SPOILERS!
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THE LATEST CHAPTERS OMG!
YUNO IS THE NEW VICE-CAPTAIN OF THE GOLDEN DAWN! OH SHIT! I KNEW THAT YUNO WOULD BE ON THE FAST PATH TO A CAPTAIN SPOT THAT BOY IS ALMOST THERE. ASTA'S GONNA BE SO PROUD AND A LITTLE JEALOUS! (Langris must be pissed AF)
Enjoy the chapter. More fluff than usual.
White Carnation
(Meaning) pure love
ONE MONTH LATER
Clover Kingdom
Capital City
Magic Knight Headquarters
The Infirmary
Morning
"Big Sis, please stop pacing, you're stressing me out," said Leopold, sitting on the floor outside of the Magic Knights Headquarters infirmary.
"Shut up, Leo," replied Mereoleona, continuing her impatient pacing. She was not too worried. Her mother, Lady Solace, Lady Ruth and Dr. Owen were all in their monitoring the seal experts. Vice-Captain Vivian, Zora Ideale, Locke, and Styles, Secre and Ember were all in there helping to take the magic-blocking seals off of Mereo's girls. Nothing was going to go wrong. The girls were strong, and learning Common, so communication was easier.
"Why can't you just admit that you're nervous," asked Leopold. "Geez, it's too bad that Big Brother is stuck with Captain Nozel at Magic Parliament. He'd be able to calm you down."
Mereoleona glared at Leo. "You're more worried than me."
"Well, yeah. They have, like, 12 years without their magic and suddenly they are going to have it," said Leopold, huffing. "They're my precious nieces, you know." It was true that the girls loved "Unca Leo" and they knew by now that Leopold would spoil them rotten when he could. The girls had only been with them for two months, but they were family now and forever.
"I'm excited to get them training so they'll be able to defend themselves," said Mereoleona. It surprised even her mother that Mereoleona come to feel that if the girls didn't want to join the Magic Knights that was just fine with Mereoleona. As long as they were free to use their magic as they will (within reason) and enjoy life, it was all Mereoleona wanted. But they did need to know how to defend themselves.
"All done!" Their mother came out of the infirmary. "Everything went well. Hanima's already playing with her water magic!" Mereoleona and Leo rushed inside the infirmary to find Blue death glaring everyone, but most especially Zora, while Hanima was jumping up and down on the bed, water from her magic seeping from her hands like a waterfall. Sabriel was a lump in the bed.
"Hanima, you're getting water everywhere," said Mereoleona. "Blue, I'll punch Zora later for you. Sabriel, don't go back to sleep."
"Mama," Sabriel complained, as a lump in the bed. "Sleepy, sleepy."
"Mama, look at water!" Hanima was making it rain, excitedly as Grandma Solace clapped excitedly. (Dr. Owen looked less than thrilled at the now sopping wet bed that he was going to have to clean).
Blue just stood up on her bed and jumped on Zora, knocking the red-head Black Bull to the ground. "No, punch Zora, Mama. Zora nice, but don't know why."
"Gah, what the fuck? This is why I don't want kids," complained Zora, but no one was listening to him.
Mereoleona grinned.
Because, it's the first time they called her Mama.
"Leo, they called me Mama."
"I heard, Mereo," said Leo, grabbing her hand. "We've been practicing to surprise you. They wanted to do it earlier but they didn't know if it was okay. So I told the girls it was perfectly okay."
Mereoleona grabbed Leo into a bear hug. "You little shit…!"
"Aww, Big Sis, don't cry."
"I'll suffocate you right now, Leo, don't test me."
Clover Kingdom
Capital City
Magic Parliament Chambers
Morning
Noelle and her siblings were waiting with baited breathe as Damnatio Kira Clover went through the normal opening to a Magic Parliament meeting. Today, supposedly, after a month of hard campaigning, a little bribery (courtesy of Ember the Dragon), some blackmail (courtesy of Zora) and support from their closest friends and families, they were going to find out if Nozel's petition was going through to effectively dethrone their grandmother.
Fuegoleon, Aldebrand, Tarian, her twin sons, and Bennett were standing with Noelle and her big siblings. It was kind of nerve-wracking as the last time she was there, Noelle was busting into the place to rescue Asta and Secre. She usually wanted to stay away from this place and the judging eyes.
Grandmother Silva was across the room in one of the balconies, death glaring them.
