Story Five - Fairy Smuggler

"Hey, kid."

Alissa's ears twitched as someone hissed across the room. She focussed on the sound, trying to look casual as she eavesdropped.

"I need your help."

Frowning into the table she tried to identify the deep voice, her eyes flicking up to witness a dark figure looming over her. Before she could utter a squawk a hand was clamped over her mouth, her eyes widening as Gildarts slid a beer in her direction before taking a seat. Feeling her relax under his grip, he lowered his hand, head flicking towards the beer, which she grasped gingerly and sipped at with a shrug.

"I know you're not much of a talker, so hear me out. I need to guarantee safe passage out of Magnolia and it needs to be done in a way in which no one realises until it's too late," he murmured quietly, clenching his hands together as he focussed on her enthusiastic gulps of her beverage.

"I… I can do that…" she admitted, tilting her head as she stared into the golden liquid.

"Good. Can you be ready at noon to meet me at the fountain?" he inquired, his face serious as he gazed lazily around the room.

"Yes…" she rolled the word off her tongue, settling down the empty glass on the table before grabbing Gildarts wrist as he attempted to scuttle away. "But what I won't do is hide something from the Guild. What are you up to?"

Her eyes narrowed as Gildarts expression became lazy, a playful grin hinting at his lips.

"Who? Me?"

"What's so secret that you keep it from your family?" she questioned him, her two eyes flicking between his own.

"That's my business, and if it happens to become someone else's then you won't get your reward."

"What could you have that would possibly interest me?" she challenged, feeling emboldened by the alcohol she had consumed far too quickly.

"A chance for Laxus to be reinstated into the Guild."

The shock caused her to drop his wrist.

"You can't… The Master wouldn't…"

"The fountain. Noon," he repeated, giving her a lazy wave as he left her sight.

Alissa sat on the fountains edge, gazing in all directions frantically before she would draw too much attention and would have to stare intently at the ground. Before long, her own attention was drawn as the corner of the street began to glow, followed by an ear-ringing explosion and a pool of dust. Without hesitation, Alissa shifted her dimension, creeping into the alleyway with her silver staff within her grasp. It wasn't long before she came across the person responsible, his body covered in dust and rubble as he lay in the remains of the building.

"Gildarts?" she cried in disbelief as she shifted back, scrambling to dig him from his stone tomb. "What the hell happened?"

From the man came a long groan, Alissa's eyes widening as the rubble surrounding him began to glow once more. Shifting the dimension as fast as she could, she narrowly missed the stone projectiles, her cloak dropping in the ground to reveal the latest in a long line of skimpy outfits; denim dungarees that ended in shorts with a black crop top underneath.

"Hey sweetheart. Looking good," Gildarts slurred, now free of the rubble and swaying on his feet.

"You're drunk!"

"Course I am. How else did you think I was going to get away from the Guild without raising suspicion," he breathed, wrapping her in his clutches, almost causing her to fall over under his weight.

"How does this not raise suspicion!" she hissed, trying to squirm from his hold. "I've heard the rumours Gildarts. You destroy almost everything you touch when you're sober. How is this going to help?"

"It's going to help," he chirped, poking her on the tip of her nose. "Because Master Makarov is as drunk as I am right now. We were celebrating my… big promotion."

"Why didn't you tell me this was your big plan? I can't take you through my dimension like this!"

"Why not?" he moaned, waving his arm around like it wasn't a problem. "I'll pay for any damages."

"It's not about that," she signed, pinching her nose in frustration. "My dimension isn't just some empty void. Spirits live there. They make sure to avoid anything to do with me, but if you start destroying the place they'll kill you."

"Then what's the plan sweetheart, because I'm not in any state to pull this off myself," he admitted, his rosy cheeks shining like a beacon.

"I can see that."

With a sigh, Alissa could already hear the crowds begin to gather, most likely wondering if it was safe to approach.

"We need to start moving. No matter what I'm getting you out of here," she declared, her eyes focussed on the mission. "Just lean on me and whatever you do, do not touch anything."

Slowly, Alissa began to manoeuvre Gildarts down the side streets of Magnolia, feeling as if she was being pulled in every direction but the one she wanted to go. Peeking around the next corner, she cursed as she spotted the great Titania herself, seemingly trying to soothe distressed citizens as Fairy Tail members began to close off the area.

