The Villainess's Journey To Heroism

The air crackled with disbelief as Hina stood before her Fairy Tail family. Erza, her eyes wide with shock, simply stared, unable to believe the sight before her. Her older sister, the one she thought lost forever, was standing there, alive and well.

Natsu and Happy, their usual boisterous energy momentarily muted, sprinted towards Hina, their cries of "Hina!" echoing through the spirit world.

But Hina, her heart overflowing with joy, bypassed them, her eyes locking onto Erza's. She ran into her sister's arms, tears of happiness streaming down her face. Erza, her own eyes brimming with tears, held Hina tightly, whispering, "I missed you so much. I thought you were gone."

Capricorn, his voice echoing with a formality that belied the warmth in his eyes, addressed Hina, "Hina, I trust you found the gift... satisfactory?"

Hina, her smile radiant, replied, "More than satisfactory, Capricorn. It's perfect. Thank you."

Gray, his voice husky with emotion, spoke up, "It's been so long. What happened? How are you... alive?"

Hina, her smile faltering slightly, shook her head, "I don't know. Maybe... maybe I was given a second chance. A chance to redeem myself."

Levy, her voice soft but filled with concern, asked, "Where have you been all this time?"

"In another universe," Hina replied, her voice tinged with a wistful longing, "Living a different life."

Natsu, ever the curious one, couldn't help but ask, "Why do you look so young?"

Hina shrugged, "I don't know. It's a mystery even to me."

The spirit world buzzed with excitement as Hina caught up with her old friends. Erza, ever the thoughtful one, introduced Hina to the new members: Lucy, Juvia, Gajeel, Wendy, Panther Lily, and Charle.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, reminiscing about their first encounters.

"So how'd you join Fairy Tail Lucy?" Hina grinned.

"Oh, well Natsu dragged me out of nowhere." Lucy laughed. "I said I wanted to join, and next thing I knew, I was being pulled along by a fire-breathing dragon slayer."

"And you, Wendy," Hina turned to the petite dragon slayer.

Wendy blushed, "I was so nervous, I couldn't even walk straight. That I tripped right in front of them when we first met."

Gajeel chuckled, "Speaking of first meetings, remember when you and I were enemies, Juvia?"

Juvia giggled, "Juvia and Gajeel are foolish back then. Now, we're truly sorry to what we did!"

Hina laughed. "Fairy Tail is full of crazy stories, isn't it?"

As the minutes passed, Erza and Hina found themselves alone, their conversation filled with unspoken emotions.

"Tell me about your life," Erza prompted, her voice soft.

Hina smiled, a touch of wistfulness in her eyes. "It's... different. I've made some interesting friends. Kirishima, he's like Elfman, loud and they both say those manly things, but good-hearted. And Katsuki, he's got a temper, loves to be number 1 reminds me of Natsu. We argue a lot, but I believe that was just the way he is. And there's also Mina she was kind and outgoing she sometimes drag me to go hang out with her."

Erza chuckled. "Sounds like they'd fit right in at Fairy Tail."

Hina nodded, a small sigh escaping her lips. "They are good friends."

"I'm so glad you're back," Erza said, her voice filled with heartfelt joy.

Hina, her smile fading, looked away, her eyes filled with a sadness that Erza couldn't ignore.

"You're going back to Fairy Tail, right?" Natsu asked, his voice laced with hope.

Hina, her heart heavy, replied, "As much as I love Fairy Tail, as much as I miss you all, I have responsibilities. I'm a hero now, and I have a duty to my world."

Natsu, ever the optimist, tried to argue, but Hina, her voice firm, promised, "I'll find a way to visit, I promise."

Erza, her heart aching, accepted her sister's decision. "Fairy Tail will always be waiting for you," she said, her voice filled with love and understanding.

A golden light enveloped Hina, signaling her departure. She turned to the spirits, her voice filled with gratitude, "Thank you, Virgo, and the others. Thank you for everything."

The Fairy Tail members, their hearts filled with sadness, struggled to find the words to express their feelings. They wanted her to stay, but they knew they couldn't keep her.

Lucy, breaking the silence, said, "Thank you for taking care of our celestial spirit friends. You were so kind to them."

Hina, tears streaming down her face, replied, "Don't worry about me. I'm doing well. I've made new friends."

Happy, his voice choked with emotion, said, "You don't have to worry about Fairy Tail, either. Laxus, Erza, Natsu, and the rest of us will protect it."

Erza, her voice strong and unwavering, promised, "I'll protect Fairy Tail, so you'll always have a home to come back to when you're feeling sad, or when you find a way to visit."

Natsu, his voice filled with determination, added, "We'll protect Fairy Tail, so you can find a way to visit us again."

As Hina vanished, Erza, her eyes filled with tears but her smile resolute, said, "We'll be waiting. Make sure you come back."

"I will," Hina whispered, her own tears flowing freely, but a smile still gracing her lips.

She returned to her dorm room at U.A., her celestial keys disappearing with a soft whisper. She wrapped herself in her blanket, the silence of her room amplifying the sobs that racked her body.