Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by Kha

Here am I, still flicking Quagmirran's goo off my mail spaulders, when I see:

Konata = Win
Archer = Winsmore

Konatarcher = OMFGWTFBBQ

It's one of the rare finds on 4-chan.... Although I won't be going back for a while... have to recover from the mindless troll attacks...

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Oh god the backlog -_- 2 pages in 6 hours, and lotsa posts... how do you guys keep up?

And this is just the weekend...

Spoiler for Five minutes to lose, Pt.1:

Ah, lunchtime. A time much looked-forward to by the Forwards of Riot Force 6; Lunch was the break they got after spending a morning of PT and getting their collective asses kicked by Nanoha Takamachi. The latter was seated with them today in RF6's mess hall, eating lunch with her students, a rare occasion, and regaling them with some of the stories of her past exploits. Subaru hung off every word of her idol, Teana listened with rapt attention, and Caro and Erio were enthralled by Nanoha's stories.

The White Devil had just finished one story, took a sip from her drink, and was about to launch into another when she was interrupted by a casual, familliar voice: "Yo, Beamspam-chan. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Franz-kun!" she exclaimed, rising out of her chair with a smile on her face, hugging the man who'd appeared by the table. He was a bit taller than Nanoha, with black hair combed neatly to the side, wearing sunglasses which he removed and folded, placing them into his uniform. It was a uniform of a cut similar to that of the Navy, but instead of being blue and black, it was forest green and black, and he wore a strange rank insignia on his shoulders, though his collar rank insignia was identical to the TSAB Ground Forces, proclaiming him to be a 2nd Lieutenant. He appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties, moving with the grace of an experienced combat veteran, and appeared totally at ease with Nanoha, laughing and talking to her softly in a language that none at the table spoke fluently, though Subaru could recognise it as Japanese, her ancestral language, before he switched to a tongue they all could recognise.

"The one and only, Beamspam-chan... I mean, Captain Takamachi," he grinned. "2nd Lieutenant Franz Jaeger at your service, Ma'am."

"Oh, sit down, Franz-kun," laughed Nanoha. "We're all friends here. Everyone, this is Franz Jaeger, of the Order of Freelance Mages, an old friend of us Captains and the Commander. You're still the Assault Section Leader?"

"Yep," nodded Franz. "We just got back from another offplanet deployment, we're starting our rest/refit cycle. The Colonel sent me over to pass some stuff to Hayate-chan and to also look you up and see if you'd be interested me and my boys spicing up your training. We've heard good things about your kids, and well... Glen and the Colonel are always on the lookout for a few good mages. Even as far away as we are, we've heard about you guys, though I believe this is the first time we've been introduced?"

The nods he received affirmed his guess, and Nanoha handled the introductions deftly, and Franz spent a few minutes getting to know the Forwards, until Subaru breached the inevitable question: "Just how do you know Nanoha-taichou, Sir?"

"hmmmm...." murmured Franz thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "That depends. I'd first heard of her about... yeah, ten years ago; Beamspam-chan here was considered one of the best prodigies ever discovered, and her assistance to the Asura and Admiral Lindy Harlaown... you may not know much about our unit, since we tend to keep a low profile, but we've got close ties to Admiral Harlaown, and she's tended to request assistance from us when possible, though we were on a deployment and couldn't meet up with her until after the whole Precia Testarossa incident was over. But meeting face to face... five years ago, wasn't it, Nanoha?"

"You were such a fanboy," chuckled Nanoha. "When he first saw us, his first words were 'See? See?! I told you they existed!' It gave me a shock to see a grown man come up to three teenager and almost worship them."

"Oh, I stopped the worship after that day," said Jack wryly. "Shall we tell them about it?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Okay, pay attention, kids. It was some time after we'd all gotten to know each other and become friends. The OFM was in another rest/refit cycle, and we managed to get everyone's schedules synchronised, so we had a sorta picnic/powermeeting day; the Volkenritter were hanging out with some of our guys, Glen and Emili were talking to Fate about something, the Colonel and Hayate were discussing something important, probably her Riot Forcve 6 concept, and out of sheer damn boredom, I suggested to Nanoha-chan here that we do a one on one. Now, I'd been ranked A+ for a while, and settled into my position and rank, and I wanted to see how I matched up against the famous Nanoha, the girl who mows down enemy like a firehose puting out fires..."

=========

"So he actually challenged Nanoha to a duel and she agreed?" asked Emili, curious. "This is interesting... 4 minutes."

"4 minutes 30 seconds, no longer. In five minutes, this will be all over," predicted Glen, as he watched the two combatants get ready. Everyone had wrangled transport or flown themselves to the nearest set of TSAB proving grounds, which Nanoha had appropriated using her Instructor Corps authority; now both she and Franz were ready, both in their barrier jackets, their devices out in hand: Raging Heart in Nanoha's left hand, Cortana, the Katana Device, in Franz's right hand. Fate raised a bullhorn to her mouth, and gave the signal: "Three, two, one, GO!"

Within the first ten seconds, Nanoha could see that Franz's combat style was based on fast attacks; he charged forward, bringing his sword in a sideways slash, a move that Nanoha sidestepped and evaded, bringing Raging Heart to block his followup slash, before catching Raging Heart under his downwards slash and striking forward, attempting to skewer him. The Erusian mage jumped back and to the side, his sword raised in a guard, as Nanoha leapt up and loaded a cartridge.

[Accel Shooter.]

"Oh hell," muttered Franze, as ten orbs of magenta light flew towards him; the Erusian cursed and jumped up, hopping from floor of ruined building to floor of ruinined building, either evading each shot or catching it and deflecting it with his blade, putting on a boost of speed and energy that saw him shoot up, higher than Nanoha... and saw him descend just as fast, Cortana arched for a piercing thrust.

"Gatotsu!" he called, lightning energy flowing through his blade as he brought it down at Nanoha, who lifted her free hand and murmured an incantation, as Round Shield appeared; she caught the blade on her shield. Nanoha wasn't considered one of the best Agressors for nothing; as she caught the blade on her shield, she twisted and turned, allowing Franz's momentum to push her out of the way and leave him with no resistance, falling to the ground. She pointed Raging Heart at him and loaded two cartridges, preparing to fire Divine Buster...

As he fell, Cortana shifted forms, changing from a katana into a rifle; entering Rifle Form allowed it to use shooting spells, such as Plasma Lancer, Lightning Breaker... and Divine Buster. Cortana had one weakness; unline other mixed Mid-Childan/Belkan-style devices, it used a bolt-action system to load cartridges, so as he fell, Franz had to manually chamber his weapon; yet he did it with time to spare, and it was debatable who was most surprise, as both he and Nanoha simultaneously called out "Divine BUSTER!" and fired beams of magical energy at each other.... though Nanoha's beam was larger than Franz's...

Well, that's part 1. I'll continue more tomorrow, as it's now 1.44 AM here and I am beat.

Nice start

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

I've got one thing to say....

Spoiler for omg:

Naked Koji is GAR, naked Maren is
The two together is

I'm being pwned by my own art
*runs*

Quick, post it to it can pwn the rest of us

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

I bring new material!

It's been a while, but I present to you all a character designed in a collaboration between me and Person, and here she is:

Spoiler for Fio:

Name: Fiorano “Fio” Maranello

Age: 17

Height: Teana-sized

Hair color: Brown

Appearance: Brown eyes and hair to shoulders, done into ponytail. Though not in the way of her work, has 20/40 vision and wears glasses. Physically fit, and a generally lithe figure, though since her training mainly involves Duck, Cover, and Shoot, don't expect gymnastics from her every five seconds.

Affiliation: Time-Space Administration Bureau

Position/rank in TSAB: Ground Forces Peacekeeping, Private First Class

Device Name: Standard Issue Bureau “Shot Staff”, Serial Number 343 “Guilty Spark”

Device Appearance: Storage/Rod-type, Intelligent/Rod-Type

Magic System: Midchilda

Magic Color: Blue

Partner: Navy Enforcer Teana Lanster (Unofficial, War Grave incident only)

Personality: A truly experienced professional in combat situations, shown by her eventual rise to Private First Class. Typically straightforward and no nonsense, and not exactly waxing in eloquence. One who is experienced to grunt work, and being valued as an extra body in combat rather than an opinion. The mook.

Minor Bio:

Enlisted TSAB service, and her parents had minor problems with it, other than the possible issue of their daughter returning with a few burns or missing limbs, but assumed she'd be a smart girl about it. Trained, arrived in Ground Forces, and stayed. She is an average mage, and Fio is most likely aware of it. There's pride to be had in being a grunt, but still, Fio recognizes she's that as an average mage with no outstanding abilities, she's not going anywhere fast.

War Grave incident:

Fio's detachment was sent to assist in the quelling of border conflicts on the edge of TSAB controlled space, particularly Strata Domingo, a generally cold and snowy world. Fio's opponent's during the course of the conflict, appeared to be significantly better supplied in magic technology than initially believed. At some point during the unexpectedly drawn out operation, Fio was separated the rest of her unit, with the central core of her Storage Device damaged beyond use.

Eventually, Fio found her way to an old facility on an archipelago up north, designated as “War Grave”. Therein, she discovered the supposedly unused building was being used as a base of operations for a group known as Grave Requiem, who were the source of the weapons being smuggled, making a profit while simultaneously encouraging the battle. Alone, Fio had no choice but to stop the operation herself. Her fist step was to steal a spare part to replace the damaged section of her Storage Device. Taking a rather generic marble-sized blue gem, it easily expanded in size to fit into the Storage Device. Part ways into her investigation, Fio was forced to engage one of the ringleaders of Grave Requiem, Sevastion Kroy, wielder of the Intelligent Device “Broken Motive”.

In the ensuing conflict, Fio was surprisingly greeted by an AI that resided in her new gem she had appropriated, who introduced itself as Serial Number 343 “Guilty Spark”. Together they were able to fend off Kroy long enough to manage a retreat, though their presence had still been given away. From there on, Fio, aided by Guilty Spark, who was more than pleased to help anyone at any rate, continued to explore the facility, hoping for some opportunity to arrive that they could use to their advantage, while fending off other members of Grave Requiem. Eventually, this came to a head, when finally the leader, and most powerful of the opposing group personally came forth to quash the continued irritation Fio presented. Andon Kalloyan, possessing Mendicant Bias, was able to nearly subdue Fio due to his sheer strength. Before Fio could be captured, timely assistance from another broke up the fight.

Enforcer Teana Lanster helped Fio escape, before explaining she had also been tracking down Grave Requiem, though for an entirely different reason. From Teana, Fio learns of a possibility of a Lost Logia being present in the facility, an ancient mass-based automaton with the moniker “Metal Gear”, which Grave Requiem plans to using to start more conflicts which they can then supply with weapons. With that, Fio, though somewhat concerned what someone like her, a mere Ground Force mage can accomplish in light of the superior forces, still resolves to help Teana find a way to stop Grave Requiem.

Fio is duly captured and tortured for information which the members of Grave Requiem assume she possesses, but Fio honestly has no idea what they're talking about. Though suffering from various traumas, Fio manages to escape to another section of the War Grave facility.

In a climatic battle, Fio's original Storage Device is finally damaged beyond repair, leaving only the original Guilty Spark gem untouched. Here, much to Fio's disdain, since she didn't ask, Guilty Spark actually reveals his true nature as merely a sealed form for an Intelligent Device. With an activation mantra and the call of “Guilty Spark, Ignition!”, the Intelligent Device shows its true rod form, and imbues Fio with a Barrier Jacket. The odds, at any rate, are significantly better, though Fio is somehow supposed to learn how to fly in the middle of a pitched battle.

Eventually, Fio is unable to stop Andon Kalloyan from activating Metal Gear in proper. Despite that, she still engages the massive war machine to the best of her ability. With lots of sheer effort and luck, Fio and Teana Lanster are able to damage Metal Gear beyond immediate operation. With this, Grave Requiem is arrested, and all weapons on sight confiscated. The border conflict is also significantly eased. Fiorano, for her actions, is awarded, and for the most part, allowed to keep Guilty Spark.

