~Near the Spade Kingdom Border~
The Black Bulls relocated their hideout to a border near the Spade Kingdom after their training was over. As Vanessa, Gauche, and Grey were sitting in a lounge area, they saw a spatial magic portal open up. Soon they saw Finral step out of the portal. Seeing this, Vanessa was the first to speak.
"Finral! Nice to see you're back. What's the occasion?"
"Oh nothing, just thought i'd bring back a guest. Someone you all haven't seen in six months."
As Finral said this, he stepped away from the portal. Grey, Gauche, and Vanessa were a little curious as to who Finral was talking about. Soon they saw one person stepping out of the portal as he wore a Black Bulls robe and a black scarf.
"Despite the change in location, nothing's change. It feels good to be back. Sorry for the late visit everyone."
"Kyoya!!! It feels like it's been ages!!!!"
As Vanessa said this, she hugged Kyoya tightly. While this happened, Kyoya was trying to pry her away since he was having trouble breathing. Soon Vanessa lets go of her junior squad mate as she got a good look at him.
"You've gotten taller, not to mention your magic power is ferocious. I'm almost tempted to ask you out."
"Very funny, Vanessa."
"C'mon, its been six months and suddenly you show up. I think we deserve to tease you. So what brought you here?"
As Vanessa said this, Finral and Grey were curious too since the ice mage wasn't really that social. Seeing everyone staring at him, the ice mage sighed as he moved his scarf upwards in an effort to hide his expression.
"Is..........."
"Is?
"Is it so weird that I just wanted to see you all again?"
When Kyoya looked back at his friends, he saw Vanessa and Grey in tears. Just as he was about to apologize, the two women jumped onto him as they hugged him tightly.
"Kyoya! I never knew you cared that much! You really are a nice guy!"
"I-I always thought that you didn't care since you were so quiet and barely talk around us. This is so embarrassing!"
"What the hell doesn't embarrass you! And Vanessa, get off of me dammit!!!!!"
As Kyoya said this, Finral soon jumped into the hug as he too was moved by what Kyoya said. To be honest, it was nice to hear Kyoya say that since it always felt like he kept people at a distance.
"Seriously get off of me!!!!!"
"You're right! I got to get Asta and bring him here!!!!!"
Before Kyoya could say anything to Finral, he already opened a portal to the Heart Kingdom as he went to get Asta. While this happened, Grey and Vanessa saw the scarf that Kyoya was wearing around his neck as they let go of him.
"Kyoya, where did you get that scarf?"
"It was a gift."
"Oh, was it from a lady?"
While Vanessa was just teasing, Kyoya merely sat in silence. At first she thought he was just being his usual stoic self. However, that idea began to fly out the window as he refused to make eye contact with her.
"Holy crap, it actually is a gift from girl. The ice stripper has grown up so much over these six months!!!!"
"Will you shut up after I tell you how?"
After hearing this, Vanessa and Grey grew interested in this. A sigh escaped from Kyoya's lips as he looked at the members of his squad. A small smile appeared on his face as he missed this atmosphere.
"Alright. Guess it's story time."
~Flashback to Yesterday~
Kyoya was seen inside of a bakery in Kikka. As he sat down, he saw what lies before him. This object was the pinnacle of a temporary beauty.
"....this.....is too magnificent."
Right before Kyoya was a strawberry shortcake. He hasn't had one during his six months of training, so he decided to get one while he had the chance. As he took the first bite of his cake, a slight blush was on his face as he was smiling.
"Oh, cake~. How I missed you so."
"Kyoya?"
When Kyoya turned around, he saw Juvia staring at him. Soon a smile was on the water mage's face but she quickly puts something behind her. As Kyoya looked at Juvia, he heard the sound of growling.
"........"
"Want me to pretend that I didn't hear that? I'll even share my cake with you."
"....thank you."
As Juvia sat down, Kyoya moved his cake towards her. When Juvia took a bite of the cake, she felt like she was in pure bliss. Seeing her expression, Kyoya nods his head in approval. Sweets are the greatest thing in the world.
