A/N: Hey, apparently Alpha's going to get her swimsuit Alt in the coming Master of Garden Event… I have no gems…

Oh well. I have done basically all of Alpha's dialogues anyway. Lol. Currently I'm missing the basic Alpha, White Suit, Valentines, and then probably the new one coming.

Also fun fact I just learned, Angelica and Delta share a voice actor. That woman's got range, damn.

Disclaimer: I do not own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs nor The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.

-P2W-

Having received the implements she needed from Cid and Alpha, Sherry gets to work calibrating the artifact.

Cid plops down on a sofa and starts reading a book while Alpha prepares some tea.

Time passes quietly. The sunlight shining through the windows gradually takes on a crimson hue.

Cid and Alpha occasionally move around, if mostly to avoid Luxion's gaze.

Sherry mistakes this for them needing to use the restroom often, and gives them both some stomach medicine, which they accept with a grimace.

And then, right as the sun sets completely, Sherry finishes her task.

With a beaming smile Sherry announces, "…All done!"

"Nice work." Said Cid as he peered over her shoulder. Alpha clapping politely and silently.

Sherry nods and takes the artifact in her hands, "Yes, I was able to pull it off. Now we can curb the effects of the Eye of Avarice blocking our magic."

Alright. Thinks Cid, The sun is down, and things are looking good.

"So, about those secret passages…" mentions Cid.

"Oh right." Said Sherry as she stood up, "Well, according to Stephanie…"

Sherry pushes a book on one of the shelves along the wall. The bookcase slides to the side, revealing a stairway leading underground.

"Wow." Said Cid and Alpha in unison.

It was smart of Cid to look for another entrance earlier. Thinks Alpha.

Man I wish I realized this one was just here earlier. Thinks Cid. I LOVE stuff like this…! That entrance under the rug was cool, but a hidden bookshelf one! That's badass!

"There are several hidden escape routes throughout the Academy. But this particular one hasn't seen use in quite some time." A hint of sadness appears in Sherry's eyes as she says this. "The dust on the stairs in undisturbed… There are no footprints. I was hoping Stephanie had made it to safety through here…"

Memories of walking this passageway with her stir in Sherry's mind. She had pestered her to put down the work as Stephanie was too distracted after an encounter with Brad Fou Field. It was a cherished experience that Sherry will never forget.

Sherry never had a sister before, nor a real father. Her true father had died soon after she was born, and Sherry could barely remember her mother. Her mother had taken Sherry out to town for the winter festival when Sherry was just 9 years old. She recalls having fun, but then remembers how near the end of the night they ended up talking to another mother and their child.

They shared a carriage ride back to the residential district, and after having fun the whole day, Sherry fell asleep on her mother's lap. Sherry would remember how she woke up at home.

How she looked for her mother but was unable to find her anywhere.

How she was terribly cold every morning.

How it took a week for someone to visit her.

It was Vandel Him Zenden.

He reported how Sherry's mother was abducted, and the ship carrying her had crashed. After a week of searching, Vandel had concluded that Sherry's mother was gone. He offered for Sherry to come with him to Fanoss, as at a mere 9 years old she couldn't fend for herself.

Sherry was unable to speak for several years after the incident, only one-word answers given for anything. She blocked out everything around her and immersed herself in the study of her mother's artifacts as if trying to follow in her footsteps.

In the present, Sherry looks down at the artifact in her hands with determination, "Foster Father and Stephanie showed me all the love they possibly could. They even encouraged me to continue my mother's unfinished studies…"

Through the support of Stephanie, Sherry eventually recovered her powers of speech. Her memories of family, save for the few of her mother, are with Stephanie. Her 'wicked stepsister' as Stephanie would call herself. She originally held Sherry at arm's length, but would always be there for her, guiding her every step of the way.

She was there when Sherry would have nightmares, allowing her into her bed to stop her from crying. She was there when Sherry had her first period, showing her how to clean the blood out of her clothes. She was there when Sherry got her first crush, teaching her how to bake cookies.

And now the day has come for when she can return all that support.

"Now, it's my turn…" muttered Sherry.

Not realizing at all what Sherry was going through, Alpha cheerfully added, "Well, I hope Miss Offrey's safe."

"…Do you think you could come with me?" Said Sherry.

