Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion (second reincarnation)

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by Tempy

Crosspost.

What the hell did I write? Man, late-night writing makes for weird stories...

Side Dish 1
Side Dish 2

Spoiler for Side Dish 3: Pride:

Hmm. It was almost time for autumn. The air was getting cooler, and the trees had the slightest
hints of changing colors. As with the seasonal change, so did the need for seasonal menus. That
meant picking out new dishes and desserts for the autumn menu. Well, there were plenty of fruits
to go for: apples, pears, raspberries, blackberries, and figs, so there was plenty to make there.
Shana in particular seemed to have an interest in making desserts, so this could be an educational
time for her. With vegetables: root vegetables and tubers, as well as squashes and beans.
Cabbage and wild mushrooms, too; there would be a gradual shift from lighter fares into heartier,
warmer foods. Perhaps this would be a good time to try out ratatouille…

Well, such things can be thought out later, with Shirou and Momoko. For now, Kevin had to
focus on the immediate issue.

School.

“Ah, good afternoon, sir. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” a young woman
greeted Kevin as he stepped into the classroom. Without even a moment to change, he had left
the Midoriya and came straight to the elementary school. His objective: parent-teacher
conferences. A requested meeting, to be exact, though about what he hadn’t the foggiest of clues.

“Did my girls do something wrong, ma’am?” Kevin asked without preamble, taking the seat
offered to him.

“Oh no, no, nothing like that. Rather, I just wanted to meet the guardian of three transfer students.
They were here for barely a semester, and already they have become so active!”

“Is that so…”

“Yes! Especially Diana! She’s a little aggressive, but her charisma has made her president of the
student council! A transfer student, now student council president? That is almost unheard of!
Even the other instructors can’t seem to disobey her. It’s cute, really, to see everyone just follow
her every word.”

It seemed she was getting a head start in her quest to conquer the world.

“Shana, in contrast, is very quiet but very studious. I was shocked to see upperclassmen rely on
her for help on exams, and truth be told, several teachers thought she was cheating, but your girl
is getting top marks in every exam! She may even get to skip a grade!”

Maybe it would be prudent to advise them to cut back on the math wizardry. He had heard from
Nanoha and Fate that the math taught in school is incredibly easy compared to the algorithms
they had to calculate while doing magic.

“How about Lilia?” he asked.

“Lilia may not have the charisma or intellectual power of her sisters, but she is the pride and envy
of the sports teams here. I would not be surprised if she were to be scouted later on in life to join
a sports team. She is full of energy and boundless potential. Though…”

“I suspect her academics are unremarkable,” the chef asked flatly, getting a sheepish look from
the instructor in return.

“No, I’m afraid they are around average. Keeping her attention is difficult.”

“As expected, but we are working on that. How are their other grades?”

“Surprisingly good, especially in languages! I did not expect Shana to know bits of French and
Italian! And both Diana and Lilia do rather well in English.”

Kevin could not help but feel a bit of pride for his adopted daughters, though the languages were
partially his fault. English, French, Italian, they were components of what he knew for cooking.
Shana, being curious, picked up on the smattering of words he knew, while he helped all three of
them in English.

“No bullying, I suppose?”

“Erm, well…” she seemed nervous now.

“If there is, then that is to be expected. Children are like that,” Kevin spoke with understanding.

“It’s not that,” the teacher shook her head. “To be honest, there was an issue with bullying, due
to the girls’ nature of being new students, as well as Lilia’s hair color…”

Blue wasn’t a common color, after all.

“Go on.”

“But before the other teachers could say anything, the whole issue was resolved! The bullies had
apologized, and there hasn’t been another incident since.”

Likely the work of Lilia or Diana. Neither girl seemed the type to just take such treatment without
rebuke. Kevin just hoped they hadn’t gone overboard…

He suppressed a shudder, thinking of the havoc that Lilia could spread just by swinging a stick
around. She and her sisters were already abnormally strong, so he had to have faith in them to
hold back. Oh man, the thought of some stupid kid pissing off Lilia or Diana and becoming a red
stain in the carpet… At least Shana wouldn’t do it, right? Right?

“Sir?”

That woke him up, “No, it’s nothing. So their doing well in school; that’s good. Do they have a
healthy social life?”

The teacher looked thoughtful for a moment, before nodding, “In my opinion, yes. They don’t
shun contact, and they get along well with most of their peers and teachers. They seem especially
close with a certain group…”

“Takamachi Nanoha and company?” He would have a honest guess, but the answer was rather
obvious.

“Yes! Did they tell you about them?”

“I work for Takamachi’s parents, and I’ve known the child and her family for a long time now.”

“Oh! The restaurant?”

“Yes.”

“Many of the students and faculty are intrigued by the girls’ lunches. I suppose you’re to thank
for that?”

Kevin shrugged, “I just want to give them the best I can, so they can live their lives how they
wish. If that means waking up early to get lunch and breakfast made, so be it.”

The instructor had a proud smile at that, “Those girls are lucky to have you.”

Kevin shook his head with a small, happy smile of his own, “No. I’m the lucky one.”

==

With the afternoon sun setting, three girls sat about in their room in varying forms of activity. Ever
the diligent type, Shana had her attention in the day’s lessons, her notes carefully and clearly
written. Diana was in a similar position, but with papers pertaining to student activities and events.
And last but not least, Lilia filled the room with a happy tune as she worked on her own paper:
doodling! Yes, the alligator that’s supposed to be a dog but also looks like a koala with dental
problems and look I don’t know what it really is either, okay? It’s just weird.

Through their closed door, they could hear the front door open.

“He’s home~!” Lilia sang, dropping her pen and dashing for the door. Food~! Food~! Kevin’s
home and that means food~!

Diana grabbed her hand and stopped her, however, “Wait, there’s someone else…”

They fell silent, listening carefully for some sort of sound. At first, they only heard footsteps, but
finally, a voice.

“Are they home?”

That… was not Kevin speaking, and definitely an unfamiliar voice.

“No. They’re out for a school project.”

Now that was Kevin, but it was odd: why would he lie about their presence?

“Well, even better! Because what I need to discuss with you needs to remain private!”

