Akko grumbled, throwing an arm over her eyes. Those damn birds were chirping outside their window again, as they've been doing for the last three weeks ever since Akko threw a shoe at them one morning. Birds were evil and vindictive, she learned. No point trying to get back to sleep now, Akko thought. Not after the crazy dream she just had.

Akko rose from her bunk with a loud yawn, stretching her arms above her head to shake off the sleepy numbness – and, for the twenty-ninth time, she banged her knuckles against the top bunk.

"Ow! Stupid…ugh!" Akko yelled, shaking her hand.

"Good morning, Akko."

The little witch-in-training turned in her bed and found her best friend/roommate doing her tie for her school uniform, looking ready to go despite it being so ungodly early. But that was Lotte for you. Out of the three of them, Lotte was the only one with responsible backbone and any semblance of common sense (Not that Akko did have any, she just…didn't use it often.)

Akko slid out of bed, stretched her arms with another yawn, and said, "Mornin', Lotte."

"Did you have trouble sleeping?" asked Lotte with a hint of concern as she tied the laces of her newly polished shoes. "I heard rolling around a lot last night."

"Yeah, I had a pretty weird night," Akko admitted, furrowing her brow as she concentrated on remembering the events that transpired. "First I was in a forest with a giant tree, then I fell from space, then I was in this weird dark place with a bunch of glass pictures and there weird…thread monsters. And then there was this one monster that was even bigger than the school!"

"That sounds like quite the dream," said Lotte, blinking curiously.

"I'm not sure it was a dream," Akko hummed. "Or maybe…it was. I don't know. It was so bizarre. What was that place?"

"Well, dreams are typically the mind's way of telling us something," Lotte hummed, readjusting her glasses. "You said you were in a forest with a giant tree. Like the one where the Grand Triskelion was. And you fell from space, which is where you and Diana defeated the missile monster. Maybe you're just thinking about what happened that day."

"Well, I did see Diana for a few seconds," said Akko.

"There you go!" said Lotte brightly.

"But what about the glass pictures of people I've never seen before?" asked Akko curiously.

"Maybe they're people you're going to meet one day," said Lotte thoughtfully. "Witches have been known to have prophetic dreams before. And your magic has grown a lot in the last four months. Maybe this is a sign that your magic is getting stronger."

"And the thread monsters?" asked Akko.

"…Yeah, I've got nothing," said Lotte, shrugging. "Now enough dream talk. You need to hurry up and get dressed. Classes are starting in half an hour."

"Aw, why do we still have to go to classes," Akko whined. "We only have three more days until the year is over. And it's not like we do anything except review what we learned."

"I think you would be happy for some reviews, considering how badly you did though the year," said Lotte pointedly, making Akko wince internally. "Now stop complaining and get dressed. I sent Sucy to get breakfast sandwiches from the cafeteria while we get ready."

"Are you sure that was a good idea?" asked Akko apprehensively.

"No, but we're running short on time because you were sleeping all morning," said Lotte. Now hurry up and get changed."

With a reluctant groan, Akko swept around the room, picking up the pieces of her school uniform from the back of the chair, off the floor, and the laundry hamper (which they should take down to the laundry room; they were starting to get ripe.) She had just buttoned up her dress shirt and pulled up her skirt when a strange thought occurred to her.

"Hey, Lotte…," Akko called while putting on her vest. "Do you think there are other worlds out there? I mean, worlds where people live on?"

"You mean like aliens?" asked Lotte, taking a moment to give it some serious thought. "Well, I'd like to think so. If something as amazing as magic exists, then why would aliens be real, too?"

"Have you ever thought about seeing them one day?" asked Akko.

"Can't say that I have," said Lotte. "I'm happy with my feet planted firmly on Earth, thank you very much. Why? What got you so interested in aliens all of a sudden."

"Not aliens exactly," said Akko, visibly struggling to do her tie. Thankfully, Lotte was merciful and offered to do it for her. "It's just…I don't know, the whole dream just me thinking about a bunch of stuff lately."

"Akko's thinking? Hell must've frozen over."

Sucy had made an appearance at the threshold of their dorm room. The deathly pale witch carried a ham-and-cheese sandwich in both hands; one which she offered gently to Lotte and the other she tossed carelessly in Akko's direction. Akko floundered and bounced the [packaged breakfast between her hands before she made a dive and snatched up the sandwich before it hit the floor, falling flat on her face in the process.

"Oi! Sucy! You don't throw good food like that!" Akko snapped, flying to her feet and pointing an accusing finger at her roommate.

"Ugh, so loud in the morning," Sucy grumbled irritably."

