That night, a knock on the door was made, as Yui cheered, "Company~!"

Mio answered the door, as Lan waved to them, "Hey, guys. We came here, as soon as we can."

Lan and the rest of MegaStar stepped in, as Yui said, "Make yourselves at home, friends."

Mio said, as she smiled, "Please remove your shoes, please."

Geo smiled, "Oh, okay. OH! You're Mio, right?"

Mio bowed, as she smiled, "Yes, I am."

Mio blushed, "You are kinda cute…"

Sonia pulled Geo back, as she said, "Uh, must you flirt with her, Geo?"

Geo said, "Sorry."

Sonia stated, "We cannot have any more distractions. Let's have tea."

Mio pouted, as she was unhappy, "Geo… … …He's handsome."

Sonia and Geo joined with the others, as Mugi was serving tea, on a silver tray, with 9 tea cups. She poured tea to the cups, as Tory said, "It's great to hang out with each other."

Mio said, "Oh, that's neat."

Mugi asked, "Oh. Where's Ritsu?"

Mio said, "Recharging."

Lan asked, "Huh?"

Mio added, "Uh, her, uh… her energy. Recharging her energy, since she had to take a nap."

She sighed, as Sonia smiled, "Oh, cool. We do that, too. Take naps, whenever we are busy on tour."

Lan said, "Yeah, it's a fun time, but it's endless. And we do take breaks, now and then."

Mugi gave Lan his tea, as she said, "Oh, well, that's nice of you to say that. I'll remember to save her a cup, once she wakes up."

Yui said, sipping her tea, "Amazing."

Tory is served his tea, as he was slightly guilty, from earlier.

Mio nudged Yui with her elbow, as Yui asked, "Mio-Chan?"

Mio whispered, "Lemme sit next to Geo… He's a cute guy…"

Yui whispered, "I want to be with Lan… in his face."

Mio pleaded, "Please? I know I want to switch seats, but-."

Maylu asked, "Something wrong?"

Mio blushed heavily, as she turned away, saying nothing. Yui replied, "It's nothing. Just girl talk."

Mugi finished, as she said, "I should bring in cookies, in a moment. It should be ready, soon."

She left to the kitchen, as Lan said, "So, you girls are in a band, right? Suppose that you are going on tour, as well?"

Yui said, "Well, we're just taking a break, after Azu-Nyan left to form Fresh Leaf."

Sonia asked, "Fresh Leaf?"

Mio replied, "It's more of a new codec, er, band name, with Azusa's friends. They lasted one year in our old high school, but they disbanded, after they graduated."

Geo asked, "Who's Azusa?"

Mio said, "Azusa Nakano… She was once our friend, but has a terrible accident. It's so gruesome that I cannot say. It's horrible to explain."

Yui responded, flatly, "It's classified."

Mio shushed her, "SHUSH!"

Geo asked, "Is it that serious?"

Maylu whispered, "Did something happen to her? I mean, she is very innocent…"

Yui sobbed, as she rubbed her finger around the edge of the cup, "It's not easy to explain… I miss her… but she chose to be destroyed-, uh, obliterated… no, I mean…"

Sonia asked, "She's dead?"

Mio and Yui sobbed, as they cried, with their hands on their faces. Mugi arrived with the cookies, as she said, "Apparently, they were too close to her… They never saw her, again…"

Tory said, "If we only knew what killed her… "Destroyed her" was right. Imagine if you had your body, ripped limb-to-limb…"

Sonia cried, "EW! TORY!"

Mio shuddered in disgust, "Not while we're eating!"

She was pale blue, as Yui sat up and said, "Excuse me… I have to take a pee break."

She walked off, entering the black door. She went into the dark room, as Tory asked, "Huh? Did she just-? Wait! The bathroom is doors down, this way!"

Sonia said, "Is she that stupid?"

Mio said, "No. She knows where she is headed. It's usually a shortcut to the bathroom."

Lan asked, "That door… Does it go anywhere?"

Mio explained, "Just to a dark room. It's very scary, even I cannot go down there."

Mugi added, "It's usually the basement."

The others sighed, "Oh."

Lan snuffed, "Bor-ring…"

He then thought, "But why is a shortcut in the basement?"

Mugi felt sluggish, as she said, "Well… I mean, *yawn* oh… I feel sleepy… So sleepy…"

Mio said, "You have time. We have to leave, in two more hours. And rearranging bed order does not occur, in exactly 10 hours, 10 minutes, and 10 seconds, Mountain Time."

Mio gasped, as she cried, "Uh, I mean… In ten hours, we usually switch bedtime positions…"

Tory explained, "One girl sleeps on the couch, one girl sleeps in the first bedroom, and the remaining two girls share the room that Ritsu's sleeping in."

Mio asked, "How did you-?"

Tory said, "I met with Ritsu, today…"

Sonia seethed, as he continued, "Well… I was curious about the girl that yelled at Lan, but… She was beautiful, even without her headband on."

