress Regas.
>You convince the guards to let you enter.
>”Hello Artemis.” The headmistress greets.
“Hello headmistress. I apologize for being so forward, but can you show me the room where you have that crystal?”
>The other high witches in the room begin to eye you suspiciously. You know you have to remain unphased though.
>The headmistress cocks her head inquisitively. ”Hmm? Why?” 
“I’ll be honest. I think it was stolen.”

>You and the headmistress along with a few other high witches look into the treasure room.
>According to headmistress Regas everything looked as it was supposed to… except the stand that was supposed to have the crystal.
>Your hunch was right.
>The headmistress raises her highly decorated wand into the air as it emits a powerful pulse that triggers a siren.
>You cast a spell on yourself to make the sound a little less obnoxious.
>She looks to one witch beside her. “I’m ordering a full search of the building. And a full shut down of this settlement.”
>”What about treatment of the infected, headmistress.” The witch responds.
>”Put it on hold. Our whole home could be in danger.”
>Looks like you were right to tell the girls what you did. You really hope they managed to get out of here.
>One of the witches near the headmistress approaches you. “Just how did you know this wouldn’t be here?” She asks in a serious tone.
>And of course, you’re a suspect. This will be fun.

~

>You are Amelia.
>As soon as you hear that siren you finished taking your shit as fast as you could and peeked out of the bathroom.
>What the hell is going on?
>In the hall you see witches filing around. If this is anything like the siren at your settlement, then they must be either acting as additional guards, or going into private areas until the building is thoroughly searched.
>Did something happen?
>You made a mistake bothering to go to the upper floors just to use the bathroom.
>…but they’re just so much nicer up here!
>You’re weary of getting caught up in the activity. Especially as a guest here. You decide to wait for the footsteps to die down before peeking back out of the bathroom.
>When you hear the foot steps die down you exit the bathroom.
>The siren is still blaring. 
>You’re on your way back to the room when you see a mysterious figure enter the door to the stairs.
>You didn’t get a good look at her, but you definitely didn’t see a suit. 
>This is it, Amelia! Time to put a damper on this evil one’s plans before she can get away!
>Unfortunately you can’t just charge in full speed ahead. Alerting the guards might make you suspicious…
>You get to the stairwell and look down.
>You see a door close. The person must have entered that floor!
>Slowly opening the door to the floor you find it to be largely empty, but you stay cautious.
>Something about it sticks out though. The rooms have labels. One you read to be “Potion Lab.” Another reads “Staff Closet.” This floor must be one of the floors with an educational purpose. 
>You can’t help but make comparisons to The Academy. This place looks far more in the style of the old world.
>Your pondering is cut short as you hear foot steps amidst the siren.
>You open the door to the potion lab as quietly and quickly as you can and enter.
>The room looks like it was once a very large, high end bedroom. With its new renovations it looks a little more like a lab. Complete with rows of hard black desks and a lot of substances you don’t understand.
>This place is boring. You’d rather not stay here long. 
>You turn back towards the door to get ready to look for an opening to leave.
>Suddenly you hear something shifting behind you. 
>The adrenaline rushes through your blood and you turn around.
>Nothing in sight. 
>You slowly walk down the aisle toward the back of the room.
>When you see movement out the corner of your eye you quickly turn and take out your wand.
>”Gah!”
>You jump a little.
“Nate?”
>The boy can be seen trying to hide under a table at the side of the room.
“What are you doing here?”
>He resigns himself to being found and stands up. “I could ask the same of you, you know. As a guest I know that you should be in your room for this lock down.”
>You huff.
“I have good reason! I might have found the cause of this siren. A mysterious person was trying to escape from the higher floors and I’m trying to chase her down.”
>”Mysterious person?”
“Yeah. She definitely wasn’t a witch, and I saw her trying to avoid the guards and run down the sta-”
“Wait.”
>Nate shifts around and avoids eye contact with you.
“It was you wasn’t it? C’mon. Why are you out here? The headmistress must be worried about you.”
>”Look, you can’t bring me back to mom.”
“And why shouldn’t I?
>”Because if you do, I’ll be stuck in there. It’ll be really boring.” He says in a whiny tone. “Besides, I can help you find the one responsible for the outbreak here.”
>You raise an eyebrow.
“You can?”
>He wavers under your gaze a little, and moves a bit of his blond hair away from his blue eyes. He then quickly braces himself. “Yeah. Definitely. So you have to help me.”
>What could this cute little pip squeak possibly know about this?
“What do you know? And how can you help?”
>”There’s a very important clue in the map room. I know because mother brought me along to see it in passing once. If I told her she wouldn’t believe me.
>He looks you in the eyes and puts his hands together as if to beg.
>”But you have to. Come on. Don’t you want to put this matter to rest?”
>He wouldn’t lie about something like this, right?

~

>You are Sunset.
>You’ve made it fairly far away from the hotel settlement and are now in a small abandoned town. It’s beginning to darken outside.
>You watch closely as Cadenza and Carrie stand nearly motionless as they hold their wands in both hands close to their chests.
>They seem to either have supreme focus or be asleep while standing up straight.
>Before long Cadenza opens her eyes. Carrie does soon after.
“Did you find it?”
>”Maybe.” Cadenza replies. “It doesn’t feel the same as yours.”
>”Maybe they’re all a little different?” Carrie offers.
“Whatever it is, it’s got to be worth looking into right?”
>”Yeah. Let’s go.” Cadenza says.
>You all transform your wands into brooms and take off. Cadenza takes the lead.
>You can’t help but let your mind drift back to when you finally saw magicopia for yourself… it was absolutely disgusting to you on an instinctual level. But, on another level you’re angry. Angry for what the culprit of this mess did by sneaking magicopia into that settlement. You let this be your motivation as you fly forward.
>”Hey Sunset?” Carrie asks.
“What is it?”
>”What was your biggest worry before you came here? I mean, to this time?”
“Huh? Why do you ask?”
>Cadenza suddenly speaks up. It catches you off guard. ”Something about you has changed since we went down to the lowest floor of the hotel that day. I noticed it too.”
>”Yeah. You looked like an airhead. Now you look like... a witch!” Carrie adds.
“Airhead?”
>”Hey, I said LOOKED didn’t I?” 
>You sigh.
“In my time my biggest worry was trying to deal with the newly discovered magic in our world, but… admittedly it was no where near as serious as it is today. In my time people my age only worried about school or who everyone was dating. Nothing was ever on the line. Our technology often drove us apart in many ways too, it made us really complacent. Sometimes it made us lose sight of what was really important and what we could lose.”
>You look up from seeing the landscape of rolling hills and broken structures to see that Carrie is looking over at you listening intently. Cadenza has her eyes forward, but you have a feeling she’s listening too.
“So this is the first time I feel like I can really do something important. I know I’m a softie right now, so I’ll really need you girls’ help! Let’s finish this thing. Together.”
>Carrie giggles. “As if you had to ask.”
>The light on the end of Cadenza’s wand lets you just barely make out a smile on her face!
>”Girls, we’re here.” Cadenza says.
>You were on autopilot, and not paying attention to your surroundings—so Cadenza’s words catch you a little off guard.
>”Down there.”
>You see a fully domed football stadium a little ways away. A lit one. Amidst an otherwise dark and abondoned place.
“I see it! Why would they be in a stadium?”
>”I don’t have a good feeling about this, girls.” Carrie remarks.
>”Neither do I. Let’s get closer to the ground. Let’s see what’s here.” Cadenza says.
>You all fly about a block away from the stadium and land on the ground.
>Towards the stadium you can make out people walking around. This is far away from any modern day civilization. 
“You girls think this might be another settlement?”
>Cadenza and Carrie look worried. ”I hope so…” Carrie says.
“What’s wrong?”
>Cadenza takes out her wand and uses a spell you recognize to be storage transportation. A pair of binoculars are summoned. Cadenza looks through them. She makes some soft grunts and gasps.
>”Can I see Cadenza?” Carrie asks.
>Cadenza silently hands the binoculars to Carrie who looks through. You see Cadenza looking down.
>”Urrrrgh. Is the crystal really in there?” Carrie whines.
“What is it? Can I see?”
>Carrie finally hands you the binoculars and you promptly use them to look toward the stadium.
>At first, you’re confused. You see a few men and women walking around. Some of them with hazmat suits. Some with guns. You think they’re non-witches. You pan the binoculars to see them hauling other people in carriages. When they get to the stadium, their tied up bodies are moved into the stadium. You can see them physically struggle.
>Some of the ones who struggle the most are  hit the hilt of the gun. Separate carriages and wagons have people who visibly have magicopia. These people are taken by the ones with hazmat suits. 
>This is human trafficking.
>You take off the binoculars feeling angry.
“Tsk. Well. The culprit is definitely here.”
>”Yeah.” Cadenza replies.
“Come on! We have to stop this.”
>”Hold on, Sunset!” Cadenza grabs your arm as you move toward the stadium. “We’re here to get the crystal remember? Not shut down underground operations.”
“Really? We’re just gonna let this continue?”
>”Don’t be like this! We might have magic, but we’re still just three people. We can easily tell our settlement about it tomorrow. They’d have much better luck than us.”
>…She’s right. The idea of this continuing a second longer than it needs to give you a bad taste in your mouth, however. You sigh.
“Yeah, you’re right. We can still get that crystal though, right?”
>”M-maybe we should leave that to our settlement too.” Carrie says.
“No way. Leaving this place up and running is painful enough. I’m not going to come back to Artemis empty handed too.”
>You and Carrie go back and forth arguing for awhile. Cadenza looks to be deep in thought.
>After awhile Cadenza speaks up. “I guess… we can get the crystal.”
>Carrie reacts. “Cadenza really?”
>”Well, we can MAYBE get the crystal. We sneak around and see if we can get it. If we can’t then we leave. If we have to take someone out we do it discreetly. We won’t do any open fighting, got that?”
>Cadenza looks at you as she finishes her sentence.
“Got it.”
>You reply with as much confidence as you can muster.

