Speak of the Devil [Cross Post](Vertigo/PMMM Rebellion)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
I think that's part of the reason that on every world once a century she lives life as a mortal. It gave her perspective. Also, while she is Death, she also very luch represents life as its opposite. So, it makes sense in a way that she would have a very lively personality.
Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
I have read the Death compilation. I also read Endless Nights, where we see Death in full bitch mode.
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
As have I. So you can see why her living a mortal life one day a century is a good thing.
- Location
- Lost amidst hungry sheep
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Feels! My only weakness!
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
We only serve free range metaphysics here, with just the minimally required amount of fan speculation to make sure the story is healthy.
At least I'd like to think so, anyway. All of this certainly made sense to me, at any rate.
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Chapter 14
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
You didn't think we were finished, did you?
Two children in particular, one Kyouko Sakura and Mami Tomoe, smiled and laughed as they walked together, reminiscing on times gone by. But their cheer was only a cover for their sorrow, and their happiness was tinged by memories of loss. For out of everyone who existed, only they knew just how close the world had come to ruination, and just how much had been sacrificed for its survival.
But despite it all, they kept their heads held high. To do otherwise would be to disgrace the memories of those they cherished. Despair might not have been an enemy to combat as they had so many other things in their lives, but neither was it something to wallow in. They knew their friends would not want that.
And besides, they knew that someday they would see those friends again. Absence made the heart grow fonder, and they wanted the day of that reunion to be as joyous as possible. So until that point they'd continue with their lives as best they could. One day at a time.
From atop a high cliff outside the city Lucifer perceived it all, sitting down in a simple chair at a simple table. Nothing in the city escaped his notice, though it was not certain anything truly maintained his interest. He took a sip of coffee from a fine cup, his expression neutral as he took everything in. If he felt anything from his observations, he did not show it. His face was closed off. No one would pierce his thoughts and divine his intent, not with his permission.
He glanced to the side as a flash of pink light rippled through the fabric of reality, coming into the form of a young woman. She floated just a few inches off the ground, supported by wings that looked far too thin and fragile to support any true weight. Her flowing dress rippled out behind her, and within was a vast expanse of shining stars. It was a dress to put the clothes of rulers to shame.
But despite how impressive and regal the garment was, the woman did not hold herself like a queen. All she had was a gentle smile before she gave Lucifer a small bow in respect. Not too deep as to show submission, but enough for politeness' sake.
"May I sit at your table, Morgenstern?" Madoka asked as she straightened.
Lucifer's lips came up at the edges, almost resembling a smile as he responded. "I think we're past the pseudonyms by this point, Kaname Madoka. But in any event, I've no trouble with you joining me this morning."
Madoka nodded, a simple chair forming opposite Lucifer at the table. She straightened her dress a little before sitting down, and a cup of tea appeared before her. She took a sip of it, sighing with contentment.
"You appear to have recovered nicely," Lucifer said, setting his cup down. "As has everything else, from what I can perceive."
"Everything is back in order, more or less," Madoka responded. Her expression grew melancholy as she set her cup down. "All save for the Incubators, who are still attempting to contain the emergence of a sudden and inexplicable emotion plague."
He nodded. "I imagine that will keep them busy for some time."
"I still think you didn't need to do that," Madoka said softly. "I could have handled the Incubators after resuming my position."
"I didn't do it for you, girl," Lucifer cut in, his tone growing ever so slightly colder. "I did it for me. You don't owe me any favors for that."
"But I do owe you a favor," Madoka said, moving the subject along. "For what you've done. Dream informed me of the importance of that, though I'd feel obligated to repay you anyway for your help in resolving the recent crisis. He and his sisters thank you for your efforts, by the way. They'd have done so in person, but they've their own duties that they needed to return to."
"I imagine so," Lucifer said. "As for the favor… You've nothing I want, as of now. I might call on it one day, but very likely I'll never return to this place again. While significantly different in some regards, this universe still spawned from my Father's work. I've no desire to linger in it."
Madoka gave him a sad smile. "I'm not sure you'll ever find what you seek, Lucifer. It might be too grand a goal for anyone to grasp, even for someone as determined as you."
Lucifer quirked an eyebrow in question, and steepled his fingers. "And what is it you believe I'm looking for?"
"Freedom," Madoka said. "Absolute and total, beholden to no one and nothing. To never be bound or influenced by anything save yourself."
"Ah," Lucifer responded before leaning back in his chair. "I see."