"I'm sorry Sherry but no. We all have our own destinies and your destiny culminates here," said Cid with a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I would not rob you of that."

Sherry nods, feeling more determined. Alpha is touched that Cid would bestow Sherry the famous 'shadow wisdom' upon her in her hour of need.

Sherry descends but not before turning to her friends one last time, "Cid… Alice… thank you, truly."

Both shook their heads.

"We only helped a little," said Cid. "There's nothing more we can do, so now it's up to you to save the world."

"I'll do my best." Sherry smiles and descends the steps.

Alpha and Cid would then move to leave themselves.

"So, where do we go from here?" asked Alpha.

"We should probably make good on our promise and have those in the light realize that Alice and her dumb husband are alright." Said Cid.

Alpha began to giggle.

"What?" asked Cid as they too took the secret entrance from earlier.

"Husband?" tittered Alpha.

Cid donned his Shadow outfit as he led Alpha quickly past the adventurers exploring the tunnels, unknowingly creating a legend that there was a ghost of a woman roaming the secret passages of the school.

-Olivia-

After making sure that everyone was okay, Leon headed back to partner. He hadn't taken off the armor, and I did my best to be there for him.

I'd try holding him, but his armor wasn't exactly made for that.

Instead, Angie, Deirdre, Claire, and I helped clean off the armor. It was completely covered with blood. Every time I touched his armor, I could feel it shaking. I wanted so badly to hold him, but I couldn't. He wouldn't take off the armor.

Before he sat down Leon had told us what Lord Shadow and Lady Shade had said: that Cid and Alice were fine and somewhere, probably hiding. It's probably what kept Claire from doing anything drastic. But Luxion hadn't been able to find anything other than a few bloody footprints that ended once they left the building. It's not as though Cid and Alice can fly without magic, so we really had no clue where they went.

…Oh, and I guess I should mention that Leon seduced another cute girl with a big chest. Her name's Mylene. I think Angie said that they used to work in the palace together? She's here too, I forcer her to fetch the bucket of water for us clean off Leon with…

No, I'm not jealous that she got a bridal carry in his armor before I did.

Not at all.

[Master, am I interrupting anything?]

Luxion does what he usually does and scares us all, as we jump in surprise Leon takes the opportunity to stand.

"What is it Luxion?" asked Leon, his voice sounding empty.

[We have a guest. I believe you are familiar with her.]

Leon looks at all of us, "…Who?"

Luxion merely opens the door, and in walks Luna, who strangely has a comforting smile on her face.

"Luna." Remarked Angie, "What brings you here?"

Luna chuckled, "Something I imagine you've been waiting to hear."

Claire got up, tearing up, not that I could blame her, I could feel tears covering my face again.

"About 1 hour ago, right after sunset, imagine my surprise when the love of my life, and my sister in all but blood, showed up to the staff only entrance covered in blood, dirt, and too tired to really say anything. It took 30 minutes for me to find out that they 1, almost died, 2, ran into some of the most dangerous people in the world, and 3, just barely escaped with the help of a friend. Something about having reached a place where the barrier didn't stop their magic and tunneled their way out." Said Luna.

"…They're fine…?" asked Leon.

"Exhausted, probably traumatized, but yes. They're okay." Said Luna.

Angie and I cheered, hugging each other in relief, Deirdre fanning herself as she tries not to ruin her makeup by crying anymore than she already had, and Leon fell in relief, taking off his helmet as though he couldn't believe that Luna was in front of us and saying these things.

Claire immediately rushed up to Luna, "Can I see them!? Please!"

Luna looked to the side, "Uh, well."

"We should tell Rose!" I realized, "She's been so distraught!"

"Er, about that," tried Luna.

"Luna? Is there something you want to add?" asked Angie.

Luna scratched the side of her face, "Well, for one they are mostly okay. However,… they… probably wouldn't like any visitors right now… considering…"

…

Claire deadpanned, "Are those two seriously having sex right now?"

Luna didn't meet her eyes.

*PFFT*

I look over to Leon and see him doubled over in laughter.

"HAHAHAHA!" cackled Leon, making me laugh with the words he managed to wheeze, "Those two barely managed to live and jumped straight to trying create life!"

*Giggle*

Everyone in the room descends into a fit of laughter.

I guess we could wait to see them until tomorrow.

