Greetings everyone! We are back with another chapter! Truth be told, I'm actually a bit nervous with this one. Why? Well, it's actually a very important one regarding Bambietta's character development, and quite frankly, in the wrong hands could easily be done quite terribly. Now I don't believe that I've done so personally, but it would mean a lot to me if you all let me know how I did with this chapter. I poured my heart and soul into writing this chapter, so it would mean so much to me if you, my dear readers, could leave me some input for how I did. Thank you for your time, now onto the chapter!
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!
"Ugghhhhhhh."
It was late into the night when Bambietta had finally made it back to her home. The monster slaying mission this time was much more of a hassle than she was used to. A Wyvern didn't seem like all that big of a challenge to the quincy at first, having already dealt with Wizards Saints and the like...but she quickly found that fighting the creature was anything but. Her sword was unable to cut through the creäture's scales and it took everything the quincy had to take down the powerful creäture.
"That...is the last time I go Wyvern hunting," Bambietta said as she slowly walked in, the pain she was feeling making it impossible for her to brag about her latest accomplishment.
"Hey Bambi," Lucy said, coming out of the kitchen, a towel in her hands. "Rough day?"
"Yeah...You could say that again," Bambietta said as she casually tossed her hat onto the coat rack. She walked over to Lucy, her eyes barely able to keep open.
"Well...I have good news and bad news."
"Oh." Lucy was taken aback. "I guess you should start with the bad news. Leave the best for last, right?"
"Bad news is…Everything hurts, and I want to go to bed," Bambietta said as she began to walk over to her room, the quincy not being in the mood for a lengthy conversation. "I'm not going to take another S class mission for…at least a week."
"Aw, baby doll," Lucy said as she moved in close, draping her arms over Bambietta's shoulders. "You had me at bed..."
"Cant...too tired," Bambietta said as she tried to open the door, her hand not managing to get a good handle on the door knob for a few seconds until she finally grasped it. "Maybe...….in the morning."
She slowly opened the door and she eyed the bed. She turned over and looked at Lucy. "Scratch that...definitely in the morning."
"All right," Lucy said softly. "But... what's the good news?"
"The good news is...I got enough rent money to last us five years," Bambietta said as she put her hands on Lucy's shoulders. "That means a lot of...…private time for us...Like tomorrow."
Bambietta then moved her hand down and squeezed Lucy's butt, smirking as she did so.
Lucy giggled in response. "Oh, you devilish Quincy you..."
"Now, if you don't mind...I'm going to bed," Bambietta said as she walked over to the bed. Not even bothering to change her clothes, the quincy fell down and closed her eyes. "Nighty night."
"Well..." Lucy stood alone in the main room then. "You get some nice shut-eye, Bambi."
"You too."
A few minutes passed before Bambietta heard the door shut and she felt some added weight come onto the bed. She slightly turned her head and noticed her girlfriend now on the bed next to her, clearly trying to sleep.
She looks...so peaceful. Bambietta thought to herself as she stared at Lucy. She must have taken a hard mission herself, because the celestial wizard was already sleeping, faster than Bambietta had ever been capable of.
She was about to turn over and fall asleep once again when she felt something. It was an itch. No, that wasn't quite the right way to describe it, it was an urge. An urge she hadn't fulfilled in quite some time. Bambietta soon rose up out of bed then and placed herself ontop of her girlfriend.
"Hmm?" Lucy's eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Bambietta. "Got a second wind, huh?"
"Oh, you better bet," Bambietta said with a smirk. "Because I've just felt the desire to do something fun that I haven't done in a long time.
"Guess I kept you waiting," Lucy whispered, reaching up to touch Bambietta's face. "My bad, Bambi."
"Yeah...Don't worry about it Lu," Bambietta said as she looked down at Lucy. She continued to grin. But this wasn't like her normal friendly smiles she would give to her friends back in the guild...No, this was a grin that most dreaded to see.
"Bam...bi...?" Lucy felt herself grow nervous. "Is... is something the matter?"
"Oh no, nothing's wrong," Bambietta said as she picked up the pillow that she was sleeping with. "Well...for me anyways."
She then used her one hand to force Lucy's head down to the bottom of the bed before she then forced the pillow over Lucy's face, smothering her.
"Mmmph!" Lucy gasped, arms waving up as she clawed at the pillow. "Mmph! Mmmphh!"
Bambietta felt herself chuckle as she continued to press the pillow down onto her girlfriends face. Oh, it had been far too long since she had last indulged herself in one of her favorite activities. She wasn't sure why she was doing this though, it was as if an invisible force guiding her actions.
"Mpmmhh! Nymph!" Lucy's right hand stopped clawing at the pillow, reaching up. Her fingers touched Bambietta's cheek. "B-Bmphi..."
Bambietta continued to hold the pillow down before she formed her sword in her right hand and grinned. It was time she put an end to this.
Terror seized Lucy's heart as her eyes barely managed to look through the pillow, her hand going limp. It slipped down and settled atop Bambietta, right atop her chest. "Npmh! Plphm!"
Bambietta smirked once more before she removed the pillow and swung her blade, the spiritual weapon making contact with Lucy's throat, blood splattering all over the quincy and coating the sheets with the red liquid.
Lucy gasped then, her voice nothing more than a wet gurgle. Blood exited her mouth just as it did her throat, the Celestial Spirit Wizard's eyes growing dim.
The hand that had reached out towards Bambietta's heart, the very heart that trust had been put in, fell to the bed.
Never to move again.
Bambietta continued to look down in glee. The quincy chuckling as she did so. "Oh yeah…I forgot how good it feels to let it all out after such a shitty day."
Bambietta then stretched her arms and yawned. Well, that was fun. She thought to herself before she looked down once more...and stared right into Lucy's face, as her vacant, dead eyes filled her vsion.
Instantly, she was hit with the realization of just what it was she had done. Her jaw began to drop, her eyes widening more than they ever had before in her life, her hands quivering in response. "What?... WHAT DID I DO!?" She screamed out in utter agony. She placed her hands onto Lucy's body, shaking it in an attempt to "wake her up", all the while tears began to form in her eyes, the quincy hiccupping as she struggled to speak!
"No...….No! NO! Lucy! LUCY!"
But there was no response, no voice to come from the blonde in trying to scold her, no smile to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. All there was, was Lucy's empty eyes staring right at her.
"No! NO! NOT LIKE THIS! I DON'T WANT IT TO END LIKE THIS!" Bambietta shouted as she then held Lucy tightly. Tears fell from her eyes and fell onto the blood coated sheets as she cried into Lucy's body.
"I never wanted to hurt you! I'm not that kinda person anymore! I'm not! I'M NOT!"
"Oh please, we both know that's a lie."
Bambietta froze as she heard a voice from behind her. It was strangely…..familiar. She turned around and noticed a shadowy figure in the room. "You...Who are you?!" The quincy demanded, her eyes red from the tears she was shedding.
"Oh? Have you forgotten about me already?" the shadowy figure said. The being took a few steps forward before she then stood in the moonlight that entered through the window of their room. Right before she stood none other than Bambietta Basterbine herself, the woman clad in the uniform the vandenrich, the quincy cross clear as day right on her hat.
"You and I? We are one," the specter said. "Well, to be more specific, I'm the real one... you're just a pretender."
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Bambietta said as she got off of Lucy. " Don't try to mess with my head you damn fake! I'm Bambietta Basterbine! Proud member of Fairy Tail!" She picked her sword then, getting ready to force the intruder out of their home...when her eyes caught sight of the blood that coated her weapon. She gasped before she tossed it to the other Bambietta who casually side-stepped out of the thrown weapon.
"See? A Charlton," it rasped. "You wouldn't catch me dead without my weapon..."
"You shut up!" Bambietta said before she used Hirenkyaku and grabbed the other Bambietta's throat before she slammed her against the wall. "You did something to me didn't you!?" she yelled out, each word filled with anger of which she had never known before. "You made me kill her!"
The specter laughed. " Made you? Oh, you're so damn delusional. I told you before, didn't I? We are one. To deny that is to deny reason itself. I am you're every awful trait. I am everything Fairy Tail has taught you to be afraid of. Stop lying to yourself. No one forced you to do anything...You did this of your own violation."
The specter glanced at the corpse of Lucy.
"Fairy tail filled your soul with such sweet poison. On how you could be so much better than you actually are. Ha! What a load! A bunch of Fairy Tale nonsense. They're lying to you...That tramp was no exception."
"How dare you!" Bambietta said before she punched the other Bambietta and sent her through the wall. "I'm not that kinda person anymore! I can't be! I've changed!" She walked over to the specter as she began to form an orb from her shrift. "I'm going to make you pay for what you did to her! DO YOU HEAR ME!?"
"Make me pay?" The specter shrugged off the hit, not even paying attention to Bambietta beginning to draw on the Explode. "Haven't you been listening to a word I've said? We are one! To kill me would be no different from cutting off your own arm!"
"To hell with you," Bambietta said as she was about to throw the orb. "I'M NOTHING LIKE YOU!" However, as she did, she felt a hand stop her from throwing it. She turned around to see none other than her fellow guild mate, Jade Ladro "Y...You?!"
"Are you really?" Jade asked with sadness as she looked at Bambietta. "After all...you almost killed me."
"That...I wasn't thinking when I did that! We made up!"
"And what about me?"
Bambietta turned her head as she heard the gruff voice, this time seeing none other than the iron dragon slayer from phantom lord, Gajeel Redfox sitting on one of the couches in the room. "You practically tortured my ass before you tried to off me."
"You hurt Levy! I just wasn't thinking straight!"
"Oh yes, because being angry is totally a good excuse for your actions," the other Bambietta said. " Just like it was with Jade. Face it. You would have killed someone sooner or later."
"Shut up shut up shut up!" Bambietta yelled out.
"It's true Bambi chan, I don't know what would have happened to me if Levy and Wendy hadn't shown up."
