CHAPTER 6: YOU ARE SO UNINVITED

The bells of Mitakihara Middle School ring, signaling the end of another day of classes. Sayaka and Madoka walk past the school gate before moving to the side near the outside wall to get out of the way of the other students. It wasn't long for Mami to walk past the gate and join her friends. Though the three friends are together, they still wait for someone. "Hey guys!" Kairi calls out as she runs up to them.

"Hi, Kairi," Madoka greets her with a smile. "How's your day?"

"Well, let's just say it is anything but ordinary," Kairi responds.

"So, what happened?" Sayaka asks curiously.

"Hmm… Where to begin?" Kairi says as she crosses her arms, looking down, trying to how to say what happened.

"Kairi," someone calls out to her. Kairi looks up and is mildly surprised that Homura is walking up to them. Homura stops, standing behind Madoka, "I suggest we take this talk somewhere more private."

"Okay, how about we go to Mami's place?" Kairi asks.

"No, we'll discuss things in a more secluded place," Homura states.

"Well, lead the way then," said Kairi. Homura nods and lead the girls to a more remote area.

Kyoko, on the same building that she battled Kairi, puts a Grief Seed to her Soul Gem, cleansing it of the darkness that is starting to taint it. Next to her is Kyubey, patiently waiting, swishing his tail. "Kairi really did that?" Kyubey asks her.

"Yeah, and it really ticks me off," Kyoko says in a low voice. "Just how many types of magic can she use? She knows how to use fire, ice, lightning, some type of healing magic, and a spell that allows her to bring me down in an instant!" she yells out that last part. After using the process is complete, the Grief Seed is almost completely black. She eyes the item suspiciously.

"Well, I might have a theory," Kyubey says.

Kyoko looks at him. "Well, spit it out," she demands.

Kyubey lowers his head, "It is quite possible," he then looks back up at the Magical Girl, "Kairi is not a Magical Girl."

"What!" Kyoko yells incredulously.

"Well to clarify, she is not a Magical Girl by ordinary means. I do not have a contract with her and yet she is able to perform magic. Kairi is truly an anomaly." Kyubey slightly tilts his head, "Or perhaps she is a completely unique kind of Magical Girl."

"Completely unique, huh?" Kyoko says before setting her eyes on the Grief Seed in her hand. For a split second, a recent memory kicks in. A memory involving a silver-haired person. "I have another question for you." Kyoko looks back at Kyubey, "Have you heard of a boy that can defeat Witches?"

"A boy?" Kyubey says with a curious tilt.

Kairi and the other girls just arrive in a small alley. "So, what's going on?" Kairi asks.

"First off, what is that weapon of yours?" Homura asks, her tone shy of being a demand.

"What are you talking about?" Sayaka interjects, "It's quite obvious she uses a sword."

Homura looks at her, "And how many swords do you know are shaped just like Kairi's?"

"Well…" Sayaka starts to say, she looks up trying the right words.

"It's okay, Sayaka," Kairi tells her. Overnight Kairi anticipated that Homura would ask that question again. "My weapon is very unique. Something I like to call a Keyblade," Kairi answers, acting as if she coined the name for the sword herself. "Like the name implies, it is a sword that's shaped like a key. Not only that, since it looks like a key, I can use it to lock or unlock anything." She is hoping that just stating obvious facts about it, namely its shape, it should be enough.

"So it can open up anything with a lock on it?" Madoka asks curiously.

"Yep, as long as the object has a keyhole, it can lock or unlock it."

Mami's eyes lit up with realization, "So that's how you helped Homura escape from my magic that day?" Mami recalls that the ribbons that tied up Homura were connected to a lock.

Kairi looks at her with a nod. "So," Kairi says as she puts her hands behind her back, "Mind telling me what happened today?"

"Well, we decided to take turns doing Witch Hunts," Mami says with a small smile, "Since you and Sayaka are still relatively new, why don't you two hunt tonight?"

Kairi's eyes slightly opened, surprised with Mami's suggestion. Homura catches Kairi's surprise and decides to clarify on a few things, "I talked with Mami earlier today," she says, getting the girls attention. "Since Kyoko is set on causing trouble for us, it is best we go in pairs. That way, she will be less willing to go after the hunting pair."