A Ground Forces mage, now able to fly, and with her own Intelligent Device.

“G'S? I think life's about to get a little more complicated...”

“Your eloquence and foresight is astounding madam! How could I, a supremely powerful AI, capable of coming up with millions of possibilities in an instant, not ever see that?”

“Ha. Ha.”



Device and techniques:

Prior to the acquisition of Guilty Spark, Fiorano Maranello, like any standard Bureau “Clerk”, had a standard issue Storage Device, good for repeating fire. Replacing the original core with the sealed form of Guilty Spark allowed for a greater output of energy and a greater variety of attacks, but since the majority of the magic was being processed still through the Storage Device, it lacked the overall strength and versatility of Intelligent Devices, until the Storage Device was broken completely, forcing Fio to activate Guilty Spark in its entirety.

Guilty Spark's AI is recognizably more advanced that even Raising Heart, possessing complete speech ability as well as an identifiable personality, which is fairly talkative, somewhat egotistical, and possessing a sharp, sarcastic tongue that has helped start more than one argument with Fio. Despite their troubles, the two still manage to be a formidable pair in combat.

Guilty Spark's complete form is, like Raising Heart and Bardiche, a rod type implement, with a blue gem core on one end, while the device's body construction is in gunmetal color. Mental image construction still in pending.

Fio's original outfit was the same as any other TSAB Bureau standard soldier's, while in possession of her original Storage Device. Activation of Guilty Spark gave her an entirely new Barrier Jacket. Other advantages, include a temporary restoration of Fio's sight back to 20/20, forgoing the need of glasses during combat. Mental image construction still pending.

Fio, originally from the Ground Forces, and due to her training, specialized in general shooting and long range skills. With Guilty Spark's assistance, though, Fio's general shooting has included more defensive techniques, allowing for extended “Keep away” sort of strategies that allow Fio to keep an upper hand on fire superiority.

Guilty Spark activates with “Guilty Spark, Ignition”.

Attacks:

Halo Piercer: Fio's bombardment attack. Creates a circular ring, from which energy is charged in the center. Upon firing, a massive beam of energy destroys everything in the way. Analogous to Divine Buster, though this is probably the most powerful of Fio's attacks.

Chaser Sentinel: Releases two, maybe more, blasts of energy which home in on the enemy. Highly intelligent, able to keep up with most enemies, and dodge obstacles.

Soul Reclaimer: Guilty Spark can catch enemy energy attacks up to a certain strength, and can send it back.

Spread Hunter: A sort of rapid shooting attack. Fio can fire, machine gun-like, a continuous release of needle-like blasts, which can reach a fairly dense and wide spread with enough time. Not the most terribly accurate of attacks, though. Spray and Pray.

Blade Elite: Guilty Spark produces a double pronged blade from the top of its body for melee purposes, though close quarters isn't exactly something Fio's proficient in.

Sniper Oracle: Fio releases a straight, narrow beam of energy, that can travel for a fairly long distance. The beam can be maintained for a time, and aimed, turning Sniper Oracle into a kind of impromptu cutting laser.

Prophet Marker: A supposedly generic energy attack, indistinguishable from an individual needle from Spread Hunter. Successful contact however, produces a beacon which only Guilty Spark can detect, and thus, be used to continually and accurately track the enemy, no matter his movements or position in the battlefield. Only suitable distance or a knowledge on how to remove the beacon will get rid of it. Because of Prophet Marker's generic appearance, it was designed to be specially hidden among the streams of attacks from Spread Hunter.

Defenses:

Phantom Floater: Two magically induced wings are produced behind Fio's shoulder blades, allowing her to fly.

Ark Guard: Blue colored shield magic. Defends in one direction.

Scarab Scales: A particularly useful defense technique. Rather than creating a single shield, Guilty Spark produces a “smart” shield that can independently defend Fio, allowing her to attack and defend at the same time. However, the cost of creating such a competent defense is its smaller surface area, only as large as Fio's torso. To respond to this, several scales are created at once, making a sort of array of mini shields that can create different formations, from which Fio can fire from between the gaps. However, with these many shields being created and maintained at once, this requires a large amount of magic. As a result, Fio, at her current strength, cannot hope to use Scarab Scales too often and not for extended periods of times. However, when in use, Scarab Scales can easily turn Fio into a veritable tank, able to take fire, and counter almost at once.

Bastion: Fio's auto-guard barrier magic, which defends in all directions around her. Normally invisible, but produces a blue effect when struck. Most likely easily breakable with a large blow of magic, which can be easily achieved with a Cartridge System.

Intelligent Devices belonging to Grave Requiem members:

Serial Number 1 “Mendicant Bias” Andon Kalloyan

Serial Number 7 “Broken Motive” Sevastion Kroy

Serial Number 49 “Decadent Lightshow” ????

Serial Number 2401 “Penitent Tangent” ????

Serial Number 16087 “Offensive Bias” ????

Serial Number 117649 “Adjutant Reflex” Kester Lauch

Do tell of what you think. The incident described in her bio also details also refers to a work tied to this character. Also, expect more skits soonish.

...Gotta check all this backlog..

INteresting, very interesting

Good to see one of the grunts getting attention. Although hopefully G.S. isn't as annoying as the orignial one..................

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Oh, I never knew that. That was before I started frequenting the Fanfiction thread, explains why I didn't know of it. Sorry about that.

SORRY DOESNN'T CUT IT ! Both you and TK had inflicted upon me Significant psychological distresss!

I want Compensation !!

And you could start my taking back what you said about my work!

Originally Posted by Keroko

True as that may be, it will also clean up a lot of the clutter that has gathered here lately.

No way, the OC looks better like this.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Now what? You mean job bachelor means something else? Then explain it when I ask.

I'm not going to spoon feed you, so I'll rip the sentence where I was used in.

Originally Posted by Thisguy

Currently, as a ship commander he is a kind of job bachelor, leaving his mother Lindy, his wife Amy and his two children behind in Uminari City.

AND STOP SOUNDING LIKE A WOMAN!!!! IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!!!

Originally Posted by Keroko

*shrug* Look on the bright side, that Keroko in a Yukata image you requested last week may come after all now.

But still... I'm greedy and rather petty...

