"That is a lot of familiars," Mami admitted to herself as she looked at the veritable army blocking her path. A Tiro Finale or two would clear the way quickly, but due to its high cost she would rather just save that for the witch. On the other hand, the longer this witch was still alive the more danger the people that had been led to the labyrinth would be. She had already put a barrier around the three she had run into, but she knew that there were several more, deeper inside. Slowing down meant likely sacrificing those people that were about to be eaten by a witch, but if she exhausted herself and died against it in a fight there was a good chance that she would save no one. And that wasn't counting the countless other lives the witch would take as it grew stronger and continued on its rampage.

Her decision made, Mami raised her rifles only to hear a familiar scream in the distance.

"Trace on!"

A red blur descended like a comet and plowed through the wave of familiars like it was nothing. Segmented spear in hand, Kyoko detached its links mid-swing and let it lash out against everything around her. The weapon that she had gained upon becoming a Magical Girl, a fearsome and surprisingly adaptable weapon that seemed an extension of Kyoko's self. As she fought her dark red dress fluttered brilliantly in the ensuing carnage. The white frills on the borders of her outfit, the pleated pink skirt, and the black corset she wore underneath the dress provided a beautiful contrast to her form.

Apparently, Tracing wasn't even a field of Magic that Kyoko could even use, it was just a catch phrase she picked up from Archer that she used whenever she activated her circuits. Mami could certainly and she had even helped her Junior come up with names for some of her attacks.

"Flaming Spear Charge!"

Some of those names could use some work though.

Mami simply shook her head with a smile and began to pick off the stragglers that had avoided the initial charge. "Are you sure you should be transforming so quickly?" she asked as she quickly fell in behind Kyoko. She counted at least three corpses as they ran further in, but also two people that were still alive thanks to Kyoko's intervention. It was a shame they couldn't help everyone but just those two would be enough.

Kyoko swung a rune covered arm and released a deluge of flame at her enemy. Magecraft combined with her natural affinity for fire as a Magical Girl. The fact that her Magecraft also happened to be aligned to the element of flame made her fire that much more potent. "If we take too long more people will get hurt." She continued to twirl her spear to fan the flames. "Besides I know you can handle the witch yourself, just let me make sure you're at your best when you fight it."

With no argument against that plan, Mami simply stayed behind Kyoko as she continued carving a bloody path through the familiars. An all-consuming wildfire, an unstoppable force, that was what Kyoko was like when she was in her element. There was simply no argument to be had until she ran out of fuel to burn. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you saw it, it burned out quickly and twenty seconds was all it would take for Kyoko to exhaust herself this time. Though to her credit they did end up reaching the entrance to the witch's chambers in that time.

"Are you ok Sakura?" Mami asked worriedly as Kyoko began panting in front of the door. It wasn't the first time her Juniors had pushed herself despite her constant warnings.

"I'll be fine," Kyoko replied as she jabbed her spear into the ground and leaned against it. She looked like she was ready to drop at any moment.

A familiar jumped at the red Magical Girl from the side and sliced her neck with a cleaver. Rather than getting decapitated though, Kyoko simply faded away.

"Rosso Fantasma," the real one said with a smirk as she stabbed the familiar through its back. Illusion magic, Kyoko's unique magic as a Magical Girl that came from her wish. It wasn't just limited to afterimages either, she could also leave Suggestions and thoughts in people's mind. It made her very useful when it came to dealing with and deceiving civilians for their own good. "See, still ready to fight," Kyoko said cheekily despite the fact that her limbs were still shaking. Her transformation undid itself, bringing her back in her plain hoodie and shorts. Mami

"You shouldn't be so reckless with your powers," Mami told her as she considered her outfit. She would have to take her clothes shopping sometime, her Junior really needed to diversify her wardrobe. "You know the toll it takes on your body to transform."

Unlike other Magical Girls, Kyoko could only keep her transformation up for short bursts of time due to the system of Magecraft already present in her body. In Archer's words, it was like trying to pour boiling water into a glass that had already been nearly filled. It would overflow and start rampaging in her body until she was able to increase the size of the vessel.

"Got to use everything I have to keep up," Kyoko waved her off. "Besides it's not as bad this time, I think I'm getting used to it."