"Makes sense," Kairi says.

"Ah, so this is where you all are," Kyubey says as he approaches the girls. Kairi glares down at the white creature, as does Homura.

"Where were you, Kyubey?" Sayaka asks.

"I had to pick up a used Grief Seed from Kyoko," the Incubator answers. "Now that's taken care of, I decided to see how all of you are doing."

"We are doing fine today," Mami replies with a smile.

Kairi on the other hand, is not fine. Just looking at the white creature reminds her of a man with an X-shaped scar. She turns to Madoka with a smile, "Say, are you free this afternoon, Madoka?"

Madoka looks up the sky, "Well…I do have some homework that needs to be done, but I suppose I can do that later."

"Great!" Kairi says optimistically. But that changed when Kyubey decides to perch on Madoka's shoulder. "What are you doing?" she says in a low voice. Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami look at Kairi with confused looks.

"I thought I might tag along with you two for the day." Kyubey says.

Kairi, unamused, picks up the white creature by its neck, "Sorry," she says bluntly, "You are so uninvited." She tosses Kyubey in the air. Kyubey recovers and lands next to Homura, "Why don't you hang out with Homura instead?"

At that moment, Homura looks at Kairi with a slight glare, who manages to look her in the eyes. Nothing is said, but Homura can't shake the feeling that Kairi is up to something and it involves Madoka. However, since Kairi doesn't want even Kyubey to know, Homura decides to play along for a bit. "Very well," Homura says with a slight nod.

Kairi flashes a quick smile to the black-haired girl. "Well, let's go," Kairi says before she and Madoka run off. The other girls and Kyubey look on in the direction the teacher and student went. Sayaka however, wears a more suspicious look than the others.

Two hours later in an abandoned building…

"Fire!" a voice calls out, a fireball flies through the air before impacting an empty can on an empty steel barrel. From the direction of the fireball, Madoka, holds her staff at an angle towards the ground. Several yards from her to the side is Kairi, smiling at her student's progress.

"Okay, now try taking out the other two at the same time," Kairi instructs. Madoka raises the staff, ready to swing it to the side, focusing on two cans on top of two different barrels. Madoka grunts as she swings with two hands, the fireball released at the middle of the swing, before swinging the staff back with one hand in the other direction firing a second fireball. Both fireballs arc before impacting the cans one after the other, launching them into the air. Madoka pants as the cans fall into the ground. She takes in a small breath of air before expelling it, wiping off the sweat on her forehead. "Wow, you're starting to get the hang of this," Kairi said as she walks to her.

Madoka turns her head to the Keyblade wielder, expressing a smile, "Really?"

"Yep, no doubt about it," Kairi answers with a nod before she walks towards the targets. Five minutes later, she finished setting up the cans again, this time one exactly behind the other. She walks back to where she was observing. "Okay, now time for me to teach you the next basic spell, Blizzard," Madoka nods with a determined expression. Kairi then explains on how to perform the spell. "Okay, now show me you can do it."

Madoka takes a deep breath, focusing her magic. Her eyes snap open. She raises the staff above her head. The staff's head is surrounding by a chilly fog. She swings the staff forward, launching a shard of ice. The ice strikes all three cans, launching them into the air before they clang on the ground. Madoka looks on with an excited smile, while Kairi looks at the fallen cans with a warm smile. She walks up to Madoka, "Great job!" Madoka turns her head to Kairi, "I have to say, you're really something Madoka." Madoka responds with a beaming smile.

"You can say that again," a voice calls out, surprising the girls. The girls look back, finding Sayaka standing there with a hand on her hip. Kairi's mouth is left open, starting to get nervous now that she has been busted. Sayaka walks towards the two. She stops before turning to Kairi, "So this is what you've been doing."

"What are you doing here?" Kairi asks nervously.

"I found it strange that you wanted to speak with Madoka alone. And I find it even stranger when you didn't want Kyubey around. So I decided to follow you two."

Kairi gives a big sigh, before looking at the ground, "Please tell me you're the only one that followed us."

"Don't worry, I trailed you two after Mami and Homura left with Kyubey," Sayaka said with a smile.

