Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4

[DracoOmega]

>"Thank you. And whatever our disagreements on the particulars of vengeance, I do hope you can see the value in pursuing a less violent solution in the matter of the Champions' exodus. I cannot brook the slaughter of my kind or the subjugation of my world, but I do want to help you."

[Oldmansour]

>"Thank you. And whatever our disagreements on the particulars of vengeance, I do hope you can see the value in pursuing a less violent solution in the matter of the Champions' exodus. I cannot brook the slaughter of my kind or the subjugation of my world, but I do want to help you."

>Another of those very Patchy-like wry smiles touches her face. "You are aware of the mutually exclusive nature of what you just said, yes?"
>"Don't forget, my Avatar." Louise adds casually. "She's an idealist."
>"Very much so, by all accounts."

[DracoOmega]

>"And why must they be mutually-exclusive? Our kinds are not the same, but nor are we so alien from each other. This world is already home to a great diversity of races who have learned to peacefully coexist with each other; why should it be impossible to include another? Ruthless dominance may be what it takes to survive in Makai, but that is not true here. If you simply wished to live among us, then I would welcome you with open arms, and I know that I am not alone in this."

[Oldmansour]

>"And why must they be mutually-exclusive? Our kinds are not the same, but nor are we so alien from each other. This world is already home to a great diversity of races who have learned to peacefully coexist with each other; why should it be impossible to include another? Ruthless dominance may be what it takes to survive in Makai, but that is not true here. If you simply wished to live among us, then I would welcome you with open arms, and I know that I am not alone in this."

>As you draw near the bottom of your speech, Rin's voice comes into your mind, Mistress? Sanae and Elis are leaving.

>"But we don't simply wish to live here, Lotus." Patchy replies. "Oh, no. We Six have the power. We will change this world. Each of was wronged. And each of us will make it so no one will be wronged as we were ever again. We will make this a better world." The Avatar of Water clenches her fist, and sea-blue aura of power surrounds her, with the sound of a crashing tide. "And we will have our revenge."

[DracoOmega]

>Do you know where they're going? Or for what purpose?

>"What kind of better world can be founded on the willful murder of innocent people? I have already saved a dozen people from Elis whose only 'crime' was being conveniently located for her to strike at."

[Oldmansour]

>Do you know where they're going? Or for what purpose?

>"What kind of better world can be founded on the willful murder of innocent people? I have already saved a dozen people from Elis whose only 'crime' was being conveniently located for her to strike at."

>Sanae wanted to meet Fire and Ice. Or so she said.

>Patchouli gives you a hard look. "No one is innocent."

[DracoOmega]

>"No one is perfect. But the world is filled with good, honest, loving people, whose kindnesses far outweigh their flaws and mistakes. And I can vouch with great conviction that many of those who've been attacked were just that kind of person - some of them you had even called 'friend', at least as you were when you woke up this morning."

[Oldmansour]

>"No one is perfect. But the world is filled with good, honest, loving people, whose kindnesses far outweigh their flaws and mistakes. And I can vouch with great conviction that many of those who've been attacked were just that kind of person - some of them you had even called 'friend', at least as you were when you woke up this morning."

>"It is not my friends that will suffer my wrath." the Avatar replies, more intensity working its way into her voice. "The people I have called friend are not great in number, but I will not forget them when I rule. But those that have hurt them, those that used them." Her fist clenches again, hard enough to make the knuckles on her small hand turn white. "The ones who saw my friends as tools to control me...."

[DracoOmega]

>"Is... this about Reisen?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Is... this about Reisen?"

>The rabbit's name makes Patchy look even angrier. "You know her. Do you also know why she lives with me?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Because your parents wished to maintain some level of control over your activities, even while you lived away."

[Oldmansour]

>"Because your parents wished to maintain some level of control over your activities, even while you lived away."

>"And they used her to do it." she growls, wisps of blue smoky energy wafting up from her aura as she grows angrier and angrier. "I don't blame her for it, she had no choice. But they.... They never saw her as a victim, as a soldier, even as a person. Just another tool they used to control me, to stifle me, to keep from growing into the power and knowledge that should have been mine. That sorcery is a part of me, my birthright, and they denied it to me. They used her to deny it to me, just as they do at every turn. ALL MY LIFE, I have been denied! Globs of spittle fly from her mouth as she starts to roar out her outrage.

