Lady Justice Madoka Chapter 3

It was noon the next day.

Aya was sitting within an abandoned warehouse in her normal schoolgirl outfit, waiting for the other girls. Unlike them, she didn't have to go to school today. But she met with all the girls before that she planned on registering and training the girls in her system. They decided to rendezvous at this chosen place when they took a break in the afternoon. She and Athena waited inside the empty building as Homura came first almost immediately at that time. So did Kyubey.

Aya was surprised to see their early arrival in contrast to the others as a while passed. She knew it was either that Homura and Kyubey are usually quick or the other girls were often late. Judging by how she saw Homura's abilities and Kyubey having clones, her mind was on the former hypothesis. But she didn't mind if it was the latter either.

Aya looked to Homura. "Impressive that you came this quick, Ms. Akemi."

Homura turned to her. She looked back again and let out a "Yes."

But shortly after, she faced Aya again as if she wanted to talk. Aya noticed this and looked at her.

"Aya Masa," Homura said. "Are you certain of what you are saying?"

Aya was confused. But predicted what she meant and said, "About the Hope Crystals? If you're still concerned about Madoka, then yes. All the girls are clean when registered, so it's not like you always have to collect Grief Seeds or anything like that."

"That too." Homura said as it was unexpected by Aya. "But also about the AMF. Is it true, the AMF are planning an invasion of Mitakihara City?"

Aya was shocked as she looked at Homura. "Who told you? Kyubey?"

"Yes," Homura answered. "He has been acting very strange today. Usually, he doesn't give many details and you can not trust him."

"And yet I'm surprised he was able to tell you this." Aya sighed. "It's more than Mitakihara. About Earth itself is in danger."

"But they're starting here at least."

"Exactly. That's why we need you and Kyubey's cooperation when we're out fighting against them. We're capable of fighting them no matter what odds are against us, but it's still better if we were together. You know, like in case they bring something with them that too much for us."

"I understand." Homura was right on one thing, Kyubey normally wouldn't give many details, which rendered him untrustworthy. From what she knew, Kyubey was also very manipulative and wouldn't focus so away from Madoka, which he aimed for a contract. Aya must have known this and in spite of it, the two have been cooperating well. Homura considered this illogical to him and wondered why.

Before Homura opened her mouth to speak, Kyubey already guessed an answer to her attempted question. "So they're coming for us and magical girls in total. Not just the Witches."

Aya said in response, "We can only conclude they're the reason you can find neither Witches nor Grief Seeds. The AMF is out there reaping them for itself."

"That is the same conclusion I would make based on your information. A large amount of magical girls were contracted in our search only to have them and our clones disappear without warning. It's the most logical choice that we can make."

Homura agreed with a nod as she turned to Kyubey, "And because so, you're cooperating well with everyone. Not the way you'd usually act, Kyubey."

Kyubey looked at Homura. "The Grief Seeds are most important to us. We need the energy they collect. If this is what's happening, then we have no other alternatives."

Homura stood corrected. But you should still have your guard up, she thought.

The girls and their accompanying creatures saw three nearby figures coming into the warehouse. Aya and Athena could see clearly who they were. It took a while for Homura and Kyubey, but they recognized them to be Mami, Madoka, and Sayaka in their school outfits.

As soon as they were very close, Aya greeted the girls. "Welcome back, girls! Glad you came!"

Athena then screeched and a few of the girls giggled.

Mami began once everyone was silent. "Hope you don't mind if we were late."

Aya smiled. "Of course not. Actually, you were quite on time. Your friends just came early."

Mami looked at the Homura and Kyubey. She smiled at Homura like she had no more suspicion of her. Homura caught this look and noticed new behavior. Aya and Homura then saw Sayaka's glare at the former, who reacted with a frightened, confused look.

"Today, Mami-senpai has become very different from before, Aya." Sayaka interrogated Aya. "She hasn't become her normal self. We found a Witch recently and she started letting Homura go. Then, she fought so recklessly against the Witch." She turned to Mami. "Now, I appreciate Homura saving her head back there after letting her do as she pleased, but..." She covered up her mouth. "What did you do with her last night?"

Aya blushed a little before taking the courage to spit it out. "I had a talk with Mami when we suddenly woke together in the middle of the night."

Sayaka asked, "What did you two talk about?"

"She told me about being lonely all the time ever since she became a magical girl, she has become that and wasn't able to acquire any friends."

Sayaka turned to her guilty senpai.

