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]

9. Chapter 7: Impaired Peaceful Hopes

Chapter 7: Impaired Peaceful Hopes
[12th December 0081, 9:21 AM - Section 6: Long Arch Lounge, Mid-Childa] - The King's denied fate

Hayate relaxed herself as Signum, Agito and Rein combed her collarbone-length hair, Rein however mainly played around in it. Hayate had a prime seat for the yearly ritual which was currently taking place in front of her. On one side was Nanoha Takamachi, Ace of Aces, sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed. On the other was Carim Gracia, Grand General Master of the Saint Church Knights, currently displayed on a monitor in front of Nanoha.

"how many time do I have to repeat myself, the answer is no!"
"Be reasonable, it's not like we're trying to brainwash her with this"
"oh, I don't remember accusing you of anything like that, is that your guilty conscience showing?"

The two had been arguing about Vivio's participation in the Saint's Vestal Ceremony, a yearly event where people would come and express the desire they have for the next year to then be blessed by the Saint's Vestal, a stand in for the Saint King. It was more or less an extravagant early New Year's Resolution Event.

Nanoha however was concerned that the Vestal dresses up in what the Saint King used to wear with a mask to cover their face; they would also wear sleeves to make it look as if they had prosthetic arms too. Vivio was at an impressionable age and despite being strict with her Nanoha was very worried and would protect Vivio, viciously, from any who would try and force her to become the Saint King.

"Look Nanoha, I do understand what you concern but..."
"You don't understand you have asked this every year since I adopted her!"

Fate placed her hand on Nanoha's shoulder calming her down instantly "we should let Vivio decide this"
"but"
"it'll be ok" Fate reassured Nanoha "of cause Carim, if Vivio says no I do not want to hear that you've been harassing my Nanoha with this matter again" Fate said sternly to Carim all the while holding Nanoha as if keeping a possession away from someone else.

"Feito-mama *sniffle* Nanoha-mana" Vivio slowly walked into the lounge rubbing her eyes partly because she had just woken up but mainly because she was in the verge of tears.

Fate quickly let go of Nanoha and rushed to Vivio "oh Vivio, what's the matter?" she asked stroking Vivio's hair as she held her
"Ein promised last night *sniffle* that she wouldn't disappear again *sniffle* but when I *sniffle* I woke up, she was gone"
"it's ok, she didn't disappear. Einheart said to Shamal that she was thankful for our generosity and hospitality and that there was one thing she needed to today before she left early this morning," Nanoha said trying to cheer up Vivio "she'll be back I promise"

Vivio began to dry her tears on Fate's sleeve before Fate picked her up and carried her to the couch she and Nanoha was sitting on. "I'm sorry for interrupting you" Vivio apologised noticing Carim the screen as she was carried past.
"Actually we was talking about you" Fate replied
"Vivio, Carim here wants you to take part in the Saint's Vestal Ceremony and while I have been against it, Fate as suggested that we have you decide if you want to be the Vestal in it or not" Nanoha explained
"what do I have to do?"
"Just sit on the Saint's Throne and..."

Vivio grabbed Nanoha arm and try to hide behind it, cowering in fear from Carim's mention of the Saint's Throne "Nanoha-mama!"
"it's ok, it's just an extravagant chair we originally believed the Saint's Throne looked like" Carim explained "though I suppose even if we built the actual thing you'd be the only one who knows it's true purpose"
"so it won't hurt if I sit on it"
"it won't I promise"

Vivio thought on it for a moment before finally nodding deciding to try it out once this year and from there decide if she'll do it again. "thank you your majesty" Carim thanked bowing on screen "we do need you today so I'll send word to the stations that your tickets will be paid for by the Church"
Did you really think I was going to agree if you threw it on my on the last minute. Nanoha thought to herself as the Carim cut the communication link.

"Are you coming too Aunty Hayate?" Vivio asked jumping off the couch as she was about to leave to get dressed
"no I'll stay, I want my knights to spoil me" Hayate replied as she leaned back onto Signum smiling

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[12th December 0081, 11:04 AM - Saint Church Grand Cathedral, Mid-Childa] - A Second Chance

Dieci sat on a near-by rock, technically on vacation she wasn't sporting her usual TSAB uniform but instead wearing a tight violet top and jeans. Her Snipe Cannon was leaning on the rock in front of her as she tinkered away with the loading chamber.

They're late. Dieci had come for the Saint's Vestal Ceremony but was requested to meet with some guests who were supposed to have arrived roughly 30 minutes ago. Since it wasn't an order Dieci could have refused, however it was Cinque who had made the request who was following official order.

"Dieci-nee-san?" Dieci put down her down her equipment to give full attention to her 2 youngest sisters who were ordered by the church to wait for the guests as well. Both Otto and Deed wore the traditional black and white religious habit of the church which consisted of a black tunic with grey edges and a long black skirt. A white Scapular which stopped about an inch before the elbow was worn over top and tied together with a red ribbon.

"What is it?"
"You seem preoccupied with your thoughts" Deed curiously asked
"it's nothing really, our guests are running late". Just as Dieci finished talking she noticed 3 people come into view "speak of the devil" she commented jumping off the rock.

Nanoha, Fate and Vivio spotted the 3 women and approached them figuring they were waiting for them. Otto and Deed got down on one knee and bowed their heads to Vivio, "morning Majesty"
"is everyone going to bow down to me when I get dressed up?" Vivio asked
"what are you talking about?"

The service entrance door opened, the loud clunking of it being unlocked drew everyone's attention before Sein walked out "oh, hello your highness, I had a feeling you'd arrived"
"using Periscope Eye is cheating"
"no it isn't!" Sein pouted "your highness, if I may escort you to get changed and when the next shift come along we'll have you proceed"

With a kiss from both of her mother's Vivio left with Sein leaving the 5 women behind. Nanoha started to become curious of the reason why Dieci, Otto and Deed where here originally thinking they were here for Vivio.

"Are you 3 waiting on someone else?" she asked, Otto and Deed just nodded remaining silent while Dieci's attention was drawn elsewhere
"I was asked by Cinque to wait for her here"
"why?" Fate asked
"for that" Dieci replied pointing to a small TSAB Transport Ship which was approaching them. as it began to land Dieci returned to Snipe Cannon and packed away her equipment before placing her palm on the cannon itself, a yellow IS Template overlapped with a Cream Yellow Belkan Triangle appeared between her hand and the cannon before the cannon turned into energy and was drawn into her fingers and palm.

After the ship had landed Fate noticed it was a prison transport ship. With the back door open 3 women in Cadet Grey was lead out by Cinque in her usual blue uniform and white overcoat. The 3 women were similar size with one of them slightly smaller and all were much taller than Cinque herself.

"Thanks for waiting Dieci, there's a case on the ship with the Inherent Equipment, could you grab that while we wait here, I don't want the Auto-Return to kick in" Cinque asked.
"I see you three reconsidered rehab" Fate commented as she and Nanoha approached Uno, Tre and Sette.
"After finding out their loyalty was misplaced they requested it. Saint's Church will be looking after them" Cinque replied.

Uno stepped past Cinque and bowed deeply to Fate and Nanoha "please forgive my younger sisters, as their orders came from me your scorn should be directed as such"
"no, it's ok Uno, you're willing to work hard to make right what you have done in the past and that's commendable" Nanoha replied
"am I really commendable when I also led on my sisters to believe that they were still loved" Uno continued. Tre walked over to Uno and place her hand on her shoulder promoting Uno to look up, she could tell Tre was forgiving her but instead looked away as she straightened up "I don't deserve to be forgiven"
"but your family and we'll always forgive you" Dieci commented as she walked past them

Cinque followed Dieci and singled the 3 women to follow her with Nanoha and Fate following behind.

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[12th December 0081, 1:30 PM - Saint Church Grand Cathedral: Main Hall, Mid-Childa] - A Heartfelt Wish

Vivio wasn't the only girl taking the role as the Saint's Vestal and each Vestal had an hour shift sitting on the throne and listening to everyone's wishes. the audiences with the Vestal took place in the main hall which was mainly used for gatherings, despite being a church Saint Church didn't have sermons or followed a religious bible which had to be recited every week but rather followed the teachings of Olivie Sägebrecht, providing aid and assistance to those who came regardless of race, creed or even religion. a lot believed Olivie was very tolerate and accepting to the different beliefs which splintered the Belkan Empire and the church believed that for them to follow her beliefs they should not restrict entry.

Vivio's shift as the Vestal was for between 12 and 1, most wishes however were more like New Year's Resolutions or children wanting a particular present for Christmas, which was what Vivio was expecting however she struggled to keep awake and on occasion had to be nudged by Sein when she failed to respond. Vivio was growing incredibly board but she agreed to do this and she was going to see it through.

"Ok, next!" Vivio could hear Sein's faint voice as she started to fall back asleep, barley hearing the approaching footsteps in front of her.
"Lady Vestal", Vivio suddenly woke up hearing the all too familiar voice in front of her, while she couldn't see a face through the distinctive platinum green hair she didn't need to know who was kneeling before her.

Einheart had decided to leave early in the morning to attend the Saint's Vestal Ceremony thinking she could get in early however it seemed she was not the only one thinking this and could only get in after 12. this was the first time she attended it always thinking of it as superstition however, this one time, she wanted to believe the Saint's Vestal's blessing was anything but.

Einheart kept her head down as she spoke as a sign of respect because the Vestal was supposed to be an embodiment of the Saint King.
"Recently my life entered a state of turmoil and I had to reveal something to my friends which I had kept hidden this entire time. My dearest friend however accepted this and even offered to help me, if she was to ask I could never hope to repay her for her kindness"
Ein, I would never ask you to.
"My friend's parents work for the Bureau, one as an Enforcer. I have noticed my friend become worried about her parents have left for work, though I dare not point it out as I can see she's trying hard not to let it show for our sake"

Vivio started to feel self-conscious over her actions in the past, she didn't want to worry any of her friends when Fate left so she always put on a brave face, but if Einheart could pick up on this she worried she had just been causing the opposite of what she set out to do

"I have been told that I will not be a burden to her of her family but I feel uneasy so I want to help in any way I can. So, Lady Vestal of the Saint King, please use your blessing for me to ensure my friend's parents always return home safely. I'll protect my friend with what strength I have"

Vivio remained silent and still, moved by Einheart's words. Whether or not the Vestal's blessing had any power in it Einheart was giving it all up for her mamas. Sein nudged Vivio thinking she had fallen asleep again however just as she did Vivio got up off the throne.

Einheart kept her head down despite hearing the fluttering of the Vestal's dress and the tapping of her shoes approach. Einheart was suddenly taken aback when 2 arms wrapped around her torso and held her, looking up she could see the Vestal's dress quite close and Sein face with a mix of shock and confusion.

"thank you Ein"
"Vi, Vi, Vi, Vi, Vi" Einheart stuttered as she recognized the soft voice from behind the mask, each syllable turning her face redder each time. She didn't tell anywhere where she was going because she felt embarrassed that she was going to wish for the safety of Vivio's mothers for her sake. However not only did Vivio hear that, she also heard the last part.

Sein quickly rushed out and notified everyone that the Vestal was going to take an early break since the Vestal wasn't supposed to move off the throne, the sight of the Vestal hugging someone would cause an uproar.

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[12th December 0081, 1:58 PM - Saint Church Grand Cathedral: Break Lounge, Mid-Childa] - A Devil's innocent smile

After Uno, Tre and Sette got changed out of their prison clothes into religious habits Nanoha and Fate figured now was a better time than any to get to know them considering they would be seeing more of them. Despite being a clone with Cybernetic Enhancements Uno was quite different from Scaglietti, seeing her sisters as precious and being faithful to Scaglietti she had hoped that her sisters will always have a home with him believing they wouldn't be accepted on the outside. She also believed in Karmic balance and thought that by condemning herself to be forever faithful to a man who see her as a failure and earn nothing but scorn for it, she had hoped that it alone would be enough absolve the crimes her sisters committed and give them the second chance they deserved.

Tre had sincerely believed her trust in Scaglietti was not misplaced, by learning that she meant nothing to him because she was considered a failure this trust was destroyed, Uno however reassured Tre her trust in Scaglietti was brought about by his genes in her and was not proper trust like what Cinque had in Nanoha and her friends. Tre didn't particularly hate Quattro in the beginning but did find her 'unnerving' and her alterations to the youngest of the Numbers uncalled for. Tre didn't hesitate in noting she saw Fate as a rival and would one day like to face off against her.

Out of the 3 however Sette remained quite yet Fate noticed that Tre's chair and her own were practically touching and Sette herself was almost sitting on Tre's chair. Fate's only experience with Sette was when they had fought however from what she had learned from Cinque this seemed off.
"I have to ask, has Sette been acting strange lately?" Fate asked
"as I said, she chose imprisonment to be with Tre, she was probably lonely having been separated and despite Quattro's tampering she's not totally devoid of emotion"
"yeh, she's been cling to me since I boarded the transport" Tre blushed adding to Uno's replied.

"that's it" Cinque sighed as she closed her phone, sitting at the table with the other women "I can't trust TSAB Device Meisters to do requests at Saint's Church"
"what's going on?" Nanoha asked
"I've tried getting in touch with all the contracted Device Meisters from the TSAB currently working with Saint's Church, not one will put priority on the Inherent Equipment"

Fate reached into her pocket and pulled out a card familiar to Nanoha and handed it to Cinque "this woman I had make Nanoha's pendant but her bother works as a freelance Device Meister, he might cost more though"
"thanks" Cinque said as she received the card before getting back up again and opening up her phone to call the number of the card.

As Cinque left Vivio and Einheart entered passing her on her way in with Vivio still dressed in the Vestal's costume. Nanoha was stunned at how adorable Vivio looked in it and was conflicted, she was opposed to Vivio dressing up like the Saint King, and for her to want to see Vivio in that more would contradict her position.

"wow Vivio, you look so cute in that, however" Fate said as she squatted down in front of Vivio, undoing the ribbon tying her hair back before redoing her hair in her usual fashion and removing the sleeves meant to look as if she was wearing prosthetics.

"there, I assume Nanoha-mama was a bit conflicted with you looking like the Saint King, now you don't" Fate smiled as she presented Vivio.
"thank you Feito" Nanoha chuckled feeling slightly better since she had no problems with what Vivio was wearing so long as she wasn't made to look like the Saint King. Nanoha's attention was then drawn to Einheart who had left early in the morning yet and came into the lounge with Vivio.

