Disclaimer: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha belongs to Seven Arcs and all respective license holders. The Persona Series belongs to ATLUS. I only own this fic and nothing else. I also own all the mistakes too.


Chapter 2: Pushing Limits

"Bullshit," Ryuji typed into the chat so quickly and efficiently that he might as well have typed even before Ren told them what had happened.

"Ooh, Ooh, so when does the rival girl show up and they have a steamy lesbian romance?" Futaba was just as quick to add. "Or wait maybe you're like the Tuxedo Mask, but less douchey. I mean you already technically look good tall, dark, and, wearing stuff on your face. On second thought, no don't. She's like 9 right? That'd be super creepers," she then followed right after.

"I mean wasn't it already creepy that she was like a middle schooler and he was in college? But wait no that's not the point. Ren you're not doing anything illegal right?" Ann chimed in afterwards, her concern showing through the words on the screen.

"Ren, I hope you're not indulging in less than legal behavior. I don't know how well we'd be able to get you out of Juvenile Hall a second time," Makoto began to badger him through the group chat.

"Ren wouldn't do that, I'm sure he's just getting along well with this Nanoha-chan and is just indulging in her imaginations. I mean, many children at that age also imagine themselves as superheroes or other larger than life figures," Haru said, the first to defend him so far.

"Hmm… if that is the case, perhaps I should head down to Uminari myself. Maybe she can provide inspiration for my next piece," Yusuke said, clearly still in his own little art world. Luckily he was at least attached enough to the conversation however. "Ren, be sure to not be found in a compromising situation with her that the police might construe as untoward. You remember what happened that time we rented a boat out."

"Wait, what happened? What boat?" Ryuji began to ask, adding a few extra question marks following such.

"Ooooh? Something we should know something about Inari?" Futaba began to prod. The image of her smirking face came clearly to Ren's mind as he read it.

"Stop that, we were just misconstrued as a couple is all. Just a simple misunderstanding," Yusuke clarified in as a straight a manner as possible.

"Ren and Yusuke…" Ann typed out, the surprise and contemplation coming through.

"Um Ren… never mind. Back on topic however, and disregarding the whole magical girl business, we still haven't discussed when we'd be meeting up again," Makoto said, her natural leadership bleeding through the screen.

"Right, I think Golden Weekend is probably our best bet to meet up again. We could just drive down to his place, pick him and Morgana up, and hightail back to Tokyo before anyone knows he's gone," Ryuji offered first. Ren could see his toothy grin through the text, the obvious confidence in his plan was easy to imagine.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. Makoto and I will also have a break from College at that time as well, so we should be free. Except I think I might have a better idea. Uminari is near the sea right? Let me see if I can set something up for that time," Haru stated, her prim giddiness shining through her texts.

"Oh? What is it?" Ann asked, curious as to what the Okumura heiress was wanting to do.

"Hmmm… It's a surprise," Haru coyly typed out into the chat.

"Aw man I forgot about that. You guys have a beach right? What's it like?" Futaba asked, shifting the conversation to him.

"I've never been to it." Or maybe he didn't remember. Either way nothing came to mind when it came to the idea of Uminari Beach.

"Well first time for everything then. I'll have to bring more blues. I want to better capture the sea than I did last time. And besides we as a whole group haven't gone to the beach together in a while, let alone with Haru-san."

"So, it's settled then. Man, I have to buy a new swimsuit then. I wonder if my modeling agency might let me do some swimsuit work. It would really help me in deciding," Ann said, giddy to go shopping again. "Ladies let's go shopping right before summer starts!"

"But the one you guys got me is still fine," Futaba chimed in, though Ren couldn't tell if she was confused or whining based on the chat.

"I'll have to agree with Ann here. It's the perfect time to buy a new one." Even Makoto wanted to buy a new swimsuit apparently.

"It'll be just us girls then," Haru added.

"Right, but us guys are here too you know," Ryuji reminded them. "Anyways, Ren take care of yourself alright? And try not to get labeled a pedo until we get there."

"Yes, wouldn't want anything of the sort to happen before we can see one another again," Yusuke followed.

"TTYL Ren," Futaba texted before going offline.

"Yes, also be sure to keep up with your studies," Makoto said before leaving herself

"Let's try the new coffee beans I'm growing next time we meet." Then Haru went offline.

"Later Ren, got to get back to get back to this hunt so I'll talk to you some other time," Ann said… He forgot she loved to play video games.

"Well they certainly haven't changed," Morgana finally spoke. "I guess it's to be expected they didn't believe you. I mean what we saw was kind of crazy even by our standards," the cat admitted as he began to stretch himself out on top of the dinner table.

"You're right, but at least we tried. Besides, even if they did believe me, I couldn't ask them to just drop everything to try and help," Ren said as he shut off his phone, getting up to wash the dishes.

"Yeah there is that," Morgana said as he kept looking at his human companion as we moved over to the sink. "Still, what could they do in this situation that you aren't already doing? I mean we're more like support and ideas. It's Miss Nanoha that has to do the heavy lifting. Honestly at this rate, she might not even need us. In fact, we might become more of a hindrance than help." It wasn't until after he said that that Ren realized he was squeezing the dishes to tightly and-

"Woah!" he said, letting the plate slip from his grasp, only to catch it in time before it could collide with anything. "Phew…"

"Nice one!" Morgana said, as he jumped onto the nearby counter top from the dining table. "But back to my point. This isn't the Metaverse and we don't have a Personas. Heck I can't even hold anything in these paws. I know it might be hardest for you, since you have so much potential, but perhaps this is our limit in this case. I had to learn the hard way that I couldn't do anything without you guys, something you know all too well. In this case we just have to learn that this isn't a problem we can solve without her."

