Nanoha FanFiction Discussion

[bhl88]

Originally Posted by Old_Iron

Of course she'd be on top. Yuuno's still the one being dominated.

And a passionate kiss.

Astral:
@Nanoha: I guess it was fine.
@Fate: *pissed*
@Hayate: I guess it was fine...
@Vita: I'll kill them...

I don't really know though... Nanoha is similar to Yuuno... So she'd be sympathetic. Vita would just like to smash their heads... After a little talk.

[Tiresias]

Originally Posted by bhl88

Signum would be on top.

Originally Posted by Old_Iron

Of course she'd be on top. Yuuno's still the one being dominated.

hmm, I dunno, Signum seemed very excited at the prospect of Yuuno 'conquering' her

Well, there was mention of him considering Signum more important.

Plus, he never had Strada record it...

So, lets sort it out first.
1. Fate was tired, so she didn't even bother to show Yuuno's picture.
2. Nanoha showed the picture, but Erio was 'distracted' in the first place and didn't manage a good look on the man
3. Erio tried to convince them, but he didn't tell Strada to record the fight since he was busy watching

Hmm, that could work I guess

[Old_Iron]

Originally Posted by Sunder the Gold

Once it gets to the point that Yuuno isn't wearing a barrier jacket for protection, I don't see the "interaction" lasting long.

And in any case, it's not like Signum won't ever want normal, love-making type sex.

It's just that she really likes mixing her chocolate and peanut butter.

I'm reminded of this one Fate/Stay Night Rider/Shirou fanfic where Rider kidnaps Shirou and seduces him with domination play. Towards the end, she lets him top, but he's extremely aware that with her super strength, she could buck him off at any time. The willing submission fires him up.

It probably doesn't help that they are dealing heavy clothing damage to each other so far. Signum torching Yuuno's jacket and him tearing parts of her armor off.

Perhaps after Yuuno takes her out on a nice romantic date: candle-lit dinner with a movie. Maybe the film adaptation of her favorite book.

I think I read that one. Pretty good stuff.

Originally Posted by Tiresias

hmm, I dunno, Signum seemed very excited at the prospect of Yuuno 'conquering' her

That she did... But, is it the actual act of Yuuno conquering her or the motivation and drive to conquer that Yuuno is displaying that's getting her excited? Maybe a little bit of both?

So, lets sort it out first.
1. Fate was tired, so she didn't even bother to show Yuuno's picture.
2. Nanoha showed the picture, but Erio was 'distracted' in the first place and didn't manage a good look on the man
3. Erio tried to convince them, but he didn't tell Strada to record the fight since he was busy watching

Hmm, that could work I guess

I think it could. Nanoha also had a long day with the newbies and a rather enthusiastic Vita to deal with.

[Tiresias]

Originally Posted by Old_Iron

Maybe the film adaptation of her favorite book.

Three Hundred? No wait, that's Spear and Shield

That she did... But, is it the actual act of Yuuno conquering her or the motivation and drive to conquer that Yuuno is displaying that's getting her excited? Maybe a little bit of both?

Thus my earlier question: is Signum an S or an M?

[Akiyoshi]

Originally Posted by Old_Iron

Perhaps after Yuuno takes her out on a nice romantic date: candle-lit dinner with a movie. Maybe the film adaptation of her favorite book.

I think I read that one. Pretty good stuff.

I like this approach because it seems plausible. Maybe Signum is excited about Yuuno's progressive growing in battle and the effort/interest he's putting in conquering her but also some bonding outside the battlefield would be appreciated as it will demonstrate sincere interest from Yuuno in bonding with her in more aspects than just beat each other into a pulp.

Of course, this will happen only after they grow more closer over the time during their practice sessions, as you're depicting things it seems that Signum is slowly opening herself to Yuuno allowing him to ask things or take demeanor/risks that she ussually won't allow to happen near her.

I'm glad you're excited about the thing but i suguest that don't rush things and make it as plausible and In-character as possible, so far you're doing fairly good.


By the way, i wonder how proficient Yuuno can really be with his barriers and shields, maybe he can save a few bucks on "protection" ...if you know what i mean xD.

[biodude711]

Originally Posted by Tiresias

Okay you two, I've looked high and low at FF.net and didn't find it, so...links please? Maybe PM if you think it's to risque

Same here for me.

Originally Posted by Tiresias

Thus my earlier question: is Signum an S or an M?

Who said she can't be both?

[Old_Iron]

Originally Posted by Tiresias

Okay you two, I've looked high and low at FF.net and didn't find it, so...links please? Maybe PM if you think it's to risque

Three Hundred? No wait, that's Spear and Shield

Thus my earlier question: is Signum an S or an M?

