Chapter 53: The Witches' Night! True Despair! 2nd Timeline! The beginning of reincarnation!
『 "Um… this… My name is Homura Akemi, please… please take care of me," the girl said, clutching the hem of her clothes and bowing deeply.
"Homura Akemi has been hospitalized for a long time due to a heart condition and hasn't been to school, so please help her," the teacher, Kazuko Saotome, said with a smile. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Illusion…?
No… this is Homura Akemi at the very beginning?!
This is the first loop?! It's completely different from now!
Everyone across the myriad realms was suddenly captivated, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Homura Akemi, what exactly have you been through?!
.....
〜Code Geass World〜
"Time ability… heart,"
Rolo, with his brown hair, handsome and gentle demeanor, mused thoughtfully.
He touched his chest; his heart was beating slowly and somewhat weakly.
Could it be that those with time abilities all have weak hearts?
—
〜Type-Moon World, Fourth Holy Grail War Worldline〜
Kiritsugu Emiya's gaze was profound, his face as calm as still water as he watched the screen.
What exactly is justice? If sacrificing one person to save the universe is justice, then the magical girls' struggle, and even Homura Akemi's struggle, are wrong.
The universe is heading towards destruction, and Kyubey is an extraterrestrial creature with super intelligence, super technology, capable of performing incredible miracles.
Compared to saving the universe, the magical girls' resistance is unnecessary, isn't it?
Sacrificing the small self to save the greater self, isn't that the most correct path?!
Kiritsugu Emiyas pupils constricted, his mind in turmoil. He had never realized it from beginning to end.
It wasn't that he chose justice, but that justice chose him.
—
『 Although the girl was a bit plain, her delicate and sickly appearance instantly captured the hearts of her classmates.
As soon as class ended, people crowded around her desk, and the socially anxious girl seemed flustered and embarrassed by the attention.
"Akemi-chan, you need to go to the infirmary, don't you? I'll take you," just then, a gentle-looking pink-haired girl stood in front of Homura Akemi.
"Excuse me everyone, Akemi-chan needs to go to the infirmary to take her medicine during break time," Madoka apologized with a smile, leading Homura out of the classroom.
Homura also obediently followed.
"Um… thank you very much," the girl dared not lift her head, only expressing her gratitude shyly.
"Don't be so nervous~ We're classmates and friends, I'm Madoka Kaname, just call me Madoka, and I'll call you Homura," Madoka said with utmost familiarity.
Seeing this, Homura became even shyer. No one had ever called her by her first name directly, and her heart couldn't help but beat a little faster.
"Really? I feel a sense of burning up, I think it's very cool~" Madoka praised.
"I'm truly unworthy of my name," Homura Akemi said guiltily.
Just then, in the enclosed corridor, Madoka turned around and said happily,
"That's such a waste then, it's rare to have such an amazing name."
"It would be great if Homura also became amazing," Madoka revealed a heartfelt smile.
And this scene directly made Homura Akemi's face blush crimson. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Aogami Pierce (A Certain Magical Index): "Why are you blushing like a bubble tea? You're both girls… huh? Why do I feel like I've said this before?" ]
[ Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "Indeed, not only is it a double bloom, but it's also an inversion of the natural order, truly echoing back and forth. All the previous events were the opposite of Homura and Madoka." ]
[ Kumoko (So I'm a Spider, So What?): "A frail uke's comeback? The legendary counterattack of Madoka Kaname?" ]
[ Jibril (No game, No life): "Ah~! I didn't expect the initial Homura to be even cuter~~ That delicate, sickly, pitiful look, I just want to hug her~" ]
[ Shiro (No game, No life): "You pervert!" ]
[ Kurosaki Ichigo (Bleach): "I get it, so this is the beginning of everything, right?" ]
[ The Doctor ⦍11th⦎ (Doctor Who): "Exactly, if Homura Akemi is a time traveler, then everything started before she became a magical girl. She clearly hasn't become one yet." ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "No, I still don't believe it! How can anyone else in the world master Za Warudo?! My three-second time stop is the strongest!" ]
[ Urashiki Otsutsuki (Naruto): "Heh, is that something to brag about? What did I say when I rewound time by three seconds?!" ]
[ Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura): "Eh…? But my Time Card can control time freely within a day." ]
[ Urashiki Otsutsuki (Naruto): "How is that possible?!" ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure):"How is that possible?!" ]
[ .....]
〜In the Inner Sea of the planet, In The Furthest Tower〜
"Her eyes are so clear, just like a university student today,"
Merlin carefully observed the girl's eyes behind the red glasses frame on the screen.
Too clear. Aside from shyness, it was hard to find any other emotions.
"At the very beginning, the first loop, how many times did she loop to become like that?"
