Here goes yet another chapter. Ending the Fortune Teller Ark or whatever it was called. Yes, it was short but, as said precedently, I never really liked that part. So, whatever.

Answer: The nickname, well, you're about to see, ne?

We were eating at Mei-Ling's with her grandfather when Lenalee entered the room with a bright smile.

"The Asian branch is sending a group of Finders for Mei-Ling" she announced.

But at that, the little girl looked down, apparently upset that we wouldn't go with her.

"Don't worry, we'll accompany you to your meeting point" I assured.

She brightened at my words and I ruffled her hair.

"That we will" nodded Allen, sipping his tea at my right.

I scrunched my nose at him.

"Get that disgusting substance away from me" I ordered, leaning away.

The others chuckled at my obvious disdain and I sipped my hot chocolate with a huff.

"You'd best pack for your journey, Mei-Ling" proposed Lenalee.

"Right" she got up.

"I'll come and help" I volunteered, following her.

"Thank you"

Leaving the others, we went to her room, where the crystal ball was resting on a table. She picked it up, and I placed an hand on her shoulder.

"That path of an Exorcist is harsh" I said quietly. "But to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. The pain makes us stronger and that strength allows us to do our best in any circumstances. It won't be easy, but you can rely on each and everyone one of us, and I'm glad we can count on you too"

"I'm a bit nervous" she admitted with a smile. "But I feel better with you and Lenalee by my sides"

"Glad to hear it" I grinned. "And don't worry too much, you'll fit in just fine"

"Yeah" she nodded. "I just hope the Order will become as special to me as this town is"

"It won't be" I shook my head with a small smile. "This town, your home… it's special and very precious. Nothing will be able to replace it, ever. However, nothing's against a second home. That's what the Order is for me"

"Then I'll…"

She trailed off, her gaze lingering on the crystal ball in her hands, which was now glowing faintly. She then gasped.

"Mei-Ling?" I slightly shook her shoulder.

"Akumas!" she panted suddenly. "The townspeople are getting attacked!"

"Lead the way!"

"Everyone!" she exclaimed, running to the three villagers.

"Mei-Ling" greeted an old man.

"You have to get out of here!" she pressed.

They lifted their eyebrows at that as I scanned the perimeter.

"What's the matter?" asked one of them.

At that time, my eyes caught the Akuma in hiding.

"There! Everyone get down!" I exclaimed. "Innocence: activate! Feathered Blades!"

A second later, the weapon exploded, and I deactivated Angel.

"It must have been a survivor from our last encounter" I frowned.

Then, I beamed at the young girl.

"That was awesome, Zoltar!" I grinned. "With your Innocence, you'll be able to save even more people!"

Seeing as she wouldn't answer, I fully turned to her, and saw the three villagers surrounding her.

"Are you okay?" I asked, crouching besides her.

"I'm fine" she assured with a smile. "Just a little tired"

"Then we'll go home and you'll get some rest" I said.

"Hai"

She waved at the townspeople, before we went back to her house. On the way, she shot me a curious glance.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You called me 'Zoltar' sooner" she pointed out, apparently confused.

I laughed at her expression, and ruffled her hair.

"You're just too cute" I grinned.

"Are you okay?"

Now back, she had settled on a chair, and seemed kind of tired.

"Yes, thank you" she nodded. "I'm glad we were able to save those people"

"Me too" I stretched a little. "I'll get us some drinks, okay? I'll be back in two"

"Okay"

Going back inside, I only saw Lavi, Bookman and Mei-Ling's grandfather sitting at the table.

"Where are Buffy, Kiddo and Jumper?" I asked.

"They went out to scout the town for any more Akumas" answered the redhead.

"How is Miss Mei doing?" inquired Bookman.

"She seems tired" I admitted, frowning a little. "More than an Host should, at least"

"It seems that her Innocence was fully activated when she threw it in the lake" he replied, thinking. "It must be a grueling task to control it when it's not yet refined. Seeing the future may in itself take a great deal of effort"

"When she becomes an Exorcist, she will constantly be subjected to visions of violence" added more quietly Lavi.

"Without a great strength of body and mind, she may not last long" nodded Bookman, sipping his stupid leaf juice.

"Mei-Ling's predictions have always helped us out" said calmly the grandfather. "She always loved it. It seems that Mei-Ling becoming an Exorcist was unavoidable. Please, protect her for me" he bowed his head.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, and smiled when his eyes met mines.

