Author's notes: Well here is chapter 3 hope you enjoy :) I am sorry for the delay. I haven't felt like writing in a while. But i finally got down to it and this is what happened. To be honest it turned out way more differently than I originally planned it... plus i had lost the original writing which kinda led to where I am now XD.
Thoughts
'Telepathy'
'Communications'
Devices.
"Normal Speech"
Chapter 3: A Shocking Appearance.
-4 years later-
-the middle of the desert Kerokima, Gaspallos-
"Is that all you've got Drake?!" asked a 17-year-old Namika. Time had been kind to her for once. Life with Guru Chikanatsu, while nerve whacking, was really enlightening. Once you got past his crazy behavior, perverted habits and overall nut attitude... the man was a genius. He had several degrees in fields she didn't even know that existed before. The most notable ones were in Linguistics, Physics, Thermodynamics, Device mechanics and so on. What she had never expected to see was that the man had a degree in psychology. Honestly... she never pegged him for the type. Still... he was a knowledgeable old man... granted he had a stick up his ass, twisted the wrong way, but that didn't stop him from teaching her all that he knew. But that... that was a tale for another time.
The years had been really kind to her. She had grown a few inches over the years up to 5' 3" height. Not very tall, but not too short either. Her chocolate brown hair had grown past her shoulders which she had up in a ponytail sprawled in all directions. It looked like there was a sunflower on her head. She wore a white tank top and white shoes. She dodged another swing from her guardian beast, back-flipping a few times "C'mon now... I have a blind fold on..." she ducked another swing and blocked the following one in an iron hold above her head "Do you want me to tie my hands too?" she taunted after kicking his abdomen sending him back a few steps. Drake grunted falling to a knee.
"I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you." he warned as he swung his sword upwards, which Namika dodged to the left with ease.
"But it's fun taunting people. It's a good distraction." she got in another good kick to his side. Drake grunted again as Namika took a few steps back.
"Touche." He, on the other hand, hadn't changed a bit. His master was standing a few feet away from him, disarmed in a casual stance and waiting... Guess I have no choice... he crouched a little and prepared to strike like a baseball batter except that his sword was pointing downwards in front of him.
"Oh? You're finally getting serious eh? You really should try to be more quiet when you move..." Namika said as she shifted from her casual to her aggressive stance. The two of them stood like that for a while and suddenly charged off to one another. They were about to clash...
"Aha~! I knew I would find you here!" A new voice echoed in the distance.
The boy and the girl flinched. Drake planted his feet to the ground and crouched a bit. He looked like a speeding car with breaks to the bottom... In the meantime Namika jumped and put her hand on his head to gain some leverage and altitude. She managed to jump over her familiar in time, avoiding the crash. As she landed she rolled forward a few times to lessen the impact. They were standing across each other again, but on the ground were 2 closely put lines which were steaming.
"Hahaha." there was a clapping sound "Well done you two... You're training your combat skills again. That's good. Your magic won't be good if your body is out of shape. But you really shouldn't neglect your partners in battle."
"Moe... you scared the crap out of us grandpa!" Namika groaned 'looking' at the old man... who was actually a head shorter than she was even his back had been straightened up. His already white, due his age, hair was combed back defying the laws of gravity, spiky as it was. He used far too much hair gel again... Namika couldn't help but think as the man was wearing his daily attire. Black shirt, blue cargo pants and those annoying black glasses that resembled more a portable lenses than actual glasses...
"Now now Nami-chan~... NO cursing!" her grandfather said with a shaking head "Girls like you should be more elegant..." he empathized "Elegant!"
"Yeah yeah... whatever..." she sighed crossing her arms "Is something wrong? You don't normally come out here..."
"Actually... there is... but it would be better if we don't discuss it here. So if you two please end with today's activities and go freshen up. We will talk about this over dinner." with that being said the old man pressed a button and was beamed away, thus Namika and Drake were left alone in the middle of a desert on a planet known as Gaspallos.
"Any idea what that's about?" Namika asked after a while... having lost the mood to train completely... It was a sentiment her familiar shared...
"My guess is as good as yours..." Drake shrugged as a summoning orange circle appeared beneath him "Shall we get going then?"
"Yeah..." Namika said as she removed her eyeband. Her eyes were the same heterochromatic blue/red colors, only a shade deeper than when she was younger. "Cast away." they were engulfed in an orange light.
-MidChilda, TSAB, Section Six, Helipad-
Commander Yagami Hayate was walking down a corridor, leading toward an observation chopper prepped for her earlier. Today was the day she would inspect a couple of promising candidates for the new division she was building... and so far everything was going great.
Hm-hm... he accepted. The young commander thought as she was looking at a small letter in her hands. Written upon it were just a few words, but she knew the true meaning behind them. She put away the little note as she stepped out onto the helipad. It was going to be a good day.
"Hello Fate-chan." she greeted her childhood friend and possibly new colleague, if everything went according to plan.
"Hello Hayate." Fate spoke softly as Hayate got into the high tech helicopter. She had a very satisfied grin on her face. "You seem rather excited..." Fate noted. Never a good sign... "Did something good happen?" the blonde asked as the short haired girl beamed.
"Yeah it did actually..." she said as she sat next to her blonde friend. "I just spoke to an old friend of mine." she pulled out the note and handed it to the enforcer.
"You did?" Fate inquired as the helicopter prepared to take off. "'Leave everything to me Haya-chan~^x^V!'..." she read the letter out loud. She couldn't help but tilt her head at the odd devil like smiley on the bottom... it eerily reminded her of someone "You're excited over this childish scribble?"
"Mph!" Hayate had to clasp her mouth to keep herself from bursting in laughter. Leave it to Fate-chan to say something serious and at the same time utterly hilarious! "It's not just a childish scribble Fate-chan..." Hayate just had to pause and admire Fate's perfect impersonation of the deadpan look. "Oh alright! It is childish, but that's not the point! The point is the person who sent it!" the brunette declared... rather smugly if you asked the blonde.
"There's no sender, nor recipient?" Fate asked while flipping the small note, checking for any hidden or coded signs. She found none. "So who sent this?"
