#timeline b.

Yes, freedom, she mused, freedom from this eternal Hell.

Witnessing of death of her friends, there was no doubt that it scarred her emotional being, tearing at her innocence countless times. Her goal --changed from selfishness-- was to protect and save everyone from their fates.

Her included.

Red strands painted the girl's features, accompanied by white porcelain skin, threaded with a characteristic smile. The familiar form stood before her, the arcade a pleasing site for her disposition.

99 --shows the man's loose fabric, pixels threaded into inky, stringy messes, yet hugging tightly around the nude bearings underneath. Such a sight proved to be a reminder of Homura's journey --her ninty-ninth loop, to be exact. Despite enormous efforts to bring back what is meant to be impossible, there was one, final breath of miraculous identity.

Madoka. Uncontracted, undecided, and unable to formulate her decision to be a magical girl. Whereas the other timelines had pit her in her magical phase, this difference had truly stunned Homura. She had done what she usually does earlier --heading to Mami's residence to reassure her, then healing Kyousuke's wrist, and perhaps, finding Kyouko for cooperation in Walpurgisnacht-- yet it could be possible that Madoka had not encountered Mami? Afterall, their promise of cooperating together --fighting together-- had been a result of their encounter. Could such amissed opportunity bred this possibility?

Observant as Homura was, she had continued her course of actions --rescuing Mami from Charlotte, talking and encouraging Sayaka (who has yet to form her contract) and Kyouko to join her in Walpurgisnacht, alongside watching Madoka from the sidelines. The latter pinkhead had later found out about magical girls through a small run-in with Hitomi, prompting Sayaka to hurriedly make her wish and save her friend. Kyouko later followed suit, initially battling Sayaka before mending their bonds at a church. Moreover, a few points had conjoined her developing affection with the blonde --her consistency and perseverance in visiting Mami's apartment, easing the latter's loneliness--, yet she had to remain focused --Walpurgisnacht was definitely arriving, and she has to ensure all of her friends come unscathed.

There was so much to be done, so much to plan. Yet she had lost control; the plan of that day ultimately fell out of her bearings.

A miscalculation.

Despite Sayaka's wish of great power and knowledge, her situation of encountering Kyousuke and Hitomi's blossoming relationship had landed her in despair. In response, Kyouko and Madoka made efforts in bringing Sayaka back, only to repeat the sacrifice Kyouko has made, scarring Madoka and her friendship for the duo.

A day of mourning came --dreadful raindrops to top off the depressing atmosphere. Desperate as the raven haired girl became, it was now or never: she invited Mami and Madoka to her apartment, revealing much of what she has experienced to this point: from time travel to incubators, and her goals --changed as they are today. The revision drove Homura and Mami as the ones to face the Walpurgisnacht, yet the assault was halted upon Madoka's proposition-- her decision to, finally, contract.

"Let's restart." "I want to travel through those timelines with you --with Mami, too."

Abandoned duties laid in rubbles of Mitakibara's remains, the glittering pink light fleeing from Madoka's chest, formulating the soul gem. Despite the wish becoming true, it would not be possible to travel with vessels, as Kyubey explains. There was, however, an alternative solution --the price of one's body; Leave the bodies, but traverse with soul gems alone. Her decision made and finalized, the raven haired girl takes her friends' soul gems, storing them in her shield storage --just before clocking the time back.