I do not own Black Clover or any of its characters.
Finished
Dane groaned as he stirred. He could hear a battle, but he couldn't move. Agony radiated through him from his back, and even the thought of moving was making him feel sick. He restrained the nausea his pain caused him, opening his eyes. He was on his side, and Raya was curled into his chest, but she was unconscious. They were inside of a tiny space born of the collapsed ceiling getting caught by other debris, but he could tell at a glance it wouldn't hold.
"Raya," Dane croaked. "Wake up."
She didn't move. She was breathing, but she wasn't waking up anytime soon. Dane grit his teeth, then focused, willing his mind to focus through the pain to pinpoint the exact dimensions of his wound. It stretched from the middle of his back on his right side, where his torso curved forward and one inch below his ribs, across his back in a diagonal line to exit one inch below his right armpit, grazing his spine, breaking all of his ribs, and leaving a wide gash. He focused, gritting his teeth, then screamed through them as he channeled his magic. He couldn't heal with his magic. Because of the way it worked, it didn't allow for healing spells. He could use his pure mana for a kind of pseudo-enhancement magic, but even that wasn't real enhancement magic. But to heal, he first had to destroy. And so, he screamed in sheer agony, fighting tooth and nail to keep his magic under control as his body began to break apart along the edges of the wound before slowly stitching itself back together. But it wasn't clean. Unlike when he'd healed Noelle, or Asta, this time, it left a horrible scar. Jagged, and ridged, and ugly. And yet, once it was done, the pain was gone. The echo of it left his body trembling, but he was healed, after a fashion. He reached down, shaking Raya gently, but she still didn't stir. He felt her head gently, finding an injury in her head, and sighed.
"Goro," he called out, Goro appearing at once. "Did you deliver that guy to Noelle?"
"Yeah," Goro confirmed. "Turns out, he's not so bad. He regrets his actions and loaned his magic to Gauche before Gauche came back to save everyone."
"Have you been monitoring the situation here?" Dane asked.
"Yeah, it's looking pretty grim," Goro said darkly. "Three new mages, the Third Eye of the Eye of the Midnight Sun showed up as soon as Gauche reflected Licht's spell back at him to beat him. Licht says all three are even stronger than him, and their abilities are Beast Magic, Copy Magic, and the Spirit of Fire, Salamander."
"Shit," Dane sighed. "Spirit Magic, huh?"
"That's not all," Goro said. "The one with Salamander, her Grimoire is just like Mars's."
"So, he's Mars's other half," Dane mused.
"She," Goro corrected him. "And yeah, but she's a lot stronger. And the one with Copy Magic has both Licht and Yami's magic. Oh, and three of the other Squad Captains showed up to save Yami, who was fighting alone. Blue Rose, Praying Mantis, and Silver Eagles."
"That's fine," Dane said. "Thanks for the update. Now take Raya to the village and have someone heal her. She got hit in the head by falling debris. If she wakes up, tell her to stay away from the fight. I'll be using the others to augment my armor."
Goro nodded and used his tongue to gently pull Raya into his mouth, then vanished. Dane reached up, pressing his hand to the debris above him, and a cascade of dust crashed down on him, burying him, but loose enough for him to stand.
"Hey, you're alive!" Yami called out, sitting off to the side. "I thought for sure you were a goner this time."
Dane glanced at Yami's broken katana, then sighed as his grimoire opened, a diamond metal katana forming from the ground, complete with a scabbard. He tossed it to Yami, who grinned, nodding, and Dane reformed his own sword, since he didn't know where the original ended up. Then, he turned to watch the battle, narrowing his eyes as he spotted the one with the Spirit of Fire. She had wavy pink hair falling past her shoulders, a pink gemstone embedded in her forehead, a curling red line forming a "U" under it, wide, empty eyes, a short black dress and black, knee-high, open-toed boots, a dark red, fur coat, and a white poncho with the usual three-eyed symbol sideways across the front. The one using Beast Magic was, fittingly, as much beast as man. A huge, muscular cross between a human man and a lion, Dane was pretty sure, with golden fur covering his body, a purple half-jacket that only covered his shoulders and a strip across his back, long, straight, golden hair, grey pants that were ripped at the bottom, a gold belt, black sandals, and a white robe hanging from his waist. The Copy Magic user was a young man with black hair with tufts of snow-white in the front, a plain blue shirt and pants with a purple cloth belt around his waist, black slip-on shoes, a teal scarf, and a full-length, white robe that faded to dark blue at the ends of the sleeves and the bottom. He also held a katana with a blade made entirely out of darkness.
