Dear FF.N Staff: Warn me next time you want to put my login page under complete HTML code bullshit. That way, I can let my readers know that the reason I couldn't upload a chapter was because you people screwed up. Please get over your mistakes, I have a schedule to keep up with.
Sincerely, Me.
Chapter 11 - Blood is Relative
The presence felt from the hall was familiar to Wendy, as bizarre as it was. A vague feeling of both strength and emotion crossed through, sending a strangely warm shiver through her shoulder blades. She knew she had felt that same sensation before… But where?
"Wendy?" Natsu asked, bringing the younger Dragonslayer back to her senses. Onyx eyes met brown eyes, one pair concerned while the other was startled. "You alright? You spaced out for a moment."
"That's not like you," Charle commented. Wendy was about to answer, until the sound of the infirmary door opening cut her off.
The current wizards in the room eyed the intruders in surprise. One was Makarov, while the other was an unfamiliar young woman with an almost metallic hair color. The odd presence immediately felt stronger to Wendy, sending her on high alert. The aura was clearly being emitted from the woman the guild master had brought in.
"Pardon the intrusion," she said in a bored tone. The woman bowed her head towards Porlyusica. "You are the medicinal mage of Fairy Tail? A pleasure." Porlyusica raised a brow.
"I would not say I take the job happily, but yes. I am the one Makarov calls on when one of his children decides to get themselves into trouble." Makarov chuckled nervously.
"Hey Gramps, who's the lady?" Natsu asked. "I don't recognize her."
"I wouldn't expect you to, Natsu, as you've never met," Makarov replied with a shrug.
"I go by the name Madilia," the woman introduced herself with a tip of her head. "I am a psychic and ex-physician of Discord Palette."
"… Ehhh!?" Wendy exclaimed, jumping out of her chair. Porlyusica reeled back a bit, having been sitting next to her. The Sky Maiden didn't notice. She was busy trying to make eye contact with the silver-haired woman. "Y-You're Madilia-san!?" Madilia nodded.
"I am. It is nice to finally meet you in person, small child; or shall I call you by your name, Wendy Marvell?" She looked to each other person in the room, greeting them as she went along. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Porlyusica… Charle… Natsu Dragneel… And you two as well, Lucy Heartfilia and Levy McGarden." Madilia turned her head towards the doorway, where the two girls had been spying on the interior from the side. They jumped when they were addressed by their names, embarrassed that they had been caught spying. Madilia gave them the barest of grins. "You girls would need decades of stealth training before you can escape my notice."
"S-Sorry, Madilia-san…" they chimed apologetically.
"You need not say." Madilia walked past the other beds, stepping up to Erza's side. "I shall begin my process now, Makarov Dreyar."
"As you wish," the guild master answered. Madilia didn't reply. She merely concentrated on Erza and placed the index and middle fingers of her left hand on the Requip mage's forehead. She pressed her lips into a thin line, trying to find traces of energy within the unconscious mage. With a small breath of relief, she announced,
"Her magic is untouched, Makarov Dreyar. She will be fine after I have awakened her." Makarov felt some of the weight on his chest become lightweight. It was a huge consolation to hear that his child had not been stripped of her livelihood.
"That is very good news," he sighed.
"I would think so; and because I do not wish to delay her recovery any longer, I shall begin healing her." With that, the psychic began chanting.
"Great powers, Spirits of the Upper Realms… It is my will on this day to overcome the shadows within this woman's mind and bring about relief. I invite You into the Circle of Avalon and protect her in this rite."
Madilia's hand glowed brightly and earnestly, making the rest of the room seem dark by comparison.
"Behind her the Darkness, to the front I pull the Light as the wheel turns… With the energy of Birth, Death, and Regeneration, I draw forth an end to the beginning. Cast out the Darkness of her mind, and let the Light flood from Your gracious will."
The light seemed to stem from her fingertips, sinking into Erza's forehead like a pebble in quicksand. The light began to dissipate.