"Now, now, let's be nice," said Lotte passively. "Thank you, Sucy."

"Yeah, whatever," said Sucy as Akko unwrapped the sandwich and ripped off half in one bite like a starved animal. "You know we got five minutes until classes start, right? And the first class today is with Finnelan."

"Oh shoot! I forgot!" Akko cried hysterically. "I still haven't finished the homework she gave last week!"

"How did you not finish?!" shouted Lotte in horror. "You had all weekend to do it?!"

"You should know by now that I always procrastinate until the last minute!"

"Why do you sound proud of that?!"

"We've got four minutes," said Sucy blandly.

"Okay, maybe I can ask Diana if I can copy her homework!" said Akko before running out the door.

"Akko, wait, you forgot your shoes!" wailed Lotte, chasing after her best friend with the aforementioned items.

"Good grief," Sucy groaned, rolling her eye before gliding after them –

LUNA NOVA

They ended up running late to class. Even worse, Professor Finnelan scolded Akko not only for being late, but for being the only person to neglect her homework (even Amanda did it, the cheater!) Bringing magic back to the world had improved Professor Finnelan's opinion on Akko, but not enough to let her slide in classes. Through and through, Professor Finnelan was a strict teacher.

Akko exhaled a joyous sigh of relief when the bell finally rang for the end of lessons at one in the afternoon. Since the last days of school were winding down, most of the teachers have taken to dismissing classes early this week (except for Finnelan, who remained rigid to her schedule as ever.)

"Wah! Why is she always on my case?!" Akko complained the moment she, Lotte, and Sucy were out in the hall.

"Because you didn't do the homework like you were supposed to," said Sucy bluntly.

"But I save the world and brought magic back!" Akko whined. "That's gotta count for something!"

"Akko, that happened four months ago," said Lotte. "I think we're past the point of you milking it."

"Couldn't I just stay famous until the year is over," Akko moaned, slumping forward and hanging her head in depression.

"Hey, how's it hanging, Akko?" Michelle from orange team greeted her as they passed in the hall.

"Keep up the good work, Akko," Sola from pale-green team offered her a kind smile.

"Hey, Kagari, we still on for the duel later?" asked Jeanne from across the hall.

"Kagari-dono, I wish to improve improved upon my jutsu and seek your knowledgeable insight," said Marianna, who was skulking from the shadows.

"Sounds like you're plenty famous to me," Lotte commented.

"But not with the teachers," Akko groaned, then clenched her fist. "This is all Diana's fault! She should've let me copy her notes!"

"And how would you learn from that?" Akko let out a high-pitched shriek of surprise, throwing her arm around and nearly hitting Diana, who ducked under the flying appendage almost expectantly. "Honestly, Akko, you only have yourself to blame."

"Yeah, you can't keep mooching off Diana," said Hannah as she and Barbara appeared on either side of their leader

"You mean like you two?" said Sucy, gesturing to Diana's groupies.

"Hey, we have study sessions every night because we're serious about our education," said Barbara in a huff.

"Diana…," Akko whined childishly, which caused the cabbage-headed witch to shake her head. "How could you leave me hanging like that. Professor Finnelan yelled at me for ten minutes. I thought we were friends now."

"We are," Diana confirmed. "And as your friend, I can't allow you to cheat and rob yourself of a valuable education."

"No fair…," Akko moaned.

"You know…," Hannah said slowly with a devilish grin. "You could always ask Diana to tutor you. Privately."

"Oh yes, that's a wonderful idea," Barbara added, looking equally mischievous. "Just the two of you. Alone. Together. Doesn't that sound lovely, Diana? After all, we know how much you love Akko…'s dedication to magic."

Barbara was none too subtly, but she wasn't trying to be. As they anticipated, the magical prodigy's face slowly turned red until she resembled a tomato (wearing a cabbage wig) Lotte and Sucy were smiling to; the latter's more malicious than the former's. The only one who didn't notice was Akko, who tilted her head in confusion.

Diana coughed into her fist, composing herself, and said, "Yes, well, as…delightful as I'm sure that would be, we only have three more days until the end of the school year, so there's no point now." Akko hanged her head in defeat. "Besides that, I'm must to busy helping prepare for the End-of-the-Year party to spare any time."

"Oh yeah, the party!" said Akko, immediately perking up. "That's the one happening in the gardens, right?"

"Yes, but there's a lot to done and not a lot of time to do it," said Diana, sighing exasperatedly. "And the fairies are no help. Ever since magic returned, they've gotten lazy and complacent now that they no longer need to depend on the Sorcerer's Stone to survive. And that little union you made with them hasn't helped matters, Akko."

