#pzmmm

The streets were cold, the night was still young, and Phyllis' words were still echoing throughout Rippen's head as he travelled down the street and towards his apartment.

"If you still wish to defeat Walpurgisnacht, then Penn Zero will have to fight."

He clenched his fists. "No..." This was his mission. This was his wish, and he would not let it go in vain. He wouldn't fail. ...He couldn't fail. "Not after all this time." 

It had literally been several lifetimes ago, and yet he could still remember it like it was yesterday..

()()()()()()()() ()()()()()()()() ()()()()()()()()

*THWEEEEEEEET!* The kids all immediately covered their ears as the gym teacher blew on his whistle, knowing just how to make the class silent.

"Okay class," Mr. Egsgard started to say, his tone dull and pretty uncaring, "As you may or may not know or care, your old art teacher suddenly retired last week. We wish her the very best. Now, since we've finally managed to find a replacement, I'd like to introduce you all to your new teacher, Mr. Rippen." The coach then gestured to the door as it opened, and a man stepped in.

The students' eyes widened as they looked at their new teacher. His skin was a pale green, and behind a pair of blue-rimmed glasses were a pair of yellow and red eyes. He was clean-shaven with shoulder length black and white hair that had been combed down in an attempt to tame it. He seemed nice enough, and fairly young too. Still an adult of course, but with how nervous and almost meek he seemed, there was no doubt this was his first teaching gig. The fact that the front of his shirt was damp enough for the whole class to see - another unlucky victim of that dangerous spot at the front of the parking lot that most of the faculty had dubbed "Water Sprinkler Row" - didn't exactly help his confidence either.

"Um, hel- er, g-good morning, children," Mr. Rippen greeted, giving the class a small nod, "I am Mr. Rippen. But, ah, I-I suppose you already knew that. Um-"

"Alright, you seem to have things handled pretty well," Mr. Egsgard told him, already making his way to the door, "Their all yours."

"Ah, right." Rippen cleared his throat before looking at his curious (and in some cases, unimpressed) students once more. "So, um, I-I suppose we should get started on today's lessons, eh?"

To be fair, the rest of the period wasn't TOO much of a disaster. ...Though, in Rippen's eyes at least, it had been pretty close to one...

He’d gotten through most of his lessons, but twice he dropped his notes. In one instance, he had been so frazzled that he ended up misspelling a word right on the chalk board! That definitely earned him a few snickers from this class... 

Shortly after that, he decided to just give the class some free time to draw and practice the techniques he had just taught them about (or at least, tried to teach them about). That seemed to satisfy his students, and with a heavy sigh, Rippen sat down at his desk. 

“It could have been worse,” he mumbled to himself as he searched through his bag, “Could have been a lot better too, though... Ugh, what am I even-?” He stopped, pulling out a paper. A single paper that was supposed to be a homework assignment, though it was hard to give the whole class homework when you only had one copy. He resisted the urge to facepalm.

With his luck, the copy machine would probably have a line - that is, if he could even find it at all! Swallowing his pride, he stood up again. “Um, class?” Rippen asked, crumpling the paper slightly in his hand as his hands stiffened, “I, I need to copy something for, er, for tomorrow’s lesson. Um, c-could one of you please show me where the faculty copy machine is?”

Unfortunately, no one volunteered. In fact, it looked like no one was even listening to him! Whether they just didn’t hear him over their own conversations or were just ignoring him on purpose, Rippen wasn’t sure. “Um, excuse me? I, er...” He gave another sigh. He’d have to just go find it on his own-

“I’ll take you there, Mr. Rippen.”

Rippen blinked. From the middle of the sea of students and desks, a freshman student with bright, curly red hair stood up. “Oh! Uh, t-thank you, Mr.- er-” Shoot! He knew the principal had given him a list of students before his first day. What was this boy’s name again?  

“Penn Zero,” the boy told him, smiling, “And I’m pretty sure the copy machine’s just on the other end of this floor.”

“Oh! Well, that’s good. Um, w-well, come along then.” Penn gave a nod, walking out the door and beginning to lead the way. Honestly it was a bit embarrassing, a teacher needing to be escorted by a student. Though for Rippen, it was just another scoop on his worst-first-day-ever sundae. 

“So, how do you like teaching so far?” Penn asked him, glancing back slightly.

“Oh, um... i-it’s alright, I suppose,” Rippen replied, not even really thinking about it. Definitely not a ‘professional’ answer. Then again, could he really be called a professional if he was just starting his career as a teacher?

“Yeah. I’m kinda glad we’ve got an actual art teacher again,” Penn continued. Pausing for a moment, he made sure to take a right when they arrived at a fork in the hall. “Art’s pretty interesting, you know? And I’m sure you have a lot to teach us.”

“Heh, well, I’ll certainly try...” Glancing down at his feet, Rippen rubbed the back of his neck. “Though, if I have too many more days like this one, I may not be here much longer.”

Penn raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” he asked as they turned down another, emptier hallway.

“Ugh, what do you mean ‘what do I mean’? I could barely get through a lecture without stuttering or nearly dropping my notes every few minutes... Honestly, I can barely LOOK the part of a teacher, much less act like one.”

“Hey, come on, Rippen,” Penn told him, “It wasn’t that bad!” Rippen blinked. He had always been taught that being called your first name without any sort of honorific was at best ‘too casual’ and at worst ‘completely disrespectful’. ...However, one look at the smiling student in front of him let him know that he certainly wasn’t being the latter. “Besides, it’s your first day! Everyone messes up their first day.”

“Hmph. Yes, well... That doesn’t make messing up any more pleasant...”

Penn hummed. “Well... Then I guess you’ll have to try to be the type that doesn’t let failures and screw-ups weigh them down. ‘Learn from them, and then let them roll off your back’. Well, that’s what my parents tell me anyway. But, I mean... I feel like you could do it.”

“...Really?” Rippen asked, his voice quiet. At that moment, even a concept as simple as that seemed beyond him. After all, he was someone who had failed quite a lot in life. And if he was just going to keep failing then... What was the point?

But Penn just gave him a determined smile. “Yeah, of course! I mean, you’ve made it this far, right? So now all you’ve got to do is make sure you keep getting back up. And yeah, I think you could do it... Like I said, you seem like a pretty good teacher.”

“...” Rippen said nothing, his face hot. He was the adult here, and yet here he was venting to a student, pretty much throwing any sense of being professional out the window. ...Although, he couldn’t deny that the boy’s words of encouragement meant a lot to him. “I... T-Thank you, Mr. Zero.”

Penn gave him a nod, stopping just as they reached the small office where the copy machine resided. “Yeah. No problem, Rippen.”

Just as Rippen had predicted, the copier had a line. Not only that, but it also ended up getting jammed. Twice. By the time he finished, the bell had rang and his class was long gone. 

The rest of his day wasn’t much better. He had tripped over something in the hall, spilling his coffee all over the place. At lunch he sat alone, barely eating his microwaved fish sticks. Other teachers and faculty members glanced over at them. His ears just barely picked up on their whispers and comments, but he heard them just enough. 

He had two more classes in the afternoon, but even while trying to do his best, they ended up being just as stressful and embarrassing as the first. And, to top it all off, the sprinklers decided the grass by the parking lot needed just a bit more water, and turned on as soon as Rippen stepped outside.

Soaking wet and feeling lower than dirt, he got into his car and drove away, squeezing the steering wheel as he did so. 

“Ugh... What am I even doing here?” he asked himself. What made him think that he could actually teach a class just because he was decent at painting himself? 

“All you’ve got to do is make sure you keep getting back up... I think you could do it!”

“Hmph... and just how am I supposed to just brush off failure when all I am IS a failure?” As he continued to drive, the words of his family echoed through his head, making it all the harder to focus on the darkening road ahead of him...

“Oh, you’re going into art? Well, just don’t expect much.” “Come on now, maybe he’ll get lucky. Even the worst art has some fans, and anyone can teach a class of high schoolers!” “Ha, I bet he barely lasts a week before he gets fired.” “I don’t know why you’re even bothering with it.” 

“Why are you even still trying? Don’t you think you’d be better off if you just stopped trying? If you just died?”

Rippen closed his eyes. “Yeah...”

“That’s right... You should just die...”

“I... I should just-” He stopped, his blood running cold. Who... Who’s voice was that?! Opening his eyes, Rippen gasped and slammed on the break. This wasn’t the road that he was supposed to be on! This wasn’t even a road at all!

The sky was now a bloody mix of red and yellow. The pavements was crumbling all around him, and just in front of his car was a huge arch that looked like it was made of paper! Though, that didn’t make the face at the top any less gruesome...

“W-What... What is this place?!” Rippen shouted. Grabbing the gearshift, he put it in reverse and started moving back as fast as he could. There had to be a way out! There just had to-!

*CRASH!* Rippen let out a yelp. Something had stopped his car dead in its tracks! Stepping out, he could only stare in horror as he watched several distorted figures beat on the back of his car. ...Of course, once they noticed who was watching them, they quickly changed targets. 

“S-Stay away!” he shouted as he started to run, “Please, just stay- OOF!” Ugh, curse his feet! Of course, the creatures had no such problem, and it wasn’t long before the started closing in on the shaking teacher. “P-Please...” He clenched his eyes shut. “Don’t-!”

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!* *WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!*

Opening his eyes at the noise, Rippen got a perfect view of the creatures exploding in a burst of yellow and blue light. “...What... W-What the-?”

“Heh, that was a close one, huh?” “Yeah. We’ve reaaaally gotta work on our timing.” 

Rippen’s eyes widened. He... He recognized both of those voices! Turning his head, he could see two brightly colored figures standing just behind him. 

The first figure was a short, dark skinned man. He was wearing a tan shirt with a golden sweater-vest and a brown bowtie. Matching his tie, he was also wearing brown, bellbottom pants, and also had yellow fingerless gloves on his hands (hands that were currently holding muskets. Seriously, muskets?!). Finally, resting on the corner his glasses was a bright yellow gemstone.

The second figure was a bit taller, and with bright red hair that was impossible not to recognize. His outfit was a bit more knight-like with chain-mail over his chest and small pieces of armor over his arms and knees. Just above the chain mail was a small, blue gem. The boy was also wearing a bright blue shirt and silver-colored pants. As for his own weapon, it was bow made of dark wood with several blue gems adorning it. 

Glancing over his shoulder, Penn smiled. “Glad you’re safe, Rippen.”

