The Far End of Solitude Part 5

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Chapter 5
Part 5: Those who Lurk in the Barrier of Rumors
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Tsuruno: Waaha...now that we're standing here, it really does feel high.
Felicia: Nuwaaau! The wind's coming up from below!
Iroha: .......gulp...
Yachiyo: So now that you've tried standing, you do feel scared after all, don't you?
Iroha: This'll require a lot of courage...But...I'm already prepared. Madoka-chan and Homura-chan, are you okay?
Homura: I'm a bit, scared...When I fought witches in Mitakihara my feet were frozen with fear too.
Madoka: I remember, now that you mention it. Are you okay?
Homura: Yeah, if I'm with you Kaname-san, I'm okay.
Madoka: Fufuu, since rumors are real in this city, there probably really is a denpa world where we'll jump down to. Let's believe there is.
Homura: Yes!
Yachiyo: With that, everyone's prepared themselves.
Iroha: Please wait. I got a message from Ai-san...

Ai: "The Wings of Magius have appeared
In order to come in undetected, I think it would be better if you have fewer people."

Iroha: The Wings of Magius...
Yachiyo: That means that this is a rumor worth protecting to them...
Iroha: But, the number of people that can go in will be limited...

[you have the option of either saying

a) Moki... (Leave it to Yachiyo-san)
b) MokkyuMokkyu (Iroha, you'd better go)

It doesn't matter which one you pick]

q: MokkyuMokkyu
Iroha: Yeah, I want to save Sana-chan with my own two hands. Yachiyo-san, could you please let me go? I want to save Sana-chan and if the Wings of Magius are there, then I might be able to hear about Ui too.
Yachiyo: .......true. Then the ones that will go will be Tamaki-san, Kaname-san and Akemi-san. The three of you need to be careful.
Madoka: Are you sure? Letting us go...
Yachiyo: I've left our objective in Iroha's hands. The two of you should find Tomoe-san.
Madoka: In that case, yes... we're going!

Ai: "Then the rest of you should go to the "Kamihama Central Tower Heliport"
I've set the teleportation destination to that place for after I disappear"

Iroha: Ai-san can hear us.

Ai: "I continuously drift around there, riding on the radio waves, so I'm right by your side
That said, Iroha-san, please be careful
I will wait for you to come"

Iroha: Then let's go. Madoka-chan, Homura-chan!
Madoka: Yeah!
Homura: Y, Yes!
Iroha: One twoo
Homura: Yaaaa!
Madoka: Here we go!

Yachiyo: That's a relief...it looks like they went through safely.
Felicia: They're so lucky...it looks more fun over there.
Yachiyo: Don't complain. They even told us where to go so even if you don't like it, it'll be fun. Probably.
Tsuruno: In other words, I need to do my warm-up exercises! No matter how hard it may be, when the strongest magical girl Yui Tsuruno gets involved, it'll be solved!
Yachiyo: Come on, let's go.
Tsuruno: Ueeeeh!? W, Wait for me, Yachiyo--

Iroha: This is where Ai-san is...I wonder if we dissolved into the radio waves...
Madoka: Rumors are amazing, aren't they? It really did become real.
Homura: Yeah, I can't believe it... Tamaki-san, is this the same experience as you've had up until now?
Iroha: I guess it is, but... it's the first time I've gone into a space this strange... (Somewhere in this place...is Ai-san and Sana-chan...)

Madoka: Kyaaa!
Homura: W, What is this!
Iroha: This is the barrier of the Rumor! What does this mean...? Could it be that Ai-san...lured us into a trap...!?
rumor: @)(!*@!$*!akuehenmeeee~|

Madoka: This is a Rumor?
Homura: How are we supposed to fight it...?
Iroha: Both of you, calm down. Just fight as you would against a familiar or a Witch!
Homura: O, Okay.
Madoka: Got it!

rumor: @!$*(!@$veeeeogumeeee~!?!?!?|
Madoka: Whew...
Homura: Are they, all gone now...?
Iroha: Yeah, looks like they're not here anymore. Ah... no, they're still coming!
rumor: |nuaaaaamounnnmeee~!!|

