Nora slammed her head down on a book in the Fairy Tail guild-hall library, groaning.

"I'm screwed."

"Hm!" Mirajane smiled down at the Huntress from a ladder, which she was using to sort through the shelves. "I already told you that I can teach you transformation magic, Nora. It's... relatively easy."

"Mira, you didn't see the guys on Galuna Island," Nora said, looking up at the bartender with a frown. "If it wasn't for the fact that there happened to be one guy whose main trick was nullifying magic, I would have been completely useless fight-wise." She looked away, huffing quietly. "Except as a meat-shield…" She glanced down at her hands, frowning. "But I don't even know if I can use magic."

"Everyone can use magic," Mirajane chided, sliding down the ladder and walking over to the orange-haired girl.

"Here, maybe," Nora reminded the other girl with a sigh. "But all this-?" She gestured to the book wildly. "This origin stuff? It's like Dust science!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "Except I was actually good at Dust science!"

Mirajane giggled. "Oh, Nora. We learn such things as children." She raised an eyebrow. "You mentioned that there were a few people with magic on Remnant. How did that work?"

"Oh, uh..." Nora lowered her hands, blinking. "With the Four Maidens, the magic would latch onto the aura of the host. I'd have to guess it was the same with the Brawens too, since they got their magic from Ozpin same as the Maidens..." She shrugged. "I'm not sure how Ozpin and Salem worked, y'know? Ozpin brought his magic with him when he changed hosts, so it might have been aura? But Salem..." Her eyes narrowed. "If she had a soul, I don't even want to know what it was like."

"Hm." Mirajane frowned, gazing at her friend worriedly.

Nora looked up at the white-haired girl. "And the theory was that the Silver-Eyed Warriors had some gift from the God of Light, which meant it was a whole different kind of magic 'cause magic was originally a gift from the God of Darkness."

"Really?" Mirajane suddenly looked incredibly concerned.

Nora blinked, then she raised her hands and smiled awkwardly. "It's fine! Light and Darkness worked together to make humans, back on Remnant. Magic was a gift!" She lowered her hands again, and she looked away. "Until it was a curse, 'cause they made the wrong lady immortal..." Nora took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Anyway..." She raised a hand to rest a finger on her chin. "Magic could be hereditary, 'cause Silver-Eyed Warriors passed their eyes down to their kids and Salem and Ozpin had magic kids... Don't really know how that would've worked with Maidens, or if I should've checked Yang for feathers..."

"Hm." Mirajane put on a strained smile, raising an eyebrow. "Feathers?"

"That was the Branwens' magic," Nora explained, looking up at her friend. "They could change into birds; Qrow was a crow, Raven was a raven. Yang was Raven's daughter."

"I see." Mirajane nodded in understanding.

Nora lowered her hand from her chin. "As far as origins go, they... weren't really a thing, I don't think? Or if they were, they'd have to be huge."

"What makes you say that?" Mirajane asked, perplexed.

Nora waved her hands around a bit. "Well, uh... Here." She grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, and she drew two stick figures with what looked like massive stomachs. She put an S in the head of one and an O in the head of the other. "This is Salem and Ozpin."

"Alright." Mirajane tilted her head.

"The reason why people on Remnant couldn't use magic is because the gods took the ability away," Nora explained, and Mirajane blinked in surprise. "That was thousands of years ago, Mira, maybe even longer. See... a long time ago, a woman named Salem got mad about someone she loved dying and tried to pit the gods against each other to bring him back even though they'd set a rule to respect balance—especially the one between life and death. When Salem broke the rules, they forced her to be immortal so that she'd never see the guy she loved again until she respected the balance she tried to break.

She got even angrier and raised armies against them, and they got mad and took magic away and wiped out everyone on Remnant—aside from Salem, who could still use magic because she came from the time before. The guy she loved, Ozpin, was sent back and reincarnated with his magic after humans and Faunus rose again on Remnant—no magic, this time—to try and unite the people." Nora gestured to her two stick figures. "So, there were two people with magic in a world where magic was no longer a thing for anything else—except the Silver-Eyed Warriors, who were... new."

"I'm following so far," Mirajane said, a little hesitant.

Nora nodded. "Okay, so: Salem's been around the whole time, right? That's thousands of years between her becoming immortal and Ozpin coming back, all without there being any magic on Remnant besides what she's got... but she can still use magic." She waved her hands. "And when she and Ozpin, two people from the time before, have kids... they can use magic. They die when they're kids, so that's a thing. But-!" Nora drew two six more figures and labeled them W, Sp, S, F, R, and Q. "These guys are the Maidens and the Branwens."

"Okay." Mirajane still seemed confused.

Nora drew lines between Ozpin and the new figures. "When he transferred his power to them, they could suddenly use magic. The Maiden magic was passed down for centuries and packed a heck of a punch, the Branwens never had a problem shifting. Ozpin was low on magic after giving so much away, but he still packed a whallop and Salem was... Salem..." Nora waved her hands. "You get it?"

"... Not really," Mirajane confessed, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry."

Nora sighed, then she looked up at the other girl with a frown. "Salem and Ozpin were around for thousands of years on a world without magic... and still had magic, enough to where Ozpin was able to give enough away to last generations and still have enough to protect himself." Nora gestured to her paper. "If origins and this Ethernano stuff ever existed on Remnant, the origins would have to be big enough to hold enough magic for millennia." She looked up at Mirajane. "'Cause magic was taken from my planet. They had a finite amount and couldn't get anymore."

Mirajane blinked, then her eyes widened. "Oh, my goodness." She raised a finger to her chin, pensive. "Magic is akin to a wizard's life-force here... which correlates with what you said about Remnant magic being bound to the soul." She looked at Nora, frowning. "In theory, if Remnant ever had something akin to Ethernano, the next generation of people would have to have been born capable of surviving without it. Ozpin reincarnated, so he always had a new body-"

"And Salem couldn't die," Nora added, and Mirajane nodded. "And on Remnant, only people given magic by Ozpin or Silver-Eyed Warriors had magic. So... what does that mean for me?"

"... Complicated," Mirajane decided, and Nora blinked. "If your gods left mankind's origins intact in some form in the next phase of mankind—whatever the size or nature—it would seem that all you have to do is hope that Earthland's Ethernano is compatible with your origin. That theory is based on the idea that Ozpin was transferring stores of magical power from within his own origin to the empty origins of other people to give them magic." She crossed her arms. "However, we must consider the possibility that Ozpin was not transferring magic into empty origins but instead giving away pieces of his own origin to people who no longer possessed any sort of origin."

"Oh." Nora blinked. "I'd really be screwed, then. That'd mean I'd have no chance to learn magic."

Mirajane hummed. "Furthermore, there is the possibility that magic on Remnant was not at all like Earthland magic and really was some gift from the gods inherently bound to the soul which you cannot attain because Ozpin never granted you that power. You say that his and Salem's children were born with magic? Here, it must be absorbed from the air—one way or another—before it can be used."

"... I miss Dust science," Nora whined, resting her head on her paper.

Mirajane giggled, then she stood up straight. "Well, I'm afraid that I know how to determined whether or not your wish to learn magic may come true here and now, Nora." The Huntress looked up warily. "Meditation is the most-effective way to absorb Ethernano from the air. You can actually observe it happening, so-..."

"Ah." Nora swallowed thickly. "If I can take in Ethernanon, I can use magic. If I can't... I'm just gonna have to work with what I've got."

"You sound as if that's a bad thing," Mirajane noted, and Nora looked down. "... Nora Valkyrie, you listen to me!"

"Ah!" Nora sat up and fell out of her seat, then she looked up with wide eyes to see Mirajane resting her hands on her hips. "Mira, what the-?!"

"You have endured things I cannot imagine, and I was once an S-Class mage taking jobs like Galuna Island for fun," Mirajane announced curtly. "They called me She-Devil, and the name was well-earned." Nora's eyes widened. "So, believe me when I say that I know the magic of this world." The white-haired girl kneeled close to Nora, her eyes narrowed. "You can survive, Nora, and you can fight—with or without magic." She pointed to Nora's chest. "Your spirit is stronger than any spell."

"... Master Mak told Laxus I could beat him," Nora said softly, looking away as her bangs fell to hide in her face. "I can't, Mira. I can't beat anyone, unless they're these really niche magic-nullifying specialists like that Yuka guy I fought on Galuna."

Mirajane nodded. "Most mages could not have succeeded there."

