Seeing Red [PMMM x LoR]

Tell them now

"You don't need to worry about it," Yuki cuts in before Kirika can work herself up any more. "I took care of it."

The other three quickly turn to her, Kirika the most curious. "How do you mean?" she asks.

Yuki looks back, eyes cold. "I found and punished the perpetrators, as well as the one who instigated this attack."

Kirika blinks, struck silent by the sudden turnaround. Meanwhile, Oriko's brow ticks up a notch; the seer leans forward with interest.

"Say, how did you figure out who did it?"

"I asked Kyubey," Yuki returns evenly. The bunnycat climbs into her lap as if for emphasis, pushing their head under her free hand for pets.

The other women watch them for a moment, and Oriko gives a faint nod.

"I see. That makes sense."

"I wish I thought of that," Kirika mutters while knuckling her forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?"

Kazuko seems more hesitant about the whole thing. She has the least interaction and experience with Kyubey, not to mention the general situation. But she is not stupid.

"How exactly did you 'punish' them, Yuki?" Kazuko asks carefully. "You know that vigilante justice is a crime of its own, right?"

"I know, but I don't care in this instance. These people were willing to set ablaze someone's home, and not even for anything of her own fault but the actions of her dead father."

"So I killed them."

She is justifying herself. Yuki can admit that much, even over Kazuko's horrified gasp. She said similar things to Kyubey, but it is simply not the truth. And even if Kirika nods her agreement, Oriko knows; Yuki can tell from the look in her eyes. Oriko knows that the sole reason these people died was that they came after Yuki's friend. Had it been anyone else, Yuki would have washed her hands of the matter and let the local law enforcement deal with it. Unfairness and all.

It is normal to look after one's own first, no?

The lump of anguish in the back of her mind agrees.

"B-But Yuki, how could you do that?" Kazuko asks in a faint voice. Her eyes are blown wide and rest entirely on Yuki. She is the child of a safer society, not like the City. Death is a distant companion for her, violence and crime not something that happens to people she knows.

Yuki meets her gaze without flinching.

"The life I lived and the things I've seen are far more brutal than Japan. The worlds I saw weren't so nice. Seeing and administering death are both normal for me."

"Careful you don't cut yourself on that edge," Kirika quips, only to duck her head when Kazuko throws her an annoyed and mildly disappointed look.

When their host turns to Yuki again, she is clearly conflicted.

"We need to have a talk about, about this. All of this," she declared, motioning for Yuki as if that explained anything. "Because this is not okay."

Yuki is about to argue when Oriko interrupts: "If I may make a suggestion? You should take some time to cool down and consider your stances. And perhaps give it a few days of time. You may have a more productive conversation then."

Her advice is given in an even, friendly tone that keeps Kazuko from pushing. She sizes up Oriko, who smiles innocently; Yuki can tell that there is something she knows but they do not.

Rather than let them dwell on it, Oriko offers her bowl.

"May I have another serving?"

Kazuko, now back in hosting mode, nods mechanically and refills the bowl.

Any chance to revive the subject is destroyed when the doorbell rings a moment later. Kazuko is confused who it might be after the first ring, then quickly gets up when the unexpected visitor keeps ringing the bell. A minute later, a nearly crying Nagisa darts into the room and jumps into Oriko's arms.

"Miss Oriko! You're safe! I was so worried!"

Oriko holds the younger girl, looking more confounded than anything. Nagisa's face is buried in the crook of her neck, so she could not see it either way. Stroking her back, Oriko slowly starts reassuring her.

"Of course I'm alright. Did something happen?"

"Your house burned down!" Nagisa shouts back, eyes wide. "I just went there to play, but everything was fenced off and you weren't there! Kyubey told me where to go, I just had to see you to make sure you're okay!"

"Oh, Nagisa."

Oriko hugs her again, this time more fondly. Nagisa still holds back from bawling, but only barely. She then proceeds to give Kirika another tight hug, followed by Yuki.

"Oh, and you're here too, miss Yuki. I'm glad to see you well," she greets her, slowly returning to normal.

That is, until she fully realises that she entered someone's home without permission, and that Kazuko is watching the whole scene with a fond smile. Nagisa quickly leaps up and bows as deep as she can.

"Ah, I'm so sorry for barging in, miss!"

"It's fine," Kazuko reassures her kindly. "You were worried about your friends. It's normal to forget your manners and rush ahead in moments like these. And now that you're here, do you want to have dinner with us? I think I made too much, even if miss Mikuni makes a good effort to eat it all."