"Erza is around the corner. We need to send them off your trail," she murmured, scoffing as she found Gildarts sliding down the wall as he started to doze off.

With a deep breath, she walked out from the corner, striding towards Erza whilst holding her breath.

"Alissa? Are you alright?" The queen of the fairies asked with concern.

"I'm fine," Alissa told her, looking at the familiar feet of the several Fairy Tail members within the vicinity.

"Thank goodness. When you arrived without your cloak I was worried you had encountered whatever caused the explosion."

Alissa's mouth fell open to respond, quickly snapping closed as she realised she had forgotten to replace her signature cloak.

"You're right. I did, but I'm fine," she mumbled, clutching her arm nervously.

"Is that so? So what is it that we're dealing with here?" Erza asked, her tone inquisitive and far too suspicious to a paranoid Alissa.

"It's a… cloaked figure. Didn't get a good look, but he is completely a typical bad guy. Probably heading for the Guild. You guys should head back and make sure everything is safe," she gushed, thanking the spirits she typically spoke with her eyes glued to the ground and a nervousness about her.

"Very well," Erza nodded. "We will reinforce the Guild, however we can not leave the citizens undefended."

"My thoughts exactly. I'll cover this area towards the periphery of town," she suggested, glancing back towards where she hoped Gildarts was still fast asleep.

"No. We'll need you on standby for first approach so we know what we're dealing with."

"Makes sense," Alissa muttered her mind ticking away, "but I can't just stand around and do nothing. Get Warren to let me know when you need me."

"Very well," the redhead declared, her eyes gazing at Alissa intently. "Are you sure there is nothing wrong?"

"I'm just worried about… the cloaked figure," she sighed, her voice heavy by the weight of her guilt.

"Don't worry about it," Erza comforted her with a hand on her shoulder. "Every member of Fairy Tail is out there looking for this figure. Whoever they are, we will find them."

Alissa bobbed her head, her cheeks hurting from the fake smile that dropped the second she turned back to find Gildarts sat on the pavement, his mouth wide open and emitting deep snores. Frowning, she pinched his nose, watching unamused as he jolted from his slumber.

"Wh- what happened," he garbled, caught between looking around and trying not to fall back to sleep.

"We're moving," she deadpanned.

"Ooh, frosty. You have to do better than that to compete with my history though," he chuckled, his eyes lowering once again.

In response Alissa kicked him in the ribs, causing his eyes to bulge from their sockets.

"We're moving," she repeated, gripping his arm and tugging him from the ground as he swayed.

Alissa half-dragged, half-carried Gildarts down the narrow streets of Magnolia, peering around every corner for any sign of Guild Mates before tugging him on as he muttered curses and complaints.

Peeking around the next corner Alissa spotted Lucy and Happy patrolling the area. Unfortunately for her, Happy had spotted something and began to head their way just as Gildarts attempted to wander out into the open like a zombie. Panicking, Alissa pushed him back, watching wide eyed as he landed palms down, the streets already beginning to glow.

Without a second thought, Alissa ran around the corner, barely able to register Lucy's words before she jumped out and pushed Lucy and Happy into her dimension, just as the explosion began to sound.

"Ahh," Happy panicked, flying back and forth in a panicked flutter. "What's going on?"

"It was the cloaked figure. You guys should go back and warn the Guild," she lied as she transported them back to their dimension, which has now sprinkled with dust.

"You're right, Alissa. Happy, go and warn the Guild that the creep we're looking for is here," Lucy commanded, drawing out her whip with a power stance.

"Aye, sir!"

"No! You can't," she cried, stepping into Lucy's path as Happy flew off.

"Why not?"

Alissa eyes flicked to the alleyway as Gildarts gave a long groan. As she focused on Lucy, she stepped forward, eyes widening as Alissa sent them back into her dimension.

"What's going on, Alissa?" Lucy demanded, her eyes widening as she noticed Alissa had drawn her staff, it's glowing orb currently empty.

"Lucy, you're just going to have to trust me on this. I need you to turn around and go back to the Guild," she begged the Celestial Spirit Mage.

"No, Alissa. You need to trust that if you tell me what's going on that I can help you," Lucy smiled, taking her hand into her own.

"I'm sorry, Lucy," Alissa sighed, the vines surrounding her staff beginning to glow.

From all around, similar vines which hugged and outlined the translucent Magnolia began to sliver across the ground, Lucy backing up at their approach.

