Chapter 24 - Intro to a Climax


"How long have those lights been flashing?"

Sayaka had been assisted by the others in looking through the building for supplies. It appeared that it had functioned both as a radio station and as a supply depot, both for the mine workers and for anyone lost in the woods. They'd found some food in a kitchen area and brought some of it back to the door they had come in by after making sure that all the other exits were locked.

"Half an hour to an hour" Ryoko replied as she nibbled on some crackers. Sayaka was grateful that the fare was rather bland, it helped it sit in her stomach and didn't make her want to throw up any more than she already did.

"Do you think we should go out and look?" Lauren's voice was nervous as she glanced at the door.

Fuminori also looked at the exit with a thoughtful expression, but Dr Tanbo's voice brought their attention back.

"No, we won't be helping anyone by blundering around in the woods while those things are on the loose. At least not now, not until we're sure they aren't on their way."

Sayaka nodded, "I mean c'mon guys. Have some faith why don't you. Don't forget that most of them are Magical Girls or Aliens!"

She forced a smile onto her face as she looked around. But then she couldn't help but glance towards the door herself, her gut clenching. Madoka's face swum in her mind, with the other's lurking as well. What had happened to them?

"Um, I just meant look outside the building."

Lauren sounded a bit sheepish as she looked at the floor.

The others blinked, looking at her. Dr. Tanbo put a finger to her chin.

"That might be a bit more feasible."

Sayaka nodded, "sure, I mean, I don't think that's any more dangerous than just sitting here waiting for some monst-"

There was a sudden bang that sent them all grasping for the kitchen knives they'd grabbed while Ryoko leveled her shotgun at the door. A door that had just been kicked open by a booted foot. A figure entered, backlit by the bright lights shining outside. For a moment, its human silhouette brought the image of the slender monster, but then a young, female, and all too familiar human voice rang out.

"What the heck's going on here?!"

The figure stepped in more fully and, with their eyes adjusting, Sayaka caught her breath.


Soundtrack: Puella Magi Madoka Magica OST - Conturbatio

Kyoko looked at the motley group of four. Sayaka was there, go figure, but then there was the Doctor woman and the weird guy that had come out of the house with them. The other girl she didn't know at all.

For a moment, she and Sayaka stared at each other, both sizing the other up. Then the older woman cleared her throat.

"Might I ask your name young girl?"

Kyoko snorted, rolling her eyes.

"What, blue-hair over there hasn't told you about me yet? I'm crushed, I really am."

The other three looked at Sayaka, who frowned.

"I've only met you once in real- . . . and we didn't even talk then! By the way, what are you even doing here?!"

Her eyes suddenly sharpened, "have you been . . . following us?"

Kyoko blinked.

"Heh, smarter than she looks."

She couldn't help what she did next. She smirked.

"Maaaaaybe."

She really wanted to take the joke further, to needle these people. But she had more important things to take care of.

"Okay, normally I'd be into talking all night, but I got better things to do so I'll just ask, have any of you seen a 11-year-old girl. Short, green hair, real clingy if you're nice to her?"

There was a moment's silence then the woman with the shotgun answered.

"We haven't seen such a girl. We've been running for our lives for some time now before we got here."

Sayaka's eyes widened.

"Are you talking about that little girl we saw you with? Did you lose her in the woods?"

Kyoko's face worked as she tried to ignore the ice in her gut and the burning in her brain. She managed to nod.

Sayaka's face grew incredulous.

"Why the heck did you bring her here?!"

"Hey!" Kyoko wasn't about to take crap from a girl who wasn't even Magical, "I don't see anyone else lining up to play babysitter. And how was I supposed to know you all were insane enough to wander into a haunted woods!"

Sayaka's eyes had narrowed as she raised her voice in turn.

"We could've done something! Would've done something if you'd actually tried to talk to us instead of acting all 'I'm gonna be the loner who thinks she's cool but is really just stupid because I won't cooperate!'"

Kyoko had opened her mouth to give another retort when the older woman stepped between the two girls.

