Riverbed
[The scene opens with a cold evening at Maple Station. The Christmas spirit is in full swing as the building is decked out in fairy lights, garland, wreathes, and a Christmas tree placed on the end of the platform. The atmosphere is calm as some of the people waiting for the train share laughs and jokes with one another, those being Top Cat and Dodger, while Krystal, Shining Armor, Cinderella, Tibbs, Granny, and Francis stand nearby awaiting their ride. Edward, Bill, and Ben are in the background sitting in a shed with a wreath in between the blue engine's buffers]
Top Cat: Surprised you're not wearing a red suit, woulda' gone well with that bandana.
Dodger: Ah no, I'm leaving the suit for Einstein, he looks more the part than me, "ho-ho-ho!"
[The two chuckle as Top Cat suddenly gets an idea, taking off the Santa hat he's wearing and putting it on an unsuspecting Big Mac with his back turned]
Top Cat: Now all that's missin' is the beard.
Dodger: Dunno, perhaps a little more padding on the waist line'll do too.
[Top Cat and Dodger snicker once more, even some of the bystanders give a chuckle as the large red stallion looks away with his usual neutral expression, the camera panning over to Madoka giving a chuckle herself as she stands next to Homura]
Madoka: I think it looks nice on him.
Homura: You've said that about everyone wearing the same hat.
Madoka: Including you.
[Madoka flashes a cheeky grin as Homura looks away with a slight huff]
Homura: Very funny.
Madoka: Oh, I didn't mean any offense by it, Homura. You don't look half bad with it.
Homura: Hmmmmmmm…thanks, I guess.
Madoka: What about the station, doesn't it look festive with all the decorations?
Homura: It's…nice, a lot of places look like it.
Madoka: Yeah, it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas, everything just looks more…magical, like all these lights are little colorful stars…and everyone seems happier, like…Christmas brings people together…
Homura: …Yeah…just like us.
Madoka: Hmmhmm, of course, I know it might not mean much to you, but I do want you to have a happy Christmas.
Homura: Hmmmm…Christmas never was much of a thing for me…not since the deal was struck anyway…
Madoka: Oh…yeah…well, let's not think about that, let's instead think of…cookies, snowmen, mistletoe.
[Homura's face gains a slight hue of red at the mention of the latter]
Homura: Y-Yeah, mistletoe…
[Homura looks away…and gives a small smile at the thought before the sound of loud chuffing can be heard. The camera cuts to Henry entering the platform with what appears to be six coaches in total, a postal van placed between his tender and the first coach. More passengers have gathered to board the train including Pepe, Georgette, Fluttershy, Kristofferson, Frankie, Bloo, Dexter, Louis, Muriel, Eustace, Cruella, Scar, Esmeraude, Minako, Kipper, Marian, Daria, Jane, Yogi, Copper, Silver, Velma, Pocahontas, Merida, and Salem. As the passengers board and find their seats, Madoka and Homura are two of the last people to get on. An orange Snagglepuss wearing a blue uniform and cap blows the whistle and waves a green flag. Henry gives two toots of his whistle before slowly setting off from the station. Homura looks out the window as the camera cuts to watching the train set off onto the mainline]
[Henry is shown flying down the track through the darkness, his lamps shining bright and the coaches illuminated from the inside. It cuts to inside of one of the coaches where several passengers have settled down for the overnight journey. Homura leans on the window and thinks she can make out a bridge approaching in the distance. However, something seems off as the bridge becomes more visible, and her face turns pale. Several support columns have either been severely damaged or dislodged from their place. At that moment, a huge burst of water splashes against one of the columns, causing it to fall apart and the bridge to begin sagging at an odd angle before falling into the river. Quickly, Homura opens the window and begins shouting at the top of her voice, much to Madoka's shock]
Homura: STOOOOOOOOP!
[Homura's voice only just manages to catch Henry's attention as he looks back suddenly]
Henry: What the?!
Madoka: Homura, what's wrong?!
Homura: Bridge, the BRIDGE!
