Chapter Twenty-Six: Declaration of War

At the very edge of the factory, Hitomi landed on top of the high wall in a flash of green light. Her body was bruised and bloodied by her brutal wounds, but if she killed her pain, she could still barely move. She collapsed forwards, panting for breath. Her soul gem was stained almost completely black. When she closed her eyes, she could almost see it, the stage of Sayaka's last moments. That had been just like this. But she didn't want to die. Even though she was covered in blood and bruises, she wanted to survive. Pushing those dark thoughts from her mind, she looked down at the hard ground outside the factory walls. The demons had scattered and were still drifting aimlessly, so that wasn't a problem. The drop was a greater concern. Given how exhausted she was, drawing out her magic was dangerous. But she'd take those odds over going back into the factory itself and risking getting dragged into the ridiculous battle that still raged there.

Hitomi closed her eyes, drew a ragged breath, then jumped. Green light poured from her body as she desperately drew out her magic, slowing her fall and reinforcing her body. She landed heavily, her legs folding under her. Hitomi clutched her legs and gasped for breath, biting her lip as she choked back a scream of pain. Nothing was broken, as far as she could tell. But she wouldn't survive another jump like that.

"You have no luck at all." Ritsuko limped towards Hitomi, looking down at the green-haired girl with cold eyes. Her white costume was stained red with blood. "Damn this pain. Anyone will do right now."

Hitomi stared at her, eyes wide with fear. She reached inside herself for the last remaining traces of her magic, green light bleeding around her eyes. She clutched her head as Ritsuko's memories flooded into her. "This makes no sense. How can you be like this?"

"The last time you did that, I tore those memories from your head," Ritsuko said. She steadily closed the distance between them, throwing away her naginata with stiff, pale fingers. "I won't let you have my secrets."

Hitomi closed her eyes, thinking quickly. "If you could use your negation, you'd already have healed those wounds."

"Yes. But I don't need negation to kill you." Ritsuko bit her lip so hard she drew blood, throwing herself bodily at Hitomi. She forced the younger girl down and wrapped her hands around her throat. "I'll live! Screw Homura! Screw everything! I'll live!"

Hitomi opened her eyes, struggling against Ritsuko's grip with both her hands. "I get it! I get it, so listen to me!" She managed to pull Ritsuko's hands away slightly. "I also want to live!" She shouted those few words.

Ritsuko hesitated for a moment, then let go of Hitomi. She collapsed backwards, twisting her head and looking up at the moon. "Screw this. Hurry up and die."

Hitomi laughed, grimacing in pain as her laughter caused sharp pain to lance through her wounded chest. "So if I hold out until you die, I win?"

"You'll die anyway, if help doesn't come," Ritsuko said. She gasped for breath, clutching her wounded chest. "I won't let you call for help, either. Homura would kill me."

"I see." Hitomi breathed out. The pain was almost overwhelming. "Hey, save me."

"If I could save you, I'd save myself first," Ritsuko said.

"You can save me." Hitomi tilted her head, looking across at Ritsuko's face. "I'll give you my body. But not to keep. Just to share. With my body you'd be able to use your negation and save us, right?"

Ritsuko snorted. "It'd be easy for me to trick you and then kill you, you know."

"You're a monster, but you keep your word," Hitomi said. "You've obeyed Kahoru until now, after all."

Ritsuko snorted. "My word is my honour. But no one else understands why that's important. Not now."

"I don't understand," Hitomi said. "But it doesn't matter. Make a contract with me. Use my body and save us."

"What are your conditions?" Ritsuko asked.

"We're bleeding out," Hitomi managed. "We'll discuss that later."

"Without terms, it isn't a contract," Ritsuko said stonily.

Hitomi choked back another laugh. "I'll use my body half the time. And I want to live in Mitakihara."

"I need to travel," Ritsuko said. "That's my duty."

"We can travel, then. But we have to return to Mitakihara every time, no matter what," Hitomi said.

