Chapter 9

A World Unlike Others

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

Natsu moved his arm from in front of his helmet and found himself flying over a forest of purple trees and giant mushrooms. He felt something ping inside him before flying over a flock of strange birds. "Uh, Natsu..." Aqua pointed and Natsu noticed a river that seemed to be falling out of the sky over them.

The water splashed over them and soaked their armor before it fell to the ground. "Where are we?" She asked.

"Don't know." He replied, shaking himself dry before noticing the large castle in the distance. "Looks like there's a city there. Maybe we should head there."

"Good idea. We can figure out things in this world, and maybe get some supplies too." She said.

The two flew towards the city, passing some clifts as they did. Rustling caught their attention before bolts of lightning shot out and stun them. A swarm small of small wolf Unversed standing on their hind legs burst out of the woods. Black fur jutted out of its head, wrists and back as the main body was yellow with the Unversed symbol on it. It's hands seemed slightly oversized and sharp claws jutted out of the hands and feet.

Their pericing red eyes were set in an angry expression as they jumped off the cliff. The two Keyblade wielders summoned their swords and began swinging, knocking several into the abyss below. A handful grabbed onto their gliders and began pulling them down. "There's too many of them!" Aqua shouted before another landed on her glider.

"Aqua!" Natsu shouted in concern before another swarm jumped off the cliff. "I've had it with these things!" His helmet glowed before it faded, freeing his face. "Fire Dragon Roar!" He opened his mouth but no flames shot out. "What the-" Another wolf jumped onto his back and steered him into the cliff face.

He groaned in pain before looking over to see Aqua struggling to stay in the air. The claws pressed against his head and the beast sparked off lightning. Natsu screamed in agony before another joined in. Aqua was dragged into a river and the current pulled her and the Unversed away. The pinkette couldn't stand the pain and began passing out, making both his glider and sword fade.

The group started falling through the air before a four pronged spear flew through the air and impaled the wolves. They faded into nothing before a horned beast with wings flew out from the other side of cliff. "Those two... they were using magic." The rider said as they grabbed Natsu out of the air. "The king will want to see him."

Natsu groaned as his eyes opened. Sitting up, he found himself in a cell with only one window. His armor was stripped off and on the other side of the door as footsteps drew him to the cell door. "Well, I see you're awake."

The door opened to show a red headed woman with her hair tied in a high ponytail wearing a very... revealing outfit consisting of a halter-type armor breastplate top, leaveing much of her cleavage and stomach exposed. Light-armored gauntlets and greaves were on her forearms and forelegs as well as her thighs. She also wore a dark bikini bottom with a piece of cloth obscuring her hips and a dark scarf around her neck.

"Who are you, and where am I!?" Natsu asked, entering a fighting stance.

"Not going to summon your sword?" The woman teased. "My name is Erza Knightwalker, captain of the Second Magic Warfare Unit and you are in the dungeon of the Edolas Royal City. You passed out when those creatures shocked you and so I brought you here."

"Now where's Aqua?" He asked.

"If you're referring to your companion, those creatures dragged her into one of the rivers." The woman replied.

"Then I'll follow it and find her." Natsu said walking to the door.

The spear was thrown through the air and pinned Natsu against the wall, trapping him. "You'll go no where." Erza declared, glaring at him. "We have questions for you."

"So ask them and let me go!" Natsu demanded, pushing against the metal.

The red head just stared at him before glancing over her shoulder. "He's restrained. Come in, your majesties."

Natsu watched as an elderly man with a long beard holding a staff. The man wore a garishly regal brown attire. A pinstriped brown coat, with buckled belts covering the lower part of each sleeve and lighter brown cuffs, each complete with an additional. Matching buckled belt, over a darker vest, below which is a skirt-like cloth, possessing stripes similar to the ones on his coat. Such a skirt is matched by a pair of light, baggy light pants tucked inside simple boots.

