Midori Hanegawa

"In short, sempai, I'm your ninja," Midori's smile widens slightly. "Er, well, just don't ask me to steal stuff, or anything. I've never been great at shoplifting."

Midori Hanegawa
Also Known As...	Midori Sakamoto, Broccoli Head, Green Green, Midorin
First Appearance	Thread 5
Organization	Ninth Officio
Rank	Callidus
Occupation	Magical Girl
Ability	Illusions
Weapon	Wrist-blade and daggers
Height	168cm
Date of Birth

Midori Hanegawa, is recurring character and one of the narrators of Magical Girl Noir Quest. Initially introduced as an enemy Magical Girl, she was taken prisoner, interrogated, and eventually recruited into the Ninth Officio by Chiaki Matsuda. A shy and lonely young woman with self-esteem issues, it was quickly revealed that Midori had an infatuation with her violent would be savior. An infatuation that would eventually lead her to risk her own life in exchange for that of the amnesiac Magical Girl.

Character Summary

A ramen chef's daughter from a family with crippling debt. She originally contracted as a member of the Tenth Officio, but was later recruited into the Ninth Officio after being defeated and captured by Chiaki during her first bodyguard mission involving Iori Minase. Reassigned to Chiaki as her direct subordinate, it was quickly revealed that Midori actually knew Chiaki by reputation and was completely infatuated with her, even having gone so far as to draw porn doujinshi involving a self-insert character of herself and an idealized version of Chiaki - "The Adventures of Miracle Midori and Murder Mayumi". Chiaki took the news surprisingly well and the two continued to work closely together for the duration of the Siberia Mission despite initial mistrust and difficulties. After being forced to subdue the one friend she had made during her time in the Tenth Officio, Mirai Wakaba, Midori is further tested by the harrowing experience of having to fight through two overlapping Witch Barrier's in order to rescue Chiaki...

Physical Description

• A Japanese girl of above average height. She is seventeen years old.
• Midori has pretty crimson eyes and brilliant green hair.
• Her long green hair is tied at the back of her head by a single yellow ribbon.
• She is remarkably busty, having been compared to Mami in multiple occasions.
• Midori is usually seen wearing a gray colored hoody along with black bike shorts and blue sneakers.
• Her Soul Gem is a circular crimson gem gilded with silver and brass. It is held at her neck by a choker when transformed.

Personality

• Midori is loyal to her friends and true to her beliefs.
• She is very considerate.
• She also has a vivid, lewd imagination.
• Initially, Midori acts in a very assertive manner, but becomes increasingly shyer and awkward as time passes.
• Midori is quite insecure about her capabilities as a Callidus and her worth to Chiaki as a friend.
• She also has a prominent jealous streak.

Character History

Iori Minase

Midori first appears during the first protection mission for Iori Minase that Chiaki Matsuda accepts, in the disguise of Yayoi Takatsu. She creates an illusion that keeps Chiaki asleep and paralysed in a dream while her clients have their way with the idol. She tells her that the men will not touch Chiaki as courtesy from one professional to another.

Chiaki however laughs at her, startling the supposed idol, before accepting Faust's help who breaks Midori's spell, causing her to throw up blood and revealing her true form. Watching Chiaki coldly take out five armed men in a matter of seconds, the hysterical Midori's terror surges when her kneecaps are shot with a golden Desert Eagle, causing the green haired magical girl to faint.

Her unconscious form is tied up, shoved around and stepped on before being brought to the Ninth Officios silent room, her soul gem in custody of Chiaki Matsuda.

Recuperation

Once Chiaki awakens the restrained, lifeless body of Midori in the silent room to interrogate her, she realizes that placing a soul gem in alcohol affects the owner, as Midori is clearly drunk from her soul gem being used as a wiskey warmer for a while.

Midori tells Chiaki her name is Sakamoto Midori, Callidus Rank, but refuses to talk about her Incubator. She worked with Iori's assailants because she needs money to support her family's ramen joint, despite disagreeing with what they do. She says she doesn't mind being killed by Murderface, the legendary Vindicare, but requests her body being returned to her family afterwards.

In her drunken state, Midori tells Chiaki that she finds her cute. Being called cute herself, she tells Chiaki that all other girls at her place are popular and nobody cares about a loser like her. Unlike them who became magical girls for extra sparkles, Midori was hit by a sports car while on a delivery and accepted the incubators deal to survive.

She describes him as a cat with black body and white head bearing a circle marking, who wears ruffles and talks with a french accent. But she still refuses to reveal his name because he places great emphasis on secrecy.

When Chiaki offers her to switch employers, Midori replies that she would, but doubts anyone would want another Callidus like her.

Recruitment

For about a week, Midori is periodically woken up by Mami. Chiaki arrives one night, wearing a maid uniform covered in blood, with whiskey and melon liqueur to drink with her after a stressful assignment. Waking the green haired girl up, Chiaki submerges their soulgems in alcohol to get the both of them drunk to wash away the troubles. Midori tells her of how the pink haired girl broke her illusion back in the hotel, and asks why Chiaki is so important to her but is interrupted by Kyubey.

Kyubey offers Chiaki the choice to either nullify Midori's contract, granting her a quick death, or to rewrite it and have her take responsibility of the girl. Chiaki tells her to Incubator rewrite the contract, who attunes Midori's soul gem to her own. She will be able to track Midori, take control of and even remotely kill her if necessary. Kyubey welcomes Midori Hanegawa into the Officio and leaves.

Midori asks why Chiaki saved her and infers that she likes her, blushing and fidgeting under her restraints. She requests to be released, clearly drunk and loud enough to be heard on the phone call Chiaki started. She tries to shut Midori up by giving her soul gem a lick, giving her an intense orgasm with sharp, loud moaning instead after which she falls asleep. Not long after, Chiaki frees Midori from her restraints and wakes her up, telling her what happened. Midori is embarrassed at first, but then asks Chiaki to do it again. She refuses and transports her new subordinate to the infirmary in a wheelchair.