"I only did it because I'm a fraud." Nora looked up at Mirajane, frustrated. "Mira, I'm literally just an idiot with a hammer and a few tricks. I barely belonged with any of the amazing people I was fighting with on Remnant." She looked down. "And I was born there... How am I supposed to be good for anything here... besides taking hits and causing a few explosions... without magic?" Her eyes closed. "I don't think spirit will do me much good against duelists and demons. Believe me when I say it didn't help much against Grimm and genocidal maniacs."

"... Elfman said that you two would be training, later today," Mirajane remarked, suddenly changing the subject. "Maybe while you're sparring or lifting weights, you can... work some of these frustrations out? Just let your mind go for a while, try to find peace?"

"No promises." Nora sighed, opening her eyes and standing up, and she offered Mirajane a hand. Mirajane accepted the offer, and Nora pulled her to her feet. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask: how do you guys listen to music?" She tilted her head. "As much as I want to hit him with a chair, I'm kinda jealous of Laxus's headphones right about now. Master Mak mentioned Sound Lacrimae to me a while back-"

"Does music help you focus?" Mirajane asked eagerly.

Nora shrugged. "I dunno, I guess. I kinda needed it to get through homework."

"What was your favorite genre?" Mirajane pressed on.

Nora blinked. "Uh... I liked rock and pop, and..." She looked away awkwardly. "Piano. I like piano, too." She looked back at Mirajane. "And pretty much just anything worth dancing too, but... I don't know what dance music's like here." She laughed nervously. "Or if any of those genres or instruments exist on this planet..."

"Hm!" Mirajane raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes shining. "It seems like we do have that much in common."

Nora's face flushed. "Sorry."

"I'll see about a Sound Lacrima and some headphones," Mirajane said, then she saw Nora's expression drop. "I think I have an old set somewhere. I don't use them anymore, so they're just gathering dust."

"Oh." Nora blinked, then she smiled. "Okay."

"Hm." Mirajane smiled, then she turned and climbed back up onto her ladder. "You really are peculiar, Nora, in the very best way." She closed her eyes, beaming. "I'm so happy that Elfman and I have become your friends."

"Me, too," Nora said, then she glanced at the library clock. "Oh, shoot! I've gotta go meet Elfman for training!" She turned and ran up the stairs and towards the library door, waving as she left. "I'll catcha later, Mira! Hey, Lucy!"

Mirajane giggled as Nora vanished and a bewildered-looking Lucy entered the library with one of her spirits in tow, the white-haired girl looking back at her task with a smile. "Catch you later, Nora."

/\

Nora huffed as she put the weight she was hefting up and sat up on the bench, groaning and stretching her back.

"Thanks for spotting me, Elfman," the girl said, closing her eyes as she stretched out her arms, then she opened her eyes and grinned as she looked back. "Your turn?"

"You just did three-hundred and sixty-five reps," Elfman remarked, his eyes wide.

Nora snorted. "You should see my morning workout. Tack on an extra four-hundred, while the energy's fresh." She giggled, stretching her arms above her head. "Team RWBY never knew what hit them, the one time they tried a Valkyrie-style workout. My teammates were grateful for it... no matter what they said..."

"Okay, starting to see the monster-hunter," Elfman joked, sitting down on the bench next to her. Nora looked up at him, an eyebrow raised, and he sighed. "Look, I'm no good at this stuff, but... I could tell you were pretty shaken up, after you used your semblance." He took a deep breath. "I know you can't talk about a semblance with anyone besides the master, Mira, and me... and that you tend to be a little closed-off with the master and that my big sister can sometimes make people feel a little overwhelmed. So, I thought... maybe... you could talk about it with me."

"... Thanks," Nora said quietly. "But..." She looked down at her arms; she had removed her detached sleeves, leggings, pink and blue vest, white garment, and armored bands to avoid overheating during the workout, leaving herself in only her black tank-top, skirt, shorts, boots, and gloves. Her scars were clearly visible. "It's hard to explain, y'know? My semblance is a part of me, and... I'm scared to use it? What is that?"

"Understandable," Elfman insisted. "The last time you used it, you got hurt and you lost everything. There's probably a part of you that thinks it'll happen again every time you use your power." He looked down, then he gestured to his eye-scar. "I got this, the last time I used a full-body Take-Over spell... and I lost my little sister, Lisanna."

Nora blinked, then her face fell and she looked away. "I'm so sorry."

"Me, too," Elfman whispered. "A real man should be able to protect his family, his sisters, and I-... I-..." He closed his eyes. "It was all I could do to start using my arm again... I can't even think about a full-body Take-Over. My hands just start shaking..."

Nora looked back at Elfman, seeing that his hands were indeed trembling, and she quickly reached over and grabbed his hand.

Elfman opened his eyes and looked at her, surprised, and the Huntress just frowned at him.

"... My hands wouldn't stop shaking," she admitted. "We were fighting, a-and I-... I had to use my semblance to get to Natsu, to protect him-"

"And you were scared," Elfman murmured, and she nodded. "But you did it anyway, just like with Changeling." He squeezed her hand. "You're something else, Nora."

"No, I'm not." Nora closed her eyes. "I don't stand a chance against wizards, Elfman. If I can't learn magic, then... I'm only good for busywork jobs, but I've got 'Fairy Tail's strongest team' asking me out on adventures." Her shoulders trembled. "I can't do it. I'm not strong enough."

"You kick my tail."

"You go easy on me."

"... Yeah, I do," Elfman confessed, and Nora opened her eyes and glanced at him, finding that he was looking at her sadly. "I can't help it."

"Because I'm hurt, tiny, and I can't use magic?" Nora asked, raising an eyebrow. "If it's a girl thing, I might have to-"

"You remind me of my sisters," Elfman said, and Nora blinked. "It-... It's kinda crazy, really. You've got that same heavy look in your eyes and self-doubt as Mira, but you've got Lisanna's optimism and jokes and energy." He gave a weak laugh. "And the short hair and the way you dress... If Lisanna hit a rebellious phase and dyed her hair, you might've been it." He gestured to Nora's guild mark. "Wrong color, same place."

"... Look at us, a couple of messes who could bench the guild's finest without breaking a sweat," Nora mused, and she and Elfman both laughed quietly. "Hm... I never had siblings. It was just Ren and I until we were seventeen and we got our teams." She looked down. "I guess Pyrrha was on her way to becoming my big sister... she definitely was a great friend and teammate... but she died." Nora gave a soft smile. "Jaune was like my big brother, but I think he'd be surprised to hear that. He had seven older sisters."

"Poor kid," Elfman joked, and Nora giggled.

The Huntress sighed. "... Ruby was like a little sister. I looked up to her as a leader, but... I still tried to look after her." She glanced at Elfman. "I had a sorta-little brother, too. His name was Oscar, and he was scared of hugs... or my hugs, at least." At that, Elfman snorted, and Nora smiled. "Yang and I were the strongest, so she was my sparring partner. Weiss and I liked to p- listen to music together, sometimes—and she kinda looked after me like a big sister would." She looked away. "Blake and I weren't really close. I wish we had been, 'cause... she gave me some good advice, before the end."

"Oh?"

"... You know how you mentioned that there might be a part of us that's scared we'll get hurt and lose again any time we use our powers?" Nora asked, and Elfman blinked before nodding. "Blake would say... it's just a part of you." Nora took her free hand and pointed to his head, then she pointed to his chest. "Don't forget the rest... and you'll know what to do and when, okay?"

Elfman blinked again, then his expression softened. "Okay."

"Hm." Nora's eyes shone, then she sighed as she reached down into the bag by her feet and drew her lightning-Dust crystal. "... I can't afford to be afraid of it, can I? I don't know if I can learn magic, and... I've made these friends who get into just as much trouble as my friends back home." She took a deep breath as her hand shook. "I have to-..."

"You don't have to do anything you're not ready for," Elfman protested. "I know Lucy, Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Erza would understand."

"... They could've died." Nora closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the crystal in her hand.

"That's the risk they took," Elfman said, his eyes narrowed. "And they were idiots, okay? Putting you in that position-"

"I agreed to go."

"Because you couldn't leave them."

"... No, I couldn't," Nora agreed, opening her eyes and raising her head, then she snorted and looked at Elfman with a grin. "I am a Huntress, after all."

"Heh." Elfman grinned right back, his eyes lightening. "Yeah, I know."

"Hm." Nora's eyes shone, then she placed the crystal at her belt before she turned and hugged the mage, closing her eyes.

She felt Elfman tense, then he carefully hugged her back. "Nora?"

