This is Fate's Tiara!

This is Fate's Tiara!

Testarossa-Harlaown takes the 2008 International Saimoe League crown

By JR Salazar
Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
November 4, 2008

On the same day that Barack Obama won the US Presidency, Fate Testarossa Harlaown made 2008 "The Year Of The In-Joke," as said by Nanoha Takamachi, her long-time friend and partner. The top ranked competitor in this tournament, Fate proved that she earned her ranking, never dropping a single match in the 2008 International Saimoe League Tiara phase. Her magical run ended with an emphatic 1220-956 thumping of Yuki Nagato of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Surrounded by everyone she had worked with in the Time Space Administration Bureau (who decided to fly over to the tournament, though some of the low-ranked staff remained on stand-by), including Naoha, Hayate Yagami, Reinforce Zwei, Vita, Shamal, Signum, Subaru Nakajima, Teana Lanster, Caro Ru Lushe, Erio Mondial, her adopted mother Lindy Harlaown and her son Chrono (also Fate's adopted brother) and Yuuno Scrya, Fate showed that she was human after all, shedding tears of joy, and letting out a victory scream, as her compatriots joined in.


"This has to be the greatest day of my LIFE!" said Fate, who was still in disbelief at the entire result. "I am so happy all the years of suffering finally paid off today, here in the gretest city on Earth! Yeeeaaahhhh!

"I cannot thank you any more from the bottom of my heart. I wanted to leave this tournament a winner, and retire from these tournaments on top. And that is exactly what I have done. I wanted to face Yuki, and I knew what I had to do. But it wasn't easy. Nothing in this world is easy. The only way you can make it look easy is to believe, and to hope, like our brethren from across the oceans, Senator Barack Obama of the United States of America, and his compatriot Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware. They brought with them hope, and through their cause and your votes...we have done it!"

Banners in the air showing Fate's calm countenance, with simply the word "FATE!" at the bottom, were hoisted, as well signs such as "This is for Fate!" and "It's Fate that drives you!" and "Number One, from start to finish."

"I have so many people to thank. To my love, Nanoha...I wear this Tiara for you, and with it, my love for you." She said this as she kissed her, to the roar of the crowd, some who had to be hospitalized due to epistaxis. "To my friends. Everyone gathered here on this stage. You have given me the strength I needed to win. I dedicate this Tiara to you. You have given me strength. You have made me a Champion, who stands with you in solidarity tonight."

"To someone I wished I knew better, and someone who wished she knew me better...my deceased mother, Precia. Tonight, I extend my hand in the hopes that I make amends with you. To my sister who I never knew, and wished knew me, to Alicia...I hope you are happy with what your sister has accomplished. It's the least I could do to make you happy."

"Finally, to everyone gathered here who watched this battle...thank you for the support these past eight months. Because of your undying commitment and belief in what I can do for you, I came into the Tiara phase on top, and finish this 2008 season on top. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

The crowd roared one last time as the fireworks blazed over Tokyo's 23 wards and cities, as well as in Mid-Childa, to the tunes of "Eternal Blaze" and "Innocent Starter." Confetti streamed from the heavens, as well as sakura petals and feathers. Decked in her mage outfit, Fate raised her weapon Bardiche Assault high, who said, simply, "Great job, sir."

"I told you so," said Nanoha after the battle. "This was going to be Fate's. And it was fate that gave Fate this Tiara. Plain and simple."

"I have a REALLY tough act to follow next year," said Hayate Yagami. "I'm gonna give it everything I got, but I don't think there will ever be anyone who can top the way Fat