[vic-vic]

Hm, it's so lonely without Nanya here.

Well, i think I'd posted first part of Stage 2 here.

Stage 1 lay here.

Spoiler for Road to Camelot, part 2:

Yuuno’s mana reserves restoring steadily, and young archaeologist, used his time, to heal his broken ribs. The boy used an old technique he learned from ancient book, he find on the digging site on planet Wirsis 4; this healing technique was based on stable and controlled flow of mana through damaged area, while mage mentally chant special un-words. It wasn’t as effective as healing circle, but spent little mana and, more importantly, it didn’t draw the attention to him. And Yuuno dreaded to think what Britannia will do to him.

As he looked around, from his comfortable seat in Nanoha’s arms, he could see that knightmare drive through cozy and rather spacious streets of Uminary city Ooka district. The streets was drown in the light from windows of numerous houses and from rather decorous streetlights, between which was stretched a flexible screen, who show information about temperature of air, humidity, time and news.

What spoiled Yuuno’s overall impression were thick and tall walls around houses and gun’s emplacements, which pooped out occasionally, showing a certain nation warmongering nature, which she concealed beneath a veneer of pleasantness.

The distance from the place, where battle with monster occurred to Midori-ya wasn’t too long – on foot girls would spent a bit more than quarter of hour to reach Nanoha’s home. So it’s take a five minutes for a fast and nimble knightmare, who even didn’t go at full tilt, since he had passengers, to stop before the two-storey building.

The residence of Takamachi family was built in the same style as all surrounded houses, the measure that allow to construct this block of city in record time. The homes was constructed from specials modules, constructed with usage of synthetic stone, which was sturdy and hard enough to rival the concrete, but also light enough to transport the set, used for construction of entire building on sole truck .
In addition, the blocks were equipped with numerous special fittings and slots, which allowed the owners to rebuild and/or redesign their residences at will. So despite basic familiarity with all buildings, no one could say that they lacked individuality.

The Midori-ya occupied a part of first floor of Takmachi household and adjacent part of yard. Seems that café was already closed for customers, the windows hid behind shutters, the tables, umbrellas and chairs was already packed and owners of building now was in process of putting them in storage.

The arrival of a special police force unit was impossible to overlook even in such mega polices as Tokyo, so, when the knightmare, piloted by man called Minami, halted and lowered his hands, allowing girls to step on the roadway, the occupants of house abandon their current work and dashed toward metallic humanoid.

The group was lead by tall brown-haired blue eyed woman, who wear the long brown dress, white shirt and black apron. Her facial features and color of her hairs easily gave out her status as Nanoha’s mother.

Beside her stood two teenagers, both the same age, both wear the blue jeans and white shirt/black apron duo similar to the Nanoha’s mom. They also wear a similar worried expression, though who could blame them, peoples normally start to worry, seeing an armed knightmare, near their houses.

There was similarity in them, recognized Yuuno; seems to be relatives, maybe even brother and sister. The boy was a bit taller, have a dark-brown hairs and brown eyes, while girl boasted a slick long black hairs and blue eyes. Both teenagers had athletic builds and their movements betrayed their training in martial arts. Yuuno could say this, since he was also forced to practice together with other Scrya tribe younglings. Not, very successfully though: he didn’t put much effort in studying unarmed combat then, now he was start to regret it.

Maybe the monster didn’t play in whack-a-wizard today with him, if his body was more resistant to strikes. Though, judging by amount of damage, inflicted by beast, he need a built rivaling seasoned Belkan knight, in order to withstand Jewel Seeds creation’s strikes.

“Nanoha!” Exclaimed brown haired woman, dashing toward her daughter and her friends, who stood cautiously before police KMF. Boy and girl
followed her immediately, also pretty shocked to see Nanoha, accompanied by bipedal war machine. “Nanoha, are you okay?!”

Nanoha blushed lightly and lowered her head a little under three intense gazes, while her mother and siblings surrounded her, creating a semi-circle, pulling Yuuno a bit closer to her, much to his both delight and chagrin.

She didn’t like to worry her momma and her dear brother and sister. The sheer worry and pain in her mother eyes, when something bad, no matter how insignificant it could be, happened to her or her siblings, never failed to pierce her heart with pain and guilt. Her beautiful and gentle mother didn’t deserve to be putted through such pain. Especially, she tightly pressed her lips together when she thought about it, what happened to her father.