On the way Midori tells her that she can easily take on the form of anyone if she studies them long enough. She can also create a wide area hypnosis that lets people perceive her as what she is expected to be in the current situation, feeding on expectation and putting the result into peoples minds. This last ability is very difficult and straining, so she only uses it when it's really needed. Midori also tells her how she changed into a somewhat different version of Chiaki when the pink haired girl appeared. A more stylish Chiaki with hair down to her rear, spread out like wings with a pink ribbon and a golden shield on her left arm.

In the infirmary Midori is introduced to Sayaka and Kyoko, the latter teasing her about being a bed warmer. Midori says she will be, if Chiaki let's her, only to be told that she needs to spend more time with her and that the real Murderface probably doesn't live up to the rumors. They part ways and Chiaki takes Midori to get her legs regrown in the infirmary.

The next day, Midori drives Chiaki to a meeting with her principal Iori, constantly looking at her in the mirror. Chiaki decides to have her come along on her trip to the R&D base in Siberia. She thanks Chiaki for choosing her, mentioning she has never been overseas before. Midori apologizes for giving Chiaki a fake name during her first interrogation, saying that she would have told her her real name instead of the cover soon, or if she had decided to dispose of her. She promises not to lie to her superior again, and is made to use her proper name Matsuda, instead of Murderface, along with proper honorific. She ends up calling her Matsuda-senpai and is quite happy about going on a trip with her.

At the Lovelace mansion Midori makes to follow Chiaki inside, but is firmly told to stay in the car and that her job for now is to follow orders. Some time later Chiaki hands her a plate of pancakes and takes up driving herself, looking somewhat distressed. On the way to pick up Misaka Midor asks what happened in the mansion, clearly concerned, but is cut off and told not to worry. Midori suggests talking about her troubles and that Chiaki might not have to drink so much if she did, but is harshly told off.

The appearance of Tiny Pete as well at the choice of name startle Midori, much to Misakas annoyance. Midori herself is impressed by how well her superior handles the child who decided to ignore her. While Chiaki is talking to her arms dealer, Midori playfully flirts with Tiny Pete, resulting in being told off by Misaka. She is then ordered to regard Misaka's orders as equal to Chiaki's orders for the duration of the trip, within reason. She is impressed that Tiny Pete is actually planned for live combat, saying she'd pay big money to see him stomp Pleiades Saints' skulls.

While Misaka packs, Midori says that she understands people are suspicious of her and assures that she will not betray her new superior and that she wants to be helpful. They shake hands and Midori tells her she is glad her life is in the hands of somebody who will not kill her unless it is for a good reason.

Flight

Midori volunteers to carry the luggage for the trip and is told to follow Misaka around at the airport. She convinces a guard to let the two of them pass into a hangar but has her hands full with the stubborn girl until Chiaki calls and talks to her.

On the plane, Midori is embarrased by Chiaki indicating that she found out about her porn manga and avoids eye contact, squirming every time Chiaki so much as moves “The Adventure of Miracle Midori and Murder Mayumi”, which seems to be a source of considerable enjoyment for her superior. Midori tries to explain in unintelligable streams of apologies, only to be shut up with a mouthful of pancake from Chiaki's packed dinner and told to be quiet since Misaka is asleep.

She admits to being the author of MMxMM and basing some characters on people she knows, Murder Mayumi on Murderface and Miracle Midori on herself. She never wanted to tell anyone and apologizes, saying she drew it because she was lonely and needed something to escape to in between her family's financial problems and soul crushing assignments. She apologizes again, saying that she wants to call the publishing agency to stop the series now that Chiaki is her boss.

To her surprise, Chiaki gives her thorough critique, pats her head and tells her that everybody needs a hobby and that she doesn't mind Midori continuing. Being asked why she used Murderface and not someone better, Midori says she needed somebody dark, broody and cool to contrast with her bright, vulnerable lead.

She didn't think it would sell, but to her own surprise the books were a real hit at Comiket with demands for a sequel. She tells Chiaki that she published six volumes so far, but refuses to tell her what happens next and promises to get her the following volumes one by one.

Midori asks what Chiaki would say if she confessed to her, hypothetically, and is told that her superior takes confessions serious and would have to decline as the two of them don't know each other nearly well enough.

Some hours later, after sleeping for the rest of the flight and then some more, Midori wakes Chiaki up. After getting ready to go, she receives Chiaki's weapon suitcase with the explicit order not to open it and gets on the helicopter that will take them to the R&D base.

Betrayer & Hunt

Midori is immediately intimidated by Kharn's presence, stepping back and telling Chiaki that it would not be good to keep the russian girl waiting. Inside the base she is both disappointed and excited about everyone getting a room of their own instead of sharing one with Chiaki.

She hands Kharn the suitcase with the golden weapons, sulking at the rusian hugging her superior. When Chiaki asks her to make some takoyaki for Kharn, Midori says that she will make them for Chiaki who can share them with whomever she wants, annoyed by her superiors closeness with the russian girl.

When Chiaki tells her about witches, the one in Mami's apartment specifically, Midori explains the description fits a former girl of her previous Officio, Asuka Yuuri, who was considered to have gone rogue. Chiaki promises her to end things quickly should Midori ever witch out, the green haired girl promising to do her best, too.

When asked about Iori, Midori flinches, coldly telling Chiaki that the sex was part of the illusion, the scenario thought up by the idol herself. She also tells her that she was not involved in the rape of Yayoi Takatsuki before pushing a bowl of takoyaki in Chiakis hands and locking herself in her room.

Crying on her bed, she tells Chiaki to leave her alone, who decidedly ignores that and apologizes for being tactless through the closed door, telling her that she needed the information and reminds Midori that she lacks any sense of delicacy. She also apologizes for making her cook for Kharn, telling Midori that she only wanted ot do something nice for an old friend she forgot about, and that she liked the takoyaki.

Midori then opens the door and apologizes for overreacting. Kharn tells her that Chiaki is lacking in social terms, and thanks her for the takoyaki, asking to be taught to make them, making Midori blush and pulling her out of her room into the kitchen.

