Well, here it is. The penultimate chapter of the Edolas Arc. This is where we end things. First I want to thank tweetychirp and canthelpmysize for following and favoriting Alternate Tail. Second, I want to thank Fin-Fish Jun-Tenshi, OneWhoCharms, Earth Dragon Arnighte, Ray Akaba 210 for their reviews. Glad to know my work gave such reactions.
Yeah, Fin-Fish, I agree. Lyon Typhoon needs to be nicer to Merudy.
Lyon *Humps* : He needs to be more polite towards Merudy.
I'll pretend that's your normal human self talking and not the crazy side. And yeap, EDA, you did called it on Rheas.
Mira: When you think about it, each counterpart has a trait they share with their counterpart.
True. And it look like I made an impact on OWC.
Welp, to end this arc, I'll have Laxus do it.
Laxus: I'm not even in this arc.
You're counterpart is. But since he's an OC, you'll have to do.
Laxus: Fine. DigiXBot does not own Fairy Tail. Or any Red vs Blue characters.
Last Days of Edolas
"But we were wrong. It wasn't going to be my father who would end Edolas." Before Lily could stop him, Laxus pulled out his staff and blasted the center Lacrima with a burst of magic. It glowed a bright white before a pillar of light erupted throughout the hole and raced out of the castle to the heavens above.
"It was going to be me."
"Thank goodness." Kagura sighed, taking a deep breath while she placed Archenemy back in its sheet. "I thought we would have lost. Archenemy was about to fall asleep again."
"You're kidding, right?" Natsu joked. "Like we would have lost to a fake dragon."
Faust looked in fear at the three wizards. He did not see them as three powerful humans.
Rather, he saw them as powerful monsters. A black-armored samurai with blood-red eyes that was putting away its sword. A massive dragon with red-scales laughing in triumph.
And holding the king up by his robe with its claw was a metal-covered behemoth, growling in pure rage.
"It's over Faust." Gajeel said coldly, transforming his arm into sword form. "You can't hurt anyone, anymore."
"Gajeel-san," Kagura watched in horror. "What are you-"
"Salamander, cover Half-Pint's eyes for me. I don't want Shrimp or She-Demon killing me for letting her see this."
Natsu wrapped his arms around the protesting swordsgirl as he blocked her eyes from seeing the scene. "You sure you want to do this?"
"Lily promised this bastard will pay for what he did." The Iron Dragon replied. "Now it's my job to do this." He held out his sword, then swung it to reach Faust.
"Noooo!" Kagura screamed.
But a moment before the blade could even touch Faust's neck, it paused. But not because of her scream.
In that moment, Gajeel did not see the face of a mad tyrant consumed by fear on Faust. Instead, he saw the face of a familiar, kind-hearted old man that cared for his children.
"Forget it," Gajeel said as he reverted his sword, then threw the paralyzed Faust to the ground. "It ain't worth it."
As Natsu let go of a relieved Kagura, he asked "That's it?"
"Better to let the people of Edolas deal with him." Gajeel replied bluntly.
But before they could take in this decision, a massive earthquake struck through the land.
"What the hell?"
"Is it reinforcement?" Natsu gritted. "Cause I barely got any magic left."
"N-no." Kagura gasped as she pointed to the air. "Look!"
When the two looked at the heavens, they saw the many floating islands that populated the Edolas sky were now crashing back to the earth.
"Uh, Kagura." Natsu began nervously. "Please tell me that's you." The swordsgirl just shook her head in response.
"What's going on?" Mcgarden asked she and her comrades looked at the same scene in fear.
"What the hell's happening?!" Both Lyon's shouted
"The sky is falling…" Wash said in gallow amazement. "It's actually falling…"
"What's happening, Queen Shagotte?" A young Exceed asked as all of them huddled by her.
"The islands were maintained by Edolas's magic." She explained. "If they have begun to fall, then it means," She looked at the sight of rivers of magic flowing to the heavens. "that magic is fading from our world…"
And that means, we have all failed…
"What have you done Laxus?" Lily asked over the cackle of the Anima, aghast at what his comrade had accomplished."
"We both spent years in Earthland." Laxus said. "It was a peaceful world."
"It still had wars, and darkness such as the Balam Alliance." The Exceed countered.
