Ok, so...Some of you are probably confused right now. Wasnt this posted by Ankoholic? Yes, it was...It was also recently deleted by him. He had a...stressful Monday. One that resulted in him deleting the story. He's better now, dont worry, but to prevent such a thing happening again, ive decided to upload the story onto my account. I have his FULL permission to do this. Dont you worry, this story will STILL continue, and Ankoholic will still write it...Its just going to be on my profile now is all. Hopefully we can get alot of Reviews like it used to have soon enough.

And No...I dont own Bleach of fairy tail. Those belong respecitvly too Tite Kubo and Shounen jump and Hiro Mashima and Weekly shounen magizine. This is just for fun!

Original author's note: This my friends is quite the collaborative effort between myself and the one, the only, the number one Bambietta Basterbine fan... Give it up for VOGoshinki! He's the man with the plan, the master of ideas, and I do what I can to bring it to life with the written word. What we have created may entertain you. If you keep scrolling down this page, it may even put a smile on your face. To those of you who do end up with a grin... Well, we warned you.

Bambietta Basterbine, Stern Ritter E of the Vandenreich, was not having a particularly good time of things. She had entered into war with the Soul Society willingly, putting her life on the line for His Majesty, Yhwach. Death was always a possibility on the field of battle. An errant strike, a mistimed calculation, anything could lead to the end of her life at the hands of the enemy.

Yet it was not a Soul Reaper that had struck her down. Neither was it the finality of death that she had been granted. No, she had been betrayed by one of her own, a fellow Quincy. Struck down and reborn, she now was left on a knife's edge. Neither truly alive nor truly dead, she was simply a slave to a cruel will.

Bambietta lay there then, her broken shell of a body atop the remnants of the Soul Society. Unmoving and quiet, her mind was adrift in despair. Used, abused and abandoned, her addled thoughts cried out for only one thing, her throat giving voice to those forced desires born not from herself but from the one who had control over her body and soul.

"Gigi, don't... leave me..."

The Quincy was nothing more than a broken corpse, a soul trapped in a prison of crimson colored flesh, a sign of Stern Ritter Z's control. Her now unnatural life depended on her killer for sustenance, giving rise to a need to please the sadist that she had considered a friend. A friend who was nothing more than a vulture waiting in the wings for the opportunity to strike, to assume a position of dominance.

Then, as if hearing her puppet's plea, that vulture began to descend, as if seeking out carrion to devour. Giselle Gewelle was fast approaching, her eyes set on Bambietta.

"There you are, my precious little soldier. Silly little Bambi, how could you leave my side for even an instant?"

Giselle stopped then, her face going blank for a moment. The Stern Ritter scratched at her chin for a moment then, her eyes suddenly lighting up with realization.

"Oh, right! I split your head open on the pavement when you were being so very greedy with my blood! I guess next time you'll be more giving, huh? Especially when it s not yours to keep in the first place."

"I'm sorry, Gigi," Bambietta replied, the words spoken not her own but what Giselle wanted to hear, what she had forced unto the zombified Quincy. "Please, please, forgive me."

"Oh, I always do," Giselle said softly as she moved her face close to Bambietta's own, a gentle hand touching the dead flesh of the Quincy's face. "Isn't that why you love me?"

"Yes," Bambietta stammered, her eyes pleading, tears slipping down her face. "It's because you are much too kind. I don't deserve it."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Giselle replied, a smirk tugging her lips upwards. "Now let's repair you, my little meat shield, for the battles that await us."

"Gigi?"

"His Majesty has betrayed us all," Giselle continued, "and we're going to work with the Soul Reapers to kill that jerk! I mean, who does he think he is, betraying a fellow Quincy?"

Something stirred in Bambietta then, the Stern Ritter forcing herself to sit up. Her face contorted a little, her eyes locking with Giselle's own. "Betraying a fellow Quincy..."

Her heart and soul was lost in fog, but still did Bambietta know there was something very wrong with this situation. Before her was her own personal traitor and yet there was a veil cast over that image, one of misplaced love and a need to please.

"I can't go into battle without a puppet," Giselle said as she forcibly pushed Bambietta back down by the shoulders, "and that mean old scientist took away all the zombies I made from the Soul Reapers. You're all I've got left, Bambi. But that's all right..."

Giselle suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Bambietta's corpse, hugging her tightly.

"... Because I love you to bits, Bambi!"

There was a part of Bambietta that cried out for justice, to murder the killer who held her so tightly. Yet she could not force herself past the shroud that had been hung around her. Instead she spoke not as herself but as Giselle's slave.

"Thank you, Gigi. I'll... protect you, no matter what."

"That's what I like to hear!" Giselle said as she pulled away, a wide smile on her face. "Now let me go find a dead Soul Reaper and I can use their flesh to heal that nasty head wound! I wouldn't want my sword and shield to go into battle with a split open skull! That'd just be nasty!"

Giselle walked away then, gripping down on the robes of a deceased Soul Reaper. She began to drag it over towards Bambietta, speaking all the while.

"I'm sure those Soul Reapers wouldn't want me to use their own forces again, but I'm really going to need some new soldiers. I mean, if I go up against Yhwach and the others like this, I'd probably die. Let's see, there's you..." Giselle's words began to drift then. "Oh yeah, maybe I can find Candi and Meni. They should be unconscious around her somewhere. I can work with that. Shame I can't use all these Soul Reapers though. Strange bedfellows, huh? Speaking of bedfellows..."

Giselle began to turn then, ready to perform her twisted brand of healing on Bambietta, but all she could see now was rumble. The corpse was gone, though Giselle could feel something in the air. Something unnatural, even by her own standards. There was a faint light in the space that Bambietta had occupied, but even that was fading away quickly.

Giselle blinked for a moment, completely unsure of what was going on. "Bambi?"

"Hey, Gigi, better hurry or we'll go to the Royal Realm without you! Don't you want to give Yhwach and the others a piece of your mind?"

Giselle heard it then, the voice of Liltotto Lamperd. Sighing, Stern Ritter Z began to run over, wondering just what had happened to her favorite zombie.

Bambietta found herself adrift in darkness for a moment, yet still she could see flashes of light around her, images forming as if held in windows. If not for the addled state of her zombified form, she might very well have gone mad from the experience. Still did she glance around frantically, catching glimpses into those 'windows.' In one she saw warriors with golden hair, another a brightly colored ninja fighting a man with far too many facial piercings. Yet another 'window' left Bambietta peering at a samurai with a cross shaped scar, another after that giving her a glimpse at a woman who looked much like the lieutenant of Squad Thirteen facing off against colossal monsters. There were so many strange moving images around Bambietta, some black and white, others in complete color, that she could not focus on any one for too long. For a moment she caught sight of a group of young ladies dressed in modified sailor school uniforms, another a red haired sorceress losing her temper and annihilating a dragon with a spell that would make even her Explode look like child's play. Yet it was then that Bambietta saw something that startled even her altered mindset.

Another 'window,' another glimpse at another unknown individual. This time however it was as if Bambietta was staring into a mirror. In it was a woman clad in a white military uniform, one that made it appear as if she had been one of the Vandenreich's own. Held in a reverse grip was a cutlass, blood trailing off its blade as monsters fell to pieces behind the woman. If not for the sky blue hair this warrior possessed, Bambietta would have sworn she was seeing herself.

Then did the woman suddenly light up with joy, her face going flush as she took notice of a young man. Even the zombified Bambietta was caught completely off-guard by the sudden shift in emotions, leaving her to shake her head in shock. She continued then to float through the endless sea of 'windows,' unsure of what exactly was happening.

"Greetings, Bambietta Basterbine. I bid you welcome to the back of beyond, to a realm of infinite worlds and possibilities."

Bambietta heard it then, a voice calling out to her from this void of endless possibilities. She looked around frantically again, ignoring the 'windows.' She spoke then, the one name her forced state would allow her to say. "Gigi?"

The voice did not respond at first, but spoke again after a moment's time. ""You speak of the one who betrayed your trust, yes?"

Bambietta pulled her legs up to her chest then, wrapping her arms around them as she curled up. She did not truly understand why she was so intent on seeing Giselle again, her mind's inner working not entirely of her own volition. Her desires were entirely out of her control, thoughts just as poisoned and corrupted as her blood. All she could do was speak in a dejected tone, her voice filled with nothing but sorrow and despair. "Gigi..."

