The Tea Party, Part 9: Bad End Musical

Remember how easy the old Big Mom was? Well, I guess she does have something in common with her ancestor. Play "Poor Unfortunate Souls" by the Jonas Brothers!

Luna Nova

The Grand Charion's right arm blasted at Queen Sherry like a rocket, the very air vibrating as she blocked it with her Soul Quartz combined with Psychic Chi. Meanwhile, the left fist flew and destroyed the platform the queen was standing on. Sherry fell, but was rescued by Zeus, the nimbus performing a somersault in the air before diving at Charion full speed. "BREAKING POINT!" Sherry spun around as pink psychic amassed on her sword in the form of a drill. The mecha extracted a shield and pushed the drill back, using all the power it could muster to do so. Constanze felt the shield weakening, so she boosted away from the Titan.

"ZEUS!" Sherry jumped as the raincloud flew to the sky. "Prometheus!" The sun replaced him as Sherry's foothold, igniting brighter than ever. "Loyal darlings strong as the tide! Sweetest poopsies hasten to my side!" Zeus began to swirl a storm, his gargantuan grin eclipsing the entire sky. "Mama needs you, crush those wretched fools! Make them writhe!" The queen caught fire as her flames turned pink, slashing fireballs that the Charion dispersed with punches. Meanwhile, students were scurrying to the front gates, but a grinning, cocky Zeus struck purple lightning down around them.

"DON'T HURT THE STUDENTS!" Diana shouted. "They have nothing to do with this!"

"I'll stop if you tell me where Akko is." Zeus replied with a troll face.

"Then I'll serve as your lightning rod!" Aladdin flew up on his magic carpet and raised his Genie Lamp to catch the purple lightning and shoot it back to the sky. He reacted quickly as Zeus threw lightning at a faster pace. "WHOA!" He was forced to dodge jawbreaker cannons from the Soul Cake Castle.

"La, la la la, la la la!" Lotte sang in a fast-paced tone, her voice amplified by the Charion's speaker. Her soothing voice reached the ears of Soul Cake Castle, causing it to dance and cease fire in a jaunty fashion.

The Grand Charion unleashed a storm of rapid punches upon Sherry, the target in question appearing doll-size to the mecha. Sherry protected herself with a psychic bubble, and it began cracking slightly until the Charion's left foot abruptly boosted its rocket and tilted off-balance, Sherry dropping the bubble and flying to stab the robot's stomach. "Hey, why did the leg boost?!" Amanda asked.

"It's Minister Goomnut again!" Diana deduced. "It seems he can use his power on parts of the Charion."

"Constanze, swat that mushroom off her damn shoulder."

"Okay, Master! Pop da pimp!" The Charion launched missiles that Sherry had no trouble swatting away, then it tried to swing an upper-cut, but it was blocked by a psychic bubble. Sherry dropped the shield when the arm returned, but it had secretly detached its index finger as it flew behind the queen and was coming at Goomnut. The Goomba turned and, "AAAAAAHHH!"

Majin Buu shot a laser and destroyed the finger. "Thingy went boom!"

"Grrrr!" Constanze growled.

At this time, Barbara had flown several miles away from the school, looking behind her in worry. "I guess all I can do is find another sector and get their help. Sooner or later, more pirates will show—AAAAH!" She was grabbed by a pair of long-nailed hands that brought her to the ground with great force.

The stretchy arms then yanked her over to Hisoka, who kept a firm grip on her arms. "I've been growing tired of this game of Cat and Mouse, sweetheart. So, why don't you tell me where Akko is?"

"ERGH!" Barbara tried to kick him in the crotch, but it dealt no pain to his squishy gum body.

"Kick as much as you like. It won't hurt me, sweetheart!" Hisoka spoke with a rather unsettling and seductive smile. "No, seriously… as much as you like." He whispered very softly.

At that moment, Barbara expected only the worst. "HEEELP! HANNAH, PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE HELP ME, PLEASE!"

"Now, why would you be calling your friend to the enemy? Unless she didn't have Akko with her." Barbara gasped, mentally cursing herself for falling for such a trick. "And it doesn't feel like she's tucked away in this tight little body of yours." Hisoka brushed his left leg around Barbara, who felt every ounce of innocence leaving her. "I guess that only leaves two guesses. Time to tempt fate." With that, he slipped off his right boot and held his foot up beside his ear, holding a communicator with it. "Commander Buu, the winged girl has Akko." Barbara internally gasped.

"Okay, Friend Hisoka!" Buu responded. "Gramma, Gramma, Buu know where Akko is! Buu go get her!" And he flew in Pisti's direction.

"No! Did he figure it out?!" Diana questioned.

From the ground, Ursula heard the Majin and watched him fly off. "He's going after Akko?!" With a stern expression, she bolted after him.

