Hey guys! I really hope you liked the last chapter! I honestly enjoyed writing it. I loved this episode so much because you get more backstory on Loke/Leo. It was great. My favorite episode of all time was the part with Gildarts Clive and Cana. I won't say anything else if some of you guys aren't that far yet in the series, so I won't spoil anything for you. Hopefully...eh...screw it. You'll find out one way or another. Anyway, enjoy this chapter! Also, I just updated the cover for this story, I drew Ember finally! Let me know if you like it! :D


Lucy could only stare at Leo in pure shock as he told his story about Karen in great detail. When I gained Leo's trust, he told me this same exact story. I felt terrible of course, but I felt like Karen had it coming. She tortured her spirits, thought she could get away with it, and died going on a mission she knew she couldn't handle because she was too stubborn and hellbent on defying Leo. During my time away from Fairy Tail, I had also heard so many stories about Karen. To me, she was a cruel bitch and she didn't deserve the title of being called a celestial wizard. That's what I loved about Lucy when I first met her, she was completely different from what I expected, she's an amazing person.

"I tried my best to stop her, but I couldn't do much. I was still contracted to her." Leo said.

Lucy was practically in tears as Leo began to finish his story. It was saddening that Karen's death had always haunted him to this day. I mean, I completely understood why he felt so much guilt, but whenever I tried convincing him otherwise, he merely refused to listen and continued to put the blame on himself.

"It was my fault...and I've lived with the guilt ever since. When someone dies, they're gone forever. I wish I could bring her back..." Leo mumbled.

"When did you know?! How long did you know?!" Lucy glared at me.

Is she insinuating that this is all my fault somehow?

"I figured out he was a celestial spirit about...several months later after he joined Fairy Tail. We got to know each other and...he felt like he could trust me I guess." I frowned.

"Don't blame her Lucy...she's been trying to find a loophole this entire time. She's never given up on me..." Leo gave me a sad smile. "Nothing will work though...the only way I could make things right is if I die too."

When Leo began fading away, Lucy and I both rushed over to aid him as he fell to his knees.

"Loke!" Lucy cried.

I bit my bottom lip hard enough that I could taste my own blood. It was bitter and horrible, much similar to this situation I found. I clenched my eyes tightly, trying very hard not to lose what control I had over my emotions. When I was in a dark place, it was difficult for me to bounce back, and sometimes, really bad things happened. Sometimes, it was hard for me to control my magical energy and it would be unsafe for others to be near me.

"I guess this is it...this is my time." Leo murmured softly.

I finally began staring down at Leo, and when I noticed my vision blur, I realized that I was beginning to cry.

"No..." My voice wavered.

Lucy stared at me in surprise, knowing she had never seen me like this.

"I can't lose you..." I choked back a sob.

Leo seemed upset to see me like this, and tried to comfort me by placing his hand on top of mine.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Ember." Leo replied. "This is my time..."

Lucy turned to look back at Loke, wiping tears from her eyes angrily.

"What do you mean it's your time?!" Lucy questioned.

"For me to disappear." Leo clarified. "Forever."

"You can't just give up!" Lucy cried out.

"...Karen..." Leo breathed out.

"Your hands!" Lucy gasped.

I glanced down in horror as I saw my friend beginning to disappear before my very eyes.

It was something I would never forget.

"Before I go...I wanna thank you..." Loke smiled at Lucy. "You've restored my faith in celestial wizards."

"WAIT! I can save you!" Lucy grew frantic. "You can't give up yet!"

"Please tell everyone at Fairy Tail I said goodbye."

I felt my fists clenching tightly, my body shaking as I struggled not to lose control or break down.

How...how does something like this just happen?

"Ember...keep moving forward, okay? I love you. You've got...so much to live for...don't give up." Leo muttered weakly.

My eyes widened drastically and I finally succumbed to my emotions from his words. I finally broke down crying, practically screaming as I was overcome with sadness and rage.

"Why...Why did you have to make me care about you?!" I yelled.

Leo glanced up into my eyes and smiled faintly.

"I thought you hated my guts, gorgeous." He joked.

I grabbed Lucy's shirt and stared directly at her through my blurred vision in desperation.

