Sorry for the wait for the chapter everyone, we had some issues getting this done, but here it is. I dont really have much to say about this one, but I really do hope that you all leave a review, we have another surprise for you all.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach of fairy tail. Those belong respectively to Tite Kubo and Shounen jump and Hiro Mashima and Weekly shounen magizine. This is just for fun!

Disclaimer: As you can probably imagine I do not own the Fairy Tail or Bleach series or any of the characters that appear in either. The honor of being the man behind Fairy Tail belongs to the one, the only Hiro Mashima. Oh, and Bleach's creation rests solely on the shoulders of Tite Kubo. Oh sure, I've purchased plenty of manga, DVDs, video games and maybe a few too many Rukia Kuchiki and Erza Scarlet action figures and statues (though only the Fairy Tail merchandise remains at this point), but the series themselves? Oh no, they're certainly not mine. You'd know if it were me in charge. Though to explain how different Bleach would be, well to detail that would take a higher word count than this story will eventually end with. Though oddly enough, little would actually change about Fairy Tail. Huh. Go figure.


The guild hall of Fairy Tail was still in disarray, the damage that had been done to it by Phantom Lord remaining still. It would be some time before the guild could repair their home, the battle with the rival guild having come to fruition. However, the spark that had given rise to the fires of conflict was still within the desolate guild hall.

Two members of Shadow Gear were sitting at a table, Jet and Droy stewing in their shared anger. They had been beaten thoroughly by the Iron Dragon Slayer of Phantom Lord, Gajeel Redfox, and it did not sit well with them. Neither was of the upper echelon of Fairy Tail's wizards, but they had fought desperately to keep their teammate, Levy McGarden, from harm.

They had failed.

Battered and broken, they had been forced to watch helplessly as the Dragon Slayer had done to Levy what he had to them. In the end, the lot of them had been crucified to a tree, Gajeel having adorned them with the mark of his own guild as a show of dominance.

However, as much as they owed their shared pain and humiliation to a Dragon Slayer, Shadow Gear also owed their thanks to one. Wendy Marvel, the second Dragon Slayer to join Fairy Tail, had healed them all of their injuries.

Now the Sky Dragon Slayer was across the guild hall, conversing with the recovered Levy McGarden while beside her stood Carla, the Dragon Slayer's best friend. Not far away was Mirajane Straus, the silver haired individual working to prepare some tea for her fellow guild members.

"Do you think everyone's going to be okay?" Wendy asked, her expression growing dim for a moment. "Or... do you think I'm going to have to heal more of my friends?"

Levy looked down at the Dragon Slayer, recognizing her worries but all the while intent on helping her move past them. "Don't worry about it," Levy said as she gently ruffled the hair atop Wendy's head. "I'm sure everyone's going to be just fine. I mean, Master Makarov went with them personally. But... I'm sorry for worrying you by getting hurt, Wendy."

"That's not what I meant," Wendy said as she looked at Levy, stammering all the while. "I just... That is, I..."

"You're a good kid," Levy interrupted, smiling as best she could. "And thank you again, Wendy."

The young Dragon Slayer was caught off guard, Wendy never one to be able to simply take praise so readily. "No, it was no-"

"It was something," Levy interrupted. "You saved my friends and I, and for that I'm grateful."

Levy could see that Wendy was smiling faintly and the Solid Script mage return the expression in kind. However, deep within her soul she was conflicted. Her body was healed, but there was an affliction upon her thoughts. Levy's memory was working against her, the wizard unable to shake the remembrance of the pain she had been put through earlier.

Then, quite suddenly, was the Solid Script mage's attentions drawn away from her inner agony. The doorway to the damaged guild hall had opened with a creaking noise, drawing the attention of all around.

Wendy, Carla and those of Shadow Gear could see their fellow Fairy Tail members beginning to pour through the doorway. However, much to their dismay, none of them looked victorious. Their expressions were somber, their eyes devoid of light.

Worse, however, was the sight of Master Makarov. The older man was cradled within Erza's arms, his eyes closed, his skin a pale shade of green.

"Master... Makarov?" The sound of Mirajane's voice all but breaking echoed across the guild hall, soon joined by the sound of shattering porcelain. So consumed by shock, the young lady had lost her grip on the tea cup she had been holding.

Levy response was little different, the wizard bringing her hands up to cover her mouth as she tried to stifle a gasp. "What... what happened?"

"We were defeated," Erza said rather solemnly. "Right from the start, Phantom Lord had us defeated. And we... we walked right into it."

"What can I do to help Master Makarov?" Wendy asked as she ran over, all her thoughts focused on assisting those she was staying with.

"Wendy, I... I do not know," Erza replied softly. "His magic was drained by a spell and he... he..."

Erza was clearly distraught, a fact that unnerved Levy especially. She could not recall a time she had seen the S-Class mage so upset. She had seen her concerned, yes. Especially when she had returned to the guild hall looking to enlist Natsu and Gray for a particular mission, but this was truly different. The master was hurt after all, and that was reason enough for Levy to understand Erza's feelings.

Mirajane was quick to move, the woman unfurling a cloth across a table, making certain to fold together one end as best she could to offer support. "Erza, please lay Master Makarov down."

A part of Erza was unwilling to let go of Makarov, the wizard finding herself at fault for his condition. She had let him go upstairs to face Jose Porla alone and the Wizard Saint of Fairy Tail had been felled by one of Phantom Lord's own S-Class wizards. If Erza had simply gone with him she could have no doubt aided him in that situation.

Still, she knew such negative thoughts or feelings would do no good now. Erza instead did as Mirajane had asked, the mage gently placing Makarov down on the table. She made certain to lay his head atop the folded portion of the cloth, hoping it would provide adequate support.

Wendy was beside Erza not long after, the mage placing her hands atop Makarov's chest. She felt it slowly rise and fall with each miniscule breath, the Sky Dragon Slayer focusing on her power instead. The palms of her hands began to glow with magic then, something that gave Erza a momentary piece of mind.

Levy meanwhile could see the others of Fairy Tail that had returned beginning to disperse, the lot of them still lost in their own despair. Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster were both eerily quiet, as were Lucy Heartfilia and Liltotto Lamperd as well.

Then Levy saw Bambietta Basterbine standing in the doorway, the Quincy's head lowered and the cap of her visor obscuring her eyes from sight. However, it was what, or rather whom, Levy saw with her friend that left her blood to run cold for a moment.

It was Gajeel Redfox, the very same individual that had attacked Levy not even a few hours earlier. Her fear spiked for a moment, but it was not long before Levy recognized that such a feeling had no foot to stand on.

Gajeel was battered and broken, dried blood adorning his body. His body was eerily still as Bambietta held the Dragon Slayer by his long mane of dark hair.

Levy was unsure how to feel, how to take in the sight of what was before her. All she could do was say a name then, speaking in a hushed whisper. "Bambi?"

The Quincy turned her head up to look at her friend, a dull look Bambietta's eyes giving away to a certain glow of satisfaction. "I did it, Levy. I made this bastard pay."

Levy was concerned, unsure of what she was seeing now. "Bambi, is he..."

"Alive."

Bambietta had all but finished Levy's question with a statement, the Quincy's face flinching a bit. Then she shook her right arm a bit, jostling Gajeel. The Dragon Slayer gasped a bit, catching hold of Levy's attention. She could see then that his chest was rising and falling with breath after breath.

"Of course he's alive," Bambietta all but boasted, a hesitant grin spreading across her face, one that wavered as she continued to speak. "You don't think that I'd-"

"No, it's not that," Levy interrupted, waving her hands before her. "I'm just.. That is..." The Solid Script mage's shoulders sunk then, her voice lowering in pitch. "I just wouldn't want to know that someone... anyone... died on account of me."

Bambietta laughed under her breath, one simple expression out of her control as her head lowered. "I fucked up, huh? So much for doing right by you or anyone else here."

Levy could hear Bambietta's voice, but it was so low that she could not make out a word of what she was saying to herself. "Bambi?"

"It's nothing," Bambietta replied, raising her head to look at Levy with a reassuring expression. "I just..."

The Quincy looked down at Gajeel again, remembering how his two friends had come to his aide with no stringers attached after he had been beaten. Now there was the present situation she found herself in.

"Bastard," Bambietta whispered. "I beat you down, but you go and win where it matters most. Twice. Lucky you."

Bambietta began to walk forward then, continuing to drag the unconscious Gajeel as she did so. She was unsure of what to say to Levy then, moving past her without a word. The Quincy made her way to a table and casually threw Gajeel atop it, leaving him on his back as she at last let go of his hair.

As Bambietta looked down at the Iron Dragon Slayer, she felt a hand touch down on her shoulder. Levy's hand. The Quincy turned to look at her friend, noting the kindness evident in her eyes.

"Bambi, I appreciate that you wanted to fight for my sake," the Solid Script mage began to say, "but I don't want you to ever throw away who you are now because of me. I... I'd miss you."

Bambietta smiled despite herself, the Quincy beginning to understand exactly what Erza had said to her not even a few hours earlier. There was so very much at stake. So very much her darker instincts could cost her if she was not careful.

