Author's Note: As usual, not much explanation on my absence other than life. Hope you enjoy!


Soundtrack: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince OST – The Book

Oriko's expression was serene and relaxed in spite of the nervousness that spiked through her every few seconds. The source of her nervousness was the raven-haired girl who had so recently captured and all but enslaved Oriko to her own nebulous plans. The two of them were seated on benches which were themselves sitting on opposite sides of a walkway in the largest park in Mitakihara City. Homura had her eyes closed and was obviously thinking hard. It was getting on towards nightfall and the sun was starting to set, casting the area into swathes of red and orange.

Homura finally opened her eyes, seeming to come out of whatever deep thoughts she'd been in.

"To better facilitate cooperation between the groups it would be best if we became aware of each other. Tomorrow, my group is going to be visiting the shopping mall after school. You will go as well and bring Kyoko and Yuma with you."
Oriko considered this for a moment before answering, "and how am I to guarantee that they will come? Kyoko does not give the impression of being willing to follow outright orders."

Oriko could've sworn that Homura had resisted rolling her eyes before responding, "then offer to pay for her food. From what I have gathered, it is a powerful motivator for her."

Oriko nodded after a second's thought. Privately she wondered how much Homura had surveyed her group before revealing herself if she knew that Kyoko was often more agreeable if food was provided.

"And what would be the ultimate goal of this 'meet and greet?'" Oriko asked mildly. "I was under the impression that you wished to keep my group under wraps as a sort of 'insurance' against the Rogue Drone in case he turned out to be malevolent."

Homura nodded, "I still wish that for you and Kure-San, but Kyoko is a valuable ally and a powerful Magical Girl. You will steer her towards certain parts of the shopping mall and I will 'run into" her there and will make an offer of employment. If she is hesitant due to the Rogue Drone, you will instruct her to take the opportunity as reconnaissance against it."

Oriko thought the plan over. It was workable, though she wondered if it might stretch belief due to sheer 'coincidence'. Even so, she could already think of a few things she could do to try and accomplish it.

"I may be able to put something together" she confirmed quietly. "perhaps I could tell her that I wish to buy clothes for herself and Yuma."

"She doesn't seem the sort to accept charity" Homura pointed out.
"Not for herself perhaps," Oriko mused, "but for Yuma . . . the little girl didn't have many belongings to begin with and if I offer to get some extras for her . . "

Oriko put a hand to her chin as she looked at the ground to think.

"Yes, I could get her there first by offering to buy some food after school. Then once we're there, offer to get some clothes for Yuma. Though that begs the question, how would you offer employment to only Kyoko if I am leading them across the mall and spending most of the time with them?"

Homura pursed her lips, "give them some money and tell them to spend it as they see fit if you have to. My group and I will be eating as well as shopping, so I don't think it will be hard for me to get 15 minutes to half an hour alone. If needs be, as I said before, be the initiator."

Oriko raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by 'initiator.'"

Homura's tone grew near condescending, "tell Kyoko that you wish for her to gain new info about my group via offering herself as a mercenary."
"She is possibly under the impression that the Rogue Incubator has mental powers that it may use to brainwash her" Oriko said mildly, though there was a bit of curiosity in her. Homura had been very closed off on information concerning her group, and by extension, the Rogue Incubator.

Homura shook her head, her face and tone giving little to no clues, "it has not displayed anything along those lines yet. Do not forget that I am keeping you around both to make sure you are not going to turn hostile and possibly to combat the Rogue Incubator, should it prove a threat."

After a moment, Oriko nodded. That did make sense and she hoped that she could take Homura at her word. If she was telling the truth, then they were striving for similar goals. Though that did beg the question, what if the Rogue Incubator wasn't a threat?

No, it had to be a threat, that was what her visions had told her . . . but what if it wasn't? Oriko resisted the urge to shiver or sigh. If it wasn't a threat, then what really was she fighting for? What would be the point of her ever gaining these powers, of knowing things that even most Magical Girl's didn't, of working with this seemingly unstable girl? If the Rogue Incubator wasn't a threat, then what was she even doing?

She hadn't quite finished the thought before she noticed that Homura was looking rather pointedly at her.

Oriko cleared her throat, "ahem. Well, I think it definitely is possible. I will attempt to bring Kyoko to the Mall tomorrow as you have requested."

She hesitated a moment before adding "although, I feel the need to say that Kyoko may become suspicious if this ploy is too . . . obvious. She is not stupid by any means."

Homura just stared coolly at her and Oriko took that to mean that she did not particularly care. There was one other thing however that Oriko felt compelled to bring up.

"I am curious however. How are you going to handle Mrs. Tomoe? From all that I could gather, she and Kyoko previously knew each other and that might place stress on any deal you make."

Homura stared flatly at Oriko for a moment before answering, "that is none of your concern."

Oriko almost sighed. Of course, she had momentarily forgotten how she was being used. A dangerous tool not to be given more information than was necessary in case it decided to turn on its user.

There was a bit more talk after that, but nothing really new came up and so both girls soon headed back to their respective homes. Both prepped for an especially busy next day.


"So her name is Kyoko?" Madoka asked as they departed a train.

Sayaka nodded, "it's weird. I think about her like I've met her before. I mean, it's the same sort of thing like how we both had a dream about Homura before meeting her for real. But I haven't met Kyoko yet, if she even exists."

"Not to mention," Madoka continued as they got onto a sidewalk, "that I didn't have this dream either."

"Yeah, there is that. I mean I don't know if you were in any of the dreams I've had so far, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it."

"Maybe," Madoka concurred, "so . . . what actually happened in the dream that you had?"

Sayaka stopped and looked down. Her face was downcast as she glanced away from Madoka. She was silent for a long while and Madoka started to get concerned.

"Sayaka" she said quietly. She reached out and touched her friend's arm. Sayaka still didn't look at her as she appeared to be thinking things over.

". . . was it that bad Sayaka?" Madoka asked quietly. Sayaka was one of the bravest people that Madoka knew and if her dream was affecting her like this, then what had she seen?

"It's not important," Sayaka said finally. She started to walk forward but Madoka kept a grip on her arm.

"Sayaka . . . please tell me" Madoka asked in a small voice.

After another long pause, Sayaka finally spoke. Each word was reluctant.

