Notes: Imagine Webster with Hiroki Yasumoto's voice.
"Reverse?" asked Madoka Kaname.
"Rebirth," replied the furry demon looking creature beneath her.
"That's what I said, Reverse," said Madoka.
"You're not stressing the right syllable. It's Re-birth," said the creature.
"Re-verse," said Madoka.
"How about we settle on a nickname," said the creature that was either called Reverse or Rebirth, "Call me Webster. Sorry about your dryer."
"Webster sounds cute," Madoka said. "Why that name?"
"I saw it in a book once," answered the creature.
Webster resembled a furry lizard, and was about the size of a small dog. His body was covered in black fur, except for a blue patch that resembled a gear on the top of his head. Two goat-like horns, curved inward, were on the top of his head, and his teeth were sharp and silver. Not a pleasant sight to look at, but Madoka couldn't help but giggle as he flopped out of the dryer.
Webster righted himself and began scratching at the side of his head. Madoka looked like a giant compared to him. Looking at the underside of her shirt, he could see the words "Mitakihara" printed out in bold English letters.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mitaki," said Webster.
"My name's Mado-," Madoka started to insist.
"Mitaki, I don't really have a place to call my own. Can I room with you for a while?" he said.
Madoka was surprised to hear such a deep voice coming out from a small creature. She could hear the pipes near the washing machine shaking in time with his syllables. His warm paws pressed into her shoulder sleeve.
Madoka walked up the steps to her bedroom. Amongst all the stuffed animals, Webster would blend right in. If her family discovered she was keeping a demon in her house, it would draw more attention than she wanted. Especially at this stage of her life where she was still trying to decide what to do.
Webster curled himself near the foot of Madoka's bed and fell into a deep slumber. Madoka patted his head. The gear mark on his head felt different, fleshier. The middle school student retracted her fingers by instinct, but then began rubbing it. Webster brushed his hand up against hers, and licked his lips.
In a bed made of more stuffed animals, Madoka left Webster in her room. Mami was visiting Sayaka's house at the moment, and wanted Madoka to stop by. As Madoka waved goodbye to her father, she wondered why Kyubey had been avoiding her today.
The streets of Mitakihara City were bustling with activity. People were walking back and forth out of the stores, conversing amongst themselves beneath the glass canopy. Messages were projected onto the ground and the sides of buildings, changing every few minutes. Everywhere Madoka turned, there was some new sight to stimulate her.
The clock tower was older than the rest of the city, but had a majesty all its own. Madoka stopped in the town square to catch her breath, and looked up at the clock. It was close to one in the afternoon. Sayaka's neighborhood wasn't far from here.
"How can I explain Webster?" Madoka thought out loud, "Sayaka would want to kill him."
"What's happening with Sayaka?" asked a voice from over Madoka's shoulder.
"Hitomi," Madoka said, turning around.
Hitomi Shizuki had been Madoka's friend for as long as Sayaka had. She was the opposite of Sayaka in almost every way, a fine, cultured young lady that everyone was expecting to be married before she left high school. She blew a green forelock out of the way and started walking beside Madoka at a brisk pace.
"She and Mami are working on a... community improvement project," said Madoka, struggling to not let her eyes reveal the lie.
Hitomi said, "Why would Sayaka work on something like that and not call me?"
"Personal reasons," Madoka said, turning into Sayaka's neighborhood.
Hitomi stopped at the front of the apartment complex where Sayaka lived. Her eyes carried a stern glare in Madoka's direction. "Madoka, I'm your friend. I'm going in there whether you want me to or not."
Madoka walked through the empty apartment to Sayaka's bedroom. She heard the clinking of teacups behind the door of her bedroom. Not wooden teacups either, but fine china. Hitomi's ears perked up at the noise. Sayaka couldn't afford these kinds of things, so who had brought them?
"Sayaka, I'm here," Madoka said.
"Who's this girl with you?" asked Mami.
"Hitomi Shizuki, pleased to make your acquaintance," said Hitomi, bowing.
Madoka heard Sayaka's voice bounding about in her head. "She's not supposed to be here. How can we discuss witch hunting if someone who cannot see witches is here?"
"Coded language," said Mami's voice inside Madoka's head.
"Keep an eye on her," said Sayaka's voice, changing to telepathy halfway through, "Though Kyubey's ditched us again. Who knows where he went?"
Hitomi took a seat at the table. Mami poured her a cup of tea. The steam was rising from it. The green-haired girl took a sip, and gave a passing glance at Sayaka's left hand.
"Nice ring," she said, "Did Kamijo get it for you?"
"No, no, he's been busy with violin practice and stuff," Sayaka said, "Okay, we're here on a..."
"Community improvement project," said Madoka, taking out her sketchpad.
"That," said Sayaka.
