I was perfectly content with my decision, and I spent most of the time my team was away resting and relaxing with my friends and family, although Makarov wouldn't stop expressing his disapointment at my decision. I didn't really care though, and he knew that.
A couple of days after my friends left, I was in the middle of a drink, nothing alchoholic, it was water, when I felt a horrendous magic building in the distance. I nearly choked on my drink, and I ran outside, taking to the sky mid stride.
I looked around, trying to find it's source, but I could see nothing that would produce such dark power. My senses were overloading, and I clutched my head in pain. I fell from the sky onto the cold, hard concrete, still grasping at my head.
My friends ran out of the guild at the sight, Mira leading the pack.
"Mar! Mar! What's wrong!" She yelled at me.
I could barely hear her, it sounded like TV static was being projected straight into my brain at maximum volume.
"I have no god damn idea!" I snapped back. "AAAAAAARGH! FUCK THIS!" I yelled, as I sealed off my Archive, cutting off my sensory ability.
The sound stopped instantly, as did the overloading of my senses. I stood up calmly, stating that I was OK now.
"Sorry Mira, I have to go. Whatever the hell that was, I can't let it into the world." I told my wife.
"It's okay. Go get em tiger!" she said, cheerful as ever knowing that I was now fine.
I sprouted my wings, this time powered by memory and Deliora instead of Archive, and flew off at top speed. If there was anything I got from that...experience, it was where the devil it was coming from.
I flew for what felt like forever into the horizon. Whatever had done that to me, it was a long ways away. Amazing when I thought about it. What kind of Magic could possibly affect me like that from...hell, it had to be at least a hundred miles away by now. My top speed is nothing to scoff at, even ask Happy! I'd win more of those races we have if he didn't keep setting up obstacles only he could get through. Cheating son of a-...my thought was interrupted by a strange sight.
A large pillair of light loomed in the distance, glowing a mixture of white and black, and even without my sensory ability, I could tell it was radiating pure evil. As I approached, the light intesified, and even took solid shape! A crab like fortress sprouted from the ground, and I was struck by one of it's legs while in flight, knocking me out and knocking off the seal I was holding on Archive.
I awoke in the ruins of what appeared to have been a city at some point or another, and I immediatly discovered that my sensory ability, and Archive as a whole, had returned. While the feeling I got from this apparent fortress was no longer incapacitating, it sure as hell was dark. I felt a dreadful Magic Power nearby, close to two familiar ones. I was still a little dazed, so i couldn't identify who was who, and I just figured they were my friends. I arrived to see a man unconcious and Erza fighting some freak black haired guy. I took to the sky then crashed down on the black haired man, then struck him in the throat, knocking him out cold.
I stood up and turned to Erza, then smiled and said, "Sorry I'm late, traffic was killer. Did you know there's someone driving a collosal crab around here?"
Erza just burst out laughing, part from my cheesy joke, part from relief that her fight was over, and part from happiness to see me now that shit was apparently hitting the fan at Mach 10.
I turned to the man who was downed behind Erza, and realised just who it was, then commented, "Since when did we start bringing Mystogan on missions?"
"That's...not Mystogan, Mar." Erza replied, clearly concerned about my reaction.
"Hmm, not Mystogan? His Magic feels the same, and overall he looks identical, even from here. I don't think I've even seen someone with that shade of hair colour before besides on Jellal. So, if that man is Jellal, Etherion likely laced itself with his body, preventing him from death, and he washed ashore god knows where and got healed by a local mage. The fact he's not currently wrapping his hand around either of our throats signifies that he is either out of Magic, has lost his memories, or has purged the madness from his mind. Which one is it Erza?"
"Wow, you're sharp. But it's all of the above. Also, a local Mage didn't heal him, it was Wendy."
"Who's Wendy?"
"A new friend, and a Air Dragon Slayer. She can use healing magic to a degree I've never seen before. She even got snake venom out of my arm without a scapel."
"Snake venom? Wow."
"Also, why are you not distressed that Jellal is here? I thought you hated him?"
"Looking for a reaction? Sorry, you won't find one here. I had a problem with the way Jellal treated you when he was mad. If he no longer feels the madness, then there is no problem. I may even grow to like him."
"Well, here's something to help you along. He was willing to sacrifice himself to prevent this...thing from emerging. He had the power to do it, but I stalled him long enough for Oracion Seis's leader to dispel the barrier. I still don't know if I made the right decision in helping Jellal try to continue living."
"Bullshit, you were saving a friend. If he is the man you remember, then you did the right thing."
"...thanks Mar."
As we continued onward to find Oracion Seis' leader, we ran across a small blue haired girl in a dress and a white coated cat.
"Erza! Jellal!" She yelled happily, running for a hug.
