The Legacy: Fruit of the Shadowflower (Original Horror) (contains Magical Girls)

specifically around this time: Mar 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM

please get your votes in by then, thanks!

Florence responds to my text while we're planning. We're in.

Well, I'm in. I'll be talking to him – as well as Jack Dunbar, one of Lulu's killers – alone.

Though, I won't really be alone. Since I'll be with both Florence and Jack, this is a perfect opportunity for Lulu and Sarah to search for Lulu's original body together. In the meantime, Aster, Violet, and Mary will be watching over Rosalyn. Aster and Violet won't be able to do much in a fight, and but Mary can pick up that slack or so she claims. I know she's no fighter, but she must have some trick up her sleeve with her magic. Seeing that Violet's incense is still lit, she refuses to elaborate on the nature of her abilities.

Well, it's not just because of the incense.

It's because I'm here. Me, Kentarou Kennedy, an ordinary man.

Even now, she probably thinks that I shouldn't be involved in this whole situation. She hasn't tried to talk me out of it, but I bet that it's only because I'll be out of harm's way. At least, that's the plan.

Molly is still an unknown factor, but she doesn't care about me at all. If she does intervene, it'll be to attack Lulu or Rosalyn. Sarah and Lulu together should be too much for Molly to handle, and Mary... every time she's asked, she simply smirks and says not to worry. Lulu's satisfied after Mary swears on her life to keep Rosalyn safe, but my niece is still on edge.

Mary: Trust me, it's best you don't know how I do things.

Sarah scowls at my friend.

Sarah: The more you say that, the more you suspicious you sound.

Mary laughs it off.

Mary: Oh? I can get more suspicious?

Sarah: That's right, and I'll get answers out of you one day! ...but I guess that won't be tonight...

My niece then starts muttering to herself darkly... I better not let this develop too much further. Right after we help Lulu, we ought to hash all of this out. No more secrets. I'm sure they could be at least allies if not actual friends if they talked it out.

But first...

Me: Say, Violet, can you do me a favor?

She turns to look at me, as does Aster, both of them glancing at me curiously with their brown eyes. Violet had a hint of purple in her eyes, matching the streaks in her black hair, when she lit up her incense, but that's now gone. Yet the incense is still lit and effective. So, I have an idea – I'll take some with me to the meeting with Florence and Jack, and use that to get the truth out of them.

Violet nods in approval as I run my idea by her.

Violet: I can get you some no problem. How will you light it though?

Me: I'll have a lighter on me.

Aster: But that's not the real problem, Mr. Kennedy. What will Florence and Jack think?

Me: Hmmm... well, I can make an excuse about how it'll soothe my nerves. That'll have to be enough. Besides, the whole school smells like flowers. They ought to be used to it.

Aster nods.

Aster: But do be careful. It doesn't sound like Jack is magical, but he might notice that something's off anyway.

Violet: Even so, Florence should be able to keep him in line... right?

Me: Yeah, he ought to.

I'll have to hope so.

In any case, Violet hands me one of her incense sticks with her pale brown hands. Aster, though I didn't ask her for her incense, offers me one in her outstretched umbrous black hand. I take them both without hesitation, though I only plan on using the one. It's nice to have a backup option.

With that settled, the conversation shifts. Sarah, still trying to interrogate Mary, takes a new approach.

Sarah: Hmph! Well, if you won't tell us anything about yourself, can you tell us something about whoever gave Molly her powers? It sounds like you know them quite well. Friends of yours?

Mary growls darkly, rolling her eyes.

Mary: I'm sure they wish I was! But no, Viticulture are my enemies now and... forever?

At the mention of Viticulture, Violet, Sarah, and Aster all freeze up eyes wide.

Sarah: D-did you just say Viticulture? They're the ones behind this?

Mary, confused, nods once.

Mary: Well, I don't know how Molly fits into this... but the power of the White Camellia was developed by them, yes.

She then narrows her eyes in suspicion while Lulu and I look between them, equally confused.