"I told her I and even Homura would be on her side, she started acting like this."

"Well, whatever you said. She was acting crazy. She's been asking us weird questions and getting really close to Madoka on our way here."

Madoka blushed with a smile, "I-I gave a similar response. And was more direct. M-Maybe that's how this happened?"

Homura turned and let out a sigh. The other girls looked at her to see something was on her mind.

"What's wrong, Homura?" Aya asked her. "Did we say anything bad?"

"No," Homura said.

"But you seem like you have something related. Is there anything that you're trying to protect, too?"

"Sort of."

"Hmm." Aya looked away a little to expect an eventual answer.

Homura looked at the other girls. Then spoke, "I can only say I'm fighting for something."

Aya knew such an answer would come out as they all looked. She just didn't want to force Homura to say it.

"Like several of you," Homura continued. "I'm also fighting for someone. But that is all. Nothing more."

The other girls expect for Aya, who predicted what it was, were surprised to have her say such a sentence. All this time, she has become so emotionless and even rude to them as if she was fighting for no one but herself.

"That makes two of us," Aya said. "As I'm also fighting for others."

Sayaka chuckled. "So am I."

"As do I now." Mami agreed. "Thanks to Aya."

Aya giggled and Homura hanged as a nod. She and Mami then looked at each other.

"Sorry of my suspicions from earlier, Homura." Mami apologized. "It was quite rude of me before. Acting like such a blind competitor."

"And now you know the truth." Homura nodded. "As long as Madoka is safe, that is all I am concerned with."

Mami looked at Kyubey. "Yes, we are all more aware of what Kyubey is now."

"A creature who had so many clones of himself without telling us?" Sayaka said in anger. "Why did he even call for us? Why didn't he tell us before."

When Kyubey responded, "You never asked." Sayaka clenched her fist in anger.

Madoka joined in to ease the tension. "W-Well, now that everyone is here, shall we get to training?"

"Right," Aya replied as she faced Madoka. "Let us begin."

Aya reached into the front right pocket of her skirt. She took out what appeared to be three Hope Crystals. One stayed in her right hand as she put the other two in her left hand. "I was only able to bring three crystals with me. One is mine and the other two are a backup and a spare one. So I can only have you use two and keep one until I get some more."

"S-Should be okay." Sayaka paused in lack of confidence. "You said any of us can use one, right?"

"Exactly," Aya said as she handed out her two crystals and turned left and right to all the girls. "So who wants to go first?"

Homura stayed put as if she didn't want use it. Sayaka also looked like she wanted to be sure before she went for it.

Madoka called up first. "I guess I should give it a try if what you say is true. You said that about it being like a guide, didn't you?"

"Yes," Aya answered with confidence. "Our system is only there to help you with your life. Nothing more than that. So nothing will change of you except your own self-development."

Madoka said with some courage. "I guess I should give it a try then."

"I will, too." Mami said as she and Madoka came up. "It'll be worth it if you don't need anything to restore magic."

The two picked up each of the crystals as Homura watched cautiously and Sayaka uncomfortably. Aya then walked a little backward and began to give instruction.

"Now," Aya held her last crystal vertically and surrounded it with her hands. "To start with the basic transformation."

Aya closed her eyes and a moment after, the crystal began to glow. The transformation started with her whole body glowing. The gauntlets first appeared, left then right, and her right and left leg clothing a while later with her boots. The belt and pendant materialized as cloak came up. Her body clothing manifested next and finally her scabbard. During the whole sequence, the bright white crystal transformed itself into her sword as it faded into its colors. Once the transformation was done, Aya opened her eyes.

The trio of girls giggled as Homura let out a small hum. Madoka then came to ask, "S-So how does it work?"

"It's quite simple to start with." Aya began. "All you have to do is tap your mind into the crystal just like I did."

"Tap your mind?" Mami was confused.

"Just hold it somewhere and try to put your mind into it like it's part of your body. It's the same for first users and more experienced ones. The crystal will do the rest."

Mami and Madoka understood. The latter tried doing hers first. "W-Well..."

All the other girls watched as she put herself in a position similar to how Aya was. Homura was deeply focused on her as she held her buckler ready for anything unusual It was a few seconds before anything happened, but then it came as the crystal glowed.

Two large translucent white circles grew from above and below Madoka, centering on her. Aya stayed put as the others walked back a little. The circles then closed onto Madoka's chest level as they faded in color from white to pink. When they converged together into one less translucent and brighter, they quickly shrank. Madoka's body faded pink as a transformation sequence began.

