Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's "Fairy Tail", but all original and a plots and characters are mine.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
Last time on Fairy Adventure, Gary and his Devil followed their precious "Angel" into some strange castle, but ended up being caged—literally! Nashi woke up with her new friend Aisha by her side to give her food that may have been poisoned. The two of them met with all the other stolen children and met "Grandmother". Is she beautiful or what? Meanwhile, Lucy and Natsu were trying to figure out what they can do to help Luna when she freaked out about her insane Magic Power! Gary beats himself up about losing track of Nashi and getting caged when he figured out how to stop being the bird in the birdcage. Nashi was shown the ropes of being the newest "maid" in Grandmother's castle and met Jay, one of the first stolen children who may have a hidden agenda of his own. But Nashi was found out and shoved into a whole of total darkness. Sounds really depressing to me. At least at the end of the tunnel, Gary was waiting for her—that is to say, underneath her. As Luna was thinking in her room, Gale offered her words of wisdom, but I think there's romance in the air. Anyways, Luna decided to tell Lucy she's not afraid anymore.
"Okay. We'll talk to Mavis and your father where to go next. And Luna, you will start your Magic Training."
Finally! Luna is totally going to kick some major butt with her powers! But I think Nashi may kick Gary's butt for his comments even more…
It was dark. Anyone could have been fooled to think a séance was happening in the room, but they would be wrong. Tattered curtains were pulled together, but the moonlight could be peaking into the room. The floor was dirtied and ripped up with ragged rugs worn through time. There were no paintings on the walls. Rather than paintings, there was relics shelved on the walls. Most were unrecognizable, but some were familiar. A queen-sized bed was against one of the walls, beaten. The pillows were infested with maggots. The sheets were dusty and almost in full ruin. A snoozing beast slept near the bed, its growls soft and redundant.
A fireplace was on the opposite wall. It was elderly—should have been dead—but flames cackled in its mouth, almost torturous. Another beast was near the fire, but it was away. Its yellow eyes were set intently on its master that sat in a grandfather's chair. In front of its master was a table with a strange ball. It radiated Magic. It was a Lacrima Ball. However, instead of seeing the face of the person on the other side, a blue light took its place. The "master" stared at the ball in obedience.
"Report." The Lacrima Ball flashed when the voice spoke. The voice speaking through Lacrima Ball sounded firm. It was the type of firm that meant it knew what it was doing and would not take anything less of perfection.
The "master" easily complied. "Everything is going along fine. We're on schedule. We had to expand a bit to reach your amount, but—"
"Excuse me?"
The "master" sighed. The voice was as hard as flint.
"Look," the "master" started, "we had to—"
"Have you reached the goal I set for you?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get all get all pushy with me. I know what I'm doing. I'm not like those other idiots," "master" reminded.
"Know your place before I remind you," came a gentle chided filled with threats. "Next time I check in, you better be ahead of schedule."
"Of course, my Lord," the "master" said sarcastically. "I live to serve you and only you. I will make sure you are pleased."
A sigh. "Very well. You'll be summoned in a few days, Orias. If you can't finish this, I will send someone else."
Orias snorted. "Like that charming son of yours?" she teased cruelly. "How's he and the old wifey doing, hmm?"
The Lacrima Ball's light faded as the connection was cut off.
Orias sighed. "What a grouch. Pity. I was hoping for some fun." She waved a hand. "Come here, my darling. Sit by your mommy," she purred at the beast near the fire.
The beast was on its paws in seconds and darted over to Orias. Orias put a slender hand on the beast's head, grinning maniacally as it purred at her touch.
"Purr, my darling. In just a few days, we'll have everything we could have wanted," she vowed.
The beast increased its purring obvious pleased.
Orias looked at the fire with a deranged smile on her violet lips.
I can see my victory. And nothing can stop it.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Sa yume mimashou suteki na koto
Sa yume mimashou itsumademo
Sa yume mimashou yume no youna
Yume wo mimashou
(We can dream)
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Nashi shivered. She crossed her arms under her chest and hugged herself even more. "You just had to make it cold," she muttered sourly.
Gary sighed, putting a hand through his hair. "You'd be a lot warmer if you were next to me," he tried to say once again.
"Shut up," Nashi grumbled. "This is all your fault."
"And how, Angel, is it my fault?" Gary questioned.
Nashi glared daggers at him. "One: don't call me 'Angel'. And two: who's the one who made it freezing in here?"
Gary kept his cool, but irritation was seeping into his eyes. "Look, Angel"—Nashi growled at him— "I had to make it cold in here. It's part of my plan on getting us out of here."
Nashi scoffed. "You have no plan," she accused.
"I did. And it was working until you dropped in," Gary pointed out. "Great going by the way," he added sardonically.
"And like you were doing any better," Nashi retorted. "At least I didn't get stuck in a cage here, idiot. I was with the children. I was actually useful."
Nashi's words piqued Gary's interest. Instead of continuing the fight, he interrogated her. "What did you find out?" he demanded. "And who is this 'Grandmother' I heard some girl talk about?"
Nashi darkened at Grandmother's name. "She isn't really a grandma, as you probably know," she started to explain. "She's some sort of monster that's controlling the Dunters and the guards here. She's been influencing the children with some sort of Magic to keep them here and wipes their memories of their lives before coming to the castle."
Gary tensed. "She's tampering with delicate minds," he growled. "These kids may not recover from something like this. Memory Control is dangerous, especially on kids."
"Gary… It's not just kids." A look of sadness crossed Nashi's face. "There's—"
"Babies, I know," Gary cut her off gruffly. "I saw the girl who mentioned the monster with a baby. This is sick." He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the anger bubbling inside him. His Devil remained indifferent for the most part, but Gary could feel its discomfort at using such young ones. "Did you find out why she's taking these kids?"
Nashi nodded. Her eyes looked downcast and went to the floor. "It's for some 'lord' of hers," she answered. "She's supposed to be collecting kids for their youthfulness. She—… She's going to drain them of their youth, Gary."
Gary's eyes widened at the implication. "What? Those kids… Those babies… They'll—" He could not say it aloud.
No wonder this mission was ranked S-Class. I thought we were only bringing back a few kids, but now they could possibly…
Gary tensed.
Dammit! We were in a hurry before, but we need to really step it up.
Gary took a deep breath and sighed heavily. Frost came out of his mouth and coated the bars.
"Hey!" Nashi snapped. "Are you trying to give me hypothermia?"
"No, Angel," Gary soothed as he let out another breath of frost. "I'm freezing the bars. Once they're cold enough, I'll be able to break them down."
Nashi oohed at Gary's plan. "Wow. That's a sound plan." She frowned at herself. "I'm sorry for acting like a bitch."
Gary shook his head at the apology. "I'm sorry too," he said sincerely. "But we'll have all the time in the world for sorries later. We need to find Jean and the other kids and bust them out."
"We need to bust out first." Nashi looked at the frozen bars under heavy scrutiny. "Can't you just blast these down?"
Gary shook his head again. "The cage reacts to offensive Magic and that's the basis of my Magic. Freezing is the only defensive Magic I have," he told her.
"So, defensive Magic works," Nashi muttered, pondering the thoughts. "In my Divine Soul form, my Healing Magic, Holy Shield, and my Heavenly Hymn are my only defensive spells."
"You can't transform in here," Gary reminded her. "If you try to transform, the cage will attack you."
Nashi exhaled heavily. "All right. Think my Transformation Magic is defensive?"
Gary shrugged, creating more frost. "I'm not entirely sure. Mystogan spoke about it once. It depends on who you transform into. You'd have to transform into a person that uses defensive Magic. Like Luke."
"That's no good. I don't know how Luke's Magic works," Nashi confessed. "His Zen Magic… It doesn't make any sense to me and I can't remember any of his spells. My Transformation Magic can mimic Magic, but I have to have knowledge of the person I'm imitating."
"Don't worry about it then," Gary pacified. "I can handle us getting out. But we need our next steps in this."
As Gary exhaled more frost, Nashi tightened her grip on herself. It was getting colder to the point of her most likely catching a cold herself, but she could not complain.
"All right. Once we get out, I need to find two people. I think we have two allies," Nashi informed.
"Names?" Gary inquired.
"Jay and Aisha," Nashi responded. "Jay told me I could find him if I needed help. I think he knows something about all of this."
"He might," Gary supposed. "Or you might be overthinking."
Nashi huffed a breath and saw it in the air. She shivered even more. "N-N-N-Not likely," she stammered.
Gary saw Nashi trembling and smiled. "Angel, come sit by me," he coaxed. "My Magic may revolve around the cold, but I can see if I can give you some of my resistance through it."
Nashi eyed him warily. "Really?" she checked.
Gary nodded and patted the spot beside him. "You know you want to, Angel," he coaxed.
Nashi grumbled as she got up. "Fine," she agreed reluctantly. She sat next to Gary, and his arm draped around her bare shoulders. Nashi eyed his arm. "But don't get any ideas, all right?" she conditioned.
Gary nodded. "Yes, Angel, no ideas," he agreed, amused. "Now, hold on, Angel. Let me try this."
Nashi closed her eyes as Gary concentrated. For a few moments, nothing happened. She gasped when she felt something wash over her.
It feels like a blanket… It's like the cold turned into warmth.
Her trembling began to die down. She opened her eyes in wonder and looked up at Gary whom released a breath of frost.
"How did you do that?" Nashi asked, amazed. "I thought only Ice Mages could be resistant to the cold."
"That's true," Gary conceded. "It'll wear off, but it should be enough. My Devil is very…fond of you. He will do whatever it takes to make sure you're okay."
Nashi smiled at that. "Tell your Devil I thank him."
Gary smiled down at her. "Oh, he already knows." He paused and then grimaced. "I'm not telling you what he's saying. Just know he accepts your thank you kindly."
Nashi nodded, cringing herself. "Great," she muttered. She shook her head and went back to her serious face. "Anyways," she carried on, "we need to find Jay."
Gary's expression hardened as he froze the cage even more. "And this 'Aisha'?" he asked. "What's her story?"
Nashi tilted her head to look at the ceiling of the cage. "I'm not certain. My Magic could reach out to her in a way I still don't understand. When I woke up, she was assigned to me as my 'big sister' I guess, and she's the only friend I have. So, when my Magic touched her, I was able to clear her of whatever 'Grandmother' made her think." She remembered the tears in Aisha's eyes as she inquired about her parents. "Something happened to her parents," she brought up. "That was the last thing I could ask her before Dark Magic came over her. If I can get close to Aisha again, I can use my Magic and make her remember about her parents and snap out of this trance."
"So, we've got two allies." Gary huffed another breath of frost. "What about the other children? How many are there? Did you find Jean?"
"I didn't find Jean, but there are hundreds of kids, Gary," Nashi told him. "Aisha was from Roseberry Town. Gary, these kids aren't just from Muru Town. Grandmother has been ordering Dunters to get kids from other towns."
Gary stopped making frost in his shock. "What?" he breathed.
"We aren't just rescuing kids from Muru Town," Nashi said again. "We are rescuing kids from all over Fiore."
"This doesn't add up," Gary said. "There weren't any reports on this. Why haven't these other towns reported about missing kids? Why hasn't the Fiore Guard done anything?"
Nashi frowned deeply. "I'm not exactly sure… There's no reason for them to not report it in. Kidnapping is serious. We both know our parents would destroy Fiore to find us." Her eyes stared at her legs as though searching for something. "So, then why—?"
A memory hit her.
The focus shifted, bouncing with each step. In Nashi's hands were her lemonade and Gary's tea, but the focus could see Macao and Wabaka out of the corner of the focus.
"—issing kids, huh?" Macao shook his head in disbelief, picking up his bottle of beer. "Sheesh. It's like it's becoming a craze nowadays."
"What's the Guard have to do about this?" Wakaba asked curiously. "If this is coming from these small towns, they ought to be doing something."
Macao shrugged off the question as he gulped down his bottle. "Don't know," he admitted. "Maybe it's a…"
Nashi had walked by too quickly to hear the whole conversation. But she heard enough. Her eyes widened at the memory. "There were reports," she muttered.
Gary looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"
"There were reports." Nashi looked up at Gary with her wide-eyed stare. "All these reports on missing children came from small towns. The people did report about their kids. But the Guard… The Guard did nothing about it."
"Or they heard nothing about it," Gary theorized. Nashi blinked in surprise, but Gary moved forward before she could speak. "It's been done before. There could be a few crooked guards that didn't report this to their commander. Or—"
"The guards were about to tell their commander when they became under the influence," Nashi finished, piecing it together. "It makes sense why these missing children haven't made news. That strange Magic around here… Grandmother must be controlling it!"
Gary unwrapped his arm from Nashi to stand up. He cracked his neck and stretched before turning around and facing the bars. "Get behind me," he instructed. "I'm busting us out of here."
Nashi did as she was told and darted behind him. She watched in anticipation as he raised a fist. It took one, two, three, four punches for the bars to break. The tension had cleared at that, and she watched in relief as he punched down the bars enough for them to escape. He turned to her and scooped her up before facing their escape hole.
"Hang on," Gary told Nashi.
She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. He jumped from the cage silently, wind whipping around them as they fell. The floor came to them faster and faster, and Gary braced himself for landing. They landed with a quiet THUD. Nashi was gently set on the ground. The coast was clear. No children or guards were in sight. Surrounding them were entries to a corridor. But which one would lead them to their captors and which would lead them to the children?
Gary grinned over at Nashi. "Want to give this 'grandma' Hell?" he asked her. He extended his hand to her.
Nashi obliged and took his hand. She grinned back at him. "I thought you would never ask."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 004
Operation: Adulthood
育つ!時間は祖母の家から離れて行くします
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
To say Erza's Master Quarters were impressive was an understatement. It was crafted beautifully. Dark bookcases lined the office, filled with novels Luna had heard of and some she had not. There was a globe with a few charts scattered in places. Erza's desk was big and the desk of a businessmen. A Lacrima Ball sat comfortably in a corner while her finished paperwork took up either side of her desk. A window was behind the desk, overlooking the front of Fairy Tail. It was made so she could see whom was approaching her home.
Master Erza sat behind the desk with Wendy by her side, but Porlyusica oddly absent. Natsu sat on the armchair in front of the desk while Lucy and Luna took up the couch. Luna bit her lip.
Lucy gave her daughter's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and Luna looked up at her mother. Lucy smiled. "Don't worry, sweetie," she whispered. "We won't make you do something we didn't think you were capable of."
"That's right, Lucy," Erza agreed. "I know you're still getting used to the idea of having Magic. I can't imagine how it felt when it came to you that quickly."
"You have much Magic Power, Luna," Wendy piped up. She shot her niece an encouraging smile. "Don't be ashamed of that."
"Now, we need to talk about Luna's training," Erza said, getting down to business. "She needs to be properly trained. She's already missed out on so many years of training as it is. And with her Magic Power, she's going to need a lot of help reining it in."
"What about Mira?" Natsu suggested.
Lucy shook her head at the suggestion. "Mira's more suited to teach Nashi about her Magic than Luna," she told her husband.
Erza nodded. "You're right, Lucy. None of our S-Class Mages can give Luna what she needs," she agreed. "She has too much Magic in her. And with it being so different from theirs, she's going to need a teacher that understands her Magic."
There came a bubbly laugh from somewhere in the room. "No need to beat around the bush, Titania." Everyone watched as Mavis appeared seated on Erza's desk with her playful smile and jubilant emerald eyes. She waved over at Luna. "Hello, Luna Dragneel. I haven't been able to really talk to you since you were born. I've been waiting for this day for so long."
Luna was stunned.
The First Master knows me?
Mavis laughed again. "Of course I know you!" she exclaimed as if she read Luna's mind. "I've been watching you for a long time, Luna. As Fairy Tail's Tactician, it's my job to predict all possible outcomes, you see. And I was able to calculate yours."
"Mine?" Luna repeated, incredulous.
Mavis nodded eagerly. "You were always meant to have this Magic, Luna," she promised. "No matter how many times I calculate it, this always happened. How you triggered it has too many variables, but the result was the same. The Magic you have inside you was always meant to be. It was no accident."
Luna was a bit taken back. "But…why?" she asked the First Master. "Why me?"
Mavis shook her head. "That reason hasn't set in yet," she told Luna. "But we need to talk about why you're here and your training."
Erza stepped in this time to help explain. To the three Dragneels, she declared, "I want Luna to train under First Master Mavis."
Natsu's expression became unreadable at the news while Lucy and Luna were stunned.
Wow, Luna breathed. To become an apprentice of Aunt Mavis? I thought it wasn't possible for a master to take on one.
"All right. So, why Mavis?" Natsu finally asked the question the three were thinking.
Surprisingly, it was Wendy who answered the question. "Mavis has more knowledge on Luna's Magic than anyone. With her age—"
Mavis puffed her cheeks. "I'm not that old," she grounded out.
Wendy ignored her. "—and experience, Master Mavis is the perfect teacher for Luna."
"What does her training involve?" Natsu wondered.
Mavis regarded him with a serious look. "The first part of her training would be for her to be bond with her Magic without passing out," she explained. "After that, I would help her learn how to make her Magic take a physical form. She would learn how to control her Magic offensively and defensively. And eventually, when she was ready, she would learn how to fight as one with her Magic until she perfected it."
Natsu nodded, obviously pleased. "Hmph. I like it. Sounds like a good deal to me."
Lucy looked at Mavis worriedly. "Where would all this training take place?" she asked.
"She'd be taken with me elsewhere," Mavis easily answered. "Her Magic is too great for us to use your property as her training grounds."
