Alice was pinned down by Vera, as she said, "Yukino… Please… run…"

Vera cackled, "AHHH, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA! Aurora, turn this bitch into our slave, and we'll go home!"

Aurora stepped back and said, "No."

Vera barked, "ARE YOU CRAZY? SHOOT HER!"

Aurora said, "No, wait. It's not what you think. This woman… She knows of the one called Haruka…"

Yukino gasped, "No…"

Aurora replied, "Let us spare her, for now."

Vera smirked, "I see. Yukino, is it? Well, you're sooooo lucky, since we wanted to turn you into our robot slave; but seeing you know of our primary target…"

Yukino glared, "You hurt her, I'll kill you!"

Vera stomped her down, as she laughed, "SILENCE, MORTAL! Ba-ha ha-HAAAAH!"

Aurora smiled, "If you want, I can shoot her."

"No. Let her wallow in pain, as she will bear witness the end of Haruka, and all of peace in these worlds…"

Alice got up, holding her shoulder, "Yukino… Get out of here."

Vera aimed her gun at Alice, as she said, "Surrender, now. And if you don't cooperate, we'll change our minds, and turn you into one of us, and her into a pile of scrap!"

Aurora aimed the Roboticizer, as Yukino was trembling, "No… I have to move. Damn it. I'm scared."

Vera smirked evilly, "Choose wisely, Yukino."

Yukino was stuck, as Vera aimed her gun at Alice's face, and the Roboticizer at her body. Yukino growled, "What do you want with her? If Haruka hurt you before, you shouldn't even be alive."

Vera smirked, "That's because we never met, face-to-face. But we've heard good things…"

Yukino seethed, "Bitch. You harm a hair, and you will suffer."

She punched at Vera, as Aurora prepared to fire. Alice shot a laser beam off, as it struck Aurora in the hands. Sirens were made, as Alice used a smoke bomb to escape with Yukino. Alice cried, "YUKINO! THIS WAY!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!
Vera fired, as she growled, "Damn!"

Aurora pleaded, "Sis, we have to go! Somehow the Ropponmatsu triggered the alarms! I thought we'd already disabled them!"

Vera said, "Follow me!"

They escaped through the window, as Vera growled, "This is not over. We know exactly what to do, now."

Aurora asked, "How about tomorrow we visit that bakery?"

"Good idea, Aurora. Glad I thought of it."

"YOU did?!"

XXXXX

The police came to Salmon City Hall, surrounding the building, as Alice and Yukino were far away. Yukino said, "I'm sorry that they got away. I cannot believe that they stole the plans…"

Alice apologized, "I should be the one who is apologizing to. I am sorry that I did not tell you this, sooner."

"Yeah, about that… Why didn't you tell me you're from the future? It sure does explain why you're 20 years old and a Ropponmatsu 5, which is something I've never seen… except for Ropponmatsu 4, which I met in Aya's wedding."

"Yeah. My sister unit, a descendant as she is, was a handful. I hear that in my time, she wanted to commit suicide, since she wants to kill herself. Seems that Iwata dumped her, or that he died. It was neither. Violet, as you called her, was saddened that Iwata was a slave to the robot empire…"

"Damn. I'm sorry. But was that only until…"

"Twenty years, yes."

Yukino said, "First off, who were those women?"

Alice said, "They are Maidbots, built by their master. Maidbots are a race of combat androids, built to patrol the area, and take it over for a price. They are evil and hostile. The leaders of these gynoids are Vera & Aurora, and they are the two strongest of Maidbots; twin sisters, with an identical goal – world conquest, under the robot rule."

