[The 6th continuation of the Rin, Len, Miku, Nagisa and the Madoka girls thread, including Path 1, Path 2, and Path 3! (Path 3 has been branched off Path 1)]
"Are you sure Madoka?" "Yes. Kyouko-chan and Mami sempai are probabably;y taklking to her right now. They will help her, I know they can. " [she smiled tiredly at her parents] "My good friends...." [spealking oof which, she should probably call sayaka and tell her about what happened, and about Kyouko and Mami...] "Well Maodka, let's head back to the hotel then and get you all warmed up. It's getting cold." 'Sounds good Papa..." [with that, they headed off]
[Seven chuckled] "Nope. It's probably her witch name now. Though, they're in that weird, rare, halfway state. And started a witch realm all theyir own. heheh, it's cute!" "Perhaps. and I'm glad they're happy for now. Though, how long will it last... it is unstable. And once queen walpurgsnacht arirves...
"That's true" [seven shook his head sadly]. " Queen Walpurgisnacht has become more powerful each time she has appeared, and as more witch souls join her. There aren't enough magical girls left in the area to go up against her. And now that Mami and Kyouko and sayaka are half witch inside their own little witch realm, the sayaka here is an illusionary copy, Homura is a lizard, and we know we absolutely can not let Madoka contract with Nine." "Right. Super pure and nearly squeaky clean and sweethears and sugar her soul is and stuff, enough to not fall into despair no matter what, we know she's destined to be the next witch queen." (eight rolled around) " But with Niners, we just know he's gonna rig it so that it goes witch and breaks some other way, then new queen Madoka takes the throne, then poof, there goes a good chuck of the Earth and they'll fill their energy quota and be all damn smug about it! Blegh!"
[meanwhile, all Madoka could hear was a warbling static , lke listening through a seashell and ocean.] "hello? Sayaka? are you there? hello?" [Sayaka oktavia groaned, realizing a phone call wouldnt have reception through this dimension.] "Sorry Madoka..." [the mermaid sighed and hung up. She'll find a way to contact Madoka...]
...I'm not sure the Sayaka Copy actually can be called "illusionary", though - Her Soul Gem is real enough, though it's low-powered in general, and she does have her own personality, it seems, even though it started out as a copy of the original Miki Sayaka's.
[And then, he sighed.]
- She's not going to be very useful in the coming conflict either way, though, I'm afraid - Well, not at her current power levels, anyway.
[And in the meanwhile, Madoka was staring at her phone as it rang. Sayaka-chan was trying to call her back? But something...something was strange...]
[And then, she took a deep breath, and picked her phone up. It was only Sayaka-chan - What could go wrong?]
...Hey, Madoka, where you trying to call me? My phone's being wonky tonight, I think...
[Madoka grinned, then. Oh, yes, this was the Sayaka she remembered. So what had she been worried about, again?]
[Copy Sayaka, in the meanwhile, was wondering about whether she should talk to Madoka about the not so minor fact that her power levels seemed to be only a fraction of what they'd been before they'd all fought that Witch at the concert. The thing was, she didn't feel bad at all, in general - She was happy and stable now, and felt much better about her life and Kyosuke and all that.]
[And then, she remembered the blob of dark energies popping out of her Soul Gem all by itself, and sweatdropped a bit. That wasn't normal, right? She took out her Soul Gem, and checked it just to be sure. Yes, it was as clean as a whistle, though, hmmm - Had been always been that bright plastic-y blue color?]
"But how did she get that way?" [seven asked curiously] "My guess is that she's subconciously drawing power from the real Sayaka, ultimately making her a clone of sorts, while more and more that leaves the first Sayaka as the witch side of her, though she's not aware of it yet. But if that goes on, then witch sayaka, even in that dimension, will lose control. so will the other one." "And, that will suck." "Exactly. So, we need to get them back togeter into one..."
[as Sayaka Oktavia came out into the real world temporarily, the copy sayaka suddenly froze up in the meanwhile, as sayaka oktavia was drawing up all the enrgy she could to keep her human side open, though she still had the mermaid bits] "I was, Sayaka. Some strange things are going on..." "you mean with the witches? You just stay safe at school and let me deal with them, Madoka!" [<adoka blinked] "But, Sayaka, I'm not now. I'm on vacation with my family in the countryside, remember?"
"Or, erm, right, haha..."
"Sayaka, are you ok? I mean, you did miss school for a few days before, I know oure busy with magical girl business..."
"I-I'm fine, really Madoka."
"Does this have anything to do with what hitomi was going to talk to you about Kyousuke?"
[The Oktavia side bristled up at that]
[Madoka looked at her phone. What were those odd noises, coming from the other side? It was like Sayaka was sitting at the bottom of an ocean or something...]
...Sayaka? Sorry, this was something I shouldn't have talked about, right?
[Sayaka-Oktavia stared at the phone, her hair rippling as her magic spead, turning her room into a strange magical seascape, with magical seawater flowing through the TV and computer and around the bed.]
[Hitomi had - Hitomi had...]
[And that was when a shadowy hand came out of a nowhere, and touched her shoulder.]
[Sayaka-Oktavia blinked, then, as Shadow Kyosuke appeared, and gave her a gently hug from behind.]
[...Ahh, right. Why should she miss that silly mortal version, when the Kyosuke that actually loved her was right here?]
[Copy Sayaka jerked awake, and groaned. Why did she keep spacing out like that all the time now, anyway?]
...Ugh, sorry, Madoka...What were we talking about, again?
[She shook her head, wondering why she felt the need to check and see if her computer wasn't waterlogged. There was nothing whatever wrong with it, of course.]
- Wait, you were talking about Hitomi, right? And Kyosuke?
[Copy Sayaka sighed, then.]
...Geez, really. I mean, Hitomi's my friend, but sometimes, that girl...
[And then, she looked at the calender, and grinned.]
[So why had she been so scared of telling Kyosuke she wanted to be his girlfriend, anyway? So what if she was a Magical Girl, and her soul wasn't in her body anymore?]
[It wasn't like she was going to ask him to marry her or anything like that, geez - Not that either of them was old enough for that kind of thing, of course. And if it didn't work out - So what? Well, of course, it might be a bit hard to look Kyosuke in the face, if he decided to go out with Hitomi after all, or anything like that, buuuut...]
- Hey, I have an idea, Madoka - Why don't you come with me when I tell Kyosuke I want him to be my BF?
[And then, Copy Sayaka grinned again.]
You're my best friend, right? You should be there to be me to give me moral support!
[And then, she snickered.]
