Putting Everything on the Line
Alice sat at her vanity brushing her hair. She sat quietly this late morning thankful that the King allowed her and Erza to sleep in. She needed the extra prep time but she also needs to sift through her memories of last night. Her steady brushing paused as she remembered her encounter with Soler,
'You're better than that!' that phrase and how passionate his eyes were resonated through her being. Everything so vivid and real like he was there with her now. It irritated her to no end that some man from, not only the same guild she and the kingdom have been hunting down, but also from another world had said that to her. Not only said it but spoke with such confidence and conviction like he knew everything about her. She gripped her brush harder almost strong enough to break it,
Damn that guy! Damn him! Her thoughts raged thinking about him. Thinking on that irritating smirk set her spirit a flame. Yet as much as he made her mad he also made her heart feel a soothing warmth. From there few interactions every time he talked to her, her heart would flutter ever so slightly. The conversation they had last night had been no exception if not it was even worse the longer they talked. There was no fear in when he talked to her or being around even though she was his enemy yet he's said he trusts her. And not only did he say it, but she could feel that it was nothing but the truth and that's what got to her the most. The amount of trust he put into her made her feel...happy.
Alice looked at herself in the mirror and sighed as she set down her brush. She noticed that she was slight;y blushing from the redness on her cheeks. She quickly shook her head to get Soler out of her mind,
"I can't be thinking about him right now. I have to be ready today. I have to be prepared for anything today. Soler included," she said this to her self confidently though on the inside she wasn't so confident she would be prepared to face him again. He had gotten to her too much and if from what her feelings have been telling her… Again she shook her head to focus,
I have to focus. I have to... I just have- loud knocking from her door startled her out of her thinking,
"It's me," the muffled voice of Erza called out. Alice eased slightly,
"You can come in," Erza walked in fully geared up and ready, even with her spear attached on her back. A small smile found its way on Alice's face seeing her sister. Something about how Erza always seemed ready no matter what the situation. Well, maybe not all situations. Erza closed the door behind her and did a quick examination of her room like she always does. Alice never asked her why she did this but she figured it was a way to comfort her,
"How are you doing this morning?" Erza asked as she continued her inspection. Alice went back to brushing her hair,
"Doing fine sister. I'm glad the King allowed us to sleep in. I hate to admit it but I needed it," she said glancing to Erza through the mirror. Erza was looking over the few photos Alice had,
"I have to agree. The sudden fighting last night took me off guard. That damn Fairy Tail mage," Alice saw Erza grip the frame a bit tighter. She felt the same well at least she wanted to say she did. Glancing over Erza took notice of Alice's somber expression. She steeled herself before placing the frame down and walking up behind her sister. She gently placed her hands on her shoulders in which she felt the shudder leave Alice's body,
"I-I know that all this has been troubling you. But rest assured that we will prevail in the end," Erza said stumbling on some of her words. Alice smirked and gently placed a hand on her sisters,
"You're terrible at comforting," she joked. That joke broke a smile on Erza's face,
"This isn't one of my strong suits," she admitted. Alice gently rubbed her hand letting it comfort her as much as it could,
"But I'll believe in you sister. Between the kingdom losing all it's magic to dealing with that dark guild and now Soler. Yeah, it's been feeling a bit heavier around here," she explained. Erza nodded listening to her sister's worries,
"Yes, Soler has added on a sudden pressure I wasn't expecting. I don't remember that guild having such a powerful mage," she responded. At mentioning that Alice remembered her conversation with Soler she had last night,
I haven't told Erza any of what happened. She thought astonished she hadn't. But for some reason, the thought of telling Erza just didn't sit right with her. What was scary was that she couldn't place on why but the thought just didn't come to her. She had always told Erza everything especially if it was anything that would give the advantage over their opponents,
"I think Soler isn't from Edolas but from that Earthland like the lacrima," she responded. Erza looked at her inquired,
"Hmm now that you say that he wasn't using any sort of gear like the normal mages. Plus I've some rumors of some girl summoning beings. I wonder if the two could be connected," Erza mused to herself. Alice smiled looking at her sisters' thoughtful expression,
"Quick as ever sis," she responded. Erza looked at Alice and nodded,
"It's how we stay ahead. Now as much as I've enjoyed our time we must be going. The King is going to a speech to the citizens and he wants all of his knights present for it," she explained before letting go of Alice's shoulders. Alice nodded standing up,
"Alright, let me gear up and I'll be right with you," Erza nodded and left. Alice took one last long look at her reflection to see if she looked as confident as she felt. To her surprise, she could put on a face better than she thought. Placing her brush down she got up, geared up and left to face the coming days.