"She'd be away from us?" Lucy looked uncertain at that.
Natsu was quick to soothe Lucy. "When I was training with Igneel, he trained me in a forest so my Magic wouldn't hurt anyone. Gray trained in the mountains with Ur and Lyon."
"I trained far from civilization," Wendy added.
Natsu flashed Wendy a grateful smile before turning back to his uneasy wife. "Luna needs to be away to train," he clarified. "With her Magic Power, she could hurt someone if something in training went wrong. She needs to be away."
Lucy sighed heavily. She looked down at the conflicted Luna and smiled half-heartedly at her. "It's your choice, sweetheart," she murmured. "You choose what you want to do."
Luna nodded and looked down at the floor.
All of this is just so surreal. I've never been away from home before. But I know I need to train. And it would be selfish of me to ask my parents to come with me, wouldn't it?
"Can I—…?" Luna regained her composure and looked at the First and Sixth Master and Wendy. "May I think about it?" she asked formally.
Mavis nodded. "Of course. Take your time, Luna," she encouraged. "This is a lot of change for you. We don't want you to rush into this without properly thinking about it."
Luna smiled, grateful at Mavis' support. "Aunt Erza?" she asked Master Erza.
Erza folded her hands and rested her chin on them. "Very well then. You're dismissed. You have two weeks to think about your decision."
Luna stood up and nodded. "Understood." She looked at her parents when they stayed seated.
Natsu gave his daughter a reassuring smile. "Go on, baby girl," he coaxed. "Your mom and I need to talk to the masters and Wendy a little longer. We'll be down soon."
Luna nodded and walked out of the office. When she closed the door, she sighed loudly and put her back at the door, sliding until she hit the floor. She tucked her head in.
I have to leave my family if I want to get stronger? I want to get stronger, but… I've rarely left Magnolia without my family there.
Luna buried her head deeper.
What am I supposed to do?
°•°•°•°
Gale walked into the guild with Pantherlily at his side.
"Let me know when you decide to head back home," Lily ordered as he trotted over to Happy.
Gale tched and smirked. "You just want to know when the old man and Mom aren't going at it."
Pantherlily stiffened, but quickly went back to his stride.
Gale put his hands in his pockets.
Strongest Exceed I know and he still chickens out at anything romantic.
He shook his head in amusement as he headed over to the bar where Aunt Kinana was tending.
Talk about ironic.
"Gale! Hey, Gale!"
Gale ignored the eager voice of Silver as he walked to the bar, hands in his pockets.
Don't come over here. Don't come over here. Don't come—
Silver appeared in front of Gale, forcing him to halt. His blue eyes were bright and his smile was a beam. "Gale!" he greeted. "Didn't you hear me?"
"Yeah," Gale grunted.
"Oh. Why didn't you stop?" Silver pressed.
"I didn't want to talk to you." It was the truth, even if it were brutal.
Julia came over to them and rolled her eyes, unfazed by Gale's dismissive attitude. "Well, you're going to talk," she told him. She grabbed Gale's arm and began pulling him to a table filled with people. "We all want to know what happened."
Gale allowed himself to be pulled because there was no point in fighting her. Silver bounced alongside him, sighing dreamily as he gazed at Paige.
At a table, Cane was smirking as he shuffled his deck of cards. "You know, Paige dear, it surprises me that you wear a skirt considering how much of a man you are," he mocked.
Paige rolled her eyes. "And yet which one of us is the man whore who plays with cards?"
It was surprising anyone so tomboyish was the daughter of Lisanna with her dark blue hair and light blue highlights—regardless of the streak of white—and red eyes. She looked and acted like Bixslow more than anyone else. But with the kindness she gave strangers, she was a Strauss through and through.
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Paige Strauss
Age: 13
Occupation: Mage
Magic: Human and Animal Possession
Likes: looking at fish Dislikes: seafood
Special Note: Feisty and always ready for a fight, Paige will never back down from a challenge
"Don't hate on my Magic there, little p," Cane suggested. "It could save your life. Right, Penelope?"
Penelope was in-between them and reading a book neither could decipher. Her Strauss-white hair surrounded her like a halo, even with a dark blue streak that came from Bixslow along with pale red eyes that were blank at all times and hidden behind her red glasses.
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Penelope Strauss
Age: 13
Occupation: S-Class Mage
Magic: Figure Eyes
Likes: botany Dislikes: sunglasses
Special Note: Don't be fooled by Penelope's small figure! She made S-Class so young for a reason
Paige smirked triumphantly. "Nelly agrees with me!" she decided.
Cane gawked. "How do you even know?"
"Twin telepathy," Paige ratted off.
Cane snorted. "Well, I have best friend telepathy with her," he claimed.
"That's not even real!" Paige argued. "You're just—!"
"Oh, my beloved Paige!" came Silver's dramatic entrance.
Paige was engulfed in an unbreakable hug and wheezed as Silver hugged her tighter.
"To see you arguing so passionately is so beautiful!" Silver cheered. "Paige always has such a fiery spirit! I'll love it always!"
"And here comes the lover boy," Cane announced, thoroughly pleased. "Penny, doll-face, could you be a dear and grab the card next to you and put it over there?"
Penelope did nothing, but the card Cane asked for moved on its own to the other side.
Paige blushed and squirmed out of Silver's hold. "Why can't you just say, 'hello' like a normal person?" she bit, exasperated.
Silver plopped down next to Paige. "Because I have to shower my beloved with love," he said as though it were obvious.
Paige put her head on the table and groaned. "What's wrong with him?" she muttered.
"There, there, Paige. You know, lover boy, since Paige dear is feeling down, why not kiss her?" Cane suggested.
Silver beamed, and Paige shot up, terrified. "Cane, you're dead!"
Silver threw himself at Paige. "Oh, my beloved, I've been waiting for this day!" he said joyously.
Paige easily held Silver back. "Keep waiting!" she snapped as Cane laughed.
On the other side of the table were Ena, Mary Jane, Igneel, and Luke. Ena was a Scarlet girl with her lengthy red hair braided and her bangs covering her right eye. But one dark brown eye was left and focus on the sketchpads before her as her pencil moved on the page.
Luke peeked curiously. "What are you working on, Ena?"
"New design," Ena answered. "Just needs a little more flare before I can give it to my mom."
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Ena Fernandes
Age: 14
Occupation: Mage
Magic: Requip – The Fairy
Likes: fashion designing Dislikes: mismatching clothes
Special Note: Her ferocity in battle came from her mother, the Great Titania ⌟
Luke looked at the design. It was a snug strapless dress with a little bit of a plunge for a neck line. But what made him furrow his eyebrows was the bottom of the dress. Ena had dotted in fading sparkles at mid-thigh.
"What's that?" Luke asked, pointing at it.
"I want to have Magic in the dress," Ena told him. "The dress extends to whatever the girl wants and Magic drips off it like snow. It can change color too."
Luke looked impressed. "Wow. That's pretty cool," he complimented. "I—"
Ena held a hand to his face. "Less talk. More work."
Luke looked surprised for a moment before he chuckled. "I forget. When your head is into a design, that's that," he recalled as he watched her draw.
"You are this close from me knocking you out, moron," came Mary Jane's snap.
Igneel was right beside her and held her sandwich close to him. His eyes were lit up impishly. "Come on, MJ! Don't be such a buzzkill! Live a little!"
Mary Jane swiped her sandwich back. "You really piss me off," she muttered. She may have had those same cerulean eyes as her mother, but her lengthy pale blonde hair and dominant attitude came from her father. But at times, the demon Mirajane could show right through her.
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Mary Jane Dreyar
Age:15
Occupation: Mage
Magic: Darkness Magic
Likes: classic rock & roll Dislikes: cockroaches
Special Note: She certainly earned her mother's title as Demon and you'll understand when you see her on bass ⌟
Gale sat down at the table and smirked at Igneel. "Having fun with your girl, Dragqueen?" he goaded.
Igneel wrapped an arm around Mary Jane and smirked back. "At least I have one," he responded.
Mary Jane shrugged off his arm. "Make no mistake, moron, I am not your girl," she grumbled. "That would be plain embarrassing to be with a guy like you."
Igneel pouted at Mary Jane. "I'm not that bad…"
Gale snorted. "Oh, trust me, you are."
Igneel lost his pout to glare at Gale. "You want to go, asshole?" he growled.
Gale was lifting from his seat. "And beat your sorry ass? Sure. I've got the time," he taunted.
"No"—a hand forced Gale back in his seat—"you don't."
Gale gave Julia a side glare. "And why not?" he asked, annoyed.
"You have to tell us about Lulu's Magic!" Silver gushed.
The whole table turned its attention to Gale in a matter of seconds.
Ena was the first to demand answers. "What's going on with my best friend?" she demanded.
Gale decided to play it safe and play dumb. "What do you mean?"
"Please. Like you don't know," Julia accused.
Gale raised an eyebrow. "I 'don't know' what?" he taunted.
"Oh! Do I see a catfight happening?" Cane smirked. "Julia, mind taking off your clothes before you start?"
Julia rolled her eyes at Cane's insinuation. "You're disgusting," she sniffed.
Cane's smirk broadened. "I like to call myself 'smooth'," he corrected.
Paige smacked Cane on the head. "Stop being such an ass, Candy Cane," she scolded.
Cane gave Paige a glare. "What's the matter, Lavender?" he taunted. "Jealous?"
Paige growled, raising a fist. "I should punch you in your di—"
Silver suddenly clung onto Paige, hearts dancing in his eyes. "Oh, my beloved Paige! How you are so beautiful when you're trying to threaten Cane," he cooed.
Paige instantly turned her attention to Silver, trying hard to shove him away. "What do you mean 'trying to threaten'? And get away! You're too close!" she exclaimed.
"I must be close to you, my beloved Paige! I feel whole when I'm at your side!" Silver declared.
"Well, feel whole somewhere else!" Paige tried again, attempting to peel him off her. He stuck to her tightly, not at all deterred by her less-than-loving response to him.
Mary Jane looked over at Gale. "Anyways," she carried on, "speak. What happened with you and your love interest?"
"She is not my love interest," Gale growled. Though the small blush on his face worked against his words. "And why should I tell you? Why don't you ask your love interest?"
Mary Jane scowled as Igneel looked between them in curiosity.
"You have a love interest?" Igneel questioned.
"Of course not," Mary Jane snapped, giving Gale a side glare while he smirked.
Igneel nodded at her words as if he saw truth. "Right. No plain guy would ever sanely be your love interest," he deduced.
Mary Jane's eyes flashed dangerously. "Thanks for pissing my off," she growled as she punched Igneel.
"Ow!" Igneel rubbed his jaw and gave Mary Jane a sad look. "Why do you have to be so mean to me, MJ?"
Mary Jane glared at him. "Maybe because you piss me off," she snarled.
Luke sighed, looking over at Julia. "The whole thing was pretty intense. Luna finally gained access to her Magic." A dazed look came about his eyes as he remembered. "It was insane; I'll tell you that. She has Magic like you haven't seen."
Igneel nodded in agreement, forgetting his pain. "It felt really strong, which was surprising because she's new to her own Magic," he considered. "It had us down on our knees."
"You know what else gets people down on their knees?"
Julia silenced Cane with a warning look.
Luke continued the story. "After that, Lu passed out. In retrospect, it was a lot of Magic for her to give out. It was no wonder she was tired."
Igneel sighed and looked at the table. "But when she woke up, she wouldn't talk to either of us," he confessed. "It was like she wanted to forget the whole experience."
Ena frowned as well. "I came by to see if we wanted to go to breakfast and she wouldn't let me in," she revealed.
Silver piped up. "Yeah. Lulu didn't even want to watch any Poko with me when I came over."
Ena rolled her eyes as she looked over her design. "Maybe because it was you she didn't want to see," she muttered.
Silver growled at her. "Got something to say, little fairy?"
"I'm sorry, did someone say something?" Ena sighed mockingly. "Must've been a fly or something…"
Silver slammed a palm on the table. "'Fly'? I'm the Prince of the Sea, you little—!"
Paige smacked Silver back to his seat. "Tone it down, little prince," she ordered.
Silver attached himself to Paige with hearts in his eyes and a smile dripping in love on his face. "Oh, my dearest Paige called me her 'prince'! That's always been a dream of mine!" he gushed.
Paige sweatdropped at that, an uncomfortable look on her face. "Yeah, whatever." She became thoughtful as she looked at Luke. "Back to the little blonde. Why would she want to forget something like that?" she wondered.
Silver added, "Her Magic sounds amazing!"
Julia agreed wholeheartedly. "Definitely! People would kill for that much Magic Power as a beginner."
"I sure would," Mary Jane muttered. "It would've made training so much easier."
Gale decided it was high time he spoke up. "She was scared, okay?" he snapped. "She was scared of her Magic. She couldn't handle it."
Ena looked over at Gale "Why would she be afraid of her own Magic?" she asked.
"It was a lot of Magic," Luke pointed out as he defended his younger sister. "People don't have bursts of Magic like that every day. When people start out with Magic, they work from the ground up."
"Not me," Igneel boasted. "I was a natural Fire Mage."
Mary Jane rolled her eyes. "Like we'd believe that," she muttered under her breath.
Paige brought up a memory to the table. "Remember Aunt Mira's story? She was scared when her Magic made her look like a demon."
"That's different," Luke argued with a shake of his head. "Aunt Mira's Magic turned her into part of a demon and she was afraid of her image. Luna's Magic overpowered her physically and emotionally. I don't blame her for being a little afraid of her own power."
"She has nothing to fear."
Everyone turned their attention to the ever-quiet Penelope.
"Fear in itself is an emotion we need and don't need," Penelope went on saying tonelessly, eyes trained on her book. "To fear one's Magic is to fear oneself. Magic is a part of our being. It does not define us, but it helps build us. Her fear is invalid. If she desires to strengthen herself, she will have to overcome her fear and bond with her Magic."
Everyone was too shocked to respond to her properly.
"She's…not wrong," Luke said quietly, eyes flickering from Igneel to Gale. "Lu can't fear her Magic forever. She has to embrace it if she wants to control."
"What if she doesn't want to control it?" Cane asked. "What's she going to do then?"
"She doesn't have a choice," Ena put in. "Her Magic came to her. She has to accept it before it becomes out of control."
"Her Magic is too strong for her to ignore," Igneel added. "The sooner she trains, the better."
The others agreed.
Gale sat in his seat, tense and ready to argue.
How could they even say that? She's not ignoring her Magic. She's just…having trouble accepting it. She'll learn. She just—
A pat on the shoulder brought him out of his thoughts.
Gale looked up. Julie gave him a sympathetic look. Gale looked away from her.
"I'm going to get back to work," Julia told him. "Should I bring you—?"
Gale's nod cut her off.
Julia nodded and got up from the bench. She said a quick good-bye and hurried off to the bar to aid their aunt Kinana.
Gale looked up at the steps leading to the second floor.
Blondie, you're in for the ride of a lifetime.
Gary and Nashi stopped once again. They were at the crossroads of two corridors. Gary looked at Nashi, listening for any intruders.
"Which way?" he asked.
"Left."
The two of them went into the left hall, running down it silently. So far, luck was in their favor. Due to Nashi mapping out the castle when Aisha showed her around, she memorized which halls had guards and which did not. The roaming guards seemed to be the only problem and they had only run into one of them once. It was easy to keep themselves concealed as the guard moved into a different hallway, sniffing and twitching its ear and tail. Still, they ran down the halls. Luck was on their side, but time was not.
Gary stopped them. "Voices," he hissed.
Gary was right. Laughing voices were coming down the hall. They sounded a mixture of male and female.
"Transform back into Luna," Gary commanded. "I'm guessing Grandmother hasn't said anything about you leaving yet in order to not disturb the children's peace. See if you can find the ones we're looking for."
Nashi nodded. "Right. But, what about you?" she asked.
Gary winked at her. "Angel, I can take care of myself. But transform quickly."
Nashi closed her eyes and felt her Magic quickly heed her call. The transformation process was shorter than it was last time. Before Nashi knew it, she was back in Luna's body, her maid uniform on her still.
The laughter grew closer and Nashi saw a girl in a maid costume and two boys in butler ensembles strolling down the hall. She smiled big for them and it hurt. "Hello!" she greeted in a giggly voice.
The maid and butlers greeted her in the same fashion.
The maid squinted her eyes. "Aren't you Aisha's apprentice?" she asked.
Nashi nodded. She forced her eyes to water and her bottom lip to tremble. "I am, but… I think I've lost her," she said in a wobbly tone.
One of the boys regarded her in pity. "Come on, then. Let's find her," he suggested.
Nashi sniffed and mumbled her agreement. As the boy took her hand, the girl began talking again to the other boy. Nashi paid no heed and looked around her for Gary.
Where the Hell did that dog run off to? she grumbled. Whatever. I just need to find Aisha and Jay. I'll worry about him later.
"Oh, isn't Grandmother just so wonderful?" the girl sighed.
Nashi nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes!" she agreed. "I'm so glad she came for me!"
The boy holding her hand beamed at that. "It was so great to get new brothers and sisters today!"
Nashi zoned out as the trio talked of Grandmother's greatness. She was disgusted by it all.
I want to tell that their grandma is a monster, but I know I'd blow my cover. And I know Grandmother would kill me if she found me. All I can do is just stay as Luna and hope my Magic is too low for them to sense it.
Footsteps came down the hall, and Nashi became battle-ready. Everything about this castle made her tense, and after Grandmother unveiled part of her plans, Nashi was alert for danger. The trio with her did not seem to mind. Their conversation carried on like normal. Nashi watched apprehensively for the figure approaching her. But when she saw his lopsided grin and jade eyes twinkling playfully, she felt relief flood through her body. Not only was it not a guard, but it was the one she was looking for.
