After That...
Castle Mago the next day...
Clean-up ensued by employees before they were paid and went home.
'You're the last of us to get married.' said Neville as they talked in the gardens in breakfast time. The mafioso allowed her to talk with her friends just so they could learn more about their Cloud's circle whom she hasn't seen in a decade. The children were enjoying the swimming pool. 'Why so late?' he asked.
Because of She Mei's revenge, he quickly 'went muggle'. He then built a vast orchard and herb farm as his business that goes well and married Hannah Abbott. Doing business in Magical Society isn't so profitable anymore due to Inflation and Poverty while life as a muggle made him wealthy and able to access goods cheaply. So he never went poor unlike most Purebloods and forced his family to swear an Oath because he agreed with his friend's revenge.
'Well, I felt I'll never get married anyway...then I met Feng.' said She Mei. 'I hated marriage because of what I put up with and nearly ended up with.' her magical friends cringed. She nearly married Ron. 'But now I'm an Italian Citizen after discarding my British Citizenship. And in Italy, out-of-wedlock children get unreasonable scrutiny so we married to protect an innocent life from a fickle society. If not for social pressure, Feng and I would have been fine doing things our way since we were happy that way. We're content with the simple life, you know?'
'I see...well, how far along are you Diantha?' Andromeda asked her.
'Well, one month and so...so everyone's treating me like I'm fragile chinaware or something.' She Mei sighed. 'Now I know how you guys feel. My job is just being a doctor and cook, nothing strenuous about that, honestly!'
'Well, deal with it!' Fleur snickered. 'William won't even let me leave our bedroom in fear I'd miscarry! But hey, someone HAS to do the chores and cook!' Fleur gained a peach tan complexion from living in Egypt thus avoids too much sun as she could. But maintains her complexion using herbal soap made out of Songyi Mushrooms and Lemon Oil otherwise she'd be tanner.
'That was one time!' Bill moaned. 'We both had no idea how to handle first time you know!'
'You'll never let it go huh?' Luna said playfully.
'Nope!' the women laughed while Bill huffed.
'Well, that's life...Luna gave me gray hairs since she's being her usual self while in her early period.' said Lorcan. 'First time is a huge scare!'
'I keep telling you I'm fine since I know what to do you know...its my body after all.' said Luna with a playful smile. 'Well, want to help me bake bread in the oven again?'
'Honey!'
'Ooh, that's a new way to put it huh?' Angelina smirked. 'How about you Georgie? Will you put a turkey in mine?' she asked her husband who choked on his tea.
'George my pal, we're a bad influence on your wife.' Lee told George while patting the choking redhead's back.
'Hey hey, save the bedroom talk for later!' Charlie sputtered, red-faced.
'Speaking, when will YOU get married?' Bill asked his brother.
'Well like I said, cupid hasn't struck me yet in front of a girl.'
'You'll be an old geezer by then.' George scoffed, recovering from choking. 'And there's no ladies in your job!'
'Well, Diantha waited until the right guy came along, so will I!' said Charlie. 'Who knows, the right lass will come along for me! Some people marry late in life.' he said.
'Well, I hope you do before you're too old for that even if I can help in the looks department.' said Diantha wryly. 'And we ladies tend to end our season in middle-age while you guys can keep up the factory so get on with it.'
'Well, that's one thing about us girls isn't it?' said Andromeda. 'Ever since I turned 50 not long ago, its over for me. I no longer have a period and I lost interest in men along with losing my ability to have children, content with just being a widowed grandma to her grandkid. I just pretend to neighbors I had cancer that required organ removal.'
'If you can no longer have it, you can't get preggy anymore.' said Angelina. 'That's what's in for us.'
'Yeah yeah...' Charlie sighed. 'The ladies nag me yet my brothers don't...'
'We don't because we know full well how our anatomy works Charlie.' said Bill wryly. 'Even old geezers married young women and they still manage to have children. The other way around have to settle for adoption.'
xxx
By nighttime, it was time to go home after a final clean-up of the rented estate.
Next day was shopping for maternity clothing when she starts to bulge up.
But when Luce's almost due and Diantha about two and half along...they all were required to be on the same job, pregnancy-be-damned.
Go up a mountain to get to a temple to get to an artifact requested by a client.
But on top of the mountain's plateau area...there was no temple there.
Just an ominous light they were all bathed in.
Diantha in her magical nature, sensed this, was bad for them. She did not hesitate to sacrifice herself for Feng who was of like-mind for his wife, creating yet another sacrificial magic out of love that protected them both and their unborn child.
Thus an anomaly occurred.
While the others became babies...Diantha and Feng became adolescents instead, appearing around 12-13 years old.
