Well, i want to say something special...I really do...But I think Ankoholic has everything i want to say and more...So I'm going to let him handle this.

Ankoholic: Three hundred. That is a very special number to me right now. I've been writing fan fiction for this website for sixteen years now and not one of my stories has gone as far as this one has. Over three hundred reviews... Three hundred and four to be exact (at the time of this writing this)... It's hard to believe, yet here we are.

I'm not an author who could hope to set the world on fire with writing... Bambietta Basterbine is not the most monumental of characters... yet I consider this story to be the single most important one I have ever written. It is quite special to me, and to see others enjoy it as much as they have truly warms my heart. You have no idea how much each and every review has meant to me.

Right now I want nothing more to give my thanks to everyone who has been apart of the journey that is A Quincy's Fairy Tail. I wish to thank Hiro Mashima for creating the world of Fairy Tail. It is the basis of this story after all and it is both a manga and an anime I quite cherish. I wish to thank Tite Kubo for creating Bambietta Basterbine. That character is, after all, the one that gave rise to this story.

To VOGoshinki I wish to offer my sincerest thanks for being with me through the best and the worst of recent times. This story began with him. It is a much a part of his efforts as it is mine. However, what I truly wish to thank him for is for is his friendship. I would not have come as far as I have as a writer if not for him. As I said, this story has been a journey and he has been with me through it all. I would not be writing it now if he had not supported me at my lowest point. It would not be on this website if he had not helped me stand back up when I had fallen. And though I may slip in the future, I refuse to ever succumb to my failures ever again.

However, he is not the only one I have to thank for giving me the drive to continue forward as writer. Every review this story has received... Every compliment, critique and analysis... It all makes me see the light and the purpose in what I do. So I want to thank each and every one of you who has looked into this story and felt the need to speak up. Some of you have been here since the start, back when it was originally submitted under my profile. Others are new. Some may not have continued to follow the story and therefore will not see this message, but I wish to thank you for giving it, myself, VOGoshinki, Bambietta Basterbine and Fairy Tail the chance to entertain you.

Jalis, Guest 907, nick1012, Spartanolsen, The Baz, draconichero21, snowyassas1n, sephiroth12285, Antex-The Legendary Zoroark, .x, Double-DecaKiva-DenBlades, Seeker, XenotheWise135, Zangetsu Ossan, Shattering, Evan deivant, Cilo, Star Knight, Slayer232, No Fanfic No Life, Jonu, judieann0513, Green Espada, Saisaici - The Helper, Greatkingrat88, Slayer232, zpeder, Michael Dorsey, Ragna, Ghost132, Golden Heart The Wolf King, KillerIsMe, darkmachines, MPeach, crazie194, Sakurada Kiritsugu, Bleached Guest, Warrior of The Healing Flame, Kaore Ryu, Deep Sea Diver Man, GeonteneArgon00, reven228, Paradox The Ruler, X the Reaper, LeCrazyWaffle, NoNameReviewer, flamelegendvargas, Alternet RedSkys, Evilkniewel, Soul, Strike Faster Than Starlight, OnyxTheSaiyan, Gnarled Bone, wolfdude16, Double-DecaKiva-DenBlades, amerdism, Salvare, Leofire312, Yo, alexc123, Solphage, G3r1k, Legion Breacher, delonix, Anonymous1684, Docron, Zekuran, Nemrut, zaraqui kenpachi, jcollet2000, HaremMistress, Lancelot Du Loc, Androgynous-Heron, TykkiMikk, Jaydragon, Disciple2, Paradox The Ruler, Zakath1, greivergf, Saika Renegade, naes151, MikuMagic, KingofPanthers89 and all our guest reviewers... I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Now then, let us move forward. Let us take another step on the road that is Bambietta Basterbine's to walk as a member of Fairy Tail. I hope you enjoy it.

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


Bambietta Basterbine thought herself left in the dark, her mother the only company she would have as she embraced the finality of death. To Bambietta it had seemed a fitting way to go as any, a blessing compared to the previous loss of life that plagued her soul even to this day.

That, however, had been denied of her. She had thought herself and her mother the only company they would have in their final moments, but from the shadows had a hand crept out, taking hold of Bambietta's blade. The hand was worn and rugged, yes, but remained bloodless and unmarred by the weapon's edge. Looking up, Bambietta had found herself staring into a pair of cold eyes, ones that hid behind a translucent visor.

"His Majesty," Bambietta had whispered, "Yhwach."

"You surprise me," the man spoke at last, his voice booming as his eyes settled upon Bambietta's visage. "How can you simply die here in a place like this?"

Yhwach's hand tightened suddenly, causing Bambietta's sword to burst apart into shards of blue light. Bambietta's own hand trembled then, the instrument of her chance at peace gone. Lost in the moment, her heart and soul teetering on the brink as it was, Bambietta was unsure of what she could possibly say. She could not comprehend what was going on. Was this all a dream? An illusion? Yet here Yhwach was, standing within the darkness, only his face and right hand truly visible. However, there was one thing she could ask, Bambietta's voice wavering. "How... How can you be here?"

"I have always been here," Yhwach replied, as if such an answer was more than enough. "In any moment in which you hurt others, I was present. In any moment you were hurt by others, I was present. Your frustrations, your elations, your sorrow; I have experienced all of them and so much more."

Bambietta's face crunched up, her nose wrinkling slightly as she sniffed back, trying to control the tears that had been dominating her eyes only moments ago. "What are you even talking about?"

"I am Yhwach, yet I am not," the man in black simply said. "And I am you, yet I am not."

"That still doesn't-" Bambietta paused for a moment. "Prove it."

"As you wish." Yhwach's right hand moved outwards further from the shadowy cloak that covered him, an entire arm extending outwards, encase in a white sleeve. He reached out further, his fingers seemingly making contact with a solid object within the dark. His palm pressed forward, as if pushing against a wall. Then did the tips of his fingers sink into the darkness itself, as if pulling at some unseen force. "This power that has clouded your soul... I will cleanse the darkness with darkness itself."

Bambietta could see it, a steely determination upon Yhwach's face, his eyes narrowing beneath the sunglasses he wore. The man's cloak spread out and rose all around him, as if possessing a life of its own. Yet that was not all that Bambietta bore witness to.

The dark world all around her, it was fading. Light was piercing through from around Yhwach's hand, the darkness giving way to vivid imagery. In mere seconds was the realm of shadows no more, leaving Bambietta and the man she could only recognize as Yhwach standing in the world.

"Bambietta?"

The Quincy flinched then, realizing that she was still embraced by her mother. Yet she could see it, the image of the woman beginning to fade before her eyes. Worse, she could feel her touch lessening, as if it was fading away.

"My daughter," Liebe said as she tried her best to hold Bambietta tightly. "Please, join me in dea-"

Then she was gone, leaving behind a shaken Quincy on her knees. She simply knelt there, unmoving and unfeeling. to allow herself to feel would only cause her more pain, something she wished to avoid.

"Don't." Yhwach's sole utterance told total hold of Bambietta, forcing her to focus, even if only slightly. "Don't allow any pain to become part of us both, Bambietta Basterbine. That was not your mother."

Bambietta could not follow that statement. "But-"

"I have seen your mother's love from afar," Yhwach interrupted. "I know your mother as well as you do. That was not your mother. You know that to be true."

Bambietta simply knelt there, saying nothing. She lowered her head then, leaving the silence to consume her.

Yhwach took a step closer then, reaching out with his right hand. He gently placed it atop Bambietta's shoulder, intent on reaching her no matter what it took. "I have lifted the darkness from your world, Bambietta, but I can only help you do the same for your heart."

Bambietta knew it well, the fog on her mind threatening to drag her down. It was obscuring her memories, altering her perception, and that could not be allowed to persist. So she focused on the good, driving away the bad. "That wasn't... my mother."

"You are right," Yhwach replied. "However, this is your world."

Bambietta raised her head up then, slowly looking about at the world that Yhwach had freed from the surrounding darkness. It was desolate, the broken battlements of a war long since ended all around. Bambietta glanced about, taking in the sights. Trenches torn through the ground itself, barb wire propped up by planks of wood, hollow shells of battered buildings left behind to obscure the sky. However, the most glaring thing to Bambietta was the simple fact that there was no color to it. Everything was shades of gray and nothing more.

"This all used to be much more lively," Yhwach said as he pulled his hand away from Bambietta, turning his back to her, as if he too was left to absorb and take in the world around them both. "And yet tranquil."

"My... world?" Bambietta was unsure of what precisely was going on. Was her mind playing tricks on her again? Her fellow Stern Ritter, the members of Fairy Tail, and now this apparition of Yhwach. Was it all the same? No, it could not be. He had given her words of encouragement, to force her to look past what had come before. There was no way he was one and the same. "What... are you talking about?"

"I already told you," Yhwach said as he cast a glance towards Bambietta from over his shoulder, "this is your world."

Bambietta still did not comprehend. Nothing this vision of Yhwach said made any sense to her. He was him and yet he was not. He was her and yet he was not. Now he was saying this was her world?

"Perhaps," Yhwach suddenly said, interrupting Bambietta's confused train of thought, "I would be better left to say that what is around us is your soul laid bare"

"That... can't be." That was all Bambietta could say, her voice lost within her for a moment. "How could I... even end up in here?"