"You've met him actually." The brunette explained once she calmed down. "Don't you remember? A couple of years back we went on a vacation on Gaspallos. We bumped into each other at the recep-"
"Oh No!" Fate interrupted, her face pale and her eyes wide in shock. Hayate couldn't help but smirk at Fate's classic 'Bambi in headlights' look wheneever this particular subject was brought up.
"Oh yeah..." Hayate nodded.
"No... No... NO! Do not tell me it's the eccentric old man with the milkshake?" Fate interrupted her as understanding dawned on her.
"Yup! That's the one right there." Hayate smiled and chuckled at the memory, but Fate simply slumped back in her seat. "So you do remember." the brunette stated, a little too smugly for the blonde's comfort.
"How could I not?!" Fate blushed. "He tried to-HEY! Hayate stop laughing!"
"Hahah... I can't help it! It's so funny..." Hayate managed to get out as she broke into another fit of giggles. "He got you covered with vanilla... hahah... a-and t-then you! AHAHAH~..." she could just picture the scene like it was yesterday. I wish I could've taken a picture~ Ahahahah~!
-INITIATE ZE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE-
They were at a reception party on the planet Gaspallos a year prior. The planet's government had just signed a treaty with TSAB. The planet had just started diplomatic relations with the organization and was placed under the file *special case*. The planet was rich with technology of a Lost Logia rank, so they were admitted, albeit their relatively primitive culture. There was a party at the capital, a festival week of sorts. All the TSAB generals and officials had been invited along with any other subordinates the generals wished to bring along. Naval Fleet Commander Chrono Harlaown had been present at the event and had brought with him his younger sister Enforcer Fate T. Harlaown and Special Investigations Officer Yagami Hayate.
"Thank you for inviting us Commander." Fate thanked her brother. She had a black stylish dress with linings of golden thread on the side in the form of a rose.
"Me too..." Hayate said with a slight blush. She had on a simple white dress.
"Of course, Enforcer. Officer." Chrono wore his official uniform. "You two could use the refreshment." he said with a lightly scolding tone. Fate and Hayate chuckled nervously. Chrono shook his head. "Hardworking as always... if you keep this up you will leave the rest of us without a job."
"That is mean Chrono." Fate pouted and took a sip from her drink.
The Naval Commander chuckled. "Well then... a toast!"
Hayate lift her glass with a small smirk. "To Fate, who FINALLY got her Enforcer exam right!" she teased as Fate blushed deeply and almost choked on her drink.
"It was my third try!" she defended fervently. "Some people don't make it till their sixth or seventh..."
"Yea yea... keep telling yourself that honey." Hayate winked playfully. "What's important is that you took it!"
"With flying colors too." Chrono stated proudly which made his sister blush even more.
Fate cleared her throat. "Y-yea... then a toast... to Hayate." she looked at the short haired girl. "Who finally made it to Lieutenant-Colonel."
"The youngest Lieutenant-Colonel in the TSAB might I add..." Chrono supplied as Hayate giggled.
"Aww Thank you. And finally to Chrono... I hear you are waiting for a boy." Hayate stated with a small smirk which was matched by Fate.
Chrono just smiled. "Indeed I am." which elicted giggles from the girls. "Cheers!" they said in unison and clapped their glasses.
An elderly looking man, wearing what seemed to be a traditional military uniform, was headed their way. His gray hair was neatly combed as his beard gave him an air of authority and experience. "Commander, Enforcer, Lieutenant-Colonel." he adressed them as soon as he was close enough gaining their attention. "I am Marshal Grigorii Stetko, I'd like to extend my thanks to the TSAB in their resolve to accept us."
The Naval Commander bowed in response as did the Enforcer and the Lieutenant-Colonel. "You are welcome. It is the TSAB's policy to extend diplomatic relations to planets who are willing to accept it."
"Of course." The Marshal agreed though he seemed a little on guard. "Your main goal is not to seal and take away all of our uncovered artifacts, is it not?"
Enforcer Fate stepped in. "With all due respect Marshal, that is not our intention at all. The TSAB's main goal is to safeguard mankind from dangerous Lost Logia. If your... uncovered artifacts pose danger to the general population we will take steps to secure it... if you are unable to." she explained in her quiet soft voice, though it carried a tiny edge of certainty. The Marshal looked slightly intimidated by the young Enforcer.
Whatever he was going to say was lost as the front door suddenly burst open as an old man dressed in velvet blue tux stormed in. His hair was soaked in hair gel as it was sweeped back making it look like he had a pair of horns. He held in his hand a bottle... "Where is da party~!" he slurred having been tipsy already, if the red on his cheeks meant anything. He walked in like he owned the joint. Everyone stared at him in bewilderment. Those who knew who he was groaned in annoyance. It appeared that the Marshal was one of those people.
Hayate noticed that and asked the question going through everyone's heads. "Do you know who that is, Marshal Stetko?"
The Marshal seemed to groan louder. "That is Guru Chikanatsu... one of the best researchers and archeologists on this planet. He is brilliant, but his attitude is... problematic..." he sighed and given how the old guy acted... it was also true.
"What kind of researcher is he?"
"He specialises in ancient artifacts... I think you call it Lost Logia. Also he is responsible for the construction and modification of most of our devices and magical systems." The Marshal explained. He would have kept going but the object of their discussion drawled their attention to himself.
"N-now m-mah frie-e-ends-s-s~." Guru drawled out drunkably, as on a table he had gallons of milk, vanilla, fruits, ice cream, mixers, alchohol, flour... and a HUGE pot. The offworlders watched him curiously as the natives looked ready to bolt. "N-now~ I am a gonna shiow ya~... H-how to m-make a *hic* a gargantuan milkshake~!" he drawled out as he took a sip of his beverage. "L-let us begin s-shall w-we! First! We pour the flour and fruits~!" he said as he sloppily threw the flour in the pot, along with the fruits, whole and unpealed. "N-now *hic* ve phut da ish kream *hic* *hic* and thish!" he flashed to everyone a huge bottle with the sign 'Cincol' on it. The Marshal's eyes went wide. Hayate seemed to be the first to notice. "Is something wrong, Marshal?" she asked.
"It is wrong... that is Cincol. One of the strongest alchoholic drinks we have. The only way to drink it is to mix it with something else." He looked around for security officers.
