Forte. Heed me.
Huh? Micaela? What are you doing reaching out to me?
She still cannot reach you. You still cannot reach her.
Er. No, not really. She was sleeping when I left New Eden. Still seemed out of it though.
She is. However, the Oracle will recover. In many senses of the word.
You know a lot, huh. …How, exactly?
I have foreseen it. Her power comes from me. My existence, through her. However, the edges of her vision are clouded. A Witch is not bound by such limitations. You know this.
…Right.
Heh. You really need to start paying attention, Yui.
Shut the fuck up, Sabby. You’re still grounded.
Both of you. Be silent. …Heed me, Forte. There is something urgent you must know. I give you this knowledge not out of altruism, but rather, out of necessity.
…Script, right?
Indeed.
I’m getting real sick of all these fucking scripts, you know…
I am aware. All the same, the events woven by fate must be adhered to. Now, listen.
Fine, whatever, man. Hit me.
Hanako: So… Cecilia’s Witch reached out to you?
Yui: Yep. I got a glimpse of that vision when I linked with Cecilia. She found out enough to know that Aoi was still on Earth, and in the industrial district of town. I recognized the building well enough, but not quite enough to be a hundred percent sure.
Hanako: So then…?
Yui: Micaela filled in the rest. Gave me the clear, full vision. It uh… it wasn’t pleasant. The boundary between Puella and Witch isn’t one that’s meant to be crossed casually, or even cordially at all.
Hanako and Yui wait at the edge of a group of warehouses right as the sun begins to set. Shinju is in the waterways connecting them, scouting.
Hanako: As such… she gave you the location, and only the location, correct?
Yui: Yup. Soon as Shinju gives us the go-ahead, we’re off. …You still didn’t have to come, Hanako. Shinju an’ I are more than enough—
Hanako: I did, though. …I did not learn enough from our last encounter, I feel.
Yui: If it comes to a fight with Melati, Shinju’s with us this time. …Maybe I should’ve asked Yuzu, but I’m not sure her shields will block out Mel’s power. Shinju, at least, can stand on even ground with her, through her Magia.
Hanako: …Are you certain that just attaining the state is enough?
Yui: Positive. Cecilia was basically invincible when Firestarter tried to glass the center of town, and her power didn’t affect me either. …Then again, my Magia was fake, apparently.
Hanako: (Softly, almost soothingly) …Melati could have been lying, you know.
Yui: (Shaking her head) No, she wasn’t. Diana and Kyubey basically backed up what she said. I didn’t… I never actually reached Magia. But I got closer than they’ll give me credit. I could feel the difference in that state. I’m almost there, I think, just…
Hanako: … (She’s quiet for a while, then speaks up to change the topic) You sort of mentioned this when I asked before, but… did Kyubey actually fight you?
Yui: As much as it could, I guess. It stopped running, because it wanted to have a battle of wits while I was trying to hurt it physically. Nobody won. It gave me the breadcrumb I needed, tipped its hand, but… I don’t think I actually caused it pain.
Hanako: …Can you really… read their souls now?
Yui: …You want the bad news first? Or d’you want me to lie to you?
Hanako: …
Yui: It’s… such a tiny fragment of a soul that all I can do is feel that it’s there. It’s more prominent in Aisha, so it probably handles business differently than Kyubey. Or, Kyubey got smart and started spreading itself thin around me once I learned how to use my power. But uh, all I feel is a tiny little fragment of a soul, being anchored really far away. I can’t even get a clear direction, just… nowhere near Earth.
Hanako: …So your lightning powers would need to be used on dozens, maybe hundreds of Kyubey’s bodies before you actually hurt him, then?
Yui: Oh, it felt something all right. Just not the pain I was hoping to inflict. It was ready for me, I think. Probably has been for a while now.
Hanako: …I don’t want to sound weak, Yui, but… aren’t we in over our heads here? I-I mean… fighting against Incubators? Plural? Balancers who have power beyond our understanding? Reality bending… the power of the sun itself… and cosmic beings that even you cannot fully comprehend?