"That weapon known as Saiga," Yhwach replied. "It forced you to look inwards, all so it could destroy you. And yet... I'm indebted to it."

That made Bambietta flinch. "What?"

"Every life has a soul, every soul has it's own inner world, and the Quincy are no different." Yhwach said, returning his gaze forwards, once more leaving Bambietta to look at his back and nothing else. "However, you are all of the progenitor, if not in body then in soul. Because of that, I have been with you every step of the way. From the moment you were born I have been here. So it is with all Quincy."

Yhwach closed his eyes for a moment.

"Do you have any idea what this world was like upon its formation?" the man asked Bambietta, still unable to turn to face her. "No, I suppose not. I have been lost in here, alone for decades. Such is the fate of us all. You may well be the first Quincy to ever set foot in her own inner self."

Bambietta began to rise to her feet, slowly walking towards the Yhwach that was as much a shade of him as well as her. "Tell me."

"There was peace," was all Yhwach said at first. "A quaint charm to it all and nothing else. However, what else does a soul require but that? Sturdy houses, grassy knolls, fields of flowers. For years it was calm and collected."

Bambietta could hear it in Yhwach's soul, a longing for a time long since past, a sense of nostalgia pervading his tone. Then it began to change, growing colder and more reserved.

"And then it all changed, as if overnight." Bambietta could see it clearly, Yhwach's head beginning to pitch forward, his broad shoulders slumping. "I closed my eyes for the briefest of moments and this was what I was greeted with. A scarred world, one that was broken and yet fortified at the same time. One that was determined to never allow itself to be hurt ever again."

Yhwach turned to stare at Bambietta, the man pulling himself up to his full height.

"You feel it, don't you?" Yhwach asked. "The cold upon your skin?"

"I..." Bambietta paused. She could indeed. Concentrating, pulling her focus away from Yhwach, she could at last take notice of something else. Not the sights around her, but something ethereal. The wind was blowing through this tarnished world, the chill it brought with it clawing at Bambietta's skin. Worse of all, she could hear the wind itself as it moved through the environment. It was a low in pitch, a howl that pierced her ears.

No, it was not a howl. If Bambietta did not know any better, she could have sworn it was the sound of someone crying.

"I hate the wind," Yhwach said simply. "It brings with it nothing but despair. And look what it has done to this world. It tore asunder the landscape, bringing down homes and leaving their shattered remains to rot. That was not enough for it, however. The wind has swept away the color itself, leaving behind nothing but shades of gray. And even those shades fell to your despair, giving way to white and becoming nothing but a bleached existence."

"I'm..." Bambietta hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorr-"

"You will not apologize," Yhwach interrupted. "I have no use for that and neither do you."

There was a silence then between the two, Bambietta unsure if either herself or the manifestation of her soul had anything more to say now. Then it hit her.

"But if it all went to white," Bambietta began to ask, "then why is everything gray again?"

"You had hope once more, even if just a sliver," Yhwach answered. "Not enough to restore true color to this world or to bring back the tranquility, but it was a start. In time I hoped it would build, but I can see such feelings are fragile."

"I'm-" Bambietta stopped herself. "So I failed. Again."

"Neither of us have use for apologies," Yhwach countered. "The same applies to self-pity."

Bambietta spoke nothing in return. She could not help herself. If there was anyone who could make her feel small within his presence besides her father, it was the leader of the Vandenreich. Even if this apparition was just as much her as it was him, he still appeared like Yhwach. There was no negativity to the situation, however. Whereas she had felt like a child in her father's presence, this was different. She simply could not speak out against him, not against his stature as the progenitor of the entire Quincy species.

Yhwach closed his eyes for a moment,a deep breath escaping from him as he did so. "You are broken, Bambietta Basterbine. We are broken. And yet you continue to try and mend us. Despite all that is around us, despite your desire to never let yourself be hurt again... You do allow it. And do you know why?"

Yhwach turned again, his right arm slipping out as if to wave towards the surroundings.

"I have walked through your world for so long, and do you know what I found?" Yhwach asked. "The further away I moved from this epicenter, the less trenches I found. The less fences. The less walls. You could have locked yourself away, sealed your desires and written off everyone after your mother died. Yet all you have done is seal away your heart. You have no defenses on the outside. You let others in, even if they could hurt you."

"They have," Bambietta interrupted.

"Yes," Yhwach replied, his head lowering. "Yes, they have."

Bambietta screamed, her hands clinging to her opposing arms. "Then why am I letting Fairy Tail in? Why am I giving them the chance to hurt me like Giselle did? Why am I such an idiot?"

"Am I one as well?" Yhwach asked, once more looking back to Bambietta. "Do not answer that. I know the answer as well as you do. I told you, I have been there through everything. Your joy is my joy. I know how you felt when the guild proved you wrong. I can't recall a time when you were any more happy in your life. Perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me, but I could have sworn I saw some glimpse of color here. I could have sworn the wind had begun to die down. Yet here we are, all because of that man and his peculiar blade. However..."

Yhwach turned completely, his cloaked form moving toward Bambietta. He stood before her again, looking down at her through his sunglasses.

"I am grateful to him for this," Yhwach said. "If not for him, then I would not have been granted this opportunity to speak with you. I would not be able to do what I have longed to for so long."

"What do you want?" Bambietta asked as she looked up at the man with pleading eyes.

"I want to protect what is most important to me, Bambietta Basterbine," Yhwach answered. "You."

"You've said similar things before," Bambietta answered. "False promises that Lil told me you went back on."

Yhwach looked down at Bambietta. "I only know of the outside world what you know, Bambietta. I can not speak or defend the actions of the source of my existence. Perhaps he has lost his way as you have. Perhaps that is the fate of all Quincy. To fall into the darkness and never return."

Bambietta felt her heart grow cold again. "Then-"

"But you have shown me different," Yhwach interrupted. "Perhaps this world you now call home can avert that fate."

Bambietta felt herself perk up then, a weak smile tugging slightly at the corners of her mouth. There was honesty in what this aspect of Yhwach said. No, this aspect of herself. However, that smile fell into disarray before it could ever truly form. "You're just saying what I want to hear."

Yhwach stared hard at Bambietta, keeping himself quiet and allow her to speak her mind.

"Of course darkness is the fate of all Quincy!" Bambietta shouted, her temper flaring as she pulled away from the man. "You think I haven't figured that out by now? We were created to be disposable trash and that's how it all ended for us! The world had no use for us! It punished us for being what we were! Either be killed by Hollows or be persecuted by Soul Reapers!"

Yhwach stood silent still, not even blinking before the tirade that was Bambietta Basterbine. Her rage, her words, her accusations, he took it all in. Her burden was his burden after all.

"And if that didn't do us in, we all turned on each other like the trash the world made us out to be!" Bambietta screamed. "And then you... he... considered us just as disposable as everyone else did! There wasn't ever going to be a happy ending for any us!"

The Quincy grew quiet then, her heartbeat continuing to race even as she tried her best to calm her nerves.

"The Hollows, the Soul Reapers, Yhwach, ourselves..." Bambietta whimpered. "The Soul King or whatever made our world... They'd never allow happiness to ever be an option. Right until the bitter end."

"Yet here we are," Yhwach said at last. "I know many things, but not how we came to this world Fairy Tail calls home. Perhaps someone thought you deserved better. You, Liltotto and all the other remnants of the world we left behind. Regardless, we have both moved past that 'bitter end' you speak of, haven't we?"

Bambietta said nothing.

"Where has your strength gone?" Yhwach asked. "There is a fire within you, Bambietta. One that I wish to see burn brightly."

Bambietta still said nothing at first, the Quincy looking at the grayed out ground beneath her feet. She could feel it still, the wind clawing at her very existence, as if her own inner world was working against her. She simply stood there in silence, trying to compose herself. She knew what this Yhwach wanted, but she was not sure she could go that route. No, she could only simply stare into the distance blankly. She looked out at the desolate realm that was her soul, realizing that this was what she truly was deep down.

Broken.

"That fire's... gone?" Bambietta had been prepared to let Yhwach down with her despair, when her eyes caught site of something. It led to her pause, her hesitation, as she simply tried to narrow her eyes. She focused on what caught her attention. There was something adrift in the wind, a ribbon white as snow fluttering about.

"Is it?" Yhwach asked, the man cloaked in shadow moving closer to Bambietta. "You and I both know that is not true in the slightest. What you see now is proof of that."

Bambietta still focusing on the cloth as it fluttered about. She could tell now that it was not simply being carried by the wind. It was moving to and fro, yes, but not forward. Somewhere over the horizon, somewhere out of sight, it was anchored. Yet it was so very close to her, only a few feet away. How could she have not seen it before? Had she ignored her own senses, her own awareness, too lost in her own pain? "Is that... a Spirit Ribbon?"

"Yes," Yhwach answered simply. "The representation of this realm's power."

"Isn't that you?" Bambietta looked to the avatar of Yhwach, an index finger pointing to him. Then she pulled her hand back, the finger angling up towards her own face. "Or, well, me?"

"Yes," Yhwach answered, "and no."

