Sound Stage 02 (a.k.a. Episode 6.5): The Distant Light of the Night Sky
Hayate arrives home from her overnight stay with Suzuka, and is met by Signum and Shamal. Vita and Zafira are out, and Signum tells Hayate that they're off visiting the neighbourhood association. The three are somewhat bemused when the Book of Darkness starts floating around after Hayate. Hayate thinks it's being affectionate, although Signum says she can't remember it ever doing that with its previous masters. Having stayed up late with Suzuka, Hayate is sleepy and decides to take a nap. After she goes to sleep, Signum mentions to Shamal something that's been bothering her: when they were talking on the phone last night, Hayate affectionately called her "General of the Raging Fire". The thing is, only one being ever calls Signum by that title: the incarnated consciousness of the Book of Darkness. Meanwhile, a soft female voice speaks to Hayate in her sleep, telling her that everything is safe.
Shamal says the Book's consciousness can't be active yet, because they haven't gathered enough pages for her to manifest. Signum counters that Hayate is clearly experiencing some form of contact with her. After conferring telepathically with Zafira, they ultimately decide that it's not a major cause for concern. Signum asks Shamal whether the illusion she placed on the book is holding; Shamal confirms that its pages will appear blank to anyone else who looks at them, including Hayate. As they're discussing this, Dr Ishida calls to remind them that Hayate has some advanced medical scans scheduled for tomorrow.
At TSAB headquarters, Nanoha and Fate have just finished filling out some paperwork related to Fate's status. The Liese twins find them and offer to take them on a tour. While showing the two girls around, the familiars ask the two girls if they've considered joining the Bureau as official members someday. They suggest that Fate would be well suited to becoming an Enforcer like Chrono, although they warn her that the qualification exams are very hard. When Fate wonders what career path would be good for Nanoha, both Liese twins immediately say she should become a combat mage and instructor. The two girls aren't quite sure what to make of these recommendations, but agree that they want to face their future together.
When it's time for Hayate's examination, Signum and Vita take her to the hospital, where she has to lie down inside a full-body scanning machine. Hayate falls asleep while the machine is running, and starts to dream... on a battlefield from ancient Belka, she sees the Wolkenritter — but not as she remembers them. They wear unfamiliar armour, and are violent and ruthless... the coldly-treated tools of a harsh and demanding master. As Hayate watches in dismay, a mysterious silver-haired woman appears before her, saying she shouldn't be here. The woman identifies herself as the true consciousness of the Book of Darkness, who has been watching over Hayate since she was born.
The woman tells Hayate she's witnessing the Book's own recorded memories, which would normally be shown to her after she became the Book's true master. It seems, however, that Hayate somehow managed to find her way into the book's memories before she was ready. Watching the Wolkenritter as they were in the past, Hayate is upset to see how badly they were treated. The Book's consciousness ends the visions, saying she can't change the past, but assures Hayate that the Wolkenritter are now very happy with her as their master.
Hayate is pleased to meet the Book's true personality, and wonders why Signum and the others never mentioned her. The Book's consciousness explains that since she can't manifest unless the Book's pages are filled, something Hayate has forbidden, the Wolkenritter thought it best to avoid the subject. She notes that completing the Book's pages would allow her to manifest physically, and even fuse herself with Hayate in 'unison' mode. In the current state, however, she says it's dangerous for Hayate's mind to dive into the Book this deeply; she will therefore place a lock on her program to prevent it from happening again. Hayate is sad to hear that she won't be able to meet the Book's true personality anymore, and asks her for a hug. Then, sitting on the Book's lap (inside her dream), Hayate asks for a story from her past — one that isn't so sad.
Returning to Earth, Nanoha and Fate are met by Chrono. They talk about their conversation with the Liese twins; Chrono agrees with the twins' assessment of the pair's potential, but says they should take their time thinking about it. Heading home, Nanoha decides to call Yuuno for his thoughts. Meanwhile, Fate suggests that Chrono get a cellphone of his own, which he thinks is a good idea. Then Fate playfully addresses Chrono as "big brother", much to his shock. After he leaves the room to compose himself, Fate mentally addresses her late teacher Linith, saying that her life now is a happy one.
Back at the hospital, Hayate's examination is coming to an end. In her dream, she starts glowing, and the Book's consciousness tells her she's about to wake up. Hayate wishes they could talk again, and says she wants to give the Book a proper name someday. The Book's consciousness tells Hayate to take care of herself and her knights, and watches her fade away. Then, finding herself alone again, she starts to cry, knowing that Hayate won't remember any of this. Worse, she's well aware of what is doomed to happen — she will inevitably bring utter destruction on Hayate, as she does with all her masters, and she is powerless to prevent it. Weeping bitterly, she asks whether there is anyone out there who can defy destiny and save Hayate...
Hayate wakes up in the examination room to find Ishida, Signum, and Vita standing over her. They ask why Hayate is crying, but she doesn't know. Hastily evading Ishida's suggestion of further tests, Hayate and her knights head home.
After dinner, Hayate takes the Book of Darkness outside with her to look up at the stars. She tells it she feels their connection growing stronger somehow, almost as if they're becoming one. As Signum calls her back inside, Hayate quietly says she doesn't mind if she never gets better, as long as she can look after her new-found family... for however long she has.
Tropes
- Double-Meaning Title: The episode's title is taken from a line Hayate whispers near the end as she contemplates her fate: "My light is slowly fading away into the distant light of the night sky." However, it also refers to the Book of Darkness's anguish over having lost her true identity as Tome of the Night Sky — a purpose she distantly remembers, but can no longer reach.
- Foreshadowing: Hayate tells the Book's consciousness she wants to give her a proper name. She doesn't have time to think of one before waking up from her dream and forgetting everything. Nonetheless, it's a promise she will eventually keep.
- Immediate Sequel: To episode 6, which featured Noel driving Hayate home from Suzuka's house. Track 1 opens with Hayate arriving home and being greeted by Signum; a moment later, Shamal comes in and says she's seen Noel off.
- Innocuously Important Episode: This episode provides significant additional context and backstory for the Wolkenritter and the Book of Darkness; some of the material here was later adapted into The Movie. Separately, it also lays the groundwork for Nanoha and Fate's future careers as they ultimately play out in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS.
- Newhart Phone Call: Track 10 is Nanoha having a one-sided phone conversation with Yuuno. We can only infer what he's saying to her.
- Running Gag: As in the previous sound stage, Hayate is still obsessed with breasts, here remarking that the Book of Darkness has very nice ones. The Book doesn't mind, saying she's not as easily-embarrassed as Signum.
- Stepford Smiler: The Book of Darkness is friendly and positive when talking to Hayate... but as soon as she's alone she starts crying in despair, knowing she's doomed to destroy her master.
- Talking to the Dead: As she considers where her life is going, Fate speaks to Linith, wondering if she's watching "from the other side of the sky". She tells Linith her life is happy and full of kind people, and promises not to lose no matter how strong her enemies are.
- Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds: The Book of Darkness. She knows full well she causes nothing but death and destruction, and is in anguish over it... but she's also powerless to do anything about it.
