A Fool's Study into Witchcraft
Chapter 10: Aim to be the Top Part 4
Ursula exited the office, having dropped her report off by the staff.
"Akko…" she sighed as she looked out of the window toward the general direction of the Tree of Heart.
These past few days had been a rollercoaster of emotions. The arrival of Akko and how she became the new wielder of the Claiomh Solais, or the Shiny Rod as most knew it as... The meeting with her ancestor's supposed Goddess Aradia... the realization. The entire fiasco with Diana was just the icing on the cake.
"All those months of fighting and earning money. Was all that for nothing?" she understood what those words meant now. The Cognitive World, an alternate reality filled with dangerous monsters born of human emotions. She still couldn't believe Akko had and continued to risk her life exploring such a place! What sort of thing would drive her to do such a thing in the first place...? Just what happened in her past...?
The ache in her heart grew worse the more she thought about it. She was supposed to be the adult here; as the teacher she had the responsibility to look after her students. But here she was, stuck and incapable of doing anything. "What exactly are they up to right now...?" she worried. "They could be injured or worse and I would be powerless to help."
A tear steamed down her face. She felt so… useless.
Was this her punishment for her past failures, to forever be condemned to the sidelines, unable to atone for her past mistakes no matter what she does...?
For not the first time within the past few days a single, self-loathing thought entered her mind:
"You never should've become Shiny Chariot in the first place..."
She shut her eyes and shook her head, pushing the dark whispers back into the deepest pits of her mind.
"What's done is done," she thought. That one particular day aside, she did not regret a second of her time as Shiny Chariot. All the smiles she had created and the people she had convinced to give magic a chance… They were worth bearing this pain.
Looking away from the window, Ursula went to the nearest bathroom, hoping to wash her face and maybe calm her frayed mind. She stood before the sink, a hand reaching for the tap-
"That's right. As long as you remain as Ursula Callistis there is nothing you can do. That's why I will step in myself."
Astonished, the young teacher's head perked up and gazed into the mirror. The person in the reflection was… well herself, yet not. Short, fiery red hair and a round, youthful face of a young teenager gazed back. Her eyes however, rather than the energetic crimson she had, were replaced with pools of piercing gold.
"Wha-" Ursula stepped back as a piercing migraine tore through her head. Her doppelganger stared at her downed form, a pitying expression splayed across her face.
"At last, after ten years I finally got a chance," Shiny Chariot tips her witch hat. "She is our dear pupil. Only through her can we atone for our failures, that's why I will keep watch on her in your stead. Go rest."
"In my... stead…?" Ursula muttered weakly, utterly puzzled.
The doppelganger didn't say another word before turning her back and vanishing from the mirror.
As she left, Ursula felt her headache subside, a deep exhaustion now taking its place. The spell she had cast to mask her hair had also weakened, specks of red peeking out from the black strands.
"Dear pupil…? Did she… mean A-Akko…?!" the teacher muttered weakly as she recast her disguise and rushed out of the bathroom and heading out of the school ground.
Finneran will be extremely cross with her for disappearing without a word, but she couldn't risk blowing her cover. Besides, it's not like she could do any paperwork now since her body felt like jelly. It reminded her of all the Umbrian exercises from her youth. Truly her ancestors were cruel to design such methods of torture and called it training.
"I still need to check on Akko… but I'm so… exhausted... I can barely stay awake..."
"I said go rest."
"Yeah, I guess I should go rest…"
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Navigating to the stairs leading down to the basement was fairly simple. Move, hide from Shadows, repeat. Thankfully with Sucy's awakening, the process was far easier.
"Fwah~ We managed to make it without alerting anything," Akko sighed in relief.
"The amount of workers roaming around skyrocketed. She's definitely increased the security," Sucy nodded. "Having three of them patrolling back to back was an annoying waste of time."
"Ain't that the truth," Amanda groaned before smiling. "But whatever, let's kick her stupid butler's ass!"
The girls looked at the entrance of the basement and realized the door was already half opened.
"That's strange, did someone go in before us?" Akko asked.
"Probably, what else could it be in this place though?" Sucy drew her dagger as she slowly approached the door. "If they think they can ambush us then they're going to regret it, kekeke!"
Pushing open the door fully, the girls entered the deepest room in the mansion. Except, rather than a basement, they were greeted by an extremely ornate trophy room. Dozens of ancient artifacts, priceless antiques, and various treasures rested atop of luxurious desks and tables. Breathtaking pieces of fine art lined the walls, each a masterpiece from various artists old and new.
"Holy crap," Amanda gasped. "This looks even more expressive than outside! There must be millions in here!"
"This is probably where she keeps her family's valuables," Lotte suggested. "I'd keep this kind of stuff hidden too… Ah..."
As the blonde answered her teammate's question, her eyes caught something on the ceiling above them. She tugged on Sucy's sleeves, her voice stuttering. "Ah… S-S-Sucy…? You know a lot about magical plants right…?
"Yeah, why…?" Sucy slowly turned her head towards what was holding Lotte's gaze. "Oh…"
Golden vines snaked their way across the ceiling, many dangling as if reaching out to ensnare whatever they find. The way the tendril-like plant had taken over the room could only be described as... parasitic.
It was unnerving to say the least. Just what was going on in Diana's head?
"Well, this is interesting. Are these Larking Vipers?" Sucy muttered. "But Larking vipers aren't gold..." Lost in thought, she cupped her chin. "I wonder if I can harvest them?" she pondered.
"Larking... Vipers?" Akko asked.