Levy, meanwhile, continued to talk. "So... why'd you bring him here?"

Bambietta knew why, the truth something that bothered the Quincy to no end. She had been jealous of Gajeel when his friends had gone to help him. Even still, she did not truly understand what had been going through her mind. Had she simply wanted to rob him of a moment of relief following defeat? Had she wanted Gajeel to have that over her? To have something she had been denied so long ago?

Bambietta knew that deep down it was the truth. However, it was not something she was willing to reveal to anyone. Not even Levy.

"No, no," Bambietta said softly. "I just... wanted to show that you had nothing to fear from this guy. Not as long as I'm around. And..." Bambietta knew she had to make this sound better for her Fairy Tail friend's sake. "And I figured Wendy could heal him up after the beating I gave him."

"Oh." Levy's reaction was subdued, leaving Bambietta to wonder if she was completely buying what she had said, or if the Solid Script mage knew there was more to it. Whatever the case was, Levy did not speak any further of it. "I hope Wendy can help the master. I never... I've never seen him like this."

Bambietta could read the look in Levy's eyes then, the Quincy able to discern what it was she was seeing. Nonetheless did she want confirmation. "You're worried, huh?"

"Of course," Levy said as she looked towards the table where Wendy was attempting to heal Makarov. "He's like a father to me. To all of us in Fairy Tail. And I... I don't think any of us could bear to lose him."

"Father, huh?" Bambietta's voice was low, the Quincy still unable to accept this notion of family that Fairy Tail seemed unable to avoid bringing up. "Right..."

Levy had faintly heard what Bambietta had said, the wizard considering pressing the issue, to try and see the matter from the Quincy's perspective. However, in the end did Levy table the notion for now. She knew that there were much more pressing matters at the moment thanks to Phantom Lord.

Despite her own veiled comment, Bambietta was herself still worried for Makarov. He was still the guild master who had allowed her to join Fairy Tail despite the past transgressions of her life she had laid bare before him, and for that he deserved her concern.

"Wendy," Bambietta said as she and Levy began to move closer. "Is everything going all right?"

"No," the Dragon Slayer replied, staring down at the unconscious Makarov with some degree of frustration etched upon her young face. "I'm trying so hard, but even my magic is... is..."

The glow of power around Wendy's hands faded, her arms falling by her side as she lowered her head.

"I... I can't make this work," she whispered in shame. "I'm so sorry."

Erza looked at Wendy then, taking note of how the young wizard's shoulders were beginning to tremble, a lone tear trailing down the side of her face. The S-Class mage began to wonder then if she had put too much of a burden upon the newest member of Fairy Tail, if she had asked too much of her in their time of need. Because of that worry, Erza prepared herself to reach out to Wendy, to comfort her with words of encouragement and understanding.

To her surprise, Bambietta was the quicker individual. The Quincy was behind Wendy, a white gloved hand of hers touching down upon the Sky Dragon Slayer's shoulder. Bambietta bent her knees slightly, making sure to crouch down just enough to be closer to Wendy's level.

"No tears, Wendy," Bambietta began to say. "You said it yourself: you tried your best. That's all we can ask of each other or ourselves."

Bambietta knew it was precisely what Wendy needed to hear right now, but the Quincy also knew it was not a truth she herself could personally believe in. Yhwach had made it very clear that those who had joined the Vandenreich had to break their limits at each and every opportunity, even if it were to kill them. It was a lifestyle that Bambietta had accepted willingly, not to mention still held herself to, but she would never ask the same of Wendy or any other she had come to know in Fairy Tail.

Wendy, meanwhile, believed Bambietta's words whole heartedly. The Sky Dragon Slayer looked up at the woman with a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, Wendy growing a little content with her own abilities. "I guess you're right."

Then there was Erza. She had been ready to speak as Bambietta had, but was impressed with the Quincy's choice in words. "She's right, Wendy. You did your best and that's what counts. Now then, there is one other we can turn to in this matter, but she is far from here."

"And who would this be?" Bambietta was curious to know who surpassed Wendy when it came to healing magic, the Quincy having witnessed its power firsthand several times, but it was soon to dawn upon her. This was not a matter of power but experience. "Oh, right. That cranky lady who lied to me about Veil magic."

"Bisca, Alzac," Erza said, the wizard turning her gaze towards two other members of Fairy Tail, "I humbly request that you bring Master Makarov to Porlyusica. If anyone can treat his condition, it's her."

"Yeah." Bambietta looked down at Makarov, noting how slowly and shallow had become. Her expression soured, the Quincy growing withdrawn. "She's good at raising the dead, so I guess this would be a piece of cake."

"What?" Wendy looked at Bambietta, having heard her whisper due to the proximity. "What are you talking about?"

Bambietta put on a fake smile, the Quincy realizing deep down that she was breaking her mantra of not lying to comfort others over and over again when it came to Wendy. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Two individuals, a man and a woman dressed in what Bambietta could only associate with outfits with the tales of American cowboys, moved towards Makarov. The woman, possessing green hair, gently lifted Makarov up off the table and cradled him as Erza had done earlier. She looked at the armored S-Class wizard and nodded her head. "We won't let you down, Erza."

"I know you won't, Bisca," Erza replied as she watched the two wizards begin to make their way to the doorway. The two left them, fully intent and bringing Makarov to the last bastion of salvation that existed for him. Erza closed her eyes for a moment, her thoughts with her guild mates. "Godspeed."

Bambietta, meanwhile, looked down at Wendy, noting that she was still clearly upset deep down that she had been unable to help Makarov. The Quincy nudged the Sky Dragon Slayer's shoulder gently, taking hold of her attention. "Wendy, there is somebody you could help right now. And I know you can do it without a hitch."

The Dragon Slayer's eyes widened, a glint of expressed hope with them. "Oh?"

Bambietta softly pressed a hand against the space between Wendy's shoulder blades and guided her to a table not far away within the guild hall. It was not long then that Wendy caught sight of Gajeel Redfox, broken and battered as he was.

"Oh my," Wendy whispered, the Sky Dragon Slayer covering her mouth with both hands as she tried to hold back a gasp of surprise. "He's from Phantom Lord, right? Did he... did he fight a monster or something?"

Bambietta bit her tongue, the Quincy more than willing to let that moment go. "Yeah, you could say that. But anyways, I'm sure you can fix him good as new."

"I've no issue with our helping an enemy recover," Erza Scarlet said as she suddenly approached, "but I have one condition. "

Erza's requip magic came to life, a pair dark handcuffs appearing in the palm of her hands. She moved towards the unconscious Gajeel, making sure to secure his hands behind his back.

"That's it?" Bambietta was far from impressed. "Look, I get you wanting to keep this guy restrained since he's the one who wrecked the guild and hurt Levy, but I don't think that's going to do it, Erza. I mean, he can turn his arms into chainsaw swords."

Wendy visibly cringed and began to take a step back from Gajeel and the table he lay upon. Between the revelation that this was the man who had caused Fairy Tail personal harm and that he had a magic as disturbing as Bambietta had described, Wendy was beginning to be scared of him.

"We won't have to worry about any of that while those handcuffs are in place," Erza began to explain. "These restraints were forged from a stone that has rather specific properties that magic itself is adverse to. As long as he wears them, Gajeel's powers will be sealed."

Bambietta raised an eyebrow in response to that statement, the Quincy wondering if this magic sealing stone material had anything else in common with the sekkiseki mineral produced within the Soul Society. She pushed the thought of her mind then, knowing it would do her no good to think of a world lost to her now. "I'm guessing this sort of artifact is rare, huh? Still, I guess nothing is out of the question for an S-Class wizard like you to get her hands on."

Wendy meanwhile began to heal Gajeel then, his wounds slowly beginning to close as the sky magic began to swirl about his body. She felt a little safer then, knowing that between Gajeel's powers being sealed and the presence of some of Fairy Tail's best, she had nothing to fear from the enemy she was helping.

"Bambietta Basterbine," Erza said quite suddenly, "I would like to speak with you in private."

The Quincy felt her heart beat a slight bit faster than she was used to, Bambietta having not expected Erza to catch her off guard as she just had. "Okay then."

"Come with me."

Erza began to move away then, guiding Bambietta to the basement of the guild hall. The Quincy followed Erza down the steps, wondering just what was the matter. It did not take long however for Bambietta to realize what it no doubt was about.

Her fight with Gajeel Redfox.

Bambietta's steps slowed then as she began to descend down the last few remaining stairs. She could remember quite well what she and Erza had discussed before Fairy Tail's journey to Oak Town. She watched then as Erza moved into the basement further, pulling out a set of chairs besides a table.

"Take a seat, Bambietta."

The Quincy did just that, all the while never taking her eyes away from Erza. Bambietta was unsure of what was about to happen precisely, but she did her best to remain calm.

"I want to make this abundantly clear," Erza continued to say as she sat down across from Bambietta, "I was concerned when you took Gajeel away from the battle at Phantom Lord's guild hall. When you... learned what he had done."

Bambietta began to speak up then. "Erza, I-"

"But I see now that I was wrong to doubt you," the S-Class wizard said, interrupting Bambietta. "You did well, Bambietta Basterbine."

