A/N: Sorry for the delay, I wrote only a few paragraphs before my exam and I somehow couldn't get myself to writing until Saturday. It's an important chapter so I didn't want it to be rushed and stuff.
Also, I've changed Precia's appearance a little in the previous chapter. Nothing major, I've just got rid of her purple lipstick as I realised that she started using it after going totally crazy. Seeing her in the 1st Movie without it was somehow making her look more 'normal'.
Okay, enough of my ranting, have a good read.
Passage to Al Hazard
Chapter 2
By: Caelion
Bardiche's mechanical voice rang out loudly as Fate suddenly disappeared from a huge paw's way, only to appear above a raging beast's head, ready to attack.
"Bardiche, Scythe Form!" The blonde commanded, plunging in direction of an enormously big, black panther. The axe in Fate's hands changed it's shape into a scythe, forming a long, electric-yellow energy blade. The girl swiped at the monster with her weapon and cut right through the black matter the beast was composed of. But it was not enough to stop it. The cut off part dispersed and Fate was forced to face a large, this time headless, panther once again.
The blonde dodged swiftly as the beast started charging blindly at her, only to crash the nearest tree in front of it. The monster seemed unaffected. It's neck started to rapidly change it's shape and soon three additional heads grew up from it. Roaring and turning around, the panther prepared to jump at Fate when a large, orange wolf bit in the beast's paw with rage, immobilizing it with magical chains.
"Fate! Now!" Arf shouted, holding the monster with all her might.
[Arc Saber]
The device in Fate's hand beeped and flashed. Swinging the scythe, the blonde sent the rapidly rotating energy blade in the panther's direction.
[Saber Explode] Bardiche flashed once again.
A sudden explosion shook the ground, raising a cloud of dust. The blow was finishing, the beast roared one more time and fell on the ground, glistening and disappearing. In it's place, a small crystal appeared. Fate lifted Bardiche before her, touching the jewel.
[Jewel Seed number six. Captured.] The device informed, turning back to it's axe form.
"Arf, are you okay?" The blonde ran to her familiar, kneeling next to it and touching it's head carefully.
The wolf bared it's teeth, as if smiling, and wiggled it's tail. "Do you think that blow from earlier could knock me out so easily?" Arf released the barrier around them and turned into her human form, sitting on the ground with Fate's help. Her body was covered with wounds, bruises and dry blood here and there.
Fate started inspecting her familiar's injuries closer when another person appeared next to them. "Are you two all right?" Nanoha asked and gasped when she saw Arf's could-be-better state.
"I'm sorry, Nanoha," Fate raised her head, looking at her friend. "I'm afraid I'll not be able to take you home today, I need to take care of Arf for now." She offered her friend an apologetic smile.
"It's okay, Fate-chan, do you need help?" The brunette responded.
"Hey, I'm still here!" Arf interjected and stood up but quickly found herself on the ground again when she suddenly went weak at the knees. "Uh, it's okay, I can go by myself," She stammered as Nanoha and Fate were helping her stand by holding her arms.
"Don't worry," The blonde looked at Nanoha, smiling lightly. "We'll meet tomorrow, okay?"
"Mm," Nanoha nodded and waved as the two few in direction of Fate's apartment.
Landing on top of the skyscraper, Fate tightened her hold around Arf. The girl was twice as big as her, and just because Arf was trying to fly by herself, the blonde managed to get home with her. Going down the stairs together, although only one floor down, was one of the hardest things in Fate's life. Finally, she opened the door to her apartment and made her way towards her bedroom. Laying Arf down on her bed, Fate went to the bathroom to get a first aid kit, not even bothering with releasing her Barrier Jacket. By the time she got back, her familiar was already sitting and resting her back on a wall.
"Sorry for making so much trouble," The orange-haired girl looked at her lap sadly, her ears drooping.
"It's all right, Arf," Fate sat next to her and opened the kit. "Take off your blouse," She commanded, preparing to clean the girl's wounds. Arf blushed lightly and took the cloth off, exposing her ample chest, still covered by a pink bra. Unaffected by the sight, the blonde started her work. Tentatively, at first, when the familiar winced at her wound's contact with a swab. Then, then she made her moves more firm. "It's a shame that none of us knows any healing spells, isn't it?" Fate asked conversationally, still keeping her eyes fixed on her familiar's injuries.
