It's...kinda surreal, honestly. Posting the last chapter of this arc I mean. From the very beginning, I wanted nothing more than to make this arc special, to make it a real stand-out compared to everything else that came prior. I would like to think that I managed to accomplish that, but it's really hard to say. Regardless, I feel proud of what I put out here, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who helped me get this far.
Special thanks to my Beta for helping me writing reach heights that it never would have on my own, Ankoholic for getting this story off the ground in the first place, and of course, a great big thank you to every single one of you who has left a review for this story. Almost all of them have helped me push forward as a writer, and it's thanks to your encouragement that I've made it as far as I have.
Well, no more delay. Let's get down to business, on the final chapter for the Tower of Heaven.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shönen Jump. Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and Weekly Shönen Magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun.
The last few hours had been utter hell for the Fairy Tail members that had gone off to enjoy a luxurious vacation to the illustrious Akane Resort. From having their time off from the guild cut short, to the capture of one of their most valuable members of the guild thanks to the machinations of Erza's old friend, to fighting for their very lives, it seemed as if things could not have gotten any worse.
However, the worst had transpired a mere 40 minutes ago as Quilge Opie and Candice Catnip had confirmed with their sixth sense that Liltotto Lampard had fallen in battle.
To lose a member of the guild was nothing short of a tragedy. Liltotto may not have been part of their family for long, but in the 6 months she had been a part of their guild, she had proven herself to be a mage who would put her life on the line for the sake of her comrades, as an ideal mage of the guild should.
Not a single soul among them was taking this revelation well. Even the stoic arrancar had a more noticeable frown adoring his face, though this was most likely due to Levy's current distraught. Tears were shed, friends comforted one another, and sorrow filled the air.
The former warden of the Tower of Heaven and members of Death's Head Caucus weren't faring much better. While they certainly weren't feeling the same level of grief as the others, Liltotto was still a fellow Quincy. Back in the Wandenreich, they had learned to view their fellow Quincy, even Sternritter as expendable. That was simply the reality of war. But now they had turned over a new leaf, knowing one of their own had perished was something they could no longer merely shrug at. No tears were shed, but all three of them looked quite grim.
To make matters worse, they could no longer properly sense what was going on with Erza and Bambietta. While it had seemed that Erza had emerged victorious against Jellal, there had been a massive burst of energy, not unlike the Etherion, that made sensing reiatsu that far away quite difficult.
Like last time, they had opted to remain silent. The mood was already downer as it was. At least with Erza and Bambietta, there was at least some hope.
Lucy in particular still had faith that the two would return. She was wracked with grief over the loss of Liltotto like everyone else, but a part of her still couldn't help but think about her girlfriend. She held one of Wendy's hands gently with her left hand, while her right was tightly clenched.
Bambi...I know that you'd never break your promise if you could help it. We've already lost Lil. The guild...It can't lose anyone else. Candice needs you. Wendy needs you...I need you. Because if I were to lose you I'd... I'd-
Lucy shook the thoughts away as looked down at Wendy and gave her a small smile. She had to be strong now, for her sake.
It's what Bambietta would have wanted.
However, there were two individuals who were taking Liltotto's death much harder than the rest. Unlike the others, Candice Catnip had known Liltotto for well over a decade. Sure, she had teased Liltotto for her petite frame and short size, while Lil would retort with a comment about her promiscuity, but they were light-hearted insults that only the best of friends could trade back and forth without any real Ill intent.
To lose her like this was unbearable. Candice had made an oath to herself, to never again abandon her friends when they needed her. She had already made that mistake once with Bambietta during the war, and yet again with Jade in their initial run in with Erza, but she had done everything she could since then to insure their safety. She had hoped that her valiant efforts with Ikaruga and Dysptute would help slowly erode the guilt she had from the past.
But yet here she stood, a woman who had once again left her friends when they needed her. Even if it was from their insistence, she had still left them on that wretched tower for her own self-preservation. Now one of her closest friends was dead and as far as she was concerned at the moment, the blame solely fell upon her shoulders.
"Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!" Candice yelled as vented her despair onto the beach, the ground shaking slightly as tears fell from her eyes. "I knew I shouldn't have left them all alone! I should have stayed to give them all the help they needed! If I did, then Lil...Then Lil wouldn't have-"
"There's...nothing you could have done Candi...Not against someone like that." Jade spoke as she placed a hand on Candice's shoulder as she tried to give emotional support. " He was a Wizard Saint, and even if you were at full strength he-"
Candice smacked away Jade's hand as she glared back at her. "I don't care if that bastard was the strongest wizard in the world, it doesn't change shit! If I was there, then none of this would have happened! I could have taken the hit for her, I could have bought them time to get away, I could have...I could have..."
Her anger quickly subsided, her grief overwhelming her once more as she fell to her hands and knees sobbing. Deep down, she knew that there would have been very little she could have done in the state she was in. She was running on fumes, unable to even lose an arrow capable of killing a hollow. But nevertheless, this knowledge did nothing to lessen the pain.
The other member of Fairy Tail who was taking Liltotto passing extremely poorly was the adopted son of Igneel, Natsu Dragneel. Surprisingly, unlike Candice, his emotions weren't pouring out into tears. No, he had already shed his share of those on the way back to Akane Resort. Nor was he wailing against the world with his flames, taking his emotions out on his surroundings.
Instead, Natsu found himself merely staring into the ocean, his feet and lower legs submerged into the water as Candice cried out on the beach. His body shook slightly, not from the cold temperature of the water, but from his own inner turmoil.
"She's not dead... She's not." Natsu muttered as his mind focused solely on the blonde. He may not have known her nearly as long as he had known as the rest of the guild, but he had spent quite a lot of time with the Quincy. Despite his lack of intelligence,, she had never once belittled him for being less than bright. In fact, at times it seemed that she would go out of her way to be with him.
While Natsu considered every member of the guild to be his friends to varying extents, few people went out of their way to be with him as much as she had. She wasn't loud or bombastic like the majority of the guild, but he had always welcomed her company. It was as if she was constantly looking out for him, whenever it was their occasional sparring sessions, or her helping him learn something new about his own magic.
"I...I never...I never got to thank her." He said as reality started to kick in before he shook his head. "No, no she's not gone! Don't think like that Natsu! You'll see her again, just like...just like..."
"I'll be home soon, Natsu!"
Igneel was where his line of thought had begun, but Lisanna's last words to him quickly interrupted that train of thought and hit him like a sledgehammer. The dragon slayer found himself nearly falling to his knees, as tears began to come out once more as the reality of the situation finally began to truly set in as he looked down at his feet.
"Natsu..." Happy couldn't help but feel distraught as he watched on from the beach. He wanted nothing more than to provide some sort of comfort for Natsu as he attempted to process what was happening, but the dragon slayer had insisted on being left alone. Still, to see his best friend like this was quite heart-wrenching.
The worst thing of all for the dragon slayer that he would soon have to come to terms with, was that he had no idea if either Erza or Bambietta would be joining Liltotto to the afterlife. Losing one friend this night was painful enough, but if they were to lose them as well...Fairy Tail would be beyond devastated.
Bambietta was one of the strongest non-S-class members of the guild if not the very strongest, and someone he had come to view as one of his closest friends. Now...He might not ever see her ever again.
The thought of Erza ever dying was one that a few hours ago Natsu would have laughed at. With the exception of Makarov and Gildarts, as well as that Jerk Laxus, Erza was the strongest person he knew. She couldn't die, she was far too powerful for that... At least that's what he thought.
Now he was faced with the very real possibility that she may be gone as well. More than anyone else, Erza had looked out for him like a big sister. Yes, she had terrified him with her terrifying demeanor and the occasional beating she dealt out whenever he did something egregiously stupid, but he had always known that it was simply tough love. She wanted him to be the best mage he could be, and while he had never told her this, a part of him had truly appreciated that she thought so highly of his potential. If she was gone too, then… he didn't know what he'd do.
However, before his despair could spiral out of control any further, Natsu could hear Lucy elicit a loud gasp. He looked upwards, and he soon found himself following in Lucy's example as his eyes widened in shock.
(Song of choice: Fairy Tail Rises)
It was them. Bambietta and Erza slowly moved over the water's surface as they made their way towards Akane Resort. But as much as he was relieved to see that they were alive and well, it was what, or rather, whom Erza carried in her arms that caused his agape mouth to slowly turn into one of the most sincere smiles he had ever expressed.
"She made it...They...They all really made it..." He could hardly believe his eyes, the dragon slayer having seemingly accepted the reality that one of his closest friends had passed only mere moments ago. Now here they were. Battered and beaten, but very much alive. Slowly, he got to his feet as his tears were no longer that of sadness, but rather absolute joy.
Slowly, uncharacteristically so, Natsu began to wade his way over to the trio. He had to be certain that this was real, and not some figment of his imagination. That this...this fairy tale ending was actually happening!
"Bambi!"
Before he could get close to them, however, Lucy had sprinted from the beach and into the ocean as she quickly made her way over to the three of them until she tackled Bambietta, embracing her in a tight hug.
"W-Woah!" Bambietta exclaimed as Lucy grabbed her so unexpectedly, her years of combat and what little reiatsu she had left being the sole reason she hadn't crashed into the ocean. However, what was even more surprising was when Lucy quickly mashed her lips against Bambiettas in an intense kiss.
Surprised but not at all bothered by her girlfriend's forwardness, Bambietta happily kissed her back. She had thought for a brief moment that in their battle against Jellal that she would die, that she would never see her beloved Lucy Heartfillia ever again. Yet here they were, once again in each other's embrace.
Finally, their lips parted as they looked into each other's eyes, Lucy's watering with tears of joy. "I knew you would make it. I...I just knew it!" Her head pressed against Bambiettas chest then, though her grip remained firm.
"Of course I did. I promised you, didn't I?" Bambietta said as she gave Lucy one of her most affectionate smiles. "Because the last thing I want...is to see you hurt."
"Oh, get a room you two." Candice said with a slight tremble in her voice as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. Words couldn't begin to describe the overwhelming feeling of relief she was experiencing. All that guilt, all that self-loathing she had only a few minutes ago had vanished completely, the emotionally drained Quincy feeling as if a great weight had finally been taken off her.
"Lil I-" Before she could attempt to make her way over to one of her closest friends however, she noticed Natsu doing the same out of the corner of her eye. A small smile adorned her face before she shook her head. I can talk to Lil anytime I want. Right now...I think I'll just let them have their little moment.
Finally, Natsu stopped a few feet in front of the pair. Liltotto jumped from Erza's hands then as she looked right back at Natsu. Tepidly, she took a few steps closer. There was so much she wanted to say but...where could she even begin? She opened her mouth when Natsu beat her to the punch.
"Is it… really you, Lil?"
Liltotto was completely unprepared for what she was not only hearing, but seeing with her own eyes. Is Natsu... crying? I've… never seen him like this before.
Certainly, she had seen him somber when she had found him in front of Lisanna's grave, but his voice, while more calm and soft than usual, still had a sense of determination about it. But now, his voice lacked that distinct feeling. That, plus the tears slowly flowing from his eyes had shown her a side of Natsu that almost no one had ever seen.
The Quincy nodded her head before she replied. "Yeah, it's me, Natsu. It's... It's really me."
Before she knew it, the dragon slayer had embraced her in a powerful hug before he spoke up. "I knew you weren't dead! I knew it, I knew it!"
A part of her wanted to inform Natsu that wasn't quite true, that she had, even if only briefly, passed on...but she decided against it. Right now, he was just happy to see her alive...and she would have been lying if she said she didn't enjoy his embrace, the revived Quincy blushing redder than a tomato. Well, at least I'm getting something good out of this vacation…
Erza couldn't help but smile at what she was seeing. After all the turmoil she and her friends had gone through, it was pleasing beyond words to see everyone so happy. She too could not help but feel as if a great weight had been taken off her shoulders, knowing that the tower would never again harm another human being.
"Erzy!"
Erza quickly turned to see all of her old friends from the tower making their way towards her, Milliana, in particular, giving Erza a similar hug to the one that Lucy gave Bambietta, though she managed to hold her ground much better. Their voices were almost a blur, with the 4 of them talking to her at once. It was almost overwhelming.
"Oh my god, I'm so glad you made it back, Erzy!" Milliana spoke enthusiastically.
"She's certainly gotten a lot stronger since we last saw her, that's for sure," Wally added. "You've become a real dandy dame now."
"Of course she has, this is Erza we're talking about!" Sho chipped in. "Grandpa Rob always said she'd make for a great wizard, and he was right! I can't think of anyone who could beat her!"
Erza couldn't help feeling a bit bashful at that last compliment. "Now that's not true, there are plenty of-"
She was interrupted when she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, Erza quickly turned her head to see it was from none other than Simon. "I knew I was right to place my trust in Fairy Tail. Even so... I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that." He then bowed his head slightly. " I made you go through a lot by bringing you back here. I'll understand if you-'
Simon's repentance was quickly silenced when he felt Erza run her hand across his hair before she ruffled it slightly. "Nonsense. It's true that I suffered a great deal in the tower, but it was bound to happen one way or another. Almost everything worked out fine in the end, so there's no need for you to berate yourselves for what happened. It's all in the past now. What truly matters, in the end, is that we're finally free of the tower."
Long had she waited for these words to come from her own mouth. For so long, she had begun to feel like that was a mere fantasy that would never come to pass. Yet here and now, her greatest dream had finally come to fruition.
Yes. At long last, we're all...finally...free.
"I..I suppose you're right." Simon spoke. "There's no point in dwelling in the past any longer."