The Quincy was unsure of how to take that, of how to respond properly. She had been all but prepared to receive a verbal lashing, to face the consequences of her rage. Yet here now was Erza doing the exact opposite. Bambietta knew in her heart that she should have been overjoyed. However, there were memories that were clawing at her emotions nonetheless. Her mother's words from decades ago, of Levy's face when she had seen Gajeel brought to Fairy Tail bloodied and broken.

Bambietta's head tilted down, her gaze lowering as she found herself incapable of looking Erza in the eyes. "I don't deserve your praise."

Erza remained skeptical of that. "And why is that?"

"Because I did want to kill Gajeel at that moment," Bambietta replied, her voice faltering. "First I wanted to break his spirit, then I wanted to end him. So throw me out of Fairy Tail, Erza Scarlet. Cast me aside before I drag this whole guild down with me. That's what you should be worried about."

Erza remained calm in light of Bambietta's emotional response. "But you didn't kill him."

Bambietta looked up at Erza then, their eyes meeting once more. "But I-"

"You didn't kill him, Bambietta," Erza continued. "I know you wanted to, you made that abundantly clear to me before we left, but you did not succumb to such instincts."

"Does it matter?" Bambietta asked as she looked away. "Those instincts are still a part of me."

"No one is perfect, Bambietta," Erza continued. "Not you, not me, not even Master Makarov. We all have thoughts or feelings we may not be proud of, but it's up to each and every one of use to rise above them and move forward."

"Is that right?" Bambietta looked back to Erza. "Somehow I doubt you've ever felt the way I did when I fought Gajeel. Somehow I doubt the great Titania of Fairy Tail ever needed the words of someone she... she lost to make her realize how far she had fallen."

Erza was quiet herself for a moment, red locks of the wizard' hair flipping down and obscuring right eye. She shook her head for a moment, her voice low but no less commanding. "Is that what you think?" The wizard reached up with her right hand, brushing the hair from her face as she looked at Bambietta still. "No life is perfect, Bambietta. We all just have to keep moving forward and making ourselves better people. That's what I believe Fairy Tail is all about."

Bambietta tried to break the tension of the mood that had set upon her and Erza. "I thought it was to make lots and lots of jewel?"

Erza shook her head again, both her eyes closing for a moment. When they opened she looked at Bambietta still quite serious. "You did right by both Fairy Tail and Levy," the mage said. "Don't ever forget that."

Bambietta smiled a little, the Quincy's emotions beginning to perk up. "And hopefully... someone else."

A silence began to hang over the Quincy and wizard, one that Erza allowed to stay for a few seconds time. Then, once she was satisfied, she spoke once more.

"Bambietta," she began to say, "I do have one question about the battle back in Oak Town. Specifically about the man I had been fighting."

Bambietta knew exactly what Erza wanted then. "Oh. Right. Him."

"Yes," Erza replied. "His power and technique was rather impressive, even though he and myself were holding back. However, you spoke as if you know this Jin Kariya."

"I know of him, but we've never met in person," Bambietta said. "But I have seen him fight, not they he knew me or anyone else was watching from the shadows."

Erza nodded and continued her questioning. "So who exactly is he? He and these Bounts you said he led? A branch of the Quincy?"

"Oh heck no," Bambietta retorted. "The Quincy at their peak are so much more than the Bount. But they are tough. I mean, they do draw on the surrounding energies for power like me and Liltotto do, and Kariya was definitely the strongest one, but... How do I explain this?"

Bambietta ran her hands through the sides of her hair, the Quincy wishing that Liltotto was downstairs with her and Erza. She was always much better at explaining things than Bambietta ever was.

"Listen, I only wanted to speak to you along about the situation with Gajeel," Erza said. "If you want, we can return upstairs to consult with your friend if you wish."

"That's... probably for the best."

Bambietta began to sit up then, watching as Erza did the same. Despite herself, Bambietta was content with things. Erza had trusted her in multiple ways now, from saying she did well back in Oak Town, to trusting her for advice when it came to an unknown enemy.

"Erza," Bambietta whispered as she watched the wizard begin to ascend the stairs, "thank you."


Liltotto Lamperd could see clearly that Natsu Dragneel was fuming still after what had gone on back at the Phantom Lord guild hall. The Dragon Slayer was pacing back and forth, Happy the cat not following far behind. The Quincy understood his irritation, but she also knew it would not do him any good. She had seen it time and again, Bambietta growing irate about one thing or another, and Liltotto had tried at times to calm her friend down for the sake of any man unlucky enough to catch her eye. It had not always been successful, not in the least, and she knew full well that Bambietta's reasons for anger were sometimes more petty than Natsu's own in the present.

Still, Liltotto felt that she had to try.

"Hey, Natsu," the Quincy said as she approached. "You want to talk about what's eating you?"

Natsu looked at Liltotto, the Dragon Slayer stopping in his tracks. His angered expression began to crack, a smirk appearing upon his face.

Liltotto was simply confused. "What?"

"What's eating me?" Natsu repeated. "You would go for a pun like that, huh?"

"It's probably," Happy began to say, "because she loves you."

Liltotto's face went red, the Quincy looking at Happy in shock. Now she understand what Bambietta had meant when she had said that Happy was cute at first but could prove annoying. "W-what are you talking about?"

"Well, you're magic is all about eating things," Natsu explained, the young man completely oblivious to the exchange that had occurred between Liltotto and Happy, "and you just asked what was eating me. So... it was funny, that's all."

"Oh," was all Liltotto could say, her blush fading. "Well, that's-"

"I needed that," Natsu said. "I needed a laugh. So thank you, Lil."

"Oh, uh..." Liltotto looked away from Natsu, the Quincy's hands reaching behind her back and locking together, her right foot nervously moving about on the floor. "It was nothing, really. I just... wanted to make sure you were okay is all."

"I'm just worried about gramps is all," Natsu replied, his expression souring is all. "Those Phantom Lord creeps are gonna pay for messing with Fairy Tail like this!"

Liltotto took a breath, the Quincy knowing there was a topic she wanted to discuss with Natsu, one she was having trouble approaching. "You don't... want to lose anyone in this guild, right?"

"Of course not!" Natsu exclaimed, the Dragon Slayer getting fired up as usual. "Fairy Tail is my family and I won't let anyone take a member from us!"

Liltotto lowered her head then, knowing that what she was about to say could very well cause a problem. "Natsu, I... I have a question, but... promise you won't get angry with me."

Natsu looked at Liltotto, a genuine and calming smile adorning his face. "Why would I do that?"

"Because when I was trying to show you Quincy spells, when you drifted out, I heard you talking in your sleep," Liltotto began to explain, the Quincy still nervous. "I didn't mean to listen, but... who's Lisanna?"

Natsu's smile faded quickly then, leaving Liltotto to wish she had not spoken. However, it was not anger that took hold of Natsu. No, not at all. His mouth merely closed, a slight quiver across his lips. The light faded from his eyes, his head lowering slightly. It was the same for Happy, the blue cat no less caught up in his emotions.

"Natsu." Liltotto still regretted bringing up the name, the Quincy realizing that despite his lack of anger, she had overstepped her bounds. "Natsu, I'm sor-"

"Lisanna was a friend," Natsu interrupted, a slight hesitancy in his voice. "She was my friend, but... she died..."

Liltotto could see it clearly, Natsu's body shaking ever so slightly, the Quincy wishing she could reach out to the Dragon Slayer, to help ease whatever pain he was experiencing. However, before she could even contemplate going through with it, Natsu stopped shaking.

"I'm sorry," the Dragon Slayer said as he looked at Liltotto, his expression calm. "Thinking about what happened hurts, but... my pain is nothing compared to the brother and sister who miss her."

Liltotto could see that Natsu's wavering eyes were not entirely looking at her, but past her instead. The Quincy glanced over her shoulder and could see Mirajane and Elfman Strauss, the former trying her best to cheer up the latter over what had happened in Oak Town.

"I knew I shouldn't have brought it up," Liltotto said as she looked down to the floor. "I... I'm terrible."

It was quiet then, Liltotto left with nothing but regrets and a degree of self-loathing. Opening up to new people, conversing with them, it was something she had been bad at from the start. Bambietta had all but encouraged her to try, but it had been so very long ago and the lessons had been lost over time.

Then she suddenly felt a hand upon her shoulder, the Quincy's eyes opening in response, a small gasp escaping from her mouth. "Natsu?"

Liltotto tilted her head up, catching sight of the Dragon Slayer looking at her. The light was within his eyes again, his presence calming.

"I said it hurts," Natsu began to say, "but I refuse to ignore the pain because I need to remember the good times that happened first."

Liltotto felt her beating heart skip for a minute, the Quincy finding herself becoming lost in the moment she had inadvertently created. Natsu was close, so close, and Liltotto was unaware that her breath had caught in her throat.

"Oh, are we interrupting something?"

Liltotto heard the familiar voice and the Quincy became startled as a result. She turned around, all but pulling her shoulder out from underneath Natsu's hand. Bambietta was walking towards her, Erza by her side.

"No, Bambi," Liltotto said, trying hard to sound calm and cold. "Natsu and I were just talking. That's all."