"A type of carnivorous magical plant you can find in dark caves," Sucy explained. "They grow along walls and ceilings, and their vines spread themselves everywhere… They make some very potent ingredients if you can harvest them without getting killed."
"Okay..." Akko nodded, "But why are they here-".
Her question was answered as a nearby door slowly creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman in an elegant aquamarine dress and a black feathered scarf. Her relation to Diana was made apparent due to her platinum blond hair, fair complexion, and light blue eyes.
Yet there was something very wrong with this woman. Her movements were jerky and ridged, her expression dull and lifeless. What was supposed to be skin was instead replaced with worn, faded limestone. Her outfit, upon closer examination, was made of cheap fabrics. The tendrils of golden Lurking Vipers anchored themselves in her joints as they pulsed, acting as the strings of some twisted marionette.
Lotte felt a chill crawl down her spine as the puppet shambled by, quickly putting Akko between herself and the monstrosity. "W-What is that!?"
The puppet turned her head to face them making the girls tense up, readying to face the possible threat. Seconds that felt like minutes passed before the puppet turned away and shambled past the group. She walked over to pick up one of the more expensive looking antiques– a porcelain vase with a masterfully painted unicorn, and then left for the door.
The girls watched as it disappeared before Amanda spoke up. "T-that was Diana's aunt, Daryl Cavendish!" she announced. "She even still had that condescending look on her face!"
"... Diana's family is messed up," Sucy frowned. "In some way, I'm glad that I never have to deal with crap like this."
"... We definitely need to follow her," Akko stated. "I have no doubt she'll lead us to what we're looking for."
After catching up with the puppet, the girls followed it past various rooms and down a flight of stairs, ultimately leading to a long hallway with a massive stone door open at the end. The two slabs of stone were engraved with magical patterns and archaic runes. The beauty and craftsmanship of it all would have been absolutely breathtaking had the parasitic vines not covered the designs and made it a golden mess. The girls watched as Puppet Daryl shambled in.
"Well… I guess we're going in…" Akko sighed, calling forth Aradia.
"Be on your guard," Sucy advised as she called forth Angitia. "Let's just say Larking Vipers can get... vicious. I hope these aren't like the real deal."
The girls cautiously entered the room, Akko and Sucy in front with Lotte and Amanda following closely behind. They had expected the vines to lash out at them, yet none ever did. Aradia tested the water by slashing at a cluster of vines in an attempt to get a response, yet none came. Upon discovering that the vines were rather docile, Sucy went wild. Occasionally slashing her knife around and collecting good quality samples as they walked. "Let's see if cognitive Larking Vipers are better than those harvested from the wild. If not, I wonder how much I can sell these for?"
"What kind of potion can you make with them?" Akko asked.
"It's a base ingredient for a lot of different potions, remedies, and toxins. But I want to see what kind of effects it has to the anti-Shadow toxin," Sucy replied. "That mixture still has lots of problems and I want to see if this will fix any of them."
For the better part of an hour, the group followed the puppet through long hallways and dozens of different rooms before finally arriving at what they could only assume to be the very bowels of the manor.
They stood within a grand room, dozens of three meter high bookshelves stood on either side of the room. In the center sat a masterfully crafted marble statue depicting a woman in a long fur coat and a white hat styled like a bonnet. Yet like the rest of the basement gold vines ensnared the statue, completely covering the base and worming their way up. The stone became dull and brittle where the vines touched.
"One of the Nine Olde witches, Beatrix Cavendish of the Affectionate," Aradia scoffed.
Hearing that Angitia giggled. "Does it strike a nerve, false goddess? Kyuufoofoo!"
"Well, well, what do we have here?" an elderly voice called out.
The girls turned to their right and spotted an older man in a three-piece suit with light brown hair and mustache. White gloves covered his hands, one of which he held a pair of gardening shears. Alongside him, a pair of gardener Shadows busied themselves with tearing away the vines.
The old gentleman lowered his shears and gave a formal bow. "Pardon my manners. As you all can see, we are rather busy with the task bestowed on us by Lady Diana."
"You... look normal. Are you… someone Diana knows?" Akko muttered before narrowing her eyes, recognition setting in. "Wait…! From that photo…! You're that butler that went with Diana that day!"
Sucy rolled her eyes. "Is there a limit to this? Are you going to be an instant expert to everything Shiny Chariot related? "
"Hehe! Of course! How else am I going to become her successor?!" Akko proudly said.
The butler chuckled. "Hoho. A Chariot fan... you reminded me when m'lady was young," he recollected fondly.
"Wait. Hold it." Sucy raises a hand. "First of all, who are you? Second, you seem reasonable, so what is going on in this room?"
"My name is Alfred Elias, although you may call me Alf for short. I am the Cavendish estate's head butler," the gentleman answered. "I have loyally served the Cavendish family for 40 years and have attended to m'lady since her birth. As for your question about what my task is…"
Seeing Alfred was busy talking, the Daryl puppet jerkily flung the priceless vase towards the cluster of Lurking Vipers. A vine whipped out and coiled around the antique before dragging it into itself. As the monstrosity broke it down and feasted the vines pulsed and grew, gold tendrils crawling further up the Beatrix statue. Another vine slithered from the ceiling and embedded itself into Daryl's body, the puppet's movements visibly livelier as she turned and left.
Alfred let out a deep sigh. "Task never ending…" He gestured to the gardener Shadow behind him. "Please continue."
"Has… Diana's aunt been doing something to harm her family?" Akko asked.
"If by harm you mean selling the legacy of the Cavendish family then yes, you would be correct, young lady."