Nagisa impulsively hugs her, too. Kazuko is taken aback for a moment, but her gentle smile returns before long.

After that, the group catches each other up on what else happened over dinner.

Beside Kyoko living with Mami now, Nagisa tries to spend time with Yuma. They are the same age and get along fairly well, now that they agreed Kyoko and Kirika are equally cool. Yuma also went and did that favour for Sayaka, healing some boy Nagisa does not know. Kazuko has a knowing look when that comes up, though.

Yuki has little to say in return when prodded about it. She spent the days since the encounter with Kirsten in a daze, and then the fire happened. Questions about the light are deferred until later.

After a nudge from Oriko, Kirika volunteers to walk Nagisa home afterward. It is getting late and Kirika is expected to stay at her own place.

The remaining three discuss Oriko's next steps, starting with new clothes and getting her affairs in order. She gets another migraine halfway through, which prompts Kazuko to shoo her to bed. Yuki takes the couch, not at all bothered.

Much to her surprise, Kirika does not sneak in to climb into the futon during the night. She comes in through the window about five minutes after Kazuko leaves for work the following morning, though.

The three of them spend some time together, talking through Yuki's actions in more detail. Kirika approves, likely for the same reason Yuki did it. Oriko is a bit more subdued, but ultimately grateful.

"I went out with her son once, a bit over a year ago," she explains. "If I had to guess, either she wanted to make sure his crush on an 'undesirable' was well and truly gone... or she wanted to punish me for turning him down afterward."

"It doesn't matter now," Kirika says, seeming unhappy with the thought of Oriko dating anyone else.

"Of course it doesn't" Oriko agrees with a hint of sarcasm, then turns her laptop so the others can see it. "Except that her disappearance is in the news. On the same night as the fire, and merely a block apart. Are you sure you left no traces, Yuki?"

"I teleported in, turned off the cameras, teleported her out, and dissolved the body in acid. How will anyone ever guess that?"

"Good."

Oriko says no more and closes the tab. None of them cares to read the speculation about this case. She takes a deep breath, rubbing her forehead.

"I think I need to lie down for a while."

Yuki takes that as her cue to leave. Kirika stays to look after her girlfriend, so she steps out to see Kyoko. And have more cake. There is something oddly satisfying about eating Mami's cake when she is not there to stop her. And it tastes really good, too.

Despite everything, Thursday passes without any major events. Yuki sees her various acquaintances and tentative friends, then returns to have dinner with Kazuko, Oriko, and Kirika.

And then Friday dawns before long.

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Kirika asks again as they walk the streets in the afternoon. "We can go back."

Oriko offers her a fond smile and a nod. The bags under her eyes are hidden with careful application of makeup, making her look as vibrant as she always has. Her eyes almost sparkle with energy, much unlike her general state. Or perhaps her new clothes add to it; a white blouse with ruffles and black trims runs out in a flowing, light green skirt that barely covers her knees.

She looks like a wholly new person. Even if it is an act, the sight puts Yuki's heart at ease.

"Please calm down, I'm fine," Oriko assures her girlfriend for the third time in ten minutes.

Kirika knows just as well as Yuki that this is as much of a lie as it was the previous two times. But she lets herself be convinced, even if she does not look happy.

"Ah, miss Oriko! Big Sis Kirika! Miss Yuki!"

And there is Nagisa, appearing from the afternoon crowd with a bright smile on her face. Yuma follows right after, with Kyoko and Mami not far behind. The younger girls are enthusiastic in their greetings, the older ones more reserved.

"Yo," Kyoko utters with a soft wave. "Mikuni, Kure. Yuki."

Mami bows politely, which Oriko and Kirika return. Yuki needs a moment longer, then they make introductions. If nothing else, having another ladylike girl around seems to put Mami a little at ease. She seems different now, more well put-together. Or perhaps a little more relaxed than before?

"I must admit, miss Kaname's invitation surprised me a little," Mami begins as they keep walking. "She doesn't seem the type to be so forward, normally."

"Do you think so?" Nagisa asks back with a curiously tilted head. "I think she's nice, and very gentle. Wanting to make more friends, and to make my friends all get along, that's normal, isn't it?"

Yuma nods sagely. "It is, but miss Kaname is a bit shy."

