Year zero
"Huhuhaha! This story was very good, Sayaka."
A party was taking place in Mami's apartment, the girls had returned from school eager for this moment. The place was decorated with balloons and a large, colorful, welcoming banner.
"You'll have to tell this again when they show up." The blonde stood and patted the shoulder of the blue-haired girl, who was sitting at a large table full of tasty treats.
"While they don't come, help yourselves! Don't be shy! There is more in the kitchen." Mami said, now looking at the redhead who sat in the nearby chair. "But without picking up all by hand, we have cutlery for this, don't we Kyouko?"
Walking around the table, she went to the two girls who were tidying up the pile of presents. "Madoka, Homura. It is already good, you can sit at the table. Please. The rest leave it to me."
While she led the two, Mami checked if everything was in order, nothing was missing. She found that, yes, something was missing. "Nagisa?! You already ate all the cheesecake?! "She then winked at the other girl. "No need to make this face, Yuma, I will bring a piece just for you."
The girl with big curls went to the kitchen, but in the way she stopped to contemplate the light that entered through the large windows.
The white sky and its dark clouds covered the world with their colors so threatening as sorrowful and knowing that only a few centimeters were separating it from the warm and happy environment where all were.
It's better to install some curtains with pretty colors. Mami smiled, pleased with the idea when she heard the sound of the doorbell. "Huh?! They arrived?" Excited, she ran to the entrance.
But before she put her hand on the doorknob, she felt a shiver down the spine. Were her instincts telling something? She was not sure, but beyond that door there was a world very, very dangerous. You can not be too careful.
With all politeness, she said. "Residence of Tomoe."
"Mami-san? What a relief, you're okay." Said the female voice on the other side of the door.
Voice Mami acknowledged. Gentle, innocent, not to say even childlike. "W-Who is...?"
"It's me, Madoka Kaname."
The blonde turned to the people at the table. Madoka was just cutting a piece of cake to Homura. Confused, and now even scared, she asked. "Could you repeat?"
"Madoka. Don't you remember me?"
"Well... you can not be Madoka, since she is already here." Mami raised her voice to draw attention of the other girls.
"Ah..."
Was that a sigh of disappointment? Mami was not sure, but it was what she had felt. "Look... if somehow you found that there was a party here and wanted to participate, no problem at all. I welcome you with open arms. However, it is bad to lie and pretend to be someone else..."
"It's gonna be okay. Let me in and I'll explain everything."
'It's gonna be okay'? But everything is fine already. That only left Mami even more confused. "I only think about letting you in if you reveal who you really are." Then she suddenly felt a powerful magic on the other side of the door.
"I must enter. I will."
What was that? She had never felt anything similar. The voice expressed her words with determination, it was even threatening, just like anything that exist outside. It would be some new form of demon? Or even a magical girl with malicious intent?
Seeing no choice, her school uniform gave way to her magical clothes and conjured a musket. "Okay... just a moment." As she walked away from the door, flashing lights, each of one color, lit the apartment. Mami looked back, glad to know she was not alone.
From her free hand, two ribbons were conjured. One went straight to the door handle and the other went under it.
"Ahhh!"
The voice denounced that it had worked. Mami then opened the door and pulled her prey inside. Before her was now a girl in a majestic white dress, where the inside of the skirt was a indiscernible dark void, like an abyss. Her eyes were the exact opposite, a glowing golden. Her pink hair was so long that strands went to the door and disappeared into the white landscape outside.
But the features, these Mami could not deny. "You really look like her."
The girl trapped by the ties replied. "You remember a lot, that's a good sign."
"What do you mean?" Mami made a gesture with her hand.
The ribbons pulled the girl against the wall.
She pointed the musket. "It's better you explain."
"No! Stop Mami!"
The blonde barely had time to turn before being embraced by a little girl with brown cap and long white hair that ran through the doorway.
Mami was dumbfounded. "Nagisa?!"
"It's us! Put the gun down, please..."
Hearing her appeal, Mami almost obeyed, but did not because soon realized that something was very wrong. She pushed Nagisa and made ribbons arise from the ground to hold her. "What is it?! Another imposter?!"
"Imposter?" Nagisa raised her eyebrows.
"She needs help." Said the other girl who was tied.
"Stop it!" Mami exalted. "I don't need help! Stop confusing us!"
"Mami!"
She answered the call of the girl, who was smiling.
"For a moment I thought we separate again." Nagisa continued. "But now, more than ever, I'm sure the distance that still exists between us is very small."
Mami put her trembling hand on her head.
"I just need to prove who I am." Nagisa transformed her face.
Not only that, Mami saw the girl shrink, causing the ribbons that held her ending on the floor. Among them, there was a rag doll.
"Bebe..." The blonde gaped, but still was not completely convinced. "This... This just means that you can turn too." In this she called the other Nagisa, the real one, to her. "Right, show to us."
However, the other Nagisa did nothing.
"Nagisa..." Mami's lips quivered. "C-Come on!"
"She can't." Said the girl with long pink hair.
"Don't speak! Don't speak!" Mami threatened with musket in one hand while the other she put on the girl's shoulder. "Transform! I... I need this. Please!"
All it took was a push.
The other Nagisa, the real one, fell to the ground like a statue and shattered into thousands of fragments of ceramic, as thin as the shell of an egg.
Mami's eyes widened. Among the fragments there was a ribbon that was attached to her ankle. She followed it with her eyes up to the magical girls next to the table and realized that all of them were wrapped in it. She then, with her will and magic, moved the ribbon, causing them to move as well.
"They are not real."
The affirmation of that girl who claimed to be Madoka left Mami even more upset. They were not real? So how they spent a good time with planning this party? Meetings at school? It was all so clear...
Mami held her breath. No, it was not clear. There were no memories, just a feeling, a desire. "But... this was the welcome party for my parents. They...?"
"I'm sorry." Said Madoka.
The doll lowered her head. "bbbrrriiii..."
"Ah..." Mami returned to shake. Anger, disgust, ire, sadness, her face did not know which expression to convey, only acts would. "AAAAHHHHHH!" She fired the musket, bursting the head of Homura and Kyouko who were in the bullet path, which also pierced the window and the landscape behind.
"AAAHHH! AAAHHH!" While the white sky, with its black clouds, cracked, Mami ran and, with the body of her gun, was breaking every one of her fake friends. "AAAHHH!" From the floor sprouted ribbons and threw the table and all its delights to the air.
The ties that bound Madoka went loose and she was freed.
The doll hid her face with her long sleeves.
Finally, Mami threw her musket against the stack of gifts and fell on her knees. "Ah... Ah... always will be just dreams, isn't it?"
"There is no harm in dreaming." Madoka replied.
"Huhu... huhu... huhuhahaha..." Amid her laughter, Mami looked at her own hands. "I can see now. I can not dream, because I am not even REAL!"
Soon after hearing that, the doll saw the body of Mami disassemble in a whirl of ribbons that rose up to the ceiling of the apartment before forming a heap on the floor.
Madoka closed her eyes. "You're wrong..."
Nagisa, with her tiny legs, approached it and there was, among them, a rag doll. It was very small, the size of a cup of tea. Its body was disproportionate, thin as a toothpick at the waist, but had a very wide bust and hips, everything was covered by a dress with skirt of faded green color. The skirt had a blue pocket with red edges that drew much attention since it looked like a mouth. Under the skirt, her hips and legs were composed of fine white ribbons that spiraled up their 'feet'. Similar, her arms were ribbons, as yellow as its large bonnet around the head. The head itself was like a small, delicate flower with a striking combination of green, blue and caramel petals, with a white core with red pistils. A tag was tied to the bonnet with runes inscribed on both.
"bbbrrriiiiCandeloroii?" Nagisa read the runes that were on the bonnet of the other doll, considering this was the name of Mami's witch.
