Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.
NOTICE: This is a revision of the 2017 version, which is simul-posted to AO3. Episodes 001 through 010 are set to be replaced and other episodes edited. This may cause confusion. To read the 2022 revised edition as it is updated, AO3 is on Episode 004 as of tonight. Otherwise, all 143 (in counting) episodes will remain here and continue to be edited and updated with Episode 144 coming next Sunday.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
LAST TIME on Fairy Adventure: the chaos of the Fairy Tail Guild might be going strong but so are all the secrets between members. Luna's day out with the boys turns into an apocalyptic nightmare when Cane's words stir something lethal in Igneel. Gary and Nashi arrived in Mallow Town to discover not everything was not what it seemed. A Demon's plot is afoot and the both of them will get to the bottom of it. Igneel and Gale's battle took a turn for the worst, but when Luna ran straight into fire, it was almost too late for regrets.
"Don't you agree…Catalyst."
It looks like a new player is about to enter this adventure. And it also looks like Nashi and Gary might be in over their heads for this anonymous request…
Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! Today's episode will feature potentially disturbing scenes and flashbacks in first-person past-tense due to a stylistic choice!"
She winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"
Cutting blues. "I expect nothing more than a perfect effort from you."
Gary shifted against the window.
"I hope you had a nice sleep." A pearly-white smile with a diamond tooth. "Here in my laboratory, we go straight to work."
He pinched his eyes closed for a moment. I should ask Wendy for more of that Blackout Brew. His eyes opened and looked out the window, blues doleful. I don't want to keep daydreaming my nightmares.
HAA…
He looked to the bed to see Nashi curled up, asleep. Maybe if he was more confident, he would go over to her, sit on the edge of the bed, and gently rouse her just to tell her I'm having a bad day—can I tell you about it?, but he aborted his actions and stayed near the window. I hope you're dreaming sweet dreams, Angel. You deserve them.
He looked back out the window and at those stars that judged him every night. At one point, I thought seeing a sky like this was nothing more than a fairytale. It felt so impossible to think…I'd be able to sleep under an actual sky. He smiled, self-deprecative. Even now, seeing stars like this… It feels like a fairytale. And I'm nothing more than the villain.
Winter stirred in his veins, and he breathed more frost onto the glass. That wavelength of dread seductively caressed him, but he ignored its temptations. They're here.
He pushed away from the window, but, against his better judgment, he drifted to Nashi. he sat on the edge of the bed like he had wanted to do before, and he watched her peacefully sleep with nary a worry. If he was a braver soul, he would have moved the rebellious lock of hair curling over her cheek, but his fingers trembled, and he cowardly pulled his hand back. "You say I'm better than them," he whispered, "but if you knew the truth… You'd say I was worse."
Nashi's chest moved as she exhaled through her nose.
That dread grabbed him again, insistent.
Gary breathed out frost before abandoning the bed, not a sound to him. He pulled up the hood of his stealth suit and donned his mask before leaving the room. No, he could not afford to look back. Because if he looked back, that would crumble all his resolve. The magical cat noticed him and batted its tail back and forth in warning. He supposed he deserved it. Animals had never liked him on his own anyway.
He pushed open the doors to throw himself out on the empty streets. Not even nature buzzed around. The silence would drive a weaker soul mad. The quieter the silence the more noise it made in your mind, after all.
He closed his eyes.
HAA…
HAA…
HAA…
When his eyes opened, they were that pierced silvery-icy-blue once more.
HAA…
HAA…
HAA…
Gary turned his head.
Someone was waiting for him.
That someone did not have a name or a face, really. Fog gifted them the form of man, but this person had no eyes or mouth or ears. That was fine. It did not need to look completely human. It just needed to take the rough form of a human.
Gary waited.
The being of fog walked towards him. It must have had practice walking but not enough since its steps were slow and measured. But it closed in on Gary only to stop a few paces away.
HAA…
HAA…
HAA…
The being of fog extended a hand.
Gary's icy blues looked at the offer before looking back at the faceless being. He crossed the distance and raised his hand—
I'm sorry too, Angel.
The moment he touched the being of fog's hand, they disappeared.
DING-DONG.
And church bell struck for midnight.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Natsu ga hajimatta
Aizu ga shita
"kizutsuki tsukareru" kedo mo iin da
Tsugi no koi no yukue wa doko da
Eiga janai
Shuyaku wa dare da
Eiga janai
Bokura no ban da
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
How could a hospital be so hostile?
Nashi did not know how or why or when, but she was in a hospital.
It felt like the start of a zombie horror film—28 Weeks Later, if she remembered correctly—when she woke up in a hospital bed with the room cleared out and all the tools somehow knocked over and ransacked.
Where…am I?
It would surprise her later that she kept her calm as she dismounted from the raised hospital bed. Her hood and mask still covered her body, but she could still smell some sort of clinical musk and dust and dirt come through. Muffled footsteps were a blessing in an unknown environment. But as she looked around the room, the more details she cataloged.
An IV drip had been used and some other medications, but the IV bag looked dangerously low on fluids. No window, only walls boxed in the space—one way in, one way out. A rolling medical workstation looked up to date, but the DAL had no power running to it. An open bathroom with a tattered shower curtain, a dusty and dirty sink, a countertop, and even an armchair—this all looked standard.
Until she saw the medical bassinet.
I'm…in a hospital. Nashi had that down at least. She tried her hand at the DAL turning on, but no such luck. I figured there was no power, but… She squinted at her door. A thin window showed the dim light from a flickering panel nearby. I'm guessing the backup generator is on here. But how did I get into a hospital?
She reached into her hood and a star earring pierced her ear, glinting like a jewel.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is an Earpiece Communications Lacrima, popular for covert operations. However, the Enchantment work on using discrete items for communication is much more complex than you would think. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Gary?" Nashi whispered, holding the front of her earring. "Gary, are you there?"
Nothing. Not even static.
