"Well, guess that’s the best I can do for now," I muttered to myself.

  I turned to the kids huddled in the van, who stared at me in wonder and curiosity. I gave them a wink and a thumbs up, before turning around to look over the groaning thugs I’d just tied up.

  Despite giving it my all, half the slavers had scattered in different directions and gotten away with most of their precious haul. I clenched my teeth, feeling the sting of defeat as I looked around the abandoned midtown neighborhood.

  I hated losing, especially when it mattered most. Those people in the vans… they deserved better. The kiddds in front of me were all my age or younger, and if the adults couldn’t look after them, it was up to me.

  I shook my head, trying to push away the frustration.

  Time to regroup and figure out my next move.

  Speaking of regrouping...

  I frowned, staring up to the girl perched up on the roof of a row of long-ruined bakeries and smoke shops. She looked like she’d come straight out of some kind of wuxia flick, complete with her wings, a long, flowing dress, and a glowing Chinese-style straight sword. A feathered phoenix headdress was perched on her head, but her hair was long and green, falling down her back like a waterfall of emerald.

  The girl looked like a warrior princess, her long green hair blowing in the wind. She was floating in mid-air, meditating in a lotus pose as she gave off a faint golden light.

  "What is she doing?" I wondered out loud.

  I tilted my head, studying her. She was clearly some kind of magical girl, but unlike any I'd seen before.

  I had no idea who she was or where she’d come from, but she’d swooped in just in the nick of time. She was like some kind of mystical guardian angel, and she’d saved my butt big time. Made me feel inadequate if I had to be honest. She was the first other Magical Girl I’d ever met, and here she was, floating like it was as easy as breathing, not even glancing my way as she did her little magic trick.

  "Hey! You up there!!" I yelled, my voice bouncing off the crumbling walls of the nearby buildings. "Earth to Miss Floaty McFloatface! You planning on joining the party and helping, or are you just gonna keep floating there like some sort of stuck-up fairy?"

  I waited, my hands on my hips, but she didn't respond. Just kept doing her thing, like I wasn't even worth her time.

  "Seriously, what is her problem?" I muttered, shaking my head. "Gonna just ignore me, huh? Real classy, miss goody two shoes."

  I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn't have time for this nonsense. She just kept meditating, her eyes closed, not even a flicker of irritation. It was like I was invisible, and that just riled me up even more.

  "Look, I don't know if you're in some trance or just ignoring me, but I could use some help here," I said, my voice edging towards desperation as the kids whispered between themselves and stared at me.

  Still, nothing. It was like talking to a brick wall, only worse.

  "Ugh, fine! Be that way, see if I care!" I finally shouted, throwing my hands up in frustration. "I don't need your help anyway. I'll just take care of these losers myself, thank you very much!"

  She kept her eyes closed and her face blank as she ignored my outburst, floating there like a damn fairy.

  "Whatever, you weirdo." I muttered, rolling my eyes and turning away from her. "Hope you're having fun up there, playing with your imaginary friends or whatever."

  With a huff, I turned my attention back to the thugs I'd tied up. I was pissed off and tired of being sidelined. I side-eyed the magical girl on the roof, who was still meditating like she owned the place. Seriously?

  "Are you even listening to me?!" I shouted up at her, my voice laced with frustration and a twinge of envy. "You could at least have the decency to acknowledge me!"

  I stomped my foot, letting out a grumble, before I crouched down and prepared to jump up. I couldn't help it; her silence was getting under my skin.

  I leaped up, grabbing onto the edge of the roof with ease. Pulling myself up, I found myself face-to-face with the mysterious magical girl. She was still in the middle of her meditation, completely ignoring me.

  I walked around her, hands on my hips, and studied her carefully. "Hellloooooo! Earth to Miss Space-Out! You gonna join us in the land of the living anytime soon, or do I need to start doing cartwheels up here to get your attention?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my words. "I mean, I get that you're all about the whole 'inner peace' schtick, but there's a real world down there that needs saving. So if you're done with your little mental vacation, how about lending a hand, hmm?"

  She didn't move a muscle. No reaction, not even a flicker of an eyelid.

  I mean, come on, how could anyone be this zoned out?

  It's like she was on another planet or something.

  But still, she just floated there, as calm as a cucumber having a spa day. I couldn't believe it.

  I circled around her several times, waving my hands, even making funny faces – anything to get a reaction.

  She didn't budge, and I swear, if she wasn't floating, I'd have thought she was a statue.

  Then, I paced back and forth in front of her, trying to catch her eye as I started rambling.

  "You know, it's kinda rude to ignore someone who's talking to you. My dad always said things like, 'Kid, it's not polite to ignore people.' But then again, he’d also probably say, 'Don't talk to strangers who float.' So, I guess we're both breaking the rules."