Alice explained what happened in the future:
"Twenty years into the future, the Ropponmatsus arrived to save the cities. ALL the forces of good, including AAW & LSSAWS, were killed, but many who survived became slaves to the robot emperor… And unfortunately, he was a handful. He was the cruel descendant of Bowser – Bowser Jr. And all grown up, to boot, like his father. Anyhow, Bowser wanted a new rule, now that the Narue Android has taken over the Mushroom Kingdom, and kicked Bowser to the curb. He and his Koopalings found a worthy device that can make ANY human or creature into its slave. And that brings in the device in question – The Dalek Digitizer. It is the most advanced Roboticizer in the AUs. One blast, and your life and independence is erased forever. And the effects are irreversible. This was built, two years later from present time, and the device was stolen from Silver the Hedgehog, only to be brought into the past. The schematics that the Maidbots stole was a prototype for the device, and they would create a new gun, or build hundreds and thousands of Digitizers, enough to rule an entire planet, give or take. The Ropponmatsus were assigned to stop the evils of Bowser Jr. and his brothers and sister, but we were defeated… only I was the last known survivor of this hellish battle. When I escaped, I knew that there was no hope… My mother was broken-down… beyond repairs, and dead… The Daitenzin… The Gang… Kona Force… The Mahora Clan… Good Teens… everyone… They were all killed, during the war, refusing to become one of them. I do believe that Vera & Aurora planned this, from the start, since they want to rule the worlds, and give the Dalek Digitizer to Bowser Jr."

Yukino asked, "Any reason why?"

Alice said, "Profit. They want money for themselves… that, and a part of the Middle East, only to stop the Iraqi soldiers to fight. Refusal means Instant Roboticizing."

Yukino stated, "That's all well and true, but what does Haruka have to do with this? Where does she fit in to this war between man vs. machine?"

Alice whispered, "She doesn't…"

"Eh?"

"She was the first victim… only to be judged as a female gynoid, live to obey Vera & Aurora, only to begin the start of the robot rule… It happened, three months before the Koopalings used the device and began the chaos of our future. You, however, you die in the middle of this…"

"Me? Wait… How do I die in this?"

"I cannot say. But all I can tell you is this… during this skirmish against the Maidbots that Vera & Aurora man, you are killed in the battle, immediately during a confrontation with Vera & Aurora. I cannot say when, but when it happens, you know that it occurs. But do not fret. I will protect you, as always. I want the future to stop, before they tried to take everything away from you."

Yukino looked away, as she said, "That's a sad story… and I know you're talking about my future. If I die, I want you to protect her… at all costs."

"I am afraid that it is not possible. You see, I am from the future, and if Vera & Aurora succeed, there is a chance that May dies, too… or rather be held hostage and become a slave, later on…"

Yukino barked, "I don't care! My little friend has a unique power! And don't you dare say anything about it! Haruka will save the day, even before this hell starts! Believe me… I've literally been to Hell… and Heaven. Don't ask."

Alice asked, "You mean it?"

Yukino said, "Quick! Where do they go next, around the time they start modifying their Roboticizer?"

"Ten days from now. And Haruka does not get captured until later."

"Then we have time. We have to stop Vera & Aurora, and end this, NOW!"

She held her shoulders and said, "Alice, I know you won't believe me, and you cannot stop me. This is something I must help with. I have to save the future… MY future… Haruka's future… and yours, too. You're born a Ropponmatsu… and, goddamn it, you're gonna die like one, if we fail."

She then glared, "Besides… Does a Ropponmatsu ever experience love, before war?"

She kissed her on the lips, as Alice felt it. She blushed, as she said, "Yuki… Why did you kiss me?"

Yukino said, "Not the first time I kissed a woman… I kissed Haruka, but not on the lips. She's only young."

Alice felt a relief in her heart, as she said, "You are right. I must stop them, now. Haruka cannot be captured, and then taken to be roboticized."

"And when will she be captured?"

"I do not know… But within those ten days, she will be nabbed. Somehow we have to make sure she does not get kidnapped."

Yukino nodded, "We have to tell her."

"NO!" Alice pleaded, "Even so… We cannot tell her. If she insists on saving the day-."

"She will die…" Yukino whispered.

She smiled and said, "Right! I am going to protect her, at all costs! She has work tomorrow, so I'll just tell her to watch out for any bad people."

Alice smiled, "Thank you."

They walked together, as Yukino asked, "By the way, does Haruka know you're from the future?"

Alice said, "Barely. She's just being concerned that she thinks I am from the future to kill her. But I am not, believe me."

That night, Vera was in her pink pajamas, as she got a text from one of the Maidbots. She huffed, "Well, they found her. But sadly, they know of which bakery she is located in. But her stomping grounds are tricky to find."

Aurora said, in her blue pajamas, "Sis, it is just an obvious fact that Haruka is working there, when she has a job. Screw where she lives! We have her cornered in the bakery."