Yui: …Nah, that don’t sound weak. It’s natural, logical, and you hit the nail on the head. We’re outmatched, outnumbered, and outgunned. Always have been. The only thing that’s changed is that we’re aware of it now. We got strong enough, collectively, that the enemy showed itself and its intentions more directly. So in a way… we kinda have them scared. That’s what keeps me going, besides making sure Aoi comes home safe.
Hanako: And… if the day should come where we can no longer overcome our enemies?
Yui: (She shrugs) Not even stars last forever, Hanako. Our existence is one of fighting. Most of the time, there’s winners. All of the time, there’s losers. Day might come where we can’t win anymore. That’s just how it is. When it does, we go down swingin’ for what matters most, and that’s it.
Hanako: …I don’t like that answer.
Yui: Well… yeah, it’s not a good answer at all. But that’s how we roll. As Puellae Magi, and as Conductors. S’why I’m testing you in my own way before she finds you.
Hanako: …Mei, right?
Yui: I was hopin’ you’d caught on by now, yeah. She’s been after you this whole time.
Hanako: …I don’t want to fight her, Yui.
Yui: Yeah, well… she wants to fight you. Takes this Conductor shit more seriously than anyone, ‘cept maybe Vel. …Kinda glad they never actually met.
Hanako: (She’s quiet again, searching for another topic to switch to. Unable to find a suitable distraction, she returns to where they started.) …So… you’re certain it will come to a fight with Melati?
Yui: Not a doubt in my mind. Micaela didn’t show me anything other than Aoi being alive in some room or pod or some shit in a warehouse. Mel wasn’t in the room with her. Saw somethin’ else, maybe somethin’ moving, but couldn’t make sense of it. Anyway… what I’m gathering is, Melati is guarding wherever Aoi is bein’ kept. Aisha might be there, it might not. I’m not completely sure, but I doubt Mel will go Magia against us tonight.
Hanako: …Why wouldn’t she?
Yui: Think about it. She brought Aoi in to heal someone. I didn’t see that someone in the room with her, but it’s gotta be someone or something important. …More than just routine Incubator business, anyway.
Hanako: …Because if it was, they would have asked her, instead of kidnapping her?
Yui: Exactly. So whoever this “patient” is, it’s something big. …Melati’s power is indiscriminate. So when she fights us here, it won’t be in Magia. Otherwise, she risks hurting this patient of Aisha’s.
Hanako: …That does make me feel a bit better, yes.
Yui: Besides, we don’t have to win. All we have to do is get in, get Aoi, and get out. S’why I agreed to let you come along. Me an’ Shinju are more than enough, and Shinju is better at exit strategies than I am. You’re quick as fuck, so you’re not a liability.
Hanako: I… was so confused back at New Eden, when we decided that so few of us were going on this rescue mission…
Yui: Yep. This isn’t a guns blazing sort of situation. It’s a stealth mission that I’m supposed to fail by design. I’m the distraction, Shinju is the operative. Plan is, I fight Melati, Shinju an’ you get Aoi out of there, then I bail once you’re clear and she’s safe.
Hanako: …What about this patient?
Yui: They’re an unknown factor. My current thought process is, Aoi’s had a bunch of time to heal ‘em. So if it were truly just about saving someone’s life, Aoi would’ve been home that night. All the stuff I’m not seeing and I’m not told by anyone is painting a pretty clear picture. …But I don’t know a goddamn thing about this patient of theirs. Could be an enemy, could be a victim. I have no way of knowing. …But we have exactly one shot at bringing Aoi home, and that’s right here and now.
Hanako: …I’ll save them.
Yui: And if they’re a threat?
Hanako: We deal with that when the time comes. But… I cannot rest easily knowing I might leave someone else to suffer at the hands of an Incubator or Balancer. Whatever their story is.
