AN: Moving right along...


Chapter 11: Consequences

"Good Madoka-chan! Just like that!"

"Like this?"

"Exactly. You're picking this up fast!"

"Eh heh..."

Madoka Kaname blushed self-consciously, as she lowered her hand. The pink ring of light at her feet slowly faded away, as she smiled softly at Nanoha. The brunette was grinning back at her widely, clapping her hands. Madoka couldn't help the blush on her face when she saw that, not really. She had never really...stood out like this before. After all, it wasn't just Nanoha who was impressed with her. Fate seemed to be quite interested in her skills too, and even Kyoko had been impressed. To say that the teen was unused to being special like this, would be an understatement.

"You are a very fast learner," Fate added, "Not quite as fast as Nanoha, but even so. I'm impressed."

There was that too. Everyone, well everyone but Homura and Kyoko, kept comparing her to Nanoha. Madoka didn't think she was anywhere near as skilled or powerful as her new friend, but she was in the minority there. Nanoha herself had said at several points that the pinkette was more powerful than she was. Madoka had denied that fervently, unable to believe she could be that powerful. It was hard to deny it though, when she was routinely blowing things up in ways that had her blushing in embarrassment.

At least Homura had the same issues, if from different problems.

"Anyway," Nanoha spoke back up, "I think that's enough for today. You should probably get home Madoka-chan, before your parents get worried."

A worried look came over her face at that, "They won't be worried right? I told them I was with a friend..."

The brunette just smiled back, "I don't think they will be, but better safe than sorry right?"

"Right!"

Smile back on her own face, Madoka walked up to her friend and gave her Raising Heart back. The pinkette had been borrowing Nanoha's device, in lieu of frying normal ones every time she tried casting a spell. It was a stopgap measure at best, only until Admiral Lindy could get her hands on a new Intelligent Device. But for training at least, it worked well enough.

"I wonder how Homura-chan's doing," Madoka asked, looking at the other side of their little training area.

Homura Akemi was standing with Chrono Harlaown, both deep in discussion. It was an uphill battle trying to get Homura's magic to work with Midchildan spells. Unlike Madoka, who was able to access her- abnormally large -Linker Core easily enough, the Soul Gem made doing the same with Homura a much more difficult task indeed.

Nanoha just wore a sad smile on her face, "It isn't easy for Homura-chan. I hope we can figure it out though."

"Yeah..." the pinkette's shoulders fell, at the knowledge of what being a Magical Girl really meant.

She couldn't imagine what it must feel like for Homura to know what her fate was. It had only made Madoka all the more determined to learn Midchildan magic herself, so that she could help her friends without them needing to worry about becoming Witches. But it didn't make it any easier for her to think about what she had been told either. She really didn't like to think about what it meant for Sayaka and Mami either. Nothing Madoka said made her friend inclined to turn away from the wish she could be granted, and Homura had made it very clear that telling Mami was a bad idea.

It didn't make Madoka happy to lie to her friends, but when all her other friends were telling her it was a bad idea...she couldn't go against that. Her heart wouldn't let her hurt someone intentionally, even if she absolutely hated lying.

"Come on Madoka-chan, don't worry! We'll figure it out!"

"I know you will!" the pinkette smiled at her friend, happy to see Nanoha's continued support.

"Of course I am. Now let's..."

Before she could finish that sentence, Nanoha stiffened. Fate and Chrono did the same, making Madoka bite her lip in worry. They only did that when communicating mentally, and about something they didn't want her hearing.

"Madoka, come to me now," Homura's own mental voice was sharp as ever.

"Homura-chan?"

"Please."

Madoka worriedly walked over to her friend, looking out at the others. Homura's face hadn't changed from its usual expression really, but with her that didn't really mean much. Not with her, considering Homura's expression rarely changed anyway.

"Do you think somethings wrong Homura-chan?" the pinkette asked her friend.

Homura merely nodded, "Yes. What, I'm not sure."

"Is someone hurt?"

"Perhaps."

The lack of emotion in that comment was something Madoka would probably never get used to, when it came to Homura. And it did absolutely nothing to lower her worry, as the TSAB Mages continued to talk mentally. It was only when Nanoha turned to her, that the teenager felt like something was going to be done to make things better. The brunette had a very worried expression on her own face though, so it might not be a good thing. Nanoha rarely looked worried about anything, with good reason. She was...so strong and tough, that Madoka didn't think many things could worry her.