“P-Penn Zero? And... And Principal Larry?! But, what-? H-How-?!”

“Magical heroes.” Rippen flinched at the new voice, and glanced down at the ground where a small white cat now sat, looking pretty calm and actually kind of bored. “They are heroes who protect world against their villains, the witches.”

“Yep!” Larry said proudly.

“Heh, just don’t tell anyone else at school, okay?” Penn added. With that, he summoned another arrow - made out of bright light - and both he and Larry aimed their attacks straight at the arch-creature. Two more shots, and it was all over! Another victory for the Magical Heroes of Middleburg!

And as for Rippen, he just couldn’t stop staring. Not just in shock, but in amazement.

()()()()()()()()

“Here you go!” “Thank you, Princi-” “Aw, just call me Larry!” “Er, well, a-alright, Larry...” With that settled, Larry put the jar of coffee back over by the machine before sitting down. Along with coffee (and a couple cans of pop for Penn), there was also a wide array of both sweet and salty snacks spread out on the small table in front of them. 

“I don’t know about you guys, but I just can’t have a drink without something to eat with it,” Larry told them after taking a quick sip of his coffee, “Unless it’s just water, or if it’s late at night and I just want a glass of warm milk. But every other time I get drinking something, I just get the munchies too! Say, have you guys ever tried dipping a sandwich in juice? It’s actually better than it sounds! Apple juice works pretty well with ham, but grape and orange-”

“How do you two fight those things?”

Larry blinked, and the two magical heroes turned to look at Rippen, who flushed slightly in embarrassment. “I-I mean... Those creatures - W-What was that you called them? Witches? - They were just... monstrous. And powerful. How are you not terrified by just the sight of them?”

Thankfully, they weren’t too bothered by his question. “I guess we just get used to it,” Penn shrugged, “Heh, I’ve actually only been doing this for a couple weeks. Larry has way more experience, so I guess it helps to have a pro as you’re partner.” The boy then paused, taking a small sip of his own drink as he smiled softly to himself. 

“But really... I guess that, even when I do start to freak out a bit or wonder if the next witch is going to be too much to handle, I just start thinking about all the people we’re saving and the good we’re doing. When you look at it that way, it makes all the trouble of being a hero worth it, you know?”

“...I think I do,” Rippen nodded, smiling back at him.

“Heh, it also helps that Penn here’s a fast learner,” Larry added, “I don’t really have much left to teach him! And by the time Walpurgisnacht comes around, I just know he’ll be full-fledged magical hero!”

Walpurgisnacht... Well that certainly sounded a bit intimidating. Still, Rippen tried to shrug it off. He was sure they would be able to handle it...

()()()()()()()()

Middleburg’s downtown was a complete mess. Dark clouds filled the sky, debris was everywhere... And his boss laid dead in front of him, his magical hero outfit long gone, his glasses shattered, and his body completely still.

However, over the sound of his own sniffles, Rippen heard a reluctant yet determined voice: “Well... Guess I should get back out there.”

“W-What?! Are you insane?!” Rippen shouted, clenching his fists, “That... That thing killed Larry. Do you really think you stand a better chance?”

“I don’t know,” Penn admitted, “But if I don’t try something, that witch is just going to kill more people. I have to at least try...”

“B-But...” He grimaced wiping away a tear. “...You’re still just a child, in case you’ve forgotten. N-No one would blame you if you ran away. I certainly wouldn’t.”

“...” For a moment, there was only silence. However, when Rippen finally glanced back up at the horrible scene in front of him, he saw his student smiling at him. ”You know... I still don’t think being a magical hero was that bad. Maybe not the ending I would have wanted but... at least I saved some people. At least I saved you. So that’s something I can be proud of, right?” He started to step towards the edge of the roof they were standing on.

“N-No,” Rippen shook his head, “Don’t- Y-You-!”

“Bye Rippen. Thanks for everything.” And with that, Penn summoned his bow and leapt back into battle, refusing to look back no matter how much his teacher shouted at him. 

...Rippen had to give the boy some credit. He had fought hard, and refused to let up. No matter what, he was going to finish this fight. And indeed he did... But unfortunately, while he had enough strength and magic to defeat Walpurgisnacht, it just wasn’t enough to save himself.

So there he was, lying in a shallow puddle of water, completely lifeless... Rippen could barely stand the sight of it. “Foolish boy...” He scolded, choking back a sob as he cradled Penn’s body, “You knew you were going to die! Y-You knew... W-What, what does it matter that you saved the city or that you saved me?! You shouldn’t have had to die! You shouldn’t have...” He clenched his eyes shut.

“You shouldn’t have had to save me... If I had just been stronger, better... Then maybe...”

“...Is this your greatest desire then?”

Rippen flinched. Slowly, he turned to see a white cat staring at him. Phyllis... “Is this your wish, Rippen? Are you willing to trade soul for it?”

“My wish...” He looked back down at Penn. “...Are you really able to grant any wish?”

“Of course,” Phyllis nodded, “You have plenty of potential. So, will you make wish?”

“...Yes. I will.” Gently, he put Penn’s body down and stood up. Despite his dirty clothes, windblown hair and tear-stained cheeks, Rippen looked as determined as ever. No more being afraid. No more being weak or useless or a failure. This time, he would be the hero.

“I wish to redo my meeting with Penn, but instead of him protecting me, I want to be strong enough to protect him!”

For a couple seconds, Phyllis simply stared at him, and Rippen started to think that maybe his wish was too much for the creature. But then his chest started to burn, and as he held himself and tried to withstand the pain, a small orb of bright purple light came out of him. “The contract is complete,” he heard Phyllis say, “Now, embrace destiny. Let your new power fly free, and good luck!”

Bracing himself, Rippen reached up, and touched the light.

Suddenly, it felt like he had been caught in a tornado. Brief, yet energizing! However, the feeling ended almost as quickly as it had started, and before he could even try to figure out what was happening- He was back in his bed.

“...What?” As he sat up, he looked around. Yep, this was definitely his room. Same dark colored walls, same small face, same plush dog from his childhood sitting on his dresser. “...Oh no... No no no. Don’t tell me it was all just a-”

As he moved his hand, he felt something in it - something smooth rolling along his palm. With a gasp, he lifted it above the blankets. Sure enough, in his hand was a small, purple rock. A soul gem... Just like what Penn and Larry had!

“It wasn’t a dream...”

()()()()()()()()() 

Now, since we've finally managed to find a replacement, I'd like to introduce you all to your new teacher, Mr. Rippen." The coach then gestured to the door as it opened, and a man stepped in.

The students' eyes widened as they looked at their new teacher. His skin was a pale green, and behind a pair of blue-rimmed glasses were a pair of yellow and red eyes. He was clean-shaven with shoulder length black and white hair that poofed out quite a bit, but the man didn’t seem too bothered by it. In fact, he was smiling brightly!

“Good morning,” he greeted, “As Mr. Egsgard has already said, my name is Mr. Rippen and I look forward to teaching you all.” 

“Great, you’ll be fine,” Mr. Egsgard nodded, satisfied, “I’ll be in my car if you need me.” As the gym teacher left, Rippen looked out at his students - specifically, at a certain red-headed boy who was most definitely alive. Unable to help himself, Rippen grinned at him.

Of course, Penn saw this, and while he looked a bit confused at it, he did still give his new teacher a small, sorta sheepish smile in return.

The rest of the class continued normally, with Rippen actually managing to get through his lecture without stuttering or dropping his notes. However, he still gave them free drawing time, and - at about the same time as last time - he asked the class if someone could help him find the faculty copy machine. And, of course, Penn volunteered. 

After that, it was as simple as a quick explanation, a side-trip to the principal’s office, and coming up with a time and place to meet after school...

“...Alright. Well, here goes nothing!” Clenching his fists, Rippen allowed magic to wash over his body, causing his teaching attire to transform into his new magical hero uniform.  He was now wearing a white dress shirt with a black shirt underneath it, along with a dark purple tie and black pants. On his right hand was a diamond-shaped purple gem, and on his arm was a small metal shield. 

And, as soon as he gave the shield a turn, time froze around him. However, Rippen didn’t have time to be amazed by it. He could hear the mechanisms within his shield ticking away like the seconds on a clock. So, he grabbed the old, abandoned golf club that they had found in the alleyway and began his attack on the training dummy (a trash can). 

It took a bit to get the hang of it, but by the time he had reached his time limit, he had managed to make quite a few dents in the ‘dummy’. Suddenly, time started moving, and to Penn and Larry it looked like the can had went from fine to pretty wrecked in the blink of an eye.

“Huh... So you can freeze time! That’s definitely going to be handy!” Larry commented. 

“Heh, d-definitely...” Rippen agreed, nodding slightly as he tried to catch his breath.

The two magical heroes frowned a bit at that, clearly concerned. “Though, it doesn’t give you much of an advantage if you’re exhausted afterwards...” Penn added. 

Larry nodded. “Right... But there has to be a way to use it to your advantage and not get tired. Something that’s maybe a little less physical?”

Rippen thought for a moment. “...I think I may have one possible solution...” 

He only ended up getting a couple days of training and preparing before being thrust into his first battle. The witch had a bit of a highwire theme going on, hanging itself high above the streets of Middleburg and using its wires to pull in anything from cars to trees. 

Swinging around with his ribbons, Larry began laying his own high advantage point while Penn continued the offensive, keeping the witch’s attention with each magical arrow shot at it. ...Meanwhile, Rippen was just trying to keep from falling to his death, clinging tightly to the wire that he was crawling on.

“Okay, just about-” Larry pulled one last ribbon, and they all tightened, forming a bridge to the witch, “READY!” 

“Alright, Larry!” Penn grinned before turning to the newest member of their team, “Go for it, Rippen!”

“Ah! R-Right!” He turned his shield, and the world froze just as he dropped down onto Larry’s bridge. With no wind to blow him off and no projectiles to dodge, Rippen easily ran across. Once he got to the witch, he reached into his shield’s pocket of infinite storage, and pulled out a small homemade bomb. “Good thing I remembered those science classes,” he mumbled to himself as he threw the bomb up into the witch’s chest. He then jumped off the bridge, and the world began to move again.  

*BOOM!* Thanks to the bomb, the witch almost instantly became nothing but a ball of fire and smoke. And with their enemy defeated, Larry was able to use his ribbons to catch Rippen before he could even get close to the ground, slowly bringing him down to safety. 