Afterwards, she finds Chiaki sleeping in her room and decides to sleep beside her as it helps calm nightmares in her experience. After waking up, Midori tells her that she likes the idea of sleeping with her, but that it's not the only thing on her mind and that she can be just considerate for her boss, too.

She gets ready for the hunt, despite thinking that killing animals for sport is cruel, but is willing to try as it's common practice in Siberia. After keeping Misaka and Tiny Pete company for a while, she receives a headset from Chiaki, telling her superior how the hunting gear suits her before boarding the partys vehicle.

When the group stops ahead of schedule, she exits with Misaka, asking Chiaki what happened. Hearing the description of a magical girl that showed up leading a horde of bears, Midori is reminded of someone and requests to accompany Chiaki to see for herself if her suspicion is right. When asked about it, she tells Chiaki that the description sounds like Mirai Wakaba, a member of the Pleiades Saints and unlike the other members, one of her few friends.

Chiaki allows her to come, but tells her to face the reality that her friend has likely been sent to kill her, which Midori says she already expected. She receives a rifle from Kharn with a short explanation on its use, protesting as she is no marksman, but can't assert herself against the russian.

Upon finding the remains of the brutally murdered advance party, Midori empties her stomach before accompanying Chiaki further north towards the enemies lair. When Chiaki tells her to hide and retreat when the fighting starts, she returns that she will not leave her superiors side in a firefight. Chiaki takes the rifle from her, giving Midori a strange heavy gun from her shield instead.

Some minutes later at a clearing, Midori ascertains that the enemy is indeed her friend Mirai. She steps into the clearing, all bears focusing on her, and talks to her friend. She tells her that she wanted to leave for some time due to the missions being too much for her. Mirai however doesn't care for her reasons, stating that she is to return the traitors soul gem to her incubator. She offers to spare Chiaki if Midori surrenders, but Midori refuses to turn her back on the one she loves, aiming the bolter gun at the crimson haired girl and threatening to kill her herself.

Mirai sends the bears to attack and Midori fares unexpectedly well, taking a good number of beasts out with carefully aimed shots, calmly switching the bolter with Chiakis M60 after running out of rounds. One particularily large bear tears the rifle from her hands and is cut down by Chiaki, now wielding the golden katana filled with bloodthirst.

Midori tries to make her superior regain her senses and drop the sword, calling her name and pulling her arm, desperately holding on to her even when Muramasa cuts into her arms and torso until Chiaki finally lets go of the blade. Midori keeps holding on to her as they head to where Kharn defeated Mirai, the corpse beheaded and still burning.

When Kharn states that Chiaki has been tainted she makes Midori promise to keep her from touching the golden weapons for a while and assures that Souji and herself will fix the Warmaster in training. Chiaki forces Midoris grasp open before pulling her close, letting her subordinate rest against her shoulders, sharing their warmth, and Midori quickly falls asleep.

Back at the base, she is treated and put to bed with Chiaki, naked to provide each other with more warmth.

Treatment & Training

A while later, Midori wakes up to Chiaki squeezing her shoulder. Her mind still numb from exhaustion and painkillers, she asks if she should get something for Chiaki, who hugs her and simply says that they both need to sleep.

The next morning Midori is in the living area with Misaka and Souji. She hears Chiaki enter and approaches, but quickly notices that something is wrong. She asks Kharn what happened, who could only watch silently as Chiaki reveals her most recent amnesia triggered by the procedure.

After Misaka locks herself in her room and Kharn leaves to look after Souji, Midori formally introduces herself again, holding back her tears. When asked what a Callidus like her actually is, she explains the Officio Assassinorum and its ranks to Chiaki. When asked about their relationship, Midori says that they were friends, but not as close as Kharn makes it sound and that Misaka is much closer to her, considering Chiaki a heroic big sister.

While her superior tries to talk to the young girl, Midori heads back into the kitchen to continue preparing breakfast. While they eat, Chiaki's volume of Miracle Midori and Murder Mayumi drops from her inventory. Midori panics at the thought of explaining it again before Souji picks it up, claiming it as his own.

On the way to the training area Souji mentions that Kharn tends to get carried away a lot, but Midori expresses her confidence in the previous Warmaster's ability to control herself to not hurt Chiaki.

Once he leaves, Kharn tells them not to mind his rude behavior, telling them he is only worried about a dream he had where Kharn goes berserk and kills Misaka and Midori before Chiaki puts her down. Kharn tells them not to worry, but Midori replies that dreams about death are sometimes a warning sign in her experience.

After they warm up, Kharn calls Midori to the edge of the mats in the middle of the room to give the start sign. When Chiaki and Kharn pick up golden weapons to fight each other with in the second round, Midori voices her concern a the idea of using them in combat instead of just getting instructions, but is told that this training will be safer than doing it in live combat later. Chiaki tells her to leave the area for safety reasons, but Midori insists on staying, fighting her body's urge to escape the potential danger.

She makes to give the starting signal and retreats as Kharn starts a surprise attack. When Chiaki and Kharn both fully tap the power of their weapons, colored flames in front of their left eyes, Midori tries to make Chiaki stop the fight, anxious at the development. Relieved that Chiaki agrees, she leaves the training area with Kharn and her superior.

Back in the living area, Misaka clings to Chiaki, still crying. Midori offers to take care of her, but Chiaki wants to do it herself. As the young girl returns to the kitchen, beaming, Midori passes Chiaki a glass of iced water, earning a confused look from her superior who never seems to have had a drink without alcohol before.

On the way to the interrogation room, Kharn and Midori fill Chiaki in on her current Officio background and the situation with Mirai. Inside, she expresses her concern about interrogating Mirai with the computer surrogate body. The russian pushes Chiaki to start the interrogation, assuring them its safe.

As Kharn explains that all of Mirais senses are disabled, only allowing the screen text to be perceived, Midori is shaken by the cruelty of the method. She reports what she remembers about the encounter with Mirai, pointing out differences to what Mirai said.