Bambietta turned around as her vision was filled by one of the last people she had ever hoped to see. Giselle. "Oh like hell! YOU DESERVED EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU!"
"And us?"
As she turned her head one final time, she could see them all. Richard, Yulian, Markov, Brittany, Rachel. The men and women who served as Soldat. The ones she had called to her room for 'relief.'
The ones she had murdered.
"What did we do to deserve this?" They demanded.
Bambietta took several steps back, her legs shaking. "I...I...I wasn't...I mean-"
"Face reality," the other Bambietta said as she walked forward. "You're a murderer, Bambietta Batserbine. Always have been...Always will be."
"No...NO! IM NOT!" Bambietta began to say as she fell to her knee's "I'm…..I'm not."
Slowly, all the deceased began to approach her, the other Bambietta now in front of them all. "Oh? Then what do you say to all these poor souls?"
The other Bambietta then pointed to Lucy, her skin now red as she was lifted up by Giselle, now fully revived with her shrift. "What do you say to your lover?"
"Why...Bambi...Why?" Lucy asked as she slowly walked over to Bambietta, the woman now drooling much like she had when she was under Giselle's control. "I thought...you loved me."
Bambietta looked at the approaching Lucy and tried to get up, but she felt her legs continued to shake before she fell to her knees. As the army of the dead slowly approached her, she looked all around them, looking for someone, anyone to tell her that they were wrong.
But there was nothing. Not a single word was uttered in her defense.
It was true. She was a monster.
And Bambietta screamed.
Lucy found herself waking up to the sounds of her girlfriend's screams of terror. Bolting out of the bed, she threw the door to her room wide open and raced over to Bambietta. "Bambi!?" Lucy yelled out in concern. She soon found her tossing and turning on her makeshift bed on the couch, muttering incoherently.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Rushing over to her, she soon grabbed Bambietta by the shoulders to hold her down. "Bambi! Bambi calm down!"
It took a few seconds of Lucy holding down the quincy as she struggled to keep her down before her eyes began to flutter open. "L-Lucy?...Is that you?"
"Of course it's me. What happened?" Lucy said as she slowly got off of Bambietta and sat down next to her on the couch her concerned look only slightly easing up. "Bad dream?"
Bambietta merely stared at the celestial wizard for a couple of seconds, as if she was trying to process what was going on. Her eyes slowly wandered, but unlike the usual look of lust on her face when her eyes wandered her body, this time Bambietta looked rather worried.
"You're...You're alive?" Bambietta asked before she captured Lucy in a tight embrace. "Oh thank god! I thought I...I thought I lost you forever!"
Definitely a bad dream, Lucy thought. "Hey now...It's ok. Everything is going to be fine," Lucy said as she returned Bambietta's embrace. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Bambietta cried onto Lucy's shoulder as she continued to hug her. The realization that this was all a dream was still so fresh in her mind. The bloody body of the blonde woman was still so clear. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you're okay."
As the two continued their embrace, the three other inhabitants of the house began to walk into the room.
"Lucy? What happened to Bambi?" Wendy asked as she approached the crying quincy. She had never seen the older woman like this before, and it worried her.
"I think she just had a nightmare, Wendy," Lucy said as she looked down at Bambietta. But for her to be crying like this... Just what happened?
Rukia looked on in silence, observing the situation from a distance. Carla, however, was more vocal.
"Good heaven's, I have no doubt she woke up the entire apartment with the racket she was making."
Bambietta finally stopped her crying before she looked at Lucy, her eyes red from all the crying she had just done. "Lucy I-"
"It's fine Bambi, I know what it's like to have a bad dream. Trust me I've been there," Lucy said comfortingly.
"No, you don't get it, I-"
A vision of the deceased Lucy lying next to her in bed flashed through Bambietta's mind, forcing her to flinch and released herself from Lucy's grasp.
The celestial wizard looked up at her with concern. "Bambi?"
Bambietta couldn't bring herself to so much as look at the blonde. "I'm sorry Lucy but...I need to be alone for a while."
With that, the quincy vanished from the room with the use of Hirenkyaku, surprising everyone in the room.
"Bambi?" Lucy said with worry. There was no doubt in Lucy's mind now that something was seriously wrong. She began to go over to her room to put on a change of clothes. "I'm going to go find her."
"I'll come too!" Wendy said. "I'm really worried about Bambi!"
"No, you two should stay here," Rukia said as she walked over to the window. "I'll go find her."
Lucy turned around, confused. "On your own? Why?"
"Bambietta doesn't want to be found now, and knowing her, she's likely made some distance with her speed. You two need to get some proper rest for tomorrow morning for your job requests. I'm a soul reaper, I can handle a sleepless night or two."
Lucy wanted to object, her concern over Bambietta clear, but as she was about to speak up, she heard the young dragon slayer yawn. I can't put Wendy through that now. "All right. If you're sure about this," Lucy said as she began to go over to Wendy. "Come on, let's let Rukia handle this."
"But I want to help." Wendy insisted.
"What you need child, is sleep." Carla insisted. "Bambietta is more than capable of handling herself, and Rukia's more suited for this than we are."
"I...I guess," Wendy said sadly. She looked over to Rukia then, as she looked into her eyes, her own concern clear as day. "Just, please...Make sure Bambi is fine."
"You needn't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine," Rukia said as she then leaped out of the window and began to make her way to find the quincy.
She only hoped she wasn't wrong.
Bambietta Basterbine had absolutely no idea where she was going and she didn't care. As she walked outside of Magnolia, her head hung low, she couldn't help but think about what she had done. Yes, it was a dream, yes it wasn't real, and yes Lucy was still alive...but that did little to quell her fear.
It had been one several weeks since the potentially fatal incident with Jade. Bambietta had been guilt-ridden with what had almost happened, but the quincy was positive that those feelings would go away with time. For the first few days, that seemed to be the case, but as she began to take a few missions with the emerald haired woman and befriended her, those feelings slowly resurfaced. She began to have bad dreams of her going through the horrible deed, but the dreams didn't stop there. From the iron dragon slayer to the guild master of Eisenwald, Bambietta had nightmare after nightmare of her killing someone and being thrown out of her family.
But as problematic as those had been, nothing had hurt her quite like this. Lucy wasn't like the other people she had nearly killed. She loved her. Any day she could spend with Lucy was one that she could find at least some way to enjoy. To see her die like that, by her own hands...Words couldn't begin to describe how horrible it felt.
I guess it's fitting punishment huh? Bambietta thought to herself as she continued her walk. I've spent so many years is not giving a damn about the lives of those I've taken and now...It's come back to bite me in the ass. She let out a groan of misery as her mind began to wander. That's not to say I give a damn about all those soul reapers I killed, those bastards had everything that was coming to them...but...am I really any better than they were? All of those people I killed back in the Vandenreich….I didn't have any reason to kill any of them!
No, she had her reasons, but to call them justifiable would have been all but impossible. From venting her anger to getting a sick thrill out of it, those were the only reasons she had done what she had...and it was only now that she realized just how terrible it really was. How many of them had friends?... A family? How many of them already suffered from the Soul Reapers before I made things even worse? They could have had a long life...A good life...but I took that away from them.
The quincy turned around as she finished walking up the hill and looked down at Magnolia. As she did, her eyes wandered from the guild hall to her apartment...to the cathedral. Tears began to work their way out of her eyes once more. In the end...I ended up just the way father raised me to be, didn't I mom? I thought once I left that hellhole, it would be over…but I just continued that madness myself. I'm so sorry I couldn't be the good girl that you wanted me to be...I'm...I'm-
"I'm just a monster." She spoke sadly before she sat down on her knees and tucked her head between her legs. Truth be told, she was terrified of herself. What if she did end up killing someone? What if it was somebody she actually cared about? Natsu, Grey, Lil, Candi, Jade, Rukia, Erza, Levy...God forbid Lucy and Wendy!
She buried her head even further, her teeth grit. In the end...I'm no different from Giselle. I took advantage of people's trust and stabbed them in the back when they least expected it. Face it...It's only a matter of time until I end up hurting one of them again!
"I..I...I don't...I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!" Bambietta cried out with anguish.
"Then let me help."
A hand touched down upon Bambietta's shoulder, Rukia appearing by her side. The Reigai sat down beside the Quincy then, knees propping her arms up. She did not say much, willing to give Bambietta space while still being there for her if she wanted it.
"Rukia I...You shouldn't be here," Bambietta said before she looked back at her new home. "It's not safe here...not with me around." The quincy buried her face back between her legs then, not wanting to look at the artificial soul reaper, as if it would somehow keep her safe.
"Really?" Rukia refused to take her hand off of Bambietta's shoulder. "Funny, I feel quite secure right now. If anything... I get the feeling you're the one who needs some help."
"I...You don't understand, Rukia," Bambietta said. "There's a lot about me that you don't know about. That only Makarov and Erza know about. If the others did...I wouldn't be able to stay there anymore. I'm sure of it."
She looked up at Rukia, tears streaming down her eyes. "I've done terrible...terrible things."
"And from what everyone in Fairy Tail has said, you've also done extraordinary things," Rukia sighed. "Do you know how many times Wendy has told me about how you fought off a Hollow in Clover Town?"
"That's because she doesn't know the old me," Bambietta said sadly. "If she did...She'd be afraid of me." She then looked down at the ground, before she spoke once more. "Before I came here before I became part of this guild...I did something they would never forgive me for."
She didn't know why she was opening up to Rukia like this. Maybe it was because the woman just knew how to make Bambietta comfortable, maybe it was because she just wanted to finally vent about what happened, or maybe it was both.
Regardless…she simply couldn't stop herself.
"Rukia...I'm no better than a fucking Black Widow." Bambietta spat. " When I was young…My father taught me and the rest of my siblings that might made right. That weaklings didn't matter, that those with power could take life however they pleased. I've spent years telling myself so badly, so damn bad , that it's all his fault. That I could blame this horrible habit on him but...I know that's a lie."
