Eyes open.

She finds herself staring at a familiar ceiling; an always familiar ceiling. Instead of the usual feelings of self-hatred and despair, she merely closes her eyes once more, exhaling slowly.

The previous timeline—compared to the many others she had cycled through—had been... different.

It had also been the closest she had ever been at fulfilling her original wish, but she isn't sure if she would have been glad if they had won.

It would've been interesting, at least, but...

She shakes her head to free her thoughts; no use dwelling on it now.

She opens her eyes and sits up.

If she takes into account of what usually happens after a reset, things should be relatively back to normal once more.

Everything is just another memory that only she knows existed.

She nods to herself, strengthening her resolve, before she throws off the hospital issued covers, and steps onto the cold metal floor.

Another month.

Another chance.

Another lifetime.

With her soul gem grasped securely in her hands and red framed glasses slipped into place, she crosses the floor, stopping when she finds herself in front of the sole mirror in the room.

The reflection that stares back at her is the same as always. Except it isn't. Pale, thin, weak, useless: the girl that she used to be. Long, dark black hair tied into two braids. Lavender eyes inherited from her mother that have long since turned cold. The same purple pajamas that remind her of things she doesn't want to remember.

She holds up her hand, concentrating on the magic contained within. She focuses on healing her eyes. To her surprise, she feels something twitch on the top of her head. Her gaze travels up, and she stares as her reflection confirms her fears. She sighs, and merely concentrates harder; her healing magic is weaker in this timeline due to her...additional traits.

Maybe, this had happened because she had been so close in the previous timeline. Somewhere out there, someone is cheering for her and they want her to win.

She scoffs at that thought. The black cat ears atop her head twitch in annoyance, as the tail that's hidden within her pajamas tugs at the fabric, reflexively trying to flicker from side to side.

Just—great.

Another timeline—that might become a permanent timeline—where she's stuck with magical powers that are linked to animal traits.

There's only one way to describe this, and that would be embarrassing.

Author's Note: Waters have been tested. That being said, prepare for OOC (though I try not to vary too much) and drama and angst and comfort and the power of friendship and love and peace (the last one.. maybe.) It's going to be a story mainly focused on Homura, with a build up to Madoka x Homura, and the other three are thrown in there and other supporting characters scattered around. OCs will be little, if any, and descriptions will be lacking and you will cry at my overuse of semicolons, ()'s and dashes. I haven't seen the movies, so it's definitely pre-Rebellion and definitely AU. It's a different take on the original storyline from the anime, so remember that. Annd... my characterizations are mostly from me taking what I know about the anime, and then from all those japanese comics that are out there about the PMMM cast and mixing and meshing them until I have what you see here.

There's also no guarantee I'll finish this, so at least I hope someone enjoys it somewhere.