Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha - Ai Hazard

by Memor-X

4 Years after the JS Incident Nanoha and Fate have finally confessed their feelings for one another before Fate left to become a Mobile Enforcer. With Fate's return a year later as a full fledged Mobile Enforcer Riot Force 6 has came back together. Yet the peaceful family life Nanoha had hoped for may not last as a light it shone to reveal the truths behind the myths. [Ch.8 is up]

8. Ch6 Storms Stars and a Flower of Shadows

Chapter 6: Storms, Stars and a Flower of Shadows

[10th December 0081, 6:01 AM MC-T - TSAB Headquarters] - Discovery

Since the conclusion to the Mako Trio incident no one had been able to get to the Paradox Hourglass and it was estimated to take years to clear a path to it. While other researchers believed that major Paradoxes wouldn't occur Yuuno wasn't so sure. After learning about the Paradox Hourglass he learned that Belka before them learned about it too, according to the data he retrieved the Paradox Hourglass recorded its peak usage at around the time it was discovered.

Yuuno had kept himself locked up in the Infinite Library researching ancient documents that the TSAB had collected to explain why when the hourglass was discovered, the paradoxes from dimensional travel suddenly dropped. If he could find out what it was he could present it to the Council and hopefully see their reliance on the hourglass diminished, along with his workload of fitting all ships with Paradox Dampeners.

Yuuno leaned back and allowed himself to drift away from the stacks of books he had collected, pushing up his glasses as he massage the bridge of his nose, "it doesn't make sense, activity dropped but it doesn't coincide with their fall, as if a new method was travel was developed" he thought aloud.

It had occurred to Yuuno that since current Dimensional Travel was Magic Based and an alternate method would be Mass Based but in most cases that contributed to the fall of past civilizations, like Belka. The current understanding of Magic Based Dimensional Travel involved doing as little damage to dimensional space as possible, so then Mass Based Dimensional Travel would cause the opposite effect as it had been the case in almost all application of Magical technology over Mass Technology.

"The Paradox Effect is caused when we tear into another dimension and the 2 dimensions bleed into one another in an attempt to fill the tear left behind, but the real question is how the Paradox Hourglass is able to fix these without affecting naturally occurring Paradoxes"
"Oi! Yuuno!"

Yuuno rolled over and saw Chrono entering the library and approach a table which was set up on the middle platform. Chrono kicked his feet up onto the table and leaned back looking at Yuuno floating above "I need you do to something for me"
Yuuno rolled back over looking away from Chrono "I'm not taking the heat for you again, I only just got my hair even from when a patch was burned off when you pissed your sister off last time"
"It's not that, take a look at this" Chrono replied before tossing up a disk.

as the disk ascended it began to slow down before it came to a stop right next to Yuuno, after tapping the disk a screen appeared in front of Yuuno, skimming though the contents he began to realize what the contents of the disk entailed.

"Where did you get this?" he asked as he sat back up
"That's the thing, it came from the Ashinra when we was towing it back here, it's foreign that's for sure"
"Foreign is an understatement, look at this"

A screen appeared in front from Chrono with a detailed blueprint of the Paradox Hourglass and information on the nature of Paradoxes, Chrono sighed "I saw this; I thought it'd make more sense to you"
"It does, in fact if you read it it'll make sense even to you too"
"You make it sound as if I'm an idiot" Chrono frowned,
"What I mean is that it goes into great detail to make sure the reader understands everything"

Yuuno floated back to his books and began reading though, comparing the new data to reference material. this was the break he wanted but deep down he felt uneasy about it, someone had given them this data and without knowing who or their motives this could be a trap, but with all the resources of the Infinite Library he was confident that he could cross reference this new data with what has been gathered already.

"Chrono, could you request a meeting with the Council for me" Yuuno asked.
"Shouldn't you actually put together a draft of what you're going to present first?" Chrono sighed however Yuuno was too engrossed in his work to even hear Chrono's remark.

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[10th December 0081, 7:59 AM - Section 6: Takamachi Room Mid-Childa] - Flustered Heart

Nanoha didn't want to wake up but the wafting smell of Shamal's cooking was keeping her awake, every time she would close her eyes her stomach would churn reminding her that it was about time she ate something, despite the fact that she would rather starve then leave the paradise she was in.

In the end however her hunger won out, as she tried to slip out of the bed she felt something pull her leg and arm back in. Fate had hooked her legs around Nanoha's left leg and was holding onto her arm, Nanoha slid back into the bed as it was obvious that until Fate woke up she wouldn't be letting go.

With Fate so close to her Nanoha let herself get lost in Fate's lingering scent. It wasn't that Nanoha had a hidden fetish for a dirty sweaty Fate, but rather the smell of Fate having worked up a sweat reminded Nanoha of how hard Fate works, and Fate was quick to remind Nanoha that she only works so hard for the people important to her.

Just as Shamal's cooking began to fade away Nanoha was suddenly awaken to a wet sensation on her collarbone, from the corner of her vision Fate looked to be nibbling on her neck.

"Fei...to...stop" Nanoha moaned, the discomfort Nanoha was feeling wasn't bad as where Fate was nibbling was one of Nanoha's weak points. Despite Nanoha's protests she wasn't trying very hard to escape but rather allowing herself to drown in the pleasure, writhing as she dug her nails into the sheets. She didn't want Fate to stop but knew she needed to otherwise Nanoha might be unable to control herself as she had long desired to take advantage of Fate's sleeping body.

Nanoha felt something brush up her leg before seeing a red eye within a bush of blond hair; a hand extended out and began to smack Fate in the head just hard enough to begin to disrupt her
"Faito-mama, you're not supposed to make love to Nanoha-mama in front of me"

Fate slowly opened her eyes to be met by a panting Nanoha in the midst of a pre-climax rapture, she quickly sat up and saw the love bite she left on Nanoha's collar. "I'm sorry Nanoha" Fate apologized, Nanoha smiled back as Vivio fanned Nanoha with her hands to cool her down while Fate started to get dressed.

After Nanoha had cooled off she got out of the bed and started to get dressed as well, she felt around her neck where Fate's love bite was left feeling the lingering sensation of Fate's lips there. Fate had just put her shirt on when Nanoha leaned back falling into her, when Nanoha confirmed that Fate was able to hold her weight she rested her head on Fate's shoulder "were you attacking my weak spot in your dream as well"

Fate smiled as she nodded in response as she held Nanoha from under her arms. Nanoha looked into Fate's eyes as Fate tilted her head to kiss Nanoha gently. The two stopped when they notice Vivio staring at them with a sad look on her face, unable to resist Fate let go of Nanoha pushing her upright before bending down and picking Vivio up
"I'm sorry Vivio, I was stealing Nanoha-mama from you"
"It's ok, I had her for almost a year to myself, I just wanted some love from Faito-mama"

Fate began to attack Vivio with a barrage of kisses all the while with Vivio giggling. Nanoha watched the 2 thinking on how lucky she was Fate did return when she did.

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[10th December 0081, 8:20 AM - Section 6: Long Arch Lounge Mid-Childa] - Relational Oversight

Teana slumped over the back of the couch as she entered the lounge room "at long last my vacation starts" she sighed with relief, Subaru just watched Teana slumped over before putting her plate down and gently pat Teana's head.
"Tough patrol" Subaru asked
"Yeh, we still have to guard the Ashinra and we was patrolling the halls almost constantly"
"What was that about my mother's ship?" Fate asked as she, Nanoha and Vivio entered

Teana sluggishly got up and walked around the couch to let the weight of her body drop her on the couch "you know that she was caught in a Dimensional Quake right? Well since towing it back to H.Q we've been on guard because there's still some special distortion while it's being repaired"
"You know when they'll be finished?" Fate asked as she went to sit opposite Teana
"No but Chrono told me to pass on this message", Teana cleared her throat before she began to impersonate Chrono "should the Ashinra not be ready in time for our trip to Earth we'll use the Claudia instead"
"A bit too deep that" Fate commented

"Speaking on which, Nanoha, it's still ok that me and the Wolkenritter come over for Christmas" Hayate asked
"Of cause" Nanoha nodded "I actually got a letter from my parents saying that the expansion on Midori-ya they started last year is done so we have plenty of room, no more having to force Alph and Zafira to their puppy forms and have them eat out of dog bowls"
"Actually I think Zafira didn't mind that" Hayate laughed

Nanoha carried hers and Fate's plates over to the couch where Fate was sitting while Vivio carried her own and one for Teana, however Teana had fallen asleep by the time Vivio arrived. Teana's weight shifted to her side causing her body to slide down and resting on Subaru next to her, unaware of what happened Teana adjusted her head to rest comfortably on Subaru's shoulder.
"Awwww isn't she cute when she's like this" Subaru commented softly as not to wake Teana.
"I'm going to have to talk to that brother of mine about overworking Enforcers" Fate said.

As everyone continued to each breakfast the only entrance to the Long Arch Section opened. Fate was the first to see who had entered and quickly jumped off the couch and ran to the visitor.

"Erio!" Fate called out as she grabbed and held him close, twisting her body to either side in excitement "you finally decided to move in"
"No I haven't, let go! I'm getting dizzy" Erio complained.
Fate slowed down before freeing Erio from her grasp "I'm sorry" she apologized
"I came to pick up some things for Caro since my last deployment before my break is in the area"

Erio walked around Fate and left the lounge but it wasn't long before he came back in "which one is Caro's room?" he asked
"Down the hall, first turn, her room is on your left side of the Comms room" Hayate replied.

Fate slumped her way back to the couch and sat back down "dam, I was hoping he was moving in"
"Fate, at some point you have to let go" Nanoha said codling Fate as she consoled her.
"Yeh but first Erio, now Caro..."
"Caro hasn't left, she's just busy and what did I say last time" Nanoha interrupted looking over to Vivio.
Fate bent down as she got off the couch and hugged Vivio "don't you ever grow up, always be there wanting your Mama's"

Fate had returned to the couch by the time Erio came back out with a suit case dragging it behind him on its wheels. As he went to walk past Erio went around behind the couch over to Fate before leaning over the back and kissing her on the cheek, "I'll see you later mother".

After watching Erio leave Fate leaned back onto Nanoha "ahhhhh, he called me mother, for the first time he called me his mother"
"I call you mama all the time" Vivio pouted
"Yeh but I had been Erio's Guardian for 3 years before becoming your Godmother and he has never once call me mother"
"Oh, you're just her Godmother?" Nanoha asked
"I would have been her mother back then but they wouldn't allow Vivio to have 2 mothers in the paper work"
"What's written on a piece of paper doesn't define who you are to Vivio, it's your actions" Hayate commented
"Anyway, I thought you would at least think of yourself as her mother since last year"
"You're both right" Fate replied snuggling into Nanoha "regardless what's recognized by law I became Vivio's mother that night".

After everyone had finished with their plates Nanoha forced Fate up so she could get up and collect the dishes to help Shamal wash up. While Nanoha was gone Fate's phone began to vibrate on the table, this gave Nanoha a moment pause as she feared that if Fate got an assignment now she may be unable to go to Earth.

Reading the message on her phone Fate's heart began to race as she was expecting this message, Fate slowly put the phone back down as she tried to calm her racing heart, this time she wouldn't chicken out.
"Ahhh Nanoha, tonight you want to go somewhere?" she asked
"What did you have in mind?"
"It's a surprise"
"I can't really go anywhere if I don't know what it is"

Fate sighed as she slumped back into the couch, seeing Fate's reaction Hayate quickly finished her drink "hang on, Nanoha! She's asking you out on a date"
"A date? As in romantic dinner for the 2 of us?" Nanoha asked as she stopped washing
Fate nodded "yeh, what did you think I meant"
"I'm so sorry Feito, I thought you just mean like getting take-out, yes of cause I'll go"

Nanoha dried up her hands and ran out of the kitchen full of enthusiasm to her room to grab her bag before running back out "Subaru, Hayate, Vita, you have to come and help me pick out a dress"
"Nanoha, calm down, our date isn't until 9PM"
Hayate and Vita got up ready to go but Subaru picked Teana up "I'll be out in a minute, I'm going to put Teana to bed" she said being careful not to wake Teana
"Ok but don't take too long, I'm not waiting for you to finish taking advantage of sleeping beauty" Hayate snickered.

After Subaru returned Fate watched the 4 women leave in Hayate's car from the upstairs window. Signum leaned against the wall beside Fate with her arms crossed "9 tonight, cutting it a bit close aren't we"
"I just got the message from Director Roxas about the booking, however I had no intention of dragging the fitting to tomorrow so today we finalize before I pay"

Fate went to her room to grab her keys, as she returned Signum was still leaning at the same spot but staring out the window, "you still coming?" Fate asked as approached the exit,
Signum nodded in response before pushing herself off the wall, "Agito, you coming as well?"
"Yes Signum-dono" Agito replied flying out of the kitchen.

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[10th December 0081, 10:55 AM - Outside Ground Forces H.Q Mid-Childa] - Anticipated Hostilities

In her excitement Nanoha had forgotten that she needed to make sure that no deliveries would be made to Section 6 during the holidays since while everyone had just moved in hardly anyone would be staying there during the Christmas break. After being dropped off at Ground Forces H.Q Nanoha agreed to meet the others at a store down the street which would be their first stop at getting Nanoha a dress

Just as she reach the side-walk outside Ground Forces H.Q after finishing her business inside her attention was drawn to 2 women looking on a screen in front of them, one with dark hair in a dark blue kimono sitting on the rails and one with glowing golden hair in a white kimono.

"Can't we use the Cyphers to tell if they accepted the data, their comm network would be swarming with activity?"
"Not without revealing the Cyphers themselves"
"Alicia!" Nanoha called out as she approached the 2 women, Trishia and Alicia looked towards where the voice came from but while Alicia smiled back Trishia closed off the screen and jumped off the railing, drawing a sword from within her kimono.

Nanoha froze as she saw Trishia ready herself however Alicia stood in front of Trishia and glared at her, Trishia apologetically looked down as she put her sword away allowing Nanoha to resume her approach, however she was mindful of Trishia.

"Nanoha Takamachi wasn't it, what can I do for you?" Alicia asked
"Nothing actually, I'm kinda glad I met you here"
"Why?"
"It's just that, well, what happened the other day, I want to apologize" Nanoha bowed to Alicia and remained lowered as she continued to speak "it was wrong for me to blame you, it wasn't like you cause your own death"

Nanoha looked up as Alicia started to laugh frantically, crouching down as she held in her stomach. As Alicia calmed down she wiped the tears from her eye "you're really like Trish, she would have done the same had our roles been reverse, don't worry, I don't hold it against you"
"You looked shook up though"
"Mother informed me that I would face hostilities, but I never expect such a strong reaction so soon"

Alicia walked up to Nanoha with Trish close by and extended her hand "Mother always told me about Fate, how she's like the little sister I asked for, so I want to get to know her and get along with her friends so let's start again, my name is Alicia Pendr-Ynlnucc Testarossa"
"Nanoha Takamachi" greeted Nanoha as she took Alicia's hand "what's with the Pendr-Ynlnucc" she asked letting go

"Everyone in Al-Hazard officially make their place of birth as their middle name prefixed up Pendr meaning Birth"
"So what's Ynlnucc, weren't you born on Mid-Childa?"
"Well it's because I wasn't resurrected on Mid-Childa, even in Al-Hazard I'm the first human to be brought back to life"
"What about Chrome's Taydr experiments?" Trishia asked
"They don't count for obvious reasons"

"Well, then my name probably would be Nanoha Pendr-Earth Takamachi" she giggled
"Not exactly but I don't want to be explaining that right now, and its pronounced Peeayn-de-ra", Alicia began to nudge Trishia "go on, introduce yourself probably"
"Trishia Pendr-Rywynt no-Mikoto" Trishia bowed reluctantly still holding her grudge against Nanoha for what she did last time
"You were born on a different world?" Nanoha asked
"As I said, it's a bit more complex than that" Alicia added.

"So, is Trishia a guy or a girl, when we first met her she clearly looked like a guy" Nanoha asked looking over Trishia's body
"Trish is a girl, it just for us to get here we had to use a Jewel Seed", Alicia reached into her pocket and pulled out a small blue crystal, one that Nanoha knew all too well. "My mother was able to refine the method to use Jewel Seeds to go to and from Al-Hazard, however it seems the method is flawed for when Trish uses it and it kinda caused some genetic damage, Trish gets turned into a guy when Miyanu is in standby"
"Why isn't she a guy now?"
"I've got her Linker Core cycling mana though her body and back into itself, slowly repairing the damage but it'll take months until all the damage is reversed, considering we may be in combat again it's hardly a fix." Alicia sighed, "She needs high level healing magic from something like the Elivia Glyph, problem is that Trish can't use it on herself and the only one I trust touching my Trish is my mother"

"So what were you doing a moment ago?" Nanoha asked
"We were hacking your systems and feeding data on the Paradox Hourglass and on how Dimensional Travel should work, we were kinda responsible for it getting buried"
"And you use Cyphers?"
"no, Cyphers are something we've added into your communications network so we can listen it" Trishia replied, "don't worry, they've been set up only to activate when information on our target comes up, we'll remove them once we get a good lead and get on the trail" Alicia reassured Nanoha "what about you?"
"well I was just making sure that no supply trucks stop off where me and Feito live when we leave to spend Christmas with my family on Earth, before seeing you two I was going to meet with some friends about getting a dress for a date I have with Feito tonight"

"Hey, you don't mind if I come along shopping too" Alicia asked looking down while twiddling her fingers
"I don't know, don't you two have work?"
"Well that's what the Cyphers are for, we have no leads until we hear something, and I'm interested how fashion as evolved in the 40 or 50 years since I last saw it when I was a kid...and alive"
"Well, I suppose, however understand that I am meeting friends, they may still find you responsible for what Presea did to Feito"

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[10th December 0081, 11:17 AM - Fashion Store Mid-Childa] - Bridging the rift

"NA-NO-HA!" Subaru enthusiastically called out as she spotted Nanoha in the distance, as Nanoha got closer Subaru realised she wasn't alone, "Hay Fate, what are you doing here, the whole point to this is to get Nanoha to surprise you at your date tonight"
"That isn't Fate Subaru" Vita pointed out sensing Hayate's hostility towards the guests.

"Nanoha, what are they doing here?" Hayate asked while glaring at Alicia from the corner of her eye
"I met them on the way here and Alicia asked if they could tag along"
Hayate walked up to Nanoha and leaned in close to her "but what about the other day" she whispered all the while making sure she could see the 2 strangers
"I was in the wrong and Alicia seems determined to patch things up with not only Fate but the rest of us"

Hayate glared at Alicia and Trishia sizing them up in her mind "all of us care for Fate, if Nanoha is willing to let go of the animosity she had the other day then I suppose we could try and get along but until I hear it from Presea I still going to be sceptical"
"Which you have every right to be" Alicia nodded.

