Start of Arc 4: "Royal Sorciere"
The sun gleamed in through the window, blinding Sonya for a brief moment before she shut the blinds to cut her view from the cloudless sky. The windows were open, allowing the gentle sea breeze to enter the carriage. Her body swayed with the motion of the carriage, and her head rocked from side to side. Her gaze naturally fell upon Jellal, who sat, hand over hand, eyes shut, focusing. Meldy was next to him, gazing with her hands on her lap out the window.
Next to Sonya sat a sleeping Macbeth, though it also looked as if he were meditating. Sonya felt as if she were missing out. She'd been awake for much of the ride. Her anxiety kept her awake: she was anxious for Alli, who was back in Fairy Tail being tended to best as possible by their witch-doctor, Porlyusica, but also anxious to be in the crowd of some of Fiore's once-most-reputable criminals. Macbeth headed the Oracion Seis, Meldy was part of the Dark Wizard Guild Grimoire Heart, and Jellal was the mastermind of the lethal Tower of Heaven.
Yet now they all fought alongside Fairy Tail. Sonya couldn't entirely trust this bunch, no matter how much Jellal professed himself to Erza, or Meldy said she had to make up for the sins that she and some woman named Ultear committed in the past.
Then again…
Sonya looked to her hands. How much blood had she shed, unknowingly, when possessed by Animus? Four hundred years of blurry memories could hide dozens of lives lost to her now-innocent mind.
In many ways, she'd come to realize, she and Jellal were similar people, but with different drives. Jellal had been consumed by this Ultear woman, who was attempting to resurrect the Black Wizard Zeref. Jellal wasn't entirely himself, but now? The man that sat before her was calculating, but not as cold as his demeanor presented. Meldy seemed quite comfortable around him all the time. If not for his proclamations that he had to save Erza and Fairy Tail, Sonya would've been easily swayed into thinking he and Meldy were romantically involved. There was a deep bond there that she clearly wasn't understanding.
Meldy looked up, locking eyes with Sonya. Sonya hadn't even realized she was staring at the pink-haired beauty. Meldy smiled. "You okay, Your Highness?"
Her voice was soft, and her expression softer. Meldy had big jade eyes and long pink hair. She seemed to hold herself well, always sitting up and never looking down and out. Sonya did the same, but, she'd been trained to do so as a queen. Meldy did so because…well, it just seemed to fit her.
"I'm fine," Sonya said, and her words stirred Jellal. His eyes slowly opened.
"You sense that, Meldy?" he asked. Sonya raised an eyebrow.
"It's what woke me up," Meldy said.
"It's not from around here," Macbeth said. He wiped a few strands of hair from his face and leaned back. All the jewelry he wore clinked together when he did. "We've found them."
"And on our first major stop, too," Meldy said. "Makes it easy, I suppose."
"Unlikely," Jellal said.
"I've never sensed magic like this before," Macbeth said. "Jellal, you?"
"Some," Jellal said. "Remember, some of these wizards are dangerous enough that they couldn't be left on Earth-land. And they were slippery enough to escape the Edolas prisons. We need to keep a sharp eye on them."
"Your Highness, it might be best for you to stay with Jellal and I," Meldy said. "For the utmost protection."
Sonya smiled, and shook her head. "Much as I appreciate the offer and the sentiment, I'll have to decline. Nobody knows who I am, and there are few mages that can even pick up that I have magic at all."
"It's true," Jellal said. "Your magic is unique amongst all of ours. You and Erik will blend well."
"Not in appearance," Macbeth said. "Erik stands out like a sore thumb. And you, my dear, have an eastern appearance to you."
"Good thing we're in a port town," Jellal said.
"I suppose," Meldy said, and raised a hand to her chin, resting it there. "Just don't want some queen dying on us today."
"Nobody's dying today," Jellal said. "We've come this far, and without us, Fairy Tail is doomed."
"You mean Erza is doomed," Meldy said, turning toward Jellal with a cheeky smile. Jellal didn't make anything of it. He was good at that. Sonya would've been blushing her face off if someone mentioned her lover. She looked out the window. How many suitors awaited her back in Stella? The strange thought nibbled at her, taking her focus away until she was drawn back in when Meldy prodded, "You know it's not just for Erza and Fairy Tail, right? Your one-track mind might take you off the main goal."
"I'm aware, Meldy," Jellal said. "But it goes beyond that. It's for…" He folded his hands again. "Never mind."
"Never mind what?" Meldy asked.
