This is it, everyone. The final chapter before the tower of heaven arc. I don't have much to say till the chapter is over, so I'll just let us get things started.

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and Weekly Shounen Magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!


The sun was only just starting to rise as Candice and Rukia began to make their way over to the Fairy Tail guildhall. Normally the green-haired quincy would have never gotten up so early in the morning, proper sleep was key to looking her best as far as she was concerned. However desperate times called for desperate measures so she was more than willing to wake up 4 hours earlier than usual if it meant getting the job done.

Rukia had informed her what she had heard Ulquiorra telling Levy that he had intended to join the guild this very morning, and Candice knew that if she was going to act, she had to do it before the arrancar had any chance to meet up with their guild master. Yes, Syplhia had told them all that the Arrancar's feelings of wanting to learn more about the heart were genuine...but how long would that remain the case? As far as she was concerned, a man who only followed logic would sooner or later lose interest in the heart.

"You think he's gonna be willing to hear us out on this?" Candice asked the petite soul reaper.

"I'm sure Master Makarov will make the right decision." Rukia paused, knowing Candice could be volatile and hoping to curb any possible disappointment for her. "Though it may not be the one you want to hear."

"You're kidding right?" Candice asked. "I mean the correct choice is obvious. He's too dangerous!"

Before Rukia could open her mouth to say anything, however, the guild was within sight, and the two could see their small, yet powerful guild master about to unlock the doors to let the other guild members inside.

"Oh, perfect, we'll be the first one's here like we hoped!" Candice said with a grin before she ran over to the guild. "Oi, old man, we need to talk with you!"

Rukia stepped in with Candice, wondering how this would play out. There were... memories from the original Soul Reaper that the Reigai had been based upon. Of a Hollow who had fought against his monstrous impulses at the very end. It had defied all she had known of the entire species then. And the Arrancar were more human than the rest; such was their nature. So perhaps there was hope for Ulquiorra still. And yet... doubt had led her to stand by Candice's side for now.

"Candice, Rukia," Makarov said, the wise old man, dressed in blue and orange, an odd hat atop his head, said as he spared them a glance. He had been busy looking over the guildhall, readying it for another day. "What brings you two here so early?"

"Well, let's just say we've gotten word about a potential new member joining the guild today," Candice spoke. "An arrancar to be exact. Long story short their hollow's given soul reaper powers and look like a human." Thankfully she didn't have to go into any further details about hollows thanks to Liltotto and Bambietta having told Makarov enough about their old world. "One of them's going to try to join the guild today and...well frankly, he's tough as hell."

"Hmm, I think I understand," Makarov said. "From speaking with both Bambiettan and Liltotto, you have all had problems with the Arrancar in the past, is that correct?"

"Well, more hollow's than arrancar, but they're really the same thing far as I'm concerned," Candice said. "You can't trust them as far as you can throw them. This one especially. He's...well, how do I put this?" Candice took a few seconds to think before she came up with an appropriate answer. "Oh, I know now! He's pretty much a guy who puts logic before anything else, and no, I'm not just saying he's pragmatic, I'm saying the guy doesn't know the first thing about being human."

"I appreciate your concern for our guild, I sincerely do," Makarov said with a nod. "But perhaps his lack of understanding is why Fairy Tail might be the best place for him."

"Are you serious!?" Candice yelled. She couldn't believe that he was just...brushing this off so easily! "This guy isn't like anyone else you've taken in before! He's a literal heartless monster!"

"Candice, I know you mean well, but... hasn't this world given you and your friends a second chance? Hasn't Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked. "Would you deny another such an opportunity?"

There was silence for a moment, perhaps Candice lost for words.

"I know you're worried that I am making a mistake," Makarov offered up. "But I have opened this guild to all those wishing for a second chance. You. Bambietta. Liltotto. And this will be no different. But if it will calm your nerves, I assure that, if the needle so much as moves towards this becoming a mistake, I will handle it. No one will harm my Fairy Tail family. Not even those within it."

"But...but...but...you don't...I mean...Rukia, back me up here!" Candice yelled back at the small soul reaper. "You know how strong this guy is! I'm sure that Ichigo must have told you how badly he fucked him up! This is dangerous!"

"Language, Candice," Rukia said, putting a hand on your shoulder. "I know you don't trust him, and I get that, but... you trust Master Makarov, don't you?"

"I trust Makarov just fine, but that arrancar is another story entirely!" Candice yelled. "I can usually get a pretty good read on people and the kind of person they're really like when I hang out with them for a bit, but I have no idea how to read that guy, he's too much of a damn blank slate for that! Besides, it's not just about trust, it's about strength!" Candice yelled back before she looked at Makarov. "Look, I know your strong, like really strong, but that damn arrancar has a power far greater than anything you've ever dealt with! If you're not strong enough to beat him then no one else in the guild is going to be able to beat him either! You're the strongest person in the whole damn guild!"

"You have nothing to fear, Candice," Makarov said, with a knowing smile. "While I have no desire to flaunt this if it makes you feel better then so be it. My word and my power is law within this guild. You have nothing to fear of him."

"I...I...but...what if-" Candice was about to speak more before she felt Rukia grab her hand. She was surprised that the soul reaper would be willing to try to comfort her like this. "Rukia?"

"Listen, I know why you're so nervous about him joining the guild, truly I do." Rukia spoke, "But I've met an arrancar who was quite pleasant, believe it or not."

"Are...you referring to that one brat you found?" Candice asked. "I...I mean yeah she helped save your friend's life on more than one occasion, but-"

"You're worried about this too much Candi."

Candice turned around then to see none other than Bambietta, Liltotto, and Erza walking behind her. "Bambi? How much of that did you hear?" Candice asked. She had been so wound up about the former Espada that she didn't even notice them.

"Enough to get an idea," Bambietta said. " I figured getting up early would be the best way to snag the good missions before anyone else did and ran into Lil and Erza on the way, but that's beside the point. Look, I know that you're just doing what you can to look out for all of us. You almost lost Loke last night so believe me, I get it. But...Think about all the lives we've taken. We don't have much room to talk here."

"I've gotten a glimpse of the kind of man he is, even if it was only briefly," Erza said. "He's emotionally stunted and straight to the point, but I don't believe that he'll stray from this path."

Liltotto got close to Candice before she spoke. "I get that you want to be pragmatic about all this, but you need to see things from Master Makarov's perspective. If we turn him away, where exactly do you think he's gonna go huh?" Liltotto asked before she looked back at her guild master. "I'm sure Master Makarov knows that if we turn him away...odd's are he'll end up in the hands of some dark guild."

"That is a concern that has crossed my mind," Makarov said with a heavy sigh. "At the moment, he is willing to learn more about what it means to be one of us. If we were to turn him away, he may end up being taken in by a dark guild and go back to his old way of life. Perhaps even the Balam Alliance would scout him. While it is true that we cannot guarantee that he will not fall back to darkness, the fact remains that if we turn him away before he even has a chance to prove himself, the odds of him becoming an enemy in the future are much greater than they would be if he were to join our guild. At least this way, we'll be able to keep a close eye on him at all times."

"Ok, but does it have to be this guild? Can't he learn about the magic of friendship somewhere else? Anywhere else?" Candice asked.

"Look I'm not saying you have to befriend the guy or even like him," Bambietta said. "But trust me when I say this if there is anywhere this guy needs to be, it's here. I think we both know I'm proof enough of that." She then looked at Candice and gave her a small, but heartwarming smile. "Please Candi? For me?"