  She just kept floating there, like a balloon on a string, all serene and shit. I could feel my blood starting to boil.

  "Okay, seriously, are you even alive? Blink twice if you're a robot." I was starting to lose my patience, and I couldn't help but feel yet another twinge of jealousy. "And by the way, mind telling me how the heck you can even float like that?

  Finally, just when I was about to give up, Miss Floaty McFloatface cracked an eyelid open and looked at me with an amused smile. "I have certainly learned to appreciate your energy. Rather quickly, at that," she said, all mystical-like.

  I raised an eyebrow. Did she know me from somewhere?

  "Appreciate my energy? That's one hell of a pickup line you’ve got there. Usually, people just tell me I'm loud."

  Her eyes went all troubled, like she'd lost her favorite magic wand or something.

  "Be that as it may be, you are certainly a bombastic and larger-than-life individual. A much needed change from what I am accustomed to, I will admit. But back to what I was doing before you interrupted me. I… cannot sense our assailants whatsoever," she murmured, her voice tinged with worry. "And that shouldn't be possible. There was a... troubling presence when they initiated their attack, but it quickly vanished."

  I frowned. "What do you mean, you can't sense them? You got some kinda bad guy radar or something?"

  She nodded solemnly. "My Signature Motif has gotten me into trouble a few times, to say the least. But, you could say I have an extremely high sensitivity to life force and mana. It allows me to detect lies and deceit, and pierce through illusions. I can also track mana signatures from several leagues away once I have latched onto someone’s aura."

  I blinked, trying to process that. A living lie detector? That was kinda cool, in a nerdy magic sort of way.

  "Anyway, I'm Magical Girl Yomotsu-Shikome," I said, deciding to skip the part where I didn't exactly know what a Signature Motif was supposed to be or how it worked.

  No need to spill all my secrets to Miss Zen-and-Mysterious over here.

  "I am Xitelalikui. Courtesy name Magical Girl Stellaris Vortexia," she introduced herself, her voice floating down like feathers. "And I apologize. I am more than troubled and disturbed by our current predicament and I was attempting to seize initiative and make good on time before they could flee."

  I crossed my arms. "Yeah, well, join the club. We've got jackets." I glanced over the edge of the building. "So, your magical sensing thingy is on the fritz. Any idea what's causing it?"

  Xitelalikui shook her head, her expression grave. "No, and that is what worries me. Typically, a Motif transcends conventional magic, even at the highest levels. If someone or something can hide a group that large from my senses, they are a danger not just to us, but to everyone in this city and perhaps to the people beyond the portal as well."

  I scowled, not liking the sound of that one bit. "Great, invisible bad guys with magic-jamming powers. Just what I needed." I tapped my foot, thinking. "Well, we can't just stand around here looking pretty. We need a plan. And we need to get those kids back down to their homes."

  Xitelalikui floated down to the rooftop, her feet touching the ground like she was stepping off a cloud. "I agree. We must act," she said quietly. "Your knowledge of this city will be invaluable, Izumi."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  I nodded sagely, staring out across the river at the burning buildings in the distance. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in the noon air.

  …Before I suddenly felt a cold chill run down my spine.

  She just called me by my real name.

  I snapped my eyes open and spun around, putting on my best death glare as I brandished my shakujo and pointed it at her.

  "How do you know who I am?" I demanded, my grip tight on my shakujo. "Who are you?!"

  Stellaris Vortexia giggled, before floating down in front of me. A mischievous twinkle glinted in her eye as she poked me in the cheek.

  "Oh, Izumi, don't be so serious. I can appreciate more than just your magical energy. O Empress of Hell," she said with a wink and flirty smile.

  I felt my cheeks heat up faster than a New York minute. "Now hey. Wh-what are you talking about M-m-, er, Stellaris?" I stammered, trying to keep my facade and image intact as the wheels spun in my head.

  But let's be real, it was crumbling like a cookie in a toddler's fist.

  I was caught completely flatfooted by her. By Mina.

  I was fairly certain of who she was, at least. Yeah.

  The eyes, the way she talked, even her laugh. It was Mina.

  She laughed, a sound as light as the feathers in her headdress. "I'm just teasing you, Izumi. You're so easy to rile up. It's quite endearing, actually."

  "Mina?!" I mouthed, stunned. "You're kidding me, right?"

  She laughed, a sound that was part amusement and part magic. "No. I am afraid not. I am Magical Girl Stellaris Vortexia, but you’ve known me as Mina."

  I felt a mix of relief and embarrassment. Like I'd been caught with my pants down in gym class.

  "You could've said something earlier, you know!" I sputtered, trying to cover my flustered state.

  Her laughter softened, and she gave me an apologetic look. "I wanted to see how you'd react. Plus, I had to be certain about you, Izumi. And you’re as silly as I thought you were."

