Chapter 52

Of Hearts and Hair


It wasn't working.

Sayaka stared at the sword in her hand. The weapon felt less like a pointy metal stick in her hands and more an extension of her own body. She swung as she moved about the room, spinning, slashing, thrusting, and chopping, almost dancing with the blade. It was easy to lose herself like this, just, practicing movements and forms, swiping at imaginary enemies. So much of it just came naturally.

She had never taken those kinds of classes. No fencing, no kendo. And yet, she had the sword skills of an expert even though before she had only played with toy swords. She reflected on those days as a child, running around with a wooden sword and plastic armor while Madoka wore a toy crown and little dress.

They would play games, Madoka would be the princess captured by various bandits, dragons, robots, aliens, supervillains, shoggoths (that one time she had managed to get into her dad's horror movie collection) whatever she could come up with. And through all that, Sayaka was the hero, the brave and fearless knight, the superhero who would save the day, the general leading the army, the brave commando, always the one who would protect her, rescue her, keep her out of harm's way.

And now… it was all real. Madoka was a princess, and Sayaka her knight in shining armor. Or well, blue cloth and a cape. It had all seemed so simple, like all the stories she loved to come to life. A demon woman unleashing an army of shadow creatures. A fallen hero seeking to undo creation. And standing against it all were the young heroes who had taken up the role as protectors of the Light.

Sure, there were some hardships and setbacks, some things TV didn't show you, but that was to be expected. It wasn't going to be easy. Yen Sid's explanation had made that clear. Yet it was certain that they were the good guys. But then, it had all gone wrong. Asgard. It had seemed so perfect. Like she had felt before. Heroes and gods right out of myth. Legends come to life. But now…

Odin had gotten to where he was through conquest and oppression and was willing to throw away his own men's lives needlessly just to win, no matter the cost. She had failed to protect Madoka, resulting in her being imprisoned and tortured by a psychopath. She had helped break a mass-murdering supervillain out of prison to rescue her. And then, more failures came back to haunt her.

She had failed to protect Tatsuya and Mr. Kaname, letting them get taken by the Heartless and leaving Madoka traumatized. And now, with Mrs. Kaname back as a Nobody, all that trauma was being reawakened and Sayaka didn't know how to help her. She was supposed to be her protector.

Sayaka turned back to her sword. She remembered how it had been during the battle against Surtur/Ifrit in Muspelheim, a Holy Sword, all blazing with blue-white fire. Yet try as she might, she could no longer do that. The sword in her hands remained just a pointy stick.

Kyoko was suffering. She had against all expectations grown close to Queen Frigga. Sayaka had seen how confident and… well… fun she had been during that brief period when they were fighting against the Marauders to rescue Mami. She had… well… she had enjoyed it, seeking Kyoko that enthusiastic.

But then, Frigga had died, shattering that happiness, replacing it with pain. And it pained her to see Kyoko like she was. What was she supposed to do? She didn't know what to say, or what to do. What, offer empty words or gestures?

Sayaka turned back to the sword. Their magic was supposed to be powered by emotion. She tried to recall the feeling she had back in Muspelheim when she was fighting the Heat Saber. That feeling… it felt like… like…

Sayaka struggled to recall it. It felt like… confidence. But she was anything but confident now. When she tried, instead she saw Mami's hurt expression when she had left. Damn… She was terrible at this.

Sayaka looked toward the castle's entrance. She wanted to fight something. Anything. A Heartless, a Nobody, whatever, she just wanted to be fighting something. She wasn't smart or clever. She wasn't good with people. Looking back, she didn't have anything to look forwards to in life back home. She had considered going back to a normal life, just ordinary schoolgirl Sayaka. But there was nothing for her there. She really couldn't picture herself anywhere meaningful in the future.

But she could fight. And fight well. If she couldn't help the others, then she might at least be good for that. Be a sword. A weapon. But what was a sword without a foe? Just a prop? She was useless.

Sayaka sighed. Maybe it was time to head back before she got too stuck in her head. She had no idea where Nagisa and Kyoko had run off to, but at least she should check back in with Mami and Madoka.

Sayaka sighed and turned around. Only to almost run into someone.

"Whoa! Sorry." Sayaka said.

"It's no problem." Said the newcomer. He was a silver-haired boy who looked to be the same age as her, or perhaps a bit older, wearing a white lab coat. He looked familiar.

Then, Sayaka backed away. "You're… Zexion!"

He gave a wry grin. "Which means you must be Sayaka Miki. Dilan and Aeleus told me about you and your companions."

Sayaka relaxed. "So you're with them and not part of the Organization. Which means I guess you're no longer called Zexion right?"

The names of the old version of the Organization were anagrams of their original names with an 'X' added in.

