Chapter Text
Absolute destruction.
That simple line surmised what Madoka was seeing. The city she lived and grew up in…was nothing more than ruins.
Everything was destroyed. Everyone was dead. Including her parents and little brother. The only one who was alive other than her was Homura.
Well…
Her…and that thing.
Whatever Walpurgisnacht was, it certainly was not a normal witch. Perhaps not even an abnormal one.
If clouds rain water, then Walpurgisnacht rains death.
Madoka was on her knees. If she was a magical girl, she would have already turned into a witch for how much despair she was feeling.
Right… She wasn’t a magical girl… But Kyubey was there. She knew he was.
Maybe… Maybe she can fix this. She hated Kyubey with a passion but he did keep his promises. And he always granted the wishes.
Madoka got back on her feet. She will fix this. She will-
“Madoka…”
Her line of thought was interrupted by Homura. When the pink-haired girl looked at her, she could easily see the absolutely disheveled state she was in.
“I’m sorry… I failed again…”
That ‘again’ unnerved Madoka more than it should have.
“But I’ll fix this… I’ll go back again… Next time… Next time surely…”
Her tone was trembling. And Madoka was no better.
“W-What do you mean… ‘go back’?”
Homura tensed up. Like she said something she shouldn't have. There was something in her eyes Madoka couldn’t decipher.
“I can travel through time. That’s my power.”
Madoka widened her eyes. That…would explain so much.
How Homura knew about certain events, how she knew where the nurse’s office was back at their school…
Madoka abruptly stopped her line of though. Homura said ‘again’.
Hesitantly, she asked.
“I…I-Is this…the first time…you traveled back?”.
She saw Homura looking down in shame, angry at herself for having slipped on that little detail.
“No… I’ve been travelling back several times before. I wanted to save you. But I always fail… Even when I manage to… Walpurgisnacht would arrive and destroy everything. But I will never give up! I’ll travel a hundred times if it means saving you.”
Madoka could feel tears starting to form.
Her friend Homura had to go through all that…for her. She probably saw more destruction than even a soldier sent to war did. And yet she still hasn’t given up.
“Why?”
The magical girl turned to her friend in confusion.
“Why go through all that for me?”
Madoka was now crying.
“I’m just a useless girl who has nothing special about her… Why do you sacrifice so much for me?”
Homura grabbed her hands.
“Don’t! Say that!”
Madoka looked completely shocked by her friend’s outburst.
“You’re the most incredible person I ever met. You’re cute, kind, always look out for others, and a beautiful friend. It was because of you that I managed to find the will to go on… You don’t remember this but you saved me. During the timeline where I became a magical girl, you saved me. You showed me more kindness than anyone ever showed to me. So that’s why I won’t give up on you.”
Homura’s eyes were tinted in determination. Madoka never saw her speaking with so much passion. More tears came.
“Homura… I…”
“You don’t have to say anything. You won’t remember what I told you. But I swear I’ll fix everything. You won’t have to become a magical girl and Walpurgisnacht will only be a memory. We’ll have fun every time we want and we’ll be happy. I promise.”
Homura let go of her and turned to stare hatefully at the witch, who was pretty much forgotten before now. Its doll-like body almost reached the top of the gears.
Madoka could only stare at Homura as she was starting to rewind time.
…It wasn’t fair.
Homura suffered so much because of her. And she doesn’t even remember it. In the end she really was useless.
But she will change that.
“Kyubey.”
The cat-like being was behind her, calmly watching like nothing was happening.
“I want to make a contract with you.”
“Is that so? And what is your wish?”
Homura didn’t have to be alone on her quest. Not anymore.
“I wish to retain my memories after Homura rewinds time.”
Kyubey flicked his tail in interest.
“You’re a very interesting person, Madoka Kaname.”
After that it was all black.
Next time Madoka woke up, she was in her bed.
When she looked at her calendar, she knew she wasn’t dreaming.
She was back at that day. The day…she was introduced to the world of magical girls and witches.