The morning light trickled gently into the room. The occupant in said room, mumbled in their sleep when the light hit their face, rolling over, curling up as tightly as they could.
"No… S'not mornin'..." The occupant muttered, huddling back under the blankets.
There was a voice chuckling and before they realized it, they had someone nudging them in the back.
"C'mon hon' time to get up and get out of that bed."
"Noooo…. It's too early…" The person, a young girl of about 14 whined a little as she sat up, yawning loudly.
The person who had roused her, a blue and white crop duster plane, chuckled at her. "C'mon Clara, the sooner you help me out there the sooner you can take a nap later… In the sun… Maybe in the grass during noon…"
That temptation was enough to rouse young Clara from her bed as she got up, shaking her head quickly, trying to wake herself up more. "I'll be out in a bit…" She mumbled, running a hand through her long brown hair, trying to get it in check. "Promise Ben…"
Benjamin "Ben" Crophopper smiled, shaking his nose a bit at the girl. "Of course kiddo…" He wheeled out of her room as she closed the door.
Inside, Clara looked at herself in the mirror, exhausted but willing to work. She took a moment to study her features. Pale skin that was getting a tan from the hours spent working in the sun, long light brown hair that hung around her waist and her eyes… The strangest thing about her she decided. A piercing red that could look innocent one second and fierce the next.
She sighed as she braided her hair, tying it with an icy blue ribbon before donning her work clothes. Off work she preferred dresses, the lighter and more comfortable the better. For work, she wore a long sleeved cotton shirt and tan slacks with her work boots. Clothes she didn't mind getting dirty.
Once she was ready, she smiled and grabbed her favorite hair clip, pinning some of her bangs to the side before running out of her room and outside to the fields, stopping midway to grab a bucket of feed.
I do love it out here… I just hate waking up so early!
It was barely dawn, the air was still cool and the sun hadn't fully risen yet to provide its warmth. She heard a whistle as she looked up to see Ben flying over.
"Look who rolled outta bed finally!" He joked as she broke into a run to keep up with her friend.
"Says the shepherd who sleeps like the dead!" She shot back giggling. Now that they were both outside it was time to work.
Ben chuckled. "I like my sleep, so I just keep sleeping."
He blew his whistle again and within moments of herd of sheep came running in, following right behind Ben and Clara. Clara ran beside the sheep, giggling as they made their way across the fields to one of the more open pastures where the sheep could graze in peace. Away from all the noise of the town.
After they arrived at their spot, Ben banked around, making a landing, checking on some of the sheep with Clara to be sure they were healthy and none of them were sick. Thankfully none were and no injuries to report of either.
Ben sighed in relief. "With all that's been going on been worrying that some of the sheep might get caught in some of the cross fire."
Clara nodded. "But the fights haven't gotten that close have they? As far as I've heard most of the combat taken place outside the borders."
"Yeah but that doesn't mean the possibility of there being leaks, plus our pastures are close to the borders so…" Ben sighed. "I'll be honest… I'm really hating this war going on…"
"I think everyone does." Clara sat on one of his wings, looking up at the sky. "Machine and huminid… it's just been awful."
Ben closed his eyes. "A war… and machines dropping like flies because of illnesses that seem to be popping out of nowhere… What the heck has happened to our world?"
"That's something everyone wants to know." Clara sighed. "There's just no answers at the moment."
"Yep…"
The two sat in silence before going back to work. Ben being sure all the sheep were accounted for and Clara spreading out some feed for them to eat. Afterward when the sun had finally started to come out they took time to enjoy its rays and the warmth they gave.
"Ah that feels nice…" Clara sighed happily as she lied down in the grass.
Ben chuckled, nodding slightly in a agreement. He closed his eyes, feeling the heat sink into his carbonfiber body.
It's nice and quiet too… moments like these are treasured in times like this…
There was the sound of whirring blades that interrupted their quiet. They looked up to a see deep purple blue and white helicopter flying in. Ben smiled as he recognized who it was.
"Ah! Good morning Homura! Glad to see you!" he called out.
Homura gave a shy smile as she made a landing by them. "I-I decided to come out for some air… W-Was feeling a lot better today so I thought I'd come see you guys… and the sheep."
Ben's look softened. "That's right you've had the bug that's been hitting all the machines, glad you're doing so much better."
She nodded. "Y-Yes… just glad to be alive."
Clara smiled getting up. "And we're glad you're alive too hon'. Thanks for dropping by."
"Y-You're welcome… Are the sheep doing alright?"
"Yep, no problems to report of at the moment, thankfully."
"Good… Did… Did you two hear what happened yesterday?"
Ben narrowed his eyes. "Would be surprised if no one knew. The gun shots could be heard from miles away."
Clara nodded, frowning. "Yeah, it's been nuts… We stayed inside most of the day once the gunshots started going off… Didn't wanna possibly et hit…"
Homura shivered a little. "It's awful how close they're getting… Jericho looked terrible when he came home with his squadron all shot up and bleeding…"
Ben cringed a little. "Yeah saw that. My friend, Goose, one of the superhornets of the squadron, was pretty banged up too, but he made it through luckily."
"It's been rough on everyone…" Clara brought her arms around herself, looking to the sky, half expecting to see more than the usual bird like smaller planes. "Keep looking out my window expecting bullets to come raining down… I heard there was other huminids with some of the enemies… Is that true?"
"Goose said it was true and the scarier part… they're all in their adolescent years. Not a single adult among them… and they're invincible. Jericho saw one of them heal right before his eyes."
Homura's eyes widened in horror. "B-But then… w-what do we do…? If they can't be beaten…"
Ben gave a bit of a reassuring look. "Well… maybe not entirely invisible. One other thing that was mentioned was some of them did go down and STAYED down but they're not sure why."
Clara shuddered. "Either way it's scary to think kids like me and Homura could do something that… evil… It's wrong!"
"Have they found out the motives?" Homura asked.
"Kind of…" Ben glanced at the ground. "Jericho wasn't entirely sure but the best he could put it… They've lost their minds… He talked about how one of them stated and he quotes: "We'll eventually end up becoming the embodiment of curses in time, so we might as well just start being it now." He's not sure what to make of it… but they aren't huminid anymore… they made that clear. They call themselves Puella Magi or Magical Girls if you prefer english."
"Magical girls?" Both echoed confusion coming onto their faces.
"Magic… They're using actual magic!?"
"It would seem so. Goose spoke of one of the huminids using a bow that had unlimited arrows that had a glow around them and the healing process Jericho saw screamed magic." Ben closed his eyes. "I know we've been taught that there is other higher powers in our world but… I never thought that… something like this actually existed."
Homura got a worried look. "You would think something like Magical Girl would be something of good… not this…"
Clara gulped. "It sounds like something twisted… Like describing an evil witch instead of young girls with powers…"
"The world we live in…" Ben sighed, looking towards the direction the fight had taken place. "It's falling apart… I'm worried for both huminids and machines…"
Homura gazed at the ground. "I keep hearing these awful rumors about the machine race being the first to die out… with all that's happening..." she sniffled a little. "What… What if…?"
Ben rolled over to Homura, nuzzling her gently. "Shhh…."
Homura closed her eyes, nuzzling back. "Ben… I'm scared…"
"We all are…"
"But… But we'll be okay… We all will…" Clara tried to reassure Homura, placing a hand on her side. "Just gotta have faith… It'll all work out."
Homura nodded, sniffling a little. "I just hope it's soon…"
"Yeah…" Ben looked off to the distance again, eyes narrowing.
May the gods and goddesses above help us…
After taking time to calm down, Ben, Clara and Homura turned their attention back to the sheep, trying to get their minds off the war. Homura and Clara decided to go exploring out the outer parts of the pasture, seeing all the wildlife and sometimes interacting with them if it was safe.
They were currently playing with the local horses that lived around Propwash Junction. Homura giggled as one of them nuzzled her nose.
"T-That tickles!"
Clara giggled. "They sure like you Homura-Hey!" She squeaked when one tried to take a bite out of her braid. "No! That's not food!"
Homura laughed. "The horse seems to think otherwise!"
"Yeah tell me about it!" She laughed, pulling her hair loose, losing the ribbon as it fell out of shape. "And there goes another hair ribbon… Swear these horses are hoarding them somewhere!"
Another horse nuzzled Homura, keeping close to her.
Homura giggled nuzzling back. "Good boy…" she whispered.
The horse whinnied a little, nuzzling more.
Homura closed her eyes, enjoying the moment… then something caught their attention… or rather something had caught the horses attention. They were all looking at something off in the distance and the girls weren't really sure what.
Homura nervously followed their gaze. "I-Is there something in the sky?"
Clara gulped following their gaze before scanning the skies. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. "Squadrons… Squadrons flying over head…"
Homura's eyes shrunk. "Oh no…"
There was a loud whinnie heard off in the distance. The girls turned their attention away from the squadron toward the sound and on the horizon they could see someone riding on a white horse… being pursued by a plane. A small F/A -18 superhornet to be precise.
"HELP!" she cried out. "SOMEONE! ANYBODY!"
The plane sneered, firing at the girl. Her horse picked up its pace, avoiding the bullets to the best of it ability.
Homura gasped. "What do we do Clara?"
"I-I don't know… Those planes are born to kill even if they aren't part of the enemy's side…" She swallowed hard. "I know what they're capable of… But that doesn't mean we can let them take someone else out!" Not if I can help it… Not after what happened to my mom and dad… She picked up a fallen branch and growled. "Let's get 'em!"
Homura nodded, making some distance between her and the horses before she flew into the air. "R-Right!"
Clara nodded, breaking into a run. "HEY YOU! Ugly!" She screamed at the superhornet. "Yeah you! Why not pick on someone your own size!? Or better yet… Pick on someone who doesn't rely on magic!"
The superhornet growled, switching targets. "WHY YOU-!"
She gulped before breaking into a run. "You don't scare me! You're just a kid like me. A STUPID ONE TOO! Didn't your mom teach ya not to play with guns!? You'll shoot your eye out!"
I… Am… SCREWED!