“Don’t worry Miss Takamachi!” Arisa come to her help, swiftly striding forward. “There was an incident, when we have a small walk in the park, but Nanoha is unhurt. I swear on the name of Bannigs!”
Momko turned her worried eyes toward blond girl.

“Incident, what a incident?”

“Uh…Eh…” Arisa gulped, she really doubt, that the answer: “attack of magic-created murderous homunculus” would be pleasant to Takamchi’s matriarch ears. “Well…”

“There was a surprise attack of magical construct in Ooka park, Takamachi-san. And your daughter and her friends were almost caught by it.” Nonchalantly blowing their cover knightmare frame pilot through his machine’s loudspeaker.

“WHAT?!!” Yelped Momoko, Kyoya and Miyuki at the same time. Nanoha, Arisa and Suzuka simultaneously shrink, lowering their heads. The cat was out of bag now!

“At the 7:20 AM, a central communicator of 45th police station receive an emergency message about appearance of hostile magical creature inside of recreation zone № 34 the Ooka Park. Our unit was dispatched for localization and neutralization of dangerous being.” Continued civil servant, protected from Arisa’s angry glare by knightmare armor.

If Nanoha didn’t know, that faint crimson glistering on anthropomorphic machine’s frame was reflection of info-line, she could swear it was lights from Bannigs heiress eyes.

Keeping her eyes on knightmare frame, young Takamachi find herself being both mortified and fascinated by human-like machine. Knightmare frames was symbol of Earth war machine – relentless enormous engine of doom, that grind countless lives into the ground, destroyed nations and razed thousands cities into dust. The truly tools destruction, a bringers of death.

Nanoha hated violence with passion. The numbers of good people, whom she knew, that was hurt or even killed in the never-ending conflicts was unpleasantly high. The reasons and conditions were different from one incident to another, but result were the same - the innocent peoples were harmed.

The history of humankind was filled with these horrible incidents, and she couldn’t understand how peoples could so fast to forget grave lessons of past and start another squabble over another petty reason. Wealth, fame, vengeance, greed, humans always could find another stupid excuse to hurt someone.

Nanoha admitted, that she could sound outright naïve, but why couldn’t all the humans, who very much liked to brag how they were gifted with wisdom and intellect, couldn’t find the way to leave in peace?

But still, she was forced to admit, that sometimes humans was forced to resort to brutal strength, in order to save their comrades, or prevent even larger incident from occurring. She herself was forced to fight with Arisa in the past, when she protected Suzuka from bulling.

Youngest Takamachi recognized the fact that despite violence-filled and bloody history of Earth Empire military, the armed forces fought valiantly in
last war, even when they were outnumbered and odds were against them, regardless of their origin.

Like guerilla campaign in the Antares star system, when small space fleet of Japan perform a daring operation three months in row against vastly superior numbers of enemy, stalling their advance in populous neighbor system; before they were eventually destroyed in bloody battle, when
enemy fleet figured out Japanese attack pattern.

Or bloody and brutal campaign on planets in Golen System, where Russian Coalition and Prussian Empire ground forces managed to break the spine of enemy hordes that could devastate entire star sector. Reports said, that more than five millions of soldiers perished in the man-eating campaign.

Or even Britannia army liberation of Japan Islands, when they were just one step away from destruction in mages hands, when they understood, that they lost the war.

And, in the end, it was Empire Armies that saved billions of lives and prevent humanity’s cradle, Earth, from destruction during the last days of Great Twilight Campaign.

“…Captain Ohgi ordered to escort miss Takamachi, miss Tsukimura and miss Banningha to miss Takamachi’s home.” Nanoha left world of dreams right before officer Minami concluded his report.

“Oh, Nanoha!” Cried Momoko, lunging forward and embarrassing her daughter. Yuuno barely had time to scuttle from Nanoha’s arms to her right shoulder

“Nanoha!” Red-haired woman shoulders start to shake, indicating that Takamachi matriarch start to cry. Nanoha gulped, feeling sharp prick of pain in heart, she hated when her momma cried. But it was something that she expected, after member of knightpolice tell her family about this evening event, to happen.

Her mother was an understanding woman and she never put a leash on her children, but she had a habit to crack when something bad really happened to Nanoha or her siblings. Even when this “something” was a mere common cold. Later, Momoko herself apologized for her behavior and, to make amend, how she said, tried to actually help her babies.

Momoko Takamachi was still haunted by death of her husband.