Homura was familiar of the transformation sequence as she watched with the other girls. She recognized all her features acquired: the bracelets, high heels, dress, and ribbons holding her hair. She also recognized her given item as the crystal shaped itself into a bow. The only thing that didn't appear that she would expect upon seeing this was a tear drop-like pendant that would hang on her neck. Like Aya said, she was contracted to a new system as the transformation was complete and Madoka opened her eyes.

Madoka looked around to see that the transformation worked. "It worked!" she said smiling as the other giggled.

"You're pretty cute in that outfit." Aya commented.

Madoka closed eyes and appreciated the compliment.

"Now with that, you can try learning your powers to see what you can do."

"Y-You mean I can't just make up all of my powers?"

"Course not. That isn't how it works. You'll have to find them out yourself. But don't worry, you have everyone here to help you."

Madoka giggled with the group, "Thanks, Aya. I'm sure I will."

At that time, Homura let her buckler loose. Just by the fact she did not have anything like a Soul Gem, she knew it was now completely safe.

Sayaka went over to her recently transformed friend and clung onto her from behind. Madoka was shocked by the surprising grab and wanted her to get off.

"What are doing, Sayaka?" Madoka shouted.

"Oh, you're so cute, Madoka!" Sayaka shouted. "I'm not letting you go anywhere!"

"Please Sayaka!" Madoka cried. "It's too tight! Let go! Stop it!"

"Ill never let you go, Madoka! You're definitely going to be my wife now! Mine forever!"

Madoka sounded more like she was laughing and the other girls giggled except for Homura.

Aya turned to Mami. "Well, now it's your turn."

"Agreed," Mami said.

Sayaka got off of Madoka as they all faced Mami repeating the same thing. Like before, the circles appeared and closed at chest-level. However, two things were different from the first one. This time, the circles turned yellow like Mami's hair color. The second and more surprising part was that the transformation sequence and outfit was the same as with her Soul Gem, except without the yellow flower pendant she had. What was left in her hand was the hat she wore. This shocked even Mami.

"It's almost the same as if I used a Soul Gem." Mami said.

"Yes," Aya said in shock. "But I don't think you'll be using magic from your gem this way. Instead, you'll use it infinitely."

Mami found this reassuring. "I'm at least glad that is the case." By then, she had an idea. "Do believe my powers will work the same way?"

"Possibly," Aya said. "Give it a try."

By then, Mami raised her hat. It took a while for her to do anything as she was worried nothing would happen. But she swished her hat and a set of muskets came out as usual. Seeing this, everyone had calmed down as they predicted the same result.

"As I thought," Mami said. Now that her powers can be used the same way, she was calmer like everyone else.

Aya then decided to proceed. She walked back a little more as she said, "Now for phase two."

Everyone focused on Aya as she stepped back from them. She didn't step away that much as she was planning the next part of using her magical girl system.

"For the next lesson," Aya said she stopped. "We shall introduce Familiars."

"Familiars," Mami said. "As in that hawk creature from before?"

"Exactly." Aya turned to her falcon and gave a little wave. "Come, Athena."

Athena screeched as she flew from one of a nearby broken machine and descended to the ground in front of her caretaker. Athena raised her sword and pointed it towards the bird.

Aya called out, "Summon Familiar!"

A large magic circle manifested around Athena and everyone else stood back. Colorful auras appeared and circles around as it grew into a massive vortex. The other girls had to step back a little more just to avoid getting caught within it. They stopped moving backwards once the vortex slowed down. The auras slowly vanished as the large humanoid creature with shiny treasure-colored wings remained.

The other girls and Kyubey looked up at the large beast once again to remind themselves of how these beings resembled Witches. Athena down back at them and knelled to get closer. She nodded in recognition to them from the day before. She looked to her left as Aya walked around an in front of her.

Aya spoke once again, "As you know, Athena, in this state, is what magical girls in my system call a Familiar. And as you figured, they're very like Witches, but they're our companions instead of opponents."

Athena then talked to her from behind. "It is a pleasure to be able to talk once again, Mistress Aya. It's very difficult to communicate through screeching."

Aya turned around to see her Familiar. "I hope they weren't rude giggling about that."

"I accept whatever apology you believe is necessary."

Aya focused more on the other girls. "Like Athena, Familiars can be great allies. Some can help you overcome more obstacles and fight tougher battles."

