"Regularily, if I saw someone with the hard stuff this early in the morning, I'd beat some sense into them, but I'll make an exception today."
"Ha, good morning to you too bro."
"Throw me a glass, I feel your pain. May not be the same person entirely, but I feel your pain."
"Thanks Mar, it helps to have company. Mira up yet?"
"No, I let her sleep. She deserves it today of all days."
"Thanks again." Elfman said as he drained the contents of his glass. "Mar, I don't bring this up often, if at all, but I'm proud Mira picked you. I'm proud to have you as a brother. You're a damn good man."
I smiled and drained my glass as well, letting a thought shift to Mavis for a brief moment, then to Lisanna. "Thanks Elfman, that means alot. It may not mean much coming from me, but you're a damn fine brother as well."
"Bah, why wouldn't it Mar? The whole 'You never knew your parents, let alone any siblings' thing?"
"Oh hell, Wendy told you?"
"Yep. I havn't told Mira yet, that's your job. I'd reccomend putting it off till tommorow though, your story was rather dark, and we don't need any more of that today."
"Fair enough." I said while pouring us both another drink. "To friends and family, past, present, and future!"
"May they forever be in our hearts!" Elfman said as he raised his glass in support.
After we finished our drinks, I shook my head at the odd taste, then stood up and said, "Well, better put this away, I have an odd feeling my wife will kick our asses if she sees us drinking this early."
"Ha, I'll get the glasses."
I put our sinful liquid away just in time for Mira's bedroom door to creak open once more, with Mira walking out, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning to you both, are we already ready to go?"
"Wow, not even breakfast?" I asked.
"Not hungry. I have a feeling neither of you are either."
"Huh, she's good." Elfman said.
I shrugged and then accompanied my siblings to Fairy Tail. It was tradition for them to visit Lisanna as the sun set, some sort of symbolism I thought.
As we arrived, a loud alarm was raised, and I remembered that Magic Power I had felt when I woke. Could it be an enemy? Could I be wrong about Gildarts returning today?
The town began to shake and stir, then the entire city shifted to create a walkway straight through the center, a walkway leading straight to Fairy Tail.
I was in absolute awe. A single man came walking down that path. A larger man, likely in his late thirties, early forties, with a black, torn cloak and brown hair. I could feel a tremendous power coming from him. I felt my sensory ability begin to cause me pain once more, so I sealed off Archive to prevent myself becoming a bummer to everyone. I let out a sigh of relief, Master had warned me about my senses overloading like they did with Nirvana when Gildarts returned. At least I knew he was actually Gildarts now!
Gildarts walked through the door and looked around, a mild note of concern on his face at th new guild, but it quickly faded.
Natsu almost immediatly tried to fight him, but he was thrown into the roof as a result. Gildarts didn't even use Magic!
Gildarts walked up to Makarov and told him, "Sorry Master, not even I could do it. I quit this job."
Jaws hit the floor, mine included. Three years he was on that job, and he had just quit. The strongest mage in Fairy Tail, quit.
Later, he got Natsu down and told him to swing by his place, saying he had something for him, and that he may have some information on dragons.
The word "Dragon" caught my complete attention. I began to think of my old mentor, and how great it would be to see him once more.
Before Gildarts left, I used lightning to dash across the room and grab him by the shoulder as he turned.
He calmly turned his head and said, "Hey, a new recruit! Gildarts Clive, at your service, now, what can I do for you?"
I smiled at his general friendly nature. I could already tell he had a heart of gold. I told him, "My name is Mar, I'm a Lightning Dragon Slayer, and I'm interested in that information."
"Well, then come over WITH Natsu! Brief me on the other newbies here too while you're at it!"
"You got it!"
"Excellent!" Gildarts shouted before turning around and blasting through the wall instead of using a door.
Later, Natsu led me to Gildarts' place, through the busy city streets.
"So, Natsu? I havn't had much oppertunity to talk to you since that chat we had before all that crap with Laxus. Do you remember that conversation?"
"Every word. I'm still clinging on to that hope, you know? Even despite how far fetched it is."
"Good. Now, I don't have any proof that Lisanna is indeed over there, but I think I met a person from Edolas."
"WHAAAAT? WHO?"
"Mystogan."
"...you're not kidding, are you?"
"Not in the slightest. I SAW his face. That face WAS Jellal's! I also felt no inherent Magic from him. He used Magical weapons in his spat with Laxus, I'd assume."
"No Magic in him? Is that even possible?"
"None. Not in the slightest. Even regular people have a level of Magic in them, but Mystogan was...empty."
"Wow, and wait, what does him having Jellal's face have anything to do with it?"
"I have my own theory on Edolas. It's more or less a wish at this point, but seeing Mystogan's face gave it SOME merit. I think that we each have a double in Edolas, someone who looks exactly like us, but with different personalities, of course."
"Wow, it would be interesting to see an Edolas Fairy Tail! I wonder what I'd be like over there?"
"God forbid! You might be a speedster!" I said jokingly.
Natsu laughed very loudly. Clearly, he could see it as vividly as I could. "Bah, alternate world or not, I don't think I could get over motion sickness! It's my one Achillies heel!"
My eyes widened and I turned to Natsu. "Did you just reference Greek mythology?"
"Of course! I may not read much, but that sort of thing fascinates me!"
"Huh. Never would have thought you the type."
"Ha, anyway, Gildarts' house is right over here."
"Hold up Natsu, one last question." I said, grabbing him by the collar. "Are you okay today? I am a pair of ears and a shoulder should you need them."
Natsu stayed silent for a moment and stared at me, them turned his head forward and sighed. "Honeslty Mar? No, I'm not. I miss Lisanna with all my being. I loved her Mar, I promised to make her my wife. It was a silly promise we made when we were kids, but never the less. I learned to love her as a woman, but I never even asked her out officially. I never had the chance. I was going to when she came back, but..."
"I know. Don't say it. Now, Natsu, I'm going to start working on a way to crack Edolas open, and when I figure it out, you're coming with me to get some closure, one way or the other, you got me?"
Natsu smiled and wiped a tear from his face, then said, "I got it. You know, I can see why Mira fell for you."
I smiled and we proceeded through the door to find Gildarts sitting at a small table. Clearly, he didn't care about this place too much, then again, he was never here anyway.
Gildarts almost immediatly brought up Lisanna to ask how Natsu was progressing with her, and his head sunk.
Mildly angered, I stated firmly, "My sister in law died two years ago." I saw no reason to wrap Gildarts up in this too.
"Oh fu- I'm so sorry Natsu!...wait, SISTER IN LAW?" Gildarts shouted while making an expression I could only define as priceless. Natsu even took notice and chuckled.
"Oh right." I started, "I guess my name is Mar Strauss now. I married Mirajane." I said, showing my ring.
Gildarts was still shocked. "M-Mirajane got hitched! Holy hell, what kind of a saint are you?"
"Bah, I'm no saint, and it would take far too long to explain right now. I actually have a bit of my past that I still need to tell Mirajane, so I'll just give you both the full rundown later. The story always gets better with a sexy assistant who knows the words. Now, you said you knew something about Dragons?"
Gildarts took a moment to regain his composure then stood up. "I saw one you two, hell, I fought it too. It was no where near friendly."
Natsu jumped up at the thought of his "Father". "Igneel?" He yelled.
"No, I remember you telling me Igneel was red, this one was pitch black."
"He might know where Igneel is! Where did you find him?"
"Natsu, I'm not letting you go after him, you neither Mar."
"I thought so." I said. "I thought you were walking funny."
Natsu looked at me, puzzled. Gildarts smiled and said, "You figured it out already? Sharp kid."
"I'm older then I look my friend." I said with a devilish grin, causing Natsu to snicker.
Natsu asked me again, "Mar, what is going on?"
"Gildarts was injured by this Black Dragon. It's likely what caused him to quit his job."
"Whaaaaaaat? Gildarts is injured?"
"It's true." Gildarts said, opening his coat.
"Oh my god..." Natsu and I muttered at the sight.
Gildarts' left leg and arm were missing, replaced by prosthetic limbs. He also had bandages wrapping around at least half of his torso and around his shoulder. His mark was still visible among various other scars on his chest.
"Holy shit Gildarts, what the hell happened?" Natsu yelled.
