Monday, February 4, 2019

Maggie the Manga Maniac: Volume 1 - Of Sisters and Bonds


Volume 1 – Of Sisters and Bonds
Narrator – When two girls, Maggie and Lily, were mere infants, their mother, Maylene, tried to guarantee the protection of their home city. She traveled the globe and found a source of power deep beneath the surface. A power that forced her to give up her humanity to ensure the survival of her children. This, however, gave this sinister power control over her body and transformed her into a vicious monster.
Maylene attacked her home and killed her husband in the process. Her husband’s blood splattered over her children, which gave them some of his power. Maylene had a moment of clarity then and bestowed part of her power to them. The energy within the two infants combined to repel their mother away from the city and sealed her off where she found her power…for the time being. It is said that the sister’s mother will be released once they are of age to fight her. Their parents’ teacher has been teaching them since they grew able to.
*Maggie and Lily are practicing their fighting. Maggie is good with a sword while Lily is skilled with her dual pistols*
Lily – You’re good at fighting, little sis, but you aren’t as good as me!
*Maggie swings around her sword as if it were as light as a feather. She’s skilled enough to cut bullets in mid-air and even deflect them*
Maggie – Little sis? Look who’s talking, shrimp!
Lily – Shrimp?!
*Lily launches a barrage of bullets at her sister*
Lily – Who do you think you’re calling, shrimp?!
*Maggie rapidly slashes the air in front of her while several the bullets manage to graze her and skin and clothes. Maggie’s slashes fly at Lily. She uses her small size and agility to dodge her sister’s attacks, but a few slashes manage to hit them. Their teacher enters their training arena to see what the ruckus is*
Siri-senpai – What the hell is going on here?!
*Siri finds Maggie and Lily with cuts from their fight and most of their clothes are damaged*
Maggie – Can you stop treating me like your little sister when you look like a twelve-year-old?!
Lily – I’ll have you know that I’m a healthy twenty-five-year-old woman. I’m at the peak of my youthful beauty. Don’t be jealous because you’re going to grow old and grey faster than me.
Maggie – Take that back!
Siri-senpai – Girls!
Maggie & Lily – Siri-senpai!
*The two sisters bow and are then hit on the head with the butt of Siri’s broadsword*
Siri-senpai – If you’re going to take out your anger, then use it on something useful like helping each other improve than trying to kill each other!
Maggie & Lily – Yes, ma’am!
Siri-senpai – Fix yourselves up then come back to fight me. Let me see how much you’ve grown.
*The sisters change their clothing, clean themselves, then go back to fight Siri. Despite their individual strength, Maggie and Lily can barely land a scratch on their teacher. Even though she is only armed with a broadsword, the end of Siri’s hair and kimono are as sharp as blades and can be controlled by her mind to help her defend and attack. Siri knocks both girls to the ground and wins the fight*
Siri-senpai – You both fight well, but you work terribly together. There’s barely a sense of cohesion and you don’t use your strengths to address each other’s weakness.
Maggie & Lily – We’re sorry, Siri-senpai! We promise to get better.
*The sisters are hit on the head again*
Siri-senpai – You always say that, but you only make small improvements after that! How are you going to defeat your mother when she arrives?!
*The sisters are silent and worried about their current status. Siri reads their expressions and can see that they understand their mistakes*
Siri-senpai – We’ll take about this more when you get back home from college.
Maggie & Lily – Yes, ma’am.
*The sisters dress out of their battle attire and into normal clothes. Along the way to college, they talk about their present situation*
Maggie – Man, I wish we didn’t have to go to school. We’re supposed to be training to save the world.
Lily – But then what are we going to do after that? You can’t be so short-sighted. We have to do something after we save the world.
Maggie – You don’t think the world is going to set us up for life after saving everyone? Besides, you like going to school because you like attracting people.
Lily – I can’t help it if people find me cute and want to talk to me.
Maggie – Cute? Sure. With that jailbait look of yours, you’re bound to attract a bunch of creepy men.
Lily – Jailbait?! I’m an adult, just look at me!
Maggie – Having your tits out all the time doesn’t make you look like an adult! It makes you look like a teenager with daddy issues!
Lily – And you’re supposed to be dressed modestly? You look like a girl who gives “happy endings” at a massage parlor because she didn’t make it as a street whore!
