I have a special surprise for you all my dear and faithful readers, another new chapter! Finally, we can begin the Loke arc! While I had originally planned to do the whole thing in just one chapter, that seemed fairly unreasonable when I noticed how long it was getting. Thus I decided to cut this chapter into two. However, despite this, there is still some very important content within this chapter. I'm really eager to hear what you all have to say about it. Well No more delays, let's get on with the show!
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!
"Bandit raids are the best kind of mission!" Bambietta yelled with a smile as she punched a thug across the room she was fighting in. She and a group of friends, consisting of her girlfriend Lucy, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Liltotto, Candice, and Rukia, had taken on a mission to take care of some bandits west of Magnolia. They, along with some dark mages from the Porsche guild, had taken over Fort Term, a fortress used by the rune knights in times of war, and were currently using it as a base of operations to raid a local town after they had forced the rune knights out. Normally such a task wouldn't have required so many powerful wizards, but the magic council wanted to ensure success. Levy, wanting Ulquiorra to see what guild missions were like, volunteered her and the arrancar's services to help. The pay for the mission was quite high anyway, coming from none other than the magic council itself, so splitting the pay so much wasn't much of an issue.
Their job was simple, to rid Fort Term of its current occupants while doing the least amount of damage to it as possible. Because their pay would be determined by the amount of damage that the fort would receive, Natsu and Gray were tasked with dealing with the bandits and rogue wizards on the outside. That suited Bambietta just fine, as she was battling side by side with her girlfriend.
"Mooooo!" Taurus yelled out as he knocked out yet another bandit with a solid punch to the face. Lucy was ecstatic, and she gave the celestial spirit a high five as she smiled.
"That was great, just look at you go!" Lucy exclaimed with joy. She quickly dodged underneath a bandit's sword then before she lashed the bandit across the face with her whip.
"You got some moooooves yourself!" Taurus replied.
Oh god, the cow puns...They hurt. Bambietta cringed. Still, she couldn't help but smile as she noticed how well Lucy was doing. A small part of her had always worried about how well Lucy could fend for herself without her spirits, but as she was seeing now with her own eyes, it was clear that a bunch of ragtag bandits weren't an issue for her. "He's got a point, terrible pun aside. You're a regular Simon Belmont with that whip!"
"I'll assume that was a compliment," Lucy said as she dodged another blow from a bandit, punching him hard in the chest before she kicked him away. "That from one of your movies back home?"
"A compliment? Simon Belmont is only one of the best Vampire killers in all of video game history!" Bambietta exclaimed...Until she realized Lucy didn't know what a video game even was. "I'll explain later," Bambietta said before she then slashed with her sword, cutting a bandit's ax in two.
"Less references, more focusing on the job," Rukia said as she fired off a Byakurai at an incoming fireball, piercing through it and knocking out its caster. "You're here on a professional job, act like it."
"Oh it's not like these guys are even remotely a threat or anything," Liltotto said as she walked inside with Natsu and Gray. "We already finished outside."
"Yeah, these guys don't put up much of a fight," Natsu said as he tossed the bandit he was holding outside, coincidentally landing him on a huge pile of unconscious bandits that the 3 had made.
"So who do you losers even steal from, old ladies and little kids?" Gray asked as he stepped on one of the bandit's stomach. "If you're gonna try something like this, at least have the strength to back it up."
"Don't act like this is over!" The bandit said. "You'll be sorry just you wait!"
"Yeah, Lord Debon is gonna make you pay!" Another quickly added. "You hear me!? He's gonna-"
Just then, a loud BOOM could be heard from the top floor, and a man came crashing through the ceiling. Ulquiorra soon jumped down, his face as nonexpressive as ever. "If this is the best you have, I would advise surrender. You're merely delaying the inevitable."
"LORD DEBON NOOO!" The Bandits cried out.
"Well, so much for whatever hype that guy had," Bambietta said as she chucked the bandit she was currently holding over her shoulder. "Hoping that wasn't your best, because if so...Not gonna lie, I'm disappointed."
"I'm all finished upstairs," Erza said as she came down from the 2nd floor.
"Sweet, nice work Erza!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Shit man, I didn't get the chance to do anything," Candice said as she walked down with the redhead. "I mean, I get paid regardless but still."
"Didn't do anything? You're one of the fastest quinces to ever live." Bambietta said. "Sounds to me like you were just being lazy."
"I was not! Every time I tried to fight someone she and the arrancar just-"
Just as Candice was yelling, a bandit began to get off his feet and tried to make a run for it. He didn't make it far, however, as Erza quickly kicked him down to the ground. "Get back here!" She soon crashed down on the bandit, her foot pressing his face against the ground. "Unfortunately it seems you haven't learned your lesson."
"...Do that. Before I even get to shit talk anyone she's already knocking them out." Candice finished explaining.
"Still...Something's off." Levy said. "This whole thing's been too easy. It's just been nothing but a bunch of bandits so far."
"Come to think of it...We haven't encountered a single member of the Porche guild." Lucy responded.
"Aren't those guys working under Tartaros?" Gray asked.
"That would be them yes," Levy answered.
"So the real battle is still on the horizon," Bambietta said. "Good, I thought this was gonna be too easy."
Just then, Bambietta could sense it. 20 people with power greater than the ones they had dealt with were beginning to close in on their location. Well, there was one more with them that was barely above that of the average human, but odds were it was just another bandit. She smirked as she began to walk out of the door before Rukia stopped her. "Oh now what?" Bambietta asked.
"Can't you sense it?" Rukia said as she looked at Bambietta. "One of the people with them is much weaker than anyone else we fought here. They could have a hostage."
"Oh come on," Bambietta said with a roll of her eyes. "Odds are it's just-"
"Fairy Tail!" They could all hear from outside. "We have a hostage! If you value her life, you'll do exactly as we say!"
"...Shit," Bambietta whispered under her breath before she looked at Erza. "Ok, so...we got a slight problem."
"So I've noticed. We may as well listen to their demands so we can figure out what to do next."
The group slowly walked outside then as they saw the 20 wizards awaiting them from atop of a nearby hill. Most of them were nothing worthy of note, just your run of the mill mages, C class at best, with only one of them being a B class mage, with a black mohawk, blue eyes, and spiky gauntlets that looked like they had been drawn by someone trying too hard to be cool. But just as they had boasted, they indeed had a hostage of sorts with them. A beautiful young woman with brown eyes and shoulder-length black hair with two large bangs, wearing a white blouse, blue tie, black skirt, and Gray tights. Her mouth was gagged with tape and had a seal stone collar around her neck, preventing her from using any kind of magic. However...she oddly seemed calm given her situation.
Huh, I'm used to the damsel always screaming for help. Bambietta thought.
"Alright here's the deal." The mage holding the woman said as his right-hand lit ablaze with fire. "You lot are going to give us all of the money that's stored away in that fort! You do that, and you can have her nice, safe, and sound. If you don't...Well, let's just say this poor thing's skin will never be the same again." His hand slowly approached the bound girl's face to get his point across.
"You cowards!" Erza shouted at them. "You honestly think we'll let you just get away with this!?"
"Considering her life is in your hands, I think you will." The mage said with an evil grin.
"What I wouldn't give to punch that guy's grin off," Natsu said.
"Don't even try it," Gray said. "If we make one wrong move, she'll get hurt."
Ulquiorra slowly walked forward as the two began to bicker once more. Odds were that with a well-timed Sonido, he or any of the others with their high-speed movement techniques could rescue the hostage with little to no risk. All he had to do was-
Just then a bright flash of light covered the entire area, everyone covering their eyes to deal with the extremely bright light. Bursting into the light was none other than one of Fairy Tail's wizards, Loke. Running as fast as he could, he punched the mage holding the woman and grabbed her hand before he jumped into the air with her, screaming "Take them out now!"
All I needed to hear. Bambietta said with a smirk. Focusing energy into one of her hands she then threw her hand forward and shouted "Atomic Blast!" The beam of energy soared in the direction of the dark mages, who were still stunned by the intense light and unable to properly react, were soon sent high into the sky by the sheer force of the blast, all 20 wizards sent flying into the horizon as Loke soon landed next to the members of his guild.
Huh...Well, that was easy. Bambietta thought. Too easy! Aw man, I wanted a chance for a real fight here!
"Well, that was a waste," Erza said in response. "I was hoping they might be a challenge." After all her skills as a warrior wouldn't improve if she didn't push herself. Was this seriously one of the guilds that worked under Tartaros? Oh well, as long as that woman is safe, that's all that matters.
"Ugh, I want to fight some more!" Natsu groaned out. He went on a terrible train ride all for this!?
"I know how you feel but save it for the next job," Gray responded. "Let's just be glad no one got hurt alright?"