If its the story I think it is... It'd be on AFF. I'll take a look and PM it if I find it.

300 as a romance. More likely than you think.

S or M... That's actually a hard question to answer. She wants Yuuno to struggle, sweat, and bleed for her while still wanting him to conquer her utterly and completely. Maybe she's the type that could go for either one depending on the mood?

Originally Posted by Akiyoshi

I like this approach because it seems plausible. Maybe Signum is excited about Yuuno's progressive growing in battle and the effort/interest he's putting in conquering her but also some bonding outside the battlefield would be appreciated as it will demonstrate sincere interest from Yuuno in bonding with her in more aspects than just beat each other into a pulp.

Of course, this will happen only after they grow more closer over the time during their practice sessions, as you're depicting things it seems that Signum is slowly opening herself to Yuuno allowing him to ask things or take demeanor/risks that she ussually won't allow to happen near her.

I'm glad you're excited about the thing but i suguest that don't rush things and make it as plausible and In-character as possible, so far you're doing fairly good.


By the way, i wonder how proficient Yuuno can really be with his barriers and shields, maybe he can save a few bucks on "protection" ...if you know what i mean xD.

I do want the more personal/romantic aspect of their relationship to go kinda slowly. I don't think that rushing that kind of relationship between them would work out very well and could easily backfire. I'm not quite sure when that will start though.

Well... That's one use for barrier magic that I hadn't thought of and now I can't stop imagining Yuuno's face on rows of boxes at the local convenience sore.

[ZeroXSEED]

Just read Old_Iron's new chapter, the earlier and revised version.

JAW DROP

AWESOME!!!

[Craxuan]

Okay, I somehow missed the edited version and had to check back two pages back to reread it. As expected, the edited version is a lot smoother to read.

Though I still see a little problem, so I'll just point them out.

One, when Erio witnessed Yuuno's and Signum's fight he already identified, or at least think that the blonde man was Yuuno. So it didn't seem logical when asked by Fate on the man's identity, he had to do another round of thinking.

Two is more of a preference problem. I really loved the scene where Fate got totally stomped before, so I was a little disappointed that it was toned down to a verbal thrashing... Can't we have both? ^_^

[Akiyoshi]

Originally Posted by Craxuan

Two is more of a preference problem. I really loved the scene where Fate got totally stomped before, so I was a little disappointed that it was toned down to a verbal thrashing... Can't we have both? ^_^

So you want Fate be verbally AND physically trashed xD?

[Filraen]

Originally Posted by Tiresias

So, does this make Signum an S or an M? *ruuunzz*

Originally Posted by Old_Iron

S or M... That's actually a hard question to answer. She wants Yuuno to struggle, sweat, and bleed for her while still wanting him to conquer her utterly and completely. Maybe she's the type that could go for either one depending on the mood?

So, Signum acts like her name? That is, starting as S and ending as M


EDIT (even it I haven't actually edited the post, being just a fancy break): Old_Iron, any reason to give Signum a family name.

And while we are on it, has Signum ever called Fate by her first name?

[Rising Dragon]

Unless she's done so in a Sound Stage, no, she always calls her Testarossa.

[Old_Iron]

Originally Posted by Craxuan

Okay, I somehow missed the edited version and had to check back two pages back to reread it. As expected, the edited version is a lot smoother to read.

Though I still see a little problem, so I'll just point them out.

One, when Erio witnessed Yuuno's and Signum's fight he already identified, or at least think that the blonde man was Yuuno. So it didn't seem logical when asked by Fate on the man's identity, he had to do another round of thinking.

Two is more of a preference problem. I really loved the scene where Fate got totally stomped before, so I was a little disappointed that it was toned down to a verbal thrashing... Can't we have both? ^_^

Fixing that first part up right now. I'm glad you pointed that out.

I might be able to put the beat-down back in, but it wouldn't have any of Signum's comments. More of an extension on just how much damage Signum is dishing out.

Originally Posted by Filraen

EDIT (even it I haven't actually edited the post, being just a fancy break): Old_Iron, any reason to give Signum a family name.

And while we are on it, has Signum ever called Fate by her first name?

Giving Signum, and the rest of the Wolks, Hayate's family name was a personal preference. Since they don't have any family name, it would make sense for them to take on Hayate's since she is the one who pulled them together and made them into a family.

Now that I think about it, I don't think she ever did, like Rising pointed out. I'm currently going through my master file and changing verbal references to Fate by Signum to Testarossa. Leaving the non-verbal references should still be alright though.