Vera said, "We sneak in and kidnap her, after work!"

Aurora stated, "No, no, Sis. First, we meet her, incognito, and then we capture her."

Vera smirked, "Interesting. Why didn't I think of that? Ba-ha ha-haaaaa~!"

Aurora whined, "YOU ALWAYS SHOT DOWN MY IDEAS! Listen to me, for once!"

Vera went to bed, as she said, "Well, I didn't think of that idea, even further."

"I get it," Aurora said, as she snoozed.

XXXXX

Alice and Yukino came home, seeing May sleeping in her bedroom. Alice whispered, "Shh. We cannot wake her. We have to watch over her, or the fate of the future will be decided, in a very bad way."

Yukino smiled, "Right. You can sleep with me, tonight. There's no way that Haruka will sleep with her."

Alice blushed, as she asked, "Is this about the kiss from earlier?"

Yukino growled, "Oh, Jesus Christ… Come on. Let's go to bed."

They snuck off into Yukino's bedroom, getting ready for bed.

XXXXX

The next morning, Vera & Aurora were in their Maid outfits, holding up the schematics for the Dalek Digitizer, as Vera laughed, "Well, here's to the perfect crime~! Ba-ha ha-haaaaaaah~!"

Aurora smiled, "Yeah! And we will soon have Haruka in our grasps."

She instructed, I have a Maidbot watching outside the bakery, waiting for her. We have a full description on her. She's 4'8", Age: 12, brown hair, sapphire blue eyes, small bust, cute figure, other bios inconclusive."

Vera huffed, "Boo. I wish we knew more about this kid. But hey, once Maidbot #R0XZ has the sights on her, we'll bust in and… uh… wait, shouldn't we buy some pastries? After all, I am hungry."

Aurora smiled, "If that place is true about its delicious cakes, I think I have some money to spare!"

They giggled, as they waited.

XXXXX

May was at home, as she said, sitting in the table, "I got the night off."

Yukino asked, "What for? Did your boss tell you anything?"

May replied, "I think it had something to do with the girls I ran into… He said that the girls had black hair, maid outfits, and scary blank faces. Sadly, they didn't come in. All they did was watch on, like a couple of pastry perverts."

Yukino whispered, "Black hair… Maid Uniforms… Pale skin…"

She asked, "Do they look robotic?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

Yukino lied to her, "Yeah, uh… there are a lot of weird cosplayers in the area. So, be careful, when you run into one of those girls."

"You mean like those fan girls in Shinjuku?"

"Well, sort of…"

May hugged her and said, "I go back to work, tomorrow. How about we hang out together, like always? We can go outside and take a walk."

Yukino panicked, "No… What if there are prowlers that come and get us?"

May growled, "Stupid. How can anyone visit us, prowl at us, on the fourth floor?"

She sneered, "Or maybe that guy in the straw hat would watch over me?"

Yukino growled, "Leave him out of it. He's the reason he gave us this bouquet of breads, cheeses, fruits, and meats (though most of the meat has been bitten off), as a welcoming basket, since we moved in."

"Oh, right. He's our neighbor in this building."

"For now. He's just visiting."

May sobbed, "But I wanna go out and play!"

Yukino said, "You can play with Alice, soon as she's done with the phone."

At the living room, Alice called a person, "Hello? Is this Ropponmatsu Unit 1?"

A phone message played, as it spoke, "The voicemail of… Ropponmatsu Unit 1… is full. Goodbye."

She hung up, as she said, "No answer? A Ropponmatsu never answers a voicemail."

She whispered, as she was nervous, "Will Mother even recognize me? Does she know that I am alive? I cannot tell, since she's my Mom, but I never met her… yet, in this timeline."

May huffed, as she moaned, "But she's boring, now. She's becoming a worrywart, Yuki."

Yukino scolded, "I don't care! Last night, we had a huge dilemma, and I refuse to talk about it! Besides, something inside her tugged her heart strings. Just go easy on her, okay?"

May said, "Yuki… Okay. I'll-. Wait. Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Yukino groaned, as May waltzed away, "Kidding~!"

Yukino sighed, "Even for the future, she is still a neck pain."

XXXXX

May and Alice were outside, in the park, near Mr. Building. They viewed a pond, as Alice said, "It's safe here."

