NOVEL NEXT Interlude 3: Violet Tempest
Violet Tempest
"AWWW. MAN!"
Violet Tempest pouted as the crowd swarmed over Celestial Sonata. The purple grumbled under her breath, her stormy eyes flickering with a stormy blend of admiration and frustration. Her fingers tapped against her thigh in a rapid, restless rhythm.
"My oh my. I shall never understand your fixation with that girl," a contralto voice tinged with a British accent chimed in. Violet Tempest turned to find her comrade and teammate, Aiyrashasta, looking at her with a raised eyebrow, her arms crossed.
Her red braided hair fell to her ankles, and her skin was a rich light brown that glimmered under the lights. Her eyes were a vibrant fire-like garnet, and a long red dress adorned with an ornate ruby-encrusted corset and skirt trailed behind her like a crimson wave. The top was adorned with intricate gold embroidery that seemed to come alive as it shimmered and moved, and the golden bangles on her wrists jingled softly with every movement. Layers of the skirt flowed gracefully, each one a different shade of red, resembling a dancing flame.
Violet Tempest pouted further, "You wouldn't get it! You've never seen her fight! That last battle with the Marquis Aberration that could flash freeze everything to subzero temps? It was like, absolutely amazing!" She twirled in a circle. "Like POW! And then WOOSH!"
Aiyrashasta chuckled softly and adjusted the bandages that covered her arms, her fiery eyes sparkling with mirth.
"I mean, can ya blame a girl?" Violet Tempest muttered. "She's my favorite music idol too and nobody's ever had something bad to say about her, Shasta."
Shasta rested against a pillar with an amused smirk. "We all have our idols, but your admiration for her seems almost mythical. It is quite intriguing."
Violet Tempest huffed, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "Well, she's got the whole package, doesn't she? The talent, the looks, the charm... Man oh man!"
Shasta's eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement as she tilted her head, examining Violet Tempest with intense interest. "I can't help but wonder, do you see her as just another pretty face with a pleasant singing voice? Or do you sense a deeper connection, something that strikes a chord within your own desires and ambitions?"
Violet Tempest scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I mean, I'd think that's a 'hell yes' on both accounts. She's got it all figured out. Confidence, talent, results, a perfect track record, and hundreds of accounts from girls who've worked with her. Why would she be too different in private? I mean, look at me! And Hana here!"
Shasta shrugged, leaning away from the pillar and moving closer to Violet Tempest. "Who's to say for certain?"
Violet Tempest was about to respond before she heard a sigh and groan to her side. She looked down to find Hana with her head lowered, her hands clasped nervously. Hana's golden locks fell delicately over her shoulders, framing her soft-spoken presence.
Her eyes, a gentle shade of gold, were filled with... anxiety and uncertainty?
Violet Tempest didn't quite know how to read Hana sometimes. Even now. Then again, she was never good with body language.
"Hana? Are you okay?" she asked.
Hana looked up, startled, as if she hadn't expected to be noticed. "Huh?"
"Hey... you doin' alright, bud?" Violet Tempest inquired.
"Um..." Hana fiddled with her hair. "It's just..."
"OH no. Are you feeling unwell? Did someone hurt you?" Violet Tempest's eyes widened.
"N-No," Hana murmured, her voice almost inaudible amidst the cacophony. "Just..."
A loud rumbling noise echoed from her stomach.
Violet Tempest couldn't help but let out a relieved giggle, her worry dissipating instantly.
She reached out and gave Hana's head a playful rub. "Hana! Oh my gosh. Of course!"
Hana's face turned a deep shade of crimson as she covered her stomach, her embarrassment written all over her face.
"Looks like someone's hungry!" Violet Tempest exclaimed. "Let's get you some food, yeah?"
Hana's blush deepened as she lowered her gaze. "Hana can't help it sometimes..."
Shasta smiled warmly at them both, her voice filled with surprising kindness. "Now, now. The Assembly for our age bracket will be over soon enough, and then we can all indulge in a feast fit for royalty. I have it on good authority that the caterers have prepared a scrumptious spread that will leave our stomachs as full as our hearts."
Violet Tempest's eyes widened with excitement, her mind conjuring images of sumptuous delicacies and tantalizing desserts.
"I can't wait!" Violet exclaimed, her voice tinged with glee. "I've been saving up my appetite for this moment."
"For cake, you mean..." Hana side-eyed her friend, a playful smirk adorning her lips.
Violet Tempest chuckled, not even attempting to deny it.
What could she say? She REALLY liked cake!
Cake for breakfast! She would live and die by that creed.