[Madoka looks out the window as well, becoming horrified as the looming danger approaches, cutting back to Henry who's also in shock]
Henry: Ooooooh! OH NO!
[The big engine's brakes slam on with a SCREEEEEECH as he skids down the rails]
Madoka: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
Homura: God, oh, god, STOP, PLEASE STOP!
Henry: I CAN'T…!
[It's no use, with a massive gap in between the tracks, Henry slides off the edge and into the river below, taking several of the coaches with him. The carriages CRASH and CRUNCH into each other; splintering wood, battered metal, and the horrific screams of the people inside combine as the train plunges into the drink. The inside of the fourth coach jerks as luggage falls from the racks, the outside shot revealing the coach only just hanging on like a see-saw above the river. Homura and Madoka hold onto each other amidst the chaos of the other passengers attempting to stand up and escape, but the coach finally tops off the ledge and into the water, flipping over on its side. The carriage begins to fill with water as everyone inside struggles to keep out of harm's way. Homura pushes up on the window to try and force it open, finally managing to push the window down and attempts to lift herself out. She then reaches out for Madoka to grab her hand, but as the water level rises, the pink-haired girl's grip begins to loosen]
Madoka: H…Homura!
Homura: Hold…on!
[At that moment, a wave thrashes over the coach, taking Homura with it, the ravenhead watches in horror as Madoka sinks into the river]
Homura: Madoka…MADOKAAAA!
[The river overcomes Homura as a screeching whistle pierces as the wave comes crashing down]
Homura: HUH!
[Homura pants as she rises up, finding herself no longer in the water, but in a bed. The ravenhead looks around anxiously to see Madoka on the other end of the bed, sleeping peacefully]
Homura: Ah…aaaaaah…
[Homura lays back down as she looks over at the pink haired girl, still remembering the look of terror she had in her dream and then back at the content expression she donned as she'd seemingly slept through Homura's startling…silently, Homura settles back down and tries to go back to sleep…her eyes linger open for a few seconds before they become heavy and she drifts off once more…]
[The next morning rolls around as Madoka and Homura walk down the street. The stores and sideshops have been decked out in all kinds of Christmas decorations, and to the right, carolers can be heard singing in the street. Madoka smiles as she watches Bagheera, Belle, Bloom, Thomas, Jenna, and Tails singing "Here We Come A-Caroling"]
All: Here we come a-caroling
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen
Love and joy come to you
And to you your Christmas too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
Madoka: Hmmm, I love carols.
Homura: …
Madoka: Homura, are you okay?
Homura: …What?
Madoka: Are you okay? You've been quieter than usual since this morning.
Homura: It…it's nothing, really.
Madoka: You sure?
Homura: Positive…
[Homura continues to walk ahead, Madoka watching from behind with a concerned expression on her face as a ravenhead Aurora with an orange dress and a green Jinks passes behind her. Homura looks up at the rail bridge and sees Henry passing by overhead. Her perspective fades back to the previous night as the train's consist changes to the same coaches as on that fateful night, the bridge making a terrible creaking as if it were on the brink of collapsing. Just as the metal gives way, Homura is pulled out of her daydream]
Madoka: Homura?
Homura: Huh! Huh…oh…
Madoka: You're hiding something from me, aren't you?
[The two stare in silence before Homura turns her head away]
Homura: It's nothing important.
Madoka: Then why are you being so cold?
Homura: I'm always cold.
Madoka: Not like that, you at least tell me when something's up, why not now?
Homura: It's…complicated to explain.
Madoka: I'm all ears.
[Homura pauses…before speaking once more]
Homura: Last night…I dreamt that we both drowned…we weren't the only ones…I could hear the screams, desperately crying out for help…I tried to save you…but I couldn't…
[Homura pauses again, this time longer as she looks down at the ground]
…it wouldn't be the first time…
[Madoka stares at Homura before pulling her into an embrace]
Madoka: Oh, Homura…sometimes I feel like you cling to the past too often…
Homura: Hmm, it's hard to move on given the circumstances…
Madoka: I know…I saw it too…but I'm still here, aren't I?