"Professor Ursula, get back here!" Finnelan ordered.

Zeus saw her and struck lightning down, but Ursula was swift to dodge the bolts. "I'm a teacher, darn it! I won't sit around while my student is in danger!" (End song.)

As Pisti continued skipping across the air, she gasped when Buu began to shoot beams at her. "Buu got you! Buu got you! Buu know you have Akko!"

Pisti turned to face him with a fearless expression. I'm crazy to think I can fight a Majin. Luckily, he seems as childish as any other. She smirked deviously. "Okay, you got me: I was the one who took Akko. But you can only take her if you win my game."

"Ooo, a game! Buu loves games!"

"All you have to do is guess which one is Akko." With that, Pisti began playing her flute, and Buu looked down as a swarm of field mice began scurrying across the grass. The Majin examined them intently, eyes rolling in every direction as he tried to determine any unique features between the tiny orange rodents. "Uhh…grrrrr, GIVE BUU A HINT!"

"Akko is the smallest one!" Pisti smirked, then resumed playing.

"Errr…uhhh…" Buu tried to determine which mouse was the smallest. He flew down closer, trying to look for baby mice hidden under the stampede.

Little did he know that Akko had actually turned into an ant and was hiding behind Pisti's ear. I guess all I can do now is wait for a good chance to get away. But I won't get far on these little legs.

"OW!" Buu yelped after being hit with a Blast Spell. Pisti gasped, seeing that Ursula was responsible.

"Can't you let those poor mice cross the field in peace?!" the teacher declared, her wand forming a green beam like a lightsaber. Hopefully Akko can make it across the field if I distract him.

"Professor Ursula, no!" Akko Ant cried with an inaudible voice. Sometimes, her teacher could be just so dense!

"Buu playing! Mean lady go!" Buu zapped magic that would turn the grass into lollipops, Ursula dodging as she ran under the Majin and called, "Ascendio!" launching up and SLICING Buu up the middle like a piece of burning jelly.

"Fineltina la Serana!" Buu was severed into more pieces by magic swords, cast from Diana's wand. "Professor Ursula, let's use a rope spell with Fusion Magic!"

"Good idea!" Diana flew down beside the teacher, wands ready as the Majin began to reassemble. "Juras Haras Haras!" Magic ropes lashed out of the wands, enveloping Buu completely as he fell to the ground.

The Majin squirmed in his binds and- "BUU!" escaped before shooting magic, the witches dodging as Diana cast an ice spell to freeze him. Ursula sliced his frozen body into pieces.

"Akko, I think you should try to run." Pisti whispered to the ant.

"Why? That genie's a total pushover, they're making chopped liver out of him."

"MmmmmmmrrrrrrRRRAAAAAHHH!" The ice exploded as all the parts quickly reformed. The Majin inhaled air through all his holes, growing red with anger as he cried, "ANGRY CANDY WORLD!" He BURST with magical energy, Diana and Ursula going beside Pisti and creating a Protego. The field morphed into the form of a gigantic pancake, with lollipops, chocolate bars, and candycane trees growing everywhere.

After recomposing himself, Buu glared at the bubbled witches and swooped down, dealing rapid punches on the shield before it shattered in seconds. Diana and Ursula grew fatigued from the attack, and this made it easy for Buu to ensnare them with Licoropes. Ursula managed to grab her lightsaber and slice the ropes, setting Diana free afterwards. More Licoropes came at them like serpents, the witches swiftly cutting them down before Diana was hit by a jawbreaker cannonball. Buu had molded a cannon from his bellybutton, squeezing it and shooting one each time. Ursula ran up to him while slicing each jawbreaker in half, but the Majin erected a tower of chocolate bars to completely surround him.

"He can use his magic to create candy out of thin air, in any way, shape, or form he pleases." Diana explained.

The Majin began shooting cannonballs through the chocolate, each segment breaking as the one above it fell to replace it. Ursula used a Gravity Spell on the chocolate tower in order to run straight up it, and once at the top, she dove straight into the opening, aiming her wand at Buu and calling, "Diphulaniado!"

The base of the tower exploded with magic, in the form of a sparkly green light. "Professor!" Diana ran to the fallen teacher's aid, casting a healing spell on her. The use of the explosion spell had turned Ursula's blue hair into red. "Why would you do something so dangerous?" Diana asked as she gave her an Ether.

"We need to damage him as much as possible." Ursula replied, drinking the potion as her hair morphed blue again. "It may not seem like it, but he's growing weaker."

"LOOK!" Pisti screamed, pointing at the sky above Luna Nova in the distance. "The pirates are here!"