[Kha]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

AND STOP SOUNDING LIKE A WOMAN!!!! IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!!!

~~~~~~

But still... I'm greedy and rather petty...

Do you know that, by invoking the traditional stereotype of women in the former statement, you are indicating that you are acting like a woman yourself in the latter?

[Chaos][/Chaos]

<Vanish>

<Sprint>

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Kha

Do you know that, by invoking the traditional stereotype of women in the former statement, you are indicating that you are acting like a woman yourself in the latter?

[Chaos][/Chaos]

<Vanish>

<Sprint>

Yeah I am. Something that I've learnt from the master.

But at least you could clearly idenitify that I'm male.

[Tormenk]

Originally Posted by LoweGear

For what looks human may be inhumane, and the animal civilized and dignified

Hotlinking doesn't work

Spoiler for Rehosting images:

For Keroko look-alike:



And for supposed Rein look-alike:

That's the ones I was talking about. Thanks.

Immunity eh?

Immunity? Is it delicious?

Originally Posted by Keroko

In terms of emotional support for the very close to crumbling Keroko? Yes.

Wait, was Keroko there when Nanoha went down?

I don't play cookie cutter decks. I play decks that make people go 'You're playing what card now?' because no netdeck has them.

So far I have my 'Deck of Wisdom' (spellcaster deck, heavilly magician themed) my 'Deck of the Ancients' (dragon deck, still needs work) and I'm now working on my 'Deck of Honor' (Six Samurai deck, focussed on the recently released Six Samurai)

Yes the pure 'wtf-ness' of doing that is pretty nice. Not to mention when trouncing one of the dominant archetypes makes it all the more sweeter.

Originally Posted by Reiji Tabibito

Arcas: I AM NOT!!! Keroko's not JUST my little sister, she's my first Captain too!!

Complicated. Sister and boss too.

Kaji: The Kanji we use for the word "she" means "a woman far away." To us men, women will always appear to be on the shore across. It means there is a river deeper and wider than the ocean that divides men and women.

Perfect example from Kaji. Pity he never got it up again with Misato.

<hand reaches out>

Such oppai is surely soft and squishy...


NO!!


I MUST RESIST!!!!


<claps hand over nose, whips out earplugs, stuffs in nostrils>

Must... remain... conscious...



Soft... squishy... oppai...


<Body goes THUD>

Spica sure is gathering alot of kills lately.

Originally Posted by Kha

Do you know that, by invoking the traditional stereotype of women in the former statement, you are indicating that you are acting like a woman yourself in the latter?

[Chaos][/Chaos]

<Vanish>

<Sprint>

PAWNED



Be back indefinitely. Don't do anything I won't and burn the place down.

[Tk3997]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

SORRY DOESNN'T CUT IT ! Both you and TK had inflicted upon me Significant psychological distresss!

I want Compensation !!

And you could start my taking back what you said about my work!

I did?
…

Sweet, mind telling me what part of was most damaging so I can do it again in the future?

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

No way, the OC looks better like this.

If by "better" you mean pointlessly cluttered and spam riddle then yeah it looks awesome this way. -_-

[Kagerou]

Aaaaand done (except the Spell List )! Tell me what you guys think, plz!

Spoiler for Erick von Long, Commander of the Order of Freelance Mages:

Name: Erick von Long
Ace Name: Gunslinger
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Origin: Erusia
Affiliation: Time-Space Administration Bureau, Midchilda
Position: Leader of the Order
Rank: O-6

Mage Class: Mid-Range
Mage Rank: S+
Magic System: Midchilda
Magic Color: Green
Magic Affinity: Earth
Magic Style: Fast and furious
Magic Device: Twin Revolvers Maverick and Sidearm

Conventional Style: Tactical Leader, Command and Control
Conventional Weapons:
- One 30.06 rifle, single-shot chambered, bolt-action.
- Two .454 caliber six-shot revolvers

Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 182
Build: Medium
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Hair Style: Cut short, enough on the back to stick out.
Facial Features: Rigid, toned structure. Not inflexible, just a well-looking man of 35, despite being 47. No prominent features.

Spoiler for Erick:

Seiyuu: Narushi Ikeda (aka Lord Genome)

Spoiler for Character Theme:

Origa - Rise

TSAB Profile: A former Erusian Captain, Erick von Long has forged the Order of Freelance Mages in an effort to help bring peace and justice to the Time-Space Administration Bureau. Under his leadership, the Order has been slowly growing in numbers and power, yet always adhering to the greater good of the Bureau itself. He takes on any mission, from taking down internal corruption, to front line fighting, to assassination. He's been to many worlds in his lifetime, and visiting all of these has given him a solid, grounded outlook on life. Despite this, he tackles missions with zeal.

Personality:
- Alignment: Lawful Good
If there was ever a man considered by his peers to be the definition of the Wild West, it would be Erick von Long. A man with the dress of a gunslinger and the Mid-Childan equivalent of the western drawl, the good Colonel's first greeting to any girl would be "Good mornin', m'lady," and a tip of his ever-present hat. A real lady-killer in his younger days, Erick is every bit the part, and his personality is a reflection of it; he still smiles and winks at every pretty girl he sees, and carries around, as Franz is prone to call it, an "Aura of Badass."

If there was ever a definition of GAR in the Order of Freelance Mages, it would be Erick. When he walks, he makes it a point to take it slowly if he's not fighting, letting the jingle of his equipment make his presence known. Never coming across as a jerk or an asshole, Erick has the charisma of a "real man", a perfectly honest, straightforward, and kind man. He's strict, but not tactless, and he's willing to work alongside his comrades until everyone can take it easy.

When Erick relaxes, he makes damn sure everyone else can, too. He's the one to takes everyone to the bars and nightclubs, calls up a round of shots for the house, and is perfectly content to smile and drink his whiskey or whatever alcohol there is on hand quietly, with his boots up on the table as he leans back. When he sleeps, his simply remains in the same position and tips his hat over his eyes.

But then, there are times when Erick is serious. When a mission is going on, you can be sure that Erick will take the front lines if possible. He's the TSAB's version of a gunslinger in battle, and when he runs, the Intelligent Devices Maverick and Sidearm are in his hands... or his two ancient .454 caliber long-barreled six-shooters. He takes the lead, popping off trick shots and spells with all the speed and accuracy of a practiced man while simultaneously giving orders. When on solo missions, he calls himself "The Reaper", and its these missions that he hates - usually after them he gets himself totally smashed and has to fight off the hangover the next day.

History:

Spoiler for Part 1:

In times before, Erick was a soldier. Not a magician of any sort, but simply, a soldier. He was an Officer, a Lieutenant, for the Erusian Armed Forces, commanding a small platoon and keeping the peace in the only way he knew how. He had always known military tactics; after all, Erusia for the most part was a military state, and after his one-term compulsory service, he opted instead to stay in and rise through the ranks. He went to the Aurelia Military Academy in the country of the same name, and at 26 he was a 1st Lieutenant. It wasn't a high rank, but it was enough for him.

Soon after the Erusians and TSAB made first contact, Erick was approached for the Erusian Magitech Program: that is, the military branch of the EAF that focused on using the Devices scavenged from the former Ramza (now Berkut). At first meant to be a supervisor, contact and "with controled effort" (the truth: he was absolutely hammered), managed to fire off a Stinger Snipe spell at a target. Afterward, he was inducted into the Program proper as a Magic User.

Erick took to heart this concept and practiced regularly with his magic (though never forgetting about his conventional weapons). When the war broke out in space, he saw this as a perfect method to practice his magic further, hoping to encounter TSAB soldiers and combat them. He wasn't like other Erusian soldiers: Erick never saw things in good guy/bad guy terms. He knew that the TSAB were doing what they thought was right, and he simply disagreed with it. He held great respect for the TSAB as they landed and fought Erusian soldiers, and sincerely wished that he could fight them.

But they weren't prepared yet, and for a year of the war he was conscripted to practicing constantly with his other Magic Users. When the freeze on them was unlocked, he took to battle with zeal. He wasn't like some of the magic users - arrogant, conceited, underestimating their opponents - instead, he looked at the TSAB soldiers as an Erusian soldier would, and under his command he and his unit systematically fought the TSAB. He acheived many victories in skirmishes, and his soldiers held him in a high regard. He treated them all with honor and respect, soldier and enemy alike.

One story hearkens back to this: One day, whilst burying the dead (and paying proper respects), Erick and a group of 3 TSAB mages met. Instead of a fight breaking out, Erick and the mages helped each other to pay their respects and bury the dead. Though both sides were opposed to each other, Erick didn't want to fight. In fact, at this point, he had been getting sick of it. Him and the mages had a long conversation, and Erick found himself agreeing with a lot of what the Bureau mages were saying. As the number of terrorist actions had incresed by the Erusians, Erick had decided that maybe he was fighting the wrong side. Nonetheless, he was a patriot, and wanted to defend his country. The mages parted ways with him after that, but both sides agreed that, maybe, they would all be allies instead.

A few months later, Erick was leading an operation against Bureau mages in the heart of North Point. An Enforcer was among the standard mages, and Erick wanted to see if he could best him. Erick managed to lure the Enforcer into a closed space, and there they fought.

The Enforcer was known as Spectrum 3 by the Erusians. Erick didn't like that.

"What's your name, son?"
"My... my name?"
"Yeah; I don' really like teh fight people wi' no name."
"...Dauer. Aurion."
"Aurion,huh?"
"....yeah."
"Well, Aurion, m'name's Long. Erick von Long. It's an honor to meet one o' them esteemed Bureau Enforcers. Let's have a good fight, now!"

Inevitably, Erick would lose the fight. Despite forcing Aurion into a situation where he couldn't fly and where bombardment spells would be dangerous, Aurion was a more experienced mage when it came to magic. Near the end of the fight, Aurion had disarmed Erick of his Device. In retaliation and impulse, Erick grew his six-shooter and shot at Aurion's weapon hand, causing Aurion to drop Vega. The fight turned into a fist-fight from there ("I refuse to shoot another man of honor when he's unarmed."), though inevitably Aurion won when he had an open shot to Erick's neck, using Willbreaker followed by a Proton Bolt from his hand at point-blank range, hurling Erick backward into a pile of debris.

Erick's last act as an Erusian mage would be to stand, shaking, on two legs. Unable to completely focus (thanks to Willbreaker) he tried to focus his remaining mana into one final spell. He pointed a finger at Aurion as if it were a gun.

"Final... Strike... Earth... Nova..."

A ball of energy coalesced at his fingertip. Erick grinned. Aurion summoned a Round Shield. Lowering his thumb like it was the hammer, the last word out of Erick's mouth was "Bang." From that, a blast of energy flew from Erick's finger, missed Aurion by a mere centimeter, and smashed into the back wall.

When the smoke cleared, Erick was gone, rescued by Erusian soldiers while the area was covered in haze. When Aurion turned around, he realized that, when the beam had passed him, it had expanded. The back wall was gone, only an open area back to the rest of his unit. Picking up Vega and Erick's Device, Aurion flew off, never again thinking about Erick.

The next day, Erick and his unit defected to the TSAB. He walked up to Aurion, clapped him on the shoulder, and said:

"Thanks, son."
"For... what?"
"Fer knockin' some sense into me. Ahahaha!"

Spoiler for Part 2:

After the war ended the way it did (with the nuking of Sotoa), Erick von Long vowed to stop anything like that from ever happening again. After talking with some TSAB officials that were part of the occupation force, Erick managed to wrangle up a plan. This plan was for a group of mages skilled in conventional arms and magical force, able to infiltrate low-tech worlds on the brink of destroying themselves, and prevent such events from occuring. They would also be the hunters of the TSAB, searching within and without for potentional threats to the safety the Bureau did. They would be low-profile, able to slip in and out of any situation, and yet have the firepower to bust out of any situation (and it seems that their explosive missions are becoming more common).

Due to the nature of Erick's requests, they agreed on two conditions: 1) That they had a loyal TSAB operative as part of the group, and 2) That they undergo a trial-run of one year. Erick agreed to these, and thus, the Order of Freelance Mages was born.

Over the next twenty-five years, Erick and his Order would go upon many missions, using their multiple talents to end conflicts before they got out of hand. Erick himself has killed more corrupt TSAB officials than he could hope to count, and he's seen Order mages come and go at the drop of a shell casing. He holds a special place in his heart for each Order member; to date, there have been almost one hundred and fifty Order mages, and he's yet to forget one. And he's certainly believes that his current batch is his... most unique.

Considering that he hand-picks his mages (along with the help of his XO), he wanted to find someone he could mold into a respectable leader. He found this in Franz Jaeger, a young Gardi NCO, and took him into the Order along with his younger adopted system, Naomi Jaeger. Him and his then-XO began to train the mage the best they could. Progress had been going nicely until the XO died in a firefight on some backwater planet while undercover.

