Care Not, Save Lots 6 - (Magical Girl Xover, Akumatized!SI)

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Telling Nooroo and Duusu what was going on created a new layer of worry for them to stomach. The former was displeased by the overall development, and the latter was quick to agree that it was best to see all sort of troubles that may run interferences on our own plan to make it back 'home'.

As much as I would have preferred to not interact much to the wide universe that was the Nanohaverse, I understood that Murphy is a bitch, and that hoping for things to be 'tame' for long would be just ridiculous. I could say this on the first season but... the second season may create some troubles within the current weeks.

Nanoha A was, after all, meant to happen within the same year of the first season. Season 1 unfolded in the span of a few months, while Season 2 unfolded concurrently within the first episodes as the one that owned the Book of Darkness was already being influenced by it.

So, as much as it pained me to rush blindly into ruining canon since it meant I couldn't rely on meta-knowledge in the long run, I knew it was best to intervene on this second issue at once. Especially since the big baddy of Season 1 had no interest for the Book of Darkness itself.

I am not completely sold if moving at once would work as intended, but I was soon mentioning this 'other disturbance' I felt to Nooroo and... he hummed quietly as he thought about it.

"This Book... yes, I think the child could control it. But... you are right, we can't approach her without alarming her guardians."

To put it bluntly, a direct approach was ruled out on the spot. At this point in time, the owner of the Book of Darkness was being 'protected' by the Wolkenritter, four entities that were 'Living Programs' connected to the Book itself.

They were commanded by its will, even though their autonomy was strictly dictated by the owner. Such a situation was fortuitous for them as of now since the owner was a little kid that has no issues in giving them some freedom.

However... We had to see this mess solved before it became problematic in the long run.

Finding the key to it all took a while, but Duusu was able to surprisingly sense the Book due to its biology being akin to an amok (entities she can create). It was around lunchtime that we finally found the one we were looking for and, after some further plotting, the final plan was accepted by all.

Keeping our distance from the home of our target out of fear that any of her 'benefactors' thought of us as threats, I transformed with Nooroo and used one of his butterflies to approach the home. It was clear that the Book was going to notice the approach of the Akuma Butterfly, but it wasn't doing to do much about it until it did something worthy of concern.

Which unfolded as, after entering the home and avoiding little Yagami Hayate as she was busy watching the TV, the harmless critter landed on top of the book. It was an odd experience to be put in contact with the book itself but-

"Greetings," I hummed, aware that the inner will of the Book of Darkness was now connected to me through that mental bond. "I believe you are stuck in a predicament."

"Let us be."

Feminine, but distorted. I guess that's the 'pre-reprogrammed' Reinforce speaking.

"I can't truly let you all be, Book. I wish to solve your current issues without having to endanger your existence and the life of your current owner. Which, I am sure, you wish to ultimately end upon completion."

I was taking a bit of a risk by being so 'bold' about this piece of information, but I was betting on my 'guessing' tone to dissuade Nooroo that I knew more than I should on the topic. As he didn't pipe in on that conversation, I was hopeful he didn't pick up on that, but still-

"We will be whole."

"Except your composition is truly unstable. Even now, you seek to attain magic at the expense of others. Which, I am sure, your owner would be most displeased to learn about- to know that the book that is meant to be loyal to her is being a naughty tome."

A threat was needed. Blackmail was the best kind of work when it could threaten the safety and the plans of the Book of Darkness. And, after a lengthy pause, I was able to get a positive result.

"What do you want?"

"The safety of all. Perhaps allies, friends. But I understand that the corrupting element within the book is not the Will. I wish to 'defuse' that if you can help me find it."

"It's too strong. The Wolkenritter will not be enough to face it."

"Nah..." I hummed, almost grinning at the dangerous words I was about to give out. "I'll win. Just tell me, and I will make sure you can be complete if you can promise me that you will push the entity out of the book before you're complete."

...