~

>You are Amelia.
>With Nate close behind you try to swiftly but quietly move through the hotel. 
>Keeping focus while the siren blares off proves to be a bit of a challenge.
>You have to keep up though. Getting seen by a witch that’s still out and about would likely mean getting sent back to your room. Besides losing your chance to find Nate’s clue, you’ll also poorly represent your settlement by acting up as a guest. You’d rather save yourself the embarrassment.
>Getting to the stairwell, you peek in before quickly going down one flight. You enter the floor just as you hear a guard coming up the stairs toward your location.
>At times, you hold Nate’s hand to help him keep up. Though he often resists and insists he can take care of himself. It’s really cute!
>You’re awe struck to find that this floor… is an aquarium! It’s somewhat dark, but lights permeate through the water as you see all manner of fish swimming through. Rows of water tanks line the entire floor. In each aisle you also see counters with stools near them. There are mechanisms at the top of each tank that emit food in regular intervals.
“Whoa.”
 >”Nice, huh? Most of the floors around this height are left over from when this place was a vacation spot. They say you can’t find anything like this anywhere out in the world now.”
>You look down at him and smile.
“I’m excited to see where else you’ll take me on our date.”
>”To the clue.” He says matter of factly. “This isn’t a date.”
>You giggle as he crosses his arms.
>As you hear movement in the stairwell you quickly pull Nate into one of the rows and hide behind one of the counters.
>You over hear the incoming witches’ conversation.
>”Did you hear what the siren is for?”
>”Nope.”
>”I heard that someone broke into one of the vaults on the upper floors.”
>”Actually?”
>”That’s just what I heard though.”
>”Who could have possibly pulled off getting into there?”
>”No idea.”
>As they continue to speak you and Nate circle the counter as they walk by as to always be obstructed from their vision.
>When they pass by you leave the aisle for another.
>(“We gotta get to the elevator.”) Nate whispers.
(“Why the elevator and not the stairs?”)
>(“We’re only going to be able to go down one floor at a time without running into guards. And on the floor below the door to the stairwell we entered this room from will open out to an entrance that is out in the open. And the other stairwell will get us caught by those guards over there. The elevator is our best bet for that floor.”)
>You take his advice and slowly but quietly walk to the elevator, luckily it seems the others on this floor are in a different part of the room.
>You push the button that prompting the elevator to appear.
(“What are the odds someone is in it?”)
>(“Too high for comfort.”)
>To make your nerves worse, you can hear the other witches in the room coming closer. The light at the top of the elevator signals it coming up floor by agonizingly slow floor.
>The voices and foot steps grow louder as you desperately watch the elevator move.
>”Hmm. Yuna, is that the elevator?”
(“For the love of God!”) 
>You whisper shout.
>The elevator appears and you and Nate enter. You push the button for the 40th floor (one below yours) and repeatedly press the button to close the door.
>It closes as soon as you think the other witches turn the corner.
>You and Nate share a breath of relief.
>”That was intense.”
“Yeah. You said it. What’s on the next floor?”
>”A ball room.”
“Okay. Simple enough right?”
>”Wrong. It’s all open. No objects to obstruct vision. That means if there’s a guard at all then…”
“Instant game over, huh?”
>”Yeah.”
>The elevator door opens and you both exit. 
>You’re… behind a curtain. 
>You must be on the ballroom stage. The stage is enormous, and the ceiling is high. You can only imagine how big the room as a whole is.
>You walk to the front of the stage and peek through the curtain.
>Guards. Everywhere.
>And some moving toward you right now!
>Panicking, you look around you for places to hide. There’s nowhere.
>When you hear foot steps dangerously close to the curtain your adrenaline takes over.
>You pick up Nate and jump to the top of the stage on the metal grate containing the lights. You can only hope the sirens helped muffle the sound.
>The suited witches open the curtain to look at the elevator and look around. When they’re satisfied, they open the curtain all the way and go back to the ballroom proper.
>”Are you insane?” Nate asks. Clearly quite shook from you suddenly grabbing him and making such a movement.
“Maybe. Hey, we weren’t caught were we?”
>”At the risk of my life.” He composes himself. “I guess this is for the best though. It’s gonna be scary, but I guess moving through the gratings and chandelier on the ceiling is the only way through this room without getting caught.”
>You look over the curtain to the ballroom. It’s beautiful. Mostly golden with well done decorations and designs. But there are about 10 guards in the open room. If you had entered through the nearest staircase, you would have been instantly seen. You really hope you can enjoy this room one day without the siren.
>”Hey, you can put me down now.” 
“Oh yeah. Don’t fall.”
>”I know.”
>You carefully release Nate next to you onto the grating.
>There’s a path to the more well hidden staircase in the back of the room, but it’s going to be tricky navigating the ceiling. The high ceiling might help you stay hidden, but… it also means falling will be more painful.
>You start slowly walking through the grating towards the back. Ever conscious of the sound your making and of your footing.
>Frankly, it looks like the guards are just slacking off and shooting the shit. What the hell is there to even look for in here? Hopefully they’re too lazy to look up too.
>You hear sudden noises behind you and you reflexively whip your head back.
>Nate lost his footing, but quickly regained it.
>You give him an unamused look and he responds by smiling.
>You get to the end of the metal grate. Which is unfortunately only about halfway across the room. 
>There are very large pendulum lights across the ceiling, however.
>This part will be stressful.
>You make the short jump to one of the lights. It swings a bit, just enough to get your heart pumping really hard. You grab the shaft of the light, pray that the light can support your weight, and wait for your heart to settle. 
>After you settle down, you motion Nate to make the jump.
>He looks hesitant.
“Come on. You want to find that clue right?”
>Eventually he steels his resolves and makes the jump.
>The light wobbles again as he grabs the shaft of the light along with you.
>Please let this support both your weights!
>It seems to, but you don’t want to test it for long. You quickly move on to the next light. After you, Nate joins you on it.
>You keep up this pattern for the agonizingly long path to the back of the room.
>As you get to the light furthest in the back you can see the stairwell.
>There’s a short corridor the leads to it, which can help obstruct view a bit. If you’re quick about it you think you two can drop down and leave without being seen.
>However, as the thought enters your mind you hear the door open.
>Two witches in suits enter. They walk down the short corridor to the ballroom proper.
>”Hey, what are you people doing!? You should be patrolling at this time!”
>You and Nate peek from over the pendulum light and see that the witches who were originally in the room are startled.
>”What is there to look for? We already searched the stage and everything else is plain to see. This whole thing is just a drill anyway, right?” One of the exposed witches responds.
>One of the witches who recently entered appears ticked off. “No, it’s NOT a drill. Someone broke into one of the most important vaults in this settlement, moron!”
>”Really? Damn.”
>The angered witch caresses her forehead as if to ease her frustration. “If you’re done, then move o- Wait. Why are those lights swinging?”
>Your heart drops and you cease peeking over the light. You and Nate couch down as much as you can. The lights you jumped from are all still swinging a little and there’s nothing you can do about it.
>”Uhh, perhaps it’s the wind. I mean our air conditioner is pretty good here.” A witch below remarks.
>”I’m going to ignore that one. There’s a ladder next to the stage. Go get it.”
>Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!
>”We have to make a break for it, Amelia.” Nate offers.
“That would look suspicious as hell. At this point we should have just walked through and tried to explain the situation.”
>”A bit too late for that.”
“Ya think!? Look, at this point we can make it through without being seen maybe, but they’ll definitely know someone went through the stairwell. We’ll have to run and hide.”
>”Sounds exciting!”
“Exciting? We risk being prime suspects for stealing from a settlement vault you know?”
>You peek over the light one last time to see a witch beginning to position a ladder. There are also a couple next to the corridor leading to the stairwell. You’ll have to be fast if you don’t want them to see you, but you’ll probably alert them no matter what at this point.
>You open your arms out towards Nate.
“Alright, hop on.”
>”Do we really have to do this again?”
“Unless you think you can survive that fall on your own.”
>He looks down, then resigns himself to climbing into your arms.
“Alright, this will be a bumpy ride. Ready?”
>”Get it over with, they’re climbing the ladder.”
>When you see that he’s right the adrenaline in your body causes you to lose your footing and preemptively fall.
>You land, and instantly go for the door.
>”What was that!?”
>Did they see you? You don’t know, but you make a break for the door to the stair well and smash your back into it.
>When you get in you put Nate down and start running down stairs. The blare of the siren helps keep your blood pumping.
“How many floors down is the map room!?”
>”Two!”
>You practically jump down the stairs and open the door to the floor.
>It dawns on you that Nate could still be behind, but you’re satisfied to see he’s right behind you.
“Wow, good job keeping up, boy.”
>”I’m not five, you know. And there could still be guards on this floor.”
>You take in your surroundings and see that this is a “normal” floor. Just hallways and rooms. You expect the rooms to be former bedrooms that have long since been modified for various purposes for witches though.
“I’m sick of running and hiding, let’s get to the map room already! Where is it?”
>”This way.” Nate leads you down the hall and turns a corner.
>You then hear the door to the stairwell open. “I think they’re on this floor.”
>When you hear this, you grab Nate’s arm and break into a sprint. You desperately try to deduce which room is the map room.
>When you see the label, you open the door as fast as you can, enter, and shut it.
>You look desperately for a place to hide and finally settle for a closet. You pull Nate in and shut it.
>You feel your heart pumping hard as you hear sirens, footsteps, and muffled voices outside the room.
>You feel Nate rustle next to you. “Really? This is the best hiding place you could come up with?”
“Shh!”
>After a while, the footsteps and voices subside, and you open the door to the closet.
>Nate makes a show of stretching out. ”Wow that was cramped. You’re really big you know that?”
“Thanks. I’m always on top of my gains.”
>You stand up straight, put your fists to your hips, and give a toothy smile for emphasis.
>”What a weird girl.”
>The room around you is peculiar. It has a computer paired with a large wide screen on the far end of the room. The middle of the room has a table with a large slit in the middle. The room itself is dark compared to most other rooms in this hotel. It’s also the first room you’ve seen outside the basement that has no windows.
“Alright, what are we looking for in here?”
>”On that computer you can browse for different maps of the areas in and outside the settlement. You can print them from that table in the middle.”
“I… see.”
>You approach the computer.
>Then you realize you have no idea how to use computers. They’re rare even at your settlement. Only the governing witches and the highly specialized use them.
>You wish Artemis was here…
“Uhh…”
>”You don’t know how to use it, do you?” Nate puts his hands behind his head and has a smug smile on his face.
“No…”
>Nate approaches the computer. “It’s easy! You just…”
>He fiddles with the various buttons and contraptions on it before resigning himself to failure. “Uhh.”
“You don’t know how to use it, do you?”
>You emulate his previous smug smile.
>He huffs. “I mean, I just saw this contraption in passing one day. You witches are supposed to know these things!”
“As if! Most of us never have to use these.”
>”We’re not gonna get anywhere arguing like this. We better learn the controls before anyone comes wandering into here.”
“Yeah…”

~

>You are Sunset.
>You patiently wait on your broom as Cadenza cuts an opening through the glass door with her wand into the VIP room of the stadium.
>It’s deep into the night at this point, but you try your absolute best to stay awake. 
>You have a crystal to get!
>The opening finishes being cut. Cadenza hits the bottom of the circular opening to get the top portion to move toward her, then grabs the sheet of glass.
>She hands the glass pane to Carrie. “Do me a favor and fly that somewhere where no one will find it.”
>”Alright…” Carrie then takes off.
>You can tell she’s not into this. All you can do is try to finish this fast you suppose.
>Cadenza enters the stadium and retracts her broom into a wand. You do the same.
>The VIP room is nice… or at least you can tell it was once nice. The furniture, once fit for a nice living room, is now rotting. The room like the rest of the stadium is covered in vines and vegetation.
>”We better start looking. I can’t pinpoint the exact location of the crystal, but this is my best guess at the location if it’s not on someone’s person.” Cadenza says.
“I’m on it.”
>Your first instinct is to look through the drawers of the room. Most of them are empty. In one you find what you think is cocaine. You ignore it and move on. 
>You go to search the bathroom, because who the hell would search in the bath room right? 
>There’s nothing to be found but an old broken toilet and an old broken sink.
>You’re reminded of another time you had to search for an obscure item in an abandoned place. It feels like it’s been years since then.
>As you and Cadenza search you hear someone enter the room.
“Hey Carrie.”
>”Whoa!” 
>You’re taken aback by her sudden outburst.
>”Don’t scare me like that, Sunset.” 
“…Sorry.”
>Cadenza rounds a corner and gets your attention. “I think we should move on. It’s not here.”
“One more thing.”
>You notice that there are shades covering the view of the field.
“Should I lift these?”
>”Slowly. Be careful.”
>You peek through the shades and gasp softly.
>On the other side of the stands you see people sorted seemingly by age, sex, and size. A lot of them are chained together. Men with guns seem to be guarding them. Or more likely, keeping them in check. The amount of people detained here takes up nearly the whole side of the stadium.
>On the old, faded field you see more men with guns or hazmat suits or both. If they’re not loitering, then they’re moving around the detained people for whatever reason. Some of them use the prisoners to do chores or for entertainment. A small crowd of men with guns watch two prisoners who are forced to fight each other. You try not to imagine why one armed man is dragging one female prisoner away kicking and screaming.
>You move back and shake your head at Cadenza and Carrie. They look confused, but after they each peek through you all come to a silent agreement.
“What now?”
>Cadenza ponders the situation for a moment. “My best guess is that the head honcho of this place must also have the crystal, or at least know where it is.”
>”You girls STILL want to do this…?” Carrie asks.
“I don’t want to be here either. Let’s just do what we can and leave, okay?”
>Carrie only looks down.
“So, how do we find the leader then?”
>”Either we watch and try to see who’s giving orders…, or we ask.”
“Ask? Won’t that get us attacked?”
>Cadenza smirks. ”Not with me around.”
“Oh right, your magic!”
>”Right. We need only lure one of them.”
>You, Carrie, and Cadenza sneak around in the concession area. You can tell that it was once practically a food court. Decaying diners circle around the whole stadium. They’re now covered in vines. 
>A spell gets rid of the sound of your footsteps. You three move from diner to diner and from counter to counter to make progress around the stadium. However, some sections of the stadium are lost causes as there is simply too much activity.
>Eventually, you three find a group of three men sitting in a circle playing a card game in an isolated area.
>You, Cadenza, and Carrie peek out behind the window of an old diner and watch the men. They laugh and converse around a small stool next to a lantern that acts as the playing field for their card game.
>”You’re kidding me!? How did you win again?” One man asks.
>”What can I say? I’m a lucky guy.”
>”Pssh. Lucky?” The third man chimes in. “You ended up in this shithole. None of us are lucky.”
>”Hey, it’s all relative!”
>”But really. Don’t you want to get out of this place some day?”
>”And go where? You can’t just waltz into a settlement. Especially if any of ‘em figure out we were once here. Not to mention, if Evelyn finds out she’ll kill us.”
>”What did you have to go and remind me of that cunt for?”
>”Just telling the truth, man.”
>”Yeah? Well if you want to know the truth I have to take a shit, so see you.”
>”Have fun!”
>One man gets up and begins to walk outside the stadium.
>This is your crew’s cue to move. Once the other men seem distracted enough you go for the same exit the man who left went through.
>You three walk behind him outside in the night. Cadenza walks up to him faster, her footsteps are silent. 
>When right behind him, Cadenza puts her hand on his shoulder. 
>In a rush of adrenaline, the man jerks back to see who touched him. For a moment, he looks as if he is going to make a sound.
>But after looking into Cadenza’s eyes his muscles relax. He blushes deeply and has a lifeless look in his eyes. He doesn’t make any movements.
>You and Carrie catch up to Cadenza and the man.
“How long will he stay like this?”
>”Depends on the person. We probably have about ten minutes.” Cadenza responds. “We might be overheard out here. The VIP room was pretty isolated and we can lock it. Let’s fly up there.”

