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>>41306941

You can feel the phone rattling around in your hand as the pain-stricken sound of your little brother fills your ears.

"-but please don't hurt her. It's not h-her right now, she's not to blame." He says, taking the time to catch his breath and cough between sentences. You can't imagine the state he's in right now that would cause this. A cyborg like him could take injuries that would pin you to the floor and just walk them off; his bones are literally made of metal and yet...

"But we've haven't got long before she'll be-" Is the last thing you hear before the phone cuts out- along with all the power in the city. Not that you even needed to look in order to feel what just happened; that familiar pulse. Naru's blackout, however it works, can instantly obscure any magical activity in a large area centered on her, but you've never seen it used to this degree before. You shift in place and look out over the skyline, catching a last glimpse of the setting sun before it too vanishes from sight.

The door behind you opens as a confused Shizuko Kikuro steps out, angrily tapping her phone.

"Cheap piece of- Oh you've GOT to be kidding me!" She disgustedly groans at the sight of the city-wide blackout. "What- Did god trip over a cord or something?"

"Shizuko." You mutter, trying to stay calm.

"Right in the middle of a download too. Does everything have to go wron-"

"Shizuko." You angrily state, louder. That catches her attention. She twitches with a nervous fear in the face of your conviction, fearing another set of outbursts or an angry look of betrayal. This time, however, you keep your cool enough to smile and console her.

"Ah, sorry." You quickly tell her.

"R-Right." She gulps, loosening up her fear.

[1/2]

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>>41307005

"This isn't your regular electrical blackout." You continue, looking back out over the city. Shizuko, blind to the magical influence, simply squints out over the cityscape.

"...So, magical then? Mai knocks out the power as one final 'fuc-"

"I don't think it's that." You say, interrupting her. "This feels... different. We didn't leave them in the best position, and they do have a tendency to get scrappy when times are tough. I thought they'd be at least honourable in defeat, but..." You sigh, turning back to the room.

"...Well, what's the plan, boss?" Shizuko asks, putting her phone away for once.

"Boss?" You ask, surprised to hear such a word. She shrugs.

"Hey, you're the top magical girl here. Da biggest and da best." She says, with an oddly brutish accent.

"Uh, thanks." You say, rubbing the back of your neck. "I guess it seems that way, but I've never really seen myself as a leader."

"Yui might have the smarts, but I'd say you've got the better gut instinct here." Shizuko compliments, waggling a finger. She pauses and hums to herself. "Or rather, the female intuition!" She corrects herself. You glare at her for a second. She just glances down at your skirt.

"...Fair point." You mutter, tugging at the hem on your thighs. Still, she is right- what is your plan here?

> Head off alone but everyone else stay together. You'll go unnoticed solo.
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.
> Send someone to scout, remain at head of team.
> Head for Yuuki and Momoko first, despite his advice.

>>41307027
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.
>Light up the night

>>41307027
>Send someone to scout, remain at head of team.

>>41307027
>> Go as a full team, confront the girls.

>>41307027
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.

>>41307027
> Head off alone but everyone else stay together. You'll go unnoticed solo.

>>41307027
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.

>>41307027
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.
Everyone get in here! Phalanx position!

>>41307027
> Go as a full team, confront the girls.

>>41307027
>Go as a full team, confront the girls.
get this bullshit dealt with ASAP

>>41307067
>>41307115
>>41307216
>>41307275
>>41307290
>>41307314
>>41307388
>>41307415
>>41307458

> Go as a full team, confront the girls.

Writing

>>41307027
>Pose as a team, because SHIT JUST GOT REAL

Shizuko best girl. I would love to marry her, give her a focus and have her children in my female form.

>>41307494
that's not how you spell Yui

>>41307606
More like that's not how you spell Aoi.

>>41307494
Did you mean Hana?

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>>41307675
> I think she's taken. The rest are up for grabs.

>>41307464

After a few minutes of deliberation, during which the rest of your friends emerge from the room to check on the situation, you reach a decision.

"We're strongest together. If we get into a fight, I want everyone within supporting range." You say, looking towards the others. Maybe not the most tactically useful option, but everyone certainly likes the idea of sticking together.

"Sounds good!" Shun says, offering you her thumbs-up.

"We're with you." Yui offers as well. Similar words of encouragement come and you nod happily. With everyone together, you head for the entrance of the school, and into the city.

-----=====-----

Despite your admittance that everyone stay together for full strength, you make a conscious effort to keep Shizuko and Umeki at the rear of your pack. Lacking any magical prowess, they'd be in the most danger should you come across anything that presents a danger. Still, without your magical sense to guide you, finding the girls proves a difficult task. You have only the vaguest sense of where the blackout originated from, after all. The streets themselves still play host to people, mostly annoyed about the loss of electricity.

Still, maybe that vaguest sense was all you needed. In a small, secluded court, flanked by a chainlink fence, you catch sight of the three fools. Mai and Naru have their backs to you, looking down at Sen standing before them. Your glare narrows as you notice her, remembering Yuuki's warning. Has she beared fangs, or corrupted? Or...

"Hm, that's weird." Hiroko comments, looking over the court.

"What?" You ask.

"Why are they just standing there?" She asks, gesturing to them. "Why call a blackout if you're not going to use it?" She questions. That is a little confusing; surely they'd be on one of Mai's ridiculous plans by now.

> Let's go talk.
> Stay here, try and listen.
> Surprise them.
> Attack from a distance.

>>41307755
>Attack from a distance.
focus on Sen, but try to drop them all before they close

>>41307755
> Stay here, try and listen.

>>41307755
> Stay here, try and listen.
Yuuki said not to hurt her but what else are we supposed to do? We need information.

Oh yeah, we also need to have a cool team name. Any suggestions?

>>41307755
>Stay here, try and listen

Attacking without knowing the situation is foolish. We need to know what's going on, so let's listen for now.
But I think I already know what's going on Sen is possessed by Pepper.

>>41307755
> Let's go talk.

But make sure to pinch each other every other second!

>>41307755
> Let's go talk.

>>41307755
>Surprise them.
Shock them into not being mind invaded.

>>41307755
>Stay here, try and listen

>>41307820
Shoujo Sentai?

>>41307773
>>41307788
>>41307804
>>41307839
>>41307841
>>41307859
>>41307863
>>41307879

> Stay here, try and listen.

Writing

>>41307820
Team No Pants

>>41307820
The Mystic Mages

>>41307820
The Whorenado

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>>41308179
> Dammit, I was drinking.

>>41307888

"Charging in without knowing what's going on doesn't seem like the best plan to me." You tell your team. "Let's just listen for now." You receive nods all around and you huddle in as close as you can without alerting them. Luckily this portion of the streets are fairly empty, so their voices carry enough for you to hear.

"Maybe... you misunderstood it?" Naru suggests, tapping the side of her head with one finger. Sen promptly shakes her head.

"Never! I know exactly what I saw- he tried to purify me." Sen insists, balling up her fists.

"What!?" You squeak, gripping your hand. You never tried to do that to her; certainly not against her will in any way.

"Everything Makoto told us was a complete lie," Sen continues, "Once our guard was down, he planned to pick us off one by one. Pepper tried to warn us." She sighs, wiping her eyes. You notice Naru's posture change, shifting on one leg to move her weight. Still incredulous maybe?

"It's okay, Sen." Mai says, kneeling down to extend a comforting hand. "We're leaving in the morning anyway. You won't be in any danger, we'll stay with you."

"No!" She shouts, staring up at Mai and surprising her. "We can't just let him run around, doing what he pleases. We need to do what we should have in the first place; you have to go fight him! Beat the focus out of him!" She insists.

[1/2]

>>41308179
not for a month we aren't

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>>41308227

You're a little taken aback to see such a warhungry attitude on Sen; normally so demure and wilting. Mai seems to scratch her shoulder.