Her hands gripped at the ground, as she looked at from Rukia. "Even once I ran away from home, I kept doing it long after that bastard was dead and buried. When I joined the vandenreich, I took advantage of my good looks, and when I was angry, or just plain bored...I killed my comrade's."
There it was. She said it. No doubt the Soul Reaper before her would be appalled by her actions and chastise her. Her time in the light, her with her family...It was over.
Rukia stared at Bambietta then, clearly shook by this revelation. "I…see." She statted, her voice conveying the surprise just as well as her expression.
There was a moment of silence then, the Reigai trying to find the right words. This was not quite what she had expected, no, but she refused to simply walk away. That would be unbecoming of this situation. And furthermore…she would not abandon a friend in need.
"You did do terrible things," Rukia said at last. "I cannot deny that. But..." Rukia paused again before speaking once more. "Just tell me honestly, Bambi. Do you regret it because of how you feel... or do you regret it because of what you fear others will feel?"
Bambietta remained silent for a few minutes, before lowering her head back between her legs. "If you had asked me before coming to Earthland? Neither. I would have just laughed in your face about how stupid the whole thing is. That it didn't matter. But now?... It's both."
Tears began to fall from her eyes once more as she sobbed. "At first, I just didn't want to lose the friends I made, ya know? I just...I just wanted someone, anyone to show me that they cared about me! I know that sounds greedy and selfish but at the same time, I don't want to let those people down either. Makarov knows exactly what I did, I told him upfront. Yet, he still let me in.I don't know if anyone else would do the same, or if they even should do the same. No matter how much I try to be better I keep relapsing. Do you know how close I was with killing Gajeel, Hanza, the guild master of Eisenwald?"
Bambietta then lowered her head in sadness and whispered. "Or you for that matter?"
"I'm still here," Rukia replied. "And tell me, those others are still alive as well, right? Lucy even told me that you went out of your way in the end, to save Hanza from his Bakotu. Those weapons..." The Reigai paused, memories of her original coming to the forefront of her mind. "... Such hellish instruments of war," she finished, a chill running down her spine. "What I'm trying to say is... You stumbled. But you pulled yourself back up. No one's died because of you. Not here. So don't talk about relapsing. You haven't. I don't see you taking out your frustration or you're boredom on Fairy Tail."
The quincy glanced back over towards Rukia. "But...What if I change? What if I go back to how I was? I just...I just don't know," Her gaze turned downcast once more. "I'm afraid I'm going to slip one of these days. I almost killed Jade just for pissing me off for Ywhach's sake! Do you know how fucked up that is!? I can't imagine you would want someone like that on your side!"
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it," Rukia replied. "Your sins are great. But you know that better than anyone." Rukia let the silence fall for a moment before she continued. "But I know a thing or two about sins. I... No, the original Rukia... She took the life of someone who put his trust in her. So much so that he trusted her to kill him if his battle to defend his honor cost him dearly. And I... she... she knew of another who could not stop blaming himself for a death that was not his fault."
Rukia's eyes wavered slightly, the juxtaposition of memories that felt so real up against the truth that they were not her own haunting her deeply. However, she still pushed forward."They couldn't move forward on their own. Locking their feelings away, they just kept stumbling about, unsure of what to do. Hating themselves. Feeling that others blamed them. They let the rain sweep them away until... until they found...each other."
Rukia stood up then, a cold wind sweeping across the landscape, her hair aflutter. "Have you not found Lucy? And Levy? And Wendy? Erza and so many others? Perhaps even... me? Even at... Rukia's lowest, she knew that helping others was the only way she could even begin to make up for what she felt was her greatest failing," the Reigai continued. "And I believe you know that as well. Why else would you have been willing to throw away your pride to protect Wendy?"
Rukia turned to look down upon Bambietta. "Perhaps... they do deserve to know the truth. All of those you hold dear. You need to have greater faith in your new family. But, even if they lose their faith in you... even if they none believes in you..." Rukia brought a closed fist up towards her collarbone as she continued to speak. "Stick out your chest and scream in your defiance! Tell them that you will earn back what you lost! What you find most precious! That you will make up for your past and become the woman of Fairy Tail you were born to be! Not for yourself, not for others, but for both!"
Bambietta sighed, realizing the Reigai Soul Reaper spoke the truth, hard as it was for her to currently accept. However, Bambietta being Bambietta, her pride as a Quincy would not allow her to admit it so easily. "God, you're a noisy one..."
Rukia took no offense to it, the Reigai knowing what she was dealing with. "We should get back to the apartment. Lucy and Wendy are no doubt still worried about you."
Bambietta pulled herself up then, looking at Rukia, a smile slowly forming upon her face. "...Thank you."
The soul reaper smirked. "Oh don't thank me just yet…"
Lucy and Wendy were both more than a little concerned about Bambietta. After all, the Quincy had taken off in a hurry without so much as an explanation. They had wanted to go out and talk to her but Rukia had made it clear she would do her best. Still, despite the confidence, they both shared in the roommate who considered a closet one of the finer things in life, they could not help but be concerned even now.
Thus they felt great relief at seeing Rukia appear in the doorway to the guildhall. So much so that they did not even take notice that Rukia was dragging Bambietta across the floor by her cape. Nor that the Reigai was running towards them with an extremely serious expression on her face.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Bambietta, meanwhile, was being bounced off the floor and jostled by Rukia's about as well as she could. When the Reigai had suggested they return back to the guild in a hurry, this had not at all been what she had expected. Crazy excitable Reigai Reaper...
"Lucy! Wendy!" Rukia exclaimed, stopping on a dime before the Celestial Spirit wizard. She pulled Bambietta up then, spinning her around. "Bambi would like to apologize to you both for running off like that!"
"That's... that's okay..." Lucy stammered. "But... Bambi, are you okay?"
"I'm... better," the Quincy replied. "And I'm so sorry for worrying you both. I…" The quincy twiddled her thumbs in embarrassment. " I shouldn't have run away."
"There's nothing to apologize for," Lucy said, hugging Bambietta. "I'm just glad you're here now."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Wendy asked as she approached the two of them. "I've never seen you so...scared."
"I was but...I had a friend help me out," Bambietta said before she looked at Rukia and gave her a wink. The regai smiled before Bambietta slowly petted Wendy's head. "Don't you worry about a thing Wendy, I'm not going anywhere."
The dragon slayer gave Bambietta a hug once Lucy finally let go, Bambietta smiling as she did so.
Some day...I'll do what I can to make amends for what I did. But until then, I need to move on and live life to the fullest...For them.
It was around 8 am when Lucy and Wendy had arrived at the guild hall the next morning. Bambietta and Rukia had gotten up earlier to continue their sword training with Erza, and likely wouldn't be back until nine. That meant that the Celestial wizard had some time to kill before she and her girlfriend set out to take another mission together. As she entered the guild hall, she spotted Levy, who waved and motioned for them to sit next to her.
"Hey, Levy," Lucy said as she sat down. "Having a good morning?"
"Oh ,it's fine. Just waiting for Jet and Droy to come on in so we can pick out a job request," Levy answered. " I'm guessing Bambi's busy with Erza?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Lucy replied. She debated wanting to tell her friend about what happened last night, but decided against it. The situation seemed to have settled down, and she doubted Bambietta would have wanted her to tell anyone about it.
"I wish I could get some training done like that," Wendy said. "I always feel like I'm holding you all back during our job requests."
"That's not true at all Wendy," Lucy said as she gave the dragon slayer a smile. "You're plenty strong as it is. You just need some more confidence is all."
"That's what Bambi always says." Wendy said with a slight hint of doubt in her voice.
"Well, she isn't wrong," Levy said as she put down the book she was going to read. "You've proven yourself against all kinds of monsters. But if you want to get stronger, you could always ask Bambi to give you a hand in training."
"Well...I guess it couldn't hurt," Wendy said.
As the three of them continued their discussion however, a man with short blonde hair and blue eyes walked into the guild, holding a pen and notebook. He didn't look like anyone Lucy recognized from the guild, and he looked rather lost. "Hey, guy's, I'll be back in just a sec." Getting up from the table, Lucy walked over to the man. "Hey, can I help you out with something?"
"Oh! Yes, actually, you can," the man said before he chuckled. "I'm a journalist from "Sorcerer's Weekly", and it's my first time coming here. Truth be told...This is my first assignment, so I'm a little overwhelmed.
This guy's from Sorcerer's weekly!? Lucy thought to herself. Wait...if I make a good enough impression...He might write something about me! I've always wanted to be featured in their articles! "Oh, there's no reason for any of that," Lucy said as she shot him a smile. "We're not gonna bite you or anything. Why don't you sit down with me and my friends and we can help you out?"
"Thanks, that really means a lot," the man said.
"No problem...Um, I don't think I caught your name," Lucy asked.
"Oh, how rude of me. It's Robert Knox."
The two sat down and Lucy introduced the journalist to all of her friends. After they exchanged pleasantries, the man began to feel calmer and at ease. Lucy smiled, happy that she could help and hoping for that spot in the magazine. Front page article, here I come! Lucy thought to herself.
"So, I hear that Fairy Tail's gotten new members recently," Robert asked them. "Some of them have magic not like anything we've ever seen before. Do you know them?"
It took her a few seconds before Lucy answered. "I'm actually pretty close with most of them when I think about it."
"Could I ask you a few questions about them then? Our readers would like to know more. Let's start with names."
"Well, we have our newest members Candice with her friend Jade, though I heard they had breakfast plans today so I don't think they'll be here anytime soon. There's also Liltotto. She's got this really crazy power to eat anything! Oh, and then there's my girlfriend, Bambietta Basterbine."
Robert seemed quiet for a minute, as if he was deep in thought, his right hand covering his mouth as he tapped his pencil repeatedly on the table as if he was nervous.
"Um, are you ok?" Lucy asked, slightly bothered by the silence.