Standing at attention Alice looked straight out over the dozens of citizens gathered to listen to the King's speech. She and the other knights were standing by his sides including the prime minister. He was speaking over the magic crisis and how the giant lacrima he got from the other world was going to help them gain magic again. It was a sudden gathering for this but it seemed the entire kingdom had shown up. Though she knew her main goal was to watch over the King her true goal had been scanning constantly for any signs of Soler.
As mysterious as he was one thing she felt certain was that he would show up for this. As much interest in the King, he showed he wouldn't miss the chance to listen to him speak. Plus with the rest of the guard on alert for him, she would have thought that now he would have shown. But for this entire assembly nothing. It was going off without a hitch and for some reason that irked her even more than something happening.
Where is he? The question plagued her thoughts at each passing second. She knew he would show up. Even if he had to disguise himself or cover up he would show. Wouldn't he? Shouldn't he? She was glad she had both her hands hidden behind her back or else someone would have noticed her tightening her fist,
Why, why is he still on my mind? What is it about him? The white-haired man just wouldn't leave her thoughts no matter what. She wondered if the reason she was looking out for him so much was not to stop but in hopes of talking to him again. Talking to the one man who wasn't afraid to speak his mind to her and the only one who trusts her more than she could trust herself right now. She looked out into the sea of faces and yet again nothing. No sign of him anywhere,
Where- A tapping from her side drew her to look at Erza,
"The speech is nearing its end. We've been dismissed early to go patrol," she spoke softly. Alice took a glance to the other knights and sure enough, Sugarboy and Hughes were waving and leaving with Pantherlily and Coco closely following,
"Oh alright, yeah a patrol sounds nice," she responded. Erza nodded and lead the two away. As they left Alice took one last look out to the crowd and yet again she didn't see him. Shaking her head she did her best to focus for the patrol. As she left a set of emerald eyes watched her from the sea of faces. Soler was far in the back of the crowd staying within the darkness of an alley watching the Knightwalkers leave,
"Alice is going to beautiful when she's older," from behind him Erza walked to his side covered in a cloak as well. Soler nodded,
"Told ya," Erza looked to the two leaving Knightwalkers more staring at herself than anything,
"It's strange looking at my other. She looks exactly like me I can see how I'd be easy to confuse us," she commented aloud. Soler only hummed in mild intrigue,
"Ya don't say?" he responded half-jokingly,
"Yes though her armor doesn't look too practical," she added. Soler got a small chuckle from that,
"Right, right very non-practical," he joked. The look of confusion Erza gave him forced a double take,
"Oh you were being serious?" she gave him a slight glare,
"Yes, I am. I don't see what so funny about that," Soler looked astonished at her,
"Well look at miss kettle calling pot black. I'm surprised really," Erza crossed her arms giving him a full glare now,
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means miss 'impractical' that you've never taken a look at your repertoire of armors. I mean a lot of them don't leave much to the imagination sweetheart," he said with a smug smirk. Erza felt the back of her neck heat up,
"M-my armors are not impractical. They all serve their purpose for improving my combat," she responded quickly. Soler shook his sure,
"Yeah whatever you say," he half-heartedly replied as he went back to looking out. The heat on her neck only grew with how her boyfriend could say that some of her armors were impractical,
"Alright wise guy name one ar-"
"Heaven's Wheel," his quick reply took her off guard,
"That armor isn't-"
"Babe you are literally wearing a metal bra with a skirt and wings. Your entire stomach is exposed," he calmly explained. Erza opened her mouth to reply the now that he said it the heat on her neck intensified with the realization he was right,
"W-Well you can't-"
"Black Wing Armor. Major midriff again but will admit it covers more than Heaven's Wheel. Oh and your Flight Armor surprisingly looks similar to Knightwalkers outfit. Though it shows way more cleavage and not going to lie it's always been a struggle for me not to stare when you use it for combat. Especially with all the 'dynamic' movement you do," he swiftly responded. Erza's face was beet red at this point thinking over her collection of armors. Soler looked back to her flustered face and it was the cutest expression. With a smirk, he kissed her on the cheek and patted her head,
