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Disclaimer: Still not Mashima Hiro-my Polyjuice Potion doesn't seem to be brewed correctly.

~Prabha~

"Some—hin—!"

Ksh. Kshhhhhh.

"Sav—li—"

Kshhhhhhh.

"PLEASE! SAVE HER!"

Wendy stared dully at the figure, arms crossed, face expressionless. I think I'm getting used to this, she thought. I wonder if that's a bad thing.

Wendy narrowed her eyes towards the figure, which danced in a circle, humming crazily to itself.

"Today, my little dragon, is a wonderful, wonderful, day, don't you think?"

"I think that depends on your definition of a good day," Wendy replied carefully, voice tight with compressed anger. "What a good day means to you, for example, is most definitely not what a good day means to me."

"Is that so?" the figure pondered. "I thought that a good day for anyone meant coming one day closer to sweet oblivion. Isn't it that for you?"

"No, it's not, not that you would understand," Wendy snapped, rubbing her temples. "Unlike you, some people actually enjoy living and being with their friends; but I wouldn't expect you to get it, since you don't have any."

The figure cackled delightedly, clapping its hands together. "Look at you, little dragon! Finally biting a little, are we?"

Wendy took a deep breath, attempting to clear her mind. She's trying to get to you, she thought to herself. Don't give her the satisfaction. Stay calm.

The figure cocked her head, one hand on its hip. "Aw man, don't do that! Get angry again! Come on, show me more!" At Wendy's silence it screeched wordlessly, growing angrier by the second.

Wendy closed her eyes, blocking out the shadow's squeals. Stay calm, she thought. This is all just a dream. Ignore her and she'll go away.

The figure screamed again, stomping its foot on the sand.

"Fine, then," it ground out, malice emanating from it like it hadn't since the first few dreams. "You can just go to hell for all I care! In fact I'll take you there myself!"

The desert erupted into flames, snaking around Wendy, who shrieked in surprise.

"Wendy!"

"Wendy-chan!"

"Help us, Wendy!"

"Please don't let us die!"

All around Wendy her guildmates erupted into flames, flesh burning away before her very eyes, skin and hair and bone melting like candles into the dust. Laki, Nab, Vijeeter, so many people—turning to ash before her very eyes. Wendy stared with deadened eyes, overwhelming nothingness compressing all emotion.

"Tch," the figure sneered, calming down at her obvious despair. "If that's all I'm going to get I'm leaving. Have fun being weak, you miserable worm."

"I didn't take you for the cliché villain type," Wendy whispered, scrubbing at her eyes, hearing the echoes of ringing screams in her ears. "It suits you. You should keep going with that—really representative of your intelligence."

The ensuing screech battered her ears—Wendy screwed her eyes shut, clasped her hands and wished—

"Wake up!"

"Come on, Wendy, rise and shine!"

Wendy's eyes opened blearily, dry tear tracks crusting her eyes. Rubbing at her face she sat up slowly, feeling a warm hand on her back, helping her to rise. She blinked, catching sight of bright golden hair and a sunny smile. Lucy, she thought.

"Are you feeling any better?" Lucy examined her face closely, taking in her obvious exhaustion. She frowned, rubbing the younger mage's back gently.

Wendy smiled wearily, slumping her tense shoulders. "I'm fine, Lucy-san. I'm sorry to worry you."

Lucy smiled back. "It's okay. Everybody's waiting for you downstairs—do you want breakfast now, or…?"

Wendy stretched, getting slowly up out of bed. "I think I'll take a bath first, if that's okay. I feel a little icky."

"You're not sick, are you? You didn't breathe any of that stuff in, did you?"

"No, no," Wendy assured her, grabbing a towel and her toothbrush. "I'm just a little tired. I'll be down soon."

"We'll be waiting," Lucy waved, and Wendy shut the bathroom door.

Wendy leaned back against the door, closing her eyes and sighing.

I need some sleep, she thought ruefully. I'll ask Levy if she can help later.