Candeloro turned her head and extended her 'arm'.
"bbbrrriiii!" Nagisa was not prepared to dodge and the ribbon caught her, starting a strong constriction in her body. "bbbrr..." She closed her wide mouth and soon her cheeks puffed. Letting her snakelike form out could escalate the situation to something much more dangerous.
"You are real, Candeloro."
The witch threw her other arm against Madoka.
Who blocked with her own, the girl watched the ribbon snaking on her member and squeezing it. "And we can make a real welcome party, with real guests."
Candeloro turned to the girl and began to float.
"That's why I'm here, I need you. I even brought someone to help." Madoka smiled. "Her name is Charlotte and she is very good in the kitchen, you know?"
The ties loosened and Nagisa can express her relief in a form of a gulp.
The ribbon gradually was leaving the arm of Madoka. "She learned from someone very special, she can tell some stories about that while you two prepare everything." She then looked at the door. "Ah... I need to get them, can you start now?"
Candeloro gave a spin and put her arm on her head, with all this mess. Wasting no time, she flew toward the kitchen.
"bbbrrriiii!" With Nagisa being pulled by the ribbon. Her multicolored eyes met the golden ones.
Madoka put her hands to her chest.
The doll replied with a smile before vanishing from sight.
／人◕‿‿◕人＼
Oriko's eyes registered an unparalleled world. Fallen over a non-existent ground, she saw uncountable chairs floating in an endless white landscape.
With memories of recent events, her tired voice pronounced the only plausible conclusion of what was happening. "Am I... dead...?"
"No."
The lying girl saw Homura, arms and legs crossed, sitting in a floating chair nearby. "You..."
The girl with long dark braids smiled. "Well... I can arrange that."
Oriko gritted her teeth, but not by anger but the pain that consumed her. "Aaaahhgg!" Her arm made a reflex movement and her corrupted soul gem rolled across the floor.
"So you didn't turn yet, I really was finding this strange..." Homura commented. "I've never seen you become a witch, never gave this chance. What is going to be? Hmmm..."
"W-Witch... that is the name..." Oriko tried to reach the gem with her trembling arm. "For... what happens... w-when a magical girl... not disappears..."
"You have no idea." Homura sighed. "I even sympathize with you, because there was a time I also believed that our souls were given to nonexistence. But in the end this is what we are, we can not escape."
"Hey you! Stay away from big love!"
Oriko turned her head toward the voice, surprised.
Standing in that white scenery, Kirika was with Yuma beside her.
"You are here too, and I assume with your gems..." Homura tilted her head to the side. "In fact, they should be unclean, but even if they were not, do you think you would have a chance?"
Kirika held out her hand, bringing up her gem and, in a flash of light, her magical girl uniform.
"However, I have no interest in meaningless fighting..." The floating chair where Homura was sitting began to recede. [But you know with what I'm curious, Oriko Mikuni.]
"She is moving away. Mama needs us!" Yuma started to move.
Readily prevented by Kirika. "Be cautious, little love. We gonna do it slowly."
Oriko, amid pain, continued to hear the voice of Homura.
[How will they react when you reveal, first-hand, the fate of magical girls?]
She widened her eyes and tried to gesture to the two girls who were approaching, but her body would not obey. "... N... o..." Her voice now also did not come out. The first to arrive was Kirika, who held her head while looking at Homura. But she did not feel the touch, much less heard anything when the girl opened her mouth to speak. There was only pain in her being, which looked like it was about to erupt beneath her sweaty skin.
It was then that she saw Yuma pass around her and get her gem. The girl showed Kirika how it was dark, but Oriko saw something more: some points of light danced amid the corruption and she felt her pain followed the same pattern. Even with such suffering, she knew she needed to resist or could happen something much worse than all her nightmares and visions. Having the opportunity to see the people she love so much, alive, only for herself to destroy, was unthinkable.
But their deaths would not be a bad thing.
The idea that came within Oriko caused her pain to go away suddenly.
What is the point of living in that vast nothing they were? Death would only be slower, it was better to end it now and have no need to be afraid of losing them anymore.
No, the pain was still there, only now it had filled every corner, even the most obscure, of her body. There was no space for the opposite.
It was more than the time to shut myself in my world.
Kirika and Yuma were so small. Of course! How could it be different if their image was in a small column on the newspaper page, an event without importance. Something that will be forgotten and abandoned like she was.
The gem that Yuma was holding began to shake and unleash black sparks.
To become the headline it has to be something more brutal. I can take their lives quickly and then rip out something of their bodies to...
A mantra echoed through the ambient, causing Oriko to convulse. "A... Agg..."
With that white background, was not so easy to discern the demons that have arisen around the girls.
"Come on..." Kirika rose. "Now my day is complete..."
"T-They are hurting mama." Yuma ran her thumb over her ring. "And they have cubes!"
"Fear not!"
The demons disappeared with the voice and the girl on the floor stopped struggling. Kirika and Yuma turned to where it had come.
Madoka was flying slowly with her wings of light. Her endless strands swaying as if they were immersed in a liquid.
Kirika was mesmerized. "Isn't... that girl?"
Yuma too. "Uh-huh..."
Oriko saw the girl with the golden eyes come down to her and put both hands on her cheeks.
Madoka's face was at same time serene and imposing. "Do you believe now?"
Her body was still exhausted, but the pain was gone, hid before this touch that she was able to feel. Her face twitched and cried, cried in relief and shame.
"Hi..."
Madoka answered that shy call. "Hello my young Yuma-chan. You can call me Madoka."
"You know my name..." Yuma looked away, somewhat surprised, but then held out her hand with the dark gem. "Hmmm... Can you help her?"
"Yeah..." The cry of her beloved cut the heart of Kirika. "Those demons disappeared as soon as you appeared. You must be pretty strong, right?"
"They were not running away from me." Madoka answered. "And I can not save her."
Kirika and Yuma were bewildered.
"Only she can save herself, I just hold the hand." With the fabric of her gloves, Madoka dried the tears of Oriko. "But this is not the time." She got up and turned around.
Walking through the white landscape, Sayaka avoided the chairs in the way.
"She's here too." Commented Kirika while put away a pink lock that stood in front of her.
"Sayaka-chan..." Madoka nodded.
"You scared me! Everything turned light, thought it had happened the worst." Sayaka stopped in front of her. "I think I saw some demons around here too."
"Here they won't do any harm."
"Right... so are they the good guys now?" The girl with cape glanced at the darkness inside the skirt of the other one. "Hmmm... Madoka... is everything okay?"
"That was what I expected." Madoka joined hands, her countenance more serious. "Things have changed, but for the better."
Sayaka nodded in agreement. "Like you, I hope so. It is very dangerous when you leave and is under the reach of Kyuubey or anyone who might interfere with the hope you have built here."
Madoka lowered her gaze.
However, Sayaka did not notice because her attention was focused on the other three girls. "And it seems that you are already working, managed to rescue them very quickly."
"Actually they are still with their gems."
"Really?" Sayaka then saw that the little girl was holding a completely corrupted soul gem. "How is this possible?"
"We must believe in miracles." Madoka smiled. "And you brought something that I needed."
"Oh yes..." Sayaka revealed that she was carrying a grief seed in her hand. The object has metallic adornments in the form of a great eye, also on top of the black globe.
"It's Kyouko-chan, isn't it?"
"Yes, it was a tough fight." The blue magical girl handed it to Madoka. "I could feel how she was disturbed."
"Her soul was already in this state long before she succumbed to despair." Madoka slid her fingers over the seed, as she turned her attention to Yuma. "We'll bring her back."
The greenette was curious with the approach of the girl with godlike appearance. She watched the girl put the strange object near the gem, soon absorbing the black essence like the cubes did.
Thus, Oriko pulled air through the mouth and lifted her torso suddenly.
