Chapter 23 – Honorable Heart

Thanks for the feedback guys, I was very curious as to what were your favorite fights and now I now. A majority said it was Nic against Jellal because of the feelings and power I put into it. At least now I know what kind of fights you guys like.

I made a few people cry last chapter, so that means I got the emotions and feelings just about right when Laxus was excommunicated.

This will be a reprieve chapter, so don't expect much of any fighting of sorts.

I was having Writer's Block for over a week now, so writing this out took a lot of effort. Hope it pays off. I had to get some help with the date part of this chapter, so credits to this chapter also goes to PokeguardianZ.

FOREWARNING: I attempted maybe one or two incidents that involve breaking the fourth wall. Figured I try it out just this once. Also, it's another long chapter.

To Recap:

Garchomp and Nic corner Laxus and the Lightning Dragon Slayer initiates Fairy Law, one of the three Grand Fairy Spells. He fails however because the spell saw into his heart and no one was killed. Nic and his brutal buddy continue brawling with Laxus, with the duo finishing him off with a consecutive Dragon Rush and Diamond Storm attack, defeating Laxus. The next day, Laxus was expelled and left his Thunder God Tribe behind, making amends with Nic as he was leaving. Everyone loved the Fantasia Parade, and as Laxus was about to leave, everyone gave him the honorable Fairy Tail Salute, bidding him farewell and leaving him crying as he departed.

Chapter 23 – Honorable Heart

Deep within the beloved place we all know is called the cosmos, there lied a sickly and severely pale Arceus, watching, and reading, the recap of Nic's battle and unlocking yet another Plate. To him, this was an accomplishment for the young human. If Arceus could grin, it would be a big one.

Dialga and Palkia were convenient enough to have watched the battle as they were checking up on him. "Gee, Nic is more skilled than we give him credit for." Dialga stated. "For a human, he's got reflexes."

"Next time we should bring some popcorn." Palkia joked. They watched the recap where they saw Nic's Garchomp use Dig and send Laxus soaring, to which they then saw the Dragon Rush ram Laxus through the roof and Nic used Diamond Storm.

"Nic's battling skills have exceeded our expectations to say the least." Dialga stated. "He has ten Plates as of this moment. At this rate…" He then looked back at Arceus, who was in a sitting position. "…no, who am I kidding. Nic needs more time."

Palkia looked back and saw Arceus, and he was agreeing with Dialga. "Nic's powers and capabilities may have accelerated in Fiore, but what I don't get is why we even agreed to send him there rather than have him back in his world?"

Dialga turned sharply towards Palkia. "Don't you remember? We send him there for safety measures." He then turned towards Arceus. "I still don't get how he was able to achieve the powers of the Dark Legendaries."

"…" Arceus's thoughts drifted back to a short time before they chose Nic that day.

The universe was stable and Arceus was drifting about in the deep depths in stardust. He was actually minding himself and he was traveling through a cloud of stardust and then he felt some odd sensation growing in the depths somewhere.

"What is this power?" Arceus asked. He couldn't see it, but he knew it was somewhere. Arceus had to travel through dimension holes to get from galaxy to galaxy until the signature was close. The problem was that it was swelling up in so many galaxies that the negative energy was too vast for it to be concentrated.

Arceus grunted as he was unable to keep track of the energy reading. "How is this possible? Is the energy being spread by one force?...No, there are multiple forces. I can feel it." Arceus looked on and rather than sense the whole energy itself, he transported through a dimensional hole from a different galaxy and picked up not the energy itself, but the similarity and feeling of the signatures.

After a short while, he picked up four signatures. "I can sense so much negativity in these energy signatures." He hadn't felt this much negativity and potent disaster since-!

And that's when Arceus recognized the four signatures: Hoopa, Darkrai, Mewtwo, and the brutal of them all, Giratina. Arceus frowned. "I should've known! Those four must have collaborated after I banished them to the black dimension. How could their energy leak out like this?"

Arceus then grunted again at unseeing this mishap. "Did they have help-?!" He stopped when stardust was beginning to dispel from all around, and that the stars were beginning to dim slightly. The negative energy was beginning to close in on Arceus, and he had no choice but to seek justice and chase it away.

"Begone!" He shouted. His eyes flashed and then the dark energy was instantly ceased and was retreating. When it did retreat, the energy was regrouping. "I found you." Arceus said. He then transported back to where the energy was converging after Arceus used his almighty powers to keep it away from him.

Arceus saw black and purple stardust beginning to spiral into a single point. "Alright, reveal yourself!" He demanded. The stardust then began to compress into what seemed to be a cocoon of sorts that was purple and black. Arceus waited as the cocoon was immobile for a few brief minutes and then it burst, releasing such vile energy upon breaking.

What appeared out of the cocoon was something even Arceus didn't see coming. It seemed to look like a human, but was it? He had very pale skin and his eyes were all sharp and feral, with the color of vermilion. His hair was like a mane that was black with hints of blood red on the sideburns, small streaks on the hair, and on his beard. His suit was pitch black, but with a cloudy yet spiky collar that reached halfway down the coat. The sides of his ribs had what seemed to be golden claws, much like Giratina of sorts. His hands had on black gloves, but had purple rings on the back of them. His pants were pitch black and on the sides were purple and red horizontal lines. The freaky part was that he also had a purple tail that was lined vertically with red and black rings, and on the bulb end were two small golden spikes on opposite ends.

He gave a cold and evil glare at Arceus, showing killer intent. Arceus was startled.

"Who are you?" Arceus demanded, but the figure made no answer as darkness swelled around him. "Answer me!" Arceus demanded with glowing red eyes. The figure slowly extended his right arm out and had his fingers spread apart.

"…perish." He said in a quiet and monotone voice. He then had his eyes flash vermilion and then a sharp flash of purple swallowed Arceus.

Arceus's screams howled about as the light was piercing every cell within his own body. By the time Arceus looked back for a brief moment, the figure had already vanished.

Arceus stared blankly forward as he remembered that cold feeling, his cells were dying, his insides felt like they expired, he couldn't even use Recover or Refresh to be rid of the tainted negativity that was slowly killing him. That feeling was growing and he was dying because of it.

Dialga and Palkia both looked into Arceus's shaken and sickly eyes, seeing the thoughts that he was reliving.

"That one who tainted Arceus, it was in fact human, but had Pokémon influence. Arceus sensed that." Dialga recalled.

"He must have used those fours' powers to enable him to travel through space with little difficulty." Palkia said. "If what Arceus said from before is true, then the human must have exhausted energy when poisoning Arceus with evil and must have retreated back towards Earth."

Dialga nodded. "Right, and with Arceus in no condition to do anything, he needed to fight fire with fire. If that human was influenced with such vile and hatred, he needed a human that could take pain and make him or her push forward. He needed someone who could be one with his own Pokémon and fend off the negativity…which led us to Nic."

"Nic had what we were looking for. The strong bonds he shared with his six were strong enough to uphold the force of this task. Looking back at it, it was right to send him to Earthland rather than back to Kalos. If what we recapped was correct, then that tainted and corrupted individual would've tried and killed Nic Pularis, so we send him there to buy time. Correct?"

Dialga nodded. "Yeah, but we still haven't got much time on our claws. That evil human may be hunting and searching Nic anytime now. It's no doubt that Darkrai, Mewtwo, Hoopa, and Giratina all shifted their focus towards Nic."

"…" Arceus narrowed his sickly gaze and tried to think as Dialga and Palkia were conversing.

"Wait, why are we recapping this anyway?" Palkia asked, a little shocked.

"Don't ask me, I don't write this stuff." Dialga said, surprising the readers by breaking the fourth wall.

"Aside from that note, we need to make it so that Arceus can recover while Nic is increasing in power." Palkia stated. "But how is it so that it can be done?"

"…Dialga…Palkia…" Arceus muttered. Almost immediately, they turned up at the space that Arceus was laying on, comprise of stardust and stars behind him. "…I may…have found…a way…"

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

The guild had returned to its rowdy and rambunctious self in no time. Some people couldn't believe Laxus was expelled, Natsu of all people didn't like it, but it happened. The Thunder God Tribe was trying to be more open towards the guild and its members, which turned out just fine.

A week rolled by and the results for the Miss Fairy Tail Contest were in. Everyone saw that Erza was in first place, Lucy in second, and Juvia in third.

