[markesellus]

Originally Posted by yuiseppe

Previously:

Spoiler for Teaser (NESFW):

And now, since my hand's been taking steroids behind my back, this finished up quicker than I'd anticipated.

*Ahem*

So, once again: To all the Syn writers/artists, and Keroko.

Spoiler for Virage, baring her soul:

A small moan escaped her throat as Vivio leaned her back against Syn, exhausted.

"Syn, that was unreal," sighed the blonde, breathing deeply.

"Mm," came the response, as Syn smiled a tired but satisfied smile, and tilted her head up towards the ceiling, resting it on Vivio's shoulder.

They were both still breathing a little heavily, their pulses yet to calm down. A small rustling noise caught their attention, and out of the corners of their eyes, they watched a tanned, well-built man reach down to pick up his shirt off the floor.

Technically, he was a familiar. But at that moment, neither of the two girls could think of him as anything other than a man, and an exceptionally talented one at that. Zafira gave them a rare smile when he noticed their fascinated gazes trailing his movements.

"Thank you, Zafira-san," Syn grinned at him, cheeks flushing.

Zafira chuckled, and the gentle rumble caused shivers to run down the girls' spines.

"On the contrary, Syn, I should thank you. Until you showed up, I didn't think Vivio was interested at all."

"That's not exactly true! I'd always been curious ever since I watched Aunty Hayate's videos..." Vivio tried to launch a protest, but her voice trailed away. "But you know, it's a bit ... awkward for me to ask."

Zafira raised an eyebrow, but did not comment. Verbosity was not his game.

"But you were incredible, Zaffy. We had no idea..."

Being called 'Zaffy' after the session was indeed slightly awkward, Zafira admitted inwardly.

"Yeah, I never knew jazz could be this much fun!" Syn sat back up and playfully flicked a string on the Gibson that Hayate sent her for her birthday. They didn't make these babies on Mid-Childa.

"Perhaps," Zafira paused thoughtfully, "next time we can see if the others want to join us."

"Ooh! If Vita can make it, then we can ditch this synthetic AI drum," chimed Vivio enthusiastically.

"And we could use a saxophone too. Who plays a sax?" Blue and red eyes sparkled.

"Signum."

"And trumpet?"

"Signum."

"Trombone?"

"Signum."

"... what doesn't Signum play?"

"The cowbell. Shamal won't let Signum touch a cowbell for some reason."

Zafira slung the bass guitar case over his broad shoulders and smiled again at the two girls. A record number of smiles in one day perhaps, if anyone was keeping track. "Don't forget to lock up when you leave."

After the tall man left the studio, a quiet interlude fell between the two novices, each dwelling dreamily on the past 2 hours.

"Very sexy," Syn concluded.

"I know," Vivio agreed, "His baritone voice... that fingerwork on the bass..."

"Wait, stop. We're not-"

"I know, I'm disturbed too."

--End--

Spoiler for Here it is :D:

What? I don't know what you're talking about you perverts, now STOP UNDRESSING HER with your eyes.

Colour is painful.

Edit: Ooo...first post....

Page Claim for ALL THAT JAZZ

Lol NICE! That was a great tease Yuiseppe. I like how Signum plays like everything. XD Cowbell.

Originally Posted by Evangelion Xgouki

Hmm...I could have sworn I wrote something earlier for this scene...


AH HA! Here it is!

Oh yes I remember! T.T I don't want that happening to either Nanoha or Fate.

Originally Posted by Kagerou

This is... crack. Born from Skype last night, modified into Nanoha.

Spoiler for Listen...:

"Oh, come on!"
"No!"

Hayate, for lack of a better word, was embarrassed. Flustered, even. Few things could do this to the brown-haired twenty-something, but this was definitely one of them.

Staring at the karaoke machine as Nanoha and Fate and her Wolkenritter all fought amongst each other for a song. Any song; something to make Hayate sing. But Hayate didn't want to sing.

The only one on her side was Signum. "Listen, if she does not want to sing, don't make her." Said the pink-haired knight. "Don't embarrass her further; please."

But then Signum grinned. "Although, it would be interesting to hear Mistress Hayate sing..."

"Not you too, Signum!" Hayate cried, a terrified look on her face. Signum just shrugged.

"Nyahaha," Nanoha's unmistakable laugh suddenly erupted. "How about this one, Hayate-chan?" She flicked the screen over to a song.