"SAVE HIM! PLEASE! I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT LUCY!" I cried. "YOU'RE THE BEST CELESTIAL WIZARD I'VE SEEN IN MY LIFE! PLEASE!"

Lucy looked shocked, but nodded in agreement regardless, determined to save her guild member.

"IT'S NOT FAIR! I WON'T LET YOU DIE!" Lucy cried with me.

"Lucy...Ember..."

"All you have to do is go back to the celestial world and your life force will be restored right?" Lucy asked.

I had been trying to figure out if there was a way to increase his life force for years. I tried finding a way to get him back to the Celestial Spirit World. At one time, I even tried giving him part of my life force. I had always been led to dead ends every single time with my research, my experiments always ending with failures.

"There's gotta be a way I can send you back!" Lucy said.

"I'm afraid that's impossible..." He replied. "I broke the law and I'm being punished."

"What kind of punishment is this? It isn't right and you know it!" I hollered at him. "Karen killed herself! You had nothing to do with it! It was an accident!"

"OPEN GATE OF THE LION! TAKE HIM BACK TO THE CELESTIAL WORLD!" Lucy shouted. "PLEASE! OPEN!"

"Please! It won't work! It's okay!" Leo tried assuring her.

"It's not okay!" We both yelled simutaneously.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing as my friend sits here and disappears before my very eyes!" Lucy grew angry.

Before I could comprehend what was going on, I was blasted away from Lucy's magic. Lucy kept attempting to open Leo's gate by using her own magic energy. Leo kept trying to warn her to stop, tried everything he could to help her, but Lucy refused to be beaten. It was incredibly inspiring, how far this girl was willing to go to save Leo's life just as I was.

"I WON'T STOP UNTIL THE GATE IS OPEN! I WON'T LET YOU DIE! WHOEVER TOLD YOU THAT YOU KILLED KAREN WAS WRONG!"

We were momentarily blinded by a huge flashing light. When I regained my sight, right before our very eyes, stood a tall, ginormous humanoid being.

HOLY SHIT!

"Whoa! What's going on here?" Lucy grew nervous.

"Impossible." Leo breathed out. "It's him!" He gasped. "The Celestial Spirit King! What in the heck is he doing here?"

"He's the king? That's the ruler of the celestial spirit world?!" Lucy's eyes widened.

"Hello my old friend." The huge spirit spoke. "Don't you know that both humans and spirits must obey celestial law? And taking the life of a key owner is against law by any circumstance."

I was angry, no...furious. This guy was responsible for everything. He was going to let Leo die. He has another thing coming.

"If you think I'll just stand by and watch one of my best friends die, then I'll gladly stand up to you!" I finally spoke up. "Karen had it coming! You should be thanking Leo for standing up for Aries! If it wasn't for Leo, Karen would still be torturing her! You're insane and backwards for punishing a spirit that's willing to do what it takes to save his friends! He doesn't deserve this and you know it!" I snapped.

The Celestial Spirit King glared down at me as I stood tall and defiant against him. I stormed over until I was standing near Lucy and Leo, my rage was spiking, I was practically itching to do some extreme damage.

I wanted to do something. Anything.

"She's right! This doesn't seem fair at all!" Lucy shouted.

"LUCY! EMBER! STOP!" Leo yelled with warning.

"Friend, human girls, I have made my judgement and it is that Leo has broken a celestial law."

"No way, did he just come out because Lucy and Ember blurted out that he was wrong?" Leo mumbled to himself. "That's crazy! Why would he care what they think?"

"Loke's been suffering in the human world for three long years! He didn't kill Karen, but he did stand up to her! Ember's right! Somebody had to protect Aries!" Lucy protested.

"I must say, I find it heartbreaking to see you in such a fragile condition." The Spirit King muttered.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Lucy yelled at the Celestial Spirit King. "An old friend is still a friend right?!"

"Why don't you be a friend right now and give him another chance?! He definitely deserves that much!" I shouted.

"Yeah! Open your eyes stache-face!"

"Stache-face?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Uh Lucy- -" Leo tried stopping her.

