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3 Months later, Non-Administrated World # 100,
"Here's the spot"- Reaper said hesitantly.
She had on her usual barrier jacket and black helmet mask with golden lightning.
Lightning stared at her doppelganger. It seemed she was unsure of going home yet, yet something told her she had to not because of the consequences she has to pay but want to start a new life, especially with her Nanoha Takamachi. The blonde gently smiled.
"Whenever you're ready"
Reaper's familiar came to her side. She gave a small smile and picked the small orange ball of fur. Fate did everything she could to find a way for Arf to safely come out from the Cartridge. Lightning activated her barrier jacket. She set herself behind the starting line she created on the ground. Reaper came next to her before securing Arf's puppy form in her arms. The dull burgundy eye glanced at the blonde, everything that happened had changed and all the unknown things happened to have been revealed.
"Ready…"
They did a running stance.
"Set…"
Legs and feet are ready to spring into action. Reaper pressed the purple button of the silver sphere.
"Sonic Move!"
They both took off running at a fast speed that a cloud of dust with electricity glowing around was left behind.
FLASHBACK
"Where…am I?"
The dull burgundy eye blonde scanned her surroundings for anything, any sign but nothing, only darkness.
The faint laughter of a child and a man were heard. She turned in the direction of the noise and widened her eyes in shock that her pupils became small.
"Hahaha! Daddy, catch me if you can!"
The 5-year-old child with bright burgundy eyes and long blonde twin pigtails ran with a cheerful smile on her face.
"I'm gonna catch you, Alicia"
A tall blond man with gentle burgundy eyes ran after his daughter.
Under a huge tall tree was a long violet-haired woman with soft motherly purple eyes, watching over her husband and daughter playing tag. They played on a calm sunny day. The blond man caught his daughter and they both laughed and smiled.
"Alicia, Leonardo it's lunchtime!"
The man and child face lid up. He set his daughter on his back giving her a back ride, they happily went to the person waiting for them.
"...Why…are you showing…this?"- she whispered.
DarkClaw, mist form came behind Reaper. His large body transformed into the blonde's silhouette.
[To show you the unknown life where he was a gentle and kind-hearted man. And after he transformed into Steeler]
"Transformed?"
[Leonardo Testarossa died the same day as Alicia Testarossa. Your sister's soul safely arrived in Al-Hazard just like the rest of the souls you set free. Unfortunately, your Father's soul got trapped with an evil spirit consuming every good he had inside]
[Your Father put up a good fight but the evil spirit won by manipulating him. He showed the things Precia Testarossa did and when and how his daughter died, it told him things that could be done if he accepted him. Thus, the transformation of Leonardo's soul began and he wanted nothing but the unknown power. Though his skin began to burn off resulting in him only having skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle]
"The muscular system…"
[He created the masked helmet and full body armor suit as his weapon, something that could heal like skin but faster. In the end, you succeeded in killing it, destroying it. You set your Father's soul free]
Reaper had a shadow covering her face. Her black mask helmet was not present.
[If you feel guilty you shouldn't. You saved souls, people, you got revenge!]
"..."
[When Steeler hesitated on killing you, your Father was the one stopping it. Making himself understand that you are someone special, someone important. That your his daughter no matter the circumstances]
Reaper looked at DarkClaw's silhouette. She narrowed her eyes.
[Yet Steeler overshadowed your Father, putting thoughts of you as just his fuel, an energy source. That's how it woke up from its slumber. For him your magic was very special, rare, that is why he killed Arf and many people. For their magic and energy]
Reaper clenched her fists.
"We destroy him and set Father and the other souls free from his misery. It's over. Everything is now in the past no matter how hard it is we'll remember the people we lost. Yes, I took my revenge but there are consequences I still have to pay"- she said with a serious face.
DarkClaw stared at the blonde. Seems like her emotions have changed a bit but her darkness is something that will follow her for the rest of her life. Even if the White Mage is waiting for her; the light that will beckon from her darkest times will not be enough. Reaper will never forget what he revealed to her.
She closed her eyes for a moment. Then opened them when she heard warm laughter from the three people under the tree.
"...They're happy…"- the blonde gave a small nod.
The vivid landscape and family got wiped away. The dull burgundy eye sighed lightly.
"What else are you going to show?"- she faced the silhouette. "DarkClaw"
His eyes gave a red shined.
