The Forgotten Sky

by xlheslydesux

Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha or any of its characters.

Chapter 4

Two hours had passed before Nanoha finally calmed down. She is now sitting on her bed staring blankly at the fire in front of her. She is holding a cup of drink that Vormund gave her to help calmed her down. Her guardian sat quietly beside her without saying anything and that action itself gave Nanoha a secured and peaceful feeling that, at that moment was all she needed.

"I'm sorry for breaking down like that." Nanoha said finally breaking the silence.

"There's no need to apologize. It was just a natural reaction especially when you hear a story like that about yourself." Vormund said.

"Yeah, thank you. So… What happened to us after that? Did we really travel through time? It's not that I doubt you or anything, with everything that you told me and all the things I know about Al Hazard before, it does make sense… It's just… sounds surreal even for me." Nanoha said trying to explain herself.

Vormund looked at Nanoha with a smile on his face. He was not offended by Nanoha's question actually he wanted her to ask that because if she didn't, he would be really worried on how trustful her master is to people.

"It's alright. I actually felt the same when Caliph-sama and Regina-sama told me about it. To think that a civilization of mankind has really found a way to travel through time, Al Hazard has indeed lived to its reputation to create miracles. But just like what they say, miracles doesn't happen without a price to pay, for that knowledge to be lost, I think it's for the best. And to answer your question… Yes, we did. We came into this era at a planet with no sign of any magical technology." Vormund answered.

"A planet with no magical technology? You mean… a planet like Earth right?" Nanoha asked.

"Not like… The planet we were transported to was indeed Earth." Vormund said as he took the cup of drink from Nanoha's hand to give her a warm one.

"Is that how you met my parents, I mean the family I grew up with." Nanoha asked.

"Yes. Do you want me to continue my story?" Vormund asked.

"Yeah. Please do." Nanoha said as she settles to a more comfortable position.

"As you wish… but please do refrain from crying again after okay, we don't have any tissues left." Vormund said teasing Nanoha to lighten the mood.

