A/N: The next few chapters are dedicated the alternate timeline briefly seen in Time Traveler's Pig. Remember, it was mentioned that Dipper went missing in that timeline. Also each chapter of this mini-arc is going to going to be short... probably much shorter than most. Either way enjoy!
Chapter 70: The Timeline That Wasn't: A New Hope
Before we look towards the future, we must look to the past… although in this case it was a past that never was. When Dipper and Mabel stole that time machine, there was another time line that created.
When Dipper went into the future, he found that Mabel in her grief for Waddles didn't move from the spot. She just banged her head sometimes saying Waddles' name.
However for some reason, his time travel removed him from the timeline. Why? Well as a mad man with a blue box once said "Timey Wimey Wibbly Wobbly".
And to say Erza was depressed was an understatement.
Her son was missing, her daughter had seemingly gone insane. They had searched for Dipper, but no one had founded anything.
Gideon almost tried to take over the Mystery Shack, but stopped when he saw Mabel's state.
After learning that Dipper missing and that the only theory they had was his disappearance and her insanity were connected some how, he didn't have the heart to try to take over the Shack. At least until the mystery was solved…
Erza laid on the bed in the living room unable to get sleep when she sensed something.
She went to the window and saw an orange light.
"What is that?" she asked herself.
She ran up to Stan's room.
"You're under arrest!" she shouted.
Stan bolted awake.
"You have nothing on me!" he shouted.
He looked around. Then he noticed a certain device was active.
"What a portal." Said Stan.
"It's from Earthland. I felt magic when it appeared." Said Erza.
"What do you want me to do?" asked Stan.
"I figure if it's someone I do like I'll have to defend the town." Said Erza.
Stan blinked and realized what was the reason.
Use those poor saps to blow off some steam.
He couldn't help but to feel sorry if it was some poor saps from a dark guild or the magic council or even if taws Ichiya.
Stan got dressed in his fishing gear (as those were clothes he thought would best fit the situation).
They headed to where the light was.
They got there and waited for what it was to show up. It took several minutes but when it settled the group landed on the ground. Erza stared at them. She started crying.
"You know who they are?" asked Stan.
That was when Stan noticed the guild marks.
"Their members of Fairy Tail." Said Stan.
Erza nodded, she looked at the various members and much like in the other time line was happy about Juvia, confused about Lisanna, conflicted about Jellal and outright angry about Gajeel.
"Maybe you should go back to the Shack and get Soos and maybe grab the Mystery Cart." Said Stan.
Erza nodded. She walked over to Natsu, Lucy, Makarov, and the three Exceed, then requiped to Flight Armor. She got to the Mystery Shack.
She placed them on the couch for a minute before opened the door and placing them in the living room.
She looked at them while wonder about Panther Lily and Carla. She called Soos and told them that it was people she knew.
After getting the Mystery Cart ready and donning a disguise she spent time talking to Mabel.
"Mabel… my guild is here." Said Erza
Of course Mabel in her grief continued to bang her head.
Brushed some dirt off her Mabel and took off some bugs that were crawling all over her.
"I hope they'll help me find Dipper." Said Erza.
That was when Soos arrived.
"Oh hey Erza… why are you wearing a wig." Said Soos.
"I don't want them finding out who I am right away." Said Erza.
Soos shrugged and they both drove to the spot it happened, and much like in the other timeline they had to put people in the bed of Soos' truck with Erza giving not second thoughts for Gajeel and Laxus but hesitating somewhat for Jellal.
As well as their chosen passengers.
Once they got back, Stan gave Soos this order.
"Call me when all of them wake up and don't mention Erza name." said Stan.
Both he and Erza went upstairs.
Stan got ready by putting on his Mister Mystery Tuxedo.
"You don't have to get dressed up." Said Erza.
"Hey I want to make a good impression." Said Stan.
Erza smiled.
"I really hope they'll help me." Said Erza.
"If half the stories of what you told me are true, they will jump at the chance at helping you." Said Stan.
Erza smiled at him.
Down stairs Natsu and Marvelous (even though she will never receive the nickname in this timeline, it will be used as it would just be confusing to refer to her as "Other Wendy" for this timeline).
"Oh good you're awake." Said Soos.
"Where are we?" asked Natsu.
"My boss and his ex-niece in law found you in the woods." Said Soos.
"Ex-niece in law?" repeated Natsu and Marvelous.
"Yeah they're really close… don't know they're whole backstory." Said Soos.
That was when Natsu smelled something.
"This scent." Thought Natsu, "It can't be."
Within the next few minutes all of them woke up.
"Hey Mr. Pines! They're all awake!" called out Soos.
Stan made his way down stairs.
"All I'm Stan Pines and this is the Mystery Shack." Said Stan he had the urge to joke, but considering the missing Dipper and insane Mabel it didn't feel right.
"Why did you bring us to your house? Asked Makarov.
"Because I'm the one few people in this universe how knows what's going on with you." Said Stan.
Of course they talked about Edolas and other things about it.
Once the conversation turned back to Stan.
"So anyways I know all about Earthland. Soos mentioned her but years ago I found my ex-niece in law in the forest, she was beaten up and I promised her to help her find a way home. But she eventfully lost hope, married my idiot nephew and had kids." Explained Stan.
"So you just brought us here?" asked Makarov.
"Before we found it was you, she wanted use you as punching bags since she's in a bad place right now." Said Stan, "Then she saw it was you… though I think she might use a couple of you as punching bags by the reactions she had when she saw you."
"Really, who?" asked Natsu.
"The blonde guy and the guy with the face piercings." Said Stan, "Though face tattoo she had mixed reactions to."
Makarov began to wonder something.
"You think it's possible that the time is faster in this universe." Said Makarov.
Natsu looked at Markarov.
"Maybe…" said Stan, "She did say it was if she you hadn't aged since she last saw you."
The piece all fit together now.
"I see…" said Makarov, "Erza I know you're there."
Erza entered the room.
Natsu saw and was about to celebrate and then saw the shape she was in. She looked exhausted, everything about her was a mess.
"How many years have you been. I'm going to guess 25 with how awful you look." Said Happy.
"It's been 15." Said Erza giving an extremely harsh glare.
Happy hid behind Lucy.
"Please help me!" cried Happy.
"You brought it on yourself." Muttered Lucy.
"Erza, what happened?" asked Mirajane.
"It's long story." Sighed Erza.
As she began to tell them, Stan and Soos left the room.
Erza nodded at them as they left.
After she told them (with Lucy and Mirajane looking at out the window).
"I don't know what's going on." Sighed Erza, "I don't know if Mabel's like this because of Dipper or if it's another reasons and Dipper knows the answer."
"Okay someone needs to say this… but you seriously named your son Dipper?" asked Gajeel.
"His real name is Natsu, he has a birthmark on his forehead shaped like the big dipper." Said Erza glaring at Gajeel.
Gajeel shut up remembering what Stan said about using him as a punching bag.
"There's something I have to ask you…" said Erza.
"The answers yes." Said Natsu.
Erza looked up.
"Of course we're going to help you find Dipper." Said Lucy.
"You seriously thought we were going to say no?" asked Gray.
Erza started to cry.
"Thank you so much." Said Erza.
A lot of the Guild member smiled too.
Of course they didn't know the truth that Dipper was safe and currently not in existence. But… the timeline still had a while until it was reset… so yeah…
Next Time: Natsu, Gajeel and Marvelous search for Dipper. Will Gajeel do it? Will Marvelous get almost kidnapped by a bunch of gnomes? Yeah... sometimes things stay the same between timelines... Either way find out next time!
