Chapter 11 - Rescues In Rain
Written by Demod20 and LastationLover5000
A clap of thunder, one of numerous tonight, was what finally broke Charle out of her slumber. The small bodied, white furred feline felt her eyes shake in place as lids blinked rapidly. The flash of light from the outside only cast a brief shadow, illuminating the darkened room she was reclined in. The bed with white sheets and surrounded by flowers did little to comfort the gnawing feeling she had.
And then, a flash across the bedroom brought her vision to a rain-filled ruined street.
"W-What is this-?" She began to choke out, shivering as if she was feeling the cold rain that was pelting her fur despite being indoors. "Is this...a vision?"
She heard a familiar cry, and from the spot she clung to was from up high. She couldn't make out her surroundings, only what was right in front of her. A torrential spiral of water, boring straight into Wendy, her body flayed as her head reared back and let out a wordless gasp. Even as a shower of blood mingled with the watery gale she saw the one who was responsible - the face darkened by the lightless environment, but illuminated briefly in a flash of lightning with telling blue eyes, a cherub oval face and sweeping teal hair that whipped behind a slender back that was covered by soot, blood and bruises.
And then, just as quickly as the flash of the vision vanished, she felt something from the outside.
"Come on! We have to hurry!"
"City's gone to Hell because of those damn brigands!"
Voices echoed outside of her bedroom, causing the Exceed's ears to turn in the direction, her face looking in the direction of the door. She heard men clinking armor on, obviously having just got out of bed and rushing past her room without care to their surroundings. Bells rang beyond the tumultuous storm, giving her more clarity of the current state of the environment.
Looking out of her window, she saw something that caused her eyes to contract and her mouth go agape. A massive barrier of water encircled the western gate, with its district cut off from the outside by the dome. And beyond it, an unmistakable series of flashes of light, with Magical Aura as the catalyst. One the colour of cyan and the other a deep cobalt; each one clashing violently and giving off the vaguest impressions of ancient eldritch beings - those of the extinct Dragons of old.
"Wendy!" Charle exclaimed, her body bolting upright and unlatching the window. Despite a gale of the storm hitting her in the face, soaking her fur, she extended her wings and called upon her native magic to propel her forward. Despite the aches she felt, she propelled herself towards the source, with a determined if not panicked look across her face. "I won't let you die, Wendy! I won't abandon you to this fate!"
Her head plunged into the barrier, mind steeled at the prospect of being repelled or even harmed.
But instead, she saw something that brought her dread; an entire swirling ocean separating herself from the distant lights that made up what she thought was only a few meters away, but now was certainly even far more vast of a distance. Within this water she felt a swirl of movement, simulating the torrential sea she had experienced not but a short time ago. Her blood went cold, her spine chilled and her head swished back and forth, before throwing herself out of the dome of water into the sky with wings shivering in place behind her back.
"W-Wendy...I-I can't...!" She began to sob, covering her aching, wet bandaged chest. Even as the storm raged outside, her body floating passively in the sky's downpour, she couldn't help but look with understandable fear at the swirling dome of liquid that seems to absorb the rainfall as it lands on its surface.
If I take that plunge...will I get to you at all? This magic seems to spawn an entire sea, and I may drown in that time before I-
As she was rambling in her thoughts, the memory of the vision she bore witness to brought everything into clarity. If she hesitated, let her fear get the better of her now, how would she be able to ever live this down? This was her only chance to avert the horrid future she kept seeing. This was the moment she was to seize and make fate twist in the way she wishes, rather than await it with dread!
Taking a deep breath, Charle raised her head and, with a pair of puff cheeks she zoomed straight into the barrier once more with even more gusto.
"MAX SPEED!"
A white blur pierced the roiling sphere of water, parting the artificial currents and racing straight towards the light she knew was Wendy's Magical Aura.
No matter what obstacle lies between us...I'll always come for you, Wendy...I'll always protect you...even if it costs me everything!
Robyn could scarcely believe what he was seeing.
This was the weak, trembling girl who could barely do anything against his lieutenants without exhausting herself. He had discounted her and even pitied her before.
But now, she stood defiantly, exuding a fearsome aura that matched the ferocity of her gaze that stared defiantly back at him.
"You think this changes anything?" He spoke back, his echoing voice growling as his form stood upright, rearing back a fist with a swelling balloon of water over one fist; one that discharged into a throttling geyser aiming to strike her dead in the chest. "That you can beat me?!"
In a split second, Wendy's eyes dilated and her body stepped to the side, avoiding the deadly lance of water that soared past her, crashing through a building top and smashing it effortlessly into pieces. Robyn sneered and leaped forward, twisting his watery-shelled body around to slam a liquid covered heel at her temple.
Bending below to let only her rising swirling hair, coursing with wind, to be struck Wendy spun on her heels across the dirtied apartment floor and twisted a fist upwards towards his imperceptible mask of water-
-dispelling it in a thuum of force, followed by a howling wind that jettisoned the now bewildered visage of Robyn straight up into the sky with a torrential whirlwind left in his wake as he spiraled uncontrollably into the sky.
"Ngh?!" Robyn grimaced, clenched teeth spewing blood across his jaws and dripping downward from the sky.
"Her Enchantment boosted her that much...?!" He hissed out, stopping his upward momentum with a mighty flap of his liquid wings attached to his Armor of the Malestrom. Leering down, he'd open his eyes wide, seeing that Wendy's person was roaring upwards like a spiraling missile, The soles of her feet acted as jet thrusters, propelling her upward while her hands were gathering air in her swift forward momentum.
"What did I say before?" Robyn snarled, his face becoming covered by a rushing tide of water once more, glowing gold orbs shining like haunted lights as his voice echoed with his hands reared back in anticipation. "A linear attack will never beat me!"
"Wingbeat," Wendy began to speak, throwing her arms in a overlapping crisscross "OF THE SKY DRAGON!" Unleashing a pair of slashing whips of wind magic that connected against Robyn's body with a tremendous thunderclap of force.
The resulting impact's effects were immediate. Water was dispersed, hissing steam released as Robyn was knocked off kilter higher into the air, arms and face along with his robe covered waist exposed by the blast.
