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 19: Planning and Moving

The first thing he felt was the twitch of his fingers as they creaked back to life. The next was that the bed he was laying in wasn't his own as it was too spacious and soft by comparison. The comfort served to only make him more uncomfortable. He forced his eyes open in a single shot to reveal himself to be in some dark room, lit up only by small dim lights near to the floor. For a moment he swore he could see something glow a faint velvet… something fluttering.

He waited for a moment to see if he could find it again, but after what felt like a minute or two, he gave up. Looking at himself he found that his clothes had been replaced by some sort of medical gown. Another glance revealed a side table where his things sat. With that confirmed he turned his attention elsewhere.

It was difficult to make out the particulars of the room, but it wasn't as if he had placed any effort into it. Its general make and advanced construction told him all he needed to know. This was probably some place related to the TSAB.

Regardless of his dismissal of the sight, he did spot a window at his side. For that his eyes widened. Stretched far into the distance was a sight of technology stretched far beyond what he could see. A landscape of a future he didn't recognize entered his sight and he couldn't exactly describe any of it despite its brilliance in contrast to his dimly lit room. All he knew was that he had never seen such a large man-made structure before. Shaking free of the sight, he turned back and grabbed his bag.

Only a small rummaging was necessary to find his glasses, followed by the other things that he hoped to find. The gun was still in there, as was his knife and school related things. His clothes were nowhere to be seen, but given how this was probably a medical wing, the staff most likely were the ones that took them. He checked over his bag one last time, just wanting to make sure nothing else was taken. His wallet and keys were in there so that was a good sign.

He shifted the bags contents a bit until he scraped his way to the bottom. There he felt his hand brush by something. He clenched around it immediately and pulled it out. Opening his hand, it revealed a single, wrinkled glove. He didn't have the other one.

"Right… this thing…" Akechi's glove, the one he gave to him after their duel in Mementos. According to him, in the west, picking it up was akin to accepting a duel… but it was one they weren't going to finish. Even though he was their enemy, even after all that he did, the crimes he committed, Ren still felt a pain in his chest as he looked over the glove once more.

"You're awake?" Morgana yawned. Apparently, the cat had found a particularly nice seat cushion to nap on. "How are you feeling?" Morgana asked as he trotted over and jumped onto his bed. Ren put the glove back into his bag before he answered.

"I feel fine." Ren didn't even realize that there was any trouble. Of course, he woke up in what he assumed was a medical bed of some sort, but he now wondered just what it was he had to be there for, considering how well he felt.

"Are you sure? You were out for quite a while," Morgana informed him.

"I get that, but really I actually feel pretty good right," he reiterated in truth.

"Right… Well anyways we're currently at TSAB HQ's medical wing at the moment. You were pretty much out of it because of whatever Shamal did to you…" Morgana began to explain. "I didn't get what they were saying, but apparently it's something to do with some kind of-" The door slid open to reveal a man with a clipboard about to walk into the room, only to stop before he could turn the light on.

"Well this is unexpected. You were already stabilizing, but I didn't expect you to awaken this early," the person who looked like a doctor said as he went ahead and turned the light on in the room. The light turned on at a slow pace and only enough so that one could see in the room, thus preventing any sort of blinding that could occur.

"Wait he's awake?"

"Ren?" He heard to familiar voices ask from the hall behind the doctor. A second later, a pair of blonde and brunette heads peeked out from the Doctor's sides.

"Ren!" Nanoha rushed out, pushing the doctor a bit in the process.

"Pardon," Fate told the doctor as she followed not far behind. It didn't take long at all for them to reach Ren's bedside and-

"Woah!" – hug him. The two latched onto him, Nanoha's arms around his neck and Fate wrapped around his waist. "Slow down. I'm not going anywhere…" Ren tried to say as his neck was getting squeezed by the brunette.

"You better not!" Nanoha was the first to yell, her words muffled into his collar.

"We don't know how your condition has been affected by a direct attack on your linker core." Fate's words flew over his head but the worry in her voice was still clear.

"Well we'll know if you two could let me get a good look at the lad," the doctor joked, finally getting the two to loosen their grip on him. Once fully clear, he walked over to the bed and began to look over him, an instrument of some sort in hand. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit stiff, but nothing a couple pull ups won't fix," Ren answered.

"Any exhaustion, or aches? Pain or discomfort of any kind?" He asked while continuing to fiddle with the thing in his hand.

"Nothing. I feel fine," Ren responded, though the doctor appeared skeptical.

"Ren, you better be telling the truth," Nanoha told him, leaning over towards him as she did so.

"Please, be honest. If you're hurt, we should know." Ren didn't remark how it was the doctor who was supposed to know first and foremost but decided against talking back to Fate when she looked so serious.

"Well I'm happy at least these two are worried about you. You just went through quite a dangerous ordeal," the Doctor's tone shifted from jovial to serious. "A direct attack on one's linker core usually leaves a mage in a state of incredible infirmity. It's not just physical weakness, but also the inability to safely use magic until their core has recovered. If this isn't taken seriously, the damage could be permanent. So please, are you experiencing anything of the sort? Even the smallest thing out of place is important."

"I feel fine. I was serious when I said so," was all Ren could respond with. He tried his best to convey that it was the truth.

"I'd say you were lying, but the scanner is telling me that your core is fine somehow. I've never seen someone recover that quickly." The doctor's astonishment was enough to tell him that that wasn't normal. A rustle at his side caused his eyes to wander downward, meeting Fate's own. Despite the doctor's word, she continued to watch him carefully for any signs, only to be interrupted when his hand found purchase on her head.

"You heard the doctor, I'm fine," he said to the blonde girl who was struggling between wanting to bat his hand away and wanting to keep it where it was.

"Hopefully, you are. Just in case, we'll keep you here for maybe one more day. Run just a couple more tests to be sure you're fine," the doctor added as he put his instrument away. "Before I leave, I should inform you that, as a civilian, you should avoid entering magic combat situations. While I understand that you wished to help, without any sort of magical training like your two friends here, you'll be more hinderance than aid."

"I'm not going to get a criminal record for this, right?" The doctor blinked, confused by his question.

"What? O-Of course not. Why would we punish someone just trying to help?"

"Just making sure."

