Hello everyone. Welcome to my new side series. For those who aren't already familiar with my characters, it may aide your comprehension if you read "Welcome to My Guild Welcome to My Heart". But hey, if you wanna be a rebel and read this first, I can respect that, brah. Anybutt, let us commence with the story.

Morning sunlight ran through the window of Zilar and Mimi's bedroom. Zilar awoke and noticed Mimi was still asleep. He leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Good morning, princess," he said. Mimi slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Zilar.

"Good morning, my dashing silver prince," she replied sweetly. They kissed briefly and both got up. They had a big day ahead of them. Blue Pegasus was paying Fairy Tail a visit that day. They got dressed and began walking toward the guild hand-in-hand. They arrived to see the guild hall decorated all around with mixtures of Fairy Red and Pegasus Blue. It was less than an hour till the arrival of the guild and people were still rising around making last minute preparations.

"Hey Erza," Mimi called out. Erza was sitting rigidly at the bar with a very uncomfortable look on her face.

"Something troubles you, Erza," Zilar said.

"No, nothing is troubling me! Why would you say that!? I'm perfectly calm! Who said I wasn't calm!?" The Requip mage said digging her armored digits deep into the flesh of the wooden bar counter.

"Ummm...okay?" Mimi said.

"Move along, kids. Nothing to see here," Cana said, pushing Zilar and Mimi away from the shaken Erza.

"Look, she always gets like this whenever Blue Pegasus is mentioned," she began explaining.

"Why is that?" Zilar asked.

"Because Blue Pegasus means a short, round, and stubbled you-know-who," Cana said.

"You-know-who?" Zilar and Mimi said in unison. At that moment, the door bursted open and in came a fanfare of regal music. Banners carrying the Blue Pegasus symbol came into the guild hall.

"Presenting the finest group of young gentlemen to grace the world of magic," said a voice out of no where. "Eve Tearm!" A young blonde boy appeared from supposedly thin air through a wintery gust of snow. "Ren Akatsuki!" A tall man of dark complection and black hair came about rather aloofly. "And none other than Hibiki Lates!" A handsome young man with dark blonde hair appeared in a display of golden light. He also appeared to be the anonymous voice from a moment ago.

"And allow us, The Trimens of Blue Pegasus, to introduce the man behind it all," the three boys said in unison. "The Dean of Debonair, the Prince of Perfume, Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki-sama!" And then before them all appeared an older and stouter gentleman with flowing orange locks. He had a serious and determined look on his face as he and his underlings posed glamorously. There was great applause, but only coming from those who were also in the guild of Blue Pegasus. The inhabitants of Fairy Tail merely gazed on in shocked discomfort. None more shocked than Erza.

"Ah, my dearest scarlet rose! How long it has been since I've indulged in your decadent perfume!" Ichiya said, immediately going for Erza and sniffing insistently. Erza answered with a scream and a swift backfist which sent Ichiya flying back from whence he came.

"Yes, red," he said through pained groans. "The color of ferocity. Of passion. Of love!" He then promptly fainted from his blow to the head.

"And also the color of the blood seeping from his head wound," Mimi said with a heavy sigh.

"I just remembered," Zilar said. "There is something important that demands my attention." He took Mimi's dainty hands in his. "I will run this errand with great haste and be back as soon as possible. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Mimi smiled. Zilar smiled back and gave her a quick kiss. He waved goodbye and quickly left the guild hall. Soon afterwards the festivities insued and the two guilds mixed and mingled amongst themselves and each other. Mimi stood against the wall for a moment relaxing when suddenly Hibiki of Blue Pegasus slid up alongside her.

"Hello, Mimi," he said brightly. "May I say how lovely it is seeing you again."

"Oh stop it you," she said with a small smile.

"How are you enjoying the party?" He asked.

"It's really nice," she replied.

"That's good." There was a moment of silence between them before Hibiki spoke again.

"Mimi, I regret to say I didn't just come here for small talk. There's something important I want to talk to you about."

"Oh, okay?"

"May we step out a moment?" He said. Mimi nodded and they walked outside to an alleyway between the guild and another building.

"Mimi, we need to talk about where things will be going from here."

"What do you mean?" She replied.

"I am a gentleman, so it causes me a great deal of pain going about ourselves like this. I respect Zilar and I respect you. Which is why I think we should, no, need to tell him what's been going on."

