Zombies vs Magical Girls

Dorki led the three girls down lifeless streets, the echo of their footsteps unnervingly loud in the abandoned city. Matsui kept glancing over her shoulder, her staff poised defensively. But for now, the area appeared void of zombies.

"This place feels like Resident Evil," Reira whispered in her cold nervous voice.

Turning a corner, an imposing stadium came into view. Dorki halted, ruby eyes gleaming knowingly. "Here we are - an ideal location for your first training session."

Matsui eyed the building uncertainly. "Are you sure it's safe? What if zombies are lurking inside?" The thought of confronting more of the undead creatures made her gut clench.

"Do not fear," Dorki reassured. "I scanned the structure thoroughly. There are only a scattered few inside - perfect starter targets to practice your skills upon."

Matsui hesitated, but Jayla stepped forward eagerly, electricity already crackling around her fists. "Sounds good to me! We gotta get the hang of these powers ASAP if we're gonna save the city."

Without waiting for a response, she strode toward the stadium doors. After a shared apprehensive look, Matsui and Reira followed behind the fearless girl. The interior yawned, dark and cavernous before them.

Passing deserted concession stands, they approached the arena entrance. Matsui's heart pounded as the rink came into view below, fully expecting an ambush. But the stands were empty, only a few limp forms drifting across the ice. Zombies, but far fewer than she expected.

Dorki sailed down ahead of them, landing gracefully at rink-side. "As I foretold, only a meager few linger here." His bushy tail swished excitedly. "Simply perfect for honing your skills! Now, shall we review the basics?"

The girls gathered around, staffs in hand. Matsui tried ignoring the zombies' eerie moans echoing around the arena as Dorki began lecturing.

"Magic flows from your emotional energy," he instructed. "Channel feelings into your conduits to unleash attacks. Matsui draws on tranquility and precision. Reira, passion, and fury. Jayla, joy, and courage. Project these essences through your staffs."

The girls nodded, though Matsui felt highly uncertain about controlling her emotions so deliberately in battle. But she clutched her staff and attempted to focus on the serene, cold energy flowing into the icy gemstone.

"If you sync your emotional energies in unison, you can manifest tremendously powerful spells," Dorki continued. "This joint harmony is key to optimizing your magical potential."

"Yeah, we gotta work as a team!" Jayla said eagerly. The other two girls quickly quieted her as the zombies shuffled closer, drawn by the noise.

Dorki seemed unbothered by their impending attack. "Do not fear them. You all possess the tools now to defend yourselves and this city. Have faith in your abilities. Now, let us begin."

With that, he lifted off, levitating safely above the boards. Nodding to each other, the trio stepped onto the icy surface, immediately struggling to find their footing. The zombies changed course, sliding clumsily but steadily toward the struggling girls.

Reira was the first to react, raising her flaming staff as a creature lunged. With a scream of rage, she released a torrent of fire, reducing the zombie to charred ashes. "Ha! Not so tough after all," she cheered.

Inspired, Jayla pointed her sparking staff, spearing a nearby zombie through the chest with a lightning bolt. It collapsed, convulsing violently. "This is so badass!" she yelled excitedly.

Jayla and Reira’s confidence already astonished Matsui. Gripping her staff tightly, she waited as a zombie neared, then slashed the air while imagining a blade of ice. Crystallized wind rocketed forth, bisecting the monster. She gasped, amazed by her deadly power.

Across the ice, the girls soon fell into rhythms, relying on their signature emotions. Matsui felt her anxiety fade as she focused on tranquil precision, her blades striking zombie after zombie. Jayla's joyful laughter echoed as she blasted enemies apart. Reira burned with fiery rage, decimating all the nearby threats.

Matsui gradually noticed her senses sharpening - she could feel a presence approaching from behind and adjusted her stance accordingly. Her freezing winds grew more potent, activated nearly instinctively now. The others had similar epiphanies as their spells struck faster and more lethal.

United by passion, the trio unleashed their combined power for the first time when surrounded by zombies. The incredible force of intertwined elements decimated the horde instantly. Soon the ice shone pristine again, their training complete.

Dorki floated down, nodding approvingly. "Well done, girls. You are progressing swiftly. Hone your individual skills in harmony and no supernatural threat will stand against you."

Matsui smiled proudly. The anxiety she carried now eased. In mere hours, their magical aptitudes had grown exponentially. She allowed herself to believe that together, these powers could truly help them reclaim Tokyo from the undead invaders. But their training had only just begun.

