My dear readers! WE! HAVE! RETURNED!
Its been...A bit later than we originally expected it would be. Things got a bit complicated in the last 2 months, Ankoholic lost someone very near and dear to him, not to mention how insane our jobs have been.
But despite all those issues, we have come back to continue the story of everyone's favorite Quincy, Bambietta Basterbine!
Now more than ever am I looking forward to seeing what you think of this chapter in a review. You'll see why at the end. But enough with the delays, LET US BEGIN!
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun.
The Pristine Room was the place that Sylphia Nelia Labelle had long since found to be her home. It was a quiet place, something the Goddess of Camaraderie did not entirely love. The white walls seemed to represent solitude her and to one who valued friendship and bonds over all else, that was a sad thing to stare at. It was reason enough she had been one of the goddesses of Earth Land who had made frequent trips down to stay among the mortals. However, with the game of the gods being played, she had to stay more distant for the time being. She had to simply watch her chosen champion from afar.
"Bambi..."
It had not been that long since Sylphia had introduced herself to Bambietta Basterbine and explained her being chosen, no, but for the timeless goddesses it felt like it had been months. Her curiosity getting the better of her, Sylphia brought one hand up, a spark of almighty magic issuing forth. A portal opened before her, one that honed in her interest. It was not nice to eavesdrop, Sylphia knew that much, but she wanted to see that Bambietta was doing all right.
"No..."
What Sylphia saw horrified her. Before her on the portal was the visage of Bambietta Basterbine but it was not as the goddess had last saw it. Gone was the outgoing and bombastic Quincy she had known, only an empty shell possessing a skin tone that was a shade of crimson. Eyes that Sylphia knew well, ones that had possessed an energetic spark, were seemingly gone. In there place was nothing but a blank stare of submission. It was as Sylphia remembered Bambietta when she had plucked her from her world and brought her to Earth Land.
Worse, she was neither with Fairy Tail or truly alone. Two others were with her, Quincy chosen by other gods. Giselle Gewelle was currently holding Bambietta by the back of her skull, using the leverage to smash her face against the corner of a table. "Don't be saying that you want to stay here, Bambi! It's not nice after all the trouble I went through to keep you around! You're going to protect me and Lil when we go into Hueco Mundo, right?"
Liltotto Lamperd, meanwhile, was simply paying the situation no mind, instead working on opening what appeared to be a doorway into a realm of the afterlife. "Gigi, you know you're going to just have to put that blood back in the bitch. Or slurp it all up when you're done. We don't have time for this. We need to zombify some Hollows or Arrancars so we can take back Candice and Meninas' bodies from the Soul Reapers."
"But..." Giselle looked back at Liltotto with pleading eyes. "Bambi was being so mean saying she didn't want to fight today."
"I'll... I'll do it..." Bambietta gasped, her voice distorted by the broken nose and nearly dislocated jaw. "Just... don't be mad at me, Gigi..."
"Yay!" Giselle wildly hugged Bambietta then, squeezing her tight. "I knew you'd do the right thing!"
Sylphia simply stared blankly at the scene before her, the goddess very nearly at a loss for words. This was not right. She had brought Bambietta to this world and pulled strings through Porlyusica's power to return her to the living from behind the scenes. So what could have happened in such a short amount of time to have led to this endless stream of contradictions from when last Sylphia had seen Bambietta.
"This..." Sylphia's confused expression hardened. Realization dawned on her and any concern or trepidation she had felt faded away. "This isn't real."
"Of course it's not," a familiar voice said as it echoed around the Pristine Room. "However, the fact that it had a goddess of your caliber even momentarily fooled does speak well of my handiwork."
Sylphia turned to find a familiar figure within her chamber of repose. He was a tall and slender man, one who's dark robes matched his well groomed hair. The goddess stared at him for a moment, knowing full well she was host to a fellow god. "Ankhseram."
He was a god that Sylphia had a strained relationship with. They were on the same side of the upcoming battle between champions but they still would on occasion find themselves in stark disagreement. In some was it made their choice of champions an ironic echo of themselves.
This moment of time was no different from any other. The two divine beings found themselves at a crossroad of their intertwined paths and Sylphia did not quite care for the route Ankhseram had seemingly taken. Still, the goddess needed verbal confirmation of the the suspicions her awareness was leading her towards.
"What have you done?" Sylphia asked.
"You sparked a dangerous game," Ankhseram said as he approached the portal to the other word. He stared at the three Quincy on it. "When you first played a game such as this with Zelor... was it a century ago?"
"Not that long ago," Sylphia said, having to remember that some of her fellow divine beings were even less aware of the passage of time than she was. "But yes..."
"You two allowed the mortals from another world to reincarnate into this one," Ankhseram continued. "But that was for a minor squabble. This situation we find ourselves in required more expedient result. So we all agreed to revive them in the present as they were. But you had move past our rules and chose a champion who wasn't among the deceased."
"Bambietta Basterbine wasn't entirely alive either," Sylphia countered.
"And now other gods followed your lead, selecting champions who were at death's door. So I had to step in and attempt to rectify all of your follies." Ankhseram glared at the moving image of Bambietta, Liltotto and Giselle. "I suppose my soulless constructs will serve their purpose if even you, one intrinsically connected to one of their sources, did not immediately detect something was wrong."
Sylphia tried her best to not dwell on the momentary worry these artificial facsimiles had caused her. "But why would you?"
Ankhseram stared at the portal, his eyes glowing for a moment. The image began to grow blurry and flicker. Soon it refocused, showing another group within the other world. Unlike the trio of Quincy, these four were very much their true selves. To their world they were known as Squad Zero. In response to their visage did Ankhseram grow irritated.
"Imagine, Sylphia Nelia Labelle, if these four were to become privy to our world," Ankhseram began to exposit. "If they were to discern that five beings had vanished from their world. Two right from their palace. If Soul Reapers were to come to our world-"
"Ankhseram," Sylphia began to say rather calmly, "you cannot fear their world."
There was a moment of silence then, Ankhseram keeping his back to Sylphia still. Then, quite suddenly, did he begin to laugh.
"Fear? My dear Sylphia, I am Ankhseram, the God of Judgment. Why would I fear such a world?"
Sylphia stared back at him, trying to discern his true feelings. "Hatred then?"
"That's more accurate," Ankhseram said, finally turning to look over his shoulder. "Our kind is true divinity while these Soul Reapers are nothing of the kind. They are but charlatans who call themselves gods of death."
Sylphia simply stayed quiet, allowing Ankhseram to continue to speak. She knew full well how easy it was for him to lose himself in the moment and, as ungodlike as it was, to rant.
"They who have perverted the foundations of life and death within their world," Ankhseram hissed. "If they were to set foot in our world I would have no choice but to judge them for their wicked crimes. They would be punished in accordance of the gods before they could lay waste to our realm with their twisted ideals and selfish desires."
Waiting for a moment to make sure that Ankhseram was done, Sylphia spoke up. "Gosh, you take this whole judgment thing so seriously."
Ankhseram flinched, a most human reaction from a god. "I... I do no such thing."
"Yes, yes you do," Sylphia said as she drew closer. She leaned towards Ankhseram, looking up towards his face as she drew closer. "Don't say different because I know you too well. You're supposed to be all about judging those who step into the realm of the gods but you seem to have a big hang up about people who dabble in matters of life and death."
"Again," Ankhseram tried to say, "I do no such-"
"What about Zeref?" Sylphia interjected. "He used to be such a sweet kid before you cursed him."