I'll update the post when I finish.

[Sunder the Gold]

Chrono and Signum strike me as the characters who address everyone around them by family name, except for family.

Thus, both of them would refer to Yuuno as Scrya, or by his full name.

I'm not sure if Zafira would do the same.

[Old_Iron]

Originally Posted by Sunder the Gold

Chrono and Signum strike me as the characters who address everyone around them by family name, except for family.

Thus, both of them would refer to Yuuno as Scrya, or by his full name.

I'm not sure if Zafira would do the same.

Zafira... Maybe. It could probably depend on who he is addressing outside the family. Chrono and Signum, yes.

The only issue with changing Signum's verbal references from Yuuno to Scrya is that it'll have to happen to chapters 1 and 2 as well. Shouldn't be too difficult, just time consuming.

[Altarian]

*deep breath*

Well, here I go. Hello, AS Nanoha FFT thread. I can't exactly say I've been a long-time lurker, but I have read through about a year's worth of the most recent posts (many hundreds of pages)! I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing new fiction as well as writers' thought processes, and I especially liked getting the chance to watch the HayatexVivio Files be born and grow.

Deathcurse, your ability to play upon heartstrings is ridiculous. I really wish I could write like you. *sigh*

Shigan, I am so in love with everything you write. I was blown away by 'Flying' and it was 'The Things We Tame' that really solidified in my head how HxV might look.

Moczo, I don't think I've ever laughed as hard at a fic as I did at 'Intercom'. You are a master of written comedic timing, especially in the world of crackfic!

It's been many years since I set my hand to write fanfiction, but in the long process of reading through this thread an idea or two appeared. The first result is below. I'm not at all confident that years of writing technical reports and learning to think like an engineer haven't eroded my creative writing skills entirely, but we'll see.

For your perusal:

Spoiler for On Borrowed Time:

On Borrowed Time

Of the three of them, she'd always thought Nanoha would be the first. It was Nanoha who took the great risks, fought the impossible battles, pushed her body beyond its limits time and time again. Nanoha whose medical staff were constantly worried about the state of her Linker Core, always ordering her to get more rest.

Fate found some morbid amusement in the fact that she'd been wrong.

Initially, no one had an explanation for Fate's increasing fatigue, pain and slow loss of magical ability. Shamal had worked herself to exhaustion trying to find some solution, conducting endless tests and experimenting with countless treatments. Finally, even the medical mage admitted there was little that could be done – Fate's body was simply degrading, a result of flaws in the cloning process that had made her. Precia had failed to make a perfect copy, in more ways than one.

So it was that she now found herself staring at a familiar off-white ceiling, trying to think about her options. Fate had few illusions about her future – it was almost certain she would never leave this hospital again, and the degradation could only be delayed for so long. Her thoughts instead focused on how to handle her family and friends' reactions. She'd asked Shamal not to make the news of her illness public, preferring not to burden anyone unnecessarily or attract attention from the media.

Her closest friends had known already, of course. Yuuno and his wife had wanted to cut their expedition short and return immediately upon receiving news of her collapse, but Fate would have none of it. “If you cancel the dig halfway through, you'll never get the funding to go back. Please don't make me responsible for that”, she'd told him. He had argued a little more but finally gave in when she threatened to ask Chrono to shut down travel between Mid-Childa and the dig site.

Her brother had been easier to handle, as the Fleet Admiral did not have an excess of free time these days. He and Amy had come with their children for one visit, but otherwise their contact was limited to long-distance communication. It was enough – her brother had always understood her best when few words were spoken.

Each of the Wolkenritter visited at least once a week, sometimes together with Hayate but usually individually. Vita cheerfully related all the latest news from the training field, often complaining colorfully about the uselessness of her newest crop of cadets. Zafira sat with her and told stories of his latest adventure in babysitting – the old dog had a wicked sense of humor. Shamal fussed over her in typical doctor's fashion, but always knew when Fate wanted to rest and would subtly shoo everyone from the room. Signum hardly spoke at all. Fate knew what the Belkan knight would've said anyway, so the silence hardly mattered.

Vivio took a week's leave and spent the entire time with Fate. Fate could tell that Vivio was trying to be strong for her mama, but trembling hands and tear-bright eyes told the ex-Enforcer everything she needed to know. On the night before Vivio's leave ended, that strength finally broke. “Fate-mama, why is this happening? It's not fair!” she'd sobbed, and Fate didn't know what to tell her. All she could do was hold her daughter and whisper that she loved her, would never stop loving her.

That day was the hardest of all, and so Fate reached her decision. This couldn't go on any longer.