Nashi tried again. "Gary? Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
She dropped her hand and could feel unease drop like a rock into her stomach. Shit. We must be out of range. I shouldn't have fallen asleep. I should've insisted to stay up with him. Dammit. Her hands balled into fists. Gary, you stupid dog… Where are you? Why did you leave me behind? I can't protect you if you do things on your own. I don't—! Hickories stained with self-anger. I don't want you to deal with this alone.
• — • — • — • — •
"I'm sorry."
GUN-GUN!
Seeing his body crumble to the ground felt like a sin. Not the fire, not the people, not even the sirens could have torn my gaze from him as I collected him in my arms.
'He's still breathing.'
His light inhales and exhales weren't assuring to me, not when his cheeks were still stained from his tears and I still had the fresh visual of his fear swallowing him. All I could do was hold him in my arms as the world broke apart around us.
I pushed my forehead to his temple and took a shaky breath. 'You idiot.'
• — • — • — • — •
Nashi gathered her wits about her. I have to find him. I need to stay calm and find him. But I know our assignment comes first. I need to find those kids too. Determination warmed her. Gary, don't you dare get hurt. I'm going to get you and those missing kids—I promise. Right, Cael?
That winged pink symbol burned on her chest before fading.
Okay. Step one. She looked at the entryway. I just need to get out of this room.
With a deep breath, she crept to the door. That dread haunted her. For a moment—just for a moment—the safer, easier option tried to sway her into staying in unfamiliar, familiar territory and whispered that, beyond this door, she would no longer have the luxury of comfort. But her resolve steeled. I'm coming for you, Gary.
She opened the door—
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 003
•
In Sickness and in Health
•
病める時も健やかなる時も
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
You were a fool if you thought age nicened Porlyusica.
Hell hath no fury for a Healer scorned.
The forest slept like a baby tonight, or perhaps all the creatures had vacated the area because of copious amounts of anger eroding the air. A grand and gnarled tree served as the central point for such rage and grief. A large wooden door carved with a sigil and the language of Magic blocked the forest and those diseased with wrath, yet no light flickered from the windows.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is Porlyusica's House in the middle of the East Forest of Magnolia Town's outskirts. While the Fairy Tail Guild has its own sick bay for an emergency, Porlyusica's house acts as a focal point for all healing and medicinal needs. Her Dimension Door helps separate her clinic from her home. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Inside the tree was much more interesting.
And much more intimidating.
The clinic was up to par with any other Healer's Ward. Cabinets filled with potions already brew and a quick spell would show all the ingredients, their brew date, and their expiration date. Of course using the DALs in the office was of more convenience, but Porlyusica had been raised with old magical texts and thus, they had bookcases full of the stuff. The warm scent of herbs spiced up the clinic.
But no one could relax.
Luna slept on a clinic bed, but it was not a conventional slumber. She floated a meter up from the bed. A white glow dominated her eyes as a white aura filmed around her. A Lacrima Screen populated on command to show her biomagical diagnostics from her heartbeat to her blood pressure and everything between before it was dismissed.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Porlyusica's House
East Forest, Magnolia Town
Fiore, Ishgar
12:31 AM FST
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
KAN-KAN-KAN.
The waiting room was still humble with only a few chairs and a bench, but it was enough to fit five people who all perked up. Lucy was among them with Natsu and he held her as they stood up. She breathed, "Anything, Wendy?"
"Not yet." Wendy Marvel had grown from these years of training, studying, and living post-war. For a Healer, long hair was not ideal, and she had no qualm keeping it short so it grazed her jaw. The symbol of a Healer—a hand with a spiral on the palm—overlapped her Fairy Tail mark on her Healer's Cloa. The bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young girl had flourished into a seasoned Healer. "But she's stable still."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Wendy Marvel-Blendy, CHP-BC
Occupation: Mage, Certified Healer Practitioner
Magic: Sky Dragon Slayer
Enchant
Likes: chocolate chip cookies Dislikes: ghosts
Special Note: Wendy might be a Healer, but her bite and bark are as fierce as any Dragon! ⌟
"But she'll wake up soon?" Lucy hoped.
Wendy leveled Lucy a calm look. "Not likely. As I explained before, an Awakening like this, especially so late in her life, isn't something she can sleep off and spring back to normal the next day. Right now, her Magic Spirit is trying to adapt on a cellular level. It could take days until she wakes up and, even then, she's going to need some time to orient herself."
"Oh…" Lucy's knees buckled, but Natsu held her steady.
He looked at Wendy, tense but understanding. "Is there anything we can do? Can she hear us?"
A crotchety voice muttered, "I doubt it." Porlyusica emerged with her own Healer's Cloak; her pink hair always folded into that braided bun. Crow's feet and thin wrinkles might have lined her face, but never would she get laugh lines because that implied she laughed and smiled often. She did neither. "You need to leave her be for the meantime."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Porlyusica, MBBS
Occupation: Certified Healer Physician
Ability: Master Medical Specialist
Likes: solitude Dislikes: humans
Special Note: Be warned! While she may be the Healer, she can injure you with her trusty broom! ⌟
It was not that Porlyusica was mad, but her red eyes made her look that way. "The best you can do is let her sleep. We'll be able to monitor her here, but we don't need to worry about much. All we have to do is wait."
"I-I'd like to stay." Luke could finally speak after hours of being quiet and listening to Luna's every breath and heartbeat. "I want to stay here with her."
"We all would," Lucy pitched in. "We'd like to stay and wait for her to wake up."
Porlyusica huffed. "Fine. But one at a time and keep your Magic controlled. You're fortunate you got her here in good timing. When Wizards bloom late, being around too many magical signatures can make their cellular bonding destabilize and get too confused. Since you're her family, you should be fine." Her eyes pinned onto Gale. "You should leave, boy."
Gale flinched. His throat scratched as he said, "I-I'd like to stay."
Porlyusica hmphed. "You'll do no good here, boy. You don't share blood with the girl. Her powers will find you a foreign object. So go home."
No one argued with her.
