Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

45. Adventure 045

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail nor any work professional associated with it. All original plots and characters are mine.

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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.

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Previously, on Fairy Adventure, this new chapter to the fairies kicks off with an unsuccessful return from a mission. We met Dash, the newest and fastest speedster of Fairy Tail and Ace, Justin's official boyfriend as well! Nashi found herself at a loss of what to do with her situation between her, Gary, and Dazzler and needed some time to be by herself while Aine needed to walk off from Misty being a little too protective. Meanwhile, Mary Jane tried to quit Fairy Tail, but that didn't sit well with Igneel. In fact, he made sure she wasn't able to quit at all! Luna and Gale finally caught up after being a part, but even good friends have it rough getting back into the groove of things. Thankfully, Julia has a plan for them and that's…to go to the mall? Luke toughed it out against the weird shadowy thing from the festival, but he's not out of the woods yet so long as Gary's in the picture… Aine's not the only Fernandes having trouble with Misty. Hurt by Misty's ignorance, Ena runs off to the company of…Silver?! What is going on? Nashi, Gary, Lance, and Aine take a mission to let Aine blow off some steam, but it looks like the Devil is ready to have some fun too…if only he didn't get interrupted…

"Save them, Nashi Heartfilia-Dragneel. Save them."

Save them from what? What's going on? And I think Igneel's a little too close to MJ to be just family, Peter…

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Lights.

Everywhere you went, there were lights everywhere. Gold, blue, red, green—it did not matter the color as long as there were lights.

In a place of just grass, there would be mounds of mountains as far as the eye could see. However, this place was not of grass; it was of stone. And the mountains were skyscrapers and buildings as far as the eye could see. Usually, at night, people were snug in their bed, save for a few late-night stragglers taking on the nightshift. But on this night with the moon shining and no stars in the sky, people were crowding the streets. Laughter and loudness all melded together into noiseless conversation. Cigarettes and kisses and drinks were passed around harmlessly. Lacrima Cars crowded the streets with a few horse-drawn carriages sprinkled. The bars were open and packed, the restaurants were hustling and bustling, the hotels were filled, the sites were teeming with tourists, the spas housed the relaxed, and a drunk couple stumbled out of fake chapel of love with lipstick smudges and messy hair. The mixtures of spices—of garlics, of grilling meat, of perspiration, of dried fish—outdid the polluted air, but meshed together into a mesmerizing scent you just had to sniff once, twice just to breathe a sigh of dreamy happiness.

She walked down her path with no real destination in mind. Passersby paid her no mind. They were too engrossed in their own livelihood to want to reach out to her. So she traipsed about with no place to go and no urging to get somewhere. The noises of this city were absent on her ears. She was listening, but she was not listening. In reality, everything was a blur.

A group of people all talking and laughing about swallowed her. She was jostled and shouldered and pulled into a tizzy until she was spat out. Her hands blindly reached out and hit a glass window. Hair flung out into her face, but she pulled it back. With a shake of her head, she looked into the window. From what she could tell, she had slammed into some sort of restaurant. But, once she focused out of that, she saw her vague reflection. Hair pinker than full-fledged cherry blossoms. Wide, doe eyes of hickory laced in confusion. Was this her? Was this what she looked like?

Her hand skimmed down the glass as though trying to touch her reflection. Eyes stared into hickory as her lips trembled.

"Who…? Who am I?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ah utsukushii sekai

Utsukushii mirai

Utsukushii kehai no suru sono saki wa

Subarashii sedai

Subarashii kitai

Subarashii sekai

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

CLANG.

Chains rattled as their charge jerked viciously on their anchors. This place—this prison—this cell—smelled unnatural like it was a hospital drowned in the dankness of shadows. There was no walls in sight, just pointless darkness the second you stepped out of the boundaries of the burning light.

CLANG.

The Devil heaved his breaths as winter snorted from his nostrils or his mouth. Aggression was not lost on him as he lurched forward and tried to get away from his restraints. The effort was pointless. His chains had cuffed his wrists and even if the chains disappeared into the light, it was clear they were anchored to something not even a beast like him could break free from. His feet were out of the question. Darkness and shadows had stapled his feet to the ground and crawled up his ankles. He was not going anywhere of his own merit. But, like a rutting bull, he jerked and twisted and roared.

He was a beast challenged over who would satisfy his female. His female who very well could be at the mercy of another male.

The very thought made his inner winter swirl around him and it was a miracle he had not turned his prison into a tundra.

He wanted blood.

He wanted to kill his competition.

And he needed Nashi.

A beast would kill for his Female without question.

CLANG.

Again, the Devil jerked and snarled, flashing dangerous fang. He would not stop until he was free to sink his claws and taste the blood of his competition.

And his reward…

…making his female know she was thoroughly his angel.

The woman of autumn orange eyes slunk into the room by materializing from the surrounding shadows. She had changed, if only a little—not that the Devil even noticed. Her pantsuit fit her. She looked professional in orange, even if the sweetheart neckline did dip down a bit. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and her bangs were straight. Her heels matched her eyes and made her look like a woman on a mission.

And she was very much.

Like it was nothing, she waltzed over to the murderous Devil and watched in amusement when he snapped his teeth and lurched forward to kill her. "My, my…" she murmured appreciatively, flicking her bangs. "You really are a sight to behold."

The Devil lurched forward again with a snarl.

"Temper, temper, Beastie," the woman scolded at him with a playful air. She stopped right before his reach and folded her arms. A smirk was in order. "Are you still getting all worked up I interrupted your naughty scene with the half-demon girl? Oh…" She tutted, not even flinching as the Devil kept fighting his restraints. "You can do so much better than her."

A snap of teeth.

"Your instincts are absolutely primal," the woman had to regard. Did she sound impressed? "Nothing I'm saying is getting through to you, is it? All you can think of is the girl you're bent on fucking." She leaned a bit closer. "So how about I get your attention with this? Your little abomination had sex with another man."

The Devil finally noticed her at that. Icy-blue-silver pinned straight onto this woman with nothing more than hatred in his glower. In his tongue, he snarled, "I will kill you, wench. I will start by ripping out your tongue."

The woman huffed a laugh. "I'm sorry. Did you not hear me say your toy slept with another man?" she tested. "Doesn't the human in you feel grief over her infidelity?"

"Cut the shit, wench," the Devil spat. "My human and I have agreed on many things, but when I am in control, it is me you speak to, never him. I remember the taste of my Angel's pussy from my human's tongue. I have never tasted seed of another mortal or smelt it on her."

"She's a good actress and humans have protection from procreating. They aren't like us and can shoot blanks," the woman had to say. "Your little angel isn't as innocent as you think. When your human jumped the gun two months ago and overwhelmed your new toy, she fled into the arms of that half-Alchemist for long and hard fuck sessions." She took a step forward when the Devil stilled. Confidence clicked at her heels. "Five times. Five times he pounded into her while your human couldn't even smell her. Five times she came on his dick. Five times she let him see her wet, naked—"

"That is enough!"

Orange burned into icy-blue-silver.

"Don't you see, Beastie?" she whispered. "She never cared for you or your human. All you two are are another convenient dick for her, something to fill her in-between sessions. You are nothing to her. And you will continue to be nothing to her. Because that abomination should be nothing to you. She can't handle the monster you are, the animal you were meant to be." She stepped closer. Their noses nearly brushed as she unfolded her arms. Fingers danced on his naked flesh. "Mortal women in any form could never love a monster," she whispered. "They could never be enough. Things like us weren't made to be satisfied with mortals. We were made for each other." Nails lightly raked downwards, hinting at the last piece of material that kept him from her. "She will never be what you need, Beastie, but I can." Tips of fingers danced on the soft material until the entire hand palmed it. "You and me—we're equals. We fuck mortals, but we'll only get pleasure from each other."

Knees bent as she began to sink down.

"Let me show you, Beastie, how good we could be." Soft words laced in desire hit his lower stomach. "Let me show you the true meaning of desire." A kiss to his cold flesh as her fingertips tugged at his boxer briefs. Her mouth kissed the material until she realized something.

A grin. "You arrogant bitch."

The woman stumbled back when she felt something hit her. It was nothing physically, but mentally, she felt it. Her skin paled. Desire frothed into gut-wrenching fear. Her eyes shakily met the Devil's—

—and she felt like she had seen Hell.

"How my human tolerates females is beyond me," the Devil chuckled. A rough laugh, dark and disturbing. "I never held interest in females when I came into existence. We were too young to know what lust meant. But, wench, I know the true meaning of it. There is only one female my dick will get hard for and you have kept me from her."

The woman's entire body hardened as she pushed herself to stand. "She was never going to be your fuck toy!" she shouted at him. "She was disloyal to you!"

"My human."

Body still, she took in his toothy smirk.

"It was my human," the Devil started, "that she fucked. At the time, my human and I were at odds and I was nothing more than the monster. After one fuck, she may have run into that half-Alchemist's arms, but I blame my human. I have always sensed my Malã'ika's internal darkness and my human had no tact in making sure she felt safe. I blame him for letting our light feel another mortal's dick. It makes the winter inside me rage to even think another mortal dared to touch what is mine. I assure you, wench, when I fuck my Malã'ika, I will make sure she will never feel the need to find a sorry replacement because she will only know my dick and my tongue and my fingers. She will have to beg me to let her touch herself. I am a monster, yes, but she has seen me for what I am and still craves me to be inside her. She is not a spineless mortal. She is strong and the only match for me." His eyes narrowed to slits as he glared at her. "You are nothing like her, wench, for she is even stronger than you!"

"How dare you say that to me now!" An outrage. The disrespect. "How dare you—!"

"How dare you interrupt me making my light cum for the first time!" the Devil roared. Something crazy entered his stare. "She is mine and you disrespect me by bringing me competition! She is mine!" He rattled the chains again. "No one will take her from me!"

That alone made the woman regain her composure. "I'm afraid, Beastie, it's a little too late for that," she drawled.

Suspicion and mistrust rose in the Devil's eyes. "Explain, wench."

The woman tittered as she sauntered away from the Devil. "Oh, I don't know… At first, I was going to be nice and let you keep her as a little pet with a collar and leash if you agreed to my demands, but now…" She shrugged, folding her arms again. "I can't guarantee her protection against—what did you say? Your competition."

CLANG.

Uncaged came the feral beast the Devil kept hidden as snarls dripped from his throat. "I WILL KILL HIM!" Even the chains quaked at his roar, his declaration, his plan of war. "SHE IS MINE!"

The woman's smile broadened as she listened to the wild howls of the beast behind her. "You want her?" Just before she could disappear into the shadows, she paused. "Too bad Pazuzu is fucking her."

The roar of a chained beast pounded on the prison with echoes for miles.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 045

Lost and Found

古いものと新しい思い出！選択が行われると運命が変わる

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna laughed as she and Gale got off the escalator. "I don't think Lily's going to like your gift for him."

Gale grinned. "Why not?" He offered his arm and Luna linked it with his. "I'm sure he'll love it!"

"More like he'll love to strangle you for it," Luna snorted. Leaning on Gale's shoulder as they took a stroll on the floor, she heaved a sigh. "Today's been really fun."

Gale looked down at her. "Yeah? Glad you liked it."

Luna swallowed as her hand came up to her arm. "Listen… I'm sorry I got upset about you not wanting to come to the ballet with me. I know it's not your scene."

"Nah. Forget about it," Gale dismissed.

Luna lifted her head for chocolate to lock onto ruby. She pulled Gale to a stop with a frown. "I won't," she refused. "It was crappy for me to get mad at you and I'm sorry. I like us doing things we both love."

Gale softened. "I like it too." He cupped her face with just a hand, slightly squishy her cheeks. "It's okay if we don't see each other every once and a while, but don't think I don't care about you, Blondie. Even when life gets busy, we'll make time for our friendship, 'kay? Just you and me."

Luna smiled. "Really?"

Gale tugged her back into walking. "Yeah, girl, we'll make it a partner bonding day."

"With Icarus, of course," Luna added.

Gale groaned. "Fine. The dog can come too."

Luna giggled at Gale's pout. "No need for the sad pouting, my dear Dragon," she teased. "Icarus says he'll keep to himself."

"Ew. You Celestial Spirit Mages and your freaky Telepathy. Ga-ross." Gale faked a shudder which made Luna bump his shoulder.

"Like you and Sycaña don't talk," Luna retorted not unkindly.

Gale had to give at that. "We do, but she's pretty much quiet unless we're training or I directly speak to her. I reach out to her sometimes, but…" A frown came. "I don't know. I can feel her grief. I can tell she's mourning the death of Sorrelo and her kids and her race. That shit's hard to get over."

"I can't imagine what that's like," Luna murmured. "To live without your soulmate."

Gale tipped his head, eyes quietly watching Luna. "A life without your sole purpose is pointless," he said. "From what my old man and I discovered in those archives Gabe left us, a mother Dragon can easily kill its own kids if sad enough. A broken bond is nearly impossible to fix. That's where Dragon Lacrima or Heart of Hearts came in. A Dragon's essence was compacted into a tangible object, but to get a Dragon to willingly do so is damn near rare. A broken Dragon was easier to coerce."

"That's horrible," Luna whispered, eyes glistening. "I hope no one has to go through that type of pain. I hope you never have to."

Gale smiled softly. "You crybaby," he mumbled. "It's amazing you can get touchy-feely over crap like this. You have a heart of gold, Blondie." He tapped the top of her head. "And hair of gold."

With a wipe her eyes, a laugh bubbled out. "I'll take that as a compliment," she supposed. "So, um… Where are we going?"

Gale stopped. "We're here."

Luna furrowed her eyebrows and looked around. A dress store, another low-key lingerie store, a store for hipsters who loved all things nerd and MagiWorld… "Um…" She looked up at Gale, confusion evident in her frown. "'Here'…where, exactly?"