"... Thanks, for everything," Nora said quietly. "I know I freak you out sometimes, but... you're a really good friend."

"Hm." Elfman rested a hand on the back of her head. "You don't have anything to thank me for, alright? We're guild-mates, and... you're a good person. I know you'd do the same for any of us, roles reversed."

Nora nodded shakily. "Yeah..." She took a deep breath, then she pulled away and looked up at Elfman. "Erza and Natsu are expecting matches with me as soon as they remember that the challenges are set. How screwed am I?"

"Very." Elfman chuckled, tousling the Huntress's hair, and the orange-haired girl looked down with a sigh. "But I think you're giving yourself too little credit, okay? Just 'cause you don't use magic doesn't mean you're helpless." Nora looked up at the mage, frowning. "That Dust stuff is elemental, and you had all sorts of crazy weapons and armor and powers to deal with back home. Maybe... start thinking of magic more like that, and it won't be as intimidating."

"But I can't underestimate it."

"No, you can't," Elfman agreed. "But you can't let it paralyze you either. You've already started figuring that out." He took one of her hands in his. "Your hands start shaking... but the fists have to keep swinging."

"... Yeah." Nora nodded, taking a deep breath, then she closed her eyes. "Okay... There's no doubt about it: anyone with magic is gonna be more-powerful than me, by A LOT. And even without aura, you guys are crazy-durable and I've seen some killer strength."

"Okay." Elfman nodded. "Can you think of any advantages you've got?"

"Um... There was the magic-nullifying specialist I was able to beat 'cause I don't use magic," Nora said, frowning as she opened her eyes and looked at Elfman. "And I was able to use fire-Dust to blast apart ice that Natsu couldn't melt—and some lightning-Dust on some falling rocks, too. And acid..." She blinked. "My aura improved my reflexes, 'cause it heightens my senses to alert me to presences and dangers.

That was an advantage I had, I was able to sense things coming and destroy some ice-eagles before they could hit me while Natsu-..." She looked down. "My aura protects me from harsh climates and physical damage until the shield breaks, and there were other techniques I started to learn from Ren before-..." She glanced at Elfman again, a weight on her being starting to lift. "I've also got my pain-tolerance—and my weapon, it-..."

"Heh." Elfman smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Feel a little better?"

"... A little," Nora decided. "Like a kitten going up against a planet full of Sabyrs, but... a little better."

Elfman pat her shoulder. "Hey, you came back from Galuna Island alive. You survived S-Class—and even more-impressive, you survived the idiots you ran the job with. You're gonna be okay, no matter what."

"Hm." Nora closed her eyes again, her shoulders slumping as she gave a small smile. "I don't know if I'm too confident there, but... thanks."

Elfman nudged her. "What did I say about thanking me, huh?"

"Hmph." Nora glanced up at him with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. "Humor me, Elfman. I went on a death-quest and faced mages, demons, and a giant rat after you went easy on me in training."

The Take-Over mage winced. "Okay, fair."

Nora snorted, nudging him. "Just try not to do it anymore, okay? You explained why, but... I won't break if you go all-out." She took a deep breath. "And I have to be ready, so... when Erza and Natsu come for me, I'm going to fight and get my butt kicked. It's the only way I'll learn how to deal with this stuff."

"Right..." Elfman nodded, sighing, then he raised an eyebrow. "... Huh."

"What?" Nora looked at Elfman, frowning.

Elfman glanced at Nora. "Natsu knows you use lightning now, right? Has he mentioned Laxus?"

"Unfortunately." Nora rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her knuckles. "Which reminds me of a whole other problem, since Master Mak painted a target on my back that says 'aim here, sonny' just for his jerk-wad grandkid."

"Natsu might consider you good practice for the next time he challenges Laxus," Elfman noted. "And based on what he did last time, you could use that against him." Nora glanced at Elfman with a raised eyebrow. "Natsu can only eat fire, but he tried to eat Laxus's lightning. It... didn't go well."

"Hm." Nora blinked. "That's... interesting."

"And Erza's got special armors that can protect her from the elements, but only one at a time," Elfman noted. "Flame Empress or Lightning Empress. Not both."

Nora tilted her head, and she glanced down. "Hm." She raised a hand to her chin. "I know I can't beat them..." She removed her hand and raised a finger, waving it. "But in a timed match, maybe I can last. I can pass myself off as a competent mage and not get hurt, and I'll get some experience in."

"Erza might agree to a timed match," Elfman said. "But once he's going, it'd be hard to make Natsu stop for anything."

"... So, I'll just have to fight them both on the same day—and fight Natsu first, so that Erza will stop the match when it's her turn," Nora decided.

Elfman's jaw dropped, then he pointed at the orange-haired girl. "You have a death-wish."

"Hm!" Nora raised a hand to her mouth, then she lowered it and giggled. "Yeah, I'm definitely gonna die. But hey, it'll be a heck of a show!"

Elfman shook his head, then he raised a fist. "Nice knowing you, Nora Valkyrie."

"You, too," Nora joked, bumping her friend's fist.

/\/\/\/\

The match times were set at three minutes.

This was at the insistence of both Makarov and Mirajane—and while Natsu was not thrilled, Erza accepted these terms without issue.

The rules were simple:

1. No head-shots.

2. No attacks made with the intent to cause true harm.

3. The match would end early if an opponent was down to the count of three.

Nora would be facing Natsu first, then she would be granted a five-minute break to recover her energy before she would face Erza.

Much as when Erza and Natsu had fought, Cana was taking wagers from spectating guild-members—though no one was actually betting in Nora's favor. The bet were mostly in terms of how long the Huntress would last and how she would go out, which Nora knew not to take personally.

"You don't have to do this," Lucy said, glancing at Nora as the two of them stood in the training field before the match. "Seriously, I don't think anyone would hold it against you... except for Natsu, maybe. But he'd only tease! Plus Gray, and some of the others..."

"Lu?"

"Yeah?"

"Not helping."

"Sorry..."

Nora snorted, then she looked at Lucy with a grin. "It's fine. Just... hazing the newbie, right?"

"Hm." Lucy gave a small smile. "At least you're not monkey-bait or being made to wear a maid costume."

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Uh..? Yeah, I'll take the fights."

"... It's a toss-up," Lucy decided, glancing across the field to where Natsu and Erza were observing them with crossed arms. "Are you nervous?"

"Kinda numb, actually," Nora said. "I've just sorta accepted that I'm gonna be stomped into an early grave. Tell my story."

Lucy huffed. "Nora!"

"Elfman gets my hammer, Mira gets my knife, Cana can have my purse," Nora began listing things off. "The girls at Fairy Hills can have their things back, of course. You, Gray, Erza, and Natsu can each have one of my bands. My vest might look good on Loke if you can get the blood out of it-"

"I could totally pull it off," the orange-haired boy agreed from where he was standing, keeping a safe distance from Lucy.

Nora giggled, then she smiled at Lucy. "Levy likes hair-things, so... she can have my clip. I know she'll take good care of it. She, Laki, Bisca, Mira, and Cana can divvy up the rest of my clothes." She shrugged her shoulders. "And in my honor, I ask that everyone just flip ol' Laxatives the bird whenever he walks into the room for a solid year. If you don't, I'll haunt the guild-hall." She snorted. "Oh, and give Happy a grenade. I just want to see what he'll do."

"You've really thought this out," Lucy marveled, then she frowned. "... Please, don't die."

"Let's get this over with," Makarov decided, bringing everyone's attention to him. "Natsu? Miss Valkyrie?"

"... No promises," Nora joked, winking at Lucy and causing the blonde to exclaim in protest, then the Huntress stepped out and took one end of the field while Natsu took his place at the other end. "Hey, Natsu!"

"Hey, Valky!" The Fire Dragon-Slayer grinned deviously. "You ready to go all-out?!"

"I guess so." Nora shrugged, smiling at the boy as she reached back and rested a hand on Magnhild. "I just gotta be sure..." She raised an eyebrow. "You really want me to use my hammer?"

"Hell, yeah!" Natsu slammed his fists together. "I'm all fired-up!"

Nora took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay..." She looked at Makarov, who was eyeing her with concern, and she nodded. "Let's do this."

"... Let's hope Porlyusica got my letter." Makarov sighed, closing his eyes, then he opened them. "Begin!"

Natsu's hands burst into flames, and he charged at Nora and leapt up with a fist reared back.