"um… Sayaka?" Madoka asks nervously, causing the bluenette to look at her, "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough to see you shoot that ice magic," she then turns to Kairi, "So have you been like teaching her magic or something?"

Kairi gives another sigh, knowing that the jig is up, "Okay. I promised Madoka to teach her some magic in order for her to protect herself better. But I told her that as long as she doesn't go hunting Witches alone, I will teach her."

Sayaka hums, before her eyes widen, "Hey Madoka," the said girl looks at her friend, "Could you have used some of that magic against Kyoko yesterday?"

Madoka shakes her head. "I promised Kairi not to tell anyone that she's teaching me magic."

"I also took the staff back after practice yesterday," Kairi chimed in quickly with a sheepish smile.

"So how come you don't want anyone knowing that you're teaching Madoka magic?" Sayaka asks as she turns to Kairi.

"I didn't want Madoka to get involved in a Witch hunt with you guys. And if she happens to get hurt, Homura would probably blow my head off," Kairi responds and gives a sheepish smile in that last sentence.

"Wait, so the deal you made with Homura…" says with a suspicious tone.

"Is to protect Madoka," Kairi finishes to answer Sayaka's question. "Please don't be mad with me."

Sayaka crosses her arms, before looking towards the ground, eyes closed. Kairi stands their nervously as Madoka looks between the two. Sayaka makes a sound of amusement with a small smile before looking back up at Kairi, opening her eyes. "How could I be mad at you? Your pretty much like everything a Magical Girl should be." Both Kairi and Madoka breathe a sigh of relief.

"Sayaka, if you don't mind…" Kairi starts to say.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about this." Sayaka says with a smile. A second later, Sayaka gets an idea in her head, "Hey, how about this?" Madoka and Kairi look at her with questioning looks, "How about the three of us go Witch hunting tonight?"

"What?" Madoka responds, surprise in her tone. She looks at Kairi, who crosses her arms while looking down. "Kairi…" Madoka says softly.

It didn't take long before Kairi looks back up with a smile, "As long as it's the three of us, I'm allowing you to use magic," Madoka starts to smile, but stops after Kairi raises a hand to her face, "However, you can only use magic only against Familiars. Don't use it outside of a barrier or when fighting against a Witch." Madoka nods with a smile.

"Okay then," Sayaka says, "Meet me at my place in the evening, okay?"

"Oh, and one more thing Sayaka," Kairi says, getting the girl's attention, "Do not let Kyubey come with us, otherwise Madoka will not use her magic."

"Why do you not want Kyubey around?" Sayaka asks. Madoka also looks at Kairi, wondering why she has been cold to Kyubey lately.

"Let's just say he rubs on me the wrong way," Kairi said with controlled anger. Another thought occurred to her, "Besides, if Kyubey knows I'm teaching Madoka magic, he would probably tell Kyoko and she would then go after her." Both girls jump at this statement

"Yeah, that's a good point," Sayaka says concurringly.

"So are we all in agreement to this?" Kairi says as she looks between the two girls. Both girls nod before Kairi breathes a sigh of relief, "Glad we got it all settled."

Sayaka says before turning to Kairi, "Meet up with Madoka later, she knows where I'm at." Kairi nods in response.

The trio walk through a familiar alley as the sun begins to set. Sayaka takes the lead followed by Madoka, then Kairi. "Hey, Sayaka?" Kairi calls out, causing the leader to turn her head back.

"Yeah?"

"Isn't this where you and Madoka ran into Kyoko yesterday?"

Sayaka makes a sound of annoyance before looking forward, "Yeah, that's right," she says bluntly. "She stopped me from taking down a Familiar that was here, and it got away. I'm hoping that we can still track it."

"Um…" Kairi starts to say, "This Familiar wouldn't happen to be flying a plane now, would it?"

Sayaka stops with a small gasp before looking at Kairi, "How'd you know that?"

"Well, me and Homura managed to destroy it after it ran into us."

Sayaka sighs, "Well at least it was stopped. I guess that what matters in the end."

Kairi nods, "Let's keep on looking for another target."

Madoka and Sayaka agree before the trio moves along.

Just as night is ready to cover the city, Sayaka's Soul Gem glows. The gem takes them to a construction site, with no one in sight. The blue crystal glows its brightest, indicating the barrier is nearby. Sayaka turns towards a space between two vertical, steel beams. After bringing the gem closer, the portal opens and the girls enter.