"I don't... really think we're up for that." She replies. "I don't want to fight him, but even I did I doubt I could beat him. He's... just better than me." She admits, holding herself.

"No! You absolutely could defeat him!" Sen immediately shouts back. "If you don't think you're good enough right now, just trigger an awakening!" She suggests. Both of them seem a little stunned to hear that.

"Sen!" Naru says, stamping her foot. "Don't you understand how dangerous that would make Midnight?" She asks, angrily. Mai looks to still be struggling with it herself.

"Exactly, Maiden White would stand no chance!" Sen says, nodding happily.

"It's not some cheap power-up, Sen!" Naru insists, casting her hand out. "Even if it would work, we're in a populated city."

"We need to do something, Naru!" She shouts back. "We can't just let this kind of evil run free. Whatever it takes, we need to protect this world."

"Well, this is a big ol' bowl of lies and slander." Shun comments, glaring at the three of them. "That little..."

> Confront them, before something happens.
> Attack, before Mai corrupts herself.
> Distract them with a noise.
>> Try to get one on their own and talk.
> Calm your team down, stay hidden.

>>41308227
I sure hope they're not THAT gullible. Mai may be fooled, but I sure hope Naru isn't so stupid as to believe Pepper so blindly, especially seeing as Sen was never away from them and the one time she was, we returned her unharmed.

>>41308291
>Confront them, break them with logic, but in a kind, nonthreatening tone

>>41308291
> Confront them, before something happens.

>>41308291
>Confront them, point out how unlike herself Sen is acting

>>41308291
>> Confront them, before something happens
Explain to them we've been busy with mothers and trying to have sex.

>>41308291
Just walk right out.

"Mai, that isn't Sen. That's Pepper, she just hurt my brother and on of his friends real bad. And now she wants to use you two as weapons."

>>41308291
> Confront them, before something happens.

>>41308291
> Confront them, before something happens.

Sen is being RUUUDE.

>>41308291
> Confront them, before something happens.

>>41307820
Teen Girl Squad

>>41308327
>>41308337
>>41308350
>>41308352
>>41308356
>>41308364
>>41308366

> Confront them.

Writing

I hope we manage to get through this whole arc without any real fight

>>41308443
I hope not. Whoring around gets boring after a while. A hefty fight would be just what the doctor ordered

>>41308291
>Have shun get somewhere elevated and ready to rain down a baseball barrage.
>Have yui attach the thickest cord she can keep unnoticed to us and be ready to reel us back at first sign of danger
>Verbaly confront the trio alone

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>>41308419

You can't take much more of this. Not just because of Sen slandering you, but of the two of them, Mai might just be sentimental and gullible enough to fall for her pleas. Judging by her behavior, what Yuuki warned you about, and Pepper's true nature, you have an idea of what may have happened.

"I hope I'm wrong..." You mutter before darting out of cover. "You guys stay here!"

"He- Makoto!" You hear Saito blurt out as you run off.

"Agh, come on!" Shun exclaims as the rest of them sit in cover. Naru notices you approach immediately, hoisting yourself over the fence and hitting the asphalt of the court.

"MAI!" You call out, snapping her out of her stunned trance. All three of them stand to face you and your entourage, who stand behind you triumphantly.

"Hope you know what you're doing." Shizuko groans, peering out to watch the four of you.

"T-There he is," Sen whimpers, "Now's your chance." Naru glances down at Sen and drops a bead of sweat before turning her attention back to you.

"Makoto, what are you doing here?" She asks firmly, her voice devoid of anger. "If you're here about the prize, we're not planning to stiff you."

"Well..." Mai sheepishly rubs the back of her neck.

"...Anymore." Naru sighs, crossing her arms.

"Get away from her!" You say, pointing at Sen. That catches the two of them off-guard. "Sen isn't herself, she's lying to you."

"What?" Mai mutters, exchanging glances with both of you.

"See? He's trying to split us up!" She quickly retorts. Dammit, they have too much faith in her to be convinced that easily.

> She's acting strange isn't she? Is this the Sen you know?
> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.
> Don't be idiots, she's manipulating you!
> It's Pepper- Pepper's controlling her!
> Dammit, I don't have time for this. *transform*

>>41308513
I'm fine for fighting next arc. I just think it'd be funny, since Qyubey started this whole thing off trying to push a tournament fight

>>41308671
> It's Pepper- Pepper's controlling her!

>>41308671
>I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.

>>41307820
We might as well make up attack names for our signature moves while we're at it.

>>41308671
> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.
No proof it's pepper so we need to say this.

>>41308671
> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.

>>41308671
> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.

>>41308671
> She's acting strange isn't she? Is this the Sen you know?

Acting aggressive here will only play into Sen/Pepper's hands. Gotta play it cool.

>>41308671
> She's acting strange isn't she? Is this the Sen you know?

>>41308671
> She's acting strange isn't she? Is this the Sen you know?
> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.
> It's Pepper- Pepper's controlling her!
Make sure to deliver that last point directly to Naru.

>>41308685
>>41308693
>>41308716
>>41308722
>>41308733
>>41308743
>>41308793
>>41308808

> I just got a call from Yuuki. *Someone* attacked him.
> She's acting strange isn't she? Is this the Sen you know?

Writing

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>>41308900

If your theory that Pepper is controlling Sen is right, this is going to be a tricky conversation. Push too hard and they'll turn on you, but not enough and risk their ire. Naru seems to be the better option for an appeal here; she's already suspicious of Pepper and against Sen's plan. Still, best to stick it out with logic right now.

"I just got a call from Yuuki, my little brother," you say, flipping out your phone. "He says that someone attacked him. He says someone broke his legs." You say, playing the message back for them to hear. No-one can exactly deny a voice, especially one so pained, and it seems to rattle the pair of them. Sen looks unabated.

"Using your own brother as a tool, just how depraved are you!?" Sen shouts, trying to play it off as a trick. You point back at her.

"Doesn't any of this seem strange to you!?" You ask them. "I might not know her all that well, but from the few times I did meet Sen, she was a perfectly lovely little girl. Shy, demure, nothing like this!"

"You really think I'll act like that after what you did?" She calls out, still playing the victim.

"Rnng, what's your point!?" Mai asks with a mixture of sadness and anger, unable to tell what's going on.

"What is your point Makoto?" Naru asks, still completely cool. "What are you trying to say..." She says - not asks. Judging by her voice and posture, he's connecting the dots herself.

> Keep on the logic train. Toot toot.
> Knock it off Pepper, turn back into Sen.
> Mai, please understand. That isn't her.
> I'm not 'saying' anything. I'm just stating facts.
> Keep silent.

>>41309086
> Keep silent.

Let Sen/Pepper be the hysteric one.

>>41309086
> Keep on the logic train. Toot toot.
He said not to let the person who beat him up touch me and that they were not themselves.

>>41309086
>> Keep silent.

>>41309157
He said that in the recording.

>>41309086
>Keep on the logic train. Toot toot.

>>41309086

>Keep Silent

If they draw the conclusion themselves it'll be harder for !Sen to argue it away as Makoto being manipulative.

>>41309086
>Keep silent.
be ready to purify Sen the second she tries to grab one of them

>>41309086
> Keep on the logic train. Toot toot.

>>41309086
> Keep on the logic train. Toot toot.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41309134
>>41309157
>>41309207
>>41309209
>>41309273
>>41309362
>>41309373
>>41309380

Tied between
>Keep Silent [1]
and
> Keep on the logic train. Toot toot. [2]

Rolling tiebreaker, then writing

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>>41309516

At this point, you've given them enough information that they might be able to clue themselves into what's going on, or at least sow doubt. If they come to this decision on their own, it'll be all the harder to overturn. Mai still seems as confused as ever though.

"What the hell is going on between you two?" She asks, taking a step back. Sen turns towards her and cups her hands.

