StrikerS: Pursuit of Perfection

by redemption2

Her mistake. His rage. Now her pupils are being picked off one by one, all for one purpose. The second half of the StrikerS saga starts now. Author Announcement: A new story has begun! Leyline Expedition Force, based on ViVid and Force!

5. Chapter 5

Nanoha StrikerS: Pursuit of Perfection 5

Soran cringed as robotic arms welded and drilled into his arm, replacing damaged parts and tweaking the settings. He was used to it by now, but it still hurt like hell. As he sweated it out, a recent memory surfaced in him. "Soran, I've told you this many times already, but forget about five years ago. Although I know you probably won't, I feel the need to say it as your guardian."

"I understand what you're saying, but I can't just do that. You of all people should know that."

The burly man sighed. "Well, I suppose I can understand it sort of. That kind of hatred runs deep. But don't let it control you, Soran. You should know the consequences of that by looking at that arm of yours." Soran clenched his left fist as tight as he could, which wasn't too much. "Get the boys in the basement to fix you up. I'm going to need you tomorrow."

"I understand. What's going on tomorrow, if I may ask?" Soran stood and stretched.

"Scaglietti's sentencing."

Soran stopped in his tracks. "We have no business being there. Just let that old man rot."

"You always did have very little respect. Soran, we must go, especially you."

Soran gripped his left shoulder tight. "I don't care about that bastard! The heinous acts he's done has outweighed the favor tenfold! I hold no affection for that fucker, and neither should you!"

The man stood and slammed his hands on the desk. "Watch your tongue or I'll have it removed!"

"Sorry sir." Soran looked away.

"I realize you have that little girlfriend of yours who's directly involved in the incident, but I'm ordering you to put your personal feelings aside. You WILL be accompanying me, whether you like it or not!"

"Kuso!" The black-haired boy snarled.

Fate was alone in the situation room, typing rapidly on her terminal. Rein floated up to her. "Need some company desu?"

"Company, no. However if you would like to help, I could always use another set of hands."

"Hai desu!" She sat on top of the wall and pulled up her own lap terminal. "I have the tracer records from Berkt-kun, Fate-chan. Should I bring them up desu?"

"Ah." Fate's screen filled with road maps and location coordinates. "Hold on!" She rewound the time until the skyscraper was on her screen. "Rein, why would he go here? That's not an apartment complex. What building is that?"

"That's the Mustang Magitechnology corporate HQ."

"Mustang… Huh? Rein, the signal blips out right when he reaches around the 50th floor. Is there something wrong?"

"Probably not. Most of the bigwig companies have dampening fields cast around their corporate heads desu. He must've entered the field right there."

"Mustang…." Fate pulled up the file on the company. "Mustang Magitechnology, specializing in the use of current and past technologies for future development in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Their current head is the man who established the company, Mustang Belt. Belt… Berkt! Soran is using a different spelling, but the similarities are too close. Mustang Belt must be Soran's father!"

"It would make sense, desu. Why else would he be allowed to go into the president's room without a wait?"

"It looks like Mustang has a subcontract with TSAB, a research project of some kind, but I can't tell what it is. My clearance isn't high enough."

"It must be a really high level if Fate-chan can't access it desu."

"I'll see if I can work my way around it later. It looks like after that he left and went back to his apartment. Well we've got his address now. Of course we could have just asked Subaru for it."

"That's true desu. Oh, Scaglietti's sentencing is going to start soon, so do you mind if I turn it on?"

"Go ahead. Although I have no more interest in him." Fate sighed. "At last Project F can rest in peace."

"Fate-chan and Erio-kun are the only ones left, right? Fate-chan, you should adopt Erio officially."

She got a dreamy look in her eyes for a second, but then shook her head, her long hair taking a while to catch up. "I can't do that. Nanoha-chan and I have enough to worry about with Vivio. Besides, Erio is more like a little brother than anything, just like Caro."

"I suppose you're right desu. Eh? Wh-what the hell is this?!"

"Rein?" The little woman's viewscreen expanded in front of Fate's eyes. "Ah!" In the news camera's scope was Jail Scaglietti whispering with none other than Soran. "What is he doing there?!"

As the courtroom began to fill up, Scaglietti squinted happily as he saw Mustang and his guard that kept averting his gaze. President Belt signaled to Soran and walked up to the first bench. "It was so good of you to come, old friend." Jail whispered to the pudgy man. "I was beginning to think no one cared."

"It's the least and best we could do, after everything. No hard feelings."

"None taken. My fate isn't to be shared by anyone. It wouldn't be fair to you if I asked you to get involved. Soran-kun, are you faring well?" The boy shot him a glare and turned away. "If looks could kill."

"Soran, don't make me make it an order." Mustang jabbed him in the stomach.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Ungrateful as always. Is that rage because of that Type Zero you've got on your arm?"