"Oh, yes sorry. I just spaced out for a sec," he said before he chuckled. " I'm just nervous like I said earlier. So, she's your girlfriend? I've heard some of the new members are kind of...violent. Aren't you worried about her by any chance?"
"Oh not at all! Bambi's saved my life more times than I can count on one hand. I trust her with my life." Lucy responded.
"With your life huh? That's...Interesting." Robert replied.
"She's done a lot for the guild in the time she's been here," Levy said. "She hasn't been here nearly as long as most of us, but she's practically part of the family now."
"She's the bravest person I know. Someday, I want to be just like her!" Wendy said with a smile. "She's really nice too."
"Is she now?" Robert said, the man seeming rather confused by what he was hearing. "And she hasn't hurt...Anyone?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that. She's constantly getting into fights in the guild...But it's all in good fun," Lucy said. "Sure, she gets a little kill-happy when it comes to monsters, but I don't think she'd ever actually kill anyone in the guild."
Robert seemed to whisper something under his breath. Confused by his recent behavior, Lucy was beginning to think she made a mistake by helping this man out. However, just as she was trying to figure out what to do about the situation, the wooden doors to the guild hall burst wide open.
"Fairy tail! I have returned!" Bambietta yelled in joy as she slowly walked in, Rukia and Erza coming in shortly after. "I've got some rent to pay and mouths to feed, so move out of the-way of the request board, because this quincy's got first debs!" Bambietta looked over to Lucy, Wendy, and Levy and smiled. "Ah, there you guys are! I'll be back with you in a jiffy, I just got to pick out our next mission and-"
However, just as she was speaking, Bambietta's eyes wandered over to the man sitting at the table with the rest of them. For the first few seconds, she didn't think anything of him, but as she continued to look at him, she felt a strange sense of familiarity. "Hey...Have we met somewhere before?"
"Oh, this is Robert. He's a journalist from Sorcerer's Weekly." Lucy explained.
"Yeah, we've never met before," Robert said quickly
A little too quickly for Bambietta's liking. She narrowed her eyes at him as a bizarre feeling of Deja Vu filled her mind. Something about him was shooting off all kinds of alarm bells but she couldn't figure out why. This man had barely enough magic to be considered a B class, so what was the deal? Just who is this guy? She couldn't help but wonder.
"Yeah, sorry but I'm really sure we have met somewhere before," Bambietta said before she stared back at him. "So how about you spill the truth before I make you."
"Bambi!" Lucy gasped. How could she just say such a thing to a total stranger!?
The man looked back at Bambietta before he sighed. There was no point in delaying the inevitable now was there? Anything else would lead to her making a scene and getting innocent bystanders caught in the knew from the very beginning that this little stunt might get him killed. Well, better to face death with some dignity.
"You seriously don't remember me do you?" He asked. "No, I shouldn't be surprised, of course, you don't," He then got up and out of his seat. "Well then, how's about a little hint? You promised me the night of my life...and it almost became my last."
Bambietta only stared at him…before a flash of memory ran through her mind.
"Hey, you!" Bambietta said as she ran down a line of soldat before she pointed towards one, only giving him a slight glance.
The man straighted up, clearly surprised. "Um, yes?" He responded nervously.
"I'm in a bad mode, so come to my room right now."
He blushed, as he stood to attention. "It would be my honor!"
Little did he know…it would be his last.
Bambietta's eyes widened in response as it finally began to come together for her. No...It can't be…Not him!
"Um, Candi, are you sure about this?"
"Oh relax Jade, I got plenty of cash to burn after that Vulcan extermination job I just took! Paying for breakfast is the least I can do after you saved my bike from being burned by Natsu during the last guild brawl!"
"Well, if you insist."
Jade reluctantly looked over the menu for the restaurant that Candice had decided to treat her to. She wasn't used to such charity, having to spend most of her life stealing to survive. Still, Candice had made it quite clear that she was doing this because she wanted to, and wouldn't take no for an answer. At least she wasn't doing it for some favor Jade would have to pay back later. She didn't pick anything too expensive, however, not wanting to take too much of an advantage of her friend's generous offer. A simple order of pancakes and some eggs.
Candice ordered some bacon, hash browns along with some orange juice. As Candice leaned back against her chair, the woman shot Jade a smile. "Man, I got to say, beating up some jackass' and stealing their cash was fun and all, but man does it feel good to get money by kicking some ass and not get in trouble for it."
"Yeah, it's certainly preferable to being on the run," Jade said with a smile of her own. "Just having a constant place to call home and eat...It's really nice."
"Not to mention all the hot pieces of ass," Candice said as she drooled a little. "Heck, yesterday I talked to Max and-"
"Please. Not here," Jade interrupted. "You can tell me all about your sexual adventures after we get some grub."
Truthfully, she'd rather not hear them at all, but Candice was…Candice.
Candice sighed. "I swear, sometimes you're no fun at all."
"It's called time and place and a family restaurant is not the place." Jade insisted.
"Yes, mom," Candice replied jokingly.
As Jade's salad arrived, the emerald haired woman took a bite out of the meal before she spoke. "Still, thanks, Candi."
"Ah come on, what are friends for?" the Quincy said. "It's not like this meal comes anywhere close as expensive as getting a new bike. I kinda owe ya this much at least."
"Well yeah but...I wasn't just thanking you for the meal," Jade said. "I mean, I like the free meal, don't get me wrong but...You've really helped me out when I needed it when you first found me. I wasn't exactly in the best of spirits back then. Honestly, I probably would have ended up in some drunken one night stand that I know I would have regretted."
"Hey, what can I say? I know a sad drunk when I see one. Ya don't need to really thank me for that, I just did that because I don't like seeing people taking advantage of that kinda situation." Candice replied as their meal finally arrived. She took a bit out of her bacon and smirked. "Oh man, Lil wasn't kidding about the food here!"
"Well, it's more than that," Jade said as she took a sip of water. "Honestly, It just meant a lot to have someone I could count on again. You were honestly the first friend I've had in a very long time and now that I'm in Fairy Tail...I've honestly never been happier and it's all thanks to you. So I want you to know I appreciate that."
"Oh god don't be such a sap over it," Candice said. "You don't need to go into some long speech on how grateful you are for the whole thing. "I kept you around because you were convenient to have and...eh," she shrugged. "You've kinda grown on me. And..." she shrugged again. "Be too much of a hassle to just cut you out of my life. I've become complacent. You're fun to have around. Not to mention great eye candy. I don't keep myself surrounded by people just so they can suck up to me, so please, stop with the feel's trip and just be yourself ok?"
"Yeah sure thing Candi," Jade said. That was one other thing Candice Jade liked. Straightforward and to the point. Candice didn't bother to hide what she really felt about the situation. If she felt someone was being a jerk or an idiot, she would happily voice her opinion on the matter. It meant Jade didn't have to worry about Candice lying about her. "So...I was thinking we could go to see Oil Groove together sometime. Bambietta told me you're favorite movie was based on it."
Candice's eyes lit up as her brain made the connection to Grease but she soon frowned. "Sure I'd love to go see it, but those tickets are like, super expensive. I'd rather not have to work on a whole job request just to see a play," Candice said as she got ready to take another sip of her drink "I know I made a lot of money from that last job, but not that much. I still got rent for Fairy Hills to pay for after all."
"Well, looks like you're going to have to owe me another meal," Jade said before she smiled and placed two tickets on the table. "Because I already got us tickets."
Candice soon found herself spitting out her drink, nearly missing Jade with the projectile liquid before she grabbed one of the tickets. "What!? How did you-"
"You're not the only one here that can take A class missions you know," Jade said with a smirk.
Candice stopped looking at the ticket, then back to Jade, back to the ticket, and back to Jade before she leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Oh you're the best!"
"Candi...Can't...Breathe," Jade said as the Quincy held her in a tight hold while unknowingly using her quincy strength.
"Oh...Sorry," Candice said as she let go. "But are you sure about this? These cost a fortune."
"Look, you did something for me, and I wanted to do something nice for you," Jade said. "Like you said earlier...What are friends for?"
"Kicking ass and buying shit!" Candice said as she grabbed her drink. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Jade said as she knocked her drink against Candice's.
The two laughed and began to enjoy their meal. However, as they continued to eat in peace a pair of eyes was watching them.
Stella Upland, otherwise known as Emberella Rhodopis, having returned from long term business regarding the Ballem Alliance, watched on in interest. So, it seems my dear daughter has joined Fairy Tail. Well, that suits me just fine...It saves me the trouble of having to find her again.
Truth be told, Emberella had regretted leaving her surrogate daughter behind in her quest for vengeance, but it was for the best. She didn't want Jellal nor Ultear to know of her existence. It was best to leave one of her trump cards a secret just in case. Besides, she knew full well that Jade could take care of herself.
She smirked as her eye's focused on Jade. Soon Jade, thanks to your help...I'll gain control of the most powerful guild in Fiore and have my vengeance sooner than planned. Those fools in the magic council must pay for their crimes!
Bambietta could only stare at the man before her. To think just a few hours after the haunting nightmare she had in regards to her old nasty habit, that her sins would catch up to her so quickly. If he wanted to, and he probably would, this man could tell everyone in the guild just what she had done long ago, and destroy her life in this new world.
Yes, she had tried to accept the responsibility of her actions, and to live on with her life despite that, to not let her fear of hurting those she cherished to haunt her dream's any further. But this was different. This wasn't a fear of what she might do...but a fear that was very well out of her control. One where everything and evertone she had fought so hard for could be gone from her life within the blink of an eye
"Bambi?...What is he talking about?" Levy asked with worry as she looked on confused.
Bambietta's eyes widened in shock, but only for a moment. Damn it. I have to think of an excuse and fast! Think Bambi, think!
"Oh he's just exaggerating is all! Really!" Bambietta answered quickly. " He's my um...Exboyfriend! Yeah! That's the best way to put it."