"True, but never at the level in here, all in the hunger of magic." He turned to face his comrade. "This was our plan, remember. To end magic in Edolas."
"Not like this!" Lily shouted in protest. "We only needed to shut down the Anima's so Edolas will lose it over time, so they would be forced to find new methods!"
"It was taking too long, and made them more desperate. Humanity was willing to kill your people to keep their supply.
"No, the only way for Edolas to move forward is if every last trace of magic is taken. The Reverse Anima will absorb every last bit of magic from Edolas, then release it into Earthland, where it will become part of the magic cycle of that world.
"This is the only way Edolas can change, Lily. A new world can only form if the old world was destroyed. It was always its fate. We were fools trying to stop it."
All over Edolas, magic was being pulled into the Reverse Anima. From straight from the earth to coming from every magic tool.
"It's not working!" A soldier shouted as his equipment broke apart, along with the magic tools of everyone else.
"What the hell's happening!"
"Shit!" Wash shouted as his Magic Nullifier cackled before breaking as the magic seeped away from it. South's bubble shield generator also did the same.
"Our weapons are falling apart!" Kagura shouted as her fans broke apart.
"Game over, man," Jet shouted in fear. "Game over!"
"My baby!" Natsu cried as he laid over his Firebolt race car while its fuel source fell apart.
"My weapon… " Typhoon said as he frantically shook his ice weapon. "It won't.
"Calm down!" Vastia shouted at his counterpart, but the Edolas wizards remain in shock.
"It's all ending, isn't it?" Coco asked in a dead tone.
"Yeah…" Macrosen sighed sadly. "Edolas is dying."
"No way…" Happy shook in denial. "It can't be true, right Carla?" He asked her hopefully.
But the white Exceed gave no answer as she continued to watch the floating islands crash down to the ground.
"Everyone!" Wyoming shouted as he got up. "Retreat!" The army of Edolas quickly ran away from the scene.
"The army's leaving." Heartfillia said.
"We've won." Keymon said, then smiled. "Hey guys, we-" When she turned she saw most of the Edolas fairies, including her counterpart, were crying over their loss.
"All the magic is vanishing…" Elfman said morbidly.
"Magic power will be gone forever." Cana said as she wiped away a tear.
"What are we going to do?!" Macao shouted.
"Bwuahhh!" Natsu cried out.
"Get it together!" Mcgarden shouted at them. "There has to be a way out-"
"A way out?!" South snarled at her, causing the Letter Mage to flinch. "What don't you get, Earthlander?! Magic is vanishing forever! Freelancers, Magic Guilds-"
She stopped when Wash grabbed her shoulder. "That's enough South."
"There's no point in trying," Macrosen said bitterly to Mcgarden. "Edolas may be ready to give up magic, but her people aren't."
"We won the fight." Natsu cried. "But we lost all our magic."
"It's as we feared." Erza stated. "The complete exhaustion of all our magic."
The Earthlanders and Exceeds could only watch as the Edolas natives panicked over the situation, facing their apocalypse in morbid acceptance and fear.
"All this light…" Strauss said as she saw the golden light stream past them. She and Rheas were still lying in the crater. "Is it really…"
I'm afraid so, Mira-dono. Kitsune said to her. This is Edolas's magic, being pulled from the earth itself.
"So this is how it ends." Rheas states. "I'm here without any power as magic dies from this world."
I don't even get to see Lisanna's and Elfman's face again...
Meanwhile, Gajeel Rosavulpe was walking through the streets of the Royal City, looking in horror as magic seeped away from every nook and cranny, and avoiding the mass crowd running from the scene
"Dad, the floating islands are falling." She heard a child said while his father huddled in fear.
"The street light lacrimas are fading!"
"The fountains aren't working!"
"The vehicles aren't working!"
"Magic is seeping from our world." An old woman said as magic literally floated past her hands. "Have we angered the Exceeds in our defiance?"
"This is it, isn't it?" Gajeel said as she looked up at the Reverse-Anima. "The last story of the old Edolas. And I'll be the one to write it."
"You know that the citizens will be in panic." Lily said to Laxus.
"True," He responded back. "They won't adapt fast enough. They've always seen using other resources as blasphemous. To survive, they'll need a new leader. A new king for the new Edolas. A king that can pull this nation from fear and terror to a future of happiness."
