Author's note: Hi! I am back! I thought I'd never get back into updating this story. So many things happened. I went through a very personal crisis and struggled a lot, which explains why it took some time for me to get back here. I honestly lost motivation to write but I am getting back at it little by little. I am posting a chapter for the story. This is a little short, but I promise I will make up to it on the next update. I can't say when the next update will be, but I will do my best. Cheers and continue to spread goodness!

Zwanzig: Can we actually trust her?

The following day, Homura and Mami met for lunch at the roof…

"Can we actually trust her?" Mami brows furrowed as she interrupted Kyuubey's explanation.

Maybe trusting her isn't a thing you should do, Kyuubey looked up to both Homura and Mami, its tone of voice not changing. However, it appears that the three of you will have common enemies.

"The politician's daughter and the clawed magical girl with her," Mami thought out loud. "What do you know about them so far, Homura?"

"Mikuni Oriko has no clear offensive abilities." Homura recalled that Oriko mostly doesn't attack with magic but uses objects nearby. "She mostly uses nearby objects as projectiles to attack."

"Kirika appears to be an agile fighter, but in reality, she has time manipulating powers." Homura elaborated the knowledge she gained from previous timelines. Mami listened to Homura attentively and didn't interrupt.

"She is able to slow down the inner time of those around her, making it an advantage for her to evade attacks."

That's correct. Kyuubey interjected. I am impressed on how you have come to know this information.

"Shut up." Homura shot down Kyuubey with a glare.

"In that case, we need to be careful of Kirika-san's powers." Mami said in caution, which Homura agreed to by nodding her head. "If we were to help Kanna-san, would we be allowed to get help from another magical girl should the need arise?"

Are you thinking of getting Sakura Kyoko involved? Kyuubey questioned.

"Why? Is there something wrong with that?" Mami wondered.

While I consider Sakura Kyoko as a powerful ally, she and Kanna Nico are not in good terms. Kyuubey said nonchalantly.

"Territory war, I am guessing." Mami sighed.

But with you being a duo of strong magical girls already, I think you will have the upper hand. Kanna Nico's abilities are powerful as well. Kyuubey mused. She was able to destroy Sakura Kyoko's spear and blow it into tiny pieces without effort.

"Rendere O Romperlo," Homura whispered.

"Right. Make or break." Mami noted. "In this case, looks like she's able to concentrate her energies to destroy things at will."

"The only disadvantage she has is the time she needs to make it a much stronger attack." Homura said in monotone, recalling the blast from the bus station. "It will make it hard for her to use that technique in complex situations, given the nature of Kure Kirika's time manipulation abilities."

"Do you think we should train her a little and have her learn a few offensive tricks?" Mami suggested.

"Not totally against the idea. That would help." Homura agreed on the suggestion, both girls looked at each other in the eyes and they seem to have made a decision.

"Have Kanna-san drop by the apartment tonight." Mami smiled. "Let's invite her over for a cup of tea before getting in to the serious talk."

I will let her know. Kyuubey disappeared through the wall. Homura stood near the roof's barbed fence, overviewing the school grounds below.

"I honestly find Oriko and Kirika more threatening than Kanna Nico," Homura admitted. "I am glad you caught on." Mami stood beside the raven-haired girl, her hand sliding through Homura's palm, "I believe what you say about those two, Homura."

The raven-haired girl smiled at the thought of Mami believing her, even if the encounter with Oriko and Kirika on that timeline is considered nonexistent due to Madoka's wish.

"Say Homura, I've got tickets to the amusement park. Would you like to join me this weekend?" The blonde girl asked Homura out of the blue, her cheeks tinged with a pink blush.

"I would love to." Homura said softly, a bright pink blush was present on her cheeks.

"Thank you for the update, Incubator," Nico was fiddling with her tablet, the GPS map has 5 colored dots blinking, indicating the location of nearby magical girls—including herself.

Both Akemi Homura and Tomoe Mami are formidable, and their partnership formed a strong team to defeat wraiths roaming around the city. The incubator commented. You made an excellent decision to team up with them.

Now that's done, I need to get that fake out of the way. Nico thought of the other problem, Jyuubey.

You're spacing out again, Kanna Nico. Kyuubey commented.

"Get lost," Nico blurted.

The incubator disappeared into the darkness.

Nico walked down the city streets on the way to her destination, Tomoe Mami's apartment. Her get up's just like what most teenagers her age would wear. Hoping that it's enough for her not to draw attention.

As reached her destination, she thought of the worst. She knew that these two magical girls may not trust her because of her hidden intentions. I have gotten this far, might as well not turn back now.

She pressed the button.

I'll be at the door, Kanna-san. Mami spoke through telepathy.

The door opened seconds later and was let in by the blonde girl who happily welcomed her. Inside was Homura, seated on the floor near the glass tea table. There was cake and tea for all 3 of them to enjoy.

"Thank you…for inviting me over." Nico said timidly. "I didn't expect you'd accept."

"We're still not fully aware of your situation," Mami said, with seriousness in her tone of voice.

"Keep in mind that if this is to lure us to give up this territory, you'll know your place." Homura followed, serving as a warning to platinum-haired girl. Mami held onto Homura's hand and looked at her in the eye, pleading not to be hostile.

"I understand," Nico replied in a serious yet monotonous voice. "I am not after your territory. I am after the scums who killed my friends."

"Very well," Mami poured tea to Nico's cup. "This seems like a long discussion coming up ahead."