Yui: Heh… (She smiles, turning back to watch the grate where Shinju initially entered) Thought you might say that. …Now I’m doubly glad you’re here tonight, Hanako.
New Eden, an hour or so earlier. The empty clinic beneath the gym. Yui is pacing, with Hanako, Shinju, Seia, and Yuzuki sitting or standing around. Cecilia lies on a cot in the back, sectioned off with a curtain.
Yui: …I thought about it. It should just be me an’ Shinju going to get Aoi back.
Hanako: What?! Why?! You know Melati will be there!
Yui: Don’t need an army to fight her. If the point was to track Melati down and kick her ass, I’d have a lot more bodies in this room right now. …No, the goal is getting Aoi back safe. Shinju, you on board?
Shinju: Of course! I’ll have her in and out of a drainpipe before you can say “boo.”
Yui: Cool. Yuzu, are—
Hanako: Y-Yuzuki-san should go with you, at least!
Yuzuki: Um… (She hesitates, then speaks with sureness and conviction unusual for her) I’d like to, at least. Aoi is sort of my responsibility. Always has been.
Yui: Hm… I’m sure Seia an’ Hanako can hold the fort and guard Cecilia on their own.
Hanako: I-I’m going too! I… Aoi is still quite important to me, despite… everything.
Yui: (She stares at Hanako) …So Seia’s staying here and guarding Cecilia alone, then?
Seia: Well, I agree I probably shouldn’t come. I’m good for a “smoke-bomb escape,” but I can’t run very fast in a place where I don’t know the layout… unless someone is willing to– (She mimes giving someone a piggyback ride) Probably not, right?
Yui: …Point is, someone needs to be here, in case this is somehow another trap. (She looks around the room) …And I need Shinju with me for the escape part.
Shinju: (She salutes) … I’m worried that Melati will just come back here again for Aoi after. (She continues, with sudden realization) But I guess she’s only there to take care of this patient girl, so… (She trails off, unsure how to make her point)
Yuzuki: Are we taking this other girl with us? I suppose they won’t have to worry about her health if we’re taking care of it… (More downcast) Or they might come by right away because they want her back.
Yui: We can gear up for war when I get Aoi back here. An’ I wanna be in an’ out before sundown, if at all possible. Seia’s stayin’. Someone needs to stay with her. Hanako? Yuzu?
Hanako: …
Yuzuki: Seems like we’ve got a bit of a conflict since Aoi’s important to both of us… (She raises her fist with a sheepish smile) Rock-paper-scissors?
Hanako: (Glancing back at Yui, she knows a protest isn’t an option, given the urgency. She raises her fist as well. After a count of three, she throws scissors)
Yuzuki: (She has thrown paper) Yikes… okay. I guess you’ve spent a lot more time with Aoi lately.
Hanako: (Under her breath) …I-I picked at random. (Shaking her head, she looks up at Yui.) I’m going. With Yuzuki and Seia here, Cecilia will be more than well enough protected.
Yui: (After a moment, she just nods) Cool. Shinju, Hanako, with me. Yuzu, Seia, I trust you both. We’ll bring Aoi back safe an’ sound. Promise.
Back in the present moment, just outside the collection of abandoned warehouses at the edge of Sabita, the old Industrial District. Hanako is quiet yet again. Yui isn’t saying anything either. Only a few minutes pass. Hanako is torn between apologizing again for inserting herself into this plan, and asking another burning question. Any other attempts, in her mind, to distract herself have failed. Subconsciously, she laments the binary choice her brain has forced upon her.
Hanako: (With a sigh) …You believe them, then?
Yui: (Without missing a beat, while simultaneously not bothering to pretend she doesn’t understand the question, yet also sounding more drained than she has in days) Yeah. It’s… not the first time my soul’s played pretend, or done something it wasn’t supposed to. …Did you know that Cece an’ I have merged forms? We used to share this body, y’know.
Hanako: R-Right… I remember that, from the Forte’s Omnibus.
Yui: Jesus… Can we not call it that? Please?