Mami guessed, "So it's important learn about your Familiars."

"True," Aya said for her statement. "A Familiar is usually based on the girl itself. Not just desires, but backgrounds, personalities, relationships, and so on. So everyone's is different and some are more suitable for certain situations than others. That's a reason why girls in our system our best in groups."

"Well, we definitely are a big group." Sayaka said smiling as she looked around. "So that shouldn't be much of a problem for us."

Madoka joined in. "But we should see what we have."

Aya nodded as she looked to Madoka and Mami. "So, who wants to do it first?"

Mami spoke first. "I will go," she faced Madoka. "Unless she wants to."

Madoka shook her head. "I-I would rather give someone else a chance."

Aya and Mami merely nodded. Aya instructed. "All you have you do is repeat what I did. Just point to the ground somewhere and call out your Familiar." She then warned, "But make sure you have nothing in the way, especially if it's your first time."

The girls were confused. Sayaka asked, "Then why do you need your little bird to summon yours?" She looked at Athena as if she was affected. "No offense."

Athena just stood here with out doing or saying anything. Aya and Sayaka saw that didn't mean much.

Aya faced her trainees again and answered, "Because that was an accident. When I summoned mine first time, Athena flew into the auras and caused a big mutation. Afterward, I thought it was best to require her in the summoning."

"And that must be why you always have her around." Mami said. "You're dependent on her when it comes to that."

Aya nodded.

"Alright then," Mami stepped back a little. "Let's do it."

Everyone stepped backed away to follow Aya's warning. They definitely did not want something to happen to them if they were caught in such a summoning. Once everyone was far away enough, Mami prepared, but then stooped for a moment.

Aya noticed this. "What's wrong?"

Mami looked at her hands. "Shouldn't I have something with me? Like some sort of weapon?"

They all looked around and noticed that she didn't have anything a Hope Crystal would turn into in her hands. "Now that you think about it," Aya realized how the crystal just disappeared, but shook her head. "That's normal for us. All you need is something some item or weapon."

Sayaka asked, "What about the hat?"

"Should work. Give it a try."

Mami complied and took off her hat. Everyone was back on their guard. Mami raised up her hat like Aya did before. She aimed at the ground close to her and shouted "Summon Familiar!"

A magical circle emerged from the ground. As Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami covered their eyes, bright auras manifested and grew into a vortex. Unlike the shiny metallic colors from Aya's summoning, this one was smaller and merely had those of gold, yellow, and orange. It disappeared moments later as a signal that it was over. The trio opened their eyes and like those who watched the whole, they were confused and even baffled by their finding.

Mami's Familiar turned out to be super tiny as it hovered in the air, but still big enough to be visible. Mami had the best view of it. It looked human, but more of a 2-dimensional doll shape. The clothing was similar to a Western prairie girl; it had a teal skirt with a red pocket and a round yellow hat that was most of its head. The chest was very small, the waist was large, and the legs were vortex-shaped like it had no feet. Instead of arms, the Familiar had two yellow ribbons longer than its height. There was also some kind of price tag on her. All of this was in great contrast to what everyone expected except for Homura, who found it very familiar.

Like most of the other girls, Mami was very puzzled and oblivious. "Uhh…this is my Familiar?"

"I guess so." Aya said.

"I don't know," Sayaka said as she came close to it. "Doesn't it look a little…too small?"

When Sayaka raised her hand to touch, it suddenly flew quickly around Mami. It created what looked like Mami's ribbons and tied Sayaka's hands as she went back in front of Mami.

Sayaka hands were stuck in the ribbons. "Now that was rude! It tied my hands!" Everyone was watching her.

"Maybe it thought you were trying to hurt it." Aya said.

"Well, I wasn't trying to!" Sayaka said angrily as she continued struggling with little success. "Is there anyway that thing could untie this?"

Athena came to her answer, "Only if your senpai, Mami tells her."

Aya contributed, "Familiars would obey no one other than its master and anyone who is allowed to give them orders. Unless Mami says that you're a friend or when it's okay, it will not remove those bonds from you."

Mami listened to this and faced her Familiar. She called it, "Please remove the ribbons from her hands." The Familiar turned to Sayaka and then back to her. "It's alright. She's a friend of mine. She won't hurt you."

A moment later, the Familiar complied. It went close to Sayaka once again. Sayaka saw the ribbons disappear and could move her hands again.

