A/N: Hey guys! I want to thank everyone who favorite, reviewed, or is currently following this story! The reviews and support we get from you guys are awesome! I know that it's been a while since we've last updated, but we made it worthwhile and made this chapter longer for you guys. We won't make any promises, but we're going to try our best to update this story monthly. As always, please R&R and enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: We don't own Puella Magi Madoka Magica or any of its characters! But, we DO own our OC's Amai and Juudai!

Chapter 6: The Norm to Crisis

Waking up early to head to the hospital was killer, especially on little sleep, but Sayaka powered through it. With a yawn, she left her apartment, making sure to check on the lock before leaving.

The sun barely peaked over the horizon, the sky a mix of purple, orange and blue. Sayaka appreciates this side of the city, at least. A rare sight for most, she recalls being left in awe the first time she witnessed the sunrise. Even waking up for school didn't grant her this honor.

At first she walked briskly down the block. Once the first crosswalk came into view, Sayaka started skipping towards the cross lights.

The hospital stood seven blocks away from home and five blocks from the school. In total, it took about twenty minutes to cover the walk. For what she was planning on doing, an extra ten minutes would be added to that.

As she stepped foot on the hospital block, she sent a greeting towards a passerby she recognized as being a patient. He answered back as she walked past him. The same thing repeated again and again once she stepped foot inside the hospital until Sayaka walked up to the front desk.

"Here to see Kamijo-san?" The receptionist asked after greeting her.

"Yes, ma'am." Sayaka looked around as the receptionist typed away on the computer.

"You're in luck. It seems he had a rough last night."

Sayaka winced. "Is it really all right for me to see him?"

"I'm sure it is. You know, he never stops talking about you." The receptionist smiled. "I'm sure you'll brighten his day."

Sayaka smiled and laughed. "Oh, geez, thanks." She willed the blush to disappear off her face.

After being here so often, Sayaka knew the layout of the hospital like the back of her hand. It seemed sad, but helpful when a new patient needed help finding their way around. The hospital was immense. The blunette recalled the first time she came here. This hospital wasn't her usual place to visit for checkups; another hospital, a bit farther from home, dealt with that. What the other hospital had that this one didn't was an affordable rate.

'But considering Kyousuke's family...' The tomboy thought, of course his Father and Mother would be able to afford anything for their only child.

Sayaka heaved a sigh just as the elevator slowed to a stop. Her floor, she realized when she checked the gauge at the threshold. The doors slid open and she stepped out to the designated floor. Her feet automatically took her to the room she needed to go. For the sake of courtesy, she knocked on the door and waited for a reply.

Silence greeted her.

"Kyousuke?" she called out. Sayaka still didn't hear a reply. Her hand hesitantly hovered over the doorknob. Should she let herself in or leave?

"...Come in."

The blunette started inhaling sharply before gathering her nerves and turning the knob.

"Good morning, Kyousuke!" Sayaka plastered a smile and stepped in.

The room remained in darkness, the faint light of the rising sun cutting through the blinds. Kyousuke sat up on the hospital bed, his head turned to the window when she came in. When she spoke, however, he turned to look at her with a tired smile.

"Morning, Sayaka. How are you doing?"

"Oh, pretty good. I'm just checking up on you before I go to school."

"You know you don't have to be here so early, right?" All the same, the smile on Kyousuke's face was bright. Sayaka could feel her face burning red.

"I know, but it's nice to see a friendly face when you're stuck here."

Kyousuke chuckled lowly. "Yeah, that's true..."

The blunette strained her ears when she caught the sound of something. "...Have you been listening to my CD?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I've been listening to it all night." He picked up the CD player. "I've been having a hard time sleeping lately."

"Is it helping a little?"

"It keeps my mind off of things for a bit." Kyousuke's smile seemed so small and forced, but Sayaka chose not to comment. She stood next to the bed, looming over the boy as they spoke. The two traded a few more words, mostly about music, before Sayaka reluctantly started walking towards the door.