"Yeah, especially now that that bastard Jellal has been dealt with!" Sho shouted.
Erzas' blood ran cold as she heard Sho's words and her heart nearly skipped a beat. That's right. They...they don't know the truth, do they?
"Yeah, I bet that guy is swimming with the fishes now if you get what I mean." Wally chipped in.
"It serves him right for lying to us after all this time," Milliana spoke. "To think we thought he was our friend all this time!"
Erzas' fists clenched as they continued to insult Jellal. She had originally planned to remain silent on this matter for a few days, to allow her friends to truly enjoy their freedom before breaking the bad news, but now...
"In the end, he was nothing more than a madman who viewed everyone as his pawns." Simon said. "At least it's fitting that Erza was the one who-"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone's voices fell silent upon Erzas'outburst, the 4 former slaves looking at Erza with shocked expressions as Erza eyes slowly looked at them all. Her fists were shaking, with restrained rage, but after she took a few deep breaths, she closed her eyes before quickly opening them once more. "I'm sorry for yelling at you all. I...I was hoping to keep this from you for the next few days so that you could truly enjoy your freedom. But now...I can no longer remain silent. There is...much you need to know about Jellal."
The next couple of minutes would no doubt be heartbreaking...but she would no longer allow this slander to continue.
With the mood quickly changing from merriment to melancholy, the others had quickly decided it would be best to give Erza and her old friends the space they needed to have a proper conversation.
Thus, everyone had gone their separate ways with their usual cliques. Bambietta with Lucy, Ulquiorra with Levy, etcetera. Naturally, this meant that Jade and Candice were once more joined at the hip. Normally this was something that Jade would have rather looked forward to...But Candice's constant prodding was making the current situation quite irksome.
"Are you sure that he didn't do anything to you?" Candice inquired for about the 6th time. "Because if he did, so help me I'll-"
Jade sighed in annoyance as she rolled her eyes. "No Candi, barring that brief take over I'm pretty sure he hasn't done anything to me." Inwardly, she couldn't help but complain. I get that she's concerned, but I wish she'd just take my word for it.
"You see, you keep saying that, but for all I know that son of a bitch has you under some kind of hypnosis or some shit," Candice spoke with annoyance. "Hell, he could just be controlling every word coming out of your mouth and I'd never know the difference!'
To say Candice was worried would have been a massive understatement. Even if Jade was the one currently talking to her and telling her the truth, there was no way for her to know Sosuke Aizen simply hadn't pulled a fast one under her eyes. It was what he was known for after all.
Finally, Jade stopped walking. "So what you're saying is that you need some proof that I'm not him is what you're saying?"
Candice stopped to turn around to face her.."Yeah, that's right. You'll forgive me for being a little sus here Jade, but I've seen what this guy can do and he could smooth talk his way out of a murder trial if he wanted. In fact, if you really want to prove it's you, I could just get you bound and gagged and give you to Mira for a few-"
"No way, not in a million years!" Jade blurted out, her face almost as red as a tomato.
Candice chuckled. "Yeah ok, it's definitely you."
Jade blinked a few times in surprise. "Wait, what? I thought that you-'"
"Needed proof? Yeah and I just got it. If it was him in control I'm sure he'd be willing to go to almost any lengths to convince me it's not him. But I knew the real you wouldn't do something like that even for something like this."
Jade's mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to respond. "That's... actually pretty smart."
"Yeah, I'm no Liltotto, but I have my moments," Candice said with a grin before she gave Jade another serious look. "But even so, I still don't like that he's just living in your head. We don't know what he's really up to. I can't believe that you actually gave him control!"
"Look, I know that he's done a lot of crap back in your world, but it's not like we had a lot of options left! You were going to die, Candi!"
"That doesn't change the fact that you gave this guy the key that could leave you trapped in your mind forever Jade!" Candice yelled back. She knew that everything Jade was telling her was technically true, but her concern over one of her closest friends was overriding her comment sense. "Is that what you want Jade, to have him snatch your body eventually!?"
"I don't care as long as it keeps you safe!" Jade yelled back before she quickly covered her hands with her mouth. D-did I really just say that!? Jade screamed at herself internally. Where did that come from!?
Candice blinked in surprise, much like Jade had done a few moments earlier. She... wasn't expecting that sort of reply. "You...really mean that?"
Snapping to reality as soon as she heard the Quincy speak, Jade tried to respond. "I...I...Yeah, I...I think I do." She twiddled her thumbs as she continued. " I know you already know about my parents, how they abandoned me at a train station one day...But I wasn't just missing a family growing up. I... really didn't have any friends."
Seeing as how Candice didn't bother to say any snarky commentary, she continued on. "There was one girl, Meifon, that I befriended in my time at the orphanage, but she left only after a few months. For so long...I had no one. My adoptive mother picked me up sometime later but...I still didn't have any real friends. But you...No you and the whole guild, it's the first time I feel like I've made some real friends. You're always looking out for each other, for me and...I just couldn't sit back and watch you all die."
She looked down at the ground as she began to finish her little speech. " Candi, you saved me from a dark place when you found me. I don't want to even think where I'd be right now if not for you. So...even if it costs me my freedom...I don't care as long as you're safe."
She then looked back up at Candice. "What you said earlier when you were fighting Dyspute...Did you really mean that?"
Candice didn't waste even a second. "Every damn word of it. You're not the only one that was 'saved' the day we met, you know. I really did hate myself until I found you. I mean, after what happened to Bambi, how couldn't I? You...gave me something to live for, to help live not just be me going through the motions. Stealing and riding and fucking just... didn't feel like anything till we met."
The green-haired beauty smirked before she went on. "You're smart, fairly strong, and always trying to keep me out of trouble...even if I don't listen most of the time, the fact that you try still means a lot."
Jade found herself quickly blushing. "Yeah well... Someone's gotta look out for you when Bambi and Lil aren't around. Besides..." Jade smirked right back at Candice. "There's never a dull moment with you around."
"Damn straight!" Candice agreed. "Besides all that, you're some of the best eye candy I've ever seen!"
Jade blushed yet again. "C-candi!"
" What, it's true. You got great assets. Not to mention you got a REALLY nice ass that I'd love to-"
At that point, Jade covered her ears as she blushed harder than she ever had that night. "Lalalalala, I'm not hearing this! Lalalala!"
Candice couldn't help but laugh at her best friend's outburst. Ahhh, messing with her never gets old. After regaining her composure, she quickly spoke up. "Well, now that I know for a fact you're you, I'm going to go check in on Bambi. Just promise me you won't let that guy take over you ever again, ok?" Her face quickly took on a somber expression. "I'd...miss you if anything happened. So if you get into any trouble...Just let me bail you out, ok?
Jade stopped her attempt to deafen Candice before she replied. "I getcha. Trust me, I don't plan on losing my body any time soon. I'll plan on getting a lot stronger after this, so don't worry about a thing."
Satisfied with Jade's answer, Candice vanished, no doubt using Hirenkyaku to meet Bambietta. As her friend took off, Jade's smile quickly faded as her eyes narrowed, just as she felt herself drift into the recesses of her mind.
"Ok, she's gone. You wanted to talk, right?" She spoke to the chair-bound Soul Reaper. "Frankly, I don't like it, talking to you behind Candis' back like this."
"Your feelings are quite understandable, Jade. But, surely you realize that if you wish to keep her safe from all harm, then I am the best means to do so."
"Yeah, there's certainly no way to deny that," Jade admitted. After seeing how easily he had managed to deal with Dyspute despite not having access to his full power, Jade was almost positive that his strength had to be on par with the 4 Gods of Ishgar...If not even greater. "Even so, I'd like to avoid lying to her as much as possible. If anyone's going to notice, it's her."
"A reasonable assessment," Aizen concurred.
"That said, I'd rather not use your power until I absolutely need it. Feel free to chime in with all the advice you want, but I'm sure you understand I'm not going to use your power for anything frivolous."
"Completely understandable. It's a moot point regardless, at least for the foreseeable future."
That got Jade's curiosity. "How do you figure?"
Aizen merely shook his head. "For the sake of not adding to your anxiety, you're better off not knowing until the harvest festival concludes. Speaking of which, have you decided on your course of action regarding your mother's plans?"
Jade shook her head. "No, I haven't. But...I think I'm coming closer to figuring it all out. Where I stand in all this. I already know what you want out of all this but...I can't just betray Emberella. Not after all she's done for me. I need to figure this out all on my own."
"Very well," Aizen replied. "I suppose you still have time to make up your mind. That said, the Harvest Festival is a mere thirteen days away. I'd use them wisely to make your decision."
"Oh trust me, I don't think I couldn't if I tried," Jade answered. "Anyways, I think I'm going to head back now. We'll talk more later."
Aizen smirked as she vanished from her inner world. Despite her words of choice, the former captain could tell that Jade's loyalty in Emberella had been completely shaken by the events that had taken place. It wouldn't take long now to get what he wanted.
All according to plan.
It was bizarre, downright surreal in fact, to be doing something so peaceful after the chaotic events that was "The Battle at Heaven's Tower" as Bambietta had decided to call it. For over the course of several hours, she and her closest friends had risked their very lives for the sake of one Erza Scarlet.
The reasons for doing so were numerous, from admiration to repaying a debt, to fighting for a close friend, to pure logic, or various combinations of the bunch. They had to fight and fight, and continue fighting until they had at long last emerged victorious.
Now that it was all over, with everyone going their separate ways, Bambietta could finally spend some quality time with her girlfriend. They had quickly changed out of their clothes and into their bikinis, all so that they could truly immerse themselves in the sandy beach.
At the moment, all the two had done was lie down on the beach atop their towels, holding hands as they looked into each other's eyes. They hadn't said a word since they sat down. There wasn't a need. Everything that needed to be said was clear as day on their faces, their smiles and bright eyes silently telling one another, "You're alive, and that's all I need right now."
Surprisingly, Bambietta hadn't once gotten the desire to let her eyes wander. She would have thought she'd be trying to take in the eye-candy that was her gorgeous girlfriend in a bikini for as long as she could, but that just didn't matter to her right now. No, right now Bambietta was simply glad to enjoy this moment.
It's weird. Back in the Wandenreich, I'd be bored out of my mind. Unless I was watching a really good movie or reading a comic book, I'd never stay in one place too long like this. And yet... I'm actually ok with this.
Bambietta squeezed Lucy's hand then as her smile widened just a bit. I guess as long as I have you next to me, I can enjoy even something simple like this.
And that suited the Quincy just fine.
Lucy, however, was of a different mind. Not that she wasn't enjoying herself, far from it. Compared to the high stakes battles they had just finished, this had been exactly what the blonde needed for a nice change of pace. But while Bambietta's thoughts had been on the here and now, Lucy was looking to the past.
Bambi's really changed since we first met, hasn't she? Lucy couldn't help but think to herself. The broad strokes of her personality hadn't changed much, still being as energetic and lively as she had been since they had first met. No, it was the more subtle aspects of Bambietta that had changed, things only those who had truly gotten to know her when she first arrived would have noticed.
While she had always been openly friendly to various degrees, Bambietta had a plethora of trust issues. The pain of her friend's betrayal had run deep, and she had at first used the guild as a means to an end, or so Bambietta had one day admitted to her out of shame.
She had never held this against Bambiettas though, knowing all too well the pain her girlfriend had endured. It was because of this that Bambietta hadn't been able to see Fairy Tail for the guild it truly was until Phantom Lord had attacked. She had people she cared for in the guild, certainly, but Bambietta had never trusted any of the others to fight for those she cared about until that fateful day.
But ever since then, the Quincy had been more open, more willing to fight battles that didn't necessarily benefit her. The tower had more than made that clear, but there was more than that...she was just glad she came back alive. She had done so much for not just Erza, but the entire guild.
She needed to show her appreciation to Bambietta...and she knew just how to do it. Lucy smiled a bit, batting her eyelashes at Bambietta as she tried her best to work up the courage to go through with what she had in mind. Just take that whole 'get a discount' act to the next level... Yeah, that'll work!
It wasn't just for Bambietta's sake though. Truth be told, the blonde had begun to want more intimate contact with the Quincy ever since they parted ways towards the end of their recent battle. She had initially suspected that she just wanted to be close to her again, that simply doing what they had on the beach would have been sufficient...but now she realized that she wanted more. Holding hands or simply cuddling together wasn't going to cut it for her. Not this time. There was a desire, no, a need to be close to Bambi, closer than ever before.
She wasn't too worried about things going too far either. After everything they had been through, she knew she could trust the Quincy to know when to stop if she asked for it. In the past, she had worried Bambietta wouldn't have been able to stop, but now it was clear that she should have had more faith in her girlfriend than she had. Besides...a little assertiveness on her part could help Bambi see that she too had changed since she had first joined Fairy Tail. No longer was she afraid to rush into an unwinnable battle, nor afraid of losing control over her life ever again. She was strong, she was confident, and it was time to put it all into practice.
Lucy was about to say something, anything, to get the ball rolling, but she noticed that while Bambietta was not asleep at all, her eyes had finally closed. Well, she couldn't blame her. After all the battles she fought, the Quincy was no doubt rather tired. But Lucy did not let that impede her. Okay… Okay, okay, I can still work with this.
Lucy moved one hand out, fingertips gently walking off one towel and into the sand before making contact with the towel beneath the Quincy. She playfully put said hand on Bambietta's shoulder.
"Hmm?" Bambietta's eyes fluttered up and she turned to see Lucy's hand on her shoulder... and then saw Lucy herself.
"Hey there, sleepyhead," Lucy cooed. "How's my pretty little angel doing?"