"Jeez." Nanoha said now able to smile a little.

~~~~~Flashback~~~~~

Year 0056

Non - Administrated World #97

One afternoon, a magical circle appeared inside an abandoned building in the middle of a particular city. Standing inside it was a man who is wearing a blue robe, cradling a baby girl in his arms. When he went out, he silently and slowly observed his surroundings and the people passing along the streets. He couldn't sense any magical energy in the area, no, not just the area but from the whole planet. His surroundings were very different from what he is familiar. The language used by the people talking is something he doesn't understand. Their clothes don't have any armor or steel plate on it which isn't suitable for battle. He was so busy in absorbing everything he sees that he didn't notice that the people around him were giving him a weird look. He walked and walked, looking for a place where he can stay temporarily but he couldn't find one. The sky has turned dark and the atmosphere became cold, the baby in his arms is now awake and had started crying. Even though it didn't show in his face, he was starting to get worried. Even though the girl in his arms is his master, he doesn't know how to take care of a human baby. He tried talking to her and even cradled her the same way the Queen did when he watched her before but it didn't work. The baby girl continued crying and was starting to turn red from crying too much. He was entering a state of panic when he suddenly heard a voice behind him.

"?" said by the man.

Vormund looked at the man with a surprised expression. Ever since arriving at the unknown planet, he hasn't even once put his guard down to anything, hostile or not, that will approach or attacked them but this particular man just entered his barrier, getting near them as if he didn't put one up in the first place.

"?" the man continued saying.

When Vormund snapped back he tried assessing the man before him. He didn't sense any dangerous aura coming from him but he was still a stranger to them. He tried to walk away from the man but his master started crying even louder when he did.

"?" the man said once again.

Not knowing what to do anymore, Vormund sighed in defeat. He needs to settle his master down or she might really get sick from crying too much. He stared at the man near him and decided to ask for help.

"?" Vormund said.

The man shook his head not understanding what Vormund said. Vormund don't know the language used in the unknown planet making things difficult for him and the man to communicate. He was starting to give up on trying when he remembered something. He took Andvari out of his pocket and ordered it to process and analyzed the language used by the man so he can use it. As a special function of Andvari, he is capable of using the Item like a device without draining his master's magical energy because he has his own reserve. When the process was done he tried talking to the man again.

"She won't stop crying and I don't know what to do." Vormund said finally able to use the man's language.

The man smiled and said, "Is that so, well I also don't have much knowledge about babies but have you tried feeding her?"

"No, I haven't. We just arrived to this place and I don't have anything with me right now." Vormund told the man.

The baby girl cried even harder than before and made the two men shriek in panic.

"Ugh. I'm sorry, looks like I can't help you after all. For now would you like to come home with me? There's someone there who can surely help us in our problem. My wife, she takes care of our children and I'm sure she knows what to do." the man said.

Vormund not having any other choice agreed to come with the man. After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at a place the man called his house.

"I'm home." the man shouted when they entered the door.

"Welcome home." a voice of a woman shouted back. "Is that a baby crying I hear?"

"Dear, can you help us a little." the man said calling to his wife.

A woman with auburn hair walked out of the other room and greeted them with a warm smile. Upon seeing the woman Vormund was shocked and couldn't help but say…

"Regina-sama?" Vormund said gaping at the woman.

"I'm sorry?" the woman said a little confused.

"Ah! Sorry. I thought you were someone I know." Vormund said as he try to composed himself from the shocked of seeing the woman.

He knows that it couldn't be the Queen, because the Queen that he knows is already gone but the resemblance of the woman to the Queen was so unbelievable… In midst of his pondering, a loud cry snapped him back to reality.

"Oh my! What's wrong little girl?" the woman asked as she reached for the baby in Vormund's arms.

"I saw them near the park, this gentleman looked like he was having a problem that's why I offered some help but…" the man said as he scratched his cheek.

"You also don't have any idea what to do." the woman said now cradling the baby girl in her arms.

"Yeah." the man said.

"I'm sorry to disturb your evening ma'am but as you can see I'm really in a lost on what to do here. If you may lend me a hand, I will be forever in your debt." Vormund said looking really troubled.

The woman gave Vormand a bright smile and cuddled the baby girl.

"There, there, don't cry honey auntie is here." the woman said as she sways her arms back and forth. "Leave it to me. Looks like she's hungry and I think we still have some milk in the refrigerator, I'll heat it up and feed it to her."

"Thank you very much ma'am!" Vormund said.

"Don't mention it, why don't you two go into the living room and wait while I prepare this lovely baby's dinner." the woman said as she walked away with the baby girl and entered the kitchen.