"I'm heading to school now. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah... I'd like that. Have a good day."

Sayaka stood in front of the door a few minutes after she closed it. Her forehead settled gently against the door, a sigh passing her lips. She wished there was something she could do about his predicament.

'But Mami said it wasn't a good idea to make a wish for another...' The tomboy mentally reminded herself.

"Hey, well if it isn't the Flatbread."

Sayaka groaned, turning to face the newcomer. "What are you doing here, Asurito?"

Amai laughed. "We came here to drop off my mom! She has an appointment today. We're just walking around a bit while we wait for the doctor."

'We' being the girl and a man Sayaka had not met before. He looked like her, the two curly bed of hair looking similar. "Oh, is this one of your friends who came over yesterday?"

"Yeah. Say, what are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting a friend. Are...you going to school?" The blunette quietly asked.

"Yeah, in a few. I'm going to stay with Mom for a little bit before heading out."

"Well then, I'll...be seeing you." Sayaka turned around and walked away.

"Is that the flat-chested girl you were telling me about?" Mr. Asurito whispered to his daughter.

"E-yep. So what do you think?" Amai crossed her arms with a thoughtful look.

"I agree with your assessment, but she's still got some great legs."

"...Seriously?"

"I'm serious," Mr. Asurito insisted over her giggling. "Every lady has their unique quality that stands out above the rest. For your mother, it's her breasts."

"Just like Mami..." Amai said dreamily, with a sappy smile on her face.

"For both you and your friend, it's definitely your legs."

"Me too?"

"Yes, you too."

Amai hummed in understanding.

"Let's go see your mother real quick so you can go to school too, young lady." Mr. Asurito chuckled.

"Yes, sir."

Sayaka stifled a yawn as class went on. Her eyes landed on Madoka across the room every now and then. The pinklette struggled to keep her head aloft. Presently, her head bobbed in the air every few seconds as she struggled to keep awake.

She winced sympathetically; at least Madoka remembered to call her mother to inform her she would arrive home late.

A flicker of white took Sayaka's eyes away from her friend and onto Kyubey. The white creature rested on Madoka's desk, invisible to the eyes of her peers. An idea came over her.

'So is anyone up to talking in their minds?' Sayaka announced. Kyubey's head shot up and his round eyes turned to look at her.

Madoka's head shot up in shock. 'Sayaka-chan?!'

'Well, I'm this close to falling asleep. Homura, you awake?'

'Y-yes. Is this really okay to do?'

The question was obviously directed to Kyubey. 'We suppose so. Only magical girls within the vicinity will be able to hear our conversation.'

'Tomoe-chan, are you there?' Madoka reached out.

'Yes, I'm here. And I think now would be a perfect time to reach out for a certain person, don't you think?'

Please don't let it be the pervert... Sayaka thought.

'Naosoroshii-chan?'

'Hmm? What...' A new voice entered the conversation. 'Are you for real?'

'Yes, we are speaking in our minds.' Mami kindly provided. 'How are things going on your end?'

'...I'm doing all right. Why are we doing this?'

'Sayaka is falling asleep, so we're talking to help her stay awake.'

'Hey, you're falling asleep, too, Madoka!'

'Are you doing all right, Juudai-chan?' Homura asked.

'Yeah, it's nothing I can't handle.' From across the school, Juudai smiled as she leaned her chin onto her hand. 'What about yourself? You didn't get much sleep either.'

'I-I know, but it isn't anything I can't handle either. I've had many sleepless nights while I was ill.'

'Ah.'

'Oh, yes, that's right. You were in the hospital before all this.' Madoka stated. 'Are you sure you're feeling up for this? You just got out of the hospital recently and you didn't sleep much last night? Is it all right for you to be here?'

'Thank you, Kaname-san, but I'm fine.' Homura blushed at her seat. 'I'm tougher than I look.'

'All the same, it's not all right for any of us to do that.' Mami inputted. 'I can still take you magical girl training, but at the same time I feel I might need to stop soon if it interferes with your sleep. Either that, or we'll need to wrap things up earlier so you can head to bed.'

