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Fie took a deep breath as she attempted to still her racing heart. Gripping the letter in her hand, she didn’t realize she was shaking until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Rean smiling along with her classmates and Sara standing encouragingly behind her.
“Don’t worry, Fie,” Rean said, “We’re all right here with you.”
“Everyone…,” Fie breathed out. Chuckling to herself, she finally said, “Thanks.” Steeling herself, she took the last few steps forward from the forest into the clearing. Shielding her eyes from the sudden change in brightness, Fie looked out to all the familiar faces as they stared back at her. An unexplainable feeling began to well up in her as she saw grins break out on all the members.
“Fie!”
“Hey, it’s the pipsqueak!”
“You’re here!”
Fie fought back tears as she saw everyone, “Zepher…” Before she knew it, she was caught up in all sorts of hugs, slaps on the back, and head ruffling. Trying to worm her way out of the pile, the crowd suddenly parted and Fie’s breath caught in her throat. There, standing before her, was the one person she’d been longing to see but never thought she’d see again.
Several years ago, her adoptive father, Rutger Claussell and leader of the Zepher Jaeger Corp, died in a battle with the leader of the Red Constellation, their then rival corp. When she’d heard Xeno and Leo tell her that the others were looking to bring back their old boss, she’d held her breath, hoping against hope to see him once again. She came as soon as she’d gotten the letter from Xeno saying that they succeeded. But she never thought it would actually be true.
“Yo, Fie!” Rutger grinned, “Still as puny as ever. Though it seems you have grown a bit.”
This time, Fie couldn’t stop the tears falling down her face, “Dad…is it really you?”
Rutger grinned grew, and he drew the buster glaive at his back, “Want to test it out?”
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Fie grinned back as she brought out her twin gunswords, “You’re on.”
“Wait a second, Fie…,” Machias exclaimed.
But Sara just chuckled, “Oh, don’t worry Machias; it’s just a jaeger thing. Well, might as well enjoy myself. Anyone got any beer here?”
“Oh Instructor Sara, you never change,” Emma giggled.
“Well, if nothing else, this will be a battle worth seeing,” Laura stated, crossing her arms as she watched Fie and Rutger squaring off against each other.
“Laura, you too?” Alisa groaned.
Gaius took that moment to cut in, “Looks like they’re starting.” The field fell silent as Fie and Rutger went still, each seemingly waiting for the other to move. Then, faster than the eye could see, the two were on the opposite sides of the field they had started on.
“Halt!” Leo, the referee, said.
Elliot’s eyes were as wide as saucers, “Incredible…”
Jusis nodded, “Guess they don’t call him the ‘Jaeger King’ for nothing.”
Millium smiled, “But looks like this match goes to Fie.”
The others watched as Fie and Rutger straightened, Rutger bursting out into a howling laugh, “Seems I’ve been getting lax in my training. Well done, Fie.” A trickle of blood ran down the shallow gash on his cheek.
“Well, I can’t stay a pipsqueak forever,” Fie replied. She turned to her adoptive father and stared up at his face, “Hey, Dad?”
“Hm?” Rutger grunted.
“…Thanks,” Fie finally said, “For taking me in when I was a kid without anywhere to go. And, thanks for letting me go. I think, now, I’ve found the family I’ve been looking for my whole life.”
Rutger’s eyes glistened a bit before he broke out in his characteristic grin, “Is that so? Then guess it was worth it.” He stepped forward and pulled the much smaller Fie into his arms, “Congratulations, Fie. Looks like I can stop worrying now.”
Fie paused for a moment, then buried her face in her father’s chest as she returned his hug, “Yeah.”
A few more moments passed before the two broke their hug. Rutger looked out at the men of the former Class VII as his grin suddenly took on a bloodthirsty edge, “So, who’s the lucky guy among you I get to lecture?”
It took Rean a while to realize that he was left standing on his own while the others were surreptitiously looking away, “Guys? Why are you all standing so far away?”
“Ah, well, you know…good luck Rean,” Machias mumbled.
“Huh…and we asked you so nicely before while we were on the Pantagruel,” Xeno said as he cracked a few knuckles.
Leo nodded, “You will answer this time, Rean Schwarzer.”
“Eh?” Rean said, slowly backing up, “Fie, a little help here?” But instead of answering, he caught a glimpse of a blush before she turned away.
Fie watched Rean being chased by her former family while her new family laughed at their antics and she couldn’t hold back a smile. While she didn’t know exactly what the future held, she knew one thing for certain. With the members of Class VII, she’d finally found a place to call home.