When the Tenth Incubator intrudes into the interrogation device and threatens to detonate Mirai's soul gem if the connection is severed, Midori suggests Chiaki to talk to him. He demands Midori's return, but she clearly states that she doesn't want to go back. Chiaki tells the Tenth that Midori belongs to her, making the green haired girl blush furiously.

Kharn hands over her keycard and instructs Midori to leave the room and use the elevator upstairs should anything happen, a prepared teleporter will bring them next to her. Moments after an explosion occurs inside the interrogation room and the teleport erupts next to Midori, knocking her down.

Blinded by the light, she hits the button to send the elevator up and grabs the body next to her. What she finds is Kharn who whispers that Chiaki is still in the room before an alarm starts up, announcing that a witch was detected inside the facility.

Midori & Miracle Midori

During this chapter, the game takes place in Midori's point of view.
Up in the living area, Souji takes care of Kharn while Midori tries to find out what do do about the situation. Souji tells her that the witch is sealed in and that something held Chiaki back when the teleporter should have saved her alongside Kharn. Souji tells her that it's imposible to get a teleporter lock from outside the barrier and that somebody has to exterminate the witch first. Misaka insists on going in with Tiny Pete, but Midori tells her that Chiaki would not want her to endanger herself and that the witch and her familiars would target not magical girls first.

Midori decides to head into the barrier alone since Kharn is in no state to do anything and Tiny Pete would draw unwanted attention during the search. She asks Misaka if she can teleport the Terminator inside when needed, and the young engineer hurriedly hands her a bulky digital watch, stating that a teleport beacon is inside. She hugs Midori, asking her to bring Chiaki back, and heads off to make preparations. Souji asks if she needs anything for the infiltration, and agrees to supplying her with two grief seeds and four doses of the medication he gave Kharn in a handy hypogun.

They head one floor down into the teleporter room where Souji prepares the machinery, warning Midori that she will feel sick upon her arrival. As he initiates the transport, the world around Midori fills with blinding light, screaming voices and the stench of brimstone before she wakes up lying in her own throw-off, feeling miserable.

As she regains her senses, she recognizes the area as a destroyed version of Mitakihara, a cackling witch blocking the sun and the pink haired girl back from the hotel standing next to her. She tells Midori that this is not Mirai's barrier, but that of Homura, the name she calls Chiaki, instead. She orders Midori not to use any other name for Homura and explains that she is in the center of the barrier, complaining about the low standards of todays magical girls, before demanding to know why Midori is trying to find her.

Midori explains that she owes her and that picking up after Chiaki is her job. Satisfied that Midori isn't trying to steal Homura away from her, the pink haired girl offers to join forces in their search. Despite her bad feeling, Midori agrees to find Chiaki as fast as possible. Happy that someone actually joins her, the pink haired girl introduces herself as Madoka and explains that she feels four locations where Homura could be and another one that should be Mirai.

At that moment, the teleporter beaon watch starts beeping, and Midori excuses herself to take the call. Misaka informs her that Tiny Pete is ready to deploy and that the beacon Chiaki is still carrying gives off four signals, matching Madoka's information. She also mentions that Souji detected a strong witch nearby, but the connection is cut before Midori could respond.

Madoka then transports the two of them to another part of the barrier where the first signal is coming from, the Mitakihara Middle School building. Following closely behind Madoka, Midori notices that she is strangely attractive when her dark eyes and sharp teeth are not visible, before asking about how she and Homura got to know each other.

The pink girl tells her how the magical girl Madoka saved the shy Homura and became her best friend before they were torn apart, one getting lost to the world and the other sacrificing her soul to do the impossible. She screams about how Homura didn't listen to Madoka and selfishly wanted to change everything, destroying the world in the process of trying to get what she wants instead of what everyone needs.

As the barrier shakes at Madoka's outburst, Midori desperately pulls her into a hug and apologizes for bringing up bad memories. She tells Madoka that they must still be friends since she still came to save her despite what she did and the pink haired girl calms down, the world around them falling into silence once more.

Madoka apologizes for her outburst and explains that she will warp them around to make things easier and avoid the familiars, listing a few locations inside the building that seem important.

Distracted at the image of Chiaki wearing the Mitakihara middle school uniform for a bit, Midori decides to start looking on the rooftop. Once there, she notices that Madoka is gone and spots someone standing in a corner. As Midori approaches the person, she recognizes it as a long haired grayscale version of Chiaki. She moves her lips worldessly, points to somewhere behind Midori and disappears when the green haired girl looks away, leaving an envelope where she stood.

As Midori picks it up, Madoka appears behind her, apologizing for leaving her alone and explains that she was drawn to a different, strange and scary place inside the school. Midori tells her about the apparition and they read the letter inside the envelope. A message about how Homura has never forgotten but could not accept to exist in a world where Madoka cannot and is prepared to be hated for what she will do. Madoka reacts with confusion and fright, telling Midori to throw it away.

They also find a ring in the envelope, and Madoka recognizes it as Homura's soul gem. She takes the ring and Midori tells her that Homura must have loved her a lot to be willing to sacrifice everything to get her back. The ring disappears in pink fire in Madoka's hand who pushes to move on.

Midori decides to head to the classroom next, but asks what happened to Madoka in the strange place earlier. She answers that the person she hates was there, weak, helpless and worthless before transporting Midori to their destination.

She arrives alone once again, finding another gray phantasm of Homura sitting at one of the desks. Calling her repeatedly, the shade looks at Midori with an irritated expression before disappearing, leaving another envelope.

While Midori picks it up, Madoka appears behind her again, seemingly irritated herself. She blusters about the person she hates and how she wants her dead before hugging Midori from behind, asking if she ever hated herself for something embarassing she did and is constantly reminded of. Midori tells her that everyone has something like that and eventually moves past it and that she and her friend both are not the same people they were in the past, cheering the dark goddess up again.

Madoka notices the envelope and promises to try to stay calm before Midori opens it to find another letter from Homura. After reading it Midori slips the letter into her pocket and suggests heading to the school clinic on foot.