"Um...I'm...fine?" Bambietta muttered. Lucy was...looking at her a bit differently now than she had before. It wasn't the same smile they had been giving each other moments ago. This one looked… kinda flirty? No, she had to be imagining it. She was just tired from all the battles she fought, that's all.
However, this was no dream, no product of wild imagination taxed by exertion and battles. No, this was Lucy Heartfilia in the here and now. "Oh, that's good to hear," Lucy said, her hand caressing Bambietta as it slid up from her shoulder and past her neck, rubbing a cheek lightly. "Fine, even. Though not as fine as you are." Lucy tried to play it up as much as possible, winking quickly. Okay, never had it last this long. Please tell me I'm doing this right!
Bambietta's face began to slowly redden as the blood rushed to her cheeks. I'm sorry, whaaaaaaat? Was this happening? Was this actually happening? "Lucy, are you...feeling ok?" Bambietta asked.
"I'm feeling great," Lucy said as she scootched herself closer to Bambietta inch by inch. "Never better. And I... want to make you feel better, my sexy little Quincy."
Error, error, does not compute, DOES NOT COMPUTE! Bambietta's mind echoed over and over. This wasn't real? This couldn't possibly be real! And yet she so desperately wished that it was!
Lucy arched her back a bit, her chest pushing outwards Bambietta, straining and testing the limits of her bikini at that moment. Lucy smirked, a look in her eyes foreign to anyone who had known her.
"Baaambiii, do you like what you seee?"
"I...I um...Absolutely I fucking do!" Bambietta blurted out, For as long as she could remember, she was always the one who dominated when it came to the art of flirtation. Even Candice was puddy in her hands when they had their first "exchange." But this time...This time she was on the receiving end. And it. Was. Erotic. She wanted to make a move, to do SOMETHING...but she was too stupefied.
Right answer! Lucy sat up then, subtly looking about. No one was looking their way at the moment, too preoccupied with their own fun. That was a relief, and it let her remain confident and in control. She leaned over a bit as she remained on her knees, letting her bosom fall a bit in her bikini top, her cleavage on display. Lucy put her hands beneath her chest then, propping it up a bit more as she made it all so much more pronounced.
"Oh, I know you do," Lucy whispered. "And I bet you want to see more...right?"
"I, I, I, I, I, I, I...I..." Was this a test? Some sort of mind control? All Bambietta knew right now was she turned on more than she had been in a long, LONG time, and she wanted nothing more than to follow Lucy up on her offer. Yet still, there was a part of her that was worrying that if she said yes, she may very well ruin this moment.
Yet despite this...
"Y-Yes?" She sputtered.
"How honest of you," Lucy said, before she got up to her feet and turned around, the blonde looking over her shoulder with a sultry expression, her eyes more half open and more fitting for the bedroom than the beach. She motioned her head down then, drawing attention to her backside, her hands slowly going down her waist before she swayed her hips from side to side before Bambietta's eyes as the bikini clung to her ass.
"And what about... this?"
Bambietta could feel herself getting hotter and hotter as she became putty in her girlfriend's touch. What was she going to say? No? Not in a million years. "I've wanted nothing more than to...than to...to..." Damn it, this was what she had been waiting for, yet in this moment here and now she found herself floundering!
Lucy pretended to pout, her eyelashes fluttering again as she swayed her hips. "Oh, what's wrong? At a loss for words Bambi?"
"W-what are you doing?" Bambietta stammered in confusion and excitement as she got to her feet.
Lucy moved her back right up against Bambietta's front before she leaned her head back over her shoulder. "Don't worry your pretty little head over it. I'm just trying to help you relax..."
"I...I mean...thank you?" Bambietta spoke with confusion. This...this was not happening. She just...she just...she couldn't believe it!
Lucy took one of Bambietta's hands then, gently gliding and guiding it to rest atop her belly. She reached for the other one then, placing it just below her chest.
Lucy leaned her head in more from the angel atop Bambietta's shoulder, kissing her softly on the cheek with a peck. "Having fun?"
Bambietta just...stared, like a deer caught in headlights. It wasn't that she wasn't enjoying this. On the contrary, this had been easily the best part of her vacation...but even so, even so...it was still hard to process that this was actually happening! But, slowly, yet surely, she nodded her head.
Got her. Lucy thought with a smirk as she pulled away from the Quincy. Even still, she kept an eye on Bambietta over her shoulder, slightly swaying her hips from left to right and back again as she did so. "Maybe we should... take this to our room? What do you say, Bambi?"
"Ye-Ye-Yeah! Totally! Abso-fucking-lutely!" Bambietta sputtered out. "I'd want nothing more actually!"
Lucy smirked. "Then I'll see you in about 10 minutes. I want to get something...special for the occasion." Thus, she made her trek over to the hotel, her hips swaying all the while.
This will be a fun way to celebrate my 18th birthday. Lucy thought with a small smirk. She had turned 18 the exact same day Phantom Lord launched its attack. Back then, she didn't think it was the time, nor the place to bring it up. But now…now she could properly celebrate.
Bambietta blushed, her eyes glued to her girlfriend's ass as she walked away, her hips swaying with every step...only for the quincy to quickly shake her head once she was out of sight. "Wait, wait, wait, I'm sorry...WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?" She had always thought she would have to be the one to initiate such intimate contact, but yet it was Lucy, not her, who had spurned them on. After everything that had happened...it left her befuddled, confused, and unsure as to what it all meant. For fuck's sake, just when I think I understand her I get confused all over again!
"Isn't it obvious Bambi?" Quickly turning around, Bambietta saw none other than fellow former Sternritter, Candice Catnipp, her left hand on her hip as she gave Bambietta her characteristic grin.
"Um, no! No, it's not!" Bambietta shouted out. "Damn it Candi you know I don't 'people' well when it comes to romance! I know my movies, I know my video games, and I know my comics! I kill shit, I break shit, and I fuck shit. All of that I got down pat I'd say, but this?!" Bambietta had to fight the urge not to pull on her own hair and thus simply settled for flailing her arms about. "I don't understand any of it! So please, miss cupid, explain so I can know just what the hell happened!"
Candice slowly shook her head. "Look, I'm the expert on sex, not romance, but from what I could gather, I think that was her way of letting you know that she's willing to take things to the next level."
"But why though Candi, why!?" Bambietta demanded. "We had a whole thing where I thought we were going to break up because I was being too needy, and now she does a complete 180 on me!"
"Bambi, you two have been dating for a few months now," Candice told her. "Ever think she's doing this because she wants to? Right now I think she's just willing to show you that she can be assertive about this sort of thing too, but more than that...I think it means she's willing to trust you with this sort of thing."
"Trust? What, you mean she felt like I was gonna kill her?!" Bambietta said aghast. It was true that Lucy was one of the few people who knew about her old shame. If that were the case...
"What? No! No no no! If that was the case I sincerely doubt she'd be willing to live in the same apartment as you, much less date you." Candice sighed. "Look, I get that you're flustered and confused after everything that's just happened, but you know better than to think that's what I'm referring to. Let's face facts Bambi; when you and I 'start,' it's hard to 'finish' before you are satisfied if you catch my drift. That's what she was probably worried about."
Bambietta wiped her brow of sweat and worry as a wave of relief washed over her. "Oh, that...yeah, that makes sense."
"Besides, I think she's just willing to show you that she can give what you can take. Think of it as a power move. She's trying to show you, 'Hey, I can take what you can dish out, but I can more than return the favor' sort of thing. Did it bother you to have her tease you like that?"
"N-No." Bambietta admitted with a blush. "If anything it was...Amazing."
"And that's the thing. She's showing that she wants more now. You two took it slow and easy just like she wanted...but I think now she's getting the courage to move things onto the next stage. I mean, after a power up like that, I suppose it's only natural." She then gave Bambietta a sly grin. "So, you gonna keep her waiting or what?"
"Like hell." Bambietta spoke with conviction as she sensed Lucy's reiatsu. After everything that's happened...I need something like this. She wasn't sure how far they'd go, or what the night had in store for her, but what she did know was that the next hour or so was going to be an experience she would keep deep in her heart. Finally sensing her back at the hotel room, she vanished with Hirenkyaku.
As anticipated, Simon, Sho, Milliana, and Wally hadn't taken the truth about Jellal all that well. They had cursed his name mere moments ago only to now find out that the old friend they had loved with all their hearts had simply been controlled by another.
A part of Erza had wished she still had kept this a secret from them for a while longer...but ultimately she knew that this was the right choice to make. The sooner they knew the truth, the sooner they could move on with their lives.
She had planned on offering them a place within the guild once they had gotten over their grief, the four of them currently going their separate ways to process everything they had learned. She didn't blame them in the slightest. No doubt they partially blamed themselves for not noticing and doing anything that could have saved them.
It was a feeling she knew all too well. However the reality of the situation was that there was likely little that any of them could have done to prevent this tragedy. The tower would have erupted with power regardless and millions of lives would have been lost. All things considered, everything had worked out remarkably well.
But despite knowing this to be true, it did little to quell the sadness in her heart. Erza looked back at the ocean from the balcony of her hotel room as his last words and echoed through her mind once more.
"Goodbye, Erza. I'm just glad I was able to properly make amends before I finally passed on."
Her grip on the balcony tightened, her fingers digging deep into the material as anger swelled through her. I swear Jellal, I will avenge you. I'll find the one who did this, and when I do, I WILL bring them to justice.
Just then a small blue bird wearing a black witch hat, carrying a small letter flew from the open balcony into Erza's room before it landed on a nearby cabinet. "Letter for Erza Scarlet, letter for Erza Scarlet!" The tiny bird cried out.
Having a few ideas as to who would be sending her a message this late into the night, Erza walked over to the bird and opened up the letter. As soon as she opened it, a small, holographic projection of her predecessor, Meifon Long appeared, the woman's worried expression quickly changing into a more exuberant one as her eyes made contact with Erza.
"Erza! Oh thank goodness you're alright!" She spoke with delight as tears of joy fell. "After the Etherion fired I thought… I thought I lost you!"
Erza couldn't help but feel touched at her former mentor's emotional outburst, though she was also somewhat confused. "I'm fine Meifon, but… How did you know that I was at the tower at all?" She inquired.
"To make a long story short, I found a traitor amongst the Magic Council who spilled the beans on Siegrain's plan." Meifon quickly informed her. "I'll fill you in on the details later, I'm just…glad you managed to survive."
"Everything's fine, Meifon," Erza reassured her. "We...we somehow managed to escape the tower alive. All of us." Well, almost everyone, but Erza wasn't too keen on bringing up Jellal just yet. Not until it was necessary.
The Wizard Saint wiped her eyes clear of tears before she spoke. "Of course, I should have known that Fairy Tail would pull through for you. I'm beyond glad to hear that you all escaped. After Siegrain's treachery, I had lost hope, but knowing that you're all okay... It's made all the difference in the world." Even though she no longer bore the guild mark of Fairy Tail on her body, Meifon was still very much one of its members in spirit.
"I must admit, I'm impressed that you all managed to overpower Jellal and his forces, including Siegrain. To have defeated them is quite a feat." She then smirked. "Then again, knowing you, it's not surprising that you managed to defeat the two brothers. I'll be sure to inform the Magic Council of your victory, as well as a contingent of Rune Knights to apprehend them both for-"
"That... won't be necessary," Erza spoke dejectedly. "They...I mean Jellal is no longer with us."
Meifon didn't have to be as close to Erza as she was to know that something was quite wrong. As long as she had known her, Erza had despised Jellal. For her to be speaking like this...It could only be for one reason. "Erza...You needn't berate yourself if you killed him." The Wizard Saint spoke up. "I know the guild's creed about taking a life, but if you had to kill him then I'm sure that you had your reasons and I'm just as sure that Master Makarov will understand."
"I'm not the reason he died. At least, not in the manner you're thinking." Erza responded with a somber tone, her eyes filled with sadness. "Much transpired atop the Tower of Heaven. And as a member of the Wizard Saints…you need to know the truth."
The next several minutes had been Erza recounting her painful experience, from her battle with Jellal and Siegrain, to Bambietta and Liltotto's attempts to save her, from Liltotto's temporary death, her final clash with Jellal...and the truth about her childhood friend.
To say that Meifon was taken aback would have been an understatement, Erza having never seen her mentor so surprised in all the years she had known her. So much so that the former Fairy Tail mage had to sit down on a chair in the room she was sending her holographic message from.
"That's... certainly quite a tale." Meifon said bringing a hand to her chin before closing her eyes, trying to take in everything that she was told. "To think that one of the Wizard Saints was merely a thought projection and none of us noticed. I suppose with that amount of power Siegrain had that it would have been asinine to have even suggested it. Even still..."
"I understand that this may be hard to believe, but you of all people would know that I would never lie about something like this." Erza told her. "If you need, I can have Bambietta back what I just told you as well "
Meifon shook her head. "No, no that won't be necessary. I believe you. Despite how outlandish it all seems, it would explain how you survived, yet the tower didn't erupt with an explosion that would have devastated Fiore. For him to give up his own life despite everything that he had done prior, it certainly does sound like a rather logical conclusion. However..."
"What? 'However' what?!" Erza demanded. She refused to allow Jellal's name to be slandered by the Magic Council, regardless of the reasons. "I thought that you just said that it all made sense."
"And it does...from our point of view." Meifon retorted. "But knowing the Magic Council as well as I do, I'm positive that they'll require more than just your word along with Bambietta's as proof. Your name does come with a certain amount of clout, as does my own, especially after revealing Crawford's treachery, but you have to consider how this looks from their perspective."
