Solve the riddle

The portal materialized, where Homura came in with her wings and black dress. She was amazed with all the destruction of the great hall.

"Homura-chan? HERE! PLEASE!"

Homura followed the call, going through a mountain of rubble. Soon found Nagisa next to Mami, who was lying on the floor. "Tomoe-san?!"

Nagisa looked at Homura, was in tears. "PLEASE! HELP HER!"

Homura saw that Mami had a grievous wound on the right shoulder, was pale and unconscious. The soul gem was on her belly and had a faint glow. She hurried over and measured the fallen girl's pulse. She gave a breath of relief. "She's alive, but must have lost a lot of blood. What happened?"

Nagisa tearfully replied. "I got here and she was fighting against your children. They hurt her. I managed to drive them away, but it was too late. Uuuuuu..." She began to sob.

"She'll be fine." Homura invoked her crown-shaped soul gem, shining as ever. While using the gem to heal the wound of Mami, she noticed that Nagisa watched intently. "This injury... appears to be a bite."

Nagisa looked away. "Yes. One of the children attacked her from behind. Mami struggled, but could not get it out, it was horrible."

"Strange." Homura examined if Mami had no other wounds.

"What?" Nagisa asked.

"My children chew, they don't hold things with a bite." Homura analyzed. Near where Mami was down, there was another pool of blood. Between the pool and Mami, there were drops of blood along the way, indicating that she has moved or been moved. Nagisa had no trace of blood in her magical girl outfit or in her mouth. "But I'll try to figure out which one did it."

Homura then purified the gem of Mami with her. Finally, Mami was surrounded by a violet light and disappeared.

Nagisa was still worried. "What happened to her?"

The gem of Homura returned to its place of origin. "Like I said, she lost a lot of blood. Fortunately, her gem was keeping her alive. She'll wake up tomorrow in her apartment, a little unwell, but she'll recover."

"Ah, that's great. Thank you. Thank you Homura-chan." Nagisa said relieved and smiling.

In response, Homura came with a questioning look.

Nagisa realized. "Ah! No. I swear I didn't bring her here. I don't know how Mami recovered her memories or discovered this place. I swear!"

Homura looked around, then to the ceiling. "I believe you."

Despite Homura's response, Nagisa did not relax. "Where were you? Had to solve a problem?"

Homura still looking around. "Yes and it was solved."

"It was Madoka, wasn't it? She recovered her memories?"

Homura looked back at Nagisa and smiled. "It was Madoka, yes, but I stopped her."

Nagisa replied with a smile that soon faded. Then pursed her lips and looked at the rubble. "A lot has happened this night."

"Yes."

"But I think everything will be fine now." Nagisa joined hands in the form of a prayer, with a more cheerful expression. "We overcame this because you're right Homura-chan."

Homura stared at a point in space. "We..."

"Yes! I know Madoka, she really wanted to come back and you are attending her request." Nagisa was thrilled. "I support you, I've said it. If you need me for anything."

"Well... I still have to solve a problem." Homura said, still not looking at Nagisa.

"A problem?" Nagisa even started to open her mouth to ask about what problem, but soon realized. "Oh yeah... Sayaka."

"No." Homura said as she conjured her bow. "Another problem."

When Nagisa saw Homura turn to her and point the bow, she took a long leap backwards.

The arrow that Homura shot flew toward the ground, exploding on contact.

"NNGGHH!" The explosion's shock wave launched Nagisa against the wall and raised a cloud of dust.

"You have not changed anything, Charlotte." Homura created a new arrow.

Behind the cloud of dust came the voice of Nagisa. "Ah... What are you doing?! Homura-chan!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT WAY!" Homura shot. The arrow pierced the cloud and then she heard the sound of the explosion and saw a part of the wall collapsing.

However, Homura found that Nagisa had escaped when she saw the girl came out of the dust rolling across the floor.

Homura pulled the bow in a different way, creating five smaller arrows. "You deceived me, like you did with Mami Tomoe."

"How?! I..." Before she could argue, Nagisa saw Homura shoot. She threw herself, tumbling and making cartwheels to dodge the arrows.