Luke cleared his throat. "C-Can I go in now?"
"Of course." Wendy gestured. "I taught you a few diagnostic spells, but would you like to know a more complex one, just in case?"
"Please."
Gale heard Luke follow Wendy as the door slid open and closed shut.
No one moved.
Then sandals came into his vision. "Gale?"
He looked up to see Lucy staring down at him and all his sorries felt so ridiculous and fake now. He moved his mouth and tried—he had to try—saying anything that would help. "Misses Dragneel—"
"You'll need your sleep if you want to see her tomorrow."
Gale's eyes widened. "Really?"
Igneel bristled. "Ma—"
"Not now."
And Igneel's anger was muzzled with his mother's sharp tone.
Lucy kept her temperate stare on Gale and nodded. "I'm sure she'd like you here, even if it's for a short while. But you're going to need your sleep, all right?" She leaned down and hugged him into her shoulder. "For what it's worth, neither of us are angry with you," she murmured into his ear. "Okay?" She pulled back to cup his cheek. "Gajeel should be here for you soon."
Gale swallowed. Dad's coming? "Right." He rose and was much more than a few centimeters above Lucy's height, but he felt so small right now. "Misses Dragneel," he tried again. "I-I…" But no matter how he put it together, no words were good enough.
"Gale."
He looked at Natsu, red to onyx.
Natsu, however, did not look angry either as he came up to Gale. Sure, Gale had a few centimeters over him, but that meant nothing when it came to admiration and respect and that need for approval. Natsu clapped Gale's shoulder. "This isn't your fault." Each word deliberate and kind. "You're no good to anyone blaming yourself. Now isn't the time for you to blame yourself. Now's the time for you to think about what to say to her when she wakes up."
Gale bowed his head. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Natsu patted Gale's shoulder before stepping back. He searched Gale for a moment before saying, "You should take to your old man more. As much as I hate to say it, Metalhead might know a thing or two about this."
Gale blinked. The old man would know? But he tucked away the advice. "Yes, sir."
"And enough of this 'sir' shit," Natsu complained. "Metalhead might like it, but you're still family." He pushed Gale towards the door, making him stumble a bit. "Come back tomorrow rested up." Onyx gentled. "She's gonna need you."
Gale looked back, reaching for everything he could possibly say, but all he could do was nod. He moved to the door when he crossed Igneel's path, ruby on onyx, their stares never wavering.
But Gale looked away first.
Three beats.
"Tell her it was my fault."
Gale lifted his head to see Igneel still staring up at him, but the bold defiance extinguished for defeat and remorse. This was as close to an apology as Gale would get, and they both knew it. This was the easiest out to take. But Gale said instead, "And tell her it was mine."
Not a peace offering, but a truce. At least, until she woke up again.
Igneel nodded and stepped aside.
Gale passed him—
"I don't regret it."
That gave Gale pause.
"Don't make me regret"—those eyes that looked like onyx and wrath glared at him—"that I could've left you to die."
Gale did not turn to face Igneel, but he murmured, "I know." No one else kept him back as he left the hut and went into the forest.
His ears picked up every sound nature could make. A stream clocked fifty paces north-northeast. A Salamander—an actual fire-breathing lizard that loved sunning as much as a cat—ended up being the dinner of a three-eyed, one-legged owl. But as the sounds dulled into white noise, he stopped dead in the grass. He did not look back at the house, but he could not move forward either.
Why…? His hands shook. Why didn't I…?
That fleeting image of Luna running between both attacks made him physically ill.
Fuck. He put a hand on his face. Just why…?
• — • — • — • — •
"I missed you too, Gale."
Yeah, I knew it was a bad look to come knocking on a girl's window in the middle of the night. I was certain Uncle Natsu and Luke had picked up on my movements. You didn't just sneak into the territory of the king and expect him not to know.
But seeing her smile—that cute, sleep smile—made the risk worth the reward.
(I was still hoping to whatever ball in the sky existed that Uncle Natsu wouldn't retaliate to my sneaking around with intense training that left me sore for a month.)
"Yeah?" I grinned harder. "How much?"
She giggled quietly and glanced back before leaning forward to show me her thumb and pointer finger close together. She whispered, "This much."
"Hey!" I pretended to be offended at the audacity, but her laughter makes me want to laugh with her. "C'mon, Blondie-girl, it's been two long weeks. Don't I get a little more than that? Because…" I rocked on the balls of my feet and showed her what I kept hidden from her, a little gift bag. "I may or may have not got you something while I was out—"
"Gimme, gimme, gimme!"
I snorted when she opened her arms for the gift. "How much did you miss me?"
She pouted—she fucking pouted—at me. I missed that so much. "This isn't fair." Her cheeks darkened as she looked away from me and tried to mumble so I wouldn't hear, "I probably missed you more than you missed me."
My heart.
This girl was going to kill my fucking heart.
Honestly, I would probably still think she was cute if she murdered me.
Teenage hormones were one helluva drug.
My powers read my mind and I could feel the earth beneath me clump together as I was lifted into the air to be closer to her. A quick glance and sniff into the bedroom told me the snoring Scarlet Witch and my cousin were dozing in her bed and, from the way they were laying, Blondie must've been between them. Of course she was. I'd seen more of my share of her drooling on Silver's chest or Red trapping Blondie tighter than a damn bear trap.
No. I was not jealous.
Blondie put her elbows on the windowsill with her hands catching her chin, and somehow, when I looked into her eyes, I could see the starry sky in them. She smelled like starlight sometimes, like a flower that was just about to bloom under the moon. Maudlin, sure, but it was true.
I leaned against the windowsill and tried not to get lost in her eyes. "Hi."
Her shy smile could have knocked me out. "Hi." A glint of mischief in her eyes later and she reached—
I snatched back the gift. "Y'know, princess, I'm starting to think you just want me for all my riches."
"If I wanted to exploit anyone, it would be Igneel," she fairly pointed out.