"Think not of past, my child." The voice continued to shift and move about, as if it was all around Bambietta. "For I am most willing to grant unto you a future. "

That much tore at Bambietta's mind, dragging up memories of her mission under Yhwach, the destruction of the Vandenreich's chief enemy. Could a being of such power give to her what it was promising? "The... Soul King?"

"A god of a sorts, yes," the voice continued, "but I am as far beyond the Soul King as he is beyond you. However, I have need of your powers, of your abilities. But do not fret, my child. I will grant you what you seek, what you desire most of all in return."

"What... are you talking about?"

Bambietta could see it then, a 'window' that she was getting closer and closer to. In it she could see what appeared to be a kingdom cast in broad daylight, a winged, blue cat flying around in plain sight. Now she was simply even more confused.

"Behold a world far, far away from your own," the voice said as Bambietta drew ever closer to the portal. "My world. A world filled with magic, so much so that it is found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace as if it was a mundane part of everyday life. Yet those you will meet consider it an art and have devoted their lives to its practice. Mine is a world where these wizards have banded together as guilds, looking for fame and fortune."

Bambietta said nothing as she drew ever closer to the 'window,' a strange sort of warmth overwhelming her despite her current conditions.

"You will find yourself in the kingdom of Fiore," the omnipresent voice continued, "and you no doubt will discover what your heart craves, true friendship. I will bestow upon the opportunity that you require, a chance to form bonds with no chance of betrayel. Your heart will be safe, I promise you this much. Open then in return and the light I sense within you will be justly rewarded. Perhaps the darkness that has eclipsed your soul will erode in time. I believe this to be the only hope for you, yet I know you will not stand for such tranquility of your volition."

A strange light began to move about Bambietta, then, as if it was drawing from the Quincy her own power. She felt weaker for a moment in turn, unable to comprehend what was going on. Then was the light gone, leaving Bambietta alone as she moved closer to the 'window' before her.

"Do not fret, my child," the voice said with a soothing tone. "I have robbed from you a measure of your strength, yes, but it shall return to you in time. You will have to find trust among those I send you to, but you will have nothing to fear of them. I have the utmost faith in those I wish you to meet. They are of a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest. Countless legends have been born from it and perhaps you shall become one as well. It is a guild that of all those in my world best signifies what I stand for. Its name... is Fairy Tail."

Then Bambietta was gone, having fallen into the portal. The being the voice belonged to was alone then, giving him chance to ponder over one last matter.

"Bambietta Basterbine," the voice said, growing quieter with each passing second, "I hope when next we meet you will have found some measure of peace and happiness. For that is what I require of you and your powers in this chess game of the gods."

She was known far and wide across the kingdom of Fiore as Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Yet to those closest to her, to those she called family in the Fairy Tail guild, she was simply Erza Scarlet. Her power and skill were things of legend, which was precisely why she was selected for the task at hand. For most job requests were something that was sought out at Fairy Tail by those who wished to take them, but in this circumstance the individuals behind the job had asked specifically for Erza Scarlet herself. For they were being tormented by a monster of tremendous size, one that had the countryside held in a grip of fear. Villages were attacked, people either killed or taken against their will. For Erza Scarlet the pay would be fine, but the opportunity to save the innocent from such a vile beast was reward unto itself.

Thus had she embarked on her journey, the warrior wizard walking across a well-travelled path, an indescribable amount of luggage strapped to her armored back. She was quiet as she continued her walk, her thoughts hers and hers alone. She had taken this task alone, being one of Fairy Tail's strongest, and she would see it through alone as well.

Yet fate it seemed had at least one surprise in store for her. There was a flash before Erza's eyes, a sudden shifting of movement that had descended from the sky above. The initial reaction of Erza's was perhaps not becoming of one of Fairy Tail's strongest, but the sudden figure dropping in front Erza caught even her off guard. A slight cry, cute and scary as it was, escaped from Erza as she stepped back. "Kya!"

Still, she was a wizard of the highest acclaim and her battle hardened instincts came alive in that very moment. There was a flash of gold light by Erza's side and when it faded a broadsword was left in its wake, her hand gripping tightly on the weapon. If this were simply a freak accident or the first attack from a group of roadside bandits, Erza was prepared for any such eventuality.

At least that was what she had told herself. What Erza had not been expecting was a young lady to be sprawled across the ground before her. Skin as red as blood, a white uniform in tatters, Erza was left to wonder if this unexpected guest who had quite literally dropped in was among the dead. She was unmoving for a moment, then did the newcomer suddenly bolt up, looking around frantically.

"Gigi? Gigi, where are you?" a quiet voice on the edge of sorrow spoke. "Please don't be mad... I'll come back to your side, I promise... Just don't be cross with me... I couldn't... couldn't handle that..."

Erza lowered her weapon but not her guard as she watched the woman crawl on to her hands and knees, all the while still looking around for someone who was not there. "I do not know who this 'Gigi,' is, but I assure you that I am the only one here."

The lady suddenly looked at Erza then, her eyes wide with curiosity. Then they suddenly began to narrow slightly, tears forming at their edges. "I'm... alone?"

Bambietta did not know quite what to feel. She wanted Giselle back by her side, the woman her link to what little life she had, her blood Bambietta's nectar. If she was deprived of that then how long would she last? Then did desperation to survive, the will to live, push Bambietta forward. She forced herself to her feet, her eyes locked on Erza.

"Tell me where she is right now!"

The Stern Ritter lunged at Erza then, her arms outstretched as a wicked smile crossed her face. Erza simply stood her ground, sighing as she allowed her sword to return to the armory from whence it had come. Her hand no longer occupied by a blade, Erza curled her fingers into the palm of her hand. As Bambietta approached her, the wizard drove her armored fist into the Quincy's stomach.

Bambietta gasped in pain then, stopping in her tracks as she slumped forward. Despite her moment of rage, despite her fogged over thoughts, she knew that Giselle's making her a zombie had altered her powers. Yet now she felt perhaps even weaker. What had happened to her blood born strength, however, was something she could not comprehend. All that she knew was that she was feeling upset once more. Upset at losing her life, at losing Giselle, at finding herself in this strange place, and now upset at her lack of strength.

Erza kept her fist in place for a moment, caught off guard by the strange feeling that was this woman's body. Erza had seen many dead bodies in her life, her time trapped in the Tower of Heaven having forced many cruel lessons upon her. Her childhood had been plagued by pain but nothing had been quite so cruel as her captors forcing the children such as herself to bury the dead, to bury those who had dared to rise up against their unjust kidnappers. She had seen death in person, felt the cold skin, the taut muscles.

This woman felt just like them, yet still was she alive in other ways. Erza could only assume that this young lady had fallen prey to the machinations of a wizard who specialized in necromancy. It was a power befitting only those who would call the darkest of guilds their home, perhaps even something that only a worshipper of Zeref could ever find value in. Seeing the results before her very eyes disgusted Erza Scarlet. To treat someone like this, to use and abuse them in such a fashion was simply unforgivable. If she had been deceased she simply should have been left in peace, that was Erza's philosophy. There was a part of her that would have gladly brought her 'Grandpa' Rob back to the world of the living, to see the man who had given her hope in the Tower of Heaven. Or to bring back Lisanna Strauss, one of Fairy Tails' own who had died before her time, but Erza knew that only dark arts could pervert their souls, as well as her own. The price would be too great for either of them.

To see someone subjected to such a curse, it left Erza enraged inside. Still she kept her heart calm, forcing her emotions to remain locked as if in a suit of armor. She knew that displaying such rage would do nothing for either herself or this poor, unfortunate soul before her. The simple truth was there was only one way this could properly end then. Terrible as it was, Erza knew she would have to draw her sword again, to put this decaying woman out of her misery, to free her from her suffering. It was the truth, Erza knew that, but it was a necessary cruelness.

Yet then did the woman she had punched speak again. "I just want... want to live..."

