Madoka: "Hi Sayaka!"

Subaru: "Man, what happened? I thought you fell in Sayaka."

Sayaka: "Yeah yeah, let's just say I did and move on. How long have you been here?"

Subaru: "Ohhhh… 20 minutes. When I said I would get here."

Madoka: "30 minutes for me. I got here at nine"

Sayaka: "I got a bit distracted on the way out. Welp, let's get hunting."

Subaru: [Doesn't she seem like she's in a rush?]

Madoka: [She's just wanting to do things her way. She's probably trying to do the opposite of what that Kyouko girl wants her to. She's stubborn like that.]

Subaru: [I guess we'll just have to keep our I on her then.]

Madoka: [Yep!]

The trio ventured to the desolate parts of the city, following Sayaka's feeling for an opponent. She took them all through town on a wild ride, from the red light district, to the abandoned industry, even the old suburbs. Eventually, they wound up on a meadow overlooking the city, with quite a distinct view.

Subaru: "Wow, this is almost as good as the place I took Emilia too. I wish she could see this…"

Madoka: "Yeah, it's incredible. Thanks for taking us here Sayaka!"

Sayaka: "Hey, it's not like I tried to.

Subaru: "Why don't we take a break, I need to relace my boots."

Sayaka: "Yeah, sure."

Subaru thought back to Emilia. He really missed her. He missed Rem too. He missed everybody, frankly, and while he did really like the people he was with now, he wanted to go home. To his real home.

Madoka: "Watcha thinkin about, Subaru?"

Madoka had come over and sat down next to him while Sayaka consulted her soul gem some more.

Subaru: "Oh, just home."

Madoka: "Home… where is your home, anyway?"

Subaru: "Heh, if I told you I came from another world, would you believe me?"

Madoka: "Seeing all I've seen, I can't really doubt you."

Subaru: "I was actually only there for a year or two. But that place is just home to me now. It's where all my friends are. It's where Emilia is."

Madoka: "I hope you can get back Subaru."

Subaru started to sniffle at this point. Thinking of Emilia was too much for him right now.

Subaru: "Yeah, I hope so too. Don't get me wrong, you guys are great! But I miss all my friends from there."

Madoka: "I'll help you get back. You will, I'm sure!"

Sayaka: "Hey, sorry to interrupt your powwow, but we got company. It's like it's generating on top of us!"

Subaru: "Really? We're in a pretty nice area though."

Sayaka: "I don't know what it is either, it's different, haven't seen it before."

Sayaka was starting to sweat from her forehead at the signature she'd gotten from her soul gem.

Subaru: "Stay calm. Be vigilant. Madoka, get between Sayaka and I."

The meadow waved like the heat you can see in the air, but up to ten thousand. They were all getting woozy from the effect, but it stopped as soon as it came. They found themselves in the meadow, but it was different. There were no flowers. And at the very top of the hill, there was a table and chairs under an umbrella.

Subaru: [What the hell!? How did this happen, what does she want?! Damnit!]

He knew where they were. He'd been there before. He even knew how to get there. Someone had to have been screaming for knowledge to the high heavens, and so she answered.

Madoka: "Woah, where are we? This is a weird lair."

Subaru promptly looked at the tea party, and double-timed it up there to voice his opinion on the situation. When he got to the top of the hill, sure enough, the bitch was there.

Subaru: "What is this! I thought I was done with you!"

Echidna: "But I am done with you."

Subaru: "Then why are we here! How, even!"

Echidna: "Don't worry, I'll tell you all you want to know. Just make sure the others are here too."

Subaru: "Tch. Fine. Hey, Sayaka, Madoka, sit down and DO NOT drink the tea, no matter what she says!"

Madoka: "Uh, okay!"

The other two slowly made their way over. Sayaka still incredibly wary of their possible opponent.

Sayaka: "Who are you?"

Echidna: "I am the Witch of Greed, Echidna. And this is my tea party. You don't have to have to drink the tea if you don't want to, I guess."

Echidna looked a little bit discouraged that Subaru had told them off drinking her tea.

Madoka: "Subaru, why shouldn't we drink her tea if she made it for us?"