*****

The girls caught their breath as the last zombie fell, discordant moans fading to silence across the icy rink. Matsui allowed herself a weary smile. The training session had proven successful - she could feel her magical skills already sharpening. Nearby, Jayla and Reira leaned against the boards, faces flushed with exertion but eyes alight with exhilaration.

Before anyone could relax fully, an earth-shaking roar echoed from the arena tunnel. Matsui whirled towards the sound, heart lurching. Had they missed one? The horrid noise seemed too deep and guttural to belong to their recently felled foes.

Heavy footsteps shook the concrete floor, growing steadily louder. Matsui backed up, hands clenched, white-knuckled around her staff. A massive silhouette lumbered out of the tunnel.

The zombie that emerged onto the ice was unlike anything Matsui had ever witnessed. It stood over eight feet tall, its mountainous body protected by ragged armor plates crafted from hockey gear. A goalie's mask obscured the monster's face, leaving only fiendish glowing eyes visible through the steel grille. The zombie hefted its weapon - a hockey stick carved into the shape of a deadly axe.

Matsui's knees nearly buckled. This beast could tear them apart with no effort. She turned desperately to Dorki. "What is that thing? We're not ready to fight that!"

"It looks like a boss from a horror survival video game!" Reira shouted.

Dorki regarded the zombie calmly. "Some zombies can change into stronger, intelligent beings with aggressive urges. This one will serve as your final test. Defeat that fearsome creature, and you prove yourselves ready to battle the most dangerous undead plaguing the city."

"Bring it on, ugly!" Reira yelled, blasting flames at the hulking zombie. But with surprising agility, it dodged her attack and charged forward, axe swinging. The girls scattered, the mighty blade carving a deep gouge through the ice where they had stood moments before.

The battle quickly turned frantic as the zombie pursued them relentlessly around the rink. The girls struggled to go on the offensive while avoiding its devastating strikes. Matsui froze its feet in place, but it broke free with a roar and immediately resumed its assault.

Jayla attempted to slow it with paralyzing lightning, only for the bolts to fizzle uselessly against the zombie's armored body. It smashed its axe down, missing her by inches and sending ice shards exploding through the air.

Rolling back to her feet, Jayla panted in frustration. "My lightning can't pierce that freaking armor! Now what?"

"Just keep it distracted!" Reira shouted back. With a guttural cry, she launched jets of blazing fire, trying to damage the creature through sheer force. The zombie weathered the blows, singed but unaffected.

It suddenly shot its axe forward. Reira tried twisting away, but the blade's edge grazed her side, cutting through cloth and skin. She stumbled, gritting her teeth against the pain. Blood dribbled from her wound, but not too fatal.

Matsui realized with chilling certainty that they couldn't defeat this monster alone. Their individual powers barely fazed it. As the zombie closed in for another attack, she cried out to her companions.

"We have to try to combine our powers! Do it now!"

Jayla and Reira shared a determined look, then moved to flank Matsui. Their staffs touched, gemstones blazing in unison. The zombie roared, axe raised high. At the same moment, the girls summoned all their magical might.

A tremendous explosion of ice, fire, and lightning erupted from the contact point, blasting the zombie off its feet. It flew back, smashing through the boards along the rink's edge. When the blast cleared, the monster lay charred and steaming, but still alive.

"Again!" Jayla yelled, face etched with ferocious resolve. The girls unified their emotions once more, channeling everything into their staffs. The very air crackled with power.

As the zombie clambered upright, they released the energy in a blinding cataclysm of elements. This time, the creature had no chance to evade or withstand the magical onslaught. Its armor melted away, the brute force snapping its massive body like kindling. With an echoing death wail, it crumbled to ash upon the ice.

Panting hard, the girls could only stare in amazement at the scorched crater marking their enemy's demise. The zombie's size might have nearly overwhelmed them, but united, their magic had ultimately prevailed.

Dorki glided down, ruby eyes gleaming. "Well done! You have proven yourselves ready for the struggles ahead." He turned to survey the city beyond the arena. "The battle for humanity's future begins now."

Matsui nodded firmly, feeling Reira and Jayla rally themselves beside her. But as the adrenaline rush faded, their injuries rapidly made themselves known. Gasping, Reira pressed a hand over the bloody gash along her ribs. Matsui noticed the throbbing ache permeating her whole body. Even energetic, Jayla seemed on the verge of collapse.