Arf pondered on this statement for a while before answering. "I guess it's because both of us are warriors."
The blonde sighed lightly. "I know but even one or two spells would be really helpful in our situation." She took a long piece of bandage and started wrapping it around the girl's torso, covering most of her wounds.
"Uh, I'd be a terrible healer, you know?" The wolf-girl laughed but stopped when her mistress looked down.
"I mean, I should have learned some..." Fate responded silently and concentrated on her work once again.
"Fate," Arf raised her hand and touched the blonde's cheek. "Don't blame yourself, Precia-sama will certainly be fine."
"She only looks fine," Fate answered sadly. "But I know that she suffers, she just thinks I didn't notice. Yet she won't say a word about it."
Arf continued gently stroking Fate's cheek. "You two have been through a lot, she just doesn't want to worry you." When the blonde finished, she knelt down next to the bed and laid down her head on her familiar's lap. The orange-haired girl looked at her, surprised, but sighed and took a blanket lying near her, covering Fate with it.
"We have already nine," The girl spoke silently. "Just twelve more and we'll have Alicia back with us."
"Aren't you happy?" Arf asked gently.
"I am," Fate responded. "But we'll have to leave Nanoha, won't we?"
The familiar chuckled lightly. "You've became really fond of her." She pointed, stroking Fate's hair. "And you still take her with us." She added more seriously. "I know that she wants to but still, it's dangerous."
Fate stayed silent, pondering on Arf's words. She didn't like putting Nanoha in danger but how could she resist the brunette's pleading look? So she was trying her best to at least keep those fights as far away from Nanoha as she could, letting the girl watch her in awe. To Fate, the brunette was a special person, her first friend, she knew the pain of missing someone important and she could understand her. It brought them closer to each other, to begin with. Reviving Alicia was Precia's dream Fate wanted to come true. She also wanted to meet her sister and have someone to talk and play with in their huge residence. But in the same time, the thought of leaving Nanoha here, on Earth, was making Fate feel strangely sad and uncertain. Maybe she could somehow talk her mother into moving here? She wanted to go to school along with Nanoha, meet her friends and make her own...
The blonde didn't even notice when she fell asleep.
"Yes mother, I'll come this evening." Fate spoke, shifting on the sofa in her living-room, looking at her mother's holographic image before her. "I- just want to meet with someone before." She added, seeing Precia's questioning look.
The woman smiled lightly. "Ah, have you found yourself a friend?" She asked mildly and the blonde nodded. "That's all right, I'll wait for your arrival." She waved at her daughter and the screen disappeared.
"Arf, are you sure that you don't want to go with me?" Fate turned to her familiar.
"Nah, it's okay," The girl waved the question off, opening a pack of dog feed. "I'll look for more Jewel Seeds."
"Take care of yourself," The blonde answered. "Your wounds haven't fully healed yet."
Arf crossed her legs, leaning back on the sofa. "Don't worry, I'm tough after all." She raised her free arm and tensed her muscles to prove her point.
Fate chuckled, taking her still warm, half eaten, toast she was munching before her mother's call. She wanted to meet with Nanoha once again before going back to her temporary residence, floating somewhere between dimensions.
The existence of the Gardens of Time, because that was the name of this residence, had never been really explained to Fate. She only knew that her mother had used it a few times before, though it was long time ago and no one, except for Precia herself, could tell her about it. But since their departure from their mother planet Mid Childa, the woman was constantly busy with her researches regarding opening the portal to Al Hazard.
This and her memories from before an accident in which she had lost them. The blonde wanted to get to know everything. But first, she had to find Jewel Seeds and bring Alicia and Nanoha's father back. Her answers could wait.
And so her day passed quickly on searching non-activated Jewel Seeds, sadly, with no results. By the time she finished, the sun started finishing it's everyday journey towards the other side of the world. The blonde flew right to the seashore, smiling when she saw Nanoha there. The brunette waved at her as soon as she spotted her. Fate landed next to the girl, returning the gesture. "Hello," She greeted, sitting arm in arm with her friend.
