Waking up with a headache isn't a new experience for Gajeel. And to be fair, if he had a nickel for every time he found himself restrained in a dark, damp cave, he would have three nickels. What was new about this experience was Wendy. He spotted the wind Dragonslayer restrained like him: in a crucified position over a slab of the crossed-out Dragon Tablets, the same ones he saw in his counterpart's computer. That meant he was strapped to one of these things as well.
"It seems as if someone resisted the drugs we put in." Gajeel looked down and spotted a hunched-over old man with a cane. But even though the old croak was close, why couldn't Gajeel spot his eyes? "I guess that makes sense. The only other target is a little girl."
Gajeel gritted his teeth as he remembered the last thing he saw: Hugh smiling at him before both he and the kid got tased from behind. When he gets the chance, he was gonna kick that bastard's ass for causing him so much trouble and the Hugh guy too for tasing him! He started to move but found that his restraints didn't even budge under him.
The old man started to chuckle. "By all means, you should struggle all you want," For Gajeel, the annoying old man was moving up in his list of people to beat up. "It only means we'll have a lot of magic to drain from you."
Gajeel wondered what the old man meant until he saw past the old man and spotted what looked to be a strange orb etched into a podium that looked like it was made from tree roots. Now that Gajeel noticed, there were tree roots everywhere, and something felt... off about it.
The old man walked up to the orb and tapped it with his cane. It started to glow, and purple lines dropped from the orb and seeped into the roots.
"Oh," The old man laughed. "I should mention that the king ordered both of you to be unconscious. How merciful of him. But since you're awake, try not to scream too loud to wake the girl up. Or don't. I'm not your father."
Whatever insult Gajell could spit was instantly replaced with screams as he felt something ripping away his soul.
"Ah," The old man looked into the orb. "It seems to be working. What a vast amount of magical power from just two people! Are they even human?"
The sadistic joy in the man's voice died down when he looked upward. "Ah? I promise I'm not wasting time, sire. I'll be there. I'll be there." He gave a small laugh to himself. "After all, even I'm looking forward to the execution."
[Earthland]
Ivan Redray was surprised to see some of his chosen members. The last he saw of them was back in another world. "What are you all doing here? And how did you even pinpoint my location?"
"You can thank Mr. Ooblong for that, gold guy!" Natsu Dragneel beamed with pride and pointed to himself. The young man gained strength after throwing himself off the flying plane. "I found your scent all the way here!"
Natsu Dragion, who was still in the ship even as it landed, looked over to Lissana and pointed to Natsu. "Am I like a bloodhound in Earthland?"
"Hey! I heard that, punk!" The Dragonslayer shouted.
Mystogan would have laughed at the fact Natsu technically called himself a punk. Yet, he kept watching how Laxus was weirdly on the side of this conversation.
However, Ivan began to speak up again. "I'm sorry, but this only means my mission here is now more important than ever. I've found a way to permanently wrestle control of Anima away from Edolas. It requires materials from both Edolas and Earthland to do so, but we're missing one critical piece in Earthland."
"Commander, we're here!" Mirajane Rhea pointed to those remaining members nearby. "We can help find it!"
"Yeah! I can probably track it down!" Natsu Dragneel huffed with pride.
"Thank you, all of you, for your offer." The man in golden armor put a hand across his chest. Another beep came from the device he held. "But instead of finding it, I created something that will attract it towards us. Not only that, but this one won't be as easy as the others that Mystogan and I already took." Everyone was surprised when the man turned back into a fighting stance.
Natsu himself was confused until a very familiar scent hit his nose. Surprise, anxiety, anger, and disbelief overwhelmed him at that moment.
"What!? Him?! Here!?"
"Natsu?" Laxus asked before he to smelled something. It was far too distinct, but he didn't recognize it.
The group of Fairy Tail from two worlds looked beyond Mytogan and Ivan to see a figure walking up the mountain. The figure was obscured by the darkness outside their campfire and the ship lights. As the figure got closer, the others saw that the being was tall and had... horns?
"This is an unexpected outcome. Fairy Tail, how many times must we cross paths?" The smooth and powerful voice began before unleashing a burst of magical pressure.