"Gods and Goddesses, hear my plea… Make haste, and let the guilt and pain that burn so much disappear into the Hades. Set free the pureness and love you know is there."
The infirmary's lightning went back to normal. Madilia removed her fingers from Erza's forehead, her expression remaining unchanged and bland as if nothing had happened. While she took a step back, everyone else took the opportunity to gather around her even closer.
Sure enough, within seconds of the spell being completed, Erza's single visible eyelid began to twitch. She seemed to be adjusting to the lightning as she woke. When her brown orb did manage to pop open, there was an instant reaction from almost everyone.
Lucy and Levy began hugging each other and crying out of happiness. Natsu grinned and jokingly welcomed her back to the world of the living – Only to receive a slap on the head from his blonde teammate. Wendy leaned down and gave her a weak hug. Makarov gazed up at Madilia from the edge of Erza's bed.
"I cannot thank you enough, Madilia-san." The softness in his voice was enough to bring a light chuckle out of the green-eyed psychic.
"You have already thanked me enough, Makarov Dreyar," she assured him gently. "Do remember to keep your promise from before."
"I will most certainly not forget." He looked to Erza, who was attempting to sit up.
"Master… Everyone…" she murmured in recognition. "What's…? What is all this…?"
"Do not strain yourself to be up, child," Porlyusica chided her. "You were unconscious for quite some time, and have only awoken now. You are still at risk. It would be wise to take it easy."
"Porlyusica-san… And…" Erza finally spotted one person she did not recognize. Her expression flattened in confusion. "Who are you?"
"Madilia Cienny, young woman," said psychic replied nonchalantly. Makarov hopped off the end of the bed, and closer to his injured child.
"Madilia-san is a psychic, and the reason you are awake right now," he explained. "Tell me, how are you feeling?" Erza brought her hand to her face, covering the patch over her right eye socket.
"I feel… fatigued. Like something was attacking my memories… I don't remember much from when I was asleep, but…" She glanced at Madilia again. "If a psychic is my healer, then I can only assume that I was under a powerful spell."
"Your more grievous memories and past guilt were pulled to the forefront of your mind, and you were forced to bear them once again. It is a magic I am unfortunately familiar with," Madilia explained. "I am truly sorry for what you have gone through in your life, and at such a young age. Even losing your eye twice." This seemed to grab Erza's attention quite a bit.
"Pray tell…" she began, voice turning to ice. "How would you know anything of my past?" She seemed to not be concerned with the fact that the woman clearly mentioned that her eye was gone again.
"Again, I must apologize…" Madilia bit her lip, wondering how she could explain. "My initial reaction to meeting new people is to scope out their mind. I read their memories and feelings. I have done so with every person I meet. It has become… a defense mechanism, of sorts."
"I see…"
"Erza, I beg of you not to bear any ill will towards Madilia-san," Makarov said. "Not only is she your savior, but I have seen what her own memories are like and I feel I must say that they are not much better than yours or mine." Erza was quiet at this, contemplating the master's words.
"I can respect that it is a defense mechanism," she murmured after a minute of thought. "If what the master says is true, then I must express regret over judging you right off the bat. You may hit me, if it will make you feel better."
Everyone in the room sweated. Madilia remained passive.
"I wish for your health, Erza Scarlett. Hitting you would be in neither your best interest, nor in mine," she explained. "I merely want you to recover."
"I can understand that. I shall take it easy for now." The Requip mage chuckled darkly. The laugh held no amusement. "I am such a fool… To fall into such a trap, and then being beaten so effortlessly… It's obvious that more training is required of me."
"I can help with that!" Natsu chirped cheerily. Makarov whacked him over the head with his staff. Natsu cringed. "Oww! What is with everyone and hitting me!?" His question was ignored.
"Erza, this was in no way your fault," Makarov told her sternly. "And when you are feeling better – By my standards and Porlyusica's – I will explain everything. For now, get some rest." Makarov jumped off the bed and headed for the door. "Come, everyone. Let us leave Erza in peace. She will recover much quicker if she is not being hounded by all these people at once."