One of Bambietta's eyebrows arched upwards, a smirk overtaking her face. "Oh, sure... We believe that. Right, Erza?"

Whether Erza did not catch the meaning behind Bambietta's words or simply ignored it, the Quincy did not know. All she did know was that the wizard was all business. "Liltotto, Bambietta said that you would be better suited for explaining the nature of one of the enemies we face in Phantom Lord."

Bambietta shook her head, her shoulders shrugging in admittance to Erza being the woman she had grown used to. "Such a killjoy. Can't a Quincy have a little fun?"

"The man you were fighting?" Liltotto asked. "I'm guessing Bambi told you he was a Bount, right?"

"Yes," Erza replied. "Now I'm quite interested in what exactly that even means."

"It's complicated," Liltotto began, "so I can see why Bambi is leaving it to me."

"Hey," Bambietta interrupted. "Words hurt, Lil."

"I guess the best way to describe them is that they're humans who can draw power from their surrounding environments, from... well, here it would be magic. It's not too different from the Quincy, but they use a bit differently. for one, it prolongs their lifespan. I guess you could say they're like vampires."

"Uh, Lil?" Bambietta said as she nudged her friend's shoulder. "I don't know if they even have that term over here in their works of fic-"

"A vampire?" Natsu's eyes widened, the Dragon Slayer displaying a degree of glee that left even the unusually energetic Bambietta stunned. "That's so cool!"

"Bambi," Liltotto whispered to her friend. "Erza and I fought a dark guild called Nosferatu Heart. I think it's a given they know what a vampire is. Heck, they might have actual ones here."

Bambietta's own eyes sparked with life. "If that turns out to be the case... I could actually fight a vampire? I freaking love this world! Oh, maybe I could get an autograph before I kick their ass!"

Liltotto and Erza's eyes met for a moment, the Quincy and wizard remaining silent as their comrades continued to become far too enthused for their own good.

"Yeah," Liltotto said as she moved towards Erza. "This is what I deal with all the time."

"I see no problem," Erza replied. "It's... fitting for our guild. If anything, I'm just glad to see that our friends can be so enthused despite the circumstances we find ourselves in."

"That's Bambi for you," Liltotto offered up. "She's... never really stopped to breathe. She just keeps going forward a mile a minute."

"Is that right?" Erza looked at Bambietta than, watching as her and Natsu continued to talk amongst themselves of how much they were drawn to the paranormal and supernatural, their topic having moved far beyond mere vampires. "I suppose we all have something we feel the need to move away from."

Liltotto looked at Erza then, the Quincy unsure of just what to make of the S-Class wizard's statement. Since finding herself in this world, Liltotto had gone to much trouble to learn the lay of the land, to understand the guilds and wizards. Erza Scarlet was one she had heard spoken of all across the kingdom, even in the Chicken Fangs guild. She was one of the most well-known, purported to be one of the best of her rank, yet little was ever said of her past.

Liltotto had heard what Erza had said in relation to Bambietta's own past, but the Quincy had to wonder then just what this wizard was running from.

"Anyway," Bambietta suddenly said, breaking away from her talk with Natsu, "now that we've got the master set up with some tender loving care... oh, and that Iron Dragon Slayer too... maybe now we can go back and kick some Phantom Lord ass?"

"That's what I'm talking about!" Natsu exclaimed, his knuckles slamming against one another. "Time to show them that Fairy Tail ain't gonna go down without a real fight!"

Erza's response was as curt as it was short. "No."

"No?" Bambietta looked at the wizard with some veiled irritation. "Surely you're not serious."

"Hey," Happy suddenly whispered, the cat flying up beside Bambietta so as to cup a paw by her ear. "Her name's Erza, not Shirley. Just a head's up."

"I... What?" Bambietta glanced at Natsu with some confusion evident upon her face. "Wow. You actually stooped to the level of a joke, huh?"

Erza, meanwhile, continued to prove that she was quite serious. "We will not attack the Phantom Lord guild again."

Bambietta's attention shifted then, from the cat to Erza. "You're kidding, right? They wreck our guild hall, hurt your friends, hurt my friend, and now they've gone and put your guild master out of action and you think we should just sit here and do nothing?"

Erza turned to look at Bambietta. "Revenge is foolish," the wizard said. "Our master decided our guild deserved it after what happened to Levy and the others and look where it got us. Phantom Lord played us all for fools and now they have three individuals on their side we do not entirely now, one of which you said is incredibly strong."

"I already did a number on their S-Class Dragon Slayer," Bambietta retorted. "So that just leaves the Element Four, Kariya and the two other guys who I guess are probably more Bount. We take them out and we just have to deal with.. what was his name? Guild Master Jose Porla?"

"You fool." Erza lowered her head for a moment. "Without Master Makarov, we could never hope to defeat Phantom Lord's own guild master."

"Yeah, yeah," Bambietta went on. "He's one of those Wizard Saint guys you all hype up. What's the big deal? I'm sure if we all ganged up on him, his status as a big shot wouldn't mean jack squat."

"You're wrong, Bambietta," Erza replied. "Jose is beyond us all as we are now. There is only one other member of our guild who could face him and I don't imagine we'll be able to get ahold of him quickly or at all."

"Come on," Bambietta continued. "I'm sure we got strength in numbers. We just have to dog pile him and-"

"That's enough," Erza said simply. "We cannot hope to fight Jose, so we will not force any more conflict ourselves. Fairy Tail will endure, no matter what, but we cannot be the fools who rush into a battle. Not again."

Bambietta was unwilling to let the topic rest. "But-"

"Bambi," Liltotto said, gently touching her friend's shoulder. "Don't. We all need to... just keep our cool. this guild can't afford to..."

Liltotto glanced at Natsu again, the Quincy's mouth dropping into a slight frown.

"Bambi, can we talk?" Liltotto suddenly asked. "Alone?"

"Lil?" Bambietta was caught off guard by Liltotto's sudden insistence to speak away from the others. However, she had no change to speak of it, Liltotto walking away, tugging on Bambietta's arm sharply as she did so.

Liltotto continued to pull Bambietta towards a table at the other end of the guild hall. It was covered in rubble and dust, but Liltotto did not pay it any attention. She simply sat down and waited for Bambietta to do the same.

"Lil, what's the matter?" Bambietta did as Liltotto no doubt wanted, sitting across from her.

"We are not fighting a Wizard Saint," Liltotto said. "Bambi, do you have any idea how powerful they are in relation to any of the wizards of monsters we've dealt with here?"

"They're strong, yeah," Bambietta replied. "But I'm awesome!"

"That's not helping," Liltotto said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"I was kidding, Lil," Bambietta said in return, her boastful nature fading to a calm serious tone. "I know they're tough, but you haven't lost any power here, unlike me. And I'm catching right back up. Give me time and I'll be just what I used to be. And we've got people like Erza. If we all work together, I know we can-"

"Bambi," Liltotto interrupted. "A wizard Saint is something to be truly feared in this world. The strongest among them is to the average S-Class what Squad Zero was to the Soul Society."

Bambietta got upset then. She folded her arms across her chest and puffed her cheeks out. "I never even got to be there for those fights."

"All right, bad example," Liltotto countered. "The upper echelon of Wizard Saints are to this world what to you and me were Yhwach's Schutzstaffel."

Bambietta felt it then, a pang of fear overwhelming her thoughts. Still, she did her best to not let them manifest upon her person. Instead she reacted as she preferred to when faced with a potential problem: be sarcastic. "Gesundheit."

Liltotto sighed. "You're not funny, Bambi."

"Oh, I very much disagree." Bambietta smirked for a moment, but it quickly faded. "So you're scared for us?"

"Not just us," Liltotto answered. "I just..." Liltotto paused for a moment, glancing down to the table. Then she looked back at Bambietta. "This guild isn't all fun and games. Natsu told me enough, that one of his closest friends died on a mission. And I... I don't want that to happen to anyone we've come to know here. Bambi, I know you have to feel the same way. I.. I saw how you reacted when you thought Levy had been killed."

Bambietta's hands tightened upon reflex, becoming shaking fists. They unclenched quickly enough, the Quincy trying to pull herself back from the brink of anger. "All right, I get your point, Lil. I just-"

Liltotto interrupted Bambietta, her voice shaking. "I've already seen people I cared about die in the last war we were involved in. You, Robert and..."

Bambietta looked across the table, catching sight of Liltotto's face. She was looking down at the table again, the visor of her hat covering her eyes. However, Bambietta could see it. There were tears moving down Liltotto's cheeks, her shoulders shaking.

"I don't... want to lose anyone else. Never again. Not you or anyone here. I can't afford to stand by and let anything like that happen again."

"Lil..." Bambietta stood up her seat at the table and moved around it, sitting beside her friend. She slipped an arm over Liltotto's shaking shoulders. "You don't have to worry, okay? Fairy Tail's going to be just fine. Natsu too. That knucklehead would never-"

"It's not that easy, Bambi," Liltotto said as she looked up at her friends, the skin around her eyes raw and red, tears streaming out from them. "I already saw you die once."

