On the Precipice Between Worlds. Chp. 6

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Marteddu

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"How does it feel, Emiya-san?"

"Strange, but in a good way."

Fate did her best to ignore Hayate's panting as Emiya and Yuuno spoke to one another. While Nanoha seemed merely confused by their friend's reactions to the dialogue, Fate knew the reason why Hayate was acting strangely, and didn't desire to be a part of in any way, shape, or form whatsoever.

Instead she looked upon Emiya Shirou being armed with proper equipment, courtesy of a breakthrough in regards to how Linker Cores interacted with the magic of his world. While the R&D team was throwing themselves at numerous revelations, courtesy of Emiya answering every question that he could, Yuuno had focused on properly arming their new ally.

Since he lacked a Linker Core, they initially believed that giving him an Intelligent Device and a Barrier Jacket would be out of the question, as both were incredibly energy-intensive for the "Circuits" that his people had.

However, once he described a method to transfer energy between individuals, so that some Magi would be able to cast spells that they were previously unable to cast, Yuuno realized that while Circuits gave off less power than Linker Cores, they were more receptive towards receiving foreign forms of energy.

Thus, Nanoha, Hayate, and herself were now providing energy to Emiya, and the results exceeded all expectations. Not only were they able to supply him with enough power to power an Intelligent Device of his own, as well as a Barrier Jacket, but since it was going through his own circuits, their power supply could be used perfectly as his own.

Meaning that he didn't need to hold back as he fought.

"Trace On." With the utterance of simple chant, Fate felt the tiniest drop in power within her Linker Core, and that drop in power was magnified by the hyper-refined magic systems utilized by Emiya's people. For the paltry amount of power, she gave, not even enough to move an inch in the air, her new ally forged several dozen, iron swords from nothing and kept them aloft around him. Not only that, but he also cast the magical technique he called "Reinforcement" upon himself as he did so, which allowed him superhuman reaction times, durability and speed. "Yes. There are no problems. I'd prefer to use your cartridges if possible, to not endanger Fate, Nanoha, and Hayate, but we need to act quickly."

"I'll work on that and make it happen as soon as I can, Emiya-san, but for now this the best that we can do on a short notice." Yuuno gestured towards the rest of the laboratory, outside of the testing room, and they all looked upon the frantic action taking place everywhere. Nanoha and Hayate winced at the work taking place, but Fate took note of how Emiya approved of it as she did. It was always nice to know that those doing research are working to support those at the front. "Would you mind testing out something particularly strong? Something that you would otherwise not use out of concern for your power?"

Emiya replied through action and not words, as he held out his hand, and called upon his power.

Fate took note of the negligible amount of power taken from her, as absolutely immense sword composed of sharpened obsidian, and reeking with power appeared in Emiya's hand. The weight of the immense blade crashed upon him, and made the tiles beneath his feet groan, but he held it one hand. She hypothesized that he was also Reinforcing himself in order to hold the massive weapon, or that the weapon itself gave him more strength.

"This is… incredible. It would take everything I have, normally, to use this and its technique." Something crept into Emiya's voice that Fate couldn't help but smile at. His usual composure and calm demeanor was something she appreciated. His professionalism was a breath of fresh air, in a way, given the company that she kept. Still, as a giddy smile formed upon his face, the smile on her own face widened. She recalled the moments in which she felt herself progress and grow stronger and felt glad that he felt the same pride that she did. "With this power… I'm sure I'll be able to help you all against Charon and the Clocktower."

Fate couldn't help but shake her head at the words, and Nanoha took that moment to reply for both of them.

"Eh!? You still think you need to help us more, Shirou-kun!?" Nanoha all but ignored Yuuno's attempt to stop her from walking into the testing room. Fate watched with a wry smile, as her auburn-haired friend closed the distance between herself and the red-haired young man, until she placed a pointed finger on his chest. "You've helped us plenty already, mister! Fighting against two organizations, and helping out the TSAB, is something completely extra!"

Emiya held up his hands, to attempt to calm Nanoha, but Fate couldn't help but simply smile and shake her head.

There was no stopping Nanoha now.

And, even if she could stop her, Fate wouldn't.

She believed that Emiya needed to recognize himself, and his achievements, as much as Nanoha did.

…

Fate and Nanoha both believed in maintaining their physical abilities, despite their status as officers and magical abilities. The edge granted by being able to react quickly, and move with practiced skill in combat, was something that couldn't be underestimated. It was a belief that most combat-oriented individuals in the TSAB followed, however Fate thought that that more people should invest more of their time than they usually did.

While she and Nanoha saw most of the crew once a week at the ship's gymnasium, no one attended it as frequently as she and Nanoha did.

Until the ship received its newest member.

"Good morning, Testarossa-san. Takamachi-san." Emiya Shirou fought against a practice dummy wielding a baton in the ring at the center of the gym. With a glance, Fate ascertained that he was fighting it at its highest speed, which was the absolute pinnacle of human reaction time… and winning handily against it. His breathing was steady, he did not sweat, and his voice was even as he spoke to them. "You're both early today."

"We decided to give you company, in exchange for breakfast, Shirou-kun!" Nanoha was utterly shameless in her declaration. Emiya liked to cook his own meals, and assist the kitchen, as it was his preferred hobby. The cafeteria was more than happy to take him own, given their workload of servicing three shifts at nearly all times, and in exchange he was allowed to prepare his own meals with the ship's kitchen. His preference of Japanese meals, naturally, led to Nanoha to wanting to eat breakfast with him. "I want grilled mackerel and miso soup, today!"

"You always do, Takamachi-san."