"There is one other thing they managed to explain to me though." Said Luna. "You recall how I said that the two had escaped with the help of a friend yes?"

We all nod.

"Well, the thing is, that friend was Sherry, the artifact researcher." Said Luna.

Leon and Angie made faces at that.

"Right… Iris had brought her up before. Supposedly Sherry was handed an artifact that Iris felt was behind Shadow's 'I AM ATOMIC' spell." Remarked Leon.

Luna nods, "Right, well apparently that same artifact is the solution to our current predicament. Sherry is on her way now to have her artifact meet with the enemy's, once that happens the barrier that's been eating everyone's magic will disappear."

…

I look to Leon and see him don his helmet. "Then I know exactly what needs to be done. Thank you Luna."

"Of course." Luna smiles, "Please come by Mitsugoshi tomorrow, we'll throw a party to celebrate everyone's safety."

"See you then." I say with a smile and a hug.

Luna returns it before leaving.

[Master, we seem to have a few visitors.]

We all turn to see Luxion showing footage of a group of people, The Shadow Garden, waving towards all of us.

"Looks like that's my cue." Said Leon as he got ready to leave again.

"What about us?" I asked.

Leon stops before nodding, "Do you and Angie want to pilot Arroganz?"

I smiled.

I admit I'm not pro-violence, if I am that's mostly Ann's influence on me, but when we almost lost two of our closest friends… well, I can at least help scare the people that did that to them.

-Sherry-

I walk along the hidden passageway, and I should be close to reaching the auditorium now…

As I take a turn, I see I'm not alone.

The serpent-like grin that usually was a source of comfort greets me.

"Sherry~" greeted Stephanie while opening her arms for a hug.

"Stephanie…!" I move to embrace her but stop.

She's wearing the same outfit that the terrorists were.

I tear up, "You're not here to help me, are you?"

Stephanie's arms drop, "No."

My vision blurs.

"You're one of them." I state.

"I am." She replied, taking out a knife.

I reach behind me and take out the shotgun she gave me.

"Please don't." I begged.

"Why?" said Stephanie as she got closer.

"I don't want to hurt you." I said, my lip quivering. "I love you."

"Snnrk*" sneered Stephanie, stopping in place. "'You love me'" she said with a mocking voice.

"You're like a sister to me Stephanie, please, please don't do this." I begged again.

Stephanie charges towards me, and I back up as she slashes.

I can't bring myself to shoot, I'm pretty sure the gun doesn't have any bullets loaded.

*Swish*

Sherry slashes the air, and I have to climb up a ladder onto some rafters to avoid her.

"Where are you going~" sing-songed Stephanie, "Don't you want a hug?"

I keep running, maybe I can just avoid her.

"Aw, do you want to play hide and seek again?" teased Stephanie. "Okay… I'll start talking and you find somewhere to hide…"

I remembered Cid and Alice's advice on how to stay stealthy, doing my best not to think too hard, watching my step, and covering my mouth so I wouldn't make noise with my breath.

"Hihihi" laughed Stephanie, "You know this is awfully poetic. Right now I'm going to kill you for my father, and earlier I had killed your mother on behalf of my mother! Symmetry!"

…Don't think…don't think!

"Yes… it was me… I was there, Sherry." Said Stephanie, as she draws her knife along the railing filling the room with an awful scraping noise. "You know what my family used to do. We'd hire pirates to steal, murder, and sometimes capture women. For ransoms, to sell, or maybe just so the pirates can have some fun."

I keep moving.

I want to load my gun, but it'd just make too much noise.

"Especially stupid little commoner women that thought they were hot shit. I hate commoners, you're all nothing more than little pests mooching off of us nobility!" Stephanie emphasizes her point by slashing at the air, sending out a wave of magic.

Keep moving, you almost made a full circle.

"Do you want to know how it happened? Hihihi! Well, one day, my mother takes me out during the winter festival for a special gift. My first murder. Ah… I remember that day so well. I wanted it to be special, I wanted to just laugh in the faces of some too happy little shits." Stephanie doesn't seem to hear me as I use a path goes behind her and she continues, "So, wouldn't you know it? I saw this little girl with a head of pink hair. Or no, she ran into me. Ruined my dress by getting some boogers on it. Oh I hated her so much. Wouldn't you know it? She was the daughter of a famous researcher."

I bite down on the inside of my cheek.