"That's enough" she said loudly and firmly. Her gaze swept back and forth between the two girls, who both 'harrumphed' mutinously.

Kyoko was aware of how childish it sounded, but she couldn't help saying, "she started it."

"Leaving that aside, I would like to ask how you found your way here?"

Kyoko blinked, thinking hard. She wasn't sure she should give the game away about Oriko, but then again, some details couldn't hurt.

"Well, decided to come and see what the big deal was with all of you going off together. Got lost in the woods and then saw the lights up on the hilltop. Jogged for a bit and here I am."

The woman stared at her, along with Sayaka, and Kyoko got the distinct impression that neither was particularly satisfied with her story. She opened her mouth, but wasn't quite sure what to say. She was spared the trouble however, by a noise from outside.


Sayaka wasn't sure what to feel right now aside from annoyance. Here was the first time she could talk to Kyoko face to face, and, surprise surprise, the girl turned out to be just as abrasive and annoying as she had started out in the weird visions Sayaka had had.

Further thoughts on the matter were put on hold as the sound of some branches snapping caused everyone to turn towards the door. Cautiously, Kyoko inched towards it, backed up by Dr. Tanbo, with the rest in the rear.

As the five of them peered out over the hill, which sloped down after a decent amount of flat ground, they saw that a group of figures was coming up. First came a girl in a frilly white magical girl costume, beside which was one in a black biker type get-up. Beside them was a trio and Sayaka gave a soft exclamation of relief as she saw Madoka, who was helping Homura to walk as the girl stared almost listlessly at her shield.

The last person however, was the strangest by far. It had the rough anatomical shape of a human, but it reminded those present most of a doll. It had multi-colored eyes and black hair almost like yarn, tied up in two long braids. It's body was thin approaching spindly, covered by a simple black dress and poncho. Its skin colored near pure white, but it held what looked like a needle crossed with a spear in its hands and it was standing in a clear protective stance over the previously mentioned two girls.

Unable to help herself, Sayaka ran forward. Madoka gave a soft cry as she saw her friend and Sayaka embraced the two. She felt Homura start dramatically. It seemed that the sudden act of putting an arm around her and drawing her close had pulled her suddenly from some deep stupor or contemplation. After the sudden movement, Sayaka felt the girl stiffen like a statue. When the bluenette backed up, she saw the Homura was looking at her with dumbfounded and suspicious expression. Seriously, did that girl ever lighten up?

"Who are all these new people?"

Ryoko had walked up to the group and was looking over the new additions to the group.

"We . . . met in the woods" Madoka's voice was hesitant as she glanced over at the two new magical girls and the doll creature. "They said Kyubey told them something was off and they came to see what was wrong."

Ryoko's eyes had narrowed slightly. Then she looked at Homura and her gaze softened.

"Are you alright Homura?"

The girl in question seemed to start a bit at the use of her first name. She looked up at the adult with an odd look in her eye.
"I am fine."

Ryoko pursed her lips as she took in Homura's distracted state, noting how she had been helped to walk by Madoka. After a moment's silence however, she turned to the others.

"And what is your names? I don't recall ever meeting or hearing of you two-" her eyes flicked to the Doll, who was glancing at the group with a reserved expression, "-or you before. Are you a familiar?"

At the last question the Doll twitched. After a moment, it looked at Ryoko with an appraising glance. Then it turned to look back at the forest.

The white-clothed Magical raised her hand. "If I may, my name is Oriko, and this is my associate Kirika. We mean you no harm and wish to work together to escape our current situation."

Her voice was very formal and controlled, though there still dwelt there the undercurrent of fear that had come into most of their voices after their encounters with the denizens of the forest.

Ryoko raised an eyebrow, a very apparent note of suspicion coming into her voice "and you just happened to wander into these woods on Kyubey's word at the exact same time we did? This is private property."

She glanced back at Lauren, who was hovering at the back of the group, looking thoroughly lost.

"This is private property, correct?"

Lauren seemed to shake herself, "I . . . yes it is. The mine's lease is up so the land reverted back to . . . I mean what with K-kate being . . . I d-don't k-know who o-owns it n-"

"-Have either of you seen a fleshy monster roaming around?"