"I'm surprised to see you here Einheart, was this business you needed to do early this morning related to Saint's Church" Nanoha asked
"well you see" Einheart began however was looking away as she tried to think of how she would explain herself
"Ein came to receive the Vestal's blessing for her wish to..."
"Ahhhhh! Vivio don't!" Einheart yelled out covering Vivio's mouth, she honestly didn't want her wish to be known however seeing her reaction Nanoha figured it was deeply personal. "it's ok Einheart, you don't have to tell us but had we known you wanted to come you could have came with us and speared Vivio"

Einheart looked to Vivio who was being spoiled by Fate and realized that she did leave without notice to Vivio and imagined how she would have reacted given what she had said last night. Einheart deeply bowed to Nanoha "my apologies for being a burden"
"now, now, you have to learn to stop that pessimistic attitude of yours, it's not healthy" Nanoha scolded.

With their business in the Cathedral concluded Nanoha and Fate figured it was about time to leave for Section 6. As Fate got up her head was suddenly grabbed and pulled into something soft and held tightly
"Yay! Fate!"

Nanoha, Vivio and Einheart turned around and saw a tall Redhead Woman with wolf like ears wearing a pink short cut top, Brink Pink Denim short shorts and a black 2 piece jacket with a bushy read and white tail.
"Alph! Stop that!"
"No! I haven't seen you since last Christmas" Alph replied refusing to let Fate go. after a while she finally stopped releasing Fate and bowed to Nanoha "omedetou gozaimasu Nanoha"
"thank you Alph but what's it for"
"for being with Fate, it was painful seeing you two act as friends when you both clearly had feelings for one another"

"do my parents know?" Nanoha asked
"no" Alph replied shaking her head "I was told to keep it to myself since ultimately you and Fate should be the ones to tell them"
"what are you doing here anyway?" Fate asked,
"well originally I was going to spend the next week here on Mid-Childa, then head back to Earth with everyone"
"originally?" Fate asked.

"How about you explain it to them!" Alph yelled out as she stepped out of Fate's way revealing Chrono and Yuuno "after all, it's your fault!"
Fate began to cleanse her fists and she glared at Yuuno "what did you do you ferret bastard!"
"wow, hold on Fate" Yuuno panicked as he stepped back with his hands out in front of him "you told me Alph was going to help"
"did you even ask her to?" Chrono replied

Just as Fate took a step to approach Yuuno Nanoha put her hand of Fate's shoulder, "let him explain" she said calming Fate down.
"Well, you see, without access to the Paradox Hourglass we can't tell the effects of our current methods for reducing Paradoxes. recently however we discovered how in the past other civilizations dealt with the same problem, and that's by only using Dimensional Transfer at particular 'weak points' where the paradox caused is significantly less"
"continue" Alph implored when Yuuno has paused for too long
"well, we are currently going to build stations at these weak points so ships can fuel up and then Dimensional Transfer. It's going to be phased so only a couple of routes will be affected at first. one is the route between here and Earth"

"how long has been added" Nanoha sighed
"48 to 60 hours to where the station will be built and another 48 to 60 hours from there to Earth"
"so, a 12 hour trip has been blow out, TO 5 DAYS!" Fate yelled, it was understandable given this Christmas was her first with Nanoha has her girlfriend and the plan was to leave on the 20th.

"I'm so sorry" Yuuno apologised but before Fate could rush to him and punish him Nanoha stood in front blocking her advance.
"Yuuno, you seem to be worried" Nanoha asked as she approached Yuuno, for some reason Yuuno could feel nothing but terror despite the fact Nanoha was smiling
"well, I knew this Christmas is special to the both of you and I feel responsible that my lack of foresight may have ruined your plans"
"but you seem scared even now" Nanoha ask just stopping short of passing Yuuno, "did you think I'd let Fate hurt you?"
Yuuno nervously laughed as he scratched his head "well actually I thought you'd hurt me"

Nanoha leaned in close to Yuuno, her breath tickling his ear as she just barely whispered into his ear "your right". Yuuno froze from the cold emotionless words before suddenly he was struck behind, causing him to lose conscience and black out.

When Yuuno woke he found he was lying flat on one of the couches with Chrono looking over him. Yuuno quickly figured out that the cause for his black out was a blow to the back of his head by some sort of blunt object Nanoha had concealed which obviously meant she wasn't very happy.

Seeing Yuuno open his eyes Chrono stepped back "thank goodness your alive"
"thanks, didn't know you cared"
"I don't" Chrono replied "I honestly don't want to have to explain why the Ace of Aces murdered the Infinite Library's only Curator"

Yuuno slowly sat as catching the eyes of Nanoha and Fate across him who had up until now been chatting with Alph, "I hope you've learned your lesson Yuuno" Nanoha remarked coldly
"I only chose for us to act now as we could begin without too many disruptions, however that does not excuse not taking into consideration your pre-set travel plans as I know you don't get many chances to visit your family, however on the way here I did think of something"
"and that is" Nanoha replied after a small pause as she took a drink from her cup
"I know it's short notice but if you leave today you should get there by the 20th"

"hold on" Fate said as she stood up "how did 5 days turn into 8!"
"we have fuelling ships as a temporary station and all ships going through need to be cleared more inscrutably since these are TSAB Deep Space Refuelling Ships, when the stations have been built it'll be like Train switch overs" Chrono interjected

With each new difficulty Fate grew more and more agitated however Nanoha's presence was keeping her at bay and thus keeping Yuuno relatively alive, Nanoha on the other was unpredictable and that was more terrifying.

"I suppose we can leave today however we'll need to pick up at least a winter coat for Einheart. we can buy some more winter clothes for her when we arrive on Earth" Nanoha said before turning to face Yuuno and sighing "you have better make it up to me"
"Of cause"

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[12th December 0081, 4:13 PM - Cranagan Boarding Station, Mid-Childa] - Till next we meet

"So no one comes through the front door, if anyone has any business inside they enter through the back, make sure the fridge is empty and..."
"don't worry, everything is going to be fine"

With their bags packed and being taken onto the Claudia Nanoha spent what time she had left going over everything Teana needed to be aware of when she, Subaru, Ginga and Nove would leave Section 6 for their holiday celebrations. Thanks in part to Yuuno Nanoha couldn't be the last out of Section 6 so had to rely on someone else to lock the place up, which she was kind of worried about since this was the first time.

While there wasn't so much in the way of crime in Cranagan Nanoha didn't want to risk the precious memories she had of Vivio being stolen. She didn't have to worry about any precious memories of Fate as she had them all on her, including the photo they took a year ago.

"Hey Yuuno! You owe us to for doing Nanoha's work!" Subaru yelled across the station to Yuuno was who standing with Chrono
"and there goes the last of my research budget" Yuuno lamented
"what would you use that for anyway" Chrono asked leaning back on the Claudia
"I was going to fund an expedition to locate Belka, our current theory is that after it's lose Belkan Society self-destructed but as an archaeologist I can't just accept that"
"well maybe next time don't piss off the girls" Chrono laughed

"we're only going to be gone for a little while, we'll be back before Christmas because we're having Christmas dinner at Section 6, our place isn't big enough to have myself, Subaru, Chique and her sisters, Teana, Erio, Caro and the Alpine's" Ginga reassured Nanoha
"so you're going to be back by Christmas Caro?" Fate asked
"well we'll be back on Mid-Childa by the 20th for the Saint's Church Christmas Party and Lu-chan will be..."
"Caro! don't call me that in front of everyone"

Fate chuckled to herself as she heard Lutecia's voice in the background of the phone call Erio made to Caro, holding the phone out to include Caro in the conversation "well depending on when we reach Earth we'll be back around the first week of the new year"
"We'll hold off the fireworks until you get back then"

Nanoha, Fate, Hayate and Wolkenritter each hugged the friends they were leaving behind, When it came to Caro however Fate kissed the speaker while on the other end Caro held the receiver to her check. Unlike the last time this parting occurred Riot Force 6 wasn't being broken apart, they would all be together again in about a month's time. Just as they were finishing up Lindy walked down the ramp and called out, "we've gotten clearance to take off now".

Those remaining behind watched the Claudia take off, even before Yuuno's proposition to the TSAB about dimensional travel the Claudia still had to leave Mid-Childa's orbit before it could use the Dimensional Transfer so those who remained behind waited at the station, continuously watching the Claudia ascend and even when it was no longer in view, because there was not going to be a blink caused from the use of Dimensional Transfer they were going to keep looking to the sky until they knew that their friends had long since gone.

Outside Cranagan 2 women also watched the Claudia leave the station and ascend into the sky. The one with the golden glowing hair cleared it from her face as her gaze followed the Claudia's accent path.
"I had hoped to say a final goodbye" Alicia said to herself before turning to the despondent Trishia.

Alicia wrapped her arms around Trishia and rested her head on her shoulder, kissing Trishia's cheek "please hold on, our mission is almost done. after that I'll put all my efforts in helping you"

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[14th December 0081, 1:38 PM MC-T - TSAB Dimension Gateway Bismark] - Dimensional Changeover

Out of the multitude of routes the TSAB had established between different worlds and dimensions only 5 low traffic ones would be the first to utilize new space switch-overs stations the TSAB referred to as Dimension Gateways. Already half a week had passed and construction on the stations was well under way, not surprising considering the technology the TSAB had and their familiarity with building in space.

As the station was being build TSAB refuelling ships were used as a temporary station so that ship could start getting use to the new procedure. These ships were quite large as they were built to be able to refuel 5 warships in the middle of their patrol while also having the defences needed to brush off an attack. while waiting for clearance to use Dimensional Transfer a number of ships were moored along the refuelling ship, from this sight one could appreciate just how large the refuelling ship was as the Claudia only measured 1/10 its length and 1/3 its height.

In front of a door of an incomplete wall stood a group of workers, in front of them was Yuuno who was preparing a spell, his eyes closed as he focused his mind concentrating the Mana with his hand slowly pulsing with a green glow.

"Dimensional Link!", Yuuno rotated his hand before snapping his fingers, the space inside the door's archway began to twist and warp before clearing up, now instead of an empty space there were a group of similar workers busying building with a couple watching the door. one of the working nodded to his side before the door closed, as it opened due to someone approaching it the door closed again as the one who triggered it's opening stood back, this repeated a few times before Yuuno held out his hand before looking over his shoulder and giving an affirmative nod to a nearby worker. Yuuno mimicked the actions of the man on the other side before he stopped and stood back from the door and waited for it to open again, the man on the other side walking though the archway.

Yuuno turned to face the workers standing behind him "right the spell is just the same as Dimensional Transfer however the target of the spell it not yourself but the Mana Repeater in the archway"
"question" one of the workers asked as he held up his hand "what about Paradoxes?"
"don't worry, this entire area is a dimensional weak point, openings like this would occur naturally" Yuuno answered, "however we may want some Spatial Magic experts on the maintenance team since we are probably going to get these openings appearing out of nowhere" he continued scratching his head. the workers began to look worried before Yuuno started to laugh "don't worry, when the station is complete if one opens under you feat and you fall through just to the floor below, but for now just keep an eye out"

"So, how long until my station is built little Scrya?" just as Yuuno began to relax his was called upon from behind, walking though the gateway was a tall buxom blonde wearing a Jet Grey peaked cap and Jet and Davy's Grey plated one piece dress which stopped halfway down her upper thigh and had no sleeves, it was kept up by a collar which had 2 fins on either side barring the TSAB Coat of arms. draped over her shoulders was a TSAB Dimensional Navy Admiral's jacket much like Lindy's whoever this was worn more like a cape with the shoulders sitting in the sleeves, this too was connected to the collar.

"Admiral Bismark ma'am!" Yuuno saluted as he stood at attention "I didn't know you was here"
"he, he, when I heard they was making one of these new gateway station and naming it after me I had to see it" Bismark chuckled to herself
"mind my saying ma'am but they would use your last name"
"yeh, Minarito is much more unique but Bismark sounds cooler"
"also, did you just abandon your patrol?" Yuuno pointed out, the sword of reasoning struck Bismark as she realised her foolishness and quickly began to laugh it off "I had a couple of trainees with me"
"so you left them behind totally unprepared", a second sword struck Bismark from Yuuno's second comment.

"Mein Führer, ich schlage vor, wir zurück [my Führer, I suggest we return]"
"oh shut it!" Bismark rebuked the flashing silvery gem that sat just above the peak of the cap, given its speech pattern it had to be a Modern Belkan Device but because of Bismark's style as a Knight used Ancient Belkan as its spoken language
"mein Führer, in der vagen Hoffnung, sie angegriffen werden... [My Führer, in the off chance they are attacked...]"
"Then they can fend for themselves, an Admiral must be able to adapt to any situation and they got it easier they aren't totally alone"
"and this is why I never joined the navy" Yuuno commented under his breath, due to Bismark's laughter she however didn't hear the comment.

Bismark walked up to Yuuno and put her weight on Yuuno with her arm going along his back to his opposite shoulder "so little Scrya, I'm thirsty so let go somewhere to wet out lips"
"I don't drink"
"I know, but you know where I can and I don't have any money" Bismark laughed forcefully pulling Yuuno behind her

how do I get into these situations.

On board the Claudia, the women along with Chrono gathered in the mess hall as they waited for Shamal to return having sent her out to board the refuelling ship and pick up some lunch. When Shamal returned however she was empty handed.

"What happened?" Vita yelled out
"they have nothing but crap! I can't in good conscience feed that to Hayate-chan"
"Shamal, Hayate is 25, she can pick out her own food"
"if I leave it up to her she'll eat nothing but junk"

"Shamal really mothers you doesn't she" Chrono said
"yeh, our familial roles are set, Shamal's my mum, Signum's my father figure, Vita's is my sister"
"and Zafira's our pet dog!" Vita interjected causing Zafira to spit out what he was drinking
"Guardian Beast! If you must refer to me as a 'dog' least it be a Guard Dog"
"fine, pet guard dog"
"drop the 'pet' part"

"ahhh, sorry to but in but we still have our lunch problem" Agito pointed out. Despite the change in the convocation the main problem was still prevalent, everyone wanted Shamal to take a break from cooking having cooked 2 nights in a row and for lunch they had been having pre-packet meals which were kind of boring. Everyone had hoped that some restaurant chains may have already set up shop, the backup plan was to use the cafeteria food on board the refuelling ship however Shamal was dead set against even using it in her cooking.