"Even if Homura tries to kill me?" Ritsuko asked.

Hitomi nodded. Her sight was wavering. "Hurry."

"You're taking this lightly," Ritsuko said. "You hate me, yet you'll give me your body?"

"I'm not. I just don't want to die." Hitomi closed her eyes. "For a while, I felt like dying, you know. You made me feel like that. But no one here deserves to die. Not me and not you."

That was probably where she parted ways from Sayaka. After all that had happened and all the confusion, she'd lost any sense of righteous justice. All she had left was pity and contempt for herself and everyone around her.

Ritsuko grunted. She felt the cold air press against her, lulling her towards a fatal sleep. "I'll contract with you. Just for now." She released her magic in a flash of white light, forming her soul gem. She closed the fingers of her right hand around the muddied egg, passing it across to Hitomi. "Just take this, then throw yourself away. You should be able to do that." Ritsuko's head fell back, her whole body going limp as its motive force was stolen away. She didn't even breath.

"Probably." Hitomi took the soul gem carefully. She opened her eyes, staring up at the moon. How easy would it be to betray Ritsuko? If she used the other girl's soul gem to drain her own corruption, she'd be able to survive and kill the girl who had messed up her life. It would be simple.

That wasn't the kind of magical girl she wanted to be, though. So with a heart full of apprehension, she closed her eyes and let go of her own body. Perhaps she was the one who would be betrayed, instead. But that was a chance she'd have to take.

This was probably something Sayaka would disapprove of, after all. She apologised to herself as she fell into darkness.

Kyouko knelt with her spear by her side as Mami tended to Homura, her expression surprisingly cheerful. She put a hand on one of the five double-sided swords arranged in a pentagram next to her. Lines of pink light ran between them, forming a protective barrier. "Honestly, she's an idiot. Getting her kid to heal me is one thing, but putting up a barrier against the demons? If she's gonna make an enemy of me, she should show less mercy."

"Chiaki is a low priority," Homura said through gritted teeth. Blood stained her grey jacket as she lay still, letting Mami's golden light wash over her. "Now that Ritsuko's out of the picture, I'm going after Kahoru."

"Well, sure. But it ain't gonna be easy, given our current state," Kyouko said.

"I can still feel her presence. She can't be any better off than we are," Homura said. She closed her eyes. "She has the records. So I'll end everything now. I might not get a second chance."

"You're gonna kill her?" Kyouko asked.

"If necessary. She's Madoka's enemy," Homura said.

Mami closed her eyes without saying anything.

"Well, if that's what you have to do, I've got your back," Kyouko said. "We've been given enough reason. But I can't say it leaves a great taste in my mouth."

"It has to be done. It's obvious Kahoru is behind everything here," Homura said. "If she's our enemy, I'll kill her."

"Oriko's vision," Mami said. "Aiko attacked you because Oriko predicted you'd kill Kahoru, you know."

"Then that'll become a self-fulfilling prophecy," Homura said. She looked up at the moon, her expression cold. "She should have anticipated that."

"Maybe. But if you're going after Kahoru, Aiko will fight you," Mami said. "I'm sure of it."

"I'm taking that into account," Homura said. "Now I know to be wary of Lotus Garden, I can deal with her."

"You'll kill her as well?" Mami asked.

"She attacked me," Homura said. "It's a given I'll do that if I have to do so."

"Yeah, that's how this works," Kyouko said. "No one can complain about that."

"I know." Mami frowned, speaking half to herself. "But if Aiko had wanted to kill you, she should have put her axe through your soul gem after she put you to sleep."

"She wasn't expecting me to wake up, I'm sure," Homura said. "I shouldn't have been able to do so, I think."

"Perhaps." Mami pursed her lips, lowering her hands. The golden light faded away. "I've done what I can. But I'm not Yuma, so using all my power I've just barely closed your wounds. Beneath the skin, your lower body is still a complete mess. If you act like you're fully healed, you'll die."

