Within the old generation of magical girls, each girl is known for something special.
Stella Commet — the one who slipped up and revealed she's the "leader" to Shizuka — is actually best known for her radiant beauty and kind heart.
Luna Star — the real leader of the magical girls — shines as brightly as the sun. She brings warmth to all mankind, but when it comes to the youma faction? Her hatred is unbearably hot.
There's another member who remains unseen like a kunoichi— unknown to most… except Lya.
Then there's Aurora Sparkle: shy, yet merciful — even toward youmas. She's known to spare those who pose no real threat.
And finally… Nova Eclipse.
---
"HAHAHAHA! COME ON! FIGHT!"
The black, inky monster — trying to mimic a hyena — screeched in agony as it took a savage left hook, then a right, then a brutal kick.
With each punch and kick, black ink splattered wildly.
It snarled, hunched, baring its jagged teeth. It had to fight back — it had to!
Scratching the floor with its hind leg, it lunged forward — but mid-air, its eyes widened. Nova Eclipse… gone.
"You fcking suck! Eat sht!"
the monster turned around as it saw Nova Eclipse and spat — then yelped in pain as a tiny beam pierced its rear. In an instant, the beam expanded… and disintegrated the poor, inky hyena.
"Damn, that's all you got?"
Nova Eclipse kicked a pebble; it flew way off and pinged against some random building.
"Load of bullshit. Can't believe humanity got fucked by these ugly ass creatures."
Distant screams echoed, followed by that iconic sludge-like shuffle the youmas always made as they dragged themselves closer. She couldn't help but laugh, gripping her wand tight.
She turned around with a big, reckless smile.
Five youmas were sprinting straight at her. In her peripheral, more movement—of course.
"Alright… five in front, two on my left, and one perched on that building ready to ambush… COME AT ME, FCK3RS!"
Her red eyes shimmered, blazing bright just as all the youmas lunged at her at once.
But not once did she flinch. No hesitation. No fear. Why? Because this was like a…
『SUPER NOVA, BABY!』
She slammed her fist into the ground. A massive crater exploded outward, a red shockwave blasting every youma off their feet.
As they groggily staggered up, the first one—the hideous inky cat-looking thing—began to shiver.
Little by little, rising from the crater, was Nova Eclipse herself. Her hair floated, wrapped in a glowing aura that swirled like a living galaxy.
The other youmas blinked, senses returning, and all of them instinctively stepped back.
"Don't even think about escaping, punks. I never hold back—not even for small fries like you."
Nova Eclipse cracked her knuckles as she strolled forward. All seven youmas could only shiver and whimper as she approached them with a devilish grin.
...
..
.
"Still as brutal as ever"
A few moments later, Stella Commet descended from the sky, eyes locked on Nova Eclipse, who was perched atop a mountain of youma corpses.
The corpses were… brutal. Some looked like Swiss cheese, riddled with holes, while others were nothing more than dismembered limbs.
Nova Eclipse, however, didn't bat an eye. She stood, cracked her knuckles, and exhaled lazily.
"Welp, that's just my job."
She stretched as she leapt down the mound of corpses.
"You do know we won't be magical girls forever, right?"
Stella Commet sighed, crossing her arms as she approached. Nova Eclipse rolled her eyes.
"Don't care, didn't ask. I'd still beat the sh*t out of anyone who wanted a good thrashing. Just so happened youmas showed up."
She punched her own hand, smirking.
"Okay, okayy, I get it now, you battle-junkie."
Stella Commet jabbed a finger at her teasingly, making Nova Eclipse grit her teeth and blush.
"Don't f*cking call me a battle junkie, you bi-eautiful woman!"
Nova stomped the ground in anger while Stella laughed.
"Still… you gotta stop using 「Super Nova」. You know that shaves away your lifespan, right?"
The smile on Nova Eclipse's face faltered.
"Ah… well, there's that, yeah. But we all die someday, right? If I go out with a bang, I'm all for it."
"Really? Who's dying?"
Before Nova could answer, another magical girl landed, leaving a yellow trail in her wake. The impact dented the ground slightly. She stood, flipped her blonde hair, and smiled at the two magical girls before her.
"No one's dying, sh*tty leader."
Nova Eclipse raised a middle finger, making Luna Star—the "sh*tty leader" in question—twitch an eyebrow.
"NOVA! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR LANGUAGE?!"
Luna clenched her fists and pointed at Nova Eclipse, who was pretending to whistle, hands behind her head.
Then a green trail appeared, descending gracefully near the three girls. Out stepped a cute girl with green hair, wearing a beautiful pink dress with white accents.
"Uhm… you guys should stop fighting…"
The green-haired girl whimpered, hiding behind Luna Star.
"We aren't fighting, Aurora."
Stella Commet leaned forward, tilting her head to get a better look at Aurora. The girl buried herself even deeper behind Luna, cheeks blazing red.
"Enough, it looks like we all finished with our tasks, right?"
Luna Star sighed.
"Yup, done with mine!"
Stella Commet raised her hand.
"If you have eyes, you would know."
