Homura was now standing outside of a movie theater. However, this was one that she had never seen before; at least, it was one that she has no memory of seeing.

The eerie girl who claimed to be Homura stood by the entrance.

Why are we here?

Because we are here to witness the further progression of your personal development, the continuation of your story beyond the point that you made the contract between you and the outsider, the being that goes by the name Kyuubey, a member of the race of life known to us as the Incubators.

Incubators. Incubators. Hate.

Yes, those are your thoughts, are they not? Your suffering can indeed be traced to the Incubators most clearly. However, before we continue to examine the effect on your life that they had, it is necessary to first understand the effect they had on the existences of Madoka, and the other three girls.

The other three?

Yes. Do you not remember who they are?

I am sorry… I do not.

Or, maybe, you are choosing not to remember them?

…

Here, we go now. Onward, to the theater of Illumination!

And once again, whether by the hand of an unknown force, or by the drive burning within her to discover her true nature, no matter what that may imply, the girl, this Akemi Homura, found herself once again in the footsteps of this eerie girl, this girl that claimed to be her.

After what seemed like many many days of wandering the aisles of the theater, they eventually stood before the doors, marked Theater 4. The thin banner above the doors advertised that the film showing was called Magical Quartet.

Magical Quartet?

Yes, Magical Quartet. Do you know that the term can both refer and not refer to you?

I do not understand.

You will in due time. Now, let us go in and ifnd our seats; the show is about to begin!

The doors swung open and by some unknown force, Akemi Homura found herself being swept inside. She closed her eyes, in sudden fear of her surroundings. When she felt herself stop moving, she was sitting in a chair in the third row, slightly towards the middle of the theater. She looked up, and saw that the screen had begun showing.

Nine. Eight. Seven.

Six.

Five. Four.

Three. Two.

One.

Blink

To understand in entirety what is to come with you, you must first know what happened to others.

Magical Quartet

Act 1: Tomoe Mami

Tomoe Mami. A victim of circumstance. A girl who dreamed of love and justice.

And was fearful of loneliness.

Homura was surprised when she heard those words uttered to her left. She saw in the seat to her left a tall girl, blond hair done in two curls that seemed impossible to actually exist in the way that they were. She had a soft smile on her face, but her blue eyes depicted another emotion entirely.

Akemi-san. Do you remember me?

Do I?

Yes, do you remember me?

Somewhat. Most of my recollections at the name Tomoe Mami are not very pleasant ones.

Why is that?

Because they are mostly of annoyance and frustration.

That is a shame. I'm sure that if you were more willing to work with others, you would not feel about me in the ways that you do.

I could not possibly have worked with you. You would never have understood.

And why is it that you feel that?

Because when you ultimately find out what I need your help for, you cave in to despair, and your grief consumes you.

…

Tomoe Mami: a victim of circumstance. A girl that made a wish to save her life. A life, though recovered, does not guarantee happiness. Because of the selfish desire of her wish - not once she thought of wishing to save her parents, or wishing to save both her parents and herself, but only wished to save herself - she was forever wracked by guilt and loneliness. Thus, the only way she thought that she could employ her wish to atone for her sin was to adopt the life of a defender of justice, the very image of a magical girl warrior.

But I was alone, just as you, Akemi Homura.

Tomoe Mami would eventually find someone she could relate with, someone to be by her side - a Sakura Kyoko. However, it was not to last; overcome by her own grief and despair, she cast Mami away.

And I was alone… alone again. You were always alone, Akemi Homura. But for me… loneliness was something I just didn't get used to.

The girl with flaxen hair was crying now.

It was a year later that she discovered Kaname Madoka. Indeed, in the first timeline, she was her partner, and with her she saved Akemi Homura.

But it was from this newfound hope that deeper bitterness grew. And whether through bravado or despair, I met my end at my own hands.

And that was why I could never work with you: eventually, you lacked the fortitude to continue on.

And how are you so different?

Now, now, she's got a long way to go before she realizes that you two share much in common. But for now, the show must go.

The screen changed.

Act 2: Miki Sayaka