“Great job, team!” Penn told them, holding his fist out towards Larry, who of course happily gave him a quick bump. The boy then turned and offered Rippen the same gesture, and while it took a moment to understand, he did eventually give him a bump as well. “Heh, so, having fun yet, Rippen?”

“Fun?” Holding back a smirk, Rippen gave him a look. “Oh yes. Risking my life, fighting giant nightmarish creatures, and falling from great heights - I’m having an absolute ball!”

“That’s the spirit!” Larry cheered while Penn chuckled, “Alright, if there are no more witches in the area, then I’d say it’s snacktime! Oh, and Rippen, I managed to find those caramels you like!”

Rippen smiled at that. “Thank you, Larry.” In a flash, the three of them transformed back into their street clothes and started walking towards Larry’s car. As they went along, the conversation shifted to whatever story Larry felt like telling, casual news about their ‘off the clock’ lives, and even quick questions about the topics Rippen had explained in class (as it turned out, Penn really was sort of interested about art). 

Basically, it was as if they hadn’t just spent the latter part of their afternoon being attacked and fighting a monstrous villain. It was... nice. It was nice to have friends, to be part of a team. 

...Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last...

Larry still ended up perishing after a battle with Walpurgisnacht, despite fighting with everything he had. However, with Rippen by his side, Penn was able to survive. It wasn’t the happiest ending, but it would be enough. ...Or at least, that’s what he thought. 

That was before Penn collapsed. 

“Gh... GhhhhAAAAAH!” Rippen winced at the boy’s screams of pain, but he tried his best to stay calm. 

“It, i-it’ll be okay,” he told him, “W-We’ll figure out what’s wrong, just-!”

“R-Rip-!” Penn choked out. He started to lift his hand. “M-My-AHH! Owwww!”

“What? W-What is it?” Rippen asked, taking Penn’s hand. Within it was Penn’s soul gem - once a bright blue, now completely black. Of course... Phyllis had said that they would need to purify their soul gems in order for them to keep using their magic. But... But Penn’s soul gem barely looked like a soul gem anymore! Instead it looked more like a-

The man’s eyes widened. “...A grief seed...”

“AHHHHHHHHH!” As Penn let out one final scream, the soul gem began to flash, cracking and changing as it transformed completely into a grief seed before evaporating into a thick cloud of smoke - smoke that began to grow, taking the form of something vaguely humanoid as it covered the skies. ...And below, Penn’s body laid still and silent.

“...How...?” That was all Rippen could say, his eyes stuck on Penn’s witch while the rest of him was pulled back. How could this have happened?

()()()()()()()()()()()()

“Please, all of you, listen to me! I am telling you the truth! We’re all being tricked by Phyllis!”

“But, Rippen-” “Oh come on!” Boone rolled his eyes, “Phyllis is cool. What would she have to gain from tricking us?”

Rippen’s frown deepened... As it turned out, he wasn’t the only new magical hero in this timeline. One of his other students and Penn’s best friend, a boy by the name of Boone Wiseman, had made a contract with Phyllis as well. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to trust Rippen at all...

“And hey, if she was trying to hurt us, I’m sure we could take her out,” Boone continued, crossing his arms, “Not that we would want to but - Ugh, why are you even telling us this? Are you just trying to freak us out or something? Hmph, or maybe you’re just working as a secret undercover agent for the Sashi girl, and you’re trying to make us lose our cool so we can’t fight-”

“No! I’m not trying to do any of that, I’m just trying to warn you!” Rippen insisted, even glaring a bit at the brown-haired now, “Why can’t you just-?!”

“Okay guys, calm down,” Penn said, stepping in-between them, “And hey, Boone, buddy, you’re the only one here who’s losing their cool.”

“...” Boone sighed. “Sorry. It’s just... Well, can you blame me? This guy literally just shows up and starts telling us all what to do. What, just because he’s older and a teacher? Besides, you guys don’t have to worry about almost being blown up by his bombs.”

“He does have a point, Rippen,” Larry spoke up, “Bombs and explosions are sorta dangerous when we’re all fighting together. Don’t you have any other weapons you could use?”

“Well... If everyone thinks I should, I’m sure I can find something.” After all, he had no criminal record, and he had a bit of money in his savings. It would be very easy for him to purchase a gun or two.

However, that ended up being the least of their worries...

Of course, Boone never confided in him, but from what Rippen had heard, he had been dealing with some sort of girl problem. Fighting over one or trying to get the attention of one or something like that. To any other teenager, it would have simply been met with some frustration and angst before being forgotten about. But, with magic thrown into the mix, something as simple as grief and depression suddenly became very dangerous curses...

“Shoot!” Sashi grunted, gritting her teeth and quickly shattering another one of Boone’s glass minions with her spear. “Come on!” she shouted at the witch residing behind the giant mirror, “Why are you doing this?!”

“Boone, please!” Penn yelled, all while trying to dodge the arrows from his own clones, “You have to remember! You’d never want to hurt us! BOONE!” 

But the witch just continued to shriek and snort. Its mirror vibrated, and several more Glass Penns came out - and all of them heading right towards the original with the intent to destroy. 

“NO!” Running towards them, Rippen turned his shield. Once that was done, he got out his revolver and began to fire. The bullets froze just inches in front of the minions’ faces. They wouldn’t stand a chance. Putting the gun away, he then replaced it with a bomb and turned his attention towards Boone. 

“...” His eyes filled with pity. The boy may have given him trouble, but not even the brattiest people deserved this. “I’m sorry...” 

Time began to move, and the air was filled with the sound of shattering glass just before a huge explosion went off. Within seconds, the labyrinth disappeared, it’s creator no more.

“...DAMN IT!” Sashi threw her spear down. “Boone... This, this isn’t fair...”

“I know,” Rippen told her, glancing down at the floor. He could hear Penn sniffling slightly behind him. “I, I know it’s not fair... But-” Suddenly, he felt something soft and tight wrap around him, squeezing him and keeping him in place. And, before the man could even let out a gasp, a gunshot was heard.

In an instant, a bullet hit Sashi’s soul gem, breaking it into shards. The girl’s eyes darkened, and her hero uniform evaporated away before she even hit the ground. 

“NO!” Rippen shouted, “Sash-!” From beside him, he could hear a musket being cocked while a sob was choked back. “...Larry...”

“I, I-I’m sorry!” Larry cried, still aiming his gun as tears streamed down, “B-But... I-I don’t wanna hurt people! We aren’t supposed to hurt people!” 

“Larry, please-!” “But, but we’re just g-gonna turn into witches! So-” “Larry! Stop!” “So we have to die before we become witches!” He prepared to fire. “All of us!” “LARRY!” 

*SWOOSH!* Before the principal could fire, the soul gem was hit with an arrow of blue light. And, as soon as it broke, he too fell to the ground dead, causing the ribbons he had summoned to then evaporate.

“...” Slowly, he turned to face the only other remaining magical hero - to face the crying boy who could barely keep from falling to his knees. “...Penn...”

“I, I just don’t get it...” Dropping his bow, Penn held his head and gripped his hair as the tears continued to fall, “Why did this happen?! I just-! I-I don’t want this... I don’t want this!” 

Not even bothering to wipe away his own tears, Rippen walked over and pulled the boy into a hug. “Shhh, it’s okay... Y-You’ll be alright... We’ll be alright...”

Penn sniffled. “Y-Yeah... Yeah, we’ll just... W-We won’t forget them... And, a-and we’ll defeat Walpurgisnacht, and we’ll make sure no one else becomes magical heroes! Right?”

Rippen smiled. “Right. That’s exactly right... We can do this...”

And, in a way, they did do it. As soon as Walpurgisnacht arrived, they began fighting and didn’t stop until the witch was no more. Unfortunately, with only two magical heroes fighting, they had to use all their magic just to win. So... It wasn’t much of a victory.

At least, it wasn’t much of one to Rippen. “...Any grief seeds?” Penn shook his head. “Yeah... Same here. So.. I suppose this is it, then.” He looked up at the slowly clearing sky, blinking away any tears he felt. “Maybe... Maybe it won’t be so bad, being monsters...” Of course he was still scared, still wishing he had been stronger. But maybe... Maybe... 

“Or maybe... We can just try again?”

“...H-Huh?” Rippen blinked. He turned his head towards Penn - towards where his once-purple soul gem laid in his hand - and gasped. 

“Heh, sorry for lying,” Penn told him, wincing only slightly as he continued to cleanse Rippen’s soul gem with one last grief seed.

“Y-You... You fool! You foolish boy, why would you-?!” Rippen glared at him, choking back a sob, “W-Why on earth would you use it to save me?! You should have-!”

 But Penn just weakly smiled it him. “It’s fine... When you, when you think about it, it makes sense... You, you can go back in time, can’t you, Rippen?”

And that was when it all became clear. “Penn...” With his own strength and magic back, Rippen sat up. Once again, he found himself cradling a dying boy in his arms... No, not just any boy. A boy that had ended up being his closest friend. A boy that practically felt like family now. ...A boy that he kept failing despite how much he wished to save him - and who had just given him another chance to possibly make that wish come true.

“Please, Rippen... Just, just make sure the me in the past doesn’t make another stupid mistake... Okay?” 

“Of course,” Rippen sniffled, “O-Of course, I will... I’ll make sure Phyllis doesn’t trick you. I’ll make sure that, t-that you don’t end up like this! You don’t deserve it and, and I promise I won’t ever let it happen again!”

Despite the pain and the fear, Penn managed to smile back at his teacher. “Thanks... I- Erg!” He winced, and felt his blackened soul gem start to break. “I, ugh... Could, could I ask for, o-one last thing? I, I-I know it won’t really matter but...” 

Slowly, Penn held up his soul gem, and closed his eyes. “I... I really don’t want to become a witch,” he said, his voice cracking.

“...” Rippen’s hands were shaking, but he reached into his shield anyway. He couldn’t deny him his one last request. ...He couldn’t watch Penn turn into a witch again. So, he took out his revolver, aimed it at the boy’s soul gem, and let out a cry just before firing.

()()()()()()()()()

“...” It felt like he had been laying in bed for hours, replaying the endings of each timeline in his head over and over. It was awful... But just laying around wouldn’t stop any of them from happening again.

So, Rippen got to work. 

“No one will ever believe me,” he mumbled to himself, “And anyone I work with will most likely just end up dying anyway... I can’t rely on any of them. Not anymore. Not if I want to succeed.” So, he would just have to do it on his own. 

