Magia Resurrection (PMMM Quest)

You look down to the soul gem cradled in your hands. Midori, the stubborn girl who gets her hand caught in a crane game. She pushed and pulled, to no avail. No matter how hard she tried, her hand never came loose. From the minute you saw Midori, she reminded you of yourself. Foolhardy, never knowing when to give-up, and stubbornly sticking to her own poor choices.

She was a girl who ran off, your growing concern prompting you to follow. Your choice to run after her pulled you into the world of magical girls, miracles and witches. It was that moment that determined your future. You met Momo, Mami, and Kyouko. You met another Madoka, fought a witch, and saved an immortal girl. Despite the harsh revelations, you wouldn't replace a single moment you've experienced over the past week.

It wasn't simply lost time, but you would've never existed in their lives. Nothing would remain. You clutch your chest as your heart aches. Was this how Madoka felt when she made her wish? This sacrifice was nothing compared to hers.

But, that didn't mean you couldn't feel sad that you were losing your friends. Even if you met them again, the bond would be different. How you met, how they saw you, what they knew of you would change. Mami would probably be suspicious, but you didn't see Momo changing very much, or Kyouko for that matter.

You had an idea of where Lexi lived and, if you truly wanted, you could go out of your way to see Midori in her hometown. You would certainly come off as weird, strange, but nothing a little white lie couldn't fix.

The idea is enough to make you laugh. Maybe you could make it a trip with Madoka, Sayaka and Hitomi? They would be just as weirded out, honestly.

"How do you know this person?" They would say.

"You had friends?" Sayaka would comment.

The thought brings a smile to your face.

Time begins to march forward.

"Kaname?" Chiyo says, expectantly.

You sigh. She was begging you to end it, so she wouldn't need to fight anymore. You wipe away your tears. You meet her expectant gaze with a wide smile.

"Sorry, Chiyo." You say. "I can't do it after all."

Chiyo chuckles in self-derision. Was she let down, or did she expect it? Regardless, her hand falls flat against the rubble.

"Ah, well… guess we're fucked then."

"You know, I said this to Midori once." You sit down, taking Chiyo's hand in yours once more. "It doesn't always have to be life or death."

"What?"

"Are you ready, Sis?" You look up.

"Huh?" Chiyo blinks, tilting her head up. "Who are you talking to-- what?"

"I won't let your wish end in despair."

Madoka's hands extend from the white expanse. The grief seed at the base of Chiyo's neck begins to crack. White seams trace along the black surface. From the white cracks spills forth black smog. Every regret and every curse born from within the grief seed spills forth into the open air.

"W-what?" Chiyo mutters.

She stares at the coalescing darkness overhead. Words fail her. A miracle had occurred. She knew she wouldn't return to being a magical girl. No, this wasn't that convenient. It was an alternative she never would've considered -- never could have considered.

"You don't have to curse anyone anymore."

On Madoka's proclamation, the dispelled curses swell and then coalesce, absorbing into Madoka's flowing form. Upon contact, the manifested despair disperses into stardust. The ephemeral fragments fall like a gentle snow.

"Who are you?" Chiyo's eyes, wet with tears, lock with yours.

"I'm nobody." You clutch your hands, forcing a smile. "But, I was a friend of Midori Chiba. And, I guess you too, Chiyo."

"So, this is it, huh?" Chiyo's body slowly began to fade. It was slow. Deliberate. No pain. No suffering. "This is good-bye, isn't it?"

"CHIYO!"

In the white world, she stands there, just behind you.

Midori.

How?

You look down at the soul gem in your hands. The darkness that spread within it had completely vanished. Was this Madoka's doing?

"Chiba?" Chiyo laughs. "Man, your timing sucks."

"Shut up!" Midori shakes her head, correcting herself.

"I mean, I want… I wanted to say thank you! Thank you for everything!"

"Yeah. No problem, Chiba." Chiyo's form dissipates.

"Just don't make the same mistakes I did, and you'll be fine."

"You're asking a lot." Midori laughs, shaking her head. "I'll try not to. And wherever you're going, don't be a bother. Okay?"

"Not making any promises."

Chiyo looks down one last time, a coy grin pulling at her lips. "Take care, Chiba, Kaname. See you again soon."

Madoka's form vanishes alongside the magical girl turned witch. Her curses no longer existed, because she never turned into a witch.

You sit up from the debris and start walking toward Midori. "Sorry, Midori. I couldn't keep my promise. I ended up stepping in after all."