"Hi there," Nanoha responded cheerfully, looking closely at the blonde's face. She frowned suddenly and spoke. "Is something bothering you?"
Surprised, Fate turned to the girl. Was she so easy to read? "Um," She started clumsily before getting back to watching the setting sun and trying once again. "I won't be able to meet with you tomorrow." She said silently with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Today I'm going back home to give my mother Jewel Seeds I was able to collect."
In response, Nanoha put her hand on top of Fate's. "It's all right," She answered "We'll meet the day after, won't we?" She asked and the blonde responded with a nod. "So it's all right, I'll be here, as always."
Fate couldn't help but smile. Arf was right, she was a lucky girl after all. She couldn't make a better first friend.
Simply sitting and watching the sunset together was enough to make Fate calm again. She was going to come back soon and Nanoha also wasn't going anywhere. But the time to go had come and the blonde had to finally stand up and say her goodbye. By the time she got to her apartment, Arf was already waiting for her on top of the building. Fate stood next to her and started to cast a teleportation spell when her familiar stopped her.
"What's this?" Arf asked, pointing at a small package in Fate's hands.
"Ah, this," The girl smiled. "An earthly present for mother and Linith." She explained. "Nanoha suggested buying something sweet as a gift." A large, yellow circle appeared on the floor again as Fate concentrated on her spell.
"Take care!"
The blonde heard as the warm light of her magic wrapped around her. A sudden feeling of suction pulled her back to reality. She shut her eyes tightly, not daring to look what was going on around her. She opened them after a few seconds, when the feeling ended, finding herself in a huge, and somewhat cold, hall.
Walking on a long, red carpet, Fate was wandering through many different rooms and chambers, each of them as huge as the hall she was in before, if not bigger. There was one with a golden throne in it, standing in the middle, surrounded by tall pillars. Empty. Just like her mother's office, although significantly smaller than other rooms, it's size was still impressive. Entering Precia's bedroom, Fate found the woman sitting on her bed with Linith behind her, massaging her back.
"I'm home, mother," Letting them know about her presence, the blonde stepped into the dimly illuminated room.
"Welcome home, Fate." Precia turned to her daughter, smiling and gesturing her to come closer. She stood up and hugged the girl, watching her carefully. "I'm glad that you're all right." She said when she didn't spot any injuries on her body. "How did it go?" She asked, sitting down to have her back massaged by Linith again.
Fate sat on a chair standing near the bed. "It was fine," She answered briefly before going into details. "I've made my first friend," Smiling at the memory of laughing Nanoha, and seeing Precia doing the same, Fate continued. "Her name is Nanoha, she's my age."
"I'm glad then," The woman responded, raising her hand and cupping her daughter's cheek. "Do you get along well?" She asked and the girl nodded her head. Then, Fate remembered about the gift when Precia coughed suddenly. Once, at first, bringing her hand to her mouth. Then, the second cough followed, and the next one, quickly turning into a serious coughing fit.
"Precia!" Linith put her hand on the woman's arm.
"I'm- okay," Precia stammered, breathing roughly, trying to calm down.
Fate looked at her with concern. "Mother, have you been taking your medicine properly?"
"Don't worry," The woman answered, clenching her fist to hide a few drops of blood. "I'm fine." She assured the girl, caressing her cheek with other hand.
The next day, Fate woke up quite early, but still not early enough to catch her mother sleeping. The huge bed she was in was already empty. The girl put on her slippers and opened the bedroom's door, only to bump on fully clothed Linith. "Ah, good morning," She said, looking at her nanny.
"Good morning, Fate. Precia is already waiting for you with breakfast." The familiar informed happily, leading the blonde to a large dining-room.
Greeting her mother, Fate sat at the table, next to the woman. She took a fork and started to eat. Somehow, she was feeling more hungry than usually. "You wanted me to bring Jewel Seeds, am I right, mother?" She asked when they finished their meal.
"They'll be necessary in the next phase of my researches," Precia responded. "How many have you managed to get?"
"I have nine for now." Fate answered and sighed.
"Only so few..." Precia scratched her chin thoughtfully.
