Location: Somewhere over the rainbow, in a house dropped on an ugly, old woman.
Okay, just finished the rough draft of part 2 to Recollections of a Lost Age. As a reminder, it deals with the Wolkenritter's history from an (I hope) interesting angle. I was going to include the first part in the same post so people can read it if they missed it, but there is a 50,000 character limit per post, so I'll repost Part 1, and then do part 2 in the next post:
Spoiler for Chapter 1: Memory Reinforcement:
Recollections of a Lost Age
Chapter 1: Memory Reinforcement
The laboratory was dark and somehow... fuzzy. Beakers on wooden tables bubbled, with various books and ancient tomes scattered about; some open to random pages and resting on pedestals or tables, with countless more in the shelves lining the stone walls. Shadows danced along the walls, in tune with the flickering flames of a blazing fireplace.
As she looked around, she realized it must have been her own eyesight that was fuzzy. She could barely make out any details, although just enough to make-out the hunched-over form of a figure leaning one of the larger volumes, mumbling to himself.
She opened her mouth to ask, “Who are you?” but no sound came out. And in fact, she found she couldn't even move.
Growing desperate, she wanted to scream, to trash about, to do anything to regain some control over herself. Her other senses seemed to work; she felt herself resting on a cold, wood surface, the scent of pine and leather most potent with the acrid smells of various unknown substances permeating the rest. Her ears could make out the mumbling of the figure in the distance, growing in volume now, threatening to overtake the bubbling of the beakers and the rapid beating of her own heart.
[Where am I?] she thought to herself, frantic now. Once more, she attempted to yell, or to call out to anyone. [Someone, help me!]
And then she felt herself fall. She attempted to brace herself for impact, but there was surprisingly no pain upon striking the stone floor. It was if she was numb in a way. Whether she actually caused the fall, she didn't know, but she did succeed in getting the attention of the figure on the other side of the room. She could only stare in fright, as he came closer and closer.
“Hmm, how did you fall off there?” he stated, his voice somewhat deep and soothing as he picked her up and placed her back where she was. “Can't have anything happen to you, my dear.”
She got a good look at him now. His hair was short and brown, but there were white patches along his sideburns. His heavy round glasses amplified his silver eyes, nearly drawing her attention away from the slight wrinkles in his skin. His nose and chin made him appear somewhat hawkish and shrewd. His gray robes covered most of his body, and somehow she knew him to be a wizard of much power.
He smiled, revealing a row of mostly-white teeth, except for the two metal ones. “After all, you will be my legacy, the greatest work this world has ever known!” He raised his hand, a sliver Belkan triangle appearing in it. “Into you, I shall impart power far greater than any one man has wielded.”
She opened her mouth to speak again, but what came out wasn't her voice, although it sounded familiar. “Acknowledged, Doctor.”
The magical triangle symbol flared bright red and her world exploded into noise and images, flowing too fast to comprehend. She was falling, tumbling, into a world of pure information, and she was out of phase. She could feel her grip on reality slipping.
Then she saw his face floating there in the midst, staring at her, smiling, mouthing something. But the noise drowned out whatever he was trying to say.
[I don't understand!] she cried in her head. [What's going on? Who are you? What are you trying to tell me!?] She focused all concentration on him, partially in order to drown out what was going on around her.
At first it was barely a whisper: “..ein..”
[What!? I don't understand!]
“REIN!”
Reinforce Zwei's eyes shot open; that shout was not the voice of an older man, but of a young woman. As her vision came into focus, she could make out the worried face of her mistress, Hayate Yagami, above her, barely lit by the rising sun peaking through the shades.
“Rein!” the mistress of the Wolkenritter called again, shaking her slightly with her fingers. “Are you okay?”
“I-I think so?” Rein offered, sitting up in her small bed on Hayate's nightstand. She then shivered as the blanket fell off her, her body covered in sweat. “I think I just had a bad dream.” [But it seemed so real...]
“That's strange,” Hayate said, her eyebrows furrowing in through. “You haven't had bad dreams before, have you? Ever since you were created, I can't remember you ever calling out like that in your sleep.”
Rein felt some of the color drain from her face. “C-calling out!?”
Hayate let the blankets fall off her nightgown as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “You were moaning, tossing and turning, while mumbling 'Who are you?' and 'Help me!' I was really worried.”
“Ah, heh heh, maybe I just had too much pizza last night!” Rein tried to joke and cover up her embarrassment.
Her mistress tapped her finger to her lips. “Still, I think we should have Shari take a look at you later.”
Rein frantically waved her hands in a warding maneuver. “N-no, that's okay! I'm fine now!” She tried to laugh it off.
“Well, if you think so...” Hayate said after a few moments, briefly touching Rein's forehead to check for temperature.
Rein smiled and nodded. For some strong reason, she didn't want anyone to know about her dream, at least until she could figure it out on her own. She didn't want anyone worrying about her.
“Alright, well, let's take a shower,” Hayate continued, smiling and standing up. “We have a busy day today. We have a small intro class to teach today with Nanoha, on the subject of Unisons.”
“Hai!” the little girl replied, shedding her clothes as her mistress did the same, heading for the washroom.
Breakfast and the rest of the morning passed quickly, as Rein tried to busy herself with her work, preparing for the class. She wanted to avoid thinking about the dream, but couldn't quite put it out of her mind. Fortunately, the scheduled time for the class came quickly enough, that she could focus on that.
“Nanoha!” Hayate called, waving as she approached the other girl.
Rein floated up from where she was sitting on her mistress's shoulder, to salute the Ace-of-Aces. “Master Sergeant Rein, reporting for duty!”
Nanoha giggled and saluted back. “And how are you two this morning?”
“Well, Rein woke me up this morning with her moaning, but I slept well,” Hayate said wryly.
Rein's face went red. “I DID NOT!” Then turned away and did a “hrmph” as the two girls shared a laugh.
“How do the recruits look?” Hayate asked at last, after the laughter died down.
Nanoha partially turned to wave her hand at the gathered men and women, chatting in low tones across the room. “We have about ten for this first batch. They all seemed skilled, and Shari gave the green light on the last unison device last night. They aren't as advanced as Rein, basic functionality really, but headquarters has really been pushing the creation of a unison unit for awhile.”
Hayate nodded. “They've been wanting to make unison devices for a long time, ever since they saw me with Rein. I explained to them over and over, that I wasn't quite sure what I did. My magic reacted with the new device I was given, the Tome of the Night Sky, and Rein was born. I think it was mostly my feelings of wanting to see the original Reinforce again.”
Rein was only half-listening, studying the new dolls floating near the recruits. They were about her size, but not quite as animate. They were more like a rudimentary AI with their own magic, and ability to fuse with their master like Rein possessed. But they didn't have near the function and capability that Rein herself did. Not even Shari had Rein quite figured out yet, although with Agito's nervous consent, she was able to finally make some progress lately.
For all intents and purposes, to the TSAB, Reinforce Zwei was a lost logia they were attempting to duplicate to shore up their military forces. Which led to this introductory class to teach the first group.
“Well, shall we get started?” Hayate suggested.
Nanoha nodded, then proceeded to the front of the class, Hayate and Rein following. “Good morning everyone!”
“Good morning Instructor Takamachi and Instructor Yagami!” came the seemingly well-rehearsed reply from the class as they lined up.
“Hey, what about me!?” Rein demanded, steamed.
Nanoha tried to hide her smile at the class's confusion, and mostly failed. “That's right, Sergeant Major Reinforce Zwei is a major part of this class. Perhaps you didn't realize it, because your own unison devices don't have quite the... personality she does. Yet. But hopefully with time, they will.”
The class quickly apologized, which mollified Rein some.
Hayate took over. “Each of you is here because you are some of the best of the regular forces, and also because your magic style is Belkan. For now, that magic style is more compatible with Unison devices.”
“For instance, I use mid-childan magic style,” Nanoha continued. “So I can't unison with Rein at all. We haven't quite figured out the compatibility issues, but the good news is that your individual units have been tuned to your magic, so there shouldn't be any issues. Now, shall we begin?”
The lesson proceeded well enough, at least Rein thought so. She actually found it rather boring, and as a result, her mind started to drift in between demonstrations of fusing with Hayate. Eventually, it came time for the class to try uniting, and one-by-one they stepped forward to attempt it.
The first two went fine, but on the third, Rein found herself a bit hypnotized by the young man's silver Belkan triangle magic symbol. Images of the dream came back, clearer than before, of the older man and the similar silver Belkan triangle. On the edge of her vision, she could barely detect Hayate looking at her with concern. She wanted to turn and smile or something, but she found she couldn't move at all.
And then the fourth trainee stepped out and activated her magic, a red Belkan magic triangle, and Rein felt herself falling, barely detecting Nanoha and Hayate turning and shouting at her, as her world went red... and then black.
“How is she?” Vita asked, as her, Signum, and Zafiras entered Shari's lab. She turned to look at Rein, floating nude in a small jar, eyes closed.
“Still unconscious,” Hayate said, not taking her eyes off her device and friend. She couldn't displace the feeling that something was very wrong. “Shari is still working on it.” She could hear the tapping of keys somewhere behind her where Shari, Shamal, Nanoha, and Raging Heart were engaged in low conversation.
“She'll be alright,” Signum tried to assure her mistress.
Hayate didn't say anything, but felt a firm hand on her shoulder, turning her head finally to see Zafiras in one of his rare moments in human form.
“She may be small, but she possess strength greatly beyond her form,” he offered quietly.
“I know,” Hayate replied just as softly, her gaze returning to the small jar. “But I should have taken her to get checked up earlier. Then maybe she wouldn't be in this state. But she said she was fine.”
“That idiot would say that,” came the voice of Agito, floating over Signum's shoulder to land beside the jar. “When she gets out of there, I'm gonna fry her for making me, err, us worry like this!” The little demon's miss-speech didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the group.