"In my defense, I didn't think they'd go this far," said Akko, thinking of the pile of dirty laundry stinking up the corner of their room. "But…if you need any help, I wouldn't mind lend a hand."

"You would really help?" asked Diana hopefully.

"Sure!" said Akko brightly. "I want to make this party super fun for everyone! It's the least we can do after they helped us with the Missile Crisis."

"True enough," said Diana, smiling fondly at the Japanese witch. She pulled out a square piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it. "I've made a list of the few things I need for the party. Some extra tables and chairs from the cafeteria - I asked Headmistress Holbrooke to set aside some extras that we could borrow. A banner that I commissioned from Zizi Delevingne – she should be somewhere on the second floor. And twenty bottles of fairy lights from Professor Du nord, who should be in her office at this hour."

"Don't you mean 'strings' of fairy lights?" asked Lotte.

"No, I mean bottles filled with actual glowing multicolor fairies," said Diana blankly.

"Hey, stupid fairies," Sucy snickered.

"Okay, tables, chairs, banner, and fairies," Akko repeated in order. "Yeah, I got it."

"Once you have everything, come find me at the school entrance," said Diana, stowing the paper in her pocket. No slacking off, understand?"

"Hai, hai," Akko waved it off before running down the hall, leaving everyone in her wake.

Akko isn't surprised that she had been roped into yet another fetch quest; she had done more than her fair share during the Chamber of Tim incident. But unfortunately, Atsuko Kagari was a good person born with a charitable heart. She went out of her way to help others even when she would be better of ignoring it. Her charity got her into more than a bit of trouble such as the fish incident, and Fafnir, and that whole mess at Diana's house, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Akko liked helping people, and she wouldn't change that.

Plus, Diana needed her. Akko liked Diana, even if they had a rocky start at first. Though for some reason, being around the cabbage-headed witch made something in her chest feel weird and uncomfortable. Maybe it was heartburn. Teenagers can get heartburn, right? Yeah, that's probably it, Akko thought.

The first stop of Akko's item collecting mission was the3 cafeteria located in the back of the school past the courtyard. She walked through the double doors into the crowded mess hall where less than two dozen students were still loiter the tables, eating a late lunch or just meeting up with friends. Some of the students waved at Akko as she walked by – a huge contrast to when she started the year – except for the snooty purple team, who turned up their nose to her while eating their expensive tea and crumpets. They were among the few that still looked down on Akko despite what she did for them. Oh well, Akko thought, you can't please everyone.

Akko weaved through the table to the back of the cafeteria were a small stack of tables and chairs were pushed against the wall. Standing next to them going over a checklist was the stooped and elderly Headmistress Holbrooke, who readjusted her glasses to see the small print.

It was because Headmistress Holbrooke took a chance on her that Akko had been allowed to attend her dream school when everyone else wanted her booted for not coming from magical blood. It was because the Headmistress was so welcoming and accept that everything played out the way it did. In a way, Headmistress Holbrooke was responsible for saving the world.

"Morning, Miss Holbrooke!" shouted Akko, waving cheerfully as she walked over.

"Ah, Miss Kagari, good morning," said Holbrooke, looking up from her papers and smiling at Akko like a loving grandmother. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Diana asked me to pick up the stuff for the party," Akko answered.

"Oh good, I was wondering what was taking so long," said Headmistress Holbrooke, sounding relieved. "Let me guess, the fairies are being lazy again."

"That's what Diana said," Akko replied.

"I would hope those miscreants would be a little more professional," Holbrooke sighed bitterly. "I mean, sure they no longer need to work since they have their own sufficient supply of magical energy to keep them going, but we took them in when they no place else to go and provided for them as best we could. A little gratitude isn't too much to ask, is it?"

"I feel like this is my fault," said Akko, slumping over and hanging her head.

"Now, now, none of that," said Holbrooke, shaking her finger at her student. "What you and Miss Cavendish was nothing short of a miracle. We are entering a new Golden Age of Magic thanks to you two and I couldn't be prouder. Even when in the face of certain doom, you never gave up."

"Technically I did," Akko mumbled shamefully. "When I found out why I couldn't fly…."

"But you got back up," said Holbrooke proudly.

"Only because of my friends," said Akko.

"Exactly," said Holbrooke, nodding. "There's no shame in asking for help, Miss Kagari. When we are at our lowest point, being surrounded by the people you love will always give you the strength to rise up again. That is how I feel every time I walk through these halls and see the happy, smiling faces of my precious students."

"Wow, that's so cool, headmistress," said Akko admirably.

"Oh, it's nothing, dear," Holbrooke chortled humbly. "You should probably get these things to Miss Cavendish before she wonders what is taking you. Here, allow me."

