//------------------------------// // Loyalty 6: リターン // Story: 友達は魔法少女　～ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳＨＩＰ　ＩＳ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬＳ～ // by MythrilMoth //------------------------------// The last five Changelings in Pony City met up in Vespia's stolen apartment. The old Shinto priest adjusted his robes. "Do you have anything to report?" The thin man in the hoodie leaned forward. "I've been lying low," he said. "I haven't fed since the Incident...if I don't feed soon, I'm in danger." "We all are," Vespia said, examining her polished fingernails. "I've been able to feed on latent emotion...my host had a rather manipulative streak and a massive superiority complex. She was very good at provoking those around her...I don't even need to reveal myself to sustain myself." "I've just been picking fights in the streets," the largest member of the group said. "Feeding on aggression." "That's pretty much all you're good for, Bellosto," Vespia needled. "At least I'm good for SOMETHING, Vespia!" "Enough fighting amongst ourselves!" the priest said. He looked at the fifth member of their group. "What about you?" A shrug was his only response. "Alright...we need to determine how to proceed from here," the priest said. "You'll proceed how I tell you to proceed noso," a new voice intruded. Loyalty 6: リターン The Changelings whirled toward the apartment's entrance. A teenage boy was leaning against the wall, arms folded. He wore black leather boots and trousers, a black mail shirt, a black leather longcoat, and black wraparound sunglasses. His short seafoam green hair was styled in a bowl cut with a cowlick, and his complexion was pale, almost sickly. "And just who the hell are YOU?" Bellosto roared. The boy calmly walked into the room and sat down. "Queen Chrysalis sent me to take command here noso. I'm Eskarrg, and from now on, you answer to me noso." The Changelings glanced around at one another. "That's not possible," the thin man in the hoodie said. "The connection to our hive is—" "Broken, but I was born in this world noso," Eskarrg said. Vespia gasped. "You're the Royal Drone!" "That's right noso. Queen Chrysalis has just birthed our egg and is weakened noso. She needs energy, and we're going to gather it noso. You're done hiding noso." He looked around. "There should be more of you noso." "We've lost two," the Shinto priest said. Eskarrg frowned. "Centipedis, you were supposed to be in charge here noso. You've been careless to let two of Her Majesty's children die noso." He reached into his coat and pulled out a long, black, barbed sword, pointing it at the priest. Bellosto shot to his feet, trembling angrily. "BRAT!" he roared. "You can't just come in here acting all high and mighty and—" Eskarrg slashed with his sword; a wave of green flames blew Bellosto into the wall, cracking the plaster. "I am Her Majesty's representative noso," Eskarrg said. "You WILL respect me noso." "G-got it..." Bellosto wheezed. "Lord Eskarrg...please do not damage my apartment," Vespia said. "It would...draw unnecessary attention." Eskarrg regarded her coolly for a minute. "My apologies noso. I'm still learning to control my own power noso." Centipedis leaned forward. "Lord Eskarrg...forgive me, but...how did you get here? I thought this world was still cut off from our hive..." "It is noso," Eskarrg said. "I was only able to cross over because I was born in this world noso." "I see..." Eskarrg held out his hand; with a flash of sickly green magic, a misshapen, glossy black orb wrapped in thick bands of stiff, coarse hair appeared. "This will reopen the path to the hive noso." He placed it on the coffee table. "You are to gather energy noso. First, you must restore your own strength so that you are not completely useless to me noso. After that, you will begin filling this egg with energy noso." "Is—is that—?" "This is my daughter noso," Eskarrg said. "She will be born in this world and guide us all home noso." He looked around. "Do not draw attention to yourselves noso." "Very well," Centipedis said. "Then we should all return to our own feeding regimens—" "No," Eskarrg said. "You will feed according to my orders noso." He held up a finger. "I will decide what targets you will feed upon from this point noso. Is that understood noso?" "Of course, Lord Eskarrg. Forgive me." "What are your orders?" "Having lived in this country for a long time, I know its social problems inside and out noso. One of the greatest social problems in this nation is men who grope women on trains noso." "Ugh," Vespia said. "Tell me about it." "You will ride trains noso. You will feed on the agitation and resentment generated by women who are preyed upon by chikan noso. Do not draw attention to yourselves noso." He stared at Bellosto and the thin, hooded man. "Except for you two noso. You will become chikan noso." "What?" Bellosto roared. "Do it noso." Eskarrg