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Magia Resurrection (PMMM Quest)

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Episode 5 - End
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    • "I'm sorry, Kyouko." Words of regret flow freely into the air. You feel the weight of your promise to the other Madoka, and of the lie to Kyouko. The burden that binds you to multiple worlds. "You've got a bad habit of trusting me with grief seeds."

    "Huh?" Kyouko peers at the grief seed in your palm then to your face. "What are you talkin' about? Do I know you?"

    This was the moment you longed for. An opportunity to speak to Kyouko. It was an avenue to your former life. You could meet Momo and Mami again. Everything would be back to the way it was before. You just had to cleanse your grief seed.

    "Hey, you listening?" Kyouko walks forward.

    "No." You vehemently shake your head. "You don't know me. But, I know you."

    You couldn't part without a farewell. You knew this meeting was never going to happen again. Not like this, not in the next world. You could say whatever you wanted. Maybe there would be a miracle; a small hope that Kyouko remembers this moment in the next world. After all, you didn't want this to be a sad parting. It would be an inevitability for you, but for Kyouko, it would be little more than the ramblings of a stranger.

    "I didn't know you for very long," you say, eyes on the grief seed. "But you were a friend. Momo and Mami too."

    The world would swallow your bonds every time. If your only connection was through witches, through hope and despair, then they wouldn't last. Your one wish was to stand as equals. Not just as a magical girl, but as a friend. Right now, you would hesitate to even call yourself a friend. This entire situation was a pretense. It was the only thing that came to mind to forge a friendship. It was through your shared adversity that a bond would form.

    No, that wasn't right.

    It was to repay a debt. The debt that you owed Mami and Kyouko above all else. You wanted to pay them back for saving your life. This was simply the first payment towards that monumental debt. It was a drop in the bucket compared to what they've done for you. Because of them, you were able to go back to your sister, your brother, your family and friends.

    "You have no idea how much you've done for me," You say as if the other girl would understand you.

    "You're talking crazy." Kyouko sighs, shaking her head. She was at a loss for words. "So, I'm just going to guess you're one of Momo's friends?"

    "Something like that."

    "Should've just said so. A magical girl, huh?" Kyouko curls her brow. "My little sister knows how to pick'em. So, what's your name?"

    "I'm Momoka Kaname," you say, averting your eyes.

    "Momo? Seriously?" Kyouko taps her forehead, stifling a laugh. "Small world, then. I mean, it's not like it's a rare name or anything, but still."

    "Right." You say.

    "Seriously, let's cut the crap." Kyouko narrows her eyes. "Who are you?"

    "I told you, I'm Momoka Kaname."

    "That's not--!"

    You clasp Kyouko's hands on your own, placing the grief seed in her hands. "I'm Momoka Kaname. That isn't a lie, I have no reason to lie!"

    You feel tears welling up.

    The world around you begins to fall away. A translucent snow begins to fall.

    "I know you don't believe me, but I know you. I met you and Mami Tomoe right here beyond this door!" You clench your hands tight, shaking your head. Tears begin to fall. "I was chasing Midori, Sayaka came with me, and a witch scooped me up! It's how we met! Do you not remember?"

    Despite knowing the answer, you ask.

    "N-no, I don't think we've ever met before."

    "That's fine." You smile. "I'll fix that. I'll walk up to you in the next world, and talk to you. Not as a magical girl, but as a person. I'll figure out what works, what doesn't. I'm through with being scared."

    "That's good, but, uh… what are you talking about?"

    "Momoka, are you ready?"

    The voice of the other Madoka breaks up the conversation. You slide the now frozen Kyouko a glance. On some level, you wanted the conversation to continue. You wanted to talk with her for a little while longer. Of course, you couldn't. You had a job to do.

    "Yeah." You frown, looking up.

    The ephemeral form of your other sister. Her hand was open, ready for you to grasp it.



    "Where have you been?"

    "I've been watching."

    Her voice lacked the gentle reassurance from before. Her form was faded

    "Watching? Wait, so you saw this? And everything in the barrier?"

    A solemn nod.

    "That's a little embarrassing."

    "I think you did great."