'Okay, like Ruby showed you.' Nora quickly side-stepped and let his punch hit empty air as his feet hit the ground, the girl nodding to herself. 'Good.'

Nora somersaulted across the ground to avoid a low punch the Fire Dragon-Slayer directed her way when he spun around, ending up in a crouch and removing Magnhild from her back as she rose to her feet and turned to face him. Holding the weapon out at her side, she let the grenade-launcher elongate before she spun the weapon as the handle emerged and she was suddenly holding Magnhild in its hammer-form.

"There it is!" Natsu grinned, then he ran forward and threw a spinning kick at Nora with a flame-covered heel. She halted his leg in place with her hammer, her aura crackling around her as the flames licked at her skin. "You good?!"

"Never better!" Nora chimed, grinning deviously despite the burning sensation.

Everyone who had been looking at Nora with concern blinked in surprise while Gray shook his head. "Great. There are two of them."

Nora suddenly flipped a switch on Magnhild and caused one of the grenades held within her hammer to detonate in isolation, resulting in a pink blast which propelled her weapon forward and knocked Natsu off-balance. Natsu immediately recovered and went to punch the Huntress, but she leapt back and took a deep breath as she flipped a different switch which caused her hammer to be surrounded by pink electricity.

'It won't hurt you,' she told herself, gripping her weapon tighter as her hands trembled, then she leapt over Natsu as he charged forward before landing behind him and spinning around to take a swing at him with her hammer.

A cloud of dust and pink electric bolts went up, and when it cleared, Natsu was standing there with his forearms raised to block Magnhild from colliding with his chest. His pink hair was sticking up, and his fists were clenched and shaking.

"... Natsu?" Nora asked worriedly, pulling Magnhild back and seeing that the place where her weapon had struck was red. "Oh, geez. I-"

The boy immediately lowered his arms, his eyes alight and a grin on his face. "That was AWESOME! I wanted to see how strong you were, but I wasn't expecting this! Holding up against my flames and hitting like that?!" He pointed at Nora, resting his free fist on his hip. "You're definitely coming on more jobs with us, Valky, 'specially while you're learning more magic! This time next year, I want you to be able to send me flying!"

Nora's eyes widened. "Wait, what?!"

"Heh!" Natsu closed his eyes, still grinning. "You said you wanna be strong enough, right?" He opened his eyes and smiled. "You're already tough, but if you really wanna be tougher, I'm gonna help. We are comrades, after all." He raised his fists. "Ready to keep going? We've still got a few seconds!"

"... There is something I wanna try," Nora decided, collapsing her hammer and putting it on her back, then she grinned as she raised her fists. "Ready!"

Natsu charged forward, and Nora closed her eyes, reaching out with her aura.

He was eight feet away... six... four... two...

Nora stepped to the side, spun around, and held out a hand to rest a palm on Natsu's back as she opened her eyes as she focused her aura. She only rarely used this skill and was not nearly as strong as some, but Ren made sure she knew how to do it—just in case.

The perks of cautious partner who was gifted with aura techniques.

A small pink pulse of energy burst as a circle from Nora's hand and shoved Natsu forward, causing him to stumble. The boy looked back at Nora as he regained his bearings, surprised, then he grinned deviously and raised an eyebrow as he tilted his head.

"You're lucky I'm just playing!" He teased her as Makarov held up a green flag to signify a draw. "But whatever that was, it was cool!"

Nora smiled, placing her hands on her hips. "You kinda surprised me. I expected you to go all-out."

"Yeah, I know." Natsu walked over and looked down at her, crossing his arms, then he lowered his voice as he grew serious. "But I knew you were worried, and you haven't been feeling too good since Galuna." He raised an eyebrow. "Feel any better?"

'That's it I'm keeping him,' Nora thought, gazing up at Natsu in awe before resuming her smile. 'Him and the rest of the magic dorks. Sign me up to be the underpowered reverse-Qrow, I don't care. I am officially the biggest sucker alive, and I adore them.'

"Hm. I know I'm seriously outclassed, if that's an answer," Nora admitted, willing her aura to flare around her body. "Especially if that was 'playing'. Your fire put a real dent in my shield." She glanced over at Erza warily. "I'm... gonna die, aren't I?"

"Probably," Natsu told her. "Erza doesn't play or go easy on people. Heck, I barely do it. She'll be testing you, so..." He winked. "Hope you saved a few tricks, Valky."

"Don't worry, I did," Nora assured him. "I just don't know what good they're gonna do." She looked back at Natsu, and she gave a small smile. "I'm getting kinda sick of folks going easy on me, but... thanks for looking out for me."

"I told you way back, we'll fight for real once you're done healing up," Natsu said, grinning again. "And we'll be sparring plenty while you're learning more magic, right?"

"Right." Nora held a hand up, and Natsu clasped it. "Besides, try finding someone else besides Erza who's fire-proof."

"I won't even try to find Erza." Natsu shuddered, then he smirked at Nora. "And you got a point, there. If it means I'll always have a sparring partner I don't have to worry about burning, having you on the team's gonna be great!"

"I never said I was on the team," Nora said awkwardly, but Natsu was already moving out of range as Erza stepped into the ring to prepare for the next match.

Nora glanced at the knight, frowning, then she took a deep breath and kneeled, closing her eyes and focusing to try and replenish her aura for what was probably going to be the most one-sided fight of Nora's life—seconded by what just happened with Natsu, who had been playing.

Nora prayed to Light and Darkness that she could learn magic.

She seriously needed it.

Erza did not know what to think of Nora Valkyrie, and she had made no secret of that.

The girl was apparently her age, according to Cana and Mirajane. Her statue made that surprising to most, but Erza could see the muscles toned from years of training, the scars of battle, and the look in her new comrade's eyes. This was someone who had known many years of hardship and combat, so her age came as little surprise.

The story Nora told about about how she got her extensive electrical scars made her sound like some sort of former mercenary or private military, though she hardly seemed like the sort. Perhaps some sort of resistance or rebellion, then? Again, Erza was perplexed. Where was Nora from, to have gotten wrapped-up in such a cause?

Nora had dodged Erza's question regarding the fate of the comrades she had received her extensive injuries to aid shortly before arriving at Fairy Tail. This greatly disturbed Erza, who did not like the idea of the hammer-wielder being dumped on the guild's doorstep and left to fend for herself when she was so injured and so loyal.

There was also the matter of whoever Nora had been fighting. They caused such terrible injuries, but Nora insisted that no revenge be sought and even blamed herself for her wounds by claiming that it had been her choice in a hopeless situation. She said, even with her friends' fate a mystery, that her enemy would get what was owed.

Nora Valkyrie's power also intrigued Erza. Natsu described lightning capable of devastating falling rocks and Erza had later learned that Nora had destroyed ice which Natsu had failed to melt with a fiery blast of her own as well as disposed of the magic-nullifying mage Yuka with minimal aid from Natsu. She was a force, yet full of doubt.

Erza had observed that doubt during the Changeling incident, when Nora had seemingly redirected lightning from a peculiar lacrima to break the spell. Her hands shook the entire time, and she had hesitated to use her magic even with time so sort and no other options at the immediate disposal. This was most disturbing.

Something had changed since Nora and Erza first met. Nora had gone from being concerned about hurting everyone to being certain that she was the weakest person in the room at any given time. The sudden switch had confused Erza, especially since Gray told her that Nora could apparently block the cold and life-threatening injuries.

Now, Erza had witnessed such a block in-person. Natsu had struck Nora with his flames, but there had just been a shimmer of pink light around Nora's body and she had gone unscathed; even the girl's clothes were undamaged, and Nora was clearly swift and clever as well as strong in battle. She used electricity, and some strange pink pulse.

Truly, Erza had no idea what she was up against—but that suited her just fine. In battle, one tended to learn more in a few seconds than in the name number of minutes spent in conversation. Just by watching Nora fight Natsu, Erza felt that she had learned a great deal about her new comrade. It was actually sort of thrilling.

"You can still withdraw," Erza said, gazing down at the kneeling girl surrounded by a soft pink light. "There is no dishonor in it."

Nora opened her eyes and looked up at Erza, smiling. "It's okay. When you beat me, it's gonna finish paying off my rent for the month."

"You bet against yourself?" Erza asked, surprised.

Nora snorted. "Oh, yeah. Easiest bet I ever made."

"Hm." Erza gave a small smile. "You overestimate me."

"No, I really don't," Nora remarked, then she noticed Makarov raising his flag. "Well, that's us." The orange-haired girl stood, and she blinked as Erza requipped into her Lightning Empress armor. "Uh..."

