Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction / Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Fan Fiction ❯ Facets of Magic ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Facets of Magic
Part: Prologue
Author: Matthias aka MysticMew (Solarsenshi .at. gmx . de)
Beta: xryuran
Status: Alpha
Rating: R to be save
Category: Romance, Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Pairings: To Be Revealed (although everyone that knows should guess at least one and be prepared lots of shoujo ai again)
Assorted Series: Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (main), Negima (semi-main), various others to be added as revealed
Continuum/Spoilers: BSSM first season/manga arc (the latter actually) and somewhat AU-ish, Nanoha after A's, Negima post-series
Summary: Magic is a very diverse thing. When several branches of magic come together to face a common foe, how will these different facets learn to cooperate? And what consequences will such a meeting have on the world, largely unaware, around them?
Distribution: MSD (www . catstrio . de), Fanfiction.net (www . fanfiction . net), Mediaminer (www . mediaminer . org); MSD gets preference and the desired and best format, all alpha versions except the initial posting will first go to MSD as well. Subscribe to MSD Updates to always stay updated (http : // groups . yahoo . com / group / msd_updates).
Disclaimer: All assorted franchise belongs to their respective owners. I merely use them for more mass entertainment. :) Proper disclaimers given within opening/title sequence.
Story Disclaimer: Facets of Magic(c)2012-? (ongoing) by Matthias aka MysticMew

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Pre-Note

So, new story idea. I cannot say yet whether we'll stick to it or not. This is a test. It's short and mostly meant for first impression. So, I'm counting on a lot of first impression. Maia (my hyperactive muse for all who do not know) and I had a few other ideas worth trying but this one seemed to be what suited our needs and wants most at the moment.

For all newcomers to my writing, my writing style consist of changing first person POV. Usually I make indications who's perspective is currently being used. However, since this is the prologue and it's basically just three POVs (at first it was meant to be just two but the second was getting a tad too long for my taste ^_^), I left it out. Should be clear enough anyway.

Also, this is an alpha. While I have faith in my language skills and always check my work, do not be too hard on me if something seems off. My recently-acquired beta is currently occupied with the last episodes from my other active story and I wanted to put this out now.

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Uminari City - Tokyo, Japan - 2012
My heart was pounding so loud, I was sure everyone in at least a square mile radius could hear. I was more than certain my pursuers did. And it was obvious that they would. Pursue me, I mean. I had not seen anyone yet but they wouldn't let me go so easily. I could almost feel something trying to weigh me down and hamper my progress.

I should have never looked. But I had and now it was irreversible.

I had to get away. Far away from that place. Far away from these... people.

How long I had been running I wasn't sure, nor could I say where I was exactly. The cold was gripping my body in the dark evening, almost night by now, gnawing at what was left my own to begin with and even the artificial parts that I now wished I had never accepted.

It's not true, is it? This... this wasn't Otou-san, right?

I was too terrified to think straight all I could think about was getting away. Each step was harder than the one before. My chest was hurting and I cursed my own weakness. What was the point anyway? This body should have never existed in the first place and there was never meant to be a future for me anyway, was there? I had wanted to believe and so I had hid from the truth that deep down I understood for some time now.

I had to get away.

The impulse was too strong. As much help- and hopeless as I felt, it compelled me to keep moving. Despite the protest of my weak body, despite the cold of the late winter or early spring air. It pushed me forward, away from the horror I had seen and the cruel, hard truth I had learned.

Stumbling over a discarded bottle, I almost fell. Instead my hand caught on the rough surface of the wall in the dark alley, making me wince at the sharp pain. Something warm and wet was running down my palm but I did not stay to check, instead trying to push forward. I made it a little further, out of the alley and onto the main street again, feebly hoping for someone to help me.

But who would care for someone like me? The way I looked now. And was it such a good idea to ask someone for help. I had barely known anything outside of my home for the better part of my life, ever since that horrible day when...

Somewhere from far away I heard a gasp and only realized a moment later that it was my own voice. My vision swam and I stumbled back into the alley... No, not stumbled. It was like my body was moving but not the way I wanted it to. Horror gripped me as I realized what it was. This wasn't the first time, yet perhaps the first time that I was so aware of it and understood what it was that was trying to take control of me.

Host.