Madoka tells her of a strange thing she feels walking around, different from the person she encountered before, and that it seems to be looking for her, following her scent. Just then they hear heavy metallic footsteps approaching and decide to run before their pursuer can reach their location, dashing all the way towards the clinic, Midori carrying the frightened Madoka part of the way. They press against the bottom end of the wall to escape detection when the footsteps stop in front of the clinic door for a few minutes, purple flame dancing in front of it's left eye, before it turns around to move away.

After clinging to Madoka for some more time, tensely waiting for the predator to be gone for good, they disentangle from each other and notice somebody else in the room, sleeping in one of the beds. Upon closer inspection, they find out it is Chiaki with long braided hair, wearing the Mitakihara middle school uniform, this time not a grayscale phantom. Madoka identifies her as one of the four Homuras inside the barrier, but is worried about scaring her with her devilish appearance.

Midori uses a bit of magic, small enough to make it unnoticable, to hide Madoka's black eyes and claws, giving her the appearance of her previous form. Madoka asks her to watch the door while she wakes Homura up, and Midori complies, while trying to keep her mind away from thinking that she never had a chance with Chiaki. Homura wakes up, confused at Madoka crying over her and turns to Midori for an explanation. The green haired girl tells her that Madoka was worried about her while said girl calms down enough to explain their current situation, leaving out the part about Homura's fragments.

Madoka senses their hunter approach again, albeit slowly this time, and suggests moving on quickly after formally introducing Midori. Midori decides to keep going by foot and, during a break to let the frail Homura catch her breath, asks Madoka about Mirai. She tells her that she can't feel anything, but mentions via telepathy that she might already be a witch at this point.

They move on, Midori now carrying Homura to speed up their progress, and are assaulted by the armored predator. Madoka undoes Midoris illusion and materialises her weapon, telling her companions to run away. Homura asks what happened to Madoka and Midori explains that despite her look, she still works hard to protect her friend.

They hear Madoka scream in pain, and Homura demands to go back and help her, even if she has to do it alone. Midori sets Homura back on the groud, but holds on to her wrist while explaining that Madoka is the strongest magical girl and that going back would be selfish. When Homura continues to struggle, Midori slaps her and explains that going back would be an insult to Madoka who wants to keep her friend from danger no matter what and that she will definitely return. Hearing this, the frail Homura calms down a bit and cries into Midoris shoulder.

At this point Midoris teleporter beacon connects again, Misaka and Souji noticably relieved that Midori is still alive. She tells them that she encountered Chiaki and he confirms the signal and mentions that the next one is north of her position. The two strong anomalies they detected close to her, Madoka and the predator, have disappeared for now.

Midori then asks about Kharn, but is told to focus on the task at hand. The Callidus is used to people hiding information though and presses the issue, making Souji reveal that Kharn has managed to escape from the silent room and used the teleporter to enter the barrier, her current location unknown. He tells her to run away if she encounters the previous Warmaster and explains that Mirai can't be saved if she has already turned into a witch. He tells her about how Kharn witched out and that it took him, Murderface and fifteen Culexus to stop her and that they still don't know how it actually worked out. Midori thanks him for his honesty and promises to work hard for a happy ending before he disconnects.

Homura, who has been listening, asks about her conversation and Midori explains everything while they head north. They arrive in the reflection of a shadier part of Mitakihara and make to enter Charles' Bar, the place most likely to find Chiaki, and encounter the drunk fragment representing Chiaki.

While Homura stays back, Midori wakes Chiaki up, serves her water and introduces herself to the exhausted fragment. Chiaki mentions that she knows the name Hanegawa from the ramen restaurant nearby and that the Warmaster and another person took her there a few times, before asking about Homura. Midori explains that they are basically the same person, and Chiaki surprisingly believes it right away, mentioning that she already encountered another fragment that tried to kill her. She tells Midori that she escaped easily, or was let go, and encountered a pink haired girl that tried to tear her heart out, but managed to kill her first.

At that moment, Madoka contacts her again, blinded during her fight, and asks where they are. Midori tells her that they are safe and found another fragment and suggests that Madoka doesn't show herself to this one just yet. Madoka tells her that she made their predator run but was injured herself before falling silent.

Chiaki then asks about the current situation, already expecting the outcome. Then Madoka contacs Midori again, warning her about the predator approaching again. Homura and Chiaki feel it, too, and decide to quickly relocate into the Hanegawa ramen restaurant.

To Midori's surprise, her family's restaurant is manned by Kyubey, copying her fathers behavior, who tells them not to block the entrance since two other customers are bound to come back soon. By his description, Midori concludes that they are Mirai and a Culexus. The Chiaki fragment mentions that the description sounds like Malal and that she will be able to tell them something important. Kyubey advises the group to stay inside the restaurant to avoid the starting rain as familiars come out during that time. When Midori asks him why he is there, the Incubator explains that he knows he is not real and that this restaurant might have leaked into Chiakis barrier through their attuned soul gems.

Kyubey brings out food and Midori takes it to the table Homura and Chiaki have sat down at, starting a conversation. Chiaki told Homura about kiling magical girls with the time stop ability, who asks Midori about her opinion. She answers that shooting the legs first is better as the enemies of today might be friendsomorrow. Chiaki agrees and says she should have known that before she screwed everything up. In the following silence, Midori tries to contact Madoka again and sees an image of Kharn coming to the pink haired girl's help.

As she snaps out of the vision, shocked at Kharn being Madoka's ally, Mirai and Malal enter the restaurant, both chipped and talking about someone being out of reach. Midori all but tackles her friend into a hug, crying tears of relief for a while before letting go again. Mirai is happy that her friend came for her, but tells her that saving her is more complicated than just getting out of the barrier.

Mirai explains that she knows what Midori is doing and that she and Malal have been trying to help but could not reach a powerful and insane fragment. She offers to answer Midori's questions and explains that they want to bring the four fragments together in one place to make something happen, but don't know what exactly that will be. She is impressed that Midori already found two fragments and mentions another problematic one, the part of Chiaki that wants to destroy herself. She suggests that maybe three fragments will be enough.