"We won't let anything happen to her" I assured. "And I won't lie to you, it'll be dangerous. However, seeing as Mei-Ling's abilities aren't on the offensive side, there's a good chance she won't be sent directly on the battlefield. I'll see what I can do for it to happen"

"Thank you" he bowed once again.

"There you go" I put down her drink.

"Thank you, Aryane"

"Just Ary" I corrected. "Hey, are you okay?"

She gazed at the garden next to us with some surprise.

"Well, there was someone here who wanted her fortune told" she answered.

She then got up.

"I'll go out for a while" she said, taking her crystal ball. "She asked me to cheer up her mistress by telling her fortune. It might be the last time I get to do it in this town"

"All right, but I'll come with you" I nodded. "There might be other Akumas left"

"Let's go!"

"Is this it, Zoltar?"

"Yes, I think it is"

Eying the pond in wonder, my eyes caught a movement to the left, and I narrowed my eyes at the familiar figure.

"You" I spat, getting into a defensive stance.

For only answer, Mimi smirked and took out her fans.

"I'll take your Innocence before your other friends show up" she announced.

"Of course, go and tell everyone your plan" I rolled my eyes, activating Angel. "Zoltar, stay behind me. She can be a real bitch"

Suddenly, said bitch jumped.

"Out of the way!" she yelled, throwing one of the fans.

"Ary, dodge right!" exclaimed Mei-Ling.

Obeying, I avoided the attack with tremendous success.

"Keep it up!" I exclaimed her way. "Feathered Blades!"

I blocked the other fan and both flew back to the maid's hands, who scowled at her apparent situation.

"Take this!" she threw them again.

"Ary, ahead of you!" called Mei-Ling.

I blocked the oncoming attack with my wings, before pushing back, sending her a few meters away. She then disappeared.

"Behind you!"

I sent a mid-quick, half-thinking that I'd hit air, but smirked when the sole of my boot connected with our attacker's stomach before she could stab me. She glared.

"Oh, it's on now!" she yelled angrily.

There was a gasp behind me, making me frown a little.

"Zoltar, don't overdo it!" I warned. "I don't want you fainting on me!"

"I'll be fine, just watch out" she warned. "She'll attack from the left"

At the same time, the maid tried to slice me in two… from the left. I kicked her again, sending her roll in the dirt, and I shook my head.

"Dude, she just called your attack and you did the exact same thing she predicted" I rolled my eyes.

Getting back up, she muttered something, but I couldn't hear it. Then, she smiled wickedly.

"I'll give my all for Madam Lulubell!" she exclaimed, her skin turning to a dark grey.

"Holy shit!"

Grabbing Mei-Ling, I backed away in time to avoid the tail of the now giant Akuma before us. Apparently, Mimi had had enough and left her meat suit for a shiny new DRAGON ONE! Why the hell would she be a dragon!?

"Die!" she snarled as a harsh wind started swirling around.

The wind was too strong, and made me loose my balance, sending me crash against a wall. Grunting at the shock, I winced when pain stung the back of my head.

"Damn it…" I mumbled.

"Ary!"

"Stay back!" I snap at her. "Run out of here and get the others!"

"I can't let you do that!" growled the Akuma.

"Shit!"

I managed to get up, and stood between the girl and the weapon. Firmly planting my bladed wings in the ground to get a better grip, I had to close my eyes to avoid debris popping out my ocular globes.

Bad move.

Something grabbed my ankles as the mini-tornado surrounding us became more violent, and I was suddenly falling… into the river. Coughing harshly to get the water out of my lungs, I saw too late the giant tail falling onto me. Barely managing to avoid the hit, I couldn't escape the other, and I winced once again as my head hit the bottom of the river.

However, now was so not the time to faint.

Like, really not.

So, grasping to my consciousness as much as I could, I stayed underwater and swam to the shore, just in time to see Allen, Lenalee and Krory now fighting back against Mimi. Well, more like trying, seeing as they were pinned to the wall I was sent crashing into sooner.

Uh. Maybe I did black out for a moment after all.

"Big hammer, small hammer: grow, grow, grow!"

"And here comes the hero" I grumbled, my arms shaking under my weight. "Always fashionably late, uh? Stupid Bookboy…"

Seeing as they could handle her easy-peasy now that she was done, I simply deactivated my Innocence to help regenerating quicker. The maid retreated into her meat suit and collapsed.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I lifted my eyes at Lavi.

"Yo, Bookboy" I greeted. "Just peachy. I mean, it's not like I was sent crashing into a wall not five minutes ago, or that I was practically drowned barely one minute before you arrived, right?"

