In the Name of Love and Hatred! [PMMM / LoR]

Do not tell anyone before the magical girls

While it would help, Ai is more concerned about giving them the wrong idea. If everyone except the Magical Girls know, they may just lose faith in them. It is not a great solution, but what can she do? Beyond sighing and hugging a bunnycat, that is. For something emotionless, Kyubey is surprisingly warm and cuddly.

"You wouldn't happen to know how my friends will take the reveal, would you? Or help mitigate the more crass responses."

Kyubey tilts their head back to look at Ai. "I possess extensive calculations regarding their mental states. But in this case, I will not offer any advice. Loss of combatants and combat strength of your group is beneficial toward making Madoka form a contract."

"You could try to mislead me into doing something bad?"

"The probability of such a strategy working is minimal, below a fraction of a percent. The long-term benefits of not interfering at all are far better."

Ai giggles and hugs them closer. Even pure logic can be cute, especially when delivered by a small critter like Kyubey. "I guess so."

After that, Friday evening passes calmly; Ai goes through the motions on Saturday, having since grown used to her daily schedule. Wake up, have a snack, deliver packages, breakfast. Then comes some free time she spends going over the day's plans. Homura set a strategy meeting at her place before the actual combat practice; this time Hitomi will attend as well, if just to be kept in the loop. All of this suits Ai perfectly.

Nonetheless, her gut churns with anxiety as she arrives in front of Homura's doorstep; the time traveler is faintly surprised. "You're early."

"Am I?" Ai peeks at the phone Reiji organised for her, only to realise it is a quarter hour before the meeting time. "Oops. I am. Can I come in anyway? I'm a little jittery."

"Of course."

"Great, thanks! Oh, and pardon the intrusion!" Barely remembering the customary phrase in time, Ai hops past Homura. The door closes behind her. Ai's heart beats heavily, urging her to spill right now. She wants to get it over with, yet fears deeply what the result will be. But no, not yet.

After settling down in the living room, Homura brings a cup of tea and some of Mami's cake. A demand of their blonde friend when the previous occasion only saw her equipped with store-bought stuff. Ai gobbles the baked goods up with great delight, decreasing her anxiety a little. She still squirms in her seat, smoothing out creases or playing with her hair. Homura watches all this for a time, eyes narrowing somewhat. When she speaks, it is hesitant and uncertain: "Are you... worried about next week?"

Ai blinks and tries to understand what she means. Walpurgis is only seven days away. After realising that, Ai shakes her head. "Not that. I've just got something to tell everyone and I don't know how they will take it. Or you, for that matter."

"What is it?"

"Erm, I'd rather only go over it once, if that's okay?" Ai's request is heeded and Homura drops the matter. Unfortunately, by doing so she inadvertently ends the conversation itself. Silence settles over them and with it returns the anxiety. Ai does not want that, either.

Although she has Homura to herself right now. Meaning, she can bring up another matter: "Say, what are you planning to do after Walpurgis?"

It takes a moment for the question to register. When those lilac eyes do turn her way again, they are cold. "I do not know yet. Defeating Walpurgis is my goal. To prevent Madoka from contracting."

The implications rests heavy on the room: Homura achieved neither of these things before. But speaking of it, Ai's curiousity slowly comes to the fore. "How often did you try?"

She does not like the answer: "I stopped counting some time ago. A few dozen? Maybe one or two hundred?"

The silence returns with a vengeance. What is Ai supposed to say to that? Homura just looks at her while she tries for words and comes up blank. Forlorn, surprisingly small despite her rigorous front. But that is all it is, is it not? A mask she put on to hide her pain. This requires more drastic measures. Ai firms up and meets the other woman's gaze. "Homura? I am going to come over there and give you a hug. Do not resist."

"There is no need," she says, but Ai is undeterred. Homura fidgets awkwardly until a pair of arms firmly wraps around her. Ai pulls the other girl to her chest and strokes her back. "There really isn't," she murmurs. "I can't give in. If I break down now, I will come apart at the seams."

"Give in to what?"

"To believing it will be okay. That I can rest."

Ai hugs her more tightly in lieu of an answer.