"Karen died because she took on a job she couldn't handle! He had nothing to do with it!"

"Change your god-damn verdict! He's innocent!" I glared at him.

"Please sir!" Lucy added.

"Just drop it already! It doesn't matter if the verdict is changed!" Leo snapped at us again. "I'm not looking for forgiveness! I want to disappear and finally be free of this guilt!"

"I WON'T LET YOU!" Lucy screamed and another burst of magical energy emanated through her. "Dying isn't going to bring Karen back! All it's gonna do is bring more sadness! You did nothing wrong! It can't be a crime to protect the people you care about!"

Oh my god...she summoned all of her spirits at once! That could kill her!

Lucy stood her ground as her spirits surrounded her and gathered around her.

"WHAT ABOUT ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS?! YOU'RE JUST GONNA LEAVE THEM?! LOOK AT EMBER! SHE CARES ABOUT YOU SO MUCH! IF YOU WOULD DIE, YOU WOULD LEAVE ARIES AND ALL OF US BEHIND! THINK ABOUT US AND HOW MISERABLE WE WOULD BE WITHOUT YOU!"

I have to stop Lucy! She's going to kill herself!

I was moved by Lucy's words, and was even in awe as I could feel her magical energy. I felt tears spring in my eyes from the force of the wind blowing into my face. I snapped out of it quickly, using my strength to make it back over to Lucy and Leo in time.

"LUCY!" I cried.

I refuse to let Lucy go through this alone!

When I finally made it over to Lucy, I quickly grabbed her hand and lent Lucy my magical energy as well, which made her feel even more powerful than before. The pain of being drained of magic energy was a close second to battling Gajeel. In other words, it hurt like hell. After several more seconds of this torture, we both fell to the ground as the two of us were exhausted and spent of most of our magical energy.

"If you're a spirit too, I'm sure you can sympathize with Aries and Leo." Lucy stared at the spirit king with anger.

I almost felt bad at the looks of concern, horror, and worry that Leo kept giving us, but I wasn't going to back down from this, no matter how much he'd wanted us too.

"You're going to die like Karen if you keep this up! Both of you! You don't need to risk your lives to save mine!" Leo told us.

I blinked away tears once more before giving Leo a warm smile reserved especially for him.

"Well you're worth it." I murmured.

Leo's eyes widened as his lower lip quivered. Leo quickly bit his bottom lip, trying to hold back tears, trying to look strong, but realized he wasn't fooling anyone. He was broken.

"Hearing you both speak so highly of my old friend...has led me to think that maybe it was not his actions, but the law itself that should be in question." The Celesital Spirit King finally spoke.

Is he...saying what I think he's saying?

"Leo was forced to commit his crime to protect Aries. And these human girls are willing to risk their lives to save Leo. I am so moved by your bonds of loyalty that I'll make an acception in this case."

We all stared at the spirit king in shock, unsure of what we were hearing.

"Leo the Lion. You are hereby granted return passage to the spirit world." The Celestial Spirit King declared.

Lucy and I smiled brightly as we gave each other a hug in celebration of our victory before turning back to the Celestial Spirit King once more.

"Thank you stache-face!" Lucy smiled at him.

I managed to sit up as I stared at the spirit king.

"...thank you, sir..." I gave him a sincere smile.

"Please sir. I have to make it up to her!" Leo cried, referring to Karen.

"Very well. From now on, I order you to be in service of your celestial wizard friend. You are lucky to have found such loyal friends. I suggest that you protect the both of them with your life." He smiled at us. "As they fought to save yours."

With that, the Celestial Spirit King had faded away, going back to the Celestial Spirit World.

"You heard him." Lucy grinned.

After some of his magic was restored, Leo got up from the ground and then gave Lucy a sincere smile.

"Lucy?"

"Yeah?" She shook his hand, as a sign that they were now contracted together.

"Thank you..."

I turned around as I thought I saw Leo fade away, but as I turned, I bumped straight into him.

Did he just teleport?

"Don't think I forgot about you." Leo winked at me.

"Get back to the spirit world, you dummy. I'll see you later." I cracked a small smile.