"Please believe me, Mai!" She pleads, welling her eyes up. "Don't tell me you believe Makoto over me? I thought I was like a sister to you."

"I-" Mai shivers in place, unable to move as Naru watches the pair of them. "You... You are."

"Then believe me!" She commands loudly, narrowing her eyes. Unable to really question her, Mai turns towards you, adopting a serious face.

"I'm sorry, Makoto, but I can't trust you over her." She says, taking a deep breath. You grumble at her decision. Come on Mai, see through it, you think, still standing stoically. She starts to exude her power...

[1/2]

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>>41309873

"What was that you said, Sen?" Naru asks, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Sen twitches and glances over at her, standing firmly. "Like a sister?"

"Y-Yeah, don't you think of me that way too?" Sen asks, cupping her hands again. Naru smiles and nods, the glare from her glasses glinting in the darkness.

"Absolutely... I just don't recall ever telling you that." She says coolly. Sen seems to twitch again as Mai just blinks.

"I..." Sen hesitates to speak. "I guess I just came to that conclusion on my own!" She chuckles nervously.

"I see..." Naru adjusts her glasses again.

"Uh, what's the problem?" Mai asks, looking over at Naru.

"Nothing," Naru replies, smiling, "I think I can see things pretty clearly now." You smile, realising she just caught on, but your concentration is broken by a scream from behind you.

"MAKOTO! GET AWAY!" Cries out one of your friends. At once you blink and see a frantic blur as a furious Sen skids in front of you, readying a hand that crackles with energy.

> DODGE [Roll]
> Transform!
> Hit her [Roll]
> Call for help.

> Will be rolling after an action is confirmed.

>>41309920
> DODGE [Roll]

>>41309920
> DODGETRANSFORM [Roll]

>>41309920
> DODGE [Roll]

>>41309920
>> DODGE [Roll]

>>41309936
>>41309947
>>41309964
>>41309977

That's an easy consensus. 1d100, best of three, DC50.

>>41309920

>DODGE! [Roll]

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>41310033
C'mon dice-kun!

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>41310033

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>41310033

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>41310033

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>41310033
THIS DICE OF MINE BURNS WITH AN AWESOME POWER

>>41310055
>>41310057
>>41310082
son of a bitch

>>41310055
>>41310057
>>41310082
>>41310085
>>41310091
It just kept climbing. But not fast enough.

>>41310091
If only you had been faster...

>>41310091
It sure did. You just lit it too damn late, anon.

>>41310091
They sure do. Shame you were too late.

>>41310055
>>41310057
>>41310082
> Ooh. nasty.

Writing

>>41310135
Well, we get to be a temporary minion now!

Since purity is self-structure-cleaning

>>41310163
if that happens I'm dropping the quest. insta-failure is as big a sign of a bad-Qm just as insta-success

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>>41310283
> Nah, it'd require a series of failures to insta-game over. Besides, 44 isn't failing by much.

>>41310135

Despite the advance warning, you find your legs don't act as quickly as you'd hope. Sen smirks as her hand plants itself on your leg, and almost immediately you feel a terrifying feeling overwhelm you. It courses up from your leg like a sinister disease until it reaches your head within moments. You scream as it focuses, branding a searing pain into your mind.

"Yes! Now, just a little more..." She giggles, grinning smugly. Mai and Naru stand amazed for a second before they both start running forward, but Shun catches you from the back first, tackling you to the ground. Sen quickly hops back, frowning as you tumble away.

"Makoto! Are you alright, say something!" Shun exclaims, shaking you desperately. The rest of your friends quickly move to your aid as well, equally worried. They flash, one after the other, turning into their magical girl forms.

"I-I'm fine." You mutter, still dazed by the pain in your mind.

"Hmph, a second longer and I would've had it." Sen laments, sighing and clutching her hand. "Still, that little structure ought to help out."

"Rrng." You hear Saito growl, encasing her hands in a pair of jagged, golden gauntlets. "What the hell is wrong with you!?" He hesitates in assaulting her just yet.

[1/2]

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>>41310578

"Sen!" Mai exclaims, standing a few meters away, "What do you think you're doing?" She asks, utterly confused. Naru seems angry, but isn't speaking just yet. Sen regards the both of them for a moment before snickering.

"...AHAHAHA!" She cackles, holding her gut. "Oh, you always were slow Mai, but that's what made you so easy." She giggles, wiping her eye.

"Wh-What?" Mai replies.

"Black Pepper." Naru simply states, taking a step forward.

"And you were quick." Sen remarks, tugging the snake toy out from her dress. "Along with Sen, this should have been the easiest thing in the world. But I suppose if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." She groans, holding her head.

You struggle to your feet, supported by Shun and Yui on either side. Despite the lack of physical damage, your body just isn't responding properly. Your legs feel fatigued and woozy, but your mind is bizzarely sharp. You can see everything, but you can't act to prevent it.

"Ah leave him there, he'll be of no use to you." Sen, or rather Pepper, advises your group. "It was only a moment, but that's more than enough to stick a paralysis rune in your head. I doubt you'll even be able to transform in the state you're in." She explains with a shrug.

> A R-Rune?
> I can still move, you little...
> Where's Sen?
> What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?
> What are you?
> Nobody touch her!
> Everyone, grab her!

>>41310578
Shit, she put structure in Makoto...structure inside of us means corruption can grow there, regardless of our natural purification powers!

>>41310621
> Where's Sen?
> Nobody touch her!

>>41310621
>Nobody touch her!
>Where's Sen?
>What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?

>>41310621
> What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?

>>41310621
>I don't need to transform to purify, stupid!
>Purify yourself

>Nobody touch her!

>>41310621
>What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?

>>41310694
supporting

>>41310621

>>41310666
here, supporting untransformed self-purification as well.

>>41310694
This and
>Where's Sen?
>What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?
>Nobody touch her!

>>41310694
oh shit, we can do that without transforming, can't we? worth a shot, at least
also, >Where's Sen

>>41310694
yes this is good

>>41310666
>>41310667
>>41310681
>>41310694
>>41310696
>>41310760
>>41310796
>>41310813
>>41310816

> Self-purity!
> Nobody touch her!
> Where's Sen?
> What did you do to Yuuki and Momo?

Roll 1d100, best of three for self-purify. DC60

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>41310880
I can roll better than my old 4, right?

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>41310880
100 D's coming up.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>41310880

>>41310887
>>41310895
>>41310905
Well... it was a good idea.

Writing

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>41310880
HAND OF MINE. DICE?

>>41310887
>>41310895
>>41310905
Welp


>>41310916
TIME FOR FUN SIDE EFFECTS, right?

>>41310933
no fun side effects, just us getting to sit out the fight because Qyubey likes using powers that are as actively detrimental to fun as they are potentially interesting

>>41310929
WHY ARE YOU NEVER ON TIME?

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>>41310916

"I..." you pant, "I don't need to transform to purify, stupid!" You shout back at her as you activate your power. Unfortunately, as lethargic as your limbs feel, your powers are even more sluggish. You can barely muster a slight glow before you collapse again, unable to muster up your powers.

"W-what..." You gasp. Devoid of even more most basic power, Pepper busts out laughing.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to show me how stupid I am?" She asks through a smirk. "Or are you so pathetically weak you can barely move? I will admit, I'm surprised it's working this well." She giggles, seconds before Saito stamps forward, slashing her gauntlets together.

"Why you-"

"STOP!" You call out to her. Aoi stops in her tracks, just shy of PepperSen. "Don't touch her, she'll paralyze you too."

"Ngh." Saito grumbles, glaring down at the girl.

"This is perfect..." She mutters, watching Aoi keep her distance.

"Where's Sen," you ask her, struggling to stand on your own but managing it. The structure is definitely making it hard, but you're starting to come to grips with it. "And what did you do to Yuuki and Momoko?" You ask her angrily. Sen places a finger at her cheek.