"Not just a bit," Kirika adds, hands idly clasped behind her head as she walks. "She's, like, the cute and shy one in her group. The blue one, Sayaka, she's the outgoing girl that drags her around."

"Sounds like you're an expert on girls," Kyoko snarks. "People have a bit more depth than that, y'know? That girl Madoka is a nice one, but she's got some steel in there. Just got to find it first."

"Speaking of, there she is."

They just arrived at the mall, and are quickly greeted by... just Madoka and Homura. Sayaka is nowhere to be seen. The pinkette waves excitedly, while Homura remains as unreadable by her side as always.

"Hello everyone!" she greets them once they come closer. "I'm so glad you all came! And you must be miss Yuki's friends, nice to meet you. I'm Madoka Kaname."

She bows quickly with audible joy, coaxing a soft smile out of Oriko. Kirika grins as well. Both return her greeting, after which Madoka makes a startled noise.

"Oh right, you're miss Kure from Class A, aren't you? I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you for a moment."

"It's fine," Kirika assures her with a soft laugh. "Not like I'm at school much these days. Got a tongue-lashing from Ms. Saotome and all."

Madoka seems taken aback by the first part, then breaks into giggles to play over it with the rest. "Oh, that must've been bad. Ms. Saotome is so nice normally, but when you get on her bad side...."

She trails off and lets the sentence stand. Kirika nods knowingly, as does Mami. Yuma and Nagisa just look on curiously, not having had the chance to meet Kazuko's sterner side yet.

"Is this everyone, then?" Homura asks to get things moving. Madoka nods, as do some of the others.

But Yuki shakes her head.

"We're still missing one, but I only told her the arcade, so she might wait there. What about Sayaka?"

Madoka shrugs helplessly. "Hitomi, erm, one of our friends pulled her away for something. She said it might take a while, and Sayaka said to go on without her."

"Do you have another friend we're getting to meet?" Nagisa adds with big eyes and a smile, bouncing on her toes.

The group gets going while Yuki nods to her. Kyoko took to leading, with Kirika almost as eager. The two are already trash-talking at each other, bearing matching grins. Oriko and Mami watch them with fond smiles.

She soon spots Ai leaned against the wall right outside the arcade. Her most elusive friend sees the lot of them coming and gives a friendly wave, pushing off to meet them halfway.

"Heya, weird girl," she greets Yuki while bumping her fist. "Didn't think you'd have that many people along. And the colour coding's all out of whack. We've got two greens, two yellows, two blacks, and two pinks."

She giggles while indicating Yuki and Yuma, Mami and Oriko, Homura and Kirika, and lastly Madoka and herself. There are some giggles, but Yuki does not check from whom.

"Maybe you should identify people by more than their hair colour," she quips instead.

"But why make life difficult for myself? At least I'm hard to mistake," Ai chirps, then steps next to the faintly confused Madoka. "See, I'm the spunky pink, she's the cute pink. Heya, name's Ai."

She offers her hand almost as an afterthought. Madoka slowly works through her confusion, brightening up and taking it with a big smile.

While the girls make introductions one by one, Oriko stands next to Yuki for a moment.

"You certainly make unusual friends," the seer muses, watching Ai ruffle Nagisa's hair to much complaint.

"My other friends are a nihilistic seer, her ever-changing girlfriend, and Kyoko."

"Oh? No epithet for miss Sakura?"

"I wouldn't even know where to start with her. And half the things I can think of would end up as innuendo."

Oriko huffs softly. "Let's save that for when Kirika is not around to make fun of her for it. While miss Sakura is quite the mellow girl, we really don't want to upset her too much."

Yuki nods her agreement, then they are cut off by Ai bounding over. Oriko is the last person that still needs introducing.

After that, the group of ten floods into the arcade. It is fairly full on a Friday afternoon, but the girls still earn a decent bit of attention. Mami, Madoka, and Homura all wear their school uniforms while the rest are a big swirl of colours; the mix of various ages among them is notable as well, just like the tangible enthusiasm at least half the group emanates.

Kyoko and Kirika immediately claim one of the dancing games for a showdown. Mami stands watching them for a minute, but Yuma drags her over to the crane games. Ai and Nagisa quickly end up matching each other in a fighting game; again, in fact. Though only Yuki knows that part.

Her observations are cut short when Madoka approaches her, smiling. "Hey, do you want to play with me and Homura? That machine over there is for three players."

She points to some sort of shooting game. The controllers are formed like guns and zombies are drawn onto the cabinets.