Eyes half open she shuffled forward, turning on the shower and flinching at the sudden spray of cold water splashing onto her hand. She dried it quickly, stifling a yawn as she pulled off her nightshirt, blearily facing the mirror.

"Undressing in front of a mirror? How…vain."

Wendy froze, letting her shirt slip off one shoulder. Cracking open on eye she looked carefully around the room, covering her bare skin with her arms.

"That's weird," she mused. "I must be more tired that I thought if I'm hearing voices now."

A snort. "You wish it was that easy."

Wendy froze, turning her head slowly forward. She stared.

"I'm fairly certain that reflections are not supposed to talk," she said aloud, as if talking to herself. "Nor are they supposed to move."

Wendy's reflection stood in the mirror from the waist up, arms crossed, fingers tapping. She was as exact an image of Wendy as one might expect from a mirror—long blue hair, petite frame, and creamy skin—with one glaring exception: bright, blood red eyes in place of gentle chocolate brown.

Wendy blinked rapidly and stepped back, bringing her arms up in a fighting stance.

"Who—what are you? What do you want from me?"

The image rolled its—her?—eyes, lips pressing together thinly. It didn't mirror any of Wendy's movements, perfectly still.

"I would think that much is obvious, even to you," she scoffed. "I'm Wendy, of course."

Wendy frowned. "No, I'm Wendy—Wendy Marvell, the Sky Dragonslayer. You can't be me."

"Wendy" laughed. "Well, who's to say that you're the real Wendy? Have you any proof?"

"What proof do I need?" Wendy shot back. "I exist and I am me—you can ask anybody!"

"Wendy" shrugged. "Who's anybody? Anybody could say anything, and it might even mean nothing. And in that case, who's to say we're not both Wendy? What is Wendy, anyhow?"

Wendy rubbed her temples, squeezing her eyes shut. "Do you have a purpose here, or am I just going crazy?" Given that I'm a Fairy Tail mage I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier.

"Wendy" closed her eyes and smiled. "Maybe it's a little bit of both."

Wendy blinked, and she was gone, the mirror showing Wendy just as she was, stance. Cautiously she moved her arm up and down—the figure in the glass copied every motion to a tee, chocolate brown eyes and all.

Wendy sighed, finally becoming conscious of the steam that filled the bathroom, coating mirror in opaque, miniscule droplets.

"I really need some sleep."

"Okay, here's the plan," said Levy, laying her hands flat on the now empty breakfast table. The mages and Edris family gathered around, focused and intent.

"Wendy, Gajeel and I are going back to the hospital so that she can work more directly with the…disease," she stated. "Meanwhile I want Romeo, Natsu, Lucy, and the Exceeds to get out there and explore the town, with Merin as their guide; I want to know everything about this place. What the people are like, what supplies are available, everything. Clear?"

"Wait a minute!" Romeo protested. "Why are you suddenly in charge? And why can't I go with Wendy? I'm supposed to be her partner, you know!"

Gajeel snorted and muttered to himself, ignoring Romeo's embarrassed glare. "Yeah, like that's why you wanna go with 'er…dumb kid."

Levy addressed Romeo directly. "Gajeel and I are most suited to containment should anyone dissolve again—and anyway, Wendy and I both decided that you can make yourself more useful by investigating the town. After all, we came up with this plan together, right, Wendy?"

Wendy nodded bashfully, ignoring Romeo's shock. "I think it's a good idea."

Romeo huffed. "Well, when you put it like that…" He ignored the resulting snickers.

Merin coughed. "Well then, shall we get going?"

Romeo ambled along behind Natsu, Lucy, and Merin, looking around half-heartedly as Merin chattered enthusiastically, pointing out various stalls and buildings. The Exceed trio flittered about, soaring ahead of the humans to see the town for themselves. Glancing at him out the corner of his eye, Romeo scowled slightly, shoving his hands in his pockets.

What's the point of this anyway? Romeo thought belligerently, looking down at the sand that swirled about his feet. It's not like knowing the layout or whatever's gonna help Wendy at the hospital.