Mary: But how do you know about them? They'd never accept any of you as a part of their exclusive club. If anything, they'd have attacked you on the spot if they ever found out you were Magical Girls.

Sarah: We...

Sarah glances between Lulu and I.

Sarah: Ahh...

What is she-?

Mary: Oh Kenny, would you mind taking Lulu out for a walk? Or maybe a flight? You two could check up on Rosalyn.

Mary cuts off my train of thought with an odd question. Why would I take Lulu anywhere, especially near Rosalyn? She knows that I shouldn't go anywhere near her. For that matter, Lulu shouldn't go out where Molly might see her. I'm about to bring up both those points when Lulu almost leaps out of her seat, draconic eyes sparkling with friendly fire.

Lulu: Can we, Mr. Kennedy...? Please...

Me: I...

Sarah cuts me off.

Sarah: Oh, before you go, make sure you both have some protection.

Lulu: I'm all the protection we'll need...!

Sarah: Yes, yes, I know, but can you do this for me anyway?

She then tosses us both flannel bags, not caring about the prominent scowl on my face.

Me: Niece...

Sarah: Uncle, please.

Mary: Yeah, Kenny, didn't you want us to talk? Now we will.

...I wanted to be there for that talk...

I sigh.

But oh well. I request to be filled in later and leave after getting several non-committal responses. Honestly...

Lulu follows me without hesitation. She's in her hoodie again, her head uncovered, revealing how the cool brown skin on her face blends seamlessly into the orange scales covering her scalp. But she covers her head up as we head down the stairs and she leads me away from the building.

Me: Hey.

Lulu: Hm?

She turns and looks up to face me.

Me: I want you to promise me. We're just going to visit Rosalyn. No going after Molly.

She pouts, but nods.

Lulu: I wasn't going to... not with you around, anyway...

I sigh.

Me: Am I really such a burden...? ...no, I shouldn't make that your problem. Let's go.

I try to walk off, but she stops me, pulling on my sleeve.

Lulu: That's not it... I just... wouldn't want anything to happen to you... Sarah and Ms. Raffles would be really sad... like how Mama must be now...

Me: ...

Ah, she's right. She even gets a small smile out of me. I feel my face lift. Feels good.

She smiles back and we walk off a bit further. Even on a Sunday Night, there's still a decent amount of people out and about in the Mon Meadows... but none of them are paying us any mind. It's an odd sight. I'm walking around with a dragon-girl and it's like no one cares! The power of Mary's magic is something frightful to see... especially since it seems like this isn't her limit. Just what else can she do...?

I put that thought aside for now and turn my attention to little Lulu.

Me: So... what did Mary say before about you flying? Is that how you were getting around earlier?

Lulu: That's right... I need to change. Excuse me for a moment...

Not knowing better, I watch as she slips her way into a barely-lit back alley. I feel more than I see the orange glow, as it comes with a sudden rush of heat. A lizard-shaped Lulu then stalks her way out of the alley, fully covered in orange scales, walking on all fours, two wings folded up, and eyes blazing red like a roaring wildfire. They remind me of Mary's actually.

They also remind me of blood.

So, I have to ask...

Me: Lulu, what exactly did you do to those bullies you killed?

She gives me a confused look as she leads me away into the night.

Lulu: I hunted them down... and tore them apart...! But why do you ask...?

Me: So, you didn't drink their blood?

Her face folds up in disgust and that's all that I need to see.

But if she didn't do that...

...then who did?

.

.

.

The rest of the night passed in peace.

Lulu tried to pick me up and fly me to Rosalyn's place, but found to her dismay that I was too heavy for her to carry. So, we had to meet her halfway – I grabbed a bike from a nearby bike-share and she pulled me along.

It was an experience that I have no desire to ever repeat. But at least I got there in one piece.