"Like I said, I fought that dragon. It tore off my left limbs and likely destroyed my spleen. I would have died if it wasn't for some people who witnessed my fall who saved me. That, and the big black bastard flew off when it took my limbs. Probably thought it finished me."
I let my seal on Archive wear off, I wanted to give this man some sort of regeneration as well, part out of pity, and part out of absolute awe that he survived a dragon attack, but the pain stopped me. I was forced to my knees almost immediatly, unable to even lift my limbs. My senses started burning and I began screaming loudly. Gildarts had literally put me on the floor without lifting a finger.
I saw Natsu yelling over me to Gildarts, and then Gildarts reached down and began passing his Magic through me.
The pain swiftly went away, and I stood up, my voice mildly horse.
"What did you just do?" I asked.
"I gave you a bit of Crash to get used to it." Gildarts replied. "Natsu told me about Archive, the basics anyway. Now you don't need to hide any of yourself around me."
"Natsu, was the Magic Injection your idea?"
"Yeah, I figured if you were used to it that it wouldn't be a problem."
"Natsu, your theory was right, but not in that way. Gildarts, you didn't give me a PIECE, from that, I derived the WHOLE DAMN THING. You just passed Crash onto me."
"Oh...shit." Gildarts said, guilt clear in his voice. "Can you control it?"
"I hope so." I said while turning to touch Gildarts' wall. Nothing. I removed my hand and said, "Good, so it DID fit in like all the others. I was worried a Magic so powerful would have overloaded Archive." I turned to my friends and said, "Looks like it has an on and off switch just like the rest of my Archived Magics. We're good."
"Oh thank god. I was worried that you would end up like me." Gildarts said, as he sighed and sat back down.
"Right, I heard about a couple incidents you have caused by daydreaming." I said.
"Heard? Heck, you SAW one back at Fairy Tail!"
"Haha, very true! Come on Natsu, let's leave the man to recover." I said while walking toward the door. Natsu followed quickly and we stepped out into the street.
As we were walking, Natsu seemed lost in thought, even walking with his eyes closed for a bit, and I eventually just asked, "What's on your mind Natsu?"
"Thanks for not calling me hot head, but I was just wondering something. Can you imitate a Magic User's skill with his or her givin Magic?"
"To an extent, but don't expect me to keep up with your amazing flames or Erza's rapid re equips. You people are bloody monsters."
Natsu smiled his signature smile at that, causing me to grin as well, then said, "Mar, would you fight me with Crash sometime?"
I raised an eyebrow to the suggestion and asked why, half knowing the answer before the question finished leaving my head.
"I want to practice for Gildarts. My goal is to be the best Mage Fairy Tail has ever seen remember? Maybe if I do that I can meet Igneel as an equal instead of a student."
"An admirable goal. One I would be more then glad to help with."
"Really? How about right now?"
"I don't see why not, I'm rather eager to try Crash out actually."
"Alright! I'm all fired up!"
Natsu took me to a clearing in a forest outside of town, and as I stepped through the tree line, I realised this was the section of trees I blew down with an Ebony Charged Shot. The only difference was that there were no more tree trunks, Natsu had likely incinerated them and used this place to train himself.
"Alright, let's see what I can do!" I yelled at Natsu before letting Crash flow through me. The power was absolutely intoxicating, I could immediatly see why Gildarts' Magic was considered the greatest in Fairy Tail!
I let Crash run it's course and produce a brief pillar of light and energy, before dissipating, revealing me with crimson glowing eyes and in a calmed stance.
Natsu smiled at my apparent ability to control Crash to some extent and charged at me, striking repeatedly, but with me dodging every blow. Natsu then brought a fire charged hand up from my side, in a blind spot. I noticed it only after it had made contact with my ribcage, and I used the momentum givin to me by the punch to return the favour, right into the same area on Natsu. To my surprise, however, when I struck Natsu, Crash activated on it's own, and sent Natsu to the ground so hard that it created a small crater.
"Oh shit, Natsu! Are you okay!" I shouted, concerned.
Natsu groaned and sat up, "I'm fine, but what the hell was that?"
"Crash. It seems to act as both a method of destruction and an impact amplifyer."
"So you and Gildarts hit harder, AND you can disassemble an entire building by day dreaming? Good god!"
"Ha, I know right? You still okay to go?"
"Absolutely fine! It's just getting fun!"
We continued training for what seemed like an eternity, with Natsu leaving looking almost like someone had taken a shovel to his head. Poor bugger just didn't want to give up. I picked his ass up and shifted him onto my back, despite his protests and continued on back toward town. I would have kept training with Natsu, but I noticed the sun was beginning to set, and I needed to meet with my wife and brother to pay respects to my younger sister.
Natsu picked up on my darkened mood, and realised what it was about, then said, "I'll come with you guys this year. I figure you need all the company you can get."
I turned my head and said to him, "That's very kind of you Natsu, I accept. I'm sure Elfman and Mira won't mind an extra face either."
We arrived just in time to find Elfman and Mira leaving, so I just turned back out the door, Natsu still on my back.
"What happened to him?" Elfman asked.
"He got CRASHed pretty hard." I joked. I decided not to just come out and say "Gildarts accidentally gave me his Magic" just yet.
I looked back at my companion, his swelling was going down significantly, but he was going to keep that shiner I gave him for a couple days at least.
We arrived at the church as the sun began to sink over the horizon, causing it's light to become a deep orange. We stepped into the back and to Lisanna's stone, where Natsu got off my back.
We all bowed our heads and prayed for her. I didn't care I wasn't religious, I found the thought of our prayers reaching Lisanaa to be settling.
As I raised my head, I began to feel distortions in the Magic around us as a heavy rain started pouring from a once clear sky. I looked around, and what I saw struck my heart with fear. The church was bending, twisting, and disapating into the sky! I even walked over and tried to touch it, but my hand passed right through! Natsu noticed my concern and joined in my panic, but Elfman and Mira remained bowed! I looked back to them, and to my extreme horror, the same effect was happening to them!
I ran to Elfman and Mirajane, screaming their names at the top of my lungs. It was no use, they couldn't hear me, as I tried to grab Mirajane, both her and Elfman disappeared into the sky, like they never existed. Following them was the entire City of Magnowlia! Only Natsu and I were left in a wasteland of sand.
I fell to my knees, with Natsu still in complete disbelief.
I clutched my head and began screaming at the sky, "NO! NO! NOT AGAIN! I CAN'T LOSE EVERYONE AGAIN! COME BAAAACK!"
I began to cry, while Natsu greeted some guests I hadn't even noticed arrived.
Through my tears, I caught the odd word here and there, but I stopped crying immediatly upon Carla saying she was a creature from Edolas, and Edolas was where our friends were taken.
There was no more human in me. Archangel had already taken me over completely, and I grabbed Carla by the throat, shouting, "HOW DO I GET TO EDOLAS? TELL ME NOW YOU BITCH!"
Natsu attempted to stop me, but I was in no mood for any of it, and I smashed him into the ground using Crash with my spare hand. Wendy began to cry in my place, she had never seen the darker side of me, or anyone for that matter, and she knew she was powerless here.
Carla choked out the words, "Anima...go the same way your friends did, through the Anima in the sky!"
I grunted out a "Thank you" before throwing Carla to the ground and heading out for what used to be Mirajane's house.
As I grabbed my guns and Ikaruga's sword, a shadowy figure approached me, and I drew my sword on him.
"Mar, calm down." A familiar voice reached out to me.
"Fuck off Mystogan. Or Jellal, right now, I don't fucking care."
"What are you planning on doing?"
"Going to Edolas, and likely killing everyone between me and my friends, why, are you going to stop me Edolas boy?"
"...You know. Yes, I am the Jellal of Edolas."
"Fan fucking tastic, GET OUT OF MY WAY."
Mystogan pinned me to the ground and punched me in the head, "Listen to me you stubborn bastard! Edolas is not like our world! You can't use your Magic there!"
"Why the fuck do you think I just grabbed my weapons?"
"You knew that too? Gah, regardless, take one of these on a promise!" Edo Jellal said as he pulled out a bottle of red pills.
I realised that these pills likely made it so I could function properly in Edolas, so I allowed myself to remain calm for a couple moments and ask, "What promise?"