~

>”There it is!” Nate exclaims.
>You are Amelia. And after a ton of pain you figured out this computer and found that damn map.
“Alright, let’s not waste time. How do we print this thing?”
>”That part’s easy.”
>Nate approaches the table with the large slit and presses some buttons on the side.
>The mechanism then begins to light up and make some clunky noises.
>Before long the map prints out of the slit quickly and without issue.
“That was quicker than I thought.” 
>As you say that. The siren ends. You and Nate feel a little taken aback.
>”I guess the search is over. Should we just leave?”
“We still might look suspicious if we come straight out of this room. I’ll make sure the hallways are clear, then we’ll go to my room. Can I trust you to carry the map?”
>Nate gives a toothy smile. “Of course.”
>After getting off the floor with the map room, the rest of the way is easy with the siren now off. 
>After you enter the room you lock the door.
“Alright, the map. Where’s our clue?”
>Nate unfolds it and splays it out on one of the beds. You can see that it’s a map of the surrounding area. In fact, it’s a bird’s eye view.
>But… something is off about it.
>”Here. To the west. Notice anything weird?” Nate points out a spot on the map.
“This looks… wrong.”
>You didn’t quite know the words to use. The map looked just like a regular map aside for the spot in question. Complete with the cardinal directions, a scale for the distance, and a pretty good image of the world.
>However, the spot in question looked like it didn’t fit with the rest of the map if you look really closely. It wasn’t quite continuous. It was as if someone had pasted a picture of some other environment right on the area. And yet, if you weren’t looking for something you would have never found it.
>”This map was tampered with.” Nate says.
“Yeah, I can see that. But why?”
>”I don’t know, but together with this whole incident I think… It’s just magicopia couldn’t just appear in a place like this without it being really well thought out you know. What if there’s a traitor? It would have to be the same one who messed with our maps right?”
“I can’t say for sure. Either way it’s worth looking into. I’ll give this to Artemis and the headmistress.”
>”Wait a moment.” 
“Hm?”
>”Let’s go investigate that part of the map! Me and you.”
“You?”
>You laugh. 
“What good would a half-pint like you be out there?”
>”Hey, don’t laugh at me! Besides. You owe me. I helped you find this crucial clue after all.”
“Why do you want to leave the settlement anyway?”
>Nate looks stunned for a moment, then looks down. He mutters something you don’t quite hear.
“What was that?”
>”I need adventure in my life!”
>You’re a little taken aback by his outburst.
>”As the son of a witch there’s nothing to look forward to except being married to a witch and being shown off as a status symbol… Maybe if I become a total nerd I can work on some contraptions, but it’s just not enough.”
>Nate then looks up at you. “I can’t even hang out with any boys that live on the lower floors or outside the hotel because according to mom ‘a boy of my stature shouldn’t be around them.’”
>”But now this is my chance to finally see the world. I know it’s not pretty, but men in old times braved vast oceans and foreign lands they knew were dangerous too.”
“MEN of old.” You emphasize. “You’re fourteen.”
>”Alexander the great was sixteen when he won his first battle.”
>You giggle.
“See you in two years then.”
>”Oh, come on. You have magic right? You should be able to protect me.”
“Nate, that may be true, but I’m not perfect. What could I say to your mother if I sneak you out and you get hurt? She’d never forgive me, and rightfully so.”
>He looks as if he might make a response, but then decides against it. He blushes, looks down, and suddenly becomes interested in playing with the sleeve of his suit.
“But, you were right about one thing.”
>Nate looks up again.
“I DO owe you.”
>…
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY9JN8lwfTY
>You are Nate.
>Amelia begins walking toward you.
>You’re surprised when she takes your hand.
“What are you doing?”
>She leads you to the other bed and giggles. “I’m about to give you your reward of course.”
>She takes off her robe and throws it to the other bed. Then she picks you up and lays you across the bed.
“!!”
>You make a small sound, but you don’t know how to react. Is this really happening!?
>She crawls onto the bed and looms over you. She has a slight smile on her face and hypnotizing half-lidded eyes.
>For the first time, you really take in the sight of Amelia. Her hair is really well kept for someone who is apparently adventuring all the time. It’s a little more than chin length. It’s a shade of blonde that you know would look pretty gold if the sun was shining. Her eyebrows perfectly complement her gorgeous blue eyes.
>She has a really attractive face. It reminds you of those Greek statues. Your eyes drift down to her lips. She’s biting her bottom lip just a little. Her teeth are white and without gaps. The whole of her face is a really enamoring sight.
>Your eyes drift once again to her bosom. Her breasts… are big. Not much cleavage is revealed through her white shirt, but you can tell the shirt is trying it’s hardest to keep them contained. What you see of her bosom looks soft and warm.
>And the rest of her body. She was tall, but she still had a very feminine figure. Her hips were wide and inviting. Her skin was pretty and with few blemishes. You felt a like you were a toddler about to be coddled by his mother again.
>Amelia moves one hand to her collar and pulls it down a little to reveal some of her deep cleavage. You get an erection. And you feel your cheeks flush.
>You watch the enamoring view as your mind goes blank. She giggles at you.
>She then leans down and kisses your forehead. It sends pleasant shivers throughout your whole body.
“Ngh.”
>You near involuntarily make the sound. Her lips felt heavenly. 
>She then moves and showers your neck and cheeks with kisses. Each send waves of pleasure through your body. You can’t help but make a few more noises. It seems to egg her on.
>”Do you like your reward, Nate~?”
“Y-Yeah.”
>Answering was difficult. Thinking at all is difficult now.
>She gets off of you, and you panic for a split second that it might be over before she picks you up and begins to take off your suit jacket and shirt. 
>She gives you kisses every now and then through the process further intoxicating you. 
>She sits you onto the bed and gives you one kiss on the belly before moving to take off your shoes and socks. She then takes off her own shirt revealing her gorgeous breasts in her large bra along with her abs.
>You’re absolutely hypnotized, and even consider looking away. This seems to amuse her.
>”What a bold boy you are. Staring a girl like this~.”
>She sits on the middle of the bed, then she picks you up and sits you in her lap.
>You feel her body wrap around yours, and it’s the most intense pleasure you’ve ever felt in your life.
>The skin to skin contact feels amazing. You can feel her large, warm breasts against your back and neck. Her legs are cushy and smooth. You can’t help but feel them with your hands a little.
>Amelia giggles at this before wrapping one arm around your torso and using the other to caress your head. “You have nice blond hair just like mine. It might even be better.”
>Her voice is soft and more sultry than usual.
“It’s kind of embarrassing when you hold me like this… I’m not a kid.”
>”Oh? Should I stop?” She whispers this into your ear causing a wave a pleasure to disperse through you.
“No…”
>”I had a feeling you’d say that.~” With the hand wrapped around your torso she begins to caress all over your chest and neck. You begin to make a few noises out of pleasure. You also feel your penis begin to ooze pre-cum.
>”You know, if boys that are taken good care of by their mothers become strong men, then boys who are cared for by witches must become even stronger.”
>Amelia switches to using both hands to caress your body now. Her arms feel warm and secure. One hand brushes against your crotch and your penis twitches.
>She seems to take notice and giggles. “What a cute boy…~”
“A-amelia…”
>It’s the only response you could muster. You could no longer hope of thinking. You could only feel the intense pleasure and make the link between it and the angel caressing you.
>”Nate~. Turn around and face me.”
>You do as you’re told, and sit in her lap with your legs to either side of your torso. Her breasts are right in your face.
>You’re at a loss as to what to do for a moment before Amelia hugs you to her body, plunging your face into her bosom. 
>Amelia caresses your head and back as she coos into your ear. You make small grunts and moans of pleasure, far past the point of caring how embarrassing it sounds. 
>You feel your penis twitch more as you cuddle with her.
>Amelia speaks softly into your ear. ”I’m sorry I can’t bring you on an adventure. I hope this can make up for it.”
>…