"Symphony!?" Natsu Dragneel stood in a fighting stance against the fused demon. "What are you doing here?!"
"I was attracted by something. A strange force in the air that called to me."
"That was me, Creature." Ivan stepped forward and motioned the other to stop. "I would like to ask for a piece of your horn."
For a few seconds, all was still. Yet those from both Fairy Tails slowly started to get ready for a fight.
"My horn?" The demon motioned towards the large, L-shaped horn that grew from his head. "That is all you ask?"
"Yes." The golden-armored man began.
"Then you have come to bargain for it?" His three glowing eyes stared down at the man. "I assume that you didn't bring all these people to destroy me? To overpower and control my power?"
"I'd rather we solve things peacefully. I have no interest in power."
Laxus couldn't believe his ears. He heard the same voice that once praised power as the ultimate goal to reach, now denying it as a passing fad.
Ivan Redray spoke up once more. "I am here to barter. What would you like that would allow me to leave with a piece of your horn? I can offer goods from Edolas if you so wish."
"Are we really making a deal with this guy!?" Natsu Dragneel shouted as he enflamed his fists.
Laxus stepped in and pushed his head down. "Quiet, Natsu! Just stand by!"
"Who is that guy, Laxus? Why do you and Natsu know him?" Lisanna asked.
"He's not a guy; He's a demon. And that's a long story for later, Strauss." The Fourth Guild Master explained.
Symphony looked over to Natsu Dragneel before glancing back towards Redray. "I ask for a piece of your armor then."
At the mention of that, Redray lifted his arm and pressed buttons on a device he carried. They heard the sound of a hiss of escaping air before he removed his left hand's gauntlet. He handed it over to the demon. Symphony grabbed onto his right horn and snapped a chunk off similar to the size of the gauntlet. The two traded what they asked for. Symphony eyed the item before it sunk into his skin like water. The runes around his skin glowed before turning gold as the same as Ivan's armor.
"The material made from this is impressive. Will that be all?" Symphony asked.
"That is all. Thank you." Without another word, Ivan turned back from Symphony, who did the same. Wings sprouted from the back of the demon before he flew off into the night sky.
"I wasn't expecting you to make a deal with a demon." Mystogan began.
"I first thought we could battle it. But when I caught a bigger fish than I expected, I hoped it would be reasonable enough for something intellectual. I'm glad that paid off."
"What!? You didn't want to fight it!? I totally could have taken him on my own!" Natsu declared.
Ivan Redray gave a soft laugh. "I believe you then." Honesty, trust, generosity. Laxus had such conflicting feelings hearing those feelings from a voice he never heard once pointed towards him. "But like Mira—Rhea, told me. We're going to have to rescue everyone else. And we're going to need you at full strength to save them."
Natsu calmed down as he realized what was at stake. Laxus was impressed that someone else besides Kain could talk down Natsu from a fight so easily. Ivan Redray led everyone else back into the ship. He wanted a briefing on what happened while he was gone. Before they could take off, Two people stayed behind slower than the rest.
"He's different," Mystogan told a stoic Laxus. "You shouldn't look for ghosts that aren't there."
A second passed before Laxus scoffed. "Enough about me. How the hell do you fit into all of this?"
Mystogan's eyes widened briefly. The tone in the guild master's voice suggested—
"Gramps may have respected your privacy, but I didn't at the time. But who would have believed me back then?" Laxus looked forward. "Relax, I'm just curious."
"... That is also a long story."
"Hey!?" The two then spotted Mirajane Rhea waving an arm at the two. "You two coming, or are we just going to leave you both standing there like idiots!?"
The two S-Class mages walked into the flying machine. While poor Natsu kept forgetting about his motion sickness, the two Fairy Tails went back into the sky, ready to enter back into Edolas.
[Edolas: Last night before execution day]
Alright, I'm not dead. So how do I get out of this cell? ... One day, I'm going to have to find a dang therapist. Those should not have been the first two things I prioritized waking up. I'm complaining again. Still, this might benefit me in the long run. After all, I learned more about this world when I was captured than researching on my own.
