Chapter XXXVII
The moon was high in the night sky as Thoma looked down on Magnolia and saw Fairy Tail then said,
"I'm home."
Thoma then headed down towards Fairy Tail. Once he got there he found it locked up for the night. Thoma flew over the gates and managed to unlock the door and he just waited for the next day. The next day Makarov was the first one to arrive to the guild and saw Thoma just sitting on the stage.
"Where did you go? Everyone was worried about you. Don't you know how long you've been missing?" Makarov asked.
"No, but I can only imagine. I found out the truth about me. I'm a clone of the real one. You know about this, I've seen it in a memory." Thoma said.
"I see. Yes, Tadanori came to me and told me the whole story about you. Even though your a clone of the real Thoma, but Tadanori says and believes that you are your own person. I agreed with him and to his proposition of having you become a member of my family. So I took you in and gave you a new life. Even though your a clone, you are your own person." Makarov said.
"I want to thank you Makarov for giving me a new life and giving me a sister that I love. But I have to leave Fairy Tail." Thoma said.
"Why?" Makarov asked.
"Because two reasons. First reason is that I need to get stronger and I won't get stronger if I stay here. Second reason, I don't think Akuma is died and he would most likely leave Fairy Tail alone if I weren't around." Thoma said.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I won't stop you." Makarov said.
"I'm sure and I have to do this on my own, so don't come after me. I will come back once I get strong enough, but for now I will leave." Thoma said getting up then removed his guild mark and started walking towards the door.
"I wish you luck and hope you return to us. We'll always be your family." Makarov said.
"Thank you Makarov. Tell everyone about me and how I'm leaving. I entrust Mugino to Lucina's care, but look after both of them for me. Tell Sis that I love her and see her as my beloved sister even though I'm not really her brother." Thoma said was he walked up to Makarov.
"I will look after Lucina and Mugino for you." Makarov said.
Thoma walked past Makarov then said,
"I have some bad news. The Yui and Asuna that were at the Harvest Festival were fakes. The real Yui and Asuna were in a place called The Lab. I don't know where Asuna is, but Yui is dead."
Thoma then walked out the guild as Makarov said,
"I see, how unfortunate. We'll pay our respects to Yui. Farewell Thoma, I hope your journey leads you back home."
As Thoma approached the front door of the guild, Mirajane walked into the guild.
"Thoma!" Mirajane gasped.
"Good bye Mira." Thoma said then walked out of the guild.
Mirajane gave Thoma a confused look then looked back at Makarov and asked,
"What was that about Master?"
"Thoma is leaving the guild." Makarov answered.
"WHAT!?" Mirajane exclaimed in shock. "Why would Thoma leave Fairy Tail. He loves the guild, right?" Mirajane continued.
"I'll explain it when everyone arrives, but Natsu, Grey, Lucy, Erza, and Happy will be told once they come back from their mission against the Oracion Seis." Makarov said.
Mirajane just looked at the door then said,
"I hope everything is ok and that he comes back."
A few hours later when the majority of Fairy Tail's members were in the guild. Makarov stood on the bar and shouted,
"I have some unfortunate news. Asuna is missing and Yui has passed away."
Everyone begun to talk among themselves.
"How terrible." A guild member said.
"I got along with Yui, I'll miss her." A female guild member said.
"That is not all. Thoma has decided to leave the guild for the time being." Makarov said.
"WHAT!?" The whole guild exclaimed in complete shock.
Lucina and Mugino had the most worried looks out of the whole guild.
"Why would he leave the guild?" Macao asked.
"He is going on a personal journey." Makarov said.
"But why?" Elfman asked.
"Thoma gave me his permission to tell you all this, but the Thoma you all know is really a clone of the real one." Makarov said.
"WHAAAAAAAAAT!?" The guild exclaimed.
"How can that be!?" Gajeel asked.
"Then where is the real one?" Levi asked.
"The real Thoma is actually a member of the dark guild Tartaros. The real one made the one we know for some reason. Our Thoma is going on a journey to get stronger and he believes that if he leaves the guild the real Thoma would leave Fairy Tail alone." Makarov said.
"But if that's true then we could help him. He doesn't have to do this on his own." Mirajane said.