'Wha?!'
'What happened here?!' Viper was the most hysterical as all of them were naked, and clad in just a white cloak...and five of them baby-fied.
'What happened to us, Luce?!' Verde demanded.
'...we are the next sacrifices just so they would remain shining.' said Luce in a solemn, resigned voice. 'You will walk out of time while I would die sooner than I should.'
'Are you stupid?! What about your baby?!' Diantha howled. 'You're due soon and you let this happen without saying anything...'
'Its alright...my body will temporarily become adult when my time is due...Aria remains safe.' said Luce. 'We are just unlucky to be powerful chosen for this curse. I couldn't say anything because its predetermined no matter what parallel universe we're in. Not one broke this fate.' she shook her head. 'Had our other selves in an alternate course had, I would have told you. Just as my child is safe, so is Diantha's. However, as we walk out of time...we can only have one child. Ever.' Diantha and Feng looked pained as they wanted a large family. Diantha broke into tears, leaning onto Feng who was trying hard not to cry.
'But how come Diantha and Feng just became kids? They didn't become infants like we did...' said Lal.
'Its about your community isn't it?' Viper asked Diantha. 'Your kind with Memory Erasers...'
'Yes...but I still can't talk about it or they will come. Them and the Secret Police if you have Vindice.' said Diantha. 'They will toss me in prison and all of you memory-wiped about me. I would lose you and my husband. I still can't say anything.'
'...now what, hey?' Colonello croaked out as suddenly, they gained knowledge of what they are.
Well, this is unexpected, She Mei...something about you affected Feng as well thus you're both partially-cursed into your new status. was Checkerface's voice in her head. At any rate, you're luckier. Even I have no idea what happens now despite you keeping a treasure and maintaining its shine for the sake of the world's flames for new flames to be born as it drains your flames to keep shining. While Luce's condition is given...not sure about you. Even I didn't see this coming.
What made you different, I wonder...
Diantha banked on her sacrifice.
What she did for her family as her mother had done for her.
Maybe...just maybe...
While the others fumed and never forgave today...and went on their separate ways, Feng wanted to go home.
'Let's go back home Ai-Mei...back to our shop where it began.' said Feng, gloomy that they couldn't have children any more as well as depressed about the curse.
'Yeah, let's go home.' said Diantha as they left for home. 'But there's something I must do first...and only you will learn the full truth about me and where I came from.' said Diantha. 'Unlike the others who are not safe, you're safe from my people's laws because you married me.'
'Eh?'
xxx
Italian Ministry of Magic...
Diantha showed Feng the magical world, and they got into the Ministry to file her marriage certificate as well as their current condition.
She also had permission to tell Feng EVERYTHING now that she got through legal channels leaving Feng very shocked on what truly happened to his wife, seeing everything in its nasty glory in a Pensieve in their home.
Not only that, through their bond, they managed to avoid being babies...and avoid what befell Luce who can really only have one child. They can in fact, have the big family they wanted but not even Italy's finest Cursebreakers could break the Arcobaleno Curse. So they'll have to live with it. The curse drains them of their flames to keep the Pacifiers shining, for the sake of humans with flames to be born. That was one thing Feng knew nobody else does yet was told just to his wife.
So they lived in their shop together as a happy wedded couple, taking their curse in stride.
Months later, they had a son who can be Diantha's heir to the Potter Fortune. They had a deal that if its a boy, Feng names. But daughter, Diantha names.
Feng named their son Li Jun. A name that meant 'upright truth' as his wife HATES lies the most. She was always truthful and honest with him and he, to her.
They doted on their son without spoiling him and raised him well, and going to America to meet his much-older cousins. 50 years old Andy and 13 years old Teddy.
'What on Earth happened to you two?!' Andromeda choked out as on her doorstep were very young versions of the couple whose wedding she's been to not long ago. They're not older than Teddy!
'Its a long story.' Diantha sighed as they came with their baby.
'I got all time in the world.' Andromeda twitched, her foot tapping on the floor and arms crossed.
Needless to say, the old woman is NOT happy with what happened.
'You seem to have bad luck with these types of people,' said Andromeda wearily. 'I really can't believe this.'
'You and me both Andy.' Diantha sulked.
'The only good thing about it is the Sacrificial Magic Dia did to dilute the curse a lot so we could still have the family we wanted.' said Feng. 'We're of physical form and ability to do so but...how our situation looks to society is...er...' he choked, looking like he was constipated.
The implications are horrifying, to say the least. Even they could not stomach how they looked as parents to children in their states!
'I can see that...its something the purebloods back there would have done.' Andromeda shuddered. 'But as Magical Italy knows you're adults, it should be somewhat OK, just don't be around muggles when doing parenting, alright?'
