Hmm...this chapter feels a bit short, but I think it's ok. Recently, my laptop has been really messed up, so the process of writing and publishing is somewhat slower. I also just got a job at a golf course, so I won't have as much time to think. I should still have a weekly update, though.

Thank you to all who read/support, as always!

Slight swearing.

Seeing the team's advisor once more was...somehow overwhelming.

It may had only been two nights since she left the boys, but it felt so much longer. The journey around Lucis was more than just walking around; her heart had discovered more and more things as time went on...mainly what she desired most.

If she was being completely honest with herself, Dawn wanted to just fall into Ignis's arms right then and there; just let out all of the bottled up emotions and rest...she felt so...tired.

As the fleeting moments passed, she wondered if he felt the same way; missing her and feeling sad over the thought of never seeing her again. Deep down, she hoped that he did.

Time finally went back to normal as the redhead spoke back to him. For all of the things she wanted to say that could fill a library, it was summed down to one, small sentence:

"Yeah...it's me, Ignis."

The personal reunion was cut short as the rest of the gang had appeared into view, wondering where their cook had gone. No matter how each of them felt about Dawn at the moment, it was safe to say that they weren't expecting her to be there.

"Oh. Em. Gee. Is that really you, Dawn?!" Prompto exclaimed, his jaw seemingly dropping.

The redhead only gave a slight nod in response, nearly kicking herself for blowing her cover. Lately she appeared to be screwing up a lot of things, from her cover story to even simple stealth. If she were back home, she would be dead by now.

Noctis also wore a shocked face as he processed what was in front of him. "You?"

Gladio's expression wasn't as sincere or excited. As if to protect Ignis from a projectile, he approached and pulled him back slightly.

"What are you doing here? Spying on us?" He said in a more menacing tone than normal. It was clear that she had crossed some sort of line without even stating it aloud.

The fiery woman's arms rose up slightly to touch her stomach without thinking. The hostility was a perfectly normal response to her actions, but still...

"Well...I just...I wanted to-"

"Comon', guys. Pretty soon she'll report to the Niffs, and then we're busted."

Dawn immediately shot up to face the tall man directly. "I'm not with the Empire! I was only eavesdropping because I wanted to know why you didn't go to Altissia!"

Gladio only scoffed. "Sure. And I suppose you being a magical alien fairy is true also?" He turned back to Ignis. "Let's go, Iggy."

The redhead was about to give him a piece of her mind when the brunette suddenly swatted away Gladiolus's hand from his shoulder. Both people stared at him in surprise at the out-of-character movement.

"Enough, Gladio!" Ignis said with conviction as he looked into the taller man's eyes. "Dawn is not with the Empire."

Dawn gasped under her breath upon hearing the outburst. Ignis was...defending her? But why?

"You're tellin' me you actually believe this fraud? After she made us all look like idiots? After fooling us this entire time even though we saved her sorry ass?"

The brunette slowly turned back at Dawn, a strange but somewhat comforting look in his eyes. "...Yes. She may have lied about being a Hunter, but...I know for certain she is not in league with the Emperor."

The woman could only stare back at the brunette. After everything she had said and done, he chose to side with her. He chose to oppose the person who he had known far longer...

"Y-Yeah! Dawn's too nice to be working for the bad guys. I'm with Iggy on this one." Prompto spoke up from behind them.

"Not you too, Prompto." Said Gladio, his voice sounding more and more irritated by the minute. "Alright then...what say his Majesty?"

Noctis stepped closer in with the group, looking at the redheaded woman. "Well, she did lie to us, but..." He paused, thinking of what to say, which was rare for someone like Noctis. "If Specs and Blondie approve, then she must be alright."

Defeated, Gladiolus then lowered his head to the ground. "Hmph. Have it your way." With that, the tall man walked away, back towards the Regalia.

The three remaining boys turned back to face the now stunned redhead. "You guys..." She started, pulling herself from her stunned state. "I don't understand. Aren't you angry with me? I don't get why you would defend me..."

"Thank Ignis here." Said Noctis. "If it weren't for him, I don't think I would have changed my mind."

"Same. I-I mean, I did have faith in you, Dawn...but the way that Iggy stood up for you sealed the deal." Said Prompto, scratching his head in embarrassment. "You just can't say no when he's that serious about something."

Dawn's eyes met with the brunette's, noticing his cheeks turning the slightest pink. Why is he acting so strange? "So you did believe me after all..." She said.