"But I'm all fired up for a real fight!"
Those guys will never change. Loke thought before he then looked at the woman whose life he saved and smiled. "Are you alright miss?"
"Y-yes. Thank you so much for saving me." The woman said with a slight blush. "I'm not exactly from Fiore you see. I came here on special buisness and...I got lost. Those men said that they would help show me around but...They drugged one of my drinks and before I know it, they had that seal stone collar around my neck."
"I see. You're not from around here huh?" Loke said. "In that case, I got to ask...Did you fall from heaven? Because I feel like I'm looking at an angel."
Ugh, I could make 10 bowls of mac and cheese with how cheesy that line is. Liltotto thought as she rolled her eyes.
Bambietta more or less thought the same thing. I seriously have no idea how any woman can fall for a guy with such bad pick up lines. I feel like I'd find that from a dollar store Valentine's day card.
"Um, no. I'm from Bosco." The woman said with a blush as she slowly fidgeted her fingers together in embarrassment.
"I see, well in that case how's about I show you around? I know Fiore like the back of my hand." Loke responded
"Oh really? That would mean so much to me! I've always wanted to see what the rest of the world was like!" She exclaimed.
"Nice job Loke," Candice said as she walked right next to them. "You saved the girl and got a date for the night. Consider me jealous."
"Well, what can I say?" Loke said with a wink as he just finished removing the woman's seal stone collar. "I got a gift and I'm more than willing to use it."
"What are you doing around here anyway?" Rukia asked. "We're grateful for the assistance regardless, but it's a little too coincidental to just see you here."
"Oh that, well I just came by to do my own job request and I noticed you guys were having trouble is all," Loke said with a smile. "But after I show this cutie around, hows about-"
"I'll pass," Rukia said as she walked past him. She was not going to let herself be on the receiving end on one of Loke's flirtations.
"I'm really glad that you showed up," Lucy said as she walked over to him. "I don't know what we would have done if you-"
Loke then got a weird look on his face, as if he was freaking out, his arms shooting above his head before he put his hands in front of him as if to prevent Luvy from getting closer. "Sorry but I better hit the road, see ya later!" He then ran as fast as he could in the other direction, leaving Lucy stunned before her eyes twitched in irritation.
"What is that guy's problem!?" Lucy yelled. "Every time I try to talk to him he just runs away as if I'm some sort of monster!"
"I don't know what you did, but you really freak him out," Gray said.
"Yeah, he avoids you like the plague," Natsu added.
"It's not my fault he's crazy!" Lucy yelled back.
"Look, I know the guy has a problem with celestial wizards and all that but seriously, you'd think one tortured him for several years or something with how he acts around them," Bambietta said as she walked over to Lucy. "Oh well, his loss." As far as Bambietta was concerned, as long as it kept him from flirting with her girlfriend, she had no reason to complain.
"I'm sure he has his reasons." The woman they saved earlier said. "I mean...He seems so nice."
"Yeah, till you realize he's like that with every woman he meets," Liltotto muttered.
"Well, in any event, I really should thank you all." The woman said. "I owe you all at least a little something for saving my life."
"There's no need for any of that," Erza said. "We just did what any respectable mage would have done in this situation."
"Oh no, you simply must let me repay you." The woman said. "The truth is, I was on my way to the local hot springs nearby. The least I could do is give you all a free night! Don't worry about how expensive it'll be either, money isn't a concern!"
Erza was about object once more when Bambietta spoke up. "Well, it doesn't seem like she wants to take no for an answer. I say we take her up on her offer!"
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to side with Bambi on this one," Candice added in. "Honestly, I think we could all go for a little relaxation time. Besides, it's just her way of saying thanks, not like we're forcing her into it."
"Please Erza?" Lucy asked. Truth be told she had been just about to suggest they go there herself once this was all over, though she hadn't planned on someone paying it for them all. Even so, it would make paying the next month's rent significantly easier.
"Well...I suppose I don't see the harm in it if she insists on it." Erza said before she smiled. "Very well, we'll take you up on your offer Miss..."Erza paused then, realizing she didn't know the woman's name.
"Just call me Mette." She said with a smile. "Besides, it'll be the first time I've ever been to one of these myself. My father was very strict about where I could go back home."
"Alright, let's get going!" Bambietta cheered as she threw her fist into the air. Oh, I'm going to have so much fun! Last time I tried to convince Hatchwald to install one in the Vandenriech I got a 2-hour lecture. Now I can finally enjoy one of these things for once!
"You guys go on ahead," Candice said. "I got to go check up on something real quick, I'll be back with you soon though. No way I'm missing out on this."
Erza nodded her head in agreement. "Very well, everyone let's get moving!"
Everyone began to follow Mette in the direction of the hot spring as Candice headed off somewhere else...Except for two people. Levy slowly walked over to Ulqiorra when she noticed that he wasn't coming with them. "Is something wrong?" She asked with a hint of worry. "I mean, I know a hot spring isn't likely going to be your idea of a fun time but-"
"That has nothing to do with it." Ulquiorra quickly responded. "I'm simply...concerned at the moment."
"Huh? What for?" Levy asked.
"That woman, Mette. Her spiritual pressure warrants further investigation." He said with his deadpan expression. "At first, I simply passed her off as an ordinary human. Her spiritual pressure, at first glance, was only barely above that of your average human. However-" His eyes narrowed then as he watched the mysterious woman from behind. "Once the collar was removed around her neck, I was able to garner a glance of her true power, if only for a very brief moment before she drastically lowered it. I doubt the others were able to sense it with how quickly it fell."
"So you're saying she's strong?" Levy asked.
"To what degree I have yet to ascertain." He replied. "Her skill at masking her true power is beyond that of any individual I've ever met before. However, I can at the very least conclude that it would have been more than enough to save herself." He slowly began to walk over to where everyone else was going as he continued to speak. "While I didn't sense any ill intent from her words, the possibility of this being some sort of trap cannot be ignored."
"You might be right," Levy said as she pondered on the situation. "But it's very likely that they just got the collar around her neck before she could do anything about it. They did drug her drinks after all. I think she's sincere in what she says." She then smiled at him. "Still, I can at least let Erza know about your concern so she can keep an eye on her."
"That would be wise." The arrancar agreed.
"Well, now that that's all settled, let's get going!" Levy said as she took his hand and they began to follow the others. There was one last thing on the arrancar's mind. But it seemed that the quincy known as Candice was already checking in on it. It would be best to let her handle it given his earlier blunder in the morning with who was involved.
Loke panted as he placed a hand on a nearby tree, the man trying desperately to catch his breath. Darn it all. I didn't think using such a low-level spell would affect me this much! Loke thought as he soon sat down against the tree. As he finally stopped panting, he picked up a nearby flower before it slowly disintegrated in between his finger. To think it's been 3 years since Karen died. Honestly, I'm surprised I've been able to last this long. However, despite his current predicament, he smiled. Well...At least I was able to save one last person before I finally kick the bucket.
"Ah, there you are!" Candice said as she appeared before Loke with Hirenkyaku. "I've been looking all over for you!"
"Candice?" Loke said in a surprised tone. The last thing he had expected was for her to show up now of all times. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
"Well, not with me," Candice said as she sauntered over to Loke. "I'm more worried about you though."
"Huh? Me?" Loke said as he pointed at himself. "What are you talking about, everything's fine!"
"Yeah, see, I'm gonna have to call bullshit on that." Candice retorted. "I don't think anyone else has noticed but...you've been a bit more sluggish lately like you're getting less sleep. Every day you come in, your spiritual pressure comes in lower and lower. It's nowhere near as high as it used to be."
"My...what?" Loke asked with confusion.
"Oh right, I never really told you this, but me, Bambi, Lil and Rukia can all sense energy," Candice said. "Odds are they haven't been paying much attention to you for the past few days, so they probably didn't notice. But for me? You and I have had more one night stands then I can count on both hands. I know how you usually are...and this isn't normal."
"Oh, that's just because I've been taking a lot of missions that have been a bit longer than I expected was all," Loke said before he chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "I just haven't gotten any real sleep in a while."
Candice narrowed her eyes as she got closer. "Look, Loke, I know you and I aren't having a serious thing right now, but I am worried about you." She then sat down next to him before she sighed. "Back in my old guild, I tended to keep all of my troubles to myself. I didn't think I needed anyone's help. But...since I've come here, I've kinda changed my mind on all that." She then placed a hand on one of his shoulders and gave him a grin. "So if something's wrong...You can tell me."
Loke just stared at Candice before he gave her a small smile. "Look, I appreciate it, really I do. But you don't have to worry about me. Everything's fine babe just had a rough couple of days is all. I'll be fine by tomorrow I promise."