Along the way, I asked about the stuffed dragon, and she filled me all in on her favorite show – Fairy Knights of Sylvia. Sounded to me like a fantasy cartoon with girls who travel into a book (the same one the show is named after) and become its main characters – and also transforming knights. Lily, the dragon, starts off as an antagonist to the trio of Fairy Knights (Red, Blue, and Yellow) but eventually becomes a reluctant ally when a bigger threat arises and eventually a true friend. Meanwhile, the trio were being led by a talking unicorn named Rosalind, and Rosalyn had a stuffed version of her. They bonded at first over their mutual love of the show.

As for Rosalyn, she was fine. Still grounded, of course, and she just barely managed to clam up before she could accidentally alert her parents that we'd arrived. I got them both to promise to be on their best behavior and call Sarah immediately if they sensed anything, and then left before I could be spotted. By the time I got back to Sarah's apartment, Mary was waiting outside for me, having finished her chat with my niece. Of course, she didn't fill me in on the details, but declared that the two of them had found common ground in their shared enemy – Viticulture.

She then told me not to worry about anything beyond this point, as the two of them could handle things.

Naturally, I wasn't convinced.

[][Viticulture] So, I resolved to talk to Sarah about this after we were done with Lulu. (locks in Iris's route after this one completes)
[][Viticulture] But, I was willing to wait a bit longer for answers from them. (does not lock in anything; may choose next route freely)

I didn't say so to Mary's face though, and we had a nice bus ride back to our neighborhood. I had a dream of a rogue White Fairy Knight battling a unicorn and a dragon, and woke up peacefully not long after the evil "hero" was slain. Maybe it'll be a premonition of things to come...

The thought of it made me shiver in my bed.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. I worked alone today with the Calderon kids. Started off pretty distracted by things to come, but once it was clear that they'd noticed, I sharpened up and go them focused too. Juno also noticed when she briefly stopped by the kitchen for tea, but I was able to deflect by claiming it was a personal matter. That's true and all, but it's not my personal matter.

She simply wished that whatever I was going through, it ended well for me.

I hope so too.

After finishing up with work, I take a bus and train up to Diamondwood High School. I'm the last one there and I arrive with the sun almost fully set in the distance. Sarah and Mary are once again in a glaring match; Aster and Violet are making sure things don't explode; and Rosalyn is cuddling Lulu's plushy body in her arms. She's the first to notice me and opens her mouth to call me over before thinking better of it and clamming up. Not sure who could be listening in, after all.

Mary: Ah, Kenny, there you are~. Are you ready?

I nod and get out my phone.

Me: I should be asking if you all are ready. I told Florence I'd be alone.

Mary: And you will be. Don't mind us now~.

She then shepherds everyone else away into nearby tree cover, further annoying my niece with her lack of explanation. I leave them to it and text Florence while walking over to one of the gates. The guards give me a curious look but otherwise ignore me, and Florence arrives only a few minutes later to let me in.

And he's brought none other than who I presume to be Jack Dunbar with him.

???: Hmph! This is the guy?

The boy's brown eyes look me up and down with disdain. He's only a bit shorter than me and his suntanned skin contrasts sharply with the school's white-and-silver school uniform. His outfit is sharp and his brown hair (with blonde tips) is messy. He grunts and turns to Florence for conformation. Florence looks about the same as last time, and addresses Jack with a warm smile on his face.

Florence: Yes, indeed. Jack, this is Mr. Kentarou Kennedy. Ken, this is Jack Dunbar.

Me: It's good to meet you.

Jack rolls his eyes at my attempt to be diplomatic.

Jack: Whatever. You want to talk to me about something?

Me: Ah, yes. But I was hoping we could do this in private...?

Florence understands what I'm getting at immediately, and leads us all into the main castle of Diamondwood High School. The school's scent is as sweet as usual, and thick in the air. I breathe in deeply and relax a bit. Jack, however, remains on edge as we walk over to a small office with a water cooler in the corner. Vines and flowers decorate the space, covering the gray walls, but the scent is much milder. Other than a small window on the door, we're entirely isolated from the outside world. Florence has us sit around a small round table. I can't escape Jack's agitated stare.

Similarly, Jack can't escape from my words.

Me: Yes, Jack. I wanted to talk to you. It's about these incidents...