And in his rising ascent, he'd see Wendy already close the distance and grasp his hands; twisting him around in the air and coalescing her slayer magic in tandem with an enchantment of Vernier.
Then, she'd throw him, with exceptional force towards the middle of a street, away from the other buildings.
"NOT THIS AGAIN!" Robyn shouted as he somersaulted through the air at an uncontrollable velocity. Slamming into the street's surface, his body expelled a great deal of the water he had covering him - cushioning him to an extent - leaving him in a liquid-filled hole that he slowly rose out of.
Just as before, his fin-like ears twitched and his eyes looked up with shock at the sudden arrival of Wendy's lithe frame roaring towards him with veracious momentum.
With gritted teeth, he swung his arms around, calling upon the water of his newly formed hole to swathe over his arms, forming gauntlets of the Maelstrom Armor he had donned earlier. As she neared, he bent his legs and leaped forward, his clawed hands surging forth to stab straight into her charging shoulders the moment she got within reach-
"SKY DRAGON'S ROAR!" Wendy howled, bellowing out from puffed-up cheeks she had inflated upon the swift journey to him, unleashing a powerful twister right before his watery-poised fingers could make contact; slamming straight into his face and chest, throwing him backwards with a hellish propulsion across the structures that lined up behind aside the street he had landed. Building after building, the young man cried out as he felt himself slamming through solid brickwork, glass and other forms of structures as the grinding twister kept pushing him backwards.
Then, as if by providence, he slammed into the farthest point of his barrier's perimeter and the water came sweeping out, petering the roar spell out as he sank into the endless expanse of his spell.
Even though the water gave a soothing warmth to his Dragon Slayer body, the young man felt pain throb all over him. It had been years since he had felt this kind of physical agony, but that paled in comparison to the welling frustration that he had within his soul.
His lieutenants were either hurt, betrayed him or had left due to his own lack of trust in them. The band was dissolved, and his hat was not within his possession. And what's worse, a girl of this naïve nature was obstructing his path.
"Robyn, the peasants aren't worth your empathy. Focus on things that matter."
Eyes widened, irises vanishing and the young man erupted from the wall of the barrier he created, reappearing in full adornment of Maelstrom Armor. Wendy herself was in a defensive stance, anticipating his emergence though still looked alarmed as he crossed the gap with a swift bound that left her leaping back as he impacted the ground with a watery splash that leveled the structures still standing in their proximity.
Reemerging from the water, he blurred forth and slammed a clawed hand into a palm-heel thrust of Wendy's, the clash of water and wind casting a howling twister around the pair as they danced in the air.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" He roared out, throwing another monstrous punch that forced Wendy to block with a raised arm; sending her flying backwards across the skyline as he followed up with another flap of his liquid wings, punching at her raised arms with palpable claps of spiraling liquid meeting wind-encircled flesh. "I WAS TO BE A HERO TO THE HELPLESS, THE DISENFRANCHISED, AND THE WEAK!"
A third punch thrown and Wendy leaned back, letting it pass over her harmlessly while she released a shrill cry of "Sky Dragon's Claw!" that connected with his face, tearing off his swirling rapids' mask and cutting his cheek in the process. Grasping her extended foot, he'd slam her into a house's roof, of which she bounced off and leaped back to slam both of her feet into his chest, exploding his armor and throwing him across the air in an uncontrollable spin.
Growling, Robyn had his faux-wings flap outward, stopping his backward spiral and then threw himself back towards her. Renewing his assault regardless of his armor falling apart, he began throwing his watery legs and arms in a flurry of blows at Wendy as she began to weave narrowly around them, avoiding his blows as his aim was less graceful and thus more predictable.
"MY COUNTRY WOULD RULE FAIRLY, HONESTLY! AND YOU'RE TAKING THAT DREAM AWAY FROM ME!" He cried out, eyes beginning to tear up as he angrily spun around and landed a heeled kick to her side; only for him to see her elbow jab into his ankle, catching him in the process. Grimacing, he pulled back a watery claw and shouted as he threw it towards her face. "WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME?!"
The cobalt haired girl leaned her head to the side, a grazing cut slashing the left of her face while her own wind-coated fist straight across his face; her enchanted knuckles packing enough power to pop the atmosphere and send Robyn reeling across the sky straight into the ruined street that he had entered not long ago. Staggering to his heeled feet, he wiped away the blood from his bruised mouth, staring angrily as Wendy floated down a dozen yards away from him with a resolute stare poised at him.
Then, the stare turned soft and a sadness radiated off her that caused him to look confused at her.
"Robyn...I know you mean well, but this isn't the way," Wendy spoke softly, her words carrying easier within this space that no rainfall could touch, let alone anything from the outside world. Amber eyes looked at him, her hand touching her own chest for emphasis as she raised her voice in channeling passion to her words. "I too was alone in thinking I didn't matter and I couldn't help people as I am. But, ever since I found my new family in Fairy Tail, we have been able to save entire worlds, kingdoms and people from certain peril. Wreaking havoc, stealing from others, killing people...this isn't the way a hero should act!"
Robyn stared, his face looking as if he'd been struck by a gong.
His mind reeled with a dozen voices, thoughts and emotions. The water that beaded off his skin began to trickle down, pitter-pattering onto the debris ridden cobblestone street. Gloved fingers trembled at his side, legs buckling and his whole person began to sway in place.
If he wasn't a Hero, was he the Villain?
What point was there in any of this if people wouldn't accept him?
Why was he here?
Who was he saving?
Where was he really going to go after this?
"Robyn, I know you'll have to answer for the things you've stolen, the harm you caused, but," Wendy began to say, a smile breaching her face as she began to walk towards him, her Aura beginning to wane in intensity as she approached with no aggression in her intent. "I'd like you to come to Fairy Tail, see for yourself we're not the reckless monsters you make us out to be. We truly care about people, and wish to do right by them. I think you really could-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Robyn's shrill scream stopped Wendy short in her approach, his Aura erecting a pillar of steaming water from his person, shooting straight into the ceiling of his barrier spell. Covering his person in upward rushing liquid, glowing eyes were seen and his voice echoed as hands balled up at his sides within the shadowy outline of his visible person.
