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Magia Resurrection (PMMM Quest)

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Episode 2 - 4
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    • Questions flood into your mind one by one. Even after only being a magical girl for a little less than a day, you had run into what could be factored as an 'anomaly'. Aside from your own situation, of course. The important part was how to go about asking the questions that piqued your curiosity.

    "How, exactly, did you end up inside of that witch?" You ask.

    "The same way witches claim all of their other victims." She says with a heavy sigh.

    You legitimately didn't know how witches caught their targets. In your case, you haphazardly wandered into the barrier; you had assumed that was the usual method. That apparently wasn't the case. There were probably episodes of people wandering in, but it was safe to assume that it wasn't the norm. If witches are creatures of despair, then it would make sense they would seek it out. Given the witch's methods, what did consuming despair entail? What did it look like?

    "So the witch caught you?" You ask, tilting your head.

    "Yeah. I wasn't feeling great, so I got caught up in my own head." She frowns, recalling the memory. "Heard whispers of 'dying a glorious death' and what other rubbish the witch felt like filling my head with."

    Lexi's eyes drift between the windows, to Madoka, then back to you. Her gaze was unfocused and distant, as if she were still trapped in a hazy dream. She hugs her legs close to her chest, resting her chin between her knees.

    "Felt like I was a prisoner in my own body." She says. "No matter what I did, it was hopeless."

    "That's awful." Madoka frowns. "The witch possessed you, Lexi?"

    "That's a good way of putting it." She clenches her hand. "I couldn't do anything but watch."

    "So, the witch possessed you, and you ended up inside of the barrier." You redirect the conversation. "Is that when the witch attacked you?"

    "Attack? No, it … devoured me."

    You stay silent. Madoka didn't know anything about the circumstances surrounding Alexus. As far as she knew, she was a girl that was saved during the witch attack.

    "I was definitely eaten, and I definitely died."

    "You died?" Madoka asks. "But…?"

    "I did. It's not the first, and it won't be the last." Lexi's body shivers.

    Madoka opens her mouth to speak, but the words don't come. She looks to you for support. You were at a loss, but your sister wanted you to take point.

    "So, wait a second, if you die, you come back?"

    Lexi slowly nods.

    Then, another question came to mind. One that you were afraid to ask. Was Lexi taken in by the witch barrier the same day Mami had come across it? There was a small glimmer of hope that was the case, but asking the question meant opening that box. It meant confirming a new fear. Your guilty conscience compels the question.

    "Do you remember when the witch attacked you?"

    "... What's today's date?" Lexi asks, sweat dripping from her brow.

    "I-it's the 30th of September." Madoka holds her phone out toward Lexi, showing the screen.

    "I lost a month." She hangs her head. "Well, that figures."

    "That figures? That's all you have to say? You were in there for a month!" You stand up from the bed.

    "I already told you. It wasn't the first time, it won't be the last." Lexi shakes her head. "It's not a big deal."

    "Not a big deal?" You bite your lip. "You died, came back, and died again how many times?"

    "I stopped counting a long time ago." Lexi shrugs. "Why are you getting so worked up?"

    "You know what? I don't know." Your shoulders droop as you collapse onto the bed. "I don't know. Just, the idea of dying once is…"

    "Scary." Madoka places a hand on your shoulder. "It's not something you should talk about lightly, Lexi."

    "I'm not." She grumbles. "It's just how things are for me. It's why I keep saying not to worry about me. It's not just me trying to make you feel better or whatever, I genuinely mean it."

    She couldn't die. You saw her beaten body and her spilt blood. But, what was the reason? A contract was made, there was no other explanation. The result of the wish had granted her the ability to cheat death. It wasn't her wish, since she wasn't a magical girl, so it was someone close to her.

    "Someone made a wish for you, didn't they?" You meet Lexi's eyes.

    "Yeah." Lexi laughs. "They did. A poorly worded one at that."

    "Poorly worded?" Madoka asks. "What did they wish for?"

    "Well, a simple 'heal me' would have sufficed, but…" Her words drag on. "I don't want to get into it, but the words 'not allowed to die' and 'forever' were a part of the wish."

    "Forever?" You repeat the words, trying to make sense of what you just heard. "Wait, that means that…"

    "Bingo." Lexi grins. "It's a combo deal. I can't die, and I won't change."

    "Wait, so when you mentioned drinking alcohol..." You mumble. It was starting to make sense.

    "Yep." Lexi's head hits the pillow.

    "W-wait." Madoka parses the conversation. "How old are you, Lexi?"

    "I dunno." She shrugs. "Oh, actually, are you thinking about becoming a magical girl, uh… Madoka?"

    "I-I was."

    "If you do, don't waste your wish on me."

    "W-what?" Madoka blinks.

    "You guys are grilling me and getting all bent out of shape for a complete stranger." Lexi narrows her eyes. "You're kind of easy to read. It's my lot in life, not yours. If you're going to make a wish, make it count. Don't make it more of a zero-sum game than it already is."

    "Zero-sum game?" You quirk a brow.

    "Hope and despair always balance out." Lexi huffs. "Though, sometimes, you aren't so lucky and end up paying for someone else's wish. It's not fair, but it's the way things are."

    "Yeah, Madoka, you're right, she does sound like Mama." You glance your sister.

    "Come on." Lexi leans forward. "I'm just trying to share my experiences here."

    "Lexi." Madoka interjects. "Where are you staying right now? Do you have any family members looking after you?"

    "No. I'm practically home--" Lexi pauses. "No. Stop that."

    "Stop what?"

    "Stop probing me."

    "Oh, I'm sorry." Madoka averts her gaze.

    "... Dammit. Okay, I'm not 'homeless', per se. I'm crashing in the industrial district."

    "The industrial district?" You emphasize the words with a sigh. "It's full of nothing but factories and abandoned warehouses."

    "Yep. With a little elbow grease, a ware house can feel a little like home."

    Over the course of the conversation, your curiosity had changed to sympathy, then from sympathy to pity.

    Was there anything you could honestly do for her? She said not to be concerned, but knowing that this girl will likely wander into another witch barrier didn't sit well with you. Losing a month of time wasn't a big deal for her, but what if next time it was longer? Two months? Six? A year? The thought was sad, regardless if she cared or not.

    If there was something you could do, it was ...

    [_] … she said not to worry about her, so just leave her be, as annoying as that might be. Just continue focusing on your own goals and your own life.
    [_] … ask Sayaka if she could keep her for a while, considering her parents are out so often. It might not go through, but it's better than not trying anything.
    [_] … help her find a job anywhere that would be willing to hire her. This might be difficult, but it could be doable?
    [_] … ask Mami if she would be willing to look after her. Momo and her might get along, so it's worth asking.
    [_] Write-in
     
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    • Episode 2 - 5
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    • Contributing a solution to Lexi's issues seemed to be nearly impossible. You lacked a job, resources, or even a place to call your own. Considering your age, that's no real fault of your own. You were still a kid, depending on your mother and father to get from day to day. It was hard for you to even conceive Lexi's struggles from one day to the next. Mami, in all of her grace and maturity, felt like something else entirely. It was like the gap between the two of you was much larger than a year or two. If there was anyone who could help Lexi, it would have to be her.

    "We could probably ask Mami if she can keep you for a bit, but then again…" You click your tongue.

    Asking Mami would be more than just simply imposing. You knew her for less than a week. But, given the unique scenario you've found yourself in, it wasn't that much of a stretch to ask for help. The motive wasn't entirely selfless. It was for Lexi just as much as it was to soothe your own guilty conscience.