"I don't know the context but . . . I think that I was a Magical Girl. . . . I think . . . I think I'd found out something horrible, and it was eating me up inside."

"Maybe you found out about Soul Gems and Witches," Madoka suggested.

Sayaka nodded, "probably . . . anyway, I've had dreams about Kyoko before. But they were weird too. I just got the feeling that we knew each other really well and that . . . well." She glanced at Madoka and looked rather ashamed.

"Please don't hate me for this Madoka, but I got the feeling that she was a really close friend. Like, I mean . . . close like you and Hitomi are to me. And I guess, Mami and Key now."

Madoka blinked, then gave Sayaka's arm a squeeze, "I'm not mad Sayaka, why would I be mad?"

"I don't know" Sayaka said tonelessly, "it just felt like . . . we were having a tough time between us in one of the dreams. You and me, I mean. I don't know how, but . . . well."

She shrugged, "the important one was when Kyoko lead me to an old Church."

She described the vision as Madoka paid attention, nodding on occasion. She looked confused and anxious when Sayaka described the part of the dream where Homura had apparently tried to outright murder her and, after Sayaka was done, Madoka still looked distraught.

"How could Homura ever try and kill you, and why would she even do that?"

"Beats me" Sayaka said with a small shrug. "I still don't get why you like her so much."

"She hasn't done anything to us Sayaka, remember?" Madoka said in a reproachful voice. Sayaka flinched slightly. After a moment, she started walking again and Madoka followed.

"I think," Sayaka said after a bit, "I think that I was . . . what did Key call it when you're Soul Gem starts to get too full? Oh, yeah. Grief Spiraling when the Transfer Student-" Madoka frowned faintly but didn't interrupt, "-was threatening me. So maybe I didn't know about Witches, just about how the name Soul Gem is literal. I don't remember doing anything to stop my Soul Gem getting fuller. That . . . I think that feels right."

"I wonder what your wish was?" Madoka asked faintly.

Sayaka thought on what she might wish for. Her thoughts flashed to a boy that she had a crush on who was currently in a hospital. She grimaced. Then she stopped. Madoka stopped too. Both of them stared in a amazement. Standing before them was a Church building. Or more accurately, the shell of one. It had obviously been burned at some point and most of the windows were smashed. But still, it was a Church, right where Sayaka had said it would be.

Soundtrack: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Amicae Carae Mea

After a minute of staring, both girls moved forward towards the building. But they stopped suddenly. A man was walking out of the building. He was dressed in simple robes that seemed to indicate he was a priest of some sort. He exited through the door and then turned back to look at the building. There was a look of regret in his face as he faced the ruin. He held up what appeared to be a piece of paper which he then fastened to the door. Then he seemed to sigh and turned to walk away.

The two girls watched him go with curiosity, then walked up to the building themselves.

The paper affixed to the door was a photograph of a young smiling girl with red hair. It was captioned with the phrase.

If found or seen, please contact at the information listed below:

There followed a list of addresses and phone numbers.

"That's her," Sayaka said in a disbelieving voice, seeming to stare at the photo, almost drinking it in. "She's real."

With that, she turned and marched purposefully into the Church.

The building was derelict for the most part and it was just as it had been in Sayaka's vision. A burned out shell that still somehow retained a slightly eerie feeling because of all the broken windows and blackened pews.

The place was small enough that Sayaka and Madoka did not have to spend more than a few minutes to explore. At first they hadn't been able to find anything inside to give them a connection to Sayaka's dream, aside from its existence. But then, both of the girls had come across the shattered remains of a preachers pulpit, on top of which was engraved the words. "Property of Pastor Sakura."

"I wonder where she is now?" Madoka mused as she stared at the pulpit.

Sayaka was quiet as she stared around, her face seeming to tighten.

"What's wrong, Sayaka?"

". . . . Kyoko had a sister" Sayaka said, seeming to roll the concept around in her head. "She had a Mom and a Dad. . . . And all that's left is . . . this."
"That sounds horrible" Madoka muttered, her eyes downcast and slightly wet. "Losing your family like that."

"Yeah," Sayaka commiserated.

Both of them stayed standing there for a few minutes longer. Just trying to take the situation in.

A few minutes later, Sayaka spoke a new question aloud, "I wonder who that man was who put up the poster?"

"Maybe . . . maybe he knew Kyoko's father. I mean if he was a Priest, then he probably knew other Priests. I wonder . . . I wonder if she knows someone's looking for her?"

"I wonder if she would care?" Sayaka said quietly to herself. The Kyoko she'd seen had been pretty dead set on not caring about anyone or anything. Though, that wasn't exactly true, was it? After all, hadn't she taken the time out of her busy life trying to survive to give Sayaka what she clearly considered well-meaning advice. And she'd also come to her rescue once the Transfer-Student had gone psycho and threatened to blow her brains out. All that on top of the weird feeling that Sayaka had gotten that she and Kyoko had been fighting quite a bit before that vision. She hadn't seen any vision of that specifically, but she remembered feeling incredulous inside the vision that she'd seen that Kyoko was being so nice to her.

Sayaka put a hand to her forehead and hissed slightly. Everything was starting to get tangled and loop back on itself. Honestly, her head was starting to hurt.

"Maybe we should go home now Sayaka," Madoka was at her side again, putting a hand on her back.

Sayaka nodded slightly, smiling at her friend.

"Yeah. Thanks for coming out here with me Madoka. Seriously, I really do appreciate it."

Madoka nodded and the two of them turned to leave. At the door, Sayaka Paused for a moment, looking back in at the Church with a slightly sad expression. But it was only for a moment and with that, the two of them turned and left the dilapidated building behind them.


The Next Day

"Perhaps we should begin shopping soon" Oriko said a bit more forcefully.

Kyoko rolled her eyes as she bit into another chicken leg, "keep yer shirt on, as difficult as that may be. I ain't finished yet."

This was true, she still had a sizable stack of food in front of her. Though, at the same time, with her rate of consumption, it likely wouldn't be too long before all of it was gone. After Oriko had managed to convince Kyoko to come to the mall with her the next day, the girl had made sure that the food court was their first destination, where she had immediately loaded up two plates with food for herself and Yuma. Oriko had eaten more conservatively, though she had had some humor at Yuma's attempt at matching Kyoko's speed of eating. Kyoko had, after demolishing her first plate, gone back for seconds, which wasn't what Oriko had had in mind. She had planned for them to go out to the stores after eating and she was getting a bit frustrated at Kyoko for taking longer than she thought she would.

