Phoenix

Cain?

"Didn't I say not to speak to me? Pathetic."

"Mr. Cain?"

Cain turned to the sleepy child.

"Don't worry, kid. I took care of him. Go back to sleep."

"Okay. Goodnight Mr. Cain."

"Did you...see that?"

Emi looked at the figure on the ground before looking back up to see Cain slowly sitting in front of the girl protectively and falling asleep.

Cana commented, "And I thought Erza had quick movements. Damn."

----------------------------------------------

"Mr. Cain, why do we have to keep running? I don't want to run anymore."

Cain looked over at the little girl before sighing and leading them to an abandoned village.

"We'll stay here, okay? We can continue your training and hide at the same time."

"I want to go to a place where I can play with the other kids. I want friends."

"Friends only weigh you down. Once you have someone you feel you need to protect, it's all over."

Everyone looked on in confusion at the man's words.

"What is he talking about?" Nastu yelled annoyed. "Friends make you stronger because they're people you want to protect!"

"But Mr. Cain--"

"You don't ever want to get attached to someone, kid. It'll only hurt more when they die."

"But if I get strong enough then they won't die."

"I wish that were true."

Emi seemed to sadden at these words. She looked at Cain before the memory faded away. She turned towards her friends and smiled at them.

------------------------------------------------

"Ad deum!"

A blinding light engulfed the abandoned town, turning the dark of the night into pure brightness.

"Hey," Rogue spoke, "that's kind of like your Holy Nova, right Sting?"

Sting nodded as he watched the child version of Emi produce the same light he is capable of.

"Kid, I thought I told you to get to sleep!"

"I just wanted to try out the new spell. I'll go to sleep after."

----------------------------------------------------

Cain breathed heavily as he stood in front of Emi. He let out a low growl.

"I dare you to try to do that again."

"Don't worry Sato, I'll take nice care of her once you're out of the picture."

The figure laughed maniacally before running at the two. Cain was able to grab both arms of the attacker to hold him in place.

"Now kid!"

"Dagger Strike!"

Multiple knives had appeared and pierced the attacker all over. He screamed as his skin was punctured and eventually grew quiet when both his eyes were cut out. He fell to the ground once a dagger pierced his forehead, killing him on impact. Emi looked over at the figure before back to a bleeding Cain.