A defiant part of Candice wanted nothing more than to tell one of her best friends off and continue her stance on the arrancar...but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Ugh, damn it all, everything they said makes sense! There was no point in continuing an argument she knew she would lose. She sighed before she gave Bambietta an answer. "Well, I guess when you all put it like that, it wouldn't be fair to turn the guy away just because of how I feel about it. Fine, he can be one of us...but that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I'm glad to hear that an agreement could be made," Makarov said. "Fear not though Miss Catnipp, for even if the worst were to occur and I was to fall against him in battle, I'm quite positive that Gildarts could handle the situation."

"Gildarts? The first time I'm hearing that name." Bambietta stated. "What, does he have some sort of special magic that just makes him effective against creatures like Hollows?"

Erza shook her head before she spoke. "Gildarts just so happens to be the strongest mage in all of Fairy Tail. He's the only SS class mage the guild has, and one of the very few to exist on Fiore. Only the 4 gods of Ishgar and Himself have ever reached such a title."

"The 4 who?" Candice asked.

"Long and short of it, there the best of the best. Like the Schutzstaffel." Bambietta told her.

"We have someone like that?" Candice said. "You're shitting me, I'd be able to sense someone like that even if I was drunk!"

Makarov opened up the doors to the guild with his key before answering. "That's because he tends to take on extremely long quests. However, I can assure you that he's far more powerful than I am." Opening the doors with his hands, the tiny old man soon turned on the lights inside of the guild, before he went on inside.

"How much more are we talking?" Bambietta asked Erza.

Erza looked at the 3 quinces and regai with a serious glare. "Gildarts power is far greater than anyone else in the entire guild. Even if Master Makarov, Myself, Laxus, and Mystogen were to have engaged him in battle, I'm positive that we would still lose."

Bambietta whistled in amazement before she looked at Candice. "Now do you feel a bit better knowing that we got an ace like this up our sleeve?"

Candice rolled her eyes as she walked inside. "I get it, I get it. You don't have to keep rubbing it in ya know." Still, the green-haired quincy couldn't lie, knowing that they had someone that powerful at their side lessened her fear considerably.


"Come on, Felix, jump into my arms!"

The wizard known as Salamander was standing at the base of a dream within Magnolia, his arms outstretched in an attempt to appear inviting to the cat up a tree. Natsu had originally planned to take on a much more difficult mission to stop a powerful monster tamer near Cedar who was causing a ruckus but his plans had soon changed. On his way to defeat the wayward mage, he found himself approached by a young girl who was willing to pay him any price if he could retrieve her cat from its perch above. Natsu had taken the task on as a job request, though an unofficial one. There was no way he would take from her what was no doubt her allowance, not when the task was so easy.

However, it had turned out to not be as easy as he had hoped. Natsu had already tried climbing up the tree to carry the cat down, but the claw marks on his face were a bitter reminder that the best-laid plans could lead to unexpected and utterly annoying pain.

His best friend, the blue-furred and winged Happy, floating about and trying to restrain laughter was not helping.

"Hey, Happy, you speak cat?"

"Well yeah, Natsu," Happy replied. "That's because I am one."

Natsu nodded his head, scratching at his chin. "Yeah, we've been going about this all wrong."

"Mister Salamander," the young girl, Christine, said, "I'm sorry this is such bother."

"Hey, it's no bother at all!" Natsu proclaimed. "Why, my buddy Happy is going to go up there and straighten this out in Mister Whisker's native language!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy took off into the branches and leaves of the tree, his wings flapping.

Natsu and Christine both listened intently as the sound of the two parties conversing echoed forth from the tree. There was a 'Meow' here and a 'meow meow' there, and all seemed to be going according to plan. However, in a sudden twist, a feline hiss screeched out from the tree. Happy suddenly flew out then, in a complete panic.

"Natsu!" The blue flying cat maneuver behind Natsu, peeking out over his shoulder with fearful eyes staring in the green abyss of evil he had just escaped. "Save me!"

"What the?" Natsu was flabbergasted. "I thought you could speak cat, Happy!"

"I can..." Happy whispered. "But I guess I wasn't that persuasive..."

Natsu sighed and scratched at the back of his head. "Man, all the fire magic in the world can't help me with this..."

The Fire Dragon Slayer refused to admit defeat, but he was running out of options. All he could think of now was to go to the guildhall and come back with Erza. Surely she would intimidate Felix enough to bring him down with just the sound of her voice.

"I've got it!"

Natsu looked up and saw it then, a woman with pink hair that reminded him of cotton candy descending from the sky. She was a rather tall lady, her physique impressive enough that the puffy white outfit she wore did little to conceal it.

"Uhm... hi..."

Natsu stared blankly for a moment, watching as the woman moved through the air and into the tree with all the grace of an angel. She disappeared into the green leaves for a moment. He half expected to hear the shriek of the cat again, but there was nothing. Nothing save the calming voice of the woman and the soft purring of a cat.

"Who's a good Catzilla? Is it you? Yes, yes it is you!"

The woman floated out from the tree's leaves, holding the rather large black and white cat in her arms and up against her chest. One finger was lightly scratching at his chin, leaving Felix to continue to purr in utter bliss. Much to Natsu's amazement, there was not a scratch on the lady.

"Good kitty..." she said as nuzzled her face against Felix's own. "Don't worry, I've got you..."

"Thanks for the help!" Natsu said as she decided to land. "I was thinking I was gonna have to go back to my guild to get him down but you took care of it easily!"

"It's the least I could do." The woman said. "Wizards have very important jobs to do after all, so if I can help save them some time it's the least I can do."

"I'm sorry about Felix," Christine said as she walked over to the pink-haired woman who carefully handed the cat back to its owner. Christine smiled as she petted the small animal before she looked at her hero. "He's such a naughty cat, I always tell him not to-"

"Now hold on." The pink-haired woman interrupted. "Let's not be too hard on Felix ok? We all get a little afraid of heights every now and again." She slowly rubbed the young girl's head as she spoke softly. "Cat's are curious creatures who love to explore after all. It's also the owner's responsibility to make sure that they stay safe and sound. Just make sure you try to keep a better eye on him next time, ok?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Christine said before she ran off with her cat.

The woman smiled then as she watched on. "Another good deed, another smile."

"Yeah, I get what you mean," Natsu said as Happy landed on his shoulder. "Sometimes there's nothing better than cheering someone up!"

"You mean besides getting a good brawl?" Happy teased.

"Oh come on Happy! Far as I'm concerned, they're both the best part!" Natsu heard the woman giggle then before he looked at her. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. You just happen to remind me of two friends of mine is all." She answered. "They used to tease each other all the time. But despite that, they were pretty close. I can tell you that you two are the same way. Friends don't tend to tease each other unless they know the other person can handle it."

Natsu grinned. "You got that right, Happy here is my best friend! Wherever I go, he goes with me!"

"Aye, sir!" The blue cat added. "Me and Natsu go on missions all the time!"

"It seems to me that you have a reliable sidekick." She replied. "Keep him safe. Good friends and allies are something that needs to be treasured. People don't usually realize that until it's too late." She then gave Natsu a small smile then. "But it looks like you already know that."

"Yeah...I do." Natsu said as his mind briefly drifted back to an old friend that he missed dearly. He shook his head then, not wanting to dwell on such thoughts. Now wasn't the time. "Us Fairy Tail Wizards stick together no matter what!"

"Ah, so you're from Fairy Tail!" The woman gasped. "I've heard so many good things about them! I'm glad I finally get to meet someone from the guild!"

"Yay, we're kinda awesome." Natsu couldn't help but brag. "No guild's better than ours!"

It looked as if she was about to say something once again until a small child with pink hair and oddly shaped golden eyes ran up to her. "Hey! We have to get going if we don't want to miss the play!" The young girl complained.

"Oh, I forgot!" The older woman said as she picked up the young girl. She turned over to Natsu and smiled. "I'm sorry but I must get going! It was nice meeting you two!" She gave them a quick wave of her hand and turned around. "Hopefully we'll see each other again!"