To their surprise, the maze is nothing but blue skies and white clouds. They walk along a path between two rows of palm trees with coconuts. One would think this is a beautiful paradise, if one were to ignore the eyes protruding from the leaves and stalks of the trees. The girls walk cautiously. Sayaka, her Soul Gem now in its ring form, leads, Madoka looks left and right, slightly nervous, holding onto her staff. Kairi keeps walking forward, sensing the power of darkness from the seemingly peaceful jungle.

The girls are coming close to an intersection. All of a sudden, a black blur races from left of the intersection, causing the girls to stop. "What was that?" Madoka asks, slightly frightened.

"I don't know," Kairi says, "but we shouldn't let our guard down."

"Well, I say that we tail it," Sayaka says as she looks back at the girls. Kairi nods in agreement. Madoka nods as well, though she is still somewhat shaken. The girls turn right, the direction the mysterious thing went.

As they continue walking, Kairi is sensing another form of darkness. Her eyes tighten as she thinks what is waiting for them. The trio is about to leave the narrow path and into a spacious area. "Wait," Kairi says, making the girls in front of her to stop.

"What's wrong?" Madoka looks at Kairi with a worried expression.

"Not all of us should go," Kairi says with a serious face. "If we all go in there, there's a good chance we can get ambushed. So one of us should stay here."

Sayaka looks at Kairi with confusion. Her eyes widen as she realizes Kairi's strategy, "I get it. If it is an ambush, then the one who stays can ambush whatever is going to ambush us."

"Then who should stay?" Madoka asks.

"How about you stay here Sayaka?" Kairi asks, "You're the fastest one of us, so you should be able to help us in time."

"Right," Sayaka says with a determined smile.

Kairi looks at Madoka, who looks down with a worried expression. She closes her eyes for a few seconds before looking back up at Kairi with a look of determination. Both girls nod before proceeding to the center of the opening. Nothing happens as the girls keep on walking. Just as they reach the center, two barriers go up, sealing the space. Sayaka's eyes widen, as the barrier at her end closes right in front of her eyes. Madoka looks around nervously, while Kairi keeps her cool. Something pops out of the air in front of Madoka, squealing from the sight.

*DANCE TO THE DEATH*

The creature in front of her is a blue monkey about half her size with a black face and yellow eyes. Kairi knows about it, it is a Heartless known as a Powerwild. Seconds later, more Powerwilds pop out, surrounding the combatants in a total count of eight. Kairi summons the Keyblade and takes a stand. Madoka takes a small breath before regaining her composure.

Outside of the barrier, Sayaka activates her soul gem and transforming to her Magical Girl form. "Hang on guys!" she calls out. "I'll take this barrier down!"

"Don't!" Kairi yells out, confusing Sayaka and Madoka, "You'll just be wasting your magic on it. The only way to bring down the barrier is to destroy these…" Kairi trails off, not wanting to tell the girls about the Heartless. Before any of the other girls can ask, a Powerwild in front of Kairi strikes with a sliding kick. Kairi blocks the attack with her weapon, before activating Aeroga; gathering the Heartless in a circling gust of wind. Kairi raises the Keyblade once more, "Thunder," she calls out, bolts of lightning rain down on all the Heartless before they scatter from the burst of wind.

Kairi rushes forward, and destroys one of the blue monkeys with a combo of four strikes. As Kairi moves towards another Heartless, Madoka casts several fire spells, eliminating two of the Heartless. One of the Heartless runs behind her. Madoka turns around just as it jumps, swinging its arms in a frenzy. Madoka raises her staff to block. The Heartless' attack fails but Madoka gets pushed into the ground. Madoka looks up, the Heartless approaching her, and behind it are two more Heartless that are about to attack Kairi. Madoka pushes herself up before raising her staff. She swings forward, firing a shard of ice, eliminating the Heartless in front of her as well as damaging the ones that were about Kairi. Kairi already eliminated two more Heartless when the ones behind her attacked. After they got hit from Madoka's magic, Kairi turns around. She jumps up, the tip of her Keyblade enshrouded with light. She strikes one of the Heartless, creating small streaks of light to burst, eliminating the last of them.