"And now, for the major matter at hand. Captain Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles Squad and the heir to House Silva brought a petition for a forcible replacement of a House Head, claiming that it was in the best interests of House Silva to have new, progressive leadership," announced Damnatio, with clear distaste in his voice. "The petition had been approved by every Royal and Noble House Head and ear-marked for approval by this time next week by the Clover King."
Noelle grinned up at Nozel, who looked stunned.
They actually did it.
With Nozel in charge, Noelle would be able to go to the Silva Homestead and visit her mother's grave more often and not feel like she wasn't welcome.
"Good work," said Nozel, softly, to Noelle, Solid, and Nebra, who all preened under his praise. "I couldn't have done it without you." Noelle grinned.
"Now, moving on to other state matters…"
"NO! I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS NONSENSE!"
Noelle winced. Grandmother Silva was throwing a fit with some Silva Aunties and Uncles trying to calm her down.
Damnatio, for once, helped. "Lady, sit down or so help me...I've enough of your damn family to last me a lifetime!"
"HOW DARE YOU, BRAT?!"
Noelle giggled. This was going to be interesting.
Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Purple Orca Headquarters
Morning
"Thanks for the ride, Finral," said Julius to the Black Bull. Finral had just so happened to be in the Capital when Julius and Prince Jules arrived to greet the Clover King and his family. Prince Jules will be staying with the Purple Orcas for the next six months, as part of his training. Julius and Prince Jules took an entire month to convince Ophie to let Jules come to the Clover Kingdom. Ophie had an intense bout of mother overprotectiveness due to the whole Summit and demon situation, which Julius understood, of course.
Both Julius and Jules had to promise to not get into any trouble. Of course, Ophie didn't define what kind of trouble, though it was probably life-threatening trouble that she wanted them to avoid.
"Of course, it's not a problem, Edward," said Finral. "Well, I have to get back and get Captain Yami. Hope you enjoy your stay in Clover, Prince Julian."
Jules replied, politely, "Thank you." With that Finral opened a portal and stepped through it, leaving Julius with his godson at the entrance to the Purple Orcas Headquarters. When Kaiser took over the squad, the squad moved from a gaudy statement of wealth to a modest selection of brownstones in a small city in the Noble Realm. Kaiser's family was into real estate, so basically the base was just a collection of two floor houses with one of the brownstones being the general meeting place for the squad.
This allowed for privacy amongst squad members, but also allow solid team-bonding by living together in groups of 3 or 4. (It helped also if there were couples who wanted their privacy too). Thankfully, Julius was given his own brownstone (under the guise of being the youngest there). Jules would get his own room for privacy.
"Edward, you're late! We've been waiting," shouted Vice-Captain Erica Putnam. Xerx had been rather contrite when Kaiser replaced him as Vice-Captain. Considering that Erica had been the one to be behind all the star gains of the Purple Orcas, but never got any of the credit, it was a good choice in Julius' opinion. "Welcome, Prince Julian. I hope you enjoy your stay here. And if Edward annoys you, you can take him to the training area outside of the city and fight him."
Jules grinned at the thought. "Thank you very much for having me, Vice-Captain Putnam. I'll be sure to be no trouble."
"What a polite boy," gushed Erica, "Come in, come in, you two."
"Don't give him ideas, Vice-Captain," pleaded Julius, trying to sound like a sixteen-year-old. "And he's not as polite as you think."
"Rude," mumbled Jules. Julius knew what his godson was doing—trying to get on the good side of everyone.
"Everyone's excited that you're back, Edward. And happy to meet you Prince Julian," said Erica, smiling, as they were led inside to the meeting brownstone house.
"It's good to be home."
And Julius was going to be thrilled to go visit all the squads and introduce Jules to everyone with all their awesome magic! Having Jules here would actually give Julius things to do, since he technically didn't go on real missions (his missions were actually advising Fuego and the Captains, but they were disguised as simple missions). It would also be nice to bond with Jules a bit more. And Yami told Julius to bring Jules by for a Black Bulls barbeque!
Julius had a feeling that Jules' stay here would be a great one.
Clover Kingdom
Capital City
Magic Knight Headquarters
The Wizard King's Office
Just After Noon
Mimosa did not know why she, Langris and Yuno were called to the office, but they arrived Captain Nozel, Vice-Captain Vivian, and of course, cousin Fuegoleon were there. Yuno probably knew what was going on but he was quiet on the subject (not that he wasn't quiet all the time, outside of Magic Knight work). She knew from Noelle that Nozel's petition had been decided on in Magic Parliament, so maybe that was what it was about, but Mimosa didn't know how she or Langris or Yuno were involved.