"The Monarchy must fall! I will not be coerced into joining their lackeys! You, and the rest of the Mages, will fall with them!"
"R-Robyn-!"
"No more talk," Robyn's voice came out clearly, the pillar of liquid beginning to take shape and flow off his wet personage. "Your death will make everything make more sense. And once it does, my resolve will strengthen even further!"
To Wendy's horror she felt her enchantment begin to loosen even further. The strength she had tripled on her body in speed, strength and endurance had taken its toll. Without knowing the full gravity of her actions, it was only a matter of time...but she wished now wasn't that time!
Gritting her teeth, she saw the tower of H20 transmute in a sheen of teal, twisting around with a loud thrumming sound. The air spiraled around with a spray of rain splattering around that'd be quickly siphoned back into it. Within seconds the monstrous formation of moisture turned into what looked like a draconic fang, spinning around like a drill that cast the air around it in a whirlwind of force.
All stemming straight from the right-wrist of the Generous Robin, raised over his head, with his hair whipping below and eyes fixed with a vivid turquoise glare aimed straight at her.
"Secret Art: Abyssal Depths - Vortex Fang," He intoned with a deadly serious sneer. "This is my strongest technique. It has the force to break apart even a diamond wall; and soon, turn your body into ribbons!"
Wendy, even among her panic, saw an immediate error in the irrationally acting boy. The spiral of water was anchored to his arm, and thus, relied completely on his own body to make a charge. If she could somehow take advantage of his counter-intuitive means of attack she could-
The air surrounding his fang!
Just as she made this discovery, Robyn's own eyes widened at the air suddenly being siphoned from his own corkscrewing weapon. He'd see it flow from his upward raised lance and straight towards her mouth; an action that left her completely open.
"I won't give you the chance to recover!" Robyn snarled, hefting the weapon forward, bending his knees and launching himself with a powerful forward leap towards her. "NOW DIE!"
It was here, that time slowed.
During the Sea Dragon Slayer's motion towards her, something peculiar rippled within the ceiling of the Eternal Expanse. A white form, blinking from its depths, undulated outward before rocketing outward with a sonic boom left in its wake. The streak of alabaster curved around, a streak of light that veered straight towards the occupied flank of Robyn whose sight had narrowed into tunnel vision; leaving him unable to see the blurring form that connected with his skull with a sudden jarring impact.
"Ngh?!" He veered off course, the drilling lance swinging to the left and then to the right as his weapon didn't aim true as Wendy reoriented in time to see what had struck his skull.
"I...made it...in time-!" Charle croaked out, bouncing off Robyn's head and onto the street behind the charging Robyn.
With eyes turning into slits, and the enchantment flaring up back to full power, Wendy leaped forward towards her adversary while bending just enough to avoid its razor tip. The outer rotating drill of water slashed her side, leaving a gout of blood from her body, but she had all but blocked it out as a howling torrent of her magical energy formed around her fist, aiming straight towards the disoriented face of Robyn Lazuli.
"FIST OF THE SKY DRAGON!" Wendy cried out, her knuckles slamming straight into Robyn's nose. The force of it cracked it, and then throttled his body backwards with his drill dispelling in a splash of water as he'd slam straight into the remnants of the gate behind him. Soon after, the barrier of his own making dispelled, collapsing in a shower of heavy rainfall that lathered the now collapsed Wendy.
Clutching her wounded side, she grimaced in pain but looked over to Charle, her eyes watering as she looked at the barely conscious Exceed with gratitude.
"Charle...you...saved me," Wendy declared, closing her eyes as tears fell freely from her face. "Thank you."
"I just followed the light," Charle weakly replied, still breathing heavily to refill the void from her lungs having no room to be filled during her imperceptible journey across the abysmal watery depths. "And before I lost my strength, I saw you...and where my vision I saw..."
"Its alright, Charle," The cobalt haired girl replied, cradling her side as she lied onto her back, and looked up at the still raining sky, clouds beginning to part as rays of Sunlight began to grace the city below. "Because, in the end, I knew we would make it. Cause that's what it means to trust your friends in Fairy Tail, right?"
Chuckling despite herself, Charle too laid on her back as she cradled her now freshly sore skull, "Yes...yes it is."
As Doranbolt soon returned with Max, recovering the injured Charle and the wounded Wendy, Arcadios found Robyn Lazuli unconscious and in bad shape from his own participation in this battle. The sky began to clear up, and after a long, fearsome exchange, the Hoodlums had finally been defeated.
Fairy Tail, had won.
Crocus City, Mercurius Castle, Throne Room
There were approximately three-thousand known languages throughout the world. In each of these languages, multiple words existed to express sentiments of tiredness, of exhaustion, of the way a soul is worn when too much is placed upon it at once before it is ready. Even if Wendy had a tome before her with a detailed analogue of each of the world's languages at her disposal, these words easy to access, she doubted she could find one to express the level of exhaustion she felt. The battle against Robyn Lazuli was over. Wendy knew that she'd never fought harder in her life; when she fought Master Hades, Wendy had her friends, and she was mainly support. King Faust was not a threat on his own, it was merely his suit that made him a force to be reckoned with.
Robyn, however, had been a powerful opponent all on his own, and he'd pushed Wendy past her limits and beyond. Much of Crocus was damaged, torn asunder by the battle of tiny dragons — though Wendy sheepishly had to admit this was par for the course with her guild, what the Third Master would have referred to as an 'occupational hazard' — yet the treasury was, by and large, saved. Wendy would have given anything to be in the care of a soft mattress and warm sheets, yet she found herself, alongside Max, Doranbolt, and Charle, standing in the Mercurius Caste throne room for what was certainly more times than she'd ever thought she should be allowed.
This time, however, it wasn't for a mission briefing.
