Chapter Text
*Homura*
The wind blew cold as the night was still young. Homura Akemi stood at the peak of Mitakihara city. She spent enough time in this illusion she forged to pass the night she dread, the night she had to watch her only hope come to despair over, and over, and over again. She allowed herself to look back at those futile timelines before she stood to leave.
Yet, the chill in the air grew as the miasma came from behind but it wasn't the usual kind. It was filled with a even greater sense of dispear, even greater than from the largest wraiths the demon already killed. Despite this, she recognised the feeling, the one she was just reminiscing. A sinister laugh could be heard, one that filled her with wrath, one she thought she'd never have to hear again. As her head flooded with memories she felt a disconnect between herself and her body, her legs grew weak as the demon fell into a deep slumber once again.
*_*
*Madoka*
The sun rises and its rays reach the windows of a girl who just awakened from her slumber. Madoka stretches as she sits up, " morning already?"
She exits her room to find her brother,tatsuya, and her father; preparing breakfast,he smiles " your mother has already woken up,you should get ready for school."
"Got any upcoming tests?" Madoka was just about able to make sense of what her mother was saying she brushed her teeth. " Not anymore, after the end of year tests the teachers want to give us a break " Madoka ran her hairbrush through her hair, getting rid of any tangle that would get in its way. " I'm sure they just don't want anymore tests to correct, Kazuko used to complain to me about it everytime before we moved to America." Madoka could feel the coolness of the water as she washed her face, her mother pushing the towel towards her. "The only thing I've heard Ms. Saotome complain about is the men she tries to get with, she been on about since the beginning on the year according to Homura, " Madoka giggles a little saying that but being reminded of Homura did give her goosebumps, before she could think about about it any longer, her mother interrupted her thoughts; " Homura is an interesting.. personality.. around the school, what do you think about her Madoka? You seem to mention her a lot." "Really? Well.. Homura can ask some odd questions sometimes but she still helps me and others out all of the time! But... I don't think Sayaka and Kyouko like her very much, even Hitomi, seems to act differently around her. I wonder if she did anything before I transferred in." She tied the red ribbons that Homura had given her into her hair to create two even bows. Junko looked at her daughter with pity, " maybe they had a different experience with her," she closes her make-up box, " perfect!"
Madoka finds herself on her usual path to school when she finally finds her best friends. " Took you long enough Madoka!" Sayaka waved as they all turned to walk together, " I was beginning to wonder where you were, if we go quickly we shouldn't be behind schedule," Hitomi checked her watch.
" Kyosuke really wrote you a love letter? But aren't you two already together? " Shock painted Madoka's face while Hitomi glanced at her feet, " we are, I think it's just that we barely get to talk outside of school due to our busy schedules, I'm guessing it's to show that he is still interested in me." " I sure would love to get a love letter! To have someone care so deeply that they decide to put it into words sure would be wonderful," there was a sad undertone in Sayaka's words. " I was considering writing a love letter myself actually, I wouldn't know what to say either way. " Sayaka's friends stared at her, " may I ask who is it for?" " Wouldn't you like to know Madoka!" The question was then followed by teasing and laughter until Madoka noticed something abnormal in the distance.
Homura Akemi stood in the centre of a fountain that hadn't been there the day prior.
*__*
Homura Akemi stood in the centre of a fountain that was recently constructed that she had yet to visit. The girl was standing eerily, smiling, holding a dark parasol with fine lacing. Her uniform was diffrent, inverted even.
" Wow, this place is gorgeous, I can't believe it took me so long to visit this place! " Hitomi watched in awe, meanwhile Sayaka seemed on high alert, her mood completely altering, like a soldier going home to find not a home but its remains. Without a second thought, Madoka paced ahead while she watched the fountains around spit out water, the crows bathing in its contents. " I hope you are well Madoka Kaname. " Homura spoke, returning everyone's attention back to her. She jumped down and strolled to a nearby table, " care to sit with me?"