"Ah, shit. Guess the tabloids were telling the truth this time," Amanda muttered. "I know some witches would flip if their family heirlooms were touched the wrong way, let alone sold. Diana really got the short end of the stick having that bitch as an aunt…"
"'Flip' is an understatement I would say," the butler answered in a dejected tone. "This is the effect Lady Daryl's actions have had on our esteemed house… this great parasite that that leeched off m'lady's remaining relatives." He open his shears and began cutting away at the vines, no end in sight. "No matter how much we cut away, it will never be subdued so long as Diana's reality remains so..."
"Please… ah, Mister Alf?" Akko began. "We came here to save Diana from herself. We heard that you might know where she is and…"
"Ah, so you lot are the cause of all the commotion that are happening as of late." the old gentleman realized. "M'lady has already tested you all, I presume?"
"If by test you mean try to kill us with an unicorn, then maybe?" Amanda grumbled. "I still don't have god damn clue what her Shadow's end game is here! What's up with that?!"
"Is that so…?" the butler pondered to himself. "I see."
Suddenly, Alf tossed away his garden shears as the gardener Shadows now stood behind him. A red aura burning over his body like an inferno.
"You, who have journeyed so far and faced many trials for m'lady… fight me!"
"What?!" Akko exclaimed. "Why the sudden hostility!?"
"Lady Diana wished only for the worthy to know of her pain," the man answered. "She valued worth earned by ones merit above all else! So come! Show me you have what it takes to reach out to Lady Diana! My destruction will be the key for your success!"
"What kind of logic is that!?" Akko exclaimed.
"A Shadow is a Shadow," Aradia shrugged. "Can't escape their base instinct no matter what form they take."
"Picking a fight with us, old man?" Amanda twirled her weapon. "If you are really the last thing to Diana, then we are more than willing to kick your ass!"
"Fire support ready!" Lotte said with a nod. "I am sorry, Mister Alf! But we will save Diana today no matter what!"
"I'm fine with beating up an old man." Sucy spun her dagger, pointing it at the Shadow. "This better be the last thing we have to do before we reach Diana. All this fighting is starting to get annoying."
Akko looked at everyone before pulling out her bat. "Y-Yes! No matter what, we will save Diana! So bring it on!"
The butler's form burst, transforming into an elderly angel with white robe and wings. In his hands was a scale and a tome. The gardeners followed suit, transforming into towering monsters. One was a green skinned fat man with the arms as thick as tree trunks, the other was a goat headed behemoth with a similar physique.
"I, the great Dominion shall pass Judgment upon thee!" the butler Shadow declared. "Come! Show me the strength of thine will!"
"Nice, that completes the set with that Lailah," Aradia humored. "That girl's sub consciousness has some great aesthetics."
"A Troll and a Fomor…" Akko labeled with a sigh. "This shouldn't be too bad. They're usually pretty easy to deal with."
Amanda raised an eyebrow. "That's a Troll and a Fomor!? Seriously, can we have a cognitive version that looks the same as the real thing?" she grumbled. "The Fomors that worked at my relative's homes were pretty nice dudes. Why can't we have them instead?"
The angel acted first as his scale tipped down and a wave of red energy enveloped his allies, turning their dopey expressions to ones of rage. Their muscles rippled as veins pulsed and became more defined. "Fight with all your might! For Diana's sake!"
The two Shadows let out a earth-shattering roar as a wave of power crashed into the girls.
"Oh are you serious?!" Akko cried. "You can cast Balazac?!"
Sucy whistled. "So you can use that spell this way?-"
Quickly, Akko grabbed Lotte as the group retreated from the Shadows. Both monsters rushed in and slamming their powerful fists into the ground, creating a crater where the gang once stood.
"Holy shit they hit hard!" Amanda exclaimed as she landed on her feet.
"Yeah, don't fight them directly! Even with the Zero Kosode I gave you they can easily crush us while under the effects of Balzac!" Akko warned, Aradia already moving her scepter. "Join us, Lotte! They're weak to fire and light! Aradia! Makouha!"
At Akko's command a barrage of light spears and a torrent of green flame surged towards the group of Shadows. Both roared in pain as flame and light seared their flesh, cauterized puncture wounds and burns littered their hides. Small embers dotted where both attacks hit as clusters of Larking Vipers were ignited.
But while his servants had been brought to their knees Dominion stood tall, having shrugged off the magical assault. "You have to do better than that."
"...What?" Akko looked at the damage with confusion. "Are these extra tough!?"
"Now it's my turn," the divine servant interrupted and brought up his scale. "Witness the lord's judgment."
The group felt a mass of energy gather above them…
"DUCK!"
Aradia and Angitia disappeared in a hurry. The group scattered and dove out of the way as bolts of lightning rained down upon them. More lightning struck as Akko ducked and weaved to avoid them, giving the Troll and Fomor ample time to recover. Upon getting back to their feet, both of their wounds rapidly stitching themselves closed, they once again bellowed in rage and charged for Akko's group.
"Oh piss off, you fat bastards! Who said you could regenerate!?" Amanda yelled and kicked back. "Yo, Sucy, Lotte! Let's use this place to our advantage and barbecue these guys!"
"I like how you think, keke!" Sucy called as quickly dashed towards Lotte, picking her up with ease. The Troll attempted to pound Sucy into the dirt only for her to sidestep the attack. "Catch us if you can," the enraged monsters gave chase as Lotte, Sucy, and Amanda turned a corner and drew them away to the back of the room.
"Angitia!" Sucy called, as the snake goddess using one of her mushroom tentacles to create an impromptu trip wire.
As the hulking beasts turned the corner Lotte courageously stood behind Angitia's tentacle. "Come get me, you big bullies!" she shouted.
