The video leaped from deed to deed. The voices struggled to be understood against the low quality of the film, and the ad-hoc nature of the shots.
"We're the guardians of the Virtual & Real! We-" [intelligible due to chainsaw noises]
The mayor stopped the video, speaking almost solemnly. "I think you get the point, Miss Usagi. The citizens of Sunpolis have... well, mostly come to appreciate the protection of The Sweaty Girlz. They do have a cult following. But they're not so good at PR."
The Moon Princess, the long-lived and respected veteran of magical guardians, did not look surprised. "I see. What did you have in mind?"
"Well- for one, the whole gamer aesthetic is a little unpopular with the Women's Party. Even for an all-woman group. And you know- union rate for magical girls is pretty expensive these days. The treasurer is on my ass..."
The mayor looked nervous. He checked the room. They were alone. This was private. At least, more than likely.
"Let's not beat around the bush here..." he lowered his voice "You know state magical girls- magical industrial complex- whatever you want to call them- they don't take no for an answer. They offered to make my daughter one of their magical girls- ugh! Took every ounce of my restraint to be polite when I decline."
The mayor got up and walked to the window. The city was visible outside. His voice grew tired, "Sleepy 'ol Sunpolis ain't looking so sleepy anymore. Big money has moved in. You know, the feds made big talk about our city being independent too- but not in matters of self-defense I guess. I could keep the Big Money Magical Types out, I could keep the feds out, but I can't do anything when they join forces. The Sweaty Girlz are out. State magical girls are in. Federal law demands it. My laws be damned."
Miss Usagi got up to contemplate the city skyline with the Mayor. A skyscraper, one that wasn't there on her last trip, cut into the view like a thorn. "It's a shame- but that's how this world works sometimes. I'll make sure the girls will be treated well. The Magical Girl Union knows how to take care of its own."
"Good. Those women do good work- real odd people, but good people." The mayor looked a little relived. "Don't tell my constituents this, but I think this'll be my last year as mayor." He chuckled. "Its a bad look for a mayor to leave his own city but well..." he motioned to the city's changed skyline "It doesn't really look my city anymore."
....
"Wow! Is this it?" Everyone's E-girl, Sweaty Girlz leader Neon, looked at the disheveled city "Hehehe, doesn't look so bright for a city named Sunpolis." Neon walked aside Usagi. The others, too star-struck by the veteran magical girl, followed at a polite distance.
"Its been quite a few decades since I've last been here." answered The Moon Princess. "This used to be a stronghold for the Magical Girl Union and the like. Before the Leyline of Steel took over. Speaking of which-"
Usagi formed a box with her thumbs and index fingers. She peered through with her magical right eye. A strange fleshly worm materialized on a street lamp.
Usagi continued. "I've got you." In the perspective of her right eye, she picked up the strange creature with two fingers. The strange creature was then lifted up by a magical force. "Say hello to the moon." She dropped the creature. The creature, alarmed and spitting foul juices, found itself floating into the sky.
"I wish the Leyline of Steel could clean up their own magical abominations." Usagi's lip lifted a little. "A shame they're no longer around. How the wheel of history turns..."
Usagi returned to a neutral demeanor. "Anyway. I've got a reported Vilewing sighting on Main street. I trust your team can handle it? I can play medic or back-up as needed."
"Leave it us!" Neon posed as cutely as possible with her cat earphones, trendy hoodie, and skirt. She had to impress her personal idol! "Gen 3 of the Sweaty Girlz is just as sweaty and just as uhm- Girlz?- as our forbearers!" she continued "Plus, we still have the original Ladder Chopper! She doesn't say much, but I'm sure she remembers Sunpolis."
Neon couldn't take it anymore. There was work to be done, she was nervous, and one the greatest magical girls ever was watching. She led an awkward charge of the Sweaty Girlz to the other side of Sunpolis.
On main street, an overgrown, magical mosquito roamed the streets. It was so close a delicious meal- a humanoid with latent magic- but a strange glare from the moon disoriented the creature. It buzzed around, frustrated. There was certainly easy prey around, but it couldn't sense them.
Everyone's E-girl Neon fired her heart beam right into the creature. Her introduction wouldn't stop her from getting the first blow.
She announced herself to her enemy and the many bystanders "Whether in a stormy sea of water or a deluge of data- Whether on the battlefield of dirt, games, or love. I, Everyone's E-Girl Neon, will-"
A loud chainsaw rev interrupted her. Ladder Chopper Red was already cutting into the overgrown mosquito in front of a cheering crowd. Neon yelled something about her teammate being a glory hoarding, kill stealing bitch. It was lost behind the glorious noises of a chainsaw. And just as soon as it began, the fight was over.
Neon, close enough to be partially covered in bug guts, looked around. Red had calmed down, the felled beast in two before her. Gacha Grumbler Purple, who had just prepared her Matrices of Low Rate Despair, held an expression between relief and disappointment. The rest of the team hadn't even caught up. The crowds looked onward.
"We're the Sweaty Girlz and we're here to protect this city!" Neon gave her 'I'm covered in monster bits but I'm still the cutest' smile. "Girlz away!!!"
Usagi watched on from a distance. The Sweaty Girlz would make great magical guardians.