Subaru: "It, err…"

Echidna: "It's made with my bodily fluids. That's why he spits it out when he has it. It's not that bad, is it?"

Subaru: "It's negatively flavorless!"

Echidna: "You're so rude!"

Sayaka: "Why are we here? And why is a witch talking to us?"

Sayaka looked as if she were about to burst.

Echidna: "It's simple. I am a witch, and this is my lair."

Sayaka: "Then why aren't you attacking us? I'm just about to slit your throat open!"

Echidna: "You can, but I am not the witch you're looking for."

Sayaka: "Then what kind of witch are you!"

Subaru: "She's the Witch of Greed. She's from my world. And I don't think you can kill her here."

Sayaka: "What? I'll show you!"

Sayaka generated a sword, jumped up and ran her sword straight through Echidna's gut.

Echidna: "Well what did you do that for? It's rude to tear someone's dress, Sayaka."

Madoka: "Sayaka! Quit it, you're not helping! Stop!"

Sayaka: "MMMMHMH!"

Sayaka twisted her sword and stabbed her again, this time around the heart. Still nothing.

Echidna: "Would you stop now? I think it's been made clear what Subaru said."

Sayaka: "I'll keep going until you're a pile of meat!"

Madoka: "Sayaka, this is horrible, why!"

Echidna: "This isn't going anywhere."

Echidna promptly made a portal, and suddenly pushed Sayaka through. Sayaka landed back in the field.

Madoka: "Where'd she go! Sayaka!"

Subaru: "She's fine. She just got ejected from here."

Echidna: "So, with the brat finally out of here, shall the adults have a discussion?"

Subaru: "Tsk. It's probably something important isn't it?"

Echidna: "If you consider the fact that Satella is here too, I would say it is."

Subaru: "You're right. Wow, I haven't thought about that. I guess I'd better not make her unhappy."

Echidna: "Correct. Talking about your ability here is going to be strictly prohibited."

Madoka: "What ability?"

Subaru: "Like she said, we can't mention it, or Satella will pitch a fit."

Madoka: "Is Satella also a witch from your world."

Subaru: "Yes, she is, I'm surprised you realized that."

Madoka: "Ohh, lucky guess."

Echidna: "But there's another all-powerful witch that is also in your mind, isn't there?"

Subaru: "Yeah, and not just my mind."

Echidna: "Homura sure puts a lot of effort into figuring it out doesn't she?"

Subaru: "Of course she would, from what I've heard, that thing will destroy this whole area if it's let to roam free."

Echidna: "Yes, of course. It's coming in a few weeks. I bet Homura could tell you down to the day."

Subaru: "Yeah, I know, I'm trying to prepare for it all I can!"

Echidna: "You know, you got in here for a reason. And it wasn't you or Madoka even."

Madoka: "Sayaka? What does she have to do with getting us in here?"

Echidna: "The only way the gates to this labyrinth are open is if one is absolutely screaming for knowledge. That's what I deal in afterall."

Subaru: "But what does Sayaka want to know?"

Echidna: "I know a lot, Subaru, but emotions aren't my strong suit. And emotions are the key to magical girls."

Subaru: "Is that how it is?"

Echidna: "I had a certain someone visit me in this world before you guys found me. No guesses for who that was."

Madoka: "It was Homura-chan."

Echidna: "Her visit was incredibly enlightening. Madoka, if you were to make your wish right when you got out of here, you would definitely be able to defeat walpurgisnacht with one attack."

Madoka: "A witch that powerful? Nooo, I don't think that's how it would go."

Madoka simply humbled herself, nervously laughing.

Echidna: "Kyubey's said it himself, hasn't he? Your potential is unmatched."

Subaru: "Woah…"

Echidna: "However, if you made a wish, you probably wouldn't remain as you are. I think that you may even pass beyond a magical girl."

Madoka: "I don't know, I just don't think I could make a wish right now!"

Subaru: "I don't think you should. And I know for a fact Homura doesn't think you should."

Madoka: "Yeah. So I'm just not going to."

Subaru: "So? Anything else before you kick us out of here?"

Echidna: "If you ever want me, you now know where to find me. And I believe you know how, don't you Subaru?"

Subaru: "Unfortunately I do. I guess we'll be taking our leave now."