Nic saw these results and he was the happiest person out of everyone there, because the woman he had feelings for won. He began to walk off somewhere while Lucy moped about not getting the rent money and Cana complained that she needed a man. When he was alone and no one was looking, he let loose a mental party and showed the biggest grin anyone could've ever seen on his face; that is, if they saw.

'YAY! Erza won! I knew she could pull it off! She's the best! She's so beautiful that I wouldn't pick anyone else!' He mentally exclaimed. He had his little mental celebration dial down and his grin returned back to the way it was after a short while.

Mira then came walking up towards Nic, who was still raptured about Erza winning.

She giggled. "Looks like someone's happy."

Nic almost flinched and jerked up at the sound and surprise of Mira standing before him. He blinked and looked back. "Oh! Hey Mira…uh, you didn't hear anything, right?" He asked in a quiet tone, hoping that he didn't let any sugar-sweet comments of Erza let loose.

Mira had her signature smile going. "Hmmm, maybe just a few." She joked, which made Nic yelp in surprise and embarrassment. Mira giggled at Nic's reactions. "Just kidding!"

Nic heaved at the relief and he huffed and puff from that surprise. He then gave a pouty face at Mira. "Did you have to go and do that?"

Mira just held her tray and continued with her smile. "Perhaps, but the actual reason why I came to you is because I wanted to make sure that you heard the news." She informed.

Nic's attention was officially peaked. "News?"

"Yup, a reporter from Sorcerer's Weekly is stopping by later to interview us!" She said with such glee. "Fairy Tail is gonna be their next cover story."

Nic raised a brow at this news. Out of all of the news he could ever want, this is not what he had in mind. He's heard of Sorcerer's Weekly magazine quite often, catered to Macao and Wakaba sneaking peeks at the Master's latest issues every Wednesday. Aside from the models, Nic heard that's where you could get intel of Mages and their apparent abilities, which would be a big problem on Nic's part.

"Gee, uh, thanks for the heads up." Nic thanked Mira as she walked away and tended to a nearby table. Nic was left in that one spot and was pondering about the upcoming interview. Nic honestly detested interviews because you have to answer consecutive questions, questions that he never likes answering. To Nic, this was insanity and he wanted no part of this. He had his reasons and he ain't sharing them.

Makarov was sitting on the bar table while observing Nic. He watched as Nic interacted with Mira and saw the small contemplation that he was in. Makarov then saw Nic exit the building, leaving Makarov to contemplate for himself.

"Hmmm…Nic Pularis." Makarov murmured. Makarov was thinking back to when Nic had defeated Lullaby by falling from the sky. He sensed such power, and he sensed even more of it while Nic was quarreling with Jose. What Makarov himself couldn't imagine was how Nic was able to take down a Wizard Saint, and followed that by hearing how he brutally destroyed Jellal. To Makarov, Nic was some sort of prodigy, then he thought back even further to how he heard he took down the demon known as The Nightmare and Gajeel not long after. And recently, he heard he defeated Laxus, one of Fairy Tail's former strongest. Makarov was staring off into space, thinking as to what to do with Nic. "Hmmmm…"

Makarov's thoughts were interrupted when Mira called out beside him. He turned and looked a little surprised as his thoughts fogged up his surroundings. "Oh, hello Mira."

"Hey Master, should we get ready for the reporter that's coming later?" Mira asked as she went back to tend to her bar.

"Uh, oh yes. Yes we should." Makarov said, trying to get out of his thoughts, which didn't go unnoticed by Mira.

Mira looked curious. "Master, is there something wrong?" She asked.

Makarov then grumbled and crossed his arms. He had to come clean or else the entire guild will be concerned and then the atmosphere wouldn't be as lively. "I'm afraid it's just that Nic has done so much." He stated, making Mira wonder. Makarov looked at the exit that Nic took. "Nic has so much power, and yet he still is new. The things he's done up to this point surpass what any of us could do. Multiple Demons, two Wizard Saints, Erza, Gajeel, Natsu, and now Laxus. If Nic can beat them…I don't know."

Mira herself realized this and thought the Master was right. Nic had done so much, even risking his life on a multitude of occasions. "What do you think Master?"

Makarov turned towards Mira. "Mira tell me, what should we do with Nic?"

Mira was pondering around a bit, just as stumped as Master Makarov was. Nic certainly surpasses the rest of Fairy Tail, and his powers can do so much. Maybe…

"Master." Mira said, getting an idea. "…what if you made Nic an exception?" Makarov raised a brow at what Mira was getting at. An exception to what? Mira then looked up to where the second floor was, where Makarov looked up as well.

True, you couldn't go up onto the second floor from before, but now you could. It doesn't matter if you're-!

And that's when Makarov realized what Mira meant this whole time. The very of Nic becoming something like that made him almost gasp. True, there had to be a tradition to uphold such a thing, but Mira stating that Nic becomes an exception made his old mind vibrate with such strong confliction.

Makarov grumbled as he looked down at the table. "I don't know. There's exams for that you know?"

"Yes Master, but you forgot that Nic went on an accidental S-Class mission and came out just fine. And he never fails to surprise anybody. Perhaps this one time we can surprise him." Mira suggested.

Makarov contemplated even further and his mind came to a conclusion. He turned towards Mira. "We'll talk with the guild after Sorcerer's Weekly. We need to make sure Nic doesn't hear about this."

Erza then came up to the two, making them cease their conversation almost immediately. "Master, have you seen Nic?"

Master then nodded. "Yes, he just went outside just about a minute ago."

Outside, Nic was at the top of Fairy Tail's Guild Hall, sitting on the ledge of the bell tower and looking out at Magnolia.

"…I need to keep away." Nic said, thinking about the reporter coming later. The idea was truly something that Nic refused to go through, him answering questions and all. He was too busy in his own thoughts that he didn't realize that Erza was looking up at him. She scaled the building and then Nic noticed her coming up. Nic kept calm and Erza finally met up with him at the top of the Guild Hall.

"Nic." Erza said.

Nic turned and smiled at Erza. "Hey Erza, congratulations on winning."

Erza looked away and had a small blush catered to Nic congratulating her. Nobody personally commended her on winning the contest, so to Erza, she was very happy, especially since this came from Nic.

"Why thank you." Erza said. Her blissful thoughts diminished when she saw Nic's eyes through his sunglasses that were on. She could clearly see they were distant and engulfed in a thought at the moment. "Nic?" Nic kept his gaze on Erza, but he lost his grin. "Is something bothering you?"

Nic looked back out at Magnolia, keeping his gaze there. "Tell me, do you know when the reporter is suppose to be here?"

Erza was a little surprised. "Not long. Two hours."

Nic then turned his head back towards her. "Okay, thanks."

"Why is it that you asked? Is it so that you could get ready as well?" She smiled. She actually was about to get ready once she was finished talking to Nic.

"No." Nic said. "So I know when not to be here."

Her smile faded and she blinked. "Not to be here?"

"Exactly." Nic then turned his body and he stepped inside the bell tower, facing Erza. "The truth is that I refused to be interviewed, and I cannot be around as long as he's here."

The Fairy Queen was a little in shock. Nic not wanting to be interviewed? Just what was he planning? Erza narrowed her gaze. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Erza listen, this magazine gets spread everywhere. Everyone reads what a Mage can do, the weekly spells, all of that malarkey. My point is that if he asks where I learn my 'Magic', I can't say I got them from a Pokémon, they'll think I'm deranged. The Council is already at odd's ends with my animosity towards them. You don't know if they look at this stuff. If they do, they'll take me in for questioning and that's when I'll have to spill the beans. It sounds silly, but it would make sense. They would think I'm crazy and that's when I'll have to call upon the ones who send me here to scare them, and then there will be conflict with the cruddy Council and Fairy Tail since that's my guild; furthermore, think about what else the reporter would ask, like where I got my team? I can't say I got them from another world. And what if he asked about how I fight with my 'Magic'? I can't stick around Erza. For the sake of the mission that I uphold and the fact that I can't have Fairy Tail in anymore conflicts than it already has with that cruddy Council."

Erza was beyond baffled. Nic actually had a valid point. If he did get asked those, and if the Council reads it, there goes subtlety. Erza actually pondered what Nic said for a brief moment and he had a one-way argument in his favor. This was the right choice for him. "I don't disagree with you there Nic. You are right. The Magic Council would be picky with someone like you, especially since you are from another world. However, I heard that the Council is being reestablished, so I guess you just might be in the clear, though we can't be certain."