...And you can also comfort me if Kyosuke is enough of an idiot to tell me no, of course. We can go to that cake buffet place, and binge ourselves out, in that case! Right, Madoka?
[Madoka and her family managed to get home safely the day after that with no problems. Madoka had dithered for a while, wondering if she should tell Sayaka about what had happened when she'd went on the trip, but then she had talked over things with Lizard Homura, who had at least managed to chirp back and nod yes and no. In the end, they had both decided to not to tell Sayaka anything about it until whatever Sayaka was planning about the Kyosuke situation was over and done with - Madoka didn't want to interfere with things, especially since it seemed like Sayaka had managed to gear herself up into actually dealing with things at long last.]
[- Copy Sayaka and Madoka were waiting at the gates of the school for Kyosuke to come out. Lizard Homura, on the other hand, was trying to keep still inside Madoka's pocket.]
...Darn, I'm so nervous, Madoka - This is worse then before a concert, and that's saying something, it really is!
[Copy Sayaka said - And that was when she caught sight of Kyosuke coming down the path!]
...Oh, good, here he comes -
[Copy Sayaka said, and started to wave her hands, grining and red-faced.]
- Hey, Kyosuke! Kyosuke, I have something important I want to say to you!
[And that was when she caught sight of Hitomi, who had been walking just a couple of steps behind Kyosuke!]
[Copy Sayaka's eyes widened as she caught sight of Hitomi, who was smiling herself, looking at bit embarrassed. And then, she stood straight, and pointed a finger at Hitomi!]
...Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute there - I thought you said you were going to wait a week, Hitomi!
[Hitomi got red in the face at that, but then, she picked up her phone, and showed Copy Sayaka the date on the screen.]
- So I did, but that week ended last night, Sayaka-san!
[Copy Sayaka's brow furreled. Damn, she must have gotten the dates wrong, then...]
[And then, she took a deep breath. It was time for Plan B, apparently. Sayaka smiled, and raised her voice with a grin.]
...Well, whatever, whatever - But that's not going to stop me from doing what I wanna, Hitomi!
[Hitomi blinked at that. This was...very unlike the Sayaka-san she'd talked to just a week ago, she did have to admit. Sayaka had seemed to be terribly depressed, almost haunted in fact, but now...She looked chipper and hale, almost like she was an entirely different person in fact.]
[Copy Sayaka, in the meanwhile, had taken a couple of deep breaths. She marched up to Kyosuke, who took a step back in spite of himself, sweatdropping.]
...Um...Sayaka...What is it? You're scaring me a bit, to be honest...
[Sayaka groaned at that, but then she made herself smile again, though her face was getting more red by the moment.]
- Kyosuke! Um, I know we've been friends for ages, but I have something I have to say to you, I think...
[Kyosuke gulped, then, and made himself smile.]
...Well, um, if you say so? Please go ahead, Sayaka!
[Copy Sayaka took a deep breath, then.]
- Please go out with me, Kamijo Kyosuke-san - I want to be your GF, and I want you to be my BF!
[Madoka gulped, then. Sayaka was getting a red as a tomato, now - And so was Kyosuke!]
( but the day before, Madoka had gone to bed, sorrowful that she couldnt do anything to Help the situations earlier. Sheknew she was doing right, but still. Homura tried to comfort her, and fell asleep curled up on the pillow right next to mafokas cheek. The next day the kanamez were having breakfast at the patio at the hotel, when two teenage boys approached, one mussy haired and warring a delinquent jacket then other cleaner looking with tan hair and amber eyes. " "Miss madoka kaname?" " huh?" " we just wanted to thank you for trying to help our friendcirce yesterday when she was havig trouble. " oh?" Madoka blinkec. These boys seemed familar. Homura beistled in suspicion in madokas Pocket" " yeah. Dont worry, situation is handled and shell be fine." ( they looked at madoka and homura and they could hear their voices telepathically in their mind.) " well explain everything soon. Including anput what happened to Mami and kyouko. But it isnot a good idea To go looking for them madoka." " and were looking into channeling circes magic to reverse the spell on gloomy homura" ( seven snickered) " " though she looks good like that!" ( mrs kaname was looking through her briefcase) " oh i must have left those files in the office! Im going ti have to head back to mitikihara today."
...Oh, don't worry about it Junko - We were planning to go back today anyway, after all.
[Tomohisa said, and then, he smiled at Junko, holding her hand.]
- It's OK if we finish our breakfast first, right?
[Aand Junko nodded with a sigh.]
...Yeah, yeah - I probably do work too much sometimes, I do admit.
[And then, she smiled.]
We can even go to the Shrine we were planning to go visit today, I think, as long as we get back to Mitakihara by the evening...
[And at another part of the hotel lobby...]
[Madoka tilted her head, then, taking a better look at the amber-eyed boy.]
[...Wait a minute, waaaait a minute...]
.........Eight??? You're Eight!?!?
- Ha ha ha, see, see? I win the bet!
[Eight said, grinning. Seven sighed, and tossed some coins his way.]
...Yeah, yeah, he's Eight and I'm Seven - It's just easier to transform ourselves sometimes, you see...
[Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, was almost biting her own tail in agitation. She spun around in Madoka's pocket, trying very hard not to chirp where other people could here her.]
"sounds good. We'll take the late afternoon train and reach home before too late." [Mrs Kaname sipped her coffee] "Let's maybe head off to see the shrine in like an hour." "Okay then! I'll stop by the market in the hotel and pick up some picnic lunches!" [Mr Kaname nodded." "yay! picnic!" [Tatsuya cheered] "Madoka san, could we have a word with you in private?" [Eigth spoke up] "Oh?" [Madoka blinekd in worry] "Of course. May I, Mama?" "Don't worry, we'll be just across the lake there where you can still keep an eye on us, in case we try anythin with your daughter" [Seven winked" "Go ahead." [But Mrs Kaname still gave Seven a warning look. The two took Madoka out and out of ear shot but still kept telepathically speaking] [Maodka picked homura out of her pocket and heeld her gently] "Is Circe Chan..." "I'm sorry, but she has fallen into despair and become a witch" "Oh, poor poor Circe chan..." [Madoka blinked tears] "We did get her safely into a containment field so she can't hurt anyone." "Course that was after a couple local girls found their way in" [Seven added] "She really has a thing against hot thin girls.dont worry, they're not hurt. They just turned into pigs. literally." "As for Kyouko and Mami..." "Why are they like witches now?" [Seven and Eight explained what they knew about this witch mini world, though they did leave out the part about Sayaka being there as well."
