I stepped off the train and into the overwhelming cheerfulness of the Dreamland entrance. A giant, rainbow-colored archway, upbeat music blaring from hidden speakers, and the sickly-sweet smell of cotton candy. A guy in a fluffy blue bear costume waved at kids. It was a special kind of hell.
I didn't have to wait long. A few minutes before 9, I saw them approaching as a group.
Miki was a vision of idol-perfection in a pastel pink sundress. Akane was pure energy in ripped black jeans and a rock band t-shirt. Aoi was the picture of understated elegance in a navy-blue blouse and a flowing white skirt. And Homura, trailing slightly behind, was dressed in a simple, anonymous grey hoodie and jeans, looking completely overwhelmed by the crowds.
"Master!" Miki cried, arriving first and grabbing my arm. "You're here! Isn't this place amazing?"
"Forget amazing, let's go find the Death Drop!" Akane declared, skidding to a halt.
"Master," Aoi said calmly. "We have all arrived."
"Master," Homura added, giving a small, shy bow. "Thank you for inviting me."
My four dark magical girls, ready for their day out. I held up the five tickets, my small, strange army assembled at the gates of joy.
"Alright, listen up," I said as I led them in. "Mission for today is simple. First, have fun. You two," I winked at Miki and Aoi, "won't be able to do this in public once you're famous. Second, you're in charge of Homura today, Akane. Act like a big sister." I turned to Homura and patted her head. "And you, just try to get along with everyone, okay? You pick the first ride."
Miki and Aoi exchanged a thrilled look. "You hear that, Aoi-chan?" Miki whispered. "We're pre-famous!"
Akane's jaw dropped. "Me?! Take care of her?! But… but she's the Star Empress!" She sighed dramatically, then puffed out her chest. "Fine! Okay! I'll be the best big-sister-figure ever! C'mon, Homu-chan, stick with me!" She grabbed Homura's hand. Homura flinched but didn't pull away.
Everyone turned to Homura, waiting. Panic flashed in her eyes. She looked frantically at the giant park map, then pointed a trembling finger at the most innocuous, least intimidating option.
"...The… the teacups?"
There was a beat of stunned silence. Akane groaned loudly. "The teacups?! Seriously?! Not the giant robot fighting arena?"
"The teacups!" Miki chirped. "How classic! What a wonderful idea, Homura-chan!"
"A low-intensity ride is a suitable starting point to gauge group dynamics," Aoi added stoically.
The decision was made. My dark magical girl team, a group of immense and terrible power, began their day of bonding by heading towards the giant, pastel-colored spinning teacups.
"This is starting to feel like a babysitting trip," I sighed playfully as they climbed into the ride. "You feeling that too, grandma Gemgem?"
The girls split into two cups. Miki and Aoi spun at a gentle, civilized pace. Akane's cup became a blur of red and grey, a high-pitched scream from Homura barely audible over Akane's delighted laughter. When the ride ended, Homura stumbled out, pale and dizzy, held up by a grinning Akane.
"Don't push her too hard, Akane," I chuckled, then pointed to a haunted mansion ride. "Let's try that next. And no using your powers on the staff."
Akane pouted. "Aww, but I was just getting her warmed up!"
We all piled into one of the slow-moving "doom buggies." I sat in the middle, Miki and Aoi on one side, Akane and Homura on the other. As the cart lurched into the darkness, Miki shrieked and buried her face in my arm, though I could tell it was mostly for show. Aoi sat perfectly still, analyzing the animatronics with a critical eye. Akane laughed at everything. Homura, however, was genuinely terrified. Every time a ghoul jumped out, she flinched violently, pressing herself closer to Akane, a faint, unstable thrum of stellar energy emanating from her.
Akane, for all her bluster, noticed. She stopped laughing and wrapped an arm around Homura's shoulders. "Hey, it's okay, Homu-chan. It's all fake. See? That ghost is just a bedsheet on a wire. Nothing's gonna hurt you. I'm right here."
It was a moment of genuine, unforced connection. Akane, the agent of chaos, was acting as a grounding force for Homura, the terrified cosmic entity.
"Data point," Gemgem's voice noted in my mind. "The berserker displays unexpected protective instincts. The Empress responds positively to physical reassurance from a peer. A useful dynamic."
After the ride, I bought Akane a churro. "You acted like a proper sister," I said. Then I handed Homura a bottle of water. "And don't worry. Akane will protect you. If your power ever feels like it's getting overloaded, Aoi can contain it. No one will get hurt."
Homura took the bottle, her hands still trembling slightly. The knowledge that she had not one, but two fail-safes seemed to physically relax her. "…Thank you, Master. I understand."
Aoi gave a curt, professional nod. "My abilities are at your disposal."
With the group's anxieties addressed, a more relaxed atmosphere settled in. Miki suggested the giant Ferris wheel next. We all piled into one of the enclosed cabins.
As the wheel began its slow ascent, the entire park—and the city beyond—spread out beneath us. The cabin reached the very top, pausing for a moment, giving us a breathtaking panorama. It was quiet, peaceful. The team was gelling.