Mortis arrived early at the guild. After two weeks she finally felt refreshed and her wounds healed nicely. Mira announced jobs requests were being taken again. The guild cheered. She smiled as she joined everyone at the job board. There were many long jobs she could take to help improve her tracking and fighting skills, but after recent events, she wanted something small.
"Hey Mortis!" she turned to see Lucy running up to her. "Oh, hey Lucy. How's it going?" she smiled. "it's going alright for now. I still can't find my gate keys!" she whined. Mortis raised her eyes brows as she remembered they were in her back pocket. "I'm so sorry, I totally forgot. Loke found them and wanted me to give them to you" she explained, giving them to her. "Oh wow, thank goodness. You will thank him for me, next time you see him, right?" Lucy asked. "I will if I ever see him. last I saw him was two weeks ago. He seemed really hurt" she explained. "you think we should go see him?" Lucy wondered. "Why don't we let one of his chick friends take care of him" Mortis smirked. Lucy giggled.
"How about breakfast on me?" she offered. "I thought you were broke?" Mortis asked, worried. "No, me and my team did quite a few jobs before Phantom attacked us, so I'm alright for another three months" Lucy explained.
Seemed to Mortis this universe was better financially for Lucy. The only downside working with Mortis's team, she was always broke. But that was something she could live with. "Sure, why not" she smiled.
When their breakfast arrived at the bar Lucy said "I wanted to apologise for what happened." Mortis shook her head as she said "Lucy we're not doing this again. This wasn't your fault or mine." "I know. It was my father's. That's why I went back and told him to never mess with Fairytail again" she explained. Mortis then remembered that after the week of questioning Lucy went back home and team Natsu went to get her back. Levi and the boys must have gone back in that universe.
"That must have been hard for you" she said. Lucy nodded as she said "it was, but I know he won't mess with us again. We're going to be ok." Mortis smirked as they clinked glasses as they cheered.
When they finished, Lucy left for a job, while Mortis laid her head on the bar bored. "What's the matter Mortis?" Mira asked. She raised her head as she yawned "oh nothing. Just really enjoying the peace and quiet around here for a change" As she finished her sentence a barrel hit her back, coughing her to fall off her stall. "What the hell!" she snapped, standing up ready for a brawl.
"Why don't you tell everyone how you feel!" Erza raged. She was shouting at Laxus. "I have no issue with telling these losers how I feel" he laughed. "This guild is filled with nothing but losers and weaklings, especially those two idiots. They were Phantoms personally punching bags. I'm surprised they left for another job so soon, I'm glad I never learned their names" he laughed. Mortis was relieved that Lucy, Levi, Jet and Droy had taken a job and weren't here to hear what Laxus had to say.
"Which brings me to worst of them all, that ice dragon slayer freak. This was all her fault along with that rich princess" he mocked. "Shut your face!" Gray screamed. "Laxus!" Mira screamed. "The master explained that no one is responsible for what happened. Including you, even though I begged you to come and help, but you just turned your back on us!" Mortis started laughing. Everyone were silently watched her, holding her stomach. "Oh man you are a hypocrite aren't you Laxus" she laughed.
"What did you just say kid?!" he spat, standing up and walking towards her. "You are all talk, aren't you?" she sniggered. "You claim to be the strongest Fairytail wizard, but when your guild needed you most, you ran away from the fight with your tail in between your legs." Everyone had their mouths open in shock and feared what Laxus would do next. "I'm not a monster who doesn't belong here. The minute you find out you can't do it, you cry for help" he sneered. "I'm not a coward because I call for help. It teaches us our limits and how we can exceed them" She spat. "You're a coward, I'm not surprised you dragon scumbag of a father left you!"
"I've heard enough out of you!" Natsu screamed, fire over his fist. Mortis took this chance to move quickly as Laxus vanished, avoiding Natsu's punch and reappeared. "Why don't you fight me like a man?!" Natsu screamed. "How can you fight me when you can even lay a punch on me?!" he laughed. Mortis reappeared to everyone, jumped behind Laxus and kicked him in the side of the ribs. It wasn't a hard-enough kick, but he had to regain his balance.
"Good enough for you know, am I?" she mocked. "You'll regret that in the future kid. I can promise you that! When I inherit this dump you all can find somewhere else to hang out!" he spat before he vanished. "What a jerk" Mortis spat. "It was about time someone stood up to him the way you did" Mira said. "We don't need a building for us to be Fairytail" Mortis said. "Got that right!" Natsu smiled, throwing his arm over her shoulder.