The words stung Ren. He remembered what it was like to be powerless, to lack control over the situation. However, he also remembered the opposite, being completely able to do what he wanted, to do whatever it was that he wanted. It was freedom, emancipation, to wield that power. He truly felt on top of the world every time he dove into the Metaverse to change those who were the worst of society and to make the world a better place. To see the good, he and his team brought thanks to the power of Persona, made him smile each time he remembered. And then that power went away as quickly as it appeared. It was a choice he made himself; a decision made in defiance of a god, for the benefit of mankind. Just this instance though, he regretted that decision. Reaching down into the water filled sink he found it empty.

"Done already? It's not too late, but you spent today fighting that monster, so you should probably take it easy. You have school tomorrow after all. Get some rest," Morgana suggested. A suggestion that he was not going to argue as he himself would have done so regardless. Morgana could only sigh in worry as he saw the bruises and abrasions on his body that revealed themselves when he took off his clothes and hidden armor he got from the airsoft shop as he prepped to take a bath. "I wonder what those two are doing?" the cat wondered as he looked out the window.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"Come on Yuuno, you're dirty and you need a bath!" Nanoha yelled as she began to try and catch her little animal friend. She was trying for the past 10 minutes to get him to take a bath with her. She didn't know why Yuuno didn't want to take a bath. I mean it's natural for owners and pets to take a bath together, right? She had managed to get him into the room right before the bath, but he was being stubborn.

"No that's alright, I'll be fine!" Yuuno said in a panic as he jumped out of the way of Nanoha's pounce.

"No, you need a bath mister and you're coming in with me whether you like it or not!" Nanoha stubbornly refused his pleas. "And gotcha!" She exclaimed just as she caught him.

"Nononononononono! I'll be fine, please let me go! Okay okay I'll go into the bath, but just stop holding me!" Yuuno bargained as he was unceremoniously carried into the bath only. Without further ado, Nanoha let herself sink into the still warm water letting out a relaxed sigh as she did so, Raising Heart rising to the surface alongside the rest of the necklace she wore to keep the Device close at hand.

"Nanoha-chan is everything alright in there?" her sister Miyuki asked. "I thought I heard something."

"Just Yuuno being stubborn. Don't worry, I got him in the end," Nanoha replied as he felt Yuuno squirm a bit in her arms.

"Alright but don't stay too long okay?" Miyuki warned before walking off.

"Got it!" Nanoha yelled to catch her before she went too far. "So Yuuno, what do you think of Ren and Morgana anyways? I mean they helped us out so far and I don't think they're bad people in the slightest. Do you think they're mages too?" Yuuno, upon hearing her ask, stopped squirming, becoming quite still in order to think and respond properly.

"That's the most likely case. However, it's strange in that they haven't tried to use magic or even a device at all so far, which leads me to believe that they're probably something different," Yuuno postulated, putting one of his stubby forearms to his chin.

"Device?" Nanoha asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"You know, like Raising Heart. Devices are a kind of Magical Terminal to augment a mage's magic or assist in the casting of spells, usually big ones that are difficult and long. They haven't used something similar to call a Barrier Jacket or augment their abilities, which is strange when you consider that Devices or an equivalent are fairly standard fare for any mage," Yuuno explained, but only leading Nanoha to be even more confused.

"So, they're not mages?" She asked, just coming out more and more frazzled the more she thought about it.

"Honestly, I don't have any idea. As I said before, it would probably be best to ask. Their actions so far don't lead me to think they're doing this for any sort of greed or personal gain," Yuuno continued as he began to finally relax in the bath despite his predicament.

"Yeah, I think Ren-san is a really good person. He's like Kyouya-niisan. Kind and dependable, brave and strong, even without magic. Honestly, I wonder who would win. I don't believe he's the kind of person to help for any ulterior motive, so I think we can trust him," Nanoha said as she finally let Yuuno go, to which he swam to the edge of the bath to gain a footing.

"What was it you said? You wanted to be like him?" Yuuno asked once he felt comfortable with his position.

"Um… yeah. It's kind of embarrassing now that you bring it up," she said with a flushed face as she sunk into the water so that all, but her head was covered. "But I mean, he was so brave even without magic. He was like a hero, never backing down or hesitating. I thought, I want to be like that too, standing tall no matter what; making a stand despite the odds and fighting to protect something."

"I think he's a good role model for that honestly. To be frank, had I not given Raising Heart to you, I might have given it to him in hindsight. He might not have had your magical talent, but his mentality would have been perfect,"

"Yeah, I wonder if I should really be keeping Raising Heart," she said as she stared at eh red device that floated in the water. "Maybe he'd do better with her than I could."

"While Ren Amamiya certainly has comparable magical potential, my Master is Nanoha Takamichi," the device responded, as if it wished to assuage Nanoha of her worries. In fact, perhaps that was indeed the case.

"Thank you, Raising Heart," Nanoha said, as she lifted the jewel out of the water to rub against her cheek.

"Interesting, so he has the makings for a powerful mage then?" Yuuno asked Raising Heart.

"Full Potential Unknown," was all Raising Heart said in response.

"That's… also interesting. Usually it gives out a definitive ranking possibility. I've never heard that response before," Yuuno said, curious as to the unique reply the Device gave out.

"What am I then?" Nanoha asked, curious as to her potential power.

"Currently, Master Nanoha Takamichi would be ranked AAA class," Raising replied, though Nanoha didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

"AAA Class!? That's amazing Nanoha!" Yuuno said, clearly in awe of the little girl's Mana Capacity, and answering Nanoha's question before she could ask it. "That already puts you up there with high ranking Officers!"

"Officers?" Nanoha was about to ask before-

"Nanoha-chan, you've been in there for a while now, what did I tell you about staying in for so long," Miyuki interrupted them.

"Sorry, I'm going to get out now!" Nanoha answered back. "Let's talk later, I want to go to bed now, okay Yuuno." She then grabbed Yuuno and proceeded to exit the bath.

