Chapter 26

"Are you sure it will be okay?"

It was Pace who had spoken, back on her feet after a night of healing. Homura had explained everything to her when she had woken up, and hadn't that been a shock? The girl Carmentae's people wanted dead was a Magical Girl, and she had a spell which could save the others from their fate. Pace had checked Avalon for possession first, to make sure it wasn't a trap. Hell, she was checking everyone she could now that Tabbris was revealed to them. Now, they wouldn't have a reason to be suspicious of her checking them.

Speaking of Avalon, she was standing beside Pace on the field, watching Flick have a private conversation with Tabbris out of earshot. "I've never seen a Magical Girl transform after turning into a Witch," she admitted. "I don't know what's going to happen, but we need Flick fighting with us if we're going to beat Walpurgisnacht."

Pace sighed. "Are we really prepared to fight this thing? It's some sort of legend among Magical Girls because of its power, isn't it? Don't some call it a harbinger of death?"

"They also call me a ghost," Avalon pointed out. "We won't know anything until we fight it in person. For now, we know it's strong, so the more power we have the better."

"Then . . ." Pace bit her lip. "Should I make a contract with Kyubey? As a Magical Girl, I can help more. You can fix my soul after, right?"

"It's not that trivial!" Avalon snapped, before taking a deep breath. "Sorry, but I wouldn't. Kyubey's contract is a curse, one way or the other. Your wish will backfire in some way, and there's no guarantee you'd survive. I made offers to the others—to repair their souls. I don't know if any of them will take me up on the deal before Walpurgisnacht, but it will still take a whole lot of energy for just one soul. We're lucky we have Madoka to draw from."

"Saving people by giving them a new source of energy," Pace said. "Kind of reminds me of the Edge."

"The Edge?" Avalon frowned.

"Sure," Pace said. "Actually, that's something else I wanted to talk about. Were you ever put through the Edge? I'm wondering what happens if a Magical Girl receives that power."

"What power?" Flick asked, joining the conversation. Tabbris was possessing her once more, ready to intervene if something went wrong after Flick transformed.

"The Edge," Pace said. "I was just wondering what would happen to a Magical Girl when she becomes a Bosch Heretic."

"It's not any different than becoming a Natural," Avalon said, stepping beside Flick. "You get more out of it, but a Heretic's a Heretic. I haven't done it myself, but I don't imagine anything would change. Same as how a Natural can go through the Edge, and still have their original powerset when they emerge."

Flick took the girl's hand, making her jump before attempting to hide her reaction. Seeing them together made Pace smile. Whatever had happened between them, it had brought them closer together. That happiness would stay between them no matter what. Pace could only hope the rest of the girls would one day have the same.

"Tabbris and I were talking about something similar," Flick said. "I'm not entirely pleased with this idea, but Tabbris wants to help, so . . ." She stopped, looking as though she wanted to drop the topic entirely. "If any of the others want to bond with her, they can."

Avalon squeezed her hand. "You're worried."

"Shouldn't I be?"

Avalon nodded. "Let the others stick with what they know. There's not enough time for any of them to adjust to any new powers. Kyoko might be the only one who can consider using hers."

Right. Carmentae had bonded with Kyoko. What had she been thinking, in that moment? Was she prepared to stand alone if she had to?

At first, Pace had hated her enslaver. She'd wanted nothing more than to kill Carmentae herself. Then she'd had a nightmare. Or rather, the nightmare had been Carmentae's. Pace had merely been along for the ride.

That was enough, however, for her to see that Carmentae was just as much a victim as Pace. Further nights would confirm that, and the moment Pace was free and Carmentae didn't kill her to tie up loose ends, she knew she had to help the other girl.

But it seems she helped herself more than anything.

What could Pace do for the Seosten? Was she better off staying out of her way?"

"Alright." It was Flick speaking, drawing Pace out of her thoughts. "We doing this, then?"

"If you're ready," Pace said. "We're both here in case something goes wrong." Her eyes fell on Flick's ring, which contained her soul gem.

It was pitch black.

"Right." Flick closed her eyes. "Let's do this."

Flick transformed.

Right away, Flick could tell something was off. For one, her feet were no longer touching the ground, and she could see far above the heads of the two Heretics before her, both of which were stumbling back with wide eyes.

Then, there were the thoughts in her head. Looking at Avalon, she felt a spike of concern for the girl. There was so much she didn't know. How could she expect to survive in this harsh world? No, Flick had to help her—

"Flick!"