"Hey wait, what's your-" However before Natsu could finish his sentence, the two were gone, vanishing before their very eyes.

Happy flew over to where the two once were before looking back at his best friend. "Wow, did she just teleport Natsu?" Happy asked.

Natsu shook his head. "Nah...that seemed to be more like what Bambi and Lil do. They called it...hourse non kaku or something?"

"I'm pretty sure you said that wrong." Happy said.

"Oh, that's not what matters anyway!" Natsu yelled back. "We got a monster Tammer to take down!" Natsu began to run then as he once more headed to the town of Cedar. "Let's make up for all that lost time and get going!"

"Aye, Sir!"

However, as the two members of Fairy Tail made their way forward, Natsu couldn't help but wish he had gotten that woman's name. She had seemed very nice after all.


Meifon Long stared at a massive screen as all kinds of numbers were scrolling down at an incredible speed. Soon enough she would have the information she needed from the remaining Lacrima she had stolen from Dark Stallion to find out who among the Magic council was cooperating with the forces of darkness. Odds were more than likely that it was with the Balam Alliance. Only they could have pulled off such a feat in her eyes.

"Any luck on retrieving the data you need yet Mistress?" Inovia asked as she and Xerina casually walked into the room, the two S class swordsmen wanting to see how their guild master was doing.

"By the rate the extraction is going, I should have all the proof I need by tomorrow morning," Meifon said as she didn't take her eyes off the screen.

"That's good. I haven't been fond of waiting around all this time." Xerina added. "We haven't had a proper challenge for the last few months."

"Hopefully it won't come to that," Meifon said. "With any luck, it'll be one of the weaker members of the magic council. Still, I'll require your aid on the off chance the traitor has other allies hidden within the council headquarters." Only a fool went into battle unprepared and alone after all.

"Yes well-" Xerina was about to continue speaking before she and Inovia fell to their knees the two barely managing to stay awake. "W-What is this?"

"I feel...so tired." Inovia struggled to say.

Meifon sighed. "You do need to work on that nasty habit of yours, Mystogyn."

Mystogan said nothing at first as he slowly entered the room. He was far too caught up in executing his rather passive but magic consuming sleeping spell. A secretive man by his very nature, he was only interested in interacting with a select few.

Meifon was one of those people. At least for now.

Once it was complete, only the target of his attentions awake and aware, did he speak from beneath his mask.

"A nasty habit you say? I believe it's a necessity in my line of work."

"You really do need to work on that shyness of yours," Meifon said as she looked down at Inovia and Xerina. "If you keep this up you'll never find yourself a girlfriend." She then looked back up to stare at Mystogan. "So...I take it your presence here means your considering my proposal?"

She had sent him a message a few days ago, the guild master of Celestial Blade being one of the very few people out there who knew how to contact the allusive S Class wizard. Her message was straight and to the point. To help her deal with the traitor who within the magic council. On the of chance it was one of the saints, she would need all the help she could get.

Her fiancée was currently out of the country, and Erza was needed to help run the Fairy Tail whenever Makarov was absent whereas Laxus….well she didn't want to interact with that man if she could help it. Mystogan, however, was someone that she had a good working relationship with when she was still a member of Fairy Tail and his magic would be perfect for ensuring no one could leave the council headquarters during their investigation should any of them try to escape.

"I am, yes," Mystogan replied simply enough. "The last thing this or any other world needs is for those in power to be corrupt and mad with power."

"I'm glad that I can count on you for this matter," Meifon said with a smile. "As powerful as me and the rest of Celestial Blade is, having one of the Fairy Tail guild's best and brightest will only help to ensure our success."

"And I can operate on the shadows more easily on your behalf, yes?" Mystogan asked. "Though I do request that I be well compensated for my time."

Mystogan paused for a moment, reconsidering how he presented himself.

"It's not that I'm operating from a notion of greed," he explained. "If your fears are as well-founded as you and I both believe them to be, then this matter needs to be addressed. But investigating the Magic Council will take time from other job requests and I do have my own living expenses to consider."

"No, if anything it's how I would prefer you to go about it," Meifon replied. "Matters such as these need to be dealt with the utmost caution. To go charging in for a fight like a certain dragon slayer we're both acquainted with would only throw the entire operation into chaos. By all means, go about this as you would any job. All I simply ask is to remain informed so that our strategies don't end up clashing with one another. I trust that this is acceptable?"

"Hh." Mystogan let out a slight snort from beneath his mask as he reached into the satchel at his side. From it he retrieved an orange orb, its color appearing faded in design. "A communications lacrima with high-level encryption spells. It will only reach the other in the matching set. Much safer than letters or your own, I assure you."

"Much appreciated," Meifon said as she took the Lacrima and put it away in one of her dress pockets. "Now then, is there anything I can do for you regarding...the anima?"

Finding out about Edolas had been a complete accident. The then young S class wizard wasn't sure if she could trust Mystogan at the time due to his aloof nature. After carefully following him one day after he left the guild, she had come upon him sealing away one of the animas from Edolas. She had insisted that he tell her what she had witnessed, and after proving to be resistant to any of his sleeping spells, the man had agreed. The two had become close confidants ever since, the wizard saint doing all she could to prevent her world's magic from being sapped into another.

"Not as of yet," Mystogan answered dryly. "A part of me wishes that my enemy would make a move so that I could end this once and for all. But... I truly hope that day comes for this world. That he's reconsidered his mad ambitions."

Even though she didn't know what he looked like, Meifon could tell how much this ate away at her ally from his tone alone. The least she could do was offer him some comfort. "It must have been difficult to see your father descend into madness like that," Meifon said as she put a hand on Mystogan's shoulder. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here for you."

"I... appreciate your concern." Beneath his cloak, Mystogan shivered a slight bit. Having resigned himself the life of a stoic lost in a world not his own, it had been years since he had been close to anyone. Still...

Snapping the fingers of his right hand, Mystogan activated a magical artifact with his glove. From his home away from home did it summon into his hand two apples. He brought them both up then.

"Adverse as I am to partaking in alcohol while I'm working," Mystogan said, "I would like to make a toast to our working relationship. I hope these will suffice."

"But of course," Meifon said as she grabbed the apple and smiled. "It does please me know that Erza isn't the only current S class mage of the guild who knows how to remain professional. I've always liked that about you."

She then hit her apple against his, in an attempt to replicate how it would have been done with a wine glass. "Cheers, to our goal of saving our two worlds."

They may have both been born from different lands, but the two wizards considered Earthland to be their home more than anywhere else. No, it was more than just earthland that the two called home. For the most important home to the both of them, was the most powerful guild in all of Fiore.

"For Fairy Tail." She spoke.

Mystogan was quick to reciprocate. "For Fairy Tail."


The arrancar was quite surprised when Makarov had accepted his initiation into the guild with little fuss, the guild master only having to make it clear that the former Espada could not take any human life unless it was absolutely necessary. Ulquiorra had already known that was to be expected however and had agreed to the terms with no issue. It would make combat a bit more difficult, but it was something Ulquiorra was more than confident that he could handle. At the very least the last thing either of them wanted was to get the guild into any trouble with the magic council.

Now he was simply waiting at the guilds bar with Levy as Mirajane walked over to him with a smile. "Master told me that you decided to join us. I'm so glad! I think you'll really enjoy your time here!"

"At the very least it'll provide me with plenty of useful information regarding what I seek," Ulquiorra answered. He wasn't looking for fun, he was simply trying to understand human nature in the best way he knew how. Still, the arrancar knew that she was just being friendly, and he'd prefer this sort of attitude than the likes of Grimmjow and Nnotira.