"Don't start worrying about it now. In the heat of combat, it doesn't fully matter what you wear as long as your kicking ass. Besides I've already seen you assets just like you've seen mine so we're even," his sly comments did little to help ease her flustered heart. She loved him for how he could handle situations with his wit but now was one of the times she just wished he got as embarrassed as she was. He smiled and gave her one last pat before looking back out to the crowd,
"Starting to disperse, I think It's time we go back. I got a visit to plan," Soler said before he began to walk away. Erza pushed out of her embarrassment and followed him,
"You have a visit to plan?" she questioned him to put her mind elsewhere. He nodded,
"Yep going to visit Alice one last time. I got a feeling that by this time tomorrow things are going to get hectic,' he explained, "Plus I feel Mystogan either isn't telling us everything or doesn't know everything that his father is planning,"
"I have to agree. Even I can feel something else is going on besides what we know. But do you think Alice will tell you anything?" she asked. That was the big question on his mind. He trusted her for sure but this Alice was still a loyal knight to their King. And if there was one thing that both Alice's shared it was that undying loyalty to the cause,
"Well, I'll just have to see tonight then. It's all I can do at this point. Come on let's get in before we get caught," the two wanted mages quickly and swiftly disappeared to prepare for the conflict ahead.
"A whole day of patrol and we found nothing!" Alice was fuming in her room pacing the floor enraged and frustrated,
"All day and not one sign of him. Not one! Where did he go?" she slumped down onto her bed. The soft sheets were feeling like heaven with how tense she as feeling right now,
"Maybe a bath would be nice. No, I save those for mornings….Then shower it is," getting up Alice got her night attire and a towel before heading to go shower, locking the door behind her. A few moments later the sounds of running water could be heard as he entered her room. He took another glance around and nothing had changed from his last visit. Not even where she placed all her gear. Her neatness warmed his heart,
That's one thing she has on her other. But it's good to know she'll grow out of it. He looked over to the bathroom seeing bits of steam coming from under the door. Quietly he walked up to the door and just stood there staring at the door. His mind was racing with thoughts only adding to heaviness his heart was feeling,
I don't want you to be my enemy, Alice. Please see the wrong that's happening here. His hand slowly up to touch the door wanting to be closer. As his hand pressed against the pristine door, it swung open wide with a toweled Alice looking frantically out into her room. She scanned the room, her still wet hair sticking to her face. The balcony doors were still closed, her gear unmoved, bed still how she left it. The room was untouched. Mind swirled with thoughts,
I could have sworn I felt someone out here. I could have… she sighed and moved some of her hair,
"I should've taken the bath," she groaned before she went back in to finish her shower. A few minutes later she re-emerged feeling way more refreshed and more tired than when she went in. She let out a yawn as she made her way over to her bed but she paused when she reached her balcony doors. The sudden thought ran by of his return. The fluttering in her chest came back thinking of him sneaking back to see her. Her heart wanted it but he mind knew if she showed up again she had to take him down, it was her duty as a knight. Yet the butterflies in her stomach said otherwise,
He hasn't shown up all day so the odds of him showing up tonight are pretty low. So there should be no harm in just leaving the doors cracked. Plus it lets in a cool breeze. As Alice was in her mind trying to reason with herself a sudden knocking broke her out of them. She looked up to see Soler standing right outside before her with a sly smirk,
"So can I come in?" his muffled voice asked. Alice just stared at him completely stunned and at a loss of words. She was drawn immediately to his eyes that were practically shining from the moon's light casting a showed over his face. And both orbs were locked with her causing heat to creep up from her neck. He smiled softly at her,