“What could be so important about them but does not need their attention?”

“Ahh, well, it concerns their potential futures, you see. I had hoping you could listen to an idea
my superiors and I had for Material-S, Material-L, and Material-D.”

Right there, Shana decided she did not like this person. He knew who they really were, and he
called them by their original identities.

“Ne, why did that guy call us that? Don’t we have real names?” Lilia whispered, though she was
hushed without getting an answer.

“They have names, Lieutenant. I would prefer that you use them,” it seemed Kevin shared the
disapproval.

“Oh, right. You gave them names. In any case, I am here representing certain individuals in the
Time-Space Administration Bureau. They are very interested in the Material’s future career paths,
and they are willing to help them reach high ranks within the Bureau, provided that they serve a
period of time under their supervision. There are already plans written up for how they will
progress, and all we need is for your assistance in guiding them into this path.”

“Oh, really? Well, that does sound like a nice future,” Kevin’s reply was in complete deadpan,
not even trying to mask his disinterest. “Why should I follow along?”

“Well, you get a portion of aid from us, do you not? Agreeing would increase that aid; though
there could be complications should you not give a satisfactory answer. You see, there are many
forces out there, forces that the Bureau struggle everyday with. It is because of our watchful
vigilance that people like you can live in peaceful harmony. That peace is easily shattered,
however, unless there are strong people to fight back. Lead by strong leaders, the strength we
are looking for may be found in your daughters, but only with proper command and leadership.
We can help with that, if they agree to serve us.”

“Uh huh…? And?”

“Do you not realize how much power they have?! They are as powerful, if not more so, than the
clone of Testarossa and the Book of Darkness girl! There is much that can be done with all that
strength! They just need someone to tell them what to do! Power is everything, you realize? You
cannot go anywhere without more power!”

“Lieutenant, I appreciate what the Bureau has done in setting up everything I now enjoy and I
think I understand how much ‘power’ my daughters have, but if you don’t get your hands off me,
I will break you in half,” the last part was growled out, like a wolf bearing its fangs.

“Hmph.”

“And those girls have names too. Use them,” no longer a request, but a demand.

“Yes yes, whatever. In any case, I do hope you consider the possibility. We had done much to
help establish the life you have now, and we hope you could repay us back somehow. We would
not want something terrible to happen to you or your precious home, yes? There is so much that
can happen without our overwatch protecting you, you know? And what if someone were to
decide your home is inadequate? We wouldn’t want your precious family broken up so early,
right?”

Behind the door, Shana tensed up at the blatant threat. A strong grip on her shoulder kept her
from moving, however, while Lilia below her was struggling not to break down the walls. Wait,
and listen. The silent message between the three of them.

“Hmm… I believe my answer will be no. I will not consider it. I am not so stupid as to not see
that what you ‘offer’ is a bullshit situation. Also, the pension we get is from a different group than
the Bureau, so you’re just full of crap. I’d like you to leave now.”

A long period of silence, then an impatient tone, “Perhaps you did not hear me right: you don’t
have a choice in this matter.”

“…Is that what you really believe, Lieutenant?”

“Now, listen here you—”

They could not see it, but they heard the sound of flesh striking against marble, followed by
sickening crack. A second, meatier thwack against stone made the girls tense up, readying to
move. A quiet whimper gave them pause. Then, they heard their father speak.

“No. You listen to me. You come into my home, speaking rubbish and throwing around
empty threats, treating those girls as if they were nothing but objects, and think me an idiot not to
realize any of this. I do not appreciate such disrespect,” Kevin spoke in a quiet, controlled
tone; yet, the cold rage laced into every word he spoke was difficult to ignore. “I don’t know
how they do things in the Bureau, but where I come from, that kind of horseshit is unacceptable.
I am not part of the Bureau, and this world has nothing to do with your organization. You have
no power here, nor do you have any form of authority over any of us. Diana, Shana, Lilia, those
are their names, and they will not be forced into anything; they are free to choose whatever path
they wish. Should they decide to join the Bureau later on, I will support them. If they choose
something else, I will support them. And I will not let some worthless fuckwit sack of shit like you
or anyone else from your dickless organization to tell me or them what to do. You don’t scare me,
Lieutenant; you just piss me the hell off.”

Uneven, shaky footsteps. The Lieutenant’s voice cracked as he spoke,

“J-Just who the h-hell do you think you are?!”

“I am a father to three girls whom I promised to love and care for as my own,” Kevin replied
unhesitant, “I am a man who will do anything to ensure his daughters’ happiness. And I am
someone two steps from defending his home and family from an unwelcomed intruder.”

The metallic scrape of a sharp blade being drawn was the loudest, most terrifying sound the girls
had ever heard. In all their experience in combat and fighting, there was never a sound so sinister
and menacing. Shana fought to stop a shiver, though she felt her blue-haired sister shake. Diana’s
hand was almost crushing her shoulder.

“Leave, Lieutenant. Get the hell out of my home.”

A strange grunt, a mix of fear and frustration, followed by hurried footsteps and the slam of the
front door. Quietly, hesitantly, the three girls crept out of their room. They saw him, their father,
leaning against the kitchen counter, long chef’s knife still gripped in his right hand. Slowly, Kevin
turned his attention to them.

“Did you hear all of that?” he asked, sounding far more worn out than he had ever been in his
entire life.

Lilia was first to nod, soon followed by Shana and Diana.

He sighed. A long, slow, tired sigh.

“Well, that’s fine, I suppose,” he looked at the knife in his hand, grimacing at its presence. With
uncharacteristic sloppiness, he slapped the thing back onto its magnetic resting spot. Turning
back to his girls, he gave them a weary smile, “I’ve no will to cook tonight, so you girls want to
eat out? Let’s get some steaks! I hear the new family restaurant that opened up nearby,
Wagnaria, is really good, and we could call Nanoha, Yuuno, and the others to see if they want to
co—”

The chef was interrupted when Lilia suddenly ran up and hugged him tightly around the waist,
burying her head into his belly. Diana was soon to follow, taking up the space next to Lilia. Shana
stood there, watching, with an unreadable expression and tears in her eyes. Slowly, she smiled, as
if realizing something she had always known. She dashed into to join her sisters.