Nanoha and Fate, both in tune with one another, left briefly before returning with a number of containers in hand
"hey, I was wondering what those were for" Hayate pointed "what are they?"
"They're leftovers from our date" Fate replied
"from Blitz Royal? Score!" Hayate exclaim leading the group to help the 2 women lay out the food on the table.

"You two prepared for this?" Shamal asked
"no, I was thinking about having a romantic candle lit dinner with Feito-chan, but there's no place here which sets the right mood" Nanoha replied disappointed
"yeh, these ships are boring in mood atmosphere, really their admirals should be ashamed"
Chrono blankly stared at his sister "I'm right here".

While everyone ate, appreciating just how rare it was for any of them to eat food from Blitz Royal Lindy's and Chrono's phones both went off. Since they were both Admirals they were both registered with the Claudia as such both were notified when the Claudia has clearance to use Dimensional Transfer and begin the next leg of the trip. After a short game of rock-paper-scissors Lindy was chosen to take the ship's helm and left the room.

"Wait, we're leaving Mr Scrya behind?" Einheart asked
"no, we only brought him with us because it was convenient for him because he needed to some here" Chrono replied noticing Fate's slightly agitated expression from being reminded of Yuuno.
"And anyway, I see Bismark's ship moored so she can keep him company" Lindy's voiced boomed across the PA system
"figure's she'd be here, and focus on the helm! I don't want my ship being banged up!" Chrono complained.

After the Mana had gathered the Claudia was engulfed in the magic of the Dimensional Transfer spell warping it from one dimension to another, those inside not even noticing the change. The station at the destination dimension was comparable to the one in the origin however different areas were either more of less developed. The idea was that each station in each dimension would be in more or less the same spot so ships which needed to dimension transfer could do so on the spot.

The Claudia waited around until it was given its final clearance to leave the area. It's next stop, Earth.

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[16th December 0081, 4:16 PM - Claudia LZ, Earth] - Returner

"Dispel!"
"Yes Boss"

As per Chrono's orders, the out stretched S2U dispelled the transportation Glyph that was on the ground which was used to transport the entire group from the Claudia save Hayate and Lindy who arrived shortly after with Hayate's Dimensional Transfer.

Nanoha looked around the entire area; it has been a full year since she had set foot on Earth however she more or less kept in contact with her family though Amy. As Nanoha took in her surroundings she began to notice that their usual entry location was different.

"we're about half an hour's drive from the Uminari City Limits when we normally are in the limits, what gives?" she asked
"We can't have TSAB Ships casually flying around and using magic to transport people. during their yearly research expeditions apparently the Japanese Government picked up some sort of energy signature in the Antarctic, and of cause the ANZA Government, rather than helping the Japanese try and find it, are arguing that the Japanese shouldn't have even been there hunting whales"
"we don't need your political opinion Chrono" Fate pointed out
"it wasn't one, ANZA's words not mine, I don't care either way. Amy speculates that it may in fact be Magic related and if so, the moment they begin researching it the world may end up starting to pick up passing by TSAB Ships, imagine the reaction when they pick up a ship idling in orbit"
"So we walk to the city?" Nanoha asked

"No" Alph laughed to herself as she walked over to the bushes and moving them out of the way revealing a car and a station wagon.
"How did these get here?" Hayate asked
"I drove them" Alph replied proud fully
"since when did you have a licence?"
"6 months ago I applied, really helps when you can shape shift your body to change your visual age"

Since the Yagami house was next to the Harlaown's the station wagon was needed for both the Harlaown's and Yagami's while Nanoha would drive Vivio and Einheart to Midori-ya. Just as Lindy approached the station wagon she stopped and turned to Fate.

"Are you staying with us?"
"Why do you ask?" Fate responded
"well I thought that maybe, now that you and Nanoha are an item, you might want to stay with Nanoha"
Fate looked to Nanoha who was waiting by the car for her. The 2 had decided they would both go to Midori-ya together since they were going to reveal their relationship to Nanoha's family, however they didn't think about sleeping arrangements and in previous years Fate would stay at the Harlaown house.

"I think I'll stay with Nanoha thank you mother" Fate replied thinking that it shouldn't be inappropriate for her to sleep in the same bed as her girlfriend in her girlfriend's parent's place.

Alph quickly climbed out of the station wagon and ran towards the car Nanoha was standing by, "I'm staying with Fate!" she yelled out. Both Fate and Nanoha chuckled to themselves before climbing into the car with Fate taking the driver's seat and Nanoha in the passenger seat.

The 2 cars followed one another into the city, because their homes were not all that far from one another and was within a decent walking distance they basically convoyed one another though the city streets.

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[16th December 0081, 5:36 PM - Midori-ya, Earth] - Takamachi Reunion

Nanoha, Fate, Alph, Vivio and Einheart entered casually into the restaurant after Fate had parked the car out front. Closing time for the restaurant was at 6 and with the recent expansion it was as busy now as it would be during the middle of the day.

Nanoha approached the counter where 2 plates of food sat ready to be taken out while a woman with braided dark brown hair waited for the final plate.
"Which table?" Nanoha asked as she went to pick the plates up
"hang on there's a third to...Ah! Nanoha! stop stop stop stop stop" Miyuki fussed as she tried to shoo Nanoha away
"But it looks like you need help"
"you're the guest so go to the house, put your things down and relax, it's not like we can't manage this"

Having been chased out of the restaurant Nanoha lead the group though the back of Midori-ya. Midori-ya was built on the corner of the block it was possible to exit out from the back of the restaurant and into the Takamachi's back yard next door.

"Tadaima!" Nanoha called out as she entered through the back, while the group took off their shoes Nanoha felt it weird that no one had greeted her back yet. "Okaasan? Otoosan?" Nanoha called out as she looked slightly jogged as she tried to find her parents
"maybe they're not home" Fate commented
"but they said they'd be waiting for me to arrive"

At the moment the phone began to ring, Nanoha who was now at the front door rushed down the hall to the phone and quickly picked it up, unsure if there was an answering machine to catch the call. "moshi-moshi" she answered as she went to rest against the wall
"Nanoha?"
"Okaasan! Where are you?"
"Me and you father are waiting for you where you left last year"
"oh, well we have to be extra careful and come in outside the city, sorry"
"no it's ok. make yourself at home, we'll be there in about 15 minutes"

the group waited in the kitchen with Nanoha fixing up drinks for Fate, Alph, Vivio and Einheart but set things ready for her parents when they came back in and her siblings when they came off work. With everything done Nanoha sat down next to Fate however only just stared at her cup.
"Nervous?" Fate asked seeing Nanoha all tensed up
"yeh, I know this hasn't been the first time you've spent Christmas with me, but you're my girlfriend now and it feels different"
"I know, it's like I'm meeting your parents for the first time"

"Tadaima!" Time felt to have dragged on before Nanoha's parents, Momoko and Shiro, finally arrived however it didn't alleviate Nanoha's nerves. as they entered the kitchen Nanoha got up and hugged each of them with Momoko kissing Nanoha's cheek and Shiro kissing Nanoha's forehead, however when he was hugging Nanoha Shiro could tell Nanoha was tensing up.
"Oh Fate, welcome"
"yes! Thank you ma'am" Fate suddenly replied surprising Momoko

While Nanoha fixed up drinks for them her older siblings, Kyoya and Miyuki, came in from the restaurant. With the seats in the kitchen quickly running out Momoko suggested they have their drinks in the lounge. With everyone seated Nanoha steeled her nerves.

"Um, everyone, there is someone I want to tell you all"
"ahhhh, that would explain the tension I felt. It's ok Nanoha, we were only shocked the first time with Vivio because we wasn't expecting you to adopt a child" Shiro commented looking at Einheart
"why is it everyone thinks Ein is my sister? she's my friend" Vivio complained
"yeh, that's a story behind that but that's different from what I want to tell you all"

Nanoha fidgeted as she tried to come up with the words to explain who was in her heart, her upper arms began to tingle as she felt everyone gazes on her waiting for her announcement.
"Well, I'm currently...in a relationship...with Feito" Nanoha said taking long pauses in the middle of her sentence.

Much like when Nanoha first brought Vivio it took a little while for everyone to register what Nanoha had said. Unlike back then however Nanoha was extremely nervous, she wanted her family to accept Fate and was scared that maybe they wouldn't.

"well then we are very happy for you Nanoha" Momoko replied first smiling warmly to her daughter
"so, you accept Feito-chan as my girlfriend?"
"Of cause, if you truly believe you love her then how can we deny that".

Both Fate and Nanoha sighed with relief. just as they did they heard the sound of the back door which was strange as everyone who would use it from Midori-ya was currently in the lounge
"oh, since the renovation we got more customers so we decided to hire, that's would be out full-timer and part-timer" Shiro said noticing Nanoha's confused look
"you let them enter the house?" Nanoha asked
"apart from the fact we trust them today is special" Kyoya replied.

The slight patter of 2 pairs of footsteps echoed out from the hallway, slowly getting more defined as the people they belonged to get closer to the lounge before Nanoha saw a slight flash of purple hair and got up in anticipation.
"Arisa-chan! Suzuka-chan!"

From around the corner approached 2 women who were the same age as Fate and Nanoha. The lead woman had long waist length purple hair wearing a white blouse over top of a blue dress while the woman following behind here had short neck length earth yellow hair. Nanoha hugged each of her two long-time friends kissing the air on either side of their faces with them responding in kind.

"I told you it was Nanoha I heard Suzu" Arisa proudly told off Suzuka having doubted her before
"I'm surprised that the two of you are working here?" Nanoha questioned
"well I'm more surprised both Fate and Alph are here?"
"Ari-chan please, Fate-chan is allowed here" Suzuka replied to Arisa's counter argument staring at Fate, her gaze causing Fate to become nervous again having only just relaxed.

"You can tell huh?"
"that you and Fate-chan are dating, of cause" Suzuka replied to Nanoha before stepping in front of Momoko and Shiro "if I may be so bold to ask this at the last minute but may me and Ari-chan stay the night" she asked bowing
Momoko chuckled to herself "sure, since it has happened every year to day we prepared for it"

Just as the girls went to leave Shiro called Nanoha back. "Nanoha, when Suzuka and Arisa leave I expect you to follow the rules we set when you went to high school"
"I know Otoosan but you said I wasn't allowed boys in my room, Feito isn't a boy"
"you can't get around the rules with a technicality"
"now dear, Nanoha is a grown woman and I'm sure she knows how to conduct herself properly"

"yes, of cause we do" Nanoha laughed to herself nervously before hurrying back to the group

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[16th December 0081, 5:45 PM - Harlaown Residence, Earth] - Harlaown Reunion

Chrono and Lindy entered the house with Chrono carrying a duffel bag and Lindy a suitcase. It had been a few months since he had last been home and walking into the house the fragrant aroma reminded him of the wife and children he sorely missed.

"I'm home" Chrono yelled out as he closed the door behind him
"I'm in the lounge dear" responded a female voice which echoed down the hall. Harlaown Residence was quite large for your typical Japanese house and while it looked like a modern Japanese estate there were evident aspects of Mid-Childan technology which didn't stand out too much as to point out that the residents were from another world.

As the pair entered the large entertainment suit that had been called the lounge they were greeted with the addition of 2 extra bodies accompanying Amy. the one sitting next to Amy had long hip length curled hair which if straitened would reach down past her knees, she wore a dark raspberry dress with the sleeves separated from the dress giving off a refined presence about her. the other sat on the ground in front of the coffee table and just wore a white night gown and white dressing gown draped around her, with her pale complexion and Neck length white hair she looked like a fragile doll.

"welcome home" Amy said as she got up, lifting her head as she and Chrono kissed before resting her head on his chest as Chrono held her, "we missed you dear"
"as did I" Chrono replied as Amy listened to the heartbeat of the husband she longed to return.

"So, Melly, Julia, why are you two here?" Chrono asked
"I've been looking into getting some real estate out here in the slums" Melly replied
"please don't refer to Earth as the slums" Chrono rebuked as he narrowed his eyes, offended by the remark to the undeveloped planet in comparison to Mid-Childa

"she's looking to find a place quieter for Julia to recuperate" Amy commented as she parted with Chrono and returned to her seat
"how are you anyway Julia?" Chrono asked the sickly girl on the floor
"I'm fine" Julia nodded "I am feeling better than I did before"

Amy was the middle sister of the Limietta family. Her older sister Melly was a successful business woman but always put herself above everyone else but never looked down upon her younger sisters. Julia, the youngest, had been born with numerous ailments which while most were treatable were not 100% curable even within TSAB Space, Melly always looked after Julia and would keep Amy updated on her condition. Since marrying Chrono and coming to Earth Amy didn't have too much face-to-face contact with her sisters however welcomed their surprise visit.

"So when did you arrive on earth?" Lindy asked as she reclined back in her chair motioning Chrono to fetch her a drink
"about a month ago" Melly replied "Amy's told us about these new routes so we're lucky we got though in time, I will not spend another moment more than I need to in that dinky ship that brought us here"

"So how's retirement Amy" Lindy asked as Chrono returned with drinks for everyone.
"it's good, the kids keep me company and busy, how's ex-retirement"
"better the second time around, you know the Ashinra could use the Arthra's bridge officer if you're interested"
"mother, I thought we agreed that if Amy was to return to work she should be on board the Claudia"

Amy began to laugh at the idea of her husband and mother-in-law fighting over her position if she returned to work however she didn't have the desire to return just yet. "I'm sorry but I want to have another child before then"

Chrono suddenly went pale from Amy's comment "no, no, no, we agreed to wait"
"what's wrong?" Julia asked
"Amy expressed her desire for another child and said 'maybe this time I might have triplets'" Chrono replied imitating Amy's voice, much to his wife's dissatisfaction "however when she got pregnant she joked about being so big she probably was having twins. That's what we got"
"so?" Melly explained "she wants a big family"
"but we had our hands full with the twins with me being away, lucky we had Alph but it's unfair on her to keep her here all the time when she wants to be elsewhere"
"speaking of Alph where is she? And Fate too for that matter?" Amy asked only noticing that while she was expecting 4 people only 2 had arrived.

"Fate is going to stay with Nanoha which is obviously expected given the situation. Alph is at the 'elsewhere' she'd probably go to anyway" Lindy laughed

the group relaxed and converse with one another for short while before the lights around them began to violently flicker before stabilizing. "Geeze, the power grid here in the slums must suck" Melly complained
"no, we're using a Mid-Childan Power system adapted to link into the local power grid. What that was was the Yagami's linking their power system to our grid since it's disconnected otherwise" Lindy explained.