They were hesitant to follow the Wizard Saint at first, as they all wanted to speak with their guild mate and help her. However, common sense won the internal battle in all of them. Erza would only recover if she was not put under anymore stress, and it was likely that was all they would cause.
Wendy followed closest to Makarov, Charle in her arms. Lucy and Levy were next, and trailing behind them was Madilia. Before she left, though, the psychic turned to Natsu and stared at him. The fire-eater mimicked her, furrowing his brows in perplexity.
"What are you staring at?" he inquired rudely. "If you're wondering about the blue stuff on my face, believe me – I know how stupid it looks."
"… … … I have met you somewhere before, Natsu Dragneel," Madilia stated out of the blue.
Outside in the hall, Lucy and Levy were pressed up against the wall in anxious anticipation. They heard Natsu snort.
"If we had, I doubt you'd forget me." Lucy smacked her forehead. He is so damn cocky sometimes!
"You certainly are a cheeky one, Natsu Dragneel," Madilia said flatly.
"Hmph." Natsu tilted his head to one side. "How would you know me anyway, lady? Gramps was right – I've never seen you in my life."
"Hmm…" For the first time since she arrived, Madilia blinked. "I do wonder about that." That was the last thing she said before leaving the room behind. The infirmary door closed behind her of its own accord. The silence that followed was broken by Erza.
"I am curious, Natsu…" she started, attempting not to grin in amusement. "What is that stuff on your face?"
"Disgusting, that's what."
"And why is it on your face?"
"Idontwannatalkaboutit."
Like he really wanted Erza to find out that he, the great Fire Dragonslayer Natsu Dragneel, had been subdued by a flower.
"I will be staying nearby, Makarov Dreyar," Madilia said to the guild master. They were still in the hallway outside the infirmary. "I feel it is best for me to stay close in case something similar happens."
"That is a wise move," Makarov agreed. "In case you need to speak with me, will you be contacting me in the same way you did Wendy?"
"I cannot, as I may only transfer my voice to the minds of those with pure and innocent souls. I did wonder why I was unable to make mental contact with you last night… However, meeting you in person has made me keenly aware of why." Madilia's expression hardened. "I hope you will have gotten rid of those Bodacious Beauties magazines by the time my child arrives here in the future." Makarov's face reddened in embarrassment. Charle made a face in disgust. Wendy wasn't sure what was going on. Lucy and Levy glared at the old man hotly.
"Maaaasteeeeer…"
"Eheheheh!" Makarov laughed nervously, scratching behind his head. "Oh, my! Look at the time! I must be off to clean my office!" The Wizard Saint sped off after that, leaving a trail of dust behind.
"I don't believe him…" Lucy muttered angrily. "That pervy old man…"
"Makarov Dreyar has many good qualities, but I am afraid that that is not one of them," Madilia commented flatly. She gazed down at Wendy. "If I need to contact your guild master in the future, I will be calling upon you, Wendy Marvell." The Sky Dragonslayer nodded.
"O-Of course, Madilia-san! But… You can just call me Wendy if you want to…"
"I am uncomfortable with such informality."
"O-Oh…" Wendy smiled sheepishly. "Alright."
"What are you getting so nervous over?" Charle asked.
"S-Sorry…!"
"Stop apologizing for nothing."
"So- I mean… okay." Madilia watched the exchange with just a trace of amusement in her eyes.
"You are a good child, Wendy Marvell," she began. "However, if you would be so kind as to leave? I believe these two," She gestured to Lucy and Levy. "Have been meaning to ask me questions for some time now." Wendy looked to the older girls in surprise.
"Is that true?" she asked. Levy played with her fingers absent-mindedly.
"Err…"
"Maybe…?" Lucy replied slowly.
"Oh… Okay! I'll see you guys later, then!" Wendy waved to them as she ran off with Charle in her arms.