Tabbris' voice brought Flick's thoughts to a halt. She shook the invasive emotions away, focusing on the presence inside her.

Tabbris? What—what's happening? She could see Avalon and Pace each draw a pair of knives, though neither of them moved to attack.

"You turned into your Witch form," Tabbris said. "It's not exactly the same. You're only twice your height instead of nine times it, and your weapon is different."

Different? Flick glanced toward the object in her hand. A silver bow, with a string glowing crimson. Though there was no arrow, when Flick drew the string back—making sure it wasn't pointed at the other girls, but at the ground a few feet away—an arrow matching the string formed. Flick let it loose, and a concussive blast followed where it struck.

"Holy shit."

"Flick?" Avalon asked, and the worry in her voice was palpable. "Are you . . . yourself?"

That was a good question.

What do you think, sis?

"Ummm . . . well, you're pushing the Witchy thoughts back, and there's nothing in your subconscious indicating you're about to flip out or anything. So . . . I think you're safe?"

"We think it's me," Flick said. "Does this mean I'm not a Magical Girl? Am I still a Witch?"

"That must be the case," Avalon said. She looked away, but not before Flick caught the pained expression on her face. "I'm sorry. I thought I could free you entirely."

Flick felt her heart ache, and she turned back to normal. "Hey. I'm right here, see?" She walked up to Avalon, taking both of her hands. "You did save me, Avalon. I'm in control. Everything's fine."

Avalon exhaled. "Are you sure? To fight, you have to be . . . that."

"I think I would be a massive hypocrite if I freaked out about that, after telling Sayaka there was nothing wrong with her being a werewolf," Flick said. "Alright, I am kind of freaking out inside, but I can get used to this."

Thanks, by the way, Flick sent to her sister. I know you're helping keep my heart rate under control.

"Are you sure you're okay, Flick?"

You can read my mind, can't you? I can't exactly keep secrets from you.

"I don't want to dive that far. I think . . . I might be part of why you look like an angel in that state."

You? Flick could tell Tabbris was attempting to distract her, but she was willing to go along with it. Because the Seosten are the original angels, right? Part of me held onto the memory of you, and it showed in the angel. I suppose all the eyes came from me, then.

"Uh huh."

"Flick?" Pace asked.

"Sorry," Flick said. "I was talking to Tabbris." She inhaled sharply. "This is good, right? I'll be stronger against Walpurgisnacht."

"Flick . . ." Avalon murmured.

"Let's focus on the other reason we're here," Flick said. "You were going to teach us that spell, right, Avalon? The one that can free a Magical Girl's soul?"

Avalon eyed for a moment, then nodded. "You might not be able to learn it in time, but we should prepare for the worst."

"In that case, allow me to join in as well."

All the girls turned toward the new voice, seeing Homura Akemi step out from behind the treeline.

"Homura!" Flick blurted. "I . . . guess you saw all that."

"I did," she confirmed. "Remember, Flick, you and the people you love are still alive. That's all that matters."

Flick swallowed. "Right. You want to learn the spell too, then?"

"I do," Homura said. She turned to Avalon. "Do not worry about me wasting all my magic. I have had plenty of experience."

Avalon raised an eyebrow. "That so?"

"You've seen my powers. Can't you draw your own conclusions?"

"Time magic, right?" Avalon asked. "I can guess. You know more than you should. Does anyone else know?"

"Everyone except Sayaka, Mami, and Madoka. For Sayaka and Mami . . . that knowledge would only hurt them."

"And Madoka?" Avalon asked.

". . . I don't want her risking herself for me."

Flick spotted a flash of something in Avalon's eyes. It vanished before she could figure it out.

"Very well," Avalon said. "I'll teach you all the spell."

That night, Avalon was outside Madoka's house. The other girl was with her, along with one more.

"So that's what happened to Flick Chambers," Kyubey said. "How interesting."

"What are you going to do?" Avalon challenged. "Are you going to try to hurt her more?"

Kyubey jumped onto a ledge, swishing his tail. "Hardly. Her potential has already gone into stopping entropy. We don't need to bother with her anymore."

"And me?" Avalon said. "I know you aren't one to give up on one of your targets."

"It is true that losing you was disappointing," Kyubey said. "And now that you have proven yourself to be alive, I truly believe you should give yourself up into becoming a Witch." His eyes met hers. "Of course, if Madoka becomes a Witch, we'll have enough energy to leave this planet. Whatever happens to the rest of you wouldn't be our concern."