"Uh, right… yeah. Let's go," he said, his fur around the cheeks turning a shade of red again. However, in the back of his mind he couldn't help but wonder, what Raising Heart meant by Ren's potential being unknown. Unless he had some kind of truly wild power… that was supposed to be impossible.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"Good Work today, Nanoha-chan," Ren told the tired girl as he carried her on his back. They had just finished getting their fifth seed and the effort had left the little 9-year-old absolutely tuckered out. It had gotten pretty late, certainly past her bed time, so even if she wasn't exhausted, she would have been sleepy all the same. Morgana and Yuuno following at their side, so as to allow Ren as much space to carry her as he needed.

"Sorry for making you carry me, Ren-san," she said sleepily while trying to lift her head out of his upper back, only to fail and begin using him as a pillow again.

"It's fine, I really didn't do anything tonight, so let me do at least this much for you. Get all the rest you need." Indeed, Nanoha had begun to improve at a rapid pace. For the third Jewel Seed they only needed to give her a bit of time to set up properly, leaving him to just make sure that no bystanders would get caught or even see the proceedings. By the fourth, she took care of it within moments of him pointing out its attack patterns and she struck the winning blow just right after. For tonight, all he did was make sure she stuck to procedure and that was it. He hadn't had to enter combat at all since the second seed.

"That's not true, Ren-san," Yuuno replied. "It's thanks to you that we can be as efficient as we're becoming. You take the lead and give precise instructions to Nanoha during combat to minimize the enemy's movements while maximizing our offense. You can find attack patterns and weaknesses within moments of encountering the target. Not only that but your strategies and tactics regarding each encounter are absolutely masterful. You are a natural tactical leader who can keep his head calm and collected no matter the circumstance. Those are rare valuable skills, especially at your age." Yuuno practically showered the teen in praise. It seems the ferret had not seen anyone so young with as much tactical ability as him.

"It's only natural. Jo- I mean Ren has lots of experience leading others and bringing the best out of them. And what he wasn't as good as, he learned to match from the others to at least a passable extent. Nanoha is a bit younger than what he's used to dealing with, but as always he adapted fast," Morgana said, proud that the others could see the worth of their Leader.

"Whenever you tell me to do something I know that it's the right thing to do, Ren-san. I always feel safe knowing you're watching out for me, like you'll always find a way out no matter what. If it weren't for you, I'd probably a lot more hurt than I am now," Nanoha told him, as she tried to get up again. "I'm really glad you're here with me, Ren-kun. I don't know what I'd do if you were not with us."

"Quite so. I'm afraid to imagine what might have become of us had you not also found us that day. Perhaps we would have already been done in by now," Yunno said with a shudder. "I will also admit that your presence is reassuring, as if you simply being here brings out more of what all of us are capable of."

"Let's not forget Miss Nanoha either though. She's come really far. I mean it's one thing to give great instructions, but it's another thing to execute them. Miss Nanoha has improved so much in so little time," Morgana reminded them. "At this rate all the other seeds will be a breeze. Her accuracy with her attacks is amazing, her timing is on point, and even her battle sense is incredible. You started to have the same ideas Ren did, and you haven't even been doing this for as long."

"Hehehe…" Nanoha laughed weakly, unable to deal with her rising embarrassment from the compliments. In response she tried to hide herself in Ren's back. "Oh, that reminds me," Nanoha said, her head perking. "Um, my dad runs the local kid's soccer team, and tomorrow my friends and I- Oh their names are Suzuka-chan and Alisa-chan, are supposed to cheer them on tomorrow. I asked dad and he said that it would be okay for you to come. Would you like to… you know…?"

"Sorry, but I have something I'm doing tomorrow," he told her. It was something he had planned to do for a while now. Tomorrow being Sunday, it was the only time he could really do it.

"I see," the girl replied cautiously, trying to keep her disappointment down. Though it would pass muster for most, Ren picked up on it.

"We can hang out some other time. Though I don't know what that says about a teenager hanging out with a elementary schooler." It said terrible things. However as long as a certain distance was maintained, it was fine.

"You're right," Nanoha admitted as an embarrassed smile crept its way on to her face. "But I trust you, Ren-san, and I'm sure that Alisa and Suzuka would like you too. I want all my friends to get along."

"I suppose that would be nice," Ren said to acquiesce to her. "Ah, we're here by the way." They had arrived at Nanoha's house just then. All was quiet and dark inside, most likely all the other residents had taken to bed for the night. "I'll let you down here then," he said as he crouched down to allow his passenger to touch the ground with her own two feet.

"Ah, thank you," Nanoha said as she tried to stand up, only to stumble again. "Woah!" She cried as she fell forward and back on to his back. "Sorry," she meekly let out as she realized she was leaning on him again, her face burning bright red and her heart beating quickly.

"No problem. It just means you've worked hard this past week." Ren stayed like that until Nanoha was able to stand back up on her own.

"A good night's rest and you should feel better in the morning," Morgana added as he climbed into Ren's bag.

"Yes, you've earned it Nanoha," Yuuno told her as he leapt onto her shoulder.

"Thanks guys. It's good to know you're all watching out for me. Especially you, Ren-san. Promise we'll hang out next time?" She asked, hoping that he would say yes, this time.

"Promise," Ren told her as he held out his phone. "We've already exchanged numbers, so just let me know if you want to hang out, okay?"

"Then let's shake on it!" Nanoha then held out her hand. This way the promise would be even more official, to her anyway. Then she saw the older boy laugh just a little bit, but nonetheless, his soft smile never left. What she didn't know was that he let slip just a little of something he kept hidden until that moment.

"Alright, princess. I promise." Ren let his Joker mask slip on for just a moment as, instead of simply shaking on it like Nanoha expected, he knelt down, gently taking her hand in his, and kissed the back of it ever so lightly. When he looked back up, her expression was worth it.

"Haaa!" She let out as she became embarrassed from head to toe and began to fidget uncontrollably.