The team's advisor nodded. "You have hid the truth, yes...however, I have spent some time thinking about the situation, and I've come to the conclusion that everything else you have told us must be true." His eyes drifted to the side, his hand pushing up his glasses. "You're not a bad person, Miss Spectrum."

Dawn ever so slightly chuckled at the return of her formal name. "Thank you..." she said, a feeling of a weight being lifted enveloping her. She could now feel more at ease about leaving the boys, knowing that they wouldn't part on a bad note. However, there was still one thing that was left unaddressed.

"So, uh...Dawn?" The blonde cut in. "Is it really true that you're...um...a fairy?"

The fairy in question sighed. "No point in hiding it now..." She thought. "Yeah, it's true, Prompto. I'm a fairy from another world."

"Woaaahh..." The blonde gawked. "Can you show us? You have some sort of magical power, right?"

"I do, but...there's people around and I...don't trust other people to know what I am."

"Oh...wait, I have an idea! Come with us! We can go somewhere with less people like...like...oh! The Chocobo place! You can show us your powers there!"

"We actually need to be heading to Lestallum." Ignis butted in. "We need to plan our next move."

"Nah, we can make the time." Said the dark haired Prince. "I want to see Dawn's powers too."

The brunette nodded upon Noctis's words, his voice hiding joy. "Very well, it's decided. Miss Spectrum, would you like to join us and demonstrate your abilities?"

The fiery woman stood in place for a minute, unsure of what to say. This encounter was never suppose to even happen, let alone end in her going with them again, bringing her back to square one. The whole point of her leaving was so they could move on in peace...however...

She owed them. After seemingly forgiving her for her actions and even defending her from Gladio, the redhead felt that they deserved the truth...all of it. Maybe once they know the full story, they'll understand why I need to leave forever. Besides, it won't be long. All I have to do is show them my powers. Easy.

Her thoughts didn't address it, but she knew that she wanted this. To be with Ignis and his friends once more, laughing and fighting together like they did before. She wanted to relive those happy few days, and it seemed like now she had the opportunity. Just one last time together, properly, before becoming hidden to the universe...then they could both walk their seperate paths without any regrets.

"I guess it's the least I can do." Dawn replied with a slight nod. "I owe you guys an explaination."

Prompto wore a big grin, like he usually did. It was one of the things Dawn missed the most; that grin was such a happy, goofy grin that it made everything feel brighter and happier. In fact, it made the redhead want to grin as well. Hell, Prompto's attitude in general was contagious.

"Aw yeah! This is so cool!" He said. "Not only gettin' to meet Chocobos, but also gettin' to see a real live fairy in action!"

With that, the now group of four gathered in the Regalia, ready to head to their next destination: Wiz's Chocobo Post. Dawn had no clue what a Chocobo even was, but she guessed it was some sort of animal based on the context of which the word was used. It seemed like everyone was excited to visit...

Except Gladio.

Upon noticing the fiery woman entering the vehicle, he gave a sharp exhale. "Now she's joining us again? Fraud can't make up her mind."

The blonde turned around in his seat to face the man. "Give it a rest, big guy. Once you see what she's made of, you'll change your tune."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

For the entirety of the car ride, Gladiolus didn't even speak or look at Dawn. This made her slightly sad, but she knew there was no forcing him to believe; all that could be done was to show him her powers and hope for the best. If he never comes around, then that would be his choice.

There was at least one thing that Dawn had learned about Gladiolus from the time they spent together: once his mind was set on something, it would take a pretty great force to change it.

On the way there, Ignis had spoken up from the driver's seat, the wind playing with his hair. "I must say, it's good to have you with us, Miss Spectrum."

"Kinda' have to agree with him. Waking up second to last was something I could get used to." Said Noctis.

Prompto gave a short laugh from the shotgun seat. "Don't forget the bedhead. Ain't that right, Sleeping Beauty?"

"All of you, shut you're traps before I shut em' for ya'!" Replied Dawn in a joking tone. Immediately, her mood improved. Being back together with the gang made her so happy...even if one of them was still sour to her. Without them, laughter in the fairy's life was in very short supply; the four friends made her feel what it was like to belong somewhere...something she wanted to feel forever. At least the fond memories would stay in her heart until the end of time, never forgotten.

Like I said, feels pretty short, but I hope you guys liked it nonetheless!