Without waiting, Homura shot a new and bigger arrow, which was divided into a swarm of small homing darts that pursued Nagisa. Before her target disappeared behind the rubble, some darts managed to hit it.

"Ah..." Even with the adrenaline of the moment, Nagisa felt the sting of the wounds: the back of her thigh and calf of her left leg were perforated, as well as various parts of her shawl. A great horizontal cut by grazing was on her back, another dart grazed her cheek. In her current situation, escape was no longer a possibility.

Homura prepared a new arrow and began to walk leisurely around the room, after her prey. "It wasn't for me to have trusted you at any time." Then reached the place where Nagisa was last seen and found traces of blood. She smiled.

Through a crack in one the mountains of rubble, Nagisa held her breath as she watched her predator going toward the center of the hall.

Homura began to speak up. "But that was your plan all along, wasn't it? Every word, every act was calculated. For example, that story of yours in the hospital was nothing but a lie, just so I could empathize."

"NO! THIS STORY IS REAL!" Nagisa limped as fast as she could to stay as far away from where she was. Soon an explosion vaporized the rubble which were there. She fell to the ground, her leg did not regenerate at all. Then realized why: the wounds were partially cauterized and still burning.

Homura armed with another arrow. "Also you should know very well about your grief seed. You knew you wouldn't die. Fufu. Perhaps Miki-san was aware of your scheming."

"THERE'S NO SCHEMING! WHAT I WOULD GAIN FROM IT!" Knowing what would be the answer, Nagisa dragged her body to move away from her position. However, the explosion that followed brought down some of the rubble, burying her legs. "NNngg. No..."

".detrevbus era sesnes eht ,egnahc smgidarap ehT"

"Damned witch! You planned this so that I committed a terrible thing." Homura was preparing a new arrow. "I not only betrayed Madoka as now I betrayed my feelings. Because of that I almost lost her!"

Nagisa's eyes widened and took a deep breath. "Homu..."

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Several explosions occurred through the hall, Homura shot without aim successive times.

Nagisa put both hands over head and waited for the worst. But fate seemed to have smiled at her, because she had not been hit once, just dust swept over her, making her cough.

Contemplating the destruction she had committed, Homura spoke again. "You think you're good at hiding? Finding white rats is the favorite sport of my children."

"Wait..." Cold and hard hands reached Nagisa before she could speak. The dolls were really good at it. They held the girl's arms and removed the debris. They were happy, their master may accept this as a way to forgive the mess.

Nagisa was being dragged to Homura. She saw the cold expression of the girl with dark dress and on the left shoulder, to her surprise, was that black salamander with a purple gem in the tail.

Now confronted with Homura, the dolls pushed her shoulders down, preventing her from getting up. Not that she could: the wounds in her legs were too much. Nagisa begged in tears. "Sorry for what I did. But I guarantee you didn't betray the feelings you have for her."

Homura answered with one more arrow generated in her bow and aiming for Nagisa.

Nagisa's body jerked in full. Shouted with all her might. "BECAUSE I AM MADOKA!"

The salamander revealed its eyes when it widened them. They were like humans, its iris was a gradient of purple to gray, starting from the center.

Homura's eyes flashed. "Witch, the desperation led you to create a nonsense lie. Ridiculous..."

Nagisa sighed. "Homura-chan..."

"I ALREADY SAID TO NOT TO CALL ME THAT WAY!" Homura pulled the bow back even further.

"But it's a pretty cool name." Even with falling tears from her eyes, Nagisa smiled. "And you become as cool as it."

Homura swallowed hard with that statement. However, she remained firm. "How... she... she told you everything, right?"

Nagisa shook her head, denying. "Sorry for lying all this time, but I've always been her. I just didn't reveal it before, because you would believe it even less."

"Shut up! You aren't Madoka!" The bow of Homura began to shake.

"Your feelings are saying the opposite, right?" Nagisa pursed her lips and eyes, more tears streamed. "I know I don't look like anything in your memories, but that was the only way I could find, in case you did that."

"What?! What do you mean..." Homura was confused.