While moving her hands, Sayaka said to Mami "Next time, make sure it doesn't go so tight. My hands nearly got sore from that."

Mami just smiled and the Familiar turned to her. "I'll make sure of it."

"Perhaps you should give it a name." Aya suggested. "The Familiar looks like she has a tag."

Mami then noticed the tag on her Familiar and went up to it. It hesitated a little, but Mami said, "Don't worry. I won't hurt you either." The Familiar calmed down as Mami looked up on its little tag. What came to her surprise was that it had runes carved on it.

Not sure what's going on, Aya asked, "What is it?"

"These runes on her tag," Mami said. "I've seen them before."

Kyubey suddenly walked up and went on Mami's shoulder to get a closer look. "She's right," he said in confirmation. "They're the same as the ones usually found our system."

"Wonder how did it managed to get that?"

Aya guessed, "Maybe it's something to do with your system?"

"What does it say?"

"According to this," Kyubey read the tag. "It's says 'CANDELORO DU POLIGNAC'. It must be some kind of name."

"Candeloro…" Mami thought.

"Maybe that can be good name." Madoka said. "I-It's already on the tag, so why not?"

Mami turn to Madoka and giggled a little as she was thinking the same thing. "Yes. Also sounds quite meaningful." She looked back at her Familiar. "Well then, Candeloro should be her name." She touched her little Familiar in the chest as it went back like it was tickled. Candeloro started flying around as her magical master giggled a little.

Suddenly, Athena began to speak out. "She told me it was nice to see you having friends. She seems to like it a lot."

The other magical girls looked up to her. Mami asked, "You mean it talked?"

"Not directly," Aya corrected her. "That's a power Athena has. She is able to communicate with other Familiars telepathically. It's useful since they're often mute and can't really speak our languages."

"Could it be from the mutation you mentioned?" Kyubey asked.

"That's what we think, too." Athena said. "The accidental mutation gave me these strange abilities and knowledge that were proven to be powerful unexpected benefits."

"Still," Aya warned. "I wouldn't risk it with yours."

The other magical girls nodded in agreement.

Sayaka interrupted as she faced Madoka. "Shall we get to yours?"

Madoka was shocked as if she didn't expect it so soon. She blushed in embarrassment as she smiled. "Well…maybe not right now. I'd rather wait for another time."

All the girls giggled except for Homura, who Madoka saw as if she had the same idea.

Aya and Mami respected her decision as they didn't want to be so hasty. "Well then," Aya spoke. "Would you like someone else to get a chance?"

Madoka nodded as she faced Homura. She saw that she still had no interest in using the Hope Crystal, so she turned to Sayaka. "Say Sayaka, you look like you want a try."

"I guess." Sayaka said. "It's worth a try."

Aya gave a small nod. She turned to Madoka. "In case you don't know how to switch back, it's simple. You just have to tap your mind into your bow just like what you did with the crystal. And as before, the rest is done by itself."

Madoka grinned and repeated the same thing she did when she transformed; she held her bow in front and closed her eyes. The next moment, she grew into a bright light like before with Aya. The transformation reversed itself and the bow shifted its glowing white self back into a Hope Crystal. Madoka opened her eyes and saw she returned to her normal self with the crystal remaining in her hands.

Madoka tossed the crystal over to Sayaka. "Sayaka!"

Sayaka caught the crystal and stepped back. Aya realized she no longer needed instruction and watched her perfectly repeat the process like before. The circles that appeared the last time became blue around Sayaka as she acquired the magical girl outfit she'd get with her Soul Gem. She looked around to see the same outfit, but expected it after seeing Mami. She wrapped the cloak around to bring out several cutlasses and confirmed everything she predicted.

Aya commented, "You've learned quickly, Sayaka." She continued as Sayaka grinned, "And if you want to." She stopped to see if Sayaka knew what she meant.

"The Familiar! Definitely!"

Sayaka walked backward from a far distance, more than she actually needed to. Everyone watched carefully as she stopped, pointed her cutlass to clear ground, and called out "Summon Familiar!"

The magical circle started off as usual. The vortex picked up in blue with various streaks of lighter and darker variations. This summon became much larger than those of Athena and Candeloro. About everyone except Kyubey and Homura was covering their eyes this time. They were lucky and knew Sayaka had the right idea to back away. They could see why as the vortex started disappearing. By the time the summon was finished, everyone open their eyes. Athena let out a loud gasp by what was appearing as a Familiar. By the time the vortex ended, everyone except Kyubey and Homura was in shock in the sight of Sayaka's Familiar.