"You really ought to be more careful" he sighed, helping me up with my arm around his neck for support.

"Oh, so sorry for not warning in advance" I drawled. "Next time, I'll ask the Akuma if they would be so kind as to not try to kill me. Who knows, they might serve me some biscuits with that"

"That's industrial level sarcasm" he seemed surprised. "But if you're lucid enough to make these kind of comments, I guess you'll be fine"

"Because now you see it?" I rolled my eyes. "I-"

The ground before us suddenly… exploded. Kind of. Hard to tell, really. Looking up, I then realized that Mimi wasn't there anymore.

"She's gone" remarked Lavi.

"Damn b-b-bi- 'tchi!"

There was a moment of silence as the others turned to me, apparently surprised to hear such a sound. Then, Mei-Ling started giggling as I lowered my head, my whole body shaking under the sneezing. Lenalee soon joined in, while the other three just chuckled at my predicament.

"I –'tchi!- I hate y- 'tchi!- you a-a- 'tchi!- all, damn it –'tchi!"

"Mei-Ling, are you alright?"

"Thank goodness you're safe!"

She smiled at them, before turning to me, who was still using Lavi as a crutch.

"I'm sorry I wasn't much use" she apologized.

"Aw, don't be like that, Zoltar" I ruffled her hair. "You were awesome, predicting her moves and all that. And we can't really blame you, seeing as your Innocence isn't an offensive type. So no worries, okay?"

She smiled once again, and nodded, before reassuring the last villagers.

"Now that the Akumas know about her Innocence, more will come" said quietly Allen.

"They'll want to destroy it" nodded Lenalee.

"We should leave as soon as possible" frowned Lavi.

"That may be best" nodded Bookman, arriving behind us with Mei-Ling's grandfather.

"But… what about her farewell party?" asked sadly Lenalee.

"Jumper, there's a good chance it'll turn to funerals after-party if we don't leave soon" I retorted.

The redhead whacked my head for my lack of tact.

"Sorry, sorry" I mumbled.

"Let's let Mei-Ling decide" proposed Allen.

We all turned to the little girl, who looked down for a moment, thinking. Then, she looked back at us, serious.

"We should go" she accepted. "Ary is right. If I stay any longer, everyone will be in danger"

"Mei-Ling…" tried Lenalee.

"Everyone" she turned to the villagers. "I'll become an Exorcist and protect you like Ary, Lenalee, Allen, Krory, Lavi and Bookman do!"

"Mei-Ling, you'll be just fine" assured her grandfather. "Travel a path of your own choosing"

"I will!"

Her own choosing? Maybe not. But hell if I'm going to let her go through this alone.

"Is something wrong, Mei-Ling?"

At Lenalee's question, I turned to look at Mei-Ling, who was walking behind with Bookman. The little girl was staring with a glassy look and slightly widened eyes at her crystal ball, making me frown in worry.

"You're… all hurt…" she whispered. "It's a terrible battle…"

She trailed off, and her eyes rolled in their sockets before she slumped on the ground.

"Mei-Ling!"

While Lenalee took care of her, I placed the Innocence into my backpack and exchange a glance with Lavi. We would have to be careful, now.

"Akumas!" warned Allen's voice through the carriage.

"Where are they?" asked Lavi.

Mei-Ling's crystal ball glowed and I leveled my guard, ready to defend the girl, who had woken up an hour or so sooner.

"Below us!"

A second later, the carriage brusquely brake and there were a few explosions. After that, we were on the road again.

"Mei-Ling, you saved us" smiled Krory.

"You okay, Zoltar?" I frowned at her shaking form.

"Hai!"

There were a few moments of silence, before Allen alerted us again.

"Above us!"

"I'll take care of it!"

"It's not just one Akuma!" warned Mei-Ling.

"Then… Hell Fire Cyclone!"

Again, some explosions.

I gritted my teeth as we gained some speed. It was pretty obvious that we were being ambush, and seeing as mere Akumas weren't bright enough to think of a plan themselves, it was most likely we would run into a Noah before the end of the hour. Sincerely hope it's not Lulubell, though. I can't fight well with these damn allergies.

"Watch out, the path is about to explode!"

Allen managed to change road in time, but the carriage shook roughly nonetheless.

"Damn it" grunted Krory.

Mei-Ling was now panting rather obviously, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. However, before I could make a comment, the ball glowed once again.

"More demons behind the rocks" she announced. "Above and below too!"