"I saw you every day suffering more, wishing my being, my presence in your life. I suffered with you." Nagisa said, anguished. "I saw every possibility that you despaired and I could finally reach you, but one by one they became impossible. You are very strong, Homura-chan."

The salamander kept its fixed gaze on Nagisa.

"But a new feeling began to grow in you, stronger than despair." A bitter tone came out of Nagisa's lips. "And then it started to become clearer possibilities where you denied my hand."

Homura looked away. "So... you know..."

"When the time was coming, I gave my memories to Sayaka-chan and Nagisa-chan, but not equally." Nagisa continued. "Sayaka-chan got my memories as I was the Law of Cycles, while Nagisa-chan got the memories where I'm just Madoka Kaname."

Homura looked back at Nagisa. "Having her memories does not make you Madoka."

"So should I dye my hair pink? Put contact lenses? That's why you love me so much?"

Homura gritted her teeth.

Lowering her head, Nagisa said. "No one knows it, but me and Nagisa-chan are as one person now. She volunteered for this because both she and I would never accept what you would do. You would create an even greater distance between us, that would never be possible to revert!"

"I just want you to be happy." Homura affirmed.

"How can I be happy? HOW? If I lose my best friend?" Nagisa clenched her fists. She was still being held firmly by the dolls. "Before rescuing you, I had seen the future after all you did. A future where I'm already free. You're not there, you're not with me."

"It's because I'm your enemy." Homura was firm in her assertion.

"No! NO HOMURA-CHAN!" Nagisa snapped. "I would be free because you killed yourself! You've become your own enemy! So I did that. To save you!"

The salamander closed its eyes and walked through Homura to hide in the hair.

Homura's eyes stopped shining, the arrow in her bow disappeared. Her expression was of shock, with bated breath.

"Homura-chan?" Nagisa said worriedly.

Homura breathed again panting, blinking several times. Then she ordered. "Let her go, my children."

The dolls obeyed, Nagisa firmed on the ground with her hands.

Homura lowered the bow, but kept on hand. "What's... your intentions?"

Nagisa then spoke. "The Law of Cycles need Madoka. Countless girls need the presence of her to not fall into despair again. If she doesn't come back, my wish will be in vain. Without her, being taken away will be a fate worse than death. However..." She smiled. "The Law does not need Nagisa-chan."

Homura was intrigued.

"You have the power, Homura-chan. To create a smaller world, without demons, Kyuubeys or any other threat, a paradise with just me and you."

Homura narrowed her gaze. "Forever?"

Nagisa's smile got wider. "Yes, forever... we will be happy."

"Children, please leave." Homura ordered, while her bow disappeared.

The dolls withdrew from the hall.

Extending her left hand, Homura invoked her crown-shaped gem. The glare radiated on Nagisa, soon the wounds were closing. Even the clothing was being fixed.

So Homura helped Nagisa to rise. "I'm sorry Ma... Ma..."

"I can't even imagine how hard it's for you." Nagisa held the hand of Homura and guided it to her face. "But I won't leave you, never again."

Homura' in a reflex, pulled the hand that Nagisa held.

Nagisa looked down. "Yes... it's hard."

Homura put a hand to her mouth, while she looked at her other hand holding the gem. "What I did... to lead you to that point."

"Don't feel guilty. You just love me, that's all." Nagisa smiled again. "Homura-chan, I can now reciprocate this feeling. Let's live together! We can do it now!"

"No." Homura swung her wings. "I have to do something before." And then went flying, until she reached the clockwork mechanism in the ceiling.

"Homura-chan?" Nagisa called out.

Landing on the larger gear, Homura spoke again. "As you may know, at the time I struggled to change your fate, my powers to control the time were from my shield."

"Yes, I know." Nagisa confirmed.

"This is something that I never shared with anyone, but any alternative where it was possible to obtain an advantage, I explored. Mirroring Tomoe-san, I searched to better understand my magic." Homura ran her finger in gear, feeling the rust. "I found that my powers work with any clock."

"I'm aware of your efforts." Nagisa replied.