May replied, "Alice. Tell me, I know you are from the future and all, but what's it like there? What am I like in your timeline?"

Alice said, as she grew nervous, "Uh… No clue. I do not have the answers to it. Besides, for that manner of fate, it is classified."

She thought, "Shoot! I cannot tell her that she becomes a robot, and that Yuki dies. It will devastate her!"

She giggled, "Uh, oh, no, do not worry about me. I think you and Yuki will live a fruitful life…"

She thought, in complete fear, "But with you as a doll and Yuki as a corpse… and everyone else you loved have either died, become a slave, or survived. But it's a 99.8% chance that they live, like I did…"

She threw a pebble and it skidded over the pond. She sighed, as she felt relieved. She then hummed, "Hmm… hmm-hm-hm-hm…"

She sang, "Hush little Alice, do not cry…
I want you to be a star in the sky…
For if you fade out, you will die
but my heart is with you, always high

You are my lovely, my little one
You shine the heavens and the sun
You are my perfect robot girl
and the very best one in all the world…"

May smiled, "That was beautiful."

Alice said, "My mother sang it to me, when I was only a baby. I was not born yet, in this timeline. But it is like… I know that song, by heart…"

May said, as she was concerned, "Alice… I am curious. What'll happen to you and me, if some bad person tries to kill me?"

Alice said, as she was nervous, "Uh… You-. Uhhhhhhh… I, uh… Oh, boy…"

She bowed and sobbed, "I AM SORRY!"

She ran away, back inside, as May pouted, "BOOOOOO! And just when we were being nice!"

May looked at the pond, as she hummed the tune that Alice sang.

Inside Mr. Building, in the lobby, she panted by the front door, as she whispered, "That was close. Haruka, I am sorry. I just cannot say it. She is curious of me, seeing I am from the future, but it is like-. Wait…"

She stopped and said, "She does not know it? Then, that's a load off of my mind, since Mom and Dad raised me. Dad only visited me, but he left to work in Canada. But somehow, she is calm about this."

She walked away, as May went to the lobby. She said to Alice, "There you are. You ran off, as you were scared."

Alice kneeled down and hugged her. She whispered, "Haruka… Love you…"

She hugged her tightly, as May moaned, choking a bit, "Uh… Alice? VERY tight! URK! Alice? Alice, let go! AGH! … … Can't breathe… …"

XXXXX

That night, Vera & Aurora sighed, as they waited hours. Vera groaned, "Waiting game sucks! Some plan, Sis!"

Aurora said, "I do not get it. Haruka has work, does she?"

"Yeah, but what about off days?"

Aurora facepalmed herself, as she growled, "I don't frakking believe it!"

"Believe it, baby. We'll send another Maidbot down there, and we'll try again."

"AND WASTE ANOTHER SOLDIER?" Aurora complained, "NO WAY! PLAN B!"

XXXXX

The next morning, Vera & Aurora were in a tent, near the bakery. While they were recharged, May walked by to the bakery, as she entered. She called, "I'm here now~!"

A voice said, "Morning, Haruka."

Vera moaned, as she nudged at Aurora, "Sis… She… came… here…"

Aurora was still sleeping, recharging her batteries. Vera moaned, as she slowed down, "Oh, just… five… more… minnnnnn… nnnnnnnnnn…"

She slurred down and snored, "Zzzzzzzz…"

Vera & Aurora were out like a light, as they waited. It only lasted about two hours, before they were fully charged. And May's shift in the bakery was only for six hours a day. Their plan was simple: wait for Haruka to arrive, get prepared, and buy the pastries. Then, when she is not looking, they'd grab her from plain sight, with no one looking, and take her away.

WHAP!
A newspaper landed on Vera's head. She moaned, as she got up, "Ungh… Punk!"

She batted the newspaper on Aurora, as she huffed, "WAKE UP!"

Aurora looked up, "Aaaaah. What a refreshing nap. My batteries are all powered up."

Vera asked, "What about Haruka?"

Aurora looked at her watch, "OH, SHIT! We missed her!"

Vera and Aurora looked inside, as May was not in. They sobbed, as a Maidbot beeped from the radio, "Vera, Aurora, this is Maidbot-R0XZ. The girl you were waiting for. She just left for lunch."