"We'll need to work on your conversation skills," Levy said. "It'll go a long way towards what you're looking for, trust me."

"I suppose my social skills are lacking," Ulquiorra responded. "Is there a book that I can-"

Levy quickly shook her head. "Trust me when I say that experience will be a better teacher for you than a book in that regard. If you want a tip though, here's my advice. Read the room."

Ulquiorra simply turned his head to look around the guild hall before looking at Levy. "I do not see any words to "read the room." Unless these words are hidden for-"

Mirajane couldn't help but giggle at the pale man's naivete. "She means you need to consider the situation for how you need to speak. Let's say someone here there just got back from a hard mission and they're upset about it. "If they didn't do so well on their mission, giving harsh criticism might not be the best idea if they're already upset. You'll either make them angry, or sad. It would be best to save that sort of thing when they're feeling better, so they'll be more open-minded."

"Yeah, that's a pretty good example." Levy agreed. "Or insulting someone's fiancee at their wedding might get them mad at you. You can tell someone if they're wrong about something, but it's best to do so at the right time and place. Get what we mean?"

"Your logic makes sense given the scenario's that you have presented," Ulquiorra answered. "Very well, I shall try to "read the room" in future conversations."

"Well that's good," Levy said. "The last thing we need is for you to accidentally upset Natsu and Gray and cause more guild brawls. We already have enough of those as it is."

The arrancar nodded in agreement then as Mirajane took something out of one of her dress pockets. It looked like a stamp tool of sorts. "Now that that's all settled, we just need to figure out where to put your guild mark," Mirajane said. "Do you have a preference?" The former Espada was about to say he wouldn't mind as long as it wasn't on his face (He doubted he could do any serious guild buisness if he looked too silly.) before his mind recalled something from his past.

"The palm of my left hand please." He answered as he stretched out his hand. Mirajane quickly used the magical tool then, and a black Fairy Tail tattoo was there for all to see. "Welcome to the guild!" Mirajane said cheerfully.

"Black huh? Nice choice." Levy said. "Really fits your style. But if you mind me asking...Why there?"

"That...is a matter I'd rather keep to myself," Ulquiorra stated before he looked at Mirajane. "May I have water please?"

Mirajane nodded her head then as she went to get his refreshment as she left a bewildered Levy. "Huh. I didn't think you were the kind to keep secrets. Well, that's fine. Just let me know if you ever change your mind."

The arrancar simply nodded before he looked back at his left hand, his eyes staring right at the black Fairy Tail symbol as his mind recalled the words that influenced his decision as he closed his eyes.

In the palm of my hand...is a heart.


Normally running around during a thunderstorm would be the last thing someone would want to do, but the citizens of Cedar had no choice but to run in terror as an assortment of beasts began to overcome the portside town. All kinds of monsters ranging from Vulcans to Lynels and Trolls were recking havoc and destroying everything within sight. None of the residents of Cedar had been killed yet, but things were beginning to look grim. Behind them, was a blonde-haired woman with blue eyes laughed maniacally as she watched the destruction of her minions before her eyes. Her name was Harriet Jenquine and she was finally enacting her revenge. At first, she had only begun to engage in small petty crimes, but today was the day she burnt this miserable town to the ground!

"For too long now you fools have shunned me for worshipping the greatness of forbidden magic! But the art of monster taming is beyond your comprehension! Now you will all fall before me and my might!" She could see in the distance that the local guilds were trying to put up some sort of resistance, but it was futile. The guilds that resided within Cedar were weak, and only had a couple of B class mages at most. Soon enough her superior numbers would snuff them all out!

"Fire Dragons Roar!"

A burst of flame engulfed the entire street then, Harriet just barely managing to jump into the air to avoid the fire, but her creatures were not so lucky, many of them burned to ashes and charred corpses. She landed then and saw the man responsible. Pink hair, a black, gold-trimmed waistcoat, and waistcloth, and white pants. There was no mistaking who this was. "Salamander!"

"Man, when I took this mission I thought I was just gonna have to deal with some kinda thief using monsters to steal things, but you sure have escalated things haven't ya?" Natsu asked as he got closer to Harriet. "That's fine by me though. It'll make the trip here all the more worth it!"

"Just try to not destroy the town this time Natsu." Happy added as he floated right by him. "Erza promised to punish you pretty severely if did that again."

"I know, I know! I'll be really careful this time!" Natsu said as his fists enveloped with flames. "But first things first, we got a fight on our hands!"

Harriet could only stare at the pink-haired mage before she laughed. "You honestly think that you can defeat me all by yourself! Your reputation must have gone to your head if you think you stand a chance against the likes of me!" The monsters that had chased after the civilians then began to come back to her then, the beast tamer now surrounded by her hoard. "It's one of you against 20 B Class monsters!"

"Yeah, yeah keep on yapping!" Natsu yelled back at her as he pounded his two fists together. "Enough with the chitchat and let's get this party started!"

"Kill him!" Harriet shouted as her beasts rushed towards the dragon slayer. The dragon slayer was ready however and he threw a powerful right jab, hitting the nearest Vulcan right in the face, sending the creature flying down the street. A giant winged back tried to fly down to slash at Natsu with its claws, but with his heightened sense of hearing, Natsu was able to hear the flapping of the creature's massive wings and ducked under it's strike before lashing out his right foot covered with flames. The massive bat now disintegrated, a massive troll about 40 feet tall, rushed forward, and attempted to crush Natsu with a massive club, but Natsu was able to stop the massive wooden weapon with just one hand before the club was engulfed in flames. The troll released the weapon as it cried out in pain before it was quickly silenced by Natsu's flaming fist hitting its mouth, shattering its teeth.

Natsu heard loud footsteps behind him as he saw a Cyclops, which was holding a magic mobile in its hands, running towards him with intent to finish him off along with many other monsters. The giant creature threw the vehicle at Natsu but the dragon slayer jumped over the car before he yelled out "Fire DRAGON'S ROAR!" Before the blast of fire incinerated not only the cyclops but the monsters behind it as well.

"I don't believe this," Harriet said as she witnessed Natsu destroyed the remainder of her forces. "He's just one wizard. So how...How could he have reduced my army so quickly!?" She was the great and powerful Harriet! She was going to make a name for herself after she finally turned Cedar into rubble with her army of monsters. But now...He was destroying them all!

Natsu set one last creature ablaze before it cried out and fell to the floor amongst its dead brethren. He slowly turned around to face Harriet then, before he spoke. "Really hoping that you got more than that, I've had tougher brawls over a piece of toast than these guys!" However, as soon as Natsu got a good look at Harriet's terrified face, he sighed in annoyance. "I guess not. Aw man the last couple of missions I've been on have been too easy! It's no fun when it's over too fast!"

"That's just because you're too tough Natsu!" Happy cheered him on. "At least it means you're more than likely going to be recommended for S class this year!"

"Oh yeah, good point buddy!" Natsu said as he and the flying blue cat high fived each other as Harriet watched on.

"How...How dare you!" Harriet screamed out at him. "Don't think that this is over!"

"Do you have any more monsters then?" Natsu asked. "Because I'm pretty sure I could beat you up without even using my magic."

Harriet snarled as a massive magic circle surrounded her on the ground. "You wish to see my best you say? Very well then! Come to me, my most vicious of beasts!"

The ground cracked and shook then as a massive creature emerged from the magical portal that appeared beneath Harriet. The creature wasn't quite as large as some of her other ones, but it was still rather large, but 20 feet in height. It had a green reptilian yet muscular body with a white mane, sharp fangs, a Long snake-like tongue, two rows of dorsal plates, sharply pointed ears, and a long tail. The creature let out a loud roar then, causing all the nearby windows to shatter, and even breaking some of the bricks in nearby buildings.

