Chivalry Is Dead

by KuiperKrispz

Summary:

When one young teen named Madoka Kaname becomes a magical girl, her life takes a turn for the worse. However, Madoka unknowingly swooned a new classmate named Homura Akemi, and the law of cycles began. Now, Homura Akemi has lost track of which number timeline she is currently in, but it doesn't matter. Right before Kyubey grants Madoka's wish to erase all witches, Homura finds herself waking up in the hospital bed again. Homura has decided to take a different approach. If she can get Madoka to trust her first, then she will listen whenever Homura tells her to not become a magical girl.

And so it began, and Homura didn't seem so keen to let others ruin her plan.

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

Who knew one sentence could be so dangerous and change the way of the world?

Kyubey swished his tail back and forth, before the words were heard. "In exchange for your soul, what do you wish for?"

Homura grimaced at the pain shooting through her leg. After all of her attempts, she still hasn't successfully saved Madoka, and her work would soon go to waste. Homura stared up at Madoka with tears in her eyes, although the rain pouring down concealed most of them.

"I...I wish that every witch was erased before they were even born! Every witch from the entire universe. All of the witches from the past and the future." Madoka glanced down at Homura and back at Kyubey when she declared this. Those fateful words have been said, and this timenthe wish was bigger than any other. Madoka's wishes have always been made to save another person or animal, but this one was to save the whole world. In fact, this wish didn't even seem logically possible. Homura's heart dropped, and she felt the cracks appear in it as it was brutally ripped apart by the one she cared for most. Homura knew deep down that this would be Madoka's final wish, her final battle. Homura held back a choked cry as best as she could, yet she found herself involuntarily reaching out for Madoka.

"You do realize what you're wishing for, right? It's greater in magnitude than tampering with time! It's a violation of the principle of cause-and-effect itself! Do you really want to become a god?" Kyubey's words were frantic, but the creature stayed motionless. At this point, Homura knew for sure that all of her work had gone to waste. There was no fixing this.

Madoka gave a soft smile filled with hope, reaching both of her hands up to her heart as she spoke. "God or whatever is fine. Everyone who has fought witches up until now, and all the Magical Girls who believed in hope, I don't want them to suffer." As Madoka said this, Homura noticed that Madoka kept glancing in her direction. However, in Homura's current state, she preferred to curse Madoka's selfless actions, especially if it was mainly to save Homura herself. Homura was torn; On one hand, she felt despair fill her whole body as she watched Madoka throw away her one chance at living a normal life, yet on the other hand, Madoka was willing to do such a thing to protect all magical girls— to protect her. Why can't Madoka be selfish? Why won't she be selfish for once? Is this my punishment for having these feelings?Homura's thoughts swirled, but they were interrupted by the continuation of Madoka's short speech.

"I want them to keep their smiles even to the end! And those rules hinder me from doing that, so watch me break them. Watch me change them. That is my wish. My wish." Madoka said, filled with hope and love. "Okay, fulfill it! Incubator!"

Before Kyubey could protest, as if it was even possible, Madoka started to float into the air, and a pink glow emitted from her. However, she seemed to be frozen mid air. Homura looked around, and she soon realized that it wasn't just Madoka that was frozen, but everything seemed to be. Suddenly, a blinding light appeared on the horizon, and it seemed to call Homura's name. It was beckoning her, taunting her even, to come towards it. Without even thinking about her decision, Homura found herself free from the rock and slowly walking towards it. The click of her heels filled the empty space in her head where her thoughts would be. Her hair swished as she passed Kyubey and Madoka, and she didn't even glance back. She didn't question how she got free. She didn't question what this light was. All she did was walk. 

When Homura finally reached the source of the light, she realized that there was a door. She looked it over, and she forcefully grasped the handle. The handle was stuck like it didn't even want to turn. Homura placed a second hand on it, and she grunted while twisting it with all of her remaining power. A click was heard, and the door slowly creaked open. Homura's face fell as the other side of the door was revealed. It was her hospital room, and she was laying there in the bed. Homura cautiously walked into the room, and the door slammed behind her. Her fingers traced the walls as she walked, and she took note of all the details of her former room. Each click of her heel made her body feel like it was floating, but she continued on. As she reached the bed, a tear slowly fell down her face and onto her past figure that laid down. 