But the fight is not over yet, Commander Heartless appear alongside more Powerwilds. The girls regrouped, back to back, as the Heartless appears. After a minute, Sayaka, watching from behind the barrier with wide eyes, makes notes about them. Sayaka can tell these things are different from Familiars. Based on Kairi's knowledge about the barrier and how its linked to these creatures, Sayaka suspects that Kairi must know what they truly are. Another thing she notes, most of the creatures are going after Kairi. The monsters she slays release pink heart-shaped objects, while the ones Madoka finishes off also release heart-shaped objects, but are gray instead.

There are now three Powerwilds left surrounding the Kairi and Madoka. All three jumped up at the same time. Kairi is about to finish them off but Madoka beats her to them with a surprise. Madoka saw how Kairi casted a lightning spell in the first wave. Based on her knowledge of how to cast Blizzard and Fire, and now she is accustomed to her new power, she raises her staff above her. "Thunder!" she yells out, and bolts of lightning impact the Heartless eliminating them. After a few seconds, the barriers linked to the Heartless disappear.

Sayaka rushes to the girls. "Are you two okay?" as she slows to a stop next to the others.

"Yeah, we're fine," Kairi answers before looking at Madoka. "I have to say you surprised me with that Thunder spell."

"Well, all I did was watched you use it," Madoka says scratching her cheek with an embarrassed blush, "I think I got lucky, that's all."

Kairi smiles at her, "Luck nothing. You were able to learn how to use that just by watching me." Madoka responds with a humble chuckle.

Sayaka smiles at her friends before looking at Kairi with a curious, yet serious look. "Hey, Kairi," she says, getting the red-head's attention, "What were those things? I have a feeling those weren't Familiars."

Kairi sighs as she looks at the ground. She places a hand on her chest, "Those are monsters born out of darkness," she says before looking back at the girls, "Before I…received my power, I was sensitive to beings of darkness," she said, Madoka and Sayaka looking at Kairi in awe. "Because I was so sensitive to them… someone came by and gave me a chance for me to help my friends."

"And that is when you became a Magical Girl, right?" Madoka asks. Kairi nods in response. Before anything else can be said, the Witch's barrier starts to fade away.

Kairi's eyes widen, "Madoka, put your staff away, now!" Kairi said in a tone shy of commanding. Madoka did what Kairi asks and puts away the staff. Now the girls are back inside the construction site.

"Okay?" Sayaka says questioningly, "what happened?"

"I got the prize!" a familiar voice calls out, "That's what happened!"

The girls look around before Madoka spots something. She alerts the others, when they looked up, Kyoko descends and lands a few yards from the other girls.

"You again!?" Sayaka cries out, wearing an angry expression.

Kyoko makes a sound of amusement before showing off the Grief Seed she just earned. "Wasn't all that hard. If it was you though," she says with a sneer, "You'd be dead by now!" Sayaka grinds her teeth, unable to stand her. Kyoko smirk widens, "Since that my work here is done I'll be seeing you later." She then turns to Kairi with a more serious look, pointing her spear at her new rival, "And the next time we meet, you won't surprise me. And I'll be the one walking away!" Kyoko dispels her transformation before turning around, leaving the scene.

"Wait a minute…" Sayaka starts to say. Her eyes widen as she turns to Kairi, "You fought Kyoko!?"

Kairi couldn't help but give an embarrassing chuckle with a hand behind her head, "Well, she's the one who wanted to fight, and I didn't have much choice."

"You won right?" Sayaka asks and Kairi nods in response. Sayaka's eyes narrow before looking to the ground. "Why didn't you finish her?"

"Excuse me," Kairi responds with confusion.

"Why didn't you put an end to her," Sayaka says before looking back up at Kairi with narrowed eyes, "Didn't you remember what I said about her, she's willing to let innocent people get killed, just so she can get more Grief Seeds."

"Sayaka, no one has the right to determine who lives or dies," Kairi responds.

"Kyoko doesn't deserve it. Who knows how many people have died, because she didn't kill a Familiar!" Kairi is taken back by Sayaka's words. "When I became a Magical Girl, it is not to fight Witches. But to protect my friends and family from anyone who wishes to harm them. If Kyoko does even think about hurting any of them, I'll put an end to her permanently."