"I see…" The doctor clearly didn't, but that was to be expected. "Well that's all for now. I'll be back later to check up on you, as stated before. You two make sure he gets his rest okay?"

"Roger!" Nanoha replied.

"We'll tie him down if we have to," Fate answered as well, earning a chuckle from the doctor.

"Well if it comes to that, let us know. We'll provide the rope free of charge. Anyways, if there's aren't any lingering questions, I'll take my leave. No? Alright then. Take care." Without any further decoration, the Doctor left the room, leaving the three of them alone.

"We were so worried about you…" Nanoha said as tears threatened to break through.

"Please don't ever do that again…" Fate followed in much the same state as Nanoha. Any desire to make light of the situation faded away with a sigh.

"Sorry to worry the two of you," he apologized.

"No, I'm the one who should be saying sorry. It's my fault you ended up this way, saving me and all…" Nanoha replied.

"It's frustrating. On the one hand it's exactly because you're the kind of person to jump into the fray like that that we admire you so much, but on the other…" Fate's lips pursed as her eyes broke away from his, if only for a moment before she shook her head. "More importantly, are you sure you're alright?"

"I keep telling you two, I'm fine. Just a bit stiff."

"Even so, bed rest is probably for the best," Morgana spoke up before turning towards the young ladies. "The both of you look exhausted. You're not wrong to worry about him, but the two of you shouldn't neglect your own health."

"But Morgana, you're the one who stayed up all this time watching over him," Nanoha noted with a questioning gaze.

"I… I got my rest! Besides he's like a little brother to me, so I have a special right to worry about him!" Morgana tried to explain only to earn a mirthful giggle from the two girls.

"If you say so, Morgana," Fate replied as her giggle died down. "Anyways, while rest sounds nice, Nanoha and I were actually on our way over to the repair bay to check on our devices."

"Oh, that's right! They sustained damage during the fight with those… Knights I think they called themselves? We were originally going to go there after checking up on you, but we didn't expect to see you awake."

"Well you've checked up on me, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Uh-huh! If you're not here when we get back, we really are going to tie you down, so stay right there!" Nanoha threatened.

"Nanoha, let's go, and Ren?" Fate called to him as she walked towards the door.

"Yes?"

"It's good to see you again…" That's right, it had been a bit of time since he'd last seen Fate. In way this was a reunion of sorts. "Nanoha?"

"Wait, just a sec, I'll be right there! See ya Ren!" The two ran out of the room, eliciting a smile from the young man to see the two of them act their age.

"You should get your rest, at least if only to make sure they don't get on your case," Morgana suggested while grooming himself.

"Right…" Ren said as he relaxed back into the bed. "You should rest too," Ren added once he noticed how much more cat hair was around. "Too much grooming is bad for you."

"Y-yeah…" Morgana said, stopping himself from any further cleaning and found a spot on the bed to rest. Without warning, the feline felt a hand on his back. "H-Hey! Stop that!" Morgana protested, but ultimately didn't do anything to stop Ren before just relaxing into a purr. "Oooh… that's the spot…"

"Thanks for worrying about me Morgana…" Morgana turned towards Ren upon hearing him speak.

"Oh that's… it's nothing. You said it yourself back then. We're family. Of course, I'd worry about you. And besides if you're gone where else would I go?" Morgana turned away from Ren, unable to look him in the eye. "Anyways, enough delays. Let's go to sleep."

"Right," Ren said as he took his hand off Morgana and laid fully into bed. Still though, his mind couldn't help but wander. What could he do now? What could he do without power?

-0-0-19-0-0-

"Wake up," a distorted voice echoed in his mind. Getting up from the bed, he looked around. He was still in a TSAB HQ patient room. The room was still dark, and the clock told him that it was in the middle of the night. A glance or two left him confused as, aside from himself and Morgana who was sleeping on the nearby guest seat, the room was empty. "You appear to be awake, good," the distorted voice continued. "Follow my instructions and you'll be able to return to sleep."

"Who are you?"

"I'll inform you once you've followed my instructions. Just know that I only hope to benefit you," they answered, anticipating their question. "Now, leave the room and I'll guide you to where you need to go. Do you hear me?" It seems they weren't going to stop, and from the sound of their voice, even through the filter, they didn't mean him ill will. Also, something about the tone felt familiar.

"Just give me a moment to wake up."

"One minute, or else there will be delays." He took only a couple more seconds as he got up from the bed and towards the door. Upon sliding it open, the voice spoke again. "Now follow my directions and timing. I can't afford for you to be caught so you'll have to do your best to avoid the patrols. I've set up dummy videos on the cameras so all that's left is for you to avoid detection. Now head towards your left… Right… Continued forward…Stop hide inside the room on your left."

Ren did as he was told, and quickly slipped into the room. It looked to be an empty patient room, but he had no time to scan it for greater detail as he saw a beam of light sweep across the hallway he was just in. He ducked down and to the side of the door.

The sound of footsteps reached his ears in an even rhythm which he felt his heart begin to match. Taking a deep breath to try and calm his heart, he tried to focus on any sudden changes in either the light or sounds. Soon though, the pitch of the footsteps began to drop, and the light no longer shone in his area.

"You're in the clear, head back into the hallway," the voice informed him before he himself could think as such. Still, he couldn't help but take caution and peer out into the hall just to be sure. "We don't have time for your trepidation. Just trust me, and you'll be fine," The voice told him. "Just go," it repeated, prompting him to get up and proceed onward.

It was more of the same as the voice guided him. Wherever it was that the voice was leading him, it was still somewhere in the medical ward, just not anywhere near him. There weren't really any signs he could read to find out where he was, but it still looked like a medical facility. So that could mean either a patient or a doctor was the one he was coming to see.

"It will be on the door to your left," it informed him, causing him to focus on his left side to find a door just a little ways down the hallway open to welcome him.

"The one with the light?" He asked to be sure. However, he didn't receive any reply back. That meant the voice didn't believe any more communication via this method was necessary. Taking a moment to compose himself, he then proceeded towards the door, his eyes taking just a second to adjust to the light.

"You're here, good. We should get started immediately, close the door while you're over there," he heard her speak towards him. He could feel his body relax hearing a familiar voice. She seemed to be doing well despite the circumstances.