Homura gulped and went to the girl on the horse, keeping up with her. "You okay?"
The girl nodded. "Yes… I'm more worried for your friend there."
"Clara'll be fine… But I better go make sure she hasn't gotten shot at yet… She has a habit of running her mouth when she's good and mad." Homura gave a quick nod before flying after the other girl.
The girl watched as Homura chased after the plane and Clara. Her eyes narrowed.
"So this is how bad it is…" she whispered.
Clara was backed up against a tree the superhornet closing in. "Uh… Can we talk about this?"
"No." They took aim.
WHAM!
And missed when Homura took a chance to ram into them. "How about you get away!?"
The superhornet growled, turning its attention to her. "Fine, I'll settle for you." It ready its guns at Homura.
Homura gasped but didn't move back. She was terrified but she wouldn't let it hurt her friend either. "Alright… Go ahead… Do it…"
"Homura no-!"
CRACK!
The superhornet gasped, its engine stopping causing the plane to fall right to the ground. Homura and Clara looked to see an arrow embedded into the superhornet's helmet where a gem once was.
"Oh my gosh…" Homura landed looking at it. "I… Is it even still alive..?"
Clara gulped. "... I ain't touching it... " Who the heck fired the shot!?
Homura looked over to the girl on the horse to see she was holding a bow in her hands, making her way towards them. The girl dismounted, going over to the superhornet… whose paint job faded away back to a plain grey. The girl knelt beside it, stroking its head.
"I'm so sorry…" she whispered. "But I couldn't let you make others suffer…"
"So… They're gone…" Homura murmured, it was shocking. Neither had seen a plane go down before.
Clara frowned keeping quiet. I wanna say it deserved it, one of it's kind killed my parents… But… It… She… Was a kid too… "I'm just gonna say rest in peace…"
"She will… don't worry. She was just in pain… now she's free."
"Good…." Homura nodded.
"So… That's what does it… A shot to the head…?"
The girl shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure… Some do go down with head shots but it's not guaranteed… Fortunately this time around it was…" She looked over to Homura. "Couldn't let her kill you."
"Thank you… Seriously… Th-Thank you… I'm H-Homura… That's Clara." She said gesturing to the huminid beside her.
"Yeah… I think we'd be the next casualties if you hadn't stepped in."
The girl nodded. "It's nice to meet both of you… I'm Madoka."
"Madoka…" Homura echoed. She looked Madoka over carefully, taking in her features… she wasn't exactly something she had seen before… well least for a huminid. Unlike most of the folks in Propwash she was dressed rather nicely in a white and pink tunic with tan pants and boots. The neckline of the tunic was decorated with small pink and red gems that met at one big one that lied on the center of her chest.
Madoka smiled. "Yes, I was passing through when I ran into that superhornet and well… the rest is history."
Homura's eyes got wide. "P-Passing through!?"
Madoka titled her head. "Is something wrong…?"
"Wrong!?" Clara yelled. "Are you absolutely INSANE!?"
Madoka had a confused look before it clicked in her head. "Oh right… yes, I took a big risk traveling, but I came here since I heard that the refugee hangars were in danger. I was sent here from another refugee camp in Rockflew to bring some supplies. I volunteered to come here just so you know."
Clara's eyes were wide. "So… You volunteered basically as huminid tribute… Cause if they-" She gestured to the body of the zuperhornet. "Had their whole fleet you'd be swiss cheese right about now."
"I knew the risks but I did it anyway and I've learned how to work around them."
Homura's eyes went wider. "You mean… you've done this more than ONCE?"
Madoka nodded. "One of the most reliable delivery girls."
"W-Wow…"
Clara slowly shook her head. "You're insane. You are absolutely positively INSANE!"
"If it means helping people then I'll do it… especially the machines." She looked to her horse. "I brought medicine for the sick and injured since I heard it was really bad around here."
"Yeah… We got more machines buried than we do living… Huminids too…" Clara murmured looking to Homura. "Actually… You met on of the survivors of it."
"Well... surviving it… Still getting over it…" She murmured.
"I see…" Madoka said, eyes narrowed. "It's best we don't stay here longer, we need to get to the hangars. You two go back and report what has happened." Madoka looked over to the superhornet. "I'll take of her."
"Alright that much we can do." Clara nodded before starting to walk off. "C'mon Homura, 'sides it's getting dark… Ben would have a whole new flock of sheep if I stayed out past curfew."
Homura followed her. "Well there was that time…"
"Hey!"
Madoka giggled as she watched the two girls banter as they departed. Soon as they were far away she turned her attention to the superhornet. She knelt down again, passing her hand over the place where the gem had been. She noted a name that had been written on the helmet.
Dawn…
She closed her eyes.
"Machina… may you take Dawn into your arms and bring her home… May she be freed from the pain that she had in this life caused by that forsaken contract…"
A pale blue glow came around Dawn as she slowly faded away from Madoka, glowing gears taking her place, floating up to the skies above. Madoka watched as they faded from sight before standing up and getting back on her horse and started making her way for the hangars.
It's worse than I thought…
Determination came into her eyes.
But I will find the way to end this… once and for all… before more lives are taken.