The Ivory Castle, Marshmallow Majin, Drunken Clam, and Gran Picante descended from Zeus's cloud, along with their own squads of ships. "'EY, Commander Bippity Bop!" The Breakfast Club's ship was looming above Diana and Ursula, with Tony holding Pilaf by the shirt. "How 'bout a little shrivelly dingaling?" Lucky asked as Tony dropped Pilaf to the soft pancake ground.

"Professor, get away from him!" Diana yelled. "That goblin can reverse peoples' ages!"

"Hurf!" Pilaf got to his feet, facing a reforming Buu as he cast an Age Circle. "This will help you drop a few pounds, Buu!" With a great surge of his power, Buu was engulfed in a light, and they watched as his body compressed and grew thinner. When it stopped, Majin Buu now had a muscular physique, with red eyes and black sclera, and a wicked grin. Compared to the pudgy, bubbly nature of his older form, this one sent chills down their spines.

The first thing that Teen Buu did was ignite his antenna with light. "SWEET NATION!" Diana and Ursula created a Protego, and to their horror, a storm of energy beams erupted from his little antenna. None of them attacked the duo, but they flew right in the direction of the school. Despite the Protego that the teachers projected around the students, the beams burrowed underground and struck each and every one of them. Screams erupted from the crowd as they fell to their knees, completely paralyzed as their bodies morphed into chocolate.

Yet it didn't stop there, for even more beams flew off in the distance, going to the town of Blytonbury and turning every single citizen into chocolate! This included Andrew and all the students of Appleton Academy—Annabel Crème as she was at her laptop—the servants at the House of Cavendish—many of whom were still worriedly watching the news, and them and many innocent civilians shared a chocolaty fate.

"AAAH!" Pisti was zapped as well, and Ant Akko fell to the ground beside her foot. The ant looked up in horror as her protector became a great sweet statue. Akko began to see no way out of this situation. Even if she became a mouse to run faster, Buu could easily spot her. But whether or not she was an ant, she felt helpless all the same.

"That Majin…" Aladdin grit his teeth in anger. "I can use my Genie Lamp to undo his spells, but—AAAAGH!" He was struck by Zeus's lightning.

"Buu tired of playing." the Majin said furiously. "Give Buu Akko."

"NEVER!" Ursula cast a weaker explosive spell before running up to behead Buu with her lightsaber, but she was PUNCHED in the face with such force that it flung her miles across the field.

"HO CHICKITY!" Lucky proclaimed, using oversized binoculars to see into the distance. "Buu just splooped all da dang doops inta poops! Too bad them jingity djinns can't kill worth a clothespin. So, here's mah propo', JoJo." The leprechaun extracted multiple guns and formed them into a sniper rifle, training it in the school's direction. "I go' kill a ho fo' every mo' Akko don't show." He aimed the gun on a frozen Wangari first and began to count in what they assumed were numbers: "Wiggity. Tooty-fruity. Trifilly. Flip-flawp. Fignutin'. Seesaw Sally. Sanky Hang Pang!"

"STOP!" At that instant, Akko seemed to burst out of thin air, raising her arms in defeat. "I can't take it, anymore! Please stop hurting them! Please!"

"AKKO!" Diana and Ursula screamed in great anger and fear.

With a smirk, Buu GRIPPED Akko by the neck and WHOOSHED across the field. Diana mounted her broom, allowing Ursula on as well as they boosted after them.

In no time, Buu returned to the school grounds, dropping Akko on her front and pinning her down. "Grandma! Buu brought food!"

"AKKO?!" The excited queen abandoned her fight with the Charion and jumped off Prometheus. "FINALLY! My sweet Akko!"

Suddenly, Buu was trapped inside a floating bell, pulling him off Akko. "Run, Miss Kagari!" ordered Headmistress Holbrooke, using her wand to bash a magic gong. This caused the bell to DOOOOOONG!, causing Buu's body to vibrate furiously, feeling as if his very eardrums were beating his brain to a pulp.

Sasha Blouse jumped off the Clam, about to cut the bell with her giant sword, but the Amazon was bound in magic ropes by Professor Finnelan. "You didn't think a cheap candy spell was enough to hold us, did you?!"

"You're just lucky I prepared this antidote ahead of time." Sucy said as she poured a white, mint-smelling potion on the frozen students, melting the chocolate off their bodies. Pawtucket Pat tried to catch Sucy in a large beer hand, but Professor Lukić threw a liquid nitrogen potion up to freeze the Beer Logia completely.

"Professor Finnelan, watch out!" cried Barbara. Everyone faced up, seeing what looked to be a massive balloon at first. However, upon closer inspection, it was Hisoka, having inflated his arm by blowing air into his thumb, whilst the left arm still had Barbara tied.

"Gum-Gum Elephant Gun!" The giant fist blasted down as Finnelan drew a quick Protego, which nearly cracked under Hisoka's strength.

