Chapter 11: Darkness Seeps
I do not own PMMM or Magia Record. PMMM is own by AniplexNA. Magia Record is owned by f4Samurai
Yachiyo normally loved it when the girls of Mikazuchi were gathered around the combined kitchen dining room. It reminded her of the warm family she had come to love over the past years.
Today was not one of those days.
Today, the mood was somber and depressing. Across from her, Kanae was hunched over on the love seat, the other seat kept empty. Standing rather than sitting, Homura had her eyes glued to the floor as she silently leaned against the wall.
Yachiyo tried her best to read her girls' expressions. Kanae's brow was furrowed in concentration as she fiddled with a round object between her thumbs. Upon closer examination, Yachiyo could see it was her soul gem. Homura's expression was black and glassy, as though she wasn't even present, but instead her mind far away. Neither girl spoke, nor looked interested in speaking.
Just as the silence became unbearable, a white haired girl briskly entered the room.
"I left Hanna in my room if that's alright." Mifuyu explained to no one in particular. She sat down next to her blonde partner and sighed. "I just…I don't think she's ready to talk."
"And you are?" Kanae spoke with concern.
"I…if I don't speak up now, I'll never be able to talk about it." Mifuyu decided, "this is far too important to leave alone."
Yachiyo nodded, "And what of Karin?"
"She went home." Kanae spoke, "like Hanna, she was very shaken up. Heck, I'm shaking up, but we need to get this through."
Yachiyo agreed, glancing to Homura. "You good?"
Still dazed, the raven haired girl nodded.
Yachiyo didn't wait. "So…you went to fight a witch in Chuo ward…"
Yachiyo's face was pale white as Kanae described the girl, the murky soul gem, and the transformation of magical girl into witch. "You're not kidding. This is terrible."
Mifuyu trembled as she tried to keep her mug steady. "It's…just…a matter of time then…before…"
"Let's not think that way." Yachiyo tried to avoid the thought, "It's something we need to be concerned about. That's all."
Kanae sighed as she rubbed her girlfriend's back. "It's the dark reality that we're in now."
"It's all the incubator's fault."
Yachiyo suddenly remembered that Homura had been in the room the e entire time. She hadn't spoken a word the entire time. "Incubator?"
Homura fiddled with what looked like one of her makeshift bombs. Normally Yachiyo would protest, but it wasn't the time. "The Incubators. Or Kyubey as he calls himself. Think about it the In-"
"Kyubey-tors." Yachiyo finished, understanding. "So that's what they're really called."
Homura nodded, "Incubtors don't tell us everything. They can't lie, but they keep information from us like us turning into witches."
Kanae frowned, "How do you know this? You weren't surprised when that girl turned into a…a…"
"A witch." Homura sighed her gaze glued to the floor, "I…I've known for a while. But..magical girls tend not to react well to the truth…so…I never said anything."
Yachiyo nodded with understanding. This…made a lot more sense. Homura's experience, her expressions, her protective nature over grief seeds, and her mysterious past. Yachiyo's face softened. She had just been so concerned about herself and her old team, she had forgotten about Homura's feelings.
She stood up and walked over to tue raven haired girl. Putting her hand on the girl's shoulder, Yachiyo noticed a faint shudder to her touch. But she clenched the girl's shoulder. "It's fine if you don't want to share everything. But…we're here for you."
Homura raised her gaze to meet the concerned look in her senior's eyes. She then felt another hand on her shoulder from behind her. Kanae had her hand on her shoulder, a nervous but smiling Mifuyu next to her.
Yachiyo gestured to her teammates. "I can't imagine what you've been through, but we're here with you. We're in this together." Yachiyo smiled.
Homura paused. This…this was new. This was unlike any other time she had seen others react to the truth. Mami had never held her hand so. Kyouko had never been at her side. Sayaka had never given her even the time of the day. Only Madoka had, but even, then, it was so different. Maybe…more than maybe…this time would be different.
"I'm…the sole survivor of my original team." Homura managed.
Yachiyo took that in. It reminded her so much of herself, the sole survivor of her previous modeling group. The survivors guilt. Making it when no one else did.
"Did…they…find out the truth?" Kanae asked, her face grim.
Homura nodded slowly, "They…died. Either by witching out…or by…killing each other. Our soul gems…they are our literal souls, so if you break them…"
That was enough. Homura felt a pair of arms grab her waist from behind. She looked down to see a white tuff of hair clinging to her. Mifuyu's eyes were watery as she clung to the raven haired girl. "I'm…I'm so sorry…"
Kanae sighed and pulled the raven haired girl in a hug. "Look, we're here for you ok?"
"We're here for you, ok?" Yachiyo smiled as she also hugged Homura.
Homura squirmed under the intense pressure of the three hugs. This group continued to confound her. She felt warm. She felt loved. She felt…safe.
Homura waited for the three to release their hugs before sitting down on a couch. "I'm…ready to share what I know."
And thus she began the abridged version of her story. Sayaka witching out. Mami shooting other girls. The mercy killing. The deception of the incubator. The truth of soul gems. She kept the names out, but before she knew it, the stories continued to flow. "And then…I was all alone."