"Hey, Layla," Jay greeted.
Nashi beamed back at him in that overly-joyful way. "Hey, Jay," she trilled.
Jay looked at the three still talking and Nashi caught a spark of suspicion in his eyes. "What's going on here?" he asked her.
"Oh, they were just going to take me to Aisha," Nashi said.
"Well, how about I take you?" Jay offered.
Nashi smiled genuinely at his assistance. "That would be great."
Let's hope my hunch is right.
She let go of the boy's hand and he looked up at her in confusion. She gestured at Jay and the trio looked at him. "Jay here will take me to my big sister," she told them happily. "Sorry to bother you."
The trio just nodded and smiled in her direction before walking off, laughing together like friends laughing at an inside joke.
Nashi watched the leave with narrowed eyes. "Rude much?" she muttered.
Jay chuckled. "You don't even know."
Nashi studied Jay.
My Magic doesn't do anything when he's around, she realized. If that's true, then…
"You said if I needed anything, I could find you, right?" she checked.
Jay nodded. "That's correct."
Nashi sighed and scratched her head. "Huh… How do I explain this?" She raised a finger, gathering her thoughts. "Here's the thing, Jay, I'm—"
"You're a Mage and you've come to save us all? Yeah. I kind of got that feeling."
"—Nashi, and I—" Nashi finally caught up to Jay's words and her eyes widened at him amused expression. "Wait, what?"
Jay laughed. "You heard me. I knew."
Nashi was at a loss. "But…? But how?" she spluttered. "My Magic—!"
"Your Magic is protecting you from this weird Magic and anyone infected," Jay told her. "I'm not infected. I could sense your Magic the minute I met you, and I knew you weren't a kid. I pieced together you coming to save these kids myself. It's not rocket science."
Nashi was taken back. "But I—!"
Jay suddenly walked over to her and grabbed her hand. He pulled her along into a steady walk. "Why don't we go find Aisha?" he suggested loudly. "I'm sure she's around here somewhere."
Nashi nodded uncertainly.
What the Hell?
Jay led her down the hallway and took a sharp right into another hallway, leaving Nashi to stumble a bit. She did not even have time to adjust when Jay suddenly shoved her into a room. She cried out in shock, but Jay quickly covered her mouth as they slipped into the room. He kept her mouth covered as he closed the door and turned on the lights. Once he released her, Nashi glared at him.
"What the Hell was that for?" she growled.
Jay sighed. "I've been around long enough to know when the guards are using Espio Watch on us."
"'Espio Watch'?" Nashi repeated. Her mother had taught her about that.
"A Lacrima Ball has the power to let you communicate with others, but it also has the power for you to watch others without them knowing," Lucy had told her. "That's called 'Espio Watch'. A lot of parents use it to spy on their kids, but anyone can do it. It only works if you have a clear image in your head of the person you want to watch or if it's for surveillance, it only works if the person watching knows the territory like the palm of their hand."
Nashi looked about the room. It was as big as her room with Aisha, but it was differently arranged. There was one king-sized bed rather than two singles. There was a dresser, but it was shoved into a corner and had little on it. A night stand was on the other side of the bed with a lamp and a clock. And there was a huge window that did not look outside to the wondrous world Grandmother claimed there was. No, it looked out onto a wasteland. Trees of no leaves and a permanent dusty fog was the landscape with violet clouds covering the sky. That was the world they were trapped in.
"Where are we?" Nashi wondered.
Jay offered her a small smile as he went over to the dresser. "This is my room," he explained.
Nashi was shocked. "You have your own room?"
Jay nodded as he rummaged through his dresser. "Yep. When I first got here, there was only me and five other kids. We each got our own rooms. But as more kids came, people began sharing with each other. Three of us have rooms to ourselves. I'm one of the few. Here."
Nashi easily caught the t-shirt thrown at her. It was black. She looked at Jay in confusion. "What's this for?"
"My room is enchanted. When I moved in, I put a spell on my door to erase all spells from people. And your Transformation Spell is gone."
Nashi looked down to see her back in her bra and panties. She blushed heavily, trying to cover herself. "Oh, geez, I'm so sorry!" she rushed out.
Jay shrugged, not at all looking unhappy or happy about the situation. "Don't worry about it," he brushed off. "Besides"—a wicked grin adorned his face— "the body you transformed into was smokin' hot. Who was that anyways?"
"My sister," Nashi answered as she pulled on the t-shirt. It went down to her thighs and barely covered her butt, but it would have to do. "Her name is Luna Dragneel and my name is Nashi."
Understanding flitted in Jay's eyes. "Ah! Princess of the—"
"Dragon King and Celestial Queen," Nashi finished for him. She put up a hand to stop him. "I already know. But thanks for trying to repeat it."
"Don't like living under your parents' shadow?" Jay figured.
Nashi walked over to the bed and splayed herself on it. "You have no idea," she groaned. "But enough about me." She turned her head to see Jay looking out the window. "What about you, Jay? How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't. That's the beauty of it," Jay said carelessly. "I could turn on you any minute. I could be the enemy in disguised sent to help you and stab your back later. You don't know." He sighed. "But I suppose you still want my backstory?"
Nashi nodded even though he could not see her.
"Well, we don't have too much time for my sob story, so I'll give you the short version," Jay told her. "My name is Jay. I wasn't lying about that. I used a Mirror Image Spell to revert to my twelve-year-old self so the Dunters could kidnap me and bring me here. I actually turned fifteen a little while ago. I got myself captured when I heard about the first missing child getting kidnapped in my town. It was the son of my dad's best friend. He was only seven. A few days later, I knew about the Dunters and got myself caught so I could find him. When I did, he changed and he had weird Magic in him. I couldn't leave him behind so I stayed with him and been stuck here ever since. Took you long enough to get here," Jay suddenly snorted. "I was about to give up hope anyone was coming to our rescue."
"It was a shock to us too," Nashi murmured.
Jay raised an eyebrow and looked over at her. "'Us'?" he repeated.
"My friend brought me with him to help save all of you," Nashi explained. "His name is Gary Fullbuster if that should ring a bell."
"It does," Jay nodded. "S-Class Wizard of the Fairy Tail Guild with the ice of a demon. Great. More demons."
Nashi furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean by 'demon'?" she reminded him. "He has a devil, not a demon."
Jay opened his mouth and Nashi was sure he was going to argue. However, something flickered in Jay's green eyes and he shook his head.
"Right. My mistake," Jay apologized half-heartedly. "So, what's your master plan then, princess? How are you and the Devil of Fairy Tail breaking us out?"
Nashi saw the door open and was on her feet in a minute while Jay looked unbothered. As the door open and a person walked in, it took Nashi a mere second to register the person. She would recognize those kind blue eyes and white cross earring anywhere.
"Let's start with this one," Gary said as he set down a confused Aisha. She was back in her regular attire and her auburn eyes were clouded by the strange Magic.
Nashi's jaw dropped. "You found me?" she practically exclaimed. "How? You disappeared!"
Gary smiled at her. "There's a lot I can do, Angel," he told her mysteriously. He looked over at Jay whom looked back at him. Gary nodded at him. "Jay."
Jay nodded back. "Gary."
"And you two know each other?" Nashi questioned, stunned. "How? I told you about him not even fifteen minutes ago!"
This time, Jay answered at her with a wink and a finger on his lips. "There's a lot we can do, Angel," he said, mocking Gary's words.
Aisha looked at Nashi in confusion. "Who are you?" she asked. She looked over at Jay and recognition flared in her eyes. She ran over to him and clung to his shirt. "Jay, who are these people? Did Grandmother bring us babysitters?"
"And you kidnapped Aisha?!" Nashi screeched.
"She notices," Jay muttered under his breath.
Nashi ignored him in favor at gaping at Gary. "What is with you? How—? What—? When—?"
"Questions later, Angel," Gary shushed. "There's a reason why I'm S-Class. Just know that."
"But—!"
"Angel," Gary said firmly, a serious look in his eyes, "we don't have time for this. You need to use your Magic to free Aisha from the spell on her, okay?"
"And make it quick," Jay grumbled as Aisha pestered him with questions. "She's seriously making me want to throw myself out the window and turn myself over to the old bat."
Nashi had jumbled thoughts and unanswered questions in her head, but she could not focus on her dying curiosity. She needed to focus on the task at hand. Her eyes steeled in determination and she walked over to Aisha. The girl regarded her in fright and Nashi felt a pang of guilt.
She's so scared. But it's okay. I'm just going to have to change tactics.
"Hello, Aisha," Nashi greeted with a warm smile. "My name is Nashi. I'm a Fairy Tail Mage."
Aisha clung to Jay tightened as she regarded Nashi in wide eyes. "Are you taking me away from Grandmother?" she sniffed fearfully.
Nashi shook her head and guilt gnawed at her stomach. "No, of course I'm not," she assured. "I just had a few questions for you. Can you answer them?"
Aisha looked up at Jay. Jay looked down at her and gave her an encouraging smile. Aisha then looked back at Nashi and slowly nodded.
"Good." Nashi felt her Magic rise inside her.
This is it. This is my chance.
"You came to Grandmother's home. Do you remember your own?"
Aisha slowly nodded again.
"Can you tell me about your home?" Nashi asked softly.
Aisha swallowed and nodded again. "M-M-My home is—…" She furrowed her eyebrows when she could not complete the thought. "My home is—…"
Nashi felt her Magic leave her only to touch Aisha. She did it gently, trying hard not to disturb Aisha. She watched as Aisha's eyes became less clouded.
"My home is…in…Roseberry Town," Aisha completed.
"What's it like there?" Nashi asked, adding a bit more Magic.
"It's not a big town," Aisha confessed. "We don't do too much."
"Tell me about your home," Nashi encouraged. "Tell me…about your family."
Aisha furrowed her eyebrows at that, and Nashi poured more Magic into the connection. Aisha's auburn eyes began to brighten as the Magic took effect.
"I don't have any siblings," Aisha admitted. "I'm an only child. My cousins keep my company, but…" She looked down at the floor, and Nashi saw sadness ripple in her young gaze. "It's not enough," she whispered.
"What about your parents?" Nashi asked. This was it. This was the question that could gain her an ally or gain her an enemy. "What are they like?"
Aisha took a long time to answer. Nashi was sure the question hit home, but her Magic had not shown a sign of retracting. Nashi, Jay, and Gary watched in anticipation.
There was a sob.
All three widened their eyes when Aisha looked back at Nashi with tears. Her eyes were no longer clouded. They were bright. The Magic was gone. But sadness had set in.
"They're dead," Aisha choked out.
All of them froze.
Aisha covered her mouth with her hands, letting go of Jay. "My parents are dead," she repeated as though she realized it for the first time. Grief was racking the poor girl's body. "They died in a raid," Aisha went on to say. "It was rogue Mages from some dark guild that killed them right in front of me. It was—…! It was so awful!" Her sobs grew louder. "My parents are gone! I have no one! I was so lonely, even if I live with my aunt. Nothing was the same." Aisha whimpered. She fell to her knees. "Nothing would ever be the same," she whispered.
All three looked away from the miserable sight. This girl had lost her parents.
I don't know what I'd do if I lost my mama and papa, Nashi thought. I've relied on them so much. I've taken them for granted. But if they died…
"I'm—…" Nashi sighed. "I'm so sorry."
Aisha sniffed. "When I heard the singing, it sounded just like my mom's singing," she confessed. "I couldn't resist listening to it closer. I wanted to be closer to her. I wanted my mom." She sniffed, rubbing away tears. "But it wasn't her voice."
"It was the dunters," Jay explained. "They use the voices of a child's mother to lure them into sleep and kidnap them. But the question is why?"
"Because 'Grandmother' wants their youth," Nashi decreed. "I heard it all. She's gathering these kids to collect their youth."
"But why?" Jay pressed, his gaze locked on hers. "Why does she need their youth?"
Nashi shrugged. "I don't know," she said in all honesty. "She is doing it for a higher power, but I don't know who they are or what their motive is either."
"I see what she's doing."
Jay and Nashi turned to Gary, Aisha still crying on the floor. Gary was looking directly at Nashi. "She's taking the children that have absent parents," he figured out.
Realization hit Jay. "That makes sense," he agreed. "The kid I was following didn't have a mother and only had a dad out on business all the time. And those twins"—he looked at Nashi— "lost their parents in a fire. They told me one day when I baked cookies with them. They let it slip by accident, but once the Magic came back, they forgot they ever told me."
"But it still doesn't make sense as to why," Nashi stressed. "What does any of this mean?"
Gary shook his head. "We can't worry about that," he told her. His eyes flickered from Nashi to Aisha then to Jay. "We need a plan to get these children out of her before 'Grandmother' drains them of their youth. We can't sit around here and think about theories."
"The dude is right," Jay agreed. "We need a plan and we need it now."
Nashi nodded. "Right. Okay." She hurried over to Aisha and knelt beside her. The girl had ceased crying, but there was residual pain in her body language. Nashi softened. "Aisha, will you help us rescue your brothers and sisters so you can go home?"
Aisha sniffed, rubbing away the drying tears. "I have no brothers and sisters," she told Nashi. She looked up at her with determined auburn eyes that had flecks of grief. "But I can't let these kids here die. I'm in. And I'll help however I can."
Nashi smiled. "Thank you, Aisha."
"No. Thank you, Nashi," Aisha insisted. "Thank you for making me realize the truth. Grandmother made me feel like I had a family again. You know, with all the singing and family dinners—" She stilled. "Family dinners," she repeated in horror. "Oh, no…"
Gary tensed. "What?"
Jay froze alongside Aisha. "The family dinner tonight," he said in a hurried voice. He looked at Nashi and Gary urgently. "Tonight, the old bat told us there was a surprise from us. She said after tonight's dinner, everyone would want to stay with her forever."
Nashi's eyes widened. "It's happening tonight?" She rubbed her face. "Shit," she cursed.
Gary's tension did not fade. "'Shit'," he said, "is right."
°•°•°•°
Grandmother walked into the dining hall with her guards on the lookout for those two brats that had escaped the cage.
I can't believe that ugly girl and that mutt got away! No creature can escape one of the cages!
She frowned nervously.
And now, he'll get all upset with me for their escape. But if I keep this quiet, he won't even have to know. I just can't afford anymore screw-ups. Not when he finally let me have a toy to play with.
The children sat in the elongated dining room. All of them chattered and laughed. They were off-duty and happy to see their grandmother.
Grandmother inwardly smirked.
Foolish children.
"Hello, my children," Grandmother sang.
"Hello, dear Grandmother," came the automatic response. The laughter and conversation had stopped. The attention was on her.
Grandmother took her position as head of the table all the way on the other side of the table and sat down. She smiled at the blank-faced children. "Are you all excited for the family dinner?" she asked them.
"Yes, Grandmother."
Grandmother raised her arms. "Chefs! Bring us our food and let our family dinner start!"
The chefs appeared out of nowhere and set the food in front of each child silently. Laughter and conversation started up again as soon as the chefs disappeared. Grandmother watched in disgust as the offspring stuffed their faces with the food.
Such pigs. Pigs were meant to be raised and slaughtered. I'm only completing the circle of life. No crime in that.
A special plate was place in front of her. She licked her lips. To the children, she was eating a juicy steak with potatoes. But to her and the rest of the house, she was eating the head of a dead magical creature that was part cow, part bird. Blood dripped onto the plate. She took a deep breath and sighed in happiness.
Oh, it's warm. Warm fresh-kill means fresher blood and meat for me. A lady does deserve the best.
She ravenously gulped her meal. To the children, she was eating as a human should with cutlery. But to the house, she was tearing the head apart with her teeth and eating the meat off the bone without hesitation. She moaned as she swallowed a mouthful.
This is so good, she groaned. I need a man who will make this for me every night.
"My, oh my, Grandmother… You have such an appetite," came a bright observation.
"Grandmother has to eat too," she reminded the child.
"I know," the child said. "But you know, Grandmother… Not everyone has to eat a cow. Freedom Arrow!"
Grandmother barely got out of the way when an arrow of light whizzed towards her, destroying the wall behind her. Grandmother snarled, eyes glaring up at the girl on the table. She was of pink hair and eyes of brown determination.
Her!
Grandmother could smell the light radiating off her and hissed. It was disturbing. The girl had a feathery pink bow in her hand and had another arrow of light plucked and ready to fire. She looked so pure dressed in white and Grandmother's eyes darted to those Holy Rings on her hips.
That power… It's ancient! And those stupid rings are protecting her from my Magic. I can't control her.
"Hello, 'Grandmother'," Nashi mocked.
Grandmother sneered a smile. "Hello, spy," she greeted. "Nice to see you escaped."
"Ice-Make: Arrow!"
Grandmother dodged another arrow. It was made of ice and froze what was behind her, the ice crawling from the floor up until the ceiling. She looked back and her snarl returned. "Half-breed," she greeted unkindly.
Gary landed beside Nashi and grinned. "See that, Angel? I'm so special she gave me a pet name."
Nashi snorted. "If that's a pet name, I think all the names I've given you are terms of endearment, dog."
"You know I love it when you call me that," Gary reminded her with a wink.
"Guards! Guards!" Grandmother screeched. No one came to her aid as she called for reinforcements. Her eyes glared at Gary and Nashi. "Where are they?" she demanded to know.
"Oh, them?" Gary laughed. "We have a friend or two outside taking care of your precious guards, dear Grandmother."