Erza glanced down then, noticing something splashing down on the gauntlet of her closed fist. They were tears. Tears dropping from the undead woman's face. That left Erza shaken for a moment, yet still did she refuse to wear such emotions on her sleeve. For a moment did Erza hesitate, feeling something in the air, in the woman before her. A spark, a will to live on, to fight until the better end. It tugged at Erza, leaving the warrior to remember the drive to live on that Grandpa Rob had instilled in her. To rise up, to stand against her oppressors.

"Please!" Bambietta shouted, suddenly starring up at the scarlet haired woman with tears streaming down her face. "I don't want my life to be thrown away! Gigi, anyone, just let me live!"

Erza blinked then, the most she could offer outwardly. She reached out gently then, her left hand slipping behind Bambietta's head, fingers looping through her dark brown hair. What this woman needed this very moment was a hug. Erza was willing to comply, as she had down so for many a distraught Fairy Tail wizard. She pulled Bambietta's head forward to her chest.

Then did Bambietta cry out in pain as the side of her head slammed into Erza's chest plate. The Stern Ritter's thoughts became even more of a jumble now than they had been before, the unintendedly harsh impact drawing some of the little blood that remained in her body. She slumped forward then, her body going limp as her eyes closed.

Erza remained simply unaware of what had truly transpired then. "Yes, get some rest and I will make a slight detour for your sake."

It had not been long since Erza had left the Fairy Tail guild hall, having only begun her journey one short hour ago. The forest outside of the town of Magnolia was very close by and the wizard knew she could find the proper help among its solitude. While she was an incomprehensible wizard in the field of combat, medical magic was not Erza's forte in the least. Yet there was one such woman she knew who could perform what some would describe as miracles. Erza had not seen this woman in a long time, yet she knew first hand of her talents. The light of the sky gleaned in Erza's right eye then, her serene expression hardening for a moment.

"Yes, perhaps she can coax out the spark of life still residing within you."

The air was still within Magnolia's East Forest, the sounds that reverberated through the clearings nothing more than nature's own. For the sole resident of the forest it was true bliss.

The wizard known as Porlyusica was simply moving to and fro amidst her belongings, her dwelling nothing more than a quaint home built within a hollow tree. For now she was simply sweeping the wooden floor. A basic task to be sure, an example of a simple life, yet that was exactly what the former member of Fairy Tail wanted. Once she had been a legend amongst her peers but time had moved on, a new generation rising to forge their own destinies. For her it was now simply a time to enjoy her life, to rest, to relax.

Yet her simple life was about to be interrupted. A heavy knock suddenly echoed across her home, a telltale sign of someone at her door. Porlyusica sighed then, wondering for but a moment if a lost traveler had come across her dwelling. Yet she knew the enchantment that she had cast throughout the forest would make that simply impossible. Only those who carried the mark of Fairy Tail could see through the veil and find her.

"A moment please." Porlyusica leaned her broom against the wall and began to make her way to the door. She opened it then and was greeted by the sight of a young lady from her past. "Erza Scarlet."

Porlyusica remembered well the first time she had laid eyes open this woman. She had been traumatized then, wearing a patch over a damaged eye. The current master of Fairy Tail had brought the young girl to Porlyusica then, knowing his former teammate could heal the damage, to restore Erza's sight to full.

"Lady Porlyusica," Erza said softly, her own trademark sternness still evident in her voice whether she knew it or not, "I am sorry to intrude upon you but I have someone who could desperately use your assistance."

Porlyusica glanced down then, noticing the woman Erza was cradling in her arms. She was unmoving and battered, clothes tattered and blood across her form from many wounds. Yet it was hard to see the liquid stained on her body, the still woman's flesh a similar shade of crimson.

"What sorcery is this?" Porlyusica asked, her own voice betraying her disgust. There was something very off about this woman Erza had brought to her, something that left Porlyusica shaken to her core. She had seen so much in her life, yet there was just something about this unexpected visitor that was too much for her to comprehend. Still she assumed a commanding tone, one that she had used for so long in her days of active duty. "Put her on the sofa, now!"

Erza said nothing, knowing Porlyusica well enough to understand the urgency in her voice. She moved quickly as the aged wizard stepped to the side and Erza gently laid down the undead woman she had stumbled across on the furniture as she had been instructed.

"I need to know what happened," Porlyusica said as she approached, crouching down beside the still woman. "Tell me everything."

"It's as simple as it is strange," Erza replied. "This woman appeared as if from thin air and fell before me during my travels. She was in a daze, yet still panicking about being punished by some woman she referred to as Gigi. From her physical, mental and emotional state I could only assume that she is a victim of some form of necromancy... perhaps initiated by this individual she spoke of."

"She's not breathing," Porlyusica said as she held a hand over the woman's mouth before moving it down and gripping one of her wrists. "And there's no pulse. But you are sure she was moving about despite this state?"

"Yes, she tried to attack me so I had to try and restrain her," Erza said, her voice suddenly growing quite sheepish. "Though I may have been a bit too rough when I tried to hold her close and tight. Curse this armor of mine!"

Porlyusica ignored Erza's self-depreciating tone then, simply bringing both her hands up over the undead woman's body. They began to glow faintly then and Porlyusica closed her eyes. "Yes, I can feel the faintest spark of life within her. Curious as most who fall prey to a spell as cruel as this would be nothing more than an empty shell."

"So my intuition was correct." Erza stood still then, watching as Porlyusica continued to scan over the zombified remains. "Do you believe this condition can be reversed or lessened at the very least?"

"Perhaps with much effort on my part," Porlyusica said as she stood up, "though I can make no promises. The dead should remain dead, yet still there is that faint trace of life hidden within her. It's something I can't quite explain. This girl you said appeared as if from thin air... it's all so peculiar."

"But still capable of being saved if the fates are just," Erza replied as she stepped beside Porlyusica. "And I trust in your skills, my lady. If not for you, I-"

"Do not speak of those days that have passed us both by," Porlyusica said with a slight edge in her voice. "I did what I could for someone scarred by the hardships of life. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Then you will do so again for this unfortunate individual?"

"I could try my best," Porlyusica said sharply, suddenly glaring at Erza with a narrowing expression, "but would that be so wise?"

Erza had not been expecting that question from the woman who had done so much for her in the past. Yet still she returned the expression with a stern one of her own. "What are you saying?"

"Perhaps this woman simply found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time," Porlyusica replied as she walked away, "but I do not have much faith in humanity as a whole. Perhaps she fell in with a bad crowd, a dark guild, and someone clearly lacking in morals took advantage of her in a moment of weakness."

Her arms crossed, Erza began to tap an armored index finger across a forearm, allowing it to noticeably echo across the room. "Perhaps what you say is true. Perhaps she is or was a member of a guild lacking in morals, but if what you say is true, then she was clearly betrayed by them. By this Gigi. And is it not the Fairy Tail way to help those in need?"

"Do not speak to me as if I do not understand what the First Master wanted the guild to be," Porlyusica said quietly then. "Do not speak as if I do not understand what the Second Master preached, what Makarov speaks of to this day."

Porlyusica turned then to face Erza, her expression wavering slightly.

"I will help this girl, but I wish to make it clear to you the danger she might possess. Should she reveal a darker side upon her resurrection then I will not hesitate to do what I must in that situation."

"I would not expect you to do anything less," Erza said with a slightly smile. "I thank you for your kindness, Lady Porlyusica. Do you wish for me to stay in case you are proven correct about this woman?"

"I appreciate your concern," Porlyusica replied, "but I believe I can still handle myself if need be. Besides, is there not a village in need of your services?"

"You knew of that mission?"

"I may not be an active member of Fairy Tail at this point," Porlyusica began to answer, "but there is little that goes on within the guild that I am not aware of. You've grown so much from that little girl whom Makarov brought to my doorstep all those years ago. Taking on S-Class missions... it makes me proud, Erza Scarlet. Now go, do what you can for this world."

Erza nodded slightly then and made her leave, gently opening and closing the door upon her exit.

Porlyusica stood alone then, glancing slightly at the undead being that was her guest. There was one simply thing she had not relayed to Erza, the strange energy she felt within this woman's very soul. It was not like any magic she had sensed in her entire life. Was she of this world, or perhaps a traveler from another world. Was she of Edolas, the realm that Porlyusica had long since lost, or from another reality altogether? The aged wizard did not know, but there was a sense of dread seeping through her thoughts.

"I hope I'm wrong about you. I truly do."