I looked over at Erza, then down to the girl on her leg as she also looked at me.
"Who's the white haired guy? I like his wings!"
I turned my head to look at my back, and sure enough, I had left my wings out. Oh well. Good thing I like them.
Erza smiled and introduced me, "His name is Mar, he's a close friend and a team mate of mine. He must have smelled trouble, cause he came running! Well, flying anyway."
"What can I say?" I started, "I'm a sucker for bailing my friends out, both old and new. I take it this little one is Wendy?"
The girl smiled and nodded at me, and turned to her cat, saying "And that's Carla"
"It's a pleasure to meet bot of you." I responded
Our introductions were cut short by a massive noise, followed by a collosal build up of Dark Magic.
"Oh shit! He's going to fire!" Erza yelled.
"No! Cait Shelter!" Wendy screamed.
I flew up, and noticed that there was a small town in the target range. The weapon was just about ready to fire, when a damaged airship smashed into one of Nirvana's legs, knocking it off kilter and causing it to miss. Barely.
A voice echoed through my mind, and apparently everyone elses as well.
"This is Hibiki! The cannon is powered by six lacrima crystals! Destroy them and Nirvana becomes completely useless! They need to be destroyed at the same time however, or the remaining lacrima will regenerate the destroyed ones!"
Sensing an all too familiar magic, I began speaking back, "Hibiki is it? This is Mar. I just arrived, and I'm on your side, but we have to talk after this crap is over and done with. I'm interested in your magic, and I have a feeling you'd be interested in mine."
"Roger! I'm looking forward to it! Come back safe Mar! Come back safe all of you! I'll use this method to co ordinate the synchronised strike, go!"
Another voice boomed throughout the base, saying, "This is Zero. I'm well aware of your plan. I will be waiting at one of the lacrima crystals, making the stopping of Nirvana impossible. You have twenty minutes until I obliterate that pathetic town. Good evening."
I dashed to the crystal I had been assigned. 4 was my number, just in case someone named "Ichiya" didn't pull through.
When I got there, the room was empty. I hadn't got Zero's room. I knew it. I KNEW Natsu would go for him. I didn't need my sensory ability to tell that's the one Natsu picked, the dude stank, and I mean STANK, of sulpher. Gross, I know.
Eventually the order came through, and as a man inched into the room tied to a pole, I shattered the lacrima into a million pieces with a single bare handed hit.
Hibiki's voice filled my mind again, "You guys did it! You actually did it! Nirvana stopped firing!"
"Get me in contact with that hot head!" I yelled over the communication channel.
"Quiet down Mar, I'm here." Natsu said calmly. "I might need a lift out though, I can barely move. Still doing better then Zero though."
The ground began to shake violently, and pieces of the roof began falling. Shit, those cores were Nirvana's ENTIRE power source, weren't they?
As I was about to dash out of the room, I remembered the man tied to a pole, so I took flight and grabbed the pole he was attached to, carrying him along with me.
Luckily, thanks to the combined efforts of everyone there and sheer dumb luck, we all managed to make it out unscathed.
As I landed in the forest near Cait Shelter, at our determined rendevous point, I cut the man free and let him stretch his likely cramped to hell muscles before my friends got back. I coukld tell every one of them were en route, with some people I'd never met.
"Your parfum is that of death, but your heart is one of gold. Who are you?" the man asked me.
"Parfum? Is that my smell or something?" I asked back.
"In a sense, yes."
"Then death is an apropriate smell for me. Know I do what I do only to follow what I believe is right, however."
"The Sacrificial Sinner. An admirable role my friend, especially considering you manage to maintain a family life."
I was initially surprised at his spot on guessing, but then I remembered I was wearing a wedding ring. Derp.
"Young sir, you still havn't told me your name. Or what amazing Magic gives you the ability to fly for that matter."
"Hah, sorry. My name is Mar, I'm a user of Archive. I thought I was the last one until I came out here."
"Oh?" the man said, intrigued. "What changed?"
"A man named Hibiki. I believe he has a modern version of my magic."
"Hibiki? And what do you mean modern?"
"You havn't heard my twisted tale? I was born 200 years ago, and I ended up jumping through time to this age out of shame. Shame that was brought about by the destruction that my creation caused. My creation was Archive."
"...good god, you're telling the truth. My name is Ichiya, Hibiki is a student of mine, you could say."
"Ah, so you ARE Ichiya. I was told to destroy your lacrima incase you didn't make it in time."
"Yeah, sorry I had to put you on the spot like that."
"Not an issue, Nirvana is busted, and we're all safe. That's all that matters."
