Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

YOSH!!! IKUZE!!!!

Prepare for an emotional roller-coaster ride!

BLUECHEESIUM BASUTA CAAAANOOOOOONNNN!!!!


The timeframe and chapter number is still in pending. But the tentative title is Aces: Resolution

Spoiler for Aces: Resolutions:

Hayate can be seen fidgeting nervously outside the lounge. Pacing nervously as she fiddled around with her fingers. Upon closer inspection, she can be seen muttering fretfully to herself.

~~~~

Inside, we can see the rest of the Aces… We zoom in to Kha, who’s right eye turns blue… A smile curves up his lips as Sakura, who is dozing on a sofa, perks up and smiles widely.

‘Fate, Takamachi-san, Georashi-san.’
‘Yes, Kha?’
‘Hmm?’
‘Nani?’

‘She’s outside.’

~~~~

Back outside, Hayate hears a call. “Yagami-san! We know you’re out there. Please come in.”

“A-ah… H-hai…”

Nervously, she steps in, to be welcomed by a number of glaring stares from her friends…

“H-hello.”

Kha steps from the entrance and blocks the exit, “Irrasshai, Yagami-san.”

Hayate whirls around and looks nervously at him, “Ah! K-Kha-chan?”

“You sure made us wait… Hayate-chan.” Nanoha’s cold words struck Hayate’s heart and prompted her turn around again and look nervously at the approaching Ace of Aces instead.

“N-nanoha-chan…”

“I thought you said before that we were the best of friends, Hayate.”
“And to think your hiding so much from us… Hidoi wa…”

She looks on nervously to either side of her, at the also approaching Aces, “Fate-chan, Keroko-chan…”

“Would you mind explaining yourself, Yagami-Butaichou?”

“A-anou… I-umm… Well, you see…” Her eyes darted around in nervousness.

She stiffens as a hand clamps non-too gently on her shoulder, followed by an even sharper glare from Keroko, stopping her from moving anywhere, “Or rather, please shut up for a bit while we give you a piece of our minds…”

Tears start forming on her eyes as she can only nod meekly, her eyes ready to close in preparation for the verbal beating she was about to receive.

“Hayate, you-!”

Her eyes closed tightly I expectation of the torrent of words of resentment.

……………………

It never came.

“Ah?”

Instead, a feeling of warmth engulfed her as Nanoha, Fate and Keroko wrapped her in an affectionate group hug.

She could only blink in confusion as the tears started rolling down her cheeks, “M-minna…”

Instead of a verbal beating of spite, words of affection and worry assaulted her.
“Mou~! Hayate-chan! Don’t you ever do that to us again!”
“Didn’t you know how worried we were?!”
“Yeah! We thought you’ve totally closed yourself from us for good!”

“Ah-ah… I-” she attempted to reply, but her voice broke and she dissolved into relieved sobs, making her three female best friends tighten their hold on her as they whispered words of encouragement.

“G-gomen-gomenasai!” *sob* “I was an idiot!”
“Don’t say that, Hayate-chan.”
“It’s not like we don’t get in these periods as well. Don’t sweat it.”
“Don’t worry, we forgive you.”
“Gomenasai!”
“Yoshi-yoshi. Like I said, don’t worry.”
“Just remember, that we’re your friends and we’re willing to stick with you through thick and thin.”
“Hmm! And you mustn’t worry about sharing your pain with us. That’s what good friends are for, ne?”
*sob* “Thank you… Even if I’m so-”
“Mou~! We’ll be angry if you keep on blaming yourself. So stop it, please”
*sniff* ”H-hai.”

Watching from a few feet away, Kha leaned against the wall and watched in silent contentment the bonding time of the girls, smiling contentedly with Sakura happily whirling above their heads, screaming [Wiiii~!] as always.

The girls went on for several more minutes before they dislodged from each other. After pulling away, Hayate looked at the only male in the lounge, a nervous expression on her face, “Kha-chan…”

Smiling, Kha approached the smaller girl and embraced her comfortingly, “There’s no need to have any doubts about me. We may not have known each other for as long as you have known the other three. But we’re definitely still very good friends.” He looked down at her and grinned confidently, “I know you’ll do just as much for any of us. I’m this team’s tanker. And I’m definitely not going to leave any of you out there. Yagami-sa- I mean, Hayate-san. You can definitely count on me!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Right, everyone?”

A simultaneous chorus of assent echoed from the other girls, followed by them giving her assuring pats when Kha loosened his hug and held her at arms length.

Hayate shyly wiped the tears from her eyes “Thank you, Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, Keroko-chan, Kha-chan. It means a lot to me.”

The smiles that greeted her were more than enough assurance that she’ll ever need. They’ll be there; just like always, never wavering in resolve. Her precious friends… And to think she doubted them…

“That’s why, Hayate, please cheer up.”

“Fate-chan…”

“Fate’s right!” Kha put a supportive hand on her shoulder, “Our group cannot be complete when our leader is all gloomy! Where’s our Hayate-san who’s always prepared to insert fun into any situation?”

“Kha-chan…” She looked up at him, fondly at first, with her eyes slowly starting to shine with mischievousness a few seconds later.

“???”

All of a sudden, Hayate reaches up wraps her arms around Kha’s neck, eliciting a blush from the Cleric-Knight. “H-Hayate-san?”

"H-hayate!"

She giggled as she pressed herself to the flustered boy playfully, “I think I now understand why Fate-chan loves you so much.”

“E-EH?!”
“E-EH?!”

Still clinging onto the boy’s neck, Hayate turned around to face Fate, “You know Fate-chan? You’re so lucky to have Kha-chan as your boyfriend.”

“B-boy-”
“-friend?!”

Needless to say, the ‘couple’ was already as red as tomatoes from embarrassment (Unusually more so for der Kleriker. But, being clung onto by Hayate, you’d probably understand why, right?). And as for the Takamachi sisters, they are both smiling.

Hayate lowered her head a bit so that her outstretched arm covered the lower half of her face, giving a playfully coy impression, “Ne~, Fate-chan,” she purred as she playfully cuddled against the beet-red Kha, causing him to stiffen, “can you share?”

“SH-SHARE?!?!”

‘Nanoha-chan, Keroko-chan.’
‘Haaii!’

Keroko made the first move, standing beside Kha and wrapping an arm tightly around his neck and leaning onto him while smiling wickedly, “Yeah, despite his flaws, he’s still a nice guy…” She playfully positions her head so that her side-tail is tickling the boy’s chin while giggling slyly, “ne?”

“G-Geora- oomph!”

Nanoha seems to have glomped Kha from behind, her head protruding from behind his back, “That’s right, Fate-chan, can we all share him?”

“Takamachi-san-ACK!” the boy was now positively steaming from the multitude of hugs from the three girls, with Fate being speechlessly red from shock.

“Kha-chan~. You already called Hayate-chan by her first name! From now on, always call me by my first name too, okay?”

“Hey! Me too! Me too! Ne, Kha-chan~?”

“Ungh… Haaaaiii~…”

“Kha-chan~…” *giggle* “You’re just so nice!”

[Father really has his harem now! Wiiii~]

“A-anou…”

Hayate gives Fate a playful wink. Fate blinks in surprise, but realization slowly dawns in her eyes. A slight smile appears on her face as she puffs herself up, closes her eyes authoratively and declares, “No, I won’t!”

“F-Fate… I-Ugh…” The other girls tightened their already possessively tight hugs on the suffering (Yeah right. More like in bliss.) Cleric-Knight.
*squeeze* “Hooeeee~?”
*squeeze* “Fate-chan. Hidoi~!”
*squeeze* “Mou~! But we really like Kha-chan as well~!”
[I really like Father too~!] Sakura pipes in and clings to her Meister’s head, nuzzling her tiny head against his cheek. As if on cue, the other three girls’ faces wandered dangerously near his own, causing him to heat up even more. His eyes sought sanctuary from the ceiling, obviously trying with every ounce of his willpower to resist the temptation of any facial contact.

“I’m… (In Heaven) dying… Save… (I don’t really mind) me…”

Fate opens her eyes and shows a VERY rarely seen teasing look. “Buuut…” She approaches the group, standing beside Hayate, blushing quite darkly despite her expression. “I guess we can, just this once.” She then proceeds to hug Kha by the midsection, tightly; causing the boy to turn into a frighteningly dark shade of red and steam to actually gush out his ears!

He looked down, trying to avoid the other girls’ faces, “Fate!”

“You won’t mind, ne, Kha?” She also moved her face close to his and gave him an uncharacteristically but still cute wink.

“F-Fate… I’m… Guaaaaaah~” der Kleriker passes out, his head cooked and steaming, lolling limply to the side. (to his credit, his head landed lightly on Fate’s)
“KHA! Kha, are you alright?! Speak to me! KHA!”
“Ara~. Kha-chan broke.”
“Hmph! Wimp.”
“Ahahaha~, well, we were sort of overdoing it…”
[Knockout! The girl’s team wins! Wiiii~!]
“…..in……Heaven………”

“And since when was this considered a contest?”
“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~!”

With the synchronized scream, the girls jumped backwards, leaving an unconscious Kha to crumple unceremoniously to the ground; Sakura trying to hold him up by the hair.

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

I smirked casually while leaning against the door frame, releasing my invisibility spell; taking the scene before me. The girls were looking at me with evenly stricken and blushing faces. Sakura gave up trying to hold Kha up by the hair and let’s go, sending his head crashing to the floor with quite a sickening impact. She then started poking repeatedly (and happily?!?) at her Meister’s overheated face while saying, [Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!], over and over (with the mandatory [Wiii~!] at random intervals).

“So you girls like to bully Kha after all.”

“Ah-ah! Iie! T-that’s not-!” Fate looked like she was about to faint as well, her face almost entirely red.

“Don’t worry. It certainly looked like he was somehow enjoying it.” Pointing at the corpse-err… body of Kha, I used a small amount of power to make him levitate and drop on an empty couch instead of the cold, hard floor, “But he’s sure gonna get a bad headache when he wakes up.”

“Ah...? AH!” Fate panicked upon realization and rushed to Kha’s side, “KHA! Oh no! Taihen! S-somebody please get some ice! Get Shamal! Call an ambulance!”

“Fate-chan, calm down!”
“Eto… Fate-chan. There are no ambulances here.”
“It’s just a little, lump.”
“B-but he might have gotten a hemorrhage or get amnesia or-u-unghn~!” Fate’s shoulders slumped and her eyes lost focus, though her blushing didn’t recede.

“Geez. No wonder they like to tease you two so much.” I said as I held my thumb and index fingers at the back of Fate’s neck, using my depressant spell, Willbreaker, “If you’re already panicking over his falling down from standing, I shudder to think how you would react if he fell down three feet from the ground. Calm down, will you?” I withdrew my hand, letting the stunned blond take a few deep breaths once her brain cells got back up and running.

“I-I… Understand… M-must… R-relax… Haauuu~…” She said these before… collapsing over Kha in a dead faint... The hell?

“AH! Fate-chan!”
[Double Knockout! A knockout date! Wiiii~!]

“………”
“…………”
“……………”

“Tell me… How do you handle these three all of the time?”

“Ahahaha~…”
“I guess it was my fault…”
“She wasn’t able to take the pressure…”
“And apparently, neither did Kha.” I smirked at the two Takamachis, “Hayate, I can imagine. But I never expected the two of you to cling to Kha that way.” It was their turn to blush brightly.

“Oji-chan!”
“I-It was a joke, ne, Onee-chan?”
“H-hai!”

“Oho? If I didn’t know better-”

“A-ANYWAY! Let’s help carry them to the clinic, ne, Keroko-chan!”
“Ah, hai!”

As the two of them hauled off the unconscious couple from the room, Sakura proceeded to play trampoline on my head. A small silence passed between myself and Hayate (Sakura was noisy) before I spoke up.

“So… You’ve already apologized?”

[Wii~!]

“Yes…”

[Wiiii~!]

“That’s good.”

[Wiiiii~!]

"What you said was true. They didn’t even hesitate… Just for my sake… And also… I feel as if I've awakened now..."

[Wiiiiii~!]

"Awakened? How so?"

[Wiiiiiii~!]

*giggle* "Before you talked with me, I felt as if I'm in a nightmare I can't wake up from...” she paused for a moment, a confident smile growing slowly on her lips, determination shining in her eyes, “But now... I've waken up.” She met my stare, “And I'm definitely going to move forward!"

[Wiiiiiiii~!]

"Good. And since you put it that way..." I smiled at her as I laid a hand on her head, "Then, finally… Good morning, Hayate."

[Wiiiiiiiii~!]

She smiled back as she held my hand with both of hers, "Good morning, Oji-chan."

[Wiiiiiiiiii~! Good morning! Ohayou! Wiiiiii~!]

~~~~~~~~~~

Reinforce… Wait for me. I’m going to find you. With my friends, my family and Oji-chan; I will find the truth!