"What better armor to use against a lightning-mage?" Erza asked, placing the end of her spear of the ground. "Especially when I intend to help her overcome her fear."

Clearly, no one had expected this—least of all Erza's opponent.

"Wait, what?" Nora blinked again, then her eyes widened as the spear-tip split and sparked with electricity, the girl immediately stepping back. "Erza?"

"That's enough!" Mirajane stepped forward, her eyes narrowed, then she looked at Makarov. "Call off the match!"

"Do not," Erza commanded, her eyes narrowed as she pointed the tip of her weapon at Nora. "You are a Fairy Tail mage, are you not? I told you, you must not be controlled by fear." She tilted her head. "During the Changeling incident, you hesitated to use your powers in your fear."

Nora's face fell. "Erza-"

"Never again."

This had been eating at the back of Erza's mind.

Nora's fear of her own powers, while something the knight had been made aware of on Galuna Island and silently decided to keep tabs on, had become unacceptable when Nora had frozen during the Changeling incident. So little time left, and she hesitated to come to the aid her comrades because of her fear?

It was especially grating because of the jokes Nora made. Ding-dong ditching Laxus, who was among the most-powerful mages in Fairy Tail and perhaps the most-powerful lightning-mage in Fiore? Outrunning lightning? She could make such jokes, yet not jump at the chance to use her powers to help her allies?

Erza could not permit a continuation of this.

It was time for her new comrade to face her fear and defeat it.

Nora frowned at Erza, then she nodded. "You're right." She glanced at Elfman, who had stepped forward and was looking at her worriedly, and she gave the smallest shake of her head, prompting him to step back with some unease in his expression. "I was scared. I hesitated." Nora looked back at Erza. "... Hit me with everything you've got."

Nora held a thumb up, and Master Makarov hesitated before waving the flag.

"Speak by your deed," Erza insisted, then she closed her spear and charged at Nora, swiping the bladed point at the orange-haired girl.

Nora ducked the swipe and drew her weapon, using its collapsed form to block another blow from Erza. The smaller girl stayed on her feet, but two grooves were dug into the earth by her heels as Erza pushed Nora with her brute strength, the orange-haired girl gritting her teeth as she was overpowered by the knight's might.

Erza smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Standing your ground?"

"Getting a feel for what I'm up against," Nora said with some strain, then she smirked right back as she suddenly took a step backwards and out of Erza's range. "Sorry about this!"

"Hm?" Erza blinked, then she shouted in surprise as a blast of pink smoke suddenly exploded from Nora's weapon and into her face. "Ack!" When Erza regained her bearings, she spun her spear in order to dispel the smoke and allow for her vision to resume, only to find that Nora was missing from the ring. "Fleeing from battle? I never thought-!" She blinked as she noticed that everyone was looking up, then Erza glanced up as well. "What?"

"Told ya, Natsu!" Nora smiled deviously as she zipped around, flying in circles above the ring atop her weapon like it was a witch's broom, a trail of pink smoke following her. "I still have a few tricks!"

"She can FLY?!" Lucy asked, placing her hands on the sides of her face as her eyes widened.

Erza blinked, then she found herself smiling a bit.

In her younger days, she might have asked Nora for a spin on that impromptu 'broomstick'...

"Here I go!" Nora suddenly shouted, rolling off of her weapon and allowing herself to fall as se shifted the weapon into its hammer form and held it back.

Erza raised her spear and blocked the hammer's strike with the weapon's shaft, managing to counter Nora's powerful blow even as the ground beneath her feet split and sank in at the impact.

The knight grinned at the dull ache in her arms. "A fair attack! You're strong!"

"There's more where that came from!" Nora proclaimed, still smiling that devious smile, and she leapt back and landed on her feet on one side of the crater as Erza did the same on the other side. "Three minutes really is too short, especially when everyone's going easy on me."

"Then, that ends now," Erza announced, pointing her spear at Nora as the tip again split and electricity crackled.

Nora's expression dropped, then she took a deep breath even as her shaking hands gripped her weapon. "... Do it."

Just as Erza released a blast of lighting, Mirajane had run forward and raised her hands. "No, don't!"

"MIRA!" Elfman screamed as Erza's eyes widened.

There was a flash of orange and pink, and the lightning collided with the top of Nora's weapon, the electricity turning pink as it channeled down the hammer and into Nora's body. Erza could see the energy sparking beneath the smaller girl's skin, spreading throughout her body through little networks in her flesh like it was becoming her lifeblood.

"Nora!" Mirajane cried, standing behind the orange-haired girl and gazing at her in dismay.

Nora just gritted her teeth as her hair stood up and the energy reached her eyes, pink sparks flashing around her aqua irises as her pupils briefly glowed pink, then there were several gasps of alarm as Nora's scars flashed pink just before the blast from Erza's spear ended. Nora's hair fell back into place, and the girl's next breath shook.

"What just happened?" Natsu asked, his eyes just as wide as everyone else's.

Nora's arm shook as she lowered her hammer, the glow under her skin still just barely-there, then she looked up at Erza with a frown before glancing at Mirajane. "You okay?"

"I-..." Mirajane slowly nodded. "Nora... I-"

"Get out of the way," Nora advised quietly, and Mirajane hesitantly stepped out of the ring. "... You okay, Erza?"

"Huh?" Erza blinked, snapped from a daze. "What?"

Nora sighed, giving a light grin. "I'm asking if you're okay, Erza." Her hands were trembling. "Gods know I've seen too many fights end in accidents... They can shake you."

"... Thank you," Erza said in a hushed voice, her eyes still wide. "Nora, I-... I'm-"

"Erza, please: 'you don't have to thank me for anything. "Nora shrugged her shoulders. "It takes a bit more lightning than that to put any new dents in me." She took her hammer in one hand and flexing the muscles of her arms, and pink electricity crackled around her biceps before Nora looked at Erza with a devious grin as she grasped her hammer in two hands again. "Ready?"

Erza saw how Nora was shaking, even as she gripped her hammer, and she remembered the story of how the girl got her scars once again. Nora had sacrificed herself in order to save her friends.

Yes, she hesitated during the Changeling incident—but ultimately, Nora Valkyrie always chose to face her fear when the moment of truth came and she was needed most. Nora always chose to sacrifice.

Maybe the jokes which had grated Erza so were just an attempt to ignore the fact that her powers had become so terrifying in so many ways, that they had become an altar to bleed on. Nora had the tendency to make negative comments about herself... Maybe those jokes were another form of the same pattern.

Erza had been right about learning in the fight, but... why did she not feel any peace?

Was it because she had been too quick and misjudged her comrade?

"... Ready," Erza decided, and she requipped her armor when Makarov waved his flag to resume the match.

Nora blinked as Erza stood before her in her usual Heart Kreuz armor, then she tilted her head. "You sure that's a good idea? I thought-"

"Enough tests." Erza swapped the spear for a simple blade. "This is a match, and we have a short amount of time left." She raised an eyebrow, grinning. "I thought you wished to make rent."

Nora blinked, then she snorted and grinned. "You got me, there." She hesitated, then she held a finger up. "Just a second." Nora closed her eyes, focusing, then the pink light shimmered around her and she winced as the electricity in her body was suddenly expelled. "Ah..." Nora lowered her hand, giving a few deep breaths as the pink light shimmered again before an odd shattering sound rang out, then she nodded as she regained her bearings and stood up straight. "Okay... Let's do this."

Nora looked tired, all of the sudden.

Just what had she done?

Shaking her head to dispel these thoughts, Erza darted forward and swung her blade.

Nora raised her hammer and used the handle of the weapon to block the sword once, twice, then-

"Ah!" Nora fell back onto the grass, cringing as she gripped a wound on her right arm. "Shoot!"

"Nora!" Erza immediately dispelled her blade and kneeled beside her comrade, her eyes wide. "I did not mean-!"

"It's okay." Nora looked up at the knight, grinning tiredly. "I bet that I would lose and get marked-up doing it. Thanks for the rent money, sucker."

Erza blinked as Makarov waved his flag, ending the match, then the knight frowned. "You bet on an injury?"

"You're wicked-cool and I'm an idiot," Nora joked. "Wasn't too hard to figure." She moved her hand, finding blood covering her palm and fingers as well as slicking her arm-band and staining her detached white sleeve, and she whistled. "Whew... Nice one!"

"You're hurt," Erza said ruefully.

