Most of the citizens of Maplecrest came out to see what was going on. They were slowly worrying as they see smokes stakes rising from New Meridian, indicating that there's an attack. They fear another war was coming to the Canopy Kingdom now that security is breached. Yet, they depend on Parasoul and The Black Egrets on handling this Situation, and they were prepared to move to safety under their guidance.
A two jeep convoy comes to the temporary Holy Quintet Residence. Molly comes out of one of the jeeps and approaches them with a salute.
"Molly, what's the situation?" Mami questioned.
"Yeah, what's going on in New Meridian?" Kyoko added.
"We have reported that the city Pryus is on the attack. He recently bombed Medici Tower and its surrounding area," Molly answered, "And recently, after the blasts, an encampment was formed along with an unusual spawner that deploying reinforcements."
"Like a teleporter?" Kyoko guessed.
"True, and it opens like a beacon," Molly confirmed, "This 'portal' was briefly opened just for those reinforcements. We're not sure when it will open again."
"Is Parasoul okay?" Madoka asked, knowing Parasoul was heading there moments ago.
"She ended up being lost during that bombing, and Adam was quick to deploy search parties," Molly explained, "He's taking command while she's missing."
"Kyoko and I can help narrow the search down," Mami offered.
Kyubey was still on Mami's shoulder and he nods, indicating that he's going with Kyoko and her.
"Very well," Molly approved.
"What about us?" Homura asked.
"We want you three stationed at the city limit between New Meridian and Maplecrest," Mami commanded, "If any of those reinforcements manage to get out of the city, rout them away or take them down."
"You three can regroup in New Meridian once the battle is over," Molly assured, "For now, expect a few Black Egret parties to accompany you."
"Then you can count on us!" Sayaka showed off a blue ring that is her soul gem in disguise.
Madoka nods. "We'll do our best."
The Holy Quintet and Kyubey got into separate jeeps. Molly was in the jeep that Madoka, Sayaka, and Homura entered; she had something some information to give to them.
"While on the way, Parasoul has requested me to give you further info on the crystal infection." Molly had her laptop open, showing the three video recordings and charts. "From our research so far, we've confirmed that the infection drives the host to episodes of violence and twisted mentalities. This wasn't the case for Parasoul, and it's possible for you and Homura."
"What do you mean?" Homura wondered.
"We don't know the conditions yet, but if reached, you'll be able to tap into its potential powers," Molly explained, "Whenever in combat, the infection induces an adrenaline-rush that drives the host by a lust for combat and bloodshed. Parasoul has experienced this before during one day of training, and it took twenty Egret Soldiers to relieve the infection's cravings. Overall, this infection's behavior is severe only in certain conditions."
"Is there a downside to this?" Sayaka asked.
"The crystals will extend to take shape of something, but that's not really concerning." Molly then showed medical records. "We have discovered that after overdrive, you can't use it again until next combat since you'll end up exhausted. That's all we can collect from the records and videos." Molly then saluted when the jeep stops at the city limit. "Anyway, good luck girls!"
Madoka nods and gets off the jeep. Sayaka and Homura followed her. The jeep drives off to follow Mami and Kyoko into New Meridian.
New Meridian's streets have become a battleground; the citizens were ordered to get to safety indoors. The Black Egrets and Pryus' Forces were at a stalemate, standing their ground in a downtown area. Adam was with the Egrets, taking command while Parasoul was absent. The massive complex that is Medici Tower has been turned to rubble, and that's where Pryus and his forces have spawned. Egrets estimated that there are more than 700 casualties since the attack began.
Molly arrived on time on the jeeps with Mami, Kyoko, and Kyubey.
"Adam, I got reinforcements!" Molly reported.
"Don't worry about Madoka, Sayaka, and Homura," Kyoko informed, "They're watching the city limit."
"We're here to help find Parasoul." Mami gave a salute.