Just as she finished the thunderous sounds of feet resounded from further into the house before 2 children burst out of the hallways and jump up onto their sitting father.
"Liera, Karel, where have you two been?" Chrono asked hugging the twins
"we've been playing in out room"
"when the lights began to go all funny"
"so that means daddy's back!" Liera and Karel spoke in tandem before finishing in unison.

"So how long are you back for daddy?" Liera asked while Karel started to rummage through Chrono's bag
"until the end of the month, maybe a couple of days more, and Karel you're not going to find souvenirs in there, instead I brought your Christmas presents and the Yagami's are going to give them to Santa"

After Karel stopped going through Chrono's bag and Chrono finished his drink he stood up "right, since you two aren't in your pyjamas yet that must mean neither one of you have had your bath yet, so let's get you two ready"

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[16th December 0081, 5:43 PM - Yagami Residence, Earth] - Yagami Return

While entering the house left undisturbed for the past year the Yagami's were not greeted by the stale air smell that one would normally expect due to the Mid-Childan air circulation system which the Harlaown would start up on occasion. Signum and Zafira placed down the heap of boxes Chrono gave them to keep safe until Christmas Day knowing full well that had he brought them with him his kids would end up finding them.

Vita pushed through the crowd gathered at the entrance and ran strait upstairs with a worrisome look on her face.
"Oh that's right, last year we left behind her rabbit" Shamal commented realizing the reason for Vita's haste.
Vita returned shortly after cuddling a rabbit plush as big as she, a gift Hayate gave to her which the 2 would normally hug together when sleeping in the same bed.

"We'll reconnect the power" Signum said as she went to leave tapping Zafira on the shoulder to get him to accompany her
"I'll come with you Signum-dono!"
"no Agito, you stay here" Agito's enthusiasm suddenly disappeared after being refused by Signum and just as the front door closed behind Signum and Zafira her wings slumped down in disappointment
"it is dangerous" Hayate pointed out "Signum just doesn't want you getting hurt"
"yeh but I rather remain by my lord's side"
"oh, I wonder why" Rein casually remarked as she floated around Agito
"obviously you wouldn't know but we should always do our up most to serve our lord and remain by their side. Not like you ever do that!" Agito rebuked citing Rein's casual manner to Hayate
"well I'd do the same if you was Rein, just because you're classed as a 'device' doesn't mean you're any less human".

Outside Zafira was tinkering with a power junction with Signum standing by his side with her hand on a lever, despite the crude outside the inside was far too advance to be native technology. Zafira set off a pulse singling Signum to pull the lever however after a couple of sparks there was nothing.

"this would be easier if Agito could fly in and directly jump start the connection" Zafira complained as he resumed with his work
"I won't put Agito in that kind of danger again"

In previous years Agito would be sent into the junction and fire off a pulse from the inside. This however was also dangerous as Signum fretted, her fears becoming reality the previous year when Agito, after firing the pulse, didn't come back out. The purpose of the pulse was to draw energy from the Harlaown grid and the danger for Agito was that if she remained in there she could be electrocuted from the feed backed surge.

With each unresponsiveness reply to Signum's calls to Agito she grew more frantic before using Laevatein's Schwertform to leverage the panels off before reaching in and taking out and unconscious Agito. After she awoke she had explained that after firing the pulse she got spooked by an unexplained jolt and bashed her head knocking her out.

For the past year Signum had been asking that had Hayate been in Agito's position, would she react in the same way. normally such a question would always be quickly answered as yes however when thinking on it Signum was unsure, yes she would have used Laevatein as she did but she couldn't say for certain if she would be as hectic as she was. To avoid having to send Agito in Signum had planned to get Zafira and herself to alter the junction so one didn't need to fire the pulse from the inside.

"the amount of care you humans have for us is surprising" Zafira commented
"what do you mean 'us'"
"Artificial life forms created to serve a master, Unisons and Guardian Beasts, have we not in the past serve Masters who showed no level of compassion?"
"Don't let Hayate hear you talk like that" Signum sighed "we are fortunate to have received a master who does not see us as tools."

With another pulse fired Signum pulled the lever, the light above them flickered before staying lit indicating the process was a success. As Signum went to leave while Zafira but the panels back in place she stopped and looked back at Zafira "and if I ever hear you speak like that about Agito, despite us being family, you will suffer to the up most"
"apologies, I did not mean to offend. what I meant to say was that I have noticed you shying away from exposing Agito to danger"

Signum stopped, she was aware she was avoiding danger when Agito was present but she never stopped to think why she did, preoccupied with her previous thought. If it was a matter of keeping her safe all they had to do was unison.

"maybe I am over thinking it, I don't remember seeing a Unison before Rein and how Mistress Hayate treats Rein is about the same, maybe it's just natural for a Lord to protect their Unison" Zafira commented as he walked past reassuring Signum who was deep in thought

But Rein is something more than just a Unison to Hayate.

As Signum and Zafira returned they found Shamal wasted no time in starting to cook up dinner. seeing her return Agito flew quickly to Signum, seeing her safe and with the knowledge that thing are now set up so there was no need to endanger Agito Signum smiled and pattered Agito's head with her finger

I suppose Agito is the same, to me, she is more than a Unison.

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[16th December 0081, 6:21 PM - Takamachi House: Nanoha's Room, Earth] - Remaining Innocence

Fate stood in the archway leading into Nanoha's room, this was the first time she had ever seen it more of less been in it. From what she had heard from Arisa and Suzuka Nanoha's room was expanded after her first Christmas with Vivio, due to her habit of sneaking into bed with her mama.

"What are you waiting for Feito-chan, come in" Nanoha urged. Fate timidly took a step through the door way, as her toes stepped onto the carpet Fate felt something run up her spine, a kind of chill that wasn't unpleasant but warm.

As Fate looked around Nanoha took out a yellow cushion she had hidden under her bed and brushed it off before placing it next to a red one she had on her desk. Just as she turned around she saw Fate collapse onto her bed

"Nanoha's scent!" Fate moaned as she rubbed her face into Nanoha's pillow
"Feito-chan, that's kinda disturbing. Why are you so obsessed with my scent?"
"Because it ticks me in thinking that I'm cuddling you" Fate replied turning her face to one side as she spoke.

"well you don't need to smell my bed" Nanoha said as she sat down on the bed next to Fate "you have me right here"

Fate sat up and held Nanoha while she brushed her nose long Nanoha's shoulder bone to her neck, taking in Nanoha's natural aroma as she lightly kissed her skin. Nanoha cooed Fate name as she allowed the strength in her body to leave pulling Fate and herself onto the bed. The 2 women lay parallel to one another with their foreheads resting against each other, Nanoha hands lightly clasping one another sat behind Fate's neck while Fate's arms wrapped around Nanoha's body stroking her back gently as the 2 kissed.

"When I started high school I was told I was not allowed boys in my room. sometimes I would fantasize what it would be like to have a boy in here, the 2 of us making out on my bed like this"
"who did you fantasize about" Fate asked dishearten as she looked way
"you, silly" Nanoha replied as she drew Fate's gaze back to her with a kiss
"you fantasized I was a boy?"
"I don't know" Nanoha wondered "you looked like yourself but all we did was make out" she laughed.

Fate gently put pressure on Nanoha as she kissed her causing her to roll onto her back while Fate's leg slipped between Nanoha's separating them. "If I was supposed to be your boyfriend then maybe I should take advantage of your innocence" she smiled
"what innocence, didn't we lose that a few days ago" Nanoha reminded Fate

Fate slid down Nanoha's body slightly as she kissed around Nanoha's collarbone. The gentle sucking of her skin caused Nanoha to let out a couple of moans as Fate slid the side of Nanoha's top and bra strap. Nanoha curled her legs around Fate's, she knew that her door was wide open but she did not want Fate to stop.

"Feito-mama, Nanoha-mama, I'm going to ha..." Vivio stood in front of the doorway as she went to call out to her mother's but stopped when she saw Fate on top of Nanoha. "At least close the door if you are going to make love to Nanoha-mama Feito-mama" she complained as she glared at them.

Nanoha unwrapped her legs from Fate's and the two sat up. With the towel and bag of toiletries in Vivio's hands they figured that Vivio was going to go for her bath, which was a few days overdue thank to their trip, and as always wanted one of her mamas to join her.

"Go ahead Feito" Nanoha urged.
Fate kissed Nanoha thanking her and just as she was about to leave she stopped and took off her bracelet to give to Nanoha, "here" she presented with the bracelet dangling freely from her hand.
"actually I brought that for Bardiche" she said pointing to the yellow cushion on her desk, one she had brought many years ago but never got to use as Fate never stayed the night.

Fate placed the bracelet gently on the cushion with Bardiche facing outwards while Nanoha readjusted her bra and top. As Fate and Vivio disappeared from Nanoha's view she heard someone else running down the hall
"Wait for me Fate, I'm joining too"
"ahhhh! Alph please let me go I can bathe myself"

Nanoha laughed to herself from the sight of Alph dedicatedly chasing after Fate with the protesting Einheart over her shoulder. Following them while walking into her room was Arisa and Suzuka who were coming in to set up where they would sleep.

"Can't Vivio take a bath by herself?" Suzuka asked looking back behind her as she entered
"it's not that she can't, she rather bath with someone. having a bath with someone you love is always enjoying" Nanoha replied squirming on the spot imaging the day where she may have a sensual romantic bath with Fate.
"I can understand how she feels, after the first time the bath tub seems to large and empty" Arisa commented unrolling her bedroll on the carpet.

Nanoha looked back and forth between Suzuka and Arisa; she felt something was off since they met earlier. "Is there something I'm missing here" Nanoha asked questioningly tilting her head "first Suzuka could tell that me and Feito were dating and now Arisa's comment?"

"We have some firsthand experience" Suzuka replied as she kneeled next to Arisa, resting her head of Arisa's shoulder while holding her hand
"geez Suzu" Arisa blushed
"Omedetōgozaimasu!" Nanoha cheered clapping her hands together "I knew one day this would happen"
"really? I kinda was surprised because, you know, how I treated Suzu when we were kids"
"or maybe I'm attracted to bad girls" Suzuka replied kissing Arisa on the cheek

"so, how did it happen?" Nanoha asked as she kneeled on the floor with them
"well, about 6 or so months ago I was thinking. You go off to another world to work and Suzu is so responsible, I started to think just how do I deserve my family's inheritance. I decided I'd get a job and prove to myself"
"so that's when you got a job at Midori-ya?"
Arisa shook her head "not at first, I was talking to your Onee-san and your Onii-san must have overheard us but misunderstood and talked to Shinobu, Suzu's Onee-san"
"she told me that Ari-chan was moving away to get a job"
"she ran out still in her pyjamas to find me in the street and started yelling 'you can't leave! I won't let you!'" Arisa laughed. "we got into a small argument about Suzu being so demanding then she said"
"you can't leave town and leave me behind, if you do who am I supposed to love" Suzuka added cutting in before Arisa
"when you stopped us fighting Nanoha I decided to never be the one to make Suzu cry, but there she was, at daybreak, having confessed her love and crying thinking I would be gone" Arisa continued placing her hand on top of Suzuka's "even if it wasn't a misunderstanding I probably would have wavered and wanted to stay"
"so then you got the full-time job at Midori-ya, but what about you Suzu?" Nanoha asked
"I wanted to be with her more, Onee-san and myself co-work running the family business so some days she works here to be with your Onii-san while other times I work here to be with Ari-chan" Suzuka giggled "but enough about us, you have to tell us how you and Fate started dating"

As Nanoha repeated the story of their first kiss almost a year ago, Fate's deployment and subsequent return Nanoha began to realize that while in name she and Fate had been dating longer, they actually haven't spent nearly as much time together as her 2 best friends in front of her.
"ahhh, how many dates have you two been on" Nanoha prodded
"we try and go on a date every week" Suzuka asked as her arms snaked around Arisa's arms and tightly clinged to it
"well, I was wondering, when, after ur mrmrmr"
"oi!" Arisa rebuked "don't mumble to yourself"
"you can ask us anything" Suzuka urged

Nanoha steeled herself as she thought carefully what she would say. "WHEN TWO PEOPLE HAVE SEX WHEN DO THEY GET MARRIED!" the shocked looks on her friend's faces gave her sudden cause for alarm that she may have said something very wrong before realizing that she had just yelled out, while not at the top of her lungs, anyone in the hall just outside her room would hear. Nanoha's face went beat red as the thoughts of her and Fate that night came flooding back.

Suzuka began to giggle to herself after getting over the shock of being yelled at "I see even though our little Nanoha has given her innocence to Fate-chan she still has such an innocent and pure mind"
"Nanoha, relax, just because 2 people have sex doesn't mean they get married right away. That only happens if a guy gets the girl pregnant and the girl's Otoo-san takes a shotgun in hand. If it's between 2 girls then that won't ever happen"
"well actually there's this spell which when cast..."
"la, la, la, la, la, la, la, I can't hear you and if I don't know what you're trying to explain it doesn't exists, la, la, la, la, la, la, la" Arisa carried on drowning out Nanoha's voice while applying pressure to her ears.
"he, he, don't mind her, her Otoo-san is that kind of man and she probably doesn't want to know about any sort of spell that could allow me to get her pregnant and then have to worry about me being hounded down to marry her"
"you don't want to get married?" Nanoha asked shuffling closer to Suzuka to be able to talk to her without having to battle Arisa in a contest on who can drown out whom.
"We don't want to think about it. It would be nice but right now we're happy with our lives and above all don't want a third party interfering in it".

Fate returned a short while later allowing Nanoha, Arisa and Suzuka to take a joint bath, during which Nanoha tried to learn as much from her seniors in dating as to prepare herself to outdo Fate when the time comes for her to plan their next date.

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[17th December 0081, 8:55 AM - Takamachi House, Earth] - Shiro's Interrogation

Despite being a mother, whenever Fate or Hayate slept over Nanoha would always sleep in with her only wake up earlier from either Fate, Hayate or Vivio forcing her up. Fate on the other hand while she wanted to keep Nanoha in her arms just couldn't sleep the entire time and normally woke first.

Wanting to make sure she didn't disturb the natural order Fate decided to have her breakfast first and possibly make something for Nanoha to have in bed and something for Vivio and Ein for when they got up. Fate's cooking skills were no match for Shamal's, hell, she felt she failed in comparison to Nanoha, but even before they started dating her poured love into any meal she made for Nanoha which she felt brought her up to par.