"Big love!" Kirika held her so she would not fall.
She was still sweaty but Oriko felt no fatigue at all, breathing returned to be something trivial. In joy with her own recovery, only noticed that her brilliant gem was back in her possession when she felt it being placed on the palm of her hand, by the girl she swore save.
The embodied hope.
"Mama..." Yuma did not hide her tears of fears which were not confirmed.
Madoka still carried the seed. "I need to purify you two as well."
The green and purple soul gems went through the same process and the seed now was pulsing a white light.
"This is more than enough, thank you." Madoka walked away. "Could wait here? After I speak to you all." Oriko was already up hugging her family, when she returned to Sayaka.
"So... will begin?" The bluenette asked.
"Yes." Madoka threw the seed, but the object did not fall to the ground. Instead it was twirling in the air faster and faster until a huge pillar of fire swallowed it.
"What..." That caught the attention of Oriko.
The sound of the intense flames gradually gave way to a whinny and a rider jumped out of that hell with her horse.
Yuma gaped. "Ah... Ah..."
"This can't be real..." With Kirika was not much different.
The only flame that remained at the end was in the candle of the rider, who reared her horse and spun her spear. It was at this moment that long locks of hair held her.
"Well done Madoka!" Sayaka celebrated.
The rider struggled to break free, even use her fire to burn the bindings.
But Madoka sends more strands. "Kyouko-chan... you will remember who you are."
Sayaka exchanged glances with the horse. "Hey... Can I help you?"
"I'm giving her the memories of her existence along the myriad of possibilities. Soon will end." Madoka said. "But if you want to participate, there's no problem."
"Okay." Sayaka got closer to the witch, with a smile. "Kyouko, you know, isn't it? Don't try to pretend you aren't listening."
The candle burned stronger.
"You lose." Sayaka crossed her arms. "That means you owe me a popsicleeee~."
The horse whinnied, kicking the air as it could with its stuck hooves.
"I want now." She continued. "Preferably, raspberry flavor."
The rider pulled with all her strength the hair that held her until her candle died. Her body, like the horse, cracked and collapsed, forming a mat of ashes on the floor. The red kimono came down softly, covering everything.
"They defeated that easily..." Commented Kirika, to try to break the silence between them.
But Oriko did not manifest.
While Yuma was focused to what was rising under the mantle.
Madoka gathered her hair, satisfied.
"I... don't... remember..." Said what was crawling under the fabric.
"Hello?" Sayaka leaned over and put her hand on the ear. "Sorry, I didn't hear."
"I don't remember I had bet again!" Kyouko stood in her uniform of magical girl, the kimono becoming her long ponytail as she swung it. "C'mon! Who's pretending to be a deaf... now..."
Sayaka replied. "Okay, I'll let that one go."
Some distance from there, three girls were even more astonished. Especially Yuma. "Kyouko-neechan..."
The redhead was blinking. "S-Sayaka?!" She saw a chair floating behind the other girl. "That is..."
"Welcome, Kyouko-chan."
Kyouko gave attention to that voice and... "AAAAH!"
Madoka recoiled before the scream.
"Hey Madoka, those eyes are scary, you know?"
The owner of the golden eyes lowered her head. "Really?!"
"No worries." Said Sayaka. "She'll be used to it."
"Wait, wait... Sayaka, Madoka..." Kyouko pointed to the two.
"Uh-huh..." The swordswoman nodded.
"This strange place..." The red magic girl looked at herself. "Then I... n-no way! T-This mean that I..."
Sayaka closed her eyes and smiled. "Yup."
"How is it possible?" Kyouko touched her head. "I can't remember, I mean, I remember, but there are so many things... it makes no sense..."
"This is normal, Kyouko-chan." Madoka said in her soft voice. "Those memories are yours, but they were separated by the vagaries of eventualities."
"Oh no! You seem to be Homura talking like that, just to give a headache..." Kyouko looked around, trying to understand the place that looked like a witch barrier, when she came across a little girl. "Yuma? Yuma?!"
The girl with green hair was frightened by the way the redhead looked at her.
"What's the problem?" Asked Sayaka.
"Why is she here? Why are these two fucking here?!" Kyouko exasperated. "YUMA! Get away from them!"
Yuma, even more frightened, hid behind Kirika.
"What the...?" So confused as angry, the girl with ponytail advanced. "YUMAAH!"
But Madoka grabbed her arm tightly.
"Let go of me!"
"No, Kyouko-chan!" Madoka forced the girl to stand in front of her and held her shoulders. "This is not the Yuma who you're thinking."
Kyouko kept her voice raised. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Please! You're able to remember that."
With the request of Madoka, the red eyes of the girl stopped moving as she searched for something she could only find within herself. "Yeah... there's something I remember. A black smoke..." Then her eyes were overcome with fury, focusing on a girl.
Kirika felt the murderous intent. "Uh-Oh..."
"That girl drugged me or something." Kyouko tried to break free. "I'll kill her!"
"No Kyouko! You ca..."
The redhead gave a headbutt in the face of Madoka, knocking her down, then extended her arm to get her spear. Before it came, though, a girl jumped on her back. "Ah! Sayaka?!"
"Stay calm!" The two rolled on the floor. In the end, Sayaka ended up under Kyouko, immobilizing the other in a tight embrace.
"Let me go! I'll crush her! She deserves it!"
"No!" Sayaka gave her best to contain all that ire. "I will won't let you go this route again!"
Kyouko gritted teeth. "You don't know! She made me see my family burn!"
Oriko saw both the struggle of those two as Yuma and Kirika, terrified at her side. Nothing could do but bow her head and put a hand on her chest.
"I know that killing her will not change that, will only left an emptiness." Sayaka gasped and claimed. "And when you become aware, you would be already cursed forever!"
"Let me kill her! Let me kill her... uuu... let... uuuu... uuuaaahhh!"
Sayaka felt the body of her companion surrendering to tears. "You can cry. When I came here, it was the first thing I did too." Her eyes, which also teared, detected the presence of a girl standing beside them.
Madoka had a hand covering her face, which gradually lowered, revealing an expression of compassion and empathy.
[Madoka Kaname.]
The girl heard the telepathy of Oriko.
Who was still head down. [Sakura-san is right, except that the fault is not of Kirika. I am the responsible...]
[You speak as if you had killed her.]
The interruption caused Oriko to look with surprise at Madoka.
[The truth is that you just made her confront the inner demons, the curse that gnawed her soul, which sooner or later she would have to do.] Madoka then began to fly to the other girl. [Now it's up to her to decide her own destiny.] When she landed, smiled. "May I speak to Yuma-chan for a moment?"
Oriko was stunned, how a presence and voice could be as gentle as intimidating? "S-Sure..."
Yuma, hearing it, hid again behind Kirika.
Keeping the smile, Madoka assured for both. "I know it's disturbing what witnessed, but I'm here so that everything ends well." Then she crouched. "Yuma-chan, could you show the gem in your ring?"
The little girl looked at Kirika, who in turn nodded and put a hand on her back. With that, she shyly showed the left palm.
"It's a very beautiful color" Madoka used her hands to cover that. "I'll do some questions, take your time to answer."
"O-Okay..."
"So let's start." Madoka then asked calmly. "Do you love Oriko-san?"
Oriko, who was not looking at them, shivered by the question.
"Yes! She's my mama."
And a sinking heart with the answer.
"Good." Madoka asked again. "If she lied to you to protect you, would you still love her?"
Oriko pressed her lips and fists.
"Huh?" Yuma raised her eyebrows, even Kirika did the same.
Madoka tightened her grip.
The greenette looked away, the contract of her temples denouncing her tension. Finally, still not looking at the girl, she nodded confirming.
"Okay, Yuma-chan. Now one last question." Madoka continued. "If she hurt people to protect the world, would you still love her?"