Grandmother cackled along with him. But her cackle was not forced or humor-filled. It was cold. "So, the jig is up? I'm cornered and have nowhere to go?" she guessed.
"Sounds about right," Nashi agreed. "Don't even think about running away, hag. Our arrows have Magic in them to not miss their target. Our target was the wall this time. But it could be you next."
Grandmother laughed. "Well then I guess there is no room for me to hide anymore, hm? Grandma is trapped?"
Nashi was about to give a sassy remark when Gary nudged her.
"Nashi, stay close," Gary hissed in warning. He regarded Grandmother in suspicion. "Something isn't right here."
"Oh, on the contrary, half-breed," Grandmother contradicted, "something is very right." Grandmother let out an ear-splitting roar as her body start to bubble and move on its own.
Nashi watched in horror as the woman's body convulsed.
What is this Magic?
Nashi was shoved behind Gary, her bow and arrow disappearing from her grasp. She peeked from Gary to watch and her eyes could not get off the horrific sight. The woman's skeletal structure was expanding, cracking with each passing second. Grandmother was no longer Grandmother. A tail burst out of her clothes as they ripped apart. Her horns grew and curved homely while her hair fell out. Fur appeared over her skin. Her body convulsed into that of a lioness, but her tongue had blackened and narrowed and its tip split to resemble that of a snake. Her eyes bulged for a few seconds before conforming and reshaping into hideous snake eyes. "Grandmother" stood before them, proud of her achievement. She raised her paws, claws sharpened and extended.
"This is much better," "Grandmother" growled.
Nashi's eyes widened at her atrocious sight. "Gary… Gary, what do we do?" she asks in fright.
When he did not answer, Nashi looked over at him. His hair was covering his face. He was still. Unnaturally still.
Nashi took a step to him. "Gary?" she called.
Gary ignored her as his bow disintegrated into harmless ice shards. He swayed for a moment before he dropped to one knee. The instant his knee hit the table, his hair burst into silver-white. His Devil had come out on his own. Nashi watched as Devil-Gary shook as if he was struggling.
"My…Lady," Devil-Gary growled forcefully. He sounded reluctant. He did not want to show her respect.
Grandmother laughed. "Even the filthy half-breed worships his elders. How cute," she cooed mockingly.
"I…do not…'worship'…you," Devil-Gary snarled with great difficulty. "You…hurt…Angel."
"Oh, what, that thing?" Grandmother asked, pointing at Nashi in distaste. "You really are a half-breed to go for something like that."
Nashi's cheeks flushed in anger. She conjured her bow and plucked the string. Light became the arrow once again and was aimed carefully at Grandmother. "Thanks for the insult, Grandma, but it's time we stop playing," she growled.
Grandmother laughed again. "Oh, little bitch, the name is 'Orias' to you. But, to my children, I'm their dear grandma. They will do what they must to protect their grandmother."
"Think again," Nashi smirked. "These kids aren't going to protect you now that they see what you are."
Orias smirked, baring her jagged canines. "On the contrary, little bitch, my children still see me as their granny. Right, kiddies?"
Nashi was aware of the children in the room when they all stood up in unison. Their eyes were blank and so were their expressions. They surrounded the hall. To Nashi, she shivered at their emotionless masks. To lack an expression was unnerving.
"Yes, Grandmother," the children answered immediately.
"Then, protect your grandmother!" Orias ordered in a roar. "Defend me from your former sister! She has betrayed us all!"
Nashi tensed as the children's eyes turned onto her. Their blank stares seemed to be staring her down. They were assessing her as their enemy. She was now their enemy. How ironic. She was trying to save them and they were about to go after her.
"I'm not going to harm kids," Nashi snapped at Orias.
Orias smirked in triumph. "But my little kiddies will harm you." She waved a paw in the sky. "Take my gifts, kiddies! Use them and defeat your former sister!"
Objects appeared in the hands of the children. Nashi saw some have large clubs. Others had dented bats. A few had guns. Others had knives and swords.
"What type of grandma gives her kids weapons?" Nashi questioned as she prepared herself.
The children were moving toward her now. They were slow, but they had the numbers. Their sheer force was a bit intimidating.
Orias coldly grinned. "The type of granny who wants the human bitch to die." She jumped over to Devil-Gary and took him by the neck.
"Gary!" Nashi cried out in alarm, her vision focusing on him rather than the children.
"This one and I have a little business to do on our own, so we'll leave you to it." Orias tutted as she gave Devil-Gary a look of hunger. "My, my, my, what a fine little mutt you are," she cooed. She ran fingers through his hair until they trailed his skin. "So muscular and almost well-trained…" She licked her lips. "Oh, you're definitely the toy I'm looking for."
Nashi sprinted towards her. "Get the Hell away from him!" she roared.
Orias gave a taunting wave of the paw. "Bye-bye, little bitch," she mocked.
"Gary! No!" Nashi cried.
Orias unfurled leathery wings Nashi had never noticed. They were ugly things, but they supported Orias well as she flew with Gary in her possession. She cackled madly as she soared through the opening Nashi had created with her arrow.
Nashi tried to go after them. "Gary!" she exclaimed. "Gar—Ah!" She screamed as she fell to the ground, gripping her arm in agony. She looked down to see tear in her clothes and a gash on her arm. "Damn," she cursed as she used her Healing Magic. The wound closed with no problem, but the tear in her clothes were still there. She looked up to see the children gaining upon her. Her wound was the fault of a child whom stood with a Magic Gun, looking no older than nine or ten.
Nashi gritted her teeth.
Gary's going to have to wait. And I can only pray Aisha and Jay were doing well.
Another shot fired and Nashi felt her Holy Rings expanded to block the bullet. The children were getting closer.
The sooner I snap the kids out of this, the better.
°•°•°•°
"Holy Shield!"
The children's assault was blazing. Some had jumped at her with their clubs and knives. Others began firing their Magic Guns. Nashi watched as her Holy Rings expanded once more and created a protective pink bubble to surround their master.
Nashi looked at the children in horror.
They're just kids, she thought. None of them should be doing any of this.
Her thoughts instantly went to Luna and her cheery smile.
If Lu was trying to shoot me, I don't know what I'd do.
Nashi flinched as the kids pounded on her shield. She could feel the hits through her connection with the Holy Rings.
If this keeps up, my Holy Rings won't last, Nashi muttered, eyes darting at the blank-faced children as they banged on her shield. What can I do? The Magic Spell on the kids is too strong. I could use my hammer to sever it or my Freedom Arrow, but I could hurt them by doing it.
Nashi hissed when her Holy Shield waved as the children hammered at it.
All right. I guess my third option.
She closed her eyes, preparing herself for her next move.
Three.
Two.
One.
Eyes opened to reveal determined chocolate eyes.
The Holy Shield dropped and so did the children whom had climbed on it. Nashi was instantly in the air before the children could recover. They were starting to react to her movement. She had to waste no time. Nashi gathered her Magic inside her and raised a hand to the air.
"Sword of Truth!" she chanted.
A pink Magic Circle appeared below Nashi's feet as pink light gathered in her hands. A knightly sword formed in her grasp and Nashi brought it up to her face just in time for a bullet to hit it and bounce off. The pink light shattered from the blade, leaving Nashi with a gleaming and beautiful sword of silver with the crest of Archangel Zadkiel embedded on its hilt.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Nashi gritted her teeth as she dodged the attacks. Knives and bullets were being thrown at her, but bullets more than knives. Nashi looked for the culprit and found her. It was a slightly-chubby-faced girl with expressionless orange eyes and brown hair. She aimed her gun at Nashi and fired.
Nashi dodged and narrowed her eyes at the girl. "It's time for you to see who the real enemy is," she growled. With a battle cry, Nashi sped over to the girl. She avoided the assaults on her person, but her eyes were solely focused on the girl as she fired her gun at her. Nashi raised her sword as she rapidly came to the girl.
Just a few more feet…
The gun fired right as Nashi got in the girl's face, but she dodged it expertly. Nashi swung her sword so it hit the girl's neck. It was not enough that the girl would bleed, but the girl did blink in shock. Nashi felt her Magic coursing through the girl.
SHING. SHING.
"Holy Shield!" The shield was up and around Nashi and the girl in a matter of seconds. Nashi was too focused on the girl, however. Her orange eyes were becoming brighter as the sword's affects. Soon enough, the truth was seen as the girl blinked in confusion, the cloudiness in her eyes gone.
"Wh-Wh-What?" the girl mumbled hoarsely. She looked around before spotting Nashi. "Wh—?"
"Questions later," Nashi hushed, smiling gently. "Just put the gun down."
The girl looked puzzled until she saw the Magic Gun in her hands. She dropped it instantly, shock splattered on her face. She looked at Nashi with big, imploring eyes. "I'm sorry," the girl apologized wholeheartedly. "Please, don't tell my nana about this!"
"I won't," Nashi promised. "Everything is going to be fine. Just find somewhere safe, okay?"
The girl nodded.
"I'm going to let go of my shield," Nashi warned. "Once I do, get away fast."
Again, the girl nodded.
Nashi took in a deep breath then released it, effectively dropping the shield. "Go!" she told the girl.
The girl wasted no time scrambling away, losing herself in the fray.
Nashi took to the skies again once the attacks flew at her. She looked around the dining hall.
They may have the numbers, but I have experience. I will save all of you, Nashi vowed. I promise I won't leave until you're all safe!
With a battle cry, she flew at the children, her sword in hand.
°•°•°•°
Gary could only watch in hopelessness as he was carried away by Orias. His Devil was in control of his body now, but they could still communicate.
We have to go back, Gary tried to persuade the Devil. We can't leave Angel behind.
I cannot, the Devil admitted in an honest growl. Orias is a powerful one. I cannot resist needing to obey. It is in my blood.
Our blood, Gary reminded.
The Devil snorted. We are a disgusting mutt, he grumbled. Half-human, half-darkness… No wonder she believes us so vile.
But Angel doesn't see us as 'vile', Gary assured. In Angel's eyes, we are different.
The Devil calmed at that. Yes, he agreed. She does not think of us to be vile. We are not vile. We are not disgusting mutts.
Gary felt immense relief when he felt the Devil calm within him. He looked through Devil-Gary's eyes and looked at their surroundings. The castle was long gone. Orias was flying them over the dead trees of the land, but to where, neither he nor the Devil knew.
Gary thought, Without being able to control my body, I'm useless. Dammit. I'll have to wait till we land.
It was sooner than the two thought as Orias made an efficient descent. Gary watched alongside his Devil as she was aiming for a large tree. Its bark was black and soulless, but it alone had leaves on it, even if they were dark and decaying.
We need an escape plan, Gary told the Devil. I'm not sure what she's going to do with us, but we need to make sure we can get out? Can you attack her?
No, the Devil growled. It is hopeless. Unless she commands me to attack her, I cannot do a thing. We are at her mercy.
Gary gave off a wave of irritation, watching as they came closer and closer to the large tree.
There has to be a way, he argued. We can't just do nothing. She could kill us. She could kill Angel.
A flurry of anger and protectiveness surged through their link.
I will not let Angel die by the hands of this wench. This, I swear. But as for getting out of her grasp, there is nothing I can do.
Orias landed gently on one of the branches. It was large for her to walk around comfortably. She threw Devil-Gary away from her. He landed with a few bumps before rolling to his side and stopping. He growled and shakily got to his hands and knees.
"What do you want with my Angel, hag?" he spat.
Orias regarded in him in high amusement. "'Hag'?" She looked down at herself. "I think I look beautiful, but if you insist…" Black swirled around Orias, picking up wind. Devil-Gary shielded his eyes from the sight. When the black vanished, he looked to see a seductress where Orias' true form once stood. She flicked her violet hair behind her, a coy smile playing on her lips. "Do I look like a 'hag' now, half-breed?"
Devil-Gary gave her a cold smirk. "Disgusting as usual."
Orias' chuckled. "Of course you see me as 'disgusting'. Such a shame you are trapped in a human body that you don't see how beautiful I really am," she tsked.
"It has nothing to do with my human," the Devil snapped at her. He shakily stood on his feet, eyes chilled. "Now, what do you want with my Angel?"
"She's nothing," Orias dismissed. "She is nothing but a nuisance in my plans. And she is nothing but a nuisance to you."
"She is everything to me!"
"That's your human speaking," Orias assured him in a cat-like purr. "Your human is fond of her. It isn't y—"
"What he feels does not dictate my own feelings!" the Devil snarled, offended.
Orias rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Gove me a break," she muttered. "Tell me, dear 'Devil', how would you know if what you feel comes from the human or from yourself? You've never separated from your human since the day you were born."
"I just know," the Devil snapped. "He is loyal to that Mage Guild whereas I am not. I owe his family nothing. I have no family."
"But he does," Orias said. "You can say loyalty to them is beside you all you want, but you would protect them if you could." Devil-Gary glared as she continued, stalking toward him like predator to prey. "You care, Ice Devil. The human inside you has tainted you with his ways. You haven't pledged loyalty to his guild, but you and I and he all know you would fight beside them."
"No!" the Devil snarled. "I would never devote my life to humans!"
"That's funny," Orias snorted. "You aren't one of them and you don't want to fight with them, but look what you're doing. You're fighting me, a lady who could make you so much stronger than that human you have ever could."
"I am strong!" the Devil insisted.
Orias threw back her head and laughed. "Oh, you're so stupid!" she crowed. "You really have lived among the humans for too long, haven't you?"
Devil-Gary was about to snap at her when Orias was suddenly in his face. He tried to take a step back, but he realized he was paralyzed. He was at her mercy once more. Angered sapphire clashed with mad violet.
"But, if you were to separate from your human, you would be free," Orias told him. "You would become stronger. The power would be yours."
"The power is mine," the Devil snarled.
"And that 'Angel' of yours would yours and yours alone."
The Devil froze.
Orias smirked. "Think about it. You have had to share your little honey with the human. But, alone, she would be yours and not his."
The Devil looked down and said nothing. Silvery white hair covered his eyes.
Orias raised her hand on either side of his head. She took his silence as an acceptance of his fate. "Time for you to feel the true darkness inside you." Her eyes darkened and darkened until a black consumed them. Her hands began to glow as well. "And let's hope you survive that long!"
Black consumed Devil-Gary as he threw his head back and let out a scream of pain.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Nashi watched in exhaustion as the next child scrambled away, utterly confused and whining to go home. "Note to self: never have more than one kid," she muttered, dogging a dagger thrown at her. She flew higher in the dining hall and scanned the area below her. She had taken out only a fourth of the children whom were attacking her, but it was not enough. There were so many children.
Nashi gritted her teeth as she ducked from a flying fan.
It's like these kids are all having a temper tantrum, and I'm the unlucky babysitter to deal with it.
Another fan barreled at her and she dodged it. Her eyes saw it pierce into the wall. "How does Mom do it?" she groaned. Another fan came to her and missed her by a few inches. She sought out the child that was throwing them and spotted a young boy with red hair and blank green eyes. "Kid, you messed with the wrong angel," she ground out. Within seconds, Nashi flew over to the kid. She used her sword to deflect the weapons thrown at her.
"Holy Shield!"
Her Holy Rings expanded from her waist and bravely protected her from the fans trying to get to her. She flew right in front of the kid and brought her into her shield. The moment he raised his hand, Nashi forced her sword to touch the child's neck. She watched as the child's green eyes brightened. It was relieving when he dropped his other fans. As usual, confusion set in his gaze as he blinked rapidly and looked everywhere.
"Where am I?" he demanded to know. "Who are you?"
"You were taken from your home," Nashi explained again. "My name is Nashi and—"
"Where's Aunt Marie?" The child was becoming hysterical. "I need to go home! Why am I here? Who are you?"
Nashi let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, kid, if you just—" Her eyes widened when she registered his words. "Wait. Your 'Aunt Marie'?"
"She's going to be so mad!" the kid determined. "She told me never to open my windows and I did it! Oh, I'm in so much trouble…"
Nashi inspected the kid closer.
He does have red hair like Pierre. And he did say Marie's name.
"Are you 'Jean'?" she asked.
The kid stopped his panicking to look at Nashi in wariness. "How'd you know?"
It's him! Nashi smiled. "Your aunt Marie and uncle Pierre sent me after you," she explained.
Jean looked at Nashi skeptically. But there was hope in his eyes. "They did?" he checked.
Nashi nodded. "Mmm-hmm. And my friend and I are going to rescue you and bring all the kids back to their families," she explained.
Jean looked out of the shield. Nashi looked with him too. The children were beating against her shield.
"There are so many," he whispered. "How are you going to rescue us all?"
Good question.
Nashi wracked her brains for a solution.
My sword's helpful, but it's not enough. I need something stronger…
The wheels in her brain began turning.
So, the kids came to this place through the Dunters… A song, was it? I have to figure out how to reverse it, but how?
"Fight fire with fire!"
The focus shifted. There were branches surrounding the focus, but the focus could see Natsu and a young Igneel on the sparring field.
Natsu held up Igneel's fist with his grin on his face. Igneel looked up at him in confusion. "'Fight fire with fire'?" he questioned. "But… Ma says that almost never works."
Natsu paused then laughed. "Your mom is right. A strategy like that almost never works," he agreed. "But sometimes, it's the only thing left. You see, sometimes using the enemy's own method against them works. Like when your uncle Romeo and I would fight, it's pretty much fighting fire with fire. It can work." Natsu burst into a deep laugh and scratched the back of his head. "Though, I definitely wouldn't try it all the time!"
Igneel looked confused at their father's advice. "Then, when do I use it?" he asked.