Aurora sobbed, "Aw, damn it!"

Vera said, "Enough time. We have to change. R0XZ, send 4NE1 and WC3B in, with our essentials."

Aurora asked, "Is this the part where we cry and bawl in our failures?"

"Nope. This is where we make history. Once they arrive, we change."

They ran into the alley, as May was returning from lunch.

XXXXX

Minutes later, Vera and Aurora were dressed in white and blue high school uniforms. Vera said, "Perfect. No one would suspect a high school student, coming to this bakery."

Aurora huffed, "Just how old are you, Sis?"

She said, "Well, for the better, Maidbot-7SX5 reported that Haruka just returned. Now's our chance to go in. Vera, what will you buy, once we get in? We're not window-shopping, in case you're wondering."

Vera smirked, "Oh, come now, Sis. We aren't high school androids for nothing."

Aurora sighed, "In our line of work, we're more of college students…"

She roared, as Vera boogied in her earphones, "AND WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF WITH THAT BOOGIE-BUTT SHAKING?"

Aurora sighed, as she went in. Vera followed, as May looked on. She bowed and said, "Welcome."

Aurora smiled, as she blushed, "Hey, you~!"

May asked, "What can I do you for?"

Aurora responded, "My sister and I would like to have some tasty treats."

She looked at the counter and smiled, "OOH! Is that-? A strawberry shortcake? Is it fresh? Sorry, I just love strawberries, more than blueberries."

Vera then smiled, as she waved. May said, "Your sister here is a lively one, behind you."

Aurora said, "Pay no attention to her. She's a retard."

"BAD! How dare you call her bad names?"

BONK!
Vera bonked on Aurora's head and huffed, "I heard that!"

Aurora moaned, holding her lump, "My big mouth…"

May said, as she gave them a whole strawberry shortcake, "Here you are. And as a bonus, I'll give you some fresh-baked cookies, for half-off."

Vera smiled, "Sweet. You have any in grape?"

XXXXX

They left the bakery, as May said, "Come again, soon."

Aurora said, "Sweet kid. She sure is a nice girl."

Vera smiled, "Yeah, and look at those treats! She's not worthy of being kidnapped by us."

She realized and moaned, "Damn. I knew we'd tell more about her. We should've had a nice conversation there, until you called me retarded!"

Aurora barked, "Well, your whole plans are anything but! You and I are a cohesive unit! And until we have a say, we'll never get this done!"

Vera said, "So, when's the time we have the kidnapping?"

Aurora moaned, "Ohhhhh… Tomorrow. How's about we have this shortcake? I have dreamed of tasting it, in that bakery~!"

She blushed, as Vera said, "To be honest, I don't care."

They left, as Vera contacted the Maidbots, "All units, keep surveillance on the bakery. When we give the OK, we'll nab Haruka, understood?"

They responded, "M'lady!"

Vera said, "Tomorrow sounds fine. But NO buying stuff. This bakery is so alluring to the aroma."

They left, as Steve of Minecraft entered the bakery. May bowed, as she said, "Welcome."

Steve smiled, "Oh, hi, guys! Isn't it such a fantastic day?"

May asked, "The usual cakes, sir?"

Steve said, "Yeaaaaaaaa."

May apologized, "I'm sorry, but we ran out of the usual carrot cakes we give you."

Steve asked, "What do you mean?"

She said, "Well, the carrots were scarce from the area you live in, and getting more requires more skill and practice."

He said, "I'm sorry. I'll try harder, next time."

May gave him a bag of cookies, as she said, "That'll be $2.95."

Steve left, as he took his cookies. He then said, "Gee. Those guys are swell."

The next day, Vera & Aurora attempted to visit the bakery, again, as they saw May, on her break. Vera & Aurora appeared, as Vera asked, "Excuse me. Would you mind coming with us? We wanted so much to talk to you about."

May said, "Sorry, guys. My break isn't over until five minutes."

She then asked, "Uh, by the way, ladies. I've noticed some strange and weird occurrences, involving pale skinned women."

Aurora said, "Everyone's all pale skin. We are w-."

"NO, I mean, literally pale, with blank eyes, black hair, maid outfits, and weird robotic stances."

