I hate posting drabbles as separate pieces, and would rather keep them as one large collection per series. Thus I begin my collection for Madoka. I hope to slowly build this set and it will feature a variety of characters.
This particular drabble was done for yuri_challenge on LiveJournal. It was part of a lightning round challenge. Lightning round pieces are to be no more than 300 words and must answer the given prompt. The prompt this time was "sacrifice". I knew that this particular idea fit perfectly.
Burden of Hope
I watched you die many times. Over and over again. I had to watch you endure the pain, unable to stop it. You always fought until the end, and every time, it was different. At first, I could do nothing. I was powerless, weak. I held you and the others back many times. I didn't understand what I had truly gotten myself into. I only knew that I couldn't stand by and watch you cry any longer.
I continued to rewind and change Time. I wanted to keep you from your fate, wanted to keep you from taking on the burden that you had so many times before. Each time, I became stronger, more determined. I shed my naiveté as each route failed and I had to start over again. How many times I met you… your smiling face always gave me hope that this might be the time I succeeded in changing destiny.
My heart breaks now, seeing you standing before me, knowing what you wish to do. Yet again I have failed to keep you from taking on this burden. Will I see you die before me once again? I don't think I can bear to see you marred by such darkness. The urge comes to me, to rewind once more, and my body begins to comply with that urge. I will try again, making as many sacrifices to relive these moments as need be. And then… I stop, holding back.
As you speak and then embrace me, I feel the warmth of your touch, and something else. Fear is all I can feel, but in your words I take solace in the bit of comfort they provide. I do not know the outcome. I can only watch as you take on the contract of a Puella Magi.