"You will not kill a soul in Edolas unless absolutely necisarry, and you will only get your friends and get out."
"Fair enough. You have a deal Jellal."
Jellal handed me a pill and I took it quickly, feeling no effect as of yet, then getting out from under him and flying for the sky.
"I expect you to come over as well, but I'll leave that to you. I'm sure you have a way." I said before flying full speed towards an opening in the sky.
There was a great flash of light, and I had to cover my eyes. When I opened them once more, I sure as hell wasn't in my world anymore. Islands were floating in the very sky I now soared through.
As I flew, I noticed something incredibly peculiar. A large tree with a Fairy Tail banner out front. I couldn't have already found my friends and family, that would just be far too easy. I decided to check it out anyway, and dove down, dispelling Archangel as I did. I decided to keep the wings as I peeked in through a window. It's not like my appearence would be any less shocking without them, and I would likely need them again soon, so I just tucked them under my shirt.
I saw nearly everyone there, even my Mirajane and Elfman, but there were significant differences. Mirajane seemed to be how she was when she was still "The Demon" and Elfman seemed to be a bit of a wimp from my view. I noticed that Lucy seemed to have a thing for black and that Erza was missing. Jet and Droy looked...not pathetic really, and Levy seemed to be a tech expert instead. I didn't see Gajeel anywhere either. I figured that my theory about Edolas doubles was correct, but clearly, there were differences between us. That's good, it would be weird to have an EXACT double.
Just then, Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla were brought up from what seemed to be under a table. They were wearing some odd clothes, but I could tell from the Magic in them that they were the friends I knew. I decided to apologise to them after Edo Fairy Tail had their fun.
As I was walking to the door, a sight caught me completely off guard. Two people were walking down the path to Fairy Tail, one was about my size with black hair, hell, he was likely my Edo counterpart, the other...I couldn't fucking believe it. It was Lisanna!
I just stood there, stunned. She was even more beutifal then Mira's stories and the pictures made her seem. Then again, I guess I should have expected that from my wife's younger sister, and my friend's girl.
I smiled widely at her, and ran to hug her, forgetting she had never met me, and that she could have very easily been Edolas' Lisanna
She pushed me away and yelled, "Hey, what the hell? Who are you?"
The black haired man dashed infront of her, in between me and her, and said, "You won't touch sister again! There'll be trouble if you do!"
I laughed at the man, then said, "Sorry, I got ahead of myself. My name is-" I was cut off by an alarm from Fairy Tail, and then Lisanna and the man grabbing my arms and pulling me into the guild.
I was knocked to the ground as a result, exposing my wings to the world.
The man recoiled and said, "Y-You too?"
I looked at him and just said, "What are you talking about?"
He removed his shirt and spread a pair of shining angel's wings, white as pearls.
"Holy shit!" I said, "Is your name Mar by chance?"
"That's me. Fairy Tail's Angel."
I smiled at finding my double, and looked out the window. There appreared to be several dragon like creatures approaching quickly, with someone riding each one. I could make out the rider at the head of the pack, and could easily tell it was Erza. I swore to myself, realising she was evil in Edolas.
The guild burrowed beneath the ground as the lead creature was about to smash it, and resurfaced in a desert.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't exactly want to expose myself to this world anymore. I guess meeting all my friends, Edolas versions or not, mellowed me out again.
I stood up as my Natsu and Wendy began explaining the whole situation to everyone. Clearly, they either hadn't noticed me yet or thought I was my Edolas self, because they spoke like I wasn't present. I even heard Wendy say, "He has his darker traits, that much is certain, but he's a good guy at heart."
"What do you mean darker traits!" I yelled across the room.
The crowd parted, clearing me a path to my friends. Edo me looked at me with surprise, and said, "You're from Earthland?"
"Earthland? Huh, I like that name, but yes, Mar, the Archangel of Fairy Tail, at your service!" I shouted to everyone.
I walked to my friends and hugged them both. "I am so sorry what happened back there. I was filled to the brim with rage after seeing Mira and Elfman get taken. I'm calm now."
I let go as Wendy burst into tears and hugged my waist again, saying, "I'm so glad we have old Mar back!"
I scratched the back of my head in embarassment while everyone got a good laugh. Wendy and Natsu started telling everyone about their counterparts on Earthland while I snuck out the door.
I met Lisanna there, and she was crying. I could sense Magic in her as well. I realised right then and there, this WAS our Lisanna! This WAS my sister!
I hugged her again, and she took the offer more favourably this time, crying into my shoulder. I even wrapped my wings around her to make her feel safe.
"Shhhh, it's okay Lisanna, your big brother is here now."
"Big brother? Of course he's here, he's right inside!"
"Lisanna, drop it. I know."
"...how are my siblings doing back home?"
"They miss you immensly, but Mirajane finally found the right guy. She married a few months back."
"That's amazing..." Lisanna said weakly, her tears drying up, but still hugging me. "Who was it?"
"You're holding him."
Lisanna seemed to hold me tighter at that statement. She knew I had no reason to lie.
"Brother...Mar was it?"
"Yeah."
"I can tell you have a kind heart. I'm happy for both of you."
"Lisanna, a question, if I may?"
"Shoot."
"Are you coming back with us?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"My life is here now. I died two years ago."
"You're willing to abandon your siblings just like that?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Listen to me. Your life here is a lie. You belong in Earthland. I wouldn't be surprised if Edo Lisanna died at the same time you crossed over and you assumed her identity."
"Hey, just you wa-"
"I'm right, arn't I?"
"...yes."
"Lisanna." I started while hugging my sister back. "I swore to Natsu that we would bring you back if we ever got to Edolas, he loves you damnit! I'm going to make good on that promise. Lisanna, please."
She was quiet for a long time, then she spoke up once more, "I can't just abandon my family again. Give me time."
"Take all the time you need, we need to save our friends anyway, or there will be no happy reuinion."
"Knock them dead big brother!" Lisanna said while seperating from me. "Also, don't mention this to Natsu or his friend yet, I want it to be a surprise."
I smiled at her sudden change of attitude. "No promises." I said back. This was the Lisanna I have heard about. I kissed her on the forehead and told her to get back to her Edolas friends for now, and she passed my friends on their way out of the guild.
Natsu turned to look at Lisanna as the doors closed, then to me. "Is it her?" he asked.
"That would be telling." I said with a smile.
Natsu knew me too well, he picked it up immediatly and turned to go back into the guild before I stopped him.
"Not now. She needs time to say goodbye. She won't get another chance."
"...oh right, it completely slipped my mind that she would have a life here...are we doing the right thing in bringing her back?"
"Of course we are Natsu. She belongs in Earthland, and in Earthland she shall stay. Besides, I have an odd feeling that everyone here already knows. Now, let's go. If we don't save Mirajane, Elfman, and everyone else, Lisanna will likely murder us."
On the way to a nearby town that had been pointed out to Natsu and Wendy, I decided to find out what they knew.
"So, any idea where our friends ARE anyway?"
"In the royal city, capital of Edolas. They're going to be sacrificed somehow to extend the life of Edolas' Magic." Natsu told me.
"A noble yet misguided goal. Is this land a monarchy?"
"What's a monarchy?" Wendy asked.
"A land ruled by a king or queen."
"Yeah, they have a king." Natsu said.
"I wish to talk to him before we inevitably have to beat the hell out of him. Maybe I can help somehow."
As we walked through the sands, a large frog like thing burst from beneath the dunes and darted for Wendy. Before I could react, a streak of blonde hair and black clothing flew through the air, knocking the monster the heck out.
As the woman landed, I recognised her at the same time as my friends.
"Hey Lucy!" I yelled to her. "Or, should I call you Edo Lucy?...God this is going to get confusing."
"Hah, my last name is Ashley, does that help?"
"Immensly actually, our Lucy's last name is Heartfillia."
"Oh wow, that's kind of a corny name." she said.
I laughed and then asked, "So, why'd you decide to come with us?"
"I couldn't leave you guys alone in a foreign world, it's just not right. Plus, you are all pretty cool people on this side, and from what I have on you so far, not TOO much is different over in Earthland. Well, except for you Wendy, you're about 2 and a half feet shorter and several cup sizes smaller then I'm used to."
Wendy just lowered her head and blushed. As we continued I asked, "What's your relation to all of our conter parts over here anyway Lucy?" I asked.