"Which means you are Ezion? Neizo?" Sayaka asked.

He chuckled. "No, actually, it's Ienzo. Good guesses though."

Sayaka laughed a bit too, though it didn't last long, as she was reminded of what was happening.

"So, how do you do it?"

"Excuse me?" Ienzo looked confused.

"Y'know. Come back from being a Nobody? Grow a new Heart?"

"Ah, that. From what we know, lacking a Heart, the body and soul will strive to form a replacement." Ienzo said. "But even now the process isn't fully understood."

"What do you mean? You've done it yourself, haven't you?"

"True, but that doesn't come with an innate understanding of the process. Beyond that, we're a fairly small sample size. The mysteries of the Heart run deep. Regardless, I was on my way to meet with Mrs. Kaname. Perhaps her condition may very well provide some illumination on said mysteries."

"Alright." Sayaka nodded as Ienzo headed off. As his footsteps faded away, Sayaka considered. With him there, she'd probably only get in the way. She sighed, and formed another sword, resuming her practice.


Homura lay back in the tree, surrounded by only darkness and nature. The only sound was that of crickets chirping. She had never really had an opportunity like this before, to observe nature like so, having only really persisted in urban environments. In her days as a worthless sickly child, she had been confined to her orphanage or various hospital beds. Then, her days as a Puella Magi had confined her to Mitakihara, no opportunity to leave the city.

Sure, there was the occasional Labyrinth with a forest or jungle theme, but then she was more focused on combat, dealing with Familiars and the Witch herself. Though now, having enough time to take it in, the "beauty of nature" seemed as much drivel as anything else the mindless masses spouted. She had dealt with obnoxious bugs, the foul stench of the swamp, and having muddy water repeatedly blasted into her face and up her nostrils. There was nothing to it. Just more buzzwords and pretension.

Regardless there could never be peace, not for one such as her. Her lot was endless conflict. Which was well enough, she didn't deserve peace anyways. The mission was all she had.

And so, she pondered it. There was a certain logic to Gothel's plan. She had tried and tried to get Madoka to see reason, to understand that she owed these flawed people and wretched world nothing. She shouldn't feel bound to it, they weren't worth her time. And yet, she never listened. The one time she had seen the truth, learned of the world as it was, it had been at the end on the verge of witching out, where she had finally begged Homura to save her. A final object lesson in the true nature of the world.

That was how it always was. The downsides of such a fact were obvious. If only experiencing it herself could convince her, then it would always be too late.

But again, Gothel's idea had merit. If she wasn't going to learn via words, then she would have to learn by example. But, rather than wait for something to come along naturally, creating a controlled situation was the right course of action.

"Is it a good idea?" A voice spoke out.

Homura turned, seeing Akemi clinging to a nearby branch. She looked so ridiculous, wrapped entirely around it, constantly glancing at the ground beneath her, flinching every time the branch swayed slightly. God, had this been her?

"What do you want?" Homura demanded.

"This whole p-plan just feels... wrong. Like we're playing with dolls."

"It's what needs to be done."

Homura turned to see the Devil sitting in another branch. Unlike Akemi, she reclined and looked graceful while doing so.

"It's like Chaos said. Conflict elevates the strong. If these fools won't see reason in time, then it falls to us to force them to. Mother Gothel has the right of it. It's all conflict, always. If we can't win through force, then we win through deception."

"But that sounds like ga-"

"Like what needs to be done." The Devil said. "A coward like you could do nothing but watch everyone die again and again. I'm the one who solves things, preventing these people from marching to their ruin. Now get going. We all have our parts to play, and I won't let you screw this up like you do everything else."

Akemi flinched and closed her eyes, only for the Devil to swoop down on to her branch. Meanwhile, Homura leaped from the tree, drawing closer to where she needed to be.

Not too far away, there was the flickering light of a campfire, one set up by Rapunzel and Flynn, or rather 'Eugene Fitzherbert'. She shifted slightly to get a better view, careful to remain out of sight. She watched as Rapunzel was wrapping her hair around Eugene's injured hand.

As she watched, she saw several more figures approach. She tensed before realizing that it was merely Sora, Donald, and Goofy. She didn't relax though. Never relax.

"Ahh, my good companions!" Eugene said. A lie. He had only met them that morning. "So glad to see your safe!"

"Same!" Sora said as he sat down on a nearby log, alongside Donald and Goofy. He observed Rapunzel curiously as she tended to Eugene's hand. "Sooo… what's going on?"

Eugene flinched as Rapunzel pulled tighter. "Yeah… you're being awfully cryptic."

"Just… don't freak out… okay?" Rapunzel said, shakily. Then, she closed her eyes and began singing.

"Flower gleam and glow.

Let your power shine.

Make the clock reverse.

Bring back what once was mine.