    "Of course you'd say that." You look back down to Kyouko. Her eyes were wide, her nose scrunched, and her mouth half-open. Not a stick of pocky to be found. It was like a farmer without a piece of straw hanging out of their mouth; it just didn't look right.

    You stand there in silence. The world begins to break away into small, blurred fragments. As it ebbs away, you turn toward the door that haunted you. The witch of ice that once lay beyond it. You think back to the frigid blackness, the chill of the snow. The familiars that threw themselves upon you. If it wasn't for Mami and Kyouko, you would've died. That much is true.

    That witch suffered. She wasn't a monster. The witch, her familiars, they were hurting just like she was. The same was true for the witch that Kyouko had just fought. They were all suffering.

    "Hey, Madoka."

    "Yeah, Momoka?"

    "I think I get it now," You say, looking down as the white void vanishes into the darkness. "I understand why you made your wish."

    "Why?"

    "I thought it was because you just wanted to help people." You turn toward her.

    You weren't standing. You were floating. The world around you had already shifted and changed without your notice.

    Glimmering lights dance in the horizon. Clouds flow beneath you, ebbing and flowing as if they were water. You flap your arms and legs to remain afloat. Yet, you don't fall.

    Your sister laughs. "Are you okay, Momoka?"

    "Don't change the subject." You cross your arms.

    The other Madoka laughs. "Sorry, I just thought it was cute."

    "Cute?" You scoff, failing to hide your red face. "Whatever."

    The memory plays in your mind once again. A desolate cityscape. Madoka, her hand clenched, making her wish to Kyubey's surprise. A wish that would annul her existence from the world. The raven-haired girl screamed her name. Whether it was because of circumstance, or because she didn't have a choice, didn't matter. It was a wish worthy of admiration. A sacrifice that no one would be willing to make.

    "It's a wish I want to believe in."

    "Momoka…"

    Was she crying? Why was she crying? A goddess shouldn't be crying!

    "Hey, Madoka, why are you crying?"

    "I'm sorry."

    It was like you were talking to Madoka when she was a girl. Crying over every little thing. Not like you were much different, but you had to be the one to put on a brave face. You do the same thing you did for her back then. You reach out and embrace her.

    "I'm the one who should be apologizing. How long have you been alone out here?" You close your eyes and run a hand through her hair. It's soft and long. Frankly, you were a bit jealous. Always pristine, never dirty. "I know I didn't exist for you then, but I'm glad I can be here for you now."

    "I wanted to reach out to you to tell you it was okay, that it would be alright." She says with a smile. "But, I couldn't. The more I thought about it, the more I felt as though you deserved to live your own life. I felt as though your job had already been completed."

    Your 'job' being a gateway into this world for the older Madoka to continue her work. It wasn't part of the deal, as far as you were concerned. There was plenty more left to do. "It sounds like you're trying to bow out of the contract."

    "I suppose it does." She laughs. "I'm not really cut out for this sort of thing."

    "I'm refusing either way."

    "I knew you would say that."

    "Then there's not much to talk about."

    "I guess not."

    "We're in this together." You pull away. "I'll try not to doubt myself anymore. I mean, emphasis on the 'try'. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I'll think of something."

    Her worries made sense. It was a hard decision. But, she was relying on you and you on her. If the two of you could work together to make the world a better place, you would do it. Doing this didn't mean being alone. You wouldn't repeat the same mistakes as your other self. You wouldn't end up alone. The two of you would work together for a better future. It would be for the creation of a world without witches.

    A white light consumes your vision.

    It fades away, revealing a familiar scene. Your reflection in the mirror.

    A smiling face looks back at you.

    "Let's go, Momoka." The older Madoka floats just behind you, her translucent form unwavering.

    "Yeah, let's go."

    You walk toward the door and open it.

    With your head held high and hope in your heart, you step into the new world.


    With this I can safely say we're a little under halfway done with Magia Resurrection! Episode 5 was much more of a doozy than I initially planned, but I'm happy things have gotten to the point where they have. I'd like to thank all of the voters and readers for sticking with it for a little over 4 months since this started. All things considered, we've made good pace. No end of episode vote this time, or bonds, since ... well, they haven't changed at all. Episode 6 will have multiple choices as we cover the few month timeskip.