It is much darker here than it was back in the ship. The air around me gives an atmosphere that feels older than my bloodline. And as I touch the floor, I can feel the distinct feeling of wood, like the one that suppressed my Morpher. But I'm surrounded by it this time. I think I'm in the Great Tree.
"So you're awake." A familiar voice comes from another corner of the darkroom.
It takes me a second to recognize Gajeel's voice. But this is good since he is in the same cell as me. "Oh, Gajeel. Is there any metal here? Your magic may be gone, but maybe you can still eat steel?"
"What? How do you know me? And what do you mean by eating steel?" I'm surprised by the genuinely confused tone in the Dragon Slayer's voice. It takes me a bit to remember what the purple-haired man said about arresting the same man twice.
"You're Edolas Gajeel, aren't you?" I point my head towards the figure.
There's also a strange silence coming from his end. "And you must be from that other world. The one Anima is stealing from." I can feel a smile on his face even in the dark.
"I'm Gajeel Bluewolf, Ace Reporter of Phantom Press," He started as if saying that line a million times. "How would you like an interview, sir?"
Well. I was right about learning more when being captured than free. "It would be my honor. Would you like to compare notes?"
I told him as much as I could about the other world. But I left out the part I was from another different world and only living in Earthland temporarily. We didn't need this situation to be any more complicated than necessary. He asked about what Earthland was like, and I only told him about the country of Fiore and what I knew of that place. The most I could say that it was behind in technology, but otherwise normal.
He was surprised to learn more and more about Happy and Carla. I learned that Exceeds were considered angels in this world. Their word was law, even beyond that of the king's. But then I asked where did they come into Edolas' Birth if they're so integral to society?
"Right, you didn't get far with our intricate histories. The supposed 'demon' in that tree was sealed up by the Exceed. It's why our ancestors revered them for having great sealing magic that's second nature to them. Most books don't mention it because of some fear we might interpret them wrong and incite their wrath." That was curious. How'd they do that?
But I had a different question in mind. "I told you everything I could. What about you? Why are you put in the same cell as someone from another world?"
I heard Edolas Gajeel give a deep sigh. "It all started a month ago. I was asked to write a puff piece on the up-and-coming Birthday of the prince. I was in a rut and need of money, so I took the job. I thought I'd retell the tale of how Ivan Redray betrayed the royal family and killed the Exceed King, but..." Just like with Kain, the more he dug into the story behind the Prince's death, the stranger and stranger everything seemed.
Ivan Redray was a man gifted in Lacrima Technological Studies. He rose high and fast, becoming a lead scientist. This was bound to be the case as he grew up with the current king as his Junior during their college years. If it sounded more screwed up to me, Bluewolf also found it hard to believe that two childhood friends would do this to each other. He thought there might have been some drama between the Queen or Something, but no, those two have been close even when the queen died of childbirth after Hisui.
"In my pursuit of finding more about the Prince's Death, I was led down a strange path. When I tried to learn more about the king's past, I stumbled across a cult that the king was a part of when he was young. It had something to do with dragons, but I didn't want to pursue that line any further, no matter how curious I got. But when I snuck into the castle for answers, I got some to questions I didn't know I had."
I took an educated guess, seeing as he was here with me. "You found out about Anima, didn't you?"
"By accident. I was trying to hide from the patrols, but I stumbled onto a secret entrance. By the time I found out what Anima really was, they found me." He motioned his hands towards the cell we were in. "And here we are."
"This place that told you what Anima is. By any chance, did it have a computer?" I found myself asking.
"Yes, it showed me a simulation of it stealing and turning other people into fuel. Gods, I thought some nature hippies thought technology was killing people. Apparently, it wasn't our people being killed for it."
"So... would it have access to data that can potentially reverse it?" My mind catches up with my instincts.
When Bluewolf has no immediate reaction, I start to hope. "I doubt they'll leave that terminal open as they did with me last time. Even if they did, you don't seem like the scientist type." Bluewolf said. That's what I get for hoping.
It's too bad that Natsu's stubbornness is rubbing off on me. "That's not going to stop me. How long have I been here? Is Fairy Tail's Execution happening right now?"
"Fairy Tail's schedule for Execution?" The fact Bluewolf doesn't know might mean he's not being killed with them. This cell looks so secluded that I'm willing to bet they think we'll just be left here and forgotten. Still, I hope I'm not too late to save everyone.