They sat there in silence for a time. No words passed between them, and Lucifer's normally stoic expression became even more closed off as he sank deeply into his thoughts. Madoka left him to them. It would have been dangerous to pry, but even more it would have been rude.
Still, she couldn't help but observe Lucifer over the edge of her drink as she took another sip of her tea. He seemed so collected, so barred off from everything and everyone. While she'd been able to deduce Lucifer's desires, she really couldn't wrap her mind around why exactly he wanted something so impossible to grasp.
Well, that wasn't exactly true. She did know the reason. She simply had a difficult time believing it. It was his pride that drove him toward that impossible goal, pride so all encompassing that Lucifer could not accept anything less than success. Not even if it hurt him to do so. For him pain was merely something to be endured, an obstacle to be overcome and ultimately discarded as not important.
Madoka found it sad, in a way. She never liked seeing other people be unhappy, and wanted to relieve misery where she could. But she did not speak her thoughts. She knew Lucifer would not appreciate her concern, and would not accept any help offered. That, too, was a matter of his pride.
"That may or may not be true," Lucifer said at last. His normal scowl was not present, replaced instead by stoicism. "Even still, the journey itself might be of some value. Certainly more than just bemoaning the situation, at any rate."
"You're welcome to stay," Madoka said. "Now that things have settled down I'm sure you can find something to occupy your time."
"The offer is appreciated," Lucifer responded before he stood up. "But no. I think it's well past time for me to move on."
He turned around, one finger extended, and traced the air. A shimmering line stayed behind as he moved, creating a rectangle that remained even as he straightened. Inside of that door was nothing, just a vast blank expanse that had no horizon and looked like it just went on and on without ever ending. The edges of the door crackled with an energy that looked like lightning, but in reality was simply what happened when something collided with nothing. The two never mixed easily, even in a controlled setting such as this.
Lucifer stared at the door for a moment, gazing out into the vast expanse of the void beyond this universe. His wings emerged, the white-feathered limbs extending behind him for several feet. He looked regal, imposing even. With his wings out there was no doubt as to what he was.
"Despite all the unpleasantness I had to deal with during my time here," Lucifer said without facing her, keeping his expression hidden. "I will admit I find it good a place like this exists. That there was someone who saw a system they could not abide, and even if they could not break the rules bent them to something they found more palatable. That's worth something, at the very least."
Madoka's eyes widened a fraction at Lucifer's words, but she didn't allow herself any further reaction aside from that. Anything further would mar this moment, this rare time that someone like Lucifer would give anything resembling a true look into his innermost thoughts. She stood up and gave the man another bow, though he was not facing her.
"I wish you well on your travels, Lightbringer. Fly far and fly fast, and may nothing impede you on your way." She paused for a moment, weighing her next words. "I hope you can find what you're looking for some day."
Lucifer did not respond. He instead drew his wings close and walked through the door. Madoka could see briefly his wings unfolding again and the man taking flight in the nothingness before the opening closed, leaving no trace of its presence.
Madoka stayed there for a moment, just looking at where Lucifer had stood. He had come in the darkness, and left with the dawn. There was something poetic about that, she supposed. She smiled a sad smile for the departed visitor to her realm, and then vanished in a flash of pink light.
All that remained as the wind blew across the cliff was a small table, and two empty cups to mark that anyone had ever been there at all.
****
The sun rose to present a new day upon the city of Mitakihara, banishing the night back to the other side of the world, if only for a little while, at least. All across the city people rose and began their little rituals to come to full waking, preparing for all the hustle and bustle to come. Adults got ready to go to work, and children set out for another day at school.
Two children in particular, one Kyouko Sakura and Mami Tomoe, smiled and laughed as they walked together, reminiscing on times gone by. But their cheer was only a cover for their sorrow, and their happiness was tinged by memories of loss. For out of everyone who existed, only they knew just how close the world had come to ruination, and just how much had been sacrificed for its survival.
But despite it all, they kept their heads held high. To do otherwise would be to disgrace the memories of those they cherished. Despair might not have been an enemy to combat as they had so many other things in their lives, but neither was it something to wallow in. They knew their friends would not want that.
And besides, they knew that someday they would see those friends again. Absence made the heart grow fonder, and they wanted the day of that reunion to be as joyous as possible. So until that point they'd continue with their lives as best they could. One day at a time.