Noticing their worsening condition, Dorki's ears twitched with concern. "You all require healing before venturing forth." His eyes suddenly glowed with warm light. "Rest now - I will tend to your wounds."

Soothing energy washed over the girls, easing their pain. Before their eyes, torn flesh stitched itself back together. Deep bruises faded, cuts sealed over, leaving smooth skin behind. Even their magical energies felt restored.

Soon Matsui felt rejuvenated, as if she hadn't just been battling for her life moments ago. Her friends also looked revitalized. Reira stretched her torso, no trace of the gruesome slash remaining.

"Whoa, that power is insane!" Jayla remarked. "We'll be unstoppable with you around to heal us, Dorki." The creature chirped happily at her praise.

Strengthened by Dorki's magic, the trio were now eager to begin their epic battle for the city. The training gave them confidence they could save humanity from these twisted creatures. Evil would fall before their combined light.

Dorki led the way out of the arena, the girls following with heads held high. As they stepped into the chaotic streets again, Matsui gripped her staff, feeling its power thrumming in time with her heartbeat. They would reclaim their future, whatever the cost. The fight for Tokyo had begun.

*****

Dorki led the way down the empty streets, pausing only to confirm the path ahead was clear of threats. The girls followed closely, ready to ignite their powers at the first sign of zombies. But the city seemed deserted, the setting sun casting eerie shadows between buildings.

Up ahead, Matsui spotted Jayla lagging, her usual exuberance dimmed. She slowed her steps to match her friend. "Everything okay?"

Jayla started as if shaken from deep thoughts. "Y-yeah, sorry. Just thinking about my parents." She scanned the silent skyline worriedly. "Haven't seen or heard from them since this nightmare started."

Matsui squeezed the girl's shoulder. In the chaos, she had forgotten Jayla's family was out there somewhere, likely terrified. "I'm sure they're safe," she tried reassuring. "The evacuation order probably reached them in time."

But Jayla only bit her lip, doubt plain on her features. Before Matsui could offer more hollow comfort, Reira spoke up.

"Why don't we check your place first, to make sure they're not still around?" She gestured to a nearby apartment building. "It's not far off our current path, anyway."

Matsui shot her a surprised look - since when did Reira care about helping others? But the tough girl avoided her gaze, cheeks faintly flushed.

Dorki's tail twitched impatiently. "While I understand your concerns, we really must remain focused on the broader mission..."

"It'll be quick, I promise," Jayla pleaded. "I just gotta know if they're okay. Please?"

Her anguished eyes left no room for argument. Dorki sighed and nodded. “Very well, we shall check.”

As they approached the apartment complex, Matsui whispered to Reira, "That was really nice of you."

Reira shrugged. "Yeah, well, figured it was better than listening to her whine all night." But she looked away, jaw tight with sympathy. She didn't wish to voice it aloud.

Inside the building, the girls ascended the stairwell cautiously. Aside from flickering emergency lights, the place appeared abandoned. Reaching the 5th floor, Jayla hurried to apartment 502 and turned her key in the lock with shaking hands.

The door creaked open to reveal chaos within. Furniture lay upturned, and picture frames shattered across the floor. Cupboard doors gaped open, contents spilled everywhere. Jayla took a single step inside before a sob caught in her throat.

"No...Mom? Dad?" Her calls went unanswered. Gripping the door frame for support, Jayla surveyed the ransacked home, eyes wild and frightened. Matsui had never seen her brash friend so shaken. She moved to comfort her, but Reira beat her to it.

"Don't panic yet," the rebel girl urged gently. "Let's just look around first and get more clues." She put an arm lightly around Jayla's shoulders, guiding her inside. Surprised again by Reira's compassion, Matsui followed them deeper into the unit.

Their inspection found no one present, but no sign of violence either. Rotting food on the counter suggested that people abandoned the place some time ago. As the sun's last rays faded outside, Jayla sank onto the living room sofa.

"They would've waited for me," she whispered hoarsely. "Where could they be?"

Before despair could settle in fully, Reira called out. She stood by the TV, grasping a sheet of notebook paper. "Jayla - I found something."

Jayla practically tore the letter from her hands, eyes scanning it frantically. As she read, her tense posture slowly relaxed, tears welling up. She clutched the note to her chest when she finished. "They're okay," she breathed. "They're alive."