And that was just from barely knowing the other girl. So to say that seeing Nanoha worried was a bad thing, would be an understatement. Even Homura's stance had shifted from her usual ramrod-straight posture, to one leaning forward slightly. That was a clear sign she herself was interested, and not much got her interest enough for that.

"We need to get back to the Arthra, now," Nanoha spoke up, a slight waver to her voice.

"Nanoha-chan?" Madoka asked weakly, "Is something wrong?"

"I..." the mage took a breath, "One of our mages came back hurt. His partner was ki...killed."

Homura immediately stepped forward, "Magical Girls?"

"Yes, in London. Lindy-san said that they tried communicating to call for help, but something blocked it. She's already sent more mages to set up a barrier, but we need to get back so..."

"We can help too," Fate broke in, an entirely serious expression on her own face, "Come on, we need to go."

Chrono had already left, leaving just the girls behind. Madoka knew there wasn't anything she could do to help, even if she didn't like admitting to that. But she wasn't going to keep Homura, Fate and Nanoha here, when they could be helping. So she took the blonde's hand, while her friend took Homura's. There was the now-familiar flashes of pink and yellow light, leaving the training area barren of any life.


Once aboard the Artha, Nanoha and Fate immediately split off from the other girls. Both mages already had their Barrier Jackets active, as they teleported out once more. Unfortunately, that left Madoka and Homura alone. The pinkette nervously clutched at her skirt, as she looked at the taller- and very well-masked emotionally -girl next to her. Homura still wasn't showing any real outward signs of what she was thinking.

"Homura-chan...why didn't you go with them?" she finally asked.

Madoka knew she wasn't any help. Not until she got a Device of her own, and even then she'd need a lot of training before fighting. And even then her self-confidence issues meant the pinkette thought she wasn't going to be any help even past that point. Homura though, she was so...cool, to borrow Sayaka's terminology. Surely she could help. In the short time Madoka had spent getting to know the mysterious girl, it had become very clear that Homura knew more about Magical Girls than just about anyone. Even Kyoko had been grudgingly impressed at how much knowledge and experience the silent girl had.

"I don't see the point," Homura replied slowly.

"But you know so much..."

"I know nothing about London or any Magical Girls living there," she cut Madoka off, before spinning on her heel, "Come with me. We should find someone to return us to Mitakihara, unless you are confident in your ability to teleport without a Device."

"No..."

She may have been imagining it, but Madoka thought a small smile crossed Homura's face when she had pouted at her lack of ability. If there had been one though, it was gone as soon as it came.

"You're back?"

And she didn't have time to ask about it either. Admiral Lindy was standing in front of the teens now, looking rather haggard. Just like with Nanoha before her...that more than anything had Madoka nervous. Lindy never let herself look like that, not in the short time that Madoka had known the woman. She was always all smiles and good cheer.

"Yes," Homura answered first, "until someone can return us home."

Lindy nodded slowly, "I see. Fate and Nanoha must have already left then."

"They did," Madoka confirmed, "They were really worried..."

A small smile crossed the Admiral's face, "Yes, that does sound like them. I'm glad they're going to help...after what happened..."

Shaking herself, Lindy held out her hands, gesturing the girls to come towards her. Madoka did without any question, as she trusted Lindy a lot by now. Homura was more hesitant, but then, she had the feeling the taller girl didn't trust anyone. Herself included.

"Anyway, you two shouldn't worry about that," Lindy smiled softly, clearly trying to keep them calm, "I can take you two back myself. Come to think of it..."

Here, Lindy tapped her chin as a blue runic circle formed under her feet.

"It is well past time I met a Magical Girl outside you and Kyoko, Homura. Can you introduce me to Miss Tomoe?"

Homura blinked slowly, "A Magical Girl just killed one of your men and wounded another...yet you want to meet another one?"