"Right…" He said as he closed the door behind him, leaving the hallway in silence and darkness.

-0-0-19-0-0-

"It's open," was Ren's reply as he heard a couple of knocks on the door. Not a moment later, the door opened to reveal quite the group. Nanoha, Fate, Chrono someone that he wasn't familiar with and to his surprise, Sae Nijima, appeared before him, though it was a bit difficult to see them, given that he was focused on his work out. It was morning now, so of course someone was bound to come in at some point.

"Woah…" was all Nanoha had to say as she saw Ren doing pull ups on one of the pipes near the ceiling, a chair underneath him. Something inside her told her it was wrong to be staring, but she just couldn't tear herself away from looking at his bare upper body.

His muscles glistened with sweat, dripping over them like a painting, and giving them a glowing sheen. Almost every part she could see was tight and well defined, toned to perfection from every angle. Her heart skipped with each flex, up and down as his pectorals and arms mesmerized her with each movement. She'd seen her own older brother in a similar state during his training, but Ren made her feel very differently. She didn't know if she liked it or was embarrassed by it. All she knew was that she felt something.

Nanoha heard a gulping sound right next to her. At her side, she saw Fate was in much the same state as herself, drinking in the sight. When Nanoha thought about it, this was probably the most they'd ever seen of Ren, and… she couldn't say she wanted it to stop. She turned back to Ren, only to notice something. Did he always own a black necklace like that? Before she could entertain the thought any further though-

"Well, I was coming in to see how our good Samaritan was holding up. I wasn't expecting him to be doing pull ups on the ceiling pipes," the officer of sorts said with a warm, aged tone in his voice. Getting a closer look, the man be easily seen as up there in his years, given his grey hair and beard. Still, he wore his uniform and posture with poise and dignity, possibly a result of years of service in a military institution of which the ribbons on his jacket would imply.

"I didn't exactly picture our reunion in this manner, but I'm glad to see you up and about," Sae said with a wry smile, her looks and outfit nearly unchanged since the last time he saw her. "I suppose it's safe to assume that you've recovered."

"I'm as fine as could be. Thanks for asking," Ren said as he dropped from the ceiling, rotating his arms to start getting rid of the lactic acid build up. He then went into a small stretch before wiping off the sweat and putting his shirt back on.

"That's good to hear," the man unfamiliar said before extending an arm. "I'm Admiral Gil Graham, a pleasure to meet you."

"Ren Amamiya," he replied as he grabbed the offered hand. "Have seat?" He offered the open chair and table set up nearby.

"Of course," Chrono answered as the group moved to the offered seating arrangement. "We were in a meeting with Admiral Graham regarding Precia's Trial," Chrono explained as the group sat down.

"Oh? Doing some reading I see. History of the Saint King Unification war? It's a dry textbook but a comprehensive one," Graham noted as he saw the book on the table.

"I just asked for something about the TSAB's history and the nurses brought that out," Ren explained.

"I see, well hopefully it wasn't anything too boring. Though enough that, let's get on topic." Graham said with a clap of his hands and directed everyone's attention towards the gray haired woman.

"Sae-san here has been instrumental in Fate's quick acquittal, and Precia's is on track to at the very least having her sentence reduced by quite the amount, to almost de-facto negligible. Granted that might also partially be because of how she caught the prosecution off guard for a majority of the proceedings, but it's their fault for underestimating her," Graham explained.

"Thank you for the kind words, but I have to admit some of it just came down to luck. If it weren't for the opposition being so unprepared it could have easily gone the other way, especially given that I've only recently become familiar with the TSAB's laws," Sae began to explain, brushing some hair out of her face as she did so before crossing them again.

"She'll do whatever it takes to defend her client, and to see real justice served," Ren responded. "I've relied on her talents in the past, and she's pulled through every time."

"That's… thank you. It means a lot to hear that from you," Sae said with a small blush. "I must admit I didn't ever expect to be pulled into matters outside of Earth. I thought life was crazy enough when it came to the Metaverse. Now to be introduced to interdimensional legal proceedings? I hope you'll give me more warning next time I have to be dragged into something like this again."

"I'm sorry," Fate apologized suddenly. "It's because of us that Ren had to ask you to help us on such short notice."

"Not at all, in fact I'd go so far as to say that it's been a pleasure. I've gained a wealth of experience from this," Sae replied. "Besides, after reviewing the evidence, and interacting with you and your mother, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to help."

"That's kind of you to say," Fate spoke up after hearing Sae. "Thank you for everything you've done to help us."

"You're welcome," was all the attorney had to reply to Fate's words of thanks. "However, we're not out of the woods yet. It isn't over until your mother's trial concludes. Only then can I truly receive your thanks. Speaking of," Sae turned to Ren. "Precia-san is currently being held in a combination medical ward and science lab. Her docile behavior and talent have led the TSAB to provide her a heavily monitored lab where she can work on TSAB approved projects. As I mentioned though, she is heavily monitored, and her movements are restricted, but she's being treated well for someone of her legal status."

"I already knew that, but thanks," Ren replied, causing Sae to blink.

"Oh… did Fate-chan already tell you?" Sae looked over to see Fate also looking confused. With a shake of her head, Sae decided to not think on it too much. At the very least Ren wasn't someone to worry about in that regard.

"Anyways, assuming no surprises going forward, the trial should conclude with as reduced a sentence as possible. Perhaps only a couple more years or less with good behavior."

"Trust me. I've seen many trials in the past and from what I can tell, you have this locked down. You can go ahead and add this one to your score…Oh? And who's this handsome little fellow?" Graham said as he held his chin while looking at Morgana.

"You have quite the eye. I am Morgana, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Admiral Graham," Morgana said with a small bow.

"It's nothing, I am just familiar with those of the feline persuasion, is all."

"What was that?" Morgana's sudden shift in tone caught Graham off guard. Before Graham could ask what he did wrong, Ren stepped in.

"Alright, that's enough," he said while holding a hand over Morgana's head. "I get why Sae-san came to visit me, but for you I assume that you're here for more than just being her escort."

"It's nothing much. I just wanted to meet my fellow Earthlings is all." Ren blinked a bit at the Admiral's statement.

