A/N: I don't know why, but I can't use the horizontal ruler on chapter 9, so sorry about that, just read carefully. Anyway, this chapter marks the end of the first story, and I hope it was a satisfying end for all, I certainly thought it was. Of course there are still some questions left unanswered. What is Fate's sin? Who is Natsume's love interest? All those questions will be answered in the next story, the first chapter of which is already completed. Anyway, I'm happy that everyone read this story to the end, I hope you continue to do so. Thank you, enjoy.

- Kode-Dekka

Why did everything end up like this?

Even though I worked so hard, even though I was hurt so much.

Why has it come to this?

I want to see you.

I want you to hold my hand like you did before.

I want you to embrace me, just like all those other times.

I want you to save me...

Please... help me... Nanoha...

Lyrical Girls

Final Chapter

Everything had gotten completely messed up, and I had no idea how to process it all. Even so, I stood here, in front of Fate's home, surrounded by people, including police and news reporters.

Ms. Harlaown explained it to me as best she could. After I went back to class, around that time Child Protective Services were called, and asked to come down to the school for a meeting regarding Fate. Her mother, Precia Testarossa was also called, but arrived first, and used that time to take the girl away. That's how we found ourselves outside of this house, in the middle of a hostage situation.

But, there were several problems that kept police from just entering. One was the fact that Fate had confessed to being abused once before, when it first started happening. However, upon investigation, she took everything back, and said that she lied, likely because her mother was pressuring her.

Because of that incident, Fate hadn't been taken seriously this time, but CPS came to investigate anyway at Ms. Harlaown's insistence. However, just like before, even under these circumstances, Precia took her away, and now Fate is telling them that it was a lie, a big misunderstanding.

Even then, that doesn't discount the possibility that she's being made to say that. The police, the social servants, and even me, were all here to get the truth.

Ms. Harlaown is an amazing woman. She has connections all over the city, so even though everyone wanted to go home, she found away to get them here, at Fate's doorsteps for one final confrontation. The CPS workers are going to go in there, they'll have a talk with Precia and Fate. If any of them admits to the abuse, then the police are waiting on standby to arrest her.

The reason I was here, was to convince Fate to speak up. I was her friend, her only friend, so it was my job to break through to her. I couldn't go in, but Ms. Harlaown said she had a secret weapon in case things didn't go well, a way for my voice and feelings to reach her heart. I don't know what it was, but I was ready to do what I had to, I would do anything for Fate; because even though we didn't know each other for a long time, she was already an important person to me, an irreplaceable friend. No matter what, I was going to save her.

Fate felt her mother's fingers dig into her shoulders, her nails piercing her skin. She wanted to cry out in pain, but said nothing. Any second, some government workers would come in there, and ask her for the truth. This would be the second time, and probably the last time. If she didn't tell the truth now, she knew that she wouldn't get another chance to be saved.

But she also knew that she would lie again, because she had no other choice. Even if she told the the truth, her mother wouldn't be gone forever; when that time came, she would likely receive even worse punishments than before. But if she lied again, her mother promised to forgive her.

Fate was ashamed of herself. She knew that she was going to give into her mother's pressure again, and lie. She was going to resign to her fate, the one that had been laid out for her since she killed her father and sister. The reason she felt bad, it was all because of Nanoha. If she lied, she was betraying her, making everything the girl did for her all for nothing. Her kind words, her gentles touch, her friendship, Fate was going to betray all of that, and stain those happy memories black with dishonesty.

They finally came, two of them wearing fancy business suits. A man and a women both entered her home with a greeting from her mother. She apologized for doing all of these sudden things, and for causing such a commotion. Putting on the mask of a kind mother, one that used to be her real self, Precia lied to both their faces without a second thought or a bit of hesitation.

They all sat down, and before things began, the two workers looked at Fate, saying that had a message, from Nanoha, whom they also said was outside. She couldn't believe it, and thought that her ears were playing tricks on her. Nanoha... she's here? It didn't make any sense to her, who thought that their friendship was long over because of her cowardice.

The woman cleared her throat, taking out a piece of paper and reading it. "Fate-chan, don't be afraid, I'll be with you, no matter what happens. I believe in you, Fate-chan..." The woman seemed to smile as she read it, which made Fate smile too, until she saw the look in her mother's eyes. She was clearly angry, however was good at hiding her disdain by smiling.

"How sweet, you have such a nice friend, Fate." Precia said to her, warning her with a piercing glare not to say a word. She remained silent, and only nodded.