Harriet laughed with glee as the massive creature marched forward on all fours as it approached Natsu. "You wanted my best, well here it is! This is my ultimate beast, a Chimera that I made by combining over 100 C and B class monsters to make the creature you see before you now! Its power and strength are unmatched by any being on this planet, and it is mine alone to command! It is easily an S class creature in power! You're finished, Natsu Dragneel!"

Natsu wasn't the least bit intimidated though. If the grin that formed on his face was anything to go by he was actually excited! "Now that's more what I'm talking about!" Using his flames at the bottom of his feet to propel himself forward like some sort of missile, Natsu's prepared his signature technique as his right fist was covered in flames. "Fire Dragons Iron Fist!" He threw his punch at the Chimera's face, only for the creature to stop it with one of its clawed hands, the flames flickering uselessly against the monster's scales.

"What!?" Natsu gasped before the creature flung him across the street, the mage crashing through several buildings before Natsu tried to grab hold of the ground with his hands to bring himself to a halt. He slowly got to his feet, only to notice a massive shadow above him. It was the chimera! Jumping backward to dodge out of the way, Natsu was soon struck by the monster's tail, causing him to fly into a nearby Magic mobile. This time however Natsu was quicker to get to his feet and launched himself forward once more. Dodging underneath the creature's left claw as it tried to strike him, Natsu kicked at the creature as hard as he could with his Fire Dragon Talon technique. The creature was moved back slightly from the blow but otherwise showed no signs of injury. It lashed out with its tail once more, Natsu barely managing to dodge underneath in time before he was tackled by the Chimera into a small house. Natsu tried to punch at the beast again and again as it tackled him through several houses before the creature finally let go of the dragon slayer.

"Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" Covering both of his arms in flames, Natsu swung at the creature with his fire, covering the creature in the searing magical flames, the rocks beneath them beginning to meet. However, the creature let out a roar, the shockwave causing the flames that covered its body to disappear. Natsu jumped into the air as the Chimera tried to tackle him once more before he raised both of his hands above his head. "Ok, buddy, you want me to hit you hard, then I'll show you something, FIRE DRAGON'S BRILLIANT FLAME!" A massive fireball formed in Natsu's hands before he threw down his attack, crashing into the Chimera and causing a massive explosion that could be seen around the entire town.

The smoke began to clear then as Natsu fell down, a massive creator that destroyed several city blocks now stood where the creature once was. Natsu whipped the sweat off of his forehead as he looked down. "Man, that thing was pretty tough."

"Natsu!" Happy yelled at him from above. "Erza's gonna be mad when she sees what you just did to the city!"

Natsu blinked for a few seconds before the destruction around him finally settled in, a look of horror now clear as day for anyone to see. "Oh crap, she's gonna-"

Just then a green clawed hand came up from the ground and grabbed Natsu by the throat as the Chimera slowly emerged from the ground. Harriet grinned as she slowly walked over to her magnificent creature. "Oh not a bad try Salamander, but my dear Chimera is quite resilient. I made it's skin to be capable of withstanding a shot from the Jupiter cannon. You'll find your petty little flames won't come close to hurting my prized possession."

Natsu ignited his fists once more and began to wail on the Chimera as if he was a boxer hitting away at a punching bag. But while the beast let out grunts of annoyance it was clear that Natsu's attacks were all for naught. He was struggling to breathe now, and he knew that he couldn't keep this up for long.

"I got you, Natsu!" Happy yelled as he tried to fly in to save his best friend. The Chimera growled and swung it's tail, however, hitting the flying cat and smacking it down to the ground, the blue cat not unconscious with a massive bruise covering most of his body!

"HAPPY!" Natsu yelled out before his body erupted with more intense flames, the surrounding area beginning to melt as a result. "THAT'S IT, YOU'RE GONNA GO DOWN FOR WHAT YOU JUST DID!" The chimera found that it could no longer hold onto the dragon slayer due to the intense heat coming off of Natsu's body before Natsu yelled out "FIRE DRAGON'S SWORD HORN!" and projected his entire body like a rocket onto the stomach of the creature, the chimera crying out in pain as Natsu piledrived the two of them across the town of Cedar before the creature finally manage dot get free by the outskirts of town. The creature slowly got up, ready to continue the fight before Natsu was upon it, his fists ablaze with flames hot enough to reduce stone to cinders.

"CRIMSON LOTUS: FIRE DRAGON'S FIST!" Natsu began to furiously punch away at the Chimera now with a continuous barrage of flames punches, the beast crying out in pain as its skin began to melt and char. Again, and again did Natsu throw his punches, hitting the creature all over from its stomach to its face. The blows that had done no damage before were now clearly causing the creature great pain. This was one of the secret techniques that Igneel taught Natsu, and thus, one of his most powerful techniques. If this wouldn't put the mighty Chimera down, he didn't know what would. With one last powerful flaming fist did Natsu sends the creature flying into the forest before Natsu feels to his knee's the dragon slayer trying to catch his breath. "No one...Hurts my best buddy...and get's away with it."

Slowly yet surely Natsu managed to get to his feet and he looked at the town of Cedar. Well, the town was a mess, that much was certain, the dragon slayer was beyond certain that he would get a scolding from Erza for this...If not worse. He gulped in fear then as he thought about. "Oh, that's not gonna be fun. Oh well, better go see how badly Happy is-"

A loud, terrible roar could be heard then as Natsu slowly turned around back to the forest, the Chimera slowly making its way back to the town as it knocked over several trees in its way. Much of its skin had been charred by his flames, and it was missing one of its eyes along with exposed muscle tissue that could be seen all around the creature's body. Even it's brain was slightly exposed.

"I must say Salamander, I am impressed," Harriet spoke as she approached the dragon slayer and clapped her hands. "I didn't think flames could damage my Chimera. You truly are as strong as they say. I'd dare say you technically won this fight." She slowly headed over to her monster as she took out a syringe from her pocket. "As my creature is right now, It would have eventually died from the wounds you've just inflected. However-" She injected the Syringe into the monster, the beast yelling out in pain as it's flesh slowly began to repair itself, the charred skin and exposed brain and muscle tissue quickly replaced with reptilian scales.

"Fortunately for me, I've created a wonder potion specifically to heal up my creature in case of such an event," Harriet said as she looked over to Natsu. "What's more, is that this potion comes with a side effect. Any creature that's healed by this, will be twice as powerful as it was before!" Just as the finished speaking, the Chimera was now fully healed, the vicious monster letting out a terrifying roar as it slowly stomped it's way over to Natsu. "I really should thank you for giving me the chance to use this on my creature. Its effects wouldn't have been as potent if you hadn't damaged it as much as you did. As part of my thanks...You'll be the first of its victims."

The creature lunged forward then, Natsu preparing to fight his best despite his injuries. He had barely managed to take the thing out and now it was twice as powerful as it was before! Thing's weren't looking good, but he couldn't hope to give up now. He had to fight or else he and everyone in Cedar were as good as dead. The beast was right in front of him now and swung it's claw straight at Natsu, the dragon slayer preparing to dodge out of the way and begin his battle once more.

That was until a white-gloved hand casually stopped the attack mid-strike.

Natsu's eyes widened then as his eyes soon looked down to see who stopped the monster that he was struggling with earlier. It was the woman that he had met earlier when he tried to take the cat down from the tree! The pink-haired woman slowly turned her head then and looked at Natsu before she gave him a small smile. "Hey Natsu, is this guy bothering you? I just finished the play my friend and I went to see and I sensed that you were in trouble, so I came by to help."

"I...Uh...Yeah?" Natsu stammered out. He couldn't believe what he was seeing before his eyes! He was sure Erza couldn't have stopped the attack as easily as this mysterious woman had. Her entire body was still and she looked calm as could be, even though the Chimera was desperately trying to crush her with its might. But try as it could, it's large claw was unable to escape the woman's grip or pierce her flesh. It lashed out with its other claw then, trying to slash her body...only for it to clang harmlessly against her body.