Bambietta felt a spike in her emotions, an errant amount of annoyance, one that cut through her own levels of despair. She was unwilling to show that irritation to the apparition, Bambietta unwilling to display an attitude to it. She was unsure if it was because he appeared so much like Yhwach or because he was just a much a part of herself. That, Bambietta could tell, would remain answered with a non-answer, just as her last question had been.

Despite it all, the depression and the annoyance, she could not help but chuckle. He could not truly answer her and now she could not truly answer herself. He really was her own inner-self as much as he was Yhwach.

"That ribbon," Yhwach said, giving Bambietta little idea if he had even taken notice of her mirth, "is just as I am."

"Huh?" Bambietta looked up to the towering individual that was Yhwach once more, unsure of what he was speaking of.

"I wish to bring you peace, Bambietta," he said, "but I can only show you the way."

Bambietta looked back to the Spirit Ribbon, its soft movements in the dull air seemingly inviting her forward. She reached out then, her gloved hand growing closer to the strip. Yet then did she stop, her hand flinching, her fingertips less than an inch away.

"Why do you hesitate?" Yhwach asked. "Your trepidation holds you back. Abandon that weight upon your shoulders. Shed the burden that clouds your mind. Abandon your fear. Cast your eyes ahead. Step forward and never stop. If you pull back you will lose. If you hesitate you will have thrown your life away. Is that not the reason you fight?"

"And if I don't fight," Bambietta said to herself if not to Yhwach then to herself, "I can't win."

Bambietta threw her hesitations to the wind. She pushed her hand forward, gloved fingers gripping down on the ribbon. She felt it then, a power so very familiar to her. A soul so very familiar to her. Then did the world around her seemingly push forward, reality forcibly dragging both Bambietta along. It was clear to her then that she had not taken hold of the spiritual ribbon, it had taken hold of her. It was pulling her forward, dragging her through her inner world faster and more abruptly than any form of Hirenkyaku could have hoped to.

Yet Bambietta was not alone. She could see it in the corner of her eye, the shadow form of Yhwach beside her, moving through the blurred reality. "Where is it taking me?"

Yhwach replied quietly, his tone no different than ever before. "To the source of your pain."


Hanza Nukui had steeled himself for the battle ahead, having known that the Quincy would prove problematic. She had been brash and headstrong, the exact properties he hated in an opponent, but it was her power he had been concerned with most of all. Still had he defeated her, having use the trump card of Saiga to cast her into a hell of her soul's own making. There was a part of him that wished to have peered into her inner self, to watch her as she fell into despair, but he could not allow himself that privilege. No, he had his true goal to look towards. Defeating Bambietta Basterbine had been a thrill, yes, but it had not been the task he had been assigned. He had simply to capture Lucy Heartfilia for his new master.

Yet now he was finding that an unexpected problem. He had been prepared to fight the Quincy in a grueling battle, yes, but not the target of Jose Porla's ambitions. So imagine his surprise then when Hanza found himself awash in the attacks of the mermaid creature that Lucy had summoned.

"Ridiculous!" Hanza swung the massive blade of Saiga outwards, cutting though the torrent of water that had threatened to engulf him. Already had it pushed him back, forcing him to give ground to an opponent he had not found worthy of such a feat. "I will not be impeded by the likes of you, creature!"

Hanza leapt forward then, his weapon held high as he lunged towards Aquarius, intent on cutting her down. Yet he could see that would not go as easily as he had hoped. The mermaid spirit was throwing her urn forward, another mass of water projecting forward.

"How futile!" Hanza felt the magic beneath his feet as he would have the spirit particles of his home-world. They came together and solidified, giving him an invisible platform from which he could redirect himself away from. So did Hanza move to the side, a Flash Step taking him out of the way of Aquarius' attack. "It's over, mermai-"

Hanza suddenly found himself cut off, a pillar of water suddenly hitting him from below and enveloping his entire body. Aquarius watched on, confident in her sneak attack having taken the shinobi by surprise. Even outside of her urn, she was still able to control the pressure of the water that had once been contained within it, allowing her to attack once more with the first torrent water the shinobi had leapt out of. It was a simple trick, but one that the Celestial Spirit had no hesitation in using.

Lucy, meanwhile, was simply impressed with the handiwork of her oldest spirit, having known Aquarius had what it would take to keep Hanza at bay. "You can do it, Aquarius!"

"Of course I can!" Aquarius shouted, shooting Lucy a glare from across her shoulder. "So how about you go try and get that friend of yours out of that light prison, all right? I don't need you to cheer me on!"

"A-all right."

Lucy was nervous, yes, but she also knew what she had to at least try to do. She had shown determination to Aquarius before and she could not let it go to waste. She could not let that be all she had to offer. So she ran towards the orb of pale light that had entrapped Bambietta, the wizard staring at it. Her eyes squinted a bit, the luminous energy very nearly biting at her eyes. Yet still she stared. She could see Bambietta within the sphere, her body horizontal and hovering as if in the air itself. That was not what caught Lucy's attention though. No, what truly took hold of her was the look on Bambietta's face. She was calm and serene, yet there was something else there.

Tears. Dried tears, but tears nonetheless. It led Lucy to find credence to Hanza's statement from before, that he had entrapped Bambietta in a hell of her own making. However, more important, it gave Lucy further reason to want to save her.

"Bambi?" Lucy reached out with her right hand, intent on taking hold of Bambietta, to pull her free. However, much to concerns, her palm stopped as it made contact with the light. Worse, it burned the flesh, however slight. Lucy pulled her hand back, flinching as she did so. "Bambi..."

Lucy's teeth came together, her lips curling open. She sniffed back then, trying to compose herself. Yet it was no use. Lucy's head began to lower, her fears realized. This was no where near as simple as she had hoped. Bambietta was close, so very close, yet she could not reach her.

"No!"

Lucy tilted her head forward then, a steely gaze issuing forth from her eyes. She could not allow it to end this way. Not because of Phantom Lord, not because of her father and not because of herself. She refused. Erza would not give in. Aquarius would not. Neither would Bambietta and neither would she. Lucy could not allow herself to. So she did what she could, regardless of the consequences.

Lucy plunged her right hand forward, her palm smashing into the barrier of light. She felt the pressure she was against, the barrier impeding her progress. Yet still did Lucy push forward. She felt the heat, the burning against her flesh, but she did not pull back.

"Bambietta!" Lucy screamed, her hand beginning to push into the light. The heat became worse then, her hand having pierced through the barrier and into the light itself. The burning engulfed her hand entirely, an all-consuming force pressing down upon. Lucy continued to scream, the pain beginning to try and overwhelm her, its threat evident. Yet still she continued to push against it. "I won't... let you die like this, Bambi... I... I don't want to lose you!"


The world around Bambietta at last ceased it's movement, settling all around her. The Quincy looked about, catching sight of the unmoving and quiet Yhwach that stood beside her. She could not concentrate on him. No, she was focused entirely on her surroundings.

This was still her inner world, yet it was different than before. Gone was the desolate and broken town. All that remained now was a field of decaying grass, what had no doubt once been a pristine lawn. Then there was the mansion before her, one that was falling apart at the seams. Despite it's ragged nature, Bambietta remembered it well. However, she could not speak that realization, saying something else instead. "Where are we?"

It was as if she needed confirmation from Yhwach, from the representation of herself that he personified. She knew and he knew, but she needed it said for her to truly come to terms with it.

"We are no longer at the outskirts of your soul, Bambietta Basterbine," Yhwach answered, giving her precisely what she had asked for. "We are past your defenses. We are past your barricades. This... is where you truly reside."

Bambietta stared at the mansion before her, the waves of nostalgia threatening to overwhelm her. She had been forced to walk the distance, to come back here. "My home."

Before Fairy Tail, before the Vandenreich, this had been her safe haven. Looking down, Bambietta could see that the Spirit Ribbon was still gripped tightly within her hand. Her eyes followed its trail, watching as it snaked in through the uppermost window on the right, the panes opened wide.

"That's..." Bambietta stared blankly at the open window. "That's my room."

Bambietta felt it suddenly once more, the wind biting at her skin, the cold it brought with it an affront to her very spirit. Yet now she could tell something in particular. This was no simple wind. It was coming directly from the open window, as if from the room itself.

The wind moved past her ears, causing them to tingle and shiver, but Bambietta could hear something. It was the sound of someone crying, their sobs echoing throughout her. "What is this?"

Yhwach didn't answer this time, the apparition instead simply floating up into the air. He moved past Bambietta, effortlessly gliding through the large open window. The Quincy was left behind then, staring at the window. She tugged at the Spirit Ribbon, watching as it grew taut against the edge of the window sill itself.

Bambietta's shoulders sunk for a moment, the woman knowing what she had to do. She did not want to enter this house, her house, but she knew she had to. Yhwach had guided her here with a reason, she knew that much, just as she knew she had to face it no matter how much it hurt.

Bambietta let go of the Spirit Ribbon, allowing it to fall to the ground. It did not last long however, the wind beginning to pick it up and force it to rise. Once more could Bambietta feel the cold. Once more could she hear the cries. She would put a stop to this. One way or another.

"Here goes."

Bambietta focused on the space before her, forcing the energy of her own inner world to solidify. She took one tentative step forward then, allowing her right foot to stand atop the invisible step. On and on it went, the Quincy ascending the heights of the staircase of her own making. She stopped only when she reached the perimeter of the window, the Quincy holding the sides of it gently with both hands. She peered into the manifestation of her old room, hoping to find it as she remembered it.