Nora snorted and looked up at Erza. "This is nothing. Besides, I have a pretty high pain-tolerance." She held up her unbloodied hand. "Good fight?"

"I-..." Erza blinked again, then she hummed before reaching out and shaking Nora's hand. "You surprised me. I look forward to seeing how you progress... It was most-assuredly a good fight, Nora Valkyrie."

That was the truth.

Nora had prevented an accident from occurring, and—while wild and unconventional—she was clearly a brave, honorable, and strong young mage... one Erza would be fortunate to count amongst her allies, secrets and traumas and all. It was not as if Erza did not have her own burdens to bear, thoughts which made her hands quake.

"Hm." Nora grinned. "Here's hoping I keep surprising you."

"Hm." Erza stood, pulling Nora to her feet. "I have no doubts that you will."

Nora's eyes shone, and Erza found herself smiling even as Mirajane walked over and began fussing over Nora's wound. The orange-haired girl just kept grinning, insisting that she was fine as the white-haired girl huffed and held up a first-aid kit, and Erza turned her gaze to see Natsu and Happy laughing as Gray and Lucy shook their heads.

Erza hummed, then she turned her gaze back to Nora.

It was peculiar for Erza, having two new recruits such as Nora and even Lucy thrust so suddenly into her close personal life.

Natsu and Gray had been her allies of choice for the Eisenwald incident and Happy had been an obvious tagalong, but Lucy had been an unexpected addition which Erza had allowed to join and ended up being fortunate to have.

When Eisenwald had been defeated and 'Fairy Tail's strongest team' had returned to Magnolia, Erza had felt it had dissolved, but then she had returned from a job to find that Natsu, Lucy, and Happy had run off to Galuna Island.

As if that had not been concerning enough, Gray had gone after them... as backup to that distant, scar-covered, and strange new recruit: Nora Valkyrie, who had apparently gotten on the bad side of Laxus Dreyar before departing.

As surprising as Lucy had been, Nora was entirely unexpected. She had no true connection to Natsu, Lucy, or Happy and no real reason to be the one who first stepped forward and volunteered to bring them home, but she had.

Nora never had to do anything, but she had.

Erza recalled the girl's words on Galuna Island, and she chuckled softly.

Nora never had anything to prove to Erza or anyone. She never had to fight, but she had.

Whatever Nora's secrets or weaknesses were, as long as she cared and fought for her comrades with that constant conviction, they were of little matter.

In Fairy Tail, one was meant to sure-up their comrades' weaknesses—whatever they might be—and love and accept unconditionally.

Nora hesitated, but she acted.

Nora never had to face her fear, but she had.

Nora sat in the grass as Mirajane kneeled beside her and cleaned her wound.

"See, this was why I tried to talk you out of this!" Lucy shouted, placing her hands on her hips. She, Natsu, Happy, Gray, Elfman, Erza, Loke, Cana, and Makarov had lingered with Nora and Mirajane while the rest had gone back inside. "It might scar!"

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Uh... Lu? Remember who you're talking to?"

"Huh?" Lucy blinked, then she groaned and covered her face with her hands. "WHY DO I KEEP FORGETTING..?!"

"Hm!" Nora closed her eyes, grinning. "It's all good, Lu. At least it means the scars aren't that noticeable."

"Oh, they're pretty noticeable," Gray disagreed, then he smiled. "I guess everything else about you just pops more."

"Yay..!" Nora rolled her eyes, then she cringed as Mirajane started using a potion to disinfect the wound. "Ah! That's not great..!"

"That match was horrendous." Erza crossed her arms, shaking her head. "I had too much on my mind. I should have noticed Mirajane coming, that Nora's defenses were lowered-"

"Why were they lowered, anyway?" Natsu asked, confused.

Gray looked at him. "There's a limit." He looked back at Nora. "It was just like with Lyon, I'... I saw it, and I heard it." His eyes narrowed. "Back with Lyon, after you took that nasty hit, I saw a pink light and heard a sound like glass shattering, and then you were cold when you hadn't been before."

"Pink light and-?" Erza blinked, then she looked at Nora. "During the match, when you... expelled the electricity... I saw it. I heard it."

"Nothing lasts forever." Nora gave a tired grin. "Five minutes wasn't a lot of time to fill 'er up after my match with Natsu, anyway. I kinda took dragon-fire to my face, so I was running on low."

"So... let's get this straight," Lucy tried. "You have a transforming, exploding hammer AND you can shield yourself for a bit, absorb and expel electricity, shoot lightning to blast rocks, shoot fire to explode ice, do that weird pink force-push thingy, fight magic-nullifying mages, AND FLY?!"

"... Gross oversimplification on all counts, but..." Nora shrugged, her face a mask of doe-eyed innocence. "M'kay."

Lucy gripped her hair, and Elfman snorted. "Just wait until you see what she can bench."

"Oh, and she BUILT the hammer," Loke added. "Just in case anyone missed that. The goddess is also a smart cookie."

Nora giggled as Cana rolled her eyes. "And forget the scars, when she looks that young. Sign me up."

"Hm." Nora opened her eyes and looked up, smiling. "Guys, I might be able to do a lot of things, but the power I'm packing doesn't hold a candle to most mages. I've been lucky so far with a few good ideas or folks going easy on me, but I have a lot to learn." She looked down at her hands, which were still shaking. "And... a lot to deal with."

"Hm." Makarov raised an eyebrow, frowning at the girl, then he smiled. "Well, it seems then that your punishment for Galuna Island will indeed be to your benefit. Study well, Miss Valkyrie, and remember: your guild-mates are here to offer you their guidance and support."

"Thanks." Nora grinned, then she looked at Erza. "So... you just let me know when you figure out a job for us to go on, okay?"

Erza nodded, smiling. "I will see to it that it is a worthy challenger."

"Heh." Nora's grin became nervous. "Can't wait."

/\

Nora sat on top of the dryer back at Fairy Hills, wearing the green bath-robe Laki had given her over a pair of black shorts from Mirajane and one of Cana's stained-pink tank-tops. She was waiting for her dirtied and blood-stained clothes to wash up, and she was sitting criss-cross as she did so with her eyes closed and her hands on her knees.

'Meditate, meditate, meditate, meditate...' The Huntress told herself. 'Here, little Etherenanos! Come to Nora! Don't let me die on a job with the magic dorks..!'

"How's the cut?" A voice asked, and Nora opened her eyes to see Cana standing there with a raised eyebrow and her fists on her hips. "Erza manage to land a fatal blow?"

Nora hummed, shrugging the robe off of her shoulders to reveal the bandages wrapped around her upper-arm. "Not this time."

"Hm." Cana frowned, walking over to look at Nora. "I think Lucy was exaggerating, y'know? It... probably won't scar. It didn't look deep and Mira got to it real quick, so-"

"Cana, I'm not worried about a little cut," Nora remarked, looking at Cana with a grin as she pulled the robe up again. "It'll probably be gone by morning."

"Nora, it was little—but not that little," Cana disagreed, only to blink as Nora snorted. "Hey, you know something I don't?"

Nora shook her head, smiling. "I heal fast. It's... a thing."

"A thing," Cana repeated, smirking as Nora looked up at her again. "You're a weird one—and pretty fucking lucky that Natsu and Erza like you, or you'd be a charred grease-stain on the pavement. They can get pretty-"

"Carried away?" Nora asked, and Cana nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'd never stand a chance in a serious fight, so... as much as it annoys a part of me... the rest is grateful that they were playing or or testing or helping or just plain ol' going easy on me—however they spun it." She leaned back against the wall behind the dryer, sighing. "I really need to learn some ma- more magic, Cana. This whole meditation thing just-"

"Blows?" Cana offered, and Nora nodded. "I hear ya. Everyone's just gotta find their rhythm with it, y'know?" She crossed her arms. "Personally, I meditate best when I'm shuffling my cards. I gotta be doing something with my hands."

"I need my music to focus," Nora admitted. "Or I need to be fighting, or cooking? I was good at cooking a few things because my partner taught me." She folded her hands and shrugged. "And I dunno, training could help? Lifting and punching..." She closed her eyes. "And there's-..."

"What?" Cana asked, curious.

Nora hummed, then she opened her eyes. "You saw how I was safe from the fire, right?" When Cana nodded, Nora continued. "That technique, that shield, needs to be kept up consciously. Where I'm from, there are special classes you take where you learn to sorta keep this battle-meditation in your subconscious so that you can have the shield raised and not have to worry about it."