"I didn't break his legs, if that's what you're asking." She replies. "I just... put the idea in his head. A complex little trick Sen could never get the hang of, I'm afraid. And as for Momoko, I'm guessing she's still running from a few personal demons."

"No!" Umeki exclaims, cupping her mouth.

[1/2]

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>>41311434

"Imaginary, I assure you. I found a particularly terrifying one in her past. An 'oni' I believe it was?" She asks, blinking. It was a while ago, but you remember that titanic monster. To stick it in her head as a figment, chasing her... "I wonder how long she'll last..." Pepper giggles.

"Let me hit her." Saito asks, burning with anger. "Just once!" For once you actually notice Umeki all for the violent option here, glaring through tears, but you're still wary of this paralysis. If it was for the briefest moment, you doubt she'd have enough time to create another one, especially if it surprised her...

"Oh!" SenPepper exclaims."and as for Sen, you needn't worry." She tosses the snake toy up and down in her grip. "She's in good hands."

"What do you mean..." Naru asks, leering at her. Pepper holds the toy aloft and squeezes it,. You hear a strange click and then a garbled noise.

"H-Help!"

"W-What?" Naru asks, actually confused for once.

"A rather ridiculous disguise, as fond as I am of the animal." Pepper laments, reaching into the toy's mouth. From inside, she wrenches some kind of metallic object; mechanical, and covered in electronics. You can't help but feel that it looks familiar to you.

"T-That can't be..." You mumble, recalling a time back when you were in Yuuki's lab, watching him be 'born'.

"I figured you might have seen one before, Makoto." Pepper speaks, "It is that robot's technology after all. As crude of an approximation to a real brain as it is, with thoughts coursing through it, it's susceptible to my powers. Thanks to this, I survived a brush with certain death! And now, courtesy of the lovely Sen" she runs her hands down the side of her head, "I have a brand new body, with my original focus."

> S-Sen is inside that!?
> You monster *attack her* [Roll]
> Don't you feel anything for her!?
> Tell someone to grab the robo-brain.
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?
> Mai, Naru, can't you do something?

>>41311455
>> Mai, Naru.. please.... help.

>>41311455
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?

>>41311455
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?
> Mai, Naru, can't you do something?
> You monster *attack her* [Roll]

>>41311455
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?
> Mai, Naru, can't you do something?

>>41311455
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?

>>41311455
keep trying to purify and transform,
also try and stall with every question we can

>>41311455
>Tell someone to grab the robo-brain.
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?
The real villain is making Mai look less bad.

>>41311455
> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?

>>41311487
>>41311496
>>41311515
>>41311534
>>41311542
>>41311559
>>41311644
>>41311716

> So you wanted your powers back, what does that have to do with me?
> Mai, Naru, can't you do something?
> Delay, delay, delay her.

Writing

>>41311644
I said, way back when, when everyone was talking about how Mai was pure evil, that there was a level of human trash that far exceeded her. Pepper is that trash.

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>>41311738

Your team is at various states of anger and animosity, but Mai and Naru are at a loss for words. They just mentioned how sen felt like a sister to both of them; you can't imagine how they must feel. At least when Yui was against you, you could still talk to her, see the regret in her eyes. All the two of them can see of the little girl they loved is a cold, metal shell.

"S-So..." You mutter. "This was all just a ploy to get your powers back? I thought you wanted me- how do I play into any of this? Why do any of this?" You ask, baffled as to her motives.

"Originally that was my only goal." She admits, bouncing the brain up and down in her hand. Every throw makes Mai and Naru nervous. "To have my body destroyed and my focus lost on some backwater planet, I was at a complete loss. I could see my focus, almost reach out and touch it- but without a body it would never respond. Then, that little thief..." She grumbles, grinding her teeth.

"Oh, it's shiny, I bet she thought, no-one owns that! Well I did, it was my power, dammit, it belonged to ME!" She shouts, a fury in her eyes. "I've had to withstand her bumbling antics for so long, abusing what is rightfully mine." She laments. For a justification, it's the most pathetic and petty thing you've heard, but judging by how some people treat their focus, the idea that she could have become so obsessed isn't impossible.

"Mai, Naru," You say, grabbing their attention. "I-Isn't there anything you can do?"

"We..." Naru mutters, glasses crooked on her face. Mai glances at her for a plan but she has nothing but an empty look back. Mai growls and strides over to Pepper, hoisting her up by her collar.

"WHY!?" She shouts, seething at her smug grin. "Why would you do this? I thought we were like a family. All of us, together, fighting for justice!" She asks, distraught and tearing up. You notice Naru moving to your side, laying a hand on you. A strange pulse floods your body as she closes her eyes.

[1/2]

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>>41312210

"Sen was our structure expert." She mutters, wiping some tears away with shaking hands. "But I'll do what I can."

> Thank you. [Roll]
> No, focus on Pepper.
> No, keep Mai in check.

"M-Mai, I'm sorry..."

You hear Mai cry out as Pepper pretends to drop the brain, causing Mai to release her. Her eyes are fixed on Sen's prison, still clutched in Pepper's grasp.

"I didn't need a family; I needed hands." She replies, standing up. "Bodies to do the work I couldn't whilst Sen was learning. The fastest way to do that was awakening, but it's too dangerous to attempt solo. So, I needed more magical girls to reign her in; nurture and care for her, until she reached the point she did today: The point where she learnt to switch minds."

"But that's not enough for you now, is it?" Yui asks, watching the two of them. Pepper twists her head.

"Not quite. I died, even with these powers. Mind control isn't exactly great when you're bleeding out." She explains. "But Makoto... your powers are exceptional. Your healing, your purification; it's a suite of abilities that can terrify even the most powerful of our kind." She smirks. You have an idea of where she's going with this.

"You... want to switch minds with me." You ask. She nods.

"Though you could rephrase it as 'I'm going to-'. Sooner or later." She smirks. You feel a chill down your spine.

> Give up, Pepper, and maybe we'll go easy on you.
> Never, I'd die before I hand myself over.
> You're completely outmatched. In what world would it be 'inevitable'!?
> You'll never get close enough again.
> Mai, stay calm.
> Keep quiet.

>>41312314
>> Thank you. [Roll]
> Keep quiet.

>>41312314
>Thank you. [Roll]

> Keep quiet.

>>41312314
> No, focus on Pepper.
> Mai, stay calm.

>>41312314
> Thank you. [Roll]
> Mai, stay calm.

>>41312314
> No, focus on Pepper.
> Give up, Pepper, and maybe we'll go easy on you.

>>41312314
>Never, I'd die before I hand myself over.

>>41312314
> Thank you. [Roll]
> Give up, Pepper, and maybe we'll go easy on you.

>>41312314
>> No, focus on Pepper.
>Yui! use us as a puppet!

>>41312478
>Yui! use us as a puppet!
>or yank off the chocker.

>>41312350
>>41312360
>>41312364
>>41312436
>>41312478
>>41312482
>>41312525
>>41312600

> Thank you. [Roll]
> Mai, stay calm.
> Yui puppeteering.
> Give up, Pepper, and maybe we'll go easy on you.

Alright, 1d100 for the roll. DC60, because Naru is unfamiliar with this.

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>41312629

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>41312629
Third time's the charm, right?

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>41312629
Please, dice gods. Please, let us pass one of these.

>>41312640
That'll do, pig. That'll do.

>>41312639
>>41312640
>>41312645
And Naru for the save. That's lucky.

Writing

>>41312640
good on ya mate

>>41312640
Fuck yeah, you rock man.

>>41312640
Yup

By the way, what are the crit rules for our currect rolling system?

>>41312723
Unconfirmed. Was just going with 1s and 100s right now, but do we want the 5%?

>>41312751
Nah, too common with 3 rolls.

>>41312751
do 1 and 100, have perks for better numbers

finally off work. now i can contribute my tactical genius

>>41312751
5% on each end means a total 10% chance of critting, and with three rolls, that's a very high chance of critting. 1 and 100 are fine.