As the woman disappeared into the other room, the man brought Vormund into a room beside it. Vormund cast a barrier around the house to make sure that he can sense if any danger comes to his master while in the company of the woman. It's not that he doesn't trust the people who helped him; he just needs to do it to make sure. He didn't feel any dangerous aura from the woman that's why he entrusted her with his master but they are in an unfamiliar world, he can't put his guard down.

"Take a sit and make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink?" the man asked.

"No sir, I'm okay. You don't have to trouble yourself." Vormund said as he takes a sit.

"You don't have to be so formal. My name is Shiro Takamachi and that's my wife Momoko Takamachi." the man said as she points at the kitchen.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is Vormund and the baby girl is my master, Princess Alazne of Al Hazard. Allow me to express my gratitude to you for helping the princess." Vormund said as he bend his upper body and bow at Shiro.

"Princess?" Momoko said as she stood at the door surprised at what she heard.

Momoko who is now feeding Alazne a bottle of milk sat with them inside the room. Shiro and Momoko didn't know how to react to both Vormund's words and action. He just said the word Princess and bowed in front of them. They stared at Vormund waiting if he will say anything else but he didn't. Vormund, upon noticing the lack of response of his hosts raised his head and looked at them. Seeing that Vormund is also waiting for their reaction Shiro decided to say something.

"There's no need to do that just to thank us. Please take your seat." Shiro said gesturing Vormund to the sofa.

Shiro and Momoko are the type of person who has the talent in reading a person's personality just by looking at them. They both feel that Vormund isn't a bad person but he just said something that they couldn't understand. The couple looked at each other as if talking and smiled at the same time.

"Vormund-san if you don't mind, can you explain to us what you just said. You said this baby girl is your master and that she is a princess of a country called Al Hazard, is that right?" Momoko said as she cradled the girl in her arms who is now done with the milk and is playing with her hair.

"I don't mind ma'am, if that is what you wish. It's the only thing I can do to repay you for all your kindness." Vormund said.

Vormund relate to the couple all the things that transpired from the moment Alazne made him to the point where Shiro found them. He also told them about the girl's parents and the world they came from. The couple silently and seriously listened to everything he said. There were moments when the couple will ask questions and be shocked but they didn't doubt anything he said and believed him wholeheartedly.

"So what happened to those Holy Items you spoke of?" Shiro asked.

"I don't know but I doubt that they have been destroyed together with our world. There is no magic in this universe that can destroy the Items; I know this because I am a part of one. After releasing all the negative energy it contains it will go back to sleep for a while but will go berserk again after a short period of time. This cycle will just repeat again and again until the Items can be purified. There is no one else that can use the Items now after the Princess became it's keeper but there is a possibility of it being found by a person while it sleep and abused it powers. I need to find them before they activate again and seal them to prevent another tragedy from happening." Vormund said with determination in his eyes.

"But you said that the only one who can seal those Items is this little girl?" Shiro said looking at Alazne.

"Yes, that is true but I refused to put her life in danger. I, being a part of her and a part of one of the Items, possess the same amount of magical energy and the same magical signature. I have the ability to seal the Items temporarily as long as they haven't activated yet." Vormund answered.

"What are you planning?" Shiro asked seriously.

Vormund fell silent. After a few minutes he answered Shiro with absolute resolution in his voice.

"I'm gonna travel the universe and look for the Items. I can use Andvari, one of the Items, to act as a detector to locate them, the Items resonates when close to each other. I will seal them one by one and will guard them closely so I can re-seal them again when their seal breaks. I will do it as long as possible. This is the only way to keep them from being abused by people with bad intention and to stop them from being more tainted or going berserk." Vormund explained.

"How about Alazne-chan?" Momoko asked concerned.

Vormund once again fell silent. He knows what to do but he didn't have the courage to say it out loud. Shiro and Momoko felt his anxiety and decided to give his some time.

"Why don't you stay here for the moment and think about what you have to do once again after resting. You don't have to decide right now." Shiro said.

"I know what I have to do but…" Vormund said stopping in his sentence.

"I think it's a good idea, we have extra rooms and Alazne-chan needs some rest. Don't you honey?" Momoko said as she nuzzled Alazne with her nose.

Alazne made a low laughing voice and this made the three people inside the rooms smile.

"It's also time for dinner so why don't we eat first before resting." Shiro said as he stood from the sofa.

Vormund was overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness of the couple. He couldn't help but be reminded of the time he spent with the King and Queen in the palace. With a smile on his face, he stood up and accepted the offer.