"W-what the hell!?" Harriet yelled out. Who was this woman!? One second her precious creature was just about to end the life of the dragon slayer upstart, and now some newcomer had come in and stopped the beast!

"Now that wasn't very nice." The mysterious woman said as she closed her right hand into a fist. "I think it's high time someone taught you some manners." She then threw a casual punch at the creature, her fist not even making contact with the Chimera, and the next thing Natsu and Harriet knew, the mighty beast exploded into countless bloody pieces as the storm clouds above parted, the rain that had been falling now ceased. The woman then let out a slight gasp as she raised a hand near her mouth. "Oh dear, I didn't mean to kill the poor thing. I just wanted to knock him out for a bit." She then looked over to Harriet then as her face looked quite disappointed. "I'm terribly sorry for killing your pet, but I couldn't let it hurt any more people. Maybe next time you'll keep your pets on a tighter leash."

"You...How dare you!" Harriet yelled out as she prepared a spell. "Don't be so confident that you managed to destroy my creature so easily! It must have just been the result of my potion altering its genetic makeup! However, I'm not done yet! I'll just combine the flesh from all my deceased creatures to make an even more powerful-"Harriet was soon interrupted though as the woman casually flicked one of her fingers at the monster tamer, the force of the flick hitting her in the head and sending Harriet through a nearby tree, knocking her unconscious.

The woman turned around before she walked over to Natsu. "Are you feeling alright Natsu?" She asked before her eyes looked all over his battered body. "It looks like that thing battered you around for quite a while."

"I...I'm fine." Natsu stammered, the dragon slayer still having a hard time believing what he had just seen. Not even Laxus could have killed that Chimera in one hit. For her to be that strong...she had to be as powerful as Gildarts! He shook his head then as he tried to stop gawking. Now wasn't the time to let himself get so distracted. "I've had way worse fights than that one, trust me." He then grinned at the woman. "That's the second time you've given me a hand. I really owe you one."

"Oh, nonsense." The woman said with a wave of her hand. "I was just doing what any hero would do. The fact that you fought that creature so hard shows me you truly are something special. Most warriors I know from my old homeland would have tried to run away from a battle that they were likely to lose, but you stood your ground defiantly to protect these people." She then gave the dragon slayer a smile of her own. "A real hero fight's on no matter the odds and I could sense you were doing just that. Your guild is truly lucky to have someone like you."

"Boy do I wish you would tell Erza that when I get back home," Natsu said before groaning. "She's gonna kill me for how much damage I caused during all of this!"

The woman tilted her head in confusion then. "Why? Did you accidentally hurt or kill some of the people that you were trying to save during that fight? I haven't sensed anyone dying since I got here...Well, besides the monster anyways."

"Well no, but the magic council is always getting on my guild's case for how much stuff we tend to destroy while we're on the job, and Erza hates it. She's always yelling at us to knock it off, so I know that this time she's gonna-"

The woman smiled then as she spoke. "Oh, I see now. If this Erza person is anything like you and your desire to protect people, then I'm sure she'll understand. She may yell at you a lot but I'm willing to bet it's just because she knows that you can do better. It is a shame for so many homes and personal belongings to be destroyed because of villains who seek to bring harm to others, but homes and valuables can always be replaced." She then placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder as she spoke, "But human life is irreplaceable. Once it's gone, you can't do anything to get it back. As long as you're always able to protect that from being destroyed, then I believe that's what truly matters."

She then let go of Natsu's shoulder then as she began to walk away. "Sure you may have destroyed more of the town than some other heroes may have done, but that just means you'll need to be more mindful of it next time. The people of Cedar are alive because of you. If not for you, then by the time I would have arrived, I'm positive that many people would have died. That alone means more to them than they could say."

She then took one last look at him. "But I'm afraid I have to go now. I can't leave my sidekick alone too long after all. Just know this. You should be proud of what you did here today." She was just about to turn around one last time before Natsu cried out to her.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Natsu yelled before she looked at him. "I just gotta know...Who are you?"

The woman smiled then as her hands rested at her hips. "I am the symbol of peace for all the citizens of Ishgar! I am the answer to anyone calling out for help! A protector of the innocent and light in the darkest of nights! I am Mighty Hurricane!" She then gave Natsu a wink. "But you can just call me Meninas." And then, just like before, she was gone.


Bambietta smiled as she, Rukia, Lucy, and Wendy sat down at one of the guilds many tables as they sat down to eat. Thanks to her plan to drop by the guild early in the morning, she had been able to snag a well-paying job that would do more than it's part to help pay for the month's rent. With Lucy and Wendy's added help, taking down a large group of bandits had been done in less than 10 minutes. Personally, Bambietta thought that such a mission wasn't nearly worth as much as they had been paid, but the nobleman who had hired them wanted to ensure a job well done to make sure that his family would stay safe during their trip from one town to another.

Well, if it's going to make our lives easier, who am I to complain? Bambietta thought as she took a bite out of her pizza. She quickly swallowed her food before she smiled at Wendy. "You handled yourself well out there. Those losers didn't stand a chance against you." She wasn't exaggerating her praise either. None of the Bandits had gotten even close to Wendy as they tried to knock her out. "Rukia has trained you well."

Wendy took a lick of her ice cream before she answered. "Rukia said that the main thing I was missing was confidence. She said once I got more of that I'[d make a great wizard. Looks like she was right!"

"It helps that you had a lot of magical power, to begin with," Rukia added. "You're surprisingly strong for your age. Why I'd dare say you could have beaten most seated officers I knew back in squad 13. That's not to mention your a pretty quick thinker. The only thing you're missing now is experience. Once you gain more of that, you'll become a truly formidable mage."

"Maybe I should join you sometime Wendy," Lucy added. "I kinda want to step up my game too. After what happened with Jose and Phantom Lorde, I want to fight with you guys, not just stick to the sidelines." She then looked over at Bambietta. "That way you don't have to worry about me so much."

"Some training could do you some good," Bambietta admitted. "Yeah, I'd say it's a good idea to train with Rukia."

"Or I could train with you," Lucy said as she gave Bambietta a quick wink. "It would be a fun way to spend more time toge-" Lucy stopped talking then, the blonde woman noticing a strange look in Bambietta's face. "Something wrong Bambi?"

"That's...not a good idea," Bambietta said as she shook her head. "You're not ready, trust me."

"Oh come on, I'll be fine." Lucy insisted.

Bambietta could only give her girlfriend a cross look. "Do you want to be healed by Wendy after every sparring session?"

"Well no but-"

"Then the answer is no," Bambietta said before she sighed. "I admire that you want to get stronger, I do...but I'm not the one for it. Not yet anyway."

"That would be a wise decision." The group heard as Ulquiorra and Levy made their way over to their table. "Except for myself, Miss Basterbine is the strongest non S class wizard here. It would be wise of you to choose someone closer to your level."

"...Well, I guess you all have a point," Lucy said before she sighed as she looked at Rukia. "Got room for one more?"

"By all means," Rukia replied.

"Hey Natsu, you ok?"

Everyone at the table turned their heads then as they heard Totamaru spook up and noticed Natsu slowly walk into the guild, the pink-haired mage covered in scrapes and bruises, Happy not looking much better himself as Totamaru walked over to him. "You look like crap man."

"Shit, what happened to you?" Candice asked as she and Jade joined in. "I mean, you're a pretty tough guy. Must have been one hell of a monster if it left you all black and blue."

"Ugh, Can I see Wendy please?" Natsu groaned out. "Happy got hurt during our mission. I want to make sure he's gonna be ok."

