Ranger24: Well here is the new chapter. Hope you all like it.
Chapter 2: Knowledge is power
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or properties used in this story. They belong to their respective creators and companies, please support the official release.
It was strange and yet welcome to be back in this place. Sipping tea and eating cakes in Mami's apartment with her friends. For Madoka it almost made up for the grizzly scene she had witnessed earlier.
Mami had suggested that Madoka and Homura change back into their street clothes before the police arrived. After a quick check up by the paramedics and Mami talking to the police they had been sent on their way. Mami had then taken them back to her apartment as she had in the past.
Of course there was some tension in the air as Kyubey sat on the couch with Homura scowling at it every now and again. Sayaka was clearly uncomfortable, unsure of where to sit. She kept looking at Madoka and Homura as though she had never truly seen them before. Madoka could only feel some discomfort in response to Sayaka's looks.
Mami meanwhile was a serene pillar of calm in all of this. She served them all tea and passed out cakes.
"Eat up," she said. "It's very good."
"Thank you," Madoka replied splitting off a chunk from her slice of cake and popping it in her mouth. It was, to say the least, delicious.
"So how long have you been a magical girl?" Mami asked.
"Not very long," Madoka admitted. "That was actually my first fight with a Witch."
"I could tell," Mami said. "You did well for your first fight though."
She turned her gaze to Homura.
"You however seem a little more experienced," she mused.
"How long I have been a magical girl is my business," Homura replied flatly in a tone that indicated that she would not allow the conversation to proceed any further.
"Very well," Mami said. "I can understand if you like to have some privacy. Not many magical girls willingly make themselves known to the public if they can avoid it."
"Why is that?" Madoka asked. "I mean you're out in public, I saw you on the news this morning. Why stay in hiding?"
Mami gave her a soft almost sad smile.
"I didn't have much choice when I came out," she replied. "There was a bit of a scene. People treat you a little differently when they know you have a daemon in your head."
At this she tossed a frown at Kyubey.
'As I and my compatriots have told both you and other magical girls countless times before Mami Tomoe,' Kyubey replied. 'Putting a daemon inside of a magical girl is the most effective way to combat the entropic forces of chaos. Without them you are considerably more limited in what you can do to combat chaos. Besides you did agree to the contract.'
"What are you talking about?" Madoka asked.
At this Mami raised an eye brow. She took another sip of tea before speaking.
"I'm surprised you don't know this. Magical girls don't just fight witches we also fight daemons. As Kyubey said to prevent us from being severely harmed from fighting daemons magical girls are implanted with a daemon. Usually it's a weaker daemon so that it basically acts as a vaccine."
"And if it isn't weak?" Homura asked.
"Well it's always active," Mami replied slowly. "So long as a magical girl keeps their soul gem clean we can resist their influence. However the more impure our Soul Gems get the more influence the daemon gains over us. If we let our soul gems become completely black then we turn into witches and the daemon claims our soul."
'But if the magical girl is killed in battle the daemon is destroyed,' Kyubey stated. 'Plus magical girls have the ability to destroy daemons permanently.'
"Regardless," Mami continued. "Because we have a daemon in our heads people tend to be a little more... edgy around magical girls. Like your friend."
Sayaka blushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry," she said, "it's just all a bit sudden, you know?"
"Oh no it's alright," Mami replied. "I didn't mean to put you on the spot I was just using you as an example."
Madoka was pretty sure that kind of was the definition of putting someone on the spot but kept her comments to herself. Sayaka took notice of Madoka's expression and looked even more uncomfortable.
"It's not that I'm not grateful," she said. "Seriously, you saved my life back there. It's just that this is going to take some getting used too is all."
"Its fine," Madoka assured her.
"For now," Mami said in a tone of warning. "Not everyone likes the idea of magical girls running around with daemons inside of them. Some Middle Eastern and African countries have out lawed magical girls, and there used to be a lot of countries in Europe that did the same. Of course that doesn't stop actual magical girls from operating in those nations, it's just that they have to be more discrete about their activities."
'Humans and your religions,' Kyubey said a manner that suggested that if it had emotions it would have been amused.
"Kyubey," Mami said in a tone of warning. "I've told you before, if you can't be respectful to other people's beliefs then you are not allowed in my apartment."
'I am not disputing the power of such beliefs,' Kyubey replied. 'I merely question the logic of taking such beliefs to the extreme.'