Fuminori had limped over to look at the group. After listening for a bit, he had suddenly broken into the conversation. Oriko blinked at his question.

"I . . . have not. Of the creatures we've seen, I cannot say we've seen anything like that in these woods."

Kyoko's eyes were flicking between Oriko and Homura, as though unsure what to do. That choice however, was taken out of her hands in an instant however.

Soundtrack: Slender The Arrival OST - Corrupted

All of a sudden, the darkness seemed to grow blacker. Almost as though a fog of the mind was sweeping over the hill, all of them began to hear a pounding sound, as though of some great machine underground. Those who had been chased by the Slender Man in the park all felt a panic rise within them as the familiar sensation rose up. Then, a static of the mind, of the eyes began to grow and a compulsion was felt.

The group as one turned and the harsh sound of static filled the air. The Slender Creature stood at the edge of the hill, it's faceless head staring malevolently down at them.

There was a thump, and suddenly the doll thing was snarling as it strained against a hooded creature that had come barreling into the group as they all were staring. The sounds seemed to break the spell, or perhaps the Slender creature relinquished its grip for a moment to allow for some sport. Another set of footprints was heard and an emaciated figure came barreling out of the darkness. The thing looked like someone had taken a human and deformed it, wasted away lips revealing piranha like teeth, weedy, dirty hair, feet and hands ending in claws, and only a loincloth to protect its dignity.

The new monster snarled as it charged and tackled into the group. Several of them were bowled over and the monster found itself grasping at Ryoko for a target. The Doctor shoved her shotgun up, holding the monster at bay, but her foot had missed a step and she fell onto her back. Meanwhile, the doll and the hooded Kate had grappled for a few seconds before the doll had managed to throw the mad girl off.

As all this was going on, Kyoko was almost too enthralled by the events to notice the black tentacles snaking over her shoulders. With a cry, she turned and slashed at them. She only managed to hack the tip off of one of the black sinuous lengths, and that did not change the fact that many more were growing out of the Slender Monster's back and beginning to hover over the group. Then, a glowing sphere shot forward and the Slender Thing's body seemed to twist and bend to avoid it.

Oriko had moved up beside Kyoko, gritting her teeth as she did so. Kirika as well stood beside them, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Kyoko gulped, but then forced herself to a ready position.

Then, she charged.


Author's note:

Here we go.

Mailbag:

SolarxBlack

it's good to see you back, once again with every review I've done!

Thanks for giving reviews. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Shadow8Phantom

Things just keep escalating. On one hand, Key can cure them and in the meantime additional magical help can be useful in this situation. On the other there can also be nasty surprises happen with Soulgems and Kyubeis contracts and the stuff. Atleast Saya has now a more stable form so to speak. Wonder if she could keep it even if Key disolves her Soulgem? Fumonori, and probably everyone else that has encountered Saya, will probably have quite the shock at seeing her. Thoug, again, Homura is a concern. Once she snaps out of her shock over the lost of her buckler...
Hopefully the in this chapter newly established group can help each other and the others. I have a feeling everyone, all the characters and groups introduced up until now, will converge at the finale of this arc. Maybe defeat Slender together and exchange info, realizing that cooperation is needed for Walpirgusnacht and whatever shitstorms may come after her.

Indeed. There are some benefits to contracting especially in the moment, but a lot of risk too, and that's what Key and the others are likely to focus on. It certainly is possible that Saya wouldn't become what she was before if Key cured her. There was speculation that what she was before was the result of her being broken and mutated by whatever thing ran the Universe she came out of. Fuminori will definitely be in for a huge shock to see her like this. Homura is not having a good time and it remains to be seen how she'll react to things so suddenly spiraling out of her control. One thing she utterly abhorred was feeling helpless/useless, so that's a constant factor for her.

Nearly everyone's there by now. Just Key's group and Yuma and Saya have yet to arrive. There's definitely going to be a convergence, how well it goes, well I suppose we'll just have to see. I can't wait to see how people react to it.