Once tensions died down and things were calm, The Holy Quintet gather in one of the oriental fortress's towers. Sayaka, who is also out-cold, was placed in a bed, present with Madoka,, Kyoko, Mami, and Homura who were having tea. As for the angel, he was kept in a prison cell in the fortress. They tried to forget the fact that Mami has a detachable head and that she nearly died, making Madoka lean more on being naive, gentle, and somewhat timid.
Peacock and Duo were kept in charge of watching over were put in charge of keeping an eye on Painwheel and the angel in a prison cell somewhere in the fortress. Peacock has a few jokes about Mami now that her head is detachable. Duo also joined in on that joke.
Madoka and Mami asked Homura a few simple questions: Where was she? What happened to her? Why is she behaving like she is? Does she know about the changes in the way of the Magical Girl? Does she have an understanding of the crystal infection? Does she know that Pryus is a threat?
Homura did know about the change in the Magical Girl's way of life. She did know about the crystal infection and that she has contracted it. She is aware of Pryus' status as a threat, but she didn't know he was the one who infected her. She didn't explain what happened to her prior to her disappearance and to why she is behaving like this.
Homura then revealed something that lower the chances that she's the Homura the Holy Quintet knows.
"I'm from another timeline," Homura explained, "A time where I fought wraiths after Madoka save the world and the Magical Girls from despair."
"Wraiths, huh?" Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "And Madoka as a savior..."
"Me? Saving the world alone?" Madoka is surprised.
Homura nods.
"And how exactly did Madoka save everyone in your timeline?" Mami questioned. Her hands were shaking a bit from her head being detachable, but she tried to drink her tea without trouble. "How did she wish to save every Magical Girl?"
"She made a wish which changed the fate of Magical Girls." Homura took a sip of her cup of tea. "I know it would be unbelievable, but it's the truth."
"And that fate..." Mami tried to remain calm. "It's becoming witches?"
"Only if you don't keep your gems pure. Isn't that why you all hunt witched for Grief Seeds?" Homura replied. "Kyubey was using us."
"I can't believe... Kyubey would never..." Kyoko couldn't believe it. "How can we be sure this is true for our timeline?"
Homura didn't answer.
Madoka wanted to believe Homura since she's her friend. If Homura is from another timeline, then she must've known the Madoka from that timeline.
"Do you remember the last time you met this other Madoka? I want to know." Madoka curiously asked.
Homura then looked as surprised as Madoka. She looked down and closed her eyes. She puts her cup of tea down. She points to the red ribbon that she's currently wearing. "This was her gift to me. And she made a promise that we would meet again..." Homura then looked at Madoka. "From then on I told myself as I continue being a Magical Girl, 'Don't forget, always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you. As long as you remember her, you...'"
Homura suddenly stopped.
Madoka found this all interesting and encouraged her to continue. "Homura-chan, go on..."
Before Homura can continue, she's interrupted by Sayaka who quickly awoke. She's breathing heavily as she got up.
"Sayaka-chan!" Madoka was glad her friend is alright.
Sayaka looked at Madoka and then noticed Homura. "Uhhh... Madoka, why is she there?" She gave a slight glare before noticing Mami. "Wh-what the...?! M-Mami... is that you?"
Madoka and Mami look at each other and then at Sayaka.
"It's really hard to explain," Madoka replied.
Sayaka quickly hugs Mami. "I thought you were dead—" As a result, Mami's head falls off.
Madoka covered her mouth. Homura sighed and shook her head, expecting Sayaka to react. Sayaka moved away from Mami, looking at the detachable head before screaming.
While Madoka and Homura try to help Sayaka settle down and understand what happened. Afterward, Mami and Kyoko took their turn to keep an eye on Painwheel and the angel. They both reinforced Painwheel's restraints with ribbons and chains, and they kept her cell two blocks away from the angel's. They made sure this form of magic use didn't cause Magia Overload.
Peacock and Duo left the cells and took their time to explore the fortress.
Madoka would later check on Painwheel who she understands is Filia's friend, Carol. Whatever happened to Carol, she knows Filia wouldn't like what was done to her. If Pryus really did this, it's unforgivable.
As Madoka approached, Mami halted her. "Madoka, what brings you down here?"