Natsu sobered up and gave his son a secretive wink. "When you've officially run out of all options and nothing seems to be working, fight fire with fire."
"Fight fire with fire," Nashi whispered.
Those kids were put under a Magic Song. So maybe…
"Maybe I could use my own against them!" she realized.
"What are you talking about?"
Nashi looked down to see Jean staring up at her quizzically. She was beaming. She had a plan! "I know how I'm going to save everyone," she revealed, allowing her sword to shatter into pink specks. "But it'll feel weird. Whatever happens, Jean, I need you to trust me, okay?"
Jean nodded slowly.
Nashi got down on one knee and closed her eyes. She felt the children beating on her shield, but she felt her Magic fighting to protect her. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and focused her remaining Magic into her hands.
"Oh, mighty Heavens, lend me your Magic," she prayed, her voice strong. "Lend me your Heavenly Hymn! Let me save these children without hurting them."
Her prayers were answered as Magic swirled around her body. She felt all her wounds healing as well as her strength replenishing. She opened her eyes to see pink Magic take a physical form in front of her. It was a ball of light at first, but changed its shape to that of a harp. The Magic shattered off it and dissolved into thin air. It was a full-sized harp with twenty-two strings at the ready. It was a perfectly crafted instrument of gold and etched into it was Ancient Language the same on her Holy Rings. On the knee-block, on the right side, was a ruby while the left side was a rose quartz gemstone.
Nashi took the harp into her arms as if the action had been done thousands of times. She plucked the first string before her fingers danced on the strings. The children gradually stopped pounding on her shield.
Good. It's working, Nashi thought.
After a few more seconds, Nashi opened her mouth and began to sing.
Shizuka ni tada mitsumeteta
Chiisaki mono nemuru kao
The children all stopped. No longer did the launch attacks. They only stared at Nashi as she plucked her strings and sung her song.
Miken ni shiwa sukoshi dake yoseteru
Kowai yume nara me o samashite
The eyes of the children became unclouded. Jean looked around in awed puzzlement as the children began dropping their weapons one by one. Many began to blink and take in their new reality as Nashi continued her song. Memories flooded back to the children of their homes, Nashi felt. A few dropped to their knees at the new information. Others had tears leaking out of their eyes. And some were panicking as they took to their new home unkindly. Either way, they had woken up. They were free.
Nashi halted her playing to see a dark cloud leave each one of the children. The clouds all soured up in the air only to disperse, dead. Nashi smiled.
They're free.
"Did you do that?"
Nashi looked over to see Jean staring at her in admiration. "I did," she confessed, putting the harp back into standing position. She rubbed its body. "Thank you," she murmured. "Go in peace."
The harp heeded her words and shattered into pink particles and dissolved. Nashi stood up and looked around to see the kids themselves again. It seemed they were beginning to find their friends. The babies were being taken care of by their older siblings or willing children whom knew about how to care for babies. An older girl was down on her knees comforting the twins Nashi had met early. Deciding it was safe, Nashi relinquished her hold on her shield. Her Holy Rings fell back as her belts. She smiled at the children she saw.
With the kids free, the mission is almost finished. I just need—
She tensed.
Gary…
Nashi looked over at the opening in the dining hall.
I need to find you and I will. Just hold on, Gary. I'm not going to let them take you, she promised.
She looked over at Jean. "I've got to go find my friend, but I'll be back for all of you, okay? Just stay here and watch over everyone."
Jean nodded. "Okay, Miss Nashi."
Nashi nodded at him and took flight toward the doors of the dining hall.
I'm going to need Jay and Aisha if I'm kicking Orias' ass. Gary, you idiot dog, she cursed. Making me save you. What are you doing to me?
Nashi kicked the doors open with ease. They fell to the ground with a resounding thud.
All right. It's time to—
Nashi gasped.
Jay looked over at her with a grin. "Guess you didn't expect this, did you?"
°•°•°•°
Nashi grumbled from the grip held on her and squirmed a bit in her bra and panties. "Easy, would you? I'm delicate, you know," she snapped at the wolf-like creature.
He gave her a snarling grin. "Delicate enough for me to kill in one grip."
"You know, Yellow Eyes has you beat, Nashi."
"Shut up, Jay," Nashi snapped, glowering at his sheepish look. "This is your fault."
Jay rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't say it was my 'fault' when you—"
"Don't try to turn this around!" Nashi huffed and crossed her arms. "If you had just done your job and defeated them like I said, we wouldn't be here!"
Jay seemed comfortable in the grip of his wolfish guard. He wagged a chastising finger at her. "Now, now, let's not forget who is dressed indecently right now," he reminded her. "That's not appropriate for the little kids to be seeing this or even me. What would the Ice Devil have to say about this?"
Nashi rolled her eyes. "I don't really care what he thinks, so can it, moss head."
Jay touched his hair unconsciously. "'Moss head'," he echoed.
"You know, Boss, I kind of want this one as a pet," came the goofy voice of a lion-like beast.
Nashi and Jay turned their heads to look at him.
Their jaws dropped comically at the sight.
Aisha was blushing furiously as the lion-type guard lifted her skirt to reveal her striped panties. "Hey! Don't do that!" she snapped, flustered. "That's not nice!"
The lion-type guard blushed at the sight. "Wow! They're really cute too!"
Jay and Nashi blinked in shock.
You can blush?
"Stop playing with prey of Lady Orias!" Nashi's captor snapped.
So, he's the 'boss', Nashi realized.
The lion-type guard flattened his ears as he put down Aisha's skirt. "I'm sure Lady Orias would let me keep it," he pointed out. "Don't you want to keep yours as a pet?"
Nashi watched in disgust as her captor eyed her. A spark of interest and then lust gleamed in his yellow eyes. "I guess she would be a decent…pet," it supposed.
Nashi hissed. "I'm no 'pet', stupid dog!"
Her captor chuckled deeply, though he sounded like a rumbling growl crossed with a whimper. "It's feisty too. Would make a great maid for me," he supposed.
Jay snorted. "Creeping on two human girls. Yeesh. Must not have a lot of girls in your kind."
The lion-type guard shook his head. "There aren't any."
Jay's eyes widened. "There aren't?" he exclaimed. "How do you survive?"
Nashi's captor steeled himself. "We are servants at Lady Orias' disposal," he explained. "We don't need females to keep ourselves sated. To serve her is enough."
"And we have a bunch of those silly flippy-book things filled with those human females!" the lion-type guard butted in cheerfully.
Nashi and Aisha were taken back. "What is wrong with you?" they exclaimed.
Jay shook his head in amusement and smirked. "Looking at ladies through a magazine. Can't help but to respect them for that," he decided.
Nashi narrowed her eyes at Jay. "You're such a pervert," she sneered.
Jay just winked at her. "Only for you, baby," he teased.
The conversation silenced when a wave of negative Magic and a piercing yell washed over everyone. The guards and Dunters and their steeds kept walking toward the huge tree, but Jay, Nashi, and Aisha cringed at the mass power.
There's so much dread and despair in the air, Nashi thought. My Magic's can't even properly function—
The yell pierced the air and it took Nashi a second to realize whom it belonged to.
"Gary!" Nashi exclaimed.
Aisha looked over at Nashi in curiosity. "Oh! Is that your boyfriend?" she guessed.
A blush broke out on Nashi's face as she regarded Aisha in surprise. "He is not my boyfriend," she snapped.
"But it seems you really care about him and he cares about you." Aisha looked up at the lion-type guard holding her. "Wouldn't you say they're boyfriend-girlfriend?"
The lion-type guard hummed thoughtfully. "Actually, I wouldn't say—"
Tears began leaking out of Aisha's eyes as she pouted at her guard. "You—…" She sniffed. "You don't…think so?"
Panic set in the lion-type guard's green eyes as it saw Aisha's tears. "Oh, uh, well, they're definitely boyfriend-girlfriend! Yeah! I agree with you! Please don't cry!" it pleaded.
Nashi's jaw dropped at the alarm on the guard's face.
That traitor!
Her eyes shifted onto Aisha. She rubbed her tears away only to give Nashi a smirk. Nashi narrowed her eyes at her.
That little…
Another scream shook their air and worry clouded Nashi's face. "Gary," she whispered in fret.
What's happening over there? Is Gary okay? He better be. He got me into this, and he's going to get us out.
They approached the tree and the darkness began to choke Jay, Aisha, and Nashi. Jay had tensed while Aisha had become frightened. Nashi was a mix of the two: apprehensive and terrified of the unknown.
I've got that feeling I'm not in Fiore anymore. The rules here are different. But even so… I have to be strong for Jay and Aisha.
She tensed.
And for Gary.
The tree they approached was bigger than Nashi had originally thought. It was massive and the gnarled roots of its trunk hand bunched up before digging into the earth. It loomed over everything like it was the creator of it all. But Nashi was not intrigued by its design. The black light she saw on one of the bigger branches intrigued her. She looked at it closer as the parade of guards. Magic was pulsating from that spot and she felt the person wielding it could easily crush her Magic. Nashi squinted her eyes even more to get a better look.
Her eyes flew open.
Orias… Gary…
In horror, Nashi watched as Orias' eyes slid over to her own and Nashi felt the wicked amusement. Orias seemed to have said something and stopped her spell. Nashi watched as she grabbed Gary by his neck. She jumped effortlessly from the branch with Gary and befell unto the earth without a thud a few yards away from the band of guards and their prey. Orias gave each of them a look, looking more entertained at Jay's disgusted face. Orias tossed Gary away from her and strutted over to the guards. Nashi's eyes flickered over to Gary. He was in his Devil Form still.
He's so weak. What happened to him?
"So, these are my naughty children?" Orias tsked at them. She looked over at Aisha with mockingly sad eyes. "Oh, Aisha… I even made you a big sister and everything."
Aisha glowered darkly at Orias. "I'm not your kid," she snarled. "You're just a pathetic and fake wannabe grandmother."
Orias laughed. It sounded malicious. "Like I'd want to be related to any of you pigs," she said. "That's all you are, you know. Born and bred only to be slaughtered and your bodies to be used."
Jay gritted his teeth. "Shut it," he snapped. "Our lives aren't meant to be like this."
"You're in no position to argue with me, but I'll allow it to slide, Jay," Orias dismissed. She looked at Nashi. "It's amusing you think that little spell of yours worked for me to believe you were a child. I know everything that happens in my castle."
Nashi looked at Orias in surprise. "You knew?" she wanted to confirm.
Orias shrugged. "Well, of course. What type of master of the house would I be without knowing everything about the creatures that live underneath by roof?"
There came a groan.
Orias slowly smirked. "Speaking of creatures…" She stalked back over to Gary.
Nashi looked to see him struggling to his feet. Worry clouded her stare.
He's severely hurt and his Magic's draining too fast. If only I was close enough, I could heal him. Please, just hang on, Gary.
Orias kicked Gary and hmphed a laugh when he fell back on his hands and knees, coughing. "This is just plain sad," she decreed. "Normally, I would kill a something like you on the spot, a little monstrosity, but…" She leaned over for her hands to comb through his hair. "You're pretty hot for a half-breed." Her hands went to his jaw and traced it. "All that power and all that attractiveness…" She licked her lips as she groaned, aroused. "It makes me want to give you the choice between life and death," she spoke as her hands went to his lips.
Devil-Gary grabbed her wrist as he coughed a laugh. "You are the monstrosity, hag," he wheezed. "Kill me. You will never get what you want."
Orias licked her lips and her eyes flickered from Nashi to him. "Oh? I think I have a way of speeding this along." She pointed a finger at Nashi. "Shall we start with her?"
Devil-Gary looked in that direction and his eyes hardened when he saw his Angel frightened.
"No," he growled. "Not her."
Orias cocked an eyebrow. "Like I would take orders from something like you."
Devil-Gary snarled lowly. "Please," he hissed. "Please, do not touch her or so I will—"
"A half-breed begging?" Orias snorted. "Not like it hasn't happened before." She gave him a wicked grin. "But begging and saying 'yes' aren't the same thing." She tapped her chin thoughtfully and hummed. "What should I start with? I could make her forget you even existed in her life and make you be my slave in order for her memory to come back… I could force her to become my prisoner in exchange for your 'freedom', which we both know won't happen. Oh! I know!" Magic a pitch-black color swirled around Orias' pointer finger as she pointed at Nashi.
Gary and the Devil watched in absolute horror as Magic electrified Nashi and forced her into a bloodcurdling scream. The guard whom held her let her go, but she did not drop to the ground. She levitated in the air, her body constricting as the Magic overtook her body. Those beautiful brown eyes that held all her emotions had glowed black. The Magic was consuming her. Nashi let out another scream.
The Devil and Gary fought for control over their body. The hair remained its light color, but one eye remained black with a sapphire iris while another was regular blue. Their voices melded together in urgent pleading.
"Not Angel! Please! Please, not our Angel!" they beseeched.
"But…who will be my most humble servant?" Orias asked with mock-innocence. She waved her hand.
Nashi let out a violent scream and blood trickled from her mouth.
Orias looked at Nashi in amusement. "Whoops. My finger slipped," she said.
"Take me," Gary and the Devil pleaded. "Let her go. Just take me. Do what you want with me. Please, do not touch Angel."
Orias grinned. "Fine, half-breed," she agreed. "Your precious 'angel' will walk free." With a snap of her fingers, the Magic left Nashi and evaporated.
Devil-Gary watched in immense relief as Nashi fell to the ground onto her hands and knees, coughing and spluttering as she heaved for breath.
Angel… I'm so sorry…
The one he recognized as Jay fought off the grip from his guard and went to Nashi's aid. He gathered her into his arms as she winced and wheezed and consoled her.
She's safe, Gary thought gratefully. She's okay. She's fine. She'll be safe.
"You are at my mercy, half-breed."
Devil-Gary glared up at a victorious Orias. She winked at him. "In exchange for your angel being free, your Devil will come back along with me as my newest slave."
Fear and acceptance surged in Devil-Gary's shared mind. Gary tried to offer an ultimatum. We could—
No, the Devil interrupted. It is…okay. It will be…okay.
Devil-Gary gave Orias a dark look as both his eyes turned sapphire and his voice came back. "Do what you want, hag. But my Angel—"
"Will be free," Orias agreed. Her eyes gleamed in sick delight. "Now, my precious half-breed, time for you to reach your full potential."
Devil-Gary bowed his head as he felt a stir of Magic and heard Orias' chant.
"Dissocio!"
°•°•°•°
It was that nagging feeling of something wrong that forced Nashi to open her eyes.
Why does everything hurt so much?
Her thoughts were sluggish. Her insides were on fire and she felt tremendously weak. Her Magic was far from her reach and drained of its energy. Her hearing was gone and all that was left was a dull ringing. The world was blurry to her and color faded in and out.
Where am I?
Slowly, she turned her head over to Jay.
Oh… That's Jay.
He was staring straight ahead, eyes wide and in pain.
What's making him in pain?
Nashi turned her head further to see—
Aisha…
The girl was held close by her guard, but tears were coming out of her eyes as her hands covered her mouth.
Why is she crying? Is something wrong?
Nashi slowly turned her head in front of her and instantly understood.
Devil-Gary was in the air with swirling black Magic drowning him. His mouth was open. Maybe he was screaming or it was a silent scream. Orias' mouth was moving, but Nashi did not focus into her. Her eyes zoned in on Devil-Gary. He was being hurt. That Magic was hurting him.
Suddenly, dark electric volts came across Devil-Gary's body. He seemed to be in even more pain as it electrified his body. His hair darkened into black then brightened into its wintry color. One eye had darkened its sclera with iris gleaming blue while the other eye was normal with red blood vessels about to burst.
Nashi slowly blinked.
Gary… He's hurt… He could die…
The thought registered in her mind.
"No," Nashi murmured in a small voice. "Gary…" She achingly lifted a hand, trying to reach for him. "Gary… No…"
She slowly curled in her hand.
I'm...too weak. But I...can't give up... I can't let him die here. I can't, I—…
Her fingers made a fist.
DRIP.
A tear slipped from her.
DROP.
I need to save him. And I need to make Orias pay for her sins.
Slowly, Nashi felt her Magic winding around her. It was growing stronger and stronger by the second. It was heeding to her pleas. Nashi could see her pink Magic swirling around her arms before swirling around her whole body.
My strength… It's flooding back. I feel good. Yes. But I need more to save Gary.
Her Magic embraced her and radiated off her body, helping her get to her feet. It raised her up in the air, forcing her to look at the agonizing Gary and his Devil. Her hearing faded back in and Devil-Gary's yowls of anguish filled her head. Heavy determination went through her.
I'm going to save you. Just please, hang on a little longer.
Nashi felt her Magic fully ignite and then some. She felt herself glowing in pink, her body turning into pink light. She felt renewed. But her eyes had hardened into their fiery spirit—something she had gotten as not only the daughter of Natsu and Lucy, but as a Fairy Tail Mage. She was in a guild where no one would ever be left behind. And she could never leave Gary behind.
I have to protect him. I have to protect everyone. Orias will get pay for her crimes.
Then, something strange happened. The scene she was watching vanished. No longer did she see Gary being tortured or Aisha's tear-stricken face or the hard look of Jay. Rather than any of that, she only saw the color of her Magic, the same pink as her mother's guild mark. It was shining everywhere. Yet she was not blinded. It was her Magic after all.
A white light appeared away from Nashi. It felt so powering, even though it was an egg of white light. It was an energy like Nashi had never felt. It felt powerful and just. It was unnatural. It was amazing.
A golden symbol wrapped around the orb of white. Two simplified wings appeared surrounding a golden dot with a triangle on top. For some reason, the symbol felt like one Nashi should know.
