"Tiro Finale!"
Mami fired her barrage against the enemy, hitting and annihilating it. The labyrinth faded, and Mami ended up standing on a street lamp, where she transformed back into her school uniform. Subaru and the girls crept from behind their cover, with the danger gone.
Sayaka: "Wow, so cool Mami!"
Subaru: "You did good. You made it look easier than it was on the last one, anyway."
Mami: "Thank you, but what we're doing is still dangerous. While I won't say there is no fun allowed, stay keen when we're in labyrinths."
Madoka: "Hey, why didn't a grief seed pop out of that one, Mami?"
Kyubey showed himself and ran onto Madoka's shoulder
Kyubey: "Oh, that was a familiar, they don't drop grief seeds. It was acting separately from its master."
Sayaka: "It's kind of a shame to do that work and not get rewarded though."
Mami: "If we did, then they'd eventually become a witch themselves. Now, shall we carry on?"
Mami was in high spirits, and decided to hunt witches and familiars through that night.
Mami: "Now, have you girls put any thoughts into your wishes yet?"
Subaru: "I can't say I have, Mami."
Sayaka: "You're not a girl, of course you haven't. And you seemingly already have magic, so what's there to wish for?"
Sayaka seemed a little taken aback by what Subaru had said, offended, even. Subaru wasn't sure how to respond, and kept quiet, because he didn't want to explain what he would wish as of yet.
Madoka: "Well, what was your wish Mami?"
Madoka broke the awkward silence left between the two.
Although the outcome of this was no less awkward than the previous conversation. Mami had a small tinge of sadness, and a lot of seriousness in her expression when explaining herself.
Mami: "I didn't really have a choice. If I didn't make my wish, I'd be dead. Although, given hindsight, I could have made a much better wish. But I am alive, and that is much better than the alternative."
Subaru: "You guys should take your time since you have it, then, right Mami?"
Mami: "Yes, precisely. Think long and hard over your wishes, for my sake."
Sayaka: "Well, what if, Mami, this is just an example, I wanted to help somebody instead of wishing for my own sake?"
Madoka: "Do you mean Kyousuke?"
Sayaka: "I said, as an example!"
Subaru: "It sounds like that example is rooted in reality!"
Sayaka shook her fist at Subaru.
Kyubey: "You can absolutely make a wish that would benefit others."
Mami: "I wouldn't be so eager to. Think about why you're doing it. Are you making the wish to help them, or for self gratification? Or to make them feel like they owe you something?"
Sayaka: "Wow, I was just asking, sorry…"
Mami: "I wanted to say it sooner than later, because you may end up regretting it. Sorry if I was harsh."
Subaru: "No, I think the topic deserves that level of harshness. I really don't know if I like the whole contract deal at all. Seems like a greedy scam to me."
Sayaka: "Okay, I'm sorry, I was being a little naive there."
Kyubey: [Well, as far as I'm concerned, the sooner you make the contract, the better.]
Subaru: [Yeah of course he'd say that. Definitely reminds me of Echidna and her contract.]
Madoka: "Well, I think we should get going. See you at school tomorrow Mami!"
Mami: "Alright. Take care, you two."
Subaru breathes an exasperated sigh as the other two leave. Now he has to go back to living rent free in someone's spare room like a tick again.
Subaru: "I still hate that I'm taking advantage of your kindness Mami. I need to figure out somewhere else to stay or I'm going to go insane."
Mami: "Well, if that's what you need to do, I won't stop you. But honestly, it's okay. I also have my own agenda, so let's say it's even then."
Subaru: "Well, alright…"
The conversation quieted down as they readied to go home. Mami turned her soul gem from its hair ornament state into the ring. She felt someone close.
Homura: "Don't you even care? You do know you're leading innocent people to danger don't you?"
Mami turns to face Homura, slightly enraged. Subaru was puckered, waiting for violence that was surely to come.
Mami: "Kyubey chose those two. They are a part of this now."
Homura: "You are the one leading them down the path to becoming magical girls."
Mami: "And I bet you don't like that.
Homura: "No. Especially since Madoka Kaname is involved."
Mami had a snicker on her face, Subaru was starting to be wary even of her. While Homura had her same neutral face as always.
Mami: "You've noticed it too haven't you? Her incredible potential?"
Homura: "I don't want Madoka to become one of us."
Mami: "Don't want someone stronger to come along do you? You're thinking like a sore loser, Homura."
