A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews on both FanFiction and Ao3. I will try my best to improve my way of handling flashbacks moving forward. Onto chapter 14.

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Clover. It belongs to Yuki Tabata.

...

"That ceremony was something though.. Who would've ever thought Dorothy would become the new Wizard King.."

"Oh come on.. I know she's usually just sleeping but give her some credit here, Finral.. *Drinks More Booze*.. haven't you heard of her efforts in restoring the kingdom after the elves attack..?"

"Apparently.. That played a big part in her being elected the new Wizard King for the citizens.. Not only is she ungodly strong.. *Drinks Even More Booze* She's also very kind, caring, and enthusiastic about what she does.. And responsible when she needs to be.." Vanessa finished, shooting a quick glance at her captain after saying that last part..

Shooting a quick glance at her captain, Yami Sukehiro, as he currently sat on a chair a few meters away from her and Finral, reading his usual newspaper, cigarette in between his lips, even at this late hour..

As it was currently half past midnight, though the three of them, along with, probably anyway, most of the people in the Clover Kingdom, were still awake. Having an after-party at home or.. Just doing whatever else..

And speaking of doing whatever else, the rest of the Black Bulls were currently each in their own rooms. All doing their own thing..

Charmy, having prepared fourteen giant piles of all kinds of food, was currently stuffing her mouth in her own room with whatever her hands happened to grab. As she currently wanted to have all of this to herself for once, not sharing it with anyone. Just this once. It was gonna be a pain cleaning all this in the morning, but she tried to push that thought out her mind and simply tried to enjoy the right here and now..

Gauche was, well.. Currently in his own room, sitting on his bed, looking at his usual picture of his 'angel', Marie. But, other than that, he was also, currently, feeling a little uneasy..

He was feeling a little uneasy, as his 'squadmate' was still missing and he had his doubts about his other 'squadmates' assumption of him spending the night at his childhood home, Hage Village..

And though Gauche would never, never admit this out loud, he really did think of Asta as a friend, same with all his other squadmates. But he just has a really hard time expressing his true feelings out loud, as this change had only happened recently. More precisely, it only happened after they had saved and stopped him from harming anyone when he and his sister were possessed by elves..

As that, more than anything they said or did before, really proved the fact that he had really meant something to them. And that they weren't just trying to 'use him' for their own purposes. And so he was truly grateful, on the inside at least..

Gordon was working on his 'dolls' of his friends. Muttering inaudible words to himself, and just all around being his usual creepy self, even if it wasn't his intention. Not much else to say here..

On the other hand, Magna and Luck were surprisingly, asleep. As they had fought for several hours right after the Wizard King ceremony had ended. Though whether that was their way of after-partying or not, who the hell knew..

'And then there's me and Grey..' Henry continued on with his thoughts, as he was currently checking on all of his Black Bull friends using his magic.. 'That Zora though, he's never around is he..' Henry thought of his unpresent friend..? If he could even call the both of them friends that is.. *SIGH*

'Speaking of unpresent, I wonder where Asta and Nero are.. They're definitely not in the hideout that's for sure..' thought Henry with another sigh, as he was currently, just overall upset. As unlike his friends and squadmates, he couldn't attend the ceremony due to his special condition..

'Oh hold up.. I almost forgot, how's Noelle-san doing.. I can't believe I just remembered her, this time everyday is usually ruckus-time for her, she's usually always flustered about something.. Or so Asta told me at least..?'

...

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Black Bulls base, opposite to Henry's room at least, was Noelle Silva's room. Or, as Yami liked to call her, 'Miss Royalty''s room..

And of course, inside of Noelle's room.. Was, well, Noelle of course. Though she was currently neither asleep nor celebrating like her friends.. As she was currently, currently..

Currently on the verge of having a nervous breakdown, if she wasn't having one right now that is.. As she currently, sat atop her room's very-average bed, head in between both her legs..

Head in between both her legs. Hands holding her knees. A few tears going down her cheeks, said tears stemming from her currently, still and frozen eyes..

Stemming from her currently still and frozen, shocked looking eyes.. Eyes that screamed of fear, anxiety and disbelieve.. What the hell was currently going through her hea-

'Oh Asta!' Henry's train of thought was broken, as he now noticed Asta in close proximity to the Black Bulls base. Nero atop his very-bushy head, seemingly patting it with her.. Wing..?

...

Meanwhile, as Henry was stalking his squadmates, and back in the Black Bulls base lounge area..

Back in the Black Bulls lounge area, Yami, Vanessa, and Finral were all still awake. Two of the three still chatting away..