A voice spoke to Nashi. It was deep and gentle, yet firm and orderly. Are you the one who wishes to execute justice? it asked her.
Nashi nodded. If it means I can save my friends, then yes. There must be justice.
It seemed the white egg of light was delighted at the news as it burned brighter. Then take my soul and commit justice, it ordered.
Nashi braced herself as the white light moved to her. She held out her hands in welcome and hugged it close. It felt safe and warm in her arms as she nestled it to her naked chest.
All right. Let's make Orias pay together.
Nashi pressed the white light into her chest and absorbed it. A surge of light rushed her body and made her eyes glow pink at the new soul. She could feel the new one taking her in and settling inside her. This one felt stronger than her divine soul. This one felt firm and strong. This one felt even more righteous.
I command thee to become one with me! Nashi recited. Fight with me and make me stronger…Seraphim!
Seraphim answered in its deep voice. As you wish, it agreed.
Something snapped inside Nashi and she felt her Magic explode from her body.
°•°•°•°
Orias smirked viciously at the anguished Devil-Gary. She chuckled darkly. "Soon, my little half-breed, you will become my newest pet," she told him.
"Seven Stars!"
Orias managed to dodge the attack as glowing white crystals aimed for her. She growled as she lost the connection and saw the half-breed drop to the ground, unmoving and back in his human form.
Great. I'm going to have to start all over again.
Orias raised a hand and chanted, "Dissocio!"
The spell began to take affect and Magic shot from her hand and to the half-breed.
"He is not your pet!"
Orias blinked in surprise as the spell rebounded off into the night.
A grin.
"And he is not a 'monstrosity' either," came a decree. "He's Gary, the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail, and my stupid dog."
Orias looked up and there was Nashi. She was no longer that crumpled up body she thought she saw in the arms of Jay. No, she was giving off a heavenly light that made Orias hiss. Six golden wings were attached to her back. A silver breastplate covered her chest with a citrine gemstone in the center as well blue and silver pauldrons covered her shoulders with a golden insignia on each shoulder. Her stomach was bare, but a white belt outlined in gold was loosely around her waist with a silver armored skirt. White covered her arms, but blue vambraces were on her lower arms with Ancient Language etched in gold. Her silver and blue armored boots crawled up just before her knees and a golden loincloth hung from her shirt.
Orias stood up a bit straighter.
I can feel the Magic practically glowing from the human girl. What is she?
"Your partner has been lying to you about who he is," Orias insisted.
Nashi shook her head. "He hasn't lied about anything," she defended. "Gary is Gary. He's a perverted idiot Devil that flirts like there's no tomorrow and has the bravest of hearts and that's that."
Orias cackled. "You're so gullible. You are blinded the little show he's putting on."
"I'm definitely not blind, so I don't know what you're talking about." Nashi glanced behind her and Orias saw her eyes lit up in a fiery passion. "But you must be pretty stupid to not realize I'd be coming after you for hurting my dog."
"How dare you think you could even face me!" Orias snarled. "Do you know who I am?"
A frown came over Nashi's face. "You're Orias, a woman who kidnapped kids to steal their youth. You hurt my friends."
A pink Magic Circle appeared from underneath Nashi, brilliant and impressive. It was not the same Magic Circle as before, oh, no. This Magic Circle had shifted the image in the center. Six wings now surrounded the Holy Trinity Eye rather than just two wings and a sword went straight through it.
Nashi held up her hands. "Swords of Justice!" she cried.
Orias watched in mild shock as the clouds above began growling at her call. White lightning rumbled in the clouds before striking into her hands. In a flash, two gleaming silver swords were in her hands, their blades long and powerful. Their middles had variating Ancient Language symbols in gold engraved into them. Both had golden hilts that Nashi expertly held. Orias watched as the girl grinned at her, readying her swords.
"And I," Nashi continued, "am just paying you back."
Orias readied herself for a fight. She knew one when she saw one. "Let's just see how much of an 'angel' you are then," she taunted.
As they both lunged at each other, the battle commenced.
°•°•°•°
Gary felt his body stirring as someone prodded and poked him relentlessly with a nagging voice to go with it. He slowly blinked his eyes open, the world fuzzy.
"—ey! Wake up!" came Jay's muffled voice.
Gary continued to blink until he saw the blurriness of Jay's face looking down at him. It was a couple more blinks and his eyes refocusing until Gary could see Jay's face clearly. His eyes looked grave.
"Yo. You awake, man?" Jay asked.
Gary groaned. Everything was painful. "Yeah," he rasped.
Jay smiled. "Good. Because your girlfriend is kicking some major ass, and I knew you'd want to see it," he told him.
Girlfriend? I don't remember having a—… Angel!
Gary tried to sit up in an instant. "An – gel," he gasped. "She…needs me…"
Jay shot his arms out to push him down. "Woah! Take it easy, man," he advised as he helped Gary back to a laying position. "You're badly hurt."
Someone came beside Gary's other side. Jay and Gary looked over to see Aisha kneeling next to Gary.
"Maybe I can help with that," she offered.
Jay raised an eyebrow. "You're a Mage?"
Aisha nodded, raising her hands to Gary's torso. "My aunt was a Healer in Roseberry," she explained. "She taught me the basics just in case." She looked over at Gary with a serious expression. "You need to relax and trust me. Your Magic might reject me if you don't let me do this."
Gary swallowed and nodded. "I trust you, Aisha," he confessed. "Do whatever you can."
Aisha closed her eyes and muttered an incantation under her breath. A mellow orange radiated from her hands before it touched Gary. He felt a warm sensation wash over him, relaxing him intimately. But he could not get over the worry he felt.
"Angel," Gary murmured.
"She's doing fine," Aisha assured. "Just relax and let me heal you."
"How did you get out of those dogs' sight anyways?" Jay asked.
"They were too ready to fight by that beast-lady's side to notice I slipped away," Aisha answered, a concentrated look about her. "Once Nashi transformed, they forgot all about me."
At Nashi's name, Gary uttered her name again. "Angel…" He looked at Jay. "What—…? What happened to her?"
Jay frowned and bowed his head. "She wasn't looking too hot at first. But then she saw you under Orias' spell. She snapped out if it. And she turned pretty hot too." A grin appeared on Jay's face. "Though, I can't get Luna off my mind. Anyways," he went on, "she seems to be doing pretty well right now. They're having an air battle. I didn't realize the old woman had wings. They look gross."
Jay looked up and pointed. "Look up. You can see them."
Gary did as he was told and tilted his head up. There in the dark sky was his Angel. But she looked different than her Divine Soul. She had transformed into another form, but she still retained her beauty. She was clashing her swords again Orias' own sword of darkness. Energy and static clashed with them as they hit each other with knocking blows. Much to Gary's relief, it seemed Nashi was still fighting strong while Orias was weakening.
She's safe, he thought to himself. My Angel is safe.
Our Angel, a grumbling voice corrected.
Surprise could not begin to describe Gary. You're still here, he realized. But—
That hag could never make me part from you, the Devil growled at him. The bond we share is through Magic and blood. For me to leave you meant the deaths of us both. That is why I fought for so long to stay.
Gary then asked a question he had been dying to know of the answer. If you could separate from me without dying, would you do it?
No. The answer came abrupt and confident. The idea of being on my own is…tempting, however. But I could never separate from you. Angel would never forgive me for leaving you.
Is it true what Orias said? Gary wondered. Have I really made you weaker?
That is a 'no' too, the Devil said. You are not weakening me. Perhaps when I first realized our bond, I thought so. But as you grew and as I grew, I realize you have made me stronger.
Gary smiled at that. To hear praise from his Devil side was something he never got. Thank you, Gary appreciated.
In reply, he got a purr that faded away from him.
Gary's eyes went back to the air battle and he strained to watch as they moved through the sky. Nashi took a swing at Orias that tore through her wing. The wench plummeted to a tree branch with Nashi on her tail.
My Angel…
Gary smiled widely, closing his eyes.
Thank you…Angel.
°•°•°•°
Nashi landed on the branch with a thud. Her swords were still gleaming brightly and were battle-ready and as was she. But, she panted and panted as sweat clung to her brow.
If this keeps up, my Magic won't last much longer. I still have no control over this form. But looks like dear Grandma won't be lasting long either.
Orias was up against the tree. Her body was bruised and battered. Her clothes wear torn and her hair was a mess. The beautiful humanoid form she took was growing grotesque. Her eyes had managed to become their snake-like slits again and her arms hand gone to their beastly-form, paws and sharp claws included. She brought out her tail which wrapped around her protectively. Her right wing was badly damaged—courtesy of Nashi—and she gave a death glare to her.
"You," Orias snarled. "You should be dead. You should be groveling at my feet for forgiveness."
"But it seems the tables have turned," Nashi commented, walking toward Orias with her swords at the ready. "Give it up, lady. You've been defeated. Accept it."
"I accept nothing," Orias snarled. "You are a mere human. Or at least"—her mouth curled into an ugly sneer— "so you think."
Nashi rolled her eyes, bored of the conversation. "What are you talking about?" she asked.
Orias laughed a laugh that was evil and humorless. "They didn't tell you? Oh, poor thing. At least the half-breed that's fond of you knew." She cast a sardonic smile. "You're just plain ignorant."
Her words made Nashi angered. Nashi rushed over to Orias and pointed Urim at her with her expression agitated. "What do you mean?" she demanded to know. "Who are 'they'? What do you know?"
Orias' smirk was cold. "Just know this, Angel: all those so-called 'loved ones' you cherish have been lying to you. You've been living blind your whole life. And same to those siblings of yours. What were their names? Igneel, Luke and that darling Luna."
Nashi froze.
Orias went on: "Igneel is the hard-headed one like your father, yes? And Luke is his twin! Oh, I remembered he's told to be the hard-working one. And Luna"—she hummed— "I've heard she is quite a beauty and when you took on her form, the rumors were confirmed."
Nashi's blood went cold. Her grip from her sword never wavered, but she felt remarkably cold. "How—…?" she tried to ask. "How do you—?"
"'Know'?" Orias laughed. "We know all about you, Nashi Dragneel. You, my dear, are the Angel of Fairy Tail, or well, Princess of the Celestial Queen and her Dragon King. But you don't like to be compared to your parents' legacy. You're trying to make a name for yourself." She cocked her head in mock curiosity and concern. "How's that going by the way? Did you get out of Mommy and Daddy's shadow?"
"Who are you?" Nashi demanded. Her voice was shaking. She got a better grip on Thurimm and Urim and her eyes steeled over as she roared at Orias with a note of impatience, "How do you know me? Who are your 'kind'?"
"You'll see much more of my kind, Nashi Dragneel. They will be coming one by one and bring with them tons more," Orias prophesied. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, a cool smile playing on her lips. Black flecks began to peel from her body. Nashi watched on as Orias began fading with more and more black sparks leaves her body.
"Seems it's time for me to go," Orias mused. "Shame. Would have loved to have that half-breed for a pet."
"He's not a pet," Nashi snarled. "And he isn't some 'half-breed' either."
Orias laughed loudly. She was looking translucent. The tree could be vaguely seen behind her. "You're right. He isn't a 'half-breed'. He's a disgusting thing keeping that darkness trapped inside. He could have been stronger if he had let go and let the darkness overtake him. He could have been like us."
Nashi snarled. "I am nothing like you."
Orias neared being faded from the world. "On the contrary, dear, that blood in your veins says to me you are just like me. You are one of us, thanks to the King." She bowed her head as violet overtook her body. "We will meet again, Angel Princess Nashi Dragneel. I know it."
"Wait!" Nashi cried out to stop her. "You can't—!"
It was too late. Orias' body shattered into the air in specs. Nashi watched as they all rose into the sky and disappeared into the clouds. Watching Orias leave was an amazing, yet frustrating sight.
Nashi gripped her swords tightly.
She's lying, she determined. She has to be. But… If she's not lying, what does it mean?
Nashi turned away from where Orias once stood and jumped off the branch only to glide where Jay, Aisha, and Gary were. Her eyes snapped to wear the guards and Dunters were. Their bodies were disintegrating into glowing black sparkles that made a beeline for the clouds. Just as Nashi set foot on the ground, the last of the Dunters disappeared into the black specks and went up into the clouds. Nashi felt relief flood her joints.
It's over. It's all over.
"Nashi!"
She looked over at Jay who was waving her over. On the ground beside him was Gary with Aisha kneeling beside him. Nashi ran over to Gary—her swords shattered into pink light and dispersed—and Aisha made room for her to kneel beside him. Relieved blue clashed with fretting hickory.
"How are you?" Nashi inquired.
Gary hoarsely chuckled at her concern as he lifted a hand and put it on Nashi's cheek. "I'm fine, Angel," he assured. "How are you? Are you okay?"
Nashi sniffed and gave a watery chuckle. "Don't worry about me, dog."
"I will always worry about you," Gary told her. "You're my darling angel."
"You shouldn't have sacrificed yourself for me, dummy," Nashi rebuked, though her eyes watered. "Neither one of you. I'm not worth it."
"You are worth everything I have and more," Gary reminded her.
Nashi looked away. "Gary…" she sighed.
Gary decided to make a change of subject. "Aisha healed me for the main part. She's going to make an amazing Healer."
Aisha puffed out her chest. "That's what my aunt tells me too." To Nashi, she added sheepishly, "I could only give him the basics, so he's still hurt. But I did the best I could. I'm not sure if he's okay though."
Nashi gave Aisha a soft smile. "I know you did well, Aisha."
Aisha still looked a bit nervous. "Are you sure?"
"Angel…"
Nashi and Aisha looked down at Gary who had taken it upon himself to play with Nashi's locks of hair.
"Did I ever tell you how hot you look when you're fighting?" Gary sighed.
Nashi shot him a flat look. "Yup. He's fine." She flashed Aisha a grin. "Awesome job, Aisha. Seriously."
Aisha blushed at the praise and tugged at her hair. "Thanks, Nashi."
Nashi nodded and assessed Gary. "His wounds aren't that bad, but his Magic is drained. It's going to be a hassle moving him, but I may be able to help." She held out her hands. "Healing Sand!" she chanted.
Pink light formed in Nashi's hand in the shape of a tea pot with a hand at the top. The light burst off it to reveal a pink tea pot with a gold ring around it and Ancient Language painted in black on the golden ring. Nashi grabbed the teapot by its base and handle and tipped it so golden sand spilled over Gary. Jay, Aisha, and Nashi watched as Gary took in a deep breath as the sand poured on his chest. He looked content.
Aisha looked at the teapot in fascination. "What is it?" she wondered.
"It's my healing teapot," Nashi explained as she covered Gary in flowing sand. "It can heal most mortal wounds and give a quick Magic Boost, but it can't heal anything too difficult. My aunt Wendy and Granny Porlyusica are better at healing than me."
Aisha gasped. Her eyes were wide with admiration and wonder. "Wendy Marvel?" she checked.
Nashi smiled. "That's her."
"Wow," Aisha breathed. "You know the Sky Maiden! She's my idol! I want to be just as good as her at healing some day!"
Gary smiled tiredly as he pushed the teapot away from him. "Then, you'll have to come to Fairy Tail and meet her someday."
Nashi frowned at Gary. "You're still weak. I need to give you more sand," she protested.
"It's okay. What you gave me was enough," Gary mandated. "I'm fine enough to get home." He sat up and Jay and Aisha were quick to help him stand while Nashi stood alongside him, dismissing the tea pot. He looked stronger and back to his old self. There were a few bruises on his body, but bruises came with battle.
"How are we going to get home?" Aisha asked. "Is there even a way home?"
Jay was the first to respond. "The Dunters got in with a song, right? Well, maybe that's the only way to get out."
Nashi knew exactly what she had to do. "All right, I got this," she determined. Her Magic responded to her thoughts. Pink enshrouded her body. She felt her wings disappear and her arms come off her. The sensation of her Divine Soul came flooding back as her dress formed on her as well as her boots and gloves. The light cracked off her to reveal her in her Divine Soul form. Instantly, Nashi kneeled in front of the tree and clasped her hands together.
"Oh, mighty Heavens, please lend me your Heavenly Hymn so we may leave this world," she prayed.
Pink light in the shape of a harp took form in front of her before the light disappeared and she was left with the harp ready to be plucked.
"You play the harp?" Jay gaped.
Nashi shook her head as she brought the harp to her. "I can't," she admitted. "My Magic uses my hands and plucks the strings for me." She put her hand on the strings. She felt her Magic coursing through her hands and expertly plucked the strings.
"That's so pretty," Aisha gushed in a hushed tone.
"I know." Gary sounded proud.
Nashi continued to pluck the strings. The song was major and tapped to a 3-beat.
Please work, she prayed. We need a way to get these children to safety.
As Nashi continued her prayer, something happened all around her. Several cracks in the air appeared around her. After a few more seconds, the cracks widened. Nashi kept up her song only for the cracks to expand into holes of swirling pink. A few more seconds and the holes expanded into wide gaps in space, all the swirling with pink energy. Soon, the pink faded from the holes and the space was filled with afternoon scenes from various towns. Jay, Gary, and Aisha walked over in amazement to look at the portals. Aisha's eyes widened when she saw a portal that showed the front of a cathedral. She ran over to it in excitement.
"That's Roseberry!" she explained, pointing at the portal. "That's Gold Tree Chapel!"
Jay's eyes searched the portals until they landed on one that had the entrance to Bronze Point Park. He grinned as he jogged over to it. "Wow. It's even my home town," he said, impressed.
Gary walked over to Nashi, examining the portals surrounding them. "Are these the homes of all these children?" he asked.