"Last time you threw up and lost control of your limbs, forcing me to carry you home." It didn't help that Kyoko had been a nervous mess the entire time.

Yes, the princess carry was necessary at the time because she couldn't even use her arms to hold on!

"Exactly, testing out my limits. Now go be a hero and take out that witch," Kyoko waved her away like she wasn't going to collapse at any moment.

Normally Mami would be harsher at her for exerting herself this much, but she could hardly bring herself to do so. She had nearly all her magical energy and the witch was now in front of her, there wasn't a need to consider sacrificing the few for the many with Kyoko around.

"I better show my appreciation for my Junior's efforts then," Mami replied as she pushed the door open and stepped inside with her rifles ready.

She was still the stronger of the two of them, though Kyoko was quickly catching up. Mami would have to double down on her training if she were to continue being the reliable Senior. For now, though, she would have to be satisfied with putting on an impressive performance for her to watch.

For Kyoko there was always awe inspiring about Mami as she fought. The way she danced gracefully around the witch, the deafening barrage of her rifles, and the mesmerizing twirls of her ribbons as they wrapped themselves around the battlefield, it all led to an absolute feast of the senses. Nearly overwhelming if not for her previous experience watching Archer.

Watching him fight was a whole other can of worms that she'd rather not get into though.

Using the ribbons as platforms, Mami quickly hopped to the top of the arena and pulled out her signature move once she reached the peak of her jump. A giant gun, larger than it had ever been before, appeared in the Magical Girl's hand as she pointed it at the witch and primed her shot.

"Tiro Finale!"

The gun fired with the force and sound of a missile, sending a giant ball of pure energy straight at the witch. The resulting explosion was as beautifully impressive as always, even more so as Mami gracefully landed on her feet and used the blast as a backdrop for drinking a cup of tea.

How she always had a cup of tea on hand, Kyoko never did find out. It was just pure style though, and Mami only seemed to get even stronger as time passed. Kyoko had no idea how she would ever catch up at this rate, but damn it if that would stop her from trying.

Eventually the mushroom cloud went away and a grief seed fell to the floor. The labyrinth collapsed and the two Magical Girls found themselves on a high-rise building overlooking much of Mitakihara.

"Well that's convenient," Kyoko commented as she let herself fall and lay down close to the edge of the building. She turned her head and enjoyed the sight. Mitihikara was a larger city than Kazamino was and that only made the skyline that much more impressive to look at. "Kill a witch and enjoy a nice view of the city you helped to protect." The only thing that was missing was the stars in the night sky, but eh you couldn't get everything.

"It certainly is a good reminder of what we're fighting for," Mami replied before gesturing toward the six unconscious people that were on the roof with them. "What about them?"

"None of them are badly injured and I already popped a Suggestion in their heads, Mams. They'll head downstairs when they wake up and won't remember a single thing." That thankfully didn't take too much of a toll on her body. Just a bit of magic from her Soul Gem.

"Then I guess I'll join you then." Mami joined her in viewing the skyline.

The two of them stared at the horizon for some time, in a rare moment of silence. Even Kyoko, as active as she was, could enjoy it. Though that might've been because she was still trying to recover from how sore her body was.

Once the pain had lightened up a little, Kyoko sat up and faced Mami. "You know, a couple months ago I was just some girl scavenging through her father's basement for something interesting to look at." Kyoko raised an arm in triumph. "Now I'm a kickass Magical Girl with cool Magecraft powers on top of that."

"I couldn't have imagined this sort of life for myself when I first started as a Magical girl," Mami admitted.

"We've grown a lot." Mami in more ways than others. The difference between their bodies had only become more… pronounced in the last year much to Kyoko's chagrin. Still didn't change the fact that Mami was enticing to look at, but it didn't help her own confidence when it turned out that they were the same age. It was a surprise to learn that they were both thirteen and not very pleasant to know once Archer started making the occasional offhand comment about it.

God help her she'd hit that growth spurt soon. If only to spite him!

Not that he said much nowadays. The man had become angry, broody, and quiet ever since she had made a contract. She was almost looking forward to whatever sarcastic quips he would make, if only to get some sort of reaction from him.

"Sakura." Mami was a real stickler for Japanese formality. Kyoko hadn't heard her call anyone by their first name, apart from Archer and that was because there was no other name to call him by.

"Yes Mami?" Kyoko asked.