I couldn't even fight that. His robbery days were legendary, and there was not a person in Magnolia Town—maybe even in all of Fiore—who was unaware of the lengths he went to steal whatever would make his little sister happy.
"Hmm." I kept my gift away from her as I leaned back in. "What's with the party in here?"
"O-Oh." Blondie glanced back at her friends, but her gaze didn't come back to mine. "It wasn't really a party or anything, honestly. Well, I guess…" A humorless smile stole her lips. "It was a pity party, I guess."
"For real? Why?"
She shrugged, but she still wouldn't look at me. "It's stupid."
"Nah. 'Stupid' is my old man getting absolutely smashed and doing karaoke…at a fucking brunch club."
Now she laughed again, and it was music to my ears. She met my eyes. "Did he really?"
"It's the truth." As much as I wished it wasn't. The visual of my old man getting pissed and crooning old popstar music with old ladies going wild made me want to disown myself from his bloodline. "I mean, I've done plenty more stupid shit, but that takes the cake." I brushed her cheek with my fingers. "What's wrong?"
Blondie sighed and looked away from me again. "I just want…" She trailed off, and I kept quiet as she tried to put her emotions into words. "I just wish I was more like my family," she confided. "You know, just… I wish…I had Magic and…and freedom and—"
"Adventure in the great wide somewhere?"
She blessed me with her smile and lightly shoved me. "I'm serious," she scolded me, half-meaning. She sighed and shook her head. "I mean it, Gale. I just…want what the rest of you have." Her smile faded. "I know I'm complaining, and I should be grateful for what I have—"
"It's not a crime to want more," I murmured.
She puffed a mirthless laugh. "Then why do I feel so bad about it?"
I put down the gift on the sill and poured all my focus onto her. "You're allowed to want more, Blondie," I breathed to her. "And you're allowed to feel jealous of what people have. Do we have it good? Yeah. That doesn't mean we can't want more in life."
"I know." She said that, but I knew she didn't believe me. "Anyway, I'm glad you're home." She bumped her forehead to me, her nose brushing mine. "I really did miss you."
I bumped my forehead back and my lips parted to taste the stars. If she was the moon, I wanted to be the lucky fuck who was her sun someday. "I really did miss you too," I murmured back, meaning every word. But there was so much more I wanted to say right now, so much more I wanted her to know. I just…couldn't say it. "How about we kick it like we used to, yeah? Which means—what?—watching your—sorry, not sorry—shitty Magia movies"—she laughed—"and eating a ton of food that will probably short our lifespan and maybe some cute cuddling—"
She snorted. "Igneel wouldn't let that happen."
I grinned back. "Better to ask for forgiveness than permission."
"You're crazy." She pushed away from me and looked at me like she hadn't seen me in months and, honestly, I was doing the same, memorizing every detail, from her pierced ears to her button nose and all that blonde hair Perench-braided and hanging over her shoulder. She leaned forward and my arms opened to swallow her in an embrace.
I knew I was acting greedy inhaling her scent but bless my old man for passing down those genes to me. Hearing her heartbeat, scenting her starry perfume—if my stupid cousin and Red weren't hogging the bed, I would probably do the irresponsible thing and sneak in just to hold her for the night and try to get my ass out before Igneel came back and went for blood. I had to settle for this for now after two long weeks of juggling slogging through rough terrain with the old man and handling my capstone.
I wanted more than a hug.
I really wanted more than a hug.
"Blondie—"
"You know I love you, right?"
Yeah, I knew. I knew she did. Blondie was that sweet type of person who minded her bless you's to anyone who sneezed and handed out sincere I love you's to every friend she had and touched every heart in the process.
I was a selfish SOB who wanted her to touch just mine.
"Yeah." I buried my nose in her hair. "I love you too."
• — • — • — • — •
Gale ran his hands through his hair as guilt and grief kept him firmly in their jaws. He crouched down and cursed again. "Fuck. What did I do?" His lips twitched with his jaw taut, and he wanted to keep spewing apologies until he could not speak anymore.
I was supposed to be there for her. Rubies gleamed in pain. Not nearly kill her. And now she's—
"No one likes a pity party, Pipsqueak."
Gale held his hand in his hands before scrubbing his face. "Thanks for the advice, Old Man."
"That wasn't advice."
Gale could hear footsteps crunch through the grass this time, but he did not want to look up. Maybe he was wallowing in self-pity. "Then please enlighten me with your sage advice, Aristotle."
"No one likes a smartass either."
Gale huffed at his father's snicker. "Well? I'm dying to hear your great advice, Socrates." He blinked when a large hand came into his vision with a studded, leather glove covering all but its fingers.
"Well, my first piece of advice is you're not gonna get anything done with your ass on the ground. Get up."
Gale snorted, but he clasped the hand, drawing himself upwards. "I can hardly believe Mom didn't marry you for that big brain of yours," he snarked, dusting himself off. "Good thing you have your beauty—Hey!" He looked properly pissed when his father screwed his hair. "We had a truce, you asshole! I don't touch your hair and you don't touch mine." He smacked his father's hand away to fix his messy locks.
The awful guffaw could have killed the birds. "Ghihihi! No one could say you aren't my spawn with that attitude."
Gale sneered, "I'd rather they didn't think of me as your spawn"—for all his height, he still had to look up to his pierced and tatted father just to glare at him—"shitty old man."
And all he received was a grin with sharp fangs.
Nashi was certain she was not going in circles.
The hostile hospital might have been low in light, but she knew she had not gone in circles. The messiness differed with every new hallway she discovered. Sometimes, the laminate halls were smeared in something clumpy and dried out. Medical workstations had been tipped over and broken in another one. One hospital bed with the door open must have been for some sort of surgery gone wrong since blood, shit, and other liquid had splattered the guard rails and the floors, but a human silhouette imprinted the bed. A nurse's station was empty, but she still tried to get to one of the OCL (Office Communications Lacrima).
Not even a dial tone could be heard.