Midori then turns towards Malal and asks who she is and how she knows so much, considering that she is supposedly dead. The fragments cut into the conversations and explain that she is indeed Malal and indeed dead. Malal confirms this and decides not to explain how she ended up inside this barrier, leading the conversation back to gathering the fragments. She admits that they would ideally want all four, but could make Chiaki work well enough with only three to avoid the risk of the insane fourth fragment killing the others.

Midori asks Kyubey about her linked soul gem, but the Incubator reflection can only guess at whether it will be of any help in dealing with the remaining fragments. She then requests that Malal and Mirai reveal what they are hiding, but the Culexus insists on keeping the things that can't be changed to herself as these details would not help advance their goals.

Midori then calls Souji to inform him about Kharn's appearance and joining Madoka, meeting Mirai and the plan to reunite Chiaki's fragments. Souji tells her to forget about Kharn and focus on Chiaki, but Malal cuts into the conversation and refuses to leave her former partner behind. Shocked at Malal's presence, he explains that he identified the huge signal as the original teleporter beacon heading their way and thanks Malal for still wanting to save the former Warmaster before severing the connection.

Malal identifies the angry fragment they fought earlier and states that Midori and the two fragments will even the odds in an encounter with it. Midori then decides to take the approaching fragment head-on instead of running or waiting it out.

She asks Malal why she tried facing the fragment earlier despite being outmatched, and the Culexus replies that somebody had to do it and only the rain caused them to fail as it probably causes traumatic memories to surface, making the fragment go berserk. Malal explains that they are going to fight to subdue and then bring the two fragments in to trigger some kind of reaction. Midori asks how Malal can be sure that anything will happen at all, but the Culexus replies that this is a secret.

Just then a bestial roar from outside shatters the windows, hurling glass shards all over the place. Chiaki and Homura tackle Midori to the grund to take cover while Malal and Mirai jump outside and engage the angry fragment first. As Homura helps Midori back to her feet, everyone is stunned at the appearance of the new fragment. It's hands and legs turned into jagged metal even more monstrous than Kharn, heavy plate armor covering her upper body, face covered in scars, wielding a jagged sword as big as herself.

Mirai is easily thrown aside by the impact of the jagged weapon crashing into her own broadsword and is only saved by Malal throttling the armored fragment with her crowbar. As Malal screams for her to take action, Midori jumps outside, closely followed by the other fragments, and jumps at the armored fragment. While Chiaki and Homura cling to it's arms, Midori hugs the spiked figure and pulses her thoughts into its mind, trying to calm her down. The fragment roars and shakes them off, loosing it's sword in the process, and replies with her own thoughts that she lost control and killed everyone, stating they must be familiars trying to torture her.

Malal orders Midori to stand back while the others try to restrain the armored fragment again to focus all her attention on convincing the mad monstrosity. They burst forward but are easily beaten down one after another within a few heartbeats. Midori stands her ground and sends her thoughts into the armored fragment's mind, telling her that she is not alone, that she loves her and believes that she knows it's the real Midori talking to her.

The armored fragment stares at her for a while before lowering the weapon it picked up moments before and speaks Midori's name in a pained voice. Midori affirms that it really is her and the armored fragment drops its weapon, still disbelieving. The green haired girl pulls her into a hug and the monstrous form of Chiaki makes to slowly return it.

At that moment Kharn shows up, a double bladed chainaxe resting on her shoulder, sincerely smiling. Midori and Malal try to dissuade her from starting a fight, the Culexus' uncorrupted voice from behind the broken visor strangely familiar, but Kharn insists that the Blessed Lady wants this fight to happen. Malal screams at Kharn to remember a promise she made to her, but the Betrayer refuses to listen to what she considers a barrier born phantasm, calls upon the golden weapon's power and sets the Culexus ablaze. While the flames die out on the unconscious magical girl, Kharn admires the armored fragment's form before telling Midori to step back.

Filled with rage, Midori walks past the armored fragment towards Kharn, unconsciously transforming into her magical girl from, and slaps the former Warmaster twice, hard enough to knock her hat off, and screams in anger and frustration. Stunned Kharn steps back and tries to justify her actions as the Blessed Lady's will, but Midori doesn't let up and exclaims that the Blessed Lady never never cared about her, that all she ever cares about is Homura. She tells the shocked magical girl that none of them ever had a chance against their connection and reminds her of how she is throwing everything she built with Souji away. She calls the scientist with the teleport beacon and prompts Kharn to tell him about it herself, but the russian can't bring herself to do it and retreats, her fighting spirit broken.

Souji missed the one sided conversation and asks if Midori needs Tiny Pete. She tells him that they are mostly alright and found the third fragment, that Kharn is still alive and that they need the position of the final fragment. She tells him to contact her as soon as he finds it and cuts the connection again before sinking to the ground untransformed, the tension leaving her body and falls unconscious from exhaustion.

Once she wakes up, Midori finds herself resting her head on Mirai's thighs inside the restaurant, Malal working on her suit, Homura and Chiaki asleep with the armored fragment standing guard at the entrance.

Mirai explains that they healed their wounds but will rest to ease the fatigue until the rain stops. Midori uses this chance to ask how Mirai got into this situation and she explains that Jyuubey ordered her to investigate the Ninths research base a few months ago and how he took control of her body instead of just borrowing her senses. She remembers nothing between this moment and waking up inside the machine other than being pulled into darkness. The same happened after talking to Chiaki, which was the moment she found herself inside the barrier.

Midori then asks to check her soul gem, finding it in acceptable shape and tells her friend that she wants to get everyone out of this barrier safe and that Souji can surely do something about her body.

She tells her friend to take a rest herself and gets up to talk to the armored fragment. She assures again that she is not an illusion and learns that the armored fragment missed her during her long time of killing to survive. Mustering the resolve to keep herself from crying, Midori asks her how she ended up this way.