Bambietta's heart sank then, the Quincy not used to dealing with an overly emotional Liltotto. Bambietta had heard what she had said, but now she was beginning to wonder what atrocities Liltotto had experienced during the remainder of the war with the Soul Society.

"You think I'm that easy to get rid of?" Bambietta was unwilling to let Liltotto stay as she was no matter what it took. "Please. I'm going to live and enjoy this world and nobody, nobody is going take that away from me. Once was enough, all right?"

Liltotto began to calm down then, the Quincy ashamed at herself for letting go with her emotions as she just had. It was simply unbecoming of her, to let her cold exterior crack as it just had. Perhaps Fairy Tail was having an effect on her after all.

"All right," Liltotto said, trying to compose herself. "Just promise me that you won't go fly off the handle and take on someone out of your league."

"All right, but you've got to promise me that you won't up and abandon me if I do." Bambietta instantly regretted her words then, the woman knowing that her bitterness and resentment at the past was not so easily moved beyond. "I... shouldn't have said that."

"I've already made that promise to myself, Bambi," Liltotto said. "I'm never letting you get hurt like that again. Never."


"What a farce that was. I mean look at this place!"

Totomaru of the Conflagration was not a merry man, the wizard of Phantom Lord left to survey the damage done to the Oak Town branch's guild hall.

"That wall is wrecked, the tables broken like somebody had a fetish for chucking people into them, and I'm pretty sure that Fire Dragon Slayer singed the carpeting!"

"Calm down, Totomaru," a voice said from behind.

"Calm down? Calm down?" Totomaru turned to find himself facing one of his comrades both in Phantom Lord and the Element Four. It was Juvia Lockser, the water mage of the group. Totomaru quickly turned his anger inward, upset with himself for acting out of turn in front of one of his own. "Yeah, I should."

"I know you're upset about the guild hall," Juvia said as she approached, "but there's something else, isn't there?"

Totomaru looked at her then, the man wondering if he was right to even dare to give voice to his reservations. "It's just... This guild... It's not what it used to be. Especially since those rookies joined and received our master's favor."


Jose Porla was ecstatic, the battle with Fairy Tail having gone better than he had expected. The fools had retreated just as he had hoped and expected once they had seen the aftermath of Makarov's defeat. However, there was one part of his plan that had not gone accordingly and adapting on the spur of the moment had not seen it through nonetheless. So, as Jose Porla looked down from his throne at his favored guild members, he did not display any of his joy.

"I excuse the fact that no one I had stationed in Magnolia could capture Lucy Heartfilia once we had lured Makarov and his... family here," Jose began to say. "Her coming to Oak Town along with them was not something any of us expected, least of all me. However, the fact that none of you could capture Lucy Heartfilia while she was right here in our midst is truly disappointing."

The Bount known as Jin Kariya was quiet, allowing his new master to berate him. He was not used to allowing others to be his leader, having been one himself for so very long, but he knew his place in this world. There simply was no place for him. At least not yet. This was a strange new world, one he had to carve out his own existence in, but for now he needed someone who could show him the ropes, to understand this reality he was in now.

"My apologies, master," Kariya said, the Bount still unable to believe that he was referring to another as such. "I take the blame. I found myself too caught up in trying to determine the powers of that Titania woman."

Jose's gaze shifted, the man looking towards Aria and the individuals who remained in cloaks. "And you three..."

One of the robed figures dropped to a knee, bowing before his guild master. "It will not happen again. I will do whatever it takes to bring honor to Phantom Lord. Capture any target, kill any enemy."

Jose had to admit, he did like the sound of that.

"I have failed, yes," the last robed figure began to say, "but like Kariya, I was able to gauge my opponent's power. If the Salamander and I engage in battle again, I assure you that he will not emerge victorious."

"I don't want to hear of the future," Jose hissed, the man glaring at his recruit. "Not when you failed in the past."

"Master Jose," Aria suddenly began to say. "I promise you that the Element Four will succeed where these three newcomers failed."

He closed his eyes for a moment before looking at the leader of the Element Four. "Oh? Do I sense some jealously within your tone, Aria of the Heavens?"

Kariya of the Bounts looked at the robust wizard, trying his best to avoid sneering in disgust. This was not the first time he had dealt with individuals trying to assert authority over him, or to try and take his role in an organization, but he would not let it stand for long. Kariya had already proven himself the most powerful member of this guild upon his arrival, surpassing even the Element Four, and he would not allow Aria of the Heavens to feel he could rise up to challenge him on any level.

"Never, master," Jose continued to say. "If the Element Four and I were to give into jealousy, it would be a sad state of affair. I just wish for us to please you, that's all."

"So be it," Jose began to say. "I will leave the capture of Lucy Heartfilia to the Element Four. However, there is the matter of Gajeel. I will not allow my prized Dragon Slayer to remain a prisoner of Fairy Tail." Jose began to a thumb and two fingers against his chin, the man becoming lost in thought. "Though I do not understand why anyone of Fairy Tail would defeat him so soundly and then take him away."

"I think I know why," Kariya offered, the man trying to get a lead over Aria. "The member of Fairy Tail who went out of her way to take Gajeel with them did mention to two of our own that she knew someone that would make him just fine. Perhaps Fairy Tail has a healer."

"Oh, yes!" Aria came alive then, the tall man taking a step forward and putting himself between Jose and Kariya. "Juvia of the Deep did mention that Fairy Tail has gotten several new members recently. Perhaps one of them knows the lost art of healing magic."

"That is a distinct possibility," Jose said, the man growing quite tired in his tone. "So they would dare take pity on own of my wizards after hurting him? That just won't do."

Jose turned his attentions to the crouching man in the robes, the individual tilting his head so as to see Jose from beneath his hood. "What do you wish of me?"

"I want you to go to Magnolia as well," Jose ordered. "You will take care of Gajeel. However, I also want you to find this healer. There's a chance that he or she might be able to help Makarov recover faster. And I will not allow a putrid guild like Fairy Tail to have a practitioner of white magic! That power will belong to Phantom Lord just as Lucy Heartfilia will!"

"It will be done," the cloaked man said before he stood and began to walk away.

"And I," Aria began to say, "will speak with the rest of the Element Four. We will capture Lucy Heartfilia. To do otherwise would be so very sad."

The robust man vanished then, his body becoming a gust of wind that left the room. Kariya and the last remaining cloaked individual remained, looking to Jose Porla for guidance.

"What do you ask of us?" Kariya requested to now.

"You two will remain here," Jose instructed. "We can't be too careful if anyone who calls Fairy Tail their 'family' decides to renege on their retreat and come back here."

"So be it." Kariya began to turn then, the Bount annoyed with these recent developments. He knew that Aria, underneath his facade of being full of sorrow, was probably happy with how things had gone. He had been instructed to carry out Jose's will while Kariya had been left behind. It vexed him so, but he also knew he had to play the game until he found his place in the world.

The same applied to the cloaked man who remained. He bowed towards Jose before taking his leave, the man more content with this situation than Kariya. He was curious to engage in battle with Natsu Dragneel again, the Dragon Slayer an interesting opponent, but he knew the value of patience. The time would come and he would be ready. For now, however, he had two people he wished to speak with.

As he moved through the Phantom Lord guild hall, the man took note of the architecture. He was not used to such gothic designs, the realm where he had grown to adolescence quite different in its designs. Nonetheless, he could not help but appreciate the decorum. While there was a part of him that longed to be reunited with one particular individual back home, he knew that there was nothing else awaiting him back there.

As he opened the doors to the on-site living quarters that Jose Porla had generously provided him until he found a place of his own, the man knew he would have to be content where he was. After all, there was one reunion that had been awaiting him on this side of reality, a reunion that had brought a smile to his face then and now.

In the shared quarters, the man could see two women, the both of them dressed all in white, a stark contrast to their blue and red hair.

"He's back," the woman with red hair said, a smile adorning her fast. "Oh, we missed you."

The woman with the blue hair was not quite so emotional on the outside, but she was happy to see the man return. "Did the meeting go well, Master Kusaka?"

The man pulled back his hood, revealing a scared face and dark hair. He removed the cloak then setting it aside, standing before his friends in the black robes befitting one who had once desired to be a Soul Reaper.

"It went as good as could be expected," Sojiro Kusaka said as he tossed aside his cloak, leaving it to drape over a desk chair. "Master Jose is not entirely pleased with how things the battle with Fairy Tail went."

To many it would be a mystifying sight, a Soul Reaper conversing with not just Hollows, but the absolute evolution of the species. For those who Kusaka spoke with were the twin Arrancars, Yin and Yang. They had found the would-be Soul Reaper at his lowest point and, by sheer stroke of luck, had decided to care for him instead of succumbing to their baser instincts.

Perhaps the two had simply sensed in Kusaka a kindred spirit. Both Yin and Yang had been cast aside by those who ruled Hueco Mundo, stronger creatures having taken their place in the ranks of the Espada. They had been granted a demotion, to become what was known as Privaron Espada, but they had turned it down and decided to live for themselves in the wilds of Hueco Mundo.