Maggie – Take that back!
Lily – You first!
*The sisters fight each other along the way to school with people looking at them as if the two sisters were crazy. Once they get to school, they see that no one is around, which makes them stop their fighting*
Lily – Where is everyone?
Maggie – I don’t know. Maybe we have the day off.
Lily – Be more serious about this. Something isn’t right.
*Shadowy figures look down on the sisters from distance. Lily catches sight of them and draws her pistols then shoots them. Maggie summons her sword from her hand and readies herself*
Maggie – What’s out there?
Lily – I don’t know but be on the lookout.
*Several figures leap out at Maggie, but she manages to cut them down before they touch her*
Maggie – What are these things?
Lily – They’re spirits that are born out of the stresses of life. These ones are of college and growing up.
Maggie – No wonder why they look so disgusting.
Lily – If the spirits are here, then that means…
Maggie – Mom shouldn’t be too far behind.
Lily – Look out! We got company!
*More spirits arrive and attack the sisters. Their training is starting to pay off as they manage to dispatch them. Seeing their fighting patterns, the spirits take advantage of the sisters’ solo fighting style and unite into one huge spirit with multiple arms heads and legs. Together, the spirits manage to overpower the sisters and beat them down*
Lily – We’re going to have to fight together just like Siri-senpai said.
Maggie – What do you have in mind?
Lily – We’ll do what they’re doing.
Maggie – Right. I see what you’re saying.
*Maggie and Lily fight alongside one another instead of individually. They cover for each other when the other is getting attacked and attack when the other opens the spirit to an attack. Together, they defeat the spirit after a united attack on the core that bound them together. The sisters look at one another then high-five each other. They then find the students and staff clustered inside and waking up after being knocked unconscious*
Maggie – We should probably report this to Siri-senpai.
Lily – You’re not saying that to get out of class, are you?
Maggie – No. At least not really, but seriously.
Lily – You’re right. Besides, I doubt we’ll have class because of this.
*Maggie and Lily head back home and tell Siri what happened*
Siri-senpai – I see…
*Siri paces back and forth*
Siri-senpai – Your father and mother were two of my best students. Your father instilled in you part of his power while your mother surprisingly was conscious enough to do the same to you when she was first being possessed. The battle with her isn’t going to be easy even if I help you though I am glad that you two have finally managed to learn to work together. It just took a real challenge to do it.
*Siri puts her hands on the shoulders of the sisters*
Siri-senpai – I’m proud of you two. I’m not sure if there’s anything else I can teach you besides through training.
*The sisters look at one another then ask*
Maggie & Lily – Uhh. There is one thing we’d like to know.
Siri-senpai – Oh? What is it?
Maggie & Lily – How do you manage to still look so young when you’re so old?
*Siri is stunned yet feels flattered*
Maggie – I want to know how you manage to keep your youth. I’m the only one here who looks my age and I fear that I’m going to look old and shriveled when I get as old as you.
Lily – I want to know how to look so mature and young at the same time. You look like you haven’t aged since your thirties and I don’t want to age as fast as my sister.
Maggie – What’s that supposed to mean?
Lily – I’m not saying there isn’t beauty in age, but I’d rather look pretty, than-
Maggie & Siri – Than what?!
Siri-senpai – I’ll tell you, girls, the secret to my beauty.
*The sisters listen attentively*
Siri-senpai – All it takes is a healthy diet and daily training to keep your face and body looking beautiful even in your old age.
Maggie – That doesn’t help me! I’ve been doing that and I’m still aging like normal! If I slack a couple days, then I get fat and my clothes feel tight.
Lily – Maybe I should slack like Maggie because she gets results.
*Siri hits them both on the head*
Siri-senpai – Maybe you should both get some beauty rest so you can appreciate my wisdom!
Maggie & Lily – Yes, ma’am!
*While the two sisters rest in their beds, Maggie reads her manga books to help her rest her mind. Lily, on the other hand, reads normal fiction*
Lily – Why do you still read those?
Maggie – They’re fun.
Lily – Why don’t you read a real book for once?
Maggie – These are real books. All of these volumes make one huge story filled with interesting characters and-
Lily – Okay, whatever you say.
Maggie – Hmph.