It was not.

The chandelier that hung from the ceiling was crooked, the bulb in the center dim, its glass broken. The faint light flickered softly, adding only a miniscule amount of light. It, however, was more than enough. It allowed Bambietta to take it all in, even if she had to strain her eyes a bit. The bed was in disarray, the carpeting worn and ragged, wallpaper pealing from corner to corner. The dresser was falling apart, its drawers hanging out in varying amounts, rumpled clothes peaking out from the top of each one.

Then there was Yhwach, the shadowy man standing near the far corner. His presence Bambietta had expected of course, the Quincy paying him no mind. No, her eyes focused instead on the Spirit Ribbon. It was draped across the floor, running to that very corner. However, it was what was at its end that took hold of Bambietta's attention.

There was a young girl sitting on the floor, dressed all in white and her hair down up in pigtails. Her clothing was worn, just as anything else Bambietta had seen was. The young girl's knees were pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs. However, what was most telling was the young girl's eyes. Her face was almost entirely obscured by either the top of her knees or her bangs, her weary eyes looking out at Bambietta.

Bambietta was quick to recognize. "Me?"

"You," the younger Bambietta said, her voice decidedly quite. "You hate me."

Bambietta visibly flinched. She wanted to argue that point, she wanted to counter it with anything she could, but there was a thought worming its way through her mind that prevented her from doing so.

"Stop your crying! This is your fucking fault! Do you hear me? Your fucking fault and no one else's!"

"Yes, this is our fault. We killed our... you killed your mother."

Those thoughts, that conversation, continued to leave Bambietta's mind shaken. They were muddled thoughts, yet felt as real to her as any other. She recalled it well, her memory tugged at by the appearance of her younger self. Of nightmares that tore at her when she least expected it.

"Yes," Bambietta answered at last. "I hate you. Me. Myself."

Yhwach seized up then, his shadowy cloak spilling outwards, as if it were attempting to consume the younger Bambietta. No, the true Quincy could see that was not the case. The cloak was simply settling upon her younger self's shoulder as if to comfort her.

"What brings about this self-loathing, I wonder?" Yhwach asked as he moved closer to the younger Bambietta, the source of the Spirit Ribbon itself. "No, don't answer that. All of us three present know the truth."

Bambietta visibly cringed, the Quincy bringing her arms up and holding herself. "Don't... don't say it..."

"You... Me..." The younger Bambietta spoke softly, all the while drawing herself further beneath Yhwach's cloak. "We got our momma killed."

Bambietta felt it then, her heart very nearly seizing up in her chest. She took a step back from the center of the room. Her back hit the wall, the Quincy trying her best to use it for support. This was not what she wanted to hear, leaving her to wonder if this was all she had thought. Was what Yhwach had said the truth or was this simply another layer of Saiga's manipulations of her?

"You hesitate once more," Yhwach said, her voice stern as ever. "Bambietta Basterbine, you are consumed by your past."

"Mother..." If Bambietta heard Yhwach, she did not show it. The Quincy's hands curled into shaking fists, Bambietta staring at her younger self. "Damn us!"

The younger Bambietta shivered in response.

"That's enough!"

The true Bambietta froze in her place then, her eyes widening as she looked at the apparition of Yhwach. This was the first she had heard his voice raise, yes, but his shouting was gone as quickly as it had materialized.

"Enough." From beneath his visor, the representation of Yhwach glared at Bambietta. "We are all one and the same. This self-pity and self-hatred has no place here."

Neither Bambietta or the reflection of her younger self said anything.

"You have allowed yourself to be consumed in your past," Yhwach continued to say unabated. "You wallow in the despair it has brought you, leaving yourself unable to move forward."

The younger Bambietta whimpered once more, more cold wind moving out from her. The true Bambietta, meanwhile, simply mumbled beneath her breath. "It's too damn hard."

"You make it too hard," Yhwach replied. "The past is not your adversary. You have made it your adversary."

"So... what?" Bambietta asked meekly. "I'm just supposed to conquer it and move on?"

"See?" the younger Bambietta said, all the while pulling her legs in closer to her chest. "She hates me."

"No," Yhwach answered, his eyes never wavering away from looking at Bambietta. "You have to accept it for what it was. Only then can you step forward."

"How can I do that?" Bambietta screamed at Yhwach, her seething emotions at last getting the best of her. "How can I ever-"

"She even was a little happy that Gigi killed us," the younger Bambietta said, once more beginning to cry. "She thought it was punishment for getting momma killed."

"No, that's..." Bambietta's voice trailed off for a moment, her rage giving way to confusion and desperation. "That's not... I never was happy..."

"You hated me that much," the younger Bambietta whispered, her watering eyes staring out at her true self with what only could be considered judgment.

Bambietta shook her head then, dark hair rolling over her shoulders and past her face as her body pitched forward. She clung tightly to her arms, her fingers clawing at the fabric of the coat and the skin underneath. "That's a lie! A lie!"

"Bambietta Basterbine," Yhwach said, not allowing her to remain unopposed in her loss of control, "that is enough."

It was the same words again, the same as before, but the tone was different. Yhwach had not raised his voice in the slightest. No, not this time. He spoke calmly and clearly, his words the knife that cut through to Bambietta's core. She took a deep breath, her fingers unclenching from her arms. She allowed her hands to fall by her sides, all the while standing up straight. She looked at Yhwach then, her eyes straying towards her younger self for the briefest of moments.

"It's the truth," Bambietta whispered, a faint, short laugh escaping from her. Not one of joy, no, but of sad realization. "A part of me... did think I had it coming. That you deserved it."

"It is as I told you," Yhwach said simply, "you have let your pain control you. All that has hurt you is in the past. That world we called home is in the past.. Whatever brought us here, you are free of it."

"You would say that," Bambietta said under her breath. "Well, the real you. Always looking to the future."

"As I told you, I am him and yet I am not," Yhwach replied. "However, I do not need the Almighty to know that the future ahead of you is more worthy of your attention than your past."

"So I..." Bambietta hesitated for the deepest of moments. "I just need to let it go."

"No." Yhwach himself showed no sign of hesitation. "It is as I told you. You need to accept it for what it was and move on."

Bambietta looked towards the form her subconscious self had taken, the younger version of herself simply staring at her with tear-soaked eyes. It longed for the hate to be replaced with forgiveness. It longed not to be fought against, but to be accepted. Bambietta, however, was unsure of how she could do such a thing. Her memories were strong, Saiga having strengthened them further with its dreadful power. How then could Bambietta ever take a step forward?

That was when she felt it. A faint amount of contact against her back, right between her shoulder blades. It felt warm, as if someone had pressed the palm of their hand up against her. Turning her head to look over her shoulder, Bambietta could see who was responsible. Their visage was ethereal, transparent, but it was familiar all the same.

"Lucy?"

The memory was fresh, the clouds that had once hung over Bambietta's mind long gone. Saiga had no influence here, the Quincy able to quickly recognize who stood behind her. However, Lucy was not alone. Coming into view were the luminous forms of several others. Levy to her right. Wendy to her left. There was Erza, standing behind her, Natsu by her side. Then, at last, there was Liltotto. They all looked at Bambietta, enthusiasm evident in their eyes. The Quincy was unsure what she was seeing. Was she simply hallucinating, or was this a display of her own inner world's desires brought forth by the apparition of Yhwach? Bambietta was unsure, but she also knew it did not truly concern her. Unlike the visions brought about by Saiga, this one was comforting.

"Bambi," Lucy said softly, "you can't keep dwelling on the past. You need to turn the page and see what happens next. We're all... waiting for you on the other side."

Bambietta saw it then, a smile projecting warmth forming on Lucy's face. Then the reflection of the wizard gently pushed Bambietta forward. The Quincy closed her eyes as she turned her face forward, taking one step forward. She opened her eyes upon her second step, Bambietta feeling the loss of contact between her back and Lucy's hand. All she concentrated on then was the sight of her younger self, Yhwach still by her side.

Bambietta moved closer still, the wind suddenly kicking up. It was strange to experience it indoors they way she was, but she pushed past it. She knew the source, and she could only hope she could bring bring it to an end. As she moved closer, Bambietta knelt down beside the reflection of herself. She looked into the younger Quincy's eyes, trying to stare past the dried tears. "Hey."

"Please," the younger Bambietta said, sniffling slightly. "Please stop hating me."

The wind grew harder then, threatening to take Bambietta's breath away. Worse, she could hear it in her ears, feel its bitter cold on her face. She paid it no mind however. The Quincy tried her best to form a smile on her face, the corners of her lips quivering upwards slightly. Whatever Yhwach or the reflection of Lucy said, it simply was not that easy. However, Bambietta understood that greatly. Nothing worth seeking out could be gotten without a fight. Not even peace of mind.

"Just..." the younger Bambietta whimpered, her tears flowing once more. "I just want you to forgive me."

Bambietta could feel it, her face twitching ever-so slightly, the corners of her own eyes threatening to become overwhelmed with sorrow. It was the same as before, however, hesitation gnawing at her heart and soul. The Quincy pushed past it though, Yhwach's words from earlier echoing within her mind.