'Yeah, we'll be in hiding and using magic a lot during PTCs in school.' Feng choked. 'Thank goodness my wife is magical or we'd lose more than we normally should.'
'You should be lucky you're very loved by my cousin Feng.' Andromeda chuckled. 'Sacrificial Magic done out of pure love to protect loved ones, without a shred of hesitation is a powerful magic only so few can do. And the fact that you did the same for her caused your strong bond to react to her magic that her powers diluted both your curses.'
Feng went pink with a rather shy smile.
'Yes...I'm lucky to have Dia as my wife.'
'Oh, you!' Diantha whapped his back, embarrassed. 'But Feng, we'll have to resize our wedding rings...they're too big for our fingers now.' she said, taking out her wand.
'Oh, right...'
'And you might want to buy a Nanny Elf if you want to sleep through the night.' Andromeda advised.
xxx
The news that there are new Arcobaleno and who they are spread in no time flat. But they find it odd that there's eight, not seven, and one of them has a smoky pacifier. And two of them are adolescents, not babies.
They had to work on their reputations again just so nobody would dare fuck with them.
Some became full-time Hitmen.
Renato, now calling himself Reborn was very active with a vengeance just so no upstart would dare to claim his title as the World's Greatest Hitman and Marksman.
Feng participated in many fighting tournaments, both legal and illegal to maintain his title as the World's Best Fighter. He also took jobs for the Mafia and showed his ruthless cruelty in his work despite having a serene smile on his face while being polite and nice. Its known that he married the Underground Pharmacist that his enemies tried to use Diantha against him...
...did not work.
They soon find themselves as brutalized, exploded corpses as one hit from her, you blow up from inside out or have her army of poisonous snakes bite you all over. She was worse than her husband in the cruel department. Her antics made her known as the Strongest Arcobaleno in terms of physical prowess. She even impales their taxidermied corpses on stake poles outside her shop as a warning and pinned some to the walls of her shop using stakes. Nobody tried again.
Its why Feng was just chill when they threatened his wife as he wore a dark smile on his face. He knew full well that broken bones and crushed organs are preferable compared to what she'd do to fools who dare try to threaten his family.
(the taxidermied display stayed for years)
Viper took to changing his name as well. He became Mammon so the others were unaware that he reclaimed his titles as well and just thought 'Viper' vanished and 'someone' took his place.
Lal joined CEDEF as an Instructor as she and Colonello can no longer go back to COMSUBIN. Colonello went active in Mafia Land as a Guardian and Trainer. But he's picky with his students. Those who lack resolve? Why, there's a shark pit...
Luce continued being the Head of her Famiglia while raising Aria by herself and when she was fifteen, she disappeared on her famiglia. Cosmo later came back to the family with Luce's pacifier when Aria was nineteen, making her the next Sky Arcobaleno.
Verde returned to his Labs, and continued his notoriety as an inventor while maintaining his neutrality with his lethal security.
They meet once a year just to know how everyone was doing. But as Diantha's an active mother, Feng speaks for her during meetings and they were shocked that what applies to Luce did not apply for Diantha, having more kids after their eldest son and enjoyed having a full house.
xxx
Years passed by since the day they became an Arcobaleno in 2010.
After ten years of having Li Jun, they had another son named Ming Zi born in 2020(intelligent son). Feng and Diantha waited years before it was safe to have another baby when they inspired enough terror that nobody messes with them.
From there, they have children every three years after Ming Zi.
After Ming Zi is yet another son making them wonder if they're super-lucky with sons. Their third son is Ye Xing in 2023(bright star). They started training Li Jun in flames at age 13. After him is a daughter named Domino in 2026(belonging to the lord) followed by Lizbeth(consecrated to God) in 2029, and Sabrina who's born in 2030(princess).
Diantha is by then, 50 years old and Feng, 55.
They got the big family they wanted and had to move to a bigger place since their shop is too small for them now.
They built a big, permanent home in Kyoto. Its a mansion that doubles as a ninja house with many traps for intruders.
By the time the house is done, Feng took to working for the Chinese Triads and Diantha changed her occupation.
This time instead of a Pharmacy, Diantha opened a Restaurant called Kouryuu, a reference to Feng's colors and his dragon tattoo. But unlike restaurants that serves one dish at a time, she serves by meal in a set of soup+rice+entree+side dish. The only thing that can be ordered separately is the drinks. The meal sets always costs 1000 yen or 9 dollars.