All main three magical girl trainees replied in unison. 'Yes, ma'am.'

'Kyubey?' Juudai attentively reached out.

'Yes, Juudai?'

'Can I talk to Amai through this?'

'Yes, you can.'

Juudai ignored the groan coming off Sayaka. 'Amai?'

'Whoa! Judy, where are you?!'

'Still in class. How are you holding up? Sayaka's practically falling asleep in her class, or so I am told.'

'Seriously?' Sayaka groaned.

'Hey, Flatbread! Don't fall asleep! As your senpai, I have to advice against that.'

'Oh, be quiet! I don't need to be told that by you!'

Mami chuckled. 'You two are certainly rowdy today!'

'Wait, Mami's here? ...I'd be stupid to think I'm the only one talking like this, huh?'

'I'm here, Amai.' Homura called out.

'Me, too!' Madoka followed.

'Since you have potential in being a magical girl, you can talk telepathically via me.' Kyubey helpfully provided. 'There is a range limit, but it's particularly helpful when in a search party and not within talking distance.'

'That sounds really helpful.' Juudai commented. 'I thought that was just your manner of speaking.'

'You humans are very limited in your methods of communication. My species is connected in a hive mind so we can all talk like this. But we will concede, you humans are rather resourceful in creating different methods to expand on your weaknesses and limitations. While most of your populace cannot communicate the way we do, you have your devices. It's one of the reasons why my kind is fascinated by your resourcefulness. And like we said, your species does have the potential of communicating like this. Another reason-'

'I'm flattered.' Juudai deadpanned.

'It's so much fun, though, isn't it?' Madoka hummed.

'We can talk without anyone knowing or listening in,' Homura added. 'It'd be cool for secret things we'd want to do!'

'Ladies, this isn't supposed to be fun,' Mami scolded. 'I'll admit though, it's nice to indulge every now and then but please don't take this out of hand.'

'Yes, ma'am...'

'Hey, is it just me,' Sayaka started. 'Or is one of us being suspiciously quiet?'

'Amai?'

Mami was expecting the brunette to respond to Juudai's inquiries, but only silence met her. Mami called out to Amai.

'...Yes?'

'Is something wrong?' The blonde asked in concern.

'Um, none of you are able to read my mind with this, right?'

'This is for communicating, not reading minds.' Kyubey sounded insulted.

'Why do you ask, Amai?' Mami was already guessing the girl's reasoning.

'No, no, nothing, nothing! I'm definitely not thinking about breasts. Legs! Damn it, why did that girl have to walk in front of me!'

Mami sighed.

"Naosoroshii-chan!"

Juudai turned to see Madoka and Homura running towards her, Madoka waving her arm in the air with a large smile on her face. "Hello, Kaname-chan. Hi, Homura."

"Are you doing anything after school?" The pinklette asked.

"Oh, uh... well, I'm probably going to go home and get some homework done before getting ready for work."

"Ah, is it all right if we come with you?"

"W-we?" Homura blushed. Madoka nodded.

"The three of us can work together! It'll get our work done faster." Madoka heard her name being called; Sayaka came running down the hall after the pinklette.

"Hey, Madoka! Homura." Sayaka nodded towards the raven. "I'm heading to the hospital. Are you going home?"

"No, I was going to hang out with Naosoroshii-chan." Madoka turned to Juudai expectantly.

The orangette sighed. "Yeah, we're going to head to the restaurant for a study session."

"Oh, well, hope that goes well for the two of you."

"Madoka-chan! Sayaka-chan! Homura-chan! Juudai-chan!" Mami stopped next to the group of girls. "What are you planning on doing?"

"I'm going to the hospital while they're going to the Asurito Restaurant. What about you?"

Mami opened her mouth to respond, but before any words could come out, Amai walked behind her, sweeping the blonde into her arms and situated her over her shoulder. After the girl was secured, Amai started walking towards the school entrance.

