– 469th night, non-administrated world #745 –

Life wasn't simple. Nor perfect. Nor anything else. But one thing.

Life was beautiful.

If anything, it was that. It could be represented as a rose. Indeed it's beautiful, but it would wither at some point. However, it couldn't stop being beautiful.

Indeed, life was beautiful, on all assets.

Just like a woman.

Yes. It could be as beautiful, as dangerous or as purely evil as them. The looks shouldn't be taking nor granted easily. Not with woman, not with life.

Not with anything.

That was what I learned within my living time.

Nanoha's POV

"We're here. It was the last place she reported and also where she last answered us." Signum simply said.

I looked around to see on what sort of planet Fate lived for a while. It was sunny, it was so hot and there was a warm breeze. Trees were so tall as if they were reaching the sky. That sky was just above our head. An undeniable beautiful sky was what this planet was presenting us.

This sky is so blue! I wish I could fly here with Fate...

A shiver past through my back. I have a really good feeling... Somehow, I'm sure will find Fate and bring her home safely. If everything's going to be alright, we may even be home by the end of the day!

I then felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned my head to face Signum.

"It will be alright Takamachi. You know we will find her." Signum encouraged me even more.

I nodded and smiled brightly. "I know, Signum! I'm sure we'll pass through this within a day! I thought I knew her but... well... I'm going make it up for the past! Anyway, we need to get moving! So... Let's just... I go north and you south. Alright. Let's go."

Signum shook her head in desperation but went on her way smiling. I grinned like an idiot and we began our exploration.

– A few hours after –

I had found a house- or more a hut. [Signum?]

I waited a little. A little longer. A lot longer. I was about to go back when I heard her voice.

[Takamachi?]

I sighed interiorly. It's not the time to scare yourself like this Nanoha... [I've found a little house. Must be Fate's.]

[... I see, did you enter it?]

I paused. [No.]

[All right, I am on my way. Coordinates?]

[Oh, right! Here is...]

I waited about... I didn't know... But it was a long time. This planet didn't seem to have regular days like on Mid-Childa or on Earth. It was still sunny and warm. It was difficult to tell. Anyway, I waited long enough to feel uneasy in front of Fate's hut.

Do I enter? Do I enter? I kept asking me myself.

I was playing slowly with fingers, looking around mindlessly. I wanted to wait for Signum forever. It was a beautiful day. I was dazed by the beauty of this planet. Nothing wrong could happen on a great day like this.

Fate-chan... I'll find you and bring you home! I nodded sharply. My mind was optimist and I liked it.

A hand touched my shoulder. "Takamachi?" Signum was in front of me. "Are you alright? I can go ahead if you want..." Her somewhat hard expression softened.

I shook again my head. "No it's alright. I'm just a little nervous. Nyahahah..." My laugh was happy and truthful. "We should go see inside."

Signum smiled a little and let me walk in first, but I hesitated only for a second before entering the little hut. The door-like cracked and the inside was as I was prepared for.

It was small and impersonal. On the right was laying on the floor many books, a few unwashed shirts and some bags of cereals getting eaten by rats. In the back was only taken by a bed of stray. There was also a rock for a chair and a desk made in wood at our left with a lot of documents on it. In the center was a little bed of an animal that wasn't present as it seemed.

What had sought my attention was the desk. My eyes roamed the papers to see a corner of a picture mixed up within them. My curiosity got the better of me and I took it out.

It's... Us...

The picture was of me and her when we were still kids. At our new beginning in life. Me as a new magical girl and her to a new family, kinder one.

She was smiling subtly as for me widely. We were in each other's arms, blushing slightly. We were so young... so... innocent... Back then, we were so irresponsible.

I grinned at the memories of use having fun. Oh! No time to think of that now! I smiled at the picture a last time before putting it in my pocket. I will treasure it... Until I find you.

Signum called me. "Takamachi. Come outside."

I pushed the door to see the back of my friend. "What is-" I was stunned by what was in front of me.

"Grrr..."

A... A dog...? It appeared to be young because it was so small. "Hello there." I said kneeling.

"Grrr..."

"Why is the dog here Signum?" I turned my head to her. "Are dog even a species on this planet?"