"Snow... Rain...?" Hayate stared at the picture on the computer screen and flushed. "No~ this is too embarrassing!"

"Hayate-chan is so cute when she's blushing," Fate's grin was out-of-place on her; apparently she, too, had been infected by this desire to force Hayate to sing.

Though, come to think of it, the fact that Nanoha and Fate, and everyone else, were pretty liquored up, which in turn started this whole mess, had something to do with that.

"Mou..." Hayate blushed a bit harder. "I don't like this!"
"Then you must sing, Hayate-chan!" Shamal nudged Hayate in the ribs playfully. "Make us listen to your song!"

"A vacation to Japan was a bad idea," Hayate decided. "Fine, fine, I'll find something to sing! Go sit down!" Shooing off the others (and getting some breathing room), Hayate stared at the computer screen. "Mental note: Never go drinking anywhere there's karaoke, ever again."

To expound:
Hayate in this case would be wanwan.
Hate and Nanoha and Shamal would be Eva, Tempest, and anyone else who attempted to get her to sing.

Signum would be myself, who doesn't believe in forcing people.

(p.s. Kana Ueda Plays Halo 3. Thus, Hayate plays Halo 3 in any fanfic I'll ever write with her in it, ever.)

Lol, nice. Poor Hayate. She plays Halo?

Originally Posted by Evangelion Xgouki

I wonder where these ideas come from sometimes...

Spoiler for Survival Training:

Another day began at the TSAB training grounds. Various training groups were gathered around and performing their morning exercises. All except for one of the newer group of recruits. Today their training plan was a bit different than usual. Instead of physical workouts and basic combat training they were going to spend the day on survival training.

Their instructor had not shown up yet which gave the future Bureau mages time to talk amongst themselves about what the upcoming training would be like.

"Survival training...think they're going to sent us into the wood outside the city?"

"Naw. I think they have some rigorous course they're gonna send us through. You know, the kind with mud pits and stuff."

"I heard from some of the other recruits that this was supposed to be pretty fun."

"Mud pits? Eww..."

"Maybe they're gonna send us to some unpopulated world for a few days!"

"Yea! And maybe with no supplies so we'll really have to use our training!"

"You mean like eat bugs and stuff? My stomach is already protesting that plan..."

Before anymore personal theories could be made known their instructor showed up. Once in formation they were led to one of the transport centers on the base. This only seemed to confirm that they were being sent somewhere off-base for this exercise. The lack of supplies did start to worry some with the earlier conversations of eating bugs and other creepy crawlies. They were, however, provided with basic devices before being sent off one at a time to their mysterious destination.

When the last of the group's 20-some trainees was transported, he found himself in a lightly forested area. It was not really a forest but still had a fair amount of foliage. He could also make out some buildings a few yards away. Some were 3 stories tall at most in various states of decay. The one thing that did draw his attention...was the cheering crowd beyond the massive walls enclosing the area.

"The hell...?"

The enclosed area was over 100 meters wide with the walls towering maybe 20 or so meters above ground level. It was almost as if he was in some kind of stadium. There were also large monitors set up above the seats on the walls. He could see the images changing to different areas of the field as well as his other fellow trainees. Next to each monitor was a board with each of their names and a time of sorts. What that was for he could only speculate.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!" blared over the speakers. "Welcome to today's Survival Training with training group 1338-C. A quick announcement before we being: bets are closing in less than 5 minutes! So be sure to place them at one of the booths located around the concourse."

Bets? By now everyone in the training group was confused. This was definitely something they would have never expected. "So, let us begin! Without a doubt the trainees are probably wondering what's going on. Today's training is survival. Survival as in last one standing." Now they were getting worried. Was this going to be some kind of battle royale? "Do not worry, though. You won't be fighting each other. Your objective today: be the last one standing using whatever means you can. You are allowed to use the Devices that were issued to you as well as spells. Magic damage only."

Plans were starting to be worked out through some of their heads. Those who had found other trainees talked amongst themselves about a course of action to take. Others were still wondering about that was going to be sent after them.

"And now the moment you've all been waiting for! Today's survival training opponent! That's right, trainees, it's all of you trying to survive against one, mere mage!" Many gave a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't an army or something. "Some of you know of her. Many of you have heard of her. There might even be some of you who fear her! I'm pretty sure the trainees will after today! Let's give a round of applause for the one, the only, Instructor Nanoha Takamachi!"