That was they called me. Our housekeeper and... that person that once had been my father. The word echoed in my mind and I shook my head desperately. No, not now. This was still my life. I had never agreed to this. I wasn't some sick experiment, nor did I want to hurt anyone...

"Go back." It was less a whisper, then a chill breath against my mind. An insistent urge, something trying to ascertain dominance. Part of me wondered why it didn't. It had before, after all, and I had not been able to do anything about it. Hurting everyone around me, never allowing me the joy of a real friend. So why wasn't it now? Because I was aware of it?

"Go back!" More insistent now. I could feel myself, turning and starting back the way I came...

NO! No, no, I couldn't! I couldn't go back there!

The decision was taken away from me. My pursuers had caught up. It was just one but that was enough.

"Hello, Hotaru. You shouldn't have done this. You know it's bad enough for your body to go outside and now this. He is... really worried." It was true after all. There was no denying it now. If anything the redheaded woman who had worked as father's assistant for years now proved it by floating casually a few feet above the ground.

I backed up against the wall unconsciously, my lack of control forgotten and for the moment even gone away - not that it helped much. "He's not my father," I bit back, sounding braver than I felt. "I... I won't go back." I had never liked Kaori but now she was scaring me genuinely. I knew it was a futile attempt to resist. Regardless of what I said, in the end I would be back in this place and now that I knew, it would be nothing more than a miserable quasi-existence.

The redheaded devil - for she could be nothing less that I could think off - clicked her tongue, expression darkening. "Such a pity. Had you just accepted your life as it was, you could have lived a bit longer in peace."

Peace? What peace? An isolated existence? No friends, no one that would even dare get close to her because they were too afraid of that other thing inside her? Where was the peace in that? For years I had tried to tell myself that it would work out. That father would make me healthy again and then I could live like everyone else...

I still didn't know where I got the sudden energy from, perhaps it was really just desperation that allowed my tired and ragged body to bolt forward, back for the open main street. There were at least some people out. If I just cried out for help, would Kaori care? Would it make her back off in fear of discovery? I had no other option left...

And that one vanished as something searing hot struck my side. Pain was nothing new for me but this was different. My entire left side felt like I had jumped into a lava pit. With a scream I fell to the cold ground, rolling helplessly in hopes of staving off the pain somehow. Blurrily I saw Kaori holding out one hand, naked energy sizzling between her fingertips. "Impudent child. Perhaps I should cut off those legs. It's not like you need them anymore."

Morbidly fascinating I watched the energy coalesce into a small sphere, then leap forward like some laser beam from a sci-fi movie...

It was all over.

Or that's what I had truly believed at that moment.

The glowing white triangle shape appeared without any warning and Kaori's beam impacted and harmlessly fizzled out upon contact. The design of the triangle was intricate and it reminded me somewhat of something I had seen in a book... somewhere. I couldn't quite recall.

Who...?

My body ached all over, the pain was overwhelming and I felt my consciousness slip away but just before blackness claimed me, I saw her. A beautiful angel, I'd like to think, albeit with black wings, short brown hair and an almost regal bearing that somehow instilled a fleeting moment of hope which was thankfully the last thought I was aware of...

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The cold air is probably a good thing, I thought wryly. The last two weeks had seen a steady rise in temperature to degrees more suited for early summer. It had been nice but a little disconcerting since she wasn't entirely prepared for it. The sudden drop was almost refreshing, especially in light of my general exhaustion.

That's what you get for trying to juggle regular middle school with work as a high-class mage and already starting to apply for a command job. My schedule was certainly packed and only became more so as the end of my school term was drawing near. The next term would be my last. Our last. After that we had already decided to move away from Earth, each of us pursuing different careers. That was a sad thought somehow. Those last roughly five years had been a blessing and more than made up for the first nine of a lonely existence where every day was dragging on with little joy. But that had changed and even if our individual careers might pull us apart, it would not destroy that friendship.

A shiver ran up my arms. The air might be good for my mind but my body still protested. It was a good thing I was almost home. Something nice and warm sounded good right about now. Of course, I probably had to make it myself since everyone else was still woefully inapt at household skills. The thought brought a smile to my face...

