A/N: This is where things start shifting into high gear. When thinking of a new device that Cinque could use, I looked to many game and anime references. The one that I finally settled upon it the multiple sword type. My original thoughts for creating the Guardian of Time was using the basis of 'Weapons master' and 'Blade dancer'. The original device I planned out could change into any weapon shape, and thus Cinque would earn the title of 'Weapons Master', however soon became apparent that using too many different weapons would cause confusion for readers, so it was dropped. The multiple sword type is often used in games and sometimes in anime as a magical swordsmen type. I do believe that the famous creator of the fan-made crossover film series, Dead Fantasy, Monty Oum, is going to using this style for Kairi to use in his newest installment.

But the main influence of the multiple sword style would have to be Nu-13 from BlazBlue. It is said that Nu-13's design was influenced by Cinque, and while I do see similarities, I don't really think so. Usually the multi-sword style is often used by the bad guys, since it would present a very tough opposition for the main good guys to face, but it also creates a cool fighting style that is similar to dancing.


Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

5ive

chapter 9

The Lone Wolf

Sitting in Silva's car, Cinque silently watched the scenery outside go by quickly. She did not know where Silva was taking her, but she did not particularly care for it. Her thoughts constantly went over the new pieces of information she gathered. Avenir, the family that held a lot of secrets, was reduced to a young orphan kid who probably knew nothing about his family history, let alone how an ancient Belkan Knight was connected to his blood line.

"You thinking about your original?"

Silva asked.

"... I found out that I was made from a murder of an innocent thirteen year old."

"Life is never easy. But you can make up for it. You suspected that your original had something to do with the Word of Time, right? And you are right."

That caught Cinque's attention.

"How so?"

"My team had to dig through quite a lot to get this information, so you better be grateful."

"..."

Cinque wasn't feeling in any mood to play around with Silva this time, and the lieutenant seemed to get her intentions clearly.

"Okay... Well, what we found out was that your original was the descendant of the last Huterin der Zeit."

"The... WHAT?"

Cinque was so surprised by that that she could not help but raise her voice. That shocked Silva and he momentarily lost control of the vehicle, swerving on the road wildly before getting back in control.

"Ouch. That really hurt my ears."

"That's not the point! Y-you mean my original, Seria Avenir, is a descendant of a Belkan Knight?"

"Ah, i guess that would surprise anyone. Yes, your genetic material is that of a descendant. I guess you now know why the doctor is now chasing you."

"... Because my blood could unlock the Word of Time."

"Bingo, full points."

Silva laughed, though no one else was laughing with him, so he quickly shut his mouth.

"Anyway, the last Huterin der Zeit left behind a device. No one but those who hold her genes can use it, and we believe that this device is capable of telling us where the Word of Time is. We find the Lost Logia before the doctor, we win."

As if it were that simple. Cinque knew that things were never that simple. In fact, some of the best days she had at work were those when things were complicated. As a front-line mage, simple was never easy.

"So... where are you taking me?"

"We found the place where the Avenir family kept their things. Luckily they haven't been sold or destroyed. Amongst the items we found the Huterin der Zeit's device, and it was from there that we traced the line back to you."

"So you're going to use me to find the device."

"Well... that's one way of putting it. Still, it's not that bad."

Cinque seriously doubted that.

"... Look, I know things are not pretty. I know that this case is getting uglier with each passing day, but we need this to get our hands on a possibly powerful artefact."

"I know that already."

"... I see. As long as you understand that."

Silva drove the car straight into a warehouse district. It wasn't the fifth district ward, but it reminded Cinque of it. Only this warehouse had more people moving things about. Silva parked the car outside of a single warehouse and got out. Cinque followed him into the large warehouse, and she noticed that the warehouse had a couple of people within it. Some of them were armed with weapons and others were walking about tending to computers set up around the place.

"This is our temporary base where we're getting ready to move out to secure the Word of Time when found. We're also getting ready in case the doctor managed to create an army."

