Chapter Seventeen- "I hate humans anyway."
The city was caught in a powerful wind that swept across the land. Trees were nearly blown from their roots and the roofs of buildings were being torn away by the roaring winds.
Struggling, a girl with short blue hair stepped out (of the building where Mami's apartment is) unwillingly into the streets, hair batting against her face. She grabbed a fence beside her for support when she nearly tripped over her own feet.
"Dammit." She muttered, turning her head. "What is-?!" Sayaka gasped immediately.
Before her were the people of Mitakihara, all the civilians that she saw before her-that were once struggling against the wind- were now lying on the ground, lifeless.
In a panic, Sayaka stepped out, ignoring the pressure on her body. "I have to save them!" She yelled.
Out of nowhere the ground started to shake tremendously, and Sayaka was thrown off her feet and fell onto the ground. Gasping, the bluenette sat up on the rumbling ground, groaning.
Suddenly the ground split, and the sky became contorted into various colours, they twisted along the sky and Sayaka could not help but think that they looked familiar.
"No!" Sayaka screamed into the wind. "What's happening?!"
All of a sudden a column of rock below Sayaka busted out from the ground. The rock pillar lifted her up to the sky, and Sayaka screamed while it was happening.
It stopped once the bluenette had reached the clouds. Sayaka opened her eyes slowly and they widened at the sight before her.
A pink light illuminated her vision, and a transparent wing flapped tremendously. Sayaka could not see much, except the long pink hair and a bright smile.
"Sayaka-chan." A soft voice spoke, the voice was sweet and caring, yet it had a bittersweet tone.
Sayaka gasped. "Ma-Madoka?"
"You can remember me this quickly." The voice spoke. "I think all your other memories will have to be restored now."
Before Sayaka could react in anyway, a gloved hand was placed softly on her forehead.
A gasp emitted from the girl, as all the memories raced through her mind.
All of the next to 100 timelines flickered through her head in one single moment.
Clasping her head in her hands, Sayaka's eyes hollowed. "No way… I…" She glanced up at the pink light. "Why?"
The smile became kinder. "I'm sorry about this, but you need to find someone." The voice paused. "But don't worry; I'll see you again soon."
Suddenly the rosy pink light disappeared, and the rock pillar vanished. Sayaka was silent as she fell through the air, her hair getting blown off her face.
In an instant, she frowned and held out her Soul Gem, and in a flash she transformed.
Sayaka hit the ground in full force, she plunged her sword through the pavement, and the impact of her fall sent debris and wreckage flying. Mist made its way around the caped figure.
Once the mist faded, Sayaka stood in all her glory, her eyes narrowed in determination.
"Kyoko." She said softly. Sayaka turned, ignoring the pain in her body and the scratches upon her legs and arms. "I have to find her."
And with that, she leapt off into the distance.
The area remained silent, except for the faint breeze that drifted Homura's hair slightly to the side, her head was lowered slightly.
"How… did she regain her memories?"
The Reaper let his cloak drift softly. "The Law of Cycles gave them to her."
"Did the Law of Cycles take Miki Sayaka's memories in the first place?" Homura asked softly.
"No." He replied. "I did."
The stoic girl lifted her head to stare at The Reaper. "Why?"
"It was necessary in order to make our plan go smoothly."
"Why did you bring her back to life though?"
A frown fell on The Reaper's pale lips. "It was Shizuki Hitomi's wish; it is an Incubator's duty to grant their wishes, so the Incubator granted it."
"But you granted it." Homura voice rose. "There was no reason to."
"I don't think you understand." The Reaper turned, his cloak moving along with him. He lifted his head up to the sky. "What did Shizuki Hitomi wish for?"
"She wished…" The stoic girl paused, thinking there was a trick in his words. "… For Miki Sayaka to come back to life."
"That's wrong." The Reaper stated. "Shizuki Hitomi wished for her best friend to come back to life."
Coming in to a realisation, Homura's eyes widened.
"Are you saying…?" Homura started. "That you wished..."
"I wished for my best friend to come back to life." Hitomi confirmed.
"Which best friend…" Homura said softly to herself, her face struck with disbelief. "…Has she brought back?"
In the silence, droplets of water fell on the ground one by one, soon enough it was raining softly, the ground was coated with the wet dots.
As the water fell on the Reaper's face, a smirk occupied his expression. His different coloured eyes were narrowed. "You're smart, Akemi Homura. Have you realised what happened?"
Horror almost filled Homura's face as she spoke. "Shizuki Hitomi had two best friends. Miki Sayaka and…" She paused. "Kaname Madoka."
"Correct." The Reaper said. "She fell from the sky, and was sent from the heavens. What does that tell you?"
"She is… working with Madoka."
"And why was she so powerful? But the power faded over time."