Jack perks up from his slumped sitting position, maybe confused and maybe concerned.

He then promptly gives me a confused look as I pull out Violet's incense.

Me: I hope you don't mind if I lit this up as we talk. I find the scent of violet incense soothing.

He rolls his eyes again.

Jack: Well, I can't stop you.

And Florence, not minding, lets me light it up. The air turns sweeter and dryer. Jack coughs and grunts at me, but I tell him not to worry – he'll get used to it.

Jack: There better not be anything weird in that smoke. I'll sue if you poison me.

Me: I've got no reason to hurt you.

Though I know someone who does, and so very much.

Me: Now Jack, you and your friends were all attacked by a... something, right? It wasn't just an ordinary person.

Both Florence and Jack give me bewildered looks. While Florence remains confused and silent, Jack glares at me and stands up, leaning over the table towards me.

Jack: Huh!? And just what do you mean by that?

I shake my head, feigning a lack of concern and noting that he's between me and the door.

Me: Come on now, Jack. Given how mangled your friend's corpses were, it's only natural to assume that no human could have been so cruel to their bodies. However, if you've seen something that indicates otherwise – that this was just the work of an ordinary killer – that would also be good to know. Because I know that you've seen something, and I'd like to know what it was. So, if you don't mind...

Jack's eyes only narrow further.

Jack: You... you're acting like you know something, and I don't like that. How about you tell me what you know first? It's not like I have to speak without my lawyer present, after all.

I grimace. Ugh... if he won't talk, then it'll be hard for me to stall for time. I'll have to come up with something fast!

I force my grimace into a smirk and lean back into my seat. Here goes nothing.

Me: Heheh... oh Jack, I know more than you could possibly guess. I've heard the rumors about you and Molly. And that's not all I know. Tell me, does the name Lulu Drake mean anything to you?

Jack's eyes go wide and he's stunned for a moment before he stands up straight, glaring down at me like I'm an unwanted pest.

Jack: What's it to you? Yeah, I knew her. Haven't seen her in a while, though.

Me: And I'm sure you like that. You and Molly didn't appreciate having her around.

Jack: So what? Is that a crime?

I lean back and try to relax as much as I can. I have to be ready for whatever he does next.

Me: No, but making her disappear would be, wouldn't it?

Jack blurts out his next sentence before he realizes that he shouldn't.

Jack: You can't prove that we did anything! You'll never find...!!!

He recoils like I hit him, bouncing back towards the door, covering his mouth in horror. He glances over at Florence who looks just as horrified as the kid, and just a mite mortified. He ought to be for keeping this kind of a secret. But before I can say anything, Jack seems to have a realization, looking down at Violet's incense...!?

Jack: You... you did something to me! This is magic! How can you be doing magic!? You're not like Molly or... gah! I need to get out of here and warn her!

He turns to run, and the next few seconds stretch out as if painted on a film reel.

I leap up to follow him, but...

Jack: I don't think so!

...he kicks back and knocks the table over at me, also knocking over Violet's lit incense. I duck out of the way towards him, while Florence flees towards the wall. Rather than stick around, Jack dashes out of the room and down the hallway. I have to rush and put out the incense, so Jack is long gone by the time I can peek outside of the office. Damn!

Florence: Ken, wha-what was that?

I'm not inclined to answer. He's recovered, already putting the table back in place, I could leave him be and go track down Jack. But, is it really safe to leave him alone? He's involved in this whole thing too, after all...

I can't afford to spend too much time thinking about this.

I will...

[] ...go after Jack by myself. I'll have to risk getting lost in here.
[] ...go after Jack with Florence in tow. I have to keep an eye on him.
[] ...call in help. Aster and Violet can send Mary in after retreating.
[] ...get out of here entirely. I need to regroup with the others outside.

QM Note: And we're back! I would have liked to get this out earlier, but the length of it got ahead of me. This time I'm going to try having a timer on the vote from the beginning, so we'll see how that works out.

...get moving with Florence by my side.

Me: You're coming with me, Florence.