>>41312751
I'd rather not have crits

>>41312986
That's because you're a party pooper.

>>41312986
Crits on 100 & 1 are Fun!

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>>41312652

"Thank you." You tell Naru. She nods and closes her eyes as a light begins to emanate from her. A beating, pale yellow and red light seems to warp and shift with a soothing rhythm. She flashes and warms until finally the beat ceases, leaving only her remaining. Dressed like a conductor in brilliant orange and red, with long flowing gloves, a tailcoat and elaborate glasses. She opens her eyes and places a hand on your head, and merges her spirit with yours. She grunts, trying to focus on distorting the structure. Luckily this isn't particularly gentle work, and with a sudden jerk, you feel your body relieved of it's fatigue. She sighs and pulls her hand back.

"I-It wor-" You mutter, before she slaps a hand over your mouth.

"Quiet." Naru instructs you. "And don't give her a reason to read your mind. We might be able to get the drop on her." She adds before standing up. That's... true, if you act limp, she might not notice in her smugness. Still, she could easily be scanning you people regardless.

> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> No lies, act triumphant!

"Mai! Calm down." You call out to her. She doesn't turn to you though; still biting her lip and glaring at PepperSen. She's not listening to you right now, it seems.

"Ngh... Look, Pepper. I'll give you this chance: give up!" You command of her. She looks at you incredulously.

"You're kidding?" She asks.

"You're outmatched- 9 to 1." You tell her. "If you give up right now, maybe we'll go easy on you."

"Maaaybe." Saito adds, twitching her eye. Pepper just grins at you.

[1/2]

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>>41313120

"Or what?" She asks. "You'll purify me? You can't even purify yourself, let alone that you'd need to touch me." She explains, gesturing to you.

"You'll attack me? Fine; but I hope you enjoy beating on the body of a little girl. Mai may have wanted a fight, but prefer to win them before the first punch is thrown." She chuckles. "Face it Makoto; there might be nine of you, ten depending on how fast Yuuki can fix those legs of his, but no matter how many people you gather, it's pointless, or did you forget..." She raises her hand and places it on her chest.

"I am the only person in the world who can return Sen to her body." She states clearly, so all of you hear. "Or would you be content with letting her die?" She asks, holding the brain up. "She doesn't have a lot of time left, after all. I'd say the battery on this thing has about... ohh, 30 minutes left?" You can physically see the colour drain from Mai's face when she says that.

> ...What.
> Have some humanity, Pepper.
> Yuuki can recharge it!
> Please, I'm begging you.
> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.

>>41313170
>Stay limp (Yui puppet)
>If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.

>>41313170
> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.

>>41313120
>> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
>>41313170
>> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.

>>41313170
> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> Please, I'm begging you.

Damn thing is probably non-permanent storage.

>>41313120
>>41313170
>> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
>> Yuuki can recharge it!
And he can probably switch her back, too.

>>41313170
>Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> Yuuki can recharge it!

>>41313170
> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.

>>41313170
> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> Yuuki can recharge it!
>> could probably make a new body for her too if you push us too far

>>41313192
>>41313211
>>41313224
>>41313250
>>41313255
>>41313285
>>41313296
>>41313312

> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.
> Yuuki can recharge it!

Writing

>>41313170
> Stay limp (Yui puppet)
> If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip.
> Yuuki can recharge it!
> Have some humanity, Pepper. It is the best bet for you.
> If you really want a stronger body We can even make a stronger robot body for you.

>>41313120
>Stay limp (Yui puppet)

>>41313170
>If she dies, you lose your bargaining chip - and then we'll kill you, for good this time

>>41313312
haha... oh dear. The implications that a bad end result of this winds up with Manticore Sen. And the reason for Sen to stick around.

>>41313460
If Sen is added to Manti, would she be able to say anything but yes?

>>41313460
And then Yuuki would HAVE to make Manti into a cute girl, or Sen would nag him forever.

>>41313530
she'll only say yes to things Yuuki asks now, but she says yes to EVERYTHING Yuuki asks

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>>41313341

You decide to follow Naru's plan and remain limp. To create the illusion of movement, Yui threads her leather from Strict in your clothes, puppeteering you in an obvious fashion. Pepper shakes er head at you, believing you to still be incapacitated. Good, that's in your favour.

-----=====-----

You're reluctant to say this in front of Mai and Naru, but it has to be said.

"I thought you were smart, Pepper." You say, glaring at her. "If she dies, you'll lose your bargaining chip. What kind of position do you think you'll be in then?" You ask.

"Not the best, I imagine." She admits, shrugging. "But I'm a betting girl, Makoto. I'm betting that you don't have the guts; the guts to let an innocent little girl die. Nor do I believe Mai or Naru are going to stand idly by, whittling away the time." She chuckles, tapping the orb. Your grit your teeth.

"Then we can recharge it, extend her life! You're still-" She smiles and throws the orb. Everyone gasps for a second before Naru snatches it from the air.

"In thirty minutes?" She asks. You turn to her. "Go ahead, recharge it. All you have to do is find Yuuki, repair him, and communicate with Robo. But wait-" she giggles, "Naru's blackout makes that impossible." Naru flinches, her eyes going wide.

"T-That was the reason you..." Naru gasps, looking at Pepper.

[1/2]

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>>41313721

"One of the reasons~" She winks. "You can't communicate with anyone, nor do you have their equipment handy. Do you think thirty... heh, twenty-nine minutes is enough time?" She asks.

"I..." You... you don't know if that's enough time. That's a lot riding on luck. Mai crumples to her knees.

"P-Pepper, please, don't do this." Mai begs, her mouth hanging open. "Don't let Sen die."

"Hm..." She closes her eyes and thinks. "Tell you what, Mai. I'm feeling charitable."

"R-Really?" She asks, hopeful. Pepper nods.

"Yes; I'll put Sen back, perfectly fine... if you help me take Makoto's body." She offers, eliciting a look of shock. "After all, if I take Makoto's body, I won't need Sen's. A perfectly valid trade." She says with a shrug. Mai looks down for the second, then her eyes drift to yours. You can't help but feel a slight stare from Naru as well.

> You can try.
> She's lying!
> Mai, calm down, let's talk about this.
> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!
> Naru, you trust me. Tell Mai!
> Send people off to find Yuuki.
> Try and contact Robo.
> That's a dirty trick, Pepper...

>>41313745
> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!

>>41313745
> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!
> Naru, you trust me. Tell Mai!
> Try and contact Robo.

>>41313745
>That's a dirty trick, Pepper...
> Send people off to find Yuuki.

>>41313745
> That's a dirty trick, Pepper...
> Try and contact Robo.
> Mai, calm down, let's talk about this.

>>41313745
> That's a dirty trick, Pepper...
> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!
> Send people off to find Yuuki.

>>41313745
>> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!
>> Naru, you trust me. Tell Mai!
>> Send people off to find Yuuki.
>> Try and contact Robo.

Possibly relevant to know/able to find out information: how big is Naru's blackout if it's centered here? Is the reason we can't contact robo something to do with phone towers? Can we get out of the range of it with /somebody/ in order to contact robo?

>>41313770
>>41313774
>>41313787
>>41313854
>>41313897
>>41313921

> That's a dirty trick, Pepper...
> I can save Sen, you have to trust me!
> Send people off to find Yuuki.
> Try and contact Robo.

Writing

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>>41314021

"That's a dirty trick, Pepper..." You grumble, raising a fist as if puppeteered by Yui. Pepper shrugs.

"If it gets the job done." She replies. The sinister side of 'whatever it takes', you suppose. That's a dangerous credo in the wrong hands. She's right though; you really want to save Sen, you can't just give up on her. But pulling out your phone and trying to contact Robo yields nothing; just a blank signal.

"Argh... someone needs to find Yuuki!" You exclaim. Hiroko takes a few steps away.