"AAAAGH!" Hisoka felt an unbearable, searing pain against his back: Hannah England had dropped on him from her broom, wearing a black and red dress that seemed like the molten ground of a volcano.

"So, do you like my Magma Gown?!" Hannah remarked, sweating greatly from the heat. "It really takes your breath away, huh?"

Hisoka crashed on the ground, releasing Barbara and bending his arm back to punch Hannah off. His gummy body was scorched and melted where Hannah hugged him. Ernesto Taco threw meteors down at the teachers, but the Tostarenan was stabbed from all directions by bladed broomsticks, controlled by Professor Nelson.

"AKKOOOOO!" Queen Sherry stomped toward her standing prey with arms raised, but the Grand Charion grabbed her comparatively little arms.

"AKKO, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" Amanda shouted.

"Let Mama go!" Prometheus fumed, blowing pink flames onto the Charion.

To his surprise, all the flames were being absorbed into Alibaba's sword. "Did I mention my Amol Saiqa can suck in flames?! Have a closer look, Sunny!" He used Rocket Boost to fly up and STAB Prometheus, the sun crying as his body shrank. He barely flew away with what sliver of size he had left. "Gotta admit, this was a hefty amount of heat you gave me. I think it's time for a STORM CUTTER!" With one terrific slash, a road of pink flames flew to the sky, and Zeus cried as his overshadowing body was split down the middle.

"Sherry, please!" Akko yelled. "Please, I don't want to lose my soul! You and I are friends! I saved your life, I gave you the magic show you wanted! Why can't you let me live?!"

"SO… DELICIOUS! AKKOOOOOO!"

"CHARION DRILL!" The Charion's shield morphed into a mighty drill, driving it into Sherry with extreme force. The queen grabbed her Soul Quartz, mixing it with Psychic Chi as she held the drill back.

"Akko, it's pointless!" Diana shouted, having just arrived with Ursula. "She's not going to stop until she has you! Please, you have to get away! You have to live!"

"DEAD END MUSICAL!" A powerful diamond shield BURST from Sherry's heart! (Play "Weight of Life" from XC3!)

"AKKO!" Ursula dove off the broom, grabbing her student and ducking. The Diamond Shield left a small gap meant exclusively to trap Akko, with Ursula being an unintended extra. Everything else, including the Grand Charion, the teachers, and even Goomnut were completely pushed out.

"Akko… my precious Akko…" Sherry began to cry. "I can't lose you… Akko…"

The aforementioned gap had sealed, leaving absolutely no way out of this diamond prison. The Charion punched the diamond with every last ounce of strength it could muster. With the amount of Psychic Chi Her Majesty is using, this barrier won't last long. Goomnut thought. But there is no way to escape from it until it falls.

The crying queen stomped toward her helpless prey. Akko remained still in the warming arms of her teacher. She knew there was no way Ursula would give up her student. She was willing to defend Akko like a mother… and because of that, her life could be nearing its end. There's got to be something I can do. Anything. … Akko put her hand to her Shiny Rod. What if I use the Seventh Word of Arcturus? I can absorb the energy from everyone in the area, and then me and Ursula could destroy her with a Shiny Ballista. I know I vowed never to kill, but if I don't, Ursula will die. …But if we DO kill her, then the pirates will destroy Luna Nova. And it'll all be my fault.

Cassiopea had donned a white mask, morphing into an adult form, which she used to kick Diana out of the air. The Grand Charion tried to drill into the diamond, but an escaped Buu sent the colossus flying with a mighty punch. "Useless machine." Goomnut smirked. "Its Power Level of 15,000 was matched with Majin Buu's. And yet, it thought it could defeat Great Grandma's Power Level of 23,000?!"

They're all getting hurt because of me. Queen Sherry came to Luna Nova in the first place because she loved my magic. It's all my fault…It's all my fault…

"At long last… My sweet… beautiful SOUL!" Sherry was crying tears of joy. There was no way this pathetic teacher could keep her from her savory meal.

"PLEASE don't take her! Don't take Akko away from us!" Ursula pled. "She has so much to live for. Please don't take away her future!"

"Soul… or… LIIIIIFE?"

"…Then please." Ursula released Akko and walked forward, raising her arms to the queen. "Take my soul. Please spare Akko and take me instead."

"Professor Ursula…" Akko's fear and guilt began to rise to its peak.

The teacher's soul began to wriggle out of her body. She turned to Akko, smiling like a proud mother. "You'll be an amazing witch, Akko… I know you will. No matter what you do… I was so honored to be your teacher."

"No…" It was clear that her mentor had no intention of moving. The ravenous queen would soon swipe her hand and end the life of the one who inspired her. In only a second, a warm, guiding light would leave Akko's life.

"Soul… POCUS!"