 

"I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough." Homura muttered, as her emotions flooded her. All of the memories of Madoka filled her head, and she had to fight to not let out a gutteral scream of pain. Nothing was worse than this feeling. She could and would take on a thousand more witches before she even wanted to feel the loss of Madoka. The world as she knew it seemed to fade away from her, yet as the world faded to black, she refused to accept her fate. She was never made to save others, but she would never stop trying to save Madoka. Homura desperately reached out for her past self lying on the bed in front of her, and she released a silent cry towards the sleeping body. Then, it was all dark.

Homura gasped and shot up, her eyes fluttering open. The same hospital room was before her. She looked over at the calender, and it was the same as ever. She was getting discharged today...was she given one last chance to save Madoka? As Homura untied her braids and tossed her glasses aside, she decided that this time, she wouldn't fail. She had to take a different approach than all the other attempts. This time, she would gain Madoka's trust from the beginning, and she would save Madoka. Homura threw the bedsheets off of her, and she walked over to the calender with a flip of her hair. She wouldn't make the same mistakes again, especially not after the impossible miracle that had just happened. She would save Madoka Kaname.

Notes:

hello guys! I'm so sorry this chapter is so short, hut I promise they'll be getting longer! this is my first time writing a fanfic, so please give me your feedback if there's anything I should change:D tata for now ;]

Chapter 2: A Dam of Words

“I have something of utmost importance to discuss with you all today, so pay very close attention.” Ms. Saotome stated. She slapped her pointer stick in her hand as she slowly paced, the rhythm of both synching perfectly. As the class settled down, she continued. 

 

“Should sunny-side up eggs be hard or soft!? What do you think, Nakazawa?” Ms. Saotome swiftly turned to the student, and she pointed her stick at him threateningly. The boy stuttered, but he got his words out. “I, uh... I-I guess either way's fine?” 

 

“That's right!” The teacher praised, but she didn't seem to be proud of the answer. “Either way's fine! And if you think a woman's value is determined by how she cooks her eggs, then you are terribly mistaken!” Her sentence ended with a snap of her stick, which had been broken perfectly in half. 

 

By now, Madoka let out a soft sigh. Her mother was right; 3 months was the turning point, and Ms. Saotome didn't make it. The teacher's words faded out, as Madoka looked around the room for nothing in particular; she just wanted to find something that she hadn't seen before. Something new…something—

 

“Now then, I'd like to introduce a transfer student who will be joining us.” Madoka quickly focused her eyes back on the front, and she seemed to be shocked like numerous other students. Shouldn't that have come first? Hushed whispers were heard as the soft click of shoes could be heard. Madoka stared at the new transfer student, astounded by her beauty. She had long, beautiful black hair, and her eyes seemed to hold all the secrets of the universe. Madoka had a weird feeling of nostalgia. Has this happened before? Has she seen this girl before? Madoka's thoughts got interrupted by the transfer student's introduction. 

 

“Hello. My name is Homura Akemi. I was in the hospital due to a heart condition, and I'm happy to be back. I'm very pleased to meet you all.” Madoka watched intently as the Homura spoke, trying to figure out who this girl was. Homura gave a small, awkward smile, and she made short eye contact with Madoka. 

 

Madoka returned the look, staring into her soft eyes, before she quickly looked away in embarrassment. Soon after Homura arrived, there were many people standing around her asking a million questions per second. “Wow! How did you get your hair so long?” “Having a heart condition must be scary…How was it in the hospital?” “You're so pretty! How do you keep up with your looks?” 

 

Madoka listened to all of the bombarding questions, and she turned to her friend Sayaka to make a response, but Sayaka beat her to it. “Looks like that new transfer student is already popular, but she can't take you away from me, Madoka!” Sayaka playfully joked. Madoka laughed as Sayaka playfully reached towards her and gave a tickle, earning a cough from Hitomi. “Ahah…sorry Hitomi. Guess I got a bit carried away.” 

 

Suddenly, Madoka felt a tap on her shoulder. As she turned around, she saw Homura standing there. “Oh, Miss Akemi! Welcome to our class!” Madoka said joyfully, placing her hands together with a smile. 