She passed the letter to Matsui with a smiling sob. It was short, written in hurried script:

Jayla baby,

Things got crazy here quickly. We're heading to the docks, where some ships are evacuating folks. I know you'll be alright - you're my brave girl. We'll see you again soon, baby. Just remember how much your mama and I love you.

Stay safe.

-Dad

Matsui wiped a stray tear of her own after reading the profound words. However, briefly, this letter had reunited a scared daughter with her even more frightened parents.

"See? You had nothing to worry about," said Reira gently. For once, her voice held no sarcasm. Jayla could only nod, throat too tight for words.

Dorki poked his head into the apartment. "My apologies for interrupting, but night will soon fall. We should move on."

Jayla rose on steady legs. "I'm ready now. Let's go." She tucked the precious letter safely into her uniform. Gazing at the darkening skyline, her face shone with newfound resolve. She would see her family again, no matter what it took.

As the group exited the apartment, the simple act of compassion had re-energized their team and struck Matsui. By following their hearts instead of blind duty, they had given Jayla hope - the most powerful weapon they could ask for as darkness descended on the city. Together, they would help illuminate the way.

*****

Matsui sank gratefully onto a swing, the day's endless walking finally catching up with her. Beside her, Jayla collapsed across the merry-go-round with a groan. Even energetic, Reira leaned against a post, eyelids drooping. Fighting zombies was draining work.

Surveying the empty playground, Matsui voiced an idea. "We must be getting close to my neighborhood. Maybe we should find my apartment and settle in there for the night."

Jayla cracked a wry grin. "Is that your polite way of saying we all look like zombies ourselves right now?"

Matsui smiled sheepishly. "I mean, rest would probably do us some good before tomorrow..."

"Hold up." Jayla sat up, glancing at Reira. "Shouldn't we check if your folks are okay first, Reira?"

The other girl tensed, face clouding. "Don't bother. My mom and dad are halfway across the country on business. I'm sure he's fine." She spat the words bitterly.

Before Jayla could respond, a shuffling noise arose from a cluster of bushes. The girls sprang to their feet, staffs igniting instinctively. Matsui squinted into the deepening twilight shadows. A lone figure emerged, familiar in its slovenly gait.

"Just one zombie," Reira snorted, flames licking her palms. "I'll torch this loser quickly." But as the zombie shambled into the waning light, the staff slipped from her fingers. "No...it can't be...."

Matsui looked again at the creature - a heavyset businessman in a rumpled suit, his balding scalp caved in grotesquely on one side. She glanced at Reira in confusion before understanding hit her gut like a punch. This was Reira's father.

A guttural cry tore from Reira's throat. Before Matsui could react, the girl lunged forward, blasting the zombie with pulses of fiery energy. The stench of charred, rotting meat filled the air as it staggered back.

"I hate you!" Reira screamed, her voice breaking. "You bastard!" She descended on the zombie in a frenzy, scorching and clawing at its flesh maniacally.

Horrified, Matsui moved to intervene, but blinding flames forced her back. She turned helplessly to Jayla. "We have to stop her before she loses control!"

Together, they grappled Reira away from the smoldering zombie. She thrashed wildly before collapsing onto the grass, chest heaving with ragged sobs. Matsui reached for her, only to freeze when Reira wrenched away with a choked warning: "Don't touch me!"

She curled against a tree, hiding her face in her knees. Matsui hesitated, then settled on a nearby swing, waiting silently. Finally, Reira's breathing steadied enough for her to rasp bitterly, "Now you see why I didn't wanna check home."

Bracing herself, Matsui asked gently, "What happened between you two?" She prayed she wasn't overstepping.

A long pause followed before Reira finally responded. "He was always a worthless drunk. Got worse when Mom died. Blamed me for screwing up his career and life." She spoke as if reciting old news. "All he did was drink and hit me. I wanted to escape."

Jayla spoke up softly. "So the bullying, the band...it was an outlet, huh?" Reira gave a jerky nod, eyes still downcast.

Matsui's heart broke for the abused girl. She moved cautiously closer. When Reira didn't pull away, she rested a tentative hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. But we're here now. You're not alone anymore."

Reira tensed under her touch at first. Then she uncurled slightly, leaning into Matsui's side. Jayla wrapped her arms around both girls. No more words needed to be said. They stayed huddled together as the sky darkened, offering silent comfort.

