Disclaimer: I do not own any of the franchises listed in this work of fiction. I do not profit from the writing of this story.

Author's Note: Very quick update just to show that I am very serious about this story. As I mentioned before in the previous chapter there will be an additional crossover included in this chapter. Other than that enjoy.


Never in a million years did Madoka Kaname believe that she would have the power to make a difference in the lives of other people. She was a gentle soul that wished nothing but the best for all those around her. Willing to always help, quick to forgive and very slow to anger Madoka was perhaps one the kindest creatures under God's green earth.

As a magical girl it was her duty to protect the people under her care from the devious power of the Witches, cruel creatures full of despair and sadness that wished to only make others around them suffer. While Madoka lamented the fact that she had to take the lives of these creatures she understood that it was for the greater good and relished in the thought that by her actions she was helping other people.

She wasn't alone in her endeavors to protect the people of Mitakihara City from these malevolent beings. There was Mami Tomoe, the d-facto leader of their group. Dedicated and determined she was the senior member amongst the group of magical girls having been the sole protector of Mitakihara before being joined by the others. Then there was Kyoko Sakura. Brash, aggressive and frightfully strong she was the one that was always willing to jump into the fray no matter what the danger always confident in her monstrous strength see her through the battle.

Sayaka Miki, longtime friend of Madoka, was loyal and intelligent always seeking ways to mitigate the risks involved in their battles especially when it concerned Madoka. She was the only magical girl that saw no harm in retreating if they ever felt over matched reasoning that they could fight another day.

Then there was Homura Akemi. Sickly, frail and delicate it was often a wonder how she got through most of the skirmishes with the Witches alive. She did not seem to have any special abilities other than summoning weapons out of nowhere but even then she was outmatched in that department by Mami. Homura lamented the fact that she could not contribute more, cursed her physical weakness that sometimes made her a liability to the group.

Madoka dearly cared for Homura. She could not explain it but every time she saw Homura in tears she could not help but want to hold and comfort her. Granted she would do this for anybody that needed comforting but Madoka could not help but feel that it went deeper than that when it concerned Homura. The thought of Homura getting hurt by anybody inspired a sort of irrational anger that she never thought she was capable of. It scared Madoka to know that she was capable of such wrath and it scared her even more when she realized that she only felt that way when it concerned Homura.

Madoka did not know what to make of this but she did know one thing. Homura was precious to her and while she would like to say that she regarded each of the other Magical Girls with the same amount of care Madoka knew that she would be lying to herself.

The source of their powers came from an unusual being by the name of Kyubey. A seemingly harmless looking creature it had the power to grant any wish, any miracle and in exchange the one making the wish had to become a magical girl and fulfill her role in slaying Witches.

Madoka and her friends were very good at what they did and even though there were some close calls they knew that as long as they worked together they could overcome anything.

Then there was the battle with the Walpurgis of the Night, the most powerful witch the girls had yet to face. Its power was simply unbelievable and it took everything in the five girl's power to defeat the creature. Even then they would have probably died had Homura not realized her power just in the nick of time…literally. In a moment of desperation she was able to freeze time, and by making physical contact with her comrades they were able to maintain their existence in this eerie world where everything stood still.

Homura did not have enough control of her power to hold time indefinitely but it was enough to buy her comrades precious time to recuperate and formulate a plan. The respite the girls were afforded was not wasted and soon they were able to fell the Walpurgis of the Night ending its reign of evil and terror.

With the battle over all five girls collapsed onto the concrete ground of the fishing dock where they had been fighting at. They were all out of breath and terribly exhausted but each girl had a giant smile on their face. Despite the odds and the overwhelming power that their opponent presented them they still managed to overcome it.

"I can't believe we did it. We actually beat that thing." said Sayaka breathlessly.

"Did you actually think we were going to lose with ME on the team?" countered Kyoko hotly.

"Awfully cocky aren't you? Who was the one that saved your behind from certain death when you tripped over yourself?" replied Sayaka with a grin.

Kyoko turned beet red knowing how embarrassing, and fatal, that gaffe really was.

"I think you all are forgetting who it was that truly saved us." said Mami gently as she reached over and grabbed Homura's hand.

Homura blushed slightly. She was not used to receiving praise all that often. As a girl she was always sick so her grades in school suffered. Though she knew that her parents loved her she could see the underlying disappointment beneath their eyes. It made Homura feel worthless, knowing that she was only a burden to her parents. She wasn't the kind of daughter they wanted. Homura knew what they wanted. They wanted a strong child, one who was intelligent, ambitious and tenacious. All qualities that she knew she lacked.

In some strange way becoming a Magical Girl was a blessing in disguise. It made her feel strong, it made her feel some sense of self-worth. While she was perhaps the weakest of all the girls she was happy that she could make some sort of contribution no matter how small.

