Puella Magi Falsus Magica (A PMMM Quest)

[] Disable Olga's hatching. Hatch Lachesis instead. Find her motive. Find anything! Search her mind for answers!

Keeping her down, you grit your teeth. It wasn't your place to give her judgment. You weren't her executioner either to grant her wish... However... You deserved to know the truth. Yuri deserved to know the truth. What the Assassin is, who she was and where she came from.

You want to unravel what sort of person would be willing commit so many senseless atrocities. You held her down as you held out your hand and shoved Olga Sethiss from the forefront of your mind. The Witch's seed stopped on the brink of release before everything faded. The barrier dissolved and silenced reigned for but a few moments.

You were back in the burning streets of Kyoto as you kept your hand on the Assassin's neck. Kaito showed up near you as he fell and hit the ground, a groan escaping him as he hissed in pain. He blinked and found you on the ground with the Assassin and had his eyes widen.

"Yukina?" Kaito grunted as he held his side, leaning on a car for support as he looked your way.

Sirens echoed at the distance before you tapped into one of your grief seeds. Lachesis reacted almost immediately as tears of grief fell down your cheek as your body cracked. Your back shifted before film reel tore through it as you let out a shaky breath. You grunted in pain as you somehow felt the distinct weight of a new Witch partially controlling your body.

Your hands shook as you tried to maintain control, Lachesis slithering around your neck as she spilled over to grasp at the Assassin beneath you. You parted your lips as black smoke leaked out before Lachesis wrapped herself around the Assassin's neck, the film reels covered her mouth and face before reels swallowed up the fallen criminal's entire body. You were driven by the sole purpose of knowing, of finding the truth, you didn't stop at anything as you indulged Lachesis in her work.

Kaito choked at the sight before he ran towards you, "Yukina! Yukina stop!"

He tried to get close but a film reel lashed out and struck him lightly on the chest, forcing him down. Kaito hit the ground as a gun manifested in his hand before looking at you.

"Yukina! Your body!" Kaito snapped as he raised his weapon at you.

You paid him no mind as the Assassin kept her gaze on you, only to shut her eye as she resigned herself to whatever you were doing. Her mind was unprotected, you forced Lachesis in and you were drawn towards her. You were drawn to the fractured mind of the killer which haunted the streets of Kyoto for months. You dived into the inky black pit of despair which formed on the surface of her mind, splashing into it as you went through its depths.

Grief, insanity, regret as you were pulled. You were pulled further down without anymore chance of control. Lachesis indulged herself in wrapping herself around the Assassin's mind while you fell. You fell...

And you fell as black feathers pierced you from all sid-


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....

Your name was Akemi Homura and you lost.

You lost this Timeline, you lost against Time, you lost against Kyubey and you lost against Walpurgisnacht... And now you were going to lose Madoka again. Your legs were broken, your right arm pulverized as you were bleeding from all your wounds. Just breathing hurt, just thinking hurt, everything hurt and there was no respite from it. The agony you felt in your chest was much fiercer however as you stared at Madoka standing before Kyubey.

The skies were swirling into a chaotic gray bank of clouds. You could hear the Witch's laugh amidst the rainbow flames it had blanketed Mitakihara City in. Buildings were toppled, roads were split, your school was burning and the evacuation center holding civilians had collapsed. It was a definite win for Walpurgisnacht. Even if Madoka survived this, her family were gone, her friends, schoolmates and even teachers.

Try as you might to explain to her, even as you had told her everything it was at this moment which she would act.

She wasn't as cold-hearted as you were.

Standing upon the rising highway leading out of town, Madoka stared at Walpurgisnacht as the Witch ravaged the girl's beloved town. Where familiar places were now nothing but rubble and the memories of her time here all burning with rainbow fire, she could only watch and you could feel her pain. Her small, fragile form shook as she watched, no doubt being taunted by Kyubey as it sat by her side.

Turning her gaze your way, she found you, bloodied and beaten as you struggled to cling on to life. You held on for her sake, you had to stand up so she wouldn't worry, it was all on you. You had to at least save her, spare her from the fate she was going to throw herself into. But in the face of your determination you heard that laugh. You heard the Witch's laugh just like how you heard it the first time. It was haunting, it mocked you and everything you stood for.

"Homura-chan," her voice snapped you out of your revelry before you found her kneeling beside you. Turning you over despite your bloodied stated, she allowed you to rest on her lap.