"Alright, alright, fine! Cake is definitely at the top of my list, but I won't say no to anything else either. Why, I can hit all the food groups while we're at it! Macaroons, croissants, tarts, scones..."
Shasta cleared her throat, her expression a mix of amusement and fond exasperation. "I'm certain there will be an array of delicious options to choose from, Violet. Just remember, moderation is key."
Violet waved her off, grinning widely. "Don't worry about me! I've got a stomach of steel."
Shasta chuckled, rolling her eyes in a good-natured way. "If you say so. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Hana's lips twitched into a small, barely visible smile.
Violet giggled, beaming at her tiny friend. Hana had come a long way since they'd first met on the other side of the world over a... misunderstanding.
She couldn't imagine the pain and loneliness she'd gone through. But, now, things were different.
Violet Tempest's smile grew wistful.
The two had grown inseparable over the last few months and, though Hana was still quiet and awkward around others, her personality and deadpan sense of humor had really started to shine through at times.
Violet Tempest knew as well as anyone that A-Rank Magical Girls were no joke, and few in number. While there were seventy-one S-Rank and SS-Rank Magical Girls in the world, there were usually no more than three with that designation based in a region at any given time.
In ordinary circumstances, A-Rank Magical Girls like Hana were the cream of the crop. They led their teams, protected cities and countries, and handled major crises when S-Rank Magical Girls couldn't be present to.
Even before they'd made their explosive impact on the world — Hana of the Dawn, Mayari of the Twilight, and Tara of the Stars were known as freedom fighters and the hope of the Panyupayanan Islands, a region of islands and archipelagos that had been in an almost two-decade-long bloody war between the north and the south.
A shadowy warlord had stirred the pot of political strife there and plunged it into a dark era, using guerillas from Earth as soldiers. And the Panyupayanans, while a proud and powerful group of peoples, were no strangers to strife.
They were so famous for their heroics that, when the three were discovered by a scout of the Corinthian Union, the news of their official designation had been a global headline on the MHNN for an entire week. It wasn't every day that a team with an A-Rank and two B-Rank girls who hadn't even hit puberty were discovered fighting a war and helping rebuild a country on their own. It was nothing short of extraordinary, really.
So it came as a shock to the entire Magical Girl community when Hana, Mayari, and Tara suddenly appeared guns blazing in the heart of the economic capital of the East in the middle of a Magnitude 8 Chaos Event. The resulting pandemonium and mayhem led to the deaths of multiple Magical Girls and countless civilians, and the destruction of a district in one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
It was an absolute catastrophe.
And Violet Tempest knew all of this because, while the rest of the Magical Girl community gossiped and whispered, she had seen it with her own two eyes. She had been a part of it.
She'd seen Hana and the others, the look in her eyes, and she'd heard her story.
Violet Tempest had arrived at the scene late, as she had a terrible habit of doing, which likely spared her from a terrible fate.
She still remembered seeing Hana on her knees that day, sobbing in front of the rift that had been left by the mysterious Duke-class Chaos Beast. A beast that had dragged Mayari away with it when it perished by Urikohime's hands.
The sight of Hana, so completely broken and shattered, had struck a chord in Violet Tempest.
Violet Tempest had never really understood the anger directed at Hana.
Sure, the destruction and the aftermath had been massive. Still, it was clear to anyone who took the time to look that Hana hadn't intended for any of it to happen. It was a battle, after all, and in battles, things tended to go south fast. Especially with a pileup of misunderstandings. But people had been quick to judge, quick to blame an outsider. Especially one as clearly powerful and vulnerable as Hana.
But Violet had seen the truth in those tearful, golden eyes. The girl hadn't wanted any of this. She'd been thrust into a situation far beyond her control and had done her best under impossible circumstances.
So, Violet had reached out and offered a hand in friendship. She'd always been her own sort of trailblazer, and slowly but surely, Hana had begun to open up. Violet Tempest had argued on her behalf to the courts and the media, had defended her in the public eye and behind closed doors. Even as a young girl.
It hadn't been an easy battle. There had been resistance and pushback. There had even been death threats.
But Hana was worth it. They'd officially become a team in the end and, even though she had a lot to learn about the Magical Girl life, Violet was determined to see Hana through whatever came their way.
Violet Tempest remembered her first impressions of Hana and how awkward she was. How... afraid she was of everyone and everything, even her new teammates.
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How the first few weeks of her new life, Hana would hardly eat, would often cry at night, and would sometimes have panic attacks whenever a loud sound happened or when someone tried to touch her.