Candice threw her hand's up in the air in frustration. "Ok, fine, whatever. If you just want to keep what's going on to yourself, fine. Be my guest. I'm not gonna beat the answer out of you or anything like that. But I'm going to tell you this much right now. If you think you can just "lone wolf" yourself through...whatever you're dealing with right now, you're gonna regret it."
And with that, she was gone, the quincy having used hirenkyaku once more to catch up with her friends. Loke looked up to the sky once more than as he thought about his green-haired lover. Candice...You don't know how much it means for me to hear that...but I can't drag you into this. This is my sin and mine alone. Besides...there's nothing you could do to help me anyway. You'd just be wasting your time.
Slowly yet surely, Loke managed to get to his feet. Hosenka village wasn't far from here. He could rest there temporarily before he finally went to Karen's grave. If he was going to die anywhere, he couldn't think of a better place.
Hosenka Village, the most popular resort in all of Fiore. Well known for its spas, this flamboyant tourist attraction was where our heroes now found themselves. The architecture was unlike most of what Bambietta had seen in her time in earthland. Rather than the European designs that she was so used to throughout her life, it was much more oriented, looking much more like that of the soul society. However, she had to admit that she didn't mind the change of scenery. She loved living in magnolia, but it was nice to get out and see the world a bit more once in a while.
As everyone arrived in the town, they all began to go their separate ways. Bambietta had decided it would be best to go sightseeing with her girlfriend while Mette got the spa reservations ready. Candice wandered off to the nearest bar to pass the time while Gray went out shopping to see if he could find a gift for Juvia, Levy, and Ulquiorra went off to a local book store to see if they could find anything of interest, and Erza and Rukia had gone off somewhere to enjoy the world-renowned "Super Express" restaurant. Liltotto was initially going to join them, But Natsu had asked her for a favor. Wanting to spend some quality time with the dragon slayer, Liltotto couldn't refuse. "
A sparring match, however, wasn't what the petite quincy had in mind. Natsu wanted to see just how strong Liltotto was since she had been recommended for the S class trails this year before anyone else had. More specifically, he wanted to know how he stood against the "competition" so to speak. While far from how Liltotto would have preferred to spend their time together, she knew that becoming an S class mage meant a lot to Natsu. If she could help him out, even if only a little bit, that was fine for her.
"Fire Dragons Iron Fist!"
Liltotto leaned back then as Natsu struck out with his right hand, his fist ablaze as she barely managed to avoid the oncoming strike. Natsu tried to lash out again with the same technique but she jumped up into the air, a bow forming into her hand as she did so. She began to fire down arrow after arrow on Natsu, the fire mage somersaulting, dodging, and weaving through most of her attacks.
An arrow grazed his check as he dodged yet another barrage as he narrowed his eyes. "Fire Dragons Roar!" The blast of fire erupted from his mouth then, Liltotto's arrows now melting from the flames. She moved to the right then as she continued to fire more arrows but Natsu wasn't going to fall so easily. Using the flames on the bottom of his feet, he rocketed himself into the sky then, trying to land another blow on her. "Fire Dragons Sword Horn!"
Liltotto's eyes widened in surprise as the sheer speed that he came at her with, just barely able to avoid the attack. However, just as he flew past her, she grabbed hold of one of his feet then and with a shout threw him to the ground. The dragon slayer got to his feet then as Liltotto landed to the ground.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Flames now covering both of his hands, the dragon slayer lashed out at her. However, she soon jumped into the air before she used hirenkyaku to appear right behind him and kicked him on the back of his head. Natsu growled in frustration as he turned around to face her. He knew that this wasn't going to be easy, but he hadn't expected to not being able to land a single hit. I don't get it. Natsu thought to himself. It's like she knows just where to dodge every time I attack!... Wait a minute-
"Hey, Lil!" Natsu yelled at her. "Can you read minds!?"
"Um...No, what do you ask?" She responded as she tilted her head in confusion.
"Well, it's just no matter what I do, you're always able to avoid being hit, like you know exactly how I'm gonna hit you." He asked.
"Oh, that? That's easy." Liltotto said. "It's because you're attacks are too predictable...To a point anyway. Every time you use your fire dragons roar, I just know that I need to move to one side or another to avoid it. Your wing attack hits left and right at the same time, but they can't go upwards. And with Iron fist, you tend to always use your right hand first. Every time you call out one of your attack names, I pretty much know where to go because of it."
"Wow, she has you figured out huh Natsu?" Happy said, who had been watching from the sidelines the whole time.
"Yeah, I'll say. Still, I'm surprised you were able to figure that out so easily." Natsu said to Lil.
"We've thought side by side enough times for me to notice a pattern is all," Liltotto said with a blush. Truth be told, she was always fond of watching the dragon slayer brawl, be it in the guildhall or just any of the missions that they took together.
"Well yeah, but not even Gray's been able to figure that out." Happy said before he grinned. "Oh, I get it! You're only paying so much attention to him because you like him!"
If Liltotto was just blushing a faint red earlier, her whole face now was as red as a tomato. "W-what?! No! I mean...It's not untrue I just-" Liltotto sputtered, the quincy not expecting the flying cat to bring up her feelings so casually during their sparring sessions. "Natsu is-"
"Of course she likes me!" Natsu answered Happy with a smile. "Other than you Happy, she's probably my best friend!"
"Your...best...friend?" Liltotto asked in a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Well yeah. You're always offering to go out on missions with me and stuff, you've helped bail me out from Erza's wrath more than anyone ever has, and you're pretty smart! Not to mention you know how to kick some butt! What's not to like?"
To say that Liltotto was in an awkward place would be an understatement. Well, I guess I should be grateful that he at least thinks so highly of me. Liltotto thought to herself. But still...Is that all you see me as, Natsu? Just a friend? Liltotto had never considered herself the most beautiful quincy ever, she was well aware she was still rather underdeveloped compared to her friends. She was more like Rukia and Levy than anyone else...But even so, the realization stung. I know I'm nothing like Bambi, Candi, or Meni...But even so...Is there no hope for me after all? Am I...Just chasing after a hopeless dream?
"Alright, I think I got it all figured out now!" Natsu said as he got into a fighting pose. "Let's do this!"
Well, she could dwell more on her feelings later. Right now she was still in the middle of a fight, and despite being her crush, she didn't want to just roll over and let him win. She was a quincy, and she still had her pride! Natsu ran forward and Liltotto braced herself for the oncoming attack, Natsu igniting his right hand once more. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Predictably, Liltotto dodged to the left to dodge Natsu's Flames, only for her eyes to widen as Natsu then spat out flames from his mouth!
What!? Caught off guard by this new maneuver, Liltotto raised her arms in a cross position to block the attack, the quincy having no time to properly dodge. Just as the attack subsided, she moved her arms out of the way so she could get a good look at the battlefield, but Natsu surprised her again by sending out flames from his feet and knock her down on the ground by swiping at her legs. He's no longer using his attack names! Liltotto realized. This was going to make dodging his attacks much harder than before. Activating Blute Vene as she got up, Liltotto soon grabbed Natsu's right hand as he closed in on her and she quickly threw him away. The dragon slayer was quite stubborn however and he soon rebounded, using the flames on the bottom of his feet to ack like rockets once more.
Liltotto formed a bow in her hands once again and fired at the dragon slayer as he quickly closed the distance but it was futile, the flames managing to melt her arrows before they could hit Natsu. She quickly jumped out of the way, but not before Natsu came to a sudden stop and used his wing attack without calling out its name, causing Liltotto to be hit by the flames. To her shock, however, the attack didn't do nearly as much damage as she had expected. That's weird, with how strong he is, these attacks should be hurting way more than they are.
Natsu came rushing at her again with a flurry of punches, the short quincy barely able to knock away each blow as he wailed on her. If not for blute vein, she was sure that she would have fallen by now. Natsu then lashed out with what Liltotto knew was Fire Dragons Claw and she was hit by the attack. She staggered back, stunned by the blow, but she was once again surprised by the lack of damage that had been done to her. I don't understand. Natsu's gotten a lot stronger since Phantom lord, he's almost as strong as I am, so why are his attacks not doing hardly any damage? Even with Blut Vene, I should still be taking some-
The Quincy eyes widened then as she watched Natsu close the gap between them, realization finally hitting her. I see I think I understand now! The petite quincy focused then as she carefully watched Natsu attack. Once more he lunged forward with a nameless Fire Dragons Iron Fist, but instead of trying to dodge the attack, Lilitotto simply opened up her palm and grabbed the flaming fist, blocking the attack entirely. She then switched from Blute Vene to Blute Arterie and punched the dragon slayer as hard as she could.