She waited two more days, filling her time with long-distance messages, before asking for her doctor and explaining to him what she wanted. He was, of course, hesitant, but Fate refused to take no for an answer (she hadn't spent her life around the Takamachis without learning a thing or two), and eventually he agreed to her request.

She made one more call that morning, then listened for the knock on the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Fate?” Hayate entered the room cautiously, then more confidently once she saw that her two oldest friends were smiling and chatting.

“Oh, Hayate. Come over here and sit down, there's something I want to talk to the pair of you about.” Fate smiled gently and waved her over with one hand.

There was a long pause after Hayate sat next to Nanoha. Fate simply tilted her head slightly and watched them both.

“Fate, what's going on? You're making us a little nervous...” Nanoha's directness hadn't changed even a little over the years. Fate reached out and placed one hand over Nanoha's palm, the other over Hayate's.

“...It's time, don't you think?” she said, that faint smile still on her pale face.

“Fate, no! You can't --” Hayate immediately protested, but the weight of Fate's gaze silenced her protest.

“Hayate... I haven't been able to run or fly for months. I'm dependent on this machinery. I can't even get out of bed anymore. And...” Fate sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I can't bear to see everyone worried over me. We can't continue this way.”

Hayate nodded slowly after a moment, jaw clenched. She swallowed hard, not trusting herself to speak.

“I just... wanted to thank you both,” murmured Fate, “for everything.” Fate's gaze wandered to the window and the sky beyond. “We've done pretty well for ourselves, haven't we?”

“Of course we have. We're the Three Aces!” Nanoha said, smiling brightly. Fate pretended not to notice the hitch in Nanoha's voice, or the drops falling on her hand where it covered Nanoha's.

“I have everything I could have asked for. Hayate, it's thanks to you that I've had the chance to fight for the peace and safety of others, and spent my life alongside so many dear friends. For that, I guess I can forgive you all the pranks.” Fate gave her a crooked grin. “Maybe not the groping, though.”

Hayate finally laughed at that, and squeezed Fate's hand. “It was just the once – well, that's a lie, I guess it was more like... four or five times. You really aren't ever gonna let me live that down, are you?”

“Never.”

Fate regarded Hayate warmly for a moment, then turned her eyes to Nanoha. She tugged Nanoha toward her and leaned forward until their foreheads were touching, speaking quietly now. “Nanoha. You gave me fifty years of happiness I didn't think I deserved. And you somehow managed to convince me I was worthy of those things along the way.” She smiled, the same smile as a girl on a bridge so long ago. “Thank you for my family, Nanoha. Thank you for my life.”

Fate eased back and looked down at their hands, one in each of hers. “Your hands are still so warm.”

Hayate and Nanoha surged forward simultaneously, wrapping their arms around Fate and holding on tightly. The hours that followed were full of memories as they talked of old joys and sorrows alike, just being together for a time. Much had changed in fifty years, but their friendship never would.

Eventually, there were no more words that needed to be said. She asked them both to leave her be - one last, selfish request. Soon enough the only sound was the humming of the life-support devices.

Only then did Fate reach out and run a thumb across a golden triangle on the nightstand.

“Bardiche.”

[Sir?]

“Thank you.”

[My pleasure, sir.]

...

“...Shut them down.”

[...Yes, sir.]

The room was silent.

Fate closed her eyes.

Spoiler for Notes:

Ernest Hemingway once wrote:

"Madame, all stories, if continued far enough, end in death, and he is no true story-teller who would keep that from you."

I wanted to examine the idea of such an ending - far past all the other 'happy endings' of all the other stories. And yet I see this ending as happy, in a way - sure, Fate's going, but she's had a life well-lived and was able to say her goodbyes and go in peace. Originally, this was to be the first of a three-shot called "The Rule of Three", but I'm not certain I could properly do Nanoha or Hayate justice in how each of them might choose to 'exit the stage'.

I'm not certain I've quite captured the poignant moment I wanted to with this piece. It's not long at all, but there's still a certain sense of clunkiness about it - perhaps I've been spoiled by the excellent emotive work of Extrinsical and Deathcurse here. As I was editing it I considered tossing out paragraphs - and once even the entire first half - but eventually I gave up on second-guessing myself and chose to post it as you see it. The part I'm most thoroughly satisfied with is the very last bit, it says exactly what it needs to. I'm certainly open to suggestions though, I edit my work constantly.

To answer some possible questions:

What about Arf/Erio/Caro/whoever?