That gave the Mistress of the Night Sky a small smile. “Thank you, Agito.”
Vita turned to the duo across the room. “Shari, Shamal, any news on what's wrong with her?”
The Wolkenritter doctor came over to the group, bringing up a window of data as she studied Rein. “If she were human, I'd say she was just asleep. She has all the signs of REM sleep.”
“She's dreaming?” Zafiras asked.
Shamal nodded. “There also seems to be indications of conflict in her synaptic patterns, as if a suppressed memory were resurfacing. It's affecting her conscious mind and effecting a mental breakdown.”
“But I've been with Rein since she was born, mostly,” Hayate protested. “She couldn't have any traumatic memories!”
“It's not exactly that,” Shari stated, swiveling around in her chair to face the group. She brought up a display panel near them. “There seems to be a shell program in play here, attempting to rewrite her code. Rein's conscious mind seems to be in combat with that.” She pounded the table in frustration. “And I can't stop it!”
“Isn't there anything we can do for her?” Signum voiced the question they all wanted to ask. “She is one of us; the Wolkenritter do not fight their battles alone.”
Shari cast her gaze downwards as silence fell upon the room. Shamal turned back to her work, while Zafiras reverted to wolf form and moved into the corner to curl up and start his vigil. Hayate knew he would stay there until Rein was out of the woods. She knew all of them would stay there. Signum was right; the Wolkenritter, no, her family would always be together, and would never let one fight their battles alone.
At that thought, Hayate's head came up. “I'll unison with her.”
“Hayate-chan?” Nanoha said, surprised.
“I'm not sure if-” Shamal started, but Hayate cut her off.
“You said she's dreaming, and that her conscious mind is fighting it, right? Then I'll lend her some of my power to help fight, and if I go into REM sleep as well, I may be able to interface with her dreams and see what this is all about.”
Shari sighed. “It's... possible, but risky. Whatever is wrong with her, could affect you negatively as well.”
Hayate's determination didn't waver. “I would rather risk my life, then lose any of you. I know you all would do the same.” She didn't wait for a response, but went and laid down on the examination table. When no one moved, she added, “Please.”
Shamal sighed, then half-smiled. “I think we all know you well enough by now, that you'd do it even without our help.” She started to attach sensors to various places on Hayate's body. “But if it looks like things are going bad, we'll pull you out of there.”
Her mistress nodded firmly, determination still firing in her eyes, but understanding there, too. She watched Nanoha stand back with the others, concern evident across all their faces, as Shari placed Rein atop Hayate. Normally, it took a conscious effort on both parts to create a unison, so Shari was going to artificially induce it on Rein's part. The technician asked if Hayate was ready, and then started the connection.
Hayate closed her eyes.
For awhile, there was just the void; blackness swirled around her. Then dancing phases of green replaced it, reminding her of her of her first fusion with the Book of Darkness, all those years ago. Before she could think about what to do, a familiar voice startled her.
“So you've come,” the soft female voice intoned.
Hayate's breath caught in her chest as she turned to confirm what she heard. “Reinforce!” It was the first one. “I thought you were gone?”
The figure that held the original Reinforce's visage shook her head. “I'm sorry, I'm just a failsafe program left in place by the first Reinforce before she left. But you can call me that if you wish. I was created to guide you, in case there was a problem with my descendant.”
“But how did you place a program on Rein?” Hayate wondered, reaching out to touch the program's cheek.
“Reinforce didn't,” she replied almost emotionlessly. “The program was placed on you, in your subconscious. I have been laying dormant there.”
The SS rank mage blinked in surprise, never realizing she had such a thing floating around in the back of her mind. “Oh. Well, how do we help Rein?”
“We'll have to venture into her mind, but it will be risky,” the Reinforce-program explained. “If Rein's mind mistakes you for an intruder, she could attack you. But if I hide your mind withing my program, you should be safe. I am similar enough that I shouldn't be regarded as foreign material.”
“Okay, I'm ready, let's do this!” There was no hesitation in her voice. At least, she hoped there wasn't.
Reinforce floated over to her, covering her like a protective coating, until only the former could be seen. Then the two rapidly seemed to descend. Images flew past, which Hayate assumed to be visual memories of Rein. Slowly, their speed seemed to decrease, and then there was a flash of light; Hayate found herself standing on solid ground.
“[I am trying to pick up Rein's trail,]” came the voiceless mental contact. “[Her awareness has been moving all over, and it's hard to pin her down.]”
The mistress of the Night Sky studied their surrounds, which appeared to be some sort of underground laboratory with a cobblestone floor. Light came from the fireplace, as well as a handful of torches. Despite the warmth from the flames, a chill brushed her skin that seemed to suggest she was standing in a very old place.
“Well, isn't this a surprise,” an elderly voice called. “I didn't expect to see anyone for a long time.”
The fused duo turned around to find an elderly man, of what Hayate guessed to be at least 70, clothed in a simple gray robe and rope belt. Short gray hair encircled his bald scalp, and he adjusted his weight slightly as he leaned on his gnarled wooden staff. He reminded the girl of the old wizards depicted in in her home planet's entertainment.
“Probably why I appear this way to you,” he said, grinning and tapping his head with the head of his cane. “Yes, I can read your mind, and I know the real you is in there. Don't worry, I'm not sure any other denizen of this mind could detect you; but I'm special.”
Hayate finally found her voice, but spoken with Reinforce's tone. “Who are you?”
He laughed, but it came off as more of a cackle. “Let me show you, and you'll understand.” He hobbled across the laboratory, stopping to tap a book on a table. Of course, Hayate recognized it instantly.
“The Tome of the Night Sky!” she breathed. “Are you one of the past masters?”
Her question was met with more laughter. “In a way. I'm the first!”
Her eyes widened. “You created it!? Who are you?”
“That is a long story, and I'm sorry I don't have time to tell it to you fully right now,” he told her sadly, sitting into a comfy chair beside the book. “You shouldn't stay here long, not if you want to save the book. My name is Clarius. I am, or was, a refugee from Alhazard. One of the earliest settlers of Ancient Belka. I created the book as a way to document the emerging magics, as our scientific way of life had nearly been the end of us. Our people sought a different way.”
“Clarius, do you know what's happening with Rein?” Hayate asked. She wanted to know more, but somehow she also knew this old man was right; she didn't have a whole lot of time.
His gaze seemed to turn meloncholy. “The answer to that lies with one of the book's previous owners, I suspect. As you know, the book's program was corrupted over the years by some of the owners.” He pounded the floor with his staff. “My legacy was to document the rise of magic, hoping to avoid the mistakes of pure science. I was an arrogant fool. I should have realized there would be power-hungry mages who would break my protections. And now you and your Rein must pay the price.”
Hayate kneeled down beside him, laying her hand over his. “It's not your fault; you couldn't have known what would happen. But can you tell me which owner and what they did?”
He shook his head sadly. “I'm sorry, my dear. I am but a residual program in the book as well. I've hidden my existence, so I could be a guide of sorts to any who would come here. Perhaps it was my attempt at immortality. I can't see very well what goes on out there, without revealing my existence. But I do know there have been some major corruptions over the years.”
“We ran into the defense program before,” Hayate agreed. A thought struck her. “But the original Reinforce sacrificed herself to destroy those corruptions. Why is this happening now?”
“What you call Reinforce was merely the software,” he explained. “So whatever went wrong, has to do with the hardware, the book itself. I'm guessing a false page or two of programming was added. It looks like an ordinary page, but it's a place for a magical program to hide. However, removing it won't solve your current problem. The current software has been infected, so you would have to wipe that as well as fix the book itself.”
The original Reinforce's sacrifice in the snow came to her mind; a virtual mindwipe would erase the Rein she knew and basically be the same thing. “No, I won't lose Rein the same way. There has to be a way to save her.”
Clarius waved the end of his cane. “Then you have to venture out there. Find he root cause of the problem and destroy it. And before you use the Tome again, you have to find the right page and remove it. I'm sorry I can't help more, but I can't leave here without being detected.”
The new mistress of the book smiled at him. “You've helped a lot, thank you.”
He held out his hand, and Hayate helped him to his feet. “I can give you a headstart.” He hobbled over to the fireplace, ablaze and crackling. “Jump into the fire, here. Think of it like a shortcut; it should take you close to where Rein's conscious mind is. Don't worry, this is my place, so the fire won't hurt you. You'll have to be careful elsewhere, though, as not everything is what it appears to be. And be careful what you attack, or you could hurt Rein.”
Hayate leaned down a bit to hug the old man. “Thank you very much for your help, Clarius.”
He protested. “I'm not dead yet, and if you succeed in this, you can come back to talk again another time. Now go, time is short.”
She nodded, then turned and leapt into the fire. Before it swallowed her up, she thought she could hear the old man whisper, “I should thank you, for allowing me to see my wife again, even if it was just a shell program.”
The fire was warm, but it didn't burn or hurt at all. Hayate allowed herself a few moments to think of the old man, Clarius, then focused her thoughts ahead. The tunnel of flames flew past rapidly.
“[Where are we headed now?]” she asked the Reinforce-program.
“[I am unsure,]” came the reply. “[I wasn't programmed with too many specifics, and this is my first time delving into my descendant's mind.]”
“[I guess we'll find out together,]” Hayate told her, smiling, then her gaze turned serious. “[Hold on Rein...]”
The flame tunnel abruptly ended in another flash of white, depositing the fused pair in a forest clearing. The sky was overcast, cloudy, with thunder echoing in the distance.
“[Hold on, scanning to determine direction,]” Reinforce sent.
Hayate's visage hardened as she turned. “[I don't think you need to bother.]”
Sitting on a hilltop on the horizon, gloomy-looking black castle served to further darken the skies. The lightning in the clouds surrounding the castle seemed to be the source of thunder as well. Hayate almost found the scene too cliché. She wondered off-hand if she would be attacked by flying monkeys en route.