Gale pointed. "Blondie. We're standing right in front of it."

Luna peered past Gale to see they had ended up at a walled lot. BC Towers plastered possible new locations for stores, but besides that, there was nothing there. To be honest, the expanse of blocked wall took up a lot more of the floor than it should have. She scowled. "If this is some joke—"

Gale tugging her forward cut her off. He went straight to the door. Luna's panicked splutters were lost on him as he banged thrice. He was interrupted when Luna pinched his ear and forced his head down to hers, cursing his pain.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Luna hissed. "You're going to get us in serious trou—!"

BAM.

A bustling woman opened the doors with a wide beam and high cheek bones. Her hair was naturally curled and lengthy, but it was her accented eyes that captured her beauty. In a boom, she greeted, "Ah, ouè! Bonjor! Benvenguda les amis! Je t'ai attendu! Je su bonéso de vos vér!"

Luna may have been thoroughly startled at the regal woman springing out from the door, but she was a little more stunned at the fast Perench thrown at her. Smile tentative, she shook her head. "Um, I'm sorry, ma'am, but we—"

"C'est agréable de vous rencontrer, Madame! Je suis désolé, nous fait attendre. J'ai…été assez distrait." Gale snuck a glance down at Luna who was completely gaping at him like a fish out of water. He snickered and looked back at this model of a woman. Something akin to sheepish apology was written on his face. "Pouvez vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plait?" he requested and a flush of pink was on his cheeks. "Je parle pèrençais, donc je comprends ce que vous dites, mais votre dialecte est le déclenchement de moi."

Luna could not keep back her surprise when the woman cackled. "Ouè, ouè, mon pote," the woman assured. Her voice had slowed down considerably and a note of fondness threaded through her words. Luna's eyes widened when the woman came forward to kiss Gale on both cheeks. There was nothing romantic in the way she did so. It was like they were already family.

Her smile was warm as she glanced at Luna. "Est ce votre blonde?" As Gale turned red and spluttered, the woman ignored him to focus solely on Luna with her beam and a wave of her hand. "Bonjor, ma belle, encantat! Cossí vas? Coment que vos apelâds?"

Luna worked her mouth ."U-Um… I…" She looked at Gale, helpless.

Gale helped put her out of her misery as he muttered, "Excusez-elle. Elle ne parle pas pèrençais. Parlez-vous frionais?

The woman's smile was a tad sheepish. "Ouè, un peu." She straightened herself and looked like she was reciting what she wanted to say and even mouthed the words. When she was confident, she finally spoke again. "'allo, my fr'ens! My na' ees Coco Dior." Her Fioren was half there, quite broken, but the effort she made to speak her words as clearly as possible was admirable. "Pleased to make your acquaintances." She bowed before them as though rehearsed. Her hands shot out to Gale and Luna and dragged them within the closed off walls. "Come! I 'ave much to show!"

Luna looked over at Gale, apprehensive. "Gale. What is going on?" she hissed at him.

Gale's lazy grin did nothing to soothe Luna's frazzled nerves. "Relax and enjoy the ride, Blondie."

Luna bristled. "Gale. Just what on Earth Land do you think you're—?" Her words left her when she realized where they were. "Oh, my gosh…"

The expanse was quite large for a retail store, but Luna could see why. The free-flow layout with minimalist undertones was simplistic as it was impressive and it very much was so. By design, the first thing Luna saw were the fresh new styles of winter for teens. But that was not all this store had to offer. You could see the womenswear and menswear and the accessories and lingerie. There was the teen section, but there was also a kid and baby section shoved a bit further into the back. Luna did not even realize she had begun to wander and inspect the clothes. The style was different from Fiore's. Less was more in this case. Her fingers could not help themselves as they felt materials and familiarized themselves with colors. She admired the chandeliers and splashes of rug that were thrown in strategically. Skin around her eyes crinkled in amusement when she saw even pets got their own little corner of the world.

"Wow," Luna whispered. "This is amazing…!" She turned to see Gale and Coco watching her, but their expressions did not match up. Coco looked quite anxious and even proud while Gale did not look like he was admiring the infrastructure. "What is this place?"

"House of…" Gale stumbled and he looked over at the Coco with the decency to be rueful. "Désolé. Lady J m'a dit le nom, mais j'ai déjà oublié la chose."

"'ouse of Vionnet." Coco sounded like she was singing when she said that. "Eet ees nawt as commeen een Frione, but eet ees…" She looked at Gale, troubled. "Cossí se ditz 'populaire' en frionais?"

"'Popular'," Gale sounded out patiently.

Coco mouthed the word then kept going. "Eet ees 'popular'"—she pronounced the second syllable like pooh—"een wes'er' L'Ishgar," she explained to Luna.

Luna took this into consideration. "I think my friend Ena knows about this," she realized. "She'd been talking about the opening of some Perench store at the BC Towers, but I never realized it was this." Her eyes sparkled as she questioned Coco, "If you don't mind me asking, are we allowed to be here? I didn't think the opening was until next week. Did Gale bribe you?"

While Gale cried a protest at that, Coco chuckled. "Nan, nan, nan, ma belle, 'e deed nawt," she stressed. "Monsieur Gale es a fr'en to mon amie, Madame Julianna. Julianna es very kind and 'elped me a year ago."

Gale saw the confusion in Luna's eyes and took it a step further to explain. "Coco and Lady J here are all buddy-buddy because when Coco came to Fiore for the first time, she got manhandled by some guys who took advantage of her not knowing Fioren well. Julia happened to be in the hood and swooped in to save her. Coco's been in her debt since or so Lady J told me."

Understanding clicked in Luna's mind. "Oh…" She glanced around. "So… Why are we here if the store isn't open?"

"May have gotten the idea from 'Julianna'," Gale explained, air quoting the name with a mock eye-roll. "I reached out for some a slight assistance in how to handle your mood swing and she gave me the perfect solution."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "'Mood swing'?"

Gale merely chuckled and turned to Coco with Perench falling off his lips.

Luna flippantly rolled her eyes and strayed further into the store. She was spellbound at the designs of winter, but awe struck her when she saw the athletic wear and evening casual wear. The fashion was less busy than a lot of Fiore styles and she completely adored it. The graphic section struck a chord with her and she found herself mumbling the sayings aloud and giggling in quiet. She was happy to see her favorite MagiWorld characters had made appearances with their iconic sayings with a few MagiBound concepts slipping in. She noticed the more hipster graphics contained characters from anime and those comics Igneel loved so much. She was so taken with a shirt from a popular anime movie, she never noticed Coco coming behind her.

"You are very beautiful."

Luna whirled around and a smile delighted her face when she saw Coco. "Thank you. So are you."

Coco laughed and did an exaggerated look-over. Luna followed her lead to see Gale on his Compact, agitated as he spoke to the person on the line. Coco told Luna, "'e cares for you a lot eef 'e ees 'ere. Julianna told me most sings abou' 'eem."

That reminded Luna… "Did Julia ever tell you if she liked Gale?"

"Nan, nan," Coco denied. "Julianna and Monsieur Gale are greateest of fr'en's, ma belle. Nothing more. Seir 'earts 'ould nev'a… Um… 'Pump', you say? For each other."

Luna smiled. "I think you mean 'beat'. Their hearts wouldn't beat for each other." She watched as Gale yawned, looking tired and pissed at the same time. Somehow, he pulled it off. "I just want him to be happy. I thought he and Julia would be good together."

Snort.

Earning Luna's confusion, Coco grinned. "No fence for you, but Julianna and mon pote would nev'a work. Too deeferent. Sey want other things and 're too deeferent. Julianna ins… Um…" Poor thing looked troubled at remembering the word. "Ins…fires, you say?"

"I think you mind 'aspires'," Luna helped.

Coco beamed. "Ouè, ouè, ouè! Julianna aspires for an omè. Um… Cossí se ditz…? A man, ouè? Gentle one, you say. Madame Julianna does not have se time for anything else. She wants gentle passion e la maturité—maturity. She wants un lion ou une panthère."

Luna considered that as she watched Gale murmur something into the Compact. "A lion or a panther, huh?"

Coco's nod was sharp and concise. "Ouè. Monsieur n'est pas un omè. He es…ruggeed, you say? Comme un loup. Wolf, you say."

"Gale's like a wolf?" Luna asked, perplexed as she looked at Coco who nodded vigorously.

"From what Madame Juliana tells me and what I sense, Monsieur es un loup," Coco compared. "Wolves are all about eenstinct, you say? Se a' rough and aggreseeve and not easily tamed. Madame Juliana wants something tamed. Monsieur Gale canno' be tamed."

For some reason, Luna's shoulders drooped. "I guess not," she supposed.

Coco chuckled and tapped Luna's chin lovingly. "Chin high, you say? Monsieur cannot be tamed. But male wolves are, um…protecteeve of female wolves. 'e wants something like sat."

"I think I get what you're saying," Luna murmured. "Julia wants a guy who's cool and mature, but Gale's kind of a wild card and he has a temper. Though"—she smiled ruefully—"I'm like that too." She looked back at Gale. He had whirled around with his back to them as he spoke on the Compact. "But I have to say, 'no' to him being like a wolf," she confessed. "He's more like a Dragon. He's rough around the edges and he can be mean and nasty, but he's really loyal to the people he cares about. He may think he's weak, but he's really strong for standing up every time he's knocked down. I admire that about him. I wish I could be like that and I'll get there someday. I'll be the kind of partner he can depend on."

Coco smiled beautifully and her knuckles stroked Luna's cheek. "Ma belle, ton regard," she breathed.

Luna looked at Coco. "My what?"

"Your eyes," Coco translated. "Sey sparkle so beautifully… Your eyes shine like…"

Luna leaned forward, anticipant. "Like what?"

Coco did not hesitate. "Sey are—"

"Blondie? Coco?"

Both ladies snapped their heads to Gale. He nodded at Coco as he approached them, but he stopped before Luna with his focus mainly on her. They noticed the call he had was still going strong. "I have to step out for a sec, but I'll be right back," he promised Luna.

Luna frowned. "Everything okay?"

Gale sighed and messed up his hair. "Yeah. It's a Friday night, my friends are horny as Hell, some of them crossed, and I'm trying to keep them controlled from here."

"Oh." Luna's face dropped a bit. "We can go if—"

"No." Ruby glared into chocolate. "We're staying here. Like Hell am I going to some stupid party when I'm hanging out with my g—my princess," he caught himself. He cupped her chin. Firm. Unwavering. But delicate. "I'll be right back," he swore softly. "Stay. Coco will take care of you, all right? Try on whatever the Hell you like. Set aside what you want."

Luna rolled her eyes in a huff. "Gale, you've done enough," she reasoned. "I have my own money now!"

"Then save it for Christmas presents or another Poko charm," Gale scoffed. "You're with me. I took you out. It's my treat. Coco knew ahead of time not to let you pay." He winked at the beaming Perench woman and grinned at Luna's annoyed expression. But both of them knew her annoyance was to be taken at face value. She was smiling underneath. "Pick out some crap for me too." His eyes roamed around as he let her go. "Some of this shit doesn't look half bad."

Luna chortled and shoved him away. "Bye, Gale…" she teased, twiddling her fingers in a wave.

Gale exaggerated his heartbreak and earned even more laughter. As he spun on his heel and walked off, he called to Coco, "Prendre soin de ma mignonnette. Elle est ma bouée de sauvetage!"

Luna scrunched her nose as Coco laughed freely and called back, "Ouè, o vòli! Adieu, Monsieur!"

"What did he say?" Luna fretted to Coco. "Did he call me something? I only understood five words."

"Do not worry, ma belle," Coco soothed. "He only asks I take care of his leetle fr'en'."

Luna bobbed her head, convinced. "Got it. And what were you saying about my eyes?"

Coco shook her head. "Mmm. Rien, rien." She straightened herself and made a forward move taking Luna's hand. "Come, ma belle. You will be the first to display 'ouse of Vionnet and impress ton dragon, ouè?"

Luna beamed back. "Oui."

---

The focus painted the scene with such painful memories detailing every inch of it. The focus looked around the small cavern-turned-bedroom. There were trophies and knickknacks and colored pictures and trashed-turned-treasure. There were whozzits and whatzits and things that had no real purpose. But they were all there. The scent—oh, the scent!—was such a homey aroma. Wrapped around him were the scents of adventures, of happiness, of tears, of excitement.

"Igneel?"

The focus turned to see a silhouette waiting for him. He stepped closer. "Step into the light." Why did his voice sound so high-pitched? "Who are you? Show yourself!"

The silhouette moved into the light, but the person standing there looked nothing like the shadow. Mary Jane. She stood there with her perfect beam and her mismatched eyes. "Igneel," she breathed. Eyes prickling with tears. "Why did you break the promise?"

"I didn't!" he insisted. "I've been keeping it!"

Peter swept into the scene like he was stealing the show. He stood tall with Mary Jane in his arms and her neck exposed to him. The smile he wore was demented into a smirk as two fingers found Mary Jane's pulse. "Too bad I got to her first," he chuckled, showing off his canines. They descended.

"MJ!" he cried, reaching out a hand. He was too far and everything moving too slow. He was too slow. He would never make it. "MJ!"

Mary Jane shed a tear as Peter's lips touched her neck. "He's breaking our promise," she whispered. "Why did you let him take me away from you?"

Peter's canines sunk down.

A wild scream.

Flames. Fire. Life and death. The cycle spun out of control as the focus ran down the hall of flames. From the corner of the focus, he could see his skin blistering and charring from these flames. These were not his flames. These were flames meant to destroy. They were meant to kill everything they touched.

"Why did you let me go?" came Mary Jane's echo. "Igneel, help me!"

"MJ!" he yowled. "MJ, I'm coming! I'll save you!"

