Speaking of soul mates, I ended up on a job with Bisca and Alzack shortly after my marrige. They told me they'd give me some "Sweet Magic Handguns" if I helped them out, and so I complied. On the train ride there, Alzack had to take a bathroom break, leaving me with Bisca for a few minutes.
I decided it was best to just get out with what I had to say. "Bisca," I started, drawing the cowgirl's attention, "You know Alzack loves you, right?"
Bisca replied by blushihng heavily. "I-I had an idea yes."
I placed my palm on her shoulder and smiled, then continued, "He is. Madly so even. I can tell from your reaction that you're head over heels for him too, so why bother hiding it?"
"Nerves, fear, anxiety, that sort of thing." She replied.
I chuckled a little, then concluded my pep talk, "Bisca, you have nothing to fear. The only fear you should have in this situation is the fear of rejection, and here that's not a problem. I can hear Alzack coming back now, and yes, I've already talked to him about this. You both love each other to the maximum human extent, if not further. Now, I'm going to get up and leave, maybe get a nice seat upstairs, and leave you two alone."
As Alzack was opening the door, Bisca noticed something in my statement, "Upstairs? We're on a train!"
"I know." I shot back as I swung out the window onto the roof.
I just sat there and enjoyed the scenery while I was up there, and through the wind, I heard some muffled sounds. One of them I identified as kissing, the rest? Well, let's just say I don't think I'll ever use those seats again.
As we arrived at the station, I came back into the train and started tapping at our door.
"Get decent you two, we're here!"
I could almost FEEL the two of them blushing. A couple minutes later they got out of the small room and we proceeded into town.
As we were walking, I realised that I had no idea what we were doing here or why I was apparently needed. I turned to my companions, and said, "Forgot to ask, but what's our job here?"
Alzack laughed at my overall far too calm mood. Bisca explained to me, "We're catching a notorious thief today! Then getting him to the authorities and overseeing his trial so he won't slip away."
"Ahh, that makes sense. Bugger tries to run and he's in range of the two best marksmen in the world! But still, why am I here?"
"For catching him of course! We're going to be guarding some precious stones he's threatened to take tonight, and your ability to sense types of Magic will be invaluable. The guy can apparently turn invisible."
"Ohh, I se why I've been brought along now. Well, besides acting as a couples counciler anyway."
My statement caused both of them to blush heavily, so I told them I was just joking around.
We arrived at a grand museum shortly. This place was huge, and I could swear it had everything. Egyptian exibits, first nation, heck, even a memorial to the Magic Civil War from my time. Luckily, someone distinctly forgot the role my Archive played in that conflict. It would have been awkward to get recognised as the last remaining Archive user and have to give a history lesson that I really didn't know too much about. Bloody time travel.
We finally got to the precious gems section, and boy oh boy, I definatly say what this thief was interested in. Gems lined the very walls of this room, the most valuable ones being put in heavily locked display cases. The grandest of all, however, sat in the center of the room. A perfect clear cut diamond, larger then my damn head!
While I was in awe, Bisca and Alzack were talking to the owner of the museum, introducing themselves and me, and getting details on the thief. They walked over to me and Alzack started talking, "Hey Mar, this guy is known as the Shadow Thief. Unoriginal, I know, it was the name the papers gave him after his first heist, and he sort of just ran with it. Got to admire that much I guess. The note he left at his last job stated that he would be here at the crack of midnight, and he dared the police to catch his, and I quote, transparent ass. We'll be in the next room over because of the laser security grid in this room that gets turned on at night. We figure having a guy that can sense if someone with magic is in the building will make this small disadvantage of ours null and void."
"Thanks Alzack, what time is it now?"
"Nearly closing time, the owner said, so close to ten."
"Alright, which exibit is next over?"
"The civil war exibit, why?"
"Just wondering." I was actually hoping for the Egyptian exibit. More opurtunity for pranks, less for awkward talks about my past.
The owner came over to us and, in an almost yelling voice, said, "Oh! Almost forgot! Here, some satalite watches for all of you. They're nothing fancy or expensive, so don't go thanking me, but they work! They are accurate to the second!"
"Thank you sir!" I replied. I never owned a watch before, and the lightning bolt on mine fit too well to pass up. I didn't care it was likely a kids watch.
We waited a couple of hours, and finally midnight came. As soon as the bells began to chime outside, I felt a new presense in the museum. Directly inside the precious gems exibit.
"We've got company, look sharp!" I told my friends. "Cover me, I'm going to grab the ass."
I went Archangel and B-Lined at the presence, noticing there was no body to match it. Probably wanted to avoid security cam footage. I tripped nearly every wire there, sounding the alarm for the whole museum, and likely bringing the men in blue. Surprisingly, the thief was already cutting through the glass case to that diamond when I got in there. He was fast, that's for damn sure.
I tackled the presense to the ground, yelling "Show your damn face! I can see your magic you fool! I know you're there!"
The thief clicked a button on his belt and a wire pulled him up from under me and out of the ceiling. I followed suit, chasing this Shadow Thief over rooftop after rooftop. The tief eventually realised he wasn't going to shake me, so he turned and started shooting Fire Magic at me!
It was then I realised...that thief's magic wasn't to turn invisible! I thought the presense I felt was a bit Natsu-ish. The invisibility must be caused by something else!
I sped up my pursuit, dodging fire all the way, and I finally got enough speed up to tackle the thief again, and bring him to the ground...well, roof, but regardless.
I pinned the man's arms with my wings and got to work trying to find out what the devil made him invisible. I patted him down for any special device, but I found nothing. I also realised from the pat down that the guy was actually a woman. Yes, I tried patting down her chest, but I stopped the moment I realised there was something there, gaining a "Thanks for not going further." from the woman under me.
I had a sudden idea, and I felt around her collarbone for anything I could ball up or pull off. I found what I was looking for, the crease to a mask. I pulled the mask clean off her face, revealing a short haired redhead wearing matching lipstick.
"Octo Camo." I said, impressed. "Where'd you get your hands on this?"
"Long story hun, now can you please bring me in now? I'll accept being caught if it's by someone as...extraordinary as you."
"Please don't try and flirt your way out ma'am, I'm married. Happily so."
"Damn, oh well, it didn't hurt to try."
I laughed at this. Under different circumstances, I could have seen us being friends.
"I still maintain the extraordinary bit. It's not every day you see a guy with wings. Or orange veins, or jet black skin, or slicked back white hair for that matter."
I laughed again, then asked, "So, two questions, one, are you wearing anything under that Octo Camo, and two, please tell me your name."
"I thought you said you were married!"