"If you can accomplish such a feat-"

"I'll be ready within a week. And it will not involve any life being claimed."

That sounded like a boast, but... I knew what I was doing. And it involved mixing elements of Season 1 to 'resolve' Season 2 early on.

There was another pause, then a deep sigh.

"If you can accomplish this, then... I will do it."

"Then we have a deal, Miss Book."

I think I heard a growl at that nickname, but I closed the connection before any other words could be exchanged. As it ended, however, I quickly noticed that a certain Butterfly Kwami was giving me a flat look that told me 'what did you do?' and-

"Sooo, how did it go?" Duusu inquired as we started to leave.

"We have a deal-"

"What did you promise the book?" Nooroo interjected, and I turned to glance at him with a sheepish look. "John, you-"

"I am not doing anything stupid. I know what I am doing and... it will be helpful in the long run."

"For who?" He shot back, almost alarmed by my secretive tone. "I already had to do this with Gabriel, I don't need to distrust you too, John."

...

...

I sighed. "Fine. I think I know what's going on with the Book."

"And?"

"And the Book is not fully tainted. Rather, the Will is stuck in a similar predicament you were with Hawk Moth. You have to do his bidding without much of a choice and, in regard to its completion, the Will knows that it will unleash something that tainted it onto the world. And potentially kill the owner."

"...That makes little sense," Duusu hummed, the Peacock Kwami sharing a look with Nooroo. "You're not being full honest here, Johnny."

I looked away, contemplating how I could save my buns from this situation and... realized that I could actually tell a half-truth in this regard.

"Fine. I... I think I know where we are. Specifically, the 'media' we are dealing with."

Nooroo frowned, while Duusu looked absolutely lost about it.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The female Kwami prodded, but I was surprised by Nooroo's own response.

"We are in a dimension which is based on a series from our world," He deduced, surprising both of us with that response. "And you are sure of this, John?"

"Quite. The girl I met a while ago, Takamachi Nanoha- she is the protagonist. And the existence of the Book of Darkness confirms this is the right show... which is why we need to get that bit wrapped up really fast."

"Why?"

"We may be facing tough foes quite soon," I elaborated, then glancing at Nooroo. "Differently from where we come from, this dimension has a Magical Authority that works on multiple planets. And it goes without a saying that they will notice us since they are already invested in the resolution of the Jewel Seeds Incident."

Nooroo slowly nodded at this, yet he was unconvinced by something else.

"So you want to use one of the Seeds to complete the Book... but not before forcing it to eject the taint. Can it even do that?"

I nodded. "It can. The issue is a matter of timing, but I have a plan to solve it. When she mentioned the guards would not be enough, the Will ignored a 'harmless' ability one of them has."

"Which is?"

"The spell 'Mirror of Travels'. It can open a portal that can go as far as outer space."

...

"That's awfully good," Duusu pointed out, then her eyes went wide open. "Wait, you want to hurl the taint at the sun?"

...

I smiled, and Duusu snorted.

"It's simple, but... it should work," Nooroo quietly agreed. "Still, it could be risky. What if they don't react in time?"

"I have a Plan B," I assured the two Kwamis as... it was time for us to get the second step of the plan going and get done.

And it involved a certain first-time magical girl.

Takamachi Nanoha felt... spent.

Sure, she was physically fine, but the most recent days had put a drain on her. She was hardly a sporty kid, and being subjected to sudden dashes to then solve nerve-wracking situations sure put a toll on her mind. Nanoha couldn't complain about what she was doing - she was saving lives after all.

But the most recent retrieval had introduced something that left her a bit upset: she had found two friends of her caught by the large tree spawned by one of the Jewel Seeds. If she hadn't moved fast enough, there would have been a chance these two would have been hurt. Or worse.

Asking Yuuno yielded a confirmation in that regard - she had saved them... but this was the first time lives were at stakes. And, for the first time ever, Nanoha felt the weight of her 'job' sinking on her shoulders. Hence why she had decided to go for a lone walk in town before making it back home and-

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Nanoha-chan."