Natsu gasped out in pain then before he tumbled over and fell to the ground. Ne began to slowly pick himself off the ground then as he got to his feet. "Man, for a second there it felt like I got hit by Erza there for a second." He then grinned as he activated his flames once more. "But I'm still raring to go!"
Liltotto, however, dropped her fighting stance and simply shook her head. "No, I think we're done."
"What!?" Natsu said exasperated. "Come on, I was just starting to-"
"I'll admit that you caught me off guard with your little tactic there," Liltotto admitted. "It was a lot harder for me to figure out what attacks you were going to do and how to react appropriately when you stopped calling out their names...But I'm afraid that also came with a bit of a trade-off."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Natsu asked.
Liltotto on her end simply sighed but then slowly shook his head. No, it's not his fault. I don't think anyone in this world knows about this anyway. "Alright, fine then," Liltotto said. "I want you to use your Fire Dragons Roar attack without calling out its name."
"Huh?" Natsu replied, very confused about what she just asked. "Why the hell would you want me to do that?"
"Maybe she's one of those masochists that Mirajane talked about once?" Happy brought up.
Liltotto couldn't help but sigh again. " Not on me! Look, just do what I say for a bit. It'll all make sense soon."
Natsu did as she asked, and fired the blast of fire from his mouth. As he did so, however, he noticed something he didn't before. "Hey Happy?"
"Yeah, Natsu?" The cat replied.
"Is it just me...Or is my Fire Dragon's Roar a lot bigger than that usually?"
"I'm glad that you noticed," Liltotto said with a small smile. "Now, try it again with the name."
Natsu was already beginning to piece together what Liltotto was talking about but decided to follow her instructions anyway. "FIRE DRAGONS ROAR!" The blast of fire that erupted from his mouth this time was twice as wide and had a much further reach than the one he had used mere seconds ago. The flames spread out high into the sky until they finally vanished.
"Wow, they were a lot bigger this time!" Happy said with a shocked look, which was then soon replaced with one of confusion. "But...I don't get it. Why was it so much stronger?"
"It's quite simple really," Liltotto answered. She walked over to a fallen tree and then sat down before she patted the place next to her, inviting Natsu to sit next to her. The pink-haired mage did so before she continued. "You see, where I come from, names have power. I mean that in the literal sense. For some reason or another, an attack that has a name is far more powerful than one that doesn't have one. This goes for the weapon Rukia has as well. Her transformation into it's Shikai, or the white sword as you would better know it, is only possible because she knows it's name."
"Wait, why does a sword even have a name?" Natsu asked.
"It's...complicated. You're better off asking Rukia." Liltotto answered. Explaining to Natsu how a soul reapers inner world worked was a headache she would rather not deal with at the moment, especially since Rukia would be better able to explain it anyway since she only had 2nd hand knowledge on the subject. "But do you understand now? Your attacks won't be able to hurt me enough if you keep trying to fight me like that." She then smiled. "That said...It was a good strategy to try out."
Natsu groaned before he began to pull on his hair. "Aw man, I was sure I was gonna have you with that!" The dragon slayer couldn't help but feel irritated as he vented his frustration. "I thought that I was getting a lot stronger after all the training I've done in phantom lord...but it looks like I still got a long way to go."
"You already have," Liltotto told him. "I know it may not seem like it, but right now, you gave me a run for my money. If you had been able to hit me with a few of your stronger attacks, I think you might have won."
"You think so?" Natsu asked.
"I do. You've come a long way since I first met you." Liltotto smiled at him then as he continued. "Your strength is at least 1/3rd higher than it used to be. I know it doesn't sound like much, but to make that kind of progress in only 2 months is impressive. Honestly, I think in a year, you'll probably be stronger than I am right now." She then grabbed his hand as she continued to speak. "Besides, your magic is at its best when your fighting to protect someone when your flames of emotion kick in. It's how you beat Kusaka after all. If I was fighting you when you were angry, I know I'd lose. Just give it time Natsu. I'm sure in just one year, you'll be almost as strong as Bambi is, if not even more so."
"Wow, really!? You think I'll be stronger than Erza too!?" Natsu asked, excited at the prospect of finally defeating Erza.
"...Let's not get carried away," Liltotto said. The last thing she wanted to do was give Natsu an ego. "Besides, we should probably head back before it gets dark. I know for a fact that everyone else is gonna want to give the hot springs a try anyways...and I kinda want to as well."
"Yeah, sure thing!" Natsu said...before the loud rumble of his stomach could be heard by all 3 of them. "...But can we get something to eat first? I'm starving!"
Liltotto smiled once more as she got up. "Anytime Natsu. Anytime."
"Damn...them! DAMN THAT FAIRY TAIL GUILD!"
A large fist covered in a spikey gauntlet struck against a tree, the large plant shattering from the sheer power of the blow. To say, Brian Dunn, leader of the Porsche guild was angry would have been an understatement. "How? HOW COULD OUR ENTIRE GUILD LOST TO JUST ONE ATTACK!?"
"Well, boss...that woman was from Fairy Tail." One of his minions said. "I mean they are the best of the-"
"I don't want to hear excuses!" Brian said before he punched his minion, the man's head turned into a bloody pulp by the guild masters' hands. "We're the Porsche guild, and no one, no one makes fools out of us!" He growled then as he grit his teeth. "I will have my revenge, all of us will! This humiliation will not stand!"
The other members of the Porche guild could only look at each other with fear. They all knew that convincing their boss out of this was all but impossible, their lives would be forfeit if they told him it was a bad idea...but there was no way any encounter with Fairy Tail was gonna end well in their favor.
"Well now, you seem to at least have some spirit, I'll grant you that much."
Just then, they all turned their heads to see who just spoke to them. It was a woman, though she looked rather bizarre. She wore a helmet that covered up almost her entire face, except for her blue eyes and mouth, and two wings that seemed to come out where her ears would have been. She wore a purple skint tight outfit and her hands and feet were covered in scales and claws. Brian got to his knees immediately as he bowed. "Madam Kyoka!" The last thing he had expected was for her to show up!
"I see that you all lost. Rather pathetically at that." Kyoka said as she slowly approached them.
"Please, forgive us Lady Kyoka!" One of the guild members pleaded.
"We'll do anything you ask, just please don't kill us!" Another added.
"Oh, I'm not here to kill you." Kyoka said before she looked down at Brian."The fact of the matter is that Fairy Tail has been a nuisance to the Balam Alliance as of late. In the last 8 months, they've managed to destroy two etherious. This is simply unacceptable. So, we've come up with a plan to rid ourselves of this guild before they become too great of a threat."
"W-what do you have in mind?" Brian asked as he got to his feet. As he did, Kyoka took out a purple orb from her pocket, Brian looking at it in confusion. "Um, what's that?"
"This is the solidified remains of the souls of Lullaby and Deliora. Unforuntnatly, their souls were far too damaged for us to revive them with Hell's Core." She then gave Brian a sadistic grin, one that caused him to shudder with fear. "However, we were able to take what we could find and combined them to make it into a new power, one that far exceeded the demons as they originally were. All it needs now...Is a host."
Brian was quickly able to put two and two together. "You want...me to take that power?"
"Yes. you're far from our first choice, but time is of the essence. Their souls won't remain like this for long, so we can't afford to be too picky about who we use." She then placed the Orb at Brian's feet as she continued. "If revenge is what you desire, then this is your best shot at eliminating the guild, though you won't be human anymore. You'll be a demon...Just like me." Of course, she had neglected to inform Brian how risky this procedure was. Odds were that he wouldn't survive the process at all. But...She didn't need him to know that little detail. They would just kill him once he was finished with his mission anyway. This was nothing more than an experiment.
Brian looked at the orb for only a moment before he grinned. "If it means I can make those damn wizards pay, I'll do anything."
Bambietta sighed in content as she walked out of the changing room. For about 6 hours she and Lucy had gone around Hosenka village to enjoy the sightseeing. While Bambietta would have never tried something so ordinary to pass the time in her old life, she had to admit that it had been fun. It certainly didn't compare to a good brawl or sex but...It didn't have to. From the local art museum to stopping by for a bit to eat, and even stopping by at a few clothing stores. It all felt...Normal. Something that Bambietta had very little experience with.
Finally, they had gone to the Spa once Mette told them their reservations were ready. The warm waters truly were relaxing and Bambietta knew that she would have to come here with Lucy sometime in the future. The only hard part had been...well, trying to not let her eyes wander. Not with Lucy, that was something her girlfriend had come to expect and Candice wasn't an issue either since she had seen Candi in the nude more times than she could count. But Erza...had been difficult. Granted, Lucy had admired Erza's body and even blushed when she saw it and Bambietta didn't begrudge her one bit for it...But the Quincy still tried her best to fight her urges. It just didn't feel right to her. She wasn't Candice, she was loyal!