The Exceed remain silent before smiling. "I see. Well, I know you will lead the people of Edolas fai-"
"No Lily." Laxus said with a sad smirk. "I can't be the leader. I may be a prince, but I spent most of my years as a wizard of Earthland. Edolas doesn't need an alien to guide them. Besides, with all this panic, the people need a hero and a villain."
"What are you talking about?" Lily questioned.
"The hero is the one that finds the culprit, who plunged this world into chaos. The hero is the one that will unite the world and become its wise king."
"And who…" Lily, who was shaking in realization, asked. "Will be the hero and villain?"
"You know the truth, Lily." The blond-haired man smiled. "I, the man who rebelled against the king and stole the world's magic power, will be the 'villain'.
"And you Lily, an Exceed beyond all others that can bring peace between two races separated by prejudice, are the perfect choice as the 'hero.'
"That's why you will execute me, the traitor of this world, and become the king this world needs."
"No…"
"You're the best choice as leader, Lily." Laxus explained. "You were a soldier of Extalia, as long as that nation's founding. You spent years as a wizard of Fairy Tail, so you know what it is to be human. And who better than an Exceed to calm the chaos. This world needs you to be its new king."
Lily was silent in shock for a few seconds, and then-
"Why would you spout this bullshit, Laxus?!" He roared at the blond-haired man, who remain calm in response.
"I'm already prepared to die, Lily. So accept this requiem."
"What makes you think I would kill you?! You are my partner! My friend! My…" He gritted his teeth. "My son! What idea makes you think I'll comply with this?!"
"Even though you were an Exceeds, one that even grew up when we humans persecuted you, you saved my life when I was a kid. You didn't care if I was a human. You just saw a life that had to be saved."
"You're asking me to carry this for the rest of my life!"
"You have the strength to overcome that. You got to know that someone has to do this-"
"Then do it yourself! You are the perfect choice to be king!"
"I caused this world's destruction." Laxus argued.
"Only for this world's sake! That strength, which let you decide to take the path we choose for Edolas's sake, is what this world will need!
"If want to destroy this world, then fine! But take responsibility for it! Not by dying, but by leading this world!"
As they argued, they were being watched from behind by a figure hiding behind the door frame. He was about to walk to them when an armored hand wrapped around his mouth.
"I know you can't trust me." Florida said as Nadi pumped his hand nervously. "After what me and my comrades did, I don't blame you. But we both want what's best for Edolas, Nadi-san. And their little plot won't solve anything."
When the Freelancer removed his hand, Nadi asked "But why?"
Florida left out a quiet chuckle. "Lord Popo would be annoyed if those two died a foolish death."
The destruction continued all over Edolas, as both humans and Exceeds panicked over the sight.
"Our home…" Morrow cried as she and Lucky kneeled over the remains of their farm, a collateral from the battle of the two Mira's. She then looked in horror at the falling islands. "All of Edolas will end like this."
"They've ruined it!" Lucky shouted as he slammed his paw into the earth where they raised their son. "Those maniacs! They blew it up! Damn them! Damn them all to hell!
"Alright then," Macrosen spoke up over the frightened crowd. "We can't stand around. We need to go the Royal City."
"What purpose is there for that?" Erza questioned.
"I rather see the future begin at the center of Edolas than in the middle of nowhere." He then ran off towards the Royal Capital. The Edolas Wizards looked at each other before running off after him.
"We need to go too." Mcgarden said, and soon the rest of them followed the group to the center of change.
"You think all this chaos will be settled that way?" Laxus questioned.
"Then let me be the villain." Lily stated coldly. "I'm the perfect choice, as a Fallen. I spent years taking away magic from Edolas. What difference does sapping away all the world's magic will do to my name. I shall be executed-"
"Like hell I let you!" Laxus roared, grabbing the Exceed and pulling him close. "You're the one that saved me years ago! You're the only real father I had! And what about Fairy Tail?! How would Gajeel take this?! Or Shagotte-"
"And how would she feel if the boy, whom she saw as much as a son as you saw her as a mother, died in such a way?" Lily questioned coldly. "Or Kagura, who searched as you as much as her own brother, Simon. And don't bring up Fairy Tail! They'll cry as many tears whether either of us die!"