"Where... am I?"

Bambietta's eyes began to flutter open, leaving her to find herself staring at a wooden ceiling. The Quincy had no idea how she had come to this place, the last solid memory of hers being Giselle's hands around her throat, leaving her unable to breath. Beyond that was a simply a jumbled mess, memories that were nothing more than simple flashes, nothing more. Giselle giving her orders, a red feathered spear coming into her field of vision, a flamboyant Arrancar, lights descending from the heavens. More came to her then, of Giselle approaching her one last time, of spiky haired men, of a samurai facing off with what Bambietta could only discern was a mummy, of a sorceress devastating the landscape. Then last but not least was the faint glimpse of red hair, of an armored chest plate slamming into her skull.

"Ah, you're awake."

Bambietta glanced to her side then, catching sight of an old woman with pink hair, a red cloak adorning her shoulders. The woman was sitting in a chair, thumbing through a book before she at last returned the look.

"Who are you?" Bambietta asked weakly, finding little strength to give true voice to her question.

"I'm no one particularly important," Porlyusica said as she put the book down, slowly moving one hand out of sight. "However, I think the more pertinent question is who exactly are you?"

Bambietta struggled then to sit up, only to find a force pushing her back down. It was as if some invisible weight was atop her.

"You will stay still," the pink haired woman said calmly, "and if I like what you have to say, then you will be able move about freely."

Bambietta said nothing for a moment then, realizing she was this unknown woman's prisoner. However, in the quiet that followed she did hear something. Not only that, she felt it.

A heartbeat. Her heart beat.

"I'm alive?"

"Yes." The woman said nothing more then, leaving Bambietta left to speak herself.

The Quincy was unsure of what exactly was going on, though she had at least one theory. This woman had power over an unseen force and the ornate collar of her cloak seemed fairly similar to the ones Bambietta had taken notice of during her investigating the Soul Society to better inform the Vandenreich's battle tactics. Perhaps this woman was a member of the Kido Corps. Whoever she was, it was clear enough to Bambietta that this woman who held her prisoner with some strange spell was more than likely responsible for her resurrection. However, the words 'thank you' were not something the Quincy was used to uttering, at least not without a sarcastic edge to them, and especially not to an enemy. Yet she knew she had true reason to force herself past her own nature.

A few tears began to slip down Bambietta's face as she glanced at the woman. "Thank you, Soul Reaper."

The woman turned towards Bambietta fully then, a slightly perplexed look on her face. "I've had many titles in my life, at least one of which I was proud another inherited, but I do not believe that was one of them."

"Then what-"

"My name is Porlyusica," the woman said as she sat up from her chair and placed her book down, "and while I appreciate your thanks, I cannot take the full credit for your restoration. You are a very lucky individual."

"Really?" Bambietta shot back, her temper suddenly at the ready. "The first of my group to face defeat, to be on the brink of death and then be betrayed and killed by one of my own? To become some witch's puppet? Yes, I was real lucky!"

"Yes, lucky. Whatever was done to you was far removed from any form of necromancy that I had ever seen before. For one reason or another there was a still something binding your soul to your body." Porlyusica shook her head slightly. "Ghastly magic, that was what it was. However... she was right. You were betrayed by your own guild."

"Guild?" Bambietta blinked for a moment, unsure of just what was going on. "The Vandenreich is an army! His Majesty's forces uncountable in number! The Stern Ritter his best and brightest! And I, Bambietta Basterbine, was one of them!"

"The Vandenreich, is it?" Porlyusica took a sip of her tea then, turning to look back at the prone Quincy. "I know more of this world than I care to wish. Of many types of guilds that dot the landscape of Fiore, of armies across the vast ocean. Yet I have not heard of a Vandenreich. So tell me..."

Bambietta was so very confused now, all this talk of Fiore and its guilds, none of it made sense to her. "Where the hell am I?"

"It seems one of my suspicions is correct," Porlyusica replied as she moved closer. "Though I hope for your sake only that one."

"What?"

The aged wizard glared down at the defenseless Bambietta as she stood directly beside her. "You are not of this world, are you?"

Bambietta just stared back at Porlyusica, unsure of just what she was getting at. She said nothing then, her thoughts too preoccupied at comprehending just what was going on.

"I am no stranger to parallel worlds," the wizard continued, though not going into explicit details, "and while it has been some time indeed, I doubt my world has changed so much that someone of your source of power and dress would have come from there. So tell me, what was your world like?"

Bambietta did not answer, her eyes quivering as she realizes she was hearing the truth then. She began to wonder then, the random memories of unfamiliar faces, were those glimpses into other realms? What had happened to her since Giselle had enslaved her? "I... I'm in another world? But how? My home... my friends... I..."

Then did Bambietta laugh.

"What friends? They all... they all... betrayed me... To hell with them all!"

"Again, what was your world like?" Porlyusica asked again, ignoring Bambietta's sudden breakdown. "More importantly, what was this group you were a part of like?"

"Yes, I don't need them! A whole new world for me to.. to..."

"To live in I hope," Porlyusica finished coldly. "Or perhaps your Vandenreich was simply interested in conquest?"

Bambietta said nothing then, the Quincy realizing just what kind of meaning was behind Porlyusica's eyes and tone of voice. The wizard then sighed and simply took another sip of her tea.

"As I suspected," she said calmly. "You were a part of something similar to Fiore's dark guilds. How unfortunate."

Bambietta felt her body shake, the Quincy beginning to realize she might very well be in real danger. "Wait, please, I-"

Porlyusica simply took another drink of her tea, finishing the cup. "Calm yourself. I told your rescuer that I could defend myself it need be, not harm you. And I have done just that. My paralysis spell has seen to that. Still, I will have to contact someone from Fairy Tail to escort you to the courts and their prisons. Though I dare not know what they could hope to charge you with."

Bambietta sighed then and there, realizing that she was free of Giselle's Zombie, but she was still a prisoner of someone else, not to mention her own body. She would have to talk her way out of this, even if it required the truth. "I killed people for the Vandenreich-"

"As have those in the recognized guilds," Porlyusica said, cutting Bambietta off. "In the most dire of circumstances. It's not what you did but why you did it that concerns me."

Bambietta knew that answer would offer her no hope. To admit that she reveled in her own power, that she enjoyed the spilling of blood, of bringing chaos to both the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. That she was a monster, born and bred. She would simply have to speak with half-truths then if need be. "We were fighting against the forces that very nearly exterminated our kind. Gods of death that-"

"Chose your worlds carefully, child," Porlyusica said, once more cutting Bambietta off. "You are unfamiliar with this world and of myself so let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am a user of Veil magic. You do not know what that is, so allow me to educate you."

Bambietta swallowed hard then, staring wide eyed at Porlyusica.

"With this spell active, my eyes noticed fluctuations in your skin tone, even the finest in increased perspiration. My ears can detect the faintest traces of hesitation in your words, the increase or decrease in the beating of your heart. There will be no lies before me, nor half-truths. I will know the truth, either because you speak it or because I know what you say is clouded in misdirection."

Bambietta's eyes narrowed slightly then. "I am a Quincy and my kind was hunted by the appointed rulers of the afterlife. The Soul Reapers had killed my kind in the past for interfering with the balances of life and death."

"So you fought for self-preservation?"

"No, I fought..." Bambietta stumbled on her words then. "I fought for the thrill. I killed so many Soul Reapers for my own pleasure."

Porlyusica said nothing then, simply staring at Bambietta. The Quincy continued then, feeling as if she were on trial despite not being before the courts this woman had spoken of.

"I killed for fun, but then my own friend killed me for that very reason. And now-"

"Enough." Porlyusica said sharply. She had heard it then, a slight shift in tone beginning to take hold of Bambietta. "I will have no tears in my home. Not today."

Porlyusica brought a hand up, pointing an index finger at Bambietta. The Quincy suddenly felt the invisible weight fade away, allowing her to move once more. She sat up slowly and looked at the wizard once more.

"What are you doing?" she asked simply. "You just heard me talk about killing for fun, so why-"

"If you raised a hand against me," Porlyusica answered, "you would leave my home in worse shape than you had arrived in."