It was an obvious and rather stupid oversight if she was being honest with herself.

Oriko glanced at the clock on her phone an gave a small internal groan. If all else failed, she had Kirika posted nearby in a local store, but that was only for emergency. If they didn't get moving soon, Homura's group and the Rogue Incubator were liable to walk right through the front door of the ma-.

Oriko froze, she saw, coming in through the front doors of the building, Homura, the Rogue Incubator, and the rest of their group. After a moment, Oriko forced herself to look down at her phone again, pretending to be intensely interested in her screen. Out of the corner of her eyes however, she watched the group split off to order food, though thankfully, none of them seemed to have noticed her or Kyoko.

There was a flash on the screen of her phone and it said that a message had come to her. It was from Homura (she'd extracted Oriko's phone number and given her own, probably a disposable one, in case they needed to contact each other without telepathy.)

"You were supposed to be out of the food court by now" the message read simply. Oriko resisted the urge to bite her lip as she glanced at Kyoko. The girl was getting to the end of her plate and hopefully Oriko could quickly and quietly steer her out of the food court after she was done.

"Kyoko was a bit hungrier than I anticipateed" she responded back, resisting the urge to grimace at the spelling error, "I'll try to leave with her after she's done with this plate."

There was a bit of a long wait on the next message and Oriko chanced a look around. Homura's group had all gotten their food and were now sitting down to eat. Thankfully they were sitting on the near opposite side of the food court (probably something Homura had arranged.) Homura was, at the moment, typing on her phone and a second later, a message lit up on Oriko's own device.

"Very well. I will keep my group distracted. But be quick about it."

Oriko turned back to look at the two girls in front of her and caught Yuma staring at her. Deciding that she should probably head off any questions she would have to dodge, Oriko turned to Kyoko.

"I would like to get Yuma some new clothes," Oriko said simply. Kyoko continued to shovel some chicken into her mouth as Yuma looked at Oriko with wide eyes.

"What brought this on?" Kyoko said with her mouth full. Ignoring this, Oriko responded.

"I am aware that you don't have many clothes Yuma, isn't this true?"

Yuma nodded, "Mommy didn't like to waste money on me so she didn't get me many new clothes."

Kyoko put a hand on the top of Yuma's head and shook it slightly from side to side.

"Hey, no talkin like that. I've been tellin you that it was a waste not to spend money on you, so don't go talkin like that."

Yuma blushed and batted Kyoko's hand away with a small groan.

"As I said, I do wish to provide Yuma, and-" Oriko weighed what she was about to say next, but ultimately decided to plow ahead, "-and yourself with some new clothes."

Kyoko eyed Oriko, her gaze turning suspicious and just a little haughty.

"Is this a 'rich kid' thing? What's wrong with my clothes? Too ratty for yah?"

Oriko maintained her calm. She had known that Kyoko would probably not wish to accept what she viewed as 'pity money.' But, if Oriko could get her to accept, then it might provide excuse for her to just give her the money and let her go shopping on her own with Yuma, and thus let Mrs. Akemi meet her alone.

"I am not opposed to what you are wearing Mrs. Sakura, and I believe we have established by now that I do not look down upon you for your financial situation-"

"You mean that I'm a homeless bum" Kyoko said with a smirk. She seemed to be trying to needle Oriko, who sighed slightly in response.

"If that is the terminology you prefer, then yes I don't look down on you for being a 'homeless bum.' Especially as I know that you are far better than you say you are."

She glanced pointedly at Yuma, who smiled and looked at Kyoko in turn. Kyoko was rolling her eyes, though Oriko could swear her cheeks had a tiny red tinge to them.

"Of course Onee-Chan is the best!" Yuma said as she leaned over to give Kyoko a hug. The red head halfheartedly tried to beat her off before submitting to the hug with a sigh.

"Of course you'd think that" she muttered. Then she turned back to Oriko, "I ain't going on a shoppin spree. Somehow, listenin to school obsessed girls whine about how those shoes look great even though they'd be a death sentence to wear them in the real world don't really appeal to me."

Oriko gave the appearance of deliberating on the issue before reaching into her purse and beginning to bring some money out.

"Well in that case, if I give you some money, would you promise to go and get some new clothing of your own preference with it."

Kyoko eyed Oriko with a mildly incredulous look, "see, you've got this all wrong. It's supposed to the the rat off the street that pushes to get the money off the rich girl. Not the rich girl tryin to push money off on the rat."

Oriko smirked, "well, perhaps I'm the rat in the analogy, but what I'm trying to get is the knowledge that I did something nice for a friend."

Inside, her stomach twisted for a moment at this description. While she did want Yuma and Kyoko to get some good new clothes, it felt very much like any generosity she was showing was undermined by the hidden reason for her actions.

She started to speak, but then she realized that Kyoko wasn't looking at her anymore. She was staring across the food court. Oriko felt her stomach drop as she realized that Kyoko was staring at Homura's group.


Soundtrack: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince OST – The Slug Party

After everyone had ordered their food and sat down (Homura had gotten her food first and had apparently chosen a spot on one of the ends of the room) there was an awkward silence for a few moments. Homura seemed to fiddle around with her phone, typing for a bit before putting it down.

Finally, Mami spoke up, "so Homura, how did you become such a good marksman?"

Homura looked at her blankly for a moment before seeming to think about what to say. Finally, she opened her mouth.

"Practice," she said simply.

Mami nodded with an encouraging smile, "I suppose that's the best way to learn. I know that when I started using my muskets I wound up missing most of my shots, so I decided to start practicing after school each day. It took me a long while, but now I rarely ever miss a shot."

"Yeah," Key said, sounding a bit nostalgic. "I remember how you used to set up barrels in the old industrial district like we do now and shoot them over and over again. Had to do some legwork to make sure that no one ever found out what all the bangs were. I mean, you learned pretty quickly and I have a hard time seeing you missing nowadays."

"Of course you never miss a shot!" Nagisa said enthusiastically. "You're Mami!"

Mami smiled down at her, though there was something a bit strained behind her eyes.