"I take that as a no?" he joked. His smile alone caused her heart to flutter again. Without thinking Alice slowly opened the doors. His smile never faded as he walked passed her to enter,
"Thanks for letting me in it was a bit chilly outside," Alice heard him speak but her mind was a whirl with him just being here again. He was standing back in her room acting as comfortable as ever and what was worst that she allowed him. She allowed him in. Her sense of duty that was screaming at her earlier had gone silent the moment she opened the doors and that alone scared her more than she could admit. She closed the doors her heart beating ever louder as she did. Once closed she had to stop and take a breath to calm herself,
Relax Alice. You can't show weakness in front of your enemy. Remember your training. Calming herself as best as her heart would allow she turned to him,
"S-so why did you come back?" the stutter caught her by surprise and she immediately began to kick herself mentally. Luckily Soler either didn't hear or didn't pay it mind as his smile never faded,
"Well, I just had to see ya again ya know. Wanted to talk to you some more," he responded. Hearing him say that cause her mind to swirl with delight knowing that he wanted to see her again. But he was still the enemy so she didn't show her delight,
"Is that so. Well lucky for you I'm in a speaking mood tonight," she responded trying her best to sound annoyed. Soler gave a half-hearted chuckle and Alice watched as his smile dropped ever so slightly, going from charming to sadden in a moment. Even his gaze at her told her he was worrying over something.
Don't ask what's wrong, don't ask what's wrong, don't ask what's wrong,
"What's wrong?" she asked as her mind was screaming at her she shouldn't have. His smile dropped completely at that and he even looked away from her,
"Alice," he spoke her name quietly. Alice's attention was fully on him and her heart hurt seeing him look to down. She didn't notice but she slowly began to move towards him. Soler let out a long sigh before looking back at her,
"I know this is random but I want you to know I don't want us to be enemies Alice," he blurted out. She felt a strong wave of relief leave her body at his words. She would say she that was all she felt but from his troubled expression to how he said it a bit of anxiety crept up in the new empty holes,
"Well, I don't want us to be enemies either. Your skills are more than exceptional so having you as an ally would better," she stated. His eyes lit up a bit and nodded,
"Exactly my point. We'd work better together than fighting together. Which is sorta why I came back here tonight I wanted to propose something to you," his once-downtrodden frame straighten as he walked up to her. She stood stuck staring back at him with that same heat creeping up her neck when he was standing before her. She had to look up slightly from the height difference. She was so close to him she could see the rising and falling of his chest and take notice to how in shape he truly was. She always knew from how well he moved and fought but being this close to notice it was something different than fighting him. It felt more intimate,
Is he going to ask to join me? Her thoughts raced with the images of Soler joining their side. Her, Erza and him working together to protect the kingdom and its people. Snuffing out the last of Fairy Tail. Him wearing a dashing set of armor though she knew he wouldn't wear a full set from how mobile he likes to be but-
"Alice will join me," his voice broke her out of her mind. She stared at him blankly,
"W-What did you ask me?"
"I asked will you join me, Alice," there was no hesitation in his reply. Hearing it fully her mind froze trying to process them,
"Y-You want me to join you?" she questioned trying to give her brain time to unthaw. He stayed tense as he nodded,
"Yes, I do. I know you can be more Alice I know you're smart enough to not just follow orders blindly and your king is doing is all types of wrong. So join me to stop him and set these people free," she watched as he extended his hand out to her with his expression as pleading as it was serious. She was stuck staring at his gentle and open gesture getting swept up in her own emotions and she began to reach out for his hand ever so slowly. The thoughts of the two together powering her movements but right before she touched his, she pulled her hand back. The gears in her brain were finally turning and full power and pieces were beginning to fall into place.
