~~~Flashback~~~
Lacrima Smuggling. It was a brief act of desperation from a group of civilians of Exahelm. Not everyone approved of the anti-magic laws in the country. Every so often, protests would surge in response to these laws. However, due to the nature of Izanagi and his trusted Tenhei, they would be shut down quickly.
But in the face of constant failure, desperation would arise. Many would study magic due to every angel possessing magic abilities within them. Some even learned to store magic in small crystals called Lacrima. In the world below, Lacrima were common magic tools used to power many objects or store magic power. However in the land up in the sky, they were treated with a different purpose.
An operation started to obtain as many Lacrima with powerful magic as possible, for the purpose of overthrowing the country's leaders. Many angels would sacrifice their own magic power to store and even combine. It was one step closer to freedom of magic for the angels.
But much like every Lacrima smuggled by these angels, the operation was completely crushed by none other than Hahlos.
With his Clairvoyance, he was able to discover the operation before it truly went anywhere. Every involved party of the smuggling was arrested. And by order of Izanagi, they were all executed the next morning. With every angel involved gone and the last remaining Lacrima crushed, the peace would return to its rightful state.
Or so they thought.
"So you're telling me this one's parents were part of the Lacrima Smuggling operation?" Izanagi inquired, sitting on a small chair and leaning back.
Hahlos nods before looking back at Sync, who was sleeping on a small rectangle table. "Indeed. when I saw her hair and eyes, I knew she resembled those two."
"Many children of the smugglers were taken to orphanages after the operation was crushed." Arya commented, observing the purple glow on the small angel's chest. "But to think one of the children would have a Lacrima stored inside them…"
"Do you know what magic was stored in that stone?" Hahlos asked, now focusing on Arya.
Arya sighs, leaning back up. "My Intellect was unable to figure out her magic." She admits, turning to Hahlos and Izanagi. "It may be because her magic is coming from the Lacrima, and not herself."
Izanagi scratches his nose. "Well whatever her magic is, it caused a great big panic. This girl needs to have that stone removed. We cannot allow a reminiscence of the smuggling to exist." He demands, now leaning forward and laying his arms on his knees.
"Is that even possible?" Hahlos wonders.
Arya pauses for a moment before looking down back at Sync. "The Lacrima was lodged in her chest. If it was removed, it would surely kill the girl." She reveals.
Hahlos and Izanagi pause at Arya's response but they don't flinch. The god lowers his head and sighs.
"Very well…then we have no other opt-"
"Hold on a moment, master." Hahlos interrupts. He turns to the pink haired god and places a palm on his own chest. "If I may, would you allow me to care for this child?" He proposed
Izanagi shot his head up and raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Hahlos gestures his arm towards the sleeping Sync. "This child, Tink was her name? She did not consent to having a Lacrima inside her, and she cannot control her powers. Therefore it doesn't sound right to get rid of her."
"We're not an adoption center, Hahlos." Izanagi interjected.
"My apologies, but I promise to keep her in check." Hahlos urged. "You don't have to worry about her. But after my encounter with her, it doesn't sit right with me to leave her like this." He laments, slowly glancing back at the sleeping angel. "After all, this situation she's in is technically my fault. I took her family away and was too slow to prevent that stone from being lodged inside her."
Izanagi stares at the green haired angel before eyeing Sync. He can clearly tell his most trusted subordinate was serious about this. He smacks his palms on his knees and stands himself up. "Very well, but you must keep an eye on her. I trust your judgment." He reluctantly allows it.
Hahlos bows towards the god. "You have my deepest gratitude, master." He thanked.
A few years have passed even since Hahlos took Sync in. During his free time, he would often spend time with the small angel. Whether it be training her in combat or teaching her communication and reading. Sync would soon give Hahlos the name "big bro" as she saw him as an older caring figure.
The Tenhei were like a new family for the girl, as she would also adopt nicknames for a few of them. Specifically ones like "Starky" and "Tori".
Ever since then, Sync's powers had not activated once. The mere presence of Hahlos calmed her, therefore the Lacrima in her body would not activate.
That would soon change.
"What the hell is that?!"