"It is his decision to make and he doesn't want anyone to go after him. He promised that he will return when he is done, but for now Thoma is no longer a member of Fairy Tail." Makarov said closing his eyes.
The guild talked among themselves again then Makarov spoke up,
"Even though he is a clone of the real one, I still think of Thoma as a beloved member of my family. Just because he is a clone, doesn't mean he isn't his own person with his own feelings and dreams. When he comes home, I will welcome him with open arms. I can't force you to feel the same, but just remember that he is person just like you."
The members of Fairy Tail looked at each other and nodded.
"I hope he comes home soon." Mirajane said.
"Yeah, besides Thoma owes me a drink." Cana said.
The guild all agreed then continued with the day and prepared for Yui's funeral. Lucina and Mugino were sitting off to the side and Mugino looked at Lucina then sadly said,
"Why didn't Daddy take us with him. I thought he would always be with me."
"Don't worry Mugino. I know where Thoma is going and we're going to go after him." Lucina said.
Mugino looked so happy and was about to cheer when Lucina held her finger up to her mouth and said,
"Don't tell anyone, but we'll leave tonight."
Mugino nodded. Later that night Lucina and Mugino left Magnolia and headed after Thoma.
After a few days Thoma had his way to the north port town of Azalea and met up with Red. Red, still has his hood up, was on the harbor with a woman. The woman was wearing a beige qipao with a black flower pattern, she has short black hair that is in a tiny ponytail and she had purple eyes. Red and the woman turned to see Thoma walking up to them.
"Glad to see you came Thoma." Red said.
"I want to get stronger to protect my friends. If what you say is true then I'll do this." Thoma said with determination in his eyes.
"I like that look in your eyes. It reminds me of a certain man that captured my heart." The woman said looking at Red.
"Who are you if I may ask?" Thoma asked.
"Thoma, allow me to introduce Halies." Red said showing Halies to Thoma.
"Nice to meet you." Thoma bowed to Halies.
"Nice to meet you too, but no need to bow. Red came to me to help you get to Alakitasia. I managed to get a boat for you." Halies said.
"Do I have to take a boat. Can't I just fly there?" Thoma asked with a wishful tone in his voice.
"Nope. This is part of your training. I know of your sea sickness and this will help with that." Red said looking at the boat.
"What do you mean?" Thoma asked.
"This boat has be enchanted to help increase you resistance to seasickness, but since it is still a boat I'll be driving it." Red answered turning back to Thoma.
"But once I get there, what am I suppose do and where am I going to live?" Thoma asked.
"I've already taken care of that. Luckily for you my daughter lives in Alakitasia and if you give her this letter, she'll let you stay with her." Halies said handing Thoma a letter.
"Where is your daughter and what is her name?" Thoma asked.
"My daughter's name is Nowi and she owns a tavern called The Drunken Demon." Halies said.
"Alright if your ready then we'll get sail for Alakitasia now." Red said.
Thoma nodded and got on the boat. Normally Thoma's seasickness would kick in, but he didn't feel as sick as he would normally.
"I don't feel as sick as I normally do. This is amazing." Thoma said.
"I told you that this boat has been enchanted to help you build your resistance to seasickness. You'll feel your seasickness soon, so don't get too happy." Red said up to Thoma then turned to Halies.
"Come back to me safely Red." Halies said.
"Don't worry, I'll be back. I'll stop to see Nowi. Is there anything you want me to tell her?" Red asked.
"I think you know what you should tell her." Halies said then gave Red a good bye kiss on the lips.
"I'll be home soon." Red said then got on the boat.
Once Red got on the boat, he saw that Thoma was on the floor slowly making his way to the railing. Red just sighed saying,
"Already? You have a long way to go."
"Sh...ut... up..." Thoma said weakly as he pulled himself up to the rail.
Red sighed once again then he and Thoma set sail towards Alakitasia. For the next twelve days Thoma and Red spent on the boat sailing. Due to a heavy storm on the sea, caused Thoma and Red to spend two more days on the sea.
"I... hat...e... the... se...a..." Thoma said as he threw up into the sea.
"I understand how you. I hated the sea once. I still don't like it, but I can sail." Red said.