Bambietta smiled completely then, her own tears held back by the rising of her cheeks. "You don't need my forgiveness. I'm the one who should be sorry. Sorry for everything."

The younger Bambietta pulled herself up suddenly, reaching out to grasp her true self in a impassion embrace. She continued to cry, though now it was not out of sorrow. Bambietta herself flinched for a moment, having not expected this reaction. She chastised herself then, recalling what she was like as a child. What she was like now. She had always worn her emotions on her sleeve, for better or for worst.

Bambietta surrendered herself to the hug, all the while bringing her arms around her younger incarnation. Her chin began to rest atop a shoulder, Bambietta closing her eyes. ""We're going to be fine, all right? Mom... Dad... Giselle... All that pain is behind us. We're going to move forward and... We're going to be so damn happy, no matter how hard I have to fight for it."

"But," the younger Bambietta whimpered, "I'm everything holding you back."

"No," Bambietta whispered in return. "I've been holding myself back. My anger and my resentment. You're a part of me. You're my pain, but I... need to accept that for what it is."

"You... you mean it?" The crying began to subside, the wind fading alongside it. The reflection of Bambietta clung tightly to her true self, unwilling to let go. "But..."

"No buts," Bambietta whispered. "Nothing can wash away the greatest sin of all. "Just forgive me for damning us."

"There's nothing to forgive," the younger Quincy replied. "Just... thank you for loving me for what I am."

The reflection of Bambietta's past smiled sweetly, her eyes closing. Her body began to glow then, becoming a luminous light. The true Bambietta could feel her other self give way within her arms, finding nothing left to hold on to. She kept her eyes closed still, letting the situation progress as it would. The scattered particles of light that had once been the reflection of her began to draw closer to Bambietta, absorbing into her being. Only when the process was complete, only when she was left alone on her knees, did Bambietta let her arms fall to her sides. She took a deep breath and at last opened her eyes.

"How could I do anything else?" she asked, as if she still wanted to speak to the aspect of herself that was gone from sight. "I'm threw with hating my mistakes. And I feel... lighter."

"It is done," Yhwach said sternly. "You have accepted the totality of your pain. Only now can we begin to return what has been lost to you."

Bambietta began to rise to her feet once more, turning to look at Yhwach. "What?"

Yhwach shifted his feet, his black cloak swirling about as he turned. His backed to Bambietta, he faced the nearest wall. His right hand moved outwards, the underside of it swiping across the aging wood. He began to brush away the thick layers of dust that appeared to have accumulated over what appeared to be decades.

Curious, Bambietta moved closer. Yet as she did so, she could see something beginning to come into focus. As dust continued to flutter into the air, the Quincy found herself able to see something carved into the wood wall itself. It was a simple letter, one that meant much to her. One she knew the true meaning behind in an instant. "The Explode."

"My true self came here once before," Yhwach said, not turning back to face Bambietta. "He cut out a portion of your soul, etching himself upon you with his power."

Bambietta remembered well the day the true Yhwach had officially made her a Stern Ritter. The day she had drank of his blood, the day he had given her a portion of his strength. "He promises me it would ease my pain. That it would fill the void. The liar."

"He did not speak false promises," the shade of Yhwach interjected. "He simply did the best he could. No one can truly heal another's pain. Not even a god. His solution was simply to scar your soul, to give you power you could concentrate on himself. Only you could heal yourself."

"And that scar remains," Bambietta said, looking at the letter carved into the wall. "But not his power."

"You're power," Yhwach spoke again, turning slightly to cast an eye towards Bambietta. "He simply used a fragment of his soul to unlock it. Now that you have accepted your pain, it is time for you to fill this void yourself. To claim your potential with your own power."

Bambietta took a step forward, moving closer to the visual representation of her lost power. She began to raise her right hand, intent on taking off the glove adorned it so as to make direct contact with the scar that Yhwach had left behind. She stopped however, recalling in that moment that she had donned the Sanrei Glove that Liltotto had made for her not long ago. The thin fabric was hidden beneath the glove that made up her traditional attire, but she knew the Sanrei Glove could not be removed. To do so would cost her greatly.

Instead did Bambietta pull the traditional glove off of her left hand, leaving it entirely bare. Bambietta pressed her palm against the inscribed wood, taking a deep breath as she did so. The Quincy focused on her inner self, on the world around her. She called upon all the power that made up her soul, as if it was the spiritual nature of her old world or the magic that made up the new one she called home.

Then did she take notice of a withered and worn left hand joining hers, its palm pressing against the letter. It belonged to the form of Yhwach that dwelt within her, Bambietta knew that much, but something else about it caught her eye.

Upon the back of her hand was the blue Fairy Tail insignia that Bambietta had received from Makarov so long ago. However, it was also upon the back of Yhwach's left hand, clear as day. Bambietta looked up to him, her concentration breaking for the briefest of moments. "You..."

"I told you once, Bambietta," Yhwach began to say, "that I have been with you every step of the way. Fairy Tail is our home now. My true self may have given us this Schrift, but Makarov has given us the insignia of a true family."

Bambietta smiled then, an honest expression of happiness.

"That's what I've waited so long to see," Yhwach replied. "True happiness for the one I have always yearned to keep safe from harm. Now then, let us restore your power so that you can return to your new home and protect those you wish to keep safe from harm."

Bambietta turned her attention back to the inscribed letter, once more concentrating on it in full. She felt power flow through her very core, drawing from the surrounding environment. It began to flow down her arm, into her hands and out through her fingertips. She watched on as blue light began to arc through the letter before her, giving it energy and substance.

"Lucy," Bambietta whispered, "Wait for me on the other side, okay?"


Hanza Nukui was growing frustrated. The attacks from Aquarius were keeping him at bay, a fact that he could not accept. He had already rendered the Quincy incapacitated, leaving Lucy Heartfilia easy prey. So why then was her own magic thwarting him so.

"I have had enough!" the shinobi roared as another onslaught of water threw him to the ground. His back hit the ground hard, Hanza rolling across his armored shoulder blade until he landed in a crouch. His sword's end pressed upside down into the ground, he readied himself for what was to come next. He could see Aquarius throwing her urn forward, another torrent of water fast approaching. Not showing a moments hesitation, Hanza raised his free hand up, its fingers held tightly together. "Bakudo number thirty-nine, Enkosen!"

Golden light formed out from the palm of Hanza's hand, spiraling about until it had formed a translucent shield before him. Aquarius' water struck it full force then, becoming diverted and washing out towards the sides. Beneath his mask did Hanza grin, knowing full well that the water was now no longer a detriment but a benefit. The Celestial Spirit could no longer see him, something that would aide him greatly.

He braced himself for movement, a Flash Step taking him away. His barrier fell then, allowing Aquarius' attack to flow outwards as she had intended.

"I suppose it wasn't enough to save him," Aquarius said simply, turning her head slightly so as to get a bearing on Lucy. Her summoner was still fervently attacking the prison of light that her friend had been trapped within. Deep down did Lucy's desperation break Aquarius' heart, but she was unwilling to show it. However, she knew what she could do. An attack from her urn, one that was not held back, might possibly due the trick. It was, at the very least, something she could try. "Lucy, step asi-"

"It's too late."

Aquarius turned suddenly, having caught sight of something in the corner of her eye. It was Hanza, the shinobi shimmering into existence before her. She prepared herself to attack, to strike him down at close range, but it was too late.

All Aquarius could do was scream. Blood sprayed into the air as Hanza's massive sword cut through flesh and scales from shoulder to hip. The Celestial Spirit pulled away from him then, her eyes bulging as she stared at the blood on his sword. It dripped down then, splattering against the ground.

It was more than enough to take hold of Lucy's attention. She stared in horror at the sight of it all, her body. The Celestial Spirits were immortal, she knew that much, but they could still feel pain, could still be incapacitated. This was too much. She wanted to save Bambietta, but not at the cost of causing her first true friend to suffer like this. "Aquarius, I'm sorry...

"You idiot," the Celestial Spirit said as she began to drop to the ground, casting a weak look over her shoulder. "Just... run, Lucy..."

Her wounds too great, the gate that had summoned Aquarius pulled her back then, the mermaid fading from sight. She would heal on the other side, within the Celestial Spirit World, but it would take time. That, however, did not matter to Aquarius. She simply wanted the one thing she could not offer in her present state: Lucy's safety.

"So that's it then," Hanza said as he looked towards Lucy. "All that remains is you."

Lucy pulled out another golden key, knowing she could not fall too easily. She had to continue to fight. For Fairy Tail's sake. For Aquarius. For Bambietta. "Open, Gate of-"

"No!" Hanza used Flash Step to close the distance, his free hand swatting aside the key, forcing it to hit the ground. Then did the hand dart outwards, gripping tightly around Lucy's neck. He began to choke her, intent on making his goals clear. "No more struggling. Master Jose's will be done."

"Do what you want with me," Lucy gasped out. "Just... release Bambi..."

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Hanza replied. "Once Saiga's true power has been invoked, even I cannot bring it to an end. Only the target can break its spell, but that's only possible by a truly indomitable spirit. And when we fought, I could sense the instability that plagued that Quincy. It would be utterly impossible for her to do so."

"Bambi's..." Lucy whispered, Hanza's grip far too tight for her throat to withstand. "Bambietta's... stronger than you know."

"Damn straight!"