With the question, Yuma looked at Oriko, who could not hide the trembling of her body.
"Hey girl." Kirika intervened. "I think this is very..."
"She needs to answer." Madoka was emphatic.
Yuma took a deep breath before asking. "They are bad people?"
"No." The girl with pompous white laces shook her head.
Yuma was crestfallen.
Madoka felt between her gloves the shudder of that little hand.
"Are they... magical girls?"
Oriko raised her head. She was breathing through her mouth, unable to control her tense body.
Madoka returned to open a smile. "They can be..."
Yuma closed her eyes and contracted her forehead, also her chin when she hold her breath.
Madoka was like a statue now, waiting for the answer.
Kirika was also head down, realizing how much her little love clung to her clothes with the other hand.
Finally, Yuma turned her attention to the calm and patient expression in front of her. She exhaled all the air and gulped. Her blue eyes looked even more alive when she opened her mouth, ready to utter the first words.
But Madoka released her hand before that. "That's enough, there's no need." She got up and went back to Oriko.
The girl was with eyes closed and gnashing teeth, seemed to be begging for someone.
"Now it depends on you." Madoka said. "This is what I can do for all you did for me."
"What do you mean?" Oriko opened her eyes. "I failed. I..."
"You saved more than you can imagine." The girl with long pink hair looked to the two kneeling girls. "Even with pain in your actions."
Sayaka wiped the face of Kyouko, who did not hide her dejection, with her cape.
"How can this be true?" Inquired Oriko.
"It's a matter of hope." Madoka turned and flew away. [The truth is that I hoped you discovered that you had to break the small prism.]
The olive eyes of Oriko grew.
[But you gave your best for what you believed and I am grateful for that.] With this last statement, Madoka turned her attention to a darker shade, which was far away, a point on the white horizon.
The cold gaze of Homura examined the floating chairs, quite distinct from each other, including the one she was sitting.
Madoka arrived beside her, also sitting in a chair, rather apprehensive. "Homura?"
"This is the end you wished for?"
The girl with white dress saw that the other had unseamed the black leather that covered her hand, palm up. Underneath it, there was no skin or flesh, just bones. Sighing, she laid her hand on hers. "No... I didn't see any chance, but I had to hold on hope."
"Hope..." Delivered Homura, with a lost gaze. "It has a very bitter taste in the end."
"Yes, not everything that is good is pleasurable." Madoka agreed. "This is another universe that ends, like so many others I've seen it happen, like so many I've seen born."
A girl dressed for a funeral glanced at the other.
"However, this is the first time I am directly responsible for it."
The attention of Homura became more focused when she noticed a dark vein, like a crack, forming a path in the face of Madoka.
"I should be happy because my curse will not spread to the other universes." She continued, twitching her visage. "But it's so hard!"
New dark veins formed in the face, now down to the neck. Fearful with what was happening with Madoka, Homura decided to speak. "So that was how she would 'try again'..."
"There is no 'she' anymore, just me." Madoka said. "I'm the one who carries this mission."
That explained what Homura was witnessing, however, it raised other questions. "But..."
"If my curse had time to concentrate all its power, it would have possessed you." Black veins were spreading across her chest, as the cleavage revealed. "Incubator got a good part of it, but it can grow back if I'm not careful."
"I see..." Homura was not sure if she was actually taking due care. "And was Oriko Mikuni part of the plan?"
"Not everything I could reveal, or my curse could find through you all." The golden eyes twinkled. "I can see all possible pasts and futures, but I'm not sure what we will follow. Even though imperfect, Oriko-san has glimpses of what is ahead and she's able to change the course of events according to her ideals."
"But there is something more behind this, no?" Homura insisted.
"Yes. I saw every time you killed her." Madoka said. "Enough, it's time to forgive."
Homura sighed, followed by a silence.
The veins continued to spread when Madoka spoke again. "Homura, now you know that I experienced a lot of pain and despair, beyond my reach, but the worst were the ones that I've caused."
"You caused?" Homura said with surprise.
"Yes. The Law of Cycles is a name, a title that I received and that prevailed here. The truth is that I have other names, which the magical girls call me at other periods." The black veins took possession of her arms. "These names were used to justify conflicts, torture and massacres... endless girls I have saved, for an equal number of lives being snuffed out." The glow in Madoka gaze gave way to her natural pink, her voice was lower, weary with grief. "The vast majority see me as a goddess who brought only good things, but under this symbol has only one girl who made a hopeful wish..." Then she felt fingers intertwining with hers, were not only harsh and cold bones.
Homura turned her face away. "Please, do not blame yourself..."
Madoka smiled slightly, but soon noticed her arm. "Ah!" She took her hand and watched the veins disappearing over her body. "I scared you again, didn't I?"
"So you should know... the ruins of that building in the rain."
Madoka brought her fingers to her lips. "Yes, I'm sorry."
"I said to not blame yourself." Homura shook her head. "It was my fault."
"Why?"
"If I'm a witch, I don't care, I don't mind what I become." Gradually, the leather back to sew itself, covering her hand. "But you asked me to keep you from making the contract and become a magical girl, precisely because you did not want to be a witch. It is painful to see you like that."
"You know, Homura." In her left palm, Madoka revealed her seed. "I wanted to erase the witches with my hands. The question was... how? Killing them? Imagine that they simply did not exist?" She joined hands with the black object at its center. "No... at the end I decided to save them. I think that's my nature after all."
"Save... witches?" Homura said in one sigh.
"The universe rewrote to meet my request. The concept of witch, how you knew, no longer exists. "Madoka closed hands in the form of a prayer, reabsorbing the seed. "Despair go hand in hand with hope in a cycle. However, Incubator defiled this process with their science, denying the opportunity for us to rise when we were fallen. No matter the price of our wish, we deserve a fighting chance at least for our souls. Then I fixed it."
"Madoka..." Downcast, Homura tried to build a sentence when suddenly felt pink strands of hair touching her face. She noticed the other girl was trying to lean on her.
"Oh sorry! Wehihi! Sometimes I forget." Madoka raised her head and closed her eyes.
Homura saw with some surprise the strands breaks off and the long pink hair acquire an aspect of tar. The gunk concentrated more on the girl's head, where it became hair again, now with the short cut she knew well.
Opening her eyes again, Madoka said. "Don't be afraid." So she finally leaned back on the other. "Now we'll be together."
"Madoka..." Homura almost completely closed her violet eyes. "You won't stop, right?"
"I can't."
"I should know, how I was foolish..." The words came out between her teeth. "No wonder, you have no choice but to say you would come back."
"Huh?!" Now it was Madoka who was surprised. "But of course I'll come back!"
"But how...?"
"It's true that I always will have girls to rescue." Madoka continued. "But I'm beyond time and space, so I can give myself the luxury of dictating the pace of it."
Homura then exchanged glances with her.
"Moreover, there is a place I can not reach, so I'll have to go personally." So Madoka pulled one of the braids.
This made Homura to frown.
"I also don't know how this is possible." Madoka examined the two ribbons on the tip. "So I want you to go with me."
Thinking about that offer, Homura commented. "You said the girls here depend on you."
"True." Madoka replied. "But now I can share this task with my familiars."
"Demons..." Homura added. "... or should I call angels?"
"Angels, demons... the title doesn't matter, but where you apply them. They are able to purify the souls who live here and use the energy obtained for this place to be self-sufficient."
"Self-sufficient? Hmmm..." The raven-haired girl pondered. "Your curse had told me about your inability to see what it was aiming for. Now I can see the irony in that."
"You were right, Homura." Madoka straightened her head on the body of the other girl. "We must solve unnecessary conflicts, they will only bring bad things..." In this she felt her chair almost escape underneath her.
"Are we moving?" Homura watched the other chairs that were passing beside them.