The focus dropped.

He was falling.

No—he was drowning.

Fists pounded on the barrier between life and death, drowning and living. Air bubbles escaped him as the darkness choked him and broke him and dragged him. The focus watched as something he never saw land onto the barrier. Its flames were worth crying over, worth praying over, and its eyes were the greenest of greens with hints of gold in them. It opened its mouth.

'Not yet.'

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Igneel's eyes opened, but they did not feel open until he blinked for the first time. Everything about him felt like his blood was made of lead and his muscles had atrophied. He tried to groan as he wriggled himself to sitting up, but something stopped him. He looked down at his wrists and saw they had been chained down to whatever bed he was on.

A door slid open and closed.

"I see you're awake."

Igneel lolled his head up. He could see he was inside some sort of prison, but, within the prison, he was in his own cage like a beast on the threat of escaping. He looked around to see he had been given the same type of treatment as if he were in a hospital. He had been fitted into a hospital bed with his vitals on display and an IV drip attached to him. He saw his clothes had been traded in for a ghastly hospital gown. "Where am I?" he slurred.

"Confinement." It was Laxus who said this. He did not look very happy to be there as he unlocked Igneel's cage to step inside. He nodded at the chains around Igneel's wrist. "Sealstone," he grunted. "It was necessary. Had you been admitted to the hospital like the Takanashi's wanted, you would have been zip-tied to your bed and put into a psych unit."

Igneel tried to clear his head of his buzzing, this fog. "What happened?" he rasped. "Why am I here again?"

Laxus gritted his teeth. "Because the dosage of your medication isn't strong enough," he explained. "Thanks for breaking my front door, by the way."

Igneel tried to touch his head and his wrist only jerked since he momentarily forgot the sealstone. "Sorry," he breathed. "I didn't mean to."

Laxus was agitated, but he lessened it for now as he leaned against the wall. "What was it this time? What was the trigger?"

Igneel's eyes dropped to his lap. He remembered it clearly. "Her scent," he murmured. "It changed…around Peter."

Laxus sighed. "Oh great," he muttered. "So Mira was right and my butterfly does like him." He noticed Igneel wince. "Kid, you can't have more breakdowns like this."

"I'm on my medication," Igneel swore. "I didn't mean to do it. I promise I've been taking my meds."

Laxus rubbed his temple. "Right now, kid? Meds aren't going to cut it this time." He threw a file at Igneel that made Igneel finally aware the older Mage had been holding it.

"What's this?" Igneel fretted. His nerves shot sparks up his body, but they would never see the light of day. "Please, Uncle Laxus, I promise I'm taking my—!"

"As you are a threat to the life Mary Jane Rita Dreyar," Laxus started, monotonous, making Igneel pale, "and the life of Peter Shuusei-Thompson and a potential threat regarding innocent bystanders, in order to maintain your Mage status within the Fairy Tail Guild, you are obligated to go back into cognitive behavioral therapy."

"No!" Igneel snarled. He did not care about the chains—he wanted out. "I'm not going back! I don't want to!"

"If you refuse," Laxus continued levelly, "you will be suspended from Fairy Tail for a month. In those days, should you not start your sessions or show signs of mental improvement, we will have no choice but to expe—"

"NO!" Igneel roared. "You can't do this! I don't want to go back!"

Laxus lost his cool with a fierce scowl. "You didn't give us a choice!" he shouted. "It tore your mother apart at the state you were in! You don't even remember what happened, do you? You don't even remember you tried to burn your own mother!"

Igneel slammed his eyes shut. "Stop it!"

"If it wasn't for Natsu knocking your ass out, you would've kept doing what you were doing!" Laxus snapped at him. "Thank God Misses Takanashi was the only neighbor out and was willing to tell the Guard she had on the line she didn't mean to call them! Igneel, you would have been immediately sent to the Council!"

"Stop it!" Igneel screamed. "I don't want to hear it!"

"You damn well will hear it!" Laxus boomed. "You need to understand what you did and why you're here now and I am not tiptoeing around you! You're a danger to Mary Jane, Igneel, and you're failing to realize that!"

"I would never hurt her!" Igneel swore. "She's my m—!"

"Then you shouldn't have made that mistake five years ago!"

Igneel was quiet. Blank.

Laxus tried to control his static sparks as he rubbed his face. "Look," he began gravely, "you've given us no choice. It's obvious your medication has a weaker dosage than you need and, with her change, you are going to need to see someone. I'm not speaking as second-in-command—I'm speaking as her father. I love my daughter to pieces and I need to protect her. Maybe to you, you wouldn't hurt her, but she doesn't remember, Igneel."

Igneel tried weakly, "I know that—"

"You do, but you don't," Laxus told him. "You think you understand, but you don't." He pushed himself off the wall to walk away. "This time around, you won't be treated as a child. It's time you've learned, Igneel, that your choices have consequences." He opened the cage, but he did not close it. "I'll send your parents in." He crossed the threshold to open the door.

"I'm sorry about your door."

Laxus paused. A worn-out sigh left him. A tired god. "That can be fixed," he assured. "But what you did, can't. You've made your bed. Now, you need to lie in it." He opened the door and slid it shut behind him.

Igneel could not understand his emotions as his eyes stung. His flames within him simmered and battled over despair and rage. He wanted nothing more to let his flames and lightning consume every cell of his body. He wanted nothing more than to drown in the very darkness he hated and find solace in the abyss. He wanted to itch. He wanted out. He wanted in.

He did not know what he wanted.

A disgrace with unattainable desire.

The door slid open and he could smell his parents had come into the room. The pair of them stepped into his cell within a cell. It seemed a stool was brought in for Lucy and she sat as close to her son as she could. She pulled him close and let his head rest on her chest while Natsu stood behind her.

"Damn brat," Natsu sighed.

"I'm sorry," Igneel whimpered into Lucy's chest. He closed his eyes. He did not want to see their pity for their shame of a son, their disgrace.

"No, Igneel, we're sorry," Lucy amended. "You're not a child anymore and we should've known better. We're going to get through this together."

"They'll never trust me around her again."

DRIP.

Tears streamed down Igneel's cheeks.

DROP.

"They'll never let me see her," Igneel cried. "I'd never hurt her. I promise. I'd never hurt her."

Lucy rubbed Igneel's shoulder and scratched down his spine. "We know you wouldn't, Igneel," she shushed. "We know, sweetie. But you're hurting yourself right now."

Natsu nodded at the folder resting on Igneel's legs. "Your first session with the psychologist will start next week on Tuesday," he explained. "You'll have a twenty-week schedule. Once a week, on Tuesday, you'll meet with your counselor. Thursday is with us. Saturday afternoon is group therapy. Porlyusica spoke with your new psychiatrist about your prescriptions."

Igneel sniffled and looked up at his father. "New psychiatrist? I'm not meeting with Gran Porlyusica anymore?"

Lucy shook her head. "We spoke with her and we decided you need to see someone outside Magnolia. Don't worry. He understands the parameters given to him." Her eyes softened. "But, Igneel, the documents in there are something we all have to sign. Your father and I are here for you and we want to do whatever we can to help."

"But it's my fault—"

"It's all of ours," Natsu cut in. "We're all at fault here even if you can't see it." He patted Igneel's head. "We're going to see this through, Igneel. You're not okay, but we're all going to take steps together so you can be."

Igneel closed his eyes again. "Thanks, Mom," he mumbled. "Thanks, Dad."

And they sat there, mother and father supporting their son against the trials they would soon face.

---

The night dragged on in blurs as she stumbled about. Lights streaked together as people passed her like they were moving at inhumane speeds. The world spun, the noises muffled, and everything felt wrong. She jumped at loud laughter when two drunk men crashed out of a bar. She blinked widely when a girl bumped her shoulder. She stumbled on through this bustling city like an outsider, a dreamer, a wanderer without the steps of destination.

Where am I? she wondered to herself. Who am I? What is this place?

She staggered when she was rudely shoved. She found herself grasping for anything to keep her stable and ended up finding a seat near a fountain. A display was going on with lights and music, but she put her head into her hands. The lights, the people—it made her nauseous. She needed to sit and think.

Where am I? How did I get here? Is this place my home?

She shut her eyes.

No. This place doesn't feel like home. But how should I know? I don't even have a wallet or a Compact to tell me who I am. How old am I? Do I even have a family?

She hated the sting her eyes had at the thought of being alone.

What if my family is dead? What if I'm all alone? Do I even have someone? I don't look old enough to be married or have kids… Just who am I?

"Hey. Are you okay?"

She lifted her head to see a stranger keeping a respectful distance. He looked charming enough with an islander's skin tone and canines. He had no smile though as he dropped into a crouch, concern written on his face. He took off his jacket to revealed earned cultural tattoos trailing up his biceps and slung his jacket around her. Warm hazelnut comforted hickory as she sniffled.

"Hey, hey, hey," he soothed. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?"

She shook her head. "That's the thing—I don't know," she whispered. "I don't remember anything."

His face hardened. "That sounds like you were roofied. Can you remember if you were with anyone? A bar or a club? Do you feel nauseous?"

She slowly shook her head.

"Do you feel sore down there?" he put bluntly.

She shook her head instantly. "No," she assured. "I don't feel sore or anything like that."

He sighed, relieved. "Thank God. I'm not sure where the closest hospital is, but if you want—"

"No." She was surprised how ardent she sounded at her refusal. "I… No, that's okay, I…" She wiped her eyes with a quick smile. "Sorry, um…"

"Maniua," he introduced. "You can call me 'Manny', though. I hate my name. My ma said it means 'happy'." He offered his hand. "And you are…?"

She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. "I don't know," she confessed.

Manny laughed awkwardly. "Right, right…" He studied her up and down. "Well… You certainly have the smile of an angel… So, how about, until you get your memory back, we call you 'Angel'?"

Something about that stirred something inside her chest. She felt pleasure, but there was something else. Why did she feel a hint of disappointment hearing the name? Was it the name itself or hearing him say it? She shook off those thoughts and allowed herself to smile. "I like it," she declared. "Angel it is. Nice to meet you."

Manny grinned. "This is awfully forward of me, but I can't just leave a crying girl alone, you know? How about I make it up to you with a little tour and gondola ride?"

Angel lifted an eyebrow. "I feel like I should say, 'no' since I barely know anything about myself, but…" She exaggerated her once-over of him. "How can I say, 'no' to my knight in shining tattoos?"

Manny linked their arms and led them away from the fountain. "Oh, so we have someone with a thing for tats?"

Angel shrugged. "Maybe not the old me, but this new me?" She winked at Manny. "I'm definitely a fan."

"Good because I am a fan of your eyes," Manny flirted. "Eyes are the windows to the soul."

Angel playfully bumped his shoulder. "No need to get all philosophical on me, Charmer. I may not know much, but I know all men want one thing from women." She mock-pouted. "You're just trying to get in my pants for fifteen minutes and then you'll abandon me and our love affair will end just like that with me heartbroken!"

Manny sobered. "You're dead wrong with one thing."

Angel shot him a look.

"I want twenty minutes."

Both of them burst into laughter as they walked the streets of this strange city. The laughter dissolved into conversation as he led her from one venue to the next. Their first stop was a restaurant. It was a busy Stellian place and the food was divine. Angel and Manny had initially sat across from each other until Manny made the move to get closer as Angel smoothed her fingers over his tattoos. Distance closed and touches lingered and smiles dipped into something more.

Their next stop was the roller coaster atop a building. The ride was full of adrenaline and screams and chortles and Manny got a picture of the two of them from the end-of-the-ride photo station. The second was the strip mall. Angel thought it was time she matched the city's decorum and had changed into a skirt, flat boots that crawled up a little past her knees, and a shirt with translucent sleeves while Manny only switched out his pants for cargo shorts. The third stop was slots. Gambling had been in Angel's favor as she won every bet she placed. Victories led to hugs led to cheek kisses led to bolder touches. Drinks were passed around, but only a buzz was made. When Angel won Blackjack, the hug she shared with Manny was more.

Lips brushed.

Eyes glanced down.

Desire darkened gazes.

Manny had led Angel out of the casino hand-in-hand. Their shared laughs were lowered and his thumb rubbed her knuckles. Angel grew bold when she planted a kiss on his jaw as gratitude and Manny's lips lingered on her temple, making her smile. They were on their way to the indoor gondola ride when Angel saw the building. It was a luxurious building crafted to the finest touch. It had a bit of a curve to it as it was tall enough to oversee the entire city. What was strange was the type of people going into this building. The gowns and suits they wore were truly astonishing. Valets and chauffeurs and attendants—it was like they were going ti a billionaire's extravaganza.

"What's that building over there?" Angel had to ask.

Manny scoffed. "That's the Lucky Duck Casino. It's a place for the wealthy to go. I've never been in there, but the rumor is you have to either be sleeping with the owner or be a billionaire to even get admittance."

"Huh." Something about that place made Angel feel peculiar.

Manny lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles, drawing Angel's attention back to him. "Are you thinking about sleeping with some rich guy to get in there?" he teased.

Angel laughed and patted his chest. "I'm only sleeping with one person tonight," she jested back with a big wink.

Manny's eyes sparkled in interest and hope. "Oh? Should I be jealous of this guy?"

"Oh. Definitely," Angel replied, feigning sobriety. "He has tattoos."

Manny faked a gasp. "Oh shit, he does? Wait a minute!" He pointed at his arm, earning Angel's giggles. "I have tattoos! Does that mean I have a shot?"

Angel stopped right in front of him with a saucy grin on her lips and her arms wrapping around his neck. Her grin widened as she felt Manny's hands meet behind her back and rested on her rear. "Maybe," she whispered. "I thought we were going on that gondola ride?"