    It was another difference between you and your sister. Madoka's selfless nature contrasted with your selective kindness. At least, that's the nicest way you could figure to put it. You didn't want to consider yourself selfish, just pragmatic. It didn't make sense to drop everything to help someone. But, you were willing to risk your life for people that you hardly knew. Why?

    You look at the ring on your finger, a sign of the contract to an unknown entity. The sheen of the gem was a reminder of your act of determination, of your sacrifice. The apathetic girl in front of you is a reminder of your success, that your choice wasn't for nothing.

    Maybe that was why you wanted to help her?

    It was a question with no real answer. Were you a bad person for doing what you did? No, probably not. Regardless of the motive, a life was saved.

    I want to be a hero.

    That's what the memory of the cleaver imparted to you. The voice was distorted, but you could definitely make out who that was. That was Midori, wasn't it?

    "Dinner is ready!" Momo pops her head into the room. "Oh. Are you guys busy?"

    "Nope." Lexi sits up from the bed. "I'm coming. What about you guys?"

    "Y-yes, we're coming!" Madoka grabs your hand. "Come on, Momoka."

    "Right." You nod. "I'm hungry."

    You leave the room with your thoughts drifting back toward Midori. Where did she go, and what was she doing? She could look after herself, but given her behavior in the witch barrier, it was hard to say. The only thing you could hope for was that she was alright.


    How long had it been since Midori had roamed these halls? It had to be well over a year, maybe two, at this point. The serenity that the church had once held was replaced by suffocating nostalgia. A desire to return to the past, to savor that which she had taken for granted. Back then when her faith had never wavered. Back when days were simpler, and she didn't bear the responsibility of another world on her shoulders. It wasn't something she bore alone, but it was a ceaseless struggle all the same.

    People singing boisterous hymns, listening to each sermon with a renewed fervor. Midori looked forward to going to church each and every day. It was less to do with the preaching, and more to do with the only girl she had ever called a friend.

    "Oh!" The young girl said. "Hi, welcome!"

    "H-hi." Midori stuttered. "It's nice to see you again…"

    Midori was older, but there was something about the girl that drew her in. Her beaming smile? Her kindness? Whatever it was, it soothed her aching heart. It got her through each week. It gave her something to look forward to.

    Meeting her again was not something she intended to happen so soon.

    When she saw Momo at the arcade, it fractured her heart.

    When Kyubey got her involved in the witch hunt, she barely kept her composure. If it hadn't been for Madoka, she may have pleaded for her to run away.

    It was a world that Momo didn't need to be a part of. Of course, that was an impossible wish. Her sister and caretaker were magical girls. It was a cruel twist of fate. Momo was forbidden to contract, yet those she cared for would eventually vanish like dust in the wind. No traces left but their memories.

    It was the same for her.

    Midori pulled out a locket, flipping it open. She looks at the shattered remains of the red stone inside.

    "I just wanted to leave it all behind, you know?" Chiyo said, leaning back onto the wall. "Cut it all away. It's the past, so I don't need it, right?"

    Her mentor was always carefree. Nothing bothered her. She had no fears, no worries; she looked ahead and never doubted herself. It was a result of a wish to cut away the past, to sever the ties that made you who you are. It was as pragmatic as it was irresponsible.

    "Come on, I told you what I wished for. Spill the beans!"

    She was never one to take no for an answer. Constantly pressing, never stopping for a moment even if it meant hitting a wall. In the face of such overwhelming power, Midori had no chance but to compromise.

    "I want to be a hero."

    It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth. To this day, Chiyo never did figure out what Midori's true wish was. It was too embarrassing to share, and too shameful to remember. The regret hung over her like a curse each and every day.

    Midori closed the locket with a snap. She looked up to the parting clouds in the sky.

    "I'm sorry I never told you, Chiyo." She frowned. "But, I think I'm beginning to understand the wish you made."

    "Who're you talking to?"

    "Aaah!" Midori squeals, scrambling to her feet.

    "Hey, it's just me." Kyouko tilts her head. "What're you doing here?"

    "R-reminiscing, Miss Kyouko."

    "Come on, it's just Kyouko. Just had this conversation with Mami."

    "Right, sorry." Midori scratches her head.

    "You don't gotta apologize." Kyouko takes a seat on the grass. She drops a crumpled paper bag at her side. "How's your hunt going?"

    "I found the witch. Or, well, Mami found the witch. Kyubey told me about it."

    "Yeah, I heard that from Mami." Kyouko grabs an apple from the bag and bites down. "Sounds like things went to shit pretty quick."

    "Mami is incredible." Midori laughs. "She's strong, really strong. Her skill is something else."

    "She's strong, yeah, but she can get a little full of herself." Kyouko shrugs, brandishing another apple. "Want one?"

    "Oh, sure." Midori takes the apple. "Thanks. I haven't eaten much today."

    "No problem." Kyouko says. "So, when are you going to tell Momo who you are? Or ya just goinna keep this a secret?"

    "I don't want to hurt her." Midori frowns.

    "Looks like the only person you're hurting is yourself."

    "What do you mean?"

    "Do you think Momo's gonna tell you to take a hike? That's not the kind of girl she is." Kyouko takes another bite. "If you're gonna tell her, you should do it sooner rather than later. We don't know how much time we have, so everyday might as well be a miracle. Especially since you got that death wish of yours."

    "What are you talking about?"

    "I'm not stupid, Midori. There's no way you can cut that witch down by yourself. Heard it from Kyubey, heard it from Mami."

    Midori remains silent.

    "That thing has killed at least a dozen or so magical girls." Kyouko grins, baring her fangs. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind taking the thing on myself."

    "Why do you care?"

    "Well, the short answer is I don't want to see one of Momo's friends run off and get killed for no reason." She scratches the back of her head. "Long answer? I guess it's because I don't like leaving debts unpaid." Kyouko shrugs. "If it weren't for you, I'm not sure Momo would still be here."

    "I didn't really do anything." Midori hugs her legs.

    "Well, if I didn't take what you said to heart, then maybe." Kyouko looks up toward the church. "Plus, you were a part of the congregation, so … didn't have much of a reason to doubt you."

    "My parents were, I think I just came to see Momo."

    "Were you a magical girl at the time that uh…" Kyouko averts her eyes.

    "I was. I think we contracted at around the same time."

    "That might be why you weren't…" Kyouko mumbles.

    "I wasn't what?"

    "Nothing." She shakes her head. "It's not that important."

    Midori chomps into her apple. "If you say so."

    "Mami and I are going to hunt that witch."

    "... Can I join you?"

    "I mean, as long as you promise not to try and get killed, then I don't see a problem. Just let us keep the Grief Seed."

    "That's fine."

    "Wha?" Kyouko furrows her brow. "I expected you to refuse."

    "Then you don't know me very well."

    "Guess not." Kyouko scoffs. "Do you have a stockpile or what?"

    "I used one of my Grief Seeds after the fight and handed it to Mami afterward. I have one more left."

    "A stockpile just for that witch?"

    "Yeah, but things didn't end up going how I planned."

    "Good." Kyouko bites into a second apple. "But hey, if you're just lookin' for an ass-beating, you don't gotta find a witch. Just ask me; I'd be glad to knock some sense into ya."