~

>You are Sunset.
>You, Cadenza, and Carrie now have the man you captured tied up in the VIP room of the decaying stadium.
>Now, it’s time to question him. You and Carrie stand aside while Cadenza works her magic.
>”Who runs this place?” Cadenza asks.
>”Evelyn…” The man responded promptly, but lifelessly. It’s as if his whole body now functions only for Cadenza’s command. It’s a little scary.
>”Do you know of any magic crystals around here?”
>”No.”
“Darn.”
>”Wait, Sunset.” She turns again to the man. “Where is Evelyn now?”
>”I don’t know.”
>”Well, nothing else we can do then!” Carrie says.
“Yeah, I guess so. If she’s not here then there’s really no telling where that crystal could be. It’s not like we have free reign to search this place.”
>”I suppose…” Cadenza agrees.
>”Evelyn.” The man says.
“Hmm? Did you ask him something, Cadenza?”
>”No.” She responds.
>”Evelyn.” The man says once again.
>The three of you just stare at him confused.
“Is this just a side effect of your power?”
>”…Maybe?”
>”Evelyn.” The man says once again.
>”Yes, dear?”
>You freeze. The other two do too. That’s not a voice you recognize.
>Summoning your will at once, you turn around to face-
>A large magic blast that sends you, Carrie, Cadenza, and the man out of the window and on a fall towards the field.
>In a rush of adrenaline, you take out your wand, extend your broom, and stop your fall. Cadenza and Carrie seem to have done the same.
>Evelyn. Jumps out of the destroyed VIP window and onto the stands. The whole stadium now has it’s attention on you. 
>You take a look at Evelyn. She’s… in business attire. Like the witches at the settlement you just left. She has long grey hair. He has thick black face paint to line her eyes, and a mole on her right cheek.
>”How nice of you to join us here today. I do hope you like our stadium.”
“…Why are you running this place!?”
>”We just met. And you’re a guest here. It’s a little rude to be so hostile don’t you think?”
“Quit the games! We’re not friends! I can tell you’re capturing people and selling them as slaves. We’re going to end this!”
>”Bold claims, Sunset…” Carrie remarks quietly.
>Evelyn sighs. “I know your settlement. You have a reputation and all, but it’s so obvious you’re amateurs. Did you all just stumble into here by accident? You put robes on a girl… and suddenly she thinks she can just pop into places and defeat bad guys. You don’t understand a thing, do you? Witches used to be better about things like this.”
“As if any of that matters! A toddler could see this is messed up.”
>”Honestly. Why does it bother you so much?”
>What? Really?
“Why does it bother me so much? How would YOU like to be bought and used like a tool?”
>”Why would I be? I’m a witch. The plight of non-witches is irrelevant. So are you. Why do you care?”
>So THAT’S what this is about. Up till just recently, you didn’t even know you were anything other than a regular human. You related to their struggles and plights and you know they could understand yours. How could you possibly not care?
>”You’re a fool.” Cadenza speaks up. “If mankind dies, witchkind dies with them. Even animals can understand these mutually beneficial relationships. It just goes to show how short sighted you are.”
>Evelyn cocks her head. “It’s a shame that the next generation of witches are so naïve. Especially one like you. That power of yours, you must be a Dazzle. I’d really hate to have to put you to waste.”
“I’d like to see you try!”
>Evelyn gives you a creepy smile. “Guards, shoot them down.”
>In another rush of adrenaline, you retract your broom into a wand and cast a barrier. 
>You flinch from hearing the rain of bullets reflected, but try to gain enough composure to focus on your landing.
>You land on your feet, but it’s a little awkward and painful. Carrie and Cadenza land next to you.
>Your mind races as you see and hear the storm of bullets hitting your barriers and dropping to the ground. It occurs to you that this is your first time getting shot at.
>”Carrie!” Cadenza yells.
>”On it.” Carrie stomps. A wall of the crystal material you saw her make earlier erupts from the field. It’s angled out as to push back a lot of the armed men that are near you sending them flying a distance away.
>The gunfire stops as the men affected recover and the others parse what they witnessed. Before long the crystals fade leaving small indentations in the ground.
>”What are you people waiting for? Keep at it! They can’t block bullets forever.” Evelyn commands.
>You three put barriers back up. The gunfire continues.
>You begin to feel yourself wear out and the bullets begin to drop closer to your body…
“Hey girls, do we have a plan for this?”
>Carrie repeats the movement from last time. Another wall sends some of the men on the field flying. 
>They recover quicker than last time, however. And continue the rain of bullets.
>You begin to grow nervous. The sound of gunfire combined with the weakness you feel from trying to keep your barrier up tires you. More men from outside the field begin to file in and join in on the onslaught.
>Evelyn only stares down at you with an annoying smile. 
>You really don’t want to be shot dead.
>”Carrie, again. Use spikes this time.” Cadenza commands.
>”What? That’ll kill them.” Carrie replies.
>”If you don’t, they’re going to kill us!” 
>”Nggh. I’ve never killed anyone before.” Carrie looks visibly stressed.
>”Come on!” Cadenza yells.
>Carrie remains indecisive, and just nervously tries to keep up her barrier. She seems to be desperately searching for another way out.
>The fatigue begins to get to you as you start sweating more and breathing harder. The bullets drop closer and closer to your and your friend’s persons. 
“Ahh!”
>You instinctively reacted as one bulled managed to make it maybe six inches from your face.
>Carrie, unsure if you got hurt or not, reacts to your yell by once again igniting her magic.
>”AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
>Before you know it crystals emerge from the field around your location in the middle. The countless spikes shoot up impaling the men on the field near you three in many gruesome ways.
>The bullets stop as everyone in the stands and everyone outside the attack radius watch in horror.
>You look on similarly stunned.
>However the one most shocked by this is Carrie. You can see her silently cry wide-eyed as she watches her work. She’s shaking.
>The crystals soon fade, but the wounds and deaths do not.
>”AHAHAHA! And to think! Just moments ago I was scolded for mistreating mankind!”
>None of you have a response. You continue to look at the scene before you. Carrie sits down on the ground and simply looks forward. You can still see the tears in her eyes. Cadenza just stares at Evelyn defiantly.
>”The hypocrisy is astounding. But you know what? There’s no need to feel bad. When an ant bites you—you kill it without remorse, don’t yo-“
“Quiet!”
>In that moment you broke out of your trance.
“You’re the one who made us do that! And you people!”
>You turn to the men on the field and the people on the stands.
“Why do you listen to a woman who doesn’t give two shits about your existence? I know she threatens you! Listen to me! If you don’t fight us, we can get rid of her!”
>The people around the stadium look incredibly unsure of the situation. The surviving men on the field have backed away from you ever since Carrie’s spike attack. The guards and prisoners in the stands watch stunned as well.
>”Silly girl. They listen for the same reason mankind listens to your headmistresses. They do our bidding, in return they don’t die of disease out there. But you were right about one thing. If they betray me they WILL die by my hand. But you know, I guess that’s not too different from your settlement either.”
>You continue to face the crowd instead of responding to Evelyn.
“Come on. It would be three on one. Think about it! We’d get rid of her, and you all would get to go free. Both the prisoners and the guards! Are any of you actually here because you want to be?”
>There’s no response. Until you hear something hitting the ground.
>You turn to see that one of the gunmen dropped their weapon to the ground. “I’m… not here because I want to be.”
>You recognize this man as one of the ones that was around the card game and lantern you saw earlier.
>”It’s true. I was taken from my home and forced here one day. Sure, I’m kept alive, but this isn’t living.” The man continues.
>”What!?” Evelyn reacts.
>”Hey, kill me if you want.” The man responds. “It makes no difference. Continuing this ‘life’ is just like being dead. You people.” He addresses the other gunmen. “Why not give them a chance? It’s three on one after all. If they win, we can actually go see our families again. I’m sick of this place.”
>Slowly, the crowd starts to buzz with conversation. And then eventually, more and more seem to lower or drop their weapons and move away from the middle of the field.
>You smile.
“You won’t regret this!”
>”You have GOT to be kidding me!” Evelyn yells.
“Guess this place isn’t like our settlements, Evelyn. People actually want to live in those.”
>Evelyn scowls and gnashes her teeth. “Well, no matter. We have other avenues…”
“What was that?”
>”You all will deeply regret ever even thinking of defying me. And you’ll watch your three little saviors die slowly!” Evelyn jumps down to the field and takes out a wand. 
>”Sunset! Carrie!” Cadenza shouts.
>You three jump out of the way as she waves her wand to cast a radial blast that disintegrates the dead men in the middle of the field.
>”You’re a close-range fighter, right Sunset?” Cadenza asks.
“Something like that.”
>”Then back me up. Carrie, attack when you have a clear shot please.”
>”…Alright.” Carrie responds.
>https://youtu.be/tu3mQUABwp0?t=64
>”You know! Once upon a time, great athletes used these fields to entertain the sluggish onlookers.” Evelyn says. “Let’s play ball.”
>Cadenza is the first one to react by closing the distance between her and the opponent. You are incredibly impressed by her movements. Her flurry of punches, jabs, and kicks look like an elegant dance.
>Evelyn is not deterred however, and blocks and dodges every attack. You notice her eyes’ movements are odd. 
>Evelyn catches both of Cadenza’s arms. When Cadenza attempts to counter with a kick, she gets quickly thrown aside to the ground.
>Cadenza quickly recovers.
>You move in with her this time. Your attempted kick gets caught and you get punched in the gut in return.
>Cadenza moves in and begins another exchange, but she eventually gets thrown aside again.
>Just as Evelyn throws Cadenza she jumps away from her position just in time for spiked crystals to erupt from the spot.
>As she lands she dashes towards you.
>You block two attacks, and then go for one of your own.
>You manage to get your arm grabbed, she lifts you and slams you to the ground.
>She moves in to stomp you, but moves away from magic bullets cast by Cadenza.
>She counters by taking out her wand and firing a lazer from her wand.
>Cadena jumps over it toward Evelyn and launches another offense starting with an air kick. 
>Evelyn is careful not to look into Cadenza’s eyes as she fends off her attacks.
>You move in to help her.
>Once Evelyn notices, she uses her wand to light a small explosion causing Cadenza to jump back.
>She runs towards you which catches you off guard and causes you to flinch a bit.
>Before she can get to you crystal spikes burst forth in front of you towards Evelyn.
>In a show of insane reflexes—Evelyn jumps over them, and you, towards Carrie.
>She gets to her, grabs her neck, and lifts her.
>”Ghhh!” Carrie reacts.
>”Carrie!” Cadenza shouts.
>”Despite having to fight Dazzle without looking into her eyes, and the other one being like an annoying fly, you’re the most annoying of the bunch, you know.” Evelyn says. 
>The crowd gasps.
>Carrie grunts and tries to pry Evelyn’s hand from her neck to no success.
>You move in in attempt to get her back only to be surprised when Evelyn throws Carrie at you.
>You halt and catch her. 
>Evelyn waves her wand and you notice a square form around your feet, before you can react a barrier forms around you.
>”There.” Evelyn says. “Now I can deal with one at a time.”
>You put Carrie down, and then touch the barrier.
“Ow.”
>It burns. You don’t want to fire any magic at it when it’s so cramped either.
>You turn your attention to Carrie.
“Are you alright?”
>”My neck hurts a lot, Sunset.” The damage reflects in Carrie’s voice. She caresses her neck.
>You don’t think there’s much you can do. This frustrates you.
>The crowd looks quite depressed.
>Cadenza looks stressed too.
>Evelyn walks past your prison to approach her. “Looks like it’s just you and me now.”
>”Tsk.” Cadenza looks at her defiantly, takes out her wand, and gets into stance.
>Evelyn and Cadenza clash once again, trading blows and spells.
>Cadenza is on the offensive. She once again shows off her elegant dance of an assault. Spin kicks, well-placed punches, and slick dodges are performed by her.
>Evelyn successfully defends and throws in attacks of her own sometimes, but it looks like she’s being pushed back ever so slightly.
“Hey Carrie. I know you’re hurt, but do you think you can use your magic at least one more time?”
>Carrie groans. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Then timing will be key here. Right when Evelyn tries to forced to move away from Cadenza is when you need to make it impossible for her. You have the power to win this thing, alright?”
>Carrie still looks pained, but gives you a nod.
>The fight continues as Evelyn catches Cadenza off guard and kicks her away.
>Evelyn waves her wand and summons five javelins made of light.
>The first one Cadenza ducks under. The second she rolls to the side to dodge. The third she jumps over.
>When the forth comes, terror could be seen on Cadenza’s face for a split second as she uses her wand to create a barrier in front of her. 
>It’s not very effective however, and Cadenza is sent flying back a bit. 
>The fifth comes again at an airborne Cadenza. She casts another spell that sends her right to the ground and under the javelin. Gravity magic!?
>When Cadenza gets up she jumps towards Evelyn and fires off an explosion behind her that propels her right to her target.
>They once again engage in hand to hand combat. Cadenza looks even more fierce than before as she circles Evelyn with her attacks.
>Evelyn is once again getting pushed back, but you can tell this is tiring for Cadenza.
>Evelyn begins to get frustrated. “Persistent brat!”
>She knocks away one of Cadenza’s kicks and begins to jump back.
“Now Carrie!”
>On que, Carrie puts her hands to the ground and a dome of crystal appears behind Evelyn preventing her escape.
>”What!?” Evelyn is confused and surprised for a moment.
>Cadenza, seeing the opening, dashes in on the open Evelyn and gets her hands on either side of her head.
>Cadenza forces Evelyn to look at her.
>Evelyn goes limp and enters the same state you saw the man who was under Cadenza’s influence before in.
>”Release my friends!”
>Slowly, Evelyn raises her wand in her daze. In what seems like an eternity. She finally lights it and ends the barrier freeing you and Carrie. Louder murmurs can be heard from the crowd.
>Right after it’s done, You see Evelyn kick Cadenza away.
“It’s over already?”
>”Different duration for different people I’m afraid.” Cadenza replies.
>”You should have used your one request to tell her to kill herself.” Carrie suggest.
>”Getting someone to directly harm themselves can’t be done either. Besides, there’s no guarantee a spell will go away even if the caster dies.”
>”Yeah, I know…” Carrie looks frustrated.
>Evelyn does too. You can see a scathing scowl on her face. “This has gone on too long for my tastes.”
“You and me both.”
>”It was my fault though, I’ll take responsibility.” Evelyn says.
“That means you’ll leave this place and never come back, right?”
>Evelyn chuckles. “Wouldn’t you like that?” 
>Evelyn jumps into the air and a blinding light emanates from her.
>You and everyone at the stadium shield your eyes. Eventually the light subsides.
>Evelyn is still in the air. From her back are two wings of light. They look like bird wings. The gold feathers have an ethereal glow to them.
>You hate to say it, but they’re pretty.
>”My main magic. My wings. I thought it would be a fun exercise to kill you three without them, but there’s no need to continue that game I suppose.” Evelyn says. “Your only ranged attacker can only hit me if I’m on the ground or near the stadium, huh? Shame.”
>Evelyn summons three light javelins and hurls them at you. All three of you jump out of the way of them.
>Cadenza extends her broom and stands on it as if it was a surf board.
>“You’re going to fight her like that?” Carrie asks.
>”Yes, unless you’ve got a better idea.” Cadenza responds. 
>You and Carrie do the same and jump on your brooms. You nearly lose your balance, but adjust to it.
>You all rise into the air.
“We won’t be able to use any spells like this. She can. What’s our plan?”
>”We try our best.” Cadenza responds.
“Oh…”
>Evelyn sends more light blasts at you three which cues you and your friends to dodge and move in towards her.
>Needless to say, you’re all outclassed by Evelyn in the air. Cadenza, while still quite skilled on her broom, gets instantly pushed back quite quickly with the addition of Evelyn’s wings into her fighting style. You and Carrie can’t even manage to get close.
>Evelyn fights with a combination of skilled maneuvering in the air along with constant attacks from her wand in the form of javelins and lazers. All you can do is avoid her attacks.