Their talk was suddenly interrupted by Arf. A large screen popped up in the room, showing the girl. Her face had a serious look and she seemed in hurry. "Fate, I've found a Jewel Seed," She started straightforwardly, looking at Fate. "It's powerful, I don't think we've seen something like that before."
The blonde stood up, looking at her mother. The woman just nodded her head. "Take care." She told her quickly and watched as her daughter left the dining-room.
Running through the empty halls, Fate was trying to get more information from Arf. "Where is it? Have you set up a barrier already? Send coordinates to Bardiche, I'll be right there."
"Near the city centre, I've managed to trap it inside a barrier before it fully activated but..." The familiar looked away, scratching her cheek thoughtfully.
"But...?" Fate questioned, finally getting into the teleportation chamber. She pulled out Bardiche and set up her Barrier Jacket.
"Um, you'll see by yourself." Arf finished and disconnected as the blonde was casting her spell.
Fate landed on top of a tall building, next to Arf. "Ready?" She asked without delay, seeing what they had to defeat this time. The Jewel Seed took a form of a tall, ghostly woman. She was almost as big as buildings surrounding her. Her left fist was closed and raised before her, as if she was holding something. Her dirty-white, tattered robe was flapping behind her as she was wandering between houses and skyscrapers.
"Yes," The other girl responded. "But we have to be careful, there is... someone trapped there."
"Huh?" Taken by surprise, the blonde looked at her familiar.
"Apparently the Seed was activated by a human." The orange-haired girl explained as the two flew closer to the monster.
Fate prepared her scythe, ready to attack the ghostly creature in every moment. As the distance between them became shorter, she was able to see more and more details. But there was something familiar which caught her eye. A head with brown hair could be seen between the monster's left hand's fingers.
The blonde felt as if something incredibly heavy appeared in her stomach and a cold sweat covered her whole body. "Nanoha!" She shouted, plunging towards the girl, raising her weapon to cut off the creature's hand.
"Fate! Wait!" Arf shot forward, trying to catch her mistress but it was too late. Alarmed by their screams, the monster turned around, and with one sweep of it's claws, sent both Fate and her familiar on the nearest wall. Fixing it's empty eyes on the two, it started to slowly walk towards them, letting out an ear-piercing sound and raising it's hand to attack again.
Softening the collision with her spell, Arf caught half-conscious Fate in her arms, flying away from the raging phantom. "Are you okay?" She asked, landing on the other side of the barrier.
The blonde moved slightly, wincing from the pain. "I think my arm is broken." She stammered. "What's with Nanoha?"
"Fate!" Arf scolded her with shaky voice. "Why can't you worry about yourself more? You could have... died back then!"
Fate smiled lightly, raising her fine hand to caress her familiar's cheek. "I'm sorry, Arf, but I have to rescue her." With pain, she managed to sit and rest her back on a street lamp.
Arf covered the blonde's hand with her own. "I know," She responded sadly. "We'll save her. I promise."
Holding the orange-haired girl's arm, Fate managed to stand up and the two flew in the direction of the monster again.
"Be careful, don't get too close." Arf warned seriously.
Fate's right arm was hanging limply while she was holding Bardiche in her left one. She gripped the weapon tighter as it's yellow gem blinked twice.
[We'll manage, Sir!]
"I'll try to immobilize it with chains." The familiar informed, changing her course, and flew behind the creature.
Stopping about ten meters from the ghost, Fate moved to it's left side and a magic circle appeared beneath her.
"Ready?" She heard Arf's voice in her head and confirmed.
Just in the moment the monster spotted the blonde, orange-glowing chains shot from above, twining around it's arms and legs.
"Fate! Now!" The girl's shout broke the silence.
[Thunder Bullet]
Bardiche blinked and electric-yellow projectiles appeared around Fate, only to dash in direction of the phantom's left arm with a speed of light. A shock wave and a high-pitched scream broke all windows in nearby buildings. Struggling to stay in the air, Fate saw Arf catching falling Nanoha. The pain in the blonde's right arm increased and her vision blurred. A deaf squeal was still lingering in her ears. In the dim light of the barrier, the monster moved and twisted, breaking it's chains. As if through thick fog, Fate saw a giant, pale hand reaching out for her, it's long claws almost entwining around her. [Defenser.] A golden bulb surrounded the girl, protecting her from the monster, only to shatter in an instant. The blonde tried to move and dodge but her whole body felt strangely limp. When fear paralysed her, she could feel no pain. Only the whole world spinning around her as a powerful punch sent her back on the ground.