"He crossed a line!" Ankhseram said, the god raising his voice. "And he-"
"Did it with good intentions." Sylphia put an index finger over Ankhseram's to quiet him down. "And what about that poor Mavis girl? I don't recall her trying to undue death itself."
"The spell she used was a forbidden one! I had to-"
Sylphia pushed her finger harder against Ankhseram's lips to once more quiet him down. "Like I said, you take your role as judge much too seriously."
Ankhseram waited for Sylphia to step back, the god taking no action against her. They were on equal footing in terms of status. However, it was simply the nature of who she was that left him to allow her to do as she had. He knew Sylphia was right and yet his role demanded such from him.
"But I do know you're a afraid," Sylphia said as she moved past Ankhseram and looked at the members of Squad Zero going about their daily activities. "Not of the Soul Reapers but of..."
Focusing her eyes, Sylphia's power made the portal also focus. It's image honed in on the crystal that was in the back of the room Squad Zero was in. However, it was not the crystal that Sylphia was interested in No, it was what was inside the crystal.
It was the remains of a that appeared to be more dead than alive. One that was missing all it's limbs and left trapped within the crystal. It's face was worn and both it's facial hair and mane were unkempt. However, most disconcerting was the body's eyes. They were wide open and possessing many irises. Yet, despite that, it appeared as if they were staring at nothing.
"The Soul King," Sylphia finally said, the goddess feeling uneasy from simply looking at corpse that Squad Zero had desecrated.
Ankhseram was no less revolted, the god displaying his displeasure with unchecked anger. "Abomination."
"Look, I know I bent the rules by bringing Bambietta over," Sylphia said. "And I also know that led to another picking Liltotto. And I mean you picked Giselle..."
"I had to," Ankhseram said quite suddenly. "If someone else had decided to grab her after you broke the rules, there's no telling how much they would have allowed her to pervert the very foundations of death in Earth Land."
"I'm starting to think you're hung up on that sort of thing," Sylphia whispered.
Ankhseram turned to look at her. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" Sylphia looked at her fellow god with a sheepish expression, all the while waving her hands in front of her face as if to display a sign of innocence. "I was just saying it's great that you're looking out for the sanctity of life and death, that's all!"
"Of course."
Whether or not Ankhseram had taken her word at face value or saw through her lies Sylphia did not know. Regardless of what the truth was, she was glad he was not pressing the issue with her. After all, there was a much bigger concern for them both. One that was right before them in the portal.
"I do not fear the Soul Reapers," Ankhseram said, "but that abomination's power is concerning. If Squad Zero were to come to our world with it... Yes, I have reason to be fearful of that. As you should be as well."
"It looks like no one broke your ruling then," Sylphia offered up. "He's still there. Or did you replace him as well?"
"I have not," Ankhseram answered. "But I worry nonetheless. His body is chained to that world as its Soul King but there is still the fear that a god may have chosen to bring his soul to this world as their champion. And if so, perhaps the Soul Reapers would come here to investigate the hollow remains."
"No one would be so foolish as to break that decree of yours," Sylphia replied as she moved closer to Ankhseram to give him a pat on the back. "So just relax."
"I will try." Ankhseram sighed before looking at Sylphia with a expression that hid any worries. "So you were checking on your champion, correct?"
"Oh yes!" Sylphia looked back at the screen and waved her hand before it. Much to her annoyance, the image changed to that of the soulless copies that Ankhseram had created. "No, not that one again..."
Sylphia waved her hand a second time with some degree of annoyance. This time she received the desired results and her portal showed her both Earth Land and the one true Bambietta Basterbine. The Quincy's face was taking up the entire screen, Bambietta loudly laughing with youthful enthusiasm.
"I think you really might have botched making the fakes," Sylphia said. "I mean... this one is so much more lively."
"I worked with what I had," Ankhseram said. "I based my interpretations off the information I cleaned from Giselle Gewelle's mind."
"You're chosen champion has a warped sense of love if you ask me," Sylphia said with a shrug. "I mean... look how happy Bambietta is here. I wonder what's up..."
Waving her arms out to her sides, Sylphia forced the portal to zoom out and show her Bambietta's circumstances with greater perspective and clarity. What she and Ankhseram saw next was unexpected.
Bambietta Basterbine was standing triumphantly atop a pile of dead monsters, hands on her hips as her cape billowed in the wind. Her mad laugher born of joy and satisfaction continued.
"Oh." That was all Sylphia could say. "Well... she is happy and that's what counts."
Ankhseram looked upon Bambietta, taking in the sight of the battle she had clearly one. "I suppose both our champions may have issues."
Bambietta Basterbine was a happy Quincy. It was both due to the fact that she had been given a chance to revel in sanctioned violence and because she had been involved in a job well done. The village of Hyriko had been besieged by a swarm of Porclins, the azure pig-like creatures having kidnapped the women and taken them to their mountain den. Fairy Tail had been one of many magical guilds to receive the job request to save those kidnapped and Bambietta had been quick to jump at the chance to fight another legion of monsters. For the explosive Quincy it had been far too long since she had helped save Clover Town.
Now she was standing atop a mountain of dead and defeated Porclins, the Quincy grinning in light of her victory. She was not sure how heroic she would look to others right now but she did at least feel like one in her own mind.
"Not bad if I do say so myself," Bambietta said to no one but herself as she stretched for a moment and looked down at the massacre beneath her boots. "A hundred in total if I kept count. Shame that wasn't too much of a workout but once everything's cleaned up out here we can be bathed in the thanks of a bunch of kidnappees. That'll be fun."
As a member of Fairy Tail, Bambietta was never alone. The guild had long since worked its way into her very heart, having given her a home. Even when she was simply taking a walk through Magnolia to look up at the stars she always felt the warmth of her new comrades. However, as of right now, she was truly not alone. Several guild members had come with her to the outskirts of Hyriko, each of them having been handpicked by Bambietta herself. The Quincy had formed a team, one that she had affectionally referred to as the Bamb Squad thanks to Cana.
She was one of those Bambietta had asked to come along. Even if the Quincy could not hope to drink her under the table she was going to get her on the team one way or another. Working with her and assessing her capabilities seemed like a decent way to go about it for one who was one shot glass away from getting drunk. Regardless, Cana was tearing into a legion of the Porclins, a barrage of spell cards felling them quite quickly while other monsters still found themselves victims of her trap cards.
"Oh, closing in on thirty. Nice." Bambietta took note of that, the Quincy trying her best to make a head count amidst all the chaos. "Now then, how about Gray's lovey-dovey water mage?"
Shifting her gaze, Bambietta could see Juvia Lockser laying waste to a mass of Porclins as well thanks to her Water Slicer technique.
"Oh, that gives her... forty, right?" Bambietta smirked. "Neat!"
Bambietta shifted her focus yet again, the Quincy watching as Bisca Mulan brought down the last of her opponents with a magic bullet that went through them as they had charged towards her.
"Oh, that'd sting in the morning if those dumbasses were going to wake up," Bambietta mused. "That's... twenty? Not bad."
Bambietta shifted her attentions once more, having saved the best for last. Perhaps not in number, as by Bambietta's estimate she had just finished off defeating her fifteenth Porclin, but in terms of how much she meant to Bambietta.
For this member of Fairy Tail had not been brought along to see if she was someone capable of fighting by Bambietta's side in the Bamb Squad. No, she had already proven that in a myriad number of ways, not the least of which was that Bambietta had fallen for her and that she had accepted her affection and had decided to see how it would play out for them both. Bambietta had brought her simply because she wanted to be with her.
She was Lucy Heartfilia and she was the love of Bambietta's life.