"Alissa, whatever it is… we can help you…"

Alissa turned away, too much of a coward to watch as she ensnared someone who was supposed to be her friend.

"Open, gate of the Lion…"

Alissa lifted her head, shocked as the blond looked at her with steel in her eyes.

"Loke."

Next thing she knew, Alissa was blinded and someone had grabbed her hand. Gasping, she looked down as a red haired man knelt down on one knee, looking deep into her eyes.

"Well, hello there beautiful. Why haven't I met you before?" Loke said smoothly, caressing her hand gently.

With a squeal, Alissa withdrew her hand and hit him on the head with her staff.

"What are you doing, you idiot? I called you here so that you could help me, not hit on my captor," Lucy shouted as she tried to twist out of the vines that had encased her body.

"This girl captured you?" Loke frowned as he rubbed his head. "But her hand…"

"Yes, I'm Fairy Tail, which is why you should you should trust me when I say I would never hurt Lucy."

"You have a funny way of showing it," Loke frowned, looking up to his wriggling friend.

"I know what it looks like," Alissa strained, letting out a frustrated cry.

Loke raised his eyebrows, "you're obviously of two minds about this. So just let Lucy down and we can talk about this."

"I can't do that."

"No? Then I'll free her myself. Perhaps then I can get your number."

Alissa lifted her staff, causing vines to rip out from the ground. Smoothly, Loke dodged them, jumping back as they cut him off from reaching Lucy. In response, he raised a shining fist, hoping he could punch his way through. However, Alissa twisted a vine around his foot, tugging him back to the ground.

"You know, I thought we could make a real go of it, you and me," Loke declared, pushing his glasses back up his nose.

Alissa pulled a face, looking estranged as Lucy gave a long groan and dropped her head in shame.

"But it looks like we'll have to go our separate ways."

Alissa tensed as Loke changed his tactics, drawing back his fist which began to glow as he approached her. Taking a stance, she raised her staff, using it to stop his fist and suck in the rays of light magic as they burst from his hand.

"What the…"

Next thing he knew, Alissa used his shock to grab his wrist, sending him across the dimension. Looking around, she tilted her head as she tried to spot his translucent form within Magnolia.

"The gate… did you… close it?" Lucy frowned, her shock evident from her voice.

"I… I don't know…" she frowned, looking around in confusion. "I guess since I sent him away he wasn't sustained by your magic any more."

With a sigh, Alissa commanded the vines to lower Lucy to the ground so she could sit on the ground, ensuring that her arms could no longer reach her keys. Slowly, she directed a vine to grab the pouch containing them.

"What are you doing?" Lucy cried, her eyes widening as the pouch made its way towards Alissa. "You can't take my spirits! You can't Alissa! If you're the person I think you are you then you can't separate us!"

Alissa looked down at the girl, tears welling in her bright blue eyes. With a sigh, she released the girl, depositing the pouch into her now free hands.

"It's not worth it…" she muttered.

"What isn't?" Lucy whispered, stepping forward as she clutched her keys to her chest.

"I was trying to get Laxus…" Alissa sighed. "It doesn't matter. My actions have been unforgivable. To attack someone from my own Guild..."

Alissa dropped to the ground, dipping her head into her knees.

"Laxus?" Lucy questioned, moving closer to place a tentative hand on Alissa's back. "Alissa… are you trying to tell me that it was Laxus behind that corner?"

"What? No."

Alissa watched in confusion as Lucy let out a bright laugh.

"You don't have to hide the fact that you two are together."

Alissa's eyes widened, blood rushing to her cheeks.

"No! Lucy, no!" Alissa denied, waving her hands frantically in the air.

"It's ok," the girl smiled. "I know we can all be a little crazy when it comes to those we love. I mean, just look at Juvia."

"I think you're the crazy one around here. I just attacked you and you're trying to give me love advice," Alissa muttered, blue lines of embarrassment running down her face. "You're too nice, Lucy."

"Maybe I'm just a sucker for a good love story. Now come on. We need to head back to the Guild. Although I really don't know how we're going to explain how you and Laxus left two gaping holes in Magnolia," the girl frowned, rubbing her chin in thought.

Alissa sweat dropped.

"We didn't! You know what? Never mind. I need to get back to…" Alissa's blush deepened as Lucy gave her a knowing look. "things! Just… I'll catch you later, ok?"