The pieces from Soler constantly interacting with her. Being upfront and unafraid of an enemy. Saying that he knew her with such confidence. Then lastly this. Alice bit her trembling lip as her hands moved to her now aching heart,
"I get it now," she softly spoke. Soler looked confused,
"You do?" he questioned. Alice's bangs had dropped enough to block her eyes from him,
"Yeah, I do get it. I finally understand," she responded. A sigh of relief left Soler,
"Thank goodness I was afraid that you wouldn't. Well if you do then let's get a move on," he said as he began to walk towards the balcony. He just got the doors opens when he noticed hadn't moved,
"Alice?" he finally noticed that even though it was slight she was trembling and had a fist balled on her chest,
"I finally get you. You talked to me all smooth and calm, saying how much you know me. How you know that I'm this and that. How you don't want to hurt me and want us to be allies. I understand it all now!" Alice looked up to Soler on the verge of tears, "You said all those things just to get past my defenses. You wanted me to just fall head over heels for you so you can manipulate me to do what you want. So I'd follow you blindly because of my feelings for you,' she paused to try and keep herself together and it was failing. Soler just watched and listened quietly his heart hurting a bit more with each word she spoke,
"Alice-"
"No! Don't 'Alice' me. You speak so much of how the King is bad and what he's doing is just horrible well he didn't try to butter me up so I'd listen to him. The King never claimed he knew everything about me to try and get me to fight for him. No, he saw what I could do and took me and Erza in. He saved us! And all you want to do is have me help you take him down,' the tears began to flow now, "I trusted you. I actually began to believe you, Soler. I...I…," the words were there. She knew what she wanted to say to him but they were stuck. Soler took a step forward,
"Alice, please. I-"
"I loved you, Soler! I still do love you. The first guy I've ever fallen for and it's you. You can say it's just some crush no It isn't. You've constantly been on my mind plaguing my thoughts and I always want to see you or talk to you just anything that could get me near you. I wanted you," Soler was silent as he listened to her pouring out her heart. He honestly didn't know how to respond to her. On one hand, he wanted to console her, but then again he was the reason she was in so much pain. And then he couldn't just say he felt the same way when he didn't. He has love for her for sure but not the same way she does for him. He loves her like he loves his own Alice. Like a daughter,
"Alice, I-"
"No don't you say a thing. Just leave, now! Get out and pray we never meet again," she said turned her back to him. He stood there and for a long few moments watching her trembling vulnerable form. Sighing he turned to leave as she requested. Right before he left he paused to look back at her once more,
"I guess this means the next time we meet. We truly will be enemies then," with his declaration being handing out into the air he left. The air in her room was thick emotions and the gentle breeze that was being let in through her doors didn't little to help. For with the words he left behind her heart shattered and the tears really did fall.