Echidna: "Yes."

Echidna opened a portal without even using her hands. Subaru and Madoka walked through it and into the field, where Sayaka was stewing in frustration.

Sayaka: "I can't believe she had the gall to just kick me out! Can you!"

Subaru: "Oh I believe it alright. I've seen what she does for kicks, it's not nice."

Sayaka: "Lucky you. We should get going before we don't end up finding a witch tonight."

Madoka: "Okay! Where are we going first?"

Sayaka: "I think we should go to the old housing district."

Subaru: "Sounds good to me"

And so off they went. Subaru was conscious of the rifle hanging from his shoulder while he walked, making him walk a little bit odd, but keeping up with the girls. Eventually, after a while of meandering throughout the old part of residential Mitakihara, Sayaka piped up:

"I found one!"

She took off, towards a cul-de-sac, transforming on her way, without any show. The other two followed her at a running pace, though not the sprint Sayaka was at. Then, all at once, they went through the entrance. And found themselves on a lone highway in the middle of a desert. Like a perfect rendition of the stereotypical American desert highway. Nothing to be found in any direction short of road, telephone poles, and shrubs of the pastel variety.

Madoka: "Woah! It got hot real quick!"

Subaru: "Hah, maybe my desert outfit will finally come into its own again."

Sayaka: "I wonder why you still wear that."

Subaru: "It just reminds me of home."

Sayaka: "Uh huh. Well anyway, I feel the witch is up the road to where the canyon is. I think I see it if I look close enough."

Madoka: "Oh, you're right, I do see it. It looks like something from a mech anime, but I can't tell exactly what."

Subaru: "Looks shiny."

They stopped gawking and started moving, at first at a jog, but then at a quick walk. Eventually they just started walking. Even Sayaka, who was so eager, found herself walking along with the others.

Sayaka: "What the hell! We're in the labyrinth so why aren't we getting closer!"

Subaru: "Is it moving as we move? Like is it moving in the real world as we chase after it, and we aren't moving fast enough?"

Sayaka: "Tch. It could be. We could also be running in place for all I know."

Madoka: "Could we stop? I think I need to take a break. We aren't all magical girls here."

Subaru: "Do you guys need a drink? All I've got is my flask, but it's better than nothing."

Sayaka cringed a little bit.

Sayaka: "No, I don't"

Madoka: "Thank you, but I think I'm okay for now."

Subaru promptly took a big swig of his canteen and put it away for later. Subaru then looked at the horizon where the witch was in the distance and saw that it wasn't there any more. Looking in the exact opposite direction, he then saw it. It's like the labyrinth had turned 180 and the other side looked exactly the same.

Subaru: "What! That's bullshit! It was just over there and now it's on the other side? Look over there guys!"

Sayaka: "Oooooh! I am so going to get that thing!"

Sayaka sprinted back the direction they had came, without a worry for her partners.

Subaru: "I guess we should follow her."

Madoka: "Yep."

Off they went, at a grueling pace after their magical girl comrade.

Subaru: "Why is this labyrinth so bass ackwards! We're gonna be done for before the fight even starts!"

Madoka: "It's a good thing Sayaka won't!"

Subaru: "Hugh! Yeah! You're right!"

Sayaka, however, stopped in front of them, and looked up. The first thing Subaru noticed was a shadow on the ground, making its way towards them. And fast. Subaru followed Sayaka's eyes and looked up, seeing a big plane, and bits falling from the plane.

Subaru: "RUN TO THE SIDE!"

All of them started running to the side, whistling in the air making itself clear. Oddly enough, they could hear the bomb but not the plane. An explosion went off in the middle of the road, blowing heat and making a terrific light that, had they not ran away from the road, would have certainly annihilated them.

Subaru: "Sayaka, how the hell are you going to get that thing! That must be the witch!"

Sayaka: "I'm gonna throw shit at the wall until it sticks!"

Sayaka summoned swords upon swords and slewed them towards the aircraft that they had determined to be their enemy.

Madoka: "What is that!"

That was a tumbleweed monster. It was crawling on the ground and making its way towards Sayaka while she was looking skyward. But it wasn't just that one. There were many of them now popping out of the woodworks making their way towards the trio.

