A/N I came up with the idea while reading a Christmas fic. Has to be the craziest idea I have had to date. Enjoy. Hibiki is Gray. Get over it.
Loke's POV
It had been two years since both he and Gray had been banned from the Celestrial World. At least he had been allowed to stay in Fiore. Gray for his part in the death had been forced to return to a world he hated.
Now he stood in front of Karen's grave as he faded in and out. He had pushed everyone away in an effort to make the pain more manageable. The truth was he didn't want to fade away. He wanted to continue fighting with Fairy Tail.
A sound behind him drew his attention away from his inner pain. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Lucy. This girl was a Celestrial wizard. One of the few good ones that didn't abuse their spirits. What was she doing here?
He was about to ask when a bout of weakness made his knees go weak. He collapsed onto the ground and she rushed to his side.
She asked," What's happening to you Loke? Don't lie to me. I know what happened with Karen."
As surprised as he was he couldn't find it in him to lie about his condition. He said breathing hard," It was my fault and I have lived with the guilt ever since. When someone dies they are gone forever. I wish i could take it back but I cant. The only way I could make it right is to disappear forever."
He began to fade in and out even more. She said sounding concerned," Oh no Loke!"
"I guess this is it. It's my time."
She asked as he struggled just to breathe," What do you mean your time? You can't just give up!"
He said breathlessly," For me to disappear forever."
He looked down at his hand and said," Ever since that day I have been banned from the Celestrial World. When we killed Karen we broke a fundamental Celestrial Law. Now we have to pay the price."
His thoughts went out to the friend he had made. Lupus the thirteenth gate. While the other spirits mostly ignored the Dark Celestrial spirit Loke had gone out of his way to be friendly to the other. Lupus was a rare gate that was connected to other Earth's. Before he was banned from the Celestrial World he could freely move between them.
As he was Leo the Lion the Light of the Celestrial Spirit, Lupus the Wolf was the Dark. Something many spirits and humans got wrong was the fact that dark didn't mean evil. It was the balance. One that had to be kept if the worlds didn't want to be plunged into chaos. He hoped that his friend and fellow wizard would be able to find forgiveness. That was their penance. They must find someone that didn't know them at all before the incident to forgive them. Only then would they be allowed back to the Celestrial World.
He said," I have been waiting for this. For my magical energy to finally run out. Now it's about to happen right in front of Karen's grave. Then I'll be free. Free from the guilt that has burdened me. Before i go I want to thank you. You have restored my faith in celestrial wizards."
She said surprising him," Wait! I can save you! You can't give up yet. All you have to do is go back to the Celestrial World. Right?"
Wait what? She wanted to save him?! Why? Didn't she understand this was all his fault?
Gently he replied as he gave her his final wish," Please tell everyone in Fairy Tail I said goodbye."
He watched in horror as tears seemed to be held back in her eyes. She slammed fist down as she said," That's not fair!"
"Lucy..." he didn't get any further as she said determinedly," I won't let you die! There's got to be a way I can send you back!"
He lied unable to conceal his surprise," I'm afraid that's impossible. I broke the law and I'm being punished."
She said," And so. This isn't right. You didn't kill Karen. It was just an accident. It wasn't your fault."
That was the first time anyone besides Lupus had said that to him. Lupus who found a hidden gate that allowed him to visit Earthland. Only for it to be sealed by the Celestrial Spirit King just a few days before.
She wrapped her arms around him in what would have been a hug. He stiffened unused to contact from a Celestrial wizard. Loke could sense her forgiveness from said accident. It wasn't something he honestly wanted. He deserved to be punished. Lupus deserved forgiveness. Not him.
He tried to say," Lucy... I..." She interrupted him her magic energy rising," Open Gate of the Lion. Take Leo back to the Celestrial World. Please open!"
He turned slightly in her grip. No one had tried to force his gate open. No one was strong enough to. Even without the blocks on it.
She cried into his chest as he said touching her shoulder," Calm down. It won't work. It's okay!"
She snapped at him," It's not okay. I can't just sit here and watch as my friend disappears right before my eyes."
Pure golden magic energy like he never felt before encircled them. The magic was extremely powerful and crackled like lightning.
She yelled," Open Gate of the Lion! OPEN!"
He said fearful for her," Stop it. You're going to use up all your magical energy like this."
"Whatever it takes," she said holding tightly onto him," I'm going to save you, Loke. I'll open your gate. I won't give up! I promise I'll get you to the Celestrial World!"
"It's too dangerous!"
Lucy ignored him as she exerted even more magical energy as she cried," Open Gate of the Lion. Open!"
He said trying to convince her as much as himself," It's not going to open for you. As far as they are concerned I'm responsible for Karen's death. They won't let me go back."
His words only seemed to fuel her determination. Why would someone go so far for someone like him? Was this what it was like to have someone care about you?