"Yes, we're being pulled." Madoka looked around and soon discovered that, at the foot of the chairs they were sitting, there was a yellow ribbon.
Meanwhile, a similar ribbon had captured Kyouko by the waist and pulled her up. "HEEEEYYY!"
The same happened to Sayaka. "Whoooaaa!"
"D-Damn!" And with Kirika, along with Oriko and Yuma.
All were being taken to a large table on that white immensity, where there were chairs for each one.
Except for Madoka and Homura, who were the first to be placed there.
When each one was in their proper seats, more ribbons sprouted from the ground. Some have woven walls with a drawing of a sky with a rainbow between clouds. Smaller green ties simulated grass and others grown and gained the form of apple trees.
Kyouko knew this magic very well. "It can't be..."
Oriko first checked if everything was okay with the other two. Kirika was her neighbor and Yuma came soon after. Although having one more scare, luckily it was nothing more than that. Then she looked at what was on the table.
There were several types of sweet and savory. From decorated cakes to cheese cubes on sticks, and teapots that exuded their smells in the environment. What really drew attention was a rag doll with a clown face.
A face which Oriko remembered.
Then the doll moved, turning to Madoka.
The girl looked at it with raised eyebrows and a smile.
The doll winked and smiled in response, showing its purple tongue and wagging her long brown sleeves.
With a far more tender smile, the girl nodded.
"This doll..." Before her words accompany the conclusion in her mind, Oriko realized there was another doll, much smaller than the other one and arms made of ribbon. It was also on the table, just in front of her. "Huh? What..."
This doll then flew off, going beside the girl's head. In midair, its ties were gaining length and forming a tangle which covered itself.
When Oriko turned her face, she saw that jumble of ribbons gained a form reminiscent of a human and its colors changed. When the bonds tightened, she considered how foolish she was for not discovering before.
Mami was standing, wearing the same magical girl uniform which Oriko used, including the mitre on her loose blonde hair. The exception was in the colors, in which case it was a faded green with yellow details. "Oriko-san, what's the matter? Do you not recognize your friend?"
"Mami-senpai..." Before had been Kyouko... The mind of Yuma did not try anymore to understand this madness.
"P-Please! Let me..."
"Shhh..." Interrupting what Oriko was saying, Mami approached the table. "No need to explain." She prepared a saucer and a cup, filling with a dark steaming liquid. "I only would like you to taste this tea."
Oriko returned to manifest. "I did because it was necessary... I did not... know... sorry... I... did not..."
"Necessary?" Mami put the teapot in place. "That's why you don't have to explain. Just drink."
The two exchanged glances.
Mami smiled. "I prepared it with care."
Taking a deep breath, Oriko held the cup with her fingers. They were trembling, she slowly brought it to her mouth to not spill.
Meanwhile, Mami again stood behind the girl and bent down to hug her, supporting her head on the back of the chair.
When would be the time to sip the liquid, Oriko did not.
"Oriko-san?"
"It looks like black tea." She gulped. "But, by chance, did you not put something else?"
"Ah yes! Huhu... it is a very special recipe." So Mami whispered in the ear of the other. "Perfect for L. I. A. R. S."
Oriko's eyes widened.
With the tension almost palpable, Kirika rose. "Big love!" Unfortunately, ties emerged from the chair and pulled her back. "Ah!" They held her entire body, with a special care with her fists, which were pressed to her chest, pointing toward her head.
Yuma did not even had this opportunity because ties came and wrapped her waist.
"So unpleasant." Mami said to them. "Didn't Oriko-san teach you table manners?"
Sayaka also tried to get up from the chair to intervene, but Madoka grabbed her arm and smiled at her, shaking her head.
Oriko consulted the others at the table.
Homura just lowered her gaze.
While Kyouko stared at her, but in a tense expression that mixed anger with resignation.
"bbbrrriiiiMamiii?"
With an apparent apprehension, the doll on the table made a sound. That meant something? Oriko was unable to answer.
But Mami had one. "Not yet, Bebe. We will only eat after she drink my tea."
"No Mami-senpai! You're not evil!" Yuma pleaded.
"Oh... huhuhu... Yuma-san think I'm being bad." Mami said to Oriko. "Do you also think so?"
"N-No! C-Course not."
"So drink it all at once!" The girl with yellow eyes spoke in a menacing tone. "And no attempt to use magic, I'd be very disappointed if you do not feel the taste."
Oriko looked at Kirika and Yuma, the little girl shook her head. However, she held her breath and drank the entire contents of the cup. A pained expression came and a thread of the liquid escaped her lips. Once she finished she put her hand to her throat. "Aaaahhh!"
"NO!" Cried Yuma.
"Damn it! Oriko!" Kirika struggled, causing the chair to jump. "I'm gonna kill you!"
"No, you won't." Mami created a ribbon to clear the mouth of the sitting girl. "Such a waste... What do you think?"
Oriko gasped a few times before saying. "Ah... Ah... too... hot..."
"Yes. Since I'm not using thermoses, I have to serve like that."
Then she put the cup on the saucer. "About the rest, it is good. Sweet... with a touch of cinnamon, Sun Moon Lake?"
"Huhu." Mami put her hand to her mouth. "Exactly. I have other teas, I put tags under the teapots if you want to identify them."
"Thank you."
Kirika and Yuma were speechless and confused.
"I wanted you to know how ugly is lying." Mami affirmed.
"Not that I had not tried with the truth..." Oriko barely finished the sentence and her hair was pulled back. "Ugh!"
Mami whispered again. "You're only alive because of her."
"I know." Oriko looked with intensity to the other blonde.
Who, after a moment, smiled in response and released the hair. After she rose and announced for the others girls. "Please! Help yourselves!"
Kirika saw Mami approach her and free from the ties with a mere touch.
"Have good manners..." The girl went to Yuma and did the same, and collect a single tear running down the face of the little one. "Sorry, she needed to learn a lesson."
In an exhale, Sayaka felt relieved. "Well... I think we can eat now."
"Yeah... we can." Sitting beside her, Kyouko did not feel hungry at all, actually not felt even the urge to move her body.
Mami went around the table to where the redhead were and the two looked at each other.
"Heh." Kyouko gave a wan smile. "That hat... I always found ridiculous."
The blonde smiled and her mitre disintegrated into small ribbons, then hugged the neck of the other.
"Gueh?!"
"Even though I have been through a similar experience, I can't even imagine how it must have been horrible for you." Mami leaned her face on that red hair. "See you again makes me so happy but also worried. I feel that something broke inside of you."
Under the warmth of that embrace, Kyouko surrendered to tears. "Shit..."
"I didn't know you had come, Mami-san. Welcome!" Said Sayaka. "I see that it was easier for you than this crybaby."
"Look who's talking!" Kyouko exasperated.
"Thanks, Miki-san. It is true that it was easier, I have time and help to prepare myself for..." Mami created a cloth with her ties and used to dry the face of the other. "Kyouko. If you need me, just call."
"Ok..."
"You also has me, isn't it?" Sayaka gave a elbow. "Then when you feel better, I show how much I'm superior to you now."
"Hah! Keep dreaming..."
Mami left the two arguing with a slight smile on her face.
"This cake was very good! Was it you or Nagisa-chan who did?"
"That was me, but she helped with the decoration." After responding to Madoka, Mami came where was sitting Homura, who was sipping tea.
When placed the cup on the saucer, she turned.
"Akemi-san, it's good to see you again." Mami said. "I thought it would not be possible anymore."
"Hmmm..." Homura merely looked away without a definite expression.
That was when one leg, using pantyhose with polka dots, came out from the mouth of the doll next to them.
"Ah?! Nagisa!" Mami jumped in surprise. "You will bring down the things on the table like that."
The doll rolled and landed on the grassy ground, then another leg came out. Struggling, Nagisa tried to put her hip out.