Nashi nodded as she continued her song. "I think so. My harp conjured them to help the kids get home, so they have to be," she told him. "These portals will only keep up while I play, so you need to get the children and bring them here, Gary."
"I can't leave you alone," Gary argued. "I did that once, and you got tortured because of it."
Nashi shook her head, making sure her concentration did not waver. "I will be fine. I can create a shield if I think it's necessary, but I think all those creatures Orias brought with her left with her elsewhere."
Jay walked over to the two of them. "I think Nashi is right," he agreed, siding with her. He looked over at Gary. "Whatever was here is gone now. But we can't sit around and wait for them to return. We have to get everyone out as soon as possible."
Gary ran a hand through his hair, still uneasy. "Fine," he decided with heavy reluctance. "Jay, come with me. Aisha, stay with Nashi just in case anything happens."
Aisha waved her hand to indicate she heard him.
Jay nodded, pleased with the plan. "All right. Let's get some kids," he breathed as he walked away from the circle of portals.
Gary lingered for a few more seconds. He bent over a little and whispered in Nashi's ear, "By the way, while your Divine Soul and your new soul make you look beautiful, you're still gorgeous just the way you are, Angel." Without listening to a word she had to say to him, he turned around and padded after Jay.
Aisha came over to Nashi, watching the boys go in curiosity. "Is everything okay?" she asked Nashi.
Nashi smiled as she listened to the new Heavenly Hymn the harp made her play. "Everything is great, Aisha."
Luna groaned as her eyes cracked open. Sunlight did not agree with her. "What time is it?" she wondered. "I feel like I've been sitting here for hours. I guess that's my fault though."
The door opened a little, pushing her.
Luna tried to turn around. "Wait…"
The door burst open, leaving Luna to be pushed to the ground and yelp in pain. She picked herself to her hands and knees. "Ow," she groaned.
"Lu? What are you doing?"
Luna looked to see her parents hovering over her. Natsu looked amused while Lucy looked concerned.
Luna sat up and sprung to her feet, offering them a sheepish smile. "Oh, um I was just thinking out here and I guess I kind of fell asleep against the door," she confessed.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asked her daughter.
Luna nodded and her automatic smile came up. "Yeah. I'm good."
Natsu sighed. "You know, if you're trying to lie, might want to try a little harder." He gestured between him and Lucy. "We're lie detectors."
Lucy narrowed her eyes. "Oh, give me a break. You were the one to believe Igneel had chicken pocks when he just painted dots on himself," she reminded.
"He got them two weeks later anyways," Natsu reasoned.
Lucy rolled her eyes. She turned her attention back to Luna. "I'll ask again. Are you okay?"
Luna sighed and her eyes went down to her feet. "No," she muttered. "I don't know what to do."
A hand rested on her head and Luna looked up to see her father smiling softly at her.
"You'll figure it out, baby girl," Natsu promised. "Stuff like this isn't just a five-minute decision."
Lucy snorted. "Says the man who practically invented 'impulsive'," she teased.
Natsu laughed as he retracted his hand and scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "Hey, it's called being awesome," he tried to reason, earning a laugh from Luna.
Lucy smiled and bent over to face Luna. She brushed a few strands of blonde out of Luna's face and tucked it behind her ear. "But your father is right. You don't have to decide so suddenly, Lu," she soothed. "It's your choice in what you want to do."
Luna leaned into her mother's touch. "Can't you tell me what to do?"
Lucy shook her head. "No. I can't. Everything now is up to you." She stood up straight and Natsu easily wrapped his arm around her. She leaned against his shoulder and offered Luna an encouraging smile. "The two of us and your sister and brothers and all of Fairy Tail will support you, Lu."
Natsu grinned at his daughter. He flashed her a thumbs-up. "Don't even worry about that. We've got your back. Whatever you decide, just know you aren't going without any help."
Luna nodded at her parents' words. To hear their support warmed her heart. "I just hope I can make you guys proud," she prayed.
"You already have," Natsu assured her. "Just by being you, you've made us so proud, baby girl. With your mom's smarts—"
"And your father's courage," Lucy added.
"And all that strength you have, even if you don't know it," Natsu put in.
"We've been proud of you since you were born, Lu," Lucy told her. "And we'll always be proud as long as you follow your heart."
Those words resonated with Luna. "Follow my heart," she murmured.
Lucy nodded. "Mmm-hmm. Do what your heart tells you to do, not what others say you should do."
Natsu agreed with Lucy, kissing her temple. "Now, are you ready to face the rest of Fairy Tail? They know about your Magic," he warned.
Luna smiled brightly and nodded. "I'm ready," she determined. "I'm not afraid of my Magic. And I shouldn't be afraid of my family either."
Lucy and Natsu chuckled. "Then go on," Lucy encouraged.
Luna inhaled and exhaled deeply before turning around and fled the second floor. She bounced down the steps and could hear the normal conversation of Fairy Tail. She could hear Mary Jane hissing threats at Igneel. Macao and Wakaba were swapping stories with her aunt Cana. Pantherlily's deep voice sounded near the bar as he ordered his, Happy, and Charla's favorite drinks. Luna made it down the final steps and walked onto the first floor. The guild hall was booming with the Mages of Fairy Tail. Luna could see Julia and Kinana working the floor expertly while Mira tended the bar without any hesitation.
I'm never really alone. Fairy Tail always has my back.
As Luna walked over to the bar, a mop of blue hair and sparkling blue eyes appeared in front of her with a sunny grin.
"Lulu!" Silver greeted.
Luna beamed back. "Hey, Silver," she returned happily. "What's up?"
"I heard you got your Magic!"
Before Luna knew it, she was being pulled to a table.
"You have to tell us about it!" Silver gushed.
Luna was hesitant with a response. "Um… Well, I—"
A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Luna yelped when she was pulled down into a seat. She looked up to see a silent Gale sitting next to her and eating his sandwich. She smiled at the sight of him.
"Hi, Gale," she greeted.
Gale's acknowledgement to her was pushing his plate to her. She looked down. There was half a chicken BLT and chips left for her to eat. Gale set in front of her a drink: a cookie dough milkshake.
Her smile widened. "Thanks," she appreciated.
Gale took a bite out of his own sandwich. "Don't mention it," he grunted through a mouthful.
An eager Ena leaned across the table. "So?" she goaded. "What happened?"
Luna looked around at the table to see Cane, Paige, Silver, Igneel, and Ena all eagerly waiting for her answer while Luke raised his eyebrows in interest, Mary Jane observed her, and Penelope kept to her book.
Luna's smile turned nervous. "What do you mean?" she asked.
It was Paige who spoke to Luna. "Come on, Looney, you were upstairs for a while," she said.
"What was it like?" Ena questioned. "When you got your Magic, I mean. What did it feel like?"
"What did Aunt Erza say up there?" Igneel asked.
Luna swallowed. "Well," she started quietly, forcing everyone into silence, "it was very…intense."
Igneel snorted. "I'll say. That was really strong Magic! It was awesome!"
Luna nodded weakly. "Yeah… It felt terrifying and amazing at the same time. There was just so much of it. I thought I was going to explode."
"Is that why you were afraid of it before?" Ena asked.
The question made Luna fidget. "I—"
"You don't have to be afraid of it," Paige assured. "Magic is just an extension of you. Simple as that."
Silver suddenly clung to Paige, his eyes lovestruck. "You give the best advice! You're too perfect, my beloved Paige," he oozed.
Paige attempted to shove him off. "H-H-H-H-Hey! Let go of me!" she stammered.
Cane rolled his eyes before looking at Luna with a genuine smile. "Nothing to be scared of. It'll come easier once you train." His smile morphed into a smirk. "I'd love to personally train you any day, beautiful."
Igneel shoved Cane, glaring at him. "Like Hell I'd let her train with you," he growled.
"I agree with that," Luke put in, raising a hand.
"When are you going to start training?" Mary Jane butted in. "Of course you'll have to start soon. I mean with Magic like that, you need to be prepared."
Luna frowned and her eyebrows slammed together. "'Prepared' for what exactly?" she inquired.
Mary Jane shrugged. "Well, your Magic is powerful. People will want to come after you with Magic Power like that," she supposed.
Ena agreed. "That's right. My mom told me about the time Aunt Lucy was captured because of her Magic. The same could happen to you."
A trickle of fear entered the back of Luna's mind. "Really?"
Luke was the one whom responded. "It can. But don't worry, Lu. We'll protect you," he assured.
Igneel stopped his fight with Cane to give Luna a grin. "Yeah! We have your back, sis!" he agreed. "And once you start training, you'll be fighting your own battles!"
Fighting? I'm expected to fight? Luna looked down at her food. "Oh," she said lamely. "Right."
Cane shot her a smirk. "I do like my women strong," he flirted.
Igneel returned his glare back to Cane. "Keep your hands and eyes off my sister," he hissed.
Mary Jane ignored the fighting to give Luna a serious look. "You'll have to start training right away," she figured. "You need to start learning to control your Magic sooner than later."
Luna lowered her head. "I have to start now?" she checked.
Penelope's soft voice spoke up to interrupt whatever Mary Jane was going to say. "You are getting used to your Magic, and a powerful type of Magic at that. You can't wait to train. You can't afford it. You must learn to use and control your Magic before others find out about you and learn to do it themselves," she said tonelessly.
Luna swallowed and nodded at Penelope's words. The decision was even harder to make.
Maybe they're right. I should train sooner than later. But this is all so new to me. I'd be leaving Fairy Tail.
Her hands tightened.
Can I really do that?
Gale abruptly spoke up. "Shut up, all of you," he snapped. "She already knows all this, so quit bugging her about it."
Mary Jane narrowed her eyes at Gale. "No need to be an ass about it."
Gale grabbed onto Luna's hand and pulled her out of her seat. "Whatever. We're out of here," he decided.
Luna blinked her surprise. "Gale…"
Gale grabbed the plate and nodded at her to grab her drink. Luna got her milkshake with the other hand, and he pulled her away from the table.
Igneel called out to them, "Yo! Where are you two going?"
Gale yelled back, "None of your business, Dragqueen!"
Igneel got up from the table. "Come back here with my sister, you piece of—!"
"Cool it, moron, and put out the flames. You're pissing me off," Mary Jane sighed.
Igneel blinked and looked up to see red flames dancing on the tips of his hair. He huffed out smoke and sat down grumpily. "Whatever," he pouted. "Still… Maybe I should—"
"Let them go," Penelope said tonelessly. She turned the page of her book. "Until you understand him, you won't understand."
Igneel scoffed. "Oh, and you do?"
"Moron," Mary Jane hushed.
"I do," Penelope nodded. "So, let them go."
Luke looked at his brother. "Come on, bro. Just chill out. It'll be fine," he soothed.
Igneel scowled, but reluctantly resigned. "Fine. Whatever. She comes down crying, I call punching him."
Luke smiled. "Somehow, I doubt anything bad is going to happen."
°•°•°•°
Luna looked up at Gale to see his red eyes annoyed. She sighed and looked down at her shake.
Great. He's annoyed.
Gale and she approached the bar where Mira smiled at them. "What can I do for the two of you?" she asked.
"We need to go up," Gale grunted.
Luna saw something flash in Aunt Mira's eyes and her smile was knowing. She opened the bar counter and stepped aside. Luna opened her mouth to say a question, but Gale pulled them both to the other side of the bar. He led them to the door that led to the kitchen and walked inside.
"Where are we going?" Luna demanded to know.
Gale answered her as he navigated through the guild kitchen expertly. "You'll see when we get there."
Luna huffed. "The least you could do is tell me where we're going," she said.
Gale chuckled. "Geez. Such a chatterbox. How unladylike."
"I'm allowed to know where I'm going, you hear me!"
After another right then a left turn, they ended up in a back corner of the kitchen. A metal, spiral staircase waited for them. Gale wasted no time guiding them both up the steps, never once letting go of Luna's hand. Luna could only watch Gale's back as they climbed the steps. The steps led to a room on the next floor that was small and only meant for the staircase with a door at the front of the room.
Huh. Are we on the second floor? Luna wondered.
Luna gasped when Gale yanked on her hand, making her stumble.
Gale snickered. "Well, aren't you clumsy?" he teased.
Luna puffed her cheeks and looked away from him. "Jerk," she muttered.
Gale kept them walking up the steps. "Come on, Blondie. Just a little further," he coaxed.
Luna looked at Gale's back as they kept climbing.
A little further, huh? To where?
Gale and Luna kept climbing and climbing and passed another floor until a door on the ceiling with the stairs leading up to it. He let go of her hand to slide the door open and climbed out. He held a hand out for her as she finished the climb and her eyes were hit with light once she stood on solid ground.
Luna felt the wind ruffling through her hair and clothes. She observed her surrounded before looking out to the front. "Oh, wow," she gasped.
She ran over to the edge and a hand went on the black railing. Her eyes were wide and awed. Out in front of her was all of Magnolia in its glory. She saw the people milling about, entering stores and leaving them. A dog and a little girl were running around together, her mother and father trailing after them slowly. A jogger was keeping pace with her partner. Three girls with shopping bags were walking out of a store, laughing. Beyond that, she could see the Magnolia Train Station. A train was just chugging out now, steam puffing from its snout. And beyond that, she could see Mount Ivor. The sun was warmed into a honeyed gold. The sky was losing her blue luster to a magenta-like color. The wind cantered in the air, swirling around her as a sign of greeting.
"This is incredible," Luna whispered.
"Come and eat, Blondie," Gale commanded.
Luna looked away from the scene to see Gale sitting on the ground near the huge bell of Fairy Tail. He set down the plate in front of him and his eyes went to hers expectantly. Luna walked over to him and took a seat by his side. She set down her milkshake and dug into her sandwich. She groaned when she tasted it.
So good!
"Are we allowed to be up here?" she asked with a full-mouth.
Gale's lips twitched into an almost smile. "Probably not," he answered. "Found out about the staircase when I was hiding from my mom." He winced. "I accidently ruined our old couch and she wasn't very happy with me."
Luna swallowed her bite of sandwich to laugh. "I can see Aunt Levy's face now! She must've been so mad!"
Gale nodded. "She was," he conceded, chuckling. "She sent my old man to sniff me out, so Aunt Mira helped me hide in the kitchen. I heard my old man coming so I started running and found the staircase. I was kind of desperate to get away and I climbed it all the way up to here. It's been my place to go when life gets too much."
"It's peaceful up here," Luna agreed. "But why bring me to your secret place?"
"Because you looked uncomfortable and I was going to punch Cane in the face if he didn't shut up about training you."
Luna rolled her eyes as she grabbed her milkshake and took a sip of it. "Like I'd let him train me. I know for a fact we'd get nowhere if we tried," she muttered.
"And you're not going to try," Gale said firmly.
Luna had to agree with him as she set down her drink and tended to her sandwich. "I won't," she promised. "The First Master offered to take me as her apprentice actually."
Gale seemed expectant of that. "She does know a lot about Magic from her experience," he supposed as Luna took a mouthful of her chicken BLT. "She'd be a great teacher for you."
Luna paused before swallowing her bite of her sandwich and looking down at it. "But I have to leave everyone if I want to train with her," she confessed.
"Your Magic is way too powerful for you to train normally," Gale told her.
Luna looked at him in frustration and set down her sandwich. "I know that," she snapped. "But how am I supposed to choose staying with the people I care about or learning about my Magic? I need time."
"Yeah, well, you don't have time," Gale informed her harshly. "The only time you have is until a Dark Guild hears about you and comes hunting for you. What will you do then? Let everyone protect you because you were too afraid to leave them to train?"
"You're calling me 'selfish' for not wanting to leave my family?" Luna accused.
Gale shook his head. "I'm not calling you anything," he assured. "But you can't sit on your hands like this. You have to learn to control your Magic."
"I know that," Luna retorted.
Gale cocked an eyebrow. "Do you?" he challenged. "You can't answer a simple question whether you want to train or not. Do you want to have another explosion of Magic like that again? Huh? Do you want people to get hurt when your Magic explodes like that again?"
Luna shook her head. "No!"
"Do you want your family to get hurt because you were too scared to control your Magic?" Gale pressed.
Luna shut her eyes.
My family hurting…because of me?
She could see it. Her mother bleeding in her father's arms. Nashi beaten and bloodied. Igneel and Luke panting for their last breath.
"Stop it!" she demanded.
"Not until you answer me," Gale growled at her. "What are you so afraid of, Blondie? Why can't you answer me?"
"Because I'm weak, okay?" Luna trembled as she squeezed her eyes closed. "I'm weak and I know it. I'm the weak link in my family. I always have been." She got up from her spot and walked over to the railing, rubbing her arm. "What good am I?" she muttered. "I keep causing problems. I thought when I finally could feel Magic, I would deserve to be a part of my family. I could live up to the Dragneel name. I could train with my mom and become the next Celestial Queen. But instead, I turned out to be 'magically-inept' for the last twelve years of my life. And when I do get Magic, I end up endangering everyone else." She chuckled humorlessly. "Why am I afraid of training? Because what point is it to train when I've already caused even more problems for anyone." A tear fell from her eyes and streaked her cheek. "I thought Magic was going to make me less of a burden to everyone, but I was wrong. I'm even more so than before."
"You are not a burden!"
Luna was whipped around and two fingerless gloved hands gripped her shoulders. Fiery ruby clashed with saddened chocolate.
Gale snarled, "You are not a burden. You are not a problem."