Since they live in an upscale area of Kyoto, people could afford the cost of her food. Her eldest son Li Jun helps her out in the kitchen upon graduating high school in 2027. He learned magic from his mother, as she didn't want him to go to Magic School. At 2035 he is currently 25 years old. Due to how he looked, he was the public face, and the one who hires Waiters who double as Janitors. And they're Squibs. They treat Squibs kindly unlike other Magicals, giving them a generous salary of 330000 yen, and free meals.
Her customers note that upon eating her food, they feel better and more energetic. All lethargy and fatigue gone. Thus exhausted workers keep her restaurant packed to get their energizing food.
Andromeda is now 82 years old and allowed herself to physically age without Diantha's youth recipes. Without Diantha's aid, she who once looked in her mid-20s now looked 40-something. Teddy is now a married man at age 37, having married a Muggleborn witch in America, working as a high-paid Healer...who learned martial arts under his Uncle Feng. He's just as muscular and ripped as his uncle to his wife's delight and they currently have three children, all daughters and still trying for a son to inherit the now Lupin Fortune, with Andy having changed the Black accounts to Lupin so that if she dies, Teddy has the power to keep the fortune away from undesirable hands and made him Family Head. Diantha never missed Teddy's birthdays until he was 17...and saw to his children and her friends' kids and grandkids.
Ming Zi however, ended up being scouted as a model when he hit 15 due to his good looks and body and started working in Tokyo in 2035. Model for both clothing lines and underwear. He has a huge fanclub in Japan and it helps that he mostly looks asian than european, the only european thing about him being his red hair from his maternal grandmother and the green eyes. He would often complain how he never has privacy and can't get a girlfriend to his chagrin because the girls in school would mob him he begged his parents to chuck him to an all-boys' school in High School. They did. Like his older brother, he too, started training at 13.
Ye Xing just started Elementary in 2030 and currently Grade 5 in 2035.
Domino is currently nine years old in Grade 2.
Lizbeth is too young to go to school being six years old as well as Sabrina being 5 years old.
Diantha was one busy woman, using Time-Turners to spend time with her younger children with Li Jun and manning the restaurant. Exhausting, but she will NOT trade it for anything. She got what she wanted her whole life.
xxx
In the meantime, significant births happened as well.
Sawada Iemitsu and Miyazaki Nana are born in 2016.
The boy who would become Zakuro is born in 2022. Lussuria is born in 2024. Xanxus is born in 2025. After him is Levi A. Than. A year after is Superbi Squalo and Dino Cavallone. Two years after them would be the man called Kikyo and a year after, Daisy.
Bianchi would be born in 2032. Prince Belphegor, Bluebell, Mizuno Kaoru and Hibari Kyoya are born in 2033.
A year after is Ooyama Rauji, Aoba Kouyo, Suzuki Adelheid, Katou Juri, Basil, Byakuran, Sasagawa Ryohei, Rokudo Mukuro, Kakimoto Chikusa and Joshima Ken. After them is Yamamoto Takeshi and Hayato Gokudera. Following them is Sawada Tsunayoshi, Kozato Enma, P. Shitt, and Irie Shoichi in year 2036 and after him would be the girl who would become Chrome Dokuro in 2037. Fuuta Dela Stella would be born in 2040...and the youngest in 2044 are Lambo and I-Pin followed by Aria's daughter Yuni two years later.
However, a problem occurred along this picture-perfect situation five years later.
Feng's brother appealed to him for help in China.
His son-in-law and daughter married too young in a fit of passion...but five years later divorced and went separate ways, leaving behind their son Hibari Kyoya. His son-in-law won custody over him, yet left him in his hometown in Japan with some maids to work in Italy with his father while his daughter went on to be a fashion designer in France. His grandson had no clue as to what's happening but he could not go to Japan to look after him as he is now head of the family and his daily schedules are always booked.
'That's weird...while I will gladly help a child, you're begging me, a disowned.' said Feng as they met in a cafe in Shanghai. 'When a family member is disowned, you normally have nothing to do with them as our family rules decreed.'
'Your family is in Japan thus you are the closest...everyone else just couldn't be bothered. They don't even know Kyoya and my daughter Xiaoying is clearly an unfit mother.' said his brother in frustration. 'I did tell her her marriage will amount to nothing. Married too young, too fast and now my grandson paid the price! I can only count on you for this.'
'Yare yare...I have a full house myself.' Feng scratched his head. 'Lucky for you my wife loves children she keeps bugging me to keep making more until she turned 50. She will gladly welcome Kyoya in the family. I'll see this boy for myself. And kindly heel that niece of mine and whip that boy of hers for abandoning their son for work to distract from divorce.' he said sternly. 'There's a difference between love and passion. Love lasts a lifetime, passion is merely a useless fling. Youth these days, they know nothing about life unlike back in our young days.'