Madoka: "Sayaka!"

BLAM BLAM, BLAM BLAM

Subaru let off with his FAL at the creatures making their way towards Sayaka.

Sayaka: "What the- oh, since when did you have that?"

Subaru: "Since tonight!" BLAM BLAM "I think it was a good investment!"

Sayaka: "I'll keep attacking the plane, keep me clear!"
Subaru: "Yes ma'am!"

And so they fought like that until Sayaka could land a sword into the witch's plane that seemed to disable it, as it lost altitude and hit the deck.

Subaru: "Phew, I thought we were gonna eat it with that bomb there."

Sayaka: "Shit! That witch is still kicking!"

Subaru: "Of course it is!"

The witch was no longer flying and looked a lot more like the mech they had first seen. It was running at them, until it stopped at a good distance away and opened up with what looked like a fifty caliber turret. Madoka shrieked.

Sayaka: "Madoka!"

Subaru: "Cor Leonis! AGHHH, FUCK, they got you good!"

It felt like a chunk of his leg was blown out, and looking over at Madoka, that's exactly what had happened. Almost reaching to the bone, but not quite. Sayaka blocked the shots holding swords in both hands. Her arms were a blur to a normal person, but having seen fights that are at a superhuman pace before, Subaru could just make out the motions Sayaka was going through.

Subaru: "We need to kill that thing before you fuck up!"

Unknown to him, she did get hit some, but her healing was so fast it was imperceivable.

Sayaka: "Yeah, I know! But I'm a bit busy right now!"

Subaru: "I'm gonna shoot at it!"

And he did. He tried to specifically hit the guns in the turret. And although he did put a few shots on target, they didn't seem to have any effect.

Subaru: "Sayaka! I'm gonna run off to the side! It'll be harder for me to hit running like that, and if I run fast enough, I probably won't get hit! You need to put one of your swords down that thing's throat!"

Sayaka: "That is insane! But if you insist!"

Subaru: "Alright! 3! 2! 1!"

Subaru threw down his gun and ran off to the side, running as fast as he could to draw the attention away from Sayaka. He didn't even need to invoke the taboo. As soon as he stepped from behind Sayaka, the gunfire moved in his direction. Sayaka took the opportunity to run straight at the mech without worrying about defending herself. She was upon it by the time the turret had targeted Subaru and was firing at him. As Subaru said, she took a sword, and shoved it down its throat. But she also did one better, and struck the gem looking object on the… helmet of the mech. With that, the fight was over. Subaru fell on the ground, still hurting from taking Madoka's burden. They didn't even notice she had passed out.

Sayaka: "Madoka!"

Sayaka had started healing Madoka before Subaru even noticed her.

Subaru, through gritted teeth: "She should be fine, I took all of the burden from her."

Sayaka: "What do you mean! Come on Madoka, wake up!"

Subaru: "When I said: "Cor Leonis" I took her burden, so she wasn't experiencing any pain. I just wish I did it before she got hit."

Sayaka: "Damnit!"

The wound on Madoka's leg was now fully healed, but Madoka was still out.

Subaru: "Don't worry, she'll be fine when she wakes up. I'm not feeling any pain any more."

Sayaka: "What do you mean feeling pain! You weren't the one who got hit!"

Subaru: "Like I said! Cor Leonis takes the burden! I felt all the pain from the injury after I said that. She felt fine, I think she just passed out from shock."

Sayaka: "Okay… I see. So is that one of your powers from that other world I guess?"

Subaru: "Yeah, it is."

Sayaka: "I'm glad you used it. Thank you. And thank you for the assist on that witch."

Subaru: "It's what I'm here for. And it's good we ended that when we did, I almost ran dry!"

Sayaka: "Hahahahahhaha! That would have sucked!"

Madoka stirred.

Madoka: "Mmmm. Hghhh! What happened, is everything okay!"

Sayaka: "Yeah, it's fine. I'm glad you're alive Madoka."

Subaru: "Yeah, me too. I'd rather I die than either of you two."

Sayaka: "Woah, don't worry, hopefully nobody's going to die!"

Madoka: "Yeah, she's right."

Subaru: "Sorry, I get like that sometimes. Let's go home everybody."