"Hah!" Lucy said as she swung back her magic whip, the wizard beginning to wind up the weapon she had used in place of a Celestial Spirit to strike down the last remaining Porclin. "I sure showed them. I wonder how Bambietta... did?"
Turning, Lucy could see that her other victorious guild mates were staring not at Bambietta but up at her. The Quincy was atop a small hill of beaten Porclins, a satisfied grin etched upon her face.
"Wow," Bisca began to say rather nonchalantly, "it sure is Erza in here."
"Except Erza wouldn't be quite so giddy," Cana added. "At least as far as I know."
"Hey, I think I have a right to be a happy little camper, Bambietta exclaimed as she simply hopped down to the ground. The wide smile on her face on her face remained as she brought her right hand up with two fingers extended in a v shape. "Monsters rampaged, a reward is waiting to be claimed and victory was mine!"
Bisca leaned over to Cana and whispered into her ear. "Yeah, Erza was never quite this level of crazy."
"Now then," Bambietta said as she brought both arms out, "group hug?"
Bisca and Cana simply looked at one and another while Juvia fidgeted. "Oh, I could never do such a thing with anyone but my darling Gray."
Bambietta lowered her arms ever so slightly, a dejected look on her face for a split second before she quickly composed herself. "W-Well no matter! You ladies all did fine work today! And that's why I want to bestow upon you a great honor!"
Cana was quick to speak up. "You want us to join the Bamb Squad and you know you can't drink me under the table to do it and figured we'd bond over fighting monsters."
"No." Bambietta's shoulders sunk. "Yes."
"Well it might be that last bottle of beer I drank before we started fighting but I'm game," Cana said as she cracked open another one. "Cheers to the Bamb Squad?"
"The little team that Levy, Lucy and Wendy are in?" Bisca asked with a shrug. "Sure, why not? Though I'm surprised you didn't ask Laki.
Bambietta was quick to answer, her voice low and somewhat distant. "She scares me."
"I may be new to Fairy Tail but I would gladly work amongst you all," Juvia said as well. "Though I only ask that any job requests we take as a group take a back seat to any I may be able to partake alongside Gray."
"Excellent!" Bambietta said with glee before growing quieter for a minute. "Girl has an ice fetish or something, I swear.. but who am I to judge?"
Lucy moved towards Bambietta then while the others conversed amongst themselves. "I guess you had a good time, huh?"
"It's not every day a Quincy gets to wreck shop on a bunch of pig monsters," Bambietta said with a self-assured shrug. "You sure know how to show a girl a good time, Lucy."
"I don't know if that was a compliment or not," Lucy said as she glanced back at the others. "But I figured we'd be doing this mission by ourselves. Not that I minded the help but... I only brought it up to you when Levy, Wendy and Natsu were out and about. I figured it would be just the two of us."
Bambietta blinked. "You... you wanted us to go out on a monster hunting date?"
Lucy tilted her head to the side slightly as she faintly smiled. "I guess so, yeah. I figured that you'd like that."
Bambietta was quiet for a moment before suddenly dropping to one knee, bringing her hands together and closed her eyes. "I wish to thank you, Lord, for gracing me with someone who totally gets me."
"Hey now, you don't need to be thanking someone for us being together," Lucy said, waving her hands in front of herself as her cheeks turned a bright shade of red. "It's kind of embarrassing, Bambi."
"Eh?" Bambietta stood back up and move close to Lucy. "Now don't go saying that sort of thing. I mean I should be the embarrassed one. The first time we went out on a mission, didn't you get to see my panties?"
Despite how drunk she could get, there were two things Cana was able to deftly perceive regardless. The first was a call to battle. The second was what was going on near as of this moment. Turning to look at Bambietta and Lucy and seeing the Quincy draping her arms over the wizard's shoulders, Cana raised an eyebrow. "Oh wow."
"Don't make it sound like that, Bambi," Lucy stammered. "You just got your skirt stuck in a trap and lost it was all. And I wasn't the only one that saw them. Levy was there and-"
"Shhh..." Bambietta said, interrupting Lucy with an index finger over her lips. "This victory moment is for you and me to enjoy, okay?"
Erza Scarlet grunted as she was pushed back by one of the arrows that had been fired off by her opponent. The S-Class wizard was parrying each and every one of them thus far but she had to admit that she was impressed. Erza had not expected the one before her to have grown so strong in such a short time.
Then did one arrow slip through her defenses, one which grazed her, a lock of crimson hair fluttering into the air. Erza could see in that moment that the armor she had relief on from the start, Heart Kreuz, would simply not be enough. So, as her opponent closed and Erza's broad sword clashed with a much shorter blade, Erza parried the attack and loose with the magic of the Knight.
"Requip!"
Golden light covered Erza's form as magic circles took shape all around her. Then did it all fade away, magic particles splintering off and leaving Erza behind clad in the elegant form of her Heaven's Wheel armor. Wielding twin swords now, Erza pointed one towards her opponent, the motion a command unto magic. A legion of swords hovered behind the metallic wings of the armor.
"Dance my swords!"
The veritable armory shot forward under Erza's command.
Against most enemies this would have been enough to bring them down. Bandits or even wizards of lower ranks had little to no means of defending against such a force. However, it just so happened that Liltotto Lamperd was hardy one who could fall in the cracks of a low rank. Letting her short sword vanish, Liltotto crafted a bow that was first forged of energy before taking on a physical form, one that was spiral shaped.
"Licht Regen."
In a clash between one hundred swords and one thousand arrows, the victor would be obvious. While Erza's summoned blades were much more potent than any of the arrows, the sheer numbers were able to chip away at the volley of hovering swords. Erza watched as each blade she fired at the Quincy were whittled down and destroyed.
Yet Erza remained impassive in expression. Allowing her armor to take flight, she leapt into the air to avoid the approaching barrage of blue light. Once in the skies, Erza summoned more of her blades and instructed them to fall upon Liltotto.
Liltotto, meanwhile, also remained impassive. It took a great deal of dexterity but she managed to evade the falling attacks with measured steps of Hirenkyaku. Such countermeasures did not end there, however. Hirenkyaku allowed Liltotto to take to the skies, an invisible platform formed of magical particles forming so as to meet her once the Quincy leapt upwards. In two bounds did Liltotto take to a higher altitude than Erza.
"Nice try but I have the high ground," Liltotto said, the Quincy taking note of how little Erza reacted. "Bambi would have laughed..."
Liltotto fired off more arrows, once more using Licht Regen. Erza was able to evade them, her Heaven's Wheel armor allowing her to slip between the arrows. It was amazing for Liltotto to watch, the Quincy beginning to wonder what the upper limits of Erza really were. For a moment did she wonder if Erza could make the impossible possible by walking between even rain drops.
Erza, meanwhile had her own thoughts. Liltotto's aim was usually much better than this, at least from what she had seen of the Quincy on the field of battle during the Phantom Lord conflict. The attacks were far from consistent, some coming deadly close while others were completely off the mark. It left Erza to wonder if Liltotto was doing it on purpose as part of some long term strategy.
Deciding to test that theory, as well as to close the gap between them, Erza rushed towards Liltotto quite suddenly. She summoned and launched more and more blades, leaving Liltotto to try and fend them off with her arrows once again. However, much to her dismay, it was not working this time. It took a fair amount of arrows to push away one sword and the amount of time she had to strike them repeatably was shrinking as Erza drew closer.
Casting aside her bow, Liltotto once more brought her sword into existence. Brandishing her short sword in a reverse grip, it's serrated edge gleaming in the sunlight, Liltotto descended and once more did blades clash.