Bambietta blinked a few times then, realizing that what she had heard was no threat but simply a stated fact. It tore at her a bit though, to be a Stern Ritter and yet still at someone's mercy like this. Yet she knew her powers were not what they had been, feeling the weakened spiritual pressure that was her own. Had her death and resurrection left her in a weakened state? Whatever the case was, Bambietta knew a battle was not in her best interests.

"So what am I supposed to do now?"

"I would like you to leave me home for one," Porlyusica answered. "I mean you no offense, but I am not fond of people. At least not when I have to deal with them for more than five minutes."

Bambietta stood up then, glancing down a slight bit. She had noticed her skin tone returned to normal, but this was the first time she had realized she had on new clothing. Simple black slacks and a white shirt, but it was better than the tattered remains of her uniform. All that she had from that were her scuffed boots now "Thank you," she said again as she began to walk away.

"I do offer you one suggestion, however," Porlyusica suddenly said. "My All Seeing spell... it could hear the hurt in your voice when you spoke of those who had been your friends. I assume they are the ones who turned you into that creature?"

Bambietta's shoulders sunk then, her head lowering. "Yes."

"You were hurt, just as you had hurt others," Porlyusica continued. "That is why I offer you freedom. Perhaps you understand the pain you inflicted, perhaps you can relate. More importantly however-"

"You know I can't be locked up for things I didn't do in this world."

Porlyusica sighed. "Yes, unfortunately. However, do keep in mind that you do not officially exist in this world either. You cannot be 'locked up' as you put it, but if you simply ceased to be, none but your savior and I would even know of your existence."

Bambietta scowled, the intent behind those words getting under her newly restored skin. "Is that a threat?"

"Let me ask you this," Porlyusica continued, ignoring Bambietta's question, believing the answer obvious, "do you think you want to change?"

"Change?" Bambietta shrugged then. "I'm quite content with how I am, thank you very much-"

"Even after all the heartache and pain that path eventually led you to?"

Bambietta was quiet then, glancing away from Porlyusica.

"That's what I thought. You seem to want friends, friends that will not betray your trust, and I know where you can find some who would be more than willing to stay by your side through any adversity. And you could get on your feet financially if you took job requests there."

What Porlyusica did not say, however, was that the people she was referring to would also be able to keep this woman in check, especially if she were to send a forest creature bearing a message for Guild Master Makarov ahead of Bambietta. It was preferable to her joining any dark guilds, let alone the Balam Alliance, and that was precisely what Porlyusica was trying to avoid.

Bambietta turned then, looking at the woman. "What are you talking about?"

"I was once a proud member of the guild of which I speak," Porlyusica said, "and the individual who brought you to my doorstep for treatment is one of their best and brightest."

"The woman with the red hair..."

"If you head west of here, you will come to a town called Magnolia. And there you will find the guild hall of Fairy Tail."

Bambietta could not help but laugh then. "A fairy tale, huh? Sorry, lady, but I'm a big girl now and I can't be bothered by with that sort of silly-"

"You will speak of that guild with more respect!" Porlyusica suddenly shouted before calming her nerves. "They were and always will be my family. Which is more than I can say about what this Vandenreich was for you."

"Oh, that was low," Bambietta said with a slight edge to her voice. "So you want me to be a goody two shoes, is that it? What if I feel I would fit in better with one of those dark guilds you speak of? Would you make sure I didn't leave here alive?"

"I would not have to," Porlyusica replied. "Your power is so very different from any I have ever known, but I can still read it, understand it. Whatever you were in your world, you are a shell of your former self now. They would betray you as that Gigi did, no exceptions."

A possible lie, as Porlyusica knew that even the majority of dark guilds would look out for their own in most situations. Yet she had no fear of Bambietta catching on to her own half-truths and deception.

Yet then did the Quincy raise her voice. "You did something to my powers? You made me weak on purpose when you brought me back, didn't you? Just so you could control me? Just like she did?"

"No, I did not," Porlyusica answered calmly in the face of the harsh questioning. "Your death, your rebirth and perhaps even your journey here seem to have altered the state of your body and soul. I do not know if you will ever regain your full strength, but perhaps in time. For now I simply think you will require friends and capital to make your way in this world and Fairy Tail can provide you with both."

"Okay, okay, fine," Bambietta replied. "I'll join your Fairy Tale-"

"Just so you understand," Porlyusica interrupted again, "the guild was named as such by First Master Mavis because she felt it was a never-ending journey to find out if fairies truly have tails. An impossible question, as such creatures cannot be found, but one worth pursuing nonetheless."

"Oh, that's cute." Bambietta tried to fight back another laugh. "Okay, I'll join your silly Fairy Tail so that I can make some money and live in this world I'm stuck in. And then I'll grow strong and be true to myself when nobody can stand against me! I'll be the one in charge of the pecking order, you hear?"

Porlyusica said nothing, simply remaining calm.

"You said it yourself," Bambietta shot back. "You knew exactly what I was when you saved me."

The Quincy threw open the door then, staring out into the forest clearing.

"But again... thanks."

Then she was gone, closing the door behind her. Porlyusica took a deep breath then before she walked towards a window and opened it. She whistled softly, a dove suddenly circling down and landing atop an outstretched hand. Porlyusica touched the creature gently on the crown of its feathered head, a magical seal appearing for a moment. Into it she inscribed a note for an old friend and a request for the bird. Then did she move her hand away, the dove flying off into the sky and towards Magnolia.

Porlyusica stepped away then, closing the window. She knew the message of Bambietta's existence and questionable character would reach Makarov in no time at all. The woman then reached towards her broom to begin sweeping the floorboards. "Any more of that attitude and I would have reached for this for another reason. Erza, what did you bring to me?"

The wizard had been right with both her hunches, but she had a strong feeling that her third would be proven correct as well. At the very least, she could only hope that Fairy Tail would soften Bambietta Basterbine's susceptible heart before she was able to regain the power of which she spoke.

Bambietta stepped out into the wilderness then, the sunlight piercing through the foliage above and entering her eyes. Blinded for a moment, the Quincy brought one arm up in an attempt to cast shade across her face. That accomplished, she slowly allowed her eyes to adjust to her surroundings. The world around her appeared to be nothing special but she could feel it, a force of life throughout the forest. Her Quincy blood roiled at the sensation. For a being such as Bambietta, she had experienced so much spiritual energy in the world of the afterlife, the entirety of those realities built atop the building blocks of spiritual power. This plane of existence, this dimension she found herself in, was closer to the World of the Living she had long since abandoned to serve under Yhwach, yet still its solid form was bursting with strange energies. It felt spiritual and yet so very different.

Bambietta knew she would have to put her new surroundings to the test. Whereas Soul Reapers worked with their own internal spiritual energy, Quincy built their strength from taking what was around them. Slowly did Bambietta raise her right arm up, allowing her fingers to stretch outwards to their limits. She tugged at the reality around her, trying to enforce her dominance across the spiritual landscape. The power, however, did not respond at first, leaving the woman irritated.

"No, no, no," she whispered under her breath. "I don't care how different you may appear to be. Power is power. And there's a simple way this is going to work. I want it. I take it. I have it."

The muscles in Bambietta's arm grew taut then, her hand tightening for a moment. She chided herself then, remembering full well the first lessons her instructors at the Vandenreich had drilled into her. To force her dominance was a delicate act, at least at first. She could not simply reach out and grab hold of what she wanted. No, at first she had to bare her soul to the power. Only then could she take from it.

Bambietta's body softened then and slowly could she see it. Strange of blue light coursing through the ground, through the trees, through the very air itself. It had been so very long since she had had to work through the basics, but she had gone through quite an ordeal herself now and this world and its spiritual power so very different from what she had known.

Bambietta breathed in and out then, her chest rising and falling with each and every one. She opened herself to this world, to its magic, leaving her soul vulnerable for a moment. She let her own faint amount of spiritual power to seep out slightly, allowing it to mingle with the energy around her. Then did she begin to pull back, drawing on the magic around her.

The Quincy's eyes suddenly opened, her breathing becoming erratic as she felt the magic energy enter her body and soul. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. The powers she had drawn on for very nearly her entire life, they had been cold and concrete, but there was something so very alive about this strength she was feeding on.