Since Franz wasn't ready for the XO position yet, he went searching for a new XO and found one in the Order itself. Glen Schattenman, a then-14 year old kid, had displayed exceptional skill in commanding troops in the very fight that the former-XO had died in, and took him under his wing to teach him how to command. Because of his similarities to Franz's fighting style (and because he was more skilled), Glen was told to finish Franz's training.

Eleven years later, this is still one of the biggest jokes in the Order.

His fourth is a relatively new kid to the Order, Emili Naïlo, and the only non-Erusian on the team. Since her inception, she's proven to be the most reliable contact to the TSAB, and has made Erick consider the possibility of maybe putting other non-Erusians on the team.

Since then, Erick's been leading the Order the best he can. With his trademark hat and jacket, his two Revolvers, his Devices Maverick and Sidearm, and unmistakable charisma, he is the star of the Order. And when he retires in three years, he believes, someone better damn well be ready to take over.

Devices:
Erick's Intelligent Devices are Maverick and Sidearm. Maverick was created for him first; Erick needed a new Device after he lost his Storage Device to Aurion, so the TSAB gave him a revolver with a sphere inset where the cylinder would be; the "Revolver Device Maverick". Speaking with a Western accent as well and referring to his owner as "Gunslinger", the Device was tailored to match his abilities. Originally set with a Limiter during the Order's trial run, Erick spent his time learning how to use the Device, developing a special bond with it. When the Limiter was taken off a year later, Erick used it to its fullest potential, pushing it almost as hard as he pushed himself in those early years.

Maverick is designed for simplicity: Erick doesn't have to remember any incantations or spell names - all he has to do is pull the trigger. Maverick won't work for anyone else but him, so there's no worry about someone else wielding it. The "bullet" it fires is similar in power to a single Stinger Ray. Throughout the course of his career, Erick has learned various trick shots, including a "spell" called Lucky Strike, which uses the surface of a coin to reflect the ray back on Erick's opponents. This has actually proven useful: on more than one occasion Erick has used the technique to hit someone directly behind him when they weren't expecting it.

At one point, Maverick was badly damaged, so Erick had a second Device developed, also a revolver; the Intelligent Device Sidearm. Designed to be Maverick's equal, it is just like the older device, save for a different plating (silver instead of grey) and a different device sphere (blue instead of green).

Barrier Jacket: Erick's BJ is worn under his longcoat; in fact, it resembles nothing more complex than TSAB Ground Forces' Barrier Jackets.

Spells: To be announced/still working on it.

[haiz123321]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Being good still merits you naughty presents, that's Chaos's style.

Agreed

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Anyway, Keroko's given the green light, so here's the final part of Chapter Four.

Spoiler for Chapter Four—Escutcheon (Part Three):

Chapter Four—Escutcheon (Part Three)

=Continued=

[Caféteria, Escutcheon, Cranagan City] [January 22nd, MC 081] [1330 hours]

The café was filled with Escutcheon members having their lunch. Some were already running errands, delivering messages, and even making reports, despite the fact that the unit was just established successfully in the morning.

Sitting at one corner, the three Captains, their assistants, Hayate, the Wolkenritter, and Reinforce Zwei as well as Agito were also having their afternoon meal. They were talking excitedly, the content revolving around the event that had happened in the morning.

“You were really amazing back there, Nanoha!” Reinforce Zwei chirped happily before placing a small spoonful of green bean soup into her tiny mouth. Agito stood on the table beside her, voraciously attacking a piece of steak three times her size with a fork. “It was such a loud cheer.”

“Thank you, Rein-chan,” Nanoha said, scratching her cheek lightly. “I didn’t expect it to have such an effect.”

“What, you thought they were just going to gape at you?” Hayate added naughtily, drawing an affronted look from her friend. “Only Oji-chan could pull it off, and he did it back there.”

“Oji-chan? Who’s that?” Agito asked, looking up with her fork poised above her.

“The scheming Head of the Research and Development Division, Aurion Dauer,” Signum added dryly. “Vita doesn’t take much liking to him.”

“That old man?” Agito suddenly remembered. “Yeah, he’s a bit of a show-off, playing pranks on the other members.”

Nanoha, Fate, Tesla, Hayate, and Shamal chuckled. “I guess you didn’t meet him much earlier, Agito-chan,” Fate said, smiling. “His age belies his hidden traits.”

“You don’t mean that he played pranks on all of you as well, do you?” Agito asked, raising an eyebrow. “The three Aces as well?”

“Err …” Nanoha choked. “He did, but let’s let it go at that.”

At first, Agito was not going to give up, but Teana suddenly spoke. “I don’t mean to intrude, but, Captain of the Gallant Squad …?”

Leona looked up from her plate, which she had only touched a little of the food in it. She had been silent all the while the conversation was going on. “Yes, Lieutenant Lanster?”

Teana looked abashed, looking uncomfortable with the formal address. “Please, Captain, just Teana will do.”

Leona smiled. “Then, you will call me as Leona, or, if title is required, as Captain Tyriel. I know my name is rather long and difficult to remember.”

“Right,” Teana said, smiling appreciatively. “Captain Tyriel, if I may ask, why are you not eating your lunch? Is it not to your taste?”

“Oh,” Leona exclaimed.

But, before she could reply, Xeno answered for her. “Milady has little fondness for oily food.”

All eyes, except for the three men who knew Leona, looked at him. “Milady?”

Leona looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, everyone, but I guess he forgets that we’re still at work.” Glaring at the dark-haired man, she chided, “It would also be Captain Tyriel for you, Lieutenant Graymist.”

Hayate laughed at the exchange. “It’s all right, Leona-chan. There’s no need to be so formal among friends. See, even Rein calls Captain Takamachi as Nanoha.”

“But, that’s—” Leona tried to protest, alarmed at the suggestion.

“Violating protocol?” added Fate, chortling. “We only violate them when we’re not on duty. Other than that, we usually take it casually. Just try to take it easy.”

Leona opened her mouth, trying to say something, but closed it again, no words coming from her lips. She only looked at the three Aces, back to Teana, to Xeno, and then stared at the plate again. “I guess I’ll just have to make do, then,” she said rather timidly.

All of them laughed. Even Agito, who was digging into the steak, guffawed, spraying bits of meat from her tiny mouth. Hayate, who was sitting next to Leona, gave her a pat on the back.

“But, really,” Shamal said. “Why does Xeno call you ‘Milady’?”

“Actually,” Kratos answered, “all three of us call her that.” He pointed to Xeno and Gabriel.

“The reason?” Nanoha asked curiously.

“She treats us very well,” Gabriel muttered. “So well that we deem it appropriate to call her such.”

“I see,” Hayate said, beaming. “You must be a very good person, Leona-chan.”

“Like Nanoha and Fate!” Reinforce Zwei added happily, the spoon she held in both her hands bobbing as she did so. At one point, it went so precariously close that it almost hit Agito straight in the face. Agito managed to dodge it only by lowering her head in the nick of time to take another bite, missing the dangerous cutlery. All of them laughed again, Agito looking up with a puzzled expression.

“Ah, yes,” Fate said suddenly. “I almost forgot. Xeno, could you tell Tesla and me more about yourself? I only know that you come from the Intelligence Department, along with Leona-chan and her right hands. It will help very much if we understand you better.”

At this, Xeno looked up from his meal, his expression grave. The seriousness of his demeanor made everyone become silent, all eyes upon him. It seemed as if he was about to say something important.

“Captain Testarossa,” he began slowly, his voice sounding remote. “There is something that I wish the both of you to know, because I do not think it is fair to keep it hidden, with you being my leader and Tesla as my superior. In fact, I wish everyone here to know of who I am, because otherwise, we will never get along in the unit.”

“Xeno …” Leona said, looking concerned.

“What is it? Why are you sounding so serious?” Tesla asked, her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the lieutenant. The blue-haired Wolkenritter was known for her exceptional situational analysis in both battle and daily life, and her current disposition was natural.

“I was once a criminal mage wanted by the Bureau,” Xeno said simply, letting the implication of the words to sink in rather than bothering to explain at length about his past.

There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone looked at him.

“Is that all that you want to say?” Fate asked, her tone staid.

Xeno nodded. “I do not mind if you do not want me in the squad, and I understand perfectly well why you don’t,” he said, his dark eyes searching Fate and Tesla’s. The rest of the people at the table seemed to have vanished, leaving only the two of them present in the field of his vision.

“Then,” Tesla began slowly, her voice whisper-like. “As your superior, I think that …” She paused, her green eyes sparkling as she looked at Xeno.

“… there is no problem.” And she smiled.

Now, it was Xeno’s turn to feel surprised. “And may I know the reason behind it?”

Hayate answered for them. “Let’s just say that you are not the only criminal mages around here,” she said, winking. Signum, Shamal, Tesla, Agito, and Reinforce Zwei looked at him suggestively.

Xeno made his signature grin. “Then, I think it will all proceed very smoothly, Captain Testarossa and Vice-Captain Tesla.” He extended a hand in cordiality. Fate shook the proffered hand, and then Tesla did the same. Xeno’s dark personality lifted, and he was finally able to perform without the burden of guilt, now that his superiors did not mind his past.

“Hmm,” Nanoha looked thoughtfully after the short exchange was concluded. “This reminds me.”

“About what?” Signum asked.

“I know most of us are acquainted,” Nanoha said. “But, there is hardly anything that we know about Leona and her comrades. Even if she did come to us for training last time, it was such a short period that there is barely anything that we know about her. Now, she is a Captain, just like Fate and I.”

“Leona-chan must possess some incredible abilities for brother to choose her as our equal,” Fate added, understanding.

“Not at all, not at all,” Leona quickly replied humbly. “My skills pale in comparison to the three Aces.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” Agito suddenly chipped in. She had finished her steak, which she was supposed to share with Reinforce Zwei. The latter was aghast when she saw the empty plate, and was beginning to look dangerously mad.

“What way, Agito?” Gabriel asked curiously.

“A mock battle,” Agito answered mischievously, putting up a finger for emphasis.

Then, there was a yell of a spell being cast, and the crimson-haired Unison Device was suddenly trapped in a cube of ice.

* * * * *

[Training Grounds, Escutcheon, Cranagan City] [January 22nd, MC 081] [1530 hours]

“Is everyone ready?” shouted Signum. Her right hand was raised straight up in the air, waiting to give the signal.

The pink-haired Wolkenritter was floating in the middle of an abandoned city-scape. Crumbling buildings and destroyed houses dotting the area had a realistic feel to it, but they were all a holographic terrain generated by the advanced technology of the Bureau. It was fashioned in such a way that the trainees could get a solid grip and sensation of actual battles, and, with its various functionalities and flexibilities, such as the capacity to add in enemy clones and difficulty management, the training facility had become imperative in churning out new graduates. Teana and Subaru had had the same training here in their previous assignments.

Four combatants hovered in the air apart from each other, two at either side. By a random draw, Nanoha and Leona were paired together, while Fate and Hayate became their opponents. The Captain for the Justice Squad smiled as she was about to spar with her best friends, her white-and-blue Barrier Jacket billowing in the winds, her magical staff Raising Heart grasped firmly in her right hand.

Leona did not seem to be showing any expression, despite being thrust into the battle not on her own volition (the Aces had literally dragged her to the training grounds after lunch). Still, she was battle-ready, clad in a blue-colored vest and pants, complete with elbow-guards, bracers, and hand-gauntlets. In her left hand, she held a long silver rod that bore the depiction of a dragon: her device Wyrd in Skuld Form.

At the other end of the field, Fate and Hayate took the same stances. Fate was clothed in all in black, but sported a white-colored cloak held together by a golden clasp. Her long golden hair was tied into two neat ponytails by black ribbons, and upon her shoulder was rested a large ebony axe, which was her device, Bardiche. Hayate, who was at her side, wore her Knight’s Armor: an open black-and-white battle jacket covering a black dress with golden trimmings, complete with protective gilded plates atop a flowing black cloak bound at her waist. A white balmoral covered her head, and twin pairs of dusk-colored wings spread from her back. Her weapons, a long staff tipped at the end with a golden cross—Schwertkreuz—and a heavy, brown-covered book—the Tome of the Night Sky—were ready in her hands.

The four of them said at the same time, heard over the vast city-terrain: “Ready!”

Then, Signum slashed the air with her hand.

And the battle was begun.

Within an eye’s blink, Leona and Fate closed the distance between them and clashed with one another, their devices brandished before them, the staff colliding with the axe with a shattering impact and creating a deafening explosion. A high-pitched grinding sound could be heard sharply as they held their ground for several seconds, hanging motionless in the air. Then, they broke away from each other. With a fluid motion, Leona made a somersault in mid-air, diving downwards.