Smooth. Rukia thought as she watched on. Totally not suspicious at all. It was quite obvious to the petite regai that something was clearly up. She had her suspicions as to what, but they were just that. Still...it would probably be best if she played along. "I do believe you told me about him a few weeks ago."
Robert looked at Rukia in confusion as she spoke up. She's friend's with a soul reaper as well? Damn her! It wasn't enough to just trick these good people into thinking you're some hero, but now you're allying yourself with our mortal enemies?! However, rather than give into his anger, 'he simply continued on."
"I don't recall that being the case," Robert said as he stood up. "I remember things much differently in fact."
"Ex boyfriend, one night stand, it's about the same thing," Bambietta said nonchalantly, her year's of battle experience being the only thing that kept her from letting her fear show on her face as clear as day. However, if one had paid close enough attention, they could see her hands beginning to shake.
Robert, however, was beginning to put things together. "I see...They really don't know, do they? About the real you?"
"I think we should take this conversation elsewhere," Bambietta said as she took a few steps closer to Robert.
"Really? Because I think it's better we have it right here," he said as he looked at her. "Unless...you don't want anyone to hear about how you used to-"
In an instant, Bambietta placed her hand over his mouth and looked at Lucy with a completely forced smile. "Reallydontwantanyonetohearthissecretitsupermeberessinggonnagonowkthanksbye!"
And in that instant, the two left the room, leaving a very confused Lucy, Wendy and Levy.
"Um...What just happened?" Levy asked.
"I...I don't know," Lucy said, equally baffled at the situation. "I think he was going to tell us something Bambi didn't want us to hear.?"
Wendy however, got up from her chair and began to head over to the door.
"Wendy, where are you going?" Levy asked.
"I'm going to find Bambi!" Wendy said. "I couldn't do anything to help last night...But I won't let that happen again! She's done so much for me...It's about time I did the same."
"I agree," Lucy said as she stood up. "Let's go find her, Together."
"I'll go get Erza." Rukia said as she joined them. "It would be best to make sure she's around in case this is part of something more...nefarious."
The four women left the guild in a hurry, desperate to find their friend as soon as possible. Lucy in particular was determined to do what she could for Bambietta.
Besides...I think I know what the problem is.
Robert was thrown against a wall as Bambietta stared at the man who not moments ago, she is absolutely was terrified of. No, not him, but rather the words he could have spoken. Words that could have cost her everything.. Now, however,that was no longer the case, and she now had no reason to fear this man.
The same could not be said for the man before her. He was clearly afraid now, terror clear on his face. Good, that meant she had the first advantage. "Ok, 'Robert'. Let's get down to business shall we? Let's start with your real name. I sure as hell know I wouldn't have even teased the idea of fun bedtimes with a man who shares the same name as one of my teacher's, so out with it!"
'Robert' began to stare back at her now, the man trying to put on his best determined face but it soon faltered to the gaze of the woman before him. " Alright, the truth then. It's Yulian Yukhantsev."
Bambietta's stare lessened as she placed her hands on her hips. "Well, Yulian, are you starting to regret coming over here and threatening me like that? Or do I need to remind you what happened last time?"
Granted, 'last time', as it were, was something she was no longer proud of, but she'd damn well would use ti to her advantage. Anything to keep him quiet.
"Oh I remember it quite well," Yulian said as he began to slowly rise up to his feet. "We had just finished listening to His Majestys words of wisdom when you asked for me to come with you to your room. I was honored to think that you were interested in me...But now I know what you really are. Murderer."
If the quincy had been accused of being such a thing several month's back, she wouldn't have cared. Hell, she would have thrived on the fear that Yulian had shown her earlier. But it would seem that her time in fairy tail had affected her in way's she hadn't truly quite realized till last night. Being a killer, rather, being a killer of her own comrades, was something she could no longer take pride in.
It was a pain that was now all too real for the quincy, one she had experienced a mere few days after she had killed Yulian. But for now, she had to carry a brave face. If she showed how much this bothered her it would only let him realize just what kind of power that he had over her. "So just what were you thinking, coming to my guild then huh? I sincerely doubt it was for "journalism" so give it to me straight."
"You want to know what possessed me to come to your guild?" Yulian asked as his face quickly became one of Anger. "It was you!"
"Me?" Bambietta asked with surprise.
"Yes, you! When I found myself in this new strange land, I didn't know what to do! I had nobody! No friends, no family, no other quincy I could rely on! It was just me in this place. It took me a while but I began to adjust. I made a new life for myself. Friends. I even found a nice woman named Bethany. I was just starting to think that I could start over here, a new life, a world without hollow's or soul reaper's...but then I heard about you. After that, I never had a moment of peace, knowing you were out here, somewhere, no doubt doing to others what you did to me! So I had to check it out, to see if it was really you...and low and behold, here we are."
He then threw his hand's up in the air. "So go ahead and just get it over with. I know full damn well why you brought me over here. You don't want me to spoil your fun for the next poor person you're about to execute. That poor blonde has no idea what she's gotten herself into-"
"That's enough!" Bambietta shouted, not wanting him to remind her of thehorrendus dream of last night. "I'm not going to kill you, Yulian. I'm not going to even hurt you. I've..." Her eyes glanced over to the side before she continued "Been through a lot since we last met. More than you can possibly imagine."
"Are you seriously expecting me to buy that you've changed?" Yulian asked her with disbelief. "You? The blood night of the Vandenreich? The woman who gleefully slaughter's her enemy's with a smile on her face? What, am I supposed to buy that you're some goody two shoes now on the side of justice?" Yulian tossed his right hand to the side. "Don't try to fool me with any of that bullshit!"
Bambietta sighed. Of course it wasn't going to be that easy. "Yeah...I don't expect you to just take my word for it, and quite frankly I don't blame you. If I were you I'd be beyond pissed. You're killer out and about, having a good life in a world that you were just about to enjoy until she comes back to bring it all crashing down on you. I don't blame you one damn bit."
She found it hard to resit the urge to chuckle then from the irony of it all. In fact.I know what that's like too, believe it or not. Bambietta thought as her mind drifted to think about Giselle once more.
She then took off her hat and placed it down onto a nearby wooden barrel, as well as her cape before she continued speaking. "And you're likely not going to stop thinking about this until this is resolved in some shape or another. Not a moment of peace. So…I'm putting myself at your mercy."
Had he confronted her just a day or two prior, such an idea would have absolutely never crossed her mind. Why would it? She was Bambietta Basterbine after all, a former member of the Sternritter and one of Fairy Tail's strongest.
But now, after the horrors of the night before, and the weeks of prior nightmares, the sins of her past laid bare right before her eyes…She couldn't think of a better way to atone for her sins.
"Excuse you?" Yulian asked, his eyes widening in shock. This woman couldn't possibly be for real now could she? It had to be a trap of some kind. It was her style after all. "Surely you can't be serious."
"Oh I'm very serious…and don't call me Shirley," Bambietta said, wanting to make the mood just a little less bleak for her own sake. "I doubt you'll believe me, or even give a damn, but I've had nightmares about what I've done. About what I may do, so if it'll make you feel better, if it'll let me finally make amends for what I did to you and everyone else...Feel free to do whatever it takes."
Yulian continued to stare at the stern ritter, seemingly unable to take her words seriously.
Bambietta however stood her ground, unmoving. She was not afraid. Pain and her were old friend's ever since her mother died. She was positive that nothing Yulian could do to her would possibly compare to the emotional trauma that was the night before. This, right now…was her own way of atonement.
The stare down continued for what felt like forever, neither making their move… until the young man began to walk forward.. Whenever it was because he finally took her word's seriously, or because he finally let his anger towards his murderer to burst out, he threw a powerful punch infused with blut arterie that knocked Bambietta over, the quincy rubbing her injured face as her nose began to bleed profusely.
Ahhhh, fuck that smarts! Bambietta thought before she felt herself getting lifted by her collar. She looked up to see Yulian, his face contorted with rage before he threw another punch, causing more blood to splatter on the concrete below them. However, she made no attempt to defend herself, the female quincy allowing Yulian a chance that she knew she would have desired with her own killer should she meet her once more.
"Damn you! I lost everything because of you!" Yulian yelled out, tears now flowing out of his eyes as he continued to throw punch after punch. "I had a little sister back home! I had friend's! Now because of you, I'll never see them again!"
Blood continued to splatter on the ground and it was only now that the quincy was letting out groans of pain. Sure, she had taken far more powerful and painful blows in the past, but that hardly meant that she couldn't feel any of it. She wasn't bothering to protect herself with Blute Vene deserved every bit of it of pain he gave her. She was positive that her nose had been broken by now, and that she undoubtedly looked like a bloody mess, but despite her pride in her own beauty…She simply didn't care. This is how it has to be. I…deserve this.
Yulian finally stopped punching Bambietta, only to look down at her. He could hardly believe that she was keeping her end of the deal. It was still very likely that all of this was part of some sick plan of hers, but just as his rational mind began to speak up, anger clouded his mind once again, and the man formed a bow in his right hand. It was about time for her to experience all the pain she truly deserved! "Now to-"
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
In that moment, Yulian felt himself struck with a powerful gust of wind that sent him flying to a near by concrete wall, the man groaning out in pain. Bambietta slowly turned her head to see none other than Wendy, Lucy, and Levy. "You guys…" She said weak.y
"Don't you worry bout a thing Bambi," Lucy said. "We got you're back!"
"Yeah, no one hurts one of my best friends!" Levy added in.
"I won't let you lay another finger on her!" Wendy shouted as she ran over to her injured friend. Instantly the quincy began to feel the healing effects of the Sky dragon slayer's magic and her pain slowly began to vanish. "Just sit still, I'im going to make sure you're all better!"
"No...you guys don't understand-" Bambietta tried to speak before Lucy interrupted
"I don't know what you're game is pal, but you just messed with the wrong guild," Lucy said as she got her key's out of her pocket. "I hope you're ready for a world of pain."