"Gah! I didn't mean that, I need to get the Octo Camo off though. A floating head does nothing to calm nerves. I just want to know your name so I don't forget you honestly. As you say, you are rather extraordinary."
"Oh, true, and thank you. Yes, I'm wearing clothes under the suit, and my name is Kasumi."
"A truely unique name, and one I will remember. Now to get this unpleasent buisness out of the way." I said, helping her out of the Octo Camo. "Out of random curiosity, would you change your ways if let go?"
"Likely. This method of income became a bit...risky tonight."
"Another question then, would you put your talents to use for...oh say, a guild?"
"Safe, reliable, I would work my own hours, I like it."
"Hmm. Willing to repent, that's good. Has anyone ever seen your face?"
"You are the first to see me in uniform."
"Hmm. I think I have a plan."
I brought Kasumi back to my friends and explained the situation, and they quickly agreed to my plan after they realised Kasumi was actually a nice person. A bit misguided, but nice.
The police arrived after I put Kasumi's Octo Camo mask back on, and I told the boys in blue that she had a large family, and didn't want her face exposed, but she would gladly own up to her crimes. I also stated that I was to accompany her at all times. The police didn't agree with her having the mask on at first, but they complied quickly when I went Archangel and stated that I agreed with it.
We spent the night at the detention center together, talking the night away, only interrupted by Bisca and Alzack visiting us.
Poor Bisca was beside herself at my predicament, "How do you keep getting yourself into these messes Mar?" she asked me.
"Heck if I know. Fate likes me I guess." I replied.
Back in the sell, Kasumi asked me "What did Bisca mean by messes?"
"I have a real bad habit of getting into trouble. Since I came to Fairy Tail, I have died twice, killed a demon, absorbed a demon, now share my soul with said demon, been a key figure in an all out guild war, gotten married, killed two people, both of them assassins, and last but not least, helped save a friend from being sacrificed to be Zeref's new body. Yes, I do mean the Black Mage Zeref."
"Uhhh, wow. How long have you been with them?...and hang on, DIED TWICE?"
"Probably closing in on a year by now. I don't remember the exact date I joined, but it was shortly after that whole Lullaby incident. It's how I heard of the guild." I said, half telling the truth. I figured it was probably better to ease her into the whole, "I'm 200 years old technically" thing. "And yeah, I died twice. Once from impalement, once from getting shredded by a chainsaw. My past experiances have rendered me immortal."
"Holy sh-really?" was all Kasumi could manage.
In reply, I re equiped a sword and impaled myself with it, then I stood up like nothing had happened.
"Oh wow, you're not kidding."
"Nope. Now, would you mind helping me pull this out? I think I got it stuck on a rib."
The next morning the trial commenced, with both Kasumi and I at the defendent seat, her still in the mask. I explained my presense and the mask to the judge, the lawyers and the jury, so the trial could hurry up and be over.
The trial was overall very one sided, despite there being little forensic evidence to link Kasumi to her crime scenes. The prosecuter was something else. A man clad in red with a fancy haircut. Any possible way of innocence proposed by the defence was striken down by a mixture of logic and definitive proof. I'd have to learn his name too.
I was eventually called to the witness stand, and I did my part. I told the truth to the best of my ability, implicating Kasumi as the thief. As my time on the stand was concluding, I started taking my own initiative.
"Mister prosecuter?" I started.
"Yes witness?" the man replied.
"I have seen how you operate today, and I just wanted to ask your name, so if I'm ever in the neighbourhood again I can look you up so we can share a drink or some such deal."
"Ha! I like this guy. Edgeworth. Miles Edgeworth."
"Woah, THE Miles Edgeworth? The Perfect Prosecuter?"
"I don't deserve that title any more, I lost several times actually. The guy who beat me even helped screw my head on correctly. He's a true friend."
"Mr. Wright I assume?"
The judge butted in here, "I think idle chit chat should be saved for outside the courtroom you two. Back to the matter at hand!"
I shrugged, then stepped down to the defendent's seat. "Almost done Kasumi." I whispered.
The trial ended shortly afterwards, the verdict of Guilty was not a big surprise to anyone.
I accompanied Kasumi all the way to her cell, her supposed "New Home" for the next 30 years.
I dismissed the guard, telling him to attend to other matters, and that I could handle Kasumi.
I noticed there was a camera in the corner of the roof, so I "Accidentaly" caused it to short out with electricity.
Kasumi and I walked into the cell, with me preparing myself for the something unusually stupid I was about to do.
"Alright Kasumi, let's see if I can actually pull this off. Let me see your hand."
She offered me her hand, and a seal opened below us both. I knew teleporting out would have been a waste, the police would mount a search. Plus I could have done it earlier.
Another seal formed beside us, and a shadow version of Virgo appeared. This was special however, as I used Kasumi's wavelength to summon her, causing Virgo to actually be a shadow Kasumi!
I checked for any differences between the two of them. Shadow Kasumi had black hair and purple lipstick, but that was it. Everything else was picture perfect. Plus, Kasumi had been wearing a mask the entire trial! No one saw her face!
I left Shadow Kasumi in the cell with a timer in mind. In 5 days, she would just simply fade away. It would be like the spirit world itself came to take her away. I produced the rest of the Octo Camo for Kasumi, and she suited up, then we walked right out the front door. She pulled her mask off while were flying back to the station and hugged me.
"If you weren't married I'd kiss you right now!" she yelled excitedly at me.
"I'm just doing what I think is right." I replied. "Hmm, you're going to need a new name you know."
She leaned up, and to my surprise, gave me a peck on the cheek, then whispered in my ear, "Jane. My new name is Jane Shepard."
I smiled at this and we touched down at the station, Bisca and Alzack waiting.
Bisca took Kasu-sorry, Jane into the train and sat her down in the seats next to the ones we used on the way up, thankfully. Alzack and I got onto the train, then he turned to me and produced two large calibur handguns, holding them by the barrel.
"I heard you were a Devil May Cry fan, so I made these special. Ebony and Ivory. Although, I jacked up the calibur a bit. As opposed to Dante's 45's, these are 48's. Much more kick, much more power. They also fire concentrated Magic Power from their holder, so ammo, and even jamming is not an issue."
I grabbed the guns and looked them over, smiling the entire time. "Marvelous! Excellent! Perfection!" I yelled. "These are true works of art Alzack! You should be proud!"
Alzack smiled, even showing teeth. Obviously happy with my reaction. He continued with, "Now, can you store those with your Archive?"
"Sadly no. Weapons must be infused with magic before use for me to be able to store them. They also need to hit me, which is a problem more often then not."
"I figured as much, here!" Alzack said as he threw me a couple of modern black holsters.