At this Laxus stiffened, then laughed morbidly as he let go of Lily. "What a foolish plan I made…"
"No matter which of us takes responsibility and dies," The Exceed added. "All it will bring is sorrow for the other, and to all of our comrade."
"But how can we quell the panic?" The blond haired man asked.
The two were quiet before they heard approaching footsteps. "Well then," Florida said as entered peacefully. "I shouldn't be surprised to find you two here."
Both Laxus and Lily turned around and pulled out their weapons. "What the hell you want?" Laxus snarled as he braced his staves.
"If you're planning to stop us…" Lily hissed.
The freelancer raised his hands in surrender. "That's alright. I'm not here to stop this. As far as I'm concerned, this was always Edolas's fate.
"But we have bigger problems. They are people outside acting in violence. Destroying neighborhood after neighborhood."
Laxus scowled. "The panic is worse than I thought. We got to stop this fast."
"First priority is dealing with these insurgents." Lily stated
"That's right. We need to take action before things go out of hand."
"Yes, your highness." Florida bowed to the blond haired man. When he noticed that Laxus was still scowling, he chuckled. "Ah, yes. Still mad about the hatchet in the shoulder, aren't you?"
Much later the three were in a balcony in the castle with a few frightened guards. Laxus and Lily were startled by the massive amount of magic rivering towards the Anima.
"Why is the Fallen here?" A soldier asked his comrades.
"Forget him, who's the blonde guy?"
"How many insurgents are they?" Florida questioned to one of the guards.
"Um, three of them, Captain Flowers!" He answered
"Why haven't you arrested them?" Laxus demanded.
"I-it's because they are v-very strong-"
"Ghi hi hi hi!"
"It couldn't be…" Lily gasped as he saw…
"Ghi hi hi hi! People of Edolas!" Gajeel cackled maniacally as he stood on the rooftops while wearing a cape and two demon horns. "I am the Demon King Kurogane! All of your magic, now belongs to me!"
"Gajeel!" Lily yelled in anger and shock.
"What's he doing?!" Laxus shouted.
"Isn't he your guildmate?" Florida asked casually.
The people looked in horror at the man, and started to ran as far as they could from him.
The Edolas Fairy Tail wizards and the Freeluncers arrived and looked in shock at the scene. "What the hell is that idiot doing?!" Levi shouted. But Gajeel continued to laugh as he licked his lips in anticipation.
"Don't believe me!" Gajeel laughed at their expression as he pointed to Faust, who was tied to a wooden post with metal binds at the wrist. "Look at your precious king! He challenged me and lost! He was lucky I needed a live example…"
"Your Majesty!"
"The king is-"
"How could he!"
"Was this what those Earthlanders were planning all along?!" Lucy gritted.
"I don't think so…" Wash responded. "Something else is going on."
"Salamander! Archenemy! My loyal servants, turn this puny city to sunder!"
"RAAHH!" Natsu Dragneel, wearing a cloak like Gajeel, roared as he spewed out a breath of fire that burned down an entire building.
"What the hell is he?!"
"He breathed fire like an actual demon!"
"That's me?!" Dragion shouted in shock. "Why is he so violent?!"
"Gu-ah!" Kagura, wearing a cape and fake fangs, roared at a young boy. The boy only blinked in confusion. Kagura pouted, then pointed her hand forward and forced the house behind him to collapse. The boy screamed and ran away.
"Gomenasai!" Kagura called out.
"Dammit Gajeel!" Laxus roared from the castle. "Stop this!"
But it seemed the Slayer didn't hear him.
"My loyal servants," Gajeel shouted with glee. "Continue our glorious work on this puny world!"
"Quit it with all the servant talk!" Natsu shouted at him.
"Just do it already!"
Wait a minute… Lily thought. Gajeel, are you and the others…
"So it's you…" Gajeel looked down and saw a black-haired woman wearing glasses glaring up at him. "You're the ones who are stealing our magic! Filthy demon scum"
"Gajeel what are you doing?!" Levi shouted at her in horror
Huh, Redfox thought with a smirk. That must be my counterpart… He then noticed a sly smile of recognition...