Fate careful slid her arms out from under Nanoha and her legs from her vice before covering Nanoha back over. Since their date Nanoha had, like Fate, been sleeping in only her underwear and feeling the cold winter morning on her own bare skin Fate took Nanoha's dressing gown and laid it over top to add another layer of warmth.

Fate carefully tip-toed around the room avoiding the curled up Alph who was at their bedside much to what Fate had been expecting and the second couple sharing a single futon. The previous night while Nanoha checked on Vivio and Einheart, Suzuka and Arisa probed Fate about hers and Nanoha's date.

Fate wasn't used to the silence on the morning, her deployments in the past year was anything but and before then at Section 6 at least Vivio would already be awake. Fate had noticed that since the first night Einheart stayed with them Vivio hadn't snuck into hers and Nanoha's bed.

She was probably lonely in her room and wanted to have her mamas as company, now that Einheart shares the room with her she's not so lonely at night. Fate thought to herself, deep inside however she felt a twinge of sadness that she couldn't cuddle Vivio in bed like she used to.

Arriving in the kitchen Fate was greeted by the sight of Nanoha's father Shiro, and her older brother Kyoya, sitting at the table
"good morning" Fate bowed
"Nanoha still asleep?" Shiro asked putting his cup down on the table
"yes sir, she tends to sleep in when we sleep together. I had hoped to have my breakfast first then fix up something for her in bed"
"well before that we need to have a talk"

Fate's slightly nervous stance firmed as what she was fully expecting was presented to her "you plan to question my relationship with your daughter" she said sternly
"of cause, I couldn't he her Otoo-san if I didn't, now sit"
Fate took a seat on the opposite side of the table to here Shiro and Kyoya were sitting. She knew that at some point she would be questioned by Nanoha's parents and had prepared herself for them time.

"Fate, you love my daughter?"
"Yes sir"
"you know what infatuation is?"
"Yes sir"
"and you still believe you love my daughter"
"yes sir"
Fate didn't bother trying to explain her answers; she didn't want either one of them to misunderstand anything.

"how long have you been dating my daughter, she seems to have kept that from us here on Earth"
"Understand sir that she did so as to be the one to break the news face-to-face" Fate explained before proceeding to answer Shiro's question "we confessed our love a few months after we left here last Christmas. I received a promotion which would see us separated however we were never far from each other's thoughts and with my return 3 weeks ago our love for one another was just as strong finally filling our urge to hold one another."
"sounds like a fleeting physical attachment to me" Kyoya commented still reading the paper
"it's not" Fate argued "when Nanoha first adopted Vivio I was named her godmother however I always dream that if I dated Nanoha I would be more than that to Vivio. I have every intention of being Vivio's second mother with Nanoha"

"you realize that if I don't approve of you I will convince my daughter to leave you" Shiro smirked
"mind my saying sir but I don't give a dam. You can try and convince her to leave me and I'll be there, debating back. I am prepared to even go against my own family if they didn't approve. I plan to provide and protecting Nanoha so the only way you'll see me leaving her is if she tells me she no longer loves me"
Shiro began to laugh loudly "excellent! There is no way I could accept anyone, man or woman, to date my daughter if they just rolled over. I want them to fight me hard for my daughter and not let her will be swayed even by her family" Shiro said, his appeased tone allowing Fate to relax knowing she had not only gained Shiro's approval, but his respect.

Kyoya put his paper down and got up "words are words; I want to see action, come!"

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[17th December 0081, 9:12 AM - Takamachi House – Dojo, Earth] - Duelling Hearts

Fate was led by Kyoya to the Family Dojo which he and Miyuki would train. There he instructed Fate to put on kendōgu providing her with a number of different sized sets of Bōgu and Shinai. while it was heavier that her Barrier Jacket Fate foresaw no problems fighting in it having trained in heavier gear to allow her body to move just as fast when weighed down more.

With Bōgu on and Shinai in hand the 2 stood opposite one another while Shiro stood in the door way. Without warning Kyoya charged at Fate with Fate putting up the defensive, parrying his attack and stepping to the side to allow him to pass. Kyoya stopped is pass by and swung around forcing Fate to duck however just as she did, as per his plan, Kyoya swung his foot around kicking Fate back.

Kyoya charged again but just as Fate parried he used his elbow to knock her off balance before releasing a torrent of attacks, under the onslaught all Fate could do was to sway and block. What could she do? Kyoya was seriously trying to hurt her and Fate couldn't bring herself to do the same to Nanoha's bother. "Don't mistake this for Kendo, I am trying to kill you!"

Don't mistake this for practice, I am trying to kill you Fate!

Fate's body was thrown across the field before she smashed into a tree. Opposite her from where she came from stood Signum in her full Knight Clothes and Laevatein in Schwertform. Fate gradually got up keeping her eyes on Signum, while her Barrier Jacket protected her from the damage she could still feel the pain in her back.

"You should have been able to easily fend off my attack. Do you know why you didn't?" Signum asked as she began to approach Fate "it's because you allowed the edge of your blade to dull"
"we're only practising" Fate replied bending over to pick up Bardiche who was currently in its Riot Blade form
"when you take up a sword, no matter the reason or occasion, if you plan to use it against someone you plan to kill"

Fate had requested Signum to train her in using Bardiche's sword forms however Signum responded in saying that what would need more training is Fate herself, after receiving permission to use the Training Platform out the back of Section 6 the two women began with Fate having Bardiche go straight to Riot Blade form.

"Despite that they are Devices, they are still swords. Tempered by our will, their edges sharpened with our intent. when 2 fight but only 1 has the intent to kill, the other will be cut down" Signum lectured
"but we don't have to kill one another in training"
"true, however that is a false sense of security which causes you to subconsciously hold back"

No matter how good your defence, how fast you can move, if you don't plan to kill your opponent they will always defeat you.

Signum's words focused Fate as Kyoya charged in but this time, rather than staying still and accepting his attack Fate charged at him as well. The crack of the Shinai echoed throughout the Dojo as the 2 traded blows with one another, despite such a low temperature and the layers of snow outside the 2 were sweating buckets beneath their Bōgu.

Fate got some distance from Kyoya and took off the men, the sweat dripping off her long golden hair as her breath took form the moment they escaped her mouth. The small droplets turned immediately from the refreshing wetness which cooled her face to icy daggers which scraped her face with their chill.

"you realize that I won't go easy of you even if you don't wear the Bōgu" Kyoya yelled out though the face mask
"you won't touch me, I know that much"

Kyoya lunged aiming for Fate's neck to prove her wrong, he knew exactly what he was doing and knew of the consequences however he wouldn't falter. Their Shinai snapped together as the 2 collided; with Fate forcing Kyoya's Shinai back he knew he had to destabilize her. Kyoya swiped his feet tripping Fate causing her to fall onto her back, with little room to move Kyoya thrust his Shinai down yet despite a lack of moment Fate tilted her head to avoid the blow before grabbing the Shinai and pulling it, Kyoya fell forward onto Fate's held up feet before throw him over her.

Crashing on the ground Kyoya quickly got up expecting Fate's attack however was surprised to find her waiting.
The longer this drags out the more serious she gets, I have to end it now.

Fate could sense the murderous aura coming from Kyoya, an aura which she had once faced in the past

"there is one kind of attack you must be wary of. An attack that any sword wielder should have at least one of" Signum noted as she threw off the upper portions of her Knight Clothes. Fate gripped Bardiche tighter in anticipation knowing full well that Signum wasn't just going to tell but and show her.

"Schlangeform [Snake Form]"
"this kind of attack is known as an 'Ender', when one uses it, they don't plan to continue the fight, they plan to end it there and then, either in victory or defeat"

Fate was taken aback by the sudden emergence of a murderous aura engulfing the entire platform, all of it emanating from Signum.

"When you face an 'Ender' you must be prepared to risk it all, study your enemy's stance, where their hands are, every tiny twitch they make."
"Nachladen [Reload]"
"with an incredible amount of skill and luck you can defend against it with a defensive tactic however, the most for sure way to stop an 'Ender' with to beat it with your own"
"Schwertform [Sword Form]"

Laevatein burst into flames before reverting back into Schwertform, Fate could tell there was more to it than this having witnessed Laevatein to into Schlangeform and loading all 3 shells before reverting which on the surface seem to be a total waste.

"an 'Ender' will drain everything from the user, so if you know there will be no more fighting after it you should use your own without any regrets"
"if 2 'Enders' clash, what determines the victor" Fate asked studying Signum's and Laevatein's every movement
"the usual, skill, luck, terrain, weather. But your will is its greatest strength, your desire to win, to survive and to press on. It doesn't need to be the same thing all the time, let your desire fuel your attack"

the Training Platform was configured to be a forest and both Fate and Signum were deep inside. The other Wolkenritter, Hayate, Nanoha and Vivio were waiting for the 2 women to return with Shamal preparing a barbecue meal. suddenly a giant column of flames exploded from the platform and began to split up scorching the forest, the platform trembled causing large waves to bounce around from it

Fate relaxed her stance, she knew this was going to be Kyoya's final attack and in the years since she fought Signum she had yet to develop an 'Ender' of her own.

After all of that, she's giving up?
Kyoya was somewhat disappointed that Fate had relaxed her guard but regardless he was going to strike

Kyoya held his Shinai at his waist as if it has be sheathed. "Takamachi Iaido" Kyoya chanted as he pulled his Shinai away from his waist as if taking it out of its saya. Fate closed her eyes in preparation, she could still 《See》 the blue aura surrounding Kyoya
"Unbreakable Godly Strike!" with speed rivalling Fate's Kyoya shot forth, and within only a matter of seconds it would be over

Fate hadn't let her guard down on purpose, she hadn't given up, now or never she will have an 'Ender' of her own but she needed to be sure, this 'Ender' was to be her first

three,
it must mean more than proving to Kyoya that she is worthy of dating his sister.

Two,
it must do more than protect herself and win a fight.

One,
it needed to contain the very meaning of Fate's life, for now, and forever

zero
"FEITO-CHAN!" Nanoha screamed out

Fate gritted her teeth and the Shinai in her hand, the bamboo cracking under the pressure, a huge gust began to blow out with Fate in the centre, there was no magic, no supernatural, this was the will of Fate's heart. Kyoya did not stop, if Fate could not stop him she had no right to be by Nanoha's side.

"REIJINGU HATOOOOOOOOO!" with both hands Fate pulled her Shinai from her side and struck the side of Kyoya's splintering it as it went through the bamboo. Fate's Shinai smashed against Kyoya's men and broke apart just as Kyoya was lifted off his feet and throw across the room into the wall.

Kyoya's body slid down the wall, panting. He looked at the Shinai in his hand, totally destroyed by Fate's attack

it's called Unbreakable for a reason, yet she demolished it.

"and THAT! Was without any magic!" Fate called out before finally collapsing. Nanoha ran to Fate and held her, with a towel in hand she began to pat Fate down drying off the sweat before Fate got sick from being wet while it was cold.

"Bit much don't you think" Miyuki said as she helped Kyoya to his feet
"I believe that the girl should remain behind while they guy is her sword and shield. in absence of a guy in their relationship I questioned that Fate could be that, seems like I was mistaken, she's far greater than just a sword and shield"
"that was pretty cool, too bad Shinobu or Fiasse wasn't around to hear it"

As the older siblings went to leave a Bōgu's men collided into the back of Kyoya's head
"where the hell do you get off trying to kill my girlfriend!" Nanoha yelled
"I was testing her"
"stuff your test, you do that again and you'll deal with me"

Kyoya broke out in a cold sweat which replaced that which had been produced from his fight, Fate's attack was scary how it defeated his own, but Nanoha was beyond that

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[17th December 0081, 12:33 PM - Uminari Shopping Plaza, Earth] - A Summer King in Winter's Snow

Hayate yawned as she stretched out her body in the chair "they're late"
"well from Nanoha's text Fate got into a fight with Kyoya" Shamal replied confirming on her phone.
"Daaaa, it's just siblings coddling their Imōto, unable to accept she has a boyfriend...or girlfriend in Nanoha's case"

from the corner of her eye Hayate spotted a group coming into view and recognized the distinctive style of Nanoha's hair. Hayate got out of her chair and twisted her back popping the joints in her spine.

"Sorry we're late" Nanoha bowed apologetically
"don't sweat it. Speaking of sweat, did you clobber him Fate?"
"More or less, I broke 2 Shinai and it seems the wall needs to be repaired" Fate nervously boasted unsure if she should be happy about the damage she caused.

"I'm so sorry he did that, I knew they were going to ambush you but not like that" Nanoha said snuggling up to Fate.
"Isn't using magic a bit of overkill?" Hayate asked
"I didn't use magic, I made my own 'Ender'"
"like Signum's!" Shamal interrupted shocked that a second person could create such a move
"it probably wasn't as powerful put since I didn't use magic who knows" Fate shrugged

"Nanoha-mama, Feito-mama, stop wasting time!" Vivio complained "the longer we idle here the greater the risk Ein is going to catch a cold"
"I'm quite fine Vivio, though it's kind of disorientating to know it's summer but see winter"
"you'd get used to it after enough trips, like I did with Mid-Childa's weather" Hayate said tapping Einheart on the shoulder. "You do have her size right?" Hayate asked
"last night it seems Vivio got Einheart to try on some old clothes and they all fit so we can assume Einheart takes the same size as Vivio" Nanoha replied

"it's weird how we're the same size beside the fact I'm taller" commented Ein, she however began to regret saying those words when she saw Vivio poke her stomach
"I'm getting fat" Vivio sobbed trying to pinch herself
"you are not" Fate reassured Vivio picking her up and sitting her on her shoulders "Einheart is just thinner cause she's taller, if you squashed her down to your height she'll expand"
"hmmm, makes sense" Vivio pondered "Nanoha-mama always got me longer shirts and my dresses on Einheart did seem shorter"

As they walked down the street some of the passer-bys took notice of Einheart who, while wearing a winter coat, was wearing a summer dress so was out of place in winter. after visiting a number of stores Nanoha had brought Vivio's clothing at Einheart had plenty of winter clothing of varying sizes to last her a few years

The girls talked amongst themselves while they walked down the shopping mall, across the street 2 other figures sat on the roof of another building, both in block hooded robes. the one with Aqua blue trim on her robe laid on the lap of the other who was staring at the group

"doppelgangers"
"hmmm?" the blue trimmed woman moaned waking up from the monotone voice of the woman she was laying on. The vermilion trimmed woman lifted her hand, her outstretched finger tracking the group down on the street.
"Eh? weird, well it's none of our concern" the blue trimmed woman shrugged as she went back to sleep
"magi" the vermilion trimmed woman responded
"great" the blue trimmed woman complained unenthusiastically as she sat up. "hmmmm, not entirely a problem for us but our lord would be displeased if let them interfere, regardless how pointless it is"
"destroy"
"not yet, we cause more trouble for her by causing a raucous here"

"alternative" the vermilion trimmed woman said leaning forward to the blue trimmed woman and pushing her down. From under the hoods resounded the sound of lips smacking against one another as the 2 black masses began to squirm
"dam it! Take my underwear off first" the blue trimmed woman protested, yet her protest was only that, verbal, allowing her partner to take full control.