lowered his glasses; his eyes burned with sickly green Changeling magic. "That's an order noso." Bellosto scowled. "Fine. ...my Lord." "You have your orders noso. Bring our Princess energy noso!" * * * * * When Twilight arrived at school Monday morning, Flash Sentry was waiting for her at the gates. "Hey," he said. "Hello," Twilight said. "So listen...you think maybe we could go out again sometime?" Twilight tilted her head. "I wouldn't mind," she said. "Maybe after school Saturday?" "Cool. See you then." * * * * * "Gilda, when are we gonna DO something?" Lightning Dust complained. "We've been sittin' around all week...I thought you wanted, y'know, revenge or whatever." "Hey, if you two hadn't completely screwed up," Dreadwing said, "The plan would've gone perfectly." "Bullshit the plan would've gone perfectly!" Lightning Dust cried. "They were onto us from the minute you sent your little note to their leader!" "This entire venture is looking less profitable by the minute," Starscream put in. Dreadwing snarled. "I don't believe you two!" She stood; a golden aura wreathed her hands, forming massive, blazing talons. "Look, we had a setback, alright? We're outnumbered. We're outpowered. It takes time to come up with a plan that won't get fucked up the same way all over again! So have a little FUCKING PATIENCE!!" Lightning Dust took a step away from Dreadwing as heat rolled off her in waves from the angry gold aura snapping around her. "Okay okay, chill! Shit!" She sat down next to Starscream on the couch, crossing her arms. Dreadwing took several deep breaths. Her aura slowly faded. "I'm going for a walk," she hissed through clenched teeth. She stalked to the door, threw it open, and left, slamming it behind her. The remaining two Shadowbolts exchanged a glance. "Well this blows," Lightning Dust said. "No, really?" Starscream said snidely. "I'm enjoying watching her blow up like that and threaten to gut us like fish." She shook her head. "Why don't you make yourself useful and backstab your friend Rainbow Dash? It's not like those mahoushoujo will be expecting it..." Lightning Dust frowned. "Hmm..." * * * * * "Ne, Twilight-chan," Pinkie said at lunch, "I saw you talking to Flash this morning. Are you going out again?" Twilight nodded. "Saturday," she said. "Bet Spike's gonna love that," Rainbow quipped. Twilight sighed. "This whole thing with Spike..." "Oh come now, Sparkle-san! Having two wonderful boys vying for your undivided attention...it's positively marvelous!" "Not really," Twilight said. "I just...don't know anything about Sentry-san yet, really, but Spike, well...I can't stop thinking of him as a younger brother. There's just..." She sighed. "I just don't know what to do..." "Hey, why don't we have a girl's night out after school?" Applejack suggested. "Can't," Pinkie said. "I've got a thing across town." She sighed. "I hate riding the trains that time of day..." "I've gotta get my afternoon trainin' in," Rainbow said. "I have a prior engagement as well," Rarity said. "Sorry." "I...need to spend time with Brittany-san," Fluttershy said. "She's..." "Hey, she's not at school today, is she?" Pinkie asked. Fluttershy shook her head. "She's..." She sighed. "Every so often, she has...an episode. She either goes catatonic or she breaks down crying and won't stop. Her father called me this morning and said she's been crying most of the weekend. I couldn't get away to see her, so...I need to be there for her today." "Aw well, maybe some other time," Applejack said. "You bet!" Rainbow agreed. "As soon as I possibly can, darling," Rarity said. * * * * * Vespia gave the middle-aged, slouch-shouldered man who had just sidled up alongside her a warning glare. He flinched, turning away from her, and shuffled off to another part of the car. Five paces behind her, a twentysomething office lady in a brown suit and angular black-framed glasses tensed up, a soft whimper escaping her lips. An old, white-haired man stood behind her, an intense look of concentration on his face. Up ahead of her, a young woman—perhaps a university student—screamed. "CHIKAN! CHIKAN!" The slouch-shouldered man made feeble protests of innocence, but three younger men grabbed him and manhandled him to the nearest doors. He struggled in their grasp for a moment, but went slack as they held him. As soon as the train coasted to a stop, the men dragged him off the train and made a beeline for the nearest police officer. Vespia smirked. The ones who screamed were actually giving her more energy than the ones who endured it, because the aggression and resentment of their rescuers added to the shame and disgust of the victims. Neighpon was an excellent feeding ground for all types of emotional energy... As the train got underway again, Vespia reflected on their new leader, Lord Eskarrg. Consorting with a Royal Drone... If she were to gain his favor...she could very well become queen of her own hive... Another