"Sayaka…" Kairi softly says. Kairi understands the importance of protecting those one loves. But it doesn't mean one has the right to end other people's lives, even if it meant to protect others.

"Uh…guys?" Madoka says, getting Kairi and Sayaka look at her. Sayaka bluntly asks what Madoka wants. "Up there…" she responds, pointing to the sky. When they look up they were amazed at the sight in the night sky. One of the stars suddenly goes bright before disappearing.

"Okay, that's something you don't see everyday," Sayaka says. She turns around to Madoka, "anyways it's getting late. We better head home for the night." Madoka looks at Sayaka before nodding. The bluenette turns to Kairi. Her expression turns to confusion, Kairi is still staring at the sky with wide eyes. "Uh…hello, earth to Kairi," Sayaka says, waving a hand in front of Kairi.

Kairi snaps out of her thoughts, turning to Sayaka. Sayaka asks Kairi what is wrong. Kairi responds with a shake of her head, "It's nothing." The girls soon move out of the construction site. I hope it was a world that none of us knows about…

Yen Sid's Tower

*MAGICAL MYSTERY*

Yen Sid, sitting in his usual chair, looks towards his desk, eyes closed. The sound of a door opening gathers his attention. Approaching him is his long-time friend, King Mickey. "How do things fare, Mickey?" the sorcerer asks, stroking his beard.

The mouse stops a few feet in front of his old master. "Well, all the Princesses of Heart are still safe."

Yen Sid nods his head, "Xehanort must be aware by now, that we are gathering the seven Guardians of Light. Still, we must make sure that the princesses are well."

"Speaking of princesses, where's Kairi? I thought she's training."

"Not long ago, I sensed a disturbing force from an unknown world, one that we never set foot on. I sent Riku to investigate the matter. When Riku told me of what had he found, I sent Kairi to this world as well, as a means of testing her progress."

"There's more to it than that, right?" Mickey asks.

The sorcerer slowly nods. "Kairi had a unique dream. Someone called out to her heart, and in response to the developments of that world, I believe that sending Kairi would be our best approach to settle this matter before more worlds become afflicted by this new danger."

The King crosses his arms, looking down, "Well…Gosh. If it's really that bad, then maybe I should go there too," the King finishes with a fist pump.

Yen Sid shakes, his head in response, confusing the King. "There is no need for that. I am certain that Riku and Kairi will settle the matter. In fact, I have a different task for you."

"A different task?" Mickey asks, tilting his head while bringing a hand to his chin.

"Kairi has just contacted me. She told me that a world has recently fallen to darkness. This report confirms what I felt hours ago. However, it is what happened that is disturbing?"

"What do you mean?" the King asks seriously.

"From what I had sensed, only one heart was lost. And that one heart…is the heart of a world. Furthermore I could not sense any other hearts being lost or become scattered."

"You think Xehanort is behind this?"

"We must assume so."

"If it is Xehanort, then maybe it could be a warning to us. A warning that he is ready to make his move."

"If that is the case, then why not choose a more habited world? That would surely catch our attention." The sorcerer closes his eyes, "If we are to attain anything about Xehanort's movements, I suggest we must investigate this matter immediately."

"Right," the King answers with a nod. Mickey turns around and exits through the door.

After the door closed, Yen Sid closes his eyes. The sorcerer sighs. "Why can't I help but feel… that the destruction of that world is…"

Kairi floats in cloud-filled void. She groans as she slowly open her eyes. Slowly her feet land on an invisible ground. She looks around confused of where she is at. She was having a nice dream before hearing someone calling out to her. Kairi knows she is in her dreamscape. She contacted Yen Sid to tell him about a world that was destroyed. After that she was whisked into her dreams. The fact that she woke up here confuse her. A pillar of light erupts a few yards in front of her. The light slowly fades away, revealing a white ornate door. Kairi walks to the door before stopping in front of it. After a few seconds, she pulls on the door's handle. A bright light emanates from the other side consuming her. Despite this, she walks forward.