"Oh." Mimi said looking down. The truth was that for some weeks now, she had been seeing Hibiki without Zilar's knowing. They had to be very careful of what they did for Zilar not to find out. But Mimi wasn't sure if she was ready to admit any of this to him. She didn't know how he would take it and she didn't think she had it in her. She still had a great deal of feelings for him, but a nearly equal amount had spurred suddenly for Hibiki.

"I...I'm not sure if I can," she said.

"It's okay," Hibiki said, gently caressing her cheek. "I'll be there with you. We can do this together. Just trust me." She looked up at him and gave another small smile. They both closed the distance and shared a kiss. Just then, there was the sound of something small hitting the cobblestone street. Mimi turned and was horrified to see, standing there at the opening of the alleyway was Zilar. The look of pain and anguish on his face was indescribable. Mimi looked down at the object he had dropped to his feet. It was a small black box that was now opened from falling. Mimi could just make out the glimmer of a diamond. The diamond of a ring...an engagement ring.

"Oh my God, Zilar," she said breathlessly. She covered her mouth and doubled over, tears quickly welling up in her eyes. She felt as though she was about to wretch up the contents of her stomach. The scenario was like something from the darkest of nightmares.

"Zilar, please calm down," she heard Hibiki say from above her. "Let me explain." Mimi, through whatever strength she could still muster, managed to look up at Zilar. The sadness in his expression had turned to quiet rage. A rage so silent it could make one's eardrums bleed. His eyes were dark and hollowed. Mimi remembered long back to the day Zilar rescued her from the clutches of Ganjees. It was that self-same look. One of fury and killing-intent. She could see Zilar clenching his fists so hard they trembled. But just as he had clenched them, he soon released them and Mimi could see deep red marks left in his palms. Zilar took a step back.

"No...I am beyond explanations. You have nothing that would explain this. Nothing." He turned on his heel and quickly took off down the street in long, heavy strides. Mimi couldn't move. Every nerve in her body was paralysed.

"Mimi," Hibiki said, "you have to go after him."

"But...but he said..."

"I know what he said. But despite that, I know that he will listen to you. I know I said I would be there with you, but now I would surely do more harm than good. I'm sorry." Mimi didn't know what to do. She just wanted to leave her body there and go away. Far away from all this. The heartbreak. The lies. The sadness. The pain. But there was no where else to go. No where else she could go. No where else...but to him. She worked up all her might and slowly stood upright. She took shaky steps down the alleyway till after what seemed like a year she got to the open street. She could just see Zilar's silhouette far off down the street. She swallowed hard and broke out into a jog after him. Then that jog turned to a run. And a run to a dead sprint. She was sprinting, nearly tripping over her own weak feet, towards the man she'd wronged to see if there was any possible way she could make things right. Zilar was halfway across the bridge when she reached him.

"ZILAR!" She cried out. Without thinking she leapt at him and wrapped her arms around his torso. She couldn't hold back any longer. She let out loud sobs and thick tears streamed down her face.

"Please, Zilar! P-Please forgive me! I'm sorry for w-what I've done! I am so sorry! But I d-d-don't know what to do anymore! I still love you! But I l-love Hibiki, too! I'm just so confused! But please...don't leave!" She continued crying as Zilar simply stood there. After a moment, Zilar pried Mimi's arms off of him. He turned around and picked her up back onto her feet. He then stepped back and stared at her. A cold, unfeeling stare.

"I do not know what to feel," he said finally. "I cannot feel anger towards you or Hibiki. I cannot feel sadness nor regret. Nor...can I show forgiveness for what it is you have done." The last statement hit Mimi hard. Like a gunshot piercing her center.

"What I do know is that I cannot stay here any longer," he continued. Mimi looked up at him. Her face pleaded for him not to go.

"I am...compromised. My mind and my soul are raging like an unstoppable tornado. I cannot stay here without jeopardizing what little sanity is holding my being together. I must leave."

"But Zilar, please-" Mimi said. Zilar quickly cast the Wind Wall spell. Creating a barrier between the two of them and stopping Mimi from following. He turned around and continued back across the bridge and away he went. Mimi cried ever more louder. She had done all she could, but it still wasn't enough. She later rejoined Hibiki and he consoled her. He himself was feeling terrible after everything that had happened. That night, Mimi arrived at her and Zilar's house only to find it was only her house now. She walked upstairs to find all his clothes and other belongings cleared away from their drawers. She also found a large bag of money which Zilar had left a note saying it was his share of the rent for the next 3 months. She then found a separate letter on her pillow. She grabbed it, opened it, and began reading.