"Ohh..." Hayate muttered and looked at the eccentric old man who was mixing the ingredients in the pot like a mad man on crack. "N-now we spin~!" he drawled out mixing everything with a huge mixer. "Spin~, Spin! Oh Maki, maki, maki~" he pulled it out and took the milk and vanilla and dumped them in the concoction. "And now~... we spin some mooore~! Oh Maki, Maki, Maki~" he chuckled madly as he mixed everything together. "And it's done!" he tipped the pot a bit to show everyone the weird milkshake he was making... and curiously enough it was changing colors like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be... and it was bubbling. Meanwhile the Marshal got a hold of a security guard and ordered him to remove the old man before he could do any more damage.
"N-now~ *hic* let's have a t-taste shall we~" the old man slurred as he took a glass and filled it with milkshake?... that was to happen, if the pot hadn't jumped away. "Huh?!" he watched dumbly as everyone's eyes went wide.
What the hell has that guy put in that thing?! Fate thought with a twitching eyebrow.
Wow... pretty colours. Hayate thought with sparkles in her eyes.
The old man tried again... and the pot jumped away. He tried AGAIN... and the pot jumped away and kept jumping. "Oi! SHTAY SHTILL!" he shouted and began chasing the runaway pot. "Come back here! Aha!" he shouted triumphantly as he hugged the pot, keeping it down. "Gotcha~ *hic*." the pot jumped again... and again... and it kept bouncing around along with the old man.
Hayate could barely contain herself "Oh man! Haha! A runaway pot! HAHAH~!" she held her sides while Fate watched concerned. "Hayate-chan. Don't laugh... we... should help him out." though she was stiffling a giggle.
"I don't think she cares about that right now..." Chrono commented with a sweatdrop and a snicker.
"Yeah... I suppose you ar- Ah?!" Fate gasped when she saw the pot about to fall onto... "Chrono! WATCH OUT!" she shouted and pushed him out of the way and the pot fell on her... and miracle of miracles, it didn't break.
"FATE!" Chrono exclaimed. Hayate immediately stopped laughing and looked at where her childhood friend was... only to see a pot full of milkshake. "Fate-chan?!" she tried to fish her out of there. "Fate-chan, are you in there?!" She managed to get a hold of her and pulled her out to her shoulders. She cleaned the milkshake off her face "Fate-chan? Are you alright? Speak to me Fate...?" she lightly shook her, but the blonde wasn't responding as her cheeks were flushed red and her hair covered her eyes.
"Uhh..." Fate's eyes opened as they were a bit darker than usual. "Poppuri~" she slurred with sparkles in her eyes.
"Popu-... what now?! Fate-chan? Hello...? Anyone in there?" Hayate prodded carefully. "Are you... okay?"
"H-Hayate-c-chan~... Kawaii~!" Fate suddenly grinned and crushed her lips against Hayate's.
The now promoted Lieutenant-Colonel's eyes went wide as saucer plates. Her body became stiff. Her mind was barely functioning. F-f-fate-c-chan's k-k-k-i-i-s-s-s-i-n-g me!? She was too shocked to do anything as the blonde wasted no time in deepening the kiss. Holy SHIT! She's good~...
"Wh-wh-What the!?" Chrono's eyes fell out of his sockets, which was to be said also for a certain brown haired girl who had her mouth invaded and explored by an overly drunken blonde's tongue.
The Marshal's was watching in utter shock as did the other guests. Fate finally released Hayate from the passionate drunken kiss. Said girl was blushing immensely... M-my first k-kiss... and fainted on the spot with steam coming out of her head.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Yagami!?" Chrono caught her as she looked dazed.
"Delicious~" Fate slurred and licked her lips like a predator feasting on it prey.
Chrono glared at his sister. "Fate! What has gotten into you?!" his jaw dropped when...
"Whoa~! Someone get me a glass! Cause I found me, a TALL drink *hic* of milkshake!" The old man flirted with the drunken Fate who smiled just as drunkenly.
"Hehe... Kawaii~ a purple unicorn~!" Fate snickered drunkenly. "Whooopieeee~~~" she exclaimed as she jumped out the pot, knocking the old man on his butt. "I am gonna ride the *hic* rainboooow~" she drawled out and ran off. "Weeee~" she began running around chasing her imaginary rainbow while Chrono watched completely stunned.
"That's m-my new *hic* girlfriend~" Guru wolf whistled and chased after the drunken blonde... with a few security guards chasing him.
-TERMINATE ZE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE-
Fate sighed, blushing at the embarrassing memory, while Hayate seemed to have the laugh of her life. "So what about him?" she leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms, trying to get the conversation back on track and away from one of the biggest embarrassments in her life.
"He has agreed to join us at the base." Hayate said and shamelessly went on despite Fate's obvious desire to strangle her. What was the punishment for murder again? I can't believe she did this especially after what happened! To us both!
"And yes of course i asked him. He is a great device specialist a-" Hayate got cut off.
"Don't we have a device specialist on the staff already?" Fate said with narrowed eyes. Hayate nodded. "Yes we do. First private Shari Finieno, but she is a mechanic designer, he is a specialist..."
"Isn't that the same thing...?"
Hayate shook her head "Not exactly. They specialise in the same area, but from different sides. Shari deals with the technical aspects while he deals with the magical one... something about relations..."
Fate was drawing blanks "I am not sure I understand..."
"Me either. But i am certain it would be benefiTeal. You can ask him when gets here."
"So you just asked a specialist to join us even though you have no idea what it is he actually specialises in?" Fate asked with a deadpan stare.
Hayate just smiled sweetly "Oh yes. It would be rather lively with him around."
"I'd rather avoid him actually..." Hayate chuckled at Fate's deep sigh.
"Oh come now Fate. It won't be that bad."
"I just wonder how long I'd be able to stand that old pervert." Fate sighed deeper as Hayate snickered some more.
"Long enough I am afraid. He would be arriving some time today. I think he needed to bring his granddaughter along."
"Granddaughter?" Fate asked and looked skeptical "Kind of hard to believe that." not that she was to blame, but being hit on by the old man for a few hours WHILE she had a hangover wasn't the best thing that had happened to her.