Fate was surprised at the move, but immediately saw the wisdom of her action. When they struck out at each other, Leona was merely creating an opportunity for Nanoha, who had stayed at her back, to summon a number of pink energy bolts. And now, she was allowing Nanoha to unleash her attacks, her staff pointed at her.

<Accel Shooter.> Raising Heart said.

“Shoot!” Nanoha yelled, slashing the air with her staff, and the barrage of magical bolts rushed forwards, zigzagging as they homed in on their targets.

<Defenser.> Fate’s device spoke. Fate put up her hand just in time to create a golden shield to block five of the pink bolts, while the rest passed over and below her. Knowing Nanoha to be a ranged expert and able to control the bolts at will from afar, she turned quickly, bringing the shield to guard her back. True enough, the remaining bolts slammed into the shield, pushing Fate backwards with the force of their blows. The air hissed as the magical energies dispersed, creating a thick layer of white smoke.

Fate flew out of the vision-impairing haze, her spells ready, only to find that Nanoha and Leona had vanished. Where did they … ? Fate thought with alarm. And she was suddenly reminded of her partner, Hayate. Were they just trying to divert my attention so that they could get Hayate?

She turned around quickly, skirting the edge of the smoke that clung to the air, trying to find out Hayate’s location. But, there was a sudden heavy pressure from her left, coming from within the misty cloud, the unmistakable surge of a spell aimed at her …

<Sonic Move.>

Bardiche activated the spell in the nick of time to save its master from suffering heavy damage. Fate flashed through the air moments before a large blast of pink energy burst forth from the white smoke, her afterimage pulverized by the spell. The pillar of magical energy smashed through two buildings behind her, sending their upper levels crumbling into dust.

“That was …” Fate muttered as she reappeared some distance away, watching the destructive effect of the spell. “… Divine Buster?”

“As expected of Fate-chan,” Nanoha said. Fate turned around to see her friend floating effortlessly, pink wings stretching from her boots, a satisfied smile on her face. Her staff was lowered to knee level, smoke spiraling out from the device as it tried to cool down. “Your speed and awareness are as high as ever.”

“It’s all Bardiche’s effort,” Fate answered, returning the smile.

<Thank you, sir.> Bardiche quipped, blinking.

Fate turned to face her friend again, her eyes narrowed. “Where is Hayate?”

In answer, a shout sounded somewhere slightly farther from them. Leona was launching an attack similar to Nanoha’s earlier spell, but the volley of white-colored magical bolts was stopped by Hayate’s triangular shield. Her attack foiled, Leona sped after her target, Wyrd held firmly in both hands, ready to strike. Hayate, noticing the intention to attack her at close range, hastily flew out of the way, her black wings beating to ride the draft.

Leona missed Hayate by a finger’s breadth, and slammed the staff into the roof of a dilapidated two-storey building. With an ear-shattering explosion, the roof was reduced to a spray of pebbles and dust, and the entire building collapsed with a thundering rumble and a massive shower of dirt. The ground below could be heard cracking from the momentum of the assault.

All three Aces gasped and could hardly believe their eyes at the power Leona possessed.

Hayate gaped, holding her balmoral. “U-Unbelievable! I-If I was hit with that attack …”

Fate echoed her sentiment. “What strength Leona possesses …”

Nanoha smiled, but her expression was grim. “No wonder she is nominated to be one of the Captains. She could fight on par with us. She could even make out a suitable strategy before we fought.”

Hayate and Fate turned to look at her. “What do you mean?” they both said at the same time.

“When we had been separated into pairs, Leona telepathically told me about the strategy to use in this mock battle. I am to fire spells to distract Fate while she stops Hayate-chan from casting ranged and area-of-effect magic,” Nanoha explained.

“It seems that she understands our capabilities well,” Fate said. Hayate nodded in agreement.

“She is the Ace of the Intelligence Department, after all,” Nanoha said, smiling. “One that I wouldn’t want as an enemy, in any case.”

“Agreed,” Fate and Hayate said together.

As the dust-cloud settled down, Leona could be seen standing alone in the midst of the ruined building. She waved a hand and looked apologetically at Hayate. “I’m sorry, Hayate-san! I could not pull back the attack!” she yelled.

Hayate waved back and smiled. “It’s all right!” she replied. “I’m not hurt!”

Leona nodded, looking relieved. “So, do we continue with the fight?” she shouted.

The Aces looked at one another, then grinned. “You bet!” the three of them said in unison.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the side of the landscape generated for the mock battle, the Vice-Captains and Lieutenants for the three squads, Shamal, and the two Unison Devices watched the exchanges through computer screens. Signum had landed after giving the signal. Like the Aces, the Wolkenritter and Teana could hardly suppress their surprise at Leona’s power.

“W-What kind of monstrous strength is that? Even with the limiters on?” Tesla gasped. “This is a mock battle! If Meister Hayate had been hit, she would have been killed!”

“Don’t worry,” Kratos said, trying to alleviate the situation. “Milady is very careful in situations like these. She would not kill or critically wound anyone if she could help it.”

“Still, it’s dangerous!” Reinforce Zwei said angrily.

“We know,” Gabriel answered this time. “But, this is a battle, after all, albeit an ersatz one. After that close call, I think Milady would be more careful next time.”

“She better does!” Reinforce Zwei countered hotly, but mollified slightly. Tesla just looked intently at the screen, trying to forget the incident. Signum and Shamal did not speak.

After a few moments, Tesla spoke again. “It seems that Captain Tyriel is a mêlée expert. Her attacks at close range are quite powerful.”

Xeno smirked. “Then, you are gravely mistaken.”

“What do you mean?” Tesla asked, looking up. The rest of them followed her gaze.

“Within our group, I am the tanker. Gabriel is the speediest one and a boost specialist with a small capacity in mêlée, while Kratos is a long-range and support expert,” Xeno explained.

“And Captain Tyriel?” Teana asked, curious.

“She embodies all three of us,” Xeno said simply.

Agito’s eyes widened. “You mean, she can fit into any of the three positions?”

“Precisely,” Xeno said, grinning. “Unbelievable, but true. Of course, her flexibility often demands her to take in the situations carefully before assuming any particular position. That, and she does not excel in any of the tasks available to those positions like us.”

“Interesting,” Signum said for the first time after she signaled the start of the battle, an awed expression on her face. “Even the Aces specialize in particular positions: Takamachi as a ranged specialist, Testarossa as the mid-range and close combat fighter, and Meister Hayate fitting the position of a long-range and support caster. It seems that Captain Tyriel is the odd one …”

She looked thoughtful. “Well, the condition of the mock battle is to either capture either one of the opponents in non-retaliatory condition or until the time limit of fifteen minutes expires.”

Turning back to the screens, Signum said, “Let’s see what the outcome is.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

<Plasma Lancer.> Bardiche echoed.

<Accel Shooter.> Raising Heart intoned.

And Fate and Nanoha shouted “Fire!” and “Shoot!” at the same time.

Pink and golden bolts of magical energy flared through the air, smashing into one another in booming explosions. The rain of magic continued for several seconds, with none gaining the upper hand. And the two combatants danced in the sky, pink and gold streaks of light shifting in and out of the horizon.

Below them, Leona and Hayate were engaged in an equally heated battle.

<Zustorm.> Wyrd spoke.

With a slicing motion, Leona fired ten oscillating bullets of energy at the Mistress of the Night Sky. Hayate had witnessed the attack before, and instinctively, she brought the Tome up.

<Panzer Geist.> it said, and a brilliant triangular shield with Belkan runes appeared. The projectiles collided into the protective spell harmlessly. Hayate put both feet onto the wall of a building, and using the momentum, propelled herself upwards into the air.

This is not going anywhere, Leona thought. She looked up at the flashing pink and golden comets in the sky above. Fate-san is a close combat expert as well, so it’s difficult for Nanoha-san to be equal to her. But, if I engage Fate-san, we leave ourselves open to Hayate-san’s spells. And again, Hayate-san is just going to play defensive if I try to attack her at range, since getting close enough to her is like trying to catch a bird with a fishing line …

And suddenly, an idea struck her. In the same manner as Hayate did, she planted both feet at the side of a wall, and shot upwards like a catapult launched.

Hayate managed to draw up her shield with her left hand just as Leona barged into her with the staff swung. Though the impact was strong, Leona had pulled back her strength, and the attack struck the shield without the same destructive force that leveled the building previously.

“It’s now my turn, Leona-chan,” Hayate said, grinning. “I’ve evaded your attacks for far too long.” As she spoke, Leona watched tendrils of black energy gathered into Hayate’s raised right fist.

<Schwarzer Einschlag.> the Tome of the Night Sky said.

<Schild.> Wyrd quickly countered.

And Hayate brought her fist down. There was a bright flash of light and a resounding explosion as fist connected to shield. Leona was pushed backwards by the force of Black Impact, her shield absorbing the damage. Still, she was sent tumbling down to the ground.

But, before she could even recover from the unexpected counterattack, Hayate had launched a second spell. “Not yet, Leona-chan!” Hayate yelled as she made a quick gesture with her left hand, a white spell sigil forming at her feet.

<Bloody Dagger.> the voice of the Tome of the Night Sky echoed melancholically.

Leona gasped as she was surrounded by an array of razor-sharp crimson daggers, the points of each glinting like the teeth of a shark.

Placing a hand on the rough earth to stop her fall, she quickly said, “Vanguard Nexus, release!”

<Ja, Herrin.> Wyrd replied. A light blue spell sigil in the shape of a four-pointed star appeared below Leona. <Sturmreiter, Verstärkung.>

And there was a great boom as the daggers Hayate summoned tore at their target.

Yet, Hayate was disappointed. Though it appeared that the hit had been point-blank, Leona was nowhere around the location when the daggers rushed her, having soared away before they struck.

“That was dangerous, Hayate-san,” Leona said. She was levitating several feet away from the attack site, panting. Apparently, she had used up a considerable amount of magic to evade Hayate’s spell.

“You are not too bad yourself, Leona-chan,” Hayate praised, smiling. “Still,” she continued, “I was wondering how you managed to escape from that particular attack. The daggers were literally around you.”

Leona smiled mildly despite her exhaustion. “I boosted my speed, and it was really a narrow escape.”

“Ah!” Hayate suddenly cried, alarmed.

“What?” Leona looked at her, puzzled. “Is something the matter?”

“You are bleeding!”

“Wha—” Leona mumbled as she looked at her body, and she saw that Hayate was right. A long cut had appeared across her right leg, and blood was slowly seeping through the wound. Her Barrier Jacket was also sliced open at several places, apparently from Hayate’s attack just now.

“I-I am sorry, Leona-chan!” Hayate said apologetically. “I-I d-didn’t mean to hurt you!”

Leona looked at the wound as if expecting something else to happen, then waved a negligent hand. “It’s all right, Hayate-san. This wound is nothing.” She smiled, as if the pain did not register in her mind.

“B-but …” Hayate protested, aghast.

Leona did not reply. Instead, she looked upwards at the battle between Fate and Nanoha. They were also showing signs of exhaustion, having spent the last six minutes launching attacks and defending. They had not noticed what had happened to Leona.

It’s time to end this, Leona thought.

“Hayate-san, let’s finish this battle, all right?” Leona said, not as a question, but more of a statement.

Hayate looked at the azure-haired Captain with a mixed feeling. “Well, if you say so …”

“Then, get ready,” Leona said grimly and closed her eyes. Hayate, somewhat unsure, readied her spells. Even if Leona was hurt, she already said that it was all right, so Hayate did not feel it necessary to lower her guards. Still, she felt a little guilty at having wounded her. But, Leona’s expression was peculiar, if cold, back then …

Leona opened her arms, with Wyrd suspended in the space between them. Energy danced from her fingers into the staff, blue-white electricity crackling as she powered up her spell. With a low voice, she said, “Thought and Memory.”

<Hugin und Munin.> Wyrd answered as the incantation was completed.

With a smooth sliding motion, the staff came apart at the middle, producing two equal-length but shorter versions of its former self. Each one twirled itself into either of Leona’s hand, which she gripped firmly. Now, she opened her eyes slightly.

What could she intend to do with those staves? Hayate wondered, her eyes alert.

“Prepare yourself, Hayate-san!” Leona yelled, widening her eyes as she did so. And she launched her attack.

<Eikþyrnir.>

The two staves flew from her hands with frightening speed, blazing through the air in a streak of silver. And Hayate saw that one of them flew straight towards her, while the second …

“Be careful, Fate-chan!” Hayate screamed as she drew up her barrier. A frontal attack would not work as long as she had her barrier up …

Fate, who was engaged with Nanoha at close range, heard the warning, and instinctively, she put a hand to block the attack from below, a golden shield in place …

Just moments before the rushing staves struck their targets, Leona moved her hands in the opposite directions …

And the split device followed in motion, changing their targets at breakneck speed …

The rods zipped around with the speed of lightning, Hayate’s charging towards Fate’s side while the one targeting Fate turned to strike Hayate from above …