Homura: "I don't want to fight, but you leave me no choice."
Subaru: "Woah woah woah, I thought we were all allies here!"
Mami: "Some people need to have everything go their way to be happy. To have their cake and eat it too."
Subaru: "Can't we negotiate some way through this, you guys?"
Homura: "I only want Madoka Kaname to be safe."
Mami: "And I only want Madoka and Sayaka to follow their own desires."
Subaru: "Now, it seems like you ought to be able to find some compromise in there, maybe?"
Homura: "I am going to make sure Madoka Kaname is safe, that is not going to change."
Mami: "And how would you suppose we do that? Hide her from Kyubey? Lock her up? How far are you willing to go to keep her from making a contract?"
Homura: "Any means necessary."
Mami: "I see. And the next time I see you, it will be a fight."
Subaru: "Damnit!"
Homura: "You should keep your head on a swivel, Subaru, or she may let you lose it."
Subaru: "You're not being helpful Homura! What all happened to that talk of being allies, huh!?"
Homura: "I am only interested in Madoka Kaname maintaining a normal life. Whether or not you are my ally is of no consequence."
Mami: "So, you two were already in talks, hmm?"
Homura: "He used his power to connect to me, and probably all of us."
Mami: "What are you playing at Subaru? Whose side are you on?"
Subaru: "I'm on the side of staying alive damnit!"
Mami: "You should explain yourself now before any drastic measures are needed."
Mami was seriously unhappy, she was staring daggers in Subaru's face, dismayed at him going behind her back talking to Homura.
Subaru: "Cor Leonis!"
To Homura and Mami, nothing happened for a few moments. They started to feel a connection from Subaru trying to make its way, only to falter before both of them.
Subaru: "Ha. Hahahahahhahahahhahahahhaa! I guess I don't have any allies huh! With friends like this I don't even need enemies!"
Homura: "Are we not your allies because of something that power did?"
Subaru: "Well, since neither of you consider yourself my ally, I can't do anything with it."
Mami: "So we have to consider ourselves your ally in order for your power to work? What does it do?"
Subaru: "It's like a map of your comrades. Although, not like in a game, it's more like I can feel exactly where they are."
Homura: "Okay. Can you feel it now?"
Subaru: "Wha- wow, that was quick. What makes you so eager to be the guinea pig?"
Homura: "I'm sure I could handle any tricks from a human."
Subaru: "Mhmmm. Well, I can definitely feel you on my radar now."
Subaru closed his eyes and spun around.
Subaru: "You're right there!"
Homura: "Correct."
Mami: "Well, I suppose I can be Subaru's ally for now, but I am not going to call myself your friend, Homura Akemi."
Homura: "Fine by me."
Subaru: "Phew, I'm glad we could make it through that without any war declarations."
Homura: "You should still be wary, Subaru. It's dangerous in this world."
Subaru: "HA! Yeah, I know it is."
Mami: "We'll be seeing each other some time later then, I suppose."
Homura: "Yes."
Homura turned around and walked away into the night.
Subaru: "Man, you really reminded me of someone Mami."
Mami was curious about just who she reminded him of, and whether it had to do with his unique status.
Mami: "Oh did I? And who might that be?"
Subaru: "I think I'll explain that when I explain the rest of it…"
Mami noticed a tear emerge from the boy's eye for a moment before he turned away, embarrassed to cry in front of her. With that, they went to Mami's, and simply called it a night.
Subaru was with Mami in her apartment, having just gone job searching and finding not one that he could do in the… simple state that he was in.
Subaru: "Man, why does everyone these days have to know everything about me when all I want to do is work!"
Mami: "Well, they just want to screen their hires to make better decisions."
Subaru: "Yeah, but they ask for a social media history, and I don't even have any at all! It's just frustrating not being able to do something for myself. I feel like I'm going to slip back into my old ways if I don't do something."
Mami: "Just keep yourself busy then. Whatever you need to do to-"
BANG BANG BANG
Mami's door shook with vigor, and when Subaru walked over to the door, he saw Madoka through the peep hole.
Subaru: "It's Madoka, want me to answer it?"
Mami: "Yeah, what does she need that's that urgent?"
Subaru opened the door to Madoka who was out of breath, but still stammered out scrambled words.
Madoka: "There's a witch hatching by the hospital Kyousuke is at! Sayaka is in the labyrinth!"