  I huffed, crossing my arms and looking away, trying to hide my flaming face. "And also, I'm not endearing. I'm tough. Tough, I tell you!"

  But she just giggled and floated a bit closer. "Of course you are, Izumi. The toughest magical girl I know." She winked, and I could feel my cheeks burning even brighter.

  "Hey, I'm trying to keep up a reputation here," I grumbled. "And that reputation doesn't include being cute. No sir."

  "Whatever you say, Izumi," she said, her voice laced with a knowing tone.

  I bristled, and I was about to retort, but she held up her hand.

  "But on a more serious note, I didn't know you were… a Magical Girl either. Even if your voice and appearances are different from your civilian form, your mannerisms are very distinct. So I erm, took a shot in the dark and you just confirmed it. Sorry."

  I flushed in embarrassment. Was I that bad at hiding my identity?

  "Distinct mannerisms, huh? That's just great," I mumbled, palming my face.

  Mina - Stellaris Vortexia - floated a little closer, her expression softening. "I assure you that I didn't realize it until you’d spent the better part of five minutes sticking your tongue out at me. My Motif picks up on the vague, relative magical signatures of people, as well as their emotions and intentions. Those of Magical Girls are different from their civilian forms, but I still determined that you were hiding a massive reservoir of magical energy. It can be imprecise at times, but it is what allowed me to sense a massive surge of… something in the neighborhood before the attack."

  I blinked, trying to process all this. "So, you've got some kind of magic radar, and it picked up on me as well? That's... kinda cool, I guess."

  I tried to sound nonchalant, but inside, I was freaking out. This was serious stuff.

  She nodded, looking a bit sheepish as she bowed her head formally. "I am sorry for invading your privacy, Izumi. And for being so guarded and hostile last night. The truth is, the echo I detected from you shared patterns with a signature I’d felt at a major disaster a couple of years ago. It was the same incident that inevitably led to the collapse of our household, and my siblings’ departure from Terra. I hope you understand, but I was certainly on edge. However, after spending time with you, I realized you and your family genuinely are truly kind-hearted and sincere."

  I couldn't help but feel a bit touched by her words, putting my hand on my hip. "Well, thanks, Mina. I try to be earnest, you know. Pops always says it's the best policy."

  She smiled warmly at me. "Now… about our fellow kids down below. I believe we should call this National Guard of yours and get them to safety. We need to make sure they're protected."

  I nodded, my mind already racing through the best ways to get the kids out of this mess. "Yeah, you're right. We can't just leave them here. Those thugs might circle back. But uhh, there’s just one problem. Wouldn’t calling them on our phones just blow our identities?"

  Mina beamed at me, before leaning in close with a low voice. "No worries. I’d planned on securing funds for our family by working the live bounties here, and by volunteering my presence for the Chaos Core salvage operations to manage localized entropy. I have a custom phone tailored to my personal brand to contact the Terran Volunteer Force. They'll dispatch a team without any need to reveal our true selves. It's all very hush-hush and professional."

  I blinked, trying to keep up with her. "Wait, you get paid for helping with those Chaos Core things? And what's this about entropy and salvage operations?"

  She nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes! Extracting a Chaos Core from a fallen Chaos Beast is a lucrative job. But it's not without its risks. Elevated localized entropy is a broad term for a probabilistic weakening of reality. It can sometimes cause roaming Chaos Beasts to converge on a location, or in a worst case scenario even rip open a rift, causing a Magnitude 1 to 3 Chaos Event. The more ambient Chaos Energy there is in an area, the worse the dice rolls become, so to speak. There are technologies and spells to mitigate risk, but it’s always present. Sure, a well-armed team can handle a Mag 1 event and many teams forego Magical Girl protection, but Terrans like to hire us for peace of mind."

  I gulped, the gravity of her words sinking in. "Sounds dangerous."

  Mina gave a confident smile. "It is. But that's where we come in. Even fledgling Magical Girls like us can protect a salvage team from a Magnitude 1 Chaos Event. We’d be their shield while they handle the technical stuff, and we’re entitled to a portion of the haul."

  I let out a slow breath, trying to wrap my head around it all. Being a Magical Girl was turning out to be more complicated than I thought.

  "Okay, so, we help with the Chaos Core stuff, keep the uglies at bay, and get paid for it?" I asked, trying to keep the skepticism out of my voice.

  The idea of making money while shish-kebabing some monsters was appealing, not gonna lie.

  "Exactly!" Mina clapped her hands together. "And it’s typical for Magical Girls to set up a private account with one of the large organizations that support us over at Terra. The money we earn can help our families discreetly, and it's a win-win situation."

  I nodded, the pieces clicking together in my head. It was like a whole new world was opening up to me, one where I could actually make a difference and help out Pops and Ikki in more ways than one. But it wasn't going to be easy, that much was clear.