Content, Ichyya smiled, and group by group, we all arrived. The last to arrive were Erza and Jellal, who almost caused another fight just by being there. Natsu and Erza managed to difuse the situation, however, and introduced the "New" Jellal and I to everyone. I met several people that day. Jura, one of the Ten Wizard Saints was present, and a representitive from another guild. Hoteye was a redeemed member of Oracion Seis turned good by Nirvana's influence. Lyon was among the members of the guild alliance as well, and I shook the man's hand upon meeting him once more. He introduced me to a red head he was partnered with named Sherry. From their body language, it seemed they were a bit closer then friends. Finally came Hibiki, Eve, and Ren, Ichiya's three students, and the most well mannered people I had ever met.
Finally, I walked up to Wendy and Carla, squatting down to get on eye level. "And I think we're already aquainted, young Miss Wendy, and young Miss Carla."
The two smiled at me brightly, then I stood up and dusted off my knees.
I suddenly felt several presenses coming towards us, and I turned to see a regiment of Council soldiers coming up the hill.
Their commanding officer stated that they were here for any remaining members of Oracion Seis. Hoteye went peacefully, and we told the story of how he had turned a new leaf. While he was being taken away, Jura asked to search for his brother in his absence. I figured it was the entire reason Hoteye got involved with Seis in the first place, so i didn't object to a technical criminal's wish.
Hoteye stated that his brother's name was Wally. Wally Buchanan.
I turned to Erza with a hunch, but her jaw had already hit the ground. I was right.
"I know Wally!" She yelled. "He's safe, traveling the world with some friends!"
The news affected Hoteye immensly, causing him to break into tears of joy near instantly. One of the guards accompanied him into the prison transport, if not just to calm him down.
Once Hoteye was loaded and gone, the regiment leader turned back to us and said, "That's one problem out of the way, but there is another. That is Jellal, is it not? He has yet to pay for his crimes, and must stand trial."
This angered everyone. Natsu started yelling at the commander to no avail.
A guard went in to grab Jellal and haul him off, but he was knocked to the ground by Natsu. Before I knew it, we had an all out war on our hands, with Erza crying on the sidelines, and Jellal to drained to do anything. I decided then and there, that this man deserved saving for what he had done for us. I could already feel some of his power in Natsu, he had undoubtedly helped Natsu against Zero. I dashed through the confusion and grabbed Jellal.
"Hang on!" I yelled before going Archangel and taking off with Jellal in my arms.
"The prisoner is getting away! What the hell is that thing?" I heard from behind me. Oh well, at least they couldn't tell it was me.
Staves and firearms lit up the sky, they REALLY didn't want me getting away. I glanced back to see Erza begin to calm everyone down, and even call for "The Archangel" to bring Jellal back. I knew she was protecting my identity, aiding a prisoner's escape was a serious crime. Somehow, I think she knew I wasn't coming back though. I flew off at top speed, headed toward Fairy Tail, the one place I knew was safe.
As we were flying, Jellal asked me, "Why are you helping me? I'm a wretch. What I've done is inexusible."
"That's horse shit and you know it Jellal. You were possesed, or drivin mad even, at the time. You had no real control of your actions. Besides, you are more then willing to repent, you already have to an extent!"
"I still wish to face punishment."
"Jellal, do you REMEMBER that fight between you, Natsu, and I on top of the Tower?"
"Vaguly. I know I lost."
"We KILLED you Jellal. We plowed you through the floor so hard that you flew through several levels of the tower, and you likely were caught in the Tower's explosion."
"Then...I have had a death sentance carried out?"
"Yes. I should know. We don't need the council giving you another one."
"Regardless, I'm a wanted man. What the hell am I going to do without being caught and turned in?"
"Actually Jellal, there's a spot open in Fairy Tail, more or less."
"More or less?"
"We have a member named Mystogan, he wears facial wrappings all the time, and he's usually out on mission. No one could tell it was you, outside of the guild anyway. Hell, he even looks identical to you without the wrap."
"Wow, that's...convieniant. Will I be Mystogan to your friends as well?"
"Nah. We'll tell them if you want to, even Mystogan himself. No one OUTSIDE of the guild will know." I said with a wink.
"Ha. Well, if this means I can stay out of jail, repent for my crimes in honest work, AND stay close to Erza, I love the idea."
"I knew you would. Now come on, you have a guild to join. And for gods sake, bring that up with Erza next time you see here. I'm damn sure she feels the same way."
I touched down in front of Fairy Tail, leaving Jellal to introduce himself and tell his story, then I turned to teleport back to my friends. Why didn't I teleport Jellal, you ask? I knew he'd need a little convincing before joining Fairy Tail, so I decided to take the slower route.
I appeared in some nearby bushes and dispelled my Archangel form. I walked out of the bush slowly, clutching my head.
"God DAMNIT!" I yelled. "Who the HELL thought it was a good idea to blast me into the woods!"