Mami sighed. With a gesture, ribbons helped to lift the girl, pulling her legs.
She ended up hanging, her long white hair and the back of the orange shawl pulled by gravity. "Hello... I better eat in this form." She then put her hands on the ground.
Thus, Mami released her ties so she could stand. "That's why there are more chairs." Then she looked at who was on the other side of the table.
Oriko was crestfallen, with hands together on her lap. Kirika even looked at the food, but did not move. Yuma hugged herself with face turned.
"Akemi-san."
Homura answered the blonde. "Yes."
"I and Kyouko had an idea about witches and the Law of Cycles." Mami continued. "But now I realized, for they this must have been something very..."
"They have not gone through it." Homura interrupted.
"Eh?"
"They are with their gems intact."
Mami frowned. "But... how..."
Before the questions come to her, Madoka decided to get up. "Everyone! I have an important announcement to make."
／人◕‿‿◕人＼
After the banquet, the girls were gathered again in the midst of white and empty landscape, except the chairs.
In front of them, Madoka held her seed.
Under the questioning of Sayaka. "You just returned, how can you want to leave again? This can't wait?"
"This time is different and I can return whenever I want. Try to think it's like a vacation." Madoka looked where Oriko and the other two were. "Besides, I need to send them back. The time didn't come for them yet and can be very dangerous."
"I could understand if it were only that, but if that girl goes with you too." Sayaka pointed to Homura and then whispered. "Hey..."
"Hi?" Madoka raised her eyebrows.
The blue magical girl came closer. "Didn't she messed with your head?"
"Ah... n-no! Hihi." Madoka smiled. "She can not exercise this power over me anymore."
"I wouldn't be so sure..." Sayaka looked suspicious to the black-haired girl. "I'm going with you."
"What? But..."
"No 'but'! It's decided." Sayaka hit her own chest. "I need to make sure that my Madoka will not be in danger."
"Your Madoka?" Homura commented.
"She's my friend or you forgot?" Asked Sayaka angry, but then smiled and spoke with malice tone. "Or is this jealousy?"
Homura turned. "What did you say?"
"I don't know why the surprise. Didn't you confess your love already? And doesn't she calling you just by 'Homura'?" The swordswoman crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "I should have known, that time with you two alone, consuming tea and biscuits."
Homura clenched her fists. "Dumplings..."
"Erm... Sayaka-chan?" Madoka blushed.
"Certainly this act of consummation took you two to a level of intimacy that defies space and time. Hohohohoho..." When she opened her eyes, she faced Homura practically heaving on her face. "Ah!"
"You always manages to surprise me with your nonsense."
"Be calm Homura! She's kidding, I think..." Seeking to change the subject, Madoka called them. "Mami-san, Kyouko-chan."
The two girls were together, with Nagisa next to Mami.
"This is a place without name, most girls simply calls it the Law of Cycles as well." Madoka continued. "It is a place of rest where you will have all the time you need to find or build your happiness. And you don't need to do it alone, Nagisa-chan knows very well."
Mami and Nagisa looked at each other.
"By focusing on your magic, you will meet the other girls. Although I would recommend you to settle first." Madoka joined hands to her chest. "So there's no need to explore, just open your souls that they will come."
"Hmmm... Kaname-sama."
"Oh no! Don't call me that." Madoka gestured to Mami. "And you can call me Madoka too."
"Oh... right..." The blonde nodded. "Madoka-san... can I come too?"
"But why...?"
"During all this time as magical girl, I used the power vested in me for good. Maybe I was unable to help in many ways, but sought to do my part." Mami lowered her head. "I feel being useful. So I would like to accompany you on your mission before I create bonds with this place."
"I see." Madoka said in a gentle way. "I can not guarantee that I need your help, but I'll be happy that you came with me, and Nagisa-chan as well."
"Me?!" The girl with shawl gaped.
"You would ask, wouldn't?"
She was fidgeting her fingers. "Well... hehe... yes, I would..."
"Hey!"
Madoka looked at Kyouko, already waiting for the answer.
"It seems that everyone I know will go." The redhead shrugged. "So if it's okay..."
"No problem..." Madoka's eyes returned to shine in golden tones. "It's time." Her hair grew, with locks extending through the environment.
"And here we go..." Said Sayaka when saw the white dividing in a tangle of colors.
Oriko embraced Kirika and Yuma and the three closed their eyes.
Homura also instinctively shielded her eyes against the flashes of light, but she was still aware that the world around her was changing through her other senses. The air was cooler, which was brought by a breeze. There was a burning smell and what would be cement. Bird singing, accompanied by a distant and ephemeral sound of a collapse.
When she returned to see, she discovered she was on a deserted avenue in a city in ruins. There was debris everywhere and some buildings had several of their floors completely ripped off. Unlike the feeling that desolate scene conveyed, the sky was a vivid blue with some pure white clouds. "This place..."
"That is Mitakihara?!" Oriko circled the debris in a hurry, looking around. "Did the world not end? But all this destruction... this does not match what I saw..."
"This has nothing to do with what happened." Homura replied. "What caused it was another event."
"Which one?"
The girl lowered her violet eyes and gritted her teeth. "Walpurgisnatch."
"Walpurgis...?"
"But it seems that was defeated..." Homura directed the word to Madoka. "What world is this? You have to know something."
The girl still had her pink strands connected to a portal with frame of flower petals behind her. "I know about that world, just have no idea how it got that way."
[Maybe I can help.]
"Oh no..." Kyouko said, annoyed to hear that telepathy. "There comes that fucking fur ball."
Kyuubey was on the edge of a piece of rubble, watching the girls below. [Really magical girls open up infinite possibilities, as well as witches like you, Madoka.]
Homura's eyes widened. "Do you know?!"
[This concept is trivial for us, Homura Akemi.] Kyuubey swung his tail. [But this was not true to our counterparts from the other universe. If it were the case, they would have a better use for her.]
"How do you know all this?" Homura began to walk toward him. "No matter, you will not..."
However, Madoka took the front of her, blocking. "Incubator, you know the result of my wish? Why here has not changed?"
"Your wish?" Homura looked away, stunned by the realization. "So this is the world where..."
[We did not have much time to analyze, because technically you made your wish minutes ago. However, we are certain that it must have been the cause.]
"What?!" Madoka's hair strands swayed.
[You have a nigh omnipresence, but your origin is unique and is linked to this point. So even if your wish has blasphemed the 'cause and effect', what led you to do so is still susceptible to it.]
"Oh no..."
The creature continued. [To deal with this paradox, when the universes were rewritten, a part must have ruptured. It's hard to say exactly where this occurred, but our suspicions fall on Homura.]
The girl closed her leather cuffs.
"Why her?" Madoka asked, but she felt she already knew the answer.
[She is an anomaly of this timeline. All events that led to your contract started from her. The fact of the time traveler Homura Akemi still exists is a proof that your wish can not make itself impossible.] With the hind leg, Kyuubey scratched his ear. [But I must say that you brought changes, Madoka, and they are excellent.]
"What are they?" The golden eyes twinkled.
[The ultimate key in the fight against entropy.] Kyuubey pointed with his forepaw to the portal. [Thanks to the information leaked from another universe, from its cataclysmic event, I know your barrier is a hub that connects countless universes and eras. And matter, so energy, and information not belonging to this universe can exist here without violating any laws.]
Oriko was amazed. "W-What does he want to do?"
"Do you have an idea of what you're saying?" Madoka did not hide her indignation. "In these places there are beings of your kind!"
[Indeed, but what is a universe, a thousand, millions... compared to infinity?]
"That was just what I always hear from an Incubator." She said, still irritated.
The creature blinked twice.
"You will never have access to this place." Madoka declared. "After all, we have a contract..."
[The contract...]
"You think you got all this knowledge by chance?" She smiled. "I did not make it with an individual, but with all of your species."