Vera gulped, "OH? Is that what you meant?"

May said, "Yeah. They had skin complexions, just like yours… and with glass eyes that looked like robots, just like… yours… and…"

She gasped, as she was amazed, "No way… You're robots?!"

Vera smirked, "Oh, please. You've ever seen a human girl in a weird cosplay?"

May said, as she smiled, "Then it is true! I am amazed! You even bought some of my treats here…"

"Oh, that was yesterday…" Aurora blushed, "And we are very complex. Those robots you met, they are pretty evil. Must be of a dark force. Just don't make eye contact with them, and they'll go away."

"Gee, thanks. Oh, wow…" May said, "Alice never told me that they were robot girls."

Vera & Aurora glared, as they thought, "The doll harbored her?"

Aurora prepared, as Vera halted her, "NOT NOW!"

Aurora stammered, as she hid the Roboticizer in her back. She said, "Uh… Wanna come with us, after work?"

May said, "Oh, sure. Yuki and I want to go shopping, but she was too busy. She said that Alice can come with, but is scared, because she wanted to see her mother. So, I was thinking I'd go straight home."

Vera snuffed, "Humans… What a jerk."

May barked, "HEY! Don't badmouth Yuki, just because she's human, as I do!"

Vera said, "Sorry. How about we go shopping with you?"

May cheered, "YOU WILL? Gee, thanks! I want to with, Miss…"

Vera said, "Veronica."

Aurora said, "Betty."

May thought, "Huh? Weird, yet clichéd names…"

May smiled, as she went to the door, "Okay, Betty, Veronica. I'll be going back to work~! I get off at 4. Don't be late."

She went back in, as Vera said, "You get that?"

Aurora said, "4:00. Just in time for tea. Tomorrow, we nab her… but today… Ugh… Why are we the bad guys in this?"

"You idiot!" Vera scolded, "We're the bad guys! And you almost blew our cover!"

"Sorry. But she knew about us, being robots and all. And we never tend to malfunction."

"That's because we never short out, or have an animal inside us."

Beep-Beep!
"Shit! The boss!"

Vera & Aurora ran to the alley, as they contacted the boss, Bowser, a huge turtle with a spiky shell and red hair. It roared.

"You two! What is taking so long for Junior?"

Vera stammered, "Uh… no need to be angry, your vileness. Soon, Junior will have his Dalek Digitizer, and will have the Mario Bros. defeated, before you know it."

Aurora barked, "Why do you think we bailed on the Mushroom Kingdom? We go back, that gynoid will kill us!"

Bowser roared, "That's not it, you metalheads! I meant has the girl been captured?"

Aurora bowed, "Truthfully sorry, your most wickedness. But even if we did, she's so cute and funny."

The King of Koopas roared, "Cute?! Don't give me CUTE! You were programmed to help me stop Narumi Nanase from taking my job!"

A Koopa Troopa chirped, "She took his job!"

The Koopas and Goombas chanted, shouting incoherently, saying that the Narue Android took Bowser's job. Some of those creatures remained loyal to King Koopa.

"Because of her, Kamek abandoned me for that robot! DO SOMETHING!"

Vera saluted, "Yes, sir! UH-uh-uh-we'll have Haruka captured, right away!"

Aurora blushed, "But we promised to take her shopping… What a lie…"

Bowser barked, "SHOPPING?! YOU MISERABLE REJECTS OF A TOASTER OVEN!"

Vera shivered, "Uh, I mean, we'll get Haruka, right now…"

Aurora stammered, "Please, don't melt us down…"

They kneeled and bowed, as Bowser roared a huge roar, "Then do it… NOW!"

He signed off, as Vera growled, "Miserable little turtle. What he doesn't know is that we are using Haruka as bait, only to have Bowser Jr. take it over, while we get paid. We don't care what coins we get…"

They stood up, as Vera called on the radio, "Maidbots, disperse. We have this one."

Aurora asked, "What about shopping?"

Vera growled, as she facepalmed herself.

XXXXX

At 4pm, May returned from work, but walked to the alley. She called out, "Hello? Betty? Veronica? I'm ready for shopping!"

She called out, "Hello? Helloooooooooo?"

She said, "Huh. Did something happen? Or did they had a beauty salon appointment?"