~~~~~~~~~~

Awakening? Hahaha. I guess we’ve both awakened from our own respective nightmares. But I don’t think I have to tell you that for now… as well as the fact that you also have protectors in the shadows…

~~~~~~~~~~

Then I guess this means…

Starting now…

We move, with determination…

ONWARDS!


Kha…
Fate…
[Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!!!!!]


4th Wall Breaker:(Talk about ruining the mood, huh?)

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

And the next part, a conversation with someone unexpected.

Spoiler for The Other Side of Identity: Deals:

“Hayate. You better go tend to your friends. I’ll be taking a break for a bit. We can talk some more later...”

[Wiii~!]

She nodded, “Okay. Mata ne, Oji-chan.”

[Wiiii~!]

“Yeah.” I watched her as she ran outside to follow Nanoha and the others.

[……………]

“Hmm? Why being silent all of a sudden, Sakura?”

[You… Seem to know a lot more than you let on, Hakase-san.]

“Wha-?!” Sakura?

The tiny figure hopped from my head and floated in front of me. Appearance-wise, her eyes had become noticeably sharper… Sakura Zaki…

[You certainly seem different from what I usually sense. Have you perhaps resolved a problem regarding yourself?]

I blinked in confusion before breaking into a small chuckle as I regarded the small Servant before me, “You can say it that way. Though I must say that I’m surprised… You hardly ever come out. And now you’re talking with me, Servant Saber, Sakura Zaki-san.”

[Just Saber is fine.], the tiny servant replied [About my question… Your hiding something, aren’t you?]

“I’m amazed at how you seem to be able to figure out people…”

[Just answer my question, Hakase.]

Sighing, I took a seat and regarded the servant who kneeled on a table in front of me; I decided to reply telepathically, ‘That much is true… Let’s just say that I’ve entered a couple of deals with some potential associates…’

Saber responded in kind, {I don’t know what you’re planning… But you do know this matter of great importance… That’s why it seems to be quite troubling that you involved certain people in this that we do not know off…}

‘They’ve been involved long before I spoke with them, Saber.’

{I see… Needless to say, I will not tolerate it if these so-called associates of yours will prove to be liabilities to my Meister and his friends…}

‘It is beyond any reasonable doubt that they might prove to be liabilities in the future,’ I leaned forward a little, ‘But right now, they seem more as potential assets… These are the kinds of bets that I like to take…’

Her gaze sharpened, {I believe that you understand how potentially dangerous these kinds of deals are…}

‘Yes, of course. But you mustn’t forget whom they are dealing with. Before them, my kids are my top priority…’

{Your children?}

‘I see them as such. And the deals I have entered have no expressed speculations of being a bother to them in this… In case they decide to cross them, to cross us, I myself shall deal with them accordingly.’

{You’re being oddly overconfident for once.}

‘Ahh. But unlike several people…’ I smiled sarcastically, ‘I make sure my confidence is not unfounded.’

{That’s hardly any comfort; seeing as we do not even have the slightest details about your activities.}

‘And this is the part where trust comes in. This universe is filled with uncertainties. But I choose not to be bothered by such extraneous details that come later.’

{My Meister and his friends may trust you with their lives, but I’m definitely harder to please.}

‘That much is expected.’

{What do you plan on doing about it?}

‘Nothing.’ I leaned back on the couch, ‘You have no other viable option than to trust me in the first place.’

{Kisama, you’re just as despicably shrewd as the Wolkenritter say you are.}

‘I don’t blame them.’

{Neither do I… but you must know that I can tell them that you’re hiding several things…}

‘And then what? They’d go on a little tantrum period and then come back to me saying that they understand that I need to keep secrets sometimes like the bunch of innocent kids they are. Regardless of how clever they are, they’re still too naïve and trusting.’

{As unpractical as it seems; that much is true…}

‘Of course! And besides, they’re already used to me keeping several things from them.’ I raised my right hand to cover half of my face, a wide grin growing on my lips, ‘A single lie can be more interesting than a thousand truths. A single truth can be much more enlightening than a thousand lies. I am a person who has no qualms about using truths or lies to my advantage and to those I want to benefit from my actions. And yet I’m not going to resort to crime. But if you look in a certain way, lying is a crime.’

{You’re talking around in circles.}

I dropped my hand, ‘Yes, I am. And in a certain sense, I’m not. I’m just showing you one way of how I think.’

{Hmm… It makes me wonder what they find about you that make them trust you so much…}

‘You’d be faring off better by asking them. An individual can be made out of many facets. Let’s just say that a trustworthy person to a bunch of talented kids is one of my own.’

{Hmph. I’ll give you that much.}

‘Then, Saber. How about a deal, then?’

{A deal?}

‘I need you to be keep this matter this a secret for now.’

{It sounds more of a request than a bargain.}

‘I haven’t finished yet. And in exchange, I won’t tell them that it was you and not Sakura who was nuzzling her head against Kha’s cheek a while ago.’

I looked with satisfaction at the sudden dark blush and flustered expression that erupted on the face of the tiny Servant, she stuttered for a fair bit before getting out a coherent answer; telepathy forgotten.

[L-lies! I-I never-]

“Hahaha! Sorry, but you’ve already lost, Saber.”

She glared at me with barely restrained vehemence, [Y-you-!]

“Don’t worry. I’m lying about my part of the bargain. I can keep secrets as well. And I’ve long outgrown interfering with other people’s personal lives, unless I need to.”

That calmed her down a bit, [Che… You are indeed a devious individual.]

“As well as someone who just happens to have a perception to rival yours, Saber.”

‘Now, about my request…’

{… Very well. Do not make me regret this decision, Aurion Dauer.}

‘I’m not making promises about absolute surety, Sakura Zaki. But rest assured, I’ll be doing what I must to the best of my capabilities.’

{It may not seem to be practical at all; But I’ll be taking this gamble as well.}

‘You have my gratitude. Then it’s a deal’

{Deal. Now if you’ll excuse me…}

As her side of identity slowly faded, I heard one last message, {I also have to thank you for looking after them...}

'No need. The decision is my own.'

She closed her eyes and returned to being Sakura, who yawned and rubbed her eyes.

[Uwaaa~… Where’s everybody?] So she was ordered to sleep, huh?

“They went to the clinic to check on the two lovebirds. You better follow them, Sakura.”

[Clinic? Okay! Bye-bee, Hakase-tan! Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!] She then proceeded to zoom off out the door.

With a yawn, I reclined further into the couch, “I hope you don’t mind as well, Almaria.”

[Iie. I’m fine, Aurion-san. You can tell me when the several mitigating factors permit so.]

I smiled and stroked her frame, “Thanks. And about that delayed four hour nap a few days ago; I’ll be doing it now. Just extend it by an hour or two.”

[Hai. Please take your time to rest.]

“I will…”

Sighing once, I closed my eyes, and dozed off a few moments later. This time, I wasn’t bothered…


Or so I thought.

*BONK*

“Ite-! Nanda?!”

I opened one bleary eye to see who bonked me on the head. A pair of cheery, bespectacled blue eyes greeted me.

“Hello~! Oji-san!”

“Sophia?”

Doudeshou? Jumping moods, eh?

First Piece: *just now recovering from laughter* Ehehehe, whew. An old scenario brought back and expanded. Great stuff.

Second Piece: Saber came out? and she doesn't exactly trust Aurion either... but she's willing to wing it.

Need moar!

Originally Posted by Nightengale

I'm trying to reduce the amount of OCs if possible. There will be, no doubts, but I'm going for less numbers and using canon characters which are already linked in accordingly...

For example, in StrikerS DestinyS, Hayate's main rival will be...

Spoiler:

young!Midget.

Yes, I'm making that female Legendary Admiral the villain counterpart for Wolkies/Hayate. TEH DRAMA!

And with 3 factions, (( TSAB, Jail and Unknown )), I'm trying to create a proper division of things...

A logical choice, concidering the vast numbers you'd have to work with otherwise. Which leaves me with the question: Is this timeline open for participation?




Now for something of my own. Something that I should have worked on way back when, but somehow only recently started.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Artherion.

Spoiler for Artherion:

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

Though I'll be occupied with fixing manga scans first.

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Now for something of my own. Something that I should have worked on way back when, but somehow only recently started.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Artherion.

Spoiler for Artherion:

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

Though I'll be occupied with fixing manga scans first.

Melike SINISTER looking Device Like how Artherion changes from device to shooting mode by flipping its blades around

[asaqe]

Adam, somewhat disappointed by the lack of TSABs to kill today, decided to return back to base for reports...Dr. Scaglietti ordered all gadjet drones to begin maintenance as Adam returned to Scaglietti's lair of operations. "Hey there Une, so have you planned out my meal?" Kissing him on his cheek she smiled: "Let me guess, a beef fillet with roast potatoes and souffle along with Imported Milchildan wine? Already got the drones to begin gathering ingredients. So how was the patrol? Did you turn out any results?" "Unfortunately, TSAB was for once competant, or at least cowardly enough to hide from me...they know about my specs and pretty much in a straightfoward battle will be totally annihilated, and unlike your fellow numbers, mercy does not exist in my protocols." Une then made a suggesive comment "Does it mean you wont spare any mercy for me in bed?" Adam a little angered: "We are technically on duty here, matters that you address is gently noted, so father, what do you got me right now?" Scaglietti then took him to see Ginga...who aparently was at the showers from a training session..."Meet number XIII, actually a type Zero..." Type Zero, the words seems to come to a shock for Adam..."Type Zero, what the hell are you talking about? The only numbers you ever gave me were the ones in the jars. Are you telling me you are denying more toys to have fun with." The Doctor then place his arms over Adam's shoulders: "Adam, the Type Zero were a special breed of Numbers, they were one of the first greatest things I had to create, I am sure you know what happened next." Adam nods, he knew about the injustices of the TSAB, how his father was used like a tool to give the TSAB ruling elite enternal life, hell he bet they wanted to fiddle around with his playthings and the thought of losing his toys almost drives him to the point of beserk... "Father, what should I do next? Can I spend some time with XIII?" The Doctor denied him saying: "XIII is still new to us, maybe you can bring me her sister and then XIII and her sister can be your newest toys." As Une heard Scaligetti, she grimanced at the thought that Adam may soon treat her and the rest of the Numbers as throwaways but was unable to voice her opinion. Because Adam was vital to creating a new Midchildan civilization from her access of the files...of course, it wont stop her from removing Ginga from the equation...

[Dream_Traveller]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Just as promised, my first Erio/Lutecia work... This is what would happen in episode 24 if this god of evil was in charge of production.

Somehow, I had the song "Hero" from the Spider-man theme song playing in my head over and over again...

Jeno: "And they say that a...!"

Spoiler for Don't you wish your male leads were...:

It’s all over.

“Lu-chan! Jump quickly!” The young pink-haired girlcried.

What does it matter…? Everything’s a lie… This life of hers, the Numbers who had helped her, the doctor’s promise…

…Mother.

I’m just too tired…

“Caro… Is it?” Lutecia spoke directly into her head.

“Y-yes?”

“You’re so lucky to have found people who care for you… I must admit, it makes me feel very jealous…” Lutecia smiled. “ I’ve searched my whole life to get it all back… I guess it’s just not meant to be…”

“Lu-chan? What are-?” Caro feared the worst.

Lutecia sigh “I guess what I want to say is…”

The roof beneath begins to crumble from all the damage that the building had sustained during their battle.

“I wish you a better life than what I had…”

The ground below her gave way.

“LU-CHANNNN!!!!" Caro screamed her heart out.

It wasn’t as scary as she thought it would feel. The endless drop was actually quite comforting, after those years carrying that burden around, it’s nice to finally let go of things. Besides, her wounds from the fight made it impossible to maintain in the air let alone navigate pass all the large debris, which were falling like rain.

So she didn’t even bother, it’s much easier and less tiring that way.

With the world falling apart around her, she projected her last words as far as she could.

Garyuu, Agito, Zest … Thank you for everything … I’m so sorry…

Lutecia closed her eyes.

I’m... Just too tired…

A metal casing bounced off a concrete slab falling beside Lutecia caught her attention. From above, a sound similar to that of a jet engine roared towards her. Lutecia opened her eyes and was surprised at what she saw.

"Let's go STRADA!!!!" Erio yelled.

Strada: <SpearAngriff>

The young boy flew like a missile towards her, smashing through any obstacles in his way. The state of his jacket suggest that he had went through hell to get here.

Why...?

The side of the building collapsed from all the instability. A huge chunk of it breaks off and has blocked Erio's path. The SpearAngriff attack doesn't have enough force to punch through it.

If that's the case...

"Load Cartridge!" Erio ordered.

He then raised Strada above his head and started to spin it as he falls, building up momentum and power. When he's within striking range of the target...

Strada: <Speerschneiden>

"Rahhhhh!!!" Erio made 5 rapid slashes at high speed, cutting an opening for him to drop through. However, he realized that time is running out; he estimated that Lutecia is about 10 metres from the ground. With too many rubble still in the way, another offensive spell would take too long.

Strada: <Sonic Move>

Erio's movement became almost instantaneous as he crisscross, bounce off, and cut through the remaining obstacles. Pushing himself off the last of the debris, Erio finally caught up to her.

But why...? I'm his ene-... Lutecia stared in disbelief.

"Give me your hand!" Erio yelled as he reached out to her.

Lutecia obediently raise her hand, still confused about everything.

Erio grab Lutecia and pulled her towards him, Lutecia gave a soft gasp as Erio warp his left arm around her and held her close.

This feeling...

Using his entire body strength, he twist around and point his device towards the sky with his one free hand.

"Hold on tight!" Warned Erio as he loads another cartridge into his device.

Lutecia grabbed his jacket.

Seven Metres.

Strada: <Jet Form>

Three metres

"Booster...!"

One metre.

Strada: <Start!>

The force of the ignition nearly knocked her off, but the Erio's grip remains firm as they rocket upwards. The danger isn't over yet as the sky was still falling on top of them. With the help of Strada, Erio manages to steer through obstacles with little difficulty.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing this?" Lutecia asked firmly.

A few seconds pass as Erio tries to find that answer himself.

"I know what you're going through," Erio answered."Because I too had once lost everything in my life..."

Lutecia looked at him silently.

"And it's not just me," Erio smiled at her. "Caro understands your pain as well..."

She avoid eye-contact.

"So you see, that's no need for you to suffer alone." Erio looked up ahead. "We can save you..."

"...You pity me?"

"Not really..." Erio shook his head. "It's just that I have been rescued before a long time ago... So now when I see someone in need of help, I just have to do the same for them, as that person had done for me."

"I...Didn't asked to be saved..."

"Can't do anything about it now..." Erio replied. "So you might as well live..."

Live...

At that moment, the entire space above them folded inward, closing the exit in front of them.

"Damn!" Erio thought fast, "Can you boost my attack power?"

"Yes but w-?"

"Just do it, quickly!"

Lutecia cast a quick spell, her dark purple magic concentrated itself on the spear-head of Strada.

"Done."

"Strada!"

The device fire it's thrusters towards the exit, however it was too late as the rubble collided into each other.

"Mode 3!"

Strada: <Thunderstorm Form>

Using the momentum left from the thrust, Erio balanced himself and prepared to striker.

"THUNDER RAGE!"

Strada slammed into the blockade, the lightning attack did some damage to it before gravity took effect.

But this time, it's the boy's turn to be surprised as Lutecia mustered her strength to float for a short moment.

"One more time..." Lutecia said calmly. "Together..."

Erio nodded.

"THUNDER....!"

"Get out of my way..." Lutecia charged up her offensive spell.

"...RAGE!!!!"

A solid stream of magic blasted through the 'roof'.

"Erio-kun! Lu-chan!"

"Caro!"

Switching back to Jet form, the two of them flew towards Caro who's riding on Fried.

"Thanks goodness you're alright!" There were tears in her eyes.

"C-Caro, it's fine really..." Erio did his best to calm her down.

"I-I know, but still..."

Erio then felt something on his shoulder.

"Lutecia?"

The girl had rest her head there, completely exhausted.

"I’m... Just too tired…"

Don't cha... Don't cha...


So tell me, who do I have to remove to make the above happen...


P.S - done in another record time, so let me know if I did anything wrong that I can correct...

This...

This is...


EPIC WIN!

Great piece! It makes me wonder whether or not this'll happen in the series. Right producers?

RIGHT?

And a good piece by you, too, Aaron. A touching scene portrayed there- and Sakura's quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

And now, a snippet:

Spoiler for Said Snippet:

The aging general was hoisted upwards out of his desk by a black-clad fist, and suddenly found himself gasping for air.

"W...what the-?!"

The man with a Fawkesian mask peered at him insidiously. "You know what I dislike about people such as yourself, Regius?" he said, his tone brimming with disgust. "Everything. The way you constantly act in a pompous fashion, the way that you sit, high and mightily behind a desk, knowing that you're 'safe' and performing sloth as the real soldiers prove their worth."

The masked one's grip tightened, and Regius gasped. "That, and so much more. I'll be honest with you. I...hate...people like yourself, those who are far too prideful for their own good, people who degrade those that actually carry out tasks that are worthy in lieu of barking orders and labeling people as 'criminals' behind their backs. People like you, who are engulfed by their own position in rank and consider themselves kings incarnate, I despise."

"I've heard about what you've done, 'General'. And to be truthful, I don't take kindly to others making snide remarks about my colleagues. To be frank..." He tilted his head, then stated, accusingly: "I don't think you care much for those who fight for the stabilization of the peace that we long for."

He unsheathed a knife, the blade glowing dimly in the light, and pointed it not at Regius, but at his secretary, who froze. The general was now beginning to shiver in horror.

"It's deduced odd, isn't it?", the man inquired, glancing around the room. "How you can care so much for mere goods- porcelain, plastic, and what have you..." He shook his head. "And yet care so little for flesh and blood."

"Good" V pays Regius a long-deserved visit. This piece was rather randomly thought out though...but I'll leave you all to judge it.

[Erio]

Cant wield the Backlog Zamber right now... I'm extremely busy. Just a few random comments for now.

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

@Erio: I did say I have some HAXX.
And more to come in the later parts of RevivalS; where he reaches the pinnacle of his ability. Thanks to Hayate, Barabus, and to a limited extent, Kluize...

And the time to finally show Astranagant... Provided that it's needed.

But I need it to temporarily cripple Aurion from overexertion to be able to work out the LRW girls saving him in OutcastS. Perhaps as a no choice decision near the end. Astranagant does not necessarily screw over Aurion from the get go... Just when it's overused...

Well, it doesnt necessarily need to be from Astranagant. It could happen after Aurion's first encounter with daemons.

Originally Posted by Kha

Let's not confuse the two...

Ah, noted, so Divine is from the Naaru and the power of the SPIRAL is from the Relic? Me like better now.

This would've been revealed in Sakura's profile, but since I didn't have time to go back to writing it, I revealed it here. Notice how Sakura, after a certain point in time, starts refering to Zaki as Mother instead of My Other Self like she used to. Yeah my hints are everywhere where no one can see them...

This is crazy.

It wasn't the spirit of Seiou... There is only 1 Seiou... What I thought was the power of that person you proposed, which I think now is the Spiral Knight?

Ah, I got confused for a moment there.

I'm praying for Vivio to die in canon. Cos I don't feel like killing her outside, and saves me the trouble to.

Basically if Vivio doesnt die, Sakura wont awaken, huh?

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

I can arrange that... I even have the perfect Destroyer for the job


yes, I'm aware that Nanoha would probably grab the girl and make a run for it, but that's all part of the fun


Oh what is that show where the whole world (sort of) is after one little kid who is suppose to be innocent but not really? And he/she only has a few people protecting him/her?


I swear I saw that before somewere...

Approved!

Originally Posted by Keroko

As I said, by now the numbers are pretty much known factors. The cradle poses a much bigger threat. It will destroy Mid-childa in a few hours, after all, no way the numbers can acomplish such a feat..

That, and OOC I don't care enough about the numbers to bother sending Keroko after them. And I can't let Vivio wear a blue lined version of Keroko's barrier jacket and not do something with it.

Noted. I actually didnt know you dont like the Numbers.

Using light blue for Keroko's text does not compute.

Though I could have gone blue for Yui, since it is her magic color.

Actually, I was suggesting changing Nanoha to brown, since you're going by hair color for all the others. That would fix the pinks, at least.

Scrapped Princess.

I think I am one of the few non-NXF who actually wants Vivio to live.

And unfortunately, because of NxFers, Vivio will live, just to feed that fanbase. If, at least, that means Nanoha will sell a lot and a Season 4 will be made, then I guess I'm in favor of Vivio living.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

~~~

Teaser for StrikerS Destiny?

Spoiler:

"Admiral Lindy... please relay this message to Chrono and Hayate as soon as possible. It is of utmost urgency... Father...father is!"

"Unknown Relic-type signatures are detected... recognized...Type 1,2,3, and 5... location...97th Unadministrated World!"

"Our mission objectives... the obliteration of the following targets.

Suzuka Tsukimura.
Arisa Bannings.
Those who bear the Takamichi name, who shares the blood of that woman.
Gil Graham."

"Make your choice... You two can reject me, and die, fulfilling your purpose as your friends at the Bureau see your corpses... or accept my hand, and obtain a power to make a difference..."

"Aria...Lotte... Chrono...Hayate... goodbye."

Awesome. I wonder what Jail's standing will be in this whole mess.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

• Episode 1
  • It had been 6 months since the Relic Incident, as different members of formerly RF6 depart to their own goals in life as Teana becomes an Air Force cadet under Nanoha, Subaru in the Disaster Management, Erio and Caro as Jr. Cadets in the Navy under Fate, and Hayate being in command of the Wolkenritter. However, one day as they each went on with their own missions, Nanoha/Teana, Fate/Erio/Caro and Hayate/Signum/Vita each are ambushed by 3 different unknowns at the same time...

• Episode 2
  • The battles continued on about evenly, as these unknowns fought at a level with applications of Mid-childa and Ancient belka magic unseen of. Reinforcement eventually arrived, but before that, a different kind of magical circle was then used as the unknowns defeated just the Aces before leaving against the odds, citing that this was just a greeting... (( Ah, basically, it's just like A's 2 in a way. ))

• Episode 3
  • Noticing that the unknowns in question had similar energy responses to those of Relics, Enforcer Fate Testarossa decides to interrogate Jail Scaglietti, who was prisoned in TSAB's High Security Complex. Meanwhile, Carim uses her Rare Skill to predict the future, only to discover that...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Nightype Magazine Spoilers for Ep.4 to 6...

• Episode 4
  • After the fruitless interrogation, Mid-childa is once again under attack, as several unknown machinations appeared to terrorize different parts of the Capital, under the command of a single unknown mage. The Ground Forces were unable to repel off those unknowns, but as Jail stepped out of his cell, he starts to mobilize his freed Numbers...

• Episode 5
  • With Jail Scaglietti's escape, former members of RF6 meets again in the TSAB Central HQ, reunited altogether after 6 months discussing the recent turn of events. Meanwhile, Acous had found something strange, while Yuuno too, discovered a section of Infinity Library once restricted only to the High Council... On Mid-childa, Carim gets an unexpected visitor...

• Episode 6
  • Recieving a call from Aria and Lotte, Chrono and Hayate rushes to Earth to see Graham, who apparently doesn't have much time left. Meanwhile, a group of unknowns make their presence known, as they list their obliteration targets, the Harlaown twins, the Takamichi family, Arisa, Suzuka, and Gil Graham. As Arisa and Suzuka were pushed to a corner, someone appears before them giving them a choice of hell and a different hell, while Graham, with his last strength faces the unknown assailant...

Interesting. The next part of my ficlet will have something similar, with unknowns attacking, however it wont be of the scale of this.

Moar please!

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Just as promised, my first Erio/Lutecia work... This is what would happen in episode 24 if this god of evil was in charge of production.

Somehow, I had the song "Hero" from the Spider-man theme song playing in my head over and over again...

Jeno: "And they say that a...!"

Spoiler for Don't you wish your male leads were...:

It’s all over.

“Lu-chan! Jump quickly!” The young pink-haired girlcried.

What does it matter…? Everything’s a lie… This life of hers, the Numbers who had helped her, the doctor’s promise…

…Mother.

I’m just too tired…

“Caro… Is it?” Lutecia spoke directly into her head.

“Y-yes?”

“You’re so lucky to have found people who care for you… I must admit, it makes me feel very jealous…” Lutecia smiled. “ I’ve searched my whole life to get it all back… I guess it’s just not meant to be…”

“Lu-chan? What are-?” Caro feared the worst.

Lutecia sigh “I guess what I want to say is…”

The roof beneath begins to crumble from all the damage that the building had sustained during their battle.

“I wish you a better life than what I had…”

The ground below her gave way.

“LU-CHANNNN!!!!" Caro screamed her heart out.

It wasn’t as scary as she thought it would feel. The endless drop was actually quite comforting, after those years carrying that burden around, it’s nice to finally let go of things. Besides, her wounds from the fight made it impossible to maintain in the air let alone navigate pass all the large debris, which were falling like rain.

So she didn’t even bother, it’s much easier and less tiring that way.

With the world falling apart around her, she projected her last words as far as she could.

Garyuu, Agito, Zest … Thank you for everything … I’m so sorry…

Lutecia closed her eyes.

I’m... Just too tired…

A metal casing bounced off a concrete slab falling beside Lutecia caught her attention. From above, a sound similar to that of a jet engine roared towards her. Lutecia opened her eyes and was surprised at what she saw.

"Let's go STRADA!!!!" Erio yelled.

Strada: <SpearAngriff>

The young boy flew like a missile towards her, smashing through any obstacles in his way. The state of his jacket suggest that he had went through hell to get here.

Why...?

The side of the building collapsed from all the instability. A huge chunk of it breaks off and has blocked Erio's path. The SpearAngriff attack doesn't have enough force to punch through it.

If that's the case...

"Load Cartridge!" Erio ordered.

He then raised Strada above his head and started to spin it as he falls, building up momentum and power. When he's within striking range of the target...

Strada: <Speerschneiden>

"Rahhhhh!!!" Erio made 5 rapid slashes at high speed, cutting an opening for him to drop through. However, he realized that time is running out; he estimated that Lutecia is about 10 metres from the ground. With too many rubble still in the way, another offensive spell would take too long.

Strada: <Sonic Move>

Erio's movement became almost instantaneous as he crisscross, bounce off, and cut through the remaining obstacles. Pushing himself off the last of the debris, Erio finally caught up to her.

But why...? I'm his ene-... Lutecia stared in disbelief.

"Give me your hand!" Erio yelled as he reached out to her.

Lutecia obediently raise her hand, still confused about everything.

Erio grab Lutecia and pulled her towards him, Lutecia gave a soft gasp as Erio warp his left arm around her and held her close.

This feeling...

Using his entire body strength, he twist around and point his device towards the sky with his one free hand.

"Hold on tight!" Warned Erio as he loads another cartridge into his device.

Lutecia grabbed his jacket.

Seven Metres.

Strada: <Jet Form>

Three metres

"Booster...!"

One metre.

Strada: <Start!>

The force of the ignition nearly knocked her off, but the Erio's grip remains firm as they rocket upwards. The danger isn't over yet as the sky was still falling on top of them. With the help of Strada, Erio manages to steer through obstacles with little difficulty.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing this?" Lutecia asked firmly.

A few seconds pass as Erio tries to find that answer himself.

"I know what you're going through," Erio answered."Because I too had once lost everything in my life..."

Lutecia looked at him silently.

"And it's not just me," Erio smiled at her. "Caro understands your pain as well..."

She avoid eye-contact.

"So you see, that's no need for you to suffer alone." Erio looked up ahead. "We can save you..."

"...You pity me?"

"Not really..." Erio shook his head. "It's just that I have been rescued before a long time ago... So now when I see someone in need of help, I just have to do the same for them, as that person had done for me."

"I...Didn't asked to be saved..."

"Can't do anything about it now..." Erio replied. "So you might as well live..."

Live...

At that moment, the entire space above them folded inward, closing the exit in front of them.

"Damn!" Erio thought fast, "Can you boost my attack power?"

"Yes but w-?"

"Just do it, quickly!"

Lutecia cast a quick spell, her dark purple magic concentrated itself on the spear-head of Strada.

"Done."

"Strada!"

The device fire it's thrusters towards the exit, however it was too late as the rubble collided into each other.

"Mode 3!"

Strada: <Thunderstorm Form>

Using the momentum left from the thrust, Erio balanced himself and prepared to striker.

"THUNDER RAGE!"

Strada slammed into the blockade, the lightning attack did some damage to it before gravity took effect.

But this time, it's the boy's turn to be surprised as Lutecia mustered her strength to float for a short moment.

"One more time..." Lutecia said calmly. "Together..."

Erio nodded.

"THUNDER....!"

"Get out of my way..." Lutecia charged up her offensive spell.

"...RAGE!!!!"

A solid stream of magic blasted through the 'roof'.

"Erio-kun! Lu-chan!"

"Caro!"

Switching back to Jet form, the two of them flew towards Caro who's riding on Fried.

"Thanks goodness you're alright!" There were tears in her eyes.

"C-Caro, it's fine really..." Erio did his best to calm her down.

"I-I know, but still..."

Erio then felt something on his shoulder.

"Lutecia?"

The girl had rest her head there, completely exhausted.

"I’m... Just too tired…"

Don't cha... Don't cha...


So tell me, who do I have to remove to make the above happen...


P.S - done in another record time, so let me know if I did anything wrong that I can correct...

Absolutely approved!!

And seriously, if this doesnt happen I dont know what else StrikerS can screw up on.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Now for something of my own. Something that I should have worked on way back when, but somehow only recently started.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Artherion.

Spoiler for Artherion:

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

Though I'll be occupied with fixing manga scans first.

Awesome! I assume Ethereal Mode is the Ultimate form?

[Satty]

@USB: Nice story, wonder if the epilogue is going to be sad now....

@Aaron: Poor Kha, getting quad-teamed (if that is a word)

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Nightype Magazine Spoilers for Ep.4 to 6...

• Episode 4
  • After the fruitless interrogation, Mid-childa is once again under attack, as several unknown machinations appeared to terrorize different parts of the Capital, under the command of a single unknown mage. The Ground Forces were unable to repel off those unknowns, but as Jail stepped out of his cell, he starts to mobilize his freed Numbers...

• Episode 5
  • With Jail Scaglietti's escape, former members of RF6 meets again in the TSAB Central HQ, reunited altogether after 6 months discussing the recent turn of events. Meanwhile, Acous had found something strange, while Yuuno too, discovered a section of Infinity Library once restricted only to the High Council... On Mid-childa, Carim gets an unexpected visitor...