From atop a high cliff outside the city Lucifer perceived it all, sitting down in a simple chair at a simple table. Nothing in the city escaped his notice, though it was not certain anything truly maintained his interest. He took a sip of coffee from a fine cup, his expression neutral as he took everything in. If he felt anything from his observations, he did not show it. His face was closed off. No one would pierce his thoughts and divine his intent, not with his permission.
He glanced to the side as a flash of pink light rippled through the fabric of reality, coming into the form of a young woman. She floated just a few inches off the ground, supported by wings that looked far too thin and fragile to support any true weight. Her flowing dress rippled out behind her, and within was a vast expanse of shining stars. It was a dress to put the clothes of rulers to shame.
But despite how impressive and regal the garment was, the woman did not hold herself like a queen. All she had was a gentle smile before she gave Lucifer a small bow in respect. Not too deep as to show submission, but enough for politeness' sake.
"May I sit at your table, Morgenstern?" Madoka asked as she straightened.
Lucifer's lips came up at the edges, almost resembling a smile as he responded. "I think we're past the pseudonyms by this point, Kaname Madoka. But in any event, I've no trouble with you joining me this morning."
Madoka nodded, a simple chair forming opposite Lucifer at the table. She straightened her dress a little before sitting down, and a cup of tea appeared before her. She took a sip of it, sighing with contentment.
"You appear to have recovered nicely," Lucifer said, setting his cup down. "As has everything else, from what I can perceive."
"Everything is back in order, more or less," Madoka responded. Her expression grew melancholy as she set her cup down. "All save for the Incubators, who are still attempting to contain the emergence of a sudden and inexplicable emotion plague."
He nodded. "I imagine that will keep them busy for some time."
"I still think you didn't need to do that," Madoka said softly. "I could have handled the Incubators after resuming my position."
"I didn't do it for you, girl," Lucifer cut in, his tone growing ever so slightly colder. "I did it for me. You don't owe me any favors for that."
"But I do owe you a favor," Madoka said, moving the subject along. "For what you've done. Dream informed me of the importance of that, though I'd feel obligated to repay you anyway for your help in resolving the recent crisis. He and his sisters thank you for your efforts, by the way. They'd have done so in person, but they've their own duties that they needed to return to."
"I imagine so," Lucifer said. "As for the favor… You've nothing I want, as of now. I might call on it one day, but very likely I'll never return to this place again. While significantly different in some regards, this universe still spawned from my Father's work. I've no desire to linger in it."
Madoka gave him a sad smile. "I'm not sure you'll ever find what you seek, Lucifer. It might be too grand a goal for anyone to grasp, even for someone as determined as you."
Lucifer quirked an eyebrow in question, and steepled his fingers. "And what is it you believe I'm looking for?"
"Freedom," Madoka said. "Absolute and total, beholden to no one and nothing. To never be bound or influenced by anything save yourself."
"Ah," Lucifer responded before leaning back in his chair. "I see."
They sat there in silence for a time. No words passed between them, and Lucifer's normally stoic expression became even more closed off as he sank deeply into his thoughts. Madoka left him to them. It would have been dangerous to pry, but even more it would have been rude.
Still, she couldn't help but observe Lucifer over the edge of her drink as she took another sip of her tea. He seemed so collected, so barred off from everything and everyone. While she'd been able to deduce Lucifer's desires, she really couldn't wrap her mind around why exactly he wanted something so impossible to grasp.
Well, that wasn't exactly true. She did know the reason. She simply had a difficult time believing it. It was his pride that drove him toward that impossible goal, pride so all encompassing that Lucifer could not accept anything less than success. Not even if it hurt him to do so. For him pain was merely something to be endured, an obstacle to be overcome and ultimately discarded as not important.
Madoka found it sad, in a way. She never liked seeing other people be unhappy, and wanted to relieve misery where she could. But she did not speak her thoughts. She knew Lucifer would not appreciate her concern, and would not accept any help offered. That, too, was a matter of his pride.
"That may or may not be true," Lucifer said at last. His normal scowl was not present, replaced instead by stoicism. "Even still, the journey itself might be of some value. Certainly more than just bemoaning the situation, at any rate."
"You're welcome to stay," Madoka said. "Now that things have settled down I'm sure you can find something to occupy your time."
"The offer is appreciated," Lucifer responded before he stood up. "But no. I think it's well past time for me to move on."
He turned around, one finger extended, and traced the air. A shimmering line stayed behind as he moved, creating a rectangle that remained even as he straightened. Inside of that door was nothing, just a vast blank expanse that had no horizon and looked like it just went on and on without ever ending. The edges of the door crackled with an energy that looked like lightning, but in reality was simply what happened when something collided with nothing. The two never mixed easily, even in a controlled setting such as this.