"That's right. It was you, Sherry! I decided to kill your mother because of you!" declared Stephanie. "Isn't that hilarious! The woman you've seen as family for the past few days is what killed your mother!"

I stop.

Stephanie catches up to me.

"Oh? Did I touch a nerve?" taunted Stephanie.

I turn to her.

Stephanie sneers again, "Aw, are you going to fight back?"

I drop my gun.

As it clatters against the ground I see Stephanie's eyes widen.

"What the… fuck are you doing!?" Snarled Stephanie.

I step towards Stephanie while saying, "You lost your mom too."

She steps back like I'm the one with a weapon.

"We're the same age, Stephanie. You were just 9 years old too."

Stephanie drops her knife as though her hand was scalded by it.

"I wish your father raised you like he was a dad."

Stephanie trips and starts crawling backwards.

"I wish you weren't forced into this situation."

Stephanie hits her head against one of the railings.

"Stephanie… we can get through this, together. All of this, everything I can do, was because you were there cheering me on. I forgive you…" I say while tears stream down my eyes, but I find myself smiling, "I love you."

Stephanie looks at me, crying too.

But Stephanie only really knows how to react in one way.

She jumps up and is about to try and strangle me, when-

*Fwip*

I'm about to scream when I see something like a needle hit Stephanie's neck and she collapses only for someone about my height to emerge from the shadows to cover my mouth.

"Don't worry," she says while holding up a dart gun, "She's just knocked out for now. Honestly, it won't last more than 5 minutes. But don't you have a job to do?"

I glance at Stephanie.

The woman slumps, "Ugh, fine I'll carry her and walk after you, okay?"

I nod.

The woman takes Stephanie and lifts here easily… except-

"Hey!" I whisper yell, "Support her neck more!"

Although I can't see them behind her cloak and mask, I can tell that the woman rolls her eyes as she adjusts.

We make our way through the tunnel, and I see the center of the auditorium.

There's a lot of students seated there, some tied up, others free. Those that are free are doing their best to tend to the wounds of all the injured students.

They're surrounded by their black-clad assailants.

I briefly look back to the one carrying Stephanie, and I can immediately tell the differences.

I take a deep breath and take out the control device.

I touch the red stone and a gold light with runes shines forth.

Show time.

I throw the artifact straight into the auditorium!

-P2W-

Out of nowhere, a dazzling light illuminates the auditorium.

The fake members of shadow garden all are blinded while the students become confused.

Lord Offrey notices that the Eye of Avarice begins to make a high-pitched whirring noise. But before he can raise any kind of complaint, a loud cracking noise starts to come from the roof.

*CRASH!*

The sound of breaking glass forces everyone to look up as a combination of a jet-black whirlwind and a flash of silver tear onto the scene. Furthermore, the entire room finds itself bathed in red light as several other figures in jet-black emerge and an armor, the one known as Arroganz, descends.

In the center of the area, floating above the stunned crowd, is a mechanical angel and next to him is a woman in an ebony coat.

"This has gone on long enough." Announced the future king of Holfort, speaking with a voice that dared anyone to make any sudden moves.

No one does.

Aside from the woman, she raises her arm, and sets the record straight.

"We are the Shadow Garden." Declared Alpha.

Nu and all of the other numbers finish the phrase, "We lurk in the shadows, and hunt the shadows."

Alpha then drops her arm, and the black-clad group leaps into action in unison.

A one-sided battle begins, with the men in black being cut down one after the other.

The students stand in awe, unable to comprehend what is happening, but just when things can't seem to get any more confusing, the speakers from Arroganz come on.

"Is this thing on?" asked Olivia

[Speakers are working.]

"Great! Um, if there's anyone that need's healing, please come close to the armor, we'll be able to help you right away!" cheered Olivia.

As students get close to the red light coming off of Arroganz they notice that all the bruises and other injuries sustained from the terrorists begin to vanish.

All of this spells doom for Lord Offrey. He knows how dire the situation is.

The swordplay of this newly-arrived force does not belong to any school he knows of, and the healing brought by the armor is something only theorized to be performed by the Saintess.

Just where exactly could have a faction of such caliber come from?

Knowing that it's only a moment of time before they come after him, Lord Offrey begins to make his way for an exit, managing to find the control unit that Sherry had thrown on his way out, making sure to activate a trap meant to burn the auditorium.