The store wasn't a large one so it only had a small selection however the quality was beyond what would be thought possible for such a small place, because of this the store was mostly empty with one female clerk ready to provide assistance. Hayate was confident that Nanoha would find a dress to her liking here and chose this place first because dresses out on display would still be in stock in Nanoha's size.

Choosing a dress however was more daunting that first thought, while the clerk helped with her opinion the other 3 girls were nit picking the smallest details like a slit on the side of the dress being too high, the top part bushing Nanoha's breasts up, how much of the dress dragged long the ground and even small patches of colour which didn't seem to match with accessories. Nanoha wasn't annoyed by it at all because she wanted the perfect dress for her first date but was disheartened that so many good dresses had some sort of flaw in them.

Elsewhere in the store Alicia was looking though the dresses with Trishia. she took out a white lace one which also looked like one a bride would wear, "so, how do I look" Alicia asked twirling around while holding the dress up to her, Trishia however remained silent and shifted her gaze "Trish, what's wrong?"
"These dresses, they hide you"
"I thought you love me for me, not my looks"
"I do love you for you but I also want to show the world your beauty and not be covered in this garbage"

Alicia saw the clerk's mouth twitch in disgust hearing Trishia's word, "Trishia isn't it? That's kinda hash don't you think?" Vita said
"Don't worry about it, Trish tailors my clothes herself by finding pieces I do like, any store brought dress would be garbage to her because it doesn't have her love in it"
"You're a seamstress Trishia?" Hayate asked

Alicia put the dress back and leaned forwards on Trishia's back "ace mage, seamstress, unrivalled lover, oh laying there totally spent and she'll still pleasure me to the point where I think I'm going to die" Alicia smiled seductively, her breath tickling Trishia's ear
"Alicia, please"
"What, I don't care what people think about us making love for 48 hours strait" Alicia replied, her words bring up intimate memories within Trishia causing her face to heat up.

"Hay, maybe you could make Nanoha a dress out of these" Subaru suggested "it'll be new and unique so even if Fate has been here before she won't have seen the dress"
Trishia looked to Alicia for confirmation before accepting her nod as approval "ok, select 5 dresses that you would want to wear" Trishia said as she approached the changing room adjusting the cuffs of her kimono and tugging at the ribbon that formed her collar. Upon pulling the ribbon off Trishia flicked it causing Miyanu to dislodge before catching it.

Trishia entered the change room just as Nanoha arrived with the 5 dresses she found the most appealing to her, Trishia's arm reached out from behind the drawn curtain and pulled Nanoha in.

"Hey! Watch here your hands are going"
"Stop squirming"
"Don't touch me there"
"Don't worry Nanoha, she's not molesting you, she's just taking your measurements" Alicia called out
"Yeh, that's what they all say before they throw you onto the bench and hold your legs" Hayate commented
"Owe! She's just done that, let go!"
"I need leg length and there's not enough room to crouch down"
"Do you have to be so rough?"
"Think of it as payback for how you spoke to Alicia the other day"

After a short while the ruckus in the change room died down, as the women waited they looked over the other items in the store for their own needs. It wasn't long before Trishia walked out of the change room leaving Nanoha alone in there for a short while as she loosened her cuffs,
"So?" Trishia asked re-attaching Miyanu to her collar
"Oh my god, it's beautiful, every flaw we picked up isn't in there"
"My tailor work has no flaws. I cannot bare to gift a piece to Alicia if it's imperfect"
"let's see" Subaru said as she went to enter the change room but just as she grabbed the curtain to pulled it back Nanoha pushed Subaru back "No! I want Feito to be the first to see me in this"

"Trishia has already seen you in it" Vita sighed
"My vision was limited" Trishia corrected
"Ok, but we'll still see you walk out in it later tonight anyway, plus Fate would be probably getting opinions on what she's wearing"
"And anyway, we need accessories and you need an outside view for that" Subaru continued

Nanoha pulled the curtain back slowly stepping out of the change room. The 5 dresses had seamlessly been used to from one dress with the Queen Pink Satin top of one dress used as the top and Pink Lavender used as a trim around the edge, the top hugged Nanoha's figure perfectly so no straps were needed to hold it up. along her arms were Crayola Salmon selves and where the glove would attach the sleeves were transparent frills, at the base they were the same colour as the sleeve and not transparent but a few millimetres from the base it started to become more transparent and white.

The bottom portion of the dress was white with the tiny hint of red which made the eyes blend it with the Queen Pink top, the slit from one of the dresses was moved to the front. To obscure, piggy pink floral lace-work was laid over top of one another, the hem of the dress just brushing lightly on the ground. The dress and the top were 2 separate pieces so a Cameo Pink shawl wrapped around Nanoha's waist tight enough to keep the dress up but not so much it constricted her.

"It looks familiar" Alicia commented
"it's based off a design I did for a dress of my own which I wore on our 1 year anniversary date, with obvious changes due to the collection of source material."
"And you do this for Alicia only! You could quit being a mage and be a stylist" Vita commented being the first to come over the shock
"I only did this because Alicia would have requested it sooner or later"

Subaru went off and picked up a veil for Nanoha and placed it gently on Nanoha's head adjusting the transparent cloth so it wasn't being caught or bundled up against Nanoha's hair
"I'm not sure, isn't a veil a bit over the top for a dating gown, it's more suited for a wedding dress" Hayate commented
"Maybe but I think it's good" Nanoha replied as she looked in the mirror
"And anyway, if Nanoha got married she'd want something even better" Subaru remarked looking at Trishia
"I am ever going to make 1 wedding dress in my life and that's for Alicia, no one else!"

Nanoha went back into the change room and carefully took off the dress before paying the clerk for the 5 dresses that were used in its creation. As the women left the store Nanoha took out some money and handed it to Trishia
"What's this?" Trishia asked cocking her head in puzzlement
"You made the dress so you should be paid for your services"
"As I said, Alicia would have requested me to do this sooner or later in part to her mentality of Lady Fate being her sister"
"Yeh but still take it" Nanoha demanded forcing the money into Trishia's hand.

As Trishia stared at the money something within her's and Alicia's pockets began to flash though the fabric
"Bingo...hmmm original destination may have been discovered by the TSAB" Alicia muttered to herself looking at the PDA like terminal. After putting the terminals back Alicia and Trishia bowed "Sorry but we have to go, we need to chase up this lead before it goes cold or the TSAB tamper with the evidence" Alicia apologized
"Why not ask the TSAB to help you out, or maybe we can lend a hand" Subaru suggested
"No, this is our problem, there's no need for you all to get involved with it"

"Good luck with your date, and if you break my little sister's heart I'll sick Trish on you" Alicia laughed as the 2 women ran down the street. Hayate wasn't too sure about Alicia in the beginning but within her voice she felt Alicia really did love Fate and probably would carry out her threat.

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[10th December 0081, 11:25 AM - Tailoring Store Mid-Childa] - The Prince's new style

"This way Miss Testarossa Harlaown, we will do the final sizing adjustments so you can take it home today" the shop clerk greeted Fate as her, Signum and Agito entered the store. this wasn't the first time the 3 had entered here, after the Mako Trio Incident Fate was rewarded for her quick resolution of the investigation, normally a promotion was next in that kind of situation however from Mobile Enforcer there was only the fabled Meister Enforcer position before the Director's jobs in the chain of command.

With this in mind Roxas suggested to book and pay for anything Fate wanted, seeing this as an opportunity she discussed with him about her thoughts on going on her first date with Nanoha, Roxas even had brochures on different restaurants. In the end Fate decided on a place that Roxas highly recommended despite only being there once however warned Fate that bookings may be problematic. The message Fate received was from Roxas about just that

'Fate Testarossa Harlaown,

Booking Complete. Table for 2, expected arrival at 10PM. Any request physically possible will be executed, any refusal throw Kaien Cross's name around.

R.'

Fate told Nanoha 9 because Fate planned to pick Nanoha up at Section 6 and was factoring traffic condition for driving to the other side of Cranagan to their destination.

"Nervous?" Signum asked as the 3 were being lead though the store
Fate nodded as she put the phone back in her pocket, "I been wanting to do this since my promotion to Mobile Enforcer...", Fate shook her head "no, I wanted to go on a date with her long before that but to do so was to reveal my feeling and I was scared of the rejection, but I don't have to worry about that now"

The store layout was that in the front were samples of tailored clothes while in the back were the fitting and design rooms. the design rooms had mannequins which clothes were created on and the fitting rooms were used to make size adjustments for the customers however only the customer and a couple of store staff were allowed in so after arriving Signum and Agito has to remained behind.

As today was for adjusting the size of Fate's finished order Signum and Agito had already seen it a few times and went back into the store looking for accessories to go with Fate. While the two was looking around Agito attention was drawn to the new customers who had just entered, what caught her attention was the flash of blonde, platinum green, khaki and eminence hair at a distinctive height which was out of place for customers in the store.

Agito hid herself peering around the corner of one of the display cabinets watching the 4 girls at the display cabinet/checkout. A slender finger reached out and tapped Agito on the shoulder causing her heart to skip a beat.
Agito turned around to see her lord crouching down hiding like her "Signum-dono!"
"Who's over there?"
"Vivio and her friends, I wanted to find out why they are here"
"Yes, curious, we've kept Fate's plans to ourselves so this is quite the coincidence"

At the checkout the 4 girls were scanning over all the jewellery on display looking for a particular set of items, at the same time Rio and Corona was in awe while Einheart was worried about the pricing
"Vivio, you sure you can afford them, everything here is quite dear"
"It's ok, I saw these a while back so I've been saving my money to get them" Vivio smiled trying to reassure Einheart
As they continued to scan Corona tapped Vivio on the shoulder drawing her attention "are they what you were talking about" she asked point to a set of Crystal Lotus Flowers, each a different colour and each about as big as Vivio's hand. Vivio nodded before reaching up for the service bell and began to smack it rapidly trying to get a clerk's attention.

While Vivio talked to the clerk who came Einheart looked behind her directly at the cabinet that Agito and Signum were hiding behind, Just before Einheart could spot them Signum could see that Einheart was about to turn to them and grabbed Agito pulling her back. Einheart stared at the cabinet, the feeling she felt before about being watched had came from there yet now she couldn't sense anything.
"What's wrong?" Vivio asked noticing Einheart's divided attention
"It's nothing" she replied.

Being quite small and less likely to be spotted if she just peeked her head over the top of the cabinet, Agito slowly floated up to see if Einheart was watching them any longer, signalling Signum that the cost was clear. The 2 saw the clerk hand Vivio a large bag with 2 wrapped boxes inside.

"I wonder what they brought" Agito pondered aloud as the 2 remained hidden until Vivio and her friends had left the store and were out of sight
"What are you two up to?" Fate asked standing right behind them holding a vacuum sealed bag with her tailored order folded neatly inside,
"Oh nothing" Agito laughed rubbing the back of her neck.
"I doubt Signum would be crouching in such an undignified manner for nothing"

Upon hearing Fate's comment about her pose Signum got up and brushed herself off while straitening her top in the process "it really is nothing, just discussing with Agito what could go with your style for your date"
"Well I don't think I need anything really, in fact I think I'm going a bit overboard getting this" Fate said lifting her arms slightly to draw attention to the bag
"Speaking of that, you were quite quick" Signum noted
"My sizes are quite similar to the mannequin they used"

The women went to the counter to allow Fate to pay for her order, as she was being attended Signum and Agito looked over to what Vivio and her friends were looking at, expecting to get an idea of what she had brought, however none of the items were missing or obviously out of place.

After Fate had finished and went to leave she noticed Signum and Agito hasn't noticed that she was leaving, "is everything alright? The two of you seem preoccupied with something"
"Oh no, everything is fine, just looking around" Signum replied and she and Agito followed behind Fate.

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[10th December 0081, 12:31 PM - Section 6 Mid-Childa] - Late raiser

Ginga staggered out of her room, her pyjamas and hair dishevelled and bumping into the walls as her lack of balanced kept causing her body to sway from either side of the hall as she preceded top the lounge. the inner hallways within Section 6 were illuminated only by dim lights due to there being no windows for natural light to filter in, having gotten her eyes used to this dim light after waking up Ginga hissed as she was blinded by the natural lighting in the Long Arch Lounge. Just barely able to see she could recognize Shamal's figure on one of the couches.

"Good morning" Ginga greeted, the drowsiness made more apparent by her simultaneous yawn.
"Good afternoon Ginga"
Ginga rubbed her eyes as she stumbled her way over to the kitchen "afternoon?"
"Yes, it's after twelve-thirty in the afternoon, there's some food in the fridges if you're hungry but you missed breakfast"

Ginga made it to the sink and while filling up a cup splashed water on her face as a quick means to wake up before taking her cup and scanning the contents of the fridges and cupboards looking for something lazy to fix up. After fixing up some cereal she took the bowl over to the couch and sat opposite Shamal.

"Where is everyone?" Ginga asked
"well, Fate asked Nanoha out on a date for tonight so they are out shopping for what they want to wear, Signum, Agito, Vita-chan, Hayate-chan and your sister went out with them..."
"Why don't you use any honorific for Signum?" Ginga interrupted.
"Back during the Book of Darkness Incident I did try calling her that but she really doesn't like it requesting me to stop, I think it's more out of being embarrassed called that" she replied resting her hand on her cheek with her eyes closed remembering the moment, "Zafira on the other hand just dislikes it which is a shame" she sighed putting her cup down before continuing, "Vivio was here before but then her friends arrive and they left, Erio dropped by to pick some stuff up for Caro and Teana is asleep in her room"
"Where's Zafira?"

Zafira cleared his throat to get Ginga's attention who hadn't noticed he was sitting right next to Shamal "sorry, didn't notice you there" Ginga apologized
"His only real presence is found in a fight" Shamal laughed at Zafira's expense of cause this didn't matter to him, in truth Zafira found he could only prove his worth in battle.

"So why were you so sleepy" Shamal asked
"Been putting in a lot of hours so that if I take a few more days off during the Christmas break no one's going to complain"
"I see, seems like we all think alike" Shamal nodded
"You're here rather than at work" Ginga pointed out
"Because I'm a medic and I really shouldn't be called in unless someone is seriously hurt, also I've tried working longer shifts but they keep telling me to take it easy" Shamal sighed

Ginga continued to finish her very late breakfast while Shamal stared out of the window and Zafira remained still in a meditative state. After finishing her breakfast Ginga took the newspaper from the table, apart from the sounds of paper shuffling around the lounge was deathly quiet however it was soon broken by the sound of a door in the hallway being closed followed by the muffled footsteps of someone wearing soaks.

"Good afternoon Teana" Shamal greeted as Teana walked into the lounge, arching her back backwards as she stretched it, her arms and fingers popping with the noise from Cavitation within the joints being heard all the way the couch, with Zafira obviously feeling discomfort twitching and grimacing with each pop.

"Hay, how did I get from the couch to my bed?" Teana asked as she took Ginga's empty bowl for her own use
"You fell asleep on Subaru and before she left with Hayate-chan, Vita-chan and Nanoha she carried you to your room"

"Idiot" Teana turned away hiding her embarrassment "she doesn't need to do unnecessary things like that, she should have just pushed me off"
"Yeh but I doubt she'd just leave you there, you mean a lot to her you know" Ginga added

Teana thought back to how she was in her bed; she was neatly tucked in with great care to make sure she wouldn't be in any discomfort if she moved around while heavier clothes were taken off, deep inside Teana felt good that Subaru went to the effort but it didn't hide her embarrassment.

"You know the breakfast I made for you this morning is still in the fridge" Shamal reminded as he noticed that Teana was going for cereal. Teana put the box down and confirmed Shamal's reminder deciding to have that instead. While she waited for her breakfast to warm up she could hear a group of familiarly voices approaching the lounge.

"You know Hayate, I get the feeling you redesigned this place knowing that me and Fate was going to have a late night date in the future"
"What? I really don't like elevators and those utility blocky spiral stairs the old building had. The alternative was to make it so you had to fly up but either way Fate would carry you like her bride"
"What about me and Tia? We can't fly"
"The placed would've been designed for Nanoha, at the time I wouldn't be thinking we'd all come back together, anyway, you could use Wing Road"

Hayate, Vita, Subaru and Nanoha walked into the lounge talking amongst themselves with Nanoha carrying a vacuum sealed bag in her hands as if she was carrying a large plate. The moment Subaru entered the lounge her attention shifted from the group to the now awake Teana, breaking away from the group to sit on one of the stools by the glassless window into the kitchen.

"I see your awake, slept well?"
"Yeh" Teana paused as her face started to go red thinking back on how it was Subaru who put her to bed "thank you, for tucking me in"
"Well I couldn't just let you sleep on the couch in your clothes like that"
"Subaru molested you while she put you to bed" Hayate yelled out snickering
"I did not!" Subaru replied.

Hayate's snickering was cut short after she sat next to Shamal who proceeded to slap the back of her head of the inappropriate comment, "owe, Shamal's in mother mode again"

"So where did you come from?" Teana asked
"We went shopping for a dress of Nanoha"
"Why?"
"oh yeh, you were fast asleep already, well Fate asked her out to a date tonight so Nanoha wanted something new just for it, oh and we met Alicia, she really does look like Fate but her hair is very very shiny"

"I don't trust her" Teana said glaring at Nanoha "they claim to come from Al-Hazard but if Al-Hazard really existed then how come there's no evidence"
"Saint Cradle, Relics and even my tome is thought to have originated from Al-Hazard" Hayate noted
"If Al-Hazard was still around then there would be evidence of it" Teana rephrased
"I believe they've came from Al-Hazard, Alicia had a Jewel Seed, if it had been stolen from the TSAB we would have heard about it and Yuuno's already confirmed that all of them were collected, so that means the only ones outside TSAB control are the ones used by Presea which if she is still alive, are in her possession" Nanoha said remembering to when she met Alicia and Trishia outside Ground Forces H.Q.

"Still, to me it seems a bit too convenient that they showed up" Teana replied, in the corner of her peripheral vision however was Subaru looking worried. Teana had heard that Fate wanted to patch things with her mother if she was still alive so Subaru's expression was probably her thinking that Teana may act hostile to Alicia. This was of cause untrue, despite her distrust for these Al-Hazard guests Teana wasn't going to be hostile for the sake of it. "Don't worry Subaru I'm going to play nice, just that if they try anything I'm going to be the first to pull the trigger"
"If they hurt Feito then get in line because I'm first" Nanoha laughed, despite it however everyone knew Nanoha was dead serious

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[10th December 0081, 1:19 PM MC-T - TSAB Prison Transport] - Final Transfer

After the revelation of Quattro's role in the Mako Trio Incident the TSAB decided that Quattro would be transferred from her cell in Gerda orbital prison to Gruen high security orbital prison to increase the security around her.

The Transport meant for 4 people, 2 on either seat on either side of the transport plus the pilot and co-pilot but up to 4 could sit on each side plus 3 or 4 standing in the middle, however while TSAB regulations were against this due to safety concerns, for the purpose of transporting Quattro 2 TSAB Mages sat either side of her while 3 sat opposite, their Storage Devices armed.