I slipped the holsters on, and to my joy, they were a perfect fit. I slipped Ebony and Ivory inside their respective holsters, and once more said, "Magnificent! I love them Alzack!"
We sat down in our seats, me next to Jane, and Alzack next to Bisca, prompting her to move, sitting on his lap.
Jane spoke up, "So, how long have you two been together?"
Bisca replied, "Since the ride up here actually, Mar made us realise we both had feelings for each other."
"Wow. Unable to die, good looking, AND a good couples counciler? Your wife is a lucky lady."
I blushed at her compliment, then said, "Bah, once you see her you'll know I'm the lucky one."
Everyone in our small room burst out laughing, myself included.
Our arrival at Fairy Tail was quiet, as far as Fairy Tail went. I introduced Jane to Makarov and told him that she was interested in joining, and after a trial outside, she was inducted almost immediatly. She chose to get her mark on the back of her left hand. When i asked why, she said it was because she is proud of her new life, and wants to be reminded of it as many times as possible, so she put it on her dominant hand, her greatest "Tool of the Trade" as she called it. My only responses were to remark how it was a good idea and that she was likely the first lefty I'd ever met.
I walked to the bar and greeted my wife with a hearty smile and a kiss, then took a seat.
"Hey Mar, Gajeel found something for you yesterday, he left it right under the counter here."
"For me? Hmmm, is it bigger then a breadbox?" I asked while hopping over the bar to see. "Oh! Holy shit, where did he get this?"
"He said he found it on a beach somewhere."
"Wow, I thought this memory would be lost." I said, gazing down at Ikaruga's sword, still sheathed and attached to a shoulder strap. "I'm glad I was wrong. Where is Redfox anyway?"
"Last names Mar? That's kind of unlike you. But he took a job today, should be back within the week."
A few days later, on a warm sunday evening, Gajeel returned, and I almost immediatly got him out the door again.
"Woah, Mar, where are we going?"
"We're going out for a drink of course! I owe ya for finding Ikaruga's sword!"
"It was nothing, I was just on the beach and I noticed a sword washing up. If it wasn't for Mira telling me it was probably significant to you I would have likely pawned it or something."
"Regardless! Come!"
We spent most of the night swapping stories. Turns out we both have alot of pain in our pasts, and sometimes it helps to get it out there. I feel that we became good friends that night, despite there being the whole issue of "He killed me once" acting as an elephant in the room.
As we were about to leave, I spotted a familiar face walking in. I told Gajeel to go ahead and get home, then walked back into the bar and greeted the man.
"Edgeworth, right?"
"Hey, I remember you! You were the Shadow Thief's escort, right? Mar I think your name was. Also, I'm off duty, it's Miles."
"That's me. Whatever happened to the lady anyway?"
"She died in prison today. I got the call barely an hour ago."
"Oh lord! What happened!"
"We don't know, she just faded away"
(Well, at least the dummy worked.) "Wow. That's kind of harsh. Regardless of that, I do believe I owe you a drink."
"I do seem to remember you saying that, yes."
"Bartender!"
So, for the second time that night, I treated an accomplice to a night of drunken revelry, and became fast friends. Miles went and passed out eventually, so I decided to give him the guest bed in Fairy Tail for the night, not knowing what hotel or what apartment he lived in. Poor bugger opned his eyes to see my Archangel form once, and I think the shock sent him back under.
The next morning, I got Miles on his feet and got him home, and on the way back I met up with Gajeel again, still stumbling from the night before.
"Mar? God damn, why are you wobbling so much?"
"That's you Gajeel, I'm perfectly sober by now."
"How in the devil do you do it? Are you Irish?"
I snickered at the steriotype, then said, "Nah, I just have Regeneration now is all. Makes it damn difficult to catch and keep a cold or a buzz. It's not something I can just turn off, but I have learned to suppress it just a little. Just enough that I can get hammered for an hour anyway."
"Wow. Kind of wish I could do that, I feel like crap!"
"Bah, I'm sure once you get some iron in ya you'll be good."
We arrived shortly afterward, and we were informed of a reporter coming in that day to interview us all on recent events, and life as a whole as a mage of Fairy Tail. I got some sense and an iron pot no one would miss into Gajeel, then decided to take a nap. I was awoken by a cry of "Cooool!" from downstairs, and I figured it was the reporter.
Turns out, I was bang on the money. The man took Natsu into a private room for an interview almost immediatly as I watched from upstairs, followed by the other members of my team and Juvia. I was glad to see them get out there. People could stand to know some more faces they could trust.
Finally the reporter came back out with Juvia, looking around for something or someone.
"Mar! You in here?" the reporter yelled.
"Just a sec!" I yelled back while gathering Ikaruga's sword and my guns. I jumped right over the railing and landed on the first floor in front of the reporter. "I'm Mar." I told the man.
"Excellent! Come with me!"
I spent a good hour and a half giving the man the information he wanted, and then some. I told him of a couple of my teams adventures outside the Tower even. I left out a few details however. Namely how I took the lives of two assassins in what was essentially cold blood, and how I almost did the same to Gajeel. That and my new demon "Soul-Mate"
The reporter, who identified himself as Jason near halfway through my interview, finally asked me, "So, what's with the weapons?"
I replied, "I can't store them with Archive, so I carry them around manually. Not that I mind, people think twice about pick pocketing someone with a couple of 48's and a sword."
Jason laughed at this, then continued, "Fair enough, where'd you get them?"
"Ebony and Ivory here were a gift from Bisca and Alzack for helping them with a job. The sword belonged...to a friend." I quickly said.
"Alright, so, one last question and you're a free man Mar, who exactly is Jane Shepard? I havn't been able to find ANYTHING on her. Not even a birth certificate."
Shit. He was on to something. "Jane is an old friend of mine, and she abandoned her original name when the Shadow Thief was caught."
"Wow, why is that?"
"They had the same name. She didn't want to be assosiated. Plus she always liked the name Jane anyway." Hey, I technically didn't lie.
"I can see the problem there, alright fair enough. Now, I know I said last thing before, but I mean it now. I've heard, and you yourself have said it several times, that you can take on a different form to raise your offencive and defencive capabilities? Can I see?"
I shrugged, then stood up and slowly went Archangel. I let the change work it's way up my body slowly, lighting my veins ablaze and dying my skin a jet black, then finally, sprouting a large pair of black, yet angelic wings from my back.
"This is the Archangel."
"Coooool!"
It was then both me and Jason realised something. My guns were glowing.
"Huh, that's new."
"What's it mean?"
"Heck if I know. Come on Jason, I'm taking these out back to make sure I didn't overload them or something."