Both massive Shadows roared as they barreled towards Lotte, ready to smash her into paste.
"Hey! Dumbasses!" Amanda called, appearing behind them right as the Shadows reached Angitia's tripwire. Using her spear, the redhead pole vaulted and delivered two strong kicks to the back of the Shadows' heads. "Get rekt!"
The Shadows fell forward as the tentacle threw them off balance. Sucy zipped by and pulled Lotte to safety. Both monsters fell into a group of Larking Vipers, entangling themselves in the parasitic vines.
"Sucy, Lotte! This is our chance! Let's finish this with our own All-out Attack! ! !" Amanda yelled, wand ready. "Semina Flammae!"
A torrent of green and red flame consumed the Shadows as they roared in pain, the Larking Vipers serving as fuel for the raging inferno. Not a few seconds later, dark partials rose from the pyre as the screaming stopped.
"Ha… ha…" Lotte panted as she hunched over her knees, a smile on her face. "I think… I'm starting to getting used to fighting Shadows!" she breathed. "They aren't that scary when we're together!"
Meanwhile back with Akko, she continued to dodge thunderbolts, taking potshots with her bow whenever she could. Dominion grumbled when he felt his Shadows perish. "Impressive. Your friends have bested my servants."
"And you're going to be next! Let's go, Aradia! Maeiha!"
"Your darkness cannot hurt me! Come, the Lord and m'lady's light!"
Scepter and scale came together as a great pillar of light tore a hole through the surge of advancing darkness, blinding both Akko and Dominion with its radiance.
As the energy of light and dark subsided, Dominion attempted to locate his target again-
Aradia blindsided the old angel and grappled him, forcing him to stare into her face and using Evil Smile, pumped his mind full of paralyzing fear.
"N-No-! You will not affect me!" the Shadow roared out in rage. "MY WILL IS STRONG!"
Aradia lightly shoved him away before slamming her hoof like foot into the side of his head with a powerful roundhouse kick.
In a burst of blue flame, Lilim took the false goddess' place. "Let's end this before he pulls something else," Akko called. "MUDO!"
The lingering effect of the Evil Smile coupled with Aradia's bone crushing kick left the Shadow unable to escape the powerful curse as the eldritch runes of Mudo gathered around his fallen form and locked him in place. Dominion watched as a low pitched hum rang in his ears, his widened eyes staring intensely at Lilim as she waved him goodbye.
"... Lady Diana... I... I..."
"I refuse-"
The rune embraced the Shadow with death and his body went limp.
Except he didn't fade.
"Wait- What?! It connected didn't it!?" Akko exclaimed in confusion. Talismans of light swirled around the surprised Lilim. Fortunately, the devil managed to evade the attack before Alf had a chance to return the favor. Dominion stumbled back to his feet, his face a mask of rage as he shakily took flight again.
"To be able to withstand such an attack," Aradia commented. "What a tenacious Shadow."
"Not yet! You will not best me so easily!" the Shadow roared. He raised his scale again, ready to cast his magic.
*Bang*
The angel plummeted, crashing into the ground with a loud thud. He looked down to his chest and found a hole in the center, black particles escaping from the wound.
Akko looked to her left to see the others reappear from the hallway, Sucy stowing her pistol back into her sleeve. "I don't like things that don't stay dead. Had enough yet old man?"
"Ahaha..." A cloud of black particles burst from the angel's body, reverting his form to that of a human on his keels. "It cannot be helped after all... What is done is done..." He brought his head up and faced Akko's group. "Do you all... truly desire to save Lady Diana from herself?
Akko nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
"Alf, you fool..." a very familiar voice interrupted.
In a flash of green light, the mistress of the manor made her grand entrance, her expression hidden underneath her hair. "Why did this happen…? I put you here specifically to avoid this from happening..."
"I needed to personally see the strength of those that would free Lady Diana from you…" the old gentleman answered. "I am more than satisfied... She is… in good hands..."
In a cloud of black mist the Shadow vanished, a content smile on his face.
"... Your words wound me, Alf." Shadow Diana sighed with genuine sadness. "Even now, you still see my weaker self as your mistress…"
"Because you're nothing but her darkest thoughts," Akko confronts the Shadow. "Please... go back to Diana and make peace with her."
"So you think I'm the evil one, that I did all these out of sheer malevolence?" Shadow Diana demanded, pure rage on her face. "How dare you?!"
Dark aura blazed around the Shadow as her anger soared. "For the sake of the Magical World and the legacies of my family, I have sacrificed the entirety of my youth! You don't understand anything! All the suffering… all the hardship… my personal misery have no bearing if it meant everything I held dear remains safe!"
She turned and glared at the clusters of parasitic plants invading her ancestor's statue with utter hatred, her hands shaking intensely.
"But eventually, I realized I was fighting a losing battle. The structure of the magical world has long since rotted. There's no more love for magic in the major powers of the world. We are an obsolete race and the only reason we remained relevant was because powerful witch families still generate great income for the corrupted officials."
"You serious?!" Akko exclaimed. "I know magic isn't popular right now, but this can't be true right?!"
"It's a pretty accurate description of the real state of the magical world right now in all honesty," Sucy confirmed. "For example, my home country has always had a plethora of legal issues making and selling potions. It was thanks to a few rich witches bribing the governments and creating loopholes that people like me don't get arrested for practicing our craft."
"Taxes on my family's shop were really hefty too…" Lotte frowned. "It's unfair that we have to pay extra for selling magical items…"
"Ah… yeah… not gonna talk about my side." Amanda groaned. "I don't feel like getting really pissed off. Let's all agree the noble life sucks balls and move on."