"Hmm?" Ren then got up as he wondered if he had gone to far with his little prank.

"Mou!" She finally was able to muster and as she began to weakly pound against his stomach. "Don't do that so suddenly!"

"Oh, so you'd be okay with it if I told you first? How needy, princess." Now he was just having too much fun at his little companion's expense.

"Grrr…" Tears were beginning to form in her eyes from her indignation. Realizing he might have gone a bit too far, he relaxed himself and began to speak again.

"Sorry, about that. Just thought I'd tease you a bit. I didn't mean to go that far, Nanoha-chan" He apologized sincerely to the 9-year-old, making sure she heard him use her name instead of princess.

"Ah?" Nanoha was caught unawares by his apology. "Um…"

"You were just too cute to pass up for teasing. I'll refrain from doing such in the future," he promised her.

"No, it's okay, just… um…" Nanoha had never felt so completely flat footed before. She simply stood there, her hands held in front of her as she looked down towards the ground to avoid looking him in the eye. Why was he so stupid right now? She couldn't help but think as such, but for some reason she couldn't say she hated the way he acted just then. In fact, she thought it was kind of fun. At least the whole being treated by a gentleman part. Looking at Nanoha, he had to hold himself back from teasing her again.

"Good night Nanoha-chan, and remember. If you need anything, just let me know," he told her to steer the conversation back to normal. He waved his phone lightly to make sure she understood what he meant be letting him know. "Anyways I need my sleep too."

"Yeah, the two of us need to get going. Later guys!" Morgana added as he popped out of the bag to say goodbye.

"Um… okay. Be careful!" She said as she waved to him and Morgana goodbye. He soon walked off and past a corner out of sight. Once she confirmed that she couldn't see him again, she brought her hand down and realized it was the one he kissed. Curious, she began to bring it forward to her own lips. That was, before realizing what she was doing and, while blushing madly again, pulled it away and shook her head to try and get rid of the heat that surfaced beneath her face.

"Nanoha-chan, are you okay? Have you contracted a fever or something?" Yuuno asked, a little worried by the display.

"No, I don't think so. But just in case, I'll ask someone when I get the chance." Maybe her older sister would be able to tell her what was going on. As she and Yuuno made it back to the house, then into their room, Nanoha couldn't help but keep looking at her hand. It still felt warm where he kissed it.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"And they did great!" Her text read. "And after beating them, we went back to Midoriya and are having a celebratory party right now. Here's a picture." And within seconds a picture of Nanoha and two other girls, presumably the Alisa Bannings and Suzuka Tsukimura she mentioned yesterday, having deserts outside the café was sent and displaying on his phone. He couldn't tell which was which, but one of the girls sported long blond hair of which some of it was tied at the sides as small pigtails which curtained a pair of lurid green eyes. She wore a simple red dress that looked somewhat expensive. The other girl had purplish hair and eyes accented by a white headband. She wore what looked to be a modification of a sailor outfit with a pink ribbon at her chest. Poor Yuuno though, he was currently being squeezed tightly by the blonde one.

"Nice!" He texted back simply. Currently he was standing in a convenience store, deciding whether to buy a sports drink or regular water.

"Thanks! Though they're getting pretty suspicious of Yuuno-kun. Oh, Alicia is the blonde one, and Suzuka is the other," Nanoha replied, certainly outpacing his typing speed. "And then-" The text finished unnaturally.

"What's wrong?" Ren texted, worried something might have happened to them.

"No, it's nothing. I think I'm just still tired from last night. I'll be-" Again it finished unnaturally.

"Nanoha?"

"Sorry, my friends took my phone. They're worried what I meant by last night. I mean I didn't get hurt or anything," It seems Nanoha might not yet understand the implications. At least that's better than the alternative, Ren thought. "Anyways, I'm going to say goodbye to my friends here before going home. Good Luck with your thing!" Nanoha then followed it with an emoji to cheer him on. Ren couldn't help but smile. It was weird being adored as such. Closest thing he could think of was with Shinya. That was more a mentor/Big Brother kind of thing with him. Though when he put it like that it wasn't all that different.

"Looks like she still needs some rest huh?" Morgana said as he poked out from Ren's bag to look at the phone. "Woah! Those cakes in the photo look delicious! We have to get that next time we're there." Indeed, they looked nice and fluffy.

"Yeah, but let's leave that for next time," Ren said as he took the water in hand and took it to the counter. Not a moment after he was out and walking about the city. Uminari wasn't as big as Tokyo, but it still had a sizable population and the buildings to count as a city. Skyscrapers that reached high into the sky, packed buildings with nary a space for greenery outside of parks and the like, the hustle bustle of people going about their business, though more casually today since today was a Sunday.

"Right, but are you sure you can find it? I mean a Door to the Velvet Room? If there was one around you'd probably have found it by now," Morgana noted. They'd been back for at least a couple of months now. In that time, he hadn't found a single inkling of a door to the room. "Knowing those guys though, they'd only put one around if you needed it. Though I guess given recent circumstances, perhaps one has showed up recently."

"That's what I'm hoping for honestly," Ren said as he stopped right next then going down an alley way. He'd kept this up since he'd left the house this morning. "Maybe down here?"

"Maybe, I mean didn't you say one showed up next to the Airsoft shop? And another was in the Red-Light District in Shinjuku near where Chihaya was. So maybe instead of random alley ways, we should be checking places we frequent instead." It was a possibility. Problem however, he had no places he frequented in Uminari. He'd go to the Airsoft shop to trade with Iwai, either buying or selling, in order to gear up for their heists. That was if he wasn't working there. Chihaya he went back to not only to solve her problems but also to get fortunes, mostly in relationships and sometimes in learning skills or other things as he needed. But here, the place outside of home and school he frequented was… Midoriya and that was only a few times in order to meet up with Nanoha. "That look tells me nothing's coming to mind when it comes to places you frequent."

