A warm, tropical breeze greeted them as they stepped out of the portal, carrying the sweet scent of frangipani and the distant hum of a bustling city.
The rooftop wasn't a helipad on Stark Tower, as Arthur had first planned, but a private garden high above the city of Bangkok, Thailand.
The air was thick with humidity and the sounds of a vibrant, alive city.
Below, the Chao Phraya River snaked through a landscape dotted with golden-roofed temples and modern skyscrapers.
The sky, a canvas of fiery orange and purple, was dotted with stars.
"This… this is your home?"
Yuffie asked, her voice a mix of awe and wonder as she spun around, taking in the panoramic view.
Arthur grinned.
"This is one of them. My real home is the building we're about to go into."
He pointed to a sleek, modern structure with floor-to-ceiling windows and a rooftop garden filled with lush, green plants.
"I decided to bring us here instead of New York. It's safer, and this place has its own kind of magic. I thought you'd all appreciate it."
Aerith nodded, a small smile on her face.
"It's beautiful. So different from Midgar."
Sephira, her silver wings shimmering, looked at the city with wide, curious eyes.
"It feels… alive. Even more than my world."
"It is,"
Arthur said softly.
"Welcome to Thailand."
They descended in a silent, glass elevator that offered a stunning view of the city.
As the doors opened, they stepped into a large, open living room.
The room was modern and elegant, with comfortable-looking couches, a massive television screen on one wall, and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto a private balcony.
The air was filled with the gentle, rhythmic hum of a smart home system and the scent of freshly cooked food.
A man and a woman were sitting on one of the couches, chatting quietly.
The man, with a scruffy beard and a playful glint in his eye, looked up and his face broke into a wide smile.
The woman, with kind eyes and a welcoming expression, stood up.
"Arthur! You're finally home!"
The woman said warmly. She went to him and gave him a big hug.
"Pepper, it's good to be back,"
Arthur said, hugging her back. He then turned to the man, who was now standing with his arms crossed over his chest, a smirk on his face.
"Took you long enough, kid. We were beginning to think you got lost on the way back,"
The man, Tony, said with a laugh.
"Tony, you know I'm never lost. Just… delayed,"
Arthur replied with a grin.
"Everyone, this is Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. They're my family, Tony, these are my companions: Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Sephira."
Pepper gave them a warm, welcoming smile.
"It's so nice to meet all of you."
Tony, ever the joker, winked at Pepper.
"Potential wives? You have to work hard, Pepper."
Pepper rolled her eyes with a fond smile.
"Tony, stop it. Don't mind him. He thinks he's hilarious."
Yuffie, not understanding the joke, looked confused.
Tifa gave a small, nervous laugh.
Aerith just smiled.
But Sephira, with her new memory, tilted her head and asked,
"What is a 'wife'?"
This caused Tony to laugh loudly, and Arthur to shake his head in embarrassment.
"We'll explain later, Sephira. Let's get you all settled in. We have plenty of room."
After a quick tour of the massive house, which included a private gym, a huge kitchen, and a home theater, the group gathered in the living room.
Pepper brought out a platter of fresh fruit and a variety of Thai snacks and drinks.
"I know you all must be exhausted from the journey,"
She said,
"Please, make yourselves at home. I'll go get some dinner ready."
"Pepper, don't worry about it,"
Arthur said.
"I can make something for everyone."
"Nonsense,"
Pepper replied with a warm smile.
"I insist. Besides, I think they'd prefer a home-cooked meal over whatever you'd whip up."
Tony chuckled.
"She's not wrong, kid. Your cooking is… an acquired taste."
Arthur just shook his head, a fond smile on his face.
As Pepper went to the kitchen, Yuffie, who had been quiet since they arrived, suddenly bounced on the balls of her feet.
"Arthur, can we go exploring? Can we see some of the city? I want to see everything!"
Arthur laughed.
"Patience, Yuffie. We'll have plenty of time for that. For now, let's just relax. Besides, I want to show you all something first."
He walked over to a large window and gestured for everyone to join him.
The city lights were twinkling below, a breathtaking tapestry of color and movement.
"This is what I wanted you all to see,"
Arthur said, his voice soft.
"This world, my world, is different. It's full of wonders you can't even imagine. And I want to share all of it with you."
Tifa stood next to him, her gaze fixed on the cityscape.
"It's… a lot to take in,"
She said,
"But I'm ready."
Aerith stood close to Arthur, her hand slipping into his.
"I'm ready too,"
She said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty.
Sephira, her eyes wide with curiosity, whispered,
"I've never seen so much… light."
Over the next few days, Arthur was true to his word.
He took them on a whirlwind tour of Bangkok.
The group, still in awe of their new surroundings, explored the city with a sense of wonder.
Their first stop was a local night market.
The air was filled with the sizzling sound of street food and the aroma of spices.
Yuffie's eyes grew wide at the sight of vendors selling everything from intricate handicrafts to exotic-looking snacks.
She tried a deep-fried grasshopper and, after a moment of hesitation, declared it to be the best thing she had ever eaten.
Tifa was more cautious, but she couldn't resist a taste of Pad Thai, which she described as a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy.
Aerith was fascinated by the colorful flowers and beautiful fabrics.
Sephira, meanwhile, was entranced by the music playing from a nearby stall, her silver wings subtly shimmering with the rhythm. (People couldn't see them as Arthur used disguise magic on her.)
Arthur explained the history and culture of each place they visited.
He took them to the Grand Palace, where they marveled at the golden spires and intricate carvings of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
He told them stories of the kings of Thailand and the rich history of the country.
They took a longtail boat ride down the Chao Phraya River, passing by ancient temples and modern high-rises.
They visited a floating market, where vendors in small boats sold fresh fruits and vegetables.
"This is so much cooler than Midgar!"
Yuffie exclaimed as she bought a bag of mango sticky rice from a woman in a boat.
"It's like… a whole new world, but still on a planet!"
One evening, after a long day of sightseeing, they were all sitting on the balcony, watching the city lights twinkle below.
Arthur had just finished telling them a story about the mythical creatures in Thai folklore when Tifa spoke.
"I was so scared to come here,"
She admitted quietly.
"Leaving everything behind… it was a big step. But seeing all of this… meeting Tony and Pepper… it feels like… a new beginning."
"It is,"
Arthur said, his voice gentle.
"It's a new chapter for all of us."
Aerith, who was resting her head on his shoulder, squeezed his hand.
"Thank you, Arthur. For bringing us here."
Sephira, who had been listening quietly, added,
"I'm glad I came. This world is a beautiful place."
The journey had just begun, but the group was already starting to feel at home.
They had traded their old world for a new one, a world of wonders and new adventures.
And as they looked out at the city of Bangkok, they knew that no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them together.
...
Craze: Erza, Mirajane, and Ultear won the vote.
...
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