    October 2nd, 20XX

    You had asked Mami to keep Lexi for a while. Everyone was in a good mood, so it seemed like the perfect time to ask. The response wasn't exactly what you expected. Mami essentially said that she could stay for a few days. She had enough money to take care of Momo, but nothing more than that. Lexi kept quiet during a majority of the discussion. As it stands, Lexi was squatting for, at most, a week at Mami's place. It was better than being out on the street, at the very least.

    But now it begged the question of what a more long term solution would be. Lexi kept offering to just leave, but everyone refused that as an option.

    After spending the night at Mami's, you and Madoka headed home the next morning. You were going to formally start your magical girl training with Mami after the weekend was over. You were a bit excited but, at the same time, you were advised not to use magic until then. You heed your new teacher's advice and refrain from doing any magic. Your Saturday was spent relaxing and in recovery.

    Then, come Sunday, it was your birthday.

    There wasn't a large party planned like before. It was more of a small gathering at your house. Sayaka, Hitomi, and Momo showed up. Apparently Mami was too busy at home to make her way over. If you had to guess, it probably had something to do with helping Lexi get settled.

    "Happy Birthday, Madoka!" Sayaka says, smacking a box down onto the kitchen table.

    "Oh, Sayaka!" Madoka blushes. "You didn't have to get us anything."

    "Hey, come on, don't say that. I wanted to." Sayaka motions for Madoka to open it.

    The box's decorative wrapping falls apart. The box opens, revealing a large pink plush rabbit. Its ears droop down its sides. Its arms are long and fluffy. "It's cute! Thank you, Sayaka!"

    "And Happy Birthday, Momo." Sayaka hands you a small box. "I didn't really know what to get you, so I just picked something out I thought you'd like."

    "Thanks." You take the box, strip the wrapping, and open it up.

    When you open the box, it reveals a…

    [_] … gift card to Récompense, the cake store that you went to meet everyone at. It was definitely usable, but not exactly what you had in mind.
    [_] … a necklace with a silver chain and a heart-pendant. You weren't one for jewelry, but you could definitely wear it.
    [_] … an I.O.U for any single request. Sayaka would regret giving you what is essentially a blank check.
    [_] … an old handheld game console. It was long, gray, and had a yellow cartridge sticking out of the top.
    [_] Write-in
     
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    • Episode 2 - 6
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    • 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.
     
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    • Episode 2 - End
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    • 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."
    End of Episode 2​
    Bonds gained after Episode 2.
    Sayaka - 2/10
    Mami - 1/10 > 2/10
    Kyouko - 0/10
    Momo - 2/10
    Midori - 2/10
    Alexus - 0/10 > 1/10
    Mabuyu - She serves cake/10 > Is she allowed to be employed?/10

    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.

    We're essentially now locked onto what I'd like to call the "Madokami route". The scenarios here are going to be a little esoteric, so please bare with me. This trains not going to stop, we're just going to keep going until it flies off the rails and explodes into a ball of flame.
     
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    • Episode 3 - 1
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    • The first day back to school dragged on. It was as if you were trudging through a swamp of math equations and long lectures. It certainly didn't help that you snuck a look at the clock every second of the day. Despite some complications, you paid as much attention as your daydreaming would allow. You recited passages when called on, answered questions as they came up, and did your best to meet your own expectations.

    In your downtime, your mind drifts back to the allure of magic. Mimicry was such a broad concept. What were the limitations? What could you copy? You knew how to create weapons from thought alone. During the fight with the witch, it felt as though you were able to mimic 'magic' as well. So, if that much was possible, what was next? Jumping and weaving around the battlefield like Mami? What about standing resolute against the armored witch like Midori?

    Despite the anxiety, the prospect of learning magic actually seemed fun. Because it seemed fun, you were excited, and because you were excited, it was taking that much longer to get through the day.

    The bell rings. You snap your neck back toward the clock, an expecting smile on your face.

    No. Not even close. Four more hours to go. This was for lunch.

    You scoff, resting your head on the desk.

    "Hey Mami." You try to speak to Mami through a telepathic link.

    "Ah, Ms.Kaname. Hello."

    "Are we still on for tonight?"

    "Yes, as far as I'm aware. Why do you ask?"

    "Just wanted to make sure. I'm kind of excited, that's all."

    "That's good, but don't get your expectations up too high."

    "Come on, it's magic. Are you telling me it's boring?"

    "Not precisely."     You can practically see her grinning. "You'll just have to wait and see."

    That just fires you up even more.

    You manage to quell your habit of staring at the clock. It was rough, but staring at the clock wasn't going to make the day go on any faster. You kept busy with conversation with your friends and by putting all of your attention on your school work.

    The reward for all your effort is the final bell, signaling the end of the school day.

    You stretch your arms high into the air as you stand up. "Aaah! Okay, I'm off to my friend's place. I'll talk to you guys later."

    "You're not coming with us, Momoka?" Hitomi asks.

    "Nah." Sayaka interjects. "She's already got plans with another friend of hers."

    Madoka nods. "I'll see you later, Momo."

    "Yeah. I'll see you at home, Madoka. You guys have fun."

    You leave the classroom and dash straight for the school entrance. There, with fatigue etched across her face, is Mami. She stifles a yawn with one hand and waves with the other. The contagious yawn forces you to cover your mouth. "Hey, now you've got me doing it."

    "Sorry."

    "What's wrong? Is Lexi causing trouble?"

    "Yes and no."

    That was concerning. Though, apparently Lexi had been spending most of her time out of the apartment. That on its own wasn't the concern, but you recall the conversation on Saturday at the dinner table.

    "Witches just seem attracted to me." Lexi said. "I dunno if it's something I'm putting out there."

    Mami frowned, exchanging a worried glance with Kyubey. Kyubey surmised that since witches pray on negative emotions, and Lexi, despite her attempts at grandeur, has a lot of those. So, Lexi shouldn't be leaving the apartment unsupervised. The only available magical girl around on a consistent basis is Mami. So, pair the two together and it's a recipe for disaster.

    "I'm sorry." You sigh. "I didn't really know what I was asking when I asked you to take her in."

    "It's not your fault." Mami shakes her head. "And it's a temporary arrangement. If it's only for a few days, I believe I can manage."

    "Don't wear yourself out. You still have to hunt witches, right?"

    "Of course, but there's no need today."

    "Really?"

    "I've cleared my schedule for today."

    "What, how?"

    "Miss Sakura will be making the rounds in Mitakihara tonight."

    "Oh, well then."

    It seems like Mami had everything settled before you even needed to ask. It was excellent foresight on her part, at the very least. As long as your lessons won't be interrupted, you could learn without having to worry. It would be a lie to say that you weren't nervous about lessons beginning. You didn't want to let Mami and Momo's faith in you go to waste.

    You follow the familiar path toward Mami's apartment. Once inside, you sit your bag down, and get to studying. Not your school work, but the notebooks that Mami had been gracious enough to offer. A simple look over was enough to understand that you knew nothing about this. In search of understanding, you flip to the next page.

    Nothing.

    All you have been made aware of is your own ignorance. The knowledge imparted to you about the Soul Gem was hardly scratching the surface. Part of you felt tempted to pull on it more, but something told you that would be disastrous. If doing that once was enough to put you out for a day or two, what would happen the next time? Or the time after that? Sweat drips from your brow just thinking about it. It was important for you to pull your own weight and not rely on your future self too much.

    "Miss Kaname, are you skimming or…?" Mami says, sitting down across from you.

    "Mostly just trying to see what I understand."

    "And?"

    "Nothing."

