➵

Just when everyone thought Dealana's behavior couldn't get anymore out of the ordinary, she wore a dress. Granted, she wore her black shorts underneath, but still. Wendy's guild, Cait Shelter was famous for it's textiles and clothes. When Wendy showed Dealana the simple short-sleeved pastel yellow dress with sky-blue embroidery and beads that stopped just shy of her knees, she had to admit it was something she might actually wear.

It was comfortable and allowed her to move freely. She still refused to wear shoes though. Dealana wouldn't go that far. Instead, she continued to wear Lisanna and Laxus' bracelets around her ankle.

"So, are these like traditional Nirvit styles?" Lucy asked Wendy as they all stood in the room. Sherry was admiring herself in the mirror while Erza sat nearby, not joining in with the girls, but still listening.

"I never really thought about that before, but I guess that would make the most sense, huh?" Wendy admitted.

Sherry turned around to face the little girl as she said, "I can't believe you had absolutely no idea that everyone in this guild but you is a descendent of the Nirvit."

"Well, yeah, I was the only one who joined after it was formed," Wendy reasoned. Dealana peered over her shoulder as Lucy attempted to get Erza to try on a dress. It was clear that the redhead was not over Jellal being taken into custody, Dealana doubted she ever would be completely over it unless he was eventually let free. One thing that did give Dealana hope that Erza would pull through was the red and blue braided bracelet around her wrist.

Dealana would have to find a way to slip one to Jellal later.

"And I'm guess you don't know when Cait Shelter joined the league of guilds along with the others, do you?" Sherry was asking Wendy. "I don't want to be rude, but I'd never even heard of your guild before all of us were thrown together. I know every guild can't be as popular as mine, but still."

"Come to think of it," Lucy added. "I hadn't either."

"I did!" Dealana stated with a triumphant grin.

"That's because she told you!" Lucy immediately shouted in protest.

Dealana crossed her arms with a huff. "It still counts!"

"This is all very interesting," Carla interjected, also wearing a new outfit. "But everyone is waiting on us!"

Outside in the center of Wendy's village, the Allied Forces were gathered as were the Cait Shelter Guild, Wendy and Carla standing proudly with their guild mates. Erza had since adorned the purple outfit Lucy had picked out for her. Upon joining the rest of the group, Dealana shut down any comments thrown her way about her new attire, specifically those from the Trimens.

"Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, not to mention Wendy and Carla," the Guild Master of Cait Shelter addressed. "I commend your efforts in not only defeating the Oración Seis, but saving our village from Nirvana's wrath. Speaking as a representitive of our regional Guild League, I, Roubaul, offer my deepest gratitude. Thank you. Nabura, we are in your debt."

"We were happy to help you, Master Roubaul!" Ichiya replied with incredible enthusiasm. "It was a hard won victory against a ferocious opponent, *pose* but from the deepest, darkest depths of dispair, *pose* light shined down on us! It was the light and glow of pure friendship!*pose* We followed it all the way to victory! *final pose with sparkles*"

Behind him, the Trimens began clapping. "Well said, Master!"

"The bright, warming glow is probably from the spotlight he's hogging," Gray remarked.

"And by the way, did he ever fight anyone?" Lucy questioned.

"I suppose it's over now," Sherry sighed. Jura put a hand on both her and Lyon's shoulders saying, "You two should know, I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, sir," Lyon replied gratefully. Coming from a Wizard Saint, Dealana could tell it meant a lot. There was always a sense of satisfaction Fairy Tail got when Makarov commended them rather than scolding them for the endless list of Magic Council complaints.

"Hey! We deserve a victory party!" Natsu cheered.

"Aye, sir!"

"A party sounds great," Gray agreed.

"Please keep your clothes on!" Dealana and Lucy shouted at the ice mage before looking to Lyon in the same predicament. "You too, buddy!"

Silence fell upon the courtyard after the Cait Shelter guild didn't respond to the Ichiya and the Trimen's hijinks. Dealana stayed near Erza who had remained silent during the exchange. The Storm Dragon Slayer was concerned for the redhead, but being much younger couldn't exactly offer Erza much comfort aside from just being there if she needed it.

"I'm truly sorry," Roubaul apologized. "I've neglected my duty to tell you about the Nirvit people. Please accept my sincere apology."

"Well, it's not like that's going to stop us from partying," Happy remarked.

"But we'll listen to whatever you might have to say," Natsu added on. "Right?"

Happy nodded. "Aye, sir."

"It's alright, Master," Wendy told him. "You don't have to tell us if you don't want to."

"It is important. I ask that everyone listen closely to the tale I am about to tell." Roubaul scanned the faces of the Allied Forces before he began. "First, let me clear the air about something, the truth is, we are not descendants of the Nirvit people."

"What?" Wendy gasped softly.

"Indeed, we are the Nirvits themselves, and many years ago, four hundred to be exact, Nirvana was created, fashioned by my hands." Roubaul revealed.

"By you?" Lyon questioned in shock.

"No way," Dealana breathed.