But collision with the concrete road had never been so soft. Darkness started to slowly creep in her field of vision and even her right arm didn't hurt so much. "-ate!" Had someone called her? But it was so good to fall asleep... "Fate!" The voice was somehow familiar. "Fate! Please, wake up!" Just stop it. Going back won't do anything good-
"Fate-chan!"
Nanoha. Fate's mind reacted in an instant to the second voice calling her. She was glad that the brunette was okay after all. And she was a little sad that they couldn't spend more time with each other.
"Fate-chan..."
The same pleading voice. Just as when she wanted to go with her and Arf. No, this time it was more desperate and sad. Fate wanted to tell her that everything will be all right. But no words left her mouth. She struggled to open her eyes. But were they even closed? Suddenly, she felt an indescribable fear engulfing her. Was she dying? But... It was too early for her, she had so much things to do, so many important people to talk with, her mother, Alicia, Arf... Nanoha...
Nanoha
"Na- no- ha-"
"Fate-chan!"
Concentrating all of her willpower on not falling asleep, Fate was struggling to stay alive. Slowly, her vision started to come back to her. She tried to move but she still couldn't, as if something heavy was pining her down to the ground.
"Lie still, a few of your bones are broken." Arf informed her with a caring voice, looking frantically at Fate, then at the ravaging monster in the middle of the barrier.
"What... happened?" Fate stammered, seeing both her familiar and the brunette kneeling next to her.
"Arf-san caught you before you hit the ground." Nanoha explained, giving her a worried look.
"What about... it?" The blonde asked, remembering why she fell in the first place.
Arf greeted her teeth and clenched her fists. "If it's going to stay this way, it'll finally break the barrier."
"I- must go." Again, Fate tried to sit down but a sudden wave of pain met her, making her wince and stop her efforts. So they were stuck. The monster was going to destroy Arf's barrier and then the whole city. All because of her. All because she was too reckless in her actions.
A nightmarish scream and laugh pulled the blonde out of her thoughts. She felt the ground shaking violently as a cloud of dust rose above them.
"Damn, we were found out!" Arf stood up hastily, changing into a wolf. "I'll buy you some time, hide yourself!" With that, she jumped on their opponent.
Fate wanted to protest. She wanted to stop her familiar from going to a certain death but her voice was too weak to reach the girl's ears. She shut her eyes tightly, fearing to see anything more. "Please, someone help us..." She begged. She didn't want it to end like this.
"Did you say something?" Nanoha stopped looking around frantically, fixing her eyes on the blonde.
Fate gazed at Nanoha, surprised. Had she...?
"You've just called for help, haven't you?" The brunette watched the other girl carefully.
"You... heard this?" Fate stammered and a small light of hope appeared in her.
"Mm," Nanoha nodded. "It was strange, as if you were talking inside of my head."
Fate gazed at her friend, flabbergasted. Why hadn't she noticed this earlier? She hesitated for a while but there was nothing more she could do. "Please, help me, Nanoha," She pleaded finally. It was their only chance. Their last chance.
"What do you need me to do?" Nanoha asked in hurry.
"Bardiche, release Barrier Jacket." The blonde commanded weakly.
[Barrier Jacket released.]
"Set up a temporary profile for a new user."
[Profile set up.]
The device blinked and Nanoha's eyes widened when she understood what Fate wanted her to do. Taking Bardiche from Fate's open hand, the brunette looked at the golden triangle. "Um, what should I do now?"
"Close your eyes and clear your mind. When you're ready, repeat after me." Fate explained quickly. "Don't be afraid, he will tell you what to do." She added. When Nanoha nodded her head, the blonde started to recite her incantation. "Raging thunders. Violent storms."
"R- Raging thunders. Violent storms." Nanoha repeated obediently.
"An invincible vengeance in my eyes."
"An invincible vengeance in my eyes."