Reaper slowly opened her eyes. At first, it was blurry but after some blinking everything was seeable. The machine noises were the only noise in the quiet white room. She raised a hand to touch her face. It seems Bardiche programmed to switch to the black mask helmet 2.0, revealing her bangs, long blonde hair, and mouth which had the breathing mask.
With gritted teeth, she slowly raised her upper body and laid her back on the pillow. The window got her attention; the sun shining brightly, white clouds in the blue sky. It seemed peaceful and calming that it reminded her of the White Mage sapphire eyes that only look at her and no one else.
"Your light will always be waiting for you-"
Her hands took off the breathing mask and black armor materialized over her mouth. She gently caressed the yellow metal triangle on her right cheek.
Glad you're awake, Sir!
"Mm-hmm"- she gave a small nod and hum.
Her right hand was laid on her chest. She remembered the wounds on her chest and abdomen that were severe, death threatening. Yet, she was still breathing. Her hand unconsciously moved, feeling the ruff, deep texture even with the piece of clothing. Shaking away the bad thoughts she sat on the edge of the bed before unhooking the wires.
Sir- Bardiche said in concern.
"...It's ok"- she said in a raspy soft voice.
With a soft groan, she slowly got up. Steading her legs and feet, she successfully stood. Looking at the white clothing, she furrowed her brows.
"Bardiche…"
His yellow triangle flashed a golden light. Black mist with golden mana covered her body and up appeared her barrier jacket. Signing in relief, she slowly walked to the window.
Dark/GoldPortation
In a mist of black and golden lightning, she was gone.
Down the hallway were Fate and a small orange puppy walking next to her.
"Thank you for bringing me back!"- Arf said with gratitude.
"It's no problem, I'm just glad you're safe"- Fate smiled softly.
Arf was surprised to see her smile, especially when it was her master's face. She wished she could see or at least know that her master was happy. An electric shot went through her fur and she quickly went on alert.
"What room is Fate in?"- she asked as naturally as she could.
"3 doors from where we are"
Arf sprinted and quickly opened the door with the help of her magic. She walked inside but no one was there, just white sheets scattered and wires on the floor. Fate entered and furrowed her brows when she didn't see her doppelganger in bed.
"Arf can you sense where Fate is at?"- she watched Arf sniff the sheets.
The small puppy sniffed until she halted in front of the large window.
"She left from this spot"
She used her magic to locate her master and once she found it. Her legs quickly ran to the tall blonde and told her where she was. The burgundy eye understood and picked Arf up and quickly left the place.
Reaper stared at the ocean and remembered the time when the White Mage was supposed to be in the place where she was at…But never showed up. Her eyes narrowed at the memory. She didn't move when she felt the Black Mage magic getting near.
Lightning stopped when she saw the blonde, she seemed lost in thought. She stopped Arf from talking. The orange pup could see her master had changed over the years.
"How are you feeling?"- the burgundy eye asked.
She ignored her question.
"…The White Mage had told me to meet up here…but she never came. I don't know but something told me that something bad had happened to her. I flew as fast as I could and tried to figure out that unknown feeling inside me…I followed the trail of her magic and…"
Fate had a sad expression when she heard her doppelganger story, Arf listened as she lay low.
"...Just when I was in that hospital bed it reminded me of her. I overheard the Knight of the Lake …Steeler stabbed her in the chest"- Reaper gritted her teeth.
Fate remembered the time when Nanoha was in the hospital of an incident that happened when they were 11 years old. Thinking, hoping for Nanoha to wake up and show that warm cheerful smile she always gives her.
"She made it back tho. She woke up and she fought for her life just like you did. You were on the verge of death but you made it back!"
"Just like Arf"
Reaper turned her head with a confused face. Her eyes widened. She raised a handout.
"...Arf…"- she whispered in disbelief.
The small puppy flew to her master's arms. With a happy smile, she jumped and licked all over the black mask helmet. Fate smiled.
"How, I thought-"
"I did everything to find a way to unlock the Cartridge and I found it. It was the need of my magic and the help of the Tome of the Night Sky"
The dull burgundy eye nodded and gently caressed her small head.
"Hi, Fate! Are you happy to see me?!"
The black-cloaked blonde gave a small smile and nodded.
"Yea. I miss you, Arf"
"I miss you too, Fate!"
"There will always be people who care about you, reminding you of who you are, Fate"- the white-cloaked blonde gently smiled.