Manny breathed a laugh as he craned his neck down. "I like the idea of a different ride." His lips met hers in a sealing kiss. The first one was short as they got used to each other, but the second was rougher, sexier. It demanded her to surrender to him and his whim and she gladly did so.

Angel was the one to pull away, but they both panted hard, gazes dark with arousal. "I'm kind of homeless. Your place?"

Manny grinned.

°•°•°•°

The hotel room was not five stars, but it was all right for a single guy. Clothes scattered on the floor, thrown off and messy. The only king bed in the room was taken as Manny groaned when Angel pulled up from him and went back to straddling him. She shifted in only her panties while Manny lay naked beneath her, hands possessively on her ass.

He grinned lazily at her even if his eyes dropped to her naked chest. "Damn, you're hot," he whistled. "You have the body of an Angel."

Angel laughed as she leaned forward to peck his lips. "You already got me half-naked and in your bed. No need for the flattery," she joked.

X - X - X - X - X

Manny pulled her back for a longer kiss. "This doesn't have to be a one-night stand," he prompted. "We could make this a…longer arrangement." His hand slid from her ass to boldly go beneath her panties. With ease, he slid his middle finger and watched her gasp. "God, you're so fucking wet," he panted.

Angel closed her eyes and bounced against his finger. "More," she whimpered before crying out when three fingers pounded into her. Her orgasm crashed over her and she barely could feel the tips of her feet as pleasure tightened its chain around her.

Manny gritted his teeth as he listened to Angel's moans. "We'll have more time to play later." He slid his fingers out to suckle on them. He seared Angel with a look. "Underneath the sheets."

Angel did as asked shakily with her mind foggy from her orgasm. As soon as she was under the sheets, Manny was quick to join her. Panties flung to the floor, he crawled atop her and forced her legs upon his shoulders. Angel panted as Manny watched her, grabbing himself.

"You okay?" Manny asked.

Angel nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine. I'm ready," she promised in one breath. She swallowed. "Just…please be gentle. I'm not sure how long it's been or if I've ever…" Her cheeks warmed.

Manny dropped a kiss on Angel's forehead, nose, then lips before guiding himself to her heat. He did not enter her at first. He teased her. She shivered his tip rubbed her arousal and hissed when the head pressed against her clit. He merely watched as her eyes closed and wanton moans draw from her breath as his cock drew circles around her heat. The ugly sound of wetness hit their ears, but neither one of them minded.

Angel could feel her mind drift as sinful pleasure made her nipples tighten and her nails dig into Manny's shoulder. Heat pooled at her gut as she felt him push inside her.

X - X - X - X - X

"Angel…"

"Manny," Angel panted.

"Angel…"

Cold of ice.

Skin-to-skin.

Puffs of winter melting against moans of summer.

"Angel… Angel…"

Loving cerulean eyes.

"Angel…"

Sharp icy-blue-silver.

"Malã'ika!"

Angel's eyes snapped open. "No!" She pushed Manny off her with a fierce grunt and shot up from the bed. As Manny tried to recover, Angel hastily put on her skirt, forgoing underwear.

"Wha—? What happened?" Manny rasped painfully. "Did I do something wrong?"

Angel found her bra and clasped it back on. "I, um, no, you didn't. I did—I think? I think I'm with someone actually, but I'm not sure and I can't risk it."

Manny grimaced. "Ouch. Sorry I was the homewrecker then." He hissed as he pushed himself to sit upon his knees in the bed and watched Angel put back on her shirt. He slipped off the bed to pick up her socks and handed them to her with a slight smile. "Here. You'll need them."

Angel hesitated, but she took them with an uncomfortable smile. "Thanks." She quickly slipped them on before gathering her boots. "I'm sorry about this. Honestly. I don't really know who I am or what happened to me, but if I really am with someone…"

"Understood," Manny promise. He looked pitifully at his erection that had softened a little. "Guess I'm jacking off tonight."

Angel snorted as she gripped his arm to get on her other boot. "I'm plenty sure you can find a girl to finish the job."

"How are they even going to compete with your moans?" Manny complained in good fun. "Damn, Angel, your partner is lucky to be hearing that in bed every night!" He helped her stand. "At least you remembered a little bit now before I was fully inside you."

Angel winced. "Yeah, but I still cheated, even if I don't remember who I am."

Manny found his shorts and pulled them on, adjusting himself. "Are you going to tell him?"

That made Angel think. "If I find out who he is? The right thing to do is be honest. Hopefully, he believes me, but if he doesn't?" She shrugged helplessly. "I'm not even sure how to feel, honestly. I mean I vaguely know I might have someone out there for me, but I don't remember feeling any love for them."

Manny guided her to the door. "You'll figure it out," he promised. "I might've known you for a lot less than he has, but you seem really smart and creative and honest." He grinned boyishly. "Though, I kinda hoped you were single so we could finish what we started."

Angel opened the door with a smile of her own. "Yeah. I mean…"—she took in his naked chest—"you are pretty hot."

"Does that mean I get a kiss before you ditch me?" Manny considered something. "You know, you talked about how all I wanted to do is get in your skirt and abandon you, but you're turning the tables on me, Angie."

Angel giggled and the only kiss she gave him was on the cheek. "Sorry to give you blue balls and ditch, but I think we both know cheating is a no-no," she reminded, "and kisses lead to touching lead to messing up bed sheets and"—she scrunched her nose—"we don't want that."

Manny surprised her with a kiss on the lips before spinning her around. "Couldn't resist it. If you find out you're single, you better find me so I can eat you out!" He slapped her ass with a laugh and by the time Angel whirled around to reprimand him, the door had been closed.

Angel huffed. "Jerk!" she insulted even if she did not mean it. Turning around, she headed away from the hotel room with a smile on her lips.

Too bad he didn't have those same eyes. He was a pretty decent guy.

So Angel was back to wandering the streets, but this time, it was with new eyes. She happily took in the cheers from a bar and dances and drunk people staggering through the streets. She even paid some of the roadside artists attention and listened to two sisters play guitar and piano as they sang an old school jam.

This is a cool city. I'm not sure what else is really out there, but if I'm going to be staying here, I'm going to need some sort of job. I just wish I knew what I could do.

At one point, Angel stopped at a gelato stand, all set to order, when she realized something. As the vendor tried to give her vanilla gelato, Angel gave a shameful smile and waved her hand. "Sorry. I don't have any money."

The vendor's smile grew bigger and she forced the bowl of gelato into Angel's hand. "It's okay! The gelato is complimentary for all first-timers at my stand! Have a nice day!"

Angel furrowed her eyebrows as she tentatively took the gelato. She shuffled away, but her eyes drew back to the perky vendor. "That's…weird…" She scooped gelato into her taster spoon and took a bite.

Now that I think about it…Manny didn't really pay for anything… When we finished eating, we got up and left and no one stopped us. We didn't need tickets for the roller coaster and the casino… There wasn't a tab for our drinks and we didn't get to cash in our chips…

Angel stopped with gelato in her mouth as realizations donned on her.

And the waiters… The way they smiled… It…wasn't normal…

Angel hardened.

I need to confirm something.

She marched to the first people she saw which was lucky two women and three men. She stopped them all with her tight smile. "Excuse me. I have a question for you all," she told. "What currency do you use here? I'm afraid I may need to convert my money."

One of the women grew puzzled. "What? Why? You don't need money here."

A man backed her up. "I haven't had to pull out my wallet all day!"

"But do you have your wallet?" Angel pressed. "Maybe a Compact? Any keys, even to your hotel?" She watched as confusion rippled through the group. A smile lighted her face. "Sorry to bother you all. Have a nice night." With that, she made a beeline down the street with her mind working overtime.

No money, no IDs, no keys, no Compacts, creepy staff… Something's not right here. Why would people be okay with this? What's going on?

Angel scooped up more gelato.

I wish I knew more about this place and myself, but I don't know what else to do or what's going on. I need a—

"Mrrow…"

Angel was rudely brought out of her thoughts as her eyes were drawn to a cat sitting at the entrance to a very small and unloved side street. A fat thing with snow-white fur and crescent moons for eyes. It waved its tail in the air as it looked at her and meowed again.

Angel rolled her eyes. "A cat. Just what I needed."

"Mrrow," the cat responded, flicking an ear.

Angel darted out of the sidewalk to go to the entrance of the side street. She smoothed down her skirt as she got on her knees next to the cat. "All right, cat. Don't tell me you're part of the fantasy land too?"

The cat got up at that and darted further into the side street. Sitting down once again under a dying street lamp, it meowed at her.

Angel slowly rose. "Um… I'm not following some cat down a street," she decided. "I might not know who I am, but I know dangerous and doing that is dangerous."

Follow him.

Angel spooked herself and fell against a wall. A pout formed at the sight of dropped gelato. "Aw, seriously? And it was free too?" Her mind got to thinking as she looked into the crowd. "I could always get more…"

Follow him.

Angel whipped her head left and right with wide eyes. "Who said that?"

"Mrrow…"

Slowly, Angel's eyes turned to the cat who liked a paw to clean its ear. A shaky finger pointed at it. "Did you just…speak?"

The white cat finished cleaning itself before getting to its paws. It seemingly stared at Nashi through squinting eyes as its tail flicked. It looked behind, then looked back at her expectantly.

Angel cast a glance back to the streets seducing her. "Um…" She looked back at the cat. "I'm going to follow the cat now," she called out to no one in particular. She took a step into the side street.

Nothing.

"Mrrow…"

Angel looked down to see the white cat was winding around her legs with his head rubbing affectionately on her legs, purring uncontrollably. It padded forward after meowing at her again and Angel trailed after her, glancing surreptitiously over her shoulder as though waiting for someone to pop out. The side street really was barren and that made it all the more mistrusting. The stores were those older shops with records and toy trains and antiques and even fine Giltena shop, but no one but sewer rats paid it any mind.

Angel glanced at the cat padding in front of her. "So… Where exactly am I following you to? I mean, granted, I have no memory and all, I'd like to keep my remaining life intact."

The cat paused.

Angel stopped with it.

Then, it bounded away.

Angel's eyes widened. "Hey! Wait!" She raced after it. "Stop!"

The fat white tomcat led her in a goose chase as it fled down another side street. Angel panted after it and sprinted with all her might. How was this cat faster than her? When the cat turned a corner and she did as well, she found herself alone. The cat was gone.

Angel groaned. "Stupid Angel," she muttered as she slowly strolled forth. "This is what you get for following strange animals."

"Mrr…"

Angel furrowed her eyebrows. The talk took her front of a descending staircase. The cat was at the bottom, sitting right by the door like it was supposed to be. A cat door had been appropriately incorporated into the door's design.

She climbed down the steps with an exasperated sigh. "Okay. I followed you. Now what?"

The cat languidly went through its cat door.

…and left Angel stranded.

Angel frowned at the door. There was no handle, no knocker, no doorbell. She knew little, but she knew a door needed those things. "This is just stupid," she spat. She whirled around. "I'm finding Manny."

Wait.

Angel stilled.

Knock.

Angel slowly turned around. Hesitantly, she raised a fist to the door. After five rapid knocks, she pulled away and waited.

Nothing happened.

Angel scoffed. "Okay. Screw th—!"

The door cracked open and she screamed.

"Who is it?" came tired ask.

Angel smiled nervously. She could not see who was at the door, but she heard a male voice. "Um, right. Sorry. Your cat was acting weird and I followed it here to make sure it got home safe, so…" She spun on her heel. "I'll just be going—!"

"Wait a second."

Angel turned around as the door opened wider. She was astounded how breathtaking was he. Easily, he was older than her, but the turquoise of his hair and eyes were magnificent. Though, he did look oddly dressed.

"You look like you're going to the Met Gala." Angel paused. "Okay. So I know what the Met Gala is, but not my own name."

He peered at her closely as she backed away. "Hmm… I was told you were coming, but I didn't think you'd retain any prior irrelevant memories." He invited her into his home with open arms. "Come in, come in. I suppose you have some questions."

Angel was rightfully suspicious. "Look. You seem nice and pretty attractive for an older guy—definitely DILF status—but—"

Go with him.

Angel scrunched her face. "I am not going into the house of a random man I called a DILF," she snapped.

"You can hear him now?"

Angel looked at Turquoise Eyes with wide eyes. "You can hear him too?" With a quick glance around, she leaned and whispered, "Are we both crazy? Do you think we've been drugged?"

"I know asking you to trust me is a lot and you don't have any memories of your old life, but trust that voice you hear," Turquoise Eyes insisted. "It led you here to me for a reason. Don't you want to find out?"

Angel crossed her arms, unconvinced. "The only thing I want to find out is who I'm supposedly with," she bit. "And how did you even know about my memories?"

Turquoise Eyes' eyes widened. "You remembered something personal? What was it? I know this sounds crazy and you don't trust me, but please, I need to know what you remembered and where," he insisted when he saw Angel's distrust.

Angel sensed the importance and slackened her stance. "It was nothing really. I was in bed with a nice guy I met and he was sticking it in when I heard some other guy's voice calling my name." Her eyebrows furrowed. "Well, two guys. Two sets of blue eyes, but they were different. Maybe I'm in polygamous relationship?"

"And what did they call you?"

Angel regarded Turquoise Eyes with a flat stare. "One called me my new name 'Angel', the one with really blue eyes. The other one had light blue eyes and called me something like 'Mal'…something? It sounded more like a growl than something human."

"'Malã'ika'."

Angel snapped her fingers in recognition. "Yeah! He called me that! What does that mean anyway?"

Turquoise Eyes' stare darted around. "How about I tell you everything inside?"

Angel took a step back, partly rebellious and partly cautious. "I'm sorry, but I can't—"

Turquoise Eyes took a desperate step forward and hissed under his breath, "You've noticed by now some things in this place aren't normal. But, to maintain this sense of normalcy, there are eyes everywhere." He noticed the gleam of rats' eyes. "Even the rats are on his side." He looked back at Angel and extended his hand to her. "So. If we want to talk without being found out, we need to go inside."