And, that was how he continued on. In each new timeline, he would hit the ground running, gathering up as many weapons as he could and putting together various plans for Walpurgisnacht as soon as possible. He even used his magic to fix his eyes, just so his glasses wouldn’t in the way! (He also stopped shaving as much, though that was just simply out of trying to save time).

He would hunt witches and gather grief seeds, but he also began to hunt Phyllis, trying his damnedest to keep the creature from meeting Penn for as long as possible. Though, despite his best efforts, the two would still end up meeting one way or another. It was frustrating... Anger-enduing, even, but it didn’t matter. 

No matter how many times he failed. Rippen swore he wouldn’t give up... 

“All you’ve got to do is make sure you keep getting back up... I think you could do it!”

“Penn... He deserves a good life. One without witches,” he told himself, “And I’m going to make sure he gets that. I won’t break my promise, and I won’t fail. I’ll defeat every witch by myself if I have to! Even Walpurgisnacht!” He couldn’t fail, and so he would continue trying.

Even if it took an eternity. 

As soon as she felt the floor back under her feet, Sashi opened her eyes - and all around her was chaos.

Floating debris, curtains of darkness flowing around structures that were still being constructed, and all while other structures were slowly crumbling down. There was no doubt, this was a labyrinth that was just starting to come together. And, in the middle of it all, was a giant dresser...

Though really, it wasn’t the dresser that was the most noticeable. No, instead it was the mirror - its frame lined with swords - that was connected to the dresser, where a small witch resided. The witch itself was shrouded in shadow, but as soon as it noticed Sashi looking up at it, it cried out. 

The swords along the mirror began to shift and point downward, right towards the magical girl below it. “Uh oh!” She took a few steps back, preparing to jump-

And that’s when she saw him... Floating slowly down, just in front of the mirror. Sashi heard herself gasp. “BOONE!” Without a second thought, she transformed into her magical hero outfit. As she changed, she leapt up and managed to catch him, despite him being bigger than she was. “Boone! Wake up! We have to get out of-”

The witch, now getting a closer look at the two of them, cried out again. However, it wasn’t the only one with a better view. As she tried keep a grip on the unconscious boy, Sashi couldn’t help but glance over at it. It... It almost looked like a sweets witch she had heard about. Like a doll, but with a ceramic head that had been cracked, leaving the space where its eyes would have been completely hollow.

The witch also had a pig nose and long ears that almost seemed like ribbons. A dark flowing cape covered the rest of its body. That is, except for it’s feet... It’s flip-flop wearing feet. 

Sashi felt her blood run cold. “What... H-How did you get here?! What did you do to Boone?!”

The witch refused to answer. Instead, it decided to finally launch one of its swords. “’Gh!” Sashi flinched. With Boone still in her arms, she couldn’t summon her spear! 

“GET BACK!” A voice shouted. Sashi obeyed, flying back just as a new figure jumped in front of her, and somehow managed to shatter the oncoming sword. Honestly, it had happened so fast, Sashi wasn’t sure how they managed to- 

The figure turned around, and a familiar pair of yellow eyes was staring back at her. “...Of course,” Sashi muttered, scowling slightly. Another special technique... And another ‘just-in-time’ save. 

Rippen narrowed his eyes a bit, but instead of shooting back any sort of snide remark, he instead held out his hand. “Grab on to me.” “Huh? But-” “Just do it!” 

The girl’s scowl deepened, but again she obeyed. Hoisting Boone onto her right side, she grabbed Rippen’s extended hand with her left. As soon as he felt her tight grip, Rippen activated his shield - and the entire world around them froze. 

“...What?” Sashi looked around. “What, what did you-?”

“Do not let go of my hand, understand?” Rippen ordered, “If you do, you’ll be frozen here as well. Now come on, let’s go.” He started to pull her along, but Sashi pulled him right back.

“Huh?! But what about the witch?!” she asked, “How did it even get here?!”

There was a small pause. “You already know the answer to that, Kobayashi. You just don’t want to accept it... That witch is Boone Wiseman. Or rather, it was Boone, before despair and curses completely overshadowed his soul gem.” 

“...” Sashi lowered her gaze. She just couldn’t believe it... Magical heroes could just... just turn into witches?! 

“And, as for defeating the witch, we could easily do so if you wish. You’d just have to drop that body. After all, you can’t fight and carry him at the same time, you’ll just get both of us kill. So, shall we?”

At hearing that little suggestion, Sashi’s glare quickly returned. “No way!”

“I figured as much. So let’s go.” With that, Rippen starting to run, leading the way while Sashi reluctantly followed him. By the time his shield deactivated, they were already far enough from the witch, and after a few more minutes of running they reached the in-process labyrinth’s exit. 

However, considering all that had just happened, it wasn’t exactly much to celebrate...

()()()()()()()()()()

“...Come on, Penn. Stop worrying so much! I’m sure he’s-... fine. H-He’s totally fine! ...Probably...” Penn sighed, wrapping his arms around himself as he walked along the empty streets. 

After his run-in with Rippen, he had searched for Boone for another few hours before giving up. However, he still couldn’t bring himself to just go home. So, here he was, just wandering the streets, hoping that maybe he’d be lucky enough to just run into Boone. 

...And unfortunately, that’s just what he was about to do.

Hearing faint footsteps just ahead of him, Penn looked up - and gasped.

Walking towards him, he could see both Rippen and Sashi. But, hanging off Sashi’s shoulder and looking more dead than alive, was Boone. “Oh no... No no no!” He ran forward, already feeling tears prickling his eyes. “Is... Is he-?”

Sashi looked away. “...I’m sorry...” Gently, she placed him on the ground. 

Penn swallowed, and slowly took his best friend’s cold hand. “...Boone... I-I...”

“It’s not your fault,” he heard Rippen tell him, his tone stern, “You couldn’t have known. None of us know, until it’s too late. It’s all part of that creature’s scheme... And now you know the final harsh truth about the fate of Magical Heroes.” He held out his soul gem, glaring at it. 

“When our soul gems become muddy and black - become filled with grief and despair - they become grief seeds, and we are reborn as witches.” He then looked down at Penn, who had already started to cry despite his efforts not to. “Can you understand what I was trying to prevent now, boy? This is what happens when you make wishes. You’re only cursed in the end, and now-”

“Oh SHUT UP!” Flinching only slightly, Rippen simply stared as Sashi grabbed his tie, yanking him down to her level. “Enough with the explaining! We get it, you know everything! But can’t you just shut up and let him grieve?! He was-” Sashi paused for a moment, her grip tightening. “...He was his best friend, and you’re acting like he didn’t even matter! What, is he just another statistic to you?!”

Rippen didn’t reply to that. Instead, he just looked back down at Penn, his gaze softening just a bit. “...I won’t try to act like this isn’t a tragedy, and I am sorry that you had to deal with this... But at least now you know.” At least something good could still come out of all this. There was no way that Penn would want to become a magical hero now.

“Oh, and a word of advice,” the teacher continued as he easily pried Sashi’s hands off him, “Unless you don’t mind dealing with the authorities later, I’d suggest you find a good hiding place for that body.” He tried to ignore the sound of Penn choking back a sob.

Sashi glared. “...How can you even call yourself human?” she asked, her voice as cold as ice.

“I don’t,” Rippen retorted, “And technically-” He squeezed the purple soul gem still in his hand, “You’re not either.” Knowing that he was no longer needed there, Rippen turned around and walked away, leaving the two students to mourn in silence.

()()()()()()()()()

His aunt and uncle’s house was quiet - not even the chinchilla was making any late night noises. He’d had to listen to his uncle’s scolding about staying out late, but while he made sure to at least look like he was paying attention and apologized, he could barely remember a single word of the conversation. As he changed into pajamas, his MUHU had rang, but he just let it go to voice mail.

He didn’t want to talk, and he didn’t want to sleep either... So instead, Penn just sat on his bed, staring at the walls and just thinking... Wondering when and how had things gotten so messed up. 

“...Ah, so you are still up. That is good. We have much to discuss.”

Slowly, Penn glanced up towards his window, where a white-furred creature sat. “Should I even ask how you’re still alive?” 

Swishing her tail a bit, Phyllis casually jumped down from the windowsill and onto the bed. “How I am here doesn’t really matter.”

“...Yeah, I guess it doesn’t...” Honestly, Penn couldn’t even bring himself to scowl at her, to emotionally exhausted to do so. However, what he did want was answers. “This is what you wanted all along from us, wasn’t it? Do you only turn people into magical heroes so they can just turn into witches later?”

Phyllis nodded, and Penn looked away. “...If it makes you feel any better, we have reason for turning heroes into witches.”

“Hmph, oh yeah?” Penn asked, snapping slightly, “And just what is this oh-so-great reason?”

“Entropy,” Phyllis said simply, “This reality has many different worlds - different universes, trillions of lives - and all of them using much energy each second. Each being that lives and grows burns much energy through being created, and when it dies, the energy it releases is much less...”

Noticing the boy’s confused expression, Phyllis decided to just jump to her main point. “It is important to know that the entire multi-verse is running out of energy, and because of their connections to each other, if one world dies, they all die. A very important problem to fix.”

“...Multi-verse... But, but what does that have to do with us?”

“In each world - each universe - there are only dozens of people with potential to become magical heroes. And, each one of those heroes has power and emotion that, thanks to magic, can then be converted into energy.”

“I... I guess that makes sense,” Penn admitted, “But then, why-?”

“However,” Phyllis continued, leaning forward a bit, “The energy created when soul gem becomes grief seed, MUCH greater than energy created when soul gem is created or hero uses magic. It becomes cycle! Beings becomes heroes, heroes protect their world from villains and keep multiverse safe in small ways. Then heroes eventually become witches, and new heroes destroy witches before becoming witches themselves - and all while Incubators like Phyllis collect newly released energy, thereby saving all life. So, all of this is very beneficial for heroes to become witches, understand?”

And at that, Penn finally managed to glare at her. “No. No, I don’t understand! You’re pretty much saying that it’s okay for heroes to die - for Larry to be killed and Boone to suffer - just so some energy can be created?! What’s wrong with you?!”

“Nothing is wrong,” Phyllis replied, her face as flat as ever, “Phyllis is simply thinking about greater good. For entire multi-verse to survive, there must be some sacrifice. But, we still give you wishes in return for sacrifice, so-”

“HA! Some wish!” Penn argued, “A wish isn’t worth something this cruel! I don’t- Why didn’t you tell any of us just what we were signing up for?! Fighting villains and monsters is one thing, but-!”