Sayaka trailed behind Madoka's every step, forwards or backwards, it didn't matter, her intentions of doing this are unclear to Madoka when she isn't in danger. The table had the same kind of parasol as Homura but on a far grandeur scale. They all sat together on the pillowed chairs, Homura on the the side opposite all of them. " Take what you like, the pleasure is only mine, " Homura gestured towards the plethora of different kinds of desserts that decorated the table. Hitomi took a cupcake to taste and she squeeled with happiness, " oh Homura! This is delicious!" Upon hearing this, Madoka reluctantly took a bite out of one of the pink macaroons, just as Hitomi answered, it was delicious. Homura looked at them, her brown eyes shining in the sun. Did Homura always have brown eyes? Madoka questioned-
*___*
Homura looked at them, her brown eyes shining in the sun. It is so bright today , I should have brought my sunglasses! Madoka continued to consume the treats that were lined across the table. Sayaka and Homua both didn't take a single bite, they just have been staring, staring at eachother with what seemed like hatred. " Wouldn't you like to try anything, Sayaka Miki? " That must've been the finally straw because Sayaka slammed her hands down on the table. " I think we should head to class right now, " she stood up and waited for the others to go with her.
Walking to school, Sayaka had her fists clenched the whole time.
*Sayaka*
" And non of you boys should complain how much make-up a woman should wear! " Ms.Saotome was in the middle of her rants again, but Sayaka was focused on something else completely. I can't let my guard down anymore, whatever that was it wasn't something Homura would do. Her mind ran all over the place, searching, searching for any memories that could give her even a sliver of information. The only conclusion she came to is that Homura wanted to make an impression on Madoka, but none of it explained the otherworldly aura around her. One that reminded her of her fallen heroism, those memories she has yet to recover or she had already forgotten, lost to numerous unravellings of time and of the world. She watched the demon sit motionlessly, waiting, to find the perfect moment to strike and cause chaos once again.
Turning to her left she saw her friend chewing on gum, zoned out without a care in the world. What if they noticed anything this morning? Sayaka remembered her roommate saying she was going to walk to school with their upperclassmen, Mami, this morning, in turn walking with Nagisa aswell. " Have any of you noticed anything strange today? " Telepathy has become a useful tool, communicating with numerous people within a large vicinity. Mami and Nagisa were startled by this question, Kyouko gave her a look; " the only thing strange was how late you were to class, Homura let you get away with it eh? " " Sayaka, did something happen? " Mami lead the conversation back on track. Sayaka sighed, " I'll tell you later, what's important now is did anything else happen? " " I don't think so! It was very quiet this morning, " Nagisa spoke ever so happily. " Yes, a little too quiet, there was an absence of students on our way of school but that could be due to us coming in earlier, " Mami was pondering on the question, it didn't seem she took much note of this morning and now was internally panicking to find out details. Sayaka glanced at Kyoko who was lost in thought. " The crows that often follow me around for food were missing if that's any help, " that single reply let her know what she got all the information Sayaka needed, " Thank you, I'll explain later I promise! "
*Madoka*
The last bell chimes at last, bringing relief to all the students. Madoka is slow packing her bag and walks on her own towards her home. The path reminds her of her adventure this morning, if you could even call it that. She peers at Homura in the distance, she is a good bit ahead but just enough so she can see her, I haven't thanked Homura for the dessert this morning, I should tell her I'm grateful! Madoka tried to catch up with Homura, but she just couldn't manage, she already looked like a stalker, could Homura have noticed I've been following her? I hope I don't come off as weird..I need to catch her to apologise, I won't leave until I do!
The night was starting to draw in, the warm tones of the sky as the sun went to rest really sank that in. Madoka was still following Homura, not loosing sight for a single second. During this time she tried to text and call Homura to tell her to wait up but she didn't hear a chime or ring, did Homura lose her phone? Madoka questioned, Homura is always quick to answer any of her calls or texts no matter the time and no matter what she could have wanted be it homework or to chat. This is what made Madoka enjoy Homura's company despite everyone else's judgement of her. She just seems so kind..