Nova Eclipse pointed at the mountain of corpses she'd made behind them, causing Luna Star to pinch the bridge of her nose.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear you. I'm done with mine as well."
Luna Star crossed her arms.
"I-I'm done as well! I also let go of a cute black cat I saw!"
Aurora Sparkle smiled and scratched the back of her head as she stepped away from Luna Star.
But the group didn't smile, nor laugh.
"Wait up, black cat? Does it talk?"
Nova Eclipse stepped up, gently holding Aurora Sparkle by her shoulders.
"Eeep?! Yes?? The kitty told me she was badly hurt. She needed to be healed… so I did."
The three girls' eyes widened in shock, panic, and fear.
"Sht!"
Nova Eclipse stood up, clenching her hands into fists.
"Aurora, I know you're a sweet girl… but what you set free this time… it's not just any youma."
Stella Commet explained softly and gently, caressing Aurora Sparkle's hair.
"You made the 「Most High」 escape. It was my prey!"
Nova Eclipse turned back, her red eyes burning.
"Uhm, excuse you. That cute black cat is MY rival actually."
Stella Commet intruded, flipping her hair.
"Oh yeah?! Well fckk you in particular then! Cuz I saw that motherfcker casually walking in my area!"
Nova Eclipse barked back, pressing her forehead against Stella's.
Meanwhile Stella Commet wasn't phased by the barking—no… girl was smug. Ragebait success was plastered on her face.
「Ah, you guys are done?」
A pink rabbit popped out of nowhere.
"Lya."
The girls said simultaneously, even Nova and Stella, who immediately dropped their nonsense and walked toward her.
「Good job everyone, let's go back to our headquarters.」
With a wink from Lya, a blinding light burst out, and when it vanished, they were already inside headquarters.
The interior was clean and pristine, very modern—no different from a 5-star hotel.
Seeing as they were away from public eyes, the rest of the girls left, while Stella and Nova remained.
With a flick of her wand, Stella Commet was engulfed by ribbons until they dissolved. Her pink hair was now let down, her yellow eyes now blue.
"It's so unfair that only your eyes change."
Nova Eclipse pouted as she snapped her fingers. The room darkened for a second before revealing her black hair with black ribbons, brown eyes, now wearing a full jirai-kei fit.
"Geez, what do you mean, Rio? At least you can go out in public without getting recognized."
Himeno puffed her cheek.
"Oh fck off."
Rio crossed her arms.
"Language."
The two stopped as they both looked toward the corridor on their left.
A beautiful woman in kunoichi attire emerged. She wore a mask, hiding her nose and mouth.
But her red eyes were striking.
"A-Ah, sorry about that, Astra Celeste."
Himeno apologized on behalf of Nova Eclipse, who was staring at Astra speechless.
"Better be. Else I have to kill you two."
After dropping those words, Astra closed her eyes, stared at them one more time, then went back to her room.
"Ahahaha… Astra is so scary."
Himeno shivered.
"Tell me about it. I bet I'd only last a few mins with that woman."
Rio sighed.
"Well, enough about that. How about we go out and eat?"
Himeno smiled and patted Rio's back, causing her to jolt.
"Fine. The usual ramen place?"
Rio tilted her head.
"Nah, I'm feeling like eating sushi."
Rio rolled her eyes.
"Fine, come."
Both of them walked out of headquarters, stepping into the bustling square of Shin-Tokyo.
On the way, the two scanned stores and tried out clothes as they walked.
"Hey, Rio."
Himeno put both hands behind her back, staring at the night sky.
"What's up?"
Rio sighed. Was she getting sentimental again? Probably.
"Are you really gonna put up a dojo?"
Hearing that, Rio couldn't help but laugh.
"Is that even a question? 'Course I would."
Rio hit her chest proudly.
"Then… if you do… can you do me a favor?"
Himeno leaned closer, causing Rio to back up.
"Y-yeah?"
"I have a child… she… if she ever wants to work under us, can you teach her?"
Rio's eyes turned blank.
"You're a mother—"
Rio's words were cut off when Himeno slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Shush! I was referring to Shizuka, that baby I saved!"
Himeno pouted.
"Yeah yeah, I remember… if she really wants to become one of us, you bet I will."
Rio pulled Himeno's hand off her mouth and gave her an assuring smile.
"Pfft… really, you are…"
Himeno giggled with a slight blush.
"What? What is it?! Say it to me, punk!"
Rio formed her hand into a fist threateningly.
They continued bickering all the way to the sushi place.
... .. .
[Now back to the present]
Himeno stared at the youmas in shock after hearing Nova Eclipse's name. After all, she was the most brutal and lethal magical girl there was.
She couldn't help but smile—knowing how much fear Nova ingrained into these youmas. But also smile as she looked at Shizuka—rather, Caelumbra—in front of her.
「You will come to know… perhaps love your new mentor. Perhaps more than me. After all… as much as she is dying and itching for a fight…
None is as bright, as authentic, as free as her. Like a Super Nova, her life force is burning and shaving away at terrifying speeds… I don't know how much time she has left.
But I do know that you, my dear Shizu, will really… love her. She who is the definition of cosmic destruction and beauty. It's like a super nova.」