"Yeah... he has one. As hard as it is to believe it. According to him she has skills that might be useful to us." Hayate said glancing at Fate. "If she is interested in joining that is."
"If she has a rare ability it would have been in the TSAB records, wouldn't it?"
"Yes it would have. But I did look her up. You remember the fire that broke out four years ago?" Hayate asked with a small mischievious glint in her eye.
Fate thought about it for a second before nodding. "The one we assisted with while we were on leave?"
"That's the one. Turned out Nanoha-chan was the one that saved her, so I'm hoping that-"
"You're hoping that Nanoha would be able to convince her to join the military, because you and her Grandfather don't believe that she will want to join no matter how much you try to sugar coat it?" Fate said while leaning back in her chair, earning Hayate's astonished look.
"Fate-chan... You can read minds?!"
"No." Fate said simply and glanced at Hayate with a small smirk across her features. "You're just fairly predictable."
"You're mean..." Hayate pouted.
"I know." Fate smiled before straightening herself out. "So what is the deal with this girl?"
"Well..." Hayate took the subject change in stride. Fate, while a tame girl, could be an evil mastermind when she wanted to. "She's been living with her grandfather ever since her parents had passed away. She has 3 guardian beasts. She hadn't passed a mage rank test so we don't know if she is anything extraordinary. Though she's been responsible for uncovering a good half of the archeological discoveries on the planet in the past 2 years. I am kind of curious as to what she is like..."
"So... she is a summoner? What is her name?" Fate pondered.
"Namika Chikanatsu."
-in a small cottage in the middle of the desert Kerokima, Gaspallos-
Guru Chikanatsu was in his room preparing to leave. The energetic old man had a suitcase on his rather sturdy bed. The reasons for that are better left unknown. "Ah... so exciting, so exciting! Now where did I put my... hmm... wardrobe... There you are~" he spoke to himself and went to the wardrobe. "Aaah~... my beautiful Griselda~... You didn't think I forgot about you, did ya?" He began pulling it toward his suitcase making loud screeching noises.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor, getting louder and louder, as a 12 year old girl barged in. She had white hair with a blueish hue and deep blue eyes. "Grandpa, what are you doing?!" she asked shocked seeing the old man jumping on his wardrobe, while he tried to fit it in his suitcase. He's watching Looney TooNs way too much! O_O...
"I am packing of course!" he said as if it was obvious.
"B-but why? Hey stop that! Get down from there! You're going to hurt yourself!" The girl went to 'give him a hand'. "I said stop that!" she started pulling. The wardrobe fell back on the floor along with the old man. "Grandpa... are you okay?"
"No! I'm not okay! How can you be so incensitive Diana!?" He stood up with a huge lump on his head "I need this! It is very important that I take everything with me!" He replied grumpily as he pulled his beloved Griselda out of the clutches of the annoying preteen.
"The wardrobe will survive even if you are gone~" Diana helplessly pulled.
"NO! I am NOT going to leave my beloved Griselda in the clutches of such clumsy familiars! You nearly broke her!"
"Grandpa~" the girl whined in exparsation. "Let go~! It's bad for your health!"
"Oh yea?! Whose fault is that?!"
"GRANDPA!"
Meanwhile Namika had been enjoying her peaceful shower when she heard weird noises coming from her eccentric grandfather's room. What the hell is that? She listened carefully. It sounds like a war?
She sighed and decided to go and see what was going on before the house was in rubble... wouldn't be the first time that happened. She turned off the running water and put on her black/red robe. She walked out the shower and headed for the source of the noise. When she entered she was greeted by a rather comic sight, in her opinion. Her grandfather and Diana were pulling the wardrobe from each side, neither giving up. He was on the bed, she on the ground... and the wardrobe was suspended diagonally in the air.
"Let GO! UUUHG! Grandpa!" the little girl whined as the old man grunted.
"You should respect your elders Diana and let me pack in peace!" he said pulling harder.
"You don't have to take the whole wardrobe!" Diana insisted pulling.
"It's easier!"
"Grandpa... let gooo! You can't carry this thing all by yourself!"
"Don't underestimate my power little girl! GIVE ME MY BELOVED!" Guru bellowed as he pulled with all his might.
"Grandpa~" Diana wasn't giving up either. "I'm trying to help you!"
Namika wasn't sure whether she wanted to get involved in this or not... but... Damn curiousity! "What are you packing for?" she voiced her presence. Both Guru and Diana let go of the piece of furniture to look up at the door. The wardrobe fell down with a loud thud... and miracle of miracles... it broke.
Namika had been leaning on the doorframe with her arms crossed. Great... this is the 4th wardrobe he is breaking this month... I just hope he won't want a funeral like he did with the last one...
"Ahh, my dear Nami-chan. You see-" Guru tried to explain but Diana interrupted him
"He wants to go away!" she pointed an accusing finger at the old man.
"Hey!" Guru snapped at the little girl. "I didn't say that..."
Namika blinked a few times "Then... Why are you packing gramps?" she asked looking at the old man. The reason behind arguing over the wardrobe... that was an everyday occurance, so it wasn't much of a mystery. Her grandfather wasn't really fond of neatness. He would have taken the entire house with him if he could. The latter statement was proven to her by the tall uneven heap of tools, necesseties and hair styling products in the open suitcase. What she couldn't understand was... why?
"Grandfather?" she asked again when she didn't get an answer from him. "If you think I will let you go out in the desert alone you have another thing coming."
Diana had chosen this moment to retreat quietly, for her own safety. From personal experience she knew that the old man could twist her Mistress' nerves in ways it made her... more violent than usual.
Guru sighed and rubbed his head. "Yes about that. I wanted to talk it over at dinner but I guess it can't be helped." he said sheepishly as he sat down on the bed.
Namika blinked and walked over to her grandfather. "What is it?" she asked sitting next to him. "You're not trying to prove that hair gel is a wonderful sun block again are you?"
Guru laughed "No no! Of course not... However..." His laid back behavior was suddenly serious. "I've been offered a job and... Oh don't give me that shocked look! There're still a few people who like me~" the old man stood on the bed towering over the young girl.
That is an understatement. "Aha~... That... is... good... I guess..." Namika wasn't sure how to react to that. "What kind of a job?"
