Author Notes:
Here's chapter three part 1 as I'm in quite of a hurry. The contents of this one might change if I get to give it a revision. I couldn't wait to upload it and get things going, gotta admit I'm getting a lot of enjoyment in writing this.
I'll post part 2 soon.
About Libera Me from Hell, I just like the ringing of that and reminds me of Grimgrendel's story so treat is as a kind of 'writer freedom', heheh.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Libera Me from Hell
Chapter 3 – Transfer student
Madoka was resting on her bed, feeling empty as she stared at the ceiling. Sayaka-chan is dead, so is Mami-san and Kyouko-chan, all dead. Why was life so cruel to good people? They wanted to make a better world! And now no one would remember their sacrifices.
"Can I come in Madoka?" said a known and high pitched voice. Him of all things, she didn't want to hear whatever he had to say, but she knew he wouldn't be going anywhere until she listened, it was pointless trying to shoo him away. Suddenly, she felt a dark shadow getting above her and she found he now was on her shelf above her bed, staring at her with those red unblinking eyes.
"So you survived" said Madoka with apathy, after all, she wouldn't be surprised other magical girls had done what Homura and shoot the Incubator after all he had done to them. He practically ruined lives for whatever dark agenda he had.
"I only came here to explain what your sacrifices make for the Universe, it's not like we harbor resentment against humans or anything" said the Incubator with the same cheerful voice, as if he was talking about the weather.
"What…are you?" asked Madoka confused.
Song: Yuki Kajiura – Sis Puella Magi!
"We're an evolved race, the Incubators, we come from a far away galaxy and our job is to save the Universe by protecting it from entropy" answered Kyubey to Madoka's astonishment. "Do you know what entropy is, Madoka?" asked Kyubey without interest, obviously most girls he interacted with didn't so he didn't even wait for an answer, better to cut to the point. "It's a measure of the Universe's disorder, as the Universe expands, the amount of entropy keeps increasing and one day it will reach thermodynamic equilibrium, then…the Universe will run cold and disappear, you don't want that, do you Madoka?" said the Incubator.
"What does anything of that have to do with turning us into witches?!" said Madoka starting to lose her patience.
"Everything" answered Kyubey. "We were working long and hard to find a way to counteract entropy but even our most advanced technologies are dependent on the laws of physics. And that's when we found the magic of the Puella Magi…we discovered that humans generate an enormous amount of emotional energy, energy that we can use to counteract entropy Madoka, and the energy liberated from the despair of girls in the second stage of growth is the most effective" he said matter flatly, red eyes staring at Madoka as the valued resource she was.
"And you Madoka, are the solution to the Universe's problems" said Kyubey that disappeared from her shelf and appeared in a chair in front of her, always smiling, always staring. "One day you will become the most powerful Puella Magi, and then the most powerful witch, when that happens you'll release an enormous amount of energy, enough to keep us from making anymore Contracts in at least a century. Sadly Akemi Homura keeps getting in the way, naively thinking she can change your fate", said Kyubey with a hint of irritation. "But don't worry; her days of meddling with our plans are over".
"What do you mean? What does Homura have to do with any of this? What have you done to her?!" said Madoka confused and worried for Homura's safety, standing on her bed, Madoka stared at the Incubator trying to frighten him, to stop him, she knew it was pointless.
"After some research we have come to the conclusion that Akemi Homura isn't from this timeline, meaning she has the ability of time travel. Repeating this same month over and over again, Akemi Homura has been trying to save you from your fate and failing every time." said Kyubey to Madoka's astonishment, so that's why Homura was so protective of her? That's why she always kept appearing at the last minute when she was most needed and why she always seemed know everything before it happened?
"We have concluded that's the reason you have such amazing potential as a Puella Magi. The weight of time and the burden of failure has been hard on Akemi Homura, to the point that she has been unraveling with every passing loop, providing us with free energy every time. By revealing she's the cause of your suffering we have sown the seed of doubt in Akemi Homura's mind, ready to break her, and once she accepts she can't change your fate, her Soul gem will instantly turn into a Grief Seed and we'll have a new witch." Madoka's eyes widenend in horror at the realization of how far this "Incubator" was from the friendly magical girl mascots one usually found in anime ,this was closer to…a devil.
"Meanwhile you will become a Puella Magi trying to save her, and provide us with an endless amount of energy in the process. That will prevent the suffering of thousands of girls. Isn't that desirable Kaname Madoka?" said Kyubey with pride at his master plan while trying to appeal to Madoka's empathy.
What's worse is that he knew her very well as Madoka was now trying to find a way to save Homura from her fate, surely there must be something that she could do!
