Chapter 2: For the First Time in Forever (Part 2)

The Pradesh family were all going to a ball in Fiore that was being hosted by Queen Hisui herself. Families were welcome to come as well so both ambassadors decided they should all go and maybe somehow think of a good reason to go to Magnolia and "happen" across Fairy Tail. It had been so long since they had seen Bickslow that no one really knew what to expect. If they were being honest, they didn't even know if he was still alive. Fiore had been in two major wars in the past few years and Fairy Tail always fought on the front lines. The family had always done their best to try to keep tabs on him but other than finding out he was in Fairy Tail and was part of the Raijinshuu, they honestly didn't know much. They learned a little bit from Laxus when he came to them years ago, but Laxus hadn't been with them for but a couple months and even so that was over ten years ago now.

As they arrived at the palace for the ball, they were surprised to see just how layed back the event was. It was still formal and by all means a high society event. There just also happened to be mages from several guilds and even some children there as well. Wanting to relax as best they could, they picked a table on the outskirts of the grounds - the ball being held in what appeared to be the royal gardens. The family was determined to see their missing member even if they were a bit nervous about it too.

Time seemed to fly by, but the only real idea the family could come up with was to claim they were sightseeing. All of a sudden there was an explosion. But instead of jumping to their feet like the battle trained mages they all were (Arman included) they were left doubled over, their ears ringing from being so close to the blast. They watched as a blonde came running toward them before landing on their table. But before anyone could say anything the next thing they heard left them all too shocked to do anything.

"LUCY PRADESH! YOU BETTER NOT BE JUMPING INTO THIS FIGHT!"

Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their heads. Pradesh? What did that mean? Who was this woman? The siblings all looked at their dad who was just as shocked if not more so than they were.

"LAXUS DREYER! YOU BETTER NOT BE TRYING TO SIDELINE ME!"

"DON'T MAKE ME PULL GUILDMASTER TITLE ON YOU BLONDIE. I MEAN IT! YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING IN THE THICK OF IT. YOU'RE PREGNANT FOR FUCK'S SAKE."

Laxus? What was he doing here? How does he know this woman? Wait, did he say pregnant?!

All eyes were immediately back on the blonde. Was it possible she was now their sister? Did Bickslow get married? Did they have a niece or nephew (or grandchild) on the way? What was going on?

Still stunned they could only watch as the blonde fought the fire mage, shocked when she so fiercely claimed to be a Pradesh and impressed by which she fought and her accuracy with a bow. It was only when she looked up and they heard her cuss that Vander had enough sense come back to him to form a shield over the blonde.

Everyone could only watch as a man dropped onto the table in front of the blonde. His back was facing them and he wore a ridiculous knight outfit. They had no way of identifying this man. But he had five little totems flying around him. Was this their lost brother/son?

"Hey Mama. Are you hurt? How's the baby? Do I need to get us to Wendy? Do you need medical treatment now? I can try to summon Gemini for you so they can turn into Wendy…"

"Bixy. Babe. I'm okay. We're okay. I had Scutum out. The arrows didn't even make it that far though. Shadow man behind you threw up a barrier. The arrows didn't even come close to landing."

Bixy.

Bixy.

BIXY!

The woman, Lucy. She called him Bixy. It had to be him. It had to be. Their Bickslow was right here in front of their eyes.

"Hey man, thanks for saving… Van?"

A shocked silence fell over the family as they just stared. They didn't know what to say. It had been close to 20 years since they had last seen or heard from him. What were they supposed to do now? Nobody said anything, they didn't even move. It was a trainwreck. They couldn't see most of his face, the visor he was wearing prevented that. But they could see the firm set to his jaw and how he seemed to stiffen slightly when he saw them. They could only imagine what he was feeling at that moment.

"Bixy do you know him?"

"Yeah Cosplayer. He's my brother. Actually all of them are my family."

"Well it's very nice to meet you. After you are done with whatever you are doing at the Palace you should come by Fairy Tail. We'd love to have you. As much as I'd love for you to be able to stay Bix, we have a job to finish. Let's fly Babies!"

The silence continued for several minutes as they tried to process what just happened. They just saw Bickslow again for the first time in forever. So why did it feel like they just fucked up? Did they really just watch him fly away without saying a single thing to him?

Arman let out a strangled noise, all eyes turning to him, though his never left the spot he had last seen Bickslow.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

"I just saw my son for the first time in almost 20 years, and I didn't say a word to him, didn't hug him, I didn't even move."

The pain was evident on everyone's faces. They were certain though. They would be going to Magnolia, and they would not leave until they had made it up to Bickslow. Somehow, some way, they would make it up to him and they would make up the time they had lost.