Chapter 001: Contract
PMLS Chapter 001 20200909z3
Different communication and thought patterns:
"Speaking"
'Thinking or speaking mentally'
Prologue
Alien, Magic and Miracle both exist!
Years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to the alien forces controlled by the Elders, and XCOM, the supposed Earth last line of defense, was left decimated and scattered. Now ADVENT rules majority of Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface while concealing a sinister agenda and eliminating all who dissent from their new order.
Only those who live on the edges of the world have a margin of freedom. There, rebel factions – each with its own unique abilities and contrasting philosophies that antagonize each other gather once again to stand up for the Earth. Always on the run, the resistance forces must find a way to expose the insidious truth behind the occupation and turn the table.
XCOM is No More
"Loyal citizens – I stand before you truly humbled. So many lives lost, so many needless sacrifices endured, as we have struggled to cope with those who would see our great coalition fall. Today, our struggle ends."
In a public event, the ADVENT speaker appears up on his stage before the crowd of human. The mega video wall behinds him shows off the latest combat footage recorded by ADVENT forces.
"XCOM is no more. ADVENT Peacekeepers have reduced the last of their strongholds to ashes. And with it, the fragmented remains of the old world are finally washed away."
Among all typical alien propaganda, the most shocking new footage was the burning Avenger wreckage which had crashed on the ground. This converted alien supply craft that had served as XCOM's mobile base of operations later was destroyed be a series of explosions immedaitely. Following that, resistance camps on different locations were under ADVENT onslaught. Those settlements caught fire, and their residents had to run for their lives. In some cases, ADVENT troopers kicked open doors and arrested all surrendered humens inside. Without going through any judgement, they were brought outside and being swiftly executed. ADVENT troopers mercilessly shot unarmed prisoners who were on their kneels in heads from behind…
"Thank you for your continued support. And thank you to the Elders for their guidance through this crisis."
When the resistence crumbles, the ADVENT cities stand proudly and unchange like nothing happened to them before. With that, the ADVENT speaker draws to an end in his victory speech.
"Long live ADVENT. Long Live the Elders."
Sis Puella Magica
"What should we do now?"
Dr. Richard Tygan asks everyone nervously. He - the Chief Scientific Officer of XCOM and a small group of noncombatants had barely escaped from the Chosen by boarding the last Skyranger piloted by Lily Shen - the Chief Engineering Officer of XCOM. Although they managed to land on the closest resistance haven before running out of fuel, the aliens also followed them and attacked the settlement shortly after their landing. Now, all of them have been under heavy siege and cannot escape. All vehicles including their only Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) troop transport aircraft and the nearby radio relays have been destroyed in the initial attack. Trapping the whole human settlers here. Without any mean to bypass alien radio jamming, calling for help is impossible. To make matters worse, this settlement is short of soldiers and weapons. The best weapons they have now are a handful of magnetic weapons brought from Avenger. Therefore, surviving this ADVENT retaliation seems virtually impossible now.
"We fight on! Although we lost Avenger, we still have all research data with us. Once we get to somewhere safe, we can continue our research and beating the alien ADVENT again," Lily Shen answers without hesitation. In their escape, she has brought their precious research data, Blacksite Vial, ADVENT Stasis Suit and Avatar Corps with them. Invading the alien psionic gate is still possible once they can finish the rest remaining procedures and regroup.
"But how do we survive from this? We are just engineers, not soldiers!" One of the men argues. While he and other XCOM personnel knew how to make weapons, they seldom fought anything on foot.
"Heed this warning, Commander. I am the Elders' most loyal champion. They have favored me with their blessing. I will show you the wisdom of their choice. We are both destined to serve their purpose. All who turn a blind eye will know the true anguish that can be inflicted on their shallow minds. Among the living or the dead, none touched by the void deny my call… Even the spirits will stand at my side in reverence of the Elders and their embrace will only further my advance. I will learn from the weaknesses of your own soldiers. They will tell me everything, and you will be left with nothing. Your resistance will no longer stand as a symbol to those who would defy the gods. The Elders demand your return, and I intend on fulfilling my destiny! Come, allow yourself to be reclaimed, Commander."
The telepathy message from the Warlock stops the heating argument between XCOM survivors. A spectral army shows up on the battlefield and overwhelms the resistance combatants easily. More explosions happen near XCOM personnel's location. Winning this fight becomes totally impossible when they are facing the Chosen who can't be killed permanently.