Fire erupts from the ceiling where all the lanterns and other similarly gas powered devices are, including the previous entrance that Sherry had used.

Because of this Sherry and the Shadow Garden member with black hair who is carrying Stephanie are forced to take alternate routes while attempting to outrun the fire.

Arroganz' speakers come on again as Angelica speaks this time, "Although we are more than glad to heal you, anyone who isn't in critical condition should make their way out of the auditorium now!"

The students nod as Leon and Alpha join in the fight, Leon making sure to bust open a nearby door, letting the military and adventurers in to help with the evacuation efforts.

From above, Gamma and several other shadow garden members watch the commotion.

"And on your own territory no less," remarks Gamma, "Quite the bold move."

It doesn't take long for the members of shadow garden aiding in the attack on the auditorium finish their business. Without so much as a goodbye they begin to leave.

"All targets have been collected," reports Nu to Gamma from their place on the roof.

"Well done," replied Gamma, she then stares off in the distance, "All that remains now is…"

-P2W/Cid-

A silhouette moves about in the dimly-lit room. It pulls several volumes from the bookshelves, then tosses them on the floor and sets them alight. The small fire gradually consumes the books and lights the chamber up brightly.

"Weird thing to do to your daughter's room."

Lord Offrey gasps. He had thought he was alone in the room, but now there is a lone boy there with him.

The boy is sitting on the windowsill reading a book. He has black hair and seems average in every way. However, he never gives so much as a glance at the flames spreading behind the man, instead keeping his gaze on the thick tome in his hands. The sound of pages turning seems exceptionally loud.

"Who are you?" demanded Lord Offrey. "Why are you here?"

As though in tune with his emotions, the room grows brighter with every demand. Perhaps the excess of hot air.

Lord Offrey's eyes are on Cid, and Cid's eyes are on his book. Their shadows waver in the light of the blaze.

"Can I ask you something for my own reference?" asked Cid as he continued to not look at Offrey.

Looking for an opportunity Lord Offrey responds, "And what might that be?"

"Why? I can't imagine you're the type of guy who'd lower himself to this level." Questioned Cid.

Lord Offrey chuckles, "Why? Why, he asks. I'll tell you why!"

"Mhm" responds Cid.

"I used to be an Earl; you know." Said Lord Offrey laughing in a tone that is both mocking and somehow weary, "I had power! Real power! I need for nothing. If I wanted something I would have it. All it would take is a mere snap of my fingers! But just when I was reaching my prime… it all was gone thanks to the events of one night…"

Offrey slams his hand against a nearby table, Cid flips pages again.

"My wife, my fortune, my life… my power… of all those things the last is what's truly irreplaceable. I did everything I could to acquire it. I used to rely on the strength of others but this time around I couldn't afford that. So I sought strength wherever I could, and one day I hear of an artifact that one of the suckers I had been forced to work for needed." Said Lord Offrey.

"Sounds like I'm in for a long story," muttered Cid.

Lord Offrey nodded, "Yes, a little. See when I lost my power, I went from an Earl to a Baron. Because of that, many of the ties I had were cut. Or at the very least in the way I was connected before. Now I had to be subservient to others… do you know how humiliating that is!? Especially when it's to those Fannosian FREAKS!"

Lord Offrey breaks the table this time.

"Oh, but one day I heard about how a pet project of one the higher ups was going. See, this man also lost his power. So, he funded the research of the very same artifact I have… borrowed, let's say. He had a good deal going with some woman, but she made the foolish decision to try and stop." Lord Offrey then smiled, "You know I was hired to kill her? But my daughter attempted to do it first. However like most things that aren't done by myself, it wasn't done right. No, somehow she messed up and had gotten the entirety of our forces killed. Luckly the artifact was recovered, and the foolish woman's daughter had continued on the research."

Lord Offrey begins to laugh again, finding the suffering of commoners amusing.

"Well, is that enough 'reference' for you, boy?" asked Lord Offrey.

"For the most part… but there's just one last detail I need to know." Said Cid. At Lord Offrey gesturing for him to get on with it Cid asks, "Did it every really matter to you that your wife died, or that your daughter might be dying in the fire right now?"

Lord Offrey scoffs, "No. Does that make you angry?"