Quattro herself was still in her blue body suit however the white cape she always war, Silver Cape, was bound tightly with straps to her, each strap was a sensor which would pick up any unusual reaction from it and would electrocute her as a result. Originally it was thought that the Numbers that had been imprisoned should be separated from their Inherent Equipment however it was discovered that the equipment had an auto-return function which would activate if the equipment was moved too far away from its owner or if an attempt was made to deactivate the auto-return.

Quattro was happy to be relocated because it would put her closer to Jail Scaglietti, while they wouldn't share a cell just being in the same facility made her heart flutter, after all, out of all the Numbers he had created she wasn't a failure in his eyes and if she died, she's be remembered like her dear sister Due. Of cause at the same time she felt nothing but disgust for her sisters who now had betrayed Scaglietti, they had all looked up to Scaglietti but were quick to leave when given a hand out by the TSAB.

One day they'll regret leaving Scaglietti-sama she thought to herself. from the top of Quattro's vision something sparked her as odd, a set of shoes which she did not recognize having spent most of the trip looking to the floor, as she looked up the normal blue and gold trim barrier jacket which had been sitting confront of her was now black and crimson.

To the mages around her there were 5 TSAB Mages and Quattro herself but to Quattro, for her eyes only, the mage in front of her was different, instead there was a middle aged man in a long black closed up jacket, pale skin, black haired tied together into a single pony tail and spectral in appearance, the man was like a ghost the way his body wavered. Looking into his black sunglasses was almost looking into an endless pit where the rest of his body took into account the lighting.

"So, that's how it is" Quattro muttered to herself. The mage on her left was just able to hear her however just as he was about to ask her the meaning behind her words Quattro stood up
"Hey! Sit back down" the Mages readies their Devices, the co-pilot hearing the order took his Device and left the cockpit to investigate, as he approached Quattro he noticed that a tear had rolled down her cheek.

Quattro looked up at the lamp, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes and she lamented, "I'm sorry Scaglietti-sama". Quattro was scared but happy as well as this would pave the way for Scaglietti's freedom, in her heart she prayed it wouldn't hurt. Quattro closed her eyes, as if it had only just happened she recalled when she first awoke, how Scaglietti's eyes met hers as he helped her up, however unlike that day where he didn't say a word, within her mind after Scaglietti helped her up Quattro uttered 3 words to him which won't reach the ears of the real Jail Scaglietti.

I love you

The ship imploded within the vacuum of space, while the implosion made naught the sound the sudden disappearance of its transponder was detected at Gruen, who had been tracking the incoming ship when it was 30 minutes away.

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[10th December 0081, 3:44 PM MC-T - TSAB Monitored Zone Uninhabited World #22 - Risque] - Sprung Trap

High in the sky sat a blue sphere which eclipsed the planet's sun, it rays passed though the sphere as if it were glass painting the ground a gentle hue, of cause the sphere wasn't glass as it's wavering edges indicated otherwise, instead the sphere was made of mana which altered the sunlight passing though it to contain the attribute it was comprised of.

Scattered along the ground were TSAB Mages and civilians forming a survey team, while Risque was thought to be uninhabited in case if there was any danger on the planet or if a danger was released from the team's actions, the TSAB could protect the civilians while trying to contain the threat. However every last one of them were lying on the ground, all bathed in the blue light, sleeping.

Despite that the entire team and their escorts were asleep there were 2 figures still stands, 2 women in kimonos, one with radiating golden twin tails while the other with shoulder length dark hair, un-phased by the blue hue putting everyone to sleep.

Alicia's opened her mouth wide as she revealed the tension in her body with one yawn as she stretched her body,
"Sir, please refrain from acting as if you are affected by the spell"
"It's not the spell Ballad, I kinda want to end this already"

Alicia turned to face Trishia who was using Miyanu as a support. Trishia's genetic damage slowly being repaired via mana cycling didn't just make her weaker but easier to tire out as she was the one maintaining the sphere in the sky

"Trish, are you alright?" Alicia asked hurting from seeing her girlfriend's pain expression
"I'm fine...just a little...worn out" Trishia panted
"Ballad, can't you find anything"
"No sir"
"dam it, we come here because the Cypher Network picked up that the TSAB was looking for something connected to the Variable Mako and we get here shortly after them and there's nothing" Alicia complained growing more frustrated at the situation.

the 2 of them had come to Risque after the Cyphers they had set up to monitor TSAB communication traffic to aid them in their mission, detected that something the TSAB believed to be a part of the Variable Mako, what the TSAB called the Mako Trio. By the time the 2 women arrived the TSAB had cornered off the area so Trishia used a spell to put them all to sleep so they could investigate the area without disturbance.

"Ballad, ruf yna oui tuehk ouin clyhhehk? [Ballad, how are you doing your scanning?]" Miyanu asked?
"I am scanning for any active pieces of Al-Hazard Technology, why?"
"E ys belgehk cusadrehk ib frelr ec lmaynmo Al-Hazard uv unekeh, pid ed'c hud yldeja [I am picking something up which is clearly Al-Hazard of origin, but it's not active]"

the flashing of Miyanu ceased, replaced with a dull glow, as Trishia moved the glow became bright as it acted as a proximity detector, Miyanu began to flash once again when the 2 women were right on top of what they was looking for. Alicia kneeled down on the ground and began to clear away the dirt uncovering a broken device.

"Ed ryc dnylac uv Pardonite uh ed [It has traces of Pardonite on it]" Miyanu commented as Alicia examined the device toughly looking to see what it was.
"Like what's...used by the...Talon Fleet?" Trishia panted as she tried to confirm something.
"oac so myto, pid e tu hud ghuf ihtancdyht fro cusadrehk mega drec ec luhhaldat du dra Mako Trio [yes my lady, but I do not know understand why something like this is connected to the Mako Trio]"

*snap*. The chard metal began to crack as Alicia's griped tightened "it's because it's a Dimensional Transfer Router!" she yelled throwing the device into the sky "Those bastards did this to you, not the Jewel Seed!"
"Alicia?"
"We knew that trying to pass though the Axis Veil was dangerous and I thought my mother missed something which caused your genetic damage, but it wasn't that. they set up a Dimensional Transfer Router as a booby trap for if we followed behind, the reason why we got flung into every dam dimension when we came out was because that thing destabilized the portal" Alicia complained tightening her fist "now it's personal, I took on this mission because of the chance I'd meet Fate, BUT NO ONE FUCKS WITH MY TRISH'S BODY LIKE THIS! I'M GOING TO KILL THEM!"
"Calm down sir, it is quite logical for them to derail anyone following them by leaving a trap"
"Dnia, pid drao cruimt ryja ghufh So Myto fuimt pa cahd eh du ybbnaraht dras, yht ev drao tet yhodrehk du ran Myto Alicia fuimt pa beccat [True, but they should have known My Lady would be sent in to apprehend them, and if they did anything to her Lady Alicia would be pissed]"
"Exactly! Oh I'm going to beat that arrogant egotistical bitch to a pulp and shove that staff up her ass!" Alicia continued, fuming her anger towards the unknown assailant who was her mission's focus.

As Alicia continued to rage profanity the blue sphere dissipated before Trishia collapse. "Trish!" hearing the thud had snapped Alicia from her rant as she quickly ran to Trishia holding her, Trishia could just barely open her eyes but knew it was Alicia who was holding her "I'm sorry...I couldn't keep it going"
"No, I'm sorry for having taken this long, forcing you to keep that spell up"

The survey team who had fallen asleep as a result of Trishia's spell all started to stir after the colour returned from the hue it was saturated in. the mages quickly noticed 2 people who were not a part of the team and armed their Devices. Seeing the situation begin to deteriorate Alicia pulled out a small pen like object from her kimono and flipped the top revealing a red button, upon pressing it a portal opened at her back. As the Mages hurried to apprehend the 2 women Alicia fell backwards into the portal dragging Trishia behind her before the portal closed

"That looked like a Dimension Transfer, can we track it?"
"So sir, the Magic System used is unfamiliar, it's neither Mid-Childan, Belkan nor a variation and not only that the readings are scrambled"

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[10th December 0081, 8:50 PM - Section 6 Mid-Childa] - The Knight's arrival

"See, if you had your away we would be trying to find Trishia to get you dressed again" Hayate proudly reminded Nanoha as she finished adjusting the upper-half of Nanoha's dress.
"Yeh, I suppose I was just being selfish" Nanoha apologized
"Don't sweat it, if I was going on my very first date I probably have wanted the same. of cause I would have made sure I got something I could put on by myself or not made by a third party who's disappeared" Hayate laughed.

Nanoha stepped into the skirt allowing Hayate to pull it up to Nanoha's waist before affixing it to the upper portion of the dress with the provided shawl. Nanoha bowed down allowing Hayate to gently place the veil onto her hair. Nanoha had also undone the bow which held her hair on the left so the veil didn't sit lopsided on it but fit perfectly on Nanoha's crown.

Everyone except Shamal was in the lounge talking amongst themselves while waiting for Fate or Nanoha to appear, Shamal herself however was in the kitchen happily fixing dinner for everyone else.
*tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* everyone suddenly went silent as the sound of heels coming down the hall echoed out into the lounge. Hayate walked alongside Nanoha like if she was escorting her down a wedding aisle as the two entered the lounge. Except for Subaru and Vita this was the first time anyone else saw Nanoha's new dress.

"Feito hasn't arrived yet?" Nanoha asked looking around the room,
"Not yet" Signum replied shaking her head "when we parted she said she had some things to organize and will be here roughly on time"

"Hey, hey! There's a limo pulling up in front" Rein called out. Everyone rushed to the window trying their best to see the limo; it was very unlikely it was a guest visiting this late so everyone had already concluded it was Fate. Shortly after the phones in the area began to ring, with Shamal still in the kitchen and one of the phones being nearby, she was the one to answer.

After a short exchange Shamal hung up the phone "Nanoha, Fate is waiting for you downstairs"
"I'll take Nanoha-mama down Aunty Hayate" Vivio suggested taking her mama's hand, as the 2 went to leave Agito and Signum noticed Vivio picked up a familiar bag which was hidden out of sight behind a chair.

Upon reaching the front door to Section 6 Vivio stepped ahead of Nanoha opening it for her. Nanoha's was greeted by Fate standing in front of the back passenger side door, both of which were illuminated under the light of the lamp post.

Fate wore a Space Cadet Blue coat similar to her Barrier Jacket but shorter stopping at her knees, the coat wrapped around Fate's form perfectly along with a white shirt with 2 overlapping layers of lace embroidery along the bottom, Nanoha assumed the opening in the front of the coat was somehow holding onto the shirt since it hugged Fate's bust. A set of Roman Silver Epaulettes sat on Fate's shoulders which held a Dark Midnight Blue cape, reminiscent of the one she used to wear as a child with her barrier jacket. the cuffs of the coat sleeves were folded at the wrist going back half-way up Fate's forearm and clipped just above her right breast sat a Madonna lily. Bellow Fate wore tight black pants which stopped just sort of the coat.

"Nanoha, you look beautiful, I kind feel like I've under-dressed now" Fate remarked, her breath practicality had been taken away the moment she saw Nanoha walk out of Section 6
Nanoha shook her head "no, you look just fine, though you didn't need to dress up yourself since you'd look good in anything you wore" Nanoha chuckled
"No fair, I'm supposed to say that to you"

"Mamas", Fate and Nanoha's attention was drawn to Vivio who had pulled a bag from around the corner of the entrance. Vivio pulled out 2 boxes and handed each to Fate and Nanoha. Nanoha was the first to open hers and gasped loading, inside hers was a pink Crystal Lotus Flower while Fate's was Turquoise.

"I brought them today, I knew that when Feito-mama came back you two would go on a date, so I had been saving up my pocket money to buy these to" Vivio smiled proudly. Fate and Nanoha helped each other put their crystal lotus on with Fate's lily on her coat being replaced while Fate helped put it in Nanoha's hair along with her lotus. The two women crouched down and kissed either side of Vivio's cheeks thanking her. Vivio began to blush from embarrassment knowing that upstairs, peering through the window, everyone else was watching.

Vivio went back inside leaving Fate to escort Nanoha to the Limo, opening the door for her. after Nanoha was in and closing it behind her, Fate went around to the opposite side to enter, tapping the roof as she got in singling the driver to drive after she closed the door.

Nanoha was surprised just how spacious the passage area of the limo was, width wise it was no bigger than Fate's and Hayate's cars however Nanoha could see herself laying down on the floor and having plenty of room. After Fate closed the door Nanoha watched the entrance to Section 6 slowly slide away though the tinted windows, unaware when the limo had started up or even if it had been running the entire time Fate was waiting for her.

Nanoha clammed up, holding her handbag with both hands on her lap. she was expecting Fate in her car not a limo of this size, she was expecting Fate to wear something like what they wore to Hotel Augusta not something so regal as she was wearing now, and she didn't even know where they was going, all of this just made her even more nervous from the fact that this was her first ever date.

Fate pressed a button on the side of the seat, as she held it down Nanoha felt something push up from behind her feet as her back reclined back. Fate shuffled across getting closer to Nanoha, with Fate closer to her Nanoha felt a bit more at ease.

"I've never seen you take it off since I gave it to you" Fate commented looking at Nanoha's pendent
"I take it off when I wash myself, but otherwise no, because it's the part of you that is always with me". After finishing her sentence Nanoha realised there was something she forgotten to do and began to rummage through her handbag taking out a small box, "here Feito-chan"

Fate opened the box, inside was a small bracelet with a silver plate, flipped around to reveal the engraving which would normally be underneath it, inscribed onto it was the phrase 'NANOHA FATE'.
"When you gave me this you said you was going to give it to me on our first date" Nanoha said holding her pendant "so I got you a bracelet and did the engraving myself"

"Thank you" Fate replied after putting the bracelet on and holding it to her chest "I'll always treasure it"
"It also has another function, you have Bardiche?"

Fate nodded in response taking Bardiche out of a small pocket on the inside of her coat "put Bardiche near the bracelet" Nanoha said pointing to Fate's right hand. Fate brought Bardiche closer to the bracelet feeling something as the 2 got closer. When the 2 touched a yellow pulse radiated from where Bardiche made contact across the plate. Letting go of Bardiche Fate found that he didn't slide off but rather remained exactly where he was placed as if firmly connected

"I spoke with Shario about where to buy a bracelet which could be used with a device and she suggested me that"
"Sir! I detect no components that can be integrated" Bardiche commented
"yeh, I didn't think there would be, even if there was Raising Heart is still analysing my pendant for what can be used" Nanoha replied.

Nanoha reach out and took Fate's right "but it still served its other function" Nanoha said placing her other hand on top "you're always wearing a glove on this hand and when I imagine holding your hand I always see that glove"
Fate lifted her hand and brought it to Nanoha's cheek, the hand Nanoha had bellow Fate's move aside as Fate went to carers Nanoha's cheek. "Feito" Nanoha murmured as she rested her head in Fate's hand and closed her eyes, the tension of her nervousness melting away.

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[10th December 0081, 9:45 PM - Blitz Royal Mid-Childa] - The Star in my arms

Nanoha

A directionless voice, a gentle whisper drew Nanoha's attention to the front door of the living room. Fate walked in with Vivio on her shoulders, neither the door nor Vivio's voice made a sound. Fate put her dossier on the kitchen bench and hung her coat on the back of one of the chairs before lifting Vivio of her shoulders.

Nanoha

Fate sat down on the couch and rested her head on Nanoha's shoulder, neither the calm inviting sun filtering through the window or Fate's head was felt but rather a warm glow within Nanoha filled her very being. Nanoha leaned to the side to get closer to Fate, the fingers of Nanoah's left and Fate's right hands weaved between each other as they kissed, only stopping when the gold metal bands on their fingers touched.

Nanoha

Fate and Nanoha unlinked their hands as Vivio, sitting on the opposite side of Nanoha, placed her head gently on Nanoha's large stomach, rubbing it gently. good afternoon imoto, within this soundless realm Nanoha could read Vivio's lips as she spoke to the little sister yet to enter the world.

Nanoha

A final directionless call to Nanoha caused the world to become bathed in sunlight, dissolving the idealistic paradise. the paradise Nanoha long since dreamed for many years was closer than ever before, of cause some elements may be pure unattainable fantasy however Nanoha, none the less, desired it.

Nanoha turned her head to see Fate watching her, the smooth driving had cause Nanoha to become drowsy and Fate suggested that Nanoha take a short nap.
"Have you been watching me all this time?" Nanoha asked
"Yes"
"When we sleep together, do you always do that?"
"For about an hour after you go to sleep, yes"
"Kinda creepy Feito-chan"
"my day isn't complete until I get to see your adorable sleeping face" Fate responded reaching out and tucking the couple stands of Nanoha's hair which was still on her face behind her ear "even when I hid my feelings for you"

Nanoha giggled thinking back on times in the past when she would wake up to Fate quickly turning away as if to hide what she was doing, only just realizing how cute Fate acted back then.

A dim light flashed passed the tinted window behind Fate catching Nanoha's eye, turning around Nanoha tried to peer though her window. Fate reached across Nanoha lap and pressed a button on the door which sent a pulse filtering the dark tint away.

Nanoha looked down questionably and as if sensing Nanoha's question fate sat back up "I did inspect this limo before I hired it, of cause I would know"

The limo was cruising through a sea of light known as Cranagan's Entertainment District. Either side of the streets lined with theatres, hotels and restaurants, the further one waded into its depths the more money was around with high class patrons in more elegant attire, if ever there was any sort of evidence of a class decision on Mid-Childa, it was here.

The Limo began to slow down only noticeable by the women inside from the scenery outside the windows. After coming to a complete stop Nanoha went to get out but Fate put her hand out in front before getting out first. Nanoha watched Fate disappear and reappear as she walked around the front of the limo to Nanoha's door. A tiny click proceeded Nanoha's door opening before seeing Fate stand there with her hand extended requesting Nanoha's.

In combat one would normally grab hold of the offered hand but in those situations the palm would be facing to the side, in Fate's case now her palm was facing upwards, Nanoha gently placed her fingers on Fate's palm cupping her fingers as Fate helped Nanoha out of the limo. The dazzling lights of the building almost blinded Nanoha having been in the dark limo for almost an hour, she had to shield her face with her other hand until her eyes adjusted.

The 2 women walked hand-in-hand to the back of a cue leading into a monster of a skyscraper, the lighting made it seem as if the place was made of gold while the light darkened the sea of stars in the sky so not a single flicker could be seen.

"Blitz Royal, 2 decades strait holding a 5 star rating, winner of too many awards to even mention, the Directors hardly come here and uses it for business meetings and even that's a rarity " Fate commented while Nanoha leaned back to see how high the building was.