First there was the familiar voice that echoed through Hanza's ears, but it was quickly joined by something else. It was the sound of something shattering, the sight of shattered, sparkling fragments of light fluttering across his eyes. It was the remains of the Saiga's cocoon, an arm clothed in white bursting through it. The shinobi winced then as a gloved hand suddenly gripped down tightly upon his wrist. It was so fierce that it felt as if it was trying to break bone. In response did Hanza's hold on Lucy weaken in return, forcing him to let go the wizard's throat.

"What?" The shinobi turned his gaze slightly, catching sight of Saiga's prison. Cracks were beginning to form across it, but that was not the most disturbing sight. No, it was what Hanza saw within it that left him truly concerned. Bambietta Basterbine was looking directly at him, a crazed smile etched upon her face.

"Hey there, Mister McNinja," Bambietta said, her voice almost playful. "You ready for round two?"

Hanza began to pull at his arm, trying to free himself of Bambietta's grip, but it was to no avail. Gripping down tightly on the handle of the transformed Saiga, he knew that he would have to cut the Quincy's hand off. If that was what it took, then so be it. Yet that was when it happened. Bambietta began to radiate with power, blue light illuminating the cocoon. It was almost blinding, yet it there was something worse. The cocoon was cracking, the light piercing outwards.

Then, quite suddenly, there was an explosion. Blue and white light intermixed, spreading outwards in one brief, stunning moment. When it faded, Bambietta was entirely free, the Quincy standing up straight and having let go of Hanza. Her head was tilted down the slightest bit, the visor of her hat obscuring her eyes. All it left Hanza to see was her teeth, her lips still curled back in a grin.

It left him one step shy of being terrified.

"Bambi," Lucy whispered as she began to move closer to her. "I knew you'd make it.

"How?" Hanza screamed, his indignation at his imprisoning of the Quincy having been undone. "How... How can you possibly be here? You should be wallowing in your own despair! You should be drowning in a sea of heartbreak! Saiga should have left you dead or dying of your own accord!"

Bambietta said nothing at first, instead slowly bringing one hand up, extending its index finger. She pushed her visor upwards a bit, revealing her eyes to Hanza. They gleamed with a wild nature, a reckless desire to cause chaos. They were just like her smile.

"Despair is for pussies," Bambietta said at last. "Just who the fuck do you think I am?"

"Damn," Hanza hissed under his breath. "First Ichigo Kurosaki, now you break free of Saiga's power? This can't... can't be..."

"Wait, Special War Potential Ichigo Kurosaki?" Bambietta's eyes truly lit up then, her voice suddenly on the verge of cracking. "Oh ho! I have something else in common with him? That's just... Just..." Bambietta suddenly stopped, her cheeks going flush with embarrassment. "Well, uh, maybe Saiga there doesn't work well against the Quincy."

Hanza simply stared at Bambietta in confusion. "The Substitute Soul Reaper with the Hollow mask... was a Quincy?"

"Uh huh. A Soul Reaper, a Hollow and a Quincy." Bambietta replied, holding out her right hand and extending out three fingers. A fourth quickly joined them. "Oh! And a Fullbringer! How could I forget?"

Hanza continued to stare at Bambietta in confusion. "A what?"

Lucy was no different. "I feel like I'm missing some context here..."

"Silence!" Hanza suddenly shouted. "Silence, the both of you! I will complete this mission! I can't... I won't fail a master ever again..."

"Oh, God," Bambietta mumbled. "Don't trail off and start crying just because your sword of over-compensation didn't make me all weepy-eyed."

"Ichigo Kurosaki may have broken free of Saiga just as you have," Hanza hissed, violent bangs slipping down and obscuring his eyes, "but even he didn't come out looking like you. So... how can you be so damned happy?"

"So what? You cast me into the darkness and thought that would be it? That I'd curl up and die?" Bambietta asked, her lips quivering for the briefest of moments. Her smile seemed as if it was determined to falter, yet it stayed in place nonetheless. "News flash, Hanza! Sometimes the darkness can show you the light!"

Bambietta suddenly brought one arm up, her palm facing the sky. A pale blue orb of energy appeared within it then, one that dwarfed the hand itself in size. The glow it produced cast Bambietta's face in a dreadful light, one that seemed determined to add to the animated grin she wore, the energy reflecting off her eyes.

"So how about I show you that light?" Bambietta asked. "How about I show you the Explode?"

The orb suddenly darted away from Bambietta's hand then, careening directly towards Hanza. The ninja was caught off guard by its speed, finding Flash Step out of the question due to his shock. His body operating on an instinct born from the last battle, he quickly brought his hand up to protect himself. "Bakudo number thirty-nine, Enkosen!"

The golden barrier formed once again, Bambietta's blue orb colliding with it. The attack quickly dissipated, as if it had no true power behind it. There had only been speed.

"That's it?" Hanza asked, sweat beading down his forehead. "You damned Quincy, you had me wor-"

The barrier suddenly exploded then and there, catching Hanza off guard. He was thrown back by the sheer force, all of it directed entirely against him. The strength of the blast was so great that he hit the ground hard, his back ricocheting off the ground hard enough to leave Lucy wincing. She watched as Hanza fell out of sight, the shinobi slipping over the edge of a the hill.

"Finally got you away from Lucy," Bambietta whispered. "Now to finish this!"

Lucy stood by Lucy, slowly reaching out with one hand. She was so happy to see her back, happy and well, but she wanted to speak with her.

However, before she could make contact, before she could speak, Lucy was left watching Bambietta vanish from sight, Hirenkyaku having been employed. Lucy's hand shivered for a brief moment before, at last, it pulled away. It moved closer to Lucy's chest, her other hand clasping over it. Lucy cheeks moved upwards a bit, pushing her feelings of sorrow back inwards. "She's... She's okay. And she'll win."


Hanza hit the ground again, the shinobi having lost track of how many times that had happened already. All he knew was that it would not occur again. As his shoulder blades made contact, her forced his momentum to roll himself over, his body flipping through the motion. He landed in a crouch, one hand pushing down on the ground as his cloak vaulted over his head.

"How... far?" He asked himself, his senses extending outwards. His opponent and his target were out of sight now. No, not only them, but the Phantom Lord guild hall as well. the Quincy's attack had sent him into a valley, removing him from the battle entirely. "What kind of power was that?"

"I thought I told you," Bambietta said as she suddenly appeared before Hanza's eyes. "It's the Explode! Ain't it grand?"

Light began to reflect within the palm of Bambietta's right hand, giving Hanza reason for pause. He prepared himself for another orb, another attack he would no doubt have to block if he wished to survive. Instead what came into view was the Quincy's ebony bow.

"What's that, Damon Stechen Bogen?" Bambietta glanced down at her weapon, feigning that she herself had summoned it. She pulled the weapon close to her face, rubbing a cheek up against it. "You're afraid I'm gonna dump you for the Explode again? Oh, silly! You don't have to worry! You, me, the Explode and Schragstrich are going to be one big, happy family! After all, Fairy Tail has shown me that there's room in my heart for all my favorite ways to maim!"

Hanza was unsure if his opponent was simply trying to terrify him into submission, but if it was so then he refused to give in. He simply stood to his full height, keeping his grip on Saiga steady. "You put on a brave show, Quincy, but it's time for this farce to end."

Bambietta stopped pressing the side of her face against her bow, her eyes glancing towards Hanza. "Huh?"

"You may have new power," Hanza began to say, "but I am on to you. You brought us away from Lucy not to protect her, but to protect yourself. You may be free, but Saiga broke you. It had to. And you can't keep up the brave face anymore."

Bambietta's overjoyed expression began to fall, her eyes growing cold. Her bow vanished from sight, her arms falling limply by her side. Her cloak slipped over her shoulders and obscured them. All the while did she look down at the ground.

"So," Hanza whispered with sadistic glee, "I was right."

"You," Bambietta whispered back, "were half-right."

Bambietta looked back up, her eyes peeking out from underneath her hat. It was the same cold eyes that Hanza had seen before, yes, but now he could understand the truth of them. The way in which Bambietta had spoke had shown it to him. Hanza suddenly felt it, a sense of dread pervading his body. His skin ran cold, a heavy presence dwelling at the pit of his stomach.

What Bambietta said next only heightened that anxiety. "Saiga... No... You messed with my head. You dragged up every little thing I wanted to forget. It hurt, but I'm stronger for it. I'm happier despite what you did to me. But... It hurt. And that's why..."

Bambietta smiled once more.

"That's why I didn't want Lucy to see how exactly I'm going to hurt you in return!"

An orb of blue light suddenly flew out from the front of the cloak that was draped over her shoulders, having slipped out from its opening. It was quick and it was precise, the cape having concealed its creation in Bambietta's right hand. It was all Hanza could do to try and keep his fears at bay. Therefore, in turn, there was nothing he could do to defend himself in time. The orb made contact with the shinobi right between the eyes, the energy flowing right into the skin and into his body.

"Now just to make it clear, Hanza, the Explode doesn't allow me to make bombs. It makes whatever it comes into contact into a bomb." Bambietta's eyes narrowed, the Quincy finishing her declaration with a hiss through teeth held together by disgust. "Or whoever."

