Author's Notes: Turns out I didn't need a number for this chapter, so I left it out to give myself more freedom. You will also notice it has its own title instead of a numbered chapter.

By the way, honorifics will be used in this chapter - a LOT. I couldn't find a way to translate their meaning whilst keeping the story going at a steady rate so I just left them alone. I also removed the brackets from the dialogue spoken by Japanese characters for chapters such as this ONLY. Hopefully, it looks better.

Almost forgot: ENGRISH! ENGRISH EVERYWHERE!

I should also take this time to address a few things related to the recent reviews: Yūki Aoi and Kitamura Eri are named after the seiyūs of Kaname Madoka and Miki Sayaka, respectively. The fictional group Magica Quartets is named after the group that created the show. (Aside from SHAFT) The reason why Tomoe Mami is an idol is because the idea is based off a particular event in the PSP game. Finally, Chichin Pui is a typical Japanese magical stock phrase, nothing more and nothing less.

I should also mention I have a habit of making references/cameos about a LOT of stuff in my story. TRY AND SPOT THEM ALL IF YOU CAN!

This chapter was completed on 25/03/2013.

Reviewed by _

-{Disclaimer: I do not own 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', the 'characters' or any of the 'settings'. All rights belong to SHAFT and the staff members.}-

-=/\/\*/\/\=-

Puella Magi ga Gotoku

-=\/*\/=-

="Kisaragi-san, can you answer this equation for the class, please?"= Saotome-sensei inquired with a sincere smile, pushing the loose glasses back into place between her eyes.

="Yes, Sensei."= Standing up from her seat and marching towards the digital whiteboard, the student grabbed a pen-shaped device to interact with it, writing down the sums and calculations for the required answer. Planting the pen back to where she retrieved it and spun on her heel to face the pupils, the entire class of 2nd years soon applauded her effort, seemingly stunned by her intellect – Kisaragi Hana welcomed it with a cheery grin.

="Well done, Kisaragi-san!"= Sensai praised her student with much optimism, her hands clapped together. Making her way back to her seat, the school bell suddenly rang aloud with a familiar set of chimes. Eager to leave just like her fellow classmates, Sensei gave out one last announcement. ="Everyone, remember to study hard for tomorrow's lesson – especially you, Nakazawa-kun."=

="Y-Yes, Sensei..."= The boy in the front row named Nakazawa answered nervously with edgy eyes, a lone sweat rolling off his temple.

With everyone stood up before their identical tables, the students of Class 2-B gave a bow of respect to Kazuko Saotome-sensei before grabbing their belongings and leaving with plans for the afternoon.

="Kisaragi-san, can I speak with you for a moment?"= Sensei voiced her intention to the ponytailed learner, stopping her from walking out the entrance after folding her seat and table back into the integrated floor just like the others have done.

="What is it, Sensei?"= She asked with an open mind.

="Some people have been reported missing for the past few days, including Tsukuba Yō from Class 2-C."= The adult informed worriedly as she crossed her arms, rubbing the jumper's pink sleeves. ="Be careful if you are walking home tonight, I would be very upset if I lost a promising student like you."=

="Don't worry, Sensei."= Hana assured, pushing her own pair of round glasses back into place as the ceiling's white light reflected off the lenses. ="I'm always with my friends, so I'll be fine. See you tomorrow!"= With that said to the light cherry-haired individual after waving goodbye, the young girl left the glass-built room and soon the entirety of Mitakihara Middle School to bathe in the bright yellow sun.

It was time to do whatever she desired - she was free.

"Furenshippu taimu！"

={SOUL'S MONOLOGUE #01}=

I wasn't always a Magical Girl, did you know that?

I used to live a normal life with friends - we got to laugh, talk, have fun, and tackle the hard things in life.

I remember them like it was just yesterday.

But that's all they will ever be, now - memories.

Everything changed on that day, my view on the world twisted beyond recognition.

My friends gradually changed...

Their personalities gradually changed...

My life gradually changed...

My name is Hana, daughter of the Kisaragi Family, and this is my story.

=Magia Life Gaiden: Cowardly Default=

-The Relentless Little Red/We Will Survive!-

-Part 1/2-

-=/II\=-

~2011/08/04~

Ψ – EYES OF THE ASTUTE – Ψ

ᕙFIVE=MONTHS=PRIOR=TO=YGGDRASILᕗ

[AFTERNOON]

-=\II/=-

="Hana-chan, you've got some cream on your cheek."= The town was bustling with life - the sound of chatter travelling through the air, the busy cars coming and going on the streets, and a cool breeze raging past the girls' ears time after time again as Hana promptly wiped her face with her own uniform's sleeve of creamy-white colour. ="You're the smartest in our class, but you carelessly eat like a chipmunk. Can't you try and treat food with a little respect?"=

Walking side-by-side with her slightly tall friend, Hana shot back with a truthful statement in a foreign tongue, feeling insulted. "Nōbadīzu pāfekuto。" Her mouth was stuffed with bread bursting with a tasty chestnut filling as she chomped it down into tiny bits. Finished after ingesting it down her throat, her hand quickly reached into her navy-blue school bag, pulling out another piece of bread as it shone with a golden-brown colour.