"I'm sorry. I lost... I lost again," you rasped as you held her hand. Your throat felt like it was growing clogged as you sniffed and had tears fill your eyes, "I'm sorry. I... I wasn't enough. I was just..."

"You don't have to apologize. In fact, I... I should be the one who's doing that, leaving you all alone out there to fight for me," Madoka said as she wiped your tears, "I'm sorry."

"Madoka, don't..." you told her as she held your hand and looked at you with a determined look, "I know. Even if I do beat it, you said that I'll just turn into a monster. Another Witch..."

"Please don't. I... I can't stand it. I can't stand watching you suffer again! Please!" you begged her as you held on to her blouse in desperation, as if she were the only life raft in an ocean of despair. But her warmth spread on your hand as she held it with a gentle smile. Why... Why even after everything she could be like this? How could she be so strong?

You didn't understand at all. Just how..?

"Next time... Next time will be different," Madoka said as she tried to be brave in her words. But you could see the tears welling up in her eyes, "Next time... Mami-san will be here with us, she'll be inviting us to her tea parties. I'll bring Sayaka-chan too, she'll be able to keep a handle on Kyouko-san in there. Of course, you'll be there too. You'll be the one to make it happen. You'll be our Hero. I know you can do it, because you're the only one who can... And no matter what happens, no matter what year or what timeline it may be, you'll always be my precious friend."

"What... What are you saying?" you asked her through a croaked voice, "Madoka-"

"Everyone's strength, will be with you now," Madoka replied as she raised her gaze, "You're listening, right? Incubator."

Your eyes widened as your grip on her tightened, "No, no, no! Madoka please!"

Kyubey sat up on top of a stopped car's trunk, its tail swaying lazily while looking down on Madoka with its evil beady red eyes. It was looking forward to this moment and you hated it. You hated that you couldn't stop it. You need... You need to kill it. You need to stop it!

"Then is your decision made, Kaname Madoka?" Kyubey asked as it gazed intently at your best friend, the most important girl in the world for you, the only person that truly mattered in your life.

Madoka didn't waver, she didn't second guess, there was no doubt in her voice nor hesitance. She spoke in defiance, in rejection of everything the Incubator had planned.

"I wish to send Akemi Homura back into the past, to destroy Walpurgisnacht before it could even be created with the strength of those she held dear in this Timeline! My power, Sayaka's Sword, Mami's Ribbons, and Kyouko's Spear! These will be her tools in defeating Walpurgis! Give her strength to put a stop to its creation! This is my Wish, now grant it... KYUBEY!!!"

Light.

No. No, no no, no, no!

Madoka simply gave you a sad smile.

I WON'T LEAVE. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU! DON'T THROW ME AWAY!

MADOKA!

MADOKA!

Please...

"We'll always... be with you. Until the day we can all meet again, I'll be waiting, Homura-chan."

I...

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...

It was Tanabata.

You were walking through the endless Torii gates of Inari Shrine. The Wish... It compelled you to walk. You merely found yourself putting one foot ahead of the other as your breathing grew heavy. You felt so tired, tired of fighting it, tired of winning against it, you were... Exhausted. But you couldn't lose to it. You just couldn't because if you did, lives would be lost in exchange.

You looked through your mask and saw her standing there, a girl with hazel brown hair dressed in a light blue yukata. She had an oriental umbrella over her shoulder as she too walked through the endless hall of red. The moon shined down from above, casting a beautiful pale light between the pillars and bamboo. You tensed up as pain flashed through your mind, the Wish gripping tightly on your mental faculties. It's her. It has now chosen her.

Your name... You didn't know your name. But Homura was all you could remember. You woke up with no memory of anything other than your name and a mission. It had been several months since you came to this world, to this Timeline and you knew this was long before the promised time. You could only move as your mind cracked under the strain.

You held on however as you gazed at the girl's back.

She had stopped however before turning to look your way. Cicadas were hissing at the distance as fireflies drifted off from the side of the pillars. You stood before the girl with your hatchet bared in your right hand and your mask expressionless. Your tattered white cloak swayed behind you as you met her gaze. The girl was a kind older sister to you. She was the one who brought you back from the brink. She sheltered you, fed you, trained you to survive when no one came to help.

Yukina.

A kind girl, a patient girl, an obnoxious girl.

And now...

"Hey, can you hear me?" the older girl asked you as she held her umbrella, "What are you doing out here in this time of night?"

You stared at her as you tried to answer... But you couldn't, you couldn't even think of words that would make her understand.