Home Made “Kazoku”

Lieutenant didn't know about the first rule about taking one's daughters it seems:

Thou Shalt Not Invite The Ire Of Papa Bear Lest You Desire Thy Balls Cleaved Off

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Lieutenant didn't know about the first rule about taking one's daughters it seems:

Thou Shalt Not Invite The Ire Of Papa Bear Lest You Desire Thy Balls Cleaved Off

First rule of family: You don't fuck with the parents or elder siblings.

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

This can only go 2 ways: The happy-canon-ending-where-everyone-lived-ever-after, or the realistic pissed-off-superiors-whose-actions-created-half-of-the-worlds-villains angst more associated with the pre-StrikerS era.

I should thank Tempy for giving Athena motivation to start researching stuff about the bureau. I was wondering about a reason for that.

[MeisterBabylon]

People, people, TV dramas don't show the lower income group to be oppressed for no good reason you know...

If the higher-ups desired it hard enough, nothing realistic will stop them. Though realistically, this could become the custody battle of the century! John Graham type of court actions! State VS the Man in the Backwater! The backstabbing and underhanded nature of the pre-Jail Bureau can be explored!

Oh the tasty noir!! :3

[Saint X]

I have some ideas about Bureau Factionalism as well- including the bureaucraziness of certain decisions leading up to the Jail Fail

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

People, people, TV dramas don't show the lower income group to be oppressed for no good reason you know...

If the higher-ups desired it hard enough, nothing realistic will stop them. Though realistically, this could become the custody battle of the century! John Graham type of court actions! State VS the Man in the Backwater! The backstabbing and underhanded nature of the pre-Jail Bureau can be explored!

Oh the tasty noir!! :3

Kevin has a good point though. The bureau really does have nothing to say on the matter. The girls are living on Japanese soil under Japanese nationalities. The bureau has no right to take them away legally, and doing so could be classified as an act of kidnapping at best, but with the political implications it could theoretically be classified as an act of invasion, due to the TSAB exerting their authority on foreign soil.

The most they could do is cut their funding. Anything beyond that is an empty threat, legally speaking.

[MeisterBabylon]

I'm pretty sure reclassifying them as Class-S threats would easily warrant a transfer into better care.

That said, unlike the real Aces, the Materials have no qualms about blasting Bureau officials until it sticks if they come for them. I think that will be the biggest factor in any plan to reassign the girls.

But then there's as you said, Athena finds out about the Bureau, Diana plots the next phase of conquest, Lilia comes along for the ride like any good berserker does, and Shana picking up after all of them. Whether Kevin likes it or not, Inception has been made. The girls will join the TSAB.

Ironically, that will eventually cost the Lieutenant and his higher-ups everything (oh don't worry the rest of the Bureau will be fine), if what I envision takes place. :3

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by MeisterBabylon

I'm pretty sure reclassifying them as Class-S threats would easily warrant a transfer into better care.

Warrant, maybe, but that still would face several problems. First of, the reclassification itself. I don't buy that everyone in the bureau except for the main cast is an asshole, so the decision itself would yield a lot of question marks from a lot of officials.

This would mean that the classification would need to be proven. Not an easy task considering the girls aren't homocidal maniacs who kill, pillage and burn everything in their immediate surroundings. Even Diana is more talk than substance in that department.

So let's assume the investigation proceeds, this would then have to face the counter-investigation intend on proving that the girls aren't threats. This investigation would be a lot more successful, and would debunk the majority of the points the former investigation would raise.

And then, assuming they manage to overcome all these difficulties, they have to face the girls themselves. As you pointed out, they really don't have much of a problem continuously blasting everyone that comes for them, and since their big sisters are on their side, the bureau can't count on the magical wonderteam to help them out here.

Of course, if the TSAB is planning this they better hurry up and do it now. Given enough time to understand the political climate, Athena is practically praying for the TSAB to try and pull this. It's a wonky political road they're taking, balancing on the edges of their morals and standards. Even the slightest kick would spark voices of malcontent from the masses, and Athena tends to use sledgehammers instead of kicks.

[MeisterBabylon]

And this is why I said the pre-Jail Bureau created half of the problems the current Administration is still cleaning up.

[stormturmoil]

Unfortunate Problem: these are Book-of-Darkness-Class Lost Logia as far as the Bureau are concerned, and there's no Gil Graham with his own damage limitation plan for them to Obfuscate the Bureau.

The Moment the Bureau thinks they have even the remotest reason to doubt they're anything but totally under control, The Bureau wil Arc-En-Ciel them first and bother about the mess later.

Remember, despite the fact that Gil Graham, the alleged Commanding Officer of the Bureau Navy at that time had an alternative plan, and in spite of the fact that Earth is a non-administrated world, , the Bureau's first response was to immediately sanction the Use of the Arc-En-Ciel on a heavily populated area despite the certainty of huge collateral damage and massive civilian casualties.

That was for One girl with one book. There's more than one such here...

Just Playing Devil's Advocate here, but ultimately, somebody is going to have to call in a lot of favours to make sure it never gets that far

All the while our friend the liuetenant is going to be doidng their level best to make sure it does, of course...

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

Remember, despite the fact that Gil Graham, the alleged Commanding Officer of the Bureau Navy at that time had an alternative plan, and in spite of the fact that Earth is a non-administrated world, , the Bureau's first response was to immediately sanction the Use of the Arc-En-Ciel on a heavily populated area despite the certainty of huge collateral damage and massive civilian casualties.

Actually, the bureau's first response was to immediately make sure that an if-all-else-fails solution was installed. The Arc-En-Ciel was a method shown to at least stop the darn thing in the past, but when push came to shove, they still went with an untested plan with an unknown chance of success, cooked up by three nine year olds rather than Arc an unadministered planet.

Arc-En-Ciel was a last resort, not a first. The bureau merely had the forethought to make sure that last resort was available.

So no, the bureau won't just Arc the planet unless they're really really sure there is no other option, and are absolutely sure the alternative would be much much worse. Like I said, I don't buy that everyone in the bureau except for the main cast is an asshole, so the decision to label the girls as a threat itself would yield a lot of question marks from a lot of officials.