Some of the lights flickered—one light had died while Nashi was under it. The shadows played tricks on her when she turned a corner, convincing her someone had passed through when she was all alone.
One door looked like it had been clawed and broken off, and she stopped to inspect it. Her Miniature Flashlight Lacrima came in handy—she silently noted to thank Ena for making sure every stealth suit was packed with survival essentials—and her gloves reached out to trace the marks. What kind of creature could have done this much damage? This must've been brute force.
She glanced into the main lobby. Some chairs were intact, just dusty, but a few had been flipped over and thrown across the room. The front desk had been ravaged with the DALs swiped and the chairs torn. But something caught Nashi's eyes.
She crouched down with her flashlight. Is that…? Her fingers picked up a curled strand of auburn hair. Hair… Dammit. There's no telling if this is recent or not. At least, I don't think. Was this the hair of a victim here? And where is here?
She wiped off the hair to stand up and glazed her flashlight over the wall, but it made her frown seeing blankness. Nothing. There're no indicators about the hospital I'm in or even what specialties I'm in. I just know I'm in a hospital. She swung her flashlight around and a thought occurred to her. And there aren't any windows here either. Even stranger. Maybe I'm in a psych unit? But what psych unit would have surgical rooms like that.
She stood at the heart of the lobby. To her right were elevators. To her left were more doorways further into the clinic.
She tried the elevators.
GRRRRRRR…
Flashlight in her mouth, she pried open one of the elevator's mouths. But no elevator waited for her. Instead, she saw nothing more than a dark abyss both up and down. Maneuvering her flashlight, she investigated. Looks like the cables…should be in good condition, but… I can't see the elevator above me or below me. It feels like this hospital has more floors than it knows what to do with.
Stepping back, the elevator doors shut tight, and she looked around the room. A bead of sweat curved her brow. Where am I? Where are those kids? I have to find those kids. And I have to find Gary. I can't keep wasting my time looking around. The only clue I have is that I'm in a hospital. I need to get off this floor. There should be stairs somewhere, right?
Nashi scoped the lobby and end up finding one door with a thin strip of glass. The EXIT sign above did not glow, but, then again, none of the emergency signs glowed. I guess this is it.
She approached the door only to notice the pass scanner beneath the handle. Dammit. It's for staff. Still, she tried the handle—
—and the door gave.
Slowly, Nashi pushed the door open and stepped onto the metal flooring. Flashing her light upwards, she could not get a clear view of how high the steps would go, and when she pitched over the edge to look downwards, the spiral kept going and going. Her eyes narrowed. I don't know why, but… There's something ominous about these stairs. But if I don't try to get off this floor, I can't find Gary or those children. Off or not, I have to take the risk.
Nashi kept her flashlight handy. Let's start with getting to the ground floor and working myself back up. Her free glove glided the railing. She took a step down—
She stopped.
An eerie chill shivered down her spine.
For a second, she swore even her heart stopped beating—
DOKKAN!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
The bombardment of a woman's screams and the horrifying screeches of a creature racketed through the stairs like a hurricane. It sounded like death incarnate as the woman kept shrieking and the monster after her would not give up, shaking the stairs and banging on every wall as it tried to get to its prey.
Nashi thought she had flooded down the steps, but her body moved back without her permission, nearly tripping over her own feet. She threw open the stairwell door and slammed it closed behind her. Quick breaths stressed her throat and her chest burned. Her heart felt like it would burst as it pounded. But she kept the door firmly shut.
Quiet set back in.
Gulping in air, Nashi could feel her body shaking. "What…?" She wheezed. "What…was that?" She hurriedly wiped away her sweat and tried to swallow to control her breaths. That noise… That screaming… Someone was down there. She needed help. She needed help.
She tried to get that through her head as her knees shook and her heart quaked and her mouth tasted metallic. She needs help. I need to help her—
BEEP!
She froze.
The pass scanner showed a line of red—locked.
She could not breathe. What just—?
DON!
Nashi whipped around, but it was too late. Even the backup lights in the hospital had died and left behind were the eerie emergency lights. She pressed against the door and her flashlight dropped on its butt, clicking off. A thought—a right, terrible one—made her hands shake, and she tried hard to use her voice.
"Hello?"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Fairy Adventure
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Hello?"
No one responded.
Nashi was quick to retrieve her flashlight, but she did not click it back on. She stood in darkness with only the tainted emergency lights as her guide and the sound of her heavy breathing to keep her calm.
Okay. She took a shuddery breath. Stay calm. Right now, you're all Gary and those kids have. And that woman. You need to stay calm. Cael?
Warmth blossomed in her chest.
Do you think it's time for me to use my powers?
The warmth faded before it surged again like he was hugging her.
Okay. Nashi closed her eyes and whispered, "Divine Soul!" Pink consumed her and shattered off, leaving her in her Divine Soul Armor. She threw in one last spell. "Freedom Bow!" Weight and warmth spilled into her left hand to form her golden bow. All right. I'm armed. Her throat bobbed. But that doesn't mean I'm safe.
She pulled back her opposite hand and Freedom Arrow appeared, ready to defend her. Cael? Are you with me?
The gemstone on her chest swirled.
Nashi proceeded forward in silent footsteps and stepped over any mess, but she did not leave the sanctity of the lobby. She drew back to the center and did a slow rotation to monitor her surroundings. Then she chanted, "Holy Shield!"
Her translucent rainbow shielded domed around her.
But she could not relax, even with her divine ward protecting her. She kept her slow turnaround with her arrow at the ready. Letting my guard down would be suicide. A creature made this mess. And it's obvious it's still here.
The silence tried to break her.
The shadows tried to trick her.
She had to remain strong.
GORO…
Nashi turned her Freedom Arrow onto the elevator. Someone is coming. She pulled back her arrow and made sure her fingers kept close to her mouth as she shuffled back to be out of direct line of vision.
GORO…
The creaking stopped.
DING!
The elevator opened.
Nashi did not move.
Nothing moved.
