Episode 10 - Everyone's Separate Heart-Felt Vows
Lindy orders Chrono to bring Nanoha and Yuuno back to the ship, where they receive a stern lecture about the importance of following orders. However, given the successful outcome, she doesn't impose any punishment. Next, Chrono reports that their analysis of the magic that attacked the Arthra has conclusively identified the person responsible: Precia Testarossa, an expert in trans-dimensional magic. Precia was exiled from Midchilda twenty-six years ago, after an illegal experiment which caused a major accident. Lindy orders Chrono and Amy to discover anything they can about her, including her relationship to Fate.
Meanwhile, in the Garden of Time, Fate once again endures a brutal beating from the furious Precia. When Arf finds Fate unconscious afterwards, she confronts Precia in a rage. Precia calls Arf useless and tells her to disappear, then blasts her through the wall and right out of the Garden. Badly injured, Arf manages to teleport herself away.
Fate soon wakes up to find her mother standing over her. Precia says that the nine Jewel Seeds they have aren't enough, and orders Fate to go and recover at least five more. She also tells her that Arf has fled, and says she's the only one Fate can rely on.
Lindy takes Nanoha back home and meets with her mother, spinning a plausible-sounding story about what they've been doing. Meanwhile Alisa, heading home from school, has just received a message from Nanoha when she spots what looks like a large dog collapsed near the road. It is actually Arf in her wolf form; unaware of her true nature, Alisa takes her home and tends her injuries. Arf recognizes Alisa as Nanoha's friend, but accepts the assistance.
At school the next day, Nanoha apologizes to Alisa and Suzuka for making them worry. Alisa invites them over to her house, and mentions the dog she found; from her description, Nanoha realizes who it is. When they get to Alisa's house, Yuuno opts to stay and talk to Arf while the girls head inside. Arf reluctantly tells Yuuno, as well as Chrono (who is monitoring from the Arthra), about what happened. She confirms that Precia is Fate's mother and is the one who's behind everything.
Lindy and Chrono decide they have enough evidence to arrest Precia for trans-dimensional crimes. Nanoha tells them she wants to try and save Fate, and Chrono agrees to leave that in her hands. Arf says that Fate is all alone now, and begs Nanoha and Yuuno to rescue her from Precia.
Returning home, Nanoha spends the evening with her family and thinks about what she's about to do. At dawn the next day, she, Yuuno and Arf head back to the seaside park where they last fought Fate. By prior arrangement, Fate is there waiting for them. Arf begs Fate to stop following Precia, but Fate replies that she can't abandon her mother. Saying she understands, Nanoha offers Fate a wager: they will each put all of their Jewel Seeds on the line in one final, winner-take-all duel...
Tropes
- Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: Much of the episode consists of these, as lead-up to the approaching season climax. Nanoha spends time with her family and friends, and makes up with Alisa; Arf approaches the heroes and begs them to save Fate.
- Call-Back: Two to episode 5:
- Arf recalls meeting Alisa at the hot springs.
- Nanoha echoes Fate's offer to wager Jewel Seeds on the outcome of a duel — only this time, with all of them on the line.
- Calling the Old Woman Out: Arf tries to do this to Precia on Fate's behalf. It does not go well for her.
- Disobeyed Orders, Not Punished: Lindy opts not to discipline Nanoha and Yuuno for disobeying orders and helping Fate, given that they succeeded in safely sealing the Jewel Seeds. However, she sternly informs them that she won't be so lenient a second time.
- Exposition: We finally learn some details about Precia Testarossa's backstory.
- Foreshadowing: Precia mutters that time is running out for her and "Alicia" — a name we haven't heard before now, but which will soon prove significant.
- Incurable Cough of Death: Precia is seen to be suffering from one, although the cause is not revealed.
- Rage Breaking Point: Precia's brutal abuse of Fate finally causes Arf to reach hers. After cradling Fate's beaten and unconscious body, she blasts her way into Precia's room, smashes through her magical shields, grabs her by the collar and tells her in no uncertain terms how cruel and awful she is. Unfortunately, Precia has no interest in Arf's opinion, and casually blasts her through the wall.