"Regardless," Mami said turning her attention back to Madoka and Homura. "Even in more accepting countries there is some social stigma attached to being a magical girl. You might be denied from taking part in certain activities for example because people will believe you have an unfair advantage, or people might act like you are a bomb that will go off if they make a loud noise. So a lot of magical girls prefer to remain anonymous."
'They aren't entirely wrong,' Kyubey noted. 'Considering a magical girls mental and emotional state can drastically effect the state of their Soul Gem.'
Then Kyubey hopped off the couch and onto the table. Mami scowled.
"Kyubey," she said sharply. "Paws off the table, I just cleaned it."
'What interests me,' Kyubey said looking first from Madoka and then to Homura and then back again. 'Is that I don't sense daemons in either of you.'
Both Sayaka and Mami blinked in surprise at this.
"Are you sure?" Mami asked.
'I'm never wrong about this sort of thing,' Kyubey replied. 'Neither of them has a daemon, which is rare but not impossible. So...'
And now he looked directly into Madoka's eyes with his own deep crimson eyes.
'How exactly did you get rid of your daemons?'
"We don't know," Homura replied coldly in a tone that indicated that the conversation was over. "Do you mind moving? You're blocking the tea cakes."
Kyubey moved back to the couch without a word. Still he kept his eyes fixed on Madoka and Homura, watching their every move. Madoka knew that Kyubey would not let the matter remain unanswered forever.
-Fantasia-
It was almost an hour before Madoka, Homura, and Sayaka said good bye to Mami and left. Mami had advised that they not all walk home together as it might attract attention. This meant Madoka was left alone with her thoughts.
'What on earth did my wish do?' She wondered. On that note, what had she wished for and why couldn't she remember? There was so much she didn't know and didn't understand about what was going on and what had happened.
She could at least guess as to why both she and Homura lacked daemons. Neither of them had made their wishes in this new world's version of the system. Thus they did not necessarily comply with its rules. At least she hoped that was the right answer.
She wondered what would have happened if she had gone through with her original wish, destroy all witches before they were born. What might have happened to her and to Homura now that she knew Homura had actually been alive? Her wish would have altered history dramatically, she had seen all of magical girls of the past and their suffering. Somehow however she doubted the changes would have been so dramatic.
Should she have gone through with her original wish? Was this new world worth it?
She had no answers. She didn't know.
She reached her house after a minute or so more of walking and thinking. She was tired, all she wanted to do now was eat dinner and go to bed. She walked up the steps, turned the knob, and stepped inside.
"I'm ho-"
Before she could finish her sentence she found herself engulfed by her mother's arms in a bone crushing hug.
"Where have you been?" Her mother demanded without releasing her. "We were so worried!"
Before Madoka could say anything she was half dragged, half carried into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Her father was sitting opposite her with a haggard look on his face of anxiety, worry, and fear. Her mother released her and sat down beside her father. Pol was working on dinner but his movements were tense.
"Madoka," her father said in tone not all that different from Homura's at that start of their conversation in the hallway. "When did you become a magical girl?"
"And why?" Her mother asked. "Is something wrong at school?"
"How do you-" Madoka started to say.
"The police called us after you left the mall," her father said cutting her off. "Madoka please we need to know."
"Honey you know can talk to us if you have a problem," her mother added. "So why?"
Madoka felt so very small right then and there. This was perhaps worse than Homura's frantic anger had been. This was pain and confusion, and from her parents no less. Mami's warnings became suddenly much more real.
"Someone was in trouble," she said truthfully. "I thought they were going to die."
Then before anyone could say anymore the doorbell rang.
"Pol could you please get that?" Her father asked.
"Sure," Pol replied.
He set down the wooden spoon he had been using to stir a pot. He walked out of the kitchen and into the hall. Madoka sat there in silence with her parents as Pol opened the door.
"Hello?" He asked.
"I take it Madoka is talking with her parents?" Homura's voice said. "I think I can explain something's. May I come in?"
A moment later the door closed and two sets of footsteps came down the hall. Pol came back into the kitchen leading Homura who looked almost as tired as Madoka felt.
'I figured this might happen,' she told Madoka via telepathy.
"I'm terribly sorry to intrude," Homura said out loud. "My name is Homura Akemi. Do you mind if I sit down?"
"Not at all," Madoka's father replied.
