The contestants were told to get ready for the mini challenge and report to the living room around 4pm. All they found was an excited Luna who was holding some paper and staring at the camera man, Jerome.

“Let’s see here. Rei said the following,” Luna said. “Greetings! Sorry for making the mini challenge later than usual. I got to help Luna have an idea where her new school is at. As for the mini challenge, you are to find my parts before Luna’s bedtime. You can distract her to stay up but I do not recommend you do it for too long. Failure to find me completely will result in a penalty to all of you. If you succeed, the one who finds the most parts gets to rehearse with me first! Break a leg!”

“Huh?” Eriza said.

“Oh boy! Hide and Seek!” Rosa said.

“I often sleep around 10 to 11 but might be later depending on homework,” Luna said. “I’ll stay up as soon as possible for you all!”

“Please don’t!” Noel said. “We’ll find Rei beforehand!”

“Rei told me that I’m a judge here and if you have any questions or need of hints, that’s why I’m here,” Luna said.

“First hint please?” Jeanne asked.

“She’s only in this house and the shop. Not outside at all,” Luna said.

“Hmm, if we work together, we may be able to cover a lot of ground and…” Noel said.

“F*ck this, I shall do as I please!” Eriza said as she went down to the shop.

“How unfortunate,” Killer said as she had a knife ready and threw it at a lamp. The lamp was twitching to reveal Rei’s arm, still sleeved but with no hand.

“Wow! How did you know?” Rosa asked.

“I sensed her. That is the best way I can describe it,” Killer said.

“That must be very useful,” Noel said. “Wait, I got it!”

With a wave of her wand, Noel’s ears got bigger to enhance her senses as she can hear everything in the room. Even to the slightest of movements. Noel’s ear twitched as she pointed at a table with one of Rei’s legs as the stand. Said leg lacked feet but the end was smooth enough to stand on its own.

“It looks so obvious yet you can miss it,” Noel said.

“I am rather impressed,” Killer said. “You adapted one of my skills and made it your own. I shall not underestimate you.”

“You complimented me?” Noel asked nervously.

“Yes. Yes I have. Is something wrong?” Killer asked.

“Just… you don’t seem to be the type to do so,” Noel said.

“I only state things that I see,” Killer said.

“Oh look at me!” Rosa said as she transformed into Pretty Pink. All before she slammed the ground with her fists and a bunch of body parts came crashing into her. All startled by the shock wave. They consisted of another leg, torso, and feet.

“Barbaric but the results are what matters,” Killer said. “Keep those parts. You did earn them.”

Pretty Pink held onto the parts that she obtained and kept it for herself. Carrying it all with only one arm with incredible strength and balance. Noel and Jeanne clapped in amazement while Killer kept her stoic expression.

“Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind,” Killer said.

Jeanne then started playing her electric guitar and made the room vibrate. With some wiggling, Rei’s chest hopped out of the refrigerator and the other arm fell off the umbrella rack. Noel quickly reduced the size of her ears to normal as the nose was too much for her. Pretty Pink was tilting side to side as she enjoyed the song.

“Not as much but I got something,” Jeanne said.

“That’s great!” Noel said.

“Really?” Jeanne asked.

“Well… I’m not saying this just for positive reinforcement but I am impressed as well!” Noel said.

“Oh, thank you,” Jeanne said.

…

Downstairs in the head shop, Eriza got a plastic bag full of hands and feet that so happen to be laying around. The customers were glaring at the demonic dragon girl with the current part timer staring at the contestant.

“Don’t mind her, it’s for a TV show,” the part timer said.

“Man, that dragon loli is cute,” said a head.

“What are you saying, she’s the bitch that conquered my home,” said the head of an elf girl. “I had to sell my head to make a living. My poor little sister was sold off to a better home, but I would never be here if it weren’t for her.”

“Oh right, I heard she’s a conqueror or something,” said the head.

“I hope she loses!” said the elf head.

“Silence!” Eriza said. “I am not a loli and you elf should be more respectful to your queen!”

The elf head spat on the dragon loli, making the loli fume in rage. She had her claws out ready to teach them a lesson but one of Rei’s hands came out of the plastic bag and flick at Eriza’s ear.

“Ouch!” Eriza said as she noticed the hand. “Get back in the bag!”

All of the heads in front of Eriza laughed at her. The stares and looking down made Eriza tear up as she tried to wipe her eyes.