Thoma weakly looked over and saw that Red was looking pale. Thoma tried to say something, but he threw up into the sea some more. After twelve days of sailing, Thoma and Red reached the port city of Verton. Red carried Thoma off the boat then threw him on the ground and waited for him to get over his seasickness. People walking by gave Red and Thoma weird looks. After a few minutes Thoma recovered from his seasickness and got on his feet.
"Alright now that we arrived in Alakitasia, where is Nowi?" Thoma asked.
"Nowi lives in a city called Zleim, which is to the northeast of here. It is a three day travel, but first we get some food." Red said.
"Food sounds so good right now." Thoma said.
Red led Thoma to a nice restaurant and they ate good food then set out to Zleim. On the road Thoma asked,
"So why help me?"
"Because I saw a lot of himself in you. I always believe in helping those who need." Red said.
"That is very nice of you and what is the deal with the hood and bandages around your arm?" Thoma asked.
"People find my face a little unnerving, so I wear this hood. As for the bandages, my right arm has a curse and these bandages keep that curse in check." Red explained.
"That must be trouble." Thoma pointed out.
"I'm use to it." Red said.
"How do you know Halies?" Thoma asked.
"I met Halies a long time ago. She was injured when I first met her and I treated her wounds then we got to know each other." Red explained.
"She seems like a nice person." Thoma said.
"She wasn't when we first met, but she became a good person after we spent time together." Red said.
"So you managed to turn her from a evil person to a good person. That is amazing." Thoma said.
"I can see why you would think that." Red said.
Thoma and Red had more small talk as they made their way to Zleim.
In a lab that has multiple tubes full of blue liquid. There are several people standing around a tube with a small sphere that is growing bigger. Then the sphere took shape and it was Akuma. Then the tube broke and Akuma stood before the others. A figure stepped forward and handed Akuma a new set of clothes. Akuma took the clothes and he wasn't happy at all. Once Akuma put on the clothes he heard the doors open and someone laughing.
"I see you died Akuma. I thought you said that you wouldn't need to be revived after your first death."A man with blond hair and animals ears said while laughing heavily.
Akuma glared at the man and said,
"That fool Wystan tried to kill us both, by opening a hole to the core of the planet. I would like to see you survive that Jackal. But I didn't come out losing, take a look.."
Akuma's form changed, but this form was different then his form. This form looked more human like, as this form looked like a knight and the armor is black and grey in color, made out of hematite. Akuma's left arm change into a dragon like claw and that had a reddish brown color made of sandstone. Akuma's leg turned from blades to dragon like claws that were same color of the rest of the armor. Finally Akuma gained a helmet that a single horn in the center of his forehead and his bright red eyes shined from under the helmet.
Jackal and the other figures looked shocked.
"I managed to absorb Wystan just before dying. I was surprised too." Akuma said showing off his new form then turned back into his normal form.
"Mard Geer is little surprised as well, but you just love having your secrets. For instance you have multiple secret labs for a variety of experiments. Normally Mard Geer wouldn't mind, but Mard Geer has heard that you've were creating something called a Lacrima Core." A man with long black hair said walking in.
"Mard Geer! How did you hear about that?!" Akuma asked with shock and worry in his voice.
"Mard Geer has his ways, but what Mard Geer is unhappy about is that you planed on only giving yourself this Lacrima Core which would give yourself a tremendous gain in power." Mard Geer said.
Akuma didn't say anything.
"Your silence tells Mard Geer that what Mard Geer said to be true. So Mard Geer believes that punishment is needed." Mard Geer.
Mard Geer then shot several vines at Akuma and his punishment begun.
Back in Fiore, Lucina and Mugino were getting on a boat in the town of Hargeon when Mugino asked,
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to a different continent called, Alakitasia." Lucina answered.
"And is daddy going to be there?" Mugino asked.
"I'm sure he has gone there." Lucina said.
"How do you know? Master Makarov didn't say where daddy was going. So how do you know?" Mugino asked.
"I just know he's there. We'll see Thoma again." Lucina said.
Shortly after their boat set sail to Alakitasia.
A new journey for Thoma, Lucina, and Mugino has begun.