...Wait, so you mean those girls were turned into pigs, and you just...left them there?
Oh, no!
[The boys shook their heads, then, laughing.]
- Oh, no, no, don't worry, Mami and Kyoko just went and rescued all of them, and both of them are now trying to convince Circe's Witch to come and move in with them, I think.
[And then, Seven took a look at Madoka's pocket, where Lizard Homura was listening to them.]
...The pigs all turned back into girls all by themselves once Mami and Kyoko tossed them out of the Witch Barrier, though - But Akemi Homura hasn't turned back yet, correct?
[Eight nodded at that.]
- Yeah - You might just have to wait it out until it wears off, if we can't figure out a way to reverse it, I'm afraid...
...OK, then. I'll take care of Homura-chan until she turns back, in that case -
[And then, she looked at Lizard Homura, and smiled.]
- OK, Homura-chan?
[Lizard Homura blushed a little, which was odd to see on a lizard's face, but eventually, she nodded.]
[Madoka and Lizard Homura said goodbye to Seven and Eight, and then visited some shrines and temples.]
...Hey, Madoka, come here - Look, look!
[Her mother whispered, at one temple, laughing. Madoka blinked, and went to look at what her mother was looking at.]
- This version of the Merciful Kannon looks just like you!
[Madoka's father came over to them, too, his eyes widening, while her little brother chortled in his arms.]
...Ohhh - She really does!
[Her whole family put some money in the donation box and prayed, then, though Madoka did feel a bit odd praying to a Kannon who looked so much like herself.]
[Madoka finished praying, and then looked at the Kannon for a moment, blinking. The Kannon really did look like a somewhat older version of Madoka herself, though Madoka didn't think she really could be that beautiful or graceful.]
[And then, she looked at the base of the Kannon, and blinked again. OK, so these were supposed to be the demon-god guardians who protected the Merciful Kannon, she supposed, but those were remarkably cute, though still fierce-looking. One held a sword, and the other held a spear.]
[And then, she tilted her head again. Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, had stuck her nose out of Madoka's pocket, wondering what was going on.]
...Is it just me, or do those demon-gods look a lot like Sayaka-chan and Kyoko-chan when they're transformed?
[Homura narrowed her beady violet eyes at the statue of the goddess that resembled madoka, thinking. Hm, didn't she see that same statue, that same goddess that resembled Madokad in a different timeline? Wait, but that had been in a difefrent area. And, She didn't really remember this goddess being here when she last came to this area years ago... Could this be a result of the occasional glitches that happened within the difefrent timelines?" [Madoka giggled at the statue of the one that looked like Sayaka] "And she's even a mermaid! Sayaka always liked mermaids. I remember when she was younger she said she wanted to be one." [And boy , did she get that wish. Many times, Homura thought bitterly. She listened as Madoka asked the shrine maiden , and the shinre maiden explaiened the legend of how some curse and invisible female demons plagued the young girls of the villaige a long time ago, and the goddess appeared and healed them, and some of the girls fatally cursed were taken away to peace in a beautiful light....]
[The Shrine Maiden then smiled sweetly, and asked the tourists to come and pray at the Shinto Shrine next to the Buddist Temple, too. They were selling books about the local celebrities and artwork and legends there, she said, and held out a sample.]
[Tomohisa chuckled at that.]
- Yes, I did wonder why a Shinto Shrine Maiden was helping out at a Buddist Temple, I must admit...
[And so the Kaname family all went to the Shinto Shrine next door, and washed their hands at the old-fashioned Shinto wash-basin. They then went up into the Shrine itself, where a big sign said that there was a special showing of the most important statues of the Kami worshipped in the Shrine, just for two weeks.]
...Ohhh, we're in luck, everybody!
[Junko said with a laugh, and so Madoka and her family put some money in the donation box, rang the clapper, and prayed again. And then, they all went up into the Shrine, along with the other tourists.]
[And then, Madoka stopped dead as she caught sight of a rather large statue. It was a statue of a very beautiful young woman with long hair, who was holding something that looked like a bow in her hand, and pointing an arrow at an unseen enemy. The statue's expression was ferocious, and - Were the things behind her back supposed to be long dark wings or something?]
...Um, Homura-chan?
[Madoka whispered after a few moments, and put her hand in her pocket.]
- Could you crawl up inside my jacket, so you can see this better?
[Lizard Homura pushed her head against Madoka's hand, and then quickly crawled up the inside of Madoka's jacket. She poked her head out, curiously - And then, she froze too.]
[The statue looked very much like a slightly older Homura when she wasn't a lizard, though she didn't think she was half as beautiful as it was.]
[Homura nearly fell out of Madoka's jacket as she tried to turn around, then. She'd been to this Shrine before! She would have remembered something like a statue of a Kami that looked just like her, right?]
[Madoka quickly grabbed Lizard Homura, then, and put her back into her pocket.]
...Don't worry, Homura-chan - We'll figure something out, I promise!
[She whispered - And then, she looked up at the statue that looked like Homura again.]
- She's so beautiful, though! I do wonder what Kami she is supposed to be...
[And then, the Kaname family went out of the shrine building, talking to each other.]
...Ohh, such beautiful photos and illustrations! I'll take this one, thanks.
[Madoka's mother said, looking through some of the books they were selling. Madoka went up to her, and looked at the book - It was a book about local legends and history and artworks, she thought.]
Mom! Can I read it first?
[And then, she lowered her voice.]
...I mean, there's the Kannon that looked like me, and...
- Oh, of course, Madoka - Here!
[Junko said, and held out the book with a smile. Madoka smiled back, and quickly took the book and ran over to read it under some of the trees.]
[The very first page she opened was an photo of a really old painting of a goddess with a sad smile, apparently healing some girls who looked up at her gratefully, a white aura covering them. Yet another goddess was fiercely pointing a bow and arrows at some monsters, keeping them away from the first goddess and the people she was trying to heal.]
...Ohhh...
[Madoka whispered, and then she moved Lizard Homura to inside her jacket again.]
They really do look like us, I think...
[Neither Madoka or Homura realized that Junko was looking in their direction, a rather worried expression on her face.]
[And then both Madoka and Homura felt dizzy for a moment, as there was a quick static vision of, something... something beautiful, tragic... among the cosmos... two goddesses, one light and one dark....] "Madoka? It's time to go, honey!" "Huh? right, Ok then!" [Shaking her head clear, Maodka skipped back to join her parents. after the nice picnic lunch on the temple grounds by the pond, Madoka slipped pieces of food from her bento box into her pocket for Homura pond, and headingback to the hotel to finish packing up and checking out, they headed to the train station to take the train back home. Madoka yawned, feeling tired.]