"I'm taking her with me. I hope you don't mind!" The brunette called out before the pair disappeared around the corner, blissfully ignoring the light punches Mami did against her shoulders as she demanded to be released.

After a few moments of silence among the group, Juudai sighed. "She did ask for that date."

"I cannot BELIEVE you did that." Mami huffed. She and Amai were seated in a café five blocks from the school. Mami recognized it as she frequented as a child with her family. A feeling of nostalgia fell over her chest.

Amai browsed over her menu a second time. "Do you remember when we came here a lot when we were little? The two of us shared this same chocolate cake here. Look." She leaned forward and pointed to the picture of a triple chocolate cake.

The blonde hummed. "Oh, yes, I remember. This place had really good green tea as well. Is that why you brought me here – the nostalgia?"

"Yes and no. I come here often, but..." Amai trailed off as her eyes shifted to the left.

Mami followed her gaze and felt irritation growing. "...Amai."

The brunette hummed nervously, slowly turning back to her date.

"...After practically kidnapping me from the school and forcing this date on me, you're seriously eying other girls in front of me?"

Amai's face reddens. "I can't help it she has good legs!"

"Right." Mami picked her menu back up.

Their server returned to their table to take their order. Mami decided on the chocolate cake while Amai picked strawberry shortcake.

"So what have you been doing the last few years?" The brunette started.

The blonde thought about it for a moment. "Well, I've mostly been focusing on school."

"And fighting monsters?"

"Are we really going to be talking about this here?" Mami glared at her.

"We don't, but I'd appreciate it if you're honest with me." Amai's smile appeared coy.

Mami looked away from her, opting to look around the restaurant. She noticed there were a few other couples sitting around them, some from their school, and others from the local high school. The majorities of the customers were students.

"Hey, Mami?"

The blonde's head snapped back to her 'date'.

Amai opened her mouth to say something, but it snapped close a few times before she spoke at last. "If you need any help with this magical girl business, just let me know."

"What, becoming a magical girl?" Mami said hotly.

"If you need help in school or at home."

Mami blinked in surprise.

"Look, I'm not going to agree with you about being a magical girl or not. I'm not even sure I know what I want my wish to be. I'm just saying, if you need help with your everyday LIFE, because you know that is still a thing, you can come to me."

"I..." The blonde didn't know what to say.

"Oh, hold on one moment." Amai pulled out her phone, fiddling with it for a moment before returning it to her bag. "That was Nagisa."

"Where is she?"

"At my place. She's mostly been wandering around since she became a magical girl, with no place to stay."

"Are you serious?" Mami looked horrified.

"That's what she told me. She has no place to go, so I offered her my place. Mom and Dad are working to get her into school, but until then, she's staying home. I was checking on her right now. Before I left – can you believe it? - she was raiding the fridge for cheese!" Amai cackled. "Mom was upset."

"I'd imagine." Mami joined her friend in laughing. "How's your mother doing, by the way?"

"Last I checked, she's okay. Dad had to go back to the restaurant to open it, but he was told Mom and the baby's doing well. They'll probably be letting her out soon."

"Are you excited about being an older sister?"

"Hell yeah! I can't wait for them to be born. I'm going to spoil them like a younger sibling has never been spoiled." Amai grinned.

Their waitress came back with their sweets. Both girls thanked her, asking for another round of drinks as they prepared to dig into their treats.

"I'm sure you'll be a good sister, Amai."

"I know I will. Come on, these cakes aren't going to eat themselves."

Mami giggled before taking a bite of her chocolate cake. She hummed in pleasure. "Delicious."

"Tell me about it." Amai smiled around her spoon.

"I think now's a good time to take a break." Juudai spoke up, stretching her arms behind her.

Madoka sighed, leaning back in her seat. Homura rubbed her writing wrist.

"You guys have a lot of homework." Xavier commented from his end of the table. He already finished his homework a while ago and was doing his best to help Juudai with hers. "I don't think I want to go to middle school."