Mifuyu was still clinging to her waist, her sobs and tears muffled on Homura's damp shirt.
Kanae silently listened, her body stiff but breathing slowly.
Yachiyo seemed to be writing notes, as to keep track of important facts.
When she finished, she was exhausted. She had been sharing for 20 minutes. But that's when…she realized…her soul felt…ever so lighter. As though a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Yachiyo closed her notebook as she sighed. "We've got a lot to think about, but here's the deal. For now, Tsuruno and Momoko are not to know. Not until we're ready to tell them. And we will, but that will be for another day."
Homura nodded. Those two were rookies, not ready to handle the truth just yet.
"Meanwhile, we need to help Karin and Hanna." Yachiyo explained.
"Kanae and I will support Hanna." Mifuyu volunteered, "There's more to Hanna's story than you realize."
Homura wondered what she meant, but Kanae gave her a look equivalent to 'drop it'. She did.
"Then, Homura and I will try to reach out to Karin." Yachiyo decided.
The four girls nodded in agreement.
"Right, I supposed I should get started on dinner." Yachiyo rose, but as she did, her phone buzzed.
Homura raised her brow as Yachyio checked the phone. "It's Hinano." Yachiyo muttered in confusion. She flipped open her phone, "Nanami."
As a whinny and bratty voice spoke, Yachiyo froze. "I'm sorry, Momoko attacked who?"
Hanna sat in darkness, her thoughts in similar darkness. Magical girls turn into witches, only to be hunted down by other magical girls. What a cruel joke. It was so…hilarious how she had been convinced to contract to such a hilarious reality. If they were going to turn into witches, what was the point of fighting them? They were all going to just die horrible deaths anyways and she might as well…
Hanna's eyes squinted as sheer light overwhelmed them.
"Hanna? You asleep? Dinner is almost ready."
The darkness could shit itself as Hanna recognized the voice. She looked towards the door to see Mifuyu peeking in, a concerned look on her face.
"'m fine." Hanna mumbled.
Mifuyu's eyes flickered to Hanna's crumpled uniform and sighed. She entered the room and sat silently beside Hanna's hunched form. "You're really brave then Hanna. I'm not fine. In fact, I'm far from fine."
Hanna raised her brow, "Oh…phooey for you then."
Mifuyu rolled her eyes. "I'm just trying to say, it's ok to not be fine."
What? What was that? Not being fine was ok? Of course it wasn't. You had to be fine. Otherwise someone would notice. And then they'd get mad and beat you.
Mifuyu continued, "I mean, how can I be fine after that revelation? I'm really shaken up. Seeing that girl turn…is going to haunt me forever."
"Sena."
Mifuyu turned, "I'm sorry who?"
"The girl's name. Her name was Mikoto Sena." Hanna shot back. How could Mifuyu act like she cared when she didn't even know her name!
Mifuyu sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"That's right. You didn't know."
Mifuyu tried to reach out, "Hanna, I…"
"Just leave me alone!" Hanna swatted Mifuyu's hand away. "You don't understand anything! Stop pretending like you do!"
The white haired girl shirked away and gazed sadly before standing up. "Feel free to stay the night alright? I'll call your caretakers."
Hanna didn't respond as the door softly closed. Lying on back, she brought her hands to her face in guilt. She had just shoved Mifuyu away. She was just trying to help. And now she had pushed her away.
She was the worst. She didn't deserve their love. After that instance, they definitely would leave her. After all, everyone hated her. No one truly loved her. Her dipshit parents didn't. Her shitty caretakers didn't. And now, Mifuyu wouldn't. So…who would care…if she were to vanish. She wished she could. No one would miss her right?
Karin lay on her back, gazing up at the ceiling. Her head against her pillow, the purple haired girl tried to count the bubbled ridges, jagging out from the drywall ceiling.
"You asked for me?"
Karin turned her head to see a familiar white creature, its tail flicking around. Now that she could see it clearly, those black beady eyes looked sinister, soulless, and cruel.
"You lied to us."
The creature titled its head in curiosity. "I do not lie. Please elaborate."
Karin shot the creature a look. "Magical girls turn into witches Kyubey. You never told us."
"I have not lied." Kyubey objected, "you never asked."
Karin frowned. "You could have told us."
"We have found that recruits tend to respond aversively when told about the conversions of soul gems to grief seeds." The white creature responded.
"Well of course!" Karin shot back, propping herself up with one arm. "Of course we wouldn't contract if we knew we would turn into witches!"
The Kyubey did not change its expression. "The energy released by the conversion is essential to prevent the entropy of the universe. Without it, the universe would collapse."
She returned her glare. "What about all the other girls? So we're just hunting our former friends?"
"You did not know them. Mikoto Sena's witching has nothing to do with you."
"Oh so, I'm just supposed to stand by and let magical girls witch out because I don't know them."
"As long as you keep your soul gem clean, you will never have to fear becoming a witch." Kyubey explained.
"Ok, suppose I do that But what about everyone else?"
"I do not understand."
"Say I can hunt witches, but what about those who can't? What about those who are weak?"
For some reason, a certain pitiful brunette came into her mind.