Hayate and Fate could not react in time, and both shields were not in place to protect their casters …

Fate and Hayate could feel the vibrations in the air as the silver staves, magically-empowered, tore towards them, their ends like the head of a sledgehammer, threatening to crush them …

“Leona-chan!” Nanoha’s voice ripped through the silence that had fallen when Leona had launched the attack.

The staves stopped in mid-flight, a hair’s breadth away from striking their targets. The speed at which they flew brought with them the rush of chilling air, blowing against the faces of Hayate and Fate. Their eyes looking at the weapons poised before them with utter alarm, and beads of sweat dropped from their forehead.

“T-That was dangerous, Leona-chan!” Nanoha cried. She looked as frightened as the other two Aces were.

“I-I’m sorry, Nanoha-san. I was planning to end to fight without causing harm, but I think I ended up overdoing it,” Leona said, slightly abashed. She gestured lightly, and the two parts returned to her hands and combined into one whole device again. “I thought I would hold them at non-retaliatory points, that’s all.”

Fate and Hayate relaxed then, sighing in relief. Hayate wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “For a moment, I thought you were really going to finish us off.”

“Sorry, Fate-san, Hayate-san,” Leona apologized again. “I didn’t know it would shock the two of you. I guess my performance back then with the double-storey building must have been excessive.”

“It’s all right, Leona-chan,” Fate said, smiling now. It seemed that she had regained her composure. “I must admit that your power does frighten me a little, but I know that you didn’t mean us harm.”

Hayate nodded. “In any case …”

“What?” Leona asked, anxious. “Have I done something wrong again?”

Hayate shook her head. “No, but you’ve proven yourself to be quite a mage.”

She smiled, and her action was followed by both Nanoha and Fate.

“Ah …” Leona mumbled, looking embarrassed. “Not at all …”

“You don’t have to be so humble, Leona-chan,” Nanoha said. “You’ve proven your capabilities, and we know that we can trust you to watch our backs in the coming battles. You’re going to be an invaluable ally and friend, Leona-chan.”

Fate and Hayate nodded as emphasis.

“Ah …” Leona muttered the same thing again, unable to muster any words to express her feelings. In the end, she just smiled as she looked at the Aces. “T-Thank you,” she finally stammered.

The Aces looked at her and laughed. Then, Hayate, remembering something, suddenly said: “I almost forgot, Leona-chan is wounded!” She pointed at the gash on Leona’s right thigh, which had already stopped bleeding.

“Let’s get her to Shamal for healing immediately.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Hold still now, Captain Tyriel,” Shamal said softly as she looked at Leona’s wound.

“I-It really is nothing, Doctor Shamal,” Leona said, feeling uncomfortable at the amount of attention being placed on her. She was sitting on the ground ass Shamal inspected her. “It will heal naturally,” she mumbled. The Vice-Captains, Lieutenants, and the two Unison Devices were looking at her curiously, their eyes latched onto her as leeches onto skin. She squirmed a little.

“Gently, now …” Shamal said. She placed a hand over the wound, and whispered, “Klarer Wind, bless this wounded soul and remove her pain.” Her rings flashed a faint green, and healing energy flowed into the cut, repairing the damaged tissue. Little by little, the lesion lessened, and the torn skin closed. In a short moment, the scab formed and fell away, revealing a fully healed arm.

Leona looked with astonishment at her thigh. She ran a finger where the wound previously was, feeling the texture of her skin. “I-It’s healed!” she cried, surprised. Shamal smiled warmly.

“That is amazing, Doctor Shamal,” Kratos said with awe in his voice. “Your healing spells far surpass mine.”

“Which is why she’s a doctor and not a frontline fighter,” Agito said sagely. Everyone laughed at the obviousness of the statement, while Leona smiled.

“Still, I must say that the most amazing thing would be your fighting abilities, Captain Tyriel,” Signum said. “You could switch from mêlée to range attack without breaking a beat.”

“And your precision in controlling your power is almost flawless,” added Tesla, her green eyes sparkling.

“With your current skills, you could’ve become an excellent Enforcer,” Teana stated. “I wonder why didn’t you join in the first place?”

Before she could answer, there was a cough from behind them. They turned to see a man walking to them, his strides long and steady. “And did anyone wonder why have I been reduced to being a messenger man?”

“Oji-chan!” Hayate, Fate, and Nanoha said at once. Signum merely inclined her head, while Shamal smiled.

“Ossan,” Tesla greeted enthusiastically. The Head of the Research and Development Division was her rival in computer games. The rest of them gave him a salute.

“Hello, my ‘nieces’,” Aurion said affectionately as he approached. When he was in their midst, he extended a hand and ruffled Hayate’s hair fondly. She mocked a wince at the familiar gesture, then smiled.

“How long have you been here, Professor Dauer?” Signum addressed him formally.

“Oh, long enough to entertain myself with a most spectacular mock battle,” he replied, smiling suggestively. All of them were shocked; they had not realized that he had been around for so long to witness the battle without anyone noticing.

“Then, why didn’t you just show yourself and watch with us, old man?” Agito suddenly said. She noticed that Reinforce Zwei had hid herself behind Shamal, looking frightened. “Are you a stalker or something?”

“Ah, but you must be the new Unison Device, Agito,” he said, ignoring her questions and looking curiously at the crimson-haired Agito. He raised a hand slowly in an attempt to touch her. Agito, uncomfortable, twitched her wings a little, and without warning, let loose a small firework in front of him. A little surprised, Aurion laughed as he said, “My, my, you’re an energetic one!”

“Signum,” Agito said, her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she continued to observe Aurion. She folded her arms across her chest and crossed her legs, floating gently up and down in the air. “I think I can understand now why Vita dislikes him.”

“Doesn’t she, now?” Aurion remarked, unperturbed. His smile was still present as he continued to gaze at the loud-mouthed Agito with his dark eyes. Turning slightly, he saw the top of Reinforce Zwei’s head peeking from Shamal’s shoulder. “And Small Boss, how do you do?”

“Fine, thank you,” Reinforce Zwei answered with a muffled voice. Though her fear of him had abated over time, his sudden appearance still produced the familiar experience. She would need a little bit of time to adjust.

“You have not changed after all these years, eh?” Aurion said, his smile becoming broader.

“Oji-chan,” Nanoha suddenly interrupted. “Why did you come here again?”

“Ah, yes, I almost forgot,” Aurion said. “Well, there was a message for the Captains and Hayate from the Saint Church, sent by Knight Carim. I thought I would deliver it personally to them since it’s been such a long time since I’ve last seen my ‘nieces’ and it would be a good opportunity for a small conversation. Who knew that I would find myself immersed in a battle between the Aces and Captain Tyriel.”

Fate chuckled. “We’re just trying to understand Leona-chan more.”

“And I assume it has been an eye-opener, no?” Aurion said. His dark eyes twinkled strangely as he said so.

The three Aces nodded, even the Wolkenritter, Teana, and the Unison Devices. Leona looked sheepish, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

“In any case,” Aurion continued, “Knight Carim wishes to meet all of you at 1700 hours. It’s almost 1600 hours now, and you have an hour to prepare.”

“Then, let’s get ready,” Hayate said. Nanoha and Fate nodded.

“You, too, Captain Tyriel,” Aurion said, moving towards Leona, who was still sitting on the ground.

“Please, Aurion-san, just call me Leona,” she said.

“Then, Reishiki should do the same,” Aurion answered. His right hand moved to grip his left arm.

And promptly, he pulled it off.

There was a ripple of great surprise and horror in their midst as they watched Aurion’s left arm detached from its socket, most notably from Kratos, Gabriel, and Xeno. Agito let out a small shriek of shock, covering her eyes as if expecting blood to gush forth from the opening left by the removed limb.

Leona, however, looked unimpressed. Instead, she smiled wanly. “I’ve known all along about your prosthetic left arm, Aurion-san. Reishiki, the Expanded-function Device, Type Zero. You created it yourself, didn’t you?”

The arm was actually a device with a simple transformation spell placed on it. It sported a number of peculiar items: various buttons, twin large cylinders around the forearms, and a smooth barrel that extended from the elbow to the knuckle. Reishiki was developed by Aurion during his tenure in the Technology Department, a replacement for his left arm that was lost in the Perfect Void Incident.

“Ah, what a letdown, then,” Aurion said, nodding approvingly at her knowledge. “I thought at least that you would duplicate the Aces’ reactions back then …”

“Oji-chan!” Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate cried at the same time.

“And I thought you really ripped your arm off,” Gabriel grumbled at having been had.

Aurion laughed heartily at his own prank, placing his left arm back at its location. “All right, all right. We’ll stop this right now, and let the Captains prepare themselves, or else they will be late.”

“Right,” Leona said, trying to get up. Kratos offered her a hand for support, which she took.

Without warning, she buckled and almost fell back to the ground. With a swiftness that belied his age, Aurion extended his left hand and managed to catch Leona at the lower right arm. As he did so, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. Just as I have thought …

The rest of them were alarmed. With Aurion and Kratos’s support, she managed to balance herself, but something else happened that everyone did not expect.

Her legs were trembling visibly as she attempted to stand properly.

“Leona-chan, are you all right?” Nanoha asked, concerned.

There was a moment before Leona answered. “Y-Yes, I’m fine.”

“But, you looked pale,” Fate said.

“I’m all right,” Leona said, smiling faintly. “I must have been weak from hunger. I didn’t eat much during lunch, and exhaustion catches up with me from the battle. I’ll be all right with a little rest.”

Hayate looked troubled. “Then, you should rest well.”

“B-But, the meeting …” Leona tried to object.

“No but,” Nanoha cut across her. “You stay in base and try to get something to eat, and then have a break for a while. We’ll inform Knight Carim about your condition. She’ll understand.”

“And if there’s anything important, we’ll inform you at the first opportunity,” Fate added. Hayate nodded in agreement.

Leona did not have any choice but to agree. “I’m terribly sorry about this. And thanks a lot, Nanoha-san, Fate-san, Hayate-san.” She smiled faintly.

“Aurion-san, you must be busy, let me help Milady instead,” Gabriel said. He was standing beside Leona, whose right arm was still in Aurion’s grip.

“Ah, yes,” Aurion said softly. He released Leona and allowed Gabriel to support her. Gabriel put Leona’s arm around his shoulders.

“Then, we’ll get going,” the three Aces said. The Wolkenritter, Teana, and the two Unison Devices walked to accompany them, leaving Xeno, Gabriel, and Kratos with Leona.

“Take care,” Leona said.

Turning around, Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate walked towards the exit, with Aurion and the rest of the group following behind. When they reached the threshold, Aurion paused suddenly, looked back at the four for a second, then followed the others without another word.

When they were alone, Kratos, Gabriel and Xeno looked worriedly at Leona.

“You overdid yourself in the battle, Milady,” Kratos spoke gently.

* * * * *

[Leona’s Room, Escutcheon, Cranagan City] [January 22nd, MC 081] [1902 hours]

Leona sat alone on her queen-sized single bed. Dusk had fallen two hours before, and darkness lengthened its shadow through the room. Leona did not bother to turn on the light, allowing the familiar presence of night to permeate the atmosphere. She had always like darkness, its comforting embrace permitting her to forget painful memories …

And hide her innermost secrets.

She had returned to her room with Kratos and Gabriel’s help. Though it pained her to do so, she had dismissed them then, saying that she wanted to get some rest. Kratos offered to remain, but she had strongly refused. With great reluctance, the three of them left her alone. As the door to her room closed behind them, she looked back at her legs, which were still trembling, though at a lesser degree now, and sighed forlornly.

I’m sorry, Kratos, Xeno, Gabriel.

She checked her own condition with Wyrd’s help. Apparently, she had drawn in too much mana to boost her speed when she evaded Hayate’s spell. Her legs suffered the consequence of that action, threatening to shut down on itself. Deciding that it was already too late to overcome the damage that had been done, she rested then, allowing her system to reestablish itself. But, her sleep had been restless, plagued by dark memories and shadowy nightmares.

And she had awoken again, only an hour passed when she had closed her eyes, drenched in cold sweat.

She ran her fingers through her hair, untangling several azure locks that had twined themselves. Her system seemed to have been righted, noticeable from the absence of the weakness earlier that evening, but she suspected that it was not yet fully completed. Her thoughts, however, remained bleak.

So much had happened today, and the farce she had conjured in front of the rest of the people drained her strength very much. She knew that she had to display those expected emotions, or they would suspect her, but she wanted nothing else than to escape the scrutiny of their eyes.

She felt extremely edgy as she remembered what had happened. Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, all of them … their eyes fixed, staring at her … trying to penetrate into her heart and mind … trying to discover the secrets that she had held so long … and then, cast her away when they had known everything …

It is just like what happened back then, she thought bitterly, images flashing past in her mind.