Silva explained, leading Cinque towards the centre of the warehouse where a group of scientists and engineers were working on a piece of equipment. Upon getting closer, Cinque saw that the piece of equipment was a glass case with a pendant within it. No, not a pendant. An Armed Device. A device of ancient Belkan technology. But unlike the armed devices that Cinque had seen with the Wolkenritter who worked with Yagami Hayate, this armed device wasn't shaped like a small version of a weapon. A circular shape with blades running down on the sides in a wing-like manner that seemed to tell anyone who looked at it that it wasn't a friendly device. The moment Cinque saw the device, the device seemed to act up, releasing a large amount of magical energy that cracked the glass and surprising everyone.

"A device that has its own magical output?"

Cinque could not believe what she was seeing. A device that did not require a mage to use magic was unheard of. Devices were mainly there to amplify and to direct a mage's magical energy.

"This is the first time it reacted to anything."

Silva mused, watching the engineers panic as they scramble about to find ways to get the device to settle down.

"... I don't think the device would listen to me."

Cinque shook her head.

"Why? You're the copy of the descendent. Surely it would respond to you."

"That is precisely the reason why it would not listen to me. I'm not its owner, merely a copy. A false imitation."

"... You wouldn't know until you tried."

Cinque looked up, and saw Silva looking back at her with a serious look. This was probably the first time she saw him with such a look. And it was because he had such a look that Cinque noticed for the first time that he was actually quite good looking, which added to the fact that his face was quite close to hers resulting in a slight blush.

"Look, people are filled with flaws. Be it from their actions or from the actions of others. There is no perfection in people. Whether it is the most powerful mage, or the lowest of the street rats, everyone has their own flaws. Some more than others, of course. But it is what we choose to do with our lives that had been given to us that would eventually lead us to where we would stand. What were you fighting for, Cinque Nakajima? Why did you defy my instructions to not get any more involved with this case? What motivates you to go on?"

Cinque thought about it. What pushed her. Her family, her friends, her right to be free and be alive.

"Have you forgotten them? Would you just discard them so simply all because you refused to take a step forward?"

Those words were sharp and struck Cinque hard. Taking a step forward. That was what she told herself some time before, that all she needed to do to change her life was to take that first step. Choosing rehabilitation rather than going to jail. Being adopted into the Nakajima family. Joining the TSAB as a front-line mage. All of these were great defining moments in her life. Each time she came to the intersection between decisions, she had always vowed to be brave and take that first step. Don't look back, don't be afraid, don't regret the choice. All she needed to do was to keep walking.

She looked to the menacing device that was struggling against the magical restraints that was applied onto it. It was a symbol of a way out, as well as being an obstacle. She knew that at her current state, she was powerless to do anything. She would not be able to stand up against Tre, or against the doctor. She needed the power, the strength to stand up for herself and protect what she holds dear to herself. The power of the Huterin der Zeit, a power that wasn't hers to hold. She stepped up to the device, the engineers moving out of her as she placed her hand over the device. The sheer magical power that was coming out of the device was overwhelming.

It felt like it was constricting around her wind pipe, choking the life out of her. Intense pain, suffering, and anger. These were the emotions that poured into her mind from the device. It was mourning for the lost of its owner. The lost of the people who rightfully held it. It knew what had happened to Seria Avenir and the rest of the Avenir family. It also knew that Cinque wasn't Seria, though they shared the same face and blood, it knew she wasn't the rightful owner. It hated her, trying to force her away from its side.

"... I... I know I don't have the right. But please, i need your strength. To avenge my original's death, to avenge Seria Avenir, your owner. I may be a poor imitation, and I don't want you to acknowledge me. All I want is for you to help me. I want to protect what is important to me, my family, my friends... and I want to prove that my existence is mine alone."

The device flared out once more in defiance, trying to force Cinque away, but Cinque held on firmly. She would prove that she has the right to stand where she is now. That she deserved to live as much as the next person. It did not matter if under her skin were circuits, wires and metal pieces. Ginga and Subaru showed her that even being a cyborg built for combat, they could still choose to live their lives in ways that they wanted.

"You're like me, aren't you. Unable to help your owners, only watching them from afar. Don't you hate it? Being unable to do anything? Being unable to help those who were dear to you? Do you want to let that pretender take away your master's honour? Answer me! EINZELGANGER!"

The device released a large wave of magical energy, blowing away everyone else but Cinque.

'Initialisieren [initialize]'

The cool stoic voice came from the device. Cinque knew what it needed. What it wanted.