As Vormund spends time with the Takamachi Family, he saw and learned many things about their life. Shiro works as a body-guard to an important person in the country but he tries to come home daily and spend dinner with his family. Momoko stays at home and takes care of the household and their two children; a 10 years old boy named Kyouya and an 8 years old girl named Miyuki. The two children was surprised at first when their parents told them about their visitors but after explaining to them the situation they both understood and even told Vormund that they will protect Alazne. Vormund was bewildered by the attitude and how understanding this whole family was but at the same time he was glad that they have met them. Some more days have passed and the whole family has already accepted Alazne and Vormund as a part of their family. There are days were Shiro will play with Alazne by making funny faces and the girl will laugh at him nonstop. There is also a time where Shiro will try to cradle Alazne when Momoko's holding her but the girl will always cry instantly. The two kids were also captivated by Alazne's smiles that they will always go home straight from school just to play with her. These beautiful days helped Vormund decide on what he must do.

"This is the life that the King and Queen wished to give the Princess… and this is the life that she should have." Vormund thought to himself.

And then, the time of separation came…

Shiro, Momoko with Alazne in her arms, Kyouya and Miyuki are sitting at the living room looking at Vormund, who is standing in front of them.

"Shiro-sama, Momoko-sama, I know I would be asking something difficult for the both of you but you're the only people that I can ask of this. Would you listen to my selfish request?" Vormund asked.

The couple looks at each other and said simultaneously.

"Of course."

Vormund bend his right knee and knelt while lowering his head in front of them.

"I sincerely ask, the both of you, to let the Princess live her life here with you and your family. I ask you to take care of her and give her the love that her parents wanted to give her but couldn't, please give her a normal life away from danger and give her the happiness that she deserves. Even though we just met, there is this feeling in my chests that I can trust you with my master's life. You both somehow remind me of the King and the Queen and I believed that it's because of them that we have met you and your family. I'm begging you from the bottom of my heart." Vormund said with a pleading voice.

"But how about you? Are you going to be happy, away from this little girl's side?" Momoko asked.

"All I wish is for the Princess to grow up and be happy. As long as that wish of mine is fulfilled, I will be satisfied. Shiro-sama, Momoko-sama, would you grant this selfish wish of mine?" Vormund asked as he continues to kneel in front of the couple.

Shiro and Momoko took a long time before answering. They have no objection in taking care of the girl but they are worried for the safety of Vormund. They knew that even though the girl is too small to remember Vormund she will someday feel that a part of her is missing. They have grown fond of the girl too much that thinking about the sadness that she will feel someday saddens them. But they also understand the source of Vormund's request; it can't be called selfishness because it's the wish of all the people who loves the little girl. Shiro and Momoko stood up and kneeled to look Vormund in the eyes.

"We accept. We promised to protect her and guide her the way her real parents wanted. We will give her the freedom to choose her path and teach her the strength needed to push through. And if one day, she chooses a path that will lead her to you and her destiny, we won't stop her. Because we believed that all the feelings of the people who love her and who are with her during that time will help her break through anything that will hinder her from moving forward. And besides if that day really comes, we know that you will be by her side protecting her." Shiro said with a voice full of honesty and kindness.

Vormund smiled and thanked the couple. He felt so lucky that he met such people in an unknown planet. He knows for sure that he didn't make a mistake and that the undying wish of the King and the Queen lives on with these people.

"Before I leave, I will seal the Princess's magical energy to prevent anything that involves magic to be attracted to her." Vormund said.

A magical circle appeared beneath Momoko who holds Alazne in her arms and a light flashed before them. When she opened her eyes she saw Vormund with a surprised expression on his face.

"What happened?"

"Is something wrong?"

Shiro and Momoko ask simultaneously.

"No, nothing is wrong. It just that… I couldn't seal the Princess magical energy completely, it's like she's stopping me from sealing it and a huge amount still remains unsealed." Vormund answered.

"Maybe she doesn't want you to stop her from finding you someday." Shiro said while smiling at Vormund.

Vormund couldn't say anything and just smiled at back at Shiro.

"If that is what you want my Princess I will not stop you but, I will do everything that I can to protect you even if it means that our path will not cross again. I will put a key in your seal to make sure that nothing or no one unseals it." Vormund said to Alazne and cast another spell at her.

When he finished the spell he stood up and looked around the house.

"I will surely miss this place." Vormund thought to himself.

"Shiro-sama, Momoko-sama, I'm sorry for abusing your kindness but will you also give the Princess a new name so she can officially live her life anew without a trace of her past." Vormund said looking at the couple.

Momoko tried to object but was stop by Shiro. They look at each other for a few minutes before nodding at Vormund. After another few minutes of thinking, Momoko both look at Alazne.

"I think I will name her Nanoha." Momoko said.

"Yeah, that's a cute name. It suits her." Shiro said agreeing.

"What do you think honey? Do you like your new name to be Nanoha?" Momoko asked Alazne who responded by laughing and pulling her hair.

"Looks like she liked it." Shiro said smiling at his wife and new daughter.

