A/N: Here's a special shout out to ranjira1988 for motivating me to update today with his review. You rock man and just for you, there's a little update on Summer's status right at the start of the chapter. Enjoy!
"You know, if you're going to stick with me, I could bring you back to the guild anytime you want." Gildarts said as he looked back at the woman in the tattered white cloak. "The master said you're always welcome."
The woman shook her head. "No. I have to . . . find my family. And you travel a lot. You are my best bet."
"Jeez you're stubborn. Well, at the very least, let me treat you to lunch and maybe fix up your clothes. You look like crap."
She glanced up at him, silver eyes reflecting the sunlight above. "I would like that. I haven't eaten for days."
"And stop being such a stranger. As far as I'm concerned, you're a member of the guild."
"Mhmm." She mumbled, everything still pretty much a haze to her.
"Anyways, let's get going."
"Running away from your troubles will only cause pain in the end." Erza said as she approached Yang. "And you can save any tantrums, I don't have the patience for them."
Blake and Erza had found Yang just outside the guild thumping her head rhythmically against a brick wall. The Faunus had guessed that she couldn't find anything to punch, so she went for the next best thing. While Blake's first intention had been to console the girl she was so close to, it was Erza's words that held her back. "She's right, Yang. We can't just keep running." She could sense the blonde's comeback coming before it even started, and she quickly silenced her with a glare. "Yes, I know I'm one to talk. But that just means you should listen to the advice I have to give! I've tried running. Hell, all my life I've been running. Running from the teasing words, running from pursuers. Running from Adam... running from you. But I came back. I dealt with my issues and came back. Running away seems easy, but it just makes everything worse. I may still be running, but I'm running home. I'm running home to you, Yang. You and Weiss and Ruby. You guys are my closest friends and..." With the death of Ghira Belladonna and his wife soon after, Blake had no living family. "...and the only family I have left."
Yang broke her eye contact with Blake and looked down. She... wasn't wrong. "What was I supposed to do? Everything about me... everything I thought I knew about myself... it was all tied to my powers. Without aura, what am I? Without my strength, what am I? I had no choice but to run..."
Blake slapped Yang. Hard.
Lilac eyes stared with shock at the amber eyes shimmering with the start of tears. "Shut your mouth. You always, always have a choice. It may be difficult, but there's always a choice." Yang had said something similar to her years back when they had discussed Blake's past. "Don't claim you had no choice. You just took the easy way out." Taking the blonde's left, warm hand, Blake gave it a squeeze. "You aren't your powers. You know what you are? My rock, Yang. Ever since we opened up to each other. Every time I questioned my actions. I would say, "What would Yang do?" You're so confident, so internally strong... I couldn't help but look up to you as a role model. I... I only ran after the Fall of Beacon because I thought you'd hate me for what happened... But I know better now. The Yang I know wouldn't be mad. But you're not being the Yang I know." Brushing her fingers through Yang's golden locks- Blake was one of the few allowed to- she whispered, "You know what the Yang I know would do now? She'd get back up. She'd find that Ursa. And she'd kick its ass. Yang. You're not strong because of your Semblance. Your Semblance is strong because you are strong. And you're still strong here." This new world hadn't changed who Yang was, after all.
"Your friend is correct, Yang." Erza said as she crossed her arms. "So what if you're starting at zero again? Think of it as a new beginning."
She locked eyes with the other and decided to be honest with her. If she were to be a guild mate, then she should know.
"When I was a young girl, I was kidnapped by some cultists and made a slave. For years I was worked nearly to death. I had to watch the people around me die again and again. I had to watch my closest friend become corrupted by evil. I lost my right eye. But I eventually escaped. I eventually made it to Fairy Tail."
She pointed at the other.
"But even after I made it there. I was still lost. I didn't think I deserved to live. Do you know who taught me I had purpose? Do you know who helped me move forward? Natsu did. And deep down, you know what he said to you was true.
You're a Fairy Tail Wizard, Yang. It's time to move forward."
At the mention of a friend turning evil, Yang's eyes met with Blake's for a brief moment. It was a sight they knew well. Adam had once been a young man with a bright future, a dream to live in an equal world. But he'd been slowly corrupted by the worst people in the White Fang. Yang realized that maybe this world wasn't as cheery as it seemed. People like Erza had suffered, suffered and fought to earn this happiness. How stupid of her to act like they hadn't? Did she feel entitled to just because of how much of a crapsack place Remnant was? Even with Salem gone, it was still a hellish world of monsters. But it was her world. A world she still wanted to protect. If and when she got back. Between Blake and Erza's words, she had calmed down enough to see the light. "I... think you're right. The three of you. I mean. I can't exactly let myself become a disgrace to my new guild, right?" A small chuckle and a cheeky grin brought a little bit more of the fire into her lilac eyes, only brightening when she flung her arms around Blake in a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry for doubting myself, Blakey," she whispered into her ear, using a little pet name she had given her years ago. To her credit, Blake seemed to warm up to her embrace a bit more at the mention of it. She even purred. Hell, she rarely did that. Only when she was cuddled up by the fire and why was it suddenly so much hotter than it had been?
"Mm, toasty," moaned Blake, not thinking for a second before abruptly pulling away, blushing pink. "I said that out loud, didn't- Yang you're on fire." The last bit had come out in a very matter of fact tone, almost disinterested. It was sort of funny in hindsight. But what was not funny was the shimmering orange and yellow flames bathing her partner in a golden light.
"What?" Yang couldn't help but stare at the fire traveling up and down her body. Shifting glances from one arm to the next, from leg to leg, she could see a brilliant flame that didn't feel hot at all to her. Just warm. Like Blake. Like Home.
"Seems like you've gotten in touch with your magic." Erza said with a bemused smirk. "And from the looks of it, it's a type of fire magic. Now don't go thinking that you're just like Natsu. There are many different types of Fire Mages out there. The term Fire Magic is really just an umbrella term. There's Rainbow Fire, Purple Fire, Cold Fire. We just need to figure out what yours is."
There was such a thing as Cold Fire? That seemed almost too weird. Then again, she'd just seen this very woman absolutely dominate a hundred monsters that all looked to be on par or stronger than the worst Grimm she'd ever encountered. Hell, that S Class monster might've been as strong as the Grimm Dragon. Erza was an extremely impressive fighter, one she definitely admired. Took guts to fight these creatures with armor and weapons instead of blasty magical bits from afar. Smirking, Yang spoke with a voice that almost crackled like fire. "I could get used to this. Feels even better than the flames I could make with my aura. So warm and welcoming... peaceful. Yeah. It's weird. My old powers were triggered by anger. I don't think I've ever fought totally calm... but with these flames... maybe that's the point." Calming flames... Warmth, not Fury. Just what could she do with this power?
"I'll take you on, Natsu." Penny said with a cheeky grin as she stepped forward. "I'd let one of you girls fight him right now, but he's a bit fired up. So I'll cool him off for ya."
Natsu shot a glance toward her and his frown turned into a grin. "So you're giving me permission to hold nothing back?"
Penny winked at him. "Of course. If you did, I'd kick your ass."
"We'll see about that!" Natsu said as he dashed forward and sent a flaming right kick toward her face.
"Typical Natsu." Penny said before bending backward and avoiding the attack. "I feel like showing off in front of my new friends, so don't get mad if I beat you!" She exclaimed before jumping backward and extending both hands out in front of her. "Attraction!"
Suddenly Natsu found himself being pulled toward her at high speeds. "I won't let get your way so easily!" He said as he used his own hands to create flame thrusters that slowed his momentum, allowing him to escape from her grasp.
"Repel!" She shouted before being sent rocketing into the air. "Attraction!" And with that, she went flying toward Natsu at super speeds.
Natsu couldn't help but grin. "You're using your magic on yourself? That's a new trick, Penny!"
He met her head on, fist against fist.
"I'm not naive enough to believe I can beat you in hand to hand, Natsu." She said before using his own arms as leverage to flip over him. "Requip! Six Swords!" She shouted as six floating swords appeared in the air behind her. "Attraction!"
"Whoa!" Natsu shouted in surprise as he avoided the swords that were now targeting him. "Mixing Requip with Magnet Magic huh? You really have gotten stronger!"
"I can't stay weak forever, Natsu!"
Having seen her Penny's fighting style up close and personal, Ruby looked on this fight with a mixed state of awe and nostalgia. It was a bit ironic to her that Penny seemed to have a thing for floating swords no matter the universe. But the true oddity of her use of a magic that greatly resembled Pyrrha's Polarity Semblance. It was absolutely stunning to watch the two skills work in concert to create this almost effortless fighting dance. "Kick his ass Penny!" she cheered, completely fixated on the fight. She didn't even notice Weiss slipping into a chair next to her, mumbling under her breath.
It was a habit she'd developed after a hundred or so hours in her lab. Perhaps talking to yourself could be viewed as slightly insane, but it helped her work out ideas and concepts hat just didn't quite sit so well in pure thought. "Natsu tends toward physical attacks, making him a power-based fighter. Technique-based fighters like Penny have the distinct advantage there, as long as they can upset the power fighter's balance. And the way she increases her own speed with that power is utterly fascinating." Had she her full arsenal, she might have used something like that with her glyphs. She had never considered using her gravity glyphs to propel herself at her enemy. Sure, she used some of her repelling glyphs to bounce around her enemy at high speeds, but to outright fling? No. That was certainly something to consider. There was such a variety of magics available for her to study, she had no idea which she would personally want to pursue. Each felt like it had its own benefit and niche, yet if used creatively could come up with dozens of versatile uses. "Perhaps that's the way I'll go... versatility..."
As Penny got him on the backfoot, Natsu knew he had to take it up a notch. "You'd better get ready!" He said with a grin.
Penny cocked an eyebrow only for her eyes to widen in fear as she realized what he was about to do. "Wait, Natsu! Go easy!"
"Lightning-Fire Dragon Mode!" He shouted as electricity erupted around him, fusing with his flames to create a unique aura. His magical power was even higher now and in an instant, he was gone.
"Aiee!" Penny screeched as she dove sideways, looking back as Natsu punched the spot where she was standing with flames, destroying the ground. A lightning strike soon followed, proving to her that she'd be toast if he had landed that attack on her. "I yield, I yield! I didn't know you'd pull that out!"
He began inhaling air then, electricity and flame dancing around him. "Lightning-Fire Dragon's Roar!" He shouted as he sent a massive torrent of flame and electricity toward her, the blast sailing right over her head and carving a huge path of destruction through the forest behind her.
Penny fell to her knees, shaking slightly. "If that hit me, I'd be done for." She then scowled at Natsu. "I told you to fight me seriously, not bully me!"
Natsu laughed. "Well you did say full power."
"Not the kind of full power I had in mind."
The electricity around faded away as he extended a hand to her. "Still. I was impressed. You really have gotten stronger."
"True. But I have a long way to go before I become a monster like you." She said as she took his hand.
Erza, meanwhile, had witnessed the torrent of energy tear through the forest to her right and sighed. "Natsu's getting carried away again."
"Elemental Fusion?" muttered Weiss. Why hadn't she thought of that? She continued to mumble on and on about the idiosyncrasies of such a skill, how possible it might be, and just how powerful the results could be. She had certainly made us of dust combinations in her inventions and studies, but she hadn't exactly worked out a way to perfectly merge elements. Sure, she could fight well while using multiple kinds of Dust, but activating two or more at once without careful mixture could lead to chaos. She had had Ruby redesign Myrtenaster for just that reason. To combine trace amounts of different dust to create merged effects. But that would merely create electrically charged Ice or fireballs were attracted to high masses. But to use the full power of two elements at once without a negative reaction? This magic was incredible.
"Bully," poured Ruby, fully agreeing with Penny's assessment that the pink haired firemonger was going a little too hard. But she did have to give this Penny credit. She did well under such pressure and her fighting style was amazing. "Ooo, Penny, can I look at your swords later? They look so cool!" And now she's back to being a weapon nut.
The two foreigners were too wrapped up in their business hear the trio coming in.
"Natsu. Would it kill you not to make such a racket?" Erza said as she approached the battlefield.
"Ah. Sorry." He said, having cooled down from before. "I got a little too into it."
"A little." Penny said mockingly. "And sure thing Rubes. You can take a look at my swords anytime." She said with a flirty wink. "Just make sure to treat them gently, like you would a lover~."
Erza looked from Penny to Ruby, an eyebrow raised. She noticed how attracted Penny was to Ruby, but didn't comment on it.
"Anyways. I brought back the one who ran off. She also managed to unlock her magic."
Cue the blushing from the resident weapon nerd. But! She had a counter this time! "I'll have you know I consider my weapon my lover!" A pause. Another pause. And now she's even redder. "That sounded so much better in my head," she grumbled in a very Weissy fashion before folding in on herself inside her cloak.
For about five seconds before she processed Erza's news. Moving so fast it was like she teleported, she was right in front of the redhead in a blink. "You mean she did it?" She looked back and forth, looking for her dear sister, and the moment she found her she tackled her at high speeds for a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Ruby... stop... you're choking me-" was all the blonde could muster. Even with her new magic, she still hadn't regained the super strength and durability she had before. Once the goofball loosened her grip, she smirked, "Wanna see it?"
Ruby grinned and nodded, had she a tail it would be wagging right now. Wait a sec. It was. But... she didn't have a tail. Ruby bent down, pulling out a corgi from behind her cloak. "Zwei? How did you get here?"
The dog merely borked and happily licked both girls before trotting over to Blake and cuddling into her arms. Funny enough, the two had become quite close. Zwei loved Blake almost as much as he loved Ruby.
"Well... now that the whole family's here, I'll show you something awesome." Closing her eyes, she collected all those warm and fuzzy feelings she had before and focused on them, and soon enough a blaze of yellow orange coated her body. The warm flames granted her a sense of inner peace, which made her realize that it was absolutely impossible for Zwei to appear here. Unless his Semblance, Pocket Pooch, somehow let him stick with Ruby in a stray pocket or something.
Zwei was strange in that he was a dog with an insanely powerful aura and a Semblance that allowed him to fit in any container. Their father even managed to email him to them once.
"Impressive, isn't it?" mused Blake, leaning on the blonde's warm shoulder.
"Is she really that warm?" asked Weiss, leaning into her other shoulder.
"Guys," blushed Yang, "we're not alone here..."
"Well, well, well. Looks like Fairy Tail has some fresh faces." A voice said suddenly. Standing at the edge of the clearing was a young woman with short messy hair that was a mixture of pink, white and brown. Pink eyes stared at them as she held her arms behind her back, her outfit consisting of a black t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans and some black boots.
"But that just makes things more exciting, doesn't it?"
Penny's eyes drifted over to the newcomer and she grimaced. "You . . . "
Clear as day on the girl's right shoulder was a guild mark that belonged to none other than Sabertooth.
"Nice to see ya again, Penny. How's the bruised ego? I hope you don't hold any hard feelings toward me since I beat ya in the Grand Magic Games."
"Neo." Penny said with a scowl. "You're the last person I want to see right now."
A/N: So. I'd like to hear your theories. Who else do you think will have Earthland verisons of them showing up?