"It's because it's the best, especially with eggs, rice, and natto!" Nanoha laughed, before slipping into the ring, and taking a pair of gloves from one of the posts as she did. The combat training dummy was confused for a moment, until Emiya deactivated it with a click. Fate considered taking a pair of gloves herself, before decided against it and beginning to limber up. "Now… if I win this time… I get an extra bowl of rice!"

"Glutton."

"You take that back! I'm a perfectly healthy young woman, Shirou-kun!"

Fate idly took note of Nanoha's smile at the snark sent her way, and the small, honest smirk on Emiya's face. The two had an interesting dynamic, like two old friends who readily sent barbed words to one another. Fate preferred a cordial relationship, though a joke or two was always welcome from time to time… if they were simple… and easy to understand.

Fate decided to simply continue stretching, instead of ruminating on jokes, and watched the ensuing fight.

Nanoha struck first in her white-and-blue tracksuit. Training and natural skill, as well as a healthy body, all lent themselves towards giving her friend speed and strength most normally wouldn't expect of a young woman of her size and stature. In the opening series of blows, Nanoha presented her preference for overwhelming force with a flurry of straightforward punches, as well as the necessary, ready footwork to not lose balance and chase after Emiya.

Unfortunately for Nanoha, Emiya was her worst opponent, since he was used to fighting against individuals far stronger than him, and his fighting style reflected that.

Emiya dictated the flow of battle, by moving swiftly and quickly within the ring, as well as reacting only to the attacks that he wished to react to. Most of Nanoha's attacks surged towards him to no avail, going after openings that allowed him to counterattack, and disrupt a potentially fatal follow up. The method of fighting risked everything, but Fate could understand the theory behind it. In a world with as little magic as his own, in order to be effective, he had to take risks that they did not.

It was a style based off of counterattacks, evasion, and all-or-nothing gambits, which Fate found herself respecting… but knew that Nanoha was immensely incensed by.

And, that served only to make the spar even more one-sided.

Fate watched after she finished limbering up, to see if her friend would implement any of her advice, and watched with great interest.

She could only sigh as Nanoha cried out of instinct, as she followed through with a feint, and unleashed a kick at Emiya's midsection.

Naturally, with such an outcry, he would catch the blow!

After shaking her head, Fate was unsurprised to see Nanoha on the floor, but she was surprised by the grin that her friend was sporting, until she looked at Emiya's raised eyebrow.

And the reddening welt on his cheek.

"Heh… try and justify THAT Shirou-kun!" Nanoha was quick to get back up, bouncing off the ring with practiced ease, and Fate was sure she had a large grin on her face as she spoke to their ally. "If you have someone fighting you who's willing to take a blow to hit you… what do you then?"

With years of experience in regards to her friend, Fate was able to deduce what occurred.

Though Nanoha was once again knocked down in the spare, this time Emiya's victory was pyrrhic, as she had struck him as she went down. Indeed, while their red-haired friend's skills and techniques were incredibly useful, if he faced an opponent with the same willpower and determination as himself… then the outcome will surely become a slugging match that he could not win.

"I see, if the one I'm fighting resolves to take the blows from the very start…" Emiya mused and crossed his arms. Though he sported a wry grin on his face, Fate knew him well enough to know that he was considering the situation very carefully. He had the same look in his eyes as when he did his utmost to divulge all he could in order to find Charon, and protect the TSAB from any retaliation from the Clocktower. "…and they're incredibly strong and tough, I should choose another form of fighting."

"That's right! You're not just fighting weirdos, or people who'll run away! If you fight against soldiers, or knights, or the people that Fate and I usually fight, you need to be more careful!" Nanoha's words had Fate nodding with understanding. In his time as an Enforcer, the Clocktower's form of a police force, Emiya related that he primarily fought monsters, researchers without morals, or a combination of the two. Such beings are very different from soldiers willing to lay down their lives for a cause. "A lot of them are just going to try to take you out no matter what, and they won't bother to try and make it fancy!"

Against the likes of powerful monsters, self-aggrandizing Magi, and those overtaken by madness and power, Emiya's style of fighting was incredibly useful. However, while Fate understood that and accepted it, if someone faced off against him with the resolve to die, and was willing to use whatever underhanded tricks necessary to win, then the fight would be effectively be an even fight between him and his foe.

And, of course, even fights are something to be avoided whenever possible.

"…I'll make sure to find a way to overcome this weakness as soon as possible." Emiya understood the message as well as Fate did, and she couldn't help but nod at him in approval as he acknowledged his own weakness. She expected him to do so, as he wasn't the sort of person to take pride his techniques and refuse to change. No, in fact, he was the opposite. He would change in accordance with the situation, even if it meant wallowing in the much, in order to be victorious. Being prepared to face individuals with grit and the intention to do anything to win required changes to his method of fighting, so he would change. "Now… I guess it's time for a crash course in that lesson?"

"Indeed, Emiya. I'll do my best to make you proficient in fighting such foes starting now." Fate discarded her jacket, and after a moment of contemplation, pulled low the matching tracksuit pants she wore. Thus, she was left wearing only a fitted athletic top and shorts, while in her sneakers and with hair up. She'd normally be embarrassed to be clad in such clothes in front of a man, but she dashed aside those thoughts when she considered the situation. She would rather trust Emiya to not ogle her, and to learn from her at her best, than risk giving him a substandard lesson, and have him risk his life. "I'll be coming at you with the intent to defeat you, even if it means getting defeated myself. You will do your best to defeat me without incurring terrible damage upon yourself in the process."

Nanoha helped her onto the ring, before grinning and heading towards one of the treadmills, but Fate paid her friend no further attention.

After all, it was time for her to give a lesson which will help her friend stay alive, and so she will with the utmost of her ability.

"Are you ready, Emiya-kun?"

"Please take care of me, Testarossa-sensei."

Fate appreciated the bow and candor sent her way for a moment, before charging forward without holding back.