... "huh.. What do you mean..?" asked Finral, looking shocked..

"Like I said.. *Drinks More Booze* It's just some chatter I heard while locked up, it may not even be true.. And even if it is, I of all people definitely wouldn't have full context.. *Drinks More Booze*"

"Oi.. Quiet down you two.." Yami interrupted and ordered his two recruits, as his right hand was currently resting on his katana..

His right hand resting on his katana, a tense look on his face. As he looked ready to kill someone right now.. "Someone's coming.." he said..

*CREAK*

...

Yami's hand now withdrew itself from his katana. As he had now now noticed who this 'someone' was..

As it was non other than their Asta and Nero. As the both of them now entered the base, Nero atop Asta's head as a bird..

...

"uh... That was weird.." Finral stated the elephant in the room. Currently dying on the inside. 'Why does it always have to be me, eeee!'

Though all he got in response was Vanessa's hysteric laughter five seconds later, as Yami continued on reading his usual, never ending newspaper. A blank and knowing expression on his face..

"Y-You don't g-got to tell me that.." a drunk Vanessa managed to get out in between laughs and hiccups, somewhat struggling to breathe in her current state.

As she was currently laughing at what had just occurred. As when Asta and Nero were passing by them, it was honestly pretty damn awkward..

Extremely awkward, as from the looks of it, and going by her social sense, Vanessa deducted that Asta had absolutely no intention of explaining himself. Nero with him making the situation even more awkward, for well, reasons.

And as if cutting through the silence like a like a knife through butter, Vanessa decided to be the one to deal with this. As her curiosity got the better of her, wanting to know how Asta'll respond..

"Hey Asta where you been?" she asked him, a slight smirk on her face, as he now froze. Most likely shitting himself on the inside.. 'Here we go!' Vanessa thought with excitement as she licked her lips..

"O-Oh sorry about that.. I was just uhh, training, yeah training! But I guess I just overworked myself and fell asleep, Nero here f-found me though.." Asta responded to his friend, stuttering out every word. That and very, very, very, very awkward laughter to follow up..

"Uh well anyway, I gotta go sleep so..!" Asta quickly continued as he seemingly teleported to his room. Nero still atop his bushy head.

*ENDLESS LAUGHTER* (Vanessa)

"H-Hey w-what do you guys think..?" she asked as she now started to calm herself down.. "Huh.. Think what..?" responded Finral with a dumb question..

A very dumb and unnecessary question, as he already had an idea of what she meant. Although he had wanted to remain in denial and keep it to himself.. Though unfortunately fate was apparently not so kind..

"Oh come on Finral, stop playing dumb..." "You know what I'm talking about, right?" Vanessa responded, only getting a quick head-shake in response..

"Fine then I'll spell it out for you.. *GIANT SMIRK* What I'm saying is do you think those two sma-"

"Oi Vanessa, that's enough, leave poor Finral alone. Besides don't get that image in my head, I don't need it" Yami interrupted his squad's flirty-witch.

"Oh c'mon captain, you're no fun!" Vanessa responded. Very obviously whining about having not been able to tease Finral..

"Yeah yeah whatever.. *PHOO* Anyway, whatever's up with Asta, that was definitely a lie. There's something more going on here, but I guess you'll just have to wait for him to tell y'all himself" Yami responded to his recruit's whining, now getting up and leaving to his room.

As Vanessa also followed suit and got up from her lying-down position, ready to get in some sleep for the night. Though only after shooting a quick, and very mischievous wink at Finral..

And finally, Finral. He just simply sat there, not moving a muscle. Frozen stiff for multiple reasons right now..

A) He was the one to state the elephant in the room, an always heart-wrenching task no matter how you look at it..

B) Vanessa teased him, and bad. All because he decided to open his mouth, or so he thought anyway.. Though she was probably going to tease him either way if he had to be honest with himself, she always finds a way.

C) For better or for worse, he was saved by his captain, Yami.. While he just sat there, helpless, unable to defend himself against his friend's teasing.

And, D) To make matters worse, his captain's saving him probably came with a cost.. Be it not an immediate one, but he was probably still going to pay the price. Pay the price by working ten times harder as his captain's 'wheels'. An also heart-wrenching task.

Though he finally decided to just suck it up, and got on his way to his room. As he desperately needed some sleep right now more than ever. Since if he is to work extra hard for Yami, he needed to get in some sleep for what remains of the night, as it was currently almost one in the morning..? night..? Who knows, as it was currently almost 1:00 AM..