They were a strange pair — the perky, outgoing artist and the introverted powerhouse far too professional for her age, but somehow, it worked. Violet's boundless energy and openness balanced Hana's more reserved and suspicious nature, and the two had become quite a pair.
Violet Tempest's mind often worked in colors and shapes rather than words, a kaleidoscope of emotions and perceptions that she translated into her art. It was how she made sense of the world and connected with people.
And in Hana, she had found a canvas that was as complex and profound as any she had ever encountered. Hana was a swirl of dark blues and grays punctuated by flashes of brilliant gold. She was a stormy sky with the heart of a radiant sun.
She was a paradox of vulnerability and strength, a girl with a heavy burden to bear but with an unbreakable will to carry it. Violet saw in Hana a soul that had weathered the darkest nights but still had the capacity to shine brighter than the stars.
So Violet had set out to paint a picture with her words. To capture the essence of Hana and convey it to the world.
But words, it turned out, were a fickle medium. They were like unruly paint, always threatening to spill and smear, never quite capturing the full depth and complexity of the canvas before her.
Violet had struggled to find the right brushstrokes, to mix the right hues.
She had started and stopped countless drafts, each one a new attempt to paint a masterpiece that could do justice to her friend.
But she would finish it someday. The colors and shapes would fall into place and her picture would be perfect.
"Um..." a voice pulled Violet out of her thoughts.
Violet blinked and refocused on the girl in front of her. "Oh! Hana, did you say something?" Violet Tempest said with a sheepish smile. She had a bad habit of getting lost in her own world at times. A fugue state, even. But it was when she did her best work.
"You were mumbling a little," Hana said.
She cocked her head, a look of concern flickering in her eyes.
Violet Tempest straightened her back and adjusted her flowing dress, taking a deep breath to ground herself in the present moment.
"Glad to see you've returned to us," Shasta smirked.
Violet chuckled softly at Shasta's comment, grateful for the distraction from her own thoughts. Shasta knew her well enough to recognize when she drifted into her reveries. It was one of the reasons why they worked so well together as a team. Shasta grounded Violet in reality when her artistic spirit threatened to carry her away.
"Yes, dearest Shasta," Violet replied, stepping forward to join Hana and Shasta. "Sometimes I become too entranced by my own imagination. I'm well aware!"
Violet Tempest frowned at the crowd of fellow Magical Girls gathered before Celestial Sonata. Violet Tempest had been dying to get an audience with the icon. Now that the opportunity presented itself, she felt star-struck.
"Aww shucks," Violet murmured, blushing at her own reaction as anxiety overtook her. "I didn't expect to feel like this..."
Hana looked over at Violet, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay, Violet? You seem nervous." Her voice, gentle and soothing, broke through the cacophony of voices around them.
Violet let out a nervous laugh, her eyes darting towards Celestial Sonata and back to her team. "Ha, am I? Well, I mean... It's just that I really want to speak to Celestial Sonata. Like... talk with-her-with-her, ya know?"
Violet sighed.
Although she could be considered an extrovert by most standards, Violet often felt anxious and overwhelmed in social situations. The pressure to perform, to make a good impression, weighed heavily on her shoulders. She had always been more comfortable expressing herself through her art, where she could control every brushstroke and color choice.
Sure, she could deal well with people she was comfortable with, like Hana and Shasta, but facing a crowd of fellow Magical Girls was a different story.
Now, faced with the prospect of actually talking to her idol, all of Violet's insecurities came crashing down upon her. Insecurities and anxieties that couldn't be hidden away by some fast talk and ad-libbing.
"Ugh. What the heck is wrong with the signal down here?"
Her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed another older Magical Girl off to the side, muttering under her breath. The girl wore a sleek, futuristic costume that starkly contrasted the more traditional Magical Girl attire around her. Her outfit was a mix of metallic blues and silvers, adorned with glowing circuit-like patterns that pulsed softly. Her hair was a striking shade of electric blue, cut short and styled in a way that accentuated her sharp, angular features.
The girl looked up at Violet Tempest. "Do you have internet access right now? My magitech specialist and I were trying to coordinate some last-minute adjustments to my suit's firmware, but the signal down here is practically nonexistent," she complained, frustration evident in her voice.
Violet blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden interruption.
"Uhh, sure! I can tether my phone's hotspot for you," Violet offered.
Violet's anxiety momentarily took a backseat as she reached for her Nexus device. "Un momento," she said, tapping on the screen.
To her surprise, she also had no signal. "Nope, nada. No signal here. Looks like we're in the same boat here."