"I'll heal you both right now!" Wendy called out as she ran over to them, the dragon slayer slowly working her magic on them both.

"You still haven't exactly told us what happened," Totamaru said as he sat down. "It's not often you come in here this beat up."

"The monster tamer we were sent to deal with had a tough Chimera," Natsu answered. "According to the crazy chick who made it, the thing was S class. I hate to say it, but I almost didn't make it."

"I've heard about Chimera's. Nasty things." Jade said as she sat next to them. "You're lucky to be alive right now. So how did you beat it?"

"That's the thing, I didn't," Natsu said as Wendy had quickly finished healing the both of them, the blue cat slowly beginning to wake up. "I was starting to think I was a goner but then this woman with Pink hair showed up and killed it in one punch! I couldn't believe it when I first saw it! I don't think she even used any magic!"

That had caught Bambietta's attention then as she walked over, Candice leaning in close as well. "Pink hair? Did she also have pink eyes by chance?" The green-haired quincy asked.

"Yeah, she did. Why do you ask?" Natsu answered.

"I think I know who just saved your ass," Candice said before she looked at Bambietta. "Do you think-"

"It's got to be her," Bambietta answered. "I can't think of anyone else who has that kind of power. It's got to be Meninas."

"That's the name she gave me," Natsu added, trying his best to help. "Do you guys know her?"

"Know her? She was one of my best friends." Bambietta said. "She was the first friend I made back in my old guild."

"Oh you two were more than just that," Candice said with a grin. "Why, I still remember when you two-"

Bambietta quickly covered Candice's mouth then, not wanting her friend to say another word. "NotinfrontofWendy!" She yelled out quickly before she turned around and gave Lucy a look that said "I'll explain later." When she noticed her girlfriend nodding in understanding, she removed her hand. "That's not what matters right now anyways. We got to go find her!"

"Ok, and where do you suggest we go looking for her huh?" Candice asked. "Fiore's a pretty big place. Not like we can just find her by going for a casual stroll."

Bambietta sighed then, the quincy realizing that her friend had a point. "I guess we could always try to go all over and try to sense her. I'm sure she'll show up eventually. We'll go and get Lil first. She was Meni's best friend after all."

"You guys found Meni?"

Bambietta and Candice turned their heads as Liltotto and Erza walked into the guildhall, the two returning from a mission they had taken together. While Liltotto's face was mostly stoic, Bambietta could see a slight glimmer in her eyes. She must have missed her. Bambietta thought as Liltotto walked over to their table. Meninas and Lil had always been a strong pair of friends, the tall yet insanely powerful quincy and the petite but vastly intelligent Liltotto were almost inseparable back in the vandenriech. Meninas, having taking culinary as one of her habits to pass the time in their old hideout, was always making some kind of special dish for her small friend to enjoy.

"Found isn't exactly the right word," Bambietta answered. "More like we heard about her. Natsu over there just got bailed out by a pink-haired woman with super strength. You tell me that isn't Meninas."

"It's possibly not her given all the different magic types out there if we were just going off on looks and powers," Liltotto said as she took a seat next to them. "But her being stronger than Natsu? Yeah, I'd say that makes things a lot more likely." Liltotto took a small chocolate bar out of one of her pockets before she took a bite and continued to speak. "But you guys are right. Finding her isn't going to be easy. We're gonna need some time to figure this all out."

Walking over to the arrancar's table Erza held in her hands a simple box. She knew her self-imposed duty as a member of Fairy Tail and was going to see it through to the end. Moving deeper into the hall, she stepped up to one Ulquiorra Schiffer.

"I take it you've grown accustomed to our guild?"

"As long as your guild doesn't descend into madness with another one of its brawls, I don't believe I will have any issues as things are." He said as he turned to stare at her. The quinces stopped their current conversation then as they decided to listen in on what was happening.

"I make no promises, though I will do what I can to reign them in of course. However..." Erza opened the box then, realizing a strawberry cake within. "As customary of Fairy Tail..."

"As customary of you, you mean..." Bambietta giggled beneath her breath. She meant it jest, of course, the Quincy feeling she understood Erza better than most.

"This is to celebrate your becoming a Fairy Tail guildmember," Erza finished.

The arrancar stared at the cake then, before he looked back at Erza. "Is that meant for me?" He asked. "I have no desire to indulge myself with culinary indulgences."

He would see it like that. Liltotto thought. "Look, your better off at least taking a bite...for your own sake."

Erza grunted slightly, the wizard not used to being rebuked by a new member quite like this. She held the cake up a little higher then. He still made no motion though, Erza furrowing her brow. "I take it you are no fan of sweets?"

"I fail to see the point of what flavor the food-" He said before he remembered Levy's words from earlier.

If you want a tip though, here's my advice. Read the room.

"Upon further retrospection...I've changed my mind." He said before he took the cake from her hands. "Thank you."

Erza nodded then. "I appreciate your willingness to try new things, Ulquiorra. If I may..."

Erza Requipped a serving knife then, cutting a slice from the cake with movements he could scarcely predict.

He took a piece of the cake as he slowly cut off a bit to eat with a fork, Candice looking on as he was about to eat a piece of the strawberry cake. There is no way in hell he is gonna like it!

The arrancar took a bit, and his eyes widened slightly. He put down the plate before he looked at Erza. "...Delicious."

"...Excuse me, what?" Candice stammered "That did not just happen!"

"Glad to see even someone like you can appreciate good food," Liltotto said.

Erza smiled warmly then, or at least as much as she could let her armor down. "I am glad that it was to your liking as much as our guild is."

"That has yet to be determined," Ulquiorra said as he took another bite. "However, I find this current state of affairs...acceptable."

"Take that as a good thing, trust me," Levy said to Erza, the redhead nodding in agreement.

The situation now passed, Candice turned her attention to Lucy. "So I've been meaning to ask you something. Have you heard anything from Loke yet? He's supposed to be one of your spirits now right?"

"Not yet," Lucy said as she shook her head. "I imagine it's gonna take some time before he's ready to come back here, he was in terrible shape."

"So what, do you plan on him boning one last time?" Liltotto asked. "You know he's probably already with that Aries spirit."

Candice rolled her eyes before she spoke. "What, so I have to want to fuck someone now if I want to know their ok? I know our time's over, but that doesn't mean I don't care if he's doing alright anymore."

"How many times have I told you not to say any of that stuff in front of Wendy!?" Bambietta yelled at Candice as she slammed the swear jar in front of Candice. The green-haired quincy sighed then before she placed some coins inside. Bambietta then turned her attention to Liltotto. "You too Lil. You started all this." Knowing better than to get into an argument with Bambietta over this, Liltotto quickly followed Candice's example.

"Still, I hope Loke's doing alright," Lucy said. "There's no telling how long it'll be till we can speak again."

"Someone say my name?"

Everyone turned around in surprise then, as they saw none other than the man they were talking about moments ago. He shot them all a smile then as he waved his hand. "Yo!"

Jade was more than a bit skeptical at his arrival. "Hey, you sure it's ok for you to be back so soon?"

Bambietta could only nod in agreement. "Yeah man, I figured you would have needed at least a day or two before you could come back."

"Indeed, I'm not in any fighting shape, but I can still come to the human world for a short while as long as it isn't for over an hour," Loke explained. "Besides, I got something I need to do here anyway, so I should get it over with as soon as possible." He soon reached into his pocket then and pulled out some tickets "Here you go." He said as he handed them to Lucy. "They're tickets to this awesome beach resort. 14 of them. You guys did so much for me in the three years I've been here that it's the least I can do."

"Hey, I'll take a vacation like that any day," Candice said with a grin.

