Far from Home (Rin's story)

Rin stepped off the bus and stretched wearily. She had fallen asleep on the way home after rehearsal. Preparing for the holiday concert drained all her energy. She sighed deeply. The wind picked up, and Rin wrapped her scarf tighter. "I'm so far from home," she thought sadly, checking the schedule. This was the last stop, out in the countryside, and the next transport wouldn't come until... morning. "Oh God... no," Rin gasped in horror. She sat on the bench and frantically grabbed her phone. The battery was low. Call a taxi or her manager? She hated bothering Miss Tanazaki again, but what choice did she have? At that moment, snow began to fall, and Rin looked up. A white sky, forest ahead, and the city lights behind. Rin texted her manager. She closed her eyes, imagining Miss Tanazaki scolding her for being careless again. Miss Tanazaki seemed strict and serious, but Rin knew she was kind at heart. "Okay... while there's time, I can just imagine transforming into a magical girl and flying home... no, I can't use my powers for personal gain. Only against evil... right. And... here come my friends."

Rin's head drooped, and in an instant, she was transported to a cozy living room where six other girls sat. These were the "Rainbow Princesses" in their own home. Each had hair in her own color, and Rin fit right in with her green locks. They seemed to be preparing for Christmas, decorating the house together. "You're daydreaming again, Midori-chan. It's not fair that you're slacking off," exclaimed the girl with sea-colored hair.

"Sorry, Aoi-chan," Rin smiled.

"Don't be so harsh on her," interjected the girl with orange hair. "Our Midori works hard; she's already tired."

"But she's with us now and should help. It's way more fun decorating when we're all involved!" protested Aoi.

"You're so loud!" the girl with golden hair cut in.

"Girls, please, don't fight," the girl with blue hair said softly.

"Aiko-chan..."

"QUIET!" A white bird with a rainbow tail burst into the room and perched on its special stand. "The Dark Witch is planning another attack! Enough bickering!"

"She just won't give up! She got what she deserved last time!" cried the girl with purple hair, who had been engrossed in her phone game.

"Head to the city center immediately! Find her minion who's up to no good!"

The girls quickly gathered and headed to the central square.

The city was aglow with lights; people rushed for gifts, caught in pre-holiday bustle. Snow fell in flakes as the girls walked the street, scanning passersby. "This won't work. We'll be searching all night," the golden-haired girl grumbled.

"Kioko's right; we need a plan. Momoko-chan, any ideas?" Aoi agreed.

The orange-haired girl pondered.

Suddenly, the square lit up with a bright flash, and the Dark Witch appeared in the center. She laughed, spotting her old foes. "Right on time, girls. Today, I'll finally defeat the Rainbow Princesses and rule this world!" She cackled as her servants materialized from thin air.

"Time to transform!"

"Rainbow Sphere, grant us power! Transformation!" the girls shouted in unison.

Music played, and each began to change. Rin froze in awe. The world seemed paused; she watched as if from outside. "What's taking them so long?" the witch muttered, waiting for them to finish. Her servants waited too.

"Um, why aren't you attacking?" Rin asked uncertainly.

"Those are the rules. Did you forget? Transform too... or rather, no... it's time to wake up. We'll continue next time," the witch replied casually.

"Um... what?" Rin was utterly confused. Wasn't this a dream? But it felt like the Dark Witch knew it too.

"Rin! Wake up! Rin!"

Rin jolted awake. Her manager stood before her. "Tanazaki-san!"

"How did you end up here?"

"Sorry, Tanazaki-san! I got lost in my manga and didn't notice we'd reached the end."

"You and your manga again! Reading about the Rainbow Princesses?"

"Yeah... I even dreamed about them, but it was weird."

"You can tell me later. Let's get you home, Rin."

"Yes. Thank you, Tanazaki-san."

The snow fell harder, and a little ways off, someone watched the two girls. "Merry Christmas, Midori Hime."