A tiresome sigh was suddenly heard; with fingers running through a long silky hair of crimson and cars passing by on the road, an opinion was sorely expressed. ="No matter how long you practice, it's not going to get any better."= She said as if her mind had heard the language over a thousand times. ="Hana-chan, you should stop and find a new hobby. You're just embarrassing yourself."=

="But I like speaking English, Ayame-chan."= Gulping down the delicious food from her hand, thoroughly licking her lips in satisfaction the next, Hana continued. ="And it is getting better!"= She claimed, her honest attitude seemingly ineffective in convincing Yayoi Ayame. Gently straightening her back with arms positioned onto her hips, Hana's hazel eyes pierced into the berating soul as she pouted. "Mai ingurisshu isu guddo。"

This, along with her confident posture, was met with an extensive sigh that lasted for quite some time - 13 seconds to be precise. ="I give up."= Ayame admitted in defeat, her head hung to the side.

"Win！" Wearing a victorious grin over her face after an intense day after day verbal battle about the English language, Hana vigorously leapt into the air to punch the faraway sky before landing back on solid pavement. At the same time, a sudden set of chimes rang at the sound of a door squeaking away as it moved, catching the two's attention from behind. As soon as they turned, they came face-to-face with a well-known student from school. ="Ah, Senpai!"=

="Ooouaahh!?"= Spooked by an unexpected voice, the teenager jumped in surprise with eyes wide and hair of cyan-colour swaying in reaction to the wind. ="Kisaragi-san?! Yayoi-san, too?!"=

="Good afternoon, Miki-senpai."= Greeting Miki Sayaka with a respectful bow, Ayame presented a heart-warming smile to her senior, comforting her frightened soul. ="What are you hiding behind your back?"= With her mind gripped by a peculiar box poorly hidden away from curious blinking eyes, Ayame asked ever-so-kindly.

="Ehehe, w-well..."= A sweat trickled down the brow; her voice stuttering away without uttering a single proper word - she was suspiciously nervous for some strange reason as she began to gradually lean away from the observant 2nd years.

(Hmm... I wonder what Senpai is hiding?) Cautiously watching the girl's abnormal behaviour, Hana thought to herself with arms folded. (The content inside that box must be very important if she's not going to tell us. Maybe I should-) Before she could finish her train of thought, a sudden outcome emerged that was almost as swift as a feline.

Sayaka had just turned tail and ran.

However, she was immediately stopped in her tracks after taking only a couple of steps.

="Miki-senpai...?"= Standing before her were 4 girls of similar age, their uniforms identical and a symbol of Mitakihara Middle School: Creamy-white blouses with puffed shoulders and long sleeves that ended with white cuffs around the wrists. With an average-sized crimson bow adorned to the chest area, a short-length divided black skirt with checkered white lines and long stockings of the same colour on the legs with shoes of brown worn on their feet, the 4 gave off a very formal impression. ="Why were you running?"=

="It might have something to do with that box, Elise-chan."= The student next to her pointed out, her glossy-lime hair reflecting under the sun's ray of warmth.

="A box? Why would Sayaka-senpai buy...?"= Another girl in the group questioned aloud, her finger placed on her chin.

Turning to her companion with lush long hair of lavender tied in a pigtail fashion, Elise spoke with an answer. ="Komachi-chan, I think Miki-senpai-"=

="Don't tell me...!"= The person called Komachi gasped a moment later, her hands concealing her mouth in realisation. ="Did someone propose to be your boyfriend?!"=

="Wah, I feel so jealous!"= At the back, one particular person with hands flat on her cheeks squealed in pure happiness, her golden eyes shimmering at the thought of a boy winning over Senpai's heart and soul. "Hāmonī！"

="Wait a moment, it's not like that!"= Quickly waving her hands side to side in an effort to deny such a ridiculous accusation, Miki-senpai's spirit to fight against this battle of idea after idea was beginning to dwindle - there was no way she could win all by herself. Grumbling, Sayaka had little choice but to reveal her secret after dropping her arms, seemingly lifeless to all as they dangled. ="It's for-"=

="-bidden Love?"=

="YOU'RE MAKING IT WORSE!"= The conversation escalated pretty badly in a short amount of time... Out of nowhere, Ayame had just uttered a phrase that could sever bonds of friendship. It was a phrase that should never be expressed out in the open. Despite this, Hana giggled out of guilty pleasure - beholding Miki-senpai's embarrassing red face was simply to-die-for, figuratively speaking.