All the trainees paled. This wasn't going to be survival training, this was going to be a massacre! "And the training begins...NOW!"

Ouch. That's going to suck. I doubt anyone will win.

Originally Posted by TheShinySword

Double post

I haven't made much crack in a while so here's a bit using a character who needs more love and a character who apparently doesn't

Spoiler for The Ballad of the Shape of Things:

Spoiler for Song:

I don't really like this version much but it's the only one I could find >.>

*Amy sits on stage, guitar in hand.*

Amy: This next song is loosely based on a true story... now whose true story... well... *stars strumming* ...that's not important
*A screen rolls down behind her, showing a circle*
Amy: ~Completely round is the perfect pearl the oyster manufactures.~ * pearl appears on the screen*
~Completely round is the steering wheel that leads to compound fractures~ * A steering wheel and a little Vice with an injured arm pops on screen*
~Completely round is the golden fruit that hangs from the o-o-orange tree~ *A golden apple hands from an orange tree*
~Yes the circle shape is quite renown~
~But sad to say it can be found~
*Voice gets more bitter as she goes on*In the lowdown, dirty run-around *Chrono's face appears on screen, he's grinning*
~That my true love gave to me~
~That my true love gave to me~
*A square appears on screen*

Amy: ~Completely square is the little box he said my ring would be in~ *A little black velvet box appears on screen*
~Completely square is the envelope he said good-bye to me in~ *An image of Amy taking the envelope out of the mailbox and looking shocked. The letter says “So long!” with a little Chrono picture on it*
~Completely square is the handkerchief I flourish constantly~ *Amy waves around a handkerchief*
~As I dry my eyes of the tears I've shed,~
~And blow my nose which turns bright red~
~For a perfect square is my true love's head ~*Chrono appears on the screen again*
~He will not marry me, no~
~He will not marry me~
*A rectangle appears on screen*

Amy: ~Rectangular is the hotel door my true love tried to sneak through~ *Chrono's on screen leading a woman through a hotel door as Amy watches from the bushes*
~Rectangular is the transom hole by which I had to peek through,~ *Amy is peeking through the window*
~Rectangular is the hotel room I entered angrily, and~ *Amy throws the hotel door open to Chrono and the other woman's surprise*
~Rectangular is the wooden box~
~Where lies my love neath the golden phlox~ *A coffin appears on screen little ghost Chrono floats above it*
~They say he died of the chicken pox~
~In part I must agree~
~One chick too many had he~
*A triangle appears on screen*

Amy: ~Triangular is the piece of pie I eat to ease my sorrow~ *A piece of blueberry pie appears on screen*
~Triangular is the hatchet blade I plan to hide tomorrow~ *A suspiciously red ax appears*
~Triangular the relationship which now has ceased to be~ *Chrono's ghost T-T's on screen*
~And triangular is the garment thin~
~That fastens on with a safety pin~
~To a prize I had no wish to win~... *An image of Amy and her twins appears, they're both in triangular diapers*
~It's a lasting memory~
~That my true love gave to me~

T.T Poor Amy. But still poor Chrono. Nice song.

Originally Posted by TheShinySword

Previously On Secret Ambition

Secret Ambition
Scene 7

Spoiler for Scene 7:

“Yes!”

Hayate looked startled then she clapped her hands together, “Perfect! With two recruiters we'll get twice the members!”

“R-Recruiters?”

“Well yeah we can't have a club with only two members silly. We need at least 4.”

“EH?!?!”

“Go forth and get us members!”

“Y-yes Yagami-san.”

“Not Yagami-san. BOSS!”

“Yes... boss...”


1st vi- potential member, Nanoha Takamachi

I found Nanoha on the roof, eating lunch mercifully alone. “Ah Nanoha-san.”

“Hmm? Ah Yuuno-kun,” She smiled up at me, “Can I help you?”

“I was wondering,” I drew circles with my foot, suddenly realizing it was like I was about to ask her out. “Uh... I mean... Are you in any clubs?”

Nanoha took a bite of her rice and looked thoughtful, “Hm...” She waved her chop sticks in the air. “Nope. Nya ha ha, actually this friday's the dead line before they put me in the... study bug club,” she looked off to the side as if this was the equivalent of the tell the world you have nothing better to do club.

“Then will you... will you join Yagami-san's cosplay club with me!”

“Hayate-chan's? Mm,” Nanoha nodded. “Sounds fun.”