Angel bit her lip. Okay, voice in my head, be my voice of reason. Do I do it?

Silence.

Then…

Yes.

Angel took Turquoise Eyes' hand with a warning look. "I don't know much, but I will kick ass and take names if you try to screw with me."

Turquoise Eyes merely smiled. "Of course." He led her inside.

Angel had to say she was impressed with the inside. It was nothing she had expected. It looked like a regaler sitting room, but she knew that was not the case. Cabinets and curios and hutches contained the finer things in life from figurines made of glass and gemstones to fine dishes and cups and bowls. The furniture had not aged a day even if they looked like they were brought from the Victorian Era. An old Grandfather clock kept time. On a table with a fresh centerpiece stood a dapper anthropomorphic cat in a suit and hat with a cane. Chimes were delicately hung, but without wind, they made no noise. Works of art were scattered around strategically. The paintings were mesmerizing, each by a different artist.

Angel found herself moving towards a surrealistic piece of art. It was split between black and white. On one hand, she saw a crying woman of white. On the other hand, she saw a man in black. "Beautiful," she breathed.

"I quite like that piece too."

Angel turned to see Turquoise Eyes going over to the checkout counter where the white tom waited. Turquoise Eyes petted the tomcat with a warm smile on his lips.

"What is this place?" Angel asked.

"An antique shop," Turquoise Eyes answered. "Throughout my travels, I've collected many things. I hope people will find this place and start collecting as well."

Angel snorted. "No offense, but everyone out there is interested in hitting the slots, food, drinks, or dancing." She looked around. "But this place is a hidden beauty." Her eyes went back to Turquoise Eyes. "So. Who are you?"

Turquoise Eyes hummed. "My name is Kyler. As for my last name, I don't have one. I officially go by 'Kyler Wilson' on any of my public documents." He tipped his head. "You asked me what 'Malã'ika' meant. It means 'Angel' in the tongue of Dark Ones or Demonic Rune."

Angel bobbed her head. "You mentioned you knew I didn't have any memories and you know something's not right here. You even mentioned the rats are on 'his' side. What does all that mean? Why do my memories or the voice I hear mean so much to you?" Hickory narrowed. "Am I in a psych unit? Are you a psychiatrist?"

Kyler chuckled. "I was told you were funny." He watched as the tomcat leaped down from the counter. "To answer all those questions, I need to know. Your memories… Do you want them back?"

Angel's eyes widened. "Well of course I do!" she snapped.

"Even if you have to relive the past?" Kyler challenged. "Even if you have to relive the horrors you once faced and still do?"

Angel crossed her arms. "Okay, while that doesn't sound fun, those are still my memories. So what if I went through traumatic crap? It's my life. I want to know who I am. I want to remember who I am."

Blue gazing at her.

Hickory softened. "I want to remember who that guy is," she added. "I want to know…if I ever had someone. If I even had a family, you know? And I can't know without my memories." She looked back at Kyler and felt self-conscious at the look he gave her. "What?"

Kyler's expression fell into gravity. "Nothing," he dismissed. "I hope you won't regret it."

"I won't." Of this, Angel was certain. "But…how are we going to get my memories back? From what I know, there's extensive cerebral therapy—"

"Do you believe in Magic?"

Angel blinked. "'Magic'." She did not sound sarcastic or doubtful, just…thoughtful. "I don't really know. Should I?"

Kyler took steps towards her. "In order for me to regain your memories, I need you to believe in miracles, in blessings—Magic."

Angel averted her stare as Kyler was only a step away. "I believe in you." She looked into his turquoise eyes. "And I want to know who I am."

Kyler nodded. He raised his hands, but when he saw her flinch, he stopped. "I won't hurt you." Tone smooth, warmth.

Angel closed her eyes and exhaled. "I know."

Kyler cupped Angel's temples by the gentlest touch of the pads of fingers. He closed his eyes. "It will help if you relax," he promised. Turquoise glowed from beneath his fingers and spread.

Angel tensed at the first touch of his power.

"Relax," Kyler hushed. "I can feel your apprehension. Relax, my Angel. Let me show you who you are."

Angel took a deep breath. Will this work?

There was no hesitation. Yes.

I believe you. Angel let out the breath she was holding.

The glow beneath Kyler's fingers turned into a shine.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A baby's cry piercing the air for the first time. The comfort of a warm presence, familial and warm and instinctually safe. Soft hands of motherhood to nurture. Calloused hands of fatherhood to protect. A giggle's birth.

"Nashi."

Two beings, one of light and one of flame. Their fire, their smiles, their first cries, and first breaths. Little hands grasping for safety, for comfort.

"Nashi."

The scent of friends, a mixture of brown and blue and black and red and white. An insignia of a fairy flapping in the wind against the odds.

"Nashi."

Another being of purity. First breath, first giggles, first embrace. A bond of something deeper than siblings—a sister's bond. Shared secrets and whispers and stories between them never to see the light of day.

"Nashi."

Unbearable pain and betrayal, bitter on the tongue and instantly thrown up. Blood staining legs and fleshing out what's not needed. The eyes of a deceiver and his men. Shame and anguish nestled deep inside a heart and will always stay.

"Nashi."

Curiosity. Another being, this one pure but with wings. Vibrant eyes and blood on his fingers. He lay dying, yet he looks like he will live. The hand reaching for her to give her new hope, a new power, a new responsibility.

"Nashi."

A second being, stronger with wings. His voice smooth and baritone. A teacher. A guide. The flames of justice do not consume but embrace and embolden.

"Nashi."

Blue eyes.

"Nashi."

Icy-blue-silver eyes.

"Nashi."

Passion filled with winter melting against summer. Freezing cold tinged in love. A spark. Rivalry first, camaraderie second, and care third. Pants of love, of anger's breath, of need. Undeniable craving to be held.

"Nashi… Nashi…"

A man and a beast with different minds and eyes, but their feelings as one.

"Nashi… Nashi!"

Icy-blue-silver mixed with cerulean.

"Angel/Malã'ika!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"—n you hear me? Are you awake? Can you hear me?" Worry in tone, there was no mistaking Kyler was in pain.

A scoff. "That grandma really cast a powerful one on her." A jeer, but empty. Too much to fret about.

She groaned when she felt herself regain some semblance of consciousness. "Nnngh…" Nausea rolled in her stomach and had no dam to keep it at bay. She felt herself being helped to her knees. Her face hovered. Without prompt, she wretched.

Gentle hands rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry," Kyler murmured. "Regaining memories takes more effort than to take them away. You'll be feeling disoriented and fatigued. I have ginger ale and ice water for you. You'll be feeling fragile—"

She wretched again.

A moan of disgust came from a distance. "For wing's sake, don't let her get anything on my towels!"

She shook as she coughed and spat into the toilet. A shaky hand reached up to flush her nausea away. Demented pants ran away from her. She tried to speak, but the gagging clogged her throat. She felt Kyler tipped her chin up as a cold glass hit her lips.

"Open," he commanded. "Swish and spit."

The second she opened her mouth, ice water stung the inside of her mouth. She would have gagged, but she forced herself to swish the water around her mouth before spitting it.

Kyler released her. "I know you may want to take a bath, but a warm shower should help you. We need to get your blood moving. I have new clothes waiting for you when you get out. Once you've dressed, Muta will guide you to the basement. We'll speak more then. I'll leave the ginger ale and water on the bathroom counter. Take little sips. Too much could make you throw it back up."

She heard him shuffle away and a door closed before she fell on her butt, away from the toilet. A moment of hesitation crossed her when bile threatened her and her stomach snarled, but it rolled away by her willing it to let her be. Teeth gritted, she pulled herself up. The counter was her only sense of balance, her dependence. She greedily reached for the ginger ale, but her sips were light and simple.

When she finished after a couple more sips, she set down the glass. Eyes roamed around. This bathroom was nice, comfy, suitable for a man living on his own. Towels had been left out and even feminine body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Surprising a man would house such things.

Eyes went to the shower. Her hands began to strip off her clothes, even if it pained her to stand on her own.

Cerulean as clear as the ocean.

Her shirt and bra went off.

Icy-blue-silver as cold as the tundra.

Her panties and skirt went next.

SHHHHHHHHH…

She stepped into the steaming hot shower and thrived under the spray. Eyes closed, she welcomed this burning heat. Droplets slid down over an insignia etched into her shoulder.

"Angel…"

She raised her chin and sighed.

°•°•°•°

The basement looked cozy, but that was because it was lived in. It was the place of a violin maker's workshop with a roaring fireplace as the only source of light. Molded blocks of violins-to-be were hung with care with a few violoncellos and even a full-grown base. A couple of violins were set with their bass bars and were waiting for their scrolls. Fingerboards lounged about on counters with cut pieces of different types of wood. Final products had been made but needed further testing. An upright piano was kept downstairs along with pedal harp, both kept clean and well-played.

Kyler had taken to putting on his schmock as he added the purfling to the channel of his incoming violin. A gramophone well-placed on its own table was entertaining the room with big band jazz.

CREAK.

Muta bounded down the steps, fluffy tail and all. "Mow," he meowed as he stalked over to Kyler.

Her steps down were slow and precise as though wanting to double-check she made them. The clothing was truly complimentary. The pants were loose but made of fine silk and embroidered in culture. The long-sleeve given kept her warm even if it looked otherwise.

Kyler did not stop in his work. "Forgive me if my clothes are a little loose. I've not had company in a while." He gestured to the stool near him have a seat.

She was silent. Rather than speak, she watched him work as she got comfortable on the stool. She watched him continue to whittle away.

"Mow…"

Surprise took over her when Muta the tomcat leaped gracefully onto the table. Even if he was chubbier, he had no issue being graceful. Finding a clear space, he tucked himself in and watched his master with sharp eyes.

Kyler spoke up again. "I need to know now. Can you tell me your name?"

Five beats.

"My name…is Nashi Layla Heartfilia-Dragneel."

"Good. Your age?"

"Seventeen."

"Birthday and birthplace."

"July seventh and Magnolia, Fiore."

Kyler kept working. "Family."

"My mama is Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel and my papa is Natsu Dragneel. I have two brothers Igneel and Luke and one sister Luna. And Happy is my papa's Exceed and like a brother."

"Are you affiliated with any guilds?"

"Yes. I am an A-Class Mage of the Fairy Tail Guild."

"And the Magic you perform?"

"I'm a Take-Over Mage: Divine Soul."

Kyler just about finished adding the purfling to the channel and blew away any chips lying about. He turned to face Nashi to see her eyes solely on her lap like something clearly bothered her. "And did you find out who that someone was?"

DRIP.

Nashi clenched her jaw.

DROP.

"Where am I?" she rasped. "Why did I forget myself? I… I cheated on him and I…!" She coughed her sob and covered her mouth to quiet her cries.

Kyler abandoned his work to get closer to her. His hands came around her as her shoulders shook and he offered her consoling embrace. "You lost yourself," he soothed. "The bonds you had with anyone had been cut, but your erasing went deeper. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Nashi pulled away slightly to wipe her eyes. "What's going on?" she cried. "Where am I? What happened to me?" She looked up.

Teary hickory clashed with grave turquoise.

"You have landed yourself in a sinful paradox that overlapped with my home Ketchum City in Bellum," Kyler broke to her. "But, unlike the people there, you aren't here because the sins of this place called to you. You are here because you are its last hope."

"Wait, wait, slow down," Nashi found herself whining. "Everything is going so fast. I'm in Ketchum of Bellum? I was just in Erika, Fiore."

"If ya quit whinin', maybe we'd get somewhere!"

Nashi looked thoroughly spooked and her eyes darted to the tomcat who glared at her. "You…" She pointed at it. "You…talk?!"

Muta sat back on his hind paws and began to lick his chest. "When I feel like it," was his dry answer.

Nashi felt her head spinning. "This…is not normal," she whispered.

Kyler offered the tomcat an unamused look. "Muta, we've discussed this. She's clearly unsettled by all this information. Please, just transform."

"'Transform'?" Nashi squawked. "Cats can't do Transformation Magic!"

"Transmutation," Muta correctly, something mischievous about his grin. "Let's see… What to transform into…"

He leaped off the counter and what happened astonished Nashi. His entire being swirled with aqua Magic shining off his entity. The being morphed into something far larger than expected and Nashi grabbed Kyler when a white lion was in their presence.

"Holy shit."

The white lion looked noble with scars telling of powerful battles gone wrong. It shook its head and Nashi saw its gray eyes taking delight in her fright. Within seconds, aqua Magic clung to the lion as its form shifted into a man. Nashi's jaw should have been unhinged when she saw the pale man before her. He looked chubby, yet the muscle was there. White hair was left to chance as cat ears stuck up, alert.

The man grinned. "Hello, fresh-meat."

As Nashi trembled, Kyler snapped, "Muta!"

The man rolled his eyes as his form shifted under the throes of his Magic. And it shifted into a form Nashi knew well…

"Wait," Nashi breathed. "Is he…?"

Magic burst off to reveal a white cat, but he was different than before. He had black kimono robes and whiskers on each side of his round face, but he looked like...

"An Exceed," Kyler confirmed for Nashi. "Yes. Muta is one of them."

Muta looked comfortable in his Exceed form and bowed to Nashi. "Nice ta meet ya, kit," he rumbled. "Finished complainin' yet?"

"How did you do that?" Nashi demanded. "How did you transform like that? I know Exceeds have a Battle Mode and a Human Form, but I've never seen that."

"Because my race is a bunch of slackers!" Muta snapped. "I'm part of the last era of Exceeds able to transfigure our bodies into the nine lives we were given. In my day, it was normal. But those forsaken elders hid away the secret from the youth and now look at us!"