"Send my enemies to where they came from."
"Send my enemies to where they came from!" Nanoha felt the device in her hands glowing brightly with a warm light. With all might she had, she finished the incantation. "Bardiche, set up!" The light engulfed her whole body and suddenly she had found herself in the middle of a golden sphere.
[Welcome, Sir.]
Bardiche's voice reached Nanoha's ears. "Um, nice to meet you," She responded uncertainly, not knowing what to do next.
[You were qualified to use me as your device. Let me choose the best configuration of your Barrier Jacket and your weapon based on your personal taste.]
"O- okay," The brunette answered and the sphere around her glowed.
[Get set!]
Suddenly, Nanoha's clothes disappeared. "Eeh?" She covered herself as the mechanical voice broke the silence around her.
[Barrier Jacket, set up!]
The light seemed to glow even harder. Entwining around Nanoha, it took a form of a Barrier Jacket similar to the one used by Fate, but with red and brown elements replaced by blue ones.
[Axe form!]
The triangle-shaped gem, hanging before the brunette's eyes, blinked and dispersed, only to appear again in a form of a huge axe in Nanoha's hand. After a short while, everything disappeared and the girl was standing near Fate again, facing the monster. With a corner of her eye, she saw Arf lying not far from them, not moving and still in her wolf form.
"Nanoha, look out!"
She heard the blonde's voice in her head and saw the ghostly claws plunging towards her. "Eeh?! What should I do?!" As if in response to her question, the device in her hands glittered twice.
[Defenser.] A golden light glowed in front of Nanoha, parrying the blow.
In a blink of eye, the brunette found herself hanging in the air, high above the ground. The creature beneath her turned it's blank eyes towards her, reaching out it's open hand once again.
[Round Shield.]
The gem in Bardiche's blade blinked and a round, yellow circle appeared between Nanoha and the monster, blocking it's attack again. [Sir, how advanced are you in using magic?] The device asked mechanically.
"Eh?!" The brunette looked at the axe with surprise. "Not advanced at all!" She responded, looking frantically at the ghost trying to break through her protecting spell.
[Then let me guide you through available spells and moves.]
"O- Okay," Nanoha nodded.
[Blitz Action.]
Once again, she disappeared, right in the moment when the phantom broke her shield. Turning around violently and sweeping a few buildings' roofs, it started to slowly move towards the brunette.
[Here is our chance, Sir.] The device informed suddenly.
"Um, what should I do?"
[Transfer your imaginary attack into a real one.]
"Imaginary attack?"
[In other words, imagine the spell you want to use and I'll let you do so.]
"Uh," Nanoha closed her eyes, trying to concentrate and remember what Fate was doing in her situation. "Got it!" She shouted and the device blinked in response. A magic circle appeared under the girl's legs and Nanoha felt as if a new, strange power was overflowing her.
[Glaive Form, get set!] The blade of the axe opened and turned, making the weapon even longer. Three, electric-yellowish and long spikes appeared around it's gem. [Sir, target the enemy and fire.]
Fixing her eyes on the monster, Nanoha rose the device, directing it towards the creature. [Spark Smasher] Bardiche flashed and the brunette felt as the power was flowing through her hands right to the golden gem.
The distance between her and the phantom was reduced to only a few meters and the ghost rose it's claws once again.
Nanoha gripped the weapon harder and shouted. "Shoot!" A huge blast of energy shot towards her opponent, easily breaking it in two and destroying a few buildings behind it. The shock wave knocked the girl down but she managed to fly higher and watch the damage caused by her spell.
[Sir, your magic is very powerful.] Bardiche praised her as she was panting lightly. Somehow, all of this made her strangely tired.
"T- Thank you, Bardiche." Nanoha responded. Looking around, her eyes suddenly stopped on her friend she had to leave for a while. "Fate-chan!" She called, flying towards the girl. She landed next to her and knelt down.
"Nanoha," Fate looked at her and smiled. "Are you all right?" The brunette looked good in her own Barrier Jacket.
Nanoha wanted to answer but her words were drowned in the creature's piercing scream.
[Sir, we still need to seal the Jewel Seed.] Bardiche informed and the girl nodded her head, standing up. Only to get knocked down again by a huge explosion, followed by a bright light illuminating the barrier.