Soran fought with his rage, closing his eyes as he clenched his fist. When he calmed he turned to face him directly. "She has a name. Besides, what you've done is more than enough reason for me to kill you."

"Soran!" Mustang hissed.

"Would you be so kind as to do me that favor? With that, my twelve clones could continue the research we started so very long ago."

"You're a crazy bastard, you know that?" Soran scoffed. "Even your math is off. That eighth cyborg is male."

"But is it, boy? Is it? I wonder." The bailiff entered. "Well, no matter. I'd say it's time for my performance. Again, thank you for coming."

"Why?" Nanoha stood next to Fate's screen in shock after being called. "Why is Soran-kun related to Scaglietti?! This puts things in a completely different perspective!"

"It's not Soran per-se, Nanoha-chan." Fate continued typing. "I thought I had recognized the company name from somewhere. Mustang Magitechnology was founded by Mustang Belt. Belt was once an intern of Scaglietti. He even loaned Belt money to get his business started. The records show that this had been paid off long before Scaglietti went into hiding. Maybe they're there out of respect?"

"That explains Mustang, but why Soran-kun?!"

"Nanoha-chan, easy! Remember, it's most likely that Soran-kun is Belt's adoptive son. It makes sense they would have some sort of interaction in the past."

"Besides, it didn't look like Soran-kun was too happy there desu." Rein kept watching the live broadcast. "The judge is finally about to speak."

"Would the defendant please rise?" The purple-haired convict stood with his ever-present smirk on his face. "Jail Scaglietti, on the charge of illegal human experimentation, I sentence you to life on an interdimensional penal colony. On the charge of eleven counts of human rights violations, I sentence you to five life sentences on an interdimensional penal colony. On the charge of inciting 

rebellion and endangering the lives of this planet, I sentence you to death." The court murmured in surprise. "However, due to the fact that your death would inevitably cause great harm to your twelve victims, most of whom have repented and are undergoing re-education, the court will change your sentence to life on an interdimensional penal colony, separate from those of your victims who have also been found guilty. You will serve out your seven life sentences effective upon immediate arrival to NEO ALCATRAZ. There will be no parole. The court so orders." The judge slammed her hand down and a gavel sound rang out.

"Serves you right, you prick." Soran muttered to himself as he crossed his legs.

"Jail Scaglietti, you may address the court one final time."

The man bowed. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, though your ruling stands, I still stand by my opinions and ideals! This world has been far too twisted by the corrupt government of the times. This world order does not have enough life in it for us to advance and evolve as a race! Only with a clean slate can we truly find the newer paths that will save us from ourselves! That is why I did what I did, to save you all! I am not a criminal or a rapist, I am your savior! And I cannot leave the stage until you are all delivered into the new era!" He gripped his table tightly and wrenched his arm up, until there was a sickening snap. "I will save you all!" He raised his arm, blood dripping out of the compound fracture.

"Ksgh!" Soran jumped out of his seat and slammed Scaglietti to the wall. "What do you have there, huh?" He examined the wound carefully. Inside the bone, a red light was blinking. "What did you do?! Everyone evacuate! He's activated something!"

"Oh, I'm afraid that's quite impossible, boy." Someone outside screamed in fear. "You see, by now, the entire building is surrounded by my toys, and there are more on the way. Prepare for your deliverance, Soran-kun!"

"Kgh! Like hell!" He completed a hard hit to Jail's face, sending him into the land of the unconscious. He tossed him to the nearest bailiff. "Everyone get deeper inside! Stay away from the doors and windows, and don't let anything get through to him!" Soran burst from the room, running straight for the front door. "Barrage Zwei!" He reached into his pocket and found a key with an orb in it.

"Okay boss."

"SET UP!" His formal attire dissolved in mid leap. His long red mage pants consolidated first, followed by his boots, two keys appearing on the ankles. His dark red sleeveless shirt was next, swooping down over his hips. A navy barrier jacket placed itself on him next, its defenses sweeping down to his knees. Two thin finger-cut leather gloves materialized on his hands, and on the left hand, a keychain appeared with another key with an orb on it. His device expanded into a metallic blue staff in shooting mode, and he gripped it between his index and middle fingers.

As his foot touched the lobby ground again, the wall exploded. "Active Guard." A deflection screen appeared in front of him, and all the shrapnel bounced off.

"Kgh!" Soran looked out into the mass of gray metal. The outside was swarming with Type 1 and Type 3 Gadgets. The type ones started to fly in. "I won't let you!"

"Variable Bullet." Soran's device spoke as he fired in rapid succession at the advancing units, piercing them.

"Damn it! I just knew he wouldn't go quietly! Round Shield Triple!" He blocked the entry with three magic circles. It wasn't wide enough to block all of them though, and more Type 1's rushed around the shield. "Turret mode."