As the boys took care of them, the little girl finally gave in and collapsed once again.

"Mei-Ling!"

"She's passed her limit" frowned Bookman.

At the same time, the carriage took a sharp turn.

"Jump!" yelled Allen, above the shoots and screeches.

Grabbing Mei-Ling, I cradled her against me as I jumped out, activating my Innocence in the meantime to protect us from the oncoming shots. Getting up, I groaned in annoyance once I realized just exactly what had happened.

"They're trying to separate us!" exclaimed Lavi, from the other side of the barrier.

I glance at Lenalee and Allen, who were with me, as the redhead was stopped from destroying the metals bars separating us.

"They're after Zoltar's Innocence" I said. "We have to go, now!"

"But-"

"Do as Tenshi says!" yelled Lavi. "They're after Mei-Ling!"

"Now's your chance, while they're occupied with us!" added Krory.

"We'll catch up with you later!"

I wanted to stay and help but knowing what we had to do and seeing as the others were already running ahead, though, I could only follow, already anticipating our meeting with the Noah clansmen.

"Incoming!"

"Spin Rocket!"

Without missing a beat, I destroyed the three of the Akumas in one go, really not in the mood to face these stupid Level One right now. However, as I landed back on the ground, there was a sharp gasp from Lenalee, and we saw a weird whip-like rope grabbing her wrist.

"Who's there?" she called angrily.

"Fucking Santa Claus, that's who" I mumbled, earning me a whack behind the head.

Then, a woman very familiar walked out of the shadows, and I sighed heavily.

"Of course it the fucking c-c- 'tchi!- damn it! Say, do you have a c-ca- 'tchi!- a cat? 'Cause I can't fucking s-s-s- 'tchi!- stand these damn d-d- 'tchi!- devils" I grunted.

"Ary, so not the time!" protested Lenalee.

At the same time, three Level Two surrounded us.

"She's been pushed past her limit" announced the woman. "Without the use of her psychic powers, you are of little concern"

"You knew her limitations and planned to tire Mei-Ling to the point of collapse?" stated Allen, apparently outraged at the idea.

"Well, duh" I rolled my eyes. "You're p-p- 'tchi!- plain dumb, Kiddo, Jumper still has her t-t-te- 'tchi!- teddy bear, and I'm afraid o- 'tchi!- of spiders, too"

There was a moment of very heavy silence.

"What? I thought w- 'tchi!- we were stating the o-o- 'tchi!- obvious" I shrugged.

"I am taking that girl's Innocence" announced Lulubell, falling back in killer mode.

"You'll never get Mei-Ling's Innocence" retorted Lenalee.

At that, the Noah smirked, and sent her flying a few meters above, before making her crash into the ground.

"Lenalee!" called Allen, worried.

"Go!" ordered the damn woman.

Two of the Akumas ran at her while Allen was forced to fight the third.

"Feathered Blades!" I called, effectively destroying one of them.

At the same time, Lenalee managed to get up and destroyed the other.

"I'll protect Mei-Ling!" she assured firmly.

"I see. Now!"

She cracked another whip –were they her arms?- and another bunch of Level Two made it's dramatic arrival. Lenalee managed, somehow, to free herself, while I took care of a few of them, searching for a way out of this stupid mess. There was an explosion when Allen arrived just in time to save Lenalee and Mei-Ling, and I flew to them.

"Jumper, we'll h- 'tchi!- hold them off" I assured. "Just k-k- 'tchi!- keep Mei-Ling safe"

"But-!"

I sliced through two of them while Allen blocked the oncoming shots with his arm.

"Come on!" I growled.

She jumped to avoid another attack, but couldn't avoid the wisp in time, and fall to the ground in a painful scream.

"Lenalee!"

Hop, there goes Allen, saying hello to some trees on his merry way- focus!

"One ripped seam affects the other" remarked casually the Noah.

"Lenalee, Allen!" called Mei-Ling, waking up.

"Zo- 'tchi!- Zoltar, stay d-"

"Go!"

The Level Two, who was about to crush Allen, ran to the girl. Instantly, I stood between them, barely holding off the attack.

"As if" I spat.

Then, in one sudden burst of energy, I sliced through it with my bladed wings. After that, out of ideas for the moment, I threw myself over Mei-Ling, gripping her tightly against me as the whip lacerated my back one blow at a time.

"A-Ary!" choked the little fortune teller, horrified.

Getting up despite the searing pain in my back, I threw her at Lenalee's open arms and shot another round of blades around, before clearing away with the others.