"Ok," Lucy grinned, grabbing Alissa's hand as she crossed them back over to Magnolia.

With a wave she practically skipped away towards the Guild.

"Good luck with 'things', Alissa!"

On that note, Alissa smacked herself in the face. Slowly, she made her way back to Gildarts, trying her best to think of anything else on this Earthland. As she arrived back, her head looked left and right, confused by the empty space where only rubble could be found. At a girlish titter, Alissa followed the sound, her rage reaching tipping point as she came across Gildarts hitting on a woman from town.

"The deal is off. I'm done," she announced, her voice low as she started to head in the direction of the Guild.

"Woah, wait a second, sweetheart. We had a deal. Don't tell me you're the type to give up on a job," Gildarts teased.

"You have no idea, do you?" she raged, turning on him with such a cold fury that the woman made the smart decision to scuttle off. "Lucy knew there was someone here and instead of telling her the truth I was under the impression that no one could know! But apparently that doesn't apply to you because here you are chatting up some local!"

Alissa panted as she began screaming at him. She had had enough and that was the final straw.

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her voice, the bitterness still tainting her words, "and we both know you can't get Laxus back into the Guild, so what's the point anyway?"

Alissa raged, kicking the ground in her frustration as Gildarts sighed, rummaging in his cloak to draw out an unsealed envelope of which he pulled out a letter.

"Read this," he ordered, holding it out for her to inspect.

Alissa huffed, her arm stretching out to take the letter before Gildarts withdrew.

"Don't touch. Just read."

Eyes narrowing, Alissa took in the contents of the letter, briefly pausing in disbelief and flicking her eyes to the man who had apparently been named the fifth Master of Fairy Tail. As she continued to read her face softened before squinting at the bottom of the page.

"You need to move your hand. I can't see the bottom," she informed him.

"You don't need to," he murmured before beginning to seal the letter into an envelope. "If you can get me out of here then I'll give you the letter to take back to the Guild."

Alissa signed, running a hand down her tired face, "I could have hurt her, Gildarts."

"I don't believe that for a second," Gildarts disagreed, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You're a good kid."

Alissa beamed up at him.

"Absolutely nuts, but a good kid nonetheless."

Alissa's face dropped as he chuckled and ruffled her raven hair.

"Come on," Alissa muttered. "The sooner you leave the better."

"Finally, some luck," Alissa muttered to herself.

Having made it to the border of Magnolia, she had finally come across the Fairy Tail members that were making sure the 'cloaked threat' didn't make an escape attempt. This task had been given to the Thunder Legion. Their three members stood before her, bickering.

"Luck? Freed has probably got a barrier around this whole place by now," Gildarts grumbled as he nursed his hangover.

"Yes, but if there is anyone that would do anything for Laxus, it's these three," Alissa grinned.

"Hey Sunshine, what you doing back here?"

Alissa shrieked, feeling her heart pound in her chest as Bickslow scared the living daylights out of her. His totems buzzed around her head letting out a high-pitched 'making out?'

"Ew, he's old enough to be my father!"

Gildarts cocky grin turned into a frown as the Thunder Legion surrounded them.

"What's going on? Have you had another encounter with the cloaked figure?" Freed questioned, one hand on the hilt of his sword.

"No, and there is no cloaked figure. I made him up," Alissa admitted sheepishly, pawing the ground with her foot.

"Do you mean to say that I gave up my afternoon for nothing?" Evergreen scowled, her fingers drawing her fan like a sword and whacking Alissa on the head with it multiple times.

"Ow… Ow! Evergreen stop!" Alissa winced, holding up her hands as a final line of defence. "The only reason I did it was so that I could get Laxus back in the Guild!"

"Laxus? And how do you plan on doing that?" Freed inquired, his expression serious.

"We don't have time for explanations, but I promise that if you open up that barrier and let Gildarts leave, Laxus will have his Guild Mark back."

"Heh, just couldn't keep it in your pants, could ya," Bickslow taunted as Gildarts bared his teeth at him. "How many women did you upset this time?"

"Very well," Freed nodded, turning his back so his companions couldn't see the waterfalls falling from his eyes. "If it is for Laxus we will do anything!"

"Heyyyyy!"

Alissa cursed under her breath as she looked up to see who she suspected was Natsu and Happy, both of them barely specs on the horizon and getting closer by the minute.

"If Gildarts doesn't leave, Laxus can't come back."

"Oh don't worry, I expect anyone approaching will find themselves quite indisposed," Evergreen smirked, an evil glint in her eye that caused Alissa to gulp.

"I'll open up the barrier, just make sure you keep your end of the deal," Freed told them, placing a hand on the barrier to make a hole in the scripture.

Alissa grabbed Gildarts and pulled him through the barrier. They made their way through the trees, Alissa cracking out in a grin as they made it to the clearing of trees just outside Magnolia. However, before she danced in happiness, her eye caught a movement up ahead, making her push Gildarts into a bush. He fell with an 'oomph'.

"Alissa?" Laxus frowned.

She froze in place, sweat-dropping as Gildarts legs stuck out of the bush. If Laxus positioned himself right, he was bound to see him.

"Laxus," Alissa breathed, letting out a loud and nervous titter as Gildarts rustled around in the bush trying to upright himself. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"Keeping an eye out, why are you shouting?" He frowned, moving closer.

Alissa's eyes flicked to the side, watching as Gildarts mouthed at her to 'distract him'. Distract him? Distract him how? Her mind went blank as she panicked, knowing he would see him any second now. He moved closer. Closer.

"What is…"

He cut off as she practically pulled his head downwards, smashing her lips against his. As distractions went it worked pretty well. His wide eyes were trained on her, watching as she kissed him, eyes closed before pulling away so that her pink-tinted face was mere inches from his, a hand still rested on his cheek.

A girlish titter came from the bushes next to them. Both parties turned, looking at Gildarts whose head stuck out the bushes to grin at them.

"Gildarts, you absolute pervert, that was your cue to leave!" Alissa shrieked, eyes alight as she clenched her fists.

Gildarts emerged from the bushes with a chuckle.

"And miss the show?" He smirked, nudging Laxus in the side and gritting his teeth to stop himself from laughing. "Wait 'til I tell your Gramps about this."

"Get out of here!" Alissa shrieked.

"What, you don't want this?" Gildarts inquired, holding out the now sealed letter.

"What's that?" Laxus frowned, looking at the envelope.

"Just the evidence that Alissa lov…"

Alissa punched him in the gut, making him drop the envelope, before kicking him so far that he merely became a pinpoint in the distance. Mission complete, she thought, clapping her hands together in finality.

"Do I even want to know what just happened?" Laxus questioned, watching the girl pick up the letter and shove it in her pocket.

"No, but, err… you should stop by the Guild later. Master Mokorov has a big announcement to make and you should probably be there," she sweat-dropped.

"Alright then," Laxus turned, shaking his head as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked away.

Alissa smiled from the corner of the room. With Gildart's letter handed over to Mira, his wishes had been revealed and Laxus had been acknowledged as a member of the Guild once again. She watched as the Thunder Legion chatted animatedly, talking about the upcoming training to prepare for the Grand Magic Games.

"I haven't forgotten about what happened today."

Erza's menacing aura made Alissa sweat, eye twitching as Titania loomed over the girl like a Shinigami come to collect.

"E-Erza,"Alissa gulped. "I'm so sorry, please don't kill me!"

"Come on, Erza," Lucy inputted, giving the girl a kind smile, "I told you it was just a misunderstanding."

"Very well, however," the fiery redhead paused, folding her arms as she prepared to cast judgement on the shivering girl before her, "to make up for the fact I missed Alzack and Bisca's wedding..."

Alzack and Bisca both sweat-dropped thinking the girl would never get over the fact they were now married.

"I expect to be Maid-of-Honour when it comes to yours and Laxus's."

Alissa's mouth dropped open, as did the entire rooms. Master Mokorov, now the sixth Master, spat out his drink.

"Alissa and Laxus?" The man gasped.

Alissa let out an eep, picking up Happy to hide her face and regretting it when the cat started making kissy faces at her.

"Well it's about time you started producing me some great-grandchildren, my boy!" Mokorov chirped, his cheeky rosy from alcohol as he patted his grandson on the back.

There was a crash as Alissa fainted, her limbs twitching as her mouth muttered the word 'children'.

"We're not dating," Laxus stated.

Of course that didn't stop Erza, already envisioning each small detail of the affair as she scooped up the bride-to-be and carried her unconscious body out with thoughts of going to try on wedding dresses.