Wendy, had bandages covering her body in odd places — her thigh, ankles, neck, and forehead — yet the wound that troubled her most was invisible under her clothing. Narrowly avoiding Robyn's Secret Art, the Vortex Fang, had saved her life but given her a deep wound. A Sky Dragon Slayer couldn't use her magic to heal herself, but the Mercurius Castle medics were in a class of their own, Healers without compare in Fiore. After the battle, the most severe of Wendy's wounds had been patched within two days; even the Healers found themselves unable to completely heal the wound that Robyn's attack had left on her; Dragon Slayer magic left its own scars, and it was harder to heal when a Dragon Slayer did not act and consume their element to boost the process. Wendy now bore a scar on her body, from her ribs down to the beginning of her hips, and she did not know if it would ever heal properly. Wendy was released on the third day, with instructions that the body was simply do heal itself from that point onward, as medicine only afforded so much.
And thus, Team Wendy stood in a line before the throne, each member of the team having cleaned themselves up as best they could to look presentable. Wendy stood out, being the sole injured party member — Charle's wounds were now all but memories — but her wounded appearance did not detract from the celebratory mood. Sat firmly on her throne, Princess Hisui E. Fiore's deep green eyes scanned the group at large, and she wore the proudest smile on her face. Arcadios, clad in a unique armour of a brilliant jade shade, worn only for special occasions, stood firm by her side.
The Commander of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron stepped forward, unfurling a scroll of parchment between gauntleted hands. When he spoke, his was firm and carrying.
"Fairy Tail, consisting of members Wendy Marvell, Max Alors, Doranbolt, and Charle. For your services to the Royal Crown of Fiore, you are hereby bestowed the following rewards and honours. To Team Wendy, the four of you shall receive the highest reward that the Kingdom of Fiore can offer: The Blooming Rose Medal, given only to those who had done the kingdom a great service. To the Fairy Tail Guild at large, the promised pool of 50 Billion Jewels will be rewarded as repayment for fulfilling the job request."
Team Wendy barely managed to stifle a gasp; the 50 Billion Jewels had been expected, it was promised, and it was the entire reason they'd taken up the job request. It was still surprising, howeer, to hear it brought up again after this entire debacle had been resolved. Yet it wasn't just that; the Blooming Rose Medal was the highest distinction offered to any regular citizen of the Kingdom of Fiore. Few had earned it in years past, and only those who had achieved great heroics without any military or royal acclaim to their name. Team Wendy would be the first in the last century, and the first ever to earn such lauding as a group.
"With the Blooming Rose Medal in hand, you are officially recognised as Heroes of the Fiore Kingdom, and are granted certain privileges within the walls of the Capital City of Crocus. Free passage in and out of the Capital, audience with the Royal Family without need of an appointment, and free room and board at any inn located within the town, among others. With these privileges, you are considered Friends of the Royals, and are entrusted to you in the hopes that you will treat them with responsibility."
Shock piled upon shock. The Blooming Rose Medal was prestigious, but they hadn't expected this.
"I-I think that's quite a lot, isn't it?" whispered Wendy to Charle.
"Hush now, Wendy," replied the Exceed. "You might not think so, but you, Max, and Doranbolt pulled off more than anyone expected. You deserve this." Inwardly, Charle didn't believe that she had any proper place at this ceremony, and had Wendy not insisted she come, would have stayed behind instead. Even though she'd been there for the final moment, and managed to save her best friend, Charle did not believe that any accolades should go to her. But she decided to tough it out for the sake of Wendy.
Doranbolt was no stranger to honours, having earned a few in the service of the Magic Council, and thus he took these in stride.
Max, however, was flabbergasted. "F-Friends of the Royals? That's a lot of responsibility to give to regular Joes like us."
"And yet it is well earned," replied Hisui smoothly. "Nothing that you all did for us is undeserving of anything less. My father and I deliberated, and it was only due to it being considered improper conduct that we did not create a new award of prestige for what you did for us. You saved not only Fiore, but numerous countries by accepting this mission. The Lazuli hat contained far more than our treasury; it is currently a matter being discussed by countries such as of Veronica, Seven, among others how to divide it back among the victims of Lazuli's theft. You are heroes to far more than our country."
Wendy had nothing to say to this. She hadn't set out to become a hero when this started, she only wanted to preserve funding and reputation for her Guild. If all these countries really know about this...I think we might have succeeded and then some...! Wendy couldn't see the expression plastered over her face, and was surprised to see Max, Doranbolt, Charle, Arcadios, and Hisui all beaming at her. Wendy tilted her head, confused. "I-Is something the matter?"
Charle shook her head. "No, Wendy. But you're smiling; well and truly, smiling!"
"She's right," replied Doranbolt, wearing a toothy grin of his own. "I didn't think I'd see a real smile on your face so soon..."
The Dragon Slayer girl had never given that consideration before. She knew she'd smiled before, but had it actually been so different? Had they been forced? The young girl placed a hand to her face, as if trying to feel the difference in her smile now; this only caused Hisui to giggle.
"Wendy, I know you've been through quite an ordeal, more than even the rest of your Guild members," Hisui began. Max did not object. It was true that many in Fairy Tail were suffering from the loss of their friends, but Wendy had been there to see it. She was young, and it impacted her the most. "But now...things are going to be different. Opportunities will open up; doors you didn't know existed before will swing open. To be frank, I'm looking forward to see the sort of path you pave for yourself."
"Our little Wendy making a name for herself already?" said Max, pride in his voice "Chin up, eh, kid?" he added, as Wendy averted her eyes from Hisui's, embarrassed by the praise. "You don't really think Erza or Mirajane became the 'Titania' and the 'Demon' by being humble, do ya?"
"It's just...I..." The rest of Wendy's sentence was drowned out in her mumblings. Her face flushed to resemble a ripened beet.
"Never you fear," Arcadios laughed heartily, folding up the parchment and tucking it away in his armour. He patted the section of his chest where the parchment lay, making sure it was unable to move. "A little humility goes a long way; no one gets far on arrogance alone, and young Wendy is a shining beacon of modesty. She'll go far with that attitude."
