A/N: Sorry I did such horrible things to you, Rae…(Rae is an OC of mine from an old short story I wrote a few years ago). Anyway! Lossa stuff happening, of COURSE, Fate's gonna come roaring in and save Nanoha.

Nanoha let out a shriek, but it was not of pain. Rae had not bound her Gift with the ropes; she could still use magic. She didn't invoke a magic circle, not wanting Rae to notice, but sent the scream to the first person she could think of.

If you can't guess who it was, that would be a true tragedy.

---

Fate jumped to her feet in the middle of Latin class, and dashed out the door, ignoring the shouts of protest. She could feel Nanoha, where she was, and she heard the scream. It took forever to reach her room, but she threw open the door and retrieved her sword; she didn't carry Bardiche to lessons.

Transport spell. The only calm part of her mind ordered her around, dregging up the words and motions to transport herself to a magical signature.

She couldn't think properly as she mouthed the words, and caught a last glimpse of the castle, and Chrono running after her, as she swirled away.

---

Nanoha and Fate were not the only ones who felt the magic. Rae narrowed her eyes. "What was that? A spell?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "I forgot to close off your magic. I'd forgotten,"

There was a flash of red light, tinged in gold, and Nanoha suddenly felt all of the magic she had been using cut off, as if by shears.

Rae smiled. "You were calling someone. I see. All the same, I'm sure that I can stop them, if need be,"

Nanoha struggled to keep the doubt off her face, but Rae saw it, and swiped the knife across Nanoha's arm, leaving only a small, shallow cut.

It wasn't much, but Nanoha was a princess, and not exactly used to pain. She managed not to cry out, even if some tears rose to her blue eyes.

Rae looked disappointed. "You're weak," she commented. "You won't be very much fun to play with. Once you're broken, I won't have any more fun,"

"You're crazy," Nanoha said flatly.

Rae's expression changed to delight. "Oh, I know. But imagine being in my shoes. Who would you be then?" she asked, then froze, staring at the door. "Your knight in shining armor is coming," she warned.

Nanoha's heart leapt. Fate!

Rae's expression turned dry. "You look like you're glad someone else is about to be killed," she said. "I'd expect you to look horrified,"

Killed? No…Fate couldn't…Rae wasn't…

"Ah, so you didn't realize? I didn't think a princess would be so stupid," Rae said, smiling lightly like the mad person she was.

"You…can't…Fate…you…you're not—"

"Strong enough?" Rae shook her head. "I beg to differ. I'm certainly more capable than you or your friend; she hasn't been able to break through my barriers yet, has she?"
Nanoha narrowed her eyes. "She will,"

"Yes," agreed Rae. "I'm going to lower them,"

There was a shattering sound from outside, and it took only two moments before the door opened and Fate stepped into the room.

---

In one word, Nanoha could describe Fate as 'kind'. But now…she just looked different. Not kind, but Nanoha was glad to see she was in control. Her eyes were like bloody fires, but not the dancing flames that Rae's were. In one hand, her sword was energized by a single bolt of solid lightning, crackling and filling the room with light.

"Welcome," Rae said, and extended one hand.

In that simple movement, Nanoha suddenly felt the ropes binding her drop away, and at the same time, watched as Fate sank to the ground, looking stunned, almost as if invisible chains were pulling her towards the floor.

Nanoha ran to her, but Rae threw out her other hand, and Nanoha was suddenly frozen.

Rage filled her like a hot drink, and she could move again, slowly, and agonizingly, but she could still make her way towards Fate.

Rae raised an eyebrow, and Nanoha's movements became even slower, as if she was fighting her way through jello or something. "Stop," she ordered.

Nanoha glared. 'Like I'm going to listen to you!' She wanted to say, but didn't. Suddenly, she could move again, easily, pushing her way through only air. She took the oppurtunity to get to Fate as fast as she could.

And then, there was a scream.

