To 'darkvalk': Heh, you can't fool me, BPHaru. I know that's you. I only ever mentioned identifying with Yuuno in a PM to you, not in public. Just because I blocked you doesn't mean you have to use such a round-about method. Besides, if you actually tried something that wasn't NanoFate, you'd know that Teana is the character I identify with the most. Also, you say that as if identifying with a character is a bad thing. Being able to do so is the sign of a well written cast. Yeah, I identify with Yuuno, and I identify with Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, Subaru, and the others as well. So I'm using myself to get with... myself? That would be weird. No, Yuuno has never been a self insert character. I'm far more forward than him. If I were to self insert, I'd go the whole nine yards with an OC that shared my name and everything.
No, I've never at any point in time said that I hated yuri in my profile. You must be thinking of some one else. I've said that I don't prefer it, but that's all. It's no different from yuri fans not prefering het. Besides, if I hated yuri, do you think I would include it in any of my stories?
Yeah, Nanoha, Fate, and Vivio are a family. But you know, 'family' is a tricky word. It means different things to different people. Some consider family to just be blood relatives. Some consider anyone they're close to as family. Just because I say they're family, doesn't mean I'm talking in the sense of "a couple and their child." Oh, and godparents can have legal obligations to a child, so in terms of paperwork, she would be a legal guardian, yes.
As for my other fics, their status as friends is already established in the show. And it's clear that Yuuno has a thing for Nanoha. And I established why Fate likes Yuuno in my other fic. My fics usually focus on an event that kicks the relationship above friendship. Friends can turn into lovers very easily. Naturally, this applies to Nanoha and Fate as well. I've never cared if others bashed my work. I just wish they wouldn't hide behind anonymous reviews. Have the guts to sign in to flame. Come to think of it, there's a way to force that, isn't there? Anyways, Haru, you've always tried to convince me that my work is horrible and that no one likes it. But you know what? There are people who do like what I do. They think I do a good job, and that I do keep everyone in character. Who to believe? Well, other than myself, it's those people who I write for.
Anyways, my previous note was mostly to establish that while I may have stuff like Nanoha and Fate sleeping in the same bed, it's not because they're lovers at this point in time. It was to establish context so people wouldn't prematurely jump to certain conclusions. It may have driven away readers who can't accept that, but those who remain prove to be flexable individuals who can adapt to another's point of view. They should be able to enjoy themselves. Remember, I'm here to have fun just like the rest of you.
Fate could see the flashes from the road. She'd recognise the brilliance of magic blasts any day. They definitely originated in the direction of the training center. She made a hard turn onto the shoulder and jumped out of her car. "Bardiche!"
"Set up."
Fate flew into the air, ready for battle. She reached the combat zone at top speed. On one side was the robot that Hayate had talked about, only it wasn't alone. There were hundreds of them, spread out like a metal wall. They all fired yellow energy balls from their hands towards the building. There, an increasing number of mages blocked the blasts and fired back their own. The center had taken a few hits, but the damage was minimal. Fate was certain that Nanoha would get the children to safety. She just prayed that Nanoha herself wouldn't try to jump into the battle. Not with her health the way it was.
'Nanoha, can you hear me?' Fate called out mentally.
'Fate-chan, you're here!' Fate was relieved to hear the reply.
'Where are you right now?'
'In the shelter with the students. We're all fine here. What's going on outside?'
'We're under attack by unknown robots. The training corps is engaging them in battle. I'm about to assist.'
'Fate-chan, don't, I'll…'
'You stay there and protect Vivio and the others.' Fate ordered softly. 'Don't worry about me. Nothing is going to happen.'
'…Ok. Please be careful.'
Fate joined up with the defending forces and asked who was in command. She was directed to the man named Balgus.
"Thanks for the assistance, Enforcer." He said. "We may be ok right now, but… I don't like this. It's too easy."
"Similar machines were sighted before." Fate explained. "They were also described as being weak."
"They certainly have numbers on their side, though. If we let down our defences, we'll get pounded repeatedly."
"I'll fly in and attack directly." Fate declared.
"Ok, we'll back you up." Balgus barked at some mages. The mages gathered around Fate.
"Let's go." Fate said, flying at the enemy.
"Haken form."
Bardiche turned into its scythe mode as Fate swung him down at one of the machines. The robot didn't even notice her before she sliced it in two. A neighbouring enemy saw her, an energy sword appearing from the back of its wrist. That's as far as it got before Fate spun around and split it at the waist. Fate moved on to the next before the previous two exploded.