  "Wait. Did you just call yourself a fledgling? You're like, crazy strong. I’m the fledgling here, you're a full-fledged Magical Girl," I blurted out, a mix of awe and envy in my voice.

  Mina laughed, shaking her head. "Not at all. I’m barely out of fundamental training. I was last tested at D-Rank, but I could feasibly shoot for C-Rank with some effort. You saw me in combat, did I not have a few moments of clumsiness?"

  I blinked, trying to recall the fight. She had been a whirlwind of power, taking down the thugs with a practiced grace. "Clumsiness? Are we talking about the same fight?"

  Mina sighed, her eyes darting away for a moment. "I've… always had difficulty with close combat, and I'm not as graceful or strong as some of my more physical peers. I can be precise and agile when I have the space to use my sword properly, but I have trouble keeping track of multiple opponents at once. And I am not exactly… durable."

  I gawked at her, trying to process her words. "You're joking, right? You're a damn ninja princess with a glowing sword!"

  She chuckled, but her expression turned serious. "I'm not as well-rounded as a fully-trained Magical Girl should be. I struggle with the other elements beyond wind, and while I can cast powerful healing and defensive spells, I lack the training to use them properly in combat. I can't even fire a proper lightning bolt, and I get tripped up in close combat."

  "Tripped up?" I echoed, incredulous. "You took out those guys like they were nothing!"

  Mina smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I've always had this problem with being precise and elegant, but not necessarily efficient in combat. It's something I've been working on, but it's a slow process. My departed sister, however, was the complete opposite."

  I shook my head, still in disbelief. "And here I thought I was the only one struggling with all this magical girl stuff. You've gotta show me some tricks, girl."

  She shrugged, her expression softening. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses. It's part of being human. I mean, even Magical Girls like us have limitations. We're not perfect, after all."

  "Yeah, yeah. I guess you're right. Guess I've still got a lot to learn."

  I rubbed the back of my head, letting out a sigh.

  "But, uh, circling back for a second. Mina... I say I’m definitely not ready to let Pops or Ikki know about this Magical Girl stuff. I've been beating up bad guys, not exactly what they'd expect from their Izumi, so I was wondering if we could find a cover story? I kind of sprinted after you in my pajamas, and I’ve been gone an awful while at this point. We did… just publicly stomp the crap out of a couple dozen slaver gangsters in front of a ton of witnesses."

  Mina’s expression turned thoughtful for a moment, her eyes twinkling with that same mischievous glint as before. "A cover story, huh? Well, we can't exactly say you were out buying milk, can we?" she chuckled, floating down to stand beside me on the rooftop.

  I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Yeah, no kidding. And I can't just waltz back home looking like I've been in a street fight. Pops would have a fit, and my brother... well, he'd just worry too much."

  She nodded, her face suddenly serious. "I've got it. We'll say we were at my place. You know. I heard the commotion, rushed over to make sure my little brother was okay. We got scared, and hid in the basement till it was over. Simple and believable. Malina knows about my… occupation. Supported me through my training, even. I could tell her I scooped you up and hid you away before heading out to dispatch the cretins."

  I chewed on my lip, thinking it over. It was a decent story, but it relied a lot on trust. Trust in Mina, and trust in her family. But then again, I didn't exactly have a lot of options.

  "Alright," I finally said, giving her a reluctant nod as I crossed my arms. "Let's do it. But just so we're clear, this doesn't mean I'm any less of a badass, got it?"

  Mina let out a light laugh, the kind that tinkled like wind chimes. "Of course, Izumi. Your secret's safe with me."

  But then, she looked away from me for a moment, her eyes flickering with a hint of nervousness. "There's something else, though. Something... that could be troubling."

  My heart skipped a beat, a sudden terrible feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. "What is it, Mina?" I asked.

  She hesitated for a second, biting her lower lip without speaking.

  "Mina?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly. "What... what's wrong?"

  My stomach dropped, my breath suddenly catching in my chest.

  I... didn't understand why, but a sinking feeling settled over me like a dark cloud, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

  "W-What is it?" I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper.

  She turned back to me, her eyes filled with concern. "It's your brother..."

  My heart stopped, and for a moment, the world around me froze.

  I could hear the distant sounds of the city, the wind rustling through the trees, but it all seemed muted, like I was underwater. My mind raced with a thousand different scenarios, each one more terrible than the last, and I couldn't catch my breath, my stomach twisting into knots as I braced for the worst.

  All I could do was stand there, my mind racing. The sound of water dripping from a pipe somewhere nearby echoed through the empty warehouse, and the air hung heavy with the smell of old oil and rust. I wanted to ask her what happened to Ikki, but my tongue felt like it was made of lead, and I couldn't put the words together. I could see the worry in her eyes, and it made me even more anxious.

  Mina let out a slow breath, her voice shaking slightly as she spoke.

  "He was.... injured. Badly."