“[I believe you are correct,]” Reinforce replied after a moment. “[I seem to be getting the strongest disturbance readings in that direction.]”
Mentally agreed, the fused pair took off, arriving at the black castle within a few minutes. There didn't appear to be any signs of life, but Hayate was sure that Rein was here, somewhere. While debating where in the castle to land, she figured that if this was all some sort of bad cliché, then her target should be somewhere in the central parapet, which should be the throne room.
Finding a balcony, she landed and entered without hesitation or stealth. She figured it was a safe bet that if anyone inhabited this place, they would know she was here. In fact, if anyone was here, she wanted them out here now. She wasn't sure how much time Rein had.
“Hello!” Hayate called in Reinforce's voice as she exited the room and into a stone hallway. Torches lined the walls, providing light.
“[I am not sure that was wise,]” Reinforce communicated. “[I am not sure what we are up against here. I am only a shell program, and do not have the combat abilities the original Reinforce did. I can only provide minimal protection.]”
“[It's okay,]” Hayate soothed. “[The sooner we find out what we are up against, the sooner we can move against it. Don't you have any memories of the original Reinforce?]”
“[I do not,]” she replied. “[I am just a guide program here to assist you. I do not have memories nor feelings.]”
“[That's sad,]” Hayate replied. “[I think you might. Perhaps I can ask Shari to help you with them, after this.]”
“[If you wish.]” Her demeanor changed. “[It knows we are here.]”
“Greetings to my unknown visitor!” a male voice called out, echoing throughout the hallway. “Had I known you were coming, I could have prepared for it. Even a simple knock at my door would have been helpful. But if you came all this way to meet me, you can find me down the hall, in the throne room!”
“[This way,]” Reinforce sent, and the pair jogged down the hall, following Reinforce's sensor readings.
“I apologize, I didn't realize this abode was occupied,” Hayate spoke, still using Reinforce's voice to hide her presence. She arrived at a large double door, which she naturally assumed to be the throne room.
“That is understandable,” the voice replied back from the other side of the door. “It does seem quite empty, doesn't it?”
Hayate pushed the door open and entered. She realized she probably could have guessed what the interior looked like, as it was similar to the black stone and torch motif outside. Only the figure on the throne took her a bit by surprise. Short ebony hair, long flowing black cape, but otherwise clad in grey knight's armor minus any helmet. Almost attractive.
“Well now, I didn't expect to see you,” he stated in surprise, and giving Hayate a start that he might have seen through her 'disguise.' His next words allayed that fear, however. “I thought you had destroyed yourself to save your current master.”
“If you know who I am, that means you are who I am looking for,” Hayate told him evenly, wishing she had her staff and Rein for aiming. “Where is she?”
“[I can function as both,]” the Reinforce-program told her. “[But only here in this mental world. Prepare any spells you need.]”
Hayate's magic triangle sprung up underneath her, black instead of white as the Reinforce-program covered it. She raised her hand, black energy gathering inside it as she formed her Diabolic Emission spell.
“Well, we don't seem to be wasting anytime,” the man said, amused. He stood and spread his arms. “But you might want to ask yourself if you really want to cast that.”
The Belkan mage froze, noticing for the first time the golden locket around his neck, that his previously crossed arms were hiding.
The shining surface held the symbol of Rein's Azure Sky Tome on it.
------
Author's Notes:
This should be about a 6 part series. Beginning and End chapters, with 4 chapters in the middle for each of the Wolkenritter. I haven't decided quite which order to use them in, but it will go into their backstory. Tentative schedule:
Chapter 2: Knight's Honor (Signum)
Chapter 3: Fangs and Shields (Zafiras)
Chapter 4: Hippocratic Oath (Shamal)
Chapter 5: Nothing They Can't Destroy (Vita)
Chapter 6: Second Wind
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow, in a house dropped on an ugly, old woman.
And here is Part 2, any C&C is welcome:
Spoiler for Chapter 2: Knight's Honor:
Recollections of a Lost Age
Chapter 2: Knight's Honor
The spell fizzled in her hand, as the locket was opened to show the inactive form of Rein, held captive within.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” Hayate demanded.
“I am Zanth Le Ronne, the true master of the Book of Darkness,” he replied, closing the locket and bowing with a flourish. “As for what I want, that should be obvious: I intend to absorb this current device and all it's magic, the way the book once absorbed me.”
Hayate's eyes widened. “You're not a program!?”
“Not at all,” Zanth told her, sitting back down. “It was I who first changed the Tome of the Night Sky to the Book of Darkness. I broke its programming and allowed myself to be absorbed by the book before I died to gain immortality. But the current master of the book surprised me; through her actions, you were supposed to have died. That left me trapped within the book, I must say, that was rather upsetting.”
“[Any ideas?]” Hayate asked the Reinforce-program.
“[There is one possibility,]” Reinforce responded after a moment.
The mistress of the Night Sky realized what the shell program was getting at. “[Understood.]” Out loud, she asked, “So what changed?” inching a bit closer to the throne.
“I see no reason to tell you,” he told her, seemingly tired of her presence. “For now, I will allow you to leave. I want you to go tell your master that her actions have forced this. If she doesn't interfere, I may allow her to have this one back, when I am through with it.”
“I'm afraid I can't let you do that,” Hayate informed him, using her own hands to restart the Diabolic Emission spell, hidden from view inside the Reinforce-program's disguise. “I am here to retrieve her, and it will be better for you if you let her go. Now.”
He smiled lazily. “And just how do you expect to do that? You can't attack me with magic without hurting your precious unison device.”
Giving the mental nod to Reinforce, she charged, aiming to grab his neck. The surprising nature of the maneuver nearly succeeded, as Zanth was clearly not expecting a physical attack. However, he easily grabbed her wrists before they could get close enough.
“Well now, you are a surprising one,” he chuckled. “What do you plan to do now?”
“This!” Hayate shouted using her own voice for the first time.
Two more hands burst from the Reinforce-program's chest; one grasping the locket, and the other holding a growing black orb. Planting her feet, Hayate shot upwards, taking the locket off his neck while separating from the Reinforce disguise she had been wearing, her black wings sprouting.
Snarling in anger, Zanth let go of Reinforce's arms and managed to snag Hayate's right ankle. “Give that BACK!”
White hot pain flared along her leg, moving up her body, but she managed to shout back, “You can have THIS instead!” while thrusting the now-medium sized ball of energy down. “Diabolic Emission!”
Hayate tried to shield the locket from the explosion as she was tossed across the room. Her personal barrier helped some, but she landed far too roughly than she would have liked. She also hoped that the Reinforce-program managed to get clear as well.
Before she could pick herself back up, three black lines shot out of the smoke obscuring the throne, latching onto both her legs and her right arm. Against her will, she found herself being pulled back towards the throne, unable to find anything to grab onto to stop it.
The smoke dissipated, revealing Zanth still standing, although he was bleeding from his lip and his armor was cracked and broken in various places. “You really didn't think that would stop me, did you? Although I will give you credit; it did hurt. Allow me to return the favor.”
A pulse of black energy traveled along the tentacles, and Hayate screamed as it reached her; it felt like all her pain receptors had just been bathed in hot flame. As it faded, Hayate grit her teeth and struggled with the meager stregnth she had left, but the black tentacles wouldn't let go.
If she couldn't get away, then maybe at least Rein could. With the locket in her free hand, Hayate flicked it open, poking Rein with her thumb and trying to wedge her out.
“Rein, wake up!” the mistress of the Night Sky commanded, finally getting the small girl out of the locket.
“You are wasting your time,” Zanth told her, continuing to reel her in like a fish. “I've already drained most of her power; she won't be of any use to you.”
Hayate wracked her brain. [Come on, think! There has to be something you can do!]
Zanth's expression suddenly changed to anger as his body stopped moving. “What the...!?”
In disbelief, Hayate watched the Reinforce-program overlay herself onto him, nearly swallowing him into herself. The black magic tentacles loosed their grip.
“Go!” the program shouted. “I can occupy him long enough for you to get away!”
“What about you?” Hayate called back, struggling to her feet. “I can't leave you!”
“I told you, I'm just a shell program,” she called back, her face and body beginning to distort as Zanth tried to fight his way free. “The original Reinforce would have wanted this, to help in any way she could. She left me to do this. GO!”
Hayate froze for a moment, still unable to force herself to leave, but then her decision was made as Reinforce exploded. Tears in her eyes, Hayate flew out the doors, preparing another spell spell in her mind as she flew. She zoomed out the balcony where she entered, climbing into the sky, twisting her body around to face where she had come from. It wouldn't be as powerful as she would have liked, nor did she have Rein for aiming, but at this range, she didn't need to.
“Come forth, the wind of snow, and become the fletching which falls from the heavens,” she intoned, trusting her palm out, her white Belkan magic triangle forming. “Hraesvelgr!”
There was a second of charge-up, then a white lance of energy exploded from the symbol, striking the castle dead center. A second later, the entire fortification exploded in an ever expanding white light.
Cradling Rein to her chest, she flew as fast as she could to escape the blast radius, but white light engulfed her.
Hayate's eyes blinked open, finding herself back in the examination room.
“Are you okay?” Shamal inquired worriedly, hover over her field of view.
“W-what am I doing back?” Hayate asked weakly. “Where's Rein?”
“Hi,” came a ragged, but familiar voice. Hayate lifted her head a bit, to see Rein laying on the former's chest; The smaller girl managed a weak smile.
The mistress of the Wokenritter managed to lift her arms and hug the little device. “Rein!”
“You did it,” Signum commended her, smiling as well. “What happened in there?”
Hayate sighed, and began to explain....
“I'll go,” Signum stated.
“If something needs to be destroyed, I should go!” Vita protested, hefting Graf Eisen.