"Can I fight?" Homura asked.

Mami hesitated for a heart-beat. "If you're careful, then perhaps for a minute or two. That's all."

"That's plenty," Homura said. "Kyouko, you'll be on point. But follow my lead, I'll want to manipulate the situation if I can. Mami, you probably already know, but right now, you're in no position to fight."

Mami touched her golden soul gem. She didn't need to look at it to confirm it was muddy with corruption. She'd purified it two minutes ago. One healing spell had taken everything out of her. She'd never been gifted at healing, but even so, that was abnormal. "Yes. But I'll follow you anyway. At the least, I want to see the end of this stupid battle."

"You don't have to," Kyouko said. "Nothing'll come of seeing, you know."

"I'll watch." Mami closed her eyes, pressing her hands against her chest. "It's important."

Kyouko glanced sidelong at her before nodding. "Sure."

Homura rose unsteadily, pressing her hands against her stomach. Then she stood, running her hands through her long black hair. "Let's go."

Kyouko stood, pulling her crimson spear from the ground. "Sure thing."

They walked calmly through the factory, ignoring the remaining lost demons. Within a minute, they reached the factory's final battlefield.

Kahoru panted for breath, sweat pressing her silver fringe against her forehead. Blood dripped from the dozens of wounds Kirika's claws had torn in her limbs. She backed away from Kirika and Oriko, looking up at the new-comers. "You're pretty late, given you're the territory holders. Do something about this vicious assault."

Aiko stared at Homura with a furious expression. "Why did you wake up? How? That's impossible! First Kirika and now this? You have to be screwing with me! If you two can wake up, why not-"

Kahoru raised her right hand, cutting Aiko off. "That's enough. Stay calm, Aiko. She didn't escape. She was saved by an outside power."

"The reason doesn't matter," Homura said. She shouldered her bow. "I'm here now, and ready to fight."

"You're not the only one." Chiaki stood above the others with Yuma by her side, crouching on the remainder of the back wall. Thirteen two-sided swords hung in the air around her, a ring of cold steel.

"I wish you'd been more punctual," Oriko said. She clutched her wounded right shoulder as she caught her breath. "We nearly died here."

"What on earth are you doing?" Chiaki shouted. "This wasn't part of the plan!"

Oriko laughed. "This was something I'd always intended to do. Kahoru will bring ruin to this world, so I'll kill her. If you're angry, well, that's what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you trust." She glanced at Kyouko and smiled.

Chiaki scowled, fuming silently as she watched the situation unfold beneath her eyes.

"I agree with Oriko," Homura said. She met Kahoru's gaze. "Before I end everything, let me confirm one thing, Kahoru. You're trying to become god, right?"

Kahoru smirked. Yurino, listen to me. I need you to come back to the factory with Kyubey right now. You're the only option I have left. Out loud she managed a chuckle. "Why ask if you already know the answer? If it's come to this, I won't renounce it. I'll become god."

I understand. I'll come as fast as I can, but there are demons I'll have to avoid. Would you rather I become a magical girl right away?

No, that's still a last resort. Kahoru cocked her head as her words sunk in. Aiko was staring at her with more surprise than anyone else. "I'm not going to discuss my methods. No magician discusses their tricks. But it's possible." She smirked at Homura, raising her left hand and pointing it directly at the other girl. "Here and now, I've finally confirmed to myself it's possible. You showed me a miracle, Homura. I'm grateful for that, from the bottom of my heart. But that's not your miracle, is it? It belongs to Madoka."

"I knew you were a meglomaniac, but to think you're so crazy you want to become god," Oriko said. "It's laughable, Miss Hoshino. No human can become god."