"Thank you for coming," said Fuegoleon, smiling at them. Captain Nozel, Vivian, Yuno, Mimosa and Langris were standing before their Wizard King. "We have some good news. Nozel will become, officially starting next week, the Head of House Silva."
Mimosa clasped her hands together. Oh that was really good news. How exciting, this was going to be a good thing for Noelle and her other cousins.
"Congratulations," said Yuno, monotone. Despite being healed from the curse, his throat had gotten quite damaged, so he had to be careful as he went through healing sessions with Lady Ruth.
Nozel nodded in thanks.
"With that being said," said Fuegoleon, "Nozel will no longer have the time to run the Silver Eagles as Captain with his new duties as House Head. Nozel will remain in the Magic Knights in his same rank as a Grand Magic Knight, however. What this means is that there is a need for a new Silver Eagles Captain."
Mimosa realized what was going to happen. She felt a great excitement in her heart. She started smiling uncontrollably, as she glanced at Langris.
"Langris Vaude, you have been the Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn for years, despite some issues, you have grown into an honorable, fine Magic Knight. I offer you the chance to take the Silver Eagles Captaincy, if you so wish," said Fuegoleon, giving an encouraging smile.
Langris almost reached for Mimosa's hand, which got Mimosa's heart beating, and said, "I am honored. I accept and you have my word that I will do my very best to make certain that you will not regret this decision. Thank you, Lord Fuegoleon, Lord Nozel."
Fuegoleon nodded. "Wonderful. You will start next week as well."
"Vice-Captain Vivian," said Nozel, interjecting, "is a fine second-in-command, Captain Langris. She will help you acclimate to the Silver Eagles."
Langris nodded. "Please take care of me, then, Vice-Captain Vivian."
Vice-Captain Vivian smiled. "The pleasure is mine, Captain."
Mimosa was so proud of Langris. He really had come a long way from the mean and bitter young man. It was his goal to become Captain sooner rather than later and he had been so hurt when Yuno got picked as the Golden Dawn Captain over him. But thankfully, Langris didn't let that rejection consume and did his job well as Yuno's Vice-Captain.
"That's not all," said Yuno. Mimosa was so going to scold him later. Yuno clearly had been in the loop about Langris' promotion and he didn't tell her. "Since I'll be losing my Vice-Captain, so Mimosa will be my new official Vice-Captain."
Mimosa blinked. Of course, she knew that Langris had been training her to be a Vice-Captain and she was known to be the unofficial Vice-Captain, but she didn't think that she actually get the position. "Thank you, I'll do my best."
"I know you will," said Yuno.
"I expect great things out of all of you," said Fuegoleon. "Thank you for coming." They were dismissed.
Vivian, Langris, Yuno and herself left the Wizard King's office, leaving Fuegoleon and Nozel to speak amongst themselves. Mimosa can wait to tell everyone.
"I will send some of the squad to come and pick your stuff up, Captain Langris," said Vivian, nodding. "Just let me know when. I'll see you next week." With that she went off in her own direction, before Langris had a chance to respond. Mimosa knew that Vivian was probably exhausted at this point, after being in charge of getting the magic-blocking seals off of Mereo's girls that morning.
"Hey, Captain Yuno," said Langris, suddenly.
"What?"
"Thanks."
"For what," Yuno asked confused.
Mimosa heard the scoff in Langris' tone, but she didn't speak. The two needed to talk. "I know I wasn't in line for a Captaincy of a squad next. Asta should have gotten it."
"You'd be better in the Silver Eagles," said Yuno, honestly. "And Asta's happy where he is right now."
Langris snorted. "Well, you finally got rid of me."
"I haven't. We're fellow Captains now," said Yuno, a grin in his voice but not on his face.
Mimosa giggled. "You two will miss each other, don't lie."
Yuno and Langris both made strangle noises of emotionally-constipated men, who didn't want to admit that they respected each other. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar head of hair. She recalled that Asta told her that he got gifts for Mereoleona's girls.
"There's Asta, I'm going," said Yuno, high-tailing it out of there to catch up with his boyfriend. Mimosa grinned. Yuno and Asta were so cute together, as they met up, both big smiles on their faces, and walked off hand-in-hand.
"They are so stupid, they deserve each other," grumbled Langris.
Mimosa laughed. "But you're happy for them."
"I guess," said Langris.