"It's going to happen one day." Juudai pecked Xavier's forehead, the little boy giggling.

"The teachers really are pushing us this week," Madoka whimpered.

"A-at least we can compare notes," Homura input. "It really helps a lot to see your version of today's lesson."

"I can say the same about you, Akemi-chan. I really didn't get what Miss Saotome was saying when she was explaining the formula."

"O-oh, that was easy..."

Juudai looked at the clock in her room. "You girls want to go out for a moment and get some snacks?" A chorus of agreements followed her question. "We could all use a break."

The sounds of the rushing footsteps came from the direction of the door, and Nagisa's head appeared on the side. "Can I come with you?"

"Did you finish the chores Amai assigned you?" The orangette asked without looking her way.

"May~be."

"You need to stay then."

Nagisa groaned. "Come on! I'm bored! Can you please make an exception? I've been stuck here since last night! Please?"

"You need to make up from the treats you helped yourself to."

"Aw, come on, Nao-chan," Madoka pleaded. "It's just for a little while. She deserves a break, too."

Juudai hummed thoughtfully. "You make a good point." She turned to the white haired girl. "Fine, I'll treat you."

Nagisa gave a shout of joy as the others finished cleaning up. Xavier stacked the books to one corner of the table while Homura and Madoka organized the papers together. Juudai entered the kitchen for a moment.

"Uncle Jared, we'll be leaving for a little bit."

Mr. Asurito turned away from the stove to give Juudai his attention. "Oh, be careful, all right? And have fun!"

Juudai chuckled. "We'll do. Would you like us to bring you anything back?"

"Whatever you feel you'd want to bring back. Just don't stay out too late if you're taking Xavier with you."

"Understood. You heard the man, Xavy."

Xavier rolled his eyes playfully. "Of course, I wouldn't want to be sent to the corner."

Once the group stepped outside, Nagisa immediately ran off in glee, shouting her freedom. Madoka giggled; Homura turned to face her with a smile of her own. Juudai held her brother's hand, leading the way down the road. The five of them threw suggestions on where to go before deciding their destination.

"We all know sweets are the best study foods!" Nagisa exclaimed.

"Yeah, because you were studying," Xavier commented.

The white haired girl turned to the boy with her cheeks puffed up. "Nao-neechan! Say something to him!"

"Xavier, she's been inside all day. I think she deserves a little R&R."

"Yes, sis."

Nagisa blew him a raspberry. Xavier reached forward to tug her hair. With a cry, the whitette turned around to slap his hand away. Xavier let go of Juudai's hand to run from the girl when she gave chase. Madoka and Homura gave a laugh.

"They're having fun." Juudai couldn't resist the smile on her face.

It made the orangette slightly nervous to see her brother running ahead of her, far from her, but she needed to give him his space as well. He needed to spend time with kids his age. When he started to laugh after Nagisa managed to smack him lightly against his arm, Juudai's heart began to feel lighter. She did eventually call the two of them back to her when they ran past a turn. More people appeared on the sidewalks, and she definitely didn't want to lose sight of them now.

Their destination drew near.

Juudai held the door open for her friends to get inside. She was about to step inside; something moved at the corner of her eye. She turned to look. Her eyes widen.

Inside the store Nagisa stopped in her tracks, unintentionally ignoring what Xavier said as he spoke. She turned her head right, eyes widening.

'Not now!' The whitette thought desperately.

"Nagisa, is something wrong?"

She snapped her head in Madoka's direction.

"You look pale. Are you all right?"

"Yes." Nagisa found it easy to lie to the girl, even if she felt bad for it. "Nao-neechan isn't here yet."

"Yeah, I'm getting worried for Juudai-chan as well." Homura commented. Xavier looked worriedly at the door.

"Hold on, I'll go get her!" Nagisa ran towards the door.

When she stepped outside, Nagisa saw Juudai standing a few feet away from the door.

And next to her...

"Who are you?" Nagisa studied the girl.