The armored fragment explains that her procedure in Siberia failed and that she killed everyone inside the base, triggering a lockdown. When she dug herself out, the entire Ninth Officio mobilized against her and was subsequently wiped out. Confused, Midori tells her that the procedure was a success, the armored fragment replies that her shield started clicking and she found herself in this place years ago. She mentions how she fought all sorts of monsters, some of them wearing faces of people she killed, but never saw the other fragments before.

Midori explains that they are representations of Chiaki, past, present and possible future, and how she wants to reunite them all to solve the situation. The armored fragment explains that she knows how to find the final fragment, the one with wings of hate, and that they should wait for the rain to stop before engaging in this difficult fight. She thanks Midori for giving her this second chance and states that she is glad to have taken care of the green haired girl back in the past. Midori pats her arm and leaves the fragment alone to sort her thoughts, walking over to talk to Malal.

She asks about Kharn's soul gem in case they have to fight her for real and wonders why the three fragments are not uniting if they are supposed to be enough. Malal replies that they probably don't want to do it yet but that she could convince them, although acquiring the fourth fragment would be ideal for restoring Chiaki in full. Midori asks if Malal's powers can affect the fourth fragment, but the Culexus is uncertain.

She tells the green haired girl that she only needs to get the fused Chiaki and herself out while Malal will try to do something about Kharn before collapsing the barrier from inside, taking herself and Mirai with it as they have no place in the real world anymore. Malal then asks Midori to decide whether to take three or four fragments, who declares that only a full restoration of all parts will be any good. Malal then explains that she knows where the fourth fragment is and that the armored one will be the key to surviving the blood bath she expects.

Midori then asks if she and Malal met before, and the Culexus explains that she went to the Hanegawa ramen restaurant with Kharn and Murderface where Midori helped her father, but that they didn't talk and that people tend to unconsciously forget about meeting a Culexus.

Midori then leaves Malal to takes a rest herself. She wakes up being carried on the back of the fragment resembling Chiaki and Homura explains that they could not wake her up when the rain stopped and decided to depart this way. Chiaki pokes fun at her using memories of her time outside the barrier that are slowly returning to her mind before telling her that she is special and wants her to stay until the end.

While the sky darkens, the group arrives at a graveyard where Malal states that the final fragment is close. At that moment they hear Kharns chainaxes buzzing nearby, and both Malal and the armored fragment want to claim her as an opponent. Midori calls Souji and tells him to prepare Tiny Pete and to consider piloting him so he can talk to Kharn. He confirms that he can control the Terminator and is willing to enter the barrier to save his partner, stating they will get married right afterwards, regardless of the former Warmaster's oppinion. Malal mentions that he will be useful in removing one thing to worry about with teleporting Kharn out and Midori agrees to this being the plan before transforming into her magical girl form again.

Following the path they arrive at a clearing and find twenty numbered grave stones with shades carrying golden weapons in front of them as well as the fourth fragment, bearing blinding golden wings and a shield f the same material, her hair tied with a crimson ribbon. Kharn lies in a pool of her own blood, one arm torn from her shoulder while the fourth fragment mentions that she will still live for a short time and thanks Midori for bringing the other three fragments to her.

Midori wanted to talk and ask why she would kill Kharn like this, but upon seeing the cold hatred and determination in the eyes of the winged fragment, she can only despise her and spits an offense in her face upon which the cruel magical girl turns away and orders the shades to kill everyone. As the fighting breaks out, Midori charges towards the winged fragment but is hit by something hard enough to shatter her bones and knock her out right away.

As her consciousness fades, she hears Madoka's voice and uses her remaining strength to beg her to help save Homura. Appearing in a ball of light, the amber eyed goddess explains that she has a good moment that will last long enough to save everyone. While Midori's consiousness keeps fading away, Madoka pleads her to stay awake since she needs her permission to use her soul gem if she wants to save Chiaki. Midori tells her to do whatever is neccessary but wants to hold her hand while she does it, scared of what will happen.

Her vision is filled with purple flames before she regains consciousness back on the battlefield where her companions are fighting the golden weapon shades. She watches Tiny Pete burst through a group of enemies to pick something up and realizes that her own shattered corpse is still lying on the ground, right next to that of the braided fragment. Madoka, now wearing a pure white gown, gently picks up the fragment's soul gem and tells Midori to get the task done quickly.

Midori asks for an explanation and if Tiny Pete really just picked her own corpse up. Madoka confirms and explains that she put a part of herself into Midori's soul gem to be where she needs to be most to help Chiaki and that Midori is there because of her attunement to her superiors soul gem. She encourages her by stating that she did a good job gathering the fragments and facing the fourth, calling her the bravest magical girl in the world. When Midori asks what she did to the fragment, Madoka explains that she gave her peace and took what they need to make Chiaki whole, that she will use all fragments as well as herself and Midori to fuse everything together and that everything else will work itself out afterward.

When asked about herself, she explains that Faust is a part of her that should not exist but came to be when Homura did something horrible in the past, the details unknown even to her. Faust has taken over and wants to make Chiaki suffer for reminding her of what Homura did. The goddess also explains that the golden weapons were her idea, filled with most of her power, the rest was used to convince Faust they were her own idea to make whoever acquires all of them a worthy challenger. She explains that she still has friends she can occasionally talk to to make sure Chiaki gets involved in the golden weapons, looking at Malal.

Midori suggests using her grief seeds as a safety valve, and Madoka agrees after thinking for a bit, stating that she hasn't seen any in a long time as her wish originally removed witches from existence.

As the armored fragment is beaten down, Madoka prompts Midori to approach her as she would react violently to the goddesses. Reaching the armored fragment, Midori hears her desperate thoughts, begging her body to get up again to at least avenge Midori when she could not protect her. Unable to move, she can only cry an apology to her dead friend. Midori manages to pulse a reply and tells the fragment that there is no need to apologize. As the fragment passes away, relieved to see Midori one last time, Madoka grants her peace and takes her soul gem.