Heal what has been hurt.

Change Fate's design.

Save what has been lost.

Bring back what once was mine… what once was mine..."

Homura listed, almost hypnotically. Her voice was… beautiful. But… what was even more fascinating was what was happening to her hair. It was glowing. When the effect ended, she removed her hair, revealing Eugene's hand, good as new.

"Wow!" Sora said, in complete awe. "That's some amazing hair!"

Eugene continued to stare at his hand, his eyes bulging, his breath quickening.

"Pleasedon'tfreakout!" Rapunzel said.

Eugene froze, apparently struggling to come to grips with what he had just experienced, froze just before he was going to scream. He then proceeded to stammer and ramble, before eventually settling on actually asking Rapunzel about her magical hair.

"How long has it been doing that exactly?"

Despite herself, Homura leaned in, curious.

"Um… forever, I guess?" Rapunzel said. She tried to smile, but was awkward and forced. She then became more serious. "Mother says when I was a baby people tried to cut it. They wanted to take it for themselves. But once it's cut, it turns brown and loses its power. A gift like that has to be protected. That's why mother never let me- That's why I never left and…"

"...You never left that tower." Sora finished for her.

Rapunzel remained silent.

"And you're still going to go back?" Eugene said.

"Yes… it's complicated." Rapunzel said, head in her hands.

"You sound like you don't want to," Sora said.

"I mean… I just. I've seen so much today, and I want to see more, but… mother is… I don't know." Rapunzel said.

"Well… if you don't want to talk about it, then that's fine." Sora said.

"Alright." She then turned to Eugene. "So.. 'Eugene Fitzherbert huh?"

"Yeah… I'll spare you the sob story of poor orphan Eugene Fitzherbert." He said. "It's a bit of a downer..."

However, Rapunzel perked up, bouncing closer to Eugene. Homura froze, her hands balling into fists, her teeth clenching. She recognized that expression. It was that same innocence that she saw on Madoka's face when she was first introduced to the world of Magical Girls. That eagerness and curiosity, that kindness. A kindness that would soon be taken advantage of. By Mami and Sayaka looking for a crutch and by Kyubey looking for prey.

She wanted to go down there right now, rip Rapunzel away from Eugene, put a stop to this farce. But no, this wouldn't work in the long run. She…

"There was this book. A book I used to read every night to the younger kids. The Tales of Flynnigan Ryder! Swashbuckling rogue. The richest man alive. Not too bad with the ladies…" Eugene said, making eyes at Rapunzel. "Not that he ever bragged about it, of course."

Rapunzel giggled. "Was he a thief too?"

"Uh… well no… Actually, he had enough money to do anything that he wanted to do, he could go anywhere he wanted to go. And for a kid with nothing… I dunno. That just seemed like the better option." Both Eugene and Rapunzel chuckled. "You can't tell anyone about this, okay? It could ruin my whole reputation."

"Ah, we wouldn't want that."

"Well, a fake reputation is all a man has." Eugene joked.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Sora said.

"Sora?" Rapunzel turned to him.

"Sorry, I was just thinking out loud. Your story made me realize some things." He said.

"Oh, like what?" Rapunzel asked, leaning in, that eager expression on her face once more.

"Well… back home, I have this friend, called Riku. Growing up, he always seemed so amazing. So much better with people, more athletic and driven, just all around cooler. I'd always wanted to be more like him."

"Sounds like a pretty amazing guy," Eugene said.

"Well, yeah. But then I learned how much he looked up to me, how much he admired and envied me! It was kinda mind-blowing. I didn't really think that much of myself, but apparently so many other people did." Sora said, with a smile. He then turned to Eugene. "So I wouldn't be so quick to disregard Eugene Fitzherbert. You genuinely seem like a good person."

"Hmm..."

Back in her hiding spot, Homura pondered, processing what she had just heard as she watched Eugene and Rapunzel gaze at each other. Despite everything, Eugene's story was getting to her. Dredging up memories of her own. Wanting to be a hero. Just like that day, so long ago…

But it was a trick, it had to be, just some attempt to score pity points. Like Kyubey. Yes, just like Kyubey, playing with girls' feelings just to accomplish his ends.

Eugene then looked away, towards the dimming fire. "Well… I should get some more firewood."

"I'll go too!" Sora said, hopping up. Donald and Goofy followed.

As they left the camp, Rapunzel spoke up. "For the record, I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider."

"Us too!" Donald said.

"Well… then you guys would be the first." He said, before walking away. "But thanks."

Homura pondered. She didn't know what to think. Eugene seemed genuine, but so did everyone else she thought she could trust before they revealed their true colors. It was a trick. He was just a thief. All he wanted was the tiara, nothing more.

"Well, I thought he'd never leave!"