Yuki tilts her head, then nods. She has no strong feelings, but she does want to try the game. And spending time with Madoka sounds nice enough, even if she does not say it.

Homura is just as easy to convince.

Soon the three of them start mowing down zombies, or rather two of them do. For all that Madoka wanted to go for this game, she can not keep up with her companions' methodical and precise work. Homura aims and shoots with experience born of handling the actual thing; Yuki calculates everything ahead of time, reloading the moment the pressure lets up.

Despite being mainly dragged around by her friends, Madoka is not upset. The opposite, rather.

"You two are so good at this!" she gushes while firing into one of the boss zombies. "It's like you've always worked together!"

The other two throw each other a look. They do act like clockwork, perfectly interlinking. When Homura reloads, Yuki covers her,, and vice versa. But this is not familiarity, it is much simpler. They take the same approach, so it is easy to anticipate the other.

Elsewhere, Kyoko cackles after defeating Kirika in an epic clash of giants; her score is literally one point higher than her opponent's. The slightly younger teen frowns at the screen as if her displeasure could change the result.

Then Oriko leans over the railing; she was among their audience. And whatever she whispers into her girlfriend's ear, it makes Kirika's expression sharpen.

"Revanche!" she crows at the redhead, who smirks back.

"You're on!"

Unfortunately for Kyoko, her opponent is actually the one who can not lose this time; even if she fails to take the victory, Kirika will get comforted by her amazing girlfriend instead.

While the two select a new song and up the difficulty, Yuma cuddles her new stuffed dog with happy noises. She holds Mami's hand as the older girl leads her back to the others, where they stop to watch Ai and Nagisa for a time.

Both of them bare their teeth at the screen, leaned forward and furiously tapping buttons in rhythmic patterns. Their avatars in the game trade blow after blow, each girl parrying and blocking what they can.

Yuma quickly starts cheering for her friend, the doggy hugged tight to her chest. And if Ai's finger stops just above the block button to let Nagisa get a combo in, only Mami is there to see.

Ai says nothing as the two elementary schoolers celebrate Nagisa's victory. She just ruffles the younger girl's hair again, making her squawk angrily and bat at her chest.

With the three zombie slayers, while they certainly make their place on the high score list, the game overwhelms them eventually. Homura is the first to go, overextending just as another wave hits them. Then the frantically shooting Madoka is swept up, and Yuki finally dies as well.

None of them quite cares. Even Homura seems more relaxed, bearing the faintest smile.

Yuki only starts grinning when she spots Kirika fake-crying into Oriko's chest after losing to Kyoko a second time. Oriko knows it is fake as well, but she still hugs her girlfriend and coos encouragements into her ear.

The girls pick some more games and switch around who works with who. Yuki finds herself playing air hockey with Mami, facing Nagisa and Homura. They get into each other's way at first, but quickly find a rhythm to the game. Mami moves with visible grace while Yuki plays methodical and fast; Nagisa actually gets in Homura's equally efficient way because she is too enthusiastic about being the one to catch the puck.

By the end, Mami fakes out their opponents and passes the puck to Yuki, who smashes it right past Nagisa's guard in a fluid motion.

That makes it their victory.

"I admit I'm starting to come around to your presence," Mami admits quietly, a faint smile in place. "You certainly aren't like any Witch I ever met. Perhaps that helps distinguish you from them. Or maybe it is because you finally uncovered your eyes."

Yuki shrugs at that.

"I prefer to get along with people," she answers. "It's much better than being at odds. It just can't be avoided sometimes."

"Unfortunately," Mami agrees. "Regardless, would you care to join Kyoko, Yuma, and I for tea on Saturday?"

"I have to talk to Junko on Saturday," Yuki declines. "Does Sunday work?"

"Of course."

They separate after that, each a little more at ease. And as the afternoon comes to a close, everyone got some games in and is content.

The girls end their outing with a visit to a nearby fast food stall. Yuki never had these Takoyaki things before, but she enjoys them a lot; minced octopus that was filled into a bready shell and covered with all sorts of decorations and spices. Mami insists on paying for everyone, especially after hearing about Oriko's situation earlier.

In fact, the seer has become a target of a number of hopeful words and reassurances that things will get better. Although she took them all with grace, she is quietly happy that near-strangers would offer them to her.

"Okay, so," Kyoko starts between swallowing the final bite of one ball and tearing into another, "we've got everyone here now. Tell us about that light stuff."