Erza prepared herself to parry the clash when she took notice of something different from the last time. The serrated edge of Liltotto's blade was beginning to glow, the chipped edges giving form to a blue energy just as jagged. It began to move, the serrated light beginning to cut through Era's sword.
No, it was more than that. It was eating the blade itself. Letting go at the second, Erza pulled back. She readied herself with the sword that still remained in her right hand but was suddenly struck down to the ground below by one of Liltotto's feet.
"Impressive," Erza said as she quickly rose back up and dusted herself off. "You certainly have improved, Liltotto."
"You haven't seen anything quite yet," Liltotto replied flatly as her feet touched down on the ground. "But you will... right... now."
Erza took notice of a faint blue glow in the corner of her eyes. Looking about quickly to assess the situation, she noted that there were several of Liltotto's arrows partially embedded in the ground, their light fiercer than before. Faint lines of energy were drawn through the grass and dirt, connecting the arrows.
"A trap," Erza mused, the wizard noting that Liltotto's haphazard aim from earlier had been intentional.
"Exactly." Liltotto landed on her feet before Erza and the pentagon shaped trap. "I might not have the tools it was designed around but the Vandenreich found better methods."
Before Erza had a chance to escape the trap through flight or other methods, Liltotto let loose an errant spark of her energy, the drop of magic falling from the palm of her hand and down on one of the arrows that marked the pentagon.
"Sprenger," Liltotto said quietly, her voice quickly drowned up by an explosion of magic that filled the pentagon Erza was within. Stepping back, Liltotto could tell for certain that it was wise that Erza had asked that they take this mock battle exercise out into the woods. At first Liltotto had been confused, knowing that Erza and Natsu had fought many a time right in the heart of Magnolia, but now she was beginning to understand. No doubt Erza was used to containing Natsu's powers in a battle contained within the city limits. Liltotto, however, was an unknown quantity in many ways. If any true chaos had been caused by the battle, if any unknown quantities had damaged Magnolia, then Master Makarov would not have been pleased.
"Damn."
Liltotto took another step back, then another, with Hirenkyaku. This was no doubt just what Erza had been worried about. Sprenger was proving much more fierce than even Liltotto had been expecting. Ever since the battle with Phantom Lord had concluded she had worked to grow stronger. Fighting monsters all about the countryside, devouring them so as to take a fraction of their power. She had failed to stop Jose Porla with her unstable Voll Stern Dich, she had failed to protect both Fairy Tail and Bambietta. She would never allow that to happen again.
However it was proving clear that Erza's concerns for Magnolia were not unfounded. The explosion of magic was growing in intensity, Liltotto beginning to panic.
"I went too far... Erza!"
Liltotto ran forward, intent on diving into her own attack to grab Erza and pull her out. It was a foolhardy notion for the Quincy who Bambietta had almost always accused of overthinking things but for the moment Liltotto was not thinking at all.
Her fingertips a mere inch from making contact with the explosive energy, Liltotto gasped. The explosion was fading at last, it's power having run out.
"Erza..."
Any fears that Liltotto had experienced were quickly proven to be unfounded. Standing in the center of the devastated land was one Erza Scarlet. She was clad in her Adamantium armor, both shields at the ready and their magic circles deployed at all sides.
Against a true enemy, Liltotto would be horrified to see that she had not managed to damage her enemy in the slightest. There was not even a single scratch on Erza. However, against someone she had begun to look up to there was a different reaction, a mixture of relief and deepening admiration.
Still, this was a battle and Liltotto was prepared to continue it. As Erza began to requip into another armor, Liltotto began to summon her bow. Raising her weapon up, she prepared to take aim.
However, Erza was right before her. Clad in her Black Wing armor, the wizard had an ebony sword resting atop Liltotto's shoulder.
"Yield," Erza simply said.
Liltotto let her weapon fade away into particles, the Quincy a little bit disappointed. She had grown stronger but she had not come far enough. To truly protect Bambietta and Fairy Tail she had to be closer to the strength of Titania. When Erza had asked for their mock battle, Liltotto had hoped to find out that she was. Now she was truly beginning to see the gap that existed between them.
The failure of her strength left Liltotto looking down to the ground. She was not truly capable of defending Bambietta, Natsu or Erza.
Erza's sword vanished as well, the wizard returning to her Heart Kreuz armor. Replacing the blade was an gauntlet, Erza's hand gently taking hold of Liltotto's shoulder.
"I am rather impressed, Liltotto. You've come so far in just a short amount of time."
That was all it took to restore Liltotto's spirits, the Quincy looking up into Erza's eyes. "You mean it?"
"You went above and beyond in the battle against Phantom Lord, Liltotto Lamperd," Erza said. "You planned our counterattack against the Super Mage Giant Phantom and even fought on par with a Wizard Saint for a moment."
"For a moment," Liltotto said as her eyes darted away from gazing up at Erza. "That was all and it wasn't enough."
"For one who only joined Fairy Tail recently it was more than enough," Erza replied as she shook her head. "I know you and Bambietta lived a different life before coming to our guild but I am so very happy that you put that training to good use in defense of Fairy Tail. And that's why I believe someday soon you will be more than worthy for the S-Class trial."
Liltotto was quick to respond to that. "I appreciate it... but no. I can't ever do that. Not before Ba-"
The Quincy stopped for a moment, her eyes closing for a moment before she looked back up at Erza.
"Why me and not Bambi? I won't take any such trial if she isn't allowed to."
"I see." Erza removed her hand from Liltotto's shoulder. "When you displayed power such as you had against Jose Porla, I had to wonder why you hadn't used it earlier. I assumed it was simply because it was too taxing on your body. And while that is true, there was another reason. Am I correct?"
Liltotto could say nothing.
"Even if you were the one devising strategies, Bambietta was the leader on the field," Erza said. "And you don't want to hurt her pride anymore than you think you have already."
"I helped kill it once," Liltotto whispered. "She's her same old self and I know she said she didn't care but...I was stronger than her with my Voll Stern Dich. If I were S-Class before her then- Ah!"
Liltotto cried out as her head crashed into a breastplate, Erza having pulled her into a hug. "Do not worry, Liltotto. Everything will be fine. However, I ask that you no longer overwork yourself. Strength will come naturally to you and Bambietta both."
"But I failed everyone back home," Liltotto sobbed into Erza's armor. "And I couldn't stop Jose. I failed again and-"
"Hush," Erza said soothingly as her hand pressed against Liltotto's back. "You do not need to take such responsibilities. All of Fairy Tail will share them with you."
There was a silence then, Liltotto's crying slowing down at last. She pulled away from Erza, running her knuckles under her eyes to wipe away the tears. She sniffed back for a moment before looking up at Erza.
"Thank you, Erza," Liltotto finally managed to say. "You're right. I just- This isn't the Vandenreich. Power isn't everything in Fairy Tail. I just... grew too used to the competition Yhwach would breed amongst his Stern Ritter and..."
"It's all right. You don't have to worry anymore. I'm sure Bambietta will be fine as well. And in time I believe that you will both be S-rank. After all..." Erza smiled warmly as she reached out and patted Liltotto on the head. "Yours was only the first assessment I was going to perform today. In light of the battle against Phantom Lord, there is much new potential in Fairy Tail that Master Makarov wishes for me to assess."
"Oh." Liltotto's expression brightened up. "Well..."
It was in that moment that the Quincy was at a loss for words. She could only hope that Bambietta's assessment from Erza would go well. She had not seen her much in the last few days, Bambietta having spent a better part of her time with Lucy as of late.
"Isn't the view amazing, Bambi?"