"Yeah…" he replied dejectedly as he realized how pathetic it sounded for the former leader of The Phantom Thieves of Heart, to kind of be a loner right now. Once he reached the end of the alleyway, of which just led him back to another open street. He reached into his pocket to look at it once more. In his hand was a velvet key, given to him by Lavenza before he left Tokyo. Apparently, he was supposed to normally receive it as soon as he became a guest of the room. Circumstances prevented that obviously, and he ironically was only given the key after he didn't need their services anymore, at the time anyway. Now it served as his only beacon in hopes that he could find that room again, maybe even obtain the Metaverse App, or just anything so that he could aid Nanoha better.

She's doing fine now, but he was beginning to doubt if she could keep it up. In only a week, five Jewel Seeds had appeared, basically a blitz compared to the trials he had to face. It was clear that it was getting to her, given that she how completely exhausted she had become last night, curfew notwithstanding. As what was basically the adult of the group, he had to find a way to lessen the burden. The only way he could think of though, was to get his powers back. And for that he hoped to find the Velvet Room again. Looking around he saw another alley and began to go down it.

"Maybe this is what Sae-san felt when she apologized for leaving all the work to us." Sae, or Sae Niijima was Makoto's older sister. Though she helped to figure out that it was Shido that was behind it all, in the end it was up to them to steal his heart. When he thought it about it, yeah? He pretty much was in Sae's position now. He could only provide a support position to Nanoha, and while he could help pin things down, it was up to her to finish things off. Hopefully Nanoha wouldn't become like him and start saying things like 'Screw Shitty Adults' and things like that. As he reached the end of that particular alley way however-

"Huh, those kids." Once he got out, Ren saw a pair of kids, a girl and a boy, at the other side of the street, waiting in front of the cross walk. They seemed to be wearing sports jerseys and pants. They looked like the uniforms of the soccer team that Nanoha sent a picture of. The two of them had that puppy love atmosphere that Ren couldn't help but be embarrassed to see. He should probably leave them alone. Just as he was about to turn away however a shining light shot up from where they were standing. Ren knew that light.

"A Jewel Seed!" Morgana quickly pointed out. It was the only explanation as to what was happening. "Look out!" Suddenly from where the young couple was standing, foliage was beginning to grow at an astounding pace, tree branches and the like bursting through the concrete as if it were but sand. The ground shook immensely to the point that even Ren fell to his knees, unable to keep upright. As he looked above he could see the foliage growing past the surrounding buildings, beginning to eclipse even the sky scrapers that stood high in to the sky. It seemed like it would just reach as high as it could without end, and reach out just as far. In all of this however he heard something from above. Instinctually he threw Morgana and his bag off to the side and into the clear space. "Ren!" was all the Cat could say as he saw his friend buried beneath rubble that had been loosened from the disaster brought out by the Jewel Seed. Made even worse by being ground zero for the event. For Ren though, all he could see was darkness.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"…" He thought he heard something. He tried to see if he could move the debris that was supposed to be on his back away, only to find that he didn't feel anything of the sort. He still felt his limbs, his body, and his mind, but it was more like he felt like he was in empty space. "…ks…r…" there it was again, only this time he could make out something. He tried to hone his senses, open his eyes, and do whatever it was that he needed to wake up. "Trickster, can you hear me?"

Suddenly his eyes snapped open, to greet them were a pair dainty black shoes worn by a lithe pair of legs adorned by warm looking socks. Slowly he got up, making sure not to agitate anything that might have been hurt from the falling debris.

"You need not worry about your physical body, it is injured but most certainly fine. For now however, we are currently in a world between dreams and reality," he heard her say as he finally dusted his pants and looked straight at the one currently speaking to him… well he had to look just a bit a ways down. In front of him stood a little girl who looked no older than Nanoha. She had long platinum length hair that was adorned by a velvet blue headband that had silver and gold flower butterfly attachments at the sides near her ears. The dress she wore was also velvet blue and black simple and lacking adornment save for a simple V symbol in gold at the center of her chest. And in her black glove covered arms was a velvet blue book patterned with magical circles. "It is good to see you again Trickster," the girl greeted him, her gold eyes warmly receiving him.

"Hey, Lavenza," he replied back, happy to see her again. "But where are we. This isn't the Velvet Room," indeed it was just a black space. There was nothing as far as the eye could see. It was just… nothing at all.

"I'm sorry to say, but you are indeed correct. This is not the Velvet Room. As someone who has completed their Journey, you are not in need of the room's services," Lavenza stated to him.

"Yeah, about that… you see…"

"I know what you wish to ask for," she began, cutting him off. He could see a bit of Caroline in her for a moment. "However, I must apologize, but we in the Velvet Room currently cannot assist you."

"Why not?" Ren asked, almost in complete disbelief. All this time he'd thought that if he could find the room again he could maybe get his power back. But now that he's gotten so close, he's being told straight away that he'd have to go home empty handed?

"Simply put you cannot use our services as you are now. I wish I could give you a better explanation but that is simply all that I am allowed to tell you," Lavenza said as she then gave him as deep a bow as she could. "I'm sorry." Though he was tempted to do so, he refrained from letting himself get angry. Not at Lavenza, especially not when she was, with her whole heart, apologizing to him for not being able to help him.

"I… I'm not going to say I understand, but I trust you Lavenza. Besides, not like it's any different from when I was in rehabilitation." At least they weren't holding him in a cell this time. Lavenza giggled a bit at his joke.