“But you never asked,” the creature told him simply, “And again, we did not think it was big deal. Not when multiverse needs saving and heroes are still getting much desired wishes. We did not think dozens of heroes would matter when saving infinite lives.”

“...Well then, I guess you thought wrong.” Slowly, Penn laid down, turning away from Phyllis. “And... I guess Rippen was right. You really are our enemy.”

Phyllis hummed, then shrugged. Well, at least she had tried to explain the situation. Honestly, beings that couldn’t see the entire spectrum of the multiverse and just how important its survival was were so illogical. 

With that, she hopped back up to the window. But, just before she left... “Penn Zero. You still have great potential. And someday, Penn Zero will become the mightiest and most powerful hero ever - and then, the most powerful and evil of all witches. When that happens, we will have more than enough energy to save your world, and perhaps even entire multiverse. So, if you ever want to be true hero, make sure to call. Phyllis will be waiting...”

“...” Despite the tears forming and the ache in his heart, Penn still glanced back up towards the window, if only for a moment. But Phyllis was already gone. 

On the other side of town, a single red light shone in an otherwise abandoned apartment building. 

“Ugh...” She knew she wouldn’t be able to do this for more than a few days, at most. But at that moment, she could care less about whatever time limits she had, she just wanted to do something.

As the glow from Boone’s body started to fade, Sashi placed her soul gem back into her pocket and took a seat next to the bed. She still had a few energy bars and a couple pieces of granola. That would be enough for tonight, at least...

From the corner of the room, a pair of flat eyes watched her, only somewhat curious. “Why are you using magic to preserve body?” 

“Hmph, none of your business!” Sashi snapped, refusing to even look at her. Unfortunately, Phyllis wasn’t too turned off by her rudeness. Still, while she was there... “...Hey, is there any way to get his soul gem back? I mean, if we do it soon enough, is there a way to reverse it? Turn a grief seed back into a soul gem?”

“Hmm... Well, Phyllis has not seen examples of this happening,” Phyllis started to say as she walked up to the girl, “However, who’s to say Phyllis has seen everything.”

Sashi raised an eyebrow, though still scowled back at her. “And just what does that mean?”

The creature shrugged. “Magical heroes are very powerful. Very logic defying too. There is reason there are only a few who have hero potential. And, even fewer have tried to reverse the witch transformation, so who’s to say? Phyllis can’t, so I cannot give much help on subject.”

“Hmph... Yeah, well...” Sashi took a bite of her ‘supper’, the energy bar already starting to crumble a bit in her hand, “Who needs help from you, anyway...”

()()()()()()()()()()  

“...I guess Boone is sick again today, huh?”

“...” Penn glanced away. “Yeah, guess so... Must be some flu going around or, or something.”

Alex nodded. “Probably. Poor guy... But hey, maybe we can visit him after school!” He smiled a bit at the idea, but Penn could only wince. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the company. Besides, I feel like I should try to talk to him a bit. Things have been, well, kiiinda awkward between us lately, and I just want to make sure everything’s cool, you know?”

“Uh, yeah...” As soon as he said that, his wince turned into a scowl. What was he doing? Boone was Alex’s friend too. Alex deserved to know the truth. “Hey, actually, I... I have something I need to talk to you about too.”

“Huh? What’s that, Penn?” “Well... Boone-”

“Hey! I wouldn’t be spilling the beans just yet.”

Penn blinked, stopping midstep. “Huh?” It took a bit of looking around, but he did eventually spot her up in a tree, perching and watching like a ninja. “And speaking of talking,” she continued, “I’ve got something I need to talk to YOU about. Something that’s much more important than school.”

“...” Penn nodded. “Actually Alex, I think we’re gonna have to put a pin in that. I, erg-” He held his stomach and tried to look as sick as possible. “Uncle Chuck’s cooking from last night just hit me. I-I think I’m gonna have to go home sick too!” And before his friend could try to argue or even offer to walk him home, Penn turned on his heel and ran off. 

Since most Middleburg citizens were either at work or school, it was pretty easy to find a spot to meet where they wouldn’t draw too much attention. Sashi, of course, was already there waiting and pacing slightly before she saw Penn approach.

“So... I take it this is about Boone?” he asked.

“Well, duh!” Sashi retorted, “What else would it be about?” Though, after a moment of thought, her expression softened a bit. “Uh, sorry. Didn’t mean to snap at you.”

But Penn offered her a small smile. “Hey, it’s fine. All of this has been... really stressful.” Ha, talk about an understatement. “So, what did you need to say?”

“Actually it’s more of a question...” She sighed, and then looked him straight in the eye. “Do you want to help save Boone?”

Penn’s eyes widened. “I... Well, yeah! Yeah, of course I do! But, wait, how do we save him? I mean- is that even possible?”

Sashi scowled. “Well not with that attitude! Ugh, look. I... I don’t know if it’s totally possible, okay? But, I also don’t know if it’s completely impossible. There’s still a chance...” Maybe if they destroyed his witch form soon enough, they would get Boone’s soul gem as a reward instead of the usual grief seed! “If anything, maybe we can at least get him to calm down if he hears the voice of a friend, and once that happens-”

“Maybe he can just reverse the transformation himself!” Penn finished, grinning now. That could maybe work! If Boone just realized what he was and saw that he had support, maybe he could just reverse whatever curses he had given himself and turn back into a magical hero!

“Exactly,” Sashi nodded, smiling back at him. Slowly, she took out her own soul gem. “Heh, it’s sorta funny... Before all of this, I never would have even cared. Either I wouldn’t think it was worth it, or I wouldn’t think it was possible. But Boone... Well, he was dumb when it came to some things but, he was also pretty smart when it came to other things... He actually believed in trying to do good - trying to be a hero. Not the easiest way to live but... maybe it’s still worth saving.”

“Yeah. Definitely.” With that, Penn stepped forward, looking as determined as ever. “And if you’re ready to go try, then-” He held out his hand- “I’ll be right there with you.”

Sashi stared for a moment, and then smirked. With one swift motion, she gave him a light punch to the arm. “Ah, hey!” Penn pouted, “What was that for?”

“No reason,” the girl shrugged, “But hey, thanks for teaming up with me. Here.” She tossed him an energy bar. “Make sure you’re ready.” No matter what happened in the end, this was sure to be a long fight...

()()()()()()()()()

“...” As the rest of the children in his class talked or played on their phones, Rippen just stood at the front, and glared at the two empty desks in the middle of the room. One belonged to Boone Wiseman, so of course it would be empty. But the other one...

He clapped his hands together two times. “Excuse me, class?” The students quickly quieted down, with some even getting out their notebooks in attempt to look prepared for the start of class. But Rippen could care less about that.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to call class off today. There’s a small matter of business that I need to attend to. So, feel free to use today’s class as a study period.”

Needless to say, most of the students were pretty surprised by this. Some of them cheered while others started packing up their things, knowing fully well there wouldn’t be any studying. “Um, Mr. Rippen?” Alex asked as he looked up from his bag, “Do we have any homewo-”

But their art teacher was already gone.

()()()()()()()()()

They knew that Boone’s labyrinth couldn’t have moved much, given that it had only existed for about a day. So, Sashi lead the way back to where she had found Boone. She made sure to scan for magical residue, and sure enough the closer they got to the old subway station, the stronger the magic became. 

“Okay,” Sashi muttered, slowing her steps, “We’re here... Now, you sure you want to come with me? Because I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to protect you if things start getting really intense.”

Despite his concern about Boone, Penn just smiled back at her. “Hey, I’ve been in plenty of labyrinths without magic before. This one shouldn’t be TOO different, right?”

“Hmph,” Sashi smirked, “Suit yourself.” Perhaps it wasn’t the best decision but, she was still pleased that he didn’t chicken out. 

With that decided, Sashi quickly transformed - her day clothes glowing and exploding into her magical hero uniform as pieces of metal flew around her and eventually formed her spear. And, once the weapon was in her hand, she slashed it through the air, opening up a door to the labyrinth. “Okay.” She adjusted her glasses slightly. “Let’s go.”

Penn nodded, clenching his fists. “Right.” And together, they jumped through the entrance.

Surprisingly, the labyrinth was calm... It didn’t even look that strange, since most of its halls just looked like simple, faintly lit hallways. “Boone must not know we’re here yet,” Sashi explained quietly, “And we should try to keep it that way as long as possible.” If they were lucky enough, maybe they could catch him by surprise.

“Got it. ...Huh, this place sorta looks like a theater,” Penn commented as he glanced around. He couldn’t look much, since he didn’t want to fall behind and Sashi walked fast, but he was still able to catch small glimpses of his friend’s new realm. “I wonder if he chose to make it this way or, or if it just happened...” Could witches even think? If they could... What was Boone thinking about?

Sashi on the other hand just kept her eyes straight ahead. “I have no idea. But maybe you can ask him about it later once all of this is over.” “Yeah, maybe...”

As they entered another hallway, they could see several closed doors along the walls. “...So hey, how come you didn’t invite Rippen to help too?” Penn asked.

Sashi scoffed. “Even if I had wanted to, I doubt he would.” He didn’t seem like the type who would help with a plan as admittedly crazy as this one.

“But, I mean, aren’t you guys on the same team?

“Technically. Really he just wants me to help with this Walpurgisnacht thing - a really powerful witch that no hero can defeat alone. So we only teamed up to make sure that it goes down. Other than that, I’m sure neither of us really cares about the other.”

“Oh...” Honestly, Penn sort of doubted that - at least, on Rippen’s side. Sure, the guy could seem harsh and cold but, well, after their run-in near the fountain... Well, maybe Rippen cared more than he let on. “Hmm... Well, if it’s as powerful as you guys say it is, I’m sure you could have used the extra help... And, maybe-”

“Stop right there.” Penn blinked, stopping himself before he nearly ran into the magical heroine. Glaring slightly, Sashi looked over her shoulder. “You should know by now that being a magical hero isn’t just something you should be on a whim. It’s not just helping people, it’s putting your life at risk every day!”

“I... I know.” Penn glanced away. “Trust me, I know... And honestly, I STILL don’t know whether or not I should become one. I definitely know how horrible it can be... But...” He thought about Larry, and Boone, and even his parents, despite them being a different type of hero. “But surprisingly, there’s still some good reasons to become one, you know?”

“...Then think it over,” Sashi told him, putting a hand on his shoulder, “You should only make that choice when you absolutely have to - when you want to, and not when you feel like others need you to. Maybe you will become a magical hero, and maybe you won’t, but it should always be your choice. Okay?”