wave of chikan-induced resentment and shame filled her, and she smiled. * * * * * After school, Rainbow Dash was on her way home to change when she ran into Lightning Dust. "Oh, hey Dusty," she said. "Hey Dash," Lightning Dust said. "Wanna hang out Saturday? Just the two of us, just like old times?" Rainbow shrugged. "Sure, I guess." "Cool. I'll text you." With that, Lightning Dust took off, jumping from the roof of a parked car to an awning, then ninja-jumping between a utility pole and the front of a three-story building until she reached the roof. Rainbow shook her head. "Mou..." * * * * * Pinkie sighed as she glanced around the crowded train. She was "in disguise" today—hair straightened, posture slumped, doing her best to be unrecognizable as a Net Idol—because she'd been asked to audition for a voice acting job on a new anime production, and the studio was on the other side of Pony City. She hadn't made it to the station in time to board the women-only car, of course. She frowned as she looked around the crowd of salarymen, university students, high schoolers, and assorted other Pony City residents in the nearly-full car. One man on the car caught her attention. He was enormous—easily a head and a half taller than any other man on the train—with broad shoulders and short, stiff yellow hair. Tiny gold hoop earrings hung from his ears. His neck was thick and corded, and his bare arms rippled with muscles. Near where he stood, a girl Pinkie's age suddenly flinched, closing her eyes tightly. Two people moved away from her, turning their faces away. Pinkie scowled. "Ugh. So unsmile." A college-aged boy nearby called out to her. "Psst. Hey. You're Smile-chan, right? Can't you do something?" A few murmurs rose from around them. "Hey yeah, aren't you a mahoushoujo?" "Yeah, you could blow that guy away!" Pinkie looked away. "I can't do anything. Just report that guy to the police officer at the next station." "What? You can't handle one chikan on a train?" "I can't use my powers in a place like this, alright? I could hurt innocent people! Besides, that's only for big ugly monsters and stuff..." The train coasted to a stop. Most of the people crowded around Pinkie got off, muttering deprecations at her. She bowed her head and closed her eyes. Just two more stops... The train got underway again. Pinkie stood, head still bowed and eyes still closed, wrestling with her conscience. Then, she felt it. A large, rough hand on her thigh. "CHI-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" she screamed shrilly. She spun around, smoothing her skirt down, and glared up at the wall of muscle. "You can't just go around touching girls like that, you...you big jerk! You're the worst! Why does a guy with muscles like that even need to go groping on a train, anyway? Are you using so many steroids your dick is too small and girls won't date you?" Several people around her snickered and giggled. "I wasn't going to do anything because of all the people that could get hurt here, but you need to be taught a lesson!" The man snorted. "What's a little girl like you going to do against me?" he rumbled. Pinkie mustered all her strength, planting herself in a wide stance. "DOOOOORYAAAA!" she bellowed, driving a punch right into the pervert's groin. He didn't even flinch. Pinkie shook out her hand. It felt as though she might've broken a bone or two. "Itaaaaaa..." "GANBARE, SMILE-CHAN!" someone shouted. Pinkie groaned. "Really? Even with my hair like this, they recognize me?" The pervert cracked his knuckles and leered at her. "Okay, girl...since you want it that way..." He drew back a fist the size of a ham, then launched it forward... "ELEMENTOFHARMONYLAUGHTERREALLYFAST!!" Pinkie slid back on the heels of her sandals as her mahoushoujo outfit finished forming just as the punch connected. Cheers rose all around her. She glared at the chikan. "You're really gonna regret trying to grope me," she said. The pervert snorted. "You're one of the mahoushoujo," he said. "I wasn't expecting that. Tch...that little drone bastard's gonna be pissed, but there's no help for it now." He began to glow green...and transformed into a massive brown anthropomorphic insect with enormous, menacing black eyes and a short, muscular pair of arms extending from the sides of his head, which ended in sharp, hooked stingers. Pinkie took a step back. "Changeling!" The rest of the people in the car screamed and began running for the exits. The Changeling flexed his heavily muscled arms and let out a rumbling laugh. "I'm BELLOSTO!" he roared. "I'm gonna suck out your insides and leave your skin lying on the floor like an empty bag!" "Gross!" Pinkie cried. She braced her bazooka on her shoulder. "SMILE CONFETTI VAGINA!" The force of Pinkie's attack impacted Bellosto...and did nothing. He laughed. "Oh crap," Pinkie muttered, hair wilting. Bellosto charged her, acid dripping from his stingers. She eeped and