 

“Will you take me to the nurse? I'm feeling a bit ill.” Homura responded, and she gave a slight smile despite feeling under the weather. She looked like she'd be a good friend. Madoka hoped that they'd become close, so she could introduce Miss Akemi to everybody. 

 

“Of course! Follow me, Miss Akemi.” Madoka led Homura throughout the halls, happily humming as she walked. She asked a few questions, and they talked back and forth; However, when they got to a certain spot, Homura stopped. “Miss Akemi…is something wrong?” Madoka turned around once she heard the familiar click of shoes stop right behind her. Madoka felt a sense of dread as she saw Homura's face. She looked as if she was about to cry. Before Madoka could say anything, Homura spoke softly. 

 

“Please, call me Homura.” With that, Homura began to walk again, and she kept her head down.

 

 

Notes:

hello hello!! what do you guys think of this chapter? I'm worried it's too short— should I start making them longer? :D

Chapter 3: A Parody of a Witch

Homura followed Madoka in silence. She watched Madoka's hair gracefully swish back and forth with a hypnotizing rhythm, and mixed feelings swelled up inside of Homura. Homura walked with her fists clenched, but it wasn't out of anger. It brought her back down to earth, to the timeline she was in now. She couldn't make the same mistakes as she did all of the other times. She almost messed up when they reached the hallway; Memories swelled up and almost came blurting out of her mouth involuntarily, but she luckily fought it off. Last time, she made the mistake of trying to drill the thought of not being a magical girl into Madoka's head, but Homura finally knows the answer now. If she gets close enough to Madoka, then Madoka would listen to Homura if she said no, even if it meant losing the world.

“So, Homura-chan, do people often tell you that your name is unique?” Madoka asked, starting up a new conversation.

“Most people tell me it's weird, but I've gotten used to it. They aren't wrong.” Homura responded, almost giving a soft laugh. Every time they met, Madoka would always say something about her name. It was always sweet….always encouraging. Madoka knew how to cheer people up.

“No, no! It's not weird at all— it's cool!” Madoka said with fascination, clasping her hands together as she walked. “Homura Akemi…Homura meaning blaze or flame.and Akemi meaning daybreak and beauty…isn't it such a wonderful name? You're like the sunrise! That's what your name represents!” Madoka rambled on and on.

Homura was touched, but she knew this wasn't true. There was no beauty about her. No shining passion. No part of her lit up the other day. The sun? That was Madoka. Madoka was the sunrise that she fought to see everyday, and Homura herself was the moon. The one that lingers in the shadows. The one that will never be able to catch up to the sun. The one that has craters deep and scattered throughout its surface.

“Thank you, Madoka.” Homura responded. Homura knew the truth, but that didn't mean Madoka had to know as well.

The rest of the day was uneventful— at least for Homura. She has done the same thing dozens of times. Solving math problems that she had memorized. Breaking the records in P.E that she broke at least 20 timeliness ago. All of it was the same over and over again. Homura would repeat the same actions until she died, but that's okay. If it was for Madoka, she would do it. Madoka would save the world from despair out of selflessness, but Homura would gladly destroy it, break it into a hundred thousand pieces, if it meant to save Madoka.

When the last bell went off and rang throughout Homura's ears, she started the second part of her plan. If she could be on good terms with Mami, then Madoka would be more inclined to be her friend; luckily, Homura knew how to find Mami.

Homura walked throughout the streets with determination, holding out her soul gem as she did so. Her hair swished back and forth in a rhythm— the same rhythm that Madoka had earlier that day. Homura concentrated on the pulsing soul gem, working her way throughout streets and alleyways to find a witch. After a few more minutes of pacing through the red light district, Homura finally found the labyrinth. There was no turning back now.

Homura let the labyrinth consume her. Collage looking cotton balls surrounded her with chants, yet Homura stayed in her school uniform. She gracefully yet forcefully kicked anything that got too close to her, trying to keep up the act. Just as she expected, a female voice started to speak.

“Don't worry, I've got you now!” a blonde haired girl yelled down at Homura. Ribbons and flowers were thrown and swung everywhere, and bullet shells and empty guns were tossed to the side. The Magical girl seemed to be fighting effortlessly. Suddenly, she gracefully planted her feet down next to Homura, and she put her hand out.