"Can you hear me though, or are you dozing off again?" Yukina hummed as she tilted her head slightly with an amused smile, "You were always a slow one. Sharp but really slow. It's cute, you know?"

You raised your gaze to meet hers. She was just standing there, not wondering why you were dressed like this or why you held a weapon. She simply stood there unguarded, unfazed and so vulnerable. You clenched your fists before you let go of the hatchet in your grasp. The steel implement clattered on the floor as you took off your mask.

Your dark hair spilled over as your hood fell back too. You tossed aside the welding mask you wore as you spoke, "Why... Aren't you... Running yet?"

"I do wonder. But I suppose I should get it out of the way. You're behind it, the killings that had been occurring around own was all your work, yes?" Yukina guessed with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. So you knew. Then... why?" you asked her in confusion.

"Why I haven't confronted you? Or why I haven't asked?" Yukina murmured as she lowered her umbrella and closed it, "Well, I wanted to hear your reason."

"For something like that, you let me-" you started but Yukina held up her hand.

"Those girls weren't exactly innocent so I think that's water under the bridge. There were internal investigations going on but every time they were killed, the dirty laundry gets aired... You took particularly extra measures to do that. Why?" Yukina asked as she cracked a small smile.

"I..." you faltered as she took a step closer.

"To justify to yourself that it's fine? Or was it to help us understand the situation better? Or were you just hoping to shed some light on the truth?" Yukina wondered as she continued to speak in her soft, understanding tone, "But now you're here to kill me, right? So I figured you had a reason. And if it's from you, I think I can understand."

"I..." you rasped as you took a step back.

"Tell me. Because I can't help you if you don't tell me," Yukina said as she grabbed your shoulders.

You stared into her eyes before you looked away, "You'll turn into a monster. You'll turn into a Witch. A powerful Witch. You'll become a disaster eclipsing the sleeping Witches here in Kyoto. And I have to stop it. I have to kill you to keep that from happening! Lives greater than those I killed are at stake! Those girls and many more will be involved in making you the most powerful Witch the world has ever seen! And I have to stop it! I have to! I... I'm the only one who can do it. I... But I can't."

"Why not? Don't you want to stop that disaster?" Yukina asked as she gently rubbed your head.

"I do. I do but... Why did it have to be you? Why couldn't it be anyone else? Why?! I just don't get why?!" you roared as you held your head as you fell down your knees, "What did I do to deserve this? Just... All I want is my friends to be happy. To be alive! So why... Why do I have to keep hurting like this?"

You choked back a sob as you held yourself. You were shaking, you were furious at the world and everything that was against you. Your lip bled as you bit into it, the coppery taste of your own blood filling your mouth.

"Homura," Yukina whispered as she brought you close and into an embrace, "Oh Homura..."

"I... I can't do it," You told her as you shut your eyes, "I..."

"But don't you want to accomplish it? That wish?" Yukina asked as she stroked your hair, "You're brave, strong and smart... Maybe a little socially awkward but... you're a good person. And I always believe in the good within people, no matter who they are or what their circumstances is. And you're brilliant. There's... Your methods are questionable but that desire, that will is pure. And I don't hate it."

Yukina let you go and wiped your tears. She gave you a patient smile as she nodded.

"Kaguya saw my future. Or... what's left of me. I was told the very first day I became a Magical Girl of what I'll turn out to be. But I still went with it, I kept living, I kept on fighting, I kept on loving the people around me," Yukina said as she placed a hand on your shoulder, "I thought that there'd be no stopping it. I thought I'd find a way... But there isn't an easy answer for it. So I kept living with that thought at the back of my mind but you know, I guess it's going to be pretty bad if I'm left unchecked, huh?"

Yukina stepped back and held up her umbrella. You got up too as you wiped your eyes with your sleeves. Yukina faced you again with that patient smile of hers.

"So you think killing me will release you from your anguish?" the older girl asked as she met your gaze.

"It's... An answer I've yet to try. And I will resolve to try to protect what I cherish most," You replied as you felt your voice waver. Your heartbeat increased as you simply forced the words out of your mouth, "For our sakes, for our loved ones... Die."

"Is it true? Can you manage it? What happens if it doesn't?" Yukina asked with a heavy tone.

"Then it's my sin to bear. I'm used to failure," You told her as you held your hand to your chest. You'll take everything all the hate and grief, you've done it before you could do it again. But the parting this time was just as painful, "Please."

Yukina walked up to the killer and knelt down, "I... It's fine..."

"Just like that?" you asked her with a grim tone.