"In what way?" asked Hitomi.
"There are rude people causing problems," said Mami, "Sayaka and I have been inducted into a special task force to remove them. They gave us the rings."
"Can I join?" asked Hitomi.
Madoka grabbed Hitomi's arm and took her out into the hallway.
"You don't want to join," Madoka said.
"Is dealing with middle school delinquents that tough?" Hitomi asked.
"Hitomi, would you believe me if I told you that magic does exist?" asked Madoka.
"We're in middle school now, such childish things should be put away," said Hitomi.
"There could be magic anywhere," Madoka said. "It changes things."
"Madoka, this city is constantly changing. We're at the center of new technology. Just because it looks like magic doesn't mean it is magic," said Hitomi, "What's so wrong with letting me talk to Tomoe?"
Hitomi walked back in and took a seat closer to Mami. There were rumors she would be going to a prestigious all girls' school after her graduation, but nobody had heard from her parents in a long time. Madoka saw a spark of black in Mami's Soul Gem ring, and, worried, tried to divert the conversation once again.
"How did this afternoon's work go?" Madoka asked.
"Mami and I got into some tight spots," Sayaka said.
"We weren't alone," Mami said, "I think there was a new girl this time. One dressed in red."
Sayaka and Mami exchanged a glance at each other. Hitomi gave a subtle smile. She'd witnessed Sayaka teasing Madoka for a long time now, and they'd already done something without telling her a few nights ago. She was beginning to suspect this wasn't a community improvement project at all.
"They tend to hide out in places where nobody goes," said Sayaka.
"This sounds like something outside my expertise," said Hitomi, standing up and walking out the door.
"I... need to use the bathroom," Madoka said, frantically following behind her.
Time. Without a clock or the sun, the concept became meaningless to Webster. He'd been floating in the time stream in search of an exit. There were occasional hiccups that let him see what was happening in the moving world, the events playing out differently every time. He had resigned himself to finding a way to influence things within the time stream, if he could, until she came flying past.
The girl with the pigtails and glasses and the long black hair. Her self was thrusting backwards through time and space at several minutes a second. He'd seen her before, out of the corner of his eye, and knew he wasn't alone. This time, he noticed the Soul Gem and circular shield she carried, and bared his teeth.
Webster accelerated until he was surrounded by a magical aura, and snuck into the hyperspace storage within the pigtailed girl's shield. Various weapons surrounded him, their cold metal poking against his skin. Everything inside the shield jumbled.
Sensations were running through his body again. He had escaped the time stream. He knew it would be suspicious if he appeared in front of this girl right away. He'd thank her another time. Using his last bit of power, he teleported himself to the next closest source of magical energy - emotions.
Madoka saw Hitomi walk off in the direction of the shopping district. She tried to stop her, but her voice got lost in the crowds. Madoka realized she'd nearly forgotten about Webster. He had to be waking up by now. If Tatsuya found him, she'd be the one in trouble.
Madoka ran up to her room, throwing her shoes haphazardly on the ground, and tossed herself onto her bed. Webster was reclining on the cushions, scratching behind his ear with his tongue.
His eyes met with Madoka. A smile crossed the imp's face.
"I'm sorry, my friends are puella magi and..." she was cut off by Webster's deep voice.
"I know they are," said Webster, "Kyubey's here."
Madoka began twiddling her thumbs nervously. "So you... know Kyubey?"
"Of course I know him. Weaselly bastard trapped me in the time stream," said Webster.
"The time stream? Is that anything like a witch's barrier?" Madoka asked, memories of her trip through the witch's rose garden a few days ago returning.
"It's like a dream but with constantly changing numbers... I can't offer much of an explanation. You see, I come from a magical kingdom," said Webster.
Madoka tapped the gear mark on his head. Webster purred like a cat, further confusing Madoka as to what, exactly, he was. "Then where's Kyubey from?"
"From your perspective, I suppose there's no difference between another planet or a magical kingdom. This magical planet I call home has fallen into disrepair. The weasel doesn't care about it," said Webster, jumping onto the head of one of Madoka's plush bears, causing the head to squeak.
"Is there a chance I could see that world someday?" Madoka asked.
"Soon as I get my magic back, no problem. You'll be helping me save it," said Webster. "Mitaki, I want you to tell me your wish and become a puella sancta."
"Wishes?" Madoka said.
"That's the source of everything on this planet," said Webster, standing up on his hind legs before falling prey to gravity, "desire that drives the human spirit. I believe it can rebuild my world, as well as yours."
"I think I've heard this all before," said Madoka, "I'm sorry, but Homura wouldn't like me if I did this, and I want to become friends with her."
Webster slunk under Madoka's bed to continue recovering his energy. A dejected look crossed his face. Madoka felt like apologizing, but she didn't know the words to say. Kyubey never appeared in Mitakihara that night.