After soaking in the waters for a good hour (and hearing how Erza would have bathed in her armor if not for the fight with Meifon which was certainly...eye-opening) the women finally had enough and decided to simply rest and enjoy themselves in other ways in peace.
That was until Natsu came barging in his spa rob with two pillows at his side. "Let's get this party started"
"Aye!" Happy added with his own pillow.
Gray groaned as he turned in his blanket on the makeshift bed he had on the floor. "Come on man, I'm trying to sleep here. Why don't you take your "party" outside?"
"I quite agree," Ulquiorra said as he placed down the book he was reading, something that he and Levy had picked up in the bookstore they went to. "I fail to see the point of such an event. No doubt many other people in this spa are trying to sleep."
"Oh come on, it's a sleepover, you know what that means right!?" Natsu yelled back. "You got to bust out your pillow-fu, or are you just too scared?"
"Of you? Yeah right." Gray said
"My arsenal is only equipped with the most powerful pillows!" Erza proclaimed as she and the rest of the female members that had joined the guild slowly entered.
"Most powerful?" Lucy asked, surprised that Erza was taking this so seriously.
"Oh hell yeah, this is what I'm talking about!" Bambietta said as she got her pillows ready. "I hope you're all ready to go down! I may not be as good as swordsmen as Erza, but when it came to pillow fights back in the Vandenriech I was undefeated!"
"I thought that was Meninas," Liltotto added. "She always sent us flying with that ridiculous power of hers."
"They don't have to know that!" Bambietta yelled back. "The point is, with her gone, I will reign supreme!"
"Not if I have any say in it!" Candice joined in. "You think you're gonna win this? Please, you won't even be able to hit me!"
"Oh, you want to go Candi?" Bambietta said as she fluffed her pillow. "You don't know the power of the dark side."
"...Bambi, it's a pillow," Lucy said.
"Not with the powers of a sith lord it isn't!"
I fail to see how a pillow can be an effective weapon. It's far too soft. Ulquiorra thought as he simply brought up his book once more. Maybe if he just ignored them, he would be left out of this nonsense.
"On the pride of the Kuchiki clan, I will not lose!" Rukia added as she got her rabbit themed pillow ready for battle.
"Yeah, I'm just gonna sit this one out," Levy said.
"Ditto," Liltotto added.
"Whatever, Erza you're going down!" Natsu yelled as he jumped up into the air and threw his pillow at her.
"Grow up you guys," Gray said...Right until Erza jumped into the air to dodge the pillow, only for it to then hit Gray in the face. "Oh, you're in for it now!" Gray said as he got up to his feet. He wasn't about to let Natsu of all people hit him and get away with it! With a mighty shout, Gray threw the pillow at Natsu with all his might, the blow sending Natsu to the ground.
"you're next Erza!" Gray shouted as he threw it at, Erza simply caught the pillow in her hand as she smirked.
"You're not too shabby Gray. Looks like I'll get my training done today this way!"
This woman doesn't know the definition of relaxation, does she? Candice thought to herself as she dodged under one of Bambietta's pillows. "You're too slow Bambi!"
"You underestimate my power!" Bambietta yelled as she threw another pillow. The green-haired quincy soon used hirenkyaku to appear right behind Bambietta only for the quincy to be surprised as she was hit from behind.
"Pay attention to your surroundings!" Rukia said as she took up a fighting pose. "I may not be as strong as you are, but in a pillow fight anyone can win!"
Lucy couldn't help but giggle as she watched everything going on. It looked like everyone was having fun. These were just the kinda things she wished she could have done when she was a child. Well, better late than never. Pulling up one of her sleeves, she smiled. "Okay, I guess I'll join in too!" Just as she said that though three pillows, thrown by Natsu, Erza and Gray hit her with enough force to push her through one of the doors outside. She slowly groaned in pain as she tried to get up, but she soon collapsed. "On second thought I think I'll pass. I don't feel like dying tonight." She groaned.
"LUCY!" Bambietta yelled before she turned her attention to Natsu, Gray, and Erza. "Oh, so that's how it's going to be now is it?" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at them, a literal fire of anger now blazing in them. "Ok, I can play that game! I'll avenge you, Lucy!"
"Hell yeah, that's the spirit!" Natsu yelled back. "Bring it on Bam-" Before he could finish what he was about to say, however, he was hit by 3 pillows in rapid succession, the dragon slayer being knocked out of the building just as hard as Lucy was. Gray tried to attack her next, but before he knew it he too was thrown out of the room. Bambietta slowly turned around now as she faced Erza. "Now Erza...You're next!"
"Um...I'm just gonna sit this one out now," Candice said as she slowly backed away. She knew how insane Bambietta could get when she got angry. A pillow fight was not worth the ruined hair due she would get from this.
"I forfeit as well," Rukia said as she dropped her pillows. She was not going to get in the way of these two.
"You wish for nothing more than to avenge your fallen comrade. A respectable quality of a true fairy tail mage!" Erza said as she got ready. "Come at me then!"
"I'll show you Erza!" Bambietta said with a grin. "Today is the day I surpass you!"
The two wizards clashed in an epic battle that would be forever recalled as the most epic of pillow clashed for well over 2 minutes until Erza had managed to gain the upper hand and then smacked Bambietta as hard as she could with her pillow, the Quincy was sent flying through the rooftop then, flying like a rocket into the sky.
Ulquiorra could only stare at the recent events with his eyes widened in surprise. It appears I was wrong. Pillows can be a most dangerous weapon.
The ground shook and trees' trembled as loud footsteps could be heard. A powerful man was slowly making his way towards Hosenka village. No, he was no longer a man. What was once the former guild master of the Porsche guild had been reborn as a great and powerful demon of Zeref. His skin was now a dark purple and twin horns were protruding from the back of his head. His hands were now replaced by sharp claws covered in blood as were his fangs. The moment he had been transformed into a powerful demon, the man is formerly known as Brian, now renamed Gorclaw had slaughtered his guild to sate his newfound hunger.
He had more power than he had ever known, and soon he would have his revenge.
"I hope you're ready Fairy Tail," Gorclaw said as he bared his fangs. "For tonight...I feast on faries!"
Lucy sighed as she slowly helped Bambietta walk back inside of the spa. "I swear sometimes I don't think those guys are even human."
"Yeah well...Remind me to never challenge Erza to a one on one pillow fight ever again." Bambietta groaned. "At least not until I get a hell of a lot stronger."
"Well, I say until Natsu's pillow fight apocalypse is over...We could just look at the stars." Lucy said as she held Bambietta's hand tightly. "I hear the stars are going to look wonderful tonight."
"That sound's nice," Bambietta said as she smiled at Lucy. "How's about you go find a good sport for star gazing then. I'd like to take care of something really quick is all."
"Really, what's that?" Lucy asked.
"I just want to go for a walk, that's all. Need to clear my mind a little after...that."
"Sure I don't mind one bit," Lucy said. "I'll see you when you're ready!" With that, her girlfriend let go of her hand wand waved goodbye and she began to look for a proper place to enjoy the stars. Bambietta smiled and waved back as Lucy ran off...Only for the smile to turn into a frown as she was out of sight. "...Damn it all."
Something had been bothering the quincy for the last week or so. At first, she thought that it would just go away with time...but like her guilt over all the terrible things she had done in her old life, it wasn't so simple. I can't believe I lost so easily to Erza. Bambietta thought as she began her walk. I know it was just a pillow fight, but if that was real if it was life or death...I would have died. Ordinarily, she would have just brushed aside those thoughts, that she was simply overthinking things...but that had been before she had known that she was the supposed trump card in the upcoming war.
Fighting battles to the death were nothing new to Bambietta. The fights themselves never scared her, she relished them even now to a certain extent. But back then she had people that she knew she could rely on if she wasn't strong enough. Hatchwald, Yhwach, Makarov and Erza, even that jackass Laxus. But now she knew that she had a great power that was sealed within her. A power that could decide the balance of the whole war. Normally she would have been ecstatic over this revelation...but with this power came great responsibility. It was all on her shoulders now, and no one else.
If I lose...if I die before things get serious..or at all for that matter, what's going to happen to everyone? Bambietta thought. Lil, Candi, and Rukia are going to probably die. So could everyone else for that matter..and even if they don't die..they'll just be made into a damn human battery for some gods to use! The fear of failure had been something Bambietta had always dealt with from a young age. From the unrealistic and cruel expectations from her father to disappointing Ywhach, it was nothing new to her. But now she had something more to lose than her life or her pride. She was fighting now to protect everything that she loved. She could see it now, Lucy and Wendy chained up to some magical machine that sucked out their magic for the rest of their lives, their eyes emotionless and broken.