The man also sports a long, bright brown mantle covered in a rhomboid pattern, which comes with a short mantle covering his shoulders. White fur lined its edges possessing simple decorations in its lower part and a collar consisting of many small rings lined up one after the other. Covering his head is a something reminiscent of a rounded mitre. It got larger near its upper part, and is white on the lower edges and on the semicircular front part while the rest was brown. The semicircular part bears a black symbol reminiscent of a saber crossed with a musical horn, which has its smaller edge ending in a curl.

Behind him walked a teen Natsu's age with blue hair and a tattoo around his right eye. Arround his neck was a gray scarf with a jewel in the center. A royal blue cape with silver edges, tassels and filigree went over his shoulders and down to his knees. Gold chains connected the two sides together yet were still loose. Under the cape was dark blue shirt with silver buttons. Its sleeves ended at the elbow and turned light blue with wrists that hung lose. A dull gray pair of pants had a line of royal blue on either side covered his legs. They ended in tassles that hung over his black boots.

"Really Erza? By the neck?" The teen with blue hair asked.

"You may let him go now." The elder man said to the captain. She pulled her spear away and Natsu dropped to the floor, coughing as he grabbed his neck. "Please forgive Knightwalker. She can be a bit over dramatic sometimes."

"No kidding." Natsu replied before looking up. "So... who the heck are you two?"

Erza looked ready to pounce when the elder man raised his arm. "Calm down. It's clear he doesn't know where he is. My name is Faust and this is my son, Jellal." He motioned to the boy behind. "We are the king and prince of the kingdom of Edolas. And we know who you are and where you come from."

Natsu nervously swallowed as the king leaned forward. "What world are you from and how did you get that magic?" He had almost a mad look in his eyes as Natsu bit his tongue.

"Father..." Jellal spoke up, placing his hand on his father's shoulder. "We've talked about this."

The king sighed as he stood back up. "Yes, I know. Forgive me, but we used to have magic here. But day by day, all of our magic power just faded away until one day, it was all gone." Natsu could only imagine what that was like, having grown up around it his whole life.

"But we are nothing if not determined." Jellal spoke up. "Even without our magic, we pulled together and survived. And we were doing quite well for the last ten years. But then it all changed. Suddenly these creatures appeared attacking people at random.

"Hundreds were lost to these monsters and our warfare units have been working overtime to protect the people. Captain Knightwalker said you were using some kind of sword to battle them. Please, whatever method you have you must tell us. It could save lives."

The three stared at him hoping for an answer. "I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you anything. I must obey what my master taught me."

"I understand." Faust said. "But we may still help you in some way. We understand that your companion was knocked into a river. We have extensive records and maps that may aid you in your search."

"Really? That'd be awesome!" Natsu cheered.

"Erza, please take him to the maps." Jellal said. The red head nodded and obeyed the prince, leading the pinkette out the room.

The two walked through the halls quickly before they reached a door. The captain opened and the two stared at the many shelves of scrolls, maps and books. "Byro!" Knightwalker shouted, making Natsu cover his ears.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're really, REALLY loud?" He asked.

Footsteps quickly reached the two as a girl stood at attention in front of them. Her hair was tied in a pony tail held by a blue orb as a green hat covered her head. The girl wore a yellow dress over a dark blue, skin-tight bodysuit that runs from the middle of her forearms down to her shoulders. White gloves were on both hands and her legs were barefoot.

"His majesty called him away for an important meeting, Captain Knightwalker." The girl replied. "May I assist you and the prisoner in any means?"

"...Prisoner?" Natsu asked in confusion. "Look, my name is Natsu. And we need some maps of the waterways around here."

"Coming right up." The girl raced off into the room before returning with armfuls of scrolls and books. Erza took them and spread them put on a nearby table.

She unfurled a scroll and it showed off the many rivers and waterways around the castle. "Now, you and your friend were around this river." Knightwalker pointed to paper. "If she survived the attack then the current would have carried her to here." She trailed her finger along the paper before pointing at the end.