"They want nothing more than to end our civilisation!" The reporter continued.
The crowd quickly joined Rosavulpe rage.
"Demon scum!"
"It's that Kurogane's fault!"
"He's the mastermind!"
"You want to challenge me?" Redfox smirked as he held out his hand, then transformed it into a club to bring down a neighboring building. "Cause opposition is synonymous to death when it comes to me!"
"He can shapeshift?!"
"What a monster!"
"Who can stop him?!"
"Gajeel!" Everyone's attention turned to the castle, where Laxus was shouting with all his might. "End this already!"
"Who's the guy in the castle?" A civilian asked.
"Is he on our side?"
"What's the prince up to?" South asked her fellow Freelancer.
"No idea." He replied. "But I feel it's 'Kurogane' that's really behind this."
"There's no need to continue." Laxus stated. " You already defeated the king. There's no need to involve innocent civilians."
Redfox smirked as his arm took on its sword form. He then extended it to slice the house opposite to him in half.
"You have the balls…" The Dragon Slayer smirked as he shrunk back his sword. "To challenged a Demon King? Think you can stop me, Prince of Edolas?"
"So, the prince that vanished has returned…" Rosavulpe mused, then shouted out. "It's really true! Prince Laxus has returned after seven years!"
"Is it really him?"
"That demon called him prince."
"Can he even save us."
"What is happening?" Lily growled, then glared at Florida. "Is this your machination, Freelancer?"
"Actually," The three turned around and saw Nadi behind. "It was the both of us."
"Sir Nadi." Lily began in shock. "What is the meaning of this?
"We overheard your conversation earlier." Florida explained.
"So we told the three Earthlanders about it, and your partner, Gajeel, came up with this performance. I even provided the needed costumes."
Redfox flipped his cloak, then smirked at the prince and held his arm out, rolling his fingers towards him. "Come at me then. Let's see if the prince can save his city!"
Gajeel shall be the villain, while Laxus will the hero that stops him… Lily thought in realization.
"Your highness," Florida bowed before Laxus, before pulling out a sword. "This may not have magic, but it'll have all the strength you need to stop him.
But the people don't believe in him yet….
Indeed the citizens were still in fear.
"Where's the royal army?!"
"Someone has to save the king!"
"Is that guy even the real prince…"
Laxus swiped the sword from Florida and leaped off the castle. "Don't move, Gajeel!"
"Who the hell's Gajeel?" Redfox questioned. "I am the Demon King Kurogane."
They want to make Laxus a hero. But if Gajeel throws the fight and they discover it, it'll be over. Lily sweated nervously. Are they willing to die for this…
"You have to get ready too, Pantherlily-san." Florida stated.
"He's right," Nadi replied. "There's still a lot left to come."
"It's over Kurogane!" Rosavulpe shouted at her counterpart. "The prince is coming to stop you!"
Redfox smirked, then leaped off the building and prepared to smite her.
"Look out!"
"Move, lady!"
"Gajeel!" Levi screamed as he leaped and pushed the paralyzed woman out of the way. He glared at the Dragon Slayer. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"Levi," Rosavulpe whispered. "Play along…"
Levi's eyes widened at her statement. Redfox, overhearing this, smirked. "I already got the king as a live example, so you two will be my dead ones!" He swung down his sword-arm at the two.
"He's going to kill them!"
"Someone save them!"
"Enough!" Laxus shouted as he leaped in front of the two, then held out his stave and formed a magic circle in front of them. Redfox's sword stopped at the circle, but the latter simply shattered while magic seeped from Laxus's stave.
My magic power… The prince thought. The anima is taking it… He glared at the laughing Redfox, who shrunk back his sword-arm, then looked at the blade Florida gave him. So that's why that Freelancer gave me this…
"How pathetic!" Redfox taunted. "You think you can beat without magic?"
"Don't go overboard, Gajeel-san!" Kagura called out.
"Don't worry about it." Natsu reassured her. "Metal Face needs to hype things up as the villain, so people can believe in the hero without any magic."
"That man is going to face that demon alone!" Levi shouted to the crowd as he guided Rosavulpe away from the site. "Prince Laxus is a man of unmatched courage!"
Soon the crowd's hope began to rise thank to his comment, and their belief in Laxus flooded throughout.