Agh, there are so many characters in this show! I felt like I needed to cover some of the most important relationships at least briefly, but it was so difficult to pick and choose who. In my mind, as this is quite far into the future, Arf passed away years ago - but I couldn't seem to insert a line to that effect anywhere without completely breaking the flow. I even considered dropping in a line about a small comatose puppy on Fate's lap but I felt that would ruin the imagery of the three Aces reminiscing one last time.

Why Fate?

Well, really it's because I thought Fate would be the most likely of the three of them to choose this sort of end, and face it calmly and with dignity. Nanoha's far too stubborn and too much of a fighter, and there would be too many issues and questions with the Wolkenritter for this to work with Hayate. Plus, Nanoha and Hayate both have numerous excellent shorts like this written about them already!

Anyway, that's what I have for you today. I do plan to stick around, and I swear that someday I'll find the time to watch Slayers and read Nanya's epic crossover of DOOM. I'd love some feedback on this as I attempt to gather some other plot threads together for a multi-parter which will have a very different, non-tragic feel to it.

Ciao, AS!

[Craxuan]

Well, you certainly did well with this story. It's an excellent short fic to say the least; although I must say that recent dabbling with emotional works have kind of dulled my senses so I can't say that it moved me. But I can tell you it will move someone's heart for sure.

[Old_Iron]

Welcome to the board, Altarian. Glad to have you.

Originally Posted by Altarian

Spoiler for On Borrowed Time:

[...]

That was beautiful, quite honestly. It really tugged at the heartstrings. You did a very good job with everyone and handled Fate's dignified end exceptionally well. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Finished the edits on chapter 3. I was able to add in a bit of the beat-down, but not much. Signum's verbal addressing has also been edited.

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...28#post3858528

[shiroi mahotsukai]

Originally Posted by Altarian

*deep breath*

Well, here I go. Hello, AS Nanoha FFT thread. I can't exactly say I've been a long-time lurker, but I have read through about a year's worth of the most recent posts (many hundreds of pages)! I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing new fiction as well as writers' thought processes, and I especially liked getting the chance to watch the HayatexVivio Files be born and grow.

Deathcurse, your ability to play upon heartstrings is ridiculous. I really wish I could write like you. *sigh*

Shigan, I am so in love with everything you write. I was blown away by 'Flying' and it was 'The Things We Tame' that really solidified in my head how HxV might look.

Moczo, I don't think I've ever laughed as hard at a fic as I did at 'Intercom'. You are a master of written comedic timing, especially in the world of crackfic!

It's been many years since I set my hand to write fanfiction, but in the long process of reading through this thread an idea or two appeared. The first result is below. I'm not at all confident that years of writing technical reports and learning to think like an engineer haven't eroded my creative writing skills entirely, but we'll see.

For your perusal:

Spoiler for On Borrowed Time:

On Borrowed Time

Of the three of them, she'd always thought Nanoha would be the first. It was Nanoha who took the great risks, fought the impossible battles, pushed her body beyond its limits time and time again. Nanoha whose medical staff were constantly worried about the state of her Linker Core, always ordering her to get more rest.

Fate found some morbid amusement in the fact that she'd been wrong.

Initially, no one had an explanation for Fate's increasing fatigue, pain and slow loss of magical ability. Shamal had worked herself to exhaustion trying to find some solution, conducting endless tests and experimenting with countless treatments. Finally, even the medical mage admitted there was little that could be done – Fate's body was simply degrading, a result of flaws in the cloning process that had made her. Precia had failed to make a perfect copy, in more ways than one.

So it was that she now found herself staring at a familiar off-white ceiling, trying to think about her options. Fate had few illusions about her future – it was almost certain she would never leave this hospital again, and the degradation could only be delayed for so long. Her thoughts instead focused on how to handle her family and friends' reactions. She'd asked Shamal not to make the news of her illness public, preferring not to burden anyone unnecessarily or attract attention from the media.

Her closest friends had known already, of course. Yuuno and his wife had wanted to cut their expedition short and return immediately upon receiving news of her collapse, but Fate would have none of it. “If you cancel the dig halfway through, you'll never get the funding to go back. Please don't make me responsible for that”, she'd told him. He had argued a little more but finally gave in when she threatened to ask Chrono to shut down travel between Mid-Childa and the dig site.

Her brother had been easier to handle, as the Fleet Admiral did not have an excess of free time these days. He and Amy had come with their children for one visit, but otherwise their contact was limited to long-distance communication. It was enough – her brother had always understood her best when few words were spoken.