Nanoha turned to stare at Rae, thinking it had come from her, but the girl's lips were curved in a satisfied smile.

And Nanoha looked down to see Fate, who was still sitting in an awkward, half-kneel, her hands turned to claws on the floor, and her knees tucked under her, screaming.

"Stop it!" yelled Nanoha frantically, trying, somehow, to undo whatever Rae was causing. "Stop, stop, stop it!"

Rae smiled, and Fate's screams subsided as Nanoha wrapped her arms around her, protectively, but knowing she could do nothing.

Yellow light flashed violently for a second, and everything was still and quiet.

"Did you like that?" Rae asked.

"Who are you?" Fate managed to ask.

"I'm Rae Tonerre. I'm afraid you were late, and missed the introductions," she murmured. "I'm afraid that your friend murdered my whole family, and now I'm here to murder her in return,"

"Nanoha didn't kill anyone,"

If it had been any other situation but this one, Nanoha would have been proud, and a little humbled to know that Fate didn't doubt her, didn't even send her a half of a glance to check.

"Her mother did," Rae retorted. "My sister was younger than both of you are now. Twelve. And your mother murdered her,"

Nanoha shivered. "I'm not my mother,"

Rae's eyes widened, and these words apparently drove her over the edge; Nanoha flinched back as the red eyes flickered. "Shut up!"

The hand clenched into a fist, and Fate was suddenly stiff, her lips pressed together, struggling to keep from letting out a sound. Nanoha got to her feet, abruptly furious.

And then it all shifted. Nanoha felt like her lungs were being flayed, slowly cut by something…tiny knives, and she wrapped her arms around herself to try and keep the pain away, curling onto the ground.

Fate was on her feet, looking suddenly satisfied.

Thunder boomed from over head.

Fate held out one hand.

Rae squinted at her, for just a second, before she mouthed the words.

"No…you can't…"

The thunderbolt hit the house, and Fate prayed that Nanoha would have the sense to throw up a block if she was still thinking straight.

---

"Fate? Fate?" choked Nanoha, sitting up, and staring around. "Fate!"
No one answered. The house was completely gone; all that was left were huge piles of wood and plaster, settled all around her. There was a hint of black hair peeking out from under a large pile, but Nanoha was only looking for Fate.

She was relieved to see that her friend was unharmed; just unconcious, lying in one of the few debri-free areas, eyes closed.

"Fate?" Nanoha crept over to her slowly, and touched her hand. "Fate?"

She didn't answer.

"Fate?"

No answer.

Nanoha felt her heartbeat accelerate; fearfully she gripped Fate's hand. "Fate!"

Still no answer.

Nanoha touched two fingers lightly to her neck, feeling…

There was no pulse.

"NO!"
Her shoulders shook, and she brought the last ounce of magic she had to her palms, desparately trying to bring back Fate. Tears started to leak out of her eyes, and she hated herself for being so weak.

"Fate…Please don't go…please…I…I…love you, Fate…"

There was the briefest pause before a tiny sliver of burgundy appeared under an eyelid.

"Fate!" Nanoha couldn't help herself; she grabbed Fate and pulled her into a tight hug.

Fate managed a half-smile. "Hi. I think I…overdid it,"

"Don't ever scare me like that again," ordered Nanoha, pressing her face into Fate's shoulder.

"Okay. But…one thing,"

"Anything," Nanoha promised.

"Did you mean it? What you said?"

"Of course I did!"

"Okay," Fate smiled. "Then, I love you too,"

Nanoha didn't even think about it, she just leaned in to kiss Fate and hoped for the best.

She didn't even need to worry, because Fate kissed her back immediately, and they sat like that for a long time, surrounded by a broken house and just enjoying themselves.

A/N: -drowns in fluff- I think I overdid it myself, there. Anyway! You can choose which one you liked better, the slightly-angsty-but-then-cutish ending or the suspenseful-but-then-super-fluffy-ending.