"No, I don't want any of you to-" Bambietta tried speaking up once more, only to be interrupted yet again.
"That goes double for me!" Levy said. She may not has been as powerful as the likes of Natsu and Grey, but her wide variety of spells and how she could use her magic was let Levy become one of Fairy Tail's A class wizards and she was not about to let some stranger get away with hurting Bambietta! "Anyone who hurts my friend won't get any mercy from me!"
"No…Levy, please…" Bambietta tried to speak up…Only for Yulian to beat her to the punch.
"...You're friend you say?" Yulian spoke as he slowly rose to his feet. "You won't let me have any mercy? Oh the irony. You three have no idea that you're housing a wolf among your sheep! She isn't just another mage, You're friend has-"
"I don't care what you have to say!" Levy said. "She's fought to protect us time and again! If you think were gonna just sit back and watch you wail on her, you have another thing coming!"
However, Levy's words failed to convince Yulian. If anything, they only encouraged what he was about to say next. It was quite clear to him now that these three were Bambietta's closest new friends, and what better way to get back at her for all she had done then ruining that very friendship? Bones and wounds could be healed over time, but broken trust and bond's were an entirely different matter.
He spoke up once more, practically shouting. "You're friend is no better than a black widow! Back where we hail from, she would take any man she could get from the soldiers to use as some toy before she decided to discard us in blood! I thought nothing of those rumor's but it was the truth! She's a woman who gleefully slaughter's her enemy's without a hint of remorse, a woman with no heart! She-"
"I don't believe you!" Wendy shouted out. "Bambi would never do such a thing!"
"The same goes for me!" Levy responded. "I know Bambietta, and there's no way that she would ever do such a thing!"
"Really? You think so?" Yulian said. "I suppose it is rather hard to take the word of a stranger...So go ahead. Ask her."
"We don't need to ask her anything. It's obviously-"
"No...Everything that he's saying...It's true."
Everyone's eyes widened as they heard the words come out of Bambietta's mouth. Grunting with pain, her injuries till not having been fully treated, she rose up from Wendy before she took several steps forward, before she turned around, her eyes once again flowing with tears as she looked at them. I can't run from this anymore. I'm tired of keeping this secret. Tired of the worrying. The fear. The rejection. They need to know...Everything.
Her eyes were lacking any light, vacant and void of all emotion. She was about to lose it all…and yet, she could hardly find it in herself to care anymore. This festering feeling of anxiety, it was simply too much. And besides…they were all too good for her to begin with.
(Recommended song. Fairy Tail theme, Slow Version)
"I told you all how I used to be part of a dark guild. That's true, but I never really wanted any of you to know just what I was like back then." Bambietta began to say. "Everything Yulian accused me of is the truth. I was a monster. I used to kill for nothing more than the thrill of it. Monster's, enemy soldier's, even my own men...It didn't matter to me. I just...got a sick thrill out of it. There's no excuse. I was a terrible person."
Bambietta began to hiccup in sorrow as she struggled to speak further, her tear's now making it hard for her to even see out of her eyes, her head now hung low but she continued despite it all. "But...After I was betrayed, after I found you all...It let me finally put things into perspective. I found out what really mattered in life wasn't just killing your enemy, or having sex with whoever I wanted to enjoy for a night...No, what really matters is what I have with all of you.. No, not just you three but my Fairy Tail family."
She looked up into the sky then, as a small smile formed onto her face. "You know, I used to think Makarov was full of it when he told me that the guild was like a family. Nothing more than some bullshit leaders feed to increase morale. I just couldn't accept it. Not after everything I had been through. But it was after I saw everyone stand up for Lucy during Phantom Lords attack that he was right. You're all such good people. Too good for someone like me."
She raised her head as she whipped away her tears, her sadness still on display as she trembled and cried out. "But I'm not the same person I used to be anymore! I've changed! Whenever you choose to believe me or not is all entirely up to you but...I just want you all to know...I value our friendship more than anything else in the world!"
The only thing that could be heard now was Bambietta's cries of sorrow as she once again fell to her knees. Yulian began to smirk as he watched the woman before him become a sobbing mess. Finally, after all those sleepless night's he had finally managed to hurt her in a way that she could never recover from!
"I already know."
Bambietta's gaze slowly drifted over to the voice who had just spoken what she was sure was a possibility. She looked into the eyes of none other than her lover, her girlfriend and her beloved, Lucy Heartfillia.
"I've known for the last few months," Lucy said as she slowly got closer to Bambietta. "When we finally became a couple and Master Makarov returned from the Wizard saint meeting in the Pergrande Kingdom...He took me to his office to discuss some things."
"You wanted to see me Master Makarov?" Lucy asked as she entered the guild master's office. She wasn't quite sure why she was summoned personally. She knew she hadn't done any wrong doing. Certainly not to the same extent as Natsu had at any rate.
"Yes please, take a seat," Makarov asked Lucy before the young woman pulled out a wooden chair and sat down. "In all honesty, I should have told you about this much sooner. You'll have to forgive me for that Lucy. I've just been very busy dealing with all the damage reports the council has given us, as well as the recent phantom lord incident."
"Hey, it's no problem at all," Lucy said as she tried to get comfortable in the chair. "Better late than never."
"I'm not so sure if you'll be feeling that same way by the time we're done here," Makarov said before he sighed. "I've heard that you and Bambietta have been living together in an apartment for some time. Is this true?"
"Oh yeah! We've been living together almost since she first joined Fairy Tail!" Lucy said with a smile. "She can be a bit loud at times, especially with her snoring, but I'm happy to have her with me. It makes planning dates much easier too."
"I see. Yes, I heard that you two had also formed a relationship," Makarov said before he sighed once more. "Lucy...There's something you need to know about Bambietta."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked in confusion. "Is it that she was a member of a dark guild? She already told me about that."
"No, there's more to it than that...Normally I wouldn't discuss something this sensitive about a member of this guild with another, but I feel that this particular circumstance requires a special approach," Makarov said with a glum expression.
"I'm afraid to inform you, that in the time she spent in her dark guild...Miss Basterbine killed her own comrade, for nothing more than the sheer enjoyment of it.."
Lucy gasped and one of her hands quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening before he continued.
"I was aware of her habit for quite some time. But I figured that as long as I had Erza keeping a close eye on her at all times when she returned there would be no need to be concerned. However when I found out that the two of you were living together just yesterday...I realized I hadn't taken nearly enough precautions."
Lucy stared at Makarov in silence before the man continued to speak. "I know that the two of you are rather close, and while I certainly doubt that Miss Basterbine has any ill intentions regarding you or the guild...I figure it was best you were informed for your safety."
Makarov took a sip of a cup of water he had on his desk before he continued. "If you no longer wish to have her as your roommate, I can let her know. There's no need for you to deal with such a hardship that only happened because of my lack of diligence."
Lucy stared, the reality of the situation hitting her like a train. She had always known Bambi had a dark past. But this? This was much more than she could have ever expected! To have killed her own guild mates just for the sheer thrill of it all, she couldn't believe it!
But just as those thoughts entered her mind, she remembered just how hard the quincy had fought for her own safety. The immense mental trauma the quincy went through from the hands of Hanza, and the battle with Jose, the quincy had endured through out it all, not for her own life...but for Lucy's.
Lucy remained silent, as if in thought before she opened up her mouth to speak. She knew exactly what she wanted to say.
"You've known...All this time?" Bambietta said, still unable to process just what she was hearing, her jaw agape. "But...Then...Why? Why didn't you tell me!?"
"I thought it would be best if I waited for you to bring it up," Lucy said. "I didn't want to force it out of you or anything. I figured that it would be best if I let you decide when you wanted to talk about it...but if I knew it was hurting you this badly. I would have never waited." The blonde woman walked over to Bambietta before she wrapped her arms around the Quincy and gave her a tight hug. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"You're...Sorry?" Bambietta asked as Lucy looked her in the eyes. "How can you be the one that's sorry? I'm the one who's done all of those horrible things! I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, not the other way around! You've lived with a murderer for over half a year now and...You're not gonna even yell at me for keeping it a secret!?"
"Because like I told Master Makarov...I know that's not who you are anymore," Lucy said as she gave her a smile. "People change. What you did to all of those people...it was horrible, I won't try to sugarcoat it. But you've clearly made an effort to not be that kind of person anymore. The Bambietta I know...She cares for her friends. She puts her life on the line again and again for all of us. During Clovertown and when You went through hell to protect me when you fought Hanza during Phantom Lord's attack. Not to mention the fight with Jose...You've waited patiently for me to be ready to move our relationship to the next level. If you were really the kind of person you used to be, you would have just taken me by force."
Lucy looked over at Yulian as she held Bambietta tightly. "I'm sorry for what she did to you and you have every right to be mad at her for what she did. But I won't stand by and just let you hurt my girlfriend. She and I have been through too much to let it end over her past!"
She then walked in front of Bambietta, both arms outstretched as she did so. "She never cared about my family name or wealth! She didn't just want me because of how I looked. She loves me for who I am! If Bambietta were still the same monster that you claimed she would be, I wouldn't be standing here now! Eisenwald, Galuna Island, our time in Clovertown and our war with Phantom lord and countless other adventures. I've seen the kind of person Bambietta really is! So if you want to hurt her...You'll have to hurt me first!"
"Lucy, no you don't have to do this!" Bambietta shouted as she walked over to her and held Lucy by her shoulders. "I'm the one who did all of those horrible things! These are my sins! Not yours!"
"I don't care! If they're your sins, then we'll just take them on together!" Lucy said, a look of defiance clearly on display.
"I agree with Lucy!" Wendy said, the small dragon slayer standing before the two of them before she also held out her hands wide like the celestial wizard before her. "Bambi I don't care about what you did back then, like Lucy said, that's not who you are anymore! You helped me find all of my new friends at Fairy Tail!, you're the person I admire the most! You're always looking out for me, always protecting me. You've always encouraged me to believe in myself! You helped me find all of my new friends at Fairy Tail! Erza, Lucy, Levy, Natsu, Gray and everyone else! If it wasn't for you putting on that glove that you hated so much, we would have all died at Clovertown! You could have easily just left all of us to die and save yourself but you didn't! You started and helped us all! So...I won't let him hurt you anymore!"