"I would sooner rather be Giselle's slave again than let that happen," Bambietta said as she clenched her fist. But...even so... What I want doesn't mean much does it? I'm... I'm not nearly strong enough for this. She thought as her mind raced through the multiple people she knew she could fight in this war. If I run into Baragan, Kageroza, or any of my fellow stern ritters at their full strength, I 'can't hope to possibly win as I am right now! She gritted her teeth as she walked more and more before she finally stopped and shouted. And if any of them have the power I got from the gods...what kinda chance would I ever have!? "I'm not good enough for this!" Bambietta yelled out. "Why!? Why did you pick me!? There had to be someone else who could use this power better than I can!"
Bambietta took a moment to catch her breath then, and she realized that she was now looking at a part of the nearby forest that was full of dead trees. She and Lucy had heard the tale of how the Hosenka had almost been destroyed by a wildfire, only for it to have miraculously been put out only a few feet from the village She couldn't help but stare at them as her mind wandered once more. It took her back then, to the town she was raised in. A small village in Germany, surrounded by a dead forest created from the aftermath of the 2nd world war. She had always wanted to see what real forests looked like when she was young but now Bambietta knew that she just wanted to leave that hellhole. Without her mother, the town was nothing more than bad memories. Memories of a time long gone by played throughout her mind then. The pain, the torment, all of the harsh trails her father put her and all of her siblings through. There was no happiness without her mother...Only the cold reality that was the town she lived in.
It was only when Bambietta looked up and saw the dead tree's once more that Bambietta realized something. If I lose...the whole planet is gonna end up looking like this. Tears began to form in her eyes as the weight of her responsibility finally came crashing down on her, the quincy falling to her knees then. "Syplhia...Mom...What am I supposed to do? I...I can't...I can't do this by myself!" She didn't want to drag her Fairy Tail family into this, this was her battle to fight to protect them, her responsibility, not theirs! If they did fighting to keep her safe, then what was the point of winning anyway!
"You can't do what by yourself?"
As Bambietta heard a calm voice behind her, what seemed to be a miracle was happening before her very eyes. The forest that had been dead and barren moments ago was now slowly coming to life. The barren trees that were burned to a crip now suddenly began to grow leaves once more as it's wood began to look a healthy brown instead of its charred black. The ground also sprung forward with life as grass, flowers and all other sorts of plant life came into being. No, that wasn't right. They weren't being created..rather the dead plants were simply being restored! She slowly turned around then to see who was trying to speak with her, only to see the woman who was responsible for her being in the village in the first place. "Mette?"
"You looked so sad when you saw those trees," Mette said as she walked closer to Bambietta. "So I figured that fixing them was the least I could do."
"You did this?" Bambietta asked as she slowly got to her feet. Much as she tried, she couldn't get a good read on Mette's spiritual pressure. How and why she didn't know, but she knew one thing for sure from what little she could sense. "You're...a quincy?"
"That's right!" Mette said with a smile. "I was given a special power, just like you were."
Oh, I get it, she must have been a former stern ritter before my time. Bambietta thought. His majesty did have several deceased members of the elite order before she had joined, so it would have made sense for the deities to have chosen one as a warrior.
"Besides, I didn't like looking at the forest as it was either." Mette said as she walked over to the now living trees. "There are very few places in Bosco that thrive with life these days. The constant revolutions and wars have wreaked havoc on our environment...So I can't stand seeing something like this." She then looked at Bambietta before she offered her hand.
"It was the same for me when I was growing up," Bambietta said as she took Mette's hand and slowly got up. "But...what kind of power did Yh-I mean his Majesty give you anyways to let you do...that?"
"Oh, it's nothing special really," Mette said as scratched the back of her head. "Truth be told, I'm not much of a fighter. I can't stand hurting others."
"Really?" Bambietta asked. Why on earth would he even consider making someone like that a stern ritter?! No wonder she died and ended up here. Odds were his Majesty has been the one to kill her himself with that kind of attitude.
"I know it might seem silly, given you were in the Vandenriech before all of this, but it's true," Mette told her. "My mother used to tell me that no one had the right to take the life of another unless it was to save someone else. I've always held that belief close to my heart, even with all the cruelties I've seen in this world."
"You know...before I died and came here I would have just laughed at how stupid that all sounded," Bambietta said to her. "But I've been through a lot since I've come here. I still love to fight. I think I always will...But that said, I've started to realize just how precious life is." She then looked down at the ground. Which is all the more reason that I can't afford to fail.
"I'm glad that you managed to come to that realization," Mette said with a smile. "Many things can be replaced in life. Precious valuables, weapons, money. All are things that can be regained if they're lost. But once a life is taken, then there is no way to get it back. It's forever lost."
I know that. That's why I'm so damn worried right now! Bambietta thought.
"So tell me...What has you so upset?" Mette asked.
"That's...Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Bambietta said. It was best she didn't know about the upcoming war. This woman wasn't a fighter anyway, so dragging her into this would be nothing but trouble. It would be best if she just remained blissfully ignorant. "It's nothing, really."
"It's never nothing if it's making you shed tears," Mette said as she took one of Bambietta's hands. "Please, you helped save my life...Let me repay you by at least helping you out."
"You've already paid for our hot springs though," Bambietta said. "Trust me, you've done more than enough."
"Please?" Mette begged.
Bambietta was just about to brush off her concern once again until she looked into Mette's eyes. She looked fairly concerned, despite only knowing Bambietta for less than a day. Something about those eyes as they stared at her with sadness...she just couldn't say no. "There's a war coming," Bambietta said. "A big one at that. One that'll decide the lives of everyone I care about. My girlfriend, my best friend, my whole guild...If we lose, I'll lose them all." She clenched her fists as she continued. "I've been told that I have the power to single handily decide the outcome of this war, but if I die...then everyone I care about is going to suffer."
She took a deep breath before she continued. "It's...been hard to just deal with it all for the past week or so. I've tried to keep it hidden as best I could. No one has noticed yet. But...I know the truth! It's all going to come down to me in the end and if I fuck up it's going to cost me everything! I used to think that I was the best, undefeatable! But ever since I died I know that's not true! I'm not worthy of this!"
Mette stared at Bambietta for a moment before she spoke. "It's normal to fear failure Bambietta. No one's perfect. Not you, not me, or even the gods. Everyone is going to make a mistake."
"Yeah, but my mistake is going to cost me everything I know and love!" Bambietta yelled back. "If I die-"
"Are you fighting alone?" Mette interrupted.
"Huh?" Bambietta stuttered before she continued. "Well, no but-"
"You keep talking as if you have to take care of this all by yourself," Mette told her. "Perhaps you're not worthy of the responsibility you've been given. Maybe you can't defeat every enemy by yourself. But that's perfectly fine. You have friends Bambietta, I've seen them, and they're all quite strong. I may not know them nearly as well as you do, but I do not doubt in my mind that they would be more than willing to fight alongside you."
"But-but what if they die fighting with me?! Any mistake I make could cost them their life!" Bambietta yelled back. "I can't ask them to do that! It's why I'm here in the first place! There's no point in winning if they just die to keep me alive!"
"Do you have so little faith in your friends?" Mette asked as she tilted her head in confusion. "That they would just die so easily?"
"No, I know they're strong, but the people I'm fighting against might be too strong even for them!"
"Do you know that they're stronger than your friends, or do you just think that they are?" Mette asked. When she was met with silence she continued. "There is no greater fear than the unknown. All beings fear that which they don't understand. They fear failure almost as much." She gave Bambietta a smile as she continued. "But fear is something that can be easily overcome as long as you have the right people by your side, and you Miss Basterbine have plenty of allies. Strong allies. Allies who are more than willing to put their life on the line to protect you. You may think that this isn't their battle to fight, but it is. None of them wish to see you dead either Bambietta, just as you feel for them."
She placed her hands on Bambietta's shoulders then as she continued. "I know that you want nothing more than to keep them all safe but to deny them the right to fight alongside you is selfish. In this world, the power of bonds is infinite. What you would fail to achieve by yourself is possible with the help of others. So do not let your fear push them away...Instead, use them to push your fear away."
Bambietta could only stare at her as she came to a realization...She's right. Bambietta thought. This whole time, I've just been thinking about how much I'd hate to lose any of them. But I didn't think for even a second how much pain I would give them if I died. if they felt like they could have done something...it would eat away at them for the rest of their lives. I'm not alone, I know that. I've always known that since Phantom Lord. I just never wanted to lose any of them. But now...I'm not just going to fight for them in this war, I'm going to fight with them!
"You're right. About everything." Bambietta said with a smile. "I was being selfish, I just didn't know it."
"Your heart was coming from the right place," Mette said. "But only a fool fights alone. Your friends and allies can give you strength and power far greater than any magic Bambietta. Never forget that."