"I whole-heartedly agree… Perhaps we've struck a common ground, Amanda O'neil, daughter of the president of the fabled O'neil Company?"
"Whoa," Sucy's eyes widened. "No wonder why that last name sounded familiar. Can I get a discount?"
"God freakin damn it!" the red head groaned. "Of course you had to go and bring it up! Just to be clear, I don't give a rat's ass about all that, you hear me!?"
"Is that so…?" the Shadow self said with disappointment. "Can't say I am not jealous. To be so heartless as to be able to leave your own legacy for hedonism." She frowned. "It is something I could never bring myself to do. I have fully devoted my being for the preservation of my family's legacy, it is a path only I and I alone can take..."
"That's not true!" Akko interrupted. "No one is ever alone! If you wanted a friend, you just have to ask! I'll be your best friend and stand by you forever, so let's deal with this crisis together!"
"Such kind words… But it's far too late!" Shadow Diana now chuckled. "The climax of this party cannot be stopped! Once I rid myself of my weaker half and became my own being, I will take control over the Magical World myself! Only then can I stop the rot and begin the first steps toward recovery! My entire life has been building up to this very moment!"
"What fearsome pride… It's comparable to the sin that fell the Morning Star…" Aradia commented. "This has to be it. The Distortion binding this girl isn't Want… it's Ambition!"
"Atsuko Kagari and company," Shadow Diana announced, bringing out her tree root Shiny Rod. "For slaying the head members of my staff and ruining the party's schedule... You have forced the early start of our main event!" She waved her catalyst towards the group. "I will see you all at my stage! Don't be late~!"
In a flash, the Shadow vanished before the girls could stop her. A few seconds later, her voice boomed across the mansion.
"Greetings my fine guests. This is your Mistress speaking. My dear, beloved guests, as unfortunate as it is to say there has been…issues concerning tonight's events," the voice relayed in an annoyed tone. "I am sad to say but it seems that these issues have gotten to the point in which my staff can no longer handle on their own, as I have been forced to deal with it personally. But worry not," she said in a condescending tone. "For in ten minutes from now, tonight's events will reach its grand finale, so don't be late~ I welcome you all with open arms... Come witness your Mistress ascend beyond all limitations..." The voice fanatically bellowed before cutting off.
"... That's as obvious as it can get," Sucy sighed.
"Yeah... And I have no doubt that it is not going to be easy," Akko replied, facing everyone. "Guys, this is probably gonna be this Distortion's last battle. So let's do our best!"
Amanda punched her palm, "Heck yeah! Bring it! I'm sick of her condescending tone! Time to shut her up once and for all!"
"Give me a few seconds so Wispy can recharge and I'll be ready," Lotte said, pulling open her wand and allowing her pet to drink from the battery. "Alright, let's go!"
"Actually, we should probably come up with a plan first. Diana is going to face her Shadow and from my friend's past experiences, they tend to go south fast."
"Good idea," Sucy nods. "What's the plan then? Please tell me it is an actual plan this time."
"Okay so here's what I got..."
Akko gathers her friends around her, whispering between each other about the things her friend in Japan once told her...
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
A teacup dropped to floor and shattered, earning a gasp from Cognitive Hannah and Barbara.
Shadow Diana took a deep breathe, claiming her nerves. With a wave of her Shiny Rod, the mess vanished.
"Please Mistress… Do not feel angry," Cognitive Hannah soothed.
"Yeah! Alf didn't really matter to be honest! He's already failed you bad time anyway-" Cognitive Barbara nodded eagerly.
"No, I am not angry. Quite the contrary in fact," the Shadow said shakily. "In fact, I haven't felt so excited in such a long time! Fufu... haha... hahahahahaha!"
They didn't comment how Shadow Diana's expression gradually went from excitement to insanity. How could they when they were only able to feel adoration for her. The master of the Distortion stood and readjusted her dress. "Now, let us go fetch her. The faster my party reaches its climax, the better. I can't wait to be rid of this weakness..."
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
When Diana awoke she caught the sight of her mother's eyes staring straight into her own.
"Are you all rested up?" the older woman asked lovingly, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"... I am still dreaming…?" the she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I don't even know anymore…"
"Is that so bad?" Bernadette asked gently. "You've already worked so hard... you deserve to rest…"
"I… suppose," Diana frowned. "But... there's still so much to do... I… really need to return."
Bernadette didn't answer to that, all she could do was pat her head. "... I am truly sorry, sweetheart-"
Suddenly the bedroom door slammed open, revealing the brilliant figure at the door.
"Save your breath. I don't need to hear meaningless apologies from ghosts of the past," Shadow Diana sneered.
Diana gasped, her eyes widening with realization. "You-"
"Did you have a nice nap?" her clone smirked. "I would have offered you tea, but of course someone had to interfere…" she sent a glare toward Bernadette. "I suppose it doesn't matter in the end. You managed to stay quiet until the big event."
"W-What are you talking about?!"
The Shadow clapped her hands, signaling her towering security guards to separate the mother and daughter.
"Hannah…? Barbara…? No, you are not them…! What are you all?!"
The servants didn't answer. With ease, they hefted Diana off the bed, her frantic kicking doing little to aid in her escape.
"Where are you taking me-?! Mother, no!- Let me go!"
"D-Diana!" Bernadette exclaimed, still clinging to her daughter. "Please don't-"
With a quick and merciless tug however and Diana was ripped from her grasp. As the girl was dragged off, still calling out to her mother, the older woman glared at her daughter's clone, anger burning in her eyes. "Is this still your choice...?" she asked, "It doesn't have to be this way... You are both Diana-"
"Be quiet! Don't you dare lecture me pretending to be my real mother," the Shadow self barked. "What I am doing with my weak self is none of your business, remain in this room as you should and don't you dare interfere with my plans."