"... Thank you... Access!"

'Zugriff [access]'

A bright light blinded everyone as the device transformed both itself and Cinque. Cinque's old barrier jacket of the cyborg uniform with her shell coat was now replaced with a Belkan military styled uniform, mini skirt, fingerless gloves, thigh high black socks, belt, boots, waist attached cape, her shell coat over, and a red ragged scarf that was loosely wrapped around her neck. In her hand, the device known as Einzelganger had become a single edged long blade. It was similar in style to Signum's Laevatein, but longer and thinner.

Hovering behind Cinque were more blades that were positioned like two wings stretching out from her back. At first, the entire barrier jacket was black. Einzelganger had sent an image into Cinque's mind of a warrior in Belkan knight armour that was painted black, utilizing Einzelganger in the same way she was. It was the Huterin der Zeit, the original owner and chosen knight of Olivie Segbrecht. But soon the barrier jacket changed colour to white, her shell coat still having the colour of dark brown, and the scarf still being red.

In her mind, Cinque felt as though the voice of the original owner was speaking directly to her. It was soothing and calm, putting all of Cinque's worries at ease. And with it, spells, skills and even memories all flowed into her mind. Not only did the device accept her, but the original owner as well. The Huterin der Zeit, known as-

"Serena Avenir... thank you."


"We're under attack!"

A sudden alert rang out throughout the warehouse, turning everyone's focus to the entrance, where a loud explosion erupted. Bursting through the entrance way were large genetic beasts. These were the same ones that attacked Cinque down at the fifth district. The soldiers all took up formation and started to fire at the genetic beasts. The creatures charged without care, ploughing through the soldiers with ease.

"These beasts... were they attracted by Einzelganger?"

Cinque looked at her new device in her hand. The device projected an image into her mind. It showed the Huterin der Zeit, Serena Avenir, using Einzelganger to gather the genetic beasts to her cause.

"... They were constantly searching for Einzelganger and the next guardian. And since i awakened Einzelganger, they have come."

Cinque understood now why they have reappeared. With the death of Seria Avenir, they set out to find the next person who would be the guardian, unaware that the ancient Belkan line of Kings had ended many years ago. The false pretender, the one who claimed to be the new guardian of the Word of Time, had caused confusion amongst these creatures. And now Cinque was the one holding onto the awakened device that was the symbol of their last master. She became the beacon to which these beasts would be drawn to. But because of the appearance of both her, and the pretender, the beasts were no longer able to be controlled.

"They're berserk. I cannot control them."

Cinque knew that she could not help them. They were simple creatures, driven by their instincts to find and guard the Word of Time. Cinque felt sad for them. Unable to determine what they wanted, unable to live for themselves. And even if they did live for their duty, they had lost that as well. The least she could do for them was to let them rest without worry.

"Einzelganger... please."

She looked to her device.

'Ja Wohl, Mein Souveran. Fenrisulfr form.[Understood, my Sovereign. Fenris form]'

Einzelganger split itself into two blades, and the rest of the blades that hovered around her faced forward in formation.

"Go!"

'Schwert Regen [Sword Rain]'

The swords shot forward, each cutting through a genetic beast with ease. More beasts came through the entrance, their roar deafening the warehouse. The swords reformed their formation by Cinque and flew out once more. A few embedded themselves in some of the charging beasts, unable to cut through the beasts' thick flesh.

'Explosion'

The swords each exploded, causing a large enough force that it knocked all things around far across the warehouse. The swords re-materialized in formation behind Cinque once more. Before the smoke could clear, three genetic beasts emerged. They were slightly injured, but still dangerous. Cinque rushed forward, raising Einzelganger to strike.

'Schwertertanz [Sword Dance]'

The blades around Cinque flew about the genetic beasts, each cutting at the enemy as Cinque moved in for the final blow. Working in unison with the blades, Cinque's fluid attacks were similar to that of a dance, one fluid motion that encompasses multiple slashes and stabs. A second genetic beast threw a punch at Cinque, but Einzelganger immediately responded without Cinque needing to tell it.

'Schutz [Protection]'

The swords immediately formed up, shielding her from the attack. Two additional swords stabbed the arm of the beasts, causing it to retract it's fist.