We went out back and I readied Ebony only, then fired. I'm thankful I let the shot out over water where it couldn't do any property damage, because that bullet came out at twice the regular speed and at least god knows how many times the regular power. The bullet LITERALLY took the top half of a distant mountain off.
Sure enough, Jason caught video of it and it ended up god damn everywhere by the next morning. Newspapers, TV, the internet, everywhere. It didn't help that he also caught an all out guild war over Gajeel singing as well. Erza and I had to represent Fairy Tail on god knows how many talk shows to clear that up. As it turns out, we're two of the most professional Mages in Fairy Tail. Before you ask, yes, realising that out scared me to no end.
The next day marked the one week coutdown to the big Fairy Tail Fighting Festival, a huge event where Fairy Tail Mages actually fight each other right in front of the public to see who is the strongest. There's even a Ms. Fairy Tail contest to start it off and a grand parade to close it. Natsu almost immediatly brought the contest's details to Lucy, if not just to get her to enter and win to pay her rent. I was looking forward to an all out guild tourney, as much as I enjoyed fighting alongside my friends, fighting against them was always the greater thrill. A fight against someone you don't know can be won by surprise, but someone you know? A fight like that calls for absolute perfection. One wrong move and you can be struck down.
I was training for most of the next week, out in the woods near a cliff with a really nice view. When I wasn't there, I was spending time with Mira or my friends, wishing them good luck and a good fight and all that. It wasn't until the day before the festival that anything interesting happened, however.
I was training with Ikaruga's sword, when Jane walked up. I took notice, then sheathed the sword and turned to her, saying, "How'd you find me?"
"You're an easy man to follow, even if you can fly."
"Ha, whatcha need Jane?"
"Honestly? I was hoping to borrow a weapon."
"A weapon? Why is that?"
"I feel...I feel like I'm behind the other Mages. My flames can't measure up to Natsu's by a long shot, and I think I may be the weakest in our group."
"You likely are. But you have to bear in mind, my entire team is composed of monsters. Grey is naturally strong, Lucy has an unbreakable spirit, Natsu is a bloody dragon, and Erza is...well, Erza. Trust me Jane, you can measure up to any other Mage outside of our team that isn't this Gildarts fellow I keep hearing about."
"...Thank you Mar, that means alot coming from someone so wise."
"For the love of-I'm not wise. I'm arrogent, cocky, and I have a foul mouth. I just happen to possess a heightened level of common sense is all."
"You're also sweet, caring, modest, and unquestionably loyal."
"Come on Jane, you'll make me blush. As for that weapon? Try this guy." I said as I threw Ivory at her. She caught it by the barrel and inspected it.
"A gun? This will kill someone!"
"Not that one. Not unless I'm using it. It's name is Ivory, a special 48 that can fire concentrated magical power from it's wielder. The power of the shot depends on the current Magic Level of the holder."
"How would you know that?" Jane asked.
I didn't answer, instead I went Archangel, drew Ebony and blasted a nearby section of trees into toothpicks. "That's how." I said.
"Wow. A large reserve is something I have. Thanks Mar!"
"Anytime Jane!"
I went back to training once she left, and shortly afterwards, Natsu stumbled through the trees I had blown to bits.
"Are you crazy? You almost hit me!" He yelled at me.
"Oh, Natsu? Sorry bout that, I got caught up in the moment. To what do I owe the pleasure hot head?"
"Don't call me that! But Mar? I came to talk about something a little...personal."
"Oh?" I replied while sheathing Ikaruga's sword, Natsu now having my full attention.
"You've been helping people with their love lives an awful lot recently."
"Meh, just helping people see what was already there. Nothing major. Why do you bring this up Natsu? Someone catch your eye and you're wondering if they like you back?"
Natsu's head sank. His expression was one of great pain. Shit, I forgot about his relationship to my new little sister, Lisanna. "Oh god, I'm sorry Natsu!"
"It's fine. I came to ask if I should move on. I have no fucking idea what to do at this point."
"Honestly Natsu? Come closer, I want to make sure Jane's not listening in. She might blab to everyone else and get their hopes up."
I could almost hear Jane shifting further away through the bush. At least she respects privacy.
"What? You know something about Lisanna?"
"Calm down. I visited the site of the accident, re traced her path and everything, even the impact and flight that supposedly...well, you know. I felt something odd about where she landed. Two leftover Magical Presenses."
"The other was probably Mirajane."
"That's just it Natsu! I should have felt Elfman's too! He was there!"
"But, I only felt two. One, I'll assume is Lisanna, the other I've never felt before. But I could tell it was an advanced Magic designed to suck up Magical Power."
"Why the hell would someone invent a Magic like that? And what do you mean suck UP and not suck OUT?"
"Who knows? All I know is, this Magic was designed to gather Magic Power, and what does every mage in the world have in them? Magical Power. I theorise that it's possible that Lisanna may still live, somewhere in this world!"
"That's a nice theory Mar, but I'm sorry. Lisanna faded and disapeared into the sky."
"...Hang on, into the sky? Why have I never heard of this until now?"
"It's not that big of a detail, I'd assume."
"It might have just changed everything Natsu!"
"What?"
"Back in my time, there was a famous scholar trying to prove that there was a world parralel to ours, a world he called Edolas. According to his studies, they would have been far more advanced then we could imagine."
"How the devil would he have figured this out?"
"He found some technology not of this world. Somehow, it passed through the barrier between worlds, he said."
"What was it?"
"An airship."
Natsu's jaw dropped. Airships were still a concept in this time, the only existing one had long since decayed away, and it's secrets were lost.
"An AIRSHIP?" He yelled.
"Yes. Fully capable of flying as well. The scholar was ultimately discredited, they said he could have built it himself givin enough time and ingenuity."
"Ha, bull. Good to hear the media were at the same level of asshole-ness they are today over 200 years ago."
I laughed at Natsu's rare show of world knowledge. "True, ever so true. But anyway, my theory is, what if the other world, this Edolas is low on Magic? What if they need to steal ours? What if Lisanna had got caught in the crossfire, and crossed over?"
"I'd love to believe you Mar, but it sounds way too far fetched for me. I just can't believe it. I'll ask again, should I move on?"
"You know what Natsu? I don't blame you for not believing me. Hell, I barely believe myself at this point. I say hang on just a little longer. I have an odd hunch that might tie the whole theory together actually."
"Oh, what would that be?"
"That would be telling, Natsu. I'd rather investigate it myself before I reveal anything, I've already bordered on crackpot theory today, I'd rather not cross the line."
"Fair enough. Thank's for the advice and the hope Mar." Natsu said, walking away.
I smiled at his mildly uplifted spirit, then returned to my training. God, for his sake, I hope I was right.