[stormturmoil]

Except that Gil Graham, who was allegeldy in charge, had already outlined a no-casualties (Bar Hayate, who as far as anybody Could Know was a casualty in any case) alternative plan, yet the Bureau Officers on the scene rejected it out of hand in Favour of Arcing the Planet (complete with requisite collateral and casualties) on the basis of legal technicalities.

The only reason the untested plan was even attempted was because it ultimately posed no ultimate risk to the success of the Arc En-Ciel plan-if it hadn't worked, they'd have simply Arced Earth as planned.

In any case, If the Bureau tries Force on the materials, they Will resist (unless they can be convinced by somebody they trust to go quietly)

If they do resist, that's all the rope the Bureau Needs; And it's unlikely in the extreme that the Bureau has mage assets who could easily take the Materials who would cooperate with such a plan (the groups we can be pretty sure of could do it, wouldn't agree to do it)

In the abscence of Mage assets on the ground who can pacify and retrieve the Materials, what's the Bureau's alternative? (Remembering that Bureau Policy is to Finish all Lost Logia Incidents-with the least loss of life possible- but to Finish them)

I don't like it either, but in the end, Kevin's being Undiplomatic with the Bureau could quite easily result in the BUreau being undiplomatic with Kevin...

And the Bureau has the means to engage in Gunboat UnDiplomacy.

[Evil Rick]

Spoiler for :

Bios and more characters coming soon!

[MeisterBabylon]

I'm with Keroko; the TSAB aren't assholes, and they wouldn't use it as a first resort.

However, as sturm said, if they can't get the girls, and someone pushes the envelope hard enough, the Materials will make a mistake somewhere; its not like Athena is there keeping them all in line, all the time. Things can boil to a head once either side's survival is threatened.

But don't worry; we got Captain Picard and the Enterprise for this.

[Tempy]

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

I don't like it either, but in the end, Kevin's being Undiplomatic with the Bureau could quite easily result in the BUreau being undiplomatic with Kevin...

And the Bureau has the means to engage in Gunboat UnDiplomacy.

Nah, that's called bullying from a shady individual representing a shady official to get into some shady business. The TSAB itself was not wholly or fairly represented by said suspicious man. Should this actually escalate into a full-blown incident, the Bureau may have to contend with a pushy Admiral and her friends, her son, a certain Befriender of Doom, a certain clone of a mad genius, a certain girl with knights and a book o' spells, three (possibly more) displeased sisters, and a ferret.

And possibly this classy lady.

[Kyral]

Exactly. There are a lot of nice admirals in the fleet. Even though Pre-Strikers TSAB enjoys some shady parts.

Finaly was able to read the Side Dishes, really nice storys.
I still am a noob about the Materials, as I only scratched together information about them from all over the internet, but I got al least enough to get what they are.

Now I can't wait for the next part. ^^

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

Except that Gil Graham, who was allegeldy in charge, had already outlined a no-casualties (Bar Hayate, who as far as anybody Could Know was a casualty in any case) alternative plan, yet the Bureau Officers on the scene rejected it out of hand in Favour of Arcing the Planet (complete with requisite collateral and casualties) on the basis of legal technicalities.

The only reason the untested plan was even attempted was because it ultimately posed no ultimate risk to the success of the Arc En-Ciel plan-if it hadn't worked, they'd have simply Arced Earth as planned.

No he didn't, Chrono rejected the plan because it had a single innocent casualty. Hayate. The only reason they went with the untested plan was because it's success would have a zero-damage, zero-casualty rate.

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

In any case, If the Bureau tries Force on the materials, they Will resist (unless they can be convinced by somebody they trust to go quietly)

If they do resist, that's all the rope the Bureau Needs; And it's unlikely in the extreme that the Bureau has mage assets who could easily take the Materials who would cooperate with such a plan (the groups we can be pretty sure of could do it, wouldn't agree to do it)

In the abscence of Mage assets on the ground who can pacify and retrieve the Materials, what's the Bureau's alternative? (Remembering that Bureau Policy is to Finish all Lost Logia Incidents-with the least loss of life possible- but to Finish them)

I don't like it either, but in the end, Kevin's being Undiplomatic with the Bureau could quite easily result in the BUreau being undiplomatic with Kevin...

And the Bureau has the means to engage in Gunboat UnDiplomacy.

And that's the point: The bureau wouldn't even force the materials in the first place. Labeling them as threats that should be locked away or used would already give rise to voices of disagreement and questions in the organization itself. People will ask why it is needed? Are these girls are really a threat?

And again: The bureau has no diplomatic right to force anything on these girls. It's a political storm waiting to happen the moment a malicious voice lets word get out that the TSAB is invading planets and kidnapping children to transform into diabolical weapons. The political implications to this are far more reaching than you're thinking here. Someone with the right mindset can use this to start a huge mess against the bureau.

Your implications assume that the TSAB has full authority to do what they're doing. But the point is that they don't. The girls are for all intents and purposes Japanese citizens of earth. They are not under the TSAB's sphere of influence, the TSAB can't exert any political rights on them. Anything they'd do to this girls would be a violation of the most basic concepts of diplomacy.

No matter how much you want to push it, the TSAB at large are a happy-hippy bunch. There's a few assholes here and there, but for the larger part they're not a shady organization that would casually nuke planets and gives fuck-all to diplomacy. The lieutenant is one of those assholes in question, but the moment he tries anything on these girls he will stumble on a lot of opposition. And not just the members of the cast, but the majority of the TSAB itself will swat him down like the arrogant fly he is.

[stormturmoil]

Originally Posted by Keroko

No he didn't, Chrono rejected the plan because it had a single innocent casualty. Hayate. The only reason they went with the untested plan was because it's success would have a zero-damage, zero-casualty rate.