"Yes, but the effect was minimal and consumed an unsustainable amount of magic. Was more effective with larger clocks, but it was not enough." Homura put her crown-shaped gem at one end of the gear. "Then I began to thoroughly study my shield design. It was very difficult, since I could not risk to disassemble it."

".pu evag reveN"

The salamander went down the back of Homura and to the other side of the gear, which kept waiting with its gem on the tail.

"I never gave up, but unfortunately I could only understand a part of the complexity. However, it was profitable. This is the fruit of that work." Homura opened her arms and stared at the gears of the mechanism. "Fufufwahaha. Of course it wasn't very practical and to what I intend to do now, I couldn't even achieve with my fully purified old gem. But now I have the power I need."

Nagisa was stunned. "What will you do?"

"Fufufu..." Homura's eyes flashed again. Starting from the crown-shaped gem, the rust started to fade.

Homura descended to Nagisa.

Without the rust, the gears, as well as the pendulum, back to work again.

Nagisa was mesmerized, watching the mechanism to work faster and faster.

The pendulum going from one side to the other wildly. The gear where the crown and the salamander were spun so fast that formed a blur, where it was no longer possible to discern the gem inside the violet aura.

"It's better to hold on." Homura hugged Nagisa.

Nagisa's eyes did not lie: from the floor and wall that remained in the hall, she realized that white was being replaced by a light blue and the red lines were now black.

It was at this time that the room began to spin, faster and faster. Wherever she looked, that blue paint and black lines spiraled to a point at infinity.

Which approached quickly.

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

Nagisa's eyes opened.

Or rather, she was not sure whether they were closed before. She could only conclude that her vision had come back and what she saw left her mouth dropped open.

It was daylight and she was on the way to school. Her pink dress and the red backpack. Petals of cherry blossoms accompanied the students who passed by.

"Good morning!"

Nagisa turned and found Homura in her school uniform, wearing her earring and also a red bow tied on the hair.

Just behind the dark-haired girl, there was a curious creature: its head was like a cotton swab with a big black mustache, its body was shaped like a cone and ended with legs that seemed colorful butterfly wings.

"Oh." Homura rubbed the creature's head. "At that time there were still many remnants of the Law of Cycles, but this time I won't have to deal with it."

Soon one of Homura dolls appeared and grabbed the creature by the body. Then she went to the others dolls that were playing 'pillow fight' using the head of these creatures.

"Homura-chan, today is the first day..." Nagisa said.

"I saw you suffer and die so many times. It was fair to you to live happily in the same amount." Homura said wistfully. "It's something I was planning, but now I know it won't be that way... Madoka."

Nagisa gave a simple smile, but then asked. "Then why did we return?"

Homura sighed. "To fix a few things and say goodbye. Isn't that good?"

Nagisa frowned. "Umm... Y-Yes."

"Great." Homura said.

Then, a blonde passed nearby.

"Tomoe-san."

Mami turned, heeding the call of Homura. "Hi? I know you?"

"Don't you remember? Fufu. Not even Bebe?" Homura gestured towards Nagisa.

"Hi Mami-s... umm..." Nagisa held back.

Mami looked at Nagisa, widened her eyes and blinked a few times. Came back with a questioning look to Homura and finally widened once more. "A-Akemi-san?" She began to look around. "What... What happened?! What did you do?"

"It's okay. I just want to say farewell in a more appropriate way. One last sweet memory." Homura smiled.

"A farewell?" Mami asked curiously.

"It's true what she says, Mami." Nagisa assured.

"You'll understand along the way." Homura added. "We have to find the others."

Homura walked away, leaving behind a confused Mami, who was exchanging glances with Nagisa.

Nagisa forced a smile.

The two followed Homura until she stopped and looked for one of the trees.

Sitting on the branch with a paper bag full of apples, Kyouko ate and offered the remains to the numerous black birds perched on the tree.

"Hey you!" Called Homura.

Kyouko glanced to the caller, having no idea who she was. "What do you want?"

Homura reached out. "I would like an apple."

Kyouko was a little suspicious, but threw an apple. "Take it."

Soon after holding the apple, Homura threw it and nailed one of the birds, scaring the others.

The flock of birds unbalanced Kyouko. "WHAT! Who... WHOA!" And she fell.