"You know… you never told me what you wished for." Mami said.

"Ah sorry must've left my head. Why didn't you ask sooner?"

"I was about to ask the first time you showed me your transformation, but then you had a seizure."

"Oh yea," Kyoko scratched the back of her head. Errors had been made that day. Apparently there was only so much Od, Mana, and Soul Gem magic a Magical Circuit could hold and convert into Magical Energy at a given moment. The whole process had been a very painful revelation. On another note the excess magic that flooded her system ended up activating five more of her dormant circuits that day, so at least being sore for an entire week wasn't for nothing. "Well… I wished that people would come to my dad's church. Give him a chance and actually listen to him, you know?"

"Really?"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, it's an… interesting wish, to have made it for your father's sake. Wasn't there something that you wanted personally?"

"I do," Kyoko admitted. "I wanted to help people, but my family came first. Now I'm going to keep trying to help people with the power I've gained. It's the least I can do for myself… and him"

"Archer, you mean?"

Kyoko crossed her arms and furrowed her brow. "He used to be quite the hopeless dreamer. A total idiot, but… admirable trying to chase after an impossible dream. I don't know what caused him to end up like this, but he hasn't exactly been supportive of my decision to become a Magical Girl."

"He cares though. He wouldn't stay if he didn't."

Kyoko stayed silent. She was the Master and he was the Servant. In the end it really wasn't like he had a choice, did he? He would continue serving so long as he existed in this world. What other options did he have apart from vanishing from this world.

She stood up and began balancing herself on the edge. "What do you want do to Mami?"

"What do I want?" Mami asked, confused.

"Yea. What do you want? I get you like helping people and all that, but is there something that you want to do for yourself? Something you can aim for in the future?"

"To be honest, I haven't thought much about that," Mami replied as she stared in the distance. "I made my wish to tie myself to life, but I've been so busy fighting witches. Learning to fight, saving people, surviving. I wanted to live, but I guess I never considered what I really wanted with the opportunity I received."

"Well I'm here now. I've got your back. It's the least I can do with how much you've helped me."

Mami turned back and smiled at her. "You do. Don't you?"

"I'll deal with my part if you do ever get into trouble, so don't worry about the witches. Go find a hobby, open a café or something once you're out of school. You're an excellent cook."

"Not as good as Archer though," Mami grumbled, annoyed.

"To be fair no one's as good as Archer when it comes to cooking," Kyoko replied. Despite everything he still made her a bento box for lunch every day and it was always absolutely delicious. Though where he got access to a kitchen was a question that she had never gotten an answer to. It couldn't be at her house; her Mother was there too often for him to have a chance to use the kitchen.

"It doesn't help that that man has to be so… insufferable about it. Why does he need to show me up like that?"

"How exactly is he showing you up? I mean, he doesn't do anything as long as you leave him alone when he's in the kitchen." It was just something you learned quickly with Archer. If he was cooking, then you did not bother him. Less you face the wrath of his spatula and frilly pink apron.

"It was mine in the first place!" Mami shouted. "You know how scared I was when I came home from school and found that he had broken into my apartment!? Just to cook! And he keeps doing it! I swear he just does it to infuriate me!"

Kyoko sheepishly scratched the back of her head. Well that answered that question. "Yea, sorry. My family doesn't know about him and my mom's usually home. Didn't know it was your kitchen he was using. Glad you didn't call the cops on him."

Mami sighed in exasperation. "I'm used to unexpected… guests with Kyubey, though it's much more disturbing when a grown man does it."

"I mean isn't Kyubey a boy?" Kyoko asked.

"Isn't she a girl?" Mami asked

I am genderless. Kyubey replied.

"Well that answers that question," Kyoko quipped as she turned toward Kyubey, hardly surprised by his sudden appearance. He just does that. Even Archer would get caught off guard by him sometimes. "What do you need?"

We have been recording your progress as both a modern Magus and Magical Girl. What we've compiled so far has been quite fascinating.

"I'm being studied," Kyoko replied plainly. She knew that already but wording it like kinda made it creepy.

Yes, are there any issues with that?

"What exactly have you been studying?" She never did get the details

Your family, your daily life, your interactions with others, and your body.

"My body?"

We've been closely observing how your Magical Circuits interact with your Soul Gem and taken note of any physical changes you've gone through with your current mindset.