The Familiar looked like a giant mermaid about as large as Athena. It was sitting on a decorated round seat with banners and swords sticking out. The lower body was made of scales while the fin had a pattern of what looked like one colorful heart inside another. The upper body had armor of a knight and the arms carried two small medieval cutlasses with the blades facing the Familiar. It wore a large pink bow-tie and a massive blue cloak. For the head, it looked like a tin man helmet, having three horns for eyes and a tall fan-skeleton-like crown with a musical measure bar and several notes. Behind the head was a large heart with patterns of teal and red diamonds. It stood there and moved in a low frame-rate much like the other Familiars and Witches. But it eventually turned its head to search its surroundings.

Sayaka was still frozen in shock of her gigantic Familiar. Madoka and Mami were more surprised after analyzing it more. Homura remained still and hanged with eyes closed. But Athena readied in battle stance while her master watched and did the same.

As the Familiar looked around, it soon saw Athena and started screeching a little. This got Mami and Madoka's attention as they turned to Athena. Sayaka's Familiar let out more of a distorted roar and Athena gripped more of her sword. Then as it shouted, it raised its two swords in the air.

Wheels appeared in an instant behind the Familiar and suddenly flung at Athena. Aya jumped to side and her Familiar flew to avoid them. Athena flapped her wings for a while as she descended near her challenger. She aimed for the Familiar's hand with her sword, but was blocked by the two cutlasses. The Familiar split its weapons in both horizontal directions and Athena jumped backwards to avoid the attack. After regaining grip on the floor, Athena charged at the mermaid again.

Everyone around found this dual confusing and terrible as two large creatures clashed. Madoka was in pain to see such a thing occurring, two Familiars fighting each other rather than together. Mami and her Familiar stood there; they remained completely oblivious to what was happening in front of them. Homura only stood silently and Sayaka wanted to do something about it.

Aya decided to come to Athena, who was knocked back by the mermaid's weapons. She talked to her Familiar, "What's going on, Athena?"

"She thinks I am an enemy." Athena replied. "I warned her I had no intention to harm her."

Aya looked at the mermaid creature screeching at the duo. She also saw Sayaka still in shock and turned to Mami and Candeloro. "Someone give us a hand, please? We can't let the fight continue like this."

Mami snapped out of the confusion. "Right," she complied and faced Candeloro. "Let's tie this Familiar and calm it down."

Before the mermaid creature was about to launch another attack, yellow ribbons appeared and tied her arms towards the ground. It shouted more as it tried to struggle free of the bonds. Though Mami was certain it couldn't escape, the ribbons suddenly broke apart and the mermaid lashed back at her and her Familiar. Candeloro dodged a swung cutlass, but Mami was struck in the chest and sent flying toward a wall. Candeloro continued to create more ribbons around the mermaid. Athena and Aya also joined in to help pin it down helplessly.

Sayaka felt irritation that her Familiar continued to senselessly fight. She walked around her Familiar as it continued to struggle with rage. When she appeared quickly at the front, she raised a cutlass at her Familiar. She took a deep breath and shouted, "Stop this now!"

The mermaid stopped and looked up at its supposed master. It saw the glaring Sayaka was not pleased.

"What are you doing, attacking someone else's Familiar like this!" Sayaka continued, "All of these people here are my friends! Both girls AND Familiars! Shouldn't you treat them with more respect?"

The Familiar let out a small screech. It either understood or was still wasn't convinced enough to obey.

"Remember that I'm your master here! I don't want to hurt you, but if you're going to hurt anyone else who is my friend, then I will not summon you again!"

There was a long pause from the Familiar as it stared at the cutlass point towards her. It hanged a little and its body dropped, showing to have given up the needless struggle.

Everyone rested on the sudden incident. Aya and Athena got off from the creature, but kept their guard in case it started going berserk again. Mami got up to see the mermaid calm down now. Candeloro even stopped making the ribbons. Sayaka put down her cutlass. Kyubey only started. Homura hanged her head and Madoka sighed with relief.

"That was a close one." Sayaka said as she turned to Aya.

"But why?" Madoka asked. "Why did she try to attack Athena?"

"Maybe because she's a harpy." Aya said. "Harpies and mermaids are natural enemies of each other. Athena must have put her guard up once she realized Sayaka's Familiar was a mermaid. She had the right idea in case she was seen as an enemy."