Meifon sighed before she continued. "This is easily one of the most, no, the most, scandalous events in the Magic Council's history. For you, his childhood friend, to claim that he was simply controlled… It looks rather fishy. Not to mention the fact that your guild's relationship with the Magic Council has always been rocky at best. Even with my testimony in your favor, I'm afraid they would need much stronger evidence before even considering it."
Her eyes then narrowed. "Not to mention the fact that they need to find a scapegoat of some kind to lessen the damage to the Magic Council's reputation aside from Crawford. Or, to be more accurate, to do whatever they can to prevent further tarnish to their own careers. It's an unfortunate fact, but that's the reality of the situation."
Erza clenched her fists then, nearly enough to start drawing blood. To think that Jellal, arguably the biggest victim from all of this, would be used as some sort of patsy!? She could never, would never allow this to happen! "There...there has to be a way." Erza growled with barely restrained rage. "Surely there must be something that I can do..."
"I'm afraid that for now it's simply out of our hands," Meifon told Erza with a frown. "I understand that you're upset at this injustice, but right now the best course of action we can take is-" Her eyes widened for a moment, as if she was hit by a sudden revelation. "Actually, there may be one way to prove Jellals innocence. But to do that..." She quickly shook her head. "No, forget I said anything."
Erza wasn't having any of it however. "No! Meifon, please! If there's anything we can do to prove his innocence, then I'm willing to hear almost any idea you have!" Her anger gave way to sorrow as her face twisted with anguish. "Please..."
Sighing, the Wizard Saint replied. "Very well. It's possible that we can use your artificial eye to play out the events that you saw before the Magic Council. However, this sort of thing has never been attempted before, not with an artificial eye at least. I... can't make any promises that it'll even work. But I may know an eccentric shopkeeper who may be able to make it a possibility."
Erza nodded her head. "A chance is all I need. Consider it done. I'll be sure to stop by Porlyusica's place for a replacement before I hand this one over to you."
A part of Meifon wanted to tell Erza that was unnecessary, that she need not go through the loss of her eye, even if only momentarily, but she decided against it. She'd be just as willing to give up her real eye if that's what it would take, the Wizard Saint thought. "Just remember that I can't make any promises."
"As long as we try, that's all I can ask for." Erza told her. "Anything less... would simply be unacceptable."
Meifon smiled. And that's exactly why I named you Titania. She rose out of her seat. "I'll be on my way then to arrange my special contact to get everything ready. In the meantime, take it easy and enjoy your vacation. You've more than earned it."
"I will." Erza said with a nod before Meifon vanished. However, as soon as she did, Erza couldn't help but frown. Saying that she would relax was one thing, but actually doing it? That was another matter entirely.
Just then, there were a brief two knocks on the door that took Erza out of her stupor. Deciding to see who it was, Erza was astounded when she saw Liltotto on the other side. "Liltotto, I'm surprised. I thought you would be spending time with Natsu after everything that happened." Erza was well aware of her feelings for the dragon slayer, so for her to be here was... unexpected.
"I can hangout with Natsu anytime." Liltotto replied with a shrug. "It's not like he's picky on his choice of company. Can I come in?"
More than willing to accommodate the friend she had nearly lost, Erza smiled as she let the Quincy in. "By all means, make yourself at home. Though if you want anything to eat, I'd suggest we had back to the buffet to-"
Liltotto quickly shook her head. " I appreciate it, Erza, really I do, but that's not what I'm here for." The blonde turned around to look at Erza then as worry came over her face. " I just... wanted to make sure you're doing okay is all. I'm very sure Bambi plans on paying you a visit later too, but...I just didn't want to wait any more when I saw you all alone."
She walked over to Erza before she held one of her hands. "I know that these last 8 hours or so must have been really hard on you. To go through all of that, all those battles, losing me and beating the hell out of the one responsible, only to find out he was controlled before he died? That's quite a lot for even you to handle alone, Erza."
Erza sighed before she replied. "I'd be lying if I said all was well. I know that the worst of it is over, and I'm beyond grateful that everyone else is safe and sound, but Jellal-"
"I doubt he'd want to see you like this, " Liltotto interrupted her. " I mean, I'm not saying you shouldn't be sad. You wouldn't be Erza if you felt nothing after all that. But while I certainly think we should mourn his loss and find the one responsible...I think right now you also need to take some time for yourself."
Liltotto sat down on a nearby couch before she continued. "You're always doing things for everybody else, even when you're scolding them. But... I hardly ever see you doing anything for yourself. Sure, you eat food you know and love, but you're almost always either off on a mission or making sure the guild isn't making another colossal screw up that Master Makarov will have to fix. If you keep going like this, I'm afraid you're going to crash and burn. I just feel you need some time for just...you, ya know?"
Erza slowly nodded her head in agreement. "I suppose I see your point. A proper rest for both the body and the mind is necessary to keep oneself as healthy as can be." The redhead sat next to Liltotto as she continued. "But nonetheless, I need to find the one who started all of this. One way or another."
"And you will...with me." Liltotto told her. "No, not just you and me, Bambi too. All of Fairy Tail in fact. We're all here for you Erza. You don't always have to play the hero you know. Everyone needs help every once in a while."
Ever since Bambietta had told Erza about how her attempted sacrifice to revive Liltotto would have just brought more pain to the guild, she had been slowly rethinking how she had been doing things. Before all of this, she had always tried to shoulder the most heavy of responsibilities all by herself.
Sometimes, such as the battle with Jose, she would work with her fellow guild mates, but in many others, such as stopping the Jupiter cannon, fighting the vast majority of Eisenwald by herself, and fighting the head vampire, she always had the reins of the most dangerous of circumstances by herself.
They had all worked out in the end, but her recent attempts at this in the Tower of Heaven had made it clear just how foolhardy this had been. All this time, all I've wanted to do was keep everyone safe. But I was so preoccupied with protecting them that I failed to notice just how strong they've all become.
She was no longer living in the tower as a scared little girl, surrounded by her friends who were as equally helpless as she was. No, not only did she now have the power to protect herself and others...but so too did those she had come to cherish.
But there was more than just that. For so long she had thought she needed to make up for what had happened to Rob. But she had been so caught up in her guilt that she had failed to realize for the longest time that dying as he had would have been the last thing he would have wanted.
He died so that she could live on, to inspire, to protect, but most importantly of all, to enjoy her life in Fairy Tail.
"You're right," Erza admitted. "I have been trying to do too much all by myself. I can see that now. I won't stop trying to keep you all safe, but...I won't deny your assistance ever again. After all-" Erza smiled down at Liltotto "That's what makes this guild as amazing as it is."
"Yeah, no kidding," Liltotto agreed. "It's weird, ya know? I've only been here for almost a year, and yet...I can't imagine living anywhere else."
Erza nodded. "I think everyone in the guild feels that way. Sooner or later, it starts to feel less like a guild and more like a family."
"Well, I can't say I feel that way about everyone in the guild, but..." Liltotto looked back up at Erza then. "When you said I was like a little sister...Did you mean that?"
Erza answered by grabbing Liltotto's shoulder and slammed her head against her side, smiling. "I did. After Mira's... retirement as a mage, you've the person I've spent time with the most on a consistent basis. I've always been glad to help you through your troubles Lil, and besides... You're easily one of the mages I'm most proud of in our guild."
"Eh?" Liltotto spoke, just barely processing the words coming out of Erzas' mouth before she responded.. well, as best as she could anyways. "Ehhhhhhh!?"
"Is it so surprising?" Erza asked. "You've never once done a disservice to Fairy Tails' name. You're a very powerful warrior, with wit that very few can match. But most importantly of all, I've seen just how determined you are to protect your friends. How could I not be proud of someone like that?"
"I...guess when you put it that way, it makes sense." Liltotto remarked. Even so, she couldn't help but feel flustered from Erza's words. "I just...wanted to make up for my last life that's all."
Erza gently rubbed the top of Liltotto's hat with a smile. "We all have our own reasons for what we do, just as we all have demons from the past we must confront. As long as you still remain someone with compassion, then the rest hardly matters."
"I suppose your right." Liltotto said before her stomach growled. The two stated at each other before they laughed. It seemed like, even after everything, Liltotto's stomach hadn't changed one bit.
Smiling, Erza took Liltotto by the hand as she began to lead themselves out of the room. "Come now Liltotto, the buffet awaits! It'll be all on me!"
"H-hey, I..." Whatever she had on her mind quickly stopped. Was she really going to say no to free food? No, no she was not.
However, just as they were about to leave the room, Liltotto couldn't help but ask one question. "Erza, if you mind me asking...If I'm the person you're the second most proud of….Then who's the one are you are the most proud of?"
The S class wizard shot her a quick smile. "You know her very well, Liltotto. More than almost anyone else in the guild I'd dare say."
It didn't take long for Liltotto to put two and two together before she smiled. "Yeah that makes sense. Bambi's really come a long way."
"She's not the only one either." Erza said as the two walked out the room. "You've opened up a lot more since you've come here."
"Really? I don't think I've changed all that much." Liltotto insisted.
"You have. At first you only ever really spent time with Bambietta. But then you started to interact more with Natsu and myself. You're a rather reserved individual, Liltotto, but I know that you've come to care for the rest of the guild like I have."
"I guess there's some truth to that," Liltotto admitted. "Lucy, Levy, Rukia. I've started to see them all as friends. This guild… It really has given me everything that I ever wanted."
"I'm glad to hear that." Erza pressed the button to go down the elevator. However, just as the door opened Erza looked down at Liltotto one last time. "Oh, and Liltotto… Thank you. For everything. You...made the ultimate sacrifice to make sure that I could live. At the time I was distraught, but it was that very act that spurred me forward enough to claim victory. I don't want you or anyone else to do that for me ever again, but for what you did... words alone can never be enough."
There was so much more that she wanted to say, but right now it was near impossible for her to find more words. After all, how could one possibly thank someone for giving up their life for her own with words alone? As far as Erza was concerned it was an impossibility.
The small Quincy's eyes widened at the sincerity of which Erza spoke her words, but she quickly gave her response. "Right back at you, Erza."
"That…was fucking amazing."
While she and Lucy hadn't gone as far as she may have initially hoped, it didn't change the fact that the past hour had easily been amongst her favorites in her time in Earthland.
Rather than simply remain in her swimsuit, Lucy had opted to change into something a little more... enticing. In place of her bikini, Lucy had changed into a belly dance outfit consisting of a pink bra, panties, and loin cloth, the ensemble complete with her hair having been done up into two long twintails.
At first, the blonde had simply teased Bambietta with her body, performing a lap dance that, while amateur, had captured Bambietta's gaze completely. From the fluttering of her eyes to the sway of her breasts to the shaking of her hips, everything about her movements had mesmerized the brunette.
But as soon as Lucy had unexpectedly locked lips with her...The last several minutes had become a complete blur of kissing, grabbing, and a whole lot of moaning.
Now there they lay, Lucy Heartfillia sound asleep beneath the bed's covers while Bambietta stared up at the ceiling, happy as could be with a smile that never once left her lips.
"That...was the best make out session I've ever had." Far as the Quincy was concerned, it was no exaggeration on her part. What Lucy had lacked in experience, she had more than made up for with passion and desire. The Quincy took in a few deep breaths, still somewhat in shock over what had transpired.
Slowly, she looked over at her sleeping lover, Bambietta's smile growing even larger. "You know Lucy...You really are too good for me, you know that?"
She reached forward to grab one of Lucy's hands before she squeezed it. "But you're part of the reason why I came so far. Why I've changed so much. You...gave me a reason to come back, Lucy. To make sure that I always do."
She leaned in close to the blonde's face before giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I may not be the most classy woman around, or the smartest…but I promise you this Lucy. I won't let anyone, anyone hurt you ever again. Not if I can help it."
She knew full well that she couldn't completely protect Lucy from all harm. She was a mage after all, and it came with the job. But if she ever ran into something that would be too much for her, Bambietta swore that she would always rush to her side.
Not that she had much to worry about in that regard. Lucy was already stronger than the vast majority of Fairy Tail when she had first arrived, and now, thanks to her Fullbring, the Celestial Mage's power was nearing that of Natsu's and Gray's.
"You really are one hell of a woman, Lucy."
The Quincy turned in her bed once more to look at her right hand, recalling back to the end of her battle with Ikaruga.
"You...How...How...HOW DID YOU GET THIS STRONG!?" Ikaruga demanded before she sheathed her sword. "Yasha's Empty Flash!" Her sword unsheathed, Mugetsu-Ryu sent out dozens of invisible blades, each heading towards Bambietta, no doubt having the ability to slice her as it had before!
It was not to be, however. Bambietta ran forward and, without even realizing it, bulldozed through the countless invisible sword slices as if they were nothing and soon stopped before Ikaruga's body, her shining blade now raised above her head. "Now..." Bambietta roared, "Take this! FAIRY TAIL'S LOVE! FAIRY TAIL'S ANGER! AND ALL OF ERZA'S SORROW!" With her declaration now finished, Bambietta swung her sword down as hard as she possibly could as Ikargua used Mugetsu-Ryu to defend herself. "SHINING GIGA SLASH!"
"Im...possible!" Ikaruga could see it, Mugetsu-Ryu beginning to chip away before her eyes. Then suddenly, the blade splintered apart, orange light crashing down upon her from Bambietta's blade as she could only scream. "SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE!"
Bambietta watched as the orange blade erupted into an azure explosion, destroying what little remained of the once pristine arena. The entire tower shuddered then from the resulting blast, waves of all sorts crashing against the tower outside until finally, the seas calmed to their prior state and Ikaruga's pocket dimension finally subsided.