"Four hundred years ago?" Happy wondered. Natsu couldn't even begin to comprehend what was being said, but then again, it was Natsu.

"I thought that if my dream of Nirvana was made a reality," Roubaul told them. "I thought I could end the ghastly wars tearing the world apart. I would do so by reversing the morality of those whose minds were set upon the destruction of others." His eyes narrowed. "We made our home there, and we took great joy in what we'd accomplished through peace. We were a shining beacon of light in a once dark and shadowy world.

However, despite our best intentions, we could not change the fact that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nirvana had brought light to what was once a terrible darkness not by chasing it away, but absorbing it so to speak. The world yearns for balance and order. The light serves no purpose without the darkness and vice versa. Light is born from darkness and darkness is born from light. The two are forever intertwined." Roubaul revealed.

"Yeah, that's exactly how it played out for us," Gray nodded, thinking back to Richard and Sherry's dealings with Nirvana.

"All the world's evil, taken from those who's hearts were once consumed with it, was transferred to the peace-loving Nirvit."

Wendy was shaking. "It was?" She asked in a quiet tone.

"It was a nightmare that even the White Lotus Maiden could undo. Engulfed in rage and hatred, we slaughtered each other until no one was left standing." Roubaul paused. "That's not quite true, for I am the only survivor. Then again, in this particular situation, the word survivor is a little misleading. In truth, my body ceased to function many years ago. What you see before you now is a projection of the man I once was.

As punishment for my sins, I this powerless spirit have stood as sentinel over my creation for four-hundred years. Keeping my weary eyes open for the one who could at last destroy Nirvana, and consign it to the pages of history." Roubaul smiled slightly at the group before him. "And now, my post can be vacated for that person has been found."

"No," Wendy's voice shook as she spoke, tears pooling in her eyes. "W-Why didn't you tell me?" She wanted to know. Roubaul only bowed his head, using a bit of magic.

One by one, the members of Wendy's guild began to disappear. Dealana stood frozen in disbelief while Wendy looked around crying out, "What's happening? Don't go!"

"You can't just leave us!" Carla exclaimed.

"Maguna! Bebell!" Wendy called out their names.

"Everyone's disappearing, right in front of our eyes." Hibiki gasped.

"Why are you doing this!?" Wendy demanded as people kept disappearing, leaving behind only a faint trail of tiny sparkles. "Please don't go!"

"I've deceived you, Wendy," Roubaul admitted. "For that, I am deeply sorry. All your fellow guild members were specters. They were nothing but illusions."

"Are you kidding me?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Illusions with their own personalities?" Lyon wondered.

"That takes powerful creation magic," Jura stated.

"Which, if he created Nirvana, he must have," Dealana reasoned. "Wendy..." She sighed, her hands balled in tight fists by her sides.

"For many years, I lived in this deserted village alone, always keeping a watchful eye over Nirvana." Roubaul started. "Until one day, when a boy came to me with a companion needing help. His eyes burned with such intensity and sincerity that I simply had no choice but to take the little girl in. I had resigned myself to a solitary existence, but there she was. I filled the village with apparitions so she wouldn't be alone."

"So you created an entire guild just for Wendy?" Lucy realized.

Wendy clutched her head in her hands distraught. "No one I care for is a real person!? How could you do something so cruel to me, Master!?" She screamed, tears still streaming down her face.

"Don't fret, my dear," Roubaul told her as he was the last one left. "Calm down, neither you, nor Carla need those imaginary friends." He pointed at her as they stood with the Allied Forces. "You're surrounded by real friends, who care for you." He chuckled softly as he began to disappear himself. "A bright future awaits you, embrace it with open arms." He told the sobbing girl.

"Master!" Wendy ran forward, determined to do something, but Roubaul was already gone, nothing but shimmering sparkles in his wake.

"To each and every one of you, I owe my deepest gratitude, I know I can leave Wendy and Carla in your hands." They all heard. And as the last bit of magic was scattered in the winds, Wendy's guild mark began to shimmer away.

Wendy collapsed to her knees sobbing. No one of the Allied Forces moved, still frozen in shock of all the events that just took place in the span of a few minutes. In the end, it was Erza who placed her hand on the Sky Dragon Slayer's shoulder while Dealana brought the girl in a comforting embrace, letting the blunette cry her heart out.

"We know all too well, the pain of losing a loved one." Erza told her. "But you'll heal, we'll help you," Wendy's tears slowed and she looked to both girls.

"Come with us," Dealana offered. "be apart of Fairy Tail."

➵

Not much development for Dealana, but it was necessary in my opinion, so Dealana could be there for Wendy. It's really sad when you think about it. In the span of a few short minutes, everyone Wendy held dear turned out to be nothing but illusions and Roubaul leaves her in the care of people, who, yes care for her, but they only met her around about twenty-four hours ago, maybe less. Forgive my ramblings but my heart hurts for Wendy in this episode.

The weekend is coming, but I may not be able to write on Sunday. My step-mom is keen on giving out a bunch of chores every Sunday we're at my dad's house. :P