To them, Sojiro Kusaka had been no different. To the twin Arrancar, he had been no ordinary Soul Reaper. Due to the cruelty of fate, he had been betrayed by the very people he had sworn to protect all thanks to the friendship he and another had struck. Their souls so similar that they had bonded, the two had done the seemingly impossible and inherited the powers of the same Zanpakuto. In the end it had been decided that one had to die and Kusaka had been the one.

In the end it had benefitted all involved to meet. Kusaka had found something he felt he had lacked in the Soul Society, friends who would not cast him aside, and the twin Arrancar had found a powerful ally they felt confident in swearing their eternal loyalty and allegiance to. They had spent the following decades amassing their strengths so as to avenge those that had wronged Kusaka himself.

However, in the end, they had all perished. They had thought their stories had been done, as well they should have been. However, after the darkness had come light, the trio finding themselves lying in a field in a world they had not recognized.

For a time they had wandered about, their powers rekindling. Kusaka, Yin and Yang had suspected that somehow they had arrived in the World of the Living, but that theory had been dashed soon enough. The locals had been able to see them. Despite being spiritual beings that were invisible to the naked eye if it did not possess spiritual power, the trio could be seen.

Kusaka still did not know precisely where he was or how he and his allies had gotten there, but he had tried to make the best of it. Their journey had taken them to Oak Town and they had found a place to stay within Phantom Lord.

However, the Master Jose that Kusaka had met two months prior was not the same person he had just been reprimanded by. No, the man was changing, the guild along with it, and Kusaka was unsure if he liked that direction.

Linked on a spiritual level as they were, the twin Arrancar could sense Kusaka's concerns. Yin, trying to keep herself preoccupied by playing with her long blue hair, was the first to speak of the matter. "You don't trust Master Jose's judgment?"

"Why should he? We've been fine on our own in the past." Yang interjected, her fiery temper getting the best of her. "And don't you go referring to that creepy old guy as our master. You and I both know that Master Kusaka is the only-"

"Hush, Yang," Kusaka said gently as he moved towards his chair situated in the corner of the shared living quarters. "We are in his guild, so Jose Porla is our master. We should be respectful... for now."

"Like I said," Yin continued, 'you do not trust his judgment."

Kusaka knew that was the truth. "I desired to serve one organization already," he replied softly. "One that proved itself corrupt and undeserving of such loyalty. I do not intend to make the same mistake again no matter what generosity is bestowed upon us."


Bambietta and Lucy had returned back to their apartment, the two of them trying to find some time to rest their nerves after the ordeals of the day. Lucy was keeping herself preoccupied writing a letter, while Bambietta was simply pacing back and forth.

The Quincy was on edge still, the last several hours having done much to her. Ever since she had found Levy crucified in the park she had been in a constant state of out of control emotions. It was something Bambietta knew full well was expected of her, but she also knew it made it difficult for even she to predict her own actions. She had wanted to kill Gajeel for what he had done to Levy, she had wanted to make him suffer. The Quincy knew she had managed one but not the other, memories of a mother having been the catalyst for the Quincy pulling herself back from the brink.

That should have been it, that should have been all it was, but now Bambietta had had plenty of time to think since then. The journey back to Magnolia had been a quiet one, a situation that had left Bambietta alone in her thoughts. That was something she could never stand. She knew full well that her soul was a dark one, an existence stained with evils, and she did not enjoy dwelling on what was in her at any time. No, she craved human interaction, conversation, anything that would keep her attention elsewhere. The desire, the need, had only grown stronger since her resurrection.

"Lucy," Bambietta said, the Quincy finally putting a stop to her own pacing.

"Yeah?" Lucy asked as she turned at the waist, putting an arm across the back of her chair as she looked over her shoulder at Bambi. "What's up?"

Bambietta was unsure of what to say now that she had sparked the conversation. She remembered well the talk she had had with Levy the day before, of the confessions she had made. She wanted to say something, anything to Lucy, but it was proving difficult to find the words.

In the end, Bambietta did all that she could, asking Lucy the most basic question she could. "You okay?"

Lucy was quick to answer, and Bambietta was not entirely prepared for what she had to say. "No."

The Quincy walked towards Lucy, reaching out with her right hand towards Lucy's shoulder. She hesitated at the last second, Bambietta opting to put her hand down on the back of the chair itself. "If you need someone to talk to, you've always got my ear, Lucy."

Lucy managed to smile a bit before she looked down to the floor. "This whole thing with Phantom Lord has me scared okay. This... isn't just a little scuffle between guilds. Not after what happened to Levi. And now Master Makarov... Is this what a war between guilds is like?"

Bambietta knew deep down that she wanted to scuff at Lucy' assertion that this was war. Yes, she had been glad to hear Makarov make the claim himself earlier, but the Quincy knew that this was no war. No, she had seen a war that had transcending realms of reality and a thousand years' worth of time. This contest between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord was no true war.

However, Bambietta did not wish to trivialize her friend's concern, she only wanted to force them away. "Listen, I know things are bad right now, Lucy, but I'm sure that Porlyusica lady will heal Master Makarov. She's... a miracle worker."

"I hope so," Lucy replied, the young lady looking back to the note she had been working on only a moment. "I've lost... enough..."

Bambietta had heard it only barely, Lucy's whisper. "What?"

The Celestial Spirit mage quickly grabbed the paper before her, folding it in half before dropping it into the desk drawer. She looked back at Bambietta then, a smile that could barely sustain itself upon her face. "Nothing, nothing."

"All right then." Bambietta could hear it in Lucy's voice, a sense of hesitancy. Still, she was unwilling to pry if Lucy did not want to elaborate. The Quincy did have other ideas, however. Something she wanted to hear in Lucy's own words, hoping that it would help Bambietta understand one thing. "Lucy, this guild... do you consider it a family?"

Lucy responded without much hesitation. "Well, yeah. I mean, sure, nobody in the guild is related by blood or anything, but-"

"Blood relations." Bambietta's eyes grew cold and she lowered her gaze to prevent Lucy from seeing them. "Those don't always work out. The real ones or when you try and fabricate them the hard way."

"Bambi?" Lucy began to sit up from her chair, moving closer to her friend and roommate. "I don't know what's wrong, but I can't really understand if you don't open up about what's getting at you."

Bambietta brought a hand up to her face, her thumb and index finger rubbing against her eyes before pinching the top of her nose. It serve no purpose, the Quincy neither tired or experiencing a headache, but it was merely a reflex action when she was stressed deep down. "Lucy, I want to, but..."

Bambietta wanted to say something, anything. She wanted to follow through on her discussion with Levy from the day earlier, to let Lucy know exactly how she felt. However, there was still that feeling deep in her stomach.

Rejection. That was something Bambietta was unsure if she could handle properly. Not after how hard she had worked to fit in within Fairy Tail's ranks. However, it went far beyond that. There were fears that tore at Bambietta's heart and souls, anxieties that always dwelt beneath the surface. Loss and betrayal, two things she did not want to ever experience again.

"Lucy," Bambietta began to say, her thoughts ahead of what she wanted to say by a veritable mile. 'I want to buy into what Fairy Tail's selling, but I can't. Not after all I've been through.' That was what she wanted to say. Instead all she could manage was something much less heartfelt. "I just can't talk about it."

Bambietta lowered her head and turned away from Lucy. The Quincy was angry at herself then, seeing such hesitation unbecoming of her. She wore her emotions on her sleeves, she let the world know how she felt, especially if she was angry. However, this situation was different. This world, this group of people and Lucy especially, all of it was so far removed from the Vandenreich and the world Bambietta had left behind.

It vexed Bambietta deeply. She knew how she had lived her life. Want, take, have. That was all it had been ever since she had grown older, ever since she had fallen under the sway of Yhwach. Yet Bambietta knew well were that life of decadence had led her. More dead than alive, a shell of her former self. Her own opinions on the world turned against her. The one she had trusted having decided that she wanted Bambietta's life for her own. The one she had trusted taking that life. The one she had trusted having it all to herself.

Bambietta remembered well the conversation with Levy the other day, but there were other things that she remembered more. How, despite living in the darkness, she had opened her heart to others as much as person such as herself could. How doing just that had given them the keys to the kingdom, the opportunity to destroy her at a moment's weakness. Lucy was not the type to do that, Bambietta knew that. Fairy Tail was not the Vandenreich.

That, however, was the problem. Bambietta had been raised in the darkness and now found herself standing in the light. She was the outsider looking in. If Fairy Tail was as good as they seemed, if Makarov's speeches of family were true, if he somehow earnestly believed he was a father to those under his wing, then Bambietta understood she deserved no such thing.

Not her, not the one who was on the verge of slipping back into old habits. It was easier, so much easier, to simply hone in on the negative, to live through pessimism. If Makarov was merely putting his guild on a pedestal, if his claims of family were hollow, then it was so much easier for Bambietta to believe she belonged here.

Still, she had friends. Friends she knew deep down would not betray her as others had. That was the problem. They were all too good for Bambietta, Lucy especially. The Quincy could see herself as nothing more than the darkness hoping to embrace the light.

How could a woman who had failed her mother's wishes for the future dare to be so selfish? Bambietta was unsure, but she began to consider one thing: that all she had deserved was the darkness of the Vandenreich, the darkness of Giselle.