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[17th December 0081, 9:56 PM - Uminari Streets, Earth] - Twin Lighting and Star

After spending most of the day out Hayate offered to take the kids back to Nanoha's place given the 2 some quality time alone. The 2 had been walking aimlessly though the streets of Uminari and when it started to snow the 2 zipped up their coats and held one another's hand in Fate's pocket.

"this Christmas is going to surpass all those in the past, because I can spend it with my family accompanied by my girlfriend and our daughter" Nanoha smiled resting her head on Fate
"I do feel kind of bad for not being with my mother and brother" Fate said expressing her concern that she was spending too much time with Nanoha
"likewise, I feel as if I'm stealing you away. But at least they're coming over so it's not like your abandoning them during Christmas" Nanoha comforted Fate kissing her on the cheek

"it's getting late, we should he..." Fate suddenly stopped and let go on Nanoha's hand, grabbing her by the collar and throwing her forward into a pile of snow as she jumped back. The ground where they stood exploded and it was thanks to Fate's quick reflexes that they were unharmed.

Nanoha stood up and brushed the snow off her coat, she followed Fate's gaze to 2 clocked figured sitting on the roof on the bus shelter across the street, one with aqua blue trim on her robe while the other, with vermilion trim, clung to the first woman.

"Wow! didn't think I'd seen someone else with such quick reflexes without mana amplification" the blue trimmed woman yelled out
"who are you" Fate demanded, angry that her moment with Nanoha was so rudely interrupted.

The 2 cloaked women tugged at their robes and pulled them off, to Fate's and Nanoha's shock these 2 women looked just like them. the Fate look-a-like had blue hair instead of Fate's blonde hair and vermilion eyes, she also wore a barrier jacket very similar to Fate's from back when she was young but every shade of red was replaced with a similar shade of blue, even her device was similar to Bardiche yet having a Blue gem over Bardiche's yellow gem and the head being more purple then black.

The Nanoha look-a-like had shorter cut brown hair over Nanoha's long auburn hair and her eye was bright blue and contracted yet having a distant emotionless feel to them. Much like the Fate look-a-like her barrier jacket was similar to Nanoha's yet was a deep vermilion with a purple bow over Nanoha's white and red bow. Her device, similar to Nanoha's was red with a purple gem over Raising Heart's gold and red gem. Both women however wore kimonos with the blue haired woman's navy blue kimono under her cape and the brown haired woman's over top her jacket.

"I am Levi" the blue haired woman smiled "and this is my irresistible and greatly desired partner, Seikou"

"why did you attack us?"
"Standby Read, Setup"
"we weren't doing anything wrong by you" Nanoha argued as Raising Heart went into Device Mode, Nanoha's original coat also fusing into her barrier jacket to provide extra warmth

"so? the problem is that Seikou has a keen sense for active Magi and it'll inconvenience our lord if you annoyed her with any sort of resistance"

"Standby Read, Setup"
"who's your lord" Fate asked
"what's the point in telling you, you're going to die anyway" Levi replied holding her devices in the air

"Bmycsy Nyeh", a ring of electrical energy appeared above Seikou and Levi in time with the foreign voice which emitted from Levi's staff. From within the centre void formed bolts which shot at great speeds towards Nanoha and Fate forcing them to fly up into the air. despite being separated and flying in totally different directions, the bolts fired from both the front and back of the ring and turned slightly to aim, however this seemed to be the only aiming they did and did not home in.

Levi looked down to Seikou who, despite having near emotionless eyes, there was a hint of wanting in them as she looked up to Levi.
"now it's my turn" Levi said as she leaned down and began to passionately kiss Seikou, her hand sliding up Seikou's leg while with her free hand Levi moved the kimono away from Seikou's chest.

"You feel insulted by this!" Fate yelled out to Nanoha
"what? That they're making out while firing at us, yeh!"

The 2 women changed their courses and headed straight for the couple weaving through the fired bolts.
"Haken Form", Fate came in to Seikou's side and brought down Bardiche's blade however Seikou, breaking away from her kiss with Levi, held out her staff.
"Nuiht Creamt", a magic circle formed just in time to block Fate's attack, yet to Fate the circle in front of her, while mostly unfamiliar, made her think she had seen it somewhere before.

"Accel Shooter" using Fate's block to her advantage she fired off a volley of shots and redirected them to surround the couple and come in at all directions. With their intimacy broken Levi spat out and called off her attack

"Tavahcan", a domed barrier enveloped the pair blocking Nanoha's attack with Fate having flown out of the way as not to worry Nanoha about being caught. As the barrier dissipated Seikou stood up and readjusted her kimono. "Underestimated" she said in her monotone voice, glaring at Fate with her near emotionless eyes.
"you have a point, lucky we're dealing with them now rather than our lord"

"Pmedw Suja", Levi disappeared from Nanoha's sight however Nanoha instinctively knew that Levi hadn't just disappeared, she was moving incredibly fast
"Round Shield" wasting no time Nanoha erected a shield and within moment Levi's scythe smashed into it pushing Nanoha back.

"Nuiht Creamt", a similar scene played out over the bus shelter with Fate charging in against and Bardiche's blade being blocked by Seikou however unlike Nanoha and Levi, Seikou could not be pushed back at the same angle that Fate had attacked from. Seikou's lips slightly contorted as she appeared to struggle to hold Fate back, seeing as how she couldn't be pushed back Fate back off slightly and struck again and again trying to whittle down Seikou's resistance.

"Najanca Cdyn Lindyeh", energy erupted from just under Fate as she went in for her next attack, a different kind of defence where star-like lights rose from the ground like a reversed curtain. As Bardiche's blade was pressed against it Fate could feel something hitting the blade from underneath and was forced back should she loose her grip and let go.

Levi suddenly disappeared from Nanoha's view yet again however it wasn't surprising, considering Levi had only been attacking Nanoha's defended front she would have thought it weird if Levi didn't get around behind her and attack her unguarded back.
"Direction Shield", Nanoha spun around and block Levis attack however deliberately stopped it at an angle forcing Levi's scythe to grind against the shield. Following Levi's movement Nanoha turned around until she could grab Levi's leg, with a quick mid-air tumble Nanoha threw the surprised Levi into the ground.

"Vmycr Pmycd", Seikou jumped back and fired a blast at Fate exploding front of her with a bright flash allowing Seikou to fly past Fate and to Levi's side.
"Hurt?"
"It's not that bad" Levi reassured Seikou hinting that Seikou had said far more than a single word.

After recovering her sight Fate flew to Nanoha's side as Nanoha descended to the ground
"you get the feeling there's something about their magic" Fate asked as she arrived
"yeh, but I can't put my finger on it"

"retreat"
"No!" Levi yelled "I won't be outclassed by either of them!"

"Pmedw Suja", "Cdynmekrd Cruudan"
Levi shot forth with Seikou firing from behind around her keeping Fate and Nanoha within Levi's line of attack. With the movement of her free hand some of Seikou's fired shots altered course forcing Nanoha to use her Direction Shield to cover while Fate was left to deal with Levi.

"Riot Blade", Fate was all that stood between Levi and Nanoha and refused to let Levi pass; Fate had Bardiche change to a sword choosing the Riot Blade for the speed to counter Levi's attacks. The Saber and Scythe clashed repeatedly as the 2 women match each other's speeds, counter and attacking, their bodies almost blurred.

"Auto Guard, Defenser", Seikou had redirect some of her attack to float above Levi and Fate and as soon as Bardiche's Auto Guard kicked in Levi fell back to allow Fate to be pummelled by the shower of attack

"Tejeha Picdan", "Divine Buster"
With Fate now pinned Seikou had flown above and began to charge up another spell. Seeing a spell of hers reflected in Seikou's actions Nanoha flew above Fate and fired her own. The 2 large beams of energy, one pink the other vermilion smashed against one another and with neither willing to give up the 2 casters were pinned in a tag-of-war like attack, each one trying to push the other's attack back.

Levi saw her chance to attack the preoccupied Nanoha yet just as she thought about to make her attack Fate flew in and clotheslined her. The 2 resumed their clash of blades while the other 2 women battled it out in a contest of perseverance. Levi got some distance and pointed her device at Fate who was following after her.

"Mekrdehk Vunlan", prepared to counter a range spell Fate was caught off guard by the sudden close range attack which threw her back and into Nanoha disrupting her attack yet pushing both of them out of the way of Seikou's spell. Fate tried to get up but her body tingled all over, a similar feeling to when she would use Thunder Arm or her Lighting Mana Conversion Affinity.

"End" Seikou remarked as she floated down
"we were just going easy on you too, how sad, for doppelgangers your pathetic!"

Levi pointed her Device at Fate and Nanoha with Nanoha pointer her ready to defend Fate but before any spell was cast a rock was shot from down the street and struck Seikou in the head knocking her to the ground. Levi abandoned her attack and ran straight to the downed girl.
"Seikou! You ok? hang on, I'll apply pressure to stop you bleeding to death" Levi franticly said overreacting after seeing the small trickle of blood coming from Seikou's forehead
"needless" Seikou replied rubbing her head
"I'll be fine, but first", Levi got up with her Device gripped tightly in her hand as she stared down the street the rock came from "WHO THE HELL IS DOWN THERE! SHOW YOURSELF!"

A pair of heels clopped down the pavement of the street before out of the shadows a young woman with long purple hair appeared.
"You don't look like you're from around here and your starting fights with my friends?" Suzuka said tossing a rock strait up into the air and catching it in her hand
"Bmycsy Myhlan", "SHUT IT BITCH!" Levi yelled firing a bolt at Suzuka, right as the bolt was about to make contact it exploded on the ground. With such speed Suzuka was now standing on top a street light.
"Cdynmekrd Cruudan", Seikou saw Suzuka's movement and pointed her device firing multiple shots. Suzuka turned and for a brief moment, her usual blue eyes began to glow red before the area where she stood exploded.

"Suzuka!" Nanoha yelled
"humph, serves her right" Levi spat satisfied that Suzuka was dead.

As the smoke cleared Levi satisfied look turned to shock, on top the street light was now a pair of black raven like wings. The wings opened revealing the girl they protected.
"Suzuka?" Fate questioned. She had all reason to suspect, the Suzuka standing there had far paler skin, her yes glowed a deep crimson red and her nails had turned a deep purple and grown like claws. All of this accompanied by the pair of raven like wings which unfolded from behind her to twice her size.

Shock took hold of Levi, a human with no protective gear, much less magic surviving Seikou's attack? "What the hell!" she said, breaking free of the shock for a moment.

The moment Suzuka spoke in a voice from another world Fate had been answered, Levi had been answered. Her voice as powerful as her presence. "You dare enter this town, bring trouble and attack my friends? What fools you are. Did you not think to gather information on what denizens dwell here?" Suzuka responded, her voice taking on an ethereal quality, reverberating across the land.

"Ha! Like you can stop us!" Levi flew towards Suzuka with scythe in hand. Suzuka held out her hand and stopped Levi's blade. Levi tried to put more pressure but the blade refused to move forward as if against a solid wall. Not a single drop of blood spilled from the fact that the blade was stopped by Suzuka's bare hand.

Suzuka's slender fingers wrapped around Levi's blade and gripped it tightly as she flung Levi like a doll out of her way.
"Cdynmekrd Cruudan", seeing Levi being thrown Seikou fired a barrage of shots thinking that with Suzuka's back turned she wouldn't have the time to face her and shield herself with her wings. She was however sorely mistaken, Suzuka sense the approaching attack and only slightly turned and used one wing to shield herself, with one flap of the wing a great gale picked up which ripped apart the side walk.

Seikou took to the sky to avoid Suzuka's attack and get the higher vantage point, however Suzuka wouldn't allow it taking flight herself, her large and power wings carrying her with ease. Suzuka and Seikou arrived at the same altitude and stared each other off, Seikou's device aimed at Suzuka while 2 blades grew out of Suzuka's arms running along her hands.

Suzuka charged at Seikou with Levi from bellow flying in to intercept her, however as she got closer she began to become lethargic, her speed dropped sharply and she let go of her device before free-falling from the sky. Suzuka come in to attack only for Seikou to duck down and fly towards the falling Levi, catching her just before she hit the ground.

"resistance"
"he, he, it's worse when it's you" Levi replied showing the weakness in her body in her voice.

Levi reached out in the direction of her device causing it to teleport to her. "You three got lucky this night on a technicality, but if we meet again it won't happen a second time" Levi said before both her and Seikou vanished.

Fate tried to stand up yet the paralysis still lingered and found it hard to stand up. Nanoha allowed Fate's arm to rest behind her neck as she supported Fate's weight while Fate tried to walk. The two of them watched Suzuka descend down and gently land, her wings vanished leaving only a few free feathers behind while all the rest of her features returned to normal.

"Suzu" Nanoha said, concerned for her friend's welfare after what they had just witnessed
"I'm ok" Suzuka reassured Nanoha "but first let's get you two home"

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[17th December 0081, 11:03 PM - Takamachi House, Earth] - Child of the Night

By the time they got back Fate was ok to move on her own unassisted however Nanoha was still worried and remained close to Fate in case if she suddenly collapsed.
"Tadaima!" Suzuka called out and almost immediately Arisa came running to the door to greet them
"what happ...Suzu!"

Just as she closed the door Suzuka collapsed, her face and lips going blue and purple as if she was extremely cold.
"No, this is, you used them didn't you!" Arisa said holding her girlfriend in her arms
"I had no choice, some women were picking a fight with Nano-chan and Fate-chan" Suzuka explained, her pained breather causing Arisa to cringe.