"I'm in your debt"
END FLASHBACK
Fate and Reaper glanced at each other as they ran. The Breaker Time Barrier was close to its meet point.
"Make sure you visit Nanoha. Arf take care of her and yourself"
"Will do! Take care of your family and you, Fate!"- Arf barked and waved.
Fate nodded with a smile. Reaper brought a fist to the blonde. They fist-bumped.
"Promise"- Reaper said determinedly.
She clicked the purple button and a blue vague portal appeared in front. Fate was surprised at the strange portal and when they were close to it she gave a helpful push. The blonde stopped in front of the portal.
"See you again, Fate"- Reaper said with a wave.
And the blue portal vanished. Fate gently smiled and watched nothing but the spot Fate had left.
"See you some time, Fate"
Universe 5, Administrated World #8
A blue vague portal appeared and a golden lightning bolt struck out. She ran then she flew up until she found the person who waited for her for so long. She made sure Arf was in her grasp.
"Wow Fate, who knew you could go this fast!"- Arf shouted in amazement. Administrated World #1, Mid-Childa
Takamachi Residence,
Nanoha stared at the empty glass of red wine. It was night outside. The only lights were the street lights, 2 full moons, and stars. She wished she could have gotten to talk to Fate and hug her so she can take all that sadness and loneliness out of those burgundy eyes she got fond of. Her eyes crystallized when she felt the pain in her heart.
She sighed sadly and put the bottle and glass away. The sapphire eye walked to her bedroom after glancing at Vivio's door. She smiled softly. She had saved someone, a kid who was scared, fragile, and lonely just like Fate was but this time it was different she save Vivio from that madman.
Since then she's been her guardian, a Mom. She had told her daughter that Fate was her father and one day she'll come and stay with them. It wasn't a lie, the copper knew Fate will surely come. She laid her head and right side of her body on the wall and stared at the stars of the quiet calming night.
Her sapphire eyes stared at the brightest star among all.
"I wish you were here, Fate-chan"- she closed her eyes and a tear fell.
"I'm here"
Toned arms circled her waist. The copper went stiff when she heard the soft voice and gentle touch. She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the familiar black mask helmet.
"F-F-Fate-chan?"
She nodded. Nanoha reached for the helmet and slowly took it off. She cried and smiled when she saw the face of the woman she longed to see. The helmet fell from her grasp and she laid both palms on top of the blonde's cheeks. The scars on her forehead and eyes were present. Nanoha felt a shock of sadness and regret that made her body tremble.
"I'm so sorry because of me *hic* you got *sniff* those scars. I-I'm sorry"
She laid her head on the blonde's chest and uncontrollably cried. She caressed her head.
"It's ok, you did what you had to do"- she said in a soft tone.
She got her chin to make her look at her and repeated it was ok.
"Fate-chan. Fate-chan. Fate-chan"
They hugged each other as if life depended on it. Fate felt warm inside when the copper said her name.
Say her name- DarkClaw encouraged Reaper.
The blonde pulled away only setting her forehead with the sapphire eye. She wiped away the tears and set her palm on her right cheek.
"Nanoha"- she pronounced her name with warmth, gentleness, and security.
"S-say it again"- she felt her eyes moisturize again.
"Nanoha"
"Yes…"
"Nanoha"
"Yes…"
"Nanoha. Nanoha. Nanoha"
They both felt great happiness flow through their bodies that without realizing their mouths were inches away. The sapphire eye blushed and a pleasant shiver ran down her body when the blonde breath hit her face. Sapphire and burgundy pierce. Everything around them seemed to be gone, they got lost in each other's eyes…
"Fate-chan… I love you. I loved you for so long that it hurt. But now I have you in my arms and with everything that was going on, the times you pushed me away, Steeler and the TSAB. I will never stop to find you, it seems you were the one finding me"- she smiled. "I know you feel the same way as I do Fate-chan, I can see it in your eyes"
For the first time, the blonde gently smiled. Nanoha was happy that the blonde smiled. With everything that happened with them two, Fate didn't know that unknown feeling that was in the past but someone had told her what it was and made her open her eyes.
"Nanoha…I love you too"- the copper cried in relief. "But I still have to pay for the crimes I committed. Steeler is dead, he's gone forever. I destroyed him"
"How?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later"- she kissed the tears away.
Her lips kissed the corner of the copper's lips. She stared at those welcoming sapphire eyes.
They moved closer until their lips clasped, the kiss was full of warmth and love. Their very first kiss.