"Wait, physical changes? What do you mean by that?"

Kyubey tilted its head. By allowing your body to grow at its previous natural course, you've grown an impressive three centimeters in height in the last four months. However, your breasts have had much more modest growth in contrast, which is peculiar considering your extensive and nutritious diet.

Kyoko jumped away from the creature and quickly covered her chest with her arms. "Are you-, have you been watching me in the shower!?"

We were informed by Mami that we should respect your privacy in your home.

"Then, how did you?"

We observed from your school's locker room as you were changing your garments.

"Kyu- Kyubey," Mami, who looked just as crimson as Kyoko did, stammered. "That isn't quite what I meant when I told you to respect her privacy."

"Yea! You pervert!" Kyoko shouted.

I can assure you that I am incapable of being a pervert. We do not have the same physical or chemical responses that your species has when expressing mating intent.

"I apologize for Kyubey's sake," Mami said as she covered her face with her hands. "He doesn't intend it that way."

"Doesn't make it any less weird," Kyoko argued. "And stop doing whatever it is you've been doing with me."

It'll be much more difficult for us to acquire information if we aren't allowed to observe. Will you be willing to submit yourself for an examination once a month?

"No!... I don't know. We'll just… figure it out. Later alright?" Kyoko turned to Mami. "Doesn't Kyubey spend a lot of time at your apartment? Shouldn't you be worried about this?"

"I'm quite used to Kyubey's… eccentricities at this point. He doesn't mean any harm and it wasn't really an issue until now," Mami turned toward Kyubey. "It would be best if you avoided observing Kyoko for the time being. We'll figure something out later. Also, in the future please don't speak so freely when it comes to a woman's… assets."

We will consider your terms.

That wasn't a yes, but Kyoko had a feeling that it was the best she was going to get from the thing.

I'm back Archer, Kyoko mentally called out as she snuck through the window of her bedroom. She was met with silence. As usual. Sometimes she had to be a bit persistent to get an answer. Archer? Archeroni? Sarcastic dude in red?

I'm well aware Master, he finally replied.

Finally! Anything interesting happened while I was away?

Nothing.

Really?

Yes. I killed a witch. That was it.

You didn't think to tell me you were going to go hunting too?

Kyoko could practically see him shrug at her through his Astral form as she changed into her pajamas.

I perceived a threat and I dealt with it, he replied.

How did you even find one without a Soul Gem?

It's not hard now that I know to look for them.

Meaning he was probably scouring the city block from block, hoping to run straight into a labyrinth. Even for a Servant that had to be a time-consuming task.

Well our hunt went pretty well. Kyoko commented. Saved a bunch of people brought back a grief seed too.

You'd be dead if it didn't.

Jeez, thanks for the show of confidence.

I'm merely speaking the truth.

Well there are other ways of putting it!

Would you prefer I sugar coat all of my words?

Ok what's wrong with you!? You've been like this ever since I became a Magical Girl!

You know the answer to that question.

Kyoko couldn't help but groan in exasperation as she forcefully severed their mental connection. She hated just standing by and letting him act like this but confronting him about it never led anywhere.

"Why is he being such an ass?" she grumbled to herself. "You'd think the Throne would've given me a Heroic Spirit that didn't make me want to tear my hair out."

"Heroic Spirit?"

Kyoko turned toward her sister who was sitting up on her bed. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping Momo?"

Momo tilted her head. "Aren't you supposed to be home at night?"

Tch. Cheeky brat. "I was helping a friend with something."

"And you couldn't let Papa or Mama know?"

"I don't think they'd let me help if they did," Kyoko admitted.

Momo began twiddling with her fingers. "Is this about that strange man you've been meeting up with?"

"Strange man?"

"The one in red and black."

Kyoko's breath hitch, her words stuck in her throat.

"Is he the one teaching you to do those magic tricks you showed me?" Momo asked.

"You were watching me?" Kyoko asked, disturbed. There were a few times when she and Archer had been walking on the streets together where they could be seen if her sister had been following them.

"I wanted to know where you were going." Momo didn't look guilty at all saying that, as if it was perfectly natural to follow her sibling around.

Archer! Kyoko quickly reestablished their mental connection. Did you know that Momo was following us?

For a month now.