"Akemi-san!" Mami said reproachfully.

"It's okay. It's okay..." Homura replied.

In a jump, Kyouko rose. "Oh... What the fuck, Homura?!" She charged towards Homura, jumping over the stream that separated the boardwalk from the cherry trees.

Kyouko stared Homura face to face, with the veins popping out. Then she realized the presence of Mami and Nagisa. After she saw what herself was wearing. "What the FUCK, Homura?!"

"I would ask the same."

All directed their attention to Sayaka, who came running.

"S-Sayaka?" Kyouko was stunned. "Are you still here?"

"Bebe is also with us, Kyouko." Mami said.

"Yeah..." Nagisa spoke shyly.

"Do you realize what you did?" Sayaka said with clear sings of irritation.

Homura joined hands and rested her head on them, like she was going to sleep. "That I ripped a piece of the Law of Cycles ... blah blah blah ... it's just a small part of it ... blah blah blah ... that are the memories of Madoka before she ceases to exist ... blah blah blah ..."

"Wow! This thing of turning into a witch stirs badly with our head." Commented Kyouko.

Mami's confusion only increased. "Miki-san, you have any idea what happened?"

But Sayaka ignored the question, her focus was only Homura. "With what right did you think you had to do that?"

"Don't worry, it'll over soon." Homura answered. "You should be happy, you won't put up with me when you return there."

"What are you saying?" Now even Sayaka was confused.

"As I have talked to Tomoe-san, this is a farewell to all of you." Suddenly, Homura looked up. Her earring swung. "Ah! Madoka is coming, let's welcome her. Yes?"

Today was the first day of school after her long stay in the West and Madoka was quite anxious. Did much change? At least not the uniform and even it matched with the yellow ribbons she was using. She was hoping to make great friendships.

However, she stopped when she came across five girls in front of the school gate, four should be about the same age as her, while one was much younger. All had their attention on her. Until the girl with short blue hair came running.

"Madoka!" Sayaka put her hands on Madoka. "Are you all right?"

Madoka said frightened. "H-Hi?! How do you know my name? Are you in my classroom?"

Upon hearing those questions, Sayaka gritted her teeth and turned to Homura. "What you did? Bring her back!"

Homura approached, rolling her eyes. "I said to welcome her, not to grab. Leave it to me."

Sayaka let Madoka go, but with an expression of suspicion.

Homura held Madoka by the wrists.

"That's... bullying?" Madoka was even more scared.

"No." Homura smiled. That voice. Those hands. Those eyes. "Madoka. My name is Homura Akemi, but you can call me Homura."

"Homura..." repeated Madoka.

"I love you."

Sayaka was the first to react with Homura's statement. "W-W-WHAT?!"

Kyouko's eyes widened. "This thing of turning into a witch..."

Flushing, Mami hid her face with the hands.

Nagisa also blushed, but instead of hiding, smiled a lot.

Madoka was catatonic. "Homura... Homu..." until her eyes began to glow in a golden hue. A powerful magical aura emanated from her and everything around began to be taken by the starry environment of the cosmos.

Only the girls remained.

"Gosh! The madness never ends!" Kyouko ducked, fearing being hit by a comet that was passing by.

Mami was disoriented while marveling. "Amazing..."

Nagisa was quiet.

Sayaka said gladly. "The Law will be restored."

The hair of Madoka fluttered, her yellow ribbons loosened and fell. She looked into the outer space. "I remember... Homura-chan."

Madoka pulled a little with her arms and held the hands of Homura. She looked at her and said. "While holding me, we will not separate."

"I understand." Homura nodded, confirming.

Sayaka stared at the two. "Umm... Hey transfer student, when you spoke about love..."

"I love Madoka. For this feeling grew inside me, I committed sins. However, I don't regret anything or I would be betraying my wish." Homura then saddened. "But I know Madoka needs to return. I accept that I won't see her. This is the price of my act."

"How so?" Asked Sayaka. "Madoka came for you."

"I can't Sayaka-chan." Madoka said in a sad tone. "Homura-chan isn't a witch and is also no longer a magical girl."