"Thank you," Homura said taking the chair right beside Madoka. "I'm afraid this whole situation is mostly my fault."
"How so," Madoka's mother asked?
"A day or two ago I was in a bit of an accident," Homura explained. "I wasn't paying attention while crossing the street. I was hit by a car which promptly drove off. It was bad." She gave a small shiver. "Really bad."
Madoka looked at her parents who she could tell were completely believing Homura's story. The amount of sympathy and disgust at the idea of someone running over a young girl and just driving off was palpable.
"I'm not sure if I was dying or not but it felt like it," Homura continued. "I was bleeding pretty badly and couldn't feel my legs. I thought I was going to die right there on the street."
The she looked at Madoka with a small but warm smile.
"Madoka made a wish to save my life even though we barely knew each other," she insisted. "I couldn't let that debt stand unrepaid so..."
She raised her left hand and in a flash of light the ring on her finger vanished and her Soul Gem appeared on her palm.
"I made a wish to protect so I could pay her back," Homura said simply.
"Also for some reason neither of us has a daemon inside our heads. We don't know why," Madoka added quickly.
"You're sure?" Madoka's Mother asked.
"Yeah," Madoka replied. "One of the Incubators checked."
Madoka's mother closed her eyes and rubbed her fingers over the lids. Her father meanwhile was silently shifting his eyes between Madoka and Homura.
"This is all a bit sudden," he said.
"I'm sorry," Madoka said hanging her head. "But..."
"We understand honey," her mother said interrupting her. "You did the right thing all things considered but it was still very dangerous."
"I know," Madoka said her thoughts turning back to the awful fates of Mami, Sayaka, and Kyoko in the previous timelines.
"Miss Akemi," her father said.
"Yes?"
"Are you certain you can keep our daughter safe?"
Homura shifted her eyes to her soul gem.
"I don't know," she admitted. "But I promise that I will do everything in my power to protect Madoka. Even if it costs me my life."
"This isn't something we're going to able to solve in one night," Madoka's mother said with a sigh. "And I'll bet your parents will be worried about you as well Miss Akemi."
"Actually I live alone," Homura admitted. "My mother died when I was a baby and I've never meet my father."
"Well then how about you stay for dinner?" Madoka's father suggest rising to his feet.
"I really shouldn't intrude," Homura replied.
"A bit late for that young lady," Madoka's mother replied. "You went and put your foot in it and now you've got to deal with the consequences."
As if a light had been switched on the mood had changed in the kitchen. While Madoka's father worked with Pol on dinner, her mother and Homura chatted, mostly Junko asking Homura the same sorts of questions that Sayaka and Hitomi had asked her before at the mall. Homura seemed a bit embarrassed to suddenly being scrutinized and then fussed over by the older woman.
"So you've literally been going in and out of hospitals by yourself your entire life?" Junko asked with some indignation.
"Yes," Homura admitted.
"And no one has ever been on hand to take care of you?"
"I have a case manager," Homura said quietly.
"That's not acceptable," Junko said firmly. "A girl your age should have someone around to take care of you. It's not healthy for someone your age."
"I'm fine really," Homura said in a tone that was so much like how Madoka had sounded at the start of their talk in the hall back at school. It was actually kind of cute seeing Homura like this. Dignified and reserved Homura looking like someone actually her age.
"Oh no you aren't," Junko said firmly. "You tell me who this case manager is, I'm going to give them a piece of my mind. You can have dinner here once or twice a week."
'I think you've just been adopted,' Madoka thought trying to convey a playful tone via telepathy.
'Please don't tease me,' Homura replied blushing.
'Why?' Madoka asked. 'It's cute.'
Homura's face became even redder.
"Madoka Kaname," Junko said sharply causing Madoka to almost jump in surprise.
"Yes?"
"Are you using telepathy to mess with Homura?"
Madoka blinked in surprise.
"How do you...?"
"Common knowledge Madoka," Junko replied. "Everyone knows magical girls and some other users of magic can use telepathy. No telepathy at the table, understood?"
"Yes mom," Madoka said quickly.
"We're just about ready," her father reported. "Madoka could you get Tatsuya?"
"Sure," Madoka said pushing herself away from the table. When she returned with Tatsuya the latter took great interest in Homura. He also couldn't pronounce her name properly.
"Is Homu going to be living with us?" He asked as Madoka helped him into his booster seat.