"Indeed, but know this my Trickster. When the time comes, we will be more than happy to assist you. Just remember that you are still a man without compare in this world. I know that whatever may befall you. You can overcome it so long as you do not give up." Lavenza then gave him a warm, happy smile to the person she loved most in the world. "Please, though the game has changed, and the rules different, you can still win as long as you do not give up. Please show me once more, why it is that I love you so, my Trickster. Show the world once more, why you could stand up to a god, and attain victory." And like that she began to fade into the ether, replaced then by a glowing blue butterfly that flew far and away, farther than his eyes could see. And what entered his vision next, was light.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"Ren, Ren! Wake up! Ren! Please, Wake up!" His flickered awake as he felt his body being rocked gently, and yet ever more violently as each second passed, as if the one doing so was getting more desperate as time went on. From what he could see it was still day outside and that the one trying to wake him up was- "Thank goodness. You're alright!" He heard Nanoha tell him, prompting him to wake up to figure out just what was going on.

"Nanoha? What's going on?" before he was given an answer, he felt the Nanoha bring him into embrace. Still confused he looked around to find Morgana and Yuuno both giving him looks of relief.

"You had us worried there, Ren. Seriously, you couldn't have dove out of the way instead of just tossing me like a bag of trash?" Though Morgana was joking, it was clear that he was absolutely ecstatic to see his friends fine, save for a few scuffs and bruises that were showing. "Sorry to say though, I don't think it'll leave a scar. Ladies love scars, but it's not like you needed them before."

"Really? I wasn't aware that proof of injury was so attractive. But that's not the point, are you alright Ren-san?" Yuuno asked him still somewhat worried about him. "Though I was able to heal your injuries I might have missed a few."

"You better tell us if something is wrong," he heard Nanoha say into his chest, still not letting him go as if he'd disappear at any moment.

"I'm," he began as he one by one felt around to make sure that nothing was out of the ordinary. "I'm fine, still a little out of it, but I'm fine. Based on the fact that you two are here and not panicking then, I guess you guys took care of the seed?"

"That's right, we found the source of it right away and were able to neutralize the threat immediately. But then afterwards, Nanoha-chan and I tried to contact you only to receive no reply. We searched desperately, hoping you two didn't get caught up in the damage."

"Then, we found Morgana and he told us you got caught under some rubble that fell down when the tree grew. I, I was scared when I saw you hurt. I thought you might have died," Nanoha cried as her embrace tightened remembering how frightened she was at the prospect of losing someone so close to her. Though they had not known each other for long, it was clear to him that she was beginning to value him a great deal, perhaps to the point where she can no longer imagine him being out of her life. Of course, that was just speculation on his part.

"But as you can see I'm fine. Yuuno, was anyone else hurt?" Looking at the ferret, he gave the young man a simple sideways nod to indicate no.

"As far as I can tell, we were lucky. I think you're the only one who was majorly injured today. At most, based on the chatter I'm picking up, there were just minor injuries," Yuuno told him.

"How come people aren't panicking?" He just realized. Normally after something of this scale, people would be completely in disarray. Sure, Japan would be abnormally calm about it, being able to funnel themselves to the shelters and such, but there would still be a commotion all the same.

"I made sure to set up a barrier so that people wouldn't remember or be in the area. Barriers are one of the magics I specialize in. Actually, they're probably one of the only ones I specialize in," Yuuno explained. "I've also set them up in all of our captures prior if it helps."

"That certainly explains a lot, but if you set up a barrier each time doesn't that mean you set one up the first time we met?" Morgana asked, curious about these barriers he was talking about.

"Well if you're wondering how you were able to meet us otherwise, then I suppose you two were just powerful enough to bypass it. That's normal, and besides that, I wasn't expecting anyone of your caliber to arrive. Though I suppose in retrospect it's a blessing in disguise," Yuuno said as he scurried over to Nanoha's side. "Nanoha-chan, I think you should let go of him." Only just then at his prompting did Nanoha realize that she had been clinging on to him this whole time.

"Sorry!" She cried in a panic as she worried that she might have done something unwanted. "It's just… Ren got hurt today because I wasn't vigilant enough. Lot's of people got hurt today. I'm still not good enough on my own. And then on top of that, when I think I might have lost Ren forever I… I…" tears began to well up in her eyes as she was about to break out into a cry. The thought that Ren could have died, that she'd never see him again, was truly beginning to sink in to her conscious mind. Every second that past further drove the point into her further and further, that her carelessness hurt one of the people she'd come to care for the most.

"Miss Nanoha, though it was a critical mistake, it isn't irrecoverable," Morgana began, his speaking managing to prevent Nanoha from completely breaking down as she paid attention to the seasoned feline. "It's not like Ren or I blame you for what happened or that we're really hurt. We all make mistakes. The difference however, will be made on whether or not you choose to learn from this. In this case, be sure that you truly understand what's at stake if we don't do our jobs. The city can recover this time, and Ren isn't too hurt by this, this time. Let's all strive in the future to get those Jewel Seeds more thoroughly then!"

"Morgana-kun…" Nanoha had clearly been assuaged by his words.

"Hey, Ren," he began to whisper to Ren. "I'm still scarily good if I don't say so myself. Think you can slip me some extra tuna tonight?" He pet Morgana on the head to which the cat let out an unintentional meow. "Hey, stop that!" Instead of stopping however, Ren turned to look at the little girl who still sat next to him.

"Hey, Nanoha-chan?"

"What is it Ren?"

"Hmm? When did you stop using san?" Yuuno asked.

"Be- Be quiet! Anyways what were you saying Ren?" Nanoha had become flustered again at Yuuno's question but tried to ignore it to the best of her ability.

"Well I was just going to say. Sorry for leaving it all to you. Morgana and I weren't able to help much, and in fact we kind of just ended up as dead weight this time. Talk about a failure of an adult then." Not that Ren considered himself an adult in the first place.

"Idiot!" She said as she hit him. It was just a light slap to the face, but still he hadn't expected Nanoha to actually hit him. "I don't care about that!" She told him as she looked at him eye to eye. "You said it right? We have to work together! This time maybe you couldn't do as much, but maybe next time you'll be the one who will do most of the work and I just have to finish it. As long as all of us make it out okay I don't care who does what. So please stop beating yourself up about this stuff, please?" she pleaded. It wasn't that Ren needed to be told that. Of course, it didn't matter who did what so long as everyone was safe in the end. But… he still couldn't help but feel that there was more he could do.