"I can move faster than the rest of you, I'll find him." She tells you. Umeki grabs her hand just before she leaves.

"Please, I need to find Momo." She pleads.

"A-And..." Shizuko interjects, pulling her camera out, "I can spot."

Hiroko blinks, but ultimately nods and pulls her onto her back. Her legs dissolve into a storm of fluid, and the pair take off, sliding across the ground with considerable speed. Hopefully that'll be enough, but in the meantime-

"Naru, can you call this blackout back?" You ask her. She stares at you for a moment before answering.

"No, once called, it's out of my hands. It might end before the time finishes, but by then..." She stares at the ground and bites her lip.

"T-Then..." You hear Mai mutter just before being engulfed by light. She steps forward, shafts of blue and black light, bespeckled with points of piercing white, like stars in the night sky, swirl around her, forming the folds of a dress. A complex headset on her noggin, and a beautiful flourish of mechanical parts on a flowing cape-like gown that twists around her legs.

[1/2]

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>>41314458

"Media Midnight!" Pepper exclaims happily, clapping her hands together. "Not exactly your desired debut, but good enough." She shrugs. Mai shoots her a look of disgust before turning back to you, her hands crackling with dark energy. You can't sense her power in this blackout, but that display still gives you pause.

"How about you, Radiance?" Pepper asks, looking towards Naru. "The great Radiance Dawn is going to just stand idly by? I thought you were a team?" She asks.

"Not without Sunset..." Naru comments. Pepper narrows her vision and spits.

"That shameful display? A pale imitation of what this focus is capable of. Besides, I can't access it." She mutters, showcasing her disgust. Your focus is on Midnight however.

"Mai, please. I can save Sen, but you have to trust me." You plead, taking a step back.

"So what... I do nothing?" She asks, hanging her head as tears hit the ground beneath her. "What kind of person would I be, if I just sat by and did nothing? What kind of oneesan..." She asks, raising her head slowly, but keeping her eyes on the ground.

> You can try...
> Please, trust me. [Roll]
> YOu can't win. [Roll]
> Run away.
> Naru, stop her!
> Tell Shun, Yui, & Aoi to stop Mai.

>>41314667
> You can try...
> Please, trust me. [Roll]

>>41314667
> Please, trust me. [Roll]

>>41314667
> Please, trust me. [Roll]

>>41314667
>> Please, trust me. [Roll]

>>41314667
>You can try...

>>41314667
>> Please, trust me. [Roll]
WE can win together please!

>>4134667
>Do you really think Pepper will give Sen back her body if you do this? She won't, that's two obstacles out of her way - me and Sen. And then she'll proceed to wipe out of existence with the power of my focus. Think a little, Mai.

>>41314694
>>41314707
>>41314719
>>41314728
>>41314755
>>41314813
>>41314834

> Please, trust me. [Roll]

1d100, best of three. DC70.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>41314849

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>41314849
Either way, we'll befriend all of you with extreme prejudice.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>41314849

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>41314849

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>41314849
The power of steak compels you!

>>41314853
>>41314859
>>41314869

Aaaaand here come the bad end

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>41314849

We're fucked

>>41314890

Yep, Mai will go through with it and then Sen in Makoto's body will disintegrate them all into nothing with his focus.

...at least that is what I think will happen

>>41314853
>>41314859
>>41314869
Eghh, was really trying hard to give less reasons to hate Mai, but that ain't workin'

Writing

>>41314968
This is the appropriate response.

>>41314971
we did get a 60 is that high enough that her heart wont be in it and Naru can make a go at it?

>>41314971
did you account for our Justice bonus?

>>41314971
If anything, we understand her better because of this

I won't blame her for this

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>41315191
> It's not a great failure, so she'll likely be holding back, but don't expect her to not try and win. She doesn't know much about your mechanical allies, remember? It's a tough convincing.

>>41315227
> Hm, no, but it wouldn't be enough to shift it all the way to 60.

>>41314971

"Please, trust me." You continue to beg of her. "Do you really think Pepper will give Sen back her body, even if you do this? She won't; it'll just be two more obstacles out of her way. With my power, there's not telling what she'll be capable of." You say to her as she draws closer and closer. She passes by Naru, who follows her with her head nervously.

"With all she's done, you can't believe that she-"

"SHUT UP!" Midnight screeches, and throws her hands up. For a second, you're not sure what she's doing; holding her phone out in front of her, but in the next second, your entire group is hit with a sudden burst of force and energy that hurls everyone back. Saito and Yui quickly hold themselves down, but you and Shun hit the building behind you and crumple to the floor.

"Please just... shut up." She gasps, sniffling. You cough and slowly find your footing. Even with her reservations, she's made her decision; Mai has elected to fight, and hold out the barest hope that Pepper will return her. From her perspective, you can sort of understand; she doesn't know about Robo or any of Yuuki's inventions. As far as she knows, Pepper holds the only chance Sen has. Not that you're going to let her win.

[1/2]

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>>41315358

"I'll hold her!" Yui quickly speaks, lashing out with her leather vines. They easily whip around Midnight's body, constricting her and pinning her phone to her body. Aoi then moves in, readying a hand.

"Aaand- down?" Saito shouts, as she swings at nothing. In the blink of an eye, Mai disappears, her phone clattering to the ground. Yui blinks as her vines fall free.

"What- Where? GYUH!" Yui grunts as Mai blasts her in the gut with another force blast from underneath her; digitized sparkles floating around her. D-Did she just teleport? Yui rolls away onto the sidewalk as Saito wheels around to face Mai's new position. Mai holds out a phone- Yui's, and seems to be scrolling through it. Naru hasn't acted yet- she still looks torn on what to do.

"Crap," Shun mutters, watching the fight, "I can't hit her if she can teleport."

> Give it a try, Shun.
> Try to purify Mai [Roll]
> Shining Manifest! [Roll]
> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!
> Draw Mai away from the others.
> Tell them to keep her busy, and you run.

>>41315390
> Give it a try, Shun.
> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!

>>41315390
> Draw Mai away from the others.

>>41315390

>She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!
>Give it a try, Shun.

>>41315390
> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!
> Give it a try, Shun.

>>41314971
don't we get a +20 because it's a social roll?

>>41315390
>> Give it a try, Shun.
>> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!

>>41315390
> Give it a try, Shun.
> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!
> Draw Mai away from the others.

Wouldn't throwing the phones away screw us over when we have to call someone?

>>41315447

It was a persuasion attempt in a stress situation...hardly what I'd call a social roll.

>>41315509
it isn't physical, which are the only rolls we don't get a bonus to

>>41315447
> Ah, shit that is on there. Not balanced, but I do have it recorded. Little late to go back on things now...

>>41315509
> Engh, it kind of is. Social is so you can avoid fighting. Hrm... okay, I can't go back, but I CAN give you something else during this fight as an apology. You'll see it in the next update.

>>41315407
>>41315426
>>41315433
>>41315441
>>41315485
>>41315488

> Give it a try, Shun.
> She's using the phones somehow, throw yours away!

Writing

>>41315551
Good thing we went back to the old system. This mechanical shit would probably be worse if we were still using the new one.

>>41315551
If she can telephone teleport she can Find Yuuki and get to him. If we can just explain that and that he can save her we can get her back on our side. I mean her movement power works even with the blackout.

>>41315788
>her movement power works even with the blackout.
which doesn't make sense. if she moves through cellphones, she shouldn't be able to right now since they're just plastic bricks

>>41315788
telephort

>>41315811
Since when the fuck did any of our powers make sense?

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>>41315551

"Give it a try, Shun." You mutter as the two of you rise to your feet. Seeing her use them so prominently, you quickly come to a conclusion about her powers.

"She's using our phones somehow!" You call out. "Toss them!" You and Shun quickly discard your to the sidewalk, but Saito doesn't catch your warning. Not that it helps, considering what happens next.