For a moment, Nanoha just stood still, enveloped by her mother’s hands, feeling her warmth, that sharply contrasted with cold air of street, courtesy of strong chilly wind, stunned by silent weeps. It’s really hurts, Nanoha, Miyuki and Kyoya hated to make their mother cry, even though sometimes she really crack at very insignificant reasons.

At pure instinct, she hugged her crying mother tightly, simply staying here, not saying a words, it was useless, she just need to allow Takamachi matriarch to calm down.

For a moments everyone simply stood, looking at sobbing mother, hugging her upset daughter, when suddenly silence was broken by sound of hydraulic system, when knightmare frame suddenly stood up. Seeing how suddenly eyes of Nanoha’s siblings suddenly shot wide, when they raised their heads a bit, Arisa and Suzuka quickly turned around and gasped almost at the same time.

In the sky above the Ooka park slowly floated pair of Caerleon-class sky frigates, illuminating mass of wood beneath them with powerful searchlights. Girls expect that incident would have a big impact, and numerous police cars and knightpolice frames, that they meet them on their road back to Midori-ya was a proof, but presence of army’s flying warships show them how serious the incident was.

“Good luck, citizens.” Come out officer Minami’s voice, as white knightmare frame whirled back for a bit and then deftly turned around, preparing to leave the area. “Have a good night.”

And with those words and high-pitched shriek metallic humanoid stormed away, leaving members of Takamachi family, two school girls and one mage-ferret on their own in the middle of empty street.

Momoko start to calm down, as if presence of armed unit was fuel of her inner turmoil, and lessened the grip on her youngest child body. Feeling their sister silent plea for help, Kyoya and Miyuki carefully approach to their mother and then sole male of Takamachi family slowly put his arm on Momoko’s right shoulder, while Miyuki checked Arisa and Suzuka conditions.

“Come on, Mother. It’s okay now.” Said Kyoya quietly, carefully tighten grip on his mother’s shoulder, trying to attract her attention, but without harming her. “Nanoha is unharmed, take it easy. We all hate to see you like that.”

“Uh… sorry.” Whimpered Takamachi matriarch, lifting her head from Nanoha chest, whipping tears with sleeve of left hand. “I…I know that I overreact… just like always…” Momoko smiled weakly at her children, making both of them cringe a little (and Yuuno too, who remain unmoving at Nanoha shoulder) – the oldest Takamchi looked like she met a oni god himself.

Her normally bright blue eyes, which would glimmer in shine streetlights, now became a bloodshot orbs, look almost black; two pith black abysses filled to the brims with fear and despair. And her usually elastic and bright skin now reminded an old parchment.

It’s never a nice view for children to see their mother in such state.

Thankfully, Momoko understand, that her behavior utterly not appropriate for woman of her age, and, moreover, it’s troublesome for everyone. So she let Nanoha go and swiftly sprung on her feet, adjusting her dress and fixing hairs, while looking apologetically at her son and youngest daughter.
Kyoya smiled slightly, giving his mother a small node, but then frowned a bit and turned toward his younger sister and his youngest sister’s friends. The trio still stood on place where girls landed, when they jump from KMF’s palm – right under streetlight.

“Hey, Arisa, Suzuka, are you two okay?” Asked Kyoya marching toward said two girls, which whom his sister, Miyuki, now talked, slightly bowing her head. Nanoha followed him, and after exchanging a words with Miyuki, she stood beside Arisa, so Miyuki could examine her body too with personal medi-scan.

Momoko also gasped, remembering that two girls also were involved in this incident together with Nanoha, and also were in dangerous situation. This thought were followed by massive wave of guilt washing over her – Arisa and Suzuka always show concern not only over Nanoha, but over all member of Takamachi family and even helps her nursing Kyoya and/or Miyuki when they got injured during their training sessions (and kami that happens often) and now she totally forgot about them.

“No-no, Kyoya-san.” Answered Suzuka, wavering her right hand, showing a little reassuring smile to Momoko. It make Momoko feel even worse, though – to think that younger girl would behave so mature, oldest Takamachi could only sigh and give Tsukimura heiress an apologetic smile.

“I really need to fix my mental problems.” Thought Momoko somberly. “Of course if it’s possible for me to be healed from the scars of that incident.”

“They not hurt.” Declared Miyuki, stepping back and putting, now deactivated, medi-scan into special slot on her belt.

“Wonderful!” Nodded Kyoya, smiling broadly – while he and Miyuki didn’t react as badly as their mother, they have a few very unpleasant moments when they heard that Nanoha was attacked. “Then how about we all go in and have already planned dinner together?”