With a wave of her bell clapper staff, Headmistress Holbrooke cast a spell that shrunk the tables and chairs until they could fit inside a dollhouse. She then put them in a little drawstring bag and handed them off to Akko.

"Here you are, dear," said Holbrooke.

"Wow, thanks, headmistress," said Akko gratefully as she pocketed the bag. "Hey, before I go, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while."

"And what might that be?" asked Holbrooke curiously.

"Why did you accept me into Luna Nova?" asked Akko. "Even though I'm not from a magic family."

"Because you asked," said Holbrooke with a big smile.

"That's it?" said Akko, blinking.

"That's it," Holbrooke confirmed simply. "Now run along, Miss Kagari. I'm sure you have more important things to do that chat with this old bag of bones."

Well, that wasn't what she expected. Akko was hoping that maybe her acceptance into Luna Nova had some deeper meaning, like it had been her destiny. But nope! Just pure coincidence. Just like everything else in her life. But she can't complain, Akko suppose.

With the tables and chairs acquired, Akko climbed the stairs to the second floor and exited the cafeteria out into the hallway. Akko paused for a moment. Diana said that Zizi was on the second floor, which wasn't much to go on. With no real plan in mind, Akko decided to go with her tried and true method: open every door and hope for the best.

On the western side, the first door led Akko to a classroom where Professor Pisces was teaching a small group of interested students the moral ambiguities of online trolls. The second door led to a nearly empty classroom where Sarah Burnherdt was making out with Avery Buckland in the front row (and promptly exited before a fireball burned her face off.) The third door was…just a broom closet. Nothing interesting there. But her fourth attempt struck gold when she finally located her target.

Zizi Delevingne, Verde Shidariza, and Heather from Pale Lavender Team (collectively known as Pixie Cut Power, even though Verde doesn't have a pixie cut) were scattered on the floor working on different parts of a long banner. It turned out extremely well in Akko's opinion. It was long enough to stretch across the classroom and painted with a rainbow of text with shooting stars flying each letter, which magically blinked in various shades.

"Sugoi!" Akko shouted, startling the girls out of their concentration. "The banner looks amazing, Zizi!"

"Thanks, Akko," said Zizi gratefully. "We've been working on it for a few days. We were just finish up the finishing touches."

"I hope Diana likes it as much as you do," said Verde.

"Speaking of, where is Diana?" asked Heather, checking her watch. "Wasn't she supposed to come around lunchtime."

"Yeah, Diana's kinda busy getting everything together," said Akko. "So she asked me to pick up a few things."

For some reason beyond Akko's understanding, that caused the girls' eyes to light up. They communicated between themselves silently and started giggling. Akko took a cautious step back, concerned that they might suddenly turn into laughing vampires (which is a real thing, Akko learned last week.)

"So Diana asked you, huh?" asked Heather with a mischievous smile.

"Actually, I kinda volunteered," said Akko, scratching her cheek in confusion. That earned another round of giggling.

"My, how chivalrous of you," said Verde in a teasing voice. "Always coming to Diana's rescue."

"Like a knight in shiny armor," Zizi with a romantic sigh.

"Well, yeah, why wouldn't I help?" said Akko, not understand what was happening in the slightest. "She's my friend."

"What about before you two became friends?" said Verde, smirking. "Isn't it true that you traveled all the way to Wedinburgh on foot because you were worried about her."

"Well, technically, Andrew picked me up halfway," said Akko.

"And didn't you break ancient tradition to rescue Diana from her wicked aunt and cousins?" Heather continued. "Even getting poisoned for her sake."

"Yeah, not one of my smarter plans," Akko admitted.

"And weren't you the one who convinced Diana to come back to Luna Nova?" asked Zizi, her eyes twinkling. "Telling her that she can follow her dream and fulfill her obligation to her family."

"Uh, yeah, I guess I did," said Akko. "What're you getting at?"

"I'm just wondering if you two might be more than just friends," said Verde, giggling again.

"You mean like best friends?" asked Akko, tilting her head. "No offense, but Lotte's kind of my best friend. I mean, Diana's great and all – "

"Oh, Akko, you're so oblivious it's adorable," said Heather.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Akko huffed, puffing out her cheeks in frustration.

"Don't mind that," said Zizi, though she was giggling herself. She whipped out her wand and magically rolled the banner up neatly, then used the same shrinking spell at the headmistress until it fit in Akko's palm. "Here's the banner Diana wanted. And be sure to tell her we said 'Hi'."

"Okay…," said Akko slowly, taking the banner and stuffing it in her pouch. "Well…see ya."