The untested plan wasn't even on the table when Gil Graham's Plan was rejected out of hand in favour of Straight Arcing with all attendent collateral. The untested Plan was only suggested After Arcing had been approved

As for Hayate: As far as anybody could know, she was a Casualty either way: either the book would kill her, or the Arc would. That she would manage to seize administrative rights over the book wasn't something that could have been predicted (neither Chrono, Lieze, Lotte or Gil Graham, the so-called experts, anticipated that)

Plus which, wasn't the whole point of Gil Graham's plan that Hayate Wouldn't be killed (which would have set off the Reincarnation Program and started the whole chase up again) but rather frozen into cryogenic cold sleep? Suspended animation, in other words. No death equals no reincarnation Program activation, and the book can't get away. At which point Gil Graham's idea was to put it in a safe place. Chrono's rather spurious argument was that there was no place safe enough; this compared to Arcing it, thereby causing it to reincarnate who knows where, in who knows who's hands, as if that's better.

So, Rather than accept a plan which puts an otherwise doomed girl (death by book or death by Arc, you choose) Into a non-lethal state and removes the need to use a weapon of mass destruction on a heavily inhabitated stretch of land on a Non-Administrated world; Chrono, acting for the Bureau, instead condemned Hayate to death (Based on everything he could know at that point) AND also forced the necessity to use the Arc-En-Ciel on said stretch of heavily inhabited Stretch of land ona Non-Administrated World.

He's just lucky that:
1: Hayate Managed to Seize control of the book (thus getting her death by his actions off his conscience)
2: Asked the assorted bods gathered for an alternative to a straight Arc, thus getting The Plan
and 3: That it worked.

Originally Posted by Keroko

And that's the point: The bureau wouldn't even force the materials in the first place. Labeling them as threats that should be locked away or used would already give rise to voices of disagreement and questions in the organization itself. People will ask why it is needed? Are these girls are really a threat?

Depends partly on their actions, however, simply Being classified (technically) as Lost Logia Automatically classes them as a potential threat. They may not be classified as actively dangerous (like those at the StrikerS Auction Sting) but they'll probaby be on a monitoring list

Originally Posted by Keroko

And again: The bureau has no diplomatic right to force anything on these girls. It's a political storm waiting to happen the moment a malicious voice lets word get out that the TSAB is invading planets and kidnapping children to transform into diabolical weapons. The political implications to this are far more reaching than you're thinking here. Someone with the right mindset can use this to start a huge mess against the bureau.

The Bureau Had no diplomatic right to interfere with the business of Non-Administrated world 97 in either the Jewel seed Case Or the book of Darkness case...Except that Lost Logia, by their rules, automatically gives them that right...and that responsibilty. They don't only consider themselves to have the right to interfere, they consider themselves duty bound by their own rules to do so!

Now, granted, the fact that the Materials are kids could be a political issue...except so was Fate. So was Vita. The materials are victims? so were the Wolkenritter.

Taking action including imprisonment and quasi-forceful recruitment (as in Join or Jail) to kids seems to be accepted as Bureau Practice. (both were done to Fate, at the time 9-10 apparent age, actual age ?). Of course, first there'd need to be a charge to answer, but Fate was going to trial, and Did get sentenced even with mitigating Factors Albeit leniently), so it seems the best idea is for the Materials to keep their noses clean.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Your implications assume that the TSAB has full authority to do what they're doing. But the point is that they don't. The girls are for all intents and purposes Japanese citizens of earth. They are not under the TSAB's sphere of influence, the TSAB can't exert any political rights on them. Anything they'd do to this girls would be a violation of the most basic concepts of diplomacy.

Except that Lost Logia trumps Prime Directive in every case we see: If this weren't the case, then the Bureau should've (could've, would've) Simply left Earth to be destroyed in either the Jewel Seeds case (Yuuno notwithstanding, Precia attacking a Bureau ship and forcing the issue notwithstanding) Or the Book of Darkness case.
Instead, in both they effectively mounted what amounts to an Insurgency Op onto a Non-Administrated world to pursue their own agenda without regard to the rights of the planet in question.

And the Girls ARE Lost Logia. Whether they are Dangerous Lost Logia is another matter (we know there are non-hazardous classed Lost Logia from the StrikerS Auction Sting Op); better hope they behave when the Bureau inspection committees come round.

Ultimately, The Fact that they are Lost Logia pretty much Guarantees the Bureau will want to keep track of them; if they try for anything more will depend on the overall behaviour and any reports of dangerous/unusual behaviour from the girls.

Originally Posted by Keroko

No matter how much you want to push it, the TSAB at large are a happy-hippy bunch. There's a few assholes here and there, but for the larger part they're not a shady organization that would casually nuke planets and gives fuck-all to diplomacy. The lieutenant is one of those assholes in question, but the moment he tries anything on these girls he will stumble on a lot of opposition. And not just the members of the cast, but the majority of the TSAB itself will swat him down like the arrogant fly he is.

Just saying, there's minimum standards the Bureau may refuse to go under; they may at least reserve the right to send social workers round periodically to make sure the girls aren't being mistreated (and vice versa), and they may want to put a magic monitor in place to alert them to any ontoward surges of magical power, be they deliberate or otherwise (since after all, the Girls could be quite capable of causing serious damage with their magic even accidentally; Not that it would be their fault necessarily, mind, but accidents happen.)

After all, Even Nanoha, Fate and Hayate/WolkenRitter got probation when first discovered.

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

The untested plan wasn't even on the table when Gil Graham's Plan was rejected out of hand in favour of Straight Arcing with all attendent collateral. The untested Plan was only suggested After Arcing had been approved

Arcing was approved, but a last option when all other options failed. Fact remains that Chrono shut down Graham's plan because Hayate, one little girl, would suffer from it. Chrono was completely unwilling to do endanger even a single life until all options were exhausted.

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

Plus which, wasn't the whole point of Gil Graham's plan that Hayate Wouldn't be killed (which would have set off the Reincarnation Program and started the whole chase up again) but rather frozen into cryogenic cold sleep? Suspended animation, in other words. No death equals no reincarnation Program activation, and the book can't get away.

I'm sorry if the difference between 'frozen for all eternity' and 'death' seems to be a little vague to me.

Originally Posted by stormturmoil

Just saying, there's minimum standards the Bureau may refuse to go under; they may at least reserve the right to send social workers round periodically to make sure the girls aren't being mistreated (and vice versa), and they may want to put a magic monitor in place to alert them to any ontoward surges of magical power, be they deliberate or otherwise (since after all, the Girls could be quite capable of causing serious damage with their magic even accidentally; Not that it would be their fault necessarily, mind, but accidents happen.)