"What kind of world have I fallen into?" Bambietta hunched over slightly, resting the palms of her hands atop her knees as she felt the rush of energy flow into her. It began to strengthen her then, sparking her soul in ways she had never experienced as a Quincy, as a Stern Ritter. Bambietta smiled then, nodding her head slightly then. "Okay, this I could get used to. Maybe this world won't be so bad."

Still Bambietta knew she had to test her limits. She raised her right arm once again and began to focus power into its palm. Slowly did a blue energy coalesce in the empty space, giving shape and form to a bow. Bambietta felt a small measure of pride then before letting the ranged weapon fade away. Again, another item formed then, one that appeared in a more material and substantial form. Her fingers clasped around the handle of a small broadsword, the sunlight catching on its metal blade. Bambietta swung the blade about then, hearing the sound of faint wind with each stroke.

"Yeah, I still got it." Bambietta allowed the sword to vanish then. She raised her arm before her, channeling the energies at her beck and call into her bloodstream. Pale light began to form underneath Bambietta's skin then and the Quincy nodded in approval. Blut was still hers to command, as were her weapons of choice.

Bambietta then began to tug at her power to a substantial degree, awaiting the moment when a column of light would overtake her and burst into the heavens. Yet nothing happened. She lowered her head then, her shoulders slumping.

"Okay, so Voll Stern Dich is out of the question. That sucks. But what about my pride and joy?" Bambietta glanced at a nearby tree, focusing on it intently. Yet no power of her shot forth and the nothing burst apart under her command. "And no Explode? Terrific."

Bambietta had taken great pride in her strength as one of His Majesty's Stern Ritter but clearly she could no longer do so. The Vandenreich was no longer an option, separated from her by dimensional barriers. Those she had called her allies had betrayed her trust on a truly heinous level, leaving her to wonder if she could even allow herself to have a place among the organization now even if she were to return home? Yet now was the cruelest cut of them all. She was simply a shell of her former self, not a Stern Ritter but a simple Quincy.

Bambietta sighed then before slapping the sides of her face with the palms of both hands. "It will just have to do!" she shouted with an energetic expression coming over face.

The Quincy took one step forward then before suddenly vanishing from sight. She appeared several feet away then, living Bambietta grinning slightly. Hirenkyaku was still something she had full control of, a fact that left her with some sense of peace of mind. Still, she had no intent on using it for now. There was just something about this forest she was in that left her wanting to enjoy its tranquility for as long as she could. She would walk to leave it but at a moderate pace.

"What the hell is wrong with me? Sheesh."

Bambietta could not quite put her finger on it, but still did the living world around her call out to her. It was so far removed from the icy remains of Silver Cross Fortress, its appearance inviting and generous. Bambietta simply shrugged to herself, unsure of why she cared so much to take what could be constituted as a nature walk. Still she partaked on just such a journey, walking at a casual pace in the direction that Porlyusica had advised her of.

"Let's see what this Fairy Tail is all about."

It was just another typical day at the Fairy Tail guild hall, which meant of course that it was in a state of controlled chaos. Some members were perusing the job request board, looking to make some quick capital. Others still were simply hanging out with those whose bonds went beyond simply friends or even family.

Loke was one such individual, trying his best to flirt with any female he could find himself within a few feet of. Earlier in the day he had attempted to woo Mirajane Strauss only to find himself launched across the main hall by what her brother, Elfman, called a rather manly shoulder charge. Next he had tried to speak with Cana Alberona but she had been far too interested in the keg of beer before her to comprehend what he had even been saying. Now he was simply keeping his sunglass covered eyes peeled, thinking over if he should make a move on the guild's resident bookworm, Levy McGarden.

It was then that the doorway to the guild hall opened, a newcomer suddenly standing at the threshold. While others were too lost in their own activities to truly notice, Loke's senses quickly drew him to look. The man took notice of the woman who had arrived, dressed casually and possessing lark dark hair, she was quite the sight to the Fairy Tail wizard.

Bambietta stood away from the commotion she had stumbled into. She had expected to come across a rowdy bunch, but this was well beyond her expectations. With all the music and general shouting she could barely hear herself think.

"A far cry from the Vandenreich-"

"Well hello, beautiful."

Bambietta heard the sound of a voice close by, very nearly over her shoulder. The Quincy very nearly jumped out of her skin then, her eyes widening. She turned to confront the possessor of the voice and found herself face to face with a rather stylishly dressed young man who possessed orange colored hair. His appearance left Bambietta stunned for a moment, orders and mission statements from His Majesty flooding her mind.

"The war potential? Ichigo Kurosaki?" Bambietta shouted, stepping back and pointing at the man who had snuck up on her. "How the hell did you get here too?"

"Itchy Go?" the man said, scratching an index finger against the side of his face. "I'll be honest, honey, I've been told I have potential, lots of potential, but I've never considered it tailored for war."

The man suddenly moved a bit closer to Bambietta, winking behind his blue sunglasses.

"I swing closer to being a lover, not a fighter. Name's Loke, by the way. And you are?"

Bambietta calmed herself then, understanding that the likelihood of running across one of the Vandenreich's main targets in this world so far from their own was a rather unlikely event. Still, the similarities between this Loke and Ichigo Kurosaki were throwing her off focus just a bit. He was an attractive man, Bambietta could not deny that. It was a trait he clearly shared with the one war potential she had wished to meet face to face, but his demeanor was so very different from the individual she had been informed of during the lead up to the Soul Society invasion. This man was a smooth talker if Bambietta had ever met one. That attitude was not something Bambietta could quite tolerate. She took on a haughty demeanor then, closing her eyes and she turned her head away from Loke. "Too good for you, that's who!"

Bambietta slightly opened one eye then, catching sight of Loke's shoulders dropping slightly in rejection. She could see a heartbroken look on his face, something she had not quite expected. Had he taken her attitude that badly? The Quincy held back the sudden need to chuckle, finding the reaction perhaps more adorable then she would let on.

Loke, to his credit, was not one to back down quite so easily. "So are you looking to join Fairy Tail, Miss Too Good for Me?"

Bambietta sighed then, letting her guard drop slightly. "It's Bambietta, Bambietta Basterbine. And yes, that's why I'm here."

"Bambietta... Basterbine?" Loke suddenly perked up then. "Oh, did I ever tell you I love a woman with an alliterative name?" It was true enough, the Fairy Tail wizard's thoughts suddenly flashing through a list of women he had gotten involved with in recent times, all of them outside of the guild itself. Loke began to count down on hand then, folding a finger into his palm with each name. "Susan Storm, Betty Brant, Lana Lang-"

"Okay, okay, okay!" Bambietta interrupted. "No need to give a list of conquests. Damn!"

Loke composed himself then. "So do you want a quick tour of the pla-"

"I don't think the lady would appreciate your trying to hit on her the whole time if you ask me."

Bambietta felt it then, a chill in the air. She glanced to her side, catching sight of a black haired young man dressed in a rather long white coat. At the very least Bambietta did not sense any lust behind his demeanor, something she appreciated after her brief encounter with the Ichigo lookalike. If not for her lack of having a room, she would have been quite tempted to invite this Loke there to take out her frustrations as she had done with so many unfortunate Quincy in the past. However, she knew that could perhaps wait until she could afford a place to stay. Now she was simply curious about this newcomer. "And who might you be?"

"Gray Fullbuster," he replied rather casually as he and Bambietta began to walk off, leaving Loke behind at the entrance. "And don't worry about Loke there. He's a little too into himself if you ask me, but his heart's in the right place."

Bambietta glanced around the guild hall again as she moved forward, taking in the sights of the people all around. They all seemed so happy, so inviting. It was a far cry from the distance that had been perpetrated amongst the Stern Ritter. The Vandenreich had possessed a few rather animated members as well, most of them a part of Bambietta's own 'team,' but for the most the organization had been fairly aloof in its approach to relationships. This was going to take some getting used to. Particularly for one sole reason.

"The last time I got close to people," Bambietta began to mutter nder her breath as her hands tightened into fists. She tried to finish her statement to herself but the painful memories were far too palpable to allow her to do so.

"You say something?" Gray asked, suddenly stopping in place and looking at Bambietta. He noticed it then, that she was trembling. "Hey, are you okay?"

Bambietta shook her head then, forcing herself past the dark thoughts of her recent past. She opened her eyes then and looked towards Gray. "I'm fine, I just- where the hell did your clothes go?"

