Working With Phantoms

The Plague Queen Evolved

May 3rd

It was the beginning of Golden Week, with the very exciting Children's Day on Thursday. Elia had already promised Madran that she would get her gifts, as she had for the past several years. However, after Madran had gotten up and spent several hours with Elia and Chicory, she decided to take a few actions and called the entire group, with Suga and Sheila picking up, and Philemon picking up after four more dials.

"Hey, guys, so, when should we go into the universe again?"

"Soon. Mom's fixing the painting again, and won't let me out of her sight until she's done."

Madran heard some loud yelling from Sheila's line.

"Well, dad's going nuts over what to get me for Children's Day, and mom's knitting. Ooh, that looks great!"

Madran heard Suga talking with Wysteria, and Philemon began to talk.

"It seems that you are all busy, aside from Madran and her fervent dog petting."

"Hey! I am very busy."

"So it may seem. Anyways, all of you can come later. Bye."

Philemon hung up, just leaving Madran, Suga, and Sheila on the line.

"Well, I guess we can get together soon. Um, in a few hours?"

"Yeah, that works. Madran, whaddya say?"

"A few hours sound great. Um, bye bye!"

The trio extended brisk farewells and all hung up, with Madran putting her phone away. Madran then spent the next few hours enjoying the small break in the action from any palaces or other Metaverse magic until she realized that in her happy enjoyment of her life, her presence was needed elsewhere, now that a few hours have passed. Thus, Madran left to the Velvet Room with Chicory, meeting Philemon, Maya, and Sheila once there.

"Hey, where's Suga?"

"Right here!"

Suga burst through her door.

"Sorry, someone dropped a delivery at the door, and I gave it to dad. So, uh, what are we doing?"

"Well, I think that we're going back into the Universe arcana door. Hey, are we all ready?"

Philemon nodded.

"Maya simply preformed another persona fusion with Elizabeth, and they left into the door. Shall we?"

"Let's go!"

Madran hopped up and ran to the training hall and then to the door. Once everyone was there, Madran turned back.

"Ok, so, are we ready?"

"Yep, let's head out."

The group entered the Universe door once more, finding themselves in the halls once more. Madran then began to scan, and picked up Margaret's and Elizabeth's signals.

"Ok, so, they appear to be together, and are fighting... something. It's all shrouded and stuff, and I can't get a good read on it."

"Even with your new power?"

Nightingale stared directly at Suga.

"I am merely a slightly stronger form, not an ultimate persona."

Nightingale turned back around and resumed her scan. The group then walked on, until Madran noticed that Suga looked very uneasy.

"Hey, Suga, what's up?"

"Huh? O-Oh, nothing."

"You look very unhappy. Did something happen?"

Suga shook her head.