[And then, Madoka and Lizard Homura both fell asleep on the train back home - And their dreams were strange indeed.]
[Madoka shuddered at a somewhat older-looking Homura in her dreams laughed, and put her own Soul Gem in her mouth, biting down on it. The Soul Gem looked strange, though, not like an ordinary Soul Gem at all...]
(...Noo, Homura-chan! What are you doing!?!?)
[Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, was trying to run up to a strange version of Madoka with a golden aura and golden eyes, but never managed to get to her.]
(Madoka, come back - What's the use of managing to save all the Magical Girls if nobody can save you!?)
[The Madoka with the golden aura smiled sadly, then.]
(But I did save myself too, Homura-chan.)
[And then, an image floated up in front of both of them - The Madoka with the golden aura had pointed her magical bow and arrow at something that looked like a doll made of black strings covering an entire planet, and fired, destroying it.]
[And then, she waved her hand, and a small city filled with pretty buildings and parks came into sight. It was filled with happy-looking teenage girls, with the occasional younger girl or older woman thrown in. There were also a few men here and there, too, though they were much fewer then the women and girls.]
(And I'm not all alone - I have all those people keeping me company, and helping me with my mission, after all!)
[Lizard Homura shook her head, then.]
(But that wasn't what you wanted - You were happy being just a human girl, and you would have wanted to grow up to be a human woman, and do all kinds of things human grownups do...)
[And then, she rubbed her face with her lizard-paws.]
(...And what about your family? Didn't you want to be with them?)
[The Madoka with the golden aura smiled again, even more sadly.]
(You're probably right. But this is the path I choose, Homura-chan.)
[And then, she picked Homura up.]
(- But Homura-chan? If we're really, really friends, and if you thought I really didn't make the right Wish - )
( the ethereal madoka sighed and shook her head) " well, if you did end up doing drastic, for my sake, well then i would understand. I might be upset and saddened if what you did was something bad.... But i would understand, my dear homura. And i would not be angry. And i especially would never, ever hate you...." (And in madoka's dream, she watchec as kyubey was crushed in the now darkly ethereal homura's hand , as doll like young girls danced around her chanting in german, while lizard homura looked on sadly before being frozen into a jewel with the strange dark soul gem dangling from her tail...."
[And then, Madoka and Lizard Homura both woke up, shaking!]
[Lizard Homura had tumbled out of Madoka's pocket in her agitation, and woke up at the last moment to find Madoka's little brother staring at her in fascination as she clung to Madoka's jacket with her little paws.]
...Ooooo? Pretty, pretty!
[Madoka's parents, in the meanwhile, had both realized that their daughter had been mumbling in her sleep, looking upset indeed.]
- Madoka? You OK over there?
[Junko said, while Tomohisa patted her head.]
...I think you must have been having a nightmare, Madoka-chan...
[Tatsuya, in the meanwhile, had made a swipe at Lizard Homura, giggling.]
...Eeeek!?
[Lizard Homura squeaked - Oh, no, Madoka's parents were going to catch sight of her any moment now!]
[If only she could change herself into something else, something that wouldn't look out of place falling out of Madoka's pocket...]
[And that was when Lizard Homura felt her body changing again! All of a sudden, her body was cold and hard, though it didn't hurt at all -]
[And then, a very beautiful pendant fell down on the floor of the train with a clunk!]
[Madoka gasped as she caught sight of the pendant, and quickly picked it up. It was a crystal glass pendant, with a beautiful stylized purple lizard with a Soul Gem like ornament hanging from it's tail shining inside it...]
(...Ho - Homura-chan!?!?)
[And that was when she heard a very familiar voice in her head - ]
(.......I'm a pendant now!?!? And I thought being turned into a magical lizard was bad - Good grief!)
[Madoka blinked in worry, holding her over. Then they both heard Seven's voice in their minds] (wow, gee, we lend you some magic back and the first thing you do is encase yourself in crystal, gloomy Homura?) [Homura blinked behind the jewel hiding her] (Well I do not think Mister and Misses Kaname would appreciate a strange lizard in their daughter's pocket.) (Right. Well like I said, we managed to get you some of your magical energy back, not enough to turn you back unfortunately. But you can communicate now and do small tricks. Your'e welcome.) (Oh, thank you, Nanbei kun! but, where are you?) [Madoka looked around] (Around. keepin' an eye on you.) [Tatsuya pouted] "Homu Lizard all hard and shiny now!"
[Madoka's father said, laughing, and then he looked at the pendant in Madoka's hands.]
- Whooo, that's so pretty! When did you get it, Madoka?
[Madoka sweatdropped, and cradled Pendant Homura in her hands.]
...It, um...
[And then, an idea struck her, and she grinned.]
- This is borrowed, actually - My friend Homura-chan lent it to me! It's really pretty, so...
[Pendant Homura sqeeked inwardly, but did not make any further comments for the moment. So Madoka thought the pendant version of her was pretty? Uh, oh...]
[Madoka's father blinked, then.]
...Ha ha ha, look, look - It almost looks like the lizard part is turning a bit red now, when you hold it up!
[Madoka's mother, in the meanwhile, was sighing a bit. Her daughter was really bad at this fibbing and making up stories business. And anyway, why was she bothering to lie about a pendant in the first place, anyway?]
[And then, Junko grinned.]
[But on the other hand, Madoka was a teenager now, so... Maybe she should be glad that she's apparently started to do normal teenager things, ho ho ho...]
"yes, she's a very special jewel..." [Madoka stroked the homura lizard jewel, which blushed even redder.] (Madoka...) [Madoka's father nodded] "Well, take good care of it then." "I will Papa! Oh all right, tatsuya, you can hold her, but be gentle!" [She carefully placed the homura lizard jewel into her little brother's hands. He cheered, but was careful in holding her.] "There you go..."
[Tatsuya giggled, then, looking at Pendant Homura.]
...Homuhomu so shiny!
[And then, he played with the pendant for a couple of minutes, until Madoka took the pendant back, and put it in her pocket again.]
(Can you turn back into a magical lizard now, Homura-chan?)
[She said, patting the pendant with her fingers. Homura inwardly grinned at that, and almost cheered when she quickly managed to turn into a lizard again. Being a pretty pendant wasn't exactly horrible, but she hadn't wanted to become stuck as a magical inanimate object, after all...]