"That is their fate." Kyubey responded, "Those who cannot gather enough grief seeds will succumb."
It turned its beady eyes on the purplette
"You however have surpassed our expectations Karin Misono. We had not expected you to last for several months, but you received assistance and training from Yachiyo Nanami and Homura Akemi. We most definitely see you surviving for a long while as a magical girl. You are competent and skilled and you are reaching your peak potential."
Karin didn't know how to respond. It was obviously a compliment, but…what was that supposed to mean?
"So…I'm strong then."
The white creature nodded its head. "Yes, you are very strong."
Karin considered the thought before looking towards the creature. "Tell me more. Tell me all about magical girls and the system of grief seeds."
The creature paused, before nodding. "Very well then Karin Misono. What do you wish to know?"
Homura had met the Chuo Ward mentor and leader Hinano Miyako on several occasions but her short stature still managed to make her feel uncomfortable.
But let it be known that despite her short stature, the leader of Chuo ward could easily intimate anyone twice her size.
"You two have a lot of explaining to do!" The green haired boss shot as Homura and Yachiyo arrived on the scene.
Yachiyo bowed in apology, "we apologize for the inconvenience, but if you could please explain what happened here?"
Hinano gestured to the girl next to her. Homura didn't recognize her. She had blue hair done in twin buns on the side of her head. Said buns had twin braids going down her back. The blue haired girl bowed respectfully. "Good evening, I am Meiyui Chun."
Homura nodded, "Homura Akemi."
The other blunette exhancged greetings. "And I'm Yachiyo Nanami. You say you were attacked?"
She nodded, "I was in a labyrinth fighting a familiar when I ran into the one you call Momoko Togame. She approached me and then attacked me."
Homura frowned, "She attacked you. With her buster sword?"
The blunette nodded, "That is correct."
"See? That's stupid! I demand an apology and an explanation!" Hinano shouted.
Homura pondered when a thought occurred to her. "Did you win?"
Meiyui stiffened. "What?"
Homura shrugged, "I was just curious. Did you win? Momoko has been mentored by my team so I was curious how she fared in a fight."
Hinano gasped in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?"
Meiyui frowned, "I was a bit too shocked. All I did was protect myself."
Homura looked over the girl. She probably was about the same age as her. "But obviously you could have won."
Yachiyo nodded, "Good point."
Meiyui seemed to catch their vibe. "Well of course I could have beaten her. Her movements were stiff, predictable, and telegraphed far in advance."
"I definitely could see how you could have beaten that." Homura agreed. "Momoko has some pretty terrible timing at times."
Hinano stared at the three in disbelief, "what's going on! Is there something I'm missing?"
Yachiyo seemed to be fiddling on her phone. "So what you're saying is, while in a labyrinth, you found Momoko. Momoko attacked you with all her supposed might and strength."
The girl nodded, "That's about right."
Homura glanced to Yachyio, who showed her phone. "Momoko has been helping out Tsuruno Yui in Sankyou ward for the last 5 hours. There's no way she could have been involved in a fight."
"On top of that," Yachiyo added, "Momoko may be still learning, but I'd like to think she's better than to just foolishly attack targets head on."
Meiyui put a hand to her chin, "That makes perfect sense. Which means that the girl I fought-"
"-wasn't Momoko Togame." Homura finished, "More so, it's probably some illusion or trick by a familiar."
Meiyui looked at the raven haired girl. "You're quite sharp."
"I try to be observant."
"You're also calm in the midst of hearing an accusation of a teammate."
"I'm very far from calm, but I do try to be analytical."
Meiyui's eyes met hers and she smirked. "I like you. Wanna grab a meal some time?"
Homura couldn't help herself. This Meiyui girl had just told her she wanted to grab lunch, just like that. "Sure. I have a busy schedule, but I'm sure I could find some time."
"That's fine. I'm rather busy myself, but I'm sure if we exchanged information, we could find a free day."
Homura pulls out her phone and opens her contact screen. Meiyui takes the phone and begins punching her number.
Meanwhile, Yachiyo managed to chuckle lightly. "My word Homura, just thirty minutes ago, we were discussing our despair and the erm…reality of our lives, and now you're trying to get a date?"
Meiyui raised her brow, "You're referring to the truth behind soul gems?"
Hinano stared at the group, "wait what?"
The raven haired girl stared at the girl. "You know?"
Meiyui nodded gravely, "It appears we have much to discuss beyond just a meal."
"Agreed."
Hinano couldn't withhold her disbelief. "Weren't we talking about Momoko attacking her?"
Homura shrugged, "Why? We already solved the case. Meiyui was attacked by a familiar posing as Momoko."
Yachiyo nodded, "It does raise the disturbing question though."
"There is a witch that can make magical girl familiars." Meiyui finished, "That is very disturbing."
"We need to alert everyone to the presence of this witch. Who knows what other magical girls could be caught off guard."
Homura sighed, "I guess we better contact Kanagi and let her know as well."
Notes:
Welcome to Breakpoint. Unlike last time, we have detective Homura on the case. And welcome Meiyui, one of my favorite side characters and with one of the most interesting abilities.
