Star & Orange 3 - (Original, Magical Girl Show Deconstructed)

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AN: A little warning - this chapter entails some semi-RL stuff. This is not me raising any attacks at any political establishment, but bringing up a common phenomenon with plenty of reportage.

An explosion. A big bright red one.

It was absurd to imagine this being a normalcy in a place like rural China, but it was indeed the place where this all came to be.

The source of such attack, perceived by the national government as a Western Ploy, proved to be far too difficult to grasp due to its absurdly simple frame: a young girl with red hair and a lance - wearing a simplistic chinese dress.

A blank look on her face, no care for the lives of the soldiers that were lost trying to either capture or kill her. This petite angel of death showed no hint of mercy.

It didn't help that she had a single name to address herself, and her voice was quite candid the rare times she spoke.

"Pretty Apple."

Two words, and yet those became the common nickname used to address the end of what had been a decades-long dictatorship. The twilight years of Communist, all brought down with a single sudden blast that manifested in Beijing.

The CCP's leadership was vaporized, the major party members were suddenly fending off in the political mess that came out of this disaster but the people- oh, the people took the chance to claim what was theirs.

Rebellions exploded, the masses surged the streets. The rule of law was forsaken for the sake of popular anger. No amount how popular some CCP leaders were, the folks were demanding proper democracy.

Some had even started to take notice of Pretty Apple's action through China's infamous Firewall. The 'Red Paladin of China', or 'the Modern Hero of China'.

The internet was in a frenzy, but to the one truly concerned, there was a question pending by her lips that she directed to the one that aimed her at this large city.

"Is this enough?"

"Yes."

Dark Star Zero had found her a mere week ago, seeing her take action mere hours after getting her powers. It was ironic that such a frail child was the bearer of the abilities once held by the most martial and most lawful entity of the Dream Rainbow.

Yet, the powerful entity knew this was not done without reason. Crimes among humans were common, even more in dictatorship.

China's attempt to reach a greater degree of Democracy had been ruined by the aging leadership, and thus corruption had taken a foothold in not only cementing the elders' guidance, but even secure privileges due to their actions.

Kidnapping young boys and girls, the depravity of some monsters, and... a sprinkle of determination to live.

Pretty Apple was 'lucky'. Not only had she attained these powers before her innocence was ripped away from her, but she made good use on destroying the very thing sheltering the monsters that had almost taken her childhood.

It was most interesting how she trusted Dark Star Zero.

He had just spoken to her, told her where the nest of all corruption was and... she appeared more than happy to 'do' what was right.

Her sense of justice was warped. Not only was she still a child alike Miho, but she was... quite trusting of those she was safe from.

She still relied on authority, a sign of absolute trust a child would grant to a parent, but it was clear she had set boundaries following her close encounter with what was polluted of this society.

She was also spent by the time she was done talking. She had barely eaten anything. She had just marched, teleporting, and bombing wherever she went.

Part of her tensed up as Dark Star Zero caught her from falling, afraid of his touch and embrace, but ultimately her exhaustion took her mind away from the equation.

Part of him was impressed by her dedication, but he was aware this child needed to be taught about moderation.

That being said... he took upon his hand to teach a lesson. Other major cities in China were bombed, weeding out the worst of the politicians and leaving the least concerning offenders.

It wasn't a perfect solution, but he mimicked Pretty Apple's explosion spell as to avoid any suspicions of a secondary cause to this.

Once the deed was done, he brought her back to his flagship.

Miho was awake and finishing breakfast when he suddenly appeared in her living room. She squeaked in surprise at the development, but she suddenly eyed the girl that was laid upon her sofa.

"Pretty Apple. She was a victim of human cruelty. Keep watch of her while she slumbers and try to carefully ease her in her new surroundings."

There wasn't much else to say. Maybe there was, but none that Miho, despite her maturity, could understand.

He just left for other businesses, observing Earth's news as Dark Star Zero knew this situation in China would hardly be ignored. No, the people were watching and some were panicking at the implications this was bringing.

China was a hellhole for hours, and was going to be so for a few more days before proper unblurred border lines were set. He doubted it was going to be an unified state, not with many ideas and differences playing out against the dying leadership.

Dark Star Zero studied this phenomenon, wondering if more magical girls were going to appear due to it or, actually, hide away their powers to prevent such a massive 'disaster' upon their countries.

It was too early to make a call about it, but the man was willing to wait. After all...

Things were only going to be interesting from this point onward.

Not even a 'Good Morning'. Miho was really bummed as she paced back and forth in front of the sofa where the fellow girl was resting.

She had absolutely no clue what had occurred, or why there was another 'Pretty' girl around.

She had thought the 'bad guy' would have not allowed for more to come but... yet, here Miho was, studying the tired face of a girl that, in Dark Star Zero's own words, had been hurt much.

Her transformed form was quite pretty, but Miho was aware the form tended to change one's appearance so they couldn't be identified by others in their civilian forms.

So... she took a chair, sat in front of the sleeping girl and invested a few hours after breakfast thinking how she may look like. She definitely was either quite pretty or average. Or maybe she was actually... ugh!

Miho shook her head, unsure of what to think and those eyes staring at her were...

Wait a minute.

"Y-You are awake?"

Her squeak made the fellow girl tense up and frown.

"Y-Yes. Where... Where am I?"

"My- My room. Safe."

Silence ensued, and the two stared at each other for a while. Long enough for 'Pretty Apple' to calm down a bit.

"I am Miho or... Pretty Orange."

The other name seemed to give more insight to the fellow girl who nodded.

"Pretty Apple... or... Ling."

"Nice to meet you, Ling."

Ling nodded slowly, shifting on the couch. "L-Likewise. Is this... this really yours?"

"Yep. Dark Star Zero gave it to me."

...

"Who is that?"

"He is that white humanoid thingy-"

"Oh, I know him," Ling interrupted, nodding. "He told me where the bad guys were."

"Oh?"

Ling nodded again. "Yes. They are no longer around to hurt anymore."

Miho frowned at this, more questions appearing in mind rather than answers to old ones.

"I see... Ling? Do you want a... hug?"

It sounded silly to ask, but Miho could feel it in Ling's voice that she needed one.

Her offer had the fellow child go stiff again, but... she nodded. And she reached for a hug. Miho yelped at how tightly Ling hugged her. And then felt uneasy as the redhead sobbed loudly against her chest while her transformation faded away.

She was young and had seen some bad things, but Miho could tell that Ling had seen far worse and thus needed more care than she felt entitled to.

Her questions could be ignored for some time.

AN

...Let's gib tragic magical girl some huggos!