The party of 4, on the other hand, appeared to have taken it a little too personally.

="Th-That means...!"= Komachi's chest tightened, her hands pressed against her beating heart.

="...Miki-senpai..."= Adding to the sentence a second later, Elise shockingly gazed at her senior.

="...is in love..."= Claire, with a personality that was usually quiet and gentle, also contributed alongside her friends.

="...with her childhood friend..."= And finally, the once high-spirited Hiyori of shining yellow, now transformed into an motionless being, spoke with hollow words.

="...MADOKA-SENPAI?!"= All at once in unison, the girls suddenly screamed at the top of their lungs, recoiling back in horror in the process - their minds were unable to grasp the image of both Miki Sayaka-senpai and Kaname Madoka-senpai holding hands, sharing a kiss and going beyond the level of just being friends to...an everlasting couple.

Feeling the need to pitch in the fun, Hana added her thoughts on the growing situation. ="Senpai with Kaname-senpai? Isn't that a bit dangerous~?"=

="Aaaargh! You're all wrong, wrong, WRONG!"= Reaching the limit of her tolerance, Senpai answered the loquacious bunch as she scratched her head in absolute frustration, unable to stand them any longer. Gradually finding the time to subside her exasperation, she took in a deep breath as the 4-sided container was presented in all its splendour. ="I've bought this for Sakisaka."=

(Sakisaka...?) Familiarity washed over Hana as did the wind, the name ringing through her mind and memories like the feeling of being close to an active bunsen burner - she had heard that name before. Compelled to ask out of clarification, the young girl pushed her spectacles back into place. ="You mean Sakisaka Fuminori-san from Class 3-A?"=

="Mm-hm."= Senpai replied in agreement, her welcoming smile returned as if it had never vanished.

="Are you buying Sakisaka-san a present because you like him?"= Straight to the point as usual, Elise rubbed her hands anxiously behind her back. ="Are you going to show us what's in the box?"=

="I..."=

="Are you not going to show us?"= Senpai was hesitant to answer as Elise tilted her head, waiting.

="I'm only buying this for him so he can give it to Madoka."=

(Isn't that just an indirect form of Forbidden Love?)

="To tell you the truth, I'm kind of jealous."= Senpai admitted out of the blue. ="When I see Madoka with Fuminori, I feel like I should share my feelings with someone I care about as well: Secrets, holding hands, being happy together..."= All of a sudden, she stopped as she quietly muttered under breath, her eyes shifting rapidly between the group and pair of 2nd years, refusing to continue. ="Sorry, I have to go. It's getting late."= With nothing but silence following from there and a concentrated gaze to the concrete pavement, Senpai began to walk away with a disheartened look, her troubled mind locked away.

="Ah! Sayaka-senpai was right! It is getting late!"= Exclaiming in astonishment as Komachi monitored her wristwatch, the other 3 gasped with concern. ="Sorry, Hana-chan! Ayame-chan! There's a special sale for a limited edition figma bundle of the Magica Quartets by Max Factory! We'll see you two tomorrow!"= Surrounded by an aura of glee, the girls beamed before making a mad dash to the Shopping Mall, their determination burning with a youthful passion.

="Hana-chan, I need to leave too. Koro-chan will be waiting for me."=

="Can I come, too? I want to give Koro-chan is big hug again~~!"= Hana requested, her hazel eyes seemingly gleaming with desire. ="I'll call Okā-san and Otō-san so they know where I am."=

Ayame gave out a brief chuckle, her hair ever-so-active to the breeze. ="Be gentle, understand? You almost choked him last time."= She reminded with a bitter memory from 2 weeks ago, one that was as fresh as yesterday's routine tasks of gaining knowledge.

="I understand~~!"= Bursting with the recurring sensation of excitement, the girl nodded as she pulled back a smile to reveal her lustrous teeth.