[That night, after they'd gotten home, Madoka and Lizard Homura talked things over, and decided not to tell Sayaka about any of the new developments until after she'd at least tried to do the "love confession thing", as Madoka had put it. Madoka had been quite surprised that Sayaka had actually managed to psych herself into doing the deed, to be honest, and she didn't want to do anything that could interfere with something that was obviously really important to Sayaka herself.]
Re: The continuation of Path 3 2/2
"Yes. Kyouko-chan and Mami sempai are probabably;y taklking to her right now. They will help her, I know they can. " [she smiled tiredly at her parents] "My good friends...." [spealking oof which, she should probably call sayaka and tell her about what happened, and about Kyouko and Mami...]
"Well Maodka, let's head back to the hotel then and get you all warmed up. It's getting cold."
'Sounds good Papa..." [with that, they headed off]
[Seven chuckled] "Nope. It's probably her witch name now. Though, they're in that weird, rare, halfway state. And started a witch realm all theyir own. heheh, it's cute!"
"Perhaps. and I'm glad they're happy for now. Though, how long will it last... it is unstable. And once queen walpurgsnacht arirves...
Re: The continuation of Path 3
...Well, to sure, their little Nest ain't really stable, but on the other hand, it seems to be flexible enough for now, methinks.
[Seven said, and then he pushed Eight off his flank with a sigh.]
- I still have no idea about what to do about Walpugis, though, I must admit.
[And in the meanwhile, back at Sayaka's Mini-World...]
[Kyoko-Ophelia grinned as her horsie came back to where they'd set up the entrance to Sayaka's mini-world, wickering.]
...Oh, you're back! So Madoka is safe now, correct?
[The horse nodded at her, it's eyes glowing red-amber again. Kyoko-Ophelia grinned, and patted it's flank.]
- In just a couple of more days, it'll be safe enough to bring you all in. You'll like that, right?
[At the hotel Madoka's family is staying at]
[Madoka sighed, and called Sayaka on her phone.]
[Copy Sayaka blinked as her phone started to ring, and then, suddenly cut off in mid-ring with an plonk. Haah?]
[And deep inside a strange place that looked like the bottom of a sea...]
[The real Sayaka-Oktavia put her phone to her ear.]
< ...Madoka. Hi. >
Re: The continuation of Path 3
"Right. Super pure and nearly squeaky clean and sweethears and sugar her soul is and stuff, enough to not fall into despair no matter what, we know she's destined to be the next witch queen." (eight rolled around) " But with Niners, we just know he's gonna rig it so that it goes witch and breaks some other way, then new queen Madoka takes the throne, then poof, there goes a good chuck of the Earth and they'll fill their energy quota and be all damn smug about it! Blegh!"
[meanwhile, all Madoka could hear was a warbling static , lke listening through a seashell and ocean.] "hello? Sayaka? are you there? hello?"
[Sayaka oktavia groaned, realizing a phone call wouldnt have reception through this dimension.] "Sorry Madoka..." [the mermaid sighed and hung up. She'll find a way to contact Madoka...]
Re: The continuation of Path 3
...I'm not sure the Sayaka Copy actually can be called "illusionary", though - Her Soul Gem is real enough, though it's low-powered in general, and she does have her own personality, it seems, even though it started out as a copy of the original Miki Sayaka's.
[And then, he sighed.]
- She's not going to be very useful in the coming conflict either way, though, I'm afraid - Well, not at her current power levels, anyway.
[And in the meanwhile, Madoka was staring at her phone as it rang. Sayaka-chan was trying to call her back? But something...something was strange...]
[And then, she took a deep breath, and picked her phone up. It was only Sayaka-chan - What could go wrong?]
...Hey, Madoka, where you trying to call me? My phone's being wonky tonight, I think...
[Madoka grinned, then. Oh, yes, this was the Sayaka she remembered. So what had she been worried about, again?]
[Copy Sayaka, in the meanwhile, was wondering about whether she should talk to Madoka about the not so minor fact that her power levels seemed to be only a fraction of what they'd been before they'd all fought that Witch at the concert. The thing was, she didn't feel bad at all, in general - She was happy and stable now, and felt much better about her life and Kyosuke and all that.]
[And then, she remembered the blob of dark energies popping out of her Soul Gem all by itself, and sweatdropped a bit. That wasn't normal, right? She took out her Soul Gem, and checked it just to be sure. Yes, it was as clean as a whistle, though, hmmm - Had been always been that bright plastic-y blue color?]
Re: The continuation of Path 3
"My guess is that she's subconciously drawing power from the real Sayaka, ultimately making her a clone of sorts, while more and more that leaves the first Sayaka as the witch side of her, though she's not aware of it yet. But if that goes on, then witch sayaka, even in that dimension, will lose control. so will the other one."
"And, that will suck."
"Exactly. So, we need to get them back togeter into one..."
[as Sayaka Oktavia came out into the real world temporarily, the copy sayaka suddenly froze up in the meanwhile, as sayaka oktavia was drawing up all the enrgy she could to keep her human side open, though she still had the mermaid bits]
"I was, Sayaka. Some strange things are going on..."
"you mean with the witches? You just stay safe at school and let me deal with them, Madoka!"
[<adoka blinked] "But, Sayaka, I'm not now. I'm on vacation with my family in the countryside, remember?" "Or, erm, right, haha..." "Sayaka, are you ok? I mean, you did miss school for a few days before, I know oure busy with magical girl business..." "I-I'm fine, really Madoka." "Does this have anything to do with what hitomi was going to talk to you about Kyousuke?" [The Oktavia side bristled up at that]
Re: The continuation of Path 3 1/2
...Sayaka? Sorry, this was something I shouldn't have talked about, right?
[Sayaka-Oktavia stared at the phone, her hair rippling as her magic spead, turning her room into a strange magical seascape, with magical seawater flowing through the TV and computer and around the bed.]
[Hitomi had - Hitomi had...]
[And that was when a shadowy hand came out of a nowhere, and touched her shoulder.]
[Sayaka-Oktavia blinked, then, as Shadow Kyosuke appeared, and gave her a gently hug from behind.]
[...Ahh, right. Why should she miss that silly mortal version, when the Kyosuke that actually loved her was right here?]
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[Copy Sayaka jerked awake, and groaned. Why did she keep spacing out like that all the time now, anyway?]
...Ugh, sorry, Madoka...What were we talking about, again?
[She shook her head, wondering why she felt the need to check and see if her computer wasn't waterlogged. There was nothing whatever wrong with it, of course.]
- Wait, you were talking about Hitomi, right? And Kyosuke?
[Copy Sayaka sighed, then.]