"I'm not so sure… You see, I draw a clear line between things that matter to me and those that don't." Said Cid as he closed the book. "Over the course of our lives, we all accumulate things that matter to us, like friends, lovers, or jobs… but at one point I did the opposite and rid myself of all that. What I've found is that there are some things that don't need to be sacrificed to achieve what you really want."

Cid stands up, throws the book into the fire, and readies his sword.

"No, you don't anger me, Lord Awful-rey." Cid then surrounds himself with slime. Lord Shadow emerges, "You disgust me."

"You…!" shouted Lord Offrey. "You're Shadow! You're the one who stole everything from me that night!"

Knowing that he'd be no match for Shadow as he is, Lord Offrey takes out the Eye of Avarice alongside its control unit.

"I'm going to enjoy this!" shouted Lord Offrey.

The Eye of Avarice merges with its control unit, taking the appearance of a rose as it shoots streams of red-tinted black magic every which way, embedding itself within Lord Offrey's chest. He screams in pain that turns into a sort of euphoria.

"This… this is power! This is what it means to be above it all!" shrieks Lord Offrey.

Cid narrows his eyes.

Then smirks.

"Above it all, eh?" said Cid.

Cid raises his arms channeling magic into the surrounding area.

"What are you doing! No! I won't let you…!?" Lord Offrey shouts at Cid, attempting to stop him only to find every attack made on Cid's person futile.

The entire room finds itself covered in hundreds of ultrathin violet blue strands of magic.

"I…"

Cid marches slowly towards Lord Offrey.

"AM…"

Cid then uses slime to carry Lord Offrey by his neck, raising him so that he is being strangled by Cid's own hand.

And as he stares him dead in the eyes, Cid finishes his chant.

"RISING ATOMIC"

Although everything in his vision quickly finds itself fading white, thanks to the power of the completed artifact, Lord Offrey is able to see the entirety of the kingdom of Holfort in his gaze before is reduced to nothing.

The fight is over.

-P2W/Alpha-

While waiting for the rest of the motley crew to show up, Cid, Alpha, and Gamma all have breakfast while reading the newspaper.

"The resemblance is quite good, don't you think?" asked Alpha.

Cid rubbed his chin, "I dunno… I feel like my jaw isn't so chiseled."

In Alpha's hands is a copy of the newspaper. In it, the front page is titled "DESTRUCTION OF HOLFORT ACADEMY: IS THIS THE WORK OF THE SHADOW GARDEN? OFFICIAL STATEMENT YET TO BE RELEASED."

Cid continued reading, "Look at this, on the next page. Shadow, danger, avoid at all costs. Wanted for indiscriminate homicide, criminal confinement, arson, robbery…"

"Breaking his wife's heart." Teased Alpha.

"Something he will no doubt make up for." Said Cid as he burned up the newspaper in his hands.

"What of everything else?" asked Gamma.

Cid scoffed, "Know this. As Shadow Garden we will gladly accept all the sins of this world. But know that it will change nothing. For we will accomplish what we set out to do."

"Those are fine words, Lord Shadow." Said Nu from her place among the maids.

"Oh?" asked Alpha while poking Cid in the cheek with one hand and burning her copy with the other, "Are we not on the side of good?"

"Objectively, sure. I suppose so. But realistically, there is a lot that we will do that must be done, even if the entire world won't agree." Stated Cid.

I suppose I am yet to match your resolve thought Alpha.

Everyone sits quietly, until one of the maids falls on her knees.

"Yankee!" shouted Nu.

"I'm sorry!" shouted back Stephanie, "I'm just not used to standing for this long!"

Cid and Alpha chuckled.

"Ah memories," remarked Alpha.

Gamma turned back, "Charlie, I thought you said you had her handled."

"I do." Responded Charlie, "She's just used to being pampered and finds standing too difficult."

"Carla!" shouted Stephanie.

"It's Charlie! That's the name Lord Shadow gave me and that's the name you have to use, Yankee!" shouted back Charlie.

Alpha lets the girls bicker for a bit before taking a deep breath and clapping her hands once, the sound echoing throughout the room and forcing everyone to stand back in their place.

"Charlie," said Cid, "Yankee is still new. Furthermore, she's not joining the combat divisions. She may kneel if standing after the events of yesterday are too much."

"Yes Lord Shadow." Said Charlie.