Hanako: My point is, I knew about that. But… you did not write how deep that connection went.
Yui: It’s… not too far off from a Malefica state. Two souls should never become one. That’s how we got Kae. Cece became this armored lancer, kinda. She took that appearance when she got her own body and kept the fighting instinct she got from my side. For me, I was this… claw wielding thing. I can do it again, but uh, it’s awful for a real fight. No real control, y’know? My soul’s also been in a sort of sealed, “berserker” state. I fought that way when I first made my contract. My normal state uses a staff, but uh… well, especially after seein’ Yuzu with a sword? I don’t think the staff was “meant” to be my weapon, either. I need to dig into that someday. I can tap into Venefica in Puella, but uh, it’s really easy for a Malefica to do that, since it’s not too far off. Speaking of, never go Malefica. It’s… a fucking nightmare.
Hanako: …So when you thought you reached Magia, you felt the change in your soul, then?
Yui: Yep. I affectionately called that power “weaponmaster” since I found out I could shape that gold like clay, but it stayed just as sharp or blunt as I needed.
Hanako: …So then, do you think the answer to regaining it might be—
Yui stops her, holding her arm out.
Yui: Shinju’s comin’ back, I can feel it. Get ready, Hanako.
A nearby manhole rattles and rises up, overflowing with water. After a certain amount of water has come up, the manhole sinks back down, completely dry. The water rises up and reforms into Shinju.
Shinju: Nothing around here at all. It’s totally clear, at least everywhere ‘cept the building itself. (She pulls down her hood, pulling on her hair thoughtfully) I guess they have it on good authority that Cecilia’s sight is broken, so there’s no way we’d just find this place…
Hanako: W-Wait, no sign of anyone? No Melati, no Aisha, no other Balancers or conscripted Puellae…? Yui, this has to be a trap—
Yui: We’re going. Now. Move out. (Yui begins making her way swiftly, yet carefully toward the building)
Shinju: (She gives Hanako a look and shrugs, before hurrying after Yui)
Hanako: W… Wait! (After a moment, she follows behind, catching up without much hesitation. Thankfully, she knows better than to announce her presence by yelling at Yui.) {Wh-what if this is a trap?}
Yui: {I don’t care. It probably is. This is us walking into an ambush, I’d put money on it. …But if it’s not, we get Aoi out clean and easy. I’m not passing that up, Hanako. The mission is to get Aoi home. Alive. If the enemy slipped up and made it easy for us? I’ll take it. Right, Shinju?}
Shinju: {Yeah… s’far as they know, the only way we have to find a place like this is broken so they might not expect us. Maybe all their intel kinda worked against them here.}
Yui: {That’s what I’m betting on.}
She slipped from one building to another, occasionally waving the others over. Sure enough, Yui cannot feel any other souls present, save for the faint trace of Aoi’s, and… another. The patient, probably.
Yui: {But I’m not gonna give Aisha or Melati time to come home while we wait for a trap to spring that might not even be set.}
Shinju: {So it’s this building, huh?}
Yui: {…Yeah. You didn’t see or sense anyone or anything else nearby, right? Just double checking.}
Shinju: {Not at all. And if you don’t sense any souls either… well, I guess Incubators could still have combat robots or drones that don’t have souls.}
Yui: {Robots and electricity don’t mix well, I’m told. …On my mark. Ready?}
After a moment, Yui kicks open the warehouse door, staff in hand. There is not much here— towering, empty shelves, a few empty shipping containers, bamboo coming up through the floor where the roof leaks. This is one of the more intact warehouses in the area, the walls and doors still secure.
A loud, hollow pounding comes from the floor below, like something hitting the inside of a container. It echoes through the silent warehouse.
Shinju: {What’s that? … from the basement?}
Yui: {The fuck…?}
Shaking her head, Yui begins looking around for any way down. A large freight elevator lies open at one end, the platform at the bottom, unpowered. The Puellae quietly leap down into the basement.