Subaru: "Mami! There's trouble that I think Madoka should try to explain on the way!"
Mami: "Right!"
Running to the hospital, Madoka explained how they found a grief seed hatching in a hospital wall.
Subaru: "So Kyubey is with her? And what if that witch hatches right now! Damnit!"
They ran tremendously, trying to beat the witch to Sayaka. They reached the grief seed, and Mami opened the labyrinth. They rushed inside, beginning communication telepathically with Sayaka and Kyubey as they ran. The labyrinth was certainly the work of a Gluttonous young child. Candy everywhere, sweets, pastries, all of it.
Mami: [What's happening Kyubey? Is everything alright?]
Kyubey: [Yes, the witch has not hatched, we are safe.]
Madoka: [Are you okay Sayaka!]
Sayaka: [Yeah, I'm so bored I'm going to fall asleep.]
Kyubey: [Use little magic, too much might disturb the egg.]
Mami: [Got it.]
Subaru: [We'll find you in no time. Leave it to us!]
Subaru: "Cor Leonis!"
Madoka: "What is he doing?"
Mami: "It's like a… find your friends radar sort of power."
Madoka: "I guess it's one of his magical boy things huh?"
Mami: "You could say that."
Mami: "I'm not happy with how this was all done though. Sayaka is taking too big a risk for someone who isn't even a magical girl."
Subaru: "Yeah, I really don't like how this is going, I wish we could've just left it to… someone more… qualified."
They were still running, and had reached a door in the base of a candy tree, skirting past familiars.
Subaru slammed open the door and ran ahead, while the other two had slowed down at the door.
He reached Sayaka, who was behind concealment in the main stage after another minute of running.
Sayaka: "Took you long enough, where's the other two?"
Subaru: "They kinda slowed down a little ways back… but, I didn't want to leave you… somewhere that's dangerous."
Subaru slowly gathered back his breath after running full tilt as long as he did.
Subaru: "Uhhh, is the egg supposed to look like that?!"
Kyubey: [Mami! The grief seed is about to hatch!]
Mami: [I'm on it! It's a special day, so I'll get this done in no time!]
Mami and Sayaka had conversed in an open channel. Everyone heard it, and Subaru had to assume that there was some reason that Mami had to be ecstatic that had happened while he was racing ahead.
Subaru: [Whatever happened, you need to move your ass!]
Mami finally made it to the main stage, already transformed, and materializing firearms. Everything that came at her was blown away in what seemed like a graceful dance of a fight.
Kyubey: [Be careful, here it comes!]
The little witch that looked like a stuffed toy made its way before them, falling down from the enormously high table and chairs it was on. Mami spawned a musket, and simply batted it into the wall of the lair. And upon it falling to the floor, Mami shot it. Ribbons then engulfed the witch, hoisting it into the air.
Mami: "Tiro Finale!"
Mami spawned the massive cannon that was her finishing move, and shot the little witch through the chest. But then, a much greater threat appeared, flowing from the witch's gullet. Subaru ran forward, to get closer and push her out of the way. However, he was just out of reach, and so-
Subaru: "INVISIBLE PROVIDENCE!"
Subaru spawned the arm from his chest, to reach the few extra feet required. However, it still wasn't enough, and after scooping up Mami, it grabbed Subaru, and slashed him in half, killing him in it's jaw.
Subaru came to in his bed at Mami's, and promptly screamed his head off.
Subaru: "AGHGHHHHHHHHH! FUCK! AGHHHHH, aghhhhh, agh…"
Evidently, Mami had heard it, and was in his room, examining him.
Mami: "Subaru! What's wrong! Do you hear me?!"
Subaru: "Mami!"
Mami: "Yes?"
Mami was clearly a little surprised at him exclaiming her name after screaming his lungs out, and didn't know what to say.
Subaru: "Damnit, I must've had a bad dream, I'm sorry. You should probably get ready for school, huh?"
Mami: "Uhhh, oh, I don't have school today."
Subaru: "Oh, yeah, right."
Subaru: "Well, I need to get going, I'll see you in a bit."
Mami: "Wha- you just woke up, and like that… are you sure?"
Subaru: "Yep! See you later!"
Subaru practically ran through the apartment and down the stairs. He needed to find that witch before Sayaka and Madoka do, so that he can be the one to call for backup, having an adequate idea of what's in store for them.