"Agreed," Hisui replied. She raised a hand, and motioned in two robed figured, both of whom held in their hands plush, purple cushions. Something metallic and crimson glinted under the palace's Lacrima lighting. The figures strode towards Team Wendy, and, leveraging the cushion in a single hand, pulled up the glinting object for all to see. It was a medal, ornately designed, glowing a deep, vivid crimson. The name suited it well; whoever had cut the jewel used to make this had painstakingly made it resemble a rose in bloom, down to the intricate shape of the petals. The jewel rose was attached to a jade-coloured cloth ribbon; the robed figures lowered one each onto the necks of Wendy, Max, Charle, and Doranbolt before stepping back.
Each member of Team Wendy was now adorned with the Blooming Rose Medal, marking them as 'Heroes of Fiore'. The cut jewel on at the end of the cloth shone brightly upon each of their chests, glinting crimson.
"If you wish to return home posthaste, we shall see that you are escorted to Magonolia under the supervision of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron itself," Arcadios bowed with respect and deference to the comrades he had fought with to reclaim the riches of his benefactors. "Any sum of jewels would make you a target for rogues and brigands of all sorts, but 50 Billion is its own brand of madness; we want to see to it that Fairy Tail gets its reward without issue."
"We accept the generosity," replied Doranbolt easily. He knew that Arcadios spoke the truth; carrying that giant sum, even if they carried it in the largest denomination of bills the castle could provide, would only lead to trouble. Wendy was still recovering, and while he and Max were as well as they could be, fending off bandits while defending Wendy and Charle could prove troublesome. "To be truthful, we were considering being on our way as early as the morning after tomorrow; it isn't everyday we get to come to Crocus, after all."
"I like the sound of that," Max grinned. "I'd be willing to bet anything there's a lady in this city waiting for someone like me."
"Yes, and I'm sure she's waiting with the city guards at arm's length," Charle said dryly.
"Um..." Wendy stepped forward towards the throne, her eyes firmly making contact with those of Hisui. Jade met chocolate in a moment of tense silence. "What happened to Robyn after...after I won?" It was a hard way to phrase it; had no one told her she'd won, she might have actually assumed that the battle had been lost. After Wendy and Robyn's final exchange, Wendy had awoken a day later in the hospital wing of the Mercurius Castle; she had no memory of what become of her opponent, and neither Max nor Doranbolt had said anything during their visits.
Arcadios opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Hisui raised a hand and cut him off. "She's no child, Arcadios. We should be honest with her; she is the hero that saved our city, after all." Hisui never broke eye contact with Wendy the entire time, and continued speaking. "Robyn Lazuli has officially be delivered into the custody of the Magic Council, with the assistance of Doranbolt. His sentencing, such as it is, will be carried out by the will of Gran Doma."
"I...I see..." Wendy didn't know what to expect. Robyn and the Robin Hoodlums had committed great crimes against not merely the magical world, but the ordinary one as well. They had used their abilities to steal from multiple countries across the land, and no matter the reason, had placed the economies of nations continent-wide at risk. She should have known that Robyn would be given some punishment, yet part of her had hoped he'd become a friend, even in the middle of their battle. "That's to be expected..."
Hisui stood up, striding from her throne towards Wendy; the height difference was very apparent, the young child standing next to teenage princess. For a moment, Wendy felt as if she was standing next to Erza or Lucy again. The Princess of Fiore knelt down, cupping Wendy's face in her hands, and kissed the young girl's forehead.
"Y-Your Grace!" Arcadios protested.
"You're a child of purity, Wendy," commended Hisui. "I feel comfortable giving responsibilities and rewards to one such as you. I do regret that such a young boy was handed over to the authorities, but there's nothing we could have done." Standing back, Hisui smiled comfortingly. "Formally, as Princess Hisui E. Fiore, acting in the stead of my father, Toma E. Fiore, thank you for your services to the Crown of Fiore; your heroism will never be forgotten, and you will always be welcome here."
Crocus City, Mercurius Castle, Bedroom
The morning sun rose high over a wounded Crocus. The city had not yet recovered from the scars that Wendy and Robyn's battle had left it; roads and streets rent asunder by magic. Buildings shattered, crumbled, falling to the ground in a mess heap of stone and debris. Trees had been torn up by their roots, splayed out onto broken tiled roads. The citizens who had been corralled to safety by Doranbolt and Max had long since come back to begin reconstructing their homes. Surprisingly, the citizens held nothing against Fairy Tail; while some had spoken out against them, the words of Princess Hisui and Arcadios quickly turned what would could have been negative emotions riling up into an appreciation for the efforts of a broken guild.
Wendy awoke late this morning. Charle had given Doranbolt and Max specific instructions to let the girl sleep, and Doranbolt, acting with Charle as Wendy's familial figure, was not one to argue. And thus Wendy had slept into mid-morning, when the sun was nearing high-noon. As she awoke, the covers slid away from her body, revealing the bandages that covered her torso underneath a light-sewn nightshirt. Gently getting out of bed, careful not to wake the sleeping Charle, Wendy walked over a mirror and examined herself. The bandages that had covered her her extremities had been removed, leaving only the one on her head and the one covering her torso to show that she still bore some damage from her battle with Robyn.
In the mirror, where her torso bandages ended, she could see the faint markings of the scar where the bandages could not cover up, just at the beginning of her hip. A childish part of Wendy didn't like the idea of the scar being there. Another part of her was inwardly proud. A battle scar she'd acquired, fighting for her Guild, fighting to protect others. Erza might have called it proof that she was growing up.
Her enhanced hearing picked up the sound of rustling sheets; Charle was sitting up behind her, rubbing her dreary eyes with a snow white paw.
"Wendy...awake already?" the Exceed asked through a thick yawn. "We were...going to let you sleep...until at least mid afternoon."
"I feel like I could have," Wendy admitted sheepishly. "But everyone is waiting for us to come home, right? Besides..." She shifted around. "I really want to get home too; I'm sure everyone is worried." She knew that, after the incident on the Island, she had worried everyone with her behaviour; everyone had been kind to her about it, and Wendy knew that her Guildmates cared. But she didn't like being the source of people's worries.