Homura was unresponsive, until she whispered. "The water..."
"She was awakened." The Reaper stated. "That is her power, to control water, which is her awakened power."
"When did she get awakened?"
"Around when Kaname Madoka brought her along all her ally."
"But why… did her power fade? And why was she seemingly possessed by it earlier?"
The Reaper smirked once again under his fringe, a single raindrop dripped off his hair.
"Miki Sayaka had never truly been 'brought back to life'."
Homura clenched her fist. This isn't what she expected. The depths of Shizuki Hitomi's wish were endless. "Why is that?"
"Her wish was to bring her best friend back to life wasn't it? She had two best friends correct?"
"But that doesn't make sense, Madoka never existed, all of the memories of her everywhere were erased. And she moved to a higher plane, so why…?"
"A wish can do anything. Depending on the Magical Girl's future potential." The Reaper said. "Hitomi's future as a magical girl was to highly contribute to this world changing plan. Do you understand?"
Homura was hit with the words with one sentence. Her pupils turned smaller and her face turned to disbelief when The Reaper said the words;
"Shizuki Hitomi's potential is so powerful she can bring down a Goddess."
The rain started to pour harder. Soon enough it was a hard downpour, the large droplets of rain hit the ground at agonising speed, creating the noise of a waterfall that littered throughout the barrier.
With her face shadowed over, Homura took a single step forward, the impact of the step on a puddle made it splash widely. Water speckled against the back of The Reaper's cloak, but was coated on Homura's legs.
"Reaper." She said darkly, lifted her face so it was in clear view. A darkened expression covered her ice cold eyes. "What is your goal?"
The Reaper sneered, a tooth filled smile. It was right then when Homura realised that all his teeth were spiked, like a beast.
"We are changing the world back to the way it was."
"With witches?"
"Yes."
Homura grit her teeth together. She had thought that it was impossible, the world had changed since then."How are you planning on doing that?"
"Miki Sayaka has only been half brought back; her spirit is fading and will only be fully reached when the other half of the wish is fulfilled."
"Then the other half must be…" The dark haired girl trailed off.
"… Kaname Madoka." The Reaper paused. "Yes."
Rage building up inside her, Homura stepped forward again, this time in an act of anger. "That's impossible! Like I said before, Madoka has ascended to a higher plane, and she can't be brought back!"
"You should know by now, Akemi Homura, that nothing is impossible."
Homura growled softly at The Reaper's comment. Then she paused suddenly.
"Wait." She said. "You're trying to change the world back to when there were still witches. And you're bringing Madoka back to life."
The Reaper formed his staff in one hand, the shards of glass reflecting off the faded light of the sky. "Indeed."
"And Madoka... sacrificed herself to change the witch's world."
"That's right."
"That's means…." As realisation dawned on Homura, she felt her hand up to her face in shock, and clenched her fist so hard her knuckle was white and her hand shook. "You're making her into a normal girl, so she won't have powers anymore."
The Reaper smirked as Homura figured it out. "Yes."
"Therefore, bringing witches back, and her wish… useless?" The stoic girl said bitterly.
"You're right Homura, you've finally realised it." The Reaper said smugly.
Homura brought her hand down, and her face shadowed over again, her hands were twitching. "Why would you do something so cruel?"
The Reaper took a step forward, away from the girl, as she continued to speak.
"Why would you do something to such a person, and this world? Is making her wish useless really the right thing to do?"
Another step.
Homura opened up her clenched hands, and guns materialised in them.
"You're trying to make her sacrifice in vain…"
Another step.
Homura held up the guns to The Reaper, tears streamed from her rage filled eyes and down her pale cheeks. Her face was contorted into fury as she roared.
"YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRD!"
A lightning bolt cracked loudly through the air as water pelted down furiously.
Homura screamed as she tore bullets through The Reaper, who refused to react to it.
It was a truly horrifying sight. The Reaper's blood created a large puddle in the ground, bullet holes were marked in his skin, and whenever Homura would run out of bullets, she would just materialise more guns are shoot him again, screaming uncontrollably while her sobs contorted her voice.
After going through 56 guns, Homura was too tired for any more. She collapsed onto the ground, legs spread beside her, her head was lowered in defeat as she sobbed with a rasped, worn out voice.
The Reaper's rotten body lay lifelessly on the ground, many bullet holes were torn through him, and his eyes were white, until they rolled back into place. The bullet marks were covered with layers of skin, the blood was regenerated and his torn clothes were fixed.
Narrowing his eyes at the grief stricken girl before him, he stood.
"Akemi Homura, you are weak."
Homura choked out a sob and clenched her eyes tight.
