Magia Resurrection (PMMM Quest)

Tucked neatly inside of the box's paper filling is a note. There are three letters drawn haphazardly in blue ink.

I.O.U.

It was a prank. The question was whether Sayaka had been gracious enough to get a gift, or felt the need to make a joke at your expense. She wasn't that mean-spirited, so it had to be a prank. Surely she wasn't brash enough to do something like this on your birthday. You frown, taking the piece of paper in hand.

"Sayaka." Madoka sets her stuffed animal in the chair.

"That's in poor taste." Hitomi voices your discontent.

"Calm down, it's just a bit of a joke. Pull out the paper." Sayaka points at the present box. "Come on, you don't think I'm that heartless, do you?"

You pull the note out. The crumpled paper reveals the faint shimmer of silver. A heart-shaped pendant rests atop the coiled chain.

"It's pretty!" Madoka stares in awe.

"Oh, an I.O.U and a pretty necklace! You're a lucky girl, Momoka." Hitomi says with a smile.

"The I.O.U was a joke. It was just a joke." Sayaka waves her hands.

"It's not nice to bully your friends, Sayaka." Momo frowns.

"Right." You sigh, unclipping the pendant and tie it around your neck. "Written contracts are binding." The note goes into your pocket.

"W-wha? No, they're not." Sayaka says, looking to the others for support. "Tell her guys."

Madoka and Momo avert their eyes.

"I don't mind bearing witness to the agreement." Hitomi says. "Rules should be followed, not ignored."

"Seriously, Hitomi?" Sayaka hangs her head in defeat. "Fine, whatever. I'll do what you want. So, what is it?"

"Nothing yet." You look at Sayaka.

"Nothing yet?" Her eyes dart left and right. "What do you mean yet?"

"There's no date on the I.O.U, so I can cash it in whenever, right?" You struggle to pull a smile.

"Momoka, don't do this."

"Do what?" You huff. "I'm not even doing anything."

"You know what you're doing!" She stabs the air with a finger. "Evil! That's evil, you know that?"

"I'd argue giving a girl an I.O.U. for a birthday present is pretty mean. Wouldn't you, Sis?"

"Yeah, it was pretty rude." Madoka nods.

"I agree." Momo affirms.

"Gah. You guys aren't going to let this go, are you?"

"The I.O.U? No, I'm going to hang onto it." You grin.

"This is cruel!" Sayaka latches onto the other birthday girl's shoulder. "Madoka, your sister is being cruel!"

"You reap what you sow." Hitomi giggles.

"Just apologize, Sayaka. Everything will be okay." Madoka says, patting Sayaka on the head.

The gesture was enough to tempt a somber smile. Each passing moment feels like an eternity. Something was wrong. You should be having fun, but why weren't you? Everyone was laughing, having a good time, yet here you were -- a literal party pooper. You partake as you always have, or try to, but something was different. You felt like a stranger watching through a window rather than someone who really deserved to be here.

Why weren't you happy?

"Momoka, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." You say, smiling.

"Huh?" Madoka looks over. "Momoka?"

No, wait. That wasn't your sister, that was the other Madoka speaking to you. You had to be careful about that.

"Hey, I'm going to head to the restroom before Mama gets back with the cake." You get up, clutching Sayaka's present as you venture to the bathroom. You walk out of the room and navigate your way to the bathroom.



The room is spacious. A lot bigger than it actually needs to be, you thought. The sink splashes with cool water as you wipe your face. You look up, your sullen yellow eyes staring back from the mirror. When you woke up, you felt fine. Now, you were fighting fatigue. Was it because of your magic? That would make sense, considering how hectic the last couple of days have been.

That didn't explain how you felt downstairs, though. Being tired was one thing, but you've never tussled with this before. This empty, hollow feeling.

It felt like guilt. The fact you were there felt like you were doing something wrong. If that was the case, then what were you doing wrong?

"Tch." You hang your head. "Puberty sucks."

"Momoka?"