"Ghosts! She's summoning ghosts!"
"A-a monster!"
On one fateful day, Sync would go out to explore the town. She would always be accompanied by one of the Tenhei. But since she was getting older, the pigtailed girl thought it would be fine to go out on her own.
Sync wanted to get to know angels her age. So when she came across a group of boy angels, she attempted to make friends with them. However, they weren't exactly fond of her chirpy personality and the interaction didn't go well for the girl.
Her stress got the better of her which caused her heart rate to increase. It activated her Lacrima and waves of ghastly creatures came flying out of her. Sync's eyesight was too blurry and her ears were ringing so she wasn't able to pay attention to what was going around her. Many onlookers were caught by the ghosts, draining their energy in an instant. Despite this, there was one phrase she was able to hear.
"She's a damn monster! She summoned those ghosts again and caused more harm to others!" An older male angel shouted and pointed at her. He recognized her from that fateful day years back.
Before the situation could get worse, a gust of wind slammed down right in front of Sync. Hahlos emerged from the wind, looking down at the girl. He leaned down and lightly gripped her shoulders. This single action completely calmed Sync's heart rate, as the ghosts vanished in an instant.
Sync looked up at Hahlos with teary eyes. "I-I'm so-"
"Hush, do not apologize." Hahlos reassures with a warm smile. "Come, let us head back. You must be exhausted."
"That girl must not leave the castle at any cost from now on. Do I make myself clear?"
Hours after the incident, Hahlos was called in by Izanagi in private. The two stood in the god's bedroom while he began to chastise the green haired angel.
"It's clear she cannot interact with civilians without that dastardly power of hers activating." Izanagi ranted. "Only you can stop her from using that Lacrima inside her body."
Hahlos looked down, appearing very dejected. "...I understand master. I swear it won't happen again."
Izanagi glares at him. "I don't think you actually understand, Hahlos." The god shot, approaching him and whispering in his ear. "As things are now, that girl is harming the peace we worked so hard to obtain. I cannot allow it to be damaged any further. If *one* more incident like that happen again…"
"I completely understand, lord Izanagi." Hahlos interrupts, not wanting him to finish that sentence.
During the conversation, Sync was overhearing the entire thing. She laid her back on the wall and curled herself into a ball. The girl shut her eyes tight and quickly ran off, not wanting to hear more of what they're saying.
She ran to the one place she always goes to. Her favorite spot, the glass dome garden. She leaned back on the large statue and curled herself once more. She covered her face and began to cry softly.
Several minutes later, she heard someone enter the room. Once she looked up, despite her watery eyes, Sync was still able to recognize Hahlos' figure. The girl quickly wipes her tears away and fakes a smile at her older brother figure.
"I had a feeling I would find you here." Hahlos quipped, slowly shutting the door behind him.
"Heh heh…it is my favorite spot after all, bro…" Sync quipped back, giving a faux laugh.
Hahlos approached Sync and took a seat next to her. He looked up at the sky covered by the glass. "I apologize for what happened today. I should've kept a better eye on you."
Sync eyed the taller angel and frowned. "D-don't say sorry…" She looked down and whimpered. "It's not your fault I'm a huge burden…" She lamented.
Hahlos sighs before turning his head at Sync. He lightly held his hand under Sync's chin and had her eyes meet with his. He looked the girl in the eye with his usual warm smile.
"You are a part of us Sync, never forget that."
Sync let out a snivel, but managed to crack a tearful smile back. "Thank you…no matter what bro, I'm happy to be with you." She thanked.
Hahlos let out a chuckle before the two looked up at the night sky together. During this time, the green haired angel caressed his chin. Sync glanced at Hahlos, wondering what was on his mind.
"I know you're not an official Tenhei…" Hahlos began. "But you've been with us for a couple years now, how about we decide your role? And I may have already thought of one for you, Sync."
~~~Flashback End~~~
"Lucy!" Suddenly, Lucy was grabbed by Happy as he flew away from Sync's sudden attack. The attack sliced right through the wall behind the two.
Lucy yelped in surprise but noticed the blue Exceed holding her. "Happy?!" She exclaimed.