"I want to speak to Carol," Madoka stated, "I have questions."
"I... I don't think she's conscious enough to hold a conversation right now." Kyoko noted.
Madoka looked at Painwheel and began to be curious about the mask. She could've sworn she saw a faint red glow in the mask's eyes. She looked back to Peacock, building up some courage along the way.
"Can I at least see what's behind the mask?" Madoka requested.
Kyoko sighed. "Fine, just don't get diced."
Kyoko carefully opens the cell doors, and Mami summons a loaded flintlock musket. Mami aimed her firearm at Painwheel for security reasons.
Madoka entered the cell with caution, approaching Painwheel. She examined the mask before removing it: the mask can easily be torn off, but it made Painwheel groan in pain and wake in reaction. Her face has stitches crossed over her face, and her eyes were an ominous red, but it wasn't like a Skullgirl's eyes. Painwheel struggled in the chains and ribbons, giving off that deep, savage growl. She showed her teeth, but they weren't sharp.
Madoka stepped back and gulped.
"C-Carol?" Madoka addressed. "Is that you?"
That name stopped Painwheel. She remained silent for a while.
"That's your name... isn't it?" Madoka asked.
Painwheel's voice was somewhat low. "H-how do you know my name?"
"First, let's get you out of these chains and ribbons," Madoka replied.
Madoka looked to Mami. Mami quietly let the ribbons untangle, freeing Painwheel, and she looked to Kyoko to do the same. Kyoko did so, freeing. Madoka didn't undo the chains that Homura placed on Painwheel, but decided to undo them with caution. Mami still kept her gun aimed.
Once Painwheel is completely free, her body relaxed a bit. She breathed heavily, and she can still feel a bit of pain from the recent she fight she had with Sayaka.
"Filia mentioned you...," Madoka explained, "She said you were her friend."
"Filia! You know her?" Painwheel sounded glad to hear that name.
"Y-yes." Madoka tried not to make eye contact. "I just met her a few days ago in Maplecrest."
"Is she here?" Painwheel asked. She seemed eager to meet her.
Madoka stopped, and she began tearing up. It felt hard to answer to Painwheel. Mami can tell they needed to be alone, so she had Kyoko get the angel out of his cell. Mami waited at the doorway to the cells where she'll meet her.
It's only Madoka and Painwheel in the cells soon after. Madoka started tearing up some more.
Painwheel and read the look in Madoka's eyes. "...No...Is she... N-No!" She then showed emotional instability. No, no, no, no NO! It can't be!"
Madoka then cried. "She died searching for you. I-I wasn't able to prevent it!" She covers her face. "I'm very sorry, Carol! I'm really sorry!"
"No..." Painwheel growl and started tearing down the cell's bars apart. "No! Why!? She was my friend!" Her razor pinwheel spun and purple electricity sparked from her body.
Madoka fell back and looked at Painwheel with tears. She carefully got back up and shook her head. She then recalls something she promised when she paid her respects to Filia's grave back in New Meridian.
"There is something you should know, Carol... I made a promise to Filia. I promised to find you for her sake!"
Painwheel's rage started to fade when she heard Madoka say that. "Y-you did?"
"Filia is a friend." Madoka wipes the tears off her face. "And you could be my friend too."
"That... that's the nicest thing someone ever did for me... and for Filia." Painwheel tears up. She then gave a smile. "Thank you."
Madoka then hugged Painwheel who accepted the embrace.
Madoka later let go. "She was a good friend, and now that I filled my promise." She looked down. "I... I don't know what to do now."
Painwheel wasn't sure what will happen, but she did think of something. "You said someone killed her... Where are they? I want to go after them and avenge Filia."
Madoka looked concerned about that idea. "I don't know... my friends and I are also after him. The biggest guess they have is a tower at the horizon."
"Then let's go!" Painwheel demanded.
Madoka shook her head. "I don't think we should go right now! There's been enough fighting today... can we at least settle down for the night?"
Painwheel sighed. "I...Sorry... that is too much to ask." She sits down. "Are we still going to together?
"Yes, Carol." Madoka comes to an understanding with Painwheel. "We're still going together, as friends!"
Painwheel showed a look of confidence. "Then I'll join you and your friends, but don't call me Carol anymore... Call me Painwheel." She didn't like the name, but it was the name she was given.