It turned into a frown when my ears picked up something that sounded like a muffled cry. Glancing around I couldn't see anything on the semi-busy street. The cold air had driven a lot of people from the streets, it was hardly as crowded as usual and therefore I had a good view and nothing struck me as out of the ordinary. Then I felt it.

Contrary to what some may belief, mages were not empaths or could sense the presence of another automatically. For the most part taking notice of a magical reaction was an uncontrolled ability that took a lot of training to hone to a level where you could recognize, pinpoint or even track specific, individual signatures. I had always been good at this naturally, yet I couldn't recall ever feeling an aura so... vile.

Not since then. Not since the day I was first took up my robe and staff. Oh, it wasn't as overwhelming as the Book of Darkness but it was certainly something that made my hackles rise in agitation.

Without a thought I dashed towards the alley and called upon my barrier jacket. Schwertkreuz flared and a moment later the elongated staff fell into my hand. It was a good thing I did so in advance. There was only a split moment to make a decision and execute it. I winced slightly as the beam impacted against my barrier. I wouldn't really say there was a lot of force behind it but the energy was not anything I had ever encountered. It felt unnatural and somehow I had a feeling it was nowhere near the woman's full power.

What have I gotten myself into?

Apparently the redhead woman with skin so pale it was practically a light grey was thinking the same thing. "Who are you?" She sneered. "This does not concern you, girl. Leave and I might forget you were ever here." I did not budge. Just a glance already answered at the very least my own question and that was what mattered. At once I noted the burned clothes and raw flesh on one side and my expression darkened and I turned back to the woman.

"I am Special Investigator of the TSAB, Yagami Hayate. I am apprehending you on grounds of unsanctioned use of magic within city confines of an non-administrated world and the attempt to harm an innocent inhabitant." I admit I mostly made this up. This whole situation was strange to begin with and I had not encountered anything like this before. Somehow I already knew the woman had probably no idea about the TSAB and as such wouldn't care less about my official status.

She wasn't impressed by my rising anger either as it seemed. "That girl ran away from home. I am merely here to retrieve her. Other people's family business should not interest you." She was also growing impatient, I noted, and in response strengthened my barrier. The words were cutting deep and were probably the last thing she should have said in order to make me back off.

Not that I would have anyway.

"I don't think she wants to go home," I replied coldly and flipped open my book.

My opponent took this exactly the way it was intended and I had to momentarily abandon my own attempt to take the initiative as more energy bolts, stronger and faster now, impacted on my barrier. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Power-wise most of the people I knew packed more of a punch. However, there was something I sensed when the attacks shattered against my defense that told me I did not want to test how well my barrier jacket would hold up against a direct assault.

This severely limited my choices even further than they were to begin with. I couldn't do any large-scale spells in the middle of the city. And even if I wanted to, I doubted my opponent would leave me the time to cast properly. On the other hand, I might not have any other choice than to take a risk.

Once again I cursed my inability for direct combat, especially without Rein. Transferring a protective barrier directly to the girl, I dropped my own, wincing immediately as the first bolts struck. My barrier jacket held but it was truly an unpleasant feeling, entirely different from the kind of magical attacks I was used to. "Bring forth spears and infuse them with blood." I hardly ever used this spell. The tome had retained it but I always felt it was a little too... violent. "Drill through, Bloody Dagger!" The red daggers appeared around the woman who cursed before seemingly teleporting away a fair distance. It wasn't simply an increase of speed either.

This is not good. This had been one of the few spells I had and knew how to cast properly that wouldn't endanger the entire area. If the woman could move like this, I would have a lot of trouble keeping her pinned in place long enough. Before I could ponder about what to do next, I realized my opponent was gone again. Spinning I saw my barrier crumbled under a significant larger blast and she was already powering up for another.

Hurriedly I moved into its path and once more found myself on the defense. This time the impact was harder. Certainly not as hard as Nanoha could hit but definitely enough to require most of my attention.

"Annoying pest," the woman snarled and began rapidly flinging energy beams at me which soon took all my concentration to deflect, especially when she began to randomly move about and attack from different directions. I was starting to wonder about her claim of "retrieving" the girl. It didn't seem like she cared much about her state afterwards or she was deliberating expecting me to take the blows. Which of course was what I had to do. If I allowed one of these through...