The next day marked the beginning of the Fighting Festival, and the Ms. Fairy Tail contest. Everyone participating except my Mirajane tried to win the crowd over with sex appeal and cute costumes. Poor Mira probably shot herself in the foot trying that "Head Only" transformation technique. I snuck out to the bathroom just as Lucy was about to begin. I heard a commotion from outside, and by the time I got out, three Mages I'd never seen before and Laxus were present, and the women were all turned to stone. They all had traces of the female Mage's Magic Power on them. I knew she had petrified them. As my eyes rolled over the victims, only to hear the woman pronounce herself the true winner of the contest, my rage eclipsed my judgement. Archangel took over my body entirely, with the state I was in, there was little to no Mar left.
The shred of my compassion left was the only thing that held me back from leaping at them and tearing through flesh right there. I knew that the women were being held hostage.
Laxus explained that they were going to play a "game" to determine the strongest Mage in Fairy Tail. Whoever made it to Laxus and beat him in three hours would be crowned king, and would cause Evergreen, as he called her, to release the hostages. Failure to beat him in three hours would result in the death of all the contestants. The girls were to be insurance that we complied with the rules. Laxus and his lackeys quickly retreated into the city.
Runes appeared around Fairy Tail. The unmasked male's doing I thought. They detailed the rules of this "Contest." Every now and again, Mages would trigger this mans runes and trap them in an area until only one was left standing. They had been placed all over the city. The runes also noted that the "Rajin Tribe" was scattered throughout the city, with Laxus staying stationary for the three hours. The names listed under the tribe were Evergreen, Freed, and Bickslow. I figured Freed was the unmasked man, he seemed to be a bit regal.
There were runes on the door as well, they seemed to do nothing until Natsu attempted to cross them. They stopped him dead in his tracks, like someone had placed a wall there. Oddly, the runes stated that only people over 80 or stone statues couldn't cross.
I walked up to the runes, still in Archangel form, and touched them. They were just as much a wall to me as it was to Natsu. They must have a hidden restriction on Dragon Slayers then.
I sighed, then turned to Natsu, nearly going wild out of rage and to Master Makarov, saying, "Sorry, but I can't stay still when my damn wife and friends are in danger!"
With that, I teleported right outside, a total distance of about three feet. "Laxus is strong, I know this. I won't have any of you getting hurt in a fight only I can win! Keep the girls safe. If one lock of my Mira's hair breaks off, there will be hell to pay." I said, as I flew away, hoping I didn't hit any battle runes on the way. I followed Evergreen's presence for a good half hour, she was a quick one, that was for sure.
Finally I caught up to her, and sure enough, once I got close, runes appeared around us, and she couldn't get away from me any longer.
"Evergreen right?"
"Yes, who or what the hell are you?"
"My name is Mar, and you froze alot of my friends with those gorgon eyes of yours."
"Hah, an apropriate metaphor I suppose. Especially considering it's correct."
"An actual gorgon? Huh, now I HAVE seen everything. Now, you're going to release my friends, and you're going to do it now, or quite simply, I am going to kill you."
This statement caught Evergreen off guard. She knew I was serious. "Very well. Beat me and I'll let them go."
With that, she actually grew the wings of a fairy and started bombarding me with Magic projectiles.
"You're not the only one that can fly." I said while taking flight once more.
We had a brief aerial shootout, her using her projectiles and me using Ebony while holding back at least eighty percent of my power. "Is that all you have Archangel?"
"Hm, you know the form I take before I could even explain it, impressive. For that I figure you deserve some leiniancy. I will no longer lunge for your throat, I'll only knock you out."
I put away Ebony and dispelled my Archangel form, leaving only the wings and the glowing red eyes. I landed on top of the building we were fighting over, and opened Yamato's seal under myself. "This may take a second Evergreen, please be patient."
I took out my locket, and opened it to my picture of Mavis. "Watch over me my friend." I whispered to the picture before I closed the locket and drew Yamato. I drove Yamato, still in it's sheath, into the roof of the building I was on, then reached behind my back to grab Ikaruga's sword. "You too Ikaruga." I thought out loud. I pulled the blade out of it's sheath and passed it to my left hand, then used my right to draw Yamato out of it's sheath.
"Among all my Magics, none of them can compare to using my blades. Prepare yourself Evergreen!" I yelled as I dashed at the woman, clean through the very air. As I was slashing repeatedly, I felt Erza get close to our runes then stop. She was likely observing me, dumbstruck.
Evergreen parried me and managed to take my left arm off, but I caught Ikaruga's sword in my mouth, waving my entire body to try and stike the woman. She was caught by surprise and opened her guard for a brief moment, and I used the oppurtunity to spin my entire body to deliver a massive kick, sending her flying into the ground. Before she could recover, I had Yamato across her throat as my left arm re attached itself while I was mounted on top of her. I took Ikaruga's sword out of my mouth with my newly re attached arm.
"Impressive! But ultimately futile!" she said as her glasses fell off and she opened her yellow eyes, staring directly into mine.
Nothing. Nothing at all. I laughed while still in my advantageous position. "Sorry Evergreen, I took precautions regarding that ability. I'm using my magic to change the looks of my eyes. In essense, I'm wearing some hyper charged contacts."
"Very well then, I'll just use the women then. I can remotely detonate my ability, I can kill them right now. Now, beg for my forgiveness, and while you're at it, do it naked."
I pondered for a moment, then decided something. "You say you'll kill my comrades? Very well. At least their sacrifice won't be in vain!" I yelled as I raised Yamato above my head, causing Evergreen to scream in horror. As I brought the katana down, she closed her eyes and I stopped my blade. I threw it to the side and readied my fist. Evergreen opened her eyes to the noise and I struck her in the head as hard as I could without Magic. "That's how you bluff Evergreen. I said I was going to knock you out, and I meant it."
Evergreen passed out with a look of relief on her face, and I could feel my comrades across the city break free of her influence. My mission was done, now to find Laxus.
As I wandered out of the arena, I looked back at Evergreen. Her clothes were torn, she was bruised rather heavily, and she likely wasn't going to be able to move for awile. I sighed and said to myself, "Damnit Mar, you're too nice." before turning around and picking up Evergreen, then carrying her to Lucy's apartment. (It was the closest.) I layed her comfortably on the bed and jumped out the window to try and track Laxus. Erza joined me on the way out, using her Heaven armor to fly.
Unfortunatly, Laxus had likely had special runes placed around him to prevent exactly that outcome, because I couldn't feel him anywhere in the city. I was riding blind for the first time that I could remember, and it scared the hell out of me.