*PHOO* 'Damn Finral, still letting Vanessa, me, and basically everyone else walk all over him..' Yami thought with disappointment, as he had hoped Finral would stand up for himself just this once at least.. But no, he had to save him yet again..

*PHOO* 'Oh well, I guess I still got myself someone to make my going around everyday easier I guess' Yami finished his thoughts, laughing a little. Still feeling somewhat disappointed. But hey, why not look on the bright side of things? - Is what he always tells himself, and it works every time.

...

Meanwhile, Asta was currently going through the Black Bulls base's many hallways. Trying to find his room, as it had changed location yet again.

*SIGH* "Does Henry always have to mess the place up.." Asta said out loud, a hint of frustration in his voice..

"Hey Nero.." he started again.. "D-Do you think they believed that lie..?" he asked her, looking for some comfort..

"What are you talking about? KI, remember?" was what he got in response though.. The complete opposite of what he had wanted. As he now frowned in response to that overly strong dose of what you might call, reality.

"C'mon at least try and help me out.."

*SILENCE*

*SIGH* "I mean what the hell was I supposed to say? That I was just trying to off myself but failed..?" he said to.. Himself again, as his partner wasn't exactly the talking type..

Though all that insignificant bullshit aside, he now suddenly realized something..

He now suddenly realized something. As his face went completely pale, not a hint of color on it.. As he now started picking up his pace. Not running, but also not walking.. So, quick-walking..?

And though he had hoped his partner wouldn't notice, to his dismay, that was definitely not the case. As Nero had very clearly noticed that he, for one, went completely quiet. And, for two, started walking faster.. Both of which being the result of him noticing a certain door, which she recognized, being right next to him..

...

Seconds later, Asta magically found his way to his room. As he was currently standing just outside it's entrance..

And before he even got a chance to speak, Nero had decided to be the one to get this elephant out the.. room? hallway? Okay whatever.

"Yes I'm staying here for the night, and you can't complain. In fact, I'll be here for a long time to come, so get used to it.." she stated very quickly with a commanding tone. As Asta simply melted under it, unable to say anything in defiance to her.. 'Interesting..' thought Nero..

*NOD*

*CREAK*

*CLICK*

...

'I was just trying to off myself but failed' 'I was just trying to off myself but failed' 'I was just trying to off myself but failed'..

These words kept on reverberating through her head, as she continued on with her position from earlier. Head in between both her legs, and arms crossed around her knees. A few frozen tears still on her cheeks..

As this was of course none other than Noelle Silva. Of the royal house of Silva of the Clover Kingdom. Simply sitting there, on her very-average bed, those words from earlier reverberating through her head. That and certain events from this past week, that have been haunting her all night long now.. Ever since they all realized that Asta wasn't with them at the ceremony..

'W-What is wrong with me...'

"Hey, I do exist, right?" asked Dorothy..

"What are you talking about? You know the answer already.." responded another Dorothy..

"Yeah I know, I don't"

"Then why bother asking?"

"..dunno, I guess one can always dream, right?"

"Of course, in fact, that's the only reason we're talking right now.."

*POOF*

"Damnit.. Whatever, I can't afford to waste more time, it's almost morning already, I've got a meeting scheduled, don't I?" Dorothy thought out loud, having just gotten rid of her Glamour World double..

...

"Okay! Lemme go through this footage real quick again..!" Dorothy said to herself, her attitude having turned a complete 180 after a good double-cheek-slap..

As she was currently looking at a motion of pictures playing in front of her. Said pictures containing a certain ash-blond hair boy, along with a similar looking kid right next to him.. Said kid again, looking very similar, except for his mostly pitch black body..

CLOVER KINGDOM - BLACK BULLS BASE - 7:14 AM

"Damnit.. I didn't get much sleep now, did I?" Finral stated out loud, annoyed that he barely got any sleep last night..

As he was fretting about many things while laying on his bed. Things as trivial as Vanessa's teasing him, his workload for tomorrow.. All the way down to more important matters..

More important matters, or, more specifically, something Vanessa stated last night while drunk..

"A run-away experiment witch, huh.."

CHAPTER 14: END

A/N: Thank you everyone for reading. To be honest this chapter wasn't supposed to be out this early, but the ideas just kept on flooding in and so I couldn't help myself lol.

Let me know what you think of how I handled 'past events' or really, flashbacks in this chapter. As the original plan for this was another long-ass flashback chapter like 12, but on second thought, and because of your guys' reviews, I decided against it.

Anyway, please review, was this good or not? What do you like and what do you not? It really does help out and keep me going!

Favorite and/or follow if you liked it. Expect next chapter within a maximum of a week from now :).