Leo smirked as he leaned closer and I suddenly grew nervous as my face began heating up. Before I realized what was coming, I was pulled in by my trench coat and into a heated kiss. After several long seconds, Leo let go of me and then faded away back to the spirit world.

"What...what just happened?" My eyes widened drastically.

"Ooooooohhhh. He liiiikkees you." Lucy grinned.

Oh god...she just sounded like Happy.

I turned around and glared at Lucy.

"Oh shut up!" I squeaked.

"That's so cute!" Lucy laughed at my behavior. "You just squeaked! Oh my god! Your face matches your hair!"

"Let's just get going okay? I'm sure everyone will want to know what happened. And I promised to tell Natsu anyway..." I lowered my voice.

"Yeah, I can't wait till we get back and tell them all about that kiss." Lucy grinned deviously.

"Whatever." I grumbled.

As Lucy and I walked away, I touched my lips and was instantly reminded of Leo right away.

Wait a minute...

"THAT BASTARD STOLE MY FIRST KISS!" I shrieked.


It was early in the morning, but we managed to make it back to the guild, the guild that was still under reconstruction, with everyone tired from searching for Loke. It made me sad that no one got any sleep, but everything worked out in the end for Leo, so all was good. I explained to Natsu what Leo explained to everyone else at the guild later that day. Eventually when it came down to it, Leo kept his Fairy Tail guild mark and remained a Fairy Tail member. I was finally happy that things were looking up, and I was so relieved that I didn't have to worry so much about Leo, that knucklehead. As I sat down by the bar and ordered my usual drink I glanced back at Lucy. I was indebted to this girl and I've barely known her for a month or so, but if I was indebted to anyone, I was certainly glad it was Lucy. You could tell that Lucy was a warm and kindhearted soul, and it astounded me at how loving and caring she was towards her spirits, something that was rare with a celestial wizard. I slowly rose from my seat as I waited for Mira to get my drink and walked over to Lucy unconsciously, without even realizing.

I never got to thank her properly, did I?

I approached Lucy by tapping on her shoulder and pulling her into a hug, taking her by surprise from the sudden action. Everyone in the guild fell silent and just stared as I buried my face into the gap between her shoulder and her neck.

"Lucy..."

Lucy blushed a deep shade of red.

"Y- -yeah?"

"I never got to say it, but thank you so much. For everything...I'm glad you're here." I spoke sincerely.

Slowly, Lucy returned the hug and gave me a warm smile as I pulled away from our embrace.

"It's not a problem..." Lucy winked at me.

"THAT'S SO CUTE!"

We all turned to see the men of our guild staring at us like fresh meat.

Are you fucking serious? They just had to ruin the moment...

"Ember! Your drink is ready!" Mira called for me.

"Go back to what you were doing before, you pervs!" I glared at them.

Lucy followed me back to the bar and as I grabbed my fire whiskey, Leo finally made an appearance. Leo was talking it up with Natsu and Gray, and before I knew what was happening he whisked Lucy away, carrying her bridal style and talking about spending the rest of their lives together. It was hilarious watching Lucy blush and cry about how he was supposed to love me, but I was glad I could finally enjoy my drink in peace for once.

Despite that little comment from Lucy...

"Sooo...you and Loke kissed, huh?" Gray smirked.

I jumped in surprise as I saw Gray standing beside my chair, and refused to meet his gaze as I sipped on my drink casually. It wasn't long before Natsu came over as well.

"WHAT?! When was this?!" Natsu breathed out fire.

I sighed and put my drink down.

"Really? Out of all the things to bring up..." I shook my head. "He kissed me. It's not like I was jumping his bones or anything." I blushed.

"Oh come on! Lucy said you were blushing and everything! I wish I could have seen it! She said your reaction was priceless!" Gray teased.

"Oh shut up! It was my first kiss anyway! I wasn't expecting it! I wanted my first kiss to be perfect! I was saving that kiss for someone special damn it!" I grew flustered.

"Aw, you're a hopeless romantic type huh?" Gray poked my cheek.

I bit Gray's finger in retaliation.

"OW! WHAT THE HELL?!" Gray cursed and yanked his hand away from me.

"Serves you right, Ice Princess." I glared at him.