[So you planned it...] Kyuubey slightly lifted his head. [But know that you did not fulfill your part. The universe...]
"I not fulfilled?" Madoka interrupted, frowning. "My part was referring to the delivery of a certain amount of energy, there was nothing about the universe at all."
[That...]
"You should have asked." She narrowed her gaze. "Respect that or this will be the beginning of a war."
Mami froze. "Madoka... -san?"
[War?] Kyuubey wiggled his little ears. [Why do something so pointless?]
"The magical girls of this world will learn about the Law of Cycles and the story behind its creation. This is inevitable. You can not continue with what you're doing or will have to bear the consequences." Madoka touched her chest. "With the energy generated by my wish, you have time to find another way to get it."
The furry creature pondered those statements, until it turned and jumped out of sight of the girls. [Very well... but you know that this universe is your origin. What do you think might happen if it disappears? You already have the solution, do not waste it.]
With the silence that followed, Madoka sighed.
"Well done, girl!" Kyouko commemorated. "I could almost see the bitch face he did."
"Then we will contact all the magical girls in the world..." Homura commented.
"Not exactly." Madoka said. "I hope to make the truth spread from girl to girl."
"So you want to form a religion, huh?" Suddenly, Kyouko heard a sniffle and felt a hot breath on her neck. She turned and was completely surprised by the peach-colored animal. "Huh?! A horse?! Where it came from?"
Oriko answered expressionless. "She emerged from the rubbles and went straight to you."
Unlike Sayaka. "It's actually a mare!"
"Mare?" Kyouko looked under the animal. "Oh yeah... it should be."
The mare had her eyes fixed on the redhead and her ears pricked.
"She seems to be pretty comfortable around you." Said Oriko.
"Tch... but I don't know her, I never had a horse in my life."
Homura was also rather confused. "Is it a familiar?"
"Not sure." Madoka affirmed. "But it has a strong connection with her."
"OK! OK!" Kirika started jumping to draw attention. "Somebody answer me this before I get crazier!"
"More crazy? Is this possible?" Kyouko looked at her angrily. "Why not try to become more dead?"
"Calm down!" Sayaka spoke. "What's your question?"
"We are in a kind of parallel or alternative world or something, right?"
"Uh-huh." Madoka nodded.
Kirika smiled. "This means there's another 'me' here?"
The girls looked at each other.
Except Homura, who soon replied. "I killed her."
"Huh?!" The girl with ember-colored eyes gaped.
"Just as your partner." She continued. "I put your bodies within a witch barrier to disappear."
Oriko manifested, astounded. "You... Had you the courage to do this with Yuma too?"
"She was not with you."
With what Homura said, Yuma asked. "So there really is someone like me?"
"She is dead."
The little girl turned to see Oriko stagger.
"Big love." Kirika helped.
"I saw, I had to see." Oriko put her hand on her forehead. "I was checking the old news. They found the body of Yuma in a park, her parents were arrested."
"So they are alive..." Yuma stammered.
Hearing the lamentations of those three, Kyouko spoke. "Damn... now I remember that world was bad stuff. I'm dead too."
"And it was because of me." Sayaka added in a melancholy tone.
"Don't mind, I would end up as a witch." The redhead caressed the horse with caution. "Well... not that I have not turned one in a certain way."
"But, on the other hand, it's good that we're dead." Said Sayaka. "So we don't have the risk of meeting with ourselves."
"Your case is different Miki-san, because they found your body." Homura added.
"Really?"
"Yes, I was at your funeral." Madoka confirmed. "If your family and friends beyond us see you there, will bring many problems. That's what I wanted to tell you before."
"Haha... hahahaha..." Sayaka put her hands behind her head and forced a smile. "So in the end I really became a zombie..." Then she saw Kyouko approach to smell. "What?"
"You don't strike me as a zombie, no smell of rotting flesh, just armpits."
"Armpits?!" Sayaka pushed the other. "Don't come with that!"
The redhead raised an eyebrow. "Who's the crybaby now, huh?"
The bluenette pouted, sulky.
"You're still Sayaka, don't forget."
When the mood between the two calmed down, Mami questioned. "How do you know all this? W-What happened to me?"
"Huh? Don't you remember?" Kyouko was confused.
"I don't think I forgot something." Mami looked at Madoka. "Or do I?"
"It's okay Mami-san. It's just that you were only confused, so I did not have to give up your memories of other lives."
"But this is bad." Kyouko said. "That whole experience of fighting against witches... it would be more useful if she knew."
"You're right." Madoka turned to Mami. "I will do this."
"I see no need." Homura opined.
"And I see nothing wrong." Kyouko retorted.
Violet eyes met the orange ones from the girl next to Mami. "Madoka, it's better to spare her of that experience. Do you understand the risks?"
"Yes, and that's why I'll do." Madoka began to walk toward the blonde.
Mami became anxious. "Experience in combat against witches?"
Homura gulped. "S-She doesn't need it! She's more than competent!"
"It may be true, but may come the time she needs it and this moment is more safe." Madoka stopped in front of the other.
"No! I will not allo..." Homura felt her shoulder being pulled, forcing her to turn, and then a punch hit her solar plexus. "Agh... uuuu..." She fell to her knees and wooden subdivisions connected by chains held her body.
In front of her was Kyouko. "I know you're tough, so I'll not take it easy."
Meanwhile, Madoka hair locks curled up in Mami. "Try to relax, this will be natural."
Nagisa pursed her lips and turned her back to the two.
"You idiots..." Homura lowered her head.
The red magical girl tightened the chains. "You forget that I know very well what she can do."
"It's done." Madoka said with some concern, as she gathered her hair.
"Those are my memories..." Trembling, Mami looked at her own hands. "My... My..." Then she turned to those long white hair. "Nagisa...?"
The girl closed her eyes and fists. The nightmares were not only hers now. Even if she knew that one day this would happen, there was no way to prepare to say those words. "I feel very sor... Ah?!"
"What I have done?! I shot you, I killed you so many times..." Mami hugged Nagisa, with her distressed voice. "All the witches I killed... I did it even with a smile on my face."
"Heh. You didn't shoot only against witches."
Mami stared at Kyouko and touched her head, grinding her teeth.
"I didn't think you would be capable of it, but it's all fault of that white thing, he deceived us. I won't take it personally." Kyouko straightened her ponytail. "You did the right thing, witches were killing people and had no other way to stop them."
"Yes... had no other way..." Mami looked at Madoka.
"These are just memories now, Mami-san."
The blonde took a deep breath, but when saw Homura, the tension has not decreased.
"Now you should not be so happy to see me." The kneeling girl said.
"The Akemi-san I have in all my memories is just you, isn't it?" Mami held her hands so that they do not tremble more. "You went through all this... I understand now."
"No. You'll never understand." Replied Homura and then the chains were loose.
"Satisfied?" Kyouko pulled the subdivisions with chains to form the spear, before she evaporates the weapon. "Mami might not be as strong as she appears, but you have to stop underestimating us." Then she turned. "Okay... now I'm leaving."
"Leaving?! To where and why?" Mami asked.
"I already graduated, right? Now you have this girl to take care." She started walking toward Oriko. "Madoka said about happiness. But I saw the worst thing that could happen to me, nothing compares. Mitakihara, Kazamino... my life came down to those places and they will keep reminding me of it." She stopped and looked at the sky. "If I can have the happiness that makes me forget my sins, it won't be here."
"So it was better that you had not come back." Homura spoke as she stood up. "You have no idea of your condition, it is very dangerous to go alone."
"Okay Kyouko." Madoka said. "If you find magical girls on your journey, give them words of hope, spread the true salvation."
"Preaching, huh? Then it's settled." Kyouko walked again.
"Madoka" The braids of Homura swayed with magic. "This is an abuse of ingenuity!"