Luna's bottom lips quivered as tears prickled her eyes. "But—"
Gale interrupted her. "You are strong," he snarled at her. "You have so much strength and you don't even know it. You keep going strong every day. Even with everyone else using their Magic, you kept your head up. You're kind. You are nicer than practically anyone and you always give people the benefit of the doubt. You are such a caring person to worry about everyone else before yourself. You would go through Hell if it meant your family and your friends were safe. So what if people have to protect you? You protect people too! We watch each other's backs. It's what we do. And with your new powers, you can protect even more people. Your Magic should be a blessing for you. Your Magic allows you to protect the people you love even more than before."
Gale's stare intensified. "My Blondie is strong and smart and kind. And she will never be a burden. We're Fairy Tail. We will always protect you and you will always protect us!"
A tear fell from Luna's eyes as he let go of her shoulders. "Gale…" she whispered.
Gale let out a loud exhale. "I just wish you saw what I saw," he murmured. He raised a hand and thumbed away her tear. "You have so much strength in you. You can do so much. You just have to have faith in yourself."
Luna looked up at him with big, brown eyes. "It's hard to see what you see," she admitted to him. "But… I'll try."
Gale raised an eyebrow. "'Try'?" he asked.
Luna hummed. "If protecting my family and Fairy Tail means I have to leave to train, then I'll do it," she decided. "I want to become strong enough that when those Dark Mages come, I can protect the ones I care about."
Gale chuckled lowly. "Good. Glad I got through that stubborn head of yours."
Luna smiled sheepishly at him. "Sorry for all of that," she apologized. "I sounded so dramatic, didn't I?"
"It's fine," Gale soothed. "Everyone has stuff to get off their chest. And I did push you a little too far."
Luna shook her head. "No. You gave me exactly what I needed." She tilted her head, curiosity sparking her stare. "How do you manage to do it?" she asked. "You always know the right things to say."
Gale shrugged. "I get it from my mom," he assumed.
Luna laughed. "I believe it. Aunt Levy always knows the right things to say to everything."
A moment of comfortable silence washed over the two of them. Luna felt relieved.
Everything is going to change. But I can tell it's going to be for the better. I've got to get stronger so I can protect the ones I love.
After a while, Gale broke the silence softly. "Do you want to go back down?" he asked.
Luna shook her head. "Uh-uh. If you don't mind… Can I stay up here with you for a while?" she asked shyly.
Gale grinned as he plopped onto the ground. "Thought you'd never ask. How about we stay until sundown?" he suggested.
Luna smiled. "I'd like that," she agreed. As she tried to sit down next to him, Gale grabbed her wrist and yanked her down into his lap. Her face tinted with pink at his actions and her eyes widened. "G-G-Gale!" she stuttered. "Wh-Wh-What are you doing?"
Gale smirked at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her with him. "Just relax. This is the best seat you're going to get," he joked.
Luna failed to reply and only adjusted herself in Gale's lap. Her eyes went out to the horizon that caressed her mountains and she leaned back into Gale's chest, feeling his head rest atop of hers. She exhaled loudly.
Tomorrow will be a new day. And tomorrow, I'll give them my answer.
It was only after a couple of moments of silence Gale broke it. "By the way, please don't tell your idiot of a brother about this," he pleaded. "He'd totally try and fail to kick my ass."
Luna laughed. "Igneel isn't that bad," she defended. "Besides, everyone knows you two are best friends!"
Gale looked affronted at that, but mostly embarrassed. "There's no way I'd be friends with a jackass like him!"
Luna only laughed. "Sure, sure," she waved off.
"Wha—? I'm serious about this, Blondie, don't laugh at me! He's a dumbass!"
°•°•°•°
Downstairs, Igneel sneezed a small bout of fire and rubbed his nose.
Mary Jane looked at him in disgust. "The heck was that for?"
Igneel sniffled. "I don't know. I feel like someone is talking shit about me," he said, looking up at the ceiling suspiciously.
Mary Jane snorted. "Maybe you're hearing my thoughts," she muttered.
Igneel rubbed his chin.
I don't know why, but I really want to kick Gale's ass right now.
Gary and Nashi watched from the rooftops as Maria and Pierre cried as they hugged Jean whom laughed and assured them he was fine.
Nashi smiled at the intimate family moment. "It's great Jean was reunited with Marie and Pierre," she commented. "He's really loved by them."
"They're raising him well," Gary conceded. "He's in good hands."
"Are you really not going to collect the reward?" Nashi asked him.
Gary nodded. "They need their money more than I do," he explained. "Besides, we did what anyone should have done."
Nashi looked back at the small family.
He's right. Our reward is seeing all the kids reunite with their loved ones.
It was heartwarming to see aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents find their children. The children were ecstatic to see their real families.
I just wonder, Nashi thought, how Jay and Aisha will do.
The four of them looked at the last three portals open. Nashi's harp had disappeared when the last child had been rounded into their home portal. Still, the portals of Roseberry, Twin Thorn, and Muru Town stayed open, but all of them could see the portals were slowly closing without the song to sustain them. Aisha looked nervously into her own portal while Jay looked at his with relieved eyes. Gary and Nashi stood in front of the portal to Muru Town.
Aisha smiled over at the three of them. "I'm going to miss you guys," she confessed. "I've never had so much fun!"
Gary chuckled and reached over to pat Aisha's head as he would do to Julia or Silver. "Just hope you won't have this much 'fun' in the future," he advised. "Make sure you go straight home."
Aisha nodded, staring up at him in admiration. "I will," she promised. She turned to Nashi and a shy smile adorned her face as she addressed the elder Mage. "Thanks, Nashi, for being my friend and helping me see where I was," she appreciated.
Nashi dismissed the praise with a shake of her head. "It was nothing," she said. "It's what Fairy Tail specializes in."
"You won't forget about me, right?" Aisha wanted to confirm.
Nashi laughed. "How could I? I'll make sure I write to you every day and make sure you do the same, okay?"
Aisha beamed. "Yeah! Okay!"
"Tell that sister of yours she can definitely visit me any time," Jay chimed at Nashi with a smirk.
Nashi's mind went to a boy of glaring red eyes and black hair. She and Gary exchanged a secretive smile.
"Of course I will," Nashi promised. "But don't get your hopes up, got it?"
Jay shrugged. "I'll take my chances." He gave them a salute and a good-bye smile. "See you!" he farewelled as he stepped into his portal, disappearing from the world.
Aisha waved at them as she stepped through. "Hope we meet again!" she trilled, then disappeared into her own realm.
"Ready?"
Nashi looked the hand Gary offered her. She took the hand without hesitation and nodded. "I'm ready," she determined.
And so, the two stepped into the portal, back to Muru Town.
DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG. DING-DONG.
The chapel bells chimed as the clock tower of Muru moved its hour hand to the number eight.
Gary's eyes widened in alarm. "Come on! We'll miss the train!"
Nashi and Gary frantically leapt from the rooftops to solid ground. They sprinted toward the train station, ignoring the stares they received for their rushed states, and ended up making it just as the man called last call for their train. They rushed into open seats on their cart as they train growled and stalked the train tracks.
Nashi let out a deep sigh as she sunk into her seat. "I could go for Mama's cooking right now," she yawned. "And maybe a nap. I'm so tired."
"Angel."
Nashi looked over to Gary. His blue eyes were on the ground and he looked tense. She raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. What's up?"
"Angel, I—… I'm sorry I dragged you into this," Gary apologized heavily.
Nashi sat up. "What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"I brought you on my mission that had basically no information. I got separated from you. You could have been killed or worse. You were tortured by that woman. You could have died," Gary lamented.
"But I didn't," Nashi pointed out. "Gary, you told me you wanted me by your side, right? You said it didn't matter if I was S-Class or not. You have to trust that I can take care of myself."
Gary clenched his fists. His teeth gnashed together in a loathing fashion. "I could never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. You could have died, Angel," he persisted.
"I could say the same to you!" Nashi retorted loudly. When a few curious eyes wandered onto them, she effectively lowered her voice. "We are Mages. We risk our lives every day to save someone else, to do our job. We're bound to get hurt, but we watch each other's backs."
"I should have never taken you on this job," Gary regretted.
Nashi was physically hurt at that comment. Rage coursed through her, riding over her hurt. "God, get over yourself that I got hurt! I came through just like you did. I would think you'd be proud of me for it, but I guess I was wrong. You want us to be partners, to be equals? You're certainly doing such a great job as making me feel the opposite." She felt her eyes sting and forced herself to look away. "We're a team, you stupid dog," she fumed in a murmur. "If you can't realize what that means, then…" Her hands clenched into fists. "Maybe we aren't the partners we think we are," she decided to say. She swung her tearful glower to the window, her arms crossing under her chest in efforts to comfort herself.
The nerve of him. I save him and this is the thanks I get? Ungrateful dog! How could he not see how worried I was for him?
Her glare softened.
How could he not see that I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if he got hurt and I'm blaming myself for his injuries?
Gary looked at Nashi, shocked. He reached for her. "Angel, I…" He stopped himself and put down his hand. He looked at his lap. "We are equals," he promised quietly. "We've always been equals. I see you as me partner in every way and I trust you with my life and more."
Nashi hmphed. "You have a funny way of showing it," she grunted.
Gary sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry for saying all that. I guess I'm still a little freaked out over when I saw Orias torture you." His eyes shimmered at the memories, anger and guilt heavy in them. "When I first lost you in that castle, I knew I had to do everything to find you again. But…when I saw you screaming like that and bleeding like that, I…"
Nashi slid her eyes over to Gary to see him bowing his head at her.
"I'm sorry, Angel," Gary whispered, his voice shaking. "I'm sorry for not protecting you."
Nashi raised an eyebrow. Then, she blew out air through her mouth. "You dummy," she deemed. "Enough with this 'sorry' crap, got it? For a guy always flirting, apologizing like this isn't too attractive."
"But I failed you," Gary moped. "I let you get injured."
"Hey. Look at me right now," Nashi commanded.
Gary looked up.
Remorseful cerulean clashed with hard hickory.
"Let's get something straight," Nashi decided, raising a finger. "You didn't 'let' me do anything. Anything and everything I did in this couple days were of my decision and my free will, got it? Don't take responsibility for my judgment. Only I have that right." She raised up another finger. "And another thing," she added. "You didn't fail me. We're a team, you stupid dog. We work together. We protect each other. It's not a one-way street. I want you to remember that, okay?"
Gary nodded.
"And finally…" Nashi sucked in a deep breath, closing her eyes, and the action made Gary flinch and shut his eyes, expecting another scolding. "…I want a 'thank you'."
Gary opened his eyes to see a smiling Nashi looking at him. "Um… Excuse me?"
"I want a 'thank you'," Nashi repeated. She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms smugly. "I saved your life, you know. If it wasn't for me, you'd be Granny's new boy toy with a dog collar and everything. I think a 'thank you' is in order."
Gary blinked. Then, he began to laugh. "You're quite something, Angel," he breathed. "But…thank you, Angel." He reached out to take her hand, making her wary.
"What are you doing?" Nashi demanded to know.
Gary simply smiled as he raised her hand to his lips. "I'm thanking you, Angel." He gave a kiss to her knuckles. "And, if it takes jobs like this to give me opportunities like this, then it's definitely work it." He kissed her hand again. "Thank you, Angel, for your hard work and for saving not just my life, but my Devil's." He looked up at her with an alluring gaze that could capture any heart. "You are my guardian angel, Angel," he purred.
Nashi's jaw was dropped and wide open as her whole body turned red. She quickly took back her hand, sputtering indignantly. "Y-Y-You can't j-j-just do that to a girl, you stupid dog," she stammered, keeping her hand close to her. "That's just wrong and gross!" She blinked rapidly, looking at everywhere but him. "Anyways, there are other ways to thank me, you know."
Gary watched in amusement as Nashi grew more flustered. "I know, but I like this way the most," he admitted. "It's cute when you get flustered. It's a definite turn on."
Nashi scowled, though could feel her ears burning. "God, you're such a sleazy dog," she grumbled. "Keep your flirting antics to yourself. And don't just thank me for saving your ass. Thank my new soul, Seraphim."
"Give him my thanks for saving my Devil and myself," Gary requested.
Something occurred to Nashi, making her forget her blush. "Hey, speaking of your Devil… Mind if I talk to him?
Gary smiled at Nashi. "I was hoping you would ask," he confessed. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply out of his nose. His black hair glowed into a silvery-white after a few moments. His eyes snapped open into those glowing sapphire pools that gleamed intimidatingly against the darkness of his eyes.
"Angel," the Devil greeted cordially, his voice a type a strange you could not put your finger on. "You wanted to talk to me?"
Nashi nodded, trying to form what she wanted to say in her head. "Yes, I did. I—… I want to thank you," she explained.
The Devil raised an eyebrow. "What did I do to deserve your thanks?" he questioned.
Nashi squirmed a little at his gaze. His sapphire eyes were so raw to her that it could feel overwhelming. "I don't appreciate you enough as I should," she said. "You've done so much for me and Gary. I want you to know I'm thankful and I will always protect you."
The Devil smiled and shook his head. "There is no need to thank me for such a thing," he dismissed. "I will always fight by your side, Angel."
"Yeah, well…" Nashi stood up and walked over to him. Pink dusted her cheeks as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thanks anyways," she said in gratitude before scampering back to her seat.
Pink coated the Devil's cheeks as his eyes portrayed his shock in Nashi's actions. In a rush, Gary was back in control, his hair black and eyes a normal sea blue. The pink was gone from his cheeks. He blinked once, twice, three times, and looked at Nashi in surprise.
"What did you say to him?" he asked her.
Nashi turned her head away from him and stared out the window with her blush still present. "You heard me," she argued.
Gary shook his head. "I didn't," he confessed. "The second he was in control, he blocked my senses. And now, he's remaining silent, but I can feel him being embarrassed." His mouth twitched into a smile. "How did you manage to get an Ice Devil embarrassed?"
Nashi only shrugged. "Nothing really." She smiled. "I'm just grateful to him. I gave him something for it, that's a—" A yawn broke her words.
Gary chuckled. "Sleep," he softly ordered. "You deserve some rest."
Nashi yawned again and nodded, resting her head on the cool glass.
"On the contrary, dear, that blood in your veins says to me you are just like me. You are one of us thanks to the King. We will meet again, Princess Nashi Dragneel. I know it."
Those words rang in Nashi's head as she nodded off into a light sleep.
Kazahana No Shizkuku
by
MAGIC OF LiFE
TO BE CONTINUED…
With Luna deciding to train, what's in store for our newest Mage? And what did Lady Orias mean by her words? Find out on the next Fairy Adventure.
Chibi-Luna waves at you. "I hope you enjoyed today's episode and you're ready for today's Fairy Lesson!" She twirls around. "And today we're going to be joined by…!"
A spotlight appears and hits Chibi-Mary Jane who has a less-than-pleased look on her face.
"…Mary Jane!" Chibi-Luna cheers. She bounces over to Chibi-Mary Jane with gleaming eyes. "So, Mary Jane, what are you going to teach us today?"
"Darkness Magic, I guess," Chibi-Mary Jane mutters. "It's—"
"Totally awesome!" Chibi-Igneel butts in, popping up and clinging to Mary Jane. "MJ is awesome at Darkness Magic! They call her the Dark Empress for a reason!"
Chibi-Mary Jane peels Chibi-Igneel off her and dangles him off the ground. "Piss off, moron," she grunts before throwing him out of the shot. She looks at you with a bored expression. "Darkness Magic is a Caster-type Magic. Basically, I control the power of darkness." She raises her hand and violet Magic sets her hand ablaze. "See? How fun," she sneers.
Chibi-Luna nods enthusiastically. "Mmm-hmm! Darkness Magic can destroy anything in its path. It can block attacks and pick up a lot of stuff, but it's limited to the user, right, Mary Jane?"
Chibi-Mary Jane nods. "Yeah. It's like any other type of Magic. You can do just about anything with it. A lot of people think it's the 'evil Magic', but they're pretty stupid," she informs. "Dark Mages and Darkness Magic have no relation. Get that through your skulls and maybe, you won't piss me off." A dark aura radiates from Chibi-Mary Jane, deadly. "Understand?" she hisses.
Chibi-Luna laughs nervously, a sweatdrop appearing on her brow. "Wow, Mary Jane, you certainly can be scary…"
The two announce: "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: OF MOUNTAINS AND MYSTERIES!"
Chibi-Igneel pops in, looking at Chibi-Mary Jane with a carefree grin on his face. "Hey, MJ. How many episodes do you think it'll take until you're my partner?"
Chibi-Mary Jane walks off. "What? Did someone hear something?" she asks. "Guess it was a bug."
Chibi-Igneel runs after Chibi-Mary Jane with comical tears in his eyes. "MJ, wait! Why do you have to be so mean?" he whines.
"Guess you'll have to tune into the next episode to figure it out, moron," Chibi-Mary Jane shouts back.
Chibi-Luna sighs as she watches them. "Now that is a finishing line." She turns to you. "And you won't have to wait too long. The next episode comes out today!"
BANG.
Chibi-Igneel huddles to the ground with his hand over his bruised jaw while Chibi-Mary Jane scowls at him. "Back off, moron! You're too close!" she barks.
Chibi-Igneel's eyes water. "But, I just want to play!" he whines.
"Play with someone else!" Chibi-Mary Jane snaps before stalking off.
Chibi-Luna sweatdrops. "Although, it may take a few more episodes until you understand those two."
Voice Actors in Order of New Character Appearances
1. Erika Mendez as Paige Strauss
2. Christina Vee as Penelope Strauss
3. Xanthe Huynh as Ena Fernandes
4. Erika Lindbeck as Mary Jane Dreyar