“...” The boy smiled slightly, and gave a nod. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Good.” Taking her hand off him, Sashi continued walking forward and turned down another hallway.

After a few moments, a new question popped into Penn’s mind - one that he couldn’t help but ask. “So, Sash... When you decided to become a magical hero, what did you wish-?”

Suddenly, all the lights went out. Behind them, they could hear the sound of walls collapsing, blocking their exit. Sashi gritted her teeth. “He’s awake. He knows we’re here!” 

Standing still, the two of them prepared themselves as the floor underneath their feet began to move, quickly pulling them down various halls and eventually to the labyrinth’s center. 

Dark curtains hung all around while the floor of the labyrinth was made of hard wood, almost like a stage. Lights from above shone, slowly spinning and moving around the area, and - of course - in the center was the giant desk and mirror with its witch inside.

Penn just couldn’t believe it. “Is... Is that really Boone?” The witch flew forward a bit, just barely touching the glass it was behind and lightly kicking its flip-flop wearing feet. “...Yeah, that’s Boone.”

“Don’t worry about what he looks like,” Sashi told him, “Just follow the plan.”

“Right!” Taking a deep breath, Penn stepped forward. Bending its legs forward slightly, the mirror leaned down. Penn could now see his reflection, but ignored it and instead looked straight at Boone. “Boone? Hey buddy, i-it’s me! You know, Penn? Come on, Boone, you have to remember me! Please, just-”

The pig-nosed witch gave what sort of sounded like squeal mixed with a screech, just as the glass in the mirror began to ripple like water. “Uh, B-Boone?” Penn asked, taking a step back, “W-What are you do-AH!”

Before he could even finish his question, his reflection leapt out at him. A new Penn, made completely out of glass with a distorted face and flip-flops now in place of his sneakers. 

Thankfully, Sashi was ready. With a loud battle cry, she shot forward and smashed the Mirror Penn. Unfortunately, now that she was fully in the mirror’s view, she unwillingly gave the witch another minion to work with. Within seconds, several Mirror Sashis flew out of the glass and towards their target.

“Grrr, don’t focus on me!” She shouted at Penn as she continued to be on the defense, “Just keep talking to him! Keep trying to bring him back!”

“Uh, okay!” Penn yelled back, despite not being quite as confident as before. Still, he had to try! “Come on, Boone! This isn’t you! You don’t want to hurt people!” 

The witch squealed again as more Penns flew out of the mirror. Knowing it would take some time to fight them all, Sashi created a red-chain barrier to try and protect Penn while she continued taking on the onslaught of mirror minions. 

“Don’t you remember, Boone?! You’re a hero! You wanted to save people! Y-You have family and, and friends! Me and Alex and Sashi! Please! Just remember! Just-”

“AHH!” 

Flinching at the sudden scream, Penn turned back to Sashi. Despite the piles of shattered glass around her, he could see lines of red all along her body. “Sashi!”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, taking a moment to wipe some blood from her mouth, “Just some... some glass copycats. No big deal. J-Just keep trying to talk to him.”

“I’ve been trying!” Penn argued, “I, I don’t think-”

“No arguing! Just keep doing it!” More Penns and Sashis flew towards both her and the chain barrier, but Sashi just kept fighting. “Grr! You s-stupid, stubborn-! Come on, Boone! Just stop it already!”

But the witch simply stared at them, squealing and snorting occasionally as it watched its minions continue to attack. Sashi wasn’t letting up either, though it was easy to see that the fight was beginning to take its toll on her.

“Maybe I sorta deserve this...” She thought to herself as she smashed one mirror clone into another, “Heh, remember when we first met, Boone? We were fighting then too... And I totally kicked your butt. I guess this is just your way of getting back at me. Well, fine. Fight me all you want. But after you win, just promise you’ll come back to us... Okay?”

The swords on the mirror began to rise, and the mirror minions flew back, allowing a clear path for them. Wincing, Sashi tried her best to create another defense barrier for herself, but it just wasn’t enough. The metal swords were launched off the frame and completely obliterated both barriers, knocking the magical heroine back in the process.

“SASHI!” Penn cried out. He then turned back to the witch, clenching his fists. “Boone! That’s enough! Please, just stop! You’re going to kill us! Boone! PLEASE!”

But Penn’s words were ignored... Just like all his other words.

The witch simply kicked its feet a bit, and several Mirror Penns flew out of the mirror and towards their target. Penn did his best to try and defend himself, but he was clearly outmatched. The clones grabbed him, squeezing his arms tightly and even getting a few hits in, knocking him out before carrying him up. 

“Ughhhh...” Sashi blinked, her vision blurry. Her glasses were just barely holding together, more cracks than glass at this point. Her body felt like it weight a ton, and she could feel more blood dripping down her arms. But she couldn’t concentrate on that now. “G-Gotta get up... Gotta... P-Penn...” Her eyes widened. “Penn?”

As she sat up, she heard a faint sound. Almost like a gasp, or a choke... Standing up now, Sashi could only look on in horror. 

The mirror clones were still holding onto Penn, and as the witch just continued to watch, one of them had started to strangle the boy, eager to make him the first victim of the theater labyrinth. 

“...” She gritted her teeth, clenching her hands so tightly that her fingernails dug into her skin. “BOOOOOOONE!” In an instant, she was in the air. With a single stab of her spear, she pierced the mirror. Cracking it, but not breaking it. 

And as the witch began to screech at her, Sashi continued to scream as she attacked the minions, knocking them off and away from Penn. The stage lights above spun wildly. Broken glass fell all around them like crystal snow. 

“WHAT ABOUT BEING A HERO. HUH?!” she demanded, “Protecting people?! Protecting the people you about?! WE care about you, stupid! WHY CAN’T YOU JUST SEE THAT?!”

With its mirror cracked, the desk began to shake and splinter. Its legs stomped down on the wooden floor, breaking that wood as well. And as the stage began to collapse, the planks falling into a dark space underneath, the three of them began to fall with it. The mirror witch and Penn because of gravity, and Sashi because of sheer exhaustion. If it wasn’t clear before, then it was certainly clear now.

She wasn’t going to win this fight... Or, at least, she wasn’t going to win the way she had intended. 

As they continued to fall, she noticed a dark figure swoop past out of the corner of her eye, grabbing Penn before he could even get near the ground. “...” She smiled slightly. Of course...

Rippen sighed as he slowly landed on his feet. He looked down at the unconscious boy in his arms, and then at all the destruction surrounding them. The labyrinth, the witch. Just another disaster... Another unhappy ending. And yet, as much as he was used to these endings, he could still feel his heart aching.

Suddenly, behind him, he heard a noise. A spear had been thrown to the floor, and without the magic to keep it together, it dissolved away. “...Sashi?” Rippen asked, looking over his shoulder.

“I guess I have one thing to thank you for,” the girl began to say. She tossed off her glasses, yet her gaze never faltered. “It may be annoying how you follow us around, but it worked out in the end...” She then looked at Penn. “I never should have taken him here... Guess it just wasn’t enough, was it?”

Rippen just gave her a look of sympathy. “Sashi...”

“But, there is still one thing I can do.”

The man blinked. “Wait, what are you-?” In an instant, a red-chain barrier was put up between them, and everything became clear. “...No. You, you can’t just-”

“What was that you said before? ‘You can’t fight and carry him at the same time or you’ll just get us both killed’? You need to get Penn out of here.” She turned and looked up at the mirror. “...And I need to make sure he doesn’t have to suffer anymore. You just make sure that Penn stays safe, okay?”

“...I’ve been trying to do that for a long time now...” Rippen mumbled, looking back down at the boy. ...No, not just a boy. A student, a friend - one of his closest friends, in some cases. A teammate, an ally... By this point, he almost felt like a surrogate son. 

“Then keep trying,” Sashi smiled, “And never stop.” With that, she fully turned away from him. Understanding, Rippen stood up and started to run towards the labyrinth’s exit, making sure to keep Penn close as he ran. 

Standing in front of the witch, Sashi gave a small sigh. Reaching into her pocket, she ignored all the wrappers and her remaining energy bars, and instead pulled out a simple piece of paper. An old photo of a family long gone, but never forgotten. She placed it close to her chest, closing her eyes just for a moment as she continued to smile.

The witch screeched at her, its ears flailing angrily. “It’s okay, Boone,” Sashi told it, looking back up, “I know how awful it can be to be alone... To hurt and not have anyone you can lean on. But it’s okay. I’m not leaving.” 

Gathering up all the magic within her, she summoned the biggest spear she could muster. It rose and curled around, until it was pointing right at the mirror’s center - right at the witch. 

“...I’ll be with you until the very end...” Slowly, she took her soul gem off her chest. It was already pretty dark, its magic nearly empty. But that was okay. She just needed one last attack. One final act.

Without another word, she tossed her soul gem away, and as it neared the spear’s point, Sashi launched her final attack. The spear glowed a bright red, and a firey light emerged from it, blasting everything in its path.

Within seconds, everything went white. Heat smothered the center of the labyrinth, and in the distance there was the sound breaking glass. Soon enough, an explosion was created, destroying the rest of the magical realm without leaving a single trace of it behind. 

By that point, Rippen and Penn had safely made it out. But, just before he continued on, the man stopped, if only for a moment. “...Sashi...” 

It had been easy enough to sneak Penn back into his room. But, rather than sticking around to comfort or even just to ask questions, Rippen instead left and made his way over to Middleburg’s cemetery. There was no body to bury, of course, but Rippen still felt like it was appropriate. 

...Unfortunately, he couldn’t even mourn peacefully. For no sooner had he stepped foot on the grounds did he feel a pair of eyes watching him. Not even bothering to turn around, he addressed the creature. “...Tell me the truth. Was there any chance - any chance at all - that it was possible for Sashi to change Boone back?”

“Of course not,” Phyllis answered simply, “And Sashi Kobayashi knew that too. But, it seems humans are always trying to do things they know are impossible.”

“Hmph... Be that as it may, you still could have stopped her.”

“I would have, if her sacrifice was pointless. However, with Sashi gone... Now you have no one to help defeat Walpurgisnacht.” She swished her tail. “But if you still wish to defeat it, then Penn Zero will have to-”

“No,” Rippen stated firmly. It didn’t matter what he would have to fight. It didn’t matter if he would have to battle alone the rest of his life. “I will never allow that to happen.”