If he had been able to produce emotions the Incubator would have grinned inside, this fool, I have her right where I want to.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Song: Kalafina - Magia
"Don't worry Homura-chan, I finally understand what you went through" said Madoka trying to sound reassuring to her once in a lifetime friend. Turning to the Incubator with a look of determination, Madoka asked her wish "I want to take Homura-chan's place as the one who protects, I want to shoulder her despair and take her burdens, that's my wish, now grant it Incubator!" spoke Madoka with a higher tone filled with confidence.
Feeling as if her heart was on fire, Madoka clutched at her chest as it began to glow and a beautiful and shiny pink stone escaped her, leaving her with a feeling of hollowness.
"The Contract is complete! Now embrace your new power!" said the Incubator in awe as Madoka took a hold of her Soul gem.
No, this can't be happening, this isn't what I wanted! Thought Homura desperate as she was engulfed by the pink light, she wanted Madoka to understand her, to put herself in her place, but not like this!
Clutching her buckler Homura turned her shield, only to watch it crumble to pieces, one gear at a time. The sand made a loud noise as it fell to the floor and dissipated to the wind…
"No, this can't be happening! I need to change this outcome!" thought Homura, tears in her eyes, but as the pink light passed through her body, Homura's face softened, her weary and hardened gaze fading with every passing second, "don't do this to me! I don't want to forget! I don't want to…" and so Homura Akemi, the girl that fought against destiny died…leaving only a very confused Homura Akemi that also disappeared, lost into the time stream.
Kyubey rejoiced, the greatest threat to his plans was no more and Madoka would become a witch in another timeline, helping his alternate self's efforts. "I've done all I can, it's in your paws now, Kyubey", thought the Incubator confident that his alternate self would make good use of this development.
Meanwhile Madoka clutched her head as her mind was flooded with memories, memories that didn't belong to her. Tears came to her eyes as the torrent of emotions assaulted her very being and she felt the despair of a thousand worlds that never were, as she saw through Homura's eyes the suffering and horrors she had faced.
By next morning there was no more Walpurgisnacht and no more Madoka as she disappeared from this timeline.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Finally they had arrived at Mitakihara High, one of the best schools in the country. Still, Sayaka always thought Hitomi should have been in a more prestigious school, given her monetary standing, as she was the daughter of very renowned industrialists. Still, Hitomi always said that she wouldn't have traded Mitakihara High for anything.
The school itself was very beautiful, decorated with a more modernist setting. Rumored to have once been a famous battle ground, then a factory, it had been repaired on the dawn of Mitakihara's trading and thriving economy. The building now sported unbreakable and beautiful glass classrooms that made use of a natural energy source to lighten the place. Teachers and students could see each other and gave a feeling of companionship, although to Homura, it felt more like paranoia with having everyone watching you everywhere. She had come to that conclusion when she transferred to Mitakihara for the first time and became the focus of attention for all eyes in all the first week. She thought she would go crazy from all the attention but thankfully that's when she met Miki Sayaka and Shitsuki Hitomi who helped her accommodate to all these changes.
Entering the classroom, a smile on her face, school bag in her left hand and her inseparable red glasses in her face which gave her, in Sayaka's words, "a very moe look", Homura Akemi made her way to her seat and prepared for a wonderful day.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
"Now class, listen for I have something very important to say!" said the teacher Kazuko to her class with an obvious look of annoyance and rage. Must have been rejected again thought Homura with pity, Kazuko was an middle aged woman with lots of love troubles, it seemed she couldn't ever keep a lover for too long, thinking of her teacher with another man made Homura squeak and wish for some brain bleach.
While the teacher droned about boiled eggs and made poor Nazakawa-kun suffer with her questioning, Homura looked around the classroom. Sayaka was sleeping in her seat, a small trail of drool falling from her mouth to her desk, typical, thought Homura. Her bluenette friend had never been quite fond of school, and Homura usually had to spend time helping her with her homework.
Not that she disliked that, having been always pretty lonely herself, she loved every chance to spend with other people.
Despite her brash, perverted streak and sometimes even rude attitude, Sayaka was very brave and hardworking, always willing to help others. She is my best friend thought Homura while smiling at her.