The familiar voice had her tense up, eyes wide open in a moment as she turned and smiled at-

"John-san!"

He snorted. "What's with that shocked tone? Didn't I tell ya I would have seen you soon, kiddo?"

Despite her current mood, Nanoha beamed at him as he caught up to her.

"So, how are you?"

And her mood took a nosedive for a brief instant. "G-Good."

"It sounds not 'Good'," he retorted, then gestured to her to keep walking. "Why? You did a good job just there."

"It's just... It's the first time there were people involved."

He paused, eyes widening a bit. "Oh. I guess that makes sense. You think you almost messed up, yes?"

"...Yeah."

"You did not. And what feel right now is quite common."

Nanoha frowned at this. "I-Is it?"

"You are doing this magical girl thing because you want to help others. Of course you should be a bit concerned but, at the same time, you did nothing to warrant that much nervousness. You did it, you did it wonderfully, and you couldn't have done it any better."

...

"Hm."

John frowned. "You don't think so?"

The girl shook her head and... he reached out to ruffle her hair, causing her to huff and pull away.

"J-John-san!" Nanoha whined with a faux glare aimed at him.

"What? You think that I will stop treating you as a child the more you try and behave like one? Kid, it's fair to feel like things could have gone bad, but they didn't. Heck, these people you saved will remember this. And they will never question how you did it."

She bowed her head. "It's... It's just..."

"Give it some time," John interrupted once more. "What I can say is that you will grow through this feeling. It's unpleasant, and I can't fault you for feeling nervous about it but... this is one of the many steps you will have to make to grow up. And you will make it. Trust me on that."

That little mood boost left her with a tiny smile and... John-san wasn't done talking.

"Still, I wanted to ask if you have time since... I may need one of the Jewel Seeds. But it is for a good reason."

The new topic instantly alarmed Nanoha, but she allowed the man to explain himself and... she was wide-eyed by the end of the story-telling. The girl knew from Yuuno that many humans were born with magical affinity, but only a rare handful were ever noticed and given training here on Earth.

But as she learned of Hayate-chan and her current problem, Nanoha felt her own concerns being a bit overinflated. Sure, she still feel her grievances had some weight, but the idea of using her own lifeforce to keep her friends alive at the expense of losing her ability to walk was...

Well, it was bad.

"So, you intend to use the Jewel Seed to help her by... purging the book?"

"That's correct. I understand you don't fully trust me, but it is one way to do two good things at once. First, one of the Jewel Seeds will be drained so it can't be used for malevolent reasons and it helps Hayate-chan."

That warranted a nod from Nanoha. "Yes. Still, Yuuno will be upset that I have to give one to you, John-san."

"I understand. And... I think I have a solution to it," The young man assured. "While I was looking around, I think I learned the true identity of who has caused this incident and... she is dangerous."

Nanoha tensed up and nodded. "Who is she?"

"Her name is Presea Testarossa. She is a former researcher that lost her daughter a while ago and she may be trying to use the Jewel Seeds to resurrect her," John explained, giving Nanoha more than she had expected. "So, I think you should be wary around Presea. The woman is not willing to negotiate, and her sole life goal may be to resurrect her daughter without regarding what ramifications this process may lead to."

"I-I see."

John smiled as he received the gem and- "Oh, and before I leave, I just now noticed I forgot to give you my phone number when we last spoke. If you feel the need to talk about some 'secret identity' stuff, do give me a call. Talking helps."

Nanoha nodded distractedly, already aware she was going to need that as she saved up his phone number and... realizing how different it was from the usual numbers available to other locals here in Japan.

Oh right, he is a foreigner.

Yet Nanoha didn't know how much 'bigger' of a term it was in regard to someone like her current role model.

AN

Operation: Save Wheelchair Girl is now a go!