Well everyone, here you go: the next chapter, from the POV of Homura

MADOKA MAGICA

It has been a few days since Kyouko Sakura and Sayaka Miki became partners. I detect a strong bond forming between the two of them. However, it feels strained. It felt even more strained when I announced to them that Mami Tomoe is ready to be restored. Kyouko was enthusiastic about it. Sayaka however…

Well, we shall see how things go…

MADOKA MAGICA

In her living room stood Homura, silently planning her next move. It was not as easy as she was used to. For hundreds of iterations, she had relied on knowledge that she had gathered in the previous timelines. But this timeline was different.

She once again brought up a map of Mitakihara on her holo projector with the dots representing important figures and the dates she recorded them being there. That was from the last time line. Overlayed over it was another map – a map showcasing the current timeline.

She set the timeline back to the night of the 24th. A purple and yellow dot coincided. First major point of deviation. Contact with and revelations to Mami Tomoe… The timeline took a few steps forward to around a week later. Second major point of deviation. The prevention of Mami Tomoe's demise and the early contracting of Sayaka Miki… Another step, once again a week later. Third major point of deviation. Kyouko Sakura arrives at Mitakihara, a week later than in any recorded timeline… She finally set the date to the current one. Today: The fourth major point of deviation. Mami Tomoe's soul gem is now ready to regenerate her body…

Homura's eyes narrowed as she stared at the holo screen. Aside from the major changes in this timeline, the minor ones are beginning to pile up. Predicting what will happen next is becoming more and more difficult…

She closed her eyes and dismissed the map. The screen flicked out of view and the images and text about Walpurgisnacht returned to their original places from the corner they were shoved towards.

Homura sighed. She felt tired. So very tired. The many sleepless nights she experienced were finally catching up with her. But she was a magical girl. A little magic and maybe a grief seed was all that was needed to get her back to being refreshed and alert. No, her problem was the very reason she was a magical girl. Her goal… It was becoming too much.

She materialized her soul gem, noting the slight clouds of darkness churning at the edges of the purple gem. Is it worth it…? Madoka will destroy the world if she is allowed to contract. And if she does not, Walpurgisnacht with destroy her and the very people she holds dear… I MUST kill it before it gets to her… I MUST SAVE HER…

She was just about to break down when she suddenly felt the presence of two magical girls. She quickly pushed down her emotions. There would be time to cry later. She had business to attend to.

"Kyouko Sakura, Sayaka Miki." Homura broadcast. "You're late."

"Yeah yeah. We had to fight another witch on the way here." Kyouko explained. "We got you an extra grief seed. Isn't that a good thing?"

Homura shook her head and walked to the door. "Be that as it may, I believe it was YOU who said so enthusiastically that Mami should be restored as soon as possible. Am I wrong?"

"Yeah but…"

Homura opened the door. "But what?" She asked in a complete deadpan. "Get inside. We're behind schedule as it is." She said before turning around and walking back to the living room.

MADOKA MAGICA

Homura checked the room one last time before deciding that, yes, they were prepared.

On the table was Mami's soul gem, glowing a bright gold. The chairs around said table were pushed back to the walls. The floating holograms were tuned off and the clockwork ticking on the ceiling was ticking no more. Standing in equal distance with each other and the table, were Homura, Sayaka, and Kyouko – all three in their magical girl outfit.

"Sayaka Miki. Madoka is not with you…" Homura noted.

"It's a bit too dangerous keeping me with her all the time so I decided not to bring her all the time"

Homura nodded. It seems that Kyouko Sakura has gained Sayaka Miki's trust. More than I have, at least. This is ideal. Perhaps there is still hope for her survival. More importantly, Madoka is no longer in danger. The small beginnings of a smile twitched on her lips. This timeline seems to be full of twists and turns. I would not be surprised if such a miracle would occur.