They walked towards the exit so that Langris could transport them to the Golden Dawn Headquarters. After all, Langris had to pack to leave next week. And suddenly, Mimosa realized that she wouldn't get to see Langris every day (when they weren't on missions) or be able to take care of him when he forgot to eat. Mimosa would miss him and worry about him.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah," said Mimosa, realizing that she was tearing up. She knew that this was it. She had to be blunt with this dense man. She hugged him, causing him to squeak. "I like you so much, Langris. Will you go out on a date with me?"
"Really?" Langris said it softly, gently, very unlike him. And then, he hugged her back. "I really like you too. Yeah, a date sounds nice."
Clover Kingdom
Capital City
Magic Knight Headquarters
Just After Noon
"You think Mimosa is going to ask him now," questioned Asta, as he and Yuno walked hand-in-hand. Since they were both still very busy, they had to get time together when they were able to get a few minutes.
"I hope," said Yuno, gently. His throat still hurt sometimes. "How are Captain Mereoleona's girls?"
"Hanima flooded the infirmary in her excitement," said Asta, grinning. "Blue is Zora's new best friend. And Sabriel claims that she's "dead" and won't get out of bed."
"That's hilarious," said Yuno, grinning softly. "Sabriel sounds like my type of kid."
"Well, you might wind up giving her lessons. Her magic is wind," said Asta, grinning. "Noelle's already planning on giving Hanima lessons."
"Yeah, Patri's looking forward to teaching Blue," said Yuno, thinking of the old elf. "Captain Mereoleona hadn't even asked him, he just assumed."
Asta laughed. "The girls are good kids. They are getting used to everyone. I can't wait until they meet Marie tonight. She's a couple years older than them but I think it'll be good for them to get a friend. You're still coming to the barbeque?"
"Wouldn't miss it," said Yuno. "I want to meet that Heart Prince."
"Yeah, I've seen him but haven't gotten a chance to talk to him. He's like eternally annoyed with "Edward"."
"Ah, "Edward's" met his match then," replied Yuno. There were only a handful of people that called Julius out on his nonsense—namely Lady Nickole and Marx.
"Hey, I'm awake, love me," said Bell, knocking herself into Yuno's cheek for affectionate. Yuno sighed.
"Morning, Bell," said Yuno. "Where were you last night? You had better not been getting into nonsense with Salamander again."
Bell huffed and moved from Yuno to Asta's fluffy hair. Since Asta and Yuno finally got together, Bell had been considerably kinder to Asta recently when she realized that Asta would take her side if Yuno was being mean. "Asta, Yuno's being mean to me."
"Aww, poor thing."
"Traitors."
"His hair is fluffier than yours. Half the time I'm not sure you even wash it with soap," said Bell, complained.
"Yuno, you need to use soap to wash your hair! How many times do I have to remind you of that," asked Asta, scolding. "I swear, Bell, when we were kids, if I didn't wash his hair for him, he'd never do it." Yuno's face flushed at the reminder.
Bell gasped. "You take such good care of Yuno, Asta."
"Brats, the both of you," stated Yuno.
"You love us anyway," chorused Asta and the wind sprite cheerfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I love you both. So embarrassing."
"Love you too, Yuno."
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls' Hideout
Evening
Nozel knew to expect bedlam when Noelle invited him, Nebra and Solid to the Black Bulls barbeque that they planned to celebrate Yami and Charlotte getting together and all the other good things that happened recently. Nozel was not big on parties, but knowing the Black Bulls, the food would be good and he could hide off to the side while his siblings had fun.
"Hey, you're here," said Noelle, running up to them. She gave them each a hug, which had Solid grumbling, Nebra preening and Nozel blushing. Once Nozel hugged Noelle on his return, Noelle had decided to become a hugging fiend towards them. Nozel didn't mind in the least. "There's food already made and there are drinks."
"Magna, Sol, Klaus, you starting drinking without me! Rude," called Nebra to her friends. Nozel assumed they were friends these days. Nebra patted Noelle on the head before going over to those three, who were clearly into the booze playing a drinking game.
"I'm not staying up with her at 2 in the morning to hold her hair back this time," said Solid, rolling his eyes. "Ohh, beef sticks." Solid wandered away towards the food, where Jack, Lady Solace, Aunt Nickole and Magna's mom were handling the grill, while keeping a drooling Charmy at bay from eating all the food there. Julius/Edward was hanging with Locke and Styles, deep in conversation. Asta was gesturing wildly in the middle of a conversation with the young Heart Prince, who looked at Asta with admiration.