"As an assistant device manager and a secondary communication's operator at the TSAB's newly formed division, Section something... I don't remember the full name, but who even cares right now..." Guru continued with a serious tone. "It's a special division that deals with lost logia and relics... the purpose of that section is to ensure all the other forces of the TSAB are supported if needed."
That doesn't sound so bad... at least he'll be on his butt instead of moving around like a mad monkey on crack and coffee. Namika thought... "Where is the catch?" she asked suspiciously.
"The division's headquarters are located on Mid-childa and-" He didn't get far in his explanation.
"On another planet?!" Namika exclaimed standing up so she could look into the old man's black goggles. "Grandfather you can't simply leave us all behind! What about your work and research?! Plus you are barely in any condition to tra- HEY?! WHAT's SO FUNNY?!"
Guru laughed more completely ignoring her. "Well you see Nami-chan... you are coming with me." he pointed at the young adolscent as she blinked confusedly.
"I am?" Namika raised an eyebrow in confusion... and became even more confused when Guru nodded in confirmation. "Well what makes you think I want to come? I like it here..." her eyes widened when the realization dawned on her "Y-you! For the love of G-g-ah?!" she facepalmed "I told you to stop making decisions on my behalf I am not 13 anymore! I can make decisions on my own!" Namika reasoned (read threatened to kill the old man) as the man let out a deep sigh.
"How long will you shut the world out Namika... There is nothing left for you here. It's time to move on." he said in an unsual seriousness... for him.
Namika shook her head slightly "But grandfa-"
"No buts!" Guru cut her off and continued "You are coming and that is fi-" he stopped for a bit as he noticed the enraged tears about to fall from his granddaughter's eyes. He sighed and tried another approach "Look Nami. I know you want to follow your parents' dreams and discover Al Hazzard..."
Namika followed him with her gaze as he stood up and got in front of her. I am not really looking fot that... sad place... but I really need to find those temples...
"...but you can't throw your life away on something... which is probably better left alone."
Trust me, I know that even better than you do. Namika thought while raising an eyebrow, wondering where he was going with this.
"You know as well as I do that some things are better left buried than uncovered. I realise that you want to prove that they had good reasons for what they did. And to shut the mouths of everyone that has mocked us all this time. But I don't think you should throw your life away... they won't forgive me if I let you do that." he reasoned as she sighed.
She knew he was partially right. For the better part of the past 4 years everyone that she had known, mainly archaelogists and researchers, had been insulting her cause of her parents' acomplishments... more like her failiure to reach them. Not that she cared that much, but she had a short temper, especially when it came to challenges or protecting something she cared for.
Before she could say anything Guru spoke again. "Besides... You might meet some cute boy over there and fall in love~" he made some kissing sounds which made the young girl cringe. Oh ya... there was the grandfather she knew and loved...
God give me the strength not to kill him... PLEASE! "Grandfather please stop that!" Namika facepalmed and sighed... again. "Even if I come with you there won't be anything for me to do there..." she tried to reason. "My life and my work are he-"
"Already taken care of sweetheart..."
For the love of MAGIC i can't even say a single word. I KNOW MY RIGHTS! Namika felt like snarling.
"They are assembling a team of strong and promising young mages and I have offered them to sign you up."
YOU DID WHAT?! Now she did snarl.
Guru cut her off before she could even start. "Oh don't give me that bewildered look... and stop baring your teeth, it's so unlady like... Anyway... You and I both know that you love to move around and kick stuff... I've seen you do it. Heck anyone who's been ticking you off can vouch for it! Not to mention that you love to trigger evey possible trap within each temple you have vi-"
"That is so no one could get hurt!" Namika snapped in her defense as she flushed from embarrassment.
"Oh really?"
"Yes!" she nodded vigorously.
Guru crossed his arms and smirked knowingly. "The destroyed equipment?"
"So that no one could follow me..."
"The deliberate collapsing of passages?"
"S-same reason..." she looked away blushing more, if it was even possible.
"Or how about when you actually knocked out cold the-"
"GAH! Okay! I get your point already!" Namika snapped flushing. So maybe I am bit violent. So what?! It's not like I do it all the time for fun... though fighting old stuff is fun... especially after they pull you that cliche monologue about how you will be cursed for eternity and stuff... oh wait... old geezer is talking again.
"And now you will get paid regulary for it and not every few months when you make a big hit or something like that." the old man poked her nose, finally setting his trap.
Namika shook her head "This is not something I can decide on the fly it's a big deci-"
"Oh come now... You will deal with old technology. The Lost Logia you are so fond of. Who knows what kind of gadgets and devices you will be called upon to stop. What villians would be standing over a Lost Logia statue claiming they have to take it cause it belongs to them. Giving one of their cliched monologue about how they're gonna cleanse the universe from all impurities, evil, corruption and bla bla bla..." He overly reacted making sure to illustrate physically what he was talking about. "And then you punch the hell out of them just cause they annoy you."
I will admit it sounds fun. Wait... Namika looked at him suspiciously.
"Besides you don't want to leave your poor grandfather all alone on another planet, do you?" he gave her his classic puppy dog look. "Or then again..." he pretended to think it over... "You could stay and I will leave. Who knows how many hot ladies are in there. Man I just love a woman in uniform. So stylish and sexy... Especially those in the black Enforcer outfits! With the silver outlining, skin tight, making sure to outline the pristine treasures of the body beneath! Rrrrawr... so sexy~!" he continued to ramble as Namika began to tune him out.
She could feel her resolve weaken as she hung her head and sighed. There was no way she could leave him alone on another planet. Her grandfather would drive them insane. She just couldn't do that to all those people. "Okay FINE! I'll come..." she could hear him jump in one place like a little kid "...but i am not promising anything. If I don't like it there I am coming back here."
"Yea yea yea... Good and now go pack. We are leaving in 2 hours!" Guru stated excited as he resumed his packing.
"WE'RE WHAT?!" Namika could feel a vein in her forehead pulsing "In 2 hours?! You've waited THIS long to tell me!? I can't believe you! What if I had said NO!?"
"But you didn't." Guru countered with a smug smirk as Namika fought the urge to snarl "...now shoo and go pack. Tell Diana and Drake that they are welcome to come though i would prefer it they stayed and kept the archeological research going till its finished..." Guru said as he tried to close his suitcase with little success.