"Well, Wendy and Natsu are damn good friends, you...uhhhh...I really don't want to say."
Sensing her nervousness stoked my curiosity even further, so I leaned in close to her and asked her to whisper it in my ear. The answer immediatly made my nose bleed like a faucet and had Lucy stay in front of the group in embarassment for the rest of the trip to Luen.
Natsu and Wendy finally worked up the courage to ask me what Lucy had told me, and I replied honestly. Hesitant, but honestly.
"Friends with b-b-benefits..." I stuttered out.
Wendy immediatly blushed at the thought and Natsu started laughing. Happy seemed to remain neutral and Carla couldn't look me or Lucy in the eyes for the rest of the trip.
As town neared, I decided it would be a good idea to dismiss my wings, since I wasn't traveling alone anymore, but to my shock, they wouldn't vanish. I tore off my shirt, causing my friends to turn and look at what the commotion was, then causing Lucy to blush furiously. I apparently had the same abs as my counterpart.
I asked Wendy to take a look at where my wings were sprouting, and I sat down so she could get a good look.
They were no longer based in a Magical Seal. In fact, there WAS no Magical Seal. The wings were fused to my back, just as flesh and blood as my arms and legs.
I panicked briefly before composing myself again. I said to my friends to calm them down, "Looks like Anima might have fused my wings to my back, but I really don't care. I love these things. I'll need to start cutting holes in my shirts if they decide to stay, but I'm good with this."
When we arrived in Luen, Lucy bought us some Magic Weapons. When she turned to give me mine, I refused it and showed her the weapons I had brought. Turns out in Edolas, Magic is a physical object as opposed to an invisible power like in Earthland. The only people in Edolas who used Magic like Earthland Mages were a race known as Exceed, cat like creatures with the ability to fly.
People were rather shocked to see a man with wings walking through town, a couple of kids even asked if I was "Fairy Tail's Angel." I would smile at the kids and say, "I'm no angel, just a guy with horrible luck. Or great luck, depending on your view."
The royal army quickly marched in upon hearing of sightings of Fairy Tail faces, and cornered us. Natsu tried to use his Magic against them but the shields they wielded gave them immunity to his efforts. I tore out Ebony and Ivory and pointed them at the crowd, saying, "Don't test an Archangel."
The army apparently had never heard what an Archangel was, so I showed them. I began firing off Ebony and Ivory in rapid succession, smashing clean through the shields they were using and hitting every officer I could with the Magic Bullets, knocking them out but not dead. A few snuck up behind me with what I assumed was a metal noose on a metal pole, and while they DID get it around my neck, their second half of the plan didn't turn out to well. They tried to pass an electric current through the metal pole to bring me down, but it only served to strengthen me when I just ate it.
I began firing Ebony in one way and Ivory in another, taking down every soldier there, leaving Natsu and Wendy absolutely stunned at my performance, and the power of my Magic fed guns. Lucy started cheering!
"What? You honestly think I didn't get a lesson or two of out Bisca and Alzack when they gave me these?" I said as I spun the guns around then slid them into their holsters.
It was right then that the cap on Wendy's magic fell off, producing a tornado that sent the guards flying in every which direction and sending us all straight into the air.
When we landed, we heard more patrols coming, so we hid out in a nearby building. To my joy, I found a trenchcoat in great condition, the same style and colur of my idol, Dante's. I slipped it on and folded my wings to fit in the back of it. I left a note stating that it was an emergency, and that I needed to take it. Suddenly, the guards ran down the street one way, then came tumbling back down, like if something had hit them. I opened the door and peeked my head out to see Lucy fighting off the royal guard with what I assumed was Scorpio. Must have been another key she got during that last mission.
I turned from our Lucy to Edolas' Lucy, then back again, then said, "Yeah, you're right. This IS going to be weird." as I stepped out of the door. We all ran out to go help our friend, but by the time we got over to her, she had already cleared the soldiers out.
"Lucy! How the devil did you get here?" I yelled at her.
"No time to explain, here come more guards! Run!"
I turned my head, and sure enough there was an entire battalion coming down on us. We all ran as fast as we ever had, with me firing shots at the army when I could.
We eventually evaded them in the same nearby forest we had used to enter town. Edolas' Lucy started leading us to another nearby town while we caught up with Lucy, and briefed her on the situation.
Turns out Lucy had felt some weird distortions as well, and had hid inside of one of her spirits, so Anima couldn't get to her. Mystogan eventually came to her and gave her a red pill and sent her to Edolas himself. Mystogan also mentioned sending Gajeel.
Gajeel...I hope he was alright too. It was then I decided to share a weird thought I was playing around with.
"Hey, I've been thinking, why where some people left behind while everyone else was taken?"
Lucy, (Both of them) started talking with me, "Yeah, I mean, I used a spirit, and it was GOING to take me if I didn't, so I don't count, but still, weird."
"Do the people who had to get over here by other means have anything in common?" Edo Lucy asked.
"Well, yes. Despite us all being different sizes, shapes, and statures, we share one thing in common. We are ALL Dragon Slayers!" I said.
"D-Dragon Slayers?" Edo Lucy asked with a VERY audible note of surprise.
"Yeah. I'm Lightning, Wendy there is Sky, and Natsu is Fire. Gajeel is Iron."
"I-I've been traveling with a bunch of Dragon Killers?"
"None of us have ever fought a dragon for keeps, let alone killed one."
"Oh thank go-FOR KEEPS?"
I started laughing at how hyper Edo Lucy was acting, then said, "Yeah, we were all trained or raised by actual Dragons at some point in our lives. I think I have the least exposure actually."
"R-Raised by dragons...are all Earthland Mages this amazing?"
"Not all of them, Fairy Tail in our world is just home to alot of strong people. None of us would want to make an enemy of our Gildarts."
"Gildarts? He died in an army raid a few weeks back, he was never THAT strong..."
"He is literally capable of disassembling buildings with his mind in our world."
Edo Lucy's jaw dropped, and I continued with my theory. "I think that Dragon Slayers are immune to Anima, or at least singled out not to be taken by it. Why would they do that, I wonder?"
Natsu spoke with a mild note of wisdom, bringing about pride from me, "It's because us Slayers would be a thorn in their side! We have the ability to negate whatever the hell the kingdom is planning!"
I patted Natsu on the shoulder and said, "Damn right, and if what they're planning on doing involves our friends, it seems likely we have either power to stop them, or power to return our friends to Earthland!"
Edo Lucy butted in, "The kingdom has said that a special magic is needed to be to convert lacrima into Magic. You think it could be Dragon Slayer?"
"It seems likely." I said. "And if it can be used for acceleration into Magic, it can be used to return the lacrima to it's former form as well."
Natsu butted in this time, "Woah, woah, woah, lacrima? Someone catch me up."
"It seems likely that our friends have been converted into lacrima form. If we pass a Dragon Slayer Magic current through the crystals while thinking of our friends, they will come back."
"Alright, good to know. At least they'll be easy to find."
We came into the second town shortly afterwards. Edo Lucy called it "Sikka".
Our first night in Sikka, Edo Lucy tried slipping out without us noticing. I caught her outside the door of the hotel, and pulled her aside. She struggled, so I bear hugged her to hold her still. Didn't want her hurting herself. The moment she saw my wings under the moonlight, she calmed down.
"Leaving so soon?"
"I'm going back to Fairy Tail, you guys are going to need help if you want to change the world."
"Ha, you think we can change this world? I'm flattered. I guess we COULD topple a corrupt government or two while we're saving our friends."
"Oh, thank you Mar!" Edo Lucy yelled while hugging me back. "I'm going to hold you to that!"
"Ha, glad to help. I'm sure turning that lacrima back will piss the kingdom off enough anyway, they'll likely come after us if we want them to or not."
"That reminds me Mar, the people are in unrest as well. A kingdom is built on trust and support of the people, King Faust is likely telling the people that Anima gets it's Magic from somewhere else. Show them that he is lying, and the people, maybe even the soldiers, will be on your side. Here's the bonus, if Fairy Tail is host to so many powerful mages, the lacrima is going to be BIG. REALLY big. There will likely be a parade celebrating the 'Future of Edolas'."