"So that's the power Sylphia and the other gods decided to give me, huh? That's... pretty crazy." For quite a while now, she had worried if she was good enough to wield this power as humanity's champion. But today, she proved that she could at least tap into that power if need be.
Still, something didn't sit quite right with her, her smile quickly turning into a frown. The first time I went further with these powers, I got a huge boost in power and even healed all my wounds. But when I tried it against Jellal, it petered out really fast. Damn it all, I don't understand any of this!
"Perhaps I can shed some light on the situation?"
Bambietta snapped to attention as she quickly got off the bed, only for her guard to drop as soon as she saw whom the voice came from. "Sylphia? What are you doing here? N-not that I mind or anything, but...I kinda thought you wanted to keep the whole goddess thing hush hush from everyone else who didn't know. If Lucy wakes up-"
Sylphia quickly waved away Bambietta's concern. "There's no need to worry. I placed a sleeping spell on her before I announced myself. It'll be lifted as soon as I finish my business with you."
"Well, that's a relief I suppose," Bambietta said as she sat back on the bed. She wasn't exactly thrilled to find out Lucy had been placed under a spell, but Bambietta knew she could completely trust the goddess after everything she had done for her. "So, what's up?"
Sylphia smiled. "Firstly, I just wanted to speak with you after everything you went through. You and the rest of your guildmates truly went above and beyond to protect your friend. I couldn't be anymore proud of you for everything you did today. I've never once doubted that you were a worthy choice as my warrior, Bambietta, but today you've more than proven how much you care for your friends and that you truly are worthy for being our champion."
Bambietta sheepishly rubbed the back of her head as she blushed with embarrassment. "Gee, when you put it like that, you make me sound like some kinda hero or something. I just... wanted to make sure Erza didn't have to go through all that, you know. Like, I know you're the reason I'm here at all, and that means more than I could ever say. But Erza's why I joined Fairy Tail. She never gave up on me when I'm sure a lot of other people would have. After all that...how could I just sit back and let all that happen?"
"Like I said, it's for that very reason you were chosen to have those powers of yours, Bambietta," Sylphia replied. "It is because you suffered such a traumatic betrayal from your friend that I knew that if you made new bonds in Fairy Tail that you would treasure them more than anyone else we could possibly choose."
"That's why you chose me?" Bambietta asked. "I mean, I'm honored, really I am, but...what does that have to do with the power you gave me?"
Sylphia frowned slightly before she replied. "Unfortunately, the powers that you've been bestowed aren't the kind you can simply tap into whenever you desire. I'm not allowed to give the exact details to you unfortunately, but to put it in a way that doesn't break the rules...Only one who cares for their friends as much as you do could hope to use this power to its full potential."
"Uh huh. Well, I guess that's something at least." Bambietta responded. "I guess that means you're not going to tell me how to use that power, huh?"
Sylphia shook her head. "I'm afraid not. However, I did come here to tell you one more thing about your powers. You've used the divine power we've bestowed onto you in quick succession far more than we had anticipated. Your body is still slowly adapting to its presence. I'm sure you noticed it as well. When you tried to call upon it against Jellal, it left your body quite quickly. You're not aware of this, but you're quite fortunate that was all that had happened."
Bambietta let out a sigh of exasperation. "Ohhhh, I'm not going to like what I'm about to hear, am I?"
"I'm afraid so," Slyphia answered. "Had your body not rejected that power for so much as another 30 seconds, your body would be eviscerated and your soul completely shattered."
Bambietta blinked, her mouth opening and closing in short succession before she spoke. "Yeah, no, I didn't like that one bit. So, that happened because I used too much power in one day?"
Sylphia shook her head once more. "In all honesty, you shouldn't transform into that form anymore than once every 6 months. You're truly lucky to have survived. However, as things stand right now, you'll be unable to access any of that divine power for at least 4 months."
"Even the Shining Finger?" Bambietta asked. As soon as Sylphia nodded in reply did Bambietta slam her fist on the mattress. "Damn it! I finally got a chance to really use this power, and now you're telling me that I can't use any of it for 4 months!?"
Bambietta wasn't someone who liked relying on power from someone else, but it had proven to be essential in defeating someone like Ikaruga. Now, with her being unable to access that divine power for almost half a year...a part of her began to worry. "If...if I can't use that power...then if I run into someone like her again-"
"Don't begin to doubt yourself now, Bambietta," Sylphia interrupted. "It's true that power was needed in the end to defeat Ikaruga, but you forget that had it not been for the curse potion she had procured, you would have been able to win the battle without it. Yes, you needed Candice's help to gather the necessary power needed to land such a blow, but relying on your friends is something you'll need to do regardless of whether or not you have that power. It may be hard to accept this after the battles you just had with Ikaruga and Jellal, but even as you are right now, your power is quite exceptional. In fact, I'd say, by the time you will regain those powers, your level of strength as a Quincy will near that of the 10th Wizard Saint, if not it's exceed it."
That caught Bambietta's attention. "Seriously?"
The goddess nodded. "Indeed. While I have no doubt his power will continue to increase in those 4 months, especially in the wake of Siegrain's betrayal, your potential to grow is quite exceptional. In fact, excluding the Wizard Saints, your power is already among the higher echelon of official guilds. That's including Fairy Tail's S class."
"That's... you're not just saying all to just make me feel better are you?" Bambietta asked.
"Have I ever lied to you in all the times we've talked?" Sylphia answered with a question of her own.
"Fair point," The Quincy admitted. "That does make me feel better, even if only a little. Guess I'll just have to make do with the Quincy basics and 'The Explode' in the meanwhile." She then looked over at Lucy. "Yeah... it'll have to make do." Eyes widening, Bambietta spun around to face the goddess once more. "Actually, there is one thing I need to ask you about."
"By all means."
Bambietta took a deep breath before she spoke. "Somehow, some way… Aizen's inside of Jade. I know if anyone is going to have the answer to this, it's you. So… Mind telling me what the deal with that is? 'Cause, not gonna lie, that low key has me worried the fuck out."
The goddess sighed. "I suppose there's no point in trying to hide it anymore from you. Aizen's presence within Jade is entirely my doing."
"...Excuse me, what?" Bambietta asked, dumbfounded before the reality of the goddess' answer seemingly hit her like a sledgehammer. "WHAT!? How?! No, more importantly, WHY!?"
The goddess looked away, seemingly in shame."I'm... afraid I can't answer that."
"What the fuck!?" Bambietta yelled at the goddess for the very first time. "I'm sorry but you can't just put Sosuke fucking Aizen into one of my friends head, and expect me to be okay with no real answer! Meifon told me that she, me, and Jade were practically your children, so why would you do that!? You have to tell me-"
"Because if you knew the reason you'd fall completely into despair!" Sylphia shouted before she looked away from Bambietta again. Silence filled the room before she spoke once more. "I'm sorry that I can't tell you. I truly am. I'm even more sorry that I've had to do this at all to Jade. I... truly do view all three of you like the children I've never had. Unfortunately, I'm only allowed to talk with you and Meifon for very brief intervals because you are both my champions. If I spend too much time in the human realm...it could start negatively affecting it. But...I truly wish for nothing more than to help you as much as I can. But... there are rules as to what we gods can and cannot be allowed to do."
Tears slowly fell down her face as she continued. "I understand how you feel. I do. To have such a secret hidden away from you. To have sealed Aizen into Jade's body. But you have to believe me when I say that I have only the best of intentions in mind for you, Jade, and all of humanity!"
Slowly, the goddess turned away. "I understand that you need time to digest all of this. I'll answer any questions I can. I just...I just..." A brief image of a woman with scarlet hair with a single braid going down the left side of her face flashed through the goddess' mind before she spoke up once more. "I just don't want to lose the trust of someone I care about ever again."
Bambietta remained silent for a few seconds before she spoke up. "You don't have to worry about any of that. Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that, it's... just been a really rough day. So I'm a bit on edge here. But...even despite all that, I owe you for everything I have right now. If you're really saying I'm better off not knowing why, I'll take your word for it. I just... really don't like this situation is all."
The goddess' eyes went wide as she slowly turned to face Bambietta. Even despite all this, you're still willing to trust me? Small tears of joy fell from her eyes as a sense of relief washed over her. Thank you, Bambietta.
Deciding to properly respond to the Quincy, she spoke. "Well, we're both in agreement on that, I can assure you," Sylphia said. "Ironically, Jade's in a similar situation as you're in right now. With how powerful and intense his spiritual pressure is, Jade won't be able to call upon his assistance for some time. The exact time frame is something I'm not aware of considering it's the first time something like this has ever been done, but I'd say you're unlikely to hear from him again until several months have passed by."
"Well, that's a relief...I think. Here's hoping we won't need his help ever again," Bambietta spoke. "But knowing my luck, we'll need it sooner or later. Still-" She then shot the goddess a smile. "I'm glad you came to check up on me. It means a lot."
"I'm just glad that you're still willing to trust me. I may be limited in the ways I'm allowed to assist you, but know that I'll always be watching you. Take care, Bambietta, and remember: You're not fighting alone." Her body was covered in a flash of light, and then she was gone.
Bambietta let out a sigh as she laid back down on the bed next to the sleeping beauty. "Man, from fighting assassins and Wizard Saints, to having the time of my life with Lucy... What a night it's been."
Far as she was concerned, the rest of her vacation would be down right tame in comparison, even if she won big in the casino.
She yawned as she felt a sense of exhaustion beginning to catch up to her. Perhaps it was about time she got some shut eye? No, there was one thing, one more person she needed to see before she could truly rest.
Finding Erza wasn't hard. Despite spending a great deal of her magical power to finally defeat Jellal, the most powerful woman in all of Fairy Tail still maintained a powerful source of energy that made locating her a minor inconvenience. As the Quincy air-walked above the resort, she quickly looked down to see Erza looking out from the balcony of her hotel room. She could also sense Lil nearby, but Bambietta could tell the smaller Quincy was probably asleep.
Well, that's fine by me. I'm sure they've already had their talk. But… I need to see how she's doing.
For as long as she had been in Fairy Tail, Erza had always kept an eye on her, always making sure that the traumatized woman felt at home within the guild, but also keeping her from making any serious mistakes. That, along with her unwavering faith in the former Sternritter had given Bambietta more than enough motivation to view Erza as something more than just a friend and to insure she was doing well with her own eyes and ears.
A role model? A big sister? A potential rival to strive to surpass one day? Erza was all of these things and so much more to her. For so long, she had been the one to look after not just Bambietta, but everyone else within the guild. But ever since she had been taken to the tower, it had been Fairy Tail's duty to do the same for her. She had been part of that herself, fought more than her fair share of life threatening battles for Erza's sake...but she still felt she hadn't done enough for her.
Not yet.
Bambietta landed softly behind Erza then before she quickly spoke up. "Hey Erza...How are things?" She may as well start off with some small talk before she went into the mess that had transpired, Liltotto more than likely having given her a similar discussion.
Erza turned around, but she didn't seem surprised by the Quincy's arrival. "Bambietta, you're here. I was wondering when you'd be stopping by."
The brunette couldn't help but chuckle. "Am I that easy for you to read Erza?"
Erza shook her head. "Not at all. But you're hardly the first person who's wanted to check in with me. Liltotto and Meifon have made that evidently clear."
"Oh...I see." Bambietta said somewhat dejectedly. "Well I guess that means you don't need to hear anything from me."
"On the contrary, I was hoping you would show up tonight." Erza told her. "I've been... meaning to speak with you after everything that happened."
Erza looked over at the sleeping Liltotto before she continued. "You two saved me from the nightmare that had been haunting me for the last eight years of my life. Liltotto made the ultimate sacrifice to insure I survived while you continued to rise after every beating Jellal gave you. Words can never be enough to properly express my gratitude." She then bowed her head. "If there is anything I can do to-"
"There's no need for any of that Erza." Bambietta interrupted her. "Me and Lil did everything we could because we owed you for everything that you did for us. You don't owe us squat. If anything, I'd say we're even now. So don't go saying you owe us your life. Trust me when I say we'd do it again if we had to."
Erza looked at Bambietta in shock before a small smile adorned her face. "Very well. Then from this moment forth may all debts between the three of us be considered fulfilled."
"Well glad that's all been settled," Bambietta said with a grin before her face became more somber. "You feel alright by the way? I mean with everything that happened with Jellal..."
"Liltotto already helped me out in that regard." Erza assured Bambietta. "It...It still hurts. But I'll move forward. It's what he would have wanted."
Bambietta nodded her head in understanding. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Still, if you ever need someone to talk about it-"
"I'll be sure to consider you should that become an issue," Erza replied. "That said, I did wish to speak with you on another matter entirely."
"Oh?" Bambietta asked with intrigue. "Do tell."
"Liltotto had already more than proven herself worthy of S-class after her battle with Jose. But after today, I can safely say the same of you."
That caught Bambietta by surprise. "Seriously? But I got my ass kicked."
Erza shook her head. "The fact that you survived at all is more impressive than you think. He was a Wizard Saint with a mere 60% of his power after all. Yet despite that, you were still able to hurt him. But more importantly than that, you showcased all of the qualities that I believe a proper S-class of this guild should have. The ability to come up with new plans while on the backfoot, fighting against losing odds for the sake of a comrade, and not letting the pain of your injuries slow you down in the slightest? That's more than enough for me to consider you truly worthy for the S-class exam on Tenrou Island."