"Is there anything out there?" Natsu asked.

"There is one thing out there." Erza replied as she unrolled a second map of the world. Circled off the side was a mark that seemed almost stabbed and torn apart. "Fairy Tail. If she is alive, she'll be there."

"Then let's go!" Natsu shouted about to race off.

"Calm down." Knightwalker said grabbing his scarf. "Even if you ran as hard as you could, it would still take you days to reach them. And that's even if you survive those monsters."

"They just got the jump on me." Natsu replied. "This time I'll be ready for them."

"I doubt that will make a difference." Erza replied. "No, if we are going to reach them we need assistance. Come with me." She left the room and Natsu followed.

The two walked down a nearby staircase and entered a courtyard. Armored men were training with various weapons, either against each other or wooden dummies. "Fall in, men!" Erza shouted and the soldiers stopped their practice and raced over, standing at attention. "Farron, front and center!"

The croud of soldiers parted ways as a girl with long pink hair walked forward. She was donned in a black chestpiece with a high collar with a bare back strapped on belts. From the lower parts of the chestpiece there are two symmetrical white capes with pockets. At the top sides of the chestpiece there are silver pauldrons, and the upper part of her arms are covered with red straps adorned with silver pieces.

From the pauldrons hang two symmetrical white capes. The inside color of the capes on both, upper and lower, pauldrons is red. Completing the look were red and black boots that reach the half of a thigh, and black gloves. Strapped to her back was a red and white sword and black shield sat on her arm. "Your orders, Captain?"

Erza turned to Natsu with a smile on her face. "This is Lieutenant Farron, one of the best trackers in the kingdom and the very best at fighting off these creatures. If anyone can help us reach this friend of yours, it's her."

"Okay, now can we go?" Natsu asked in annoyance. "You just said it would take days to get there."

"It would, if we were going by foot." Erza smirked before pressing two fingers into her mouth and whistled. The soldiers moved to the side as heavy wingbeats filled the sky. A huge green beast filled the sky and landed before them. Natsu stared up in a mix of amazement and a little terror before the female pinkette did the same. Her own legion appeared, this one white with green talons and horns.

"Get on one of them and we'll leave now." Erza said before she and the lieutenant climbed onto their beasts.

Natsu quickly climbed onto the white one and gripped onto the saddle. "Let's go, Odin." The lieutenant flicked the reigns and the beast took off. Knightwalker did the same and the two flew out of the city. "So tell me, what's it like riding a legion for the first time?"

The pinkette girl glanced back only to find Natsu, bloated face and lying on his stomach. "Make it... stop..." He groaned out. "Something's... wrong..."

"I thought you said he was flying earlier." Farron questioned.

"Too late to change seats now." Knightwalker said before flying ahead. "We make for the Fairy Tail guildhall."

The two legions flew swiftly from the captial before they reached the waterfall. They beasts flew up and over the water staring at the cliff. The Unversed from before raced out of the woods and began arching lightning. "Not this again!" Erza complained before pulling out her spear.

She stood up and began spinning her weapon around, swatting the unversed to the side. With minor whimpers, the Unversed fell into the abyss below as Farron stood up. Her shield slipped down towards her hand before she pulled her blade from her back. She swung and sliced two in half before turning around and kicking one off.

The legions roared as the wolves began weighing them down, making their owners lose balance and almost fall off. "We can't keep this up against these numbers." Farron said, thrusting her sword into a head.

"I have an idea. Toss Natsu to me." Erza said. The pinkette did that and the red head caught him. He placed him on the beasts tail before grabbing the reigns with her foot. "Wake up, Natsu!" Knightwalker shouted before her Legion spun and threw Natsu into the air. The second he left the beast, his stomach settled and he snapped back to normal.

"Not this time, uglies!" Natsu summoned his weapon and swung it, slicing through a cluster of them before grabbing the cliff. He placed the sword in his mouth and quikly began climbing up, going against the falling swarm. Once at the top, he flipped up and stared at the remaining numbers.