Lucy was looking looked down at Magnolia from the top of the Fairy Tail guild hall, the sunlight bathing her in its warmth. After the long and arduous job request she and the others had experienced against the Porclins, she had just wanted to take a moment to enjoy looking at the town. It was a beautiful sight, one hardly marred by the repairs still being done to the guild hall in light of the conflict with Phantom Lord. Makarov Dreyar had made it clear that the guild would not allow such a battle to be a setback in the slightest. Soon Fairy Tail's home would be in pristine shape, bigger and better than ever before.
For now, however, the future was not one of Lucy's concerns. She was simply looking over the town, from the small canal that ran through it to the cathedral that dotted its landscape. While it was not the first time she had laid eyes on the sights of Magnolia Town, it was the first time she had seen it from such a view. It was all thanks to one Bambietta Basterbine, the Quincy who had used her ability to step into the air to bring Lucy to the roof.
For that Quincy in question it was not a new sight. She had done much mediation atop the roof to get away from the hustle and bustle of Fairy Tail. It was necessary if she was ever to reach the heights of her former power. She was a fickle soul, one that was always yearning for something new each and every second, so staying calm and quiet in one place was not a state of mind easily reached by her. It was all the more reason why Bambietta had to step away from the chaos of Fairy Tail every now and then if she wished to train herself spiritually. So for her the sights of Magnolia Town from above were not new. She was still looking at the cityscape but her eyes could not help but wander now and again.
"The view?" Bambietta said a little absentmindedly. "Yeah, it sure is."
The Quincy could not agree more, but not quite for the same reasons as Lucy. The Celestial Spirit wizard was leaning forward a bit to get a good luck at the town, one hand over her eyes to combat the sun, but Bambietta's eyes kept drifting down towards Lucy's bottom.
A part of Bambietta felt bad for sneaking gazes at her girlfriend but she simply could not help herself. At the very least that was what she tried to tell herself. Deep down, a part of the Quincy was beginning to chastise herself for this. She came up on to the roof to train her mind, spirit and power, but now she was acting a little less than pure in her quiet zone.
Bambietta forced her gaze away from Lucy and looked out at the town. Shaking her head a bit to clear it, she reminded herself to simply think clean thoughts. Don't think about those short shorts, don't think about those short shorts, don't think about those short shorts...
"I guess we should go back downstairs," Lucy said as she pulled away from the edge. "Wouldn't want to chance falling any more than we already have by being up here in the first place."
"I'd catch you," Bambietta said as she drew closer to Lucy.
"You... you would," Lucy whispered under her breath, golden locks falling over one eye. She brushed them back into place with one hand as Bambietta came closer, her arms wrapping around Lucy. As close as they were, Lucy could feel Bambietta's heart beat through her chest. No doubt it as the same for the Quincy.
If so, Lucy knew that Bambietta was about to feel it increase. Even if she was not in danger, Lucy was not sure if she would ever get used to what came next. Bambietta stepped off the rough, taking Lucy with her. There was no moment of free fall however, invisible platforms coming into existence beneath Bambietta's feet. It was the product of her will, the magic in the air coming together to give her a path.
As soon as Bambietta's feet touched the pavement and stone of the actual ground, Lucy felt herself act on impulse. Their faces were so close, leaving Lucy's lips little distance to travel. Soon they were planted against Bambietta's own.
Then, in that instant, it ended. Lucy pulled back, her face bright red. "Sorry..."
Bambietta stood there, her eyes unblinking. This was nothing new for her. After all, she and Lucy had kissed under the stars when they had finally decided to see the immediate future hand in hand. Again, this was not new and yet, at the same time, it was. It had been unplanned and spontaneous.
Two things that Bambietta thrived on.
"Heh..." Bambietta laughed faintly, her own face reddening. "Maybe later tonight we could... get a little frisky if you know what I mean."
"Huh?" Lucy's complexion had begun to settle but was quick to take on a rosy shade. "Bambi! I... Well, I don't know... I mean..."
Lucy shook her head.
"No, I'm... I'm not ready for that sort of thing," Lucy answered, her tone definitive in its nature. "We only just started dating for one thing and..."
"Oh." Bambietta's expression lost all color for a moment, the Quincy realizing she had pushed to hard. "I'm sorry, Im sorry. I guess I'm just not... a patient Quincy is all. I've... never had to wait for this sort of thing before is all."
"It's all right," Lucy said as she put a hand on one of Bambietta's shoulders. "I'm not offended or anything. I just... Moments and feelings like that... should be special. That's why I want us to take it slow."
"I know," Bambietta whispered. "I have to remind myself... This isn't like my old guild. Constantly training and preparing for the war to end all wars... Whenever we had a moment to ourselves, we had to live it to its fullest. There was no time to take it slow when we couldn't just live our lives."
Bambietta took a deep breath.
"Nice and slow..."
"Hey, I know what we could do later!" Lucy said with sudden enthusiasm. "Levy did invite me to join the Magnolia Book Club! It's just been so busy that I haven't given it much thought. Maybe we could go together and hang out with her afterwards? Maybe take Wendy along?"
"That... could work."
As much as Bambietta enjoyed the thrills of combat and the natural high brought about by victory, there was something else she enjoyed more. Social interaction was something she thrived on and Fairy Tail was more than capable of providing it. It was one of the reasons she had grown comfortable with calling Magnolia her new home.
So Bambietta smiled. She was not quite up to date with Earth Land literature, the Quincy disappointed in the fact that the world had not discovered motion pictures yet, but the thought of attending anything with Lucy and her friends was enough.
"Yeah, I can do that," Bambietta said as she hugged Lucy. "You went out and slayed monsters with me, so it's only fair we do something you want next."
"I'm not sure if it'll be as exciting," Lucy said as she returned the embrace, "but I'm sure we can have fun regardless."
"And I'm..." Bambietta was hesitant to speak. "I'm sorry about before. I just... I haven't been in a real relationship before is all. It was all so much easier but..."
Bambietta pulled away from the embrace so as to look Lucy in the eyes.
"But that's what makes this so much more special," Bambietta finished. "Lucy, you... make me want to be a better person."
"Aww," Lucy said, gently nudging Bambietta, "I'm sure Master Makarov would be thrilled to hear that."
"Hey now," Bambietta retorted. "Even then I'd still probably blow stuff up real good. Hopefully Master... Makarov... doesn't... mind..."
Bambietta's voice trailed, off, the Quincy and Lucy both taking notice of their very guild master stepping away from the building under construction. It was rare for either to see him leave Fairy Tail like this. More often than not he was the first to arrive and the last to leave. Such was the responsibility of a guild master.
"I wonder where he's going," Lucy whispered.
"Check this," Bambietta said, her own care free nature leaving her oblivious to Lucy's potential concerns. "Better person coming up."
Stepping away from Lucy, Bambietta disappeared in a flash of Hirenkyaku. Soon she was right by Makarov's side. Hands behind her back and beneath her cloak, Bambietta stepped into his field of view and leaned down a little.
"Hey, Master Makarov! Where you going? Getting some food or something? You know you can always leave it to me to get it for you if you want. Quincy Express Delivery at your service!"
Makarov stopped in his tracks, the wise guild master looking up at Bambietta. "You are a rather... energetic one, aren't you? I appreciate the thought, Bambietta, I really do, but I'm just heading out of town. In light of the recent events with Phantom Lord, the Magic Council has called the remaining Wizard Saints to a meeting."
"All of them? Guess it was a big deal with the whole Jose's moving castle and that Death Star cannon combo nonsense!" Bambietta shrugged. "No surprise all the big wigs want to chat it up after that! I bet every guild wants their own now. Wait... can we get a Super Mage Giant Fairy, Master Makarov?"