Three times, five times? No, considering the psychological impact, three times should be enough to make one despair, right?
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone also speculated on how many loops Homura Akemi had gone through to become the cold figure they first saw.
What also made them curious was what wish Homura Akemi had made to gain control over time, a terrifying rule that surpassed countless other powers.
Time is supreme, space is king, destiny does not appear, karma reigns supreme—there is truth to this saying.
.....
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Barrage〜
Woohoo, this Homura is too cute~
This is the first loop, when Homura hadn't yet fallen in love with Madoka, but was about to!
The strong Madoka, the weak Homura, I ship it!
Welcome to "How Madoka Kaname Counter-Attacked Homura Akemi"!
A completely identical turn
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
"…Too, too bold, is that really me?"
Madoka's face turned crimson as she watched the screen, seeing herself so bold, even teasing Homura.
How could she… bully Homura like that back then?
—
『 Struggling with academics, a complete failure at sports.
After a day of setbacks, Homura Akemi walked home with her head down, feeling lost.
"I only bring shame and trouble to others. Why… will I always be like this?" the girl murmured silently to herself.
"In that case, it might be better to just die," a strange, sharp voice echoed in Homura Akemi's mind.
"Better to die…" As if controlled by something, the girl followed, murmuring.
The ground turned into a Guernica painting, the sky seemed to be a mixture of blood and milk. When the girl woke up, she was trapped in a witch's barrier!
Shadows flickered, figures twisted, and indescribable monsters surrounded Homura.
"What… what is this?!" Homura knelt on the ground in terror.
At that critical moment, in the distorted space, light arrows and bullets sliced through the air, annihilating all the familiars in front of her!
"It's alright now, Homura."
Two figures stood in front of Homura Akemi.
One was a blonde girl in a yellow magical girl outfit, wielding a spear.
The other was a pink-haired girl in pink and white, holding a bow and arrow… Is that… Madoka Kaname?!
Homura stared at everything in shock, at a loss, while Madoka and Mami Tomoe swiftly dealt with the witch before them!
Gazing at their backs, Homura's eyes shimmered with a strange light. At that moment, the girl felt as if a new world had opened up to her!
After the battle, the two, along with Kyubey, explained everything about magical girls to Homura Akemi.
Madoka had also become a magical girl a week prior, to save a cat.
"Kaname-chan, you must work hard to become self-reliant before Walpurgisnacht arrives," Mami Tomoe also reminded her with a gentle smile.
Homura Akemi, who had been confused and uncertain, now had a light in her eyes she had never possessed before.
It was the light of hope! 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone watched with growing unease!
Wait, what's going on?!
This is too strange! The weak, indecisive, even annoying and saintly Madoka is already a magical girl here?!
And what's even more puzzling is that Madoka Kaname… hasn't become a god, has she?!
Although brief, everyone had already witnessed Madoka Kaname's power as a magical girl. It seems at most she's on par with Mami Tomoe, perhaps even less powerful than Mami Tomoe, right?!
A god, distorting the rules?!
For a moment, countless beings were once again deceived by Kyubey!
.....
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Deadpool (MCU): "I say! You white turd! Is your mouth an asshole?! How can not a single word be true?! Could it be that what you said about saving the universe was also real?! You big liar!" ]
[ Mami Tomoe (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Kyubey, what exactly is going on?" ]
[ Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "We simply don't understand this behavior, but I also don't understand… Although Madoka's aptitude here is indeed not low, it's far inferior to the Madoka I see now." ]
[ Azrael (BlazBlue): "Hmph, monkeys are just monkeys, how could they become gods? I was really startled." ]
[ Aizen (Bleach): "So that's how it is, that explains it then." ]
[ The Emperor (Warhammer 40k): "It is both karma and a curse." ]
[ .....]
〜Jujutsu Kaisen World, Past Timeline〜
"Could it be…"
Yuta Okkotsu's body felt a chill. He thought of a possibility.
Could the girl named Madoka Kaname… be cursed, like Rika?!
"Yuta, Yuta,"
A hoarse voice emerged, and a giant, grotesque white monster crawled out, comforting the boy.
"Rika… I will definitely make you return to how you were before!"
Yuta Okkotsu said firmly.
"Forever… Yuta."
—
〜JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 5: Golden Wind Worldline〜
"Golden Experience… is throbbing!"
Giorno's expression changed dramatically!
Could it be that something related to causality is about to happen in that video?!
—
『 Walpurgisnacht descends—
A raging tornado swept through every corner of the land, its sharp laughter shrill and grating.
It desires to eliminate all misfortunes of fate, to bury the earth with magic.
It is a stage device that draws all humanity into its drama.
If all in this world is but a play, then there is nothing left to mourn.