The clouds above with the bluest of skies beyond was beginning to fade in favour of pale orange, a flock of birds souring past with the weather finally dying down until only the feeling of solitude had engulfed the town - evening was about to make its foreseeable entrance. Gradually marching away from the accessory shop, Kisaragi's interest slowly turned her head in the direction of the sun, perplexed by a phrase only she had curiously heard. These were Senpai's final words accumulated from events only she came to experience before disappearing into the golden horizon, an emotional thought upsettingly expressed through a low whisper:

="...just like Hitomi and Kyōsuke."=

-=/III\=-

[EVENING]

-=\III/=-

="Koro-chan, how is this~?"= The hand moved with a soft and elegant touch, progressively shifting from the shaggy neck to the velvet back where the spinal cord resided. ="What about here? Do you like it~?"= She asked with a gracious grin and loving eyes as Koro-chan's only response to this caring treatment was the powerful sound of heavy panting and an affectionate kiss to Hana's cheek. ="Kyaa! Don't do that...! You're going to get my glasses wet, heehee~!"= Perpetually licking the friendly girl, despite her harmless plea, his tongue began to make its way down her neck little by little, tickling her into a state of delight.

A playful companion like Koromaru the Shiba Inu was simply too much fun to resist.

="Koro-chan, it's time to go home."= Ayame notified her pet as she caressed his snow-white coat with a gentle stroke, causing the loyal dog to bark in agreement while gazing back from Hana to his owner with eyes as red as flames.

="It's amazing how smart Koro-chan is!"= Hana remarked, currently evident by his skill in shaking her hand. ="I wish he could speak Japanese, it would make him more adorable~"=

Night was approaching ever more... Having taken a long stroll around Mitakihara Town with the dog on a leash, the trio were prepared to depart and march back to their respective homes for tomorrow's crucial lesson.

However...

Something was out-of-place, the air around them felt contaminated by what could be described as the dark feeling of malice. It's presence alone was seething into the surrounding area; carefully digging their tendrils into the minds of energetic teenagers - somebody was observing them from afar. The sound of the beating heart pounded against her chest was akin to a drum, nervous about what was to come as Hana's eyes widened after peeking over her own shoulder. A single glance was all she needed to identify the watcher coming into view under the lamp post's spotlight; from the dead of night, he was the least among many she had expected to meet. ="Junpei?"=

="Iori Junpei from our class?! What is he doing out here?"= Placing her sight upon the person with a black cap as Ayame exclaimed his name, Koro-chan began to growl towards him with hostility.

(Junpei's hand...) There was something smeared over his fingers along with particular shady droplets of liquid, leaving a foreboding trail behind him that could frighten all whom come across it. (Is that BLOOD?!) A wide grin was plastered over Junpei's face, apparently ecstatic about something as he tilted his head back to gaze the unlit sky. This wasn't like him, his charming smiles were always friendly and frequently accompanied by joke-like comments to lighten the mood - this smile, however, had 'cruelty' written all over it. Hana could feel it in her guts.

Without warning, the jester of their middle school immediately turned away from his fellow classmates, his legs dragging the body away whilst shambling side to side almost zombie-like. ="Ayame-chan, let's follow him."= How could he not see them? He was practically standing right in front of them, but his conscious was seemingly vacant. Giving chase alongside her friend and reliable companion, Hana masked herself behind a wall before peering into the corner, keeping her composure under control. (Junpei...) The tension in the atmosphere thickened with the aid of time, her blood boiling with anxiety as her eyes narrowed - Junpei wasn't alone.

Exposing themselves by the dozen, men and women lumbered around in a manner similar to the student. Their destination: An old warehouse surrounded by many more in design.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing...

Hana knew some of these people, she even helped them in town from time to time. The more she witnessed this ominous gathering, the more it pained her for such an image to be burnt into her retina.

="Hana-chan, we should call the police."= Ayame suggested, her fears surfacing. ="They're trained to handle problems like these; we're just children, we'll only get hurt."=

She was right - they were children with unrealised futures, flowers that have yet to fully blossom. There was so much they have yet to achieve and potential death was just across the road. Seeking professional assistance at this point was the most logical step, any other solution would just lead to pain and suffering. (That's...!) She leaned forward with something caught within her field of vision, her hands shivering with dread - some of the men were carrying liquid cans, each probably large enough to support at least 20L. She feared for the worst. ="By the time they arrive, it would be too late."= Marching away from her cover, Hana tightened her fists as the sound of the beating heart intensified. ="I'm going to try and stall them. Ayame-chan, stay here with Koro-chan."=

Before she could follow the groups of zombies, her wrist was suddenly gripped by a familar warmth. ="Don't...!"= A voice rose with trepidation. ="It's too dangerous!"=

="Ayame-chan, please..."= Turning her head to the worried girl with a loving white dog in her trembling hands, Kisaragi Hana's lips curled back for a tranquil grin. "Birību。" With a phrase uttered in English, Yayoi's grip gradually lessened in seconds. (Now!) Taking this opportunity to yank her hand away from her friend, the glasses-wearing student ran with all her might to the warehouse, having no intention to turn back and cower in the shadows without bringing back proof of her soon-to-be-obtained accomplishments - she hoped this was the right thing to do. If it wasn't, then this would become one of the worst decisions she had ever conceived.