The tech-based Magical Girl sighed, gripping her hair in frustration. "Great, just what I needed today," she grumbled, then offered a small smile and hand to Violet. "Thanks for checking, though. Name's Cybernova, by the way. Here on a sabbatical to do research at Feynman University."
"Violet Tempest," Violet replied, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you."
Cybernova shook Violet's hand, her grip firm and business-like. "Likewise," she said before glancing around the room. "Seems like a lot of people are having the same issue."
Violet nodded, her eyes scanning the room. Indeed, she noticed several Magical Girls furrowing their brows and tapping their phones in frustration. It seemed that the lack of signal was affecting everyone in the building.
She turned back to Cybernova, biting her lips. "It's strange, isn't it? I wonder if there's some sort of interference in the area. Maybe we should let the head honchos here know."
Shasta joined the group with a contemplative expression, stroking her chin. "A communication blackout in an area like this, especially during an event of such importance?" she remarked. "How quaint."
Violet and Cybernova exchanged a confused glance. "Do you think it's intentional?" Cybernova asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
"It's possible," Shasta replied, her tone filled with intrigue. "There could be someone here who doesn't want information to be leaked or shared outside this venue."
Hana also joined the conversation, narrowing her eyes.
"Something's not right," Hana murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of conversation around them. "Hana does not believe in coincidences, and the timing of this signal blackout is too convenient. It would be hard to threaten this many Magical Girls directly but…"
"Ah come on, outages happen all the time," Cybernova countered, her voice dripping with skepticism. "But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to investigate further."
Without warning, Celestial Sonata's aura suddenly flared, casting a golden-pink glow that spread out and silenced the bustling crowd.
Violet Tempest's head snapped towards the stage, her heart skipping a beat in surprise. Celestial Sonata stood with a serious expression, a stark contrast to her earlier playful demeanor.
"Sonata?" Seraphina called out.
"Something isn't right," Celestial Sonata's voice rang out, urgent and determined as she shut her eyes. "I feel a disturbance. The mana in the air is... off."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, a palpable tension replacing the previously festive mood. Magical Girls began murmuring among themselves, their expressions ranging from concern to excitement.
"Ugh, like, my phone service and internet's down," a girl dressed in what looked like a red mink coat and holding a parasol said from the crowd, her voice carrying over the murmurs. "Can't get a signal out. Same with you girls too, yeah?"
Cybernova nodded, pulling out a small device from her belt. "Seem so, Ingenue. I have a satellite communicator that isn't dependent on local networks. Let me see if it works."
The magitech user quickly activated her satellite communicator, her fingers dancing over the device with practiced ease. The small screen lit up, but after a few seconds of attempting to connect, her expression turned grim. "No luck. It's not getting a signal either."
Violet Tempest's eyes looked around, observing the reactions of the other Magical Girls. Some were visibly anxious, while others appeared excited at potential action. Hana's expression was unreadable, her golden eyes scanning the room with a quiet intensity.
Celestial Sonata opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping the room with intensity. "Everyone, please stay vigilant. We don't know what we're dealing with yet. It could be a simple technical issue, or it could be something more. Either way, it's best to be prepared."
Violet felt a surge of adrenaline. This was what being a Magical Girl was about – facing the unknown, protecting others, and standing strong in adversity. She glanced at Hana, who gave her a slight nod, signaling her readiness.
Cybernova pocketed her satellite communicator and looked around. "Just to be safe, I think we should poke our heads outside. See what's going on."
Violet stepped forward as a trademark grin flashed across her face. "Hey! Why don't you send the three of us to the surface through the deployment apparatus? We'll fly around the island a bit and maybe we can figure out what's going on. Our skillsets are perfect for dealing with ambushes and detection, and I'm certain we can hold our own against anything that might be waiting."
As an experienced team of B-Rank and A-Rank magical girls, they were more qualified than most to handle situations like this. Violet's artistic intuition often helped them uncover clues others might overlook, and Hana's speed and quick thinking were invaluable in high-pressure situations.
Shasta's sagely wisdom, close-combat capabilities, and experience rounded out their capabilities, making them a formidable team. Elite, even.
Celestial Sonata nodded approvingly, her golden aura pulsating with confidence. "Seraphina?" she asked, turning to the older woman beside her.
Seraphina gave a subtle nod, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Be careful," she cautioned. "We don't know what we're up against. Keep your Nexus devices ready to send an emergency signal, should you require assistance. We don't know who would be stupid or brave enough to try and pull something on us."
Celestial Sonata nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the room before landing on Cybernova. "Cyber, can you establish a short-range link to our Nexus devices using your mesh protocol? We need to stay connected and coordinated. Regardless, I think I should follow behind them. My Signature would come in handy if this disruption is magical in nature as I suspect it to be."