But I can definitely turn that to my advantage. Especially since I know a certain someone is going to make a huge mess of things later.
Okay, so if I've learned anything living in an anime world, it's that when you start to have a crazy idea forming in your head, you do it. Because you'll either succeed and have everyone else call you a genius or die so stupendously that future historians will be baffled with your existence.
How the bloody heck am I still alive?
Ahh, screw it. "Alright, Mr. Bluewolf, what's your opinion on escaping and saving another world?"
"Being a hero, huh? The idea has appealed to me. What do you have planned?"
"Well, that depends, is there anyone else in this cell?"
"There isn't anyone, but it always feels like we're being watched." Despite being alone for like a week, he never saw the guards that put food nearby him. And it took him a while, but he figured out that we're currently trapped inside the Great Tree. This was because the floor beneath us is nothing but bumps and roots.
It was like the cage was alive. But also designed to keep us in here. I need to understand how to escape it to enact what little of a plan I had.
I got up and checked the bars. Once more, they felt like the wood they used to cuff me... which they put on me again. I can't access my Morpher, so I'm stuck again... kinda. I did prepare something in case I got caught again, but I'm not going to use it yet until I'm sure about how to escape.
So, I got up to the bars and—
...
...
"Uuuggghhh, why do I have a splitting headache?" The last thing I remember was trying to touch the bars.
"Right, my bad. I should have mentioned that sooner. The bars have strange magic in them. Touch them, and they repel you back in. Violently."
Wow. Would you look at that: I still have my need to punch someone in the neck. If it wasn't for these restraints, I'd repeat my last cheap shot on the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"Owww. Okay. A dark room, surrounded by trees, and mysterious magic that prevents us from leaving the area. But this place also keeps us fed and other necessities. And I have to escape before sunset tomorrow if it's not already tomorrow." I inhale.
Fine. Let's do this.
[Edolas skies. Last Night before Execution.]
Ivan remained silent after hearing everyone's stories on the matter. "Doranbolt was a traitor. I knew someone was feeding information to Edolas, but I never expected him."
"I swear that when I get my hands on him, I'm going to break his kneecaps!" Everyone noticed how Mirajane Rhea said 'when' and not 'if'.
Ivan stood up and removed his helmet. Laxus found himself staring at the person with the same face but had a look in his eyes that he never saw. "Edolas has the advantage. With our team as is, we stand no chance of rescue for any one of our members."
Laxus was shocked he would say something like that with a confident face. But he noticed that the Edolas Fairy Tail, Lisanna, and Mystogan didn't look surprised. (Natsu Dragneel was too motion sick to react.)
Ivan Redray shook his head with an exasperated smile. "Am I that predictable?"
"We've been with you for a long time, sir. When we don't do the obvious thing, you order us to do something even more overblown." Natsu Dragion sighed. "What herculean task are we going to do?"
"We can't rescue our friends, so our only option is..."
[Edolas. Fiore Castle.]
"War!?"
The Edolas Army Captains could not believe what their king had just said. Yet Byron had a smile on his face and suppressed a laugh.
The King of Edolas raised his hand to silence them and the other members of the council. "With Anima working at full capacity and with us taking Ivan's terrorist cell, we have forced that man's hand. He is going to pull every trick in his arsenal to ensure the destruction of Anima and the death of the Kingdom."
"Wait, but sir!" A flamboyant but handsome man wearing pink robotic armor and who had blonde and styled hair spoke up. "If we have all of Redray's men, how is he going to declare war?"
"Fairy Tail are homegrown terrorists, Sugarboy." Everyone turned over Erza Knightwalker. "But Ivan has done much work in over a decade."
"Indeed," They all turned to the only Exceed in the room. Unlike most humans, he did not need specialized armor and instead wore gear akin to those from medieval times. "He's been able to organize rebellions all over the world. Even created other Prominent cells and dark guilds in different countries, all of whom can't compete with our Anti-Dark Guild Countermeasures."
Arcadios remained silent.
"So, does that mean what I think it means?" Hugh sighed into his seat.