Homura: Yeah…I'm sorry…if I'm putting a damper on the holidays, I know how much it means to you…
Madoka: Don't worry, you haven't…why don't we go have and get some hot chocolate?
Homura: …That sounds nice…
[Madoka smiles as she leads Homura off, Bandit and Chilli passing Pepe and Kristofferson in the background. The scene cuts to the late hours of the afternoon as the two are seen walking through Evergreen Forest, light snow has coated the trees in white and icicles hang from the branches. Madoka looks up and smiles broadly at the sight of the tall white and green pines]
Madoka: Even in winter, the forest still looks beautiful…well, when it's like this anyway, snow just makes things look more…well, 'more'.
Homura: Hmm…I'll admit, it's better than seeing barren dead branches.
Madoka: No doubt someone's gonna claim one of these for a Christmas tree, probably for the town square. Hmmhmm, it's funny how a tree can bring everyone together…
[A fantasy/flashback plays showing several characters going up to the tree in the town square to put on decorations; Pinkie, Rapunzel, Tramp, Frankie, Muriel, Granny, Georgette, Simba, Lucky, Top Cat, Dodger, Krystal, even characters like Buster, Scar, Marvin, and Cruella joining in on adding ornaments, tinsel, and lights to the tall tree]
…there isn't anything like it, the whole year 'round.
Homura: Yeah…
Madoka: You know, it's kinda nice to be out of the city, not that I don't enjoy how it looks, it's just, it's nice to get away from all the hustle and bustle.
Homura: The forest is tranquil for one thing, it's an entity that knows what it wants to be; peaceful, quiet, and in balance…[inhales…and then exhales]...even with the snow and cold, the atmosphere's the same…hmmhmm, I could almost fancy living in it…
Madoka: Oh, would you?
Homura: Hypothetically speaking…it's something to think about, at least…
Madoka: Yeah…to be honest, it would be kinda nice; a little log cabin or a cottage, in the forest square…isolated yet…peaceful…
Homura: Yeah…
[Madoka leans on Homura's shoulder as the fantasy of what they were describing is shown through a white sparkled image, a small cottage; creme walls, grey slate rooftop, a red brick chimney with smoke coming out, and inside is a warming glow of a quaint living room and kitchen, two silhouettes sitting down on the couch in front of the fireplace, resting contently. The fantasy is pulled away as Madoka looks up towards the sky, by now, it's gone from blue to light shades of orange]
Madoka: Oh, we've been out a while…we should probably get going.
Homura: Oh…yeah…
[The scene transitions to a similar setup at Maple Station with the same crowd present, only this time, Madoka and Homura are seen coming out from the building to witness Top Cat and Dodger's antics, Henry is shown approaching the station from a further distance, and an alternate angle shows the train stopping from an aerial view before cutting to the perspective closest to Pepe as the coaches come to a stop at the platform. Pepe is shown to be one of the first people getting on board, followed by the others finding their seats, Madoka and Homura being the last to sit down. It is only after the train has gotten some distance away that the latter suddenly gets a case of Deja Vu and gasps]
Madoka: Homura?
Homura: I just remembered, this is the same train as in my dream, which means…
[The shot zips out from the train and zooms over to the bridge, which is exactly in the same state as it was in Homura's dream; on the verge of collapse. It immediately cuts back to Madoka looking pale, her eyes looking from left to right to see if there's anything to stop the train]
Madoka: C'mon, there needs to be some kind of cable or brake in this thing…
[Homura quickly searches around the coach until her eyes are set dead ahead on the red emergency cable. The raven haired girl runs out of her seat, across the corridor, and grabs onto the cable, tugging it hard which causes the coach's brakes to squeal on]
Henry: Oh! What's happened?!
[The big green engine comes to an abrupt stop, jolting several passengers in the coaches]
Pepe: Sacred bleu!
Fluttershy: Oh my!
Velma: My glasses! I can't see a thing without my…
[Madoka holds up Velma's glasses]
Velma: …oh, thanks.