"No honey," Junko replied as Madoka helped Pol set the table. "She's just Madoka's new friend who we're going to be having over for dinner every now and again."
"That won't be necessary," Homura said but Junko ignored her assurances.
"She's pretty," Tatsuya said cheerfully.
"I think you have an admirer," Madoka giggled. Homura's blush somehow became even redder in response.
"Slow down there kid," Junko said giving Tatsuya a pat on the head. "She's a bit older than you. Pol you mind turning on the news?"
"Not at all miss," Pol said as he put down the last plate.
Madoka's father took his seat while Pol picked up the remote and switched the TV on. Pol changed it to the local news right in the middle of a story.
"The magical girls who held off the Witch have been identified by police as Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi."
Everyone's eyes shot to the tv as images of Homura and Madoka appeared next to the new anchor. To Madoka's surprise Homura was wearing red rimmed glasses and her hair was braided into two tails. If the situation wasn't so serious she would have called it cute.
"Neither remained on scene to provide comment though on behalf of everyone here at the studio thank you, both of you. You saved a lot of lives," the news anchor said with a smile.
"Gee thanks a bunch," Junko muttered.
"I wish they could have used a better picture," Homura said tersely.
"I thought it looked nice," Madoka said trying to be positive.
"Other Witch related news is not as pleasant I'm afraid," the news anchor said.
"That was pleasant?" Junko asked rhetorically.
"Honey you're arguing with the TV again," Tomohisa said as he and Pol served up dinner.
"Sorry."
"Federation Scientists and researchers have confirmed that based on the recent spikes in Witch attacks that a Walpurgisnatch is imminent," the news anchor said gravely. "And will be striking Japan."
Junko dropped her fork, Tomohisa froze, and Pol's eyes widened in alarm.
"Oh no," Junko whispered throwing a quick look of fear at Madoka.
"Authorities have advised that citizens remain calm and await further information," the news anchor continued. "In response the Federation is dispatching a task force under the command of Britannian Eleventh Prince Lelouch vi Britannia."
An image appeared next to the news anchor. The Prince was certainly striking and to Madoka's surprise fairly young. He couldn't be older than seventeen or eighteen. He had mid length jet black hair and almost heart shaped face. His eyes however made Madoka feel uneasy, they were a deep violet calculating and reserved.
"A Britannian prince?" Junko snorted. "That will go over well."
"The Prince and his troops are expect to arrive in Japan within the week," the news anchor said. "In a statement to the press Prince Lelouch said that he hopes to "resolve the situation as smoothly and with as little harm to life and property as possible." Whether this will prove to be true is yet be seen."
The news anchor shifted her papers.
"Coming up, the local leaders weigh in on the unemployment rate after the break."
Silence held sway over the table while the commercials played. Madoka stared it her food picking at it slowly. She could feel her parents and Pol watching her, their fear and worry radiating off of them. She looked over to Homura but she was eating in silence, her face inscrutable.
"Mom, dad," she said taking a deep breath before looking up. "We'll be okay. I promise."
The two shared a look. Even without telepathy Madoka knew a silent conversation was going on. No words simply or magic, simply understanding of one another. Then her mother sighed.
"You better be," she said closing her eyes. "Or you're grounded for the next year."
Madoka allowed herself a small smile.
"Yes mom."
-Fantasia-
The next morning Madoka meet Sayaka and Hitomi at the usual place. Homura had arrived as well and claimed that Madoka had invited her to come along. Madoka had not actually done so but was willing to cover Homura's lie.
As the four of them walked to school Madoka noticed just how unusually quiet everyone was. Sayaka looked rather put off by something and Hitomi was throwing worried looks at both she and Homura whenever she thought Madoka wasn't looking. It didn't make her feel much better.
"Something wrong?" She asked hoping to provoke one of them into speaking.
"Oh no," Sayaka said her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Nothing is wrong just some pretty boy Britannian Prince coming to take care of us 'poor dumb Japs'."
"Sayaka," Hitomi said frowning at her.
"What the hell are those morons in the Federation thinking?" Sayaka continued ignoring Hitomi. "Do they actually think people are going to be okay with them handing over our security to the same people who brutalized us for half a century then invaded us?"
"Sayaka," Hitomi repeated.
"Hey I lost family to those bastards," Sayaka shot back. "My grandparents were shot for protesting, most of my aunts and uncles were killed in their purges, and my dad's in a wheel chair because he fought them. I have a right to be upset about this!"