They unsheathed from their kiss and laid their foreheads together. They didn't want to leave each other now that the unknown between them has been revealed but Fate had to leave.
"I gotta pay for my sins, I promise to come back to your side"- she kissed her forehead.
Nanoha cried and embraced Fate tighter around the neck. She didn't want the blonde to leave, not now or ever. The burgundy eye gently soothed her back.
"T-the TSAB *sniff* will lock y-you up for 6 years! I-I d-don't want that!"
"I won't let that happen. I got evidence of Steeler committing all those crimes"
The copper looked up at the blonde. Fate whipped away the tears and caressed her red cheek with her thumb. She bent down and slowly kissed the copper.
"I'll be back, this time forever. Will you be able to wait a bit more?"- she said in a gentle voice.
"Y-yes. I love you, Fate-chan"
Nanoha kissed the blonde with lots of love. They stared at each when the kiss ended.
"It's not much to remember me by…"
She reached for the white ribbon on her lopsided ponytail and took off and her silky copper locks fell like a curtain. The blonde blushed when she saw a goddess right in front of her eyes.
"But here"- she warmly smiled.
Her burgundy eyes stared at the white ribbon in her right hand. She smiled and took off her black ribbon from her low ponytail. Nanoha blushed at the blonde's new appearance.
She had it on her right hand and extended it next to the coppers. They each grabbed the ribbon while staring at each other's eyes, Nanoha cried and tightly hugged the blonde with everything.
Fate felt her eyes moist and let the tears freely flow. They stayed for 20 minutes until Fate made room for them to kiss. A goodbye kiss.
"No matter how much time passes. You will always be the one who opened my eyes to the light. I love you Nanoha Takamachi. My Nanoha"- she warmly smiled.
"I love you too Fate-chan. Now and forever. My Fate-chan"- she caressed her cheek.
She then remembered she had to show Fate someone. Nanoha put on the ribbon and smiled widely at the blonde. She grabbed her hand to guide her to a small blonde bedroom. The burgundy eye raised a brow yet followed Nanoha and gently squeezed her hand.
Fate was going to ask why they were here when Nanoha gently laid an index finger on her lips. She felt so many sensations that she blushed and nodded. She took her finger away and put a hand on the door noob.
"Fate-chan I want you to meet someone"- she whispered gently.
She quietly opened the door. Fate widened her eyes.
"She's your daughter…"
"Our Daughter"
The blonde looked at the copper, not understanding what she meant.
"She's our Vivio, Fate-chan"- she caressed her hand.
The blonde nodded knowing the unknown that Nanoha had will be revealed later on. She slowly walked into the room, the ceiling had glowed in the dark stars with a rabbit in the center. She watched the blonde girl hold a white rabbit in her small arms, pink covers over her small body, calming breathing. She smiled softly and crouched down.
Fate reached her hand out to caress her soft messy bangs.
"…Fate-papa…"
The blonde smiled and tears formed in the corner of her eyes. She wiped them away. Now she knows there will be someone else special waiting for her. She left a warm soft kiss on her forehead and exited the bedroom. Nanoha was crying and she closed the door. The burgundy eye gently smiled.
"Arf will take care of you both"
The small orange puppy ran to the copper's side and softly barked. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Hi. I'm Arf"- she wagged her tail.
"H-hi. I'm Nanoha Takamachi. Glad to meet you"- she wiped her tears and picked up the puppy.
Arf licked her face and the blonde gently smiled.
"Take care of them, Arf"- she ruffled her fur.
She saluted with her paw and sternly nodded.
"Bardiche"- she whispered.
In a mist of black and golden lightning, the masked helmet came to her side as it hovered beside her head ready for his master to get him. With the white ribbon still in her hand, she tied her hair in a single ponytail. Fate got the helmet in her hands and gently smiled at Nanoha and Arf. The sapphire eye hugged her blonde ones more, engraving her warm and touch, and so did Fate. They parted and kissed each other's cheek. Arf didn't want to leave Fate's side now that she was free but her master left her an important task and she had to fulfill it.
She sheathed the helmet and nodded. She slowly walked away leaving the people she deeply cares about. Nanoha stared with teary eyes and then she didn't see the black cloak. She cried and hugged Arf in her arms.
"She'll be back"- she tried to comfort the copper.
My apologies for the late update. Steeler and Reaper mask helmets are like Red Hood. Fist bumps everyone👊