After Hayate's explanation, Shari had explained that the program was still there in Rein's subconscious, and she still couldn't destroy it from outside. Hayate wanted to go back in, but Shamal vetoed that idea. She was already somewhat weak, and Hayate also realized she had to examine the book itself for the false page or pages. She had already produced the Tome of the Night Sky and Shari was examining it while Hayate leafed through it.
Rein herself was a bit better; at least conscious. But obviously suffering from occasional headaches and hallucinations.
“As the leader of the group, I have the prerogative,” the sword-wielding Belkan Knight informed her.
Vita simply glared at the other girl, then turned her head. Signum knew that was her way of giving in without looking like it.
Shamal began to attach similar sensors to the leader of the Wolkenritter as Signum laid down and Hayate brought Rein over.
“I'll induce a sleep state for you both once you're in unison,” Shari informed them. “And like before with Hayate, Shamal and I will pull you out if things are looking bad.”
Signum nodded and closed her eyes as Rein united with her, and soon was fast asleep...
She awoke on a grassy field, the sky clear and blue, and a light breeze ruffling her hair and armor. As she sat up, Signum took in her surroundings, and her mouth dropped open.
Dead bodies surrounded her; soldiers and mages alike, covered with blood and dirt. It was as if this battle had ended not even a day before.
“[What is this?]” Signum heard Rein's voice from within.
“[Rein, you're there!]” the Belkan Knight replied, relieved. “[I wasn't sure if you'd make it over with me.]”
“[I'm here, just not at my best,]” Rein replied, and Signum could feel that the unison AI wasn't as strong as with previous unison occasions. “[But what is all this?]”
Signum felt her pulse quicken, and at first wondered why the sight of a battlefield of death would cause that; she was a trained warrior after all. “[It's somehow... familiar.]” She shook her head. “[Where do you recommend we go?]”
“[I-I'm not sure,]” the smaller girl confessed. “[I don't recognize these as my memories, and I can't detect the Zanth virus program at all.]”
“[Then let's have a look around,]” Signum told her, flying up into the sky. More feelings of deja vu assaulted her senses, and she nearly lost control of her flight.
The green spread out before her, with areas of seemingly pristine forests and mountains. But the village nearby, caused a small pounding in her brain. The way the buildings were laid out, with the fountain in the middle... Something wrong... something bad...
“[Signum?]” Rein asked, concerned.
The Wolkenritter leader shook her head. “[Nothing, sorry. Let's check out that village. Maybe we'll find something.]”
The pair flew off, landing a certain distance outside of the town in order to walk in. The wooden gates that were more of a decoration than a fortification, hung off their hinges. It seemed only a light breeze would be all that it took to cause them to crash down. The sign above the gates, listing the name of the town, was in a language neither Signum nor Rein recognized.
“[No one seems to be around,]” Rein noted, then added. “[I don't think anyone has been here for a long time; it's a mess!]”
Rein was correct, Signum noted. The wood buildings were all in various states of disrepair, some completely demolished. As they walked the dusty road to the elaborate fountain in the center of town, Signum got the odd feeling she had walked this road before.
Her right hand came up quickly, catching the stone that was thrown her way. [How did I know that was coming?]
“[There's someone up there, in the second floor of that large inn!]” Rein called.
Signum wasted no time, leaping to the broken second story window where the stone had come from. A small figure had just left the room, and the Belkan Knight took off after her. Its speed was no match for hers, however, and Signum was eventually able to grab the back of her quarry's shirt in the hallway beyond.
“Let me go, you murderer!” she screamed, as her blue hat fell off, revealing short red hair.
Signum was taken aback, but quickly turned the girl around to face her, holding the child's arms against her side to stop her squirming. “What did you call me?”
“You're one of them, a murderer!” she cried, winding her right leg back and sending it at her captor's shin.
The experienced warrior saw it coming and lifted her leg a bit, letting the kick collide with her armored boot.
“Ow!” the girl, who couldn't have been older than 10, cried. “Belkan Pig!”
Signum's eyes widened.
“...and we won't stop until we defeat all you Belkan pigs!” the girl was screaming in the light of the fire behind her, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Come on!”
She shook her head, then stared at the girl, who was the same one in her flashback. “I... know you.”
“LET HER GO!” came a young male shout from behind, followed by a shower of rocks and stones.
They bounced harmlessly off her armor, but Signum's honed senses did recognize a danger. Releasing one hand from the girl, she turned and drew Levantine in one smooth motion, slicing the arrow in half before it hit her. She realized after the fact that the object would never have penetrated her armor. The teenaged boy with the bow down the hall, standing with the other children, must have realized it, too. Signum saw fear in his eyes, but determination, too.
“RUN!” he shouted.
The girl Signum had been holding with one hand, jerked her arm free and sprinted away, vaulting the railing of the staircase and disappearing below. The boy and the other children disappeared into side rooms, or leapt down holes in the wood floor.
Signum was hit by a sense of urgency. “Wait! It's dangerous!” She sprinted after the girl, but the floor creaked under her weight, then gave way, sending the Belkan Knight crashing down to the first floor.
“[Are you alright?]” Rein asked, as Signum pushed the boards off. “[Who are those kids? You seemed to know them.]”
“[I can't explain it, but we need to hurry,]” Signum replied back, jumping to her feet and running outside, only to freeze in her tracks at the sounds of screams. “[No... not again!]” She resumed sprinting around the corner, ignoring the calls from Rein within.
The village was suddenly ablaze all around them, causing Rein to gasp. However, the Belkan Knight didn't stop, continuing to run in a direction she could barely comprehend, dodging the collapsing buildings as she threaded her way through the growing inferno. She eventually stopped in the doorway of one building that was still intact, yet wouldn't be for long as the fire nibbled away at it.
Rein gasped again; just inside and below them in the collapsed basement, the teenaged boy who had shot the arrow earlier was caught under a burning pillar. Two children nearby trying to pull him free; one of them was one of the boys and the other was the red-haired girl.
“Please, save them!” the teenager pleaded with Signum as he spotted her. “Get them out of here!”
The warrior wasted no time, leaping in to grab both children by the waist. “I'll come back for you!”
“There's no time, my entire right side is crushed!” he yelled back, fear edging into his voice. “Just please, promise me you'll take care of them!”
“I promise,” Signum replied quickly and firmly, leaping out of the hole for the entrance. As if on queue, the building imploded in a fiery crash, just as she cleared the exit.
“You killed him!” the boy and the girl yelled at their savior, small hands balled into fists, repeatedly striking the knight.
“I wanted to save him!” Signum shot back. “but I have to save you, I have to get you out of here!”
“Good job, Commander Signum,” came a new voice, male and older. She looked up to see a group of nine knights surrounding her, clad in red armor similar to her own, but in different sizes. Helmets covered their faces, obscuring their identities. “You captured two more rebels. We can execute them now. Please stand clear, Commander.”
“[Signum, what's going?]” Rein asked again, growing more frantic. “[There's something wrong with you. Who are these people?]”
The knights activated Belkan magic symbols, forming their various spells as they spread out around the smaller group, swords, axes, spears and bows glowing.
“NO!” Signum screamed, launching herself forward as the spells went off.
Rein couldn't believe her eyes; she had never seen Signum like this. What about this situation was affecting her so much? She wasn't even listening to Rein anymore!
The skilled female warrior struck with mad fury, blocking a beam from one, hacking into another, loading cartridges into Levantine with reckless abandon. The knights seemed surprised as they were attacked, but started to rally. The biggest knight slammed his burning double-headed battleaxe down, but Signum sidestepped and sliced the head off the pole, then spun and impaled the owner. Three more fell in rapid succession.
Suddenly Rein was tossed out of Signum's body as the unison was cancelled. She floated there in shock for a second, then decided she could at least help and popped her Azure Sky Tome into existence.
“Grab them, freezing hold!” she cried, stretching out her hand, her ice white Belkan triangle magic symbol spinning. “Chains, Freeze!”
A spear user was encased in ice, trapped for questioning later, but Rein was shocked when Signum cut through him anyway. The seemingly-mad Belkan Knight leapt and engaged one of the last, the one who had spoken before, his sword ringing against hers.
Rein's eyes were drawn to the side and behind the battling pair. “Look out!”
The last knight, an archer, had just launched three fiery arrows towards the two children. Signum batted the sword-wielder's weapon away, then impaled him, turning with incredible speed and leaping toward the three arrows. Rein was already casting, freezing one of them in mid-flight and dropping it to the ground. The Wolkenritter knight slashed a second.
And both watched in horror as the last arrow strike the boy, who had stepped in to shield the girl. The force of the shot sent both careening backwards, into the mass of flames behind them that was engulfing the building.
For a second, it was deathly quiet, except for the crackling of the flames. Then Signum screamed, red magical energy flaring outward.
The male knight with the sword, tried to sit up, his helmet gone, revealing his somewhat handsome face and short black hair. “Commander... w-why did you...” His hand was attempting to staunch the flow of blood from his chest, but then his eyes rolled up into his head and and he fell backwards.
Rein looked around, noticing that all the knights were helmet-less now, revealing men and women. They didn't seem as inhuman as they did a few minutes ago, and she felt a pang in her chest. But it seemed to pale in comparison to what her partner was feeling.
“What did I...” Signum sputtered, then her frightened visage changed to supreme anger. “What did YOU DO! You killed them! I won't let you get away with THIS! YOU KILLED AGITO!”
Rein stared in shock as the bloodied Belkan Knight shot into the air, heading off into the distance. “Signum!” she called, taking off after her. The former could fly faster than the smaller girl, and currently was.
A realization hit her as she flew. [Signum seemed to know about all this and I didn't. I don't think we're in my head... we're in Signum's! We got it reversed!]
“[Not quite, little one, but close,]” a gentle male elderly voice sounded in her mind. “[This is a stage, setup by someone else to deceive and control. And pardon for my intrusion, but I mean you no harm. I want to help you.]”