For Bambietta time had all but slowed to a crawl, the Quincy lost in her self-deprecating thoughts. Lucy, however, was not looking to the past but to future. She took a step towards Bambietta, knowing that her voice might not reach her. Understanding that, Lucy reached out with both hands, wrapping her arms around the Quincy from behind.

Bambietta's snapped back to reality, the gentle touch of Lucy reigniting her focus. Still, she did not know what to say.

Lucy, however, did. As she pulled herself closer to her friend, resting the side of her head against one of Bambietta's shoulders, her eyes closed, she spoke. "I know what you're thinking, Bambi."

That Bambietta knew how to reply to. Sarcasm was her weapon, whether she was happy or sad. "What? You a mind reader now? I guess Celestial Spirit wizards are full of surprises."

"I don't have to read your mind to know what you're thinking," Lucy replied, her voice soft. "Not when it's written all over your face."

Bambietta was unsure how to truly feel about that. "I'm not so easy to read, Lucy."

"Maybe to a stranger you aren't," Lucy continued, "but we're both in Fairy Tail. We're family."

"Family?" Bambietta's response was a curt and judgmental whisper, one that had been an involuntary action. She could only hope it was uttered so low in volume that she may as well not even had said it. Whether or not Lucy heard it, Bambietta continued to speak. "So I'm that easy to read, huh?"

"We're friends, Bambi," Lucy said as she let of the Quincy and circled around her so that their eyes could meet. "I'd be ashamed of myself if I couldn't see it plain as day. But... Bambi, I can't truly understand if you don't open up to me."

Bambietta knew very well that she had betrayed her fears before, having spoken briefly of the harsh betrayal she had experienced, of the loss of her mother, but she was unsure if she could ever provide full disclosure. Yet was this not what she wanted with Lucy of all people? To share with her everything, both the good and the bad?

No. No, she could not. Bambietta remained as obstinate and stubborn as she was prone to. The Quincy refused to budge against the weight of her wants and needs. "I'm broken, Lucy. Damaged goods. That's all you really need to know about me. Everything else is-"

"Don't you talk like that," Lucy suddenly interjected, her eyes wavering as they looked into Bambietta's own. Her hands moved outwards, gripping down on the sleeves of the Quincy's coat then, surprising Bambietta. "Don't you dare. Bambi, I've seen you at your best and I've seen you at your worst..."

The fight with Erza, Bambietta remembered that much. "That wasn't my wor-"

"There's more to you than just that," Lucy said as she pulled herself towards Bambietta again. "And even if what you say is true, if you really think your broken, then let Fairy Tail help fix you. Let me help fix you."

Bambietta was left in a state of shock, the Quincy never having expected the conversation to take the route it had. She had expected to end this conversation confessing her innermost feelings no matter the repercussions, only to fall back from them. Now Lucy had become the emotionally invested one, even if her feelings were from a different source than Bambietta's own.

Bambietta was overcome with feelings herself now, the shadows momentarily leaving her soul. She returned Lucy's embrace, wrapping her arms around the Celestial Spirit mage. Still, despite it all, Bambietta could not relent on her lack of self-respect. "You're just too damn good for me, Lucy."


As she walked up the stairs to the main floor of the Fairy Tail guild hall, Wendy Marvell could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Erza Scarlet and Carla were by her side now just as they had been before, but being in the presence of the Iron Dragon Slayer had been intimidating, at least at first. In the end, as she had healed him of his injuries, Wendy could only see him as nothing more than man needed assistance. Especially when, in a moment that had surprised Wendy, he had thanked her begrudgingly.

Now he was left alone downstairs, the magic sealing cuffs that Erza had supplied leaving him ensnared to a wall. Even healed, he was no threat to Fairy Tail now.

"You did well, Wendy," Erza said as she placed a hand upon the Sky Dragon Slayer's shoulder. "Once things have settled done, I shall personally bring Gajeel back to his guild."

"Even though they did bad stuff to us?" Wendy asked, looking up at Erza with hopeful eyes. Yet there was something else dwelling within them, a sort of envy that the S-Class wizard did not notice. "That's awfully big of you, Erza."

As the two continued their march upstairs, another wizard began to pass them by. It was Levy McGarden, the Solid Script mage heading towards the basement. She was stopped then as Erza gently touched her arm with one hand.

"Gajeel Redfox is restrained," Erza said, "so you have nothing to worry about. Still, do you truly wish to see him?"

Levy took a deep breath, her eyes closing and opening before she looked towards Erza. "He hurt me and my friends," Levy began to say. "I... I have to confront him, Erza. For my own good."

Erza knew Levy well enough to understand she meant Gajeel no ill will. The Solid Script mage merely needed closure. Her was a kind heart, one that Erza knew she could count on to do the right thing. She nodded her head in approval and let go of the gentle grip upon Levy's arm. The wizard continued to move down the steps then, leaving Erza and Wendy to continue moving upwards.

Soon they found themselves back on the main floor, the guild hall as quiet as they had left it. Cana was simply sitting at a table, staring down at row after row of her magic cards, growing quickly frustrated. "Son of a- Stupid Mist Gun! Stupid Girdartz! Never around when you need them!"

Wendy was quite confused. "Who?"

"You'll have to forgive Cana," Erza began to explain. "She can use the magic of her cards to try and locate anyone who wears the mark of Fairy Tail, but unfortunately she's better at it when drunk. I believe if she was sober she would have been saying Mystogan and Gildarts."

"Who are they?" Wendy asked, quite curious.

"Two of Fairy Tail's strongest mages," Erza answered honestly. "With the master in the condition he's in, I was hoping she would be able to find them."

"At least I found one S-Class wizard," Cana said, her inebriated voice low and clearly irritated. "Stupid Luxus."

Wendy did manage to pick up on that mispronounced name quickly. "Is that the mean guy I met my first day here?"

"That's him," Erza said with a sigh. "Don't let his attitude fool you, Wendy. He is Master Makarov's grandson. I'm sure he'll be quick to help his guild now."

Wendy watched as Mirajane began to set up a lacrima orb on the counter before her. The silver haired woman held her hand above the object, a light suddenly bursting forth from it. Images began to play out, first a city, then a forest. "Cana, Mirajane began to say, "where is he?"

"Over by Crocus," the drunken wizard managed to say as she stood up and moved towards Mirajane and the viewing lacrima.

Wendy watched on the image on the orb continued to shift and changed until at last the man she knew as Laxus appeared. He was through a forest, a trio of people by his side. One was a woman dressed in green, another a man with a sword by his side, and last another wearing a mask.

The image suddenly moved close to Laxus's face, the man growing irritated. "Man, what the hell?" he suddenly shouted. "Stupid ball of light!"

"Laxus," Mirajane began to say, "it's me, Mira."

"What do you want?" Laxus replied, his voice cold and calm. "No, forget that. Who the hell gave you permission to bother me when I'm on a job request?"

"Laxus, just listen," Mirajane said, ignoring his attitude as best she could. "Something's happened to your grandfather."

Wendy could see it then, a slight shift in Laxus' expression. It only lasted a split second though, his scowl returning. "Did the old man finally retire? Good, because I'm ready to be the big man in char-"

"He's hurt, Laxus," Mirajane interrupted, her voice raising slightly. "Phantom Lord attacked some Shadow Gear and the master wanted to show them they couldn't get away with it."

"So the old man picked a fight with another guild to show them Fairy Tail isn't weak?" Laxus chuckled slightly. "You've no idea how proud I am to hear that. But..."

"He got hurt during the battle," Mirajane continued. "One of Phantom Lord's Element Four, Aria of the Heavens, nearly killed him."

Laxus was silent for a moment, leaving Wendy to wonder just what he was thinking. The young girl knew he had to be worried, he had to be concerned about his grandfather, but the look of anger and irritation was present on his face still.

"So what do you want from me?" Laxus suddenly asked. "If the old man started a war he couldn't finish, then I don't have any interest in doing it for him."

Mirajane was quiet but Cana was not. The tipsy wizard moved towards the lacrima and began to speak with no amount of overt irritability. "I knew getting a hold of you would be a waste of all our time."

"I don't know what you're problem is," Laxus replied as he tilted his head to try and look over Cana's shoulder. "Hey, I can see Erza back there. What, is the Queen of the Fairies not up to par, so now you have to get ahold of the king."

"We have tried to contact both Gildarts, yes," Erza said quite casually as she approached the lacrima. "As well as Mystogan. Unfortunately neither could be found. I was hoping you at least would understand the situation we are all in. Fairy Tail needs to stand together."

Laxus glared at Erza, the man unable to process if the armored wizard had intentionally insulted him just now or was oblivious to how what she had just said sounded. With Erza it was never easy to tell where he stood. That was something that truly infuriated Laxus. "Listen, I'm not interested in-"

"Please, Mr. Laxus."

"Eh?" Laxus did not quite recognize the squeak of a voice. It did not come from Mirajane and certainly not from either Erza or Cana. "Who's this?"

Erza looked over her shoulder then and could see Wendy moving closer, the young girl's timidly holding her hands before her.

Laxus narrowed his eyes slightly, not having expected the situation before him. "The newbie?"