[Edolas Skies. Fairy Tail]
"We're calling in every rebel cell, every organized opposition against the king. We are going to strike down Edolas' forces, or else Anima will ensure their rule until the end of the world."
"Whoa, wait," Laxus stood up straight. "How could you get that many people in Edolas that quickly? And two, would about the civilians?"
"Funny enough, The Royal Kingdom is going to help us in that regard." Redray smiled. "After all, you're talking to the man who created Anima. You really don't think I can't take control of it back?" He turned to Mystogan. "I am going to need Mystgaon's help."
The hooded man nodded.
"Hey, Commander," Droy looked over. "Not to be rude or anything, but who is this Mystogan guy?"
"Long story short, my agent in Earthland. He's been pivotal to crippling the power of Edolas until this very moment. Now, he's pivotal for a completely different reason." The man stood up from the plane seat. "But after I make the call, I'm going to make one last stop. It's the reason I went treasure hunting in Earthland in the first place."
[?]
All across the planet of Edolas, many machines started to blink.
When they were activated, Ivan, wearing his gold armor with a white cloak, appeared in a hologram that varied from machine to machine.
"Anima will soon reach full capacity. When Edolas controls the machine, it will mean the end of the rebellions. They'll have unlimited energy at their disposal. More than that, our efforts to stall them will be nothing more than annoyance as they up production of drones, warbots, and scanners. We won't be able to destroy them fast enough anymore. And all of their power comes at the expense of innocent people not even from our own world..."
From where Ivan made his speech, Lisanna watched Mirajane Rhea hold on to her necklace as Ivan made the speech.
"But I'm not calling for the bad news: I'm asking all remaining rebels and dark guilds for one last hail mary play: a revolution."
Meanwhile, Edolas forces moved to call in all Dreadnaught skyships. Reserved soldiers were recalled. Prince Hisui watched the night sky from her brother's room. The stranger's words scratching at her mind that something was off.
Ivan's message continued to play. "This machine is now sending a signal. Before sunset tomorrow, it will open up a portal that will lead you directly into Edolas Forces. If you do not want to participate, then you are free to toss or break this machine. But I want you all to know that I'm going to fight."
Happy and Carla kept running down the hallway. They could hear something unearthly race after them in the darkness, but they dared not look back in case they slowed down. Just when the noises seemed to get close enough to reach for them. The orb the queen gave them shined, blinding all in the hallway.
"Edolas has taken my friends, my loved ones, and my life. I can never get those back, but I refuse to forgive them for taking that away from innocent people they're supposed to protect!"
Mystogan and Laxus quietly eyed each other. Both were technically outsiders to this but understood the weight of what was about to happen.
"So, I'm going to fight. Fairy Tail is going to fight for our friends, our future, and for the end of tyrant that cares more for power than the soul of their people and other innocents!"
Alone in his throne room, the King of Edolas writhed in his throne. A small, but energetic girl, peeked from the grand doors. She wondered why the King was acting like that?
"Tomorrow is not the death of Fairy Tail! Tomorrow, we fight for Edolas' Soul! And we aren't going to lose!" By the end of his speech, he roared with courage. He bared his feelings through the speech, but Redray knew he was asking the impossible of those he gathered under his flag. He watched the screen and expected the signals to die down.
However, Ivan Redray wasn't expecting new signals to begin popping up.
"It seems like they're relaying the signal to other machines." Natsu Dragion smiled. "Looks like they're all in our suicide mission, Commander!"
"Don't celebrate yet, Dragion," Ivan closed the signal before removing his helmet. "I can control Anima, but I also need to sneak in there. That's where Mystogan comes in. He can open one Anima Portal inside the tree, but it'll be up to him and me to find the main lab."
"I'm coming with you." Laxus stepped forward. "I won't take no for an answer."
Ivan looked into Laxus' eyes. The Dragonslayer did his best not to flinch. It was easy this time simply because he wanted an end to this madness, and he wasn't taking the backseat to this.
"Alright, but just you," Ivan Redray turned to the others. "I have a different mission for all of you: rescue. While all hell breaks loose, your team will save the rest of our allies."
Natsu Dragneel made a loud groan. Lisanna seemed to have her eyes widen. "Ah! Right, Commander, what about Earthland Fairy Tail!? We need to free them, and they can help us out!"