Nic then sighed and turned away. "Yeah. You can go ahead and get yourself ready, I'm going to be out for awhile." Nic then leaped out of the building tower top and he skillfully made his way down without even a scratch. He then began zooming faster than what his admirer could track.

"Nic." Erza then smiled out at Nic, thinking about the guild's safety. She then proceeded downwards and begun preparations for the reporter.

With Nic

Nic was in the forest just outside of Magnolia. When he said he wanted to get far, he wanted to get far. He was walking through the grass with the sunlight peeking through the leaves of the trees above. He was now thinking about how the date should go tonight.

The biggest flaw now is that he needed help in thinking about this date. He doesn't even know where to begin. He then saw that the trail was ahead of him and he saw someone walking along it. Nic then decided to be sneaky and he silently rushed up to the bushes. Nic watched to see who or what was walking along the trail, and to his relief it was Sophie. Nic sighed that it was just his friend and then he sprouted a big idea.

As Sophie was making her way back from a job, she heard someone calling out to her from her left. "Sophie!" Sophie stopped and she turned in surprise that she saw Nic coming out from the forest line.

"Nic?" Sophie said, actually shocked that Nic appeared out of the blue like this. Nic went up to Sophie and looked at her through his sunglasses.

"Hey Sophie, got back from a job?" Nic asked.

"Yeah, and why were you in the shrubs? Please tell me you weren't taking a leak." Sophie said.

Nic shook his head, and Sophie sighed in relief. "Okay, point being is that I need advice." Nic said.

Sophie blinked and raised a brow. "Huh?"

Nic then began to explain to Sophie that he is going to purposely miss the interview so that the guild wouldn't be in trouble and that he also needed this time to think of a way to woo Erza.

Sophie clasped her hands with a big smile. "Oh my gosh! You and Erza are going to go out on a date?!" Sophie exclaimed with such joy. "That's so chamud!" She said 'cute' in Hebrew.

Nic almost panicked when she shouted it out, so he clamped his hand over her mouth and shushed her. He looked around, fortunate that no one was around. He then leaned in. "Can you keep this between you and me?" He whispered harshly. Sophie just nodded while her mouth was clamped. "Good."

The two then went on the trail side and they began their little conversation there, so as not to be in anyone's way.

"So?" Sophie was very curious about what Nic had in store. "What are going to do for your 'special lady'?" She teased. Nic almost blushed a deep red and he stuttered, trying and failing to counter argue her.

Sophie giggled at Nic's embarrassment and she rolled her eyes. "You're a fun one to tease, that's for sure."

Nic wasn't sure if that was a backhanded compliment, but she did seem mildly amused by it. Nic just gave a pouty expression and looked away.

"Sure, whatever." He said. He then looked back at her with a more serious expression. "Look, can you help me?"

Sophie pondered for a brief moment, and then smiled. "Don't you worry one bit, I know just what to do when it comes to this dating stuff!" She declared.

"Yeah, okay. Can you give me advice? I've never been on a date before, and I haven't thought this through."

Sophie then smirked, held up her index finger, and closed on of her eyes. "Now, just follow exactly what I say."

'Something tells me this may take longer than needed.' Nic thought.

Sophie then began her preaching. "Well, what you need for a terrific date is to be not only comfortable, but also very happy. True, dates can have their awkward moments, but by cracking a few jokes, you just might get a couple of laughs out of her."

Nic then thought about this one part, and then thought how Erza laughed when Natsu tickled her back in the Tower of Heaven. He also made a mental note of tickling her sometime. Maybe he could try tickling her when she has her guard down, though maybe a sneak attack wouldn't end well.

"You two need to get to know each other while having fun, that's one of the biggest priorities when it comes to a date. Dates might also be times where you can confess stuff if you trust her, as will she. Dates like ones you're wanting should be somewhere memorable, like at a park, or your favorite or her favorite restaurant, maybe even the first place you two met." Sophie stated.

Nic raised a brow. "If you mean like five feet over, then that's very romantic." He sarcastically implied. Sophie was confused at first, and then it hit her when Nic was saying she met Erza on the trail, maybe a few paces over from Nic's left.

"Well, whatever works as long as you two are happy." Sophie said. "Anyways, in general just be yourself and be willing to do as she asked. Try and wow her with something she would treasure. Since this will be your first date, you need to make it very memorable."

"Very memorable?...I guess I can try." Nic said, trying to think of a way to make this date amazing.

Sophie smiled and then she looked back at Magnolia. "Well, I have to go Nic. Make sure you get mazel." She teased with a wink.

Nic wasn't exactly sure what Sophie meant by the last word, but he had to guess it meant lucky, meaning…

Nic's face blushed insanely at the implication Sophie gave him and she was having such a good laugh. Sophie just loved to joke with Nic, he was a fun person to tease as long as you don't get annihilated.

Nic composed himself and he glared at Sophie, who was happily walking away. "Haha, very funny." Nic sarcastically said. He then had a smirk run along his face. "Though I do wonder something."

Sophie turned around to see Nic shift and transform into the Splash Plate. Sophie wasn't sure if it was such a good idea to stick around, for Nic had a glare and a smirk on his face. "I've always wondered which one runs faster: You or your makeup!" He then began to inhale some air and was prepping for a Water Gun.

Sophie screamed at Nic's prepping and she ran as fast as she could back towards Fairy Tail to avoid getting her makeup wet. All that was left was a slight dust trail catered by Sophie's panicked screaming and running. Nic ceased his joke and he looked on with a slight smug on his face.

"Yeah, like I'll be that lucky. That Sophie, thinking a little too far now." Nic rolled his eyes and shifted back to normal and then he ventured back into the shrubs and into the woods. He looked around and thought as to how he could imply Sophie's advice. "Let's see…" He was pondering hard. "Memorable. Something that she would treasure and remember. Let's see; she likes strawberry cheesecake, armor, Fairy Tail, competing, her friends…wait a minute."

Something then dawned upon Nic, something that was beginning to rise up inside. "Her friends. Natsu, Gray, Happy, Lucy, and…who else is she close to that isn't those guys…or me?" It didn't take Nic ten seconds to remember Erza's old friends. "That's right! Wally, Sho, Millianna, and Si-!..." Nic stopped in mid-sentence when he was about to mention a certain friend's name. He blinked and the excitement in him instantly died. "…Simon." Nic then felt his appetite go south as he remembered that Simon died so that Erza could live.

Simon. A strong, capable, and very close friend of Erza. He was in love with her and confessed before he died in her arms, leaving Erza broken. Simon made Nic promise to keep watch over her and make sure that she would live on. And that he did. Simon entrusted Nic with the most precious thing he had – Erza, the most important gift ever bestowed by a great man.

Nic didn't even realize that he had a tear in the corner of his eye and he was on his knees. The thought of a dead fiend clearly affects him and he didn't even realize it until now. Nic just recapped that moment when Simon stood with arms out and taking Jellal's Altairis. He was reliving the scene of Simon on his back and Natsu, Nic, and Erza all rushing towards his side as his breathing was steadily decreasing. He remembered all too well how that guy did the noble thing and took the last hit he ever took. Nic begged Simon to stop talking, but Simon refused and made Nic promise to keep Erza alive, no matter what.

Nic felt even more tears swelling up remembering Simon's noble actions and he even saw Erza calling out to him, but for him to only say he loved her; and with that said, he closed his eyes and fell to the ground with a smile, leaving Erza and Nic swelled up inside, and the worst thing of all for Erza – The loss of a dear friend.

Nic punched the ground under him with a tear dropping, having just finished recounting that painful memory. It was truly something he wished never happened. If only he had done more, maybe Simon would still be here today. It couldn't be helped anymore, he may be gone, but not forgotten. Nic got up and stood in complete silence. He calmed down and inhaled slowly and greatly, and then he exhaled out through his mouth. He repeated this process for a good twenty seconds and he opened his eyes.

Nic turned to a nearby rock and looked at it. He blinked and grinned. "Okay." Nic said, shifting into the Stone Plate. "I know what I'm gonna do."

Later…

Nic was actually able to use his coat as a substitute for sandpaper to smooth out every detail of the finished product. It took him almost three painful hours, but he was able to get every detail possible. It wasn't easy to make, as it took him nearly the entire time, possibly three hours at least.

Nic got up to his two feet and looked around the masterpiece for full examination. He looked at every detail he could possibly remember and he nodded, seeing how this piece looked amazing, at least he hoped so.

Nic shifted back into himself and slowly picked up the two foot artwork made of rock. He slowly turned with said thingamajig and began his walk towards Magnolia.

