As the battle between Lancer and the Familiars reached a fever pitch, the arrival of "Walpurgisnacht" drew closer. The environmental changes grew increasingly bizarre; since ordinary people could not see "Witches," they only witnessed ominous black clouds, terrifying storms, and houses being demolished by unseen forces.
Eventually, due to the sheer abnormality of the situation, city officials ordered the populace to evacuate to underground shelters or similar safe havens. Madoka Kaname's family and the others were no exception.
Madoka, Sayaka Miki, and Homura Akemi received calls from home almost simultaneously. They were frantic at first, but under Homura's quick-thinking reminder, they told their parents they were visiting a classmate at the hospital and were sheltering there. Though their families were worried, the hospital was safe for the time being, and they hung up after a few hurried words of caution.
Only then did they notice that Kyoko Sakura and Mami Tomoe had been staring calmly toward the outside of the bounded field the entire time.
Mami had once personally told Madoka and the others why she became a magical girl; looking at Kyoko now, it seemed she had a similar past.
However, the two veterans didn't dwell on it. They could sense Lancer vigilance regarding Walpurgisnacht. No matter which Witch he had faced before, he had always remained composed, but this time, he wore an expression of absolute gravity.
"Are we... really not going to help?"
Though Kyoko looked like a rebellious delinquent and Mami appeared to be an innocent, refined young lady, Kyoko usually found herself in a subordinate role when they were together—perhaps due to age, Senpaiity, or even physical stature. She instinctively deferred to Mami, who shook her head.
"Just as Professor Olga said, believe in Doctor Lancer. We aren't doing nothing; it's just not our turn to act yet."
Mami had never actually fought Lancer, so she didn't grasp the full extent of his terror as deeply as Kyoko did, but she was more rational and understood what Lancer had told them earlier.
She didn't know why that man went to such lengths to protect them, but since he had chosen to do so, they would content themselves with being the final line of defense...
As they spoke, a terrifying aura suddenly surged from the distance. Even the three girls who weren't magical girls felt a chill run down their spines, while Kyoko and Mami eyes widened instinctively.
"What... kind of monster is that?!"
It possessed the same nonsensical, grotesque appearance as a common Witch—resembling a doll hanging upside down from a massive gear—but its terrifying aura had practically materialized, eroding the surroundings. Unlike common Witches that stayed within a "Barrier" to drain the lives of ordinary people, this one swung its massive frame freely, demolishing nearby buildings. Fortunately, Lancer and the others had lured the Familiars to a deserted area; otherwise, this single round of destruction would have killed countless civilians who hadn't reached safety in time.
Both girls realized the horror of their opponent and felt the urge to help, but they forced themselves to stay back. They sensed the "opportunity" Lancer mentioned wasn't now.
Just as Walpurgisnacht began its rampage, a blood-red shadow leapt like a meteor from a distant skyscraper, hurtling toward her.
The upside-down "doll" tried to swing its body to strike, but the blood-red shadow was incredibly agile, leaping between the ground and the buildings. The crimson trails left in the air traced a pattern like a giant spiderweb.
During this exchange, the figure didn't just dodge. Nearly every time a crimson trail slashed past, a massive wound appeared on the "doll," and mechanical parts tumbled from the gashes.
Compared to the creature's colossal body, the wounds seemed minor, but they at least proved the enemy was not invincible.
However, unlike the excited Kyoko and Mami, Lancer—at the center of the battlefield—was deeply puzzled.
The opponent was strong; both the power of its massive frame and its terrifying defense were formidable. Even Lancer didn't dare take a direct hit lightly. But that alone shouldn't have been enough to make the original story's Homura Akemi and Madoka Kaname feel it was irresistible.
Just as he was wondering, countless "strange silhouettes" began to slowly take shape from all directions.
'Familiars?'
That was Lancer first thought. After all, what else could be born from a Witch's body?
He was right, but when these "Familiars" fully formed, Lancer expression turned grim.
Because their bodies were composed entirely of negative emotions, these "Familiars" were pitch black, showing only a vague outline. Even so, Lancer could see the truth in those silhouettes.
These shadows depicted girls wearing ornate clothing and brandishing various strange weapons. The only thing they had in common was a small missing piece on their bodies. If Lancer guessed correctly, those missing pieces were where their "Soul Gems" should have been.
They were neither Witches nor simple Familiars. They were the remnants of despair left behind after Soul Gems were harvested, absorbed by Walpurgisnacht.
Almost simultaneously, they bared their teeth at Lancer in a smile—a smile so eerie it made him instinctively step back. The spot where he had been standing was instantly peppered with arrows, spears, and hidden projectiles. Immediately after, several "shadows" swung their weapons and charged at him.
Facing these former "Magical Girls," Lancer thrust his spear without hesitation, crushing them.
Lancer felt immense sympathy for these girls who had been led into the abyss of despair by Kyubey. These figures were the final, desperate ends of their journeys. But that was precisely why Lancer could not be soft-hearted. Only by crushing them could Lancer survive and have the chance to purify their Soul Gems!
Killing for the sake of salvation—Lancer had long ago made this resolution. His hands did not tremble, but his eyes were completely veiled in fury.
Right now, Lancer was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, accumulating his rage and waiting for the final moment to explode!
Kyubey!!
Lancer was going to wipe that creature out of existence once and for all!