"Whoa." Cana seemed surprised. "And you can do that?" When Nora nodded, Cana grinned. "Sick." She tilted her head. "So, what's so hard about normal meditation?"

"I need to be doing something FUN at the same time!" Nora groaned, resting her palms on her forehead as she closed her eyes. "And I can't get to my music and Elfman probably won't let me do any serious training until I can convince him my arm's fine, so I'm stuck."

"If you ever want to cook, you can just ask," a voice chided. "Everyone's allowed to use the kitchens here and at the guild-hall, unless they're a safety hazard—like Natsu, as you can imagine." Nora opened her eyes and looked up, surprised, to see Mirajane standing in the doorway with a smile. "I'm sure no one would have a problem with it.

Having someone around with practical skills is a necessity, Nora, even amongst mages." The former She-Devil walked over, holding something behind her back. "Now, as for music..." She produced a fist-sized blue lacrima and a pair of magenta headphones with black devil-horn decals coming out of the top. "Maybe this could help!"

Nora blinked, then her eyes lit up as she took the lacrima and headphones into her hands. "Whoa! Mira, this is-!"

"Hm!" Mirajane beamed, sitting atop the washing-machine as Cana walked over and grinned at the two. "Here, let me show you how it works. You plug the cord in there-" Nora followed Mirajane's gesture. "Then, you tap the lacrima to activate it."

"Um... Okay." Nora relented, then she took a deep breath and poked the lacrima with her finger. It flickered, then it began glowing teal. "Is that-?"

"Perfect!" Mirajane told the Huntress, nodding. "Now, look." Nora obeyed, and she found herself looking at a list. "Each of those is a song. I had my own playlists put together, but I can show you how to create new ones and add new songs. Okay?"

"Yeah." Nora nodded, then she looked at Mirajane and beamed. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome," Mirajane told the orange-haired girl, smiling as Nora set the gifts in her lap and twisted her upper-body so that she could hug the former She-Devil. Mirajane hummed, then she lowered her voice. "Looks like you have some magic in you, after all."

"Huh?" Nora blinked, then she went to pull away, but Mirajane held on so that they could keep whispering with Cana so close. "Whatcha mean?"

Mirajane sighed. "That lacrima hasn't been used in years. If a non-mage wanted to use it, it would have to be charged... Nora, you have the potential to use magic."

"Oh." Nora's eyes widened. "I-... Okay..."

"Are you alright?" Mirajane asked softly.

The Huntress closed her eyes. "I don't-..."

Nora thought about Cinder, how Pyrrha was reduced to dust. She thought about how Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Oscar told them about the Relic of Knowledge and what it had shown them of the time before: the God of Darkness, Salem, Ozma, their kids. She thought about how Raven had swooped in at Haven and changed from a bird into a human before unleashing two Maidens upon the school, the frozen room which had housed the Winter Maiden, and how Atlas shook in those final moments.

Nora thought about how people on Remnant had used magic for wrong...

Then, Nora remembered those flashes of silver light from Ruby's eyes which seemed to light up the world. She thought about Professor Ozpin's kind if tired smiles as he watched over his students, not really knowing what was right or best but really just trying his best, and how Oscar had bright and shining eyes filled with hope even when he feared his future with Ozpin in his head. Nora thought about Qrow swooping in at Oniyuri to stop Tyrian, she thought about Miss Calavera, and she thought about Penny.

Nora remembered how the people she cared about on Remnant used magic for love...

And she thought about Mirajane, Elfman, Loke, Cana, Natsu, Gray, Happy, Lucy, Erza, and the rest of the mages she had met in Fairy Tail...

When Nora pulled away from Mirajane, her eyes widened as she found a white light surrounding her body almost-like aura, and she saw white orbs hanging in the air around her. One orb flew towards Nora, but she shrieked and batted it away with her hand before falling off of the dryer, the glow around her fading as she looked up with wide eyes.

Cana looked down at Nora with a raised eyebrow and a grin as Mirajane looked down at the Huntress in alarm.

"Guess you remembered how to meditate," the card-mage teased the Huntress. "But you'd think you'd never seen Ethernano before!"

Nora just stared at Cana, then she smiled awkwardly. "Heh."

'Okay,' Nora thought to herself. 'It looks like my semblance, magic, and I are really gonna have to sit down and have a little chat... at some point. Oh, geez...'

Nora could now make a few determinations:

1. Fiore's magic seriously outclassed aura and semblance in most circumstances.

2. Nora was capable of taking in Fiore's Ethernano, though she did not know exactly how.

3. Nora might just be able to learn some of Fiore's magic... but the more she thought about it, the more she did not know if she was the sort of person who should.

Nora Valkyrie, Miss 'Be Strong and Hit Stuff', using magic?

Nora learning how to wield some sort of awesome power comparable to her most-terrifying enemies and her strongest and bravest friends?

What was Nora even thinking?!

Being like Ruby or Qrow or Penny or Miss Calavera or Ozpin and Oscar... It wasn't right...

Being like Natsu or Lucy or Gray or Elfman Cana or or Erza... It wasn't possible...

"Hey." Mirajane was suddenly there, kneeling on the floor and placing her hands on Nora's shoulders. When Nora met her eyes, the white-haired girl smiled. "You can do this."

Nora blinked, then she bit her lower lip before she took a deep breath and nodded shakily, smiling back. "Y-Yeah."

"I mean, come on." Cana grinned as she got down on one knee beside Nora. "You built a transforming hammer, Valkyrie. What do you even have to worry about, with magic?"

"Heh." Nora glanced at the card-mage, shaking her head. "I guess we'll have to see."

"I gave you my predictions, didn't I?" Cana asked, and Nora blinked again. "Strength, right?"

"... Right." Nora nodded, closing her eyes. "Strength."

/\

Later that night, Mirajane heard someone knocking on her door and blinked, then she stood up from her bed, walked over, and opened it.

"Nora?"

"Show me how to delete Rock City Boy," the Huntress commanded, a half-crazed look in her eyes as she held up the Sound Lacrima. "Now."

Cana wheezed as she walked past with a bottle. "You can try to hide, but that song NEVER completely leaves your head once you've heard it! It lingers!"

"It needs to GO!" Nora announced, her right eye twitching.

Mirajane shook her head as she took the lacrima, smiling. "Alright, alright!"

"Whew." Nora grinned. "That's a relief." She crossed her arms as she watched Mirajane work. "...

Yeah, yeah, yeah..." She blinked, then her eyes widened. "SHOOT!"

Cana's cackling laughter filled the halls of Fairy Hills, and Mirajane giggled. "Is there a song you do like?"

"Snow Fairy and I Wish are solid," Nora replied. "Masayume Chasing made me feel things, and I dig Rockin' Playing Game. Break Out, and Strike Back. There are a lot of good ones in there, Mira."

"Just get rid of Rock City Boy?" Mirajane teased, and Nora pointed at her threateningly. "It is a bit of an ear-worm. I should have warned you."

"I once had the song Neon stuck in my head for three weeks, and this is worse," Nora said, that wild look returning to her eyes. "I would listen to Neon again in a heartbeat to free myself from Rock City Boy." Mirajane started to giggle, and Nora huffed. "Oh, that's how we're gonna play it?! Fine!" Nora drew her scroll, smiling madly. "There is barely any charge on this thing, but HERE WE GO!"

Mirajane blinked as Nora turned on the scroll, brought up a playlist, raised her finger high in the air, and pressed a song. A peppy, electronic beat began to play as Nora held her scroll in the former She-Devil's face.

"We're all born with a dream

We wanna make come true..!

The best will climb to the top like me,

The rest will end up like you..!

I bet it's hard to live with

Knowing that you'll never be this fine..!

Don't be distraught, don't be sad—

You gave it your best try..!

Listen, girlfriend, can't you see?!

I'm all of the things that you'll never be!

I'm cool like the rain and I'm hot like the sun,

I'm a neon rainbow—and you're no fun!"

When the song ended, Mirajane's eyes were wide.

"Why would you DO THAT TO ME?!"

"TASTE MY VENGEANCE!" Nora commanded, pointing to the former She-Devil, then she put her scroll away. "... And she never heard it again."

"Nora!" Mirajane complained, and the Huntress snickered. Then, the white-haired girl smiled. "Hm."

Ear-worm or not... she supposed it had to be a privilege, hearing a song from another world.

"Heh." Nora grinned, taking the Sound Lacrima from Mirajane and turning away, then she paused and looked back. "Hey, um... I was wondering. The room across from mine doesn't have a name on it, but the room next to mine does." She raised an eyebrow. "There a story there?"