"That's nice to say Nagisa but," she seemed to be recalling something for a moment before continuing on. "I make mistakes just like anyone else."

There was a brief moment of silence. Madoka whispered something in Sayaka's ear and then reached over and patted Mami on the shoulder. Mami smiled gratefully. Sayaka meanwhile had turned to look at Homura.

"Hey Tra-" Madoka shot a look at Sayaka who quickly shifted mid-word, "-ah, I mean, Homura. I've been meaning to ask you. Where do you get all those guns anyway? Do they just Magically appear in your shield or what?"

Homura took a moment before responding.

"No, they do not. My weapons are all gained through raiding . . . certain individuals who would otherwise be using said weapons for unsavory purposes."

Sayaka muttered something. It was hard to make out but they definitely caught the line, "sounding like Kyubey." Homura's face grew a tiny bit tighter. Key also flinched.

"So you had to learn how to use all those different guns all by yourself?" Madoka interjected, trying to fill the silence. "That's really cool Homura!"

Homura's face relaxed slightly.

"Indeed," Mami agreed as she took a bite of some of her food. "I know how difficult it is to learn how to use a weapon. Especially as effectively as you have. But to learn the variety of firearms and weapons that you're proficient with. You really are talented Homura."

Homura looked to the side, seeming to not want to meet Mami's gaze.

"I had some . . . help . . . the group I mentioned before, they gave me some instruction. One of them is the one who really started training me in how to effectively use my powers. She . . . she was a good teacher."

"I would think so if you are the result of her instruction," Mami said encouragingly. Homura looked up at her with an unreadable expression.

"I think any teacher would be proud of the skill you show fighting Witches" Mami said honestly. Homura said nothing.

"Is this the same group that . . . isn't around anymore?" Sayaka asked tentatively.

"Were they anything like our group?" Key asked with a cautiously curious look in his eye.

Homura looked to the side again and Madoka once more intervened.

"Maybe we should talk about something else. Homura, have you ever used a bow?"

From there, the conversation moved into Madoka talking about how she'd made using a bow a hobby of hers.


Back over at the other table, Oriko was trying to keep up the charade. She affected a confused air, "what are you looking a-"

She turned her head and 'caught sight' of Homura's group. She gasped quietly, a bit of theater to sell her fake surprise, and then she turned back to Kyoko.

"Stay calm. You have mentioned that you were once associates with Tomoe-San. Would she recognize you on sight?" Oriko said in a 'would-be-calm' voice.

Kyoko was staring at the group with wide eyes. She seemed to be alternating between Mami and Sayaka respectively. Finally though, she turned back to look at Oriko with a tight expression on her face.

"Seeing as I can't forget her face, I doubt she forgot mine."

Oriko nodded, "well, then we must do something."

"Well what the he- . . . heck, do you suggest Mrs. Pretty Princess?!" Kyoko said with her teeth clenched. Yuma was looking curiously back and forth between them and the group of Magical Girls seated across the room.

Oriko seemed to mull it over for a moment before giving the appearance of a brainwave.

"Here," she handed the money over to Kyoko who looked confused. "Get up and head towards the clothing section with Yuma. If you're casual about it, then there is a good chance that they won't see you."

"And what am I supposed to do if they follow me?" Kyoko said, her mouth barely opening and her teeth grinding.

"In that case . . ." Oriko chose her words carefully, appearing to think before 'coming to the realization.'

"In that case, distract them. Tell them that you heard that Walpurgisnacht is coming and that Kazamino would likely be hit as well. They may be shopping around for allies, so if they ask for your help or offer to employ you, accept. It might be useful for gaining more info on the Drone, if one of us were closer to it."

Oriko glanced at Yuma who was paying rapt attention.
"Yuma, this is important. Can I count on you to help Kyoko?"

The green-haired girl nodded enthusiastically as she smiled, "sure thing Onee-San! I won't tell them anything!"

Kyoko rolled her eyes, "they ain't gonna be holdin us down and torturin us."

A moment later however, she took the money that Oriko had given her and stood up casually. Yuma followed suit and the two began to amble their way further into the mall. Oriko continued to pick at her food and look at her phone while sneaking glances at Homura's group. For a moment everything seemed to go well, but then she noticed that Mami Tomoe had frozen and was staring in the direction that Kyoko was walking. The redhead was still in plain view, though with her back to them.


"We should've invited Hitomi" Madoka said suddenly. She was staring down at her food with a slightly downcast expression.

Sayaka's face fell as well, "yeah, we . . . you know come to think of it we haven't really seen her that much since we met Kyubey, have we?"

Mami and Homura exchanged a glance. There was a bit of a startling moment as they could both tell that they were thinking the same thing, of how hard it was to have people close to you, or even just as associates when it came to being a Magical Girl. If your time wasn't being taken up in hunting Witches, then there was the simple fact that it was just hard sometimes to relate to people.

"Perhaps for sometime later this week we could invite her to dinner with us" Mami said sympathetically.

Madoka seemed to perk up a bit, "that would be fun!"

Key nodded, "it might be nice to make a new friend. I mean, if she's friends with all of you, then she must be a good person!"

Homura spoke next, "it would be prudent, if we meet with her, to make sure we did not mention things to do with Magical Girls. For her own safety."

Nagisa raised a hand.

"Who's Hitomi?"

"Hitomi's a friend of Sayaka's and I" Madoka explained. "We've known her since we were little and . . well . . . we haven't seen her very much recently."

Sayaka smiled, "I'm sure she'd like you Nagisa. You too Mami! . . . Mami?"

Mami had frozen and was staring in a single direction with wide eyes.

"What you looking at Mam-" Sayaka began to say as she glanced off, but then she froze as well as she caught the flash of Kyoko's red hair.

"Sayaka? . . . Mami? . . . What's going on?" Madoka asked in confusion. She turned to where the two of them were looking and, after a second, gave a small gasp.

"Is that . . . who I think it is?"

Key was staring as well, his eyes wide. Homura, unnoticed by the others, was gripping her drink with a firm grip, her expression tight.

There was a sudden flurry of movement. Mami and Sayaka had stood up and were moving to follow Kyoko and the small green-haired girl that appeared to be walking side by side with her. Nagisa and Madoka had consequently moved to follow the two and Homura had quickly joined them. Key was caught flatfooted as they all started walking away without so much as a word to him. It was almost like he wasn't there.