"You'll know soon enough," Jellal said. "Trust me."
"If you say so," Meldy said. "You know, we could send word to Saber Tooth. I'm sure they're just as worried about Sting and Rogue as we are about Fairy Tail."
"The last thing we need is Saber Tooth suddenly getting crippled as well," Jellal said. "Minerva's an intuitive woman, I'm sure she'll lead the guild just fine."
"There's no need to get others involved, sweet Meldy," Macbeth said.
"Perhaps," Meldy said. "But we've already drawn in Sonya. If she gets hurt—which you won't, Your Highness, but just saying—then we could have an international war on our hands."
"An international war on the Dark Guilds?" Jellal asked. "Could it be so bad?"
"War at all is something we'd like to avoid," Meldy said.
Jellal nodded, approvingly. "Indeed."
Sonya looked back out the window, peering through the blinds. Hargeon was curving into view. The town was quite large, but the port was even bigger. Dozens of ships awaited at the docks. Flags from various countries or regions flew in the sea breeze.
The carriage brought them in through the main entrance. The architecture reminded Sonya pleasantly of Magnolia. The townsfolk did as well: they were boisterous, but it was all in good fun. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Sonya opened the blinds all the way to get the best view possible of Hargeon.
They passed a massive, open park, where several trees lined the border. Couples sat along the benches, cuddled up and talking closely to one another. Within the park was a fountain, and the familiar statue of a young woman sitting and reading a book.
"Is that Lucy?" Sonya asked, popping her head out the window.
"Good eye," Jellal said.
"They have a statue of Lucy?" Sonya asked.
"She's the hero of Hargeon," Jellal said. "It was her idea and her casting of Fairy Sphere that ultimately reduced Acnologia to the proper state where Natsu could defeat him. And it was here that she first encountered Fairy Tail."
"She'll live on forever," Meldy said.
Sonya stared at the statue until it left view. It looked like a younger Lucy, wearing her hair in a single, small ponytail. She still wore a short skirt—because Lucy couldn't get enough of those apparently—but her overall outfit was different.
"Does she know?" Sonya asked.
"If she did," Jellal said, "she'd never shut up about it."
Sonya considered the idea. "Good point."
They continued on through the port town. Jellal continued to keep his head back, in the carriage proper, while Meldy and Macbeth didn't mind so much keeping their faces public. They were just passersby. But, Jellal?
Sonya felt for him. A criminal mastermind that hadn't yet faded from memory. He fought Acnologia one-on-one in the battle for Hargeon, but, he was being cautious for the years of torment he wrought upon the denizens of the Tower of Heaven, and for the tricks he played on the Magic Council, apparently splitting his body in two.
Sonya wanted to reach out and reassure him, but, was she the right person to even do so? How many times had she gone into the city where her castle was located and actually spoken with the common folk? How many of them would truly think well of her? How many of them would be willing to forgive her unknowable amount of sins?
The more Sonya thought of it, the more she felt at home with Royal Sorciere. She hardened her gaze and nodded. It started in Stella, but there was work to be done. She'd mended her relationship with herself and her magic; now, she had to save her sister. Now, she had to be the one to step up and save the day.
The carriage came to a halt at the edge of the park, near one of the gated entrances. Jellal gestured. Macbeth and Meldy got out first. Sonya stepped out before Jellal, who nearly stepped atop her. Sonya shuffled to the side. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and from that touch alone, Sonya sensed more magic power than ever before. This man was…impossible.
"Be careful," Jellal said to her. "I don't want you wandering off on your own."
"It'd be best to break off in pairs," a woman said. Sonya turned.
The woman once known as Angel, whom Sonya now knew referred to herself as her true name Sorano, approached. Her attire was less-revealing than back in Magnolia. Rather than a winged one-piece that exposed much of her chest and legs, she wore a long, light blue flowing dress, cut with a V that exposed minimal cleavage and showed off her toned muscles quite a bit. Her hair was done up, save for a few thick strands that descended down her back.
Sorano stepped next to Sonya, not bothering to take her eyes off Jellal. "Let me take Sonya with me."
"Why you?" Jellal asked.
"You and Meldy are obviously staying together, and Erik and Kinana are inseparable," Sorano said. "Her magic and mine go well together. Let Macbeth and Racer scout out the town; Racer can draw up a perimeter while Macbeth goes and meditates on this."