"I've known Bambietta the minute she entered the guild," Levy said as she then took her place among the group. "She was impulsive, crazy and more than a bit eager to prove herself. I knew from the first day I met her that she as more than a bit violent when she brought back a severed Cyclops head. But I still took my time to get to know her, and I don't regret it one bit. She's one of the nicest people i've ever known and is one of my best friends! When phantom lord first attacked, I was one of the first victims of that little guild war. I was left hanging on a tree, bloody and beaten. Bambi was the one who found me. She thought I was dead...and the first thing that i saw when i woke up...was her crying! Yes, she almost killed the man who was responsible, and yes what she did before coming to the guild was terrible...but the fact that she stopped herself from killing Gajeel, the fact that she was so sad at what happened to me, is more than enough proof for me to believe that she's no longer that kind of person anymore! So go ahead...Do what you have to do...but you'll have to get through us first!"
Yulian just stared at the three of them in disbelief. "You heard her say it herself...You know what she's done...How can you possibly defend someone so horrible!? She'll kill all of you someday! That's the kind of person she really is!"
The rest of them said nothing as they looked at Yulian with the look one would have expected of hardened veterans and simply stood their ground in front of their friend. Bambietta watched on, in complete disbelief. They know what I've done...but they still accept me. I...I...Truly am blessed to be a member of this guild. Bambietta smiled before she spoke. "Everyone...Thank you."
Still, despite their kind words and their support, Bambietta knew that she couldn't let them suffer for her. Not like this. She would have to think of something to resolve all this...But what?
Yulian was having enough of this however. Fine, if these people wanted to get in his way, he would just get rid of them first! He formed the bow in his hand once more and slowly took aim, the blonde woman now in his sights...But as he looked at her, and then down to the dragon slayer that stood before the woman he loathed...He lowered his arrow. In their place stood Bethany, his girlfriend and her young daughter Rachel, as well as his little sister. No I...I...I can't do it! The bow of light dissipated and the man fell to his knees. If I hurt these people...I could never look Bethany or Rachel in the eye ever again. They didn't have anything to do with this. Their just...helping out their friend...but, still-
"Why? Why!? She's a monster!" He yelled out.
"No. That's the person she was. The Bambietta I know is much stronger and kinder than you could realize."
Turning their heads the 5 of them saw none other than fairy tails strongest female Mage. Erza Scarlet, Rukia standing right behind her as the red headed mage walked forward.
Yulian could sense the sheer raw power emanating from this woman. The likes of which he had never sensed from anyone else in this new world. This...This woman...She could be powerful enough to fight a captain! It was quite obvious at this point that he could do nothing to the woman before him if she chose to intervene.
Erza then turned her attention over to the man who had started all of this. "I've known about her sins since the beginning. But when I first found her, what I saw wasn't a murderer, nor a monster but rather someone who needed help. Someone who was betrayed by those she trusted the most...Someone who had been through a truly horrific experience. I won't privy you to the details, I believe that my words alone couldn't possibly describe what she went through. What I can tell you however, with great certainty, is that Bambietta has changed. Yes, she struggles with her desire to take life when her emotions take over, but every time she almost falters, she always manages to stop herself. I've told her time and time again that I made no mistakes in saving her...and I still believe that to be true."
Bambietta stared back at Erza, one of the very few women she had ever looked up to, her words filling her with pride. "It always means a lot when I hear you say those words, Erza."
Finally, feeling confident, Bambietta slowly walked over to Yulian, the man looking down to the ground muttering to himself. "I don't...I can't...I just...I just."
She took just a few feet from him then, prompting the man to slowly look up at her. Her face wasn't one of anger, nor calm fury...but one that had a small smile. Opening her mouth, she began to speak from the heart. "I know my words don't mean a damn thing to you...But I truly am sorry for what I did to you. I don't expect you to forgive me. But...We can't go on like this anymore. I've let this haunt my dreams for far too long, and you...You have a new life to live. A 2nd chance. A lot of people would give anything for that. It's something that I've never taken for granted once i've come here. So for your own sake, please...Let's move on from all this...and just live our lives."
Yulian looked at Bambietta, his mind having such a hard time believing the words coming out of her mouth. "Do you...Really think it's that simple? To just...Let it go?" He asked her.
"Of course I don't." Bambietta told him. "The truth of the matter is, I went through something very similar to what I did to you. When we invaded the soul society for the 2nd time, I was confident and rushed straight into battle! As always, I was more than eager to spill the blood of the soul reapers. But when I fought a pair of captains…I lost. One of them had become much stronger in the short time that had passed and he became immune to my ability. I barely managed to survive that fight but then the other's found me...and Giselle...She took my life. I don't have the best memories of what happened after that...but I remember enough. I was nothing more than her submissive toy. A slave to her will. Someone she could use to kill whoever she wanted to protect her...to abuse when she got mad. She used me. She was one of my best friends, but when I needed her the most...She stabbed me in the back."
Bambietta then placed a hand on his shoulder. "When I came here to this world, I wanted nothing more than to get back at her. To slowly make her suffer like she did with me before I finally took her life. But I thought that would never happen now that I was here in this strange new world...and I made friends, and honestly the best thing to have ever happened to me. They showed me what really matters. Living every day to the fullest with those you cherish most. I went through a lot of hard time since i've been here, but they've always helped me stand back up every time I fell."
Bambietta smiled then as she continued. "I'm positive that you have people like that here too. A friend, maybe a girlfriend? Maybe just a coworker you get along with really well? Regardless of the truth...The people we've met here can give us a new start and im proof of that."
She's right. Yulian thought to himself. I have met some people who have helped me out in my time here. That Old woman who took me in when I had no place to stay. Bethany...Rachel...If not for them, I'd have no idea where I would be now. He looked at the former stern ritter once more, but not with a look of hatred. Now, he seemed much more…accepting. Maybe...Just maybe...
"You're right about one thing. I haven't forgiven you," Yulian said as he grabbed Bambietta's hand and took it off of his shoulder. "But you're also right about everything else. I've made plenty of new friends since i've come here, people who I cherish, and if I were to continue down this path...I'd lose them all."
He began to walk past Bambietta and began to exit the alleyway the group had found themselves in. "I don't care what you do with your new life. Quite frankly, I'd rather not see you ever again. But we both have our new lives to live...and I won't let this old nightmare haunt me anymore."
And then, with the use of Hirenkyaku, he was gone.
Bambietta looked over to her friends, the ones that she was so sure would turn her away for what she was...and had instead chosen to side with her. "You guys... I can't begin to thank you enough."
" Hey, don't worry about it. I'm guessing the nightmare you had last night was related to all of this?" Lucy asked Bambietta.
"Yeah. You could say that."
"Well from now on, no more secrets from either of us," Lucy said as she took Bambietta's hands. "We're in this together, so you don't have to take on these sorts of things by yourself anymore. If anyone else from your past show's up...I'll be right there with you." As she finished speaking, she gave the quincy a quick kiss on the cheek. "Always."
"Yeah. I realize that now," Bambietta said with a smirk. "Don't worry. From now on I'll let you know when I'm having any trouble."
"Don't think you can leave me out of all this," Levy said as she popped up next to the two of them. "It's not just Lucy who has your back."
"Yeah, we'll be there for each other no matter what!" Wendy said with excitement.
"Not just us, but all of Fairy Tail." Erza added in as she put a hand on Bambietta's shoulder. "Now then. Let's go back home. I'm sure everyone else is also worried."
"Yeah...Let's..." Bambietta said in agreement.
The 6 women soon made it back to the guild, Bambietta explaining the situation to all who had asked, Natsu in particular was the most curious of all and wouldn't be satisfied by anything less than an answer from Bambietta herself. However as she finished talking with the fire dragon slayer and went to sit down at a random table, the sky dragon slayer walked over to the Quincy. "Say, um Bambi...I was wondering if I could ask you something?"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Well the thing is...I've been wanting to get stronger ever since I couldn't do anything when Phantom lord attacked."
"Wendy, you did more than enough! You practically healed the whole guild!" Bambietta said supportingly. "Look we didn't really have a lot of healer's back in my old "guild". Trust me when I say someone like you would have been really valuable."
"But I don't want to just heal people!" Wendy shouted. "I want to be strong like Natsu! Like you! So please...I want you to train me to become stronger!"
Bambietta merely stared back at the dragon slayer as she imagined just what kind of "training" she would put the dragon slayer through, picturing herself and Wendy in a rocky wasteland on top of a mountain.
"So Bambi, what are you going to teach me today? A brand new technique? How to sense energy like you and Lil do? What about how to fly-"
"DODGE!"
*THWACK!*
"I...don't think you're cut out for any training I would dish out," Bambietta said sheepishly as she came back to reality before she chuckled a bit. "But I know what it feels like to want to be stronger than you are. When my mom died I wanted nothing more than to make sure that sort of thing would never happen again!"
"So you'll train me after all?" Wendy asked with excitement.
"No, no, no," Bambietta said. "Like I said, i'm too rough for you right now...but-" The Quincy looked over to Rukia Kuchki as a smile came to her face, memories of watching her train a teenager with an oversized sword and a young woman with breasts as large as her girlfriends. "I think I know just the right person to get you started."
Jade yawned as she and Candice headed up the stairs to the top floor of Fairy Hills. It had been a busy day after breakfast, the two members of Fairy tail going on an B class mission to escort a caravan through a route infested with monsters of all kinds. The monster's themselves weren't all that tough individually, but they came in droves with multiple packs, the young woman having spent almost all of her ammunition to keep them at bay. Still, it paid well enough and was overall more than worth the effort. "Next time...We bring back up," Jade said.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that hard," Candice said as the two reached the top floor. "Just about a little over a hundred C class monsters."