Arisa undid a button on her blouse and slid it down one of her shoulders, tiling her head to expose her neck in clear view of Suzuka
"I can't" Suzuka refused
"it hurts more seeing you like this" Arisa urged.

Suzuka gave in and edged closer to Arisa, a pairs of teeth protruded from her mouth like the fangs of an animal before Suzuka stabbed them into Arisa neck. Suzuka sucked and gulped while Arisa kept her eyes closed, trying to keep the pain from showing on her face. Suzuka withdrew and stood up wiping the red substance from her lips while Arisa covered the 2 small puncture marks on her neck.

"Suzu, what did you..." Nanoha was cut short by the thumping of feet running through the house. Kyoya and Miyuki ran around the corner both wielding drawn katana. Kyoya pushed through Nanoha and Fate, shoved Arisa away and grabbed Suzuka pinning her to the wall by the collar as he held his sword in one hand aimed at her heart while Miyuki stood in front of Nanoha and Fate as if protecting them.

"Daughter of Tsukimura Blood, Child of the Night, bare you fangs on humanity and forfeit your life. you agreed to this contract did you not" demanded Miyuki
"I am incapable of turning people and Arisa offered herself to me"
"regardless, you broke the contract"

Arisa grabbed the arm Kyoya held is sword and pulled it back enough to allow her to stand between him and Suzuka. "I won't let you hurt her; I have forced her every time to feed off me and..."
"Every time? You mean this isn't the first!"

Things were spiralling out of control fast and all Nanoha could do was stand there trembling. She was sure Seikou or Levi didn't hit her on the head and she was sure she was on earth.
"What's going on?" Nanoha stepped back, "Arisa-chan, Suzuka-chan, Onii-san, Onee-san, what's going on!" Nanoha screamed out unable to cope dropping to the ground
"Nanoha, get a hold of yourself"
"Feito, you're really my Feito, right? Right!"

"Kyoya! Miyuki! Put your weapons down!" Shiro walked around the corner tightening his dressing gown "can't you see you're upsetting your imoto, and Kyoya, can you honestly say you would do what Arisa did if it was for Shinobu?"

Miyuki and Kyoya lowered their weapons while Kyoya released Suzuka. Shiro approached Nanoha and held his daughter lovingly letting her know that he was her father. Despite being a grown woman Nanoha felt like a child once again in her father's comforting arms.

The group headed to the lounged where Miyuki took out a first aid kit and bandaged Arisa's neck. There was awkward silence as Nanoha waited for either Suzuka or her siblings to explain what happened while Suzuka did want to interrupt anyone who may want to speak first. After Miyuki finished bandaging Arisa's neck Suzuka spoke up

"I'm sorry Nanoha" she apologised "you see my family comes from a long line of Vampires. I was born with the ability to live without having to feed off blood regularly. it was thought that I was born without powers but we later learned that if I use my power I require blood"
"I found out about a month or 2 ago, Suzu was really weak and I offered my blood, like this time I forced Suzu to drink"
"doesn't it hurt?" Fate asked seeing Arisa rub her neck where Suzuka bit
"yeh, but it's nothing compared to see my girlfriend suffer. You're the same right?" Arisa said. Fate though for the moment imaging Nanoha as a vampire refusing to drink her blood and nodded in agreement when she could see herself offering herself up to Nanoha

"as for me and Kyoya-nii-san, we were bodyguards who for a time were hired by Fiasse" Miyuki added
"Fiasse-nee-san!" Nanoha remembered Fiasse from her childhood, a close friend of Miyuki and Kyoya who Nanoha looked up to like a sister however after becoming a mage she saw less of her.

Kyoya nodded confirming to Nanoha he was talking about the same Fiasse, "Shinobu is also a Vampire who has advance regeneration and an agreement between our father than the Tsukimura Family, so long as they don't attack innocent humans for blood we will do what we can to protect their true nature including from any hunter. those that break the contract forfeit the protection"
"I suppose you had your fair share of secrets to hide" Nanoha said
"yet we've kept it hidden from you for even longer than you hiding the fact you could use magic, so we're the worse ones" Kyoya said attempting to cheer up Nanoha. "I would like to know why you had to use your power Suzuka" he asked since Suzuka only needed to drink blood if her powers were used
"well Vivio-chan wanted me to find her mama's who were late coming home so I thought I'd get a better view in the air"

at first Kyoya was suspicious of Suzuka's reason but reluctantly accepted it. If she was covering up for Nanoha and Fate then he had no right interfering considering how long he had kept his past secret from his own little sister before he and Miyuki bid the girls goodnight before retiring to their rooms. Nanoha and Fate were about to retire for the night themselves when Suzuka and Arisa revealed that they would be staying a few extra days and followed them back to their room.

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[18th December 0081, 10:22 AM - Uminari: Restaurant, Earth] - Ace Challenge

"man, where ever we go we somehow bring trouble with us" Hayate complained before sucking on a straw, gurgling at the bottom of the now empty cup.

Nanoha and Fate had invited Hayate and only Hayate out to explain what had happened the night prior, the attack by Seikou and Levi; how Suzuka revealed herself to be a vampire and what happened when they got home. Hayate was less than impressed that after they split up her friends got attacked.

"I kinda hoped that every year our Christmas could be peaceful" Nanoha said, dejected with this attack hanging over them
"they have to have been here already otherwise the Claudia would have detected them"
"they could be that energy signature in the Antarctic?"
"Doubt it" Hayate said rejecting Fate's suggestion "something tells me that totally different to this"

the 3 women sat there silent, pondering their next move with Nanoha and Fate playing with their half-filled cups.
"We could just ignore it? If they came after you then we fight otherwise..." Hayate stopped seeing Nanoha shake her head "I can't in good conscience ignore it"
Hayate sighed, "you're the worst person to have Magic, your big heart compels you to act even if you have the option to ignore it"
"that's a bad thing?"
"not really" Hayate laughed before getting up "I'll go tell the Wolkenritter and"
"no!" Nanoha interrupted "if possible I'd rather keep everyone else out of this; we don't need their Christmas ruined too. It's the reason why Alph isn't with us now"
Hayate nodded agreeing with Nanoha. They were choosing to fight and there was no reason to drag everyone else in especially when they had no leads.

As the bill for the meal arrived Nanoha urged her friend to go on ahead of her while he remained and paid. with the money in hand Nanoha went to pick up the bill and take it to the counter however found a second slip of paper, normally the bill was a single slip.

The second slip it felt thicker in Nanoha's hand as she inspected it finding that it was folded. Opening it revealed it to be a letter with no names written on it as to who wrote it or who the intended recipient was

'To the Doppelgangers,

Levi is better now. You have not escaped. In the name of the lord we pledge our hearts to, this night we will finish that we have started.'

Nanoha suddenly realised, the waiter who gave them the bill looked down to Nanoha, that brief moment Nanoha hadn't thought to connect that the waiter had looked like her but with blue eyes. Fate and Hayate turned back when they head Nanoha's chair drag out and fall to the ground as Nanoha ran into the back of the restaurant.
"Has any female employees came through here?" she asked a nearby cook
"yeh, one of our waiting staff, she went out to the back, provably for her break"

Nanoha bowed thanking the cook before continuing her pursuit. The backdoor slammed open but Nanoha was greeted with an empty alleyway, or so she thought. Collapsed against the dumpster was a member of the restaurant's waiting staff with their uniform thrown over them. Fate and Hayate followed quickly after Nanoha who was tending to the waiter, as Hayate and Fate went to help Nanoha Fate noticed the letter and knew the meaning behind Nanoha's sudden urge come here.

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[18th December 0081, 9:13 PM - Uminari: Streets, Earth] - Material 3

Nanoha, Fate and Hayate, the 3 Aces of the TSAB, strolled down the street in their Barrier Jackets/Knight Clothes. While they could fly given they had been challenged by Seikou and Levi who used unfamiliar Magic they needed to conserve as much Magic as they could and couldn't afford to use it for idle flying.

"So how did you two get away?" Hayate asked growing bored with the silence,
"we just snuck out after everyone was asleep"
"though we had to promise Suzuka that we weren't getting into any danger when she caught us" Fate added continuing Nanoha's explanation. "How about you?"
"who said I got away alone" Hayate commented, Nanoha and Fate started to look around them for any signed that they were being tailed before a tiny voice drew their attention back to Hayate
"it's kind of rude you leave me behind" Rein said popping her head out of Hayate's breast pocket

the group entered the area where Nanoha and Fate fought Seikou and Levi the night prior. Because the damage was relatively minor no one thought to try and fix it since it wouldn't impact on the local commerce. Fate had thought that Seikou and Levi would be waiting here however after waiting for a few minutes with their senses keen on any disturbances they continued down the street.

It wasn't long after that in the empty streets the group found a couple sitting on a bench. At first they paid no mind however as they got closer Nanoha and Fate recognized that the couple was Seikou and Levi. Seikou had a pockey stick sticking out of her mouth twitching it with her tongue enticing Levi who then leaned over and took the other end in her own mouth kissing Seikou at the same time

"we should do this with our lord at some point"
"romantic"
"no no, you be the one to do it"

Levi noticed Seikou's eyes dart to her side and quickly turned around "well, well, well, look who turned up, thought you'd be miles from here"
"look, please tell us what it is you're doing, maybe there's something we can do to help?" Nanoha stepping forward praying they could resolve this without a fight
Levi began to laugh hysterically holding in her stomach as she keeled over, "HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA! That's a good one"
"ridiculous"
"what's ridiculous about it. If we can avoid fighting"
"you'd help us take over this planet to avoid a fight!" Levi interrupted revealing their intention

Nanoha averted her eyes dejected, it was a goal Nanoha could allow and that Seikou and Levi seemed determined to accomplish it. "then we have no choice do we" Nanoha said as she took out Raising Heart queuing Fate and Hayate to take out their devices and for Rein to Unison with Hayate
"Hayate, you remain in the back and cover us" Fate suggested seeing Hayate nod in agreement with the plan.

"Clodra Cmycr" "Cdynmekrd Cruudan"
Levi kicked off the ground towards the group while Seikou fired from behind. The formation was similar to what Fate and Nanoha had encounter in their last encounter however this time Nanoha and Fate had Hayate with them.
"Beschleunigt Schütze [Accel Shooter]", Hayate called upon a spell she gained from Nanoha and intercepted Seikou's attacks giving Nanoha a chance to fly up, even if Seikou could get anything past Hayate's attacks Seikou couldn't keep Fate pined to the ground with the looming risk of a possible bombardment from above by Nanoha.
"Accel Shooter", Nanoha began shooting bolts one at a time and forced Seikou to abandon her position. Nanoha could just barely defend against Levi speed so she and Hayate had to keep Seikou out of Levi's and Fate's fight so Fate could focus on keeping Levi engages with her.

with Seikou no longer a concern Fate had more freedom to move around using her own speed against Levi, the 2 weren't just equal in speed but also in reflexes, every time Fate would get into Levi's blind spot Levi would already be on her way to striking Fate while every time Levi disappeared from Fate's vision she'd be able to move her body out of the way and counter attack.
"I don't care how I do it I won't be bested by Testarossa!" Levi yelled as she attacked. Fate was taken aback; she didn't recall her last name being said in their last fight.

Levi disappeared once again and with the jolting feeling in her back Fate spun around to counter attack, yet Bardiche's blade didn't come into contact with Levi's scythe like it had been before instead cutting through the air and stabbing itself into the ground. Levi has misled Fate, a false sense of security she took advantage of and abandoned her attack and got some distance.

"M-Nibdeuh", Levi's scythe crackled with electricity as she dug the blade into the ground. The electricity discharged erupting from the ground and shot towards Fate, tearing up the asphalt.
"Round Shield", without Seikou in her way Fate could have just flew up however she knew had she did the blast would keep going down the street and if it didn't stop could hit the houses behind. The sheer force of the attack pushed her over giving Levi the split second she needed to strike Fate down.

"Yew Pfeil [Yew arrow]", bellow Hayate could see Fate was in no position to defend herself against the looming Levi and a Device's Auto-Guard wasn't an effective defence against a sustained attack so she had to intervene. An arrow shot from the Belkan Magic Circle which appeared and struck Levi in the back. Her back arched but there was no lasting signs. Hayate wasn't at all surprised; even if they used a foreign Magic System they must have some sort of Barrier Jacket/Knight Clothing Equivalent. Of cause Hayate's goal was only to distract Levi for the vital seconds needed for Fate to get out of Levi's range.

Nanoha flew in close to Hayate and erected a shield blocking Seikou's attack. Hayate had changed her focus from Seikou to Levi however she was glad that Nanoha had her back, a mistake like that could have been costly.

While the fight raged on, on top of a building stood another figure, disinterested in the pointless resistance put up by one side, they were just prolonging the inevitable. The figure closed her eyes and chanted as she held up a staff into the air. Seikou and Levi called off their attacks and reunited, Seikou gazed longing into Levi's eyes before the 2 kissed deeply.

"Man, are we like that" Nanoha commented with Fate shaking her head
"no, something is not right"

as the couple kissed their bodies began to glow, enveloped by an aura. At first Hayate thought it might be generated from their love but realized that a spell had been cast by Seikou and though their kiss Levi was being affected also.

the Ace's bodies slammed into the ground as a pulse washed over them, as if something heavy had been placed on them they was pressured into the ground with their heads and fingers just barely able to move.
"Hayate-chan!"
"No Rein, stay there" Hayate said speaking to Rein inside of her, Rein's worry could have led her to de-unison from Hayate and be caught in whatever was afflicting them however while unisoned Rein had was unaffected.

Seikou and Levi broke from their kiss and flew up the side of the building to where the figure stood, each taking one of her outstretched arms and gently carried her to the ground. Hayate wasn't sure if she was surprised to see it or expect it given Seikou's and Levi's appearance. standing before the Aces was a second Hayate in darker clothing, in her right hand a staff just like Hayate's Schwertkreuz and in her left a book like the Tome of the Night Sky. if Hayate speculated this look-a-like had a device similar to her Reinforce then her lack of wings and balmoral were a result of not having a Unison yet she retained the same coloured hair has Hayate's could become when unisoned with Rein

"These are the doppelgangers?" the woman questioned looking over the 3 women
"yes lord and look at this!", Levi sat on Hayate's back and grabbed her hair forcing her to lift her head against the overwhelming pressure on her body "this one looks just you"
"are you in love with her?"
"What!? No of cause not lord"
"then this parasite attempts to mimic us yet fails to captivate our beauty" the woman said, the level of disgust she held towards Hayate was evident in her stare.