That was a valid question. Even Madoka could see that much. If someone had hurt Sayaka like that, even she would be hard pressed to want to meet someone like that. And Lindy had no way of knowing what Mami was like, having not met the girl. Kyoko and Homura got along well enough with the TSAB, if only because they seemed to have converging goals. But why would Lindy want to risk meeting Mami in person, after what had happened?

It didn't make a lot of sense really.

"I am aware of that," Lindy's voice grew slightly cold, as she looked at the ground, "that is why we are going to capture that girl and bring her to trial, for killing one of our officers. However that doesn't mean I shouldn't make an effort to meet more Magical Girls, who might be willing to help us. And if what you and Kyoko have said is true..."

"Hm."

Homura didn't make any further argument, merely nodding slightly as Lindy finished her spell, teleporting the two teenage girls for the fourth time that day, counting their first trip to the Arthra and their trip to the training grounds.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

"Hey, Madoka!"

"Sayaka-chan!"

It was only once she had gone to her parents first- Lindy had been quite helpful there -that Madoka had helped her new friend and Nanoha's superior officer find Sayaka. Because where Sayaka was, Mami was probably not far. Though part of her still wondered what Admiral Lindy hoped to do with this meeting. It probably wasn't going to be easy to convince Mami to help them. Madoka hadn't spent a lot of time with the blonde, not like her best friend had. But what time she had spent with Mami showed her being quite close to Kyubey. And while the pinkette couldn't say she understood why Homura hated Kyubey so much, she did know that the TSAB didn't really trust him.

So if Mami was more likely to side with Kyubey over anyone else, why bother meeting with her? There had to be something going over her head here, and she would be the first to admit that. Madoka didn't understand a lot of what Lindy talked about when she got into policy and all that. While she could say she hadn't really thought about where she wanted to go in live, Madoka could certainly say police work wasn't it!

But she wants to meet Mami-san. So I should help out since I can't help Nanoha and Fate-chan!"

"Who's that with you?" Sayaka asked, breaking Madoka from her worried thoughts, "Transfer student? And...who..."

"Lindy Harlaown," the Admiral put on her best smile, despite the fact she had been communicating mentally with her strike team in London the whole time, "Fate's Mother."

Sayaka blinked slowly, "Madoka's dad doesn't look like her, but you really don't look like Fate..."

"I adopted her actually," Lindy replied easily, laughing softly, "She doesn't look like her birth mother either though."

"Huh," the bluenette shrugged, "Well, nice to meet you! Why'd you come here?"

"I was hoping to meet Miss Tomoe actually."

"Really?"

Speak of the Magical Girl and she shall appear. Mami stepped forward with a pair of cups in hand, having been getting drinks for herself and Sayaka. Kyubey was, as ever, perched on her shoulder. Beady red eyes were focused solely on Madoka, even ignoring Lindy, who was staring directly at the bunny-cat. The staring contest might have continued, if it weren't for Mami. She seemed curious about Lindy, not outright hostile, but very curious. Considering the situation...Madoka couldn't blame her for that.

Either way, Lindy turned her smile on Mami, breaking her attention from Kyubey.

"It's nice to meet you Miss Tomoe," Lindy held her hand out.

Mami handed the cups to Sayaka, as Kyubey jumped onto the table behind her, "Nice to meet you as well, Harlaown-san. May I ask why you wanted to meet me?"

"That has to do with him," the Admiral replied, nodding at Kyubey.

The blonde frowned slightly, "You can see Kyubey?"

"Of course. I am a Mage, just like Fate and Nanoha are."

It was clear from the downturned lips that Mami didn't know how to react to that statement, as she sat down next to her drink.

"You really do use different magic," Mami's frown deepened, "I've never met someone other than a Magical Girl who can see Kyubey. And I don't think he has either..."

"I haven't," the Incubator supplied.

Lindy just smiled slightly, "Our system of magic is nothing like your own, as Madoka could tell you. That's not why I'm here though. I have to know something...are you aware of how other Magical Girls act?"

"What do you mean?" the blonde asked back.

"We are working with Kyoko Sakura now, so we're aware that not all Magical Girls are like Homura or yourself. That being said, one in London attacked two of my mages for no reason. She killed one of them."