Fate knew she was fast, but the machine's reaction time was still way too slow. She saw the other mages take down their foes with similar ease. They were this weak, yet they attacked the place where the most skilled of mages gathered? It didn't make any sense.
There had to be more to it…
X-X-X
"Raising Heart, what's going on?"
"The number of enemies is decreasing, my master. All available combat mages are currently engaging."
Raising Heart had accessed the shelter's computer terminal. She used it to tap into the building's security network to monitor the situation.
"Looks like everything will be fine." Nanoha sighed in relief. She turned back to the others. "Don't worry everyone. It'll be over soon, I'm sure." Most of the children seemed to be excited rather than scared.
"Master, I am detecting an intruder."
"An intruder? Where?"
"Sector seven."
"That's the area furthest away from the attack… Show me the camera feed."
Nanoha saw a flash of black leave the screen before the image turned to static.
"What was that?" She pondered. "There's nothing in Sector Seven other than… The database!" The giant super computer held all of the center's data. From meal schedules all the way to schematics of experimental devices, it was all there. "Then that attack is just a diversion isn't it? Raising Heart, open the door."
"Master?"
"Everyone is too busy fighting outside. I'll go stop the intruder myself."
"But master…"
"Mama, where are you going?" Vivio looked up as she tugged on her mother's skirt.
"Vivio, I have to go and fight." She answered, lowering herself to Vivio's eye level.
"But if you use your magic…"
"I'll be fine if I just use the basic shooting mode. You have to stay here and look after everyone else, Vivio."
"But…"
"I promise I'll be fine. If it gets too dangerous, I'll run away."
Vivio looked at Nanoha sceptically. She didn't consider her mama to be some one who would ever run away. However, she knew her mama would go no matter what. The child could only stare blankly as the door closed behind the woman who had become her parent.
"It's been awhile, but here we go, Raising Heart." Nanoha said to the gem as she ran down the hall.
"Are you sure, my master?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Set up!" Her body became pink light, which disappeared in a brilliant flash. In its place, Nanoha wore her barrier jacket, her hair now split into twin tails. She looked down at Raising Heart, now in its staff form. The device was in its most basic of forms, the one Nanoha first used as a child.
Wings of light appeared on her feet and she flew the rest of the way. She saw that the entrance to the huge server room was open. A cloak clad figure stood before the main monitor.
"Stop what you're doing and turn around slowly." Nanoha warned, holding up her staff. "If not, I'll have no choice but to use force."
"Hm?" The figure's masked face looked over his shoulder. "And here I thought everyone was either fighting outside or hiding in the shelter. Well, it would be boring if my plan went too perfectly."
"So you're the mastermind behind this? What is your goal?"
"If I told you that, it would ruin the surprise."
"Turn around with your hands up." Nanoha warned again.
"Why should I? Is it because you have a weapon to my back?"
Nanoha didn't blink, but she still missed it. The figure had vanished.
"But now I'm the one who is behind you!"
Nanoha felt the foot dig into her back. She was launched forward and slammed into the opposite wall. She coughed on the breath she swallowed and go to her feet, her barrier jacket having absorbed most of the damage.
"Mages these days." The man's face was suddenly inches away from her own. An armour clad fist shot out of the cloak. The uppercut connected with her stomach and sent her up into the ceiling. "You always issue a warning first. What happened to your killer instinct? You'd all have been slaughtered during the war." He jumped up after her, preparing another punch. Nanoha managed to fly out of the way, avoiding the blow which blew away part of the ceiling.
Nanoha aimed at her foe, but he was gone once again.
"Protection!" Raising Heart called, automatically throwing up a shield to Nanoha's left. The armoured knee blow bounced off.
"Hm, not bad. Not bad. But I some how expected more from the famous Ace of Aces."
"Who are you?" Nanoha panted. He was good. At her current level, she was no match.
"Hm, maybe I'll tell you if you can put up a better fight." He assumed a stance. "I suggest you go all out. Back in the good old days of Belka, I had no equal."
Nanoha gripped her staff. How was she going to handle this?
X-X-X
Vivio sat restlessly next to Rio and Corona. Her mama had been gone far too long for her liking. What if something happened to her? She thought of the reassuring smile Nanoha had given as she closed the door. Something about this whole thing had some strange feeling stirring in the pit of her stomach.
What if she never came back? What if she went away forever like Yuuno-san had?
Vivio couldn't bear it. She shot to her feet and ran to the door.
"Vivio, what are you doing?" Her friends and teacher cried.
"I have to go find mama!" She declared, hitting the door release button. She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.