"Momoka?" She blinks. "What's going on?"

"Here." You slap the soul gem down into her hands. "You lost it again."

"A-again?!"

"I can't keep doing this. I'm not always going to be around."

"What do you mean you won't be around?"

You raise your hand and look at Midori. You could see her through the back of your palm. Transparent.

"This."

Midori's eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly rushes forward to grasp your hand. Her fingers move through you like open air.

"No." Midori shakes her head. "Where are you going? You can't be…"

"Things are happier this way. Say hi to your friends for me, okay?"

"My friends? But they're--"

"I don't know about that." You smile as wide as you can. "You're a magical girl, right? So you should know miracles can happen."

"You're making fun of me again, aren't you?"

"No." You hug Midori with your translucent form. "Not this time. I know we fought a bit, and things didn't turn out for the best, but I hope the next time we meet… things go a little smoother."

"We'll meet again!"

"I hope so."

"No! We will meet again! Even if I don't remember you, I'll come running! I promise!"

"Momo."

Madoka appears in the air overhead.

Your body begins to float. It was unprompted, causing your arms and legs to flail for balance. It was time to go. "Sorry, Midori. Looks like I have to go."

"Thank you, Momoka and …" Midori stares at your sister. "Madoka!? Wait… what's going on here? When did she get here?"

"Long story, Midori." Madoka says. "You'll understand someday."

"Can't I understand now--?" Midori catches herself before sighing. "Right, I won't remember."

She frowns. "I won't say bye, Momoka. I'll just say 'see you later', okay?"

"Yeah. See you later, Midori." You offer a wave as Midori's form shrinks into the white void below.

The white void fades, giving form to the crumbling witch barrier. As you ascend higher, the world around you loses form. It cracks and snaps before completely breaking apart. Then, all at once, a flash of light.

An encompassing, blinding light.

Where were you?

What were you?

How were you?

The questions assault your mind.

What happened?

"Momo."

Madoka's voice.

"Momo!"

She was talking to you.

"Did it work?" You say, eyes slammed shut. "Are we back?"

"Back…?" Madoka mumbles.

"Back? What are you talking about, Momo?" Sayaka's voice.

You open your eyes.

A red, sprawling sky unfurls in front of you. Glass buildings reflect the sun's evening light. Conversation hangs in the air as people walk past. You were back in Mitakihara. A city street just a few blocks away from the mall. This was the same route you took that day when you went to the mall. The day you met Midori.

"Hey, Sayaka." You say.

"Yeah?"

"We went to the mall a few days ago, right?"

"Last week, yeah."

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Of course?" Sayaka tilts her head. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Can you just tell me?"

"Well, we hung out at the arcade, went shopping for some music and went home." She shrugs, her bag hanging off her shoulder. "Did you hit your head or something?"

"No." You shake your head. "No, just wanted to make sure, you know?"

"Momo? Ah. You're crying." Madoka places a hand on your shoulder. "Are you okay?"

You sniffle and wipe your tears.

It was almost like a return to your idyllic days. A second chance at a quiet life. Well, not truly, since you knew of the world of magical girls, wishes and witches. It was creeping just out of sight, just out of earshot. It wasn't whether or not it would happen, it was simply a question of when.

It was best to enjoy what time you had left. Whether it was a day, a week, or a month. What time you had with your sister and your friends was precious. Even if you didn't choose to spend it all with them, you wouldn't take them for granted.

Your hand wraps around Madoka's and you tap Sayaka on the shoulder. "Come on!"

"M-momo! What's gotten into you?" Madoka trails behind you, her legs scrambling to keep up.

"Hey! Don't rush! You'll hurt yourself, hey!" Sayaka dashes after you.

You laugh.

You'll laugh to hide the tears and drown out the sorrow.

Not only for yourself, but for others.

At least until the day you can see her again.


The relaxing days have returned, but for how long, you don't know. As a magical girl, it was your destiny to fight witches but, at the same time, you could save them. As the days come and go and as the season changes from fall to winter, what was your goal? What did you want to do?

[_] Prioritize training and saving witches like you had done with Chiyo. The world may change, but it would change for the better.
[_] Focus on reforging the bonds you had lost with the sacrifice. But, the question of that was where to start:
---[_] Midori
---[_] Mami/Kyouko/Momo
---[_] Lexi
---[_] Mabayu
[_] Focus on living your life the way it is. Don't rock the boat. Simply ride things out.