[The shot then cuts to the conductor storming into the compartment]
Conductor: Who in the blazes pulled that emergency cord?!
Bloo: [points over to Homura] She did it!
[The conductor huffs over to Homura and stands over her, the girl retaining her composure]
Conductor: Young lady, do you understand that we are on a strict timeline and cannot be delayed by tomfoole-
Madoka: [pointing out the open window] But look!
[The conductor goes to lean out of the window]
Conductor: What in the name of Mike?!
[The scene cuts to a shot of Mike stopping from backing down the ballast loader, looking confused. It then cuts back to the conductor stepping forward to examine the line ahead, Madoka, Homura, with several other passengers standing behind them. He stops several feet before the bridge to see that it has indeed collapsed]
Conductor: Well, the bridge is out, we're not going any further tonight.
Henry: Oooooh, dear, and to think I could have fallen in myself.
Conductor: Yes, well, I believe I owe you an apology, Miss Homura, your quick thinking prevented a nasty accident.
Henry: Yes, indeed, you're quite a hero, miss.
Homura: Hmm…thanks…
[Homura walks over to the bridge, much to everyone's confusion]
Velma: Oh…?
[Homura stops a few feet from the ledge and all is silent for a moment…before the girl puts her hands together, closes her eyes, and bows down. No one says anything, all that can be heard is the sound of the river below. The shot focuses on Madoka as she watches Homura from where she is, a contemplative expression on her face. Eventually, Harvey and Salty arrive with workmen and flatbeds on the other side to take away the remains of the bridge, Henry having slowly backed down out of the way and right back to the last station to be turned around and take the passengers in the opposite direction. The focus lingers on Homura standing at the end of the platform before Madoka pulls up next to her]
Madoka: Hey…
Homura: Hey…
Madoka: …You know, you did a good thing earlier.
Homura: …Perhaps, yes.
Madoka: Well, in any case, I'm glad we're still alright…I'm lucky to have someone like you…
[Homura pauses for a moment…before giving a small smile]
Homura: …Thank you.
Madoka: Hmm…
[The two are shown boarding the train as it sets off into the distance, the shot lingering as it disappears from sight. It then cuts to later at night when Homura and Madoka are turned away from each other in bed before the latter speaks up in a quiet voice]
Madoka: Goodnight, Homura…sleep well…
[Homura looks out the window as the snow begins to lightly fall outside, putting the blanket over herself]
Homura: You too…
Character Guide:
Homura Akemi, Madoka Kaname - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Top Cat - Top Cat
Dodger, Georgette, Einstein - Oliver and Company (1988)
Bloo, Frankie Foster - Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Bagheera - The Jungle Book (1967)
Belle - Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Bloom - Winx Club
Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh, Shining Armor - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Jenna - Balto (1995)
Pepe Le Pew, Granny Webster, Marvin the Martian - Looney Tunes
Thomas O'Malley - The Aristocats (1970)
Tails, Silver - Sonic the Hedgehog
Velma - Scooby-Doo
Henry, Edward, Bill, Ben, Salty, Harvey, Mike - Thomas and Friends
Bandit, Chilli - Bluey
Cinderella - Cinderella (1950)
Copper - The Fox and The Hound (1981)
Cruella De Vil, Sergeant Tibbs - 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Daria Morgendorffer, Jane Lane - Daria
Dexter - Dexter's Laboratory
Francis - Felidae (1994)
Kipper - Kipper the Dog
Kristofferson - Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Krystal - Star Fox
Louis - Beastars
Lucky - Pound Puppies (2010)
Marian - Robin Hood (1973)
Merida - Brave (2012)
Minako Aino (Sailor Venus), Esmeraude - Sailor Moon
Muriel, Eustace - Courage the Cowardly Dog
Pocahontas - Pocahontas (1995)
Rapunzel - Tangled (2010)
Salem - Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Scar, Simba - The Lion King (1994)
Tramp, Buster - Lady and the Tramp (1995)/Scamp's Adventure (2001)
Yogi Bear - The Yogi Bear Show