"Is it okay to you that we call her Nanoha." Momoko ask Vormund.

"Yes. Thank you very much Momoko-sama." Vormund said.

"Our house isn't as big as a castle, we live a simple life and wouldn't be able to give her all the luxury that exists in the world but, I promised that I will provide her anything that she will ever need." Shiro said.

"I trust and believe you Shiro-sama." Vormund said as he once again pays respect to the Takamachi's.

"Take care and make sure to come back, okay." Kyouya said to Vormund.

"We will wait for you." Miyuki said while trying not to cry.

"I will. Take care of the Princess for me." Vormund said to the young Takamachi's.

Vormund took a deep breath and stepped back. A magic circle appeared beneath him as he held the two Items in his possession and tried to sense the other Items across the universe. As he concentrates, he sensed an energy yet weak and faint from a certain planet. He tried to find its coordinates and once he had it in his mind; he readied himself to teleport there. Vormund said his farewell to the couple who gave him a nod and took a final glance at her master who is now called Nanoha.

"My Princess even if we are apart, a part of me will always be with you and a part of you will always be with me. I promise to protect the happiness you will have in the future and everyone that you love with everything I have. Take care and Good-bye my master." Vormund said as he slowly disappeared.

When the magic circle totally disappeared, Alazne who is now called Nanoha suddenly cried as if she knows that someone important to her left, to go to a far place that she won't be able to follow. Shiro and Momoko felt the silent sadness in their new daughter's heart and hugged her as tight as they can.

11 years after

Inside a Hospital in Mid-childa

Two years ago, a girl named Nanoha discovered magic and became involved in two major incidents. She met and became friends with people who call themselves mages and decided to work at a magic bureau called TSAB. During an investigation mission with one of her friend Vita, she had an accident and suffered major injuries… and now she is laying in her bed fighting for her life.

"Nanoha… please open your eyes. Don't leave me like this!" Fate, one of her best friends, said while crying and grasping Nanoha's uninjured hand.

Nanoha Takamachi is now in a coma and the doctors said that the first 24 hours will be critical. The possibility of her not surviving the first night is high, that's why her friends are now gathered inside her room trying to support her in anyway that they can.

"Nanoha, can you hear me? Everyone is here waiting for you to wake up. If you don't open your eyes soon, we will be sad you know. You don't want us to be sad right?" Hayate, one of her best friends, said as tears flows out of her eyes.

"Nanoha! Nanoha! Hey come on Nanoha, wake up!" Vita shouted near Nanoha's bed.

"She is a strong and brave girl. I haven't met anyone who has a strong will as her in all the years of my life. I'm sure she will wake up." Signum said as she clenched her hands.

"She hates making us worry so I'm sure she will return to us." Shamal said while hugging Hayate.

"Where's Yuuno?" Chrono asked with a calm voice, but deep inside his hurting deeply.

"He went and fetched Nanoha's family." Amy said as she wipes her tears.

"I gave Shiro and the others a permit to travel here so they can be with Nanoha right now." Lindy said as she wipes Nanoha's forehead.

Arf, Zafira and many more of their friends had come to support Nanoha, a person who have saved, helped and touched many people during her two years of active duty. Sadness and pain was the only emotion you can feel from inside the room while the only sound you can hear are the sobs of broken hearts and the beeping sound of monitor devices. Amidst the room full of crying people, a shadow lurks in the darkness watching everything that is transpiring.

After a few hours, the Takamachi Family finally arrived. Momoko and Miyuki dashed to Nanoha's side with tears in their eyes. Shiro and Kyouya silently stood near them with a face that says their pain upon seeing their youngest member full of wounds and bandages all over her body. Lindy and Shamal explained to them the situation, they tried to stay calm while listening but they couldn't contain the pain they felt in their heart. They have tried to protect Nanoha all her life but when she told them about what she wants to do, of course at first they were shocked but they knew a day will come that she will be back at the path of magic. They gave her their approval in joining the TSAB, believing that it's for the best and had prepared themselves if something like this ever happens but there's really nothing that can prepare them from something like this.

When evening came, no one really wanted to leave specially Fate but they couldn't all stay inside the room because of the hospital rules. Momoko talked to Fate and finally convinced her to wait outside the room with the others. They decided to have turns in looking after Nanoha that night and Shiro was the first one. As the others wait patiently outside the room, Shiro looked at her youngest daughter's condition. For the first time in his life, he felt how his family felt when he was the one in that same condition. Years ago when Nanoha was younger, he had an accident and stayed in the hospital for a long time. His family suffered a lot during that time specially Nanoha, who became really lonely. After recovering, he and Momoko decided to open a Café to prevent giving their children more sad memories. They have lived their life happily after that and he wished for that to continue even now.

"Nanoha, do you hear me? Me, your Mother, Kyouya, Miyuki, Fate and your Friends are all here waiting for you to wake up. You're a strong girl, you possessed your mother's tenacity and kindness, that's why I know that you will never fail all of us and make us sad." Shiro said as he holds Nanoha's hand. "Also, there is someone here you haven't seen for a long time so you shouldn't give up, okay."