We then did the only thing we could do at the moment: we ran.

There was a sudden blast, sending Allen to Dreamland. Then, Lenalee soon joined him as the Noah attacked her from behind.

"You b- 'tchi!- bitch!" I yelled, coming at her.

At the last moment, though, something grabbed my ankle and slammed me into the sort-of walls around us.

Needless to say, instant black out.

"Holy shit!"

"A-Ary!"

I looked up to see Krory's surprised face. Apparently, I was in his arms. He landed on the ground and Lavi arrived besides us with a smirk.

"Awake at last?" he mocked.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Is that a –'tchi!- dragon?"

"… yes"

"You really fuck shit up w- 'tchi!- when I'm not a- 'tchi!- around, don't you" I deadpanned, getting up. "File me i-i- 'tchi!- in, fifteen words t-top"

"Mimi joined Lulubell, we got here shortly after, everyone is okay for the time being" he replied as I got back on my feet.

"Okay" I nodded, activating Angel once again. "Hey, ugly! Guess who's a- 'tchi!- about to go with a- 'tchi!- a bang!?"

At the same time, though, she fall back into her human form and ran away. Or rather, towards Lulubell and Allen's fight… wait, she got the crystal ball!

"Shit!"

But, seeing as Allen could handle her, I rather flew towards Lulubell, intent on getting the Innocence back.

"Give it back!" I snarled.

However, she whipped me away. At the last second, though, I sent three blades at her. I landed on the ground as blood splattered on my face, and I looked up in time to see Mimi standing between her mistress and myself. The iron fans fall in a loud 'CLANG' as she gasped in pain and slightly turned to the Noah.

"Madam Lulubell…" she croaked. "… was I… of any use… to you?"

"… hai"

The girl beamed at her, before exploding. I cracked a few of my bones, glad that one was gone, at least.

"Bang" I snorted. "Just as I –'tchi!- said. Now, about the o-o- 'tchi!- other one…"

But she wasn't there anymore.

"Gahhh, damn –'tchi!- damn it!" I balled my fists.

"Quick, she might still be nearby!" called Lenalee, not far behind.

However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Mei-Ling's eyes widened as she stiffened, gasping for air.

"My… my Innocence… it's broken…" she looked down.

Then, she started crying. Angry, I hit the rock wall besides me, making it crack under the strength of the blow.

"Damn it…"

My fingers playing with my necklace, I listened to the choked sobs on the other side of the door. We were back at the village, seeing as sending her off with the Finders wasn't necessary anymore, and I felt so bad. I tried to save her Innocence, and it just so easily slipped between my grasp…

The cries finally calmed down, and Lenalee walked out.

"She wants to see you" she said quietly.

Nodding, I went inside, and sat next to the bed.

"Hey, Zoltar" I called. "You hanging in there? How are you feeling?"

"I… I wanted to fight with you…" she fought back the tears that threatened to fall again. "I wanted to become an Exorcist… and stay by your side…"

"I'm sorry" I looked down. "I was too late. If I had been more careful…"

"No" she shook her head, fists tightening. "You tried! It's not your fault!"

That made me chuckle a little, and I ruffled her hair.

"I know" I sighed. "To be honest… I'm kind of glad. The life of an Exorcist… I don't want this war to taint you anymore than it already did. You deserve a brighter life than one of an Host. I was glad to fight by your side for the time it lasted, though"

Without a warning, she latched onto me. At first surprised, I then hugged back.

"Don't die" she whispered, shaking. "Promise me you won't die"

I opened my mouth to answer the usual, like how I didn't lie and that dying was more than very probable but, seeing her so frail, so hopeful, I found myself believing my very first lie.

"I won't. I promise"

"Mei-Ling's power would have been a great asset" sighed Krory. "It is unfortunate it came to this"

We were now on our way, back to the main mission and leaving the village, a bitter taste of failure and relief in our mouths.

"It is" nodded Lenalee. "But…"

"At least, she can stay at the village with her family, now" smiled Allen.

I smiled too at his words, and the sun rose above a new horizon, just behind the mountains.

For any who hasn't realized yet, Ary tends to get her tongue running when she's tired or nervous. She's not exactly comfortable, fighting against Noahs and such. Therefore, her... unique, humor, tends to set loose more often in these fights.

That's all I had to say.

Question: Ary seems kind of convinced that she won't live much longer. However, these kind of thoughts can greatly affect one's life. How about you guess how it'll affect Ary's?

Thanks and reviews!