After cradling Homura for a minute or two, she squeezes her gently. "There is a future for you, you know?" The other girl stiffens, glancing up. "We will defeat Walpurgis and find that future. Together. I promised, didn't I? And you promised, too. So I won't let you come apart."

A week or two ago, Homura promised her they will be friends once this is over. Maybe they went ahead on that a little earlier than expected, but the fact remains. Ai will not allow the other girl to fade into the night. Homura realises that, too. Her lips curl up the slightest bit as all tension leaves her body. She leans fully on Ai now. "I want to believe in it so much," she murmurs. "I told myself I can take anything as long as I can protect her, in the end. But I am slowly reaching my breaking point. You saw it when we synchronised, I know. All the pain I hold onto. It will overwhelm me before long, and then I will die."

Ai stiffens. The way Homura said this last bit almost sounds like she knows. She does not dare ask right now, though. Her friend keeps going weakly: "It gets harder with every loop. Bit by bit, I feel it eat away at me. But I soldiered on and on and on. The old me was weak, so I threw her away. Shy and stupid, far too trusting. I can never be her again, but if I can just make sure Madoka is safe. That she can face tomorrow with a smile. That is all I want. So Ai... once we defeat Walpurgis and Madoka is safe, can you look after her? When I can go no more, can you protect Madoka in my stead?"

She can not see Homura's face, hidden as it is on her chest. Likewise, Homura can not see how conflicted Ai feels about this request. This is something she would have done anyway, but at the same time it sounds like Homura is looking for closure to die in peace.

"...I want so badly to say no," she whispers. The other girl stiffens and looks up. Her eyes brim with unshed tears. Ai can not meet her gaze. "Tell you to do it yourself, that you can't just die like that. Not when you can grasp happiness after so long. But I get it. It's okay, I will do it. However." She flicks Homura's forehead and holds the confused girl at arm's length. "Don't you dare die before you could enjoy your life, at least for a little bit."

Slowly, Homura's weary expression brightens. She does not smile, but her pain drains away. "Okay," she agrees. "I will try."

The two slowly settle back on their respective seats. Thinking of what was said and her memories of their synchronisation, Ai can not help but chuckle. "You know, you remind me of Roland." Her idle musings have Homura snap to attention, not that she notices. "I don't remember what he was like anymore, at least not clearly. But he held such a tight grasp on his emotions, just like you. You both keep going despite it all, moving ever forward. And he hurt just like you, deep down." Only where Roland's response to that grief was an unending rage, Homura locked her pain away and suffers in silence. They are so similar, yet oh so different. "If he is still alive, I hope you can meet him one day."

Ai knows it is an idle fantasy, but she still hopes he is alive. She hopes that everyone made it out alive that day.

"...I'd like that. As long as he is not trying to kill me again."

It takes her a moment to snap out of her own thoughts. A little longer to realise Homura just made a joke. Once she does, Ai giggles a little. "Yeah, that would be nice. I miss him and everyone a lot."

"I see." Homura leaves a long pause, clearly trying to find words. In the end, her gaze falls to the table. "More tea?"

"Yes, please."

Ai wants to ask more questions, especially if protecting Madoka was Homura's wish after all. Signs point to it. But in the end, she decides against doing so. Poking this raw wound is just not right. She holds herself back from verbalising the suspicion about Homura knowing the Witch thing, too. Now is not the time. Especially because there is a knock on the door before her host even returns.

Soon enough, Ai is surrounded by her friends. The previous vulnerability Homura let her see is gone, replaced by that aloof mask. Sayaka and Yuma are eager to make a plan, Kyoko and Mami composed. Hitomi took a backseat and remains at the side with Madoka, who is openly worried. They do not even know it is only going to get worse from here.

As the last bits of chatter fade away, Ai leans forward. Putting her hands on the table with a familiar map, she looks around the room. "Before we begin, there is something I need to tell you. It's important."

Maybe it would have been better to wait until after the plan was made, but it is too late now. All eyes are on Ai, who takes a deep breath. "Alright," Kyoko drawls, "out with it then."

"In a moment. Before I start, I need to ask something of you." She slowly points at Kyoko's hand. "Your Soul Gems. All of them. Please pass them to me." Her request creates an air of confusion around the room.