"You're right," replied Charle. "It's time to go back home."
Wendy dressed hurriedly, pulling on a set of black tights with a pink dress, tying her hair back up in it usual twintails. Wendy had no need to pack anything away — whatever luggage she had brought was already taken to the waiting chariot by the castle's staff, leaving her with her simple change of clothes, and a small bag for her nightclothes. Slinging this bag over her shoulder, Wendy took one last look at the room behind her; this had been her bedroom for close to two weeks. She'd called this castle home for nearly half a month. Wendy was surprised to see how much she didn't want to leave it.
"We can always come back," Charle told her, feeling the same.
"I know," replied Wendy, turning on her heel and walked out of the bedroom door. Making her way down to the first level, carefully avoiding missteps along the stairs, Wendy waved as much of the castle's staff bowed her out. Wendy embraced the crisp air of the Crocus morning, closing her eyes for the briefest of moments as she felt the wind caress her body. It was almost enough for the young girl to begin devouring the air right then.
"Wendy, pay atten—!"
THUD!
Wendy crashed hard into someone, and fell backwards hard. She landed on her rump, pain shooting from her tailbone upwards. "Ow ow ow ow..." The Dragon Slayer rubbed her rear, trying to massage away the pain. Clearly, she'd collided with someone else, and opened both eyes amidst the pain to see just who had been the unfortunate secondary victim of her collision. If Wendy had expected to see another body splayed out on the ground, however, her expectations were betrayed. What she did see, however, was a set of worn shoes that must have once appeared handsome, coupled with a pair of tattered black slacks. She slowly looked upward, taking in the sight of her strange new encounter.
It was a man. He wore a perplexed expression, his face pale, with rings around his eyes as if he'd not slept in several days. His hair was frayed, reaching his neck, as black as the rings around his eyes. The rest of the clothing the man wore was as battered as his shoes and pant, and if Wendy hadn't known better, she would have assumed the man had scavenged these things from the nearest wastebasket. He wore a long coat, which reached his ankles; it was frayed and patched, and worn over a muddled white dress shirt, tucked into the slacks, which were held up by a belt. Atop his black hair, he wore a fedora of similar colour; it alone seemed to be well-kept out of his many garments.
All in all, Wendy had to admit he was a very strange looking man.
"Ah, my apologies, young lady," said the man, in a voice that was accented in a way which made Wendy sure he was not from Fiore. He knelt down, and extended a hand — she saw that they were gloved — and smiled. "Come, let me help you to your feet."
Wendy took his hand hesitantly, and felt herself lifted effortlessly from the her embarrassing position into a more upright stance. "T-Thank you," she said, flushing slightly at the trouble she'd caused.
"Don't mention it," he replied. "Though it might serve you well to pay more attention to your surroundings; missing even the slightest of details can lead one to ruin, let me assure you."
"You say strange things," said Charle, walking over to Wendy's side. She stared up at the man from the girl's ankles, her wide brown eyes searching, wary. "Who are you? What are you doing so close to Mercurius Castle?"
"Who am I?" repeated the black-clad individual, extending both arms to his side as if awaiting an embrace, but it extended into an elaborate shrug. "A man of no consequence; a traveling merchant seeking his next potential quarry, you could say."
"A merchant?" Wendy inquired, and she bobbed up and down, clearly looking around the man for a cart, a stand, or anything to indicate that he was selling something.
"You don't seem to be selling anything," noted Charle, who had already registered the suspicion lack of merchandise on his person.
"And yet I am," replied the man theatrically. "Yet young Miss Marvell is not yet eligible to sample my wares; I assure you, when the time is right, however, I will have many things on offer — for the both of you."
"I-I never introduced myself," Wendy stammered. She was certainly nervous now. The man seemed kind and easy-going, yet she was more put off from him by the minute.
"And yet you're already becoming quite well known," the black-clad man said smoothly. He made a gesture in the direction of the horizon, his ringed eyes glinting brightly. "The Sky Maiden, survivor of the tragic incident that wiped out all of the strongest contenders of her guild...and now the hero responsible for saving not only this country, but numerous others as well. Kings, Queens, Magistrates, Chieftains and those in power will know your name, child."
"That doesn't explain how you know her," Charle floated upwards with Aera, her eyes level with the merchant's own. "You hardly look like someone in a position of power."
"You speak truth," replied the black-clothed merchant. "However, as a traveling merchant, one hears things as they move from place to place. And, as a merchant, it is only fair that I offer prospective buyers a sample; consider this to be on the house, courtesy of our chance meeting." The merchant knelt down until he was eye level with Wendy herself, brushing past Charle with the ease of someone who slipped through empty air. "You've made everyone aware of who you are, a boon and a curse like two sides of a coin. Reflect on this, as there will be people of authority who wish to grace them with your abilities, or manipulate you for their own aims," His eyes never left Wendy's, but unlike when she'd kept eye contact with Hisui, Wendy desperately wanted to look away, and found herself unable to. "Beware of those in power, little mage. That is my warning to you."
His words bewildering, cryptic enough to leave even the obstinate Charle silent, the merchant drew himself back up to his full height. As Wendy made a move to ask something, anything, some kind of clarification, the merchant walked off, turned a corner, and was gone from their sight.
Wendy and Charle were left standing at the door of the Mercurius Castle, confused and certainly in a different mood from how they were when they'd woken up this morning. Wendy had never had so many questions on the tip of her tongue, and yet Charle only brought one of them to the fore.
"...Who was that man?"
Wendy and Charle made their way to the chariot in silence. The man's words, his sudden appearance, his even more sudden disappearance, his mannerisms; all weighed on their minds. Wendy felt there was more to what he said than the mere ramblings of a wanderer. She didn't trust him. No, it was precisely the opposite, and yet that was why she gave credibility to his words. It's...something about his eyes... Wendy had never once felt so uncomfortable looking into the eyes of another person. Not Erza, for whom one eye was fake. Not Master Hades, for whom one eye was a gateway to all that was evil. His eyes...they weren't looking atme. And his smell...it was so strange... Wendy mulled over everything about this man was they approached their exit from the city.