"I may have a way to turn them back to humans, but can you even convince them fast enough to help mid-fight?" Ivan turned to Natsu Dragneel after Lisanna translated.
Natsu struggled in his seat. He looked Ivan in the eyes... and smiled.
That was enough for the commander. "Alright then, it's a good thing this Dragon Slayer is helping us then. It's half the reason why the Dragon Slayers weren't affected by the conversion."
It looked like the commander wasn't going to elaborate more than that as he turned to everyone again.
"Alright," Ivan inhaled. "Here's the plan. One hour before the execution, Mystogan will open an Anima Portal in the bowels of the castle. My team will sneak upward while Edolas expects an outward assault. Rhea, your team will find and locate the Lacrima containing our Earthland counterparts. It should be on an isle hidden inside the branches of the tree. I'm trusting Dragion can pilot something as mundane as this without getting detected?"
"Oh, come on, Commander! Who do you think you're talking to? It doesn't matter what vehicle: I'm the best driver there is! And don't worry about sneaking in; Lisanna got a copy of the Dreadnaught landing codes. Their scanners won't detect us."
"That was the red knight guy who used the transferable USB. But he got captured." The white-haired girl said with a frown.
Laxus spoke up. "Don't worry about him. He's been in worse situations. I'll keep an eye out for him if he's in the area."
"They still have the easy job. I'm still expecting resistance when we get in the castle." Ivan put a hand near his chin.
"Don't worry about that," Mystogan voice made Edolas Fairy Tail surprised as they had not heard the masked man speak until that moment. "We can handle it."
"Alright, get as much rest as you guys can. We have a long day ahead of us. It might be our last one too," With that, Ivan left the cockpit and moved towards the back of the ship.
As he arrived in the cargo bay, he picked up something from his cape and threw it to the floor. It expanded into a strange cylindrical device. He placed the items he hunted in Edolas into the machine as it thrummed with life.
Ivan Redray, easily the most technologically advanced man in both Edolas and Earthland, sat on a nearby crate, put his hands together, and prayed.
Back in the front, most of the others dispersed to make their final preparations. However, Mirajane Rhea walked over to Laxus.
"You didn't tell him?" She asked.
"Why bring up that point now? We've got more serious issues to deal with, Stra—Rhea." Laxus dismissed.
"Fine, but when this is over, you gotta tell him! I'm even going to drag your muscular ass over if I have to." The biker girl folded her arms.
Laxus scoffed. "What's your deal with having him and me meet? There's no need for it."
He expected her to get angry; Laxus did not expect Mirajane Rhea to look so sad. "Please? The Commander has been through so much bullshit, more than the rest of us. I thought that knowing that he has a son he'd be proud of in another world would be like a gift he deserves."
Ivan... would be... proud? Of him?
"Focus on preparation." Mystogan's voice made the two look at him. "You're going to need it." The masked man stated.
Edolas Mira scowled towards the masked man but then relented when Lisanna called her over.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Mystogan turned to Laxus when Rhea left.
"I'm not some emotional newbie. I'm your guild master, you ass." Laxus scoffed, but Mystogan could tell the insult wasn't strong enough to be called half-hearted.
Though, the former Edolas native realized he'd be calling himself a hypocrite. The first time he's been home in years, and he's helping to destroy it.
[Operation: Revolution. One hour before Execution]
Even in the morning, the sky above the capital had nothing but airships patrolling the area. How could they not? They knew that Ivan would do anything to save his 'terrorists'.
They also saw, in all broadcasts, the mass execution block. All other Fairy Tail terrorists were trapped in full-body casts, gaged, and standing on a podium in front of a firing squad. Fairy Tail members felt a plethora of emotions while the firing squad steadied their aim and waited for the sun to go down.
But they didn't know that inside the castle, an Anima Portal opened up.
Ivan jumped through first, followed by Laxus and then Mystogan. The trio noticed they landed in a garden.
"Is this as close as you can get?" Ivan asked before he and Laxus noticed how unusually silent their third party member was.
"Hey," Laxus whispered before lightly punching the shoulder of the masked man. "What the hell were you grilling me about when you're spacing out?"