    "That's what I figured." Mami flips back to the first page. "I started writing down my own theories here." Her finger outlines a block of text written in neat strokes.

    "You have your own theories?"

    "Magic is magic, after all. Each magical girl's abilities are as different as the wish they make."

    "I didn't get a wish, so…"

    "But you know what your 'magic' is, correct?"

    "Yeah, it's mimicry.."

    "'Mimicry' implies you're copying something." Mami places a hand to her chin. "Do you mimic other magical girls?"

    "I think…?" You frown. Again, you had no idea. You were pulling memories from the Soul Gem in order to do the things you were doing. You weren't sure if that was a detail you wanted to reveal to Mami just yet.

    "So, the spear and the cleaver. Have you seen those before?"

    "I…" Well, that wasn't good. "Yes and no? They just sort of came to me."

    Mami narrows her eyes. "It could be related to the circumstances of your contract."

    "Oh, hey Momoka." Lexi walks in from the kitchen, wearing a white shirt that's a little too big. "What are you doing?"

    "Learning magic." You lean back. "What are you doing?"

    "Freeloading." Lexi says. "I'll probably be getting out of here in a day or so."

    Mami sighs in exasperation. "I said you could stay a week, Miss Tanaka."

    "Yeah, but you look like you're about to rip my head off half the time. I think I'd rather take a chance with a witch."

    Mami twitches. "Miss Tanaka, I won't allow that. Just wait patiently. We're figuring something out."

    "Not much to figure out." She shrugs. "I appreciate the help, but I'll get out of your hair."

    She's certainly obstinate in her death wish. If she attracts witches, couldn't she help the others actually go on witch hunts? Then again, endangering a civilian, even one who couldn't die, wasn't something that anyone should consider.

    Lexi didn't seem like a bad person. She was somewhat apathetic, and stubborn, but not a bad person. You did your fair share of reading online last night about possible solutions for Lexi's problem. She couldn't get an apartment if she didn't have identification or a job. The only practical solution was actually just living with someone, or at least something better than an industrial warehouse.

    You considered asking Sayaka, but something told you that wasn't going to work out. The thought of asking your parents came up but, again, that wasn't likely. You were limited in what, exactly, you could do for her. Even if you had magic, you didn't know the first thing about using it properly.

    "Can we discuss this later?" Mami says.

    "Nothing much to discuss, I'm--"

    "Miss Tanaka."

    Lexi clicks her tongue. "Okay, yeah, I got you. Loud and clear."

    "Thank you."

    The tension was thick. It felt like they were two seconds away from a shouting match. "I'm going to take a shower." Lexi says, shrugging as she walks back toward Mami's room.

    "You guys … don't get along, do you?" You speak to Mami through telepathy.

    "I wouldn't say that." Mami closes the notebook. "She doesn't want to be a bother, but she's less of a bother for me here than out there by herself."

    "I didn't know you cared that much."

    "If I can help someone, I will, but there's some practicality to it. What do you think would happen if another witch found her?"

    "She'd be witch food, right?"

    "Yes, but think back to the fight with the armored witch. Its regeneration was heightened to an absurd degree." Mami says in your mind.

    Mami recounts her own fight with the witch to you. She had managed to land what should've been a fatal shot to its head. Of course, since you arrived shortly after, it didn't do the deed. If it hadn't been for Lexi being devoured, Mami would've been able to slay the witch. Mami agreeing to take her in made more sense in context. It wasn't just to protect Lexi, but other magical girls, including herself.

    "You're making it sound like no matter where Lexi goes, she's going to cause problems."

    "I don't think it's that simple." Mami exhales. "It's as I said, it's a unique problem with no easy solution. We have to take things one step at a time. The first step is finding a place for her to stay."

    "You can't keep her here?"

    "No, not with Miss Sakura and Momo to consider."

    "She doesn't need to eat, does she?"

    "It's more that Miss Tanaka could attract a witch to this apartment while Momo is here by herself."

    That's another reason why Mami has been keeping such a close eye on her. The more you talked about this, the less solutions there actually seemed to be. To you, it seems like the best option was to …

    [_] … despite your experience, it might just be best to help her find a job. There had to be some place willing to hire someone in high school without an ID. Somewhere.
    [_] … tell Mami that it might be more practical to just let Lexi go. She won't die, obviously, and she's been around longer than either of you. She'll get by.
    [_] … tell Mami that you'll ask your parents to see if you could keep her for a while. You might have to actually lie, but hey, first time for everything, right?
    [_] Write-in
     
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    • Episode 3 - 2
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    • Getting a place to stay involves an income. Having an income meant getting a job. Getting a job meant brown nosing, or as your mother called it, 'networking'. So, with all of this in mind, it was fair to say that a fourteen year old middle schooler didn't have much sway in helping someone get a job. Much less a girl who is practically homeless and, to your knowledge, probably not a lot of practical job experience. However, drastic times call for drastic measures.

    There was one place that came to mind that could probably use the help. "Mami, I think I have an idea."

    "An idea?"

    "Yeah, it's a long shot, but it's at least worth trying.    "

    Afterward, Mami refocuses your attention to the notebooks splayed out in front of you. Your zest for knowledge slowly waned as a realization hit you. This wasn't going to be easy, nor was extravagant as you were making it out to be. The first lesson was conjuring weapons without transforming using your ring. All you could really get it to do was shine just a little more than usual. Your attempts at 'shaking' a weapon loose didn't work, and neither did straining yourself to the point of losing breath.

    "Am I doing something wrong?" You stare at the Soul Gem, unsatisfied.

    "I'm not particularly sure. Being able to conjure a weapon is fairly basic magic. Most magical girls can do it upon forging a contract."

    "I don't think I'm 'most magical girls', Mami."

    "That's true." Mami ponders with a hand to her chin. "Considering your magic, it might be possible that you don't have a weapon to call your own."

    "Really?"

    "Let's start small." Mami brandishes her ring, conjuring a faded yellow ribbon. "Try to recreate this."

    You stare intently at the ribbon. Studying its length, its hue, and the magic that comprised it. With your hands outstretched, the ring shines.

    When you used magic before, it had a particular feeling. An ebb and flow that you couldn't quite recapture. Without depending on borrowed experience, you focus your mind on the ribbon. Unlike treading water in a torrent, this was like walking through the dark with no path and no light.

    Garbled voices echo in your ears. Harsh, haggard breathing. A hand extending forward and a face you couldn't quite make out.

    A yellow ribbon appears in your hands. Its edges are frayed and the fabric torn. Mami reaches out to touch it. Upon contact, the ribbon vanishes into golden sparkles.

    "Interesting." Mami whispers to yourself. "Can you transform for me, Miss Kaname?"

    "I can try."

    The ring bursts into light, reforming into the familiar egg-shaped gem. In an instant, you were adorned in a pink, armored dress. Your Soul Gem glimmers with a golden sheen at the base of your neck. You move your fingers, savoring the metallic sound of your clinking gauntlets. After tapping your boots and spinning in a pirouette, you stare at Mami.

    "Uh." You hide a blooming blush. "Sorry, I didn't… really have time to savor this during the fight. It's actually kind of cool."

    Mami nods with a knowing smile. "I know how it feels."

    "Really?"

    "Yes. Well, then again, I also name my--" She stops short.

    "... Yeah?"

    "N-nothing." She coughs into her hand. "Can you remake the ribbon?"

    "Sure."

    You repeat the process. Your mind focuses, you steel your resolve, and you reach deep.