Subaru ran without heed, the same as he had done previously, only a few hours earlier this time. It was at the hospital, and while Subaru knew what the egg looked like, he didn't know if it would be in the same place, or there at all.
Subaru: "Damnit, it ain't there!"
Subaru walked briskly through the hospital, searching every floor as much as he could, from top to bottom. Time was of the essence, and he was wasting it every passing moment.
After searching for an hour or so, in a waiting room is where he found a girl who seemed to be clutching an object, and when he looked closer, it was exactly like one of the gems Mami or Homura had.
He had tried talking to the white haired young girl, but she didn't seem to be capable of communication, mumbling incoherently except for a few words.
-: "I wished…. mom died. … dead…"
Subaru talked to her, trying to get her to say something that he could use to help her.
Subaru: "Hey, you need a grief seed! Do you have any! I can ask for some real quick! Snap out of it damnit!"
He was quickly coming to the conclusion that the state of her soul gem was leading to the mental incapacitation, with how she was enamored with it, and didn't care about anything else it seemed.
Subaru: [Mami, can you hear me! Homura, Kyubey, anyone!]
Homura: [Yes, I can hear you. What's the matter?]
Subaru: [I found a girl who needs a grief seed! Her gem is black, and she isn't responsive.]
Homura: [What does she look like?]
Subaru: [Long white hair, couldn't be old enough to even be a teenager.]
Homura: [GET AWAY FROM HER! Where are you!]
Subaru: [At the-]
Subaru was cut off as an explosion of sorts happened with her soul gem. Before he knew it, he was blown unconscious.
Subaru found himself awake in the witch's labyrinth that he had been in the last loop. He wandered around, not knowing where he was. It felt as if he was in third person, watching himself meander about without really controlling himself. Finding himself in the main room of the labyrinth, he saw the witch, munching on a hospital patient.
[Damn, no wonder they become so powerful so quickly in places like this.]
Subaru could not just lie down and die however, and finding that he had control again, started making his way towards the exit, however, familiars soon found him and chased him towards the main foe. He thought that the monster would notice him and eat him as the previous loop had transpired. Except, it seemed Mami had reached it. Mami, though, seemed to be involved in a massive gun battle, and Subaru couldn't see the opposition. All of a sudden, the witch exploded in a ball of fire in the middle of the battle, injuring it. Then, all of a sudden, explosions went off all through the labyrinth, and before Subaru could do anything to save himself, he met his end in one of them.
"I love you"
"I love you"
"I love you"
Endless love poured from the Witch in front of him. Subaru could easily fall for that love here and now, had he not tried his utmost to avoid it, in his non-body in the Shadow Gardens. Here too though, an explosion cut their meeting short.
"HUUUUUUUGH!"
Subaru breathed a breath he didn't think his lungs could hold, having woke up after returning by death again. He needed to find that girl and ensure she didn't turn into that monster.
Subaru: "Mami, are you awake?"
Subaru knocked on her door and asked. He needed help from a magical girl, and she was his first option.
Mami: "Nnngh.. Yes."
Subaru: "I'm going to need you, and I need you quick, there's an opportunity we cannot let slip."
Mami was alerted by Subaru being so serious all of a sudden.
Mami: "Okay, I'll be out in a moment."
And true to her word, in a few moments, she was out. She had figured out that it was a magical girl related event and hadn't even bothered to dress herself the normal way.
Mami: "Let's go. Where to anyhow?"
Subaru: "The hospital. A witch is appearing there, and we need to pre-emptively act."
They made their way out the door and soon were out on the town, at the same pace as they had been whenever they had gone to the witch before.
Mami: [And how did you come to know about this witch?]
Subaru: [I heard it through the grapevine.]
Mami: [Ha, I take it you can't tell me?]
Subaru: [Sorry. I'll explain as much as I can though.]
Mami: [Okay, shoot.]
Subaru: [We're looking for a white haired young girl, who has a soul gem that looks as dark as sin. Hope you brought a grief seed or ten with you.]
Mami: [Well, I do have one, but I'm not someone who keeps an impressive stock.]
Subaru: [Don't worry, we'll meet someone who probably has plenty. In the worst case scenario though, there may be a fight.]
Mami: [Understood. But what does this magical girl have to do with a witch appearing?]
Subaru: [Well… I think I'd better explain it later.]
Mami: [Okay, well, I hope we find her soon anyway.]
Subaru: [I think we will, I know exactly where she is.]