"Okay." Nic said. "Gotta get this to the Kardia Cathedral…"

Even later…

It was close to sunset, and Nic had heard that the reporter had just left awhile ago, and now he was heading back to the guild to see if Erza was around. He traveled through the streets in silence and he was making his way to the now visible Guild Hall and went inside.

When Nic stepped inside, it wasn't surprising that there was yet another rumble. He just looked on in somewhat deep surprise that the guild was in yet another rumble. He hasn't seen one of these in a little while. In the center of it all, Nic almost had his shoulders droop as it was Natsu.

"I should've guessed." Nic muttered. He looked to see the person who was duking it out with him and it turned out to be Gajeel. What were the odds?

"That song earlier was terrible you metal face creep!" Natsu bellowed as he flaming fisted Gajeel across the face.

"I had a song from the soul Salamander, and you weren't going to stop it from coming out!" Gajeel argued as he gave a column of iron across Natsu's face. The guild itself got caught up in the crossfire and a majority of the members were in on the ruckus. Nic just rolled his eyes and assumed his position behind the bar with Cana.

Nic turned to Cana. "Yo."

Cana grinned with her barrel besides her. "Hey, what's up? Haven't seen you all day." She remarked. It was decent to hear from Cana since the ruckus involved stuff flying about, but Nic could hear her, though if the brawling escalates, he'll have to end it.

"I don't like being asked questions." Nic stated. He then gave a light grin. "Anyways, how was it?"

"Nothing big." Cana looked away, looking rather displeased. "Though Jason wouldn't sit down for a drink. That guy's got too much sugar in his diet."

Nic raised a brow. "Let me guess, Jason was the reporter's name, yes?"

Cana looked back at him. "You're dead on as always."

"Am I missing something back here?" Both Cana and Nic jerked upright and almost yelp that something was actually listening. Nic turned around and saw that Sophie was giggling at their reactions while leaning over the counter. "This the sanity corner I take it?"

Cana and look looked at each other, exchanging 'what' expressions. They then turned back towards Sophie. "Er…more or less." Nic said.

"Surprised you aren't part of the action." Cana said.

Sophie got up and worked her way around the bar and accompanied Nic and Cana. "Don't get me wrong, I love Fairy Tail, but this kind of melee ain't my forte if you get what I'm saying." Sophie explained. She then squinted her eyes and a grin came across her face. "And shouldn't you be getting ready for your date, Nic?"

Nic nearly tensed up and he immediately covered Sophie's mouth again. Cana raised a brow, intrigued by this set of news.

"Oh, you trying your luck with Erza I see." Cana slurred.

Nic turned back and he couldn't fight it. I guess she was bound to realize it sooner. He drooped. "Yes."

Cana smirked. "My, how bold of you. I was wondering why Sophie here was running into the guild with such a panic. Looks to me that she found out."

Sophie giggled. "Guilty is charged, but I hope Nic applied what I said." Sophie said.

Nic turned sharply towards her. "What do you think I've been doing this entire time?" He said it calmly so that he didn't get much confliction. The fighting must be getting to him. He sighed and he shifted into his Splash Plate. "Hang on. I gotta end the fun."

Cana then commenced downing her barrel as Nic hoped over the counter. "He can be a kill joy, but he's got heart." He managed in between a gulp.

Nic crossed his arms, examining the conflict happening before him. He saw Natsu and Gajeel still bashing other with columns of iron and flaming fists, he heard Elfman shouting he's a real man and threw some guy overhead, Max got a broomstick shoved up his behind, and saw that Juvia was looking from afar as Gray was duking it out with only his underwear on, not surprising.

"Okay, guys!" Nic bellowed. "I am going to give you until the count of three!" More glass and chairs were being thrown as the fight escalated even further. Makarov watched from the second floor as to how Nic will stop the madness.

"One…" Nic's arms uncrossed and he had them besides him. The guild wasn't even noticing him. "Two…" The ground was beginning to quake slightly, and everyone there was actually feeling the vibrations of the ground. Everyone was starting to take notice of the palpitation, but the brawl still went on. "Three…" Nic's arms were slowly coming up, and some muddy, brown water was forming in front of him. Anyone who wasn't fighting took notice and steered clear, running and hiding behind pillars or were running out of the guild in a panic. "I warned ya…Muddy Water!" He then unleashed a huge wave of brown water that began towering above the rest of the guild members that were brawling still. The members all stopped and looked on with pale skin as they silently muttered for their mommies. The huge wave crashed down and shook the entire guild. Everything was submerged for a few brief moments until it dispelled thanks to Nic.

The guild members that were all washed up were groaning with dizzy eyes, and all of them were pretty much down for the count.

Cana peeked over, as did Sophie. Cana looked unfazed as to where Sophie had wide eyes.

"Holy Cow." Sophie muttered.

"No surprise there." Cana explained. "That boy is an authority figure. You best do as told."

Everyone on the floor was beginning to come around, and Erza walked in. "Okay, what's going on he-?" She then looked around and the entire place was literally swamped catered to a certain person that she had feelings for. The situation was understandable. "…never mind."

Erza walked passed the others that were getting up and she stood right by Nic. "They were getting messy again, weren't they?" She said it in a way that made it sound like she already knew the answer.

Nic grinned and crossed his arms as he transformed back into himself. "Yeah, so I had to silence them." He then turned towards her and the two blushed slightly in unison.

It was time for their little date.

Natsu flipped a table over and stomped over to where Nic was. "Hey man, that wasn't fair, I was just getting star-!" He was stopped when Nic and Erza both glared at Natsu, which made him almost choke and recoil.

"You are finished with the fighting." Nic said. "You and everyone else here will clean up everything so that I have clean tables to sleep on tonight, got it?" He seemingly demanded.

Everyone else who was swamped all turned and nodded vigorously, so as to appease Nic and so they do not feel his wrath. That wave was bad enough, a wave and a Nic full of fury will make you stay down for a week at least. Everyone arose and they began gathering towels and such and commenced with cleaning.

Sophie looked awestruck and petrified by fear. "Wow Cana, you weren't kidding…hold up, he sleeps on tables?!" Her whispered voice then became a shocked voice.

"Yeah." Cana remarked. "You see, he sleeps on rooftops, tables, counters, floors, you name it. He said he hasn't slept in a bed in forever, not until he was taken to the infirmary a little while earlier."

Sophie was baffled. "You mean to tell me that the great Luminous doesn't have a home?!"

Cana nodded and then commenced downing a barrel again, leaving Sophie stumped that Nic never had a place to begin with.

Nic and Erza both began walking out of the guild and Erza continued onward so that it wouldn't look suspicious when she stops with Nic, which would indicate her waiting for him for something. Erza left the building and Nic turned around. "I'll be back later guys, I need to run 'errands'." And then he went off.

Everyone there blinked, but shrugged it off and they commenced with their little chore given to them by Nic.

"Gee, that guy really expects us to clean up after ourselves." Gray noted, pushing back up a table. "His character and heart is in the right place, but don't get me wrong, he can be a little too demanding."

"You mean like a male Erza?" Natsu asked. The actual thought of Erza having a male counterpart actually almost scared him so much that his cleanup time doubled.

"Boy, Natsu really doesn't wanna feel either of their wraths huh?" Lucy said as she looked at Natsu.

"Nobody does." Gray said, sweat dropping at the thought himself.

"Gray, your clothes are still off." Cana sighed, putting down her barrel. Gray shrieked as he realized he was still in his underwear.

Makarov just waited after everyone was still cleaning and finishing. In less than five minutes, the place looked as though it had never been demolished.

'Nic is much like Erza. A strong and very demanding authority figure, though when not so demanding he can be more laid back. Everyone seems to depend so much on him. That young one has touched the hearts here in so many ways.'

Makarov grumbled as the guild was finishing up.

With Nic and Erza

The two were walking through the streets of Magnolia as the sun was beginning to set, leaving the sky in a reddish orange hue. Nic looked over at Erza, who was walking on his left, and he was in awestruck by the sky matching her hair. "…wow…" He didn't realize that he muttered again and Erza looked over towards him with a curious expression.

She saw that Nic was staring at her again, and she felt slightly embarrassed, yet admired the attention. She had her hands to her hips and grinned. "Are you staring at me again?" She happily asked.

Nic snapped out of his gaze and his face turned deep red. "Uh…uh…maybe?" He replied. Erza giggled, expecting this from him. Nic composed himself quickly and looked out at the sunset. "The sky and your hair. They're both so similar. So red. So beautiful."