The two of them turn to look at the still raging combat and spot the reawakened Kharn and Tiny Pete, as well as Malal and Mirai thinning out the shades numbers. They also spot that the fragment most resembling Chiaki has defeated the winged one and is bashing the golden shield in her fallen opponent's face over and over, laughing all the while. Shocked, Madoka whispers that this is not supposed to happen in this place and tells Midori that Chiaki is letting someone take control of her again and that the goddess can't intervene without making everything that happened so far meaningless.

She tells Midori to do it instead and expends her remaining power to manifests the green haired girl behind Chiaki, telling her to hurry as this will only last a short time. Midori gathers her courage, approaches the fragment, takes hold of her arms and tells her to stop behaving so unlike her real self. Chiaki insists on taking her anger out on the one who killed the only person who cared about her, but Midori tells her that it is important to everyone that Chiaki comes back.

After a moment of silence the fragment lets go of the shield and cries, murmuring that she doesn't want to go back anymore. Madoka weakly pulses that Chiaki is the only Homura left to fix what she did in the past, that anyone else would be enslaved to Faust and bound by the golden weapons. Chiaki says that she would go back if Midori asks her to, and she hugs her, telling the crying girl she doesn't have to go through it alone and that she loves her before pressing the final piece of Chiaki's soul gem that appeared in front of her in place.

Midori is enveloped in darkness and greeted by Madoka, now back in Faust's magical girl costume. She thanks her for taking care of Chiaki and explains that the barrier will soon collapse with everyone returning back to the real world, Chiaki once again the person she was before thanks to Midori's help and grief seeds. Madoka tells her that her soul gem is at its limit, only a short time away from death after using everything up.

At this moment Malal shows up, exclaiming that the Blessed Lady will not take Midori and throws something at her. Midori identifies it as Mirai's soul gem while Malal demands that Madoka uses it to revive Midori on the spot. Midori refuses to use her friend's life like this, but Malal doesn't intend to ask for her permission and tells her to make Chiaki stop drinking and abusing pain killers once they return. Midori suggests using Kharn's soul gem instead, but Malal laughs her off, stating that while tempting, living with her sins is a better punishment for the Betrayer. She shouts at Madoka to hurry up and tells Midori she is glad Chiaki is in good hands.

Midori asks if there is any way to save Malal or Mirai, but the Culexus tells her that some things just can't be fixed and that she's just trying to make things less horrible than they should be. Midori then asks the Culexus to take off her helmet before they have to part and Malal agrees since her powers are unleashed completely to force herself into this place anyway.

She removes the pressure seals and reveals a splitting image of Madoka only with pink eyes and short hair. She explains to the utterly confused Midori that the two of them are the same person but at the same time not due to strange timeline mechanics. Her inside knowledge comes from dreams she had ever since she was a child that even told her how to form her contract the right way.

She tells Midori that she left a package for Chiaki with Kharn that will explain a lot of things she doesn't have time to do herself. Madoka calls them and hands Midori her soul gem, restored from Mirai's gem the gilding is now replaced by her friend's brass one. Madoka explains that her body will be healed enough to sustain life and that she will do her best to dull the pain of her injuries. She asks for any last words and Midori hugs both of them before thanking them and promising to take care of Chiaki.

She is enveloped by light and finds herself back in the barrier, the sky now clear, her head resting on Mirai's lap. Her friend thanks Midori for not refusing her gift and tells Midori that she could not bear seeing her friend die in the barrier she willingly entered to save her and Chiaki. Mirai tells her that she is at peace and places a kiss on Midori's forehead, appreciating her friendship as the barrier collapses around them. Midori tells her friend that she will miss her in a final embrace before darkness swallows her again.

She wakes up in the Siberian R&D base's ruined interrogation room where Tiny Pete stands guard over the injured Kharn and finds her own head resting on Chiaki's legs. She takes her mysteriously long haired superior's cigarette away and starts crying tears of loss and relief. Chiaki pulls her into a hug and assures that it's over and thanks Midori for saving her.

After Midori calms down, Chiaki tells her that she starts remembering parts of her past and that she turned Faust into what she is today. Midori tells her that the good part of Madoka mentioned that somebody else set things in motion and that Chiaki is no longer the same person. She mentions that the old Homura would have killed her on the spot when Chiaki only shot her legs off back in the past, which is when the Vindicare finally apologizes for taking this violent approach. She also praises her courage in facing Kharn before they decide to see how the former Warmaster is doing.

Kharn is in bad shape but recognizes Midori and Chiaki and tells them to carry out the death sentence for her betrayal quickly before Souji and Misaka can return. Chiaki is silent, seemingly considering Kharn's request, but Midori calls her an idiot and shuts the Betrayers protests up, suggesting her Warmaster to punish Kharn by having her live with her crimes. Chiaki agrees to this and orders the russian to marry Souji as part of her sentence.

Kharn claims that she can't possibly face Souji again but Midori tells her that he is already in the same room. While Kharn looks around in shock, Chiaki tells Tiny Pete to reveal his pilot. To their surprise they find Misaka instead, just as her brother walks in through the door with an ice pack held to his head, removing the electrical tape he was apparently tied up with. He explains that Misaka knocked him out before he could board the Terminator and requests to talk to Kharn.

Midori suggests leaving the two of them alone and leaves the room with Chiaki, who is carrying the sleeping girl. After closing the door, Midori presses her ear against it to listen in on Kharn's comeuppance with Chiaki following suit. After a russian shouting match, they hear the rustling of clothes and decide to leave, taking Misaka to her room before heading to the kitchen.

Midori prepares pancakes, enjoying the simple act when she was all but dead not long ago. Chiaki holds her hand, but Midori decides to give it more time before hoping for a deeper meaning as they head outside to nail in the fact that they are indeed back in the real world. Chiaki thanks her again for saving her life, stating that nobody else would have, but Midori assures that the others would do the same if they were there. Together, they enjoy the silent moments after the nightmare they went through this day.

Trivia

• Midoris appearance is based on Shion from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni with a few changes.
• The character in general is based on one of Decultures friends.
• Midori is not a morning person.

Gallery

Art by Nicehatguy

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