“Shut up you lot!” Eriza said. “If I had my way, I would had given you all a fate worse than death! Death would have turned into a reward!”

“Oh yeah?” said a head.

Before Eriza could do anything, she spotted a strange looking head who was staring at her bag. Said head had black hair and star shaped sunglasses with a familiar look to her.

“Tell me head, if I have a coupon that force me to choose between beef or chicken, think I can go for both anyways?” Eriza asked.

“Not really?” the head said.

“What if we disregard the coupon and just go with both?” Eriza said.

“Well that’s stupid!” the head said.

“Knew it! It’s you Rei!” Eriza said.

“Uh… no I’m not,” the head said.

“Only Rei would be that cheap,” Eriza said.

“Well, Rei is actually below me… oops,” the head said.

Eriza looked down to see Rei’s head just sitting below said head. The two did look similar but then Eriza noticed a big difference, the head above was not Asian. With Rei, she didn’t even try hiding her look as she kept her small magician hat and did nothing to change herself.

“Looks like you caught me,” Rei said.

“Get in the bag!” Eriza said as she shoved the head in the bag.

“Oof!” Rei said.

…

After some time, the contestants all gathered in the living room to show off the parts that they managed to gather all of Rei’s parts. Instead of reattaching the hostess, they just left her on the table. Luna was also there and happy for the contestants as well.

“So that’s where the hands and feet were,” Noel said.

“It’s kind of clever for you to place your head in the store,” Pretty Pink said.

“Feels too obvious,” Eriza said.

“It was Luna’s idea!” Rei said. “From the look of things, Eriza won the Mini Challenge. That means she gets to rehearse with me first. Oh wait. Oh god, she gets to rehearse with me first!”

“Hey!” Eriza said.

“Based on the results, second goes to Rosa,” Rei said.

“Pretty Pink when I’m like this,” Pretty Pink said.

“Right. Then Jeanne, then Noel, and then Killer. You can guess why Killer is last,” Rei said.

“It’s the knife, wasn’t it?” Killer asked.

“Damn right it is!” Rei said.

“Yay!” Luna said. “You guys didn’t even need that much time!”

“I should reconsider that next time,” Rei said. “Now then, if I may.”

Rei suddenly had herself whole again with her parts floating off the table and attached to each other. The magician then adjusted her head to make sure it was on properly. As the magician got herself more composed, she heard a dinging nose. Rei looked at her phone and sighed.

“Duty calls girls. One on one rehearsals start tomorrow. Eriza and Pretty Pink, get ready!” Rei said as she left the room.

…

Outside in an alley, Rei spotted what appeared to be a pudgy man in a blue suit. The man was near balding with some hair on the side. He was drastically smaller than Rei and pudgy enough to be used as a large bowling ball. He was smoking a cigar and puffed at the magician in the face.

“Sorry toots,” the man said.

“Mr. Dusk. Hi… what brings you here?” Rei asked as she waved off the smoke.

“Heard you were also a guest for ANGA?” Mr. Dusk said.

“I didn’t violate my contract by being a guest. I’m still working for DIDTV,” Rei said.

“Oh no no, I’m not here to hurt you,” Mr. Dusk said.

“You’ll have someone else take care of me?” Rei asked.

“No no. Something better. I want you to bring the heads of the contestants in your cameo. Helps us with some PR and sneak in advertisements. Those producers may attempt to censor you about this show but we can use subtle advertisements there,” Mr. Dusk said.

“Phew!” Rei said.

“Just ask the girls on the matter and we will get some easter eggs there,” Mr. Dusk said.

“I don’t know if ANGA will allow the head of a killer and a demon queen on set,” Rei said. “And we only got five heads for six contestants.”

“Oh, that is a shame. They told me the same thing,” Mr. Dusk said.

“Sorry sir,” Rei said.

“It’s alright. Also, nice new kid,” Mr. Dusk said.

“Um, thanks,” Rei said.

“Who’s the father?” Mr. Dusk asked.

“One of my uncles,” Rei said.

“Oh ho, you did what?” Mr. Dusk asked, looking surprised.

“No not that! She’s my cousin,” Rei said.

“Oh. Thought it was something scandalous,” Mr. Dusk said. “I’ll leave it to you. Keep up the good work.”

The pudgy man waddled off as Rei was left alone. The magician simply walked back to her store and acted as if nothing really happened.

…

Rehearsal 1: Eriza

Rei had a box with a dummy inside as she presented it to Eriza. The magician glared at the dragon demon girl as if she wanted to make sure she did not do anything funny. Eriza started back and looked impatient.