She laughed and punched him in the ribs. "You want some" he laughed. "You bet!" she smirked, ready for a brawl. Before they could even start Erza stepped in a suggested "why don't we take on a job. Since we've been working together since Lullaby, we might as well become a team."
The guild stared amazed she didn't know they were already a team. "Including Happy that will make five of us. We can do anything" she smiled. "Let's do it" Natsu screamed. "I have to work with him!" Gray moaned. "Problem?!" Erza asked. "No everything's perfectly fine" Natsu and Gray panicked, fake smiling. Mortis laughed as she said "let's go!"
One week later
Mortis was asleep on the bar. "Mortis?" Mira gently shook her awake. "Wha…" she mumbled. She sat up sleepily. "What's wrong?" Mira asked, leaning on the bar. "We have taken three big battled jobs and we haven't been paid for any of it. Natsu just burnt everything, Gray froze anything he could touch and Erza… she's just Erza. We've ended up using our reward to pay for damage costs. I'm so hungry and have no money" she explained. "Want to run a tab just until you get back on your feet?" Mira asked. Mortis nodded and thanked her.
"Here burger and fried on the house" she said, handing her the plate of food. "Thanks Mira" she smiled digging in. Halfway through her lunch, she said "I just need a simple job I can do on my own. Just one. One job, no fights, something different."
Mira lit up as she said "I have the perfect job for what you're looking for." Mortis lit up as she asked "oh really?" she was bouncing up and down in her seat. "A man in Onibus needs help attracting people to his theatre" she explained. Mortis looked over the flyer, realizing it was the thank, you very much man. She smiled as she realized she can actually make a big change in the storyline without it affecting anything in the future. She can rely on her instincts for a change rather than her memory.
"Sounds amazing. I'll leave in the morning" she smiled. "It's nice to see that smile back on your face" Mira smiled. Mortis couldn't stop smiling. "Oh, by the way, a note was left for you behind the bar. Don't know who it's from, though" she said giving her a folding piece of paper with her name on it. She unfolded the paper and read the contents.
As I recall, we never had that dinner we promised each other. That's why I have made arrangements myself. Meet me at Magnolia's restraint at seven. Make sure you look beautiful for tonight. I promise to try and not strip while we're out.
Gray
xxx
Mortis sniggered. Who knew Gray could be so sweet? "Who's the letter from?" Mira asked. "Oh, a mate of mine" she said. "That's so cute, when do we get to meet him?" Mortis sucked her cheeks in and said "it's not like that Mira." Mira explained "don't worry. I won't say anything."
Mortis saw Natsu across on a table. She walked up to him and said "hey big bro!" she wrapped her arm around him. "What do you want?" he smirked, suspicious. "You got any money?" she asked, not very hopeful. "Got some" he said, handing her a fistful of cash. "Thanks, I'll pay you back when I can" she said, walking off. "Oi! Doesn't big brother get a kiss on the cheek for this favour?" he asked, leaning his cheek up.
Mortis looked surprised at herself as she said "why of course." She walked back over leaned down and punched him in the face. The guild laughed as she walked off laughing "dumbass!" Natsu sat back up shouting "I'll get you back for that!"
Mortis checked the time and realized that she only had two hours to find a dress and get ready. She walked down the town to find a dress shop. She started to feel awkward. She never wore dresses for anyone back in her universe. She got kicked out of a youth ball because she wore a black blazer and tie, instead of a dress.
She walked in and her nose was overwhelmed by the smell of fresh fabric. Everywhere she looked she saw many skinny girls pouting in front of a mirror with a dress draped in front of them. She looked around the foreign shop, not having a clue what to buy. She didn't even know what type of dress would suit her. Low or long cut, sleeve or no sleeve, V-neck or round neck.
She made a start by looking at the black dresses. It was either too slutty for her taste or the dress looked like something you would wear at a funeral. She started to think about her and Gray's ice magic. Something blue. That she was sure about. She walked over to the blue dresses. After a while, she looked up at the clock to see she only had an hour to find a dress, go home, get changed and walk to the restraint. It was then she found the dress she knew Gray would love.
"Good evening, reservation for Gray Fullbuster?" The servant looked through the reservation book, found his name and said "two man table, would you like to follow me?" Gray followed the servant to his table in the middle of the wide hall, under the chandelier. "Would you like to see the wine list?" he asked, as Gray seated. "Yes, thank you. I'm also waiting for someone to arrive" he said. "I will escort her to the table when she arrives" the servant said.
Once Gray was alone, he started to get nervous. He wondered if Mortis got his note and would she turn up if she did. He looked at himself. He wore a dark blue, suit with a black tie. his necklace was dangling in front of his tie. He attempted to gel his hair back and flat, once he did, he immediately changed it back.