"Stay down!" Saito yells, throwing her golden fists at Mai. She, on the other hand, looks quick distressed swiping through the phone and looks up to see Glory barreling down on her. She shuts her eyes and vanishes again in a plume of light that centers on the phone. This time, she emerges from one of yours, just behind you.

"There!" Shun exclaims, swinging her bat at Mai. She has enough time to glance behind her and see it coming, but not enough to dodge. The bat slams into her back with considerable force, pinning her to the wall. The brickwork cracks and crumbles beneath the weight of her strike, and Mai spits blood before slumping down.

"Ah man!" Shun takes a step back as Mai shivers, "I'm sorry, that was harder than I... are you-"

"Ngh!" Midnight wheels around, holding both of your phones in her hand. They flash and release a twin burst of power that fires Shun clear across the street and onto a car. A few people nearby scream as she bounces off the hood, leaving the vehicle's alarm blaring. Shun taken care of, Mai's legs wobble and she stumbles, only catching her footing at the last second. You can't imagine how hard Shun nailed her (enough to dent a solid wall!?) but you're amazed she's still fighting. She glances at you, then tugs at your arm.

"I.... I just need to..." She pants, raising a phone to your face as it pulses with energy. Before she can manage whatever her plan is, the both of you are wrenched back with considerable force, rolling across the ground. You can feel a strange beat pushing down on you that slowly ebbs, revealing Radiance to stand with her arm outstretched.

[1/2]

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>>41315979

"N-Naru..." Mai mutters, looking up at her.

"Stop, Mai, this isn't going to work. We can't trust Pepper." She advises, hoping to get through to her. "I don't know what Makoto has planned, but we need his help." Her words seem to fall flat as Mai shivers though, and slams her head onto a phone, disappearing in a flash of light. For the barest hint of a second, you catch a line of light that shoots into a nearby storefront, and she reappears behind the glass, just shy of a television screen.

"How is she..." Saito mumbles as she watches Mai in the shop.

"Media Midnight's ability is difficult to explain." Naru says, helping you up. "Mai can use it to convert herself into a signal, and shoot it between electrical devices. If it can display a visual image, she can transport through it."

"Could she use that to teleport to Yuuki?" You ask. "Or even contact Robo?"

"I doubt it. It's usually only close-range... unless she awakens." Naru bites her lip. "Getting a signal up to your robotic friend would be incredibly dangerous for her. Besides, that's not what I'm worried about."

"Huh?" You follow her gaze back to the storefront. Mai has her hand on the television, powering it somehow, and is flipping through channels. She rapidly fires through until she reaches some kind of action movie, in a car chase.

Then a car bursts through the window.

"Move!" Naru shouts, trying to pull you aside.

> DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]
> Cut through the car with Manifest [Roll].
> M-Maybe it's fake?
> Take the hit.

>>41316002
>DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]

>>41316002
> DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]

>>41316002
> DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]
> JESUS FUCK

>>41316002
>Cut through Mai with Manifest [Roll].

>>41316002
>Cut through the car with Manifest [Roll].

>>41316002

> DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]

>>41316018
>>41316030
>>41316043
>>41316045
>>41316066
>>41316094

> DODGE! [Roll, assisted by Naru]

1d100, best of three. DC40.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>41316105

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>41316105
DICE GODS HEAR MY PRAYER!

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>41316105

>>41316119
they have answered!

>>41316115
>>41316119
>>41316139

Successes there.

Writing

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>>41316186

Despite the surprise of a FREAKING CAR bursting out of the store, Naru hoists you aside and the two of you tumble to the right, ducking out of it's path. Glory doesn't catch as much of a lucky break

"Uh oh." Is all she manages before encasing herself in a double-thick layer of armour. The car plows into her, letting out a crash of steel on steel on asphalt. You glance back to see the wrecked machine plow through the fence, knocking Saito aside beside it skids to a halt. Surprisingly, Aoi actually looks to be okay.

"Damn, why couldn't I get armour..." You mutter, watching Glory stumble around like a glorified tin can. Naru quickly contorts your head back to focus on Mai. She herself is taking the second to catch her breath after using her powers so frequently. The television she used looks absolutely destroyed.

"You think you could've warned me earlier?" You ask Naru.

"I didn't exactly have the time," she sighs, wondering what to do. "She should be exhausted after producing something that large, now's your chance."

"Right." You say, dashing away from her. She stumbles over to the broken window, looking outside over the damage and slowly growing crowd of onlookers. Her head lightly dips from exhaustion, just shy of a bat swing from Shun that obliterates what is left of the window and television.

[1/2]

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>>41316486

"What, are you tryin' to kill us!?" She shrieks, tugging her bat back again and glaring at Mai.

"N-No!" Mai manages to say back before leaping out the window and back onto the street. "But I don't have much choice here."

"Oh bull!" Shun exclaims, swinging her bat again. Mai moves to dodge to bat, but instead gets hit in the stomach by a projectile; a small baseball that hovers in the air. She flies backwards, bouncing off a parking meter and bending it before rolling over the road.

"Oh yeah, I remember these things. Whew..." Shun sighs happily, surrounded by a small ring of baseballs. The same attack she originally used on you, you think. Mai struggles to stand up again, sitting in the street on all fours. You stop in the street just shy of her and feel Yui's leather tentacles at your side.

"I have her phone, she shouldn't be able to teleport." She tells you, holding the item up. Yui could constrict her again, but you're not sure if she has another trick planned.

> Yui constrict.
> Leave her be.

> Talk to her [Roll] This time, won't forget the social stuff
> Purify her, keep those powers down.
> Wait for Shun and Saito.
> Wait and see what she does.

>>41316503

>Leave her be
>Talk to her [Roll]

>>41316503
> Yui constrict.
> Talk to her [Roll] This time, won't forget the social stuff

>>41316503
> Yui constrict.
> Talk to her [Roll]

>>41316503
>Yui constrict.
>punch her in the damn face

>>41316503
> Leave her be.
> Talk to her [Roll]
> We can bring her back! We have the technology.
Donn't betray her trust by purifying her, she probably hasn't processed all of what Pepper has said yet.

>Captcha, that's not a boat. That's the moon.

>>41316503
>> Yui constrict.
>> Purify her, keep those powers down.
No more being nice. She's proven that she can't be trusted.

>>41316503
>> Leave her be.
>> Talk to her [Roll] This time, won't forget the social stuff
>please. i need your help for this

>>41316503
>Leave her be.
>Talk to her [Roll] This time, won't forget the social stuff
We're the better man

>>41316544
>>41316553
>>41316560
>>41316561
>>41316578
>>41316583
>>41316594

> Yui constrict.
> Talk to her [Roll]

Writing

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>41316657

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>41316657

>>41316657
Sorry, forgot the roll Info.

1d100, best of three. DC40

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>41316687

>>41316657
well... i suppose binding her up lessens the damage from a failure

>>41316662
>>41316686
>>41316697
> This time you got her.

Easier roll with the bonuses, her own failure here and Naru asking.

Writing

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>>41316657

>>41316657

"Do it." You say, giving her the okay. Yui lashes out with her strands, quickly encircling the struggling Mai. She tries to resist, pulling at each strand until finally they wrap around her body to the point where she can't move. Not that she stops trying; Yui has to pull extra tight to keep her restrained. You walk right up to the restrained magical girl, she struggling more and more as you grow closer. Saito and Shun arrive next to Yui, with Naru behind them in short order. With Mai at close range, you ball your fist up and pull it back- then sock her right in the cheek with an audible crack.

"Ooh." The three girls groan as Naru winces in pain. You hold your hand, feeling it throb, as Mai stops struggling.

"Agh... ngh god, I've wanted to do that for a long time Mai." You tell her, still shaking your own hand. YOu may have actually broken something, but it'll heal. She herself has her head turned away, cheek red with blood, still crying.