"Why?" Namika glanced back from the door. Now i can't take my familiars?! Talk about a bummer... Where's my shotgun...
"Well someone has to remain here and watch the house... and who knows then perhaps they can pick up and join us on mid-childa."
Oh... don't tell me... Namika's eyes widened in realisation "You've planned this all along, haven't you?" Guru just smirked, wiggling his furry grey eyebrows in response to his granddaughter's quary. Namika groaned and left the room feeling frustrated.
"Oh by the way!" Guru suddenly shouted. "Before I forget..." he poked his head in the corridor. "No mass weapons allowed on Mid-Childa... Cardinal law or something." he said nonchalantly and disappeared into his room.
Namika could feel her patience crumble to dust. "You mean to tell me that I can't even take my favorite blades?!" she snapped.
"Nor the guns~" Guru shouted from his room. "Only your device. Now go get packin' sugar."
"AARGH!" Namika growled in frustration as she went downstairs to get herself a glass of milk, passing a big black wolf, sleeping next to the door. Drake was playing a game of chess with Diana when he noticed his Mistress. "Hey what's wrong?"
"He did it... AGAIN!" was all she said as the two laughed. "It's not funny!" she said grumpily as she came back from the kitchen with a glass of cold milk. "And No... he didn't trick me into going on another date with some poor sod..." she sighed and drank her milk. "Though i would have preffered it this time..."
"Really?" Diana asked in disbelief.
Namika stopped to think about it for a second... "Yeah... I would have..."
"Then what did he do?" Drake asked curious as Diana chuckled. "You look like you are about to go on a rampage..."
"The old ****** geezer tricked me into joining some GI Joes on another planet!" Namika exaggerated, getting laughter from both her guardians. "It's not funny!"
-Mid-childa's 8th coastal airport abandoned highway-
It's been four years since that day... A girl was standing at the end of the collapsed highway. The soft breeze blew through her short blue hair carrying the ends of her white headband. She wore a blue latex top with a white short and short length jacket. She had blue shorts on, knee guards and ordinary looking roller blades. Her device was a massive steel glove on her right hand, with 2 revolver like rings in the middle and a reloading shaft next to them. Four years since I was saved from that fire... She opened her eyes and took a battle stance. It's time to become stronger.
"Ha! ha Haiiiyaa!" she began to practice some boxing moves as she warmed up quite hyper like.
"Subaru. If you move around too much you are going to break your roller blades, before the exam even starts!"
"Eh... Tea you are mean. Don't say stuff like that." Subaru ignored her best friend's advice, Teana Lanster. She was as tall as Subaru was. Her orange hair was tied up in two ponytails reaching up to her shoulders. Her blue eyes fervently scanned her custom made gun device for any irregularrities. She had black combat boots, a black tunic, black gloves with a golden plate on the back and a white short sleeved and short length jacket.
"It's not my fault your roler blades are a cheap deal... you'll be lucky if they don't fall apart during the exam." Tea said as she loaded 2 cartridges in her double barreled gun.
"Tea~! I oiled them before we got here." Subaru pouted while doing stretches. "These babies can handle anything and everything that is gonna be thrown at them." she said with a big grin.
"I hope so..." Tea said as she checked her clock. "It's about time we start..."
"Yeah!" Subaru nodded. "I am rea-"
"Good morning, desu." A floating screen opened up in front of them. "Are the two mages here for the exam, desu?" a girl with blue eyes and whitish hair asked. She wore a brown uniform.
"Yes ma'am." Subaru and Teana replied in unison.
"Alright. Let me just confirm it." The girl said as she took a pad. "Is the Time Administration Bureau's 386th Battalion's second Private Subaru Nakajima here?"
"Yes ma'am!" said girl replied in excitement.
"And Second Private Teana Lanster, from the same Battalion?"
"Yes ma'am." Teana replied serious.
"Okay. You two are currently C-rank. Today you will be taking the qualification test for B-rank, if I am not mistaken?"
"Yes ma'am." Subaru said.
"You are not mistaken." Teana added.
"Alright. I am going to be your supervisor, Sergeant-Major Reinforce Zwei, desu." the woman on the screen said with a big smile. "Pleased to meet you!" she saluted the two privates.
"The pleasure is ours!" the privates replied and saluted back.
In an empty building, Instructor Takamachi Nanoha was doing the final adjustments for the privates' exam on the open console before her.
There is no life response within the range. There are no dangerous objects either. Check of the course, completed. Condition: All green. Raising Heart informed her Master.
"Thank you Raising Heart. Surveilance searchers and drone calibrations are done. Barriers reset. AI behavior set." Nanoha stretched. "Well... shall we lean back and ejoy the show."
Yes, my Master.
Nanoha smiled as she looked at screen showing the two girls. To see what you can do... Good luck.
"Okay then. Your task is simple. You will start from here and follow up the road to the end. Your targets are these target dummies." she said as a screen with a target dummy popped out in front of the girls. "Also there are decoy dummies, which you mustn't destroy, understand? Be careful of uncoming attacks and destroy all your targets. Don't forget to reach the goal within the time limit. Any questions?"
Teana and Subaru looked at each other for a few seconds. "No." Teana said confident.
Subaru smiled and looked at Rein. "None at all."
"Well then. You will start in a little bit." Rein winked at them. "Good luck and I'll see ya at the finnish line, desu." her video screen was replaced by a timer. The privates readied themselves and sped off as soon as the timer reached zero.
-Meanwhile. In a small cottage in the middle of the desert Kerokima, Gaspallos-
"Grandfather! Are you ready YET?!" Namika asked... well... shouted for who knows what time, having been ready before her grandfather... who told her only two hours prior to their leaving that she was to pack... and HE wasn't ready?! The nerve of that old geezer! she thought fuming outside their small cottage. She only had one bag with her... she figured she'd take only her necessities since there was no way in Hell she'd stay there for long. She would stay there a few days make an excuse and go back home... plain and simple. The last thing she needed were 'shackles' on top of everything else.
"Go easy on him Mistress." Diana pled gently having been outside with her brother Drake to see their Mistress off.