Nanoha began to rub her exposed upper arms with her hands, while Japanese winter nights were a lot colder than Mid-Childa's average cold night it was more of a psychological thing for Nanoha who'd rather cuddle up to someone to keep warm. Seeing Nanoha in her peripheral vision Fate let go Nanoha's hand and placed it on Nanoha's far shoulder pulling her in close before pulling over her cape.

After about 10 minutes in cue the 2 women had entered Blitz Royal and approached the lectern where Fate produced a card to the attendant before being handed it back and escorted to the elevator, with it being warming inside Nanoha wasn't draped with Fate's cape however she none the less held in Fate's arm.

After exiting the Elevator the 2 were escorted into a large hall, half filled with close to 100 tables each able to sit a group of 4 while the half of the hall was more open with an orchestra band to the side playing slow, peaceful music. After being seated the 2 women were presented with the menu to browse as they awaited the waiter to take their order. Looking over the order Nanoha was shocked at the prices

"Feito" she asked poking her head over the top of her menu "how are you able to pay for any of this? Do you Mobile Enforces get paid this much?"
Fate chuckled to herself "no, this is a reward for wrapping up the Mako Trio investigation quickly"
"You get rewarded for finishing your investigation quickly"
"Not normally but considering the potential damage that the Mako Trio could have caused had we not stopped it"
"Well, technically it wasn't us"

Nanoha was right, she and Fate was in a bad situation with Scaglietti and if it wasn't for Trishia and then later Alicia, Scaglietti may have succeeded. Fate left out the details about how her dead older sister had come from Al-Hazard with another Al-Hazard Mage to deal with the Mako Trio, had she included it then Trisha's identity as Kage would be revealed and the 2 would be marked as criminals despite their good intentions.

A waiter arrived ready to take their order, while Fate was ready to order Nanoha had yet to decide, she wanted to make the most of tonight not knowing when, if ever, she would come back here, and was frantically scanning the menu.

"We'll order one of everything on the menu" Fate said seeing the indecision written all over Nanoha's face and deciding to order for her. "I was told by Enforcer Director Cross that it was possible" Fate responded to the waiter who cocked his head questioning Fate's order
"Very well madam" the waiter responded solemnly "any drinks?"
"No, thank you" Fate replied before the waiter bowed taking his leave

"Why one of everything?" Nanoha asked looking back at the menu
"I could tell you was having trouble deciding, this way you don't have to worry what you might miss out on because what we don't finish we can have packed up and delivered, it'll also give Shamal a break from cooking"

As they waited, Fate and Nanoha talked about the time they were apart having not had a proper chance to since Fate's return, in part thanks to the Mako Trio, fate being called back to correct her debrief and sneaking off to prepare the date. While Fate was recanting the missions she partook which earned her the promotions she needed Nanoha urged her to go into deeper detail.

When finally the dishes arrived even Fate was surprised at how much was made, the 2 of them could recognize the food on about 10% of the dishes brought to them, another 15% they could suspect what was used but for the rest they could tell it was fauna and flora from other worlds, even with their travels they hadn't seen all of TSAB Administrated Space.

Eating silently while enjoying the ambient music Fate remembered something she had wanted to do in this situation, cutting off a small piece of white meat and stabbing it with her fork. Fate looked up to Nanoha who was busy trying to decide what she'll eat first trying to gauge when to act
"Nanoha" she called
"Yes Fei..." before Nanoha could finish her reply Fate had shoved her fork into Nanoha's mouth and slid is along Nanoha's teeth as she pulled it out. Nanoha, not being rude, ate what Fate left in her mouth before voicing her concern, "Feito, you're not supposed to force it into someone's mouth like that"
"Oh sorry, we've only done it once and when we did do it we was next to one another"

Nanoha picked up her chair and moved it around the table so she sat right next to Fate, "better?" she asked. Fate nodded before cutting off another price but just before he was about to shove it into Nanoha's mouth Nanoha stopped her hand
"You're bring too forceful, either you have to let me know first or know that I'm expecting it"
"How would I know that?" Fate asked, Nanoha giggled to herself before facing Fate with your mouth open, seeing as how this was the only thing Nanoha did Fate had to assume this was her response and brought the fork into Nanoha's mouth allowing her to eat from it.

The two continued to eat sharing one another's dishes by feeding the other, Fate initially was self-conscious of Nanoha feeding her but the more times the did it the more Fate felt conformable with the act and began to forget that there were other people around.

Almost 2 hours has passed since they started eating and there was still quite a lot of food left, it was only now that Fate realized just how big of an order she had made. The food was not the only reason why Fate chooses this place over anywhere else and got up from her seat, extending her hand to Nanoha as she bowed before her.

Nanoha took Fate's hand as she got up and was led by Fate to an open balcony, under the moonlight Fate interlocked her hands together and held the back on Nanoha's lower back while Nanoha rested her arms on Fate's shoulders as the two swayed their bodies in time with the music which could be heard just as loudly on the balcony.

"Sorry, this is about the best I can do" Fate apologized
"it's ok, the only dancing I did was when I was little and back then I would dance with my father or brother, my feet would be on top of theirs so I never actually danced" Nanoha replied, resting her head on Fate's chest "but tonight is perfect as it is"

Fate kissed Nanoha's forehead as she held Nanoha closer, despite the chilly Mid-Childan Spring nights the warmth from the room engulfed the outside balconies keeping them warm.
"Nanoha, I want you to quit the Bureau" Fate asked,
Nanoha lifted her head and gazed at Fate who was looking away staring at the city skyline "why?" Nanoha asked
"You don't need to work anymore, I can provide for you and Vivio"
"That's not a good enough reason, even before we started dating you helped with the bills and Vivio's education expenses, so it can't just because you're a Mobile Enforcer"

Fate stopped moving and let go of Nanoha walking over to the railing, she remained silent for a bit as she stared off into the distance "I love you, but 13 years ago I almost lost you, after that I always worried that you'll get called out again and get hurt like that. I don't want to keep worrying like this so I want you to quit the Bureau, before you're involved with anything risky again"

13 years ago Nanoha was badly injured where she was in a coma and even when she woke up doctors said that she may never walk or fly again. there was 2 causes, the first was the Type IV Gadget Drones that she and Vita encountered which caused the physical injuries but the other was how her body hadn't adjusted to the substantial amount of power Nanoha had been using since becoming a mage, her body literately shut down which left her vulnerable in that critical moment.

When Nanoha woke up she had learned from Vita that Fate has abandoned her current post and remained at Nanoha's side refusing to leave and only had just left under request from Lindy to get something to eat. That day Nanoha's began to seriously wonder if her feelings would be reciprocated by Fate as she found out that when Fate first saw her comatose body Fate collapsed onto her crying, of cause Nanoha was glad she didn't see it as it would have torn her heart apart if it was like how she imagined it.

Nanoha walked over to Fate and placed her hand onto of Fate's "it's ok, since adopting Vivio I have prioritized her over my job and my superiors know that. My original plan was that if the TSAB was caught in some epic conflict and either I was being forced to fight or Mid-Childa was no longer safe, I would take Vivio to Earth"
"Your original plan?" Fate questioned
"yes, now if that happens I take Vivio to Earth, and we wait for you to come back to us" Nanoha replied leaning up onto Fate and resting her head on Fate's shoulder, Fate responded by resting her head on Nanoha's as Nanoha took hold of Fate's hand. It was indeed a plan the 2 would follow through but both wished that the day would never come.

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[11th December 0081, 2:01 AM - Section 6 Mid-Childa] - A Gift Given Once

Fate slowly closed the door behind her as her and Nanoha sneaked back into Section 6 as not to wake everyone else. without their shoes on Nanoha and Fate didn't make a sound as they walked around, as they headed to their room Fate felt Nanoha pull her hand as Nanoha lead her into a nearby room closing it behind them

"What's wrong?" Fate whispered unsure if anyone slept in the rooms next to them
"There is, one more thing I want to do" Nanoha said before kissing Fate. Fate closed her eyes and she let her mind loose itself allowing Nanoha to take the lead.

When Nanoha stopped Fate giggled "if you just wanted to kiss you could have waited until we got back to the bedroom"
Nanoha shook her head "I want to do more than kiss" you said tracing her finger down Fate's neck before hooking it on the top button of Fate's shit, very lightly tugging at it.

Fate's face heated up as her mind began to connect Nanoha's words to her current action "y, you mean, you want to do, th, that?" she stuttered embarrassingly. Nanoha responded by nodding, slightly looking up to Fate as she kept facing Fate's chest. "Then you wanted this room because"
"Vivio won't sneak in on us"

Fate quickly step back, Nanoha's flinger easily unhooking itself from Fate's shit button "I don't know, are you sure we're ready?" she ask facing away from Nanoha
"You, don't want to do it?"
"no, no, no, that's not what I meant" Fate quickly replied waving her hands in front of her, "I mean, I want to but it'll be your first time"
"it'll be your first time too" Nanoha said as she walked up to Fate to give her another kiss however Fate looked away causing Nanoha to miss her intended target of Fate's lips and kiss her cheek instead. Nanoha stepped back "I don't want to force you if you feel you not ready not ready"
"But what if I mess up, what if I hurt you, what if I ruin the mood, what if..."
Nanoha sealed Fate's lips her own cutting her off mid-sentence, Fate's worries began to dissipate as she put her arms around Nanoha.

Nanoha sat on the bed on her legs, her hands in her laps while her arms covered her breasts as she waited for Fate to undress, Fate's outfit was the opposite that Nanoha's which was hard to get on and easy to get off. After Fate undressed she climbed into the bed as well and sat opposite Nanoha, almost mimicking Nanoha's posture.

"Feito, it's kinda of embarrassing when you stare at me like that" Nanoha said, her face shying away from Fate. Fate was unable to help herself; despite the 2 sleeping together long before now Fate had never seen Nanoha naked as they would take turns in the bathroom or bathing with Vivio.

Fate closed in on Nanoha, the two clasping their hand with one another as they kissed. Fate draw ever so closer to Nanoha until their bodies touched, it wasn't like when they would hold each other while dressed as Fate felt her upper chest tingle slightly as her body brushed passed, overriding the feeling of the cold air on her skin Fate's mind focused on the tingling of her chest.

They were small pecks on the lips at first but as their bodies came closer they weren't straining their back and allowed their bodies to relax, able to fully accept the other without restraint. Their kissing become long and deep as they savoured the taste of the other.

Nanoha remembered back to when she was in her early teens watching romance movies and soap operas with her sister Miyuki when she would see how couples would initiate the scene and with Fate not being far from her mind Nanoha's mind would start to wonder off, imposing herself and Fate into the actors.

there's nothing to lose if I tried it out Nanoha thought to herself, she broke away from the kiss and focused her attention to Fate's neck and collar bone, Fate leaned her head to one side as she gasped giving Nanoha better access. Each time Nanoha kissed she would slightly suck on the spot before moving away leaving a moist spot which quickly caught the air cooling it.

Fate let go of Nanoha's hands and held her face as she went and kissed her on the lips again, this time applying her weight to push Nanoha down onto her back onto the bed, the springs squeaked as they transferred the kinetic energy back pushing Nanoha and Fate back up, their heads colliding before they bodies dropped back down, this time without as much force the springs cushioned them.

"Owe" Nanoha complained holding her forehead "you've got a hard head Fetio"
Fate climbed on top of Nanoha and kissed her forehead, like a mother who was kissing a bruise of their child to heal it quicker, "better?" Fate asked placing her forehead on Nanoha's, Nanoha lifted her head slightly to kiss Fate, her smile reaffirming her response.

Fate slowly kissed down Nanoha's neck to her chest as she moved to be on top, parallel to Nanoha. Nanoha closed her eyes as she felt Fate's warm breath on her breasts, the dry warmth turned to a wetness cooled from the night air but the warmth remained there. She felt Fate's stimulation but more so to find another warmth building inside her. While a mother it was a warmth she never felt as Vivio was much too old when she first met her.

Fate moaned as she focused her actions of Nanoha's breasts, within her mind Nanoha watched Fate on top of her as a third person, she held Fate closer as she swapped between them trying to pay equal attention however the pleasure arising from it was fogging Nanoah's mind and thoughts

Oh my god! I'm getting... would I get like this had I breast fed Vivio? Nanoha though as she moaned fate's name urging her to continue.

Fate's trail of kisses down Nanoha's chest resumed, as she reached Nanoha's belly button Fate rested her cheek and continued to kiss down slower as she peppered around Nanoha's bellybutton, each kiss elevated Nanoha's heart rate, each kiss added more layers of indecent fog in Nanoha's mind.

Fate finally reached the end of the line. A maiden's garden which none had trespassed was in clear view of Fate; while there may have been some in the past who have laid their eyes here Fate would be the first to enter.

Fate stared at the garden unsure what to do, she had never thought this far ahead before. Nanoha could seal Fate's breath and started to squirm as she waited impatiently for Fate.
"Feito, please don't stare at it"
"But I'm not sure what to do"
"Just do what you were doing before"

Fate leaned in, a unique smell like none other she's ever encountered wafted up her nose. At first she thought kissing here would be dirty however the smell radiating from Nanoha relaxed Fate. how can something this heavenly be dirty Fate thought to herself before she finally kissed Nanoha. The kiss was like nothing Nanoha had felt before and when Fate kissed her again Nanoha's heart jumped.

Nanoha didn't need to open her eyes to see what Fate was doing, she could feel the tiniest touch from Fate's lips on her petals and with each kiss something built up inside her.
"Mmmmmm, Fei...to" Nanoha cooed as Fate's kisses got longer. Fate let her hands rest on Nanoha's stomach and closed her eyes as she let her senses lead her. Fate snuck her tongue in but the moment she did her head started to ache as if she was in a vice, when she withdrew the pressure was gone.

Fate pulled back and massaged her temples, with her garden unattended to Nanoha opened her eyes to find out what the problem was,
"Feito?"
"Sorry, for a moment there I had a headache...maybe I was doing something I shouldn't"

Nanoha sat up and pulled Fate up and kissed where Fate was massaging, "I'm sorry, it was my fault, when you're tongue, you know, I tensed up"
"So it was your legs"
"Sorry"

Fate pressed her lips onto Nanoha's and her tongue entered Nanoha's mouth as the 2 fell back onto the bed, moaning as they tried to devoured one another, unlike before the taste from Fate's mouth was different and began to remember what fate was doing just before, imagining the nectar she may have taken in.

Fate lifted herself up leaving a trail of saliva still connecting her and Nanoha, "Nanoha is it ok I try again" she asked snipping the saliva and brining the side of her finger to her lips.
Nanoha shook her head "I'm sorry, I'm afraid that I might tense my legs again and hurt you...but", Nanoha smiled devilishly as she hooked her leg around Fate's and flip Fate onto her back with Nanoha now to top.

Nanoha pressed her cheek against Fate's and traced her finger down the same route Fate had followed on Nanoha however her finger was just barely touching Fate. Before long it disappeared between Fate's legs before Fate gasped as she closed her eyes, feeling something push into her and move around inside.

Nanoha pressed herself down on Fate's leg as she kissed Fate's breast greedily, Fate held Nanoha's head and held it closer to her. "Na...Na...Nano..." Fate gasped unable to finish calling out to the women she loves, each time she felt something push up into her she gasped sharply. Fate felt a portion of her thigh become colder than the rest of her body, near where Nanoha was pressing herself against if not where she was before as Nanoha was moving her hips back and forth. The coldness was similar to if someone has lightly smeared something wet.

Fate felt something build inside her and as if in response to it her legs up suddenly jerked up suddenly causing Nanoha to sink her teeth into Fate, Fate's face contorted in pain however she held in her voice. Nanoha pulled back and looked where she had bit Fate, "oh no, I'm so sorry" she apologized kissing the mark left by her teeth.
Despite having been bitten Nanoha's kisses there was still pleasurable and soon erased the pain. "Nanoha, why did you bite me?" Fate asked
"I didn't mean to, you suddenly kneed me down there" Nanoha replied, Fate saw one of Nanoha's hands just above Fate's thigh rubbing where she was talking about.

realizing it was actually her fault Fate started to suck on the nape of Nanoha's neck however it wasn't long before she could feel something enter her again and Nanoha's hips against her thigh, the feeling was building up again but Fate pushed back the urge to move the leg Nanoha was on.

The two continued, their panting and moaning filled the room. Fate would normally be self-conscience of anyone next door but how her mind was she didn't care, she wanted more of Nanoha. Fate's panting became for rapid as she felt the building up inside her grow stronger, "Nanoha, something is wrong, I feel weird"

Nanoha pressed her forehead against Fate and kissed her on the lips, their bodies continuing to rock back and forth on the bed. "it's ok Feito" Nanoha panted, her pace quickened and Fate felt as if Nanoha could end up burning their thigh if she kept going, whatever was inside Fate was also moving faster and Fate felt the urge to move her hips as well with it.

Nanoha close her eyes and visualized her finger and hips as if she was looking at the 2 of them, when she felt one of Fate's arms wrap around her back she could 'see' it happen. deep inside was something somewhat familiar to her, on nights where Fate was gone she would relive her loneliness with thoughts of Fate, fantasies of indecent acts and all of this would come to an inevitable conclusion which Nanoha sought after. This time was different as it felt even better than in the past.

"Nanoha, I...I...I"
"I love, you Feito!"
"I lo...love you t...t..." Fate couldn't finish was she was trying to say, her thoughts jumbled as the feeling building inside of her was nearing breaking point, her nails began to dig into Nanoha's back. Nanoha almost didn't notice but the pleasure welling up inside was clouding any sort of pain detections.

the 2 women hungrily kissed one another, one pushing herself and her lover to a final climax while the other, unsure of this strange overwhelming feeling trying to help her lover push her achieve this by holding her closer so their bodies created more friction.

"NANOHA!"
"FEITO, I'M..." As the 2 women reach the epitome Nanoha's voice began to fade from Fate's hearing as everything went white, Fate had thought that loving Nanoha was the greatest pleasure but tonight showed her there was more and this feeling, which had been building up inside her, had finally released itself before Fate consciences faded.

Fate woke to the unknown but relaxing scent she had smelled what she thought was moments ago. The last few seconds before everything went white to black was a mess but she remembered yelling out Nanoha's name. Fate opened her eyes and saw that she was smelling Nanoha. Fate's head was rested on Nanoha's lap as Nanoha was slightly elevated and stroking Fate's head parting her hair between her fingers.

"You ok?" she asked welcoming Fate back
"What Happened?"
"You fainted, I had heard that could happened, but I didn't know it was true" Nanoha giggled as she shifted herself to lay down before Fate slid up Nanoha's body and curled up to her
"You mean you didn't pass out too?"
"No I di...wait, Feito, have you ever, pleasured yourself before"

Fate twisted her head questionably as she gazed into Nanoha's eyes, "ahhh, I see, you've never done it by yourself and it was the first time you felt something like that"
Fate blushed when she realized what Nanoha was talking about, she had read about it from a magazine she happened to find but she never did it because back then she had hoped for this and had saved herself for Nanoha.
"I'm sorry I've done it alone before, if it's any consolation, even in high school, I only ever thought of you"
"It's ok" Fate smiled as she buried herself in Nanoha's chest.