Silence.
She would not fall for this trap; closing in when the silence assured her nothing was there. She held strong in her position with her bow and arrow at the ready.
It startled her when she could feel Cael's warmth tug her to stand down. Cael? What are—?
KIRAKIRA!
Nashi quickly readied her bow when she saw a glow birth into the room. At first, she would have let go of her Freedom Arrow without question. But as the glow had more prominence and the source came into sight…
Hickories widened. What is…?
The frothing orb felt like it did not have a tangible form; this ball of light it forged was for her benefit alone. The white looked heavenly and it borderlined cruel such a shade existed in this dark place.
Is it…? Nashi slackened her grip to dismiss her arrow, but she kept her bow firm. Is it…looking at me? She blinked down at her The Mother gemstone when it flared. Cael… She looked back at the orb. Is it a friend? A wandering soul?
The frothing orb drifted, and Nashi followed it in its dance. To her bemusement, it went back to the open elevator—almost like it was waiting for her.
Nashi did not move an inch. "Okay. I can tell you're not my enemy," she said aloud. "So are you here to help me?"
The frothing orb pulsed.
Nashi still did not let go of her bow. "Do you know where the children are? Is that where you're taking me?"
The frothing orb pulsed again.
"Okay. Final question." Hickories glinted. "Do you know where my friend is?"
The frothing orb did not pulse for a moment. Then, it flashed brilliantly before dimming again.
Nashi dismissed her Freedom Bow to walk to the edge of the elevator. The frothing orb made room for her, and she got inside with a distance placed between them. But her brow knitted as something calm washed her skin. All her fear and her pain and her anxiety somehow dulled into a manageable thrum. She could breathe with ease now and her tension massaged away from her muscles. Warmth—she felt warm.
The elevator door started closing.
Wait… This feeling… Nashi looked at the orb with wide eyes and she whispered, "Who are you?"
The doors closed.
Luna's unconventional slumber did not end. She floated above her clinic bed in a perfect horizontal line with her hands on her stomach. In a morbid outlook, it was as though a mortician had prepped her body for the wake. Lucy had used her watch time to give her daughter a sponge bath and slip her into a comfortable Poko t-shirt and pajama pants. Natsu had gotten better over the years at braiding hair—Cancer had been a slave driver when Natsu wanted to learn to have bonding time with his daughters—and he had done his best to do a plait to keep Luna's hair controlled.
And now, it was Igneel's turn to watch.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Porlyusica's House
East Forest, Magnolia Town
Fiore, Ishgar
1:01 AM FST
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
White energy still outlined Luna's body and took over her eyes as she stayed in her stasis.
All he could do was be a bystander.
Silence ticked by as Igneel sat in his chair, watching her like she would fall from grace at any moment. His time at home meant he got to shower and change, but it all felt so monotonous now.
What did anything matter if she would not wake up?
Igneel rubbed his black wristband. His lips twitched, poised to say something, but he stopped himself when the guilt infested his throat and shut him up. Luna… That split second—that one terrifying breath—when he saw her in front of her flames made everything inside him feel worthless and disgusting.
"I…" His leg jittered. "I'm…so sorry."
Luna kept floating.
Igneel swallowed. "I'm so sorry. I never meant—… I never meant for you to…" He struggled to force out the words, but instead, other words came out on a roll. "I knew you were lonely at home. I thought…if I could keep you happy when I was home, you wouldn't feel that loneliness anymore. You know I'd do anything for you. You're my sister." Onyx stung. "And I'm the bastard brother who could've killed you today."
Luna kept floating.
"Dad drilled into my head about control." His voice felt hoarse, like he had been screaming and screaming for hours. "And I thought… I thought I had control. I thought I could protect you. But instead, I could've killed you. But I know talking like this isn't going to help anyone." He tipped back his head to close his eyes and breathe.
And she kept floating.
I should've stayed in control. I shouldn't have snapped like that. It could have cost you your life. Igneel opened his eyes. And a part of me would have died with you.
He felt his Compact pulsate in his pocket. Thinking it was his parents, he scrambled to get it, only to freeze when someone else had dropped him a message. MJ?
⌜MJ
Messages
I got good marks on my essay - 90⌟
⌜MJ
Messages
So thanks⌟
⌜MJ
Messages
What do you want for helping me?⌟
Igneel unlocked his Compact to type back to her:
« Only your eternal friendship »
She responded in an instant:
« Ew »
« Nvm. Food it is. »
He sent her a sticker of a hungry hippo salivating and another sticker of chibi versions of three anime characters doing their We Want Meat dance.
She then typed:
« Heard through my mom something serious happened your way »
Igneel could feel another layer of remorse creeping in. He messaged back:
« Ya »
Mary Jane's text bubble came up several times before she replied:
« K well »
« Hope it all goes well. Night »
« Sweet dreams, MJ »
« No. »
Igneel could tell the conversation had closed and shoved back his Compact into his pocket. He got up to take the blanket off the bed and slowly drew it over Luna. His gaze caught her Fairy Tail Guild mark on her hand, a pure white outlined in black, but he pulled the blanket up to her clavicle.
Luna kept floating with her eyes glowing.
"Please wake up," he whispered in reverence. He bent over and pressed his forehead to her brow. He kissed her forehead and drew back. The waxing crescent moon could not offer as much moonlight as a full moon, but the stars dimly pierced the glass to touch Luna's face.
It made her look so fragile in his eyes.
You don't want me to protect you. I know. I know it annoys you, but I… That small piece of vision reflected in his eyes—of her dying in the arms of a dark stranger. Onyx briefly showed hints of emerald. I can't let anything happen to you.
He intimately knew it was against the rules Wendy and Porlyusica set up. But his hand stole her hand into his own and sat down at her bedside. Compared to him, her calluses were inconsequential and could only be felt rather than seen. He held her hand in his and pressed her knuckles to his brow. And he breathed for her ears only, "I'm sorry, Luna."