>Cadenza moves in with another round of attacks. Cadenza moves skillfully with her broom and executes her signature fighting style in the air for a time. 
>It is no match for Evelyn, however. Before long Evelyn hits Cadenza with her wing sending her flying. 
>Evelyn then charges toward Cadenza and catches her by the leg, holding her in the air.
>“Ngggh.” Cadenza groans. 
>”It’s a shame, Dazzle. You’re pretty good. I hate to kill witches with good blood.”
>”If you’re going to ask me to join you, then eat shit.” 
>Evelyn chuckles. “That’s generally how they respond.”
>Evelyn waves her wand with the other hand and summons a light javelin that she points at Cadenza’s face.
>”Put her down!” Carrie rushes at Evelyn in attempt to save her friend.
>At the last minute, Evelyn turns the javelin toward Carrie and launches it.
>Carrie reacts and moves, but… it’s too little too late. She is hit and falls to the ground.
>”Carrie!” Cadenza yells. The crowd gasps. So do you.
>”If you’re worried about her, than go see her!” Evelyn spins and throws Cadenza down at Carrie. She lands near Carrie with incredible force.
>You rush down to their sides.
“Girls! Please tell me you’re alright!”
>Both their eyes are closed. Carrie’s arm has a nasty burn across it. It also looks broken. Your heart drops. 
>Cadenza finally stirs. She coughs a few times before she opens one eye. “Carrie?”
>You check her pulse. It’s there. You feel a little relieved, but she does not wake up.
>You hear Evelyn laugh behind you. “I really wanted to keep you for last, redhead. After all that tough talk you had at the beginning of this. Now your friends will soon be dead. The traitors in this place will die too. You acted like a hero and made everything worse.”
>A single tear drops from your eye.
>”Sunset, I can’t fight anymore. I’m sorry.” Cadenza says. “You should get away from this pla-” 
“No chance.”
>You wipe your eye. There’s just no way you’re ever abandoning your friends again.
>“For what it’s worth, even though I haven’t known you long, I appreciate you trying to help me that day.”
>Your mind flashes back to when you met Cadenza in the music room and what you told her in the hot spring that day.
“Don’t speak like that. You’ll have plenty more time to get to know me. I helped get us into this mess. I’ll find a way out.”
>Cadenza smiles. “Ever the positive one, huh?” She coughs again.
>Your eyes drift to Cadenza’s side to her red-tipped wand. It’s light purple with matching lights on the inside. Treble clefs are on either side of it kind of like the demon horns on yours.
>You pick it up and extend it to a broom and stand on it. You rise to face Evelyn and draw your wand.
>Honestly, you’re nervous as hell. You feel yourself sweat bullets. The ones in stands, both captive and guard alike, look nervous too.
>What would Twilight do in this situation? You can’t say you have any idea. You were sent here before you could really see much of her power. What would Artemis do? Something clever that’s absolutely beyond you, probably. Bottom line: you’re not as powerful or as smart as either of them.
>”You realize I’ve won, right?” Evelyn begins. “You’re obviously the weakest of the bunch. What could you possibly do?”
“You’re right. I am the weakest of the bunch.”
>Evelyn smirks. “Are you trying to be a martyr?”
“But still, I’m going to free this place!”
>”Let’s see it.” 
>You light your wand, and lighting begins to spark from it. This is the evolution of the basic flashlight spell. You’re not sure how useful it’ll be, but it’s not like you have too many options.
>Evelyn sends her javelins at you which you barely maneuver away from.
>You move in towards her and throw a punch.
>She blocks it and spins around to hit you with one of her wings.
>You attempt to block it with your electrified wand.
>It kind of works, but you get pushed back. You could sense the immense heat coming from those wings. No wonder they did so much damage to Cadenza.
>The electricity from your wand didn’t seem to do any damage to them either. How should you proceed then?
>Evelyn doesn’t give you much time to think as she closes the distance between you two.
>You swing your wand at her a few times, she dodges each one.
>She counters with some punches and kicks. They’re heavy, and she ends her combo by kneeing you in the stomach.
>You whimper a bit, but see out of the corner of your eye that she’s about to hit you with one of her wings.
“No!”
>In a rush of adrenaline, you cast your barrier and raise your want to block it at the same time.
>It works and you avoid damage, but it’s tiring. It surprises Evelyn too. 
>Seeing the opening, you hit her across the face with your wand.
>”Guh!”
>For a split second you feel proud of yourself before she unleashes another round of kicks to your face and body that knock you off Cadenza’s broom.
>You fall to the ground. You land on your legs, but it isn’t graceful.
>”Congrats, Sunset. You got a hit in.” 
>You look over to a Cadenza that’s still lying on the ground.
“Yeah, and she got forty in on me.”
>Cadenza slowly sits up and faces you. She’s shaking a bit and has an arm around her abdomen and back.
“Hey, don’t push yourself.”
>”You know, those last few attacks on you were just a little slower than before. Maybe you’re on to something. How long can you keep the electricity going in your wand?”
“Not too long, I think. I really felt tired after combining it with the barrier. I need to come up with a finishing move fast.”
>Your conversation is cut short by the sight and sound of Evelyn’s light laser beginning to fire.
>You quickly grab Cadenza and Carrie and jump out of the way.
“Hell…”
>You get up and pick up both your and Cadenza’s wands. Then once again stand on Cadenza’s broom and rise into the air.
>”You’re persistent.” Evelyn says.
>You’re too tired to give a response, and instead skip straight to rushing her.
>Evelyn outmaneuvers you and kicks you in the back knocking you once again off the broom.
>She’s not content with just letting you fall again, however. She swoops past you repeatedly delivering hard punches and kicks each time.
“Agh!”
>Your constant shouts of pain and whimpers radiate throughout the stadium.
>The world is spinning and you feel incredible pain. Your mind is in disarray as you panic. You think you hear Cadenza call your name, but it’s all hazy.
>You can only put your arms up in a futile attempt to protect yourself in anticipation of each attack.
>…
>As one attack goes by you realize something in a split second. You know her next attack. And you know it will be a finishing attack from above.
>You don’t have the time to ponder why, so you fight with the pain with all your might, light up your wand with lightning, and throw it in the direction you think is up.
>”Aaagh!”
>You hit the ground, and you feel something else hit the ground next to you.
>Your heart is pounding incredibly hard. You’re dizzy and in a lot of pain all over your body.
>When you regain some semblance of order in you look up to see Evelyn looming over you. 
>Her suit looks burnt in some places, and she has a scar on her face now. She’s scowling at you.
>”You were a pest right to the bitter end, girl.” She spits on you. Then summons a light javelin that she points at you.
>Your heart drops.
>”Any last words?”
>”Sunset, no.” You hear Cadenza whimper.
>You look around the stadium to see the solemn faces on the ones in the stands… You failed them. 
>You can only give Evelyn a grunt in return.
>”Guess not.”
>You see the javelin move down and you close your eyes.
>…
>After realizing you’re not dead, you open your eyes to see the javelin still in the air above you, albeit a little closer.
>”Huh?” Evelyn looks confused.
>A burst of air pressure rises that throws the javelin and Evelyn back.
>The dome shatters at the top of the stadium to reveal Artemis and Amelia falling through it. 
>Gasps can be heard around the stadium.
>Glass from the dome float gently to the ground presumably thanks to Artemis’s magic.
>Artemis lands and runs to your side. ”Sunset! Are you alright?”
“I’ve been better, but not too terrible. Carrie is who you should really be worried about.”
>Artemis lifts you over her shoulder and walks you to the side of the field where Amelia is bringing Cadenza and Carrie. “I can’t believe you dived right into this place. It should have gone without saying that you weren’t to attempt this. Especially without me or Amelia.”
>She sounds a little mad. Rightfully so you suppose.
“…I’m sorry. I just really wanted to get that crystal for you.”
>Artemis sighs. “I value you over any old rock, Sunset.”
>You blush a bit. Her concern almost eases the pain you’re feeling.
>She puts you down next to the others.
>”Hey Artemis.” Cadenza says in her tired (but still pretty nice-sounding) voice.
>”You’re not off the hook either. You don’t even have the excuse of being new, Cadenza.”
>Cadenza just looks down and to the side.
>You’re surprised when Artemis brings you both in for a hug, however. “I’m glad you’re both safe.”
>”Good news, girls.” Amelia begins. “Carrie’s alive!”
>You all look down to her unmoving form and her burned arm.
>”Hey, I’m just trying to keep things positive.” Amelia says.
>”Help is on the way, they’ll be able to heal Carrie.” Artemis responds.
>”Help is on the way?” You all look towards Evelyn. “You mean from your settlement, right? If that’s so, I really need to get out of here. Can we skip to the part where I kill you kids?”
>”Evelyn.” Artemis stand up and turns to face her. “You’ve betrayed your settlement. Stole their treasure for yourself. Captured and enslaved the people here. And you hurt my friends.” Artemis draws her wand. “You’ll die for that.” Despite the strong words, Artemis’s voice is as calm and calculating as ever. She stated it as a simple fact.
>Evelyn smiles and spreads her wings.
>”Hey wait!” 
>Artemis turns towards Amelia. “What is it?”
>”Let me fight her, Artemis. I promise I’ll beat her up really well for you.” Amelia looks almost excited at the prospect.
>”Why so eager?” Cadenza asks.
>”It’s been too long since I’ve had some good action in my life. And also,…” Amelia hugs herself and blushes. “I feel so FILLED with love and energy right now!” Amelia just about moans that sentence.
>Cadenza chuckles. “You disgust me.”
>Artemis only narrows her eyes and gives her an unamused look.
“Am I missing something?”
>”Look, I don’t care which one of you goes first.” Evelyn states.
>Amelia walks forth. “Cadenza, Sunset. Good job so far. I can tell this would have been kind of tricky if she was at full strength, but now this will be quick.”
>Amelia gets into stance and so does Evelyn.
>”What’s special about you?” Evelyn asks with a smirk.
>Amelia ponders the question for a moment. “Honestly, nothing. I mostly just use my fists. I’m old fashioned I guess.”
>”Well, at least it will be kind of funny.” Evelyn responds.
>”Yeah…”
>Right then, Amelia dashes toward Evelyn with the clear intent to punch her. Amelia is quick, but you see Evelyn put her arms up to guard right before Amelia makes contact and…
>The clangs and bends of the stadium’s border being crushed in by Evelyn’s body permeates throughout. 
>Luckily most of the people in the stands were on a fairly high elevation, but many that were sitting near the impact quickly start to move away
“Whoa!”
>You always knew she was strong, but you’ve never seen her display this kind of strength. You were hanging out with someone who could put a cra
>”Try not to hurt civilians, Amelia.” Artemis comments.
>”I know.” She responds.
>Evelyn stirs and then jumps up and spreads her wings. She’s scowling. “You’ll pay for that.”
>”I doubt it!” Amelia says with a smile.
>This time it’s Evelyn’s turn to close the distance. Her attacks with her arms and legs are easily stopped by Amelia.
>Finally, Evelyn tries to hit Amelia with her wing.
>Amelia looks surprised for a split second, braces herself, and slaps the wing out of the way with a force you can feel from meters away.
>”The hell!?” Evelyn looks surprised and it taken aback.
>Amelia uses the opportunity to kick Evelyn away, she skids across the ground for a moment.
>”Oww.” Amelia says while rubbing the back of her hand. “Those things burn. You even ruined my glove.”
>Evelyn scowls, then ascends and starts firing light javelins at Amelia.
>Amelia maneuvers through them by carefully rolling, side stepping, and hopping around them.
>Evelyn, frustrated, start sending them at a pace more rapid than you’ve ever seen her fire them.
>Amelia still dodges them, but they’re closer than before.
>You begin to worry.
“This is bad, right? Does Amelia have any long-ranged attacks? Why doesn’t she use her wand?”
>”She’ll be fine.” Artemis says. “Just watch.”
>Evelyn continues to fire rapidly, and Amelia continues to rapidly dodge.
>This continues until you see something incredible.
>Amelia must have seen an opening. She does a spin jump who’s trajectory ends up just above one of Evelyn’s attacks.
>When Amelia reaches Evelyn she uncurls with her hands clasped together over her head.
>You can see Evelyn’s look of terror right before Amelia slams Evelyn right to the ground with hearty impact you can feel from where you are.
>”OHHHHH!” The crowd shouts as they see the impact.
>Evelyn lies on the ground unmoving. Her light wings extinguish.
>Amelia lands near her and looks down at her. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but you put up a pretty good fight. Good job!”
>”She’s not down yet, Amelia.” Artemis says.
>”Eh? She looks pretty ‘down’ to me.”
>Amelia stares down at her for a little while longer. “Hmm? Maybe you’re right.”
>She reaches down toward Evelyn.
>And as Amelia gets closer Evelyn blasts Amelia into the air with her wand and reignites her wings.
“Amelia!”
>”I warned her and she still fell for it.” Artemis sighs. “That’s just her style, I guess.”
>”Heh, stupid brat!” Evelyn jets into the air and starts attacking Amelia much in the same manner she did to you, by flying by repeatedly and rapidly with attacks.
>Amelia holds her arms up but otherwise just endures it.
>You start to worry again.
>Watching Amelia closely however, you see her bland guard start to turn into more effective and targeted blocks.
>You also see Evelyn speed up her attacks. 
>Amelia keeps up her blocks, until she finally she grabs Evelyn by the face and drives her into the ground.
>”GHUAHH!” Evelyn shouts in pain.
>She managed to get out of it! You did too, but you think that was because of you read her mind. Amelia must have read her attacks and adjusted to it midair. You don’t think you could have done that.
>”That was nice and all,” Cadenza begins. “but sometimes I don’t know whether Amelia does it for style points or due to stupidity.”
>”Not even I can figure that one out.” Artemis replies.
>Amelia once again looks down on her. This time breathing harder. “You can’t win. Not even with cheap tricks, see? Even if you could match me, there’s no way you could get away before the others come. It’s over.”
>Evelyn lay there face up looking at Amelia. “…”
>”AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Evelyn’s laugh is grating and unsettling.
>Amelia looks down at her confused. You and the others are confused too.
>Evelyn stands up again slowly. She’s clearly quite damaged. Her wings flicker as if they’re trying hard to stay in existence.
>”You kids have no idea what you’re doing or who you’re dealing with. It’s so ironic that people from your settlement are lecturing me that it hurts!” Evelyn spits out her words. “It’s true, I probably won’t get out of this, but your non-witches you love so much will come right along with me!”
>The crowd starts to panic and run. The prisoners begin to shout for help as they’re bounded in place.
>Evelyn rises once again into the air and begins to envelop in a blinding ball of light. “There will be far too many of these to save them all! And none of them will be able to get far enough away from this one!”
“What should we do!?”
>”Spiteful little…” Artemis looks around frantically as if she’s desperately trying to devise something.
>Amelia begins to ready herself for an attack. Before she can do anything targeted light missiles begin to home in on the people in the stands. 
>You can hear their screams for help.
>But before the attacks get there an enormous wall erupts from the stands and all the light attacks hit it.
>The impact is loud and you can tell it is incredibly forceful, but when it ends the crystal wall is still not penetrated.
>Wait, crystal wall?
>”Carrie!” Cadenza shouts.
>Carrie lies there with her hand on the ground, but still looking very weak. Artemis moves over to her side as well.
>”You’ll kill yourself using that much power, especially in your state.” Cadenza says with more worry than you’ve ever heard in her voice before.
>”…What choice did I… have?” Carrie’s voice is incredibly strained.
>The wall soon disintegrates.
>Evelyn ungracefully falls back her feet looking in horror at the result. Her wings have disappeared entirely.
>”Now you’ve really pissed me off, Evelyn.” Amelia says. “Get ready!”
>Amelia dashes in and unleashes an unrelenting stream of punches.
>Evelyn manages to break away once, and tries a really feeble magic attack.
>Amelia dodges it, and closes the distance once again.
>Amelia unleashes three strong kicks to Evelyn’s face, then Amelia grabs her and slams her to the ground.
>She skips a few steps back. “This is it. From the 50 yard line!” Then, Amelia runs in and unleashes a final powerful kick that sends Evelyn’s body flying through the rotting, rusty, vine covered goal post and through the stadium. 
>The crowd cheers, and you see the sun begin to rise.