Mystogan shook his head. "Can you detect anyone nearby?"
Laxus narrowed his eyes but sniffed the air. "I don't smell anyone. My hearing isn't accurate cause of all the machines in the area."
Ivan nodded but kept his guard up. "The layout shouldn't have changed," Ivan spoke. "Let's go towards the main lab."
The trio nodded before they made their way passing few patrols.
However, Laxus suddenly stopped both of them as they came across a random hallway. "The smell of steel suddenly got stronger."
Ivan looked ahead and touched the side of his helmet. "... I see cloaking devices have gotten much better since my leave."
The air in front of the trio started to bend and flicker. When it faded, all of the Royal Captains along with the Hero stood before them to bar their path.
"Ivan Redray," A pink-armored man with a noticeable hairdo unsheathed what looked to be a rose until it ignited a laser sword. "For the smartest man in all of Edolas, you're pretty stupid coming here with only two men."
"We don't know how you got past all our detection, but we did know you were probably going to aim for your precious lab." Hugh folded his arms as he held a strange pentagon-shaped item.
"Surrender, Redray," Byron, who wore a full-body cloak, declared this as he hunched forward. "Do so, and you'll die with all your terrorist criminals."
Ivan inwardly blanched as he saw the likes of Erza Kinghtwalker, the mysterious Lord Byron, and the infamous "Fallen" Pantherlily. The latter of whom seemed to be trembling as he gripped his sword to the point it looked like veins were going to pop.
"You," Ivan looked over to the Exceed. "You're King Zabia's—"
Patherlily grabbed his sword that extended to the ceiling. With impossible speeds, he brought it down and created a shockwave that destroyed everything in its path.
Laxus and Mystogan acted fast. Mystogan unsheathed two of his staves and created two bubble barriers. Laxus moved forward, his fist gathering energy, and punched downward. The resulting explosions canceled each other out but erased most of the hallway between the two parties.
"Don't you dare speak his name, apostate! You have no idea how long I've waited for this day, heretic," Pantherlily spoke as if unleashing years of pent-up hatred in that one moment. "I don't care if I ever return home to Extalia if it meant making sure that you... DIE BY MY HANDS!"
The black exceed made the first move, but Mystogan made the second one. With a flick of his staff, he trapped the raging exceed into a bubble of air. The masked mage spotted the other captains making a move. He slammed his other staff on the ground to create an energy barrier that covered the area around the Captains.
"Ivan, you go ahead." Mystogan twirled his staff and pushed one hand outward.
"What?! And leave you two all alone against the Royal Captains!?" The golden man cried out.
"Don't worry," Laxus stepped forward as the barrier started to crack. Mystogan did the same. "You're talking to two of Fairy Tail's S-class mages."
Ivan shook his head. But before he could say anything, Mystogan pointed two fingers at his feet. A portal opened up, and Ivan dropped through it.
"Is there a reason why you didn't bring us directly to the machine if you could do it earlier?" Laxus removed his cloak and rolled his arms and neck as a warm-up.
Mystogan positioned all of his staves in place. "I knew they'd be waiting for us. Anima is delicate, so fighting there would have been catastrophic to the plan. That's why I made us travel through the castle, so they'd think they intercepted us."
The barrier looked like it was about to break.
"I've always wanted to see if either you or I were stronger." Laxus gathered electricity. "Don't think I'll ever get the chance to fight against you if I'm here fighting with you.
Mystogan gave one small smile inside his mask. "How about this? The one who defeats the most of our enemies gets to be properly called the strongest Fairy Tail mage after Gildarts."
The barrier shattered, but Fairy Tail's best stood firm.
Laxus launched himself towards his enemies and roared, "Sounds good to me!"
{Author Notes}
The Edolas Royal Captains VERSUS Laxus and Mystogan! (A Rare Team-up that hasn't been seen before!?) Place your bets, everyone!
I wrote this next chapter as a thank you to those that still read this story. You guys are pretty much the reason this story keeps going despite how infrequent it is for me.
We're finally reaching the part of the story where crap hits the fan! I can't wait to show you guys what's going to go down by the end of this arc!
Take care guys. Thanks for reading this far!