"You always said to never let your emotions control you, or you'll lose. That's what you just did. You're a hypocrite. Now you do not have enough strength or magic left to battle me any further." The Reaper pointed to Homura's darkened Soul Gem on her hand. "See? You're pathetic."
He walked over to the Incubator, who had casually watched the scene. "Why did you let her shoot at you? You could have easily deflected them." Kyubey pointed out.
The Reaper shrugged, glancing back at Homura. "I'm not sure myself. Maybe because I felt like I needed it."
"That's strange of you, Reaper."
"Anyway," The Reaper turned "What's happening to Shizuki Hitomi?"
The Incubator turned on its heels, tail moving. "Hitomi's Soul Gem is turning darker."
"And why is that? You still haven't told me."
Kyubey sighed at The Reaper's reply. "Since Miki Sayaka was brought back to life with her memories erased by Shizuki Hitomi, once Sayaka's memories are intact, Hitomi will begin to die. But she won't die in the end."
The Reaper narrowed his eyes. "I see. Are you sure?"
"Certain." Kyubey said in a cheerful voice.
"…Fine."
Hitomi lay on the ground in a ball; she clasped the sleeves of her school uniform while her breath was caught in short pained gasps. Her green hair was spread across the ground and moved when her body shook.
Shivers of pain racked her body, she moved her hands from her sleeved to her head, and she held it tight, as the constant throbbing would not stop.
"A-ah." She gasped agonizingly, taking in short breaths. She reached out one hand to her now dark green Soul Gem, which was quickly growing darker in colour.
As Hitomi was about to touch the Soul Gem, another shot of pain shot up her body, and her hand fell limp on the ground.
Stepping towards the centre of the barrier, The Reaper flexed his hands.
Is it time to bring the Goddess down now?
Yes.
Finally reaching the centre, he raised his outstretched hands towards the sky. Spreading them out, the sky cleared slightly.
A pink light shined down from the single spot The Reaper had cleared, and from that was the sound of tremendously flapping wings.
"No…" Homura whispered, her weak and frail body giving in to the pressure. "Madoka…"
The Reaper's hands were outstretched, and he was about to bring the Goddess down from her plane. Until a single thought struck him.
This plan will not succeed.
In an instant, The Reaper snapped his arms beside him, his fingers curling so his hands were in a claw like position. The light immediately turned a dark red colour, and the sounds of wings stopped.
The wind flew around The Reaper, creating what looked like a tornado was caused around him. The rain was now bucketing down, trails of thunder and lightning crashed throughout the sky as it cleared fully, revealing the dark midnight sky.
Gasping, the Incubator immediately stood on its four legs. "What are you doing?! This wasn't part of the-!"
It was interrupted by The Reaper glaring at him from the side, his eyes glowed the respective colours. "This plan will fail." He growled in a demonic voice.
Homura watched the scene in awe. "W-what are you doing?!"
"I am backing out of this plan." The Reaper said to Homura, lowering his hands as the red light covered his features.
"Why?!"
"This plan was never meant to succeed, I only realised it would never succeed from when I was about to bring the Goddess."
"Reaper!" The Incubator raised its voice desperately. "Please don't do this! Without you this plan will fall! If you aren't here then Shizuki Hitomi's wish will be counted as useless and ineffective. And both her and Miki Sayaka will die!"
The Reaper frowned as Homura gasped. "That's fine." He said; the red light fading and the space returning to normal.
The Reaper turned and raised a single hand, sneering, he left a comment for the two shocked beings.
"I hate humans anyway."
And with that, The Reaper snapped his fingers and he was gone in a flash of dark red light.
Homura was left stunned, her eyes were widened in the place where she had been imprisoned, and she moved her head towards the Incubator.
"So Miki Sayaka and Shizuki Hitomi… will die?"
Kyubey nodded. "There isn't a way of changing it. I cannot bring people back to life, and The Reaper can. Now that he's backed out it, Hitomi's wish is useless, and she dies. Along with the creation of her wish, Miki Sayaka."
A saddened expression took over Homura's face. "Oh." She said simply but bitterly, lowering her head. She slowly stood, and walked over to the Incubator.
A gun formed in her hand, and she aimed it at Kyubey. Revealing her face, it was once again cold; her eyes glared daggers into the creature.
"I have decided something, and you cannot change it."
And with that, a bullet signed off this Incubator.
Only for a time being…
Mami flinched immediately, her foot rested on the top of the building she was going to leap off. But she stopped, glancing up at the sky, and it's darkness.
She glanced around, and watched the city repair itself. The cracks in the ground were forced back together, the wind and the rain died down, the buildings repaired themselves, and the bright moon shined down from the midnight sky littered with stars.
"It's… done?" Mami said to herself.
Kyoko and Sayaka sat together in the alleyway; they glanced up when they noticed the moon shining down on them.