The Copy Magic user was facing Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Rose Knights, the Beast Magic user was facing Jack the Ripper of the Praying Mantis Knights, and Nozel was facing the Spirit Magic user. And then, just as Dane finished repairing his armor, Yami and Asta both took off for Licht. Licht sensed Yami's approach, courtesy of Finral, and prepared to blast him, only for Asta, who had passed through the battle unscathed, to slam his sword into him, negating his attack and allowing Yami to land his own. Dane nodded, walking over to Finral and Gauche.
"You're alive!?" Finral gaped.
"Barely," Dane said. "Raya shielded me from the collapse, and then coincidence allowed us to not be crushed. So, I guess I should restrain Licht, huh?"
Just then, blood-red rings of seals appeared around Licht for a moment before Licht's body began to shine, rising into the air despite Licht himself being unconscious.
"No!" the Beast Magic user shouted. "When that brat hit him with his Anti-Magic attack, he broke the Spell of Sealing that was cast on him!"
"That's not good," the Copy Magic user said. "That power had been set aside for a day still to come."
"I have a really bad feeling about this," Dane said, glancing at his sword.
"This cannot be!" Licht shouted suddenly. "Why do you have that Grimoire!? Why do you wield them!? The Demon-Slayer Sword and the Demon-Dweller Sword! Those swords belong to the master!"
"You keep saying that crap!" Asta shouted. "Well I'm sick of it! It doesn't matter who this 'Master' guy is, okay!? This Grimoire and these swords are mine! I don't care if they're all beat up! Now quit with all the accusations!"
"They're not yours!" Licht argued. "Give them back! That Grimoire could never belong to you!"
Just then, the light shining from Licht became painful to look at.
"The master's Grimoire could never be yours, filthy human!" Licht snapped.
As he continued to rant, the ground began to break apart rapidly.
"What now, Captain?" Finral asked.
"Things aren't looking so good, huh?" Yami asked.
An enormous mass of pure mana began to form around Licht. Jack tried to attack it with his Severing Magic, but his magic was absorbed instantly. Dane knelt, his Grimoire flying open and his power spiking sharply.
"I'll try and divert it into the sky!" Dane said.
"Trinity Sealing Magic!" the Third Eye members all shouted suddenly.
For a moment, the power fought against their attempts to seal it. Then, suddenly, Licht was encased in a crystal.
"You pushed yourself just a little too hard this time, Licht," the Copy Magic user said. "We've got you, now get some rest."
"It will be alright," the Spirit Magic user said.
"For now," the Beast Magic user growled.
Then, the Copy Magic user retrieved Valtos and returned to the other, using his Copy Magic to use Valtos's darkness. "Our boss is feeling a bit under the weather. So, we're gonna have to call it a day."
"We may have lost to you people this time around," the Beast Magic user smirked, "but just wait. I promise when we meet again, I won't leave until you've tasted true despair! We carnivores live to feast on bottom-feeding vermin like you."
"The next time we meet, you'll draw your last breath," the Spirit Magic User said.
"Remember, wherever you go, the Eye of the Midnight Sun is watching!" the Beast Magic user announced cryptically.
And then, they were gone.
"So, then, they were toying with us," Charlotte mused.
"No," Dane said. "They were actually trying, but they're using their leader like a storage container. Or a timebomb. But it wasn't time for him to go off, yet."