The raven haired girl looked at Kyouko, who was staring anxiously at the gem. Despite her efforts to disguise it, Homura saw that her heart was racing and her breathing was heavy. "We are about to begin, Kyouko Sakura. Calm yourself."

"Sorry… just… I've never done this before…"

"No you have not. It is understandable that you are nervous, but understand as well that your mental state can and will influence the process of regenerating Mami Tomoe's body."

Kyouko took a deep breath, slowly inhaling from the nose and exhaling from the mouth. "Okay. I think I'm ready now"

Homura nodded. "Very well. Let us begin"

She brought out her soul gem, with Sayaka and Kyouko following suit. Homura prodded the golden jewel with her mind. It recoiled at her touch but, eventually, she was able to draw out Mami's soul.

"Rise, Mami Tomoe. Rise and walk this Earth once more…"

The gem exploded with a shockwave of light and magic, radiating a human soul's worth of energy as it slowly created a new body. The bones grew out of thin air; tendrils of flesh began latching themselves onto it; muscles sewed themselves together; guts gathered and filled the cavities of the newly created skeleton; spheres formed irises and socketed themselves into the skull. It was stomach churning sight, but all three kept their eyes firmly on the Mami's body.

It didn't take long for the light to die and the waves of energy to stop. On the floor, next to the table was Mami Tomoe. She was naked and her skin was all too visible. But it held no marks. No scars, blemishes. Nothing. As smooth as a newborn's, as if the slightest touch could bruise it"

Kyouko quickly rushed forward, blanket in hand. Homura's eyes widened. "Wait, don't-"

The moment the red head draped the sheet over Mami, the blonde's eyes opened. There was a scream.

"Kyouko, hold her down! Sayaka, absorb the negative emotions in this room!"

Mami Tomoe thrashed violently, ribbons flying everywhere. Kyouko had trouble keeping her constrained. "Mami! Calm down, its us!" Mami didn't seem to hear. She merely screamed at the top of her lungs. "Ah, damn it! HOMURA! What the fuck's going on!?"

Homura brandished her shield and pushed up her glasses. "Mami Tomoe is still experiencing the pain she felt when her original body died. It is only temporary but until it wears off, she needs to be sedated."

"We're gonna knock her out!?"

"That's the idea." Homura pulled out a golf club and made swung at Mami's head. The blond stopped struggling.

Taking a deep breath, Homura turned to Sayaka. "Sayaka Miki, what is the status of your soul gem?"

With a gasp, she looked at her gem. It was surprisingly clouded. "Whoa…" She breathed, clearly disturbed by how much darker it was than earlier.

"Take a grief seed from my supply. Now." Homura ordered which Sayaka was quick to follow. She then returned her attention to Mami, and by extension, Kyouko, who was knelt down next to the unconscious girl. "That reaction is normal. When she next wakes up, she won't struggle like she did just now." Homura reassured the redhead "However, there is no telling how she'll act when she next wakes up. She may be traumatized by experiencing death yet not completely dying…"

Kyouko shook her head, tears in her eyes. "I don't care…" She whispered quietly before embracing Mami. "She's back and that's all that matters"

Is it…? Homura nodded and walked away, intent on checking on Sayaka's status once more. She did not like how dark the fencer's soul gem became

MADOKA MAGICA

This is the second time I have witnessed an event such as this… and the last time, the magical girl in question became a witch shortly after the regeneration, exclaiming that, right as she turned into a monster, she still felt the pain of what had previously killed her. That is as far as my knowledge goes.

Perhaps I should have done more research? I have no idea what will become of her when she wakes up. For all we know, she might very well turn into a witch anyway.

No matter. What's done is done. For better or worse, Mami Tomoe has been restored.

MADOKA MAGICA

I apologize if this is a little short.

Anyway, there's still two weeks in-story before Walpurgisnacht arrives. Which means we still have a few chapters to go before this story ends. Here's hoping I don't end up going over the planned 26 chapters, eh?

Til my next chapter, I bid you all a happy dream