Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
Mavis's plan seemed more than insane with the amount of cheesy incantations she had to go through to dispel the 'Fairy Sphere', as she called it. Azu, severely questioning why the process had to be so ridiculous, ended up settling for "How come this spell is so powerful?" rather than a barrage of insults in an attempt to not get on the bad side of the first person she's met in this world.
Ignoring the slightly annoyed tone Azu had posed the question in, Mavis replied, "This is one of the Three Great Fairy Magics, which are the most powerful spells at the disposal of our guild. This one is our ultimate defense spell. Another one of the three is for an ultimate offense. The third one is a variant of another spell and is meant for defeating those who make themselves enemies of our guild. There's another kind of magic we have that's more powerful than any of the Three Great Fairy Magics, but only the Guild Masters of Fairy Tail are supposed to know exactly what that is."
"So I take it that your guild is pretty strong," Azu commented after a slight pause. Mavis nodded before Azu continued, "And I'm also assuming that you're not the first and only guild master of Fairy Tail given that you used plural for those who know the third of your most powerful spells." Again, Mavis nodded. "Before this spell was cast, the third was here on the island with most of the guild's current strongest members and they ended up fighting against the second who had turned to dark magic. It's been seven years since then, so Fairy Tail now has a fourth master in all likelihood since the third is stuck here," Mavis said before looking back at the bodies strewn before them.
Both Azu and Mavis stared down at the half-alive bodies of the Fairy Tail mages. Mavis was admiring the strength of the mages and bonds that the third master had managed to mold and shape in her guild. It was exactly what she hoped would come of her guild, just like when she started it all that time ago. In the meantime, Azu was mulling over her own thoughts of Fairy Tail.
Given all the things I've heard from Mavis, this guild is more like a big family, even if most of them aren't biologically related at all. More literally, it's a guild of good friends that treat each other like family, taking the loving bonds of friendship and family and turning into their power. No matter what happens to them, they always stick together, she thought. It's unlike anything I've experienced in my old life...
So you really didn't need me to be your personal detriment after all, did you? Her inner monologue chimed in mockingly. You're doing wonderfully on your own!
... shut up. The only response that came was a mental shrug. Anyhow, hopefully, I can join eventually if they accept me. I think it would be nice to be surrounded by lots of supporting people for once instead of always being lonely.
"I'm sure they'll all welcome you with open arms when you're ready," Mavis told her. Azu would've thanked her for the support, but she was too bothered by the fact that Mavis could read her thoughts. She hoped that such an ability would only be used for the wellbeing of her guild and not as an abused power, even if that was a hypocritical thought to come from herself of all people. "We value our honesty and morals, so yes, I only use this when the thoughts concern the guild," Mavis assured her. Azu simply nodded in understanding before returning her attention back to the people before her.
"Well, now is a good a time as ever," Azu declared.
Chanting the incantations she had been given loudly, Azu couldn't help but turn her mind back to what it meant to have a friendship or be a family. It's about time that I relearned what it means to value someone to no end. It's about time that I relearned what it means to always be there for someone, no matter what you must do. It's about time that I relearned what it means to truly be like a family, what it means to be loved. Maybe it'll be different from what I first learned since this world seems different in many ways, but no matter the world, those definitions should not change. But seriously, how long has it been since I've had the heart to think about something like that... it's warming and humane for a change.
As these thoughts ran through her head, she felt the magic resulting in her incantations become a lot more powerful, speeding up the process greatly and using less energy. It would appear that the core of the strongest that Fairy Tail has to offer lies in their hearts. That alone is truly remarkable.
"I am proud to be their first guild master and a founding member because of that, Azu," Mavis replied with a sweet smile. Azu, in turn, smiled a little as well, but never stopping her spell's progress.
After several minutes of chanting, the island began to shake. As Azu finished the spell with a little encouragement from Mavis, she noticed that the island was slowly rising to the surface, accompanied by a bright golden light that surrounded the Fairy Sphere.
As they rose above the surface, both the girls noticed short flashes of a boat not too far from the island through the water cascading down the sides of what remained of Fairy Sphere. Azu didn't know what the big symbol on its front sail represented, but she figured out pretty quick when Mavis shouted "Fairy Tail!" in pure delight.
Glancing at Mavis, Azu figured she wasn't quite ready to meet with everyone just yet and wanted to explore a lot more before finally joining. A glance and brief eye contact with Mavis made it clear that she had understood.
"Before you leave, there's a question I wanted to ask you," Mavis started, looking at Azu with a slightly unsure expression. "Are you really the age that you look?"
Azu eyed her for a moment thinking 'hypocrite…' before replying, "You could say that, yes. I'm sure that you, as the guardian or whatever of this island and guild, would've noticed that I somehow arrived here not too long ago. Would I be correct to assume that?" With a nod from Mavis, she continued, "Well, in the process of traveling a long way, I somehow lost quite a few years to my body. However, I kept my mind and all my abilities, which was the only reason I was able to help you and your guild members. I'm technically a decade older than I look, but for the sake of simplicity, I'll just be 12, again." With that, Mavis nodded in understanding again.
Well, that would certainly explain a few things, like her immense power and lack of childlike behavior for the most part, Mavis thought. It's not really too surprising, though, since I-
"And what about you, Mavis? Don't you seem a lot older than you look?" Azu asked almost rudely, interrupting Mavis's train of thought. "I doubt a guild that's supposedly as strong as yours could've had three guild masters after you when we look about the same age." Mavis expected an accusing glare from Azu because of her tone, but it wasn't there. She received a glare, yes, but underneath the suspicion was warmth and a desire for mutual trust. Smiling at Azu's hidden warmth, Mavis replied, "Like you, I am older than I look, but rather than a decade older, I am a century older. Unlike you, however, I am not able to use my physical body for the time being, so I use this thought projection to interact with others."
Azu nodded in understanding, realizing one more thing. "So, since we seem to be a little similar and we kind of want to trust each other, do you want to… you know… be friends?" It's been such a long time since I've been able to even ask that question that it's awkward for me at this point. Looking hopefully at Mavis, Azu notices her smiling brightly before she said, "Of course!" and ran up to hug the girl in black. Mildly surprised, Azu hesitated for few seconds before wrapping her arms around Mavis in return, relishing in the warmth of another person for the first time in so many years.
Pulling away in looking into Azu's eyes, Mavis smiled brightly. "I know you're not quite ready to meet the rest of the guild, so I think you'd want to leave quickly before they arrive. I'll be fine from here on out with the guild, but your help will not be forgotten," she said.
"Thank you, Mavis. I'll keep in touch with you with telepathy, and don't worry about the fact that I don't know where your body is since I can just communicate directly through your magic. Hopefully, we'll meet again soon, maybe a few months from now," Azu said, a little sad that she had to leave her new and only friend. "By then, I might be ready to join your guild, but I want to plan a little surprise, so don't spoil it!" She added with a small grin and a wink.
Beaming, Mavis replied, "Of course, Azu! I'll be waiting, but for now, goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Mavis," Azu said as she began to fade as a result of her teleportation ability before she had completely left, as if she hadn't been there at all.
/ Hargeon Town /
Even an important port city like this is so much more quaint and nice in comparison to Earth's cities, full of disarray and despair, Azu thought. Since I'm new around here, I should probably get a political sense of the country first…
{Continent… "Ishgar", which is basically a massive peninsula in the eastern part of Earthland with a lot of islands around it. Capital city of current location's nation, Fiore… "Crocus". Government system(s) of Fiore… There's a monarchy, but also a governing body for all mages on Ishgar called the "Magic Council". Location of the Magic Council… "Era". … The Alvarez Empire I learned about earlier apparently tried to invade Ishgar some years ago from their own continent of "Alakitasia" in the west, but they were stopped by the Magic Council. …}
This information should do for now, Azu thought. For now, I guess I should go to Era to learn more about magic and its history in this world. They probably won't give it up easily since I look like a young child, though. I'll have to prove my worth somehow…
Quickly finding a map of the world and a short book about Earthland's geography in a shop nearby, she memorized both of them completely, completely sure that this was very useful information.
Returning both items, she focused on the location of Era from memory, willing herself to go there instantaneously with her powers, scientific and magical, until she was no longer in Hargeon.
/ Era /
Almost too conveniently, Azu reappeared right in front of the building which she could only assume belonged to the headquarters of the Magic Council, considering its unique design.
There's no way in hell that they're going to let a 12-year-old girl stick around for no reason, so I'll just have to take the route that'll get me arrested, she thought to herself. In any case, I'll be able to escape from prison, magic or no magic, since I'm not a fool who relies on only one set of abilities. If I can prove myself to be powerful and competent enough, I might be able to strike a deal, so I'd say it's my best shot.
Azu scanned the interior for signs of life and found no shortage of it, but she was particularly interested in ten powerful presences all in close proximity, one of whom was ridiculously overpowered compared to the other nine. Doing a second-long analysis of the group, she found that the powerful one was the supposed strongest mage on the continent and the other nine made up the governing body of the council.
Looks like I've found a party to crash, Azu thought with a smirk. Before too long, she was already no longer in front of the building.
Reappearing before the group of ten, she spoke. "Why, a good day to the Magic Council and the one called the strongest," Azu said mockingly.
Before the council members could even open their mouths, the stronger mage spoke up. "But of course I am the strongest, for I am a god! God Serena, ranked first among the Wizard Saints!" He cried out in indignation, dramatically throwing his arms in the air and swaying his body.
Forced analysis: {The Ten Wizard Saints… Wizard Saints are given their title by the Magic Council and rankings go something along the lines of a ranking of magic power, but it's more complicated than I'm willing to explain.} You're welcome, Azu's mental companion said, to which she replied, 'Thank you.'
Again, before the council could speak, Azu interrupted. "What an interesting character you have, O' God on Earthland," she said, adding a good measure of sarcasm to the last phrase. Continuing, she added, "Now before the rest of you start making fools of yourselves in failing to interrogate me, I am here to request access to your libraries and archives, all of them."
"And why would we give such a thing to a child like yourself?" It was an old yet ever composed man that spoke first.
Sighing at his question, especially the "child" part, she replied, "Firstly, I am asking out of courtesy because I could've just taken it if I so pleased. Second, it is in your best interest not to work against me."
"And you think that you could be a threat to us?" Another woman asked incredulously. "Even without the strongest mage in Ishgar here, a child your age couldn't possibly be a threat to us."
So, I guess I'll be taking the information by force then… "Would I be more convincing if I won against the so-called 'God' before me?" Azu asked, ready for her first fight in this new world.
"Of course it would be convincing, but- "
"Good. Now what do you say about a short brawl, God Serena?" Azu asked the dramatic man with a hint of excited poison in her voice.
"I sense that you have the potential to entertain even I, so a fight would be delightful!" He replied ecstatically, to which Azu grinned. "However, you have no chances of beating me. I will be the one enjoying beating you within an inch of life, so please do not disappoint me!" He continued, pretty much half singing.
Cringing at his interesting quirk, Azu replied, "If you so wish a good fight, I will give you just that." Turning to the nine council members, she said, "The nine of you will bear witness to what happens between us and will decide the winner, along with any other actions deemed necessary. Do you all agree?"
All of them turned to each other, then replied back through who appeared to be their leader, "We do not see any problems here. Very well, do as you must."
Good to know that life isn't very well valued by people here either, since the highest magical authority said he sees no problems with someone nearly being killed. Typical, Azu thought.
Expanding her teleportation ability and simultaneously creating a massive floating island area high above the council's headquarters, she took all eleven of them up to her new creation. In the half-minute that all this took, she diverted some of her attention to scanning all the information about magic and history for what she deemed necessary for this fight, especially regarding her opponent.
{God Serena, "Eight-Dragon God Serena"... Uses eight kinds of Dragon Slayer Magic, stemming from his eight implanted Dragon Lacrima. Dragon Slayer Magic… a type of 'Lost Magic' that allows its user to become a dragon and use its abilities. Lacrima… A magic crystalline that can do just about anything if you know how to make it happen. … Other notable 'Slayer' magics… God Slayer Magic and Demon Slayer Magic. … All Slayers can eat their elements to replenish their magic so long as it is not their own magic. …}
Even if implanted into a body, I should still be able to remove and retrieve its power, no? It should be interesting to gain some new powers, especially being able to replenish my strength and energy just by eating certain elements, Azu thought. Additionally, it should really help me in the fight if I take away his main magical abilities first.
Just in time, Azu had finished her mini-analysis and all eleven of them arrived in her giant arena. The council members were in a separate, elevated area of the arena where they could properly judge the fight, while Azu and God Serena were on opposite sides of the arena.
"A perfect setting you have created!" God Serena exclaimed, throwing his arms up once again.
Azu, turning to the council members, said, "When you decide that you are ready to begin judging the fight, give us the call to do so with the gong to your right." At this, all of them agreed on starting on the count of three.
Three!
Here's to the beginning, Azu thought.
Two!
This will be delightful~! God Serena thought.
One!
The two combatants took a calming breath in, preparing for the fight that would come.
Begin!
With that, the gong was clearly heard and the two quickly moved in on each other.
It was God Serena who made the first move, shouting "PURGATORY DRAGON'S BLAZING HELL!" Punching the air before him, a massive fireball formed around Azu, who estimated the temperature to be about 15,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, the mages here are dumb enough to shout out their moves before they even happen, Azu thought. I might as well play along until I meet an opponent against whom I absolutely cannot risk losing.
Easily dispelling the heat, Azu looked God Serena in the eyes and calmly said, "I've felt things at least a million times hotter than that, so you'll have to try harder than that." At this, God Serena gained a tick on his forehead, slightly annoyed that his spell was negated so easily.
Just as he was about to counter, Azu spoke up again, "But still, I must thank you. Your magic just might be very helpful to me." With a smile, she lifted her hand and calmly said, "Steal."
With that, God Serena could feel one of his elements leaving him. Slightly pausing in disbelief, he looked down to see wisps of magic leaving his body and heading into the direction of… his opponent's hand. Gawking at this development, he looked into her eyes, only to see them calm but burning with excitement.
"Oh, thank you," she said to him. "Now I know the signature of this kind of magic, which makes everything so much easier for me." She raised her hand again and with another calm "Steal", she stole element after element from the supposed God while he was too shocked to even move.
Purgatory, Cavern, Sea King, Gale, Pure, Crimson, Wraith, and Black, thought Azu, listing off the elements she had just obtained. Essentially, fire, earth, water, air, light, blood, death, and darkness. Very interesting. I particularly like those last four, but the four elements of nature are no doubt useful in their own rights.
Now, a little tweaking with my magic to make it more potent… And how about I make a special 'tribute spell' for the False God before me. There's God Slayer Magic, so I could change the properties of the magic so that when they are all combined, they change from Dragon Slayer to God Slayer Magic, she mused. Sounds like a plan.
At this point, God Serena was still very much disturbed, having felt most of his power vanish. Who is she?! How could she beat me of all people! He thought to himself in his usual dramatic fashion.
Azu began walking up to God Serena calmly, before stopping a few feet away. Then, suddenly, she let loose a very powerful series of magic pulses, creating an aura of sorts. It was so powerful that even the judges in the stands, powerful in their own rights as is, could barely stand it. God Serena, on the other hand, was barely hanging on for dear life now, being crushed by the extremity of the aura.
"Oh, come on… I thought you could provide me with a little something more interesting…" Azu said to God Serena, fake pouting. "Oh, and what was it you said earlier? 'You have no chances of beating me. I will be the one enjoying beating you within half an inch of death', was it? Hah. As if. Time to finish this, I'd say."
Continuing to keep up the strength of her magical aura, she caused three of the judges to pass out. With a dark smirk, which was returned with a growing face of terror from the usually arrogant man, she raised a single finger and pointed it right at his head. In the style of a God Slayer, she shouted "FALSE GOD'S FALL!"
The False God himself cowered in fear as he, in his weakened state, came face to face with his eight elements, somehow magnified and all fused into one, disgustingly powerful spell.
When it finally hit, Azu made sure not to kill him, only knock him out, but more importantly, she had destroyed her entire island. Quickly disintegrating it back into individual subatomic particles, she rearranged them to form atmospheric gases so that all traces of the arena were gone. Meanwhile, the council members and an unconscious God Serena were all falling down to Era, so Azu, reluctantly, teleported them all back to the room they were originally in.
The council members, now all awake, were absolutely speechless. Never before had they seen such ability or magical strength. Additionally, she had beaten the strongest mage on the continent in less than a minute, weakening him to the point where he could no longer be a Wizard Saint at all. Speaking of those-
Interrupting their thoughts, Azu, "So, I think it's pretty clear that I won, no?"
"O-of course. You've won, but there are a few other things we'd like to say," said their leader. "First, for introductions, I am Gran Doma, chairman of the Magic Council. Who might you be?"
"Hello, chairman. I am Azu Yami and before you even think of asking because you're skeptical, I'm 12 years old," Azu replied with a hint of bitterness at the end.
"Hello, Ms. Yami," the chairman greeted in return. "Since I said there were a few things we'd like to say, here's the second: we will accept your request for the access of our archives since you seem quite capable." Azu smiled and nodded in thanks before he continued, "And finally, with your massive show of power, we feel that it would only be right to name you the highest rank among the Wizard Saints, especially seeing as you defeated the former highest ranked mage so quickly."
Azu was slightly surprised that she had received such a high achievement already, but she disregarded that feeling when she was handed a large blue and silver pin with a Cercelée cross in its center. "This is the symbol representing that you are a Wizard Saint," the chairman told her. "Additionally, it's magically attached to you so long as you hold the title, so there is no risk of ever misplacing it and being unable to find it."
Since she was having a rather good day, she decided to return the positivity. "Thank you very much, chairman," she said with a bright smile. "I hope we can cooperate in the future should the time call for it."
"As do we," the chairman responded, smiling equally.
I guess I should go back to Crocus now to get some important things all set and then analyze all the information I have access to, Azu thought before saying her goodbyes to the council, who in turn said their own as she teleported to the capital of Fiore.
As she arrived, she tried shooting Mavis a mental message. Hey, Mavis?
Yes, Azu? Clearly, it had worked.
Today went a lot better than I could have imagined, so I thought I might tell you how it went …