“Now then, what is your plan when I’ll be stuck in the box?” Rei asked.

“Transformation,” Eriza said.

“Huh?” Rei asked.

“I plan on using transformation to free you from the box,” Eriza said.

“Interesting,” Rei said as she looked impressed. “And?”

“That’s it,” Eriza said.

“That’s all?” Rei asked.

“Yep,” Eriza said.

“You got to do more than that,” Rei said. “Much more than the first challenge. Remember what I said to you before.”

“Fair enough,” Eriza said as she winced at that fact. “I should have been more specific. I am supposed to entertain after all.”

“Fine, we can test out to see what will work and what won’t,” Rei said.

“And what will annoy you the most,” Eriza said. “As for the theme, I even got one that will annoy you even more.”

“Please no,” Rei said.

…

Rehearsal 2: Rosa

Rosa started banging her head on the wall for some reason. Leaving Rei to just stare and curious for what is her act.

“So um… What's your idea?” Rei asked.

“I’m gonna free you with justice and love!” Rosa said.

“What does that entail?” Rei asked more.

“Uh… headbutting?” Rosa said.

“I guess if you got the skill and focus but bruteforce is kind of not magic,” Rei said.

“Not when I’m around!” Rosa said.

“Just somehow make this magical, okay,” Rei said.

…

Intermission:

Rosa was in her pink guest room while she was typing up a manuscript. She was typing furiously as she jolted down whatever she wanted to convey. When she stopped and took a read, she ruffled her hair in anger.

“Ah damn it! Not even I would want to read this!” Rosa said.

The door suddenly knocked as the knocker said. “Rosa, I got coffee.”

“Oh, thanks Belladonna,” Rosa said. “Come in.”

The tubby cat placed the cat themed mug on the table as she saw her former comrade in a deranged state. Rosa clearly looked tired and sore from rehearsals while having to write a book at the same time with her droopy eyes and hopeless look.

“Think it’s best to turn in for the night?” Belladonna asked.

“Oh it’s fine. I’m used to staying up this late to work,” Rosa said.

“Well, a more responsible reason than before,” Belladonna said. “I wanted you to grow up but not as this sad adult.”

“God, I just miss the good old days, you know!” Rosa said as she sipped her coffee. “Just me and my friends, falling in love, and just having fun. Now it’s just due dates, student loans, bills, editors, and crunch time. I haven’t procrastinated in years.”

“So, um… in terms of writing, what are you writing about?” Belladonna asked.

“Well, stories based on our adventures,” Rosa said. “I wanted to adapt that one time where Sherry was turned into a jar of jam but it’s like the time I turned into toast. I wanted to make it different but I’m stuck. I could try other ideas but they all feel the same as well.”

“Hmm, I guess I’ll look into the stories you wrote and think of something for you,” Belladonna said.

“You don’t have to,” Rosa said. “This is supposed to be between me and this obstacle.”

“I was your partner before and I still am now. I’ll think of something that will get you pumped up again,” Belladonna said. “Just do your best for now.”

“Thanks,” Rosa said as she looked guilty.

“Hey now… this just shows that you have grown up. You used to rely on me or others when things went bad. Maybe having a small tantrum or being annoying,” Belladonna said. “Okay, you had that outburst but it’s not as bad as before.”

“I’ll look forward to your ideas,” Rosa said.

…

Rehearsal 3: Jeanne

Jeanne was playing her guitar, testing out notes as the dummy slowly came out of the box. Rei looked impressed with what the vampire wanted to do but she could tell that something was off. The vampire looked at Rei nervously as she stopped playing with the dummy falling back into the box.

“I’m trying to think of a tune that would make this work as well as not relying on that snake song often used in this case,” Jeanne said.

“Ah, that classic but you are struggling with a twist,” Rei said. “But also consider that I would be in a state of incredible pain in the box. Simply letting me out willy nilly is not ideal.”

“Oh… I never thought of that,” Jeanne said.

“Hmm, maybe a song that is soft so that I’ll be pulled out easily and not painfully,” Rei said.

“I’ll try that,” Jeanne said as she played on her guitar.

The dummy came out like before but slowly with the limbs twisted back. Jeanne stared at the dummy as if she was trying to solve a puzzle while focusing on the song she was playing. The vampire was sweating as she had to focus on so much over one trick.

“You’re doing great!” Rei said.

“Phew!” Jeanne said.