The pinkette smirked and gripped his blade once more. The lightning wolves charged and swung their sparking claws at him. Natsu blocked the digits before pushing back. Natsu rushed forward and swung his blade rapidly, killing the Unversed. One howled before it swung its claws in an x, sending six crackling lines at Natsu. The pinkette braced himself and withstood the attack, some sparks flying everywhere.

The remaining swarm charged him at once and he pointed his blade at them. The blade began glowing bright red before a large fireball came onto its tip. "FIRAGA!" The fireball shot off, bucking Natsu backwards before it hit the swarm. The ball exploded and errupted into flames. The wolves howled on pain before they faded away.

"That was impressive." Farron said as she and Knightwalker stepped into view, their legions covered in scraps and bruises.

"Please tell me I don't have to get back on that thing..." Natsu said, turning green att the thought.

"Calm down. The Legions need some rest after that attack." Knightwalker explained. "We'll have to go the rest of the way by foot."

Hours Later

A sword sliced through a bush and the three marched on, the lieutenant sheathing her blade as they did so. They reached a small clearing near a river, a small cave offering shelter from the elements. "This is far enough." Knightwalker said. "It'll be dark soon. We'll camp here for the night."

"There's no need to stop." Natsu said. "I'll just make a torch and-" He held up his hand only for the flesh to remain bare. "Oh yeah..."

"Even if you could use your magic, you'd just burn the forest down." Farron said. "I assume you know how to start a fire without your magic?"

"Of course I do." He declared confidently. Looking on the ground, Natsu gathered some rocks and set them up in a circle. Hethen picked up some thin sticks and dried leaves on the ground and set them up in a tepee fashion before he turned to the girls. "Any chance I could borrow one of your weapons?"

The women just stared at him and he had his answer. "Then just hand me that rock." He pointed at the rock next to Knightwalker's foot. She kicked it over and Natsu caught it. He quickly smacked it against another and sparks flew off, starting a fire. "Told ya."

"I'm impressed." Erza spoke up. "Now, I assume that you have a plan for food?"

"One second." Natsu walked over to a thin branch and ripped it off before stripping of any extra limbs. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out some wire and tied off one end to the stick before pulling a worm out of the ground. He tied it to the string and flinged it into the river before sticking the rod into the ground.

"You'll need more wood to keep to keep the fire." Farron said, turning around. "I'll go get you some."

"Thanks... Uh..." Natsu scratched the back of his head trying to find her name. Before he could ask, the girl had left. Knightwalker dug her spear into the ground and sat next to the growing fire. "Do you know her first name?"

"Actually, no." Erza replied. "She mostly keeps to herself and doesn't talk much about herself. All I know is that she rose up the ranks quickly. And then there's the nickname the men gave her."

"What is it?" Natsu asked.

"It's Lightning." The two turned to see the girl walking over to the fire, the wood she gathered off to the side. "It flashes bright, then fades away. It can't protect; it only destroys." She sat down and stared at the flames. "Seems rather fitting for someone like me."

"That's a horrible thing to say about yourself." Natsu said back. "I mean you've had to have save someone at least once, right?"

"No, not a single person." Lightning replied, adding a log to the fire. "I only destroy these monsters when I come across them. I don't try to save people... anymore."

"What do you mean-" Natsu started to ask when the rod started jerking.

"Sounds like you have a bite." Lightning said and Natsu quickly raced over.

Gripping the pole, Natsu almost fell in the water before gripping the ground. "Whoa, we got a big one." He groaned out.

The water burst up and a pair of jaws snapped at Natsu, catching his scarf. The 'fish' pulled Natsu into the water where he saw the being behind the pull. Its was a crocodile Unversed with a thick head making it a dangerous weapon. Sharp teeth peeked out of the side of its mouth the tail split into three segments and spikes went down from its head to the tails. The underbelly was a dark red while its main body was orange, making the red eyes in a sorrowful expression pop.