"That's a pleasant thought," Yami mused.
"'Much loved by the mana' is right," Jack admitted, laughing. "I'd like another chance to rip them apart."
"So...did we win?" Asta asked.
"It's less like we won, and more like the other guys ran off," Finral said.
Yami scoffed. "From where I'm standing, them running off like that is as good as a win. Besides, Beast Boy said they lost."
"Captains, even you Nozel," Dane said. "Thank you for saving us. That wouldn't have ended quite as pretty without you."
"I don't need the thanks of a psychopath like you," Nozel scoffed.
"You're thanking us?" Charlotte asked. "I'm impressed. I understood it that you were the least civil of your entire Squad."
"Not always," Dane said. "Fei."
Fei appeared at his side and he jumped onto his back. "Anyone else want a lift back to Nean? I need to check on Raya."
As if on cue, Asta keeled over, unconscious. Dane sighed and summoned Goro, who swallowed Asta and vanished.
"What the...did you just...kill your own Squad Mate!?" Charlotte demanded.
"Relax," Dane said. "My impulses are sated for now. Goro's a supplemental spirit. He can store anything inside of himself harmlessly, then spit it out later."
Charlotte sighed, and the others all began to get on. Charlotte got up behind Dane, then Yami, then Finral, Gauche, Jack, and finally Nozel. Fei took off, flying out of the mountain through the ceiling and turning toward Nean.
"Dane, you did really good in there," Yami said. "I'll have a reward for you when we get home."
"Thank you, Captain," Dane said. "But I think Asta deserves more of one."
"Asta didn't take on Licht alone and manage to seriously wound him," Yami smirked.
"Wait, Dane did that!?" Finral gaped.
"Impossible," Nozel scoffed.
"It's true," Yami assured them. "I'll fill you in later, but suffice it to say, Dane came damn close to beating him. Granted, it wasn't quite enough, but considering how strong Licht was, I'm actually proud."
Yami's stomach growled, and Dane felt his pockets, pulling out a cold, battered steak that Charmy had stuffed into his pocket before he'd left, the only bit of food to have survived the battle. He offered it to Yami, who gave him a weird look, then ate it anyway in three bites.
"I can't believe you ate that, Captain," Finral gaped.
"Have you no manners!?" Charlotte demanded.
"What?" Yami asked. "I'm hungry, and Charmy always makes good food."
"Charmy?" Finral asked. "Wait, she probably stuffed a bunch of food into your pockets before you left, huh?"
"Yeah," Dane nodded. "That was the only thing to have made it through that shitshow, though."
After a few minutes of flying in silence, Fei landed in the center of Nean and let them all down before vanishing. Goro reappeared, using his tongue to set Asta on the ground gently, and Yami carried him into the church to be healed. Theresa was still being healed as well, and Raya had finished being healed and was resting in her human form.
"Raya!" Dane gasped, running over.
"Hey!" Raya smiled, reaching up to brush some dust from his cheek. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"I could say the same," Dane smiled. "You had me worried. How do you feel?"
"I'm just tired," Raya smiled. "I'll be alright." Her eyes roved over Dane before she smiled. "You could use a bath."
"So could you," Dane chuckled.
Raya smiled, nodding. "We did get pretty dirty in that collapse, huh?"
"Dane, we're resting here while everyone recovers," Yami reported. "The church has spare rooms upstairs."
"Okay," Dane said.
Raya pushed herself up, Dane helping her steady herself, and they headed up the stairs together to one of the rooms, the doors of which had helpfully had papers taped to them to say if they were empty. He took their paper off and walked inside, helping Raya to the connected washroom before walking over to sit in a chair next to the bed.
"Dane?" Mimosa asked, knocking on the door. "Are you alright? I heard you were hurt during the battle."
"Yeah," Dane nodded. "He got my back pretty good, and I had to seal it myself."
"Do you want me to make sure it's fully healed?" Mimosa offered.
