Trials of Time
Chapter 1
Recovery or Not
Is this really the time? The time to… to leave? Is this really for the best?
Yes, it is.
There's nothing else I can do here. If I stay I'll just be a burden, I would just drag them down, since I am no longer able to fight, no longer able to use my powers, no longer able to protect them.
There's nothing left to hold me back…, except… her.
NO!
It's ok.
She'll get over it soon enough because Vivio is with her, not to mention Yuuno, he'll help and comfort her.
I am no longer needed here.
The blond decided and started walking toward an unknown destination, wondering where she could go to stay before she finally loses the last of her magic and die a slow and painful death. Leisurely consuming her sight was darkness, waiting to bind her and take her away. She was growing tired and weary causing her to speculate on wither or not it was wise for her to pick this over ending her life by herself, it would have been more quick and painless that way.
Finally, she found a spot, a spot perfect for resting and possibly dying at, it was a bridge similar to the one where she made her first friend at. Arriving at the midpoint of the bridge she drops under the pressure of her own weight, leaning against the bars of the metal bridge for support, the support that she desperately needed if she wanted to be able to sit up at all.
The pain was becoming overwhelming and the result of her coughing was painting the bridge floor a color of red, crimson red. But soon that too, came to an end because her body was already in a state of numbness and shock to the point that she could not even feel anything at all. It was like the calm before the storm of death.
In the last moments her memories of her short life filled her mind making her erupt with regret. One of the things she regretted most, that was still fresh in her mind, was a promise she made.
Flashback
Click
Click
Click
Sounds of heels stepping were made on the roof top.
"Nanoha?" The maker of the sounds questioned.
"Fate-chan?" The brunette who was already there replies back.
"What's wrong? What are you doing out here?" The blond asked not bothering to hind the concern in her voice while she was approaching Nanoha.
"Umm…"
"Thinking about Vivio?"
"Yeah… I just thought that I broke my promise to her." Tears clouded Nanoha's eyes as she tried to blink the back and continue but it was too much and she could no longer hind her tears. "I said that I'd be her mother and that I'll protect her… but I couldn't be by her side. I couldn't protect her. I'm sure she's crying right now…"
That was too much, too much for Fate to take. She could not bear seeing Nanoha like that. She embrace the girl in front of her ensuring her that everything would be alright and making a promise that she could not fulfill.
"Nanoha…"
"When I think about her crying alone, and that maybe she's sad or hurt, my body shakes and I feel like I'm about to go crazy! I want to go save her now! But I…"
"It's ok because Vivio is fine. Let's go save her, together." So that she doesn't have to feel the pain of not having anyone to love and care for her, so that she can live a happy life, just like that one you gave me. Together we'll save her from that loneliness and pain and protect her. I promise. Fate added mentally.
End of Flashback
I'm sorry Nanoha. I'm sorry Vivio. I no longer have the ability to fulfill that promise, let alone protect you all.
Older memories that pained her came up. Her mother's, her biological mother's, Precia Testarossa's, words to her one the last times they met.
Flashback
"Are you listening? I'm talking about you, Fate.
Even after I went to the trouble of giving you Alicia's memories, only your appearance is the same.
You were a useless, unusable scum… my little doll.
Alicia smiled more sweetly than you. She might be selfish sometimes but she always listens to what I say.
Alicia was always so good to me…
Fate, in the end, you were really nothing but an imitation of Alicia. Even after I gave you her precious memories, you were no good.
You were nothing but a doll for my consolation while I was working on bringing Alicia back to life.
That's why I no longer need you.
Vanish from the face of this world!
Ha ha ha ha ha!!!
I'll tell you something good, Fate. Ever since I created you…
I've always... HATED you!
Flashback End
Hated you!
Hated you!
Hated you!
Her mother's words rang in her mind. Haunting her every thoughts and making come to believe them even now, right before her death. But then she thought it should not matter to her either way, she was dying, soon. Maybe now she was making her mother proud by obeying her, by vanishing from this world.
Disappear! I no longer have any need for you!
Were a few more words from her mother, instructing her on what to do.
Maybe it was because she was tired, maybe it was because she wanted to please her, or maybe it was because she was just going crazy because she was dying but she was starting to want to obey those commands of her mother, the commands Precia Testarossa gave her when she was just a little girl.
Fate, now, could feel the remaining amount of her magic evaporating into thin air and her body failing to do the basic functions that she needed for life.
I'm so tired… She thought, accepting the fact that she was dying and no longer will be here in this world. She lost the will to live and slowly closing her eyes, she drifted off.
Her eyes were barely open now but she could see a bright light appearing in front of her, it was a blinding bright light. From it a figure stepped out and drew closer to her.
What is that? Who is that? It's… it's like an angel of death… perhaps its here to take me away at last and end everything?
She made an effort to completely close her eyes so that death could take her but a strong yet gentle voice made her snap her eyes open.
"Is that it? Are you going to give up now? I thought you wanted to protect them? Are you going to just leave? Are you going to leave now with your regrets?" The voice questioned Fate.
Even though darkness was clouding her eyes and mind she could see the figure's eyes, it was dark piercing black and deep as if it held all the answers to anything and everything. She wanted to tell the figure to stop accusing her of giving up and that there was nothing else she could do, it was out of her hands, but she could not find the strength to do so.
The voice once again speaks. "Is there really nothing else you can do? Or are you just losing the will to live so that is why you are doing nothing?" It said as if it heard her protests and answered it.
It continued. "It is not impossible to live but you have to desire it. Do you desire to stay here? To live? Do you desire to be with and protect the ones you hold dear? If so, say so, scream it out and let even the gods in the heavens know of your desire to live, but if you no longer have that desire then go and escape from this life."
After hearing the strange figure's word doubts came to Fate as she questioned herself on whether or not it really was her desire to run away from everything.
Am I just trying to run away and escape like this person is saying? Am I trying to escape from responsibility?
Am I trying to escape my past?
Am I trying to avoid my emotions? Trying to avoid protecting them?
Escape like this? By dying?
I see maybe I was but now I see even if I die it will still be there wouldn't it?
I will no longer run. I will face everything in my path!
I want to live!
"I have certainly heard you. Your desire to live is acknowledged. I acknowledge it along with the heavens, but this is only the beginning. I shall grant your wish and answer your desire to live but in the near future many hard trials will come and you might have to face them." The figure told Fate and the same blinding light that brought the figure there surrounded the dying enforcer, growing even more and bright, brighter than any starlight seen by man.
"Will you be able to face them?"
Next Time on Trials of Time:
Fate was given a new chance at life, but how will she use it?
What trials will she face?
Will she be able to live without more regrets?
Also, there's Nanoha.
She was not dying like Fate but if she used her powers like she did before...
Will she end up like Fate?
Teaching classes is fine but what if she was sent on a mission?
What if she gets called on to fight against powerful opponents again?
Will she fight and fall?
Author's Notes:
So… What do you think? I know that this chapter was pretty much just mainly flashbacks or Fate's thoughts but I had to write a chapter about how she recovers some of her powers back or else the stry won't move on. But don't worry! For sure, the future chapters will be more interesting! Either way thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed. Please review and give any comments/suggestions/advice you want! I would like to hear you thoughts on this! PLEASE!
P.S. If you have any questions you would like to ask me send me a message or email me. I'll answer as soon as possible.