SSD: Hello, everyone! So sorry for the wait, but I've been having computer issues lately and I'm actually writing on my phone now. Anyway, to those of you who were guessing the Guild Master, he will be revealed further on and I can safely say that only one of you firmly guessed right! You can expect a PM from me later about the prize. Without further ado, on with the show!
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Chapter 45: A Breakdown of Differences
Lisanna gratefully accepted the strawberry milkshake from Nice!Mira, as she had taken to referring to the parallel version of her sister. The older girl still looked as if she was warring between distraught and relief whenever her eye settled on the dimensional traveler, but Lisanna could understand her worry. She winced a bit as the Older!Wendy gave a firm tug on the bandage around her ankle and stood up abruptly.
WHAP!
"Ow!" Lisanna yelped, barely holding onto her shake as she flinched from the smack on her head.
The blue-haired healer glared at her, the corners of her eyes just a bit misty. "You ever do something stupid like that for my sake again and I won't forgive you." She turned sharply on her heel, medkit in hand as she walked away.
Lisanna rubbed the top of her head, cringing as she realized the fate of her parallel self. [Well...I can't blame her...] Thin, tan arms wrapped around her, suffused with a gentle warmth as white hair tickled in front her. "Elf-nii, I'm fine."
Elfman sniffled, still so like her version, really. "We were so scared..Knightwalker came out of nowhere and Wendy was there...then you were in the way and there was so much blood...you should be..." The teen started bawling, Mira joining him as they latched onto Lisanna together.
Lisanna felt guilt surge up inside her, tears prickling her eyes as she sought out some form of help.
"Mira, Elfman, Lisanna, will you please step into my office?" Lisanna glanced at the tall form of Ivan Dreyar, still mystified that he was Guildmaster to this mirror Fairy Tail.
The three stood and followed him up the spiralled trunk to the solitary room there. Ivan patiently waited for them to enter, Lisanna cradled by Elfman, and closed the door. He crossed the room to sit behind a shabby desk, loaded with a few scraps of paper and pens.
"This isn't easy for me to say, especially at such a strenuous time for the two of you." He nodded to Mira and Elfman, eyes cast in sorrow. "But I'm afraid that this must be said. As much as it pains me...this isn't the Lisanna you know."
Mira stood up, fury in her eyes. "How dare you say we can be tricked! I know my sister!"
Elfman, not as outspoken, but just as fierce, replied the same. "Even the King can't use magic to fake someone at the current reserves."
Ivan closed his eyes wearily, an expression that Lisanna could recognize from long ago, on a different yet similar face, just after her version of Ivan had been banished from the guild. "You are right, she isn't a spy. I never insinuated such. All the same, this isn't OUR Lisanna. Isn't that correct?" Violet and two pairs of blue locked onto her, and the Take-over mage forced down a choke, instead choosing to gaze into the liquifying mess her milkshake was becoming.
"I...He's right..."
"Lisan-"
"I'm not your Lisanna, just as you aren't my Mira-nee and Elf-nii...I...where I was, I was fighting with Lucy against another mage and we were losing, really badly...i got hurt and blacked out. The next thing i know, I'm waking up to a purple sky and weird plants all around me and floating islands of all things!" Lisanna sniffled, regretting the truth spilling from her as she saw the faces of her siblings crumbling in despair.
Ivan gazed at the trio somberly. "What I had meant to tell you, Mira, Elfman...was that I infiltrated the capitol, they were holding Lisanna there, still alive, if barely."
Mira froze, her head mechanically moving to face him. "A-alive?"
"...She was executed, branded a traitor to the crown. I had gotten there too late to do anything. I'm so sorry."
The wail that Mira let out was something Lisanna resolutely determined she would never let her own Mira go through. Elfman also sniffled, not bawling but his sobbingly hiccuped and he set Lisanna down as he and Mira held onto each other. This was...Lisanna shuffled, uncomfortable from the tense atmosphere, feeling like she was attending her own wake. Though, in a sense, she was. Ivan cast solemn eyes to the misplaced girl and stood. "I will leave you to sort this out. Lisanna?"
Lisanna snapped out of her brief daze and shuddered. "Yes?"
He nodded to the door, walking around to stand beside her and holding out his hand. "Let's give them some time alone."
The girl nodded and stood up, wobbling as she stood. Together, they left the grieving siblings, the Earthland girl feeling a pang of regret that she couldn't do anything to help the mirrors of her siblings.
"Umm...Mr. Dreyar?"
"You may call me Ivan, or Master Ivan, whichever is your preference." He gave her a tight, but kind, smile. "I understand this must all still be quite unsettling for you."
Lisanna hung her head, hobbling along beside him. "Yeah...umm, I was actually wondering, mainly some things I noticed that are really different from my world."
Ivan's eyes gleamed in curiousity, much like his father's Earthland counterpart. "Oh? What sort of differences?"
"Well...for one thing...this Lucy is a LOT more violent than the one I know, and Natsu being so...meek is just weird, he's a lot more brash and loud." Lisanna smiled fondly in memory.