Happy flew back down and placed Lucy down, gaining some distance from Sync. The blonde glanced at Happy briefly. "Thanks, I owe you one."
"Aye! But what's going on?" Happy chirped before asking about the situation.
Sync clenched her scythe tightly and wobbled in place. The Lacrima in her chest shined brightly as her heart rate increased. The ghastly spirits began to fly right out of her as they flew in circles like a small tornado.
"This magic…I've seen it before…" Lucy noted, clenching her fists. "It's Shade magic!"
Happy reeled back. "You mean the same magic Phantom's old master, Jose used?!" He exclaimed.
Sync feels the Lacrima activate even further which causes her to clench her chest and let out a whimper of pain. The shades begin to eye both Lucy and Happy, they immediately book it towards the two.
Lucy leaps back while Happy flies upward. More shades make their chase at the Exceed as they inch closer to him. Lucy acts quickly and whips out another golden key and points it at herself.
"Star Dress! Leo!" Lucy incorporates the power of the Lion Spirit and changes her outfit once more. "Happy! Get behind me!" She urges.
Happy hears Lucy's call and makes his way behind the blonde. Waves of shades come flying right at the celestial mage. Lucy winds a fist back, channeling light energy from it.
"Regulus! Lend me your strength!" Lucy calls, throwing her fist directly at the front shade's cloaked head. A bright light shines, blinding everyone near it. The holy light causes the shades to screech and turn to dust.
Sync's pupils shrank from utter shock, she had never seen anyone else vanquish the shades before. She tried desperately to move, but her legs remained frozen but shaking. The power within her only got stronger as purple skull ghosts began to emerge from the Lacrima. The ghouls surrounded Sync like a protective shield and began cackling.
Once Lucy's light diminished, she peeked over her arm and saw the condition her opponent was in. She slowly lowered her arm and lowered her brow. "This girl…I don't think she can control it." She lamented.
The girl angel clenched her chest tighter, her ears beginning to ring. She tried to control her breathing while gripping her scythe tightly. "I c-can't…no..I-I can't…let them down again!" Sync stuttered, forcing her legs to move which caused her to wobble in place.
Lucy continued to stare at Sync with a sorrowful expression. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "Happy…no matter what, do not move from that spot." The blonde requested.
Happy tilted his head. "What are you gonna do, Lucy?"
Lucy briefly turned her head towards the Exceed and softly smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be okay. Just trust me." She turned back to Sync.
Sync kept taking raspy breaths, slowly lowering her other arm to clench her scythe with both hands. During this, the pigtailed girl saw in the corner of her eye the celestial mage slowly approaching her with both hands up. The angel gasped and managed to take a few steps back.
"Hey, it's going to be okay…I swear I won't hurt you…" Lucy assures in a soft tone, but Sync was unable to hear her.
"S-stay back! Don't g-g-get any c-closer!" Sync panicked. The purple skulls that spun around her began to fly straight towards Lucy.
Lucy thrusted both arms forward and activated Regulus' light once more. The shade magic clashed with her light magic. Lucy grunted, feeling the pressure of Sync's magic with the edition of her own heart burning from magic usage. "We're here only to save Wendy…But if she were in the same position as me, we both wouldn't stand around while this girl is like this!" She thought, pushing even more. Lucy manages to break past the attack, causing the shades and the light magic to evaporate.
Sync felt her heart stop. "H-how…?"
Lucy coughed for a couple seconds. She raised her head up and took a deep breath. The celestial mage shot her eyes open with determination and began running right at Sync.
"N-NO!" Sync gasped, clenching her scythe tightly. She summoned another wave of shades as they swarmed right inside the blade of her scythe. The blade glows a dark purple and grows larger. The magic energy of the scythe caused the nearby plant life to dry out and die.
Happy's eyes widened at the scale of Sync's next attack. "Lucy!" He panics.
"DON'T HURT ME! I SAID DON'T GET ANY CLOSER!" Sync screams, raising her scythe up and preparing to strike Lucy down. Despite the situation, the celestial mage didn't slow down and was only a few steps closer to the angel.