He's taken aback for a moment.

Florence: Huh!? Me? What did I do? ...and what were you trying to do here anyway? I didn't take you for a cop.

I scoff and shake my head.

Me: As if! No, I'm an ordinary man searching for the truth.

Florence looks me up and down.

Florence: Right, of course you are.

Me: It's the truth, whether you like it or not. Here's another truth: we need to Jack before he does something else that you or he will regret. And I don't want you slipping away either. Now follow me! I could use some help getting around this place.

I start walking out, but Florence stops me with a grab to my shoulder.

Florence: Ken, you don't want to get any further involved in this. Look, if you let me lead you out now, I can cover for you. Jack and Molly will listen to me. I'll keep them from retaliating against you. No one else has to know that you were even interested in these incidents, or that... anyone else is missing.

I stare him dead in the eyes, gaze cold.

Me: If those two kids really do listen to you, Mr. Bowie, then why is Lulu dead? Are you saying you approved of her murder? Or is the truth that they're completely out of your control, and you're stuck here covering for them?

He flinches and doesn't answer. He can't. He's got nothing that he can say to defend himself.

Me: Well, Florence, you got any idea where he might have gone?

He shakes his head.

Florence: No, but he's got to be looking for Molly. I didn't know she stuck around – she wasn't there when Jack met with me. She could be anywhere in here, or even in one of the other buildings or outside.

And then we'll lose them both.

I pull out my phone to Florence's confusion, and send out a text to Rosalyn.


For a brief moment, I consider also sending a message to my niece. I know they have to be in the school somewhere, though I don't know where exactly. If Molly happens to run into Lulu or vice versa then they'll definitely get into a fight. ...then again, would that really be a bad thing? My niece is there, and Molly can't handle the two of them. We know that from experience.

Florence speaks up and catches my attention as Rosalyn responds with news that help is on the way.

Florence: Who are you texting, your niece? Is she around? I should have figured that you didn't actually come alone...

I don't answer his question. He doesn't deserve one.

Me: Every moment we stick around here is another moment for Jack to get away. Now come with me!

This time Florence passively follows me into the hallway, and I have to shuffle him into taking the front. Jack's little outburst drew in attention. Curious and concerned fellow teachers, along with a few students, have come around asking if everything's alright. Sounds like they didn't actually hear the conversation, but did hear the table crash and Jack slamming open the door and stomping through the hallways.

I ask which way Jack went and thankfully someone knows and points us the right way. Florence admits that we were discussing the recent incidents, but then deflects that Jack was just upset over talking about them again. The crowd doesn't start dispersing until Florence says that he and I will be checking up on him to make sure he's okay. I'm only concerned about him being in one piece, but don't contradict Florence.

This gets almost everyone to go and leave us be.

Almost everyone.

Florence: Henry, I'm telling you, we can handle it...

One man has decided to make our business his own.

Henry: Hmph! If you could handle it, then Jack wouldn't have run off. I'm going with you, and I won't hear any complaints. Especially not from you... I bet you're the cause of this little disturbance, Mister...

Me: Kentarou Kennedy.

It's say it's nice to meet him, this Mr. Henry Odell, but that would be a lie.

Me: Apologies. I'll be out of your hair once this is all over.

The man scoffs once more, glaring at me with his gray eyes and gesturing to his shaved head.

Henry: Haha, very funny. Yeah, you'd better leave... I ought to show you the door now.

Thankfully, Florence comes to my defense, explaining that I'd been investigating the recent deaths and thus wanted to talk to Jack about them since he was a target. I add that I was hoping that his testimony might be helpful in catching the culprit, but it seemed that I just upset him instead. So, I'd like to apologize. That gets Henry to finally relax, though it doesn't get him to leave us be.

So, the three of us are in the hallways together when a loud noise suddenly sounds out!


Me: What is that!?

The sound of ringing bells is loud and blares through the hallway, seemingly coming from everywhere.


Florence: That's the alarm!?

Henry: But why is it ringing now?