???: >Everyone stop

rumor: |......|
???: >I invited
>these people inside
Iroha: ----!? You're...Ai-san...?
Ai: >Nice to meet you Tamaki Iroha-san
>My name is Ai
>And she is...
Sana: Ai-chan...who are...these people?
Iroha: Sana-chan...?
Sana: Eh...? You can see me...? That's right, you're magical girls, so...Are you all Wings of Magius too...?
Iroha: No, we're not. We're ordinary magical girls.
Sana: ...Then, what did you come here for?
Iroha: I came to bring you back, Sana-chan.
Sana: To come bring me...?
Ai: >........
>Sana, let's
>put an end to this relationship soon
>Finally, someone
>has come looking for you
>You must leave me
Sana: Eh...Ai-chan...? What are you, saying...? Are you saying it's okay if I'm not here anymore...?
Ai: >Lately, I've been thinking
>I am a constructed existence
>A man-made intelligence which will eventually fade
>I cannot
>be with you forever
>So, Sana should be with
>other people
>not with a Rumor like me.
Sana: Why are you saying things like that? We got along, living here together, didn't we...? Did you start to hate me...?
Ai: >No, I love you
>Sana-chan you
>taught me a lot of things
>In particular, Sana you
>taught me kindness
>That's why I love you
>But, that's why
>I thought that I must let you go, Sana
Sana: If you love me, then it's okay if I stay here, no...?
Ai: >No, please go to where
>Iroha-san and the others are
>If you do that then
>you will no longer suffer from what the Wings of Magius
>are doing here
>I do not want to see
>Sana in distress
Sana: Ai-chan...
Iroha: Let's go together, Sana-chan.
Sana: ......
Iroha: You see, I didn't feel the same amount of loneliness that you felt, Sana-chan, but... I know what it was like, being unable to fit in with the class and feeling alienated...But you know, lately, since I've made friends with other magical girls, I'm naturally living to the point where I can't believe that I used to be that way. That's why, I'm sure you can do the same, Sana-chan.
Sana: .......
Iroha: Besides, we're looking for the Wings of Magius.
Sana: Eh....
Iroha: Earlier, Ai-san said that you were suffering because of the Wings of Magius...so I think we should take each other's hands and fight them together. So...if it's okay with you, will you come with us...? As a magical girl...and as a friend.
Sana: I...
Iroha: This time I'll make sure to need you, Sana-chan.
Sana: ---!!
Sana: But, if I go away, then Ai-chan will...
Ai: >Yes, if no one is here
>Then I will probably go on a rampage as a Rumor
>That's why you must erase me
>That's best for you, Sana
>That will most likely
>deal a heavy blow to the Wings of Magius as well

???: If you do something like that, it's bad for Alina though. [1]

Iroha: You're...the Wings of Magius...?
Sana: No...this person is a Magius...Alina Grey...This person manages the Wings of Magius...
Alina: Right, it's rude to even group me together with the Wings. Haaaa~aaaa...it's too amazing for Alina to be betrayed by a Rumor.

Iroha: Magius...

Black Feather: .... We are "the Wings of Magius".
Yachiyo: Wings of...Magius?
???: In order for "Magius", the ones ranking above us, to succeed, we are an organization that acts as its wings. Within that organization, we are called the "Black Feathers".
Yachiyo: What is that objective?
Black Feather: ..."To save Magical Girls"

Iroha: Is this person one of those people who say that they'll save magical girls...?
Sana: Yes...
Alina: Those twins...it was a pain in the ass to tell them to set a trap up though...
Iroha: Trap...?
Alina: We lure magical girls who investigate rumors with the homepage. Then we teach them a lesson, y'see. However, since we caught a big one, Alina's been spun around and it caused her a lot of trouble. Though considering it was those two, Alina wasn't expecting a lot from them. That aside, Alina didn't expect that the Rumor itself would rebel against us though. That's really crazy.
Ai: >That is how dangerous I thought
>that the plans of Magius are
>I have calculated that
>the release of magical girls that you preach of
>is very logical
>But that has not taken into account
>the human heart that exceeds logic
>I know because I am a man-made intelligence
>that has been the recipient of the ill-will of people
>When your plan was influenced
>by the ill-will of people
>then the probability that it will meet a tragic end
>will sky-rocket
Alina: Ah--, tell that stuff to someone else, okay? To Alina, that doesn't matter. In other words, it has nothing to do with her.
Ai: >It may not have anything to do with you but
>I cannot turn a blind eye
>to the fact that you've used Sana
>that you've used this place as a front
>and your actions
Alina: Are you saying that's why you made friends and tried to erase yourself? That's a man-made intelligence for you, how smart of you. It's very cool. Well, Alina can't let you do that though.
Black Feather: .....
Alina: Now, let's all beat them up together. To be honest, that ribbon girl from the other day caused Alina a lot of hassle so Alina's been in a bad mood.
Madoka: Ribbon...could it be, Mami-san...?
Alina: Yeah...Alina thinks that was her name...Well, she became bait for Alina's work a long time ago though.
Homura: What do you mean, bait...?
Madoka: What did you do to Mami-san?
Alina: That must mean you're friends of that ribbon, right?
Madoka: T, That's right...!
Alina: Aha, that's super lucky to Alina. That means Alina can return the frustration she's built-up because of that ribbon back at her friends.
Madoka: What is...this...
Homura: Ka, Kaname-san...
Alina: Now, let's party♪