He started to move to follow as well, but then felt something ping on his internal radar. Much like how a Magical Girl could use a passive sense for finding Witches and sensing magic, he could do the same. And likewise, if he concentrated, he could sense Magical Girls, at least close by. He could sense of course that Kyoko was a Magical Girl, now that he felt for it, and that the green-haired girl had the potential to become one.

But they weren't the only new Magical signatures he had detected.


Oriko gave a soft sigh of relief. Things had gone to plan, at least for the most part. Though, she should probably leave soon, the Rogue Drone hadn't left the table with its group. She quickly began to put the few things she carried in her bag as she prepared to go find Kirika. Perhaps they could find a Witch and get an extra Grief Seed.

She glanced up, looking around in a casual manner so as to not look suspicious. Her gaze passed over the strange Incubator and she almost froze.

It was looking right at her.

Oriko immediately looked away, not wanting the creature to know that she had been aware of it. She, as slowly and nonchalantly as possible, stood up. As she moved, she chanced a half second look out of the corner of her eyes at the Drone. The thing was glancing between her and the direction its companions had all gone of in. Then it seemed to come to a decision and leapt down off the table it was sitting on and Oriko lost sight of it.

Not wanting to risk sticking around any longer, Oriko began a fast walk towards a side-exit of the mall. There was a small prickle in the 6th sense that had been given to her when she became a Magical Girl. A crazy idea occurred to her and, somewhat out of fear, she altered path towards a different side-door out of the mall. She brushed past people as she moved as fast as she dared. She gave an internal sigh of relief as she pushed the door open and came out in a small alleyway.

"Hey! Hey wait up!"

Oriko almost froze on the spot but, with an effort of will, forced herself to keep moving.

"Hey you! I can sense you're a Magical Girl aren't you! Please stop I've got to tell you something!"

The tone was genuine and contrite and it almost did make Oriko stop. But fear was starting to grip her as well as she quickened her pace, going as fast as she could without breaking her walk. This wasn't right, it was all going wrong! She wasn't supposed to encounter the Rogue Drone, what if it did something to her! But worse than that, what if Homura was angry and decided that she needed to remove Kirika for her failure to remain undiscovered!?

She cast her senses out, trying to figure a way out of the situation without breaking and running. She continued to walk fast, trying maintain an illusion that she couldn't hear the Rogue Drone. Her footsteps led her closer and closer to the point she'd sensed before. Closer to the prickle she'd felt.

"Hey wait!" the voice was undoubtedly closer and now sounded a little bit annoyed at her non-acknowledgment.

As she turned a corner, Oriko gave a casual glance back down the way she'd come. The rogue drone was there, and it was running towards her. It would catch her soon if she didn't do something! She felt panic starting to build in her chest as she felt the things, the 'insurance,' Homura had mandated she wear, cutting into her shoulder.

She heard the drone scuffling after her and, not quite knowing what to do, she broke out into a run. She glanced behind her and saw the drone halt for a moment in what appeared to be shock before starting to run itself.

"Hey!" the drone called, its voice going confused, "h-hey! Stop! Why are you running, I'm not going to hurt you! I'm not like Kyubey!"

"Kirika!" Oriko called out telepathically, half-panicking. "Kirika I need you! The Rogue Drone's chasing me!"

"Oriko!" Kirika's voice was panicky in its own right, "hang on, I'll be there soon!"

As Kirika's voice faded, Oriko once more felt a prickle on her sixth sense that had become a part of her when she became a Magical Girl. She heard the scuffling feet of the Drone behind her, felt the devices that Homura was using to both watch and undoubtedly punish her if she gave the game away. Things she would use to punish Kirika if Oriko gave the game away.

In a split second panic driven decision, Oriko darted to the side and right into a brick wall. Or at least, at most points it would've been a brick wall. But at this moment a collection of Eldritch colors and lights flared as she jumped through the entrance to the Labyrinth. She heard the Drone say something, but it was lost in the sounds that filled her ears as she went through the portal.

The Labyrinth engulfed her and she stood stock still for a moment. She could not sense an exit behind her, so hopefully that meant that the Labyrinth randomized its entry points for each victim. This would mean that the Rogue Drone wouldn't be able to find her easily, if at all. Still, that left her alone in a Labyrinth, which was still sure to be hostile towards her. She wasn't a good dedicated fighter to be honest, not having much chance to train or even much hostile power at all. Still, no point worrying too much.

Oriko took a moment to steady herself, breathing heavily. Then she heard a noise. A clanking of what sounded like metal feet hitting a floor. She looked up and was astonished by the shape that the Labyrinth had taken.

Soundtrack: Urban Darkness Part 8 – Bjorn Lynne

She was leaning against the wall of what looked like some sort of old and rather run-down restaurant. Smells such as burned grease and pizza floated into her nostrils and she coughed slightly. The hallway was poorly lit, with only about one functioning light out of five and one other that flickered on and off. To her left was an opening that led into a small office space, which had a corresponding door on its other side. Oriko walked into it cautiously, noting that there appeared to be soft music coming from further into the labyrinth/restaurant. It wasn't anything special, in fact it looked downright outdated. There was a lot of posters of cute animals lining the walls, including a large one of a brown bear. There was an old boxy shaped phone, a metal fan that was blowing air towards where the office occupant would sit, as well as what looked like a flat computer monitor, similar to a tablet of some sort.

As she was taking this in, Oriko suddenly became aware of the sound of rapid footsteps behind her. It sounded, like before, as though metal plates were periodically drumming against the floor. She turned and was confronted with a large figure barreling down on her from the hallway. Oriko shouted in surprise as the figure raise a hand that seemed to end in a hook and opened a extremely long and large mouth that was rimmed with sharp teeth. A screech came from it as it threw itself at her, only to find itself blinking and halted for a moment as a burst of light erupted from Oriko. Then, with her having changed into her outfit, she flung out her hand and several orbs appeared and sped into the Fox. They struck and exploded on contact. Oriko backed up cautiously, holding several more of her explosive orbs at the ready, as the Familiar, for of course that was what it was, shook itself. It was stunned, but clearly not down for the count. She supposed she could blame her own lack of actual fighting ability for that.