As they approached, Max waved with a bright smile. Astride their chariot were four soldiers, clad in the armour of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron, who had already mounted their steeds. They were clearly ready to be off and return, lacking any of Arcadios' professional manner. The Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron Commander, however, was unable to leave Hisui's side for something as simple as an escort mission, even if it was to escort the Heroes of Fiore themselves. Doranolt, sitting on the grass with his back resting on the chariot, merely looked worn. When he saw Wendy and Charle's troubled expressions, however, the young man became immediately alert.
"Wendy, you're early," Doranbolt said. "Did something happen on the way here? You look like you saw a ghost."
Wendy and Charle looked at each other. "Well..." Wendy launched into an explanation about the man they had encountered, not even thinking of hiding such a strange occurrence from Doranbolt. She'd asked the man to be her friend; he deserved to know about something as strange as this.
"Hm..." Doranbolt rested a finger on his chin, his face contemplative. "A traveling merchant that delivers cryptic warnings? For someone like myself, who has never placed much stock in omens...he seems like a bad omen on legs. I'll make a note to report him to the Magic Council, but for now, I don't think we can do anything about him, or his warning." Inwardly, Doranbolt didn't want to ignore it either. "I can't tell you how to act on it, only that we can't dwell on it. If you think his advice worth heeding, I'll follow you." Doranbolt replied simply.
Doranbolt was right. Dwelling on the ramblings of a complete stranger right now was pointless. While Wendy couldn't give the man's words no significance at all, she didn't believe they had any bearing on her right now. Shoving the merchant to the back of her head, she allowed Doranbolt to help her into the chariot, followed quickly by Charle, Max, and Doranbolt himself. Seated comfortably in the chariot, Wendy poked her head out from behind the curtain, inhaling Crocus' air for the last time.
"Let's go home, everyone!"
The Emerald Mountains, Deep Mountain Range
Lahar found himself unsatisfied. It wasn't everyday that one of the most dangerous criminal organisations in the country was disbanded — even more so, to have the task be carried out by Fairy Tail, rather than the Council's own Rune Knights. To say he was disappointed with the events would not to it justice, but Lahar knew there was something to be said for beggars being choosers. And indeed he would not be choosey about this situation, for, bound with all manner of restraints, was a mass of bolts and straps with a head attached — that of Handsome.
The pyramid-headed member of the Robin Hoodlums protested violently, but his mouth was restrained as well as his limbs. The Council intended to take no chances with this man. In Handsome's mind, this was the ultimate indignity; not to have lost, but to have been taken by surprise. He had imagined, if he was taken to prison, a glorious last stand, facing off against the Council's agents. But this? To have been ambushed mere days after fleeing his former benefactor…he couldn't stand it.
"I suppose we'll have to content ourselves with this," Lahar grumbled. Straightening his black hair, which had grown tousled in their attempt to capture Handsome, a deep frown set on his face. The Head Captain of the Custody Enforcement surveyed Handsome with the utmost distaste. "The leader was quite literally delivered to us, and we snagged one of the big names...but the other five have eluded us." Lahar went over their codenames in his head: Brutalia, Runt, and Mirror. "Then there's the elf and the assassin…who also remain at large. Can we consider this a victory simply because the head conspirator was brought in?"
Lahar and his Knights were no hunters. They'd found Handsome merely because of a reliable lead, nothing more. With the other four lost to the other, and their abilities affording them multiple methods of concealment, he wasn't banking on finding them anytime soon. He cursed under his breath. At this same time, one of his Knights hailed him down.
"Head Captain, sir!" shouted the man. "We're receiving an urgent call from the Council!"
The sudden proclamation startled Lahar. He hadn't been expecting contact with the Council until he'd returned in the next day. What could possibly be so urgent that it it required calling him out on the field? He made his way toward the Lacrima, through which he could see the image of a wizened old man. The man had one good eye, pointed ears, and long facial hair.
"Org," Lahar bowed respectively, even more surprised more to see the Magic Council's Second Seat having reached out to him personally. "Forgive me for asking, but what's the meaning of this abrupt call? I wasn't required to report back until tomorrow."
"You're being summoned back," Org's harsh voice came through curtly. "We've received an…an unexpected visitor, and it seems we're going to need to reconsider a few things."
"An unexpected visitor? Who?"
Org brought up an image in front of his Communications Lacrima. It was a face Lahar knew well - the entire Magic Council was remembered it. "That's…that's impossible...!" gasped the Head Captain, feeling his blood chill. "I'll return immediately!"
Magnolia Town, Main Road
Wendy sat with her head out of the Chariot's tarp, taking in the view as their vehicle drove them down the main road of Magnolia. This road would take them due north, towards the Fairy Tail Guild building; towards home. To Wendy, returning to Magnolia after her team's little stint in Crocus was an experience unto itself. The sounds, smells, and sights were all different from the bustling capital that housed the Royal Family. The people who ran through the streets all seemed to know each other, even if this wasn't literally the case. People stopped and waved when they saw Wendy's face, causing the girl to blush and shrink back into the chariot.
"Popular already?" chided Max, elbowing the child in the arms. "It looks like the little girl who saved Fiore is going to become the new face of Magnolia."
"I-It's not like that," replied Wendy sheepishly. "They're just...they're just happy to see us after being gone for so long! That's it!"
"Max, don't tease her," Charle admonished. "Save the jests for the others in the Guild."
"Still, saving multiple kingdoms is nothing to be humble about," Doranbolt allowed himself a smirk, arms folding as he tried to maintain a serious air. "Whether you acknowledge it or not, Wendy, you defeated Robyn. Had you not fought him as fiercely as you did, he may not have changed his mind about helping us and releasing the contents of his hat." Doranbolt sounded every bit as proud as he looked. "The Wendy I met in the Lamia Scale building couldn't have done this."
"You're blowing it out of proportion," Wendy insisted, shaking her head so hard her twintails threatened to strike Max about the face. "If Charle hadn't shown up when she did, I would have gotten off with much, much worse than just this scar. And you two were able to get the civilians away from the centre of it all, which let me concentrate. It wasn't just me."