A raven with long hair stared back at her with a blank expression. She wore the same uniform Juudai, Madoka and Homura wore. However, Nagisa took one look at her left hand and she knew exactly what this girl did in her pastime.

"Nagisa Momoe."

"How do you know my name?" Every instinct in the little girl's body flared.

"You need to head over to the hospital. A witch has appeared."

The whitette blinked in confusion.

Juudai's eyes, on the other hand, widen in horror. "Wait, the hospital? But...!"

The raven glanced her way, and Nagisa thought she saw a look of concern on her face. "Don't worry. We'll take care of it. Momoe-san, can I please count on you?"

Nagisa truly wanted to tell the girl no, but she couldn't remember a time she's seen Juudai express something beyond disinterest, bare enthusiasm and faint affection for the people she love. Something inside of the girl told her she needed to get a move on and resolve this problem.

'Mami!'

The blonde sat up straight in her seat when she heard Kyubey. 'What is it?'

'A witch has appeared!'

Mami's heart nearly stopped as she shot out of her seat, ignoring Amai as the brunette attempted to draw her attention back to her. She cursed her inattentiveness. How is it this witch managed to avoid her sense? The presence she felt when she reached out with her magic came north. Mami turned in that direction and thought what lied in that direction.

Her blood went cold. "Amai."

The brunette looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I need to step out for a moment."

Amai looked at her suspiciously. "This isn't some excuse to go fight some of those witches, right?" She chuckled lightly, believing she hit the mark.

Mami didn't laugh. "Please, stay here."

The urgent way she spoke gave Amai pause, her smile falling from her face. The blonde held her gaze a moment longer before turning to leave.

Sayaka doesn't know why, but something felt off. For roughly ten minutes she and Kyousuke spoke, trading jokes and gossip. Today appeared to be one of his good days; he held a smile on his face the moment she stepped into his room, and she couldn't resist the smile forming on her face. Her face had to have turned red.

The blunette was sitting next to his bed when the feeling in the air CHANGED. She sat up straighter in her seat, looking left and right before returning her gaze to Kyousuke.

"Is something wrong, Sayaka?"

"O-oh, nothing, I just thought of something," Sayaka provided. "I probably should be leaving soon. I got homework I gotta catch up on."

"Same here. Hospitalized and everything, and my parents aren't letting up on my studies." Kyousuke's face fell a little at this confession.

An idea crossed Sayaka's mind. "...Hey, how about we work together?"

"Hmm?"

"On our homework. We're in the same class and everything, so we can probably help each other out a whole lot!"

"Huh... That's a great idea!" The smile returned. "So does that mean you're not leaving yet?"

"Not to go home anyway. Let me just take care of a little chore, and I'll be right back. Can you watch my stuff for me while I'm gone?"

Kyousuke nodded his head and Sayaka turned to leave the room. Once she closed the door behind her and she was a few yards away from it, she rushed as quickly as she could to the stairs. The air still felt charged. Sayaka tried to imagine where she could find the source of this disorder. By utter chance, when she ran outside the hospital, she turned her head right and she saw it.

A black cocoon against the white wall, anyone else would have confused it for a hive of some kind, but the tomboy knew the instant her eyes landed on it, this was bad news. She pulled her cell phone out, snapping a shot.

Sayaka looked up Mami's number and sent the picture her way with a text: 'Mami! I found this on the hospital's wall! Do you know what it is?' The obvious answer was bad news but she waited for Mami's response as patiently as she could.

When she received the response, her fears were confirmed. 'Sayaka. That is a witch's egg. And from the looks of it, it's about to hatch. I advise you to stay away from it and take shelter. I'll be there as soon as I can.'

The blunette let out a sigh of relief. So Mami will be here soon...

The sound of cracking pierced the air. Sayaka's heart skipped a beat. Slowly, her head turned towards the witch egg.

And then darkness.

Nagisa arrived at the hospital and drew a sharp breath. "Oh, no..."

Where the hospital stood, she saw the blurry outline of a labyrinth.