    I'll try to have that post out either tomorrow or the next day. Once again I just wanted to express my thanks for sticking with the quest and bearing with the delays. I'd like to hear your guys' thoughts on the direction of the story, or if there's anything that you guys would want to see explored or implemented. Thanks again for reading this far, and here's to a few more months of Magia Res!
     
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    • Shinobu Oshino said:
    The world would swallow your bonds everytime.
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    "every time"

    Shinobu Oshino said:
    As it ebbs away, you turn to look toward the door that haunted you.
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    As far as I'm aware, this is correct, but I still feel like it should be "towards", not "toward".

    Shinobu Oshino said:
    With this I can safely say we're a little under halfway done with Magia Resurrection!
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    So this is a twelve episode series, got it. :V
     
    JAGwin said:
    So this is a twelve episode series, got it. :V
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    That was the main goal, yeah, around twelve. But there's a metric shit ton to cover with Homura, Momoka, not to mention what's about to happen in Episode 6. It's a lot. So, I don't think twelve will be enough to cover it. I'm going to do my best, but the final episode count will likely end up being 14-16ish? I'll do my best to pace things out. Regardless, I mostly wanted to have a quest that actually ends.
     
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    As I suspected, Madoka pulled away so her sister wouldn't feel like she had to keep up her end of the deal. Honestly, I'm not sure what her plan is to save this world, since Momoka can only do so much. But I'm glad to see that Momoka refuses to give up in her attempts to build connections with the people important to her.
     
    Update because there was no... update when I said there would be. I had to toss out about half of the concepts I had for this route after coming to a few realizations. Again, I'll preface this, Magia Resurrection isn't going anywhere. I want to finish telling this story. I mostly just wanted your guys input on a few things regarding Magia Res. This is a similar question I asked way back at around Episode 3 two or so months ago, though this is mostly pertaining to episode length and concepts being explored. Please answer these questions if you can:
    • How do you feel about current episode length?
    • How do you feel about the pacing of each episode?
    • What are the aspects of the quest you like? What are aspects of it that you dislike?
    Sorry for not posting the first post of Episode 6, I've drafted out three different outlines for the first post already. I'm still working on it. Don't worry. But, I'd just like your guys input on this. If you have any questions about the cut concepts, I'd be happy to answer them.
     
    I think it's a little difficult to talk about episode length and number of episodes without having a full plot outline in mind, so I don't have any complaints about that. Perhaps the only thing that still confuses me is Madokami's goal. Momoka acts as a guide for her, and with her help, she will one day completely erase witches from this world too? Or can she only help those whom Momoka helps?

    I'd probably also like to see a little more day-to-day interaction between battles, especially with Madokas, but that's more about my priorities. Moreover, we will see Momoka reunite with Mami, Sakura and Momo.

    I also want to say that you did a very good job and these are probably some of my favourite PMMM quests on the site right now.
     
    I've figured out what I need to do for Episode 6. The post will be up tomorrow!

    Update: Work swamped me, then stuff happened after work. Post is about halfway done. I'm off tomorrow, so I can finish it after I wake up.
     
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    Episode 6 - 1
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    • Episode 6: We Met In a Dream...

    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHK5Urjwkc8​

    The leaves of autumn stir and give way to the soft snow of winter. The hustle and bustle of Mitakihara picks up in the winter months. People crowded into the malls to get their shopping done as soon as possible. It wasn't quite the same since you've gotten older. Instead of worrying about playing in the snow, you thought more about your school work and hunting witches. Your mounting responsibilities were changing you. Next thing you know, you might be asking for socks for Christmas. Your mother joked it was a sign you were 'becoming an adult'. A sentiment echoed by your sibling.

    "You'll be working an office job before you know it, Momo." Madoka laughed, much to your chagrin.

    The thought made you groan. It wasn't an idea you completely hated, it was just everything attached to it. It was a conversation you had before, and it's one you'll keep having in the future. The jokes aside, you had been pooling your money to grab Madoka a gift. It was a tradition within the Kaname household. Well, not the whole family, it was mostly just you and your sister. You exchange presents on Christmas Eve. It started when you were around Takkun's age. It was a sort of ritual that your father put you up to. Ever since then, it's been tradition.