The voice didn't feel like it came from 'inside' your head this time. You look into the mirror. There was no one behind you. At least, in the mirror. You turn around to see--

"Oh!" You nearly trip.

She was right there.

She was floating, she was in the room. You could see her.

"M-madoka?" You whisper her name for fear of someone hearing you.

"Yes, it's me." Her beaming smile reliefs some of your burden. "Are you okay? You don't seem to be feeling too well."

"No, I'm not. I just feel weird." You crumple to the floor, hugging your knees. "It's supposed to be our birthday, and I'm kind of canning it."

"I think that's my fault."

"What? I don't think you have anything to do with that."

The older Madoka shakes her head. "No. I believe it's the nature of my existence in this world."

"In this world?"

"I shouldn't be here, after all."

"I'm starting to feel like I shouldn't be either."

"You shouldn't talk like that about yourself. You'll make your sister sad."

"You or her?"

"Both."

"Right."

Things were confusing enough as they are. You had your twin, and you had an older version of her granting you power through… some methods. Wrapping your head around it was still an impossible task. In the moment, you went with it, but the more you think about it -- the more your head starts to hurt. "So, you aren't supposed to be here?" You speak, your voice low.

"No. I've been trying to connect to you for a long time."

"A long time?" You frown. "Sorry I didn't pick up the phone."

"It's not your fault. It's just how these things work, as far as I can tell."

"Well, do you know how my Soul Gem works?" You look down at the ring. "Mami and Kyubey are completely clueless."

At the mention of Kyubey, the older Madoka frowns.

"What did you feel when you used it?"

"It felt like I was getting swept up in a current. Like I'd drown if I didn't keep swimming."

"That's only natural, I think. Your situation is unique."

You could tell just from circumstance that this isn't how magical girls are made. You've never seen an actual contract happen, but you know that wishes are involved. If the 'wish' was simply the intent in receiving the power, that was one thing. The wish was supposedly the foundation for the contract, as far as you knew. At least, that's what the jumbled memories you fought through seemed to say.

"I don't want to lie to you, Momoka." The older Madoka frowns as she turns away. Her fluttering, pink wings remain still. "That Soul Gem serves as my link into this world."

"Your link?" You blink.

You were even more confused.

"So like, what are you, exactly?"

"I don't know how to answer that." She lets out a nervous laugh. "I mean, I don't want to say this, because it's embarrassing but… you can think of me as hope?"

"So, you're hope. Okay." You nod with feigned understanding. "So, if you're hope, does that mean there's despair out there too? Are you a goddess or something?"

"N-no, but if that helps you understand things better, then I suppose it's okay?" Her face is beet red.

"So my sister is a goddess…?" You nod. "This is… definitely a birthday."

What even was today? Nothing made sense, especially right now.

"So, this Soul Gem. Uh." You try to divert the topic. "You gave it to me, right? Is there anything special about it outside of the fact I didn't get a wish?"

"Sorry about that." She bows her head in apology. "And yes, it's under my … jurisdiction."

What did that even mean? Her answer gave you even more questions. Questions you were afraid to even ask. Was she being vague for her own reasons, or did she not want to make your head explode? Knowing Madoka, it was probably the latter. If she was hope or a goddess or whatever, that is.

"Hey, uh, Madoka, I'm not dead, right?"

"Huh?"

"I'm not hallucinating right now, right?"

"N-no! I'm talking to you!"

"I just have to make sure."

You place your cheek in a violent vice grip. You pinch down as hard as you can.

"Ow!" You felt that. Yeah, you were awake. That definitely hurt. "Okay, got that confirmed."

"Don't hurt yourself like that!" She waves her arms, pleading.

"Sorry. All of this is just kind of unbelievable."

"It's okay. I understand all of this is … very hard to believe, given the circumstances."

"Yeah. So, I'm kind of like a bridge for you into this world. Is that because of the Soul Gem?"

The goddess shakes her head. "It's because of you."

"Because of me?"

"We're similar in a lot of ways, Momoka."

"Well, yeah, we're twins."

"Right." She hesitates.