To her side, the long-haired raven landed beside her. "We're too late." She breathed.

"We need to get inside." Nagisa's heart beaded heavily against her chest. "We need to save whoever we can."

The older girl stayed silent for a moment. "No, you find who you can. One of us needs to locate the witch or there will be casualties."

The whitette hesitated. "Are you sure you can do it on your own?"

"It's fine. Between the two of us, you will have the easiest time taking the civilians out of here. And I'm the best option in taking out the witch." Her voice tilted to a low tone with her last words.

Nagisa gulped at her dark tone. She hopped towards the hospital, her magic transforming her dress into her magical girl outfit. Her weapon came into existence last, her grip tightening reassuringly around it. When she landed on her feet, Nagisa blew into the trumpet. The bubbles flew forth, an incantation within each globule. She hopped on top of one of the bubbles, willing her magic to push the water bead upward.

With the witch's influence, the hospital's structure was being warped by the labyrinth's space. A flick of her little hand, and Nagisa pushed a small group of bubbles forward as a barrier of sorts as she floated inside. Almost instantly, a few of her bubbles burst as they made contact with a set of candles hovering in the air. The sound not only frightened Nagisa, but a series of bangs rang out courtesy of several doors flying open.

Instead of remaining still, Nagisa bounded towards one of the open doors. Inside, she found a small group of people floating in the air. Upon investigating them, she realized they were unconscious – but alive.

"Thank goodness..." The whitette whispered under her breathe. She covered the small group with a giant bubble, sending the orb out the way she came. "Onto the next."

She travelled through a few more rooms, rescuing more people from the witch's influence. As she went through another room, she stopped in her tracks, eyes widening.

"Sayaka?!" The blunette groaned as Nagisa shook her lightly. Her blue eyes slowly flickered open. "Are you all right?"

"I... mmhmm..." The girl struggled to remain awake, but Nagisa couldn't afford to waste any more time here. She placed the girl within the safety of a bubble and was about to send it out when Sayaka reacted again.

"Hey... wait..." The blunette reached a hand out limply. "Kyousuke is still here..."

"Where did you last see him?"

"The top most floor..."

Sayaka looked like she wanted to speak more, but Nagisa heard enough. She shushed the older girl, pushing the bubble forward towards the exit. Once the bubble was out of her sight, she continued forward.

The hospital doors were spread out and floating in space. A set of stairs led upwards. Nagisa jumped to the closest stairs and began running to the next door. Before she entered it, a series of shots rang through the air. She yelped, ducking on instinct.

A door over her head blew open and a blur flew out. Her head snapped up, and she caught the raven haired girl from before flying out, gun blazing in her hand.

"Nagisa! Up here! There's a civilian!"

The whitette wasted no time, gathering her magic to her feet to help her sprint the rest of the way up. She skidded in front of the destroyed door, ignoring the sound of gunfire behind her as she stepped inside.

A boy lay on a hospital bed, afloat in the air. He appeared oblivious to the situation around him, eyes closed in sleep. Beneath the bed was a cause for concern; familiars, black and white in color, in the shapes of chess pieces circled around the floating object. They hop around, their movements causing the ground to tremble.

"Hey! Over here!"

Nagisa held her weapons before her as some of the minions turned to her. The first one to move towards her received a face full of bubbles. She jumped back when a survivor attempted to stomp on her, pressing down where she once stood.

With a sweep of her arm, a whip of bubbles spewed from her trumpet and tripped several of the chess pieces to the ground. The bubbles split from the line, each bubble hovering over a minion, slamming down and popping over them to deliver a burst of damaging, magically induced pressure.

The other pieces fell quickly to her and Nagisa was left with the boy on the bed. A bubble formed beneath her feet and it carried her over to the bed. Another sweep of her hand and a bubble protectively surrounded the boy.