"Are you sure?" Madoka tilts her head a bit. "I'll call you Carol because that's who you are."
"...Very well," Painwheel accepted, "Leave me here for now... I'll sleep here..."
"Okay..." Madoka took on more look at Painwheel before leaving the cells. Today is so gloomy for Madoka.
Painwheel suddenly groaned and then coughed once Madoka isn't present; in addition, black veins and scares appeared on her back. She covered her mouth and then finds that she coughed up blackened blood. She is slowly deteriorating.
"N-no...," Painwheel said to herself, "I must stay alive..."
Sayaka was free to walk around the fortress, and she was still getting over what is going on with Mami and Homura. She decided to hang out with Duo in one of the baileys. She can see Mami, Kyoko, and Peacock with the captive angel who is no longer unconscious.
"Looks like another is alright," Sayaka pointed out, "I'll hear about it in the morning."
"He looks silly, the way he looks," Duo commented, "Kind of looks like cupid.
"Meh. Yeah." Sayaka looked a little bothered.
Duo looked at her. "What's with that look? Do you have something going on in your mind?"
Other than recent events, Sayaka did have some focus on the main priority: Pryus and the Tower. So far, the tower is assumed to be the only destination to get to in order to find him. However, there's something more about this tower other than being his domain. What is being kept in there? What is the purpose of this wonder? How was it built? She also had similar questions about this world that the map called The Fabric.
"Have... you ever wonder what's up with the tower and the Fabric? Why would Pryus pick this place? Why lead us here?" Sayaka wondered. "I wonder what will await us if we do reach this tower."
"That's it?" Duo raised an eyebrow.
Sayaka sighed. There was the bothersome question about Duo being a possible love interest. Much to Sayaka's annoyance, she decided to bring it up to shut Kyoko and Peacock up.
"There is another thing in my mind. I can't get over what Kyoko teasing me about you." Sayaka folds her arms and looks away. "I know you heard most of the conversation."
"Oh yeah, that." Duo gave a smirk. "We, if that what she thinks, I have to apologize and say that you're not my type."
"Wait, what?" Sayaka looked at him with a slight blush. "You can't be serious."
"I am serious." Duo smiled at her. "I like how your friend is thinking, but there is no way you can hook up with me."
"I don't believe this!" Sayaka has her hands on her hips.
"Then again, every hero needs a lady," Duo joked, "In the end, he would win her heart and live happily ever after."
"That is not funny!" Sayaka fumed. "I'm not your maiden!"
"Kyoko and Peacock might think otherwise." Duo laughed. "I swear, I think the problem with you is that you're too sensitive about this. I should've offered a kiss after you save my ass."
Sayaka's face turns red a bit. "Why you... At least I'm a pompous brat with a shiny-armored suit!"
"Is that all you got?" Duo leaned forward. "That didn't hurt me at all. Thanks for bringing this topic up though. Points for letting it out."
Sayaka immediately slapped him and stormed off in embarrassment. Duo placed a hand on his cheek and watched her leave; he shook his head with a smile. Behind him, Kyoko was standing there with an annoyed look.
Sayaka found herself a storage room where she sulked for a while.
It was quite dark in there, and the moonlight that came into the room didn't help. The vibe of the room was a bit off. She wasn't alone in that room.
A figure was hiding behind storage. His Teutonic armor is distinguishable as the figure started to approach Sayaka. Vitomir Riley Pryus stood, armed crossed and eyes glaring. This alarmed Sayaka, and she wanted to call for back up. In response, Pryus summoned a sword, stepped closer, and pointed it at her throat.
"Scream and cry, and it will be the last thing you do in life," Pryus threatened.
Sayaka didn't reply, and she remained silent for now. The blade is still at her throat, but she wasn't afraid to die. Pryus found her courage to be funny, and he laughed judgementally. Sayaka glared.
"What's so funny?" Sayaka cautiously questioned.
"I like that in a girl," Pryus respected, "No fear of death. You're smart girl for alarming the other." He then lowers his sword and has it fade into ash.
"There's a reason for that, you know." Sayaka places her hand on the crystal specks on the side of her neck.
"Is it the same reason you're all opposing me?" Pryus stepped closer. "So immature to direct your anger towards me."