Finally, Dorki interrupted, hopping over delicately. "I apologize for the circumstances, but we cannot linger here. The night breeds more dangers." His tone was gentler than usual.

The girls rose with emotions still raw but bonds now stronger. As she conjured a flame to light their way, Reira met Matsui's eyes. "Thank you," she murmured. "I..." She faltered, then managed simply, "Just... thanks."

Matsui smiled back encouragingly. With time and friendship, Reira's wounds could finally heal. And someday soon, the three of them would ensure no one else suffered such pain ever again. But for tonight, they needed rest.

Leaning on each other, they set off towards Matsui's apartment. The battles ahead seemed less daunting, knowing they didn't fight alone. Together, their flames burned bright against the gathering dark.

*****

Matsui paused before her apartment door, suddenly self-conscious about having her new companions over for the first time. With parents often abroad for work, she was unaccustomed to entertaining guests.

"Welcome to my place," she said shyly, unlocking the door. "It's not very big, but make yourselves at home."

Jayla and Reira followed her inside, peering around with interest. Matsui busied herself taking off her shoes and slipping on house slippers while monitoring their reactions.

"Love what you've done with the place," said Jayla approvingly. She drifted over to examine photographs decorating the shelves. Many depicted Matsui as a young child with her parents in various locations - Paris, New York, and Cairo.

"With your folks traveling so much, I guess you really had to make this feel like home," Jayla remarked.

Matsui nodded, pleased her friend had drawn an insightful conclusion from the decor. "I try to keep things organized and peaceful. My own little sanctuary."

“What kind of job do your parents stay away from their home?”

“Their photographers, traveling around to snap photos for their agency.” Matsui shrugged. “But they do return during the holidays and whenever they get time off.”

Reira plopped onto the plush couch, looking impressed. "Gotta admit, I'm jealous. No parents around telling you what to do. You can sneak out and blast music at 3 am."

Matsui laughed. "Not exactly my style, but I do enjoy the independence." She surveyed her familiar living room, envisioning it transformed into a makeshift camp for the night. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get some blankets and pillows."

Soon she returned, lugging bedding into a cozy nest around the coffee table. Jayla crashed onto a pile of pillows with a dramatic groan. "Man, I'm beat! This is way better than sleeping on the streets, though."

Matsui smiled. "It'll be like a slumber party. Except, you know, with zombies outside."

"That makes it more exciting!" said Jayla. The three girls giggled, for a moment able to forget the horrors lurking in the darkness. For now, they were just teens at a sleepover.

After changing into pajamas and leaving their magical uniforms on Matsui's bed, they gathered around the table to eat crackers and dried fruit from Matsui's pantry. She flipped the TV on and off, but only static hissed across the dark screen. Radio signals were dead, too. Something cut them off from the outside world.

Reira piped up through a mouthful of crackers. "So Doki, mind explaining exactly what is sending the zombies into our world?"

The creature's ears twitched, as if reluctant to delve into specifics. Finally, he sighed. "I suppose you deserve the truth. To stop evil, you must understand its origins."

The girls leaned in as Doki said, “The being responsible is Revena. She was once a magical girl like you, sworn to protect her earth from supernatural forces. Over time, though, loneliness and trauma warped her. She turned bitter, then resentful of her duties. Eventually, she broke, abandoning her role entirely to pursue darker desires. She developed a taste for power and dominion. Her magic grants her some ability to traverse dimensions. For inscrutable reasons, she now invades and conquers vulnerable worlds."

Matsui shuddered at the thought. This once valiant magical girl turned into a destroyer of realities. What horrors had she endured to fall so far into darkness?

Jayla clenched her fists. "So that wannabe overlord picked our planet just to satisfy some freaky urge to dominate everyone? Oh, hell no!"

Reira's eyes burned with rage in the flickering candlelight. "We gotta destroy her and these zombies permanently, so nobody else suffers."

Matsui met their resolute gazes with a firm nod. "Of course we have to… For the sake of our world."

Their course was obvious now. Revena had to be stopped before she seized control of every Earth in existence. With unwavering camaraderie, the girls would face any battle to save their world.

As they settled down to sleep that night, Matsui felt the atmosphere had changed. Their lighthearted teenage respite was over. Tomorrow, the battle will continue. But in her friends beside her, Matsui found new wells of hope and strength. United, their flames would never falter against the gathering dark.