Now she had saved all her comrades from certain death, drawing upon a power she never even realized she possessed.

"You're right Mami. We really should be thanking Homura here for saving all our butts!" smiled Sayaka widely.

"Please…it was really nothing special." replied Homura softly.

Madoka frowned when she heard this and, with a might effort, heaved herself up despite her exhaustion. She walked over to Homura and stood over her before kneeling and placing her hand on Homura's cheek. The meek girl blushed from the contact and instinctively leaned her head on Madoka's comforting hand.

"I wish you would stop doing that Homura. You keep thinking that you are only a burden that we would be better off without you. You couldn't be more wrong! We care for you Homura! Don't ever think that you are a burden because you are not! What you did today was special, you saved our lives. Even if you hadn't done what you did I would never blame you for our failing if it came down to it. I would be happy knowing that I died doing the right thing…happy dying with the people I have come to care for the most. If my death would mean saving your life I would not hesitate for an instant. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you Homura!"

Homura started to feel small droplets hitting her face as she looked up and saw Madoka crying. It made her feel guilty to know that she had made Madoka, the girl that she could definitely say was her best friend, cry the way she was now.

"Even now I just cause you pain Madoka. I wish that instead of making you cry I could make you smile all the time. You…you are everything to me Madoka and hearing you say those words makes me feel a joy that I cannot even describe. Never have I been so happy in my life and that is because of you Madoka." replied Homura as she too was started to become teary eyed.

Homura sat up despite her body's protest and clasped Madoka by the hands with her own. She stared down those gentle, innocent eyes across from her and was mesmerized. Homura could never believe that such a person existed, a person that genuinely cared about the welfare of others without having an ulterior motive. That she would sacrifice her own life if only it had meant the safety of other people, even strangers.

For a fleeting moment she felt unworthy to be in the presence of this angel before her. What did she, a sickly and weak little girl, have that inspired Madoka to want to be with her all the time? She wasn't special and she was sure that if Madoka's life was ever in danger she would not have the means to protect her. While she was friendly with the other girls Homura did not feel the same about them as she did for Madoka. She cherished the pink haired cherub with all her heart and vowed that she would protect her weak as she was. If it meant saving Madoka from pain and suffering Homura would find a way, she was sure of it.

"Isn't that cute? If I didn't know any better I was sure that those two were confessing to each other!" giggled Sayaka.

At once both Madoka and Homura blushed deeply in embarrassment but they did not let go of their hands.

"You know, come to think of it those two have been hanging around with each other a lot lately. I had my suspicions but always dismissed them. However seeing them now kind of convinces me that I was right all along." said Kyoko.

"Well I think it's wonderful that they would want to pursue such a relationship. I have always said that love has no boundaries." said Mami in an almost dreamy voice.

All this talk served to further make Madoka very uncomfortable but then she stopped herself. Why should she be embarrassed that she loved Homura? While Madoka knew that having relations with a girl was looked down upon in society she, personally, saw nothing wrong with it. The fact that she could further her relationship with Homura made Madoka happy when she thought about it.

"Do they honestly think of us that way?" asked Homura in embarrassment.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" asked Madoka softly.

Homura did not expect this response and, for a moment, was unable to say anything. The rest of the girls suddenly were leaning breathless no doubt not wanting to miss any of the juicy details.

"No. In fact, if I was being honest with myself, I have thought about it for some time. I just never thought I would be worth your time." replied Homura sadly.

"Then you're wrong Homura. You ARE worth my time, more than worth it. In fact I was worried that you would be scared that I would feel this way about you. But I do and I am not going to deny it any longer. I love you Homura. I really do. You don't have to go through with this if you don't want to but-"

Madoka never finished as she felt a pair of soft, petal lips gently kiss her. The pink haired magical girl was somewhat surprised by this uncharacteristically bold act from Homura but soon closed her eyes in contentment as she leaned in to deepen the kiss.

They remained like that for some time before finally separating, both girls out of breath. Even so they still gazed at each other's eyes each getting lost within the torrent of pure joy they were experiencing. It was as if all the joys of the world was suddenly gathered up and both were there to share in it. This was right. Both of them knew that they were meant to be.

"I'm so happy that it hurts. I never want this moment to ever end." said Homura dreamily as she lay her head on Madoka's bosom and started to weep from sheer happiness.

Madoka took Homura into her arms and gently started to caress her hair. Never did Madoka believe she could love someone so much. The implications were so dire. What if Homura were to ever die? This was a very true possibility considering their line of work but Madoka shook it off. She would dare not think of the worst outcomes. Nothing good would come of it.

Instead she focused on Homura and how this frail, meek girl had inspired such powerful emotions within her. Madoka would protect her with all her power. Nothing would ever hurt Homura. Any who dared would face her wrath. A terrible, cruel anger that Madoka possessed deep within her that would only rear its gruesome head if anyone threatened Homura. Madoka was sure that she wouldn't hold back if that horrible day ever came.