"We're going to die here!"
"If I know this would happen, I wouldn't join XCOM!"
"I should just stay in ADVENT City."
"I want to see my mom…"
"I really want to eat an ADVENT burger before die…"
"Enough!" Lily Shen finally explodes. Although she hates what she is going to say, but this is her last resort to survive here and ensure their fight to continues. There's no other feasible option, "I can defeat the Warlock and get us out of here."
"How?"
"The only people who can fight the Chosen head-on without any proper weapons or trainings are the Magical Girls. Luckily or unluckily, I'm still qualified to become one of them."
Lily Shen hate to admit the fact that the Chosen can be brought down by alien Magic, but this is the best shoot in her current situation. The situation of losing Avenger is already unbearable to her people. She must calm them down before they lose their mind in panic.
"Once I make a contract with the Incubator and being turned into a Magical Girl, I will gain ridiculously powerful Magic and become capable of contacting other Magical Girls without being jammed by ADVENT. This will let me beat the Warlock and request the Wing of Magius to support our fight. Are you okay now?"
"What!?"
"Seriously, you?"
"Aren't you too old for that?
"But that's heresy…"
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Incubator, you know what miracle I want. Can you make it happen?" Lily Shen repeats the question she has asked many times again. She needs hundred percent confirmation before selling her own soul to an alien.
'Yes, I can. Despite you are a bit too old for being a Magical Girl now, your potential is still good enough for you achieving time manipulation alone.' Kyubey answers straightly. This tiny catlike alien has been on Lily Shen's shoulder since they have left the Skyranger. It also had showed up on Avenger few times before in attempts to convince Lily becoming a Magical Girl, but the Chief Engineer always had directly refused the temptation of having a wish come true until now. No one except Lily Shen can notice its presence in XCOM because only young girls who have potential to become a Magical Girl can notice the Incubator.
"How long will it take? Will it be painful?"
'Instantly. You don't need to worry.'
"Of course, I'm worried about pulling my soul out of my own body. This sounds so alien," Lily growled impatiently. She still hates this but it's time to try something new. This is for the survival of mankind… No, this's about making impossible possible.
'Now, Lily Shen An-Yi, can you bet your soul on your wish? If you have a wish that must be fulfilled, I will help you.'
"I want to fix everything. Keep trying again and again until I make everything right. No matter past or present," Lily finally accept the contract made by the little alien. This clearly opposes the XCOM doctrine regarding the Incubator but there's no other choice now.
'If your wish come true, it won't just be temporal manipulation. You'd be opposing the very laws of causality themselves. Do you really ready for this?' The Incubator asks with great concern.
"Why're you just talking all the time?" Lily Shen, the XCOM Chief Engineer says impatiently, "Come on, let's make it quick!"
PAUSE MENU
Save Game
REFRESHING SAVE GAME LIST
XX/XX/20XX – XX:XX XM AUTOSAVE: Campaign XXXX
REFRESHING SAVE GAME LIST
CONFIRM SAVE OVERWRITE
SAVING…
Fata Magicā
A blinding orange light starts from Lily Shen's chest and gradually spreads to her whole body. Then, it turns into a upside down pentagon shape citrine color Soul Gem which adds on her XCOM dog tag. On top, her casual yam color sleeveless round neck shirt and tactical gloves transforms into a honey color workout vest tank top and elbow length wet look spandex fingerless gloves. On her lower body, her black cargo pants and working shoes are replaced by semi-opaque convertible backseam tight and black combat boot.
Moreover, Lily Shen's personal GREMLIN nicknamed "ROV-R" is also affected by her Magical Girl transformation. Additional magic crystal armors cover it. Making the GRELIN larger and shinier. In an instant, ROV-R hovers above the XCOM Chief Engineer. Granting Lily an additional set of magic transparent plate armor which makes her looks like a female knight.
Additionally, Lily gains a folded magic bulwark shield on her left hand. Although It is totally transparent like usual glass panels, it is still capable of providing full-body protection. Mystically, there're magic runes running on her magic shield like machine code moving on computer screen.
Last but not least, the bare-bones standard XCOM magnetic rifle is enhanced by XCOM Chief Engineer's magic, too. Besides gaining infinite ammo as long as Lily having enough magic to resupply its magazine, a magic crystal sword is added on the barrel of the magnetic rifle as a bayonet for close quarters combat.