“[Who are you!?]” Rein demanded to know.
“[My name is Clarius,]” he told her. “[I can tell you more later, but right now, we need to help Signum.]”
Rein recognized that name; Hayate had mentioned it in her explanations, although Rein had been a bit out of it.“[The tome maker! What's happening to her?]”
“[Zanth is attempting to corrupt her again, just as he did hundreds of years ago,]” Clarius replied. “[By making her relive her worst day, over and over, until she breaks again. She has mostly forgotten her first life, due to living so many lifetimes. I am going to download some memories into you, little one, and you must get these to her. If you don't, Zanth will take control of her and you.]”
Rein gulped. “[I-I'll try my best.]” Her eyes turned blank for a moment, data flickering across them. As she processed it, a single tear fell down her cheek.
“Get her out of there!” Hayate pleaded, watching the injuries just appear on Signum's body. Blood leaked from the corner of her mouth, but the real worry was the spreading dark red spot on her side.
“I can't, something's not right,” Shari replied, frantic. “The removal program is being blocked somehow. I can't even cancel the unison!”
Vita watched Shamal doing her best to heal the injuries, Graf Eisen in hand.
Unable to keep up with Signum's flight speed, Rein eventually lost sight of her. But she assumed Signum was going directly towards something, so kept flying in the same direction. A few minutes later, she found the largest fortification she had ever seen, almost as big as Clanagan, minus the ruined outer buildings. Smoke billowed forth from several locations, as if it was under attack.
“[You will find Signum in the center, and you must hurry,]” Clarius told her. “[I must leave you now. If I get any closer, Zanth may be able to detect that I am here. I must remain hidden for now. Good luck, little one!]”
Rein nodded firmly. “[Thank you. I'll save her!]”
It didn't take long to find the most heavily fortified section in the center. Strangely, she encountered no resistance as she flew down and through a hole in the steel wall. The inside resembled the corridors in the TSAB, but this version had various bodies littering the corridors. Rein steeled herself as she followed the trail of carnage.
Gradually, the sound of fighting grew louder and louder, until Rein turned one last corner. “Signum!”
But it wasn't the Signum she knew. Her eyes were completely red, her expression nearly berserked, as she hacked and slashed her way through the hallways. Her pink mane added to the wild look, her hair ribbon apparently having been lost. She also limped on her right foot, while cuts and gashes littered her face and armor. She wasn't even bothering to use cartridges nor activating any special attacks.
The Belkan Knight ignored the smaller girl, continuing on. Rein gathered her courage and flew in front of her, holding her arms out to block her path.
“Signum, stop, that's enough!” Rein commanded. “This isn't who you are!”
Signum growled and slashed at her, nearly without hesitation, and Rein barely dodged it in time.
Male laughter echoed throughout the hallway. “Did you really think that would work? Though I admit I am amused by your attempt.”
Rein ignored the voice. “Signum, I know you don't want to do this. Remember who you are! Remember your honor!”
For a moment, it seemed as if she hesitated, then resumed wildly slashing at the smaller girl. The strikes were almost unskilled, as if driven by an animalistic fury, which gave Rein enough of an edge to dodge them.
“Is that all you can do?” the voice of Zanth mocked. “She's no longer who you thought she was. My loyal knight as returned to me; She is mine once more! Oh the worlds we destroyed together. This is nothing to the blood she once spilled for me!”
Rein felt her anger rise. “Oh yeah!? If she is yours, why aren't you here? Perhaps you're afraid she'll strike you down if were!”
“I will take your bet, little runt,” Zanth replied, amused, and faded into existence behind the ragged, heavy-breathing and wild-eyed Signum. “Hello, my dear Knight. Why haven't you completed your mission? You must kill all those who have betrayed you. It is all their fault that the ones you love were taken from you.”
“Signum...” Rein breathed, as the knight turned toward the man-in-black behind her. For an instant, she hoped Signum would attack him, but that hope was dashed when she failed to react.
Zanth reached over and placed a figure under her chin, lifting it a bit, then smiled and directed her gaze back towards Rein. “There is your next target: Kill her.”
Rein was forced to dodge again as Signum snarled and lunged. Growing angry, Rein opened her book, flipping pages for the right spells. She aimed her hand at Signum.
“Icy nature, gather into my hand and release your power!” Rein chanted. “Crystal Cocoon!” A lance of ice exploded from her palm, hurtling towards Signum.
[Please let this work!] Rein prayed, and was rewarded as the ice lance brushed the knight's side, confirming her aim had been true.
Zanth's eyes widened a bit as he realized in the last second that Signum wasn't the target, but him. He thrust out his hand to destroy it, but Rein had anticipated that. The lance exploded into several blue streams that covered Zanth's body, freezing him in a large ice crystal.
Rein had no time to focus more on that, barely dodging a sword swing that took her hat instead of her head. She gathered her courage and zoomed in close, placing both hands on Signum's chest, who was bringing her sword down to strike.
“Chilling Armor!” she cried, closing her eyes as the point of the sword came at her.
Ice rapidly spread out from Rein's palms, engulfing the knight in a suit of blue ice, but stopping at her neck. Rein cautiously opened her eyes again, noting she was still alive, although something cool ran down the left side of her face. The point of the sword had just barely touched her temple, creating a small rivulet of blood. A split second later, and she would have been skewered.
Behind Signum, the crystal cocoon had started to crack, and Rein knew she didn't have much time. “Blessing Wind, bestow upon me thy protection! Enshrine thy name upon all creation and deny my enemies passage! Flash Freeze!”
The temperature in the area dropped extremely low in an instant, forming several ice walls around Rein and Signum. She hoped she had bought enough time.
“Okay, Signum. It's time for you to remember.” She floated up the Belkan warrior's snarling face, realizing she would be unable to do a unison. Instead, she kissed Signum's forehead.
Images began to flash through both their minds.
She was a proud Knight of Belka, one of the most decorated, having never lost a battle. She served her liege, the Saint, with honor and courage. However, Belka's neighbors soon disagreed with it's rise in power, and war had broken out. Signum led her group of knights on campaign after campaign. She was set to achieve the highest reward: her own unison device. Rare and powerful, these were given to only the most loyal and worthy of the Saint's subjects.
But she had her detractors, too. Those jealous of her rise in power and status. They schemed and plotted, discovering her weakness and planning to use it against her. After a campaign against an enemy army, they managed to get her new orders: destroy the town that harbored the rebels. Signum planned to do it on her own, but upon entering the town, she found it only inhabited by children, orphans of war. She managed to befriend the scared group, and became good friends with one in particular: a red-haired girl of ten.
“I wish you could stay here with us forever,” she told the knight, smiling.
“Agito...” Signum whispered in despair, a tear running down her cheek.
She refused to destroy the town, but her troops had received orders otherwise. When she didn't return by nightfall, they invaded and burned it to the ground, despite Signum ordering them not to. She attacked her own troops, her own honor telling her this was wrong. This was not how a warrior, a Knight Of Belka, fought. But she was stopped and brought back in chains. Her enemies had used her one weakness against her: her honor.
She returned to the castle in disgrace, having disobeyed orders; unable to go against her personal honor as a knight. While the Saint's council deliberated, Signum visited the team of scientists who were creating her device, requesting that it be given red hair, and the name of Agito. Even if she was denied it, at least this way, the child who died would be remembered.
And she had been denied. Also, she had received word that the Saint had ordered the razing of another village. Signum wept; her liege had used to be a kind ruler, but the increase in warfare had seemingly changed the King. To put an end to this, Signum attacked the Saint, injuring but not killing the guards along the way. She no longer cared what happened to her, if she could put an end to the war and the orhpens like Agito it created.
She failed. She was beaten, locked in chains once more, thrown into the dungeon, and scheduled for execution. But there was an attack on the castle that night, and Signum was able to escape. But wounded, and with nowhere to go, she wandered the forest at night, lost.
The ice exploded, sending Rein flying with a startled scream, striking the wall and sliding to the ground, dazed.
“Your ice tricks aren't bad, but they can't stop the inevitable,” Zanth told her, anger in his eyes. “Signum, now is your chance, kill her!”
Rein's vision came back into focus, as she watched the color come back into Signum's eyes. But it was only for a moment, as the knight screamed, red magical energy shattering the icy armor holding her fast. Rein tried to move, but she was still somewhat stunned, and Signum leapt forward to grab her in her left hand.
I was awake before Bardiche rang out his alarm to tell me it was time to get up. In fact, I had spent the last little while staring at the ceiling of what I knew to be a forward room. Nanoha had given me my room number and Hayate set it to accept me sometime last night when I was having dinner with my friend. Although they called it a 'special room for important guests', I still couldn't help but feel awkward. Here I am, in my home base, laying in a bed that didn't belong to me. I was still slightly in shock from everything that had happened, but I knew that I had to put it behind me and look for a solution rather than mope around.
Alternatives II
By: Satashi
Fate walked down the hallway leading to Nanoha's room briskly. Having being given clothes to wear, the blonde found herself in a standard base uniform that didn't fit quite right but still felt better than her dirty enforcer attire. When she made it to Nanoha' door, she stopped herself from just entering now that she was stored in the device via password, and instead knocked.
"Come in!" A perky voice came from inside. The door swished open and Fate looked around, spying Nanoha at her tiny kitchen. "Good morning, did you sleep well?"
"No, but I rested enough." Fate told the truth, which got her a look that was mixed between sympathy and amusement. "Did you sleep okay? you didn't wake up too early did you?" The blonde smelt the freshly baked biscuits and bacon before she saw the pan on the stove and light in the oven.
"I woke up on my own, don't worry." Nanoha waved her hand over her wheelchair control orb and went to the refrigerator. "How do you like your eggs?"
"Scrambled... mind if I join in?"
"Some hostess I am, letting my guest do all the work."