"I don't imagine the Magic Council would allow that," Makarov said with a sigh. "Especially after the expenses that went into Double S Class proofing this entire city."
Bambietta blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Master Makarov," Lucy said as she approached. "If you're going out of town and Erza's away, does that mean-"
"Oh no," Bambietta interrupted. "Laxus is lounging around upstairs, isn't he? Don't tell me that jacka-"
Bambietta paused, recalling well the blood relation between Laxus and Makarov.
"Don't tell me that jack of all trades is going to be in charge while you're gone."
"You needn't worry your pretty little heads over that," Makarov said. "Even if I were to consider leaving my grandson in charge, no one would listen to him. And after all..."
"I have arrived," Erza Scarlet said simply enough as she approached from across the street, Liltotto Lamperd by her side.
"Oh thank God," Bambietta said before looking towards her fellow Quincy. "So Lil, how did the training go?"
"It was informative." Liltotto answered with a yawn.
"Oh, lost a sparring match," Bambietta said. "Well at least you don't look too banged up. I mean with fighting Erza and all."
"Uh huh," Liltotto said as she moved into the guild hall. "I'm going to gorge myself on the nearest buffet. Fighting Erza is tiring. And works up an appetite."
"You always have an appetite," Bambietta said with a smirk. "But where you going? I'm pretty sure we didn't have an all you can eat buffet in there before Phantom Lord wrecked the place."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Makarov whispered to himself as he went on his way. "I'm sure the Magic Council would approve that. Goodness knows Mirajane would have fun experimenting with food."
"I need to make a quick detour first," Liltotto said as she glanced over her shoulder. "Figure I may as well see if Natsu wants to come along and put a fire in his belly at Mario's."
Then Liltotto vanished into the guild hall.
"Training with Erza was exhausting, huh?" Bambietta muttered to herself. "Better her than me I guess."
Bambietta flinched almost immediately after finishing her sentence, the Quincy feeling an armored hand touch down on her shoulder from behind.
"Bambietta," Erza began to say rather brusquely, "do you have a moment?"
"Yes ma'am!" Bambietta squeaked.
Lucy was quick to notice the change in Bambietta's tone, watching as the two entered the guild hall. "I wonder if Erza realizes how scary she is sometimes..."
"So," Bambietta said as they entered the guild hall, a nervous sweat slowly developing on her brow, "what's up?"
"There is a job request I've been looking to take," Erza answered rather bluntly. "And since it's not an S-rank one, I was hoping you could join me, Bambietta."
"Oh?" Bambietta felt some relief then. Working with Erza was easier than against her. Though deep down there was a part of her wondering how she stacked up against the wizard now that she had the Explode back in some form. "The great and powerful Titania wants my help?"
"I wish to..." Erza stumbled on her words, social cues being one avenue of life she had issues with, "spend time with you, yes."
"Hey, I was just messing with you," Bambietta replied. "If it's not an S-rank mission I'm sure you'd be able to clear it all on your lonesome. I just..."
Bambietta paused. Truth be told, she did not mind the thought of spending time with Erza either. While Sylphia Nelia Labelle had been the one responsible with bringing Bambietta to Earth Land and had arranged for her resurrection, it had been Erza who had found her. She had saved Bambietta then by bringing her to Porlyusica, even if it had been all arranged by Sylphia. Beyond that, she had saved Bambietta from herself back on Galuna Island. For those reasons alone did Bambietta feel indebted to her.
"I just wouldn't mind spending time with you either," Bambietta said quietly. Her spark came back in full force then, her eyes lightning up as she clenched her fists up in front of herself. "You and me kicking monster ass side by side would be a blast! So what kind of rampaging monsters are we going to take down? What kind of treasure are we going to claim?"
Bambietta paused again as they approached the job request board.
"There are monsters we can fight, right?"
"I do believe the mission will appeal to you," Erza said as she took the note from the board. She held it in front of herself and the Quincy. "Or am I mistaken?"
Erza held the job request in front of her, the text on it clearly speaking of a jewel reward for slaying a pack of monsters that were threatening the town's farm land and, in turn, their economy. It was practically the job request that Bambietta had undertaken earlier with Lucy and the others.
"Two monster beat downs in one day. You know me so well, Erza." Bambietta smiled before looking back at Lucy, the wizard having followed them in. "I'll... make it back in time for the book club, don't you worry."
"Its fine, Bambi," Lucy said. "Between you and Erza it shouldn't take too long anyway. So you go and have fun. I can hang out with Levy and Wendy in the meantime. And besides, the extra jewel will help with the rent."
"Don't you worry," Bambietta said as she moved towards Lucy and gave her a hug. "I'm going to do such a good job that they'll triple the reward. Count on it!"
Erza watched from the sidelines, unsure of what to do at first. She considered pointing out that most people requesting a guild's aide rarely even doubled the amount of jewel after the fact but she did not wish to spoil the mood. No, she wished to be a part of it instead, the S-rank wizard more than a little oblivious to the newly shared bond between Bambietta and Lucy.
Stepping forward, Erza wrapped her arms around Bambietta and Lucy, the armor squeezing them together tightly. It was enough to make both the Quincy's and the wizard's eyes go wide as they felt the immense pressure on all sides.
"Erza..." Lucy gasped. "You're crushing... us..."
"What's... scarier?" Bambietta managed to ask her girlfriend under her breath. "Her... being blunt... or friendly?"
In time both Bambietta and Erza found themselves on the outskirts of the town called Dianthus. It was a peculiar region of Fiore, one blanketed by endless winter. Yet that was not the oddest part of the town. It was known far and wide for having farm lands that were able to function despite the bitter cold. Because of that it was able to help produce vegetables for the entirety of the land even when the rest of Fiore experienced a harsh winter. This in turn was why it was so worrisome that monsters were harming its farming industry.
However, something was peculiar to Bambietta as she and Erza stood in the snow. The Quincy had already envisioned what they were going to come across the moment she had read the job description. She had pictured nothing more than a quaint little town with ravaged crops littering its farmlands thanks to the monsters. There would be desperate villagers wielding pitchforks and torches. Bambietta had known to keep her expectations in check, knowing them to be falling on a the cliche side, but what she and Erza had come across at Dianthus made her long for that cliche.
The duo had been stopped at the edge of town by the sight of what appeared to be a mobile and miniature fortress. In place of the charming villagers Bambietta and Erza found themselves greeted by a group of men dressed like the had fallen out of the kind of movies Bambietta had made her fellow Stern Ritter watch on a lonely Friday night. The lot of them men were nearly as wide as they were tall, some of them wearing sunglasses and leather jackets, others blood red bandannas and green camouflaged clothing. Most peculiar of all were the weapons Bambietta could see through the windows of their fortress.
"Hello, gentlemen," Erza said as she stepped forward. "We are Erza Scarlet and Bambietta Basterbine of Fairy Tail. We heard you were in great need of our help."
"Gentlemen?" Bambietta muttered to no one in particular. "They look more like they're ready to take down an alien hunter or futuristic robot than work over some crops..."
"So our job request got a bite, huh?" the man with the sunglasses said as he stepped forward to greet Erza. "Thank you so much for taking on the job, ladies. We're already in hot water as it is."
"No problem," Bambietta said with some hesitancy. "We can totally handle those monsters for you..."
Bambietta watched as one man exited the vehicle with what looked like a gatling gun strapped to his back.
"You defenseless farmer people," Bambietta finished. "You know us at Fairy Tail. Our magic spells destruction for monsters... and property. We just don't like to talk about that last part."