"Well, arn't we the little revolutionary? That's a real good idea Lucy. We just have one minor problem."
"None of you can use your magic yet, I know. But if that Mystogan fellow sent this 'Gajeel' fellow over, he likely took the same pill as the other me. He IS a Dragon Slayer too, right?"
"He is, but I was going to say, I don't think I could turn that crystal back myself. Mystogan sent me here too."
Lucy's jaw dropped. "You've had your Magic this whole time? Why didn't you use it on the soldiers!"
"My Magic is very powerful. I would have likely killed them."
"YOU WERE SHOOTING THEM!"
"Magic guns. They fire bullets made of Magic. Non lethal. Most of the time anyway."
"MOST OF THE TIME?"
"If I go Archangel, the shots are powerful enough to kill. Several people, likely."
"Archangel?"
"Oh right, I havn't shown that off yet." I said while letting myself transform. "I'm known as Archangel to my clients because of this form. It boosts my Magic Power exponentially."
"Wow...I guess people of your world really ARE opposites!"
"Not quite, I could tell just from the other me's body language around you that he is a very respectful person. You may be 'Special Friends' but I can still see his immense respect for you. Plus, he likely has a brighter outlook then I do."
"Wow, you're good. He's a very bright person, what about you?"
"I'm bright in the sense that I'm smart, I'm not usually a cheery person unless I'm around friends however, I have alot to be guilty about."
"We all do Mar, hell, even I have some regrets."
"That we do. Now go, get your brothers and sisters to come and help us topple the very King of Edolas! Go!" I said as I released my grip on Edo Lucy and let her start running.
"I'll send help soon! Count on it!"
I waved to Edo Lucy as she left. "She'll be back." I whispered to myself while I dismissed Archangel.
I walked back up to our room to be greeted by Carla.
"Good evening Mar, you can't sleep either?"
"Nah, I just needed some air. You?"
"I've been having weird visions."
"Oh lord I can relate, come here." I said, beckoning to my shoulder. Carla sat on on it and we started talking.
"What have you been seeing?"
"A tunnel. A secret way into the castly, I think. I know where it is in the Royal City as well."
"Good, that's something we can go on. You and everyone else should head for that tunnel the moment we arrive to see if it's there, and if so, take it."
"Everyone else? What will you do?"
"I'll catch up, I just need to check the city out, learn where the lacrima is. It should be easy enough, there will likely be a parade to celebrate. If I see it, I'll return our friends to flesh form."
"What if the army catches you?"
"They won't take me alive." I said with a coy smile.
"Mar, what about your Magic? Isn't it sealed?"
I didn't reply, instead I raised my right arm, the one Carla wasn't on, and passed electricity through it, then lowered it.
"Ah, nevermind then. How long?"
"Since before I broke into Edolas. Mystogan saw me off."
"Didn't want to kill the soldiers?"
"Exactly. Also, Carla, I'm just going to come out and say it, I just promised Edo Lucy to start a full blown rebellion."
"Huh." Carla said, non chalantly.
"No freak outs?"
"No, I figured this would happen. Didn't know we would get struck into a vocal contract, but I somehow knew this would happen. I didn't exactly need foresight to see that we'd do the right thing, you know?"
"Hah, I can believe that. I don't think our friends will take it as well though."
"Haha, that they won't. Think we should just hold off on telling them until it happens? I'll say you set off on a 'Special Mission' if you want."
"That sounds just about perfect. Now, we just need to find a way to get to the capital."
The next morning, I was awake before my friends, Carla included, so I went for a quick walk to get my bearings. I didn't want to be seen both shirtless and winged, so I stuck to the shadows of the early morning until I came across a clothing shop I saw on the way in. A costume shop actually, for cosplayers. I figured I could find something at least half normal in there without being persecuted. I noticed that Edolas money was the same as ours from a man paying for what appeared to be a sleeveless shirt. No idea what costume it would be from, and I really didn't care too much.
I sifted through the various outfits until I eventually found a coat that interested me immensly. I took it to the counter and asked, "How much for this?"
"That? 50 jewel. It's been in here so long that everyone forgot what character it belonged to. You sure you want it?"
"Positive, here." I said as I handed the man the money, then turned with the new coat draped over my shoulder and down my back, covering most of my right wing.
"Hey! Sir!" the cashier yelled. Shit, was I found out? Play it cool Mar, play it cool.
"Yes?"
"Real nice wings pal, do I know you?"
"Nah, I get that alot, and thank you." I said, walking out the door.
I threw the coat on right outside. It was a perfect match, the colour, the length, the fact I wasn't wearing a shirt under it, everything. It was a glorius shade of red, and it was incredibly long, even for a trenchcoat. I had found an exact replica of Dante's trenchcoat, and it was unusally comfortable.
I met my friends outside of the hotel, all of them garbed up, not wanting to be recognised.
"Mar, cover your face! What if a guard sees you?" Lucy yelled.
"Then he'd notice that I'm not naked from the waist up and I don't have a large pair of wings. I figure those were my most defining features."
Lucy sighed, she knew I was right. "Hey, where did my double go?"
"Back to Fairy Tail to get everyone. She left last night, so we should be recieving help soon. In the meantime, lets try to find a way to get to the capital, fast."
"How about that?" Natsu asked.
I turned to see an amazing sight, an airship, the same as the one I had seen in the papers two hundred years ago. It had just docked, and was likely refueling.
I then clicked into something, and turned back to Natsu, "You? Suggesting transportation?"
"With Wendy's Troia spell, I can handle anything!"
"Umm, Natsu? I can't use Magic..." Wendy said.
"New plan, we walk!" he shouted back.
My face hit my palm and I beckoned my friends to follow me. "Does anyone knoe how to fly an airship?"
"One of my spirits might!" Lucy yelled excitedly as she swung a key through the air.
"Oh shit! Lucy, don't! I yelled in vain. Virgo appeared, apologising for Leo's absence.
As she finished with the apology, the guard was already on it's way. Turns out, "Large chested blonde woman who can summon things" doesn't aply to alot of people.
I tore out Ikaruga's sword and started taking down anyone who didn't have a shield with blunt end strikes, while Lucy and Virgo worked with Wendy and Lucy to take out anyone protected as we backed out way to the airship dock.
Soon, we found ourselves at the locked doors to the dock, they knew we were coming, and the royal guard was closing in. There were far too many for us to handle, and they were closing fast. I looked around, desperate for a way to get out without snuffing out any souls, and I made a realisation. The ground around the tower was dirt, but the ground we were all standing on was made of metal. An idea sprang through my head. I told everyone to get next to the tower as I held off the guard myself. I let the guards take me to the ground, I knew they wanted me down first and foremost for what I had done to them, so my friends would be ignored momentarily.
"Any last words?" a guard asked me while pulling a spear back, ready to stab.
"Ummm, yes actually. This is going to hurt. Alot." I said as I broke my hand free and touched the ground, passing a massive electric current through it.
Guards started toppling over like dominoes, and I was free to get up at my leisure. As I dusted myself off, I noticed the guard who threatened me was still concious, so I bent over and said, "Told ya." before striking him in the neck and knocking him out.
I walked over to my friends, Natsu and Happy were cheering, Carla seemed impressed with my improvised taser, and Wendy and Lucy were slack jawed, asking, "Are they okay?"
I assured Wendy and Lucy they were fine, then turned to Virgo and asked, "So, do any of you spirits know how to fly airship?"
"Sorry master, but no. We have never been summoned to Edolas before."
"That's right, I guess you WOULD need a summoner. Crap, that throws a wrench in our plans."
I noticed one of the nearby guards groaned, so I grabbed him and asked, "Which way to the royal city?"
The man weakly pointed in one direction, and we set off for the city.
We started walking across another desert just outside of town, heading what I hoped was the right way. As we were walking, more guards began to come after us, prompting me to yell, "Oh come on! How many people do they have?"
As we began running, a car pulled up next to us, and the driver yelled for us to get in.
Sensing even a split second of hesitation coming from Natsu, I physically threw him in the back, then jumped in myself with Happy, Wendy, Lucy, and Carla.
The man sped off, leaving the troops in the dust, and I said, "Thanks mate, that could have got real hairy real fast!"
"Not a problem! Anything for my friends!"