These thoughts made Madoka loose sight of Homura, leaving her alone in a desolate factory. The cold air surrounding her from every angle, but what stood out was the feeling of being watched. There was no sign of life or a camera that could keep an eye on her, nobody to tell her she shouldn't be here yet her mind told her everything she did was being taken note of. " Homura..? Where did you go? " Her voice echoed within the space. She couldn't have vanished into thin air! Madoka searched frantically for Homura, trying not to admit that she feared being watched.
She couldn't describe it, it looked as if fog was drawing in, filled with sadness, anger, despair with the intent to harm; harm her. Before she knew it, figures came out of hiding in the shadows. Unnatural heights, skeletal torsos, distorted faces; skulls with smoke oozing from their mouths, a single eye socket that still could see through her every move and a quarter of there face flickering away like a computer that's past its death. The figures were dressed in robes, making them look as if they were floating towards Madoka. " What.. What are you!? "Madoka screamed, what did she do to deserve this? Where did Homura go? Where was she? None of those questions could be answered by her. She could do nothing but be backed into a corner of the factory, tears welling up in her eyes like a lost puppy.
-BANG
A gunshot. The figure directly fades to its death with blood curdling scream, the other figures are being sliced through with a blade. The fog retreats instantly, leaving nothing behind but two silhouettes, blue and yellow shining through the last of the fog to be revealed. Little did she know that the people before her were ones she knew, Sayaka Miki and a student from the senior end of school were infront of her, dressed in bright attire that fit everything about them. What she found the most odd is how they didn't seem out of place like this.
" Madoka! What are you doing here! " Sayaka ran up to her, checking her for non existent wounds. Snapping Madoka back to reality, she replied;
" What were those things! And.. why are you dressed like that? " Before Sayaka could answer, a voice answered for her; " They're magical girls! They fight the wraiths you just saw for the sakes of their wishes, I'm Kyubey! " A cat like creature approached her, it's face lacking of emotion. Magical girls? Like from TV shows.. Real? " You were in a dangerous situation, they could've eaten your emotions and left you with nothing, I am Mami Tomoe, I don't think we ever spoke? " Mami have her a comforting smile. " Hello! Thank you so much for saving me, I thought I was going to die.. how can I repay you? And those outfits are just gorgeous! I'd love one just like it, " Madoka admired the fabrics, the silk, yellow ribbon stood out the most. " I'm flattered, that reminds me, " with a yellow glow, her outfit transformed back into the school uniform, aswell as some beautiful yellow hair clips to keep her curls in place. " You don't need to repay us, we got what we came for, " Sayaka spoke up again, she threw dark cubes that emitted a dazzling glow up and down. She gave Mami a long stare and then Mami gave her a nod in agreement. " We should make sure you don't run into any more wraiths on your way home, we will walk you there just in case. "
*Sayaka*
" I sadly can't contract you even if I really wanted to, " Kyubey was held by Madoka. She was naturally curious about magical girls and their practices and traditions, as they always used to. Now it's only a regret because curiosity already killed the cat twice. The cat that is being lead by the same stupid ideals that killed it. " Do I not meet certain requirements? I mean, I never had anything I was particularly good at besides ballet," Madoka looked down at her feet saying that statement, little does she know what she is capable of, " no, I simply can't. I agreed to not disclose why, don't worry if I was able to, I definitely would. " The incubator jumped out of Madoka's arms and run up onto Mami's shoulder. " There is a strong miasma ahead, I haven't seen anything like it personally. I think you should be careful, " the Incubator warned. " Whatever it is I'm sure we can face it! " Sayaka wanted to sound brave, but in reality she was completely shaken by this morning. There was still questions that needed answers yet more were only being asked.
The miasma indeed put an unsavoury taste in her mouth, the chill of memories hung in the air, as if stepping into an antique shop you've donated to in the past.
" Madoka stay back! We'll protect you, just shout if you need help! " Mami transformed into her magical attire and so did Sayaka right after. The shine of blue and yellow glistened down their bodies to reveal clothes that were meant for the battles against witches and wraiths.
A hoard of wraiths emerged from hiding, flickering away and draining emotions from lifeforms. Gunshots blew damaged their cores, the slashes of a sabers cutting their bodies into nothingness.