So it was unfortunate that Madoka's power and will was to be tested so soon especially after the battle she and the other girls had narrowly survived from. It all started with that strange creature, Kyubey.

As Madoka held Homura while the other girls gazed on dreamily at the sight they were approached by their client, who made itself known by speaking interrupting the scene before it.

"Very well done. I did not think you girls were capable of defeating the Walpurgis but once again you have proved me wrong. Great job."

The girls soon turned and regarded Kyubey. None of them were even the slightest bit prepared for the horrible tragedy that was to await them.

"You watched all of that? We really did kick that thing's ass now didn't we!" replied Kyoko haughtily as she stood up strong and proud.

"Of course. I was wrong to ever doubt you girls. You bunch have made me proud, never have I seen magical girls this dedicated to the cause." replied Kyubey.

It was then that Madoka sensed that something was a bit off. She didn't know what but all of all sudden she did not feel safe especially with Kyubey's presence. She tried to reason that Kyubey was their friend, the one who gave the means to fight the witches in the first place. It had done nothing but help them. However no amount of reasoning was going to quell this irrational fear she was feeling and at once pushed Homura away harshly.

"Run away! All of you! Do not listen to Kyubey says!" screamed Madoka in panic.

Mami's face turned to that of concern as she made her way over to Madoka.

"What is the matter? Why are you acting this way?"

It was then that the girls heard a cackle. The sound of it made their hair stand on end. They turned to find Kyubey's body glowing an ominous red. They backed away a step but still made no move to run away. It was to prove their undoing.

"I'm surprised that you have managed to suss out my intentions despite my keeping you in the dark Madoka. Not that it matters. None of you girls are leaving here alive."

The voice they heard made all the girls kneel down in pain as their heads felt like they were going to be split open. It couldn't have been coming from Kyubey but there was no one else. Kyubey sounded cute, almost effeminate, the kind of voice that made you want to pet it.

What they heard was complete different. For one it felt like the voice was speaking from the inside of their minds which caused them this terrible agony. The second part was that the voice did not sound like Kyubey at all. It sounded alien, cruel and most of all…ancient. Extremely ancient.

Kyubey then swished its tail and Madoka was horrified to watch all her comrades suddenly collapse on the ground as their Soul Gems were viciously yanked away from their bodies.

"Homura!"

Madoka dashed toward her the love of her life and saw, to her dismay, that Homura's eyes were completely blank.

"Homura what's wrong. Answer me!"

Nothing Madoka did helped. Homura remained still and unresponsive. In her growing fear and panic Madoka soon started to shake Homura's body and still nothing.

She can't be…I refuse to believe….

"She's dead as is the rest of your comrades."

The voice once again made her head feel like it was being split open as she knelt down in pain. She turned to find Kyubey, still glowing red, with the Soul Gems revolving around it.

"Surprising that your Soul Gem didn't respond to my summons. No matter it means that I will have to sully my hands a bit to get what I need."

With that Madoka could only watch in horror as Kyubey's body soon got engulfed in a torrent of horrible red energy. Kyubey's body soon started to expand and contort, growing large and taller and forming into some sort of horrible creature the likes of which Madoka felt belonged in nightmares.

The transformation was soon over as Kyubey stood before Madoka in his full power and splendor. Over eight feet tall he stood his body covered in a reptilian grey. His eyes gleamed a terrible yellow as what had once been his ears now extended down the back of his head in pair of tentacle like appendages. He truly looked demonic.

"W-What are you? Why have you done this?" asked a frightened Madoka as she clutched Homura's dead body tightly.

The creature before her looked at her curiously before it spoke once more.

"Considering the admirable work you have done in eliminating the last Witches in existence I suppose I can give you the answers you seek before your death. My name is Malefic, a Native demon from the realm of Hell itself. My master, Malebogia, gave me the arduous task in collecting pure souls in preparation for the coming Apocalypse."

"Pure…souls?" asked Madoka in confusion.

"That is right. As of right now we are at war with a faction of demons which have no business within our realm. Their stronghold is protected by a power than none of us, not even my master, can breech. Through extensive research it was soon discovered that this great power could be negated with the power of pure souls but then the solution presented another problem. As is stands there are no souls in Hell that are pure. Those souls that reside in our realm are from those of wicked and cruel people. While those souls have served their unending purpose they could not help us for this task."

"The solution was to gather pure souls and take them to Hell for our use. That presented yet another dilemma. Pure souls could not enter Hell without their consent. All pure souls were to be bound for Heaven. It has been that way since the beginning of creation. For centuries the answer to this problem eluded us. We knew the means with which to destroy our enemy but had not ability to harvest the resources. It was quite vexing. However my master is patient and was prepared to wait for millennia more for the answer to manifest itself."