"I like cooking." Fate moved by Nanoha and started cracking shells. "You want yours over easy with extra pepper, cooked in the bacon grease right?"
"That's kind of creepy." Nanoha mused, not sure if she was enjoying this or was weirded out by it. "Tell me, how did I make the biscuits?"
"If you're referring to adding in honey, I know your mother taught you to do that when you were young."
Nanoha hummed and simply watched the girl cook. "I'd really like to meet me in your world. It must be nice having someone know so much about you."
"You're about the same, from what I can tell..."
"...I'm sorry, I was being selfish. We'll get you back, don't worry. I'm sure Hayate-chan will want us to meet with her first thing this morning."
"What about your students?"
"Vita-chan can handle them for the morning lessons, this is more important. We have to get you registered while you are here so you won't be in trouble. Last night's battle will be covered by the civilian collaborator contract, but you need to be in the records for now on."
"Yeah..." Fate finished their breakfast while Nanoha removed the now cooked sides. "I just realized I won't have my rank anymore..." Her lips turned up into a small grin. "Should I salute you?" The joke made Nanoha giggle to herself and Fate took comfort in hearing the familiar sound.
Spoiler for AlternativeS 2-2:
Just as soon as the two sat down together, A beeping sound came from Nanoha's wheelchair. "Raising Heart, connect please." The command allowed a monitor to appear in front of the girl and Hayate's image formed on it almost instantly. "Good morning, Hayate-chan."
"Morning, Nanoha-chan." Hayate replied back in kind. "Could you please bring Fate-chan to my office this morning?"
"Already planning on it." Reaching up, she tiled the screen to show Fate was next to her. The blonde smiled and gave a small wave which was returned. "Do you have any idea on what could have put her here?"
Hayate shook her head. "I haven't had time to do anything other than talk to everyone in our room last night. Shamal seems to think she could have come through a dimensional rift, but the chances of that are so low its hard to believe. Anyway, I have some people on it. For now, I need her signed as a collaborator before the T.S.A.B swoop in and try to have her signed on. Is that okay, Fate-chan?"
"Yes, that is fine." Fate nodded at the screen. "Nanoha was just telling me that."
"I see," Hayate looked back over at Nanoha. "Well then, enjoy your breakfast. I'll ask Vita to train your students today for you."
"Please." The two friends nodded at each other and the communication was cut off. "See? Hayate-chan is always on top of things."
"She is." The blonde agreed and a small bit of silence passed over them as hey ate, interrupted only by raising Heart's update on the weather, Nanoha's schedule, and the sounds of utensils tapping their plates.
Once breakfast was over, the two girls headed down out to take care of their business, stopping once they reached the front door. "Raising Heart wasn't kidding when she said high chances of rain today," Nanoha mused while looking out at the drizzling rain.
"Seems so," Fate brought up Bardiche and the device answered her silent call to allow an umbrella to form, casting a translucent yellow barrier above them. "Shall we?"
Nanoha gave Fate an amused look but still allowed girl to hold the shield over them both as they walked to the adjacent building. From there they went up to Hayate's office and the blonde found herself answering questions that both made her grin and sigh out at the same time. Once the paperwork was completed Hayate gave a satisfied nod and began ushering them downstairs once more so they could go give Fate her official ranking test. Their trip was interrupted just moments after they left the main building by Lexus standing in front of them, an umbrella held over his head by none other than a reluctant looking Teana.
Lexus greeted them with a smirk and stepped forward to Fate, making Tea move along with him. "Hello there, Blondie. I did some research and it appeaser you aren't with the T.S.A.B. yet."
"I am a civilian collaborator, and don't call me Blondie." Fate frowned at him but still let her eyes drift to Tea for a brief moment.
"My assistant, Teana." Lexus pointed to the girl. "Not worth anything on the field but she's helpful when I need someone to carry something for me." His words made the girl with him bite down a growl. "Anyway, Hot Legs, why not join my battalion? I have much better resources then these clowns. What do you say?"
"My name is Fate." The woman stated firmly.
"Ooh, my destiny, I like that."
Nanoha chose that moment to interrupt. "Don't hit on my friends."
"Jealous I've never hit on you? Can't see what fun you'll be without moving your hips arou-" His words cut off when a palm connected firmly with his cheek.
"Do not address my friends in such a manor." Fate told him, voice going from her usual soft tone to holding a faint edge to it. "I won't tolerate anyone insulting people I care for."
Lexus licked his lips and looked at Fae with a new interest, left hand going to touch his slapped cheek. "I want you even more now. Have you taken your mage exam test yet?"
"I have not," Fate answered simply.
"Tell you what," stepping closer to her, he forced Teana to lean the umbrella to keep him dry, even though her back was now getting wet. "Let me review you. If I win, you join my battalion, in more ways than one."
Fate felt her body grow stiff, red tinting her cheeks when she realized what the last part meant. Despite this, she still didn't move from him, and answered back calmly. "When I win, that girl with you will join our battalion, and you will address Hayate and Nanoha by their ranks."
Lexus laughed loudly at her. "Well spoken! Fine then. Wingless, we will be using your training field. Lets go, Babe."
Fate nodded and began walking as well, ignoring the astonished look on Tea's face at her sudden involvement with people she didn't even know.
The training area, now free from its morning inhabitants, was quickly changed to form a fake city on it, leaving Fate standing on one building on the east side while Lexus was on the West. The blonde ran her thumb over Bardiche and felt her clothes shift and change around her before forming a barrier jacket to protect herself. 'I don't care if you harass me,' she thought bitterly as a monitor came up in front of her, informing her of how the ranking test would work. 'But I will never forgive anyone who insults my family or friends.'
On the sidelines, Hayate stood with crossed arms. Monitors floated all around her and a firm frown was on her face. "This isn't what I had in mind for today."
Nanoha nodded lightly, moving her hands out to make sure all the necessary information would be recorded and documented. "He is a triple-A plus mage. Fate-chan said she was S, but her performance last night would only suggest a double-A... Was she holding back so she could record for us?"
"... For her sake, I hope so..." Her eyes moved to look at Tea standing next to them. 'And why did she bet that that girl would be transferred to me...? I'm getting too laid back in my old age.' Smirking at the inside joke, Hayate finally pushed the screen to confirm the battle to start. 'Good luck, Fate-chan.'
Spoiler for Alternatives 2-3:
Fate looked out over the make-shift abandoned city from her position on top of a large office building. The screen by her stated that the test was now in progress and she gripped Bardiche a little tighter. "Bardiche?"
"Scan complete, sir." He spoke back calmly. "Enemy is across the field, coming at running speed. ETA is three minutes."
"How impatient, he should have waited for us to come to him." The blonde moved her hand out and placed several binding spells along the ground. "He isn't powerful enough to test us properly... Looks like we will have to be evaluated again once this is over."
"Sir," Bardiche's tone made Fate hesitate leaving the building. "Our situation is weird, please do not be careless."
"...You're right." Fate lifted her hand once more and focused, forming several daggers of energy around herself. "As weird as everything has been, I can not afford to be careless... Especially after he called Nanoha that."
"Yes sir."
Fate frowned to herself and leaped off the building, dropping down to the ground and darting forward. Lexus made it just as she expected and began dodging the sprung traps, twisting and jumping through the yellow binds. When the last one was sprung, his left leg was snared, making him look back in shock. Taking the opportunity, Fate engaged and swung her scythe down hard.
Lexus yelled as his barrier jacket ripped open and barely managed to block the next attack, leaving himself open for several yellow energy daggers to break his auto barrier. The male broke the bind on himself and jumped back, recollecting himself and staring at the blonde who didn't press her advantage. "What's the matter!? Scared you won't do as well after a surprise attack!?"
"Bardiche."
"Yes sir." The device was lifted and circles appeared around them, forming small darts of yellow energy that burst forth, triggering several trap spells that were placed as Lexus retreated.
"Che, you would be a smart one." Making a taunting motion, Lexus smirked at her. "I want you even more now. Tell you what, join me and I'll even let the whore come too."
"Sir." Bardiche's voice made the blonde stop before she lunged at him.
Taking a breath, Fate cooled down and spoke at the man again. "Why are you such a pervert?"
Lexus shrugged. "Guess its in my DNA." Fate twirled Bardiche and walked in a half circle on the mostly destroyed road. Lexus made the other half as they circled each other slowly. Their eyes met and each ran forward. Lexus reacted faster, drawing his device and pointing a gun at Fate and shooting. The magical bullet met it's target and hit the blonde square in the chest before ripping through her back side. "What-the!?"
Fate appeared behind the man as her after-image faded away. A small moment was taken to charge her attack before she slashed her scythe down, the blade pulsating larger than normal. As the man fell forward, Fate caught his collar and pulled him back so she could whisper into his ear firmly. "If you ever look at my wife in a perverted manor again, I won't hold back." When her words were done she let go of him and allowed him to fall onto the ground defeated.
As monitors appeared around Fate, Lexus smirked to himself through the pain in his back. 'So, she does have a weakness...'
Spoiler for AlternativeS 2-4:
~**~
"Fate-chan!" Nanoha's voice made the girl look up and smile at her.
The blonde walked up the ramp leading to the instructor observatory and stood next to Nanoha, red eyes scanning the video image feeds all around her. "Sorry for having to run earlier. Hayate needed me to fill out paperwork and schedule another testing time."
"No problem, she told me before she went to the field to get you. I had to deal with Teana's transfer anyway. Did you get an earful?"
Fate felt a small smile come to her face. "Yes, Hayate scolded me for making that deal and was going to turn it down but Lexus expelled Tea from his base."
"At least my work wasn't for nothing then. I already have her situated in my books."
Fate licked her lips as the screen came up. "Hey...can I ask a favor?"
"Mm?" Nanoha tapped the floating keyboards around herself to make the students training on the field have to swap tactics.