"You're from Earth? Are you American?" Gil Graham was not a Japanese name, but his features did remind him a bit of Ann, who was a quarter American. Though something about his accent was different.

"English actually. I'm not a man of the colonies, but I always did want to pay visit. Perhaps I will once I retire. Regardless, it's good to see my fellow Earthlings here in the TSAB. In fact, the circumstances are even quite similar to my own."

"Oh right, you were talking about how you helped a TSAB officer stranded on Earth when you were about our age," Nanoha recalled.

"Yes, and I hope that, while superficial, it at least explains why I feel a bit of an attachment to you and your circumstances," he said with an awkward smile. "And it's also why I can understand, why you would go out of your way to aid others in rough circumstances, Amamiya-san." His voice had shifted, it was still kind, but it was now beginning to resound with a demand for respect.

"And where are you going with this?" Ren asked as he relaxed into his seat, crossing his arms and legs.

"If you may excuse my frankness, it would be best that you avoid directly involving yourself in magical matters in the future."

"What?"

"Huh?" Nanoha and Fate intoned one after the other upon hearing Graham's statement.

"I see… well that is just like you to be involved with something like this," Sae commented.

"I've read the report from Admiral Lindy. While you have been instrumental in work behind the scenes, you ultimately have no combat prowess to speak of yes?" Hearing Graham's report, Ren made a mental note to himself to thank Lindy later for leaving him and the rest of his friends out as she said she would.

"Wait, I don't understand, Ren-"

"Is an admirable young man. Not many have his kind of courage and conviction," Graham interrupted Nanoha, now speaking with a seriousness that Ren expected from him sooner. "However, he lacks not just TSAB training, but even basic magic combat training as well. We cannot in good conscious allow a civilian to involve themselves in matters regarding a Lost Logia as dangerous as the Book of Darkness."

"Book of Darkness?" Ren repeated, the first time he had heard the term.

"Here," Graham said as a projected image of a what looked to be a close up of Shamal in an ornate green dress appeared, a book of some sort held closely in hand. It was a brown grimoire that held a yellow cross like symbol on its front. It was a simple design that looked familiar to Ren.

"That is the Book of Darkness. It is an ancient Lost Logia that has been under investigation for quite some time. We had it secure back in the year 0054, eleven years ago. However, an unforeseen accident occurred that resulted in the loss of the book, and we have been attempting to track it down ever since."

"Alright, but what does it do?" Ren asked.

"Well… it could probably be best described as a collection of knowledge and spells taken from mages across history. It's an insidious creation whose origins date before the Warring Ages of Belka… well that is to say a long time ago," Graham stuttered, realizing that the term he was using might not have any meaning for some of his audience.

"The most important thing to note is that it feeds off of the mana from people's Linker Cores, taking their powers for itself before creating massive dimensional dislocation and disappearing. It has taken countless lives over untold time. Its very presence is a danger, and that is not counting those who would seek to misuse such a powerful item for themselves. To that end, we cannot allow an ordinary untrained citizen to directly partake in activities regarding this dangerous item."

"Ren is capable, even without combat abilities," Fate argued.

"But he will just be a burden to the team on a direct front. I'm not saying he cannot help. There are scores of TSAB personnel who serve more of a support role than anything else. I just wish to advise against him being on the battlefield," Graham clarified. "You were there, Nanoha-chan. What do you say?" Ren's eyes glowered just a twinge, but he held it back as soon as he felt himself shift.

"I…" Nanoha stammered, surprised by the sudden spotlight. However, her hesitation lengthened as she thought on it. It was her carelessness that led to Ren being in this room. It was her fault he had gotten hurt. Maybe more of that would happen in the future… But… "What if Ren learned how to use magic? What if he learned from the TSAB how to use magic?"

"Well that certainly is a suggestion. What say you?" Graham asked Ren. "How would you feel about joining the TSAB? At the very least to learn magic. I've also taken a look at your health records while you're here and apparently your core is quite something, even after the direct attack it had taken. We could have you start right away."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not exactly big on being part of something like the TSAB. It's just not something I can imagine being a part of," Ren answered right off the bat. Sae looked a tad uncomfortable at his word but kept it to herself.

"Well you didn't take very long to come to that decision. Are you sure? That will mean we'll have to try and keep you off the battlefield when another incident arises."

"Like you said, there's other ways of helping," Ren answered back with Graham's own words. Fate and Nanoha sat taken aback, not understanding why Ren answered that way. He not only denied joining the TSAB, but also denied wanting to become combat capable. Something didn't sit right with the two of them.

"Ren, what are you- mmph!" Ren cupped a hand over Morgana's mouth.

"Just trust me on this, okay?" He told the struggling cat who calmed down after hearing Ren.

"Well… alright. If you're sure…" the cat said as he relaxed again. Seeing Ren shut down even his close friend like that, Nanoha and Fate held back their own objections to Ren's behavior.

"Hmmm… are you planning something? I know just how devious you can be when you want to be, as someone who experienced firsthand your little tricks," Sae asked, a glare encroaching upon her face. "You're not the kind of person who doesn't have a plan of some sort. So tell me, what are you hiding?" She leaned forward towards the young man as if putting him under interrogation.

"Nothing of the sort," Ren replied, crossing his arms and legs.

"So then a different sort…" Her eyes continued to glare at him. She held it for little while longer, filling the air in the room with a bit of tension that the others could feel, sweat beginning to form of some of their brows. Though it wasn't held for long. "I suppose we'll just have to see then," Sae spoke while breaking into a knowing smile.

"If you ever change your mind, our doors are always open for you," Graham said, now that he felt safe to get a word in.

"I don't think that's happening anytime soon, but thanks anyways," Ren replied back.

"Even so, we'll be happy to have you in a support role with the Arthra going forward," Chrono spoke up. "We'll discuss it more in length later with the rest of the crew."

"I'm guessing that you guys have been assigned to handle this if you're saying that?" Ren asked.

"Yes, since we've already established relations and a foothold with Earth, we were deemed the best fit to handle the task," Chrono explained. "Again, we can discuss that later. Sir, I believe you have other pressing matters to attend to," Chrono addressed Graham.

"Right, I suppose my time is up. Would you like to accompany me back to my office? There's still a few things I'd like to catch up with you, Chrono," Graham said as he got up from his seat.