The reptile spun and slapped Natsu in the face with its three tails, ripping his scarf off. Angered Natsu swam after it only for the spikes to pierce his skin. A second one swam up and bit down on his arm, making him gasp and filling his lungs with water. The lizard began to spin and Natsu, remembering something he read in a book, went with it to keep his arm.

He felt his lungs tighten and tried to break free, only for the grip to tighten. The first one swam back over opeing its mouth when a spear punctured the body, breaking the spikes. It roared in pain before the beast was pulled out of the water. Natsu summoned his Keyblade and swung it, cracking the head plate and loosening the jaw. Natsu quickly broke free and swam to the surface.

Gasping for air, Natsu swam to the shore and pulled himself up onto land. The lizard followed him, growling as it opened its jaw. Natsu looked up and rolled to the side when Lightning's sword was rammed forward, going down the Unversed throat. She then ripped it upwards, slicing the beast in half.

The lizard faded as Natsu panted in exhaustion, his body dripping cold water. Knightwalker flipped her Unversed over and stabbed into its under belly. It faded and dropped the scarf from the maw. Lightning picked up the cloth and walked over to the coughing Natsu. "I think this is yours." Lightning said, offering up the scarf.

Smirking, the male took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck. "Looks like you just saved someone." Natsu chuckled before the rod pulled again. The two women readied their weapons before the water exploded, two fish on the hook. "Feeling hungry?" He asked.

The girls lowered their weapons as Natsu plucked the fish off the hook. He speared the two fish and roasted them over the fire before their scales peeled off and the flesh cooked. Natsu offered them both to the girls but they only took one and split it in half. Natsu took a bite out his meal before the captain finished her meal. "You'll take first watch." She ordered Lightning before she fell to sleep.

"It's okay, I'll take first watch." Natsu said before glancing over to Erza. "Is she always like this?"

"Not always, just some of the time." Lightning replied. "Now, there's something I've been meaning to ask. I understand were looking for your companion. But who is she to you?"

"Easy, she's my friend." He replied.

"That can't be all. You don't just risk your life like this to save a friend." Lightning replied. "What make her so special?"

"Well..." Natsu took another bite of his fish and swallowed. "She's smart, funny, a really good fighter... She's better with magic than I'll ever be. No matter the time or place, she'd always be there to help people. I've always tried to be like her."

"Sounds like you love her." Lightning said before falling to sleep.

Her words shook Natsu as he just stared at the flames in thought. "No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's not..." He turned to her only to find her asleep. He reached under his shirt and pulled out his Wayfinder. "I... love her?" He fell back onto his mat, staring up at both the sky and his trinket.

The Next Day

Knightwalker yawned as she woke up next to Lightning. "You're both up." They turned to see Natsu walking over, Keyblade in hand. "Some Unversed showed up while you were sleeping but I took care of them."

"I appreciate it." Erza said standing up. "Come on. We're taking a shortcut to the guild hall." The three walked through the forest before reaching a small cave seemingly torn through a cliff. "They used to have this as an escape tunnel. Now its a quick walk to them."

"Let's get going then!" Natsu broke into a sprint and raced into the cave.

"Hold on a second!" Erza shouted. "They've also booby trapped some of them, so you need to be-"

*SNAP*

"Uh-oh..." A wall of rocks tumbled down and almost crushed Natsu. He jumped out of the way and rolled ro safety only to find the way blocked. "Sorry..."

"You do realize you'll have to help us clear this out before we continue?" Lightning said.

"I said I was sorry." He replied. With a sigh he started grabbing rocks and throwing them behind him.

They began rolling along the ground before black vines latched onto them. Like twisted cross stitching, they weaved into the stone before standing up. Three legs consisting of two, three, and four rocks lead up to a single stone that served as the body. The left arm was made up of three rocks while it was just two for the right. A single red eye set in a happy expression sits in the centre of the golem as main body turned silver, minus the black Unversed symbol under its eye while the fists and feet changed to brown.