Yet, they said that they believed in her, trusting her to watch their backs against enemies. Their eyes shone when they said that, their faith apparent in the pupils. They called her … a friend. Not many had called her that before, even the three closest to her.

Why would they even think of acknowledging me as a friend, when they know little of what I am capable of … ? Even Chrono-kun had cast me aside, after witnessing my destructive self …

Utterly confused, Leona closed her eyes, trying to shut out the stream of imaginations, burying the thoughts in the graveyard of her mind.

The room suddenly lit up with a glaring light that flashed urgently. Leona looked up, surprised at the unexpected occurrence. A screen flickered into view, with a single word engraved onto the monitor in Mid-childan letters, the background blinking with blood-red light.

“Alert!”

Hopefully, in an attempt to un-shaft Hayate, it hasn't led to her being more shafted.

Spoiler for Translations:

<Schwarzer Einschlag.> - Black Impact.
<Ja, Herrin.> - Yes, Mistress.
<Sturmreiter, Verstärkung.> - Stormrider, boost up.

Kyral, I might need your help to verify those.

I guessed I missed alot when I was gone, this part was the continuation from the part where Nanoha-tachi met Leona? Or is this another chapter

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Probably has to do with his avatar. Each time I see Keroko, I think that Keroko's female.

Me too! and not to mention his main char is a female So that will mislead us lol

Originally Posted by Kha

It all started when I discovered that Tausend Kreuz sounds like the Millenium Cross.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

*pat pat*

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

It'll be Wrath and Pride, the arrogant type of pride that is

Thanks, O_O Wrath n Pride, this i must see

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Your absence is felt in the heart, not in words. And I really mean it, so perk up!

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Oh, and I forgot the preview for Chapter Five.

Spoiler for Chapter Five:

“You’re an excellent fighter, Signum,” Grandia said, impressed. He had not expected such skilled warriors to pursue them, less so a woman.

“As are you, who refuse to identify yourself,” Signum replied as calmly as she could. He has not shown his true powers yet, and already, he has proven himself a difficult adversary.

“I ask for your forgiveness, Knight Signum,” Grandia answered, his black tattered cloak billowing as a stray wind blew. “My name prefers the solitude of secrecy, since it holds nothing but a passing identification of a person whose life is as ephemeral as the flame of a candle.”

“You hold such distaste for life?” Signum asked, her long pink hair ruffled by the night breeze.

There was silence from the swordsman, whose face was suddenly hidden in a darkness that was not part of the night. “My former self does not,” he replied slowly. “Now it does, with the Princess gone …”

Signum started at the mention of the name. Princess?

Silence returned, this time more deafening than before. Signum was wondering if it was such a coincidence that the warrior before her was involved in the search of the dangerous artifacts known as the Jewels of the Star, intricately woven with the warning by Knight Carim.

A coincidence that the unnamed man, who she had come to believe was honorable and valiant, was sounding so desperate, so anguished, so yearning, for a person he called Princess.

A coincidence that she would rather not have, for it reminded her of the bitter past with Zest.

Leaves swirled around them, playing a requiem for their fateful meeting …

… and also their parting.

“I am sorry, Knight Signum, but our conversation ends here,” Grandia continued solemnly. “The Star must be delivered if our wish were to come true.”

“Wai—” Signum tried to stop him, but he had already begun.

With a liquid move, Grandia made a perfect circular motion with his sword, end to end. His movement created a distortion in the air, as if something living was pulsing. Suddenly, it was ablaze, a brilliant halo of red fires that danced wildly, casting bloody hues into the velvet darkness.

“Αστραλ Ηελιωσ—Ατηενα’ Δραγωνσ. (Astral Helios—Athena's Dragons.)”

:EEK: INCOMING BLUEECHEESIUM DETECTED :EEK:

Originally Posted by Keroko

*cough* no. i haven't figured out the details yet, but its going to be a Nanoha style mage battle.

But if someone were to make some sort of short comic with screenies and subs, that would be quite amusing to see

Originally Posted by Liingo

And this is just the weekend...

Somehow I think weekdays goes slower

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Complicated. Sister and boss too.

The last time I saw that was in Ninty-nine nights... And that relationship didn't end well...

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Spica sure is gathering alot of kills lately.

Of course. She's MY character...

Sipher: "And it helps that sion-chan here is spreading dirty images far and wide "
Sion: ""

Originally Posted by Tormenk

PAWNED

PAWNED your head ah

I've already confessed.

Originally Posted by Tk3997

I did?
…

Sweet, mind telling me what part of was most damaging so I can do it again in the future?

Easy, the part where you hit me with the hammer.

...
...
... >.>

Originally Posted by Tk3997

If by "better" you mean pointlessly cluttered and spam riddle then yeah it looks awesome this way. -_-

See? That wasn't so hard to admit now was it ?

I'm glad to be of service

[Tormenk]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

The last time I saw that was in Ninty-nine nights... And that relationship didn't end well...

It's difficult having your sister on top of you, as your boss no less.

PAWNED your head ah

I've already confessed.

Yes my head. Confession won't change the fact though.

See? That wasn't so hard to admit now was it ?

I'm glad to be of service

Seems like you just want people to admit stuff. >_>

Though admittance and acceptance are rare nowadays.

And since there was Konarcher, I bring to you..

Spoiler for this:

And more!

Spoiler for more:

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Tormenk

It's difficult having your sister on top of you, as your boss no less.

Yeah, sisters make bad bosses...

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Yes my head. Confession won't change the fact though.

I never denyed it.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Seems like you just want people to admit stuff. >_>

Though admittance and acceptance are rare nowadays.

You're reading too much into it.

It's just a comment.

[Kha]

Originally Posted by haiz123321

Me too! and not to mention his main char is a female So that will mislead us lol

Play more WoW and you will see this being turned on its head. Case in point: My guild when in raiding vent one can tell that they all guys, but from wowarmory.com statistics, only 39% are male characters. I only know of a few females who really are one.

That said, I hardly know of any girl players who control guy characters... Is this only characteristic of our half of humanity?

Originally Posted by Tormenk

And since there was Konarcher, I bring to you..

Spoiler for this:

And more!

Spoiler for more:

It's the original child of Kha and Sophia, Ko-Archer!

(runs)

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

sa ne...

Just pace yourself

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

I don't rip-off that much from Prism Ark
But, yes, it's the last test and the toughest

Not before, but now you rip like no tomorrow

So that's how the Darkness Knight sound like...

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

R-Really?
That's the only cute succubus I've ever seen so...

You could grab any lady-devil and nobody would be the wiser

Want an example ?

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Hmmm...If it was an influence from some game or anime, then it was subconscious, because I did it on my own

Though, that scene, I can totally imagine it animated

But some how... It felt VERY familiar....

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Nice reaction. But could use clarification.

Basically, it's the same as everybody's

"OMGWTF @ Jail"

... Chaos-style if you will.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Though frankly, it'd be a sight to see if any one of the Aces suffer several Gs and get a blackout from flying.

Well, something has to stop them for going into outerspace...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

I'd personally the sailor-fuku Kino...

Personally... DO the sailor-fuku Kino ?!?!




Koyori: "I'm truly sorry, but I'm going to have to change my image of Nighty-san!"

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Hooo...

*shoots KEY*

I don't get it.

Do you like her or not?

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Hoo~~

YOu may already have them, but whatever.

Yeah, I do Except the first one... I'll kill you because you've shown it to me...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Baring your fangs, Chaos?

*Shrugged*

He looks weak and easy

Originally Posted by Nightengale

But, yeah, breaking us is a feat.

(( Though to me, it varies... I'm immune to many things, but some VERY tame things had cracked me before... ))

Nighty, I don't even want to TRY you >.>

I might end up losing myself more than breaking you.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

UESUGI KENSHIN?

OR FEMALE RANCE!?

Need you freaking ask?!

OF COURSE IT'S KENSHIN!!!

Originally Posted by Nightengale

LOLOLOL That trick LOLOLOL

Though the way it's said... Black Knight = girl?

Erm... Sure he is...

Originally Posted by Tormenk

And there you have it. Not that difficult to say out what you really feel after all Jeno.

I was drunk and disorderly... I didn't know what I made him say.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Hardly. There's Rein bait all around.

She's Russian though It'll be better if she's german

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Showers are cleansing rituals. In this case, JxK gets flushed away immediately. And I have no idea what kind of ideas you get from showers. >_>

ALL-FREAKING-SORTS



My Chrono/Ace fic... My three YUUNOHAs... CARONO... ARFIRA...

Signum/Lance... JUST ABOUT EVERY Jeno/Spica ideals and not to mention the tons of songfics

Originally Posted by Tormenk

I was thinking the appearance would be very far back but whatever.

Well to be more exact, I don't like my favorite characters to have kids... >.>

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Nod your head and agree then.

"Women are like the police, they could have all the evidence in the world, but what they want is the CONFESSION "

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Katrina: "You presume too much in my plans, and discounting the others as well."

Jeno: "Why do you always talk like that ?!"

Originally Posted by Tormenk

I think you should get a woman who's interested in aircraft engines as well.

So that the two of you can talk about -=[Suck-> Squeeze -> Bang -> Blow]=- all day long.

I don't think that's a good idea

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Manifestation.

Contemplation.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Only because it's the lesser of two evils. >_> Though I was taking it abit too far.

No such thing as too far with him .

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Unfortunately. What did I ever do to be associated like this?

Don't worry, my door is always opened for you

Originally Posted by Tormenk

How about the angst and drama of sisters going after the same guy before that?

You see it as angst and drama.

All I see is comedy and romance

"MUIRE!"

"MUIRE JAINA!"

"MUIRE!"

"MUIRE JAINA!"

[Saint X]

Originally Posted by Kha

...what?



The Nanohaverse timeline leads into your Angelic Layer manga extension, not my Mobile Angel Reiya series... But then I remember that Sousuke's daughter is...

I thought we always were? But stick to those offending few for AltS1. It has enough plotlines already.

actually AL Fic Time -> Nanoha Fic Time

To those wondering: check the AL category in FF.net that 9- chapter fic is mine.

offending few? who?

AltS 1 has enough... and more... lol

Originally Posted by Tormenk

BUT I rather have you under Chaos then under That Man. Don't be affected by what lies on the other side of the river PF.

Chaos and I refer to 'that man' as That Thing...

IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT IT

- if you know what I and Chaos mean.

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Say what?

IS: Confusing Phrase, success...

if you note the Windland Prism Sigil, they have two 'poles' at opposite sides on the hexagon, this 'Mid-Variant Prism' has three... equally spaced along the hexagon

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Oh no... Yomiko is neither. She is her own, Meganekko-ojousama

Spoiler for Yomiko:

The ORIGINAL Unlimited Paper Works


So who is That Man? The One Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned N**i Y**i?

and... I have dibs on her...

*runs*

Andrei: don't go crazy with mai waifu!!! *runs with Capelia on hand*

It's Volde- *gets shot*

no... not 'man'!!! that's THING THAT THING

Originally Posted by tshouryuu

Holy crap.... 475 pgs of backlog to go through..... you guys sure were buzy.....

Summoning Complete

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Wha-? Who's THAT MAN? An adversary more powerful than Chaos himself?

THAT THING

Originally Posted by Kha

Play more WoW and you will see this being turned on its head. Case in point: My guild when in raiding vent one can tell that they all guys, but from wowarmory.com statistics, only 39% are male characters. I only know of a few females who really are one.

That said, I hardly know of any girl players who control guy characters... Is this only characteristic of our half of humanity?

It's the original child of Kha and Sophia, Ko-Archer!

(runs)

In the Philippines... we have a word for males playing female characters...

Chixilog

*runs*

===

Work Progress:

a lot of things to do.

===

@ thread: Isn't it about time that we focus Ancient Mid a bit more?

[Tormenk]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Yeah, sisters make bad bosses...

Especially younger sisters.

You're reading too much into it.

It's just a comment.

Bad habit.

Originally Posted by Kha

Play more WoW and you will see this being turned on its head. Case in point: My guild when in raiding vent one can tell that they all guys, but from wowarmory.com statistics, only 39% are male characters. I only know of a few females who really are one.

