Neoakemi rode down the night road on her cyber-cycle. It roared on the highway just like a real motorcycle, as long as Neoakemi wanted it to, that was.

And she did.

She kept Shinigamidoka forever in her thoughts, but that was the only place she would ever be.

“We’d really like you on our team,” Madoka said. “You’ll even get your own black sombrero. Optional. Of course.”

“I can’t,” Neoakemi said. “I’m my own woman. And I have to figure out what I’m doing with my own life.”

This was not her home. Not yet, at least. So she had to discover herself, and learn exactly what kind of person this new universe wanted her to be.

Neoakemi pulled over at a roadhouse and got off her cyber-cycle, which dissipated into nothingness as soon as she stepped away. She kicked the doors open and the tough bikers and truck drivers within stopped what they were doing and stared.

“I’m looking for Wallace Welsh, wanted for murder and extortion,” she said. “He was last spotted sixteen miles from here. Anyone know anything?”

“Get lost,” one of the bald-but-with-a-mustache guys growled.

“No,” she said.

The men began getting out of their chairs and coming over to her. One of them pulled out a switchblade.

This would be fun.

***

Overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge was one conspicuous individual. He was not visible to most eyes, despite the way he stood out; this was something he preferred.

The sunset was beautiful this time of the year. Though this was the only time he had ever seen a sunset in this part of the world, so maybe it was beautiful at all times in the year.

He knew that this new world of his was ripe for business. What was this business, you ask?

Witches. Monsters. Entropy.

Kyokannibal provided the intel, and Gyuhey followed through. This new world was strange, wondrous, and potentially very profitable.

It was a bright new day for that blue-furred, green-eyed beast watching the sun sink into the ocean.

***

“It’s a boy!”

Sayaka, high on meds and high on pain, reached out her hand and pointed at the baby. “A… boy?” she stammered out. “That’s… really weird!” she shouted before passing out.

The doctors looked at each other and shrugged.