The energy the two women expended finally caught up to them, drained and tried the two fell asleep in each other's arms, their bodies glowing under the light filtering into the room.

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[11th December 0081, 2:00 AM - Sakura Park Mid-Childa] - A love only for you

"A...A...Aaaaaaa" her breathing ragged as she tried and failed to say one syllable, her back arching as the blankets bunched up in her clenched hands only for something to force her body back down. This wasn't something she truly desired, but she liked doing this for her and deep inside that's what she desired, to make her happy.

This time was different; the building force inside her was building up so much faster, why, why was it? Was it because they were on a different world? No it couldn't be, they had done this on different worlds in missions before.

Was it because they were in public where someone could see them? No it couldn't be, the walls of the Commandant's office in the Garden were thin enough that anyone in the lab next door could her stifled moans.

maybe it was because she actually wanted this, to be at her mercy, to have her body used to satisfy her whims, but she didn't want to believe this, because then what will become of this when she accepts her station.

"Ali...li...iiiiiiiiiiiii", the stars in the sky blurred together and the building force within her body exploded from her, she wanted to arch her back more but the force holding her wouldn't give and instead she curled her toes. With the force in her body spent her body went limp and she just laid there, panting. Something was different this time; it was never so strong as if her mind had been fried.

a bulged grew around where her hips were under the blanket and slowly snaked its way up her body, within the crevice her chest made with the blankets a golden glow began to get closer to the entrance. The bulged lifting the blanket as a head pop out and rested on her shoulder, the golden glowing heir dishevelled and wet.

Alicia's face was flushed red which may have contributed to the reason why it looked wet as well. Alicia wrapped her leg around one of Trishia's as she kissed her neck working her way to Trishia's lips.

"Wow, I thought you'd be too embarrassed to erupt like that!" Alicia commented smiling "maybe it's just me"

Trishia was too spent to reply and just laid there panting. After Trishia collapsed when she and Alicia was investigating the Variable Mako's entry point the 2 relaxed under a tree here as Trishia recovered, however as night rolled on Alicia was to thank Trishia for all her hard work and left, only to return with 2 blankets. the 2 women found a secluded spot in the park where the 2 women began to undress one another, one blanket was used to lay on so that they would get dirty from the ground and the other was on top of them, partly to keep them warm, party to hide their naked bodies and what they was doing from anyone who happened to spot them.

Trishia regained some of her energy and held Alicia in her arm with Alicia curling up into Trishia. will we last like this Trishia thought to herself. As if sensing her thoughts Alicia kissed Trishia's cheek,
"What's on your mind" she asked
"It's just, when this is over and we go back home...there's one thing I need to do"
"Yeh, pay me back for this with a date, and I won't accept anything other than dinner at the Phat Duck, I hear Heston will actually be there in February"
"It's not that" Trishia responded, Alicia felt Trisha's grip on her shoulder get tighter "I want to see 'her'"

Alicia climbed on top of Trishia, gazing down into her eyes questionable "you sure? We don't know what will happen if you meet 'her' face to face like that"
"But I have to, one day"
no
"I can't be scared of 'her'"
please, don't ruin this moment
"Everyone is expecting me to take her place"
stop it please
"After all, she is my destiny"
"JUST STOP IT!" Alicia yelled out, her hands slamming the ground on either side of Trishia's head. Deep inside her chest Alicia was in pain, in the past she could take it but they've been together for too long, she couldn't accept it any more as her heart was being to tear apart

"Stop putting yourself down like that, it may sound brave to face 'her' but it's not when you're just giving up on yourself" Alicia said, tears starting to drop down on Trishia's face
"But I'm"
"SHUT UP! I don't care what idiots tell you, you are Trishia, my Trish, I love you and only you" Alicia cried, "if you became 'her' my heart would be broken and I would hate you, because my Trish is gone, taken away by the you who became 'her'"

Trishia looked away "that is what am I supposed to do, what purpose do I have if nothing else". Alicia sat up, the blanket sliding down her back and wiping her eyes before she held her hand close to her chest, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath.

"I fear the day where we would apart,
To steal myself I'll skewer my heart.

From the lofty reaches, glass coursed beaches,
I'll call from atop the stone capped features.

Deep inside, undying love for you,
I know of this, my feelings true.

Without you with me, my life will void,
Never again will it be enjoyed.

So hold me in embrace, so we'll never be lonely,
You Trishia, my one and only."

A single tear stream down Alicia's cheek as she sung, uncaring if someone would see their exposed bodies with her sitting on top of Trishia. Her feelings reverberated within the words and entered Trishia spurring her to suddenly sit up and embrace Alicia.

"Help me" she cried. in all the years they had been together, at first friends then as lovers, this was the first time Alicia ever saw Trishia cry, all those years she had to listen people compare Trishia to 'her', to see Trishia as 'her' stand-in. Trishia was raised to resign to her fate and Alicia wanted so much to rip that conditioning out of Trishia. one day she knew they may depart and hoped that that song, that vow, would reach Trishia's heart and make her conditioned resolve waver, but she couldn't wait that long, she wanted Trishia to be free now.

Alicia held Trishia in her arms as well, their cheeks against one another, "I will, whatever you need"

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[10th December 0081, 8:22 AM - Alpine Residence - Lutecia's Room Carnaaji] - Recovery

To some the dead silence of the morning would be unsettling, no birds chirping or the roar of vehicles going down the road. To some these things would be what woke them up in the morning and without them they would shy away from the sunlight and continue to sleep.

It would be more unsettling with a dimly lit room with the curtains of the only window blocking almost all the light, save a small sliver which beamed onto the bed, stirring the young girl's eyes while her body remained almost motionless.

"*knock*, *knock*, Lutecia, are you wake yet?"
"Yeh" Lutecia moaned as she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes with her left hand.

the door slowly opened as another girl walked in backwards keeping the door at bay with her back while carrying a tray with both hands, after pushing the door back she used her foot to position a door stop to keep the door in place as she walked over to the bed.

A few days after being saved Lutecia suddenly collapsed and her mother Megane called Shamal to come to find out what was the problem. Caro having overheard the conversation on the phone grew worried for Lutecia and went with Shamal. After doing an initial examination Shamal found that Lutecia's body had become too accustomed to Scaglietti's clone and the existence of a second Linker Core. Her own had grown unstable and draining energy from Lutecia's body which would have normally been provided by Scaglietti's clone. Caro opted the stay behind to help Megane look after Lutecia when Shamal went to leave.

Lutecia tried to get up but as she went to use her right side to push her up her body caved and collapsed on the bed, Caro put the tray aside and sat on the bed helping Lutecia sit upright, all the while avoiding touching her right arm.

"It still hurts?" Caro asked with Lutecia nodding in response, Caro urged Lutecia to unbutton her pyjama top as she helped get Lutecia's right arm out of the sleeve. The arm was covered with small dark bruises and around the elbow there was what looked like a scar from a deep cut.

During Shamal's examination of Lutecia it was discovered that almost a year ago Lutecia had broken her arm but felt nothing and it healed on its own as Scaglietti's clone was actively keeping Lutecia as healthy has it could. Unsure what magic Trishia had used and relying on what Caro had overheard Shamal theorised that there was still damage in Lutecia's arm and Trishia's magic reverted the healing thinking it was normal. Shamal had tried to heal as much as she could taking into account Lutecia's unstable linker core, the result was a badly bruised arm which would in time heal completely on its own.

The bruising on the arm wasn't nearly as bad as it was in the beginning however Caro still wanted to see if there was any improvement, gently holding Lutecia's arm she squeezed around it as she slowly worked her way up, each time watching Lutecia's face contort in the 'hot zone' half way up her forearm.

"Sorry" Caro apologized "I just needed to know if it was as bad as it was yesterday"
"It still throbs and aches but otherwise it's getting better" Lutecia replied as she reached for the corner post of her bed to remove the sling held there. While Lutecia put the sling on and placed her right arm in it Caro moved the tray over Lutecia's legs. Lutecia tried to use the fork and knife with only her left hand but Caro stopped her, cutting the food up in smaller chunks so that Lutecia only had to use the fork.

The breakfast wasn't all that fancy, 2 plates one with a couple of eggs and bacon while the other had pancakes with maple syrupy drizzled over them. accompanying them were 2 glasses, one with orange juice and the other with water however the glass with water had a small shot glass like plastic cup which a number of pills and tablets in it, medication Shamal suggested Lutecia take regular until she fully recovered. Caro was busy cutting up the pancakes while Lutecia ate the cut up bacon and eggs. Because Lutecia preferred a runny yolk, egg yolk covered the plate and Lutecia was scooping some of it up with the bacon using it like a sauce.

"Ahh, Caro, back on the First Mako you called me Lu"
"Oh that, sorry about it, I got a bit worked up seeing you like that" Caro replied smiling while keeping her focus on the pancakes.
"Well actually, I kinda, liked it" Lutecia replied blushing, even the Numbers referred to her as Lu-ojou-sama and never just Lu.

Caro stopped and looked up to Lutecia, as their eyes met Lutecia quickly looked away "you don't mind that I can call you that?"
"No" Lutecia said slowly, stabbing a piece of bacon without turning to face Caro
"Can I call you Lu-chan?" Caro asked, Lutecia's eyes shot wide open before looking down, eyeing Caro in the corner of her vision "su, sure but only you, I don't want Erio calling me that" she replied. with the cute expression Lutecia was making Caro wanted to hug her but knew that if she did she's end up squashing Lutecia's right arm, hurting her in the process, and used all the will power she had to restrain herself.

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[10th December 0081, 9:14 AM - Alpine Residence - Living Room Carnaaji] - Remaining by her side

After finishing breakfast Lutecia was given more time to rest up with the assumption that she would come out of her room when she was ready. The past week Lutecia had been bed ridden due to a lack of energy; if she tried to walk her legs would give in and if she landed on her right side, would be in incredible pain.

However today Lutecia felt a bit more energetic and got out of the bed making her way slowly down the stairs, making sure both feet were on a step before stepping down again. Garyu saw Lutecia hobbling down the stairs and got up walking to the base before bowing before his mistress

"It's ok Garyu, I'm fine" Lutecia said dismissing a sensed concern from him. As she reached the bottom of the stairs she noticed Caro reading a book on the couch. Lutecia didn't know what Caro did most of the day but when Lutecia required assistance in something, since staying over Caro would quickly turn up and with her unstable Linker Core, her mother forbade her for using any magic, including summons. This lead to some funny moment of Caro and Garyu racing to see who would get to Lutecia first.

"Lutecia dear, are you ok walking around?" Megane asked noticing her daughter walking about
"Yes mother, my legs still feel wobbly but I think I'll be ok" Lutecia replied as she made her way to the couch. While watching the TV she kept glancing to Caro trying to pick the right time to talk.

"Is everything ok Lu-chan?" Caro asked without looking up from her book, not wasting time to call Lutecia by her new name causing Lutecia to blush.
"Yes, but I was just wondering when you'd be leaving"
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was in your way" Caro said closing her book
"no, you misunderstand, I was just wondering when you had to return to Section 6 or when you had work" Lutecia cleared up realising that despite her concerned tone it did sound as if it was a callous remark.

"it worked out that when I started to stay here my holiday leave started, as for Section 6", Caro paused and she sank into the couch, crossing her arms as she thought deeply "I'd need go to home at some point, but so long as you need me here I'll stay" she smiled. Seeing Caro smile made Lutecia feel a different sort of warmth flow though her body.
"Well you're always welcome to stay here as long as you want" Megane said placing down plate for Caro since she hadn't had her breakfast yet.

After finishing her plate Caro took it into the kitchen to clean it, refusing to allow Megane to clean it for her. To Caro, she was a guest here and shouldn't add a significant impact to Megane's workload however Megane thought the opposite, because Caro is a guest she should have to do menial tasks such as this.

With her dishes done and no obvious work to do Caro went to the front door, putting her shoes back on as she stretched her back,
"What are you doing?" Lutecia asked
"I'm going for a walk, I need to keep active otherwise my performance at work will suffer"
"Lutecia why don't you join her, you'll be able to move about and if you do collapse she'll be there to help you home" Megane suggested

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[10th December 0081, 9:26 AM - Forest Carnaaji] - The Coven

Lutecia had put on just a dressing gown as in the past few days she normally wouldn't change out of her pyjamas until she went for a bath. To avoid having to put her right arm through the sleeve Megane had clipped the right side of the dressing gown with Lutecia's sling.

The 2 girls walked down a familiar path though the nearby forest which in the past, along with Erio, they had traversed many times before. it was hard to think of Carnaaji as being uninhabited, the paths though forests, the open plains of short fresh grass, the lack of natural overgrowth from unkempt flora, it was as if the planet was made to be pristine and time stood still preventing it's change.

"What is it like working for the TSAB" Lutecia asked
"It's ok, The Wildlife Preservation Corp doesn't see too much combat apart from dealing with unruly creatures or poachers, and since the Corp is a sub-division of the Dimensional Navy and all they do is patrol it's kinda relaxing, why do you ask?" Caro replied with a question of her own
"Well I was thinking that after I recover I'd join, maybe even join the unit you're in"

Caro shook her head "I wouldn't, sure it'd be great to have another summoner to talk to but it's not all that great anyway"
"Why did you join then?"
"I joined because of Fate, I wanted to help her and when I heard that Hayate was recruiting for Riot Force 6 I signed up right away" Caro smiled, "it was more or less the same with Erio".
"But we're you working with them before then?"
"Not really, no unit would take me because they were afraid of my powers as a summoner but I helped when I could"

Caro turn around when she heard the crushing of leaves beneath Lutecia's feet start to grow in distance. "Well if I don't join I do still want to do this, Garyu!" The moment she called Garyu, who had been tailing the 2 since they left the house, dropped down from the trees and kneeled before Lutecia. Lutecia held out her hand in front of her and Garyu before a large curled leave gently landed in her hand, Garyu stood, extending one of his blades before cutting down a finger on his opposite hand. Tyrian Purple coloured blood streamed down as he held his hand above the leave, the blood dripping off and pooling in the leaf.

Garyu swapped arms now holding out the blade above the leaf while taking the lead with his other hand, Lutecia ran her index finger along the edge opening it up and, like Garyu, allowed the blood to drip off her finger and into the pool of blood gathered in the leaf. Taking a nearby twig Lutecia stirred the blood in the leaf. Despite the difference in their blood the pool was still Tyrian Purple as it was mostly Garyu's blood.
"best get some water" Lutecia suggested to Garyu before he jumped back up into the tree tops leaving the leaf in Lutecia's hands, she turned and walked up to Caro holding out the leaf "please, drink".

Caro accepted it gracefully but was hesitant to drink but Lutecia was unflinching, Garyu returned with another leaf, this time with a pool of water in it, obviously to wash down the blood. Caro put the tip of the leaf to her lips and let the blood enter her mouth, her taste buds flared, tickling her tongue with a strange metallic taste which was almost sweet however later began to protest as she tried to swallow it in one go, her face contorting as she felt the blood enter her throat.

Caro covered her mouth trying not to throw up as he reached for the water to quickly wash out her mouth. "That, was horrid" she complained wondering as to Lutecia's motives. She felt the blood flow down in her body towards her stomach but before it reached there it began to fade away, replaced with a warm embrace.

"Please forgive Mistress Lutecia, she had expressed the desire to add something to compensate the taste but to do so would lose the effects". Caro quickly began to look around, her vision darting as she tried to find the source of the voice, she was unable to tell the direction of the voice had come from due to it having entered her minds directly but she needed to find out who else was here. The only people on Carnaaji were herself, Lutecia and Megane and the voice was clearly male, the only one who could be considered to be a male was...

Caro slowly looked back to Garyu who was now bowing to her, his right arm across his chest with his head down, "he's not much of a talker, but I wanted you to be a part of the covenant" Lutecia said looking towards Garyu
"What's going on, since when could Garyu talk" Caro asked
"Since always, it's just that he can only communicate telepathically with those who he has made a contract with, or with our blood, is brought into our covenant"
"Can your mother hear Garyu too?"
"No but as I said he doesn't talk much anyway and is always able to convey what he means though actions" Lutecia replied

Caro smiled to herself "so I'm the only one" she whispered to herself, her inaudible comment not reaching Lutecia's ears. "So is Erio going to be a part of this covenant too?" Caro asked
"What! Well, I didn't plan to, but if you want..."
"no, no, no" Caro interrupted "it's just that before you mentioned wanting to join my unit which Erio is in as well and it sounded like if you did I was going to join this covenant anyway, if you didn't plan to then you don't have to, it'll just be something special between us"

Lutecia's heart jumped hearing that, just as she opened her mouth to reply the wind began to pick up, rustling the leaves in the tree tops before a large ship flew over, it's heading was the her home.

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[10th December 0081, 9:59 AM - Alpine Residence - Landing Pad Carnaaji] - The fire in her eyes

Behind the Alpine's home the TSAB has set up a landing pad for ships. This was about the only place on Carnaaji where a sizeable ship could land relatively easy and was mainly used for supply drop offs as most visitors would use Dimension Transfer.

As Caro and Lutecia arrived to see who was on the ship they spotted a teenager close to Caro's age walking down the ramp, in his left hand was a large duffel bag which he gently placed on the ground as he stepped off the ramp.

"Erio!" Caro yelled out as she ran off ahead. she warped her arms around Erio hugging him tightly, Erio patted Caro's head which was just up to his shoulders, smiling as he looked down "it's good to see you again, I kinda missed you"
"I've only been gone a week" Caro laughed as she stepped back, "how's my little Fried"
"He's fine, I did think of bring him with me but I'm going to work in a short while and I can't work with him when he's form is sealed"
"Well then get your own dragon, what about things back home?"
"Seems things have calmed down, Shamal told me Fate and Nanoha are going on their first date tonight"
"Oh my god, oh my god, I hope Nanoha takes my advice about buying a new dress" Caro squealed as her body twisted side to side with her hands on her cheeks.

"I brought you some things as I didn't know when you'd be back" Erio said looking over to the duffel bag. As Caro kneeled down and began to go through the bag Erio went to greet Lutecia who has only just caught up, "Hay Lutecia, you feeling better"
"Somewhat" Lutecia replied coldly glaring at Erio, he could never understand why Lutecia had been somewhat cold to him but warm to Caro. Just as he went to comment Erio was nailed in the back of the head by a shoe.

Erio straightened up rubbing the back of his head, "owe, Caro what was that...", before he could finish he ducked to avoid another shoe
"Pervert!" Caro yelled her face beat red throwing another shoe at him
"What did I do?"
"You went into my underwear draw and packed these" Caro replied pulling out a pair of black panties, their design borderline erotic.
"Wait, you have it wrong, I knew I had to pack your underwear but I had Shamal do that because I couldn't go through them myself. She must have packed a pair of Fate's by mistake" Erio explained not realizing that the underwear was in fact too small to be one of Fate's.