Signum seemed pensive for a while as I tried to pet it. The little dog was growling and didn't seem to like me much.

"Are you a friend of Fate-chan?" I tried and I got affirmative growl. "Oh? Then you must know where she is?" It growled some more before running away in some direction.

"The dog seems intelligent enough, we should follow it." Signum said.

I nodded and got up. "Alright, let's go!"

After what seemed like eternity, we saw a fall. It was breathtaking after having walked, and flied at some points through the woods for what seemed like days. Even if it was a good time, we didn't make much progress.

I turned around to look for clue why we were there. Signum was doing the same. The dog was still growling at a few feet of the water.

"What's the matter? Where's your master?" I knelt down next to it and it jumped in the water. "Hey!"

I looked across the water and my eyes widened as I yelled in fears. Signum didn't even have the time to turn to face me that I was fast flying to the other side.

No-no-no-no-no-no... NO! Tears were rapidly falling as I reached my destination. I fall down loudly.

I saw Fate.

Lying in the dirt.

Her clothes scrapped.

Her skin wounded everywhere.

Her hair messy.

I saw red on it.

Signum's POV

I was downed that our researches hadn't gave us anything. We had followed the dog and slowly, my hopes were drained.

Everything that had happened since Fate's departure was wrong. We missed her. We wanted only to see her, to be with her. She hadn't become what we thought. That video call made me sick inside. Fate had changed so much. No... She hadn't change. Her defenses only broke down.

This planet was making her like that. I could feel it. There was something wrong here...

After an hour of turning around, we finally reached a fall. It was great to see a good side on this sick planet. But the dog finally gave up and growled. Nanoha and I started to search the area in case.

"What's the matter? Where's your master? Hey!" I heard Nanoha talked to the dog. Oh, please. It won't help us-

My thoughts were interrupted by Nanoha's scream. When I turned around, alerted, I saw her mid way of the large river. On instinct, I followed suit.

But I wasn't prepared to see what had made scream Nanoha.

I brought my hand to my mouth.

Fate was lying in the sand. And she must have been there for a while.

Her body was yelling pain.

...And so was our mind seeing her like this.

Fate's POV

A pleasant sent past under my nose. But everything else was fuzzy. My mind was blurry, my eyes were shut, and my body was still. I wasn't hearing anything but soft whispers from very afar. I tried to focus on them, but my mind wouldn't comply at all.

I felt weird, at least. I was comfortable lying I didn't know where. I felt secured too, at ease, feeling even loved. I didn't know the reasons, but it was good.

However, there was something amiss. Something felt... wrong. I was feeling so tired. As if something very big ran on me. As if... I didn't know. I tried to think. But no success. Nothing came to mind. I tried to... remember... but nothing. Who...? My name is Fate Testarossa. Where...? I am...

My mind stopped there. Nothing. I had no clue of my whereabouts.

I could still feel the tiredness in me. I could still hear the soft voices. I could still know I was lying on something that did seem comfortable. But, what was comfortable when you didn't remember anything more than your name?

Suddenly, strength past through me like a lightning.

Determined, I opened slowly and clumsily my eyes. It was dark. I tried to raise my left hand to my head, as a sudden pain came around. My head was warm.

I'm alive then. I grunted soundlessly.

Soon, the room brightened and I could see I was in a bedroom of someone else. It wasn't mine, I could tell that much. I was in a double bed with black sheets. My surrounding was only a commode at my right and a door in front of me. The walls were light brown and comforting.

There was light under the door that picked my curiosity. Whoever took me here was on the other side.

I touched my legs to see if they could make it to the door and received an affirmative answer. I moved to the side of the bed with little difficulties. I soon noticed that my fatigue was mental and not physical. I stood easily and walked to the door.

I was about to turn the doorknob when I hesitated. What could possibly wait for me on the other side? I shook my head. Scratch that, I opened it.

I heard someone. "- think she's awake by now?" I knew that voice.

"Maybe, we should go see." Somebody else said and I knew that voiced too.

I was in a short corridor that had two other doors and an opening. And before I could walk or simply move at all, I saw in front of me a woman and a young girl. My eyes widened at their sight.