"Just like that..." Yukina nodded as she met your gaze.

"What of your friends or family? Won't you even fight me for it?" You asked her as your hands trembled, "At least struggle, don't just say that it's fine!"

"Yuri... Will be better off without me. Knowing who I am, what I am, I have many enemies. And if I turn into that Witch, I might just end up hurting her," Yukina said as she chuckled to herself, "She's... She's strong. She deserves someone who'll be there for her. Not an older sister that isn't there in her greatest need."

You felt hesitance in her tone for the first time.

"You're doing the right thing. And I won't blame you for this," Yukina nodded as she looked into your eyes, "Go on. Have at it."

You parted your lips in disbelief before you grit your teeth. This girl...

"Homura, I'll be leaving things to you around here. Okay?" Yukina smiled as she let go of her umbrella.

Your hands were trembling as you drew your hatchet from the ground. Tears filled your eyes as you shut them tight. You couldn't see anymore, your world was nothing but pain. The Wish flared and you were wrapped in that same pinkish light.

"Hey. Can you hear me, my friend?"

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You were drawn out of the Assassin's mind by a rough hand which knocked you into the ground. Your mind was reeling before you saw Ayana standing over you and keeping you down. Lights. You felt Lachesis scream in defiance before your body surged with pain as you gasped for breath. You cried out before Ayana pinned you down with her foot and stabbed you through the concrete road. Your body stopped convulsing as she had an exhausted look on her face.

Lachesis' film reels dissipated as you looked at Ayana.

"Anymore and your body would have broken. Look at yourself," Ayana growled as she looked down on you. You ached, you hurt and... You looked at your hands to see more and more cracks on them crawling up your wrist and arms. Holding your face, you felt more snaking across your cheek and neck.

Ayana pulled her naginata out of your stomach and fell down her knees. She looked to the side to see a group of Kyoto girls secure the Assassin where you had pinned her. They were trying to stabilize the Assassin with a grief seed and some healing magic. You turned your head to see Kaito being tended to as well before your gaze fell on Ayana.

You tried to get up but she kept you down.

"Try not to move. Please," Ayana ordered with an uncharacteristically serious tone, "You'll crumble if you do."

"Yuri... Where's... Yuri..?" you asked her through gritted teeth.

Ayana's eyes widened before looking to the side, "I... I don't know."

"What?" you breathed.

"I don't know. When I came to, the Witch on the rooftop... I didn't have time to check, the Barrier was swallowing the building. But no one has found Yuri yet," Ayana said as she looked down on you, "We'll find her. She's got to be here somewhe-"

You grabbed her by her clothes and drew close to her face. Some magical girls tensed and drew their weapons but Ayana held her hand up.

"If anything... If anything happens to her. I won't stop until everyone who harms her is dead. If I find out that one of the factions did this, consider them dead. Because I will leave none of them alive when I'm done..." you snarled with all venom you could muster as your seeds shuddered from your worry and grief, "Can you hear me?"

Ayana's breath hitched before nodding, "Yes. I'll relay this to Kaguya and have a task force for her."

You relaxed and let go of her, "Right... Thanks."

You fell back and hit the ground. Your consciousness was fading. Fading...

Gone.

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...

You sat on a chair in the middle of the desert. Your hands were cracked, lines of grief were etched on your flesh as a testament of what happened to you. You've pushed even the unnatural resiliency of this body too far. So far that it was starting to break down.

"We don't have much time left," a voice said.

You turned to see Nacht standing by your side... Well, no, not her entirely but her projection of a girl in a white dress.

"That little thing you did with Olga? It's hastened the body's degradation. I... Don't think we'll be in here for long," Nacht said as she held her hands behind her back, "But you have your answers. You defeated the culprit. Congratulations."

You didn't really feel all that celebratory.

"How long?" you asked her as you stared down your hands, "How long do we have left?"

"Seven Days," Nacht said as she drew circles in the sand, "Seven Days until this body breaks entirely. Also, I don't think you'll be able to Hatch us anymore. You'll be just hastening things."

The false sun glowered down on you above. You stared down at your hands.

"I suppose we're not going to see past the new year," you murmured as you resigned yourself in your seat.

"How does that make you feel?" Nacht wondered as she crossed her arms, looking out into the barren wasteland before you two. She glanced at you and hummed, "What do you think of it, Yukina?'

[] Annoyed
[] Satisfied
[] Disappointed
[] Frustrated
[] Resigned
[] Accepting
[] Determined
[] Write in...