• Episode 6
  • Recieving a call from Aria and Lotte, Chrono and Hayate rushes to Earth to see Graham, who apparently doesn't have much time left. Meanwhile, a group of unknowns make their presence known, as they list their obliteration targets, the Harlaown twins, the Takamichi family, Arisa, Suzuka, and Gil Graham. As Arisa and Suzuka were pushed to a corner, someone appears before them giving them a choice of hell and a different hell, while Graham, with his last strength faces the unknown assailant...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

• Episode 1
  • It had been 6 months since the Relic Incident, as different members of formerly RF6 depart to their own goals in life as Teana becomes an Air Force cadet under Nanoha, Subaru in the Disaster Management, Erio and Caro as Jr. Cadets in the Navy under Fate, and Hayate being in command of the Wolkenritter. However, one day as they each went on with their own missions, Nanoha/Teana, Fate/Erio/Caro and Hayate/Signum/Vita each are ambushed by 3 different unknowns at the same time...

• Episode 2
  • The battles continued on about evenly, as these unknowns fought at a level with applications of Mid-childa and Ancient belka magic unseen of. Reinforcement eventually arrived, but before that, a different kind of magical circle was then used as the unknowns defeated just the Aces before leaving against the odds, citing that this was just a greeting... (( Ah, basically, it's just like A's 2 in a way. ))

• Episode 3
  • Noticing that the unknowns in question had similar energy responses to those of Relics, Enforcer Fate Testarossa decides to interrogate Jail Scaglietti, who was prisoned in TSAB's High Security Complex. Meanwhile, Carim uses her Rare Skill to predict the future, only to discover that...

EPIC!

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Just as promised, my first Erio/Lutecia work... This is what would happen in episode 24 if this god of evil was in charge of production.

Somehow, I had the song "Hero" from the Spider-man theme song playing in my head over and over again...

Jeno: "And they say that a...!"

Spoiler for Don't you wish your male leads were...:

It’s all over.

“Lu-chan! Jump quickly!” The young pink-haired girlcried.

What does it matter…? Everything’s a lie… This life of hers, the Numbers who had helped her, the doctor’s promise…

…Mother.

I’m just too tired…

“Caro… Is it?” Lutecia spoke directly into her head.

“Y-yes?”

“You’re so lucky to have found people who care for you… I must admit, it makes me feel very jealous…” Lutecia smiled. “ I’ve searched my whole life to get it all back… I guess it’s just not meant to be…”

“Lu-chan? What are-?” Caro feared the worst.

Lutecia sigh “I guess what I want to say is…”

The roof beneath begins to crumble from all the damage that the building had sustained during their battle.

“I wish you a better life than what I had…”

The ground below her gave way.

“LU-CHANNNN!!!!" Caro screamed her heart out.

It wasn’t as scary as she thought it would feel. The endless drop was actually quite comforting, after those years carrying that burden around, it’s nice to finally let go of things. Besides, her wounds from the fight made it impossible to maintain in the air let alone navigate pass all the large debris, which were falling like rain.

So she didn’t even bother, it’s much easier and less tiring that way.

With the world falling apart around her, she projected her last words as far as she could.

Garyuu, Agito, Zest … Thank you for everything … I’m so sorry…

Lutecia closed her eyes.

I’m... Just too tired…

A metal casing bounced off a concrete slab falling beside Lutecia caught her attention. From above, a sound similar to that of a jet engine roared towards her. Lutecia opened her eyes and was surprised at what she saw.

"Let's go STRADA!!!!" Erio yelled.

Strada: <SpearAngriff>

The young boy flew like a missile towards her, smashing through any obstacles in his way. The state of his jacket suggest that he had went through hell to get here.

Why...?

The side of the building collapsed from all the instability. A huge chunk of it breaks off and has blocked Erio's path. The SpearAngriff attack doesn't have enough force to punch through it.

If that's the case...

"Load Cartridge!" Erio ordered.

He then raised Strada above his head and started to spin it as he falls, building up momentum and power. When he's within striking range of the target...

Strada: <Speerschneiden>

"Rahhhhh!!!" Erio made 5 rapid slashes at high speed, cutting an opening for him to drop through. However, he realized that time is running out; he estimated that Lutecia is about 10 metres from the ground. With too many rubble still in the way, another offensive spell would take too long.

Strada: <Sonic Move>

Erio's movement became almost instantaneous as he crisscross, bounce off, and cut through the remaining obstacles. Pushing himself off the last of the debris, Erio finally caught up to her.

But why...? I'm his ene-... Lutecia stared in disbelief.

"Give me your hand!" Erio yelled as he reached out to her.

Lutecia obediently raise her hand, still confused about everything.

Erio grab Lutecia and pulled her towards him, Lutecia gave a soft gasp as Erio warp his left arm around her and held her close.

This feeling...

Using his entire body strength, he twist around and point his device towards the sky with his one free hand.

"Hold on tight!" Warned Erio as he loads another cartridge into his device.

Lutecia grabbed his jacket.

Seven Metres.

Strada: <Jet Form>

Three metres

"Booster...!"

One metre.

Strada: <Start!>

The force of the ignition nearly knocked her off, but the Erio's grip remains firm as they rocket upwards. The danger isn't over yet as the sky was still falling on top of them. With the help of Strada, Erio manages to steer through obstacles with little difficulty.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing this?" Lutecia asked firmly.

A few seconds pass as Erio tries to find that answer himself.

"I know what you're going through," Erio answered."Because I too had once lost everything in my life..."

Lutecia looked at him silently.

"And it's not just me," Erio smiled at her. "Caro understands your pain as well..."

She avoid eye-contact.

"So you see, that's no need for you to suffer alone." Erio looked up ahead. "We can save you..."

"...You pity me?"

"Not really..." Erio shook his head. "It's just that I have been rescued before a long time ago... So now when I see someone in need of help, I just have to do the same for them, as that person had done for me."

"I...Didn't asked to be saved..."

"Can't do anything about it now..." Erio replied. "So you might as well live..."

Live...

At that moment, the entire space above them folded inward, closing the exit in front of them.

"Damn!" Erio thought fast, "Can you boost my attack power?"

"Yes but w-?"

"Just do it, quickly!"

Lutecia cast a quick spell, her dark purple magic concentrated itself on the spear-head of Strada.

"Done."

"Strada!"

The device fire it's thrusters towards the exit, however it was too late as the rubble collided into each other.

"Mode 3!"

Strada: <Thunderstorm Form>

Using the momentum left from the thrust, Erio balanced himself and prepared to striker.

"THUNDER RAGE!"

Strada slammed into the blockade, the lightning attack did some damage to it before gravity took effect.

But this time, it's the boy's turn to be surprised as Lutecia mustered her strength to float for a short moment.

"One more time..." Lutecia said calmly. "Together..."

Erio nodded.

"THUNDER....!"

"Get out of my way..." Lutecia charged up her offensive spell.

"...RAGE!!!!"

A solid stream of magic blasted through the 'roof'.

"Erio-kun! Lu-chan!"

"Caro!"

Switching back to Jet form, the two of them flew towards Caro who's riding on Fried.

"Thanks goodness you're alright!" There were tears in her eyes.

"C-Caro, it's fine really..." Erio did his best to calm her down.

"I-I know, but still..."

Erio then felt something on his shoulder.

"Lutecia?"

The girl had rest her head there, completely exhausted.

"I’m... Just too tired…"

Don't cha... Don't cha...


So tell me, who do I have to remove to make the above happen...


P.S - done in another record time, so let me know if I did anything wrong that I can correct...

Nice, made me smile a bit.

Anway, SearcherS part 7 is done. Here it is.

Spoiler for SearcherS-part 7:

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
9:12 P.M.

“…So, these are the Replicas, huh?” Sion said, skeptical at the neatly lined row of bodies, all slouched and seemingly dead, holding on to some sort of rifle on one hand. “Yes, that’s them.” Asteright replied, a grin on his face. “I bet they’ll give any mage a run for their money.” he added.

“Heh, I don’t believe it. No clone can stand up to a mage.”

“Oh yeah?” Asteright replied, a grin on his face. “Then watch.” Casting Dealer’s Deck, he shuffled the cards for some time, eyeing at the line to use one as a demonstration to show Sion. “There’s something I want to show you.” Spotting a potential Replica, he activated it. “Echo 4, awake.”

“Yes, sir.” the Replica answered, female by its voice. Aiming a card in order to attack her, Asteright almost threw the card when a shot from another Device rang out and hit the Replica straight in the chest. She staggered down to her knees, and checked her chest armor. Slowly, she got up, and the only thing left of the magic shot was a small charred spot where the shot hit.

“Hollow, thank you, but I didn’t need your help.”

Coughing, the sickly girl came out of the shadows of the right side of the room, holding her own Device, Carrossea, ready for anything. “Gomen, but I just wanted to help.”

Asteright just nodded and she stayed where she was, coughing.

Sion just looked at her for a moment, then turned around to face Asteright himself. “Impressive…but what’s the trick?”

“Light AMF plating on the chest armor; prevents magic shots from damaging the person who wears it. Unfortunately, concentrated amounts of magic or a Device will pass through that.”

“They’ll be fodder; I see that they don’t even have a suitable weapon to go against them.”

“You think so?” Turning his attention to the Replica, he pointed at a section of his own Barrier Jacket. “Echo 4, shoot here.”

“Yes.” she said, and aimed at the Jacket. Shooting at the section, the bullet passed through the Barrier Jacket and aimed straight at Sion himself. Taking out his Device, he managed to block the bullet, which hit the ceiling harmlessly. “Nicked my Device…” he mused. “What’s the trick now?”

“The bullet has a disrupting effect on Barrier Jackets and defenses.” Asteright simply said, still grinning. “It’ll take some time before the Barrier Jacket can repair this.”

“Interesting…” Sion thought as he looked over the Replicas, especially noticing their wrists, which had a tag that bore the saying “S-1”.

“The S-1 Project…a project headed by Asteright, with Scagletti giving the resources to him. Scagletti himself didn’t like the project that much, and asked only to make the Replicas female for some reason…”

“Are we going?” a mechanical voice suddenly said, and a blue eye appeared on the left side of the room.

“Wolf…” Sion greeted, his voice sounding hostile to him.

“Sion…”

Sion just smirked at him, and ignoring him for a second, turned to the rest of the Replicas. “Asteright, if you mind…”

“All right, then. All of Echo Team, awake.”

The line of Replicas suddenly straightened up, alive, grabbed their weapons like they were about to march in a single line, and looked straight at them. “Alright then, let’s move out!”

“Right!” all of them said out loud, ready to take orders.

“It’s your call.” Asteright said, still looking at the Replicas.

“Shall we get started then?” Sion replied back to him.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11: 34 P.M.

“Sorry for having to brief you on-route.” the Major said to all of the squads. “But unfortunately, there’s not that much time.” All of them were in the King Raven, heading towards Compound 34, a research lab in southern Mid-Childa. The whole complex was dedicated to further studying of Relics, but what they usually studied was kept under wraps. “We’re heading to Compound 34, aren't we?” Nobuyuki said sleepily, trying to get some shuteye on this trip.

“Right.” Rachel said to him.

“I heard about that group.” Vincent added. “Bunch of crazy scientists studying some sort of crystal or something.”

“Those “crystals” you’re talking about just have the potential to blow up a good chunk of an area.” Sydney replied to him, looking at him like he was an idiot for saying that.

“Isn’t RF6 supposed to check the place out?” Anne said to the Major, confused that the 216th was sent in instead. “They’re currently not here right now. And since we’re the ones sent in to find out about unknown occurrences, we go in their place.” Rachel answered back for the Major.

“Let’s get to the briefing, then.” Satoshi said, and everyone agreed.

“Contact was lost about an hour ago. So far, any other attempts to try and reach them have failed.”

“Well, it might be a power outage or something.” Arvis said, wondering about other reasons.

“It might, but we can’t make any assumptions.”

“So, we’re just going to be checking on them?” Lian asked.

“Yeah, that’s about it. Everyone understand?”

Everybody nodded their heads, and the briefing stopped. “Scuderia, Rachel, and I will be in the area, keeping tabs on all of you guys.” the Major added, giving some relief to them. As the talking stopped, both Satoshi and Nobuyuki were looking around, checking on the others.

Nobuyuki asked Satoshi, “You think we’re gonna lose someone today?” telepathically to him, keeping it a secret.

“Hopefully not.” Satoshi answered back to him. “Well, I’m gonna get some sleep. Tell me when we’re there.” Nobuyuki replied, and started to sleep again. “Hopefully not, huh?” he thought. “I agree.”

Looking at everyone, Satoshi could already tell that Sydney and Anne were getting jumpy, and Vincent was starting to get impatient. The other two members of Thunder Squad, Arvis and Lian, were already nervous, checking their Devices constantly. Margaret was also taking a nap, like Nobuyuki, but Satsuki acted differently than usual. Normally, she would be either talking to Lian, or watching over Margaret. Today, she was just looking down on the floor, her eyes closed, seeming like she was remembering something that she didn’t want to remember. “Hmm….best to not bother her then.” Satoshi concluded in his mind.

“Hey, all of you, I see the compound.” Scuderia said out loud to all of them, and everyone straightened up, ready for what was going to happen. “We’re landing in 5. Get ready.”

The King Raven landed down on a helipad nearby, and everyone got out quickly. “Good luck to you all.” the Major said to all of them before the copter took off for the skies again. All of them headed inside the compound, clearing the first room. No one was there, but there was one thing that stood out: everything was powered up, and there was no sign of a power outage.

“We can rule out a power outage.” Nobuyuki said to all of them, especially Arvis, snidely. “Well, it was a guess.” Arvis countered.

“Let’s just check the compound, alright?” Anne said to both of them, trying to stop a potential fight. “We don’t need to kill each other here.” Both of them stopped and everyone started searching.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11:46 P.M.

“Don-Don’t hur-AGHH!” was the final phrase a security guard said before being sliced diagonally in half by Black Wolf. As both of the parts of his body fell, Wolf was already shaking all the blood off his sword and putting it back. Behind him were several other bodies, unlucky victims who decided to take the night shift. Wolf then checked up on the security feeds.

“Sion, they’re here.” he commented. Up above, on the control room of the complex, Sion, Asteright, and Hollow were there, next to some sort of small, portable installation. “Great. Let’s get started.” he replied, getting near a control switch. “Do whatever you want; just make sure to get those Relics.”

“Understood.” Wolf replied back, before Sion flipped the switch, and the link was shut down. “This will prevent them from communicating with each other.” Asteright said to him. “And also for us.” Sion replied back. “Well, we just have to find some other way, then, huh?” Taking out a small radio transmitter, Asteright called the Replicas, patrolling the compound, giving them an order. “Mages from the TSAB are here. Shoot to kill. That is all.”

“Right.” was one of their answers, and they continued patrolling. Asteright turned to Hollow, who was coughing a bit. “Sorry…” she said quietly before the coughs stopped and she straightened up. “Suck it in, and let’s go.” Asteright said to her. “I understand.” She replied coldly before following him.

As both of them left, Sion started leaving the room also, thinking that the jammer would be safe. “Well, I’ll have my fun…” he thought to himself, smiling mischievously. “Brother, let’s see how you are after these years.”

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11:49 P.M.

“Nothing here…” Sydney said to everyone after checking a room nearby. So far, all of them had searched the complex, and without any sign of a takeover, accident, or something else. They had also never seen any other scientists yet. “Damn, another room empty….” Nobuyuki said, impatient about what was happening. “This is getting to be a pain in the butt.”

“You said it.” Vincent said to him, agreeing. “Well, at least we aren’t getting our butts shot out.” Satoshi said to both of them, but both of them just stayed silent, still bored. As all of them went into a storage area, Vincent heard something near the southwest corner. Signaling everyone else, he said to all of them quietly, “Wait. I heard something.”

“All right then, check. Be careful.” Satoshi replied. Grinning a bit, Vincent just said, “Don’t worry about me.” He moved forward, inching along the wall, trying to not make too much noise. Near the corner, he could hear the sounds become a voice. “…This is Echo 7, one of those scientists that escaped is down, I repeat…”

“What the? Professional soldiers?” Vincent thought to himself. Taking a peek, he could see that this soldier was a female, dressed in urban camo. On her hands was a rifle of sorts. “A rifle? I thought that was illegal here…better tell everyone.” As he tried to go back, though, he accidentally tripped. “Oh, damn…”

“Who’s there?” the Replica yelled, and moved to where everyone was, seeing them. “Contac-!” she yelled to the radio before a Burst Shooter from Satoshi hit her. “1 down….” he thought, but to everyone’s surprise, she managed to recover and move. “What in the world?”

Pointing her rifle at them, she started shooting. The bullets went harmlessly straight through as everyone took cover behind the boxes. A sweep kick from Vincent incapacitated her, preventing any more damage. Moving towards them, he took cover near Satoshi himself. “Damn it…shouldn’t have tripped.” he said to him, mad that he fell. “It’s in the past.” Satoshi said to him quickly. “Don’t worry-.”

Gunfire then erupted from the walkway up above. Soldiers just like the one that found them shot at them, trying their best to kill them. “Kuso…thanks a lot, Vince!” Anne yelled, as a bullet nearly grazed her head. “Hey, calm down and take cover!” Nobuyuki screamed back to her, and she immediately took cover. “Satsuki, try to get them!” Satoshi yelled to her, bullets still hitting the boxes. “Wait for the reload.” he added.

“Right.” she said to him. “Ellis, Margaret, let’s go.”

“[Right.]”

“Got it!”

The bullets finally stopped, and Satsuki took her chance. Margaret and Vince covered her as she aimed the scope at one of the Replicas’ own weapons. Taking the shot, the rifle cracked into several pieces, forcing the Replica to retreat and take cover. Good sho-.” Vince said to her before a bullet hit his leg.

“Vince!”

“Don’t worry about it! I’ve got shot a couple of times before.” he said to her, smiling to try to take away her fear. “Damn it, Satoshi, we gotta move!” Sydney said to him. “I know!” he replied back to her, trying to find some way out. There were three doors near where they were at. “If we could get through those doors…”

“I got it.” he said to her, and started to talk to Nobuyuki telepathically about it. “No-.” he could say before he started to hold his head in pain. “Satoshi!” Sydney replied, worried about what happened.

“I can’t communicate.” he said to her, managing to shake it off. “When I tried, it was like something smacked me in the head.”

“It’s some sort of jammer then…” she said to him.

“Is that even possible?”

“Yeah, by overloading a telepathic link, you could jam it. I wasn't sure of all the technical details, though.”

“Well, let’s do it the old-fashioned way, then.”

“You’re not thin-.” Sydney said, but it was too late. Satoshi went out of his cover, and everyone was focusing on him. “Plasma Cannon!” he yelled. ”[You got it.]” Cipher said, discharging 2 cartridges, and 3 bolts of electricity went in the direction of the Replicas, who took cover fast. He didn’t hit any of them, but it was enough to get him to where Nobuyuki and Anne were.

“You’re crazy…” Nobuyuki said to him. “Listen.” Satoshi replied back, telling him about the plan, pointing on where the doors where. “You and me; we’ll go through that center door. Anne, Arvis, and Lian will take the left door over there. Sydney, Vincent, Satsuki, and Margaret will take the right.”

“I feel like this is gonna be hectic…”

“It’s the only chance we got.”

“Yeah. Alright then.”

“One other thing, we can’t communicate telepathically. We’re gonna be on our own once we do this.”

“But how?” Nobuyuki asked, confused. Satoshi's answer didn't clarify much.

“Some sort of jammer, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll be going.”

Satoshi started going back to where he was, diving down onto the safety of the boxes, bullets nearly hitting him. “Anne, take Arvis and Lian through that door. Satoshi and I will go through that door in the center, Sydney, Vince, Satsuki, and Margaret will take the right.”

“What? Are you two crazy or something?” she replied back in disbelief. “I thought about it. It’s gonna work.”

“Alright then…” she said back, relenting. Nobuyuki then signaled Satoshi with a thumbs up, and he nodded. Already seeing that Anne told the other two, he called Arvis. “You ready to use Negate, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready.” he said back to him. “Good.”

“Syd, you ready with covering everyone, right?” Satoshi said to her, while he was judging the door’s distance. “I’m ready.”

“Good.”

“Be careful out there.”

“Aren’t I always?” he said to her, smiling a bit, settling her fears a bit. “Let’s start.”

Counting to three with his fingers, Satoshi gulped a little, knowing that it could work, or that it could tear them up. “One…two….” he thought as his fingers did the counting. Everyone else was waiting for the signal, waiting if the plan would succeed or if they could become cold, dead bodies. The Replicas stopped firing, enough time. “Three!” As the Replicas finished reloading, Satoshi and Nobuyuki were halfway.

“Pykrete Wall!” Sydney yelled out, a wall of ice covering Sky Squad’s backs, while Arvis put up 4 shields, safely covering Thunder Squad’s back. The Replicas’ started firing again, and their bullets couldn’t penetrate both the wall and the shield, and so they turned their attention to both captains. “Great…” Nobuyuki thought to himself as the bullets started flying at both of them. Closing the gap, both of them managed to get through the door, staggering inside, and moving forward after that.

The Replicas stopped firing, as one of them started reporting, all the others moved left and right. “Asteright, Echo Leader. We found the mages, captains went through the center door, their squads went left and right.”

Asteright answered back. “Let your squad deal with their own squads. Sion and Wolf will intercept the captains.”

“Understood.”

As Asteright cut communications, he looked back at Hollow and Sion, who was in the area. “Sion, you’re lucky, he’s coming here.”

He just chuckled a bit to him, and with a small smirk on his face, he said to him, “I know he’s coming; I made sure of it.”

Looking at him in confusion for a bit, he straightened up, and called Hollow out. “Let’s go.”

“Right.” she said, and followed him out of the room.

“Papillion…” Sion thought.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
12:01 A.M.

As Sydney, Satsuki, Margaret, and Vincent took a right to get away from the Replicas, Vincent asked Sydney, “Where did he go now?”

“I don’t know, but I hope he’s safe…”

Bullets started firing, and all of them took cover. Seeing a door nearby both Sydney and Satsuki, Vincent told them about it. “Sydney, Satsuki, take the door near you guys; Margaret and I will cover you.” They nodded and went in the door.

“Margaret…”

“Right. Streuungstoß!”

“Maschinegewehr Faust!”