My mouth moved on its own. "M-mother..." The old woman smiled softly. "A-Alicia..." The girl beamed at me. "I... I think I... need to sit down..." I put a hand to my head and I felt like falling.

"Oh, don't push yourself, Fate." I heard my mother say as she grabbed my arm. "Come." My body acted on its own and followed them to a kitchen where they make me sat down at the table. "You must have many questions." She brought me some tea and put the cup in front of me.

Alicia sat down at my right, still smiling. "You sure sleep a lot, Fate-chan."

I didn't know how to respond at that. My mind kept telling me something was off, was wrong. But everything seemed right. I was with my big sister, even if she's smaller, and my mother as it should be.

"Do you remember how you got here Fate?" Precia asked me with a sweat voice.

I shook my head. "I... don't remember anything..."

At that, my mother and Alicia shared a worried expression. "What's your name?"

I frowned. "Fate Testarossa. I'm your daughter, and Alicia is my older sister."

She hesitated for a second. "Do you remember any Nanoha Takamachi?"

My mind went blank.

Too soon, too fast, my mind was filled with memories and image. I let out a scream as I held tightly my head in my hands.

From the beginning to the end. Our first encounter to our last meeting.

I remembered it all. Our friendship, our adventures, our laughs, our tears, our pain.

"Fate..." Precia tried to touch my arm but I avoided her.

"No... No... You're... No..."

"Fate-chan..." Alicia started but I interrupted her with my outburst.

"NO! You're dead!" I pointed my mother. "You too!" Then my sister. "No more!" I said. "NO MORE!"

At that, I ran away.

I ran through the house to find a hall that seemed like the front door.

And I was right. I opened it to be blinded by the sun.

After getting used, I looked around. There was a beautiful scenery in front of me. The sky was without any clouds, the sun was majestically warm on my skin. There were a lot of people walking around. It seemed the house was a few yards next to a market.

They were people I never knew or saw. I ran into the crowed, wanting to only disappear.

No... No more torture... Please...

I shook my head and bounced into someone. "Excuse-"

"Fate?" I looked up to see a surprised man that looked like Chrono, but he wasn't him. "If you're here, then that means..." He trailed off but stopped suddenly.

"Clyde." I heard my mother called his name.

I wanted to run but my feet wouldn't move.

Wait, where did I hear that name before?

"Precia. I hope it is not your doing." He frowned.

Where have I seen him before?

She shook her head in answer. "No. I would never do that."

What are they talking about?

His facial's expression softened. "I see... Then she had... has she?"

Why do they keep not finishing their question?

Precia nodded. "Yes she had..."

I growled. "What in heaven are you two talking about?"

They stayed silent and looked at each other.

"Well?" I pursued.

"Fate, do you know where you are or how you got here?" My mother asked instead.

I frowned. I didn't remember anything.

"No I don't know. I only remember wandering into the forest... Then nothing."

"Fate." It was Clyde's turn to talk. "Do you know who I am?"

I had wondered about that. "No. But I'm sure I know..."

He sighed and I arched an eyebrow. "I am Chrono's father."

"Ah yes?" I said, mindlessly. "That's good, I'm going to tell him I... " I stopped myself. "Wait a minute." My eyes widened. "You're Chrono's father?" He nodded. "But... He's... He's..."

"Dead?" He deadpanned me.

"Yes! Exactly!" I exclaimed but I soon lost all my burst.

Don't tell me... I looked over my mother but she only avoided my eyes. No... I'm not...

And, as if she was reading my mind, she told me, "Yes dear, you're dead."

Nanoha's POV

You need to be alive... You have to be alive... Fate... FATE! I tried to find a pulse.

In vain.

Again.

I put my fingers harder on her neck.

Nothing.

No...

My eyes went blank.

No...

I turned around to see Signum communicating with Shamal.

No...

"No... I'm sorry. She didn't make it..." The pink haired warrior said softly at their doctor.

No...

"Oh..."

No...

"Don't... say that..." I weakly said.

No...

She turned to me and hesitated to put a hand on my shoulder. "Takamachi..."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" I yelled and brushed her hand off.

And I flied away.

Far away.

From everyone.

From my responsibilities.

From the truth.