The basement is completely empty save for a single enormous container on the floor in the middle. Bright white, with perfectly rounded and smooth corners, slightly glowing in the darkness. A square button is illuminated on its otherwise featureless walls.
The pounding is louder down here, obviously coming from inside the box. Something large is striking the walls from the inside.
Shinju: {Aoi’s not gonna still be banging on the door after it’s been so many days, right…?}
Yui: … (She walks forward, towards the box) {This is it. Melati came out of this thing in the vision Cecilia had, and her Witch, Micaela, showed me in full. Aoi is here. But what’s causing that banging…?}
Hanako: (She cautiously approaches the button on the wall) {Does this… open the box, you think?}
Not getting any resistance from the other two, Hanako reaches toward the button. A door appears out of a completely smooth surface, sliding open. The light from within spills out, blindingly bright after the darkness of the warehouse.
In the middle, Aoi lies unconscious inside a large case with a glass window, propped up to face the entrance. Her wings are spread out and held down with numerous pins, like a mounted butterfly. A mask is fitted over her nose and mouth, and the sound of medicinal gas being pumped in is barely audible.
Barely audible over the noise from the aquarium on the right side of the room. A large, iridescent sea serpent is inside, furiously ramming every wall, pelting the glass with flashes of light, bright ribbons lashing out at every wall, edge, and corner trying to escape. It stops briefly when it sees the door open. It reaches out telepathically before resuming its assault on its prison.
Ritter: {HELP! There, middle! Help, help Aoi!}
And Yui hesitates. Only for a moment, a breath in time. Her eyes wander from the case where Aoi is held to the creature clearly calling for help. A moment where Yui is taking in what she sees, the briefest gasp where she reacts like any other human being would in this moment. Amazement, wonder, incredulity, recognition, calculation, all of it in a single moment of hesitation.
But it is only a moment. Yui rushes forward, her head crashing through the glass window. Reaching inward, she opens the case from within, calling back as blood pours down her face.
Yui: OI! You two, get these pins outta her! Now!
Shinju: Wh-what is that thing??
Snapping from her own trance, Hanako manages to tear her eyes away from the serpent, rushing forth to begin pulling pins from Aoi’s wings. After a brief moment brandishing her umbrella towards the aquarium, Shinju follows, working on the other side. As she does, Yui begins gently and delicately, yet as swiftly as she safely can, pulling the mask from Aoi’s face. Sweet-smelling gas seeps out, shutting off when the mask apparently detects it’s been removed.
Aoi is limp in Yui’s arms, her head lolling back. Shinju pauses her work with the pins to take her pulse, finding her Soul Gem in her hand as she does so. White and clean. The serpent pauses its attack, instead swimming anxiously up and down against the glass.
Shinju: I-it’s okay, she’s alive!
Yui: {She’s alive.} (Yui reaches out toward the aquarium telepathically) {We’re taking her home. She’s safe.}
Ritter: (She doesn’t reply, still swimming up and down trying to get a better look)
Hanako: Wh-wh-wh… what is that thing, though?!
Yui: (Somewhat monotone, as if the limits of her sanity have finally been breached, a tone which does not couple well with her bloodied face) …A Puella Magi.
Hanako: What?! B-But that’s—
Yui: Hanako. Get rid of this gas, Aoi doesn’t need to breathe this shit in anymore.
A gentle breeze soon fills the room, focused around Aoi’s head. Shinju, thinking of something, quickly runs back to the door and wedges her umbrella into it.
Shinju: (Muttering) Let’s not all get trapped in here… (She checks outside as well before coming back)
Before long, Aoi coughs and stirs. Faster than any Earth anesthetic would wear off. Hanako happens to be in her line of sight when she opens her eyes.
Aoi: … Hanako…? And Yui… how did you get here…?
Hanako: I, um… w-we… that is to say—
Yui: …We came to get you outta here. C’mon, let’s go home.