My smile grew against my own will. “Great I'll see you later then!” I stopped at the door. “But Nanoha-san...”

“Yes?”

“Where are Arisa and Suzuka?”

Nanoha looked up, baring a face I recognized but couldn't place, “they're... getting lunch.”

I nodded and started down, it was then that it hit me. Her face had been the same as Fate's and the Yagami's when I had asked them questions too.


2nd vi- potential member, Fate Testarossa

I found Fate inside our class room where she was eating her lunch by the window. She looked up when I entered. “Harlaown-san?”

“Testarossa-san I know we don't know each other very well but I was wondering if you were in a club already.” I must have looked like a freak asking her like this.

“No,” Fate shook her head, “I'll probably join a club as a ghost member.”

“If you don't have a club then... why not join the Cosplay club.”

Fate turned bright red, “c-cosplay... I don't know. I'd be pretty embarrassed.”

“Testarossa-san...” I approached her desk, “Please... I promise I won't let Hayate do anything to you, you don't want.”

She made a small noise, “You're so embarrassing.”

I looked down, completely red, rubbing the back of my head, “Sorry about that... I-I didn't mean-”

Fate started to giggle, “it's really cute.” She made another noise and looked down.

That made me even more embarrassed so we were both staring at the floor.

She was the one to break the silence, “I-I think I'd like that...”

“Eh?” I looked up to find her still looking at the ground.

“I'd like to be around you more-” She quickly realized what she was saying and corrected it, “And Takamachi-san and Yagami-san so...” She looked up at me, “I accept your offer.”

“Thank you I'll see you later then?”

Fate nodded, “Yeah.”

As I left I realized that she had looked happy and still managed not to smile.


~~

Hayate high fived me as I told her my progress. “We have enough for a club now.” In her eagerness she tackled me, well she more of tackled me. And the fact of the mater was I was incapable of supporting her weight so we toppled over, right into classic harem anime position one.

She was on top of me, well more like holding herself over me, as she had managed to release me the second she realized we were falling. However, she hadn't stopped her face from stopping just inches from my own.

“We should probably move...” Hayate said after a minute.

“Y-Yeah,” I was finding it really really hard to think with Hayate over me. “I think... you have to move first.”

“Oh yeah,” she jumped up just missing stepping on me. She offered a hand to me, helping me stand.

“So I'll see you later,” I couldn't look her in the eye.

“Yeah bye!” She ran off.