Mortis walked into the restraint and asked the servant "hi, I'm meeting Gray Fullbuster here?" Gray heard her and looked up and was immediately blown away with the vision that plagued his sight. She wore a glittery, dark blue, sleeved, knee-length dress. Her hair had been straightened. She still wore her scarf Igneel had given to her, but it had been folded neatly to go with her dress.
He stood up, unable to remove his gaze off of her. "Hey" he smiled. "Hi" Mortis said, nervous. He pulled the chair back for her. "Wow" Mortis said, sitting down. "I never knew you could be such a gentleman" she laughed. "Oi, just because we're in a nice restraint, doesn't mean I won't freeze your ass" he smirked. The servant stared at him after he swore. Gray stared back, confused. He finally realized what he said and muttered "sorry" and picked up the drink's menu.
Mortis bit her bottom lip to try and stop laughing. She read the drinks menu. "Don't they have fiz here?" she asked. Gray read his menu trying to find some. "No ma'am the only soft drink we have is water with lemons" the servant explained, seeming annoyed. "With lemons?" she asked looking up. He nodded. "Can the lemons be taken out?" she asked, purposely mocking him.
He nodded as he walked off. Gray sniggered as he said "a bit harsh isn't it?" she laughed as she said "why does every posh thing have lemons with it?" Gray nodded in agreement. A while later they had ordered their food. "So, first date" Mortis said, trying to start a conversation. "Yes finally. We don't have to pretend with the others around" he smiled. "What will happen over future mission?" she asked, curious. "What do you mean?"
She stared at her hands as she explained "I know we're a team and we look out for each other but say if you see me struggling against bandits. Would you drop your battle to help me?" Gray nodded as if it was an obvious answer. "What if you got hurt because your full focus was on me?"
He knew what she was getting at. "Mortis" he started, leaning across the table to grab her hand. "I know how strong you are. You're a dragon slayer and a gifted ice mage. I know what you're capable of. I want you to know that on missions nothing will be different. I will protect you in the view of you are my teammate, until we finally tell the guild about us. I'll treat you just like Erza, Natsu and Happy. Well, maybe not Natsu" he smirked. She laughed.
The servant brought them their food. Mortis stared down at the fish insides on salad, that was brought to her.
"Um sir?" she called. The servant took a deep breath, put a smile on his face as he said "yes?" Mortis pointed her folk to the plate as she said "I thought I ordered the pizza special?" "That is the pizza special" he explained. Mortis looked down at her food then back at him as she asked "no cheese?"
"Also" Gray said. "I thought I had ordered…" He was interrupted by the servant. "I know that the youth of today struggle with the concept of proper food and the natural way of living. But these are the food you have ordered, maybe if you were properly educated and not studying magic you would know what you have ordered and where you have come too."
Gray and Mortis stared at each other, shocked.
They both in unison stood up and walked slowly to the servant, who was now regretting his decision to be rude. "Maybe if you spent less time, insulting your customers and serving them, then you would learn that I have ice magic" Gray said, fog flowing from his body. "And you would learn I'm a dragon slayer" Mortis snarled, eyes flickering with fire. The servant had gone pale, with sweat drowning his face as he stuttered "you don't need to leave a tip."
Mortis and Gray ran out of the restraint holding hands and laughing. "That was so much fun" she laughed. "I know" Gray sniggered, leading the way back to town. They left the waiter pinned to the ceiling with ice, upside down. "Do you think they'll complain to Fairytail?" she asked. "If they do, I'll take the credit. They don't need to know I was on a date with you" he suggested. They stopped outside a pizza and burger stall. "real food!" Mortis pointed.
They walked up and ordered pizza, burgers and as much fried as they could carry. "Come on I want to take you somewhere" Gray said, leading her into the forest. After a while of walking, Mortis recognised the path. They stopped by the river, where the team had found her in a panicking fit. "Why here?" she asked.
"I wanted to talk to you, somewhere where we can start our relationship officially and make this bad place a good place" he explained. He placed the food down and held her sides as he asked "when we found you, you knew what I and the master had been asked, right?" she nodded. She lowered her head, expecting to be interrogated. Gray gently lifted her head up and kissed her. Taken aback, she was slow to wrap her arms around him. He leaned back and said "it also has to with a secret you can't say. Like you told me before our first kiss?" She nodded. "All you need to know is, I trust you."
That was enough for her. She hugged him, as he held her, stroking her head. She smirked as she froze his backside. "oi" he laughed. She ran off as he tripped due to the lack of motion. "I'm getting you back for that!" She laughed picking up the pizza as a shield. "I have pizza" she laughed. "No! Not my meat feast!" he screamed. She opened the box and ate a slice. "Yummy" she mocked.