Hana was not far from the truth...

The steel shutters were closed tight; locked from the inside with seemingly no additional method of gaining entry. The unwavering girl carefully examined her surroundings - these types of warehouses had glass windows slightly above the average height of a regular-grown person, meaning she could climb in. However, smashing the glass would alert the cult to her presence, Hana could not afford to lose the element of surprise. Luckily for her, there was already broken glass just around the corner, including a set of makeshift-stairs assembled from wooden crates. Hana widened her eyes to this perfect coincidental scene alongside a quiet whisper in English. "Rakkī！"

As the wind pressed against her cheeks, shifting the ponytail over to her shoulder, Hana's inner voice went over the recent plan produced from the superb mind.

#1: Infiltrate the cult's hideout.

#2: Conceal her presence from the enemy's line of sight.

#3: Put a stop to their nefarious plans, whatever it may be.

#4: If the situation escalates beyond her control, retreat with her life.

It was as simplistic as boiling a cup of noodles, but it was easier thought than done as Kisaragi Hana reflected on her actions; a powerful chill suddenly invading her heroic spirit in the cover of eerie black.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all.

(WHY DID I JUST DO THAT?! I should have stayed with Ayame-chan...!)

Fright sank its eager fangs into the misguided child of Japan, thirsty to drain her pool of courage dry until not a glimmer remained. Hana had failed to take into account a fatal complication in her equation, an obstruction that would hinder her progress as well as cost a precious life - the window was out of reach. There were no nearby objects to interact and reposition without giving away her presence within this decaying warehouse of old. Even the entrance itself was out of the question, its steel handles bound by thick chains and a padlock. There was no denying it, she was trapped. Escape was impossible.

(What should I do...? There's no way out.) She monitored the state of the situation whilst trembling behind a set of barrels. Beyond the midst of the crowd, their fingers twitching to act, a voice with a strong sense of authority echoed, reaching their obedient minds.

="Welcome, my friends."=

It was feminine, young and full of energy judging by the tone, but she couldn't see who it was. Hana quietly breathed in and out, setting her eyes on darkness casted by lunar rays of the moon - she had to get closer.

="We have been chosen to leave behind our lives, our bodies, to be accepted someplace wonderful: Eternal Paradise!"=

'Paradise'...? Hana wasn't convinced by her nonsensical preaching, this person may have escaped from the hospital and was probably suffering from some type of mental disorder. The girl was almost there, however, she just needed to close the gap a little bit more.

="Those who have sinned; those who have committed crimes...must be cleansed. We cannot enter unless we do so! Paradise invites only those who believe in our cause! Our righteous path!"=

The shadows were gradually growing with each passing second, providing more cover to stealthily sneak as Hana took a peek over a large wooden crate. A quick analysis was all she ever required for a ghostly night such as this to transform into a mind-blowing mystery. The person standing at the front with navy-coloured eyes and light brown short hair, her wild expression and dressed in a creamy school uniform now darkened by dirt belonged to someone familiar. Someone she knew...

Hana never knew such a sinister personality lingered within.

(Yō...?!) There was no doubt about it - it was Tsukuba Yō from Class 2-C of Mitakihara Middle School. The same Tsukuba Yō who supposedly disappeared without explanation. Hana was struck with horror by this revelation, her fragile being quivering ever more so. (Yō...is the cult leader?! That's...!) The girl around her age was overjoyed by her ideal with arms open as if to welcome the deities of light, awaiting to be liberated from mortal confinement. Hana thought to herself for a few moments, struggling to consider a new viable plan in favour over the original. Adding to it, if possible.

But, all of a sudden, she stopped. (Huh...?)

Up above the religious horde, there, stationed on the metal beams that supported the roof, was a peculiar animal. Was it a cat, a ferret, or some type of rabbit? It's colour coat and body were hidden from plain view by the shadows of the night, but its eyes were as clear as day. Those crimson orbs effortlessly pierced through the darkness, giving off a perturbing aura whilst observing the compulsive people...until it turned to her without warning, its sight locked onto Kisaragi Hana with terrifying interest like no other. The feeling of daggers staring into her soul felt almost appropriate enough to describe it.

Flinching in surprise, her mouth covered by her hands, legs shivering, Hana's own being refused to cease reacting to the creature of alien origin - it was fear on an entirely different level.

Unexpectedly, in that moment of great confusion, it was suddenly gone in the blink of an eye - vanished from reality. (What...was that?) As much as her mind demanded a logical answer, the black powder of danger began to ignite.