Mami nodded, but everyone else had little care of what was the cause. It was over for now, so it didn't matter.

Sayaka saw her Familiar get out of its restraints more easily and rise up. "Now, what to call her…"

Homura suddenly spoke, "Oktavia…"

Sayaka got a shock as she turned to Homura. "Homura?"

Homura just paused for a while. "It was just a suggestion."

The mermaid knight turned to Athena and let out a screech to her. Everyone turned to see the two.

Moments later, Athena said, "She says that is the name she's goes by."

"Goes by?" everyone was in surprise.

Aya was confused. "Wouldn't expect a Familiar to give itself a name." She turned to Candeloro. "Well, except for Candeloro. It must be a related reason."

"She says that her full name is Oktavia von Seckendroff. Homura must have known her name already."

Homura, seeing the girls stare at her, remained calm. "Lucky guess."

Sayaka ignored it and looked up at her Familiar as if she were in charge. "Okay then, Oktavia. As for now on, you shall be my Familiar! And together, we shall defend the Earth from Witches and the evil Anti-Magic Faction in the name of Mitakihara!"

Oktavia looked around to see the giggling girls, the Familiars, and Kyubey. It looked to Sayaka after and gave a roar as if it complied.

Aya and Athena sighed in relief. Despite this sudden struggle, the lesson went by with success. Aya walked forward in order to get the center of attention. "I think that wraps up this lesson."

Sayaka looked to her. "Already?"

"We've already been here for quite a while now," Mami said. "We should start heading back."

Aya faced Athena. "Sorry for the short summon, but I think it's time you turn back now."

"I accept." Athena said. "Despite the unexpected interruption, it's been an honor meeting our new allies and speaking again to our recent ones."

Aya grinned. She turned to everyone. "Okay now. Now for the last part, unsummoning your Familiars." Everyone paid attention to her. "Again, as what you girls saw on our first encounter, it's simple. Just point an item of yours towards your Familiar and call out 'Unsummon'. And like before, the Familiars will disappear and either is reserved for later use or change back to what it was before. Like a falcon in my case. Everyone clear?"

All the girls nodded.

"Good. Now let's unsummon our Familiars together."

The three Familiars stood still as they watched their respective magical girls hold items at them: Sayaka with her cutlass, Aya with her sword, and Mami with her hat. Together, their masters called out "Unsummon!"

Vortexes manifested around the three creatures. All of which had their unique or partly unique colors as they covered the Familiars and shrank. A few seconds passed when they vanished. Oktavia and Candeloro disappeared while Athena changed back to her falcon form. Aya's pet flew over to Aya's shoulder and screeched.

Aya looked at her pet and back. "And now, to go back to normal."

"Right." Sayaka and Mami responded.

The three held their items- the same ones used to unsummon the Familiars- and tapped into them. They transformed into their normal uniforms and their items morphed into Hope Crystals.

"And that," Aya declared. "That concludes the basics to our system."

The girls all giggled except for a merely nodding Homura.

Mami came up to Aya and handed her crystal. "Here's your crystal back. I can wait until you get the others."

Aya giggled. "Thanks." She took the crystal and turned to Sayaka. She was now smiling like she was excited for this kind of experience. "It looks like you're psyched. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your Hope Crystal. If you want to keep it that is."

"Of course!" Sayaka giggled as she changed to a more embarrassed face. "Though I may need to work more with my Familiar." She changed back to being more confident. "But yeah, it should help as a new kind of magical girl!"

"And you were right." Mami looked to her as she raised her own Soul Gem, noticing how it remained as clean as before. "Nothing changed of my Soul Gem either. A good alternative when you don't want to waste magic."

"And that's why I'm keeping it!" Sayaka exclaimed.

Madoka joined in, "D-Don't forget about me, Sayaka! I need to know my powers, too!"

Sayaka giggled and wrapped an arm around Madoka. "Of course not, Madoka! There's no way I could ever forget you!"

Mami and Aya giggled in agreement.

"Well anyway," Mami continued. "It's time to go now."

Homura and Kyubey gave a nod. All of Aya's company started to leave out the warehouse door.

"Well," Aya said. "Don't want to make you late. I guess I'll see you next time!"

The girls waved as they and Kyubey left. Once they disappeared from her sight, she hanged down and smiled. She was proud things were making progress and she hoped for the best as well as the worst. A minute or two later, she and her pet were the last to leave.