Mami sighed softly, leaning back in her seat. The weight of the world seemed to be on her shoulders, golden eyes even more downcast than usual. Madoka felt the strong urge to run over and hug the other girl. Mami just looked so...weary. So sad. It was almost like how Homura looked, when she thought no one was watching her. Madoka wondered what it was that had her elder acting like that. Had something happened to her too? She knew that Mami was a veteran Magical Girl and had seen a lot, but even so...

It made Madoka sad to see her like this. But she didn't say anything herself, as Homura put a hand on her shoulder. The silent Magical Girl just shook her head slowly. Madoka's pink eyes looked into her violet ones, asking a silent question. Why shouldn't she help? Homura only shook her head again, nodding at Lindy. This was her show, the gesture said. Let her handle it.

I want to help though!

"Sakura-san..." Mami finally spoke up, "She was my friend, my junior. We had a...disagreement...over how to fight Witches. I haven't talked with her in months, and last I heard she would never work with anyone."

"She said as much," Lindy nodded, a comforting smile on her face, "but she isn't a problem."

"No, Sakura-san wouldn't be one," the blonde sighed weakly, "She may have her problems, but she would never go out of her way to kill someone like that. Not the girl I remember. I assume you want to know how many Magical Girls are like that? I'm aware that most are not like me, however much I don't like that."

Before Lindy could get a word in, Sayaka jumped into the conversation. A worried expression was on her face, as she rubbed her finger along...a Soul Gem Ring. She made her wish then?

Oh Sayaka-chan...

"What are you talking about Mami-san?" the bluenette asked worriedly, "Aren't Magical Girls all fighting Witches? Why would they not be like us?"

Mami placed a hand on Sayaka's, a sad smile crossing her face, "I didn't want to tell you yet Miki-san, not until you were more experienced. But Magical Girls like us...we're the minority. Most of us are more concerned about getting Grief Seeds, and don't care about the method they use. This is not the first time I've heard of one killing random people. Not even close. I try to keep my juniors away from that...I don't want them to be hurt."

Before Sayaka could reply to that, Lindy coughed softly, getting attention back on her instead. An entirely serious expression was on her face, as she looked at Mami.

"To answer your question, yes, I do need to know how common Magical Girls like that are."

After saying that, Lindy turned her head to focus on Kyubey instead. Her blue eyes were focused on his unblinking red ones, as the Incubator absently licked his paw. He seemed entirely unconcerned with what was being said around him, like there wasn't a reason for him to care.

"And I want to know why you don't stop them."


In London, the situation was- if anything -even more tense. Nanoha held a hand to her mouth, as she struggled to keep her tears from falling. Fate was holding her to her side, as the reserve mages carefully carried their comrade's body to a more secure area. The pool of blood where he had been laying...where he had died...was still sitting in the middle of the alley. However, while his body had been left where it had fallen, there was no sign of his device. Or of the Magical Girl who had done this, despite how quick the Arthra had been to respond when Erid had returned, barely conscious and bleeding heavily.

That type of speed...that was more like Fate than either of the girls would like to admit. Homura was the only other person they knew that was that speedy, and she did it in some way that wasn't speed-based magic. This Magical Girl...if what Erid had said before his wound caught up to him was true, she was just that fast. And that was all they knew about her. Not why she did what she did. Not her name or history. Just...

"Fast and heartless," Fate muttered softly.

"How could anyone be like this Fate-chan?" Nanoha asked wearily, looking up at her best friend, "Not even most criminals kill like this...for fun."

"There are always exceptions Nanoha," the blonde squeezed her friend against her, "Even so, this is something else. We have to find her, before she can hurt anyone."

"Right!"

Pulling away, Nanoha wiped her eyes, before the familiar determined expression was on her face. Fate smiled at that, as both of the girls turned away from the depressing sight at the center of the alley. Instead, they walked to where Chrono was talking with a holographic panel, Amy's tired face projected on it.

"I know it's a lot to ask Amy, but do you have any way of finding that girl?" the Enforcer was asking, tapping his foot slightly.

"I'm running the data from Erid's device now Chrono," Amy replied, her voice weary as she looked over her computers, "if he recorded enough, I might be able to narrow down her signature. As long as she isn't hiding in a barrier again."

Chrono sighed softly, "Even if she does, that's at least something to work with. We can hit a barrier and force her out if need be."