Lucifer stared at the door for a moment, gazing out into the vast expanse of the void beyond this universe. His wings emerged, the white-feathered limbs extending behind him for several feet. He looked regal, imposing even. With his wings out there was no doubt as to what he was.
"Despite all the unpleasantness I had to deal with during my time here," Lucifer said without facing her, keeping his expression hidden. "I will admit I find it good a place like this exists. That there was someone who saw a system they could not abide, and even if they could not break the rules bent them to something they found more palatable. That's worth something, at the very least."
Madoka's eyes widened a fraction at Lucifer's words, but she didn't allow herself any further reaction aside from that. Anything further would mar this moment, this rare time that someone like Lucifer would give anything resembling a true look into his innermost thoughts. She stood up and gave the man another bow, though he was not facing her.
"I wish you well on your travels, Lightbringer. Fly far and fly fast, and may nothing impede you on your way." She paused for a moment, weighing her next words. "I hope you can find what you're looking for some day."
Lucifer did not respond. He instead drew his wings close and walked through the door. Madoka could see briefly his wings unfolding again and the man taking flight in the nothingness before the opening closed, leaving no trace of its presence.
Madoka stayed there for a moment, just looking at where Lucifer had stood. He had come in the darkness, and left with the dawn. There was something poetic about that, she supposed. She smiled a sad smile for the departed visitor to her realm, and then vanished in a flash of pink light.
All that remained as the wind blew across the cliff was a small table, and two empty cups to mark that anyone had ever been there at all.
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
I did think so, actually. And I stand by it. While this does tie up the remaining loose ends, I feel it's a weaker ending than the last chapter.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
A fair enough criticism. Still, I felt things needed to be concluded with the Morningstar. But I'm open to suggestions. How do you think this chapter could be improved to match the quality of the others?
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
By coming before the previous chapter. This is great, and it ties up loose ends, but doesn't have that note of finality that the Homura one does.
To clarify, I feel this chapter is up to par with the other chapters, but the last one was exemplarly as an ending, while this is merely adequate. This chapter and the last one could also be fairly easily swapped in position without changing anything, since Homura's meeting with death is so self contained.
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
I disagree. I like how it book ends. It starts with Lucifer coming in the night and interacting with the "overseer" of this reality and ends with him leaving in the morning after interacting with the true overseer. It fits the style of Gaiman, and the Vertigo stories, well and I really appreciate the captured atmosphere in this ending.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
I'll admit the same idea had crossed my mind when I read your post. I'll eventually be putting this all onto FF.net, so perhaps that will be the official order of things. It's certainly something for me to think about.
I'm a little surprised at both how big this little idea of mine got, and how much people have enjoyed it. I began it pretty much to get some catharsis after watching Rebellion, and because I saw some opportunity thanks to Homura and Sayaka's conversation at the end. I didn't have a clear idea of where I was taking it till after chapter four. But I'm really quite happy with how this story has turned out. It's the first piece of work I've completed on either forum, and probably the best fanfic I've ever written.
It's interesting to have it all finished. A little sad, too. I've really enjoyed writing this, and I'll admit it's a bit draining to see everything concluded. But all good things must come to an end. The curtain is closed, the stage is picked up and all the actors have gone their separate ways. No story lasts forever, but you can always come back to them again.
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Ardion Prosili
An (im)Perfect Cell
I agree. The last part was the very last bit of the climax and this is the denouement. So it makes sense and works for me.
That's very beautiful.
Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
It would have book ended just fine with this coming before the Homura chapter, and the Homura's meeting with Death as the closing epilouge. Remember that this is as much Madoka as Vertigo.
Also, the Homura ending closes things out much more effectively and finally. The story ends, and is closed. This ending is much more open and allows more stories to be hooked on the end more easily. That's a bad thing in my view because the worst thing about Comic Books is the never-ending serial. Sandman and Lucifer are so great in part because they end, and in a final way. Morpheus is dead an mourned, and Lucifer leaves Creation.
That's why I strongly prefer the more final ending of the Homura chapter.
The book ends are better- if only because it builds on Homura's closure and makes it clear that, yes, life goes on for the universe...since the exact nature of that existence was a bit uncertain before that point.
And Madoka itself didn't shy away from leaving "sequel hooks", so to speak, while answering the question of everyone else's fates- it showed us the new world instead of just ending on naked space hugs.