Rapunzel turned, eyes wide in shock.

"Mother?!"

"Hello dear!" Gothel immediately took her daughter into an embrace.

"How did you find me?" Rapunzel asked.

"It was easy, I just followed the sound of complete and utter betrayal."

Rapunzel sighed. "Mother..."

Before she could say anything else, however, Gothel took her daughter's hand and attempted to lead her.

"Come Rapunzel, we're going home."

Rapunzel, however, pulled back.

"I've been on this incredible journey and I've seen so much. I even met someone!" Rapunzel blushed.

"Yes, the wanted thief. I'm so proud." Gothel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now come on Rapunzel."

Though Homura had always wanted it to be so with Madoka, it would never be this easy. It was too enticing. She couldn't know better without her. She would resist and thus have to be convinced. Hence, this plan.

"No, I…" Rapunzel blushed. "I think he likes me."

"Likes you? Please Rapunzel, that's demented."

Homura tensed up.

"But..."

"This is why you never should have left. This whole romance that you've just invented proves that you're too naive to be here. Now, please, come home. We-"

"No!" Rapunzel said.

"No?" From where she was sitting, Homura couldn't see Gothel's expression as she walked back towards her daughter. "Oh, I get it. You think you're so mature now, just because you've wandered through the forest for a bit? Because you've talked with some strangers? Do you think he likes you? Really? Why? Why would he? Look at you! Really! You think he's impressed?"

"I-"

Gothel drew forth the satchel containing the stolen tiara. "This! This is what he's after. That's all!"

"No, it's-"

"Oh sure, Rapunzel knows best. Fine, if you're so certain, then give it to him!" She tossed the satchel to her daughter.

"I will!" Rapunzel.

"And that's how fast your 'dreamboat' will leave you."

"He wouldn't. He's-"

"A thief. A con man. A liar. A criminal. But if you're so certain, then you're welcome to try." Gothel said as she began to walk away. "I won't say I told you so, but I will always be there for you."

Gothel vanished into the forest, and Homura let out a breath she hadn't realized she was even holding. She looked back at Rapunzel. The expression on the girl's face was one she had seen on Madoka's so many times. Often at Homura's fault.

"Burn this into your minds. This is what it means to be a magical girl."

But it was necessary. She needed to see the real world, and this was the safest way to do it. A little pain now meant safety later. This was no time to be naive and soft. The world wanted Madoka for her magical strength, the world wanted Rapunzel for her healing hair.

"I can visit my family anytime I want. If I stayed, I'd have to be apart from the person I love most… And that life would be empty."

Others had tried and failed. But they lacked focus, they had no conviction. They were ignorant fools, unlike her, too afraid to do what needed to be done. And there was no mistaking the cruelty of it. It was cruel. Undeniably so. But it was a cruel world. And Homura was a cruel person. She needed to be. There was no way to truly win otherwise. Better a monster like her bear the burden of it, rather than it fall on the shoulders of those few exempt from it. She would be their shield against the world.

Homura looked up from her musings to see that Eugene, Sora, and the others were returning from the forest. There wasn't any reason to stick around further. She departed from the tree she was secluded in, to prepare for the coming day. She wasn't going to let anything hold her back.


Nagisa remained where she sat, arms wrapped around her knees. Kyoko was gone, and she had no idea how to find her. Everyone else was falling apart. It was happening again. The arguing, the splitting up. It was like mom and dad. Why couldn't they just stick together?

She considered trying to track her down again, but she wasn't so sure she could anymore. Worse, she wasn't sure if Kyoko would even want to come back. She did after that time in Twilight Town, but this was worse.

It was like mom when… when…

Nagisa suddenly felt a wetness on her head. It couldn't be more tears though. She looked up to see the sky had darkened, and now it was starting to rain. She should probably seek shelter, but she wasn't sure if she cared. She continued to stare at the ground, letting those horrible memories play over and over in her head.

"I hate them all."

"It's your fault."

"You ruined it!"

Suddenly, the rain stopped. She noticed a shadow and looked up to see a pink dress. She looked up further to see a young woman with brown hair looking down at her, holding an umbrella, a concerned expression on her face.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Nagisa mumbled something that even she couldn't make out.

"Where are your parents?" She said as she knelt next to her.

Nagisa flinched at those words. She didn't blame the woman. It was a perfectly innocent question. She merely shook her head and finally answered. "I'm fine. My friends are just away for a bit."

"Well, there's no sense in waiting for them out in this rain. Why don't you wait here with me? We can even get something to eat in the meantime."

Though she was polite, Nagisa was about to refuse, only for her stomach to growl. "...Okay."

"There, that's good. What's your name?"

"Nagisa Momoe."

"Nice to meet you, Nagisa. My name is Aerith."


~Dragonexx