Kairi walks into white room. Nearly everything is white. In a sense, it feels lifeless. However, pictures are attached to the walls as well as more pictures on the floor. Kairi walks forward. When she stops there is a long, white table to her right. Kairi instead looks to the left, seeing that the pictures are actually drawings. This place feels ethereal, yet familiar at the same time. Kairi then realizes where she is at. "This is your room, isn't it?" Kairi turns around. "Namine."

*NAMINE'S THEME*

On the other side of the table is another girl. Long, blonde hair, blue eyes, and wearing a simple white dress in blue sandals. The girl smiles at Kairi. "It's nice to see you again, Kairi."

"Nice to see you too," Kairi said before taking a seat at her end. "Are you the one that brought me here?"

"Yes, the Dreamsphere allows whoever uses it to connect to another person they know. After you talked to Yen Sid, I've been trying to call you. And well, here we are."

"I guess it must be lonely for you here," Kairi says in a sad voice.

"It's okay. Besides, I'm happy just being here. Being a part of you," she says with a smile.

Kairi sadly smiles at Namine's response. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Actually, I want to talk to you about something. Something important. It's about the friends you made in this world."

Kairi's mouth slightly opens as she lets it sink in. "About Madoka?"

"Not just her, Sayaka, Mami, Homura, and Kyoko as well. There is something you need to know about them."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember your dream? The one that lead you to them."

"Yes. I remember it."

"As you are aware, it wasn't just a dream," Namine states. Kairi responds with a nod. "One of those girls was the one that tried to contact you. Well, to be more precise, it was their heart that called to you. As you journeyed forth into the dream, gaining a sense of who has been calling you, I too have seen things."

"What things?" Kairi asks.

Namine chokes on her words for a bit. She looks down, "I've seen flashes. Flashes of their memories. The visions came so fast, I have no idea how to interpret them. One thing however is clear." Namine brings her hands to her chest, "Madoka and the others, they are suffering."

"Suffering?"

"I know it doesn't look like it now, but somehow their hearts feel trapped. Trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is this. Sooner or later, all of them are going to face some kind of tragedy one way or another. And when one of them encounters such a tragedy, the rest will too be swallowed by events they are no longer in control of."

"Let me get this straight," Kairi said, "You're saying, that their hearts are trapped in some type of cycle and the cycle is about to repeat again."

Namine nods. "Kairi, I believe, that you are the one to help end their suffering. To help them escape from their fate."

"Is there anything else?" Kairi asks.

Namine shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. The only thing you can do… is to be their light when their darkest moments arrive."

"Okay," Kairi says with a smile closing her eyes. A few seconds later, she looks back up at Namine. "Thank you…Namine." The blonde smiles in response. The room slowly vanishes. Eventually, eventually everything goes white.

Riku's Log 5

I am concerned about the state of this world. Based on my current knowledge, the Witches have existed for a great deal of time. These apparitions that curse innocent lives, why do they do this? What is their goal? In fact, do these Witches have a goal at all? From my experience, behind each barrier, there is only one Witch, if not a straggling Familiar. Unlike Heartless, that work together like a swarm of insects, each Witch is independent, yet at the same time their origins are the same. Which begs the question: What is a Witch exactly?

It is said that Witches are born from curses. If I think about it, Magical Girls represent light, while Witches represent darkness. Or in another point of view, wishes and curses respectively. Then there's Kyubey, who grants wishes in exchange for the girl's soul. If the relationship continues as followed, then is there a creature similar to Kyubey? In other words, a creature that places actual curses on other people.

Everything has an origin. The Heartless created from those that yield to darkness. Nobodies created from the empty shells of those with strong hearts. Dream Eaters created through dreams, both good and bad. In this world, Magical Girls are born when their soul is spirited away in exchange for a wish.

The point of the last passage is to get a sense that Witches don't just simply appear due to a curse. No, if there is a creature that grants curses, that creature would seek out those who are willing to make a curse. Could it be that this creature seeks young girls that have such feelings? If all of this is true, then perhaps a girl willing to place a curse on someone would make a contract and along with the curse coming true, the girl is transformed into a Witch. However this is merely conjecture as there is no sign of such a creature.

Author's Note: Don't know when I'll bring up the next chapter.

At this point, I'm going to start thinking up my own barriers and Witches.

I would also like to thank you for reading this story so far. I hope your enjoying it.

Until next time.