The covering fire was just enough for the Replicas to stop shooting and take cover. “Margaret, go to the other side, then cover me as I go there.” Vincent said to her.

“Roger that.” she said to him, and dashed straight to where Sydney and Satsuki were. Still using his spell, Vincent went to where Margaret was, and he went inside first. “My God…” In that room were the bloodied bodies of some scientists working here, bet up and shot. Sydney was standing up, trying to not look at the bodies. Satsuki, on the other hand, was kneeling on the floor, her hands on her head, Ellis nearby, laying on the floor shocked and scared on what happened. “Satsuki…you okay?” Vincent said to her, concerened. “Why…why did they have to do this?” she said quietly, fear in her voice. “I just-.”

Margaret suddenly went in, and told everyone, “They’re coming here.” Satsuki got up and picked up Ellis. “Let’s go.” she said to all of them. “Margaret, you and me will go through the door in front of us; Sydney, Vincent, you two go through the door on the left.” Nobody had any time to protest as the Replicas moved in, but by that time, they had already left. As the Replicas searched the room, Hollow came in, strangely without Asteright. “All of you go to the left; I’ll go through the door directly in front.”

“Yes, ma’am.” said one Replica, and all of them moved on the door to the left, while Hollow quietly followed Satsuki and Margaret.

Meanwhile, Anne, Arvis, and Lian were in a bad situation, pinned down in a corridor. “Lian, move back; we’ll cover you.”

“Right.” she said, and started to move forward, but the Replicas already had a bead on Lian. Arvis noticed that, and moved in front of her. He casted Negate, but one bullet had already passed through and hit his right eye. He held his eye, and moved with Lian. She saw what happened to Arvis after that. “I..I shouldn’t have-.” she said regretfully, waiting for him to get angry and get it over with. “Don’t worry about it that much. At least it’s not my left eye.” he said to her with a small smile on his face. “It’ll get replaced easily.”

“Hey! Arvis, Lian, get moving!” Anne said to both of them, and they quickly moved with her. As they turned into another corridor, a Replica got into position, and shot quickly. Two bullets managed to hit Anne in the right arm and leg, making her trip. “Vice-Commander!” Lian yelled out, but they couldn’t reach her at the moment. Inching up near a wall to get a good shot, Anne could barely move her right arm, not effective to shoot. She could reach for her Device and shoot with her left, though. “Let’s hope this works…” she thought as she got a hold of her Device and grabbed it with her left hand. “Overcharge!” she yelled out, and a spherical projectile went towards the Replica, hitting her square in the chest, killing her in an instant. The lull in the fighting provided Arvis and Lian time to drag Anne to cover.

“God damn! Echo 2 is down!” one Replica said, possibly calling from the radio. As all the others moved in, Lian was ready. “Splitter Blades!” she said out loud, and 8 small, blade-like projectiles went towards the group of Replicas, injuring one in the head. Arvis then managed to find a large steel crate, big enough to block the path. He pulled it towards the corridor, doing its job of blocking the path. As he finished, Anne was already propped up on a wall, tending to her wounds. “Jacket Heal.” she muttered to herself, ripping two rectangular parts of her Barrier Jacket, wrapping the wounds with those parts. Slowly, she got up, and was able to stand up, although she was limping a bit. “Thanks, you guys.” she said to both of them, a smile on her face. Sighing, she then added, “I thought I was toast there…”

“I wonder how Nobu-san is doing…” Lian said to everyone. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Anne replied back, seemingly confident, but her mind proved otherwise. “Yeah right…hope he’s okay.”

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
12: 13 A.M

“There’s a two-way corridor nearby. We can split up there.” Nobuyuki said to Satoshi, still running away from the Replicas nearby. “I’ll take the left, you take the right.”

“Alright then.” Satoshi said back, and both of them split up. The Replicas proceeded to chase Nobuyuki only, for some reason, leaving Satoshi alone. Hiding in the shadows, Nobuyuki managed to hide from them as they passed through. After the coast was clear, he went out. “Satoshi…good luck; he’s here…” he thought to himself, looking in the direction where he went. Then he started moving again.

Staggering, Satoshi finally had to prop himself against a wall. His head started to hurt severely, and it was hard to even inch forward. He could hear the screams of dead and dying people, the sound of fire, and Devices clanking on the ground; their users dead. Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them, and he saw that he was in the same corridor, but it was littered with several bodies of scientists, security personnel, and others. Fire enveloped the corridor itself, and debris were everywhere, even managing to crush some people. “What the hell?” he thought to himself before realizing that unintentionally, he was moving forward. His body seemed to move on its own towards a double door nearby. Satoshi tried to stop, but it felt like something serious was beyond that door, and he wanted to know. When he touched the door, everything turned back to normal again, looking like he had just slowly walked there. The headaches were gone, and nobody was behind him. “Must have been fatigue or something.” he said to himself and went in. The room was open, with an octagonal walkway up above him.

“Seems to be nothing here.” he thought just before noticing a couple of throwing knives going straight at him. Dodging it, he barely had time to recover before another round of knives was thrown at him. He had to roll out of the way, and was on the floor, kneeling when someone came out of the shadows. “Well, well, if it isn’t you, brother…”

“Brother?” Satoshi asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Poor you, having to lose that by the very people that made you into what you are today.” he replied back coyly.

“Answer me!” Satoshi said angrily to him.

“Looks like you don’t know…oh well.” he concluded before casting a spell. To Satoshi’s own surprise, it was an Ustio octagon, like him, except in a different color. “How did he-?” he thought before being cut off from his thoughts by a knife going straight at his head. He barely dodged it, the knife grazing his right cheek. “Damn….that was fast…too fast.”

The assailant jumped back a bit away from Satoshi, giving him time to stand up and take a stance. “Since you don’t remember me, I’ll tell you my name, brother.” he said, taking a throwing knife from a sheath, ready to throw it. “It’s Sion, remember?” he said to him.

“Heh, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but pleased to meet you.” Satoshi said to him, wiping the blood off the scratch.

“Oh, you’ll remember, alright, you’ll remember…”

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Erio

Basically if Vivio doesnt die, Sakura wont awaken, huh?

And she's not going to die after StrikerS either, if Keroko can help it.

Originally Posted by Erio

Noted. I actually didnt know you dont like the Numbers.

The only one I care about is Cinque, who is... miraculousely absent lately.

Originally Posted by Erio

Actually, I was suggesting changing Nanoha to brown, since you're going by hair color for all the others. That would fix the pinks, at least.

Technially magic color. I don't know why I went hair color for Yui.

Originally Posted by Erio

And unfortunately, because of NxFers, Vivio will live, just to feed that fanbase. If, at least, that means Nanoha will sell a lot and a Season 4 will be made, then I guess I'm in favor of Vivio living.

That's right, look at the bright side!

Originally Posted by Erio

Awesome! I assume Ethereal Mode is the Ultimate form?

It was in A's. After A's, though, Shooting Mode got upgraded along with Keroko's Barrier Jacket. Then came Lancer Mode, and now I am close to revealing Artherions most powerfull form. The Limit Break: Repeater Mode.

The reason why I call it a Pain-in-the-ass mode is because due to it's form, I can't do something as simple as shop a side view.

[Dream_Traveller]

@Keroko:

I'd be all too happy if they provide an explanation why Cinque is absent for as long as she has been so far...though she's "in" the OP, so at least she'll appear again.

And a good piece there, Satty- Sion against Satoshi looks like it's gonna be good. Very descriptive, too, especially in Arvis, Anne and Lian's piece. Very enjoyable overall.

[Reiji Tabibito]

HOLY....! Well, no time to waste!

<hauls out Anti-Backlog GATLING GUN>

FIRE!

Originally Posted by Keroko

I am really curious as to what is going through your head right now.

My mind is NOT something you'd want to get into...

Originally Posted by Erio

Erio: Blame my Meister! He's showing me the ways of the girls world!!


Indeed, I know, but I also know that overstraining yourself will lead to even death *points at Nanoha herself*

If you could make up the difference between a regular mage and an Ace by just using more cartridges, then, I must say, there wouldnt be ANY low rank mages right now.


I thought Dunamist was that he knew how to handle devices better than others... but now also an instinctual grasp of magic? Hmm.

Re: Cartridges - True...

Re: Dunamists - Go read my initial post on them - it's part II of Arcas' Profile - you'll find all you need there.

Oh, and one last thing.

Arcas: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

Please remember that RH and Bardiche are superior devices to Apalis...(-_-)
Even if you say that Aurion upgraded his frame, eight is really pushing it and it'll most likely cause him to fry big-time.

Cartridges are like steroids. True, they make you stronger. But they can end up killing you too...

Well, since Dunamists are supposed to recover faster. Speaking of which, I'll see if I can finally work on Andrea and Albert....

Because they're Knights...

So Arcas is HAXX no matter what... Very well. That clears up a lot of things...

Re: Apalis - Got it; although it's biggest spell only uses 7...

Re: Cartridges - I'm working this into the next short - which'll be up sometime today (if I'm lucky...)

Re: Dunamists - Got you PM - and I like what I see. Earlton is good - though finding a suitable opponent for him might be tricky. And you managed to read me almost perfectly with Andrea - most of the combat is going to be taking place in the city where the heroes are staying, so she's not going to need a flight spell for most of the time, and when she does, she can hang on to Earlton. The only thing about her is that she's NOT the Major's girlfriend... or at least won't be so right away... Sevasti has the romantic sense of a rock.

Re: Arcas - <sighs> Yeah... but it's not the worst example of haxx out there. Besides, I really had trouble working up a problem for him.

<Miyuki-san Expanation Mode>

When I created the 82nd, I wanted a specific shortcoming for each of them, so that they'd be forced to rely on the others. For Boomer and Mel, it's range (or lack of it). Boomer has exactly 1 melee spell, and is almost strictly a ranged combatant. Mel's the opposite - she has only 2 spells I consider ranged, so she's strictly melee. Sevasti's was a little difficult to find - but eventuall I decided to make him have the least amount of magic potential - so while he is excellent in almost all other respects, he can't muster the power needed for a knockout punch (w/o his ultimate attack, that is). Arcas doesn't have any of those problems - he's an S rank mage, and knows both Velka and Mid-magic - so I needed a way to limit him - a reliance on cartridges was the best I could come up with...

But that's going to change, as you'll see.

Originally Posted by Satty

Well guys, here's my new OC, I would have been done a long time ago, but watching Darker than Black, school and homework, and laziness delayed me a lot.

Anyway, here.

Spoiler for Thunder 2:

Name: Anne Vel Sithis
Nickname: none
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Birthday: January 2
Homeworld: Earth
Occupation/Rank: 2nd-In-Command of Thunder Squad/ 1st Lieutenant
Unit: 216th Speical Combat Unit, Sky Squad (former)-"Sky 6"/Thunder Squad-"Thunder 2"
Mage Rank: AA+
Magic Type:Mid-Childa
Magic Circle Color: Lime Green
Favored Element: Lighting, Fire
Height: 5' 7
Weight:145 pounds
Hair: Long golden blonde hair
Eye Color: Sky blue
Build: Atletic, wtih a slightly-average figure.
Device: Storage Device- "Azmaria"
Voiced By: Kawakami Tomoko

Background:
She was born in New York City, New York, United States of America on MC 0054. Her father, Henri Vel Sithis, was a former French Foreign Legionnaire and R.A.I.D member. Her mother, Grace Vel Sithis, was a religious woman, working in an orphanage. More like her father than mother, she always got mostly in trouble in her young years, getting in fights because of her brash nature. Her mother would always reprimand both of them, with her fighting, and her father learning her the ways of Savate streetfighting. Anne usually had to do cleaning work around the orphanage as punishment. Still, Anne liked being with both of her parents.To her, her father was someone who was tough enough, but someone who cared. Her mother worked to help other people's plight. Still, she continued fighting, but now for protecting others, not because she was mad at them. She got a reputation for being there for people, and usually, no one wanted to mess with her. She didn't have that much friends though, and the few that she had were the orphans in the orphanage herself. They liked it when Anne came in to spend time, helping her with the chores that her mother assigned for her. At first, she didn't want the help, but over time, she accepted all of their help. To them, Anne was like her mother, and she usually smuggled candy around to all of them even though her mother forbade it, as thanks. Seeing what happened, her mother gave Anne a small pocket watch, belonging to their family for generations. She didn't know what to do with it at first, but her mother said that "it would be important when the time is right."
By the age of 12, she was starting to ditch her brash self, and she started to have a normal life, until Christmas Eve. Two robbers came into the orphanage, trying to run away from police after stealing from a charity. All of them were there, helping the orphans, spending their whole Christmas there. Anne had to go get the presents for the orphans, so she went out of the room everyone was in. One of the robbers inadvertenly walked into the room where everyone else was. He tried to rob Anne's parents, but her father reacted. He managed to disarm the guy who came in, but was no match for a shot fired from the other robber, who used to be a murderer. He proceeded to kill everyone else, even when his partner begged him to stop. When Anne came in, she saw everyone, in pools of blood, and she was the only one left. Scared, she alerted the two of them, and they proceeded to go and finish her off. Despite attempts to spare her, it was decided that she should die. As she cowered there, waiting from death, she tried to put her arms out. What happened changed her life.
A Mid-Childan circle suddenly came up, deflecting the shot. Everyone was surprised, and he took the shot again, but this time, someone came to her aid. Someone with 5 floating spears broke through the roof nearby, and he stood between both Anne and the robbers. They shot at him, but their bullets were just deflected. He managed to take down both of them, knock them out, and tie them down with binds. He then approached her, but she backed away, scared. He just looked down on her, introduced himself as Nobuyuki Takahashi, and helped her stand up. Knowing what happened, the boy decided to take her to Mid-Childa, report her to a superior, and let her join the TSAB Academy. Nobuyuki let her have a few minutes to pay respects before taking her to Mid-Childa. There, she went into the TSAB Academy.
While there, she was reported to be a mage with a lot of potential, but troubled by her past. In training exercises, her magical ability tended to fluctuate, either using too much, or using too little. It wasn't later that a test revealed that her pocket watch was actually a Device; it was just disabled. Managing to enable it back, her new-found Device, Azmaria, turned out to be just what Anne needed. She graduated from the TSAB Academy soon after that and joined the 216th Special Combat Unit. After the formation of Thunder Squad, she followed Nobuyuki and became the 2nd-in-Command.


Personality:
Brash and impulsive, she's also one that gets ticked off at people, even for things that seem small. She is also one that hates people that seems to be idiots, namely her own captain. Aside from that, she's actually a caring person, mostly to children, due to her experiences. When not being in combat, she's also one that talks a lot. In combat, she usually stays quiet until stuff hits the fan. She's also a religious person.


Device:
Her Storage Device, Azmaria, was given to her by her own mother, mistaking it for a simple pocket watch. How her grandfather got the watch, it is unknown. In its only form, it takes the appearance of a Colt M1911 with a cylindrical attachment near the barrel. It is a regulator of sorts, helping out Anne by either storing excess energy if she unintentionally uses too much, and uses that excess energy when she uses too little. It has no speaking AI of sorts, only focusing on the regulator and the spells. It also uses cartridges, and holds about 7.

Fighting Style:
Her fighting style is reminiscent of a gunslinger/melee fighter; she uses both her knowledge of Savate and her Device in tandem. She uses the environment as both cover and a form of attack. She likes to counterattack instead of defend, and to that end, she rarely uses defense spells, and she just knows only three.

Barrier Jacket:
Her Barrier Jacket consists of a black undershirt, a navy overcoat, although it is closed up, black pants, and boots. She also wears two leather gloves, and two cross-shaped earrings.

Spells:

Movement:
Sonic Move: Same as Fate's own Sonic Move.

Offensive:
Snipe Shot: Same as Chrono's Snipe Shot.

Blast Break: Small magic projectiles go out in a circle-shaped pattern. Uses 2 cartridges.

Overcharge: A extremely large spherical blast of magic energy is fired, damaging or frying the target. Uses 1 cartridge.
-Overcharge Slant Shift: Several spherical projectiles are made, at the cost of them being slower. Uses 2 cartridges.

Accel Shooter: Same as Nanoha's own Accel Shooter.

Stutter Fire: Several underpowered magic projectiles are fired very fast. Uses 1 cartridge for every 5 shots.
-Stutter Fire Flare Shift:Several more projectiles are made, and they fire even more faster, but their individual power is severely cut.

Flank Shot: Two shots are fired, and are guided to the target, aiming at the sides.

Sphere Barrage: She fires shots around in every direction.

Slide Shot: Two diverging shots immediately dive down, moving close to the floor, and hitting targets low. Uses 2 cartridges.
-Slide Shot Flail Shift: 4 diverging shots are made instead of two.

Blaze Cannon: Same as Chrono's Blaze Cannon

Flash Shot: A sphere of lighting is shot out at a high speed.

Pyro Linker: Anne "paints" several targets, then shoots out a small fire bullet that immediately makes a trail to all of the targets. Uses 3 cartridges.

Arc Bolt: Like Pyro Linker, except that she can also use the environment to link the shots as well as targets. Uses 3 cartridges.

Shade Spread: A big blast of magical energy is shot out, devestating enemies. It does have a short range, though. Uses 4 cartridges.

Divine Buster: Same as Nanoha's Divine Buster. Uses 6 catridges.

Defensive:
Round Guard: Same as Nanoha's Round Guard.

Shock Barrier: A plate barrier is made, and any attacks directed at it are abosrbed, at the cost of the barrier weaking every time it is hit.

Healing:
Jacket Heal: This spell uses part of the Barrier Jacket itself to heal wounds.

Jacket Detox: Part of the Barrier Jacket is injected into the caster, healing any toxins in the body.

Trivia:
-She has an interest in the supernatural.
-One of her pet peeves is when someone's smoking near her.
-On her off time, she's usually seen writing aobut anything that interests her mind.
-She's very experienced in Savate, even beating Satoshi himself, who knows several martial arts, a couple of times in sparring matches.
-Drunk, she's very happy-go-round, to say the least.

Looks too familiar... is that you, Rosette?

KEEP FIRING!!

[Erio]

Originally Posted by Keroko

And she's not going to die after StrikerS either, if Keroko can help it.

Hopefully she cant...

*whistles*

What? I didnt say anything.

The only one I care about is Cinque, who is... miraculousely absent lately.

Ah, in that case I forgive you then.

Technially magic color. I don't know why I went hair color for Yui.

Gotcha.

That's right, look at the bright side!

I'm trying...very...hard...

It was in A's. After A's, though, Shooting Mode got upgraded along with Keroko's Barrier Jacket. Then came Lancer Mode, and now I am close to revealing Artherions most powerfull form. The Limit Break: Repeater Mode.

The reason why I call it a Pain-in-the-ass mode is because due to it's form, I can't do something as simple as shop a side view.

Wow, when did all these modes were created? Or did you just come up with them?

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

@Keroko:

I'd be all too happy if they provide an explanation why Cinque is absent for as long as she has been so far...though she's "in" the OP, so at least she'll appear again.

I feel your pain, my friend.

Oh BTW, I just read your shorts and they are awesome, as always. I cant wait for more Teana!

Originally Posted by Reiji Tabibito

Re: Dunamists - Go read my initial post on them - it's part II of Arcas' Profile - you'll find all you need there.

Noted. I did read his original profile, not this little part, though.

[Reiji Tabibito]

KEEP FIRING!!!

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

Spoiler for Bio 1:

Sigourney Holland Ballantine



Age: 19.

Birthday: June 13th.

Birth date: MC 0056, Mid-Childan time.

Hair color: Silver.

Eye color: Reported to be brown- they are usually hidden behind a pair of glasses.

Height: 169 cm.

Weight: 70 kg.

General Appearance:



Position/Rank in TSAB: Formerly a First Lieutenant, now none.

Affiliation: Formerly Time and Space Administration Bureau; now Dr. Jail Scaglietti, Numbers, "Dark" V and other defectors.

Magic Type: Mid-Childan.

Magic Symbol: Circle.

Magic Color: Vermillion.

Magic Element: None.

Device name: Feste.

Device type: Intelligent Device.

Device Appearance: Fabrique Nationale de Herstal P90.




Partner: Generally none- paired with Theodore Stoff or any of the Numbers on occasion, but usually carries out his operations solo.


Biography:


--An Idealist--


Born in the town of Junks (pronounced Yuunks) in Mid-Childa and raised there for a good portion of his life, Sigourney never really was one to interact with others. His general solo “loner” personality made him stand out amongst others, along with his almost perpetual and sometimes unnerving silent demeanor.

From an early age, he became a member of the Bureau despite pleas from his mother and father- the last thing Sigourney ever recalls saying to them was that it would be “alright”. During his training, the boy showed a keen proficiency in wielding firearms, but lacked skill to wield dual weapons. Over the course of his studies he used a variety of firearms ranging from single pistols to sniper rifles, and found a liking in the assault rifle range.

It was at this that he was granted with a device resembling a P90, which Sigourney named “Feste”. Finding the weapon to be sufficient, he took the device under his wing.

Despite his mute attitude, Sigourney was a strong idealist- he looked upon the worlds as a whole being wrought by needless war and suffering, an ideal advanced for his young age, and in the back of his mind he thought that something had to be done.

That “something” came when he was only twelve, when he heard of a man who called himself the “Doctor”, otherwise known as Jail Scaglietti. The man considered himself a kind of revolutionary, and this was what interested the young gunman.

Secretly studying about the man (who he later saw was a nemesis of the Bureau and also a studier of Relics, which the Bureau sought to steal away from him), he learned that he wished to form a new world order through whatever means possible. He also learned of the Sentoukijin project.

Realizing that the pair’s ideals matched, he concocted a simple plan. Two years later, not long before he was due to be promoted upwards from his current rank of First Lieutenant, he sent a message to the Doctor via unknown means and defected in secrecy to him and his forces soon after.


--Current Standing--


Sigourney’s defection to Scaglietti’s side was looked upon with mistrust and scrutiny by some of the Doctor’s closest companions- indeed, many of the Numbers back then didn’t even think of conversing with him, let alone trusting the man. The gun user was unperturbed by this display, however.