"I never imagined this would happen!"
"Where is the naked sequence?"
"Oh my god! No pants, only backseam?"
"I don't know that you are so bold."
"How is this even possible? It totally defies logic."
Everyone looks at Lily Shen with a strange expression. Some specifically look at her legs. The magic backseam and the visible underwear beneath it undoubtedly caught some weird attention…
"I always wonder is this a good idea…" Lily Shen mutters embarrassedly. She still doesn't get used to her own Magical Girl transformation.
'You did say that you don't want any skirt.' Kyubey answers without hesitation.
"So what are you going to do now?" Dr. Richard Tygan gives Lily a look which he only shows during alien researches, "Although I'm always fascinated by the alien magic utilized by Magical Girls, but this is not the right time."
"Simple. All of you dig in, and I will handle the alien outside myself." Lily Shen answers calmly and tampers her folded magic shield like a wrist mounted tablet.
"Shouldn't we leave now? The aliens are coming."
"Can you really beat Warlock? He had defeated Magical Girls before."
"Won't you need someone supporting you on the battlefield?"
"I still don't think this is a good idea."
"Magical Girls are specifically vulnerable to psionic attack, and Warlock is good at that. How can you survive him?"
"I have already prepared for this. However, escorting everyone and fighting the Warlock at the same time is too risky," Lily Shen explains confidently, "It's better you wait here until reinforcement arrives. When ADVENT totally focuses on me, the resistance will be able to protect you properly."
"You still haven't told me how to defend this place until rescue arrives," Tygan asks seriously, "Can you really stop the ADVENT alone? I heard all Magical Girls having their own unique miracles, and what will be yours?"
"Unlimited GREMLIN Works."
Once Lily Shen activates her Magia, a pentagon shape magic rune appears above her GREMLIN - Rover. Then, countless magic GREMLINs rush out from it like angry hornets swarming out from their nest…
PAUSE MENU
Load Game
REFRESHING SAVE GAME LIST
XX/XX/20XX – XX:XX XM AUTOSAVE: Campaign XXXX
CONFIRM LOAD GAME
READING SAVE FILE…
LOADING
Warlock
"My loyal servants, kill these ignorant fools for the Elders!"
Warlock, the self-proclaim Elder's most loyal champion, personally leads his own retaliation against the hidden resistance haven here. Despite everything looks perfect for the ADVENT: The XCOM is left decimated and scattered once again. Their resistance network is down. All its rebel cells are in disarray. However, the Elders and their Chosen know clearly that the war on Earth is not over yet. Although most Earth-born world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to them ten years ago. There are still many rebel factions who successfully survive the Elders' wrath and actively fight back whenever they can.
Beside famous organizations like Reapers, Templars and Skirmisher who have survived the alien invasion self-dependently and successfully earned their own alliance with XCOM, there are other factions who resist ADVENT independently without any connection with XCOM. Arguably the most powerful one among them is the Kamihama Magia Union. A student-led NGO turn paramilitary organization of Magical Girls achieves what other organization fails to do: Fighting ADVENT toe-to-toe without losing its ground once. Even now, their base - the Kamihama City is still out of Elders' control and remains independent.
In spite of XCOM fails miserably again, Magical Girls around the globe are still fighting ADVENT as usual without change. The Warlock hates them more than any enemies he has fought before. Despite Magical Girls mostly are just kids in nature who know nothing about the righteous of the Elders, they always bring unimaginable misfortunes to ADVENT which may lead to unstoppable disasters. Even Chosen like himself is not spared from those childish nuisances.
"I sense foul xeno-sorcery here. We're going to kill some witches now!"
The Warlock can sense the newborn Magical Girl with his enormous alien psionic power easily, so he immediately orders his troop marching into the settlement as fast as possible. He has no idea what kind of ridiculous magic power this unknown Magical Girl has but he is still confident of his coming victory.
After all, Magical Girl isn't immortal like him. A lucky hit which breaks her Soul Gem is all he needs before any vile xeno magic being casted. That would end the fight easily without having countless unforeseeable problems in future. If that doesn't succeed, psionic attack will do. The Warlock is pretty sure about that.
Magic Haywire Protocol
Attempt to seize control of targeted enemy robots.