The Master chuckled. "I see, those certainly do seem to be quite the differences. Anything else that's different?"
Lisanna thinks about the ones she's seen so far in such a short time frame. "Cana isn't sneaking bottles of beer here, Gray actually has clothes on, hmm...there's you."
An ebony eyebrow rose. "Me? How so?"
The girl winced and wobbled unsteadily as she tried to cause a distraction. "Oh, um...nothing, really. Just...you're so nice here. The other you is...really creepy, and mean..."
Ivan sighed heavily. "I see...and also not a part of Fairy Tail?" He chuckled wryly at the surprised look Lisanna shot up at him. "It isn't that hard to figure out, you looked to have seen a ghost when you saw me the first time. I take it that there's someone else leading your guild?"
She nodded. "Master Makarov, and Lu-chan is working on getting Laxus into a better state to take over." Lisanna's fond smile faltered a bit. "Even if they have a really weird relationship..."
Ivan stalled, expression going blank. "...my father runs the guild in your world...and my son is training to take over?" Pain ghosted across his features. "I haven't seen Laxus since I was exiled seven years ago..."
Lisanna jumped and pinwheeled her arms to keep her balance. The Edolas guild master lashed an arm out to steady her. "Thanks. Oh, so Laxus isn't here?" She thought to the interaction she witnessed between this Natsu and Lucy and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
The man sighed wearily, rubbing his hand over his face. He escorted her to a room that might have passed for a study had it been in better condition and helped her to sit. He sat down heavily across from Lisanna, idly wishing he had a glass of something strong in front of him for this conversation. "No. When my father exiled me, he kept my sons with him, I was only able to bring Wendy with me out of my children." He raised an eyebrow as Lisanna appeared to be shellshocked. "You...didn't know I had children aside from Laxus?"
Lisanna gulped. "Err...I knew about Kalia...but...Wendy's your daughter?"
Ivan nodded. "Yes, I don't know of any Kalia, though. Perhaps it's a uniqueness to your world?"
"Maybe. What's the name of your other son?"
"Jellal. He's always been a happy boy, I asked one of the guards to look after him for me. Judging by your reaction, you know him but didn't know he was my son?"
Lisanna nodded numbly. "He has a twin in my world named Siegrain. The Wendy in my world is a lot younger than this one, too."
Ivan nodded. "I see, so it may be just here that they are my children. Carrying on with our previous topic, no, Laxus is currently the Crown Prince and being groomed by my father to take over for him in a few years."
Lisanna sweatdropped as the image of Earthland Laxus in princely attire flashed through her mind and she stifled a giggle. "Sorry, just...it's really hard for me to picture Laxus as a prince..." [Lucy might like the idea, though. I'll have to tell her when I get back home!]
Ivan chuckled lighy. "Laxus is a troublemaker in your world?"
The girl nodded. "Yeah, although my Lucy's been changing him for the better since she joined."
Ivan sweatdropped slightly at the...strange...image that crossed his mind. "I...see...your Lucy must be quite different to this one."
"Not really, though she's not as violent. She's really nice, and helpful...we were just becoming friends when I got sent here." Lisanna blinked as a heavy hand fell on her head.
The man smiled at the displaced girl kindly. "Don't worry. We'll find a way to get you home. Just please, be patient."
Lisanna nodded and smiled. "Right, thank you."
"Master?" The two turned to see Mira and Elfman, eyes rimmed red.
"Mira, Elfman." He stood up and swayed as they rushed forward and hugged him.
"Thank you...for telling us the truth..."Elfamn muttered.
Mira nodded, sniffling as Ivan soothingly stroked their hair.
"It's alright, children. I know this must pain you."
Mira stepped away, wiping her eyes as she shifted her gaze to Lisanna. "If you don't mind, we talked it over, and decided you can stay with us, if you want?"
Lisanna nodded slowly, guilt dragging her shoulders into a hunch. "Only if you don't mind...I...I don't want to think I'm replacing your Lisanna."
Mira brought her into the hug. "No. We'll miss our Lisanna, but I'm sure your world's us is missing you, too. We'll look after you for them."
Grateful tears welled in her eyes. "Thank you..."
"...Ivan...Ivan!" A commotion downstairs rose up to them, Ivan standing at attention.
"That's Gildarts, he's our stealth expert. What could he-"
"Ivan!" Footsteps pounded up the stairs, a familiar head of orange hair and stubble cresting the second floor. Gildarts collapsed on the landing, panting and out of breath. "K-Knightwalker...not far behind me...we have to get out of here!"
Ivan stiffened in shock. "How did they find us so quickly? Thank you, Gildarts. Mira, go get him some water. Elfman, find Levi and tell her to start the teleporter. Lisanna, stay inside the guild and away from any windows. Knightwalker was the one to capture you here, we don't need the King finding out about an alternate version of our world."
