OS about the end of one of the countless timelines that Homura needed to suffer, about Madoka's feeling and thoughts. English isn't my first language, please forgive the weird grammar/spellings I might use.

To put some context into this situation, Mami is dead, killed by Charlotte. Sayaka turned into Oktavia, and forced Hitomi and Kyosuke to commit suicide. She was then killed by Homura. Kyoko didn't come to Mitakihara at all. Finally, Madoka isn't aware of Homura's powers and wish.

Well technically, the Madoka thing is the only important detail, but I just want you to understand everything.

The scene occurs at the very moment Walpurgis appears, and Madoka is making her contract with Kyubey.

I'LL SAVE YOU

by Cristallix

.

.

- Madoka! Nooooooooooooooooo!

Her scream was echoing in my ears, but it was too late to go back. The light generated by the creation of my Soul Gem proved it. In a few seconds, I'd be a magical girl, and I'd defeat this damned Night of Walpurgis.

Sayaka, Mami… I'll avenge you. I swear it.

-Homura-chan… I'm sorry, I whispered.

A white light wrapped around my body, and an adorable pink costume with fancy lace appeared, replacing my school uniform. My red ribbons turned into big pink bows, and a rosewood bow appeared in my gloved hand.

While Kyubey, his work accomplished, left to hide himself, I smiled to the raven-haired girl who was looking at me, knees on the floor and tears in her eyes, before facing the gigantic witch that was putting my city in danger. She had only just appeared hopefully, and she didn't have time to cause much damage, physical or psychological.

- Madoka… Homura cried, Why?

I did not answer. The question was rhetorical and wasn't really addressed to me. I just bent my bow and aimed at Walpurgis. I had to defeat her. For Sayaka. For Mami. For Kyosuke and Hitomi. And for those who are still alive. I took a deep breath… And shot my arrow.

I saw its pink light trail speeding to the witch. Touching it. And destroying it in one single strike.

It has been so easy that I had a thought for the young girls who gave birth to such a powerful witch, that was yet so easily defeated. I faced my friend, who had stood up in the meantime.

- You see? I told you everything would be alri…

I interrupted myself. Her look was staring at my neck, where the jewel containing my soul was located. A painful wail that she couldn't control was growing in her throat.

- Homura-chan?

- No…

Her voice was strangled by grief.

I lowered my eyes in order to see what was shocking her that much. I stared wide-eyed. My Soul Gem was becoming darker by the second.

Kyubey has described us the process of gem corruption after Sayaka's transformation and the death of Hitomi and Kyosuke due to it… But it was never meant to be so fast! As my gem's pink glow was fading away, my vision became blurry and all my strength was leaving my body. The whole world was spinning around me. Even my friend's horrified face was indistinguishable.

I felt like I was going to faint when my vision become suddenly neat again and an intense pain overcame me. I had reached the point of no return. My body bent on its own and I fell on the ground screaming. My Magical Girl uniform had disappeared and I was back to my casual clothes. I was completely incapable of moving and couldn't do anything to stop what was happening. Homura seemed petrified. Her purple eyes were probably a reflection of my own pain but I couldn't bear to look at her face.

Sayaka... Did you suffer that much too during your last seconds? Forgive me, I should have been there to hold your hand until the end. I guess I'll join you pretty soon…

Tears were flowing from my eyes and I couldn't hold back a sob. Why? Why so fast? Mami had been a Puella Magi for a least a year. Homura too had a lot of experience even though I didn't know how much. Even Sayaka had been able to hold out despite her despair. Why was I unable to? Homura was probably right… I wasn't made for this job… To think I had promised to Mami that I would protect what we both believed in...

My Soul Gem rose up in the air and began to transform into a Grief Seed. Between two screams of pain, I heard steps coming from Homura's direction. I managed to turn my head. She had wiped her tears away and was now staring at me with a determined look, her hand on her strange steel shield. She approached slowly, her eyes full of darkness. Was she going to kill me before I turned into a witch?

Please, Homura. Do it. I don't want all of this… Please…

- This time, Madoka… I'll save you.

I stared at her, surprised despite the suffering I was enduring. I didn't have the strength to ask her how. She activated her shield at very moment my Soul Gem exploded, turning into its evil counterpart, as I screamed one last time.

Then everything faded to white.