In all honesty he didn't know. Unlike Lupus his only family had been his fellow Celestrial Spirits. Then his friends in the guild.
Lupus was born a human. When Deloria attacked his home he found his inheritance. It didn't take him long to find a home in another Earthland. The only time he returned was for his magic training and to renew his life force. Then Karen had found his key. Like Loke he wouldn't allow her to abuse Aries. So they kept her from being able to summon any other Celestrial Spirits. That was why they were being punished. It made Loke hate himself for his role in what would be his friends death.
He snapped at her," Cut it out, Lucy. You're starting to assimilate with me! If you don't stop you will disappear too."
"I won't stop until the Gates open. I won't let you die! What's the point of having magic power if you can't protect the people you care about!"
"Don't do this! Please don't make me live with the guilt of killing you too!"
Lucy looked him straight in the eyes as she shouted," You didn't kill her! Whoever decided you were responsible needs to know that they were wrong!"
This resulted in a small explosion as time stopped. This knocked them away from each other. Loke felt a familiar presence beginning to appear. The water around tjem began to flow up instead of down. He better than anyone knew what that meant.
Lucy asked fear lacing her voice," Whoah what's going on?"
Loke said in disbelief," Impossible. It's him! The Celestrial Spirit King. What in the heck is he doing here?"
Though it came out a question he already knew the answer. He was here because of what Lucy said.
A deep voice said," Hello my old friend. As you well know both wizards and spirits must obey celestrial law. And taking the life of a key holder is forbidden under any circumstance. Though not by your or Lupus' hand you both are still responsible for key holder's death, Leo the Lion. Therefore both you and Lupus have both been banished from the Celestrial World for eternity."
Lucy said angrily," Hold on. That doesn't seem right."
Loke said knowing the futility of it," Lucy stop."
The spirit king said," Old friend. Human girl. I have made my judgement and it stands. Leo and Lupus have broken Celestrial Law."
He still couldn't believe that the elder Celestrial spirit had come. He must care a great deal about what Lucy thought. Though he didn't understand why.
Lucy said keeping to her views as she stood up," Loke has been suffering in the human world for three long years. I don't know who this Lupus is but I bet he is no better off. They didn't kill Karen but they did stand up to her. Because somebody had to protect Aries."
"I must say it pains me to see my old friend in such a condition. I am surprised that one would try and protect a spirit they know nothing about. Especially one such as Lupus."
Loke winced internally. The Spirit King had always been set in his ways. He never liked Lupus who enjoyed doing things his own way. No matter what anyone else thought.
Lucy asked angrily," What is wrong with you?! An old friend is still a friend! Well there is one right in front of you asking for a second chance. So open you eyes stash face."
"Stash face?"
"Uh, Lucy?" Came Loke.
Ignoring both of them Lucy continued on," Karen died because she took on a job she couldn't handle. He had nothing to do with it. You have to change your verdict. Because he's innocent."
Her magic activated around her again. Loke finally had enough. He couldn't allow her to continue on like this. He couldn't live with anymore guilt.
He said angrily gritting his teeth," Just drop it already. It doesn't matter if the verdict is changed. I'm not looking for forgiveness. I want to disappear and finally be free from this guilt!"
The magic exploded as she shouted," I won't let you! You disappearing won't bring Karen back to life. It will only cause more sadness and pain! You didn't do anything wrong! Because it can't be a crime to protect the people you care about!"
The key of the Gate of Lupus burned underneath his shirt. It was reacting to the magic around him. For the first time since Karen's death the Gate was opening just enough to allow the boy to slip into the world. To his surprise so did many of the other gates. The rest were all from Lucy's group.
Lupus hand was more of a ghost as it touched Loke's shoulder. He was surprised that she could summon all of those spirits. Not to mention summoning the most stubborn spirit of them all. From the lack of hate on the King's face he knew that his friend couldn't be seen. Only felt by him because of their bond.
She turned her anger on him as she asked," What about all of your friends? You're just going to leave them? If you were to die you would leave me and Aries. And everyone else here behind. Think about us and his miserable we would be without you!"
All the spirits gazes turned to him. They had been allies and friends. Some he was closer to than others but they were all friends. Anger and sadness filled their gazes. It made him understand. No one wanted him to disappear. Maybe Lucy was right.
As the presence dissipated she collapsed. He caught her carefully.
She said barely loud enough to be heard," All of my friends who came forward just now. Feel the same way."
Friends? She considered them her friends? That was something unheard of now.
The Spirit King interrupted his thoughts," Hearing you speak so highly of my old friend has led me to think that maybe it's not his actions but the law itself that should be changed. Leo and Lupus were forced to commit their crime to protect Aries. Their brethren. And the human girl is willing to give her life to protect Leo's. I am so moved by your bonds loyalty. I shall make an exception. Leo the Lion you are granted return passage to the Celestrial World. Lupus should he make a similar bond i will also make an exception for."