"Good-bye, Akko…"

"NO!!" Tears flying behind her, Akko leapt forth and pushed her teacher away with all strength and speed. Queen Sherry's mighty hand snatched Akko's soul.

The world turned dark to Ursula's eyes. It turned dark to Diana, Lotte, and all the others. Ursula rushed to catch her body… but it was too late.

Akko's joyful pink soul squirmed in Sherry's hand. Tears leaked from the queen's eyes. "Akko… oh, Akko…" The queen puckered her lips and very slowly slurped Akko up like a precious smoothie. "Sluuuuuurrrrrrp…" The taste was beyond anything she ever dreamed. So many delicious emotions, so much joy and sadness and anger, all mixed in with passionate dreams and heartache. Sherry had never tasted a soul this rare. It was so innocent and imaginative and beautiful.

The queen smacked her lips and brushed her tongue around her mouth, savoring every ounce of taste. "Akko… you are my friend, too." She placed a hand to her diamond heart. The Diamond Shield faded away, and the pirates ceased fighting. "Don't leave me, Akko… don't leave me…"

"AKKO!" Diana raced to her friend with tears flying.

"No." Lotte cupped hands over her own mouth to restrain her screams, but her glasses were becoming wet and blurry. "No no no. Please no. Please."

"Oh, Akko! You fill me with so much life!" Queen Sherry danced and smiled to the sunny heavens, grinning like a carefree child. "One hundred years of dreams and love! Your soul will be the heart of Sweetopia! I'll take it and make the most wonderful world! A world where all races can live in bliss! And if nobody wishes to live there, they'll die!"

"A beautiful soul~ A beautiful soul~ O Little Witch, stay in our hearts, forever~"

Amanda wanted nothing more than to murder all those singy, happy objects. She felt so much anger and she wanted to unleash it all on all these pirates.

And for a moment, Diana almost lost her calm composure. Looking up at the queen, she realized… her heart was exposed again. Her beating Diamond was heard by all. This would be the perfect chance… to cast another magic sword spell and impale the old hag. For that time, Diana didn't care about breaking her vow, not if it could get Akko back. But if she had… then Akko's sacrifice would have been for nothing.

"Now, wasn't that simply easy?" Goomnut asked. "Do you see how much unnecessary death we just avoided? Perhaps I underestimated that girl."

Amanda glared at the Goomba, clenching her teeth so hard they almost cracked. …Then, an idea struck her: "Boy, Queen Sherry, I bet you could sure go for a cake right now." Goomnut choked on his breath.

"Oh, the cake! I almost forgot about the cake. What a wonderful way to follow up such a meal. Where is my cake?" She looked around. "Come to think of it, why aren't we on Sweetopia?"

"W-We came here in pursuit of Akko, Your Majesty." Goomnut responded. "And the cake… er, eh…"

"HE LET THE KREMLING KREW TAKE IT!" Amanda shouted.

"YOU-!!"

"Gooooomnuuuuuuut." The nut-head's chocolate body turned pale as the queen loomed over him imposingly. "That girl is only joking, right? Surely you caught those traitorous relatives?"

"Uh, I…I-I-I…"

"Memoria Bibendum!" Hannah cast the Memory Recall Spell at Goomnut and displayed a screen from his mind.

"FORGET THE CAKE! FORGET THE CAKE! FORGET THE CAKE!" The same clip repeated.

"N-NO! I-It's not what it looks like!" Goomnut panicked.

"If that cake isn't in my belly by the end of my birthday… you'll pay with your life."

That flushed all the color out of him. "ALL PIRATES!!" He zipped over and made a great leap to the castle. "HEAD TO K. ROOL'S KEEP AND GET THE CAKE!!"

Queen Sherry leapt onto Zeus and returned to her castle. Within moments, the castle teleported away, and all the ships zipped to the sky in a hurry. (Play "The Bereaved and Those Left Behind" from XC3.)

Lotte was still crying, Barbara hugging her for comfort. "Wait." They looked up when Ursula spoke. "Her heart… it's still beating."

"… … …" Akko's eyelids rose, exposing the lower half of her murky red eyes. "Professor…"

"Sh…She's alive…" Diana spoke in a low breath.

"Oh, thank God, thank you thank you." Lotte gasped with folded hands. Her heart couldn't take any more stress.

"…Hey… I guess I'm okay." Akko smiled, very weakly holding up her right hand. "That wasn't so bad… it wasn't…" Her voice was so low that Akko must have been using the most minimal amount of breath to speak. As if she was making very careful use of what little breath remained.

"Akko… why…" Tears dripped from Ursula's red eyes. "Why didn't you let me? I've already had my time in the spotlight. It was your turn. Why?"

"Because… it was my soul she wanted. Not yours. It wouldn't have worked. You would have died for nothing…"

"Akko…" She was by far the bravest witch Ursula has ever known.