"Madoka Kaname became god. Where she went, others can follow. Even so, it's not possible for just anyone to become god. It's harder than it was in her time. But I'm willing to bet the path is still open. Madoka hasn't entirely closed that door." Kahoru raised her head, letting her words spill outwards. For a precious moment, the others were simply listening to her, bewildered by her words. Well, they thought she was stark mad, but that was fine. As long as they listened. As long as she could buy even a second more time. "I'll become god to save this fallen world. Haven't you ever thought of it? Doesn't it frustrate you? Humans live, and suffer. Humans fall ill. Humans die. Even if god exists, this is not a Panglossian world. So I'll change it with my own hands! I'll turn this world into the kind of Utopia you read about in stories." She smirked. "That's the difference between us, Homura. You can only think of one person. But I'm fighting for the sake of the whole world."

"You're delusional," Homura said. She said it flatly, without any trace of emotion. "What you're searching for is something even god cannot create. Humans suffer and die. No one chose for things to be that way. That's just the way things are."

"The status quo is always said to be unchanging," Kahoru said. "But when humans struggle and think and plan, they can change the world. I'll go to any necessary length and fight any enemy. I'll do it." She spread her hands in a gesture of magnanimity. "Why not let me try, Homura? If it's impossible, no harm will come of it. And if I succeed, I'll return Madoka to you. You saw her in your Lotus Garden, right? I can make that into reality."

"I saw her. She is more important to me than anyone else in this world, now and forever," Homura said. She pulled her bow away from her shoulder, taking a combat stance. "But I can't be with her. That is also a settled thing, the way things are."

"You've changed. You aren't the girl who plunged into that endless maze any more," Kahoru said. She laughed at Homura's cold expression. "I'll be your opponent, Homura. That's our fate. But this isn't the right time. If we fight now, everything we achieved tonight will turn to dust."

"No, I'll end everything now," Homura said. "You understand, Oriko? I'll overlook Chiaki's theft. Here and now, I want Kahoru dead. That's all."

Oriko laughed. "More devil than angel, aren't you, Miss Akemi? I understand. Chiaki, you should also participate. Let's end this quickly and cleanly."

Aiko glanced from position to position, following all the enemies before her eyes. "What do we do, Kahoru?"

"You're going to fight?" Mami asked. She raised a hand as Homura summoned an arrow. "Not yet! Why do you have to fight, Aiko? You must know Kahoru is mad!"

"I always knew Kahoru was strange. This takes the cake, it's true. But I believe her. I'm gonna choose to believe her." Aiko raised her axe to guard, her lips trapped in a grim frown. "Her plans or how many enemies she has, none of that matters. I'm still going to be Kahoru's shield."

Kirika laughed, licking her talons. "Damn right. I like you. I like you a lot! I'll cut you myself."

Mami breathed out, staring at Aiko. "Why?"

"She's more crazy than Kahoru," Kyouko said, raising her spear.

"Perhaps, but I understand her. Aiko, not Kahoru." Homura scowled. "I know just how dangerous that kind of person is. So don't hold back, Kyouko."

Mami stood behind them, staring hopelessly at Aiko and Kahoru. Her hands balled into fists. This was all wrong. Her body and mind were screaming at her. This was not how things should be.

"Yeah, I got it," Kyouko said.

"Like I said, Kahoru, what's the plan?" Aiko asked.

"Buy me a minute or even a second," Kahoru said. "Anything. Just believe in me."

Aiko nodded, visibly shaking off her fatigue. "Got it."

Homura narrowed her eyes. "Enough words." She drew her bowstring back to her cheek, preparing to fire. Her first shot would aim for Kahoru's head. Even if it missed, it would be the starting signal for an attack that would surely end her enemy's life. That way, Madoka would be protected. There was no reason to hesitate.

Mami stepped in front of her, turning around and facing Homura. She raised her arms, blocking Homura. "No."

Homura's eyes widened in shock. "Move, Mami. They attacked us! There's no reason to show mercy!"