She flicked her hand forward, the bubble following after her as she left the room. Outside the dimension of the room she previously visited, the main hub was a destroyed mess. Several of the candles and doors were shattered, pieces of wax, wood and stone floating in the space of the dimension. When Nagisa lifted her head, she saw the older magical girl shooting across the air, firing bullets after bullets towards the king-like witch.

One carefully aimed bullet looked like it would hit its target, but the witch stopped in mid-air and dashed towards a still intact door. 'It's hiding!' Nagisa realized with a start. She lifted her trumpet, a spell on her lips when the raven interrupted her.

"Don't! You have more important things to worry about!"

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze; where Nagisa saw the girl in one section of the room, she was suddenly across the room and entering through the door.

Despite what the magical girl told her, Nagisa remained standing there, wondering what had happened and what would happen next. Her thoughts were answered in the next moment when the door blew open. The witch came out flying, thrown against the stairs with the older girl on her tail.

"GO!"

Nagisa didn't need to be told twice.

By the time the labyrinth faded away, Mami arrived. "Am I too late?" She saw a number of people – patients and hospital personnel alike – lingering outside. The people spoke in a hush that managed to sound loud in the still quiet following the aftermath. "Kyubey, are you sure Nagisa was here?"

The Incubator hoped on top of a ledge, looking down at her. 'We're sure. We could feel her presence this way, along with one other.'

Mami didn't care about the other presence; she was more concerned on the well-being of the people here. She ran forward, eyes overlooking everyone as she sought a familiar face in the crowd. Her eyes widen when she found them.

"Mr. Asurito!"

The man slowly turned his head her way as she approached.

Her heart nearly stopped at the look of utter despair on his face. "Mr. Asurito...?" The man sobbed and launched forward as sobs overtook him. Mami reached her arms towards him to hold him up. "Mr. Asurito!"

"My wife..."

And it was there that Mami's heart went cold.

She didn't know what happened. Amai struggled to hold back a sob and failed. Why even bother? She clearly still had more tears to let go.

The day started out so well. She finally managed to lure her long time crush out on a date. The two of them were having a relatively good time, and then the little rat's voice came into their heads and Mami left. The look on her face filled Amai with worry but she didn't ask. Mami clearly wished to keep the magical aspect of her life separate from the norm and Amai, for all her personal feelings about it, respected that. It was something she witnessed so many times on Juudai the first year she moved into the restaurant. Now she was seeing it on Mami and the brunette didn't know whether she should be straightforward about it or give her some time.

Now Amai wasn't so sure. If she had been true to her feelings, if she had spoken her mind, if she had known Mami was heading towards the hospital, would it have made a difference? She could've gone to the hospital, helped both Mami and Nagisa with the witch...helped her mother.

Her father called her with the news. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she raced for the hospital as fast as her legs could take her.

Arriving, the brunette didn't know where to look first. The crowd of confused people lingered at the front of the damaged hospital and Amai couldn't see past them. Just when she was beginning to get frustrated, a voice called her name. She turned and to her relief saw Mami. Her joy quickly dropped when she saw the grim look on her face.

"Please... Follow me."

The two of them walked in silence, the setting sun lighting the halls in the building. They took the stairs, seeing as the elevator machinery was out of commission. Their destination came in sight.

Amai knew where to go. She ran from Mami's side, to where she last saw her mother. She stopped in front of the door, unwilling to open it. Her hand shook in front of her, still near the door.

"Your mother went into labor as a result of the witch's interference." Mami spoke. Amai didn't even look at her. "The doctors are doing everything they can, but..."

'Don't say it. DON'T.' The brunette thought in sorrow, trying her best not to let the mask on her face fall.

"They're not sure the baby will make it."

A sob tore through Amai. They remained in silence for a while before the door opened. Mr. Asurito stepped outside, turning his head towards the two girls. Amai looked at her father with wide eyes.

He shook his head, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Asurito." Mami cried.

As the two of them dissolved in tears, Amai walked away.

On the roof, Kyubey sat on top of the highest perch. Amai looked up soon after she walked into the area, her tear stained face set in hard determination.

"I have a wish I want to make."