Screaming loudly and shutting her eyes tight, Sync swung her scythe downward, right at Lucy. The impact shook the tower, blinding the three with a purple flash. The attack slices through the ground and directly hits the castle walls.
Happy covers his eyes as it was blinded by the light and dust. He screams loudly. "LUCY!"
~~~Flashback~~~
"Ooooh?!" Sync's eyes lit up. "What did you think of, big bro?!"
Hahlos chuckled. "Izanagi always has us do a lot of dirty work, it can make the experience rather uncomfortable." He admits. The older angel lightly pats Sync's head and shows a soft expression. "Which is why we appreciate your presence. You are the light that shines the brightest in the Tenhei. It makes the days a bit more lively. I think that's a fitting role for you, don't you think?"
~~~Flashback End~~~
The ringing in her ears stopped. In fact, it was quiet. The only sound was the calm winds that blew chillingly past her legs. Despite the cold winds, Sync felt nothing else but warmness. Her chest wasn't in pain either.
Sync slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the pained look of Lucy. She was sitting on her knees, hugging the angel tightly. While Sync stood still, leaning her head on the blonde's left shoulder. But Lucy's right shoulder had a large gash, causing her to bite her lips in pain. The angel's eyes sank as fresh tears began to leak.
"W-why…?" Sync shook.
Lucy, with tears of her own leaking from her eyes, takes a shaky breath. "I'm sorry…you've been scared…and suffering, have you?"
Sync gasps, letting out a few hiccups.
"I know…we're not exactly doing good things right now…we hurt your friends." Lucy admits. "I've been seeing all day just how terrified all of you have been of everything going on." She hugs Sync tighter, more tears leaking from her face. "You don't deserve this burden, of this power you have…it pushed away many people, has it?"
Sync shook in place, lightly nodding her head. Lucy felt her head movement rub on her shoulder.
"I won't let this power push me away." Lucy comforts. "Not while you're suffering. Not while you're in pain."
For the first time, Sync had felt comfort from someone else other than Hahlos. She dropped her scythe on the ground, the noise of metal hitting the stone. Lucy's tone and warmth felt like that of a mother comforting their child. The angel could pick up Lucy cry softly, which caused the girl to leak tears out more.
Lucy lets out another shaky breath of pain. "Things are scary right now, for both of us. But…I swear to you…" She clenches Sync's back with her right hand. "As long as we hang our flag! While we wave our marks! Fairy Tail will never take the life of an innocent person!" She declared.
Sync's eyes widened. Lucy released her hug as the two looked each other in the eye. The blonde softly smiled at the girl, her tears no longer running down. Sync slowly looked down at her chest and noticed that her Lacrima wasn't shining anymore. She looked up and saw that all the shades had vanished.
Sync lowered her head at Lucy. "I…I'm so-sorry…I d-didn't want to-"
"Shh." Lucy hushed gently, lightly patting the child's head. "I know, we don't have to fight anymore. Once this is all over, you don't have to go through this pain you've been bearing any longer."
Feeling comforted by Lucy's words, Sync manages to grow a small smile at her. She began to feel drowsy as her vision began to fade. The angel slowly collapses towards Lucy, but she catches her gently.
"Thank you…miss…" Sync said wearily. One more tear gently slides on her cheek before passing out in Lucy's arms. Lucy looks at the sleeping child and smiles softly.
Happy flies back to Lucy, appearing concerned at her wound. "Lucy…are you okay…?"
Lucy slowly stands up, carrying Sync alongside her. She turns to Happy and smiles brightly. "Yeah! Like I said, I'm totally okay!"
The three left the tower and entered back inside the castle. Lucy gently lays Sync by a wall that had no signs of damage around it. The blonde takes out her hair strap she took off earlier and ties it tightly around her wounded shoulder. She hissed slightly from the pain but managed to shut the wound for now.
"Let's get going, Happy." Lucy urged. "We should go to where Carla and Chelia went."
"Aye!" Happy agreed.
As the two went back to trekking through the hallways, unbeknownst to them, several cracks appeared to form around the tower's upper section. A result of Sync's last attack.