“Hmm, I guess the next step is to condition you to get used to this act,” Rei said. “It might help you prepare for future acts as well. Maybe find ways to make this easier for you.”

“Okay!” Jeanne said as she slightly winced at the idea.

“Hmm, I’ll look over your training and physical prowess for this act as well,” Rei said. “I hope you’re ready.”

“Oh no… exercise…” Jeanne said as she grew nervous.

“Don’t forget a theme too!” Rei said.

“Oh god!” Jeanne said. “I have to work out and think of something more!”

…

Rehearsal 4: Noel

“Argh! I can’t think of any ideas,” Noel said.

“Were you nervous about what I said during the results?” Rei asked.

Noel looked down nervously and said. “Yeah…”

“Well, at least tell me what ideas you got so far,” Rei said.

“Okay… so I had this idea involving portals but the box is too small. Another involves turning you into pieces and taking you out while putting you back together. Then there is this idea involving breaking the box but Rosa had the idea first. And then…” Noel said.

“Hold on… you are thinking too hard about it,” Rei said. “Let’s try something you can do first. You got ideas but take a deep breath and let’s brainstorm together.”

“[breaths] Ok… so far, I guess I can do the toy idea,” Noel said. “That hasn’t been taken yet.”

“Arlight,” Rei said. “You got this. Now show me how it works.”

Noel went to the box and tapped it with her wand. She then shook the box a little before pouring it out and parts of the dummy were laying around like lego bricks. Rei looked intrigued by this and nodded in approval.

“Somehow make this flashy and I see a promising winner before me,” Rei said.

“Really? Thank you! I won’t let you down!” Noel said. “Based on our talk, I’m slightly inspired for the theme as well!”

…

Intermission:

Jeanne was doing push ups while using her hypnotic eyes to control Luna. The vampire’s back was not straight and she kept on falling at every attempt to do just one push up. This in turn made any control over Luna to be weak or there was no control at all.

“You got this!” Luna said.

“Ahhhh!!!” Jeanne said as she fell on her belly. “I’m so tired!”

Luna offered some blood packs that were in Jeanne’s luggage as the vampire drank from it like a juice pouch. The vampire then laid on her back and breathed heavily.

“Sorry for putting you through this. You were the only one available for this type of training,” Jeanne said.

“Oh it’s fine,” Luna said. “I just wanted to help.”

“I just need a break,” Jeanne said. “Then we can continue.”

“Okay! Take five!” Luna said.

Jeanne stayed where she was as she got her phone out as it was buzzing. It was a phone call from her dad of all people.

“Hello, papà,” Jeanne said.

“My bambino! I’ve been watching,” Luca de Luca said. “Still playing that guitar instead of using a steam roller.”

“Hmph…” Jeanne said nervously.

“Look, I’m willing to bring you the one I gave you on your 100th birthday,”  Luca de Luca said. “I’ll find a way to make it fit in that place you’re living in.”

“It’s okay papà, I… I got this,” Jeanne said.

“Just making sure my bambino is doing alright and you got to smile a bit more. You’re on TV,” Luca de Luca said.

“Arrivederci,” Jeanne said.

“Okay then. Just take care of yourself,” the father said before Jeanne hung up on him.

“Argh…” Jeanne said.

Luna appeared with more blood packs and said. “What’s that about?”

“Just my dad…” Jeanne said.

“I see,” Luna said. “I never really knew my own dad but my big sister did. Described him as average.”

“Oh… that’s nice,” Jeanne said. “Sorry for bringing that up.”

“It’s alright. I wanted to just talk to you and all the other girls here,” Luna said. “Now back to training.”

“Argh…..” Jeanne moaned.

…

Rehearsal 5: Killer

The next day, Killer was using her knife to cut the box with grace. Each slice was well thought out and passed through the box with ease. Rei was amazed by the craft as she could tell that some magic was used to prevent any error.

“Ah hmm,” Rei said. “That was amazing! More thought out than Rosa’s plans. There’s more elegance to what I’ve seen lately. If you weren’t trying to kill me, I would encourage this for the upcoming challenge.”

“I appreciate the praise but I must refrain from getting in touch with you, Rei Shinozaki,” Killer said. “I still need to kill you.”

“Just call me Rei,” Rei said.

“You do not get that right as it won’t matter in the end,” Killer said.

“You got to be f*cking kidding me,” Rei said. “Jerome, you got this! We can at least show this to the cops.”