Mami met her gaze. For the first time since Aiko's betrayal, her gaze was steady and full of purpose. "We were certainly betrayed. We were certainly attacked. But none of that justifies this."

"Doesn't the immanent catastrophe Kahoru will surely create justify killing her?" Oriko asked playfully. "It's for the greater good."

"No, that doesn't matter, either. I don't kill people for things they've yet to do." Mami spread the fingers of her right hand, feeling her magic respond. A musket materialised there. Good. She could fight, even if only a little. "When that time comes, I'll stop her. Right now, I'll stop Homura." She breathed out. "Look at me, Aiko. This is what you do when a friend is about to make a big mistake."

Aiko stared at Mami's back, her cheeks flushed with shame. "Why? We're enemies. I told you that!"

"Maybe. But it's wrong to kill your enemies. We're not soldiers, we're magical girls." Mami held Homura's gaze with unblinking eyes. "You know that, right, Homura?"

Homura averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed with anger. "You're naïve. You always were. But the world always betrays you, and you end up despairing. You should give up, for your own sake. If you try to force your hopes on a bleak world you really will break, and I won't be able to save you."

"Maybe. I'm barely breathing right now." Mami smiled. "But I have to do this, since you're my friend."

"Well, I get where you're coming from," Kyouko said. She breathed out, shouldering her spear. "I was once technically a Christian, after all. What do you think, Homura?"

Homura's wings bloomed behind her in a flash of white light. She stepped backwards, closing her eyes. "Sorry, but I can't stop. I can't make you two follow me, but I need to do this. She's Madoka's enemy."

"Is this really what Madoka would want?" Mami asked. "From everything you've said about her, that's not the impression I have of her."

"I've never been good enough as a person to fight for Madoka. I fought for my own sake, from the start until the end, rejecting her own will and her own willingness to die for the sake of others." Homura's voice shook for a moment as she spoke, mostly to herself. "I fought because I loved her, and that was a selfish love until the very end. So even now, I'm probably fighting against her will, even if it's for her sake."

"You also get it," Kirika said, watching Homura out of the corner of her eye with an amused expression. "Right, Oriko?"

"Indeed. But don't get any funny ideas about going against my will from her," Oriko said. "You belong to me, Kirika."

Kyouko frowned. "But if she goes in, I'll back her up. I see where you're coming from, but Homura comes first for me. If she's gonna do it anyway, I'll make sure she wins. And I'm more of an eye for an eye person myself, anyway."

"I see." Mami nodded. "I can't fault you for that, but I won't back down on this, either."

"I know. Ideals are like this, you know." Kyouko cocked her head, looking up at Chiaki. "I'm honestly used to it."

Homura stared down Mami, searching for any opening. It would only take an instant and she'd teleport away. But Mami was watching her with fierce concentration. If she let herself slip, she'd be the one tripped up, bound by Mami's magic and unable to move. With her body as it was right now, she wasn't certain she'd be the faster one.

For a moment, utter stillness reigned. Then Oriko raised a hand. "Well, the situation hasn't fundamentally changed. Chiaki, attack on my mark."

"I'd rather not," Chiaki said. "Mami's right. We shouldn't kill people."

"It's also a sin to steal, Chiaki," Oriko said. "But if you don't fight now, Kahoru won't hesitate to finish me off another time. She's not the sort of person who'd let this slide. If you're fine with that, by all means don't fight."

"I resent that accusation," Kahoru said. She smiled as she watched the situation around her. She couldn't claim credit for anything, but the tide was turning. She lived for moments like this. "I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. God should be forgiving, right? I'll start practising that now."

"So she says," Oriko said. "What will you do?"

Chiaki hesitated, her eyes wide as she stared down at the complex tableau below.

Yuma tugged her hand, staring up at her sister's anxious face. "Let's go home."

Chiaki smiled, closing her eyes. "Yeah. Oriko, I promise I'll protect you if she comes after you. But I won't kill Kahoru."