Erza felt a light blush of shock overwhelm her. He basically complimented her red hair and called her beautiful. Erza looked out at the sunset herself and felt her cheeks feeling warm with Nic around. Erza then turned towards Nic. "Nic." Nic turned towards her. "So tell me, what do you have in store for this little date?"

Nic showed his casual smile and grabbed Erza's hand. "I'll show ya. Follow me." Nic pulled Erza gently as he was getting a little too excited for this date. Erza herself blushed almost insanely since Nic was holding her hand. Even with her armor on. She could still feel his comfort.

Erza made Nic stop when she glowed, signaling a requip of some kind. Nic stopped, but didn't let go of her hand as he turned around and saw Erza in a white blouse and blue skirt. Erza smiled even more now that she could feel Nic's touch under these better circumstances.

Nic blinked and he smiled with a blush that he was also feeling Erza's hands. She was so soft and her hands her very comforting. To be honest, he could try and hold on forever, but lord knows she needed that hand to hold a sword. He'll just enjoy it while he still can.

Nic and Erza walked over towards a local food restaurant called 'Sunset Shiner', which was known to have such delicious dinners available. And the two lovebirds ventured on in. Fortunately, you didn't need a reservation for a classy restaurant such as this one, but it was optional. The inside had lovely peach-colored walls, with multiple rooms and flowers hanging from pots that were between with spaces that were implanted in the walls. Lots of framework that had sunset-like scenery, much like beaches, mountains, rooftops, even treetop photos and paintings of that sorts.

After the double door entrance, Nic and Erza stepped over a black rug with the restaurant's name written in red cursive on it. They then passed another set of double doors and right in front of them was a wooden podium where a fellow brunette worker was tending to those who entered.

"Hi, welcome to Sunset Shiner." She greeted. "Do you have a reservation, or should we have you be seated?"

Nic stepped forward. "Yes, I had a reservation scheduled. I understand that we're on time, yes?"

The waitress went through the workbook and papers and indeed found Nic Pularis and Erza Scarlet reserved. "Ah yes, here we -!" She stopped in mid-sentence when she had recognized the names. "Wait, Nic Pularis and Erza Scarlet…you both are from Fairy Tail!" She almost sounded excited and heavily surprised that two of Fairy Tail's most powerful Mages actually came around to eat.

Nic and Erza raised a brow. "Uh, yeah?" Nic wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing, but it turned out good when the waitress instantly grabbed some menus from under the podium and she perked a smile.

"Quick, I'll show you to one of our finest tables!" She looked so overjoyed that it almost too priceless.

Nic turned to Erza. "Big fan." He figured, with Erza nodding in agreement and they went off and followed the waiter to their table.

It was a table big enough for two people, but it had a glossy top and was in the left room and right next to the huge window that showed the elegant sunset that was slowly going down. The place was fairly crowded at this time, so the two were fortunate enough to have a reservation.

"One of our best spots." The waitress stated. She set the menus down on both end and the two took their seats. "We'll have a waiter with you very shortly." She said with an overexcited smile and she skedaddled away, leaving Nic and Erza alone.

Erza turned towards Nic. "So, you went through all of the trouble to pick a reservation?' Erza stated. "I'm a little speechless."

Nic let loose a sheepish smile. "What can I tell ya? I aim to please."

They just sat there, admiring the other for about thirty seconds until a fellow server arrived. "And how are we today?' He greeted.

"Very well, thank you." Erza said.

"Same." Nic added.

The server then took out a notepad. "And what will you have as a beverage to start out with?"

Nic turned towards his date and raised his brows as a gesture. "Ladies first."

Erza then looked at the waiter. "I'll just have some water." She ordered.

"Water. And you?" The waiter asked Nic.

"Yes, I'll have some water as well."

The waiter jot down both sets of orders for beverages and took his leave to retrieve them. The two were left alone again and they looked back at the other. The two were left to look at the menus for a minute before they talked again.

"So, how was the interview? I didn't get to ask you earlier." Nic stated.

"It went fine. The reporter was just overexcited and he asked me to answer a few question." She answered.

Nic was a little curious as to what exactly she was asked. "Like?"

"Well for one, he asked how many requips I could do. I can do over one-hundred"

Nic was a little taken by this number. "One-hundred? I lost count already." He has seen her Requip several times, but he only saw only a few. He didn't know she could do so many.

"My personal favorite was the bunny girl." She continued.

Nic looked even more surprised that she had a bunny girl requip. "Bunny?!"

Erza nodded. "The ears are simply adorable." Nic could potentially see her wearing some dark purple bunny girl suit with heels and dark purple bunny ears. The very thought itself made Nic blush up a storm, which didn't go unnoticed by the red-headed Mage that was his date. "You okay?'

Nic snapped out of it and was heavily embarrassed. "Oh, uh sorry." He apologized. "It's just that the very thought of you as a bunny girl had me a little surprised."

Erza giggled, seeing how she knew Nic would feel like that. "Who knows, maybe I just might show you someday." And that did the trick. Erza got the perfect reaction from him, with Nic's face almost looking mesmerized and as red as the sunset itself.

'Why must I be cursed with these thoughts in my mind?!' He mentally screamed, not understanding why he's envisioning her like a bunny girl.

The waiter had come back with two glasses of water, bringing Nic back to reality. He mentally thanked the heavens that he was now focused on ordering.

"And have you decided what your meal shall be?" The waiter asked. He got out a notepad and awaited for what the two were going to have.

Erza went first, catered by Nic's persistence with the whole 'ladies first'. "I guess I'll order some Marinated Shrimp Scampi." She ordered. The waiter jotted it down and then turned towards Nic.

"And you?"

"I think I'll have some Shrimp Alfredo." Nic ordered, and the waiter jotted that down and then left to leave Nic and Erza to continue.

Erza turned towards Nic. "Didn't know you like shrimp."

Nic grinned. "Great minds think alike." He joked, leaving Erza to giggle slightly. Erza then went on about how Jason was a little surprised that the great Luminous wasn't around, but he was still cool with Titania, Salamander, and Black Steel. She just explained in general that Jason was full of energy.

Nic almost sweat dropped. "I guess overexcited would be an understatement." Nic said. "Now I'm really glad that I wasn't around."

Erza then felt a little curiosity echo through her head. "Speaking of which, where were you this whole time?"

Nic looked down, remembering exactly what he did and he slowly turned up to her. "It's a surprise I planned at the end." He quietly said, but only stated it with a half-grin. Erza grasped Nic's mood just like that, thinking it might be something serious.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked.

Erza saw that Nic blinked and he struggled to find something to say. "Hmmm…I don't know. I can't think of much of anything, but when I just mentioned the surprise to you, it's like my mojo went south."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"…more or less. It was just a sense of doubt." Nic then looked off in space, but then he looked down, feeling Erza's hand lay on his. He looked back at her and saw her smiling.

"I think I'll love the surprise." She sincerely stated. Nic had a soft smile cover his face.

They just waited for another half hour and their orders arrived. The two just ate their meals in silence, unless you count Nic and Erza chewing, along with the background music.

Once their meals were pretty much finished, the waiter retrieved their emptied plates. "And will that be all?" He asked.

Nic then took a swift glance at the dessert menu that was right next to him and he looked back at the waiter. "Actually, I think we'll get a dessert."

The waiter had set aside the empty plates and got a notepad out, again. "Okay, and what would you lie to have?"

Nic then looked over at Erza, who looked a bit confused as to what Nic will get as a dessert, though she personally wanted…

"Strawberry cheesecake, please." Nic ordered. This left Erza a little surprised that Nic got what her mind was thinking of right now.

When the waiter left to fill the order and Nic turned to see her, she looked amused and delighted. Nic smirked. "You love your strawberry cheesecake, don't you?"

Erza nodded. "Yes." She almost stuttered.

Not much could be said after that. They didn't dare say anything after that, not until the slice of strawberry cheesecake came by.

The two were given their forks and Nic gently pushed the plate closer towards Erza, leaving her to look up at him in a little confusion. "I actually got that so that you could have it." He stated.

Erza nearly let out a surprised gasp. For real? Just how romantic is this guy? Erza then grabbed her fork and then commenced to chow down, and Nic watched the tranquil face she made when taking bites of her favorite food.

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

Only Cana and Sophie knew Nic went out for a date, so everyone else just suspected he went to run errands just as he said. They didn't know how long the 'errands' would take, so they had to be snappy.