He laughed and took the box back as they walked to the edge of the river, spending the rest of date talking, eating, kissing and enjoying the moonlight dancing in the river. As Gray was walking them back to town Mortis said "listen, I'm going on a job for a while." "Oh yeah, doing what?" he asked. "I'm going to be helping a theatre manager with an advertisement for his play. I might be gone for a few days."
"Want the team to come with you?" he asked. "I need a solo job for now" she smiled, hoping he would understand. "I get that. Does it pay alright?" Mortis nodded saying "enough to pay Natsu back, what I borrowed." He stopped around the corner form Natsu's small house. "When do you leave?" "First thing in the morning" she answered. He kissed again before saying "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you too."
Mortis snuck into the house. Lights off, no fire. Natsu and Happy were either asleep or still at the guild. "Ah ha!" Natsu shouted, lighting a fire in front of her. "Bloody hell Natsu!" she snapped. "Where have you been?" he asked. "Out."
"She's been with a boyfriend!" Happy laughed. "Have not!" Natsu followed her into the kitchen asking "why are you so dressed up then?" Mortis grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, saying "I went to that fancy restraint on the outer skirts of town." Natsu wasn't having any of it. "Why do you smell like pizza, burgers and fries then?" Mortis drank her drink, trying to find another excuse. "Alright!" she snapped. "I was on a date with a guy. It was our first date. He tried his best, but the servant was rude, so I froze him to the ceiling."
Natsu was silent for a moment before shrugging "ok fine. What's the dude like?" Mortis waved her hand, pleading "not tonight Natsu, I'm going on a solo mission first thing in the morning and I have to get some sleep." She quickly explained her job, while Natsu was annoyed she wouldn't let him help. "I'll be home before you know it" she smiled.
The train arrived at Onibus. Mortis slung her bag on her back and walked to the theatre. During the night she tried to think of a single man play she could perform, knowing the actors would have all left by then. She had a rough idea on times and what she could do, but she was going to make sure, that if the manager wasn't going to let her leave for a while a contract was going to be signed to make sure she got money from her performances.
She walked up to the building to find the small little man walking out. "Are you the wizard from Fairytail?" he asked. "Yes, I am sir" she smiled. "Thank you very much, but there's been a catastrophe." He led her inside and explain the situation. Just as Mortis remembered. "So that's it for my dream, thank you" he finished.
"Sir if it helps, I can do something about that. A one-man performance, give me a week and I guarantee a full theatre" she proposed. "Well, I suppose. You look like an amateur though" he mumbled, not very hopeful. Mortis stared at him unamused. "Trust me." The new contract Mortis wanted signing was signed and she started preparing for the show. She knew some songs from her universe she was going to sing, and she practised her maker magic to create bodies to dance to tunes while using her slayer magic for fireworks. She also sent out flyers every day, promoting the show.
She was enjoying her week alone. She missed her friends. The fights Natsu and Gray must be having, with Erza breaking them up. Gramps getting angry for someone destroying something.
On the day she was going on stage, the manager walked in on her singing. "Excuse me, you have some fans outside." She was led to the entrance of the theatre, where a huge group of people greeted her. Villagers from Galuna island was there. Along with Bora, most of the Fairytail members, good guys from Eisenwald and Phantom and a member from the magic council.
"We came to wish you good luck!" Natsu shouted. "Nice to meet you again" Bora said. "Are you behaving yourself now?" she asked. "Oh yes. I have learned my lesson and will no longer force women into the modelling industry." She smirked. "When are you going to destroy the moon!" The chef demanded. "We've been over this!" she panicked. "break a leg!" the master shouted. "Good luck" Mira waved. She noticed Gray in the crowd and saw him wink at her. She smirked as she was escorted back in.
She was backstage. She wore a long black coat, reaching her ankles. Smart black boots with trousers and a vest. She stood in the mirror nervously. "Are we ready? It's a sold-out night, thank you" the manager asked. She nodded. "It's showtime" she said.
Everyone in the audience sat excited to see what Mortis had put in place for them. The Fairytail guild was sat in the first five rows, wanting to best seats in the house. The lights on the walls dimmed and a bright show light shone down in the centre of the stage. Everyone clapped as Mortis walked under the light. She stood under the light. And remembered the song she was going to sing. Unravel, Lizz Robinett cover. It was one of her favourites and a song she missed listening too. The pianist signalled to start.