"Okay boss. Twin staff mode." On the opposite end appeared a second shooting head. Soran's eyes were enveloped in a clear blue visor with a HUD display.

"Nerai wa utz!" He began whirling his staff around and firing in different directions, depending on which enemy was closest to advancing, guided by his targeting computer to shoot in front and behind when the crosshairs lined up. After continuing to blow away the small fry, a big one crashed through his barrier. "Keh! A Type 3!" Its thick mechanical arms whipped towards him. "Kiryu! Garyu!"

"Javol!" The keys on his ankles answered. Soran's visor went up and Barrage went back to a keychain on his right hand. The two others jumped into his hands and extended into energy shotels.

Soran raised them over his head and blocked the hit. With a grunt he cut the heavy arm off. Ducking under a sweeping hit from the side, he sliced that one off too. Rolling to the left he whirled a slice into an advancing Type 1. Leaping into the air, he stabbed a second one. Ricocheting off of the doomed Gadget, he dropkicked a third, tearing into it. Another formation of three came in from the other side, but the Type 3 was still inbetween him and them. "Garyu!"

"Flashform!" The right shotel stretched out and bent in half at a 90 degree angle. He hurled it at the formation, the intelligent device cutting into all of them before returning.

Kiryu also went into Flash form and attached to his forearm. Garyu returned to the same position on the opposite arm. "I've got to take down that Type 3 before it destroys the whole building! Barrage Zwei! Rainbow Zwei!"

"Okay boss." Both of his wrist keys turned into the staff forms that he fought Nanoha with.

After dodging another swoop from the Type 3 he landed and a triangular mage inscription appeared below his feet. "May this world be encased in eternal ice!"

"Glacier." In the first tip a blue ball of energy appeared.

Soran flipped Barrage towards the enemy as the energy ball slowly rotated around. It cocked a cartridge. "Glacial…"

The ball of energy came within the scope. "Target locked."

"BUSTER!" The ice ball burst forward and consumed the type three. Soran dove forward. "Kiryu! Garyu!"

"Axtform." The two weapons combined together and extended a handle, turning into a large double-sided axe.

"DIE!" Soran ducked low and swept his axe upward in a spiral, digging deep into the Type 3. Its remains fell to the ground. "Gotch- KAGH!" Another thick metallic rope threw him to the side. Another type three was directly behind the last. "Tch!" He hissed as he hurled Garyu's Flash form into another blitz of Type 1s. He jumped and deflected off of a wall as a beam shot came from the Type 3. "I'm losing ground. It's too wide an area to defend. Damn you Jail!"

"Luftmesser." A device's voice spoke as a blade of wind sliced through five Gadgets and made a hole. From that hole came a turbocharged red motorcycle with two redheads riding it. The boy on the back stood on the seat as his blue and white spear cocked a cartridge. "Explosion."

The boy leapt into the air and balled his fist as his device shot forward at the Type 3. "Shiden Issen!" He plowed his fist into the giant Gadget and it crackled in electricity before exploding.

"Soran!" The driver screeched to a halt next to the boy, jumping off and arming herself, pressing back to back with him. "Sorry we're late. Traffic was murder."

"Teana! Erio?" The young boy landed in front of him.

She established a link with him. 'We don't have time to talk. I'll take the Type 1s on the right, you take the left.'

'Understood.' He prepped Barrage again, his visor flipping down. As he fired, he quickly glanced to Teana. 'The others?'

"Load Bullet F." Cross Mirage loaded a clip and fired.

"Blast Rain!" A girl's voice came from outside, and bright balls of red light flashed from outside, followed by explosions.

"Revolver Cannon!" Subaru's voice came from outside, followed by a big explosion.

'Subaru is handling the Type 3's on the ground. Caro and Fried are taking an aerial offensive to the type 1s. We three are on the defense squad. The commanders are diverting the type 2s before they make it here.' Tea fired two more rounds. '10 o'clock high!'

'I see it.' He fired at a Type 1 taking an aerial approach. 'But who thought the bastard had this many left?'

'Let's think about that some other time. Signum, Vita, and Zaphila are covering the other sides. However they seem to be amassing over here because it's a wider street.'

"Stahlmesser." Strada called out as a blade of energy emerged from the tip.

"Geeaaaahhh!" Erio dove forward and plunged it into the approaching type 3's eyeballs, ripping it out again and retreating.

Another voice entered their brains. 'Guys, we've got a problem!' It was Subaru. 'A squad of type 3's is rolling this way. I'm counting about 20. Caro and I can't handle them all on our own.'

'I'm on the way, Subaru!' Vita yelled. 'Just hang on until I can clear these guys out! Crap, here come some more!'

Soran looked Tea in the eye for a second as he shot a type 1 blindly. She nodded. 'No, stay where you are, subcommander.'

'What the? Why are you on the line, brat?'

'Soran-kun?'