"It won't be necessary." A woman's voice came suddenly from above. When dust around them went down, Nanoha saw a person descending from the sky. Her long hair were floating gently in the air. She was holding a long staff in her right hand and a small crystal was glistening in her left one.
"Mother," Fate said weakly, following the person with her eyes.
"M- Mother?" Nanoha asked, looking at her friend and turning to the woman again.
Coming closer to the two, Precia fixed her eyes on her daughter. "I'm sorry that I didn't arrive earlier." Then, she turned to the brunette, spotting her outfit and the device she was holding. "You've saved Fate, didn't you?" She asked mildly, making both Jewel Seed and her own staff disappear suddenly.
Nanoha looked down when she realised what exactly happened before. "Um, I just- I mean-"
"She did," Fate answered instead of her.
"Then you have a very talented friend." The woman said, kneeling next to the blonde and putting hand on the girl's stomach. "But I think you owe me some explanations." Fate's body suddenly started to glow and rose from the ground, along with Precia.
Fate sighed lightly, closing her eyes. "Yes, mother." The talk was going to be difficult. But Arf promised to help her, after all. Suddenly, the blonde felt a sharp sting of pain in her heart and her eyes opened again abruptly. "What happened with Arf?" She asked with fear.
Precia put her hand on the floating girl's forehead reassuringly. "She's unconscious but fine, Linith has already taken care of her." Fate let out a sigh of relief. Then, the woman looked at Nanoha. "You're Nanoha Takamachi, aren't you?" She asked and the girl confirmed with a nod. "I'm Precia Testarossa, Fate's mother. Thank you for saving my daughter's life." She said, bowing her head lightly.
"Ah," Nanoha looked at her feet again. "Fate-chan is my friend so I... it's... nothing major..." She murmured.
"However," Precia continued, still watching the girl carefully. "I'd like you to go with me for a little while, I think we need to clear a few things up." When Nanoha raised her head abruptly, the woman added. "Don't worry, you'll be home before the evening."
"Okay," The brunette nodded. "Ah, that's right," She remembered that she was still in the Barrier Jacket, gripping Bardiche tightly. "Um, Bardiche," She started and the device beeped.
[Barrier Jacket, release.]
Nanoha's clothes changed into her school uniform in an instant while the axe turned into the golden triangle again. Putting it back into Fate's hand, the girl smiled weakly at her friend, meeting her eyes and interlacing their fingers.
Precia tried to not chuckle at those small displays of affection between the two but they needed to go. Fate was wounded after all and they had to talk some things over. Clearing her throat a little louder than usually, she started casting a teleportation spell. "Better close your eyes for now." She turned to Nanoha as the world around them blinked and disappeared.
Following the woman's advice, Nanoha kept her eyes closed tightly and opened them only when a strange feeling of suction ended and Fate assured her that they arrived to her place. The brunette looked around in awe, admiring the huge hall they were in. Following Precia, and levitating next to her Fate, Nanoha got to a large bedroom. Another person was waiting there for them, the grey-haired woman from the picture from Fate's apartment.
"Take care of her, Linith." Precia spoke to the woman, gently lying Fate on a king-size bed.
"Yes." Linith answered simply and bent over the blonde, asking her a few questions before summoning a green light into her hands.
"Let's go, let her rest for now." Precia turned to Nanoha mildly, leading her through another set of long halls, right to her office. "Please, sit down," She offered the girl a fancy chair to sit on. "Would you like to drink something?" She asked, sitting behind her desk.
"Um, maybe a glass of water if it's not a problem." Nanoha responded shyly, casting curious glances at her surrounding. The office was a long room with a red carpet going through it's whole length. There were two cabinets, one on the right side of the desk and the other one on the left side.
Precia chuckled lightly. "No need to be so formal, every friend of my daughter is welcome here," She said, taking a glass and a bottle of water from a shelf behind the desk. "Though I'd rather to have you here in more favourable circumstances." She added sadly, pouring the liquid and handing the glass to the brunette.
Nanoha drank the water in a few gulps, clearing her throat from the dust she breathed in earlier.