Caro quickly buried the underwear in the bag, all the while glancing to Lutecia who had been looking away, "thanks for not staring Lu-chan" Caro said.
Lutecia bashfully turned away more "well, it, it's something private so not..."
"Lu, chan?" Erio interrupted almost laughing
"Shut up! It's only something Caro calls me, you're not allowed to use it!" Lutecia's yelled

After Caro moved the bag away Erio began to look around the area, gauging the distance and potential obstacles, "hay Caro" he called out drawing her attention "you want to spar for a bit?"
"Sure, victory conditions?" she replied walking out into the open field away from the ship
"Yield or loss of conciseness"

"stehen zu, bereit. einrichten [stand by, ready. setup]", Erio held out his arm to his side as the screen on Strada began to flash, each flash growing brighter and brighter until the light covered Erio's wrist, his Dimensional Navy Uniform changing from matching Medium blue pants and top to brown trousers and a Red Vest. His Barrier Jacket formed on him with the light only dissipating when he took hold of Strada now in his Speerform.

"Stand by, ready. Set up", the 2 pink gems detached from Caro's Kerykeion, carried away by each of the wing-shaped ornaments. As the dress and cape of her Barrier Jacket formed the wing-shaped ornaments that carried her gems split forming a second wing on each. the gems fluttered down and sat on each of Caro's hands, the wings wrapping around and they began to glow, as the light grew and conformed to Caro's hands the gems on the back of her wrists grew as well before finally the light grew darker forming fingerless glove and a metal ring held the gems in place.

Caro tightened her fists while lowering her stance glaring at Erio before charging at him, Erio thrust Strada in front of him with Caro nimbly dodging it before going to deliver a punch. Erio spun his body around avoiding contact with Caro's fist, he took Strada in both hands he and went in from Caro's blind spot behind her.
"Round Shield", Caro turned facing Erio side on as the shield appeared, the tip of Strada cutting across the Mid-Childan glyph.
"Speerangriff [spear attack]" when Strada left the shield one of its main thrusters ignited as Erio pulled Strada back before thrusting it forward into the shield. while the distance was hardly enough to acquire the necessary accelerated power it still amplified the force on the impact breaking Caro's shield and throwing her back.

Caro slid across the ground on her back before throwing her leg up allowing her body to flip around, as her feet and hand slowed her body she held out her other hand and aimed it at Erio,
"Wing Shooter", a set of mana wings formed over the jewel of Caro's outstretched hand before beams began to shoot out hitting all around Erio
"Defenser", Erio braced himself as the beams from Wing Shooter shot around him however as the attack subsided Erio noticed that no a single one hit him.

"You're getting a bit rusty Caro, you miss every..." Erio stopped and quickly move his head, the purple blur of Kerykeion narrowly missing him as his face yet still smacked by the cold air pushed by Kerykeion.

she wasn't aiming at me but the ground, but how did she get behind me so fast

"Boots up, Strike Power", Erio jumped back as he saw Caro's face appear through the dust however only just noticing the rotation in her body, he held up Strada and using his head blocked Caro's kick. Erio was positive that he heard Kerykeion's voice however the foot now hooked into Strada's head didn't feel as if it had been empowered with magic. Erio flung Caro off Strada watching her disappear in the dust cloud, following her was a pink light.

"Round Shield", seeing the light dimly glow in the cloud quickly shoot up Erio readied himself. The light descended down quickly as Caro appeared out from the cloud, her glowing foot smashing into Erio's shield throwing him out.

Lutecia was growing concerned having watched Caro run into the dust cloud she made and being unable to see what was happening. Lutecia felt at ease when Erio was thrown out of the cloud, his body skipping along the ground like a rock skipping across a lake. Erio grabbed the ground digging his fingers in to stop his body, I've never seen her fight like this before Erio though as he fixed his stance if I don't take her seriously I'm going to lose here

"Luftmesser [Air Knife]", Erio needed to keep Caro pinned at a distance and began to fire compressed and accelerated blades of wind at the dissipating dust cloud, the thundering of the blades hitting the ground boomed across the field and kicked up more dirt. Lutecia gripped her top as Erio continued with his bombardment, there was no sign of Caro having left and was still unable to see how she was faring.

Caro dashed out of the cloud dodging Erio's blades, seeing how nimble she was Erio upped the number of blades his fired and reduced potential gaps in his attack. The revised assault caused Caro to stop and take the defensive.

"Round Shield. Boost Up, Iron Wall", just in time Caro's shield blocked the first of Erio's attack, the dirt piling up behind her heels as with every blade that smashed into her shield she was pushed back slightly. Seeing Caro's unwavering defence but the distance from each other growing Erio increased his attack pushing Caro back faster.

"Streikberuflich [Strike Lancer]", 2 blue lances formed on either side of Erio before Strada's rocket thrusters ignited launching him at Caro. Still pinned from Erio's previous attack Caro could not see how he could dodge and instead outstretched her arm. "Wrought Iron Summon" "Alchemic Chain!", Iron chains burst from the ground and attempted to bind Erio but with slight motions of his hands Erio was able to redirect Strada's trust to allow him to dodge.

As the distance closed between them the 2 lances shot forward ahead of Erio, colliding into Caro's shield unbalancing her defensive stance and concentration. Just as Erio thought that her defences were down Caro held out her hands,

"Barrier Net!" she yelled, the chains from her Wrought Iron Summon spell burst from the ground from either side and criss-crossed with each other forming a wall, Strada pushed into the wall only to then be sprung back. Erio landed on his feet before he saw Caro run around the side, her left fist clenched as it made contact with his face.

In a slight daze Erio stumbled about before gripping Strada tightly and swung it around, his head hitting the back of Caro's. Caro dropped to her knees are Erio stood above her with Strada's held above up, Strada's tip glowing as it gathered energy, just as Erio brought Strada down Garyu suddenly appeared and kicked Erio in the head, Caro turned her head to see Erio roll along the ground with Strada flying off in the other direction.

"You asshole!" Lutecia yelled "what was that!"
"It's training, we agreed we either yield or knock the other out" Erio replied as he sat up rubbing the side of his head.
"I don't care its training, do you have to be so rough with your girlfriend"
"well no but", Erio stopped, he wasn't sure if he was hearing things but he thought Lutecia just said something weird, when he looked over to Caro he saw her face beat read in a state of shock as she was looking at Lutecia.

"Lutecia, did you just say Caro was my girlfriend?" he asked, still unsure if what he heard was correct
"Yes" Lutecia replied slowing, unsure as to why Erio was questioning her remark
"I think you're mistaken, I and Caro aren't da..."
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Caro yelled out interrupting Erio "sure he's kind and very gentlemanly but we're siblings, I would never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever date him"
"Thanks for saying it so strongly like that" Erio remarked
"But how you two hugged and how Caro was always happy to see you"
"Siblings, sure we're not blood related so we could date one another but we were raised as such and that's how we see one another"

Lutecia began to repeatedly apologize to Erio for her misunderstanding while Caro looked away pouting in a sense blaming Erio for the misunderstanding. Erio smiled to himself ahhhhh, now I get it.

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[10th December 0081, 9:18 PM - Alpine Residence - Guest Room Carnaaji] - Revowed Promise

Caro folded her bow and placed it on the bedside table before lying down on the bed, her long pink hair splayed underneath her. I wonder what it may have been like if I dated Erio Caro thought to herself, as she tried to imagine what romantic things she and Erio would do it all just ended up like what they did now. Caro tried to imagine what their first kiss would be like but in her mind, as Erio drew closer his image was replaced by someone else.

Caro sat back up and began to smack her cheeks, come on girl, pull yourself together, there's no way that...

"*knock* *knock* Caro, are you decent"

Caro was drawn out of her thoughts by the sound of Lutecia's voice. Caro quickly looked over her oversized Black and red shirt and white pyjama pants before climbing off the bed and opening the door. Lutecia stood there still in the same pyjamas she had been wearing all day, when she saw Caro she shyly looked away.

"Is there something you need me for?"
"Yeh, well, can you help me, in the bathroom?" Lutecia asked as she subconsciously held her right arm which was still in the sling.

After agreeing Caro following Lutecia into the bathroom. The Bathroom style was similar to a Japanese one on Earth where one would sit on a stool and clean themselves then rinse off before hopping into the Bath tub. Nanoha had insisted that one of the bathrooms on the Long Arch Floor followed this design so she had some experience in the procedure.

Lutecia sat down on the stool and waited for Caro but after a while she turned and noticed Caro was looking away
"What's wrong?" Lutecia asked prompting Caro to slyly turn around
"Oh, I thought you wanted me to help wash you"
"Well I only needed your help to get my singlet off" she replied before turning away to hide her blushing face "but if you want to I can allow it"
"Ok, well, tell me when you're seated"

Lutecia used her free hand to looser her pants and underwear before wriggling out of them and sitting back down. "ok, I'm ready" Lutecia said, when she head Caro pull up a second stool to sit on Lutecia tighten her legs, embarrassed sitting in front of Caro without any underwear on.

Caro undone the clip in the sling allowing it to slide off Lutecia, with it out of the way she began to pull Lutecia's singlet up to her head, to help her Lutecia raised her free arm so Caro could get her free arm out first. Lutecia slowly held out her other arm allowing Caro to gently move the singlet off.

With her free arm Lutecia cover her breasts, more embarrassed now that she was completely naked in front of Caro. The heat from the water in the bathtub radiated out and kept the room warm but after a little while Lutecia felt something, slightly cooler than the room's temperature, press against her back before something cold dropped down onto her back and snaked it away down.

"I'm so sorry" Caro sniffled, having removed her singlet Caro saw a discoloured spot on Lutecia's back, unlike that of a bruise, with lines branching out like veins or roots. This was the visible effect of an unable Linker Core, a reminder that Caro was powerless for so long to help Lutecia and how she had almost lost her.

"I should be the one apologizing, I push you and Erio away because I didn't want you involved, and look where it got me, I ended up almost killing you"
"But still *sniff* I should have been more forceful in finding out what had happened"

Lutecia turned around and hugged Caro, enduring the pain of her bruised arm. "I promise, if I ever need help again, I'll talk to you"
"Not just help, any little thing, I'll come running"

After being let go Caro sat up and used a nearby towel to dry her tears. Caro's face began to heat up before she tried to avert her gaze
"What? Is the steam getting to you?" Lutecia asked noticing the reddening of Caro's face. Lutecia was able to catch Caro's eyes sneaking glances at her and follower her gaze, finally remembering she was naked.
"Caro!" Lutecia yelled out reaching for the hand held shower head and spraying Caro
"What was that for! I can't go back to bed like this" Caro complained looking down her wet shirt. She walked over to the bathtub and pulled out the second hand held shower head and sprayed Lutecia back with cold water. Lutecia's smirked as she switched the water in hers from warm to cold and fired back.

Just outside the door listening to the two girls laugh and squeal as they continued with their water fight was Megane, leaning on the wall lost in thought as she smiled, it's been a while but I'm glad she's getting back to her more cheerful self again

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[11th December 0081, 4:12 AM MC-T - TSAB Headquarters] - One huge blunder

Within the main conference room a presentation was slowly wrapping up. Seated at the centre table were a number of scientists, engineers and commanding officers but at the head of the table was the TSAB Joint Council. On one side sat the 3 members of the Admiral's Tribunal, Directors of the TSAB's Dimensional Navy who had their officers in the headquarters. Opposite them was seats reserved for the Directors of the other 3 main divisions of the TSAB, each seat outfitted with a projector for remote participation if they weren't on station.

Roxas - Director of the TSAB Ground Forces Division, half asleep having been woken at Midnight Mid-Childan Time.
Kaien Cross - Director of the TSAB Enforces Division, his projected displayed was jumbled due the projector being damaged for his chair.
Lilia Mores - Director of the TSAB Aerial Tactical Instructor Corps, her display only showed a red box displaying the words 'Sound Only' as she only had a mobile link to the meeting due to setting up a skirmish war game on another planet.

While there were other divisions within the TSAB like the Rescue Corps or the Wildlife Preservation Corp they all fell under the jurisdiction of one of these 4 main divisions which was evident with the slight variations of official uniforms.

The other end of the table had a projector up with Yuuno Scrya sitting just nearby, waiting as the Joint Council and the guests to finish talking amongst themselves. From the Data Yuuno was provided with his own independent research he had learned why the Paradox Hourglass recorded a sudden reduction of the number of Paradox's it was resolving.

Within the Sea of Dimensions there were 'weak points' where 2 or more dimensions would naturally come together and overlap, it is here one could go between dimensions cause little to no Paradoxes. this was because the current method most civilisations adopt was forcing themselves into other dimensions and with that causing 2 realities to 'bleed' into one another creating a Paradox which if cumulated caused disastrous effects such as Dimensional Quakes or disrupting planetary orbits, Yuuno had described this as an infection with the Paradox Hourglass being a Penicillin Dispenser. The reason why the use of the Dimensional Transfer spell didn't cause any problems was that the spell only transferred small groups with the most ever recorded by the TSAB was 7 which was amplified by technology, while current Magical Technology using the exact same principles was transferring much larger objects.

Yuuno's suggestion was to build Stations at these weak points which lead to the discussions taking place. The main problem was Yuuno expressed that they needed to act with haste, past civilizations had access to the Paradox Hourglass during similar changes but the TSAB didn't. But changes proposed by Yuuno were vast affecting Military, Civilian and Supply Routes.

"We can start work on routes which see very little activity, this way supply shipments aren't affected"
"That's naive, they'll be affected sooner or later and better sooner"
"But the new routes will add time to shipments"
"Half of the TSAB Fleets are fitted with the new DT22 Engine, we can prioritize a mandatory upgrade of all essential supply and civilian transport ships"

Yuuno let loose a yawn caused by the fact that he had been up for almost 24 hours and that the discussion had been going on for about an hour, shortly closing his mouth a cup was place before him by Mariel Atenza. Yuuno nodded thanking her as he went to drink
"What brings you here Mary?" he asked
"Head of the Engineering Division here at H.Q so obviously something like this will end up affecting my work"

As the discussions began to die down the 3 Admirals directed their attention to the Directors in front of them
"Are you three in agreement with the proposed changes sent to you?" one of them asked
"Yehhhhh" Roxas replied yawning at the same time
"My only problem is security during construction however I'll deploy Enforces to the ships" replied Cross, the top of his distorted image flickering as if he was nodding.

The Directors waiting for Lilia's replied but all they got were absolute silence.
"Director Mores!" Roxas yelled out
"Hello, this is Adjutant Nell Rido" replied a mousing voice "the Director is currently busy and..."

*CRACK*, the girl identified as Nell shrieked in surprise as a what was thought to be a whip resounded from the chair
"Nell! How dare you divide your attention from me"
"I'm sorry mistress, am I to be punish?" Nell replied to the dominate voice
"*CRACK* what did you say worm!"
"I have done wrong by you mistress, am I to be punished?"
"Beg for it!"
"Please mistress! Punish my insubordination!" Nell yelled, despite the tremor in her voice there was a hint of euphoria,
"At a girl, I should reward you after your punishment. First, who were you talking to!"
"The Joint Council mistress"

There was a long pause before something dropped to the ground
"Crap! I forgot I was still in that" the dominate voice said mixed with the sound of objects being thrown about, everyone at the table just stared at the chair until the chaos died down.

"*cough* sorry everyone, Director Lilia Mores here"
"I so feel bad for little Nell, being abused by you"
"If that is you Kaien then shut up! I have never hurt Nell" Lilia rebuked Kaien
"Director Mores, are you in agreement with the proposed changes" one of the Admirals asked again

there was a pause as Lilia went through the files sent to her before finally agreeing, with the entire Joint Council in unanimous agreement one of the 3 Admirals stood up and faced everyone seated at the table, "we thank you for you attendance and feedback in this matter, effectively immediately we will implement the measures proposed by Mr Yuuno Scrya first beginning on Routes A1-6, A1-NA97, A12-13, NA6-14 and A1-HQ".

As everyone left Yuuno slowly stood up wiping the sweat from his brow and leaving to return to his room. As soon as he entered he impudently went to the cupboard and began taking out a change of clothes more suited for travel. He was single minded in this before he heard 2 knocks and turned to see Chrono in the door way.

"You really messed up this time, you must have known they won't overlook A1-NA97, hell, the traffic is so low it was expected" Chrono laughed however when he wasn't met with any response he noticed Yuuno changing, "what are you doing"
"I'm going to Mid-Childa"
"What!" Chrono walked into the room and grabbed Yuuno forcefully facing him, "look, this isn't like the other times where somehow you've made them angry, if you tell Nanoha and Fate this, they will kill you"
"And I'm hoping that I can explain it to them to avoid that"

Chrono backed off and sighed before the announcement tone ringed throughout the station's PA system,
"Calling Admiral Chrono Harlaown of Warship Claudia, A woman is requesting to see you in the Visitor Lobby"

Looking at the speaker in Yuuno's room Chrono smiled slightly "well, well, well, seems like you may yet be saved Yuuno-kun"

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[11th December 0081, 10:25 AM - Section 6 Mid-Childa] - The morning after in your arms

As if a storm had blown in clothing was sprawled across the floor while a number of blankets on the bed and fallen down the side. Under a single sheet laid Fate and Nanoha, each in the other's arms. Fate, still asleep, had her head was buried in Nanoha's chest while Nanoha tenderly brushed Fate's back.

Fate began to mumble as she awoke, opening her eyes to meet that of her lover's before the two kissed.
"Morning Feito-chan"
"What time is it?"
"After ten"

Fate sat up slightly holding the blanket in one hand to cover herself while he rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with the other "how long have you been awake" Fate asked
"A couple hours, I've been watching your sleeping face"
"Aaaaaaaaaaa, that's not if a bit creepy" Fate replied yawning
"You watch me fall sleep at night normally, though last night you was the first asleep"

Fate looked under the blankets to check on her breast, still there was the bite mark left by Nanoha when she had accidentally kneed her in a sensitive area, however was now more of a circular set of red spots. Nanoha took the sheet from Fate's hand so she could get front of her before kissing the mark she had left, sucking on it causing the entire area to go red covering up the mark.

"Mmmmmm, Nanoha, that, won't work"
"Yes it will, *kiss* cause if Vivio sees it when you have a bath with her *suck* she'll just assume Nanoha-mama kissing Feito-mama a bit too hard"

Fate blushed as Nanoha pulled away, smiling at the 'new' mark she had left behind. "ahhh, I think we should like, well, everyone's awake now, at least I think, but anyway, ummmm" Fate struggled to from her sentence as her flustered mind kept connecting what Nanoha has just done to what they did last night.