"Sure," Dane smiled, nodding and using his magic to remove the armor he was still wearing, reforming it beside the bed, since he kind of liked it.
Then, he removed his sword, cloak, and shirt as well, turning away from her. She gasped instantly, gently resting her fingers against his scar.
"I might be able to help with the scar a little, but it looks like most of the wound is sealed," Mimosa said, activating her Princess-Healing Flower Robe.
Her magic shone behind him, and a warm feeling spread through him as she worked. As she did, any lingering pain also slowly faded from his body, and the numbness centered around his spine where it'd been damaged faded. He sighed near-silently, relaxing slightly.
"You're incredible," Mimosa said. "I don't know of anyone who could have treated this kind of injury on themselves, especially as painfully as your magic is when you seal a wound, going by Noelle and Asta's reactions."
"It definitely wasn't a massage," Dane grimaced. "Thank you for healing me."
"You're welcome," Mimosa smiled. "It's the least I can do after you fought so hard, and you helped save the children. And...you defended me against those other Magic Knights."
He glanced back at her. "That was nothing. I just don't like it when people look down on others. I've...felt that my whole life, so I know how it feels."
"What do you mean?" Mimosa asked.
"When my magic manifested, I couldn't control it, and I accidentally killed my parents," Dane said. "My home town spent the next thirteen years, give or take, doing their damndest to beat me to death and make me feel worthless. The first time I really felt welcomed, it scared me so bad I had to leave, and went back to my home. Being in the Black Bulls is...I don't know how long I'll be able to stay before it becomes too much. I'm not used to..."
"To people caring," Mimosa finished.
"To feeling like I belong," Dane said. "Like I'm not worthless. It's taking a lot more getting used to than I was expecting."
Mimosa nodded, her magic and flower dress both fading before she wrapped her arms around him. He sucked in a surprised breath, tensing, but then slowly forced himself to relax.
"Well, no matter what they ever said, I know that you're a good person, even with your impulses," Mimosa said. "Thank you for standing up for me."
"You're welcome," Dane said as she pulled away, allowing him to pull his shirt back on. "Have you been to see the others?"
"Yeah," Mimosa nodded. "They're all resting. Klaus is taking care of Asta himself, so I checked in with everyone else."
Dane nodded, just as Raya walked out of the washroom, drying her hair. "Perfect timing. Mimosa, meet Raya, the Spirit of Light, and one of my closest friends. Raya, this is my friend Mimosa."
"It's nice to meet you," Mimosa smiled.
Raya smiled as well, shaking the hand Mimosa offered before humming, looking Mimosa up and down for a moment before nodding. "Approved."
"Approved?" Mimosa asked, confused.
"It's not like that, Raya," Dane sighed. "Also, why are you so okay with that?"
"Because I want you to be happy," Raya said as though it should be obvious. "Now go take a shower, you're filthy. And don't forget to wash behind your ears, and brush your teeth, and-"
"Okay, I get it," Dane sighed, smiling and hugging her. "Go home to...wherever you guys go when you're not with me. You can recover there easier."
"Alright," Raya sighed. "Be good, alright?"
"I'll do my best," Dane promised.
Raya smiled, nodding and vanished, and Dane sighed, looking to Mimosa.
"What was I approved for?" Mimosa asked.
"Don't worry about it," Dane waved her off. "It's nothing important. I'm going to get cleaned up."
"Oh!" Mimosa blushed, nodding. "Right! I'll let you have your privacy."
Dane nodded, walking her to the door and thanking her again for healing him, then closed the door as she walked away.
Dane smiled as he stared at the piles of pot potato pies. "Black Bulls tradition my ass. This is just a reward for Asta landing a hit on Licht and learning to sense ki."
"Are you questioning me?" Yami snarled. "Do you want me to kill you?"
"Nah, I'm good on fighting for a bit," Dane said, frowning. "I actually don't know the last time I lost, so I'm good for a while, I think. As long as I don't have to be around Nozel and those other insects."