~

“*YAWWWNN*”
>You stretch your arms overhead and wipe the small tear from your eye.
>”We could go back and go to sleep at this point if you want.” Artemis says.
“No point now, the suns already up. What’s one night of sleep anyway?”
>You, Artemis, and Amelia sit on one of the lower stands of the stadium. The place is now filled with witches from both your settlement and the hotel settlement. They’re either clearing the place out of any suspicious items or questioning the former prisoners or guards.
>Witches from your settlement are also already at the hotel helping with their original goal of coming here—treating the magicopia outbreak as best as they can.
>If it weren’t for the circumstances, it would be a relaxing moment. The morning is beautiful and there’s not a cloud in the sky.
“Is your leg okay, Amelia?”
>”Eh, it’ll be fine in a few hours.” She responds.
>After that gnarly kick she gave to Evelyn, Amelia limped while she walked. Apparently, she can’t use that kind of strength haphazardly.
>Just then your and Amelia’s stomachs growl at the same time.
>Both of you look at each other and laugh.
>”Malnourished witches can’t use magic. We should go.” Artemis says. “We can check on Cadenza and Carrie too.”
>You enter the hotel’s hospital. The architecture is different from the one at your settlement. However, the potions and weird medicine still look weird to you.
>You and the others power walk down to the two adjacent beds that have both Carrie and Cadenza. 
>Between them is Cinderbelle, who is in a chair. “Oh, hello girls.”
“Hey.”
>”Hi.” Artemis says.
>Amelia nods.
>”If you’re worrying about us, don’t. We’ll both be out of here soon.” Cadenza says. 
>You’re happy to now Cadenza looks to be just fine. Carrie is asleep again, but she looks peaceful. Her burn is beginning to disappear. 
>You didn’t even know that was possible.
>”Hey!”
>You turn around to see your headmistress, Dean Crystal, Headmistress Regas, and Nate.
>”Headmistress?” Amelia muses.
>”Obviously!” She replies. “And good job in the investigation..., but frankly, you really didn’t need to take down that pack of slavers or Evelyn. Really it was kind of foolish for you all to attempt it in such a small group. Cadenza, you weren’t even supposed to be here so soon.”
>Cadenza looks down and so do you. You’re the one who pressured her into starting it. Carrie tried to stop you and her.
>”I’ll take responsibility.” Artemis says. “I let her come along. Carrie too. I wasn’t around when I needed to be.”
>”But part of that was my fault too, wasn’t it?” Headmistress Regas says with a genuine smile. “I have to apologize for holding you up. Especially when you ended up helping us find out what went wrong… Evelyn was once a trusted guard here, but we failed to see her betrayal when you did. We got that crystal back, and of course you may have it.”
>Princess Regas reaches into her bra and takes out the yellow crystal for you all to see. 
“Applejack’s crystal!”
>You realize what you said once it’s too late and jump a bit.
>”I see you know your history.” Headmistress Regas remarks.
”Uhh, yeah…”
>Regas hands the crystal to your headmistress.
>”I think you’re handing this to the wrong person.” The headmistress says.
>”Oh?” Regas replies.
>The headmistress gestures towards Amelia. “Apparently, it should properly belong to her.”
>Regas giggles. “Your settlement did always have witches of such high pedigree.”
>She hands the crystal to Amelia to accepts it with a smile.
>So Amelia is related to Applejack! She looks different other than her hair color. Amelia’s more ‘suburban’ nature threw you off too.
>”Wait. Now that I see it next to this one, is that another crystal around your neck?” Regas asks.
>You’re taken by surprise.
“…Yes?”
>”Hmm. Interesting!”
>”Now, now. We’ve gotten off track.” Your headmistress begins. “Headmistress Regas may have forgiven you, but you still made some mistakes Artemis. I don’t like it, but I have to administer some kind of punishment don’t you think?” The headmistress has a more serious look than you’ve ever
>Artemis steps forward. “As you wish.”
>The headmistress looks into Artemis’s eyes for a moment, and then picks her up and hugs her. 
>”Oh! You know I couldn’t stay mad at my cute little witches. Especially when everything turned out alright.”
>”Somehow I knew you’d do something like that.” Dean Crystal comments.
>”If you’re quite done playing favorites.”
>You all turn to see Dean Sparkle enter. “Headmistresses, we need your guidance concerning the lowest level.”
>”Time for that already? I’ve been trying to put off thinking about it, you know?” Your headmistress responds.
>”I could tell.” Dean Sparkle sighs. “I really wish you had sent a more capable group here before us, but I can’t be too mad. Evelyn was a waste. I’m glad she’s subdued now.” Dean Sparkle looks you in the eyes. “Good job, girls.”
>”Dean Sparkle! That’s the best reaction I’ve seen you have towards one of my decisions in a while.” Your headmistress responds.
>”It's crazy I know, but you deserve good reactions every now and then..”
>Dean Sparkle and the headmistresses leave. You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.
>”Her eyes just pierce into your soul, huh?” Dean Crystal comments.
“You can say that again.”
>”Amelia!” You nearly forgot Nate was here. He’s blushing slightly. “You’ll… come back to visit, right?
>”Of course!” Amelia ruffles his hair.
>Nate smiles, then exits.
>”Amelia.” Artemis begins. “What have you done?”
>”I know what you’re thinking! I didn’t do anything inappropriate to him. I only touched him a bit.” Amelia realizes how that sounds and promptly continues. “APPROPRIATELY touched him.”
>”Digging your own grave.” Cinderbelle comments.
>Dean Crystal laughs. “Welp, I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear this one. See ya’, girls!”

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 49: The Crystals!
>June 28th, 2095
>Now I understand!
>Each of the original six witches had a crystal.
>But now they’re all scattered. To be expected, since the original six were all scattered.
>We’ve absolutely lost track of the crystals now. That’s bad form. Such important artifacts to witches should definitely be counted for.
>Something bothers me, though. Why didn’t Twilight ever tell me about it? Perhaps she was trying to at the end of her life…
>Either way, I will find and gather them!
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~

>You are Veronica.
>Evelyn was being kept in one of the lower floors of the hotel where prisoners were normally kept.
>She was soon going to be subjected to questioning, and then killed. Settlements don’t like to keep many prisoners, after all. In this largely empty world, it’s better to either banish or kill severe offenders.
>And Evelyn’s offense was too great for her to be kept alive.
>You wanted to talk to her yourself once before that happened.
>You descend to the designated floor and exit the elevator. The floor is gloomy and unfinished. Poorly lit too. Perfect for a pseudo-prison, really.
>Two guards are on either side of the barrier that sections off this small room from the floor proper.
>You approach them.
>”Why are you here?” One guard asks.
“To talk to Evelyn. Mother’s orders.”
>They look at each other, and then touch your shoulder. A warm sensation can be felt.
>”You can go through, make it quick please.”
>That lie you told always works.
>You walk through the barrier.
>The room is largely empty, save for the enormous magical chains that bind Evelyn in this poorly lit room. 
>She’s suspended in the air. Several of the magical chain links are bound to each of her limbs spreading her out.
>You walk a few meters in and cast a spell. Can’t have the guards hearing this.
>Evelyn notices and perks up. “You?”
“That’s right.”
>Evelyn laughs. “Please tell me you’re busting me out.”
“Evelyn, why were you put up to this?”
>”Tsk. Rhetorical questions.”
“Answer.”
>”Your lot wanted test subjects. And the crystal of course.”
>My lot, huh?
“And what did you accomplish?”
>”I get it. I accomplished neither goal.”
“Even if I somehow got you out of here, where would you go anyway?”
>”I could go to any one of the other bases of operation! I know you’re just as pissed off by those other witch brats as I am. They’re bound to find them eventually. I promise I will make them regret that they were ever born.”
“Which one would you prefer?”
>”…”
>”Cloudsdale.” Evelyn answers. “Under the cover of the settlement nobody would figure out what we do there.”
>You turn around to leave.
>”Veronica!? Where are you going?”
“Away, Evelyn. You’re no longer needed.”
>”What are you saying!? I told you how I could be useful! VERONICA!”
>You exit the room.

~

>”We’re nearly done. A little to the left.”
>You spin the broom a little so that Amy can get her tools into the desired position and once again begins to solder.
>She looks like she’s lost in her own world while she does it. Gracefully and carefully doing her art.
>”Alright, it’s done! Should be good as new, now. Sorry for down here so long, Sunset.”
“Not a problem. I don’t have too much to do right now anyway.”
>Besides, there was a certain magic (aside from the literal magic) in the wand lab. All the tools and products of people’s hard work really got you inspired on what’s possible with a wand. At this moment late into the evening it was empty save for the inanimate objects, you two, and the warm evening sunlight shining through the window.
>If only you knew how to do half the things the others who spent time around here knew how to do. Luckily, this pink-haired woman named Rose decided to take you under her wing.
>”Alright, that’s it for today I guess.” Rose begins packing up all her things. 
>You do the same.
>As she begins to exit the room, she turns to you. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Good job on your last mission!”
“Thanks. You heard about that?”
>”Well, yeah. It’s pretty big news. I’ve heard a few people talk about you, you know. You were new and then not long after you came here you helped take down a powerful rouge witch.”
>You begin to scratch the back of your head.
“I didn’t do that much.”
>”Either way, I’m happy that you’re being received well here.” Rose give you a smile that you return. “Bye.”