"Yes you do," Hitomi said sharply. "But in case you've forgotten it's magical girls that will have to do most of the actual fighting. So be a little considerate."
"It's okay Hitomi," Madoka assured her. "I just wanted to know what was wrong."
Hitomi grimaced.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Fine," Madoka replied. "We'll deal with Walpurgisnatch when it comes."
"It's not just that," Hitomi said warningly. "People are going to be treating you differently, you and Homura. Sayaka and I are your friends and I know what it's like to get odd looks or have people talking behind your back."
"Mami told us about all of this," Madoka replied. "I'm sure we'll be fine."
"Hey if anyone messes with you they'll have to go through me," Sayaka said smiling.
Hitomi frowned but said nothing more.
The rest of the walk to school continued in silence. When they arrived however Madoka quickly realized Hitomi hadn't been lying. As soon as they walked through the front gate she saw people throwing quick looks at her before looking away and whispering with their friends. Other students would take abrupt turns to avoid crossing her path.
She was already tired of it by the time they reached class and took their seats. Home room went by mostly as it had before though Madoka could still feel people tossing odd looks at her while she was working. Neither she was nor Homura called upon in class.
Math came next and it was just like home room. Neither she nor Homura were called upon to do any work on the board and other students threw them nervous looks as though they would suddenly go mad. Of course when she tried to speak to any of them they were polite but brief as though they wanted to spend as little time around her as possible.
Physical Education was next and this time there was a noticeable change. Before she could step into the locker room the teacher pulled her aside.
"Sorry Madoka," she said apologetically. "But I'm afraid you can't take part in today's activates."
"Why not?" Madoka demanded confused.
"Its school policy," she answered as gently as she could. "Because of your abilities your results would be considered suspect. For the sake of fairness to the rest of the students you can't participate."
And so Madoka was shown to a small classroom. It was quiet unlike any other classroom Madoka had seen before. There were old books on the shelves at the back and only a few desks. Tables lined the walls covered in strange instruments and devices. Strange glowing runes were scrawled a long the walls close to the ceiling. Madoka felt a faint buzzing noise in her head, one she couldn't place.
"Hello Madoka," Mami said from a seat near the far wall.
"Mami," Madoka said surprised.
A moment later Homura arrived, her eyes scanning the room.
"Mami," she said by way of greeting.
"Homura," Mami replied. "Welcome to the black room.
"The black room?" Madoka asked.
Mami motioned to the desks. The two took seats close to Mami, the buzzing noise still in Madoka's head.
"The black room," Mami began, "is a special classroom used for students with magic. For study and test taking so we don't cheat on exams."
"Where is everyone else?" Madoka asked.
"Most families with magical children send them to private schools," Mami replied. "Exclusive to magic users. So this room is just for those who discover magic later in life or magical girls like us. So the room is usually pretty empty."
"Where's the teacher?" Homura asked.
"He usually runs a bit late," Mami replied. "So how have you two been?"
"Adjusting," Madoka answered.
Mami gave a nod of understanding.
"I'm sorry your names and faces got out," she said. "I tried to convince the police to keep it quiet but apparently the information leaked out."
"How long is everyone going to be like this?" Madoka asked. "Acting like I'm a time bomb or something?"
Mami gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"People just need to adjust," she replied. "Most will come around in a few days, maybe a week or so at most. Once it becomes clear you're still the same person they've always known they'll relax."
"I guess," Madoka said glumly.
"Tell you what," Mami said. "How about you come with me tonight to go Witch Hunting?
At that moment the door burst open and a middle aged man with a small mustache and black hair rushed inside.
"Terribly sorry everyone," he said. "Got lost on my way down from the faculty lounge."
He dropped himself down into the teacher's desk with a small sigh.
"Right, so for the two of you new girls," he said. "My name is Saito Aizawa, I'll be your instructor slash baby sitter for the foreseeable future."
"Good morning professor," Mami greeted.
"Miss Tomoe," he said brightening. "Always a pleasure. I trust you have familiarized yourself with our two new associates?"
Madoka was not entirely sure what to make of Mr. Aizawa. He seemed to be all over the place, wildly shifting moods and temperament. What she could say was that he was energetic.