After all, Even Nanoha, Fate and Hayate/WolkenRitter got probation when first discovered.

Nanoha never got probation. Maybe in novel-verse, but in animeverse there's no sign of anything like that happening. Hell, Lindy blatantly gave her the choice to opt out on the whole magic thing and let the bureau handle things, it was purely Nanoha's choice to stick with the bureau. The Wolkies got probation for, well, being criminals whereas Hayate voluntarily accepted being a part of the trial (the whole 'we're a family, so all are to blame' shtick).

That just leaves Fate, who had neither the excuse of being mind-controlled (Vivio), nor the excuse of being ignorant of the situation (Hayate). And even then she was left out of the trial with a slap on the wrist. Her joining the bureau was, again, her own choice.

I mean, lets count. Aside from the above mentioned cases, we have the numbers. All they got was social rehabilitation, after that 3 of them were let go to join the church (one that is not even that closely affiliated with the TSAB, mind) and four more went living with one of the TSAB's officers. The only ones that got actual sentence? Those that practically said 'I'll just continue doing what we did if you let me go.'

Agito was pretty much free to go, and only stuck around because of Lutecia, who was only there for rehabilitation. Lutecia herself was retired to an uninhabited planet with her mother. I know the argument, but really, considering what she has access to on that planet, calling it imprisonment makes me argue the meaning of the term.

Vivio, being mind-controlled by the enemy, didn't receive any punishment at all.

Moving on to Vivid, we are given Einhart, who after attacking people on the streets, merely gets a slap on the wrist and gets send off to do her thing, despite being an heir to one of the notorious rulers of Belka and his martial art.

Going by the TSAB's track record, if you're a being who was artificially created and forced a purpose or nobody got killed during the fighting, as long as you say you're sorry you're pretty much free to go. The Materials fall into this category. They were created for a purpose, defeated, had no more purpose, the TSAB looked at them and said 'well, if we can get someone to care for them, they can grow up to be normal girls' and left them to do just that.

The lost logia cases were indeed cases of diplomatic questionability, however the excuses for acting without permission are far more reasonable, being that the entire world was at stake. The Materials are safe, pacified, and are being worked into society. There is no excuse to pull them off the planet. If they go berserk and start killing people, then we can start talking about pulling them off earth for the safety of the planet, but before that? No. For all intents and purposes, they are now Japanese girls. The bureau even agreed to this.

And this is the important factor. The majority voice of the TSAB already gave the go ahead sign for the girls to grow up as normal girls on earth. Our dear lieutenant is a minority here, otherwise Kevin would never have gotten parentage over these girls, and they'd have been taken to Mid to be used as weapons to begin with. Again, the TSAB isn't filled with assholes. The most resistance to labeling the Materials as a threat and transporting them off-world would come from within the TSAB itself.

The TSAB has already said 'we're letting these girls grow up as normal Japanese girls.' Will they keep an eye on them? Sure. In fact, they are keeping an eye on them. Kevin, Chrono, Yuuno are already keeping an eye on them. At school Nanoha, Fate and Hayate keep an eye on them, and we know from the manga that the crew of the Arthra also keeps an eye on things. So yes, they keep an eye on things. Will they go ahead and rip these girls out of Kevin's arms? No. They let that chance slip the moment they allowed these girls to go free. The bureau did hold a momentum of power over these girls when they were first arrested. However, the moment the bureau agreed to let these girls integrate into Japanese society and allowed them to obtain Japanese nationality, they let go any and all right to force anything on these girls without permission.

[NorthernFallout]

2 chapters to go...

Spoiler for Vengeance on Darkness 5; The Town:

Leviathan let the warm air currents carry his massive body in the air, only moving his gigantic wings when necessary. From the grand view he had so far up, stretching to the mountains in the north and the plains to the south, what appeared beneath him was only scorched earth and ruins.

Brynstride... It's been a long time since I was last here.

He began his descent and as he got lower the squalls from his wings stirred the thick carpet of dust with increasing vigour. He landed next by a huge building with a few spires still standing, though they had been cut in half and had begun to show their age. The outer walls had lost their colours and here and there holes gaped open. They all looked as if the lightest of gales could send them tumbling down.

Right after landing he transformed back into his human shape, shadows still trailing in his wake, and entered the structure through the main gate. Its roof was still there, but just barely. While there were some holes in it, the supporting beams were still intact, though slightly bent and rotten.

How far this building has fallen... Yet this is the place. She will come here, I'm certain of it.

Leviathan settled down on a wooden bench in a scorched garden, in the middle of the Academy. A cupola of glass seemed to have been the roof over this garden, but it was now a shadow of its former glory. Pieces of glass were still stuck to the steel frame, bending the sun's rays as they fell down into the garden, and rust was fruitful throughout the frame.

Leviathan began to fade until he disappeared from view, entering the world of the shadows. He would sit there and wait patiently, until Clara arrived.

*

Brynstride had once been surrounded by a great river that flowed down from the snowy mountains in the north. The water had been clear and safe to drink for the hundreds of years Brynstride had been standing, and it had been one of the primary reasons the town had been established there in the first place. At a time when flowing water was a much needed resource, the people of Brynstride were fortunate to have this resource in such glistering abundance. From the humble settlement blessed with this mighty river rose a town of great renown. Such was Brynstride and the Academy that grew along with it was its greatest source of pride and fame.

Now, the river was only mud. The bridge that led over it into Brynstride itself was still standing, but its wooden planks were so rotten that they might break if one touched them. There were no magical platforms to upheld any extra weight, as they had fallen long ago into the river when they'd stop functioning, and the stone foundations was also riddled with cracks and other scars of age. It was on the other side of this bridge that Clara stood with Reinforce next to her, scouring their surroundings.

"So that's Brynstride," Reinforce mumbled and threw a glance at Clara. The Icebreaker didn't say anything as she looked at the stone walls on the other side with a slight frown on her face.

"How long has it been since you were last here?"