[DracoOmega]

>"The way you've been treated by them was deeply unfair; of this, you have my full agreement. They didn't respect your talent, they didn't respect you as an individual, and they didn't respect Reisen; to be frank, I'm not sure how much your mother respects anything outside her own intellect. But even were it not for this power you've now gained, your parents would not have been able to stifle you much longer, would have had no choice but to see you outgrow them, see you outstrip them. I know there were many around you who recognized this, who supported you in this.
>"Because for all your parents lacked, you were still surrounded by people who did respect you - love you, even. People who would put themselves on the line for you. Family is more than those to whom we owe the accident of our birth, but the people among whom we are loved. And some of them are still waiting and worrying about you right this moment, wondering if the woman they cared about still exists to come back to them. Does she?"

[Oldmansour]

>"The way you've been treated by them was deeply unfair; of this, you have my full agreement. They didn't respect your talent, they didn't respect you as an individual, and they didn't respect Reisen; to be frank, I'm not sure how much your mother respects anything outside her own intellect. But even were it not for this power you've now gained, your parents would not have been able to stifle you much longer, would have had no choice but to see you outgrow them, see you outstrip them. I know there were many around you who recognized this, who supported you in this.
>"Because for all your parents lacked, you were still surrounded by people who did respect you - love you, even. People who would put themselves on the line for you. Family is more than those to whom we owe the accident of our birth, but the people among whom we are loved. And some of them are still waiting and worrying about you right this moment, wondering if the woman they cared about still exists to come back to them. Does she?"

>Breathing heavily, Patchy looks back up at the patchwork of holes in the Oubliette wall. "I am more than I was. No will deny me now." She lowers her head. "But you. I know what I am about to do, and I know that you will try to stop me. But I believe you when you say you care. But why do you care? What does Reisen mean to you?"

[DracoOmega]

>"She is a dear friend, and one I have already promised to rescue should her indenture force her to live somewhere she does not want. She cares about you a great deal, you know."

[Oldmansour]

>"She is a dear friend, and one I have already promised to rescue should her indenture force her to live somewhere she does not want. She cares about you a great deal, you know."

>The Water Avatar nods. "Eventually I realized that her being there wasn't her fault. She's been used most of her life, did you know that? My parents were just the latest in a long line." She wipes the corner of her mouth. "So many people using others... So much time I could have used... She laughs an ugly laugh as she stares at her hand.  "I have a lot of catching up to do."

[DracoOmega]

>"What happens to her now?"

[Oldmansour]

>"What happens to her now?"

>Slowly, Patchouli closes her fist and opens it, watching the play of power across her hand. "Don't you mean, what do I plan to do to her?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Her situation has already changed, whether you do anything else or not."

[Oldmansour]

>"Her situation has already changed, whether you do anything else or not."

>The Water Avatar returns her gaze to you. "Meaning?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, hasn't it? Or do you actually plan to continue living at Moonside and attending school and all the other things that counted as normal life just yesterday?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, hasn't it? Or do you actually plan to continue living at Moonside and attending school and all the other things that counted as normal life just yesterday?"

>Patchy glances at her avatar, who merely shrugs. "It's your choice. You can live wherever you want. At least until the hero here comes along and drives you out."
>The Avatar breathes out a quiet laugh and shakes her head slowly. "No. No, that life is my past. I don't have any more use for school. Hah, I was only there because of them anyway. I wanted to go to Muenzuka. They wouldn't let me. A normal school for normal people, people who didn't have magic. I never should have been there."

[DracoOmega]

>"A very easy thing to change, as obstacles in the world go. Which brings us back to my original question again."

[Oldmansour]

>"A very easy thing to change, as obstacles in the world go. Which brings us back to my original question again."

>"It wasn't easy at all." The Avatar growls, rage building again. "Nothing was ever easy with them. There was no change. No choice. No hope. But now I have my power. My destiny. My purpose. And I will have my revenge, and Reisen.... I'll start her revenge, too."

[DracoOmega]

>"Her revenge? Do you think that is what she wants, too?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Her revenge? Do you think that is what she wants, too?"

>"If you knew what she'd been through, you wouldn't need to ask."

[DracoOmega]

>"Have you heard the words from her yourself, or are you assuming?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Have you heard the words from her yourself, or are you assuming?"

>"I have seen the pain in her eyes when she talks about her past. Those magic eyes of hers couldn't hide everything from me. All these years, she's never been able to escape what they did to her, what she saw, what they forced her to do, and I can't take those memories away, but I can pay all of them back for her pain, and I will. And then some. And I know you won't support me and that you won't help me wreak my havoc upon them, but you can do something, not for me. For her."

[DracoOmega]

>"And what is that?"

[Oldmansour]

>"And what is that?"

>"Keep her away from my house." she says ominously. "She doesn't need to see my revenge."
>As she says the second line, the aura around her body spreads, her body changing into a ball of chaotic blue light. The ball of light rockets up towards the wall of the Oubliette, trailing dark water behind her.