"Such a sweet child…" Madilia hummed.
"Umm, excuse me? Madilia-san?" Levy piped up. "How did you know we wanted to talk with you?"
"Just from the way you act, stand, and behave," the psychic answered. "You weren't being very subtle." The bluenette's face turned pink. "That aside, though… You, Levy McGarden, wish to inquire if that boy is one of the ones I have seen in the past because you believe I was involved in the kidnapping of young children." Lucy looked to her best friend in surprise.
"You do, Levy-chan?" Levy's face only got brighter. Madilia ignored it.
"Sadly, I was not as involved as you think I am," she said. "I had nothing to do with the physical action of stealing children from their parents. I was merely the one who gave them their so-called checkups when they arrived at Discord Palette's infirmary."
"Does that mean you were the one who erased their memories, too!?" Lucy gasped excitedly. Madilia almost took a step back from the outburst and the amount of things she felt going through the Celestial Spirit mage's mind. A mentally busy girl, Lucy Heartfilia was.
"How would you know about that process?" the psychic asked. A brief one-over of the blonde's memories gave her an answer. She frowned. "Oh, I see… You two and a young man named Gajeel Redfox went to visit Sol Apyscos in Era. That explains much."
"If you can figure that out, then I guess you already know why we went to see him," Lucy hypothesized. She wasn't sure how she felt about a woman she didn't know just freely peering into her mind like that.
"I apologize for invading your personal thoughts and memories, Lucy Heartfilia." Madilia bowed her head. "Like I mentioned before… I am not used to doing otherwise. However, you are right, and I do know the reason why you visited that psychotic madman not too long ago."
"Wait, does that mean you can tell us if… You know…" Levy lowered her voice so a certain rosette's sharp ears wouldn't be able to pick it up. "If Natsu is really Irien…?"
"I could, but at the same time, I cannot." Disappointment instantly hung in the air. "I realize you two are not satisfied with that answer, but there is only so much information I can give out until I start to mess with future events. It is best you find out for yourselves. I'm sure when this is all over, you will both be satisfied with the result." Helpful… Lucy muttered inwardly.
"Err… Thank you anyway, Madilia-san," Levy said. Madilia shrugged, and walked past them.
"I shall take my leave now. Before I go though, I suppose I could mention one piece of information to you."
"And what would that be?" Lucy asked skeptically.
"The blood type of Natsu Dragneel. I believe it to be AB negative. That is quite rare, I must say…" Madilia glanced over her shoulder, at the other female mages. "That was your question, correct, Lucy Heartfilia?" Lucy visibly froze where she stood. Levy's eyes widened.
"His blood type... A-Are you sure, Madilia-san…?"
"It is true that I am a psychic, but I am also a type of healer; not only did I catch it among the things I saw in Porlyusica's mind, but I was also the physician for Discord Palette at one point," the psychic woman explained. "They required a full report on every child brought to them. Thus, it isn't hard for me to figure these things out now." She said no more, as she reached the end of the hallway. While the girls were confused as to why she stepped into a dead end, their wonders were clarified when Madilia stepped through the wall in a way similar to how she'd entered the guild in the first place. Even though she'd seen that particular method of entrance and exit before, Levy was still shocked.
"I don't think I'll get used to that quickly…" she murmured. "What about you, Lu-chan?" Levy looked to her friend, only to see a ghost-like air about her. She frowned. "Lu-chan…? What's wrong?"
"His blood type …" Lucy repeated worriedly. "Levy-chan… It matches." Levy then understood the reason for the frightened expression on the blonde's face.
"You don't mean…?"
"Natsu and Irien… They're both AB negative."
I lied you guys, the HTML code bullshit didn't appear until today. (And I'm currently working off Internet Explorer, UGH.) A couple friends and I decided to make fun of the translated dialogue in InuYasha: Secret of the Cursed Mask for the entirety of yesterday. Was fun.
On that note, school starts exactly a week from now. I'm not going to be finished with this fanfic by then. Fuck.