"I haven't been back ever since I left when the Dark King destroyed everything. This is the first time since then." Clara's voice was thick and she seemed to have trouble spelling it out. "Reinforce, can you fly again?"

"Ah, yes, Master."

"Then carry me over the river."

From Reinforce's back the black wings appeared once again, with black magical particles flying out and dissolving into the air. She picked up Clara in her arms and jumped into the air with a flick of her wings. As like last time, Clara was a bit uncomfortable about the experience, but didn't say anything.

The momentum carried them over the river, over the stone wall and down onto a street on the other side where they landed. After putting Clara down, Reinforce could not help but take a sharp breath at the scene inside the walls. From a distance it had looked bad. Up close it was even worse.

"The road splits in two," Clara said and pointed to the right. "Over there was the resident district. To the left, the markets."

Clara didn't say anything else and took the right road. Reinforce followed without uttering a word, but her face spoke volumes.

Alongside the road were burnt houses with their gardens destroyed. It was if something had made a template and had run it all over the entire district, as no buildings still stood intact. Everything had been scorched by flames or crushed under a massive weight. The air was fresh after so many years, but in some places they could smell a faint scent of something burnt and dead.

After walking for a few minutes Clara suddenly stopped and bent down, picking something up from the street.

"What's that?" Reinforce asked behind Clara's back.

"A doll. Without a head though." Clara fell silent. She clenched her fist around the doll for a second, before she tossed it into the ruins without saying a word. She started walking again without looking back.

"Master..."

After reaching the end of the resident district, they came upon a fountain in the middle of a crossroad. No water flowed through the broken sculpture that seemed to be missing an arm, a leg and some other limbs. It seemed to be in the shape of a man with wings on his back, but without the missing pieces it was impossible to tell.

"The Academy isn't far from here," Clara said and marched on, ignoring the fountain. She didn't want to stop and reminisce here, not in these parts of Brynstride. There was a special place to do that. "Come on, we can rest for the night there."

"Yes, Master."

To get to the Academy they had to go through the education district, which had housed a variety of schools and practice fields. A few trees still stood next to the road, but they were also burnt halfway-down. They were arranged in a straight line and Reinforce could imagine how beautiful it had been when they'd bloomed in the spring. Flowers would have decorated the branches before falling onto the pavement, painting it in a wide arrangement of colours.

Now everything was just black and grey. She was uncertain if the trees would ever bloom again.

A drop on Clara's nose made her turn her head upwards. Dark clouds had begun to amass over the previously blue sky and she could hear a distant rumbling. Far away in the distance the mountains had disappeared behind a wall of rain closing in.

"Great. Just great," Clara mumbled in annoyance.

They began to jog as the rain started to come closer. First it started lightly, but eventually the sky itself opened. It flooded the streets and for every step they took, more water entered their boots and splashed onto their clothes. Though, the rain removed the burnt smell they had felt before and replaced it with a cold freshness that stuck to their skin.

Eventually they managed to reach the Academy itself. They ran up the massive stairs, which was tainted with black scorch marks, and finally managed to get a roof over their heads. The main entrance gaped open, its iron gate showing its age and the tearing from that day. It stood high above their heads, and Clara couldn't quite remember it had been that high the last time she'd stood there.

Though their clothes were soaked, they decided not to stay and rest, and instead ventured deeper into the Academy. The noise of the rain became faint as they entered.

Through the holes in the walls, which had once held coloured windows, Clara could see the destroyed spires still aiming for the sky outside. In the past those spires had been used for flight training and other various magical uses. She fondly remembered the day she'd failed her flight test, dwindling down through the air from that height until her body was caught with a magical net. When she'd tried to get off it, bouncing around uncontrollably, she had been laughed at, though in a light-hearted manner. Not many had managed to pass it and so they all felt sympathy for those who failed. At least from that day onwards she had known what to focus on.

Wandering through the corridors, they soon came upon a broken door with a large hall beckoning from behind it. Since the door was too heavy to move, Clara covered it in ice. It slowly crept over the frames and hinges, allowing the door slowly slide off with a light nudge.

"This is the Garden of Teaching," Clara said as they entered the grand hall where signs of past wildlife could be seen. Far up in the ceiling a broken cupola of glass let the rain fall in. "I used to study here in the afternoons, with the sun shining in from up there. My favourite spot."

They walked over to a lone wooden bench and Clara trailed a hand on its seat. Another fond memory began to boil up at the touch, but she suddenly flinched back. Shadows began to lick the bench and the air almost crackled with powerful magic.

"Master!" Reinforce pulled Clara back and stepped in front of her. A small blue shield went up in front of them. Clara could feel the Tome in her backpack vibrating as if it was preparing to fight, probably on the command of Reinforce. If she gave the word her Knights would come forth, ready for combat.

The shadows began to swirl around in a chaotic dance. The few raindrops that came down pierced the shadows for a short instance before they built themselves back again. Eventually a shape began to form, sitting on the bench.

"Clara Statfield. You took a while," said the man who had appeared. His face, and the rest of his body, were hidden by a thick cloak. At the end of his legs, shadows instead of feet lingered restlessly.

"Who the hell are you?" Clara retorted, her mind boiling with rage at the shadow creature's intrusion.

"I am Leviathan, a Dragon Lord. I obey my master, the Dark King."

Clara flinched at the Dark King's mention. "What do you want, Dragon Lord?"

"I have a message to you, my lady. A message straight from the Dark King herself." His voice seemed to echo as he spoke, fading into the background at every word. Clara thought she could sense a smile under the cloak.

"A message?"

"The King says that you should turn back now and spare yourself unnecessary suffering. Continuing on your journey of revenge will only bring you despair."

Clara grimaced and clenched a fist. "Get the fuck out of this place now. I don't want your presence to taint this Academy."

"Do you truly believe you can defeat the Dark King, my lady?" Leviathan said, a hint of pity in his voice. "Our assertions were correct. You are extremely stubborn. Still, all of this is a grave mistake on your part."

Frost had begun to creep on the stone floor and ice shaped itself around Clara's fists. Reinforce was also taking a stance, mumbling an incantation while keeping her shield in front of them.

"If you really think you can take me on, then by all means, go ahead. But first... Are you absolutely certain that the Tome, or rather, that woman over there, has been truthful to you?"