The labyrinth around them crumbled as the witch’s body - or at least, what remained of it - broke away and disappeared like ash in the wind, leaving only a grief seed in its place. 

“Heh, how ‘bout that...?” Despite all the screaming and laughing he had been doing, Boone’s voice was quiet now, just barely loud enough to be heard. He turned to Penn, smiling. “Looks like I’m not gonna be losing anymore fights, huh...?”

Penn’s frown deepened. “Boone...”

The green magical hero bent down, picking up the grief seed - and tossing it over his shoulder towards Sashi. Of course, she caught it with ease, despite not looking like she really wanted it.

“There,” Boone told her, nodding slightly, “I’d say we’re even now, don’t you think? Besides, you only come to the labyrinths for the grief seeds, right?”

Sashi growled, squeezing the grief seed in her fists. “Hey, I was just being polite,” Boone insisted, a light smirk still on his face, “And besides, I don’t want to owe you anything. ...Come on, Penn. We should get going.” With that, his magical hero outfit dissolved away, his soul gem quickly turning back into it’s ‘portable’ form. 

However, no sooner than the magic left his body did Boone start to wobble, barely able to stay on his flip-flop wearing feet. “Boone!” Penn stepped forward, grabbing him just before he could hit the ground.

Though, the magical rookie didn’t seem too concerned. “It’s cool,” he mumbled, “Just tired... I’m good.”

Of course, Penn couldn’t really believe that, but he also didn’t want to argue with him. Not right now, at least. “Come on, bud...” 

Sashi watched as the two slowly walked away, glaring at them. She still hadn’t bothered to even look at the grief seed she had been given. She knew that she wasn’t the one who really needed it, not after a battle like that. 

“Hmph, stupid...”

()()()()()()()()()()

The two friends had been lucky. They had just made it to a bus stop under an awning when it had started to sprinkle. A couple minutes passed, and that rain turned to a thunderstorm. But despite the heavy sounds of water hitting the metal shelter above them, Penn still couldn’t help but notice the silence between them.

“So uh... pretty intense battle tonight, huh?”

“Yep,” Boone replied simply.

Penn glanced away. “Yeah... Hey, Boone? I... I know you want to fight witches and, and protect Middleburg but... I mean, what you had to do- That couldn’t have- I mean-!” 

“Just get to the point, Penn,” Boone snapped, his words still feeling harsh despite his voice still being low.

Penn blinked. Feeling his body tensing up a bit, he crossed his arms slightly before continuing. “I, I know you said it doesn’t really hurt but... But I still don’t think you should fight like that anymore, even if you can ‘block out’ the pain. I mean... Come on, Boone.” His eyes started to hurt. “It hurt just watching you fight like that.” All those cuts and slashes, the stabs, the screams, the laughter-

“So? What does that matter?”

“Huh? What does it... Boone, how could you say that? Of course it matters! You-”

“It doesn’t matter when there are still witches and villains out there that need to be destroyed,” Boone retorted, squeezing his fists, “This is my job now, Penn. I can’t do anything else. Heck, I’m practically a zombie now anyway, so what does it matter if I get hurt? If fighting this way lets me keep winning, then so be it.”

“No! No, NOT so be it!” Penn shouted, “Boone, please, listen to me! I’m just trying to help-!”

There was a flash of lightning, and just as the thunder started to roll, Boone turned to look at Penn, and the redhead couldn’t help but gasp slightly.

He had never seen his best friend look so angry... so cold. 

“Dude... If you really want to ‘help me’... Then why don’t you fight those things?”

“H-Huh? I-”

“After all, you’re the one with all the talent, supposedly!” Boone continued, standing up now, “Phyllis told me that you just have aaaaall this potential! You could be a great magical hero, just like how you’re just soooo great at everything else! So if you REALLY care that much, then why don’t you just make a contract already and see how it feels?!”

Penn stared back at him, his body feeling ice cold. “...I...” That was all he could really say.

Boone just scoffed. “Of course not. Of course you wouldn’t make a contract just for me. Though I guess it’s no surprise. Who’d even want this kind of life?” He glanced down at the concrete, his darkened glare never faltering. “But whatever. This is all I’m good for now, and if I have to do it alone, then fine.”

Without another word, Boone turned away and started to walk outside, not even flinching at the rain. 

“H-Hey... Hey, wait! Boone!” Penn shouted as he stood up. Despite still feeling a bit shaken by his friend’s words, he knew he couldn’t just let him go off alone. “Please, Boone-!” 

“Don’t follow me.” That was all Boone had left to say, and he certainly wasn’t going to listen to anything else either. 

So, he decided just to run, paying no mind to the rain or the cold or his sore body or even his best friend, who could only watch as Boone ran farther and farther away as fast as he could. Penn could feel wetness on his cheeks, but he didn’t bother wiping them away. “Boone...”

With each step, the magical rookie could feel his heart begin to ache more and more as guilty thoughts and memories continued to swirl around in his mind. No longer shining bright, his green soul gem began to dim as splotches of black began to appear on it. 

“Ugh, why did I say that?!” he asked himself as he clenched his eyes shut, not caring if he slipped or ran into anything, “Why am I being such a jerk?! What’s wrong with me?!”

Honestly... How could he ever truly call himself a hero after a day like this?

()()()()()()()()()()()

“-We just need to make sure that we’re in the area by noon.” Turning to another map, Rippen pointed out the several traps he was planning on laying for their prey. “According to my research, this will be where Walpurgisnacht is going to show up. But as long as we can surround it, we should be able to beat it.”

Sashi hummed, chewing her last energy bar - Rippen scowled slightly when the crumbs from her wrapper bounced onto his carefully detailed map. “Shouldn’t be too hard... Though, how reliable is this ‘research’ you’re getting. Before this, I’ve never even heard of-”

“It’s very reliable,” Rippen insisted.

“Oh yeah? Then where - or who - did you get it from?” The older man didn’t answer. He didn’t even bother looking up from his paper, which made his temporary partner sigh. “You know, the whole ‘adults keeping secrets from kids’ thing really annoys me.”

“I’ve already told you everything you need to know.”

“Then why does it still not feel like enough...” Sashi retorted as she crumbled up her wrapper, “Look, I know we don’t exactly trust each other but, we are working together. I would think that would be enough to earn me at least a few more details about all this-” Or about Rippen himself.

But before Rippen could make any sort of defense- “Yes, I would like to know more details as well...” Rippen turned his head towards the voice, and narrowed his eyes at the creature now standing in the corner of his living room. 

However, that was nothing compared to Sashi’s reaction to her. Almost instantly, Sashi stood up and leapt over to the cat, and with a loud “HI-YA!”, she kicked Phyllis into the wall. Although, if Phyllis had felt any pain from the attack, she certainly didn’t show it. “I take it you don’t want me here?” she asked casually as she picked herself off the floor.

“You’ve got some nerve coming here,” Sashi shouted back, ignoring the question, “After everything that you’ve done to us, you think you can just walk in here and-!”

“I am only delivering news,” Phyllis interrupted, “News I am sure Rippen is interested in... It would seem Boone Wiseman is deteriorating fast. Very fast, and not just because of lack of magic. Curse is growing, and it is his own fault.”

Rippen couldn’t help but stiffen slightly at this. Of course, he had been expecting this, but even so...

“Wait, what do you mean?” Sashi asked, “Magical heroes can’t perform curses! ...Right?” 

Unfortunately for the red magical hero, it was her turn to be ignored. “If Boone Wiseman continues, things may get complicated. May even mess with Walpurgis plans.” As she said this, Phyllis continued to stare Rippen down, but the older man’s gaze never faltered.

Sashi scowled. “What do you mean by ‘complicated’? Spill it, cat!”

“Oh, I am sure Rippen can give answer to question, right?”

Coolly, Rippen finally turned his eyes away from the creature. “I’ve heard your news, so you can leave. Now.” So, that was what Phyllis did. But as the creature left and Sashi sat back down, her words of warning still hung heavy in the silence between the two magical heroes.

()()()()()()()()()()

Boone knew fully well that his parents and Penn were probably worried sick about him. After all, he hadn’t gone home, and other than a few minutes near the campus, he hadn’t gone to school either. Those few minutes had been enough...

“Hey, Alex... I thought you lived downtown.” “I do.” “Well then, do you mind if I ask why you’re walking the opposite way?” “Sure, though, it’s a pretty easy answer. Aggie, I wanted to talk to you about something. Something I’ve sorta been thinking about for a while...”

But that was fine... It had to be fine. He had a job to do. 

Giving another battle cry, Boone swung his sword, slashing through the familiars that surrounded him. Sloppy... Weak... Your attacks can barely do anything! When put next to the voices in his head critiquing his fighting and comparing it to real magical heroes like Larry, the pain he felt from each cut or hit barely felt like anything at all...

“Get back!” he screamed at the darkness as he continued slashing at it, “I said GET BACK!” Slowly but surely, the labyrinth was coming down, its familiars being defeated one by one. But not fast enough... Not nearly fast enough.

Once the job was done, Boone let go of his magical form, and allowed himself to kneel on the cold concrete of the now back-to-normal parking garage, just for a moment. 

“...You’re such a fool.”

The boy blinked. That voice definitely hadn’t come from his head. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder, and saw a pair of cold, yellow eyes looking back at him. The man was in his usual school outfit, though he still looked like he meant business.

“When you’re low on magic, you should only fight opponents that can give you some relief afterwards,” Rippen scolded him, “Now here.” Reaching into his pocket, the teacher took out a grief seed and tossed it towards Boone. “Use it, before you get yourself killed.”

“...And who says that I care about that?” Boone asked before kicking the grief seed away. “Why would I care? Can you answer that, ‘Mr. Rippen’?”

Rippen glared back at him. “Honestly, boy-”

“I’m not done.” Despite how much his body was hurting, Boone forced himself to stand up. “No matter how lousy I may be at the fighting, I’m still keeping my promise to be a true magical hero. One that fights to save others, not just for the magic rechargers. And, if I’m not strong enough to defeat a witch, or if I’m too weak to fight anymore, then what’s the point of me sticking around? It’s not like you actually care about me.”

“Of course I-” He stopped when he saw the look Boone was giving him. ...Honestly, the boy may have been foolish, but he was still fairly perceptive. “Actually, you’re right. I couldn’t care less about saving your life, Boone Wiseman. Based on what I’ve seen from you, your fate is pretty much sealed. ...However...”