The Strauss siblings nodded and set to their tasks as Ivan strode to the balcony. "Fairy Tail! Knightwalker has been spotted and is on our trail. Macao, Wakaba! I ask you to join me in holding her off while our guild escapes. After the Teleporter activates, disengage Knightwalker and flee, your homing lacrima will allow you to regroup with the rest of the guild. Remember, if you face certain capture, the lacrima MUST BE DESTROYED."
Macao and Wakaba nodded, a serious glint in their eyes among the protests from the rest of the guild. Ivan held up a hand silencing them. "I understand your concerns, but this must be done. As Guild Master, you are all my responsibility, and I will not allow you to shoulder the burden alone. Come!" He leapt from the balcony, white cape fluttering around him as he landed and effortlessly strode to the door. Macao and Wakaba flanked him, various round devices on each of them and not showing an ounce of fear.
The blunette shrimp hastily worked at a hodgepodge mess of levers and buttons that made up a mockery of a computer terminal. "Ten percent to the needed magic levels!"
The door opened and Ivan paused, turning to look up at a recovering Gildarts. "Look after them in the meantime for me, Gildarts."
Gildarts sent down a salute, gulping down the glass of water. "Ugh...I will."
Ivan nodded and the three of them exited the tree, ready to face down the Knightwalker.
Click. Click. Click.
The sound of expensive shoes clacked resoundingly through the empty hallway. A cloak snapped around the owners, swishing theatrically with their movements. A lone maid, carrying a load of laundry, paused and hastily bowed.
"Y-Your Highness, I have just finished preparing yout quarters."
Cool grey eyes ringed in blue narrowed on her, lip curling slightly in distaste. A slender hand lifts up and waves dismissively. "Thank you. You may go."
The maid bows and hurries off, fear and relief evident on her face.
"Tch." The royal continues towards his suite and glares at the purple haired boy clad in white leaning against the door. "Hughes. What do you want?"
Hughes raised his hand, a coy smile on his face. "Easy there, Prince, you might scare away some more maids with such a fierce scowl."
"You have yet to explain yourself. What. Do. You. Want?"
Hughes straightens up, picking up on the Prince's foul mood. "The last test on the Anima failed. Apparently the place we're drawing lacrima from doesn't have it everywhere."
Laxus snorts running a hand through his short-cut hair. "Of course, it can't possibly be a paradise."
"Yet the past few tests-"
"Were lucky. There's still more lacrima there to be found, my Grandfather is sure of it. Now, what is your real reason for being here outside of that flimsy report?"
The teen General's face faltered. "It's your father." Laxus snapped to attention. "There's been rumors around the capitol that he was sighted."
"Is he crazy? Grandfather exiled him. Why would he risk trying to see me like that?" Concern flickered briefly in his eyes.
Hughes shrugged. "I don't know...there's also the fact that word of your brother's disappearance hasn't gotten out."
The previous concern was ruthlessly crushed. "He would try to see him rather than me...preferring them over his weak son." His lip curled in anger, fists clenched. "Make sure the army knows he's to be killed on sight."
"Of course, Your Highness." Hughes smiled charmingly. "Oh, and Knightwalker is out on another hunting trip. Shall I inform you of when she returns?"
Laxus glared at him. "Just because Grandfather decreed we are to be married does not mean I care what she does. This nonsense of hunting down powerless thugs will end once I'm King, our resources can be better used elsewhere. If you will excuse me, I would like to retire." He gestured to the door Hughes was blocking.
The teen sighed and flicked his white bangs from his face. "Yes, Your Highness." He sidestepped away and opened the door. As Laxus passed by him, he leaned a little closer, breath lightly tickling the blonde's neck. "And here I thought you would prefer my company a little longer?"
The Prince stilled, barely turning to glare at him. "The wedding is in a month."
"I didn't hear a no~" The conductor lightly sang.
Laxus paused, weighing his options and cast a furtive glance down the corridors.
"There's no one there."
A slim hand clamped on Hughes' shirt and dragged him in. "Moron."
"As you say, Your Highness."
The door closed behind them.
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SSD: I was gonna cut this off at the part where Ivan, Macao and Wakaba leave to confront Knightwalker...but then I realized how long I've had this finished and not posted so...bonus scene of what's going on in the capitol?
Laxus: *fuming* SSD...
SSD: *freeze* Ummm...I can explain?
Laxus: My counterpart is fucking dainty fruitcake?! WHAT THE FUCK?!
Lucy: *puts hand on Laxus' arm* Calm down!
SSD: * dodges lightning bolt* In my defence, I did NOT plan it like that at first. I was just checking some information on Hughes as a refresher and the bikini scene with Lucy was mentioned...so...it evolved from there?
Laxus: YOU MADE ME A FRUIT!
SSD: EEP! *ducks under table* It was an accident! That's just how it flowed out against my will! *cringes as a bolt hits the desk* I'll see you guys next time, whenever that is, irl is still pretty hectic with a promotion on the way and helping with my friends wedding. Hope I survive this!
Lucy: Laxus, calm down! Don't forget to review. Laxus!
*fade out*