They storm into the hospital and Subaru leads her to the surgery waiting room where they find the girl, and Kyubey.
Mami: "Kyubey, what are you doing here?"
Kyubey: [Conversing with my new contractee on the nature of her wish.]
Girl: "He lied to me! He said that he would heal mama! He lied!"
Subaru: "Woah, hold on everyone, lets start from the beginning."
Subaru put his hands up in a bit of a defensive posture as he attracted the ire of the small girl.
Subaru: "First off, what's your name, if you would be kind enough to let us know."
"Nagisa Momoe."
Subaru: "Okay Nagisa, now, I take it you made a wish to heal your mother, right?"
Nagisa: "Yes! It didn't work! He lied!"
Subaru: "What exactly was your wish, I mean in exact words."
Kyubey: "She wished to make her mother better."
Subaru: "Is your mother better?"
Nagisa: "No! She improved for a little, but now is even worse than before!"
Mami: "It must have only had a temporary effect…"
Mami: "If you do not mind, could you let us see your soul gem?"
Nagisa: "Please! It's the only thing I have left! DON'T!"
Mami: "This is urgent, I need to see the state of it. I'm not going to take it from you."
Subaru: "Absolutely. This is life and death, Nagisa. We'll do whatever you want afterwards if you let us see it."
Nagisa: "Hrnnngngg… fine. I'm not letting go of it though."
Subaru: "That's fine as long as…"
Subaru saw the state of Nagisa's soul gem and breathed a sigh of relief. It was mostly light, still retaining some of its color and shine.
Subaru: "Okay, that's great. I'd still like to get grief seeds for you though. Do you have any?"
Nagisa: "No, I would use one by now if I had one."
Subaru: [Homura, are you around here?]
Homura: [Yes, what do you need?]
Subaru: [Well, I have one Nagisa Momoe who needs grief seeds. You probably have spare, right?]
Homura: [What? Where! I'll be there immediately.]
Subaru: [The surgery waiting room.]
True to her word, she simply materialized out of nowhere in the room.
Subaru: "Woah, do you always do that?!"
Homura: "Only when necessary. How is her soul gem?"
Subaru: "She's at about half light."
Homura: "How did you find her like this?"
Subaru: "Well, I'll tell you the same thing as Mami, and that I heard it through the grapevine."
Homura: "Tsk, well, you found her. Before she got the news too."
Subaru: "The news? What news."
They looked over at Mami talking to and keeping calm the child on the other side of the room.
Homura: "Today is the day her mother dies."
Subaru: "And how do you know?"
Homura: "I heard it through the grapevine."
Subaru: "Hmph. What is there we can do about it."
Homura: "Kill the witch as soon as it hatches, and before it kills anyone."
Subaru: "You mean Mami?"
Homura: "I really mean Madoka Kaname, but Mami as well, I suppose."
Subaru: "You never change, huh."
Homura: "I'd say that's not true, but I couldn't convince you."
Subaru: "Anyway, what else could we do… I noticed that the labyrinth had a lot of sweets in it. Do you think if we got her sweets that it would help her?"
Homura: "However you saw the labyrinth, I don't think that would help her in that event. I think we should try simply delaying when the information gets to her. I don't know how long, but if it happens today, it won't be good."
Subaru: "I hate to do that, but if you think that's a good solution, I'll try it. But how are we going to do that?"
Homura: "Well, seeing as her mother is going to die, her home life will probably never be the same. And Mami definitely needs… someone, so I think having her move in with Mami would be a good solution."
Subaru: "Okay, but I would hate to leave Mami with two semi-permanent house guests. I'm living with her right now, and I don't know if I want to do that to her."
Homura: "You can live in my apartment. I'm not there that much anyway. I may even end up giving it to you in some way at the end of all this."
Subaru: "I'm glad for the offer, but are you sure you want to do that?"
Homura: "I need to have you close by anyways. Makes it easier to keep tabs on your whereabouts."
Subaru: "Hah, I figured you'd say something like that. Well, if that will make this all work out I'll do it."
Homura: "And you're going to explain things to me too. I know you're more than meets the eye."
Subaru: "Like I said, that's fine, as long as everyone stays alive and happy."
Subaru explained the situation to Mami, who, while sad to see Subaru go, understood the situation. She realized that she had an important responsibility placed on her shoulders.
With that, they all left the hospital, and Subaru breathed a sigh of relief on his way out the door.