"Good idea," Meldy said, stepping next to Jellal. Sonya raised her eyebrow. She was in a slightly different getup, now wearing a dark blue cloak that bore the emblem of the Fiore royal family. Jellal raised his hood up, covering himself.
"Jellal?" Sorano asked.
"I agree with Meldy, and you, Sorano," Jellal said. "Meldy, is there anything else?"
She hesitated, staring right at Sonya. Sonya wanted to look away, almost ashamed to look back into her face. It was stern, but, just so adorable.
"No," Meldy said. "Sorano, take the northern part of town near the station. It's likely they may have sensed us coming, maybe through a scout or something. They may want to try and get away." She moved her arm, exposing a few wands placed just-so in her cloak. Sonya noticed, but made nothing of it. "Racer, Macbeth, split up for five minutes and then meet by Lucy."
"Lucy's here?" Racer asked.
"She means the statue, you fool," Macbeth said, and turned. "See you soon."
Racer blitzed away. Meldy turned her attention back to Erik and Kinana. Erik was still dressed lavishly as ever, with one eye closed and a scar running over it. Kinana stood close by him, always relaxed in his presence.
"Head south," Meldy said. "There's a major plaza down that way that they may seek to steal from, if they truly are criminals. If not, it's the prime place to meet others, as one of the main roads from the docks leads to buildings destroyed by Acnologia and not inhabited. Jellal and I will search the docks." She reached into her cloak and removed a wand. The tip glowed a dark pink. She held it aloft and a tiny aura encompassed all of them. Sonya felt a tingle, and then, even though Meldy was across from her, felt her presence right next to her. "If something happens, place your hand over your heart and say my name. We'll be right there."
"Understood," Kinana said.
"Hey, Sonya," Erik said. He gestured at the queen. "Don't get yourself killed, alright? You're playing with the big boys, now."
"Oh, helpful, Erik, so helpful," she said, and turned him. Erik nodded to her.
Sorano placed a hand on Sonya's shoulder, and nodded to Meldy and Jellal. "We'll be in touch."
"Excellent," Meldy said.
"Good luck," Jellal said, and nodded to the remaining members.
Sorano and Sonya left before Jellal and Meldy. Sonya looked around town with different eyes. Meldy wanted to scope out the entire town? That meant that their enemy could be anywhere.
Well, she thought, obviously. They had no idea who this guy was. Jellal mentioned something about an Inverse Magic, and then Porlyusica said that it was a Lost Magic. Jellal had explained on the way that Lost Magic was dangerous, forbidden. Often, wizards capable of using Lost Magic formed a Dark Guild. That would probably be the case for this lot as well.
Sorano didn't speak to Sonya for a few town blocks. It gave Sonya the chance to take in a bit more of the town at a slower pace. Sorano kept her gaze ahead, allowing Sonya to sort of look around and be a bit more relaxed.
It was when she almost bumped into someone that she tightened up again. Sorano grinned, and did a poor job of suppressing a laugh.
"I'm often sending scouts out, not being the scout," Sonya said. "Apologies for my lack of skill."
"It's fine," Sorano said. "I can compensate for the two of us."
"Is that why you picked me? Because you think you needed to compensate for me?"
Sorano shook her head. "I fully believe that your magic potential dwarfs mine, all things considered."
"And what are all these things?"
"I've been stripped of my Celestial Magic, and now have mastered the art of Angel magic," Sorano said. "However, it's not the most powerful. It's a poor offshoot of Celestial Magic."
"That doesn't mean you're weaker than me."
"I never said I was. But you've only been a mage, from my understanding, for just a few weeks, now. You've a long way to go."
"And you can still find so many new ways to use your Angel magic," Sonya said. "It'll all work out."
Sorano shrugged. They turned a corner, and Sonya saw Sorano ease up a bit as well. She sighed. Good. The last thing they needed was some sort of awkward silence.
"I'm sure you're not surprised by what transpired back there," Sorano said.
"What…wait, did I miss something?" Sonya asked. Am I truly so out of touch with magic?
"You would," Sorano said. "It was Meldy."
"Meldy?"
"Normally, Jellal is quick about giving out decisive orders like that," Sorano said. "Not so much as of late. We've more been cleaning up the scraps of the Balam Alliance from years ago, and hounding Acnologious wherever they rear their ugly heads."
Sonya pretended to know what those are. "And now she's…"
"She's worried for Jellal," Sorano said. "Because he's hooked up with Erza. Love will do that to a person. It'll make them go on a vengeful quest to reconnect."