"Hm." Mirajane nodded. "The room across from yours is empty. The one beside yours does have an owner, but she never uses it because she has a home elsewhere and she tends to keep to herself whenever she does come here."

"Oh." Nora blinked. "Why have a place here if she has a home?"

"To get away from her teammates when they're annoying her," Mirajane replied cheerily, and Nora raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Or at least, one in particular. She never stays the whole night, though. They're very dear to her, so she goes home."

"Sounds like a friend of mine," Nora admitted, lowering her hand. "Weiss and this Evergreen might've been good-" She noticed Mirajane's expression dropping. "What is it?"

"... Nothing." Mirajane put on her grin again. "It's just... Evergreen and her teammates really do keep to themselves, and... one other."

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Okay, what's with the vague, cryptic-?" She deadpanned. "Laxatives."

"Stop calling him that!" Mirajane pleaded, but she had to do so through laughter as she raised both hands to her mouth. "Nora..!"

"It's -like- the third thing you say." Nora chuckled, then she sighed before tilting her head. "Never saw the guy as the -well- friend type. Good for him, I guess?"

"Hm." Mirajane smiled, nodding. "Those three are practically the only people in the world Laxus allows to get close to him. Unfortunately, they are not around often due to the high demand for them as dark-wizard hunters."

"Sounds like the Zappy better make sure he doesn't end up on their list," Nora noted. "That would be pret~ty awkward."

Mirajane shook her head. "Laxus has a good heart, somewhere inside. He was... different, when we were children." She looked up, her eyes shining. "Always distant, but... much more quiet, and so much kinder."

"And no cheetah-print?" Nora joked as Mirajane went to her dresser to retrieve something, then she blinked as the white-haired girl offered her a tiny painting which she took into her hands. Mirajane saw Nora's eyes flit over each face and take a good look before settling on one in particular. "Huh... We sure that's the same guy?"

"Yep!" Mirajane tapped the image of the boy—in the background of a pretty strange scene where a young Natsu was riding a blue dragon while a group of children, teens, and younger mages watched in joy or amusement—with a soft smile on her face. "That's Laxus."

"Hm." Nora frowned, then she looked up at Mirajane. "What happened, then?"

"So many things," Mirajane sighed quietly. "This was just after his father left the guild, and before that-... Laxus never had an easy life, being the master's grandson. I think it eventually took its toll, and he started acting out."

"... Crap, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for the jerk-wad." Nora sighed, resting her free hand on her hip. "Dealing with a legacy, his par-... His father leaving, and his only friends being gone all the time? It must've been-"

"Lonely," Mirajane agreed, then she shook her head. "But he still insists on pushing everyone away."

Nora hummed. "Maybe because it's all he knows." At that, Mirajane looked up at Nora in surprise, and the Huntress glanced at the former She-Devil with a light grin. "Now, that reminds me of Weiss... who was a good friend, once we got her head on straight."

"On straight?" Mirajane asked, confused.

Nora smiled sadly. "We used to call Weiss the 'Ice Queen', because she came to Beacon riding on her family name and her father's words. She had standards set for who was beneath her based on traits or status or race, and... she pushed everyone away, until—I guess—she must've realized how cold and lonely that was, 'cause... she changed."

"Really?" Mirajane questioned the Huntress, awed.

Nora nodded. "Yeah. It took a bit, 'cause no one just changes overnight, but she-... She realized that there were things she was wrong about, bit by bit, through her friends. And... she became this warm, kind, accepting, and protective person. She was loyal and brave and strong, and... when I got hurt, she put me in her bed and she looked after me. I didn't think she liked me, but... I was wrong."

"She sounds wonderful," Mirajane said gently.

Nora looked up at her, grinning. "She really was." The Huntress winked. "I guess it's just a thing with white-haired, blue-eyed girls, huh?" Mirajane's eyes widened, and Nora turned away. "'Night, Mira!"

As Nora walked away, Mirajane watched her go in a state of awe, then the former She-Devil's smile returned.

"Goodnight, Nora."

Okay, bit of a filler chapter—but one with important details!

First, we have Mirajane and Nora discussing how being a person from Remnant who is learning Earthland magic might work. Nora has had run-ins with magic, and while she is able to come up with theories through logic, she has no idea as to how Remnant's magic system works... nor do we, for that matter. They discuss whether or not Remnant and Earthland would be compatible and to what degree, and Mirajane encourages Nora to try and find her own way to meditate while also trying to provide some reassurance that magic does not make a member of Fairy Tail.

Next, we get a scene between Nora and Elfman. I felt that this was important because Elfman would really understand what was going on with Nora's semblance because of his own struggles with his magic; while Mirajane's powers just diminished against her wishes and she wants to go She-Devil again many times throughout the first few arcs of Fairy Tail even though she cannot, Elfman's trauma actively keeps him from going all-out even though he physically can and he struggles with that pain and fear. It was just a good moment for the two of them, and Elfman offering Nora advice on her matches based on what he knows about Erza and Natsu was just going to show how worried he had been. I adore these dorks.

Now, the matches.

These are not the definitive matches between Nora and these mages, but rather a narrative piece which serves many purposes:

1. To show a pre-magic power-scaling. Nora is seriously outclassed, with Natsu nearly overwhelming her and diminishing her aura severely while they were "playing" and Erza actually causing an inadvertent injury once Nora's durability was taken away.

2. To give a better idea of the relationships.

a. Natsu sees Nora as a friend and, while he was eager to fight her and witness her strength first-hand, he was not going to go out of his way to make her struggle or endure anything when they are not in a life-or-death situation. He played with her, but he was careful not to push her beyond what he knew had her worried from their talks on Galuna Island and made her aware that he would support her through her study of magic and that they would have their real match when she was REALLY done healing. Natsu's wild, but he's a clever kid and a good friend.

b. Erza, who still respects Nora's strength and clearly curious, is confused and frustrated by recent events and is tired of Nora evading her inquiries. She also wants Nora to confront her fear of her power and get it over with, indicative of her frustration and impatience. With Nora being so vague, Erza is having a difficult time understanding what is going on inside her head and tries to figure out why Nora would hesitate to help her guild, but she eventually comes to gain a better understanding of Nora through the match and checks her own quick judgement.

3. To remind folks that -yeah- Nora does have some tricks up her sleeves which would surprise most mages, even if they are not the most powerful. As a Huntress, especially one who grew up alongside the aura-conscious Ren, Nora has trained with her aura and crafted an incredibly versatile weapon. Yeah, a hit from a mage who meant business would knock her flat in an instant—but Nora can still evade, wield her weapon, FLY, use her aura, be strong, and hit stuff. She's figuring out her place, even though she knows that she's still in serious trouble—a kitten in a world of Sabyrs.

4. To develop Nora's issue with her semblance a bit more. Yeah, she's still shaking—but as Erza saw, she did not hesitate to use her power to protect Mirajane when the She-Devil tried to stop the fight ('cause I just LOVE writing that trauma (*sits in a corner to think about what I've done*)). Nora has her priorities in check and knows, as she said on Galuna Island, what is more-important than fear.

The post-fight conversation was just to establish that Nora's companions are gaining a better understanding of her capabilities through their exposure to her even though Nora is not exactly explaining anything due to the necessity of secrecy at this time.

The conversation in the laundry-room was a turning point. Cana and Nora addressed Nora's struggles with meditation, and Mirajane came in to offer a solution within a solution by finding a way to test and see if Nora even had the potential for Earthland's magic before she went to the effort of trying to go through intensified training. However, Nora considers the magic of her world and how it was used, and it makes her a little wary of magic even though she is able to justify the use of it with the good she has seen. However, as she is still mid-identity-crisis (thank you, Atlas Arc), she is struggling to justify seeing herself as someone to be equated with any of these incredible magic-users.

As for the last scene, I gave us a bit of fun mixed with pain.

Nora's listening to Earthland music, and she gets Rickrolled by "Rock City Boy", so she elects to Rickroll Mirajane in retaliation with "Neon". Just a bit of fun between friends, with Cana laughing at their misery.

But Nora's scroll, her most-solid connection to her old life, has limited juice.

Nora also gets her first hints to the Thunder Legion and what they're up to, and she gets a little bit more information about Laxus through the ever-sympathetic and kind Mirajane which makes her feel just a little lenient...

Which is gonna make the Phantom Lord Arc just that little bit more fun. XD

I own nothing. Please read, review, check out my other stories, etc. Thanks! :)