Sonia growled, "After I told you not to?"

Mio smiled, "Well, Ritsu's usually a very funny girl. Plus, you do not know this, but her hair is short, while she has very long bangs. That is why she has her hair long in the front."

She asked, "But… Ritsu is a bit needy, when it comes to your type. Tory, tell me… What made you so… irresistible?"

Tory said nothing, as Geo replied, "Well, Tory's fine… But he's just a little shy."

Mio asked, "Like me, for instances, Geo-Mio?"

She tilted her head to her right, as she blushed, "Geo-Mio?"

She was love stricken, as Geo asked, "You okay?"

Yui returned, as she grabbed two cookies off the plate. She sat down and said, "Hey, tell me more about this MegaStar that you do?"

Lan explained about their band, as Mugi was sitting on the couch, closing her eyes slowly. She collapsed onto the bed, as Maylu gasped, "NO!"

They turned around, as Mio felt her neck. Mugi was out cold, but Mio smiled, "Good. She's just sleepy."

Yui said, "Aw… And just when things were getting good…"

Mio said, "I'm sorry, guys, but… You have to leave. It's getting late."

Sonia asked, "No way! It's only 7:45!"

Mio blushed, "I rather not say. Excuse us…"

Lan said, "Right, then. We should get going, soon."

Tory replied, "Also, tell Ritsu that we just came, and we're sorry she missed us."

Mio smiled, "Please come back, anytime, friends."

MegaStar left to the front door, as Maylu grew suspicious about the black door. She replied, in a quiet voice, "I wonder what they could be doing, down there… in the basement…"

The group left, as Mio said that Mugi has to sleep. Yui complained that Mugi will miss out on tonight. Mio added that Ritsu's still unconscious. But she'll wake up, in the morning. Mugi was lying down on the couch, as Mio nodded to Yui. She said, "We have to prepare, but until night falls. It's almost 11…"

"But it's 8." Yui corrected.

Mio responded, "True… but we cannot wait. At 10:30, we wake them up, and be on our way…"

She left to the black door, as Yui sat by Mugi. She placed a blanket over her and said, "Goodnight."

That night, Lan, Geo, & Tory were sleeping in Room 306, while Sonia was lying down on her bed, in Room 307. Maylu was outside, hiding in the dark, as Mio & Yui left Room 308. She thought, as Mio & Yui walked downstairs, heading outside, "Perfect. Mio & Yui are only gone for a while."

Maylu smirked, "Now's my chance. The other two are preoccupied, in Dreamland."

Mio & Yui were gone, as Maylu snuck into the door. She turned the knob, as she was shocked, "The wha? The door's unlocked. Did they forget their keys?"

She searched under the mat, by the door, looking for the key. But there was no key. Just an old red guitar pick. Maylu whispered, "No… I can't be preoccupied. I have to search inside. Sonia's fast asleep…"

She removed her shoes and held them in her hand. She crept into the living room, which was pitch black, as she found the door. She turned the knob and opened it. She whispered, "Sonia's gonna kill me for this…"

She went inside, and crept down the dark stairs. She walked downward, as she whispered, trying not to wake up anybody, "Boy… this reminds me of a dungeon, full of scary faces… I hope nothing jumps at me, from inside…"

She then saw a faint purple glow from below, as she cringed, "What the hell is that?"

She ran down the stairs and found a huge room with a cobblestone floor and metal plating on the walls. She then saw a huge chrome altar, with a huge object floating in the middle. It was violet, with black etching. She looked closer, as she asked, "What is this?"

She saw a huge gem, in Maylu said that it's an amethyst. She replied, "A huge violet amethyst… And it's glowing… attached to a huge machine…"

She saw a huge chrome machine with three vacuum tube bulbs, a metallic lever, and a thick wire, attached to the altar. Maylu thought, "No wonder these girls were suspicious… Is it a dark crystal? I'm starting to feel shaken by its aura…"

She tried to touch it, but could not. She whispered, "This is strange, isn't it…"

Her fingers twitched and shaken, as her heart rapidly started to beat, while reaching for the huge gem. Maylu stepped back and said, "It's a strange gem… But I just… can't… do it…"

She was shaken in fear, as she whispered, "But…"

She looked around, as she barked, "That stupid girl lied to me! This is the only way to here, from upstairs! Shortcut to the bathroom, indeed! What are they hiding?"

Maylu slapped her face, trying to snap out of it, as she said, "No matter. I'm getting that crystal!"

With her last ounce of courage, she stepped forward. She reached for the gem, but a voice yelled out, "DON'T TOUCH IT!"

Mugi appeared from behind, in her school uniform, as Maylu shrieked. She stumbled down, as Mugi stepped closer. She whispered, "Naughty… Naughty… Naughty…"

Maylu asked, as Mugi's eyes brightened up, "Who are you? What is this?"