And Madoka itself didn't shy away from leaving "sequel hooks", so to speak, while answering the question of everyone else's fates- it showed us the new world instead of just ending on naked space hugs.
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
The book ends are better- if only because it builds on Homura's closure and makes it clear that, yes, life goes on for the universe...since that was rather uncertain before that point.
The existence of this chapter, even if it came before Homura's chat with death, would do that. And one could argue that the Homura chapter book ends better with Rebellion.
And Madoka itself didn't shy away from leaving plot points open- it showed us the new world instead of just ending on naked space hugs.
Is there something wrong with naked space hugs?
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
Stories are like lives and worlds unto themselves. One story may end but it is only natural that more could grow from that ending. After all, Death and endings are just one side of the coin to life and beginnings. In the end, I still disagree and just feel that this works better tonally as an ending. I admit the last chapter just did not work for me, then again it felt like there was more to come before we got this chapter. I may have been fine with it if they had been released the other way around, but there really is no way to know.
Ardion Prosili
An (im)Perfect Cell
Except this chapter could not have happened before Homura's chat with Death because until the point where Homura stops and Madoka ends the witch WITH HER OWN HANDS, like you know how she worded her wish, Madoka wasn't yet back up completely. Ergo, she could not have had that conversation with Lucifer before then.
The way I see it, the real conflict in this story, the real climax, wasn't the rushing or the getting to Homura, it was getting Homura to stop. Stop what? Just stop. Because for the last however long the loops and post-loop time was, she had done nothing but not stop.
In the end, the whole whats the real ending is just a matter of personal opinion. I feel that the way it ended makes sense. Despite being a quiet scene, the talk with Death was the climax of the story and the chat with Lucy was the end. But at the same time, I can see your perspective and respect it. I just don't agree
The way I see it, the real conflict in this story, the real climax, wasn't the rushing or the getting to Homura, it was getting Homura to stop. Stop what? Just stop. Because for the last however long the loops and post-loop time was, she had done nothing but not stop.
In the end, the whole whats the real ending is just a matter of personal opinion. I feel that the way it ended makes sense. Despite being a quiet scene, the talk with Death was the climax of the story and the chat with Lucy was the end. But at the same time, I can see your perspective and respect it. I just don't agree
As an ending, it's...unsatisfying. "Hurrah, everyone's presumably saved, take our word for it. Hug and fade to black." The actual ending of the series showed a new world formed by the wish, showed how the system changed, tied up the others' character arcs on a slightly less depressing note- and showed what Homura was planning to do from there, reinforcing the series' message and showing she'd found a new purpose. Until Rebellion came along, anyway.
The same applies here. It works in a way "Homura gets hugged by Madoka in space, the End" just doesn't.
Like Homura's chat with the Incubator/Madoka's family/the Wraith hunt, the conversation here makes for a better ending.
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
You seem to be under the impression that I am in favor of just getting rid of this chapter, and ending on the previous. I'm not, I'm in favor of putting this chapter before the previous chapter.
Since when has chronological timing had any necessary relation to how the narrative is arranged?
---
On the topic of book ends: didn't the story start "Enter Homura, enter Lucifer"? So wouldn't the book ends be "Exit Lucifer, exit Homura"?
Ardion Prosili
An (im)Perfect Cell
Since the point where no one likes time travel. Just ask time travelers. They hate the stuff.
Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
Since the point where no one likes time travel. Just ask time travelers. They hate the stuff.
Heh
But narratively, having an epilogue deal with a character who died earlier interact with the Grim Reaper has a long tradition behind it. It's a completely legit narrative move.
Except that Homura's ending is necessary for the rest of it to really flow- because otherwise it's >Homura's committed suicide and her soul is gone, now let's cut to some nice slice of life and tea parties.
Wrap up the main characters (in this case, Homura) then deal with the side characters/plot points unrelated to the previous scene. It flows well as it is, and garbling it would just be...well, strange.
Timing is nice because most of us watch things in chronological order. Your suggestion might work but it wouldn't work as well as the current form does.
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
I'm going to disagree, it flows fine without Homura's ending. Remember that the part before Homura's ending doesn't stop on Homura killing herself, it stops on Madoka reascending. So:
Homura kills herself, and Madoka reascends, then loose ends are tied up showing that Mami and Kyoko and the world are okay, and Madoka and Lucifer talk, then we get Homura's interaction with Death and reuniting with Madoka.
It flows fine.