The Pixie Cut Power girls exploded in another wave of giggles as Akko exited the classroom. And every said she was a weirdo….

Now the tables, chairs, and banner in hand, Akko only had one last objective in her quest. (Why did her life feel like a video game recently.) But of all, the person she sought out next was the person she admired most - before and after the Grand Triskelion. Her childhood idol, Chariot Du Nord - but Akko preferred to call her Professor Urusla.

According to Diana, she would be in her office, which was in the north tower on the fourth floor. Why her favorite teacher would choose such an isolated area as her office was beyond Akko. It was always so annoying to have to climb to the third floor, run around the entire length of the courtyard, and then climb up a seemingly Neverending spiral of stairs before she even made it to the door. By the time Akko climbed the last step, she was doubled over, leaning against her knees, taking a moment to catch her breath.

"Would it kill them...to install...an elevator?" Akko wheezed.

As soon as her breathing was normal, Akko raised her fist and banged her knuckles on the door twice.

"Just a minute!" A voice called distantly from inside.

There was a sound of something being dragged across a wooden surface, then a soft pattering of footstep, and finally the turning of the knob. The door squeaked open and Professor Ursula's kindly face appeared in the threshold. It was still strange to see Professor Ursula with red hair (or Shiny Chariot in a teacher's outfit.)

"Oh, Akko, good to see you," Ursula greeted with a cheerful smile. She was definitely the nicest teacher there. "Did you need something?"

"I'm here to pick up the fairy lights for Diana," Akko explained.

Well, you arrived not a moment too soon," said Ursula, opening the door to let her in. "I just finished the paralysis charm, so they shouldn't be able to get up to their usual mischief."

There were so many questions that Akko wasn't going to ask - she had a feeling it would be better that way.

As she stepped into Ursula's small, circular office, she greeted the elderly Alcor on his perch with a gentle pat on the head. Akko kicked herself for not recognizing Shiny Chariot famous familiar. She literally had a doll version in her bedroom! (One that keeps pecking her eye because Sucy hasn't broken the curse in ten months.)

She then trotted over to Ursula's desk to find a wooden case with twenty jars lined up inside. Akko pulled out one of the jars to discover a tiny little creature with big black eyes and florescent, rainbow-colored wings trapped inside. The only thing it could move was its eyes, which were swiveling searching for any escape.

"Aw, I feel bad for them," said Akko sympathetically.

Don't," said Ursula without a hint of remorse. "They're evil."

"Right!" Akko agreed automatically, returning the jar to the box.

Ursula whipped out her wand and started to recite the spell...when she suddenly stopped and turned to Akko.

"Akko, why don't you try shrinking it yourself?" said Ursula.

"Really?" asked Akko.

"It's a good chance to evaluate your magic," Ursula explained. "You should already know the incantation. Just do your best and you'll be fine."

"Okay!" said Akko enthusiastically. With her wand in hand, Akko narrowed her eyes in focus, gathering her courage as well as her magic. Then, with a wave of her tool, she cried, "Metamorphie Parvus!"

Thankfully, nothing exploded this time. Magic sparkled flew out from Akko's wand and circled the wooden several times. Within seconds, the box gradually reduced in size until Akko could pick it up with two fingers.

"I did it!" Akko cheered.

"Well done!" said Ursula, clapping proudly for her student.

AKKO LEARNED SHRINK!

"Your magic has been coming along at a remarkable pace these last four months," Ursula complimented as she picked up the shrunken box and put it in Akko's drawstring bag. "The other teachers have noticed as well. Even Professor Finnelan."

"Then why does she still keep calling me out and give me tons of extra homework?" Akko pouted.

"Don't take it the wrong way, Akko," said Ursula, though noticeably sweatdropping. "Professor Finnelan just has high expectations for you and wishes to see you succeed. After all, not many people can say they've save the world."

"Does she have to keep dumping all these assignments to do it?" Akko grumbled. Ursula wisely chose to remain silent on this point. "Speaking of saving the world, Professor, what do you think happened to the Shiny Rod? I saw it turn into a bunch of stars after we defeated the missile, but…."

"Well, with its duties fulfilled, the Shiny Rod returned to its origin," said Ursula thoughtfully.

"It's origin?" Akko parroted.

"There isn't too much detail about where the Shiny Rod comes from or how it was created," said Ursula. "But some ancient legends say that the Shiny Rod was forged in a faraway world by the strength of people's hearts. That why it grows stronger through belief and faith. Another similar legends says that it was created in the wake of a terrible war that robbed the hearts of many. It really is a matter of preference."

"Wow, that's kinda heavy," Akko remarked.