Laxus began speaking through Freed's magic, telling everyone that the game would continue, only under different rules. He was now raising the Thunder Palace, a series of lightning charged lacrima that could obliterate the city. The palace would fire in an hour and ten minutes.
As soon as I saw the lacrima float to the sky, I charged one and smashed it to pieces. Erza followed suit. To my shock, (Literally) we began hurting. A lightning that was not my own coursed through our bodies, then stopped suddenly.
"Fuck. Link Magic!" I yelled.
"We can't destroy them or they'll destroy us. A cowards tactic."
We decided to worry about that later. Laxus likely controlled them, so beating him would solve our problem without having to kill ourselves. While we flew around town looking for Laxus, I felt a dark feeling. Elfman was in trouble. BIG trouble. He was likely to be killed without help!
"Have to go, FIND LAXUS." I said to Erza before rocketing off by myself.
As I was flying, I felt Mirajane turn. It felt different this time, however. Aggresive, angry, truely demonic. I hastened my pace, and arrived to find Cana carrying an unconcious Juvia over to Elfman, then trying to get him on his feet. I could tell from where I was they were all breathing, and I considered it permission to skip over them for now. I kept going to where Freed and Mirajane were fighting.
I arrived just in time to see Freed use an improvised demon form as well, saying that the only way to kill a demon is to use a demon. I attempted to attack Freed, but was stopped almost ten feet away by more runes.
"Nice try Archangel, but I'm not letting anyone interrupt this. I've been looking forward to this." Freed said.
"Bastard!" I yelled back while pounding on the runes.
They were fighting at an even level, if not a slight upper hand belonging to Mirajane, until I decided, "Fuck it."
I flew straight up and my top speed, getting as much distance between me and the barrier as possible, then I turned around and charged straight downward, re equiping Gilgimesh on the way.
I raised my hand above my head...or below, depending on your view, and let a mixture of gravity and speed gained from my wings carry me. I began going so fast that the G forces were likely to knock a regular man out. Faster, faster, and faster still! I felt my arm begin to heat up, I was aproaching the speed of sound.
A sonic boom! I had broken the sound barrier, and I slamed into Freed's runes at that speed, smashing my way through, but hitting the ground just as hard, causing a crater.
Both Freed and Mirajane turned to what had just happened. Fighting was irrelevent for now. Freed was the first to look into the crater, not much besides mangled meat and some exposed bone.
Freed immediatly looked away, feeling sick at the sight. He reverted back to his human form and vomited. "He...he died for you!" he yelled.
Mirajane was still shocked at my action, but knew better, "He's not dead."
I'm kind of thankful neither of them looked back, or into for the first time, the crater. Piecing myself together, literally, is a stomach churning task.
"Why would anyone do such a thing? WHY?...wait, what do you mean he's not dead?" Freed lamented.
"Because I god damn care about my guildmates is why! Mirajane most of all!" I yelled from the crater. "Also, don't look in here yet. I havn't found my eyes yet."
Freed must have looked like he saw a ghost. I'm told he slowly turned his head over to see me sit up in the crater, and passed out fromt he sheer fright.
"Whoops. Sorry pretty boy." I said calmly. "But in all seriousness, Mirajane, have you seen my eyes? Or my right arm for that matter?"
She picked up one of my eyes that nearly hit her when I impacted and gave it back to me, allowing it to re attach into my eye socket.
"Thank you honey, I should be able to put myself back together now." I said as I stood up, both legs regenerated. It was then I realised I was buck naked, my clothes had essentially disintigrated on contact.
I went Archangel, if nothing else, to cover up once my body was fully regenerated, then I turned to my wife, who had stayed with me through the whole process and smiled.
"Mira, make sure you keep Freed's Magic down when he wakes up. I can find Laxus if you do."
"You got it Mar!"
"Oh, one last thing, since when did your demon form have a tail?"
"Since around thirty minutes ago."
"Fairy enough!" I said before taking flight once more.
I felt Laxus's presense almost immediatly, along with several people headed to his location. Natsu, Gajeel, Erza, and Mystogan. Mystogan was the closest, and had began fighting by the time I figured out where Laxus' hideout was. I caught up to Erza on the way and proceeded to the Karida Cathedral.
Suddenly, a set of runes appeared around me, locking Erza out. God damnit, Freed must have made this one special. "Who the hell could this be?" I said as Jane walked out from the shadows.
"I'm sorry Mar. We're stuck here until one of us falls. Shall we at least take the oppurtunity make it interesting?" She said apologetically.
"Oh, how would you make this interesting?"
She drew Ivory and motioned for me to do the same, then said, "Pistols at ten paces?"
"You know you won't win Jane."
"I know, but I'm glad I took this bombshell instead of Erza. We couldn't win this without her."
I sighed, then took my place at her back.
One, two, three, my heart began racing. Four, five, six, what if I killed her? Seven, eight, nine, I'll just be sure to hold back. Ten! I turned around, with Jane doing the same. Two gunshots wrang out into the afternoon air. I staggered from a shot to my shoulder, Jane fell on her back from a hit in the gut.
"You okay Jane?" I yelled at her as the runes disapeared.
"Fine. It didn't pierce skin. Good job on holding back on little old me."
I smiled, then turned to Erza and continued through the door.
As we walked in, Mystogan took a blow to the face, knocking his mask off. Neither of us could believe it. Mystogan looked EXACTLY like Jellal. To the most minor detail. I smiled as he left, and Erza questioned me, "How could you smile at something like that!"
"Because, Erza, a theory I had was just proven correct. I'll explain later. Now go, I think Titania should get first dibs on Laxus. At least until hot head and iron arm get here anyway."
I sat back and watched them fight, motioning for Natsu to come to me when he arrived.
Eventually, Laxus drew attention to Natsu, and Erza decided she would be best used to destroy the Thunder Palace, as she couldn't beat Laxus.
"Erza admitting defeat? Good god." I said.
"I'll still kick his ass." Natsu said boldly. "By the way, why were you in Archangel when I got here? You weren't fighting."
"My clothes were obliterated earlier. I'm using this so I don't go showing my junk off to everyone."
"Yikes." Both Natsu AND Laxus said.
"Very well Natsu, you want him alone? I'll stand by once more. But if you lose, I'll jump in. Got that?"
"Right."
It wasn't even a fair fight. Laxus wiped the floor with Natsu without giving it his all. Just as Natsu was about to gain the upper hand, the Thunder Palace was reduced to ash. Nothing but a memory. Our friends had succeeded.
Enraged, Laxus released his limits. He was no longer toying with Natsu. He knocked my friend down so fast that I didn't have the time to react when Laxus went in for a killing blow. Luckily, a gunshot wrang out, and Gajeel used the distraction to swoop in and get Natsu out of there. I turned around to see Jane standing in the doorway, Ivory raised and smoking at the barrel.