"So a little about myself for you two," he said rubbing his hands together. "I was born here in Mitakihara but studied abroad primarily in Europe; Dalaran, Beauxbatons, a brief stay in Silvermoon for an exchange program, all over the place really. I got certified in Education and took up teaching here ten years ago, most of that being rather boring."
Then he slammed his hands down on the desk.
"So how about you miss pink?" He asked, pointing to Madoka.
"Umm..." Madoka started rubbing the back of her head. "My name is Madoka Kaname..."
"Skip ahead we all know that part," Mr. Aizawa ordered.
"I was born in Mitakihara," she said quickly. "I've lived here my whole life. I live with my parents Tomohisa and Junko Kaname, my little brother Tatsuya, and live in help Pol. I've been a magical girl for about two days now."
"That's better," Mr. Aizawa said firmly. "How about you miss Akemi?"
"I was born here in Mitakihara," Homura said dispassionately. "I've lived most of my life in and out of hospitals. I have no living family that I know of. How long I've been a magical girl is my own business."
"She said the same thing to me yesterday Mr. Aizawa," Mami said. "I don't think you'll get much more from her."
"Fair enough," Mr. Aizawa replied crossing his arms. "I like a challenge."
-Fantasia-
'Watch your left Madoka,' Homura said telepathically as she gunned down another familiar.
Madoka heeded her warnings just in time to avoid and attack which would have taken her head off. She cartwheeled back through the air and landed lightly on her feet. She then brought up her bow and snapped off an arrow which cut right through the familiar and into another behind it.
After school the two of them had taken Mami up on her offer to go Witch hunting with her. To Homura it made practical sense. Madoka was inexperienced and thus needed all the help she could get. Mami was perfect for the job.
They had stumbled upon this nest of familiars when they had seen a woman attempt to jump off a building. Mami had caught her with her ribbons before she hit the ground. While there was clearly no Witch here there were still a ton of familiars.
'Homura behind you,' Mami warned her.
Homura came about raising her shot gun. One blast later and the familiar exploded. She worked the pump action picking a new target and then firing again. Another familiar went down but three more came charging towards her. She worked the pump action again but knew she was empty. Her shield clicked and everyone and everything stopped moving.
Homura could freeze time for one minute and thirty seconds on average. She could freeze it for longer but doing so cost her a great deal of magic. Anything she touched or was directly connected to would also be able to move within the frozen time so long as they were connected, the floor or ground didn't count. The actual time it took for her power to take full effect was only a third of a second.
She took a breath took a moment to survey the situation. Only about a dozen familiars were left out of the horde they had started with. Mami was shifting her target to one having already shot at another. Madoka meanwhile had drawn another arrow taking aim at a familiar. Homura had noticed that the longer Madoka took to form her and draw her arrows the more powerful they were, over penetrating and taking out multiple targets. The floor was littered with small black cubes that had once been familiars. She had seen them drop from Gertrud's familiars the previous day though she hadn't made much of them.
She reached into her shield rummaging around for more shot gun shells. Nothing. No matter she had other weapons. She pushed the shot gun away into her shield and rummaged around for another weapon and drew out an FN Minimi, a Belgian made light machine gun. The ammo belt was almost completely spent however. She reached back into her shield searching for a fresh one. Nothing.
Suddenly Homura realized she might have an actual problem. Her time was almost up however. With no time to search for a new weapon she brought up the LMG. A moment later with a light ding from her shield time resumed. She opened fire mowing down the three familiars advancing on her as Mami's first shot hit home and both she and Madoka fired again.
Homura turned on another pair of familiars and mowed them down. A second later her belt was empty.
'I'm out.'
'That's okay, we can finish this,' Mami replied firing off two of her muskets at once. A moment later Madoka took down the last familiar with a quick well placed shot.
Homura returned the FN Minimi to her shield. As she did her foot nudged one of the small black cubes. She leaned over and picked it up.
"What are these things?" She asked.
"Grief cubes," Mami replied. "Familiars drop them. They are like grief seeds but not as powerful." She picked up one of the cubes herself and reverted to her school clothes, her soul gem appearing in her hand. "Watch."
She then placed the cube right next to her soul gem. A faint amount of darkness passed from her Soul Gem into the cube.
"They do about one percent of the work of what a proper grief seed could do," Mami explained. "But they are easier to get and mean that even if magical girls work in groups so long as we're careful everyone can keep their soul gems clean."
