This is a short chapter but I wanted to post something since it may take a bit for me to get the next piece ready to post. Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far.
After explaining himself multiple times to everyone in the guild and Master Makarov, Gray was getting irritated, "Believe me now?" he growled looking around the guild for anyone else wanting to question him.
"I think you've made your point, Gray," Erza said, rising from where she had sat after coming in halfway through the second run-through of the tale. "I hate to cut things short with you, but I do need to get these two prepped for their job with myself and Mira," she said while laying a job flyer on the table.
"What kind of job are you going to have them do?" Gray asked scanning the description on the flyer.
"Think humanitarian work; helping villages without water, rebuilding after storms, distributing food to hungry families. Things that can be seen as bettering the area to repay for their actions," Erza explained.
"Juvia is a great cook, you can utilize her skills while out on jobs," Gray added resulting in a nervous glance from Juvia and a strange look from Gajeel.
Erza gave a smile and placed a hand on Juvia's shoulder, "that's great, we could always use better food on missions, how are you with making cakes?" Juvia wore a stunned expression as Mira tugged her toward her room to pack for their mission.
"Find me later," Gray called to her as he felt a tap from someone behind him and turned to see Loki looking stoic. "Can I talk to you?" Gray gave a quick nod and followed Loki to the far corner of the room. He fidgeted with the rings he wore while pacing back and forth before he finally asked, "do I die? Am I dead now in your Magnolia?"
Gray saw the worry on his face and shook his head, "No, it works out, sorry I dragged you into this but I didn't know what else would be immediate proof. Don't know what I would have done if you weren't Leo in this reality."
Loki laughed nervously, "I don't mind being pulled in, but am I really going to be alright?"
"If things play out the way I remember then I think you'll have nothing to worry about, but you have to learn to trust your guildmates." Gray paused looking toward Lucy, "they'll be the ones who can set things right, open up to them."
Loki watched Gray scan the room again, "Is it really different there? Back in the other Magnolia, I mean."
"So far it's mostly the same, but this Phantom Lord stuff is not right. Juvia and Gajeel joined the guild freely and were welcomed, none of the skeptical attitudes. My Juvia is softer, once her rain was gone she opened up and it's strange but I can see a bit of that in your version of Juvia, somewhere under the surface that is waiting." Gray sighed as he felt a pang of guilt wondering if there was another Gray in his place causing Juvia trouble, "I just want to go home."
Loki arched an eyebrow, "so how do you plan on getting back?"
Gray shrugged, "I'm not entirely sure, the only person I know of that has the ability to manipulate time is still unknown to Fairy Tail at your present time and even if I did find her she still considers me an enemy for some time. Not to mention her magic is outlawed and dangerous, it can change everything for her too."
"Who exactly is she?"
"Ultear, the daughter of my master Ur. She'd probably be hanging around Jellal-erm, Siegrain at the Magic Council at this point in time," Gray had corrected himself but Erza was already looking his way, she had heard his mistake.
"Did you say Jellal?" Erza swooped into their conversation, "how do you know that name?"
"I misspoke," Gray tried his best to stay calm with Erza nose to nose with him and fire in her eyes.
"But how do you know that name? You wouldn't have said it if you didn't know of him."
"As I said before," Gray said, "I'm not from here, I know a lot of stuff I shouldn't yet."
Erza stared at Gray, "then tell me what you know."
Gray felt a weight settle in his stomach, he didn't know how to proceed, "I don't think that's a good idea, I'm sure I've already said and done things that could completely change things for you guys, there's gotta be rules or guidelines for stuff like this."
Loki laughed, "rules would only exist if stuff like this happened frequently."
Gray tilted his head a bit as he sighed, "well…"
"Don't tell me this is normal for you," Loki shook his head.
"Not this in particular but let's just say I have been through things you wouldn't believe." Gray thought back over the bizarre things the guild had experienced together, the battle with Alvarez, Avatar, Tower of Heaver, the trips to the celestial world, and going to Edolas…EDOLAS.
Turning from Erza and Loki Gray rushed past the duo into Master Makarov's office and shouted, "I need to speak with Mystogan!"
"I see, what reason do you have for that request?" Makarov asked Gray wondering if he had thought of a plan.
"He isn't one for small talk around the guild," Makarov warned with a grim expression.
"Understandable considering where he's from and who he looks like," Gray said with a seriousness in his eyes speaking volumes.
Master Makarov folded his hands together on top of his desk, "I see, I will do my best to contact him, but I am not sure of how quickly I can locate him."
"Please try, if he can get here I think he and I might be able to figure this out."