"It was I who discovered the means to trap pure souls and take them to Hell itself. It was quite simple now that I thought about it. I had to discover a way to get a pure soul to give its consent to enter into our realm. After much experimentation I found a way to trick my prospective prospects into signing their souls away into Hell. My method? The Soul Gems and the respective magical girls afterwards."

"When you bound yourself into a magical girl contract you really were making a deal with the Devil. You got to have a wish, any wish, come true and in return you would become a magical girl and fight Witches. The Witches themselves were worthless to us. Their souls have already been tainted and needed to be eliminated. However they did serve a purpose and that was to slay magical girls while they were still pure."

"A magical girl who has died in this way, either by having their Soul Gem destroyed or removed, was now within our custody. It is a simple matter to repair a Soul Gem, after all I have created them, because that soul is already registered. Any minor taints within a Soul Gem is easily removed. As you know Grief Seeds remove the taints within your Soul Gem. However if a demon happens to be near a Soul Gem and makes contact with it, the demon, in turn, will absorb the taint and become slightly stronger as a result. The Soul Gem will become pure once more. This is no coincidence. I designed the Soul Gems for that exact purpose."

"As such I have gained immeasurable power over the millennia from tainted Soul Gems, draining the taint and making the Soul Gem pure while at the same time augmenting my abilities. In turn my master has been pleased. We have millions of Soul Gems at our disposal, each one a pure soul with which the magical girls had once possessed. Those souls should be in Heaven but due to my work I have bypassed the law with which the Almighty himself had set eons ago. It is truly marvelous."

It was at this point that Kyubey, or rather, Malefic, raised Homura's purple Soul Gem. It was tainted but soon, before Madoka's eyes, the taint was disappearing as it got absorbed into the demon's being. A slight red aura covered Malefic for a moment before dying down. To Madoka's disbelief there gleamed Homura's Soul Gem, as pure and clean as it was the day she first became a magical girl.

"Simply delicious. I love feeding on the despair of pure souls. Especially this one. Homura Akemi. Quite possibly the most powerful magical girl to have ever existed. Even more powerful than Sarah, wife of Abraham. Her Soul Gem alone has saved us a century of harvesting. Truly the Fates are with us. Already we have a being possessing the Sacred Gear under our control and now we have the Soul Gem of the most powerful magical girl to ever exist. The Nobles will surely crumble beneath our might."

"However you will not see that day Madoka. You are the last magical girl in existence and while your powers are nothing special your Soul Gem is the last, tiny piece of the puzzle needed for our conquest. I will speak no longer."

Madoka was absolutely overwhelmed. Revelation after revelation were forced upon her and the implications were just barely making themselves known. That her powers, that everything she and her friends did, was just all part of a master plan of some cruel demon that wished to harvest their souls.

They were nothing but cattle. Raised, cultivated and, when they had fatten up, were cruelly slaughtered. It was terrible and Madoka had to fight the urge to vomit.

She held Homura's body close to her as she thought about this. Only moments before did she feel the most utter happiness that she had ever experienced. That she and Homura were able to mutually share their feelings. To know that they would always be together no matter what.

Only for this cruel demon to show up and viciously snatch Homura's life away from her. Madoka felt a torrent of unending emotions, most of which were disbelief, shock, and sorrow.

"How could you do this to us? Didn't we do exactly what you said? Why would you betray us like this? I don't understand..."said Madoka as she was in tears, clutching tightly to the dead body of Homura.

"Are you seriously crying? Showing weakness in the face of the enemy?" asked Malefic harshly.

"Wouldn't you cry if someone you cared about was suddenly murdered before your eyes? That everything you thought true turned out to be nothing but a lie?" replied Madoka sadly.

"I care nothing for the lives of others. The only thing that matters is seeing that my master's orders are fulfilled. Nothing more."

"Are you telling me that all those times you have comforted me, when I started to doubt in my abilities, was that just an act? Or that you would sit on our laps, joyfully eating pieces of cake while we enjoyed our time together. Did that not mean anything you? That we considered you our friend? I think you're lying. Somewhere deep inside you I'm sure you care but you refuse to see it." replied Madoka defiantly now.

For all of Madoka's efforts the only response she got was cruel, condescending laughter. She witnessed those yellow eyes gleam in delight at her pain, her suffering. It was hard to believe that such a cruel creature like he could act the way he did when he was Kyubey.

"It is intriguing to see the irrational ramblings of a human close to death. Are you telling me all this because you want me to feel remorse for you, to grant you mercy or is this just some pathetic attempt to comfort yourself, to drown in these meaningless delusions just so that you can escape from the truth? You cannot escape. Your destiny was decided the moment you made that contract with me. It is futile to stall any longer."