"Kyoko." Sayaka said, and Kyoko looked at her. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry…" She said, smiling at her. "I have to leave you again."
Gasping, Kyoko grabbed her shoulders. "What?! Why?!"
"The Reaper's plan has failed, and I am dying. But don't worry." Sayaka held the redhead's hand in her own. "It's fine."
The bright blue Soul Gem on her abdomen was now being rapidly corrupted, with a familiar light drifting inside it, Sayaka felt no signs of pain as she held Kyoko's tender hand.
As Sayaka saw Kyoko's concerned expression, she chuckled. "Don't worry stupid, you'll see me again."
"But when's that?!"
The bluenette's lips turned into a slight frown. "When you die." She paused. "But please make it… so that you won't die quickly."
Kyoko calmed down from her words. "Fine." She glanced up at Sayaka again and let out a half gasp.
Sayaka's body was slowly dissolving from her legs up, however she was still smiling. "Kyoko, promise me something."
"W-what is it?"
"Please don't be sad over my death." The bluenette said, almost bitterly as her azure eyes shined. "I don't want to feel any more regret over what I've done, and I don't want you to be sad."
Kyoko's crimson eyes widened before nodding. "I promise to not cry over it."
When Sayaka chuckled, the redhead lightly punched her shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"See ya, idiot."
Sayaka smiled, as her hand dissolved from Kyoko's grasp.
"See ya later, Kyoko."
Her entire body dissolved in the next millisecond. Kyoko sat; her face down and her eyes clouded over.
"I won't cry." She stated in a secure tone. "I will survive."
The moon light fell on a specific figure lying limply against the pavement. Her head was facing up to the sky, and her wavy green hair was spread across the ground.
The throbbing had stopped, but her face was pale, her green eyes were dark and tired. She glanced over at her Soul Gem, which was now a complete dark green, a single white light drifted inside.
"No…" She whispered softly. "I don't… want to die."
Slowly, the dark sky emitted a rosy pink light from one single spot, it fell on Hitomi, and she didn't squint her eyes.
A trail appeared from the sky, a silver trail lined with sparkles. From that a winged figure formed out of the rosy light.
Her incredibly long pink hair wove around the area, and her bright golden eyes were soft, she smiled an understanding, and sweet smile. Her glorious white frilled gown floated in the air as she hovered towards Hitomi, her wings flapping tremendously.
"Hitomi-chan." She said softly, reaching the dishevelled magical girl and holding out a gloved hand. "Do you remember me?"
Hitomi's expression was vague. "What?" Until her mind clicked and her eyes widened, a bright green colour flowing back into them. "Ma-Madoka…san."
The Goddess giggled in pleasure, while Hitomi lay, shocked. "What are you doing? What did you do to yourself-?"
"Shh." The golden eyed entity cut her off. "I'll explain it when we get back."
"Back?"
The Goddess nodded, and gently put both of her hands to Hitomi's dark soul gem, instantly the corruption made its way out, and the Soul Gem disappeared in a small flash of emerald coloured light.
"Hitomi-chan." The Goddess said, smiling. "Let's go."
Tears fell from Hitomi's stunned emerald eyes, before they calmed, and her lips twisted into an affectionate smile, as she slowly disappeared.
"Let's go… Madoka-san…"
A/N: I wrote this chapter in under a day, or a few hours, I started right after the last chapter was published, but I didn't upload it until now.
Now this arc is nearly over, at least one more chapter.
I didn't want Sayaka to die, but it kind of makes sense that since Hitomi's wish was therefore never made since The Reaper backed out of the plan, the creation of Hitomi's wish, Sayaka, can't live anymore.
But there could have been an alternate ending to it. Since Sayaka was only one half of the wish, Madoka was the other half, so if Hitomi's wish was rendered unmade, Madoka should have been erased as well.
But she can't, she's on a higher plane, and has been erased from the plane of humanity anyway. So it would take an incredible amount of power to bring her off the plane and erase her. (eg. H***** taking a piece of the Law of Cycles)
Why would the plan have failed? Because it is basically impossible to bring Madoka back to being a normal girl, like A**** H*****did in Rebellion, Madokami's powers still remained, but they were supressed, and her memory was erased. So basically, if they had brought Madoka down to Earth, they would have had to erase her memory, and therefore supress her powers. This seems like not a bad thing to The Reaper, but it is. Madoka's powers are supressed, but she will never part from the Law of Cycles, because she is the Law of Cycles. And her powers still reside, she would regain full use of them, and her memories, and bring the world without witches again, as well as bringing down The Reaper.
Does that make sense? I hope it does. And it's weird cause… the villain saved the day!
The next chapter's ending it going to be something that changes a lot of the story, so watch out for it!
-Otaku4eva99