"That's awesome!" Madoka exclaimed with obvious delight. She picked up a cube herself and reverted to her school clothes. She then did as Mami had summoning her soul gem to her hand and placing the cube against it. As before a faint amount of darkness left her soul gem.
Homura noticed however that Madoka's gem didn't look all that dark to begin with despite the amount of Magic Madoka had been using. This was unusual given Madoka's immense power in previous timelines. Before now Madoka had been an instant expert at being a magical girl about to destroy powerful witches with a single attack but now she struggled with familiars.
"I suggest you both stock up a bit," Mami said breaking Homura's train of thought. "Grief cubes may not be as useful in a fight as a grief seed but they last longer and are better for your long term stability."
Homura reverted to her school clothes and pressed the grief cube in her hand to her soul gem. As with Madoka and Mami a thin amount of darkness seeped out of her soul gem into the cube. It wasn't much but it would keep her stable.
"I think that's about all we should do for tonight," Mami said. "Collect the grief cubes and we'll leave."
They spent the next few minutes picking up all of the grief cubes they could carry. Homura put them in her shield while Madoka stuffed her own into her back pack. Mami meanwhile had brought along a messenger bag to carry her own supply. Once they were done they began the walk home.
"So what are we going to do about Walpurgisnatch?" Madoka asked.
"Hopefully it won't end up being in our area," Mami answered. "Odds are though we will end up being called up to help. It's going to take a lot of magical girls to bring it down."
"Aren't the military going to help though?"
"They will try," Mami said with a sad smile. "But there is only so much a conventional military can do against a Walpurgisnatch. Just ask Germany."
"Why?" Homura asked. "What happened?"
"Back during the second world war the Nazis had outlawed being a magical girl and magic in general," Mami explained. "With all of the horrible things they were doing they created a Walpurgisnatch. With no magical girls to fight it the regular army had to face it and they lost a third of their military trying to bring it down."
Madoka visibly grimaced. Somehow though Homura wasn't surprised. Given how much stronger the witches suddenly were and how little affect her own weapons had had on previous battles with Walpurgisnatch.
"We will be fine," Mami said reassuringly. "So long as we stay together and keep our heads."
Unbidden a memory of Mami's death in the previous timeline came to Homura's mind at this remark.
-Fantasia-
Sayaka flopped down on her bed. It had been a long and somewhat lonely day. After Madoka had been pulled from physical education she had seen little of her for the rest of the day. She understood why but that didn't change how she felt.
Then there was the imminent arrival of the stupid Britannian Prince. How could the Federation or the government allow something like that to happen? Didn't they realize they were throwing a match onto a powder-
'Evening Sayaka Miki.'
Sayaka jumped out of bed with a start. She scanned her bedroom until sure enough she found the little white creature sitting on her windowsill staring at her with its large red eyes.
"What are you doing here?" She asked warily.
'May I come in,' it asked? 'I would like to speak with you.'
"Sorry," Sayaka replied. "I think you're fine right there."
'Very well then,' Kyubey said. 'I wanted to talk to you about Madoka Kaname.'
"And what exactly do you want to know?" Sayaka asked sitting back down on her bed.
'Both she and Homura Akemi are anomalies,' Kyubey began. 'As far as I know they didn't make a contract with any of the other incubators.'
"Maybe one of them is lying to you," Sayaka said lying back down.
'That is impossible,' Kyubey replied. 'We are incapable of lying.'
"Oh please," Sayaka said rolling her eyes. "Don't act like I'm seven years old. Everyone knows you guys can lie, don't even bother calling it being 'economical with the truth'."
'We are incapable of doing so with one another,' Kyubey replied. 'Unlike you mortals we share a singular conscious thought. Lying to one another or being 'economical with the truth' is impossible with us.'
Sayaka frowned sitting back up.
"What exactly are you saying?" She asked.
'What I am saying is that Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi could not have made their contracts with an incubator,' Kyubey answered. 'Their powers have come from some unknown source.'
"And what exactly does that have to do with me?" Sayaka asked.
'Well for one I would like you to keep an eye on them for me,' Kyubey said. 'Also I would like you to make a contract with me and become a magical girl.'
"And why would I want to do either of those?" She asked. "Madoka is my friend and my life is fine."
'Madoka's life might be in danger," Kyubey answered. "Aren't you the least bit curious about how she gained her power?"