"Listen up!" Makarov shouted. "I need everyone present to listen!" The Mages all stopped what they were doing and they all turned towards their Master.

"Are we getting complaints again?" Gray asked.

Makarov shook his head. "I'm afraid not this time my boy. It's something far more important to discuss." Now this had the guild's attention. "Everyone, I'm afraid there's something we need to announce."

"Okay? But what exactly?" Lucy asked.

"I haven't got a clue smarty pants." Natsu said.

"But she's wearing a skirt." Happy explained.

Lucy just sweat dropped and looked annoyed. "It's an expression cat."

"Now listen." Makarov started. "As we all know, Nic Pularis has done a whole lot for us, and Mira and I had been conversing about it. The decision is factored into you guys as well." The guild was intrigued. What did Nic have to do with any of this? "He has encountered and had vanquished so many enemies all in a short while, and the fact remains that he has defeated demons known as Lullaby and The Nightmare. He has also defeated the former Wizard Saint known as Jose, and from our sayings that he has also defeated Jellal, another former Wizard Saint. As of recently, he has also defeated Erza Scarlet, and finally one of our former strongest Laxus Dreyar."

"Boy, that guy's kicked serious butt." Natsu remarked. "I gotta fight him again."

Lucy turned towards him. "Right, and do you want would you like knuckles in that sandwich? You know he'll just send you flying again." Natsu almost paled when Lucy mentioned 'flying', which made him silence.

"It is with those reasons that we need to reach an affirmative agreement." Makarov stated. He paused before looking back towards his 'children'. "An agreement if Nic should be promoted to S-Class."

The entire guild nearly went silent before they all did a unison "WHAT?!"

Natsu stomped on the ground. "Hey gramps, what's with this?! Why does he get to be promoted?! Doesn't he have to go through the trials or something?!" He protested.

"That's another factor we put in, but he's already defeated two of our S-Class Mages Natsu. And could you do any of which I listed?" Makarov pointed out.

Natsu struggled to point out a flaw. "Well no, but…he…"

Cana raised a mug in the air while sitting cross-legged on the countertop. "Well I for one think the kid's got more than enough spunk."

Mira looked over at Makarov. "Master, I think Nic should be given this promotion. He has done so much."

Makarov grumbled a bit, seeing how a few agree he should be given S-Class status.

Elfman crossed his arms. "I think he's man enough to become S-Class. After what he's been through, he's a real man among men."

"The guy's made promises, and he didn't let us down." Macao pointed out, having a mug raised.

"Yeah, he's earned that promotion." Wakaba said next to him. "Better not stand in his way or he'll mow you down like grass."

Natsu was still a bit pissed that he didn't get pick. "Come on gramps, this isn't fair! That jerk wasn't in Fairy Tail for as long as I have! He even went on that S-Class Mission and he didn't get punished for it!"

"Natsu, none of us knew it was S-Class, so it wasn't anybody's fault; besides, he aced it." Mira pointed out.

Makarov looked up at his fellow guild. Most if not all were leaning towards having Nic be an exception. Maybe he should get promoted? Was it okay?

"Master." Mira said. "I'm sure First Master wouldn't mind this one exception. Wouldn't you agree?"

Makarov sat as still as a statue, thinking of Mavis Vermilion. If she were still alive, maybe she would accept Nic. "I hope you're right Mira." Makarov said.

With Nic and Erza

After Nic paid for their meal and left, he and Erza both had just enough light in the sky to venture off into SouthGate Park, which was where Nic had something else for her. The duo managed to make it to the park, and fortunately people weren't anywhere around at this time. This meant it was just the two of them.

Nic turned towards Erza had just entered the park and they felt as ease. The meal was satisfying and they were just happy to be in each other's company.

Nic decided to give something a shot. Something he recalled from awhile back that he meant to do. "Hey, Erza?" The Fairy Queen turned towards Nic with curiosity. "Do you wanna see one my favorite attacks? I think you just might love it." It was meant as a small joke, but Erza didn't know that.

Erza felt a little curious. "Is it something powerful?"

"No, but you'll get a few good laughs from it." They had just exited the last step that led down to the area that the Sola Tree was located. They stopped and they turned towards the other.

"I guess it would be okay." Erza had no idea what she was getting herself into when Nic meant one of his favorite moves.

"Okay." Nic then closed in and showed his hands. "Don't say I didn't warn ya." Erza was expecting Nic to shine a light up or something, but when Nic said she would get a few good laughs, he meant it. "Tickle!" He then proceeded to tickling Erza's sides, to which she almost instantly began to squirm. Nic grinned as he knew she would love it. "You can't fight the Tickle attack!" He announced as he continued tickling her sides.

Out of all of the attacks she had to take, it just had to be Tickle. Erza began laughing like crazy as she couldn't stand the accursed Tickle attack. "S-s-s-s-s-sto-ssto-o-op! Hi-I-I can't-I can't take it!" She wheezed as she was being tickled. Erza kept squirming in that one spot as Nic continued on with the surprise tickle attack. To Erza, this felt…fun?

Wait, was she actually enjoying this? Being tickled? Erza couldn't believe it herself, but she actually felt like she was having a blast. Nic truly was full of surprises, and this was no exception.

Nic had ceased his Tickle and backed off, but not without laughing along with Erza, who was still laughing slightly. Erza eventually composed herself and she looked back at a smiling Nic. "Thank you, I needed that."

Nic smiled even greater than before. "Anytime. You know, you're really cute when you laugh." He admitted, which made Erza turn away with an insanely deep blush. Nic grinned, seeing how adorable she can be when embarrassed.

"Admit it, you liked Tickle." He said, turning back towards the sunset.

Erza turned back towards the sunset as well, but kept her gaze away. "…maybe."

The sky was now a strange hue of purple, orange, and yellow, meaning so little time. You could only see a faint light setting off somewhere along west of the area. Nic and Erza both stopped under the Sola Tree. Nic took in a rather large breath of fresh air and exhaled, relaxing the anticipation.

He turned towards Erza. "So Erza, do you like sunsets?" He asked, almost as though he obviously knew.

Erza crossed her arms with a grin. "Who doesn't?"

Nic turned sideways. "Good." He then glowed, meaning that he was shifting into a Plate. When the glow ceased, he was in his Meadow Plate Form. He turned his head towards her. "I hope you like high altitudes." He then pointed his left arm up at a branch far above and a Vine Whip emerged from his sleeve and he had the vine coil around said branch. He then used his free arm to grab Erza by her waist, making the latter surprised. "Hold on tight." He then brought them both up by using his Vine Whip as a way of getting up. They managed to safely reach the branch and the two sat on it and looked out at the view they now had, seeing the last bit of the sun's rays over the town.

"Nic." Erza said, getting his attention. "Thanks so much for this opportunity to relax and enjoy. You're a very sweet person." She meant it in the most honest way possible, and she meant it in sincerity.

Nic smiled while he looked out at the sunset, and this time he chose to have his sunglasses off, though they were off this entire time. "Oh please." He replied. "If anyone's sweet, it's you. Remember? You're sweeter than any strawberry cheesecake."

Erza remembered full well that Nic indeed said that, but that memory made her frown, as that was also one of the last things he said before he 'died'.

The memories came flooding back to her, that time when Nic amazed her by using that Maxus Legendary Arts to completely destroy Jellal and the Tower of Heaven, the sacrifice she had to make of herself, and also saying goodbye to Simon as he died. It was also at that point that she remembered that Nic pulled her out and chose to sacrifice himself rather than see her do it.

Erza's expression was as blank as a piece of paper as she recounted that day. Simon's breathing was slowing down and she begged for him to keep going, but he chose to say he loved her and he bid farewell, finally stopped his breathing and fell to the floor, leaving Erza crying and shattered emotionally.

Erza was all shaken by that thought, as Nic could have seen.

She then recounted how Nic swore to demolish and obliterate Jellal, which was where she saw him transform into his Legendary Force – Black Kyurem. The very remembrance of Nic's transformation now had her goosebumps paralyzed and shiver from the very feel of the air. She saw how he took Jellal down and Nic transformed into himself.

Erza then had a warm smile upon remembering running up to an unconscious Nic and holding him tightly, and also remembering that she was also smiling.

Erza then frowned again, remembering how she needed to save Natsu and Nic by giving herself up to the lacrima. She frowned even more that Nic took her place and he held her hand, and then Erza had a very small tear forming as she remembered Nic saying she's sweeter than any strawberry cheesecake and then he disappeared.