"Can you place Tea with Subaru?"
"Why?" Nanoha looked over at Fate curiously. "That would be a very awkward and inconvenient move for all of our parts. Subaru is a close combat mage while Teana seems to use a pistol. I need to consider Teana's points before I transfer away from where I placed her."
"...Please?"
Nanoha blinked and looked up at Fate once more. "...Why?"
"Its just... in my time, they are forwards... placed directly under your personal training. They improved more than anyone I've ever seen and... well, Tea is my partner when I go on long distance missions."
Nanoha leaned back in her wheelchair and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "The C-ranked mage you forced on me is now suddenly one of my best students who runs with a S ranked mage?"
"Yes."
"Hayate-chan was right, you're really annoying." With a grin, Nanoha glanced up at Fate before typing on her keyboards again. "However, your request will really throw me off. I can't justify this, it just doesn't make any sense."
Fate leaned against the guard rail and looked out over the training field with distant eyes. "I know the feeling."
The blue eyed girl stayed silent for a long moment before heaving out a long sigh. "Hayate-chan is going to yell at me for this."
"Thank you. I will train them myself."
"Nooooo, you're a civilian collaborator, not an instructor. Jeez, does the other Nanoha have to keep you on a leash as well?"
Fate smirked, a playful tint coming to her eyes as she turned to look over her shoulder. "Yes, yes she does."
'What have I gotten into?' Nanoha thought while tapping away on her keyboards. 'I was fine with it when she was just affecting me, but now she's barged into my work and... Maybe Hayate-chan was right, maybe she is here to throw us off balance for some reason...' Eying the blonde looking out over the field, she felt a small tear at her heart. 'But nobody can pretend to be that sad and confused... Even with that smile on her face, I can tell she is about to cry. Just like that girl so long ago, her feelings pour out through her eyes... as if she's screaming for help but can't form the words...'
"You're sighing an awful lot today," Fate told her softly before turning around completely to sit against the railing. "I'm sorry for being so selfish."
"No... I just... I don't know." Nanoha shook her head. "Fate-chan, I'm sorry but can we meet up later? I need to focus on my students."
"Yes, I'm sorry." Fate's tone turned sad almost at once.
'Aw, she probably came to me because she felt alone...' Before Nanoha could speak up again an new voice called Fate's attention.
"Fate." Signum walked to the bottom of the ramp and met the blonde's eyes. "I need you to come with me for a moment."
"Okay." walking down ramp, she gave Signum a curious look. "What is it, Signum?"
Signum stopped to get a drink from a vending machine and waved her device over it again, putting in enough credits for Fate to get one as well. "Mistress Hayate requested for me to accompany you to the bank to set up an account, as well as try and get some more information from you regarding your situation."
Fate picked her drink and smiled while bending over to get it. "You don't trust me."
"I don't."
"I understand." Fate fell into step beside her and walked along the sidewalk. "Later... Lets have a sparing match."
"Why?" Signum eyed her without turning her head.
"Because you and I both can feel someone's emotions when fighting them."
"How do you know that?"
"Because..." Fate whispered softly. "You're my role model. The one I always looked up to and sought advice from."
"... Fine, we will spar later."
"Thank you, Signum."
"Don't thank me yet." A small giggle made her look at Fate curiously. "What?"
"I'm just relieved... Everyone is the same."
"...We can get lunch while we're out too."
"Thank you."
Spoiler for AlternativeS 2-5:
~**~
"That was awkward." The understatement made Signum repress the urge to scoff at the blonde trailing her. "I'm sorry, really."
"You could have at least come up with a story before we got inside the bank." Signum spoke back flatly, clearly annoyed at the embarrassing act. "I thought Hayate and you would have surely discussed what you would put down on the paper. I'm sure Nanoha is thrilled."
"I can't help it, it was instinct!"
"Writing down that you are married and live with the top instructor on this planet isn't something that comes as instinct. You're lucky Nanoha played along with it. I'm sure you saw how embarrassed she was."
"...Yes." Fate sighed and sat in Signum's sports car, closing the door almost too softly to latch. "I've caused so much trouble since I showed up... I really don't know how to apologize for it all."
"Start by thinking more." Signum started the engine and looked over her shoulder to back out of the parking space. "Am I really your role model? I expected better."
"...You don't have to rub it in." Fate's tone made the older woman exhale a defeated breath.
"Okay... Okay, I apologize for getting upset. Don't get all whiny on me... How do I normally deal with you when you do this?"
"Honestly?" Fate inhaled deeply to calm herself down. "You ruffle my hair and tell me to get over it. If its really bad, you'll hold me and kiss my forehead."
"I wouldn't be caught kissing someone's forehead."
"I know." Fate felt a little of her energy come back. "You always hide the fact that you do it. Not even Vita knows, and you do it to her too."
Signum stiffened slightly. "That's very creepy. Knowing things about me that I do not wish you to is very unnerving."
"Yeah," Fate looked out the window. "I've been getting that all day. No matter how casual I try to be, it still freaks people out when I talk like I've known them forever... Tell me, Signum... If you were in my place, how would you handle it?"
The swordsman hesitated her response, rolling the question over in her head as she drove them down the roads in the capital. Finally, after contemplating it for several long moments, she answered. "I would tell you something that there was no way you could know unless we were as close as you say. Having people support you and take you seriously without doubt would be the best way to stay stable."
Fate nodded. "This is embarrassing."
"Say it."
"You have a cosplay fetish, and Shamal dresses you up when you make love. Hayate makes them for you, and you pose in them to satisfy her and not let her know what you two do with them... Also, you-"
"Okay!" Signum interrupted her, cheeks splashed red. "Did you have to pick something sexual? Why not say something simple like..."
"You have a mole on your inner thigh that looks like a star? Because anyone who bathes with you would know that."
"...You impress me." Signum nodded to herself. "But might I ask... How did you get that information?"
Fate grimaced. "When we were younger I caught you two doing it several times but I never understood it until after Nanoha and I made love the first time when we were sixteen... I couldn't look at you in the face for weeks."
"So we don't...?"
"No!" Fate almost shrieked, blushing herself now. "I'm dedicated to Nanoha! Fully!"
"Good..." Signum felt a small grin come to her face. "Well then, Fate, how do you feel now?"
"...Better." Looking at her lap, she played with her fingers. "I'm sure you will understand more when we spar tonight but... I'm glad you gave me a chance. I don't like it when you don't trust me."
"We'll discuss that topic more over lunch, where do you want to eat?"
"Well Fuji's isn't open yet so....."
"Fuji's?"
"Yes?" Fate thought about the bar. "Oh... That's right, I directly had an impact on that place... Since Nanoha isn't an Ace and I wasn't there to find it... Kuhn couldn't have opened his bar." Groaning, the blonde leaned back in her seat. "I don't know then, you pick."
"Okay." The woman flicked her wrist and turned on the car's blinker, moving over to take a turn. "I know a good place."
~**~
Hayate looked up from her monitor when a knock came at her office door. "Come in." Her words granted Fate access and she smiled at the woman walking up to her. "Ah, special collaborator Fate." Standing, she walked over to the front of her desk and saluted. "Allow me to officially welcome you to my base."
"Thank you," Fate saluted back before getting casual. "I'll do anything I can to help while I'm here. Thank you again for helping me as well."
"I have people on your case already, investigating where you woke up and searching for anything that could be related. We don't have much to work with so the best I can say is that I'll contact you the moment we find out anything."
"Thank you." Fate smiled lightly. "I really appreciate this, Hayate."
The shorter girl leaned forward, inspecting the cut on Fate's cheek. "What happened to you?"
"Signum got a lick in." rubbing the spot lightly, she smiled. "We had a little sparring match."
"As long as you don't get hurt. Do you need to go to Shamal?"
Fate shook her head. "I just need a bath. By the way, could I get a small advance on my pay? I need to buy a few things while I'm here."
"I'm sorry, but you're only stationed here. I don't have any control over you except for your duties. Your pay comes from the T.S.A.B directly. I can loan you some of mine though."
"Ah, I'd feel bad... Maybe I can just borrow some clothes from Nanoha until I get my first check."
"If you change your mind, don't hesitate. By the way, did you really put down Nanoha as your wife on the bank application?" The embarrassed look on the girl's face made Hayate put a hand on her hip. "I'm sure Nanoha won't mind, but please don't get her upset okay?"
"I won't."
"Nanoha is... very weird in that area." Hayate thought about how to word what she was thinking. All the time growing up she felt like she wasn't part of her family. Same with the times I've known her as well. People love her, I love her, but she has never truely felt love before. You know what I mean?"
"She desperatly wants someone to be in love with her. I know, she was like that with me as well."
"But you were there... you weren't for my Nanoha. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Fate nodded. "I love my Nanoha. I would never cheat on her, even if its with the same girl in another time line. She is Nanoha, but she's not my Nanoha."
Hayate smiled and gave a relieved chuckle. "Thank you, that makes me feel so much better. I was worried that when you left... it might hurt her."
Fate started walking with Hayate as she closed down her office and walked towards the door. "Don't worry, I don't think she'd fall for me that easily. Nanoha and I danced around each other for years before we started dating. In fact, it was you who brought us together."
"Really?" She tilted her head curiously.
"It was at a sleep over, you dared her to ask out her crush to the dance at school. You got her phone and called her crush and... my phone rang. I remember looking at it and slowly picking it up. I brought it to my ear and looked at Nanoha, who quickly turned away from me and looked down at her lap... Then she meekly told me hello and asked if I had a date yet. It was the cutest thing you would have ever seen. I thought she would pass out, her ears were so red."
With a giggle, Hayate shook her head. "That would be so amusing. Nanoha is so independent it is hard to imagine her all shy blushy."
"Blushy? Is that a word?"