He also discovered that he wasn’t the only one to defect, as he found out when he introduced himself to one Theodore Stoff, a Belkan warrior. The same was with Edgar Ede, an elderly figure who was a close combatant, and a butler and confidante of sorts to V, a masked man towards whom Sigourney has a high level of respect.

Surprisingly, he is rather willing to converse with the Doctor, mainly for the aforementioned fact that their ideals are similar- Jail has called him “quite the revolutionary fellow”.

Many held his supposed firearm prowess in doubt- in the space of five years, however, Sigourney proved his worth time and time again on his tasks set, primarily missions to collect Relics, mixed in with some others. It was during said operations that the Numbers discovered why his silent side was important to him- it allowed him to undertake his duties with little if any interference. This trait of his has garnered respect even from the senior Numbers, despite them seeing more combat than he has- many of the younger ones still view him with doubt in spite of this.

His quiet loyalty is so strong that rumors have circulated stating that the Doctor believes him to be a “right hand man” of sorts. This position has provoked envy from some, most notably Uno, who has stayed at the Doctor’s side far longer than Ballantine has- not one to make prideful remarks, however, he denies these claims in his own fashion, stating that he is simply following what his ideals tell him to follow.

Over the course of five years, killing has become commonplace to the soldier- he is not afraid to kill to achieve his goals and the goals of whom he fights with, and has done so in the past. It is this combined with his silence that forms him into something of a “chilling” character of sorts.


Feste:


Feste is Sigourney’s Intelligent Device, and what he calls the “only remnant of my old self left”- indeed Feste has been with him ever since he was still in the Bureau many years back.

He takes the form of a Fabrique Nationale de Herstal P90. He cannot change form, but Sigourney minds not. The device is also ammo-fed, bearing a similarity to Cross Mirage.

Feste has a very high level of sentience, so much so that many have purportedly said that Sigourney’s weapon does the talking for him. Being named after the jester from the Shakespearian play “Twelfth Night”, his attitude matches his name- he is a jokester, something of a free spirit, and a quick wit.

He speaks in a well educated yet laid back manner, similar to, indeed, the mannerisms of a jester. He addresses Sigourney, oddly, as “Duke”.

Yup, a lengthened bio of Sigourney. Theodore's will come later. I feel like I could have added more to this, and I still need to form an attack list...but tell me what you all think.

Interesting...

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

Spoiler for FOXHOUND, Special Operations...:

Teana instinctively hid behind a pillar as the shot resounded, the bullet skimming past her by a hair's breadth despite her using cover.

She made careful not to touch any of the wiring as she glanced around the corner, taking a risk. The room was filled with wires criss-crossing it, each connected to a different pillar and the walls. Tied up in the center of the room was the unconscious form of Regius Gaiz. The figure who had fired the shot was a person who looked to be in his late teens, sporting orange hair and silver eyes and wearing a tuxedo. The letter "N" was clearly visible on his jacket pocket.

"Come out little cat", the assailant crooned. "You must take me for a fool if you think I didn't notice your presence." Teana didn't budge.

There was a whistling sound, then a clicking, that of reloading. She noticed the attacker was wielding a pair of revolvers. "What, are you just gonna stand there all day?" To her surprise, he pointed in her direction. "Hm?"

Keeping Cross Mirage raised, she crept out of her place of hiding. "Who are you?", she inquired, keeping her wits about her.

"Me?" The character laughed, almost heartily. He spun one of the revolvers he held in his hands around his fingers in a dizzying array of patterns before stopping and introducing himself. "FOXHOUND Unit, Special Operations...N. But you can call me Revolver Ocelot."

Teana gritted her teeth, and found herself snarling. "Oclelot...!"

N, or "Ocelot" smirked. "I see you've heard of me. Introductions aside..." He started pacing around the room. Teana followed suit, moving in the opposite direction. "I've been waiting for you..." he said, slyly. "Solid Snake."

Met with silence from the girl, he continued with his speech. "You've come so far just to find this lost, beleaguered soul, have you?" He briefly shifted his eyes from her to the captive general. "You have courage...but that ain't enough to save you."

He aimed one revolver at her, stopping in his tracks. "I've always been looking forward to fighting one with the same code as the Boss", he stated, expectantly, eagerly. "And I do hope this fight will...make me feel alive again."

N suddenly produced an outcry. "But!" Teana looked at his right hand, tracing down the path of one of the wires through rhe air. "Watch your step- you touch but one wire, and the old man dies!"

Teana grimaced. "You've certainly set constructed this well, haven't you?"

N smiled. "That I have, Snake...with much delicacy." He sighed. "But enough of that."

There was a long pause, the stillness clouding the air around them, broken when N aimed ahead of him and exclaimed:

"Draw!"

Yes, crossing Nanoha over with MGS is...

I could have given Teana more to say, but since Solid Snake is a take-no-nonsense, usually silent kind of person...

Bad-ass Teana = TEH WIN!!!

Originally Posted by Kha

1.

Spoiler for It's because...:

"Look forward to working with you, Bastion!"

[Ah...]

"Something wrong?"

[I'm... just not used to being called that.]

"Oh," Kha thought for a while, then remembered something. "You said you were an Epic Spirit, right? So your name is...?"

[He's dead.]

"Huh?"

[The one who has my name is dead. We're not the same anymore.]

"Well... Yeah... But..." Kha blinked in surprise, still trying to get his new device comfortable. "How would you to be called then?"

Bastion was silent for quite a while.

"Bastion?"

[Ano sa...] The shield spoke and twirled around to face Kha, it's painted face of a firebal wearing sunglasses moving as it spoke.
[Ie, nandemo nai. Just Aniki will do.]

"Wagata, Aniki."

[You really remind me of a little brother I once had.]

Kha smiled back. "I hope you don't mind then."

I'm sure we know who Bastion is refering to...

Oh yes... indeed we do...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

• Episode 1
  • It had been 6 months since the Relic Incident, as different members of formerly RF6 depart to their own goals in life as Teana becomes an Air Force cadet under Nanoha, Subaru in the Disaster Management, Erio and Caro as Jr. Cadets in the Navy under Fate, and Hayate being in command of the Wolkenritter. However, one day as they each went on with their own missions, Nanoha/Teana, Fate/Erio/Caro and Hayate/Signum/Vita each are ambushed by 3 different unknowns at the same time...

• Episode 2
  • The battles continued on about evenly, as these unknowns fought at a level with applications of Mid-childa and Ancient belka magic unseen of. Reinforcement eventually arrived, but before that, a different kind of magical circle was then used as the unknowns defeated just the Aces before leaving against the odds, citing that this was just a greeting... (( Ah, basically, it's just like A's 2 in a way. ))

• Episode 3
  • Noticing that the unknowns in question had similar energy responses to those of Relics, Enforcer Fate Testarossa decides to interrogate Jail Scaglietti, who was prisoned in TSAB's High Security Complex. Meanwhile, Carim uses her Rare Skill to predict the future, only to discover that...

Let's not forget that Mach Calibur's upgrade was proposed by Mach Calibur itself... I think.

If Teana was the Forward MVP of StrikerS, then Mach Calibur is the Device MVP.

Looks interesting... is this an AU? Cause while my fic, LegendS, will be finished 6 months after StrikerS end, the fic AlternateS II will be ongoing...

Or is this just something else?

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Now for PREVIEW TIME!!!

Here's an extremely short snippet from a future story of mine, which takes place 6 months before the Zubaida Arc.

Spoiler for Preview:

"Beyond your small world and selfish world, there is a vast universe full of incomprehensible and unimaginable marvels beyond the reach of your precious science, of unbelievable and outrageous events that defy logic.

And my poor Shinji to have fallen for an ignorant girl like you, is one of them. "

Shinji? Fallen? GIRL?

Masaka! Is this Matsuri-chan Kaylin's addressing?

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Speaker: Alright everybody, my name is Genome, and I'm your speaker today for Gurren-Lagann Anonymous. Our goal here is to rid ourselves of the influence of the addiction known as Gurren Lag-

Everyone: WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE?!?!?!?!

Speaker: *sighs*

<laughs @ GL Addicts>

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

The timeframe and chapter number is still in pending. But the tentative title is Aces: Resolution

Spoiler for Aces: Resolutions:

Hayate can be seen fidgeting nervously outside the lounge. Pacing nervously as she fiddled around with her fingers. Upon closer inspection, she can be seen muttering fretfully to herself.

~~~~

Inside, we can see the rest of the Aces… We zoom in to Kha, who’s right eye turns blue… A smile curves up his lips as Sakura, who is dozing on a sofa, perks up and smiles widely.

‘Fate, Takamachi-san, Georashi-san.’
‘Yes, Kha?’
‘Hmm?’
‘Nani?’

‘She’s outside.’

~~~~

Back outside, Hayate hears a call. “Yagami-san! We know you’re out there. Please come in.”

“A-ah… H-hai…”

Nervously, she steps in, to be welcomed by a number of glaring stares from her friends…

“H-hello.”

Kha steps from the entrance and blocks the exit, “Irrasshai, Yagami-san.”

Hayate whirls around and looks nervously at him, “Ah! K-Kha-chan?”

“You sure made us wait… Hayate-chan.” Nanoha’s cold words struck Hayate’s heart and prompted her turn around again and look nervously at the approaching Ace of Aces instead.

“N-nanoha-chan…”

“I thought you said before that we were the best of friends, Hayate.”
“And to think your hiding so much from us… Hidoi wa…”

She looks on nervously to either side of her, at the also approaching Aces, “Fate-chan, Keroko-chan…”

“Would you mind explaining yourself, Yagami-Butaichou?”

“A-anou… I-umm… Well, you see…” Her eyes darted around in nervousness.

She stiffens as a hand clamps non-too gently on her shoulder, followed by an even sharper glare from Keroko, stopping her from moving anywhere, “Or rather, please shut up for a bit while we give you a piece of our minds…”

Tears start forming on her eyes as she can only nod meekly, her eyes ready to close in preparation for the verbal beating she was about to receive.

“Hayate, you-!”

Her eyes closed tightly I expectation of the torrent of words of resentment.

……………………

It never came.

“Ah?”

Instead, a feeling of warmth engulfed her as Nanoha, Fate and Keroko wrapped her in an affectionate group hug.

She could only blink in confusion as the tears started rolling down her cheeks, “M-minna…”

Instead of a verbal beating of spite, words of affection and worry assaulted her.
“Mou~! Hayate-chan! Don’t you ever do that to us again!”
“Didn’t you know how worried we were?!”
“Yeah! We thought you’ve totally closed yourself from us for good!”

“Ah-ah… I-” she attempted to reply, but her voice broke and she dissolved into relieved sobs, making her three female best friends tighten their hold on her as they whispered words of encouragement.

“G-gomen-gomenasai!” *sob* “I was an idiot!”
“Don’t say that, Hayate-chan.”
“It’s not like we don’t get in these periods as well. Don’t sweat it.”
“Don’t worry, we forgive you.”
“Gomenasai!”
“Yoshi-yoshi. Like I said, don’t worry.”
“Just remember, that we’re your friends and we’re willing to stick with you through thick and thin.”
“Hmm! And you mustn’t worry about sharing your pain with us. That’s what good friends are for, ne?”
*sob* “Thank you… Even if I’m so-”
“Mou~! We’ll be angry if you keep on blaming yourself. So stop it, please”
*sniff* ”H-hai.”

Watching from a few feet away, Kha leaned against the wall and watched in silent contentment the bonding time of the girls, smiling contentedly with Sakura happily whirling above their heads, screaming [Wiiii~!] as always.

The girls went on for several more minutes before they dislodged from each other. After pulling away, Hayate looked at the only male in the lounge, a nervous expression on her face, “Kha-chan…”

Smiling, Kha approached the smaller girl and embraced her comfortingly, “There’s no need to have any doubts about me. We may not have known each other for as long as you have known the other three. But we’re definitely still very good friends.” He looked down at her and grinned confidently, “I know you’ll do just as much for any of us. I’m this team’s tanker. And I’m definitely not going to leave any of you out there. Yagami-sa- I mean, Hayate-san. You can definitely count on me!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Right, everyone?”

A simultaneous chorus of assent echoed from the other girls, followed by them giving her assuring pats when Kha loosened his hug and held her at arms length.

Hayate shyly wiped the tears from her eyes “Thank you, Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, Keroko-chan, Kha-chan. It means a lot to me.”

The smiles that greeted her were more than enough assurance that she’ll ever need. They’ll be there; just like always, never wavering in resolve. Her precious friends… And to think she doubted them…

“That’s why, Hayate, please cheer up.”

“Fate-chan…”

“Fate’s right!” Kha put a supportive hand on her shoulder, “Our group cannot be complete when our leader is all gloomy! Where’s our Hayate-san who’s always prepared to insert fun into any situation?”

“Kha-chan…” She looked up at him, fondly at first, with her eyes slowly starting to shine with mischievousness a few seconds later.

“???”

All of a sudden, Hayate reaches up wraps her arms around Kha’s neck, eliciting a blush from the Cleric-Knight. “H-Hayate-san?”

"H-hayate!"

She giggled as she pressed herself to the flustered boy playfully, “I think I now understand why Fate-chan loves you so much.”

“E-EH?!”
“E-EH?!”

Still clinging onto the boy’s neck, Hayate turned around to face Fate, “You know Fate-chan? You’re so lucky to have Kha-chan as your boyfriend.”

“B-boy-”
“-friend?!”

Needless to say, the ‘couple’ was already as red as tomatoes from embarrassment (Unusually more so for der Kleriker. But, being clung onto by Hayate, you’d probably understand why, right?). And as for the Takamachi sisters, they are both smiling.

Hayate lowered her head a bit so that her outstretched arm covered the lower half of her face, giving a playfully coy impression, “Ne~, Fate-chan,” she purred as she playfully cuddled against the beet-red Kha, causing him to stiffen, “can you share?”

“SH-SHARE?!?!”

‘Nanoha-chan, Keroko-chan.’
‘Haaii!’

Keroko made the first move, standing beside Kha and wrapping an arm tightly around his neck and leaning onto him while smiling wickedly, “Yeah, despite his flaws, he’s still a nice guy…” She playfully positions her head so that her side-tail is tickling the boy’s chin while giggling slyly, “ne?”

“G-Geora- oomph!”

Nanoha seems to have glomped Kha from behind, her head protruding from behind his back, “That’s right, Fate-chan, can we all share him?”

“Takamachi-san-ACK!” the boy was now positively steaming from the multitude of hugs from the three girls, with Fate being speechlessly red from shock.

“Kha-chan~. You already called Hayate-chan by her first name! From now on, always call me by my first name too, okay?”

“Hey! Me too! Me too! Ne, Kha-chan~?”

“Ungh… Haaaaiii~…”

“Kha-chan~…” *giggle* “You’re just so nice!”

[Father really has his harem now! Wiiii~]

“A-anou…”

Hayate gives Fate a playful wink. Fate blinks in surprise, but realization slowly dawns in her eyes. A slight smile appears on her face as she puffs herself up, closes her eyes authoratively and declares, “No, I won’t!”

“F-Fate… I-Ugh…” The other girls tightened their already possessively tight hugs on the suffering (Yeah right. More like in bliss.) Cleric-Knight.
*squeeze* “Hooeeee~?”
*squeeze* “Fate-chan. Hidoi~!”
*squeeze* “Mou~! But we really like Kha-chan as well~!”
[I really like Father too~!] Sakura pipes in and clings to her Meister’s head, nuzzling her tiny head against his cheek. As if on cue, the other three girls’ faces wandered dangerously near his own, causing him to heat up even more. His eyes sought sanctuary from the ceiling, obviously trying with every ounce of his willpower to resist the temptation of any facial contact.

“I’m… (In Heaven) dying… Save… (I don’t really mind) me…”

Fate opens her eyes and shows a VERY rarely seen teasing look. “Buuut…” She approaches the group, standing beside Hayate, blushing quite darkly despite her expression. “I guess we can, just this once.” She then proceeds to hug Kha by the midsection, tightly; causing the boy to turn into a frighteningly dark shade of red and steam to actually gush out his ears!

He looked down, trying to avoid the other girls’ faces, “Fate!”

“You won’t mind, ne, Kha?” She also moved her face close to his and gave him an uncharacteristically but still cute wink.

“F-Fate… I’m… Guaaaaaah~” der Kleriker passes out, his head cooked and steaming, lolling limply to the side. (to his credit, his head landed lightly on Fate’s)
“KHA! Kha, are you alright?! Speak to me! KHA!”
“Ara~. Kha-chan broke.”
“Hmph! Wimp.”
“Ahahaha~, well, we were sort of overdoing it…”
[Knockout! The girl’s team wins! Wiiii~!]
“…..in……Heaven………”

“And since when was this considered a contest?”
“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~!”

With the synchronized scream, the girls jumped backwards, leaving an unconscious Kha to crumple unceremoniously to the ground; Sakura trying to hold him up by the hair.

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

I smirked casually while leaning against the door frame, releasing my invisibility spell; taking the scene before me. The girls were looking at me with evenly stricken and blushing faces. Sakura gave up trying to hold Kha up by the hair and let’s go, sending his head crashing to the floor with quite a sickening impact. She then started poking repeatedly (and happily?!?) at her Meister’s overheated face while saying, [Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!], over and over (with the mandatory [Wiii~!] at random intervals).

“So you girls like to bully Kha after all.”

“Ah-ah! Iie! T-that’s not-!” Fate looked like she was about to faint as well, her face almost entirely red.

“Don’t worry. It certainly looked like he was somehow enjoying it.” Pointing at the corpse-err… body of Kha, I used a small amount of power to make him levitate and drop on an empty couch instead of the cold, hard floor, “But he’s sure gonna get a bad headache when he wakes up.”

“Ah...? AH!” Fate panicked upon realization and rushed to Kha’s side, “KHA! Oh no! Taihen! S-somebody please get some ice! Get Shamal! Call an ambulance!”

“Fate-chan, calm down!”
“Eto… Fate-chan. There are no ambulances here.”
“It’s just a little, lump.”
“B-but he might have gotten a hemorrhage or get amnesia or-u-unghn~!” Fate’s shoulders slumped and her eyes lost focus, though her blushing didn’t recede.

“Geez. No wonder they like to tease you two so much.” I said as I held my thumb and index fingers at the back of Fate’s neck, using my depressant spell, Willbreaker, “If you’re already panicking over his falling down from standing, I shudder to think how you would react if he fell down three feet from the ground. Calm down, will you?” I withdrew my hand, letting the stunned blond take a few deep breaths once her brain cells got back up and running.

“I-I… Understand… M-must… R-relax… Haauuu~…” She said these before… collapsing over Kha in a dead faint... The hell?

“AH! Fate-chan!”
[Double Knockout! A knockout date! Wiiii~!]

“………”
“…………”
“……………”

“Tell me… How do you handle these three all of the time?”

“Ahahaha~…”
“I guess it was my fault…”
“She wasn’t able to take the pressure…”
“And apparently, neither did Kha.” I smirked at the two Takamachis, “Hayate, I can imagine. But I never expected the two of you to cling to Kha that way.” It was their turn to blush brightly.

“Oji-chan!”
“I-It was a joke, ne, Onee-chan?”
“H-hai!”

“Oho? If I didn’t know better-”

“A-ANYWAY! Let’s help carry them to the clinic, ne, Keroko-chan!”
“Ah, hai!”

As the two of them hauled off the unconscious couple from the room, Sakura proceeded to play trampoline on my head. A small silence passed between myself and Hayate (Sakura was noisy) before I spoke up.

“So… You’ve already apologized?”

[Wii~!]

“Yes…”

[Wiiii~!]

“That’s good.”

[Wiiiii~!]

"What you said was true. They didn’t even hesitate… Just for my sake… And also… I feel as if I've awakened now..."

[Wiiiiii~!]

"Awakened? How so?"

[Wiiiiiii~!]

*giggle* "Before you talked with me, I felt as if I'm in a nightmare I can't wake up from...” she paused for a moment, a confident smile growing slowly on her lips, determination shining in her eyes, “But now... I've waken up.” She met my stare, “And I'm definitely going to move forward!"

[Wiiiiiiii~!]

"Good. And since you put it that way..." I smiled at her as I laid a hand on her head, "Then, finally… Good morning, Hayate."

[Wiiiiiiiii~!]

She smiled back as she held my hand with both of hers, "Good morning, Oji-chan."

[Wiiiiiiiiii~! Good morning! Ohayou! Wiiiiii~!]

~~~~~~~~~~

Reinforce… Wait for me. I’m going to find you. With my friends, my family and Oji-chan; I will find the truth!