Each of the Wolkenritter visited at least once a week, sometimes together with Hayate but usually individually. Vita cheerfully related all the latest news from the training field, often complaining colorfully about the uselessness of her newest crop of cadets. Zafira sat with her and told stories of his latest adventure in babysitting – the old dog had a wicked sense of humor. Shamal fussed over her in typical doctor's fashion, but always knew when Fate wanted to rest and would subtly shoo everyone from the room. Signum hardly spoke at all. Fate knew what the Belkan knight would've said anyway, so the silence hardly mattered.

Vivio took a week's leave and spent the entire time with Fate. Fate could tell that Vivio was trying to be strong for her mama, but trembling hands and tear-bright eyes told the ex-Enforcer everything she needed to know. On the night before Vivio's leave ended, that strength finally broke. “Fate-mama, why is this happening? It's not fair!” she'd sobbed, and Fate didn't know what to tell her. All she could do was hold her daughter and whisper that she loved her, would never stop loving her.

That day was the hardest of all, and so Fate reached her decision. This couldn't go on any longer.

She waited two more days, filling her time with long-distance messages, before asking for her doctor and explaining to him what she wanted. He was, of course, hesitant, but Fate refused to take no for an answer (she hadn't spent her life around the Takamachis without learning a thing or two), and eventually he agreed to her request.

She made one more call that morning, then listened for the knock on the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Fate?” Hayate entered the room cautiously, then more confidently once she saw that her two oldest friends were smiling and chatting.

“Oh, Hayate. Come over here and sit down, there's something I want to talk to the pair of you about.” Fate smiled gently and waved her over with one hand.

There was a long pause after Hayate sat next to Nanoha. Fate simply tilted her head slightly and watched them both.

“Fate, what's going on? You're making us a little nervous...” Nanoha's directness hadn't changed even a little over the years. Fate reached out and placed one hand over Nanoha's palm, the other over Hayate's.

“...It's time, don't you think?” she said, that faint smile still on her pale face.

“Fate, no! You can't --” Hayate immediately protested, but the weight of Fate's gaze silenced her protest.

“Hayate... I haven't been able to run or fly for months. I'm dependent on this machinery. I can't even get out of bed anymore. And...” Fate sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I can't bear to see everyone worried over me. We can't continue this way.”

Hayate nodded slowly after a moment, jaw clenched. She swallowed hard, not trusting herself to speak.

“I just... wanted to thank you both,” murmured Fate, “for everything.” Fate's gaze wandered to the window and the sky beyond. “We've done pretty well for ourselves, haven't we?”

“Of course we have. We're the Three Aces!” Nanoha said, smiling brightly. Fate pretended not to notice the hitch in Nanoha's voice, or the drops falling on her hand where it covered Nanoha's.

“I have everything I could have asked for. Hayate, it's thanks to you that I've had the chance to fight for the peace and safety of others, and spent my life alongside so many dear friends. For that, I guess I can forgive you all the pranks.” Fate gave her a crooked grin. “Maybe not the groping, though.”

Hayate finally laughed at that, and squeezed Fate's hand. “It was just the once – well, that's a lie, I guess it was more like... four or five times. You really aren't ever gonna let me live that down, are you?”

“Never.”

Fate regarded Hayate warmly for a moment, then turned her eyes to Nanoha. She tugged Nanoha toward her and leaned forward until their foreheads were touching, speaking quietly now. “Nanoha. You gave me fifty years of happiness I didn't think I deserved. And you somehow managed to convince me I was worthy of those things along the way.” She smiled, the same smile as a girl on a bridge so long ago. “Thank you for my family, Nanoha. Thank you for my life.”

Fate eased back and looked down at their hands, one in each of hers. “Your hands are still so warm.”

Hayate and Nanoha surged forward simultaneously, wrapping their arms around Fate and holding on tightly. The hours that followed were full of memories as they talked of old joys and sorrows alike, just being together for a time. Much had changed in fifty years, but their friendship never would.

Eventually, there were no more words that needed to be said. She asked them both to leave her be - one last, selfish request. Soon enough the only sound was the humming of the life-support devices.

Only then did Fate reach out and run a thumb across a golden triangle on the nightstand.

“Bardiche.”

[Sir?]

“Thank you.”

[My pleasure, sir.]

...

“...Shut them down.”

[...Yes, sir.]

The room was silent.

Fate closed her eyes.

Spoiler for Notes:

Ernest Hemingway once wrote:

"Madame, all stories, if continued far enough, end in death, and he is no true story-teller who would keep that from you."

I wanted to examine the idea of such an ending - far past all the other 'happy endings' of all the other stories. And yet I see this ending as happy, in a way - sure, Fate's going, but she's had a life well-lived and was able to say her goodbyes and go in peace. Originally, this was to be the first of a three-shot called "The Rule of Three", but I'm not certain I could properly do Nanoha or Hayate justice in how each of them might choose to 'exit the stage'.