Bambietta was stunned to say the least, but everything Erza had just said also made plenty of sense. Odds were most mages weren't capable of what she had done in the tower. I guess Sylphia was right after all. Bambietta thought before she smiled. "Oh hell yeah! S-class, here I come!"
"Now hold on, you and Liltotto won't be the only ones partaking in this exam. Natsu's also proven himself more than worthy to take the trial as well. Not to mention many others are being looked into at the moment. If you think this is going to be easy, then you have already lost." Erza warned her.
Bambietta brought a hand to her chin as she closed her eyes. "Natsu too, huh?" With Liltotto, Bambiettas only real concern would have been her tactical mindset and the potential use of Vollstandig. Troublesome to be sure, but she was positive that she could still handle it. Natsu, though... Well this complicates things. I'm almost twice as strong as he is base to base, but given how he can get stronger the longer the fight goes on, I could be in for some real trouble. Not to mention he could eat the flames created by any of my explosions...
She quickly shook her head. "Well, that's fine by me. I wouldn't want Lil to be my only real competition for S-class anyways!"
"That's the spirit," Erza said with a small smile. "I'm positive that you will continue to do the guild proud. As a matter of fact-" With a flash of light and a sword held by her right hand, Erza approached Bambietta before softly touching her right shoulder with her blade.
"For defeating the powerful dark assassin, Erigor the Reaper…" Her blade then touched Bambietta's other shoulder. "...Defeating the S-class monster of the Waas Forrest to protect the town of Clover…'' Her blade then circled Bambietta's head. "...Defeating the S-class mage Hanza Nukui of Phantom Lord, eliminating the Vampire Lord Judusha…" Her blade pressed against the middle of Bambiettas chest then. "For defeating Ikaruga, one of the most powerful assassins in all of Fiore and for standing your ground against two former Wizard Saints, I hereby dub you The Star Knight Of Fairy Tail!"
Bambietta stood there, befuddled before she decided to speak up. "Um...did you just, like, knight me or something?"
Erza shook her head. "Not at all, though I suppose that did give off that impression didn't it? No, I simply decided to bestow onto you a title. It should prove quite helpful for you going forward in your time in Fairy Tail. I know it's a moniker you've wanted to go by for a while, but maybe my word of mouth can help it spread a bit more."
"Well, I'm not gonna complain exactly, but...how does that work?" Bambietta asked.
"It's quite simple, really," Erza replied. "As you're well aware, I was given the title of Titania. Natsu was also given a title, Salamander. Wizards can receive these titles from either word of mouth of their extraordinary accomplishments like Natsu did, or they can be given the title from a wizard of considerable clout like I was when I unknowingly received the title of 'Titania' from Meifon. Regardless, having a title to be known by and to associate with your successes will insure more people will want you for higher paying jobs. In fact, you may be sought out personally if they believe you're the best fit for the job."
Erza then smiled. "You've done more than enough to have earned one. I've just decided to... jumpstart your fame, so to speak. I know you may not have wished for compensation for all that you've done, but I simply couldn't accept anything less than doing at least this much for you."
Bambietta was still taken aback by everything Erza was telling her, that the S-class mage was willing to do this for her despite making it quite clear earlier that it wasn't necessary...but she had to admit she didn't exactly mind it either. Besides, Star Knight has a cool, albeit familiar, ring to it… Sure, why not?
"That means a lot coming from you, Erza," Bambietta said as she smirked. "I promise you, I'll do you, the guild, and even this title you've given to me justice once we get back home."
Erza smiled back as she extended her right hand towards the newly dubbed Star Knight, offering up a handshake."I know you will. After all, when it comes to you... I've made no mistakes."
Bambietta reached out and shook Erza's hand then. "Right back at you Erza. Right back at you."
Pain. That's all he could feel right now as his vision was filled with eternal darkness. His muscles ached, his bones felt as if they were fractured and something else, like some sort of inner power, was completely drained.
What… happened? The mysterious man wondered. Why was he in so much pain? Where was he? In fact...Who was he even? All these questions presented themselves, yet he could find an answer to none of them.
Just then, gradually, light began to fill his eyes as he felt himself barely force enough strength to blink them open. Once, twice, three more times this repeated until he finally could keep them open.
To his surprise, he found himself lying down on a beach of sorts, next to a campfire that was burning right next to him. More surprisingly than that however, was the young girl who was sitting next to him, her curious visage turning to joy as he woke up. "Oh good, you're finally awake!" The girl spoke. Her appearance was slightly abnormal, with her short pink hair and golden eyes with a bizarre diamond shaped iris.
"Where... where am I?" The young man asked as he tried to get to his feet, only to groan out in pain.
"Hey, take it easy, you're really hurt." The young girl said with concern. "Me and my friend just happened to find you unconscious on the beach two hours ago. We decided it would be best if she left to get some medical supplies while I made sure you're ok. Right now, you need to rest up."
The young man gave her a small smile. "I see. So I have you and your friend to thank for still being alive. You have my gratitude... I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
"Oh, it's Mary, and don't worry about a thing!" She said with a cheery voice. "I was just doing what any real hero would do! I'm just glad you managed to wake up! So, what's your name, mister?"
The mysterious man looked dejected. "I...wish I could tell you, but to be truthful...I don't remember anything. Not even my own name. I'm sorry."
"Oh that's just awful!" Mary exclaimed as she placed a hand over her mouth. "I can't imagine not remembering anything about yourself! Golly, you really were thrown through the ringer, weren't you?"
"So it would seem. Nevertheless, the two of you have my-"
However, before he could say anything else, the two could hear large heavy footsteps that shook the beach slightly, causing them to slowly turn their heads to the source.
A massive ogre, about fourteen-feet tall, wielded a massive club just as large as he and made of stone. He strode over to them with a malicious sneer. "Well, well, well? What do we have here? Two humans unfortunate enough to end up in my neck of the woods. I was just thinking about trying to find something nice and tasty, and you'll both make for a great appetizer."
The young man tried to get up once again, to do anything to defend Mary, but he found that he still couldn't move. No, no, get up! You have to get up, or else both of you are going to die! But despite all of his internal pleading, he found that he was unable to move.
With desperation clear on his face, he yelled at Mary. "Run! You have to get out of here right now! Just leave me behind and-"
"I wouldn't do this if I were you, Mr. Ogre," Mary spoke as if she didn't pay his words any mind. "Messing with me is a reaallllyyy bad idea. My friend doesn't like it when people try to pick on me."
The ogre couldn't help but laugh. "Oh that's cute, the little girl thinks her friend can come by and save the day! Don't worry, I'll kill you quickly so you don't feel a thing!" The massive club was swung down as the nameless man screamed at her to run away, but he knew it was no use. Poor Mary was about to be made into a bloody smear and there was nothing he could do! He closed his eyes then, not wanting to witness such an atrocity.
Wham!
Slowly, tentatively, he opened his eyes, fearing to see the young girl's corpse... only to instead bear witness to the massive club being held above the ground casually by a woman wearing all white, with pink hair and pink eyes.
"Now, that wasn't very nice." The woman spoke before she took her spare arm and cocked it behind her head. "I guess I'll have to teach you some manners." Before the ogre could even conceive some sort of retort, the woman threw her punch, breaking the club into a thousand pieces just before he was sent flying off into the horizon, well out of sight.
"That ought to give him something to think about," she said.
"I told him it was a bad idea to try to hurt me, but he just wouldn't listen, Meni." Mary said as she walked over to her. "Oh, good news, that man we saved is wide awake!"
"I can see that! Thank goodness," the woman said with a smile. "I'm glad to see that you're alright. I'm Meninas. I wasn't sure if you'd be waking up at all with those injuries, but it looks like I needn't worry. Tell me stranger, what's your name?"
"That's the thing, Meni, he doesn't remember anything!" Mary quickly answered.
"Oh dear, well that just won't do at all," Meninas spoke with concern. "We'll need to call you something after all. Are you sure that you can't remember anything? Anything at all?"
"I... I'll try." The young man answered before he closed his eyes, as if in deep thought. He tried digging into the recesses of his mind, but only small bits and pieces came to him. A woman with red hair, a massive tower, a dark spirit of some sort. He could vaguely remember small, inconsequential parts of his past, but nothing that could really tell him anything. Well, almost anything.
There was one thing, one distinct memory that his mind was able to pull out. He couldn't exactly see it play out in his mind… but he could hear it.
"So they got you too, huh? I can't believe these monsters are getting away with this."
"Yeah... I'm pretty scared. The only person that I recognize around here is Simon. I...I don't know anyone else. I...I don't know what to do."
"Hey, everything is going to be fine. Don't worry about a thing. I'll protect you, and one day, I'll get us all out of here!"
"Really? You will!? Thank you so much! I'm Erza!"
"Yeah, don't mention it. As for me, you can call me-"
"Jellal. My name...I think it's Jellal," the blue haired man spoke up. "It's...the only thing that I could remember."
Meninas nodded her head. "Well, it's a start, and a very important one at that. Where I'm from, it was often said that names have power. I'm sure that the rest will come back to you eventually. But in the meantime...Why don't you stick around with us?"
"Are you sure? I'd hate to impose," Jellal asked.
"Nonsense! Mary and I have been looking for more people to join us on our journey across Fiore anyways! So far we've just been going around and helping people wherever we can, but we've actually been hearing a lot about Magnolia's Harvest festival! It sounds like a lot of fun, and besides, it'll finally let me meet Fairy Tail! "
"Fairy...Tail?" Jellal asked. Something about that name seemed...very familiar.
"Yeah, Fairy Tail!" Mary shouted with excitement. "Supposedly, they're the best guild in all of Fiore! I even heard about them when I lived on the outskirts of Iceberg! They've gotta be, like, super amazing!"
"I'm more than eager to meet them myself," Meninas admitted. "Besides, I've heard rumors that some Quincies, people like me, have been accepted into the guild. It's possible that I might run into some old friends there. So, what do you say? Will you come with us?"
Jellal looked at the pair for a brief moment before he spoke. "Well, it's not like I know where I want to go next. Besides, that Fairy Tail guild...I feel as if I may find some answers about myself if I go there. You have a deal."
"Hooray!" Mary cheered out. "Oh, I'm so excited! We should get going right now, Meni!"
"Not yet Mary, our friend isn't exactly in any shape to be moving anytime soon." Meninas took out some small capsules. "These ginto capsules should be able to speed up his healing by quite a fair bit, but he'll still need time to rest. Still, if everything goes well, we just might be able to make it in time."
She then looked back at Jellal. "Speaking of which, you'll need to get as much rest as possible. So please, go to sleep while I let these ginto get to work, alright?"
"Of course," Jellal said as he rested his head against the ground. There was so much more he wanted to know, so many mysteries he wanted to uncover...But there would be plenty of time for that later. Right now...Right now he simply had to do what he could to rest.
While these events were transpiring, the trio were unknowingly being watched from the divine realm by none other than the Goddess of Comradery, Sylphia, and the God of Life and Death, Ankhseram.
"How is it that Jellal Fernandes still breathes?" The god asked Sylphia. "That wretched tower should have taken his life for bringing back one of our warriors."
"Ohhhh, I...may have had something to do with that," Sylphia admitted with a smirk.
"What did you do? I know you know better than to break the taboo of resurrection," Ankhseram told her.
"It was nothing so outlandish. I just might have...swapped out Jellal with that god slayer Schema hired to take his place. He was going to die anyway." Sylphia shrugged her shoulders. "No taboo's broken. His life was simply spared in place of someone else, not restored."
"I see. You are aware that we deities are forbidden from interacting with the human world unless it involves the aspect of the world we have dominion over. You could still very easily be punished for this action," Ankhseram reminded her.
Sylphia shook her head. "But that's the thing, I was doing my job. Jellal and Erza's bond of friendship was reignited once the truth was revealed. I've simply done what was needed to make sure that those bonds can continue."
"I see," Ankhseram said as his eyes narrowed. "I suppose I should be grateful that he broke the taboo of resurrection for one of our own soldiers for the war. However..." He pointed his right hand at Jellal as it became shrouded in darkness. "I can't allow mortals to think they can just ignore the laws of the divine as they please, even if it's for our benefit. I'll simply have to punish him like the others who-"
Before he could finish speaking, he found Sylphia's glowing staff in front of his hand, preventing any further action on his part. Her face now held none of its usual charm. "You will do no such thing, Ankhseram. I forbid it."
His own eyes narrowed in response. "You forbid it? Need I remind you to whom you speak?" His entire body became clad in darkness before he continued. "Do you truly wish to incur my wrath?"
Sylphia didn't flinch in the slightest despite the implied threat. "You don't intimidate me as much as you think, Ankhseram. The last I checked, we're on equal footing. You may have been able to curse Mavis while I was preoccupied with other matters in Earth Land, but I refuse to sit by and let you curse another mortal under my jurisdiction!"
Ankhseram scoffed at her attitude. "Please, you're just trying to make amends for what happened to the Queen of Dragons. That's the sole reason why you've taken in as many 'strays' as you have as your 'daughters.' But as I'm sure you are well aware, Irene's fate was simply unavoidable. Destiny determined-"
SLAP!
Ankhseram slowly turned his head before he narrowed his eyes at the goddess. Her eyes widened in self-realization before she quickly composed herself and spoke. "My sincerest apologies. I... I shouldn't have struck you. However, I still stand by my decision to protect Jellal. You won't have your way, not this time."
Ankhseram sighed. "Very well, you've proven that you're far too stubborn to budge on this matter. I shall relent, this time. But never forget, Sylphia, that you're not one of us, at least not truly. Your divine status is nothing more than our attempt to placate you as the first-"
"If you're only going to continue to look down upon me then this conversation is over," Sylphia interrupted. "Now leave. Lest I remind you why you needed to placate me in the first place."