"I-I didn't do much, really," replied Charle, her white fur growing pink around the cheeks. "I just couldn't let you fight alone, Wendy...but my contribution was paltry, really." Charle didn't want praise. For someone who had been put out of the action early on, and then had to remain in hospital for an extended period of time, she didn't feel like she deserved any. Next time, Wendy...I'll be strong enough to stand by you...
"Hey, hey, we're not supposed to have a pity party here," Max insisted, trying to lighten the mood. "We should be celebrating! When we get back to the guild, I'll buy all of us a round, what do you say?"
"Wendy won't be drinking anything!" Simultaneously, Doranbolt and Charle turned on Max, pressing their faces very close to his, expressions mixtures of irate and exasperated.
The rest of the journey to the Guild continued in silence, Doranbolt and Charle glowering at Max. Both seemed to have adjusted their seating further from him and closer to Wendy, leaving the bowl-haired man to protest the sudden shit in seating arrangements. The silence, however, left Wendy time to be alone with her thoughts.
"I'd like you to come to Fairy Tail, see for yourself we're not the reckless monsters you make us out to be."
"I WAS TO BE A HERO TO THE HELPLESS, THE DISENFRANCHISED, AND THE WEAK!"
She reflected on her battle with Robyn; the pain in his eyes, the grief in his screams. He'd wanted so hard to change the world, and she'd had to be the one to steal that from him. It almost made her feel like quite the villain, and while she knew Natsu would have enjoyed playing such a role, she herself wanted nothing to do with it. To save multiple countries, she destroyed the earnest dream of someone who just wanted to do good.
I hope you reflect on things wherever you are, Robyn... Wendy thought, resting her chin in her palm against the windowsill. If we meet again later, perhaps you'll take me up on my offer? Maybe...we can be friends then...
The chariot ground to a halt, and when it did, the foursome knew that they were home. They disembarked, thanking their escort and the charioteer, and stood before the entrance to Fairy Tail's guild building. Max carried Wendy's luggage as well as his own, and Doranbolt carried his luggage in addition to the case containing their prize for fulfilling the job request. With a strange sense of anticipation, they pushed open on the wooden doors of their guild...
...and were quickly assailed by an explosion of sound.
"Wendy's back, everyone!"
"You did it!"
"50 Billion Jewels!"
"That was amazing!"
"It's all over the news!"
"50 Billion Jewels!"
"I can't believe it!"
"50 Billion Jewels!"
Several people crowded around Team Wendy — the recognisable faces of Bisca, Alzack, Nab, Laki, among others — offering heartfelt congratulations, pats on the back, and whooping cheers. Max took it all in stride, Charle and Doranbolt were indifferent, and Wendy was suitably embarrassed. If she'd been blushing before, the poor girl's face now resembled a tomato with blue hair. Before she could protest, or try to give the credit to anyone else, her guildmates unleashed a flood of questions.
"It's been the talk of the town," Laki admitted, beaming as she straightened her glasses. "You four are all anyone wants to talk about right now: the Heroes of Fiore, right?"
"We heard you got medals," Warren added. "Can we see them?"
"What was it like to fight another Dragon Slayer?" asked Vijeeter curiously.
"Don't crowd them," Kinana called out, fresh from serving a frothing mug of beer to one of the tables. "Besides, shouldn't you tell them what happened?"
At this, Team Wendy entered a full alert mode, and it became clear that Kinana may have chosen her phrasing poorly. Worry crossed Wendy's face, Doranbolt immediately became wary, Charle glanced toward Wendy to see how she was reading the situation, and Max paled at the anticipation of possible bad news.
"Should...we be concerned?" Doranbolt was the first one to brave a question.
"No, no, not at all!" replied Kinana cheerfully. "Come on over to the bar! You won't believe this, but we've got new Guild members."
"We have..."
"...new Guild members?"
Confusion swept up in the place of paranoid feelings. Doranbolt was the most recent addition to Fairy Tail's roster of kooky personalities, and if one didn't count him, Wendy and Charle were the newest inducts into Fairy Tail's guild. It was quite a shock to hear that new blood had joined the ranks. Team Wendy pushed past the people crowding them, until Fairy Tail's bar was in full view. Sitting on one of the stools was a familiar head of light blue hair, grinning smugly at the new arrivals. Rather than his previous, form-fitting attire, he now wore a long, dark blue robe, which flared out on either side, revealing tights-covered, crossed legs, still ending in high-heeled boots. A deliberate cut in the outfit revealed his navel, on which one could see a Fairy Tail brand that matched the colour of his hair. He was the centre of attention, receiving furtive glances from many in the Guild and enjoying the focus. At his side stood two beautiful women, both of whom also displayed a Fairy Tail brand on their left and right shoulders.
"Wendy!" grinned Robyn Lazuli, raising a glass in her direction. "You're late!"
A/N:
Demod20: This was a fight that I wanted to make sure had a good conclusion. Not sure if this was the best action set piece I've made, but I wanted to be consistent with the people involved. I enjoyed having Wendy use all of the skills at her disposal to aid her victory over Robyn, as he quickly becomes more and more unhinged from all the things he had to endure. And with my co-author's wonderful capping off to this Arc, the conclusion to the contract Fairy Tail had undertook, the mysterious warning from an even more mysterious man, and then the surprise arrival of Robyn at their Guild?! I can't wait to show you all what comes next ^^
LastationLover5000: We did it, guys! We hit our second milestone! If our tenth chapter was our first milestone, finishing our first ever arc — which I henceforth dub the 'Tribune of Water' arc — is the second! My friend did a fantastic final battle for this arc, and I love how Charle had her moment in the sun during this battle, considering we left her out of the bulk of the arc earlier. My section, however, was the casual part and I had a lot of fun writing it; awarding our heroes their accolades, turns out Wendy matters to people she didn't consider before...and now she's met some random man giving out free advice. But then at the end, Robyn arrives to Fairy Tail! We'll have a slight delay in the next update, as I have a trip planned to the Isle of Armor, but we'll see you all next month!