Yuno looked clearly annoyed at the outcome. Nozel thought that Yuno needed to realize that Asta was going to get more admirers, even if the two were together properly now. Asta was just that enigmatic and kind.
"Yeah, I know right? Prince Jules, for like a minute, was kind of crushing on me, but then Asta saved the day and you know…how that goes. It's Asta." Noelle said, shrugging, as she followed Nozel's line of sight to the chaotic scene before him. "Go and sit, Big Brother, I'll get you some food."
Noelle dragged him towards the couches that they Black Bulls pulled outside, where Vanessa was lounging on one of the couches (Nozel averted his eyes quickly, out of respect). Mimosa and Langris sat on another, holding hands and blushing. Finral was off to the side crying happily about how his little brother was growing up, he was also clearly inebriated too, while Lady Finesse attempted to console him with a fond smile on her face.
"Ah, so Langris finally asked," muttered Nozel.
"Yeah, Ember's not too happy about it," said Noelle, pointing at the shapeshifting dragon death-glaring Langris. Nozel secretly like that Noelle and Mimosa had a dragon protecting them when he wasn't looking. "And neither is Zora."
Nozel looked over at the masked red-head, who was scowling at the new couple.
"Tell them both that they can't kill Langris. He's the new Silver Eagles Captain," said Nozel.
"Yeah, no worries, as long as Mimosa's happy, Langris' safe," said Noelle, nodding. "Mimosa already yelled Zora for throwing stink bugs at Langris. Oh, right, I'm gonna get you some food." She rushed over to Aunt Nickole to get him some hot food.
Nozel stood there awkwardly for a minute when Vanessa's voice called out,
"Captain Nozel, come and sit with me." His witch friend sat up properly on the couch instead of lying across it to make room for him. Nozel went over and sat down, and immediately, she leaned into his personal space. He quite didn't mind much. She was warm and probably a little drunk at the point. "Ah, it's been so lonely."
"Hmm, yeah," said Nozel, looking over to see Charlotte and Yami holding hands while bickering with each other. Nozel rolled his eyes, nothing changed between them, still both irritating as ever. "I get it."
"Here," said Noelle, coming over and giving Nozel a plate of food and a plate of food to Vanessa. "Miss Vanessa, don't traumatize my Big Brother."
"Hah, no promises," said Vanessa, winking at Noelle. "Oh look who's here! Kahono, Kiato!" Noelle's head whipped around to find her girlfriend and her girlfriend's brother. Noelle's face lit up with a big smile, as she went over to greet the siblings. "Noelle and Kahono are so cute together."
"Very," said Nozel, admitted.
"You should be happier. You're the House Head and can make so that your siblings are happy," said Vanessa, gently.
"I am happy," said Nozel.
She poked his cheek. "Smile more, handsome."
Nozel's face flushed and he awkwardly said, "Stop teasing."
"You're too cute." She tried to move his mouth with her gloved fingers to make him smile. He wasn't trying his best not to smile at this point.
"Embarrassing us Silva is your favorite pastime time, huh?"
"Well, at least, teasing you and Noelle."
Nozel let out a short breathy laugh. "You're not supposed to admit it."
Vanessa giggled.
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls' Hideout
Evening
"Is that asshole flirting with Vanessa," grumbled Yami, eyeing a giggling Vanessa and a blushing Nozel talking to each other, completely in their own little world. Charlotte rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"Vanessa is a grown woman, Yami," she said. "And I think it's sweet."
Yami made a face. "Ugh."
"Get over it," said Charlotte. "I'd be more worried about Gauche getting murdered by two overprotective Vermillion siblings."
Mereoleona and Leopold had brought the girls and the newest additions to the Vermillion family immediately made friend with Marie Adlai. While the Vermillion girls were about eleven or twelve (no one was sure of their ages, not even the girls), Marie was thirteen, but that didn't deter the kind-hearted young girl from being a delightfully welcoming presence. Marie was gushing over the girls' magic, while Gauche glowered in the corner.
Leopold looked to be ready to bust a head. Mereoleona was egging on the girls, however, to try their magic out.
"I can't believe that demon woman is a mother."
"She's a good mom already," said Charlotte, beaming. "Everyone is having such a good time. Yami, I can't believe you remembered."
"I promised, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did. This is the best," said Charlotte. "Thank you."
Ch. End
Welp, all that's left for this installment is the Epilogue.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
At the end of the Epilogue, I'm going to let you know all about what stories are coming next in this AU world.