Madoka felt a foreign emotion coarse through her very body. It caused her fist to clench so tightly that she was sure that she was bleeding from her hands. Her teeth were gnashing and her body was trembling. She could hardly contain herself. Never had she ever felt this before. She knew what it was, knew that, on some deep level she was capable of expressing this emotion, but never did she believe that she would be consumed by it.

Rage.

For the first time in her entire life Madoka was absolutely enraged. Never did she believe she was capable of hating anyone or anything but at that moment her eyes were forced open. She hated this demon before her. More than anything she wanted to make him suffer.

Madoka forced herself to her feet and glared defiantly at the demon's yellow eyes. She would get Homura back. She would get all her friends back and save them. She would do whatever it took.

"How dare you! Y-You would come and take the life of my best friends. To snatch the one person who I love with all my heart and you expect me to lie down and die? For what? To fulfill your master's wicked plans? No…no…NO!"

Madoka's body glowed a fierce pink as she drew her bow and aimed a barely contained arrow at the demon before her.

"You give them back or I will kill you."

To Madoka's dismay the demon before her only started to laugh. That was all this demon had been doing the entire time. Playing with her. Her feelings of despair only entertained the creature. It enjoyed seeing her hurt and suffering. The demon laughed at everything that was ever important to her. The lives of her friends, of her family, of Homura, they were precious but to this demon they were nothing more than a means to an was the tipping point as she let loose her arrow with no warning whatsoever.

The pink arrow blazed with more power than it had ever had before. It shone so brightly that its center was ablaze with white light as hot as the surface of the sun itself. The outer fringes were ablaze with a fatal, deep pink color that carried all the rage and killing intent that Madoka possessed. Never had she had shot an arrow containing this much power. Then again there were never any reasons for her to feel this terrible wrath in the first place.

So the arrow sped toward Malefic like a meteor its only intention to cause as much harm and destruction as possible. It looked as if it was going to be a direct hit.

Only to find that Malefic completely deflected the attack by raising his arm forcing the arrow to stop just short of hitting him. With a casual flick of his hand he then tossed the arrow aside, redirecting its path towards a nearby warehouse, which got annihilated in the process.

"Have I angered the all so kind and innocent Madoka Kaname? You really did try to kill me just now didn't you? Well…all in vain. The powers you possess have their source in Hell. More specifically it is an extension of MY power. You think that you could turn the pitiful amount of power I granted you against me, the creator? I think not."

Madoka never conceived his approach. Didn't even know what really happened. The only thing she did know was that she was now lying on the ground with a large, bloody hole in her stomach. While her magical girl body could take far more punishment than her normal human one still she could not move. She had lost the fight before it even begun.

"So weak…so pitiful. Curse your fate and know that you have damned all of humanity to the Inferno. Gnash your teeth in despair knowing that when you agreed to my contract you damned your family to burn for eternity. Wallow in an ocean of lamentation knowing that you failed to protect the one you love."

From her bleary eyes Madoka witnessed the source of her undoing, the one who would end her. Was it truly going to end this way? Would she allow this demon to win by having it take her life? What about her family? Would she have them punished for her sins? Would she abandon her friends to this horrid fate? Most of all would she fail in her promise to protect Homura? Could she even bear living for eternity knowing that she had completely and utterly failed the love of her life?

A new resolve started to build within Madoka. There was a fire that was still lit within her. It was small but still there.

I cannot die. I will not let everyone down. I will save them no matter what I have to do!

I promise Homura that I will get you back…even if I have to walk into Hell and fight every demon there to do it!

I won't fail….

I can't fail….

I REFUSE TO FAIL!

Madoka's body soon exploded, her pink aura blazing furiously. Malefic, who was prepared to deal the final blow, was momentarily stunned. He did not know what Madoka was up to and even though he was sure that she couldn't harm him, still he chose to be careful. He would not take any chances, not when his master's plan was so close to fruition.

Then, as quickly as it came the chaos ended and all was still again.

Far too still.

For when Malefic looked over to where Madoka was supposed to be she was no longer there! It was as if she had disappeared.

In his rage Malefic gave a roar of indignation the likes of which reverberated all around Mitakihara City. He swore that he would find her. He would make her suffer, dismember her very body before taking her Soul Gem. She would suffer for escaping and humiliating him this day.


President McMillan was not happy.

After days of the media hounding him for details regarding the civil war erupting over in China he had finally eluded them and had time to rest and relax. Already he had an "appointment" with one of his secretaries. She was having some financial trouble and he was willing. All she had to do was "entertain" him for a couple of hours and both would go away that evening happier.

Unfortunately he was seemingly abducted out of nowhere when a helicopter had come in front of the White House at the dead of night with strange men dressed in black ordering McMillan to accompany them.