There were no more wraiths visible, yet the miasma has not vanished. Mami and Sayaka guarded Madoka. Sayaka felt the presence of a being around them, could it be the demon? She thought.
*____*
Snickering. Manic laughter could be heard. But from within the miasma, a fragmented hand emerged; reaching towards them. The witch like hand, or maybe it wasnt one, it was difficult to tell in the moment, it was almost static. Sayaka jumped forward, saber in hand to cut through whatever monstrosity was before them. The slash was successful but the pieces split, only to catch her off guard.
Scarlet blood streamed down her face, covering her white gloves. It got to her eye and parts of her body before Mami stepped in. Madoka held her up right, bloody stains everywhere. Mami yelled as she summoned many muskets around them, shooting out into the 'wraith'. The laughed on and on, a familiar laugh. Mami was looking over her options, few left. The shots and ribbons weren't working. To escape was all that was left.
" Why.. Why can't I heal myself! "
She was shaking now, the pain felt unnatural, normally she could heal it instantly, regenerating whole limbs before. Her carelessness lead her here. Madoka was using her handkerchief to wipe as much blood away. Mami's soul gem shined brightly in a sorrowful attempt to heal her herself. " Nothing is working, I will bandage you up for now until we find out what's wrong. " Ribbons binded across her head, turning into bandages as a ribbon was neatly tied at the side of her head. " I better get home, it's getting late. I'd recommend doing the same. " Sayaka started to walk away as Mami reached after her.
" Sayaka! "
How will I even begin to explain this to anyone?
By the time she got home the time on her phone already said 00:05. Her front door was already unlocked, opening lead her to being hugged by the smell of curry. " You're home! I finished making some dinner, didn't think you'd take so long that it'd go though- " Kyouko Sakura was standing in the kitchen of her apartment. Her expression enough told her that she noticed; I couldn't have hid it in the first place..
" What the hell happened to you?! " Kyouko ran up to her to examine her face, bombarding her with questions( rightfully so);
" Why is your face covered in bandages?
Where have you been?
Was Mami really with you?
Is your soul gem alright? "
The last question took her by surprise, but after a split second it made sense. Kyouko didn't entirely remember her death but it must have left a terrible feeling about her disappearing in her gut. "I only had a bad encounter with a wraith, but," she couldn't look her in her eyes. " It was stronger than any other we have ever faced before, me and Mami couldn't take. We also had to protect Madoka. " "Madoka? What was she doing with you? "
The conversation was dreadfully long, all she had witnessed today and any theories that flooded her mind spilled out like a busted dam. They layed on the couch together, Sayaka buried her head into Kyouko's shoulder. All the exhaustion from acting like she had everything under control and lived a normal life came crashing down. The truth was, she didn't. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't take control of any situation.
She needed to head to Homura to get things straight with her. This unspoken truce had lasted long enough. It was time to bring things to order and fulfill her duty. Even if it means leaving this world everyone she loved, forever.
*Mami*
" The reason for Sayaka's lack of ability to heal is most likely due to whatever you just fought, it also repelled your ribbon abilities, " Kyubey didn't seem to care all that much for what happened to Sayaka but rather the fact it happened in the first place.
" Her powers should be in order but the wounds that were inflicted can't be healed no matter how strong the magic is. "
" You don't know much either do you? " Mami was walking down the street with Madoka, still in her Magical girl uniform incase of an emergency. " This isn't normal is it, Sayaka shouldn't have gotten if things were right, " worry stained Madoka's voice. "No, things shouldn't have gone the way the have, that aura wasn't anything I experienced before yet I have the most practice. " Mami looked to the cat-like creature, " is there anything you do know?" It blinked.
" I don't know if this is of any use but Homura Akemi's powers had been greatly weakened last night. "
They approached Madoka's house, " I need to apologise to my parents. I've been gone all day, they must be worried sick! " She stood outside her door.
" Mami I hope we can talk again at school," she turned her head and smiled before entering her house. " Goodbye Madoka, " she gave her a quick wave before heading into the misty night to put her mind to rest - in bed.