~~~~~~~~~~

Awakening? Hahaha. I guess we’ve both awakened from our own respective nightmares. But I don’t think I have to tell you that for now… as well as the fact that you also have protectors in the shadows…

~~~~~~~~~~

Then I guess this means…

Starting now…

We move, with determination…

ONWARDS!


Kha…
Fate…
[Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!!!!!]


4th Wall Breaker:(Talk about ruining the mood, huh?)

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

And the next part, a conversation with someone unexpected.

Spoiler for The Other Side of Identity: Deals:

“Hayate. You better go tend to your friends. I’ll be taking a break for a bit. We can talk some more later...”

[Wiii~!]

She nodded, “Okay. Mata ne, Oji-chan.”

[Wiiii~!]

“Yeah.” I watched her as she ran outside to follow Nanoha and the others.

[……………]

“Hmm? Why being silent all of a sudden, Sakura?”

[You… Seem to know a lot more than you let on, Hakase-san.]

“Wha-?!” Sakura?

The tiny figure hopped from my head and floated in front of me. Appearance-wise, her eyes had become noticeably sharper… Sakura Zaki…

[You certainly seem different from what I usually sense. Have you perhaps resolved a problem regarding yourself?]

I blinked in confusion before breaking into a small chuckle as I regarded the small Servant before me, “You can say it that way. Though I must say that I’m surprised… You hardly ever come out. And now you’re talking with me, Servant Saber, Sakura Zaki-san.”

[Just Saber is fine.], the tiny servant replied [About my question… Your hiding something, aren’t you?]

“I’m amazed at how you seem to be able to figure out people…”

[Just answer my question, Hakase.]

Sighing, I took a seat and regarded the servant who kneeled on a table in front of me; I decided to reply telepathically, ‘That much is true… Let’s just say that I’ve entered a couple of deals with some potential associates…’

Saber responded in kind, {I don’t know what you’re planning… But you do know this matter of great importance… That’s why it seems to be quite troubling that you involved certain people in this that we do not know off…}

‘They’ve been involved long before I spoke with them, Saber.’

{I see… Needless to say, I will not tolerate it if these so-called associates of yours will prove to be liabilities to my Meister and his friends…}

‘It is beyond any reasonable doubt that they might prove to be liabilities in the future,’ I leaned forward a little, ‘But right now, they seem more as potential assets… These are the kinds of bets that I like to take…’

Her gaze sharpened, {I believe that you understand how potentially dangerous these kinds of deals are…}

‘Yes, of course. But you mustn’t forget whom they are dealing with. Before them, my kids are my top priority…’

{Your children?}

‘I see them as such. And the deals I have entered have no expressed speculations of being a bother to them in this… In case they decide to cross them, to cross us, I myself shall deal with them accordingly.’

{You’re being oddly overconfident for once.}

‘Ahh. But unlike several people…’ I smiled sarcastically, ‘I make sure my confidence is not unfounded.’

{That’s hardly any comfort; seeing as we do not even have the slightest details about your activities.}

‘And this is the part where trust comes in. This universe is filled with uncertainties. But I choose not to be bothered by such extraneous details that come later.’

{My Meister and his friends may trust you with their lives, but I’m definitely harder to please.}

‘That much is expected.’

{What do you plan on doing about it?}

‘Nothing.’ I leaned back on the couch, ‘You have no other viable option than to trust me in the first place.’

{Kisama, you’re just as despicably shrewd as the Wolkenritter say you are.}

‘I don’t blame them.’

{Neither do I… but you must know that I can tell them that you’re hiding several things…}

‘And then what? They’d go on a little tantrum period and then come back to me saying that they understand that I need to keep secrets sometimes like the bunch of innocent kids they are. Regardless of how clever they are, they’re still too naïve and trusting.’

{As unpractical as it seems; that much is true…}

‘Of course! And besides, they’re already used to me keeping several things from them.’ I raised my right hand to cover half of my face, a wide grin growing on my lips, ‘A single lie can be more interesting than a thousand truths. A single truth can be much more enlightening than a thousand lies. I am a person who has no qualms about using truths or lies to my advantage and to those I want to benefit from my actions. And yet I’m not going to resort to crime. But if you look in a certain way, lying is a crime.’

{You’re talking around in circles.}

I dropped my hand, ‘Yes, I am. And in a certain sense, I’m not. I’m just showing you one way of how I think.’

{Hmm… It makes me wonder what they find about you that make them trust you so much…}

‘You’d be faring off better by asking them. An individual can be made out of many facets. Let’s just say that a trustworthy person to a bunch of talented kids is one of my own.’

{Hmph. I’ll give you that much.}

‘Then, Saber. How about a deal, then?’

{A deal?}

‘I need you to be keep this matter this a secret for now.’

{It sounds more of a request than a bargain.}

‘I haven’t finished yet. And in exchange, I won’t tell them that it was you and not Sakura who was nuzzling her head against Kha’s cheek a while ago.’

I looked with satisfaction at the sudden dark blush and flustered expression that erupted on the face of the tiny Servant, she stuttered for a fair bit before getting out a coherent answer; telepathy forgotten.

[L-lies! I-I never-]

“Hahaha! Sorry, but you’ve already lost, Saber.”

She glared at me with barely restrained vehemence, [Y-you-!]

“Don’t worry. I’m lying about my part of the bargain. I can keep secrets as well. And I’ve long outgrown interfering with other people’s personal lives, unless I need to.”

That calmed her down a bit, [Che… You are indeed a devious individual.]

“As well as someone who just happens to have a perception to rival yours, Saber.”

‘Now, about my request…’

{… Very well. Do not make me regret this decision, Aurion Dauer.}

‘I’m not making promises about absolute surety, Sakura Zaki. But rest assured, I’ll be doing what I must to the best of my capabilities.’

{It may not seem to be practical at all; But I’ll be taking this gamble as well.}

‘You have my gratitude. Then it’s a deal’

{Deal. Now if you’ll excuse me…}

As her side of identity slowly faded, I heard one last message, {I also have to thank you for looking after them...}

'No need. The decision is my own.'

She closed her eyes and returned to being Sakura, who yawned and rubbed her eyes.

[Uwaaa~… Where’s everybody?] So she was ordered to sleep, huh?

“They went to the clinic to check on the two lovebirds. You better follow them, Sakura.”

[Clinic? Okay! Bye-bee, Hakase-tan! Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!] She then proceeded to zoom off out the door.

With a yawn, I reclined further into the couch, “I hope you don’t mind as well, Almaria.”

[Iie. I’m fine, Aurion-san. You can tell me when the several mitigating factors permit so.]

I smiled and stroked her frame, “Thanks. And about that delayed four hour nap a few days ago; I’ll be doing it now. Just extend it by an hour or two.”

[Hai. Please take your time to rest.]

“I will…”

Sighing once, I closed my eyes, and dozed off a few moments later. This time, I wasn’t bothered…


Or so I thought.

*BONK*

“Ite-! Nanda?!”

I opened one bleary eye to see who bonked me on the head. A pair of cheery, bespectacled blue eyes greeted me.

“Hello~! Oji-san!”

“Sophia?”

Doudeshou? Jumping moods, eh?

You broke Kha-chan... oh dear.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Ladies and gentlemen.

Artherion.

Spoiler for Artherion:

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

IT'S DA WU TANG-TAN!!

NEW MATERIAL!!!!

Expect next 82nd short to be up by late tomorrow!!!

AFN!!! BYE-BEE!!!

[Dream_Traveller]

@Keroko: Ah! I forgot to comment on Artherion.

Rather menacing, I must say, in terms of looks- I like that. Nice Shooting Mode, too, what with the retractable pieces and all. The other forms sound intriguing as well, most notably Ethereal. I assume Lancer Mode will be like Strada, in a sense, and Repeater being a machine gun sort of form?

News!

I have another project under my wing, quite possibly put up for use in ShardS on the Bureau side...

People that state the Bureau are over-matched including myself: Yay!



A little "codename" of sorts for them is "The Aristocrats"- odd, lame, whatever you might think, that's what it is now.

Seven in total, each is named after days (original )), and there's a twist- I have designed for them thus far to be a shadow project- currently, I picture them as cyborgs too, formed in secret by Mid-Childan scientists to combat the Numbers. As of present, details are thin, but I have member titles at least:

Spoiler for Titles:

Sir Monday,

Lady Tuesday,

Duke Wednesday,

Lord Thursday,

Duchess Friday,

Count Saturday,

Master Sunday.

Odd names...

Whether or not they'll be implemented with some Mid-Childan tech to counter the IS System hasn't been decided upon yet.

This is only a fledgling project, but work is being done.

[Satty]

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

@Keroko: Ah! I forgot to comment on Artherion.

Rather menacing, I must say, in terms of looks- I like that. Nice Shooting Mode, too, what with the retractable pieces and all. The other forms sound intriguing as well, most notably Ethereal. I assume Lancer Mode will be like Strada, in a sense, and Repeater being a machine gun sort of form?

News!

I have another project under my wing, quite possibly put up for use in ShardS on the Bureau side...

People that state the Bureau are over-matched including myself: Yay!



A little "codename" of sorts for them is "The Aristocrats"- odd, lame, whatever you might think, that's what it is now.

Seven in total, each is named after days (original )), and there's a twist- I have designed for them thus far to be a shadow project- currently, I picture them as cyborgs too, formed in secret by Mid-Childan scientists to combat the Numbers. As of present, details are thin, but I have member titles at least:

Spoiler for Titles:

Sir Monday,

Lady Tuesday,

Duke Wednesday,

Lord Thursday,

Duchess Friday,

Count Saturday,

Master Sunday.

Odd names...

Whether or not they'll be implemented with some Mid-Childan tech to counter the IS System hasn't been decided upon yet.

This is only a fledgling project, but work is being done.

Interesting...at least the names aren't something like "Friday Monday" or something like that...

[Saint X]

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

@Keroko: Ah! I forgot to comment on Artherion.

Rather menacing, I must say, in terms of looks- I like that. Nice Shooting Mode, too, what with the retractable pieces and all. The other forms sound intriguing as well, most notably Ethereal. I assume Lancer Mode will be like Strada, in a sense, and Repeater being a machine gun sort of form?

News!

I have another project under my wing, quite possibly put up for use in ShardS on the Bureau side...

People that state the Bureau are over-matched including myself: Yay!



A little "codename" of sorts for them is "The Aristocrats"- odd, lame, whatever you might think, that's what it is now.

Seven in total, each is named after days (original )), and there's a twist- I have designed for them thus far to be a shadow project- currently, I picture them as cyborgs too, formed in secret by Mid-Childan scientists to combat the Numbers. As of present, details are thin, but I have member titles at least:

Spoiler for Titles:

Sir Monday,

Lady Tuesday,

Duke Wednesday,

Lord Thursday,

Duchess Friday,

Count Saturday,

Master Sunday.

Odd names...

Whether or not they'll be implemented with some Mid-Childan tech to counter the IS System hasn't been decided upon yet.

This is only a fledgling project, but work is being done.

What i can only think when i read that is this:

Spoiler for Alternative:

Diablo of Monday

Metsä of Tuesday

Dahlia of Wednesday

Dann of Thursday

Sin of Friday

Sen of Saturday

Saudade of Sunday

*Runs*

[Dream_Traveller]

Originally Posted by Saint X

What i can only think when i read that is this:

Spoiler for Alternative:

Diablo of Monday

Metsä of Tuesday

Dahlia of Wednesday

Dann of Thursday

Sin of Friday

Sen of Saturday

Saudade of Sunday

*Runs*

...

Gun X Sword, now, eh?

Odd, I never actually thought of the name linkage.

[USB500]

Originally Posted by Nightengale

*plays the Lion King song*

I'll comment on your Dusk pieces once you posted them all.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight...
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight......



@ Into The Dusk: will do. Besides, I'm at the 24-hour cyber cafe, and am due to take breakfast after this b4 going to class.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Nightype Magazine Spoilers for Ep.4 to 6...

*snip*

Ah, naruhodo.

=======================

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

USB! Welcome back!

Two very, very good chapters there, especially VII. Seems like Hikki is determined to fight to his last, indeed...odd that there was no Hikki vs. Kha, but that was explained by you. And that ErioxCinquexNove scenario...


MADE OF WIN!

Glad that you liked it, too.

As for petition: I had decided to make the story an official comedic romance drama. So.... who's in for the premier?

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

And now, for something random:

Spoiler for Hm...:

I noticed that something was wrong. All too wrong.

He and others had felt Otto's barrier die down, and that could only mean one of two things- either she was captured, or...

The Letter paused pondering through gritted teeth. He knew that his sister along with Uendi and Dido were out there in the complex that was formerly shrouded by Otto. A simple deduction came into his mind- if the shield was down, the trio were in obvious danger.

He sighed. G was by his side as the pair were providing an aerial defense of the vessel. He turned his head to the silent man. "I...have to head on out there."

G nodded in understanding. I then questioned him: "Will you be able to form a solid defense on your own?" G gave him a glance that seemed to say "Do you earnestly doubt my abilities to that extent, friend?"

I laughed, dryly. "I guess you will." With a spinning of gears and a rising sound like that of a jet engine powering up, he rocketed on ahead towards a wrecked tower block in the distance.

--------

It was a three on one scenario.

Nove, Uendi and Dido surrounded the wounded gunslinger. Teana knew that she was cornered.

But she was waiting.

Waiting for that decisive moment when the trio would commence their assault. They crept forward, inch by inch, until the redhead chose to strike first.

"Kono!"

She raced forward, drawing her gauntleted fist back. Dido followed suit, blades at the ready, and Uendi began charging a beam of energy into the cannon of her own weapon.

And thus, Teana acted.

Instantly, she fired off a pair of magic rounds that were above her. They surged forward towards the blade-wielder and the enraged gauntleted Number behind and in front of Teana, respectively. Both dodged the projectiles, but Teana wheeled round and, despite Dido preparing to strike, let loose a single round in Uendi's direction. The bullet collided with the shot that she was still channeling energy into, causing an explosion that stopped her attack outright.

As if she anticipated Dido's strike from the beginning, she moved her firearms behind herself to block it, the beams on both guns doing their job, and directed one of the projectiles into the back of the Number's head, knocking her out of action. Uendi suffered the same fate as she tried to recover, with the ball of energy slamming into her chin and sending her reeling backwards to fall to the ground, limp.

That left only Nove, and Teana held her at gunpoint. The redhead could only grimace in reply.

-----

"Nove! Uendi! Dido!"

The airborne Letter yelled those names in a desperate tone to attempt to get a response from any of them, but, alas, it was fruitless. The tower block that Otto had once been guarding was just ahead of him.

He also heard magic rounds being fired. At this, he increased his speed, and eventually skidded to a halt at the building's side. Peering in through a hole in the wall, he was utterly shocked by what he saw.

An explosion, engulfing Uendi. A clattering, followed by Dido falling lifelessly and Uendi following soon after. He watched the scene with disbelieving apprehension, and the last straw was pulled when the orange-haired gunslinger aimed at Nove. The gears on his gauntlet and blades spun, and his eyes and tone were shrouded in almost unparalleled darkness.

"You...

You BASTARD!"

I crashed through the wall, thundering towards the surprised Bureau member. She turned and tried to let off a shot at him, but he was moving too fast. I swung his fist downwards, and he was met with it hitting a shield. The Letter wouldn't stand for that.

An IS circle formed around his gauntlet. I struck again, and, almost immediately succeeding it, there was a blast of explosive energy emitted from it that sent I backwards and the gun user hurtling through the air into a wall.

I spoke again. "So...you have the gall to harm my sisters...?" He looked at Teana, his tone still dark, colder than ice. "Well, I shall take it upon myself to respond in kind."

He turned his head to Nove. "Go." A moment passed, and despite Nove's look, one that spoke a need for vengeance, clearly, she obliged.

Teana rose, weakly, and looked at the new arrival and at Nove, who was standing by his side before she left using Air Liner. Commencing his challenge, I roared:

"Have at thee!"

Teana kicks arse!

=========================

Originally Posted by Saint X

Spoiler for My thoughts and feelings right now:

I can see it...

Those pointed sunglasses...

I can feel it...

All that hotblooded manly courage...

I can hear it...

The sound of the drill spinning...

I can almost say it...

GI-

*static*

*Runs to the Dai Gurren-Dan to have himself checked*

Admit it, Saint. The GARness is within.

====================

Originally Posted by LoweGear

OMFGAR



To recreate the most MANLY GAR moment in FSN Also nice 300 nod there

my brain was overloaded with GAR and awesomeness while recreating the scene; added with the fact that I had seen the youtube video of UBW

Mah, too bad the 300 vibe is exclusive only for Prince Yuuno.

Prince Yuuno: tonight, we dine in HELL!!!!

Originally Posted by LoweGear

GAR is not an illness! IT IS A LIFESTYLE!!!! IT IS A SACRED DUTY!!!! IT IS THE POWER OF COURAGE!!!

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Speaking of which, Mach Calibur deserves special mention in this ep for being officially and HOTBLOODEDLY awesome!

Just as rehearsed.
We can still take action, you and I.
We can still fight, so why abandon now?
You taught me the reason of my being here.
My strength and power which you adore so much.
Don't make everything a lie.

*Cries manly tears*

When this happened?

=================

Originally Posted by Kha

Masaka... While Bastion and Sakura were undergoing maintenance after their return from I-n's...

Spoiler for And GAR is born...:

Mach Caliber: [I can't... I can't keep up with my Master at all...]
Sakura: Ara? Maha, are you crying?

MCr: [I'm sorry... But... when I think about it... I promised my Master that I'll think about it... My answer is so wrong...]
Bastion: [Oi. Maha Karibaa.]
MCr: [...Yes?]
Bas: [Omae wo jibun dare omoette yaru?]
MCr: [...]

Sakura lifts the sealed Bastion up, his pointed edge difracting the soft light.

Bas: [Your Wing Road will penetrate Heaven and Earth into the endless sky! Why are you moping at a place like this?! We've won! You've already defeated several Gadgets and Numbers with Subaru! You've got nothing to be afraid of!]

MCr: [Aniki... All right!]
Bas: (smirks) [Listen, Maha Karibaa. Don't forget. Believe in yourself. Not in me believing in you. Not in you believing in me. Believe in you and your Master alone. Believe in yourself!]

MCr: [Yes buddy! Initiating redesignation now... Power increase...]

Several dialogue boxes around the floating device appeared, scrolling text faster than the human eye can see. As the device renewed her will, Sakura put her friend down, leaned on him and smiled. Bastion flashed his trademark flaming grin in return.

Bas: [That's the spirit, Maha Karibaa. THE SPIRIT OF THE DAI-BAASON DAN!]

Is this proof of another soul saved by the Great Kamina?

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Oh Great Kamina, even in death your words truly inspire much WIN and AWESOME in those who hear your magnificence!!!!

The Device has to be as HOTBLOODED as the Master after all In fact, despite having a female voice, MC is more GAR than Bardiche! (And I like Bardiche!)

So in this thread, Mach Calibur is basically Simon?

==========================

Originally Posted by LoweGear

I could almost imagine Teana saying to I after she owns him...

Teana: You feeling lucky punk?

Teana going Wild West?

Oh, will somebody please use this quote for The Man Without a Name's sake????

==========================

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

YOSH!!! IKUZE!!!!

Prepare for an emotional roller-coaster ride!

BLUECHEESIUM BASUTA CAAAANOOOOOONNNN!!!!

Spoiler for The Other Side of Identity: Deals:

“Hayate. You better go tend to your friends. I’ll be taking a break for a bit. We can talk some more later...”

[Wiii~!]

She nodded, “Okay. Mata ne, Oji-chan.”

[Wiiii~!]

“Yeah.” I watched her as she ran outside to follow Nanoha and the others.

[……………]

“Hmm? Why being silent all of a sudden, Sakura?”

[You… Seem to know a lot more than you let on, Hakase-san.]

“Wha-?!” Sakura?

The tiny figure hopped from my head and floated in front of me. Appearance-wise, her eyes had become noticeably sharper… Sakura Zaki…

[You certainly seem different from what I usually sense. Have you perhaps resolved a problem regarding yourself?]

I blinked in confusion before breaking into a small chuckle as I regarded the small Servant before me, “You can say it that way. Though I must say that I’m surprised… You hardly ever come out. And now you’re talking with me, Servant Saber, Sakura Zaki-san.”

[Just Saber is fine.], the tiny servant replied [About my question… Your hiding something, aren’t you?]

“I’m amazed at how you seem to be able to figure out people…”

[Just answer my question, Hakase.]

Sighing, I took a seat and regarded the servant who kneeled on a table in front of me; I decided to reply telepathically, ‘That much is true… Let’s just say that I’ve entered a couple of deals with some potential associates…’

Saber responded in kind, {I don’t know what you’re planning… But you do know this matter of great importance… That’s why it seems to be quite troubling that you involved certain people in this that we do not know off…}

‘They’ve been involved long before I spoke with them, Saber.’

{I see… Needless to say, I will not tolerate it if these so-called associates of yours will prove to be liabilities to my Meister and his friends…}

‘It is beyond any reasonable doubt that they might prove to be liabilities in the future,’ I leaned forward a little, ‘But right now, they seem more as potential assets… These are the kinds of bets that I like to take…’

Her gaze sharpened, {I believe that you understand how potentially dangerous these kinds of deals are…}

‘Yes, of course. But you mustn’t forget whom they are dealing with. Before them, my kids are my top priority…’

{Your children?}

‘I see them as such. And the deals I have entered have no expressed speculations of being a bother to them in this… In case they decide to cross them, to cross us, I myself shall deal with them accordingly.’

{You’re being oddly overconfident for once.}

‘Ahh. But unlike several people…’ I smiled sarcastically, ‘I make sure my confidence is not unfounded.’

{That’s hardly any comfort; seeing as we do not even have the slightest details about your activities.}

‘And this is the part where trust comes in. This universe is filled with uncertainties. But I choose not to be bothered by such extraneous details that come later.’

{My Meister and his friends may trust you with their lives, but I’m definitely harder to please.}

‘That much is expected.’

{What do you plan on doing about it?}

‘Nothing.’ I leaned back on the couch, ‘You have no other viable option than to trust me in the first place.’

{Kisama, you’re just as despicably shrewd as the Wolkenritter say you are.}

‘I don’t blame them.’

{Neither do I… but you must know that I can tell them that you’re hiding several things…}

‘And then what? They’d go on a little tantrum period and then come back to me saying that they understand that I need to keep secrets sometimes like the bunch of innocent kids they are. Regardless of how clever they are, they’re still too naïve and trusting.’

{As unpractical as it seems; that much is true…}

‘Of course! And besides, they’re already used to me keeping several things from them.’ I raised my right hand to cover half of my face, a wide grin growing on my lips, ‘A single lie can be more interesting than a thousand truths. A single truth can be much more enlightening than a thousand lies. I am a person who has no qualms about using truths or lies to my advantage and to those I want to benefit from my actions. And yet I’m not going to resort to crime. But if you look in a certain way, lying is a crime.’

{You’re talking around in circles.}

I dropped my hand, ‘Yes, I am. And in a certain sense, I’m not. I’m just showing you one way of how I think.’

{Hmm… It makes me wonder what they find about you that make them trust you so much…}

‘You’d be faring off better by asking them. An individual can be made out of many facets. Let’s just say that a trustworthy person to a bunch of talented kids is one of my own.’

{Hmph. I’ll give you that much.}

‘Then, Saber. How about a deal, then?’

{A deal?}

‘I need you to be keep this matter this a secret for now.’

{It sounds more of a request than a bargain.}

‘I haven’t finished yet. And in exchange, I won’t tell them that it was you and not Sakura who was nuzzling her head against Kha’s cheek a while ago.’

I looked with satisfaction at the sudden dark blush and flustered expression that erupted on the face of the tiny Servant, she stuttered for a fair bit before getting out a coherent answer; telepathy forgotten.

[L-lies! I-I never-]

“Hahaha! Sorry, but you’ve already lost, Saber.”

She glared at me with barely restrained vehemence, [Y-you-!]

“Don’t worry. I’m lying about my part of the bargain. I can keep secrets as well. And I’ve long outgrown interfering with other people’s personal lives, unless I need to.”

That calmed her down a bit, [Che… You are indeed a devious individual.]

“As well as someone who just happens to have a perception to rival yours, Saber.”

‘Now, about my request…’

{… Very well. Do not make me regret this decision, Aurion Dauer.}

‘I’m not making promises about absolute surety, Sakura Zaki. But rest assured, I’ll be doing what I must to the best of my capabilities.’

{It may not seem to be practical at all; But I’ll be taking this gamble as well.}

‘You have my gratitude. Then it’s a deal’

{Deal. Now if you’ll excuse me…}

As her side of identity slowly faded, I heard one last message, {I also have to thank you for looking after them...}

'No need. The decision is my own.'

She closed her eyes and returned to being Sakura, who yawned and rubbed her eyes.

[Uwaaa~… Where’s everybody?] So she was ordered to sleep, huh?

“They went to the clinic to check on the two lovebirds. You better follow them, Sakura.”

[Clinic? Okay! Bye-bee, Hakase-tan! Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~!] She then proceeded to zoom off out the door.

With a yawn, I reclined further into the couch, “I hope you don’t mind as well, Almaria.”

[Iie. I’m fine, Aurion-san. You can tell me when the several mitigating factors permit so.]

I smiled and stroked her frame, “Thanks. And about that delayed four hour nap a few days ago; I’ll be doing it now. Just extend it by an hour or two.”

[Hai. Please take your time to rest.]

“I will…”

Sighing once, I closed my eyes, and dozed off a few moments later. This time, I wasn’t bothered…


Or so I thought.

*BONK*

“Ite-! Nanda?!”

I opened one bleary eye to see who bonked me on the head. A pair of cheery, bespectacled blue eyes greeted me.

“Hello~! Oji-san!”

“Sophia?”

Doudeshou? Jumping moods, eh?

Is that Tohsaka Sophia?????

==============

Originally Posted by Nightengale

... you thief.



Wonderful piece. Hmm... obligaratory Ahh~ as....

To be honest, I have a similar idea in mind too, only difference is...

Lutecia: Would anyone even be sad if I died?

Erio: I will be sad.

Lutecia: !!!

Erio: Isn't that enough? To be who you are, to find your own happiness... because I too, know how it feels to be alone, to be afraid of that darkness...

Lutecia: You...

Caro: Erio-kun's right, Lu-chan. And it's not just him... I too will be sad. Garyuu too, and I'm sure... Fried too.

And there's a part where Garyuu hugs Lutecia too, with bug juice flowing from his 4 eyes. :3

Cute fluffs. Oh, Erio, you're da man indeed.



*runs*

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, you already tackled this far better than I could, so I'll go ahead and do something else...

Zest x Quint x Lutecia's mom past piece?

*runs*

WANT!!!!!!!!!!!

*runs*

==================

Originally Posted by Saint X

What i can only think when i read that is this:

Spoiler for Alternative:

Diablo of Monday

Metsä of Tuesday

Dahlia of Wednesday

Dann of Thursday

Sin of Friday

Sen of Saturday

Saudade of Sunday

*Runs*

Another Nanoverse OC organization? And based off GUNxSWORD? APPROVED!

==============

Spoiler for 4koma for A Legend of Colossal Blade:

not even The Sword That Cleaves Fish Evil can face the wrath of the Gourmet D:

@ LoweGear: how are Senior & Mai doing?

[Chaos2Frozen]

I've just remembered I wanted to comment on this as well...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

You flatter me.

Hmm... looks like I better start planning StrikerS to DestinyS where we see Teana getting her first shot learning how to fly...

If Nightengale becomes the new director, I can forseeing a very distinct change in atmosphere

And I'm very certain that alot of hearts will break... And I'm absolutely positively sure that the body counts with soar.

Originally Posted by Keroko

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

Though I'll be occupied with fixing manga scans first.

Good luck then Though I would never quite understand the pain as most of my characters' devices don't have modes

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

This...

This is...


EPIC WIN!

Great piece! It makes me wonder whether or not this'll happen in the series. Right producers?

RIGHT?

Right

I promise to not bitch about Nanoha for two weeks if they give me that!

Originally Posted by Erio

Absolutely approved!!

And seriously, if this doesnt happen I dont know what else StrikerS can screw up on.

Show alittle more Enthusiasm, Erio... You're getting the very cute, silent-moe, girl


(Currently listening to "I'll be your Hero" by 2BE3....)

Originally Posted by Satty

Nice, made me smile a bit.

N-No problem....

[haiz123321]

Originally Posted by USB500

Spoiler for 4koma for A Legend of Colossal Blade:

not even The Sword That Cleaves Fish Evil can face the wrath of the Gourmet D:

That's some fine swordsman ship there o_O using a cooking knife to cleave a table in 2...

Maybe that's why vita and signum don't help out in the kitchen?

[Kha]

What mayhem is this?! We're gonna break through 9k in no time!!! 0_0

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

YOSH!!! IKUZE!!!!

Prepare for an emotional roller-coaster ride!

BLUECHEESIUM BASUTA CAAAANOOOOOONNNN!!!!


The timeframe and chapter number is still in pending. But the tentative title is Aces: Resolution

Spoiler for Aces: Resolutions:

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

And the next part, a conversation with someone unexpected.

Randomed Thoughts Works!

I've been watching GL too often, but this insertion appeared in my mind nonetheless.

Spoiler:

“I know you’ll do just as much for any of us. I’m this team’s tanker. And I’m definitely not going to leave any of you out there. Yagami-sa- I mean, Hayate-san. You can definitely count on me!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Ore mo dare omoette yaru ze?" Kha grinned, replying in Hayate's native tongue. "Right, everyone?”

But this IS too early for Bastion's habits to rub off on Kha, so forget it.

Spoiler:

“Our group cannot be complete when our leader is all gloomy! Where’s our Hayate-san who’s always prepared to insert fun into any situation?”

Kha asked for it apparently.

We see Kha fighting his contradictions. And the safety valve blew. Oh well.

Sakura straining to hold up Kha gave me quite a hilarious image.

Worrying about Kha falling from standing is a interesting thought. IDEAS!

And if Sakura isn't making a mess of things, it's probably not her.