They were taking him to New York and all the way over there McMillan made it a point to tell his abductors what he thought of them and what he would do to them once this all blew over. They landed on a large ship of the coast of New York City.

"I'm the President god damn it and if you all don't take me back to D.C right now I swear you'll have so many lawsuits your great grandchildren will still be filling out subpoenas!" said an irate McMillan as he was escorted off the helicopter and onto the ship.

"Good evening President I hope you don't mind me organizing this conference on such short notice."

Throughout the entirety of his political career Scott McMillan had never been afraid of anyone. Except the man before him. Just seeing him made his skin erupt into goose bumps.

"Goodness, Wynn you scared me. What is this all about?"

The man in question was a man by the name of Jason Wynn current mayor of New York City. Not much was known about him but there was one thing he did very well and that was politics. No, he did not aspire to any higher offices but he did not have to. He was perhaps the most powerful man in the United States right now. Most top officials in the US government were under his very pocket.

Including President Scott McMillan.

"Let us get down to business. I have heard a rather nasty rumor that you will not be running for a second term in office. More than that I find that you are about to retire."

Already the President was sweating. It was never a good idea to antagonize someone like Jason Wynn but still he could not help but wonder.

"How do you know that? I only told my wife…."

"It doesn't matter how I know Mr. President what matters is how you are going to change your mind. I need you in office and if you leave then you put me in a VERY vulnerable position." replied Wynn sternly.

"Look, Wynn, I have been doing this all my life. This whole thing going over in China right now is giving me gray hair. I can't do this anymore. There is far too much pressure. I don't even think I will be able to last the remaining two years of my term." said McMillan tiredly.

"You don't have a choice McMillan."

The President sighed. The fact of the matter was that he never wanted to be president of the United States but had to in order to keep some much needed secrets behind locked doors. However the pressure was too great and he dreaded having to go into the Oval Office every morning he woke up. He couldn't do this anymore and he wasn't going to let Wynn stop him.

"What is this truly about? What is it that you need me in office for anyway? I'm sure you have more capable people."

"That is not the point Mr. President and if you really need me to spell out why I need you in office then you are more incompetent than I thought."

President McMillan sighed. He knew what this was about all right.

The weapons.

As senator he had made many friends with top union officials directing most of the weapons factories in the United States, both civilian and military. They gave him lucrative endorsements and he pushed a pro military agenda that called for war against the entire world. This gave the weapons factories an excuse to continue pumping missiles and guns while their workers made seventy grand a year with liberal amounts of benefits and vacations. Hell even the janitors working in these weapons factories made triple what their normal counter parts did.

McMillan's push into presidency had only strengthen the weapons factories as a whole. There was even talks among the union leaders of having the factories run twenty four hours a day especially now with the rumor that they would be supplying weapons to a Chinese sympathizer incognito somewhere out in Asia. Most likely the weapons would be going to Japan.

However all of this was threatened with McMillan's retirement. There was no guarantee that the civil war would be over in China by the end of his first term and with him gone there was the likely chance of some liberal bleeding heart taking office and ceasing all involvements with the war in China. It would devastate the weapons factory and, more importantly, completely ruin Jason Wynn's plans.

"You are going to have to find someone else Wynn I won't do this any longer." replied McMillan firmly.

For the first time that night Jason Wynn's cool demeanor was beginning to break as he scowled before making his way right into McMillan's face.

"Let me make this very clear to you. You will stay in office and run for a second term." threatened Jason Wynn.

"And what if I don't decide to run what will you do?" retorted McMillan.

The President was dismayed to find that Jason Wynn was grinning, almost as if he was enjoying this. To him this was nothing more than a game.

A game that he was VERY good at playing.

"I foresee your own Pandora's box opening and revealing to the public what you truly stand for."

President McMillan grimaced. He had a lot of dirty underwear in the closet alright and he knew that Wynn would not hesitate to expose him. However McMillian didn't get to where he was by playing nice. Two could play that game.

"Okay you could do that Wynn. But then I'll tell the press about that little Tea Party you are organizing in Philly in an attempt to undermine current mayor Johnson. It will make Watergate look like a mild fart in Capitol Hill."

Unfortunately for Scott McMillan Jason Wynn did not appear in the slightest bit threatened and immediately fired back on his own.

"What about the unions Mr. President? Are you willing to let thousands of workers go jobless? That these people depend on you and your foreign policy so that they could keep their jobs at the weapon factories and feed their families. Can you imagine your legacy stained because you refused to continue fighting for the common man?"

This was a low blow. President McMillan, just like any other president before him, was concerned with his legacy. While he hated his job at the Oval Office he still wanted to come across in history as someone competent. However this desire was not so great that he would risk another term as president. He just did not have it in him.

