Sam had done a lot of cruel things in his time, it was to survive, and to be on top, you didn't stay in the business by being nice, those who did ended up dead. But even he had lines he didn't cross. There was a reason they had to keep filth like molesters separate from other convicts in prison so the other inmates didn't kill them. There had been a lot he'd put up with from these girls who claimed they were fighting for rainbows and puppies. But this was over the line!
"You actually sending a three year old into battle against monsters?!"
"Oh she gets cranky around nap time, but she's actually one of our strongest power houses. She's so pure and innocent now that just getting close to her weakens Shattered Ones. But she's not as tough as the big three."
"Big three?"
"Were you awake for orientation? The little girls who became the 'first' magical-girls. Atomic Anne became the forth created."
"Oh right, the three in the little miko costumes."
"Oh they've powered up since then. They're called now the Sanshu no Jingi, named after the 'Three Sacred Treasures' of the Japanese royal family. They also each use a weapon in style of that, the sword, the mirror, and the prayer beads, with their new names matching their sacred treasure. And no, Mirror Mira is NOT one of them.
"Though . . . heh, there are little theories going around tiny bits of the Star Stone fell to Earth before, resulting in magical girls who existed before that, Stephanie Sparkle even gave the theory that THE Eve and THE Lilith (not me) were the first Magical Girl and Shattered One respectively. But that could just be 'fanfiction' as they say. Sounds like her grasping at straws to me. But who can say? All that matter is to you is that you better prepare to kiss your Y chromosome and good-old puberty bye-bye, because you won't be seeing them again. Otherwise you're gonna have some miserable time during the transition."
"How long . . . does it take?"
"Depends upon the person. But trust me, you don't want to drag your feet. I told you about Ruby Robin." Lilly pulled out a clipboard. "And it says your cell mate is Phoenix Polly. So yes, I think it's safe to say you've seen what happens if you drag your feet." She kicked Sam in the shins. "Now move along! Time for eating! You're a convict! You did WRONG to end up here! And this is still a prison and I'm your prison guard! Future sister or not." She poked Sam with that red star staff of hers.
He saw on the ID of Lee Chin what looked like a little girl playing cosplay of Chung-Li from Street Fighter but without the spikes. The ID read Kicking Kodachi. He didn't see what the others' ID were.
"What about uniforms?" Sam dared ask.
"That's the fun part." Lilly grinned. "What you're wearing will eventually turn into your magical girl costume. Or at least into a pretty dress for my new little sister to wear."
"If that alien rock hadn't zapped you, these girls would have killed you without a second thought you know."
She kicked me again. "Like I haven't heard that one before. Listen, idiot: when Shattered Ones come at me, they try to kill me the same as any MG, the more intelligent ones only think: 'kill the mongrel', I owe them nothing. I was less than an attack dog. Dogs at least are loyal. My fellow Magical Girls had done nothing but treat me like family, I owe them everything."
Okay. Sam realized. That route was a dead end.
In into the mess hall they went. It had a big happy face painted on it on the doors. And the inside looked more like a birthday party.
"HELLO! I'M PINK PETUNIA." Inside was another magical girl. Her hair was gravity defying pink, full of puffs and curls. Her costume bright pink and full of ruffles with a big happy face on it, the skirt going past her knees. "I'm in charge of making sure you baddie-one-shoes get nice and fed! And I keep you happy too!"
A black little cat-bunnie thing waved too. "And I'm New Moon! I'm Sous Chef! And before you ask, a hunger strike WON'T slow the transformation. And . . . don't trying a fast release program with the sharp utensils and your veins . . . Petunia can get . . . intense when someone does that. Just don't."
"Ahh, I wanted to see if any these scum would try to take the easy way out," Lilly said.
Mirror Mira sighed. "You're all now part of our family, developing into what you'll become. So we'll treat you with respect when we can."
"They need it hammered into their head they're here because they screwed up, and I don't mean 'because they got caught'."
Pink Petunia . . . served cupcakes, pancakes, waffles, muffins, it was more like a kid's breakfast at Disney Land than typical prison food.
Pink Petunia blew on a trumpet, dozens of balloons came out, that floated in front of each of the prisoners, the balloons popped and a piece of cake landed on their plates. "WELCOME NEW SISTERS! I just got done saying bye-bye to my new sisters who finished growing down! So now I have you to make happy!" Pink Petunia laughed and clapped.
"I'm allergic to chocolate." One man said.
"Oh sorry!"
The cake slice became vanilla.
Pink Petunia then hopped along, greeting each of the convicts, addressing them by the name tag name. "Greeting Starlight Stella." She shook the hand of Sam. And hopped along.
A part of Sam Wondered if Lilly Lilith was just saying 'bad cop' so Pink Petunia's happy go lucky attitude would be more welcome than the rest.