The rest of the ride was broken… And it wasnt run by electricity, at this point Daphne was certain that the entire park ran off of magic and it was drying up.

  She had assumed the ride was just another gimmicky attraction running on outdated technology, but now that she thought about it—there were no wires. No visible power sources. And yet, the effects had worked… until they started failing.

  Daphne gnced at Luna, who was still grinning, completely oblivious to the realization that was sinking in.

  “…Luna.”

  “Mhm?”

  “I don’t think this park runs on electricity.”

  Luna tilted her head. “You are just realizing it? I mean walking in the entrance felt like fae magic.”

  Daphne sighs to herself. “Some times I forget how much older than me you are.”

  Luna giggled, hugging her Tiramy plushie close. "Oh, Daphne, you should know by now—if something feels off, it's usually magic."

  Daphne crossed her arms, gncing around the nearly empty attraction. The ride's once-vibrant flower animatronics sagged, their petals dull and lifeless. The fountains that had once sprayed bursts of glittering water now barely dribbled, and the st remnants of enchanting background music had faded into eerie silence.

  "Then if this pce is running on fae magic, why is it dying?" Daphne asked, watching as a flickering ntern above them finally gave out with a soft pop.

  Luna hummed, swaying on her feet. "Fae magic thrives on belief, fun, and a bit of chaos. But look around—this pce is nearly empty. Hardly anyone's here to give the magic the energy it needs."

  Daphne narrowed her eyes. "...So you're saying this entire park is running off of people's enjoyment?"

  "Yep!" Luna beamed. "Fae contracts love things like that—entertainment, joy, even admiration. But if no one's coming, the park isn't getting any power. An it is a really big park, not to mention there is that feeling of a rather old curse linginering around too.”

  Daphne tensed at that st remark. "A curse? You’re just bringing this up now?"

  Luna shrugged, rocking on her heels. "It’s not that strong, just… old. Faint. Like whatever deal was made to create this park had unintended side effects."

  Daphne exhaled sharply, scanning the dimming ride. "So what happens if the magic completely runs out? Does the park just—shut down?"

  Luna twirled a lock of her hair, considering. "Maybe. Or maybe the original magic will be all that’s left."

  Daphne didn’t like the sound of that. "Meaning?"

  Luna grinned, though there was something almost too entertained about the way she said, "Meaning that the 'attractions' might start remembering what they really are."

  Daphne shot her a sharp look. "…What they really are?"

  As if answering her, one of the wilted flower animatronics twitched.

  Daphne stiffened. "Luna."

  "Yes, Daphne?"

  "The ride is supposed to be broken, right?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "So why did that thing just move?"

  Luna turned slowly toward the twitching flower, her eyes alight with intrigue rather than concern. "Ohhh, this might be interesting."

  Daphne groaned. "We are leaving." She grabbed Luna’s wrist and started marching toward the exit of the ride.

  The moment they stepped off the ptform, the ride's speakers crackled to life with a distorted, ghostly version of what was probably once a cheerful tune. The wilted flowers trembled, and one—just one—turned its sagging head to look directly at them.

  Luna, of course, waved at it.

  Daphne yanked her harder. "Nope. We are not staying to find out what happens next."

  “Awe are you sure?” Luna asks with a cheer.

  “Yep!” Daphne states leading Luna by the hand as they make their way towards teh entrance only to be cut off by a girl in a uniform and magic gun.

  The girl stood in their path, cd in a crisp, military-style uniform, a gleaming brass badge pinned to her chest. Her magic musket was aimed directly at them, its barrel glowing faintly with residual energy. A pink twintail swayed as she narrowed her sharp golden eyes at them.

  "Hold it right there!" she barked.

  Daphne froze, gripping Luna’s wrist tighter. "And you are?"

  The girl huffed, standing taller. "Latifa sent me. You two shouldn't be wandering into restricted rides!"

  Luna beamed. "Oh! You're Isuzu! Hi, Isuzu!"

  Isuzu blinked, momentarily thrown off. "...How do you know my name?"

  Luna pointed at her plushie. "Tiramy told me."

  Isuzu twitched. "Of course he did." She lowered her musket slightly, her expression shifting to something between suspicion and exhaustion. "Look, I don't know who you are, but this park is in a delicate state right now. We can't have guests wandering into malfunctioning attractions. Especially you two. You both feel... different."

  Daphne crossed her arms. "Different how?"

  Isuzu studied them for a long moment before muttering, "Like you're made of too much magic."

  Luna gasped dramatically. "Daphne! We’ve been found out!"

  Daphne sighed. "Luna. Shut up."

  Isuzu pinched the bridge of her nose. "Listen, if you value your safety, you should leave. The park is—"

  Before she could finish, the flower animatronic behind them lurched forward with a sickly groan, its petals stretching unnaturally as if trying to reach for them.

  Luna turned around, eyes twinkling. "Ooooh, now that’s new."

  Isuzu looks at the two in dawning horror. “What in the hell are you two? You know what doesnt matter.”

  Isuzu didn’t waste any more time on questions. She turned on her heel, musket still crackling with residual magic, and gestured for them to follow.

  “Come on,” she ordered. “ Princess Latifa will want to see you.”

  Luna csped her hands together. “Ooooh, a princess meeting! I love those!”

  Daphne, on the other hand, was less thrilled. “Why do I feel like this is going to turn into another problem?”

  “Because it probably is,” Isuzu muttered, quickening her pace.

  They hurried through the eerily quiet park, past attractions that looked more like relics than rides, through pathways where the magic barely flickered anymore. The deeper they went, the more the atmosphere shifted—less like an amusement park, more like a forgotten kingdom.

  Finally, they arrived at the central castle, the grandest structure in the park. Despite its fairytale appearance, Daphne could feel the same magical drain here. The towers stood tall, but something was missing.

  Inside, they were led through dimly lit halls, past staff members who all shared a strange, tired look. Until finally, Isuzu pushed open a set of ornate double doors—

  And there she was.

  Latifa Fleuranza, the princess of Amagi Brilliant Park, sat on an elegant throne-like chair, her pale blonde hair cascading like silk around her shoulders. She looked up as they entered, her vender eyes widening slightly at the sight of them.

  “You…” Her voice was soft, delicate—like a whisper carried on the wind. “You’re not ordinary humans, are you?”

  Luna, with all the grace of a seasoned chaos gremlin, curtsied. “Princess Luna Noctis Equestris, Goddess of Dreams, Moonlight, and All Things Adorable, at your service!”

  Daphne groaned, rubbing her temple. “For the love of—why.”

  Latifa blinked in surprise before turning her gaze to Daphne. “And you?”

  Daphne sighed, deciding to at least py along. “Daphne Greengrass-Crocell. Like my lovely girlfriend here.”

  Latifa smiled softly, but there was something sad about it. “I see.”

  Isuzu crossed her arms. “They wandered into one of the failing attractions and nothing reacted the way it was supposed to. If anything, it woke up worse.”

  Latifa’s expression turned somber. “Then… it really is as I feared.”

  Daphne tensed. “As you feared?”

  Latifa folded her hands in her p. “Amagi Brilliant Park… is dying.”

  Luna nodded. “Yeah, we kinda figured that one out already.”

  Latifa looked at her, something searching in her eyes. “…Then I have to ask—are you here to help us?”