Mami asked. "Kaname-san? So what will happen to her?"

"By obtaining a fragment of the Law, she acquired a portion of its power. I can't get it back. Homura-chan has the world at her mercy." Concluded Madoka.

"You're kidding, right? She became a goddess?!" Kyouko exclaimed.

"Fufu. Goddess? No..." Homura looked at Sayaka with malice. "It's more appropriate to say that I'm the devil."

Sayaka got more tense in posture. "Do you think I'll let this happen?"

"I know you will try, but there's no need." Continued Homura. "I'll abdicate of that position. The world will return to what it was and I'll exile myself."

"So that's why you want to give a farewell." Mami comprising, spoke to herself.

"It's a very wise decision, Homura-chan." Although agreeing, Madoka contorted her face. Tears began to form.

"Don't cry. I don't like to see you crying, Madoka." Homura wanted to wipe away those tears, but could not release her hands. "I'm glad to know that you really exist and that my wish was granted. Know that wherever I am, I'll have a part of you."

Madoka held the crying and smiled as best as she could.

"And you won't return empty-handed." Homura tilted her head to the left. Her earring in the shape of a black salamander came to life and walked by Homura's arm to reach Madoka.

Madoka read the runes which were written on the torso of that salamander.

Homulilly

"Tomoe-san, Sakura-san, come here." Called Homura.

"Huh?! And how? Walking?" Kyouko looked down where there was only the space.

"Hurry!" Said Sayaka.

The first to walk was Nagisa, followed by Mami.

Kyouko then did the same, it seemed that the foot could firm on that nothing.

When they arrived, Homura began. "If you got involved in all this, it's because of my fault. You two were great battle companions and didn't deserve this treatment."

"Akemi-san, I'm flattered, but also sad to know that you'll go that way." Mami replied.

"Heh." Kyouko gave a smirk. "I can see that you did some shit, but who doesn't? And this whole power you have could be helpful in dealing with demons."

"No Sakura-san. This world has no future with me." Homura said. "Miki-san."

Sayaka answered. "Speak, devil."

"Fufu." Laughed Homura. "Protect Madoka."

"Will you state the obvious?" Sayaka crossed her arms.

"No. I have another favor to ask. Untie the bow on my head and deliver to her."

"No!" Madoka squeezed the hands of Homura. "No. It looks good on you."

Homura was smiling even more, a single tear rolled down her face.

Then Nagisa embraced Homura.

"Bebe?" Mami said, surprised.

Nagisa told to Madoka. "I want to go with her."

"What?!" Sayaka's eyes widened. "Of course you won't, Nagisa."

"She'll be alone." Nagisa replied. "I was also alone for a long time. It's very cruel! I can't let that happen."

Madoka's golden eyes and the orange ones, with a touch of yellow, of Nagisa were, for a few seconds, one under the other. Until the girl with pink hair pronounced. "You can go."

"Madoka!" Sayaka was amazed.

"It's her decision and if it leaves her happy..." Madoka continued. "Do you agree, Homura-chan?"

"Certainly. She can come with me." Homura looked at Nagisa. "Well... it's time to go."

"Homura-chan." Madoka called her attention.

Homura turned her attention to the person she loved. On the right shoulder of Madoka, the salamander, her witch, watched intently.

Her heart began to beat faster and her hands seemed to be glued. Homura began to take a deep breath, as if about to take a step. A step where the girl of her sweet memories would be gone.

Madoka reacted in the same way.

After breathing many times, Homura saw that it was not helping. So she decided to do the opposite: hold the breath, ready to plunge into the abyss.

Released.

But Madoka reached for her and held even tighter.

Homura's eyes widened.

Madoka began moving her lips very subtle. Even for the shrewd vision of Homura and her experience with lip reading.

"*e***l***e**o**t****a**i****m***y"

Homura then saw that, starting from her hands, she began to disintegrate in a violet aura. A similar phenomenon was affecting Nagisa.

Homura could swear, in these last moments, that the salamander who was with Madoka smiled. It was a malicious smirk and the gem on its tail shone and swayed.

Until reality fragmented.

Next chapter: The contract