Nic saw that Erza was shaking, frowning, smiling, basically an array of emotions. Was she having a breakdown? He wasn't sure what to do. The next thing he knew, he was being pulled into a hug by Erza, who completely clung onto him. Nic gaped his mouth in shock, but then saw the tear that was scrolling down her cheek as she clung onto him.

"Nic." Erza said. "I'm so glad you're back."

Nic closed his mouth and he slowly grinned. He then wrapped an arm around her and comforted her as the last bit of the sun's rays was beginning to diminish. "Yeah, I'm glad too."

They just stayed there as the sun was officially set and now the sky was black with hints of purple and orange over the horizon. The two parted from the emotional embrace and Nic and Erza both got down from the branch thanks to Nic using Vine Whip again.

When the two reached the ground, Nic retracted his Vine Whip and turned towards her. "Hey, do you wanna see something cool?" Erza tilted her head in curiosity, and that's when Nic released a light green ring of energy from his feet and it spread about all over SouthGate Park.

Erza looked around, seeing as to how any of the grass in the area was instantly looking fresh and all too healthy. Some of the flowers there almost immediately went into full bloom. It was amazing that there were flowers spread about all over SouthGate Park in the healthy grass. She turned towards Nic. "This is Grassy Terrain. The downside is that it restores any Pokémon's energy by a little, including the opponent, but on the upside Grass-Type moves get a big boost in power." Nic explained. Nic turned and crouched down towards some white and red flowers beside him. "I only saw this move used maybe once or twice, but I just love how it makes nature feel refreshed." He began plucking out flowers and when he had enough in hand, he then got up and handed her the handful of flowers he held from the stems to Erza. "So, were you happy?"

Erza looked down at the handful of flowers Nic gave her and she slowly turned back up to see his curious grin and she began to have a soft blush envelope her face. She nodded. "Yeah, this date is just amazing." She admitted. She held the flowers in one hand and she used her free arm to reach around and pull Nic in for a hug.

The two just shared that hug for as long as they possibly could. Erza felt the butterflies in her belly flutter with joy and happiness and her heart thumped rapidly. Nic's own heart was thumping slightly as well, and he held onto her for a short while.

The two eventually broke apart, and that's when Nic's joyful smile turned back into the half-grin. He once again retrieved flowers and he turned towards town. "Erza, you ready?"

Erza was curious. "For what?"

Nic turned towards her. "The surprise." She honestly forgot that Nic mentioned a surprise earlier. Was this it? Maybe it was more cake? Was it new armor? "Come on." He then had Erza follow him and they trailed off to the Kardia Cathedral Cemetery.

Erza raised a brow in confusion. "So my present is in there?" She didn't see this coming. What could possibly make it so that Nic would have her gift here? Was it something to die for? Was it drop-dead astounding? Just what exactly.

Nic turned towards her, his grin now gone. "Trust me Erza, just close your eyes. I'll take you there." Erza then reluctantly closed her eyes and she felt Nic grabbing her free hand and then escorting her through the solid terrain. They passed by a few monuments, including Nic's. They didn't take it down, but did erase the stone from it. Nic didn't mind really. He would even say hi sometimes to his 'dead' self as a small joke.

After three minutes of walking, Erz felt a left turn, then a right turn, and then Nic stopped and turned her left. She then heard Nic sigh. "Alright, brace yourself." He warned. Erza then felt her muscles tense up, thinking it might be something that she would have to fend off against. After five seconds passed, Nic gave the signal. "Okay, you can open them now."

Erza then opened her own eyes. At first, she wasn't sure what to look at, but when she turned her head down slightly, she then realized what Nic was trying to prepare her for. Erza went wide eyed and gasped at the masterpiece that Nic had created just for her. Though it was only two feet, it looked like the real deal.

It was a stone monument of Simon. The details were almost perfect. His muscles and scarf around his head were perfect. Nic had captured every detail as he could have possibly remember it. And it had writing engrave at the base.

SIMON

A LOYAL AND GREAT FRIEND

Erza was a little shaken up. She never expected this, not in a million years. She had tears beginning to form.

Nic then turned towards her. "You see, I never really told much of anyone about this, but I have some art skills. I actually didn't know I had them until I started my journey a long time ago. So I used every ounce of my art skills and sanded, molded, and sculpted whatever way I could remember in order to pay my respects to him." Nic then saw her cry. "I'm sorry if I made you cry."

Erza sniffled, but then turned towards him with a smile. "Nic, you didn't make me cry. It's just that I'm so happy. You spent all of this time just to make me happy. I never got to pay respects to Simon, but you made this so that I can finally pay those respects. It's so beautiful, it looks just like him." She explained with teary eyes. "Your heart is truly the light."

Nic smiled and looked down at the two foot monument. The two crouched down and they paid their dearest respects to Simon. Erza and Nic gave their flowers to Simon's monument after their respects and prayers they departed.

As the two were walking through the now night sky of Magnolia, they were getting closer to Fairy Tail. A thought went through their heads at the same time.

Erza truly thought this was a great experience. She felt joy, happiness, sorrow, basically every bit of emotion possible. 'I need to thank him.' Erza thought.

Nic wasn't sure if he should give her anything else. He gave her a dinner, a Tickle, a view in the tree, and made a monument for their dear friend. He then figured he'll just push his luck just one one more time. 'Maybe just one more gift.' Nic thought.

The two then stopped, and Erza was intentionally turning her head very quickly to give Nic a kiss on the cheek.

Nic was doing the same. And both of them didn't look where they were aiming until it was too late.

Their intentional kiss on the cheek turned into a sudden kiss on the lips.

Both Mages went wide-eyed in shock as it was all just too sudden for each to take. Erza and Nic were blushing like there was no tomorrow. The two were too stunned to even pull their lips apart. They were just in suspense for ten seconds before the two pulled apart at long last.

Both of them stuttered and Nic and Erza turned their heads away from the other, unable to see the other's face after their accidental kiss on the lips. Though Nic had to admit that her lips were so soft…

"So…yeah…" Nic tried to say, trying not to make things too awkward, but that ship had already sailed.

Erza herself cleared her throat and she tried to look forward. "Well now…uh…" But even she cracked under the sudden blissful moment they shared. One thing was certain to Erza, she would love to do it again.

Nic composed himself at long last as they looked ahead and saw the guild. "Well, I guess that's a wrap for our date." He said, though he wished it could've gone on for a little longer. Then again, it was close to ten at night.

Erza smile and she kept her gaze forward as she requipped into her armor as they approached the guild. "It would appear so…" Her smile also had pink on the cheeks. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Nic said as they were approaching inside. They still couldn't look at each other after their little moment, but at least the awkwardness stopped now that the date was finished.

The two made their way inside, but only for everyone in the guild to turn towards them, mainly at Nic. The sudden stare was seemingly uncomfortable, but then it ceased when the entire guild shouted at him.

"SURPRISE!" The entire guild shouted. Mira and Sophie both blasted confetti from the sides and lots of people clapped, much to Nic and Erza's shock.

Nic looked baffled and beyond surprised. He blinked. "But, today ain't my birthday." He explained. Everyone made way as Makarov walked up to Nic and stood before him. Nic looked down at the Master and kept a raised brow. "Is there a celebration going on here or something?"

Makarov just ignore his comment and he spoke. "Nic, we have something very important to tell you." Nic erased any surprise that was inside of him, as he could tell by the Master's tone that this was indeed serious. "Even though your time here hasn't been long, you have exceeded all of our expectations by a large margin. You continue to grow and you had become strong, so strong that you took down numerous enemies that stood in your way." He paused. "As a parent, I am beyond proud and cannot be anymore satisfied with what you have accomplished."

"Master." Nic was actually baffled that Master Makarov was praising him. Was there something big that was going to happen to Nic?

Makarov turned back towards the guild and nodded. The guild, in unison, all nodded their heads to signal the Master of their approval. Master Makarov then looked back at Nic. "We have come to a decision. Though there are suppose to be trials for this promotion, we have decided to expunge those and allow you to be an exception. You have proven yourself of great promise boy."

Erza was getting hints of what Master was doing, and it didn't take two seconds for her to realize what he meant by expunging the trials. She turned towards Nic with wide eyes and with a shocked look. Nic himself stood rather speechless, yet still curious at the same time.

"Nic Pularis, from this day forth…you are officially an S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail." Makarov smiled. "Congratulations to you my boy!"