Cybernova nodded, her fingers typing away on her Nexus device as she made for the room's far end. "Consider it done, Celestial Sonata," she said determinedly. "I'll establish a secure connection between our devices."
The grand hall was adorned with frescoes, polished marble, and sparkling chandeliers, serving as both a luxurious setting and a high-tech launching area for flight-capable Magical Girls.
On one end of the room, multiple magitech devices stood ready for deployment. These devices acted as springboards for the Magical Girls to launch into the sky. Their intricate design allowed for a smooth and controlled take-off, ensuring a seamless transition from the opulent surroundings of the hall to the vast expanse above.
Violet Tempest shared a nod with Hana and Shasta.
The trio made their way over to the deployment area. Violet Tempest and Hana stepped onto a magitech device together, ready for the challenge ahead. Violet's heart raced with excitement and anticipation.
The deployment machine resembled a sleek, metallic elevator shimmering with blue energy. With Hana, Violet, and Shasta on board, Celestial Sonata watched from nearby with a mix of concern and determination in her eyes.
"Be careful out there," Celestial Sonata cautioned, her voice filled with warmth.
Violet grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, Sonata! Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it. And hey, maybe you and I can have a girl's night after all of this is over. We can watch movies, eat popcorn, and just relax."
Celestial Sonata smiled, and the worry in her eyes momentarily faded. "That... maybe," she replied.
Violet Tempest frowned as her unique senses picked up a swirl of emotions from Celestial Sonata. Apprehension, regret, and a tinge of sadness. Something was going on beneath the surface, something that Violet couldn't quite put her finger on. But now wasn't the time to delve into it. They had another mystery to solve, after all.
With a sudden burst of energy, the platform shot upward, propelling Violet, Hana, and Shasta through a shaft. The island was surrounded by a dome of illusory energy, protecting it from casual prying eyes. The three of them shared a look before propelling themselves upward with the assistance of the platform's luminal amplifier.
A rush of wind whipped through Violet's hair and dress as the trio soared higher into the air, their bodies weightless in a magical updraft. The vast expense of the city's skyline appeared before them, shrouded in an eerie fog that blanketed the entire city. It clung to the buildings like a ghostly veil, distorting their shapes and casting an ethereal glow upon them.
Hana scanned their surroundings, eyes sharp and alert. "Something is definitely wrong," she said, her voice cutting through the wind. "This fog... it is not natural. And look at the rivers around the island. It's churning."
Directly below them, St. Antonia's Academy loomed, its grand architecture obscured by the thick fog. The once serene rivers surrounding the island now churned with unnatural energy, their waters swirling in dark, ominous patterns. Violet's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of excitement and unease coursing through her veins.
"Ya see that, girlies? Violet exclaimed. "There's definitely something fishy going on down there, and I ain't talking about the sea bass they're serving up back there."
Hana and Shasta exchanged concerned looks, their eyes reflecting Violet's increasing unease. The dense fog seemed to seep into their bones, sending shivers down their spines.
"Sonata," Violet called through their secure connection, her voice filled with urgency. "I think we may have stumbled onto something big here. There's something in the water."
The only response was a staggered, muffled noise as static crackled through the connection.
Celestial Sonata's voice went silent, drowned out by the chaotic interference disrupting their communication. The lack of response only added to Violet's unease.
Something's definitely wrong here.
Violet Tempest cast a glance at Hana and Shasta; the suspicion in their eyes mirrored her own. They were on their own.
As they descended and floated closer to the churning waters, the magical girls braced themselves for what lay beneath.
The fog grew thicker, almost suffocating, and Violet could feel an eerie presence lurking beneath its surface. The air was tense as they maneuvered through the mist, their movements cautious yet purposeful.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the fog, clearing a small patch just long enough for Violet to glimpse a colossal creature emerging from the depths.
Its scales shimmered with a dark iridescence, reflecting an otherworldly dark glow that sent a chill down her spine. A dozen eyes glowed blue with an unsettling intensity as it let out a ferocious roar.
The water around it steamed and boiled, the heat emanating from its body sending waves of scorching mist into the air.
The creature was massive, easily towering over the buildings of St. Antonia's Academy.
Its serpentine body writhed with sparks of chaos energy, its sharp, jagged teeth gleaming in the faint, haunting light.
"Oh for the love of—" Violet exclaimed. "That's definitely no sea bass!"
She only had enough time to briefly parse the creature's presence before it lunged towards them, its massive jaws snapping shut with a deafening crash.