Hanako: W-Wait… th-this thi— erm… this… Puella Magi, Yui said? Sh-she should see that Aoi is okay…
Still holding onto Aoi, keeping her steady, she turns to face the aquarium, her expression unreadable, but keeping Aoi in full view. Alive. Awake.
Aoi: Ah… (Speaking both telepathically and out loud) Ritter, it’s okay! These ones are my friends. (She tries to get up, and is pulled back painfully by a pin that was hidden deep among her feathers. She winces and grabs hold of it, pulling) There’s a… button on top of the aquarium to let her out. Up those stairs. It’s okay, she won’t attack you.
Yui: Heh… if she does, she does. Ritter, huh…?
Hanako: W-Wait, it’s dangerous, I’ll—
Yui doesn’t hesitate, however. Making sure Aoi is stable first, she makes her way up the stairs, finding the button and pushing it without a second thought.
Yui: {I’m Yui. Nice to meet you. Um… please don’t attack, I promise I’m here to help.}
Ritter: (She slowly emerges from her aquarium with a throat swollen with water, letting the water slide off herself. Evidently, she is being careful to move slowly and not agitate anyone)
Yui: (A little smile creeps onto her face. It’s gentle, but also doesn’t pair too well with the blood on her face. With a satisfied nod, she backs up, giving her more room)
Shinju: Um… is this the “patient” we heard Melati talking about?
Aoi: Yeah. (Finally pulling the last pin free, she stands to her feet. She totters into Hanako, still dizzy from the gas. She gives her wings a flap. Unlike before, the feathers are clean and her wings are straight and unbroken again) Wanted me to heal her so they could take her back to the Incubator planet…
Hanako: (Catching Aoi as carefully as she can, though using wind to steady herself) Whoa…
Shinju: I think we were expecting a human!
Ritter: {Huuuman. Many!} (She slides down the stairs with some difficulty, slithering across the floor. She beelines for Aoi, spiraling up and wrapping herself around Aoi like a boa constrictor)
Aoi: Oop. H-hey there! I’m okay. (She pats Ritter’s coils)
Hanako: {Hu… huuuuman. Y-Yes!} (Quietly) Sh… she looks like our eyes do when we go Venefica in Puella… b-but far more vibrant.
Yui: (She rejoins the others) It’s all starting to add up now. All of this… (She shakes her head quickly) …No. No time for speculation. Not here, not now. We gotta get you home, Aoi. ‘Fore they come back.
Aoi: Sorry, but can we take this girl too? (She taps Ritter’s body)
Yui: (Without missing a beat) Figured you two were a package deal. What the hell, why not?
Ritter: (She uncoils, placing herself beside Aoi. Despite how large she looks in the water, when coiled to stand on the ground she’s the shortest one present)
Shinju: Huh? I mean… how? What is it, anyway?
Aoi: A… whaleworm. From another planet that the Incubators worked on.
Hanako: Worked on…? So she… really is a Puella Magi, like Yui said? W-Wait, logistically speaking, how are we going to keep her, um… hydrated?
Shinju: U-uh… I could take plenty of water with us, but… last I checked, New Eden hasn’t got a tub. I’ve got one at home, but… no, no! I’m not gonna sneak a space alien onto a military base to have it live in my tub. That’s crazy.
Ritter: {Military…? Oh! Ritter! You, a ritter too!}
Yui: Holy shit… {The second I can think clearly again, I have like… a billion questions.}
Shinju: Wha– me?
Aoi: A fighter. She means a fighter.
Shinju: Uh, I-I guess… can we get a tub or something in New Eden? Kinda small, but to move this aquarium we’d prob’ly need a truck…
Yui: I can do that. The Third Angel still owes me a favor, anyway. …Barring that, ‘Haku could help. Probably (She pulls out her phone, then makes a call, her voice sounding as though she’s about to collapse) …Hey, Anisa? (Her voice finally cracks, emotion leaking through) Any shot you can get like… a big fucking truck over to the industrial district? I need a ride home. …Foooor me and a few friends.
Mitakihara Original 