~~~~~~

The idea of tiny Saber when I first used it in Lancer's scenario made me grin. I still can't stop it now.

Saber sounds a lot like Signum indeed.

@ dereSaber. And when I looked back at the line, it DOES seem like Saber was trying to mimick Sakura, albeit somewhat poorly. No Wiiii.

I wonder what Sophia's up to this time? And did she see the HHB earlier?

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

The one who ordered it is Precia. Yes, I made her live.

Call it sick and evil psychological warfare.

EH?! 0_0 Then again, it figures. Looks like your earlier AliciaFate piece can fit right here.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, there's still ways to go. I'm trying to reduce the amount of OCs and trying to create a scenario where everybody has their own important role in this. You know, like how MGS4 is apparently trying to tie back everything and bring back everyone if possible.

I see. It's already sounding a hell lot more epic as it is!

Originally Posted by Nightengale

But all RH did was request an additional part that wasn't there.

Mach Calibur literally bulked herself up, 2.5 times heavier and 1.4 times more magic consumption... while retaining the same shape... wonder who taught it device-engineering... albeit a very unfriendly upgrade...

Probably just basic reinforcement without much streamlining... Probably implies an amateurish attempt that the tech dept might fix post-StrikerS once they have the time like the session Bard and RH got after A's in the manga.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

You flatter me.

Hmm... looks like I better start planning StrikerS to DestinyS where we see Teana getting her first shot learning how to fly...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Lutecia: Would anyone even be sad if I died?

Erio: I will be sad.

Lutecia: !!!

Erio: Isn't that enough? To be who you are, to find your own happiness... because I too, know how it feels to be alone, to be afraid of that darkness...

Lutecia: You...

Caro: Erio-kun's right, Lu-chan. And it's not just him... I too will be sad. Garyuu too, and I'm sure... Fried too.