"Kyoko," Mami admonishes with a worried look toward Ai.

"Light stuff?" the pinkette picks up a moment later, glancing between Kyoko and Yuki. "You mentioned something like that, right? About endless possibilities, and something about locking up gods somewhere?"

Yuki snorts at the inaccurate summary, if more so because it shakes the other girls wide awake. Now she definitely has everyone's attention, the group gathering around her.

"To clarify, I said that Lobotomy Corporation held beings that, by their mere presence, can inspire devotion. Cults have formed in their wake, their names whispered among people who never once saw them in person."

Looking back, she even feels fondness at those beings she once shared a facility with. Some of them, at least.

And seeing their incredulity, Yuki decides to give the girls a few examples.

"The blue star that shines in the deepest abyss, granting salvation to those who are lost in despair."

All sound becomes muted, allowing a single, bright noise to fill the air. Madoka and Mami flinch, and everyone's heads turn to find the cause. Yuki knows they will not find it.

"The idol of all things uncaring in an unfair world," she continues instead. "Their very name is withheld for inspiring mortal terror."

Nothing tangible happens this time, though sound returns to normal.

"Or the promised saviour," she concludes, absently rubbing her pendants. "He who will grant salvation, heralded by the clock that strikes twelve."

The fluffy cross begins gleaming faintly golden. Yuki knows who it belongs to now, but she will not call His name. Should she do so, she knows, He will appear. Even though Ayin said He still evolves, His designs are just as dangerous as His love.

She shakes off her thoughts and focusses on what she meant to tell them: "Regardless, Lobotomy Corporation was disguised as an energy company in the world I come from. Abnormalities like myself were held because we produce Enkephalin in limitless quantities. The company became successful on infinite clean energy. It thrived in a place more brutal than you can or should imagine."

There are several skeptical looks among the group. Likely about Yuki being from another world, though she never made a secret of it.

Yuma raises her hand. "How do you get that energy stuff? Do you pee it out?"

"Yuma, gross!" Nagisa complains, then makes gagging noises while Kyoko laughs. Ai laughs, too.

After wiping her own smile away, Yuki shakes her head. "No. It constantly emanates from our bodies. Lobtomy Corporation had specialist equipment to store and liquify it. And from what I overheard, it requires human contact for Abnormalities to produce useful Enkephalin."

"Leaving aside the claim that you are from another world," Mami interjects warily, "how does this relate to the light we saw? It was like nothing I ever felt before. It was feelings, like I achieved a great understanding about myself. Kyoko told me she felt similarly."

"Me as well," Nagisa adds softly. "It's gone now, but I could smile earnestly in remembrance for that time."

"Sounds like one hell of a thing," Kirika comments. "Kinda wish I could've felt that."

Yuki nods slowly, thinking back to that light. She felt it too, even if it did not reach her the same way.

"It's what Lobotomy Corporation was made for," she says. "A seed of light, germinised with the positive qualities of a select set of people, and nourished by a ludicrous amount of energy. In a City that forgot what empathy and kindness were, this light was supposed to remind everyone of what it means to be human. You felt what just a spark of that light could do."

Yuki saw the real thing. She did not care for it at the time, as the light failed to touch her then. The same was true for the darkness, and then she was dragged along by a party everlasting.

She absently nibbles on another Takoyaki, trying to get her blurry memories in order. But those days just do not want to come into focus.

"That's what happened, huh?" Ai muses. "Honestly, that sounds a bit beyond me. What does it mean to be human to begin with?"

Yuki, having never been human, can only shrug in response.

No one else sees fit to comment. Most of the girls have no grounds to argue with what Yuki told them, having felt the power of the light. If the full strength of the seed is that much greater than she indicated, then none of them can fathom what it might be able to do. No matter how fantastical it sounds, they could all feel it in their very souls.

Of the other two who were not there, Kirika seems lost in thought. And Oriko, Yuki realises, sways softly in the wind. Her closed eyes slide open, a heavy gaze meeting Yuki's own.

"Now that this matter is concluded," she starts softly, "may I ask you all to walk with me for a bit?"

The girls seem fine with that, if perhaps a little perplexed. Food is finished and paper trays thrown away, but Yuki's eyes never leave Oriko. She sees Kirika shudder from the corner of her eye, a tangible ripple going through the dark-haired girl.

And Oriko smiles. Soft, understanding, resigned.