Lucy ran with cuffed hands through the corridors of the castle, looking for Natsu and the girls needed to find them. Happy and Carla were flying right behind her just as panicked to find them as she was. Everything was dissolving into chaos around the city as someone was wrecking the place causing the guards hell. While she had gotten herself captured yet again. Good thing Happy and Carla were around to rescue her and tell her about the others. Now they were dashing randomly through the underground of the castle hoping to find them,
"Happy you sure it's this way? It feels like we've just been going in circles," she asked. Happy shook his head,
"I don't know I was following you," Lucy stopped in her tracks to glare back at the cat,
"I was following you! You said you knew where they were," Happy and Carla came to a float,
"I never said that. I just said that they were down here," he replied. Carla sighed as Lucy fumed but before she retorts the sounds of footsteps caught their attention. From around a corner, a platoon of guards came to greet them weapons ready. Lucy tripped trying to get back and fell to the ground as they hovered over her. Happy and Carla landed in front of her to try and defend though they all knew this situation wasn't looking good for them,
"Why have we stopped?" the familiar voice sounded from within the ranks of soldiers,
Was that Erza's voice? Lucy wondered,
"We found the Fairy Tail mage that escaped captain," one of the men responded. Lucy watched as through the soldiers Erza emerged with a strange spear strapped to her back. Lucy looked happy to see her,
"Erza! You're here!" she said but Erza just glared at her even pulling the spear from her back. It was then Lucy took a second look at her and slowly began to realize that this wasn't her Erza,
"Who did we find sister?" the new voice said. Now she watched as an older looking Alice emerged to stand next to Erza,
"A-Alice?" she questioned. The questions coming from fear more than anything. Alice gave her an equally icy stare,
"She must be one of the ones from the other side," she said. Erza nodded,
"I assumed as such myself. But that doesn't matter, scum is still scum even if it's from someplace different. In the end, they'll all die the same. The exceeds too," They watched Erza lift her spear to attack them but just as she was poised a chill overtook the air. Soon ice shot out from behind Lucy intercepting Erza and Alice forcing them back. Before any of them could react Gray, Erza (Earthland), and Soler appeared in front of them protecting them. A tear escaped Lucy as she smiled seeing them,
"You guys are here!" she cheered. Soler looked back to her and flashed her a smile,
"Of course," he responded turned back to look at the forces before them. The guards were staring in bewilderment,
"There are two captains?" one spoke. Even Erza was staring at her double slightly shocked,
"Your right she does look exactly like me," she said,
"I told ya. She even leaves little to the imagination as you do also," Soler teased. Erza blushed ever so slightly noticing her others outfit. Gray, on the other hand, was too angry to notice,
"Tell us where our friends are!" he ordered. Both Knightwalkers stepped forwards at his demand,
"Who are you to order us?" Alice retorted.
"Come on Alice just-"
"Quiet! You'll be dealt with soon," she responded glaring at Soler. He only looked back at her slightly saddened. As they were having this conversation a scream broke through the rising tension,
"That sounded like Natsu!" Happy shouted,
"Yeah and he sounded close. Gray go with Lucy and find them. Erza and I will stay here," Soler said. Gray nodded and quickly freed Lucy from her binding before helping her up,
"Thanks, Gray. But are you sure we should leave and not help?" she asked.
"We'll be fine Lucy. Trust us," Erza responded equipping one of her swords,
"Yeah besides the others need you more than us," Soler took off his cloak leaving only the black sports jacket,
"Plus this is going to get wild," his energy sparked to life around his hands as he and Erza prepared to fight. Lucy didn't give it a second thought before she and the others left them to battle. Now standing on opposing sides were the Knightwalker sisters versus Erza Scarlet and Soler Stratus, S-Class Fairy Tail mages from Earthland and the air around them was electrified with anticipation. Both Erza's glaring each other down trying to impose their dominance with Alice trembling with readiness to battle Soler who stood with his same calm smirk.
The soldiers still there could feel this battle was going to be something else and without a command began to scurry back a bit afraid to get caught in the cross-fire. Erza (knightwalker) looked over to Alice to see her trembling yet her expression was one of the most serious she'd ever seen. Seeing her sister with such an expression before battle lit a bigger fire in her,
"I feel the same way sister. This battle will be one to not forget," she gripped her spear a bit tighter. Erza (Earthland) gripped her own blade tighter,
"What should I know about them?" she asked Soler not looking away from the sister,
"Well there teamwork is superb, both are very aggressive, and their weapons are their main way of using magic and fighting. Oh and watch out for that spear it transforms," she nodded eyeing the spear a bit more carefully now. With words all being said Knightwalker made the first move. (For convenience Edolas Erza will be called Knightwalker while Earthland will be called Erza. Thanks! Oh and Knightwalkers spearhead I'll use what they are called) She transformed the spearhead switching it to the lighting head,
Silfarion! She made the motion for a charge in which Erza readied to block. Just as Knightwalker charged at her with lighting speeds Soler moved in front of the stunned Erza stomped down on the spearhead driving it into the ground. Knightwalker look at his energy coated foot touching her weapon and then to his smirk,
"Sorry but we never finished our dance from last time," she grimaced at him but then it switched to a smirk. He looked confused for a moment before he remembered Alice was there. Looking up he saw that she was just a few moments from slicing his neck with her ice blade, but just as quick as she responded so was Erza who blocked the attack. Alice glared at Erza who was glaring back with just as much intensity. Just as they clashed Knightwalker used the moment to pull her spear up from under Soler sending him up with it. Soler flipped to land himself onto the roof and he watched was Knightwalker went in with a high sweep of the spear at Erza but she equipped another blade and blocked the attack. But now with both hands occupied Alice took the chance to try and jab her with her other hand, yet Soler bounded back in time to grab her wrist stopping her attack. He then positioned himself so he could send a strong kick at Knightwalker forcing her to let up on Erza to block the attack.