Sonya nodded. "I understand. It's why I'm here, too."
"I understand that's your mission," Sorano said. "But Jellal is the leader of Royal Sorciere. Our mission is to defeat Dark Wizards, not to keep Erza Scarlet alive."
"Harsh," Sonya said, then clamped her hand over mouth.
Sorano shook her head. "No, I didn't meant it like that. I just meant that Meldy is worried he'll lose track of our goal."
"I think his love for Erza can complement the desire to round up the Dark Wizards," Sonya said. "Right?"
"Maybe," Sorano said. "But, still, I've never seen Meldy like that. She had such a strange passion to her. She's often so quiet and to herself. She's usually our little deviant, running off and getting things done her own way." Sorano blushed. "One time there was this man and she…"
Sonya held her hand out, and Sorano shut up instantly. Sonya followed the strange marking that caught her eye so suddenly, watching as it moved across the street and toward a shop.
"Recognize that?" Sonya asked.
"Six Stars," Sorano said. "A Dark Guild from Veronica." She turned her head, with a raised eyebrow, to Sonya. "How did you recognize that?"
"I've done dealings with Veronica before," Sonya said. "Someone among their delegation bore that mark. Before they left, that man with that mark destroyed the delegate's boats and tried to make off with all their gold. We stopped him."
"Sounds about right," Sorano said.
Sonya grinned, and gestured forward. "Shall we, then?"
"Of course."
The two witches strode down the street like normal. Sonya was thankful now more than ever that she'd adopted a more casual look to her ever since she expunged Animus from her body. Not only were they more comfortable, but she also blended well.
Sonya pushed the door open to the shop very slowly, slow enough for the bell by the door not to ding. Sorano stepped in quickly, but not noticeably, and Sonya slowly closed the door again.
The mage was at the counter, anxiously peering into a back room. Sorano reached behind her back for a wand that was strapped there. Sonya looked around the room. Several multi-colored lacrima, all charged incredibly high, lined the back wall while various other magical artifacts, like Celestial Keys, various wands, and other catalysts, all sat upon shelves.
Sonya ducked down at Sorano's signal and the shopkeeper returned. Sonya squeezed herself into a rack of magical armor, feeling the enchantments in the clothing tingle around her. She managed to see through a small slit in the clothing.
"What can I help you with?" the shopkeeper asked, his accent thick.
The wizard looked about, cautiously. "I need a teleportation spell, or tome, or whatever. Now."
"Looking to get somewhere in a hurry?" the shopkeeper asked, chuckling.
The man peered over the counter again, and then back out the window. Even if he weren't a member of Six Stars, this guy was just exhuming suspicion. Sonya still kept her magic at bay. She couldn't see Sorano at all.
"Yeah, obviously," the Six Star wizard said.
The shopkeeper returned, holding a simple scroll in his hands. Sonya tensed when the Six Stars wizard did. The wild look in his eyes shifted, and the symbol on his arm began to spin.
Just as Sonya was going to burst free, she stumbled out of the rack, tumbling to the ground. Both the shopkeeper and wizard looked at her, but Sorano leapt over the display stand near her, easily clearing it and landing just in front of the wizard.
He couldn't get a word out before Sorano slammed her open palm into his chest, and then kneed him in the gut. He spat out. Sonya quickly roared and sprung to her feet, filling her hands with magic and punching him through the opening door, where Meldy stood.
Meldy ducked and the Six Stars member crashed. She whirled around. Sonya and Sorano rushed out of the magic shop.
"Allan, no!" exclaimed an unfamiliar voice that was quickly cut off.
Another body dropped atop Allan's. Jellal wiped his hands and nodded to Sorano and Sonya.
"Good work, both of you," Jellal said. "We've got what we need."
"We need to leave, now," Meldy said.
"What's the rush?" Sorano asked.
"You had to ask," Sonya muttered, and saw three more Six Stars members rounding the corner.
"We've walked into their hideout," Jellal said. "Seems you were right, Meldy, they're all meeting here before moving on."
"And these are our targets?" Sonya asked.
"Yup," Meldy said. She placed her hand to her chest. "Royal Sorciere, hear my voice. Return to the carriage immediately."
Sorano grabbed Sonya's arm. "Come on, we should go too. Jellal can handle this."
"Right," Sonya said, and followed Sorano.
Her body quickly locked, though, and she felt a cold piercing through her ribcage. She felt her body falling forward, but had no idea if she would hit the ground or not, as the entire world faded to black around her.