"You're right Nanoha-chan," He said to placate her. He accepted it in his mind, but his heart still couldn't let it go.

"Really? Are you not just saying that?" Ren made a mental note that Nanoha was sharp as a tack.

"How about we get out of this alleyway then before people show up?" He said as a distraction. At least here she was sidestepped.

"Oh, Right! Here!" she held out a hand to help him up. Deciding that if he couldn't completely agree with her, he would at least accept her offer to help. At this point, who knew what was in store for the two.

-0-0-2-0-0-

"Ren are you okay? We heard that there was some big damage that happened in Uminari," Futaba was first to text him on the group chat on his phone when he got home.

"Yeah, something about a terrorist attack or something. Police can't figure out who or what caused it though," Ryuji clarified, telling Ren just what the outside world that was going on.

"Apparently the damage was widespread and hit many areas, but no one was majorly hurt," Haru went on to say. "Ren please answer us if you can see this."

"Morgana and I are fine guys, thanks for worrying," He texted to make sure they knew he was well.

"Phew, even Big Sis was asking if you were okay. Glad to see you're alright, Ren." Makoto's visible face of relief popped up in his mind as he read that message, as well as Sae's.

"Yeah, Dad's been pacing the room like mad this whole time. I don't know if he was more worried for you or Mona. I've got to let him know you're okay," Futaba texted next.

"It would have been quite disastrous to see our leader in dire straight as it were. I myself was unable to even pick up a brush once I'd heard the news," Yusuke admitted.

"Like for real. It was like that time we had to pretend you died when we heard on the news about your suicide, or like, I mean, when Akechi-kun thought he killed you. Only this time I was shocked for real. I was even in the middle of a modeling session when the news broke," Ann recounted the moment when she was made aware of the incident.

"I'm fine, no damage to the area I live either, was a bit shaken," Ren texted them. It was a lie, but they couldn't tell that through text. And besides he did make it out fine in the end.

"Seriously, though. What do you think it could have been?" Ryuji asked the group. "Honestly, based on the picks it really doesn't look like it could have been a terrorist attack."

"I mean, no one's come to claim it, and not only that the damage looks more like trees run rampant than anything else. The way the damage runs across the streets, the way buildings have been pushed aside, it reminds me of pushy plants growing too quickly and greedily taking up nutrients and space," Haru pointed out… Ren thought it was quite scary how almost on the nose Haru's observation was. It was an observation that really would have come from someone who's past time was horticulture. "Of course, that would be ridiculous as even the biggest trees wouldn't be that big."

"It's interesting to think that events like this occur whenever Ren is around. Nothing even approaching this sort of event occurred in Tokyo ever since you left," Yusuke mused.

"Um… does that mean you weren't making stuff up when you were talking about being involved with Magical girls, Ren?" Makoto asked, cautiously.

"Oh don't bring it up guys. Isn't it just him playing with this Nanoha-chan?" Ann reminded them.

"You're right, but it would make sense. I mean magical girls probably have some ability to obfuscate their activities, and the giant monsters they fight every week would match the size of this kind of thing, and not only that the fact that no one is hurt is also something like in magical girl shows…" Futaba was beginning to really scare Ren. "Of course, not like that actually happened."

"Well if nothing else, we're just glad you're okay Ren," Ann told him. "I have to get back to this stupid homework."

"Yeah, Sojiro is saying don't forget to visit if you can. Laters!" Futaba then left the chat.

"I have to get back to my own studies as well, Good bye everyone." Makoto was next to leave.

"Get some rest, dude. After today, you're going to need it." Ryuji then signed off.

"I've just gotten some inspiration for a painting just now based on your survival and our reactions. I need to capitalize on it now so I'll be taking my leave here." Yusuke promptly left as well.

"Ren, if you need anything, just let us know, okay? We're here for you. Money isn't an issue. Neither is distance. Take care!" Haru said as she was the last to leave aside from himself.

"Man, we really do have the best kind of friends, don't we?" Morgana asked as he then plopped himself back down onto his bed.

"Yeah. I feel really bad about lying to them though," he admitted.

"Well, we have tried to tell them, but it's not like this stuff is easy to believe. Heck we haven't even begun to explain to Miss Nanoha who we are." Morgana brought up a very good point. Each time they were asked by the other half of their team, they simply shrugged and ignored the question all together. Overall the two of them just kept making sure to avoid the subject entirely. It wasn't like Personas were some major secret or anything. It's just that what could they do with it. Besides that, keeping it secret was more out of habit than anything else. Actually, perhaps it was about safety so that they couldn't be traced. That was probably it.

"Well if anything we have to make sure that we're prepared for anything next time," Ren said as he prepared for bed for the night.

"Yup, let's make sure that the next time a Jewel Seed Appears, we can deal with it no matter what it is."

-0-0-2-0-0-

"So yeah I'm pretty sure none of us were ready for this…" Morgana let out as the four of them just looked up blankly at the jewel seed target.

"MEOW," it let out as it stomped through the area. What the four of them saw was apparently Suzuka's cat walking around as a giant. Apparently while Nanoha was over at Suzuka's house to play with Alisa in tow, they detected the presence of a Jewel Seed. Before engaging they made sure to call Ren and Morgana over, who had been nearby trying to fish at the river.

"Well to explain, it probably had its wish to grow bigger granted. I'm guessing that's what happened anyways…" Yuuno said, completely dumbfounded that this was even possible to begin with.

"I-I see," Nanoha said as she rubbed her head in confusion.

"Nonetheless we have to turn it back to normal. Even the most benign of creatures will have dangers attached to them when a Jewel Seed is involved," Yuuno prompted everyone.

"Yeah, even Suzuka will have problems if the cat's that big," Nanoha stated.