"Nice one Jane!" I yelled back at her as she threw me my gun. "Now get out of here! This is going to get real ugly real fast!"
"Aw, I was hoping to at LEAST stay and watch..."
"Now Jane. Please, for me."
"Oh, alright then." she said as she walked back out the door.
I drew Ebony to match her twin and pointed them at Laxus. I then turned my head to Gajeel and Natsu and said with a cocky grin on my face, "Shall we?"
"I think we shall!" they yelled back.
Natsu and Gajeel charged with me giving them cover fire. They ended with a combination between Fire and Iron Dragon's Roar. Laxus took this head on, taking no damage, then came after me.
I threw Ebony and Ivory into the air and used my Lightning Magic to get behind Laxus, then catching my guns and shooting him several times in the back.
Laxus staggered forward, then turned to me. "A Lightning Dragon Slayer? Ha, how rich. You are a fraud! LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR!"
I recoiled at the mention of my own attack, as a brilliant cone of lighting came toward me. I opened my mouth and let the Magic come to me. I swallowed the blast whole, causing me to perk right back up to 100%.
"Sorry Laxus. I'm the real deal. Your lighting, on the other hand, tastes artificial. Manufactured as some would say."
"RAAAAAAAAAGH!" Laxus yelled as he bulked up, tearing off his shirt in the process and dashing toward me.
Laxus strikes were vicious, feral even. Every one of them felt like they broke something if I blocked them, and even if he missed, every hit trailed lightning. I decided to give it my all in one strike, as it was likely all Laxus would give me an opening for. Eventually, Laxus wound up for a straight haymaker, likely to take me down in a single blow as well.
I ducked under his strike, exposing his chest above me. While re equiping Gilgimesh, I concentrated my darkened lightning into my right hand, and delivered a vicious uppercut, knocking Laxus into the air.
Laxus landed near the back of the cathedral, and once he got back up, I realised my blow had done nothing but aggrivate him. He noted that Natsu had collapsed from his earlier injuries, and let out a Lighting Dragon's Roar in his direction. Gajeel used himself as a lightning rod and took the hit for Natsu, but was incapacitated in the process.
Laxus then turned to me once more, and dashed at me, striking me so hard I though all my ribs broke at once, and sending me flying into the wall, trapping me in the concrete.
Laxus began laughing like a mad man, and he placed his hands parralel to each other in front of him. In between them, a ball of light appeared. Holy shit! He was going to use Fairy Law! I struggled to get out of the concrete, but I was stuck pretty well.
Just as the cathedral began tearing itself apart from the power, Levy burst into the cathedral with Jane.
"Stop this Laxus! You grandfater is dying! Master Makarov is dying!"
This threw Laxus off for a second, causing him to lose Fairy Law. Then he started laughing again. "Good! That means my chances of becoming Master have increased!"
Laxus then proceeded to ready Fairy Law once more, and cast it. I closed my eyes as Fairy Law was cast. Immortal or not, that spell would strike my very existence.
I felt nothing. Well, besides the concrete holding me prisoner. I opened my eyes to see Laxus shocked. Natsu and Gajeel were getting up off the ground, perfectly safe.
Freed limped into the cathedral next, saying "You're wondering why everyone is still alive, arn't you Laxus? Fairy Law only targets those who the caster sees as true enemies. Not a single soul was hurt outside. You still consider them comrades, even if you yourself don't believe it!"
Laxus began screaming, "NO! NO! I WON'T ACCEPT THIS!"
Laxus charged at Natsu and attempted to shock him, but found that he was out of Magic Power.
From my perch around eight feet off the ground, I could see this, and I yelled to Natsu, "Kick his ass will you! I'm indisposed right now!" I then turned to my friends near the door almost straight under me and said, "Any chance any of you can get me down and get me a fresh pair of pants?"
Jane scaled the broken wall, almost like a spider, and started pounding on the concrete with her flame enhanced hands, eventually breaking one of my arms free. I used it to point at Natsu, who was currently kicking the hell out of Laxus. Jane turned and watched with me.
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu yelled as fire danced around him, acting as a physical weapon. He struck Laxus at full force, knocking him into the air, and out cold. The Fairy Tail civil war was over.
I re equiped Gilgimesh on my free hand and used it to bash apart the wall myself, freeing both my arms and my body above my waist. I used it to hug Jane as a friend would, saying "Thank you for helping." I broke my legs free next and flew us both down to the ground.
The next day, we were cleaning up the guild and the city, especially the cathedral that had nearly split apart, when I recieved news. Laxus was exiled from Fairy Tail. I couldn't even begin to imagine what Makarov was going through right now, but I knew he'd need a friendly ear to offload on later. I decided to be that guy then and there.
Natsu and Gajeel were both bandaged and casted over ninety percent of their bodies for around a week afterwards, almost unable to move the following day. I decided to do them a grace and make sure they would't miss the parade by getting Mira to help me fly them up to a roof with a good view. We left them in some comfy chairs we borrowed from the guild and gave them some hard alchohol, (They earned it.) then took our places on our float in the parade itself. Our float was the "Kind Hearted Demons of Fairy Tail" float. Mira was in her full demon form to please the crowds, while I decided to just take off my shirt and spread my wings. People tended to get creeped out at the orange veins. Freed came with us as well, also in his full demon form. Turns out the Rajin tribe was persuaded to stay by Laxus himself. I knew there was a good guy in there somewhere. Erza also accompanied us, but wasn't wearing any sort of costume, just her armor. No one seemed to object anyway.
On the way through town, I would spread my wings as far as they go and fire Lightning Dragon's Roar into the sky, if for nothing else, to show our location to onlookers who hadn't arrived yet. Mira would laugh every time I did so, because it was usually followed by me dashing to the edge of the float, or just flying straight off and signing autographs. Once Mira saw that I generally enjoyed what I was doing, she joined in! Freed and Erza even shrugged and tryed their hands at spreading their fame at a more personal level as well!
As we passed a particularily busy street, I noticed there was a boy in the back of the crowd, no more then 10, trying desperatly to see the parade. I felt so bad for the tyke that I actually flew straight up and put on a bit of a show in the sky. I showed off several flashy Magics that I had stored over the years. It was an amazing spectacle, people told me it was almost like watching a living meteor shower of light and sound.
When I was done, I dived for the boy in the back, and in one swoop, took him clean off the ground, and returned to my float, standing him up next to my friends. Poor boy almost passed out right there. I found out later he idolised Erza and I. He barely left Erza's side through the rest of the night!