Ankhseram narrowed his eyes. "Very well. But should you try this ever again, I won't be so easily pushed around. Remember that the next time you consider sticking your neck out for Sinners."
And with that, Ankhseram vanished from her sight before she sighed. "And to think he used to be much kinder when we first met." She then looked back down at the sleeping Jellal. "As for you, I only hope that you and Erza manage to truly repair your lost bond."
It was the least she could do after all, for the daughter of her former friend.
The next seven days had come and gone with little incident. The group had finally been able to immerse themselves fully in their vacation and enjoy all the various aspects of the resort.
However, as their vacation came winding down to its last day, the Fairy Tail mages were left with no choice but to say their goodbyes. While Erza's friends had been told that they would have been more than welcome within the guild, the group of four still desired to travel the world.
However, this revelation had not been made public. At least not yet. The goodbyes in this case were instead referring to the Quincies who had formerly worked under Jellal.
This week was, as far as they were concerned, their last week of freedom. As much as they would have enjoyed going about and unknowingly following in the footsteps of Erza's old friends, they knew that they had much to answer for. It was for this very reason that they were about to head out and turn themselves in.
"Well, they were good days while they lasted," Quilge admitted with a slight smile. "I'll miss those Fairy Tail mages. It seems Miss Basterbine, Miss Lampard, and Miss Catnipp really lucked out this time around."
"It would have been nice, finding a new home to call my own," Driscoll spoke. "But I have much to answer for. I've taken the lives of too many since my time here."
"We all have blood on our hands it seems," Shaz said with a disappointed sigh. "But I guess it's better to get this over with instead of delaying the inevitable." His shoulders slumped. "Just too bad we can't find that asshole Nanana and drag him along with us. Man, let's just get this over with."
The trio looked back at the resort one last time just before they prepared to take off, only for three more figures to appear before them, dressed in white much like they were.
"Yeah, sorry guys, but I can't let you do any of that," Bambietta said as she stepped forward.
To say the other Quincies were surprised would have been an understatement. "Miss Basterbine, what are you doing?" Quilge asked.
"Stopping you from making a terrible mistake, that's what," Liltotto answered for her.
Quilge shook his head at her words. "Listen, just because we helped you out at the end does not change the fact that we've done terrible things in this world. You three haven't committed any major crimes in this world, but us? It's already too late. If we're to properly atone for what we did, then we must turn ourselves in."
"Okay, first of all, I'm not exactly as squeaky clean as you seem to think I am," Candice told Quilge. "Because trust me, I stole a lot of shit before I joined the guild. But besides all that, we really can't let you guys just turn yourselves in."
"Would you take this from us, our chance to make amends for all our heinous crimes!?" Driscoll demanded of them.
"You want to repent for what you did, then that's totally fine by me," Bambietta told them with a shrug. "I got plenty of my own shit I'm trying to make up for as you're all more than well aware of. But the fact is...we probably really, really need your help in the future."
"Our help? With what?" Shaz asked. "Pretty sure being in Fairy Tail has you covered."
Sitting down on the ground, Liltotto then spoke up. "Take a seat everyone. This is going to be a lot to take in."
The next several minutes consisted of Bambietta, Candice, and Liltotto informing the other Quincies about the true nature of how they all ended up in Earth Land, the gods, and the war they were to one day partake in.
"So... that's all this is, is it?" Quilge asked as he tried to compose himself. "We've been drafted into yet another war..." From the battlefields of Europe, to the afterlife, and now even this world… Was this all he was destined for? To simply be some tool for people to use?
"So, do you get it now?" Bambietta asked the three of them. "We're going to need as much help as we can get if we want to pull this off!"
"And as much as I understand that you three want to make up for what you've done, if you get thrown into prison, it'll just make you an easier target for the other side," Liltotto added. "So it's probably best if you find a different way to atone."
"But what other choices are there!?" Driscoll demanded. "I've killed over 100 mages since I've been here to get as strong as possible! There's no way the Magic Council will simply let that go!"
"Question: how many of those were dark mages?" Liltotto asked.
Driscoll pondered for a moment. "Um, well, I think...all of them? They were the easiest ones to go after without causing too much of a ruckus."
Liltotto nodded. "That's good. In that case I'm pretty sure we can get you pardoned."
Candice however looked befuddled at her friend's suggestion. "Um, Lil, not that I want to rain on your parade, but...how exactly are we going to pull that off? I mean, I know Master Makarov got me off the hook, but this is way bigger than the petty thefts I pulled."
Liltotto sighed. "You two really don't read up much on Fiore's news or history, do you? News flash, the 2nd wizard saint is one of us, and I'm pretty positive he has enough pull to let something like this disappear."
"Oh? And who's that?" Bambietta asked with curiosity.
"Jugram Haschwalth."
The brunette nearly face faulted to the floor along with Candice. "Are you fucking serious!?" They both exclaimed at the same time.
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THIS!?" Bambietta demanded. "AND WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!?"
"Because I know you'd be worried about any collateral damage you'd take on a mission would get back to him eventually and you'd have to listen to one of his…lectures."
Bambietta groaned into her hands. "Uggggggggh. I'm gonna have to deal with this sooner or later, I just know it." She then looked back at her small friend. "Well, anyone else from the Wandenriech we should know about?"
Liltotto nodded her head. "Yeah, fortunatly. Robert's with them too at number 4."
"Old man Rob? Oh hell yeah, glad to see he made it on the other side!" Candice said with a grin. The older quincy was one of the few mentor figures in her life who had the patience to put up with her abrasive personality.
Bambietta couldn't help but smile as well. "It'll be good to see him again. He's the one who helped make us the Quincies we are today! As for Haschwalth, I'm more surprised he's only number 2...then again he's probably nerfed like the rest of us."
Bambietta's smile quickly faltered as a thought crossed her mind. "But Lil, do you really think he's going to just help us out? You and I both know Hashbrown was a real stickler for the rules."
Quilge quickly spoke up. "He's more flexible than you give him credit for. You don't rule over a massive military organization like the Wandenreich without learning to bend the rules when needed. The only thing we need now is proof of the existence of these gods."
"I can get that all taken care of," Bambietta replied. "I just happen to know someone who was chosen just like us for a prior conflict from the gods, and luckily for us, she's a Wizard Saint! She's not normally allowed to talk to people about it, but I think given that Hashbrown is also from another world, it should be fine. Just find Meifon Long and I'm sure we can get this all worked out."
The three other Quincies stared at each other in disbelief. They had been so prepared to spend years repenting behind bars. To have been met with the possibility that they could remain free while doing so...
"I have just one last question," Quilge asked them "How are you so sure that we're even on the same side? For all you know, we could be enemies."
"If you are our enemies, then you can just let us kick your ass for points," Candice told them with a smirk. "Doesn't seem very likely to me that you would go along with the plans of the other side even if that is the case. So, you guys gonna help us out, or are you going to just let your asses rot in jail?"
The three Quincies quickly glanced at each other before Quilge spoke up. "Well, you three have certainly made a very convincing argument. Besides, I can't think of a better way to make up for all my sins than risking my own life for the sake of humanity. Consider me an ally from this day forth."
"You can consider me one as well,'' Driscoll quickly added. "I may no longer possess the Bankai I stole, but my Schrift and Vollstandig should be more than enough to make up the difference."
Shaz was silent for just a few more seconds before he quipped in. "Oh, what the hell? Why not? Can't be any worse than spending eternity on the ocean floor. Besides, it'll be pretty hard to keep me down. Count me in."
Bambietta smirked at the former Sternritters' overwhelming support. "Great, I'll go talk to Erza about getting you guys into the guild, it'll be-"
However, before she could prattle on, Quilge held up one of his hands." As much as I appreciate the offer, I'm afraid that I'll have to refuse. As should the others."
"Um, okay… Why exactly?" Bambietta inquired.
"Yeah I gotta agree. Why not join Fairy Tail? We're all here as it is." Candice added in.
"It's for exactly that very reason that we shouldn't join your guild," Quilge told her. "I know that there is strength in numbers, but if we all gather up in one place, it'll also give the other side more incentive to try and attack your guild. All it could take is one well crafted plan or trap and our side could supposedly lose a fair share of its warriors. Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't have some kind of teamwork going on here, but it's also wise not to place all of your eggs in one basket."
"He's right," Liltotto confirmed. "Right now, our guild already has five people from our world. If we end up with as many as, say, ten, it would really make Fairy Tail a high priority target, and I'm pretty sure none of us want a repeat of what happened today or with Phantom Lord."
Brief flashes of Levy's battered body being hung from a tree in Magnolia, Lucy's terrified expression as the massive guild hall of Phantom Lord threatened to destroy the entire town, and Erza's tears as she cried over the body of Liltotto filled Bambietta's mind before she shook her head in an attempt to dispel the painful memories. "Yeah, yeah no you're absolutely right. I... I'd rather not go through any of that any time soon."
"Besides, as much as I have genuinely enjoyed our time together this week, I've come to realize from our brief interactions that your guild is most likely fairly chaotic. I'd rather find myself a place with a… calmer atmosphere." Quilge added in.
"Well... he's not wrong," Candice admitted.
Driscoll burst out laughing. "Bwahahaha! As for myself, I think I need to start over completely fresh. It'll be the best way to truly start anew I feel. Besides, from what I've gathered from my time in Earth Land, I've heard that Quatro Cerberus would be a perfect fit for me."
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with them. You got some real good friends, but… I need some reevaluate myself before I know where I'm going," Shaz admitted.
"Yeah, if that's the case, then Fairy Tail really isn't the place for you," Bambietta admitted. "Still, if you guys ever need a hand, you know where to find it."
"I extend that offer to you and your entire guild as well," Quilge thanked her with a quick bow. "We truly owe you all for helping us see the light. Now, if you'll excuse us, I do believe that we should pay our former Grandmaster a visit."
With that, the three of them vanished with Hirenkyaku, leaving the three women alone on the beach. After a moment, Bambietta sighed in exasperation.
"Guess I should contact Meifon as soon as we get back to the hotel. That all said, I gotta know." She turned to Liltotto. "How many people should we have in the guild? I think we could stand to have at least one more person."
"Seven's the best option, eight at most," Liltotto answered. "Nine's too close to ten for my liking, and the minute we reach the double digits, then we're really painting a target on Fairy Tail."
"Well, Meni would make 6," Bambietta pondered. "We'll be sure to go find her once we get the Harvest Festival all finished up. After that… I think Bazz-B would be our next best option."
"Oh you're just saying that because he was the best guy friend you had back home!" Candice told her. "Fuck him! He shot me, Lil, Meni, and that bitch Giselle in the back to get a shot at Ichigo!"
"To be fair, from his point of view, he was probably mad at us for letting Giselle turn Bambietta at all," Liltotto answered. "Yeah, he worked with the both of us once we decided to go kill Yhwach, but he was still giving Giselle glares when she wasn't looking. You don't have to be smart to tell he was pissed."
Bambietta's eyes widened slightly with surprise. "Really? He did? I mean, I know we were friends and all, but I just figured he'd get over it like the others." To hear that he cared that much to defy Yhwach's orders on infighting before his betrayal… She couldn't help but smile a little.
You really were a good friend, weren't you Bazz? Hope you're doing alright, wherever you are.
"You know when you put it like that, I guess I really can't blame the guy." Candice admitted. "That probably really did look bad in retrospect."
"Odds are he's already in a guild knowing him, so I'd probably cross him off the list," Liltotto spoke, breaking Bambietta out of her thoughts. "Right now, we can't afford to be too picky. As long as it won't cause any internal strife, I say we take whoever we can. Let's try to make sure they're at least as strong as a lieutenant. Anything less won't cut it."
"Yeah, yeah, I guess that's fair enough," Bambietta admitted. With that matter taken care of, she raised her arms in a stretch, suddenly wishing this vacation could have gone on for just a bit longer. But she knew that all good things came to an end, sooner or later. "Anyways, we've been gone for a bit. Probably best we head back before people start to wonder."
Thus, the three of them did just that, only to have discovered that their fellow guildmates were already about, apparently looking for the former prisoners from the tower who had seemingly vanished. Luckily, Rukia and Ulquiorra had quickly picked up on their reiatsu and had informed Erza who had already headed out, Rukia coming along to ensure she would find them. Wanting to make sure she was doing well, the three quickly caught up with her.
"You think something's wrong?" Bambietta asked Erza as they made their way towards her old friends.
"I don't know, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Erza said as they made their way through the beach. "But…I may have an idea as to what's going on."
"And that is?" Candice asked.
Erza however, simply said nothing as her old friends came into view.
"Do you really think we can make it out there all on our own in the outside world?" Wally asked the others as they prepared to board the small boat they had managed to find. "It's been so long since we were out there. I mean, for real, anyway."
"Meow..." Millianna said with some sadness.
"We have to try," Simon answered. "I know that it's terrifying, given how long it's been since we've had freedom, but I've been separated from Kagura for far too long. I...I can't just sit down and relax in some guild until I know she's safe." He then looked back at Wally. "Don't you feel the same way about your brother?"
"Well, yeah of course!" Wally shouted back before he became timid again. "It's just...really daunting at the same time, ya know?" Truthfully, he was as dead set on this as the rest of them… but this was one of the few times he had allowed his fear to break through his 'mobster-like' character.
"Simon has the right idea," Sho chipped in. "Besides, we've burdened Erza for far too long as it is. She spent the last several years trying to find a way to save us, and now it seems she has even more on her plate with trying to find the one who controlled Jellal...the last thing we need to do is add to more of her troubles."