"Of course…" Lotte whispered. "Queen Sherry didn't take her actual soul… she took her life force."

"One hundred years of life." Diana recalled the queen's words. "It's true that mages can live a couple decades longer than normal humans… but Akko is a Muggle-born. She may not have such a luxury… and factoring in her Magic Deficiency…"

Akko's knees shook as she tried to bend them back and set her feet on the ground. Sadly, her body felt like it weighed tons. Her bones felt like the heaviest stone, and her eyes felt like they haven't slept in years. All the energy and stamina her little heart could muster were useless. "Akko, please." Diana pled, helping Ursula hold her. "Please conserve your strength. You're barely holding onto life."

"I'm sorry, guys… I'm sorry I made you waste all this time for me. I'm sorry for putting you in danger."

"It's okay, Akko." Ursula spoke calmly, smiling to ease her student's heart. "It's going to be okay. We'll take you to your room so you can rest."

She, Diana, and Jasminka helped carry the powerless girl to the school. The students and staff opened a path for them to walk. Akko's eyes felt heavy as she rolled them left and right, seeing looks of pity on everyone. Wangari was not in the mood for interviews like she usually was, and Akko was glad to see Molly wishing for the best. There were tons of students whose names Akko didn't know, except for some that she sometimes talked to. She had a tense relationship with most of the teachers, especially Finnelan, and there was a time when all of these students doubted Akko's skill, even after her recent feats. She wondered what was circling through their minds, which students looked at her with genuine concern or just pity. How many of them were disappointed that this wannabe witch amounted to just nothing?

Avalar KND Moonbase

"And that pretty much sums up what just happened." Alibaba finished recapping the story to Griffin Firecrystal. "Aladdin is working to free all the people in town from Buu's spell."

"And Numbuh Try is still alive?" Griffin asked.

"Yeah, but she's… looking pretty grim. Even healing spells didn't seem to fix her any."

"Sigh… Based on the reports from other KNDs, it sounds like the Four Emperors are becoming more serious. We can't leave them alone, anymore. As for Great Grandma…"

The Supreme Leader headed to the Global Tactical Station. "This is Supreme Leader Numbuh 1,000 C to all sectors. Due to recent events regarding the Big Mom Pirates, the S-ranked criminal Queen Sherbet Linlin has been deemed an extreme threat. Operatives are given permission to kill… if, at all, possible."

Chocolatown; Lala's Mansion

"Oh, Terry… I can't wait until we get married!" MaKayla said, lovingly embracing her friend in the dark of his room. "I always panic over seeing someone's blood… but yours is so tasty. Thank you for helping me overcome my fear…"

"It's… m-my pleasure… Kayla…"

"Aren't you two just cute together?" Hisoka asked with a creepy smile. "I sure wish I could get to kiss you like that. Still, if you don't go along with this wedding plan… Grandma says I get to marry her instead." And he licked his smooth lips.

"Sigh…" Terry merely sat still as his friend continued to fondle him. He desperately prayed for a way out of this, but his friends were captured and his parents were memory wiped. "Well, George, you still think Suki is our guiding Light now?"

Akko's Room

Hannah changed Akko into her pajamas with magic as she was lain on her bed. Her eight friends guarded her with worried hearts. Will-o'-chan hugged himself to the left of Akko's chest, feeling her weak heartbeat. Thump… … Thump… … The spirit beat in rhythm with her heart.

"How long do you think she has?" Lotte asked.

"I'm… not sure." Diana sighed. "She's 17 years old… and after losing 100 years, she is as frail as 117 years old. It all depends…"

"Diana." Hannah got close to her ear and whispered. "This… might be your last chance to tell her, you know?"

Diana glanced at her with tears welling up. She wouldn't try to deny her true feelings. She walked over to her bedridden friend. Her face was always so vibrant and lively, and her crimson eyes shone with true passion. It hurt so much to see Akko in such a powerless state. "Akko…"

"Diana… I…I don't want to die. I don't… Not like this. Otherwise… people will hate magic. If I die just for making someone happy… what kind of message is that? Please…Please, there must be something…"

Akko was right. She was guilty of nothing except delivering the magic show that she promised. She succeeded in making Queen Sherry feel friendship and warm emotions. No matter what her grades were in class, she has brought this school miracles. And without her, this school would flood with darkness and misery. Even if they were the only ones who realize this. "Akko…" Diana softly touched her pale cheek. It was always so cute when Akko flushed with embarrassment or frustration. "You are the most wonderful witch… and I would be happy to share my life with you."

Share her life… Diana meant this in the most long-term way possible. She wanted to share her life with Akko forever. Share my life… And yet, she wondered if such a thing were possible. Diana lifted her head, swallowing her emotions and returning to the calm and focused aura everyone knew so well.