~

>”Hey, give that back!” You hear a child shout.
>You are Cinderbelle.
>Looking over, you see a little girl running away at full speed while laughing, another girl chasing after. You could tell they could potentially break something with how reckless they were being.
>Since the actual teacher was out at the moment you guess dealing with this falls to you. You brace yourself to deal with them.
>”Stop running, both of you! Claire, give her back the toy.” 
>”Aww, but Ms. Lainah!” The girl complains.
>”Do it. What would your parents think of this?” Lainah responds.
>Reluctantly, Claire gives the doll back to the other girl. And the tension dissipates.
>The rest of the day goes by without much incident as the girls play in peace. Before long, the day ends and witches come to pick up their girls.
“Hey Lainah, you were a big help today.” 
>She smiles softly. “Oh really? I didn’t really do much.”
“Don’t say that. I know dealing with children can be a hassle.”
>Lainah nods in response.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what made you decide to volunteer here?”
>Honestly, you didn’t take her as the type to want to work with children. She was always so very reserved, even with her teammates. I guess this was a part of her you didn’t know till now.
>”It’s just…” she begins. “I wanted to do something good with my free time.”
“Well, I’m glad to have you here. I’m sure Mrs. Candlecake feels the same.”
>”Thanks.” She gets her things and begins to walk out.
“Hey, want to walk back to the dorm together?”
>Lainah looks a little surprised. “Oh! Uh, sure.”
>You two exit the building and begin the walk back to The Academy. The sky and landscape begin to shift orange as it gets deeper into the evening. Activity has died down as many people have entered their homes. 
>Your destination isn’t too far away, but you can tell the walk would be awkward if you don’t say anything.
“How was your day, Lainah?”
>”Fine.” She pauses for a moment before she realizes she ought to continue. “It was the usual. Just going to class.”
“Me too. I didn’t understand a thing Professor Storm was talking about today though.”
>”You too?” Lainah looks at you with some surprise in her eyes.
>You giggle. 
“Yes. Who knows exactly our next assessment will be like. I hope I’ll do well.”
>”Yeah. I really need to do a good job next time.” Lainah stares off into the distance
“So, how are your team mates?”
>”They’re alright I guess. We don’t really talk much.”
>You’re not too surprised.
>”I think you should try to get to know them better. I think knowing my team mates makes our dynamic better.”
>”Who are your partners?”
“Cadenza and Carrie. They sometimes act reckless without me, but they’re so energetic. I love them so much!”
>”I see, you really care about them. They’re really strong after all.” Lainah has a thousand yard stare into the distance.
“Well, yeah. But also I just… really enjoy being around them. They’re the best friends I could ask for.”
>You think of all the good times you’ve had with them over the course of your life. You met them when you were a child. Same with Artemis and Amelia.
>Lainah looks at you with a soft smile on her face.
“Hey, you should meet them some time.”
>”Really?”
“Yeah. Them along with Artemis and Amelia. Oh, and Sunset too.”
>You made a mistake.
>Lainah’s face changed upon hearing Sunset’s name. It contorted into a look of disgust. It didn’t last long, but you clearly picked up her signal.
>You had known Sunset and her fought once, but you didn’t think she’d react quite like this.
>You decide to change the subject.
“So, uh… what did you have for lunch today?”
>The conversation stays in more tame territory for the remainder of it’s life. Before long, you part ways with her and head to your own dorm room.

~

“Evelyn was a part of a cabal of slavers and human traffickers who want the crystals for some unknown reason. And this cabal is large enough that it has a base all the way in Cloudsdale?”
>”That’s what our intelligence tells us, headmistress.” Dean Sparkle responds.
“I take it there was some kind of spell to prevent her from saying much more?”
>”That’s right.” Another witch in the room responds. By her black robe, you can tell she’s part of the intelligence. She along with some others in black stand behind the table near Dean Sparkle’s seat.
>You can only imagine the methods they went through to get the information out of the woman. Have to do what you have to do, you suppose.
>”I guess that means you were right to send someone to stop her, headmistress. Good job!” Dean Crystal remarks. 
>”That’s true.” You turn your attention to Professor Storm. “But you sent kids to deal with her. Teams of kids I didn’t even approve, mind you.”
“Oops. It worked out though, didn’t it? And it’s not like I sent just anyone. They were more than capable and it showed.”
>Great to see the polarization of the table was as alive as it usually was. 
>”Yes, Artemis is an exemplary witch now isn’t she?” Dean Sparkle begins. “But you practically gave her the freedom to choose her own team and storm into another settlement just the way the 15 year old wanted. A bit irresponsible, don’t you think?”
>Another witch at the table starts. ”Cadenza and Carrie were fair enough, but who was that no name outsider that went along? Sunset I think it was? Not sure what you were thinking with that one.”
>”Dean Xenia is right. Her place here is practically an experiment, and she’s not all that highly rated either.” Dean Sparkle comments.
 >”What if she compromised the mission?” Dean Xenia asks.
“Artemis trusted her. I do too. It’s that simple.”
>Xenia promptly responds. “Again with Artemis. I seem to remember you getting this position with a lot of help from Artemis’ late mother. Is history repeating itself?”
>This statement is met with some “subtle” chuckles from some sides of the table. 
>You hold your poker face.
>”It could possibly just be that her family is just more capable than some of the representatives of other ones at this table today. Be honest, would any of you have approved this before we knew what we know today?” Professor Gardener states.
>She earned some deadly stares for that one. She said it, not you. 
>”I’ll take that as a no. So then, how could you criticize the headmistress for sending our most competent students and the ones they trust, if none of you would have approved adult witches anyway?”
>”I…” Dean Sparkle begins. “Agree with the decision to send some of our students.”
>You smile a bit at the surprised faces of a lot of the witches on her side of the table.
>”We really need witches to be doing their jobs here at home. There aren’t that many of them in the long run. And on that note, I don’t want to separate any of them from their families for too long. I’m sure you all understand. But, next time we should send a bigger team. And one with at least a few more experienced in leadership too.”
>That’s technically sound reasoning, but just say you want to send your daughter Dean Sparkle.
“Next time… you mean at Cloudsdale.”
>”Yes.” Dean Sparkle begins. “I’ve already messaged the leadership at the settlement, they’re willing to work with us to find and get rid of the slavers there if you’d like.”
“Oh, I would! We don’t get to talk with them often after all. But, about the witches we’ll send for this. How do you all think I should choose them?”
>”Isn’t it obvious?” Professor Storm starts. “Send the top students and pair them with some of our best. This is an important task. We shouldn’t pull any punches.”
“And split up the expedition teams? You know how much we value team cohesion here. Besides, weren’t you stressing the importance of them not too long ago?”
>Professor Storm gets a little more visibly angrier than she already was, but Dean Xenia interjects. “We all know you want to send out your favorite, headmistress. But you don’t even know how well they actually work together.”
>”All accounts from the hotel settlement and from all the witches we sent there suggest they DID all work well together.” Dean Crystal responds.
>”You still haven’t even seen it with your own eyes. They probably have the combat standards of your side of the table.” Dean Xenia retorts.
>Dean Crystal opens her mouth to say something back, but Dean Sparkle speaks first. “Ladies, this is all unnecessary. If so many accounts attest for their abilities, then I trust them.” The two quiet down at her words. “As for the witches we’ll send, how about this, headmistress—you pick two teams of students, and I pick one team of students and one of adult witches. Sound fair?”
>Professor Gardener perks up. “That’s obviously unfa-“
“I accept!”
>You say it with a smile.
>”Good. In the interest of making this room less of a circus, I’ll try to be a little accommodating to you.” Dean Sparkle says.
>Before long the meeting ends and you begin to walk back home.
>Dean Crystal and Professor Gardener walk beside you and stay quiet until you three get a decent distance from the room. 
>“Why did you accept her offer so readily? If Sparkle chooses the adult witches she can practically drive every mission as she sees fit.” Dean Crystal asks.
“Two reasons. One, I don’t like to play up the fact that we have such obvious factions. We all want the same thing in the end. Who helps us accomplish it doesn’t matter that much in the end.”
>”Can we really expect things to go smoothly like that? If the two parts of the team chosen by you and her clash then things could go wrong.” Professor Gardener asks.
”That brings me to my second reason. I have no need for any adult witches. If push comes to shove, Artemis could lead her team to victory better than anyone could.”
>”You really do have a lot of faith in the girl.” Dean Crystal says. “Is what Xenia said true? Do you still feel a debt toward her mother?”
>You pause for a moment.
“A little… but, have any of you spoken to her. Like, in a non-professional context?”
>”Not really.” Dean Crystal responds.
>”No.” Professor Gardener says.
“If you don’t know her that well it may be a little hard to understand, but Artemis is a girl who would be extremely formidable even if she wasn’t a witch.”

~

>You are Artemis.
>Why did you decide to come here?
>You remember now why you hardly ever come back to this place. It’s not like you detest it, but the atmosphere is unnerving now.
>You’re alone here. The place is dark, because there’s no need to ever have lights in this place. There is furniture, pretty nice furniture, but not much of it.
>It looks simultaneously minimalist due to the lack of objects and extravagant due to the size of the place.
>You couldn’t stand having any decorations here. It would be a mockery now.
>Now that you’re the last one alive in your family, a few are upset at the fact that you hardly use the largest house in the settlement.
>But without a family, there’s just no reason to use such a large family home.
>You begin to ascend the stairs. Your footsteps are the only thing to be heard in this place.
>Upon reaching the second floor you see moonlight shine through the windows, which is the only light to accompany you through this house.
>You walk down the hallway and eventually find yourself at the embellished white double doors that lead to the master bedroom.
>You open the door.
>While the room is large, it is empty aside from a bed, a desk, the moonlight, and one object on the desk.
>You walk over to the desk and look at the object… and memories flood back to you.

~Seven years ago~

>You are Spicy Sweet.
>The sun shines down brilliantly on the large forest clearing. The grass is well kept, and large trees border the clearing in a way that makes it look like it’s own large natural room.
>It would be a serene moment, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was just used for the funeral of your mentor and headmistress.
>Witches and non-witches alike begin to file out and go home. Some are in tears. Others hold solemn looks.
>The open casket can be seen at the end in the middle of the clearing.
>One person stands in front of it, still looking on at the body.
>You recognize this person as the daughter of the headmistress. 
>She just lost her mother, huh?... You can’t stand the idea of your mentor’s daughter going through this alone. You hate to have to meet her under these circumstances, but you approach her.
>As you get near to her, she turns around.
>She’s a little girl with white hair like the snow. And dark purple eyes. She’s wearing a white dress.
>She looks at you inquisitively.
>You give her a sympathetic look.
“Hello there. I was a friend of your mother’s. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
>”Thank you.”
“My name’s Spicy. What’s yours?”
>The girl blinks at you once. “Artemis.”
“Do you need a place to stay, Artemis? Other than The Academy I mean. There’s a lot of space in my home, you know.”
>You give her a smile.
>“Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”
“Can you?”
>Artemis sighs. “I get why you’re worried about me. I promise I’ll be fine. You have big worries of your own, don’t you? You’re my mother’s successor after all.”
>You’re taken aback a bit. Artemis continues to look into your eyes inquisitively.
“She must have talked a lot about me if you know that much. I hope it was all good things.”
>”She talked about you a little. Your name gets around though, you’re a high witch after all.”
“Yeah. You’re a very mature girl aren’t you?”
>Artemis looks to the side. “I guess…”
>An awkward silence comes. You don’t know what to say in this situation.
>”Are you nervous?”
“Huh?”
>”About becoming headmistress I mean. Your body language seemed quite uncertain when I brought up you being the successor.”
“I… haven’t been a high witch for very long. I can’t help but be a little nervous.”
>You scratch the back of your head and give an awkward laugh.
“But I promise I’ll try to make the settlement a great place to live.”
>”Have you considered expanding the borders? I hear a lot of people are having trouble raising livestock with such limited fields. My own math says that it would pay for itself within a year without needing to raise taxes much.”
>What is this girl?
“You’re… not a normal girl are you?”
>”I guess not…”
“Do you miss your mom?”
>Artemis turns around to look at the open casket. ”Cattle die and kinsmen die, and so must one die oneself, but the fame of a dead man’s deeds will never die.”
>You continue to look at the back of the girl.
>”That’s what I try to tell myself, but…”
>She turns around again, this time with a single tear running down her right eye. “I miss being held by her. I don’t want anyone to ever feel this loneliness ever again.”