"Fair enough," Yami said. "Oh, right, I promised you a reward for doing so well. Here."
He held out a wide, silver bracer with a blue Magic Stone set into it. Dane blinked in surprise, accepting it.
"What is it?" Dane asked.
"It's a Magic Tool that allows someone to cast one copied spell per day," Yami said. "After what happened during that fight, and the way you had to treat your own wound, I figured you'd appreciate being able to copy a healing spell, instead of using your own magic to heal yourself."
"Thanks!" Dane smiled. "How do I copy a spell?"
"You feed it a bit of magic, and show the Magic stone the page for the healing spell," Yami said. "Then you feed it a little to activate it. The strength of the spell depends on your mana, so you shouldn't have any problems there."
"Thanks," Dane smiled. "Now I just need to choose the strongest healing spell I can find. Do I have to recopy the spell after I use it?"
"I'm not sure," Yami admitted. "I won that thing gambling a while back and only just found it again. I was gonna pawn it off, but I figured this would be a better use for it."
"Thanks," Dane smiled, pulling the bracer on his left wrist. "It's perfect."
Yami nodded, and walked away as Charmy hugged Dane.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Charmy said.
"Yeah, it'd be a shame if I lost my drinking partner," Vanessa said, wrapping her arms around him from behind and setting the same type of mixed drink she'd given him before in front of him.
"I'm gonna have to pass on the eating competition," Finral said. "I'd rather not end up in a food coma."
"I'm passing, too," Noelle said. "A competition like this is hardly suitable for royalty."
"You'll eat, won't you?" Charmy asked, her sheep having cooked the pies.
"Of course I will," Dane smiled.
"Yami, sir, if you would kindly judge the event!?" Magna shouted. "Thank you!"
"Fine, cut the chit-chat and let's get started!" Yami sighed as everyone took their seats. "Ready? Eat!"
Grey rang a gong, and everyone dug in, some, mainly meaning Charmy and Asta, more enthusiastically than most. Noelle took one bite and complained that her mouth was already dry. Finral began to use Spacial Magic to send his food directly to Luck's stomach, then when Yami called him out he complained he wasn't hungry. Magna used his magic to "reheat" his, burning it to a crisp, then made it two bites in before passing out. Gordon was disqualified for sticking his head out of Asta's pile of pies. Vanessa took a few bites, but then began to vomit from drinking too much. Dane sighed, he, Asta, and Charmy still eating, though Dane was nowhere near winning against them, so Yami called him out with the rest. Dane shrugged, continuing to eat at a leisurely pace, resting a hand on top of Charmy's head in support as she and Asta raced through their pies. Then, finally, Asta collapsed, leaving Charmy as the winner.
"You had to see that coming, Asta," Dane chuckled. "Charmy spends most of her time eating."
"Yeah, and if it's not food, she's eating-" Finral was cut off by Dane sending a stone fist into his chin, knocking him out.
Just then, a bird was warped into the room and dropped a letter for Yami, then warped away again. The Squad Captains were convening and the Wizard King had asked for both Asta and Dane personally.
"Sounds like it's important," Dane sighed, draining his glass. "And here I was hoping to play catch up for our day off that got ruined."
"No dice," Yami said. "Get some rest. I can tell you're still beat from that last mission."
"Good idea," Dane nodded. "Now I just need to figure out where my room got moved to."
"Good luck with that," Yami said.
Dane sighed, walking out of the room, only for Charmy and Vanessa to follow him. He smiled, taking Charmy's hand, and after about ten minutes of searching, they finally found it. And as soon as they were inside, Vanessa had locked the door and Charmy had transformed herself into her adult form.
"Now it's our turn to reward you for your work on that mission," Vanessa smiled, wrapping her arms around Dane from behind as Charmy kissed him. "And you'd better appreciate it more than the captain's gift."
"I can promise you Yami's gift won't compare," Dane smiled against Charmy's lips, then picked her up, carrying her to the bed as Vanessa followed, shedding her underwear on the way.
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