"Enough already, Gajeel." Laxus scowled. "I can't be the hero. You can't expect to change a world with a farce!"
"This ain't no farce." Redfox said, then swung sideways at Laxus, forcing the man to leap away with only his clothes cut. "It's a showdown!"
"Be careful prince!"
"That demon could gut him!"
"Do me a favor, and go down easy!" Laxus slashed down at the slayer, but the storm of sparks revealed that Redfox had blocked the attack.
"Not happening, your Highness." Redfox taunted. But he was caught off guard when the other gave a hard kick to the stomach that pushed him back.
"That's it!"
"Go prince!"
"Beat him down!"
Laxus was shocked at the faith the people have in him. "Ghi hi," Redfox smirked. "The peanut gallery is all revved up."
"You got their attention," Laxus said as he tightly to his sword. "So end it already."
"No way!" And Redfox struct his bladed sword by the prince's shoulder, leaving a thin but painful cut.
"Your highness!"
"That bastard has no honor!"
"I haven't said goodbye," Redfox smirked as the two pulled back. "To a Fairy Tail wizard. One that has to know the three laws when leaving!"
The two roared as they charged at each other, and sparks lit the air as their blades struck and parried each other.
"One!" Redfox shouted. "Never in your life reveal guild secrets that would put Fairy Tail in danger! Two-"
Their swords held strong as they tried to overpower each other. "Never contact a past client for personal gain." Laxus growled.
"Third!" The two pulled away and huffed as the crowd enter an uproar. "Our paths may diverge, but you must continue to live life to the fullest! Never once consider your life of little value! And never-"
"Forget the friends you love!" The two charged at each other for a final strike-
STRUCT!
Laxus winched as he felt Redfox's sword cut heavily on the side of his waist. But he continued to hold strong on his sword, the sword that pierced straight through Redfox's right shoulder, the sword that held the attention of the entire city.
"You…" Redfox reverted his arm to normal, then held a blood stained hand to Laxus's check. "You understand?" He asked weakly.
Laxus nodded as he pulled the sword out of Redfox, then dropped it as he held onto his wound.
"Use our spirit to help this world. See ya soon," Redfox slowly fell back to the ground. "See ya soon… Mystogan…"
"He did it!" Levi shouted in joy. "The prince has won!"
"Long live Prince Laxus!" Rosavulpe cheered.
"Love live the prince! Long live the prince!" Everyone, from civilians to wizards to Freelancers, quickly joined in.
"Thank you…" Laxus whispered. "Gajeel…" Redfox gave a smirk in response. But then his body began to glow in a golden hue.
"What's happening?"
"It's starting now!" Kagura said as her and Natsu's body glowed as well.
"Let's make it showy!" Natsu grinned in anticipation
"What is happening?!" Lily said as the same glow covered him and Nadi.
"The Reverse-Anima is removing all magic power from Edolas." Nadi explained. "And that means living holders of magics, including Exceeds and Earthlanders, will be sucked into Earthland."
"What?!"
"I'm quite sure that his highness was well aware of that fact." Florida said.
"My body feels weird!" A young Exceed shouted in fear as his body glowed.
"What's happening, your Majesty!"
"There's nothing to be afraid of." Shagotte consoled. "Edolas no longer needs angels. So now we must step bravely into the future."
"What's happening?!" Heartfilia shouted as she and the other Earthland Fairies were covered in a golden glow.
"Woah!' Happy shouted in shock of his own glow.
"We're being pulled into the Reverse Anima!" Carla yelled as their bodies were pulled towards the sky.
"Of course," Mcgarden gasped. "The anima is taking all the magic in Edolas."
"In other words, we're being kicked out." Keymon said.
"So all magic is really being taken from Edolas." Alzack said in fear as he held Bisca close.
"Everything will change now…" Bisca sighed.
"What will happen now?" Cana asked.
"I have no idea." Wash said. "Guilds. Armies. Without magic they won't exist."
"You think magic is what makes a guild?" They looked up to see Lyon pounding a fist to his heart. "A guild comes from the hearts of everyone coming together. Long as you have that, you can live to the future."
Rheas looked forward and saw Strauss's body was glowing. "Strauss."
"Rheas." Strauss replied as she floated to the sky.