"What's a hopeless romantic type?" Natsu scratched his head in confusion.

"She was saving her first kiss for someone 'special', Natsu. She's like into fairy tales and stuff like that." Happy whispered in his ear.

"That doesn't sound so bad. Why does that make her a hopeless romantic?" Natsu pursed his lips.

"...some things just can't be taught." Happy shrugged.

At least Natsu's not a jerk...

"So what did you do after Loke kissed you?" Natsu asked me. "Did you beat him up? Tell me you did!" He grinned.

"Unfortunately he went back to the celestial spirit world before I could." I folded my arms.

"Was our kiss not special enough?"

I jumped as I was now face to face with Leo.

"EEP!" I squeaked.

"...that was the cutest thing I ever heard!" Natsu and Gray cooed at me.

"Now tell me, how was I supposed to know I took your first kiss?" Leo asked. "But then again, just by how you stood there frozen...I think that was an obvious sign." He grinned.

"OH SHUT UP!" I grew angry. "YOU ALREADY KNEW I WAS SAVING THAT KISS FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL YA JERK! DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DIDN'T KNOW! AND WHO SAYS I'M INEXPERIENCED?!"

"I never did." Leo pointed out.

"You basically just did!" I folded my arms and glared at him. "You surprised me out of nowhere! How was I supposed to react?!"

"Sorry, it was just the heat of the moment. You and Lucy basically saved my life. Plus I've known you longer than most of the members in Faiy Tail...I never particularly spent time with anyone in the guild other than you." Leo smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck.

"So what?! You're saying you wouldn't have kissed me otherwise?!"

Wait...where was this coming from? God damn it...I don't even know how I feel about the guy yet!

"I thought you said you didn't like it?" Leo raised an eyebrow as a grin began to form on his face.

I chugged my fire whiskey before turning back around after finishing the rest of my drink to face Leo again.

Oh how I love you liquid courage.

"I never said that! I just said I wasn't expecting it!" I then turned back to the counter. "ANOTHER DRINK PLEASE!" I called for Mira.

"Coming!" Mira smiled at me.

"Oooooohhhh. They liiiiikkke each ooootthhheerrr..." Happy smiled deviously.

Mira brought me another round of fire whiskey in a flash and I caught it with my dominant hand as it slid across the counter.

"So you're saying you would have kissed me back, if I'd asked you first?" Leo smirked.

"It's supposed to be that way in the first place!" I glared at him. "You should always ask a girl first before making a move! OTHERWISE YOUR ASS WILL BE HANDED TO YOU!" I grew frustrated.

God...I kinda sound like Erza almost...all strict and angry...

"Can I kiss you now?"

"What- -"

Leo pushed me against the counter of the bar and connected our lips for a second time. I gasped as Leo grabbed and squeezed my butt and in seconds he slid his tongue into my mouth while it was open from surprise. I closed my eyes and leaned into him as our tongues danced around each other passionately. Not knowing what to do with my hands, I just grabbed his jacket and pulled him closer. After about two minutes, Leo pulled away from me, looking smug and satisfied all at the same time.

And that...was unexpected.

"That was better. Not bad." Leo smiled.

"...YOU DIDN'T EVEN LET ME REPLY!" I slapped his face.

"Sorry...I couldn't really help myself. You always looked so cute when you got flustered and angry." Leo chuckled and rubbed his cheek. "It was worth it."

"...no comment." I grumbled.

I turned around and sipped at my fire whiskey.

"So...are you two a thing now?" Gray asked.

"Are you gonna admit you're gay for Natsu?" I retorted.

"WHAT?! I'M NOT GAY!" Gray shouted.

"Then don't label us as 'a thing' and I won't call you gay."

"Fine...I see your point." Gray grumbled.

"How about after I take you out on a real date, we can make it official?" Leo put an arm around my shoulders. "Huh? What do yah say?" He smiled charmingly.

"I dunno, Leo. You're so fliratious and you have a lot of girlfriends. Plus I don't know how I feel about you..." I pursed my lips.

"Aw come on! I've always liked you! You've always been someone special! Plus I broke it off with all of them!" Leo whined.