    Madoka struggled to get presents for your mother and father, given her allowance. They kept telling her not to.

    "It's your allowance. Get something for your sister instead!" Your mother said, adjusting the lop-sided towel on her head.

    "But Mama!" Madoka protested. "I want to get you something nice too. I mean, it's only fair."

    "Ah, who raised you to be so nice?" Your mother sighed, leaning back in her chair. She glanced out the window. Snow caked on the frame, blocking the view of the yard. "Alright, fine, I'll accept it. Not like you'll take no for an answer."

    "Great!" Madoka clapped her hands. "Thank you, Mama."

    "Why are you thanking me? It's your money," She said, sipping from her white mug.

    You watched the exchange from the steps leading down into the kitchen. What was supposed to be a quick trip to the fridge for a snack became an episode of eavesdropping. You didn't talk about it. The other Madoka didn't either.

    It was another strange occurrence. Ever since the day the other Madoka saved the second witch, she has yet to leave your side; she would float nearby, talking to you when you're alone, and even offer advice. It was like you had a Madoka living in your head. One outside, one inside. Sometimes it was a bit much, but it wasn't anything that you couldn't get used to.

    "Hey, Madoka," You said, looking down on the city streets. Your armored skirt blew in the winter wind. The cold gauntlets clinked as you rubbed your arms for warmth. "Doesn't look like there's any witches tonight either."

    You stood on top of a partially abandoned building just a few blocks away from the industrial district. The new vantage point offered a clear view of the glistening city from afar. Lights peered through the thin veil of falling snow. You glanced down at the street as the snow settled on the sidewalk below.

    It had been another night without a single witch.

    It was the middle of December as the holidays were fast approaching. It was a time for merriment for most, but for others, it was a time to stir in languor. It was hard to parse, especially being so young, but it was an evident truth. The coming season brought with it the specter of death. Something that witches no doubt had a hand in. It was something you could do little about. Even with being extra vigilant in your patrols, there was bound to be someone who slipped through the cracks.

    Yet, there were none as far as you could tell. You bounced from place to place, leaping from building to building, but you found nothing.

    "Yeah, it looks like it," Madoka said, holding out her translucent hand as snow fell through it. "It means it's working."

    As far as Madoka had told you, the fact that witches seemed to be vanishing meant whatever she was doing was working. Imparting laws, rules that didn't exist in this world, into it. It was what you did each time her power had been invoked. It wasn't just moving from one world to another. That's what it looked like to you, given your connection to her.

    For everyone else, those events never happened. You were a stranger in a strange land. When utilizing the power on witches, their familiars cease to be as well as witches born from their familiars. When used on a familiar turned witch, the people that familiar devoured returned to life.

    "Good," You said as you leaned over the side. "I'm glad. I'd say 'Merry Christmas', but there's no one to say it to."

    A wish nurtured by an earnest desire to help. It was a rippling effect. Every single witch cleansed, every familiar defied, it meant families wouldn't be parted. They didn't know it, they never would, but it didn't matter. If it meant that people could smile and be together with their families -- it was more than enough.

    "Thanks again."

    "Oh? For what?"

    "I don't know." You shrugged, trying to hide a smile. "For being you, I guess?"

    "What brought this on?"

    "I just feel grateful, it being the season and all," You smiled, your eyes drifting toward the cloudy sky above. "I'm just thinking about this and what we're doing. What you've done."

    "Ah, okay. I think I understand."

    You narrowed your eyes. "You don't, do you?"

    "No, not at all," Madoka scratched the back of her head.

    "Some things don't change, even after becoming a goddess, huh?"

    "Don't call me that."

    "What, why? You haven't complained before."

    "It's a little embarrassing."

    "Sorry."

    The night continued on with no witches sighted. It was worrisome, considering the lack of Grief Seeds. Magical girls needed them in order to not transform into witches. It was enough of a worrisome thought that you voiced it to your ephemeral sister. You had discussed it before, but the only answers she had given were a little vague. It was as though she wasn't sure herself.