"Easy?! EASY! That..." Namika stomped her floor in sheer anger wanting SO BAD to curse out the old geezer, but she settled for a few grunts. "That OLD MAN! Made decisions on my behalf and tells me about it only hours before he has to depart along with me?! Yes! I'll go EASY on him... afterIburnhisassofftooblivion!" she shot out the last part in a low snarl.
Drake was cracking up as Diana was trying to stifle in a giggle. Namika sighed. "Go on... feel free to laugh at my predicament..." she sighed as the two burst out laughing to their heart's content.
A loud thumping and screeching sound was heard from the house. "What was that?" Drake asked in bewilderment.
"Oh don't tell me..." Namika facepalmed. Out of the house's front door came out the infamous Guru Chikanatsu dragging a huge bag... a bit too huge to be holding just clothes and necessities.
"Well don't ya stay there like statues and help out!" Guru demanded as he was...
"He's dragging the wardrobe, isn't he..." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah..." Diana sweatdropped.
"Aha..." Drake sighed.
"What?" Guru blinked innocently. Did they think i was kidding when I said i wanted to take my beloved Griselda?!
Namika groaned. "Old geezer... we are NOT taking the BROKEN wardrobe!" she said evenly. I can't believe the nerve of this guy. I swear he'll make me kill him one day!
"Ehh?! No way I am taking my beloved Griselda with me! I am going to fix her up nicely there~" Eerie silence hung over them as the sound of crickets echoed in the distance. Namika blinked and raised an eyebrow. Crickets? In the desert?!... she would have pondered over it more but...
"You've named your wardrobe?... Griselda?" Drake asked in complete shock. Diana was just gaping at the old man like he was mad.
"Of course." Guru said like it was the most obvious thing.
"Grrrr-and-Fa-ther~!" Namika drawled out like a mad beast while stomping to the old man. "We. Are. NOT. TAKING! GRISELDA! WITH US!" God PLEASE! Give me the strength NOT TO tear his head off and bury it six feet underground! PLEASEEEEEEE! "Your beloved wardrobe will survive a year or two if you are not here to abuse it every two seconds! NOW MOVE YOUR ASS!" she grabbed his ear and pulled him off his bag.
Guru sweatdropped a lot as this was one of the rare times he has seen his young granddaughter this angry. "B-but-"
"NO BUTS! We are already late as it is!" Namika cut him off as she dragged him off. "Drake will come by later to drop off your things. Now let's go before I change my mind about this!" she finished her lecture as she dropped him off onto a small platform where a summoning circe was carved in.
Guru sighed. "You really need to loosen up a bit, Nami-chan. So much anger in your heart-"
"Whose fault is that I wonder?" Namika leaned toward her grandfather to make a point. And who could blame her... the old man got her into one of his messes... yet again. And they usually ended up with casualties, destroyed buildings or worse... health and property bills the size of the TSAB building itself.
Guru had the decency to laugh smugly. "Yet you have to admit I've been making your day more interesting everytime~!" he cooed and pat his granddaughter's shoulder.
"Let's just go..." Before I end up killing you... "So I can tell you I hate it there and leave before you mess up my life even more..." Namika crossed her arms.
Guru cracked up. "Oh Nami Nami Nami..." he shook his head each time he said her name. "Something tells me that you won't want to leave." he smirked as the spell circle beneath them flared to life in silver color. Wind gushed around them taking the sand with it.
"We will see." Namika sighed. "Can we go already."
"Hold up!" Guru held up a stop sign and blew a whistle... and had a police hat on his head... a weird blue shirt and white gloves...
Where the hell did he get that from? "What?" Namika asked evenly.
"You are going to go... wearing that?!" Guru motioned to her clothing like it was offensive, undignified and the most horrible choice of clothing she could ever make.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Namika asked incredulously as she looked at herself. She wore a red strap shirt with a black lining around her breasts... she had black pants on, a big brown belt, that was holding a few standard archeological tools and white gloves on her hands. Her hair had been up on a rock star like bum as she had a black topless cap. There were a pair of sunglasses on the cap making her look badass. She had the newest brand of black sneakers. On her neck was necklace with a mini single-edged sword. She also had a black jacket, with red seam lines which complemented her attire very nicely, especially since its buttons were also red.
"What's wrong?!" Guru exclaimed incredulous. "You look like you are going to a funeral! You should wear something more... flashy~."
Namika blinked dully. "What's your point?" she deadpanned.
"You should wear dresses Nami-chan! D.R.E.S.S.E.S! You know the things young pretty girls usually wear~ Eh~..." Guru cooed wiggling his eyebrows.
I have absolutely no interest in becoming your new cosplay project old man... Namika rolled her eyes with a sigh.
But said old man wasn't done... "Yes... something in pink maybe."
Me?... Pink!? I HATE PINK! Besides... I look horrible in pink!... Namika thought as she felt anger rise in her chest...
"A short skirt with a blouse which shows the wonders God has given you and the curves which will make every man bow down to you..."
The FUCK!? He wants to dress me like a whore? FAT CHANCE! Namika stared at him like he was mental but he kept going...
"...or maybe... a big dress with a long skirt with a ring in its base... yes... or maybe a-"
"Grandfather you should go you'll miss your appointment!" Drake interjected urgently seeing how his Mistress looked like she would bury the poor guy 10 feet deep after she had maimed him, burned him, disemboweled him and who knows what else... if the disgusted and murderous look in her eyes meant anything.
I'll Kill HIM! I SWEAR I'll KILL HIM!
"Yea yea... just a minute. Come here Dia-dear and gimme a hug." Guru went to hug Diana as Namika was making stangling moves toward his neck while grimacing in anger. Damn that man LOVED to try her patience. Diana sweatdropped at her Mistress' antics but hugged him anyway.
"Have a safe trip." she wished them as Drake shook Guru's hand.
"Of course." He gave them thumbs up and looked at Namika. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your own guardians?" he scolded. "Some Master you are..."
"I already did. We're late!" Namika said through grit teeth as their transport was due in 30 minutes. "You know how bad the travelling services are here!" she put her sunglasses on. Her grandfather's spells tended to be... extra flashy.
"Okay okay already. Sheesh... I swear you are in a bigger hurry than I am..." Guru waved her off and waved at Drake and Diana. "See ya you two." Then posed like Elvis.