Madoka was sitting in class the next day. Webster had vanished from under the bed that morning. Madoka tried to take her mind off him, looking at the whiteboard instead. Ms. Saotome was informing the students that today would be the day they filled out their career evaluations. She quickly turned this into a chance to rant about her lack of a boyfriend, leaving the class to their own devices in spite of her presence.
Homura crumpled up the paper and tossed it into the trash bin. Kyosuke only filled out the first choice, and put his paper down. Sayaka quickly scribbled down three choices without looking down at the paper, and turned her gaze on Kyosuke again.
"Have you decided yet?" asked Hitomi.
"Isn't it a little early for this?" Madoka asked, "I don't really like being put on this to decide something so long term."
"It's not like it's permanent," said Hitomi, "You'll take it again next year and again in high school. You can write something different down every time. Perhaps you want to take over at your mother's company?"
"Her company seems really tough," Madoka replied, scribbling in the margins of the paper, "Instead of what I want to do, why can't I write down what I want to be?"
"Want to... be?" said Homura quietly.
"I want to be someone who inspires others," Madoka said, "but the current me won't be able to do that."
Madoka felt the weight on her shoulders had transferred to her head. A soft, fleshy underbelly was resting in her hair, curled up between her spiky pigtails like an ushanka. A deep voice boomed from the top of her head to the rest of the classroom. All eyes turned to her desk.
"That sounds like a wish!" he said.
Webster was using her head like a pillow. Madoka groped around and grabbed him beneath his front paws, pulling him downward and looking at him. Her face went blue with panic. She screamed something about going to the nurse's office and dashed out of the classroom as quick as she could. Webster's face looked very similar to hers as his lower body jostled around.
Madoka stopped near the water fountains outside the school, far away from the noise of the classrooms. She set Webster down and let him splash around in the fountain. He looked up at her with a passionate smile. Madoka kept her distance.
"I won't bite," said Webster, bearing a huge grin. "Animals aren't allowed at your school?"
"Animals aren't supposed to talk," said Madoka. "Why do you want to grant my wish now?"
"Prepare yourself!" said Webster.
The imp transformed his body into a black scarf that wrapped around Madoka's neck. His silver claws still showed at the end of the apparel. A wave of magic washed through Madoka's hair, transforming it from bright pink to brown. Starting from her heart, Madoka felt like warm sparks of electricity were spreading through her body. She could hear Webster's voice in her head.
"You'll decide the costume. I just want to get you ready," he said.
"What about my Soul Gem?" Madoka asked.
Webster abruptly reversed the transformation. Madoka felt her body whooshing back to normal. Webster lowered his head. His ears dropped down.
"Mitaki, I would never do that," said Webster, "That weasel wanted short term results, and turned to black magic. It's terrible stuff. Did you notice that you get corrupted by simply using it? I couldn't stand for that sort of thing. It's why he trapped me in the first place."
"What were you doing with my body, then?" said Madoka, looking at her reflection in the water puddle.
"Readying your soul for becoming a puella sancta. I'm keeping it inside your body. A healthy soul resides in a healthy body and a healthy mind."
Madoka felt something round and smooth appear near her stomach. She pulled up her shirt and looked down at the pink gem that had embedded itself in her belly button. She reached her fingers between the stone and the flesh, and examined it in her hands. As soon as her fingers, starting to become covered in sweat, let it go, it magnetized itself right back to her navel.
"E-eh?" Madoka said.
"This is a Touch Stone. It's a fragment of my magic and your wishes that can transform you at any time. It's linked to your soul, so instead of the magic fueling you, you fuel the magic," said Webster.
"So Kyubey's magic isn't the only kind?" Madoka asked.
"I'm a practitioner of white magic. Instead of granting your wish immediately, I'll give you the power to grant it yourself. You can call me a partner," Webster finished.
"So this white magic..." Madoka said, her face lighting up.
"Hope. Altruism. Joy. Become a puella santca, and we'll set things right this time," he said. "Mitaki Haracity, do you want to save the world?"
"Get my name right!" Madoka said.
Webster became a scarf once again. Madoka's hair turned to brown and became twice as long as is it had been before. Her pigtails became more elaborately designed. Her school uniform vanished from her body, before being replaced with a white and pink skintight suit. Gloves and boots, with the same energy lines as her suit, popped into place around her arms and legs. A frilly pink dress with large shoulders and a frilly waist appeared over her body, completing her transformation.
She felt like her arms were being controlled by Webster. She clasped her hands near her stomach before moving them upward and spreading them out, as if kissing the world. Sparkles of pink electricity were shooting out around her body.
"The dreaming girl from the day of creation. Puella Sancta Marvelous-"
"Mitaki!" shouted Webster.
"Madoka!"