X-X-X
Nanoha barely managed to dodge each blow. The strikes came like thunder, coming dangerously close to its mark each time. She was so busy defending she could barely spare anything for offense.
"Come on, is that the best you got? I thought you were the great Nanoha Takamachi. I'm going to crush your skull at this rate." The man kept goading her. Aside from the black, all she could see was his cocky smirk.
Nanoha just had to hold out until the forces outside were finished and she could get some back up. She would wear him down a bit by then. It seems he hadn't noticed her plan yet. She had to keep his attention on attacking her body.
"Ah, this is boring." He huffed when an axe kick left his foot buried in the floor. "Try to fight back at least!"
"How about this? Shoot!"
The man looked around and finally saw the tiny orbs of light that Nanoha had released around the room. They were small, but there was a lot of them. They all shot forward towards him and collided. A plume of dust kicked up as a result.
"Direct hit, my master."
However, when the dust cleared, the man stood there, unharmed. Surrounding him was a glowing dome. "I really need to pay more attention to my surroundings." He said in a disinterested tone.
"A barrier…" Nanoha muttered. She didn't expect he'd be able to throw one up so quickly.
"Nice try, though." The man dashed forward before Nanoha could react. He raised his knee into her gut, lifting her off the ground. He then grabbed the back of her head and slammed her face into the floor. "But I guess a Mid style mage like yourself is just no good in close quarters combat." He reached down and pulled her up by the neck. Nanoha's feet dangled inches above the floor and his hand slowly crushed her windpipe.
"I wanted to have more fun with you, but it's a shame." He grinned. "I need to do what I came here for before my mooks are completely wiped out. Bye bye."
Nanoha could feel her consciousness slipping away. Was this really the end of her? Was she going to leave Vivio, Fate, and everyone else behind? Was she going to see Yuuno again?
"Mama!" The scream pierced through Nanoha's daze. From the corner of her eye she could see her daughter standing in the doorway.
"Vi… vi… o… run…" Nanoha squeezed out. If this monster laid a hand on her daughter…
To her surprise, Nanoha found air returning to her lungs. The grip around her neck had loosened. She looked down to see the man's mouth hanging open.
"Vii…" Was what escaped his lips.
Nanoha used the chance to bring up her legs and kick off the man's chest. The force knocked his hand away, and Nanoha flipped back, landing on her feet. She breathed heavily as she stood between her foe and her loved one.
The man scowled at his lapse. "No. You're just that cheap copy, aren't you?" He spat. "Well, I guess I have you to thank in part for my release, little girl."
"What are you talking about?" Nanoha wheezed.
"I was stuck under the Cradle of the Saint King." He explained. "Only those with Saint Kaiser blood can move it."
Something clicked in Nanoha's brain. "So you're saying…"
"Well, whatever. You've ruined my mood." The man snapped his fingers. Nanoha couldn't move before the bands of light wrapped around her. "You just say there quietly and watch." He moved over to the database's consol and activated it.
"Please enter your ID." Came a feminine voice.
The man reached into his cloak and pulled out a card, which he then swiped through the reader.
"ID verified. Welcome."
"Copy all combat data and upload it to this address." He keyed something in.
"Acknowledged. Uploading now… Upload, complete."
"Wow that was fast. Would have taken hours back in my day. You get all that Doc?" he spoke to no one present. "… Good. Relay it to all the mooks."
X-X-X
Fate blasted away her twentieth robot. "How can there be so many? Did all these really get built in such a short time?" Fate flew towards another target, and brought down her scythe.
This time, the robot spun to the side. It dropped altitude and then ascended in a curve. Now above her, the machine fired a blast. In her surprise, Fate barely dodged it. She recognised that manoeuvre.
"Evasive pattern Alpha Three?" She gasped. She saw another robot charge her from the side. She moved out of the way, but when she did, a second robot appeared from behind the first. She flew over it, only to be greeted by yet another machine. Fate summoned a shield, and the robot smashed into it. The impact knocked Fate back.
"And that was attack pattern JSA!" She gaped. Their enemies were now all using Bureau taught tactics. The robots had been like amateurs before, but now it was as if they had the combat experience of a veteran. What was going on?
X-X-X
"There we go." The man in black grinned. "Now they don't suck so much. Thanks a bunch Ms Computer. You can shut off now."
"Acknowledged. Please have a nice day Scrya, Professor Yuuno."
Nanoha's eyes widened. "Y-You… What did it just say? That… That ID!"
