Chapter 10 – Dreamland

I took the train to Dreamland, humming to myself. "Can't believe my first date in ages is with four beauties. Thanks for showing up, Gemgem." The moment I stepped off the train, Dreamland hit me like a sugar rush. A huge rainbow archway spelled out the park's name while families and teenagers swarmed the entrance. Music blasted from somewhere, mixing with the smell of cotton candy and popcorn. Some guy in a fuzzy blue bear costume waved at passing kids. I leaned against the entrance wall to wait. They showed up a few minutes before nine, clearly having met up already. Miki looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine in her pink sundress and white cardigan, hair all done up with clips. She spotted me and practically bounced over. Akane came next in ripped jeans, a red band shirt, and combat boots that looked like they could kick through walls. Aoi walked calmly in a navy blouse and white skirt, elegant as always. Homura hung back in a grey hoodie and jeans, already looking uncomfortable with the crowds. "Master!" Miki grabbed my arm. "You made it! This place is so cool! I wanna try everything!" "Screw that, where's the Death Drop?" Akane skidded to a stop. "Bet it's not as scary as fighting the Empress!" "Master," Aoi said calmly. "We have all arrived." "Master," Homura added, giving a small, shy bow. "Thank you for inviting me." My four dark magical girls, ready for their day out. I held up the five tickets, my small, strange army assembled at the gates of joy. "Alright, listen up," I said as I led them in. "Mission for today is simple. First, have fun. You two," I winked at Miki and Aoi, "won't be able to do this in public once you're famous." Miki and Aoi exchanged a thrilled look. "You hear that, Aoi-chan?" Miki whispered. "We're pre-famous!" "Second, you're in charge of Homura today, Akane. Act like a big sister." Akane's jaw dropped. "Me?! Take care of her?! But... but she's the Star Empress! She's older than me!" She sighed dramatically, then puffed out her chest. "Fine! Okay! I'll be the best big-sister-figure ever! Come on, Homu-chan, stick with me!" She grabbed Homura's hand. Homura flinched but didn't pull away. I turned to Homura and patted her head. "And you, just try to get along with everyone, okay? You pick the first ride." Everyone turned to Homura, waiting. Panic flashed in her eyes. She looked frantically at the giant park map, then pointed a trembling finger at the most innocuous, least intimidating option. "...How about the... the teacups?" There was a beat of stunned silence. Akane groaned loudly. "The teacups?! Seriously?! Not the giant robot fighting arena?" "The teacups!" Miki chirped. "How classic! What a wonderful idea, Homura-chan!" "A low-intensity ride is a suitable starting point to gauge group dynamics," Aoi added stoically. The decision was made. My dark magical girl team, a group of immense and terrible power, began their day of bonding by heading towards the giant, pastel-colored spinning teacups. "This is starting to feel like a babysitting trip instead," I sighed playfully as they climbed into the ride. "You feeling that too, grandma Gemgem?" "Your comparison is noted," Gemgem's voice echoed in my head. "This exercise is providing useful data. And stop projecting emotions onto me. I don't feel things. I observe and calculate." The girls split into two groups. Miki and Aoi spun at a gentle, civilized pace. Akane's cup became a blur of red and grey, a high-pitched scream from Homura barely audible over Akane's delighted laughter. When the ride ended, Homura stumbled out, pale and dizzy, held up by a grinning Akane. "Easy there, Akane, don't scare Homura." I pat their heads. "But I was just warming her up!" Akane whined. I laughed, then kissed Miki and Aoi on the cheek. "What were you two gossiping about?" Miki went pink when I kissed her. "Just girl talk! About our debut and becoming the biggest stars ever!" Aoi touched her cheek, trying to hide her blush. "We discussed brand synergy. And marketing strategies." I pointed at the ghost mansion. "Let's try that next. No using powers on the staff, got it?" We all piled into one of the slow-moving "doom buggies." I sat in the middle, Miki and Aoi on one side, Akane and Homura on the other. As the cart lurched into the darkness, Miki shrieked and buried her face in my arm, though I could tell it was mostly for show. Aoi sat perfectly still, analyzing the animatronics with a critical eye. Akane laughed at everything. Homura, however, was genuinely terrified. Every time a ghoul jumped out, she flinched violently, pressing herself closer to Akane, a faint, unstable thrum of stellar energy emanating from her. Akane, for all her bluster, noticed. She stopped laughing and wrapped an arm around Homura's shoulders. "Hey, it's okay, Homu-chan. It's all fake. See? That ghost is just a bedsheet on a wire. Nothing's gonna hurt you. I'm right here." It was a moment of genuine, unforced connection. Akane, the agent of chaos, was acting as a grounding force for Homura, the terrified cosmic entity. "Data point," Gemgem's voice noted in my mind. "The berserker displays unexpected protective instincts. The Empress responds positively to physical reassurance." After the ride, I bought Akane a churro. "You acted like a proper sister." Then I handed Homura a bottle of water. "And don't worry. Akane will protect you. If your power ever feels like it's getting overloaded, Aoi can contain it. No one will get hurt." Homura took the bottle, her hands still trembling slightly. The knowledge that she had not one, but two fail-safes seemed to physically relax her. "...Thank you, Master. I understand." Aoi gave a curt, professional nod. "My abilities are at your disposal." With the group's anxieties addressed, a more relaxed atmosphere settled in. Miki suggested the giant Ferris wheel next. We squeezed into one cabin and started climbing. The whole park spread out below us, then the city. At the top, everything went quiet for a peaceful moment. The team was actually working.