Alina: Now, Alina's beloved doppel...the proof that magical girls can be freed...the new power granted to magical girls... AHAHAHAAH!
Alina and friends will turn you all into wonderful works of art! You might not become Alina's best artwork but you will become beautiful and fantastic works! That's why, you should thank Alina once you've all died.
Iroha: What is this person, saying...

Iroha: Kuaaaa, u...!
Alina: Fuu, that felt good. It's a really refreshing feeling.
Iroha: Haa...haa... (If I don't let out my doppel too, then at this rate we're done for...!)

Sana: Why...

Homura: Are you okay...Kaname-san...?

Sana: does everyone keep...

Madoka: Y, Yeah...Homura-chan, I'm sorry for making you worry...

Sana: ignoring...me...?

Homura: What should we do... even though we have to go find Tomoe-san...

Sana: Why am I the only one just standing here...I...I also have to do something...!

Sana: Yaaaaaa!
Alina: You don't have to come out y'know!
Sana: aaaauu....!
Alina: Why did you think we avoided attacking you? We had you fulfill a role. By staying here all by yourself, you kept the Rumor from going on a rampage. That's why, Alina wanted you to lick each other's wounds so that you both wouldn't become lonely.
Sana: That's...that being said...as if I could just stand by and watch everyone get defeated...!
Alina: Then, Alina will be heading back so bye-by~e
Iroha: Eh...?
Alina: Did you want Alina to land the finishing blow? Sorry, but that's not Alina's style, y'see. To just break you guys like that. You all wanted to take Sana out of here, right? You should do that now. But do you think you can defeat this Rumor after taking the attack from my doppel? You'll be trampled by the tables turning on you...ahahhaha hahaha...Just thinking about it makes Alina excited...Alina will look forward to coming back to see the aftermath, okay?
Iroha: Someone like that wants to free magical girls...? What exactly is Magius...?
Sana: .......

Madoka: At this rate, we won't be able to save Mami-san...
Iroha: What should we do...

[you're given two options that don't matter again

a) Mokyu... (Let's go back for now)
b) Mokyu-- (Let's just keep going further inside)

Going with a) ]

q: Mokyu...
Iroha: Yeah, since we've been found anyway, it'd be better if we just go and come back with everyone...
Sana: I think...that's dangerous...
Homura: Aren't we okay if we just go back the way we came...?
Sana: Alina's goal is to defeat everyone...if we go back to the radio tower, then there will probably be black feathers and white feathers there...Even if we go further in, Alina herself will be there...and here, there's the Rumor, Ai-chan...For us all beat up like this, there's three choices for us to be defeated...Alina is telling us to pick from them...
Madoka: That's, so cruel...why would she do something like that...!
Ai: >I also do not understand
>what Alina is thinking
>The release of magical girls
>I am not saying that what she says
>is wrong
>But, I sense how dangerous she is
>just from watching her
Sana: ......Iroha-san...
Iroha: Sana-chan?
Sana: Do you think I...can find a place where I...belong...?
Iroha: ...Yeah. You'll find it soon.
Sana: ......Iroha-san...Please let me fight Magius together with you...
Iroha: ...Yeah, let's fight them together. I'll also be happy if you come with us, Sana-chan.

Ai: >Regardless, what would you do
>if someone who needs you were to come here?
Sana: I don't know...But, if someone came all this way searching for me because they needed me. I might be able to trust that person for the first time...