Loke felt Lupus' hand tighten on his shoulder. The wolf boy was less likely to look for forgiveness than he was. It was surprising that he was still alive. The boy used his magic more often than Loke did. Yet it was Loke that almost disappeared first.
The Spirit King disappeared and he gained his feet tiredly. He could feel the Celestrial World calling to him. He had something to say to Lucy before he left though.
He helped her to her feet and said," Thank you Lucy. You can call upon me at any time."
As he returned to the Celestrial World he left behind his key for her.
Hibiki's POV
It had been a year since he saved the world for a second time. Three since he was thrown into the world for killing a Celestrial wizard. In the time since he saved the world he found out that he was slowly killing himself by summoning demons. Like using his magic summoning demons was eating at his life force. His time in this world was almost over.
To save his friends from the pain he joined JP's. Today was his first day. It seemed that everyone remembered what had happened. Every one but the one that meant the most. Yamato didn't remember him. It stung but he pushed through it. He was only an assistant now. He would do his job. Right till the day he disappeared.
Just the night before Like had been forgiven by a Celestrial Wizard. With the wizard willing to risk her life to save his. Loke had been granted safe passage back to the Celestrial World. A deal had been struck about his own situation. If he could find someone who would forgive hik knowing everything he had done. He would be allowed to return to return to Fiore.
There would be no forgiveness for him. Atoning for his sins in the only way possible was what he planned to do. Though he would enjoy his time with JP's while he could.
The uniform was as stiff as he remembered it looking. Still it was a was a way to spend what time he had left.
The diet building hadn't changed in the year since he been gone. People looked at him as he went through but no one stopped him. His first stop was the chief's office. Miyako had taken the mantel of chief instead of Yamato. From what he understood Yamato still helped run things. Though he had more freedom than before.
When he knocked on the chief's door he was told to enter. Unsurprisingly her first words to him were blunt and honest.
"You look … older in that."Miyako's brow lifts up her forehead, hiding behind her messy fringe.
It doesn't take a genius – of which Hibiki is most definitely not – to discern that she's appraising him. The Chief's lips are pursed and Hibiki would pay all the yen in the world to glimpse inside that pretty, but utterly baffling, head of hers.
"I hear that's a good thing," Hibiki says smoothly.
Miyako sighs, a delicate hand pressing to her forehead. "Please. This is no place for jokes." There's a poignant pause in which she adds, cautiously, "…at least, not while you're on the clock."
It is good to see you," she begins again, this time with a renewed warmth to her words that reminds Hibiki of their conversations during those last few days of the previous world. In those moments, Hibiki had seen her humanity; he had seen her grow as a person and learn to love herself and the value of an individual. It was worth every headache along the way.
"You too," Hibiki says with a genuine smile devoid of any jest. "How are you?"
"I can't complain," she says, tilting her head high, "After all, it is my responsibility to lead as head of the Hotsuin clan. It is my sworn duty to protect those that cannot protect themselves."
A lazy grin blossoms on Hibiki's face. "Everyone, then, huh?"
Miyako pauses, and then a rare smile flits across her face before she rolls her eyes. "I trust you have looked at your folder by now?"
The folder she was speaking of was his assignment. In it had been his id badge. One that was now pinned to his jacket. An upgraded cellphone. Then just basic information. It wasn't like he didn't already know his way around. He did. So much time spent helping Jp's he had best know his way around. Otherwise he would be in trouble.
She asked quietly," Do you have any questions?"
He looked at her seriously as he replied," You know what is soon to happen to me?"
Her smile faded. In its place was a sad look. It wasn't pity just a sad knowing look.
She said nodding her head slightly," Yes I know. Is there anyway to prevent it?"
Lying through his teeth he said," No. The decision stands. My life force is low. Much lower than what can be sustained for long. I suspect I have until the end of the year. If I'm lucky."
She nodded and said," That's the same impression I received. Though I do not understand why your life force is draining away."
Her unasked question was left unanswered. There was no way any of them would understand. Demons and magic were normal. Magic and Celestrial spirits were not.
All he could do was shake his head and give her a fake smile. One that she saw right through.
Shaking her head in exasperation she said," Go. Your office is on the third floor. You have an appointment with my brother a two this afternoon."
Excitement bubbled in his chest. He looked forward to seeing Ysmato again. He and the Chief had grown close before the final battle. It had been a slight disappointment when the other had not contacted him after the battle.
So instead of waiting he immediately joined Jp's after graduation. Daichi and the others were going to college. To be honest he didn't want to be near his friends when he began to fade. It would just make it harder for him when it was time to leave.
Joining Jp's at least gave him a purpose. A meaning to live while he waited out his time. Less than a year was an unbearable amount of time without something to do after all.