"Friends? I don't remember even seeing you at Fa-" as I cut myself off, I got a good look at our driver. "Oh, holy shit, you're Natsu, arn't you!"
"You bet! I'm taking you guys to the royal capital on Lucy's behalf!"
"Lucy? How the devil did she make it back so fast?"
"She didn't! She only got back around an hour ago!"
"So how the hell are you here already?"
"I broke ALOT of speed limits is how! You're Mar's double I take it? Lucy told me to say, 'When the fireworks start flying, we'll be there, count on it!'"
We laughed at Edo Natsu's joke, and sighed with relief that we had Fairy Tail watching us if things got hairy. When we finally pulled up just outside of the royal city, we hopped out, thanking Edo Natsu, and wishing him the best of luck. He smiled back at us as we hauled his counterpart out of the back and then he sped off, back to join his friends for their assault.
Natsu recovered upon hitting the ground and asked me, "What did...I...the other me mean by 'They'll be with us?'"
"Ladies, gentlemen, we are officially Edolas revolutionaries. We are going to topple this king who thinks it is OK to steal our friends, our families, and our homes. Carla, lead everyone through that tunnel you told me about, I'm going to cause an absolute stink in town, get the public with us, and when the king retreats to his quarters? Grab him. See if he has any way to turn our friends back to normal, because honestly? I don't think my power alone will be enough."
Lucy perked up at this and said, "Gemini! I could use Gemini!"
"Gemeni...the twins?" I replied.
"Yep! They can copy a person exactly, down to even their memories! If they can get even one hand on the king, we'll be golden!"
"Good plan, now go!" I said as I took off my new trenchcoat and began flying.
I scanned the city, looking for signs of festivity, eventually coming across a massive road in town that was clear on one side. I stuck to the shadows and followed the road, eventually coming across a humungous lacrima, and a man giving a speech in front of it. The King, I figured.
I listened in, curious to see what kind of lie he was feeding these people. As I slipped my coat back on, I heard him say, "This is our new power! This lacrima was granted to us by your very own god king! With Anima at our side, we will forever be basked in glorious Magic!"
He couldn't have taken any more then ten seconds with those lines, and I already hated him. I began to walk out of the shadow just in time to see him strike the lacrima, breaking a piece off. "ETERNAL MAGIC!" he shouted.
That tore it. He had just disrespected my friends, family, my entire way of life, and I would not stand for it any longer!
I used my lightning to jump on top of the lacrima and I felt the reaction immediatly. Dragon Slayer Magic is definatly needed to free my friends, I could feel the lacrima itself yearning for my Magic. I sharted shouting, "What kind of shit is this?"
Everyone turned to view the new source of noise, and all eyes fell on me. Guards came nearly immediatly to try and stop me, but I just knocked them back to the ground. The citisens started panicking, so I continued, "Men and women of Edolas! I am not here to do you harm! Quite the opposite actually, I am here to open your eyes!"
The statement seemed to calm the crowd, and they all laid eyes on me once more.
"Thank you!" I yelled while kicking a guard who had climbed the lacrima clean off. "Your so called King here has likely told you about Anima, and how it sucks the Magic from Eartland, MY HOME WORLD! He has lied to you! It does not suck up Magic from my world, but anything with Magic in it as well! Observe!"
I slammed my hand into the lacrima and electified it, surrounding the entire thing. I let my full power flow through the lacrima, causing a beutifal ray of light. When it faded, two figures lay unconcious where the lacrima once stood. I had only freed Erza and Grey. Regardless, I landed next to them and hoisted them to my level, yelling, "These people are named Grey and Erza! They were about to be sacrificed for your sake! They are people, just like you and me! And they are my friends, so I will die protecting them if I need to!"
"Then have your wish!" a voice from behind me yelled as a dagger slid through my heart and came out my chest. I looked behind me, and the man I assumed was king was standing there, smiling wickedly. I pretended to fall to my knees, dead, so he would take his hands off the dagger.
He roared in triumph, yelling, "This changes nothing! I will give this land Eternal Magic, no matter the cost!"
The crowd didn't cheer. They didn't boo either, they were completely silent. Horrified at what they had been doing, what they had been SUPPORTING.
I stood up and took the dagger out of me, throwing it to the ground and saying, "Do you see? This is not any way to accomplish anything! What you are doing is an abomination created by desire and greed!"
"How are you not dead?"
"That matters not." I said as I grabbed the king by his throat and hoisted him over the edge of his podium, choking him. "Where are the rest of my friends?" I asked firmly, murder in my eyes once more.
"Maybe you should look UP Mar!" a familiar voice yelled. The crowd parted and I dropped the king, letting him cough rapidly.
"Gajeel!" I shouted in glee. "When did ou get into town?"
"Around the time you appeared on the lacrima, now give Grey and Erza one of these!" he yelled as he threw me a bottle filled with Mystogan's red pills. Perfect. I slid one into both of my friend's mouths, and they awoke immediatly.
"Powerful speech Mar." Erza said.
I was so overjoyed to see my friends okay that I hugged them both, then turned back to Gajeel. "What do you mean by up?"
Gajeel pointed toward an island floating in the sky, with a crystal the size of the very city we stood in stood erect.
"You don't mean?"
"Yep. That's Magnowlia. Go get em Mar!"
"You got it! Hold this!" I yelled as I threw my coat to Gajeel. To my surprise, as I took off, the crowd began cheering me on! They WANTED me to succeed!
I landed on the island within a few minutes. Holy shit that thing was alot bigger up close. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to release all of it. I just decided to go for it, and I started charging the lacrima with everything I had.
Nothing. I wasn't strong enough. No, I refused to accept that! I tried again, and again, and again, still to no avail. I was sweating and breathing heavily, my wings had even drooped from the exaustion brought on from over exerting myself, when a voice came from behind me. "Fool. You have no chance, give in!"
I turned to see a rather large armored panther, flying, and carrying a sword at least seven times his size. He swung it at me, slicing through the island like tissue paper.
I took flight as well, engaging the panther in a mid air sword duel. To my surprise, his blows were much easier to counter then I had anticipated, it was like all he had was martially trained brute strength.
I locked Ikaruga's sword with his and brought myself in close. "Name, if you would."
He smiled at me and said "Panther Lily, yours?"
"Mar Strauss."
"A good name. And a good swordsman too. I kind of wish we had met under better circumstances."
"Same to you!" I said as I broke free from our clash and went on the offencive. He didn't move often to block my blows, the sheer size of his sword was to that.
"Why do you fight Mar! For your friends? Family? They will all betray you some day!"
"Bullshit! The bonds I have forged with these people will last the rest of my eternal life, that much I can see for sure!"
"Keep believing that! I thought the same thing! Before my own nation threw me out for saving the life of a human! My friends and family spit upon my memory, should they even still live!"
I grabbed his sword this time, using it's weight to throw him into the ground near the crystal. I pinned him to the ground and yelled in his face, "Bullshit they do! Your friends and family never stop caring, regardless of who you are! Regardless of what you become or what your very nation says about you! You are still their brother, their son, and their dearest friend! Now, I ask you, why do you fight!"
"I fight for my king!"
"Your king is a liar and a disgrace!"
"How dare you!" he yelled while breaking an arm free and socking me across the head.
I stopped his arm and asked, "You don't know what this lacrima is made of, do you?"
"Magic from your world! Magic that you are trying to take back, despite US being the ones in decline! And you're starting a revolution on top of all that!"
"Lily, I am not the fool here, yo-" before I could finish, the island was impacted by something attached to a large chain.
"Ha! It's already started! Code ETD is already started! You've failed Mar!"
"Code ETD! What is it!"
"We are going to ram this island, larcrima still on board, right into my home nation! Extalia will die, and Magic will pour down from the sky, granting Edolas an era of Eternal Magic!"
"You FOOL!" I yelled shile punching Lily, "My friends are in there! My family, my wife!"
"What!"
"This lacrima isn't Magic from my world, it's made of MAGES from my world! You are killing innocent people!"
"You lie!"
"I turned two of them back to normal myself! I have seen it with these very eyes!"
"Your voice...it shows no sign of dishonesty."
"Because there is none!"
"Either way, it's too late now, we're already moving. There is no way to stop it now."
"Bullshit there's not! I will stop this! I WILL STOP THIS!" I yelled as I flew to the side of the island and began pushing against it.