The woman shifted in her chair, leaning back on it and resting her head on her hand. "I'm sorry for pulling you into this," She said and sighed. "But in the same time I'm glad. Without you, Fate would probably had joined her sister..."
"Alicia-san..." Nanoha repeated the girl's name silently.
"Ah, I guess that Fate has already told you about her." Precia noticed and continued. "You two must be really good friends, she doesn't open herself to anybody." When the brunette muttered silent 'thank you', the woman went on. "I don't want you to get me wrong but I must ask this, how much do you know? About Fate and magic?"
Nanoha expected this question to come. She told Precia everything that happened since their first meeting. About her own family, about Fate's story, about Jewel Seed hunts the blonde was taking her on. And about the promise Fate gave her.
When she finished, Precia closed her eyes, sighing and shaking her head. "What a reckless girl, I swear..." She took a deep breath and coughed a few times.
"Testarossa-san," Nanoha started uncertainly. "It's not really Fate-chan's fault, she just wanted to help..." She looked at the woman with a hint of fear. Fate being punished because of her was the last thing she wanted to see.
Precia rose her eyebrows lightly, fixing her eyes on the brunette. "Don't worry, I won't punish her," She said and backed her words up with a weak smile. "But I'll have a serious talk with her when she gets better." Opening the desk's drawer, the woman picked up a small bottle, opened it and took out a white pill. "Now, there's one more thing left," She added, swallowing the pill. "Since you were pulled in this without your will, you may choose yourself something you want in recompense for your help. Don't be afraid to pick up something fancy, you shouldn't go through all of this in the first place." The woman said gently.
Nanoha opened her mouth to say that it wasn't necessary but a better idea came to her mind. "I want to help Fate-chan." She stated firmly. "I've seen how dangerous it is and I want to help her."
For Precia, this day was already full of surprises. But to think that there were even more to come... "I admit that I'm impressed by your power. It's something rare to see on unadministrated planets." She spoke, looking at the girl with a serious look. "But are you sure that you want to do this?"
"I am." Nanoha responded instantly.
"Good then," The woman rose from her seat, leading the girl back to the teleportation chamber. So not only was her power impressive but also her determination.
Fate turned her head weakly towards the door which opened silently. Precia entered the room, sitting on the edge of the bed, placing her hand on top of her daughter's. "How are you feeling?" She asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Linith managed to put me together again." The blonde answered, offering a small smile. "How your talk with Nanoha went?" She queried in return.
"Good, she has told me a few interesting things." Precia stated mysteriously and Fate gulped. "For example, I thought I've asked you to keep your powers a secret." She said nonchalantly. "And to keep the whole Jewel Seed case far away from those who are uninvolved in it." The woman rose her free hand, watching her nails carefully.
Not having any particular options left, Fate decided to play her mother's little game. "So... What else has she told you, mother?"
"She asked me to let her help you." Precia looked into her daughter's eyes.
Although already knowing the response, the blonde decided to ask anyway. "And what was your answer?"
"I said that I'll see what I can do." The woman smiled lightly. Apparently, not only her day was full of surprises.
A/N: A word or two about the second monster. To clear things out, yes, Nanoha created it by accidentally finding a Jewel Seed on her way to school. You can interpret it in the way that the girl's secret wish was to meet her father once again, and thanks to the Jewel Seed's power, Death herself came to take her to him. Obviously, it's just a metaphor since it was only the Seed's form of manifestation.
A word about spells. "Round Shield" and "Blitz Action" are spells used by Fate in the Movie 1st and the first TV season, though I don't think their names were ever told in the series. I took the names from Nanoha Wiki.
A word about Bardiche's activation spell. Since Bardiche doesn't have one, and I supposed he should, I based it on the one for Raising Heart. Unfortunately, I'm not a poet so it's up to you to decide if it was appropriate one or not. I tried to make references to Fate's magic based on lightnings and the offensive style of her fighting, making the device simply designed for attacking instead of protecting.
Also, a word about Linith's healing magic. I believe that, being a nanny and stuff, she was able to perform simple healing spells.
And yeah, I mix the TV series with the Movie and my own ideas here.
That's it for today, thanks for reading and see you next time. I hope the next update will come faster.