"Because you want to know what I think? Beyond any of this? You're an idiot." You say plainly.

"Makoto..." Yui groans, holding a hand over her face and shaking her head.

"...And so am I." You sigh. That admittance does get her to turn her head towards you. "We've both been blinded by how much we love our friends; enough that we'll blindly charge ahead without a second thought for who we might hurt along the way. 'So long as I can save that person, nothing matters', I know that feeling. And it can help- especially in a dire situation, but you have to know when to stop, and just... have a little patience." You tell her, hoping it gets through to her.

"So, you want me to do nothing whilst Sen... d-dies?" She asks, absolutely distraught.

"I'm asking you to help, and to have some faith in me." You say, cracking a small smile. "That's going to take a lot more courage than blindly chasing Pepper's false hope."

[1/2]

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>>41317195

Mai doesn't immediately respond to you. Her eyes dart around at you, your friends, the destruction of the street around you, and finally at Naru, who nods at her. She sighs and ultimately nods. Relieved, you signal Yui to let go. Mai quickly slumps to the floor; bleeding and broken from the fight. Looks like it was taking all of her strength just to stand. Now she's using it to hold out hope.

"Spectacularly done, Makoto." You hear Pepper yawn as she sits down next to the two of you, evidently bored. "You've managed to both waste time AND accomplish nothing. Two-for-one, you could put Vanilla's lame speeches to shame."

"You..." You growl, glaring at her.

"You know Mai, an awakened Media Midnight would absolutely crush these four." She advises, smiling happily. "Then you'll easily have Sen back. Wouldn't that be easy?" She asks, patting her on the head with a dainty hand. This is hardest you've ever tried not to hit someone, and Pepper seems to know it.

"So, what now?" She asks, sitting back. "We all just wait for Sen to die? I'm game." She smirks, glancing at the brain in Naru's grasp. She clutches it tighter. "Lost track of how long she has. Twenty minutes... ten minutes... five? Who knows how long now, tick tock, hehe~"

> Appeal to Pepper.
> Comfort Mai.
> Talk to Robobrain-Sen.
> Ask Mai to search for Yuuki.
> Ask Mai to contact Robo.
> Talk to Naru.
> Throw a rock at Pepper.

>>41317211

>Ignore Pepper, focus on finding a solution
>Ask Mai to search for Yuuki

>>41317211
>Ask Mai to search for Yuuki.
> Ask Mai to contact Robo.

>>41317211
> Ask Mai to search for Yuuki.
> Throw a rock at Pepper.

>>41317211
>> Comfort Mai.
>> Talk to Robobrain-Sen.
> Ask Mai to contact Robo.
> Throw a rock at Pepper. or something to acquire genetic material.

>>41317211
> Comfort Mai, try to subtly tell her about robobrain shit.
> Ask Mai to contact Robo.
> Talk to Robobrain-Sen

>>41317211
> Ask Mai to contact Robo.
> Talk to Robobrain-Sen

>>41317253
>>41317262
>>41317265
>>41317272
>>41317273
>>41317295

> Ask Mai to contact Robo.
> Talk to Robobrain-Sen.

Writing, last update of session.

>>41317349

Finally, wanna go sleeeeep... 9 AM here, up since 9 AM yesterday, pushing 24 hours awake just for this - feel honored, Qyubey! That's an Befehl!

>>41317385
Being European is suffering, bro. I know how that feels.

I read the threads at work on thursdays.

>>41317497

Reading is one thing, participating a completely different thing.

Get the fuck off my /tg/ pedshit rat

>>41317554

wat

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>>41317349

For the moment, you ignore Pepper's jeers. Listening to her is only going to make things worse, so you help Mai out of the street. Yui, Shun and Saito have their hands full trying to deal with the sudden crowd of onlookers. You can't risk changing position, since it's the only place Hiroko knows where to find you if she finds Yuuki.

You slap your head. WHEN she finds Yuuki. When, absolutely.

"Mai, how do you feel?" You ask her, having moved her back to the court. She groans in pain but seems to still be moving.

"I think Shun broke all of my ribs." She whines, holding her gut.

"Yeah, she'll do that." You sigh, glancing over at her arguing with a few adults and swinging her bat. Maybe not the best debut for Striker Vermillion, you think. "Look, if you're strong enough, I need you to do something for me." You hand her your phone and close it in her hand.

"You know the robot I have as an ally? His contact details are on here, and it should connect up to a satellite signal." You tell her. "Naru said you can only manage close-range teleportation, but I really want to try contacting him. His entire ship is made of the technology that Sen is surviving in; he'll definitely have a way to charge it back up again."

"Really?" She asks, finding hope once again.

"Mhm. But it's extremely far way. Maybe even more than an ocean's worth of distance." You say, looking down nervously. "I'll understand if you don't want to, but-" Despite your words, Mai already has the phone in her hand, looking through it.

[1/2]

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>>41317628

"I don't care how far it is. If there's the slightest chance, I'll take it." She says, wearing a determined face. She pauses for a second, holding the phone. "We're not related, but I love Sen like a sister." She mutters.

"Yuuki's only a few days old, but I love him like one too." You reply. "A... brother, rather." You add at the end. Mai offers you a slight smile back.

"Then lets keep our siblings safe." She holds out her hand, and you firmly shake it before she fades into pure energy, letting the phone hit the ground. Naru stands nearby, tracing the line of light that extends up to the sky.

"How is she?" You ask Naru, standing up. Naru holds the machine out to you.

"Hard to tell." She sighs as you take it. Nothing has ever felt so cold in your hands before.

"...Hello?" It asks in a digitized voice, garbled by static.

"Hey Sen." You say back. "Holding up in there? You're a brave girl."

"It's... I-It's cold. I know I can't feel it, but it's so cold." The static whimpers. You feel your heart sink.

"Just bear with that cold for a little longer, we'll find a way to help you. Then we'll all take you to a hot spring to warm you right back up, alright?"

"...You promise?"

"Yeah." You nod, offering a seething glare at Pepper lounging nearby with a dark grin for you. "I promise."

END OF SESSION

>>41317663
Makoto-kun kakkoi!

>>41317663

Thanks for running, Qyubey...was fun as always. Now, just the stats page and I can FINALLY get some rest...

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>>41317663

No status update for now (not enough time passing + drama stuffs), but this session covered about two sessions worth of content. Depending on how things go, next time could be the last session for the arc, and bring Pepper's part in this to a close.

Things were dire this time, but don't expect them to get any easier anytime soon. I can promise no dream fighting though; have something WAY better planned to cap things off


Thanks everyone for attending, I hope I'll see you next week!
...Yaaaay, I got my fight with Mai! Her video constructs would have been SUPER COOL, dammit.

>>41317739
Mai powers are awesome. It's a shame that some anons wants her gone.

>>41317739
not even just for like the HP and Mahou levels?

>>41317772
Not all of us anon.
Hatesex is best sex

>>41317791
I could never figure out a good way to do them anyway. It's easier just to describe someone's health status.

Shun was a boss this session though, jesus (GM rolls).

>>41317816
btw were you rolling for her when she reduced us to a bloody smear when we first started or do you even remember?

>>41317860
No, I don't think so. I think anons decided to take the hit anyway, for some reason...

>>41317893
oh yeah, we wanted the robo d.
good times, gooood times

>>41317922
It was funny to see Q's reactions.
"G-guys... He is a giant and dangerous robot..."
"I WILL BE HIS FRIEND!"
"But... The girl..."
"SHE IS ATTACKING A ROBOT! SHE MUST BE EVIL!"

>>41318093
Robo Makoto still OTP. Only one that can keep Makoto completely satisfied.

>>41317893
Thanks for running~

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>>41317922
Ah, the good ol' days. I remember them.

For some reason when I think of Robo the only thing I can imagine is the Lancelot.

>>41319052
Fuck that's cool.