I knew there was no way I could do this alone, but I kept trying anyway. My feet eventually made contact with solid ground, I was the only thing between the lacrima and Extalia. As I pushed as hard as my body would let me and then some, my friends joined in. Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Happy, Natsu, Erza, and Gajeel all joined me.
We still wern't enough. The ground crumbled underneath us as the lacrima inched ever closer. I found myself thinking, "This is it? This is how I will finally die? A failure, just as I had been in my last life?...NO. I REFUSE!"
My Magical power spiked higher then it ever had before as the inhabitants of the nation all flew over to help us. My heavy breathing became almost demonic as I pushed harder then I could have ever imagined myself doing. My eyes began glowing golden, and my body began involuntarily spewing out raw golden Magical Power. I bent my knees, then launched myself back at the island. The vibration was noticable. I was having an effect alright! I continued pounding on the very island, slowing it further and further every time.
Soon, it stopped. We were victorious! The chain shattered from the over exertion, making sure this wouldn't happen again.
I got my friends to some less precarious footing by the crystal, and as I set Lucy down, it dissapeared!
Mystogan showed up behind us, saying, "Thank you for keeping the islands safe while I tore open Anima. Everyone is back in Earthland now, I doubt they will even remember what transpired here, it will make for a hell of a story."
I was overcome with emotion. I dropped to my knees, then over to my back, a huge grin on my face. I looked over the edge of the island, and I could see Fairy Tail beating back the royal guard that weren't surrendering. We had won. I don't know how, but we had won.
"Thank you Mystogan...Jellal...whatever I should be calling you."
"How about Prince?"
That statement caught my full attention, along with my friends'. We almost simultaniously said, "You're the Prince of Edolas?"
"Yeah. Hard to believe, I know."
I didn't get long to relax. There was a terrible rumbling, followed by someone yelling "Scarlet!", followed by Panter Lily geting shot in the back. I looked over the edge of the island, noticing Edo Erza riding on a dragon straight for us, along with the remaining royal troops. To my surprise, however, she only tackled her Earthland self off the edge of the island! The dragon buggered off without it's rider.
Realising they were in trouble, I jumped off as well, and caught them both, taking them to some nearby solid ground on a big floating island. I knew they were going to fight one way or another.
I turned to Edo Erza and said, "Suicide is a cowards way out, even if it is to take down an opponent."
"I'm aware, thank you for correcting my mistake. Yours will be quick."
I shook my head and flew off, just as the sky begin to run dark.
A large beamed attack flew at my friends, but Mystogan deflected it back to the sender. Before the smoke had time to clear, another beam rang out, and took Mystogan down. I checked his pulse, he was down, but not dead.
I noticed the shape of what had fired at us. A dragon, or at least, something in the shape of a dragon. Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel were already gone, going to fight that thing I assume. I flew down to join them, our friends could handle a few incompetant guards.
I arrived just in time to get in range of a spell Wendy used that she called "Vernier". I immediatly felt my body lighten and my muscles harden. Stronger and faster, I soared straight for the abomination, Natsu and Gajeel beside me. We pounded on the thing as hard as we could, until we heard a voice from inside, "Dorma Anim! Fire!"
I recognised the voice. The king was in this thing. Stupid bastard.
Missles flew from Anim, headed for Wendy! Natsu intercepted most of them, but one was going to make it through, so, acting on impulse, I dashed in front of it and let Crash loose to knock it away with sheer Magical Power. I didn't even use any spells, the sheer force of Crash coming out so quickly knocked it aside.
The action gave me an idea, and I switched back to Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic, then dashed back at Anim.
A second set of missles was nearly fired, but Gajeel hit them while they were still in their chambers, causing them to detonate IN Dorma Anim. The king lashed out at Gajeel, striking him with Anim's tail, then firing a final round of missles at Natsu.
I jumped in front of this barrage, and focused Crash's sheer earth moving power into my arms.
"SHINRA TENSEI!" I yelled as Crash deflected a majoraty of the barrage, but still leaving a significant few headed for Natsu.
Before Natsu could hit them, they detonated around him, enveloping him in fire. I started laughing at the king's actions, he had likely just damned himself.
Natsu ate the flames, much to the king's surprise, and Gajeel was munching on Anim's tail. The king shook Gajeel off and Dorma Anim changed colour, with a massive increase in power to boot.
The tide was swiftly reversed, the king, proclaiming himself, "Bringer of Eternal Magic, King Faust", was beating the hell out of us. Vernier or not, we were getting slaughtered.
Dorma Anim readied a massive weapon, that reminded me of Phantom Lord's Jupiter cannon. I realised that attack could not hit a single one of my friends, or they would die. When it fired, I jumped in front of the massive beam, and let Crash come out in it's entirety. I put my arms in front of me, and ignored the pain I was feeling in every cell of my body. I slowly proceeded forward, the beam intesifying as I did. I had Faust scared, that's for damn sure.
"DORMA ANIM! FULL POWER! WIPE OUT THIS PLAGUE!"
The beam easily doubled in strength, and I was forced to my knees by the pressure. The ground cracked around me. I looked behind me, but didn't see what I wanted. Wendy and Natsu were probably unable to move, if I didn't stop this attack, we would die. I didn't even notice Gajeel wasn't there until he struck Dorma Anim on the head with the rest of his strength, causing the beam to stop.
I fell backwards, my Magic almost completely drained for using Crash in such a way.
Gajeel fell to the ground as well, but pinned Dorma in place when he did. "Get him Natsu! You're the only one who can now!"
Natsu stood once more, and flames enveloped him. He wasn't done just yet. Wendy boosted his speed with a roar, and he used himself as a prjectile to tear clean through Dorma Anim, grabbing Faust as he went through.
Dorma exploded, showering the area with debris. Luckily, no one was struck.
Natsu managed to get me and Wendy on our feet, while Gajeel got himself up. An cat named Nadi came up to us shortly afterwards, and told us about how Mystogan was going to drain Edolas of all magic by throwing Anima in reverse, then take the fall for it and die at the hands of Panther Lily, who he revealed to be alive and well. He also noted that Mystogan was the Prince of Edolas to everyone. As Natsu came up with the idea to become the villains themselves, due to us all having internal Magic, and would likely be taken back to our world by Anima as well, my trenchcoat floated down from the sky, and I grabbed it.
"Heh, sorry Mar, I kinda dropped it when we were stopping that lacrima." Gajeel told me.
I laughed in responce, then threw my coat back on. "I don't think I'll be able to participate here guys."
"Why not?" Natsu asked.
"I sparked the civil unrest, people will recognise me as a hero, and I don't want to take any hope away from them by becoming a villain."
"Hmm, then we'll tie you up with Faust!"
"Hey, good idea!" I said back.
Our plan went off, more or less without a hitch. We might have done a bit more property damage then what was needed, though. Natsu disguised himself as a demon lord, and claimed he was the one responsible for Edolas' vanishing magic. Wendy and Gajeel tore up the streets...and the buildings...and pretty much anything else they could to get the point across. I stayed next to Faust, tied carefully. They didn't exactly want to constrict my wings. Eventually, Mystogan showed up, and Natsu got into a fist fight with him. No Magic, no fire, no weapons, just a demon and a future king slugging it out. Natsu told me that he rattled off the Fairy Tail Farewell ceromony, then took a dive when Mystogan hit him one final time.
Shortly after, the Anima began sucking us through the breach, and I couldn't help thinking of Lisanna. I hoped she turned up somewhere close, it was going to be a hell of a surprise for my wife and brother, that was for damn sure.
We woke up just outside of Magnowlia, on a green hill overlooking the city. I stood up in amazement, then slunk back to a sitting position, and said to my friends, most of them still regaining conciousness, "We did it! We actually did it! Look! The towns back!"
"Hey, what about us?" a voice came from behind me. I turned to see a rather shocking sight, hundreds, if not thousands of winged cats, just like Happy or Carla. Their queen explained that she saw the destruction of Extalia years ago, and as a result, sent over 100 eggs to our side to prevent the extinction of her Exceed race. The idea of a "Dragon Slayer Extermination" was just a cover up so no one would know her nations ultimate fate. She also swore now that they were out of mortal danger, that she would find each and every one of them.