Bambietta found herself staring at a nearly naked man now, Gray wearing nothing more than his dark colored boxers. The Quincy looked around then, noticing the man's coat, shirt, slacks and shoes on the floor behind him.

"How the heck- When did you- Is this your idea of flirting?"

"No, I-" Gray stammered, trying to explain himself, but a fist suddenly caught him in the face, sending him flying back with a burst of strength he had not expected.

"Pervert!" Bambietta screamed as she pulled back her right fist, the power of Blut Arterie flowing through it.

"Wow, what a manly punch!" the Quincy could hear someone exclaiming from across the room. She ignored it then, noticing a rather petite young lady with blue hair approaching.

"You'll have to forgive Gray," she said as she got closer. "It's a force of habit he hasn't been able to quite break since as long as I've known him. He didn't mean any harm by it."

"Oh." Bambietta's fist slowly became undone, the Quincy relaxing a bit. She looked over to Gray, the man lying on the floor and nursing a bruised face that she had caused. "Yeah well okay... sorry about that."

"No worries," Gray replied as she sat up and nursed his face. "Still better than Erza's form of discipline."

"But seriously," Bambietta began to shout, pointing an accusing index finger at Gray, "get over that habit! Super glue, double sided tape, a staple gun, whatever it takes!"

Gray stood up, keeping his distance from Bambietta. "Okay, so maybe this is as bad as Erza..."

Bambietta watched as Gray gathered up his clothes and wandered off. The Quincy sighed then, thinking over one simple fact. He was still far from the strangest man she had met. Stern Ritter S, Mask De Masculine, had simply set the bar far too high. A slight sigh escaped from Bambietta and she turned to the lady who had approached her. "Well, you seem a little less crazy then the other two."

The young woman pouted slightly. "I'll try and take that as a compliment. I'm Levy McGarden, and you-"

Bambietta cut her off then. "Bambi." The Quincy's eyes suddenly flickered for a moment, confusion overtaking her. That had been a nickname she had reserved for only those she considered friends, friends she no longer had or was even sure she would want back if she had the opportunity. So why then had she given it so freely to this Levy? The Quincy pushed forward then, ignoring the question she could not answer. "Bambietta Basterbine."

"Bambi?" Levy said with a smile. "That's a cute name."

"Bambietta!" The Quincy's voice raised quite suddenly, leaving even her to feel bad for the way it made Levy back away slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said. "Bambietta it is then!"

"No, I'm... sorry." Bambietta did not know what was coming over her. She had apologized twice now in under a few short minutes. That was more than she had done during her entire tenure as a Stern Ritter. She had to wonder what this guild was already doing to her. "It's just... I've had a rough day or two."

"Oh." Levy fidgeted nervously then, unsure of where things were going. "Well if you want to talk about it, I'm all ears."

"No offense," Bambietta replied, "but I'd rather not. It just... it would hurt."

Levy nodded then, unwilling to press the issue if it would cause the newcomer any grief. "So you're interested in joining Fairy Tail?"

"Well..." Bambietta glanced off to the side then, unsure of how to phrase what she was about to say. "I kind of need a roof over my head... and some clothes more my style... so money is kind of a requirement. And I was told this was the place to go to if I wanted to put my skills to good use."

"Oh, you've come to the right place then!" Levy exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "So what kind of wizard are you?"

Bambietta could only furrow her brow at the question. "Huh?"

"Well, most everyone has a specialty or affinity for certain types of magic," Levy replied. "Gray over there is all about Ice Maker Magic. And while he's not here right now, Fairy Tail has its own Fire Dragon Slayer."

"Well, that sounds all sorts of bad ass," Bambietta said, slightly intrigued. "You sure he's not here right now?"

"If he was, we'd know it. He and Gray always end up fighting it out whenever they're in the same room."

Bambietta chuckled a little. "Fire and ice? Figures."

"About the only way we keep them in line is when Master Makarov is present. Or Erza."

"Oh yeah, the stripper guy did mention her. Is she really that scary?"

"Sometimes, yeah," Levy answered. "I mean, she's nice and all, but if she thinks you've dishonored the Fairy Tail name or something... Well, Natsu and Gray have learned the hard way a lot about that if they make a mess."

"So she's a big shot around here, huh?"

"She's one of the strongest wizards we've got here," Levy replied. "They don't call her Titania for nothing."

"Titania? That has a nice ring to it." Bambietta smiled slightly. "So if I beat her, I get to be the queen around here, right?"

"Beat her?" Now it was Levy's turn to try very hard to keep from laughing. "Defeat Erza? Natsu has been trying to do that for years! Are you crazy?"

Bambietta smiled. "A little bit, yeah."

"Okay then, you'll fit right in Fairy Tail." Levy sighed. This was not quite what she felt the guild needed, but she knew it was exactly the type of person that was drawn to it time and time again.

Bambietta began to press the issue then. "So all I'd have to do to get this monster wizard of yours to pick a fight with me is to disrespect the guild?"

"Or mess with her favorite food," Levy said. "She usually stops the fights that break out here, but there was this one time Natsu knocked her strawberry cake off the table she was seated at and... well... everybody ended up in the infirmary for a day or two."

"I like her already." Bambietta smiled, thinking of the battle that lay ahead of her. Then she shifted gears. "As for my magic, it's a little varied. I can make and wield bows, arrows, swords..."

"So you can requip like Erza?"

Bambietta really did not know what to make of the usage of the word 'requip,' but she nodded. "Sort of, I guess. So what about you?"

"What?"

"I've told you mine, so tell me yours," Bambietta said, trying to stay as interested as possible. "What can you do?"

Levy averted her gaze, looking away from Bambietta. "Oh, it's nothing special. I'm more of a support type, you know. I can use letter magic."

"Letters, huh?" Bambietta had to wonder something then. This wizard could very well help her regain what strength she had lost. "So, what? You can inscribe letters of power on a person s soul?"

"Wait, somebody out there can actually do that?" Levy stared dumbfounded at Bambietta. "That sounds kind of creepy actually. Messing with people's souls just sounds like the kind of thing a dark guild would employ."

Bambietta remembered clearly what Porlyusica had said to her in regards to the Vandenreich, shaking her head slightly. "Well, you're probably not wrong..."

"What I can do is called Solid Script," Levy explained. "I write it and it comes alive, sort of. Not the best explanation, so you want a quick demonstration?"

Bambietta was not as curious anymore, realizing that this letter magic was not anything quite like Yhwach's own ability to grant power. Still she was unwilling to appear rude. She needed to make a good first impression if she was going to use this Fairy Tail guild to get back on her feet financially in this world. "Sure, let's see it."

Levy's right index finger suddenly lit up with magic and she began to move it through the air beside her. Bambietta simply watched as the light from her hand stayed behind, tracing letters into the air.

"F, i, r, e," Bambietta said to herself as she took notice of the letters forming. Then, much to her surprise, they came alive, flames overtaking the hovering word. The Quincy could even feel the heat radiating off of it. Despite herself, Bambietta could not help but be impressed. "Not bad."

"It's nothing special," Levy said, growing withdrawn again. "It's support type magic at best, you know?"

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself!" Bambietta suddenly shouted, tired of the self-pity. "I've seen so much worse for powers, you know? Heck, I once knew a guy who's only trick was roaring. No fancy power behind it, he was just one big blowhard. But this... this is kind of cool if you ask me."

"You think so?" Levy asked, her face lighting up from the pleasant surprise.

"Well, yeah," Bambietta replied, another idea coming to mind. "I wonder, how hard is this one to learn?"

"Solid Script?" Levy paused to think about it. "Well, it does have a bit of a high learning curve compared to some magic out there, but it isn't quite so demanding on the caster's magical capacity, so you might be able to pull it off if you put a few years into it."

Bambietta scowled then. That would take too long. Thus did her dream of writing 'explode' in thin air die before it ever truly began. "I suppose nothing comes easy."

"Well, it's all about hard work after all," Levy said. "Besides, I'm sure you've already put a lot of effort into your style of magic, right?"

Bambietta remembered it well, all the harsh training she had undergone for so long under the guidance of the Vandenreich's teachers. There had been times she had been close to breaking and yet still they had pushed her further and further until at last she had almost lost her way. "You have no idea."