"Yeah but 14 tickets must have cost you quite a bit of money." Rukia was quick to bring up. "Are you sure about this?" She asked the spirit.

Loke chuckled. "Well, it's not like I have any use for the money I made here anymore anyways. I just figured it was better to put it to good use." He then looked over to Lucy. "Lucy, I'm always gonna have to live with what happened in the past, but now I have the courage to start moving to you I'm not just another member of Fairy Tail, I'm your celestial spirit. Now that you're my wizard I promise to always protect you. I'll be there for you whenever you need me, your valiant knight."

"But I'm not just your wizard," Lucy said with a smile before she winked. "I'm one of your friends too!"

Loke's mouth was agape, but only for a moment before he smiled. Yeah, of course."

"She's not the only one you know."

He felt a hand on his shoulder then as Bambietta gave him a grin. "Look, long as you do your best to keep her safe, you can always count to fight side by side with me!" She clenched her fist then as she brought it up to her face. "With you at full power and my "Explode" we'll be sure to keep her safe no matter what!"

"I look forward to it," Loke said before he turned to face Candice. "Candice, I-"

"You don't need to say anything Loke." Candice quickly replied. "You got someone waiting for you back in the spirit world right? Don't keep her waiting for my sake. Trust me, I'll be just fine. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that." She then smiled at him, one much more heartwarming than the grin that she usually used. "Don't keep her waiting now. You got something special...don't waste it."

I'll let you two decide who decides to come along with you." The sprits body started to glow then as he prepared to vanish from the human world. "Hope you all have fun!" Then, as abruptly as he appeared before then, the spirit was gone.

"Well then...I guess we got to figure out how to split these huh?" Candice said to Lucy.

"Hey, what happened to looking for Meninas?" Liltotto asked.

"Oh Meni's a big girl, she can look after herself just fine," Candice said. "Besides, the tickets are only for about 3 days. We can go look for her after that!"

"She does have a point," Bambietta replied. "I mean, if she beat an S class monster with one punch, I think she can be by herself for a little while. Not like we know where to look for her anyway."

Liltotto sighed. "Wel...I guess you have a point."

"Since we have 14, we can split these in half," Lucy said as she handed Candice seven. Candice nodded in agreement before she handed a ticket to Bambietta, Wendy, Levy, and Rukia. "I figure I may as well invite my best friends."

"No surprises here," Bambietta said as she looked down at Wendy. "What do you say, Wendy? That sound like fun?"

"Oh yeah, I'd love to go!" Wendy cheered.

"I'll gladly accept these tickets," Rukia answered.

"I'm all for it," Levy said. "But...Could we also invite Ulquiorra? I don't want to leave him here for 3 whole days given how Laxus has been lately."

Lucy nodded. "Sure no problem." She was quick to hand the arrancar his ticket, who took it and looked at it with slight bewilderment. He wasn't exactly sure if he wanted to go on this trip...but it could provide him with plenty of useful information regarding human interaction. Thus he quickly stored the ticket away in one of his pockets.

Candice was quick to make her first choice, handing the first ticket to Jade. "There's no way I'm going to somewhere like this and not inviting one of my best friends," Candice said to Jade.

The dark-skinned woman took the ticket and looked at it intently. They were only 2 weeks away before the Harvest Festival would begin and Emberella would enact her master plan. This...would probably be the last chance she would get to do something like this with her friends. She put the ticket in her pocket then and tried to manage her best smile. " Sure sounds like fun."

Candice's next two choices were Liltotto and Erza, of which the two accepted with no hesitation. Erza in particular looked excited. "I've always wished to go to Akane resort! They say it's the best beach in all of Fiore! I must prepare my luggage at once!" She quickly marched out of the guildhall then, the smile on her face not leaving even for a moment.

Liltotto couldn't help but smile herself. I've never seen Erza look so happy before. Sure she wanted nothing more than to go look for Meninas, but she also knew that a part of Erza wouldn't have been able to enjoy herself to the fullest if she wasn't there. "Well, might as well see what kind of 5-star cuisine this kinda place has," Liltotto said.

Gray and Juvia got theirs next as Candice grinned. "Here, you two love birds could use a romantic getaway!"

Gray took his ticket and he couldn't help but smile. Truth be told, he was trying to think of something different for him and Juvia to dol. He wasn't exactly really an expert on the whole "dating" thing, and the two had just gone on missions together. Granted Juvia hadn't complained about it once, but he had a feeling that she wanted something more. "Well, I wouldn't mind soaking up some sun rays. What do you say Juvia?"

Juvia could only stare at Gray then before she hugged him tightly, and repeatedly yelled yes as she held him high in the air. Well it was clear what her answer was.

"Hey, how come you get to go but I don't!?" Natsu yelled at Gray after Juiva finally put him down.

"Maybe because unlike you I'm not a total spazz," Gray said back.

"You want to say that again!?" Natsu said as he was surrounded by flames. Sighing, Lucy quickly walked over to Natsu before she handed him a ticket. The fire soon disappeared as Natsu took the ticket. "Ha suck it Gray!" Natsu yelled back, causing his rival to simply roll his eyes.

Last but not least she handed one to Totamaru, quickly explaining. "Figured I'd finally pay you back for that ass-kicking I gave you when we first met. Besides, maybe it'll help you loosen up."

Totamaru looked cross like he wanted to say something to her, but he simply took the ticket. Well...I guess I could use some time off. The former S class wizard thought.

"Ok, I think that's everyone," Lucy said before she looked at her girlfriend. "Oh, I'm so excited!"

"You and me both," Bambietta said with a smile. It would be her first time experiencing this sort of thing as both her life in her home town and the vandenriech had prevented it. But now...Now she could enjoy herself to her heart's content, along with the woman she loved.

"Come on, chop-chop! No lollygagging! Now hurry or I'll leave you behind!" Everyone could see Erza entering the guild, now wearing a straw beach hat, a blue flower shirt, red shorts, and carrying a bunch of luggage behind her.

Someone's excited. Bambietta thought as she looked at Erza. Still, she couldn't help but smile. It wasn't often for her to see Erza so excited about something. Well, everyone here sans Ulquiorra looked at least a little happy with all their invitations, so Erza being so eager to go shouldn't have surprised her anyways. Besides, she owed Erza more than she could ever express with words alone. If she wanted to get there so quickly, Bambietta was more than willing to obliged. As far as Bambietta was concerned, she would do anything she could to keep Erza smiling.

She only wished it would have stayed that way come the next day.


It's hard for me to believe that we're finally here. The Tower of Heaven Arc is one of my most favorite in all of shounen for giving so much development for my favorite character in all of anime, Erza Scarlet. It's...Nerve-Wracking to say the least, but I'll try to do the arc as well as I can.

I must mention that it is going to be a long time until you get another update for this story. Now I know this may be upsetting to some considering we're finally about to start this arc, but I have my reasons. Due to COVID 19 and the unpredictability that is life, I don't feel comfortable uploading chapters on the off chance that this arc will remain incomplete. I'd rather leave the story on a happy note instead of in the middle of an arc in the off chance something happens to me. Thus, I've decided to work on all of the chapters of the arc, and then once the arc is finished, I'll put up the chapters in rapid succession.

I don't plan on doing this for any other arc, but I feel that it's necessary for this arc. This could mean that the story may go without a chapter for quite a few months. I hope you are all willing to understand why I am going about this in the way I am. I truly am sorry if this disappoints you, but I wouldn't feel comfortable working on this story otherwise.

I do hope that you all enjoyed the character moments that were in this chapter though. I'm eager to get your reviews one last time before we get to the highly anticipated arc. Any thoughts you have you can leave me in a review would mean a lot to me.

I hope to see you all again sooner than later as I finish the TOH arc. Wish me luck, and stay safe from COVID 19!