"Please, Mister Laxus," Wendy repeated as she moved closer to the lacrima. "Fairy Tail's in trouble and I'm scared. I don't... want anyone else to get hurt like Master Makarov, Levy and her friends did. You're strong, right? So please... help us."

Laxus closed his eyes for a moment, the man running a hand through his blond hair. "Now you're all trying to guilt trip me, is that it? How aggravating. Is this what Fairy Tail has stooped to with the old man in charge still?"

Laxus's expression suddenly shifted, the man smiling as he looked up at Mirajane. "Hey, I'll help, but you better cover the kid's ears before I say what I want in return."

"Or you could just not say it at all," Erza said as she moved forward in front of Wendy. "Honestly, Laxus, this isn't he time for-"

"That Lucy chick," Laxus interrupted, his perpetual sneer refusing to fade. "If I help pull your collective keisters out of the fire, I'd like to think her offering to be some lovely arm candy by my side would be a modest accommodation."

"Laxus," Mirajane replied, the silver haired mage's voice filled with disappointment, "do you really have to be so-"

"Oh, I know!" Laxus interrupted once more. "I do love me a feisty firecracker! So how about this instead? I help you all out and you all talk that Bambietta newbie to be my woman!"

Erza's eyes began to narrow. "Laxus, you-"

"Yeah, she's got spunk!" Laxus continued to shout. "But I'm sure I can break her in and do something about that attitude problem of hers!"

Across the guild hall did a certain pair of ears perk up in response to Laxus' more vulgar comments.

"Mister Laxus," Wendy said as she peeked out from behind Erza, "can't you just be nice and help us because... because... it's the right thing to do?"

The manic expression etched upon Laxus' face began to soften slightly as he looked towards the Sky Dragon Slayer. He began to open his mouth again to speak.

However, whatever the S-Class wizard and grandson of Makarov Dreyer had to say next was lost to history. The communications lacrima suddenly burst apart, a luminous arrow having pierce it. Wendy, Erza, Mirajane and Cana turned to look over their shoulders and caught sight of Liltotto standing several yards away, a small, glowing bow in her hands. Her normally stoic face was twitching slightly, the Quincy trying desperately to reign in her irritation.

"I'm... sorry," Liltotto began to say as her bow faded away. "I'll buy you all a new lacrima with my next job, but... to hell with the cost of his assistance."


Levy looked around the basement of Fairy Tail, the Solid Script mage taking her last tentative step off the stairway. She could see him then, Gajeel Redfox by the far wall, his arms behind his back and cuffed to the stone structure.

Levy looked at him with narrowed eyes, remembering well the pain he had caused her and the rest of Shadow Gear not a day before. However, she also could not forget the pitiable sight the Iron Dragon Slayer had been when Bambietta had brought him back to Fairy Tail.

Gajeel's nose suddenly twitched. The man's Dragon Slayer magic was restrained, but his keen sense of smell remained. "Oh, great. Another Fairy Tail wizard. You come to laugh at your prisoner of war? That's just dandy..."

Gajeel lifted his head up, his ragged, dark locks of hair falling away from his face. His red eyes looked towards Levy, yet when he saw her, he looked away.

Levy was quick to note his reaction. "What's the matter? You can hurt me before, but you can't bear to look at me now?"

"I ain't talking to you," Gajeel said, his voice sharp in its nature despite how he had whispered. "Just go away."

Levy wanted to, she truly did, but she was not going to run away from this man just because he said so. She was not going to be afraid of him. "No. You may not want to talk, but you're going to listen."

Gajeel looked at Levy then, his hardened expression leaving her skin to crawl a bit. Nonetheless, she would not back down.

"You wanted to hurt Fairy Tail," Levy said, her nerves rattled despite her desire to appear confident, "but you failed. You know that right? You just made Fairy Tail stronger. And I..."

Levy saw it then, a miniscule reflection play out across Gajeel's eyes thanks to the ambient source of light in the room.

"I think you're the one who's not strong," Levy continued to say, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "You and Phantom Lord. You hurt me and my friends, you hurt our guild master, but you know what? We're not going to run from your guild. We're not going to cower. And do you know why? Because-"

Gajeel was ready to hear whatever Levy had to say, knowing he was in no position to argue against the guild that had beaten him, humbled him and granted him mercy. However, whatever she was intending to say never came. The woman suddenly pitched forward, collapsing to the floor as if she had been struck from behind.

Gajeel knew the fate of one who called Fairy Tail their guild was no concern of his, but he also knew that people collapsing as Levy just had was entirely out of the ordinary. "Hey, what's the matter?"

"It seems my skills have not dulled in the least," a voice echoed across the basement. "Neither you nor the Fairy Tail wizard could even begin to detect my presence. Even now, I can sense no commotion above. Excellent..."

Gajeel looked around, the Dragon Slayer growing uncomfortable. He never did like the unknown, especially when he was in no position to defend him. "Who the hell are you?"

"Come now," the voice continued to say, as if it was drawing closer. "Surely you recognize the voice of one of your own. Then again... I am what you refer to as a rookie, aren't I?"

A man wrapped in a purple cloak began to slip out from the shadows, the Phantom Lord emblem upon his garment. He stood over Levy, the hand he had used to strike down the wizard falling back by his side. Gajeel's concerns quickly faded, instead being replaced with shame. He wanted to be free, to stand beside Master Jose and the rest of Phantom Lord again, but to be saved by one of the guild's neophytes? That was something he was not content with. However, he also knew not to throw aside an opportunity like this.

"Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes," Gajeel said, trying to keep his arrogant demeanor at the ready. "So come on, man. Bust me out and let's get going. I'll be sure to put in a good word with Master Jose for you seeing my rescue out with flying colors."

"Is that right?" the hooded man asked. "My apologies, Gajeel Redfox, but I was not instructed to bring you back."

Gajeel glared at the man, his concerns mounting once more. "What?"

"You see," the hooded individual continued to say, "I was given very specific objectives by the master. There is one I am meant to return to Phantom Lord with, one who by chance just so happens to be a Dragon Slayer, but it is not you."

Gajeel watched as the blade of a katana begin to slip out from the purple robes' sleeve. It was a weapon that Gajeel would not readily fear, but with his powers bound as they were, he could not simply defend himself or eat the weapon for his own benefit.

The cloaked man took a step towards Gajeel, his blade's tip skidding across the floor. "I was instructed to take care of you, a prisoner of the enemy. And that is a duty I shall fulfill, Gajeel Redfox."

Gajeel watched on as the hooded individual, the one who had deemed himself the Dragon Slayer's executioner, raised his blade high. The man's sleeve rolled down then, giving Gajeel a better look at the weapon that would end his life. It was a nondescript sword, save for the strange hilt. The errant light of the Fairy Tail basement reflected off the pale glass that adorned the blade's guard.

"Look at me," Gajeel whispered. "Checking out a kickass metal sword at the end. Guess I was just hoping for a last meal..."

Then, quite suddenly, did the hooded man gasp in pain. His sword arm lowered, his free arm clutching at his chest. All the while did faint traces of electricity whirl around his body.

The man whirled around then, allowing Gajeel to see past him. It was Levy. The Fairy Tail mage was back on her feet, the word 'electricity' fading from sight. She was quick to begin writing it again, all the while speaking. "Is this how Phantom Lord does things? Killing their guild mates?"

The intruder from Phantom Lord began to hold his katana forward, peering out at Levy from beneath his hood. "Step away, wizard. This does not concern you."

Levy felt her heart beat begin to slow, fear spreading throughout her soul. This man clearly meant business. If he was willing to kill one of his own, then surely he would not refrain of administering such a fate to her as well. That fact alone was something that gave Levy reason to turn, to run away, to get help. However, she knew if she did that then Gajeel might not survive the following minute.

Erza Scarlet would not run, but Levy could only take small comfort in that. To her Erza was a shining example of Fairy Tail's best. However, despite their brief talks in the past, she was also someone who towered above Levy. She was larger than life, an inspiration out of reach. Yet there was another, one who Levy had interacted with, the two of them nurturing a friendship that Levy hoped was beneficial to them both.

Bambietta would not run and neither would she. "It concerns me a lot actually," Levy responded as she looked at the cloaked assassin before her. She took a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves, and prepared herself to fight. "Gajeel's under Fairy Tail's care, so I won't let you hurt him!"


Well, things sure picked up towards the end now didnt they? Who is this mysterious assassin? Well, if you know your bleach well enough, you should be able to figure it out. However, if you dont, I do understand, the arc he was in didnt do his memorability any favors in the 2nd half. Will Levy be able to fend of this attacker and keep Gajeel alive? Only one way to find out.

Oh, and no, Jose didnt order for Gajeel to die...This guy just misunderstood what he was being asked. He IS an assassin after all.

Oh, and yes, that IS the main villain from Movie 2. Not a great movie by any means (Momo should have been in that!) But I have a good use for him and his underlings. Obviously, he isnt as powerful as he was in the movie, however, he is still a force to be reckoned with.

Things are going to pick up like crazy in the next chapter though. Ill be throwing you all a few curb balls. What kind? Wont say just yet.

Anyways, thank you for reading this chapter. Please leave a review giving us your thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated.