Hey everyone. I apologize again for the wait; with all the holidays, plus work and final exams for school, not to mention my other stories that need work, its been difficult to find time to work on this story. Thank you all for your patience and as we near the end of the Edolas arc, I just wanted to say in advanced that the next one will not be Tenrous Island, sorry to disappoint but I have my own Devil-May-Cry-based arc planned after Edolas, then we will get to Tenrous Island. Thanks for waiting and now I present the next chapter in Fairy May Cry.
Turning the Tide
Grey, Trish, Lady, Coco, Lisanna, Lucy, Happy, and Carla groaned a bit as they had landed hard on the unforgiving ground after being recently shot down.
Trish was among the first to vocalize her displeasure. "Dammit… that hurt." She uttered as she rubbed her head.
"Aye sir." Happy moaned in agreement, only to have his face squeezed by a less-than-pleased Lady.
"Hey Cat, what the hell?!" Lady exclaimed. "I get why Carla fell, but why did you fall when all you had to do was carry me?!"
"Sorry!" Happy cried as Lady squeezed him. "But you're so heavy…."
"Don't even go there." Lady warned.
"Is everyone alright?" Lisanna asked as everyone began to stand up.
"Define alright." Lucy moaned.
Grey looked around. "Where's Erza?"
"She's in a stand-off with Knightwalker." Carla answered as she looked up to the floating island of ruins where the two Erzas would be dueling.
"Not to mention Dante, Natsu, and everyone else are fighting the King and that monster Nelo Angelo." Lucy added.
Trish's instincts sensed immediate danger. "Look out!" She took out one of her guns and shot an electric bullet at an incoming projectile, stopping it in mid-air.
Everyone turned their attention to where the shot came from and looked in shock. "They found us!" Grey uttered.
It was true, the Edolas Royal army had touched down on the ground and now surrounded the Fairy Tail members; each one was armed with either a spear or some form of magic-gun.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Lady moaned in annoyance.
"How many are there?!" Lisanna questioned as they saw over a hundred enemy soldiers, maybe even more.
"They got us surrounded Lucy!" Coco told her.
"I guess we're gonna have to fight them." Lucy replied.
Happy and Carla looked in shock as a couple Edolas soldiers fired their magicalization cannons at them. Both Exceeds we're barely able to dodge them as the Edolas soldiers continued to fire.
"Oh no you don't!" Trish exclaimed as she waved her hand to send a powerful electric wave to knock back several soldiers.
"Stay back!" Grey erected an ice-wall as well; but the soldiers continued to fire on Happy and Carla.
"Stop shooting at us!" Carla cried as she and Happy we're continued being shot at. One soldier was about to shoot them; but Lady stepped in front with dual pistols in each hand and shot the soldier, and a few others around him, dead.
"Thanks Lady." Happy thanked.
"Why the hell are they going after these fur balls?" Lady questioned.
"All of the fleeing Exceeds have been captured and turned into Lacrimas." One soldier stated, much to the shock and horror of everyone else. "With the exception of you two. Now surrender and become everlasting magic for our kingdom!"
Before the soldier could fire on them; Trish jumped in the air with her own duel pistols, charged with her own demonic lightning, and shot the guards; creating an electric explosion that would take out a few around them.
"Why don't you assholes pick on someone your own size?!" Trish challenged as she took out her Sparda-sword and took a combat stance.
Grey was in agreement as he was back-to-back with Trish, placing his hands together to create an icy-mist. "The Exceeds are living beings, just like us! Are you so obsessed with power that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it!?" He questioned as he placed his hands down on the ground; creating a massive wall of ice-spikes to blast back all the soldiers.
"I've seen how lowly you treat people for more than two years! Now you're doing it to the Exceeds who have done nothing to you?!" Lisanna exclaimed. "Well I won't stand for it anymore!"
"Take Over: Animal Soul: Cat!" Lisanna transformed into her Cat-like take over as she used her claws to slice away the soldiers around her. "You won't kill for power anymore! I won't let you!"
Meanwhile, in a far off desert, the Edolas Fairy Tail was gathered together to discuss what to do. Edolas Lucy stood on top of the bar to address all her guildmates.
"We have to help save the Exceeds!" Edolas Lucy began. "I met with Gajeel a while back. He says the Royal Army is capturing them and turning them into Lacrimas!"
"Lucy, are you sure?" Mary asked, to which Edolas Lucy nodded. "That's a really bold move, even for them."
"Can we trust Gajeel?" Edolas Droy asked.
"He's kind of a creep, but I gotta admit his information is always accurate." Edolas Jet answered.
"Its not just that." Edolas Eva said as she walked forward and stood below Edolas Lucy. "From what he just witnessed, it seems Nelo Angelo has turned against the Royal Army." That took the entire guild by surprise.
"The Black Angel?" Edolas Natsu shivered at the mention of that name.
"I thought he was working for them." Edolas Grey recalled.
"Well not anymore." Edolas Eva stated. "He's gone on a rampage and is fighting King Faust himself."
"She's right!" Edolas Lucy agreed with her aunt. "We have to help them! The Exceeds and the Earthland Fairy Tail are all in serious danger! Nelo Angelo is now at war with the Royal Army; both want to wipe each other out and take over this world! Come on! We can't just sit back and let that happen, can we?!"
"Well… no… but…" Edolas Elfman stuttered. "The Royal Army has all kinds of magic power; and Nelo Angelo is strong enough to destroy entire guilds by himself. He was the one who killed our master remember? We don't stand a chance against either of them."
"He's got a point." Edolas Mira agreed with her brother. "We can just barely hold out to run away from either of them, let alone stand against them."
"Look, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but between both of them we'd be slaughtered!" Edolas Grey stated.
Mary remembered something. "What about Dante?" This got everyone's attention. "Remember when he first came here? He was able to hold back against Nelo Angelo! No one has ever done that before! If he's there with the rest of the Earthland Fairy Tail, then maybe we can stand a chance? Right?"
While it was true that they do remember that, they we're still less enthusiastic about charging in as everyone looked around each other, unsure of what to do. Both Edolas Lucy and Edolas Eva looked around with shaky eyes, trying to find ways of convincing everyone to help.
Ruined Island
At the same time, Erza continued to clash against her Edolas counterpart, Knightwalker. Throughout this fight, it would seem the two we're evenly matched as explosions erupted around the floating island.
Erza Scarlet laid the next attack in her Heaven's Wheel armor. "Heaven's Wheel! Trinity Sword!" She sent a v-shaped wave from her swords at Knightwalker who was already prepared to counter it.
"Gravity Core!" She shot a black-hole-like projectile at Erza's attack; when both clashed another explosion erupted that shook the entire island. Both Erzas continued to glare at each other before engaging in battle again.
Knightwalker switched out her current spear for two; one was red with fire at the end, the other was blue with ice-energy at its end. "Blue Crimson!" A wave of fire was shot toward Erza, who took to the air to avoid it; but Knightwalker threw a wave of blue energy, which solidified, into ice at Erza; who was able to slice through it with her swords.
"Her attack is similar to Dante's with Agni and Rudra." Erza recalled. "If that's the case, I need to get on the offensive quickly!" Erza landed on the ground. "Requip!" She changed into a new armor as Knightwalker fell down toward her. She was now in her Morning Star Armor; which was white with orange and yellow armor padding son her shoulders and side; she carried two electric blades.
"Morning Star: Photon Slicer!" Erza sent a powerful wave of electric magic at Knightwalker.
"Rune Save!" Knightwalker's spear changed to resemble a trident as she sliced through Erza's electric wave.
"She cut through my attack!" Erza exclaimed in surprise but still kept her focus on the enemy.
Now it was Knightwalker's turn on the offensive. "Silfarion!" Knightwalker's new spear increased her speed substantially as she lunged at Erza, but she was quick enough to block the attack with her swords by crossing them. However, the impact sent Erza crashing through multiple ruins before Knightwalker flew in for the kill.
"I've got you now!"
Erza however was able to requip her thigh-high armor boots to where she was barefoot and surprisingly wielded a sword with each foot to block Knightwalker's strike.
"No!" Knightwalker exclaimed in disbelief as Erza was still fighting with all her might.
Edolas Fairy Tail
Edolas Lucy and Edolas Eva we're still trying to convince their guild to stand up and fight. But Edolas Droy was the first to speak up.
"I know! Why don't we wait until Nelo Angelo and the Royal Army are done fighting?" Edolas Droy suggested. "That's the best time to attack right? They'll both be exhausted and then we give them a proper Fairy Tail thrashing!" He pounded his fist into his open palm.
"I have to admit, that is a brilliant idea Droy." Edolas Cana said with a teacup in her hands. "After all, they say its best to strike while the iron's hot, right?"
"Perhaps we should cozy up to the Royal Army." Edolas Juvia suggested. "If we help them take out the Black Angel, who is arguably the most powerful being in Edolas, then they'll be indebted to us. They would no longer see us as their enemy."
Edolas Wendy seemed to be in agreement. "That's true. It would be nice not to live in constant fear of them."
Edolas Grey suddenly appeared, startling Juvia. "You're so smart Juvia! And pretty to!"
"Geeze get away from me!" She exclaimed. "Give a girl some space, would ya?!" This caused Edolas Grey to comically cry.
"That is out of the question!" Edolas Lucy stated. "The King's drunk with power, even if we side with the Royal Army, there's no guarantee we would be in his good gracious!"
"She is absolutely right! What about Dante and the rest of his friends?!" Edolas Eva questioned. "They are out there, risking their lives for us! If we side with the Royal Army, what's to stop the King from sending us against them?! Are you saying you would really betray them after all they've done for us?!"
"You know Eva, you seem to care a lot about this Dante guy." Edolas Jet noticed.
"Yeah, do you even know him?" Edolas Levy pointed out. "What is so special about him?"
"Look I can't really explain it." Edolas Eva tried to come up with a solid answer. "Ever since I've met him, there's something that has me thinking about him; like a genuine concern for his safety. I don't know what it is but… but I have to know he's okay! I just have to!" She exclaimed as she was indeed genuinely worried about him.
"I'd like to know to." Mary agreed with Edolas Eva as she stood next to the older woman. "And its not just him, its also Lisanna! She's with the Earthland Fairy Tail fighting for us! Look, she may not have said it to us, but we all know she's not our Lisanna."
Everyone in the Edolas Fairy Tail looked toward each other with concern, especially Edolas Elfman and Edolas Mira.
"She may not be our Lisanna, but she's been with us for two whole years!" Mary continued. "She's our friend! She's my friend! I can't just stand here while she, Dante, and everyone else are risking their lives for us!"
"So… why not go with Droy's suggestion?" Edolas Jet proposed. "Attack them when the fighting's done?"
"That won't work either." Edolas Lucy contradicted. "It won't matter if Faust beats Nelo Angelo or the other way around; once one wipes the other out, they'll each move onto their next goal."
"We all know what Faust is like; he'll usher in an age of darkness, tyrannizing all who oppose him." Edolas Lucy continued. "And if Nelo Angelo wins, there will be no restriction or remorse with him. I don't know what he is, but he's not human! What's to stop him from slaughtering every man, woman, and child in Edolas once he's done with the Royal Army! I'm telling you this is our only chance to save ourselves! Humans and Exceeds need to work together to stop them once and for all!"
It would seem that these words we're not reaching the Edolas Fairy Tail members, as they appeared to become even more indecisive by the second. Edolas Eva's eyes slightly shook as she continued see this.
"Dante… I don't know why but… I hope you're okay."
Coliseum Ruins
King Faust's Dorma Anim was proving an even greater challenge than Dante and the Dragon Slayers originally thought. An explosion erupted from the ruins as the Dragon Slayers we're knocked back, even Dante was slightly blown back, though he was standing on his feet, he slightly gave way. He used his sword to support himself as he took several deep breaths, with blood coming from his mouth.
Faust's vile laugh could be heard from the monstrous machine. "You're pathetic! You don't stand a chance of winning!"
"Oh shut up, dickhead!" Dante cursed as he forced himself onto his feet, followed by Natsu.
"Everyone in this world is suffering cause there's no magic power!" The Fire Dragon Slayer stated as he stood up. "I'd like to know why their crazy king is keeping it all to himself and everyone else is fighting just for scraps!
Faust chuckled. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a king who hasn't imposed a tax on his people. That's how monarchy works, my boy! The Dorma Anim requires a constant influx of magic power, so its gathered from all over the world!"
Dante and Natsu both glared as Faust continued. "That's why it was sealed away, it's a forbidden weapon. Now that its activated, the fate of the world depends on my victory! After I've crushed all of you, I'll end the traitorous Nelo Angelo personally! Even he can't stand against something like this!"
"You know I wondered how you let someone like him in your army, even you gotta admit there's something wrong with him." Dante told Faust. "But now I think I get it. You're so blind with power; you can't see what's right in front of you! You made it easy for Nelo Angelo to get in and use you!"
"Dante's right!" Wendy agreed as she tried to stand up. "Nelo Angelo is a demon who was sent here by the Demon King to take over Edolas! But right now, it's hard to see how you're any different from him!"
Gajeel was in agreement as well. "You don't give a crap what happens to this world, do you? That's why you're stealing all its magic power!"
This did not stave off Faust's increasing madness as he chuckled. Natsu's fists began to glow with fire-like energy. "One of the reasons I joined Fairy Tail was so I can help others. Just how many people have you killed to get the power you have now?! I can't stand people like you!"
"You're absolutely right, Natsu." Dante held his sword as he fully stood up. "If I'm gonna be honest; Edolas itself is a real big shit-hole to me. But the people here deserve better than to live under you're thumb! You're just a mad dog, one that I'm about to put down!"
Outside the ruins
Modeus did his best to stand against Nelo Angelo; but a dark electrical blast sent him rolling on the ground and on his back; he tried to stand up, but the Onyx Reaper placed a foot hard on his stab-wound from earlier, causing Modeus to yell in pain.
"Look at yourself." Nelo Angelo stated almost in disgust. "How is it a weakling like you could become an apprentice to someone like Sparda?"
Modeus glared as he looked up. "This must be… how everyone in this world felt… before you ended their lives. How many did you kill in your own quest for power?!"
Nelo Angelo smiled evilly. "Honestly, I lost count. When you're having fun, hunting your prey, small details like those tend to slip one's mind." This further Modeus' glare as Nelo Angelo continued to speak.
"This world is pathetic, as are its inhabitants. The Exceeds considered themselves to be nothing less than divine, even believed their queen to be a god; but really it was all just a façade to keep the humans from harming them. They we're fools to believe this, it is human nature to dominate after all; so it was only natural that the humans would seek to overthrow these false gods, and in their blindness, they unknowingly turned to the Devil to do it. But they will soon learn, when you strike a deal with the Devil…" He placed his foot harder on Modeus' wound, causing him more pain. "The Devil always collects his due, always!"
Edolas Fairy Tail
Despite multiple attempts to convince them, the members of the Edolas guild we're becoming less and less confident, some we're even becoming visibly scared, mostly the Edolas Natsu as he shivered.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all." Edolas Natsu literally shivered with fear. "I think its best for us to mind our own business and let them duke it out."
Edolas Alzack and Edolas Bisca seemed to agree as they we're cuddling next to him. "You know he's got a point. I don't want to go to war, I'd rather stay here and cuddle with you." Edolas Alzack told his beloved.
"Yeah I agree." Edolas Bisca said as well. "I don't think we should get involved it has nothing to do with us."
"Are you kidding me?!" Edolas Eva could not believe how cowardly her guildmates we're acting, though she couldn't really blame them given all they've been through. "How blind are all of you! Once the dust clears it won't matter if Faust or Nelo Angelo win, because one of them will be coming after us next!"
"Trust me, everyone's well aware of that Eva." Edolas Mira told her.
"Then why don't we do something about it?!" Mary questioned.
"You know, you surprised me Mary." Edolas Grey said. "You hate fighting, its not like you to go along with something like this."
"I admit, I'm no fan of violence, I'd rather avoid a fight if necessary." Mary admitted. "But I'm also not a coward! I hate to admit this, but a fight is inevitable. We can either run and be hunted down like we always have been, or we can stand up to these monsters and change all that!"
"Look… I know that sounds great and all…" Edolas Bisca said. "But there's no way we can take on the Royal Army or Nelo Angelo; even if they're fighting each other."
"What about Lisanna, Dante, and all their friends? Are we just gonna sit here and let them die?!" Edolas Lucy questioned.
Edolas Levy was at the controls for the Guildhall. "Here's the thing, we're running low on magic power right now, in fact we're almost out." She informed. "We only have enough to warp one more time. So if we decide to go into battle, there's going to be no turning back."
Both Edolas Eva and Mary looked towards each other as they both looked up to Edolas Lucy who took in all this information.
Battlefield
The members of Earthland's Fairy Tail continued to clash against the Edolas Royal Army with everything they had. Lady threw out her bazooka as she shot multiple rockets at the incoming soldiers.
"Come on tin heads! Show me what you got!" Lady challenged as she was about to be jumped by several Edolas Soldiers with spears, but she pulled out her pistols and shot them all with pinpoint accuracy.
Lucy had pulled out one of the most powerful keys in her arsenal. "Open! Gate of the Lion! Loke!" The leader of the Celestial Zodiacs appeared in front of Lucy, ready for battle.
"You miss me Lucy?" He asked nonchalantly, but still bore a serious look on his face. As he charged forward with glowing, golden, fists at a squad of incoming soldiers and punched them all away with tremendous force.
Trish charged her sword with her lightning as it shifted to its scythe-form and she swung in a circular fashion to slice and zap all the enemy soldiers around her before she threw out her blade like a shuriken as it cut down more of the enemy; at the same time, she pulled out her Lucien pistol in her right hand and shot more electric bullets at several more soldiers as she blasted a bolt of lightning with her right hand at another squad. Once the enemy in front of her was done, she caught the returning Sparda sword with her free hand.
"Christ, how many of these idiots are there?!" Trish questioned as she saw more incoming and leaped at them with a charging yell.
Happy was trying to lead Carla to safety as he held her paw. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe!"
"Thank you!" Carla thanked.
Coco ran straight at a Royal Army Soldier and gave a powerful kick up his jaw. When a few tried to attack her from behind; Lisanna, still in her she-cat form, came in at quick speed and sliced through all of them with her claws.
Try as they might, more and more Royal Soldiers entered the battlefield as it seemed like they we're facing the entire Royal Army. One line of soldiers held weapons that seemed like a mixture of spears and guns. "Fire Men!" The commanding offcer ordered as they fired on the Fairy Tail members.
Lucy had her magic whip out to try and block them. "Magic bullets?!"
"Where do they get this crazy shit?! Lady questioned as she spun her rocket-launcher and used it as a blunt weapon to knock down several soldiers that we're close to her.
One stray bullet was heading towards Happy who screamed as he saw it coming. "Happy look out!" Carla exclaimed as she jumped right in front of him and took the hit.
"Carla!" Happy exclaimed in shock as he saw the white cat fall down; while both Trish and Lucy looked in shock at this. The blue Exceed quickly ran to her side. "Are you alright?"
"Aw crap! I accidentally hit an Exceed!" The soldier with the spear-gun swore off.
"Watch where you shoot, you idiot!" Another soldier scolded his comrade. "We need them for magic power!" Both soldiers however we're quickly shot buy Lady with her rocket launcher.
"You bastards value power more than you do life?!" Lady exclaimed in anger. "I can't stand people like you!" She shot another rocket to blow away more soldiers before impaling one close to her with her rocket-launcher's mounted blade.
Happy tried to help the injured Carla up. "Carla, you gotta hang in there! You hear me?!" Though she was still alive, Carla was still quite injured.
More soldiers came in as they continued to shoot their magic bullets at the Fairy Tail members waging war against them. Several stray bullets we're coming in Happy and Carla's direction; but Loke came to their defense and used his golden fists to block all the shots.
"Happy! Grab the girl and run to safety!" Loke told him.
Happy picked up Carla bridal style. "You got it Loke, thanks!" He ran to safety as Loke continued to block the incoming shots.
Lisanna and Lucy we're back-to-back as they both used claws and whip respectively to take down the soldiers who we're near them, but Lisanna saw several incoming magic bullets. "Lucy, look out!"
Lisanna quickly grabbed Lucy and used her cat-speed to avoid much of them as they can. "Thanks, Lisanna." Lucy thanked.
"No problem."
The soldiers tried to shoot the two girls down, but they we're quickly knocked back by an ice-wall curtsey of Grey. "Don't mess with me! Ice-Make Lance!" He shot several of his ice-lances to bring down several more soldiers. Trish quickly found herself backed towards Grey as she used both her Lucien and Umbra pistols to shoot back incoming soldiers, but she was on a defensive end.
"Its like we're fighting off a river, these chumps just keep coming!" Grey told her.
"I noticed." Trish replied but a shadow loomed over them. They both looked up in shock to see several of the Royal Army's massive Legion steeds enter the battlefield.
"Are you freaking kidding me?!" The shocked Trish questioned.
Edolas Fairy Tail
"It's time to make a decision!" Edolas Mira announced. "Are we going to help the Exceeds or not?"
Still as before, the Edolas Fairy Tail seemed like they we're not going to help. Edolas Eva and Mary looked towards each other with worry as they both wanted to help, but the rest of their guild didn't seem to share the same opinion.
Edolas Lucy sighed. "I don't know what else I can say to change you're mind but… Please! Dante, Lisanna, the rest of Earthland's Fairy Tail is out there risking their lives against the Royal Army and Nelo Angelo! The Earthland version of me, Natsu, Grey, Wendy, Mary, all of us!"
Everyone slowly looked up to Edolas Lucy as she spoke. "Before I made my way back here, Dante told me something. He said 'when you have power, don't use it for yourself, use it to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves! All living beings have a right to pursue their own happiness!'" Everyone was listening as Edolas Lucy continued to quote Dante. "'When someone tries to take that right away from them, stand up to that someone, don't back down! If they wont' listen to reason, then take a stand! Even if you're staring straight into the Gates of Hell itself! Don't back down! Fight!'" Edolas Lucy had finished quoting Dante. "Well its high time we take a stand!"
Battlefield
The Legions we're now taking part in the battle, the Fairy Tail members we're now in trouble. Even those like Lady and Trish who have taken on legions of demons, they we're quite fatigue after all that's recently happen; even they couldn't keep this up for long.
Grey and Loke we're quickly knocked down by a Legion. Happy looked in horror as he saw this happen. Lady used her last rocket to hit the side of one Legion, though she succeeded in killing it, she was out of ammo. "Damn it!" She cursed before a Legion smacked her back with its claw.
Trish was also able to kill a Legion as she jumped up and sliced with her lightning-charged blade, cutting it in half. But while she was in the air; multiple Edolas soldiers shot her down to the ground with magic bullets. Several more soldiers came in and shot back Lucy, Lisanna, and Coco.
Happy continued to look in horror as he saw all his friends getting knocked down, and more and more of the enemy coming in.
"At this rate, everybody's gonna die!"
Despite everything; Lucy was among the first to stand up and get on her feet with her whip in hand. "We can't give up! No matter what happens… we gotta keep fighting!"
"Are we gonna leave them to die on the battlefield?! Or are we gonna lend them a hand?! The Future of Edolas is at stake! Not just us, but every man, woman, and child!" Edolas Lucy told her guildmates.
Earthland Lucy stood her ground against a squad of Royal Soldiers. "I'll bet Natsu, Dante, and Erza are still in it! If they can find the strength to keep going, then I know I can to!" She exclaimed as she charged forward.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of always running away from fights!" Edolas Lucy continued to speak. "The Gates of Hell are right at our doorstep, well it's time we stand up to the monsters on the other side!"
Earthland Lucy continued to charge at the enemy soldiers, not even wavering for a second. "We've got to keep fighting!"
"We gotta face our foes head on!" Edolas Lucy exclaimed with tears of ferocity in her eyes.
"Because that's what it means to be a Fairy Tail wizard!" Both Earthland and Edolas Lucy exclaimed at the same time from their separate locations
The Royal Army soldiers continued to fire on the Fairy Tail members of Earthland. "It's hopeless! There's way too many of them!" Happy exclaimed in fear as he still held Carla.
Grey was swept back by a Legion, as was Trish, even Loke was swept at by a Legion's claws; Lady, Lucy, Lisanna, and Coco we're all shot at and blown back by the enemy fire. Coco was blasted back hard to a tree; Lady was pinned down with spears pointed at her head as she glared up at them. Grey was in a similar scenario himself, so we're Lucy, Trish, even Lisanna who had all fallen. It looked almost hopeless.
Happy held Carla close as tears we're in his eyes. "Someone… please save us…"
Almost as if in direct response to Happy's plea, something poked out of the ground. It was a tiny plant, but the plant quickly grew into something much larger, like a massive tree. As it continued to grow, massive plant roots erupted from the ground and ensnared every single Legion on the battlefield, successfully subduing the large creatures.
This earned a look of surprise from Happy; but none we're more surprised by the soldiers.
"Hey, where'd all those massive roots come from?!" One soldier questioned.
"They're ensnaring the Legions!"
A much larger structure was beginning to rise from the ground. The members of Fairy Tail looked in surprise at this.
"Whoa, what the hell?" Grey questioned.
"Someone called some kind of garden-monster or something?" Lady questioned as well.
Lisanna was the first to recognize this process. "No way… I don't believe it…" She uttered with a smile of relief, as she knew exactly what this meant.
"What… is it…?" Trish questioned.
The Edolas soldiers could only look in complete and utter surprise.
"What?" One soldier questioned.
"It's those cowards who always run from us!" Another soldier exclaimed.
"Its… it's the Edolas Fairy Tail!" Lisanna exclaimed in joy; which earned looks of surprise from Grey, Trish, and Lady; Lucy was also surprised but her look was one more of joy.
Sure enough, the Edolas Fairy Tail guildhall has successfully rose from the ground, with the Fairy Tail emblem waving high and proud. Once the dust cleared, the door opened and out of it marched the members of the Edolas Fairy Tail, each baring some form of magical weapon, along with his or her own look of determination; with Edolas Eva and Edolas Lucy at the front.
"Hello boys! Remember us?" Edolas Eva called out to the Royal Army as she held her magic-gun. "It's payback time! CHARGE!"
With that, all the Edolas Fairy Tail wizards gave battle cries as they charged straight at the Royal Army.
"Let's Go!" Edolas Grey exclaimed
"Yeah!" Edolas Jet shouted.
"We'll show you meatheads the power of camaraderie!" Edolas Droy also shouted as they engaged the enemy forces.
Happy was shedding tears once again as he continued to hold Carla, only this time they we're tears of joy. "The Edolas Fairy Tail saves the day."
Edolas Lucy quickly ran to her Earthland counterpart and helped her up. "We made it, sorry we're late but that's better than nothing."
Lucy was more than happy to accept the help as she to shed tears of joy. "You're a lifesaver!"
With the Edolas Fairy Tail now on the battlefield, the odds we're looking much less grim for the heroes.
"Lets go!" Edolas Lucy exclaimed as she charged forward with her guild.
"We're gonna take you down Royal Army!" Edolas Droy exclaimed further.
Mary was meanwhile running with Edolas Natsu. "Alright, you ready Natsu?"
"Yeah, if the Earthlanders can stand up to them, than I can to! I won't let my fear get the best of me!"
The Edolas Fairy Tail had fully engaged the Royal Army; without their Legions to help, the Royal Army was at a disadvantage. With the Edolas Fairy Tail facing the enemy, the Fairy Tail members of Earthland we're being helped up by familiar faces.
"You think you're gonna be okay?" Edolas Lucy had helped Lucy back on her feet, with Loke looking at both Lucys with hearts in his eyes.
"Yeah, thanks a lot."
Trish struggled to get up but a hand was held to help her up, this hand came from the Edolas Eva as Trish was more than a little surprised to see that face. "You need a hand?"
"Uh yeah… thanks…" The surprised Trish took the hand and was helped back on her feet. "By any chance, is your name Eva?"
"Why yes it is." Edolas Eva answered with a smile before she took out her magic gun and shot several electric bullets at some incoming Royal Soldiers behind Trish. "What's yours?"
Trish smirked as she shot lighting from her right hand, past Edolas Eva, barbequing another pair of Royal Army soldiers. "Call me Trish."
"That's a nice name." Edolas Eva replied as they both stood together to face an incoming group of Royal Soldiers. "Lets say we teach these creeps a lesson in humility."
"Read my mind." Trish smirked with Edolas Eva as they each held their respective guns and both shot multiple electric blasts at the enemy.
At the same time, Grey was having a less-than-pleasant introduction with his Edolas counterpart.
"You're me!?" Edolas Grey questioned, shocked by Grey's lack of clothes while the Earthland Grey was shocked by the Edolas Grey's excess amount of clothes.
"What's with your clothes?!" Both Greys questioned to each other.
"Take some off!" Earthland Grey shot.
"You put some on!" Edolas Grey shot back.
Edolas Juvia meanwhile had two Royal Army soldiers in headlocks, both their heads we're up close with her breasts. "One Grey was bad enough, but now there's two!? I can't handle it!"
Both Greys saw what she was doing with the soldiers. "Oh… I'm so jealous of them…" Edolas Grey uttered.
"Why?" Grey questioned in annoyance.
Edolas Grey had steam coming out of his nose. "Just the sight of our beloved Juvia makes me weak! Oh what I wouldn't give to get pressed up against her bosom to!"
"YOU GOT THE HOTS FOR THAT PYSHCO!?" Grey comically questioned.
"I'M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU, JUVIA!" Edolas Grey shouted to her.
Edolas Juvia screamed out in frustration. "UGH! SHUT UP!"
Lady had used this distraction to sweep her legs to knock down the soldiers who we're pinning her down. She quickly pulled out a pair of pistols and started shooting.
"I don't know what's going on, but I'll take it anyway!" She said as she shot down more Royal Soldiers. However, she failed to notice one soldier trying to ambush her from behind, but before he got the chance…
*Clang!*
Lady looked in surprise as she turned around and saw not only an unconscious Royal Soldier with a bump on his head, but her Edolas doppelganger with a frying pan.
"Hi there." Mary gave a friendly wave to her Earthland counterpart.
"You're… me?!" Lady questioned in surprise.
"Yeah, awkward isn't it?" Mary still bore her friendly smile. "Anyway I'm guessing your name is Mary to?"
Lady took that by surprise, but she quickly hid it with a serious face as she shot some more incoming soldiers. "It used to be, but my name is Lady."
"Oh you changed your name?" Mary asked. "Not that there's anything wrong with 'Lady', but did something happen? Maybe we can talk about it over tea?"
This earned a comical look of shock from Lady. "No way this is me!" She quickly kicked down a Royal Soldier and shot another one who was about to ambush Mary. "Look, how about we socialize after we kill these bastards!"
"Oh my! Where did you learn such language!?" Mary questioned, never having said a curse word in her life. "But you're right! We have to take them down! I'm no fan of violence but I won't stand by this oppression any more!" She charged forward with her frying pan as Lady joined her Edolas counterpart with her guns.
Edolas Bisca and Edolas Alzack we're both in the middle of the battlefield with their own magic guns.
"We can't allow ourselves to be outdone Love-Gun!" Edolas Bisca told her lover. "What do you say?!"
"Yeah! Lets heat em up biscuit!" Edolas Alzack agreed as they both unloaded on a small group of Royal Soldier with their magic guns.
"You got hit…" Edolas Alzack began.
"With the power of our love!" Edolas Bisca finished.
"Yehaah!" They both cheered.
Lisanna resumed her battle as well as she, still in her She-Cat form, sliced at the soldiers surrounding her; but more came in ready to shoot her. They however did not get the chance as both Edolas Elfman and Edolas Mira; wielding a hammer, and sword and shield respectively and helped knocked down the guards.
"Hey Lisanna, you okay?" Edolas Elfman asked nonchalantly.
Lisanna, while glad to see them, remembered she was using Earthland magic. "Uh..." She looked down at her She-Cat appearance. "Mira… Elfman… there's an explanation! I…"
Edolas Mira still smiled as she raised a hand. "It's okay. We've known all along."
This caught Lisanna by surprise. "You… you knew…?"
Edolas Elfman nodded. "We just wanted some more time with our little sister, forgive us."
"You're a sweet girl, just as sweet as our Lisanna." Edolas Mira said. "But its okay, there's no more need for secrets."
Lisanna felt a little ashmed. "I'm sorry I lied.. I didn't…"
"Don't worry about it." Edolas Elfman told her. "We can talk more about it, after we finish these creeps." He said with determination as he and Edolas Mira stood with Lisanna.
Lisanna nodded. "You're right. I've been with you guys and experienced the same thing for the last two years, this is my fight to. Lets finish this!" All three yelled as they charged forward to take down the enemy.
At the same time; Edolas Droy and Edolas Jet we're back-to-back. "We are the great and mighty…" Edolas Droy began to shout.
"Team Shadowgear!" Edolas Jet finished the shout as Edolas Levy joined in.
"Okay you two, lets make sure we show up Lucy!" She exclaimed
"Yeah!" Both shouted together.
Edolas Droy charged forward at a group of Royal Army soldiers as they shot at him. "You're gonna wish you'd never mess with the strongest team in Fairy Tail!" He shouted as he held a mace-like weapon, which began to glow. He sent several violet-colored bolts at some nearby trees. The trees themselves began to glow as the branches came out and quickly ensnared the soldiers.
Edolas Jet appeared to be on some form of magical skates as he skated directly at the enemy. "You punks ain't got nothing on me!" Using speed provided by the skates he zoomed in on a group of soldiers and decked them all with one sweeping kick.
Coco saw him move and couldn't help but admire him. "Wow. He's awesome! He's even faster than me!"
Lucy saw how all the Edolas wizards we're acting, she couldn't believe any of it, they we're the exact opposite of all her friends back in Earthland's Fairy Tail.
"Grey's head-over-heels for Juvia? Jet and Droy are the strongest wizards in the guild? Lady's name is Mary and she's like a pink princess?! EVERYTHING'S TOTALLY SCREWED UP HERE!"
Meanwhile; Happy was still with Carla and he couldn't help but be overjoyed as the odds we're now in their favor. There was light at the end of the tunnel after all.
"Were so lucky Carla! We'd be goners if they hadn't come to our rescue."
Carla had woken up and looked weakly towards the Edolas Fairy Tail, as well as the few members of Earthland's Fairy Tail, as they all united together against the Royal Army and we're driving them back.
"I knew we could count on them; they're different but they're still Fairy Tail!" Happy said with a smile.
With the combined efforts of everyone, even the weakened Earthlanders who we're once fatigue, they we're more than capable of winning this war and bringing peace to Edolas. Carla saw this with a smile.
"They're a lovable bunch of hooligans, no matter which world they're in."
Island Ruins
Erza Knightwalker thrusted her spear straight at Erza Scarlet, who was able to block and parry it with the swords she held in her feet as she spun on the ground. As Knightwalker jumped back, so did Erza. She threw her swords in the air, requipped her boots back on her feet and grabbed the swords with her hands as she once again locked blades with her Edolas double.
"I will kill you!" Knightwalker shouted.
"Not if you can't catch me!" Erza challenged.
A massive explosion erupted from their struggle as they clashed with plenty of magic energy. Both Erzas jumped back to the other side of the crater that resulted from the explosion. Both took multiple breaths as they we're each quite fatigue; it was almost the equivalent of the unstoppable force against the immovable object. Both sides determined, and neither wavering.
"To think we're this evenly matched…" Erza observed.
"It may seem that way now." Knightwalker began as her weapon began to glow. "But that will change once you experience the final form of my Ten Commandments!" Erza glared as she saw Knightwalker's weapon change again. It resembled something of a holy spear, and judging by Knightwalker's confident smile, it undoubtedly had power behind it.
"Sacred Spear: Revalt!" She pointed it to Erza Scarlet. "It was forged by the greatest blacksmith in all of Edolas! A single blow will rock the heavens and herald ultimate destruction!"
Erza took a similar approach as she glowed and requipped from her current armor into one that resembled a pink knight with fairy-like symbols over it, catching Knightwalker by surprise. "Armadura Fairy!" Erza announced as she held a sword in each hand. "My strongest armor!" She pointed her sword at Knightwalker. "It's named after my guild, because it embodies all that I love about Fairy Tail!"
This actually seemed to make Knightwalker more eager. "Well, I can't wait to put it to the test. What do you say?" She challenged.
"Now!" Erza accepted the challenge.
Knightwalker thrusted forward, her spear glowing a strong form of purple energy, pulsating around her like a horizontal meteor on reentry as she shot straight at Erza. Erza Scarlet mirrored her actions with one of her swords, channeling her own magic energy as it surged with strong green magic energy much like Knightwalker. Both gave strong and mighty yells that would reach the heavens as they clashed like two meteors.
*BOOM!*
A massive explosion completely obliterated the entire floating island as several large pieces began to fall toward the ground. Knightwalker's spear shattered quickly, as did Erza's swords, and most of her armor.
"No… The Ravelt's destroyed…" Knightwalker shook with complete disbelief.
"My… My armor's gone…" Erza also said in disbelief herself.
The dust cleared to reveal only a small portion the island had survived, the one piece both Erzas we're standing on. The piece quickly lost its power and began to fall from the sky.
"Did the shockwave from the impact cause the island to become unstable?" Erza questioned as she saw the island's descent.
"And to make matters worse, we're both low on magic power." Knightwalker observed, but a look of rage overtook her. "That won't stop me from killing you!"
Erza then engaged her Edolas double in hand-to-hand combat as they began to trade punches and kicks. Erza had the offensive at first, but Knightwalker blocked one punch.
"Curse you!" She shouted before she punched Erza and went on the offensive herself.
Coliseum Ruins
Dante, Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel stood their ground against the mad king's Dorma Anim, who was growing more and more mad by the second.
"Can't you see you're just wasting your energy?!" Faust questioned the four of them. "There's no defeating me in my Dorma Anim!" He pointed the armor's right arm-blade at them. "I have complete control over the magic power in this world! Therefore I have the right to use it however I please!" He shot projectiles of purple energy at them; forcing the group to scatter.
"You're completely insane!" Dante exclaimed as he and the Dragon Slayers ran to avoid all the projectiles shot at them.
"You should share it with your people instead of hogging it all to yourself you greedy psycho!" Gajeel yelled.
"If you think you're indestructible than I got news for you!" Natsu challenged. "You and that fake Dragon are going down!"
"Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy unleashed her breath attack at the Dorma Anim, only for it to block it with its arm guard, resulting in Faust laughing maniacally.
"How many times must I tell you not to waste magic power?" Faust told them in a tone that mixed both mockery and insanity. "I hate to think how much your attacks are affecting my supply!"
"We ain't your supply you piece of shit!" Dante shot both Ebony and Ivory at the Dorma Anim's face, but they didn't seem to scratch it.
"Goodness that tickled." Faust mocked, much to Dante's frustration as he growled.
"You ain't stealing my magic!" Gajeel stated as he leaped above the Dorma Anim. "It's mine and nobody else's!" He landed behind it. "Iron Dragon Club!" His attack barley even left a dent in it.
The Dorma Anim quickly began to glow as several beams of light shot out of it, one of which hit Gajeel to send him flying off it.
"It's only a matter of time now. It will all be mine! Your power and lives will be my spoils of war!"
"Not if we stop you!" Natsu declared as he flew forward ready to smash the Dorma Anim, if he could.
Outside the ruins
Modeus continued to be on the receiving end of Nelo Angelo's attacks as he was grabbed by the throat and taken high into the air, courtesy of Nelo Angelo's wings who tossed him hard to the ground, leaving an impact.
As he tried to crawl out, Modeus knew could only take so much more. "If I don't think of something…. I won't survive…."
A powerful stream of dark lightning shot down onto him from the airborne Nelo Angelo as he twirled his double-scythe blade, sending an electric cyclone hard onto the almost beaten swordsman.
Nelo Angelo had an evil smirk as he landed on the ground and saw the chared and beaten body of Modeus.
"Don't look so surprised." Nelo Angelo kicked him slightly so Modeus faced upward as Nelo Angelo looked down onto him. "This outcome was always inevitable." He looked upward slightly as his own demonic senses picked up some commotion from the islands down below, something that made him smile. "Oh, the Edolas Fairy Tail has made an appearance."
"What…?" Modeus moaned.
"It seems they have developed the courage to stand up to their oppressors." Nelo Angelo observed. "And from the looks of things, they're winning."
"Do you see now?" Modeus struggled as Nelo Angelo looked down on him. "Those who have the courage…. Will always… stand up to those… like you who seek… to oppress them."
"Don't insult me." Nelo Angelo told him. "I don't seek to oppress them, I seek to anhilate them! After I've killed you, I'll personally go down there and slaughter every last one of them!"
This shocked the weakened Modeus. "No…"
"Yes. I will kill every single man, woman, and child in that pathetic guild. They have avoided me for too long, but now that they've come to me, I have every intention of ending them!" His fanged smile was wide. "They will know just how ruthless a Devil can be!"
The weakened Modeus tried to grab Nelo Angelo's foot. "I won't… let you…"
"I think I'm done playing with you." He raised his scythe. "Goodbye, apprentice of Sparda, you we're a waste of potential."
It almost came in slow motion as Modeus saw the inevitable end. "I'm sorry… I couldn't stop him. Sparda… forgive me…."
As he prepared for the end, multiple memories came back to him; his training with Sparda, his disagreements with his brother Baul, his joining of Fairy Tail, everything. But one memory popped into his head…
"Just promise me you'll come back. Promise me that."
Wendy's words echoed through his head as his eyes shot open. "What am I doing?! I can't give up!"
Right as Nelo Angelo brought down his blade; Modeus quickly summoned his own sword to block it and wrestled with Nelo Angelo.
"Don't fight it! Accept your end!" Nelo Angelo told him as they struggled. "You cannot stop me. I am the Angel of Death! And I have come for your soul!"
"My Soul…. My Soul! My Soul!" Those words triggered a memory in Modeus as he suddenly experienced a flashback.
Flashback; Roughly 2,000 years ago
"Master? I… I don't understand." Modeus questioned as he faced his mentor, Sparda on a grassy plain in Earthland; with clear blue skies and birds flying over them.
Sparda was in his demonic form as he looked to his apprentice with a humorous smile. "What's there not to understand, Modeus?"
"Why? Why choose me, Master?" Modeus questioned. "You choose to pass your strength and will to me? Why not my brother, he clearly is the better swordsman."
"That may be true." Sparda admitted. "Baul indeed is a skilled warrior, however I am not looking for skill. I am looking for what lies inside the soul, and in your soul I have found it."
"My soul?" Modeus wondered.
"My friend." Sparda began. "For many years, I wasn't to different from the average demon during my service to Mundus. However, upon my arrival in the Human Realm, something inside me changed. I saw something in them that I had never once experienced even among my own kind, and that same thing has grown inside me, which lead me to revolt against my former master. And now, after years of training with you and your brother, I can now see that same thing is present in you."
Modeus looked towards his mentor. "Master…"
"Modeus, I acknowledge your brother's skill." Sparda continued. "However, I can see that despite that, he is quite violent. If I passed my strength and will to him, there is a possibility the power would go to his head, and he may become corrupted by it. But you… violence is a burden to you. Despite my age, I know that even I may not be around forever; while I do want my teachings to survive, I also want them to live well."
Sparda had placed a hand on his student's shoulder. "Modeus, I pass my strength and will onto you knowing that you will use it when nothing else can save you; knowing that you will use it not just for yourself but to protect someone you care for, never to attack; knowing you will pass on these teachings as I do to a worthy student."
Reality
Modeus' body and sword began to glow a strong silver light, much to the shock of Nelo Angelo.
"What?"
Modeus gave a powerful yell as his body was engulfed in a powerful blast of silver and white light. The blast was enough to force back Nelo Angel who could only look in total shock.
The power unleashed a wave of energy; which gained the attention of Natsu, Dante, Gajeel, and Wendy; even Faust in his Dorma Anim, as they could see the white and silver energy coming from outside the ruins they we're fighting in.
"What….? Where is this power coming from?" Faust thought.
"Hey, you guys feel that?" Natsu asked his friends as they could feel the pressure and intensity from there spot.
"Yeah, what the hell is it?" Gajeel questioned.
Wendy's senses picked up something; a familiar scent reached her nose. "It's Modeus!" Natsu and Gajeel looked in surprise toward her. "I don't know how, but its him!"
"No way." Gajeel breathed in disbelief.
"He's never done anything like this before!" Natsu stated.
Dante could feel the presence as he had a serious look on his face.
Nelo Angelo took a few steps back as the silver light slightly faded and standing where Modeus was, something else now stood firm. All his wounds we're healed and he bore a more demonic appearance; black scales covered his body as his eyes glowed orange. His trenchcoat became a part of his body as claws adorned his hands, wings also detruded from his back. One would say he had taken his true demonic form, but this was different, evident by the silver aura that flowed around him.
The Onyx Reaper could not believe what he was seeing. "What…? This power…. It feels almost…. Like Dante's… Devil Trigger!"
The newly transformed Modeus took some final thoughts. "Sparda, my mentor, my friend… I didn't understand what you told me all those years ago, but now I do. I know why you chose me, and I will not let you down."
He looked directly at his enemy. "Nelo Angelo, mark my words, what you have done is unforgivable; and I will see to it that you never harm another innocent!"
Modeus slowly began to walk to the aforementioned demon as he still surged with his silver aura. Nelo Angelo glared at his opponent.
"You fool! Don't be so overconfident just because you got a small influx of power!" Nelo Angelo threw back his weapon and charged a massive amount of dark lighting before he chucked a powerful beam of it right at Modeus who wasn't even phased by the incoming attack. It almost seemed to hit dead on, resulting in a small explosion.
Nelo Angelo smirked, thinking it worked. "Pathetic worm. I told you that you we're insignificant to a superior creature such as me." The smoke cleared as Nelo Angelo's smile vanished completely. "WHAT!?"
Modeus, still transformed, didn't even have a scratch on him as he continued his walk towards Nelo Angelo with determination flaring in his eyes. Nelo Angelo gave a frustrated yell as he tried to go on the offensive with his weapon, but Modeus had already called one of his swords to block it with minimal effort.
"Impossible…. Where are you getting this much power!?"
Modeus looked directly into Nelo Angelo's eyes as he spoke. "You claim to have Sparda's power just because you we're created from his essence; but the truth is, you're a fake, an imposter! Sparda passed his strength and will onto me, and I will use it to protect the innocent and those I care for! I am Modeus; I am the apprentice of Sparda! But more importantly, I'm a member of Fairy Tail!"
Nelo Angelo's eyes widened in shock as Modeus unleashed a powerful blast to send him flying back; but Modeus already zoomed past him and met him from behind to deliver a powerful kick to his back to send him flying straight up into the sky. Modeus then opened his own wings as he soared after his enemy.
The Onyx Reaper quickly stabilized himself and saw Modeus quickly flying up toward him. He was able to block the sword strike with his scythe, but Modeus already had an attack ready.
"Demon Sword: Lunar Eclipse!" Modeus sword burst with silver energy as he shot multiple full-moon-shaped projectiles at Nelo Angelo, who was unable to block it as they all impacted him with explosive results and sent him falling back toward the collusium ruins; but Modeus quickly caught up, grabbed him by the face, and threw him clean through the walls.
Everyone in the ruins; Dante, Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, even Faust, all looked in shock at this.
"Dante!" Modeus called to him. "I can finish Nelo Angelo! You and the Dragon Slayers finish Faust!"
Modeus flew through the hole that Nelo Angelo left as the demon skidded on the ground, but quickly stabilized himself to defend against Modeus' sword strike with his scythe, but now the Onyx Reaper was on the defensive end.
"What is this?!" Faust questioned. "Who was that?! Where did he get such power?!" Something else caught Faust's attention, he turned back to the four standing against him and saw a powerful red whirlwind circling around Dante.
"Old geezer, you want to talk about power?" Dante questioned as the red wind continued to circle and his body began to glow. "I'll show you power!" Dante roared as his body was engulfed in red energy, forcing the Dragon Slayers to shield their eyes.
Faust's own eyes widened in fear as he saw Dante's transformation, for he had now entered his Devil Trigger.
Natsu and Gajeel we're among the first to smirk. "Oh, its so on now." Natsu teased, having a feeling what's gonna happen next.
"Your royal pain in the ass, you are in for a world of pain!" Gajeel taunted Faust.
Wendy looked at Dante with worry. "He's already used his Devil Trigger twice today, can he really handle this? Dante, please, be safe." She hopped
Faust could not believe what he just saw. "What… where… his power… it's doubled, no tripled! Just what the hell are you!?"
The Devil Trigger Dante looked up to Faust, holding his black Rebellion. "I'm the one who's gonna kill you."
Battlefield
The Edolas and Earthland's Fairy Tail was definitely on the winning side as they kept pushing and pushing with their own respective magic and weapons. The Royal Army was having some major trouble right now.
Edolas Juvia had just smacked down a Royal Soldier with her umbrella. "You're so cute when you fight, Juvia." Edolas Grey told her with hears around his head.
"You're too clingy!" She yelled at him. "Take some notes from Earthland Grey to keep your distance and ditch a sweater or two!" This caused Edolas Grey to comically cry in rejection.
Trish angrily picked up a Royal Solider by the throat. "Tell me something pal! Do you really think you're doing good!? You think you're doing the right thing!?"
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THAT!" The soldier squirmed in fear.
Edolas Eva shot a few more soldiers as she walked backwards next to Trish. "They're only following orders! I'm sure there are more than a few soldiers who oppose the Royal Army, but if they oppose the King, he'll have them killed!"
Edolas Cana suddenly appeared. "I don't belong on the battlefield, I'm a lady." She then took out a stick and smacked a soldier across the face. "But I'll stay and help you, even though I'd much rather be at a tea party!"
"Thanks a lot Cana!" Lucy thanked as she held her whip. "At this point we need all the help we can get!"
Edolas Eva continued to shoot the soldiers with her electric gun. "Where's Dante? How come I haven't seen him here?"
Trish looked towards her. "Its no surprise you're concerned for him, being you're the Edolas version of his mother."
Lisanna leaped toward the area as she slashed past multiple soldiers in her she-cat form. "He, Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel from Earthland, along with Modeus, are fighting Faust and Nelo Angelo right now." She answered.
That earned a look of surprise from Edolas Eva. "He's fighting them!? By himself!?"
"Not by himself!" Grey exclaimed as he shot more ice-lances at the enemy soldiers. "He's got three Dragon Slayers by his side!"
"Plus if he didn't I wouldn't worry too much." Lady said as she used her rocket-launcher's blade to slash down an enemy. "If anyone's got the power to put Faust in his place, its him!"
"Are you sure?" Mary asked as she smacked an enemy with her frying pan.
"Yeah we're sure." Lucy replied as she snapped her whip at enemy soldier. "Don't worry about Dante or Natsu; those guys are as tough as they come!"
Edolas Eva could only hope that they we're right. "I guess I'll just have to put my faith in him them."
Edolas Lucy noticed how Loke was close to Lucy as he continued to protect her from more enemy soldiers. "I know this is none of my business, but is the guy with the glasses your boyfriend, Lucy?"
That earned a surprised look from Lucy as she blushed. "No! Definitely not! He wishes!" She said as she waved her arm with an embarrassed smile
Loke suddenly appeared close to Edolas Lucy trying to act cool. "You're onto me, aren't you? Can't really say I'm surprised since you're Lucy to."
Edolas Lucy wasn't at all attracted to him. "I'm not interested in pretty boys like you pal."
This hit Loke hard as he comically fell down, something that caused Lady to laugh. "Ooooh! Rejected!"
At the same time, Happy and Carla we're both unable to defend themselves, Carla especially due to being injured earlier.
"Happy!" She moaned as the frightened blue exceed stood by her side. Some stray bullets we're heading their way, but we're quickly blocked as Edolas Wendy came in with a pair of tonfas to protect the cats.
"Thanks Big Wendy!" Happy thanked.
"You shouldn't be here, its too dangerous." She turned around and saw that Carla was hurt. "You've been injured, do you want me to stay with you?" She asked Carla as she kneeled down to her level.
"Thank you, but I'm fine." Carla said. "Happy will take good care of me." This caused the aforementioned cat to smile, but Edolas Wendy soon picked up the injured Carla. She ran with her behind a large rock and set her down on a ledge where she wouldn't be spotted, Happy quickly joined them.
"You should be a lot safer over here." Edolas Wendy told her. "Holler if you need me and I'll come running." She gave a friendly smile, not too different from Earthland Wendy's. "I'll stay close by." She stood up to rejoin the battle.
Happy looked in the direction she went off to. "Looks like Wendy is just as nice here as she is at home."
Carla silently agreed as she gave a grateful smile.
At the same time; Erza and Knightwalker continued to engage in hand-to-hand combat on the falling debris that was once the island they dueled on.
"Everlasting magic power is at stake!" Knightwalker pinned Erza down. "I cannot loose!"
"I don't know how you can live with yourself, knowing how many lives we're lost to gain that power!" Erza stated as she flipped Knightwalker off her. "You're so obsessed; and in your obsession you became blind, allowing Nelo Angelo to take advantage of all of you! You did everything he wanted you to do! Hate and oppress! Plunder and kill!"
"That's human nature!" Erza Knightwalker argued as she got up, but Erza punched her in the jaw.
"That's not true!" Erza exclaimed. "Human beings are full of love and compassion!" As Erza lectured her counterpart, Shagotte was trying her best to protect and support several Exceed children. "It's our nature to stand up for those we hold dear! To take up arms to protect our suffering comrades!" She locked hands with Knightwalker. "Tell me, how are you not moved by the screams of the Exceeds?! Can't you hear them?!"
Knightwalker delivered a knee to Erza's chin. "I can hear them loud and clear! But it's the only way the kingdom can regain its magic power! We've got no choice! We can't survive without it!"
"You're wrong! Its people! Not power that matters!" Erza threw Knightwalker close to the edge of the falling island.
"It may be true where you're from, but not here!" Knightwalker tried to stand up. "You have a wealth of magic power, you can never understand!" She tried to punch Erza, but she kept blocking all her attacks. "You can never understand what it feels like to live your life in fear of loosing it because you've never been without it! If you felt the same frustration that comes from being powerless, you'd understand why we need it to live!"
Erza caught Knightwalker by her wrists. "If that we're true we'd be dead right now! But we're not!" This caught Knightwalker by surprise. "You don't need magic power to survive!"
She looked Knightwalker straight in the eye as she spoke these next words. "The two of us have run out of it, but we're still alive! It's nice to have magic, but its not vital! You must overcome your fear! Don't let anxiety and despair rule you!"
Knightwalker's look began to soften as Erza continued. "That's what it means to be alive! Trust me Erza!" She exclaimed as the island fell closer and closer to the ground. "I can see it in your eyes! You possess my strengths as well as my weaknesses! That means deep down, you must possess the same loving heart I do! Don't let it be overshadowed by your greed!"
Knightwalker's own eyes began to waver as she let all these words sink in, at the same time, certain words Dante spoke to her entered her mind.
"You're no Erza! You're just a wannabe, a cheap knock off!" Dante's words echoed through her mind.
"Could it be true…" Knightwalker thought. "Is this… the real me…? Am I really just a copy?"
Erza continued to speak. "Let yourself speak with your true voice." Erza looked in mild surprise as she saw tears forming in Knightwalker's eyes. But Erza embraced her in a hug. "I promise you're not alone!"
The island crashed hard on the ground, causing a tremor and rumble that shook the ground slightly; catching the attention of the Fairy Tail members, both Edolas and Earthland alike, as they had almost defeated the Royal Army.
"Did you see that?!" Lucy questioned.
"What the hell is it this time?" Trish questioned as well.
"Something just crashed to the ground!" Edolas Eva observed.
"Erza?" Grey questioned, having a good idea it was her.
A crater had formed on the ground from where the island impacted; both Erza Scarlet and Erza Knightwalker laid in it. Though they we're both weakened and no longer able to fight, they we're still alive as each laid on the other side of the crater.
"Great, we don't even have the strength to move now." Knightwalker observed.
"Maybe not, but we're alive." Erza pointed out.
Knightwalker actually gave a slight chuckle. "You wish to know why I wanted to face Dante so badly? It wasn't just the fact that he defeated me in combat, or that he damaged my pride, it was because he called me a 'cheap copy'. I can see now that he was right; I may have fought hard, but in the end I was no match. You win Scarlet; you're the real Erza, I'm just a pathetic imitation."
Erza looked up slightly toward her counterpart. "That's not true. You're not an imitation. You're your own person; you have your own life, and your own soul. And I wouldn't say that I'm the victor here, I can't move either. Lets call it a draw."
"I've never had a draw before." Knightwalker said.
"This likely was the inevitable outcome; we're the same, you and I. One is not a cheap copy of the other." Erza told her.
Knightwalker gave a slight smile. "I guess you're right."
Back in the Edolas Royal City; Mystogen and Panther-Lily both entered the Anima chambers. Mystogen looked up toward the glowing orb on the ceiling.
"Good, I can see my spell worked." Mystogen said. "The demonic energy that once infected the Anima has been cleansed, it can no longer be used the access the Demon Realm."
"My Prince, why are we here?" Panther-Lily questioned. "What are you planning to do?"
"I've spent a great deal of time observing Earthland." Mystogen began. "It has its fair share of problems, but it's a bountiful world." He turned to Lily. "It will serve as a fine receptacle."
That completely surprised Lily, he now knew Mystogen's plan. "My Prince! No! It's madness! It's going too far! There has to be another way!"
"I'm lost at every possible option. I have no other choice." Mystogen said as he looked at his friend with a serious expression on his face. "I will create a world where not only humans and exceeds can live in harmony, but one that will also be no longer of any interest to the Demonic World. I'll open a Reverse-Anima, and eliminate all magic power left in this world!"
Done.
Wow, that chapter was longer than I thought it was going to be.
The Battle of Edolas will reach its conclusion in the next chapter….
The Edolas Fairy Tail has joined the Earthland one and has almost successfully pushed back the Royal Army; while Erza has finished her duel with Knightwalker.
At the same time, Modeus has unlocked his true potential (you could say he has his own Devil Trigger now, I guess we all know now what Baul meant when he said that Sparda entrusted his strength and will to Modeus) and now has Nelo Angelo on the ropes; while Dante has transformed into his Devil Trigger and is ready to lead the Dragon Slayers in defeating Faust while Mystogen plans to rid all magic in Edolas.
One again, thanks for your patience. The Edolas arc is nearing its end. I hope you like this chapter. See you next time, and Happy New Year!