"Oh please! Don't..."
"Beam us up Scotty!" and they got beamed away, while Namika was facepalming the entire time as a thought kept going through her head. What did I do to deserve this...
Drake and Diana were finally left alone. The two young familiars looked at each other apprehensively.
"What are the chances that he will survive this?" Diana asked with worry in her voice.
"Umm..." Drake pondered about it. "Given how much he has aggravated our master... Slim to none..."
"May he rest in peace then..." Diana said while bowing to no one in particuar.
"Yeah..." Drake scratched the back of his head. "So..." he looked at his sister curiously "Wanna get some ice cream?"
"Sure ^^"
-Mid-childa's 8th coastal airport abandoned highway, Exam's Goal-
Reinforce Zwei was standing next to the goal post waiting for Subaru and Teana's arrival. "Ah Moe... where are those two...?" she pondered out loud as there was less than a minute time remaining. "They are not gonna make it in time..." her worry was cut short as gust of a big dust cloud was visible in the distance "Ah. There they are."
Teana was piggy-back-riding Subaru in the distance.
"We've got 20 seconds left!" Teana said as she shot the last target which made Rein grin to herself. "All of the targets are taken care of. All its left is to cross the line."
"Okay! Magic, FULL THORTLE!" Subaru sped up even more as she poured all of her remaining magic into her roller skates increasing her speed rapidly, which seemed to worry her friend.
"Hey Subaru! You do have a way to make us stop, RIGHT?"
"Eh?" Subaru looked ahead as she finally realised the little crack in her simple, yet brilliant plan. "Whoops..."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" The two girls adopted terrified expression as they raced with blinding speed toward the goal line and a concrete wall... doing the only logical thing in a situation like that.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~!" They screamed like their lives depended on it.
Reinforce blinked a few times. "Umm... this won't end well." she blinked more... when an old man and young girl appeared out of the blue a few feet before the goal line. The girl appeared to be facepalming as the old man looked like a hamster on coffee. "You two?!" They both looked up to see a 6 inch tiny girl reading them a lecture, while floatin? "WHO ARE YOU?! You are in a restricted area! You are placed under arrest for-" and she went on as the girl blinked.
"Tiny... and kinda cute." the girl smiled.
"Now now Nami-chan, be nice to the little girl~"
"Shut it Grandpa! You are the one who teleported us here... WHEN YOU WERE EXPLICITLY TOLD NOT TO! And... umm..." Namika blinked and looked around. "Why are we in the middle of a highway?"
Guru jumped into the air as he was offended. "My teleporting skills have NO e-"
"Look out!" Rein tried to warn them as they both were in Subaru's way who was screaming like mad along with Tea.
"Huh?" The two strangers echoed as they could hear a weird rolling sound and...
"OUT OF THE WAY!" Subaru screamed in horror at the sight of obstructions ahead in the form of living people.
"IT'S A RUNAWAY STUPID SKATER!" Tea echoed with equal terror in her voice.
"What is tha-AAAAAAAT!" The old man's question was cut short as Subaru ran him over, kicking him flying into the air... and crashed right into the helicopter where Fate and Hayate were.
"SUBARU YOU IDIOT! WE KILLED SOMEONE!"
"I AM SORRYYY-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Subaru started crying.
"Grandfather?!" Namika was luckier having dodged to the side due to her sharp senses, but that later... "What in the bloody hell?"
"A person just got ran over and you are saying *What in the bloody hell*, desu!?" Rein exclaimed at the obvious neglect the girl was having.
"He had it coming." she mumbled absent mindedly and looked toward the 'Runaway stupid skater'. Oh no they'll crash! "Stoneskin!" she cast the spell just as the girl crossed the finish line and headed to a dead end wall. Both girls were engulfed in a protective white haze.
"Toriyaaa!" Rein exclaimed as spell circle appeared at her feet and she cast as well.
"W-what is thissss~ AHHHHA!" Tea screamed out noticing the white haze.
"I DON'T KNOOOOW-WAAAAAAAA!" Subaru screamed as everything suddenly went pink.
Instructor Takamachi had been hovering above watching the whole thing. Hmm... speeding up like is a bit reckless... I wonder if they'll be able to stop on their own... Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed the two newcomers but the girl somehow kept her interest even though Nanoha couldn't get a good look of her from her position. Who is that? And more importantly... how did they find this place? she gasped when the old man was launched at the helicopter. Now that's something you don't see every day...
'Fate-chan? Hayate-chan? Are you alright?' she asked them concerned as the old man had blown through the hull of the chopper.
'We're fine Nanoha-chan.' Hayate replied. 'We just had an old friend drop by.' she sounded rather amused even from the link.
'An old friend?' Nanoha inquired utterly confused as any further talk was cut off by her device.
Master they are going to crash.
"Active guard with a holding net!" Nanoha raised her hand to cast the spell as Raising Heart echoed.
Active guard with holding net. You know. Why don't we make it flashier.
"Whatever! Cast the spell already!"
The highway exploded in a huge pink flash. Once it cleared it revealed Subaru and Teana alive and unharmed. On the ground was a huge pink net with white rubber trees where Tea was dangling helplessly and looked like she'd puke any second. Subaru didn't look any worse to wear. She was on her back with her legs comically in the air and, miracle of miracles, her roller blades were completely busted.
Nanoha sighed in relief. Good they are safe. Now to... um? she looked toward the girl but she seemed a bit intimidated as she was staring toward the helicopter. "Why is she so tense? Nanoha gasped when she heard an explosion coming from the helicopter. Its tail rotor had been blown off and was slowly losing altitude. 'Fate! Hayate! Get out of there!' she shouted through the link as a floating screen opened next to Fate, Hayate and... What is that man doing on Fate-chan's breasts?! she thought with a huge sweatdrop as the old man... had been nestled in her breasts. Hayate was K.O with her hair sizzled and sticking every way ignoring the laws of gravity.
'Get off of me!' Fate demanded as she subconsciously cast another Thunder rage spell blowing off the main rotors and cutting off the link Nanoha had established.
"FATE-CHAAAAAAAAAAN!"
AN: TO BE CONTINUED... hopefully sooner than later :)