Perhaps it was his wishful thinking, but he could have sworn she lightly pressed his hands.
DING!
The elevator opened.
Nashi did not get out.
The corridor before them reeked of extremities, old blood, and sweat. The drip drop drip drop would sound maddening. Light from the frothing orb proved the concrete ground had stains of questionable fluid on the ground.
The frothing orb floated out of the elevator, but it paused a few steps out as though waiting for her.
Nashi lifted her hand and chanted, "Heaven's Light!" A sphere of glowing pink levitated over her palm, but she guided it to always stay above her. Quiet as a church mouse, she took her first step off the elevator and then her second one. She met the orb's position—
GORO!
Breath quickened, Nashi whirled and saw the elevator's jaws closed once again. She muttered, "Well. I guess we're stuck here now." She eyed the orb with residual mistrust. "All right. You brought me down here. Lead the way."
The frothing orb obliged.
Nashi reluctantly followed.
Drip drop drip drop—the droplets would not stop. She flinched when a droplet hit her and picked up her gaze to see the brick archways and blown-out lights. Her boots scattered a puddle, sullying the reflection of a wandering soul and an Angel follower. She glanced around and realized reflections of her, Heaven's Light, and the frothing orb crossed along the walls. Wait… Are these windows?
Nashi strayed from following the orb to get closer to one of the glass panes. Her Heaven's Light projected its warm glow forth, and Nashi squinted as she tried to understand what she was looking at. Forgotten bassinets looked in place, which was a startling realization considering what happened on Nashi's floor. Each clinical bassinet had its own cubby and blankets, and it looked like a sink counter was in the room's corner.
"What is this?" Nashi whispered aloud. She pulled away and fell back in line to follow the orb.
Curiouser and curiouser, she slowed her pace to steal glances into the windows and everything looked the same. I keep seeing bassinets, but… If we're in a hospital…
She stopped.
The frothing orb stopped as well.
"A nursery," Nashi named. "We're in the nursery."
The frothing orb pulsated and continued drifting.
Nashi followed it with her Heaven's Light. But… Why was I transported into a decrepit and abandoned hospital? With no windows outside, there's no telling where I am. And Gary—where is he? Is he okay? I need to find him… Her thoughts trailed off.
Something felt off again.
Nashi blinked as a pit sunk into her chest, but the feeling was not of her own. Cael? What's wrong? Are you okay? A shiver brushed her skin, and she saw gooseflesh pebbling her. Cael? What is it?
She blinked when her Heaven's Light took control of its own fate to abandon her and drift closer to one of the windows. She followed, perplexed, and called, Cael? What's the…? She rushed forward when her Heaven's Light slipped past the window. "Wait!" Her hands were on the glass, about to call Cael again, but with light in the nursery, she could see what was inside.
Hickories widened. What? These bassinets are…
The newborn nursery was not empty like the ones previously. Babies and infants had been given their own beds to sleep in.
But they were not sleeping.
The words could not come out when she saw those harmless babies in those bassinets with not a breath to their name. Some of them had rings around their throats and the blood spilled onto either side of the blankets. One infant looked like she had been broken and regretfully pulled back together even if her guts were hardened and leaking out of her. A bigger infant had been forced to fit in a bassinet and that action alone had done them in.
Nashi backed up, lips trembling. No. She shook her head. No, no, no, no… The hit to the other window made her spin around, but her Heaven's Light had come to show her what was inside the newborn nursery. This time, not just babies and infants. Toddlers had been forced into this Hell, each one cruelly punished for existing.
"No." The whisper felt weak and sharp at the same time. "These are…" A frigid breath. "These are the missing children."
The frothing orb pulsed, slow and long.
Nashi could feel Cael work his warmth through her and Calm her. All the frazzled nerves and nausea could not be afforded right now. She had to be levelheaded even if she had been ready to start crying. With renewed resolve steeling over, she turned to the orb and demanded to know, "Are there any children alive?"
The frothing orb pulsated again and drifted quicker this time.
Nashi kept up.
There was no need for either of them to stop by the glass anymore. No one needed to keep seeing such horrific deaths on souls that had barely attached themselves to this realm. But as they traveled deeper into the foul-smelling corridor, the more Nashi's curiosity piqued at the glowing guide. This power… It feels like Cael, but it's something more. What is it doing in a place like this?
The frothing orb stopped them at a steel door at the end of the hallway before it disappeared past the metal.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Nashi reached for the handle and jacked it left. Slowly, she peeled back open the door and the stench would have made her watery-eyed in her civilian clothing. But for now, the stink was not what made her eyes sting. Oh my gods…
This room must have been a nurse's station at one point considering the counters and cabinets and lounge furniture and refrigerator. But now, this had become the only place these kids—these dirtied, malnourished children—could find even a sliver of peace. They were past the age of toddlers, but they felt short of being pre-teens. Children. Children were here in their pajamas that needed a deep wash, their eyes so hollow and hopeless. A few had no pajamas bottoms, only diapers. It became apparent the older children had become the de facto caretakers with the way the littler children clung to their elders.
They were here the whole time?
Later, Nashi would cry for them. Later, she would weep these children had been stolen from home and forced to fear for their lives. But for now, she kept her calm and instinctually let her warmth fill the room. It took only a moment for her Soul Sight to kick in. Their souls… I can see the cracks. The older kids have dark spots. Her Soul Sight fled. I can't believe it.
She wanted to step forward, but she held her position at the door and got down to their level. "Hello," she greeted, light. "My name is Nashi. I'm here to take you home if that's okay with you."
None of the children responded.
She tried not to feel crestfallen. I'm sure they don't trust me if they've been missing for three months. Hickories sparked in anguish. Anyone older than them most likely seems like a threat.
She blinked when she saw her Heaven's Light move again, but she knew she was not pulling the strings. Cael? What are you…? To her utter bewilderment, Cael used Heaven's Light to signal using flashes.