With that thought in mind, she turned and ran through the office and out the other door. She needed to wait until Kirika got to her and then they could try and find the exit together, before the Rogue Drone found her. The doorway led into another hallway that ran in the same direction of the corresponding hallway she'd just left. She heard some metal thunks and knew that the Familiar would be after her in a second so she ran as fast as she could.

The short hallway ended in what appeared to be a dining area with a large stage on one end. As she came into the room she almost ran straight into another familiar. This one looked like some sort of chicken (or was it a duck? . . . no definitely a Chicken), and it blinked down at her, making strange mechanical noises as it moved.

"It's an animatronic" she realized. Of course, it fit in with the restaurant theme.

The realization did nothing for the fact that as soon as the familiar got over its equivalent of shock, it screeched and reached out its yellow arms to try and grab her. Oriko threw several orbs and they impacted against the Chicken animatronic. The familiar in the shape of a robot was blown back as it gave a long screech. Having an opportunity to hear the long drawn out wail of the Familiar, Oriko felt disturbed to note that it sounded like a child screaming into a synthesizer of some sort.

Suddenly, she couldn't breath. Her feet left the floor as two large brown arms encircled her chest and pinned her to a Familiar that had come up behind her. The thing's strength was incredible and she gasped in pain as its grip began to tighten. Spots started to appear in her vision as she tried and failed to breath. The Chicken Familiar was back on its feet and walking towards her, along with the one she had first encountered (revealed to be some sort of fox), as well as what looked like a purple bunny. Oriko struggled, trying to break the Familiar's grip, but it continued to squeeze her as though it were trying to hug her so tightly as to crush her into pulp. Oriko felt like her ribs were about to break and the noise of the childlike shrieks they were making felt liable to make her deaf.

"Hold on!"

Oriko's eyes, which had shut due to the pain, snapped open. There was a burst of whitish-blue light. Something bright and hot slammed into the Familiar, causing it to be smashed forwards several feet. In response to this, the creature let go of Oriko with a shout of pain.

Oriko's feet, not prepared nor having the strength to hold her up, crumpled as she hit the floor and she once again found herself pitching forward bonelessly.

She heard a brief sound of fighting. Several more orbs of energy were thrown and exploded as well as what sounded like metal being smashed around. The Animatronic Familiars gave their shrieks intermittently before it finally tapered off.

The Labyrinth dissolved and Oriko found herself laying not on dirty tiled floor that smelled like the worst stereotype of a fast-food Pizza Joint, but against concrete.

"It's okay, I got you" Oriko felt herself get rolled over onto her back and cried aloud in pain as her broken and cracked bones protested. But then, relief. The pain receded and she blinked. Looking down, she saw that the Rogue Incubator was running its paws and tentacles over her body, each appendage glowing in a soft white-blue light. And where it moved, flesh re-knitted and bones healed, the pain was gone.

What was it doing? No, better question, why was it doing this?

Finally, as it finished, the Rogue Incubator looked at Oriko with a very confused and even hurt expression.

"What the heck were you thinking!" its voice sounded angry. "Why did you ignore me? Didn't you hear me?! And what was with you diving into the Labyrinth just to get away from me!?"

Oriko just stared at it, wary for some sort of trap. She tried to imagine something like a wall surrounding her mind, worried that it might try some sort of mental trick on her to get her to lower her guard. But there was nothing. The Rogue Incubator tilted its head, as though trying to understand her. "Are you feeling alright? I didn't miss anything, did I?"

Oriko was silent for a good few seconds. Why was it so concerned with her health? This behavior wasn't meshing at all with the vision she'd had in her head? Was it a trick? Some ploy to get her to drop her guard? Was it simply trying to harvest energy out of her? But if that were the case, why had it gone to such lengths to save her? She pondered a few more seconds before barely shaking her head from side to side.

The Rogue Drone sighed, "good. Okay, let's just start over. My name is Key and I-"


Key had been intending to try and get some introductions underway, and figure out just why this Magical Girl had been so intent on avoiding him, but before he could speak any further there was a dark flash. Almost faster than their eyes could see, something lifted Key off the ground and kicked him against the alley wall. He gave a short gasp, but it didn't stop there. There was a sharp bite of pain and he cried out like an animal, trying to find some release. There was something like faraway shouts of alarm as he felt himself scream voicelessly again. More pain, and more and more and mo-

"KIRIKA! NO, STOP!" The girl dressed in white's voice brought the motion to a screeching halt, if not the pain.

Key cracked his eyes open as he hissed weakly. A black haired and costumed Magical Girl was holding several claw-like weapons mere millimeters from his face. But that wasn't what was causing the pain. Looking up, he saw that his two tentacle appendages were impaled on two other claws, which effectively hung him from the wall. Other claws pinned his legs in place, along with several other areas. Blood seeped out of the wounds and began to run in rivulets down his fur, staining the white to sticky red.


Oriko was looking at Kirika with an alarmed, almost scared expression. Kirika's face was contorted with rage. She looked angry and murderous, her face twisted and insane looking. But seeing Oriko's expression, Kirika's face changed to a confused and even slightly abashed look.

"He was hurting you! Wasn't he? You sounded scared so he must've been hurting you Oriko! So I hurt him! That's what I do to people who hurt you!"

She turned back and looked to be about to stick some more blades into Key. He whimpered, shuddering at the throbs of pain emanating from the knives impaling him as he tried to twitch pathetically away from her wrath.

"KIRIKA STOP THAT THIS INSTANT!"Oriko's voice had transformed from shocked horror to a blazing anger. Kirika froze and then looked back at Oriko, her face growing apprehensive, like a child caught in something that their parents revealed was deeply wrong.

Oriko was glaring, for what felt like the first time, at Kirika, who seemed to shrink at the expression.

"Good, now let him down right now."

"B-but Orik-"

"DO IT!" Kirika flinched at the shouted order and at the angry eyes. But then she reached over and pulled the claws out of the wall and out of Key's flesh. He gave a cry of agony as he was freed and fell to the ground. He lay quite still, quivering and trying to concentrate enough to heal himself. There was a long moment of stillness between the two girls. Oriko glanced at Kirika, then looked intently at the shivering creature at her feet. Then were a few footsteps and suddenly Key felt a soothing warmth moving against his injuries.

Soundtrack: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Incertus

"Um . . ." Kirika looked utterly confused as she stared at Oriko healing the creature that she'd been told might end up destroying the world. Oriko wasn't looking at her, but after a moment, she spoke in a clipped tone.

"He saved me from a labyrinth"

There was a soft noise of intaken breath from Kirika as she looked between Oriko and Key.

"He saved you?"
Oriko closed her eyes in a pained look, then nodded. Kirika gave a little 'eep' and was at Oriko's side in an instant, adding her healing to the mix.

"I'msorryI'msorryIamsosorryIthoughtyouwerehurtinghersoIpanickedandattackedIwasjusttryingtoprotectherandIhurtyouImsorryI'msorryImsorry!"

She babbled on and on until Oriko gave her a look and she shut her mouth with an audible click. They were near complete in their healing when Oriko suddenly stopped. She was staring blankly forward. Kirika had seen this enough times to know that she was having a vision. Suddenly, Oriko blanched. She grabbed Kirika's hand and ran with her in tow.

"Why are we running?" Kirika asked after she was sure that they were out of earshot of the Rogue Drone.

"I had a vision," Oriko panted. "Its friends were coming and if they'd found us and realized what we'd done, we would've fought, which is something we've been trying to avoid. Speaking of which."

She glanced at Kirika with wide eyes as they ran. Kirika felt as though she would like nothing more than to sink into the earth to avoid that stare. After running a good long way, far enough where they could be reasonably sure that they weren't being followed, Oriko turned and her eyes bored into Kirika who went white.

"Oriko, I know I messed up, but I thought he was hunting you! You called me and you sounded scared!"

Oriko's flat glare did not let up, though it was tinged by something else, "and that gave you license to not observe and realize that we were talking?! Why didn't you ask me what was going on?!You could've killed him Kirika!"

"I thought that that was what we were going to do anyway!" Kirika said confusedly.

". . . we don't know that yet, and that's besides the point anyway." Oriko seemed to struggling to put something into words. Finally, after a bit, she put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes.

"We've struggled to remain hidden all this time. It was bad enough that Kyoko and Yuma have likely been found out about today. But you at least could've possibly avoided discovery, thus keeping one weapon in our arsenal."

"Is that what you need me to be? A weapon?" Kirika asked curiously.

The tone was the most alarming thing to Oriko.

"No! Why would you said that Kirika? You make it sound like you're a thing!"

"Do you need me to be a thing?" Kirika asked in the same curious tone.

Oriko stared in a stricken way at her best friend. The tone was not angry, or insulted, or even containing any sort of negative emotions one might expect with being compared to a simple object. It seemed that Kirika honestly would be fine with being a simple "thing" if that was what Oriko said.

There was a long silence between them. Suddenly, Oriko seemed to remember something her younger self had said.

"why aren't you doing more to find out why she's obsessed with you?"

Oriko also remembered, with a slightly uncomfortable twinge, that she'd defended herself on the basis that Kirika was "needed." Rather like an object to wield.

". . . dozens of bodies to hit the floor" had been another thing that the young version of herself had said as well. Well, one body had almost hit the floor in this case.

"Kirika" Oriko said delicately. The black-haired girl tilted her head curiously.

"Tell me how you felt after I called out for your help."

Kirika looked down at her feet, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

"I . . . I heard you and I . . . I came to help."

Oriko sighed, of course it couldn't be easy.

"That's not good enough Kirika. Why did you get so violent?"

Kirika clasped her hands behind her back and rocked back and forth on one foot. Finally, she spoke again.

"I . . . you've acted like that weird Kyubey is super dangerous so I thought . . . I thought that if it was after you that it was gonna do something horrible to you . . . I couldn't stand that thought. All I could think about was you might be hurting and that that thing was the one hurting you!"

Kirika glanced up tentatively at Oriko who was still staring intently at her. Kirika's eyes dropped and a moment later, she spoke on.

"I'm not sure I even felt like me. It's like, I have to help you Oriko! I have to be what you need Oriko! And I thought you needed someone to come save you!"

Oriko stood stock still for a moment before putting her head in her hands. Things had gone so wrong. She was honestly surprised that none of the safeguards Homura had placed on them had activated yet and killed either of them. Perhaps the situation wasn't completely unsalveagable. Also, the Rogue Drone . . . no, it had introduced itself as Key, hadn't it?

Of course, it shouldn't change anything that it had a name. But that simple fact, that it was self-identifying with something so . . . simple, as well as the fact that it had behaved so concernedly for her, even though it surely hadn't known she existed before now . . .

"Oriko" the ash-blonde haired girl felt her hands being pulled gently away from her face and found herself looking into Kirika's wide eyes. They were wet with held-back tears.
"Oriko . . . I'm sorry! I know I messed up! Please don't get rid of me! I can change, I can do whatever you want! Just say it and I'll do it!"

The words didn't particularly make Oriko feel better as they were simply a continuation of the strange obsession that had lead to the current crisis and which disturbed Oriko whenever it reared its ugly head. The damp eyes however, did cause pity to well up in Oriko's heart. Shunting aside her misgivings for the present, she put a hand on Kirika's cheek.

"None of that Kirika. No more talk about changing. I don't want you to change, my friend is Kirika, remember!"

Kirika nodded, but didn't look fully convinced. Oriko sighed and lead the girl away, both walking towards Oriko's home. As they walked two fears lodged deep in Oriko's heart.

First, it may be that investigations into Kirika's mental instabilities and their origins would have to considered more of a priority.

Secondly, she dreaded the moment when Homura Akemi contacted her about the debacle, if she even gave her the courtesy.

Maybe she should enlist her good friend Sasa Yuuki's help.


Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. One good bit of news is that the next chapter is, for all intents and purposes, done. All I'm doing on it is editing and deciding what music cues to put in. And the chapter after that has a good chunk of it done as well. We are starting to move into some very interesting territory that shall be alluded to at the end of next chapter. Without spoiling too much, I think I can say that we're closing in on the end of a story arc.

And now Key definitively knows about Oriko and Kirika, though he may not have a good opinion of them after their behavior. I hope I played things out well and realistically. Tune in next chapter to see how everyone going after Kyoko and Yuma is going.

And yes, the labyrinth was meant to be Five Nights at Freddy's in case you didn't catch that. I figured it would be a fun little nod to the franchise and that it could work as a labyrinth. Heck, who knows, maybe the other games in the franchise are floating around somewhere as labyrinths (this is not a hint, I have no current plans to include any other FNAF games as labyrinths.) I wasn't intending crossovers in this story when I started, but this story has expanded so much more than I thought it was going to be when I adopted it. The crossovers like Saya No Uta have been put in for two reasons. One, because I thought they could fit the overall story and themes I'm constructing. And two, because I thought it'd be fun. Remember that, while I know where we're going, there is an element of also writing this story as I publish it. I believe the term is something like "pantsing" it (though, like I said, I do have a lot of it hashed out ahead of time). If this ever causes me to go back and rewrite something in an earlier chapter, I will let you all know.

Mailbag:

QuantumPE

This is a review of chapters 10 and 11, sorry if I address things all over the place.
I think the speech that Mami received should be recited to Homura. Also I was getting Spiderman vibes on Mami's departure from the underground. Oriko should come clean to Kirika since she clearly knows something is up. Sayaka had a dream that gave her glimpses of the truth. It's been a long while but Kyoko had a similar dream about Sayaka did she not? I wonder if at the get together both Sayaka and Kyoko will discuss this among themselves. Perhaps Mami, after hearing both accounts along with Madoka's dream as well, will start to piece together the info revealed about how Homura knows so much. Also Yuma was adorable. Great work!

Yeah, Spiderman is a good reference for what Mami was doing there. Oriko is weirdly alike to Homura in that they both see themselves as the person who should "carry the burden and lead the way." And yes, just about all the main characters have had weirdly prophet or flashback type dreams by now (funnily enough, I think Nagisa's the only one in the main group that hasn't had some weird dream of that sort). Thanks for the comment!

birdy1564

I really love this story and your character Key, He reminds me a bit of lil Kyubey from Magia Record, you think you could make a one shot where both your character and lil Kyubey can have a sorta conversation as both incubators that are disconnected from the hive mind even though lil Kyubey isn't much smart?

I started writing this before ever getting into Magia Record. But yeah I can see where the comparison comes in (if only because both characters aren't scum). Who knows? Problem with lil'Kyubey is that he doesn't have that much character (aside from being a kinda-sorta player avatar), but still, I do like him. He may show up sometime, either in the future or in a oneshot, who knows.

Ghost Man

Holy crap...Homura is serious business.
Kirika is way too tsun...no wait...yandere.
Yuma is so cute. Interesting what she becomes in that one fanfic.
Hah! If it were only that easy.
I'm just worried about how our intrepid heroes will fare against this...misconception.

Oooh. Ryoko time.
Holy crap! Ryouko Tanbo is...badass!
This is an interesting insight into Key...most interesting!
Whelp...found Ogai. o,o
Oh wow...that's how she got the seed...that's an intense story.
OOh. The girls...they're remembering the other lines. I mean what is a timeline...we're probably seeing the results of understanding how they work.
Best of luck in the future!

Homura has been serious for a long time, and that may have become a problem.

This chapter definitely leaned into yandere, didn't it, lol

Not sure which fanfic your referring too, but yeah she is cute.

Wondered if anyone would get that easter egg about ringing the bell to make the Witch go away. Nice catch!

Misconceptions are the bread and butter of this story, so far at least. For both the characters and you the readers "laughs evilly as lightning flashes in the background."

Yeah, she was one of the few competent characters in Saya No Uta, so I decided to work with that for my interpretation of the character.

Ogai hasn't been doing too well for awhile now. He's just skin and bones now (I regret nothing).

Glad you enjoyed it.

Yep, the remembering and learning of other timelines will be an important part of this story.

Thank you! You too!

JustARandomGirl

Ehehe sorry I've never reviewed before, I only pretty recently got the courage to start doing that, but I check this periodically for updates and I really love it! The Saya arc is pretty interesting even if I don't know Saya no Uta. Plus Key is a nice character, and despite my undying love for Homura (she and Madoka are my favorites, it probably seems generic, yes I know) I'm always a little saddened by how cold she is to Key. And the way you're subtly revealing the memories at a good pace also makes me happy. I write fics but never post them or let anyone read them which literally makes me my own worst critic and I berate myself for pacing constantly. And the way you write the canonical characters is really accurate to their personalities. Speaking of, the part where Mami and Ryoko talked about the brave face kinda hit hard because I kinda relate, you really pulled out how someone with that mindset might feel. In my opinion, at least. Also I love the references to Tart Magica! I can't say that I like Oriko as a character in general, but you're doing a great job with her. I may or may not be a little happy that Homura is kind of sort of blackmailing her. In a way. And I frickin' love Nagisa and Homura's interactions! Nagisa just throws Homura right out of her comfort zone and sees into her head and I friggin love it! (I have a problem haha) and Madoka and Sayaka, back to the dreams, are pretty much debating their trust for Homura which I could definitely see happening. And to Kyoko- wait, I don't know what I should say about that. Welp, guess I'm done! Until next time! ;D

That's fine! Trust me, I know the feeling of being critical of your own works. Why do you think it takes me so long to publish new content (aside from life and laziness, lol). Thank you for the complement on me getting the characterization right! Glad you enjoyed the rest and hope you enjoy this chapter!

Kian Xki

the use of random omnipotent beings is bad story telling

ROB should have no interaction with the story after landing SI protagonist in Fantasy Land

it breaks the story by making you wonder "if he could do that why wouldn't he do more?"

the answer is that Random Omnipotent Bastard got his title by liking to watch people flounder their way in their dream world only to learn that their OP skill did not change their status as Hiki-NEET and fantasy land is a harsh of reality with different set of problems than Earth

Already sent you a response via PM. I do understand your criticisms of Marethil (unless you're referencing Key). I myself struggled and have struggled on his character. I may rewrite the scenes with him soon because of this. I do however, feel like you have more of a beef with the tropes themselves and that you have some sort of preconception about me in mind when you wrote this. Congratulations for introducing me to a new term, I'd never heard of a Hiki-NEET before you wrote that. Whatever your opinions about my story and me (even though we'd never spoken before) I would appreciate it if you were a bit more polite next time. You had what I felt what could've been a good criticism (something that I acknowledge probably needs work) but you undermined it with comments that were along the lines of childish insults.

Hope you have a good day.