The closer that Pryus was to Sayaka, the more Sayaka stepped back. She took out her blue Soul Gem as a warning to the Teutonic knight. He continued getting closer until Sayaka had her back against the wall. Sayaka remained strong.
"We're opposing you for the sake of our homes and the sake of our loved ones," Sayaka stated, "And what you did in our worlds didn't stop the fact that you're perceived as our enemy."
"The only enemies I see are those who seek to stop me, for I am just and I am kind." Pryus stepped back to give Sayaka some space. He then laughed. "Do you know that I've worked tirelessly, with sweat and blood, to reach this position of power and sacrificed so much to reach this point in life? I'm not a threat."
Sayaka didn't say anything. She has seen the work and sacrifices that Pryus had made: Filia's death, the merging of Sayaka's homeworld and the Canopy Kingdom, the assault on New Meridan that he executed, the rebellion he ignited in Eren's home, and the crystal infection he spread. And there's is likely several more crimes Pryus has committed and not yet known to Sayaka.
Pryus continued on. "Many have said my methods are extreme, amoral, overambitious, and bordering narcissistic. They're all wrong for they are blind to that fact that what I do is for what I know is right. They must understand that they are weak, stupid, incompetent, and lowest of lives."
"Who do you think you are with those methods?" Sayaka questioned. "It's as if you're fashioning yourself as some god."
"I am no god, and I am neither a devil or angel or any higher being," Pryus identified, "I would like to be viewed as a teacher, a friend, a helper, and a father to all." Pryus then paced from left to right, still keeping his eyes on Sayaka. "Every death, ostracization, prosecution, discrimination, and re-education by my actions are justified, and these aren't the only kinds things done by my actions and they too are justified. Those who call me evil will know they're wrong; those who question my wisdom will know they're the ones who know nothing; those who seek independence from me will know they're nothing. My doing will lead to a better future, for I am kind."
"Kind? You tried to kill my friend! How is that kind?" Sayaka argued. "How can you say all that after what some of us saw!?"
Pryus ignored the question and shook his head. He was laughing as if the question didn't matter.
"You seriously think this is funny!?" Sayaka reacted. "You are causing a lot of harm than good, Vitomir Riley Pryus! We will come and stop you—"
"Did you love someone before, Miss Miki?" Pryus changed the topic. "Kyosuke Kamijo?"
The name triggered Sayaka, and she tried to keep composure. "Don't you mention him..."
Sayaka had no idea how Pryus got this information, but that name is the name of the boy she wished to heal and the love she lost. She had learned to move on as long as Kyosuke was happy.
"You saw what he lost after the accident and you wish for him to get it back," Pryus reminded, "But another girl, a friend of yours, fell in love with him. And what did you do? You wasted your life as a magical girl without even spending the time to take that love back! Do you even think or build up the courage before you decided to confess your feelings to him! Was it the painful truth of the magical girl that prevent you? You're oh so stupid for spiraling down like that."
The friend in question was not part of the Holy Quintet. Only Madoka and she knew the girl at school in Mitakihara, but that's it.
"Shut up!" Sayaka ran over and pushed Pryus.
Pryus stumbled backward but didn't fall. He sighed and remained standing with a glare still towards Sayaka.
"... I was a fool at that time... I move on! As long as he was happy with Hitomi, I'm happy too!" Sayaka defended her past. "You don't have a right to call me out on my past?"
Pryus then laughed condescendingly and placed a hand on her should in a fatherly manner. He even spoke as if he was her father but he isn't. He words sounded as if he was putting her in her place.
"You are nothing but a girl who wasted her life on magic, romantics, and heroics," Pryus damned, "So go on then, go back to your friends and allies and come to the Tower. But know this, I see everything in The Fabric, even you. I know every history and fact about you all. And as I see it, there is no reward in acts of rebellion. Not a single happy ending you all perceive in such foolish minds."
As he said this, he stepped back into the dark parts of the storage room, fading into nothing. Sayaka didn't even try to stop him.
Once Sayaka is alone in the room now, she looks down and covered her mouth. Her heart was beating fast and a her chest tighten up. She reminds herself that that day has passed and that whatever Pryus has damned her for was wrong. She has moved on, and she will carry on.