Chapter 43: Captain Luck
The heavy metal hatch on the top of the tank turned with a sharp hiss, then swung wide open.
Tom popped his head out, his eyes instantly scanning the magical girls standing in the intersection. Having witnessed the supernatural martial arts display from inside the hull, the crew was deeply shaken—but also intensely curious.
As he looked down, Tom noticed a faint, shimmering light right against the side of the tank's armor plating. Lying on the pavement was the girl who had been freaking out so badly before the fight. She was the same one who had landed that... legendary concrete-groin strike on the dark knight.
A low groan escaped her lips. Tom shivered just looking at her. He had seen the hit through his binoculars, but his very soul had felt the phantom pain.
As he watched, the bright magical energy around her began to crackle and dissolve. The vibrant ribbons vanished into thin air, and her frilly dress slowly faded away, replaced by a casual pair of blue jeans and a plain black T-shirt.
When the light cleared and her civilian face was fully revealed, Tom’s eyes went completely wide. He gasped, his voice cracking. "Captain Luck?!"
Down in the hull, Ari and Bianca immediately reacted to the name. Both of them forcefully shoved their heads up through the hatch at the same time, aggressively pulling Tom down into the tight space so they could get a glimpse.
Tom struggled against the squeeze, his face pressed against the rim. "H—Hey!! I am your superior officer!!"
Ari completely ignored him, squinting through the dust at the unconscious woman. "It... it really is Captain Luck!!!? Why on earth is she hanging out with these kids?!"
At that moment, the rest of the magical girls slowly walked over toward the side of the tank to gather around their fallen advisor. White kneeled down carefully beside her, gently shaking her shoulder. "Miss Marcy...? Can you hear us?"
Miss Marcy didn't stir at first, remaining completely dead to the world.
Seeing that she wasn't waking up, Tony took control of their shared voice. Leaning right over her ear, he whispered loudly, "Miss Marcy! The principal is coming, and your hidden candy bar is showing!"
Miss Marcy’s eyes snapped wide open. She screamed at the top of her lungs, shooting straight up into a sitting position like a vampire waking from a coffin. "No!! Not my nougat bar!! That greedy pig!!!"
She cut herself off, breathing heavily as she frantically looked around the ruined street. Realizing where she was, her panicked gaze locked directly onto White, her expression instantly twisting into a sharp glare.
"Tony?!" Miss Marcy snapped, pointing a finger at her. "Wait... why are you white? Aren't you supposed to be pink?!"