*Maggie continues reading her manga filled with violence and gore. Her smile at it gets her sister’s attention*
Lily – ‘I wonder what she sees in her books…’
*Maggie comes across a part where a young, weak character uses her chipped knife is victorious and her smile widens. When she falls asleep, she dreams of her and her sister fighting. She emerges victorious and earns the praise of people along with a man’s hand in marriage. The feeling of happiness of is finally hers. The feeling becomes so intense that she wakes up. She looks over at her sister who is sleeping peacefully and frowns. Memories of an uneventful and sad life filled with sprinkles of light moments that barely satisfies her pass her mind in the blink of an eye. She disregards her feelings of them for now and goes to sleep.
Once the morning arrives, the sisters get to their usual training, but Siri is involved with them this time. Something comes across Siri’s mind and she stops the training*
Siri-senpai – Since spirits are showing up in the city and you learned so much yesterday, I think it would be a good idea for you two to patrol the city.
Maggie & Lily – Yes!
*The sisters quickly bow their heads with their hands over their head*
Maggie & Lily – Th-thank you, Siri-senpai!
Siri-senpai – You’re welcome. ‘Do I really hit them on the head to the point where they’re always expecting it?’ I’ll be out patrolling too, so if you need help, I’ll be there.
*Siri patrols on her own while the sister patrol together to practice their teamwork. Since their mother is getting closer, there are dozens of spirits in the city, which allows the sisters to fight a lot. They’re both having a great time though Maggie wishes someone would notice their skills and praise them. Nevertheless, the sisters have a good time out together. When they finally get a break, they stop by the marketplace where they usually liked to shop. This place is filled with unconscious people and spirits. After clearing the area, the sisters browse the empty shops with Maggie being in the comics and manga store. She smiles at the new volumes of her favorite series being out. Lily stops by the store to check up on her sister*
Lily – ‘Hmm. Back at it again with those comics…’ Are you getting your daily dose of violence and fan service?
Maggie – These books aren’t just those things. They-
Lily – I know what they are. I’m not making fun of you, I’m just joking around.
Maggie – Hmph. Well, did you find any new outfits to make your tits look better or are you at your limit for the amount of cleavage you want to show?
Lily – ‘Don’t let her get to you. Be the big sister…’ I…I didn’t.
*Lily sees that her sister is wrapped up in her books*
Lily – Maggie…the reason why I wear these clothes the way I do is because they help me feel older.
*Maggie stops reading her books and turns to look at Lily*
Lily – I want to be the older sister that you can depend on and these clothes help me feel that way. I know life hasn’t been easy for us since we’ve been training our entire lives just to kill our mother.
*Maggie completely turns around and lowers her book down with a look of concern*
Lily – We don’t have any friends or family besides Siri-senpai, so we’re the only people who understand what we’re going through. I want to remind you that you can always depend on me whenever you feel weak or sad. We don’t always have times where we feel happy or completely relaxed, but we will soon. I love you, Maggie. Please, don’t forget that.
*Maggie drops her book with tears welling up in her eyes*
Maggie – I love you too, Lily. I can’t always handle living like this, so I hide from reality by reading all of these stories. I want to live a happier life with you, Siri-senpai, and other people when this is all over. I want us to be happy and I’ll do anything to make that happen! I’ll sacrifice myself if I have to-
*Lily slaps Maggie*
Lily – Don’t talk like that! We’re all going to be okay after we fulfill our destiny! We’re going to be happy, get married, and live happily together with a real family and everything!
Maggie – You bet! I’m sorry I-
*Lily hugs her sister with tears flowing from her eyes*
Lily – Don’t be sorry, Maggie…
*Maggie hugs her sister back as they cry, and their bond strengthens. Siri looks over the two from a distance with a smile. She then senses a presence approaches and turns around with her sword in her hand to see, Maylene, the mother of the sisters. Siri is surprised, but fixes her expression to a serious one and slowly circles Maylene, who is calm and has a smile on her face*
Maylene – Hello, Siri. You don’t need to worry about me attack you and my daughters. I’ll do that tomorrow.
*Siri attacks Maylene with her broadsword, kimono, and hair blade all at once so Maylene can’t avoid her attack, but they are all deflected. Siri staggers and before she knows it, Maylene has her knife-like fingers to her throat. Siri is stunned by her ex-student while Maylene’s smile grows*
Maylene – I was always your best student. I was even better than you.