Mugi picked Maylu up and said, "You are mine now. It's not wise to learn of our secret… you little child."

"Child?! I'm about older than you."

"Incorrect."

Mugi reached her hand towards Maylu's face, as Mugi blinked. Maylu sniffled, as she was scared stiff. She sobbed, "What are you going to do to me?"

Mugi asked, removing her blazer, "What's your name?"

Maylu wept, as she was timid, not moving an inch, "M-m-m-m-m-Maylu… Maylu Sakurai…"

"Why are you crying?"

"You're going to kill me?"

Mugi unbuttoned her white shirt, as she said, "Now, why would you say that?"

Maylu blushed, as Mugi removed her white shirt, bra, and ribbon. Her long hair flowed over her bare breasts, as she stepped closer, "Sorry. I wanted to feel refreshed, and to avoid feeling hot… literally speaking."

Maylu looked at her chest and sniffled, "Who are you? No… What are you?"

Mugi leaned by Maylu, as she whispered into her right ear, "You know our secret… We want everything perfect…"

Maylu sniffled, "Perfect?"

Mugi hissed, "Yes…"

Her eyes dimmed, as she spoke in a quiet whisper, "You know everything… and this gem is our core…"

"This amethyst?" Maylu asked.

Mugi smiled, and continued, "Yes… It is our power, not just for those who are normal, but can make an innocent human being grasped by its spell."

Maylu's eyes went blank, as she spoke like a zombie, with her eyelids half closed, "I am grasped by your spell…"

Mugi smirked, "Excellent… Enthralled by the beauty of our gem… and only to take what we can… You see? Your friends cannot save you."

Maylu spoke in a quiet monotone, "Lan. Lan. Save me, Lan… Tory… Geo… I… I'm…"

Mugi smiled, as she looked into her eyes, "It'll all be over… Maylu Sakurai. Rest in peace. Look into my eyes, Maylu Sakurai…"

Her eyes widened, and sparked a huge flash of light into Maylu.

FLASH!
Maylu's body stopped moving, as her arms went limp, and her heart stopped beating. Her eyes turned completely white, and her skin turned pale. Mugi killed Maylu, as she kissed her on the lips. Mugi stopped kissing, as she said, "Still warm… but not long enough, for you… at least…"

"Well done." A voice called.

Mugi turned around, as Maylu's body fell to the ground. She kneeled to two figures, one with a school uniform, who was the same girl in glasses, and the other was in a maid outfit, with long blonde hair, black cat ears, a cat tail, cat whiskers, and a silver cat bell on her collar. She bowed and said, "Master Kotobuki… We saw the whole thing."

Mugi smiled, "Indeed, Miss Okuda… Miss Saito… Miss Maylu Sakurai knew too much… but methinks the one called Tory is close to knowing Ritsu…"

Nao blushed, as she held up Mugi's bra, "Also, put your clothes back on."

Mugi smiled and blushed, "Sorry… How awkward of me. I lost myself."

Sumire turned away and shivered, "How scandalous…"

Nao said, "I'll prepare the work on Miss Sakurai. YOU join Mio & Yui. They're waiting for you."

"And of Miss Ritsu Tainaka?" Mugi asked, as she put her shirt back on.

Nao remarked, "There's nothing we can do. We wish we'd knew why she'd suddenly didn't respond."

Mugi walked off, as she said, "Have her corpse packed away. And Sumire…"

"Yes, ma'am?" Sumire bowed.

Mugi said, "Meow for me… I miss Azusa-Chan so much…"

Sumire did a cat pose, as she meowed, "Yes, my Miss Mugi-Nyan… nyan~…"

Mugi smiled, but was sad. She whispered, as she walked away, "It's not the same."

Nao and Sumire leaned by Maylu's body, as Nao said in disgust, to Sumire, "You can just say NO to her."

Sumire bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Nyao-Nyan… I obey her…"

Nao was confused, "Nyao-Nyan?"

XXXXX

Outside, Mugi joined with Mio & Yui, as Yui asked, "Where were you?"

Mugi said, "I refreshed myself. Now I can join you."

Mio asked, "And Ritsu?"

Mugi shook her head, as Yui said, "Boo… Ricchan…"

Mio turned to the night sky and said, "She'll wake up. Well, then, come. Let us go."

They walked together, in unison, leaving the apartment building, only for a couple of hours.

Back in the basement, Nao placed Maylu's body in a huge box. She was lying inside, with packing peanuts in it. Nao said, as she whispered, "Come now, dear Sakurai… You knew of the core and our little dirty secret. Your life has already ended."

She closed the box and taped it up. She wrote down Maylu's name on the box, and then said to Sumire, "Place her with the others."

Sumire bowed and said, "Yes, ma'am…"

She carried the box away to another part of the room, as Nao adjusted her glasses, while holding up the remote control. She said, "And shake a leg. They should be returning, in one hour… Mountain Time."