Yuki held her rapier with a firm grip, feeling the coldness of the handle as she raised it high. The blade gleamed, bathed in the descending moonlight.
She stood ready to strike the monster that lay beaten and wounded, to end its pathetic and miserable life.
"What a disappointment you are," she said with a disheartened face. " strength contradicts your fearsome appearance…"
When she sensed the monster's presence on the Arakawa embankment, in the old, long-abandoned industrial zone, she grew excited at the prospect of facing such a creature. Its very appearance was a grotesque blend of nightmares—half-rotten flesh, four arms and legs covered in coarse black hair, jagged spikes jutting from its spine, and a warped face marred by a glowing gem embedded in its forehead.
It looked extremely powerful, enough to provide her with the challenge she sought to ease the boredom that plagued her these days. Unfortunately, that expectation crumbled instantly—the monster had folded after a single weak attack.
"If I had known about your strength beforehand, that you were this weak, I would have let some lesser, inferior magical girl handle an insect like you…" Yuki said as she slashed the monster, not giving it a chance to retort. She had no desire to waste her precious time and energy on such a worthless being.
The monster faded away, its body twisting in agonizing pain as it let out a final, piercing scream.
Yuki let out a breath as the rapier in her hand began to dematerialize and fade away. She brushed the battle dust from her clothing—a black business suit, far different from what a typical magical girl would wear. To someone who had read many magical girl light novels, manga, or watched anime, it might seem strange. But she had no interest in frilly, flashy outfits; such clothing no longer suited her at the age she was now.
Not many magical girls could make it past the age of twenty; only a few among hundreds ever managed to do so. They fell in battles against monsters, witches, and, more often than not, against each other—for no one hated a magical girl more than another magical girl.
"It seems I am quite late to see you in action," a familiar voice spoke from behind.
Yuki turned and was greeted by a young girl dressed in a frilly black outfit resembling a long gown, wrapped in layered strips shaped like black roses. She wore black heels and thick white gloves, her attire matching her black hair. Her front bangs were neatly divided, falling into side locks that reached her ears.
Her eyes, however, were crimson—fixed on Yuki with a predatory gaz
Yuki, however, paid no attention to the gaze, even though she saw it, and went straight to the point.
"What brings you here, Mari?"
"Nothing. Just wanting to see you, my dear," Mari said, giving a wide and innocent-looking smile.
"I seriously doubt that."
"It's true," Mari said, putting a lot of emphasis on true.
"Bullshit," Yuki said, then continued, "You don't crawl out of your pits—taking a break from torturing orphans—unless…" She raised one finger. "It's to attend school, take out our enemies…" She lifted another. "…or go hunting for new victims for your—what do you call it again?" A third finger rose. "Ah, yes—your little stabby-stabby game."
When she finished listing them, she lowered her fingers slowly, one by one.
"No, nah, none of that. I still stand by my word—I'm here to see you," Mari said.
"Oh? Then tell me, when did this feeling of wanting to see me come into your heart? Not that you even have a heart," Yuki said, and then added, "Neither do I… and neither do so many of us."
"Well… the reason is that I've managed to track down the prophesied magical boy," Mari said, walking closer to Yuki.
"Really?" Yuki raised her eyebrows.
The magical boy was the being recently foretold by the Magical Girl Council—said to possess a power equal to that of magical girls, untainted unlike them, and destined to protect humanity against great threats… or something along those lines.
"Yes, and it's all thanks to me." Mari leaned her face close to Yuki's, then quickly hopped back a few steps and spread her arms wide. "And the wonderful thing, you know?"
"What is that?"
"He's from our school!"
That revelation was shocking for Yuki, though she kept her face calm.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want you to be my partner," Mari said as she began to levitate higher into the air. Her hair billowed, and with the moon glowing behind her, she looked almost ethereal.
"Partner…"
"Yes. For we both share the same common goal," Mari said.
"And what's that?"
"We both want the power of the magical boy for yourselves!"
How did she find out about that?!
Yuki was internally shocked that Mari knew she desired the power of the magical boy. She had been so careful to cover her tracks, ensuring no one could discover her true goal.
"I'm pretty sure you're wondering how I found out, aren't you? Well, that's a secret, my friend," Mari said with a sly smile. Then she added, "But that's not the point. So—are you in with me, or not?"
Hand on her chin, Yuki gave it some thought.
On one hand, if she allied herself with Mari, it would make taking the power of the magical boy far easier than doing it alone, which would require more effort, more risk, and far more time.
But on the other hand, if she joined forces with Mari, she would have to share that power—and let Mari use it for whatever twisted purpose she desired.
That was something Yuki could never allow.
"You don't have to think that hard. It's just temporary," Mari said with a grin. "Once we get the power, the two of us will clash to decide who the sole wielder will be."
I suppose… that could work.
Yuki slowly lifted off the ground, levitating toward Mari. Extending her hand, she watched as Mari accepted it. Their hands clasped firmly, sealing the pact of their uneasy alliance.
"Now then," Mari said, her smile widening, "what should we call our little partnership?"
"How about… Deadly Alliance. Fitting, don't you think?" Yuki said. The name had popped into her mind immediately, borrowed from a fictional evil alliance between two sorcerer characters in a fighting game she once played—a game she liked precisely because of its gore and brutality.
That's kind of rad! Mari thought when she heard the name. Of course, she wasn't about to admit that out loud—no way was she going to let Yuki know she couldn't come up with anything better. Still, the name perfectly captured the nature of their alliance and their goals.
But she had to say something.
"That can work," she said, her tone deliberately neutral.
"So, do you already have a plan, or should we make one together?" Yuki asked.
"Well, let's make one together. It's better if we exchange ideas," Mari replied.
Yuki gave a slow nod. It was, indeed, the best possibility.
Then, with a snap of her fingers, both of them vanished from the area.