="My friends! The time has come! Commence the holy ritual!"= Amidst the dozen followers of regular people, 2 to 3 males proceeded to pour gallons after gallons of liquid over the floor, releasing a familiar fume into the air. Hana was correct, this lethal scent - it was none other than the world's most valuable resource: Gasoline. It was everywhere from the ground to soaking into people's clothing, their smiles were a clear sign of their minds gone mad. The student with the cap, Iori Junpei, had a lighter in hand and was eager to turn this place into a make-shift furnace.

Hana wouldn't allow it, not on her watch. ="STOP!"=

At the sound of her command, all motion ceased to be aside from one particular female, the leader of this insanity. ="Hana-chan, welcome."= Yō greeted with a calm and lethargic tone, her eyes dull. ="Have you come to join us?"=

="I'm here to stop you!"= She opposed the idea with hardened fists, her heart beating more rapidly after standing out into the open.

="Stop...me?"= She repeated with difficulty, as if she didn't understand the meaning of the phrase. ="Stop...me? Stop?! ME!?"= A cruel smile quickly formed on her face as she continuously repeated the same phrase over and over again, her voice gradually breaking down into a maniacal laughter. ="STOP ME?! STOP ME!? STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-ST OP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-STOP -ME-STOP-ME-STOP-ME-AHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"=

="Y-Yō...san?"=

As if controlled by a simple flip of the switch, the horror-inducing laugh disappeared; replaced by a voice devoid of emotion. ="My friends..."= Announcing to her fellow members, their eyes and ears were drawn to the speaker. ="Our newest addition, Hana-chan, needs saving."= With another sinister smile pulled back and wearing a crazed expression, Yō directed her finger towards the newcomer. ="Save her."= At her command, the townspeople began to shamble ever-so-slowly to the point Hana could easily dodge them, but she was quickly taken by surprise at the sight of them dashing towards her. There was no time to avoid them, no time to flee as her body was pushed to the ground, her arms restrained - Hana was unable to fight back. As if the situation could not degrade any more, the clown promptly reached out and wrapped his hands around her windpipe, gripping and crushing it as he grinned, his strength increasing with every resistance as he continued. Junpei was completely under Yō's unbreakable influence.

At the sight of her life literally being choked out of her, Kisaragi Hana tearfully cried in sorrow.

="O...kā...san..."=

She would never find the chance to see her mother's smile again.

="O...tō...san..."=

She would never find another chance to hear her father's praise again.

"An...a...be..."

And she would never be able to see her cousin's face one last time.

(I'm sorry...)

However, the threads of fate continued on without a moment's pause, her inner fire yet to become smothered by the darkness of despair - Hana's struggle was about to take a turn for the worse towards a strange journey.

One by one, the men and women victims of a false promise began to utter the painful sounds of grunts and screams, their footsteps splashing against the dangerous fuel while backing away from their captive prey. Resonating throughout the building, striking anxiety into the people's hearts, a well-known and ferocious growl seething with resentment made its presence known. At the same time, rubbing her throat with concern whilst forcefully gasping and coughing for all to hear in unbearable agony as her vision returned bit by bit, a set of tears leaving her eyes, Hana heard footsteps approaching before they came to a stop - a gentle soft hand was offered before a voice rang out. ="Hana-chan, are you okay?"=

As a moment passed, Kisaragi Hana gazed upon the rescuer's eyes and as her strength slowly returned, she firmly grasped the hand with an added gratifying smile. ="Ayame-chan..."= She had never felt so relieved to be alive; to see a pleasant and reliant friend supporting her in times of need. ="Koro-chan..."= Standing his ground between the cult members and the girls was a white dog determined to protect both his adoring owner and playmate, his soul set ablaze.

="The police are coming, Tsukuba Yō."= Yayoi Ayame warned with Hana held close to her chest. ="It's not too late, give up now."=

="But it is, Ayame."= The leader shot back with a despicable glare as her fists tightened. ="I've lost everything worth fighting for; everyone I care for..."= As she continued to speak her damaged mind, tears of sorrow were quickly wiped away with her sleeves. ="You don't know what it's like to have someone taken from you by some girl pretending to be stupid just to look innocent, trying to charm her way into people's hearts, trying to cheat her way and get good grades! That stupid faker stole my Fuminori!"= The warehouse itself suddenly began to vibrate, its contents of crates and metal showing signs of movement. ="She doesn't deserve him! HE'S MINE-HE'S MINE-HE'S MINE-HE'S MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-MINE-FUMIN ORI IS MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!"= At the height of her volatile temper raging out of control, the black shades spontaneously sprang to life; the world around them warping without sense or logic into an existence of mirrors and strings left afloat whilst the darkness merged with their deranged ruler.