"If you wish sir," Chrono replied as he too stood up from the chair.

"I should be going as well. I have to prepare the next phase of the trial," Sae added as she also rose from her chair.

"Then how about Chrono and I escort you back to your office." Graham offered before turning back to Run. "Thank you, Ren, for lending this old man your ear. And what of the two you?"

"We'll stay here," Fate answered first, to which Nanoha followed with a nod.

"Well then, allow us to get out of your way. If you need anything just let us know. Take care," Graham said with a wave goodbye as he made way for the door.

"I'll see you at the mission briefing. Rest well until then," Chrono stated as he left as well.

"Take care Ren-kun, and good luck," Sae said before she too disappeared out the door, finally leaving four of them in the room. Ren relaxed into his chair again, once they were out of sight, only for one of the girls to start speaking.

"Ren, are you sure about this?" Fate asked, her attention focused solely on the young man. "It isn't like you to give up before it has begun. You're a nosy busybody who won't stop until justice has been done. So why are you not even going to try and learn magic? Why did you refuse to work with the TSAB?"

"Could've done without the 'nosy busybody' part…" Run grumbled.

"It's part of what I like about you, but you still haven't answered my question," Fate continued to push, causing a sigh to escape from Ren's lips.

"Even if I were to try and learn now, it wouldn't be enough to put me on the battlefield. Both you and Nanoha have been at it for much longer than I have. Even if I had talent in it, there's not enough time to bring it up to the level needed right now. It's best if we use our resources to focus on things that we can use right now, rather than what we might be able to use in the future."

"So, are you just giving up?" Nanoha asked, worried that something was wrong.

"I'm not. I'll still help out how I can, but being on the battlefield like that again, is not going to be how I'll do it. Don't worry, I have my own ideas on how I'm going to help," he said with a reassuring smile, only it didn't seem to work this time. "At the very least, I won't end up like I did this time," he tried one more time.

"Okay, as long as you're safe…" Nanoha reluctantly conceded. She felt she had no right to object to such. She still blamed herself for the danger she put Ren through. If it meant he wasn't going to be hurt again, then perhaps it wasn't that bad. Fate's own grimace made Nanoha feel that the blonde girl felt the same.

"Hmmm…" was all Morgana could be heard letting out as he otherwise remained silent until he finally felt the need to speak. "Well regardless of the how, we'll support you as best we can in any way we can, which I'll be discussing with Ren later, right?"

"Of course," Ren answered back. "We'll figure something out."

"Ren," he heard Nanoha call his name before he felt himself being embraced again. "I'm so happy you're okay."

"Me too…" Fate followed, herself also hugging him by the scruff of his neck. Ren didn't know what to say, and so just left the two of them like that until they were satisfied.

"Better you than me," Morgana said as he walked away to groom himself, leaving the young man in the pair's grasp.

-0-0-19-0-0-

"Are you feeling better?" Lindy asked Ren while he was sitting in the rest area waiting for the rest of the Arthra crew to show up for the meeting. "I heard you were discharged, but it seems a bit soon for something as dangerous as a Linker Core attack."

"I'm feeling fine," Ren repeated for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Well I suppose that's good to hear. You're a bit early though. The meeting isn't for another half hour." Lindy stated, eyeing the clock above the vending machines.

"What about you then?"

"Well of course I have to be here early," Lindy said as a matter of fact as she sat down next to him. "Still though, and I'm sorry for asking again when I'm sure you've been asked enough already, but are you sure you're fine? You don't have to feel obligated to help us you know?" Lindy asked again.

"I'd feel worse if I didn't," Ren answered back, a rustle in his bag let him know who else heard it.

"Of course you would… anyways we still have a bit of time until the meeting. Since we have time, I suppose I'll let you know that Fate will be moving into my custody until Precia's trial has concluded," Lindy informed him, causing the young man to blink to make sure he heard that right.

"Wait so, you're going to be taking care of her then?"

"Mhm, that's right. I've already spoken with Precia and we both agreed that I am to take care of her until Precia is freed, whenever that might be. I've also already spoken with Fate on the matter and she seemed pleased with the decision."

"Well you do have experience, and are familiar with her, so you're probably the best choice," Ren replied.

"Oh? That's a lot more approval than I had expected."

"Why do you say that?" Ren couldn't help but wonder regarding Lindy's surprise.

"I just thought you'd be more protective of her, given that she's going to be given to someone who, to paraphrase you, was going to leave her to die." It took Ren a second to remember what Lindy was referring to. When he finally remembered he twirled a lock of hair with his finger.

"I kind of forgot," he admitted. It completely slipped his mind.

"My, and you were so passionate about it too. I wonder just how it is that such a frazzled boy like you can be both filled with such conviction while at the same time so scattered. It's a bit worrying to be honest," Lindy admitted to him.

"I mean, you don't feel the same way now, right?"

"Well… of course not. I want to do everything in my power to raise Fate right. Both for her and Precia's sake," Lindy answered without a hint of weakness.

"I've been in a situation like that before. She was trying to get in our way, doing everything she could to oppose us, but then, she ended up being one of our best members, and a close friend." Makoto also wasn't very good at stalking, but he couldn't say that to her face. Still, though, he was happy that it turned out that way for their Queen. "I'm sure you'll do fine."

"I see… you really have led a very interesting life. I'd like to hear more about it some time, should you ever be willing to share," Lindy said as she let out a sigh of some sort, the reason of which Ren couldn't discern.

"Maybe one day…" there weren't any further words between the two as they sat and waited for the meeting to start. Soon the rest of the crew arrived one by one, Fate and Nanoha sat at his sides as Lindy got up to start the briefing. He waved to Arf and Yuuno, who waved back at him, happy to see him, but there wasn't time for a longer reunion as the mission briefing was about to begin.

"Everyone, if I may have your attention," Lindy started, "The Arthra's crew has been assigned to spearhead the Book of Darkness and Mage attack cases. As you may already be aware, there have been a string of attacks on mages just recently which we have determined to be connected to the re-emergence of the Book of Darkness Lost Logia. Unfortunately, the Arthra itself is undergoing repairs, so we will be setting up a temporary base in the region where the events were first recorded." Mage attacks? This was the first that Ren had heard of it, but it makes sense. The base though…

"We will be breaking up into the following teams: Our observation staff will consist of Alex and Randy."