The Maidbots appeared in their Maid uniforms, as Vera whispered, "We came."

May smiled, "Oh! Am I glad you made it! I was worried that-."

She gasped, "Huh? What's with the get-up? Oh, no! NO! Those evil maid robots made you one of them! Hang on, Veronica!"

Vera jumped away, as May cried, "WAIT! Veronica, lemme help you!"

Vera roared, "MY NAME IS NOT VERONICA! IT'S VERA!"

May asked, "Vera? Who's Vera?"

She was confused, as Aurora appeared from behind. She held up a bat and knocked May out.

WHAM!
May fell unconscious. She was out cold, as Vera smirked, "Ba-ha ha-haaaaah!"

They picked her up, as the Maidbots followed them. Aurora said, "QUICK! GET TO THE TRUCK! AND HAVE HER PRISONER!"

They saluted, as they took her away. Vera high-fived her and said, "Now, she is ours. The worlds are OURS!"

Aurora smiled evilly, "Yes. Once Junior pays us handsomely, we can have the Koopalings betray their dear old father…"

Vera smiled, "It is a good thing Ludwig Von Koopa fixed us, using the old schematics he found, during a brief trip to Targus City… and made us obedient and durable. But we idolized Dr. Eggman, since he's a super genius."

Aurora said, "Well, let's not count who we like in villains. We have Haruka in our grasps. And let's see if Yukino and Alice Ropponmatsu get to them."

Vera said, "I have a sentry hunt them down. They will deliver this message to them… Haruka is captured. We bring them here, and we oust them, if Yukino doesn't obey us."

Aurora asked, "Shall we roboticize Haruka, now?"

"Not yet." Vera said, "Let's return home."

They cackled, as they went home. Suddenly, a small bluebird appeared, and saw the whole thing. It flew off, heading to Mr. Building.

XXXXX

One hour later, Yukino saw a bluebird, as it chirped to her. She asked, "Oh, hey. Can it wait? I have done my errands, and I'm supposed to take Haruka shopping."

Alice asked, "What is wrong? Why is that bird chirping at you?"

The bird warned them that May was kidnapped. Yukino gasped, as Alice said, "Haruka? She was kidnapped? BY WHO?"

The bird motioned and gestured that it was two girls, one with pink hair and pigtails, and another with blue hair. Alice growled, "No… They didn't!"

Yukino growled, "Vera and Aurora… Where are they now?"

The bird flew away, as Alice said, "I know of their whereabouts. I do believe that it's all a trap. Those Maidbots play hard. If Haruka become a robot, and obeys them, it is all over."

Yukino whispered, "I can't let her die. No. But…"

She said, "Wait! Do these Maidbots know of Haruka's powers?"

"Powers?"

"I never told you this, since you never heard it. Haruka is one of the girls who is blessed with a strong power – the Precious Stones of Control."

"Continue." Alice requested.

Yukino explained, "You see, my friend, Haruka, is possibly a descendant of a Gemiloid in Gem City, and she has one of the 13 powers of control. It's the Herbal Zester. It's a power that she was given, by April, her… well, not much to know about her, but…"

Alice asked, "Power Stones of Control? In my time, those were extinguished, after the Maidbot Rule came to play. But sadly, no one with the Herbal Zester can be a survivor…"

Yukino replied, "It's a very rare power. And she's the only one with it. Haruka has a mind of her own, with those powers. No matter what she is, she's very beautiful and playful. She saved me, and in return, I saved her. She stopped many villains, including the NEW ACROSS, Tohru Honda, The Four Teens of Sinestro, and the Hunie Bucs. Even with these powers, there are responsibilities and sacrifices."

Alice asked, "Sacrifices? Define what you say about sacrifices."

Yukino explained, "She lost a good friend, long ago, after she was fatally wounded. She wanted her back, but requested to stay in the heavens and fight with us. In doing so, she'd pray for her, no matter what."

She showed her a black framed picture of Dawn, in her white hat and black blouse, with long blue hair. Alice said, "Oh, my. And no matter what, she keeps a smile on her face, since the danger is never-ending. But this isn't a dark force, Yuki. This is changing the future. If Haruka turns into a robot, then the Herbal Zester is useless against her!"