    The same vision. The static slowly clears. A clear picture of the freeway. Cars lay over one another as they burn in a smoldering flame. A graveyard of bent steel and upheaved concrete. A lone girl sits in the wreckage, a hand outstretched toward a strange white creature. Its tail flickers and its ears reach outward.

    A wish to live.

    To connect to the life that had been lost.

    The intent was clear, and once known, the 'magic' had become clear.

    Ribbons.

    In response to your revelation, a ribbon sits in your hand. While it still looks weak, at least compared to Mami's, it didn't vanish on contact.

    "Good job." She pokes and prods the ribbon. "You can turn back now."

    Your armor dissipates with the memory. The fight with the armored witch quickly replaces it. During the fight, you pulled memories forward from the Soul Gem. The spear used to impale the monster was a memory from the Soul Gem. It was something you reached out for. It was a weapon called forth from your desperation. The Soul Gem wasn't 'yours. They were borrowed memories and experiences.

    There were no memories associated with the spear. Was it because you weren't grasping the magic contained within the spear, its intent? No, it couldn't be that simple, could it? Nothing about the past week has been simple.

    The cleaver wasn't the same. There was a static memory that you remembered with some clarity. A girl speaking to Midori. The girl who used the cleaver. But, that girl wasn't Midori - Midori's weapons were, as far as you knew, a white sword and a silver shield. Her 'familiar' used a black sword.

    So, where did the cleaver's memory come from?

    A weight forms in your chest. A creeping dread prompts a question.

    "Hey, Mami."

    "What is it?"

    "I feel like I should've asked this earlier but… what was your wish? I mean, why did you become a magical girl?"

    "Ah, you know, now that you mention it, I should've started with that." Mami says, frowning. "I'm sorry. To put it plainly, I wished to live."

    That lines up with the memory from the ribbon. "I see. Thanks for sharing."

    "Why do you ask?"

    "I saw something like this … vision?" You were embarrassed just speaking the word aloud. You've grown used to contemplating these concepts to yourself, but sharing them with others? That was another experience entirely. "I saw cars piled up on a freeway. Kyubey was there, and I think I saw you too."

    "That was when I made my contract."

    "Yeah."

    "I see." Mami furrows her brow. "So, you gain insight into the magical girl that you mimic?"

    "It seems that way."

    "Interesting." She nods in satisfaction. "So I suppose that means we can--"

    "Done with the shower!" Lexi yells as she exits the bathroom.

    "Miss Tanaka, Momo is asleep." Mami reprimands.

    "Oh." Lexi freezes. "Right, sorry."

    You glance at Mami.

    "This is as good of a time as any." You think. "When Lexi gets dressed, I'm taking her to Récompense."

    "This is as good of a place to stop as any.    " Mami's shoulders sag. "I wish you luck, Miss Kaname."

    "I'm probably going to need it."


    Luck had nothing to do with it. Actually, you were beginning to wonder if you had fallen into a trap. Getting Lexi to agree to come along wasn't that hard. The girl was looking for an excuse to leave the Tomoe Residence. No, what you were shocked about was the ease of which your plan had actually worked. You walked in, and the moment you said the words 'looking for a job', the owner was listening. As soon as you mentioned that Lexi was of an age to work, the manager, Sakie Aki, pushed Lexi into the backroom.

    You stand at the counter, completely dumbfounded. Why did that work? Was she this desperate? Did no one want to work here? You slide a glance toward Mabayu,"Is … is she normally like that?"

    "Yeah."

    "I'm sorry."

    "Thanks." Mabayu tilts her head. "So, are you eating in?"

    "No, I was just here to ask about the job for my friend."

    "Oh, well, that makes sense."

    "Yeah."

    The two of you stand there.

    It was just like the arcade.

    "So, has it been busy today? Has it been slow…?"

    "I started an hour ago, so can't say for sure."

    "When do you guys close?"

    "Depends on the day. We can stay open til six in the evening, or it can go as far as nine." Mabayu yawns. "The earlier I get off, the better."

    "Honestly, I'm surprised you even work here. I thought we couldn't hold jobs? You know, school policy and all."

    "Agh." Mabayu grimaces. "It's … not a job, it's more just helping out, you know?"

    "With a uniform?"

    "Y-yeah. Have to look the part, right? Eheh."

    "Actually, wait, are you paid?"

    "Yeah."

    "So it's a job?"

    "I-I mean, no, not really." Sweat forms on her brow. "Y-you get an allowance, right?"

    "Yeah?"

    "It's kind of like that, except I work for it."

    "So are you saying I'm lazy or…?"

    "Wait!" She catches herself. "No. No, I'm not. I imagine you work very hard. It's just uh…"

    "We're back, Mabayu!" Sakie returns, her hands on Lexi's shoulders. "What do you think?"

    She was wearing a maroon colored dress accented with yellow stripes. A string ties the white apron to her back. Lexi has no reaction. Instead, she just kind of stands there, hand on her hip. "Can I start working now?"

    "Oh! Yes. How about you take Momoka's order? Does that sound alright to you?"

    You frown. "I'll just have a piece of peach cake and a soda."

    Lexi writes down the order before passing it off to Sakie. Sakie nods before darting around the counter and into the back. Afterward, Lexi takes a seat across from you.

    "So, you got a job."

    "Yeah." Lexi rests her head on the table. "Yeah, I did."

    "What? Is something wrong?"

    "Want the full answer?"

    "Sure."

    "This is honestly a waste of time, but if doing this gets you guys off my back, I'll have to deal." She turns her head. "No other way about it."

    "I mean, we're just worried about you. That's all."

    "And I keep telling you--"

    "'Don't worry about you', yeah, I've heard it already. I don't need to be reminded." You look out the window into the busy street outside. Cars breeze past. People in business suits walking home for work. How late actually was it? "I didn't realize it was getting dark."

    "What, you have to go?" She asks. "You just ordered food."

    "It's not like I wanted to."

    You check the time on your phone. Yeah, it was getting close to around six. The sun was still up, but part of you didn't want to stay out this long. You didn't even expect Lexi to literally start working within the first half an-hour of walking into the place. It was way too convenient. How desperate was the owner for help? Well, if she has Mabayu working here after school, then that question answers itself.

    For now, it was probably best to…

    [_] Stay until closing so you could walk Lexi back to Mami's. You don't want to leave her by herself.
    [_] Call Mami to ask her to come and get Lexi after she's done working. You had to get home before your family got concerned.
    [_] Lexi was an adult, despite her attitude. She's lived on her own for who knows how long. Best to just leave and let her go home by herself.
    [_] Write-in
     
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    • Episode 3 - 3
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    • A lashing from your parent's was annoying, but nothing compared to the guilt of leaving Lexi by herself. You pull your phone out, sending a text to Madoka and your mother that you would be home a little later. You explain the situation in as few words as possible, given the character limit. The phone slips into your skirt pocket, and you lean forward. "I'll stick around for a while."

    "You don't have to. I can make it back myself."

    "Yeah, I don't doubt that, but--"

    You wanted to say 'you're my responsibility'. Lexi was probably tired of hearing that as much as you were tired of her saying 'don't worry about me'.

    "But what?"

    "Nothing." You sigh.

    The tension in your shoulders laxes as you fall back into your chair. Being tended to by someone ten years your junior may be patronizing. You didn't want to draw any attention to it, so it was best to let it go.