"By the way Kyoya....are you getting enough rest?"
"Yeah...why do you ask?"
"I don't know, it just feels like you're more on edge after learning we'll be dealing with devils. I just don't want you to overwork yourself."
Silence was the only thing present. When Juvia looked at Kyoya, she saw an expression on his face that held mix feelings. He looked angered, yet the look in his eyes held fear. Soon Kyoya began to speak towards Juvia.
"...let's just say, I had a bad experience with them. Even now, I still hold so much hatred towards them. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you all the details even if I wanted to. Call me a wimp if you want but it's tr-"
"You're not a wimp!!!!!! You played a big role in taking down Mukuro, you were the sole reason we were able to pass the Royal Knights Exam, and don't even get me started about when we dealt with the elves."
Soon Juvia held a box out and hands it to Kyoya. When she did, she got close to his face. Kyoya could see the seriousness on her face and decided to listen to her.
"You're more than what you give yourself credit for. You probably dealt with this situation for a long time by yourself. That's why.....when you open your gift and you look it, remember this. You're not alone!!!!"
"Juvia.....heh. Hahahahaha. You really are amazing! It may take me some time to actually rely on others, but.....i'll try my best."
~Flashback ends~
As Kyoya finished the story, he looked at his squad mates. Little did he know that Finral had came back with Asta, so they also heard the tale. Soon Asta began to shout to break the silence.
"WOW!!!! YOU HAVE A REALLY AMAZING FRIEND, KYOYA!!!!"
"Shut up you loud midget."
"I'm not that short anymore!!!!!"
"If you're not short then how come you have to look up to talk to me, midget."
As Asta was flailing his arms as he charged at Kyoya, the ice mage put his foot on the boy's head as he stopped him in his tracks. Seeing this, everyone began to laugh. Soon Asta and Kyoya began to laugh themselves.
"The Black Bulls. We're the worst magic knight squad. We're rowdy, rude, outcasts and all sorts of stuff. Yet we accept that about each other and this squad is like a family......my squad is amazing. I hope I can say that to them with a genuine smile on my face. Little did I know, that this moment of joy....was about to be crushed in an instant."
~Outside the Heart Kingdom~
"This rocks! No boring errands like taking back an arcane stage back with us."
Vanica was standing outside the Heart Kingdom with a few of her Dark Disciples. As she looked at the kingdom, a smile was on her face as she was ready to have an amazing fight.
"Ahh, how do you think little Loropechika and the rest are doing? Pretty well? I sure hope they're in fantastic shape. Because it'll make crushing them worth it."
~Meanwhile~
"Humans are evil incarnate. Rage, fear, hate, revenge, destruction. Evil is humanity's true nature. As such, this world is too dull for us."
"Lord Dante, I have successfully located the hideout of the Black Bulls. It appears that they now reside on the border of the Spade Kingdom."
"I see. I can't wait to see what type of human Yami Sukehiro is. Plus if we somehow meet Zeref's descendant, things may be interesting. Let's go pay our guests a visit, Invel. After all, if Vanica can send her strongest Dark Discple to the Clover Kingdom, then we may as well have fun. "
"Yes sir."
~Meanwhile~
As Ultear was seen at the town of Kiten. She began to think about Kyoya. She was happy that she got to see him again and that they would visit her mother's grave.
"Mother....after so many years...i'm coming hom-"
Ultear's eyes became wide with shock with what she saw in the distance. A lone figure was walking towards Kiten. As this happened, multiple trees were being reduced to ashes. Meanwhile, the figure in question didn't see anything. His flames, his sight, his mind, it was all blinded by rage and hatred for one thing.
Little did he know that Vanica implanted him with a different curse when he was revived. A curse that makes anyone who he gazes upon appear as the person he hates the most. As he looked in the distance, he saw Ultear looking at him in fear. But in a few moments, he didn't see her as herself, as she now looked like the person he hates more than anyone. With a loud roar, his mana exploded as he charged forward.
"VANICA!!!!!!!!!"