...Geez, really. I mean, Hitomi's my friend, but sometimes, that girl...
[And then, she looked at the calender, and grinned.]
[So why had she been so scared of telling Kyosuke she wanted to be his girlfriend, anyway? So what if she was a Magical Girl, and her soul wasn't in her body anymore?]
[It wasn't like she was going to ask him to marry her or anything like that, geez - Not that either of them was old enough for that kind of thing, of course. And if it didn't work out - So what? Well, of course, it might be a bit hard to look Kyosuke in the face, if he decided to go out with Hitomi after all, or anything like that, buuuut...]
- Hey, I have an idea, Madoka - Why don't you come with me when I tell Kyosuke I want him to be my BF?
[And then, Copy Sayaka grinned again.]
You're my best friend, right? You should be there to be me to give me moral support!
[And then, she snickered.]
...And you can also comfort me if Kyosuke is enough of an idiot to tell me no, of course. We can go to that cake buffet place, and binge ourselves out, in that case! Right, Madoka?
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[Madoka said, and then stared at her phone.]
- Oh, come on, Madoka, I'm serious about this, I really want you to be there, OK!?
[Copy Sayaka growsed.]
...O - Oh. OK, Sayaka-chan, I'll be right there, sure enough!
[Madoka said, smiling in spite of herself.]
- You'd better be, or I will revoke your BFF status, Kaname Madoka!
[Copy Sayaka said with a laugh.]
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[- Copy Sayaka and Madoka were waiting at the gates of the school for Kyosuke to come out. Lizard Homura, on the other hand, was trying to keep still inside Madoka's pocket.]
...Darn, I'm so nervous, Madoka - This is worse then before a concert, and that's saying something, it really is!
[Copy Sayaka said - And that was when she caught sight of Kyosuke coming down the path!]
...Oh, good, here he comes -
[Copy Sayaka said, and started to wave her hands, grining and red-faced.]
- Hey, Kyosuke! Kyosuke, I have something important I want to say to you!
[And that was when she caught sight of Hitomi, who had been walking just a couple of steps behind Kyosuke!]
[Copy Sayaka's eyes widened as she caught sight of Hitomi, who was smiling herself, looking at bit embarrassed. And then, she stood straight, and pointed a finger at Hitomi!]
...Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute there - I thought you said you were going to wait a week, Hitomi!
[Hitomi got red in the face at that, but then, she picked up her phone, and showed Copy Sayaka the date on the screen.]
- So I did, but that week ended last night, Sayaka-san!
[Copy Sayaka's brow furreled. Damn, she must have gotten the dates wrong, then...]
[And then, she took a deep breath. It was time for Plan B, apparently. Sayaka smiled, and raised her voice with a grin.]
...Well, whatever, whatever - But that's not going to stop me from doing what I wanna, Hitomi!
[Hitomi blinked at that. This was...very unlike the Sayaka-san she'd talked to just a week ago, she did have to admit. Sayaka had seemed to be terribly depressed, almost haunted in fact, but now...She looked chipper and hale, almost like she was an entirely different person in fact.]
[Copy Sayaka, in the meanwhile, had taken a couple of deep breaths. She marched up to Kyosuke, who took a step back in spite of himself, sweatdropping.]
...Um...Sayaka...What is it? You're scaring me a bit, to be honest...
[Sayaka groaned at that, but then she made herself smile again, though her face was getting more red by the moment.]
- Kyosuke! Um, I know we've been friends for ages, but I have something I have to say to you, I think...
[Kyosuke gulped, then, and made himself smile.]
...Well, um, if you say so? Please go ahead, Sayaka!
[Copy Sayaka took a deep breath, then.]
- Please go out with me, Kamijo Kyosuke-san - I want to be your GF, and I want you to be my BF!
[Madoka gulped, then. Sayaka was getting a red as a tomato, now - And so was Kyosuke!]
[Ho, ho, ho...]
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Madoka had gone to bed, sorrowful that she couldnt do anything to Help the situations earlier. Sheknew she was doing right, but still. Homura tried to comfort her, and fell asleep curled up on the pillow right next to mafokas cheek.
The next day the kanamez were having breakfast at the patio at the hotel, when two teenage boys approached, one mussy haired and warring a delinquent jacket then other cleaner looking with tan hair and amber eyes. "
"Miss madoka kaname?"
" huh?"
" we just wanted to thank you for trying to help our friendcirce yesterday when she was havig trouble.
" oh?" Madoka blinkec. These boys seemed familar. Homura beistled in suspicion in madokas Pocket"
" yeah. Dont worry, situation is handled and shell be fine." ( they looked at madoka and homura and they could hear their voices telepathically in their mind.)
" well explain everything soon. Including anput what happened to Mami and kyouko. But it isnot a good idea To go looking for them madoka."
" and were looking into channeling circes magic to reverse the spell on gloomy homura" ( seven snickered) " " though she looks good like that!"
( mrs kaname was looking through her briefcase) " oh i must have left those files in the office! Im going ti have to head back to mitikihara today."
Re: The continuation of Path 3
[At the hotel]
...Oh, don't worry about it Junko - We were planning to go back today anyway, after all.
[Tomohisa said, and then, he smiled at Junko, holding her hand.]
- It's OK if we finish our breakfast first, right?
[Aand Junko nodded with a sigh.]
...Yeah, yeah - I probably do work too much sometimes, I do admit.
[And then, she smiled.]
We can even go to the Shrine we were planning to go visit today, I think, as long as we get back to Mitakihara by the evening...
[And at another part of the hotel lobby...]
[Madoka tilted her head, then, taking a better look at the amber-eyed boy.]
[...Wait a minute, waaaait a minute...]
.........Eight??? You're Eight!?!?
- Ha ha ha, see, see? I win the bet!
[Eight said, grinning. Seven sighed, and tossed some coins his way.]
...Yeah, yeah, he's Eight and I'm Seven - It's just easier to transform ourselves sometimes, you see...
[Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, was almost biting her own tail in agitation. She spun around in Madoka's pocket, trying very hard not to chirp where other people could here her.]
(What in the world is going on here!)
Re: The continuation of Path 3
"Okay then! I'll stop by the market in the hotel and pick up some picnic lunches!" [Mr Kaname nodded."
"yay! picnic!" [Tatsuya cheered]
"Madoka san, could we have a word with you in private?" [Eigth spoke up]
"Oh?" [Madoka blinekd in worry] "Of course. May I, Mama?"
"Don't worry, we'll be just across the lake there where you can still keep an eye on us, in case we try anythin with your daughter" [Seven winked"
"Go ahead." [But Mrs Kaname still gave Seven a warning look.