As Stephanie gratefully nodded Charlie, a woman with long dark hair and an empty look in her eyes, who used to go by the name as Carla Fou Wayne prior to Shadow Garden's raid on the Offrey territory, shot her a dark look.

Alpha taps her finger on the table to indicate that she has not stopped watching and Charlie immediately corrects herself again.

Nu comes in the room, "Excuse me, but the members of Leon's faction have gathered in the ball room. Leon and Rose seem rather antsy in particular."

Cid and Alpha smile to one another.

"Time to face the consequences of our actions." Said Cid.

"Our?" teased Alpha.

Cid pouts and swats her ass as soon as they start walking in the hall. Alpha does her best to not audibly yelp in delight at the action.

-Cid-

I open the door and see all of my friends.

As they rush towards me and Alice I realize that I really don't stand out among them.

Yup, Mob status, confirmed.

"Thank goodness!" yelled Rose as she tackled both me and Alpha to the ground, "I'm so happy to see you alive!"

I very slowly get back up with the help of Leon who also gives me a big hug, joined by Olivia and Angelica.

"I can't believe it, you're both really okay." Said Leon.

I nod, "Yeah, I miraculously escaped death somehow. I think it helped that none of my vitals were hit."

"And that someone managed to find you and heal you." Snarked Leon.

I shrug, "Yeah, that too -hrk!"

Claire grabs me and Alpha, hugging us by our throats, as I am currently rendered useless, I blissfully just let things unfurl as everyone struggles to separate Claire from us.

Honestly I'm a bit surprised how she's hugging Alpha too, but I guess that at this point she's like another little sibling.

In the distance I see Stephanie go to talk with Sherry on the balcony.

-P2W-

The two girls sit next to each other against the wall, unable to find the words to speak.

Eventually, Sherry scoots closer to Stephanie, putting her head on Stephanie's shoulder.

"So… you're working for Mitsugoshi now?" asked Sherry.

Stephanie leaned her head onto Sherry's, "They said they'd take me to Midgar… what about you? Where are you going?"

Sherry holds Stephanie's hand, running her thumb over it slightly.

"I'm going back to Fanoss. Father is likely going to send for someone to take me back soon. I had planned to meet with Hertrude during the school trip to begin with, so likely then." Said Sherry.

They sit in silence.

"I'm going to miss you." Said Sherry.

"Yeah…" said Stephanie, "I'll miss you too."

They sit in silence again, tears running down their faces.

Sherry frowns and then jumps up, "Why don't you come with- mph!"

Before Sherry can finish her offer, Stephanie turns Sherry's face towards her and kisses her, on the lips.

Sherry flounders a bit but doesn't pull away, too flustered and confused to make heads or tails of what's happening.

Stephanie puts a hand on the small of Sherry's back and pulls her closer, then intruding in Sherry's mouth with her tongue, moaning slightly.

Sherry's face mirrors her hair as her eyes swirl, her cowlick pointing straight up.

Eventually Stephanie separates from Sherry, leaving nothing but a trail of saliva between them.

"…" nothing comes out of Sherry's mouth but a noise reminiscent of dial up internet.

Stephanie smiles sadly and sweetly, "I really do love you Sherry."

Stephanie would then leave Sherry who would stay in her catatonic state until some of the maids found her and took her back inside.

Charlie would find Stephanie a blushing mess in her room.

"You know," began Charlie, "Her mom's probably going to pissed."

Stephanie would let that knowledge digest for a bit.

"Her what?" she finally squeaked out.

A/N: *In the most monotone voice I can muster* uwoooh toxic yuri.

Lmao, stopping here for now. I think this is my shortest chapter yet but it felt right to end it here. So in Mobueska the next event would be the field trip since I kinda got rid of the need for the incident at the race track and the attack on Offrey's territory, but in EiS there's a lot more I can use. So I'm swapping focus here.

Many of you were able to guess that the planned member of Cid's harem was Carla, Stephanie is kinda joining too, but mainly because of Sherry. I don't think any of you were going to be able to guess the last scene was going to happen though. Lol.

Now to answer some comments, nothing on SB.

Ao3 (I'm going to answer the ones from the latest chapters, as otherwise I feel would be sorta spoilers, still thanks for those who joined later than the others, it makes me happy to see.)