"The Unions will understand Wynn. They know that prosperity is only fleeting. Once I give them word of my impending retirement they will make preparations and insure none of their workers go hungry. They may take a pay cut but I'm sure that the workers will be content in still making forty grand a year. However you keep pushing me and I'll let fly that little incident in Cambodia. In how you personally paid a band of mercenaries to assassinate a high ranking official and which allowed a controversial dictator to take control. I'm on to your little schemes. Got everything documented and ready to fax at a moment's notice. I could have the entire story, down to the color of the poor bastard's socks, to the Washington Post in two hours and ready for the public by six AM…just about the time most of my friends in Washington are eating their croissants. So I would be careful who I was muscling Wynn!"

Jason Wynn just stood there gazing fiercely at the president but having nothing to say. McMillan was beginning to grin a bit. He was just sure that he had out done Jason Wynn. He had always hated the condescending bastard, how he would sit behind his desk and lurk in the darkness while others did his dirty work for him. Sure politically speaking it was genius but that did not mean McMillan respected Wynn because of it. However President McMillan's relief was short lived.

"Let me remind you President just who it is that is protecting that bastard son of yours, Billy Kim Cade. I mean, who other than myself is willing to protect a child killer? You continue to oppose me McMillan and nothing will stop New York's finest from finding your son and making sure that he never leaves prison. I heard the inmates at Riker's Island hate child killers. Castrated one and left him to die in the shower. It's your call President but understand that, in the end, I will win regardless."

Any hope that McMillan had suddenly left him. He slumped...literally deflated right before Jason Wynn's eyes. There was no more use continuing to argue this. It was clear that Jason Wynn had the advantage. While Billy was born a bastard that did not mean that President McMillan didn't care for him. He would do anything to protect his only son, regardless of the amount of lives he took. Because when it came down to it he loved him. McMillan would not have his son's blood on his hands.

The President shuffled over to the railing of the boat as he bent over and gazed over the dark sea before him feeling the cool ocean wind soothe his skin. It was about the only comfort he could draw from this entire debacle.

"I know when I'm defeated. I'll run for a second term."

"Good. Be sure to publicly announce your intentions to run as soon as possible. It will give me time to draw in a few favors and have them endorse your re-election."

"I just wish it didn't have to be this way. But I will protect Billy no matter what." said McMillan sadly.

"Even when he is killing children?" asked Wynn with a raised eyebrow.

"Their lives don't matter to me. My son is the only person I truly care for."

It was then that Jason Wynn walked over to the President and handed him a cigarette. Scott McMillan had not smoked in over ten years but he figured that as frayed as his nerves were at the moment one cigarette wouldn't kill him. He took the cigarette, which Wynn had courteously lit for him, and took a long drag. Already he was beginning to feel better.

"Then you should know that such secrets don't come cheap. Look Mr. President, we are both in the same bed together we have been for over twenty years. I suggest you just do what you do best. Take it and enjoy."


Raynare hated to hide but as circumstances went she had no choice but to keep her presence a secret.

About a month ago she had encountered a human with a dangerous power...a power that threatened to destroy all of them if left to its own devices. It wasn't the human learning to harness the power that frightened her. It was the idea of some demon recognizing the potential within the boy and taking the power for itself. It was for that reason that she lured Issei Hyoudou out into the open. She would carry out her task and kill him.

However soon after his death she had come across a tragedy that left her trembling in fear.

The church where she and her comrades had taken refuge in had been destroyed. More than that all of her comrades had been brutally murdered, along with the exiled priest that had been stationed with them. She had nearly fell in complete disbelief as she saw the black feathers of her comrades litter the grounds of the destroyed church.

Who could have had the power to vanquish her allies as if they were nothing? They were Fallen Angels, a being that had once been in the company of the Almighty. A member of that grand and invincible army. While their powers had diminished somewhat since their fall from grace they were not to be trifled with. Most demons could not even approach them.

That left her with two options. Either the exiled church members betrayed them or some very powerful demons had decided to step in and get their hands dirty. At once Raynare had discounted the first option. There were too few exiled church members to risk a betrayal of this sort. Besides there was no reason for betrayal in the first place. Sure the exiles were not above betrayal but there simply was no motive.

The second option was that a band of demons had done committed this horrid deed. This was perhaps the more likely answer. Raynare knew that with the Sacred Gear in his possession Issei Hyoudou would become a target. By killing him she had denied her demon enemies a very powerful weapon. It wasn't any stretch of the imagination to know who had killed Issei. Raynare had not been careful and had left evidence of her involvement. All any competent demon had to do was examine the black feathers littering the ground where Issei had died.

Now due to her carelessness she had ended up getting all of her comrades killed and she was now being hunted, she was sure of it. She knew that if she were captured she would be thrown back down into the Inferno. Be forced to her prison standing sentinel over the Walls of Dis on the Fifth level of Hell. But not before she was punished. Knowing the Nobles, who were too full of themselves to sully their hands, she would be held in custody of the Natives instead.