“Oh… we really gonna do that?” Jerome asked.

“Yes!” Rei said.

“You won’t stop me for long,” Killer said.

“Oh f*ck you!” Rei said.

...

“Here’s another Q&A session with our cute heads!” Rei said. “Let’s see what we got this time!”

From James MacCloude:

Well it's nice to see Luna again after all these years, hope you're doing well little Lady. Now Rie you take good care of her. Eriza, my stewards are watching you, this venture will not end well if you push things. Jacob Schutter.

“For crying out loud Jacob, it’s Rei! Not Rie!” Rei said.

“Ah! Nice seeing you again too! I’m doing great!” Luna said. “I’ve been having fun and thinking of learning magic with Rei!”

“Right you are and eventually get that license and probably have you compete against my assistant in the future,” Rei said.

“Actually… I was thinking of being a model and actress in the future. I even had a start a year ago,” Luna said.

“Really?” Noel asked.

“My first gig was an ad on some fruit snack and I had my head painted to be like a blueberry,” Luna said.

“So they did use the heads of children instead of greenscreen! I should have known,” Pretty Pink said.

“I’m kind of surprised that you were in that ad as well as that’s what you want in the future,” Rei said.

“I’m still thinking about it but it’s one thing I wanna try for now,” Luna said.

“Huh… we’ll talk about it later when the time comes,” Rei said.

“[censored]” Eriza ranted. Luna looked shocked at Eriza’s language as Rei could only sighed in disappointment. The demon queen was fuming a lot of anger in her words that was hard to describe, questionable if it was in another language.

From Gwiber49:

Long time no see Luna! It's nice to see that you're still alive and well. Especially after that emu invasion a couple of years back. Those pesky birds are always trying to sell car insurance that nobody wants and are insanely difficult to kill, even by magical means! And their singing abilities leave much to be desired.

But, I have obviously not come to reawaken any PTSD you may've received from that event. I've come to ask you some questions if it is okay with you and your cousin?

Here are my questions:

a) What do you think of this mashup? (KoRn - Coming Undone VS Blue Stahli - ULTRAnumb)

b) What college degree is Katherine studying for?

c) Did you know that there is a faceless old woman secretly living in your home?

d) After hearing of what happens to the contestants should they lose, do you think that it may be a bit too harsh of a punishment? I mean they probably have some people waiting for them back home, so it would be quite cruel for them to end up as products to be bought and sold to God-knows-where. That to me sounds exactly like kidnapping/human trafficking and could land Rei into some deep legal trouble.

Again, nice seeing you, and I hope that the emus don't return with a vengeance!

-Gwiber (Gwee-Bear)

“Who are you again? I really don’t understand what you are talking about. Don’t you also mean Kate? I really think you got the wrong Luna,” Luna said. “But it’s still nice to see you.”

“I’m watching you creep!” Rei said. “Also for the punishment for losing, it’s legal and in the contract. The contestants are aware that they must see the show all the way through and would stay in a loser’s lounge. It just so happens that they will stay with me. They won’t be sold because I still need to give their heads back in the end.”

“Ohhh,” Jeanne said.

“Either way, I don’t think Luna is comfortable with you since well um… have you ever encountered an Emu Invasion?” Rei asked.

“Not that I know of but I did encounter a random Emu talking about cars. It left me alone since I don’t have one. It was weird but was not too troublesome,” Luna said. “As for that mash up, I like it.”

“Eh… I’m okay with it,” Rei said as she then noticed something was off with that answer. “Wait, you did encounter one of them?!”

“As for Kate, I think she is aiming for a degree in nursing or something related. She is still working on it,” Luna said.

“You met a talking Emu!” Rei said.

“I would like to know more about that please,” Noel said.

“Maybe later. It’s not that exciting, surprisingly,” Luna said.

“The comment did mention a faceless woman. I wonder where she is,” Noel said as she felt someone stroking her hair.

The heads looked up and saw what appeared to be a faceless woman. Jerome was filming the entire thing as said woman noticed that she was on camera. The woman then jumped off the window and as if she was never there to begin with.

“What the f*ck?!” Rei said.

“Ahhhhh!!!!!” Jeanne and Noel said.

“Hey! Explain yourself, fiend!” Pretty Pink said.

“She has no mouth,” Killer said.

“Oh, we do have a faceless woman here,” Luna said.

“What is all of this?!" Eriza asked.

"I guess that's all we have today!" Rei said. "See ya while we deal with this woman!"