~Present~

>You are Sunset.
>You’ve been at this homework for hours and made minimal progress.
>It doesn’t help that it’s getting late.
“YAWWWNN.”
>The room has only the light of your dim lamp, as to not disturb the sleeping Amelia.
>It becomes ever more tempting to go to sleep like she is.
>You want to give this one last good attempt though.
>You open your notes and scan through what you think is relevant information.
>The problem… still makes no sense.
“Ugh!”
>Upon groaning, you hear Amelia stir. You internally scold yourself for getting loud.
>Not long after you hear the door open to reveal Artemis.
“Hey. Just the person I needed. Can you help me with… huh?”
>Artemis has a solemn look on her face.
“Are you alright?”
>”Let’s get in bed, Sunset.”
“But-“
>”Your homework can wait. I’ll help you with it in the morning, I promise.”
>You’re confused, but you get ready and then get into bed.
>Artemis gets in with you and nestles her face in your neck. 
>As you drift to sleep, for some reason you think you hear her call you ‘mother.’

~

>As you and the others walk through the bustling town in the settlement, you accidentally lose your footing a bit and drop your snow cone.
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
>”Unlucky.” Carrie comments.
>”Aww, I’ll buy you a new one if you want!” Cinderbelle offers.
“That’s alright. It’s just a snow cone right?”
>Amelia makes a show out of licking hers. You make the mistake of making eye contact with her.
>You give her an annoyed look which she shrugs off.
>”Let’s get to a more clear area why don’t we?” Cadenza suggests.
>”Good idea.” Artemis replies.
>You six find a slightly emptier place near a lake.
“Why are there so many people out today?”
>”No idea.” Amelia answers. “Guess it’s just a nice day.”
>Cadenza paces around a bit. ”It’s to be expected, we’re getting deeper into fall. Nice days are rarer.”
“You know what? Halloweens coming up. Do we still celebrate that?”
>”Hello-what now?” Carrie looks confused.
>”The answer is no, Sunset.” Artemis answers.
>”Ohh, I want to know about this holiday, Sunset.” Cinderbelle says.
“Well. October 31st was called Halloween in my time. On that day at night, everyone would dress up in a costume. Usually something scary.”
>”But why?” Amelia asks. 
“I dunno. The tradition just evolved over time I guess.”
>”A dedicated day for costume parties. Sounds like fun!” Cinderbelle says.
“Also, at night on this day people would go door to door in these costumes to ask people for candy.”
>”Did it work?” Cadenza asks.
“Yeah. Everyone expected it. So everyone had candy prepared.”
>Carrie perks up. ”Free candy? Sounds amazing! We NEED this holiday!”
>”Perhaps we should ask the headmistress to give it to us?” Amelia suggests.
>As she says this, you begin to feel a familiar sensation of the peripherals of your vision whitening.
>As you enter the white world, you notice the difference of your friends being beside you.
>”Just the person we needed!” Carrie says. “Headmistress, give us Halloween!”
>”Excuse me?” The headmistress replies.
>Artemis steps forward. “Are you summoning us?”
>”Yes, I am. To the meeting room.”
>”Not your house this time?” Amelia asks.
>The headmistress crosses her arms and smiles. ”Nope! This time you’re all sanctioned.”
“You mean, you’ve found another crystal? And we have real approval to find it?”
>”Yup!” 
>”Headmistress, what’s the catch?” Artemis asks with narrowed eyes.
>”Now, now Artemis. I promise it’s not that bad.” The headmistress responds.
>”So you’re not even hiding it this time…” Artemis replies.
>The headmistress laugh nervously. “Juuust come see me.”
>The message ends. It’s just as jarring an end as last time.

~

>You feel a bit of nostalgia walking back into the room where you were first judged here. So much has changed in the two months since then.
>You enter behind Artemis.
>The first thing you notice are all of the important witches at the table. 
>You feel a split second of panic before you realize you’re actually here for good reason this time.
>Then you notice that Veronica stands facing the table. She and Lainah notice your entrance and look at you and your friends.
>Wait, Lainah? She’s here to you guess. You instantly notice her face become more foul.
>Next, you realize you see a woman along with a girl who are both in outfits that seem a little different form the typical wear of witches from this settlement. The outfits are heavier and made of white leather and fur.
>The woman was a brown haired woman with grey eyes. The girl was about as tall as Artemis had white hair with dark purple streaks and blue eyes. She’s also got purple eye liner.
>”Oh no.” You hear Amelia say.
>”Girls! It’s been so long!” you hear the girl in the leather exclaim.
>She walks up to Artemis and Amelia them and puts an arm around each. “How have things been?”
>Amelia has a disgusted look on her face.
>”Please get off.” Artemis says it in a tone that’s so menacing you can sense the threat.
>The girl does so. “Tsk. Gee you two are grumpy.”
>”That’s enough.” Dean Sparkle successfully silences everyone in the room. 
>”Thank you.” The headmistress replies. “Now, Dean Crystal, Professor Gardener, if you would join them please.”
>At her command, the two witches get up from their seats and join the rest of you who are standing.
>The headmistress begins to cough a little. “Excuse me.”
>The headmistress begins to speak. ”Ahem. We have reason to believe there’s another stronghold of the group Evelyn worked for is somewhere near the Cloudsdale settlement. If it’s anything like the last one—they’re probably performing similar activities. They might even have a crystal or two as well. Friends from the Cloudsdale settlement have been kind enough to offer to guide us there.” She nods at the two in long leather coats. “Your job, my witches, will be straightforward. Help them find it, and put an end to it. Any questions?”
>You can tell there’s a lot that you all want to say right now, but not a lot any of you could get away with in this room.
>”…No.” Artemis answers.

~

>All nine of you young witches are in a private room in The Academy where you’re to wait for the adult witches to come back with further instruction.
>You all sit in a round table.
>Needless to say, it didn’t stay peaceful for long.
>”Your voice makes me want to vomit, Celestia.” Amelia remarks.
>”That’s no way to treat an old friend, Amelia.” She replies.
“Wait, your name is Celestia?”
>”Of course! Well, Celestia VII technically. Or is it Celestia XX? Who knows anymore? Oh, and I just so happen to be descended from both the original Celestia and Pinkie Pie. Which makes me twice as cool as all of you!”
>”More like twice as insufferable.” Artemis remarks.
>”… Girls.” You hear Cinderbelle say faintly.
>Celestia moves and puts an arm around you and gets much too close for comfort. “And what’s YOUR name girl I’ve never seen before?”
“Uh, Sunset Shimmer.”
>”Get off of her.” Artemis says it in another extremely menacing voice.
>”Oops. Guess you’re spoken for.” Celestia removes her arm. “You must be pretty strong to be running around with these two kill joys.”
>”Not in the slightest.” Lainah finally decides to speak.
>Maybe it was the energy of the situation, but you get far more aggressive than you should.
“Heh, strong enough to have kicked your ass.”
>”What was that!?” Lainah stands up. You do too.
“I didn’t stutter.”
>”Uhh…” Carrie says in worry.
>”Oooohh. Looks like I’m not the only one with enemies around here.” Celestia comments.
>”You won with the cheapest trick of all time and you know it, Sunshit!”
>While you and Lainah bicker, Celestia continues to speak. “Hey Artemis, you haven’t even attempted to invite your best buddy Veronica into the conversation.”
>”I won’t fall for your attempt to cause strife.” Artemis replies while looking straight forward.
>”Neither will I.” Veronica says. “How tiring.” 
>Celestia moves and sits near Veronica “Hey, between you and me. I think Artemis is reeeeeally suspicious of you being here. You best watch your back!”
>”Her baseless suspicion is her own problem.” Veronica says.
>”Or maybe the problem is you acting suspicious.” Amelia says.
>”You’re falling for her trap, fool.” Veronica replies.
>”W-w-what trap?” Celestia asks with faux-worry.
>”Who are you calling a fool?” Amelia asks.
>”The only one in this room who’s waist-to-chest ratio dwarfs her IQ.” Veronica replies.
>”Wow. Even I felt the heat of that one.” Celestia remarks.
>Amelia stands and faces Veronica.
>”Sit down, Amelia. It’s not worth it.” Artemis says.
>”This is stupid. Celestia is the one you should all be angry at.” Cadenza says.
>”Angry at me? All I tried to do was make friendly conversation with my new team mates.” Celestia replies. “You’re such a bully, Cadenza.”
>Cinderbelle interjects. “Let’s not get angry at anyone. There’s no reason we can’t sit quietly and wait for the adults to arrive.”
>”Who’s side are you on? Are you really going to let her get away with this?” Cadenza asks.
>”Who’s idea was this team!?” Amelia asks in desperation.
>”Funny story.” Celestia begins. “Dean Sparkle and your headmistress both chose people for this team.”
>“There’s no way Dean Sparkle would willingly choose us.” Artemis says.
“Which means you, Veronica, and Lainah must be her doing.”
>”If it’s such a conspiracy, then you’re just as guilty for being one of the headmistress’s favorites. Undeservedly, I should add.” Lainah comments.
“Take your inferiority complex out on someone else.”
>”Why is your mom always doing crooked stuff, Veronica?” Amelia asks.
>”You’d have to ask her herself. Her governmental decisions have nothing to do with me.” Veronica responds.
>”This is SUCH good entertainment.” Celestia says.
>This quarreling goes on for what feels like an eternity before the adults open the door.
>”GIRLS!” Dean Crystal exclaims. “Shut up and listen!”
>You all reluctantly sit back down.
>Celestia has a smug look on her face. Artemis massages her temples. Veronica looks as emotionless as usual. Cadenza looks pissed off at Celestia. Carrie and Cinderbelle just look depressed. And you have a scowling contest with Lainah.
>”Stop looking at each other, look at me.” Dean Crystal says tiredly.
>”Alright, it’s a long fucking trip from here all the way north west to Cloudsdale. We can’t have you all acting like this the whole way there. We leave the day after tomorrow. Make sure you have all the supplies you think you’ll need to make this trip. It will probably be around five or six days to get there on broom. We’ll take care of getting food for the trip.”
>”Six days of this?” Cadenza asks.
>”That’s right, sunshine! And more if you count the time we’ll spend at Cloudsdale. You all best learn to get along fast.” Dean Crystal replies.
>”Is it always like this around here?” Skyla asks.
>”Surprisingly no.” Professor Gardener responds.

~

>You all gather in your dorm room following the meeting.
>”I can’t believe Celestia came back into our lives. What are the odds? She lives on the other side of the damn continent.” Amelia says.
>”We’ll be stuck with her for days…” Cadenza adds. “Veronica and Lainah too.”
>”Something about this feels off.” Artemis begins. “What reason would Dean Sparkle have for choosing those girls. Well, Veronica I can understand. Why bring Celestia over here for this though? Lainah is the biggest mystery. She’s a nobody to her as far as I know.”
>”We don’t know the full circumstances and terms in which this team was made, so I guess we can’t really tell for sure now anyway.” Cinderbelle says.
>”Yeah. You’re right.” Artemis responds.
>”This sucks.” Carrie puts it succinctly.
“But, you know…” 
>You begin, and all eyes are on you.
“This is still the first time we all get to go on a real adventure together. We can’t let a few bad apples ruin this opportunity.”
>”Yeah. We do get the chance to see what’s out there after all. I’ve never been that far out of the settlement before.” Amelia puts her hands on the back of her head as she sits and leans back, seemingly day dreaming about the possibilities.
>”Hey, that’s right.” Carrie says. “Who knows what’s out there?”
“All we have to do is work with the others. Keep it strictly professional. Then we can enjoy time to ourselves right?”
>You ask this not only to try and cheer up the others, but also to try and convince your unsure self.
>”I hope so.” Artemis says.

~

>Lulamoon Files Excerpt # 46: Storage Transportation
>October 22, 2094
>Even though it’s not all that flashy, storage transportation has got to be one of the most useful spells ever invented.
>If you told people in the past they could move their supplies without the use of any bags they’d be ecstatic.
>I really think we take it for granted.
>For the sake of comparing how the spell is in the future if it’s improved, I’ll detail how it works in modern times here.
>First, a witch needs to pick a spot that would be storage. It can be anywhere really. As long as the witch can make it to the location and mark it as the spot for the spell. 
>Just one storage location can be used at a time.
>A witch then needs to mark the space for storage. It will appear as a box. The stronger the witch, the more cubic meters of space can be marked. Though, I’ve never seen a witch go over about eight cubic meters.
>Then from anywhere, a witch can summon whatever’s in storage into her current location out from her wand. This is done by visualizing the specific object that one wants to summon and then simply casting the spell. It will basically drop right in front of the wand and it takes a bit of time. For this reason, it’s not recommended that a witch uses this with anything fragile.
>Living things largely cannot be transported this way, however.
>Objects can also be transported from any location of the witch back to the storage area. There is a limit to how much one can summon and restore an item before having to re-mark the storage location. 
>This depends on a lot of factors of the object such as mass, density, atomic makeup, etc.
>Sincerely, Catherine Lulamoon.

~