Hanza's eyes began to widen in response to the absolute horror of what his opponent had just. He was going to die. He was going to die a miserable failure to Jose Porla, just as he had been to the Kasumioji clan.

"Mess with my head and I'll turn yours into a bloody mist," Bambietta said, as callous as ever. "In three.. two... one..."

"No!" Hanza screamed then, his panic overwhelming any semblance at calm he may have once held. Yet, then there was nothing. No pressure in his skull. No pain. No end. Nothing. He simply was, as if Bambietta's threat had meant nothing at all. He brought one hand up to his face, sweat beading down between his fingers, an eye peering out from between two of them. "You... You sadistic bitch! Are you trying to drive me to death with fright?"

"I think you've got me confused for another Quincy. Aha ha." It was a feigned and forced laugh, one that followed Bambietta whispering to herself. She was confused by what had just transpired, as she had fully expected Hanza's body to explode in a fine red mist right before her eyes. Still, she was able to play off the failure. Her voice raised then and there, Bambietta making certain that Hanza heard her. "Hey, after what you just put me through, pissing your pants is the least you deserve! I may not be able to blow you up, but I have other methods!"

Bambietta casually tossed an orb to the side, making certain that it connected with a rock she had noticed. The gray stone quickly burst apart before her and Hanza's eyes, giving Bambietta a sense of satisfaction. That was what she needed after the Explode's failure to kill Hanza: proof that it still worked as it was intended to some degree.

"Okay," Bambietta mumbled under her breath, "so at least I can still blow up inanimate objects. I guess that's all I need."

Enraged by the fear that had been inflicted upon him, Hanza lunged towards Bambietta. "You damned Quincy! You should have simply let Saiga's power end you! Better that then dying when I split you in two!"

"And now you're confusing yourself with me." Done muttering to herself, Bambietta summoned twin orbs of the Explode, one in each hand, and she threw them out at the approaching Hanza. Even if she could not detonate him, his garments were another matter. However, much to Bambietta's annoyance, the shinobi managed to evade them both with successive uses of Flash Step. Once to the left and then back to the right. Blades of grass were left infected by her power instead, causing miniscule explosions to generate. "Well, that's just rude. I get a new power and you won't let me show it off?"

Bambietta quickly generated another dual set of orbs, only throwing one out this time. It was close to hit Hanza, but the shinobi's skill with Flash Step allowed him to narrowly avoid it once more. However, Bambietta did not take notice of how close she had been, of the concern evident in Hanza's eyes as he faded from sight. No, her eyes had been drawn elsewhere.

Smirking, she threw out the second orb and watched as it traveled through the air. In a split second did Hanza come back into view, the orb striking him directly in the chest. His red armor and cloak quickly became alive with a pale, blue light. Hanza's eyes widened with shock, before his garment exploded all around him. His entire body was enveloped in the blast, any potential screaming on his part drowned out by the sound and fury that Bambietta's attack had wrought.

The blast was quick to subside, becoming replaced instead by a plume of smoke that rose towards the sky. Hanza fell out from it then, the shinobi walking on unsteady legs. "How... did you..."

"Your feet," Bambietta said, all the while placing her right hand on her hip as she let her posture relax for a bit. "You might not be a Soul Reaper, but you do fight like one. All I had to do was watch which way you were stepping right before you took off to know where you were going to appear. Flash Step is so last millennium. Now my Hirenkyaku, I just ride the magic and you'll never know where I'm going to appear." Bambietta blinked, her voice pausing for a moment. "Well, okay, so Natsu figured it out, but... whatever! The point is my Flash Step is so much better than your Flash Step!"

"Don't... talk like you've won..." His upper body covered in wounds and soaked with blood, Hanza knew his hopes of winning this battle were dwindling. Cloud with pain, his mind was unable to think past his desires. No matter what it took of him, he had to see this mission through to the end. No matter what it cost him, no matter what sacrifice he had to make, he would do just that. He would kill this Quincy and bring Lucy Heartfilia to his master. So he ignored the pain and raised both his arm and sword above his head. "Saiga... I give myself to you."

Incandescent light began to form around Hanza's body, the sum total of all his spiritual strength converted to magic in this world. Saiga, in turn, began to grow in power, red tendrils growing from its hilt. They slithered down the length of Hanza's arm, wrapping and binding themselves to it. Soon did they extend across Hanza's chest, consuming his entire torso before spreading down his other arm. A few tendrils even worked their way up his neck, one suck tendril wrapping across a portion of his face. Then, at last, did the growth stop. The scarlet mass that was Saiga began to pulse, as if it was connected to Hanza's heart beat.

"Eww..." Bambietta's face contorted a bit, her revulsion as the sight quite clear. "That's just gross."

"That's... it..." Hanza said, his voice ragged, his pain evident. "Devour me again if you must, Saiga... Just... Let me complete this mission!"

Hanza swung his sword out in a horizontal arc, a violet burst of energy firing forth. It caught Bambietta by surprise this time, the power more than she had ever imagined. It struck her hard, forcing Bambietta to scream out in pain. Her pure, white clothing became charred upon contact, Blut Vene doing its best to mitigate the damage taken. It took all she had to remain standing, something that vexed Hanza greatly.

"Die, damn you!" the shinobi screamed as he swung out his sword again, another violet burst of energy issuing forth.

"Not again." Bambietta stared at the telegraphed attack and quickly threw out an orb of her own power. It made contact with Hanza's attack almost immediately, forcing the arc of energy to detonate a few feet away. Bambietta's cape whipped back under duress, the explosion's force taking hold of it. Yet Bambietta simply stood her ground and formed another orb of the Explode, prepping herself to attack if she had to.

Yet as the smoke cleared, she saw that was not necessary. Hanza's free hand was clutching at his sword's hilt, the red tendrils beginning to tighten across his upper body. He was screaming as well, a look of panic evident upon his eyes. "No! Saiga, please... Don't take me now.. Just... let me see this... through!"

The shinobi's screaming intensified, his body dropping to its knees. The tendrils grew thicker then, several of them beginning to slither down his legs, several others beginning to obscure his face in its entirety. All that Bambietta could see of it then was one of his eyes, wide with fear as it was. Yet muffled as they were, she could hear him screaming still. It was clear to Bambietta then that Hanza's sword, the very Bakkoto that he had placed so much pride in, was devouring him.

"Please... save me," a voiced whimpered out from beneath Saiga's tendrils. "I.. can't die... Not... again... Not as a failure..."

Bambietta listened but did not move in response. She simply allowed Hanza to beg and plead, all the while dwelling on her own thoughts. He had this coming. He had hurt her and this was the least he deserved. He was a monster. There was a satisfaction Bambietta derived from the revelation, the Quincy knowing that this was for the best. She had not been thinking earlier, so lost in her calm rage. She had been fully intent in killing Hanza away from prying eyes, but she understood now that it would never have worked. Fairy Tail would have learned of his death. No doubt Erza would have found evidence of the murder. In the end would Bambietta have lost all that she had gained in this new world. Her old habits, unwilling to die easily, would have cost her everything she had fought so hard to return to just now.

This situation, however, would absolve of such a fate. Hanza was the instrument of his own undoing. So Bambietta stood before him, taking in the sight of his writhing, the sound of his screams. He would die and it was entirely of his own doing.

However, as Bambietta continued to listen to his pleas, her resolve wavered. No one would know what she was allowing to happen. No one but herself. This was not the Fairy Tail way? No, no it was not. Taking pleasure in the suffering of an enemy, allowing him to die when it was unnecessary. This was the way of the Vandenreich.

"Damn it." Bambietta remembered well her first conversation with Makarov, the talk they had had when she had joined Fairy Tail. There was no place for who she had been in the past, not in Fairy Tail. However, no one would know save for herself. Yet that was too much for Bambietta to accept. "Just... damn it."

Bambietta let go of the Explode then, allowing the orb to go free. It dropped down, floating towards Hanza upon her command. It was not long then that it made contact with the hilt of Saiga, where its mirror had once dwelt. The shinobi continued to scream, the sword devouring him, but it was not for much longer. Blue beams of lights began to burst forth from Saiga's blade and its tendrils.

Then, at last, did it altogether detonate. Hanza's screams intensified once more, his body caught in the crossfire However, when the smoke cleared, he was on the ground. Bloodied and wounded, yes, but free of the sword. "You..." he whispered, his voice wracked with pain. "You... destroyed Saiga. You... saved me."

"Yeah." Bambietta suddenly lashed out with a foot, slamming the heel of her boot into Hanza's face. The strike was more than enough to knock him out in his weakened state. He was, after all, still an enemy. "Ain't I a good Samaritan?"


Within Bambietta's soul did the fragment of Yhwach stand. He was alone now, yes, but truly content. The wind had at last died down, the reconstruction of the realm he had considered home for so long finally rebuilding itself. However, he was left confused.

Standing within the representation of the Quincy's childhood home, he simply stared at the letter that was carved into the wall. It was glowing intensely, the blue radiance washing over the room. All had gone as he had hoped. His master was truly hoping again and she had regained her lost power. So why then was it not working as it was meant to.

"That man should have died," Yhwach said as he reached out to the letter and felt its power. "Did Bambietta not have the strength to fill this scar after all?"

"No, she did."

Yhwach turned then, having heard the voice behind him. "Who goes there?"