"I'd rather not do that," Nanoha spoke up, small smile crossing her face.

"Of course not," Chrono rolled his eyes, "Still, we can't let her escape."

There was no argument there. None of the three mages were particularly familiar with Erid or his unfortunate partner, but that didn't matter. One of their own had been killed for no reason, and that was unforgivable. This wasn't like, say, the Wolkenritter. Even if they had killed a mage- something they avoided -it wouldn't have been their fault. There was no Book of Darkness here though. Just a girl, a sociopath who apparently enjoyed feeding people to familiars and killing those in her way. This was very much outside the mage's comfort zone...but something that needed to be solved.

No matter what it took.

"I think I have something," Amy's voice broke in, "It's faint, but there is a signature matching the data. Moving west from you, at a fast speed."

"How fast?" Chrono was immediately serious again.

"Almost Fate-level."

The blonde in question frowned at that, before looking at her brother. Chrono merely nodded, as Fate flashed into motion. She put everything she had into catching up with the Magical Girl, short of her Sonic Form. She needed to catch up and keep her busy, at least until the others could arrive. Fate knew she could probably beat the girl. She wasn't cocky, but she knew her own skills, and could make a reasonably good assumption on the Magical Girl, based on how Erid had survived. But...she was only mostly sure all the same.

She didn't know if this girl had used all her tricks in that fight.

And without knowing that, Fate couldn't say for sure if she would win. As such, her goal was to delay the Magical Girl. So long as she could hold her in one spot and put up a barrier, Fate would have won. Because Nanoha and Chrono were bound to be right behind her, and together there was nothing short of Reinforce that could handle them. One Magical Girl couldn't possibly beat them.

I have to believe that. We will capture her, and bring her to justice for what she did. No one deserves to die like he did.

Pushing herself faster, Fate's sharp eyes noted a form leaping across buildings. Angling her body down, she scythed through the sky, rapidly approaching the distant girl. Who looked over her shoulder, grey eyes widening in shock. Ceasing her jumping, the girl transformed on the spot, bringing up her rapier in time to catch Bardiche's ax form. Sparks flew from the weapons, before the Magical Girl jumped away.

"Bloody hell," she muttered, holding her weapon in a defensive posture, toned arms ready to move at a moments notice, "a flying Magical Girl? I've seen it all now."

"I'm not a Magical Girl," Fate replied, holding her own weapon up, Bardiche's yellow gem flashing slightly, "I am a Mage. And you are under arrest, for attacking and murdering a TSAB agent without provocation."

The other girl's grey eyes narrowed, "Oh, so you worked with those wankers then? Deserved what they got for thinking they could work on my territory. Guess I'll have to kill you too then."

"You won't find that easy," the blonde angled Bardiche forward, "what's your name?"

A feral grin crossed the mystery girl's face, as she pointed her rapier forward, her feet shifting into a ready stance.

"Name's Jane," the newly named girl replied, "and nothing you can do can beat me!"

Nothing more was said, as the girl in green ran forward at the girl in black...


AN: And there we go. Things are moving faster now, to say the least.

Mostly because Lindy got angry enough to give up on waiting to capture Kyubey, to be fair.

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter!

Reviews:

Takeshi Yamato: And they aren't going to calm down anytime soon either. Though yeah, Walmartnight is a fair bit away.

edboy4926: Thanks!

Impstar: Ooh...tough one. I'd have to give it to Homura in most cases though. Being really fast against her won't help much, if she knows about the speed and whip. Time-stop is hilariously broken if used well.

TrimusicaDrag00n90: She's not going to have a fun time, that's for sure.

Aceina: Not so much filler, as set up for plots moving forward really.

wolfdude16: Heh. Yeah, Yuuno and Arf are messing around with characters and concepts from Strikers at the moment, so if you hadn't gone past A's it would be unfamiliar.

Lone Gundam: To be fair, they'll still go non-lethal until totally forced to kill. They don't know they've reached that point yet, even now.

pokemon-35055: Thanks!

P . H . Wise: Yeah, I know answering these here is a turn-off for some. I just find it way more convenient than PMs, personally.

But your-mileage-may-vary and all.

All Day Tsundere: Glad you liked it!