The moment Knightwalker let up Erza fully deflected Alice's first attack letting it slide down her blade. She then went in for an uppercut using Alice's falling momentum to connect a good hit. But Alice was quicker was able to touch the ground and channel her magic to shot up an ice pillar forcing Erza back. Now with her new freedom, she proceeded to flip around to drag Soler off of her sister giving her some freedom as well. Soler being pulled off of Knightwalker she used that opportunity to gut the man but her attack was halted by Erza's blade. She looked over at her to surprise to see she had equipped into a new set of armor,
Did she change her armor? Erza equipped in her Soaring Armor pressed the attack on Knightwalker by pushing the spear down with one blade and swiping around with her other. Knightwalker dodged the attack narrowly avoiding the slash but quickly retaliated by pulling herself forward quickly with her spear and went in on Erza with a strong shoulder check. The sudden attack loosened Erza's hold allowing Knightwalker the chance to quickly back away to reset the battle.
With Alice, she had wiped Soler around to the ground. She quickly straddled him effectively pinning him. With her free hand, she formed her ice blade and quickly went in for the kill. Soler using his free hand quickly deflected the attack then grabbed her collar to drag her head into the headbutt waiting for her. The attack decorated her causing her to loosen her hold of him which he didn't let go to waste. Wriggling free he rolled to his stomach and pulling in his leg he shot them out to give her a strong donkey kick right in her stomach. The kick went unguarded because of the headbutt so it hit her with full force which sent her flying back landing near her sister sputtering for air. Knightwalker went over to downed sister with worry,
"Alice!" she said and she checked on her. Soler moved back to Erza who was catching her breath,
"You ok?" he asked. She nodded as she rotated her shoulder,
"Yes she just caught me with a decent hit is all. And you were right. Their teamwork is excellent. We were barely able to cause any damage," she commented. He nodded,
"Yeah, I noticed. I think our best bet it to separate them for a while. I know I can handle Alice alone and I'm pretty sure whatever Knightwalker throws at you, you can counter," Erza smirked,
"Of course. Now get ready," she responded preparing for the next round. Alice had regained control of her breathing much to her sister relief. The two stood up thought Alice a bit more than Erza,
"Thank you. I should be fine," she said. KNightwalker shook her head,
"You will but let me take lead for a bit. I'll keep them busy while you fully regain yourself," she replied. Alice merely nodded. Knightwalker turned back to the Fairy's and eyes widen in shock as she had to block a strong attack from Erza who had charged her. The attack was pushing the two away from their partners. Knightwalker deflected the attack and tried to counter to get back to Alice but Erza wasn't letting up with her barrage of attacks that pushed them further and further away. Soon enough it was Soler and Alice left. Soler smiled internally,
Thanks, Erza. he looked over to Alice to see she was still struggling to recover. Without thinking, he went over to her,
"Hey you alright?" he reached out to touch her but she quickly batted his hand away,
"Don't you touch me! I refuse to get help from my enemy," she spat out at him. He sighed at that,
"Alice we don't have to be enemies. Look I'm sorry that I can't give back the same type of love you have for but that doesn't mean I don't love you in some capacity. Just work me to-"
"Shut up!" her greaves lit up with magic and Soler narrowly avoided and ice spike shot out from the ground. Alice recovered herself enough to stand and glare at him,
"Don't keep speaking nonsense! Saying you love when you don't. I hate you. You make me feel all these things and I hate you for it all. So just die already so the pain will stop!" She placed her hand to wall as both her gauntlets and greaves hummed with magic. Soler danced back away from her to avoid all the sudden ice spikes that pierced throughout the corridor. He landed back with a flip and slide as he could barely see Alice through the ice. He sighed as he clutched his chest,