Cael flashed thrice, then he paused. Short, short, short, short—pause—short—stop. A long flash, short, long, short—pause—short, long—pause—long, short—stop. Then long, short, short, short—pause—short—stop. Long—pause—short-long-short—pause—short, short, long—pause—short, short, short—pause—long—pause—short—pause—long, short, short—stop.
Then the frothing orb responded. Short, short, short—pause—short, short, short, short—pause—short—stop. Short, short—pause—short, short, short—stop. Short, long, long, short—pause—short, long—pause—short, long, short—pause—long—stop. Long, short, short—pause—short—pause—long, long—pause—long, long, long—pause—long, short—stop.
Cael somehow got in the final word. Short, short—stop. Long, short, long—pause—long, long, long—pause—short, long, long—stop.
Whatever was spoken between them, Cael came back, and Nashi could feel her Heaven's Light synch back with her intentions. She watched the frothing orb approach her, circle her, and she followed its movements until it floated before the children.
'You hear me, Little One?'
Nashi blinked when a baritone voice spoke to her, but she felt every word stem from within than from outside. It took her a beat to understand the orb spoke to her. I… She nodded. Yes. Yes, I can. A little daring, she questioned, Who are you? You feel…familiar to me. But I know I've never met you.
The frothing orb bobbed. 'We have never met,' it—he—agreed.
Nashi could tell this would go in circles and asked out loud this time, "Who are you?"
'I am in the same as the Ishim within you. I am now a pure soul with no physical body.'
Nashi drew up short. "That's why you…"
'Yes.' The orb pulsed. 'I am a Seraph Agent, Little One. I am an Angel.'
— • — • — • —
Mezasu mirai wa omae shidai da
Te wo kakagete Everybody MOMI DANCE
Hi ni natte Cool & Fresh daijoubu sore de Let's Go!
(LOVE ni nareru mono sagase M.O.M.I Yeah)
•
Yukeba ii no sa shinjita yume ga
Real naraba Everybody MOMI DANCE
Dare mo kare mo Let's get, are you ready?
•
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI
Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
— • — • — • —
The skulls on the mantle tied everything together.
To be fair, trophies littered the entire room. After all, this room bragged about the wealth and prosperity fit for a noble. The basic artifacts and gemstones had their place, of course, but the more exciting items were arrogantly thrust into a passerby's face. It was boring to hunt down beasts and mount them up.
Human corpses felt much more satisfying.
Some had been lovers at one point in time, and it was an artist's dream to capture the muse. Forever would the corpse be twisted in their last moments of ecstasy. How morbidly intimate and poetic. Others mounted and stuffed on the wall were less fun, but some were worthy of a conversation over some liquor. A few had been torture prizes, driven into such insanity that they killed themselves. Their sacrifice would forever be witnessed on these walls.
The fire cackled.
The rest of the room impressed. The ceiling looked like a replica of the heavens with dazzling stars burning every second of every day. The fireplace looked large enough for a human to stand inside and burn until they were charred flesh and bone.
How quaint.
They sat in their oversized chair with their legs crossed, one foot scaly and clawed and the other cloven. The flow of the fire showed their fight arm had twin snakes tattooed into their fur, but those tattooed snakes had a mind of their own, coiling and slithering on their own volition. At least their silky mane had been brushed. The concept of nudity was not a burden to them. Such sensibilities were reserved for the weak.
One of the grand doors opened.
KAN… KAN… KAN…
They sipped from their chalice, their pawed foot pedaling. "You came quicker than expected. I was almost afraid you wouldn't come. But we both knew better than that."
KAN… KAN… KAN…
Paws to the ground, they rose from their seat and showed their imposing fire. The flames covered their front and left their broad back shadowed. But the tattooed snakes roamed across their master's fur to hiss at the newcomer. They finished their drink before throwing the chalice into the hellish fire. "It's been so long since I've been summoned on Earth Land. I had forgotten how primitive the humans are here. But at least my summoner had a strong will. We wouldn't want her to die before I can form another contract."
KAN… KAN…
The footfalls stopped.
They turned around to show their form in its glory. A lion stood before the hellfire, but they were only a lion on the top half of their body with an intricate set of chains acting as some sort of harness. The bottom half of them looked like a peculiar combination of a scaly creature and a goat. The horns on their head curved forward with a third horn curving upwards and inwards. The spectacles of an academic hung on the bridge of their nose.
"Come." They spread out their hands. "Welcome to my Labyrinth. I have been longing to speak with you alone…"
Their guest stepped into the fire's lost, hostile as ever. Pale skin with thin ice crystals here and there; a sharp jaw; and horns came out from snow-white hair. Yet he looked predominantly human in body with the Fairy Tail logo on the torso of his suit such a mockery. Those heartless icy-blue-silvers looked at their host in utter hatred.
"…Winter Devil."
"Yesssssssss," the Devil hissed as ice claws slid out from his knuckles. "Let's talk"—a flash of cerulean passed over his eyes and as the fire flickered, it cast a momentary shadow that blackened his hair until it was white again—"Demon."
Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance
— • — • — • —
Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns
Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa
Wendy Marvel-Blendy – Brittney Karbowski
Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh
Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkon
Porlyusica – Linda Young
Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee
Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes
Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook
Seraph Agent – Jameison Price
Demon –
Winter Devil – Sean Schemmel
• — • — •
Additional Voices
Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Recap Narrator – Melissa Fahn
Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Ending Narrator – Melissa Fahn
— • — • — • —
⌜OPENING THEME
⟪ Ao To Natsu! ⟫
Mrs. Green Apple
Lyrics by & Composed by
Motoki Ohmori⌟
•
⌜ENDING THEME
⟪ MOMI MOMI Fantastic Feat. Ai Haruna ⟫
ASIA ENGINEER
Lyrics by & Composed by
Takashi Yanase, Asia Engineer⌟
•
•
•
•
— • — • — • —
Next time, on Fairy Adventure
•
Episode 004
•
"I'M BACK."
— • — • — • —
•
•
•
•
CAN WE JUST TALK?