    A cursory glance around the room told you that Récompense wasn't particularly busy today. It was a Monday, so it made sense. Though, you were here Friday and didn't notice much in the way of business. Granted, you were only here for a few minutes at a time before speeding off. Not nearly long enough to make a judgment on their business. It was enough to question why the owner was so desperate for help. If you asked, you could probably get a job here just as fast. Nevermind the fact you were underage, and didn't have permission. Actually, the most enticing part of hiring Lexi might be the lack of I.D.

    That raises many more questions and red flags. Regardless, you were fourteen, what did you know? All you knew is that you weren't allowed. Whether or not the owner was breaking the law wasn't any of your business. The outcome for Lexi was more important than the circumstances surrounding the job. As long as she wasn't hurting anyone, or, you know, selling contraband, then it was mostly okay? If Lexi got paid a somewhat livable wage, then it was fine. Of course, this line of thinking could be its own problem, but beggar's certainly couldn't be choosers. As long as she had a roof over her head, and wasn't alone, that was all you could ask for. Better solutions would come with time.

    After waiting a few moments, your order was done. A simple slice of pie with a soda. Despite your love of sweets, you find yourself picking at the cake instead of devouring it. Idle concerns spoil what little appetite you have.

    "Not going to eat?" Lexi says, hugging the empty platter to her chest. It was a natural movement, as if a force of habit.

    "I mean, I am, aren't I?"

    "You're poking that pie like you'd pick your nose." Lexi frowns.

    "I told you I wasn't hungry." You narrow your eyes. "Also, pick my nose?"

    "Ah." Lexi freezes. "I used to say that to my sister. She'd never actually eat when-... forget it."

    "Right." You frown.

    It might be a sore topic. It was best not to pursue it. That wasn't the point, anyway.

    "What's wrong?" Lexi sits down across from you. "Did something happen or is it just your time of the month?"

    "W-what?" You stare.

    "What?" Lexi sits, completely unfazed. "What is it?"

    "Can you talk like a normal person for like, two seconds? Please?"

    "This isn't normal?"

    "No. No, it isn't."

    "Actually, now that I think about it… that's one of the perks of my predicament."

    "Stop talking."

    "Alright, I'll stop talking when you start."

    Lexi was doing this on purpose. She can be apathetic one minute and annoyingly manipulative the next. It was almost like being inside of that witch for a month never fazed her. Perhaps this was her way of getting even, considering you were a little forceful with your desire to help. She never asked you for help.

    You sigh.

    "I'm a little concerned." You whisper.

    "Concerned about what?" Lexi leans in. "If you say me, I'm going to--"

    "Not you. Not right now, anyway." You wave a hand. "Just been having thoughts about my magic."

    "Your magic? Well, you're talking to the wrong person about that." Lexi leans back, resting her foot on an unoccupied chair. "I don't know anything about it."

    "I mean, what do you call your ability to 'not die' then?"

    "Neat."

    "Just 'neat'?"

    "Yep. Nice, neat, convenient." She shrugs. "I can't call it a curse or a burden. That'd be a lie."

    She must be talking about the person who made the wish for her. With what little you knew about her, that was likely her sister. The small mention she made a bit ago was enough to at least hint toward that. The burden she carries wasn't a light one. How much of her old life was gone? Were there any remnants that she could call her own? She was homeless, so the answer to both those questions is likely 'no'.

    "You don't seem too happy about it."

    "I mean, it definitely has its downsides." She lifts another foot up onto the empty chair. She reclines back in her seat, balancing on its hind legs.

    "Lexi, you're going to--"

    "Going to what?"

    "You're going to fall and bust your--"

    Almost as if on cue, the chair begins to fall.

    You clasp Lexi's hands and pull her forward.

    The chair skids, but doesn't fall.

    "What happened?" Sakie dashes out from behind the counter. She must have heard the skidding rubber of the chair.

    "Nothing!" Mabayu stands behind the counter, a wet dishrag in her hand. "Nothing at all." She says, going back to cleaning the plate in her hand. She drops the plate into the sink, splashing soap and water all over the countertop.

    "Oh, Alexus! Please, get your feet off of the chair. It's poor etiquette for a maid." Sakie reprimands before she vanishes back into the kitchen.

    "Ah." Lexi blinks, slowly nodding as she removes her legs from the chair.

    "Told you." You narrow your eyes.

    "Would've been alright." Lexi shrugs.

    You have to clench your palms to halt your temper. Not many things made you mad. Frustrated, yes, but mad? Not particularly. It was a trait that you shared with Madoka. Ever since you were kids, you were quicker to cry than raise your voice. Why did Lexi get under your skin so much? It was a question you didn't have a quick answer for.

    "You? Yes. Your chance of keeping this job? No." You channel your feelings into words.

    "Bah. You worry way too much." Lexi throws her hands behind her head. "If she was this desperate to hire me, I doubt she'd be this quick to let me go."

    "That's not a gamble I want you to take." You facepalm.

    "Anyway…" Lexi leans in, lightly slapping her hand on the table. "Your magic?"

    "It's mimicry."

    "I think I heard that much when I was drying off." Lexi tilts her head. "So, what can you, like, … mimic? Or copy?"

    "I think I can copy a magical girl's weapons and their magic. But, that's sort of what's bugging me."

    "Why would that bug you?"

    "I'm not so sure about it myself."

    It was hard to put into words. The worry manifested only earlier today, when discussing your magic with Mami. It starts with no magic being attached to the spear, but memories flowing forth when summoning the cleaver. Midori was in the memory. She didn't sound as self-assured, but she was present. That was her voice. The logical assumption would be that you were mimicking Midori, but that likely wasn't the case.

    When you copied Mami, the memories flowed forth like water. It wasn't painful, and it didn't strain your body. It was something you could do without any reservations. It was a result of your own 'power' and not the borrowed experience from the Soul Gem.

    It could be a needless worry. After all, you only had two examples to pull from. Mimicking Mami, and utilizing the cleaver.

    It felt as though you were mimicking something in your vicinity. It was a deep dive into the Soul Gem's memory for experience, for power, but how that manifested wasn't something you could predict.

    It was a similar sensation with Mami.

    Why was this bothering you so much? It felt as though you were approaching a door that you couldn't close. You were fiddling with the key in your hands. But, the question was, what do you do when you find the right key?

    You could ask Madoka. The future one, not the present one, about it. But, that very idea fills you with dread.

    Your question was simple.

    What did you mimic?

    You pulled the spear from memory, and the experience to use it. Creating the weapon was easy enough. There was no purpose to it other than existing as a weapon. There was no memory attached, no special magic. It was by the Soul Gem's power you were able to manifest it.

    The cleaver was different. It belonged to someone, it was burdened with the weight of memory. The same weight that Mami's ribbons carried. Was it by the power of the Soul Gem that made that memory manifest, or was it because the person you copied was nearby? The sensation was the same. It didn't help that there were a limited number of ways to actually test that.

    Digging that deep into the Soul Gem again wasn't something you wanted to do. You could still feel your blood burning, your body throbbing in pain. That was never happening again if you could help it. Just thinking about it was enough to make you feel lightheaded.

    "You're not sure about what's bugging you?"

    "No. Well, yes? It's kind of hard to put it into--"

    Ding. Ding.

    "Oh, sorry, Momoka. Welcome to Récompense!" Lexi gets up to greet the customer with a forced smile.

    Alone, you focus your attention back on the cake. You swallow your lack of an appetite and begin eating. You expected it to be sweet, something to take your mind off of your own worries. But, no, much like your expectations for the day, it turned out to be bitter and disappointing.