"You won't give up on me, then?" Madoka asked. "Even if they all defeat Walpurgisnacht, you'll find another way."

"Indeed. You have too much potential to waste, Madoka Kaname."

Madoka closed her eyes. "Then the deal we came to earlier. Will it work the way we intend? No consequences, no loopholes we're unaware of? Nothing you're keeping from us?"

"Admittedly, it is highly unlikely that your friends will be able to bring you back once you turn into a Witch," Kyubey said. "But that spell you mentioned should go off without a problem. Considering the potential wording of your wish, you should have control over it."

Avalon put a hand on Madoka's shoulder. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know. There's plenty of places where Kyubey's influence won't reach you. Gaia can find a way."

"No," Madoka shook her head. "I want to do this. The spell will make the world better, and it's going to need to draw from my energy. That's worth the consequences."

Even so, Avalon wanted to tell everyone else. She wanted them to work together to stop Madoka from making her wish when the time came. No one deserved to carry the weight she was willing to bear.

"I'm not giving up on you," Avalon promised. "I will try to save you with the restoration spell, okay?"

Madoka smiled at her. "Of course! And I promise to only make my wish if I have to. If everyone lives through the battle, then my wish wouldn't be necessary, right?"

"Just . . . be careful," Avalon said.

Madoka gave her a firm nod. "I promise."

They were running, cowering from her truth. She could not allow that.

A brush of her hand against her instrument was all it took. The blast caught two of them, the wolves. This one was more powerful than the last, and it tore them both to shreds.

The false angel, the one who couldn't match her, cried out in rage, rushing toward her. In her anger, she left herself open to have her head blown off by a blast.

From there, the rest fell like ants. The blonde girl, the time traveler, the street rat, the bystander, all dead by her hand. All that remained was the Heretic, the one who had foolishly wasted time and energy in an attempt to make her blind once more.

Fortuna prepared her final attack.

Once again, Flick woke up screaming. She floundered, falling off her bed and landing on the floor with a thud. Recognizing where she was, she put a hand over her heart, gasping desperately for breath.

"Flick? Are you . . . okay?"

No, she wasn't. Flick shook her head, forcing her statement out between gasps. "I . . . sorry, Tabbris. It was . . ."

"A nightmare. I saw. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Flick muttered, throwing her blanket, which had fallen with her, back onto the bed. She leaned backward, landing on top of her bed and making the mattress squeak.

"Do you . . . want to talk about it?"

"Not yet," Flick said. "But maybe, you can sleep on the bed with me tonight?"

"I-if that's what you want. You still went to Mom, you know? When you had nightmares. You kept going to her at night until you were 12."

Flick's heart wrenched. She knew it was selfish of her, but she hated that she had no memories of this timeline. Even though she had saved her mom, there was still that aching void in her. Tabbris was the only evidence she had of her wish working.

"Hey, Tabbris. All my memories with Mom. Can you . . . return them to me?" Her question came out sounding like a plea.

"Oh! I can. Um, here. One sec."

Flick sat up, eyes widening. What was she going to see? Would she feel further from her mom, watching memories that she hadn't really experienced. Or would she finally—

Tabbris gave Flick her memories with her mom. All of them.

A Seosten's memory was perfect. Because of that, everything she saw, it was as though she herself had truly been there. The emotions, the thoughts, they were hers. Those of an innocent child, one who loved her mom. So perfect were they, that they felt just as real as the life she had lived in the other timeline.

She saw so much. Family vacations. Joselyn teaching Flick how to put on makeup (that skill didn't stick with her), surprising her mom with breakfast in bed for Christmas one year, receiving relationship advice (her mom had been exasperated when she realized Flick didn't know she was bi), and so much more.

So, so much more. Joselyn had been with Flick every step in her life. Even after Flick had transferred to Mitakihara, she was always visiting home when she could. And before anything else, she would begin those trips home by hugging her mom.

They were memories of a normal family. A normal, complete, loving family.

Flick buried her face into her eyes, sobbing. Her mother loved her. There was no doubt about that now. Even when she had learned the truth, that bitterness had always lurked beneath the surface, taunting her. She hated herself for those thoughts, but could never make them vanish. Yet now, there were new feelings. Nostalgia at a new past, joy at the experiences she now had.

When Flick had made her wish, she saved her mom from the sacrifice she had made for Flick's sake.

It was now, however, when Flick finally felt that she had her mother back.