"Diana…" Lotte spoke as their leader left the room.

She walked all the way to her own room and found a book about healing spells. She flipped through the pages until she found the one she was looking for. With that, she returned to Akko's room. "My mother told me about all kinds of medical spells and forms of healing. I just remembered one of them in particular: it's called Life Transfusion." She opened the book and showed them an image of a magic circle. "Often times, mothers give birth to children with weak hearts. These children were bound to die in about a year, or perhaps much less. So, the mothers or fathers use their magic to transfer their life force onto the child. Naturally, this decreases their own life span."

"So… we could do that?" Amanda asked with a glimmer of hope, mixed with worry, in her eyes.

"Unfortunately, it only works if you share blood with the subject. And Akko is the only mage in her family."

The friends bowed their heads. Their glimmer of hope was merely an illusion. "What about… Sheila?" The friends whipped around at the sound of Akko's whisper. Though light was fading from her eyes, she had enough to sport a quirky smile. "When I fought Sheila… we sure spilled a lot of blood. It got all over the ground… heh…heh…"

Amanda forced a snicker. "Yeah, it's too bad Sheila isn't a witch, you big dummy."

"Besides, if it were that easy," Sucy inferred, "we'd just have to take some of Akko's blood and put it in a jar with ours."

"… … …" Just the idea that it could be that easy would make Akko want to try. So, what's to stop Diana from trying it, too? "Sucy, get a jar and some syringes."

The potion witch gasped and was quick to follow her order. She extracted blood from Akko's hand and Diana's, dripping them both into the same vial. Diana then began to draw the circle as depicted in the book on the floor. Afterwards, she lifted Akko and set her in the circle. "I'll start by giving you one year of my life force." She drew a '1Y' on the bottom of the circle. "Okay…" She held her wand in both hands and focused on Akko. The weakened girl had opened her eyelids a tad more, with just a very tiny glimmer of hope. "By my power and my will, I bless unto you my life, and pray that your future is bright."

They expected something to happen, at least for a light to appear on her wand. "…Sigh, nothing." Diana huffed in anger. Again, their hopes were shot down.

"W-Wait." Barbara spoke next. "Maybe the book is talking about wizard blood classes. What if the same type of wizard has to share blood? Maybe a Muggle-born has to do it."

"Yeah!" Hannah agreed. "And, I know Akko takes priority, but since we're still missing life force too, you could test it on us, Diana. Since we're purebloods like you."

"Very well. At this point, we shouldn't turn down any idea."

With that, Jasminka lifted Akko back onto her bed as Hannah took her place on the circle. "For now, I think we'll skip the blood-drawing part." Diana figured, focusing her wand. "Here it goes…" With that, she repeated the same phrase she had used previously.

For a moment, no one expected anything to happen. It may have just been wishful thinking. …Then, Diana's wand began to glow. Akko's eyelids lifted again at the sight of it. A small green light traveled from Diana's heart, through the wand, and slowly floated into Hannah. The latter felt a slight tickly feeling, as if the extra year of life were settling itself in with her nerves.

"Oh my God, it worked." Hannah said.

"Then… we just need Constanze to use it on Akko!" Amanda realized. "She's a Muggle-born, too!"

"That may be so." Diana followed. "But she is required to speak the spell clearly and concisely. She is good at nonverbal magic, but that cannot help her here."

"Mmmm…" Constanze bowed her head in shame. It's clear there was nothing good to come from her stutter.

"We're on the right track, at least." Lotte smiled, her fears beginning to dwindle from this growing ray of hope. "We just need to find another Muggle-born."

"Leave that to me." Diana decided, leaving the room again.

"Mmm… I'm sorry-ry-y-y, Ak-k-ko." Constanze said.

Akko sported a grin, her right hand shaking as she raised it with a thumbs-up. Seeing how hard they were trying to think of a solution seemed to put just a tiny hint of life back inside her.

Diana went to the Nine Witches' Hall, where the other professors were gathered. "You want a Muggle-born to use a Life Transfusion on Akko?" Finnelan asked.

"Yes. I'm positive it could save her. I considered Constanze, but her disability may make the task difficult. …Professor Ursula, what's your blood class?"

"Mmm, half-blood. Sorry." she replied regretfully.

"Here is a list of all the Muggle-borns in our school." Headmistress Holbrooke said, giving Diana the list. "But we can't promise that any of them will agree to this plan."

Diana skimmed the list for a moment… her eyes perked up at a particular name. "Well, there is someone who may." On that note, she left the room.

"I think I'll go with you." Ursula offered, leaving as well.

"Whatever she's planning, I hope it works." Professor Badcock said. "If people find out about this mess, it'll leave a serious black mark on Luna Nova. And if a student dies because of it, they'll shut us down!"