Adam saluted to them. "The search parties we sent went four blocks east to find a path around the fight. You should be able to follow their tracks to reach the area where we lost Parasoul. And don't worry about the fight here at downtown, we're pushing forward with every chance we can get."
"You handle the fight then, we'll handle the search for Parasoul," Mami happily replied.
"Let's just hope she's breathing!" Kyoko takes out her red soul gem and transforms into her magical girl form.
As a Puella Magi, Kyoko was dressed in a dark red dress with a mandarin collar and opening for her red oval shaped soul gem. The dress' borders are covered in thick white ruffles that cover its opening and going down the back. The attire included white sleeves going halfway up her biceps with black buttoned cuffs around her wrists. Underneath the dress if a pleated pink skirt and black corset with white detailing. And she has tall red boots with white cuffs and black thigh-high tights. Kyoko armed herself with a spear with a gold handle and a silver pointed head with a red base.
Mami did the same, taking out her yellow soul gem and transforming into a magical girl.
Mami's Puella Magi form is fit for any gunner. It consisted of a long-sleeved white shirt top with shoulder puffs, a beige skirt with black tops, grey and white striped legs, and black and yellow knee-high boots. Between the top and skirt is a brown corset-like garment. A small brown hat is included with the outfit with a white fur plume and a yellow flower-shaped soul gem as a brooch. Mami armed herself with ribbons which turn into percussion-lock rifled muskets.
"Let's go," Mami began.
The Black Egrets who were sent to search for Parasoul were scattered by Pryus Forces who detected them trying to get around. Five of those Black Egrets managed to avoid combat and continue the search.
They were able to find an injured Parasoul in the wreckage of a hotel. She was in the lobby desk, under some scrap metal and rubble. Two Egrets were able to remove the rubble, and two got her out of the pile. She was still breathing.
"Report," Parasoul groaned in pain.
An Egret soldier was preparing first aid for her while he gave her the reports: "Adam is leading the Egrets while you were absent"
"What are the casualties?" Parasoul asked.
"Over 700, but we got word that a woman named Nadia Fortune managed to evacuate some civilians away from Medici Tower and out of the blast radius. However, the Medici Member, Cerebella, was leading some other members out of there as well along with some assets. We weren't able to capture them."
"Any other reports?" Parasoul continued.
"The Anti-Skullgirl units, Peacock and Big Band, have been in the area, fighting their way to the ruins of Medici Towers." The Black Egret Soldier started examining the damages.
Diagnosing the injuries, she has a broken leg and a few cuts and bruises. One of them went on look-out while the other tried to treat the injuries.
"Now hold still, Commander," The Egret Soldier instructed, "That may hurt a bit."
"No, wait..." Parasoul halted.
"But Commander—"
Suddenly, the crystals on her left arm started to expand, covering up her black scars. They glowed intensely, releasing an aura that coiled around her entire body like electricity. It lasted for a minute, and the aura and glow faded, leaving her scars, bruises, and broken leg mended. The infection has somehow healed her.
Parasoul sighed with relief.
"We'll have to report this to Molly later." Parasoul gets back on her feet before retrieving her parasol and her Luger pistol. Her leg didn't hurt.
"We have to call in reinforcements so they can escort you to safety" One of the Egret Soldiers took out a flare gun.
Parasoul halted him. "No! You'll just lure Pryus' Forces over here as well. We can't risk that."
There was something that the crystals left after the healing process. As Parasoul was finally armed with her pistol and parasol, adrenaline can be felt coursing through her veins. That adrenaline suddenly turned to an urge — an unbearable craving for combat.
"Commander are you okay?" One of the Egrets asked.
"I'm fine... but I can't hold back the urge to fight again. We'll just have to hope back up comes." Parasoul finally gives the order. "Do it."
The Black Egret soldier nods and fires the flare gun into the air. This exposed them to Pryus forces, but also signaled Mami and Kyoko in where Parasoul is. It was a race against the clock, and Parasoul gave in to the temptation to fight some incoming enemies.