"Wait, what's it called again?"
Among the dozens of darkened nights in Death City, Cherry and Violet were growing accustomed to their new routines. Kishin hunting was always exciting, although nothing could beat the feeling of capturing your first kishin soul. Cherry was thrilled that Violet had regained her confidence after a rough start at the DWMA. Additionally, Cherry's arm was fully healed. "It's called Soul Bind. It's something that dual weapons can master in other to combine into one, singular soul. One singular weapon." Violet explained, transforming into her all-too-familiar axe form. "So, Azure and Ruby could do that?" Cherry exclaimed, practically bouncing with anticipation. "I suppose so." Violet replied. Cherry's smile quickly faded into a small frown. "...Do you think Amber and Midori could do that?" Cherry asked. You could hear Violet's disgruntled sigh from her weapon form. "Probably. Cherry, we really shouldn't keep bringing up Midori. It's not helping you cope with the loss. All we can do is hope she comes back." Violet admitted. Cherry stopped in her tracks. "What if she doesn't come back?" Cherry demanded. Violet kept silent for a few moments, evaluating her word choices. "We need to move on." Violet murmured, as Cherry gave a disappointed sigh. "I'm not giving up. I know she's innocent! I know she's out there, somewhere!" Cherry stopped in the middle of the street, her eyes focused forward.
A familiar figure stood in the middle street. There was Midori, cloaked in a black hood. Her bright eyes shone through the darkness of the empty streets. The lone witch stood without movement as if she was a deer in the headlights. "Midori! What's going on? Please, it's just me, Cherry! I guess Violet's here too!" Cherry exclaimed, gripping the handle of the oversized axe. "You guess?" Violet sarcastically retorted. Midori remained silent, however, she began to slowly back away from the duo. Her eyes were centered on the powerful axe. "Wait, where are you going? Midori, it's us! We know you're a good witch! Just...just come back with us!" Cherry pled. Midori's body began to tremble. Her hands gripped onto the sides of her robes.
"I am not a good witch." Midori thinly whispered. Cherry gave a nervous chuckle and took another step forward. "Midori, you're my friend. Just talk to me, please." Cherry held her hand out to the distressed witch. Midori hesitated and turned away from the two. She darted off. "Wait! Come back!" Cherry cried out, dropping the axe to the ground and following Midori's trail. "Cherry, what are you doing?" Violet transformed back into her human form and scurried after her meister.
Cherry could have chased Midori throughout the entire city if time permitted her to do so. Violet could barely keep up; she frequently stopped to take breaths. "Midori, I just want to know what's going on! Please, you can tell me!" Cherry cried out. Midori began to slow down until her sprint turned into a stop. Cherry stopped, although she kept her distance from Midori. "...Please, get inside before something awful happens." Midori whispered once more. Cherry stepped closer. "Midori, you're not making any sense. What's going on?" Cherry asked. Midori gulped. "...Something bad will happen to Death City, tonight." Midori answered, turning away from Cherry once more. Violet managed to catch up to the two. "What's going to happen?" Cherry asked, taking another step closer. "...The Reformed Witch's Society will rise." Midori replied vaguely. "Reformed Witch's Society?" Violet retorted. "I….I apologize. I cannot speak anymore. I need to keep moving. Please, please get inside. It's safer inside than out here." Midori assured. Her body began to shake. "You're coming with us, then." Cherry persisted. Midori shook her head wildly. "I cannot. Cherry, you are making this difficult…" Midori sniffled, beginning to shuffle away, but Cherry grabbed her hand. "I don't care! I'm not going to let you get harassed out of Death City for begin a witch! Midori, you're a good witch. And an amazing shield. Blanca and Amber miss you. You're our friend. You'll prove everyone wrong!" Cherry stated. Midori was stunned. She remained silent as Cherry grasped her hand. However, within a blink of an eye, Midori was gone. Out of sight. Violet and Cherry gasped. "What? No, no. This was real. Midori? Where are you?" Cherry cried out, her eyes scanning the area. "No way, that was real...That was scary…Where did she go?" Violet hummed.
"I am still here." Midori's voice chimed in, however, they couldn't place her face to the voice. "Where?" Cherry yelled. The witch faded back into view, to the surprise of Cherry and Violet. Midori hadn't even moved. "...I AM CONFUSED!" Cherry seemed more excited than terrified. "Wait a moment...Soul Protect...invisibility...this adds up." Violet nodded her head, then turned back to Cherry. "Remember when Sinopia taught us about types of witches? You know, how they are all based on animals?" Violet asked. Cherry's mouth was still wide open from the demonstration, but she continued to nod her head. Violet rolled her eyes. "Midori's magic is based off of a chameleon." Violet replied. "A chameleon, huh? That's pretty cool, man." Cherry stated.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Violet was knocked off of her feet. She screamed and grabbed onto her meister. "Hurry inside, please!" Midori cried out. "Midori, I don't know what's going on, but I'm not leaving without you! Not again!" Cherry yelled. Before Midori or Violet could protest, she grabbed both of their hands and darted down the shaking street. A dimly lit sign that read 'Cordovan Crafts' seemed like the trio's new destination. The three stumbled across the brick streets. The pseudo-earthquake was powerful enough to cause Cherry to fall onto her knees. Midori yanked Cherry off of the ground. "You will be okay, Cherry!" Midori hollered. A nearby streetlamp collapsed.
Finally, they had reached their unplanned destination. Cherry slammed her fist against the door. "Let us in! Please!" Violet cried out. Rowan and Cyrus jerked the door open and pulled the trio inside without hesitation. "The witch!" A voice called out. The trio cocked their heads to the side and spotted Sage, Ruby and Azure clutched against the wall. Ruby furrowed her brows and nearly lunged towards Midori, but Sage kept her secured against the wall as the floor continued to shake. "Not right now, Ruby!" Sage hollered. Products were toppling off of the shelves and onto the floors below. "What's going on?" Rowan called out, clinging to her husband's waist. Sage staggered towards the window and peaked outside. The night sky's milky blue hue had melted into a pitch black.
Sage's head turned towards Midori. "Do you have something to do with this?" Sage demanded. Midori frantically shook her head. "N-No! I promise!" Midori begged. Suddenly, dozens of hooded figures began to march down the empty streets of Death City. Midori wore a similar cloak. "Would you like to re-evaluate that question?" Sage asked again, clinging to the door for support. "I….I am not sure…I'm sorry..." Midori sunk to her knees. Sage gazed back at Azure and Ruby. "We'll take care of this. Let's go." Sage nodded his head at his weapons. However, Rowan had other ideas. "Wait!" Rowan grabbed Sage's arm before he could exist her home with Ruby and Azure. Rowan transformed into a scimitar; the weapon possessed a scarlet handle, with a curved silver blade. "A pirate sword?" Cherry whispered to Violet.
"If you're going to battle the unknown, use a Death Scythe. You're not risking my daughter's life today." Rowan stated within her weapon form. Sage nodded his head. Midori took a deep breath and transformed into her coveted shield. "You will need my help. These circumstances were not caused by me, but I will not let you go on without defense!" Midori exclaimed. "Midori, you don't have to go out there!" Violet cried out as she sank to the floor. "Despite what everyone may believe, I am not the enemy of the DWMA." Midori defended. "Don't let me down, Midori. For now, I'll trust you. I'll stand behind your safe return to the DWMA if we prevail." Sage assured. Nobody could see it, but Midori was smiling.
With a sword and shield in hand, Sage headed out the door. "Wait! What about us?" Cherry cried out. "Stay there and don't get killed!" Sage called out, following the hoard of hooding figures.