"Yes ma'am!" Ren heard behind him, seeing a pair of somewhat familiar faces but he couldn't say he fully remembered them. A light brown haired man in glasses and purple haired young man stood at attention.

"Garret will also take charge of the investigation team." This time more people responded, which unfortunately Ren couldn't place any particular part of the team. He didn't really get close to any of them, though maybe that could change? Or maybe perhaps not.

"I, Officer Chrono, Assistant Officer Amy, and Fate-san will be placed in command at our base of operations. And regarding that, said base will be placed in a neighborhood close to Ren-kun's and Nanoha-san's house for protection purposes. Is that clear?" Despite the typical military question, Lindy said it with a smile towards Nanoha and Ren. Nanoha's eyes lit up in excitement. Fate was going to live near them! Ren and Morgana couldn't help but look at each other with a bit of a wry smile. Things were going to get a bit crazier from now on…

-0-0-19-0-0-

"Hey Ren, you've been quiet the past couple of days, is everything alright?" Ren read the text from Makoto, and immediately replied.

"Just been busy the past couple of days, not really any time to get on my phone," he texted back. Just as he sent it, a black furry head popped up over his shoulder.

"Is it wise to be lying to them? I suppose on the one hand it might be best to not worry them, given that they can't do anything to help right now, but on the other hand maybe they deserve to know…" Morgana mused as he read over the text. Before Ren could muster a reply, another text came in.

"Dude, you should have something beforehand," Ryuji sent over chat.

"Yeah, you were quiet, not even responding to the other group chats. We were starting to get worried…" Ann was next to say.

"I couldn't even track you through my app. That was really weird!" Futaba added.

"You still have Ren's phone tapped?" Yusuke asked.

"I mean, not like I've had time to take it off. And hey I don't use it to spy on him that often," Futaba tried to defend herself.

"That means you still do…" Ryuji felt the need to point out.

"I'm just glad you're okay Ren. Please let us know next time if something like that comes up," Haru sent right after.

"Sorry about that…" was all Ren texted back, not that he ever texted that much to begin with.

"That's alright, besides what with Entrance exams and all, it's understandable you'd be busy," Makoto wrote. "We can talk about our winter vacation plans later, if that's alright with everyone."

"Sure!"

"Of course!"

"Can't wait!" Ann, Ryuji, then Futaba answered one after the other.

"Hopefully, I'll have some money saved up for that time." Ren didn't need to see the name to know that was Yusuke.

"Hang in there until then!" Haru tried to say in encouragement.

"Alright, then let's talk after everything's over with. Later everyone!" At Makoto's message the chat died down until he was the only one left in the room. With no one else in there, he closed his phone and turned back to the box he was in the middle of carrying before the message.

"It still doesn't feel right, leaving them out like this," Morgana said as Ren bent down and lifted the box. It wasn't heavy as much as it was just bulky. "You were in real danger you know. They should know."

"You're right but… I can't ask them to drop everything to help out here. They all have their own lives now. Ryuji's starting to see therapy for his leg. Ann's really making strides in her modeling career. Yusuke is being Yusuke, Makoto is throwing everything she has into her studies, Futaba is finally getting used to school, and Haru has a whole company she has to take care of along with College. We were lucky when it came to the Jewel Seeds. Can't expect that same luck again."

"I guess, but we should tell them once everything is done, and we better make sure we're in shape to do so," Morgana compromised. "It's only together we were able to pull through some of the toughest challenges. It wouldn't be right for them to be kept in the dark forever."

"I know, and I will," Ren promised. As he whipped around to where he needed to go, he walked a bit around the apartment. It was quite the spacious abode, multi floored apartment, big living space and kitchen. Despite being an apartment, it was nicer than his house, and it would be a lot more homely as well.

"Woah! I think I can see my house from here!" He heard Nanoha say on the balcony outside the front door. Ren looked over and couldn't help but smile seeing the two girls having fun just looking over the city. Nanoha wore an outfit similar to the one he first saw her in, only adorned with a beige white jacket to accommodate for the chilly weather. Fate wore a black jacket over a yellow top and white skirt. It seems the girl liked dark clothes.

"It's nice isn't it?" Lindy asked him while she too drank in the sight. Looking over she was wearing a more casual attire with a shawl draped over her. It was still sharp but was nowhere near as stuffy as her military uniform.

"It is," was Ren's only reply.

"You know you don't have to help us out with the move. You've just gotten better, and we wouldn't want to risk you getting injured so soon after," Lindy said, reaching her hands out to try and take the box from him, to which he moved it away from her.

"It's fine. I need to move around and it's not like this is really that heavy anyways."

"If you're sure, but the moment you become tired, don't hesitate to take a break. We have drinks in the fridge if you get thirsty," Lindy said, giving up on trying to get Ren to stop.

"I will…"

"Arf how'd you small?" Ren heard as he turned to see Fate and Nanoha running over to a familiar looking orange puppy, and very familiar ferret.

"It's my new energy conservation form. Isn't it cute?" Arf asked as she started lick Fate's face.

"It's been awhile since I've seen that form Yuuno-kun!" Nanoha said as she also knelt down and picked him up.

"Hey, careful…" Yuuno complained as Nanoha began rub her face against his fur.

"Nanoha, Fate, your friends are here," Chrono came in suddenly to let them know as a familiar pair appeared before them in the living room.

"Good afternoon."

"We're here!" Suzuka and Alicia announced as they entered the room.

"Alisa-chan, Suzuka-chan!" Nanoha called their names, as she and Fate walked up to greet them.

"It's a little weird to say nice to meet you, given that we've talked so many times over video," Alisa said, making Ren remember that they were keeping in touch in that manner.

"Yes but… I'm glad to be able to meet the two of you in person, Alisa, Suzuka…" Fate tried to speak through her nervousness, a blush emanating from her person.

"Us too!" Suzuka said with a bright smile.

"So you two are the Alisa and Suzuka I've heard so much about," Lindy jumped into their conversation, causing the two girls to pause when they heard their names from the unfamiliar adult.

"Um yes…"

"How do you know…"

"I saw the video letters myself," Lindy answered the Alisa and Suzuka.