The bedroom door slammed shut, leaving the former head of the Cavendish to herself.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
The door to the auditorium burst open as Akko's group forced their way in.
"Shadow Diana, we are here!" Akko demanded. "Your distorted ambition ends here! Where's your real self?!"
The auditorium had already been filled with eager guests, the clamoring from beforehand silenced by Akko's abrupt entrance. The guests turned their attention back to the stage as a blinding green light flash in its center, the crowd giving tidal wave of applause to the girl who stood there.
"Welcome, Atsuko Kagari, to the parties' grand finale!" the Shadow welcomed. "Despite your rejection of my invitation, by passing my test you and your friends have earned the right to witness my rebirth!"
With a snap of her fingers, Cognitive Hannah and Barbara appeared in another flash, dropping Diana on the stage. They bowed loyally to their mistress and before vanishing, their presence unneeded.
"W-What…?" the honors students stuttered, her eyes blinded due to the large amount of colorful lights shining on her. "Where am I...?" she pleaded, scanning the auditorium. "W-Why is everyone…?"
"DIANA!" Akko exclaimed. "Stay there! We'll come get you!"
"Fufu. Please be quiet, the audience's job is to watch!" Shadow Diana swung her tree root Shiny Rod towards the group. "Protect us! Prevent any interruption, my dears!"
In an instant, a swarm of white birds about twenty strong swirled in the space above the stage. All of them had mohawks resembling a miniature nurses hat as well as a tiny stethoscope around their necks.
"Caladrius…? Ah, okay?" Akko labeled, confused. "One Maeiha should wipe them all out! Aradia!"
Her main Persona appeared and raised her scepter, unleashing a flood of dark energy, intending to the smother the swarm.
However, one of the white birds flew out from the swarm and into the attack, its body charged with azure energy as its frame began to swell. Not long after, the Caladrius exploded in a shower of white feathers and liquid darkness, gifting each of its comrades a bright blue barrier. Maeiha slammed into the flock, before being reflected back to Aradia.
The false goddess dispelled the attack with a flap of her cloak, but was astonished when none of the barriers faded away. "These are not normal Makarakarn!" Aradia gasped. "Don't tell me a mortal managed to..."
"Oh, how naive~" Shadow Diana chuckled. "The magic of the gods is truly incredible. If only I had more time to master and improve upon it… Oh well, all in due time."
"Fufu," Aradia chuckled, impressed. "I see the blood of a Nine Olde flows strong in your veins."
Another Caladrius sacrificed itself and enveloped the remaining Shadows in a crimson barrier. Colored by red and blue, the eighteen birds circling the stage created a nearly indestructible dome.
"This is freaking cheating." Amanda groaned, lowering her now useless submachine gun.
"No kidding," Sucy deadpanned in annoyance. Any ideas on how to get past this Akko?"
"Thinking, thinking!" Akko grumbled, brainstorming a possible solution while shoveling her hand inside her cape. "Great. Just when I needed Smart Bomb the most! Stupid Cognitive Tokyo!" She with a flourish pulled out her bow instead. "Fine, Plan B! If magic won't work than I'll just shoot you down! Your Tetrakarn can't stop Angus Sniper-"
"Do what you will. It will all be for nothing!"
Sensing danger, Akko and Sucy quickly grabbed their other team members and dove out of the way, narrowly avoiding the new foe that had crash-landed to where they once stood.
"We meet again, you pests!" Minotaur roared, with a black skinned, golden version of himself by his side. "I shall have my revenge! Together with Asterius, we are the ultimate combination that shall annihilate you all!"
"Oh good," Sucy grinned as she put down Lotte and pulled out two test tubes. "Let's see how much faster the improved mix melt you again, kekeke!"
Diana moved to the edge of the stage, watching in awe as the group clashed with the were-cows. "Just… W-What… is going on?!"
"Oh~ Don't mind them. They are unimportant to what we are doing," the Shadow self waved off. "Your main focus should be me."
"Who… what are you!?" Diana exclaimed in shock. "What manner of vile creature are you?! Why are you wearing my face?! Why are you dressed in that mockery of Founder Beatrix?!"
"I am you of course. I too, am Diana Cavendish," her clone answered. "I, however, am the you that needs to be in charge of everything."
"In charge of… everything…? I don't understand!"
"That's what you wished for right? You know, the goal I poured my heart and soul into, sacrificed my entire childhood for?!" her clone snarled. "When other children were playing outside, laughing, having fun, I locked myself in the library cramming every chapters, every sentences, and every tiny little details into my tiny little head!" Her voice became more frantic, her movements more erratic as she continued her rant. "Study, practice, study, practice... for almost an entire decade; those were the only actions I knew from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to bed!" Her breathing grew faster as her voice rose in pitch, becoming a yell. "I practiced so much. I even managed to revive my own attunement to magic! There is nobody in the world more worthy than me, Diana Cavendish, to be at the top!"
"At the top…?" Diana's eyes narrowed in confusion.
This is bad… whatever this faker was clearly did her homework on her life. She needed to talk to her rationally. Diana took a breath in an attempt to calm her nerves and quickly formulate an intellectual reply. "If you mean being at the top of the class, then yes. I believe my hard work has achieved exactly that. Thank you for describing-"
"Quit acting like you are humble!" the Shadow bit back. "I am so sick of you! Acting like the Witch of Affection will get me nowhere in this day and age! Do you know how many times I've wanted to call out those so called "leaders" of the magical world, on their nonsense!? It's utterly infuriating! They don't care about anything besides what money or benefits they can leech off me! It's time to stop the façade and finally tell those parasites how I really feel!"