What am I going to do? He contemplated. As he thought this the sounds of footsteps caught his attention,
"Soler!" his eyes widen as he looked back to see his Alice, running up to him with Natsu, Lucy, and Gray behind her. He would be happy to see her but the faintest sound of cracking ice took his priority,
"Alice stay back!" he commanded as he brought back his energy to block Alice (Edolas) from piercing him with her ice blades as she broke through the ice like a beast on the hunt,
"Why won't you die!" she growled at him,
"Is that me?" the two clashing came to stand still at the question. Both Soler and Al (Edolas Alice) stopped to look back at Alice and the others. Al let go of her attack to stare at her younger other,
So that's the me from the other world. She's just a child… that's when it clicked in her mind as she glanced to him who was looking back at his Alice. Her heart tightened with the truth of how he saw her and it didn't feel good. Besides Alice, Natsu was looking at the two as confused and shocked as ever,
"So there's an Alice here too?! And she's older just like Wendy!" he exclaimed. Lucy and Gray both sighed,
"There's an Erza here too flamebrain," Gray said which only caused the dragon slayer to tremble slightly,
"T-Two E-Erzas. One was already scary but two!" as his brain exploded the others focused back on the present,
"Soler where is Erza?" Lucy asked. Soler glanced over to Al who was standing motionless her eyes blocked by her bangs,
"She off fighting her other. We needed to split the two apart. What are you three doing here? Wheres Wendy and the cats?" he questioned back.
"Happy went to get Gajeel near the giant lacrima in the sky. We think he can free the guild with dragon slayer magic as he did with Erza and Gray. Wendy and Caral went to go warn the exceeds about the King's plan," he looked confused,
"The King's plan? What plan?" he asked. Just as Gray was going to explain a sudden scream from Al startled everyone. Without warning, she lunged at Alice going for a devastating attack. Alice was too slow to respond and thought she was going to get attacked but Soler blocked the attack holding Al back. He grunted a bit in holding her at bay,
"Tell me about the plan later. For now, go and try and stop it!" he ordered them as he continued to struggle. Alice snapped out of her mild daze,
"N-No we can help you stop her! We should work together here," she retorted. Soler smirked a bit,
"You definitely have grown kid but none of you could handle her as she is now. So go and help them stop that plan," he replied. Alice's fist clenched in frustration,
"But Sol-"
"No buts just go! I got this so don't worry," with a burst f strength Soler proceeded to push Al off causing her to fall back but still poised to strike again. Alice wanted to argue but she knew he was right. She wasn't fast enough to even read that attack,
"Ok but just promise to beat me!" he shouted. Soler gave her a thumbs up which gave her the confidence she needed. She and the others ran off a different path leaving Soler alone with Alice yet again. Now it was just them yet again and now when he looked over at her there was a deadly calm to her to wasn't there before. He wanted to say something but just staring at her focused eye's he knew nothing he said now would matter. With a sigh and heavy heart he formed his energy again and got into his battle stance again.
Hey, I'm not dead! Surprisingly but anyway here's the next part and the beginning of the end of the Edolas Arc! Sorry for taking so long but life mixed in with school has been kicking my ass so it's been a slow process. But the school part should be easing up soon so I'll have more time to write so hopefully you'll get the next chapter in a shorter time plus I also have another story going on on my Wattpad. It's an RWBY story if anyone is interested my name is the same on there as it is here. Also, it's only five chapters in so yeah you got time to catch up. Anywho this has been Solerwolf...out!