Thunder & Lightning

Chapter 25: The Ballad of Evergreen

A couple of days had passed since they had gone up against Freed's father. Bickslow was completely healed and Freed had graciously offered to accompany him to get some more wood for his carving. They had invited Evergreen but she declined. She had plans of her own that she wanted to set in motion besides, Freed still felt guilty about what had happened and no doubt he wanted to apologize to Bickslow yet again.

"Mira, darling," Ever smiled as sweetly as she knew how.

The Take-Over mage blinked while everyone else at the counter took one look at them and quickly disappeared. "Hello, Evergreen. How are you doing today?"

"Wonderful. Say, I was wondering, would you like to take a little trip with me?"

"You mean like a job?" Mira looked a bit confused.

"Not exactly."

Evergreen could always tell when it was her birthday because they wouldn't bring her any food. The first time she could remember it happening she was five years old. Tearfully, she asked why she couldn't have anything to eat. The maid looked guilty but said that she would send up Evergreen's father and let him explain. He came up later that evening and told her that, since she had killed her mother that very day five years ago, he would not reward her. She cried herself to sleep that night but, ultimately, thought he made a good point.

"This place is gorgeous," Mira Jane stared at the mansion in front of her.

"I suppose it is although I only saw it when I was escaping," Ever mused. "That's where I lived," she pointed towards one of the towers behind the mansion.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, I do appreciate you asking me to come but why did you? I would've thought that you would take your brothers," Mira asked.

"In all honesty, I didn't want them to come. To a certain extent, they both understand how I feel but Freed just faced his father a few days ago; he didn't need to do this to. Bickslow will help him and that's why I didn't ask him. Besides, I wanted to get to know you better," Evergreen explained.

"That's so sweet," Mira cooed. "So what are you going to do exactly?"

Evergreen winced. "I'm going to go visit my mother's grave and apologize to her."

The grave for the former lady of the house was off to the side, surrounded by colorful flowers. There was a lovely stone statue of her and a plaque that read,

Cordelia Diana Stone

Though she died to bring

A monster into this world

May she live on in our hearts for all eternity

"That's not very nice," Mira frowned.

"That's my father for you," Evergreen sighed. "He never let me forget that I killed her."

"I'm sorry. Would you like me to turn into your mother?" Mira offered.

"You would do that for me?" a hopeful look was on Evergreen's face.

"Of course," Mira smiled then looked at the statue and concentrated. Seconds later she turned into a beautiful woman with long flowing brown hair and eyes.

"Mother?" Ever gasped, tears in her eyes. She hesitantly stepped forward then wrapped her arms around the other woman and burst into tears. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

"It's ok," Mira whispered, hugging her back. "It was an accident; it wasn't your fault."

The two stayed like that for several minutes until Evergreen's tears had stopped. Mira finally let go and stepped back, transforming back into herself. "Are you ok now?" she asked.

"I think so," Ever nodded, wiping away a few straggling tears. "I appreciate it, Mira, thank you."

"It's what family does," Mira smiled.

"Let's go home," Ever smiled.

"Trespassers aren't allowed," a male voice said.

Startled, the two women turned to see an elderly gentleman standing there, wearing a fancy suit. He looked old and tired as he leaned on his walking cane.

"Father?" Ever gaped. It hadn't even occurred to her that she might run into her father on this little excursion. She had naturally assumed that he had died years ago.

"Evergreen?" the man looked horrified. "Is that really you? Don't kill me, please," he begged.

The woman in question looked at him rather disdainfully. He had caused her so much misery and pain…was she really willing to let him live? "I'm sorry, I was mistaken. I don't know you and we'll be leaving now. Come on, Mira."

"Coming," Mira hurried after Evergreen, stopping long enough to send a vicious glare towards the old man before they left the estate.

"Evergreen," the man murmured once more before turning to head back to the house.

Nobody had even noticed the small, winged creature hiding behind the stone statue. "Oh my beloved Evergreen, I'm so sorry," the fairy whispered as she flew away.

The day that Evergreen left was a cold one. Snow was falling and, in fact, already covered quite a good deal of the ground, making it difficult for a little girl to walk. She persevered, however, refusing to give up in her quest to find the fairy she had seen flying through the gardens. All of the maids and manservants that attempted to stop her were instantly turned to stone. She could never decide whether she was relived or not that she didn't run into her father.

"How was your trip?" Freed asked when the two women returned to the guild.

"Interesting," Ever replied. "And yours?"

"They tried to cheat me," Bickslow reported happily.

"Cheat Papa," the babies sounded scandalized.

"That's terrible," Mira frowned.

"Not really," Bickslow shrugged. "That meant I could take it by force and not feel bad about it."

"Yet another reason I didn't take him," Ever explained.

"I can certainly see why," Mira nodded.

"Freed, they're picking on me," the seith mage whined.

"Evergreen, stop picking on your brother," Freed said automatically. "Bickslow, stop provoking your sister."

"How did I provoke her?" an outraged Bickslow cried. "Mira, help me."

"Oh my, how ever did I get involved in this?" Mira giggled.

When Evergreen was a bit older she realized something very important; despite how bad she felt about turning her mother into a stone statue, if she hadn't done that then she never would have met Bickslow, Freed and Laxus. Was it worth it, she wondered? Yes, she decided, for she would far rather have the brothers she had come to know and love than the mother she had never known.

A/N: Hope you guys liked! I know this isn't my best and I'm sorry. Please read and review!