Shiro slowly stared at the darkness at the far end of the room and said.

"It's been a while, Vormund."

Instantly, a man wearing a blue robe appeared from the shadows with a smile on his face. His appearance didn't change a bit from the last time Shiro saw him years ago.

"As expected of you, Shiro-sama. How long have you known that I was here?" Vormund asked still not understanding how Shiro can find him even though no one or no object should be able to detect his presence.

"Since we've arrived. Welcome back" Shiro said.

"I see. I'm back sir… finally." Vormund said.

He walked towards the other side of Nanoha's bed and assessed his master's condition.

"I'm very sorry for arriving late. I was sealing the last Item in one of the planet near here when I felt that the Princess was in danger. I tried to get to her the moment I felt her, but I have used almost all of my magical energy in sealing the last Item and had the hard time casting a teleportation spell." Vormund said his voice full of regret.

Shiro slowly shook his head in objection.

"It's not your fault so don't blame yourself too much. All this years, you have been shouldering everything all by yourself in order to protect Nanoha and you have done a great job." Shiro said.

"No, I didn't. I vowed to myself, and to the King and Queen that I will protect the Princess whatever happens but I failed on that miserably." Vormund said as he looks at Nanoha's weak body.

"Don't' say that… If someone failed here it's us. You left her in our care and yet look at her, she's laying there fighting for her life, may be our decision to let her take this path is a mistake after all." Shiro said sadly.

"No, I don't think you made a mistake Shiro-sama. The moment I first felt the Princess using magic, honestly, I was surprised and worried at the same time. I also almost returned to her side but something stopped me. I realized that whatever I… whatever we do we can't stop her from taking this path if she's the one who chooses it herself. During my travel, I've seen many things about this universe, I've also learned that there are things that we can't control and stop, and I think that she, taking the path of magic is one of them. I just wished that as she treads this path, she won't come across the path leading to the Holy Items." Vormund said.

"I know what you mean but… If that day comes, I believe that Nanoha will be able to handle it. She is a strong girl you know." Shiro said proudly.

"Yes… I know." Vormund said in agreement.

"Momoko and the others are just outside with Nanoha's friends, wait here while I get them." Shiro said as he walked towards the door to call the others but was stopped by Vormund.

"There's no need for that Shiro-sama. Seeing Momoko-sama and the rest of your family is fine but I think it's best if I don't meet the others. The Princess friends belong to the magical world, if they find out who I really am and my connection to the Princess many questions will surface. I plan to let the Princess live her life knowing nothing of me and the Items to protect her from danger. As I searched for the Items many bad things happened and if she finds out about it, I'm sure she won't just sit still and relax. For now, please let me protect her in my own way." Vormund said trying to convince Shiro.

Shiro was silent for a while but he trust Vormund's decision and decided to agree.

"I understand… so why are you here? Did you just want to see Nanoha?" Shiro asked.

"Not really. It's true that I've wanted to see the Princess all these years but that's not the only reason why I'm here." Vormund answered.

Shiro gave Vormund a questioning look.

"I'm here to sever my link with the Princess." Vormund finally said after a few minutes of silence.

"Sever? What do you mean?" Shiro asked confused.

"Right now the Princess is suffering from internal damage far severe for the healing spells of this planet to cure. Even their medical technology can't do anything to help her right now, and at the same time her linker core has suffered some serious damages too." Vormund explained. "I'm gonna sever our connection to each other and give her back the magical energy she gave me when she activated Andvari."

Vormund raised his right hand and put it above Nanoha's body.

"Wait a minute, if you do that what will happen to you?" Shiro asked.

"Don't worry Shiro-sama nothing bad will happen to me. As long as Andvari exist, I will continue to live because I am Andvari's special function. My magical energy will be weaker than before but it will still be enough to maintain the seal I placed on the Items." Vormund answered.

"But what will happen if the seal is broken? Can you seal them again after you sever your connection with Nanoha?" Shiro asked.

"I won't let that happen."

Was all Vormund said as he severed his connection to Nanoha. A barrier was placed around the room so the people outside wont noticed what's happening. His linker core came out of his body and split into two. One went back to him while the other entered Nanoha's body. Nanoha's body was enveloped by a bright light and when it subsided the complexion on her skin returned a little.

When they saw that Nanoha's a little better now, Shiro and Vormund sighed at the same time.

"There's nothing to worry about anymore Shiro-sama. The magical energy that I gave the Princess will help her body heighten its healing abilities. Though some damages will still be left, she will eventually wake up. Her body will return to normal but it might take her a while before she can use magic and to return to the sky." Vormund said.

"I see. Thank you Vormund… Thank you. Are you really alright?" Shiro asked.