“Yay!” Gleefully shouted Arisa, raising her left fist in the sky, her eyes glistered in the light of streetlights. Blond teenager always liked food in Nanoha’s house.

“But.” Kyoya slightly wavered a index finger of his right arm in the air. “Before that I want to know: what were you three thinking when you DID NOT dash out from the area, where something bad happened? You now, even here we heard something, though we not played serious attention. And please, don’t say that you and your friends, Nanoha, already played in the park and were caught by surprise attack: I know the time when you bus arrived, and officer Minami give us time when the first emergency call come to their station - they almost coincide. So, what spirit of stupidity posses all of you and force you to play super sentai girls?”

Nanoha exchange a cautious look with her friends, especially Arisa. They couldn’t tell her family true disposition of events. For all their kindness Kyoya, Miyuki and Momko, just like majority of entire EEUD’s population, share a deep settled grudge toward mages, and who know, what could happen to Yuuno if his true identity would be brought to light.

So, saying: We heard plea for help, that only we could hear. Track it’s source, find this ferret-turned-mage!” were out of question.

Carefully choosing her words, Nanoha started to explain:

“You’re right about that Kyoya-nii-san. We just started to walk deeper into park, when we saw panicing peoples running away from forest are of park and then we heard… something bad”.
“A loud and terrific roar, to be specific.” Nanoha thought somberly.

“But then I saw this guy running right into the forest…” At those words Nanoha gently lift Yuuno from her shoulder and present tan-furred ferret to her family. “And simply couldn’t leave him alone.”

Youngest Takamachi could only desperately pray that her siblings and mother buy her story. She also tried her best not to sweat and quiver under her brother and sister piercing gazes.

After a few long seconds her family finally showed their opinion on this.

Reaction differs from one member of Takamachi family to another.

Kyoya signed resignedly slightly tilting his head, though deep inside of his eyes Arisa, Suzuka and Nanoha could see glimmer of entertainment.

“Oh kami, to think you would be impulsive and stupid enough to charge after panicing ferret in the obviously dangerous place.” Kyoya chuckled good-naturedly. “But it’s Nanoha we all know and love aren’t she?”

Miyuki shouted “Oh, he so cute!”, adoring small mammal, pressing her palm together in front of her chest.
Momoko stared straight at Yuuno, with shocked expression on her face.

“Could it be? It’s a… a ferret.” Tone of her voice rapidly shift from shocked to calm during this short sentence. Then her expression returned to usual gentleness with a hint of pity.

“Oh, you poor thing, I sure you was put through many troubles during your journey here?”

“You can’t even imagine how much, madam.” Thought Yuuno dryly.

Not hearing those words, Takamchi matriarch stretched her left hand a gently stroked ferret’s fur. Nanoha couldn’t help but giggle in joy hearing gentle “kyun-kyun” from the little mammal’s mouth, who sat at her palms.

“Hey, mom, it’s not fair to hog him only to you, I want to pet him too.” Protested Miyuki, puffing her cheeks in insanely cute manner, and then joined her mother in intriguing game “pamper-a-ferret”.

Arisa and Suzuka, mimicking Nanoha, giggled into their clenched fists, obviously relishing in heartwarming scene that occurred right before them.

Kyoya only smiled looking at girls antics (though, he also wanted to stroke a little rodent for a bit, but decide not to interference), then his gaze meet a red figures on street-screen, that show a current time and loudly clasped a few times, drawing attention of all present peoples.

“Now-now, girls, mom.” Declared Kyoya, tapping his right hand, where his PAD was locked. “It’s very late already, how about we all come inside and discuss today’s event at dinner”.

There was no objections and when all present girls (and ferret), moved insides, Kyoya, as Yuuno could see, when he climbed up at Nanoha shoulder (without missing opportunity to affectingly lick her cheek, much to girl delight), strode toward control panel, which was inbuilt into house wall and touch it few time.

Yuuno gulped slightly when, with a low hum, a massive slab of metal started to rise from the earth, blocking sole exit from yard. Seems that Nanoha’s family also took sentence “my hose - my stronghold” a bit too seriously. Just like all Britannians.

He could only hope that Nanoha’s family didn’t share Britannian opinion of what was the best method of treating the mages. As he was know, standard MO of entire Earth Empire when they encounter any mage, that didn’t have diplomatic immunity could be described by simple phrase.

Kill them all.

I can't believe it take me 6 weeks to write a 5 pages.. Damn you that lazyness of mine!

But describing Britannia Uminari was fun, for some reason.