"Hey! You know as much as we now. Nobody's care what you say." The red magic girl was before Oriko.
"Sakura-san."
"Mami went easy on you."
Raising her eyebrows, Oriko said. "And will you 'go harder'?"
"We already had our conversation." Kyouko smirked.
Which left the other confused. "What is so funny?"
"I think this thing about karma really exists." With this, the red magic girl went to Yuma.
The little girl looked away, afraid.
"Hey brat. I'm not good in running around so I'll go straight to the point." Kyouko bent down to get closer. "You're a magical girl, so no excuses to not take care of yourself. If these two trash mistreat you, don't think twice and get out. Search for Madoka, I'm also sure that Mami can accommodate you..." Then she turned.
Homura was looking at her with her usual aloofness.
"Yeah... these two are good." Kyoko got up and went to the horse. "Be warned, someday I'll come to see you." Running a hand on the animal's back, she spoke to herself. "Okay... how to mount it, there's no saddle."
She took a good momentum and managed to climb but almost fell to the other side. Awkwardly, she turned her lying body on the animal before getting seated.
"You're very docile, huh? That was easy." Before she could think of how to ride, someone blocked her way.
"As much as I don't want to." Sayaka was with arms crossed. "I have to admit that Akemi is right. I can't let you go."
Kyouko stretched her back. "Hmmm... But Madoka allowed."
Sayaka shook her head, irritated. "I don't know what got in her, but if you try to run away, I'm coming after you."
"Then why don't you come right away?" Kyouko pointed behind her.
"What?"
The redhead rolled her eyes. "I just said I was leaving. I'm not preventing anyone from following me."
Still surprised, Sayaka consulted Madoka only with her gaze.
The other was with a tender smile.
"God writes straight with crooked lines." Kyouko affirmed.
"Right." Sayaka went to the back of the horse. "Then I'll be your supervisor."
"Supervisor? Heh. You can try..."
In a jump, the girl with cape tried to climb, but only her torso was on the animal.
"Not enough." Kyouko smiled. "Want h... hey!"
Holding the redhead's ponytail, Sayaka managed to sit behind her.
"Tch... This hurts, you know?"
Ignoring the complaint, Sayaka turned her head. "Bye to you all. Madoka, I still know your e-mail. I will ask for news..." She exchanged a suspicious look to Homura.
"Bye Sayaka-chan! I'll be waiting."
"Hey Mami." Kyouko also turned. "In your birthday, save a piece of cake for me."
The blonde nodded with a smile. "I'll do it and goodbye Kyouko..."
"Let's go!" Kyouko pointed forward. "Now you can walk, horse." But the animal did not obey. "Damn it."
"Keep your legs straight and aligned and use them to press her body. Do not exaggerate." Instructed Oriko.
"L-Like that?" Kyouko obeyed and the mare started walking. "Ah!"
Sayaka almost fell back. "Y-You should not have started without knowing how to stop!"
"Stay calm! She's walking slowly." Oriko continued. "Use the weight of your bodies, move forward to make it stop. Throw a leg forward and press her with it to make her turn to the side that you want. No kicking!"
"Okay, I got the idea." Kyouko began to move around the rubble. "This... slowly..."
Oriko sighed. "You are lucky of her being smart."
Sayaka was getting inclined. "Ah! I'm off balance!"
"Hold me girl... Ah! Not the hair!"
Homura watched the two until they got out of sight. "That's a mistake."
"No." Madoka replied. "That's a step."
"Madoka Kaname." Oriko returned to manifest. "There are no demons or cubes in this world, right?"
"Yes."
Oriko looked away and took a deep breath before continuing. "And will you... purify our gems?"
"You'll have time to prepare." Madoka reached out. "When it comes, I'll be there to help you."
Oriko glanced at Yuma, who was frightened, wondering how it would be. Then she whispered to herself. "I will be the first..."
"Ow! Ow!" Kirika raised her arms. "Let me see if I understand. When our gem is very corrupted, will it happen to us the same that happened with the redhead and the blonde?"
No girl spoke.
What to Kirika was a confirmation. "This... This... is SUPER COOOOL!" She punched the air in excitement. "We can create our oddities, even having a personal army! Big love! This will... be..."
Oriko looked angry at her.
What made Kirika scratching the back of her head and give a bland smile. "Hmmm... I was actually saying that would be kinda cool... sometimes?"
The distant sound of sirens began to be heard by them. Madoka abandoned her locks, leaving her hair short, and they entered the portal before it closed.
Oriko took the hand of Yuma. "It is... time to go. I have to see the state of my home... "
"I bet that everything is in place, big love." Said Kirika.
"I hope so." She looked one last time to Mami before leaving.
With Kirika following. "Does my mom is alive?"
"You should be aware that she is not the same you know." Oriko stated. "Besides, she does not see you for a long time."
"Oh yeah! I'll say that I took a trip with a..."
With the voices fading away due the distance, Mami spoke. "And now?"
"We have to go too." The white clothes of Madoka sparkled, evaporating gradually in dozens of bright spots. "I just need you to prepare an outfit for us."
"Oh... I'll try." Mami focused and her uniform and body crumbled in ribbons.
To the amazement of Homura and Nagisa, they flew and involved them and Madoka.
When finished, Mami reformed in her image using the school uniform, while Nagisa was wearing her pink dress with polka dots.
Homura also wore the uniform of the school of Mitakihara, which brought a lot of memories. There were so many that the leather in her hands were gaining the characteristic tone of her skin and the seams were absorbed.
"Homura..."
She saw Madoka, just like in her memories, except...
The girl untied the yellow ribbons that bound her hair and looked at the red ones that was at the end of those long braids. "Thank you for keeping them."
／人◕‿‿◕人＼
The gymnasium of Mitakihara was the largest shelter available for the city's population. When the four girls entered in the internal vicinity of the building, they are faced with numerous families carrying the little they had brought with them beyond their lives.
"Looks like they are leaving." Nagisa said as she headed together with the others to the ladder that led to the courts.
"The threat no longer exists, the authorities must have allowed their exit." Mami answered. "Now they will look for their homes." So concluded gloomily. "If there's one..."
"The destruction was concentrated in downtown. Your apartment should be safe." Madoka was leading the ascent. "The problem is that you're being considered as missing."
"Ah yes. I'll talk to the landlord that I visited distant relatives." The blonde looked at Nagisa. "And they left their daughter under my tutelage."
The little girl smiled, but not much, because she felt certain absence. When she turned her head, saw Homura climbing the stairs slowly.
When they reached the area of the courts, there were still a lot of people, but Madoka remembered very well where they were. She ran, leaving the others behind.
Tomohisa was the first to catch sight of his daughter. "There you are! I was already thinking of starting to look for you."
"Madoka!" Tatsuya raised his arms in joy.
When she heard that name, Junko, who sat holding her knees, turned. Without contain her anxiety, she arose.
"Now we have to see how... to leave..." Tomohisa adjusted his glasses, a little surprised with mother and daughter embraced with such intensity.
"My daughter..." Junko could not breathe in a rhythm. "You did what was right?"
"Hmmm..." Tomohisa became more confused. "Madoka, didn't you try to find your school friends?"
The girl frowned at her mother.
Junko averted gaze with a smile.
Understanding, Madoka turned to her father. "Yes, and I found all of them."
Seeing that scene, Mami can not help but comment. "She more than deserves it."
"Mami!"
Upon hearing Nagisa, the blonde saw that Homura had fallen on all fours.
Some people started to approach aiming to help.
"It's okay." Mami waved to the crowd and then bent down to check on the other. "Akemi-san?"
Nagisa too. "Homura... -chan?"
But Homura did not answer. The quivering face and catatonic gaze belonged to someone who witnessed too much the impossible.
Next chapter: Epilogue