"You just flirted with Lucy too. I'm not so sure I'm convinced that you like me anyway." I shrugged and took another gulp from my fire whiskey.

I hiccuped as I put down the mug and felt that buzz starting to go through my head.

"When you're don' bein' so flirty with ever' girl ya see, give meh' a call." I slurred.

"Oh come on!" Leo shouted.

I finished my second mug of alcohol and burped loudly.

"Anoth' drink please!" I yelled.

"Already got it." Mira smiled as she slid down my third fire whiskey.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" Lucy gave me a look of concern.

"I only 'ad two." I snickered.

"You're speech is already slurring, Ember." Lucy pointed out.

I took one big gulp of my fire whiskey.

"Okay! I'll be don' after this one, I promis'!" I grinned.

"You better be." Lucy folded her arms and kept a watchful eye on me.

"Ember, I think Lucy's right, that's enough." Leo put his hand on top of mine.

I hiccuped as I gave Leo a warm smile.

"You're such a flirt!" I giggled. "Putting the moves on me again!"

I snatched my hand away from him.

"Jeez, I didn't think you'd be a happy drunk. I was expecting a flirty drunk." Leo commented.

"I am not drunk!" I glared at him.

"Okay, I take that back..." Leo mumbled.

"Natsuuuuu!" I yelled.

"Huh?"

"Teach me how to fly!" I demanded.

"W...what?" He looked confused.

Leo put an arm around my waist and pulled me onto his lap.

"Just ignore her, she can't hold her liquor obviously." Leo told him.

"You're right about that..." Gray muttered.

"WHA' THE HELL DID YAH JUS' CALL MEH'?!" I glared at him. "SAY THA' AGAIN ASSHOLE!"

"I didn't call you anything!" Gray argued. "Just shut up and drink your liquor!"

"Okay! No argumen' her'..." I grinned.

Leo snatched away my drink before I could grab it again.

"Come on. You should be drinking water. Why would you wanna be drunk in the middle of the day anyway?" Leo sighed.

"I'm...I'm sorry..." I sniffled.

Everyone stared at me in surprise and confusion, wondering what the hell had me upset.

"I'm jus' a screwup! It's all I ever do!" I cried.

"Oh no..." Gray stared at me in fear.

"What?" Lucy asked.

"Someone better get her to shut the hell up. The last time she cried, Erza nearly beat the snot out of someone within an inch of his life."

"W- -what?!" Lucy stammered.

"Yeah...that someone would be Natsu..." Gray explained.

"It was an accident!" Natsu argued.

"Says you!" Gray rolled his eyes.

"How about you guys shut up and try to figure out what would cheer her up? Need I remind you of what happened when Ember turned six years old and someone already ate the cake?" Cana spoke up.

Everyone stared at me in fear, worrying that Erza might show up at any given moment.

"Hey Ember! How about a piece of cake?!" Macao put on a fake smile.

My bottom lip quivered and I buried my face in the gap between Leo's neck and shoulder. Leo smiled and gently rubbed my back soothingly. Eventually my crying stopped, and I merely closed my eyes as I leaned against Leo.

"What the hell? Is she purring?" Natsu asked. "How'd you do that Loke? She just stopped crying."

"You're a life saver Loke!" Happy sighed in relief.

Leo merely smirked and continued to rub my back.

"All it takes is a gentle touch..." He replied.

Leo's hand moved up until reached my neck. I felt a jolt through my body, and nearly moaned from the pleasure I felt.

"Aahh...your sensitive there. I'll remember that, darling." Leo spoke lowly.

"What...is...this?"

We all turned over to see Erza approaching us. Leo visibly paled as he realized the position we were in, and my current state. In other words...

It didn't look so good for him...

"Oh...Erza...heeeeeyyy." Leo chuckled nervously.

"Just what do you think you're doing with my sister?" Erza glared at him.

"I was trying to stop her from drinking..." He muttered.

"He jus' gave me tha' sweetes' kiss, Erzie! And he wants t' date me!" I smiled brightly.

If looks could kill, Leo would certainly be dead.