"Please don't freak out," the voice said, once more sounding like it was unnervingly close to Yhwach. "I'm not there to be seen, but I felt I needed to speak with you, if only to ease your concerns."

"Who are you?" Yhwach simply asked, his composure returning.

"You told dear Bambi that perhaps someone who felt she deserved better brought her here, yes?" the voice began to say softly. "You were right. That was me."

"Then I suppose I should thank you," Yhwach said. "Come out and face me and I will do just that."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that right now," the voice answered. "I'm pretty sure you're kind of mad at me."

"You..." Yhwach said, his voice showing an errant hint of irritation. "You interfered with Bambietta Basterbine's Shrift returning."

"You saw what she did right after getting it back," the voice said. "We couldn't have her murder Hanza in cold blood and lose everything she's gained."

"That was not your choice to make," Yhwach retorted. "You had no right to alter her power-"

"Didn't you say that you wanted what was best for your master? For dear Bambi?" the voice asked, cutting Yhwach off. "Did you want her to end up alone again? Her strength would mean nothing if she lost Fairy Tail."

Yhwach brought a hand out from his cloak, the man staring at the emblem that marked the back of it. "You speak the truth. However, I do not appreciate the games you play with my master."

"I assure you, this is no game," the voice replied. "I take no pleasure in keeping her in the dark."

Yhwach began to speak out. "Then-"

"I will reveal myself to her soon," the voice said. "Until then, please do as you always have. Look out for her."

"That is all I have ever wanted to do." Yhwach was left alone once more then. He spoke yet again, if only to himself. "Perhaps you feel the same."


All Lucy wanted to do was run forward. To find Bambietta, to assist her in the battle against Hanza. However, she knew better. Her friend had taken Hanza away from her for her own safety. To go to aide her would only dishonor that desire. That was the left thing Lucy wanted to do.

However, she also knew that where she stood now was no safer. Those of Fairy Tail, all her other friends, were still locked in battle with the shades that Jose Porla had brought into existence. Lucy was no different, doing her best to keep them at bay with her whip. Yet still she had to pray for Bambietta's safety, just as she did for everyone else. Hanza had already nearly killed her once now. The thought of him making another attempt and succeeding was too much to bear.

"Lucy, I'm home!"

The wizard turned in response to the familiar voice and was greeted by the sight of Bambietta walking into view, the Quincy dragging a beaten Hanza through the dirt. Bambietta quickly threw the shinobi forward, leaving him to hit the ground hard.

"See, I knew I could beat Mister McNinja," Bambietta said, planting both hands on her hips and sticking out her chest. "All it took was blowing him up twice. Oh, and kicking him the face. He was a tough little bastard, but-"

Bambietta was suddenly caught off guard, Lucy having run over to grab the Quincy in a hug. "You're okay, right, Bambi?"

"Of course I am!" the Quincy exclaimed. "No muss, no fuss. He's the one all beat up and bloodied, so-"

"No, I meant..." Lucy's voice trailed off for a minute, the wizard not letting go of her embrace. "I saw you crying when you were stuck in that light."

"Oh." Bambietta was unsure of what to say to that. Her facade began to falter, her demeanor born out of confidence falling by the wayside. Lucy had seen her at her lowest and there was nothing she could do about that. "I wish you hadn't seen that."

"You're okay, right?" Lucy asked once more, holding Bambietta tighter.

"Yes, I'm-" Bambietta took a deep breath. Constant bravado had no place here, not now. She simply brought her arms around Lucy as well, returning the embrace. "I'm fine now. Better than ever. And I need to... thank you for that."

Bambietta rested her face atop Lucy's shoulder, her expression wavering as she did so. She could feel something welling at the corners of her eyes. Tears Not of sorrow or pain, not like any she had experienced before. They were tears of joy.

"I heard you in there, Lucy," Bambietta said. "I was at my lowest and... You helped bring me back. And because of that... I can never thank you enough."

"You don't have to thank me for anything," Lucy replied. "I just..."

"Yes, yes I do," Bambietta whispered. "You're too damn good for me, Lucy."

Lucy turned her head slightly, resting the side of it against Bambietta's own. There was nothing she could say then, nothing at all. She was simply glad to have the Quincy back by her side.

"You know, I hate to break up the girlie time," a voice called out, "but we're kind of in the middle of a guild war!"

Lucy and Bambietta came to then, the both of them pulling away from each other. They looked to the side, catching sight of Cana Alberona. The wizard was just as the other wizards in the vicinity, trying her best to fend off the shadowy beings of Jose Porla with her magic.

"Oh. Right." Lucy pulled out a key, swinging it out. "Open, Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus!"

The Celestial Spirit appeared on the spot in a brilliant light, then simply leapt into the fray, his axe at the ready.

"So, Bambi," Lucy asked, the wizard bringing out her whip just in case. "You can blow stuff up now?"

"More or less," Bambietta said, the Quincy focusing her attentions on a few nearby Shades. "Let's see if these count as off limits to the Explode."

Bambietta crossed her arms over her chest, her fingers and thumbs spreading outwards. Orb after orb appeared between each and every one, their glow bathing Bambietta's face. She swung out her arms then, allowing the power of the Explode to fire outwards in a small barrage. Each and every orb struck home, leaving the Shades to start exploding on the spot.

"Hell yeah!" Bambietta said, once more bringing more orbs into fruition. "Oh, the Explode... You have no idea how much I missed you!"

Lucy watched on as Bambietta began to lay waste to the Shades, destroying eight at a time. All the while she could hear her roommate laughing, the Quincy no doubt working out whatever aggression she may have felt at Phantom Lord. "Huh. She really can blow stuff up. Oh, poor Master Makarov..."


Liltotto Lamperd had never expected that she would be happy to see Laxus Dreyar, but she could tell that there was a first time for everything. He had arrived in the nick of time, having taken down the leader of the Element Four. Now he was keeping his distance, his back to both Liltotto and Wendy Marvell.

"Mister Laxus?" Wendy asked in a timid tone. "T-thank you."

"Don't mention it," the man replied, all the while still keeping his back towards his fellow Fairy Tail members. "Seriously. Don't. I'm not interested in the rest of the guild thinking I've become as soft as they have."

Liltotto tried her very best not to shake her head in response to the man's attitude. She had considered casting aside any of her feelings and thanking him as well, but that was proving problematic after what he had just said. It was no matter. She had other matters to concern herself with. Of all the other battles she had helped orchestrate. Natsu's in particular. She was worried for him, perhaps more than she should have been. After all, it was Elfman who she felt most deserved her concerns.

"Well, that's the big shot down," Liltotto finally said. "We should go check on the oth-"

Liltotto's eyes suddenly widened, the Quincy left to watch in surprise as Laxus turned into a bolt of lightning. It all happened so quick, the wizard arcing directly in front of Wendy. As he rematerialized in physical form, he shoved the Sky Dragon Slayer away, leaving Liltotto to grow angry with him. It was all she could do to pay attention to what he had to say, one simple word. "Move!"

Then she saw it. Blood. Blood spitting out from his mouth, bursting out from his chest. There was something else there, a beam of shadow and violent light piercing through his chest. Liltotto could hear Laxus curse under his pained breath, the man struggling to keep himself standing.

Then she heard something else. It was Wendy, the young wizard's screams of terror echoing across the guild hall.

"Well, well," a voice beckoned from the darkness. "Such a shame. I was hoping to take the darling Dragon Slayer with the healing magic out of the game, not Makarov's damned grandson."

Laxus turned his body around, blood oozing out from his mouth and dripping down his face. He looked on as a figure began to step out of the darkness. He understood then, that the one approaching was the owner of the magic he had felt not a moment too soon. "You son of a bitch..."

Another beam of magic pierced Laxus once more, tearing through his chest not a few inches away from the gaping hole from before. More blood was spilled then, leaving the S-Class wizard to at last fall upon his back, the black coat that hung from his shoulders spreading out across the floor.

"A fairy who allowed himself to be wounded to protect another has no right to speak to me as such," Jose Porla said as he stepped out in front of Liltotto and Wendy. "So then, which of you damned fairies wishes to fall next?"


Now how was that for a chapter huh? Sorry for the long wait, but we really wanted to get this right.

Yes, we gave back Bambietta her Schrift...Kinda. We couldn't give her back the full powered version, it would be far too broken. Maybe in time she'll get it back, but for now, as you can see, it will be more than enough.

But who was the voice that spoke to Yhwach in Bambietta's mind? You'll find out soon, I promise. The answer to how she and everyone else will be revealed VERY soon.

But we still have one more enemy left to deal with. Jose. If you think for even a minute that I'm going to have him go down easy, then think again. The man IS a wizard saint. Now normally I'm sure Laxus could handle him pretty well...But he's not exactly in a good fighting condition now is he?

How will Fairy Tail get out of this mess? You'll have to find out next time! I hope it will be more than satisfying to you all.

But before I go, I also want to thank you all for each review you guys have left. If you truly want to support this story, please let us know what you thought of this chapter. I'm VERY eager to read them all. So please, let us know what you think in a review, it REALLY means alot to us.

Oh and here are the MPF's for this fight.

Hanza: 1300

Bambietta: 3300

Hanza (armor): 3200

Lucy: 600

Aquarius: 2900

Bambietta (The "E" semi Returned): 4300