Well, first things first, you should get Sayaka here for this. "
Hey, Sayaka?" you say telepathically. "
Could you come over to the Kure's house? Something's come up, I'll explain it in person."
"
On my way," says Sayaka "N
o one else to bring with me?" You think for a second, then shake your head. "
No, no one else," you say.
"See you soon."
That done, you turn your attention back to Oriko, who's currently rubbing her forehead. She was just freaking out, wasn't she? "Hey Oriko, did you get hurt?" you ask. "You seemed pretty… you okay?"
"Not badly," she says. "My episode was short and contained, thanks to your group arriving when you did and Kirika restraining me." She pokes her cheekbone, and winces. "That being said, I may develop a bruise or two. My cheek, yes, but I also banged my leg on the table. They are minor injuries, not worth the magic to heal-"
"Nope!" you say. "Get your leg up. Kirika, you heal her face."
She blanches, but ultimately complies, placing a leg on the table and leaning back into Kirika's arms. Her leg isn't even bleeding, but you heal it anyway, and you can sense Kirika doing the same for her face.
"Is there anything else you can say?" you ask Oriko. "Anything you forgot to mention?"
"Perhaps…" says Oriko, trailing off. She thinks for a few seconds, then nods her head. "Looking at it, it seems to be that while any five people can compose the 'group', it works better if they have personal connections beforehand. Of course, this could just be the individuals in question being more useful, or a more trusting dynamic that naturally leads to a better outcome. It's a not a
large decrease in the rate of survival, but with things like this, every bit matters."
You scratch your head, mulling over Oriko's words as you cuddle closer to Mami. You notice she's been almost silent this entire time. Is she unsure? You know she'll want to go with you, but is she perhaps worried about what will happen, or even worried for those left behind?
"Additionally, there are two outcomes if the group is composed of six people. Either one of them dies, never you or Mami, or everyone survives. Aside from the extra member, no one is killed. Also, Sayaka's clones cannot exist inside and outside the barrier. If her real self enters, all clones cease to exist, and if a clone enters she loses contact with it and it will never return."
Huh. Not an avenue you had thought of, but good information nonetheless.
"So, Oriko," you say. "Are your powers working now? I mean, you had the big vision, but can you use your regular precog now?"
Oriko shakes her head, unfortunately. "I still cannot access my visions. I have a near-perfect memory of the large one I just got, but nothing else."
Well, damn. You hadn't particularly expected that to work, but it still sucks.
"What do you think about this whole thing?" you ask Oriko. You do try to give the situation the gravity it deserves, but Mami exists right next to you so the effect is somewhat ruined. "What do you think we should do?"
"I think that the decision is up to you," says Oriko. "However, if pressed, I would say that you should go. The you in the vision must have a good reason for wanting to go, and if you return before any major catastrophes happen, then there is little danger of a collapse in your absence. As such, it would certainly be better for you to go, assuming you have a good team with you."
You hum, thinking over what she said. She's in support of you going, which can only be driving Homura's Homu-senses crazy, but it makes sense overall. Now, to convince her to come with you.
"How would you feel about coming with us?" you say. "You may not be the most directly powerful, but we're not exactly lacking in that department."
Oriko narrows her eyes, rubbing her forehead once more.
"For me to join you… while I may be battle-ready, for lack of a better term, would I not be severely outclassed by whatever foe we come across? The area between me being able to provide help against a foe and you
not being able to defeat them with your eyes closed is an incredibly small one."
"Again, it's not about raw power," you say. "We
have that. You're smart, and you have social skills, and that last one's not something I'd say the rest of us are very blessed with. Except Mami, of course, but if she's being cool then I can't hug her, and then what's the point?"
Mami smiles, snuggling closer to you, and you relish in your hugged status.
"Would Homura Akemi not fill the role of the voice of reason?" says Oriko. "Unless she decides not to come, of course."
"I said social skills, not voice of reason," you say. "But you've got to admit, this whole situation is just a tad suspicious.
I trust you, for one, but it'll go a long way towards alleviating the fears of others if you come with us."
"I suppose…" Oriko trails off, glancing to Kirika. "May I at least request that Kirika be with me, regardless of whether I go or not? I understand that I'm in no position to be making demands, but if you're feeling kind…"
"I'll see what I can do," you say, and turn your head as a door slams open to your right. Sayaka comes racing in a few seconds after, panting as she slides around the corner.
"I'm here, what's wrong, is anyone-" she stops, taking in the sight of the two cuddleblobs and the lonely Homu. "Dammit, why are you weirdos cuddling?" she says. "I thought this was serious!"
"It is," says Homura. "But it is not immediately urgent, and the four of them are… well, you know what they're like."
You shrug, unable to completely deny Homura's… it's not exactly an
accusation, but whatever it is it's not wrong.
"Long story short, Oriko had a vision," you say. "A barrier entrance, or maybe a portal, will appear in Mami's apartment in two hours. We tend to come out in better shape if there are five of us in the group, though it's a bit weird with what constitutes a member of the group, and we'll come out right before the next major thing hits. That
should be the Suojus, in a few day, but sometimes we come out later."
"Okay, that's- Imma sit down," says Sayaka. She does just that, sitting down on the couch beside Homura, who shuffles away just a bit. Then she shuffles away from
you, which puts her even closer to Sayaka, and she shoots you with a withering glare. Alas, poor Homura.
"Mami Tomoe, could you connect the four of us with ribbons?" asks Homura. "I have a theory I'd like to test."
"Of course," says Mami, connecting you all with glowing gold ribbons. "For timestop, I assume?"
Homura nods, and her shield shifts as she brings the four of you into timestop.
"Sayaka Miki, could you please use your anti-magic?" Homura says. "Hit everything in the room other than Mami and I."
Sayaka tilts her head, confused, but does as requested. You can
feel the anti-magic washing over you, like you've been encased in grease, and you almost vomit. Then it passes, as quick as it came, and you look up to Homura.
"So that's not it…" she trails off, eyes narrowed.
"Homura, what's going on?" you say. "You have a theory?"
"Mami Tomoe, could you please drop your ribbons?" she says in lieu of a response. You blink as she suddenly right in front of you, hand on your shoulder, and you give Mami an apologetic smile before pulling away.
"So what's this about?" you ask. "I assume you have a theory?"
"I had questioned if we were under a magical effect," she says. "But the anti-magic took that off the table."
"Homura, what are you talking about?" you say, putting up a privacy sphere just in case. "What, did you think we were being mind-whammied? Why?"
Homura frowns, looking at her feet. "When the portal opens, I… it would be far,
far too much to say I want to go, but I feel…
worried about you going off without me. If you encounter and inevitably enrage someone powerful, I will not be able to help you, and this makes me uneasy."
"Wait, back up a second," you say, moving your arms about. "First off, before
any of that, you trust
Oriko?"
"At the very least, I trust that this situation as she presented it is a real one, and that we will not enter a portal into the sun," she says. "As much as it pains me to say it, I… I
trust Oriko Mikuni."
"And that-"
"Made me suspect I was under the influence of a hostile magical girl, yes," finishes Homura. You feel like there's something to be said for something as simple as
trusting that someone isn't actively plotting your demise being reason enough to suspect you're mind-controlled, but you can see her logic.
And now, to deal with what she
actually said.
"You want to come?" you say. "Madoka would have to go with you, I assume-" She nods. "And you want to bring her with us to some unknown place, that Oriko suggested we go to?"
"As I said, reason enough to suspect I was under magical influence. But yes, though saying I
want to bring her is going a bit far; I simply think that it is a slightly better option to staying here with her and whatever magical girls show up in your absence."
Okay, that's- you can see the logic behind it, in some ways, but
it's the least Homura thing ever! You're powerful, as are Mami and Sayaka, so you can see why Homura
may think that the four of you together could keep her safe better than Homura alone in Mitakihara, but it's just-
Homura! Wants to bring Madoka with you! Through a portal that Oriko told you to go through!
You
cannot stress how un-Homura that is.
Meanwhile, in the land of the living, Homura is staring at your pained expression with a blank facade. She's probably a swirl of emotion under that, you know, but you can tell that she's just a bit nervous.
"Homura, look," you say. "I'm not going to argue that you should stay here,
or that you should come, but are you absolutely sure that taking Madoka with us is what you want to do?"
Homura runs a hand through her hair, sighing.
"I don't- it's-" she stops, closing her eyes. "I don't
know. I want to stay here with Madoka, and do as I've always done, but I also don't want to abandon you, and Madoka should be safest with all of us, and I- maybe something
is affecting my mind. It would make sense."
Yes, it would make sense, because suggesting that Madoka come with you into an unknown world is so
not Homura it hurts. And she's worried about you, which is sweet, but now she's also trusting you all to look after Madoka with her?
It doesn't make sense!
"I, if I am in fact under magical influence," says Homura. "Perhaps my decision-making has been affected. But still… I
do want to go with you, even knowing that I may only want to because of some other effect, whatever it is. If it had been the work of an enemy magical girl, the effect would have been disabled by Sayaka Miki's antimagic, at least temporarily."
"Alright, look, Homura, just-" you raise your arms wide, and she doesn't hesitate before leaning in for a hug. She learns quickly.
The two of you stay like that for a few seconds, holding each other close, silent. "Sabrina," she says, voice muffled by your coat. "Do you think that you could also be…
affected?"
That's the question of the hour, isn't it? What's mucking around in Homura's head, if it even exists, and is it in yours? You don't
think so, but could that be why future-you seems so insistent that going was a good idea?
Probably not. But then again, you
were rather keen to go, so maybe it's more subtle? Or maybe it doesn't even exist, and you're being weird?
So some unseen force, not a magical girl, wants you to enter the portal, and is mentally nudging you to do so,
or Homura suddenly discovered her love for risk-taking, adventure, and trust for others, and
wow Occam's razor does not like that girl. Poor Homu.
"I… I don't
think I am, though I may not be the best judge of that," you say, pulling away. "Assuming it exists, I think it just makes you want to go through the portal, which is definitely weird but not directly harmful. But still, it's a bit suspicious."
"It is," says Homura. "In that case… as I have reason to believe that my judgment in this matter is impaired, I… I'll trust your decision for whether I should stay or go."
Again, not exactly something you'd have expected from Homura. She does trust you, you know, but for something as big as this? She must really be worried.
"That's… Homura… I- thank you. I won't fuck this up."
She smiles, only half-mockingly, which is a noted improvement. You smile back, before reaching back and putting a hand on Mami's shoulder. She blinks, but re-connects the four of you, bringing Sayaka in as well.
"So transfer student, you done?" asks Sayaka. "What was the about, anyway?"
"I suspected that I was under the influence of an enemy magical girl," says Homura. "Your anti-magic and Sabrina's privacy sphere have disproved this theory, though that only raises more questions."
"Under the-okay, what? You've
gotta explain that."
Homura shakes her head, and you take the opportunity to but in.
"It's a long story, and a bit personal," you say. "Just, there
may be something making us want to enter the barrier. Maybe."
"Well whatever it is, it doesn't need to work on me," says Sayaka. "This whole thing smells fishy, and no way am I gonna let you go in without your trusty kohai to look after you!"
"You trust Oriko?" you say. "You… don't think she's making this up to get us killed?"
"Wait, is she?" says Sayaka. "But we'd bring her with us, and then
she'd get killed as well! Would she really do that?"
"I don't think she
could be betraying us," you say. "The vision she had… I don't think she could have done that herself. It was
way beyond her abilities, not to mention that her per-cognizance isn't working right now. She's been confined for quite a while, she hasn't led us astray since we imprisoned her, and honestly? If something can shake her this bad, I believe her."
"I guess… I don't trust her, not one bit, but I can believe her on this." Sayaka leans back into the couch. "So you're still taking me, right?"
"Well I was wondering who to bring, and I was originally thinking of taking-" you pause, turning to Mami herself. "Mami,
do you want to come? It's fine if you don't, just..."
"Of course I'll go," she responds. "You'd be gone, facing who knows what, for who knows how long, and I-" she looks down. "If you think that someone else... I don't want you to feel like you
have to take me-"
"Nope!" you say. "Aside from being one of if not
the most badass people in the room, right up there with Homura, you're also Mami, and I… well, I think the trip will be a lot more enjoyable with you by my side."
The two of you smile, and you nestle deeper into her side. "In that case," you say. "I'll probably be bringing Mami, the Kures, and either Sayaka or Niko. But if Homura's willing to come… well, I'll need a bit to think."
Sayaka's shoulders drop, and she pouts.
"Aw, come on! Niko's cool, sure, but I have clones, and flying, and lighting, and all that cool stuff! I talk to birds! Niko doesn't talk to birds! Niko doesn't talk to birds, right?"
"I don't think so," you say. "But being cool with birds wasn't why I was considering her. Niko's
super good with magic science, and this situation is confusing enough to warrant some SCIENCE!!!"
You manage to refrain from putting a foot on the table and shaking your fist at the sky, if only barely. Mumihugs are better.
"You're good at magic science," says Sayaka. "Hell, Mami's not half bad, and Homura's been around for a while, so she's probably no slouch. Is science really so important?"
"Sayaka, I'm no expert on magical research," says Mami. "And while Homura
is very knowledgeable, her magic is not focused on research, nor is mine."
"I know," says Sayaka. "But it's kind of weird to bring in Niko, a- well not a
stranger, really, but not a close friend."
"Eh, you may have a point," you say. "But anyway, I'm still not a hundred percent sure who to bring."
"I know, I know," she says. "Just, take me with you?"
"I'll see what I can do," you say. "In the meantime, I was thinking of having Kyoko and Yuma watch over the city while we're gone." You feel Mami stiffen underneath you, just a bit, and you continue. "They can help whoever's staying, make sure nothing horrible happens, and all that jazz."
"That sounds like a good idea," says Sayaka. Homura nods, and you turn to look at Mami. Her eyes are cast down, and she's frowning. She doesn't speak up, so you guess it's just a reaction to a bad memory, and not anything against the idea itself.
"Is that it?" says Sayaka. "Nothing else to mention, anyone?" You look around, but no one's responding. "Well, then I guess meeting adjourned. Should we meet in an hour, at Mami and Sabrina's place? To figure out who'll actually be going, and say goodbye?"
"That sounds good," you say. "See you then! In the meantime, maybe get things ready for if and when we leave? Yuuki Inoue- you know, the hacker girl from Ishinomaki?- can probably make you guys some doctors notes saying you're sick as a dog, or something similar."
Everyone nods, and Homura drops the timestop. The return of color is like a breath of fresh air, and while Sayaka runs off to inform Madoka and Hitomi of what's going on, you reach out to Kyoko and Yuma.
"
Hey you two," you say as you form a connection. "
Sabrina here."
"
Hi, Sabrina!" "The fuck d'ya want?"
"
And hello to you too, Kyoko. Anyway, this is a business call."
"
Is it the business of you fucking off, and not calling us at nine in the goddamn morning? Cause if so, color me interested."
"Well…"
"
Sabrina, no!" cries Yuma. "
Big Sis was just being Tsundere! Don't stop talking to us because of her-"
"
No, it's nothing like that," you say. "
But I'm going to be gone for a few days, and I was wondering if you two could help look over the city while we're gone. You'd have hunting rights, obviously, and I know you don't want any clear seeds, but other than money there's not a whole bunch I can offer you-"
"
We'll go," says Kyoko. "
And you don't have to pay us, or anything. Just- consider this payback, or whatever the nice way of saying that is. We'll be even."
"
Works for me," you say. "
We'll be going in a few hours, and I'll tell everyone else we asked for you. And, Kyoko? Thanks."
She doesn't respond, and you get the feeling that she's just a little bit embarrassed. Which means that Yuma's probably hugging her. That girl is your protege, when it comes to the art- or would it be SCIENCE!!!- of hugging. She'll do great things one day.
"
So we'll be looking over your city and hunting your witches while your group prances around in magical fairyland, huh? Should be fun."
"
Yuma wants to go to magical fairyland!"
"
And I
do not," says Kyoko.
"
Pleeeease?" says Yuma. "
Sabrina, can we please go with you?"
"
Sorry, Yuma," you say. "
Only five or so people can go, pre-cog's orders."
"
Awwww. But magical fairyland!"
"
Sorry. Well then, should I expect to see you to say goodbye?"
"
Nah," says Kyoko. "
We'll show up once you're gone. Bye, then."
"
Buh-bye, Sabrina!" "Goodbye Kyoko, Yuma."
You break off the telepathy, frowning. That was… too easy. Kyoko said okay without the slightest push, when you had sort of been expecting her to stonewall you, at least a bit. It must be nothing, right? With that in mind, you go about contacting all the relevant people, all your allies.
Almost an hour later, you're in your apartment, sitting on the couch, and you can only think that it was
way too easy.
You had contacted everyone you felt needed to know, informed them you were going to be gone for a while,
and everyone was completely calm. You'd expected a bit of panic, from at least
one person, but they all accepted your message with a smile and a "good luck!" Even Yuki Tsuruya, who should have had
some worries as to you leaving while two dangerous prisoners of yours were in her possession, didn't seem the least bit concerned.
It's like… like the Universe itself if smoothing your way. Yuuki Inoue was able to forge doctor's notes for everyone in a few minutes, conveniently having nothing else to do at the moment, and now you're holding 'get out of Earth free' cards, for literally
everyone who could be coming with you and would need some excuse to give their teachers. You suspect that convincing people's parents will be similarly easy.
"What's troubling you?" asks Mami, sipping her tea beside you.
"Just thinking," you say. "This whole thing seems too easy. No one was concerned that I was going, not a single person! And with Homura being open to the idea of coming with us… This is too big to be the work of a magical girl, but something smells fishy."
"Is it bad enough that we shouldn't go?" says Mami.
You slowly shake your head, unsure. "I don't- Oriko's vision says that we'll probably all survive, so unless the vision itself was faked by…
whatever it is, then we should be good. The only way to get answers will be to go inside, so for that and all the other reasons…" You trail off. "I just hope I'm not bringing someone to their deaths because I underestimated this thing. If anything happened to you guys…"
"Oh, Sabrina. With you watching out for us, there's no doubt in my mind that we'll be fine."
You smile at her, and lay your head on her shoulder. You stay like that for a few minutes, content with Mami's presence, before a knock on the door drags you to your feet.
"Guess who?" Sayaka says once you open the door. She walks in, followed by Madoka and Hitomi, and you hold the door open after they've come in. Homura enters a few seconds later, and you give her a knowing grin. She frowns in response, and joins the others around Table-chan.
"Hi Mami, hi Sabrina," says Madoka. "Oh, hi Homura! I didn't see you! You must have been pretty close to us on the way over."
"Yes," says Homura. "I must have been pretty close."
"Oh, did you see us?" says Madoka. "Why didn't you say hi, or something?"
"I-" Homura leans back, eyes flickering around the room until they land on you, silently begging for help.
"You know how shy Homura can be," you say. "Maybe she just got scared?" You know full well that Homura was stalking them from the trees, but you can't help but tease her.
"Homura, I'm so sorry!" says Madoka. "If you ever see me, don't hesitate to say hi and chat! You're a really nice person, Homura, and I like talking to you!"
Homura maintains her poker face, but you know that if it weren't for her magical control over her own body she'd be blushing up a storm right now. You smile, and take your seat next to Mami.
"So who's all going?" says Hitomi
"Mami and I, definitely," you say. "And I'm pretty sure Oriko and Kirika will be joining us, but other than that I'm not really sure."
"I would recommend making up your mind," says Homura. "Oriko and Kirika Kure should have an escort from the mansion to here, so if they are coming we should know now."
Uggh. You knew this would come. Well, time to make a decision.
Who do you bring with you?
[ ] Mami Tomoe
[ ] Oriko MikuniKure
[ ] Kirika Kure
[ ] Sayaka Miki
[ ] Homura Akemi+Madoka Kaname
[ ] Kanna Niko
[ ] Kyoko Sakura+Yuma Chitose
[ ] Other? (Write-In)
So next update will see you in the crossover world, along with ___, ___, ___, and my favorite, ____.
Man, watching people freak out over things you're going to explain in the next update is... not fun. No siree bob. Enjoy!