Damn it, I am so useless like this, I raged. None of the others would have had any trouble. Fate could have kept up with her in speed and Nanoha would probably have blasted her out of the air by now. If this were an open space, I could take her down, too, with little effort actually. But while protecting the girl and in this confined area all my talent was practically useless. What good does all the power I have do me, if I can't even properly protect a single life?

And trying to protect was all I could manage right now. "Is that all you can do?" the woman taunted at some point. Frustration began to gnaw on my mind and finally it became too much. Had I thought a little more clearly, perhaps I would have reconsidered. Deflecting another blast, I created a field. It would not hold long like this since I only had the barest grasp on my opponent's energy and especially as hastily made as it was. But it had to do. "Approach from beyond, mistletoe branches, become spears of the silver moon..." It was the only thing left I had. Lately I had tried to modify the spell to a more condensed version that could be used as a shooting spell of sorts. However, that had only been while unisoned with Rein. If this went out of control here...

If I don't do anything, she'll wear me down sooner or later, I rationalized but the logic was laced a good bit with my frustration about the situation.

Once again the decision was taken out of my hands before I could follow through. An invisible force slammed hard against my barrier and right through. It was like something large shoved me away with considerable might. The blow came so unexpected that I did not just lose my concentration but also my footing.

Kinetic force? I wondered before pain shot through my body.

The impact against the far wall was dampened by my Barrier Jacket but my head was still ringing when I managed to gather enough of my wits and return my attention back to the situation. The woman was approaching now, in fact totally ignoring the now defenseless girl. "You should have taken my advice after all, little girl." She smirked and once more formed a sphere of energy. Gritting my teeth I tried to summon my magic but realized to my dismay that I had lost both my staff and book when I was thrown across the narrow alley and without it my already limited control was shot to hell. Especially in my muddled state of mind.

The woman took a step closer and all I could do was glare at her.

*Hayate, don't move.*

I wasn't sure how she anticipated it but the next moment my adversary suddenly jumped back startled. Not a moment too late as a red blur was diving from above, wielding a hammer that impacted the ground heavily enough to send vibrations along it.

I sighed in relief as I recognized my friend and beloved knight. Vita had arrived and she looked rather pissed...

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I honestly hadn't been expecting a battle when I had set out, accompanied by the teasing comments from my fellow knights. I knew I was a tad overprotective and clingy when it came to Hayate. So what? There were several lifetimes to make up for and this time it would be our last... and perhaps the only real one. You could not really count the other times. Scarcely a master before Hayate had ever cared about us and even if, it never went beyond general politeness... in about two cases at most that I could remember dully. Those memories were blurry and I did not regret that the details eluded me. It was much better that way.

Hayate had changed everything. Selfless and kind, she had given us a life. For the first time we knew what it truly was to live. And that is why these lives she had granted us would always be dedicated to her, first and foremost. Signum, Shamal and Zafira felt the same way and expressed this dedication in their own way.

As for me... All I wanted was to be by her side and make sure she was safe. No one had ever treated me as... normal as she had. It was either fear and contempt or a severe case of underestimation because of my physical size which led most people to believe me still a child. Oh, Hayate did the same as well but I knew that with her it was an equal mix of genuine affection and mischief. I would grumble and pout but in the end accept it.

Because Hayate to me was truly everything I ever needed. Her smile and happiness were paramount. Yes, I loved her. Much more so than what was probably healthy or that she would ever feel comfortable with. Yet, my own wants paled in comparison with hers. Without Hayate I wouldn't even be here today and have a chance at experiencing all of this. If all I could ever be was her friend and protector, I would gladly sacrifice my own happiness.

So, yes, back to the overprotective bit. I was prone to it, I had to admit. Especially after long mission where we weren't together. Short-term missions I could handle. Give me something that lasted for weeks or even longer and I suffered heavy withdrawal symptoms... Not that I would ever admit to that out loud!

So when she was running a little late this evening, I decided to set out and meet her halfway. There was nothing to it and I think she pretty much expected it by now. When I sensed her magic, however, everything changed suddenly. Not wasting any time, I took to the air and had reached her destination quickly. Almost not in time. Had I still been at home, I would not have made it. None of us would have.