After that, the adults got down to business. They discussed everything, including the incident in the past, where Fate took back the statements she made. Precia laughed everything off, saying that Fate was still having a rough time dealing with the death of her father and sister, and that she's only looking for attention. The violet haired woman promised the two that she would try her best to take better care, and come home more to "soothe her loneliness" as she put it. The man ate it all up, but the woman wasn't so convinced, and had been looking at Fate the entire time.

Fate didn't say a single word, and just nodded when she needed to. She was still thinking about Nanoha, that made it hard for her to concentrate. She was worried that she might slip up if she said anything. Occasionally she looked outside, through the window, where she saw her friend looking at her. At those times her guilt became almost unbearable, but she managed, because she didn't have a choice, this was her fate, her punishment, her retribution for the sin she committed. That's how she felt. No matter how bad the abuse was, she deserved it, because her sin killed the two people she loved most in the world.

That was how she felt, until she met Nanoha. Even though Fate didn't feel that she deserved it, she received friendship and unconditional kindness from that girl. Nanoha, who shared her tears. Nanoha, who held her so gently. Those things changed Fate, and now she was conflicted. She still thought she deserved all these horrible things, but still, she wanted to be saved. Because she met Nanoha, and was shown kindness for the first time in 10 years, she didn't want to let go of that feeling. Her heart was in turmoil, and both sides were tearing her apart. That's probably why she didn't hear the woman speaking to her.

"Huh?" Fate snapped out of her thoughts, looking at the woman who had been addressing her for a few seconds.

"I asked if you were alright, you looked a little distressed." Her eyes opened with shock, and immediately looked to her mother, who was growing more furious. But still, Precia managed to turn it around.

"She must be feeling a little guilty about causing so much trouble, isn't that right Fate?" Fate nodded, not saying anything. The woman sitting across from them found this strange. Not once, no matter what was asked of her, did Fate say a word. The woman was convinced that something wasn't right. However, she knew that her intuition wasn't enough, that Fate would have to say something herself if anything was to happen. Otherwise, they'd have no choice but to drop the whole thing. That's why she asked a very basic question.

"Testarossa-chan," She said "I'd like you to tell us something. Has your mother ever hit you?" Precia made a motion to answer for Fate, but the woman stopped that right away. "I'm sorry, but I'd like her to answer the question." The mask on the mother was cracking, and the woman knew it, because even she could see how furious her gaze was. "Now, tell us, when she's angry, or even when she isn't, has your mother hit you?"

Fate felt cornered now. She had only two options, lie, or tell the truth. If she lied, she would be forgiven, but things would stay the same. If she told the truth, she could be free, but would still be fearful of her mother's wrath. She wanted to repent for her sin, but she wanted to be saved. Forgiveness, salvation, she had no idea which one to choose. She tried listening to her heart, but all she could hear was Nanoha's voice, and that only confused her more.

She felt the dark presence of her mothers anger, she felt her deadly eyes fixed on her. Unable to stand against that fear, she did what she had to do. I'm sorry, Nanoha...

"No, mother never hit me..." She could almost feel the victory smile of Precia, who reaffirmed this, and asked if the matter was settled now. The man and woman looked at each other, the man was satisfied, but the woman not so much. However, her hands were tied, there was nothing she could do.

"Yes, were done here. Sorry for taking up your time, Miss Testarossa." The two of them stood up, where the woman gave Fate one last look, before turning her gaze outside sadly.

It was all over now, and as they reached the door, Precia gripped Fate's shoulders in what seemed like a loving manner, but Fate could feel different. Its all over now... sorry Nanoha... She apologized, saying sorry to Nanoha in her heart.

But then, out of nowhere, the silence around the house was shattered by a loud voice.

"Fate-chan!"

I saw it all go down, and then I saw it all end. Nothing was going to happen, I could tell that Fate gave into her mother rather than tell the truth. It was all over now, nothing had changed. "Damn it." I said, which was kind of out of character for me, especially since I was with the principal of the school.

"Don't worry, its not over yet, we still have our trump card." Before I could say otherwise, she called a man over, and he brought something, which was then handed to me. A megaphone. "Here, you're our last chance, Takamachi-san."

"But I-" She cut me off, and smiled.

"You can do it, she's your friend, isn't she? Are you just going to let it end like this?" I saw in her eyes that she trusted me, and that gave me the will to speak.