Florence: Ah! Maybe Jack pulled it?

Henry: Tch! He better not have!


Henry grumbles something under his breath but I don't catch it on account of a sudden buzzing in my pocket. My niece is calling me...? I pick up the phone and answer in a flash, and get her frantic voice from the other end.

Sarah: Uncle, what's going on!? The alarm suddenly started blaring! Worse still, Lulu's out of it!

Me: Huh!? What do you mean by that!?


I can't keep my voice down, so Henry and Florence both ask who I'm talking to. Well, only Florence asks; with Henry its more of a demand. I can be somewhat honest here and shout that it's an urgent family matter over the bells. Florence nods while Henry grudgingly demands that I follow him out of the building, just in case there's a real emergency. The only emergency here is Jack getting away...

...but I don't say that. Besides, I need to hear out my panicked niece anyway.

Sarah: Lulu fell over clutching her ears as soon as the bells started going off. I guess she's sensitive to loud noises.


Can't say I blame her. They're pretty obnoxious.

Sarah: We haven't found her body yet, and I have us hiding in a closet out of sight for now.

I nod as she speaks, and then lower my voice to as much of a whisper as I can.

Me: Good, good. Do you have any of that holy water for her?

Sarah: Ah... no. Sorry, I didn't think we'd need any. Uncle, there's no way we can continue like this...

(see QM notes for likely consequences of each vote)
[] Sarah then suggests retreating from the school for now, which I wholeheartedly support given the current situation.
[] I then suggest having Lulu swap to her plush form and letting Sarah continue on, which the two are quite happy to do.
[] Lulu suggests pushing on as is anyway... no, we're going to prioritize Lulu's health and safety, even if she isn't.

We discuss the matter for only a few moments longer before we're set on our path and she hangs up.

And I return to the world around me just in time for a rude awakening.

We, along with plenty of other people, have made our way to the nearest exit. But two people with ill intentions have entered the building instead.

Guard #1: Hey! Is that the guy Jack mentioned!?

Two security guards in blue and silver are scanning the crowd. Looks like they've been searching for me! One of them looks directly at me and points me out, beckoning others to turn and look at me, the out-of-place man, a stranger and supposed infiltrator.

Guard #2: You, over there! Stay where you are!

I flinch and back up. Jack moves fast!

Florence: Huh? Ken, where are you-!?

Henry: Hey, don't run! Get back here!

Henry tries to grab at me, but I slip out of the way. He doesn't follow me, but the two cops do, mace-shaped batons out and at the ready. Wasn't I supposed to have backup!? Where is-!?

My train of thought and my escape are both halted by the sounds of crashing glass, both near and far. I can guess what's going on far away, but near me...

???: Kentarou... are these men troubling you?

Someone in a blood-red hooded cloak has crashed through the windows (despite a door being nearby) and put themselves between me and the two guards. Her (?) voice... I recognize it from somewhere, but can't tell who it belongs to. It also sounds submerged somehow, like she's speaking from underground. Her back is to me, so it's not like I can see who she is either.

Guard #1: Alright lady, you're under arrest too.

Guard #2: Stay right where you are... okay...

One of them takes out two pairs of handcuffs and the two of them slowly approach my mysterious savior, who then addresses me.

???: Kentarou... Mary has asked me to stay by your side. Where do you need to go?

I blink.

Right. Jack and Molly. Got to get to them before things even more out of hand. But where to go first...

The guards are moving in, so I better decide quick!

(see QM notes for likely consequences of each vote)
[] We need to find Jack... so let's retreat and go search for him!
[] We need to find Jack... but take out the guards before we look.
[] That crashing must be Molly! I can't let her fight Lulu here!
[] Just get me out of here, I can trust Sarah to take care of herself.
[] (perhaps there's another approach...?)

QM Note: A retreating Sarah avoids all fights but also doesn't find Lulu's body. A non-retreating Sarah will fight Molly, who may or may not retreat depending on if Sarah gets backup. Meanwhile, Jack will definitely get away unless chased down here, and would need to be pursued again later.