"Hey, let me ask you something…"
"Is your way of getting a girl's attention just by following her around so blatantly? It's been almost a system-hour, you know."
On a planet brimming with cyberpunk-meets-traditional aesthetic, a girl dressed in academy-style uniform, wearing glasses, radiating youthfulness and innocence, with black hair fading into red, suddenly spoke towards the dark alley behind her.
"..."
"I can see you, you know. Your presence is well-hidden, but it can't escape the eyes of a Fool."
"Come on out~ You've been tailing me for so long, you must be tired~ Let me treat you to something, alright?" Seeing no response, the girl wasn't flustered. Holding her schoolbag with both hands, like a model student, she kept her gaze fixed on the dark alley.
"Miss Sparkle of the Masked Fools, greetings."
After a long silence, a voice suddenly emerged from the alley, followed by the sound of footsteps.
Purple hair, a tall figure.
"The Galaxy Ranger, Acheron."
"Acheron" looked at the unusual Sparkle before her and spoke plainly.
"Galaxy Ranger?" Sparkle was a bit puzzled. Why would a Galaxy Ranger come looking for her?
But then she remembered the "wanted" poster she'd seen on TV this morning featuring "herself," and it all clicked.
"So even Galaxy Rangers would help the Interastral Peace Corporation capture criminals for the bounty?"
"In your eyes, does whoever the Corporation deems a criminal automatically belong to the evil side?"
Sparkle neither denied it nor told "Acheron" that the person on the wanted poster wasn't actually her.
"I'm not here for that matter," "Acheron" shook her head faintly.
"I came to ask you about someone."
"Oh? Who?" Hearing this, Sparkle grew curious.
"Since you know I'm a Masked Fool, why would you think I'd tell you anything?"
"Everyone may lie, but the Remembrance does not."
"You will tell me, because… that's what the Remembrance told me."
"Hahaha, you think I'll tell you, but I just won't, bleh~" Sparkle couldn't help but find this amusing. She stuck out her tongue at her.
"See ya~"
After saying that, Sparkle turned to leave.
But the moment she took a step, the entire space suddenly froze, and a shadow of death instantly loomed over Sparkle's head.
"I said you'd tell me, right?" "Acheron" slowly walked up to Sparkle, looking down at her from above.
"Of course! I, Sparkle, am always happy to help~"
As Sparkle's voice faded, space returned to normal, and the shadow of death above her head dissipated.
"So, beautiful lady, who is it you wish to inquire about?"
"A girl with black hair and red eyes. Her name… her name… seems to be…"
"Clara?"
"Acheron" "strove" to recall for a moment before uttering the name.
"Clara? What do you want with her?" Hearing the name, Sparkle asked "Acheron" with a hint of gossipy curiosity.
"To defeat her."
"Oh~ I see now~" Sparkle let out a meaningful "oh."
"I know where she is. Why don't I take you there~"
"I'd appreciate that."
"No trouble at all." Sparkle smiled slightly.
I just hope you manage to survive Clara when the time comes.
But judging by the power she just displayed, she must be an Emanator too. Even if she can't win, she can at least give Clara a good headache.
Perfect~
Ah, Aha above, I can't believe I stumbled upon such a golden opportunity~
...
"Is this where she is?" Looking at the small cottage before them, "Acheron" asked Sparkle with some doubt.
"That's right~ I can sense that Clara is inside watching TV right now."
"Hmm… strange…" After saying this, a wave of confusion rose within Sparkle.
Why do I know Clara's location? Why do I know she's watching TV inside the house right now?
"Acheron" closed her eyes, sensing Clara's presence inside the house, then opened them and placed a hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Miss Sparkle, to avoid accidentally injuring you later, you should leave now."
"Alrighty~" Hearing "Acheron's" words, Sparkle nodded. She pushed the confusion in her heart aside for the moment, then left, finding a spot to hide and observe the battle from a distance.
From afar, after seeing Sparkle leave, "Acheron" slowly drew her sword. Her purple hair turned snow-white the instant the blade left its sheath.
Her entire being flushed crimson, and an aura of [Nihility] enveloped the entire star system.
Looking at the cottage before her, "Acheron's" eyes held no trace of emotion. She swung her sword, and a giant crimson blade instantly descended upon the house.
But it was blocked by a yellow protective barrier…
...
"Oh my~ That aura, an Emanator of [Nihility]?"
Sensing the [Nihility] emanating from "Acheron," Sparkle felt a twinge of surprise.
But it didn't really matter.
The fight would be over soon, at least in Sparkle's view.
That "Acheron" was indeed strong, but Sparkle didn't believe she stood a chance against Clara.
With Clara's almost monstrous strength, she'd probably toy with this [Nihility] Emanator like a plaything.
Sparkle yawned, watching the intensifying battle not far away.
If I'm not mistaken, the one who impersonated me to wreck the Interastral Peace Corporation was Clara, wasn't it?
Besides Clara, I can't think of anyone else who could pull that off. Among the people I know, those capable wouldn't be that bored, and those who aren't capable couldn't do it anyway.
So, all signs point to Clara.
Since I can't touch Clara, I guess I'll just have to swallow this grievance~~~
That's what I originally thought.
But thankfully, Aha be praised, this "Acheron" showed up.
Even if she can't take Clara down either, she can at least cause her some trouble.
Like right now, Clara's little cottage has probably been reduced to nothingness, huh?
Hahahaha.
"Hmm, the fight ended that quickly?"
Sensing the surroundings settle back into calm, Sparkle knew the battle had reached its conclusion.
"Thought you were something special~ Didn't expect Clara to take you down so fast."
Sparkle adjusted her clothes, a smile spreading across her face as she walked over leisurely.
"Clara, long time no— Huh?"
The smile on Sparkle's face gradually froze. The scene before her wasn't Clara standing over a defeated "Acheron," nor was it Clara overpowering her with sheer force.
Instead, it was "Acheron's" blood-stained blade, piercing through Clara.
Sensing Sparkle's gaze, "Acheron" glanced at her indifferently, then swung the blade in her hand.
Clara instantly became Clar|a, blood splattering across the ground, while the [Clar] part of her body rolled to a stop at Sparkle's feet.
"This… this can't be right…" Looking down at the Clara at her feet, Sparkle's face paled. This was nothing like what she had imagined.
"Spar… kle… you…"
Cla|ra seemed to want to say something, but before she could finish, her life force completely faded away. Stone dead.
"This isn't right…" Sparkle took a fearful step back, unable to believe what was happening before her eyes.
"Miss Sparkle, was it? Thank you. The sinner is dead, and I should be going now."
"Acheron" sheathed her sword, her hair returning to its purple hue. She thanked Sparkle and prepared to leave.
"You… you can't go!"
From behind "Acheron," Sparkle's furious voice rang out.
...
Clara dies, The End.
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Just kidding, of course. Poor Sparkle, toyed with by Clara, left so angry she cried and threw a fit, boohoo, so pitiful.
…
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