"Its a technical term." Hayate smiled as they walked to the residential area. "Nanoha normally takes a bath in her room so I'm sure she won't mind you taking one there as well. She doesn't like people offering to help her, gets really touchy about it."
"Sounds like her."
"I know, right? One time I offered to carry her to the bathtub and she got really upset. She never lets anyone carry her anywhere, its like her pet peeve."
"Really?" Fate stopped walking and looked at her with a confused look. "I carried her to bed last night and she seemed rather pleased."
"You carried her?" Hayate shook her head. "No, no, nobody carries Nanoha. They would lose their arms."
Fate scratched her head before placing her hand on her hip. "Odd, maybe she was just too tired to say anything."
"Must have been being polite," Hayate agreed. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay," Fate nodded and left the elevator once it was on her floor. The short walk was made and she found herself standing in front of Nanoha's door. 'I hope she isn't upset about earlier...' Taking a breath to steady herself, Fate knocked on the door leading into Nanoha's loft. A call from inside bade her entrance and she made her way into the overly large room. "I'm back," she called testingly, seeing Nanoha move over from behind the kitchen cabinets and face her.
"Welcome back," Nanoha smiled in greeting "So, you're registered here, miss Takamachi?"
"I... didn't mean for it to turn out that way. I'm sorry..."
"I don't mind." Nanoha mused, turning her chair around and going back to the kitchen to finish preparing her drink. "You could have told me beforehand, though. I was contacted in front of all my students as I was dismissing them. Now they are all asking me weird questions."
"I'm sorry..." Fate looked down.
"Don't get all pouty on me. Like I said, I don't mind. I'm your wife after all, that's kind of neat. I've never even been on a date and now I have a wife. I should call my parents."
"Nanoha!" Fate felt herself blushing, a fact that the girl didn't miss. "A-anyway, um..."
"Make yourself at home. Want anything to eat or drink?"
"Uhm, a drink would be nice."
Nanoha smiled. "What would you like?"
"Don't suppose you have scotch?" The girl cocked an eyebrow at her. "I don't drink often, but I could use something to mellow me down right now."
"Sorry, don't have any. I have some frozen daiquiri mix and some rum?"
"Thanks but I can't handle the sweetness." Fate moved to the large couch and fell down on it.
Nanoha moved over to her and lifted her arms. The wheelchair shifted and two bars came out for her to grab, allowing the girl to easily move so she was sitting on the couch as well. "So," Once she was set, the wheelchair moved away from them. "Other than looking like a nervous wreck, how was your day?"
"Bad... Good... I'm not sure." Looking down, Fate moved her hands out in a helpless gesture. "I mean, everything is going okay and my day wasn't really that bad, it's just..."
"You're not where you want to be."
"Yeah... which is weird, because this is exactly where I want to be."
"Tell me," Nanoha picked up a pillow from the couch and sat it on her lap. "What do I normally do when you're upset?"
"Rub my back and make advances on me." Fate smiled at the thought. "You're really physical. I remember you telling me that you couldn't express how you felt with words so you tried to do it in a way that would show me."
"Wow, that's interesting." Nanoha leaned forward to make Fate look at her. "So a massage?"
"I- I couldn't-"
"Its okay, you're my wife after all." Nanoha laughed at the statement. "That's so weird to say, I like it. Come on, lets go upstairs and I'll rub your back. Its the least I can do for you fighting for me this morning. Besides, I heard what you said to Lexus."
"A-Ah, that was... Just instinct."
Nanoha smiled more, asking a question fondly. "Am I always in your instinct?"
"...Yeah, you could say that. Not a day goes by without me thinking about Nanoha."
The girl leaned to Fate more. "Then let me help you out for a change. Lets go upstairs... Carry me?"
Spoiler for AlternativeS 2-6:
Fate hesitated, blinking at the innocent eyes gazing at her. "Okay." Nanoha held out her arms and wrapped them around Fate's neck when the blonde shifted to slide hers under Nanoha's body. With ease, Fate lifted her up and stood, walking around the coffee table to avoid the girl's wheelchair. 'But Hayate told me...'
Nanoha leaned against Fate briefly before wrinkling her nose and pulling back. "Ew, you stink."
"I didn't have time to shower after my session with Signum," the blonde mused lightly. "I was hoping you would let me take a shower, as well as borrow some clothes until I can buy some for myself?"
"Sure, I don't mind." Nanoha felt herself being sat on the bed and she placed her arms behind herself to prop up. "Should I tell you where I keep my clothes?"
"Well, considering we split our drawers and closet and agreed on where to place them, I'm not sure. But then again, you kept the other stuff in that drawer, so I'm assuming nightgowns in here." Fate opened the top drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a pink button up. "I don't suppose you took interest in nighties did you?"
"They reveal too much." Nanoha replied simply.
"But you like showing off." She got a curious look and a blush. "Ah, you see, the Nanoha I know always... flashes..."
"I flash people!?"
"Not that much! Just like... short skirts and stuff..." Fate scratched her cheek. "It really makes me frantic... you told me you do it just to see me blush most of the time."
"...Most?"
Fate looked away. "Sure you're not uncomfortable?"
Picking up on the shy tone, Nanoha leaned forward with a grin and looped her hands under her knees to pull them up so her feet were on the bed and so she could rest her chin on her knees while holding them. "Is that why you got so upset about Lexus talking to me like that?"
"...Yeah, I'm.. just really protective... not really the best thing in the world when courting an exhibitionist." Fate flushed and shook her head. "I shouldn't-"
"Tell me more." Nanoha's words made Fate look back at her with a shocked expression. The girl on the bed simply smiled, eyes not wavering. "We're close enough to have sex, right? What is it like? What am I like?"
"Y-you're..." Fate stammered, closing the drawer and opening the one under it, getting a pair of sweatpants. "Its... I dunno... just..."
"You're really shy, aren't you?"
"...Yes, please don't tease me like this."
"Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?" Nanoha giggled to herself. 'No wonder my other self does that, she looks so adorable when she's stammering.' After letting the girl frantically try to think of something to say for a few moments, Nanoha continued. "So... Fate-chan?"
"Y-yes...?"
"If I wore a short skirt tomorrow... would you protect me?" Resting her cheek on her knee now, Nanoha simply looked up at the girl for an answer.
"D-don't say silly things." Fate finished raiding the drawer for clothes and made her way to the bathroom and the connected shower. "I'll be out in a bit, okay?"
"I'll be waiting." Nanoha watched her new friend close the bathroom door with a smile on her lips. 'How interesting...' Reaching over to Fate's discarded enforcer outfit, she placed it over her shoulders to get a little warmth. "Raising Heart, can you turn up the temperature two degrees?" The orb on her wheelchair flashed and confirmed the action. "Hmmm..." The though was vocalized as the sounds of the shower sprang to life behind her. 'She's such a cute girl, and very possessive.'
Closing her eyes, Nanoha allowed herself to fall to the side, plopping down on the bed while still hugging her knees. 'The other me is so brave... but then again, if it meant having someone honestly get flustered over me then...' An honest smile came to her lips. 'Someone getting protective because I belong to them... Wanting nobody else to see what is theirs.' A giddy laugh came from her as she thought about it. 'I'd love to see that. Just hearing her say that to Lexus today made me feel warm... And her claiming me as her wife...'
Rolling onto her back, Nanoha looked up at the ceiling with her arms spread out. 'I've always wanted someone to do that for me. To honestly be interested in me, to ask me how my day was all the time and not get bored of hearing the same stories...' Looking up at the white ceiling, Nanoha listened to the sounds of water hitting the shower floor. 'Fate-chan knows everything about me, even my most embarrassing things. She's seen me naked, made love to me, and still smiles that way whenever my name is mentioned.'
Letting her head fall to the side, Nanoha looked at her nightstand. 'I've waned to have this feeling for as long as I can remember... To be gazed at with love and acceptance... To be told I mean the most in their life.' Pushing herself up, she scooted so she could move her legs off the bed and sit by her drawer, opening it up and rooting around until she found a see-through white bra. 'If I put this on... would she look at me like that?' She ran the lacy fabric over between her thumb and forefinger. 'For some reason, I feel shy... like her seeing my body would make me really embarrassed... Is that what its like when wanting someone else to see you like that? This feeling... of excitement and happiness?'
Looking at the undergarment for a while longer, Nanoha shook her head and put it back into the drawer. 'I can't... My heart is beating so fast.' Holding her hands together over her chest, she stared at the floor with a dark blush. 'I want her to see me in it but... I don't. I'm scared she may not find me attractive... but I know she does! It's not fair, she knows me inside and out but know so little about her!'
Nanoha frowned and laid back on the bed once more. 'I want to know her more...I want to understand her like she does me... I want... I want her to refer to ME when she speaks my name.' A firm nod came at the thoughts. 'I was sent an angel out of no where, and I don't want to let this opportunity pass.' Gripping the enforcer jacket that fell off her shoulders, she moved it to become a makeshift blanket over her. 'She was sent here for a reason...I want that reason to be me.' Hugging herself, Nanoha closed her eyes happily as the water cut off from the bathroom. 'This is the feeling I've longer for, for so long.'
Is it bad of me that I'm starting to root for Alternate!Nanoha more than I am for the real Nanoha? Don't go home, Fate!
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this part dedicated to RadiantBeam, also :3
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Edit: I DEDICATE THIS POST TO RADIANTBEAM! Because that seems to be the "in" thing to do and I'm a crowd pleaser.
Check it out, I started a trend.
Seriously, thanks, both of you. *hugs Satashi and Shiny*
you're not reading it anyway are you? Tempy haet NanoFate XD
I've looked at the first part, but I haven't started part two. Besides, it's not that I hate NF, but rather the... stubborn refusal of the fandom to allow or even tolerate anything else. Apparently any other pairing involving Nanoha or Fate is considered troll behavior.
In any case, I'd like to see a bad end, if only because of schadenfreude. I'm tired of mudita.