And there's a part where Garyuu hugs Lutecia too, with bug juice flowing from his 4 eyes. :3

~~~~~~

Well, you already tackled this far better than I could, so I'll go ahead and do something else...

Zest x Quint x Lutecia's mom past piece?

*runs*

Works both ways.

And more of Zest's harem...

!!!

Zest VS Clyde HAREM WAR!

(runs from Bellerophon and Hell & Heaven)

Originally Posted by Nightengale

How can you say that?

Just as Teana is the Forward MVP (( like it or not, she's arguably the finest in terms of developing consistency )), and MC is the Device MVP... Garyuu's probably the Dark Horse MVP.

I mean... seriously. If you told me 13 episodes ago that a silent familiar bug would get this kind of spotlight....

Hmmm... That's true. 0_0

Originally Posted by Nightengale

I'm trying to reduce the amount of OCs if possible. There will be, no doubts, but I'm going for less numbers and using canon characters which are already linked in accordingly...

For example, in StrikerS DestinyS, Hayate's main rival will be...

Spoiler:

young!Midget.

Yes, I'm making that female Legendary Admiral the villain counterpart for Wolkies/Hayate. TEH DRAMA!

And with 3 factions, (( TSAB, Jail and Unknown )), I'm trying to create a proper division of things...

HAAA?! Midget?! TEH DRAMA indeed! Vita'd go crazy! 0_0

Like I said, OC Thread's S4 in your capable hands!

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, where have I seen that scenario before...

But it's a nice piece, especially the 2nd. The mood was nicely paced, and works accordingly well. And it made me smile, even if it's not as powerful as CARONO.

Then again, Chaos is a power to be feared...

We don't call him Dark God on a whim after all...

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Just give me Lutecia's mom's name and I'll add her to Clyde's harem

Raida--

*dodges chain-hook*

Medu--

*runs from Andromeda*

Originally Posted by Keroko

Now for something of my own. Something that I should have worked on way back when, but somehow only recently started.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Artherion.

Spoiler for Artherion:

That's only three forms, still three more to go. The pain-in-the-ass-Ethereal mode, Lancer Mode, and Repeater Mode.

Though I'll be occupied with fixing manga scans first.

I see a TIE Advanced fighter. In a way, expected of Keroko-chan.

Surprisingly, it resembles Bard a lot; I expected a blackened RH somehow.

Looks great! I can visualize how Keroko fights now! Do link this pic to your profile list.

Originally Posted by asaqe

Adam, somewhat disappointed by the lack of TSABs to kill today, decided to return back to base for reports...Dr. Scaglietti ordered all gadjet drones to begin maintenance as Adam returned to Scaglietti's lair of operations. "Hey there Une, so have you planned out my meal?" Kissing him on his cheek she smiled: "Let me guess, a beef fillet with roast potatoes and souffle along with Imported Milchildan wine? Already got the drones to begin gathering ingredients. So how was the patrol? Did you turn out any results?" "Unfortunately, TSAB was for once competant, or at least cowardly enough to hide from me...they know about my specs and pretty much in a straightfoward battle will be totally annihilated, and unlike your fellow numbers, mercy does not exist in my protocols." Une then made a suggesive comment "Does it mean you wont spare any mercy for me in bed?" Adam a little angered: "We are technically on duty here, matters that you address is gently noted, so father, what do you got me right now?" Scaglietti then took him to see Ginga...who aparently was at the showers from a training session..."Meet number XIII, actually a type Zero..." Type Zero, the words seems to come to a shock for Adam..."Type Zero, what the hell are you talking about? The only numbers you ever gave me were the ones in the jars. Are you telling me you are denying more toys to have fun with." The Doctor then place his arms over Adam's shoulders: "Adam, the Type Zero were a special breed of Numbers, they were one of the first greatest things I had to create, I am sure you know what happened next." Adam nods, he knew about the injustices of the TSAB, how his father was used like a tool to give the TSAB ruling elite enternal life, hell he bet they wanted to fiddle around with his playthings and the thought of losing his toys almost drives him to the point of beserk... "Father, what should I do next? Can I spend some time with XIII?" The Doctor denied him saying: "XIII is still new to us, maybe you can bring me her sister and then XIII and her sister can be your newest toys." As Une heard Scaligetti, she grimanced at the thought that Adam may soon treat her and the rest of the Numbers as throwaways but was unable to voice her opinion. Because Adam was vital to creating a new Midchildan civilization from her access of the files...of course, it wont stop her from removing Ginga from the equation...

BLOCK O TEXT! Could we have some paragraphing...? It'll a lot easier to read and get into.

It's okay apart from that! One Ion Canon risk: We're not sure if Scag built the Type-0s; We do know they were made by someone, and they seem to be of higher standard than the Numbers for some reason.

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

And now, a snippet:

Spoiler for Said Snippet:

The aging general was hoisted upwards out of his desk by a black-clad fist, and suddenly found himself gasping for air.

"W...what the-?!"

The man with a Fawkesian mask peered at him insidiously. "You know what I dislike about people such as yourself, Regius?" he said, his tone brimming with disgust. "Everything. The way you constantly act in a pompous fashion, the way that you sit, high and mightily behind a desk, knowing that you're 'safe' and performing sloth as the real soldiers prove their worth."

The masked one's grip tightened, and Regius gasped. "That, and so much more. I'll be honest with you. I...hate...people like yourself, those who are far too prideful for their own good, people who degrade those that actually carry out tasks that are worthy in lieu of barking orders and labeling people as 'criminals' behind their backs. People like you, who are engulfed by their own position in rank and consider themselves kings incarnate, I despise."

"I've heard about what you've done, 'General'. And to be truthful, I don't take kindly to others making snide remarks about my colleagues. To be frank..." He tilted his head, then stated, accusingly: "I don't think you care much for those who fight for the stabilization of the peace that we long for."

He unsheathed a knife, the blade glowing dimly in the light, and pointed it not at Regius, but at his secretary, who froze. The general was now beginning to shiver in horror.

"It's deduced odd, isn't it?", the man inquired, glancing around the room. "How you can care so much for mere goods- porcelain, plastic, and what have you..." He shook his head. "And yet care so little for flesh and blood."

"Good" V pays Regius a long-deserved visit. This piece was rather randomly thought out though...but I'll leave you all to judge it.

Is this before or after Zest's intrusion? I wanna see what both old Knights have to say.

Originally Posted by Erio

Ah, noted, so Divine is from the Naaru and the power of the SPIRAL is from the Relic? Me like better now.

After all your comments, I'm thinking anohito was some sort of Spiral God. Hence the difference.

Hope this doesn't create more contradictions.

Originally Posted by Erio

This is crazy.

Aah...

Originally Posted by Erio

Ah, I got confused for a moment there.

See above of how I derived the idea.

Originally Posted by Erio

Basically if Vivio doesnt die, Sakura wont awaken, huh?

It has something to do with Vivio... If Vivio dies, Sakura the Chibi will definitely be affected in a certain way. But if Vivio lives, there's a chance for even bigger emo, as Sakura and Vivio are linked in a special way.

(The rest is scrambled in spoiler)

Originally Posted by Erio

And unfortunately, because of NxFers, Vivio will live, just to feed that fanbase. If, at least, that means Nanoha will sell a lot and a Season 4 will be made, then I guess I'm in favor of Vivio living.

Looks like that second alternative might be possible... >.>

Originally Posted by Satty

Anway, SearcherS part 7 is done. Here it is.

Spoiler for SearcherS-part 7:

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
9:12 P.M.

“…So, these are the Replicas, huh?” Sion said, skeptical at the neatly lined row of bodies, all slouched and seemingly dead, holding on to some sort of rifle on one hand. “Yes, that’s them.” Asteright replied, a grin on his face. “I bet they’ll give any mage a run for their money.” he added.

“Heh, I don’t believe it. No clone can stand up to a mage.”

“Oh yeah?” Asteright replied, a grin on his face. “Then watch.” Casting Dealer’s Deck, he shuffled the cards for some time, eyeing at the line to use one as a demonstration to show Sion. “There’s something I want to show you.” Spotting a potential Replica, he activated it. “Echo 4, awake.”

“Yes, sir.” the Replica answered, female by its voice. Aiming a card in order to attack her, Asteright almost threw the card when a shot from another Device rang out and hit the Replica straight in the chest. She staggered down to her knees, and checked her chest armor. Slowly, she got up, and the only thing left of the magic shot was a small charred spot where the shot hit.

“Hollow, thank you, but I didn’t need your help.”

Coughing, the sickly girl came out of the shadows of the right side of the room, holding her own Device, Carrossea, ready for anything. “Gomen, but I just wanted to help.”

Asteright just nodded and she stayed where she was, coughing.

Sion just looked at her for a moment, then turned around to face Asteright himself. “Impressive…but what’s the trick?”

“Light AMF plating on the chest armor; prevents magic shots from damaging the person who wears it. Unfortunately, concentrated amounts of magic or a Device will pass through that.”

“They’ll be fodder; I see that they don’t even have a suitable weapon to go against them.”

“You think so?” Turning his attention to the Replica, he pointed at a section of his own Barrier Jacket. “Echo 4, shoot here.”

“Yes.” she said, and aimed at the Jacket. Shooting at the section, the bullet passed through the Barrier Jacket and aimed straight at Sion himself. Taking out his Device, he managed to block the bullet, which hit the ceiling harmlessly. “Nicked my Device…” he mused. “What’s the trick now?”

“The bullet has a disrupting effect on Barrier Jackets and defenses.” Asteright simply said, still grinning. “It’ll take some time before the Barrier Jacket can repair this.”

“Interesting…” Sion thought as he looked over the Replicas, especially noticing their wrists, which had a tag that bore the saying “S-1”.

“The S-1 Project…a project headed by Asteright, with Scagletti giving the resources to him. Scagletti himself didn’t like the project that much, and asked only to make the Replicas female for some reason…”

“Are we going?” a mechanical voice suddenly said, and a blue eye appeared on the left side of the room.

“Wolf…” Sion greeted, his voice sounding hostile to him.

“Sion…”

Sion just smirked at him, and ignoring him for a second, turned to the rest of the Replicas. “Asteright, if you mind…”

“All right, then. All of Echo Team, awake.”

The line of Replicas suddenly straightened up, alive, grabbed their weapons like they were about to march in a single line, and looked straight at them. “Alright then, let’s move out!”

“Right!” all of them said out loud, ready to take orders.

“It’s your call.” Asteright said, still looking at the Replicas.

“Shall we get started then?” Sion replied back to him.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11: 34 P.M.

“Sorry for having to brief you on-route.” the Major said to all of the squads. “But unfortunately, there’s not that much time.” All of them were in the King Raven, heading towards Compound 34, a research lab in southern Mid-Childa. The whole complex was dedicated to further studying of Relics, but what they usually studied was kept under wraps. “We’re heading to Compound 34, aren't we?” Nobuyuki said sleepily, trying to get some shuteye on this trip.

“Right.” Rachel said to him.

“I heard about that group.” Vincent added. “Bunch of crazy scientists studying some sort of crystal or something.”

“Those “crystals” you’re talking about just have the potential to blow up a good chunk of an area.” Sydney replied to him, looking at him like he was an idiot for saying that.

“Isn’t RF6 supposed to check the place out?” Anne said to the Major, confused that the 216th was sent in instead. “They’re currently not here right now. And since we’re the ones sent in to find out about unknown occurrences, we go in their place.” Rachel answered back for the Major.

“Let’s get to the briefing, then.” Satoshi said, and everyone agreed.

“Contact was lost about an hour ago. So far, any other attempts to try and reach them have failed.”

“Well, it might be a power outage or something.” Arvis said, wondering about other reasons.

“It might, but we can’t make any assumptions.”

“So, we’re just going to be checking on them?” Lian asked.

“Yeah, that’s about it. Everyone understand?”

Everybody nodded their heads, and the briefing stopped. “Scuderia, Rachel, and I will be in the area, keeping tabs on all of you guys.” the Major added, giving some relief to them. As the talking stopped, both Satoshi and Nobuyuki were looking around, checking on the others.

Nobuyuki asked Satoshi, “You think we’re gonna lose someone today?” telepathically to him, keeping it a secret.

“Hopefully not.” Satoshi answered back to him. “Well, I’m gonna get some sleep. Tell me when we’re there.” Nobuyuki replied, and started to sleep again. “Hopefully not, huh?” he thought. “I agree.”

Looking at everyone, Satoshi could already tell that Sydney and Anne were getting jumpy, and Vincent was starting to get impatient. The other two members of Thunder Squad, Arvis and Lian, were already nervous, checking their Devices constantly. Margaret was also taking a nap, like Nobuyuki, but Satsuki acted differently than usual. Normally, she would be either talking to Lian, or watching over Margaret. Today, she was just looking down on the floor, her eyes closed, seeming like she was remembering something that she didn’t want to remember. “Hmm….best to not bother her then.” Satoshi concluded in his mind.

“Hey, all of you, I see the compound.” Scuderia said out loud to all of them, and everyone straightened up, ready for what was going to happen. “We’re landing in 5. Get ready.”

The King Raven landed down on a helipad nearby, and everyone got out quickly. “Good luck to you all.” the Major said to all of them before the copter took off for the skies again. All of them headed inside the compound, clearing the first room. No one was there, but there was one thing that stood out: everything was powered up, and there was no sign of a power outage.

“We can rule out a power outage.” Nobuyuki said to all of them, especially Arvis, snidely. “Well, it was a guess.” Arvis countered.

“Let’s just check the compound, alright?” Anne said to both of them, trying to stop a potential fight. “We don’t need to kill each other here.” Both of them stopped and everyone started searching.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11:46 P.M.

“Don-Don’t hur-AGHH!” was the final phrase a security guard said before being sliced diagonally in half by Black Wolf. As both of the parts of his body fell, Wolf was already shaking all the blood off his sword and putting it back. Behind him were several other bodies, unlucky victims who decided to take the night shift. Wolf then checked up on the security feeds.

“Sion, they’re here.” he commented. Up above, on the control room of the complex, Sion, Asteright, and Hollow were there, next to some sort of small, portable installation. “Great. Let’s get started.” he replied, getting near a control switch. “Do whatever you want; just make sure to get those Relics.”

“Understood.” Wolf replied back, before Sion flipped the switch, and the link was shut down. “This will prevent them from communicating with each other.” Asteright said to him. “And also for us.” Sion replied back. “Well, we just have to find some other way, then, huh?” Taking out a small radio transmitter, Asteright called the Replicas, patrolling the compound, giving them an order. “Mages from the TSAB are here. Shoot to kill. That is all.”

“Right.” was one of their answers, and they continued patrolling. Asteright turned to Hollow, who was coughing a bit. “Sorry…” she said quietly before the coughs stopped and she straightened up. “Suck it in, and let’s go.” Asteright said to her. “I understand.” She replied coldly before following him.

As both of them left, Sion started leaving the room also, thinking that the jammer would be safe. “Well, I’ll have my fun…” he thought to himself, smiling mischievously. “Brother, let’s see how you are after these years.”

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
11:49 P.M.

“Nothing here…” Sydney said to everyone after checking a room nearby. So far, all of them had searched the complex, and without any sign of a takeover, accident, or something else. They had also never seen any other scientists yet. “Damn, another room empty….” Nobuyuki said, impatient about what was happening. “This is getting to be a pain in the butt.”

“You said it.” Vincent said to him, agreeing. “Well, at least we aren’t getting our butts shot out.” Satoshi said to both of them, but both of them just stayed silent, still bored. As all of them went into a storage area, Vincent heard something near the southwest corner. Signaling everyone else, he said to all of them quietly, “Wait. I heard something.”

“All right then, check. Be careful.” Satoshi replied. Grinning a bit, Vincent just said, “Don’t worry about me.” He moved forward, inching along the wall, trying to not make too much noise. Near the corner, he could hear the sounds become a voice. “…This is Echo 7, one of those scientists that escaped is down, I repeat…”

“What the? Professional soldiers?” Vincent thought to himself. Taking a peek, he could see that this soldier was a female, dressed in urban camo. On her hands was a rifle of sorts. “A rifle? I thought that was illegal here…better tell everyone.” As he tried to go back, though, he accidentally tripped. “Oh, damn…”

“Who’s there?” the Replica yelled, and moved to where everyone was, seeing them. “Contac-!” she yelled to the radio before a Burst Shooter from Satoshi hit her. “1 down….” he thought, but to everyone’s surprise, she managed to recover and move. “What in the world?”

Pointing her rifle at them, she started shooting. The bullets went harmlessly straight through as everyone took cover behind the boxes. A sweep kick from Vincent incapacitated her, preventing any more damage. Moving towards them, he took cover near Satoshi himself. “Damn it…shouldn’t have tripped.” he said to him, mad that he fell. “It’s in the past.” Satoshi said to him quickly. “Don’t worry-.”

Gunfire then erupted from the walkway up above. Soldiers just like the one that found them shot at them, trying their best to kill them. “Kuso…thanks a lot, Vince!” Anne yelled, as a bullet nearly grazed her head. “Hey, calm down and take cover!” Nobuyuki screamed back to her, and she immediately took cover. “Satsuki, try to get them!” Satoshi yelled to her, bullets still hitting the boxes. “Wait for the reload.” he added.

“Right.” she said to him. “Ellis, Margaret, let’s go.”

“[Right.]”

“Got it!”

The bullets finally stopped, and Satsuki took her chance. Margaret and Vince covered her as she aimed the scope at one of the Replicas’ own weapons. Taking the shot, the rifle cracked into several pieces, forcing the Replica to retreat and take cover. Good sho-.” Vince said to her before a bullet hit his leg.

“Vince!”

“Don’t worry about it! I’ve got shot a couple of times before.” he said to her, smiling to try to take away her fear. “Damn it, Satoshi, we gotta move!” Sydney said to him. “I know!” he replied back to her, trying to find some way out. There were three doors near where they were at. “If we could get through those doors…”

“I got it.” he said to her, and started to talk to Nobuyuki telepathically about it. “No-.” he could say before he started to hold his head in pain. “Satoshi!” Sydney replied, worried about what happened.

“I can’t communicate.” he said to her, managing to shake it off. “When I tried, it was like something smacked me in the head.”

“It’s some sort of jammer then…” she said to him.

“Is that even possible?”

“Yeah, by overloading a telepathic link, you could jam it. I wasn't sure of all the technical details, though.”

“Well, let’s do it the old-fashioned way, then.”

“You’re not thin-.” Sydney said, but it was too late. Satoshi went out of his cover, and everyone was focusing on him. “Plasma Cannon!” he yelled. ”[You got it.]” Cipher said, discharging 2 cartridges, and 3 bolts of electricity went in the direction of the Replicas, who took cover fast. He didn’t hit any of them, but it was enough to get him to where Nobuyuki and Anne were.

“You’re crazy…” Nobuyuki said to him. “Listen.” Satoshi replied back, telling him about the plan, pointing on where the doors where.[COLOR=";RoyalBlue"] “You and me; we’ll go through that center door. Anne, Arvis, and Lian will take the left door over there. Sydney, Vincent, Satsuki, and Margaret will take the right.”[/COLOR]

“I feel like this is gonna be hectic…”

“It’s the only chance we got.”

“Yeah. Alright then.”

“One other thing, we can’t communicate telepathically. We’re gonna be on our own once we do this.”

“But how?” Nobuyuki asked, confused. Satoshi's answer didn't clarify much.

“Some sort of jammer, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll be going.”

Satoshi started going back to where he was, diving down onto the safety of the boxes, bullets nearly hitting him. “Anne, take Arvis and Lian through that door. Satoshi and I will go through that door in the center, Sydney, Vince, Satsuki, and Margaret will take the right.”

“What? Are you two crazy or something?” she replied back in disbelief. “I thought about it. It’s gonna work.”

“Alright then…” she said back, relenting. Nobuyuki then signaled Satoshi with a thumbs up, and he nodded. Already seeing that Anne told the other two, he called Arvis. “You ready to use Negate, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready.” he said back to him. “Good.”

“Syd, you ready with covering everyone, right?” Satoshi said to her, while he was judging the door’s distance. “I’m ready.”

“Good.”

“Be careful out there.”

“Aren’t I always?” he said to her, smiling a bit, settling her fears a bit. “Let’s start.”

Counting to three with his fingers, Satoshi gulped a little, knowing that it could work, or that it could tear them up. “One…two….” he thought as his fingers did the counting. Everyone else was waiting for the signal, waiting if the plan would succeed or if they could become cold, dead bodies. The Replicas stopped firing, enough time. “Three!” As the Replicas finished reloading, Satoshi and Nobuyuki were halfway.

“Pykrete Wall!” Sydney yelled out, a wall of ice covering Sky Squad’s backs, while Arvis put up 4 shields, safely covering Thunder Squad’s back. The Replicas’ started firing again, and their bullets couldn’t penetrate both the wall and the shield, and so they turned their attention to both captains. “Great…” Nobuyuki thought to himself as the bullets started flying at both of them. Closing the gap, both of them managed to get through the door, staggering inside, and moving forward after that.

The Replicas stopped firing, as one of them started reporting, all the others moved left and right. “Asteright, Echo Leader. We found the mages, captains went through the center door, their squads went left and right.”

Asteright answered back. “Let your squad deal with their own squads. Sion and Wolf will intercept the captains.”

“Understood.”

As Asteright cut communications, he looked back at Hollow and Sion, who was in the area. “Sion, you’re lucky, he’s coming here.”

He just chuckled a bit to him, and with a small smirk on his face, he said to him, “I know he’s coming; I made sure of it.”

Looking at him in confusion for a bit, he straightened up, and called Hollow out. “Let’s go.”

“Right.” she said, and followed him out of the room.

“Papillion…” Sion thought.

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
12:01 A.M.

As Sydney, Satsuki, Margaret, and Vincent took a right to get away from the Replicas, Vincent asked Sydney, “Where did he go now?”

“I don’t know, but I hope he’s safe…”

Bullets started firing, and all of them took cover. Seeing a door nearby both Sydney and Satsuki, Vincent told them about it. “Sydney, Satsuki, take the door near you guys; Margaret and I will cover you.” They nodded and went in the door.

“Margaret…”

“Right. Streuungstoß!”

“Maschinegewehr Faust!”

The covering fire was just enough for the Replicas to stop shooting and take cover. “Margaret, go to the other side, then cover me as I go there.” Vincent said to her.

“Roger that.” she said to him, and dashed straight to where Sydney and Satsuki were. Still using his spell, Vincent went to where Margaret was, and he went inside first. “My God…” In that room were the bloodied bodies of some scientists working here, bet up and shot. Sydney was standing up, trying to not look at the bodies. Satsuki, on the other hand, was kneeling on the floor, her hands on her head, Ellis nearby, laying on the floor shocked and scared on what happened. “Satsuki…you okay?” Vincent said to her, concerened. “Why…why did they have to do this?” she said quietly, fear in her voice. “I just-.”

Margaret suddenly went in, and told everyone, “They’re coming here.” Satsuki got up and picked up Ellis. “Let’s go.” she said to all of them. “Margaret, you and me will go through the door in front of us; Sydney, Vincent, you two go through the door on the left.” Nobody had any time to protest as the Replicas moved in, but by that time, they had already left. As the Replicas searched the room, Hollow came in, strangely without Asteright. “All of you go to the left; I’ll go through the door directly in front.”

“Yes, ma’am.” said one Replica, and all of them moved on the door to the left, while Hollow quietly followed Satsuki and Margaret.

Meanwhile, Anne, Arvis, and Lian were in a bad situation, pinned down in a corridor. “Lian, move back; we’ll cover you.”

“Right.” she said, and started to move forward, but the Replicas already had a bead on Lian. Arvis noticed that, and moved in front of her. He casted Negate, but one bullet had already passed through and hit his right eye. He held his eye, and moved with Lian. She saw what happened to Arvis after that. “I..I shouldn’t have-.” she said regretfully, waiting for him to get angry and get it over with. “Don’t worry about it that much. At least it’s not my left eye.” he said to her with a small smile on his face. “It’ll get replaced easily.”

“Hey! Arvis, Lian, get moving!” Anne said to both of them, and they quickly moved with her. As they turned into another corridor, a Replica got into position, and shot quickly. Two bullets managed to hit Anne in the right arm and leg, making her trip. “Vice-Commander!” Lian yelled out, but they couldn’t reach her at the moment. Inching up near a wall to get a good shot, Anne could barely move her right arm, not effective to shoot. She could reach for her Device and shoot with her left, though. “Let’s hope this works…” she thought as she got a hold of her Device and grabbed it with her left hand. “Overcharge!” she yelled out, and a spherical projectile went towards the Replica, hitting her square in the chest, killing her in an instant. The lull in the fighting provided Arvis and Lian time to drag Anne to cover.

“God damn! Echo 2 is down!” one Replica said, possibly calling from the radio. As all the others moved in, Lian was ready. “Splitter Blades!” she said out loud, and 8 small, blade-like projectiles went towards the group of Replicas, injuring one in the head. Arvis then managed to find a large steel crate, big enough to block the path. He pulled it towards the corridor, doing its job of blocking the path. As he finished, Anne was already propped up on a wall, tending to her wounds. “Jacket Heal.” she muttered to herself, ripping two rectangular parts of her Barrier Jacket, wrapping the wounds with those parts. Slowly, she got up, and was able to stand up, although she was limping a bit. “Thanks, you guys.” she said to both of them, a smile on her face. Sighing, she then added, “I thought I was toast there…”

“I wonder how Nobu-san is doing…” Lian said to everyone. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Anne replied back, seemingly confident, but her mind proved otherwise. “Yeah right…hope he’s okay.”

Wednesday, June 3, MC 0075
12: 13 A.M

“There’s a two-way corridor nearby. We can split up there.” Nobuyuki said to Satoshi, still running away from the Replicas nearby. “I’ll take the left, you take the right.”

“Alright then.” Satoshi said back, and both of them split up. The Replicas proceeded to chase Nobuyuki only, for some reason, leaving Satoshi alone. Hiding in the shadows, Nobuyuki managed to hide from them as they passed through. After the coast was clear, he went out. “Satoshi…good luck; he’s here…” he thought to himself, looking in the direction where he went. Then he started moving again.

Staggering, Satoshi finally had to prop himself against a wall. His head started to hurt severely, and it was hard to even inch forward. He could hear the screams of dead and dying people, the sound of fire, and Devices clanking on the ground; their users dead. Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them, and he saw that he was in the same corridor, but it was littered with several bodies of scientists, security personnel, and others. Fire enveloped the corridor itself, and debris were everywhere, even managing to crush some people. “What the hell?” he thought to himself before realizing that unintentionally, he was moving forward. His body seemed to move on its own towards a double door nearby. Satoshi tried to stop, but it felt like something serious was beyond that door, and he wanted to know. When he touched the door, everything turned back to normal again, looking like he had just slowly walked there. The headaches were gone, and nobody was behind him. “Must have been fatigue or something.” he said to himself and went in. The room was open, with an octagonal walkway up above him.

“Seems to be nothing here.” he thought just before noticing a couple of throwing knives going straight at him. Dodging it, he barely had time to recover before another round of knives was thrown at him. He had to roll out of the way, and was on the floor, kneeling when someone came out of the shadows. “Well, well, if it isn’t you, brother…”

“Brother?” Satoshi asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Poor you, having to lose that by the very people that made you into what you are today.” he replied back coyly.

“Answer me!” Satoshi said angrily to him.

“Looks like you don’t know…oh well.” he concluded before casting a spell. To Satoshi’s own surprise, it was an Ustio octagon, like him, except in a different color. “How did he-?” he thought before being cut off from his thoughts by a knife going straight at his head. He barely dodged it, the knife grazing his right cheek. “Damn….that was fast…too fast.”

The assailant jumped back a bit away from Satoshi, giving him time to stand up and take a stance. “Since you don’t remember me, I’ll tell you my name, brother.” he said, taking a throwing knife from a sheath, ready to throw it. “It’s Sion, remember?” he said to him.

“Heh, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but pleased to meet you.” Satoshi said to him, wiping the blood off the scratch.

“Oh, you’ll remember, alright, you’ll remember…”

LONG AND WELL DESCRIBED! This isn't a scenario, it's a full fledged fanfic! Nice!

WANT MOAR soon!

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

I have another project under my wing, quite possibly put up for use in ShardS on the Bureau side...

People that state the Bureau are over-matched including myself: Yay!



A little "codename" of sorts for them is "The Aristocrats"- odd, lame, whatever you might think, that's what it is now.

Seven in total, each is named after days (original )), and there's a twist- I have designed for them thus far to be a shadow project- currently, I picture them as cyborgs too, formed in secret by Mid-Childan scientists to combat the Numbers. As of present, details are thin, but I have member titles at least:

Spoiler for Titles:

Sir Monday,

Lady Tuesday,

Duke Wednesday,

Lord Thursday,

Duchess Friday,

Count Saturday,

Master Sunday.

Odd names...

Whether or not they'll be implemented with some Mid-Childan tech to counter the IS System hasn't been decided upon yet.

This is only a fledgling project, but work is being done.

Looks good. Won't it be funny that the TSAB would then already have a crack sentokijin unit? They hence wouldn't be dependent on Sagletti's supply, since he was becoming unstable. Just my $0.02.

Originally Posted by USB500

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight...
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight......

Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe...

Originally Posted by USB500

So in this thread, Mach Calibur is basically Simon?

Possibly, but at the moment, there's only be 1 yay vote versus 2 nay votes.

[USB500]

Originally Posted by Kha

Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe; Aroom mawe, Aroom mawe...

*dances like the hippo's companion*

Originally Posted by Kha

Possibly, but at the moment, there's only be 1 yay vote versus 2 nay votes.

aw hell.

=====================

After working on these chapters:

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5, Part 1
Chapter 5, Part 2
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

I present to you:

INTO THE DUSK
EPILOGUE

Spoiler for song: Sayonara Solitia (Chrno Crusade ED):

// MC0090, Sakurazuki Valley, Narulia //

Cherry blossoms bloomed in flamboyance. Its fragrance reached for the cemetery, sipping into each corner and invoking the feeling of inner piece to all visitors. Southern wind blew across the area, sending pink-coloured petals skywards and filling the evening air with unspoken beauty.

Fate stood up. She had finished her turn in presenting flower bouquet and she retreated to give way for several visitors to do the same. She approached Yuuno who was batting an eyebrow when she grinned. “I thought you’d give more stuffs,” he chided.

“I couldn’t buy anything good this year,” she answered. “So I bought flowers. It was his favourite, too.”

“I can see that.” He, then, looked down at Vivio. “Vivio, do you have anything to give to Uncle Hikki?”

Vivio shook her head. “I want to wait for Liana and Alice-oneechan first. Are they coming?”

Fate threw her sight over Yuuno’s shoulder. “I think you don’t have to wait. There they are.” The little girl turned around, and was caught in excitement to see two identical girls waving to her. Hurriedly she ran toward them, leaving their parents with the twins’ mother.

“Thank you for coming, Fate, Yuuno,” Mai spoke. “I was not told that the Bureau would be coming. My apology for any complications.”

The blonde woman took hold of her hands. “Don’t say anything, Mai-chan. As his friends, it is an obligatory for us to pay him our last respects.”

Mai smiled. “Thank you, Fate.”

Vivio and the twin girls ran past them, outrunning each other to reach the far end of the valley. The parents chuckled to see their children having fun with their antics, as if they had no attention of the cemetery’s supposedly solemn atmosphere.

“So, shall we?” the spectacled man offered.

They approached the tombstone. The kimono-clad woman was given the space to present her gifts: a bouquet of magnolia flowers and a diary. She put the items next to the bougainvillea flowers Fate had given away earlier.

“I can understand if it’s flowers, but a diary?” Yuuno asked.

She nodded. “Hikki had spent his last ten years writing a biography. The diary was his original copy, and he asked me to put it on his tombstone five years after he was buried.” She later made a Buddha palm gesture, which was imitated by Fate and Yuuno.

“Vivio! Liana! Alice! Come over here; it’s your turn.”

The three girls rushed to the tombstone. Vivio took her first turn, putting a medal made of papier-mâché on it. She stepped backward, and the twin girls approached the headstone to put several origami animal. They, too, stepped back, and they made a palm gesture.

“May your soul rest in peace, Uncle Hikki,” Vivio murmured.

“We will always remember you, daddy,” Liana and Alice spoke.

“Amen.”

“So,” Yuuno uttered. “Where are we headed to next?”

“Can you take us for dinner?” the twin girls asked. “We’re starving.”

“You girls, can’t you see what we’re doing now?” he replied. “Besides, where else can we have meal at?”

The girls growled. They approached him, gave him a deep glare and their suddenly became droopy as they murmured: “Oniichan… dame?”

The pony-tailed man snapped. The two mothers laughed at their uncanny act. The little girl was puzzled and simply stared in curiosity as the twin girls started pestering Yuuno with endless requests.

“Mai, did their father pass down his talents to them?”

“Hikki never told me anything about the Siskon Bait,” Mai replied.

“Mommy! Yuuno-oniichan refuses to buy us dinner!” they complained.

“I’m too old to be called Oniichan,” he retorted. “Fate, will you explain?”

“But daddy said Oniichan Breaker is an instant winner!” they replied. When Yuuno explained the truth behind it, the girls simply gave him a droopier gaze. “Oniichan hidoi yo…”

“Haii. Haii.” Fate approached the twin girls and gave them a pat on their head. “Since Yuuno-papa is too stingy to spend his money, I’ll take you for dinner. Widuri’s Shack is a good place to go.”

“You mean we can meet Widuri-oneechan after this?” Liana and Alice cheered and took the clueless Vivio for a dance. “We’re gonna see Oneechan! We’re gonna see Oneechan!”

“Fate, just what do you mean by stingy? You could’ve said I don’t have enough cash for dinner,” Yuuno grumbled.

Fate giggled. “Honey, let’s keep your argument for tonight. The kids just want to experience Narulia’s tasty delicacies. And besides.” So saying she turned to the tombstone made of marble and volcanic stone. “It’s best not to argue when our friend’s having his peaceful slumber. Right?”

He shook his head, sighing in submission to hear the answer. “Yes, ma’am.” He approached the girls, as so did the kimono woman, and the uniform-donning Fate took the chance from the solitude to approach the stone slab. She knelt close to it, reading inscriptions carved on it and staring at a picture above a plaque containing the deceased man’s name.

“Hikki…”

She took off a locket. Inside it there was a picture of the deceased man holding a woman in tender closeness. She stared at the picture, giggled at their intimacy and closed the locket’s lid.

“Though you may have gone, your chivalrous self, your gallantry and your kindness will always captivate our heart. I’m sure you didn’t regret meeting the end of your road, because I know you had found the answer you’d been looking for.”

“Fate-mama!”

She stood up. She kissed the locket for the last time and put it on the headstone. With a sad, melancholic yet compliant gaze, she smiled. “Farewell, Hikki. May you find your true happiness out there.” She turned around, waved to the group and approached them.

“Sayonara, tomo yo…”

=======

So, can I say...... Epic Spirit is available for summoning?

*cue music of Requiem for Fallen Warriors*