I flew up to the top of our float and took out Ebony and Ivory, then aimed them to the sky.
"This partys getting crazy!" I yelled, "Let's rock!" With that, I fired Ebony and Ivory repeatedly into the air, as fast as I could. I set the "Bullets" to explode when they traveled a certain distance, causing a cascade of fireworks to decorate the night sky.
I even saw Laxus in the crowd, and when Makarov raised his hand in Fairy Tail's signature gesture for him, I followed suit. When everyone saw who I was looking at, they followed Master's lead as well. The motion touched Laxus so much that he actually shed a couple of tears. He would always be welcome, he just had to check that attitude at the door while he was out traveling is all.
As the parade ended, I grabbed the tyke and took him home, then decided to head to my home as well.
I arrived through my window, noting that by the time I got home, Mirajane was already in bed. I slowly crept in and dismissed my wings, then got my pants and holsters off and curled up next to her.
The next morning, I was going to go pick up Lucy for a job I had found, and I noticed her talking to an older, bearded gentleman. I slipped into a dark alley nearby and listened in.
I heard the man ask for a large sum of money, then Lucy send him away angrilly. From the context, that man was probably her father. He told her he was going to a tradesmans guild to work like an honest man on his way away.
Lucy continued toward Fairy Tail with tears in her eyes, and as she passed me, I said, "Hold up."
Lucy jumped at my voice before realising it was me, and once she realised she was among friends, started crying again. I hugged her and put her head to my sholder. A friend is always there for a friend, I say.
After she was done, I patted her on the back and said, "There, doesn't it help to have company?"
"Y-yeah. Thank you Mar."
We continued on our way and I showed Lucy the job, and after we checked in at the guild, we headed out. The job was easy enough, we just needed to rough up some thugs. Turns out renown of my team is spreading, the thugs gave up without a fight. After I made them swear they would lay off any illegal activity, I shook their hands on it and we left. On the way back, however, we heard a disturbing story. The tradesman's guild that Lucy's father was going to was under siege by a dark guild!
After we overheard this, Lucy turned to me and said, "Change of plans Mar, we're thaking them out."
"I thought you hated your father?"
"I do, but that doesn't stop him from being family. Now come on! The guild is nearby!"
We got the the guild, where police had already gathered outside of the building. No way we'd get in that way.
"They have hostages Lucy, we need a different way in."
"Under."
"Under?"
"Virgo!"
Virgo appeared before us, and tunneled a way into the building, quietly emerging in the back. I motioned for Lucy and Virgo to stay underground for a moment while I checked how many hostiles were in there and where the hostages were. I found no less then two dozen armed men, with the hostages being directly under a window that peered into the room I stood in. They were all wearing black hoods, likely to make sure they couldn't identify the dark guild members if the shit hit the fan. A good sign. If they were uncovered, it would signify the guild members don't care, and would likely execute them if needed.
I motioned for Lucy and Virgo to come up after me, then told themn the plan. "Simple, I'll jump through this window with Enbony and Ivory and start taking people out. While they're distacted, you and Virgo come in and flank them. If I see a scratch on either of you I'll beat you senseless, got it?"
"Got it." the women replied.
True to my word, I burst through the window as hard as I could, hoping to scatter the glass further away from the hostages, preferably not touching them at all. I grabbed a guy near the window, bringing him to the ground and knocking him out, then I rolled from the momentum and stood up, guns drawn and blazing. By the time Lucy and Virgo got into the room, there was only one terrified guy left, and he had grabbed a hostage, putting a gun to her head.
"Get the fuck back! I'll shoot!"
I backed away slowly and dropped Ebony and Ivory onto the ground, then layed flat on my stomach with my hands behind my head.
The man inched closer, the woman still in his grip. I heard him throw her aside and felt him put the barrel of his gun to my head.
"Goodnight pretty boy!"
"Lucy, if you please?"
"Who the he-" was all he could get out before Lucy drop kicked him in the face with both feet. She grabbed my hand and helped me to my feet, apologising for taking so long. I accepted, then grabbed my guns and returned them to their holsters.
I heard a groaning noise from behind us, and I realised, "Oh fuck, he's still awake!" I heard the sound of metal shaking as well, and realised he still had his gun. I grabbed Lucy and forced her infront of me, just as six gunshots wrang out, striking me in the back. I heard a metalic click next. He was out.
"You...saved me." Lucy said, still shocked at what had just happened. "Thank you!"
Virgo was no better, saying "I almost failed to protect princess. Thank you for saving me the shame and her the harm master."
"Don't thank me yet. I'm going to need someone to pull those out." I said with a smile.
I turned to the man who had shot me, and let my eyes gain that red glow I love so much.
"You think a toy like that can take me down boy?" I said in the most demonic voice I could muster. "You're wrong!" I yelled as I drew Ebony and shot my own arm off. It slowly re attached itself, Ebony still in it's grip.
"Nothing can take me down you disgusting shit rat! DIE!" I yelled as I pointed the gun at his head, causing him to scream and pass out.
I holstered the weapon, and said, "Huh. People are so cowardly nowadays."
We left the guild after checking to make sure they were all okay, but too our surprise, Lucy's father was not among them.
We both wandered out of the building, showing the police our brands and telling them all was clear, then wondering where the hell he could be. Just as we were both lost in though, a cloaked man walked up to us and said, "Wow Lucy, I didn't know you had a boyfriend!"
Lucy looked up with a blush on her cheeks while I burst out laughing. "Dad! What are you doing out here! And he's NOT my boyfriend!"
"I just got here. I walked because I had no money, remember?"
"You wanted a hundred thousand jewel for TRAVELING MONEY?"
"Yeah, I realised on the way here that was unreasonable, and I'm sorry I put you in that situation. So, are you going to tell me his name or am I just going to have to call him Son all the time?"
"He's NOT my boyfriend!"
I finally recovered and said, "Sorry sir, I'm not with your daughter. I'm a good friend, but I'm also married."
"Married? At your age?"
I smiled and showed my ring. "I'm alot older then I look." I replied.
Lucy's father laughed and said "Sure you are! Now, if you'll both excuse me, I've got a living to earn! Ah yes, but first, I don't believe I caught this young man's name."
"My name's Mar sir."
He laughed again and said, "Drop the formalities, they are unbecoming! My name's Jude, it's good to meet you!"
I shook the mans hand before he walked up to his new home, and on the way, he left us with an invitation, "Feel free to drop by any time you're in the neighbourhood! Heck, bring friends!"
Lucy was smiling the whole way back to the station, she was obviously very happy with the outcome.
The following weeks were quiet once more.
I found myself saying to Makarov, "At least there's always a nice breather before our guild teeters over destruction again!"