Siri-senpai – Please, Maylene. You broke free from that sinister power before. You can do it again. I can help you.
Maylene – Heh. I don’t need your help with anything. The Maylene you knew is dead and buried. If you aren’t ready by tomorrow, then everything in this city will be mine.
*Maylene calmly walks away because she knows Siri won’t attack her again. Siri then falls to her knees before looking back at the sisters, which restores some hope in her. The sisters sleep soundly tonight. Siri stops by to get that feeling of hope again and finds Maylene in their room to Siri’s shock. The possessed mother is stroking the hair of her daughters, who seem to be at peace. Siri has her weapons at the ready while being extremely cautious while entering the room. Maylene keeps petting her daughters until she’s satisfied then walks out of the room. Siri follows Maylene until she stops at a photo of her husband. She grabs the photo and touches her husband’s face for a few seconds before putting the photo back*
Siri-senpai – …Maylene?
Maylene – I’m going to stay here tonight if you don’t mind.
Siri-senpai – Why?
Maylene – So you three don’t need to worry about finding me or fighting through a legion of spirits before you get to me. I thought I’d make things easier for you.
Siri-senpai – Well, you still have part of your gracious side it seems.
Maylene – I’ll be staying in my old room. You don’t need to worry about me killing any of you in your sleep.
*Siri follows Maylene to her room until her old student lays in bed. She watches her until she falls asleep before closing the door behind her and keeping watch until she herself falls asleep. When she wakes up, Siri sees that she’s been put in bed. She leaps up as soon as she notices the sound of burning and runs to the kitchen to see Maylene making breakfast. Four plates are set out and it seems like she’s making pancakes*
Maylene – Remember when we used to make these on big days or on celebrations, Siri?
*Siri stays silent as she observes Maylene cooking*
Maylene – I didn’t put anything poisonous in the food if that’s what you’re wondering. I don’t even really know why I’m doing this if I’m honest with you.
Siri – Maylene…Please, snap out of it! You can break this curse on you. I know you can!
Maylene – Sorry to disappoint you, “senpai”, but that’s not going to happen.
*Maggie and Lily are up and dressed. They groggily walk towards the kitchen*
Maggie – What’s all the commotion?
*The sisters are stunned when they see their mother making breakfast in the kitchen. She’s just finished making the pancakes and puts it on the plates with strawberries and blueberries*
Maggie & Lily – M-mother?
*Maylene smiles*
Maylene – That’s right. I’m so glad to finally hear you two say that.
Maggie – Siri-senpai?
Siri-senpai – I don’t know what’s happening either.
Maylene – Eat your breakfast so you can be ready for the fight today.
Maggie – Mom?
*Maggie reaches out for her mother, but she points her knife fingers at her in return. Lily draws her weapons and Siri takes out her sword while Maggie stands still upset that her mother seemed so normal at first, but quickly proved that she wasn’t*
Maylene – Sit down, honey.
*The four women sit down and quietly eat breakfast. Maylene eats peacefully while the other three are on edge*
Maylene – So do you girls have any boyfriends yet?
Lily – No. We’ve been training our entire lives to kill you. We’ll make our friends and get our boyfriends then.
Maylene – You girls must’ve had such sad lives then. It’s no wonder why Maggie reached out to me. Siri, have you really been abusing my children this way?
Siri-senpai – It’s not abuse. They needed to live this way so they could go strong enough to defeat you.
Maylene – I don’t care. If anything, they should’ve had some friends so they could be happy.
Siri-senpai – They are happy. We’re a family that loves each other and looks out for one another. Isn’t that right, girls?
Maggie & Lily – Right!
*Maggie’s doubt is heard in her voice and Maylene hears it. Maggie notices what her mother does and looks away*
Maylene – I doubt it. There are some things that only a mother can see.
*Siri looks at Maggie, who she notices that Maylene is focusing on*
Siri-senpai – Maggie?
Maggie – I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.
Maylene – Look how eager she is to obtain her happy life.
Maggie – That’s not it.
Maylene – You can’t lie to your mother.
Maggie – You don’t know me!