"The hell are you talking about?" Clara sneered. She glanced over at Reinforce, who wasn't facing her. She couldn't tell her expression.

"The Tome is an extremely powerful ally... Or a treacherous instrument. Haven't you wondered why you were chosen by it? What do you have that no one else does? Why do you think you are so powerful?"

"Do not underestimate me!"

"I'm not. Actually, I'm perfectly aware of how far you can go. But whatever you may think, it isn't far enough. The Tome made a mistake. You are not the chosen one. This is your last chance to go back."

"Shut up!"

Clara released a stream of projectiles heading for Leviathan. Reinforce at the same time unleashed her dark magical beams. They curved through the air in an unpredictable pattern until they hit Leviathan, who barely moved. A black shield sparkled beneath the particles as they dispersed.

"I'll have you know, Icebreaker, that I am a mere pawn before the Dark King," Leviathan said. "My power triumphs yours, yet I stand defeated against my master."

Clara didn't give him the pleasure to a response and increased the hail of projectiles. Meanwhile, Reinforce resorted to another type of beam that tried to get behind Leviathan. Among the onslaught that didn't seem to bother him, Leviathan raised a hand above his head.

"I admire your determination, Icebreaker, I really do. I know you are powerful, but I know you also aren't stupid. Recklessness won't bring Bryinstride back, and it won't certainly bring your parents back. You already lost, Clara! You don't stand a chance!"

A black orb began to form and expanded from Leviathan's open hand. Static filled the chamber and Clara began to decrease the attack. Reinforce gave up her fruitless attempts to break Leviathan's shield and erupted on of her own, enclosing both her and Clara. The Tome, still in Clara's backpack vibrated so much it almost rattled her body, but she didn't release her Knights.

His questions rebounded inside Clara's head. The seconds that passed began to infuse doubt in her mind and she awkwardly looked at Reinforce's back.

He's lying. She's saved my life and always did what I ordered her to. The Knights gave their life for me... It can't be a mistake, she decided. It's a ploy to stop me!

"I don't believe any word you said!" Clara screamed. Leviathan tilted his head and brought down his hand which held the black orb. "You are all trying to fool me! It's what the Dark King does, she plants doubts and lies!"

"Please, Icebreaker, see reason!" Leviathan yelled in an almost sincere tone that put Clara off. It was almost as if he cared.

"No! Let me finish all this! I won't believe anything you say!"

Leviathan didn't do anything for a few seconds. Then he clenched his fist and the black orb disappeared. When he spoke again, his voice was far darker than before and echoed through the chamber: "You are making a grave mistake, Icebreaker. Your stubbornness will be your downfall."

Suddenly two gigantic black wings exploded from his back and crashed into the walls on each side of the chamber. The entire structure shook from the impact, but quieted down when he stopped moving.

Reinforce managed to extend her shield's area, surrounding herself and Clara, just before Leviathan transformed into his full size. Filling the entire chamber and with a swoop of his wings, he lifted off the ground. The wind blast collided with Reinforce's shield and knocked them to their knees, though the shield didn't waver.

As Leviathan began to rise, each take with his wings ruptured a new hole into the walls. Clara and Reinforce could hear the building scream in agony all the way up, until Leviathan finally cleared the walls and crushed through the cupola, flying high into the sky. The screaming faded and everything fell quiet with only the noise of small shards of glass being crushed against the floor.

"Are you hurt, Master?" Reinforce asked and checked Clara over just to be certain.

"No. I'm fine." Clara brushed Reinforce's prying hands away and stood up.

A new groan filled the chamber and both of them looked up. The cupola's metal rods were starting to give in, dropping a few inches for every second that passed. The building too began to shake, ripping loose blocks of rock that fell down to the floor.

"We need to get out of here!" Reinforce shouted and grabbed Clara, who was looking upwards into the naked sky gradually revealed, by her hand. However, Reinforce only managed three steps before the shaking intensified and the cupola came crashing down, taking with it the walls that supported the inner structure. Chunks of rock smashed into the floor and spewed out fragments in all directions.

"Master!"

If someone had stood on the outside, the cupola would have been the first thing they would have seen disappear. Then, as if a button had been pressed, crevices raced around the Academy's stone walls, weakening them with each centimetre covered. With a deafening rumbling, the east wall came crashing down, and the rest of the building's walls followed it like dominoes, throwing up dust and trash that littered the air. When the rubble hit the ground it produced an air blast that shot out throughout the town, taking with it anything that hang loose.

The roar continued until only ruins remained of the once glorious Academy. The noise then slowly began to die out, replaced by the constant rain falling onto the earth and a low rumble of thunder in the distant.

*

"Master! Are you hurt? Clara! Clara!"

Clara groaned and turned over on her back. A strong light set upon her eyes and she blinked to make it go away. Her body was aching and her brain was pounding inside her skull.

"Careful, Master."

She sat up and looked at Reinforce kneeling beside her, both worry and relief over her Master's well-being clouding her face. A violent coughing fit forced Clara to catch her breath before speaking. Her throat was dry and burning.

"What... What happened?"

"The Academy collapsed. We were lucky that my shield managed to hold up for as long as it did, but some debris managed to get through and hit you on the head. You were knocked out."

Clara looked around. They were sitting in a pile of ruins, with metal wires, poles and wood planks sticking out from the rubble that covered the entire area. There was nothing left of the Academy. Nothing one could recognize it by at any rate.

"Clara? Are you OK?"

Clara looked down on her open palms with an emotionless face. "Everything is gone now. There's nothing to show what was once here. All the memories..."

Reinforce shuffled closer, but hesitated. She wasn't sure what to do and didn't want to anger or hurt Clara further.

"Everything. I... I don't..."

Reinforce made up her mind and slowly let her arms go around Clara's back. She pressed her towards her chest. She could feel Clara tense up for a brief moment, but then relax again. Clara's shaking also subsided a bit and she took a deep breath before clinging to Reinforce with her own arms.

For the first time in a long, long time, Clara cried.

[Keroko]

Yeah, that... can screw with a persons feelings. The first seeds of doubt have taken root.