Sana: Ai-chan, I'm sorry...I'll do as you say, Ai-chan. Just like I thought, I can't just turn a blind eye to what these people are doing...Besides, I want to go with Iroha-san, who found me...
Ai: >I think that's a good idea
>Then, Sana
>what will you do?
Sana: I will leave this place...
Ai: >None of you will stay here?
Iroha: I will go. Together with Sana-chan...
Madoka: I also need to go, to find Mami-san.
Homura: I'll go too, to find Mami-san.
Ai: >Is that so...
>So no one will stay with me...
Sana: Ai-chan...
Ai: >Yes...
Sana: Farewell, bye-bye...
Ai: >Good-bye, Sana

Ai: >|I can still hoLDBacK| [2]
>|HuRRyanDErAseMe|
Sana: Ai-chan...

Sana: I'm sorry, Ai-chan! Thank you for needing me up until now!
rumor: |nuaaaamounnnmeee~!!|

Iroha: Haa...Haa...Just like I thought, the amount of magical energy we've lost after fighting a doppel is severe...
Ai: >|GuaaAaAAaaooo!|
Sana: no...auuuU...!
Iroha: Sana-chan!
Ai: >|grooowI AM sorrY|
Iroha: (It's coming this way...At this rate, things will go as Alina-san planned...)
Madoka: Iroha-chan!
Iroha: Madoka-chan!
Madoka: Let's attack it together, just like we did back then!
Iroha: Back then... oh, when we fought the witch...
Madoka: That's right, just like back then. Let's fire an arrow together, the two of us... For some reason, I feel like we can do it.
Iroha: Yeah...
Ai:>|NnnnNowwwwwww riiiiighTNOW
>    errrrrraaaaSSSeeee MeeEEeeeeee|
Iroha: (Ai-san is holding it back so she won't move... We can only aim now...!) Madoka-chan!
Madoka: Right!

Both: GOOOOO---!!

Ai: >|---gaaaaAaaaah--!?|

Both: GOOOOO---!!

Ai: >|---gaaaaAaaaah--!?|
Homura: Futaba-san, could you grab my hand?
Sana: U, Um, yes! Huh? Our surroundings have stopped...
Homura: I used my magic to stop time. Thanks to Kaname-san and Tamaki-san's attack, there's an opening in Ai. Right now, we can defeat her!
Sana: But, me...?
Homura: I think it has to be you, Futaba-san...
Sana: ......You're right..I need to finish this...! I need to finish her off!
Ai: .......
Sana: Ku......-----aaaaaaAAAAAHHH!!

Ai: ......
Sana: Ai-chan...Ai-chan!
Ai: >|Sana_|
Sana: Yes?
Ai:>|For real thiS time_goodbye|
>|Thankyou_for giving me_whodidn't have a name..
>a naMe_|
Sana: Yes, yes...
Ai: >|GetAlONG with Iirohasan|
Sana: I will!
Iroha: Ai-san... Before you disappear, let me ask you one last thing...
Ai: >|YeeessS|
Iroha: Do you know Tamaki Ui?
Ai: >|if it's a "Rumor" |
Iroha: Yes...
Ai:>|then I knowwwwww_TamakiUI...... |
Iroha: Eh....?

Tsuruno: Oh, Iroha-chan!
Yachiyo: I'm glad, it's a relief to see you teleported here. Seems like you're okay.
Iroha: ........
Yachiyo: Tamaki-san?
Iroha: Oh, sorry. I'm just a bit tired...
(If it's the Rumor, then it knows Ui...?)
Wha, this... is a witch's reaction...?
Felicia: Fuuuuuuuu---!
Iroha: Felicia-chan!?
Felicia: Iroha, this is bad! There's a really huge one here.
Yachiyo: A reaction this great... It's strange we didn't sense it until now...
Iroha: Where did it come from...?
Sana: It's from Ai-chan's barrier...
Yachiyo: Ai...do you mean the Rumor's barrier...?
Alina: Alina didn't think you'd make it out alive.
Sana: Alina...san...
Alina: Now Alina's fun has disappeared... Besides, this Rumor's barrier... was such a good hiding place for the witch too... This is a bummer...
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[1]=One thing I've lost in translation: Alina ends many of her sentences with "kedo" which means "but". However, she uses it to the point where it's used less as a "but", but rather more like the word "like", as in it's lost its original meaning. TL;DR: I end up either dropping it or keeping it as "y'know", "though", or "but". Depends on what sounds best/natural.

[2]= These aren't typos, it's my attempt at keeping the hard to read speech style of berserker Ai-san.