"Yeah, I won't," Bambietta said with a smile. "Thanks, Mette."
"It's the very least I could do to repay you for all that you've done," Mette said with a smile. "Father was right. You are rather special."
That caught Bambietta off guard. "Huh? I knew your dad?"
"Oh yes, he said you-"
"Bambi!"
Bambietta turned her head to see none other than Lucy running towards her with a smile. "I found a nice spot for us to hang out at!"
"Oh really, that's great!" Bambietta said with a smile.
"Yeah, though I have to admit...I ran into some trouble along the way." Lucy admitted.
"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Bambietta said as she narrowed her eyes.
"Well after we parted ways these two wizards were getting a bit too clingy with me. Before I could do anything I was frozen in place by their magic but...Loke saved me."
"Huh, well I owe that guy a drink next time I see him," Bambietta said.
"Oh no, you don't!" Lucy told her. "After he did that he gave me some lame ass pick up line about how he was dying before he admitted he made it up!"
"He...what?" Bambietta said as her fists shook with rage. Her eyes once again blazed like a fiery inferno before she yelled. "I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM! " No one, absolutely no one on earthland was going to flirt with her Lucy while they were still dating! "I'm gonna punch a hole in that jackass's stomach and feed him his own heart before I rip out his goddamn spine and shove it up his ass!
"Lets...not go that far," Lucy said nervously. "I already slapped him pretty hard for that stunt. You can just give him a black eye the next time you see him."
"Oh, he's gonna at least have two black eyes and a broken nose the next time I see him!" Bambietta yelled out. "He won't get away with this, I swear it!"
Normally seeing someone get so angry would have scared Lucy a bit...But seeing as how it was all for her own sake, she was actually...kinda liking it. She didn't want her girlfriend to hurt Loke too seriously but the fact that she was willing to go so far for her showed Lucy how much Bambietta cared. "Look, let's not let him ruin our night together ok? The night's still young, and I did find the perfect spot to look at the stars! So...what do you say we just move on and have some fun?"
Bambietta took a deep breath then as she slowly calmed down. "You're right Lucy. It's not worth it. We'll have a good night just the two of us." She then slowly turned her head to thank the other quincy. "Thanks so much for-" Much to Bambietta's surprise, however, Mette was no longer there. "Um...Where did she go?"
"Where did who go?" Lucy asked.
"Mette, you know the woman who bought our reservations here? I was talking to her just a second ago and now she's gone!"
"Well, maybe she just wanted to give us some space," Lucy said.
"You're probably right," Bambietta said. "Anyways, let's get some stargazing done shall we!" The two held the hands of each other then as Lucy slowly dragged Bambietta to where the "perfect spot" was...though she couldn't help but think of the quincy she just met. Still, I wanted to thank her for helping me out. Something about her just felt...really familiar for some reason.
As the two Fairy Tail mages laid back on the soft grass of a hill near the hot springs looking up into the beautiful night sky, Bambietta found herself more at ease now than she had for quite some time. Her hand reached for Lucys then and she slightly squeezed it. "You know...this reminds me of the night when I first told you that I loved you."
"Really?" Lucy asked as she continued to look at the stars above. "Well...it was a very beautiful night when you told me how you felt."
"Honestly, I wasn't ready for a relationship with you back then was I?" Bambietta said with a chuckle. "I was way too...needy back then. I didn't even once ask you what you wanted to do. Looking back on it...I made some big mistakes back then didn't I?"
"Well, it wasn't exactly ideal sure...but I still had fun with you back then," Lucy said with a smile. "If it was ever that bad, I wouldn't have tried to make this work. You've come a long way since then."
"Yeah...I have, haven't I?" Bambietta responded as she thought back to her encounter with Rukia, her battle to save Liltotto's life, fixing the broken bond between her and Candice, and even confronting the sins of her past. "And I have all of Fairy Tail to thank for it." She slowly turned around then to look at Lucy as she continued. "But I think I owe it to you more than anyone else."
"Oh, I didn't do anything that special really," Lucy said.
Bambietta, however, was having none of it. "Nothing special? Are you kidding me? You gave me a place to call home despite barely knowing me! If not for you, who knows how long I would have been sleeping on that park bench!? You and Levy were the ones to help me realize that some people do just want to help. After what one of my friends did to me, I didn't want to trust anyone ever again but...you both changed that. Every day you and I went on some kind of fun adventure, and honestly...I've never been so happy in my life." Bambietta slowly got to her feet then as she looked down at Lucy. "You had faith in me even after you found out all of those horrible things I did. I can't even begin to describe just how much that means to me."
"Well, the least you deserved was the benefit of the doubt," Lucy said. "You fought harder than anyone else when Phantom Lord attacked us." She then shuddered as she recalled Bambietta's fight with Hanza and the tears that she saw. "You're not the only one here who can't think of words to thank someone properly. I don't know what you went through in that sphere Hanza made...but I know it had to have been rough. I've hardly ever seen you cry." That wasn't even considering all of the pain she went through when Jose showed up. Time and again he had beat Bambietta down...but until the very end, Bambietta had gotten back up and fought longer than anyone else had. "Besides...you helped me and my dad patch thing's up properly. I honestly didn't think that was ever going to happen."
"Well...I know unlike my dad, yours was at least coming from a good place." Bambietta said as she slowly brought Lucy off from the ground. "I figured the least I could do was help make things right again ever after all the crap he put us through."
"Bambi...What was your dad like?" Lucy asked. Never once had the quincy said anything positive about her father and now her curiosity had been peaked. "Was he really that bad?"
Bambietta said nothing for a moment before she answered. "I know you and your dad had problems but like I said, at least he thought what he was doing was for your own good. But mine?" The quincy couldn't help but chuckle as she thought back to her father. "That man was incapable of loving anyone but himself. All he wanted, was to create the ultimate quincy...No matter what it took." She then shook her head as she continued. "He never once told me that he loved me. Hell, he didn't even call me by my name until I proved myself worthy enough for one. That man...is a monster." Bambietta clenched her fists in rage then as bitter memories of her father came to mind.
It's name? Until it's proven it's worth I refuse to call it by anything other than subject 1, just like the rest of my offspring. Just because it was the first one that doesn't make it anything special Libe. All I care about is results!
I don't have the time to celebrate something as trivial as a birthday. If you want any presents, you'll have to earn them. Understood?
If you can't kill a hollow by this age then I'll have no use for someone like you! Live and prove yourself, or die a failure. Those are your only choices.
Mercy? As the ultimate quincy, you needn't concern yourself with something as pitiful as mercy. Now do it...Kill her now.
"There isn't a single person I've hated more in my life than that man," Bambietta told Lucy as she shuddered with barely controlled rage. "Truth be told, if I ever saw him again, I'd...I'd-" Before she could continue, however, Bambietta could feel the embrace of her girlfriend, her hands wrapped around the quincy tightly.
"I'm sorry Bambi...I didn't know how hard you had it." Lucy whispered into her ear. "I shouldn't have asked."
"No, it's not your fault really," Bambietta told her. "You didn't know, and besides...that doesn't matter anymore. He's been dead for a very long time now." Bambietta pulled Lucy away as she looked into Lucy's brown eyes. "As long as I have you, Wendy and the rest of Fairy Tail...everything is going to be fine." The two stared longingly into each other's eyes then before their faces inched closer and closer before their lips locked. Lucy moaned into the kiss as Bambiatta's arms wrapped around her waist then, holding Lucy tightly.
They soon parted their lips as they caught their breath, Lucy giving Bambietta a heartwarming smile. "Wow Bambi, you're really good at kissing you know that?"
"Yeah well... I've had a lot of practice," Bambiettta said with a grin.
"Well, we should probably ger some shut-eye before it's too late," Lucy said. "You know how Natsu and Erza love to wake up super early, and Id' like to get a proper 8-hour sleep before we head home."
"Sounds like a plan to me." As the two Fairy Tail wizards made their way back to their rooms Bambietta held onto Lucy's hand once more. I'll make sure that nothing happens to you Lucy, I promise. Even if it costs me my life.
Gorclaw could see Hosenka village off to the distance. It wouldn't be long now until he once more knew the satisfaction of devouring humans. Kyoka had told him that his power was currently greater than even that of Deliora's had been. His victory was all but guaranteed in his eyes. If he so desired, he could wipe out the entire village off the face of the earth right now!
"No, I don't want it to end too quickly," Gorclaw said to himself as he looked down at the village. "I want to make them all suffer for what they put me through. I'll kill all of the men first, and then...I think I'll enjoy some of their women before I send them off to hell!" He could see it now, his claws tearing away at their soft, tender skin as they cried out for mercy. It would be glorious!
