Sound Stage 03 (a.k.a. Episode 14): Afterwards
Since the conclusion of the Jewel Seeds incident, Nanoha has continued her magical training with Yuuno. From time to time, the crew of the Arthra contacts them to update them on Fate's judicial hearing. During one such call, Lindy drops some not-so-subtle hints that she'd love to see Nanoha join the TSAB, prompting Chrono to scold her for trying to recruit minors. He and Amy tell Nanoha that Fate's hearing is going well, and pass along a package from Fate. Amy also tells Nanoha to be ready for something later that night; Chrono asks what they're up to, but Amy says it's a secret.
Later, Lindy tells Chrono it would be wonderful if both Nanoha and Fate could join the TSAB, but Chrono tells her it's premature to think about that. Then he mentions that Amy is planning to make dinner when Fate gets back from today's hearings, and asks Lindy to join them.
Meanwhile, Nanoha has told Alisa and Suzuka about her encounter with Fate (minus all the parts about magic and inter-dimensional travel). While the investigation is ongoing, Fate is barred from real-time communications with people outside the TSAB, but she and Nanoha have been sending each other recorded messages. Nanoha tells Alisa and Suzuka she's just received a new message, and invites them to watch it with her. Fate (who's been instructed to keep the message safe for Muggles), sends greetings to Nanoha's two friends, and thanks them for some books and videos they previously sent her. Watching Fate, Nanoha starts tearing up a bit, causing the others to pause the recording and reassure her.
Fate and Arf, wrapping up a day of hearings at TSAB headquarters, head back to the Arthra. Arf asks Fate if she knows what she wants to do after the trial if she's acquitted. Lindy has offered Fate a place in the TSAB, but Fate says she hasn't given it much thought yet. She does, however, say that she wants to see Nanoha again.
Back at Nanoha's house, she and Yuuno watch another message from Fate, this one addressed to them alone. Fate describes the TSAB headquarters, which is a vast spaceship-like base in the dimensional sea. She mentions that she's been training with Chrono, but says she'd also like to learn more about defensive magic from Yuuno. Yuuno privately reflects that he'll have to leave Nanoha too some day, and wonders if he'll be able to stay in touch in similar fashion.
On the Arthra, Lindy sits down for a talk with Fate and asks how she feels about her mother now. Fate says she isn't bitter or angry, just sad that Precia didn't tell her the truth from the beginning. She thinks that if she'd understood her true position, she could have better helped her mother. Lindy tells Fate she should have more pride in herself, and then asks what she'd think about being adopted as her daughter. Fate is caught off guard by the question and gets slightly flustered, so Lindy tells her to take her time thinking about it.
Chrono comes in for his regular sparring session with Fate. When he notes how handy intelligent devices like Bardiche are, Fate asks why he doesn't have one of his own. Chrono says he's considered it, but isn't sure how effectively he could coordinate with one. After their practice, Chrono compliments Fate on her growing magical strength. Just then, Amy calls them all to dinner; as they head out, it occurs to Fate that if Lindy adopted her, Chrono would become her "big brother". She tries out the phrase under her breath a few times.
In the dining room, Amy reveals a huge feast — today is the anniversary of Fate's familiar contract with Arf, and they're having a party to celebrate. Fate receives an even bigger surprise when Nanoha calls in by video link and says that she and Yuuno have prepared a special gift. Standing in the wooded hills outside Uminari City, Nanoha uses Raising Heart to create a special light display — "Starlight Breaker Shooting Fireworks Version". Fate is touched, and Nanoha says she's sure they'll be able to meet again soon. Tearing up, Fate thanks everyone for doing all this for her sake.
Back on Earth, Nanoha is tired out from her fireworks display, but happy to have talked to Fate. Then Yuuno belatedly realizes that he forgot to put up a barrier... meaning Nanoha's magical light show was visible to the entire city. The two of them hastily flee the scene and hurry back home.
Tropes
- Breather Episode: This 'episode' is just a light-hearted epilogue without anything at stake.
- Foreshadowing: Lindy's adoption of Fate, which will be a subplot in the following season, gets set up here.
- Loophole Abuse: Nanoha contacts the Arthra to talk to Fate over video link, even though Fate is supposedly barred from having real-time communications outside the TSAB. When Fate asks if it's really OK, Amy points out that the video has a lag of almost 0.05 seconds, so technically it's not "real-time".
- Not So Stoic: Fate starts crying as she thanks everyone for their kindness.
- Troll: Chrono refers to Yuuno — to his face — as Nanoha's familiar, which the latter does not appreciate. Since Chrono is The Comically Serious, it's hard to tell whether he's joking or not. This will turn into a Running Gag next season.