I'm not certain I've quite captured the poignant moment I wanted to with this piece. It's not long at all, but there's still a certain sense of clunkiness about it - perhaps I've been spoiled by the excellent emotive work of Extrinsical and Deathcurse here. As I was editing it I considered tossing out paragraphs - and once even the entire first half - but eventually I gave up on second-guessing myself and chose to post it as you see it. The part I'm most thoroughly satisfied with is the very last bit, it says exactly what it needs to. I'm certainly open to suggestions though, I edit my work constantly.

To answer some possible questions:

What about Arf/Erio/Caro/whoever?

Agh, there are so many characters in this show! I felt like I needed to cover some of the most important relationships at least briefly, but it was so difficult to pick and choose who. In my mind, as this is quite far into the future, Arf passed away years ago - but I couldn't seem to insert a line to that effect anywhere without completely breaking the flow. I even considered dropping in a line about a small comatose puppy on Fate's lap but I felt that would ruin the imagery of the three Aces reminiscing one last time.

Why Fate?

Well, really it's because I thought Fate would be the most likely of the three of them to choose this sort of end, and face it calmly and with dignity. Nanoha's far too stubborn and too much of a fighter, and there would be too many issues and questions with the Wolkenritter for this to work with Hayate. Plus, Nanoha and Hayate both have numerous excellent shorts like this written about them already!

Anyway, that's what I have for you today. I do plan to stick around, and I swear that someday I'll find the time to watch Slayers and read Nanya's epic crossover of DOOM. I'd love some feedback on this as I attempt to gather some other plot threads together for a multi-parter which will have a very different, non-tragic feel to it.

Ciao, AS!

*sniff* I think I'm tearing up, that was really sweet it sounded like a rather nice way to go really, fading out, to know you've said all that needs to be said for better or for worse, no secrets and no lies. To be able to face the end like that without flinching to know the time has come.

The line about not being a perfect copy really stood out for how accepting Fate can be, all her life she's held to those words but never let it slow her down or make her hesitate not even on her deathbed.

All that aside Welcome to the Board and looking forward to more.

[Nanya01]

Peek's Mini-Arcs:

Yagami Mid Four Dwell Takamachi Scrya Fatherhood Harlaown Dreams Dance Healing Twins Advice History Onwards Cycle Playdate Forging Meetings Search

BTF Omakes:

Old Iron Omakes 1, 2, 3 Mr Snuggles Omake Oh Bandit Tree Old Iron Omakes 4, 5

Spoiler for Blood That Flows - Valkyrie Start:

Valkyrie Start

Sein panted as she slid across the floor, somehow remaining on her feet. "Is that all you got?!" She yelled at her assailants, taunting them. Unlike her normal outfit, she was in a pitch-black body suit that had some sort of sash around her waist, a dark colored gem, that was located in the middle of her chest, surrounded by a metal armor band that surrounded her body and hooked over her shoulders to stay up, glowed softly while a round disk on her left arm expanded in size, becoming a shield that Sein held in front of her as green energy slammed into it at high speeds, forcing her back across the ground.

"Really, Sein," the blue-green haired girl looked over her shield to see Tre walk into the light, her eyes narrowed at the shorter, more petite cyborg, "did you really think you could escape this?"

Sein smirked as a short metal stick appeared in her right hand. "Can't blame me for trying, can you?" Her back lit up as six thin, but glowing brightly, wings formed on her back and allowed her to float upwards. "You're not going to get me that easily."

When Tre suddenly smirked, Sein's eyes widened and she looked over her shoulder to see Sette practically standing in mid-air while holding onto two of her boomerangs. Sein knew that she could create two more and control them with a thought.

"You should just give up." Sette intoned, her eyes holding no sympathy for what was to happen next.

"How about..." Sein grinned as she seemed to disappear into a blur before reappearing in front of Sette. "No." The next thing Sein knew, Sette's knee was slamming into her stomach and forcing her back through the air. "Nnngh." That knee did hurt, but not nearly as much as it should have, considering that Sette was physically stronger than anyone. Sein had seen Sette punch holes in the sides of the walls during practice.

Considering that Tre, the next strongest of her sisters, could only dent the wall, it said something about Sette's strength.

"Slaughter Arms." Sein looked up as Sette released her boomerangs at her. As they came close, Sein knocked one away with her shield before slashing at the other one, causing them to fall down.

"Is that..." Sein couldn't finish what she was saying as Tre's fist slammed into her cheek, rocking her head and sending her spiraling to the ground. "Oww..."