Nanoha giggled "it's ok Feito, I know what you're trying to say...so, do you want to sneak back into our room?" she asked.
Fate's face went redder still imagining her and Nanoha with only a blanket covering then sneaking though the hall, "we can't do that, what if someone sees us?"
"well we can't wear what we wore on our date, lucky I have a plan B" Nanoha proclaimed, she reached down the side of the bed and grabbed a second blanket and held it to her chest, just as she got up she sat back down with her hand on her lower region, still aching from the night just passed. If she let on to Fate that it still hurt Fate would only blame herself

Nanoha got up and made her way to the dresser, "the recruits sometimes leave behind clothing they don't want any more so I collect it all in here, there's bound to be something we can wear" she said opening one of the draws. Inside was neatly folded and stacked items of clothing, gathered over time since Section 6 was rebuilt as a training facility for Nanoha.

The two women didn't waste too much time fussing over what to wear, Fate was a blue button-up shirt and black elastic waistband shorts while Nanoha was a shirt and a brown skirt, neither one was wearing a bra so the only things they had on from the previous night was their panties and the gifts they had received, Nanoha's pendant and Fate's bracelet.

The two women walked down the hall hand in hand as they made their way to the main lounge where almost everyone was relaxing.

"Feito-mama, Nanoha-mama" Vivio exclaimed jumping off the couch and running to her mothers. Vivio wrapped her arms around either side of her mothers' as she pressed her face against them "Yay, Feito-mama and Nanoha-mana made love, properly too this time"

Fate froze, while not strange for Vivio to say that her mothers were making love, this time she added that they did it properly

"Vivio dear, what gives you that idea?" Nanoha asked thinking Vivio was referring to them going on a date
"Aunty Hayate said that if Feito-mama and Nanoha-mama was making lover properly then you'd yell out something like when I yell out 'I'm Coming!' to you when you call for me" Vivio replied puffing out her chest proudly

As if on cue everyone spat out, unprepared for what Vivio had just said given her age. The only 2 who didn't was a young red-head and her brown haired 'older sister' who was laughing uncontrollably
"Oh my god, the timing was way too perfect!"
"Look at their faces, Fate's frozen stiff and Nano..."
"Hayate?"

With her sentence suddenly cut short Vita opened her wet eyes to see what caused Hayate to suddenly stop, Hayate looked as if she was about to jump out of the seat. Following her gaze Vita looked towards Nanoha who was grating her teeth as she gently move Vivio aside.

"Ha-ya-TEEEE!" Nanoha yelled and she ran to the couch. Seeing her charge Hayate jumped over the back and bolted to give her distance. "I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TEACH OUR DAUGHTER DIRTY THINGS LIKE THAT!" Nanoha ran around the couch and chased after Hayate who had ran into the kitchen

"Wait I did you a favour! despite the fact your both women child services would be called if Vivio went and said 'I didn't get much sleep last night because when I climbed into bed with my mamas they were making love all night'" Hayate said imitating Vivio's voice in an attempt to explain herself and clam Nanoha
"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT VIVIO SAYS YOU COME TO ME!" As Hayate ran out of the kitchen Nanoha picked up a couple of saucepans on her way out throwing them at Hayate

"Fate! Wake up, calm Nanoha down!" Hayate said as she ran passed Fate however she was unresponsive, her gaze fixated on a single point. she heard us last night, Fate's mind kept thinking back to her and Nanoha last night but with Vivio in the room watching them, the world around her began to spin before finally she collapsed.

Nanoha picked up on the thud of Fate's body falling to the ground and immediately stopped her pursuit and rushed to Fate's side. Vivio joined her however kept her face down as she avoided eye contact with Nanoha, partially blaming herself because everything started from her outburst and explanation. Despite having not given birth to her, Nanoha shared the maternal link with her daughter and sensed Vivio's unease and patted her on the head "its ok, you're not to blame, but we'll need to have a talk afterwards"
"So I'm off the hook?" Hayate asked peering over the couch
"No" Nanoha replied coldly tossing a nearby saucepan nailing Hayate in the head.

Nanoha laid on the couch and propped herself up whiling holding Fate in her arms, making her as comfortable as she could while. As the tranquillity returned Nanoha noticed another person who didn't react to Vivio's comment, sitting on window seal of the opened window looking out.

"Nove, is everyone ok?"
"It's nothing to worry about"
"yes it is, you live here with us so anything bothering you we want to know and help out" Subaru said as she placed an icepack on Hayate's head.
Nove stared out for a little while before sighing "Quattro's dead"

Everyone stopped, to Nanoha and Fate Quattro was the worse for her hand in Nanoha's forced fight with Vivio 5 years ago and her behaviour a when she was being questioned about Lutecia was abhorrent but not even they wanted to see her dead.
"What exactly happened?" Teana asked
"she was being transferred to Gruen when the transport ship blew up...they found only an arm, badly damaged but confirmed it was hers due to the cybernetics and the DNA Match to Scaglietti."
"You can leave to morn with your sisters if you want" Shamal suggested, now with Hayate's head on her lap
"That's the thing, I don't know how to feel. On the one hand I hate her for how she manipulated my younger sisters but on the other hand she's still my sister"

Nove continued to look out the window, she had been told by Cinque about Quattro but it seemed Cinque was glad. With her gone we are no longer, in any way, connected to Scaglietti and can start building our own lives, Nove remembered what Cinque had said and figured she was referring to Quattro's continued loyalty to Scaglietti and that she was still their older sister.

While Nove was deep in thought someone at the entrance had requested to speak with Nanoha with Teana leaving to escort them to the Long Arch Floor. She returned with a TSAB Agent in the standard Ground Forces uniform and directed him to where Nanoha was.

"Miss Takamachi, I have some grave news about your daughter" he bowed. Vivio's attention was immediately drawn to him whom he saw in the corner of his eye. "You must be her sister then" the man commented as he straightened up
"Sister?" Vivio asked, tilting her head questionably, while she did express a while ago wanting a little sister to her knowledge he didn't have one
"Yes, Vivio Takamachi"
"But I'm Vivio Takamachi"

The man looked back to Nanoha who was just looking at him, her gaze indicating she too was confused as to the grave new about her daughter who was just sitting right there.

"I think there's been a mix up, you see during the demolition of a condemned building, in the rubble we found this", the man explained placing a note book down on the table. The book was in taters with the cover dinted and torn and the pages dirtied with dust and dirt, on the front cover the name 'Vivio E. Takamachi' was printed.

Nanoha had remembered Fate buying it for Vivio 3 years ago for School but hadn't seen it since and assumed that Vivio filled it with school work and later lost it or threw it out. had it been thrown out it could explain how it got to the site of a building that was going to be demolished, but the horrified look on Vivio's face made her reconsider this theory.

"What did you find this?"
"I can write you down the address"
"Please do. Nove! I need you to take me somewhere"
"Right, I'll get Jet Edge on and we'll meet N2R there" Nove replied having started to pay attention when Vivio's name was mentioned.

After getting the address Vivio and Nove were about to run out before Nanoha called out to them "Vivio! What's going on?"
"It's nothing for you to worry about Nanoha-mama. This is something I have to do myself".

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[11th December 0081, 11:36 AM - Deconstruction Site Mid-Childa] - One heart clouded in shadow

The claw of the Demolition Machine crashed into one of only a few columns left on the site before a large chunk of rubble was tossed at it, cracking the operator's window and forcing them to power down.

"Hay idiot! You were told stop!" yelled Wendi. The rest of N2R was contacted by Nove to meet at the site with. Wendi and Diece were already there when Nove and Vivio arrived, Cinque arrived almost immediately after who had been called up by Rio and Corona after Vivio called them.

Vivio stood with her hands over her mouth as she watching over the ruin in horror, Nove was too focused to ask Vivio what was going on and no one had yet asked her. Nove approached Vivio but just before she could ask she notice a tear crawl down her cheek

"EIN!" Vivio cried out as she ran into the ruin, she began to frantically dig with her bare hands as she cried continuing to call out Ein. no matter how cut up her hands and arms got nor how many times a large block landed on her hand she kept digging, the pain she was feeling now was greater than the physical pain she would receive.

"Your Majesty!" Cinque yelled out, As Vivio dug a nearby column, now unstable, began to topple over to Vivio's direction. Nove, Cinque and Wendi were just about to rush off to save her from being crushed before Diece held out her hand
"Heavy Barrel", as she voiced her Inherent Skill a hand-sized version of her Snipe Cannon formed perfectly in her hand before a high energy shot was fired obliterating the column, the bewildered Vivio just keeled there as the dust and dirt rain down onto her, dying her tears.

"Your Majesty, what's going on!" Nove asked as she and Wendi ran to Vivio accompanied by Rio and Corona, however Vivio's crying prevented her from being able to make an audible answer.

Cinque snapped her fingers and pointed to one of the TSAB agents who had a small sealed bag in his hands, after receiving the bag she walked over and joined the girls surrounding Vivio, "Your Majesty, who do these items belong to" she asked holding up the bag.

Seeing the contents of the bag Vivio began to cry harder before Rio and Corona turned around to see the bag,
"Wait, that's Einheart's phone" Rio exclaimed pointing to the crushed teal coloured mobile, while nothing unique about the phone itself still attached to it was a charm and Rio, Corona and Vivio had made together for Einheart. After realizing that Vivio's frantic crying of 'Ein' was actually her crying Einheart's nickname the girls began to think the same thing as Vivio, that Einheart was inside the building when it came down.

"But how did you suspect this from one of your books?" Nove asked remembering that all of this started with one of Vivio's books being found here
"I gave *hic* to Ein a, a, a couple of *sniffle* years ago" Vivio replied still upset
"This must have been that note book you gave to Einheart that day" Corona commented with Rio nodding with her

Cinque began to walk back from the TSAB Agents she had left to talk to and crouched down by Vivio "this may or may not be good news depending on your point of view, however the only bodies we are seeing are those of rats and birds, no humans"
"Does that mean Einheart may not have been inside?" Corona asked
"But that book, Einheart's things, that Charm along Einheart never parted from, even if she wasn't here and still alive why where they here?" Rio asked, raising the more pressing issue considering the building had been labelled for demolition for a long time so no one should have even been living.

Cinque's news was a relief to her because it meant that Einheart may still be ok but Vivio was incredibly worried "we have to find her" she said getting while clearing her face, determined to find Einheart.

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[0078 - St. Hilde Academy of Magic Mid-Childa] - Two Kings

After the conclusion of the JS Incident, Nanoha adopted Vivio and became her mother while Fate became her Godmother before Vivio was enrolled in St. Hilde Academy of Magic. Nanoha had insisted the whole reason for it was to make sure Vivio was aware of the magic she wielded and not to prepare her for a career in the TSAB.

Vivio had made friends with Rio Wesley and Corona Timil and the 3 of them became inseparable, Nanoha and Fate were reminded of Nanoha's childhood with Arisa Bunnings and Suzuka Tsukimura and the 2 had joked that one day a 'transfer student' would enter Vivio's life comparing it to how they had met.

2 years later, Vivio's class was introduced to a new girl who had only just enrolled, Einheart Stratos. Vivio's first impression, like everyone else's, was that Einheart came from an up class family because of the way she presented herself. This speculation became more grounded when it was explained that Einheart had up until now been home schooled.

Einheart was exceptional, she excelled in every subject however shied away from drawing attention and every recess and lunch she would always sit alone, writing away in an old leather bound book.

Vivio, Corona and Rio noticed that after a month of having enrolled Einheart hadn't made any friends or even casually spoke to anyone outside class. Vivio suspected that Einheart was just shy having lived a sheltered life and one day decided to approach her.

As the 3 girls approached Einheart sensed their approach and closed her book and held it close to her,
"Einheart right?" Vivio confirmed "I'm Vivio, and this here is Rio and Corona, we're in the same class" she introduced

Einheart quickly looked at Rio and Corona before looking at Vivio, staring at her waiting for Vivio to say something. Conscience of this Vivio began to scratch her head "he, he, well we've noticed and you're always alone and were cu..."
"I'm sorry, I have to go" Einheart interrupted politely before getting up and leaving, Vivio felt dejected with her attempt but Rio patted Vivio on the shoulder reassuring her "like you said, she's probably just shy"

Vivio didn't give up and approached Einheart multiple times and even sought advice from her mother Nanoha who had some unorthodox methods for getting friends. As the months rolled by however Einheart kept avoiding Vivio and remained alone.

One day, 8 months after Einheart enrolled Vivio arrived at school to be met by a huge crowd gathered around the main notice board.
"What's going on?" she asked Corona who was accompanied by Rio
"You might want to see for yourself" she replied pointing into the crowd

Vivio pushed her way though everyone until she was in the front, the noticeboard was plastered with pages from a note book. Each page had been dated however they weren't pinned up in any order

'July 17 - the heater is broken, guess I'll have to find another one on the weekend'
'March 16 - Passed the initial magic exam, got top scores. I think the system is broken because I didn't even try'
'April 22 - Had that nightmare again. Why am I being pestered on this matter, I wasn't even born then'

Vivio however was drawn to a set of pages that were off to one side, all of which seemed to have a common theme, these, unlike the other pages were arranged correctly by date.

'February 28 - Do my eyes play trick on me, I saw her visage in class. Those Heterochromia eyes, that face, it's the same'
'April 3 - She came to me today with her friends, her name is Vivio, what am I to do, I wanted to talk to her but I was too scared so I ran away'
'April 15 - She came again today, this time without her friends'
'May 9 - Same again but this time she jokily said her mother made friends by punching one of them and that she might just have to do that. What kind of joke is that'
'June 22 - dam it, dam it, dam it, she come and comes and comes and all I do is run away, I'm such a coward'

While all written in the first person Vivio had an idea who it was as some of the events there were only 2 people involved, her and...

Vivio heard the sound of boots running away from the crowd, she pushed her way through and just as she got out she saw a dark green dress disappeared around the corner and chased after it only to lose sight of her target. Vivio clasped her hand to her chest and she looked around, "Einheart"

Recess passed followed by lunch, Einheart had yet to make an appearance. During class Vivio asked to be excused to go to the toilets so she could go out and look for Einheart, feeling guilty having read the pages. Vivio entered the girl's toilets and had planned to jump out the window in case if any hall monitors had seen her enter but before she did she heard a girl sobbing from one of the cubicles.

Looking down on the ground she could see a pair of white laced brown boots right around where she could hear the sobbing from. "Einheart?" she called out, the moment she did the sobbing stopped and the boots lifted up.

Behind the locked door was Einheart, her hand covering her mouth while her free arm held her legs up as she tried her best to keep quite. She watched the polished brown school shoes stand just off side of the door before turning around.

"I know you're in there Einheart" Vivio said as she leaned her back against the wall "I don't know what's going on but I want to let you know I'm sorry I read it, I didn't know that you wrote them". There was a long quite paused as Vivio waited for Einheart's response before continuing, "I want to help you, I want to be your friend. You don't have to tell me about what you wrote but...", Vivio stopped when she heard the door unlock before Einheart shyly look out from the crack, her eyes were red having been crying since she ran into here when she saw the pages.

Vivio didn't return to class but rather sat at the school entrance with Einheart, calming her down. no doubt a teacher had taken the pages down and there's probably be an investigation but rather than going to a teacher now Vivio wanted to make sure Einheart was ok. For the first time in months Einheart didn't run away but wouldn't even look at Vivio out of shyness.

Einheart wanted to run away but felt that if she did she'd ruin any chance to getting to know Vivio and steeled herself to remain but was far too nervous to say anything. The 2 girls sat there silently until Einheart finally built up the courage to talk.

"You remind me of someone" she said
"Who?"
"Someone very old my ancestors knew, I was always told stories about her"

"Olivie Sägebrecht?" Vivio asked taking a wild stab in the dark.
Einheart looked up at Vivio "how did..." Einheart said stopping mid-way
Vivio smiled "I'm her clone, an Artificial Mage" she replied.

Vivio explained how she was born as a clone of Olivie from genetic material found on the Shroud of the Saint King, about the JS Incident and how her mamas who saved her and now raise her. Einheart couldn't believe what she was hearing and tried her best to absorb all the information.

"Can I ask you something, what's your connection to the Saint King? You said your ancestors knew her" Vivio asked
Einheart nodded "one of my ancestors is Claus Ingvalt, the Prince of Shutra who was close to the Saint King, Claus is one of the 3 Kings along with..."
"Ixy!" Vivio interrupted before apologizing, "sorry, I mean Ixpellia"
"The Dark Flame King of Galea?"
"Yeh, that's her, oh wow when she wakes up she'll be glad that there's another King, or at least descendant, to relate to"
"Wait, she's still alive!?"

Vivio nodded before explaining the Mariage Incident including how Ixpellia went back to sleep and that Vivio visited her all the time hoping that she would one day wake up during her time. Einheart expressed and she would like to see Ixpellia however Vivio promised to allow it only if she and Einheart could become friends, while it seemed that Einheart was hesitant she was more than glad to.

As school finished a group of girls approached the Vivio and Einheart, they were known trouble makers and bullies however never bothered Vivio. Vivio had a suspicion that they had stolen Einheart's book and posted its contents up.

"What's this, I thought you was a loner, or are you trying to milk sympathy" the ringleader said calling out to Einheart
"No, she was just talking to me" Vivio replied glaring at the ring leader
"Oh so we're not good enough to talk to you 'princess'" she ringleader rebuked
"She's my friend, she's allowed to talk to..."
"no one's talk to you runt" the ringleader interrupted pushing Vivio to the ground

"Mana Shot", Einheart held out her hand where a Magic Circled appeared where a blast of mana shot from, it was a generic ranged spell all students would learn but it wasn't very powerful and the ringleader just knocked the blast away. She approached Einheart and grabbed her by the collar lifting her up before Vivio charged at the ringleader tackling her to the ground.

The ring leader threw Vivio off before pulling out a Storage Device stolen from class and pointed it at Vivio. Seeing the Magic Circle form Einheart, without thinking went to shield her new friend before the device blew up in the ringleader's hand

"I have all of that recorded, turn yourself in to the school administration or both Saint's Church and the Time Space Administration Bureau will be hearing about this" Cinque yelled out holding one of her Stingers in hand, the girls shrinked back as Cinque approached. Before long teachers began to conglomerate to the area after hearing the explosion with Cinque having to explain what she saw. While this and the morning's incident were being investigated Vivio stayed by Einheart's side.

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[11th December 0081, 10:03 PM - Cranagan Eastern Shopping District Mid-Childa] - Night Time Search and Rescue

At first Einheart's shyness prevented her from getting to know Rio and Corona but as time went by she began to open up to the 3 girls. Now all of them along with N2R had splinter off to search for Einheart when it was, without a doubt, proven that she wasn't in the building when it came down.

Vivio had hardly rested since she started looking and her search took her as far as the Eastern Shopping District in Cranagan, travelling roughly 58 KM across the city from where Einheart's things were found. Vivio didn't mind the aching of her legs, how tied she was or that she was famished, she wanted to find Einheart first.

