The barrier melted away with a wave of energy that twisted through Homura's whole being, through her, arms, her legs, her neck, and finally, her very soul.

She glanced down at her hand and watched a wave of said energy rip some of the darkness from her soul gem, taking a thin layer of grief into itself before whooshing away like a faint breeze.

Mami dispersed the ribbons as they watched the energy of the barrier converge before splitting into tiny shards of pink crystals, hovering for a brief moment before falling and landing on the stairs with a clatter.

Homura immediately sagged to the floor with relief. "T-that was a-"

"Homura!"

Her thought was stopped by a sudden pink blur crashing into her.

For the briefest moment, Homura tensed, and thought perhaps the witch was back from the dead for more.

But the smell of melon suddenly wafted over her and she relaxed.

"Homuraaaaa-!" Madoka squeezed her tighter. 'W-we thought you got hurt really badly, a-and you couldn't call out to us, or w-worse-"

"M-Ms Kaname, please calm down!" She stuttered while being hugged tightly by her worried fretting friend. In the corner of her eye, she saw Sayaka, transformed and sword in hand, looking sheepish.

"W-we're fine, really...!" Homura assured once more.

"Jeez, Madoka,I told you!" Sayaka teased, de-transforming back to her normal uniform and letting her sword fade away into blue specks.

Mami covered her mouth as she let out a small, polite laugh. "You two really should have more faith in her. Ms Akemi is perfectly skilled when push comes to shove!"

Mami leaned down and picked up the shards scattered across the steps, her magical outfit disappearing with a flash, the yellow energy returning to her ring.

Picking up the remaining of the shards, she extended her hand out to Homura, a few shards in her palm glinting varying shades of pink in the light. "You should clear your soul gem before I hand these in."

Homura gave her a shy smile and picked up the two brightest shards, pushed them against her hand and watched the remaining specks of despair fade away from her gem.

"Thank you, Ms Tomoe!" Pink dusted itself across her cheeks as she handed the shards back to the blonde.

"Aha! What happened to just 'Tomoe'?" Mami laughed again while Sayaka and Madoka blinked in confusion at the exchange.

"It's like you were like a different person once the fight had started, you know!" She smiled even wider as she took the now dim shards back into her hand.

"Well, I...uh-"' Homura struggled to explain as Sayaka laughed at her attempts.

"Oh Homura! Thats's- That's-!" Madoka squealed. "You're so cool!" She hugged Homura again with a force that could take the life out of Homura's lungs.

"For real? Transfer student's got a dark side!?" Sayaka let out a mock gasp and draped herself against the wall dramatically. "She'll corrupt poor Madoka with her evil ways if we don't step in! Mami, we must stop this evil monster before-"

'I honestly doubt Homura is a monster.'

Schwarze Katze.

The telepathic voice cut through the conversation instantly and the girls turned to the feline shape standing on the handrail, watching its tail idly swish around.

"Ah." Mami turned to greet it with a smile. "Incubator. I was just going to call you!" She flung the gem shards into the air.

"Catch!"

The shards fell into the darting Incubator as it snatched the shards expertly before they could hit the ground.

'Aah! Careful, Mami!' The incubator let out a huff as he sagged whilst scolding the blonde, all while the Madoka clapped at the sight and giggling.

"I'm sorry." Mami laughed "I just couldn't help myself!" The Incubator let out another sigh, much larger and more exasperated than the last before turning to the girls.

'Well please refrain from doing that in the future!' He opened his mouth for a pointy, but friendly grin. 'I have to get these shards home safe and sound!' His black tail flicked behind him annoyedly.

'And I've told you! Don't call me Incubator!'

Schwarze Ratte.

'Call me Jyubey!'