"I thought I taught you better." Tre said dispassionately as she watched Sein crash to the ground below.

After a few moments of laying still, Sein groggily sat up and rubbed her cheek. "Ugh... You nearly..." Her eyes widened as she saw Sette's metal boomerangs spinning in place. "And what..?" Sein's eyes widened as the blades seemed to fall into pieces.

"Shattering Slaughter." Sette intoned, with one hand high in the air. For some odd reason, Sein thought that Sette's pink eyes were glowing softly. When Sette dropped her hand down, the blades started to swarm and move towards and around Sein.

"Too bad you can't get under the ground." Sein grinned as she slipped under the ground through her Deep Diver. But even as she disappeared, her eyes widened as the blade slivers managed to cut deep into the ground after her. Quickly turning she glided through the ground and away from where Sette's attacks were coming from.

Up above, Tre held her hand up to Sette, who stopped her attacks and reformed her blades in their entirety. "Otto will get her and finish this off."

Sette nodded and grabbed the blades as they flew back to her. "I have to admit, Sein does make for an interesting opponent. I thought you would not be able to strike her like you did, though, considering..."

Tre's face went red and she glared at Sette. "What the heck are you talking about?!"

"Apparently nothing, as your reaction indicates that you are not involved with Sein like Wendi, Nove and Cinque have told me."

Tre twitched and made a mental note to speak with those three later.

(---)

As she got out of the ground, Sein grinned as she saw that Tre and Sette were no where to be seen. "Good." Now all she had to do was... Sein's thoughts trailed off as her hair floated upwards and the ground started to glow green. Turning, she gulped as a large green beam came rushing at her. Holding up her shield, she grunted as it pushed her down into the ground slightly.

When the energy subsided, Sein groaned and shook her arms to get feeling back into them. A moment later, she spun around and held up a short sword, which blocked a sneak attack from Deed, who was pushing down with one blade. "Sein, you really have no chance against Otto and myself."

Sein giggled softly. "Otto's pretty cute, you know. If you're not careful, someone's going to come and steal her away from all of us."

Deed narrowed her eyes and her second laser blade snapped into reality, only for Sein to zip away from her, floating along the ground backwards. "You won't escape."

"Just watch..." Sein's eyes widened as a dome of green energy surrounded her. "..me?" She let out a small shriek of fear as the dome started to get brighter and brighter. "Too bad I can..." Sein started to drop through the floor, only to jump out, rubbing her ankles. "What?"

"There will be no escape, Sein..." Otto said as she closed her fist. "Storm Overload."

Sein's last thought as the energy descended on her was 'mommy'.

Deed had to shield her eyes as the dome glowed brightly before exploding with massive energy. "Otto, are you okay?" She asked as the light dimmed and the loud explosion quieted down.

"I'm fine." Her twin said, her boyish face covered in sweat as she panted heavily. "That attack was more draining than I thought it was."

"I wouldn't use it unless you have to then." Tre said as she and Sette came upon the area. "How is she?" She nodded to Sein, who was breathing, but not moving from her position.

Deed walked over to Sein and gently kicked Sein in the butt, getting a groan from the other cyborg. "Alive and not injured too badly."

"Speak for yourself." Sein muttered and twitched. "I feel like I was slammed by three dozen Ray Storms at once."

"That's because you were." A new voice spoke up as the city scape disappeared, being replaced by a physical lab. "I have to admit, those holographic training units Quattro managed to get a hold of are really impressive." Jail smirked as he and Uno walked up to the four. "Congratulations on a job well done, all of you. How is the armor, Sein?"

"Other than being pitch black, not bad." Sein took Deed's hand and stood up. "I think I'd probably be dead if not for this."

Jail nodded at her. "Indeed. This armor, the Knight Valkyrie Armor, is what the rulers of Ancient Belka tried to emulate, with various success."

Sein scratched the back of her head. "I dunno about any of that stuff, doctor, but, it felt weird, like I could see what Sette, Deed and even Tre-nee were going to do before they did it."

Jail chuckled softly. "That's the advantage of that sash, the scarf, that you're wearing when it's connected to the heart." He pointed at the gem on her chest, which pulsated slightly.

"...Oh." Sein nodded at him. "Um... Can I go get some food?"

Jail nodded and laughed softly as the others joined Sein in leaving the training room. "Uno, make sure to get the armor from Sein."

She nodded and started walking after the others as they headed for the training room. "After all, we wouldn't want a giant rat to steal the armor and become unstoppable."

Jail just blinked and wondered where that came from.