Her sight began to waver as she walked down the side walk, her body swayed from side to side but she pushed on. She staggered down into an alley not realizing she had done so before her chest began to tighten as she continued to mindlessly walk down into the ally, her breathing short and pained as she struggled to drawn breath before collapsing.

Vivio curled up as she grip her chest even tighter as if vines had constricted around her heart, not normal vines but ones with thorns which dug deep into her. Vivio began to sob and gasp as she curled up tighter, even when she was on the Saint's Throne she never felt this pain before.

Normally someone would come to the aid of a child who had just collapsed however Vivio was hidden behind some bins so none of the passer-by's could see her. Vivio was terrified, she felt as if she was about to die.

Vivio's fear elevated when she heard the slow steps of someone entering the alleyway get closer and closer, the pain paralysed her, no one knew that she was here and she was alone, and now some stranger she could not see was getting closer to her.

Einheart walked down the street deep in thought, she had returned to where she was staying a couple of hours ago only to find the place destroyed. I don't care much for my clothes and books, but I wish I could have gotten my charm back, she thought to herself. Einheart felt guilty about now having lost her phone but more importantly the charm her friends made from her was gone as well.

Einheart stopped by the window of a family restaurant, catching sight of a mother, father and daughter enjoying themselves. To Einheart they became Nanoha, Fate and Vivio, and as she watched them a small tear streaked down her cheek, Einheart turned away in disgust. this is your fault, you force us to be like this and for what! To continue to punish yourself and your children for failing the Saint King

Einheart hated her lineage, forced to have nightmares of how her ancestor laid on the ground helpless as the Saint King walked off to her death. All direct descendants of Claus Ingvalt were like this and all in the past had accepted it. Not Einheart, rather than go through a self-imposed punishment moping around for one failure she believed they should have been working hard to absolve their sin, after all, Olivie didn't leave Claus alive just to wallow in self-pity. But more so Einheart hated herself for being so reserved, never speaking her mind like this.

As she walked down the street she stopped for a moment and looked around, she felt something warm and familiar was nearby but could see it. Her attention was being drawn to the alley she was standing in front of. She slowly walked in in case if there was a vagrant living her but as she peered around the bins she noticed a familiar body, curled up in a pool of water and obviously in great pain. "Vivio!"

"Vivio!" the cold fear that had enveloped Vivio slowly began not melt away not because someone knew her name, no, it was because of the voice she recognized. Still in pain Vivio tried to open one of her eyes, kneeling in the puddle with her looking down was Einheart and almost immediately the pain began to subside and her breathing steadied though still in pain.

"Vivio, Vivio!"
"Ein...I found you"
"Come on, I'll take you to the Nakajima's place" Einheart said. Vivio felt Einheart arms slip under her and picked her up, Vivio's legs dangled off one of Einheart's arms while her back rested on the other. Vivio shrinked down as she tried to hide her imagining herself and Einheart as a married couple because of how Einheart carried her and what everyone on the street might think. Einheart on the other hand was not worried in the least and was more focused getting Vivio help.

"Ein, what's going on" Vivio asked as Einheart carried her. Einheart remind silent however as she tried to think on how she would answer her, about where to start and how to apologize figuring that Vivio had found her belongings. Just before she was about to explain Vivio spoke first, "if you don't want to tell me it's ok, I was just really worried"

Einheart could just see Vivio's downcast expression and figured rather than rather than try and beat around the bush she'll just come out and say it, after all, Vivio always said that no matter what happens they would always be friends.

"When I started school I said I recently was being home-schooled until I convinced my parents to let me attend a normal school." Einheart paused as she sighed steeling herself, "that's was a lie, I was being home-schooled until a month before, when my parents died"
"You're an orphan?"
"Kinda, you can't really be an orphan if no one knows your family exists. The descendants of Claus Ingvalt, following Claus's example, hid away from modern society and never tried to integrate into it, not when the TSAB became the major Interdimensional Power or even when Saints Church was established. It was a form of self-punishment, Claus failed to protect Olivie Sägebrecht and felt unworthy to live and the descendants were burden to carry that but do nothing to make amends."

Vivio picked up the disgust in Einheart voice as she talked about her family history, "but had Olivie just killed instead of spare Claus none of it wouldn't happen, I suppose you hate her...and me"
As Vivio began to feel depressed that her friend may actually hate her she felt Einheart's grip tighten "I don't hate Olivie because had she not have spared Claus I wouldn't have been born later on, and I wouldn't not have met such a dear friend like you. My hatred is to my ancestors that came after Claus who did nothing to redeem themselves, as if they were waiting for a sympathetic charity". Einheart was surprised with herself for talking like this about her family, the deep seeded thoughts she kept to herself she could easily reveal to Vivio and the thought of how open she had become made her cheeks turn red.

"Well it explains some things" Vivio commented
"Like what?"
"Rio thought it was weird that how you was raised proper you were always allowed to any sleepover no matter how short of a notice"
"I always looked forward to the next one" Einheart smiled, "I'm sorry I kept it from you"
"I'm sorry I didn't find out sooner and you spent so much time alone" Vivio apologized back.

Down the street just coming into view Einheart could see 2 girls and a group of older women arguing, as she got closer she could begin to make out the contents of the argument.

"You can't abandon Einheart like that!"
"I have to look for her majesty"
"Her majesty this, her majesty that..."
"Rio"
"Vivio doesn't like being called that, she wants nothing to do with Belka and rather live in the present with the 3 of us! Just because you have some messed up loyalty to the Saint King..."

Cinque grabbed Rio by her top and lifted her up, her uncovered eye scowling at Rio "listen, I had my spine broken in several places but I only got treatment because it would keep up the morale of my younger sisters, I was still a failure in Scaglietti's eyes and left to rot. Vivio's mothers and their friends, despite being our enemies, showed us more compassion and kindness than Scaglietti so excuse me for wanting to prioritize finding the daughter of those people who also, despite the things we did to her, still call us her friends"

Cinque's rage began to subside when she realized what she was doing and lowered Rio down "I'm sorry" she apologized.
Rio shook her head "Vivio told us about the JS Incident but I didn't know you held such admiration to her family, I should be apologizing"
"It's ok, it does feel wrong to abandon looking for Einheart but I have the demolition site monitored so if she reappears we'll know, that said we should focus on finding..."
"Einheart!" Corona yelled out interrupting Cinque.

Seeing Vivio being carried in Einheart's arms Nove engaged her Jet Edge and rushed to them, "What happened?" She asked skidding to a halt in front of them
"It's ok, I'm fine" Vivio waved, since being carried by Einheart the pain in her cheat has all but gone.

Einheart explained her story to everyone feeling that with all the time they put in to try and find her it was the least she could do, however as she began to remembering her things were now gone. Seeing her start to become depressed Corona took and cupped Einheart's hands with her own and dropped something into them.

As Corona withdrew her hands Einheart was surprised to find what she had left behind, "this is"
"Unfortunately your phone was crushed but at least this was ok"

Einheart held the charm close to her glad that out of everything that was lost she at least could keep this, her dearest possession. Cinque offered to take Rio and Corona home and Nove was going to take Vivio back to Section 6 however there was the little problem of Einheart, alone and now homeless.

Clinging to Nove's back Vivio held out her hand to Einheart "come on, there's something I want to do"

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[11th December 0081, 10:48 PM - Section 6 Mid-Childa] - New Family Member

Vivio was bombarded by Fate's barrage of kisses the moment she walked in, had worst come to worst Cinque needed to make sure Nanoha and Fate were prepared and had called ahead when no one could find Vivio.

After Fate was finished Nanoha knelled down and held Vivio close "oh Vivio, we were so worried when Cinque called. Why didn't you come to us for help" Nanoha said brushing her cheek against Vivio's hair
"Because Nanoha-mama and Feito-mama show how much they care for their friends by helping them, I wanted to do the same with Ein", upon hearing her desire Einheart brought her hand together in front of her hips and held them tightly together while both of Vivio's mother were proud but would've have rather she came to them for assistance.

After Nanoha at let go Vivio walked to Einheart and lead her closer to her mothers' "Nanoha-mama, Feito-mama, Einheart has no family and no home, can she live with us?" she asked.

Nanoha and Fate just looked at one another, Nanoha smile towards Fate who just shrugged her shoulders in response, Nanoha looked away as if dejected before Fate shuffled over, kissing Nanoha and nodded smiling. As if the 2 were communicating telepathically they had come to a decision

"We'd be more than happy to however Einheart must want to" Fate said smiling at Einheart,
Einheart turned away to avoid Fate's gaze "I don't want to be a burden"
"You won't be, anyway, either this or Fate will forcefully adopt you" Nanoha laughed
Fate frowned turning to face her back to Nanoha "now that's mean, I don't carry a set of adoption papers around all the time
"but you do have the adoption agency on speed-dial on your mobile" Nanoha commented, Fate froze from having been caught out by Nanoha who know very well that Fate had a weak spot for orphaned children living rough lives. Apart from empathizing with them because of her own upbringing Fate was almost drawn to them like someone who was obsessed with owning small cute things.

"thank you, I will" Einheart replied in a soft whisper which wasn't unnoticed by Vivio who, upon hearing it, took Einheart's hands and began to jump up and down excitedly,
"Yay! Yay! Ein is staying, Ein is staying! Nanoha-mama, can Ein come with us to Earth?"
Nanoha chuckled a small affirmative hum "of cause, I'll get Lindy to call Amy to tell my family that we will be bringing another guest"

Being of short notice Fate took out the same sort of bedding used for Vivio's sleepovers for Einheart and Vivio gave up some sleepwear to keep, deciding that tomorrow a proper bed will be set up and Einheart would be taken out to go shopping.

Einheart loved the sleepovers she would attend as it was an escape from her bleak lifestyle, but now this was like an everlasting sleepover with Vivio. Just as Einheart was about to fall sleep she felt something enter her bed and press up against her. Looking down she could see Vivio had climbed out of her bed and enter Einheart's curling up next to her.

"What's wrong Vivio?"
"Just want to make sure *yawn* you don't disappear again" Vivio replied now partially asleep

Einheart rested her head on Vivio's "I promise I won't"

I'll stay by your side, always

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[11th December 0081, 11:59 AM - Egyptian Desert Earth] - Eternal Dark upon the Scorched Noon

About 5 hours drive west from the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt, across the burning sands out in the middle of nowhere stood a lone bunker. Here a small group of soldiers sweltered under the midday sun, 3 at the entrance and 2 above.

"Fuck this, I don't get why we need security out here, the Arabs nearby don't even make it out here" complained one of the soldiers who was taking shelter
"Oi! how many times have I told you to keep your trap shut about comments such as that, we're guests in this country, treat the locals with some respect" rebuked the commanding officer smacking his insubordinate college.
"he's got a point, we only need one guard, how about we all go back inside and leave this asshole out here" laughed the sniper as he leaned over, the crude solider stuck his arm out of the shelter and held up his middle finger.

The spotter sitting next to the sniper leaned forward with his binoculars looking out to the shifting horizon, "Capitan!" he called out "there's someone coming"

The Capitan walked out of the shelter he was in with the crude soldier to the opposite one who was quietly sitting with his gun leaning against him. The Captain held out his hand requesting a pair of binoculars from the quiet soldier before heading back out and looking in the same direction as the spotter.

Out in the distance heading towards the bunker walked a woman draped in a black robe, fluttering about in the dry desert winds, her hood obscuring her face from observers. The Captain stared in disbelief that someone would be out here dressed in back.

"Maybe she's lost?"
"Maybe she knows a bunch of soldiers are here and wanted a spit-roast" laughed the crude soldier before his was bashed in the head by his captain
"I'll go and find out what's going on, be on guard" the captain ordered handing back the binoculars before setting off.

Seeing someone approach her the woman stopped and waited, "Excuse me, this area is restricted, if your lost we can give you a left to a nearby town if you like" offered the Capitan.

Back at the entrance the spotter kept an eye on their captain, the crude soldier, having left his shelter, was standing at the entrance squinting trying to make out his captain against the mirage mirror formed on the horizon due to the extreme heat.

The spotter saw the captain motion his hands but then suddenly he stopped before his head rolled off his shoulders releasing a fountain of blood.
"Jesus christ!" yelled the spotter as the sniper began to peer though the scope of his rifle
"What the hell is going on?"
"The captain, he's dead!"
"Bullshit"
"Oh yeh, then what happens when you lose your head?"

The crude soldier walked over to the quiet soldier, now standing on guard, and snatched his binoculars to confirm what the spotter saw only to see his captain's body drop to the ground and the cloaked woman walking over top of him headed towards them.

"fuck!" he spat out shoving the binoculars into the chest of the quiet soldier before heading to his shelter and taking out an M4, loading it and grabbing a few extra magazine clips before setting up at the opening in front of the shelter.

"What's the plan" the quiet soldier asked
"What do you think, drop the bitch!" the crude soldier replied before he, the quiet soldier and the spotter opened fire at the robed woman.

the M4's used by these soldiers were different, somehow while using the same size magazine more bullets were fired and in the extreme heat they barrels didn't overheat, the bullets themselves also seemed to have more weight to them as when some smashed into the ground they would kick up sand with a load thud.

The sight of the woman became obscured from the cloud of sand and the thunderous thumping of the bullets drowned out any other noise. As the 3 men spent their final round the crude soldier ran out of his shelter and snatched the binoculars to confirm the kill.

The sand settled however, still standing there was the robed woman, unphased or unmoved by the hail of bullets. The sniper aimed for the woman's head and fired watching her body lean back from the force of the bullet. Just as he was about to celebrate the woman began to straighten up revealing the bullet was stopped by a magical circle.

her hood now off the men could see the woman's face clearly, a young woman in her mid-20's with shoulder length platinum hair and dark turquoise eyes, sporting a purple and gold trim one piece skirt and 2 Metal plates wrapped around the side of her hips holding in place the lower portion of a black coat with a Payne's grey kimono over top, all underneath her black robe. The woman had a striking resemblance to another woman who had once lived on Earth who now lived on another world however seemed to give off a more regal feel.

From under her robe the woman pulled out a staff similar to the staff of the woman she resembled but rather than it being yellow it was purple. As she held up the staff a voice was emitted from it however it was drowned out by the humming of the moving sand as the bullets around her began to levitate and gather in the sky, blocking out the sun with a curtain of lead. The woman brought her staff down singling the bullets to rain down, at a greater velocity they were fired at her piecing the concrete foundations.

After the bullets had been spent the woman continued her approach to the 2 giant steel doors leading into the bunker, now no longer guarded by the soldiers. Standing in front of them she pointed her staff towards the door causing them to start to vibrate. The crude soldier, just barely alive, couldn't allow himself to be bested by a woman and took out a hand gun, but just as he did the steel doors ripped the hinges out of the walls and collapsed either side of the woman, crushing the crude solider.

The woman strolled down the brightly lit corridor with her staff in hand, she knew where she had to go, she could feel where 'it' was, calling out to her. The lights were suddenly replaced by a red glow as the situation at the entrance became known, however this didn't affect her in the slightest.

the woman entered a circular room, at the other end were two mechanical knights, one with a blade for an arm while the other held a Vulcan cannon, each knight had inside it a human controller, the bladed knight had an older man while the cannon wielding knight had a young girl.

The woman who wore an unamused look as she watched the 2 knights while the door slammed behind her.
"Remember the plan"
"Yes sir!"

The bladed knight charged around the woman while the cannon wielding knight began to fire at her. A large magical circle appeared in front of the woman as her head tracked along watching the bladed knight come in on her side. His blade arm extended but was suddenly stopped by another circle, a small one just bigger than the tip of the blade. The woman pointed her staff at the bladed knight before a load chime echoed around the room, a chime of metal grating against metal.

The gun wielding knight stopped firing as the girl inside watch in horror the head of the bladed knight roll off leaving a trail of blood before a second head rolled out of the steel one.

"Father? FATHER!" the girl screamed from within the knight, "you BIIIII..." the girl's battle cry was masked by the cannon firing however like just before a magical circle appeared and shield the woman, remaining stationary until the cannon ran out of ammo.

The woman took out a book which hovered above her free hand, as she pointed her staff at the 2nd knight the pages of the book began to flip though before stopping. the moment the book did the inside the knight temperature begin to raise, at first the girl thought it was normal but soon realized that the raising heat was not the knight but the woman's doing. She frantically tried to get out but the metal burned her skin as she tried to touch it, her flesh began to cook as the monitors showing the woman and the head of the bladed knight's pilot exploded shooting glass into the pilot's face.

outside the steel knight was glowing red as the surrounding air warped around it, it was reaching temperatures which was greater than that of what the desert outside was like. the woman slammed the book shut in her hand as causing the knight's limbs and body to crumple, while still the same height it was now 1/10 it's normal thickness.

From an observation room a group of scientists watched the woman rip the doors blocking her out of the way and continued to proceed forward.

"What the hell is going on?"
"You think it's the Japanese?"
"It can't be, what kind of technology is she using?"

The scientists bickered amongst themselves trying to ascertain the situation. The power to the facility went out with the only light left being a blue glow coming from the room beyond.

"That monster is going to come for us next" cried out one of the scientists, as he went to turn around a flee he suddenly stopped ad he came face to face with the 'monster'

"You dare speak uncouth words to describe our majesty? Be gone with your squalid tongue cur"

the other scientists turned around as they heard the college scream in agony before it was replaced with a high pitched gurgle, their college's entire bottom jaw had been burned out including his tongue leaving nothing behind. The scientist collapsed onto the ground now revealing the woman's presence in the room having been previously hidden behind him.

The woman pointer her staff at another scientist "you gaze upon our perfection but see nothing but monstrosity" she said, the moment she finished the scientist's eyes exploded before the woman looked around the rest of the room. "And the rest of you, your incompetence have grated upon our nerves and wasted our time"

The observation room exploded with bits of flesh and limb blown out into the lower room. Metal platforms twisted around and formed a clean path from the observation windows to the center of the room. The woman, with supreme elegance like a king walking down the streets of his kingdom made her way down the newly constructed path. At its end stood a statue of a woman with 4 spheres around her, since entering this place the woman smiled as she gazed upon her prize.

outside at the entrance stood 2 more hooded women stood waiting, one with Aqua Blue yet emotionless eyes and Vermillion trim her robe while the other had Vermillion eyes and Aqua Blue trim, their hoods darkening their face. As the woman inside approached them tailed by the statue floating in the air the 2 women keeled before her like servants to their master.

"We return the Controller to where it belongs a build our throne upon it, seek out her Codex and return to us. We will not abide any to chance at stopping us" she commanded. The two cloaked women bowed their heads before Magic circles appeared beneath them before suddenly vanishing.

As the woman continued to walk away a great pillar of light struck down from the sky obliterating the bunker and any still inside, as the pillar began to fade the same magic circle appeared beneath the woman before she vanished too.

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Next Chapter - Chapter 7:Impaired Peaceful Hopes