The two took Madoka out and out of ear shot but still kept telepathically speaking]
[Maodka picked homura out of her pocket and heeld her gently] "Is Circe Chan..."
"I'm sorry, but she has fallen into despair and become a witch"
"Oh, poor poor Circe chan..." [Madoka blinked tears]
"We did get her safely into a containment field so she can't hurt anyone."
"Course that was after a couple local girls found their way in" [Seven added] "She really has a thing against hot thin girls.dont worry, they're not hurt. They just turned into pigs. literally."
"As for Kyouko and Mami..."
"Why are they like witches now?"
[Seven and Eight explained what they knew about this witch mini world, though they did leave out the part about Sayaka being there as well."
Re: The continuation of Path 3
...Wait, so you mean those girls were turned into pigs, and you just...left them there?
Oh, no!
[The boys shook their heads, then, laughing.]
- Oh, no, no, don't worry, Mami and Kyoko just went and rescued all of them, and both of them are now trying to convince Circe's Witch to come and move in with them, I think.
[And then, Seven took a look at Madoka's pocket, where Lizard Homura was listening to them.]
...The pigs all turned back into girls all by themselves once Mami and Kyoko tossed them out of the Witch Barrier, though - But Akemi Homura hasn't turned back yet, correct?
[Eight nodded at that.]
- Yeah - You might just have to wait it out until it wears off, if we can't figure out a way to reverse it, I'm afraid...
Re: The continuation of Path 3 2/2
...OK, then. I'll take care of Homura-chan until she turns back, in that case -
[And then, she looked at Lizard Homura, and smiled.]
- OK, Homura-chan?
[Lizard Homura blushed a little, which was odd to see on a lizard's face, but eventually, she nodded.]
[Madoka and Lizard Homura said goodbye to Seven and Eight, and then visited some shrines and temples.]
...Hey, Madoka, come here - Look, look!
[Her mother whispered, at one temple, laughing. Madoka blinked, and went to look at what her mother was looking at.]
- This version of the Merciful Kannon looks just like you!
[Madoka's father came over to them, too, his eyes widening, while her little brother chortled in his arms.]
...Ohhh - She really does!
[Her whole family put some money in the donation box and prayed, then, though Madoka did feel a bit odd praying to a Kannon who looked so much like herself.]
[Madoka finished praying, and then looked at the Kannon for a moment, blinking. The Kannon really did look like a somewhat older version of Madoka herself, though Madoka didn't think she really could be that beautiful or graceful.]
[And then, she looked at the base of the Kannon, and blinked again. OK, so these were supposed to be the demon-god guardians who protected the Merciful Kannon, she supposed, but those were remarkably cute, though still fierce-looking. One held a sword, and the other held a spear.]
[And then, she tilted her head again. Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, had stuck her nose out of Madoka's pocket, wondering what was going on.]
...Is it just me, or do those demon-gods look a lot like Sayaka-chan and Kyoko-chan when they're transformed?
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[Madoka giggled at the statue of the one that looked like Sayaka] "And she's even a mermaid! Sayaka always liked mermaids. I remember when she was younger she said she wanted to be one."
[And boy , did she get that wish. Many times, Homura thought bitterly. She listened as Madoka asked the shrine maiden , and the shinre maiden explaiened the legend of how some curse and invisible female demons plagued the young girls of the villaige a long time ago, and the goddess appeared and healed them, and some of the girls fatally cursed were taken away to peace in a beautiful light....]
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[Tomohisa chuckled at that.]
- Yes, I did wonder why a Shinto Shrine Maiden was helping out at a Buddist Temple, I must admit...
[And so the Kaname family all went to the Shinto Shrine next door, and washed their hands at the old-fashioned Shinto wash-basin. They then went up into the Shrine itself, where a big sign said that there was a special showing of the most important statues of the Kami worshipped in the Shrine, just for two weeks.]
...Ohhh, we're in luck, everybody!
[Junko said with a laugh, and so Madoka and her family put some money in the donation box, rang the clapper, and prayed again. And then, they all went up into the Shrine, along with the other tourists.]
[And then, Madoka stopped dead as she caught sight of a rather large statue. It was a statue of a very beautiful young woman with long hair, who was holding something that looked like a bow in her hand, and pointing an arrow at an unseen enemy. The statue's expression was ferocious, and - Were the things behind her back supposed to be long dark wings or something?]
...Um, Homura-chan?
[Madoka whispered after a few moments, and put her hand in her pocket.]
- Could you crawl up inside my jacket, so you can see this better?
[Lizard Homura pushed her head against Madoka's hand, and then quickly crawled up the inside of Madoka's jacket. She poked her head out, curiously - And then, she froze too.]
[The statue looked very much like a slightly older Homura when she wasn't a lizard, though she didn't think she was half as beautiful as it was.]
[Homura nearly fell out of Madoka's jacket as she tried to turn around, then. She'd been to this Shrine before! She would have remembered something like a statue of a Kami that looked just like her, right?]
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...Don't worry, Homura-chan - We'll figure something out, I promise!
[She whispered - And then, she looked up at the statue that looked like Homura again.]
- She's so beautiful, though! I do wonder what Kami she is supposed to be...
[And then, the Kaname family went out of the shrine building, talking to each other.]
...Ohh, such beautiful photos and illustrations! I'll take this one, thanks.
[Madoka's mother said, looking through some of the books they were selling. Madoka went up to her, and looked at the book - It was a book about local legends and history and artworks, she thought.]
Mom! Can I read it first?
[And then, she lowered her voice.]
...I mean, there's the Kannon that looked like me, and...
- Oh, of course, Madoka - Here!
[Junko said, and held out the book with a smile. Madoka smiled back, and quickly took the book and ran over to read it under some of the trees.]
[The very first page she opened was an photo of a really old painting of a goddess with a sad smile, apparently healing some girls who looked up at her gratefully, a white aura covering them. Yet another goddess was fiercely pointing a bow and arrows at some monsters, keeping them away from the first goddess and the people she was trying to heal.]
...Ohhh...
[Madoka whispered, and then she moved Lizard Homura to inside her jacket again.]
They really do look like us, I think...
[Neither Madoka or Homura realized that Junko was looking in their direction, a rather worried expression on her face.]
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"Madoka? It's time to go, honey!"
"Huh? right, Ok then!" [Shaking her head clear, Maodka skipped back to join her parents. after the nice picnic lunch on the temple grounds by the pond, Madoka slipped pieces of food from her bento box into her pocket for Homura pond, and headingback to the hotel to finish packing up and checking out, they headed to the train station to take the train back home. Madoka yawned, feeling tired.]