Homura gritted her teeth. "It's fine, Oriko. If Kyouko will follow me, the four of us are plenty." She could feel the moment slip away, but even if it was reckless, she'd force it through. If she could just evade Mami, the rest would follow.

"Well, I'm also willing to risk my life for this," Oriko said. She clicked her fingers, summoning three silver spheres. "What of Ritsuko?"

"She won't be a problem," Homura said. "I dealt with her." She spoke with more confidence than she felt, but she'd take that risk.

"Good." Oriko turned to meet Kahoru's gaze, smiling evenly. "You have the luck of the devil, but this is as far as it goes. In the end, you made too many enemies."

"I wouldn't say my luck has run out yet," Kahoru said. She grinned back at Oriko, clicking her fingers. "Towel, please."

Yurino approached the group at a steady walking pace. She began to open her backpack, pulling out a white towel. She walked past the stand-off between Mami and Homura without comment, stopping in front of her sister and offering the towel to Kahoru. "Here."

Kahoru put her book under one arm, taking the towel with the other and wiping her sweat-soaked face. "Thanks. God, I need a shower. Let's head back."

"We're not done here!" Homura snapped.

"No." Oriko stared at Yurino, her expression twisted. "This is bad." She turned her head, her eyes searching the factory.

Kyubey stared back at her from the crumbling entrance. His red eyes reflected the moonlight, as if they were glowing in the darkness.

"It's a bluff," Homura said. "You know how determined Kahoru is her sister doesn't become a magical girl. She fought the demon prince without Yurino!"

"Well, yes. But I can't die yet, so it's your call," Kahoru said. She handed the towel back to her sister and put her hand on her hip. "If you come after me, I'll permit Yurino to become a magical girl."

"She'd be a rookie," Homura said. "She doesn't change anything."

"We can't fight her," Oriko said. She rubbed her forehead with her right hand, closing her eyes. "I don't understand but we can't fight her. She's talented, but no more so than her older sister. She'd have no practical experience and her wish can only be for the sake of one person. But all the futures I see are full of blood. That girl, covered in our blood."

"It wouldn't be anything personal," Yurino said. "The way you dwell on blood hurts my feelings. But if you're going to try to kill my sister, you should never assume I'd do nothing." She smiled. "I honestly think you're lucky, though."

Homura snorted. She couldn't see any more openings. Now she was the one who had to play for time. "Oh? Do tell."

"If my sister had been dead by the time I'd arrived, I really would try to kill you all." Yurino shrugged. "I'm glad it didn't come to that."

"You can't say things like that," Kahoru said. "People will think you're strange, you know."

"Isn't it normal?" Yurino said. "Anyone would get angry if their sister was murdered, I'd think."

"Normally they'd call the police, not take matters into their own hands," Kahoru said. She rubbed her sister's hair with her free hand. "But I'm happy. Thank you, Yurino."

"You're welcome," Yurino said. She smiled at her sister, a pure expression of happiness.

Oriko sighed. "Just what is it about someone like you that inspires the devotion of selfless people, Miss Hoshino? You're just a delusional, cynical girl."

"I have no idea," Kahoru said. "Ask these two. But you're the expert on love, right? Don't they say it's blind?"

"So they say. But either way we've lost, Miss Akemi," Oriko said decisively. "So I'll be taking my leave here."

Homura closed her eyes, anger pulsing through her body. She was so close. Just a moment more and she'd be able to do it, she'd be able to kill the girl behind everything that had happened here. Forget Yurino and Oriko's prophecy. The consequences would work themselves out, but right now her body was screaming at her to step in and fight. She could still do it. At the least, if she could get past Mami, she'd be able to kill Kahoru here and now.

Kyouko stepped forwards, reaching out with her right hand and gripping Homura's left wrist. "Let's go home. It's been a long night." She smiled a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Homura closed her eyes, choking down her frustration. That touch brought her back from the brink. "If you insist."