"All that matters to me is that she has them," Sayaka replied. "I'm not going behind her back to do your dirty work and you didn't answer my other question. Why would I want to become a magical girl?"
'I am not telling you to do anything,' it answered. 'However there must be something you wish for something beyond your reach?'
For a moment Sayaka thought of Kyousuke, lying alone in his hospital bed with his ruined hand. She shook the though away however, Kyousuke said the doctors were trying a new treatment on him. If it worked he might regain the full use of his hand. It had to work.
"Beat it bunny-cat," she said lying down again and rolling over onto her side, putting her back to incubator. "You're barking up the wrong tree."
'Very well then,' Kyubey said. 'But if you ever feel like making a sacrifice for the fate of the universe call me, I'll be waiting.'
Sayaka threw her throw pillow at the window. It bounced off with a dull thump and fell to the floor. She rolled over to see that Kyubey had gone however. Kyubey's words however lingered in her mind unwilling to be silenced. Madoka's life might be in danger.
-Fantasia-
Homura flicked on the lights for her living room. Mami had dropped them each off in turn starting with Madoka. Homura had only just gotten home from the witch hunt. Now however, the real work began.
She made her way to the coffee table and summoned her shield. Then she began to extract her assorted weapons and the ammunition from the shield. The FN Minimi, her Desert Eagle, a Beretta 92fs, a Remington 870 shotgun, a Howa Type 89 assault rifle, three AT4 anti-tank rocket launchers, a RPG-7, four M26 fragmentation grenades, five claymores, seven flash bangs, about ninety pounds of C-4, six of her old homemade pipe bombs, and...
She frowned and then pulled out the long thin object, it took her a moment to realize just what she was looking at. It was the battered old golf club she'd used to first demonstrate her powers to Madoka and Mami. For some reason she couldn't help but smile as she set the club aside. She'd never actually used it in combat, she had forgotten she even still had the club in her shield.
She then began to count the amount of ammunition she had left. Four magazines for the Desert Eagle, three for the Beretta, two for the Howa with seven extra rounds, one rocket for each AT4, and two warheads for the RPG. She had no more shells for the shot gun or any rounds for the FN Minimi. She only had one hundred twenty five bullets and five rockets.
She frowned again sitting down on the couch and contemplating her limited arsenal. If she was careful she could kill maybe two or three witches provided she could out maneuver the familiars. She had nowhere near the amount of ammunition she needed to deal with Walpurgisnatch however.
The trouble was that she was having trouble acquiring new weapons. Previously she had stolen from the Yakuza or JSDF, to acquire her arsenal and ammunition. In this world however she had hit a metaphorical brick wall.
For one the local Yakuza seemed to have been broken up so time ago. The usual hideout they had used had been deserted, the place now an actual laundry mat rather than a front business. Even then the Yukuza had only provided her with only a small amount of her weaponry. With Japan's strong gun control laws her ability to steal easy ammunition was restricted. She was honestly surprised the police weren't kicking down her door to take her weapons away.
Stealing from the JSDF or the police was even harder. Security for their armories and evidence rooms was dramatically increased. Most of the new security was palm print or electronic. The passwords she had used in the past were useless, trying to rob a gun locker in a police station in a little over a minute was almost impossible.
She had spent the last five days trying to restock her armory and keep Kyubey away from Madoka. Neither objective had been meet; Madoka had become a magical girl nor had she been able to steal any weapons. The fact was simple, she needed a new source of guns. Likely a legal source.
That meant she had home work to do.
She collected her depleted arsenal and returned it to her shield before going to her bed room. It was sparse, given how little time she had spent at home due to her frequent hospitalizations. She had a bed and a dresser, the dresser almost bare beyond her school clothes and a few other items. A book shelf was in one corner crowded with a wide and varied array of titles, having been bed ridden so frequently books had been her only friends until she meet Madoka. She hadn't picked any of them up off the shelves since the third timeline however. There was a bed side table with a clock and a lamp, then there was a desk with a chair where she did her homework and had her computer.
She sat down at the desk and booted up her computer. She opened up her browser and then entered a simple site address, . As the site opened up she took a moment to consider what she should start with. So many questions and so many things to consider decided to start with the most important one.
Magical girls.
Ranger24: And that's the chapter. More crossover elements are leaking in however they won't move onto the main stage until next chapter. Please leave any comments, advice, or angry rants in the review section see you in a week.