Once all this was done, I would have a proper comeback for when the others were teasing me about my overprotective nature. For now, however, my fury was boiling and burning all other thoughts from my mind. A lot of people said I was too emotional for a knight. Perhaps that was true. I certainly did not have Signum's stoicism and calm and I didn't think I ever would. For the most part my way of fighting had always served me well. Nanoha had once said I did not need strategy or a cool head because any enemy would have trouble keeping me down anyway. She still shot me down almost every time in sparring...

"Hayate, are you alright?" I asked, keeping my eyes fixed on the strange woman. There was something about her. Both familiar and unnatural. I didn't think she was an ordinary mage causing trouble. Earth was a fairly peaceful place in terms of magical crimes - recent events notwithstanding. No, this one felt like the foulness of the Book of Darkness. It made me shiver slightly but also even more guarded and ready for anything.

Hayate's voice shook a little. "I'm... fine." She glanced past me and the woman at the girl lying on the ground and I understood immediately. I wanted to shake my head at her for getting herself into trouble by playing good Samaritan again, yet that would make me and most of everyone else I knew a hypocrite. It was just in her nature to help someone in need.

I just wished she had contacted us, damn it!

"Eisen," I snapped and my faithful device immediately loaded up a new cartridge. The woman shied away from my first swing, eyes widening. She flung a bolt at me but I easily caught it with a barrier, yet could feel the sting of the eerie power. Not giving it any further thought, I charged after the person that dared to harm my precious Hayate, yet remained conscious of the position of the girl and made sure to shift my body in such a way that I would end up between them.

All that effort was somewhat wasted, however, when my first swing with Eisen in Gigantform completely missed its target and only served to create a big crater. I hastily glanced around but even her presence seemed to have disappeared completely. Hayate was already with the girl, having shielded her from the backlash my attack created but there was no sign of the woman. At my questioning look Hayate merely shook her head as well.

Sighing and feeling just a little betrayed at not being able to vent my anger correctly, I let Eisen revert to base form but kept him out, just in case. "Tsk, ran away already? I was expecting more of a fight. What were you doing getting beaten by..." I bit on my lip at seeing the pained look and cursed myself for once again speaking before thinking. I knew that she was already rather conscious of her inability at direct combat. This must have been bad enough. "You should have called us." The bite was already out of the reprimand. A moment earlier I had fully intended to stress to Hayate that she shouldn't do stupid things like this. We were all connected and over this short distance a single, telepathic thought would have been enough to let us know. But she was already miserable enough and so just like with the fight I had to keep my anger unvented.

Hayate looked away, focusing on the girl, and I saw a flash of bitterness that immediately made me regret my comment even more.

*Vita-chan, is everything alright? What happened?* Shamal's frantic voice interrupted my thoughts and I was glad for the distraction anyway. No doubt the others would be here any moment as well.

*Yeah. Hayate is okay and the... enemy is gone.*

I studied the girl a little more closely now. Her skin was albino-white, her long black hair contrasting sharply with it. She was several years younger than Hayate, clearly still in Elementary School. That wound on her side looked nasty and her breathing seemed low and ragged. I wasn't an expert and usually prone to overreact to symptoms but even I could tell that the girl wasn't exactly in a good condition.

*But you better hurry, Shamal. We have a civilian here and she doesn't look good.*

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Author's Notes

And... I'll end it here. This was the initial scene that stuck in my mind and let to the entire idea. That's actually rare, considering I usually get inspirations for scenes much further in and then start to built around them. ^_^

Consequently I'm not really too sure where we are going with this apart from a few general main plot points. I am counting on lots of feedback to see if you are interest is piqued by this small teaser.

A few notes. This is my first time dabbling with Nanoha (there'll probably be a lot more firsts), so if I don't get every fact entirely straight, keep that in mind. I have no problem if you point it out to me as long as you keep it at that. Criticism is always welcome, as long as it is constructive. Otherwise I'll ignore you or sick Nanoha on you. ^_^

I hope I got Hayate's official rank at the time right, otherwise you may blame... no, not me. Just the wiki.

Oh, and... Happy Birthday, Minako. Sorry I couldn't dedicate something with you in there. This will eventually, of course but there wasn't really a part for her in this prologue and I didn't have time for more since finishing the prologue of TFSTTM Reloaded... *pouts*

Ja ne, yours

Matthias