Oriko glanced at Homura with a frown, then curtsied to the magical girls standing around her. "If you're worried about the prince's remnants, well, don't forget Chiaki is fighting fit right now, and Yuma could heal Kirika and I in a flash. I suggest you let that one slide."

"I can't stop you right now," Kahoru said. She shrugged. "But I'll be back later."

"I will stop you then, Miss Hoshino. For now, I bid farewell to you all." Oriko swept away, her skirt trailing across the cold factory floor. Kirika followed her, waving sarcastically to the others.

Chiaki stood watchfully over the factory, her blades raised as she searched for any sign of hostility against Oriko and Kirika. Finding none, she picked up Yuma.

Kyouko strode forwards, looking up at Chiaki. "There's still time for second thoughts, you know. If you give the remnants back, I'll forgive you."

"I can't do that," Chiaki said. "I don't have anything to say. I know I'm in the wrong, but I'm doing it anyway."

"I feel sorry for you." Kyouko smirked. "I know you're a good-natured fool at heart, so you're only going to make yourself miserable. If that's what you want, do what you like."

Chiaki shook her head and turned away.

Kyouko watched her go. "Next time we fight, I'll kick your ass anyway. Remember that! You got it coming to you!"

Chiaki jumped from the wall with Yuma in her arms, disappearing from sight in an instant.

Kahoru turned away from the remaining magical girls, banishing her book in a flash of silver light. "We'll meet again, Homura. You'll have your chance to kill me, since we're connected by a blood-red fate. I need you more than any lover does, you know."

"Today you were lucky," Homura said. She lowered her bow, banishing it in a flash of purple light. "I will protect Madoka. I won't let you get anywhere near her throne."

"Well, do your best. You should be praying for my success, though. You're older than you look." Kahoru twisted her neck, glancing back at Homura. "I'll give you a quick tip. Wishing for someone to no longer be a magical girl is a legitimate wish. That's one way to escape the certain doom we labour under."

"Are you telling me to sacrifice another girl's life for my own sake?" Homura said.

"Well, it's just a suggestion. I don't fancy it, myself. So I'll become god instead." Kahoru waved ironically and walked away. "Bye."

"Good-bye." Yurino nodded to the Mitakihara girls before turning and following her sister.

Mami relaxed as Homura lowered her weapon, turning to face Aiko. "If she's wrong, stop her."

"I'm more like Kyouko," Aiko said. "I'll tag along with Kahoru till the end." She averted her gaze. "Sorry I disappointed you."

"Don't think I've given up on you or my ideals," Mami said. "We don't have to kill out of fear of being killed. That's a bad way to live."

"Ain't that so. But I can't quit it." Aiko glanced sidelong at Mami for a moment. "Thanks." She turned and ran after Kahoru without another word.

"You've changed," Homura said to Mami. Those words were exquisitely neutral, as cold as ice.

"Probably." Mami banished her weapon in a flash of golden light. She folded her arms to stop them from shaking. "You might not be happy about this, but I think I could do that because I was with you two all this time. Even if I'm betrayed by others, even if I'm doomed to die, it's not as if I'm alone."

"Let's just let bygones be bygones," Kyouko said. "Right, Homura?"

Homura's hands balled into fists, but she nodded. "I know. There's nothing to be done about it now."

"If you'd killed her then, you would have regretted it for the rest of your life," Mami said. "I stopped you because I believe that from the bottom of my heart."

"I'm not as good a person as you think," Homura said. She released her magic, returning to her normal clothes. "Let's go."

"Sure," Kyouko said. She did the same thing, red magic bleeding from her body as her soul gem became a ring. She put an arm around Homura's shoulder, supporting the black-haired girl. "You're wounded, right? Take it easy. God knows what would have happened to your body if you had started a fight just now."

"I'd have managed," Homura said. She accepted Kyouko's help, feeling her breathing steady slightly. "But thanks."

"You're welcome."