"There you are."
Their eyes widening in surprise, the group of four turned around to see none other than Erza Scarlet, accompanied by Bambietta, Liltotto, Candice and Rukia. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Sho spoke up first. "Oh, um...you found us. That's kinda embarrassing."
"Yeah sorry about that, but for people like Me, Candi, Lil, Rukia and Ulquiorra, it was really easy to track you guys down," Bambietta told them.
Erza took a few steps forward before Sho looked away. "Please don't try and stop us from leaving. We've all made up our minds. All we've ever known was the inside of that tower. Now we're adults, and we don't know a single thing about the outside world." He then looked back at them. "This is our chance to get out there and see it! For the first time in our lives, we're free to do what we want! But we also wanna follow our dreams just like everyone else! We just...feel like it's something we have to do on our own. We wanna know what it really means to be free!"
"We appreciate your offer to join Fairy Tail, we really do...but there's something I have to do before I even consider joining a guild," Simon told her. "I know that with your guild we would be able to travel to some extent, but not nearly enough for what I need. Above all else, I have to try and find Kagura. I have no idea how she's been these last few years, or if she's even alive. I just...I just couldn't spend my time in the guild without knowing. Please, try to understand Erza."
"Ooofff, that's rough," Bambietta couldn't help but mutter. Bambietta could tell that Erza wanted nothing more than to spend more time with her friends, to help them the same way that Fairy Tail had helped her, herself, and everyone else that had made Fairy Tail a part of their family. But yet at the same time, Bambietta understood exactly how they felt. The years she had spent with her father had been an utter hell once her mother had died, and Bambietta wished for nothing more than to go about in the world to see it for what it really was.
Liltotto was of similar understanding. While she hadn't been a slave for nearly as long as they had, her time spent in shackles had been more than enough to allow her some sort of empathy. Who was she, or any of them in fact, to tell them what they could do with their freedom now? With the death of her sister, she had lost much of her drive for life once she had arrived on the farm. It had only been once she was taken into the Wandenreich that she could begin to even remotely feel like she could have dreams of her own once again.
As much as I'd like for them to stay for Erza's sake...it wouldn't really be freedom if we stopped them now, would it?
(Song of choice: Kizuna, Fairy Tail ost)
Erza closed her eyes before she spoke. "Well, I have complete faith in you, and I know you'll do fine out there. I'm not worried." Her body shined for an instant before it was now adorned in armor that no one had ever seen her in before. Adorned with a furry red cape, and a white and blue armor with yellow decorated about it, Erza stood proudly before them, wielding a flag with the Fairy Tail Emblem within. "However, there are three rules that any member who chooses to leave the Fairy Tail guild must abide by."
Her friends were taken back, not just by her new choice in wardrobe, but her words as well. Wally protested, "What do you mean, 'leave?' We never officially joined it!"
Bambietta was about to ask that same question but quickly stopped herself before she smiled. Oh, I get it. This isn't about following guild tradition per se now is it? No, she just wants to say goodbye in the best way she knows how.
Liltotto had a similar realization, but she saw into it even more than Bambi did. No, it's not just a goodbye, is it Erza? This is your way of showing them that you still consider them your family. They may not have officially joined Fairy Tail...but they were always part of Erza's family. It was the best way to convey this message while remaining strong for her friends.
Candice looked like she was about to say something, but Rukia held up her hand, no doubt coming to the same conclusion, silencing the Quincy as Erza continued to speak.
"Number One. Never share sensitive information about the guild with anyone so long as you live. Number Two. Never contact any clients you've worked for while in the guild for your own personal gain. Number Three. Although our paths must stray, promise to live the rest of your lives to the fullest. That means you must treat every day as though it were the last in this world."
Tears began to fall from her face then as she continued, her old friends looking on with tears of their own forming in their eyes. "Never forget your Fairy Tail friends. Treasure them as long as you live!"
Simon, Sho, Millianna, and Wally all began to weep, and even the three Quincies and Rukia felt themselves getting a bit teary-eyed from seeing their friend's normally stoic self turn into something more vulnerable. However, she did not let this deter her before she looked over at the Fairy Tail mages. "Let the Fairy Tail farewell begin now!"
Quickly catching onto what Erza wanted, Bambietta grinned. "Oh hell yeah! Let's make this a farewell ceremony for the ages!" She tossed up several orbs of reishi into the air, each one cracking into an explosion much like that of a firework. More and more did she fire into the air, wanting to do what she could for Erza in the moment.
"I'm not gonna let you take all the thunder you know!" Candice cried out before she began to throw some lighting into the mix, the two elements clashing into a bright light show that would have awed any onlookers into silence.
Not wanting to have nothing to contribute to what was no doubt one of the most important moments in Erza's life, Liltotto formed her bow and took aim, firing off a massive arrow that quickly exploded into the shape of the Fairy Tail Guild mark into the sky. She had never tried this before, but with her skill as a Quincy, it had proven to be surprisingly easy.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki" Rukia cried out as she activated her zanpakuto, the Soul Reaper also wanting to do what she could for Erza as well. "Some no mai: Tsukishiro!" A massive pillar of ice formed onto the beach before shattering, instantly providing countless snowflakes that caught the explosive lights and dazzled as they gently fell to the sand below.
As the boat with her former friends began to take sail, Erza still spoke to them with a slight tremble of sadness but still filled with a sense of pride. "May all of your journeys bring you joy, and may calamity steer clear of you all. I wish that we could stay together forever, but deep down I know I'd only be holding you back. I don't want that. After all the years you spent in that tower, you deserve to finally be free in the way that you want."
"WE'D NEVER THINK YOU'D HOLD US BACK!" Millianna cried out in full-blown tears.
"If we were to stay with ya, we'd do nothing but remind you of painful memories!" Wally added.
"But I have so much more than just painful memories with you," Erza reassured them. "Besides, what we went through made us stronger. It brought us closer. I will always hold onto those memories, both the good and the bad. I wish you the best of luck and happiness in your new lives. This isn't goodbye forever, I know that we'll see each other again!"
"We'll miss you, sister!" Sho called out.
"Hope to see you soon, Erzy-werzy!" Millianna added.
"We'll meet again sometime, I can guarantee you of that!" Wally said before he used his scarf as a makeshift tissue paper.
"I'll do whatever I can to keep them safe, I promise you Erza!" Simon shouted.
"I'll be waiting for you all," Erza said with a smile as Bambietta's fireworks finally finished. She slowly turned around then to face her fellow mages. "For what you four have done today...you have my thanks."
Bambietta smirked. "How many times do we have to go over this? You've done more than enough to get this kind of help from us," Bambietta reminded her. "Ain't that right Lil?"
The small blonde nodded her head. "Yeah. All of this? It's the least we can do, Erza."
"Yeah, a little light show like this is nothing," Candice chimed in.
"The original Rukia Kuchiki had friends much like yours… Only they died before Renji and I ever made it to the academy," Rukia spoke up. "To help out with something like this...I consider it an honor."
"I appreciate it all more than you can know," Erza said. "For the first time in so very long, they can be free. And I... I can as well. No longer a prisoner of the tower even outside its walls... and no longer making my heart a prisoner of my own armor."
"Well, if you really want to make it up to me, you and I can always f-" Before Candice could even finish what was likely a comment of some sexual variety, Rukia stomped on her foot. "-FUCK! Hey!"
"Time and place." The Soul Reaper told her with an annoyed expression. "Now's neither."
Candice simply stuck her tongue at her while Bambietta walked over to Erza.
"That had to be tough...Watching them go, I mean. Gotta say, I don't think I'd be capable of doing the same." She then shot Erza a smile. "Cause nowadays…my friends mean everything."
"Don't say that," Erza said. "I'm sure they meant the world to you in your old home. We've all just... gained more even as we lost some of them. Maybe even some... for good. One of them..."
"Yeah, I think it's safe to say that bridge has been burned," Bambietta said as an image of Giselle briefly flashed through her mind before she shook her head. "But that's in the past now. Can't spend every day dwelling on it. I may not have been part of your 'Fairy Tail Farewell,' but that last rule of yours...I think that sounds like the kind of life I'd like to have."
"That's a very 'you' answer, isn't it?" Liltotto said before she smiled. "But...I can't say I disagree with it either." She then looked back at Erza. "Anyways, are you good to head back home? The train leaves at 7 a.m. sharp tomorrow morning."
"I'll be turning in for the night soon," Erza said, smiling a bit. "I just need some time, that's all."
"Well... all right," Liltotto said, the group beginning to depart back to the hotel.
Erza turned to look at the ocean then, eyes seeing a ruined Tower of Heaven for a moment before the clear horizon took its place. She took a deep breath, hearing the footsteps on the sandy shore as her guildmates departed. She was unsure if she should ask, but Erza steeled herself and did so anyway. "Bambietta Basterbine, if you would stay a moment."
"Um...sure," Bambietta said as she turned around. She looked at Erza then, looking slightly concerned. "Is something wrong?"
"I don't know." Erza wrapped her arms around her torso, hands clasping at those very arms. "The last time we stood on the beach back on Galuna Island, Bambietta Basterbine, I told you that I did not believe I had made any mistakes. But... I have been so very wrong. Not about you, but about myself."
Bambietta's face quickly became one of bewilderment. "What on earth are you talking about? Erza, you're practically everything I want to be! You're strong, you're smart, and you're one of the most beautiful women I've ever known!"
Erza shook her head. "I... I have worked so very hard to help you find a family in this guild, Bambietta. To show you a path that does not always follow nothing but bloodshed and violence. And I don't believe any of that was a mistake, but... you have shown me a path I should have walked as well."
"I've what now?" Bambietta asked dumbfounded. "How the hell have I done something like that?!" For her to even consider the possibility that she had done something like this for Erza was… mind boggling to her.
"We both lost so much when we found new families in the darkness," Erza said. "You with the Wandenreich, myself with my friends in the Tower of Heaven. However, when we were betrayed by those we were closest to... I blinked whereas you did not. You wanted Fairy Tail, you wanted the bonds it could offer. The friendship. The family. And I... I only accepted it so much. You wear your emotions on your sleeves, and for that I envy you. I... I joined Fairy Tail, I did my best to help those within it, but I... I could not fully embrace it. I locked my heart away behind armor, refusing to let it be hurt again after Jellal. And you... you would not let Giselle do the same to you. Lucy, Levy, Wendy... none of them you kept at arm's distance like I have."
"Yeah… I guess that's true, huh," Bambietta said as she gave Erza a small smile. "But...honestly...it took me a while to see Fairy Tail the same way you did. When I first joined...I just thought all that 'family' talk was a bunch of nonsense. That you'd all bail on someone if it meant saving your own lives. But when I saw you all stand up for Lucy when Phantom Lord came...I knew it was real, and once it was all over...I started to think of it as my own family. My first real family."
She then took hold of one of Erza's hands. "But it doesn't have to stay like that for you, you know? Honestly, I'd love it if you'd be willing to hang out with me more outside of our training. We could work together on smaller jobs, not just the big ones, and we could just...you know, hang out. This whole time I've kinda just viewed you like a role model, but after all this...I just want you as my friend."
Erza felt the hand on hers then, though she did not look at Bambietta at first. All she could see was the Tower of Heaven across the waters in her mind.
"All I've been seeing is the past," Erza said, "in both my real eye and the one Porlyusica gave me. I never... saw a future. And when I went to confront Jellal, I was ready to kill him and die myself. I did not think I had a future. But Levy told me... you chose Lucy... all of Fairy Tail... over your revenge. And you... you fought me for me atop that tower, Bambietta. You and everyone else. Just as we all did for Lucy."
Erza looked to Bambietta then, tears falling from not just her true eye, but the very one Porlyusica had given her long ago.
"I want you as my friend too, Bambi."
Bambietta smiled. "That means the world to me Erza. It really does. Honestly, if we work together...I don't think there's anyone we can't beat. I know that this upcoming war is meant to be fought just by people like me...but knowing that you'll have my back gives me more confidence than anything else. My Quincy powers, my Schrift, hell, even that power you saw me use on Jellal...None of it really compares to having you."
Erza's ceremonial armor faded away in a burst of light, leaving her in nothing but her blouse and skirt. There was no armor then, and she embraced Bambietta.
"Thank you for everything, Bambi. You, and all of Fairy Tail."
Ending theme: Fairy Tail Op 1, Snow Fairy
And so ends the tower of heaven. Like I said in the very beginning, it feels so .. surreal having reached this point. For so long I wondered if I had what it took to do the arc justice, yet here we are, with its final chapter posted. I'm glad the reception to the arc has been almost unanimously positive, and it's given me the courage to continue writing the rest of the arcs down the line. More than anything else though, I'm pleased beyond words that I was able to let Erza shine in her own arc.
While I very much enjoy the canon version of events, I wanted to spin to it that allowed Erza to properly finish her battle with Jellal and maintain the focus she needed, while still making sure that Bambietta and Liltotto made meaningful contributions to the arc. That's not to forget the others involved, With Lucy unlocking her full bring, Wendy coming into her own right as a fighter, Natsu learning Dragon Force, Ulquiorra learning more and more about the heart, and Levy's further growth of her powers.
I have a lot of things planned for the future of this story that I'm excited for that I hope you'll enjoy as well, with plenty more Bleach characters coming onto the scene as well as further character development for the rest of the main cast. All in all, I greatly look forward to hearing your thoughts on the finale and on the arc as a whole before we move forward. Until next time my dear readers.