Why didn't you say anything!?

You demanded that I hide us while training, not on the streets. She wasn't a threat, so I didn't have to say anything.

Archer I swear to god you can't ju-

Shouldn't you be more worried about your sister right now?

"Who do you keep talking to?" Momo asked

Damn it! Kyoko focused on her sister. "What do you mean by that? There's no one else here."

"You've been like this for months now. You keep making strange faces like you're talking to someone that's not here. Is it that man? Are you talking to him with magic?"

Jesus Christ, how observant was she? "Momo you can't just follow me around like that," Kyoko chastised her. "It's wrong, you sh-"

"Why am I wrong? You're the one running off every night."

"You shouldn't get involved."

"Why not?"

"Because you wouldn't understand."

"Why not!?"

"Because you're too young"

"THEN WHY ARE YOU TREATING ME LIKE I'M STUPID!"

Kyoko reeled back at her sister's sudden fury. It just didn't make sense. Momo didn't get angry like that, she was the younger gentler, if sometimes a bit bratty, sister. And yet now she was roaring with a rage to match Kyoko's own.

She's been holding this in for a long time now Master, Archer commented. Your parents aren't home by the way.

Well, their parents weren't home to hear this at least. Still didn't make it any easier getting screamed at by her own little sister.

"What was I supposed to do!?" Momo continued shouting. "You're always going off by yourself, telling me to keep your secrets when you don't even tell me anything! You keep asking me to help, but you don't even trust me!"

"Momo," Kyoko kneeled down and tried to put a hand on her sister's shoulder only for it to be angrily pushed away. "It's not that I don't trust you. I'm just worried."

"Worried that I'll make a mistake!? Because I'm so stupid apparently!"

"I'm worried that you'll get hurt."

Momo blinked. She was still tense, but she didn't seem as outraged as she was before.

"I'm doing something dangerous right now," Kyoko told her.

"How dangerous?" Momo asked.

"Very… but if I don't do anything a lot of other people could get hurt... I need to do this"

Momo looked down at her knees and stayed silent for some time. "D-do you really need to help them?" she eventually asked.

"Momo?"

"You're helping other people but what about us? Papa and Mama have been so busy with all the people suddenly coming to church. Don't they need help too?"

"I-"

"What about me?" Momo asked with tears in her eyes. "They're busy and you're always out there. I'm… lonely."

Kyoko immediately grabbed her sister and threw her arms around her. She held her closely, afraid that she was going to lose her at any moment. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about how you felt."

"Y-you weren't," Momo choked as she ineffectually punched her. "You ne-never think about how I fe-feel."

Kyoko only tightened her embrace as Momo continued to berate her. She deserved it after all. For hurting her family as much as she did. In her efforts to be a hero she had failed to see how much she had been neglecting them. She had thought that her wish would've solved everything for them, or at least made it so that she could pursue her own dream in peace. It was one thing to sacrifice herself in the pursuit of helping others, it was another when her family began suffering due to her actions.

Eventually Momo returned the hug and all that could be heard in the room was her sobbing against Kyoko's chest. The two of them stayed like that for some time.

"Do you want to do something tomorrow?" Kyoko asked as she finally let her sister go.

"But what about school?"

"We can skip a day. Let's do what you want alright? Anything you want."

It was about time she took Momo somewhere nice now that they had the money. Her father's church had received a lot of donations since she had made her wish.

"Won't people notice we're gone?" Momo asked.

"Don't worry I have a few… tricks I can use on them. We won't get into any trouble." It was simple enough. Just needed to use a Suggestion or two on their teachers and whoever asked questions as to why two kids were out playing in the city during a school day.

"I… always wanted to go to the amusement park," Momo said.

"Then we'll go there. Just the two of us."

"Really?" Momo looked up at her hopefully.

"Really. Now go to bed. We got an early day tomorrow." Kyoko turned to get to her own bed.

"Big sis?"

"Yes Momo?"

"Do you think we could sleep together again? It's been a long time."

Kyoko replied by turning around and making her way to Momo's bed. It was a bit of a tight fit and she had to hold her sister closely for there to be enough room, but she didn't mind. Neither of them did. Despite everything, ite was a natural thing for the two of them.

"Good night Momo."

Momo snuggled herself closely to her.

"Good night Kyoko."