That said, I hardly know of any girl players who control guy characters... Is this only characteristic of our half of humanity?

It's the original child of Kha and Sophia, Ko-Archer!

(runs)

I was thinking that was Kha's babelicious twin sister.

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

J

Personally... DO the sailor-fuku Kino ?!?!



Koyori: "I'm truly sorry, but I'm going to have to change my image of Nighty-san!"

Are you seeing things or added one extra do into his sentence?

Nighty, I don't even want to TRY you >.>

I might end up losing myself more than breaking you.

Kenpachi:"The reiatsu I unconsciously leak is stronger than the reiatsu you honed to killing point!"

I was drunk and disorderly... I didn't know what I made him say.

That was easy.

ALL-FREAKING-SORTS



My Chrono/Ace fic... My three YUUNOHAs... CARONO... ARFIRA...

Signum/Lance... JUST ABOUT EVERY Jeno/Spica ideals and not to mention the tons of songfics

Just stay in the shower then.

Well to be more exact, I don't like my favorite characters to have kids... >.>

Understandable. To some points.

"Women are like the police, they could have all the evidence in the world, but what they want is the CONFESSION "

"Men are like computers, you have to TURN THEM ON before you can get them to work."

Jeno: "Why do you always talk like that ?!"

Katrina: " Need you ask the obvious? We share the same essence after all."

Contemplation.

Idealization.

No such thing as too far with him .

I wonder.

Don't worry, my door is always opened for you

Not in the near and foreseeable future.

You see it as angst and drama.

All I see is comedy and romance

"MUIRE!"

"MUIRE JAINA!"

"MUIRE!"

"MUIRE JAINA!"

That's another way it can be taken. To each his own after all.

[tshouryuu]

What happened to me you guys ask? Well, long story short, the amount of Gar, hot-bloodedness etc, turned my stomach and so I took a break to settle it (I haven't watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann at that time). And I managed to get busy with RL so .... 475 pg of backlogs hee hee hee.

[Kha]

Originally Posted by Saint X

actually AL Fic Time -> Nanoha Fic Time

To those wondering: check the AL category in FF.net that 9- chapter fic is mine.

offending few? who?

AltS 1 has enough... and more... lol

Sousuke is old in that timeline... but... TESSA IS KHA'S DAUGHTER! And Eugenie, Nanoka and Miharu aren't even born yet...

Are you trying to create another time paradox by flipping it around?!

Originally Posted by Saint X

@ thread: Isn't it about time that we focus Ancient Mid a bit more?

Nothing Mid looks... ancient enough... to be honest, to work on.

Like how much of modern English culture is looks Ancient? Yet, almost everything arrived from the British Colonization, just morphed by pop culture into its modern form.

This parallel can apply to Mid, and we have made the Midchilda a very recent civilization, haven't we? After all, modern English is a combination of several old civilizations. Ancient Midea and the alien race Children would've been just like Belka, except without a central power, several kingdoms ruling broken specks of land outside of Antioch (old Belka capital; new one is New Antioch).

I believe the rise of Midchilda will also be covered in Keroko's work.

Originally Posted by tshouryuu

What happened to me you guys ask? Well, long story short, the amount of Gar, hot-bloodedness etc, turned my stomach and so I took a break to settle it (I haven't watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann at that time). And I managed to get busy with RL so .... 475 pg of backlogs hee hee hee.

Well it has since settled down to just periodic GARttacks... Now is the time of the CELESTIAL BEING.


EDIT - Repost from Image Thread:

Originally Posted by Satashi

Fate found my newest lemon scene with her and Nanoha....... uh oh.

As well as a miniseries featuring, together with the Aces and Keroko-chan, herself and her boyfriend K--

*Infinite Spell Forge >>>> Creator-san*

[Kagerou]

THESE FINGERS OF MINE GLOW WITH AN AWESOME POWER.
THEIR CARPAL TUNNEL TELLS ME TO POST!

FINISH THE CHARACTER! SPELL! LIST! POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spoiler for Erick's Spells:

Attack Spells:
Default Shot: Stinger Ray - a green beam of energy emitted from the Devices any time Erick pulls the trigger. A simple yet effective spell that most Bureau mages know in some form or fashion. "Revolvers, default shot; don't wanna waste energy."

Burst-Shot: Assault Ray - When set in Burst-Shot mode, both Revolvers fire 5 Stinger Rays in a spread pattern instead of one. They spread out before converging on their target. Alternatively, Erick can make each beam hit a different target. "Revolvers, Burst-shot mode! I gotta ventilate someone..."

Rapid-Fire: Six-Shot Ray - Both Revolvers fire six rays rapidly. Each one does as much damage as two Stinger Rays. "Revolvers, Rapid-fire mode! Let's give 'em a run for their money!"

Lucky Strike EX - Erick tosses two handfuls of coins in the air. As they scatter, he pulls out both revolvers and pulls the trigger as rapidly as he can. Each shot bounces off of a coin and hits the opponent in front of him from all angles. The purpose of this trick shot is to get around things like one-directional barriers. "Don't get distracted, ya hear?! Lucky Strike!

Shockwave - one of Erick's few attack spells that don't require the use of his Devices. By slamming his boot against the ground, he emits a shockwave that stuns anyone else on the ground at the time. "I wouldn't be standing near me! Shockwave!"

Jet Magnum - By powering his own right hand with magic energy, Erick dashes forward (almost always with the help of Sonic Move) and strikes an opponent with his fist with as much force as a Swallow Flier. The other name for this spell is How I'm Going to Bitchslap Aurion. "See if you can stop my FIST! Jet... Magnum!"

Proton Bolt - A spell that Erick purposefully copied from Aurion. By empowering his left hand with energy, he forms it into a ball that he hurls at someone from point-blank to close range. Also known as The Other Way I'm Going to Bitchslap Aurion. "Hey, Aurion, this look familiar? Proton Bolt!"

Divine Buster - A direct copy, obviously, of Nanoha's spell of the same name. Erick charges up both Revolvers and fires. The green blast of energy from both forms into one beam. While not as powerful or as long-ranged as Nanoha's original version, but he can fire off more of them than she can. "Here's a little trick I picked up from that White Devil... Divine... BUSTER!"

Earth Nova: Erick condenses a lot of magical energy into his guns and points them at the ground. He fires two bursts of energy into the ground that converge together and tear through it, coming out of the ground under his opponent and exploding violently. Different from the version he tried to hit Aurion with. "This is it! Try and stop my Earth-magic! Earth NOVA!"

Defense Spells:
Protection: Needs no explanation. Maverick's Auto Guard.
Round Shield: See above. Sidearm's Auto Guard.
Barrier Jacket: Erick's BJ. Looks like normal.
Barrier Jacket EXO: Erick's Barrier Jacket becomes something that resembles a Battlemech Powered Exoskeleton. It offers a large increase in protection and resiliency at the cost of vision and mobility.

Other Spells:
Burst Jump: Erick expends some energy and leaps straight into the air much higher than a normal person. He can use this ability consistently, especially if he has stuff to leap off of. This includes opposing forces.

Glider Wing: Erick uses this ability after using Burst Jump a few times. Erick slowly glides back to the first. This is as close as he can get to flying.

Sonic Move: Needs no explanation.

Earth Grip: Erick's bind spell. Vines shoot out of the ground (even if in a building... on the tenth floor...) and entangle his opponent.

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Especially younger sisters.

Elder sisters aren't all that better either... >.>

Originally Posted by Tormenk

I was thinking that was Kha's babelicious twin sister.

Kha has a twin sister? And she's hot?!

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Are you seeing things or added one extra do into his sentence?

Filling up the blanket.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

That was easy.

I have my moments.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Just stay in the shower then.

Can't duty calls.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Katrina: " Need you ask the obvious? We share the same essence after all."

Jeno: "Why are you still doing that ?!"

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Idealization.

Consideration.

[Kha]

Originally Posted by Kagerou

THESE FINGERS OF MINE GLOW WITH AN AWESOME POWER.
THEIR CARPAL TUNNEL TELLS ME TO POST!

FINISH THE CHARACTER! SPELL! LIST! POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTT

Spoiler for Erick's Spells:

Attack Spells:
Default Shot: Stinger Ray - a green beam of energy emitted from the Devices any time Erick pulls the trigger. A simple yet effective spell that most Bureau mages know in some form or fashion. "Revolvers, default shot; don't wanna waste energy."

Burst-Shot: Assault Ray - When set in Burst-Shot mode, both Revolvers fire 5 Stinger Rays in a spread pattern instead of one. They spread out before converging on their target. Alternatively, Erick can make each beam hit a different target. "Revolvers, Burst-shot mode! I gotta ventilate someone..."

Rapid-Fire: Six-Shot Ray - Both Revolvers fire six rays rapidly. Each one does as much damage as two Stinger Rays. "Revolvers, Rapid-fire mode! Let's give 'em a run for their money!"

Lucky Strike EX - Erick tosses two handfuls of coins in the air. As they scatter, he pulls out both revolvers and pulls the trigger as rapidly as he can. Each shot bounces off of a coin and hits the opponent in front of him from all angles. The purpose of this trick shot is to get around things like one-directional barriers. "Don't get distracted, ya hear?! Lucky Strike!

Shockwave - one of Erick's few attack spells that don't require the use of his Devices. By slamming his boot against the ground, he emits a shockwave that stuns anyone else on the ground at the time. "I wouldn't be standing near me! Shockwave!"

Jet Magnum - By powering his own right hand with magic energy, Erick dashes forward (almost always with the help of Sonic Move) and strikes an opponent with his fist with as much force as a Swallow Flier. The other name for this spell is How I'm Going to Bitchslap Aurion. "See if you can stop my FIST! Jet... Magnum!"

Proton Bolt - A spell that Erick purposefully copied from Aurion. By empowering his left hand with energy, he forms it into a ball that he hurls at someone from point-blank to close range. Also known as The Other Way I'm Going to Bitchslap Aurion. "Hey, Aurion, this look familiar? Proton Bolt!"

Divine Buster - A direct copy, obviously, of Nanoha's spell of the same name. Erick charges up both Revolvers and fires. The green blast of energy from both forms into one beam. While not as powerful or as long-ranged as Nanoha's original version, but he can fire off more of them than she can. "Here's a little trick I picked up from that White Devil... Divine... BUSTER!"

Earth Nova: Erick condenses a lot of magical energy into his guns and points them at the ground. He fires two bursts of energy into the ground that converge together and tear through it, coming out of the ground under his opponent and exploding violently. Different from the version he tried to hit Aurion with. "This is it! Try and stop my Earth-magic! Earth NOVA!"

Defense Spells:
Protection: Needs no explanation. Maverick's Auto Guard.
Round Shield: See above. Sidearm's Auto Guard.
Barrier Jacket: Erick's BJ. Looks like normal.
Barrier Jacket EXO: Erick's Barrier Jacket becomes something that resembles a Battlemech Powered Exoskeleton. It offers a large increase in protection and resiliency at the cost of vision and mobility.

Other Spells:
Burst Jump: Erick expends some energy and leaps straight into the air much higher than a normal person. He can use this ability consistently, especially if he has stuff to leap off of. This includes opposing forces.

Glider Wing: Erick uses this ability after using Burst Jump a few times. Erick slowly glides back to the first. This is as close as he can get to flying.

Sonic Move: Needs no explanation.

Earth Grip: Erick's bind spell. Vines shoot out of the ground (even if in a building... on the tenth floor...) and entangle his opponent.

This post must hurt. You need +300 resistance to Carpal Tunnel if you want to grind in WoW for 72hrs though.

I like the idea of Lucky Strike. And I bet the victim would be seeing Lucky*Star's after that.

(watches the thread freeze)



REPOST from FF thread:

Originally Posted by Satashi

Well guys, it's been fun but the writer's guild is on strike and I'm striking with them. No more fics from me.

Spoiler for on strike:

"Did you hear the news?" Nanoha asked Fate as she walked up to the group of people eating lunch together. "All the writers in the writer's guild are on strike! Satashi went with them!"

"Really?" Fate took the offered paper and glanced over it while eating her taco. "Hmmm.... Wow, I wonder what we'll do now that she isn't writing?"

"She?" Hayate asked. "I thought Satashi was a guy?"

"Isn't he?" Tia looked over at them.

Subaru waved it off. "No,no, Satashi is a girl, for sure. But anyway, are we out of a job?"

Nanoha sighed. "Well, we lost our main employer... Jut as well, she always made me out to be a nymphomaniac."

"You ARE a nymph." Fate informed her.

"Well she doesn't have to make it KNOWN."

"Hmmm...." Hayate leaned back in her chair, no longer eating her meal. "I suppose we could apply for the OC thread.

Elio almost choked on his drink. "You have ANY idea of the cheese that's in there!?"

Subaru nodded. "I don't want to go anywhere near that place."

After Keroko's post...

Erio: Sensei... lives there?
Teana: Who said that?

?????: The ones from another timeline.



*a group of people bust through the roof into the FF thread*



Kha: Erio, look deep within you. You know you are one of us.

Erio: The Pen is my soul... (Strada pulses with a burst of mana) Yes, I remember, Meister!

Keroko-chan: Taking your wishes of fandom and making it a reality!

Nighty: (runs a finger along his fringe) Infusing EPICSICUM into every project we do...

Aaron008R: Growing yet protecting the Nanohaverse into the greatness it could've been!

LoweGear: We are who we are!

Kha: (pulls down [Surestrike Goggles 2.0] and points into the sky)

TENGEN TOPPA OUTER-CADIA

All: ORETACHI WO, DARE DA TO OMOETTE YAGARU!

Join us in the Cheese...