    Récompense closed at eight, thankfully. Giving you enough time to get home before nine, at the very least. You walk Lexi to Mami's apartment, having small talk. You took care not to mention the topic from earlier in the evening. Lexi thanked you before heading off into the apartment.

    Alone, you begin your walk back toward your house. Your thoughts wander as you press on through the cold night air. Artificial lights mark your path down the sidewalk. There wasn't a single car on the road. It wasn't rare for this time of day. The quiet ambience was appreciated, considering your racing thoughts.

    "Momoka?"

    "Madoka?" You turn to look behind you.

    No. It wasn't Madoka. Well, again, it was, but it wasn't.

    Your 'guardian angel', the goddess Madoka, floats there with ear muffs and a white fluffy coat.

    "Snrk." You laugh.

    "What? I-it's cold, right?"

    "Yes, yes it is." You tighten your scarf. "Wanted to look the part?"

    "Yes. I wanted to feel included, so…"

    "You're good."

    Regardless of where she came from, this 'goddess' Madoka was definitely awkward. Just as awkward as your sister. You were fairly sure she didn't need to consider what clothes she was wearing. The fact she wanted to match with you was enough to bring a smile to your face.

    "So, what's up? Did you get lonely?" You smile.

    "No, not at all. I just noticed that you're…"

    "Not looking so good? Yeah." You frown. "Not having a good time."

    The transparent Madoka remains quiet.

    If she was here, now was your chance. You could…

    [_] … ask her about your worries concerning the cleaver. Open the door. See where it takes you.
    [_] … best to avoid the topic. Keep the door closed. It was a question you didn't really want answered.
    [_] Write-in

    This choice is SUPER important. It's going to influence every single interaction you have for the rest of the quest going forward. Literally every single one. Pick carefully.
     
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    Episode 3 - 4
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    • Take the leap. Ask the question. The answer might frighten you, but it was better to know than to continue being ignorant. If you were going to help your sisters, the goddess and the girl, then there was no other option.

    "I'm worried about something." You scratch the back of your head.

    "What are you worried about?" She asks.

    "When I used my power in the fight with the witch…"

    You stare at your hand, clasping the hilt of an invisible blade. The same weapon that tore into the metallic hide of the witch. It wasn't the sharpness of the blade, but the magic that enchanted it. The power to sever. It didn't belong to Midori, nor Mami. There was only one being, one person, that could've belonged to. It was either an ephemeral memory that resided within the Soul Gem, or the magical girl was present.

    There were bodies scattered about the battlefield, impaled on swords that comprised their makeshift graves. Each a victim of the witch, magical girl or not. It could've been one of them, but it was unlikely. The nagging feeling told you it was something more than that. Something you shouldn't know.

    "I felt something. A memory from Midori. Or, that's what I thought."

    You continue to walk while talking in a low whisper. Your breath turns to white mist as you walk.

    "It was someone else's memory. I think it may have been the memory of another magical girl." You say, turning toward an empty park. A fountain sits in the distance, prismatic light refracting off of the clear water. You step forward, tucking your hands in your pocket. "I didn't know what to make of it. But the more I think about it, the more concerned I get."

    You clasp the ring on your hand.

    Finally, the words come to mind. The question you want to ask. The key to the door.

    "What's the relationship between magical girls and witches?".

    "Magical girls make wishes in order to bring hope into the world." Madoka says, explaining as a matter of course.

    The older girl floats in front of you, her transparent form glistening in the fountain's artificial light. "But eventually, that wish breeds a curse, a curse that ends in despair."

    "Despair?" You frown. "Are you talking about what happened to Lexi, or something else?"

    She gently shakes her head.

    "When a magical girl uses magic, their Soul Gem darkens." She opens up her hand. An illusion forms, displaying a white Soul Gem. It begins with a bright shine. Darkness soon coalesces, slowly but surely corroding the light within. The blackness dots the confines of the once pristine crystal.

    Another object appears, a black seed with an ivory casing, a Grief Seed. It floats toward the Soul Gem, attracted to the corrosion housed within. It extracts the darkness from the Soul Gem into itself.

    "It's why a magical girl needs to obtain Grief Seeds. If they don't, then eventually, a magical girl is driven to the brink."

    The white Soul Gem turns black.

    Your breath stops.

    It cracks.

    The gold casing bends and breaks.

    No. That wasn't it, was it? There was no way you were seeing this.

    The Soul Gem shatters, revealing the truth at its center.

    A Grief Seed.

    The darkness bursts forth, dying the clear air around you in a darkness deeper than the night.

    You had just become a magical girl. What was this? Did your sister thrust this upon you, knowing that this was your fate?

    "You mean…"

    Your hands shake. Could you refute this? There had to be something you could say, right?

    No, there wasn't.

    It was obvious, now that you thought about it. There was another magical girl in that room that day.

    You were fighting her. The magic that you had mimicked back then wasn't a memory from the Soul Gem. It was the goliath you were fighting.

    The fractured memory you witnessed. That was Midori talking to her friend. The friend, the magical girl that became that undying witch. The magical girl who wished to sever her ties to the past, to become a new person. The cleaver you used belonged to her and no one else. The magic to cut and sever.

    "No." You shake your head, grasping the ring. "I'm going to turn into a…"

    "No."

    "What?"

    "You won't. I'll never let you fall to despair, Momoka."

    "What, how?"

    "It's because that's my wish."

    "Your wish?"

    With a kind smile, she offers you a hand.

    You stare at her, then reach out.

    The serene cityscape of Mitakihara vanishes. The clouds move at an erratic pace, vanishing beyond the horizon. The sun and moon dance as it shifts from night to day in an instant. The blue of the morning sky gets drowned in the dour grays of a terrible rain. Buildings fall into piles of rubble. Smoke and debris mask your view.

    A black haired girl lay, blood trickling down her face. Her hand reaches forward, grasping at open air.

    "Don't!" She cries, her voice wracked with pain. "Because then... what have I ... What have I been fighting for?"

    Who was she? It was someone you didn't recognize. Was it someone you already met, or was it someone you would meet in the future?

    You walk forward toward the girl. Her leg was pinned under a shard of rubble. Could you do anything?

    No, it was a vision bestowed by the other Madoka. You fight the urge to intervene, watching it play out.

    "I'm sorry," Madoka clasps the suffering girl's hand. "But I believe it's because you've protected me for so long and placed so much hope on me that I'm the person I am now."

    That was Madoka. There was no mistake. She gently releases the black haired girl's hand. She turns around and walks forward. There was no hesitation as she approached the mound of debris. There Kyubey waits, his tail flicking the air.

    "Now, Kaname Madoka. What is the wish you pay for with your soul?"

    "I..." Madoka takes a deep breath.

    The words come to her in an instant. There, she makes her declaration. Not only to herself, but to Kyubey and the entire world. A wish to sunder the world and rebirth it anew.

    "I want to erase all Witches before they are even born. I will erase every single Witch in every universe, past and future with my own hands!"

    A white light pours forth. The creation of a Soul Gem, the miracle that would give rise to the goddess that you had come to know. You were bearing witness to a cataclysmic miracle. A wish so powerful that it would alter the very universe in which you lived. A power born of limitless hope that would give rise to unlimited despair.

    But, the very nature of the wish was a paradox.