Rippen started to walk towards Boone, light covering his casual clothes as they almost instantly transformed into his magical hero outfit. “I think we can both agree that Penn doesn’t need to see you like this. He doesn’t need that. If you want to just keep destroying yourself, then fine, do whatever you want. But... If you think that I’m going to let Penn suffer alongside you, then-” He lifted up his shield, the metal on it glowing slightly- “I’ll just have to end you myself.”

By this point, Boone’s eyes were wide, though more out of shock than fear. Was Rippen actually going to-

“HEY!” Rippen gasped as a pair of tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Despite her small stature, Sashi was not only able to put Rippen in a headlock, but pin him down somewhat as well. Looking up at the still surprised Boone, she shouted “Go! Hurry up and get out of here!”

“...” Shrugging slightly, Boone turned and slowly walked away, down the road and (he hoped) towards some other labyrinth. 

And, with Boone taken care of, Sashi turned her attention back to Rippen. “What’s wrong with you?! I know he’s annoying but... But something’s wrong! Something’s messed up with him, and instead of trying to help you try to kill him?! Seriously, are you a hero or not?!”

“It doesn’t matter,” Rippen retorted, “Now let me go, girl.” “What do you mean it doesn’t-?” “I said, let me go!”

“...Hmph, I think I get it now,” Sashi smirked, tightening her grip, “You can’t use that special technique you have if someone’s touching you, can you? So you’re going to tell me what I want to know, or-”

Rippen growled. Fine, if she wouldn’t play fair, then neither would he. Thankfully, she hadn’t been able to pin his arms down, so he was able to reach inside his shield and pull out a-

“WHOA!” At the sight of the grenade - and at Rippen pulling the pin out without a second thought - Sashi immediately let go. 

In the blink of an eye, the man disappeared as the grenade exploded, filling the parking garage with smoke. Obstructive, yet thankfully harmless. “...Hmph, of course. Another stupid trick...”

()()()()()()()()()()()

“I just don’t get it... Where could he be?” 

Not knowing what else to do, Penn sat down, deciding to rest on a bench near a fairly nice fountain. In any other situation, maybe the sound of water could have been calming. But not tonight...

As soon as classes had ended, he had ran out and started searching for Boone everywhere. His house, alleyways and abandoned buildings, the hospital, parks, uptown, downtown - everywhere! But there just wasn’t any sign of him, as if he had just disappeared. “But he has to be somewhere...” Though it didn’t really matter where his best friend. Penn just wanted to make sure he was alright... 

“Maybe... Maybe he’s just been in a labyrinth this whole time, and had to finish off a witch before making his way home? Or-” Out of the corner of his eye, the redhead noticed a familiar white cat watching him, and his frown deepened.

“...What? You are holding grudge against Phyllis too?”

“I don’t know, maybe... I mean, could you blame me if I was?” He sighed, running a hand through his curly hair. This was all just such a mess... “Say... Phyllis?”

“Yes, Penn Zero?” Phyllis replied as she hopped onto the bench, taking the seat next to Penn. 

“Is, is there any way you could reverse Boone’s contract? You know, make it so he can just be a normal high schooler again? With a-” he cringed slightly, “A soul actually inside him and no magic and all that stuff?”

Phyllis shook her head. “I cannot.” 

“Oh...” He wasn’t too surprised, though he still hoped... However, after a moment of thought, Penn remembered something. “Hey, didn’t you say I had all this potential and stuff? Like, if I made a contract with you, I’d be a super powerful magical hero?”

“More than ‘super powerful’.” Phyllis’ tail started to swish back and forth, almost as if the stoic cat was actually excited for once, as she glanced up at the stars, “In fact, if you wished it, you could even become god of this world. Do things that even Phyllis couldn’t do.”

Penn gaped at her. “Wait, seriously? I... I have that much potential? But, why? What’s so special about me? I’m- ...I’m just a kid. Just an ordinary high school freshman, so why do I have the potential to be such a great hero?”

The creature shrugged. “Who is knowing. I don’t know why it is your destiny to be powerful, Penn Zero, but it is.”

“...Then...” The boy squeezed his fists. “Then, if I wished to get all this god power, would I be able to change Boone back?” “Of course.” “...Alright.” A look of determination crossed his face as he looked Phyllis straight in the eyes. There was still that familiar sense of fear and worry about the fights and monsters he would have to deal with, But, despite all that, he knew that if it was to save his best friend, then it was the right thing to do.

“Phyllis, I wish to be a magical-

*BANG!*

Penn hadn’t blinked, yet it still felt like he had missed something. One moment, Phyllis was alive and well. The next, the creature was slumped over the bench, riddled with bullet holes. He heard himself gasp, just as an empty gun hit the ground. He looked over his shoulder.

...Honestly after everything, Rippen somehow finding him and appearing out of nowhere was the least surprising thing he had to deal with these days.

“What... What is wrong with you?!” Penn shouted as he stood up, just barely managing to keep it together, “You didn’t have to shoot her!”

Rippen didn’t respond. He just kept glaring at Penn, panting slightly. So close... He had been so close to failing! Just a couple seconds more and Penn would have been-!

“Rippen... Why-?”

“Why?” the teacher snapped, his eyes narrowing, “I’ve been trying for the past several days to keep you from making a contract with that thing, telling you not to listen to it and trying to keep you safe, and you have the nerve to ask me why?!”

Penn blinked. This was the first time he had really heard the man yell. ...This was the first time he had seen Rippen truly upset. “I-”

Unable to listen anymore, Rippen rushed forward and gripped Penn shoulders. “Why can’t you just understand?! Why are you always trying to sacrifice yourself?!”

By this point, Rippen’s eyes were filling with tears, though he was either too distraught to notice them or just simply didn’t care about wiping them away. “Don’t you realize that there are people trying to keep you safe?! Who care about you and who would be absolutely devastated if you died?! You... God damn it, boy! Why can’t you just listen?!”

“...” As sorry as he felt for his crying teacher, Penn just couldn’t bring himself to say much of anything. Maybe he was just too shocked by Rippen’s whole speech. ...Or maybe he was just too focused on the words. “Rippen, you... Are you one of those people?”

Rippen flinched. “I-I...”

“Have we met before? I mean, I know we’ve met at school but, before that. Have we met before that?”

“...” Again, Rippen refused to reply. Of course he had answers, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say them... 

Slowly, Penn took Rippen’s hands and moved them off his shoulders. “I, I’m sorry for worrying you. I guess I should be more careful... But, I can worry about that later. Right now I need to find Boone. So... goodnight.”

“You... Wait!” Rippen reached out, but Penn was already out of grasp and running down the dark street. “Stop! You don’t-! Boone is already-!” But it was no use, and within a few seconds, Rippen couldn’t even see him anymore. 

“...Well, that was a waste of time, hmm?”

“...” Wiping away the remaining tears, Rippen looked back towards the bench, his usual scowl in place. The cat’s body was still there, but there was now a second Phyllis there, looking very unimpressed. 

“Yes, that is second time you’ve killed me. Definitely a waste of time. ...Though, only for you.”

Rippen raised an eyebrow. “...And why is that?”

“Because, Rippen, while trying to kill me, you have revealed unique technique... You are not from this timeline, aren’t you?”

“...No, I’m not,” the teacher replied, refusing to be intimidated, “No point in hiding it now. But just know that I know what you’re planning. I know everything!”

Phyllis hummed. “And you are doing all of this just to try to change Penn Zero’s fate?”

“I am, and I will change it, Phyllis. ...Or, perhaps I should say... Incubator.”

()()()()()()()()()()

It was nearly midnight now... Not that he could really tell. He had been walking for hours, not really going anywhere in particular. He had thought that he was supposed to protect something, or save someone but... what? He honestly couldn’t remember anymore. After all, the world was filled with horrible things. Bullies and villains, evil minds and broken hearts...

Just what was in this world that he once thought had been worth saving?

“...There you are! Geez, didn’t think I’d ever find you!” Who would have thought he’d just be sitting in some barely used subway station?

However, Boone didn’t move. He barely even blinked as the red magical hero walked over and took a seat next to him. “...You still moping?” she asked after a moment. Boone shrugged, making her groan in annoyance. “Whatever.”

“...Hey, Sash?” Sashi glanced up. Boone still wasn’t looking at her, but at least he was talking, so she considered that a good sign. “Yeah?” “Just wanted to say sorry... For any trouble I’ve given you... I’ve probably been a huge pain, right?”

...Okay, maybe it wasn’t a good sign. “Well, maybe you’ve been a bit annoying but... Hey, this doesn’t sound like you.” 

“Guess not,” Boone shrugged, “But... it’s not like it matters much anymore.” Before Sashi could even question this, the boy lifted up his hand. In his palm was a small orb, black and clouded with just a bit of metal wrapped around it. It took a moment for Sashi to realize just what the object was, and once she did, she just couldn’t believe it.

“Boone... Your, your soul gem! It-”

“You were right,” Boone continued, his eyes getting misty, “All that stuff about the universe needing to keep balances, and how doing good just leads to bad stuff... It was alright.” He gave a small, bitter smile. “I guess I did save some people... But I’ve hurt people too. Even Penn... I just got so angry that I couldn’t help but lash out, and blame myself for it all.”

“Boone, stop!” Sashi grabbed his wrist, yanking on it. “Come on! What’s happening to you?!” But again, she was ignored.

“I guess it’s what I deserve... It’s what I wished for. ‘For all the hope and joy we get from them, the same amount of despair and hurt end up coming from our wishes too’, isn’t that what you said, Sash? Heh, I really should have listened to you and Larry when I had the chance.”

“Boone-” Her words got caught in her throat as Boone finally turned to look at her, that broken smile still on his face. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and fell towards his hand.

“I guess I really am stupid, huh?” 

His soul gem flashed slightly as the teardrop landed on it, and in an instant, everything was blown away. 

Clenching her eyes shut, Sashi quickly grabbed a hold of whatever was near her and tried to shield herself the best she could from the strong winds. Dark, magical aura was swirling around her like a hurricane, and in the center of it all was Boone, lifeless on the ground. Sashi just couldn’t believe it. What the heck had just happened?! And what was happening now?!

“BOOOOOOONE!”

...Even while being perched high above Middleburg, Phyllis could still the release of energy. Boone Wiseman had finally fallen, and another inescapable fate had been met.

“Hmm...” Her tail swished as she continued to watch, her body already absorbing and collecting the new energy, “They say that if a hero is hero long enough, they eventually become villain... So, it makes sense that eventually, all magical heroes become own worst enemies.”