    "I don't know myself." Madoka frowned. "I can normally observe the past, present, and future. Yet, this world is a fragmented blur."

    "That doesn't sound good." You said as you leaped down another flight of stairs. "You said that before. Any reason why?"

    A shake of the head. "If I knew, I'd have told you already."

    She floated just behind you, following your movement with ease. "So, are we going to have to take our work elsewhere?"

    "How?"

    "What do you mean? We walk-- I mean, I walk, you float. You know what I mean."

    "No, I mean 'how' will you do it?" Madoka tilted her head. "You can't drive, and the train will only take you so far."

    "Ah, right." You frowned. "Well, there's Kazamino, right? I can just go there."

    "That's Kyouko's territory."

    "True, but if I get to the witch, then it's not really an issue."

    Shifting from one world to another had its benefits.

    "I'm not really worried about that."

    She was just like your sister. Exactly alike. They were the same person. It made sense. It was still a fact you had to remind yourself of.

    "I'll be fine." You walked forward, snow crunching under foot.

    It was a question you considered. There was only so much you could do in Mitakihara. You avoided chance encounters with Mami and Kyouko by reverting witches to magical girls. It was something you had already gotten used to. In your mind, it wasn't saying farewell -- it was more about waiting for the opportune time to talk as friends. Not as magical girls, no, but as just that -- friends.

    "You have a bad habit of lying, Momoka."

    It wasn't a lie. Not then, at least.

    You ventured home with the memories of the conversation playing back in your mind. What did you do next? The places that you knew about, strictly, were limited. The cities that you could venture to that were a train ride away were Asunaro and Kamihama. Kazamino was within walking distance. You had remembered Midori mentioned a place by the name of Yamabuki. From what she said, it didn't seem like it would be close to anything resembling a train station.

    Weighing your options, you, of course, chose …

    [_] Prioritized purifying witches in Kazamino.
    [_] Going into Asunaro. It was a fair distance away, but a train should be able to take you there.
    [_] Try to find a way to get to Yamabuki.
    [_] Staying in Mitakihara. Venturing outside would invite disaster.
    [_] Write-in
     
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    • Shinobu Oshino said:
    [_] Try to find a way to get to Yamabuki.
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    …

    Shipper!Brain: "We need to reunite with Midori!"

    Rational!Brain: "Reestablishing contact with Mami and Kyoko is more pressing. We need to make sure Kyubey can't turn them against us and Homura."

    Shipper!Brain: "But-"

    Rational!Brain: "No."

    That said, maybe meeting some other people would do Momoka some good. Just trying to stick around Mitakihara doesn't seem to be working as far as meeting Mami and Kyoko again goes.

    [X] Going into Asunaro. It was a fair distance away, but a train should be able to take you there.

    And it would also be nice to prevent the Pleiades from being gutted by the events of Kazumi Magica if we can.
     
    Herofox said:
    Wait that's a real thing?
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    Four out of seven of the Pleiades die or Witchify by the end of Kazumi Magica. Five out of eight if you count Michiru and Kazumi separately.

    And on that note, depending on when we arrive, Asunaro could give us a very interesting moral quandary, because Kazumi fundamentally cannot exist in a world where Michiru does not become a Witch, which rather clashes with our mission to effectively bring the Law of Cycles to this Timeline (presumably without erasing the local Madoka from existence in the process).
     
    Given how her power is time manipulation, Would Homura be able to remember each previous world? As in, each time Madoka makes a Witch never have existed?
     
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    [X] Going into Asunaro. It was a fair distance away, but a train should be able to take you there.
     
    [X] Going into Asunaro. It was a fair distance away, but a train should be able to take you there.

    This whole Asunaro thing has been an absolute mess and I'm hoping to get it completely off the rails.
     
    Adhoc vote count started by Shinobu Oshino on Mar 28, 2024 at 11:39 PM, finished with 14 posts and 7 votes.
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    Voting is closed. I'll start working on the post here in the next few days and hopefully I can get it out by Monday. Going through a rough patch at the moment. Sorry, everyone.
     
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