"Anyway," Levy said suddenly, "if you're looking to join Fairy Tail you probably should come back in a little while. Master Makarov had to step out for some business with the town officials."

"Something bad happen?"

"A couple of years ago, yeah," Levy answered. "Let's just say the last time one of Fairy Tail's top wizards came back to Magnolia, he kind of did a lot of property damage. Nothing intentional mind you; it's just the way his magic works. But the city council is still holding it over the Third Master's head to this day."

"All aboard the crazy train, huh?" Bambietta had to admit, she was finding this guild to be quite entertaining if nothing else. "So I have to wait before I can take on any job assignments?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Levy explained. "Though if you don't want to come back later, we could always hang out until he returns."

Bambietta was taken aback by that statement of Levy's. "You want to be my friend, huh?"

"Well, you seem nice enough."

"... I'm not. Seriously, I've got a mean streak a mile wide."

"Well, yeah, I could see that after what happened with Gray," Levy replied. "But I think there's more to you than that. Call it a hunch."

Bambietta raised an eyebrow to that. "Uh huh. And call this a hunch if you want, but I think you may be far too forgiving and naive about how bad some people can be."

"Is that so wrong?"

Bambietta brought her hands up to the sides of her head, rubbing her temples as if to get rid of a headache. "Okay, I'd just love to stay and chat, but I'm going to take on a mission and get some money sooner rather than later. So if you'll excuse me..."

Bambietta walked off then, her eyes settling on the wooden board on the far wall. She could see paper after paper nailed to it; surely a sign of opportunities awaiting her. She moved in close then, her eyes scanning over request after request. Yet as she did that, Levi approached.

"Please don't," she said softly. "Master Makarov wouldn't approve."

"What's he going to do?" Bambietta asked. "Kick me out of a guild I'm not in yet?"

"He might not ever allow you in if you do this!"

"Well then, at least I'll have enough money to survive a few nights and buy some better clothes once I complete this mission!" Bambietta shouted with glee as she tore one of the sheets off the wall. "Let's see, 'Destroy the cyclops desecrating the outskirts of Magnolia and you will be handsomely rewarded with two hundred thousand jewel.' Okay, I don't know how the currency works around here, but that sounds darned nice!"

"That much?" Levy glanced towards the section of the board where Bambietta had retrieved the paper and her heart sank. "No, no, no, you can't do an A-Class mission!"

"Why not?" Bambietta asked as she hugged the paper close to her chest. "You saw what I did to Gray over there and somebody in here said that was a... manly... punch..." Bambietta suddenly grew cross and she whirled around towards the crowd of Fairy Tail wizards. "Who the hell called me manly?"

Nobody said a word, ignoring Bambietta as they kept up their festivities. The Quincy scowled then, turning back to the job request she had select. Levy meanwhile continued to hound her about it. "Seriously, you could get hurt out there. Or worse."

"I've seen worse," Bambietta replied, her voice growing solemn. "I don't think any old cyclops could do worse to me than she did."

Levy could hear the sorrow evident in Bambietta's tone, leaving her to wonder just what this woman had grown through. "You sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"Tell you what," Bambietta said as she began to walk off, looking over her shoulder at Levy with a grin, "once I come back alive with the money and spiffy new outfit, I'll consider talking it over with you, okay?"

Bambietta was unsure of why she wanted to be so open, but there was just something about the place that was getting to her. She shrugged her shoulders in response and walked back out onto the streets of Magnolia. She would slay this cyclops, become an official Fairy Tail wizard and survive in this world. She would regain the power that was hers and hers alone. She would defeat this Titania and become the queen of Fairy Tail, then move on to becoming the greatest 'wizard' this world had ever seen. If she could not return home to exact her revenge on Giselle and the others then she would just make the best of this world and put herself at the top of the pecking order.

It was as simple as that.

Makarov Dreyer was in a hurry. While he knew the 'children' under his wing at Fairy Tail could be an unruly sort, he knew they could take care of themselves. No, that was not the reason for his strong urge to make it back to the guild hall now that his monthly meeting with the city council was over. No, it was much more worrisome than that. For as he had stepped outside city hall, a dove had landed on his arm, carrying with it a magically encoded message from Porlyusica herself.

His old teammate rarely contacted him unless in great need, as she was not one for idle chatter, so Makarov had been quick to read what she had sent. The fact that she had encouraged a stranger from a strange world to Fairy Tail was concerning enough, but to know that she had a dark past was what truly left Makarov worried. He trusted Porlyusica and Erza's judgment, but still he was concerned.

He stepped into the guild hall with great purpose, looking around to find nothing remiss. Everyone was as they usually were, bickering amongst themselves and generally enjoying themselves. The Third Master could only relax slightly, seeing that there had been no fights breaking out. No doubt thanks to Natsu Dragneel being away on a sabbatical in Hargeon Town.

"Welcome back, Master Makarov," Mirajane said sweetly as she approached. "How did the meeting go?"

"The same as it always does," Makarov replied. "They'll never let me live down Gildarts' little accident. But I do suppose having to restructure an entire town to accommodate one man would cause endless amounts of irritation... But that's not what's important right now! Did you by chance see a woman with dark hair show up here?"

"Well let's see..." Mirajane began to think it over for a moment. "There was some new girl who Loke was trying to hit on. And she did punch Gray clear across the room for taking his clothes off. Then she spoke a lot with Levy by the job board..."

Master Makarov was about to turn, to find Levy, but she was already fast approaching. "Master!"

Makarov could see she was in a panic. "What's wrong, Levy?"

"Someone interested in joining our guild stopped by and she took off with the paperwork for an A-Class job request!"

Makarov felt his blood run cold for a moment. "How long ago was this?"

"An hour ago I think," Levy replied. "I tried to talk her out of it but she wouldn't listen! Then I tried to get the others to go help her but Gray was just a bit too intimidated and that kind of wore off on the others. Though Loke was kind of gung ho about going off to save his princess, but-"

"All right, listen well, everyone!" Makarov sternly said, catching the attention of all present. "We have a situation on our hands and we will not let this neophyte die on our watch! Gray Fullbuster, Elfman Strauss, you two will come with me to the outskirts of Magnolia and we will save this Bambietta from the cy-"

The Third Master's speech was suddenly cut short then by the sound of the guild hall's doors swing open. He turned as did everyone else, catching sight of a woman dressed all in white, a cloak hanging from her shoulders and a hat atop her head. In one hand was a set of bloodied, discarded clothes. Yet it was the contents of her right hand that drew the most attention. In it was several strands of long dark hair and connected to that long main of hair was the decapitated head of a cyclops, it's one eye wide with the fear it had experienced upon its death. It creature's skull was very nearly the same size as the woman's torso and yet still she held it with little difficulty, merrily swinging it back and forth with each step she took.

Levy brought her hands up to her mouth, recognizing the woman despite her new attire. "Bambi?"

The Quincy smiled broadly as she dropped the cyclops' head to the floor, very nearly shaking the wooden boards. She dropped the bloodied and tattered clothes she had received from Porlyusica on the floor then as well, placing her hands on her hips as she puffed out her chest proudly. She could see the looks off shock all the wizards' faces and that simply added to her joy, Bambietta's smiling stretching from ear to ear.

"Well that wasn't so bad. What's next?"

And so, our adventure begins. Bambietta is a character ive always found to be very underused. She had ALOT of potential, but sadly, it went to waste. Well, I figured it was best to show everyone what her potential was, give her a 2nd chance...and what better place to start anew...than Fairy tail? It wont be an easy adventure for her...but hopefully it will be one that you readers will enjoy.

Now, why did we remove the vollstandig and Shrift? Well, that's easy...She would be too powerful. Like WAY to strong. Everyone before Tenrou island would get CRUSHED. This is a fairy tail and Bleach crossover, not One Punch man. We want her to evolve as a character, to have to rely on her friends, if we had her keep her powers, she would sooner try to take over fairy tail, than play nice. Or all of fiore. So...yeah. Dont worry, she WILL get them back...eventually. Its called progression, a must have.

Thank you so much for taking your time to leave this. It would be GREATLY appreciated if you could leave a review. We LOVE reader feedback be it positive or negative.