My name's Holly. Bright Vigilant Striker Holly, if I have to say the whole thing out loud. "Holly Ward" if the ID my bag coughs up is anything to go by- and it really isn't. I had another name...but I guess it doesn't mean anything now, even if I could say it.

The point is, I'm a magical girl. It wasn't always that way, and it wasn't something I think I'd have asked for, but I am. I know I'm not anything special. I'd have known even without Puuchu flat-out telling me that I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was just the closest person when his last recruit decided enough was enough and ate a gun as soon as someone else was there so Puuchu wouldn't try and bring her back.

I've thought about what happened that night since then, quite a bit, and despite everything...I can't really blame her. Why'd she care what happened to someone else when no one'd cared about her? I just wish I hadn't been so useless. Maybe I could have done something if I'd been quicker. If I hadn't just stood there, mumbling. I could have tried to grab the gun. I could have done something.

 I can do something now.

I might not have my old family or friends anymore, or even anyone who knew me...but they seem to be just fine without me. Better off, even. Nothing I did before made a difference to anyone, not really. It's kind of depressing, but I guess I'm lucky. I get another chance. I have new friends, and even if I'm not as good or as brave as they are, I'm glad they're fighting with me.

I've only really got one trick, but it's a good one. I've always liked lightning. The crackle, the roar, the feeling of something passing in the distance with a flash of light. Now, I've got it at my fingertips. Ribbons, bolts, sheets, balls...you name it, I can zap something with it. Ozone smell's not that bad once you get used to it...and the monsters like being on the other end a lot less. Plus, if I put my mind to it, I can practically FLY on my feet now. Not the craziest power, but it's pretty awesome all the same.

Fighting for justice isn't just pretty words for a magical girl. It's what we do. It isn't fair and it isn't right for people to be hurt by monsters without even knowing they're in danger. I know everything I do can make a real difference, even if no one knows about it. I can save lives, every day. That's something that matters, that's important. It matters. It's sometimes even fun.