An impossible decision

Kumiko stared blankly at the floor. “I’ll give them up.”

A puzzled Kitty flew in closer to her. “Come again? I don’t understand what you mean.”

“My powers. If I can save everyone here by sacrificing my powers, I’ll give them up.” Kumiko clenched her fists, her tears still rolling down her face.

“What?!” Kitty was in bewilderment. “You can’t do that! Goddess of Shadow is already a powerful villain. If she gets your magic as well, that would be…” Kitty struggled to find his words.

“But I can’t lose you guys. And I’m sure Selkie, Guardian Devil and Chimera can handle her.”

“So you are as selfish as you are naïve. Disappointing.” Chimera spat at her.

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on, you’d really think she’d let the fish girl, the demon lady and me go free? That she’d release the people who could stop her. No. She might steal our powers or just outright kill us, but she won’t let out this castle. You’d be risking the fate of humanity for the eight of us, and that makes you completely, utterly, selfish.”

“Chimera, enough!” Ken slapped the parasite. “You are way to harsh on Kumiko.”

“No, no, I think the bug’s got a point.” The naked woman interjected. “Kumiko, I won’t pretend that I know what it’s like to be in your position. But I do know that if the Goddess of Shadow screws over the world because you gave her your power, that you will regret that for the rest of your life.”

“B-but I can’t lose the closest people in my life. It would destroy me.”

“Kumiko, sweetheart.” Her dad spoke in a soothing voice. “I won’t tell you what to do. Hell, I can only imagine how unfairly difficult this decision must be. I wish I could give you better advise, so I only say this. You have been the most incredible daughter we couldn’t even have dreamt for. You’re kind, diligent and always stuck up to your ideals. You refusing that shadow lady will never take away how much we love you.”

“Dad”. She could only cry at her dad’s words.

“Kumiko.” Kitty spoke softly. “Remember the day you got your powers? When you found the wand?”

“Yes I do. I was quite the disaster, right?” She chuckled at the memory.

“A disaster? The offspring of a tornado and a tsunami would envy the destruction you wrecked that day. But I’ll never forget that you, who could barely control nor understood her powers, was willing to fight two armed bank robbers. You showed me that you are someone who won’t back down from bringing justice, at risk of yourself. That’s why I let you keep the wand. And I know you’ll continue being the greatest Magical Girl there is, because you the greatest girl there is.”

“I- thank you, Kitty.” She hugged her furry friend tightly.

Suddenly, a shadow portal opened up. The time is up.