"So, because of me...?"

"It's because of the choices you've made, and will make, I'm able to be here now."

"So, you can't normally just pop in whenever you want?"

"No. If I tried to force my way in…" Her voice tapers off. "I don't really want to think about it."

"Bad stuff, I imagine?"

"Yes. This was the best method I could think of." Her eyes go downcast. "I'm sorry, Momoka. For putting you through this."

"You don't have to apologize. It was my decision." You want to place a hand on her shoulder, but it would just go through her ghost-like form. "Well, I keep saying that, but I dunno… I haven't been doubting the choice, it's just a lot. A lot to take in."

She goes silent.

"... I-it's not too late."

"Not too late to what?"

"I may be able to undo our contract. I feel like I took advantage of you, Momoka." Her arms hang limply in the air.

"I'm not sure that's true."

If it wasn't for her, Sayaka would've contracted. But, was she offering to actually undo the contract? Would that return you to your daily lives? You already knew everything, but at the very least, you wouldn't have to worry about dying while going out on a witch hunt.

"I don't want to see you suffer anymore than I already have."

There was a weight to those words that you would never know. Regardless, the offer was genuine. She was willing to undo this while there was still a chance. You guessed that the longer you used the Soul Gem, that this sort of arrangement would no longer be possible. Fighting as a magical girl without a wish, but with a different goal in mind. You could work together with her to achieve it, or you could return to your normal life.

Well, it was your birthday, so the fact you got another miracle wasn't all that farfetched. Though, coming from a goddess who looked like your sister was just icing on the cake.

[_] … press on. You resolved to fight even while powerless. To keep the wish you made alive with your own power. You would fight for the sake of others until the very end.
[_] … take back your old life. Making Madoka, your family, Sayaka, and everyone else worry day in and day out wasn't what you wanted. If it meant giving up this power, you would gladly do it.

What did you know about the girl in front of you? She was reminiscent of your sister, yes, but the pain in her voice, the concern. How much of a burden did she carry? However heavy it was, it was too big for one person to carry. Whether she was a goddess or a girl, it didn't matter. You reach out toward her. You attempt to grasp her shoulders, but clutch nothing but open air. You frown, but you stand up, doing your best to embrace her.

"Momoka?"

"I can't claim to know what you've been through, or why you're even here." You whisper. "But if you're depending on me, then I can't give up."

"It's not about me. It's about you. I'm sure the other me feels the same way, so--"

"Hey, remember when we were kids? Whenever we were scared, or when we were afraid."

You reach out toward her transparent hand, clasping the air around her wrist.

"I'd take your hand like this, and we'd go together."

Whenever Madoka was alone, you would walk forward, dragging her along. You put on a brave face, hiding your tears and stifling your cries. Someone had to be strong, someone had to be the pillar. You were weak, you knew that, but you had to do it because no one else would. It was your duty not only as her sister, but as her friend, to support her. No matter what she decided to do, you would be there. If she would walk down the wrong path, you would admonish her. It was the duty you were saddled with the moment you were born.

Not once did you regret it. You had your fights, you had your disagreements, but not once did you ever hate her.

You couldn't.

How could you hate someone with a heart so gentle, and a smile so bright?

"You've always been there for me. When we were kids, now, and…" You clutch the ring in your hand. "And even in the future."

You don't want to fail her. Not just her, but your new friends, your new life.

It was too precious to simply let go.

Denying the contract meant denying your new life.

It would be hard, yes. The weight of your decision might be lost on you, and it could be a mistake, but it was your mistake to make. The memories imprinted onto you from the Soul Gem made you aware of that fact. You could die, others could die, or perhaps there were fates even worse than death. Regardless, you have made your decision. No matter what happens, you wouldn't blame Madoka, your sister, the goddess, for giving you the opportunity to take back what you only stood to lose.

"It's time I repaid you." Your face lights up with a smile. "It doesn't beat a stuffed rabbit, but you can think of it as a present from me."

She was crying.

"What?" You blink. "Oh no. I didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

The older Madoka shakes her head. "No. It's not that. It's not that at all, Momoka."

"Ah. No, it definitely is." You reach for a rag. "I'll wipe your--"

Oh, right. Ghost. You can't touch her.

She wipes her own tears and laughs.

"Hey, are you making fun of me?"

"No, not at all." She giggles. "I should've expected this."

"It's what family is for, right? If you can't depend on us, then who can you depend on?"

She nods.

"Momo?" A knock on the door. "Are you okay?"

It was your sister.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine." You scramble to compose yourself. You gently slap your cheeks to fire yourself up. You look back at the floating visage of your sister, but she was gone. In her place, her voice lingers as an echo in the air.

"Thank you."

You slide the door open. "Sorry for taking so long."

"N-no, it's fine." Madoka stammers. "Mama's back with the cake, so …"

"Oh?" You clasp Madoka's hand. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Ah, Momo! Wait!"

You run down the steps full speed ahead. Madoka flaunts behind you, struggling to keep up with your mad dash. One last leap and you're down on the ground level. Your mother looks up just as she finishes lighting the candles. Your father sets Takkun in his booster seat. Sayaka hovers over the cake as if she's about to steal a piece before it's even cut. Hitomi grabs at her wrist, shaking her head. Momo sits quietly, waiting for the festivities to properly start.

Madoka catches her breath.

"We're back." You say, scratching your cheek. "Sorry."

"Took you long enough. I get that it's your guys' birthday, but at least be a little considerate, you know?" Sayaka says, pulling her wrist free from Hitomi's grasp.

"Glad you could join us, Momo!" Your mother smiles. "We were about to start! Dear, do you have the camera?"

"Pictures? Again? Mama, come on." You groan.

"It'll be fun, Momoka." Madoka assures you with a pat on the shoulders.

"Fun? Yeah, right."

"So, when did we want to start?" Hitomi asks.

"Whenever they sit down, probably." Sayaka mumbles, resting her chin in her palm.

"Come on, Momoka." Madoka grabs your hand, leading you over to the table. She sits down, and you take your spot next to her.

A white, layered cake with pink icing circling all around it. White and red candles jut out from the top, each point making an almost perfect circle. Pink and yellow icing intertwine, creating a frosty ribbon at the circle's center.

"What flavor?" You ask.

"Momoka." Madoka narrows her eyes.

"Hey, I'm asking a question."

"You'll just have to wait and see." Mom does her best to hide her mischievous grin.

"It's vanilla. I know that look. It's vanilla, isn't it?"

"Momoka." Madoka nudges you in the side.

"Alright."

"Well, the birthday girl's are back, so…" Sayaka motions for the proceedings to continue.

"Sayaka, you can wait."

"I'm hungry, Hitomi. I didn't eat anything before I came over!"

"Poor thing." The rich girl pats the needy Sayaka on the head.

"Dear, are you good to go?" Your mother asks.

"Yes!" Your dad holds up his phone.

You and Madoka exchange a pensive look as the singing begins.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you."

Sayaka sings off-key, though it might be on purpose. Momo's voice carries a serene tune to it. Hitomi, of course, with her singing lessons, is the best in the house. Your mother and father do their best, as does Takkun.

"Happy birthday Madoka and Momo! Happy birthday to you!"

The song's end beckons you and Madoka to blow the candles out. In one huff and puff, smoke drifts into the open air.

"Happy birthday!" The room cries.

Madoka pulls you into a gentle hug. "Happy birthday, Momoka."

"Happy birthday, Madoka."

---

Your birthday had come and gone in the blink of an eye. The next week was upon you. You had plans with Mami, of course, but there were other things that needed your attention. Some big, or some small. Throughout the next week, your objective was to…

[_] … help Lexi find a more permanent solution for her housing problem.
[_] … seek out Midori and help her find the witch. It was probably still on her mind, after all.
[_] … time was a luxury you didn't have. Put most of your effort on your training. You wouldn't be of use to anyone with the limited skill you had now.