"Dear Mimi,

I have not yet come to understand why things have transpired the way they have. I pray that someday I do, though I doubt it very much. It has been an amazing year, one I will try to remember fondly. Though, it will be hard for me to look back without remembering the pain you have dealt me. I understand your intentions were not malicious, but that does not change their effect. I am taking a leave of absence from the guild in order to visit my parents in the mountains, as well as to do a bit of soul searching. I hope with all my heart that Hibiki will grant you all the love and happiness you deserve. My only regret is that I will no longer be the man to do so. Hopefully the next time we cross paths, we can look back on these changes with graceful hindsight and honest hearts. Until then, I bid you a fond farewell, sweet princess.

-Zilar Enlil"

Though she didn't think she could any longer, Mimi began sobbing loudly once more into her pillow as she clutched the letter tightly in her hand. The room was cold that night, now that he had left.

.

.

.

.

.

The next day, Zilar finalized the terms of his leave with the guildmaster, Makarov. Unlike the last time something like this had happened, it was fully understood that Zilar would one day return. His wardrobe had changed drastically from what it previously was. His sky blue jacket had been exchanged for a dark, stormy gray hooded cloak. With a heavy sigh, he slung his satchel onto his shoulder and left the guild for what seemed like the last time, at least for a very long while. As he began crossing the bridge out of town, he came once again upon Mimi. Her appearance there before him was clearly premeditated. She had a gently somber look on her face. They stood their facing each other for what seemed like hours. Finally, Mimi spoke.

"So...you're really leaving," she said.

"...yes...I am," he answered. Another moment of silence came between them.

"What about Hibiki?"

"He thought it was for the best that he and I don't see each other for a few days. At least until we can both process what's happened."

"That is good."

She hummed in agreement which was followed by yet more silence.

"Zilar...do you really have to go?"

"You and I both know this is for the best."

"I guess so."

"Which reminds me," he said. He reached into his satchel and took out a small knife-like tool. He pulled back his hood.

"This is the beginning of a new journey for me. I received these when I finished my training with Master Randahim. Now I must earn them once more." He gently pulled on one of the braids in his hair and used the knife to cut it from his temple. He then repeated this with the other braid. He held them both in his hands and gazed down at them.

"I also remember that day in the inn, when you helped braid them for me," he said. "I suppose this is also just another thing to let go of." He slowly extended his hand out over the bridge and dropped the braids down into the water below. Mimi looked at where he had dropped them and then back at Zilar. He already seemed like a different man, from the clothes to the braids no longer framing his handsome face. He slowly walked up to Mimi and looked once more deeply into her eyes. It was hard for her to look back, since it was this look she had grown so accustomed to when Zilar wanted to show his affection. She felt somewhere deep in her heart that he was still trying to show what little bit of love he still harbored for her. He then closed his eyes, placed his hand softly on her head, and put his forehead to hers.

"Goodbye, Mimi."

"...goodbye...Zilar..." He then walked past her and put his hood back on. As he walked down the road, he heard her voice begin to sing behind him. A somber tune they both knew by heart.

"Of all the money

That e'er I had

I spent it in good company

And all the harm

That e'er I done

Alas it was to none but me

And all I've done

For want of wit

To mem'ry now I can't recall

So fill to me

The parting glass

Goodnight and joy be with you all"

Mimi smiled, turned back, and began walking back into town. As she walked she started to slowly and silently cry. Zilar smiled softly to himself as he continued the song.

"Of all the comrades

That e'er I had

They're sorry for my going away

And all the sweethearts

That e'er I loved

They'd wish me one more day to stay

But since it falls

Unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise

And softly call

Goodnight and joy be with you all

Goodnight and joy be with you all"

I hope you all enjoyed the beginning of this new story. I also hope that that blatant Assassin's Creed IV reference didn't go unnoticed. But there's a little reason behind it being there. It's a song from the game that like singing to my own girlfriend. I hope it's okay that I included that for basically no reason. So I'll see you next weekend, faithful readers. Goodbye. :)