*Maggie takes out her sword and hits her mother, but she blocks her sword with her bare arms*
Maylene – I like your fighting spirit. I remember your father having it as well.
Maggie – Don’t you talk about him!
*Maggie spins around and hits her mother through the wall and into the training area. She goes after her and clashes with her until she’s hit away. Siri and Lily join the fight. Together, the three women manage to get a couple hits in even though they take some hits themselves*
Maylene – You’ve taught them well, Siri.
Siri-senpai – Of course I did.
*Maylene is smacked into a wall by the combined force of the three women*
Maylene – I’m so proud of you girls, my daughters. You make your mom so happy.
Maggie – Stop this mom! You can fight this curse that’s possessing you!
Maylene – I’m sorry, Maggie, but that isn’t going to happen. After I beat you, you’re going to share in the power I have. You can get the happiness you want, Maggie. Why even wait? Just come to mommy and I’ll give you what your heart’s desires.
Maggie – I…I won’t!
Maylene – That’s a shame. I thought you were the one who had more sense than your sister.
*Maylene frees herself from the wall as power begins flowing through her body. She’s now able to move at faster speeds, take more hits, and is stronger. The three now have a harder time hitting and pushing back Maylene even when they combine their attacks. They’re at their wits end with bruises and cuts all over their body with most of the building heavily damaged from the fighting. Seeing Lily and Siri heavily injured gives Maggie the strength to push forward and continue the fight with her mother. She fights well until her injuries get to her and she’s kicked back. Maylene tries finishing her off, but Siri jumps in front of Maggie to take the hit. Because of the hit, Siri is immobile on the floor. Maggie and Lily look at their broken master in shock*
Maylene – You can’t beat me. How about you two just be good girls and come to mommy?
Lily – N-no! We’ll never give up! Maggie!
*Lily shakes Maggie who is still in shock*
Lily – Come on! We can do this together.
Maggie – I…don’t…
Lily – Yes, we can! Look at me, Maggie. I’m your older sister and I will always protect and love you.
*Maggie looks at her sister*
Maggie – I…I trust you, sister.
*Power begins to radiate from the sisters. A power bestowed upon them by their parents. The sisters now glow with Maggie glowing red and Lily glowing pink. This awakened power allows them to take on their mother until they eventually defeat her with a combined attack. In her last moments, Maylene’s eyes turn back to their normal color*
Maylene – I love you, Maggie…Lily…
*Maylene is then killed thanks to the combined strength and sisterly bond of Maggie and Lily. The sisters then bandage and heal their teacher*
Siri-senpai – Heh, I knew you two would do it. I’m so proud of you.
*The sisters hug their master*
Siri-senpai – Easy there. Injuries do more to this old woman than you think.
*The three women laugh before Siri’s injuries are patched up. They then bury Maylene’s body in the garden alongside her husband’s*
Maggie – ‘This isn’t the ending I thought I would get. I expected it to be more like the stories I read. I expected to attract someone after the battle.’
*Maggie looks at Siri and Lily*
Maggie – But I guess this is fine…for now.
*Siri contacts the authority of the city and is able to reconstruct their training dojo thanks to her connections. Meanwhile, Maggie and Lily head out for another day of school*
Maggie – So, what are you planning to do with your new life?
Lily – I’ll probably become a police officer. What about you?
Maggie – I don’t know yet.
Lily – Don’t tell me you’re going to be a shut-in weebo loser who does nothing but read manga, watch anime, and play video games all day.
Maggie – I’m not going to be a loser! Take that back!
Lily – You don’t have a plan. You’ll become a loser if you don’t make one up soon.
Maggie – Oh yeah? Well, you’re going to be part of some pervert’s wet dreams if you don’t start wearing proper clothes!
Lily – Shut up!
Maggie – You’re going to be a cop, but you look like you’re going to be a slutty cop who gets off on cuffing people!
Lily – That’s it!
*The sisters start fighting each other like always as they walk to school. Meanwhile, deep beneath the surface of the earth, Maylene is reborn by sinister forces. She smiles as a single tear falls from her eyes*

END of Volume 1

Since I don't know of any specific songs that can relate to this story, I'll be posting some of my favorite songs from anime. Here is one from my favorite animes, Devilman Crybaby. Débilman No Uta - Devilman Crybaby.

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