Then was Hitomi, quiet and trying to pay attention to all Kazuko said, even if it was pointless. Being the child of two rich parents, she had inherited a vast fortune and should have been a spoiled child in a spoiled rich kid's school. She was all the opposite, kind, polite and caring. She was the archetype of a traditional wife. Homura felt she wouldn't mind becoming her…what? Where did that thought come from?! Wondered Homura as her cheeks started reddening. She wasn't into those things, maybe…
"Alright class, now I'll present you a new transfer student. Come here Madoka!" said Kazuko with a cheerful smile. So she chose to talk about eggs first? Homura wondered, not surprising as her teacher had a very characteristic way to her teaching…someone in the last rows echoed her thought. But it didn't matter; everyone had eyes for the new transfer student.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Song: Yuki Kajiura – Conturbatio.
A small girl with pink hair came slowly to the classroom, as if struggling with every step she took. Her hair was disheveled and tangled with two dull red ribbons that dangled lazily in her hair; one was dropping from her hair to her shirt. Black circles around her eyes, Madoka made her way to the classroom.
Finally, I'm here! Thought Madoka with boundless joy as she came to the classroom, it felt like an eternity after all she had gone through in the hospital, but now she would finally make it worth it, she had to. She almost felt she wouldn't make it in time as she had overslept due to all those nightmares, she had ended sleeping close to the sun's rising and she didn't have time to take a bath nor eat breakfast. Given her current body state, which was to say the least, weak, she knew she would pay for it latter.
"Her name's Madoka Kaname. She was in the hospital due to her heart condition. Given that she hasn't been in school for a long time, please help her when you can!" said the teacher to her class, hoping they would be able to make Madoka feel more comfortable. "Madoka do you want to…" the teacher's voice died on her throat as Madoka started to sob in front of the class.
"So…sorry, I'm just…so happy to be here" said Madoka between sobs, running a hand through her eyes trying to stop the tears.
"Hey what's with her?" asked Sayaka to Homura, the black haired girl didn't listen as she was trying to ascertain the feelings welling inside her chest. When the newcomer girl had entered the classroom, she had stared directly into Homura's eyes.
Remembering her politeness and trying to make the transfer student feel more at ease, Homura had tried to give her a polite smile, but that fell flat as she felt distressed when looking at the pinkette.
Feeling the sudden urge to strangle her, Homura stood from her seat and ran towards the pinkette, putting both hands over her neck, Homura squeezed hard and Madoka's eyes went wide with surprise while she squeaked as air left her lungs. Miss Kazuko tried to pull Homura away from the transfer student to which Homura squeezed harder, Madoka struggled for several seconds, putting her hands over Homura's trying to take her away but after several seconds that felt like an eternity, her hands felt limp to her sides.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Homura zoned back into reality. What? Why did I think such dark things? Homura wondered to herself, horrorized that she may be able to do such a thing…one thing was certain though, she didn't like this new student, as weird as that was. Focusing back on her logic, she decided to give Madoka a chance and get to know her first, and then I can throttle her, whispered a darker voice in the back of her mind.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
************End of Chapter************
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
End Notes / Rant:
Tell me what you think! I'm yet to decide on Madoka's abilities as a Puella Magi but have some good ideas of what I want for her.
Phew Madoka and Kyubey's are the hardest for me to write as Madoka has that cheerful girl theme I can't quite grasp while I try to make Kyubey sound smart and conniving ala Gendou Ikari/Light Yagami/Lelouch, no easy task.
Thanks again to KiyumiArashi for his awesome review, it's very inspiring to have them and hope you can enjoy this chapter. And thanks for your useful input; you gave me lots of ideas for Madoka! BTW you did read Persephone's Waltz and in such a short time!? It took me almost a week for me, heheheh. It's a really good story; my favorites are Kizeki Magica, Persephone's Waltz and Observation. Oh and A Happy Dream when I'm looking for a good laugh, the jokes never get old, heheh. For a Fate/Puella Magi Crossover, there's The Xth Loop where two of the most badass characters get to work together, and I got to enjoy the HomuraxArcher pairing, heheh.
To answer Guess, question, yeah, this is glasses Homura as she didn't get tormented by the timelines, Madoka just made sure of that, basically she killed that Homura when making her wish, or assimilated her if you want to see it that way (less tragic). That doesn't mean Homura can't pack quite a punch as she was trained by her mother and is far more confident in her abilities and more stable.
I feel people are both the result of circumstances and what they make of them, so I wanted to explore what would have happened if Homura had been given the chance of living a normal life like Madoka, and vice versa. They have different approaches to things, so they're not copies of each other.
I might write more on Maiya after all, if people are okay with that, she's a really mysterious character with lots of potential, still, feel that no one got where she came from. She's not my character; she's from another one of Urobuchi's amazing works and having her as Homura's mother was just so fitting. But even more fitting is Homura's father, if you get who he is, almost like a mirror, heheh.