"... Excuse me?" Diana replied, frustration raising. "Yes, I suppose the nobles can be… two-faced at times. But that's just the unfortunate nature of politics. There's no reason why I shouldn't continue strive to be like the Witch of Affection and treat everyone with kindness and respect."
"Fufu hahahaha!" the copy burst into hysteric laughter. "Oh my goodness, you're such a hypocrite! Of course you'd say that! You're so humble and kind to everyone you meet. That's why you keep around those two little minions! What were their names again... Hailey and Bailey?"
"M-minions!?" she gasped in shock. "What are you talking about!? Their names are Hannah and Barbra, and they're my friends!" Diana bit back.
"I kid of course. But why are you being so defensive? I'm just pointing out the obvious. I already knew from the start they only befriended me because I am a Cavendish. Who wouldn't want ties with the famous Diana Cavendish, am I right?!" The Shadow mocked. "They're just like all the others!"
"NO! You are wrong! Hannah and Barbara befriended me because they want to be my friends…!" Diana denied.
"Oh yeah? IF you're so sure, then what is their favorite food? Their favorite books series?" The Shadow asked with a smile. "What are their dislikes? What type of boys they are interested in- No, never mind. Stupid question. Still, you wouldn't be able to answer them anyway!"
"Hannah's favorite-! Ah… is it..." Diana struggled, dawning realization washing over her. She… She actually didn't know the answer to any of those questions!
"Fufu~ See~? I don't know and I don't care, because I only see them as toys for my convenience! Keeping a lifelong relationship was never the plan with those people!"
"... You're wrong!" Diana replied, unable to say anything to get an edge.
"Just keep telling yourself that, you know the answer deep down," the Shadow sneered. "But I suppose I have to thank Hannah and Barbara... for helping me realize how truly alone I am. You know what they say, its lonely at the top. I am the greatest witch of the modern age, and everyone else is nothing but a stepping stone for me to reach my full potential!"
"How could you say something like that with my face?!" Diana yelled back, mortified at what the thing in front of her was saying.
"You know it's true!" her copy laughed. "There are so many things I want to say! Like how I really feel about Luna Nova!" memories of the school flood her mind. "Dear, sweet Luna Nova… the legendary school established by the Nine Olde witches… Housing professors at the top of their field who are said to have educated countless prodigies, including my beloved Idol herself..." she recited with romanticism.
The Shadow then gazed deep into Diana's eyes, snapping out of her dream. "But guess what?! Luna Nova is but a shadow of what it once was! The best witch academy in the world?! What bollocks! Luna Nova is nothing but a crumbling institution, collapsing under the financial strain of keeping itself afloat! The professors are nothing more than old hags that are mediocre at their jobs! Witchcraft is my life! My passion! But they see it only as a means to keep food on the table! They go on and on about preserving the tradition of my ancestors, but they're only doing it so they can pay the bills! It's the exact attitude as that bitch Daryl!"
"D-Do not insult Luna Nova... and Aunt Daryl too!" Diana bit back, her voice shaking. As more time passed, Diana found it increasingly difficult to disagree with her copy.
"Why shouldn't I?! To hell with manners! I should know, without any harsh criticism, flaws of the system can never be fixed! The hags of Luna Nova are doomed for as long as they refused to get with the times! Magic is becoming more obsolete by the year! I can kiss centuries worth of my family's work goodbye so long as people like them are the leading figures of the magical world!" the Shadow explains as a wide grin split her face. "That is why the only way is to see them as tools!"
"T-Tools?!" Diana gasped.
"Yes! So easy to manipulate too! Remember the day I arrived at Luna Nova? How all the teachers looked at me like a golden goose ready to lay them riches? I bet you anything that they must be drooling at the mere thought of a Cavendish in their academy! Imagine the prestige that would come if WE graduated from THEIR school! Just a few words from my lips and they did everything to keep me satisfied; unlimited access to the library, freedom to roam the school after curfew, instant assistance from any department on campus. I didn't even do anything yet! People like them are the perfect tools, only worthy of worshiping the ground I walk on. As long as I am Diana Cavendish, they'll do anything to get on my good side!"
"No…" Diana murmured in horror. "I made a vow to myself, that I would never be anything like what Aunt Daryl became…!"
"I guess it must run in the family then!" Shadow Diana laughed. "But unlike that bitch Daryl who lives only for wealth and material gain, barely surviving in this failing system. I act out of the necessity for saving the Magical World! I am the Diana Cavendish you know you have to become to fight this rotten mess, but keep refusing to embrace!"
Diana nervously look around her, feeling utterly exposed by the piercing glaze of all the cognitive students and teachers surrounding her.
"No... don't listen to that fake! I don't think of you all like this...!" she yelled to all the guest watching.
"Ahaha! They already knew!" Shadow Diana laughed. "That is why they are all eagerly waiting! All ready to serve, all ready to become my stairways to the top!"
"NO! You are sprouting nonsense! I will not accept this!" Diana bit back harshly, "there is no way…!"
Sucy sighed in relief at the two holes on the floor; one filled with blue liquid and one with gold. "If these cows were any smarter we might have had a hard time."