Then Yuma wordlessly places her Soul Gem in front of Ai. The Abnormality offers her a grateful smile. Kyoko follows her charge's example right after, though her brow is furrowed. The other three hesitate. Sayaka and Mami are a little more wary; the blunette holds her gem protectively. "I know I'm a zombie now, but still. I'm not sure I like anyone else holding, well, me."

Even while she speaks, Homura comes to a decision and adds her Soul Gem to the two already in front of Ai. She seeks the other magical girl's eyes, but Ai does not meet them. She knows what she asks of her friends.

"Very well," Mami reasons after a short while. "I shall trust you with this." She slowly presents her Soul Gem and puts it with the others. Sayaka follows her lead, though she grumbles lightly.

Ai smiles at everyone. "Thank you, really. I'm happy you allow me to keep them safe."

"Safe from what?" Kyoko shoots back with some humour. "Who's going to smash 'em in here? Pinkie?" She nods to Madoka, who rapidly shakes her head. Sayaka and Yuma giggle. Meanwhile, Homura's eyes widen. As she grows ever more pale, Ai wordlessly envelops the Soul Gems in not one but three layers of magical energies and shields. The gesture cuts off all laughter.

Into the silence, Ai turns to Mami. "Do you remember the promise I made with you? That we will unearth the origin of Witches together?" The blonde nods, somewhat confused. Ai sighs. "I found it. A few-"

The response immediately cuts her off. Several surprised and curious shouts, excited and expectant. Homura is silent. As is Hitomi, though the human girl's mind races as she tries to piece the puzzle together. Ai makes a cutting motion with her hand to silence the room again. "A few days ago, actually. I just needed a while to figure out when and how to bring it up."

"What are you waiting for, then?" Sayaka quips. "And what's it to do with our Soul Gems?"

Ai can see the gears turning in Mami's and Kyoko's heads. Yuma frowns as well. Trying to head them off a little longer, she engages her fellow blunette's comment: "I will get to that. I needed these for a demonstration either way."

So saying, a spell raises Homura's gem out of the protections. It is somewhat murky after their moment earlier; chances are Homura did not cleanse it since the last time they synchronised. Ai wordlessly puts her finger on the crystal; just like she expected, it expels a small cloud of inky black. While the gem sinks back into safety, her finger rises a little higher. The darkness clings to it. "First of all, I can now say for certain that Witches are Abnormalities. Some sort of subtype, but definitely the same kind of being." So saying, Ai inhales the foggy substance. It permeate her being, tasting of hopes and dreams. It smells of the entire spectrum of human emotions, feels like every texture imaginable.

Silence reigns. All eyes are on her, some confused and some surprised. Ai smiles mirthlessly. "This is Cogito. The same substance Abnormalities use to make Enkephalin. Witches make Enkephalin, too. That is why they absorb the Cogito from your Soul Gems." That is also why she created so much Enkephalin without realising. Her interactions with Witches and their powers gave her access to some of their Cogito.

"Is that why synchronising with you keeps clearing our gems?" Kyoko inquires curiously. Ai nods and the redhead's brow scrunches again. "Okay. But why do we produce that stuff in our Soul Gems?"

To this, Ai can only shrug. "I don't know. Not even Kyubey does. From what I was told, it comes along when you use magic as a byproduct. I need to ask Angela how exactly it works, she will probably know. Or maybe Binah. No matter." She puts that line of thought aside and absently taps the other four gems, too. Streamers of Cogito follow, resting in her palm.

Now for the worst bit.

"Cogito must be kept away from regular humans. If you use it on a person in the right way, you create an Abnormality. And if it completely fills a Soul Gem, that makes a Witch."

It may be mere conjecture, but Ai doubts there is another source of Abnormalities. She waits for the news to register, but only silence answers. Homura already knew, she knows that for certain now. Madoka is as pale as the time traveler. Kyoko scowls up a storm while Mami and Sayaka are at a loss for words. Yuma simply nods, almost unconcerned.

Then a soft "Hah" breaks the spell. Kyoko chuckles darkly and leans back. "Guess my old man was right after all. Ahhh, that sucks really bad." She huffs again and shakes her head; Yuma grabs her hand, which is squeezed absently.