Erza took note of the weapon as well, her eyes narrowing. "Am I to take it that you are this town's protectors?"
"You could say something like that," the man with the sunglasses answered. "But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Allow me to introduce myself. Name's Amber Schaefer. I'm a man of wealth and taste. And these bad dudes with me here are my fellow protectors. Think of us as an impromptu guild of warriors. We had to do something when those wretched monsters came down from the snow fields in the mountains and started pillaging the town's farms. And we were doing pretty good about it until... she showed up."
Bambietta had not expected that. Both she and Erza could see the men all about shivering not from the falling snow and the cold that formed it but clearly due to the mentioning of the 'she' in question. "What, you guys find out you were picking on a bunch of baby monsters and made mommy very angry or something?"
"Not exactly," Amber continued. "She's not one of the monsters but she's no less a demon. We finally had the beasts cornered in their cavern nest in the mountains when she showed up. A woman with a cursed weapon. She said she'd tamed the monsters, like some kind of self appointed guardian or some shit!"
Bambietta and Erza both were quick to notice the look of disgust that came over the man's face, one that was backed up by his sudden shift in tone. However, Bambietta's thoughts did go somewhere else soon enough. She looked forward to fighting this guardian. Monsters were one thing, but a true one on one battle really piqued her curiosity.
"We all tried to fight her," the man continued, "but none of our weapons could handle it. She was too fast for our magic guns and she was able to keep us pinned down with all sorts of magic! And forget trying to take her blade on in direct combat. That lady made us look like a bunch of rank amateurs! We thought we were tough shit but she keeps making us look like choir boys by comparison!"
"She's a demon... A real monster!"
"Please, take her out and end this madness!"
"Save us! Save our town!"
Bambietta and Erza both could hear the pleas from Amber's men. Clearly the guardian of the monsters had defeated them soundly again and again and had damaged their pride as the protectors of Dianthus.
"I wish you had mentioned this guardian in your job request," Erza said with a sigh. "Such forgetfulness on the part of a client can be rather troublesome for wizard guilds."
Amber froze on the spot. "I'm... sorry."
"There is no need for apology, however," Erza continued. "Clearly the stress had gotten to you so I fully understand. Bambietta and I will confront this guardian you speak of and drive the monsters back into the mountains. It's as simple as that."
"Yeah, me and Erza came here to kick monster butt and chew bubble gum, so don't you worry," Bambietta added as she grinned, all the while planting her hands on her hips and stuck out her chest with pride. "And guess what? We didn't bring any bubble gum so we'll just have to double down on the kicking butt part!"
"I do have one request, however," Erza continued, completely unphased by Bambietta's usual bravado. "One I imagine you will not take issue with, what with you being Dianthus' protectors. I ask that you take the villagers to a nearby town for yours and their safety. We will confront the monsters and their guardian away from town but in case the battle were work its way back here..."
"The town?" Amber paused for a moment. "Oh yes, of course! We'll get them out of harms way in no time at all! Don't you worry about that, you just go and take the beast master and her monsters out!"
"That sounds like a fun time to me!" Bambietta said with joy. "Though maybe first we should get a bite to eat after the trek up here. Some nice hot cocoa would be good with all this-"
"You can't!" Amber suddenly shouted before he regained his composure. "I mean... Dianthus doesn't have enough food to go around with all the incidents lately. I'm sorry but I'm afraid you'll have to just make due with an empty stomach."
"Okay?" Bambietta was caught off guard by Amber's sudden outburst but she was quick to shrug it off even if she considered it an overreaction. "Well, whatever. I'm not like Lil. I can tell my belly no... most of the time."
"We'll make do. Food is scarce. That's why we're here after all." Erza turned away from the town of Dianthus. and began to make her way towards the mountains. "Come now, Bambietta. We have a job to finish."
Bambietta followed after Erza on their journey into the monster's domain at the base of the mountains, the Quincy trying to enjoy the sights of the snow capped peaks. Still she could not help but dwell on one thought."
"Erza, I didn't want to say anything in front of the clients but doesn't this whole quest feel fishy?"
"In what regard?" Erza asked Bambietta.
"Well they did seem adamant about not letting us in town," Bambietta continued. "I know food is scarce and all that but even if they didn't have anything to spare for us to eat you wouldn't think Amber would have been so on edge about us going into Dianthus. And..."
Erza heard Bambietta pause, the wizard quick to give her encouragement to voice her thoughts. "And?"
"They said the guardian tamed the monsters," Bambietta continued as they walked into deeper snow. Isn't that... a good thing? I mean if they were tamed they wouldn't be attacking anyone or messing with their crops anyway."
"You caught on then. Excellent." Erza stopped in her tracks and turned towards the Quincy. She quickly stepped towards Bambietta, slipping an arm over the her shoulders and pulling her head in close to her armored breastplate. "You do me proud, Bambietta."
"Ow." Bambietta tried to shake off the ringing in her head brought about by the well meaning embrace. Once Erza let go the Quincy pulled back and shook her head. "Wait, so you knew this whole thing was going to be fishy? Then why are we even bothering to go along with this?"
"Because despite whatever dubious nature these clients possess, it wouldn't have been prudent to press the issue with them right next to the town," Erza replied. "At least now we can investigate the monsters away from any civilians and find out what's really going on. And perhaps this guardian can shed some light on the matter. Perhaps they are untrustworthy as well or this is simply one rather large misunderstanding."
"Makes sense, but..." Bambietta pouted a little bit. "If that's the case then we won't get to fight anyone. Not the monsters, not the guardian and not Amber and those other eighties action hero rejects."
"Is that so bad?" Erza said as she returned to her trek into the mountain. "I know Fairy Tail has given you ample time to fight ever since you killed that cyclops when you first came here but we do much more than that with our quests."
"I know," Bambietta said as she followed, pulling her cloak over her shoulders to fight the cold. Even the black tights under her skirt were only doing so much. She had to wonder how Erza was so easily holding up. "It's just... I like fighting is all. It's all I ever really got to do back home. And... here."
"It's understandable," Erza continued. "I'm sure to an outsiders' perspective that is what Fairy Tail is most famous for. And battle against monsters and dark wizards does come up more often than not it seems. But we're capable of so much more. And in the end those battles are not for the sake of battle but for those we're protecting."
"I..."
Bambietta thought about it for a moment, her mind focusing past the battles she had waged against the likes of Erigor, Zalty, Gisbourne, Hanza Nukui and even Jose Porla himself. Instead she thought of those she had kept out of harm's way through those battles. The guild masters, those who called Galuna Island home, her fellow wizards and most especially Lucy. It was a far cry from when she had simply fought for her own sake as one of Yhwach's chosen warriors.
"I... I do enjoy it I guess." For a moment Bambietta caught a glimpse of Wendy's relieved face when Bambietta had stood up to Gisbourne, quickly followed by Lucy's reaction to her breaking free from the power of the Bakoto. "No, I love it to be honest."
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that," Erza said, the wizard's lips curling upwards ever so slightly.
"Heck yeah!" Bambietta said, once more letting her pride come to the forefront. "I mean I even kind of liked saving Mister McNinja from his own power! Even if he was a big jerk!"
Feeling more than fine, Bambietta hastened her pace so that she was matching Erza's stride as they began to move into a cavern in the mountain. As she came closer to the wizards thanks to a quick movement of Hirenkyaku, Bambietta thought she saw something on the normally stoic face.
"Are you... smiling?" Bambietta asked.
Erza did nothing to hide it, even if it was a subtle change at best. "I believe I am, Bambietta. Thank you."