I hit my head against the wall, I was such a moron.

~~~

I didn't talk to anyone much for the rest of the day, club activities wouldn't start 'til later in the week so I was still free after school, however I simply went home and went through the rest of my day tiredly.

~~

“Oi... Yunno! Wakey wakey!”

I cracked open an eye, “Chrono-nii...? It's midnight. And get that out of my eyes.”

Chrono waggled the flashlight in front of me before moving it. “Milk. Get it.”

“Why me?”

“'Cause you're the youngest,” Chrono yawned, “Now go forth and get.”

I was such a push over. “Yeah yeah. I'll get it.”

~~

My trip to the convenience store was mercifully uneventful. I didn't want any trouble in the middle of the night. All I wanted was to sleep. Armed with my milk I made my way home down the barely lit street.

“Yuuno~”

My ear twitched, “What was that?” I looked around.

“Yuuno~”

“Come on out!” I looked around the empty street.

“He he he.” The sound of sweeping fabric hit my ears.

I turned. There was a girl behind me, standing under a lamp post. Her long hair was done up in long pigtails but other then that there was no mistaking her. “Testarossa-san?”

She giggled and came forward, leaving the light behind her, “'Testarossa-san' is my sister. Yuu~no~” She looked like Fate but she certainly didn't act like her at all. Not even a little. The girl with Fate's face came closer to me, and though my every instinct told me to run far and fast I couldn't move an inch. She stopped just before out bodies would have touched, “You, can call me,” She leaned up, just brushing my ear, “A-li-ci-a.”

The next thing she did was so fast I didn't have a moment to react. This girl, Alicia moved down slightly and pressed our lips together.

The milk hit the ground.

A. Okay... hot girl kissing me... this may not be so bad...
B. Woah woah woah! Gotta stop this! Gotta stop this now!
C. I'll just calmly explain that we really shouldn't be doing this... I just have to stop her...

Spoiler for Relationships:

Relationships:
Nanoha: 3- Friendship~
Fate: 2- Friends
Hayate: 3- ... Yuuno-kun...
And

Spoiler for Unlocked:

Alicia: Unlocked!
Alicia: 4- So this is Yuuno yum :3

Note that there are still only 3 paths ;3
Friendship:
Vice: 5- Best buddehs forevah!
Griffith: 2- Friendship
Zafira: 10 - brothers can't be lowered
Chrono: 10 - Brothers can't be lowered
Arisa: -3 He's in Nanoha's way!
Suzuka: 0 Well he looks like a nice boy
Vita: -4 Hayate's mine!
Signum: 0 mm...
Shamal: 1 Awww he's adorable!
Arf: 0 I don't trust him around Fate just yet.

In case you're wondering all the girls got a point that round ^^;; And by the way there were two other scenes that could have come at the end of this scene had other choices been made along the way (though that doesn't mean they won't happen... and I'm saying no more then that)

A because I'm ousting Nanoha for Fate, Alicia and Hayate. Mostly Alicia, she needs some Yuuno lovin'.

Originally Posted by Tempest Dynasty

Double posting with OCT, because it is relevant to my interests.

So I heard an old song, and immediately I was struck with a random scenario.

No relation to my main story, though. Just a quick little thing.

Spoiler for Southern Cross:

In case that video fails to load: Southern Cross

With a ruined city, surrounded by the enemy, they ran. Heavy footfalls thundered upon the impacted earth, the pitter-patter of lighter feet following. A large armored figure stomped through the debris, his hand holding the much smaller hand of a child. It was here that they had met, a soul lost to madness and an innocent life just barely ten years old. Yet, be it strange magicks or twisted fate, the child calmed the furious beast where no other could, calming his bloodlust and awakening him from his long-suffering nightmare. A fallen Knight had finally returned to his long lost king.

Unfortunately, the reunion was painfully short. How quickly things had fallen apart, for chaos to spread so deeply and thickly into the populace that their sanity be dashed away in an instant. A once peaceful but lively world, now fallen to wild chaos, there was only one choice left: escape. Yet of all the options available, only one was viable – planetary warp gates linked to the orbiting TSAB support ship. Worse still was how the team had been split apart. Subaru, Teana, Caro, Erio, they had all reunited on this unique case, with the child Vivio Takamachi following by her request in the name of research. Those remaining in the ship, including the Ace Nanoha Takamachi, could only watch in horror as TSAB forces abandoned their positions and rushed to return to the ship.

But where was her daughter?

Now on their own, the Knight and his liege sought to escape this nightmare city!

“Your friends will be fine on their own,” he reassured the child, her tiny hand clenched firmly in his gauntlet. They could not stop for any reason, not even to rest. Even as her heart hammered in her chest and her breath quick, she held on to that strong hand. For reasons unknown and unexplained to her, just being near this fearsome man calmed her… as if she could trust him with her life. “Your escape takes top priority.”

“I… I know,” she replied weakly. Though her friends were the strongest she knew, she couldn’t help but worry.

The city had become a place of fear, every door a possible attacker; every window a sniper. The alleyways were also a prime location to stage an ambush, such as the one that lunged out the moment the two passed by. Savage and hateful, what was once a human came flying from the dark alley, a crude bludgeon in his dirtied hands.

Vivio screamed, flinching away from the horrid thing. In an instant, the scarred armor of black and red was before her, his fist slamming into the wild man’s face. As if it were a signal, a whole group of berserkers stumbled from all around and awkwardly charged the two. Not a single moment of hesitation interrupted the Knight’s defense, gracefully shifting his weight and striking out at the closest foe. He attacked with furious precision and lethal power, literal dance of death as the Knight snaked around the girl, his fists and feet lashing out viciously to crush them all. No sooner had the last one fell did Vivio and her guardian returned to their hurried exodus.