"Yes, well, all legends are prone to exaggeration," said Ursula humorously. "There's still a lot we don't know about the Shiny Rod, or magic for that matter. That's why witches devote their lives to studying it."

"Do you ever miss it?" asked Akko. "Being Shiny Chariot, I mean?"

"Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy being on stage, inspiring others to learn the joys of magic," said Ursula, sitting at her desk with a sad smile. "But somewhere along the way I lost sight of what my goal was and made a terrible decision. That's why the Shiny Rod left me. It was what I deserved, especially after what I did to you and so many others."

"That wasn't your fault," said Akko. "Croix didn't tell you about it until after it happened."

"But the fact that I chose take Croix's help instead of stepping down when I should have showed selfish I had become," said Ursula. "I know you and Diana have forgiven me already, but it'll be a while before I can forgive myself. All I can ask is for you to be patient with me."

"Yeah…sure, I guess," said Akko hesitantly.

"Besides, it wasn't all bad," said Ursula, brightening up. "If it hadn't been for that night, you might never have been inspired to join Luna Nova and found the Shiny Rod. Despite all the setbacks and failures, you and all your friends succeeded where we failed. That makes it all worthwhile, don't you think?"

"I guess that's a good point," Akko agreed. "Do you ever think the Shiny Rod will come back."

"I certainly hope not," said Ursula, surprising Akko.

"Why?" she asked.

"The Shiny Rod appeared before because the world was in grave danger," said Ursula with a furrowed brow. "If it were to return, it would mean that our world was in peril once more. For everyone's sake, I hope it never returns…. Well, I think we should leave it there. Diana is probably waiting for you, and I have a lot of work to do before the school year ends. The teachers have been piling it on me a lot recently. I hate being the youngest on staff…."

"Yeah, good luck with that," said Akko, back out the door. "See ya, professor!"

Ursula waved off her favorite student before she slammed the door behind her. She waited until the thunderous footfalls faded in the distance before her smile dropped into a concerned frown. Ursula stood up and approached the center of the room, twirling her wand above her head. The windows closed and the room fell into darkness. A blanket of stars twinkled into existence around the room, some of them forming patterns of the astrological signs.

Ursula frowned. No one else might notice it, but there were at least six stars missing from yesterday, which was twice as many as the number that vanished the day before.

"I really hope we won't need it…," Ursula muttered softly to herself.

Akko hadn't realized how long her search had taken her. By the time she had traverse across the school to the front entrance, it was already getting close to six and the sun was starting to sink, painting the sky in a goldish-orange hue. Diana was waiting by the open doors with her checklist in hand, leaning against one of the pillars as she unconsciously twirled her pencil between her fingers. She perked up and smiled when she heard Akko dashing her way.

"There you are," said Diana, sounding relieved. "Did you find everything?"

"Got it all right here," said Akko, holding out the drawstring bag.

"Excellent," said Diana, accepting the bag. She took a moment to check its contents and looked satisfied. "Perfect. This is everything I need. Thank you, Akko."

"Heh, it was no problem," said Akko, grinning with her hands folded behind her head.

"Hey, you can have this," said Diana, putting the bag in one pocket and pulling a bottle filled with green liquid out of the other. "It's an energy restorative I made with alchemy this morning. I usually keep a bottle or two to get me through the day."

"Wow, thanks, Diana!" said Akko gratefully. She uncorked the potion and swallowed the whole thing in four gulps. All at once, Akko's fatigue disappeared like literal magic. "Whoa, it's watermelon flavor!"

"Yes, I find it much more pleasing when it doesn't taste like bitter medicine," said Diana with a hint of amusement.

"So is the party ready?" asked Akko.

"Almost," said Diana. "We have one more day of preparations to make. I was hoping you might be interested in helping out again."

"Sure, as long as Professor Finnelan doesn't give me detention for not doing my homework," Akko groaned, causing Diana to laugh behind her hand. They both went quiet for a moment, just staring out at the sunset, when Akko suddenly spoke up. "Hey, Diana, this might sound like a weird question, but…do you believe there are other worlds out there?"

"Hmm, that is a bit random," Diana admitted, but actually took a moment to consider it. "Well, it would be unrealistic to believe that we are the only intelligent life in the universe. I'm sure there is somewhere out there where other lifeforms exist. Maybe they have more advanced technology than us, or can use magic in ways we never thought possible. The possibilities are limitless. Why do you ask."

"I had this weird dream last night," said Akko. "With a bunch of weird creatures and a glowing ball talking about other worlds. It felt so real – even more real than the time I got whacked and dived into Sucy's dream world."

"Some witches are said to have dreams that can see into the future," said Diana thoughtfully.

"That's what Lotte said," said Akko.