Tsukuba Yō, the girl once thought ordinary by all, was in-fact the Mistress of Shadows.

="Y-Yō-san...!"= Hana called out to no avail, the magic-user's sickening great talons raised high in the sky before bringing them down with intent to kill. Flesh was swiftly torn, blood was gruesomely spilt and pain was deafeningly bellowed. This inhuman scream belonged not to the girls, but to none other than Yō herself.

Her monstrous arm was no more as it dissolved into the ground, severed by sharpened steel - Hana was bewildered by who this character was, her eyes wide to take in this incredible image. (No way...!)

The figure was clad in Japanese garments of old composed of various soft traditional violet and light violet fabric layers, the waist tied by a large sash dyed in a deeper colour ending with a ribbon at the front and possessing an average skirt with frills underneath to cover the naked thighs. The article on the upper body connected to the lower half had sleeves, albeit, too short to reach the elbows. The actual sleeves themselves were separate articles of long clothes hanging off the arms and connected to the shoulders via resilient strings of the same colour. Adorned on the feet were violet tip-toe socks that extended to the knee and the shoes were light flat sandals - it was similar to uniforms worn by females during the Edo period, but with a more stylish approach.

With a star-shaped gem of magnificent yellow brimming with cyan clipped firmly to the young warrior's hair and a naginata held in both hands, the figure took up a defensive stance against the now-unrecognisable Tsukuba Yō.

="Komachi-chan?!"= Hana exclaimed to the girl despite the present danger.

="Ayame-chan, Hana-chan! Stay back!"= Time was not a luxury they could freely waste in a situation as dire as this, the lives of many innocents were hanging in the balance. Or rather, literally hanging from strings as the suspended horde advanced against their will. Immediately sprinting forward, Komachi summersaulted over them before perfectly landing back onto her feet, ending the dramatic display with a mighty swing of her weapon through the empty air. The sound of something thin soon snapped, their binds thoroughly cut as their bodies fell flat on the floor in a state of unconsciousness - all that occurred within a single heartbeat, a single incredible second. Yō was next...

Letting loose a threatening howl as she swung her massive black arm, shattering numerous mirrors as she did so, the shards were quickly launched at the sound of her next screeching cry. This ruthless attack, however, had little to no effect on Komachi. Her weapon was more than a match to counter it, reflecting them away with each rotation of the naginata at blinding speed. With an opportunity seemingly presented through her periwinkle-coloured eyes, the pigtail girl rushed head-first towards the menace whilst continuously fending off the remaining shards before proceeding to leapt into the air and deliver a lethal gift: A powerful slash across the Mistress of Shadows' head without a second thought.

However, all that seemed to be was but a false impression.

The attack itself unveiled something far sinister behind the curtains of darkness as Yō dropped lifelessly to the ground, something beyond this world of science - it was a nightmarish puppet of immense size dressed in a tattered kimono, its deep red eyes piercing through the hollow eye sockets. This thing was probably Tsukuba's own shadow, the true self. Despite what was clearly in front of her, Komachi did not hesitate to kill it. She did not think, did not anticipate for any unforeseen consequences or even say a word. What mattered above all else was for the sharp tip of the naginata being held high in the air to be brought down swift and sure. In the end, before that abomination could make its next fatal move, the victor had already been decided.

The release of a final, horrifying scream from an exploding doll was their answer. Unnerving as it may be, it was an answer nonetheless.

The battle was won…but at a heavy price.

="Hana-chan!"= A distressed-filled voice echoed as the bizarre world that once enveloped the trio disappeared, returning them to the bleak warehouse. ="Hana-chan, you have to slow your breathing!"= Innocent blood was gradually trickling away from a wound on her chest and even though pressure was obviously applied by Ayame, it did little to stop the endless bleeding - Hana's complexion was slowly turning pale.

The tearful voice eventually reached the hunter of the dark as she quickly dashed to their side, forcing her spear-like weapon to dissipate into a mixture of light and violet petals after tossing it away. Taking a good look, the magic-user immediately identified the cause to Hana's injury: A stray glass from that earlier attack, now laid on the ground, had inadvisably embedded itself dangerously close to her beating heart. ="Ayame-chan, I need you to hold Hana-chan still. Understand?"= The worried friend nodded in agreement, not knowing what Komachi intended to do. ="Heal!"= Positioning her hands inches over the blood gushing wound, supernatural warm light radiated without explanation. A few moments had already come and gone, the bleeding supposedly should have been no more, but something was out-of-place.