"Easy, Muta," Kyler hushed. "We can have time to discuss that later. Right now, Nashi needs answers."

"Heck yes, I do!" Nashi rounded on Kyler. "What the Hell is happening to me? What did you do to me? And what…"—she looked at him through narrowed eyes—"are you?"

Kyler looked calm. "What do you sense?"

"I sense…good," Nashi admitted. "You're not a threat. Seraphim told me I can trust you because I sense you have some power that's like mine, but it's…different. It feels stronger, but it doesn't feel like Magic in a way."

Kyler got up from his chair and untied his schmock as he went to one of the hooks. "You'd be correct," he gathered. "I didn't return your memories to you through Magic. I returned it through one of my Blessings."

Nashi watched as Kyler hung up his schmock. "A blessing? You mean like a prayer?"

"In a way." Kyler sighed as he turned around. "It'll be easier if I show you."

Nashi swallowed and nodded. "Okay. I'm ready."

Kyler closed his eyes.

Nashi looked around when she sensed a shift in the air. Something was humming. Seraphim, do you feel that?

Watch, little one, Seraphim shushed. And wait.

Nashi looked back at Kyler to see turquoise glowing off his skin. He looked ethereal with such an aura of light and peace pouring from him and threading itself into the air. A disembodied wind ruffled clothes and Nashi's eyes widened as she watched pure white outlined in a turquoise burst from Kyler's back.

No way…

Wings. Pure, unadulterated wings had grown from Kyler's back. They looked just as pure as the wings Seraphim had gifted Nashi when she resonated with him. Turquoise outlined them and made them all the whiter and all the purer.

Kyler opened his eyes and amusedly watched as Nashi stumbled upon her first assumption. "You're an Angel," she whispered. "A real, live Angel."

"Something like that." Kyler dismissed his wings with ease. "The power I have come in Blessings or something people would call 'miracles'. To restore your memory, I used my Blessing to mentally restring the bonds between you and others in your life and rekindled your essence to your soul."

"My soul's connection to my essence?" Nashi shook her head. "Wait, wait, I'm lost again. What's going on? And start from the beginning."

Muta transcended back into his Cat Form to lounge on the counter. "For wing's sake, just spill the beans, kit," he grouched. "I'm sleepin'."

Kyler strode back to his stool. "Please sit, Nashi. What you're about to hear…it will be a lot to process."

Nashi nodded, pursing her lips. She sat on the seat and met Kyler's eyes head-on. "All right. Start talking."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi had a fist pressed against her forehead. "Okay, I'm understanding what you're saying," she promised, "it's just a lot to take in."

Kyler nodded. "Understandable."

"I get that I'm in this paradox." Nashi laid down a hand to show she did. "This place has been luring innocent people to do…something. Sin or whatever. In order to keep them trapped here, they lose their essence which means what again? That's not the soul—right?—it's part of the soul?"

"Yes," Kyler confirmed. "Think of it this way. While the soul is that spark to make the body and mind come to life, the essence is the part of the soul that animates how you are. Its what gives you your personality, your reactions, while the soul is simply the life force behind it."

"Okay. That part makes sense," Nashi admitted. "So, whoever created this paradox has the magical capabilities to cut the cord between essence and soul as well as any type of bonds between people which also makes sense."

"I wouldn't go as far as to say, 'cut'," Kyler quickly intervened. "At least, with their essence. Their essences remained untouched for the most part except for the loss of any types of strong bonds made with other people."

"Right, right, which makes sense why Manny knew who he was," Nashi added on. "But I'm missing some pieces. I don't understand, for one, why this paradox is in Ketchum City of Bellum of all places."

"That's my fault," Kyler confessed. "I had been alerted of this paradox and have been trying in vain to stop it single-handedly. To keep it rooted, my antique shop and my house are its attachment to Ketchum City. Should the paradox slip away, it may not resurface on Earth Land."

Nashi nodded. "Okay. I get that." Three beats. "Okay, I don't. Tell me something, Hawks"—a lean in, chin in hand—"I'm in Bellum, y'know, we've established that. And while I know Minstrish is well-spoken…everywhere, that doesn't explain…" She whirled her hands around them.

"You think foreigners would be havin' fun with a language barrier?" Muta shook his head.

"A spell's in a place called All-Tongue," Kyler explained with a look to Muta. "It's the one thing I don't want to break. Once we break this paradox—"

Muta laughed maniacally.

"—the mass confusion and panic are already too much for damage control," Kyler said without missing a beat. "As a hybrid, All-Tongue is natural for us. But for mortals, this will cause even more panic." A hand came to his temple. "I can feel the migraine coming." He swiveled to glare at Muta. "And your pessimism isn't exactly helping us."

"My pessimism is what covered our asses," Muta retorted. "We're about to look like a buncha jackasses—!"

"Um, hi, hello, how are ya?" Nashi waved to gather their attention. "Yeah, um, so back to me. One. About the hybrid thing, that's kinda new territory. As in very new. As in I know shit about being one, so let's table that. Two. This all sounds well and dandy for us to kick ass and take names, but I'm confused where exactly I come into play and why. I mean"—she laughed a little hysterically—"y'all took my memories away and you want me to trust you indefinitely?"

Kyler looked patient even if he was being interrogated. "Your essence was not stripped from you, but in order to bring you here without raising alarms, we took—"

"Hold on. Who's 'we'?" Nashi interrupted.

"As of late, I finally found an ally," Kyler said with a smile. "While Muta and I were searching for any clues on how to free these people, I met another person who was aware of their predicament. Together, she and I reached out to a person similar to me."

Realization kicked her in the face. "You mean…me?"

"Your Magic is a Lost Magic," Kyler started. "While there are beings like me—although rare—their presence here would erase all the continuous work I've been doing to keep myself, Muta, and my friend from being outed. This will sound horrible, but while we needed a being similar to me, we needed someone with a manipulable mind."

Nashi raised an eyebrow with a flat look on her face. "I'm highly offended, but I am doing everything I can not to freak out on you because I know this situation is dire and Gary wouldn't—" Her eyes widened.

Cerulean.

Icy-blue-silver.

"Gary," Nashi breathed. "Oh, my God, we… His Devil and I…" A warm hand covered her own and her stare snapped up to Kyler.

"Allow me to explain," Kyler pleaded. Earning Nashi's go-ahead nod, he continued: "Finding you was a blessing in disguise, Nashi. We were going to wait until nightfall when you fell asleep so I could come to you in a dream, but then…" Outrage fell onto his face. "Lynn showed up."

Nashi rubbed her eye. "Who's she?"

"You wouldn't remember her because she placed you under a spell," Kyler told her. "While Gary Fullbuster is a target himself, its his Devil that's sought after. A Devil on Earth Land is rare considering many were exterminated and his Devil's Curse is a strong one with a strong influence. It impressed me to learn you not only were near a Devil, but the Devil and you were taken with each other." He smiled at Nashi's blush.

"No need to sugarcoat it," Muta grumbled. "Yāli Christ, I can smell the last time you and the human had sex and you can see it too."

"What?!"

Kyler held up a hand to calm a frantic Nashi as she tried to cover herself. "Wait, wait! It's natural! When two beings are intimate in that way, an impression is left behind. How frequent you're intimate, the longer the impression. It's really a natural thing!" A glower toward the Exceed. "Right, Muta?"

Muta shrugged. "Sure, why not."

"You are so unhelpful," Kyler growled. To Nashi, he was friendlier, softer. "I'm sorry for your embarrassment. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Nashi still fidgeted. "You didn't, like…see anything happen, did you?"

"What? No…!" Kyler laughed at that. "No, that's highly inappropriate. You're not a lab experiment, Nashi. It's the same as if two mortals have sex. No one watches that."

"Except for porn, sex clubs, if you're kinky enough…" Muta whispered loudly to Nashi, "I think we all know who has that."

Nashi blinked owlishly. "I did not need to know that. Wait." She peered at Kyler closer. "Angels can have sex? That's a thing? Isn't that a sin?"

Frustration made Kyler shut his eyes. "Anyways—"

"Semantics," Muta dismissed. "He's a hybrid anyways, so he can still get it on without having to have a confessional. Oh, Holy Father, forgive me for licking—"

"Anyways!" Kyler snapped. A loud breath left him to force him into relaxing. "Nashi. I should've seen what happened coming and I'm sorry for such an oversight."

Nashi blinked several times before shaking her head. "So sorry. I'm trying to move past the kinky thing. So you're sorry? Why? What happened again?"

"Lynn," Kyler sighed. "Lynn is an entity in this paradox with a connection to the thing that created it. She's a Cursed Child, a Cambion, my counterpart in every way. As you noticed, Demons have had an odd fascination for your Devil. It is because to have a Devil as a consort would breed gifted spawns with unique Curses. A born Devil is even rarer than a made one. Your Devil was born into this world. He's wanted by many Dark Ones—"

"To become a breeding machine," Nashi hissed. "That's disgusting! He would never do that or take that lying down!"

"Agreed," Kyler piped up. "Which is uncommon. Your Devil has irrevocably chosen you not as a consort but as a mate, a permanent partner. Dark Ones don't normally take mates and, if they so choose to, it's nothing monogamous. I'm impressed a Devil of such high caliber only wants you and no one else but you."

"Which means," Muta cut in, "either you have a glowing personality he can't get enough of or you have a golden p—"

Kyler made a neck-slitting gesture as he cleared his throat. He pointed viciously to Nashi who had flashed her eyes down to smile and made an X with his arms. Muta rolled his eyes before focusing on Nashi. "Smiling while crotch staring is weird, kit."

Nashi coughed to snap out of it. "Okay, so… Where do we fit into your plan? Lynn and the Devil and you finding me…"

"Lynn ruined the plan to approach you," Kyler stated, "and I should've seen it. You took that mission in Erika Town's valley, away from any noticeable civilization, and your Devil was, for the most part, unrestricted. It would take a fool not to seize the opportunity to get a Devil like that on their side and Lynn was the first to jump at the chance. But there was a roadblock."

Nashi got the hint. "Me."

Kyler nodded. "You. Lynn essentially trapped him. She unblocked your lust and made it cloud your mind, something she knew would drive your Devil crazy. She brought another Devil with her to threaten him."

"A Devil?" Nashi furrowed her eyebrows. "I thought you said they were rare?"

"They are—on Earth Land anyways," Kyler assured. "Which is why we're all are confused at his appearance. We only know his name 'Pazuzu' but we don't know who named him or where he came from."

"'Named him'?"

"A creature's name gives them strength," Kyler educated. "It stuns me how powerful your Devil is considering he's nameless."

Nashi tucked the information for later. "Okay. Go back to the original story, please."

"Yes. To trap him even further, Lynn kidnapped both your friend Aine Fernandes and Lance Dreyar. Don't worry," Kyler added in soothe. "Muta has been my agent and kept tabs on them." At Nashi's relieved sigh, he went on: "As for Gary and his Devil, we're uncertain where Lynn has kept him. This paradox has many more layers than you would think. I have a few ideas at the moment, but only theories."

Nashi nodded. "Okay. So, about my friends… Where are they?"

Muta answered this one and lazily so. "Both of them are at the Lucky Duck Casino."

"The rich place?" Nashi shook her head. "But why?"

"Why else?" Muta yawned and flawlessly shifted back into his Human Form to sit on the counter. "Lynn and whoever is runnin' the show need to keep their hostages in sight. Keeping the two of them at the casino—the center point of this paradox—gets the job done."

Nashi nodded slowly. "I'm processing this, but this is all making sense and I know you're not lying to me," she promised them. "But, to have a plan, you must have some idea who is running the casino."

Muta and Kyler shared a long look.

Kyler sighed. "We believe a Demon is behind this."

Nashi blinked. "Okay, well, that makes sense," she agreed. She laughed at the surprise on their faces. "What? I've faced two Demons by now and a bunch of their familiars and Warlocks and lackeys, so I'm not about to gasp and go 'Oh Lord, a Demon, how dare thee!'. Sorry, not sorry."

"Hmm," Muta grunted, though he sounded impressed.

Kyler's respect for her increased. "Then, if I may, I'd like to make an official request of the Fairy Tail Guild, but I want it tailored only to the Angel of Fairy Tail, Nashi Dragneel."

Nashi lifted her chin all high and mighty. "And what would that be?"

"I request assistance in returning these good people," Kyler asked. "I request for this paradox to be banished and help returning the lost back to their homes."

Nashi stuck out her hand and her smile widened when Kyler took it. "Nashi Dragneel at your service," she assured. "I'll take the request. Now, what do we do?"

Muta got off the counter. "We can start with recon," he decided. "We're going to need to get into that casino. It's the center point of this paradox meaning it has access not only to the maker of this Hell, but to the maker's lair."

Nashi dropped Kyler's hand. "Got it. Sneak into the joint. Find evil lair. But how are we going to get there?"

"With you," Kyler told her. "You and Muta, of course. Sneaking you in will be tricky now that you have your memories, but we can work around it."

Nashi inhaled and exhaled through her nose. "Okay, boys." She grinned. "I have two friends, thousands of people, and a monogamous Devil to save. So let's get to work." A pause. "First order of business: we need a team name."

---

Luna and Coco got comfortable in the lounge area with drinks and wrappers between them and music blasting through a speaker. Luna had changed back into her normal clothes as she leafed through picture after picture of her in new styles, choosing which one she wanted in the album to share with Ena and Gale.

"This was so much fun, Miss Coco!" Luna beamed.

Coco beamed back. "I am 'appy you liked eet so much! I 'ave not 'ad seese much fun in Frione in a long time! Monsieur Gale eez lucky to 'ave such a beautiful blonde!"

Luna smiled, a bit perplexed at that last word. "I think I'm lucky to have him." She looked at the clothes she had carefully picked out to keep and her smile twisted into a frown. "I know he's paying, but do you think I could—?"

"Nan, ma bella, none of sat," Coco admonished. "Monsieur Gale and Julianna have taken care of all expensees." She patted Luna's cheek lovingly before returning to her work.

Luna looked at the closed door. "Gale's been gone a long time," she supposed. Maybe I should go look for him…

Luna set down her Compact as she got to her feet. "Coco, I'll be right back. I'm going to go check on Gale."

Coco waved as Luna jogged away. "Ouè! Be careful, ma belle! See you, um…yesterday, you say!"

Luna chuckled at Coco's misuse as she came out of House of Vionnet. The floor had grown more crowded with it being officially Friday night and she never noticed. She was careful weaving between people as she scouted for Gale's familiar build and mop of black hair.

Where could he be? I thought he just had to take a call. Did he leave me here?

Luna's frown increased when all she saw were strangers. She broke free of the stream of shoppers when she came upon the railing of the floor gap letting others see the floor below. She searched and searched, but she saw no sign of him.

Where is he? Please don't tell me he ditched me…

As if her words were Magic, she finally caught sight of Gale. She perked when she saw him on the other side, leaning against a wall to another section of the floor. "Gale!" she waved for him and moved towards him. "Ga—…!"

She stopped.

She understood why he was leaning against the wall.

She saw him propped up as he laughed next to India and her group of friends. Gale had his arms crossed as he and a guy a little taller than him exchanged words, but India leaned against Gale with a grip on his arm, grinning with one of her female friends.

Gale?

Luna stumbled back. Someone bumped into her as she turned away and let the sea of people carry her off. Cold. She felt cold now. Her hands rubbed up and down her arms as she processed. So…he did ditch me… If he wanted to hang out with her so badly, why even invite me? I'm the obvious third wheel. She sniffled. Whatever. I… I don't need him!

And she bolted.

Tears ruined her cheeks as she darted through the crowd. She needed to put as much distance as possible between her and them. She needed to go. I was so stupid. Of course he wouldn't take me to the mall to spend time with me. He took me as a convenient way to shut me up and see India. I'm so stupid!

DRIP.

A tear dripped off her chin.

DROP.

Her lips parted. "I just…" She sniffled. "I just…"

THUD.

Luna stumbled back when she hit someone's back. Ringing buzzed in her ears and she shook her head to get rid of this dizziness she was feeling. Muffled voices filled her ears as her knees buckled. Warm hands helped her as she nearly fell to the ground. Everything was so blurry. Everything was so…

…white.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She was standing on the edge of a forest. The forest was as long as it was wide. There were gashes in the forest as if the forest itself had been scratched and scarred, but foliage covered it. Her eyes were not drawn to the beauty of the forest. She was drawn to the black Magic she witnessed and a path of broken-down trees in the forest.

The vision shifted and she was inside the forest. However, this forest was not the peaceful forest she had seen before where the animals pranced around the sky dutifully watched over the land. Magic was licking the trees and embracing them in an unwanted embrace. Some trees had fainted; others had been killed. Grass was burnt and stepped on cruelly. Smoke choked the air. Her eyes were not on the strange-looking people dressed in black and grey and light brown rags with absurd hairstyles and piercings and ink on their skin. Her gaze was on the objects they surrounded with their weapons of swords and arrows pointed at their targets.

It was the Dragon.

It was snarling at them viciously, tail thumping and claws digging in the earth as a sign of deathly determination. Its red eyes were fierce with bloodlust and protectiveness. It snapped its teeth at one person who ventured too close. She got closer to see the Dragon protecting something near its stomach. Her eyes widened.

'It's her! The girl from before!'

The girl was bruised and battered with blood seeping from her cuts and scrapes. The girl was unconscious and in torn clothing with her blonde hair limply around her. The Dragon pressed the girl closer to its stomach and glanced down at her in concern. A high-pitched growl—a whine, she realized belatedly—came from its throat as it nudged the girl. The girl was unresponsive.

'She's dying… She'll die if she doesn't get any help…'

The Dragon snapped its glower back onto the people surrounding it with taunts on their tongues and weapons in their hands. The Dragon opened its jaws and let out a fearsome roar with black energy spewing from its maw. The people screamed in horror and tried to run as the black energy came hurled at them in a jet stream, consuming them and their cries. The others who realized the Dragon's attack took up attacking the dragon, running toward it with a battle cry that sounded like a kitten's mewl in comparison to the Dragon's roar. The Dragon swiftly clutched the girl in its talons and expanded its wings. With a mighty flap, the dragon took off, its scales repelling the arrows coming at it.

The Dragon angled its head down and released another powerful breath attack. She watched as the black energy washed over the area like a wave. A wave full of darkness and death. The people screamed and some braced themselves as their deaths became eminent. She could only watch idly as the black wave came towards her. She welcomed her fate. She was prepared for it.

The vision shifted.

The forest was gone, but nature was still in the picture. She was in the middle of a tall grass field and the night sky had replaced the day. The constellations were ones she could not recognize for the life of her. The stars crowded the sky like an audience waiting for the celebrity to take the stage. The night did not stay that way for long. In a rush, the day came once more and the stars were gone. She was still standing in the fields, looking up at the sky. It felt as if the day had come in a blink of an eye. She blinked again and the night was there. She blinked again and the day had come. She blinked ten more times and each time if switched between night and day, night and day. It was strange how easy the transition from moon to sun came, but it came with one blink. She blinked again to see if the night would come on the next rotation.

But there was no night.

There was no day.

Half the sky was covered in darkness and dotted in stars. The other half was covered in a light blue with puffy clouds. Shadows were on one side while gleaming reflections were on another. Her eyes could not believe it. The balance was in a stalemate. Neither budged. Neither tried to cover the other. The moon was on one side and the sun was on another.

However, the stalemate was ending.

The light was trying to overrule the darkness.

She watched as the sun pushed forward into the night with his army of clouds beside him. The moon was being shoved back inch by inch and even her faithful stars could not help her. The moon tried to fight against the light, but she noticed with each step back the moon took, its light was dimming. The moon was dying. The sun, on the other hand, was growing in strength in brilliance. But this brilliance was not light. The sun was turning blacker and blacker, cloaking itself in its own shadows. As it stole more darkness, it grew more in darkness.

The moon dying.

The sun darkening.

There was a scream of pain, of agony, of sadness. There was a roar of anger, of hatred, of despise.

The sun finally turned pitch black with red glowing in cracks.

The moon finally died.

The stars were chained into a sky that was no blue, but a stormy gray. The stars had a new master now.

A gut-wrench sob overlapped with a blood-curling roar.

The scene shattered.

She fell and fell and fell as the roar distanced itself from her. She thought she would fall. And yet, she never fell. She was just…existing. She was existing in a space between space with no way in or out. Darkness might have been her backdrop, but she had plenty of light. Red. Red thread trapped her like a security system waiting to be triggered. And yet… She did not feel captured. She felt like she was existing. The threads went up, down, left, right, diagonal, and some intersected and continued on with no real ending she could see. Not all of them glowed sanguinely, however. Very rarely did she see an ethereal golden glow. Blues and greens and whites and some black had shown up more. Even the red thread themselves varied in boldness. Some were fading as the thread frayed. Others were strong and ready for decades' worth of wear and tear.

She let herself step to a bold red thread. She lifted a crooked finger to pluck the stri—

"Not that thread."

The focus turned.

A woman was at the center of this thread universe with a sensual qipao and a starfish attached to the side of her lengthy hair. Beneath her, a universe was born and it looked like she was nurturing it with a spool of thread. Magic. It had to be Magic. Right?

"You don't want that one," the woman assured her without a glance. "That one's no fine."

She opened her mouth, but not a sound could come out. She tried to feel panic, but even that would not show.

"You're not completely in this dimension quite yet, Star Child," came tsk. "It'll be some time until you have a full conscious to speak. This is and isn't the Spirit Realm." She shifted her head a little, but she would not show her face. "You need to return this portion of you back to your body. Your friend is getting worried." She straightened. "Wake up."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"—ing up!" came excited whisper. "She's coming to!"

Luna shut her eyes even tighter as a groan rumbled from her throat.

"Get her some water, Carlisle!" came command. "And something sugary!"

"Yeah! On it!"

Footsteps faded away with a sense of purpose.

"Ace," came worried hiss. A warm hand brushed away Luna's hair from her face.

Darkness. Nothing. Endless shadows.

Strings of red with the right glance shot out at every direction, every which way. They had no beginning, no end. Some strong, some fading, some near-dead.

"Come on. Wake up for me. Ace, please."

Luna found the voice soothing and tried to crack open her eyes. Her throat felt parched like she never drank a day in her life and her limbs were waking up, but she needed to rise and rise she did. Eyes widened and focused on a face etched in familiarity.

"Bleu?" Luna guessed (more like coughed).

Footsteps flooded back. "Here. I got water and Herseey's."

Bleu took the water and popped off the cap. He helped Luna sit up enough for her to drink. Watching her, he explained, "It's me. You really had us worried, Luna. You looked pale and shaky like you were having a panic attack and then you fainted."

Luna pulled back the water bottle. "I fainted?" Something niggled at her mind and she felt someone else's worry pour into her mind. Icarus?

Luna, Icarus sounded, relieved. You're okay. I was worried when I felt our connection drop.

Sorry, Icarus, Luna apologized. I didn't even realize I was fainting. One second, I was running, and then next, I was dreaming… That piece of information stunned her. The dream… The Dragon… Those strings… I'm remembering now…

"Ace?"

Luna blinked and refocused her stare on Bleu. A gentle smile forged on her lips. "Thanks for taking care of me," she appreciated softly. "I didn't mean to faint."

Bleu shook his head. "I'm glad we could help." He gestured to the boy beside him. "Carlisle, this is Luna Dragneel. Luna, this is my cousin, Carlisle."

Carlisle was one of those pretty boys with pink lips, freckles centered around his nose, angular eyes, and thick eyelashes. The sea green irises could really capture a person. He flashed her a smile with the same canines Bleu had and in the same charming way. "Hi. I feel like we've met before…?"

Luna had to agree. "Yeah… Your eyes look familiar…"

Carlisle offered a square of chocolate. "Here. Some sugar usually helps after fainting. Gets you some quick ATP." As Luna took the square and munched on it, Carlisle had a chance to rib on his cousin. "Bleu mentioned something about his Ace, but he refused to tell me a thing about your real name and now I get why. I could Boogle you up and see how beautiful you are."

"Didn't you just break up with your boyfriend?" Bleu muttered, annoyed. "Isn't that why we're here? I thought retail shopping was your Magic Cure for a broken heart?"

Carlisle grinned like a teasing child. "Zack was distant and dumped me over text—I did enough grieving. And, yeah, shopping does cure a broken heart, but so do pretty girls." He winked at Luna.

Stun smashed Luna's face. "So… Are you…?"

"Pan," Carlisle answered for her quite proudly. "Not the same as bi, by the way. See what I did there?"

Bleu scoffed when he caught the confusion on Luna's face. "Just say 'queer' for Satan sakes. We don't need the whole lecture on pan versus bi." Eyes softened as they turned back to Luna. "Think you can stand?"

Luna swallowed and nodded. "Mmm-hmm." Bleu helped her to her feet and she latched onto him when she wobbled. "Thank you—both of you—for the help. I needed it." She looked around. Bleu and Carlisle had hauled her off to a hallway for the public bathrooms and lockers.

"You looked pretty upset when you crashed into us," Carlisle pointed out. "Everything okay?"

Luna remembered why she was upset and that made her even more upset. "A close friend of mine ditched me," she explained. "I should've known it was coming, but I got played in the end."

Bleu searched Luna's face. "Do you want me to take you home?"

"Take her home?" Carlisle snorted at the mere suggestion. "Oh hell no…! Her friend gets to have all the fun while my sweet Rapunzel gets to sit with her cats at home?" He swept himself to Luna's side. "That's not gonna fly. You're with us, dearie."

Luna looked over at Bleu for assistance as she said, "I wouldn't want to interrupt—"

"Bitch, please, you are just the thing we needed!" Carlisle promised.

Luna's eye twitched. "'Thing'?"

Carlisle grabbed her shoulders with a grin on his face the size of Ishgar. "Look, BB, you're upset. You're hurt. You're alone. But, if your 'friend' gets to have fun, shouldn't you? Get p-e-to the-t-t-y. Embrace your petty. Make them see you don't need them to have a good time."

Luna rubbed her arm. "Well…" Her smile was small. "My older sister did tell me to not play to get even but to get petty…"

Carlisle turned to his cousin with a melodramatic pout. "Bleu…?" he pleaded. "C'mon…! We're both heartbroken and alone and really cute and—!"

"Fine," Blue sighed out with an annoyed glower pointed at Carlisle. "Freaking fine."

Carlisle whooped as Luna chuckled. "Heck yes! Time to get petty, ladies!" He gathered his bags as he ranted about his five-part plan of pettiness that allegedly always got the results needed.

Luna shuffled to Bleu's side. "He's really lively."

Bleu shot her an unamused look, even if his eyes sparkled at seeing her. "Only…a lot. He may not look it, but his break-up hurt him. I was going to call you after work about hanging out, but I couldn't stand seeing him mope around."

Luna dismissively shook her head. "I understand. I'd do the same thing."

Bleu eyed her from the corner of his eyes. "Yeah, but at least me bringing him here gives me an opportunity."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

A lucid nod. "Mmm-hmm…" A stretched-out hum, teasing, expecting. "I get to spend time with my winning Ace."

Cheeks flushed and smile giddy, Luna bumped his shoulder as she passed him. "Mama warned me about boys like you," she lightheartedly jested. "A charmer."