All around them, the world was coming apart. Chaos ruined a once beautiful city, reducing it to rubble and trash. How pitiful and sad it was, watching Armageddon take place. They could take heart, however; their quest would soon come to an end.

There! They could see the warp gate, their bridge to freedom. It would not be long now before they would once again see smiling faces once more. In her excitement, young Vivio broke out into a sprint, a happy giggle escaping her lips. The Knight followed closely, yet for him all was not well. It seemed far too easy, too simple a path to their destination. If the others had reached this position, then no doubt the enemy knew it as well.

His fears came to light as gleaming steel and howling cries came from all around; an ambush! They came from above and from the sides, pouncing upon the two with eager bloodlust.

“Get down!”

Vivio covered her head, the shadows overtaking her as she felt someone pushing her down. All around her was hatred and fury, drowning her in dark emotions. They all lusted for her blood, to spill it upon the tainted earth. During those moments of claustrophobic darkness, she could hear a frightening cacophony of snarling beasts and wild men. And she feared. She feared that never again would she see her family and friends again, that she would die here, so far away from home. Faintly, however, she could hear a beat. There was a strong heartbeat so close to her ear, one that drove the despair away.

“Wretched beasts,” a low guttural growl built up from deep within her protector’s chest, drowning out all other noise as he roared in defiance. “BEGONE!”

In a burst of monstrous strength, he dispelled that choking darkness, jagged chains whipping all around them and beating the enemy back. Brilliant crimson energy bolts following a staccato roar tore through the air all around them, driving the foul beasts away. There would only be a brief respite, however, before the enemy regrouped. In that moment, the Knight was able to close the distance to the warp gate. Around it, there were signs of it being used.

Good. They were the last to arrive, then.

“The others have escaped this forsaken place. Now you must go to them,” he spoke, distorted and demonic in both appearance and sound. Yet, whereas others flinched and cowered at his voice, Vivio heard only a kind and warm man, a tired spirit that had finally awakened after a long nightmare.

“Go. Return to the ones waiting for you,” he nodded towards the gate. “I will slow their advance.”

“But—”

“Go! This is my purpose! I am a Knight sworn to protect you at all costs, even at the risk of my life! My lady, you must LIVE!”

Vivio jumped at his roar but complied, hesitantly stepping into the arcane device. It glowed with mystical energies as it hummed gently, a crescendo of light and sound as it gained power. Yet through all the noise, she could hear him, so calm and at ease.

“From the depths of despair, you saved me. From blinding lunacy, you brought me away. From that terrible nightmare, you awakened me. You bear Her eyes, Her blood, even Her spirit. Vivio Takamachi, know this. If you need me…”

Vivio looked up, her mismatched eyes meeting the fiery red of the Knight’s.

“Call my name.”

She could give no reply as she was enveloped in a glorious light. Just as quickly, she was gone, far away and safe from this wretched land. The Knight breathed a long sigh of content. Everything was fine now. Though his eyes were gone and a maddening fury boiled within his soul, he could finally see. Never before had his vision been so clear.

He turned around to face his foes, a legion like no other. Yet there was no fear in his heart, neither worry nor regret. No… what he felt was something that he believed long lost to his insanity and rage. Such a wonderful warmth in his chest, as love and devotion surged through his being once again steeled his soul against the enemy.

“This is good… isn’t it?” he whispered.

He would not suffer defeat this day.

“I am Noland Reiniger, Knight of Two and chosen of the Sankt Kaiser! From the depths of madness, I have returned!” he bellowed to the approaching horde, unflinching against such overwhelming numbers. From his right hand sprang forth a weapon of unholy light, sickly red energies crackling in the heavy air. Pointing the blade of tragedy Tyrfing at the mass, Noland called out his challenge. “Now! Throw your fears away and take me on!”

----------------------------------

A burst of light and crackle of energy announced Vivio’s arrival on the other side of the gate, the girl finding herself immediately wrapped up in a tight hug. She could smell ozone strongly in the air, a side effect of the gate travel, and while she dearly wanted to melt into that warm embrace, there was still her missing friend.

“Wait! We need to go back!” the child cried, looking imploringly into her mother’s eyes. “Please! He’s still there! We need to get him!”

As she turned to look, dread filled her whole body. The gate, alas, held no more life. A nearby technician looked up from the console, a disappointed look upon his face.

“No good. He must have destroyed the gate to prevent the enemy from following,” the technician shook his head. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.”

“Vivio…” Nanoha murmured, hugging her daughter closely again. “I’m sorry…”

“No…”

----------------------------------

The sun was setting.

The land was peaceful now. There was no thundering marches or echoing warcries; there were no screams or sobs; there was no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there was be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Upon a ruined mass, fallen bodies strewn all around, a single sword stood proudly in the twilight sun. It gleamed brightly in the red sunlight, its blade as flawless as the cloudless sky. For victory, for triumph, the sword now rested.

There it stood, like a monument, like a memorial.

Waiting for one’s arrival.

Wow, that was intense. The music was great, it really fit.