ADVENT
SYSTEM OVERRIDE
INITIALIZING
CHOOSE A HACK REWARD
Shutdown
Temporarily disable (stun) enemy robots in the area of operations.
UNLOCK CHANCE 100%
Control Enemy
Take temporary control of enemy robots in the area of operations.
UNLOCK CHANCE 100%
BEGIN HACK
Success!
Control Enemy
Take temporary control of enemy robots in the area of operations.
Unfortunate to ADVENT, Lily Shen has used her Magia in advance before they get any chance to stop her from doing so. Before the Warlock realized what Lily Shen's familiars can do, it's already too late. Her magic GREMLINs go straight to all ADVENT mechanized combat units and release the most adequate attacks from above. All ADVENT MECs, Sectopods and turrets are hacked simultaneously at once. Unbelievably, ADVENT war machines easily fall to the XCOM Chief Engineer's control and shoot their ally before the alien troops can response. Slugs, micro-missles, lighting fields and wrath cannons from those rouge mechanized units devastate the march of aliens. Forcing them to fight their own units whether than pushing into the fragile resistance defense line.
"I'm unstoppable. The death of these subordinates will prevent nothing!"
With the battlefield falling into chaos, the Warlock is having trouble to control his troops. Since killing the caster is the most reliable way to stop most magic, the Warlock advances toward enemy line alone without concerning his subordinates' situation…
"You won't win here. Not if you're facing me."
The Warlock looks up and finds the Magical Girl who is responsible to this mess in the sky. Lily Shen finally shows up by hanging on her flying GREMLIN "ROV-R" with her left hand, her right hand points her rifle at the Chosen.
"You will serve me as same as they serve my master."
Instinctively, the Warlock unleashes his unholy psionic power toward the incoming Magical Girl. Sickly purple psionic energy hits the XCOM Chief Engineer, but nothing happens. Lily Shen shoots back unaffectedly. This is abnormal. Aren't all Magical Girl emotionally unstable in nature and prone to his psionic attacks?
"You finally noticed? My mind is shielded, bastard. Victory is decided before the battle is fought."
In low passes, Lily Shen is shooting the Chosen in cycle, but her magic magnetic rifle isn't powerful enough to do any significant damage. In annoyance, the Warlock draws his signature disruptor rifle from his back.
"I stand alone fear no one. Come forth and parish."
PAUSE MENU
Load Game
REFRESHING SAVE GAME LIST
XX/XX/20XX – XX:XX XM AUTOSAVE: Campaign XXXX
CONFIRM LOAD GAME
READING SAVE FILE…
LOADING
Credens Justitiam
"You're predictably inept."
Despite being attacked by a swarm of magic GREMLINs, the Warlock is totally unfazed by their Magic Combat Protocol. The magic jolts they release are simply too weak for him. Then, he seemingly gets a lucky shot at Lily's personal GREMLIN. Rover's magic armor apparently gets damaged and it lowers the XCOM Chief Engineer to the ground.
"Those without faith will perish!"
Simplemindedly, the Warlock rushes to catch the XCOM Chief Engineer's landing. His disruptor rifle manages to hit the Magical Girl and shred her magic armor. Causing Lily to lose grip on Rover and deploy her personal magic shield to block incoming fires.
"It is futile for you to resist me!"
Under Warlock's focused fire, the XCOM Chief Engineer holds her shield unsteadily. The Chosen disruptor rifle is very lethal comparing to normal ADVENT weapons, so more and more cracks appear on the transparent magic bulwark shield. Forcing the Magical Girl to walk backward and find cover. Lily blindly fires toward the Chosen direction but that doesn't stop him from getting closer. Unknown to the Chosen, Lily Shen is not the one being cornered. It is worth all the troubles because the plan of Magical Girls has succeeded. The Warlock is lured away from his minions unawarely and out in the open now. It's time to spring the trap.
"Do it!"
Another Magical Girl jumps out from hiding. She has very curly blonde hair in twin drills under a small brown hat with white fur coming out of it. Wearing a short-sleeved white shirt with puffs and arm warmers. In between her beige skirt with black tips and her top, she has a brown corset-like clothing garment. On her legs, she wears gray and white striped leggings, and black and yellow, knee-high boots.
"Okay, leave it to me!"