"For what?" Bambietta did not know what to make of that.
"For proving my words on Galuna Island true," Erza continued. "I made no mistake."
"Okay..." Bambietta shrugged a little before turning her attentions back to the quest at hand. Whatever the reason, she certainly did not mind seeing Erza relax and smile. In fact she wanted to see it more and tried to press the issue. "You want to race to see who finds the monsters first?"
"I don't recall this being a... competition... Bambietta?"
Erza stood alone for a moment, taking note of the faint amount of snow that had built up at the entrance of the cavern. It had been kicked up, no doubt thanks to the Hirenkyaku that both Bambietta and Liltotto were so proficient with.
"Well then..." Erza stood dumbfounded as she watched the snow particles in the air begin to settle. "She is quick to assess the situation but I can only hope she learns to slow down and not run into situations like this in the future."
It was not a moment later that Erza heard something she had not been expecting. Bambietta was screaming, the sound echoing throughout the cavern.
"Bambietta!"
Erza went into a run then, preparing herself to requip weapons and armor if need be. She moved around the corner, turning on her heel and soon found the Quincy. She looked entirely unlike herself, the Quincy's eyes wide as she breathed rapidly. Worse, her entire body was shaking. It was the not the product of the cold however. No, Erza knew what had really effected the Quincy.
Bambietta was frozen in fear.
"Bambietta!" Erza was in a panic, even if she would not outwardly show it. Her voice remained stern despite all things. She had never seen her fellow guild mate in such a state. She stepped towards the Quincy, slowly turning to see what made her so afraid. "Bambietta! What sorcery is... it..."
Erza stood silent, her eyes unblinking, as she saw began to see what Bambietta did. Before them both were a pack of large rabbits. Their fur was as white as the snow, they're crimson eyes glowing with magical power. Each of them was at in the range of ten feet and diameter, allowing them to tower over any who would find stumbled across them as Bambietta and Erza had.
"So my theory was right," Erza said as she looked at the massive rabbits, all her concerns fading away. "The town was plagued by a pack of winter Gigalepus."
Erza kept her wits about her, wondering if the Quincy had sensed something in the darkness that made her so afraid. Perhaps another Hollow like the one that had attacked Clover Town.
"Bambietta," Erza began to ask, curious to know what foul beast was out of her line of sight, "is there something behind the rabbits?"
"It is the rabbits!" Bambietta shrieked, the irises in her eyes darting around to look from one to another. "O-One would have been b-bad enough but this is a whole legion of the godless monstrosities!"
"Bambietta..." Erza was more than a little concerned but she was not one who would press an issue as sensitive as this appeared to be. These were no doubt the monsters who had plagued the town. She knew well enough that Gigalepus who prone to ravaging crops when their hunger went out of control. They were also notorious for attacking when provoked. Still Erza knew she could solve this peacefully. If the guardian that Amber spoke of could tame them, then Erza could only hope to do the same.
Stepping past Bambietta, Erza raised her arm, her sword pointing forward. "Here me, Gigalepus of Alyssum! You have caused much damage to the town's crops and the livelihood of the people! Now... Now you have frightened Fairy Tail's own Bambietta Basterbine! Do you have no shame? I do not wish to fight a senseless battle with you but I will if I most! So I give you this one chance to stand down!"
Erza's eyes narrowed. So too did the eyes of the Gigalepus that had found the courage to lock eyes with her. Yet despite it all, Erza did not give ground.
"Do you yield?"
The oversized rabbits shuffled about from side to side, glancing at Erza. If Bambietta was capable of rational thought in that instant she may well have scoffed at Erza's speaking of her being frightened and spoken highly of herself, but she also would have noticed that the standoff between S-Class wizard and the legion of giant bunnies was at last coming to an end.
The Gigalepus crouched down, shaking as they all looked to the side to avoid making any further eye contact with Erza.
Nodding, Erza smiled. "I'm glad you were all willing to make a decision that would lead to a peaceful resolution. You are all wise beyond your years."
Bambietta, finally no longer frozen by her fear thanks to Erza taking control of the situation, slowly walked over to the wizard.. "I... I just... How did you... you tame those foul beasts!?"
"It was quite simple, Bambietta," Erza said as she looked back towards the Quincy. "One simply has to appeal to their basic sense of civility. After all, battles without civility only give way to massacres. And that is the last thing we wish to cause on this quest."
"I just... Whatever." Bambietta sighed. "Well, my desire to have fun is gone. Freaking furballs."
"I'm surprised that these adorable creatures could give you such pause," Erza said as she lowered her sword. "You always seem so capable of battle. And I recall your face turning red when last I equipped my Bunny Girl armor in the guild hall."
"That is totally different!" Bambietta yelled at Erza. "Your... Well, you know... you. You make it look good! Bunny girls are fine! Maybe too fine! Besides... none of them have those freaking teeth!"
"I suppose they are worlds apart." Erza nodded. "You make a fair point, Bambietta. Well then, I suppose we should-"
Whatever Erza was about to say was cut short, a burst of of white energy enveloping her. It slid over her and slammed into the wall near her. In its wake it left nothing but the sight of Erza encased in solid ice. Even the wall behind her was covered in it.
"Erza!" Bambietta was more than a little shocked. This was a woman who she had looked up to, both for her honor and her strength. Hoping to free her, Bambietta moved closer to her but suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, her spiritual senses warning her. Stepping back with Hirenkyaku, Bambietta all but avoided another wave of ice.
"More who would brandish a blade against the Gigalepus," a voice said in the distance from which the attack had originated. "How many times must I ask them not to hurt my adorable bunnies?"
"The guardian?" Bambietta cursed herself for all but forgetting the possibility of her showing up. However, as her movement from Hirenkyaku slowed down, she looked away from Erza and down the tunnel. The voice she had heard sounded familiar, as if she had heard it in in the world she had come from. The Quincy was recognizing it from her time observing the Vandenreich's enemies from the shadows. Still, she was hard pressed to believe her suspicions. "Who?"
Slowly, from the shadows did a figure emerge. She was dressed in the robes of the Soul Reapers, a purely white katana in her hand, a ribbon trailing off it. She was short in stature, dark hair draping a little down her back and around her neck, a bang falling between her violet eyes. Those eyes stared at Bambietta now, blue energy crackling around them.
"The lieutenant of Squad Thirteen," Bambietta began to say, the Quincy more than a little shocked, "Rukia Kuchiki?"
What!? Rukia is here!? HOW!? I thought you said that only dead characters would show up!
Yes. I did. And I'm still sticking to that rule. But how is she here then you ask? Could it be that she died in the war in our story? Or is it something else entirely?
Well I'll say this much, I have left you all a clue. Whenever or not you guess it right or not is all dependent on that.
Also, if the gods forbid Yhwach from being used...Then how is he here?! Whats going on!?
Meanwhile it seems like Bambietta and Lucy are starting out their relationship. It isn't perfect, but no relationship is when it first starts out. It'll have its ups, its downs and its hardships the two will have to face. This is the first time either of us has written a romance, but we're going to try hard to make it work.
Oh and Bambietta's fear of rabbits...We have an explanation, there's a reason behind it, just trust us on this.
But I don't have much else to say this time around. I will say though that I am so excited to see what all of you thought of this chapter since we've been gone for so long. If you want to show us your support, or have an issue with what we've written, please leave us a review to let us know!
Till next time!
MPFs for this chapter.
Bambietta: 3350
Erza (heart Kruz): 2300
Lucy: 550
Cana: 1275
Juvia: 1420
Bisca: 820
Liltotto: 1925
Natsu: 1560
Rukia: ?