"AURGHHHHHHHHH! FEATHER ENERGY FULL CHARGE! ARGUS SHOOTING, MAXIMIZE!" Akko screamed as she unleashed a charged volley from her bow, wiping out the Caladrius wall with a shower of pink beams. "Oh no! Diana please, listen! I know what you're about to say but DON'T say it! That's exactly what she wants you to do-"
"I WOULD NEVER ACT LIKE THIS! STOP SAYING YOU'RE ME!"
Akko let out a deep, tired sigh. "Kuma-kun was right… they never listen..."
The Shadow began to chuckle, eventually turning into manic laughter. "Fufu… haha... AHAHAHAHAHA! ! ! Well said! Now I can finally have full control!"
A powerful dark aura exploded from her, the resulting force slamming into Diana and launching her screaming off the stage.
"DIANA!" Akko screamed and threw out the Chariot arcana. "CATCH HER, Slime!"
The gelatinous Persona managed to appear just in time to cushion the girl's fall.
"Are you alright Diana?!" Akko asked as Pixie took Slime's place, the green light flowing from her tiny hands to the downed blonde.
Diana groaned in response, a headache tearing through her skull. Fatigue plagued her as she teetered on the edge of consciousness... It's like…. It felt like something was ripped away from her very being…
Under the raging black aura, the Shadow's form began to morph. Her body grew, suppressing even the height of Aradia and Angitia. Her already pale skin paled further, becoming white as polished marble with zero flaws. Her outfit glistened, as the light was reflected off of platinum folds. Her hair lengthened into a great mane as her forehead split open a large, green glowing unicorn horn made of a pure crystal—a sorcerer's stone in fact, bore its way through her skull. Tree roots burst from the stage and coiled around her lower body and legs. Once her metamorphosis was complete, the vain Shadow called out to all the guests in the auditorium.
"BRING ME TO THE TOP, SO MY LIGHT MAY SPREAD TO ALL!"
One by one, the guests melted into pools of liquid gold and flowed toward Shadow Diana. Slowly the viscous liquid collected at the base of the tree, forming into four mighty horse legs that her roots quick combined. The completed form of the Shadow resembled that of a centaur– one about 4 times either of her foe's Personas' height.
"I am the Shadow, the true self!" The monstrosity roared with widened arms. "Gaze upon me from below and follow my shining guidance! FOR I AM A BEACON OF HOPE THAT WILL RETURN WITCHCRAFT TO ITS FORMER GLORY!"
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Enemy Shadows:
Dominion (Justice)
Repel: Bless
Null: Electric
Weakness: Wind, Curse
Skills: Hamaon, Kougaon, Zionga, Balzac, Survive Dark
Profile: The fourth class of angels, ranked first among the Second Sphere. Their name signifies control and rule. They serve to convey the will of God to lesser angels and see that it is carried out. They are said to receive orders from the Cherubim, angels of wisdom, and faithfully obey them.
[]
Troll (Fool)
Resistance: Phys, Gun
Weakness: Fire, Bless
Skills: Lucky Punch, Rampage, Vicious Strike, Regenerate 1, Life Gain
Profile: A giant that appears frequently in European folklore. It is often depicted blocking the way of a bridge or narrow road. Although strong, it is stupid, so it has been defeated many times by weaker humans. Its regenerative abilities suit it to close combat.
[]
Fomor (Moon)
Resistance: Ice
Weakness: Fire
Skills: Bufu, Dream Needle, Rampage, Regenerate 1, Life Gain
Profile: Evil giants of Celtic lore. They are often depicted as goat- or horse-headed barbarians. They were led by Balor of the Evil Eye.
[]
Caladrius (Priestess)
Resistance: Bless
Weakness: Gun, Curse, Electric
Skills: Dia, Me Patra, Null Mute, *Tetradra, *Makaradra
Profile: A mysterious bird that can tell the severity of one's illness as well as heal sickness itself. A Caladrius draws illnesses into itself with its beak and flies away, healing the sick. But if the sickness is too far advanced, the bird will refuse even to look at the sufferer.
*Tetradra- Enemy only skill. User sacrifice itself and cast Tetrakarn that last 3 turns on all allies.
*Makaradra- Enemy only skill. User sacrifice itself and cast Makarakarn that last 3 turns on all allies.
[]
Asterius (Fortune)
Repel: Fire
Weakness: Ice
Skills: Charge, Assault Dive, Auto-Matarukaja, High Counter, Life Gain, Resist Phys
Profile: The name of the Minotaur in Greek myth, meaning "starry." Poseidon created a special bull as a gift to King Minos of Crete so that he could sacrifice it to the gods. But Minos kept it for himself and sacrificed a normal bull instead. Angered, Poseidon cursed the king's wife and the bull-headed Asterius was born.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
-WARNING - WARNING - WARNING-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Distorted Ambition Surfaced! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-WARNING - WARNING - WARNING-
Shadow Diana/Amduscias (Reversed Priestess)
?
Weakness: ?
Skills: ?
Profile: One of the 72 demons of the Goetia. His true form is that of an Unicorn, but he usually appeared as a human when summoned. He governs twenty-nine legions of hell with the power to manipulate trees and familiars. Sounds of musical instruments accompany his every action.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] [VII] [XV] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
AuthorNCS: Fun Fact; Diana's butler in the OVA is different from the one seen in the anime. *wink wink nudge nudge
Thanks Junji Ito.
Evil cliffhanger is evil. Next chapter: 13k+ conclusion to Diana's Shadow. See ya all next time~
Artist741: You want how many illustrations!? *Cracks knuckles* Fine! Bring it!
06/13/2018 Edit: Thank the people at Sufficient Velocity for grammar checking this. Should be free of grammar mistakes now. Unless you have god's eyes and find something else, this chapter is now grammatically perfect.