"Is that right?" Alisa said, her confusion melting away upon receiving an answer.

"Say how about you come in and have some tea?" Lindy offered. "We could all use a break don't you think?" She didn't particularly direct that question towards anyone but did look at Ren when she asked it.

"We can have it my parent's café!" Nanoha interjected. "They'd love to have you over! Come on Ren!"

"That's right, we haven't seen you in a while either," Alisa said as she looked over the young man.

"And you can bring Morgana as well," Suzuka said, clearly more interested in the feline than himself.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. The move is already coming along great thanks to your help. Why don't you relax a bit?" Lindy added.

"It's okay. I still have a few things I need to do," Ren was finally able to answer. "Morgana can tag along though," he said as he grabbed the kitty from over his shoulder.

"Hey hold on! Who said anything abou-?"

"Hey there Morgana, did you miss me?" Suzuka asked the cat as she started to pet him.

"Woa-woah… that's… ooooh…" And no further complaint was made, not that it came out as anything other than meows for the two normal girls.

"Well, if you're sure. Just don't overwork yourself okay Ren-kun?" Lindy said with a worried smile. "Just give me a second to get ready, then we can go right away. Wait here." Lindy ducked down a hallway and disappeared, leaving Ren with the girls.

"So are you also…" Ren heard Alisa began to whisper to Fate, but the particulars were lost as she got quieter and quieter. Fate's face lit up in crimson before she replied with a nod to whatever Alisa had asked. It didn't take a detective to deduce the nature of the question. Alisa and Suzuka looked up at him, giggled a bit, then returned to whisper more questions to Nanoha and Fate. Ren was kind of glad he wasn't going now.

-0-0-19-0-0-

Ren placed the box down as he had been told. Wiping his brow, he looked over to the monitors to find Chrono and Amy observing what looked to be a recording of their initial contact with the Knights. He walked over, grabbing the attention of the two TSAB operatives who moved to the side to accommodate him.

"The most impressive characteristic of the Book of Darkness lies in its energy source," Chrono told Ren as they and Amy looked over the data on the screen. "Stealing both the spells and linker cores of mages… It's one thing to read about it, but another thing to see it in action…" Amy's eyes flitted between the screen and Ren before finally settling on the young man.

"It's our fault that you became a victim to it. If we arrived sooner, you wouldn't have had to suffer through something like that," Amy was finally able to say.

"Hopefully, the number of pages wasn't that large. Had it been a trained mage, there might have been more to take," Chrono said, trying to find a silver lining to the affair. "At the very least I don't think you had much to take which perhaps explains your quick recovery… though we can't be fully sure."

"Should the book's pages be completely filled…" Amy started to explain-

"Nothing good will come about should they be filled…" Chrono finished in her stead. Ren noticed Chrono's hands balling into fists, shaking white and tense. It would probably be for the best to get their mind off of it.

"It's alright, there's no need to apologize. You did the best you could given the circumstances. Surprise attacks aren't something that can easily be accounted for," Ren tried his best to assuage the two.

"It's comforting to hear you say that," Amy said, a feeling of relief sweeping over her. "I'm glad to have you on board as well. Even without a Jewel Seed, your tactical mind and experience is a comfort to have for this mission."

"It will also be good to have someone with your abilities having already faced off against them. With your skills you'll probably be able to spot any weaknesses or opening in the enemy when we see them next," Chrono added. Ren hid his distaste over the knights being labeled enemies. "Should you also desire magic training, I'm willing to act as a teacher for you."

"That's alright," Ren repeated. "You already have your hands full. Besides, I have my own plans on how I'm going to help."

"Oh, how so?" Amy asked a bit too innocently, causing Ren to fall a bit off balance from her sincerity.

"Well… We'll just have to see…" Ren said, patting down his chest. His pocket vibrated as his phone went off. Without a second's delay, he opened his phone to see a line of messages being sent his way.

"Look!" Was all Nanoha sent him through text as an image filled the screen of Nanoha, Fate, Lindy, and Nanoha's Family and friends. Fate stood in the center, holding up a uniform much like Nanoha and her Friends'.

"Looks like they got it," Amy said, looking over Ren's shoulder. "Fate will be going to Nanoha's school soon. Fate was looking forward to spending more time with everyone. I hope she'll like it there."

"She should take the time to enjoy it," Chrono added to Ren's surprise. "She has a lot of work ahead of her, so these times where she can relax should be treasured as much as she can." Ren couldn't help but smile at Chrono's thoughtfulness, before turning back to his phone and replying.

"Looks good on her," he texted before a reply popped up.

"She says 'thank you'! Talk to you soon!" After a few more moments, without another text, Ren put his phone away.

"Well I've got a few more boxes to put away. Where do you need them?"

"Oh, those belong over there!" Amy directed. "Just be a little extra careful with them. They're pretty fragile. I'll be handling the calibration of some other equipment if you need me."

"I'll be here, analyzing the data some more," Chrono said, before doing just as he stated. Ren decided not to bother the kid anymore and just get back to work. Even so, he couldn't help but think just what the Knights were doing now…

-0-0-19-0-0-

Vita opened the door, a gust of wind meeting her face in as she walked onto the rooftop. At the edge of the roof, draped in the darkness of night, were her fellow knights.

"Good, you're here," Signum was the first to acknowledge the girl's arrival.

"It took a while to make sure Hayate fell asleep," Vita explained her tardiness.

"Thank you for that," Shamal responded. "Let's not waste any more time and move on to the meeting then. The Bureau will probably start to accelerate their movements, so a change in tactics will be necessary going forward."

"It will probably be for the best that we focus our efforts on other worlds for the time being, fill pages using cores from non-sentient beings… Of course, this means we can avoid any further accidents," Signum spoke to no one in particular, but the implication was clear to the group. In each of them, a thorn could be felt in their hearts each time they saw the books newly filled pages.

"How… how many pages are there now?" Vita swallowed her distaste to ask.

"Three hundred and ninety-eight… That's the number of pages we've collected…" Shamal refrained from naming the source. None of them had gone out to collect more since then, their convictions too shaken to collect more. "We can't… we have to make sure that these pages don't go to waste. Otherwise…" Shamal's voice shook as she tried to force herself to speak.

