-A night in the shack-

A figure wearing a hooded cloak walked down the streets. It was night and the streets were nearly deserted, but she didn't mind. She felt a need to not be seen. Eventually, she walks into a back alley, taking care to ensure her guard remained up.

It was the right place. At the end of the alley was a shack. The figure wasted no time and went to knock on the door.

"Come in," replied a voice from inside. The figure did so. "Can I help you?"

The figure snapped her fingers. In a flash, a cloud of smoke poofed around her; when it dissipated, the figure was wearing an elegant dress fit for a queen and had silver hair that reached to the floor.

"I have been looking all over for you." The figure, Majo Kai no Jou-sama, as she was usually called, took a seat in one of the chairs. "I have to know something. Something that you could possibly know."

"Ask away." A boy emerged from the darkness. He wore blue jeans, a black shirt with a metal Darth Vader on it, and grey shoes. "What do wish to know, your highness?"

"It's about that time a while back." Jou-sama looked down and pulled out a deck of Duel Monsters cards. "I don't get it. I've used this Six Samurai deck numerous times. And yet, I've lost every single time."

"That's it?" a new voice asked. It emerged and revealed itself to be a small pixie-like being. She wore a dress, had blue hair, and had wings that were both angelic and insectile. "It's just a children's card game? What's wrong with losing a few with a deck?"

"Because I feel I should've won by now. I've studied this deck repeatedly, learned every possible combo, and shuffled well. And I still keep losing."

"So you want to challenge me to try and test your luck?" The boy gave a quizzical look.

"Yes."

"Very well. I'll use my Verz deck."

The boy, Kada, got out his deck and placed it on the table. Jou-sama did the same. After shuffling each other's decks, they drew five cards. Kada allowed Jou-sama to go first.

It was odd. Jou-sama could never get the right card at the right time. By the time the duel was over, Kada had a full monster card zone while Jou-sama had nothing.

"And have you tried exchanging decks with others?" Kada inquired.

"Yes. And every single time, the deck worked for them. Every combo I learnt, used by them. And when I used their decks, I still lost. It's like every deck you gave us rejects me." Jou-sama balled her fist in frustration.

"I see." Kada closed his eyes in thought. "Then why don't we exchange decks?"

"Let's try it."

The male Puella Magi and the Queen of the Witch World traded decks and dueled again. This time, Jou-sama won. And she did so very easily despite Kada getting a powerful opening hand and drawing his cards right.

"Interesting. It seems you have an affinity for the Verz deck." Kada then noticed something on Jou-sama's arm. "Hmm? What is that? On your arm?"

Jou-sama grimaced and showed him. It was a black mark that went in a rough scale-like pattern. "I don't know."

"It reminds me of some of the Verz monsters," the pixie-like being, a Chara named Eva, blurted, "Though without the tentacles and metallic scales."

Jou-sama's eyes went wide. "N-nani? !"

"Relax." Kada shook his head. "It may be someone's idea of a prank." Kada pulled a card form his pocket and released its contents: a bottle of water. "If I may test this theory." Jou-sama pulled her glove down to reveal the entire mark. Kada poured the water on it…and it washed off in ink. "False alarm."

Jou-sama breathed a sigh of relief. Kada took a close look at where the mark was.

"I'm glad it was just some prank. I give you my thanks, Kada. I'll take my leave now." Jou-sama withdrew out the door. "I apologize for being an inconvenience."

"Oh, not at all, your highness," replied Kada.

"Just 'Jou-sama' will be fine."

"Whatever floats your way."

Jou-sama nodded. "Farewell." Jou-sama left, putting her disguise back on. She warped to Zutto Oshare Maho-dou and reentered Majo Kai via the branches on the tree.

It was only a few minutes after Jou-sama left. Kada and Eva were alone, figuring out what to make of the situation when a figure rose out of the shadows. He looked just like Kada, except his colors were darker and slightly inverted.

"You're so predictable, Skaj." Kada opened his eyes to look at the Shadow.

"Oh come on!" grumbled the Shadow. His name was Shadow Kada, but Skaj certainly worked for him. "You could at least act surprised!"

"Just cut to the chase: Is everything going according to plan?"

"Well, yeah! Except for one thing."

"And that is?"

"Well…"

"Will you get on with it? !" grumbled Eva.

"Okay! It's not going according to plan! Happy? !"

"Mildly." Kada transformed into his Puella Magi form. Skaj did the same. His colors were reversed compared to Kada's now and his Soul Gem may as well be called a Grief Gem. "I have some news though: Jou-sama does have it."

"So I was wrong about the plan's status?" Skaj smirked with enthusiasm.

"Yes. And now Phase One is complete," Kada chuckled, "Does Black Queen know about it?"

"She suspects nothing," Skaj said dryly.

"Fix it." Kada frowned. "And make sure the only she knows."

"Whatever. At least that's part of the plan."

"Indeed."

-End of Chapter-