"Okay!" I took the megaphone, gazed straight at Fate, and yelled as loudly as I could. "Fate-chan!" My voice reached her, and she turned her head toward me, she was completely astonished. I didn't have anything that I wanted to say in particular, so I just told her how I felt. "Fate-chan, don't give up yet. Tell the truth, show them what your mother does to you. I know you're sacred, but you have to, or nothing will change. You're my precious friend, so if you need courage, then take mine, take all of it if that's what you need. I haven't given up on you yet, I'll be with you no matter what happens. That's why, please, don't let it end like this, Fate-chan!"

I gave her all my feelings, and sent them to her heart. I wanted them to reach, I prayed that they would reach. All she had to do was one little thing, and then it would all end.

It was a long standoff, as the two of us just looked at each other, separated by distance and glass. But, finally, the light in her eyes showed brightly, and she smiled, nodding at me. Then, she started to reach for her sleeve.

Fate had listened to all of Nanoha's words, taking them to heart, receiving all her feelings. The grip of her mother increased on her, and even as the social workers looked at her expectantly, she didn't make a move right away.

Nanoha... She blinked, thinking deeply. Nanoha... The part of her that believed that she deserved punishment, it was starting to shrink and quiet down. Nanoha... As each second passed, she felt Nanoha's gaze becoming more intense. Nanoha... Even as her mother crushed her shoulders, she felt like she was becoming braver, as if Nanoha really transmitted all her courage to Fate. Nanoha... I... She didn't want to be hurt anymore, she didn't want to cry anymore. She just wanted a gentle, loving mother, like the one Precia used to be. Right now, she wanted it all to end.

However... Nanoha! She didn't want it to end like this. If things didn't change, then she wouldn't be able to stay Nanoha's friend, the guilt of betraying her would be too much, and she would once again become locked in a never ending cycle of unhappiness. Their story had only just begun, she didn't want it to end yet, not like this. Nanoha... I... I...!

"Help me..." Fate whispered. She felt Precia's grip become even tighter as the social workers asked her to repeat what she said. She could do this now, holding Nanoha's feelings, her courage in her heart, she didn't need to be afraid anymore. Fate, still looking at Nanoha, smiled and nodded, which said that her feelings had reached. "Help me!" Without hesitating anymore, she reached for her arm, her sleeve, and pulled it up, revealing all the dark marks on her.

"You bastard, how dare you betray me!" It all happened so quickly. Precia reaching her arm up, getting ready to slap Fate, the female social worker, making a dash for them. The police outside making their move when they saw what was happening.

Precia was able to land a hit on Fate, smacking her on the face, before she was taken down by the woman. The man came over to Fate, helping her and making sure that she was alright. The police came in soon after, helping the woman to restrain Precia.

She was read her rights, and then led outside, and into a police cruiser. The woman went up to Fate, made sure that she wasn't hurt to badly, and then escorted her outside, all the while listening to Precia's angry cries.

I saw Fate coming out of the house, and couldn't keep myself from rushing forward. Without wasting a single second, I embraced her again, calling her name. I had been so worried about her, especially when I saw the scuffle inside. She respond to me by returning my hug, and also crying, thanking me in between her sobs.

It was finally over, this long suffering for my friend was over at last.

The whole thing was all over the news, including my speech to Fate. It was kind of embarrassing when I watched myself getting so passionate, Natsume and Alisa made sure to tease me a lot for it. My parents also teased me, but also congratulated me for "saving the day", even though I didn't do anything.

I had become even more famous at school, which was a problem for Fate, since the spotlight was on her as well. I didn't mind that much, I knew it would all blow over eventually, but it was still awful.

As for Fate herself, her mother was currently being charged with domestic violence, and Fate was going to have to appear in court to testify. I knew it was going to be hard for her, but I assured her that I would be there every step of the way. I don't how long Precia would be put away, but even when she got released, I would protect Fate, no matter what, that was the promise I made to her.

There was some good news in all this. Because of the impending events, Fate would be relatively homeless, so Ms. Harlaown made arrangements to become her legal guardian for the time being. When Precia was released, whenever that was, if she hadn't changed her ways by then, the principal was even going to try and obtain complete custody, and adopt her.

All in all, despite the painful things, we had earned a happy ending. I don't know how long things were going to stay like this, but I hoped that this new found happiness with Fate would last forever. Either way, no matter what happened, I, Nanoha Takamachi, would always be right there with her.

To Be Continued in Lyrical Girls A's...