In midair, Mami Tomoe takes out the magic yellow ribbon tired around her neck and turn it into an enormous flintlock gun in the blink of an eye. Once she aims for the center mass of the surprised Warlock…
"Tiro Finale!"
In one go, the orange crystal-like flint strikes the yellow crystal-like frizzen and creates a great spark. Causing the gigantic magic gun to explode right after a ridiculously large magic bullet flies out of its barrel. Hitting the Warlock right on the chest.
"Demons! I will destroy you for this outrage!"
Too late to dodge, the Chosen gets hit and falls on the ground. His armor is shredded on the impact. The magic bullet embedded in his body immediately turns into ribbons and ties the Warlock up into a kinky position: All four limbs are tied together behind his back by yellow ribbons. His legs are bent fully at the knees, bound separately ankle-to-thigh, and also just behind the knee, in the likeness of a crouched frog.
"Now, then," Lily Shen admires the scene, "All that's left is how to deal with you."
"Just kill me! You've already won! I admit my defeat. Make this quick, please? Please? Please?" Warlock begs on the dirt.
"If you want to know if we'll kill you, why don't you read our souls?" Mami presses her long barrel flintlock right on the Chosen's head.
No! No! No! No! No!
"Here's a question. Will I send you to Dr. Vahlen's lab, or Alina's art factory? Try to guess," Mami shows a shady grin.
"Please, just sent me to Dr. Vahlen."
No! No! No! No! No!
"A-Alina?"
No! No! No! No! No!
"A-are them both?!"
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! YES!
"Are they going to do the "Alien Exhibition" thing again?" The Warlock is panicked.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh my God!" Lily Shen turns aside and facepalms, "For once I almost feel sorry for him."
"The Elders shield me!"
Mami takes out a tiny green magic cube given by Alina Gray. It automatically enlarges and envelops the Warlock. Then, it shrinks back to its original size and returns to Mami.
Warlock is incapacitated! (Capture a Chosen.)
PAUSE MENU
Load Game
REFRESHING SAVE GAME LIST
XX/XX/20XX – XX:XX XM AUTOSAVE: Campaign XXXX
CONFIRM LOAD GAME
READING SAVE FILE…
LOADING
Nigredo
"Thanks for your assistance. It's impossible to capture the Chosen without you." The XCOM Chief Engineer speaks to Mami carefully because she wants to give her a good impression. The relationship between XCOM and Wings of Magius is still the same as before the alien occupation on Earth.
Mami points her magic flintlock toward the XCOM Chief Engineer, "When I received a magic distress call, I never imagined it would come from XCOM. Is this part of the scheming from your Commander?"
"No. Actually, XCOM is… broke. I don't even sure if the Commander's still alive." Lily Shen chooses her words wisely.
"How can you proof that you are not fooling us?" Mami is still wary of anything relating to XCOM.
"I… wish to join Wings of the Magius now. I will transfer any XCOM war materials under my control to the Magius, since XCOM is… not capable of removing ADVENT from Earth in foreseeable future," Lily says bitterly but she knows Wings of Magius won't ignore her offer.
Mami finally lowers her gun and smiles, "The gospel was delivered to you as well, wasn't it?"
Lily simply nods.
"It's good that you know there is no higher honor than devotion to the liberation of Magical Girls by being a member of Wings of the Magius."
Author's Note
Disclaimer:
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (Japanese: マギアレコード 魔法少女まどか マギカ外伝) belongs to Magica Quartet.
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen belongs to Firaxis Games.
I don't own any characters. I am not making any profits for writing this story. I am writing for entertainment purposes only. All events are purely fictitious, and my settings are leading to Out Of Character.
This is a Magia Record + XCOM fanfiction which have an unusual dose of humor / comedy hence leading to character OCC. Unfortunately, as I haven't finished the Magia Record and XCOM: Chimera Squad games, knowing none of the other media other than YouTube and wiki, so this fanfiction will be different from canon.
I do hope you enjoy my work. This crossover will take elements from other series.
I like to hear any suggestions or opinions.
Most importantly, this story isn't happened in 2035, 20 years after the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within. Lily Shen isn't 28 years old here. Like most Magical Girls in Magia Record, she is less than 18 years old in this AU.
09 September 2020:
Thanks to the support, advices, and encouragements from magostera, this story got even better than what I initially imagined.