"So far hasn't tried to attack us so I think it's still got its personality intact despite the change," Ren pointed out. "Morgana go!"

"What am I supposed to do? I mean yeah we're both cats but… Hey! Argh! Look there's nothing I can do in this situation. I can't even talk to cats!" Morgana told them angrily.

"Then Nanoha, Go!" Ren followed. To which the girl nodded. But before she could bring out Raising Heart!

"MEOW!" the giant cat yelped as it was pelted by an unknown flash of light from the distance, a light similar to the magic Nanoha uses.

"Magic? No way, but how?" Yuuno exclaimed, confirming the attack to be magic in origin. Noticing this, Nanoha immediately went into action.

"Raising Heart! Please!"

"Stand By Ready, Set Up!" In moments the girl became dressed in her barrier jacket. Pink wings then sprouted on her feet and she flew up into the air.

"More incoming, protect the Cat with whatever you got, Nanoha!" Ren commanded as he saw more coming in to pelt the poor pet.

"Roger!" Nanoha confirmed as she flew atop of the cat.

"Wide Area Protection!" Raising Heart said as it projected a magical shield to stop the incoming hail of magical fire. Each shot was then snuffed out of existence as it hit the barrier.

"Good Job! Look out!" Ren told her as a shot was then fired just below the barrier at the cat's feet. Unfortunately, this caused the cat to come tumbling down. Nanoha, none the worse for wear, jumped up and then floated down in front of the cat, keeping Raising Heart at the ready for whoever it was that had come to assail them.

"Maybe…" Ren heard from Yuuno perched on his shoulder. "Maybe there's nothing left for me to teach her…" Before Ren could answer that however, he heard someone land on a branch nearby.

The girl that stood there had long flowing blond hair tied into pig tails that reached her knees by two black ribbons. Her outfit was mostly dark, tied by red belts right below the chest, on her arm, as a choker, at her waist where her skirt was and her at the top of her two black stockings. Her skirt was in two pieces, a black center piece that was adorned by the second piece consisting of a pink portion that formed the rest of it. Atop her shoulders sat a cape that reminded Ren of a vampire's cape with the collar and coloration. Lastly in her hand was a wand shaped like a bardiche weapon. When Ren looked at her eyes though, while they were a bright crimson that should have shown life, instead they look like they held something else. Her eyes also drew in Nanoha, who couldn't help but stare at those ruby reflections.

"Huh?" Was all the response Nanoha could muster in the face of the new Magical girl that had appeared.

"A mage with similar skills… Is she looking for the Lost Logia as well?" The new addition said to herself without acknowledging their presence.

"There's no mistaking it, she's from my world," Yuuno told the rest of them. "And she knows about the Jewel Seeds."

"Then is she here to help us or…?" Morgana asked but began to trail.

"An intelligent Device similar to my own Bardiche," the mystery magical girl remarked.

"Bardiche?" Ren repeated… what an original name. What's next? Staff? Wand? Or how about Sword? For him he guessed it would be Knife.

"Scythe Form Set Up!" the girl's intelligent device stated as, after a flourish, the bladed part rose up to be perpendicular to the staff and the projected a yellow blade that indeed resembled a reaper's scythe. The girl then placed both hands on her weapon and looked prepared to strike at any moment.

"Well at least it's clear she's not here to help," Morgana said, tensing up from the girl's clear display of animosity. Yuuno also watched on with caution, wondering just where the girl had come from exactly. Ren however, made sure that his knife was ready just in case. He hated the thought of having to fight a girl as young as Nanoha, but if he had no choice then…

"I'm sorry, but I'll be taking that Jewel Seed."


Author's Note:

Writing this is so much easier when you have a basic template to work with. Unlike with FiEW, where I have to make basically everything to do with the plot up myself. For this I just have to make sure I have the respective show open and follow it decently, making changes as needed and adding scenes where applicable. I made sure to watch the show once over by itself. Now as I'm writing it I just make sure to go through the episodes piece by piece and writing the scene that shows up and trying to be accurate, except for of course when I have to add in P5's influence.

But yes, this should, as a result, be much faster than FiEW's schedule since I'm not having to rethink half the stuff that goes on in my head, instead it will only be a quarter. Again, to those who didn't read it before, I do plan on bringing Personas back in at some point, but exactly when I'll let you figure it out. After all Persona is the name of the other series being crossed over here and as such it would be criminal to not have them in some way shape or form. As for the merging of the two universes it's just going to be a straight and basic, they just exist side by side. I might, if I can spare it integrate things a bit more deeply, but don't expect too much.

As for now I'm trying to show the growing relationship that Nanoha and Ren have going on. I'm trying to make it come off as more of a precocious crush kind of thing than out an out want to get in the pants stuff that other romances might go. Whatever else I have planned you'll just have to see, but I'm trying to make this as wholesome and cute as possible. Lolis are already cute and I've been playing Teaching Feeling to get a better feel on how to express the adorableness of situations involving them (sans of course the not adorable parts of that eroge, though Nanoha as a character was from Triangle Heart 3 which was itself an Eroge with Nanoha's Older Brother as the protagonist).

So next time we introduce the other poster girl of the Nanoha Franchise, the pretty much other half of the show that makes it as beloved as it is in anime. How this plays out, you'll just have to wait until the next chapter, but I promise the results will be explosive thanks to the addition of Personium in the chemical mixture that is this story. I'm also trying to bring out more of Ren's attempts at trying to bear the burden for Nanoha but failing. I don't know how well that is coming across, but I want to seem like he doesn't really have a choice in the matter, and he might just have to accept that fact.

As always leave a review if you found something wrong with the writing, or something particularly done well. I don't care if it's one or the other as both help me immensely, both as an ego boost, and as a means of improvement.

Well, thanks for reading. I hope I was able to bring you some level of enjoyment, and make sure to have a wonderful day.