Romeo's thoughts flashed to the young Sky Dragonslayer; it was almost comical how quickly his cheeks turned red. He shook his head from side to side, furiously trying to dispel the image of her smiling face. Peeking out from under his lashes to the still happy occupied group before him, he took a deep, quiet breath and released it slowly.

I must be going crazy, he thought ruefully. In truth, the young mage had occupied his thoughts for quite some time, ever since her return from stasis had brought their ages closer together. As they began taking more missions together Romeo had seen sides of Wendy he never would have expected from her; frustration, melancholy, even mischief.

Wendy was…Wendy was so much more than anyone had ever expected her to be. She was passive, but she was also forceful in her own way. She had trouble standing up for herself, but none whatsoever standing up for her friends.

Romeo smiled quietly, lost in thought—until he suddenly hit what seemed like a warm, soft wall. He bounced backwards, shaking himself out of a daze.

"Be careful, Romeo," Natsu turned around, Happy perched on his shoulder. Behind him, Lucy giggled, her hand covering her mouth, while Merin only looked on curiously. Romeo looked around; it seemed they had reached the center of town—the group stood in the middle of the bazaar.

Merin shrugged. "So, is there anything particular you want to see?"

Lucy looked up in thought, absentmindedly fingering the material of her scarf. "I think it would be best if we just looked around a little bit, right?" she said, peering curiously at the stalls. "I think we should get a sense of the place for ourselves—"

Lucy gasped. "Oooooh, Natsu! Look! A silver key!"

Natsu cocked his head at her. "Is it a zodiac ke—whoa!"

In a flash Lucy had grabbed him by the hand and dragged him over to the stand, inspecting the key for herself. Romeo studied the obvious delight on her face; it must have been.

Merin shook his head in fond exasperation. "Are they always like that?"

Romeo nodded his head in whole-hearted agreement. "Always." He started a little, realizing just who he was speaking on civil terms to.

Silence fell between the two, Romeo refusing to look at Merin. His eyes darted around, taking in the sights with an almost nervous force.

"How long?"

Merin's words shattered the silence like a bell, ringing in Romeo's ears with unexpected intensity. He whipped his head around, meeting Merin's knowing, wine-red gaze.

Romeo opened his mouth, hoping to mislead or deny, but stopped short, deflating. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"A while now," he mumbled gracelessly, breaking eye contact to watch Lucy haggle with the keeper of the stall with the key.

"Just her? No one else?" Merin asked softly, turning his gaze forwards as well.

"Just her," Romeo answered swiftly. "Never anyone else."

A smile swept gracefully across Merin's features; he closed his eyes. "I guessed as much, from the looks you were giving me."

"And you?" Romeo challenged, still not meeting his eyes. He didn't speak the words running through his head, but then, he didn't have to.

"Yes," he answered simply, softness emanating from the whole of him. "Ever since I was a child."

Have you someone of your own?

Relief hit Romeo like a punch; almost against his will he sagged, his aggression draining. After a moment he turned his head to Merin, who did not look at him.

For the first time, Romeo gave him a smile.

"What's her name?" he asked.

Merin opened his eyes, meeting Romeo's gaze squarely with a grin of his own.

"Her name's Hali."

BOOM.

Smoke filled the air.

earlier, at the hospital

Wendy paused in her treatment, resting her hands on her knees and slumping over. She cut off the flow of magic to the prone body before her—at least this one was breathing a little easier.

I can't keep doing this forever, she thought haltingly, her head pounding. I need to rest. She panted lightly, her bodysuit tight and uncomfortably warm.

A large hand rested itself awkwardly but firmly on her shoulder. "Outside, kid," Gajeel grumbled. "You need a break."

Wendy only nodded wearily, rising to her feet unsteadily. Gajeel's arm shifted its position, gripping her shoulder gently as he escorted her out of the room to where an anxious Levy waited.

"Outside," Wendy rasped, wincing at the raw lack of energy in her voice, unaware of Levy's worried glance.

