Sound Stage 03 (a.k.a. Episode 18.5) - Wind of the Azure Sky, Flame of Twilight
Riot Force Six is in the process of moving onto the Arthra, and their injured members are slowly recovering. Rein is now awake and is undergoing a checkup by Mariel at Central HQ. She mentions that she's been having odd dreams, but can't remember what they're about.
Elsewhere, Otto contacts Zest and Lutecia to inform them of plans for the next mission. Zest says he won't interfere, but warns that Scaglietti and the Numbers had better not interfere with his plans either. Agito, who is with them, is irritated by Otto's brusque manner, and once again expresses her dislike of the Numbers. Lutecia says that at least some of them are nice. Zest remarks that Numbers 1 through 4 have been doing dubious things for well over a decade; but the younger ones, 6 and up, are more like misguided children. Lutecia asks what he thinks of Number 5, Cinque. Zest doesn't directly answer the question, but says that Cinque has been active for more than eight years; she was also responsible for him when he first woke up. Lutecia says she feels that Cinque and Zest are similar in many ways.
Back in Scaglietti's base, several of the younger Numbers are pleased to find Cinque temporarily up and about. Deed, who was only recently activated, says she wants to know more about how they were created. Cinque and Nove explain that the two of them, plus Uno and Sette, were creating via cloning, whereas Deed and the other Numbers are the product of original genetic engineering. Cinque also mentions that Numbers 1 through 4 are a bit special in that they incorporate Scaglietti's own genes. She then asks her younger sisters if they've ever been interested in learning about the outside world. They express ambivalence; at which point Quattro arrives and scolds Cinque for asking such things. Cinque leaves to go back into her maintenance pod, but first she wishes her sisters luck, and apologizes for being unable to join their next battle. Nove once again vows revenge on Subaru and Teana, holding them responsible for Cinque's condition.
Zest and Lutecia, meanwhile, are walking towards a town. Lutecia is sleepy, and Zest offers to carry her on his back. Agito, who is napping inside Lutecia's hood, dreams some more about her past. She is a genuine Belkan Unison Device, not a clone or a facsimile, but she doesn't remember anything about her origins. She thinks she had a master, once, probably a sword wielder of some kind... when she tries to recall them, she gets a warm feeling inside, but nothing else.
At TSAB Central HQ, Genya pays a visit to Subaru, who is undergoing some extended treatment there. He tells her that nobody will blame her if she decides to step away from this case. She says she'll stay on, not because she feels responsible, but because as a combat cyborg she is better qualified than anyone to take on the Numbers. Genya says he's always worried about her, but respects her decision. As he leaves, Teana arrives with some of Subaru's belongings. She says that Mach Caliber is still being repaired, and again scolds Subaru for letting it get so damaged. After they talk for a bit, Teana leaves, saying that as Subaru's partner she'll be waiting for her when she recovers.
Still under observation, Rein is having a dream about the wars of ancient Belka. She sees the Wolkenritter talking to a lonely-looking woman with silver hair, whom they address as the Book of Darkness — the original Reinforce. Reinforce laments the cursed existence they lead, and tries to apologize to her Knights, but they tell her it's just how things are. Rein, watching in the dream, thinks they seem cold and intimidating compared to how she knows them.
Mariel informs Hayate that Rein has reported having unusual dreams. Hayate wonders if they might be memories inherited from the Book of Darkness, like those she once saw. Rein was born from Hayate's linker core, which in turn was melded with that of the original Reinforce, so it's possible that Rein has inherited some of the original's memories.
Meanwhile, Verossa and Schach visit Yuuno at the Infinity Library. They've asked him to research certain terms that appear in Carim's prophecy. Yuuno says the line about 'wings' resurrected under the 'king' leads him to suspect that it's describing an aerial battleship of some kind. He also says that ancient Belkan legends mention something described as "the ship of the Saint that rules heaven and earth' — the Saint's Cradle. Verossa asks if such a thing could possibly still exist. Yuuno says that not only is it possible, the legends say that its last known sighting was somewhere on Mid-Childa.
Back on the Arthra, various members of Riot Force Six are making preparations for their future battles. Another level of the Forwards' limiters has been released, and Nanoha's and Fate's devices are being calibrated for new experimental modes. Fate expresses reservations about Nanoha's new Blaster mode, but Nanoha says it's only for a worst-case scenario. Fate goes to ask Caro about the risks of using high-powered boost magic on oneself, and is not reassured by what she hears.
Around the same time, Yuuno contacts Nanoha to ask if she's received his report. He tries to reassure her that everything will turn out fine, but he also adds that Fate is worried about her. Nanoha thanks him and says she feels better.
As Vita and Shamal bring her back to the Arthra, Rein falls asleep and starts dreaming again. This time, Hayate, the Wolkenritter, and the original Reinforce are all living a happy, peaceful life together at Hayate's home in Uminari. As Rein wonders what it means, she hears Reinforce's thoughts, saying that this is the life she wishes she could have. As she prepares to end her own existence, in order to break the tragic cycle of the Book of Darkness, she is recording this message in the hope that it will someday reach the one who inherits her name. She wishes she could have met the next Blessed Wind; she is sure they will be strong and gentle, like Hayate. She asks Rein to protect their family, as she no longer can. Then, as the vision fades away, Reinforce tells Rein to take care of herself, too, and to live a happy life...
Rein awakens. She is with Hayate and the others, who ask why she is crying. Rein says that she had a very precious dream. As they get ready to have dinner together as a family, Rein vows to herself that she will fulfill Reinforce's wish.
Tropes
- Call-Back: Hayate mentions having dreams about ancient Belka when she first became master of the Book of Darkness. This is a reference to Sound Stage 02 from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's; indeed, Rein's dream is quite similar to the ones Hayate saw there.
- Chekhov's Gun: Nanoha's Blaster mode is brought up, which Fate clearly thinks is a Dangerous Forbidden Technique. Nanoha says she's not likely to have to use it. It should come as no surprise to anyone that she will.
- Foreshadowing: Zest says he knows for a fact that Cinque was already quite experienced at least eight years ago. Precisely how he knows that will turn out to be significant in a few more episodes.
- Like an Old Married Couple: Teana and Subaru's conversation has vibes of this, as is often the case.
- Meaningful Rename: Inverted with Agito: the name "Agito" was given to her by Lutecia because they wanted something more practical than the (possibly) meaningful but cumbersome "Sword Spirit of the Raging Fire". It was the 37th name Lutecia suggested, and the only one Agito liked.
- They Call Him "Sword": The scientists who experimented on Agito called her "Sword Spirit of the Raging Fire", which she assumes has some meaning related to her origins, although she doesn't know what.
- Tyke Bomb: Zest says that the younger Numbers are basically this, calling them pitiable children who can't understand that what they're doing is bad.
- Villains Out Shopping: A large portion of this episode focuses on the antagonists, giving them some much-needed Character Development while they carry out various mundane activities.