="Komachi-chan, wh-what's wrong?"=

="My spell... It's...not working!"= The light from her hands increased in strength, becoming brighter and brighter as she gritted her teeth. ="Why isn't my magic working!?"=

="What do you mean, 'it's not working'?"= Ayame fearfully asked.

="Hana's injury isn't healing!"=

The weight of those words were almost as heavy as a set of solid bricks, crushing whatever hope Ayame had for her dying friend. ="But, you can use magic! There has to be something you can do!"=

="It can't be helped..."= Out of the shadows casted by the moon, a quadruped animal unlike any other entered. ="That Witch's attack has the power to neglect Komachi's healing magic. Once it activates, the victim will soon die from blood loss. However..."= It elaborated with a plastered mouth frozen in a smile. ="You can save her from this fate, Yayoi Ayame."= With a swing of its fluffy tail out of interest, the creature gazed into Ayame's soul.

At the same time, Hana carefully opened her eyes to the sound of a boy's voice, tilting her head towards the source. Upon laying her weakened sight on him, it was far from a boy...and it wasn't even Human: It's fur coat was white as snow, had abnormally long ears extending out of smaller auricles and, most irregular out of all, were its crimson eyes staring at Hana's own of hazel colour. They were almost identical to another set a few minutes ago. Her head turned again, setting her sight on a weeping friend communicating with the ferret. ="Me...? How?"=

="That's simple: Make a contract with me and become a Magical Girl!"=

Time was shortening for a life yet to experience foreign lands...

="Ayame-chan, you have to hurry! Make a wish, any wish, to save Hana-chan!"=

Time was shortening for a life losing the ability to see...

="A wish..."=

Time... There was still time to stop her from speaking her mind; to prevent her from using it for Hana's sake. ="D-Don't..."= Hana uttered weakly, reaching out and grasping Ayame with a shivering hand. ="Don't waste your wish...on me."=

="But..."= Before Ayame could reason with her classmate at Death's door, Hana continued.

="I want...to save myself. I want..."= A violent cough of blood left her as it painted over her own arms, her health growing weaker by the second. ="I...want to make...my wish."= Koro-chan, her favourite dog, walked up to her with a miserable face, whimpering in response to Hana's blood-stained hand resting flat on his cheek. ="Ever since I found him, I tried...to nurse him back to health."= A fond memory from weeks passed flashed before her eyes, a loving moment shared by few. ="I...wanted to let him go when he was ready, but...he kept coming back."= The world was transforming into a blur, causing the people in her eyes to become near-indistinguishable. ="I realised he had grown...attached...to me. He was always waiting for me to...come home. I...grew to love him...as he grew to love me."= With tears freely trickling along her face from the reminiscence, Hana took in one last breath of fresh air before her time expired. ="I'm...ready."=

="Kyūbey!"= Turning to her acquaintance, Komachi called out to him.

="I suppose you qualify. Hana, what wish will make your Soul Gem shine?"=

="Kyū...bey...?"= Hana repeated the odd name, her mind set and answer prepared. ="Kyū...bey... I wish..."= At the back of her mind, she knew this would go against the cycle of life and death. She would be some kind of zombie brought back from the grave if she went through with it. ="...to be...like my squirrel - healthy...and...strong."= But here and now, Kisaragi Hana would risk her existence on it. She needed more time to live out her life - enough to be with her friends and family like every other day. Time would be her heart and each beat would be the seconds ticking away...

="I don't want to die..."=

...even if it may be borrowed time.

={SOUL'S MONOLOGUE #02}=

I was given a dilemma:

Either become a Magical Girl and live to see the light of day...

...or die with regret, knowing I would be missed.

I was cold; I was scared.

I thought it was all a dream, an illusion to trap me in my memories from reality.

To me, there was no difference - they were one and the same.

From that day onward, my life would become a living nightmare.

One I would never wake up from...

...ever again.

-=/\*/\=-

-Part 1/2 End-

-=\/\/*\/\/=-

Author's Notes: Oh, yeah! The Mobage cast is here and they are wicked!

What was that? You DON'T know who they are?! What kind of fan are you?!

If you were wondering: Yes, I am splitting the chapter AGAIN. Once I've finished the other half, I will upload it and present to you all some more juicy Mobage characters! Also plot-related elements, that's important too.

I hope explaining this character's side of the story was written right, otherwise I may fall into despair about how dreadful I am and how I suck at writing in comparison to other people here.

This chapter's references/cameos are: 'Persona 3', 'Persona 4', 'Max Factory', 'Blazblue', 'Saya no Uta' and 'Final Fantasy'.

I REALLY should replace that cover for this fanfic with something original. Just plain, blue, glass doesn't seem eye-catching enough.

Now if you'll all excuse me, Bioshock Infinite is calling me.