The Exceed left with a final apology, and a hand to paw shake between me and the queen. I admired her specifically. She had such an enormous burden, and she carried it admirably on her single wing.
I turned to Carla and noticed her and the queen looked oddly similar, but I dismissed the thought. I smiled as the Exceed set out, and waved goodbye to them with my friends.
As we turned to back to town, a familiar voice spoke up, "Well, that was a sappy moment."
I looked toward the source, and sure enough, Panther Lily was standing there! He was about the size of Happy, and just as adorable, but he was there alright.
"Lily! You made it too!"
"Of course! I wish to join the guild that my prince was a part of as well, if possible, as your partner, Mar."
"Sorry Lily, I already have all the partners I'll ever need, although I bet Gajeel could use one, you two are alot alike actually."
"How so?" Lily said as I observed Gajeel's reaction. He was dumbstruck, but happy. Clearly, he'd been wanting his own "Cat".
"You're both the odd one out really, the outcasts. Former evils turned good even. Gajeel was once part of a guild that tried to destroy ours, but saw the light when Master talked to him. He's been a productive member and a damn fine friend since!"
"Hmm, indeed, he does sound alot like me, and I can see us getting along. Are you sure Mar?"
"Positive. I have a knack for this sort of thing."
"Very well then, I accept!"
Gajeel ran for Lily and hugged the guy. Clearly, I struck a nail on the head.
"Anyway, Lily, I can see you're holding a rope and I can tell there's someone in that bush, who's there?"
"A suspicious looking person I caught, come out!"
Lily yanked on the rope, bringing out none other then Lisanna, the same one I had seen in Edolas. That pretty much put my assumptions spot on, but I decided to keep quiet for now.
Lisanna immediatly ran for Natsu and hugged him, with Happy joining in. She greeted both Grey and Erza, and recognised Wendy and Lucy as Earthland couterparts of the people she knew.
When she recognised Grey and Erza, Grey started stammering, "D-D-Don't tell me that you're OUR Lisanna?"
"I am." She replied. As Natsu went to hug her again, Erza stopped him.
"Lisanna died two years ago." she stated.
I walked over to Lisanna, and said, "Sis, I think we have some explaining to do."
Erza's face sank into one of shock, "Mar...can you sense Magic in her?"
"That would be telling." I said with a wink.
Lisanna and I explained the whole story, how she was nearly dead, but was instead sucked through Anima around the same time Edo Lisanna fell from a high place, ending her life. Edo Mirajane and Elfman were so happy to see their sister again that she couldn't tell them otherwise, and she decided to live with them. She continued with how our arrival gave her an impossible decision, but one that was made thanks to a "Mysterious Winged Man". And yes, as she said that, she gave me an odd look.
It was then I remembered about my wings being fused to me, so I tried moving my wings. They were still there alright, and they weren't leaving any time soon.
Lisanna explained she didn't tell Natsu everything while they were there because she didn't want to hurt her siblings. As she began glowing while Anima was taking her once more, she tried explaining, but her Edolas siblings revealed that they already knew. They told her she was very much like their Lisanna, and because of that, she shouldn't let her real siblings cry anymore.
Erza asked me one final time when Lisanna concluded, halfheartedly, with tears of joy in her eyes, she asked "Mar, are you sure it's her? This is alot to take in."
I smiled and replied, "Positive. Now come on, we're headed to a special place."
I lead everyone to the Chaldea Cathedral, where my wife and brother were about to leave.
"Where were you!" Mira said, with a rare note of anger in her voice. She didn't remember anything, that's for sure.
"It's a long story Mira, but the bottom line is, we averted another crisis. We also found someone I'd like both of you to meet. That's your cue!"
As I said my last statement, Lisanna ran forward and hugged both her sister and her brother, tearing up as she did.
Absolutely dumbstruck, Mirajane asked slowly, "L-Lisanna! How?"
"I found her in the other world. Like I said, it's a long story. Just enjoy knowing that that woman in your arms right now is your sister."
Elfman even burst into tears here, just as overwhelmed as the rest of us.
I stayed away from the family hug until Mira invited me over, it was a very emotional reunion for them, but I had never met Lisanna before Edolas. I thought I might cheapen the experience for them.
As we embraced, I Mira and Elfman told their sister, "Don't ever leave us again."
Lisanna then turned her head to me and said, "Thank you Mar. Thank you for helping me make the right choice."
I couldn't smile any further then I already was, or I would have. I let my siblings cry themselves silly, then we all got up and went home when it started to rain.
On the way back and once we were home, we caught Lisanna up on the events that had happened since her departure.
The whole time she asked a question only once, and it was almost immediatly upon our leaving the cathedral. "Mira, did you really get married?"
She blushed at the question, and slowly answered, "Y-Yeah. Yeah I did."
"Can I ask to who?" she said. I knew she was just messing with Mira now.
"H-How did you find this out anyway?"
"You're wearing a ring." Lisanna said with a goofy smile.
Mira paused for a moment, then turned to me and kissed me on the cheek. "This guy right here. Your new brother's name is Mar."
"Ha! So he did tell the truth!"
"I don't like lying Lisanna." I said rather straightforwardly.
We arrived at home at god knows what hour. Elfman and Mira went to go get changed for bed, leaving me with Lisanna. We sat down on the couch and I started talking.
"You know, they offered me your room so i could stay here."
"But, arn't you married to Mira? Wouldn't you guys sleep together?"
"At the time we weren't even romanticly involved. This was mainly out of respect after that mission gone south we told you about, the one where I had to literally explode a minataur for Elfman?"
"Oh right!"
"Anyway, they offered me a place here when they heard I was staying with Natsu in that bloody unheated treehouse of his."
"Ha!"
"I refused your room, instead I slept on this very couch. I knew you meant the world to them, and I wasn't going to desecrate your memory. That room hasn't even been entered for any other purpose then cleaning in two years."
"Wait, I remember Mira saying you two got involved the night you moved in, what happened? I want details!"
"Haha, fine then. Yes, Mira and I got involved that night, it was essentially the boiling point for emotions we had felt since that minataur mission. We shared a pretty emotional moment after all was said and done, and I became very close to the family. But, the night me and Mira got together, I remember it well."
"So do I." Mira said from across the room. "Mind if I join in?" she said, sitting on the opposite side of Lisanna that I was on.
"By all means! You can probably tell the story better then I can."
Mira started, "Mar slept in nothing but pajama bottoms that night, his chest was visible for everyone to see. He has so many scars, it's amazing! Something about the way he acts, it reminded me of you little sis. He even turned down a free room to sleep out here out of respect for us. I began crying, and it woke Mar. He sat up and told me to sit next to him, and he consoled me on my loss. He admitted his feelings for me first, and I kissed him. I remember him being shocked enough to hold me at arms length by the shoulders until I confessed my feelings as well. The rest...well-"
I interrupted with a loud cough, then stated, "Mind your audience, please."
"You two became intimate that night, didn't you?" Lisanna asked.
Mira nearly passed out and I turned as red as an apple. "Y-Yeah." I stuttered out.
"Mar!" my wife yelled.
"Sorry!"
Lisanna just started laughing.
We told her everything. trips we had taken, things we had done, releasing Mira's Magic, and even making her immortal. Finally, we told her about the aftermath following the Tower of Heaven. How I proposed to her, right on the beach, and how my friends were right there to support me. We told her of the ceromony and how I literally flew my new wife home.
That reminded me of something rather important. I stood up and said, "Mira, I was inujured in that last adventure. Help me with my coat please."
Both Mira and Lisanna got up and helped me get my coat off, revealing my wings, attached to my back directly.
"What happened!" Mira asked.
"I think going through to the other world might have fused the wings to my back. Regardless, I think I'm stuck with them. Not that I'm complaining really, I love these things."
"I do too, Mar. They suit you."
"They really do!" Lisanna said.
"Ha, that's good to hear." I said as I sat back down with my family. "Hey Elfman! You still awake? Get out here!"
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming."
He sat down with us, and then Lisanna and I stood up. "Lisanna? You can start. I think our family deserves to be the first two to hear the story of Edolas!"
"You got it brother!" she said enthusiasticly.
We talked through the very night itself, by the time we were done, it was morning.
We all looked out the window to the rising sun, a new day was dawning. A new day was dawning for everyone in the town of Magnowlia.