Yuki takes a deep breath as anxiety floods her system. Intrusive thoughts of betrayal assail her mind, barely pushed back by indignation on her friend's behalf.

Once everyone is ready, the seer leads them silently through the streets. Downtown Mitakihara is left behind as they approach the industrial district, all but abandoned with evening's fall. They climb up a slope onto the same bridge Yuki met Madoka and Homura some days ago.

The only sound between them are occasional, quiet conversations. Everyone caught onto the fact something is about to happen, but none of them have any idea what it is. Yuki does not respond to questions, and Kirika is hovering next to Oriko in case she stumbles.

Halfway over the bridge, hidden from street view by high walls, Oriko heavily leans on the railing. She looks sallow like this, her eyes fallen in. A soft breeze loosens her hair, revealing a red sheen in the gold.

"Thank you for heeding my request," she addresses the group with a weak smile, turning around to face them. "And please accept my apologies. I know not what comes next, but it won't be pleasant."

"Stop talking like that," Yuki orders, shivering with nervous energy. "Stop lying. Why do you still not say what you know?"

Oriko raises her hand by way of response. The ring wound around her finger is almost entirely comprised of emerald now. And when it transforms into its egg shape, there is only a scant trace of white left in a sea of viridian.

"It is time," she says simply, ignoring the sharp intakes of breath around her. "I can't coach anyone on this. Yuki, won't you do as I say without asking why, just this once?"

Yuki stares up at her, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. She tries to blink them away, but fails.

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Oriko leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Yuki's forehead.

"Be yourself," she says.

Standing straight once more, the seer smiles down at her friend. "Whatever happens next, I have faith in you to come through. Whatever happens to me, I know you will make it right."

Then she turns to her girlfriend, who stands still like a statue.

"Kirika?"

"I know," she says softly. "I remember."

"Very good. Then I will see you on the other side."

The final trace of white is suffused by green. Oriko's Soul Gem melts, taking the casing with it. The woman herself flickers and changes from one moment to the next.

"As always, we meet at the end, old friend," the Hermit greets Yuki. Her smile is faintly amused, her skin a deep shade of blue. Fiery red hair stands in stark contrast to it. The giant eyes sewn into her brown robe stare at everyone from dozens of bloodshot pupils. Her own eyes are hidden beneath her low-hanging hood.

Exclamations of surprise and recognition follow, but Yuki barely hears. Her attention hyper-focusses on the Hermit, whose mere presence makes her blood boil unlike anything before. She wants to let go, to rage and destroy everything. Grind her to paste, to dust, to particles so small even a single atom would be a mountain against them.

But she holds. Just barely, Yuki holds herself together, even though the Servant roars within. She wants out, wants to break the shell. Her skin itches, her bones creak as the urge to grow beyond her small body is suppressed.

Yuki takes a shuddering breath, then shakes her head.

"Give her back," she orders, only barely not snarling. "Give my friend back."

"But I am right here," the Hermit says, her smile only growing that little bit more cruel. "And I have to say, I quite like this new world you found for yourself."

She motions with her gnarled, wooden staff. It is an idle motion, but Yuki can almost feel its suddenly sharpening edge tear into her chest. Just like it happened before.

Yuki twitches. Her entire being revolts against her actions.

But when the Hermit takes a step forward, someone bars her way.

Kirika has changed. Her hair covers her face like a black veil. She tightly clasps both hands behind her back, saying not a word. Like empty canvas, devoid of colour. And yet she steps in the way, blocking Yuki from her first ever friend. From the woman she hates the most.

"Hm," the Hermit says. "Aren't you a curious one? Be a dear and step aside, so I can take a closer look at my old friend. You will do as I say, won't you?"

"You aren't her," Kirika answers tonelessly. "I don't belong to you."

She does not move a muscle otherwise. And with Yuki still frozen as she fights herself, fights the overbearing power of the Servant of Wrath, the others come alive.

"The hell do you think you're doing, huh?" Kyoko snaps as she steps up next to Yuki, fists clenched and ready to brawl. "I don't care who you are, but you're definitely not her friend!"

"I concur," Mami agrees, a hard look in her eyes as she takes position next to them. "We saw a place in flames, and you being the one responsible. There is no hiding that truth."

"I never made a secret of it," the Hermit responds simply. The large eye on her hood blinks, its pupils all focussing on Mami. "But such is my nature, and such is hers. One who denied herself attachment to fulfill her role as an impartial guardian, yet who craves companionship above all else. Of course those who approach her anyway would be those who seek to gain from being exempt of her law."