“Follow me, and I'll get you through this, okay?” Homura nodded and took her hand, trying to look confused and (at least somewhat) scared.

“Stay close!” Mami suggested as she dragged Homura throughout the labyrinth. At this point, Homura’s head was empty. All Homura was thinking about was what the next step would be. She felt empty inside, but that's always what she was made to feel— hollow. As the blonde girl dragged the hollow shell of a human throughout the labyrinth, they both finally reached the witch. Everything seemed to blur by for Homura, and she stood on the sidelines patiently. It wasn't long before Homura was finally brought back to reality when hearing the final words.

“Tiro…finale!!” Mami exclaimed as a huge blast tore a hole through the witch. The labyrinth faded away right when the witch thumped to the ground. Mami came down from above and stood across from Homura, seeming fairly proud of herself.

“This must've been scary for you. My name is Mami Tomoe, and I go to Mitakihara as well!” Mami pointed to Homura’s uniform and smiled happily.

“My name is Homura Akemi. Thank you for saving me, Miss Tomoe.” Homura responded, giving a slight bow. It all felt incredibly awkward, but the plan was going well.

A thought popped up into Homura’s head, and she kept it in reach for later. She wouldn't add another string to Madoka’s fate— this would be the last timeline. Homura knew what had to happen. Everything was falling into place. Homura suppressed the urge to smile brightly. Madoka would be safe. She and Madoka could finally live happily and away from all magical girls that could try to change her mind.

Madoka was Homura’s sunrise, and she would do more than just capture a picture. She'd watch it every morning.

Notes:

hello hello! i tried making this one a bit longer:) I hope everyone is still enjoying it!! and I hope that I'm not taking too long to post chapters lolol

Chapter 4: Guilt and Greed

Since Mami Tomoe happened to save one of her fellow schoolmates, she finally had somebody that she could spend time with. Despite her cheerful and confident demeanor, she was incredibly lonely. It was a small, irrelevant problem for most of her time, but it soon slowly gnawed at her like a starvation she wished she didn't live to know. Each day that she got home, the only thing there to greet her was the stale, untouched air.

 

Now, things were different. Not only did she have a friend, but apparently Homura was a magical girl as well. It was strange that Homura didn’t use her magic during their first meeting, but Mami assumed that she must’ve been caught off guard by the labyrinth. As Mami made herself a cup of tea, there was a knock on her door.

 

“I’ll be right there!” she chirped, carefully placing down the hot kettle back onto the stove. Mami happily made her way to the door, unlocking it and sealing her fate.

 

“Hello, Miss Tomoe.” Homura greeted, giving a slight bow out of respect. Mami waved away the bow and gestured for Homura to come inside instead. Mami disappeared into the kitchen, as Homura sat down on the floor next to the low table.

 

“Just call me Mami! It’s like I have to tell you this every time- we’re friends, aren’t we?” Mami echoed from the kitchen with a laugh. Mami poured Homura and herself a cup of tea, placing the two tea cups on a silver tray. She then opened her fridge to retrieve a small cake- perfect for times like this. Mami soon returned into the living room with a tray of tea, cake, and silverware. She set it down on the table and sat down with Homura. Mami looked across the small table at Homura, her brows furrowing in worry. Although Homura doesn’t usually visit, it never meant anything particularly bad, however today seemed different. Her head hung low, and her eyebags seemed more prominent than ever. Before Mami could make a comment, words came spilling out of Homura.

 

“I…am worried. I heard word of a familiar showing up around here soon. To tell the truth, I am not worried for my sake, but for my….friend. I have a friend named Madoka, and she was my first friend I made when I came back to school. I want to protect her, but I don’t know if I can. Would you be willing to help me, Mami?” As Homura finished, she looked up to locked eyes with the older magical girl, who gave a warm smile in response.

 

“Of course, Homura! I assume that it’s going to be a place she commonly visits, so let’s scope out the area tonight, before she can get there.” Mami reached across the table and held Homura’s hands in her own, and for the first time, Homura gave a real smile.

Notes:

sorry for the short chapter! im making chapter five longer, so i hoped a shorter chapter four would be okay :) and yes i am BACK.