"Still the possibility of traveling to other worlds is beyond our reach," said Diana. "Even with modern technology and magic, the furthest we can travel safely is to the moon."

"Yeah, I guess," Akko hummed. "So…if you could go to another world, what would you do there?"

"Hmm…I can't say I've ever thought about that," said Diana. "For the longest time, I've only ever thought about upholding the Cavendish name and honoring my family's legacy. But now that I have the freedom to do what I choose, I…can't really decide what choose."

"Eh, I'm sure you'd figure it out," said Akko nonchalantly. "You're smart."

"Obviously," said Diana humorously. She continued in a softer voice. "But still…if I ever did find a way to travel to other world…I would hope you would be there with me."

"You say something?" asked Akko curiously.

"Nothing!" said Diana quickly, straightening herself up and coughing importantly into her fist. "Yes, well, as fun as this has been, I have some party plans that need ironing out. If you'll excuse me."

She turned and walked back inside, leaving Akko to stand around by the steps, when the Japanese heard a clattering noise from behind. It sounded like something metal. Akko turned around and noticed something on the floor. She stepped forward quickly to pick it up. It was a silver ring with an intricate vine design and an emerald gemstone in the center.

"Hey, Diana, wait up!" Akko called to the cabbage-head's fleeting backside, causing her to pause. "You dropped your ring!"

Diana looked startled and frantically searched her pocket. Realizing it wasn't there, Diana ran back and took the ring as it was offered to her, letting out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you, Akko," said Diana gratefully. "To think I would be so careless. If I had lost this, I don't know what I would've done."

"I didn't know you were into jewelry," said Akko curiously.

"It's not really jewelry per se," said Diana, her cheeks slightly dusted pink. "It's a bond ring."

"What's a bond ring?" asked Akko.

Before saying anything, Diana reached into her pocket again and pulled out a second matching ring. As they came in close proximity of each other, the gemstones on both rings started to glow.

"Bond rings are fabricated from a single branch of a witch's tree and carefully forged for thirty days and thirty nights using only one's magic," Diana explained. "It takes unwavering dedication to create them, which is why they are exceedingly rare."

"I can imagine," said Akko, impressed that anyone would spend thirty days and thirty nights on something so small.

"There is an old legend that says when two people share bond rings, their destinies become intertwined," Diana continued with a hint of sentiment in her tone. "They'll remain a part of each other, whether in life or death, for all of eternity. The bond rings are naturally drawn to each other and will glow when pointing to its match, guiding the wearers back to one another. This particular pair belonged to my parents. My father gave them to my mother when he proposed to her."

"Aw, that's so cute!" Akko squeaked; she was a sucker for a good romance.

"Aunt Daryl sent them to me last month after she discovered them among my mother's old things," said Diana. "She said that it was only right I should inherit them, and hopes that would one day give one to my chosen soulmate."

"So-o-o…," Akko said slowly, grinning mischievously. "Have you found anyone? You're chosen soulmate?"

"Wha – I – no, of course not!" Diana denied with a stutter, turning her back to Akko to conceal her reddening face. "I am much too busy to consider such frivolous notions!"

"C'mon, Diana, you can tell me!" said Akko, poking Diana's side trying to make her answer.

"I don't have time for this!" Diana snapped and power walked away.

"Diana, come back!" cried Akko, chasing after her. "You gotta tell me!"

"No!"

"Diana!"

The pair continued squabbling as they marched across the school, causing many to watch and laugh as they passed. The whole, neither witches noticed a certain delinquent sitting on the windowsill above them, having watched the entire exchange with a wicked smirk.

TRIGGER TOWER

Michiru Kagemori's day started out just like any other. She would wake up, get dressed eat two slices of burnt toast, make sure her girlfriend didn't oversleep, and took the 8 o'clock bus to her new job. It had been almost a year since she and Nazuna had left Anima City to represent the beastmen as the world's only human-beastmen hybrids. Well, Michiru did most of the paperwork – Nazuna got up on stage and drew in millions of fans with her singing, dancing, and exotic looks. Mayor Rose had initially considered Shirou due to his status as the Ginrou, but he firmly turned it down and threw Michiru under the bus in his place. If she ever returned to Anima City, Michiru was going to break his kneecaps….

Michiru go off the bus and arrived in the ostentatious building known as Trigger Tower. It used to go by another name before its previous owner was apparently arrested for trying to destroy the world, but Michiru fell asleep during that part of the orientation.