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[Madoka shuddered at a somewhat older-looking Homura in her dreams laughed, and put her own Soul Gem in her mouth, biting down on it. The Soul Gem looked strange, though, not like an ordinary Soul Gem at all...]
(...Noo, Homura-chan! What are you doing!?!?)
[Lizard Homura, in the meanwhile, was trying to run up to a strange version of Madoka with a golden aura and golden eyes, but never managed to get to her.]
(Madoka, come back - What's the use of managing to save all the Magical Girls if nobody can save you!?)
[The Madoka with the golden aura smiled sadly, then.]
(But I did save myself too, Homura-chan.)
[And then, an image floated up in front of both of them - The Madoka with the golden aura had pointed her magical bow and arrow at something that looked like a doll made of black strings covering an entire planet, and fired, destroying it.]
[And then, she waved her hand, and a small city filled with pretty buildings and parks came into sight. It was filled with happy-looking teenage girls, with the occasional younger girl or older woman thrown in. There were also a few men here and there, too, though they were much fewer then the women and girls.]
(And I'm not all alone - I have all those people keeping me company, and helping me with my mission, after all!)
[Lizard Homura shook her head, then.]
(But that wasn't what you wanted - You were happy being just a human girl, and you would have wanted to grow up to be a human woman, and do all kinds of things human grownups do...)
[And then, she rubbed her face with her lizard-paws.]
(...And what about your family? Didn't you want to be with them?)
[The Madoka with the golden aura smiled again, even more sadly.]
(You're probably right. But this is the path I choose, Homura-chan.)
[And then, she picked Homura up.]
(- But Homura-chan? If we're really, really friends, and if you thought I really didn't make the right Wish - )
Re: The continuation of Path 3
(And in madoka's dream, she watchec as kyubey was crushed in the now darkly ethereal homura's hand , as doll like young girls danced around her chanting in german, while lizard homura looked on sadly before being frozen into a jewel with the strange dark soul gem dangling from her tail...."
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[And then, Madoka and Lizard Homura both woke up, shaking!]
[Lizard Homura had tumbled out of Madoka's pocket in her agitation, and woke up at the last moment to find Madoka's little brother staring at her in fascination as she clung to Madoka's jacket with her little paws.]
...Ooooo? Pretty, pretty!
[Madoka's parents, in the meanwhile, had both realized that their daughter had been mumbling in her sleep, looking upset indeed.]
- Madoka? You OK over there?
[Junko said, while Tomohisa patted her head.]
...I think you must have been having a nightmare, Madoka-chan...
[Tatsuya, in the meanwhile, had made a swipe at Lizard Homura, giggling.]
...Eeeek!?
[Lizard Homura squeaked - Oh, no, Madoka's parents were going to catch sight of her any moment now!]
[If only she could change herself into something else, something that wouldn't look out of place falling out of Madoka's pocket...]
[And that was when Lizard Homura felt her body changing again! All of a sudden, her body was cold and hard, though it didn't hurt at all -]
[And then, a very beautiful pendant fell down on the floor of the train with a clunk!]
[Madoka gasped as she caught sight of the pendant, and quickly picked it up. It was a crystal glass pendant, with a beautiful stylized purple lizard with a Soul Gem like ornament hanging from it's tail shining inside it...]
(...Ho - Homura-chan!?!?)
[And that was when she heard a very familiar voice in her head - ]
(.......I'm a pendant now!?!? And I thought being turned into a magical lizard was bad - Good grief!)
Re: The continuation of Path 3
(wow, gee, we lend you some magic back and the first thing you do is encase yourself in crystal, gloomy Homura?)
[Homura blinked behind the jewel hiding her] (Well I do not think Mister and Misses Kaname would appreciate a strange lizard in their daughter's pocket.)
(Right. Well like I said, we managed to get you some of your magical energy back, not enough to turn you back unfortunately. But you can communicate now and do small tricks. Your'e welcome.)
(Oh, thank you, Nanbei kun! but, where are you?) [Madoka looked around]
(Around. keepin' an eye on you.)
[Tatsuya pouted] "Homu Lizard all hard and shiny now!"
Re: The continuation of Path 3
[Madoka's father said, laughing, and then he looked at the pendant in Madoka's hands.]
- Whooo, that's so pretty! When did you get it, Madoka?
[Madoka sweatdropped, and cradled Pendant Homura in her hands.]
...It, um...
[And then, an idea struck her, and she grinned.]
- This is borrowed, actually - My friend Homura-chan lent it to me! It's really pretty, so...
[Pendant Homura sqeeked inwardly, but did not make any further comments for the moment. So Madoka thought the pendant version of her was pretty? Uh, oh...]
[Madoka's father blinked, then.]
...Ha ha ha, look, look - It almost looks like the lizard part is turning a bit red now, when you hold it up!
[Madoka's mother, in the meanwhile, was sighing a bit. Her daughter was really bad at this fibbing and making up stories business. And anyway, why was she bothering to lie about a pendant in the first place, anyway?]
[And then, Junko grinned.]
[But on the other hand, Madoka was a teenager now, so... Maybe she should be glad that she's apparently started to do normal teenager things, ho ho ho...]
Re: The continuation of Path 3
(Madoka...)
[Madoka's father nodded] "Well, take good care of it then."
"I will Papa! Oh all right, tatsuya, you can hold her, but be gentle!" [She carefully placed the homura lizard jewel into her little brother's hands. He cheered, but was careful in holding her.] "There you go..."
Re: The continuation of Path 3 1/2
[Tatsuya giggled, then, looking at Pendant Homura.]
...Homuhomu so shiny!
[And then, he played with the pendant for a couple of minutes, until Madoka took the pendant back, and put it in her pocket again.]
(Can you turn back into a magical lizard now, Homura-chan?)
[She said, patting the pendant with her fingers. Homura inwardly grinned at that, and almost cheered when she quickly managed to turn into a lizard again. Being a pretty pendant wasn't exactly horrible, but she hadn't wanted to become stuck as a magical inanimate object, after all...]
[That night, after they'd gotten home, Madoka and Lizard Homura talked things over, and decided not to tell Sayaka about any of the new developments until after she'd at least tried to do the "love confession thing", as Madoka had put it. Madoka had been quite surprised that Sayaka had actually managed to psych herself into doing the deed, to be honest, and she didn't want to do anything that could interfere with something that was obviously really important to Sayaka herself.]
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