"This coming from the woman who has enough stamina to keep going for several days straight. Sorry Candi, but I think it's smarter to take turns with others so we can get proper rest," Jade said. However she smiled as she looked at her best friend. "Still...I had fun today."
"Yeah well, any chance to kick ass is one I'll take any day," Candice said with a smirk. "I have more cash to burn now than I ever have in my life. So tomorrow, let's say you and I go shopping for some new clothes. I saw this really expensive shirt that I can totally buy now and not have it burn a hole in my wallet."
"Sure. Sounds like fun. It'll be the first time I've ever been on a shopping spree or whatever they're called." Jade replied before letting out a yawn. "But...I think it's time I get some sleep."
"Oh come on, it's only eleven," Candice said with a grin. "I'm only stopping by here to get some extra cash to see who I can pick up at the next bar. Come on, it'll be fun."
"You're sleep schedule and mine are very different," Jade said before she stopped by her room. She opened the door before she shot Candice one last look. " But...Thanks for the offer. Good night Candi."
"Yeah, see ya later."
With that, the two green haired women entered their respective rooms, Jade sighing as she did so. That Candi, always so lively…..But...That's what I like about her.
Even as Candice left, Jade was not alone. No, another figure was stepping up behind her, speaking in a hushed whisper befitting a bird of prey, a raptor, that had found its prey.
"Jade."
Her eyes widened as she slowly turned around. That voice...It couldn't be! But before her eyes was none other than Emberella. The woman's yellow eyes seemingly glow in the darkness.
She stared in silence for a few seconds before tear's slowly flowed down her face. "...Emberella…..Ember!" She rushed forward then, hugging her adoptive mother in a fierce hug. "Oh Ember! You have no idea just how much I missed you! I was looking all over for you!"
"Oh Jade," Emerbella whispered as she returned the hug. "Haven't lost your spirit, have you?"
"No...It's just...It's been so hard!" she said as she cried into her mothers chest. "I...I just came back from that mission and...you were gone! I looked all over Fiore through you! I slept in alleyways, in the forest, and I had to steal just to survive so I could find you again!" She smiled then however. But now...it's over. I finally found you.
"There, there," Emberella replied, stroking Jade's hair. "I've been a horrible mother to you, haven't I? I should have told you where I was, but... I've had it rough, too."
"It's okay now," Jade said as she finally let go and looked her mother in the face. "It...it hasn't been all bad. Fairy Tail...It's a great place!" She then got up and smiled. "I've made so many new friends here, and I have to say, they're all really nice. And strong! I think we'll like it here a lot!"
"Yes, it's... a wonderful guild..." Emberella sighed. "So much like the Chicken Fangs..."
"I can't wait to introduce you to everyone! I think you might be interested in talking with Erza, she just might be as strong as you are," Jade said before chuckling. "Well, almost. There's also Candi. She's the one who's helped me out since I lost you. I don't know what I would have done without her. She and her friends have some interesting magic I think you might find fascinating."
Emberella stopped Jade then, putting a hand on her shoulder in a gentle fashion. "Jade, stop."
"Um...Ember?" Jade asked with concern. "Oh, right. I forgot. You're kinda in a bit of trouble with that chicken fangs idea you came up with. Look i'm sure we can work things out. Two of my friends here were former dark mages. Look I'm sure if we just come up with a good enough disguise for you, we can live here from now on."
"That's what I like about you, Jade; you're always so optimistic." Emberella smiled warmly, though the expression quickly faltered, her gold eyes taking on a faded look of despair. "But you don't think this can last, do you?"
"I...I don't understand," Jade said as she looked at her mother. "I've gotten a pardon from my actions. Im sure if we can keep your identity hidden until we gain enough of their trust, they'll accept you." She then noticed the look on her mothers face. A cold look that didn't show hardly any emotion. "...That's not what the problem is, is it?"
"I want to be accepted for who I am, not some disguise," Emberella hissed. "You know that. And... this guild isn't as perfect as it looks from the outside. You're new here and while I've only been here a little longer, I've seen things you couldn't believe. Behind all this talk of friendship and love, there's something darker here. Someone." Emberella chuckled slightly, her voice cracking. "Somebody... Somebody like me."
"Somebody...Like you?" Jade asked, trying to figure out just who she was referring to. As much as she loved her mother, she knew she was no saint. Still, she couldn't think of anyone here that was like that. Not anymore. "Ember, you're being ridiculous. Ok, yeah I admit one of their members is a bit...monster kill happy, and the others are a bit destructive, but I don't think we have to worry about-"
How's about you ditch those two weaklings and get with a real team?
In that Moment, Laxus's words from several weeks earlier played out in her head. Bambi always had talked about how he couldn't stand the weaker members of the guild...and how he wanted control. "Do you mean...Laxus?" It hit her then, just what her mother was up to. "Ember...Don't tell me you're still trying to destroy the magic council!? We can start over here! Live a new life!"
"A new life..." Emberella's shoulders sank. "I am going to give you a new life, daughter. A new world. It's too late for me, but..." Emberella reached out, pulling her daughter into a hug. "I'm going to burn this entire world down and make it worth your life! If not through the Chicken Fangs, then Fairy Tail! And Laxus... he's the key to it all."
It was obvious to Jade what was going on now. She wanted to control this guild just like she did with Chicken fangs and use its might to bring down the council. Bambi, Levy, Wendy, Rukia, Lucy and all the others...They would end up as her mindless puppets. Just like their old guild master was. "Ember, no!" she said as she grabbed her mother's shoulders. "I have friends here! Their good people! They don't have anything to do with what happened to you're family! We can make this work, I know we can!"
"I can't!" Emberella snapped. "This world won't let me... Even if I was perfect and pure for every day in our future..." Emberella gasped, her voice ragged. "Someday they will come for me Jade. And they will take me from you, just like they took my parents from me! My brothers and sisters! My baby! And I..." Emberella snarled, her teeth gnashing. "I will use this guild to break them, to make them kneel before me in repentance first!"
"Ember..."
"Do you honestly think this place will accept you if they found out what you've done for me?" Emberella asked Jade with a serious tone. "All of the lives you've taken under my orders? Do you really think they'll just accept that? Wake up to reality!"
Jade's mouth widened, wanting to speak against what her mother had to say...But she couldn't find any words. She wasn't wrong. Jade had killed more people than she could count on both hands. If they found out...If her friends knew the truth, they would undoubtedly give her over to the magic council. Jade now found herself at a crossroads. On the one hand, Fairy Tail had taken her in and gave her a life that she was more than willing to live. So many new friends made, so many fond memories despite her short time here. But Emberella...She had been the one to take her in. The one to save her from monsters when she was about to die. The one who fed her, gave her an education. The woman who was always there for her when she had a bad nightmare, or made a terrible mistake. Not once. Not once had she ever treated her as some disposable tool. She loved her. To just turn her back on her, on the woman who had raised Jade for over 10 years of her life...It was a decision that she just couldn't go through. "I...I understand."
"Of course you do," Emberella said sweetly. "Optimistic to a fault, but you're a smart girl. This guild isn't going to last. Laxus will tear it to the ground in his pursuit of making it greater. These Fairy Tail wizards may seem like they're some big family, but I assure you it's nothing more than a front. When their lives are on the line...They'll eat each other just like animals. Laxus is just the prime example But I'm... I'm going to make his mad plans work in ways he could never have dreamed of. And we..." Emberella felt a tear run down the left side of her face as her emotions began to form on her face. "We will bring down the Magic Council and from the ashes make a better world for you, Jade."
"I...I understand Mom." Jade said. The two held each other for what seemed like an eternity before her mother let go of her.
"It's time for us to rest, Dear Jade. Tomorrow, we'll meet up with Laxus to put my plan into motion."
"I...I see. What about me?"
"For now, just do as you have. Continue to be with your "friends". It'll be important to gain their trust before things fall into place. Those quincies will prove most useful for what I plan."
Her mother smirked as she stood up, looking down at Jade. "The world that I promised you is soon at hand, Jade. The Grand Magic world that Master Hades has told me about will be a paradise for all wizards. But to achieve that goal, the magic council must fall."
"I know...But please...May I ask for just one thing?" Jade said.
"Hm?"
"...Please. Don't hurt any of my friends," she said. "I just...don't want to see them hurt."
"Of course. Don't you worry about a thing. Under my control...They'll still think of you as a dear friend."
Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek then before slowly walking out. Jade falling back down to her bed as she stared at the ceiling. In just 6 weeks, her mothers plan would begin.
Even now, she wasn't sure if this was what she wanted. No, she knew she didn't want to see her new friends caught up in all this, but she knew that if she left her mother...it would destroy her. What was she to do? Side with the woman who saved her life and treated her like a daughter over the last decade? Or warn her friends?
I just...I just don't know.
Confused, and torn by her emotions, the emerald haired woman tried to fall asleep. She had time. Time to make a decision.
Well, wasn't that a roller coaster of emotions? Truth be told, there is no real way to write this chapter in a way that's "perfect." Whenever I resolved the situation as seriously as a Seinen, or as a shounen would, there would be some after effects. In the former case, I'd have to spend several chapters on the fallout of her past actions, and with the former, it can come off as super cheesy and unrealistic.
My solution? Well it was simple...Try to write like Hiro Mashima would. This is the Fairy Tail Universe the character's are in, so if I had to choose a route to follow, that naturally had to be the one I went with.
However, I had to make it very clear that, as much as I love Bambietta as a character...What she did truly was awful. I didn't want to sugar coat it and make some sort of "excuse" for her like a bad childhood or something cliched. Sometimes people are just monsters...But that doesn't mean that people have to stay as monsters. In the end, I like to think I wrote this as best as I could, but I'd still like to have your input on this chapter. As I said...I put my heart and soul into writing this, so please...Leave a review to give me your thoughts.