'Caro, fall back to the roof and give me some cover. Su, I'm coming out. I've got an idea. I'll rendezvous in the sky.'

'Tea-san….' Caro was hesitant, as Erio looked over his shoulder to see what she'd do.

'Trust me, Tea. It will work.'

'Argh! Caro, Subaru, do what he says! Soran, if you make a fool of me….'

'You'll shoot my balls off, I get it.' He waved Erio over and gripped Strada with his left hand.

Erio smiled and nodded. "Strada!"

"Explosion!" It cocked a shot and both boys dove forward at the next Type 3.

'Now Caro!'

"Blast Rain!" Fried's fireballs hailed on the steps as Strada stabbed the Gadget.

Soran let go and leapt free into open air. A magical scrawl paralleled him. "Soran!" Subaru rolled up next to him.

"Okay Su, follow my lead!" He dove for the mass of rolling weapons. "Wow, that is a lot. You up to it, Rainbow Zwei?"

"Don't mind."

Soran slowed to a stop before the enemies and created a rotating triangle under his feet. "Consume this world in eternal flames! Encase this world in eternal ice! Rend this world with eternal plasma!"

"Inferno. Glacier. Lightning."

The balls of elemental energy rotated around him. "I get it!" Subaru smiled as her road went in a loop around him. Her magic circle appeared as she rotated her arms, and an energy ball appeared inside it. "Divine…" Her energy ball lined up in target with the Inferno. "BUSTER!" She slammed her metal-encased fist into both, the power firing it like a cannon into the Type 3s below. "Divine… BUSTER! Divine… BUSTER!" The other two energy attacks were also sent down upon them.

Both of them were panting after the round of attacks. Neither of them were used to expending so much energy in such a short amount of time. "We… can't keep this up… Su."

"I know. I'm running low. And there's still way too many." She panted as she stared at the hordes below them.

"But if we give up, then Scaglietti will…" Soran snarled as he looked back. Fried was exhausted too, and he could imagine how the others were feeling as well. 'Everyone fall back. I'm using Trinity.'

Subaru's eyes went wide. "Soran, no! That's more than you can handle!"

"I'm not going to let you be targeted by that freak again! Now fall back!"

"Soran-kun, I can't let you!" She grabbed his arm. "We'll think of something else! Don't do this!"

"Su…" He took her chin in his fingers and lifted it up, giving her a deep kiss. His left fist balled and slammed her in the stomach.

"Soran… kun…." She gasped before she passed out.

"I'm sorry. Mach Caliber, get her out of here."

Her rollerboots blinked. "Understood. Do not die, Soran." The self-perpetuating Wing Road went back to the roof, and the device took her there.

"Heh. A tall order, but I'll see what I can do!" He spread his arms out and the triangular scrawl spread out once more. Rainbow Zwei began to levitate in the center as Soran closed his eyes, making hand signals with his left arm. "Rend this world with eternal plasma!"

"Lightning." At the first point, a large ball of yellow energy appeared.

"Consume this world with eternal flames!"

"Inferno." The second point contained a red/orange ball.

"Encase this world with eternal cold!"

"Glacier." The third appeared, ice blue in color.

"Elements of destruction!" He raised his shooting device into the air.

"Trinity Buster." All three rose up to the lance and in an earth-shaking reaction combined into one swirling mass of energy.

"KGH!" Soran grabbed the device with both arms as it shook violently. "I used up too much. I can't control it…."

"Starlight Breaker EX."

"Ah!" Soran's eyes went wide as he turned his head left, seeing Nanoha and Raging Heart in Excellion form.

"Arigato, Soran-kun! With all the magic in the air from your attacks, I can attack at full power!"

"You!" Soran grunted as his staff twitched.

"Don't lose your concentration! I'm going to take some of your energy, just enough so you can stabilize it!" The size of the multicolored swirling ball diminished slowly, and its violent pulsating slowed. "You ready, Soran-kun? Let's wipe them out with one big shot!"

Soran gritted his teeth and pointed his weapon at the army of metal below him. "May these enemies…."

"Starlight…!"

"BE CLEANSED!"

"BREAKER!" The two masses of energy hurled forth, swirling around each other as they drilled through the legions of enemies, tossing them into the air and disintegrating them, digging a swath through the city that would take months to repair. Soran gasped heavily as both his devices returned to key form. He slumped, the flight wings on his shoes shrinking as he lost altitude. "Whoopsy." Nanoha grabbed him by the waist and put his good arm on her shoulder. They both floated down to the base of the stairs. "Well, we did it, Soran-kun."

"Get your hands off of me." He pushed her away. "I never asked to be saved, especially by you."

"Soran…"

"I'm not weak." He wheezed as he stumbled up the stairs. "I'm not. I can handle myself. I don't need rescue. I don't need… don't need…." He pitched forward, his eyes glassing over before he hit the cement.