    If a magical girl eventually turns into a witch, then the very nature of Madoka's wish would mean…

    "You sacrificed yourself." You stare as the illusory world turns to light. "The wish you made. So, when you said that… the Soul Gem I had was under your jurisdiction. You meant…"

    "Yes." She cradles your hands on her own. "I already said it. I'll never let you fall into despair."

    You shake your head. "B-but…" Another question comes to mind. "Where was I?"

    "I'm from a world where you weren't born, Momoka."

    You slowly lower your head. "I see."

    "But, I've always wanted a sister." She smiles brightly. "So, better late than never, right?"

    "Tch." You avert your eyes and wipe your tears. "But, you said every universe, right? So why can't you…"

    "There are many worlds. Far more than anyone can ever count." The translucent girl floats, her eyes gazing toward the starless sky. "And because of that, I can have all sorts of problems. There's even a world where witches don't exist as you know them. I tried to act on it, but I could do very little without endangering the people who lived there."

    You sit down on the bench, cradling your head in your hand. "But, what about this one? What about my home?"

    "This world was much the same." She floats over, 'sitting' down next to you. "I was forced to watch as everyone suffered."

    "Why can't you enact your wish, I mean?"

    "Because it's not just one world. It's distorted in ways I've never seen." She closes her eyes. "If I undo even one event, the rest of the worlds birthed by it soon follow. Countless people, not just magical girls, with their own wishes, their own hopes and dreams… they would all be lost."

    "So, wait…" You meet her gaze. "Why me?"

    "Because it can only be you."

    Another vision. Not spurred by the older Madoka, but by your Soul Gem. A pink-haired girl stands at the precipice of a hill. Her eyes reflect the setting sun off on the horizon. Her tattered skirt flows in the gentle breeze. A smile pulls at her lips.

    "My fight isn't here anymore." She says with a haggard voice. "That's what you said before you left, wasn't it, Homura?"

    The memory of a black-haired girl. The very same who lay in the ruins of Mitakihara.

    A plume of purple flame burst forth from the girl's wrist. A gray buckler. "You told me you could go back if you turned this, right?"

    She spoke to no one. It was as if she was talking to a phantom, to someone who no longer existed in this world.

    "Sorry, but I think it's my only way out of this."

    She grasps the shield, and twists.

    She keeps her eyes closed, unsure of what fate had in store. Unsure of what would happen, unsure if she would ever get to her destination.

    The dials within the shield spin. The hourglass within flips. The sand begins to flow backward. In that moment, Momoka Kaname ceases to exist. Her body vanishes, as does the Soul Gem.

    But she would never reach her destination.

    It was a mimicry of a wish that violates the laws of the world. For the mockery of a miracle, a price was paid. The same price her sister paid in another world. Her existence.

    The Soul Gem that was Momoka Kaname began its journey in the void. Drifting endlessly through the void. Never with a destination, cursed to wander through the darkness. The Soul Gem never darkened, never shattered. There was nothing to threaten it. No hope, no despair, only the endless abyss stretching out for eternity.

    It may have been a second, an hour, a year, a century or even a millenia. Time had no meaning.

    But, in that void between worlds, another miracle occurs.

    "You're alone, aren't you?" A gentle touch and a soothing warmth. "You're Momoka, aren't you?"

    The Soul Gem doesn't respond. The consciousness within has long since lay dormant.

    "You poor thing." The sisters embrace in the void. "I'll take you back home to Mama and Papa, Momoka. To the place where you belong."

    The cold air brings you back to reality. You breathe, feeling the bench at your back. You hear rushing water from the fountain. The sound of the cars rushing in the street on the hill behind you.

    "Even in that void, you were there for me."

    Tears stream down your face. What was all of this? You try to wipe your eyes, but they keep flowing. It was as if a dam had burst. You couldn't contain it anymore.

    She wasn't manipulating you. She was saving you. Not just you, but everyone else. Every magical girl that she could.

    "Momoka?"

    "It's nothing." You sniffle. "Just realizing how stupid we are."

    "Ahaha." She laughs. "I guess, but I don't regret my wish."

    You lean back on the bench. "I don't regret mine either."

    "Your wish?"

    "To come back home, to be with my sister, my family, my friends." You do your best to force a smile. "And if I didn't reach out to you when I did, I don't think I'd be here."

    "I think you would."

    "Huh?"

    "You're a lot stronger than you think, Momoka."

    "If anyone else said that, I wouldn't believe them."

    "I know."

    "So, you need me because you can't act on your own in this world."

    It still felt awkward saying that.

    "And I won't turn into that, right?"

    "No." The older Madoka shakes her head. "I'll take any curses you have before that happens. Of course, that also means…"

    "I get it." You sigh. "I get whisked away, right?"

    She nods. "It depends on how you've adapted to the Soul Gem, but that's the worst case scenario."

    "So, an eternity with you is the worst case scenario?" You blink. "Where's the downside?"

    "Don't joke about that, Momoka. You have your sister to think about."

    You grimace. "Right. Sorry."

    The present Madoka knew nothing about any of this. It was still hard to distinguish between the two of them. They were so alike in mannerisms and their kind spirit. It made sense, considering they were the same person at their core.

    "It's okay. I know you didn't mean it like that."

    "So, what do I do from here?"

    "The same thing you have been. Supporting everyone."

    "That's it?"

    "My influence in this world depends on you and your sister." She frowns. "I still feel bad for asking this of you."

    "I told you not to be. You've already gone above and beyond for everyone. Your price has been paid a thousand times over." You clench your hand. "I can at least do this much."

    "Then, all you need to do is keep being you. Keep fighting for as long as you can."

    "That's--"

    "Momoka?"

    A familiar voice interrupts you.

    "Midori!?" You yell.

    "W-why are you yelling?" She blinks.

    "Sorry, you just surprised me. That's all." You cough into your hand.

    "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

    It was an honest question. How long has it been since you said you would be home? You had at least another hour until your parents got worried. The real question that sprung to mind is what Midori was doing here. You were talking to your 'sister'... well, the incorporeal spirit of your sister.

    "Needed some time to think." You exhale a plume of mist. "That's all. What's up?"

    "Ah, I see."

    She doesn't say anything.

    Part of you felt like you knew what she wanted to talk about. But, for now, you …

    [_] … tell her you know about the witch that she is trying to kill.
    [_] … ask her what she intends to do now that you failed to kill the witch.
    [_] … ask her if she wants to sit next to you. Don't talk, just sit in the silence of the autumn night.
    [_] … tell her you have to get going or your parents are going to get mad.
    [_] Write-in
     
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    Momoka/Madokami Explanation
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    • Higanbana said:
    throwing away all of my (mental) notes

    Am I correct in understanding that Momoka's original wish was to escape from a world where Madoka had died / become a witch / transcended, Homura had left to try again, and everyone else Momoka was close to met unspecified ill fates, and that this resulted in copy-magic because she was visualising her escape as being 'just like what Homura was apparently doing'?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I'll elaborate since the scene is a little confusing in its placement. Future!Momoka fought to a point where she felt the need to quote Homura's 'this is no longer my battlefield'. With nothing else left to fight for, she mimed Homura's shield in the hopes that she could follow her back in time. What ended up happening was, she was able to mimic the 'magic' of 'travelling back in time' but not the actual destination of 'before she met Madoka'. So, what happens is that Momoka just ends up throwing herself into a void to which there is no return. But, since it's 'outside of time', Madokami is able to pick her up and escort her home, both saving Future!Momoka and giving her the entry into this distorted world that she needs.
     
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