"That's it?" Sayaka asks a moment later, baffled. "All you've got to say is 'that sucks'?! We're turning into Witches and you just laugh it off like it's nothing?" Her voice grows louder with every sentence, but Kyoko is not impressed. The redhead merely raises her shoulders in a lazy shrug. Sayaka grinds her teeth and slams the table. "What do we do? Is there any way to undo this?"

Ai has no answer to that question.

Meanwhile, Mami's frozen expression smoothes out. "I find that hard to believe," she begins slowly. "Do not take this the wrong way, Ai. I do not think you a liar. But if the answer were this close, we should have noticed the signs. Kyubey would have...." She trails off on the bunnycat's name. Ai winces.

"I was thinking similarly," Hitomi cuts into the silence. "If Kyubey was aware of this, why does he not take countermeasures? Unless of course, this is the intended result."

"You are correct in parts." And there they are. Several heads turn to them as they strut out from behind Ai's back. "While the original intention was not to create Witches, their existence is a boon to our own plans. Witches create a great deal more energy than Magical Girls, after all."

On the final word, Yuma grabs the bunnycat and wrings their neck. She throws the corpse behind her own couch. "So what?" she adds over the dumbfounded looks aimed at her. "I don't mind. Elsa and Izabel are nice Witches, so if I become one too, I can still be friends with everyone."

"Witches don't remember who they were before," Ai interjects somberly. "Elsa Maria used to be Hana Kurosawa." Hitomi flinches in the corner of her eye. "I saw her turn, that's how I found out. She didn't recognise her own body right after."

"Oh." Yuma pauses to mull this over, then shrugs. "Whatever. We'll still be friends, right? That's enough for me."

While Ai and Kyoko smile over her simple view on the matter, Sayaka growls. "It's not that easy," she seethes, barely controlled so as to not snap at Yuma. "We're about to turn into soul-eating monsters! There's nothing good about this, at all!" Ai wordlessly runs her hand over the other blunette's gem, clearing it again.

"And you're taking this way too hard," Kyoko quips back. Contrary to her words, her fingers are subtly shaking. "I know it's bad, but we're not about to turn in five seconds or anything. Heck, Ai just showed us she can constantly cleanse our gems. We could retire as long as she's around." She leaves a short pause and huffs. "Heh, retirement. Never thought that would be on the table."

"Yet the risk will always remain," Mami answers with forced calm. "Especially if Ai were to vanish, or be taken away." She seems far more composed to Ai, more so than even Kyoko. Then her gaze slides to the five gems. "You expected one of us to try destroying them?"

Ai nods slowly. "I didn't know who, or if anyone would, really. But I didn't want to risk it."

"I see. May I have mine back, then? I would like to step out and clear my head."

"Sure." Ai is already beginning to distribute them when she realises that Homura twitched. Her gaze almost burns into Mami's side, but the blonde does not acknowledge it. Sayaka holds her Soul Gem as carefully as one would a bomb. Kyoko holds hers up to her eyes, studying its depths.

Mami rises slowly, ring on her finger once more. She begins to wander away. "I will be on the roof."

Silence answers until the door closes behind her. Then Yuma leans over Kyoko to prod Sayaka. "If you dislike it so much, I can smash your gem for you?"

"What? No! Wait."

Sayaka stares down at her Soul Gem again, then at Yuma's cheshire grin. The younger girl giggles up at her. "See, you don't wanna die yet. So stop worrying about it so much. But will miss Mami be okay?" she then asks Homura, whose mask is in place again. That in itself may as well be an admission.

Ai looks around. Madoka is still mute with shock. Hitomi and Yuma are alright. Kyoko probably needs some time to work through it all. Sayaka will need some more working over. Meaning, she and Mami are the problematic cases. But which one should Ai cover?

---

Magical Girl traits identified!

Magical Girl

Access to (type) magic. Connection to humanity's collective conciousness.

Wellspring

Constantly draws Cogito from her connection to the collective human conciousness.

---

[] Go after Mami, leave Sayaka to the others

[] Help talk to Sayaka, send someone else after Mami
-[] Hitomi
-[] Kyoko
-[] Homura
-[] Yuma
-[] Madoka
-[] Kyubey
-[] Sayaka Bad Idea

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