"I'm more worried about losing such a valuable and dedicated student." Holbrooke replied. "However, I suppose we should write a letter to Miss Kagari's family. They deserve to know."

Diana and Ursula returned to the West Dormitory. Diana knocked on a door, and it was answered by the very person she sought: a dark-skinned girl with pale blue hair covering her right eye, in a similar manner to Sucy. "Hello, Diana. …Is Akko, okay?" asked Molly McIntyre.

"Yes. In fact, I wanted to ask you something, Molly."

After a brief explanation, Molly followed them up to Akko's room. "Hmmm… one year, huh?" She observed the '1Y' on the circle. "It's a safe number to practice, but if you expect good results, we should go a little higher." She erased the '1' and wrote '50' in its place.

"Molly, that isn't unnecessary." Ursula said worriedly. "At the very least, give her five years. That will keep her alive long enough until we can get her life force back."

"Yeah… Molly… I'll be fine… with at least one year…"

"This school needs you, Akko. Whether or not you choose to fight the pirates again, you'll need as much strength as possible. After all, you make us all happy." Molly gave a smile. "Besides, you all helped me get my life back. Why shouldn't I share it with you?"

Everyone looked to Akko for her answer. The red-eyed witch returned the smile and replied in a whisper, "Thank you… Molly."

Jasminka set her on the circle again as Molly readied her wand. "By my power and my will, I bless unto you my life, and pray that your future is bright."

An even brighter light shone from Molly, and a greater body of life force traveled from the wand to Akko's brittle body. The feeling of the extra life entering her felt like inhaling the world's largest air bubble in one big huff. Akko felt like she were a baby, breathing for the first time all over again. Her chest felt congested, so she held onto it, eyes tearing as she tried to take small breaths. "Akko!" Lotte gasped, fearing that this plan was backfiring.

This lasted for a few more minutes, for Akko's body needed the time to get adjusted to the life force. She remained calm and firm, her breath consistent as she waited patiently for the sensation to stop. And before she knew it… it all stopped. Akko kept her hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat returning to a normal flow.

Her legs shook a bit as she planted her feet to the floor and stood up. "…It worked." Akko studied her hands as joy returned to her features. "I'm going to be okay! YAAAAY!" She jumped and kicked her legs out.

"Akko." Ursula said, holding up a weakened Molly.

"Oh…" Akko walked up and embraced her in a hug. "Molly, thank you. I'm so grateful. You've given me a second chance."

"It was my pleasure, Akko."

"It didn't hurt you too badly, did it?"

"The more years you choose to contribute," Diana explained, "the more magic you will exhaust. It's natural to feel fatigued, but you will recover with rest."

"That's good. So, what will you do now, Akko?" Molly asked.

At this, Akko felt all eyes on her again. It was times like this she really felt like the leader. "Hmm…" She released Molly and turned away in thought. "You know… I really thought Queen Sherry could've been our friend. But no matter how crazy you are, real friends don't try to eat your soul. She's a monster and she needs to be stopped. For Luna Nova's sake, too. And after I get my life force back from her, I'll be sure to return yours, Molly." She faced her friend with a smile. "We all deserve to live as long as possible!"

"We could always hope the Big Moms and the Kremlings kill each other." Sucy inferred.

"Even so… as Kids Next Door operatives, it is our duty to bring these pirates to justice." Diana said. "And I have a feeling… this is only the beginning of our battle with them."

…

The Hungry Men pulled a gigantic wagon into a vault, carrying none other than the prized Linlin Family Cake. As it was left to shine in the center of this glittering treasury, King Kroctus Rool gazed up at its marvel. He could just imagine the look of fury on Queen Sherry's face right now. It made him so happy that he felt like singing!

It's great to be a king

I seem to have a knack *sticks an arm into a pile of coins*

Of taking everything I want *lifts the coins as they all spill out except one*

And giving nothing back *he flipped the coin up: Knightbrace tried to catch it, until Kroctus whipped him away with his tail*

Everything is mine *raises an envelope with a Smash Bros. icon*

I finally have control *wraps an arm around Butcher*

Why excuse me…

I hope I don't sound too droll *releases Butcher as the latter eye-rolls*

Now that I have the power

This is my finest hour *marches out of the vault*

Nothing in this realm can stop me now! *the vault sealed as the knob spun and locked: it looked like the Kremling Jolly Roger*

FOOLS, while I watch you cower *stomps and shakes the room, scaring the villains*

THIS is my finest hour

Bait you on my hook

Just like a worm!

K. Rool sat himself on his throne, activating his hologram chamber as Queen Sherry's image displayed.

Before I crush you like a bug

Come here and give me a hug!

It gives me so much JOY to watch you squiiiirrrrrm!

"MWEH HEH HEH har!"