"Let's get this over with as soon as we can. That's the best way for us to make up for it," Vita replied, doing her best to push as much energy into her body as she could, but even then she refused to call attention to a name. "After that we can live in peace with Hayate and maybe even… to him…"

"Then we don't have time to waste. Let us be off," Zafira cut Vita off, for his and everyone else's sake. "We'll return before dawn here, is everyone ready?" A nod was all the response the others gave.

The roof became alight as the Knights changed into their Barrier Jackets. With a grave silence, they each gathered magic into themselves, before streaks of light dyed in their colors flew away from them roof, leavening the place in emptiness.

-0-0-19-0-0-

"Huh?" A beeping on the monitoring caught Amy's attention as she was putting the finishing touches on a different system they needed. Putting her tablet down, she rushed over and opened the communication. "Yes, this is Amy."

"Ah, Amy-senpai. It's Mary from HQ Maintenance," The girl in glasses and green short hair replied, her dark yellowish eyes in a flurry of worry.

"Yes, what seems to be the problem?"

"Well, you see… It's about the two intelligent devices you left with us. Um… Raising Heart and Bardiche, I believe? They're acting kind of strange."

"How so?" Amy asked, now just as confused as Mary appeared to be.

"Well we finished replacing and repairing them like we asked but… they're still displaying an error message. We've tried our best to diagnose any other extraneous problems, but it still won't go away."

"Well what's the error?" Amy inquired.

"Well… they're still saying they don't have the needed parts. Here, let me send it to you directly." A flick of the hand, and a beep alter, Amy saw a window pop up on her screen containing the apparent error message.

"I got it… let's see here… wait a second? Those are the parts they still don't have?" Amy didn't understand. Those weren't part of their original specs. Why would the devices be requesting those parts then?

"Neither device is accepting any further input, instead just repeating this message over and over." Mary's words flew right over Amy as her mind continued to race over the report. The parts they were requesting…

"CVK-792… Belka-type Cartridge System…"

-0-0-19-0-0-

Ren walked past the crowd, trying to slip on by so that he could try and catch the next train home. It took awhile for Nanoha and company to return so that they could give him back Morgana. The poor cat had been used as something of a toy by the group and was basically out cold. He did his best not to jostle his bag as he made his way through the city. Evening was only just starting to descend, so there were still quite a few people out and about. It wasn't anything comparable to Tokyo's crowds, but even so it was still something that required active navigation. If he wasn't careful, bumping into someone was still something that wa-

"Oh!" Was all he heard as he felt his side collide with someone else. He felt a rattle in his bag, probably from Morgana also reeling from the impact. He ignored Morgana's discomfort for a moment to try and catch who it was he bumped into.

Red and black was what entered his vision. Long red hair tied in a ponytail flowed down past the girl's shoulder and seemed to merge with her bright red coat. Even with the large coat covering her body, it was easy to see how lithe and thin she was, especially once he spotted her toned legs covered in black leggings and tipped with black shoes.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," she said first before standing straight and lowering herself into a bow.

"It's okay," Ren replied, taken aback. "I was rushing, so I wasn't paying attention either." A small giggle escaped the girl's lips.

"I see, then I guess we're both a bit at fault. Well, I better get going, so if you'll excuse me," she said with another bow. "Goodbye!" and like that she darted off. However, Ren noticed something when having to look down at the girl when she was bowing… something that looked to be an ID, and the picture was…

"Wait!" Ren said as he grabbed the dropped ID and ran after her. "You dropped something!" He shouted, hoping to get her attention before she got too far out of sight.

"What?" That seemed to do the trick as she came to a stop upon hearing him shout at her. Now that she was stopped, he was able to catch up to her.

"You dropped this," he said, presenting the ID back to her.

"Oh my gosh!" She said as she felt around herself, only to realize that her ID was indeed missing from her person and was instead in his hand. "Talk about clumsy, that isn't like me at all…" She said with a bit of a self-deprecative smile. "Thank you," she said as he handed the ID over to her. "I would have been in quite a bit of trouble without it."

"It's no problem," was all Ren could think to reply.

"Well thanks to you it isn't. How about I buy you a drink, to make up for having to chase me down?" The girl offered to him. "C'mon, what do you say?"

"If that's okay," He replied. It would have been better than going home. "I'm Ren Amamiya, by the way."

"Though you might have seen the name already, I'm Kasumi Yoshizawa. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ren Amamiya!"


Author's Note:

Well this chapter was delayed for obvious reasons. As you might have guessed, I played Kingdom Hearts 1 three times for a platinum (actually twice for platinum but I overwrote my 100 file by accident and decided to redo it… fuck Sniper Wilds), Kingdom Hearts 2 on a single Critical playthrough for a platinum, then played Persona 5 Royal… twice… and am in the middle of my third playthrough. Now that I've played Royal, I'm going to try and integrate Royal stuff into this story.

The angle I'm going for here with the Royal additions is, what if Kasumi and Maruki were allowed to fester without the thieves? I've got the set up, so now it's time for me to go through with it. I very much enjoyed Royal's additions, but I can't help but wonder what theoretically happens to the characters if they didn't appear in the game like in Vanilla, which I want to explore a bit here.

Anyways, I'm not promising less delays, because I'm still really into playing P5R even during my 3rd playthrough, but hopefully I'll get the next chapter out soon, which will start to move the plot a bit along, but I'll also be slowing down to account for some new Confidants Ren has to pursue. I suppose I should add that I do have plans regarding Ren's lack of real change from having his LC taken, though what that is you'll have to wait and find out.

I hope to see you all then.

Thank you for stopping by as always, please feel free to write a review of your thoughts and criticisms, and I hope all have a good rest of your day. Take Care!

PS. Am I the only one who didn't have trouble with Okumura's Palace? I'm a smooth brain and I didn't really have many troubles with. Ace Attorney Dual Destinies gave me more trouble, and that's like the easiest AA game. Though thinking on it a bit more, that might just be because I'm an old hat at Atlus RPGs at this point. Having dealt with things like Trumpeter and pick Random doors and hope they don't send you to the damage floor area and Death's Vastness holds no peace might just skew my perception of difficult. I just feel out of place when people complain, and I just sit there wondering what's the problem with genuine confusion. No sarcasm, I'm just confused.