"This is it, huh."
"Yeah," The Earthlander smiled. "You better find Elfman and Lisanna, and check if they're okay."
"Like they want to see me." The captain replied bitterly. "They made it clear years ago that they hate anyone working for the thing. And that includes me."
"I don't think so." Strauss said cheerfully, confusing her counterpart. "I know you three have a bond that can't be broken."
"How can you be so sure…"
"Because we're both…"
"Mira..." Both finished with a sad smile.
"What's happening?!" Lucky shouted as he tried to hold onto the ground while the Anima pulled tightly on him.
"We're being pulled away!" Morrow yelled in shock.
"Meeeen!" Nichiya, whom he and his fellow soldiers were returned to normal, were failing to fight against the Anima's pull. "Just as we were revived!"
"Gaaah!" Gajeel screamed as he pretended to be choking on the Anima's stream while gripping at his injured shoulder.
"Raahh!" Natsu and Kagura were also screaming in fake pain.
To think even people would get ejected… Laxus watched in shock as the citizens cheered.
"The demons are being sucked away!"
"His highness saved us!"
"Hooray!"
Nice work, other me… Rosavulpe thought as she saw her counterpart float away.
As this happened, Laxus saw Lily and Nadi floating upwards.
Be patient and strong, Laxus. Lily thought as he saw the boy he saved so many years ago and watched ever since. Humanity will always walk to the future. And you will lead it.
The Exceed warrior was then confused as Laxus looked under his cloak and pulled out a small notebook, then threw it with all his might to him, who caught it with ease and confusions.
"A list of staves spells I made." Laxus said with a strong grin. "I know you'll make good use of them in your future."
Tears started to form in Lily's eyes. "Thank you… my child…"
"Bye bye, Fairy Tail!" Levy waved to the Edolas wizards.
"Hey!" Macrosen called out with a grin and saluted. "Stay smart, chick-me!"
Levy laughed. "And you stay strong, male-me!"
"Bye Miss Levy!" Coco waved tearfully. "Bye Miss Merudy!"
"Good bye, Coco!" Merudy said back.
"I'll make sure to find your other selves!" Lucy shouted to South and Wash.
"Hope they can stand you." South said, but Lucy recognized the joking tone the Freelancer had and smiled back.
"Best of luck, all of you!" Wash said.
"Treat your Merudy well, other me!" Lyon said to his counterpart. "I shall know if you haven't!"
"Um, sure…" Typhoon blinked in confusion.
"What's that about?" Merudy asked the ice mage.
"Just want to make sure my counterpart treats his guildmates well." Lyon explained calmly.
"The guy that fights Gajeel every other day is worrying about that?" Merudy teased, to which Lyon laughed.
"We'll see you soon!" Happy said.
"Don't you know," Carla explained. "This is the last time we'll see them."
Happy was silent for a second before bawling at full volume. "Wuahh! Bye bye!"
"Don't cry, Carla." The white Exceed reprimanded herself. "Stay strong…"
Laxus smiled as he saw them all floated away. Lily. Shagotte. Kagura. Gajeel. Mira. And Fairy Tail. Farewell, all of you.
As the sun rose on a new day, Laxus, the new King of Edolas, climbed onto the massive pile of rubble Gajeel created in his rampage. He raised his stave to the sky as he faced the crowd.
"The Demon King Kurogane has been defeated!" He proclaimed. "We may not have magic power, but as long as we have life and spirit, humanity shall persevere!"
The crowd cheered as they raised their voice with him, ready to join him in making a new future for Edolas. A new era had begun, one where they shall remember what was important to them, and that was pure willpower to survive.
And thus, one story ends, another begins in Edolas.
Gajeel: Oh come on!
What?
Gajeel: It's completely cheesy! "A new era had begun?" "pure willpower to survive?" Who still writes like that?
And you can do better?
Gajeel: Have ya heard my lyrics?
Hmm, good point. Although I actually mute it out to avoid the deafness.
Gajeel: Hey!
Anyway folks, leave your reviews and favorite and follow. And a happy one year anniversary for this amazing story.
And as an announcement, I won't be here next week due to a mission trip. So be patient until then for the conclusion, then a special chapter, and then the next awesome arc.