Quickly and efficiently Gajeel and Levy had her out of the hospital doors and into the arid desert air—but anything was better than the stench of sickness and death that coated the walls, permeated the every molecule of the hospital's atmosphere. She ripped off her mask, taking in the smell of clean air and dropping to the ground slowly. Gajeel crouched with her, taking off his own mask to reveal his messy black hair and garish piercings. A seemingly permanent scowl adorned his face; but to those who knew him a tinge of concern tightened the corners, eased up the line. Still standing, Levy hovered, a hand on Wendy's shoulder.

"It's not working," she murmured, pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes. "I'm doing everything I can, and it's not working!"

"What exactly is the problem?" Levy probed gently.

Wendy shook her head. "This—this disease, it's like nothing I've ever seen. There's no germ, there's no virus, it's just—sucking all the moisture from every place it can until there's none left. I can't even figure out where's it's going; it's just vanishing. And I'm trying and trying to put more back in, or to at least simulate it with my magic, but it's not holding. I can't keep that up forever, not when it's disappearing as fast as I create it!" She snapped her mouth shut, suddenly realizing just how loud her voice had gotten.

Wendy let out a shaky breath and looked at Gajeel, smiling weakly. "Thank you, Gajeel-san, Levy-san. I'll be fine in a minute."

Gajeel looked at her oddly, his gaze sharp, but he said nothing; instead he stood, plopping a hand ungracefully on Wendy's hair and ruffling it.

"You're a Dragonslayer, kid," he rumbled, "not invincible. Take it easy."

Wendy looked up at him in shock—Gajeel looked away, grumbling. Sharing a conspiratorial look with Levy, she giggled and nodded. "I understand, Gajeel-san. Why don't you two go back inside? You could look and tell me who I should start with."

Gajeel and Levy shared a glance before accepting.

"Remember not to push yourself, Wendy-chan," Levy said with a reproving eye, donning her mask once more. "We'll be right inside."

Wendy nodded absently, leaning back on her elbows and looking up at the clear blue sky. Raising one hand against the sunlight, she looked at the shadowed outline.

Invincible, she thought wishfully. That would be nice. Then I could do more for these people. She closed her hand into a fist.

I'm not even close to invincible. I'm barely even a Dragonslayer. Why did I even come on this mission?

Wendy shook her head, scowling at her self-doubt. Quickly she slapped her face with both hands, leaving a stinging impression.

Are you a Fairy Tail mage or aren't you? She argued to herself. Don't let that thing win! You're better than this.

Steeling herself, she began walking back to the hospital doors, strapping her mask on again. Think, she told herself. Obviously individual treatment isn't working; it's just wasting my time and energy. What I need are samples, things I can work on in an experimental, sterile environment. She looked ahead resolutely.

If I can't help the patients, I'll have to target the root of the problem. Determination filling her admittedly small steps, she strode up to the entrance, one hand on the door to enter—

BOOM.

Hamil, the same day and time

"So this is the place?" Gray asked, looking around the train station. Erza stepped out after him; a navy blue scarf wrapped loosely around her head, fiery locks spilling out the front and back.

"Yes, this is the capital, Gray," Erza answered coolly, referring briefly to the request slip in her hand. "The original senders of the request will be meeting with us around evening time; until then we should familiarize ourselves with the settings—"

BOOM.

From approximately the center of town a large column of smoke billowed above the rooftops; sudden, terrified screams echoed.

In a second the two mages had snapped to action, taking off in the direction of the chaos; Erza summoned a sword, it's blade keen and sharp; ice crystals formed slowly on Gray's hands, refreshing cold washing over him. An edgy grin formed on his face.

"At least we get some action."

First and foremost I apologize for the long delay. There was a lot of stuff that happened, and it took a long time to process and sort out and it was just a general mess for a long time, but I think I'm better now. Thank you all for being so understanding; and I can promise that updates will come far more quickly now. Again, thanks for waiting!

This chapter is pretty short, but the next one will be longer-be prepared for your first fight scene, action junkies! Don't forget to review, and recommend this story to your friends!

-WD2645

Song: Insight-White Ash (Short Ver.-Gatchaman CROWDS Insight Opening)