"Who are you?" Nanoha yelled out.
The women held out her staff and without even acknowledging Nanoha by looking and her pointed her staff. The air hummed around her as Nanoha was sent flying along the ground smashing into a nearby pole. While her Barrier Jacket saved her spine from being broken the pain wasn't dulled. Fate cringed as Nanoha screamed out in agony, she couldn't even stand up to comfort Nanoha who was tearing up.

"Do not speak unless spoken to" the woman chastised, her eyes shifted from Hayate to the book she held close to her. "Where did you get that" the woman demanded however Hayate remained silent. The woman lifted her staff into the air, Hayate felt whatever force was holding her down become heavier finding it harder to breathe with her chest almost being crushed between her body and the ground.
"Do not ignore us, where did you obtain that book"
"how about you give us your name first" Hayate challenged remaining defiant

the woman smirked "We are Lord Dearche, Lord of Material Domination. Now answer us, where did you obtain that book!"
"It was left to be by a woman I loved"
"humph, a trash counterfeit not fit to exists within our presence, the same as the look-a-likes. Seikou! Levi, dispose of them!" Dearche ordered

"Volt Lancer". Seikou's and Levi's approached to Nanoha and Fate ceased, stopped by bolts of energy exploding in their path. Standing in their way was Trishia in the clothing she wore when she fought on 1st Mako and standing between Hayate and Dearche was Alicia

"Dearche, please stop this"
"It seems we have blessed not only by Testarossa but by the Princess as well. Go home little girl."
"Dearche! By order of the Scholars Faction..."
"You dare order us!" Dearche yelled swinging her staff and cutting Alicia off.
"What about you two? Dearche will face punishment but you are just following orders" Trishia asked the two women before her
"loyalty"
"she's right. We not following orders, we're here on our own will, following our devotion to Lord Dearche"

Alicia sighed "then you leave us with no choice. By the authority granted to me by the Maestro 5 and the Military Faction's Special Operations Director, I, Alicia Testarossa place the 3 of you under arrest"
"go ahead a try" Dearche said opening up her book staring Alicia down. "DESTROY THEM!"

Seikou and Levi charged forward towards Trishia who had already pulled out Miyanu. Seikou closed in with her staff to attack but not with a shooting spell. Miyanu locked with the head of Seikou's staff and with Seikou floating off the ground and staying Trishia's blade Levi slipped in underneath, Trishia wasn't surprised by the tactic and saw the flaw in Seikou's move.

Trishia let go of Miyanu and kicked Seikou in the side of her waist, without Trishia grip against Seikou's staff Miyanu slipped out with Trishia catching her and countering Levi's attempted attack. As Trishia fought Seikou and Levi her attention was divided between her own fight and that of Alicia and Dearche, seeing a chance when she was looking towards the pair Seikou blasted Trishia.

"Trish, forget about me and take care of yourself!" Alicia yelled out, she felt like a hypocrite saying that when she herself worried about Trishia who had been withdrawn since they left Mid-Childa.
"Clodra Saber, Volt Lancer", Alicia launched the Mana Blade from Ballad before accompanying it with a rain of bolts however Dearche just stood there, Magic Circles matching Alicia's erected blocking every attack.

"You disappoint us Testarossa" Dearche remarked. Ballad's head flipped down before splitting down the middle, each side rotated around the pole while Ballad's Gem rotated to face forward, the end result still retaining its symmetrical look.
Alicia aimed Ballad's Gem at Dearche who seemed unconcerned of what Alicia was preparing. Once Alicia stabilized her aim 2 great wings of Mana exploded out of Ballad's head. "Lightning Cannon", contained within multiple Al-Hazard Loops a beam, twice the size of Dearche's and Alicia's combined height shot out from Ballad's head.

Dearche was apathetic as she pointed out her staff forward, "Navmaldeuh Dnyhcvanahla [Reflection Transference]", like a shield a magic circle appears however it did nothing to hold back the blast but rather the blast went into the circle being absorbed by Dearche. Alicia had no idea Dearche had a spell like and cancelled her attack but Dearche had already absorbed a lot of the magic fired at her.

Dearche held her staff up where a second magic circle appeared, bolts of lightning shot out at random blasting chunks out of the ground. One bolt struck the bowser of a nearby petrol station, the electricity in the bolt arced around igniting the fumes causing the bowser to explode. The flames fed back into the fuel line triggering a chain reaction which caused the other bowsers to explode one by one; eventually the flames fed into the underground petrol tank igniting its contents destroy the station entirely.

The shock waves of the explosion knocked Alicia over but to her luck one of the bolts were headed her way and with being knocked over she had avoided it. Alicia quickly got up; despite the advantage she had lost focus on Dearche. Attempting to reaffirm where Dearche had been standing Alicia found no one.
"Has a year dulled your strength?"

"Clodra Form", Alicia swung Ballad around yet with her staff Dearche had stop Ballad and with a quick flick smashed the head of her staff into Alicia, watching her tumble on the ground Dearche banged the end of her staff into the ground creating a magic circle where Alicia would roll onto however Alicia quickly got her footing back.

"Clodra Saber", launching a second Mana Blade Dearche didn't respond at all instead allowed the blade to slice her though her abdomen. Her body exploded into pieces of paper giving Alicia cause for alarm, the circle she avoided rolling into wasn't a trap but teleportation. By the time Alicia realized her mistake something swiped under the feet from behind her before another circle appeared in front with Dearche standing on it. The pages in Dearche's book rustled through as her hand hovered above before the pages suddenly stopped and a circle appeared in front of her where she was holding out her staff.

"Syhy Lyhhuhyta [Mana Cannonade]", 8 Magic circles appeared in front of the larger one and fired repeatedly at Alicia. Ballad immediately deployed the Auto-guard however it was to no avail against the barrage fired by Dearche with the erected barrier failing after a few seconds. Each hit pushing Alicia's body back further and further before the attacks stopped and her body, no longer having the forward momentum gained from Dearche's attack, accepted gravity and crashed into the ground.

Alicia struggled trying to get up, her clothing's defensive enchantments prevented much of the damage but her limbs were still sore from the barrage. Small trails of smoke floated into the air from every impact point. The fluttering sound of paper from behind drew Alicia's attention away from her languished attempts at getting up.
"Sir, Lord Dearche's Mana output is increasing at an alarming rate. Auto-Guard is damaged however even if it wasn't I would not suggest relying on it, immediate evasion is required"

"Syzacdo uv dra Munt [Majesty of the Lord]". She had no time, Dearche fired her attack at the downed Alicia, even without Ballad's warning she could feel the destructive capabilities of the oncoming attack. She knew she wasn't going to get out this unscathed.

Alicia's vision of the attack was suddenly obscured as Trishia stood in front.
"Simde-Tavahcan [Multi-Defenser]", just as Dearche's attack was about to hit Trishia blocked it with a string of shields but it was all for naught, the shields cracked and shattered allowing Dearche's attack through but rather than trying to flee Trishia held out her arms and using her own body took the attack. From behind Alicia could see the blast being held back by Trishia's body but also could see fragments of her clothes being ripped off.

Time began to slow down for Trishia as the attack ripped through her clothes, the magical properties of the clothing held delayed the attack but they wouldn't last, Trishia's conscience began to fade from excruciating pain as the attack finally started to tear at her bare chest.

Once the attack subsided Trishia fell backwards by Alicia's side,
"Trish?" like a little girl trying to wake someone up Alicia places her hand on Trishia's chest and called out to her. Alicia lifted her hands when they glided across Trishia's chest far too easily; they were wet, and red. Her hands trembled as she slowly looked past them; the attack had left a great wound in Trishia's chest and was bleeding profusely. She couldn't see Trishia's chest move, nor hear her breath.
No, you can't be, just as you was accepting who you were.

"TRISH!" Alicia scream out crying, her wailing drowning out the footsteps of the approaching Dearche or the landing of Seikou and Levi. Alicia only noticed when Dearche pointed her staff at Alicia, a foot shy from touching her face.
"How peculiar. It's strange the Princess would make such a rash move. Still, it was our mistake to have such distance. It won't be repeated"
To think she's gotten so strong in just a year. Still, I allowed this to happen. Alicia thought to herself as she prepared to accept Dearche's attack.

"Yew Pfeil [Yew arrow]", Dearche casually stepped back avoiding the arrows that were shot at her, conflicted with both surprise and disgust. Floating above was Nanoha, Fate and Hayate, freed from their affliction.

"How did you..."
"Break free? Simple" Hayate interrupted as she cupped her hand in front of her chest, all but 2 wings disappeared and her hair reverted to its natural colour while Rein materialized from Hayate's body.
"Hayate-chan could easily work out a countermeasure for herself but the problem was she was unable to use any spell effectively in her state, so I devised an alternative localized spell to use from within freeing Hayate-chan to use her spell"

Dearche impassively stared at Hayate all the while grating her teeth "you dare interrupt when being spoke to?" said calmly as she held out her staff.
"Knyjedo Vmiqan [Gravity Fluxer]", recognizing Dearche's spell Hayate moved in front of her friends with Rein once again unisoning with her.
"Anbruch Treue [Dawn Fidelity]", Hayate fired her countermeasure to avoid them being afflicted again. The 2 spells clashed forming a ball of energy which crackled and twisted as the 2 spells negated one another.

As the spells faded Seikou and Levi rushed the trio eager to finish what they started. Nanoha and Fate engaged the pair covering Hayate as she headed to Dearche.
"Pmylg Gao Nyeh [Black Key Rain]", Hayate weaved through the long rapier-like swords till she got close enough to thrust her Staff. While not a common tactic to use with a staff the points on Schwertkreuz's head Hayate could use it as a make shift spear to cover up her lack of close range spells.

Dearche caught Hayate's attack with her own staff and pulled her down to the ground but with Hayate now closer she swung her leg around kicking Dearche freeing her staff and putting distance between them. With Dearche's stance broken Hayate took her chance to attack.

"Ragnarök" "Nykhynug [Ragnarök]", Dearche quickly recovered and seeing Hayate's about to cast fired off a spell of her own, the first that came to her mind. As the 2 identical spells struck Dearche became agitated.
"You are not just a doppelganger profaning our perfection, you are a Faker!" Dearche's attack grew larger and began to overwhelm Hayate's forcing her to abandon her attack and take to the air avoiding the beam.
"Dfecdat Kmobr - Mekrdehk [Twisted Glyph - Lighting]" Dearche fired a dark beam which swirled with currents of lighting lashing out on all sides. Hayate tried her best to avoid it but felt a sting on her ankle as one of the currents just tapped her. Dearche smiled realizing she had won and redirected her beam right at Hayate grounding her.

Hayate went to get up but as she put weight on her ankle her body gave in. knowing she couldn't stand she took her staff and twisted her body aiming at Dearche, ready to stand her ground.
"Oh do not worry; we don't intend to kill you just yet. we need to make an example out of you to any other Fakers out there"
"I'm no fake"
"your powers indicate otherwise"

Dearche quickly held up her staff as a great blue wolf lunged at her from behind Hayate. The wolf snarled as it gnawed at her staff, digging its teeth into the pole trying to snap it in two.
"Dam mongrel" she said as she kicked the wolf sending it back. The wolf dug its claws into the ground slowing itself down while shape sifting into a muscular, dark-skinned man with wolf ears and a tail.
"Schwalbefliegen", as several solid ironic spheres hurtled towards Dearche Levi broke away from her attack and swept Dearche off her feet in her arms

"Where does it hurt" Shamal ask as she landed next to Hayate. Hayate looked briefly to her affected foot before quickly glancing back towards where Alicia held Trishia, "Forget about me, help her!"

Shamal hesitated at first before attempting to heal Hayate however Hayate slapped her hands away. All that was wrong with her was that she couldn't stand properly, elsewhere there was a woman dying who needed immediate treatment. Seeing Hayate's determination Shamal ran towards Alicia and Trishia while Vita landed in front of Hayate.

"What are you doing here?"
"What are you, stupid? Did you think I wouldn't wake everyone up when I find both you and Rein gone?" Vita said, disapproving Hayate's actions to leave them behind

Signum parried Seikou and pushed her back while Chrono, armed with both S2U and Durandal, unleashed a hail of magical blasts forcing Seikou to go on the defensive.
"What is this all about?" Chrono asked
"we didn't want to spoil your Christmas"
"Christmas would be spoiled if we sat around while you 3 were fighting"

"annoying pests" Dearche spat out, "we grow tired of having to deal with this. Seikou, Levi, we leave"

As Seikou and Levi began to retreat Levi suddenly stopped and began to shake her hips noticing something was wrong, "oh no, the codex!" Levi looked back to where she had picked Dearche up, on the ground laid an old leather bounded book which Levi had clipped to her waist. In her mad rush to rescue Dearche the book had detached itself.

"Seikou!" Hearing Levi's yell and understanding her desire Seikou b-lined it to the book however stopped just short when Signum and Chrono stood in her way, their devices armed and ready.
"Forget about it"
"but lord!"

Dearche stared at Levi, her gaze silently telling her not to question her orders. Levi about face and flew off with Seikou following behind.

Everyone began to converge to where Alicia and Trishia sat, Trishia was still unresponsive and Alicia just sat there, her clothing dying red in blood as she just stared at Trishia. Deep inside, all Alicia could do was hate herself.

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[18th December 0081, 11:22 PM - Tokyo Airspace, Earth] - The Empress's Victory

Seikou and Levi, with Dearche in Levi's arms, were due south of their destination. Dearche had demanded they slow down so she could enjoy the breeze but when she looked to Levi averted her eyes in shame

"forgive me lord for losing the codex"
"we care not for it, it was a mere trinket"
"but it is now in enemy hands"

"what enemy" Dearche laughed demeaning the threat Nanoha's group posed to her "even with the codex in their possession, those pests and that dirty Faker could not hope to read the writings laid within"
"Alicia"

"you think so little of us Seikou" signed Dearche, "we have demoralized Testarossa. Even if the Princess somehow survived Testarossa's spirit is broken. Only Testarossa and the Princess posed any threat. At least we had believed that a year ago"

Peaking just over the horizon, cutting the black night sky with the lights which illuminated its frame was a red and white tower, their destination.

Yes, no one can stand against us, not with the power we wield.

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Next Chapter - Chapter 8: The Shinto Claw Which Grips the Earth