Bleu easily matched her stride. "There's a difference between a charmer and being charming."

"Oh, I know—Charmer." With a giggle, Luna raced to catch up with Carlisle.

Bleu playfully growled after her and snatched her hand, outpacing her. "Thou insults my good name, heartless beauty," he teased. His fingers intertwined with hers and he gauged her reaction as her eyes went straight to their joint hands and her cheeks turned red. "You okay?" he asked, bypassing the real question.

Was this okay?

Chocolate averted for two beats. Then, a slow smile formed on her lips. "I'll let you get away with it this time," Luna supposed, trying to keep her cool. "Next time, I expect food first."

Bleu's eyebrows rose comically. "I have to buy you food if I want to hold your hand?"

Luna nodded unapologetically. "Food is my weakness. As long as you feed me, you can do what you like."

Bleu grinned at that and tugged Luna along. "Well, then, what are we waiting for? I'm taking you to the food court for a whole buffet if it means I get at least a kiss on the cheek at the end of this night!"

And Luna could only laugh as she followed Bleu and Carlisle.

---

Kyler's room was comfortable and looked similar to a Fioren bedroom. The bed was not too springy, but it was too big for one person. Nashi finished putting on her new dress. It was a seductive navy blue that still left plenty to the imagination. She liked the flowing long sleeves and the bare back she sported. Her hair had been done up with a clamp, simple yet elegant.

Nashi smoothed her dress down. Aine would love this. The thought made her depressed. Aine, Lance… I'll get you out of here. I'll get everyone out of here. And Gary… Her mind flashed to those sets of eyes. I won't let you down. I'll save you. I promise. Her mind flashed to Manny, to their stolen kisses, to their moans and his lips on her neck. Her bottom lip trembled. I have to tell him. All of it, even with Galileo. But, how can I? He'll hate me.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

"It's Kyler. Are you dressed? May I enter?"

Nashi sniffled and quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm decent. Come on in."

Kyler slipped in, still in his work clothes. He scanned her once. "You look beautiful." The way he said it reminded Nashi of Luke. "I'm happy the dress fits on you. An old friend used to wear that."

Nashi noticed something in Kyler change after mentioning that. "Just an old friend?" she asked gently.

"Yes. An old friend." Kyler looked at Nashi closely. "Are you okay? You look like you're about to cry. If this is too much for you—"

"No, no, it isn't," Nashi rushed to assure. "No, it's not the mission itself. It's just…" She let out a big exhale. "God, I feel so disgusted with myself. I nearly had sex with another guy. How could I do that to them?"

"I take responsibility," Kyler told her. "We were forced to remove all bonds and memories to ensure our selfish motives worked and for that, I apologize." He saw Nashi's eyes water and closed the distance to hug her. "Star Angel, don't cry," he whispered. "You're not at fault even if you feel guilty."

"They love me and I do this to them," Nashi wept. "They'll hate me after I tell them."

"Gary will be distressed," Kyler admitted. "Human reactions remain unpredictable. The Devil, however, will not hate you." He pulled away, but he kept his hands on her biceps. "Your Devil has made it clear he intends to take you as his other half, something rare for a Dark One. He's a negative being which means he views things different, even with a human influencing him. He'll view it as his fault and my fault. He won't blame you. Instead, he'll have a need to kill Manny and me."

"But that doesn't make any sense," Nashi muttered. "It's my fault—!"

"Peace."

Nashi felt the anxiety welling up inside her calm to barely there and manageable. "Did you just magick me?" she accused.

Kyler's smile was sheepish. "It's my influence. I have the ability to help keep people calm in stressful situations. I used it earlier during our explanations. While you were naturally calm, I made sure any spikes that could make you panic were squashed."

"Which is why I'm not freaking out that you did that," Nashi assumed. "I understand why you did it, but I'm not happy about it."

"Fair enough," Kyler conceded. "I do have a question." At Nashi's hum, he asked, "You refer to Gary and the Devil as them?"

Nashi nodded. "I understand that Gary is his Devil and his Devil is Gary. But they have different minds and emotions and powers. But I still say, 'him' a lot—"

"Which one do you find more dominant?" Kyler further elaborated at Nash's puzzlement, "In a body that shares two entities, while possible for a perfect balance to be achieved, it's more likely one has more dominance over the other."

Nashi thought on that, then said slowly, "Honestly? I think the Devil is more in control than Gary, but he knows what would happen if he showed himself more often."

"So, then, which one do you love?"

Nashi could have passed out from how red she turned. "Wh-Who said anything about 'love'?!" she practically squeaked.

Kyler chuckled at her reaction. "It's not often a partner loves one side, but they hate or have no interest for the other, but it does happen."

Nashi cleared her throat to settle her nerves, but she twisted a lock of loose hair with a finger. "I care about them both. It took me a little bit with the Devil, though. He was perverted, but I really think Gary influenced him. He's still like a wild animal, but he's sweet"—perhaps she did not notice her eyes softened when she spoke about him—"and gentle when he wants to be. Gary's always been sweet and kind, even when he's an idiot perverted dog with no boundaries. But I care about them both anyways. They would risk everything for me and I'd do the same. I…" She noticed Kyler's look and her cheeks heated. "I'll stop talking now."

Kyler snapped out of his daze. "No, I don't want you to think I was drifting off. I'm just fascinated. Interspecies relationships have always fascinated me. Your parents' coupling was the talk of the century."

"Yes, my parents had sex and they remind us we are miracle children and my papa makes it clear how their dates end, but I don't need to hear any more," Nashi deadpanned.

Kyler chuckled. "The fondness you speak of both human and Devil is refreshing. I'm glad they both treat you right."

Nashi frowned. "Why do you say it like that?"

"In a body with two separate entities living inside it like the Lycan Race—werewolves or wolf chimeras or Sirius—or even beings like your father, sometimes, one existence will refuse to cooperate with the other in terms of romantic partners," Kyler told her. "In my lifetime, I've done only a few studies. In most cases, once the more dominant existence chooses a romantic partner, it's guaranteed for the relationship to work out longterm. But there are some cases where both entities will want different creatures."

"Wow…" Nashi took that in. "I never knew…"

"You wouldn't. In the era of Earth Land now, creatures like that are waning from this plane of existence," Kyler explained. "As the world adapts, some creatures simply can't."

Nashi hummed thoughtfully. "How long have you been alive?"

Kyler laughed.

Nashi scowled. "I wasn't being funny," she grumbled.

Kyler tried to sober up, but he kept grinning. "I'm sorry. It's just a funny question to me since I've never been asked that. Let's put it this way. I've been alive long enough to watch the first fall of Covens."

Nashi's eyes comically widened. "Shit! That long? Jesus! I mean like I respect my elders and everything, but damn! You're so old! And you aged so well!"

"Thank you." Kyler meant it. "I mean it comes with the territory…"

"So with your raging good looks and your apparent kinky side—"

"If you're going to ask me about my sex life, it's nonexistent," Kyler muttered. "Don't listen to Muta. He spent some time on Anael back in the day, so he thinks he knows better."

Nashi laughed behind her hand. "So Hawks is a thirty-year-old virgin, is he?"

"I keep forgetting thirty to you is like seven millennia to me," Kyler simpered. "For your information, I lost my virginity. And no confessional was needed so don't even ask me that. While Angel blood is in me, I'm not fully Angel. Many rules the Angels follow seldom apply to my kind."

"Tea," Nashi agreed. "But if Angels have to be celibate, then how were you…?" A wince befell her. "Wait, that was bad of me to ask a personal question."

"No, really, it's okay," Kyler assured. "My mother did sin to be with my father. Angels always have that choice. Their Creator, the Presence, the Universe—whatever you believe in—doesn't make them follow Their rules and They don't damn them to Hell like mortals read about. Not every Angel cast out of the good place lands straight to Hell or turns into a Fallen and instantly DMs Lucifer about a job offer. There are other options." His smile tinged with despair. "But they still come with a price."

For this, Nashi did not know the right words. "Your mother would be proud to see what you're doing now," she offered.

Kyler's shoulders sagged. "I'd like to think so. I'm not the pure spirit she wanted me to be. I've done my fair share of bad over the galaxy."

"So then what brought you to Earth Land?" Nashi questioned. "Are you even human?"

Kyler closed his eyes. "I originally didn't come to Earth Land for this. Whether you like it or not, the Universe is a massive expanse. Demons aren't a terrarian-only thing. The surge of dark energy was a red flag thirty years ago. But, unlike your planet, some planets don't have Magic or Mages. Finding out about the paradox was by accident but staying here is my choice." He got to his feet.

"But," Nashi tried to stop, "my question…?"

"Muta's doing a run for me, so you can just sit tight. Once he's back, we'll run through the entire plan again."

"Wait!"

Kyler stopped himself from leaving. "Your questions… They aren't easy to answer, Nashi."

Nashi looked at the dress for something to say. "Whoever your old friend was…she had a beautiful sense of style. Blue must've been her color."

Kyler's smile was something akin to pained and loving at the same time. "Her style was timeless to me," he admitted. "And she would disagree. She always thought that navy wasn't her color."

"Then what was?" Nashi pried.

Kyler hesitated. "She always told me she loved turquoise," he said quietly. "Because she liked matching my eyes."

Nashi softened. "Kyler, I—"

"Excuse me for a moment. I'll let you get finished."

Nashi plopped onto the bed as Kyler fled out the door and shut it for her. "Great job, Nashi, for prying about shit you shouldn't get into," she muttered.

Maybe she died and that's why he's sensitive. If he's been living that long… God, I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have pried. I mean if they died, I…

Her eyes hardened.

No. I can't think like that. I will find them. I will bring them back to me—all of them.

She should not have done it, but she did anyway. Her eyes glowed into pink as she called upon the power of her souls.

Gary… Devil… Where are you?

°•°•°•°

In the shadows of a lonely prison cell where a Devil roared and raged, his ears twitched and he went quiet. Something within him stirred and he felt something familiar. Something he wanted to possess. Something…light.

A fanged smirk as frost puffed. "Malã'ika… I've found you…"

Icy-blue-silver sharpened.

"I will come for you, Malã'ika," came breathless promise in huffs of winter.

The Devil's fists tightened in his chains.

"I swear to you, I will…"—the Devil's grin broadened, full of teeth—"and I will kill anyone who stands between us."

---

Kotoba ja umaku ienai omoi wo

Kimi ni uchiakeru to shitara nante

Tsutaeyou?

Saisho de saigo

•

Itsuka issho ni kaetta michi wa

Watashi ni totte tokubetsu na omoide

Wasurenai yo

sayonara memoriizu

•

haru ga kitara sorezore no michi wo

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

The Devil won't give up until his Angel is back in his arms and new romance is blossoming everywhere! To see how the jealousy of it all is handled, find out on the next Fairy Adventure!

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Chibi-Luke is the teacher for the day. "Good day, class. Since my sister went on a small trip, I'm the sub for today and I have my lesson already prepared." He goes to the board and writes the following:

TRANSPORTATION

He taps his chalk on the word. "Today, we're going to talk about the type of transportation both Mages and Spiritless can take," he informs. He ignores the groans. "Can anybody tell me an all-around method for moving?"

A hand goes up. "The train?"

"Yes." Chibi-Luke writes that and makes branches. "Trains developed a while back but have since now been upgraded in the more popular cities. Subways and bullet trains are available to take. While trains used to be the fastest method, the world is adapting. What's another method?"

"Cars?" came answer.

Chibi-Luke writes that as well with branches. "Yes. A Bellum inventor created the first SE-plug car when horse-drawn carriages were becoming too slow for the average consumer. After that, due to Spiritless outranking the population, Lacrima Cars were invented using a combination of ether and natural resources such as sunlight and water to create fuel. You fill up your cars and motorcycles at E-Stations or Ether Stations. The driving age of a car is sixteen. Due to its popularity, it is more common to see cars and motorcycles than horse-drawn carriages anymore. Though, some like the nostalgia. What else?" He points at a student.

"Sky Boats?"

Chibi-Luke nods approvingly. "Thank you. Sky Boats. Those are a later invention that happened right before I was born. Sky Boats can transfer cargo and passengers across whole continents in under a day. These Sky Boats are essentially mechanical boats with wings and sails that use a combination of Wind and Flight Magic and Anti-Gravity Magic to keep itself propelling. Now Sky Ports are in every major city and makes crossing a nation a lot easier…but then you have to worry about TSA. Anyone else?"

A student puts out there, "What about Sky Trains?"

Chibi-Luke pauses. "While that is a type of transportation, it's only seen in the city if at that. Sky Trains are trains above the ground in interlinked tubes that take you from district to district for a big city like New Azalea. But good point though. Anyone else?" He looks around. "Okay. How about magical transportation outside of magical creatures?"

"Easy! A broom!"

"Correct," Chibi-Luke praises, writing that down. "Brooms seem archaic to Spiritless, but it's an invaluable method of transportation. Brooms, like Sky Boats, are infused with Wind, Flight, and Anti-Gravity Magic long with cushioning spells for the seating. They also use an Aerodynamic Spell and another spell to prevent debris and insects from hitting its flyer. Any person possessing an ounce of magical power can ride it. Spiritless have ether, but since it can't be converted into Magic, they can't actively ride them. Broom licenses can start at twelve. What else?"

No one answers.

Chibi-Luke says, "A Magic Carpet. They exist but are hard to control and harder to make. Each thread is made with Magic and the enchanting process can take weeks to fully settle. Veronica used to export Magic Carpets prior to their momentary government collapse. Now, most of the carpets from Desierto and Midi but they go for a high price." He sets down his chalk and dusts out his hands. "That's it for today. Anyone questions?"

"Yeah! What's the next episode?"

"Oh. Right." Chibi-Luke announces, "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: HERE'S THE DEAL! Bye, class!"