blew a hole in the roof of the train, jumping through and landing badly. She nearly rolled off the speeding train, but caught herself in time. Bellosto launched himself through the hole and landed in front of her. "Fool! You're already dead!" he declared. "SMILE BURNING VAGINA!" A torrent of pink flames engulfed Bellosto, who roared and took a step back, flailing at the edge of the jagged hole. Snarling, he punched a hole in the roof and tore up a huge chunk of the metal, which gave with a shrieking sound. Once he'd pulled loose a section of train roof the size of a large pizza, he drew it back and threw it at her. Pinkie stared at the jagged edges and squeaked, dropping to the roof and pressing herself flat. It whizzed over her. Bellosto charged forward and dove upon her, slamming his stingers home in her shoulders. She screamed as she felt acid flowing out into her body. She arced her bazooka up underneath his chin. "SMILE FROSTY VAGINA!" A huge ball of pink ice exploded out of the bazooka, slamming into the Changeling's head and knocking him back. His stingers pulled out; Pinkie hissed as blood flowed from the puckered wounds. She pushed herself to her feet, wincing in pain. "You'll pay for that, you little bitch!" Bellosto dropped down into the car; Pinkie heard screams and the sound of metal tearing. He came back up with one of the metal posts from the car. With a bellow, he charged her, spinning it over his head. He clubbed her in the side of the head; she went down and rolled off the train. "SMILE GRAPPING HOOK VAGINA!" A pink grappling hook on a chain of energy shot out, punching through the side of the train and holding fast. Pinkie swung around and landed on the roof of another car, dropping to a crouch. She was bleeding from both shoulders and her head and she felt dizzy. She had to put a stop to this soon... Bellosto charged down the train toward her, ripping up another huge section of the train roof, which he hurled at Pinkie. She jumped high into the air, blasting the jagged metal missile with her bazooka, then landed on the roof, wobbling badly. "It's over, Changeling!" Pinkie yelled. "You've done enough damage here!" "You fool!" Bellosto bellowed. "You're injured! You're bleeding! You can barely stay on your feet! I can tear this train apart all day! I'll derail it and kill all these humans! Can't you see you've lost? If you sacrifice yourself, I'll let everyone on this train live!" "I can only see one thing!" Pinkie shouted. "Your last stop!" She braced herself; her bazooka began to glow, drawing in shooting lines of pink energy. "SMILE RESSHA VAGINA!" A beam of energy in the shape of a corkscrewing train track lanced out of Pinkie's bazooka, piercing Bellosto in a shower of angry pink sparks. He thrashed, hissing angrily, but was held in place. A pink beam in the shape of a train burned down the center of the corkscrew, piercing the air with a shrieking steam whistle. The glowing pink train-beam slammed into the Changeling and threw him well past the front of the train and high into the air. Pink electricity crackled all over his body for several seconds before he exploded in a massive fireball. The train slowed, its horn blaring. Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Great, NOW they stop the train..." Reversing her transformation, she jumped down off the train and pulled out her phone. "Twilight-chan? I...I could use...some help..." She passed out. * * * * * Pinkie awoke to see Cadance, Twilight, Spike, and Velvet surrounding her. "Ugh..." "How are you feeling?" "Super unsmile." Pinkie rubbed at her shoulder, which was bandaged. "Where...?" "Hospital," Cadance said. "They want to keep you for observation for a day because of that concussion. I've already healed you with my magic, but...I think it's a good idea for you to rest. That Changeling really did a number on you." Pinkie groaned, rubbing her head. "Yeah..." She frowned. "But I got it, right?" "Hai," Twilight said, smiling and taking Pinkie's hand in hers. "You did." She frowned. "But...at the same time...this is bad." "I thought we got all the Changelings?" Pinkie asked. "So did I," Twilight said. "If there are still Changelings in Pony City..." "As if we didn't have enough problems," Spike muttered. Cadance gingerly patted Pinkie's arm. "Rest now," she said. "We'll let the others know what's happened." Pinkie closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. * * * * * Eskarrg frowned. "Bellosto has been destroyed noso." "The fool," Vespia said. "Picking a fight with a mahoushoujo now of all times!" "The rest of you must take care to be more vigilant noso. We can't afford any more losses noso. Not if the Princess is to awaken and take us all home noso." The remaining Changelings looked at the black egg on the table, which pulsed with weak green light, like a faint heartbeat. "Operation Chikan ends immediately noso. I'll come up with a new plan tomorrow noso."