"Yes." Vormund answered. "My Princess now that our link has been cut I won't be able to know if you're in any danger… that is why I ask you to please take care of yourself."

Vormund held Nanoha's hand as he said his farewell. He turned around and slowly walked away from Nanoha and Shiro.

"Shiro-sama, please forgive my actions but I need to take my leave now. It's nice to see you again, please give my regards to Momoko-sama, Kyouya-sama and Miyuki-sama. Take care of yourselves." Vormund said as he fades into the darkness and his presence that only can be detected by Shiro slowly disappeared.

"Yeah. It's nice to see you again too." Shiro said.

Just like what Vormund said, Nanoha survived that night. She stayed in a coma for a few days but she eventually woke up. She had been through a lot of things during her rehabilitation but after a few months she miraculously recovered and returned to the sky that she loved so much, to the delight of her family and friends.

~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~

"After that, I met you again at the excavation site and you know the rest." Vormund said as he concludes his story.

"Hmmm. So that's the reason why you're weak even though you're a special function of Andvari." Nanoha said teasing Vormund.

Vormund flinched at his masters' words and this made Nanoha smile in triumph.

"I may be weaker than you with your true magical energy unsealed but I'm still the second strongest mage in all of Mid-childa. If you test me I would be in the SS rank!" Vormund said as he raised his fist making a winner's pose.

Nanoha burst into laughter when she saw her guardian, who always has a serious expression on his face, make a victory pose. It was the first time that night that she was able to laugh wholeheartedly. After she woke up, she felt many emotions that she didn't know she can feel all at the same time. Laughing made her feel very refreshed.

"Hey Vormund, thank you for protecting me all this time. I'm really, really grateful to you. Don't worry; starting today we'll never be separated again. We will face everything together whatever happens, I promise. But you also need to promise me that you won't do anything that will endanger your life and that you won't leave me again" Nanoha said as she held Vormund's hand in hers.

"If that's what you wish, my Princess." Vormund said.

"By the way… why are the Items hidden here at Mid-childa and why didn't the Bureau detect it's presence before?" Nanoha asked as if she remembers something insignificant.

"After I severed our connection I had difficulty maintaining the seal on the Items. Their time being sealed became shorter and shorter that's why I thought of a measure." Vormund answered.

"What measure?" Nanoha asked.

"I brought them to a place where they can be near the magical energy that can stabilize them." Vormund said.

"Magical energy that can stabilize them... wait… that's me right?" Nanoha said.

"Yes. I thought that if the Items can detect your magical energy it will help me in maintaining the seal a little. I put a barrier around the excavation site so the bureau won't detect the Items presence as long as they don't activate and like you already know, no mage in the bureau can detect or break my barrier. Besides there's a saying on earth that, if you want to hide a leaf hide it in a forest." Vormund said giving Nanoha a smile.

"Yeah. It was a risky plan but it definitely worked. That's a saying from Earth, who taught you that?" Nanoha asked.

"Your father, Shiro-sama." Vormund answered. "It's getting late, I think it's time for you to go back to sleep now. Tomorrow, if you feel much better we will start your training in using Eckhard and then after you're ready we will start to search for the Items."

Vormund stood up and helped Nanoha lay down on her bed.

"Rest well, my Princess." Vormund said.

"Yeah. Good night, Vormund." Nanoha said as she closed her eyes.

That night, Nanoha had difficulty in sleeping. She couldn't helped but think about her friends, her family, her daughter and Fate. She misses them so much but she needs to persevere, she can't return now but she promised to herself that she will return someday… after she finish everything that she needs to do.

"Fate… I miss you. I love you… so much." Nanoha said as she finally dozed to sleep.

1 month after

Present Day

After the incident at the excavation site and the disappearance of the Ace of Aces of the TSAB, lots of incidents involving a large scale of magical energy started happening from different planets. Huge and lots of dimensional rifts was also detected from all over the universe, the TSAB has no idea what causes this incidents and have started to panic. The Main Branch of Mid-childa Headquarters formed a new Division that will investigate the source of the huge magical energy and prevent it from causing more damage. This division is made up of outstanding personnel who also have participated in many major incidents, like the JS Incident. They have been gathered and re-assigned together to solve another difficult and dangerous assignment. This new division is called Royal Fortress 6.

Three hours ago they have detected a dimensional rift near a planet under the supervision of the TSAB. They board the spaceship called Aegle and are now on their way to their division's first deployment / battle. But what they didn't know and didn't detect was, on that planet there are two unidentified figures that has been observing the situation for a while.

"Are you ready for your first hunting mission, my Princess." a man wearing a blue robe asked.

"Yeah. Let's get this started shall we, Vormund." a woman wearing a white robe answered.

A/N: Okay… we are done with the explanations and flashbacks, hope you guys didn't get bored. Now that we have set the details aside we can finally start with the adventure part, in other words the Fight Scenes. I hope I can do a good job on it. Feel free to leave some comments or suggestions. Thank you... :)