'Explosion'

The two blades in the beast exploded, completely severing the arm.

'Riesen Schwert [Giant Sword]'

The blades gather together, melding into one giant blade that Cinque took and swung it down with both speed and strength that it cut the beast cleanly in two, straight down the middle. The third beast tried to attack from behind, but the giant blade in Cinque's hand disappeared, in its place multiple blades appeared once more, surrounding the third beast in a sphere of swords.

'Blut Sarg [Blood Coffin]'

The swords all stabbed the beast at the same time, impaling the creature completely with numerous swords that kept materializing until the beast could no longer be seen. Standing there would be seen as a large mountain of swords.

'Explosion'


She understood what that meant, but the realization of what that information meant had caused her to be worried.

"... Are you sure of this, Yuuno-kun?"

She asked him, and he simply nodded.

"There is no 78th investigation division. I double checked all the databases in the TSAB. There was such a division, but they closed down five years ago."

"... That would mean... We need to find Cinque-chan now!"


Omake:

Nanoha: Raising Heart! Divine Buster!

RH: Yes, boss! Let's blow it up till nothing is left!

Nanoha: ... Boss?

Cinque: Shouldn't you be questioning something else?

Omake 2:

Nanoha: Excellion mode! Load Cartridge!

RH: WOOHOO! IT'S TIME TO BLOW UP A PLANET! BWAHAHAHA! YOU SUCKERS DON'T EVEN STAND A CHANCE NOW! HOPE YOU'VE SAID YOUR PRAYERS!

Nanoha: ... since when did you become so talkative?

Cinque: She isn't even noticing what that demonic device just said?

FW: It's called doping. And it involves both the device and the user. You could say that it is Nanoha's true voice.

Cinque: ... I see.

Omake 3:

Vita: Leave it to me to destroy the core. There is nothing Graf Eisen and I can't break

RH: If we're talking about destruction, we won't lose either!

Nanoha: 'We'? Me too?

Vita: Don't group me with the likes of you.

Omake 4:

Subaru: Gin-nee... one of your skills allow you to use your revolver knuckle like a drill, right?

Ginga: Well, in a way, yes. Why?

Subaru: ... Gin-nee! you can't! You're a dojikko so you shouldn't be going around with drills! It's dangerous!

Ginga: ... why can't I say anything back?

Cinque: Because it's the truth.

Omake 5:

Vivio: Mama... you look unhappy

Nanoha: Really?

Vivio: Yeah... Do you need to go pee pee? Because Vivio can bring you to the toilet!

Nanoha: ... er... no, mama can go by herself... more like I don't need to go.

FW: Kids are always trying to show off what they can do.

Omake 6:

Back during the JS incident, in the cradle

Vivio: Where have you taken my mama?

Nanoha: Vivio! It's me! Nanoha-mama!

Vivio: No... NO! I don't know why but you're too scary to be my mama!

Nanoha: ...Could my child raising methods be wrong?

FW: The Takamachi method of raising children is too similar to that of the Spartans

Vivio: So you're not my mama!

Nanoha: ... R.E.A.L.L.Y? I wonder if there are any bad children who don't listen to their mothers?

Vivio: !... I... I'm sorry... mama...

FW: What the... Nanoha! you're scaring her! Stop that murderous rage! Woah! The background is on fire!

Vivio: But I'm not your real child!

Nanoha: No, even if you were born from other people, the Vivio who cries can not be fake or artificial... Always being spoiled, crying often, unable to stand on her own after falling, always picky about eating her vegetables especially carrots and peas, oh and peppers too, needing to use the toilet so often that I might as well make your bedroom a bathroom, putting her underwear the wrong way, wetting the bed and then blaming it on others, always running to Fate-chan when I want to lecture her making me look like the one at fault... they are all part of the Vivio I love.

Vivio:... Mama... she's really upset about those things? I think she's getting angrier...

FW: Quick! Apologize while you're still alive!


A/N: This sets the whole thing up for the last stretch.

Note, Einzelganger (it isn't exactly spelt that way but there isn't a key for two dots on top of the 'a' so deal with it) translates to 'Lone Wolf'.

Since Cinque's technique is still the rumble detonator, it is fully used in her skills. Just instead of small daggers, she uses swords. Bigger bang.