The Natives...those were a kind of demon you did not want to be anywhere close to. They hated the Nobles but understood that they could not undermine their power. They would delight in torturing the likes of her, a former servant of God. They would brand hot irons onto her wings, rip them out and watch them regrow before ripping them off again. They would ravage her, not only for their pleasure but so that they could sully her. To fill her with their demonic seed and further taint her from the being of purity that she had once been.

For the millenia that she had been imprisoned within the Inferno she had been lucky. Her powers were such that no Native dared approach her but then again, the Nobles were very good at making sure captured Fallen Angels were incapable of using the extent of their powers so that they could be properly disciplined by the Natives.

So here she was, in the midst of the largest city in Japan.

Tokyo.

It was here that she assumed a human form...as Yuuma Amano and had stayed this way for a month. She hated this human body, how weak and fragile she was in this form, but she could not afford to reveal her powers no matter what. The moment she did she knew that her enemies would track her down.

So it was that she was walking in the downtown area of Tokyo, getting lost amongst a sea of humans. Yet despite that she felt utterly alone. Her comrades were dead, no doubt probably being tortured this very moment down in Hell. She dared not show up at the church. While they may have been sympathetic to her before now they would want nothing to do with her. Even the death of exiled church members was a big deal. She was sure that the Church knew that she was associated with their deaths and the moment she revealed herself no doubt they would kill her.

Demons were out of the question. Both Noble and Native alike.

Despite having been former angels at one time the Nobles considered their Fallen Angel cousins very much their enemies. The best she could possibly achieve by prostrating herself to a Noble demon was to become their slave. A slave that, no doubt, would have been ridiculed and mocked and perhaps severely mistreated as well. She would be nothing. Just property to some wealthy Noble demon that could do whatever he/she wanted to her and there was nothing she could do about it.

As for the Natives...well that was thoroughly explained earlier. They hated the Fallen Angels perhaps more than the Nobles. They did not know the concepts of pity and mercy. In fact the only reason why the Fallen Angels even were allowed to be soldiers and guard the Walls of Dis from intruders was solely because it was decreed by the Almighty One. That did not mean that the Natives wouldn't do their best to undermine God's authority. They would gladly jump at the chance to mutilate and torture a Fallen Angel if they could.

For a while Raynare questioned the decision to slay Issei Hyoudou.

If there were anytime to have an ace in the hole it would have been him. She was sure that if they were able to have him cultivate and harness his power then perhaps they would have had a fighting chance. Issei really did seem to like her after all. Could she have used his affections to her advantage?

Maybe the investment in Issei's powers would have been too much of a risk.

Raynare soon found her way to her dilapidated apartment room. This was in the worst possible neighborhood, with high amount of crime and violence. There was never a moment that the police sirens did not wale. Inside her room there was nothing but a cheap futon and a refrigerator with only the barest amount of food. Instinctively Raynare made her way to her futon and sat down, drawing her legs up to her chest.

She felt so alone and abandoned. No one cared about her. Even her allies had only been there for her because they needed her power, not because they cared. She had no one to turn to and only enemies out seeking her blood. Humans would kill her on sight and the demons would torture her. Even God, in his supposed infinite wisdom and kindness, had turned his back on her, leaving her to fend for herself in a world that seemingly did not want her.

These lonely thoughts made her think of Issei Hyoudou once more.

In some ways she felt somewhat guilty for ending his life the way she did. Sure the date was boring and he behaved somewhat awkwardly but he did care for her. Even when she had proceeded to kill him she felt no signs of hate or malice coming from him to her. To the very end he died loving her.

For a moment Raynare wondered what it would have been like to have been held by him, to depend on him and his power to protect her. That, out of this entire world, there was at least ONE person who had cared for her. Who had cherished her.

Who had loved her.

It was during these dark hours that Raynare felt the true extent of her murdering Issei Hyoudou. The guilt started to eat her up alive as she realized that she had murdered the only person that had truly given a damn about her. So close sighted, so stupid.

Raynare curled herself up into a ball as she started to weep in earnest now, her violet hair fanning underneath her.

It was hopeless, all of it was and the worst part.

She had killed the only hope she had left in the world.


Author's Note: Well what do you all think of the crossover being included? Madoka will have a major role in this story. But she isn't uber. Not quite yet at the very least. She has to earn that power first. Another thing. I don't care what the visual novel/anime say about Raynare, whether she is cruel or not. I like her, she was one of my favorite characters and felt that was totally gypped. For that reason she too has a much more significant role in this story.

By the way for all of you who are wondering who how Demon Kyubey looks I have changed the current avatar (the one with Violator with it) and replaced it with Malefic, or the true form of Kyubey. It should be visible soon, hopefully. Anyway hit me up let me know what you all think.