Even if it might be a tragedy, it is merely acting according to the script.
During Walpurgisnacht, the play stops, and the Earth no longer turns even once.
The story no longer changes; it is all Walpurgisnacht.
Multiple witches, using the stage as a base, form a super-large Walpurgisnacht. The giant witch figure hangs upside down on the stage, and the world has become a scene of devastation.
Not a trace of dawn can be seen on the land. In this boundless darkness, a single figure stands upon the earth.
"Well then, I'm going."
"Why… even Mami-senpai died!" Homura trembled, trying to pull Madoka back.
"That's why I have to go. Because only I can stop Walpurgisnacht."
"Impossible! One person can't defeat that thing!" Homura cried, kneeling on the ground in fear.
Mami-senpai's death is a fact!
"Madoka-chan will die too!"
"Even so, I am a magical girl," Madoka looked at the giant, grotesque figure with unwavering resolve.
"I can't not protect everyone."
"…Hey, let's run away," Homura was on the verge of breaking down, "Because, there's nothing we can do! No one will hate Madoka-chan."
Madoka smiled, turned around, and revealed her usual gentle expression, "Homura, I'm so glad we became friends. I made it in time when you were attacked by the witch, and I'm still proud of that."
"So I think, it was really good to become a magical girl," in this shattered world, Madoka smiled from the bottom of her heart.
"Goodbye, Homura, take care of yourself," with those words, Madoka rushed towards the colossal witch without hesitation!
Who knows how much time passed.
—The sky cleared, heavy rain poured down, and a girl's cries echoed in this now-saved world.
Unable to distinguish between rain and tears, they streamed down the girl's cheeks. Homura knelt before Madoka's corpse, crying heartbrokenly.
"You knew you would die, why, instead of saving someone like me…"
"I wished you would live instead!"
Immense sorrow engulfed Homura Akemi.
"Homura Akemi, are you willing to stake your soul for that wish?" Kyubey's figure appeared in the ruins at some point. It stared at the crying girl, offering its miracle.
"If you have a wish you want to fulfill, even if it means accepting the fate of battle, I can help you."
"If I make a contract with you, can any wish be granted?!" The girl clutched at this last straw.
"I believe so. You seem to have that qualification," Kyubey's eyes flickered slightly.
"Try telling me. What kind of prayer will make your Soul Gem shine?"
"…I," the girl stood up, determined, "I want to meet Madoka-chan again, not as the one who is protected."
"But as the one who protects her!" The girl's firm voice echoed, and the next moment, a miracle descended—
A purple gem was born from the girl's chest. Kyubey said, "Your prayer surpassed entropy."
"Try to release it! That new power!"
Time—Space—Causality—Destiny
Gears twisted, time shifted, countless lines distorted and swirled, and finally— 』
『 .....』
〜MCU World〜
"Heretics!"
In the TVA, countless managers and captors all glared with cold eyes.
Time is not something to be trifled with. Even a small ripple could cause a massive tidal wave!
It could even bring irreversible disaster to the Sacred Timeline!
And just then, a disturbance caught the attention of the TVA staff.
—Inner Mongolia Gobi, time variant Loki!
A moment later, Loki, who had just gotten a mouthful of sand and was about to curse, looked at the dense crowd of black-clad figures holding weapons and looking menacing, and fell into confusion.
Meanwhile, on the other side
"Ah~ Loki's here~" He Who Remains also noticed this, but compared to Loki, Homura Akemi's experience clearly interested He Who Remains more.
As for Loki? He'd just ghost him~
.....
"Will it really work?"
Doctor Strange's green gem on his neck shimmered with a strange light.
He had used the Time Stone to see countless futures, countless possibilities, even up to tens of thousands of times, but the final result was and always would be only one.
That one was eternally unchangeable. Both he and the Ancient One had confirmed this countless times.
So, could the girl who wanted to change the future truly succeed?
—
〜Doraemon World〜
"Doraemon, isn't time travel simple? Couldn't you just ride a time machine back?"
Nobita said as if it were obvious.
Doraemon's eyes darkened, almost dying of anger.
Where did this "why don't they eat cake" prince come from?! You think everyone has a time machine, huh?
You think everyone's time machine can travel anywhere, huh?! If it weren't for you…
Doraemon was about to say something, but a blank look flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't remember anything.
—
『 The spring breeze was gentle, and bright sunlight streamed through the window into the clean, white hospital room.
Familiar ceiling—
"This is…" The girl woke from her sleep, looking confused at everything around her.
"I… haven't been discharged yet?" Homura Akemi's eyes were filled with confusion. She seemed to have had a very long dream…
The girl felt something in her hand; a beautiful purple gem lay quietly there…
The miracle had been realized— 』
『 .....』
The second loop began—.