Mami flinches, caught by proxy. Yuki twitches again. Her tears have turned green and begin to hiss against the air, slowly rolling down her cheeks. But before she can take even a single step, forward or back, Yuma and Nagisa hug her tight from both sides.

"Don't listen to that mean lady!" Yuma demands. "We're all here and we love you!"

"You're our friend now, not hers!" Nagisa adds heatedly. "She doesn't deserve you!"

Miraculously, their words reach. Yuki grits her teeth so hard they crack, keeps fighting back the anger.

"Then maybe," the Hermit says, raising her staff to swing at Kirika, "you should-"

"Fuck off," Ai says, smashing the magic implement off-course with a metal pipe. "How about you take the hint and stop now?"

Homura wordlessly follows the others and takes up position behind Yuki. Her silent support is recognised, Yuki can feel her there.

Madoka, rather than confront the Hermit as well, clasps her hands in worry. An aura of faint pink light comes into being as she approaches her, pleading.

"Does it really have to be like this? You can stop this now, we can talk it out or something. Miss Yuki is a good person, she doesn't deserve this."

Her words give the Hermit pause. A thoughtful twitch of the lips is all the expression one can see as she mulls over Madoka's words. She looks at what little she sees of Yuki, stock still and still barely in charge of her faculties. The girls hugging her, supporting her, and standing up for her.

"Friends, you say," she muses, then glances to Madoka. "Perhaps you are right."

Madoka turns brightly hopeful.

And then the staff, having snuck around on its lonesome, boops her on the head from behind.

"She shouldn't have those, now should she?" the Hermit completes her statement, just as Madoka's aura coalesces against her will.

For just a moment, the approaching night is banished by a pink nova. The surprised girls are swallowed as one; nothing is left in their wake but a faintly glowing rune, and cracks in the very fabric of reality surrounding it.

When Yuki comes to, she is alone with herself.

Standing in the midst of a beautiful forest, she needs a moment to remember. And with memory, comes fire.

The trees are ablaze. Because this is her home world, the forest of her memory. And Oriko the Hermit set the fire.

Yuki can simply stare at the flames as they begin to consume everything. She feels empty, as if her heart has been torn from her body. Because that heart, blood pumping strong, towers above her.

The Servant of Wrath stands more than twice as tall as the diminutive magical girl, bare flesh an angry pink and hands transformed to mighty bone hammers. Rubies gleam malevolently where Yuki wears emeralds on her suit. Dollops of acidic spit trickle from the Servant's toothless gums, rippling with each heavy breath the beast takes.

"You're not me," Yuki says, almost begs desperately. "We're not the same! Get back inside!"

"You're not me," the Servant agrees, her voice as dark growl. "You forsook everything, even yourself, for nothing."

That she speaks strikes Yuki mute. She only shakes her head, even though she feels it true. She was a guardian of people, but she gladly throws it all away for a chance to feel that warmth of another person to hold dear. She was the Servant of Wrath, but she resists the overpowering urge to avenge wrongdoing.

"Is it so wrong to want to trust again?"

"How long until we're betrayed again?"

"...maybe you're right. Maybe I should have stayed detached. Even Oriko said to be myself, did she not?"

The servant snorts mightily, hunched forward as she looms over Yuki. "She never understood. You and I are the only ones that matter to us. Because you are me, and I am you."

"The Magical Girl of Courage, and the Servant of Wrath?"

"Yes."

Courage takes a shuddering breath. She wants to be Yuki. She wants to be her so very bad. But in the end, she is too scared to take the plunge.

In that isolated bubble, those who care for her can not reach. She is alone, and all her repressed thoughts and fears spill from the depths of her mind.

The Hermit awaits the moment Yuki snaps as she ought to.

But even though she co-opted Madoka's limitless potential to weave the prison, she can not stop you.

So you grasp for one of the other prisoners, all of them held static in the void to be helpless observers, and send her to help.

But which one?

[] Kirika, The Longing Quiet

[] Yuma, She Who Yet Lives

[] Homura, The Burning Heart

[] Ai, Midnight Of Purple

[] Kyoko, Hope In Her Heart

[] Mami, Of Unwavering Devotion

[] Nagisa, Herald Of Halcyon Days

[] Madoka, The One Reborn

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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lclt459JpVQ[/URL]

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