Footsteps caught his attention and he turned around in defense, blocking a stone fist. "Crap! Hey, you might wanna pick up the pace." He said. "I could use some help here!"

It pulled its fist back and Natsu rolled to the side and the stone crashed into the wall. Natsu charged and swung his sword, only for the blade to bounce off. The golem charged him with blinding speed and slammed him into the wall before pulling its fist back and slamming it into the pinkettes gut. It then cracked him the face before its four part leg kneed him in the gut .

Natsu gasped in pain before the fist pulled him back and slammed him to the ground. It put both fists into the air and slammed them down, intent on crushing Natsu's head into paste. He rolled out of the way and swung his blade, slicing at one of the vies on the leg. It cut clean through and the rock fell to the ground.

The unversed growled at him and swung another punch before Natsu ducked it. He swung his blace and sliced its arm off. He then fired off an Aero that sliced through the vines on the leg before its body fell to the ground. In a last ditch effort it swung its arm but Natsu jumped off the rock and dived down, impaling the creature through the eye.

The rocks crumbled and vines faded before a Bruiser punched him back. Natsu panted as the wall behind him crumbled. Erza hurled her spear and it pierced the Unversed. "And that is why you never just charge ahead." She scolded before walking ahead of Natsu. Gripping her spear handle, she ripped it out of the creature before piercing its head.

"Now, we go slow and try not to trip another wire." She said as the brawler faded.

Natsu nervously chuckled as the two pinkettes followed the red head down the tunnel. Light pierced through the other end and the three found themselves in a completly different section of forest. Standing among the normally tall trees was a strange gree plant with a curving root top.

Hung along the top was an orange banner with a white symbol. "There it is. Fairy Tail." Lightning said. Seconds later, Natsu ran forward and pushed the doors open.

The busy bodies of the guild instantly stopped as everyone stared at him. Whispers began filling the hall as he walked into the building. "...Aqua?"

Silence filled the room before footsteps ran forward. The sea of guild members parted ways as the missing girl broke free. "Natsu?..." The two raced towards each other and embraced in a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay." Aqua said.

"That makes two of us." Natsu chuckled before the pushed away. "How'd you even get here?"

Aqua glanced over her shoulder with a smile and waved her head. "It's a long story." She said as two cats walked forward on their hind legs.

Journal Update

Sabers- Bipedal wolf Unversed that attack as fast as their name sake. They travel in packs to overwhelm their opponents. Their claw attacks are feirce and when combined with their lightning abilities, it makes for a deadly powerful attack. These were the reason that Natsu and Aqua were seperated when they first arrived in Edolas.

Crawlerz- River dwelling Unversed that attack anything that gets too close to them. If one should fall into the water with them, it's three tails will not only beat you over the head but also make its swimming blindingly fast. They almost tore Natsu to pieces when Knightwalker and Lightning pulled him out. Once on land, the three quickly defeated the slow lizards.

Gnights- Rock hard monsters that seem to love the mountainous and dark terrain of mines. Its three legs allowed for superior mobility and speed inside the cave. The stone body made attacks with most magic bounce off and physical attacks need ridiculous levels of strength to damage. Fortunately, the vines that bind it together also serve as its biggest weakness.

And here's another original world for you all; The Kingdom of Edolas. A lot of people have been asking if I'll be throwing in more Fairy Tail characters in this story, and while I can't do the traditional Fairy Tail gang (what with the world gone), I figured the next best thing would be this.

Probably the only real complaint I had with Kingdom Hearts 3 was the lack of Final Fantasy elements/characters. So I'm throwing some more in this story, mainly the ones I really like. Such as my favorite girl from the series; Claire 'Lightning' Farron.

Sabers and Gnights were suggested by one of my reviews Native-Venom, and he's also the one who helped named my crocodile Unversed. Next chapter is going to be a little bit diffrent but I hope you'll still like it.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel.