(magitalia/ madoka magica x hetalia AU)

    It was designed, this barrier, very carefully. Of course it was, the hero thought. It was Arthur's witch. Arthur, even in dispair, wanted everything to be as close to perfect as possible. If Alfred wasn't feeling so melachony, he might have chuckled.

    This witch's barrier had taken over their school, designed oh so carefully so that he would be hidden. Arthur, or, as he was now, Viridos. Arthur had developed that preference, thanks to all the negative attention.

    Poor Arthur.

    It seemed like every timeline, he was turned into a witch. The Destroyer, a helpful hooded figure who destroyed bad timelines, had informed Alfred that there were timelines where Arthur did not transform.

    But at least in this one, Alfred got to meet Arthur before he met Viridos.

--

    Alfred and Arthur had a confusing history, taking place over several timelines. In the first, they only met once.

Their meetings always started with Arthur saving Alfred from a witch. And Alfred always became inspired to become a hero himself and find his saviour. But in the first timeline, as the Destroyer called it, that was their only meeting. Arthur became a witch soon after, and Alfred destroyed him, unknowing that it was his saviour and inspiration.

    And therefore, When Alfred himself became the most powerful lone witch in all of history, it was impossible to stop him.

    According to the Destroyer, Alfred would become a witch in almost ever timeline. He could be sated, if Arthur was alive at that point. But Arthur was gone.

    And yet, still here, as he looked into the face of the Lilypad Witch. Visitor's teeth were bloody. He'd already claimed victims. But there were circles, that were emerald green, like Arthur's eyes. It made Alfred feel weak at his knees. It made him realize. Arthur was gone. Arthur was dead. Another him might get Arthur, but he would never.

    The only person he had left to care about was gone. Alfred didn't even notice his Soul Gem darkening as he summoned his weapon. A simple sword.

    "I'm so sorry Arthur... I'm so fucking sorry... I want to be the hero, but I couldn't even save you!"He was crying, even though he promised he wouldn't. The witch was docile.

    "I'm sorry, Arthur!"He was sobbing, as he turned the sword towards the accepting witch's core.

    "But I promise you won't die alone. I promise you'll be remembered."A crooked, insane, tear dotted grin appeared on his face, and his Soul Gem burst just as he slayed the witch.

--

    The Destroyer sighed, and took out his ice picks. Alfred had transformed into a witch, once again. He needed to destroy this one too, he supposed.

    So, the Timeline Destroyer took a step back, as he saw all timelines, and where they lead to. He closed his eyes, swung his picks, and destroyed another one.

    Poor Arthur. Poor Alfred. Love is such a strange thing.