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Gorclaws widened in surprise as he turned around to see none other than the woman he had captured earlier, Mette. "You?! What do you think someone like you is going to accomplish!? You're nothing! Just a weak pathetic human that exists as nothing more than for me to do as I please with! You couldn't do anything when I was just a lowly human! What chance could you possibly think you have against me now!?"
"You indeed captured me earlier," Mette admitted. "But only because I had allowed you to do so."
"Ha! You're full of shit!" Gorclaw yelled at her. "You couldn't have done shit once we had that seal stone collar around your neck!"
"It was a minor inconvenience at most," She said with a shrug. "Your little hostage strategy simply made it easier for me to meet the people I came here to see, so I decided it was best to play along."
Gorclaw could only scoff at her words. "Listen, sweetie, you can try playing the tough guy act all you want, it won't change the fact that in a few seconds you'll be dead!"
Mette sighed before she spoke once again. "I would prefer it if we could avoid fighting at all. Please, you don't have to do this. We can-"
Goclaw rushed at Mette with a mighty roar and swung his right claw at her. Mette merely leaned to the left to dodge the blow as countless trees were destroyed by the shockwave of his attack. Gorecalw merely chuckled. "Well, well, it looks like you got some decent reaction speed! Let's see just how long you can keep it up!" Gorclaw struck at Mette again and again with his claws as the terrain around them began to shatter. Craters were forming with each blow and acres of forest were destroyed by each of his attacks. Yet for every blow he had thrown her way, Mette had always avoided the attacks with casual ease, the woman dodging out of the way at the last second with simple turns to the left or right.
"I would prefer it if we would put an end to this pointless battle. You're destroying too much of the forest for my liking." Mette dusted off her skirt as she spoke. Her eyes filled with sadness as she noticed all of the destruction Gorclaw had caused. "Please, let's put an end to this before anyone gets hurt."
"You think you can start demanding things from me just because you've been able to dodge some of my attacks!?" Gorclaw yelled. "You can worry about your damn trees in hell!" Goreclaw opened his mouth and a massive beam of energy spewed forth. As Mette dodged the attack by simply ducking underneath, the beam hit a mountain far off in the distance. An explosion could be seen then, one greater than that of a nuclear explosion as the mountain and the surrounding areas were destroyed, leaving nothing but a massive crater. Gorclaw laughed maniacally as he saw the destruction that took place before his eyes. "Ahahahahahaha! Magnificent isn't it!? With my power, I can destroy anything! You may have avoided all of my attacks thus far but you can't dodge forever!"
"All I see is more needless destruction," Mette said with a sigh. "But you are right about one thing. I can't dodge forever. You'll just end up hurting someone sooner or later with those attacks of yours. So I'll ask one last time. Please, cease this at once. Otherwise, you will leave me with no choice but to ensure that you will never hurt anyone again."
"Ha! Your words mean nothing to me!" Gorclaw decreed. "All you've done so far is dodge me, and that's all you're going to be able to do until I get my hands on you! Soon you'll be nothing more than...than...than-" Goirclaw couldn't help but stutter at what was happening before his eyes. The mountain that he had destroyed only a few seconds ago was slowly reforming itself. No, it wasn't just the mountain...all of the damage he had caused was being undone! The ground now looked as it had and the trees that he had cut down were now springing with life. "What are you doing!?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Mette said with a tilt of her head as she closed her eyes and smiled. "I'm just fixing everything that you broke earlier. I'd hate for this wonderful land to be scarred due to my negligence. It's a good thing I decided to also disrupt the sound of your last attack, then we'd have all kinds of unwarranted guests. I'd rather have Fairy Tail enjoy their special night off."
"You have a lot more to worry about than just this damn forest and that damn guild you fool!" Gorclaw said. He opened up his mouth to fire off another energy blast..only for nothing to come at all. "What? What's going on!?" He gasped in shock.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you won't be able to use that power of yours anymore," Mette said. "Or any of them for that matter."
"I don't know what you did!" Gorclalw said as he raised his fits. "But if I can't just blast you to smithereens anymore then I'll just have to rip and tear away at your-" Gorclaws eyes widened in shock as he looked at his fists. No longer did they possess the claws of a demon...rather, they looked entirely human! As he looked at his body he realized a change was beginning to take place. He was slowly being turned back into a human! His purple skin began to change back to its original human tone, and the horns on his head soon vanished. Gorclaw was no more. He was simply Brian once more. In shock and horror, he fell on his back as he looked at the woman before him. "You...What did you do!?"
"I simply rewrote your body's molecular structure is all," Mette informed him. "Your body is back to the way it was...Well mostly anyway. I didn't want you to go hurting anyone after this was over so I rewrote your body to be incapable of using magic, though I could only do this because your spiritual pressure was much lower than mine."
Brian began to slowly back away in terror then, trying his best to get as much distance as he could between himself and the woman before him. "You...What...WHAT ARE YOU!?"
"I am Princess Mette of the Neo-Vandenriech." Mete said with a calm voice. "Successor to the throne and Neo stern ritter A: The Alpha." Noticing the look of horror on Brian's face she continued. "You need not fear me. Though you have committed many sins in this wonderful world, I have no desire to take your life. Start over now, and begin your new life. Help those in need and in turn you will no doubt be blessed with a better life." She slowly turned then as she began to walk towards Hosenka village. "What you do from this point on is up to you. You have a 2nd chance now...Don't waste it."
She began to make her trek down the mountain but as she did, she could slowly hear Brian raise to his feet. He had a knife drawn as he looked at her in anger. "Start over? A 2nd chance? To hell with that crap! I was going to rule the world with Tartaros and now you've taken it all away from me! I'd rather die than-"
Brian would never speak again as a hole appeared in his head as the man fell to the ground, blood staining the grass beneath him. Mette sighed as she looked down at him. "You didn't have to kill him, Lile Barro."
"Anyone who refuses to accept her majesty's mercy and tries to take her own life deserves no less." The leader of the Schutzstaffel said as he appeared right behind her with Hirenkyaku. "His majesty would have asked for nothing less."
"I'm well aware that my father isn't as merciful as I am," Mette said sadly. "And I know that we cannot change this world without shedding blood, but I would prefer to avoid bloodshed as much as possible. At the very least I had planned to turn him over to the authorities if he would not change his wicked ways."
"You are much too kind your majesty." Lile Barro told her. "None the less, your father requests that you return to Silbern immediately. The invasion of Bosco will begin in two days."
"Tell him that I will return tomorrow night," Mette said as she turned to face Lile Barro. "There are still somethings that I need to do."
"But his majesty-"
"Tell him that I'm simply observing several of the war potentials personally." She said with a smile. "He'll understand. If not...then I will take full responsibility."
"Princess I cannot just allow you to-"
"Please Mr. Barro?" Mette asked as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.
He wanted to tell him that it wasn't going to work. That he was nothing like Gerard who always let her get away with whatever she wanted...but his will soon faltered when he looked into her eyes once more. He sighed. "You'll be back home by midnight sharp. Not a minute later. Is that understood princess?"
"Thank you so much, Lile Barro." She said with a heartwarming smile. The normally stone-cold Quincy couldn't help but blush before he vanished with the shadows. Mette looked out into Hosenka village once more as she smiled. Bambietta Basterbine. I can't wait to see you again, along with all the others. Fairy Tail seems like a nice place. Now I understand why my father has his eye on all of you.
I'm actually curious to see how many of you were able to figure out who Mette was before the big reveal. I already dropped her name in chapter 50 and I tried to leave many hints throughout the chapter. I imagine she isn't at all what many of you expected Yhwach's daughter to be like. The how's and why's of this will be explained later, but I figured this would be as good as a time as any to introduce her character.
Design-wise, she's based on Melina from Outlaw Star. Her shrift, "The Alpha" allows her to rewrite and control Molecules of anything, though she can't do so to enemies that are near her level of spiritual pressure, much like Gremmy.
I also decided now was a good time to foreshadow what kind of man Bambietta's father was really like. I promise you'll get a fully fleshed-out backstory for our favorite quincy, but I figured a little hint here and there would suffice. Needless to say...he's not a nice man.
I also decided to flesh out Liltotto's relationship with Natsu, and delve a bit into how Fairy tail's attacks have at least some similarity to the ones in Bleach. While I have no plans to have them ever become an official couple as I've said before (I have someone else in mind for Natsu) for obvious reasons, I really do enjoy writing these two characters interacting. One is up front and not the brightest, while the other is very intelligent but tends to keep her true feelings to herself.
I'm really interested to hear what you all thought about this chapter, especially Mette. Next time we'll get deep into Loke's current situation, but I needed to get this set up out of the way and I figured now would be a good time to introduce a very important character. Please leave your thoughts in a review, it would really mean a lot to me with how much work I put into this chapter.