Late24: Well she learned about Stephanie, but Vande's still out and about.

DivineDemonDragon: Thanks for the long comments!

Yeah I kinda meant to get around to having more guy only scenes but never really found a good point to.

Alpha actually knits as a hobby, she's such a mom lmao.

No that was just in "An Honest Soul" by Jim_Hoxworth. Which by the way, it's hilarious reading the most recent chapter then going on to write what I did with Stephanie. Like the whiplash.

Yeah, Alpha doesn't ever talk about her family, which I think says a lot, despite Beatrix really loving her.

Both things can be true about Alpha. But damn, now that's an image to have in my head.

No Leon doesn't know what Mylene looks like, he didn't even when knighted in Canon so he it's fine that he doesn't here.

I don't know about you, but I totally dreamt about saving everyone from a bank robbery or something similar when I was a boy.

Yeah it was Carla.

Glad you left comments on both chapters, don't worry.

…I make no promises about John Smith. Especially given that was done for Shadow Garden even in canon.

To be fair, it was Leon and Luxion in group C.

Kinda hard to act holier than thou when you are put through the ringer.

Thanks! I was worried about the picture so glad to see people liked it.

Deathfang1920: Stephanie redemption arc is a go. Yeah the queen is kinda… easy. Even in the mobuseka kindergarten spin off Leon manages to woo her, so…

Rainsensei: Gracias! Perdon, pero tiene Aesc para to photo? Se mide muy bonito.

NovelMagic7120114: No idea why the image wasn't working for you, but maybe try Spacebattles? It doesn't need an account.

Anisomeone: Yeah I saw that. I only have enough for one 10 pull since I tried to get the new Yukime… I didn't think they'd go with Alpha this year *clenches my F2P fist*

BOY4_GOW: Her adoptive dad is Vandel from Mobuseka, the black knight.

Wolfpaladin: He gets lectured by her in canon too, usually when he goes overboard during Shadow stuff. Like when they rescue Zeta.

I actually thought of that song (the nightcore covers I used to listen to specifically) when I wrote the scene. Actually in both the manga and anime the fake shadow garden had guns, more like old timey pistols and rifles than what Holfort has access to, but still.

Cid doesn't think she's in love with Marco, what I meant to highlight is that Cid doesn't realize that all of Shadow Garden has feelings for him in some manner.

You called it. But Alpha was recalling Sherry's mother in that scene.

I feel like Erica would be interesting, but I have enough characters to deal with for now, so I'll wait till she shows up in canon.

Oh yeah, I'm not done with Stephanie.

:

Golden Nova: Deirdre mainly uses magic to fight, which was locked at the time.

Surayo: thanks!

EDG1999: One, congrats on having the 100th comment, lol. Two, yeah she's going to have a couple of more scenes before I move on.

QQ:

Someone ani: Honestly I wanted the entire thing to be one or two chapters, including this one, I just figured it'd be better to split it up a bit more.

Hopefully I did the scene some justice here, I imagine you thought I was going to have Cid face off with Stephanie, but I figured that Lord Offrey made a neat parallel for Cid here, especially with how Cid's been changing in the fic.

28th00: Stephanie has had a bunch of time to reflect over the years, and she knows she hadn't been a good person. She knew her father was up to stuff, that's why she armed Sherry.

To be fair, I think Leon would know about 'revival' items in game, such as the Saintess' necklace. But that extreme mana manipulation… well Lady Shade's going to get another upgrade is all I'll say.

I actually forgot Roland wants that, lmao.

Rose will get more time next arc, when they go to lindwurm.

Sherry had a small crush on Cid, but now has conflicting feelings with Stephanie, who babied her for reasons I don't think anyone expected. Sorry, still broke her mind.

Bladist: Glad I could help.

Yeah that's a good point, with less casualties in her private knights Iris shouldn't be so quick to panic.

I don't remember Marco being slightly conscious, when was that mentioned?

Stephanie gave her the shotgun.

The way you typed 'it's stephanie, it's probably stephanie,' reminded me of that one American dad clip where Steve says 'it's roger isn't it? It's definitely roger.'

I always thought that was the reason Leon like Mylene.

Yeah, if Leon asked Luxion probably would've gladly booted up the doom soundtrack.

Havefeith: Would you mind saying which phrase? I only played 2 and was spoiled on 3 in regards to 2.