"Oh Ember! You're so funny!" Leo laughed awkwardly. "Isn't she the funniest guys?"

"Oh you're on your own pal." Gray visibly shook.

"I'm stayin' outta this one!" Natsu held onto Gray.

"Don't involve me please." Lucy mumbled.

Leo put me down on the seat gently, backing away from me when he saw the deadly look on Erza's face.

"I'll be back later, guys. It was nice seeing you." Leo spoke up.

"Where are you going?" Lucy asked.

"I'll be back later. I have a surprise for all of you anyway." Leo winked at Lucy.

Mira came back with some water, making sure that I drank some of it. I turned away and looked down at my drink, feeling a little better already.

"Don't worry, my sweet! I shall return for you!" Leo spun me around and stared directly into my eyes.

"Just shut up and leave." I blushed wildly.

"She liiiiikkes him." Happy smirked.

"I'm gonna liiiiike putting my fist in your face if yah don't shut your trap." I grumbled.

"I'll see you all later." Leo laughed and disappeared.

I left the guild without another word, trying to be alone with my thoughts and to sober up a bit.


"Ember." Mira reached me.

I stopped walking away and turned to see Mira with a look of guilt on her face.

"Is everything okay? You seem...off." I chose my words carefully.

"I guess I've been distracted by everything that's happened, but...that time after we defeated the Phantom Lord Guild...there was something I never got to tell you. At first I was relieved, but then...look. I just need to tell you before you find out the hard way." Mira grew serious.

She's starting to worry me...

"Mira...seriously, what's wrong?" I put my hand on her shoulder.

"A- -about Lisanna. There's a reason she hasn't been around." Mira's voice cracked.

I tensed up and started to fear the worst. I could already tell where this conversation was going.

"She's...she's dead isn't she?" I cut her off.

Mira's eyes widened, but she slowly nodded.

"I guess it would explain your behavior whenever I mention her...I'm so sorry for your loss, Mira." My voice wavered.

Mira immediately hugged me tightly.

"I didn't want to tell you because I knew how much she meant to you. You were one of her best friends." Mira smiled, tears brimming in her eyes.

I pushed Mira away and kept clenching my fists until it hurt. I walked over towards a giant boulder nearby and punched it out of pure rage. It ended up breaking, chunks of rock flying in all sorts of directions.

This is what happens when you leave...you just end up missing so much...

I shut my eyes and tried to control my breathing.

I did it to get stronger, to protect my family, my nakama.

"Ember?" Mira looked incredibly worried, and also scared.

But you failed to protect Lisanna. She's dead because of you.

SHE'S DEAD.

"SHUT UP!" I screamed and grabbed my hair.

"Ember!" Mira ran over to me and turned me around.

The voices in my head stopped and I stared at Mira with wide eyes.

"Your eyes are red..." Mira gasped.

I snapped out of my daze and rubbed at my eyes.

"I'm fine." I assured her.

"It's okay, sweetheart. It's gonna be okay." Mira pulled me in for another hug.

I slowly returned Mira's hug, trying to keep my emotions in check while I was at it.


"Ember. Where have you been?" Gray asked.

"We were just talking." Mira gave Gray that smile that said, "SHUT. UP."

I sat down at a table and placed my head on the table.

"Is she okay?" Lucy mumbled to Mira.

"I told her about Lisanna." Mira whispered back.

Everyone stared at Mira in shock.

"She had a right to know." Mira glared at the others before going back to the bar.

"Hey."

I looked over to see Natsu sitting with me, a small smile on his face.

"Don't go blaming yourself."

I stared at Natsu in surprise.

"I know you enough by now to know how you think..." Natsu put his hand on my shoulder. "It was an accident...so don't blame yourself."

"Thanks Natsu." I placed my hand on top of his.


Hey guys! I hope you liked the chapter! I had fun writing this! I really like LeoXEmber but I also like NatsuXEmber and even GajeelXEmber and LaxusXEmber, but I'll figure out that junk later! It's so hard to decide where to go with this! I also drew Ember and replaced the image cover of this story with the picture I drew. Let me know what you think about it! I'll try to update soon! I'm just trying to figure out how to go about the Jellal business... Love you guys!