The man held up the card he had used. "Oh, this thing?" He said idly. "Just a little something I got from the poor sap who freed me." He laughed. "You should have seen the look on his face when he found me. I bet that's what Pandora looked like. Even after thousands of years, the Scryas are as stupid as always. Always poking their noses into things they shouldn't. How many disasters like me have they unleashed over the ages?"
Nanoha's expression was hidden by her bangs. Her grip tightened until her device clattered from the vibration. "So, the explosion at the dig site…" Her voice trembled. "That was you? The one who killed Yuuno-kun was…"
"I guess you knew him. Pitty what happened to him, but I will never forget the sacrifice he made for my sake. Just remembering the way he screamed makes me grin like a fool." He did so. "But I'm not into guys. Hm... I bet the screams of that little girl behind you will be absolutely orgasmic."
"… Raising Heart." Nanoha said in a fierce whisper. "Exceed mode."
"But master!"
"I said Exceed mode!" She snapped.
"… Exceed mode, set up." Raising Heart's head changed into its more advanced form.
"Bind break." The bonds holding Nanoha shattered. The man looked amused.
"Looks like I touched a nerve." He chuckled. His grin grew as the woman looked at him with enraged eyes.
"You… You killed Yuuno-kun!" She shouted at him. "You won't touch Vivio! Load cartridge!"
"Strike Flame." Raising Heart spat out the empty casings and the pink spike extended from her head. Wings of light also appeared. The man was forced back by the burst of energy.
"Now we're talking! This is the White Devil I've heard so much about!" He said with glee. He outstretched one hand, calling forth a wall of light. Nanoha charged forward in another burst. The Strike Flame connected with the shield.
Nanoha gritted her teeth and had her device load more cartridges. Her forward momentum increased and the obstacle was penetrated.
"Excellion…"
The man threw out his other hand.
"… Buster!" The large beam fired from Raising Heart's tip. The blast engulfed the man and shot out through the wall on an upward angle. After it subsided, Nanoha's heavy breathing was all that could be heard.
"Mama!" Vivio called from the other side of the room.
"Don't move, Vivio!" Nanoha said. "Stay where it's safe!" She flew through the hole she had created and arrived outside.
The man in black was waiting for her in the air, unscathed.
"Colour me impressed." He applauded. "I almost couldn't block that. That wasn't your strongest attack either, right? I can't wait to see what else you can do."
"Shut up!" Nanoha glared. "I won't forgive you for what you did to Yuuno-kun, or for threatening Vivio!"
"I don't particularly want your forgiveness anyways." He assumed his stance again. "Ready for round tw…" He was cut off by a yellow blast that passed over his head.
"Nanoha!" Fate called as she headed over. She had been alerted by that buster earlier.
"Tsk, three's a crowd." The man frowned. "Looks like we'll have to postpone our date."
"Wait!"
"I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the near future, Nanoha." He smirked. "My name is Volvo. Remember it." With a dramatic wave of his hand, he vanished.
"Get back here, you…!" Nanoha tried to follow.
"Nanoha!" Fate grabbed her arm. "What are you doing, using your…"
"Let go of me, Fate-chan!" Nanoha attempted to yank her arm free. "It was him! That guy… That guy!"
"Nanoha! Calm down!" Fate had never seen her friend so… frenzied before.
"He killed him! That bastard was the one who killed Yuuno-kun!" She screamed.
"What?" The surprise almost had her letting go, but Fate kept her grip. She wasn't going to let Nanoha dash off on her own in that state. "Nanoha, you have to settle down first!"
"That guy… He was going to…" She was cut off by her own violent cough. Fate was horrified when she saw red leak out from Nanoha's mouth. The brunette stopped struggling and would have plummeted to the ground if Fate hadn't been holding her up.
"Nanoha! Nanoha!"
Nanoha didn't register the sound of Fate's voice. She quickly slipped into oblivion.
There's a common question in the fandom: "If Nanoha treats people she likes like that, how would she treat some one she doesn't?" That's what I wanted to play around with. We all know what happened to Quattro, but that was after Nanoha had a chance to cool her head. I bet if she was present at Vivio's kidnapping, she'd have raged far harder than Erio did.
I usually use 'Raging Heart' because I think it sounds cooler, but while writing it I typed "Raising" without thinking. I figured I might as well stick with it. Nanoha does enough 'raging' herself anyways ;)
Volvo, obviously, comes from the automobile company of the same name. I think it sounds fittingly evil enough. If I had to pick a voice for him, it would definitely be Toshihiko Seki (My HiME's Reito, Gundam SEED's Rau). He can do both goofy and sinister. His voice makes me melt every time I hear it.