Yukino smiled, "Believe me. She'll survive. But we have to save her, anyway. Of course, I am doing what I do best… kick some ass and drink some tea! And we haven't have any tea to make."

Alice giggled, "You are so witty."

She held her shoulder and said to the robot, "Don't worry, Alice. For you, I'm going to save her… and you have to stop moping, even if it is your mother's sake. She died, and you joined in, but you suddenly wanted to change the future. If we save Haruka and the future, tell your mother I said "Hi"."

Alice nodded, "I will, but it is doubtful."

She then huffed and bellowed, "Now, let's go save her!"

May was coming to, as she was shackled tightly in a table. She gasped, "AAAAGH! WHAT IS GOING ON?"

Vera smiled, as she winked, "Hello~!"

May gasped, "YOU! You're evil… yet you… You are controlled by evil! Veronica, snap out of it!"

Vera huffed, "Please. Veronica is my alias. But it's also my codename. I am Vera – Codename: Veronica. Aurora is my twin sister, by the control panel. She's Codename: Betty."

Aurora waved, "Hello."

May gasped, "What is going on? Why are you holding me hostage?"

Aurora said, "Should I fire now?"

Vera said, "When I say "now", and I don't mean when I say it, immediately."

Aurora said, "How about say "Ready, NOW!", and then we have her?"

"For heaven's sake! This is why our creator loves me best!"

"Says you!"

May tried to break free, as Vera & Aurora argued. She was stuck tight, as May sobbed, "Trapped. These girls never bother to plan ahead…"

Vera said, "You bet we did. Of course, in our squabbles, we somehow are advanced. Not even your precious Yuki can save you."

May sobbed, "What will you do to me? Dissect me?"

"No, that's gross!" Vera said, "In your human form? No, thank you."

She called out, "BEHOLD!"

She paused, as she whispered, "Aurora…"

Aurora pressed a button, as the Dalek Digitizer was sent down, hanging in a metal pole. May gasped, "A ray gun?"

Vera smirked, "A ray gun? You can say that… This beauty will make you one of us… a roboticizer that makes you powerful and strong… and also obedient…"

May shivered, "YOU'RE MAD! I WON'T BE ONE OF YOU!"

She sobbed, as she shut her eyes, "Yuki, Alice, save me…"

She kept praying, as Vera said, "Go on and cry. Too bad that you only have seconds to live. Soon, peace ends… with you on our side."

She called out, "AURORA! FIRE NOW!"

Aurora did nothing. She whistled nonchalantly. Vera groaned, "Aurora, fire the Digitizer!"

"NO!" Aurora yelled, "You said to say "Ready, now!""

"DO IT, NOW!"

"I'm not listening… neener-neener-neener…"

"ARGH! OKAY, FINE! I'LL DO IT!"

"I'll tell Master on you!"

"AAAAAAAAAH! AURORA, DAMN IT! I mean… READY, NOW!"

Aurora smirked, "Ready, now, what?"

Vera whined, "Aurora…"

Aurora winked, "I'm kidding. You wouldn't even say please."

She pressed the button, as the Digitizer was activated. Vera growled, as the Digitizer was warming up, "You know, you suck as a sister!"

Aurora said, "At least you're older than me. Jerk."

Vera roared, "YOU'RE the jerk, you bitch!"

"SCREW YOU, PINKY!"

They continued to argue, as May sobbed, "Guys? GUYS! Oh, no…"

ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" May screeched, as her body turned into chrome and shiny skin, with her eyes turning LED blue and her mouth closed and flashing a pink flash. Her body flashed white, as the laser continued to consume her.

The sisters turned around, as May beeped, from her flashing mouth. The Digitizer was shut off, as Vera asked, "Whoa. How long did we put her in there?"

Aurora said, "Who cares? If she's roboticized, we have no problem."

May was now a robot. She beeped, as she spoke from her flashing mouth, "Hello. Master. I obey."

Vera and Aurora squealed in delight. They spoke, "We turned her into a robot! WE WIN! WE WIN!"

They cackled and jumped for joy. May was still shackled down, beeping in a robotic voice, "Hello. I obey. I am Haruka. I am programmed to obey."

Is this for real? May is now a robot slave to Vera & Aurora? Will Yukino and Alice arrive too late? Is the future doomed?

To be continued…