Her first assignment of the day: carrying a giant stack of papers. The tanuki hybrid shuffled back and forth, trying to balance the comedic tall tower of paperwork through the hallway, avoiding running into Zero Two and Rebecca. She finally arrived at her destination and banged on the door with her tail. After ten seconds of silence, Michiru grumbled and just outright kicked the door open before stepping inside. She could always blame it on this person if anybody asked.

"Hey, Ryuko, Satsuki wants you to check and sign all these papers; I don't envy you," said Michiru jokingly. But all that greeted her was another bout of silence. "Ryuko?"

Michiru leaned her head around the stack of papers and realized immediately that the person she had been sent to meet wasn't there. The tanuki girl searched around the office, if you could even call it that. Dozens of rock star and action movie posters plastered on the wall, a scratched up guitar on a stand, a trophy case filled with awards for fighting tournaments, a few pictures of friends and family, and a small mountain of empty pizza boxes in the corner. But no Ryuko.

Michiru huffed and dropped the stack on Ryuko's desk, which creaked ominously.

"That's just great; she ran away again," Michiru complained. "Where'd she go this time?" She took another look around and noticed a single envelope of the surprisingly clean desk. "Oh hey, she actually left a note this time."

Michiru opened the letter. As she scanned through the words, her eyes grew wider and wide until they threatened to pop out of her skull. When she reached the end, she blinked twice…and let out a howling scream that could be heard across town, causing Nazuna to stumble during dance practice.

Everyone stared and dived out of the way as the tanuki girl barrel through the hallway on all fours, having morphed her legs into those of a cheetah. Michiru was panicking, her mind running twice as fast as her legs over what she had just read. She was in such a hurry to find help, that she didn't even notice the flaming skeleton sitting behind the desk in the middle of the hall.

"Hey, Michiru, check out my new desk!" Chief Over Justice called excitedly.

Michiru did see him; she just charged through, which sent the flaming skeleton and his desk flying out the window, screaming at the top of his nonexistent lungs, "JUSTI-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-"

Michiru grounded her feet to a screeching halt in front of the elevator, kicking up a cloud of dust into the Anarchy Sisters' faces. She tapped the call button furiously, grateful that the elevator doors opened immediately, stepped inside and similarly pounded the ground floor button. Michiru tapped her foot impatiently as she rode the elevator down, wondering to herself why anyone would build a tower that was fifty feet above ground. But the second the doors opened, Michiru blazed out, not even stopping to apologize to Am and Karre when she knocked them over.

She ran around through the gardens at the base of the building, knocking her target would be hiding here for his morning nap. Michiru bounced over the tall bushes with the leap of a kangaroo and landed in a bed of colorful flowers surrounding the garden fountain. As she had anticipated, a half-naked man with ridiculously spiky hair was sleeping on the ground with his hands folded behind his back, without a care in the world.

"Galo!" Michiru screamed, running up to him. "Galo, wake up! This is serious!"

But Galo Thymos just kept snoring away. Michiru's eye twitched in annoyance. The tanuki girl raised her fist in the air and expanded her muscles until her hand was the size of her torso. She brought her gigantic fist down on Galo's stomach like a sledgehammer, knocking the wind out of him with an alarmed cry. Galo rolled around on the ground holding his stomach in pain as Michiru returned her fist to normal size. Hey, at least he's awake, Michiru thought.

"Hey, Michiru, what's the big idea," Galo groaned, wincing as he sat up. "You could've broke my ribs."

"You'll live," said Michiru in annoyance. "Listen, we've got a major crisis on our hands – "

"Did they run out of toilet paper again?" Galo interrupted.

"…Okay, not that major, but it's still a problem," said Michiru, looking around conspiratorially. "You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you."

"Satsuki?" asked Galo.

"Especially not Miss Satsuki!" said Michiru, shaking her head frantically.

"Chief Over Justice?"

"Are you not listening to me?!" Michiru snapped, stomping her foot angrily. "You can't tell a single – they're right behind me, aren't they?"

"Yep," said Galo simply.

Michiru closed her eyes with a grimace. She slowly turned around and found herself under the piecing stare of the short-haired, narrow-eyed owner of Trigger Tower, Satsuki Kiryuin. Standing next to her, his desk broken in several places and shards of glass sticking to his bones, was the very angry Chief of Justice, Chief Over Justice. Or Michiru thought he was angry at least. It was hard to tell since his animation was so static.

"Miss Kagemori," Satsuki spoke in a cool, even tone, which made Michiru's hair stand on end even worse than if she was yelling. "Is there a reason why you're running around my tower like a madwoman and threw Chief Over Justice out the window."

"That was not justice!" yelled Chief Over Justice.

Michiru laughed nervously. She was in so much trouble….

To see an illustrated version of this story complete with special images, please find it over at Mine and Pink's AO3 account