"Oh won't you tell me, please just tell me, what is it I've become?" she sang, smoothly. Everyone was silent, hearts moved by her smooth, soft voice. Happy smiled up at Natsu, who smiled back. Gray was mesmerized.
As ice froze the floor and wall slowly behind her she sang "Just who's inside my heart that's tearing me apart? I'm broken, lying shattered, crying within this dying world. You keep laughing with me, yet, you don't see a thing." Silence fell. "I'm breaking down as the world around me is slowly crumbling. With every step, I can't catch my breath as the truth's
Unravelling. Freeze. Unbreakable, yet breakable. Unstable, yet unshakable. I'll find you after everything." The crowd were in awe as it started to snow inside the building. "I'm slowly but surely fading away to nothing. My twisted existence is surely something that I can't escape. So please just turn away...I'd hate to harm you. This life wasn't made for the weak and helpless. And bringing you into this would be so senseless. So, all that I plead is you remember me as who I used to be."
She quickly created many floating bodies of herself in ice. they floated high around the audience. As she sang "I'm falling into emptiness, surrounded by this loneliness. These memories of innocence are flooding through my consciousness. I can't escape, I can't escape, I can't escape, I can't escape I can't escape, I can't escape I'm unravelling the world." As the music melody began, she created ice mist to flow around the sides of the theatre walls.
Near the end of the melody, she discreetly created fire below her feet, making sure they were not in sight. "I look in the mirror and see but a stranger. Our images are intertwined, but both of us are left behind. Unbreakable, yet breakable. Unstable, yet unshakable. I won't let you be corrupted."
She started to hover in the air as she sang "I'm slowly but surely fading away to nothing. My twisted existence is surely something that I can't escape. So please just turn away...I'd hate to harm you. This life wasn't made for the weak and helpless. And bringing you into this would be so senseless. So, all that I plead is you remember me as who I was before this.
Please don't forget me, please don't forget me, please don't forget me, oh don't forget me."
Ice figures appeared on stage and started to dance as Mortis stayed in the air as she finished her song.
"Realizing who I have become, I lie here, paralyzed. Surrounded by darkness, in this cruel paradise. All that I can plead, is you remember me. Won't you tell me, just tell me, please. Just who's inside my heart that's tearing me apart?"
She lowered herself to the stage as the song faded away. The audience was left in a daze. Mira was sobbing. The master was smiling with pride at his child. "I never knew she could sing" Happy whispered. "Either did I buddy" Natsu said. Sobs were heard throughout the theatre. "She's got an amazing voice. I'm rather jealous. Don't you think Gray?" Erza asked. "Yeah. Yeah I do" he said. She moved everyone's heart somehow. The Phantom and Eisenwald members were crying with guilt with what their guilds did to Fairytail.
As Mortis looked up and smiled, the applause started. Everyone stood up to congratulate her. She smiled and waved at everyone. One person caught her eye and she froze with fear. She stared at him. What was he doing there, watching her? ZEREF. He was stood in the centre, not clapping. He was staring at her like he was examining her. As the curtains closed, he left his seat to leave.
When the curtains were closed, she lost her coat and ran out back to the fire escape to try and catch him but was surrounded by people and couldn't find him. she knew running after him would be useless. He could vanish into thin air if he wanted too. She walked back inside to her backstage room, to find the manager there. "Thank you so so so much. They loved it. I have four more nights sold out!" he beamed. Mortis sighed as she said "that's fantastic, I'm happy to help."
One week later
Mortis had finished her last performance for her solo mission. Part of her felt relieved she could finally go home, but part of her loved singing and was going to miss the job. She walked backstage to get changed and pack her bags to leave. When she entered, she found roses on the makeup table, with a note. She smiled as she knew who they were from. She took the note and read "you sang beautifully. Can't wait to see you, when the manager finally lets you go."
She changed and packed her bag. The train left in twenty minutes. The manager ran in shouting "you can't go! I book fourteen more shows!" Mortis huffed as she explained "you have more actors now. Singers who are more experienced than I am. I've done my jobs. I'd like to be paid now, please?"
"If you leave, I refuse to pay you" he threatened. Mortis pointed to a video recording lacrima and brought out her contract. "Need I ask again?" she asked. The manager was furious but handed her over 100,000 jewels. "Please do contact our guild if you ever need anything else" she called as she left.
When the train finally left Oni bus, she smiled as she finally had a small mini solo mission that didn't end up in bandages or beating herself up over what she could have done better. She was able to take charge for a change to follow her own rules. The only thing that bugged her, why was Zeref constantly appearing to her. She and he are linked somehow, she knew deep in her gut it was true. She just wished she knew how. She was about to fall asleep when she suddenly heard "you will soon find out."