Nic looked shocked to say the least. He was just promoted on the spot and nobody told him about this…well, unless you count five seconds ago. Nic didn't even have the words for this moment. The guild members just cheered and threw mugs into the air in honor of Nic's promotion.

"Gee, I didn't see this coming." Nic muttered.

Erza also failed to foreshadow this event. "Neither did I." Normally, she would object to what the Master had just said. Something like this had to be dealt with trials, but looking back on what happened the past month and a half or so, it did seem justified. Besides that, Erza would probably agree that Nic's power exceeded anyone's expectations. In the end, she would agree Nic deserved this little promotion.

"You've done Fairy Tail proud boy, so best be keeping it up!" Makarov cheerfully announced as even more confetti was launched by Mira and Sophie. Now out of his initial shock, Nic smiled cheerfully and looked on as the guild celebrated. He went over towards a fellow table and people gathered around him while Erza looked on with a smile.

Sophie went up towards Erza, trying to contain as much excitement as possible. "So, how was your date?"

Erza blushed in shock and she turned towards Sophie sharply. "It went very well." She truthfully stated. "Nic and I had a spectacular time."

"Depends on how you say 'spectacular time'." Sophie teased. Erza blushed even more furiously than she ever had before, understanding Sophie's implication. Erza was almost tempted to pull out a sword.

"Silence! That's not what happened!" Erza scolded. Sophie just grinned and she just decided to end it there before she gets thrown over Fiore. She just giggled and scooted away, leaving Erza to calm down as she looked on with Nic celebrating.

"You're truly a one in a million kid." "You definitely earned this!" "I just wonder if S-Class is worthy for you." Many people just came around and congratulated Nic and he couldn't help just blush lightly from the attention and praise he's being showered with.

Cana wrapped an arm around Nic's shoulder and had a full mug of booze in the free arm she had. She smiled cheerfully. "Wait a go champ! You've gone and set new heights for Fairy Tail. I told ya you would make S-Class in no time!"

Nic smiled. "I never doubted ya-!" But as Nic was about to thank Cana and agree with her statement, Cana had taken the liberty and poured the entire mug of booze down Nic's throat as he had his mouth open. Cana and everyone else cheered as Nic was forced to down booze.

Yeah, terrible idea.

When Nic was freed from the mug from his mouth, his face looked slightly red, and his gaze looked a little feral. Though nobody realized what Cana had just done, they were too raptured in celebrating Fairy Tail style.

Natsu stomped up behind Nic. "Hey, Nic!" Natsu bellowed, making red-faced Nic turn back with a sharp glare. Natsu had a fist ready. "I say we brawl again!"

Nic immediately shifted into his Toxic Plate. Some people were a little surprised by this sudden change by Nic. It wasn't like him to get into a scrap fest that easily.

Nic cracked his knuckles while snarling. "You want to fight me?!" He mocked. "You think you know better? You're a freakin toothpick compared to this mighty oak! A TOOTHPICK!" He then blasted Natsu with a Sludge right in the face without warning, sending him crashing into a nearby table.

"Whoa there!" Macao said. "You okay there?"

Nic turned sharply back at Macao. "Don't talk back to me!" He then fired another Sludge attack at Macao, sending him flying into a nearby pillar.

Everyone sweat dropped. They didn't see this coming. Just what happened? Even Erza, Sophie, and Mira saw this odd as they were observing from afar.

"Uh…" Mira sweat dropped. "I don't think alcohol and Nic don't go well together." They watched as several more people went flying just for looking at Nic.

"I guess alcohol makes him feel tyrannical." Sophie thought. She then turned towards Erza. "Shouldn't we do something?"

Erza nodded and then proceeded up towards Nic. "Okay Nic. I think you need to settle down." She clapped her armored hands to get his attention.

Nic turned sharply and somewhat recognized her. He pointed towards her. "Silence red-headed goddess!" He demanded. Almost instantly, Erza froze on the spot with a comical shock. Out of all of the things he had to say when drunk, he just had to go and yell that out loud in front of everybody. Erza's face turned as red as her at not just the fact he called her a goddess, again, but also he said it out loud. She just stood in silence as was everyone else.

"Did he just call her a goddess?" Warren asked.

"I know those two like each other, but isn't that suppose to be a private pet name?" Max asked. Nic turned sharply towards them, which freaked them out slightly.

"Silence!" Nic bellowed and then fired multiple globs of green liquid from his mouth and blasted Max and Warren away, the move being said was Venoshock.

By now, the guild was in a bit of a rumble, with Nic being the center of it all. By this point, Natsu and Gray were a tad freaked out by this side of Nic, along with everyone else. Nic would just order for people to shut up and turn away or they would get blasted with a Poison-Type move of sorts.

"Um, Master? Should we do something?" Mira asked Makarov.

Master Makarov just sighed. "I suppose our lesson just has to be learned the hard way. Make this a note: Don't ever give Nic alcohol if you want to live."

Erza was still a bit frozen in shock as she also watched as Nic still ordered people around for no reason.

"Gray, put your clothes on! Natsu, stop destroying stuff!" Nic demanded with feral gazes pointing at both of them.

"But I already have my clothes on." Gray pointed out, actually checking this time and was surprised he didn't strip down to his underwear as of yet.

Natsu just pouted. "But I haven't destroyed anything yet! You're hogging all the fun!"

"Don't talk back to me!" He then coated himself in dark purple and he unleashed a Sludge Wave that blasted everyone there around him, making them panic and yelp under his tyrannical behavior.

"We're gonna die." Jet groaned as he laid on the floor after being blasted by Sludge Wave and twitching slightly.

"I didn't say you could lie down and groan!" Nic roared, unleashing more of his fury as Jet squealed.

This melee went on for another fifteen minutes before Nic started settling down. The benefit of the Toxic Plate was that it could absorb and nullify toxins at a faster rate than what the normal human could, so Nic could only be drunk for a very short period of time, and he was just about coming around.

Nic was in his normal self, looking rather disoriented and dizzy as he sat cross-legged on a table. "Oooiiiii. So much craziness." Nic groaned as he rested his chin on his hand to keep from swaying back and forth. "I only remember fragments. Me telling people to stop talking, and then I blast them." He murmured.

Everyone there looked all heavily exhausted and pale to the faces. "It's finally over." They all said in unison.

Erza was out of her shock and let out a breath. "Well now, are you feeling better?" She asked.

Nic was still dizzy, but he could hear her. "Of sorts, yeah." Nic then heard everyone cleaning up the melee Nic started and he could only stay sober in that one spot. "Uh, did I say anything stupid while I was a tyrant?" He muttered to her.

Erza looked down and then thought for a brief moment about how Nic called her a red-headed goddess, which was embarrassing, but at the same time very sweet. Erza looked back at him with a grin. "No, you just blasted people for no reason."

Nic grinned while feeling the dizziness fade. "Remind Cana not to do that again."

"Believe me, we've all learned the hard way." Erza explained.

"Okay…" He then felt sleepy after the eventual day he had and his eyes began to close. He managed to turn his head towards Erza. "Hey." Erza then looked at him with curiosity. "Thank you for the best first date." He then closed his eyes and he fell back onto his side and let sleep consume him on the table.

Erza's heartbeat quickened as Nic thanked her. She was truly touched that Nic did so much for her in one day. Erza smiled at the sleeping being and she also saw that everyone was leaving the building. Seeing how it was night and everything was just cleaned up. She waited until it was just her and Nic. She then turned towards him and quickly pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you Nic." She then got up and left the building and locked the doors behind her, leaving a very happy smile on her face.

I'm really bad at romantic scenes, but I tried my best. Still, credits also go out to PokeguardianZ for giving me tips. I'm not sure how you guys felt about this chapter, but if you guys enjoyed it, leave a Review.

I was intentionally going to initiate the Oracion Seis Arc, but I got caught up in trying to make the date a good one. The Oracion Seis Arc will start next chapter, no doubt.

If you are wondering, Nic and Erza are still not official. There is still a huge amount of stuff to be done before that happens. Then again, you never know if they will become official.

Okay, my question this time is what your favorite chapter was up to this point. I got feedback from your favorite fight, now I ask what your favorite chapter is. This time, shoot me a PM if possible so that Reviews could be for the chapter itself and not feedback on favorite(s). I repeat, shoot me a PM of your favorite chapter.

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys enjoy the story and the various emotions and surprises that I add.

Next Time: Forced Unity