The commander was too irate to even notice me, he was pacing, making some odd gestures, and using some awfully fowl language.
I walked back to my friends and said in a hushed voice, "Package: Secure."
As I walked toward Hibiki for the talk I had promised earlier, Erza grabbed my arm. She pulled me toward her and hugged me, crying all the while. "Thank you Mar...thank you so much...I didn't want to lose him again..."
I hugged back and patted her back, "Think nothing of it Erza. I wasn't going to let him get the fucking chair, and you know that."
I passed Erza over to Natsu, then continued to Hibiki, bringing him aside and conversing with him on a nearby cliffside. Shortly after we sat down, the council's regiment pulled back. No further reason for them to stay I guess.
"So, Hibiki, where did you get that Magic? And furthermore, what is it called?
"I learned it myself, it's a fairly new Magic, dubbed Archive. It allows me to store and use spells at a whim, and even transfer knowledge, profiles, and spells themselves to other people."
"Wow, that's pretty impressive. Can you sense different kinds of Magical Powers, and even identify them?"
"No, that's not a benefit of Archive, unfortunatly."
"Ha! Like hell it isn't! Where was the idea of Archive thought up Hibiki? Did they give the inventor credit?"
"A famous scholar said he made improvements to an existing spell he found, also named Archive. It was supposed to have been created two centuries ago by a man named Mar. Small world, eh Mar?"
"It just got a whole lot smaller Hibiki. That Mar is one and the same with me. I'm the inventor of Archive."
"You? Bullshit!"
I stood up, firing a succession of Magics over the cliff. Lightning, Ice, Fire, and even a Dark Celestial Summoning.
"Believe me yet?"
"H-how are you still alive!"
"Time travel. It's a bitch."
"...I'm not even going to ask. So, why did you want to talk to me, besides scaring the crap out of me?"
"Honestly, I was hoping to patch my Archive to the latest version. I can only store offensive Magic, and it's a royal pain in the ass to share my Magic, plus, once I do, I can't take them back. My mistakes would be permanent."
"That's all? I can do that!"
"Great, thank you. I'll tip you with my sensory ability. Takes some time to get used to, but it's worth it. I could feel Nirvana all the way from Fairy Tail."
"Wow, now, stand up would you?"
"Alright." I said, complying with Hibiki's wish. To my surprise, a large green loading bar appeared above my head. "Uhh, Hibiki? What the hell?"
"It's the design for Archive 2.0 let's call it. Don't worry, the interface on yours isn't going to change, I thought you'd like that much the same."
"Thanks. I'm absolute shit with computers."
The bar filled to the brim, and then dissapeared, and I felt Archive improve immediatly. I turned to Hibiki and focused on both him and my sensory ability as a whole. My eyes sparked into a golden light and Hibiki began glowing the same colour.
The light lifted Hibiki to his feet, then dropped him, feet flat on the ground.
"Did that work?" I asked, nervous.
"You bet. I can already tell I have a sixth sense that needs refining, thanks Mar. Hey...you know, we technically just created a new Magic."
"We did indeed! I hadn't even thought of that."
"It IS an improvement on an existing Magic however...then again, you're the one that invented it in the first place. Does it need a new name Mar?"
"Hmm. I guess Archive really isn't the most exciting of names, is it?"
"Not really, but it fits well."
"Hmm...I'm no good with names either. Archive was a stroke of genius for me in that regard. Tell you what, I think of one, I'll contact you."
"You got it." Hibiki said while transferring his telepathy communication technique to me. "There, now I'll be available so long as I'm awake!"
"Awesome! Thanks Hibiki! Oh, and one more thing. How the heck did we solve the problems with airships? They were an imposibility in my time."
"A big ass engine and anti gravity Magic."
"Anti gravity? Wow."
We all boarded the airship and headed off towards Cait Shelter to get Wendy home. The members of Cait probably wanted to see us anyway. I leaned against a mast, wondering what kind of guild Cait Shelter was.
We were greeted by thunderous cheering as we set down, causing me to smile, and my friends, both old and new to run to the edge of the ship and start waving at the people we had saved. Amazingly, Natsu was even among them. I figured someone had used a spell to cure his motion sickness, or at least givin him some grade A medicine.
As we began to descend into a landing, I decided I was being anti social, so I let my wings fly, and jumped off the edge. I went into a nose dive, pulling up just over the crowd. I corrected myself and started hovering behind the crowd, then set myself down. I was almost immediatly swarmed by grateful members.
My friends touched down and started talking to Cait Shelter's master, a man they called Roubaul. I glanced in their direction a few times, eventually hearing what they were talking about over the crowd. I took flight once more, having to shake a woman clinging to me into the waiting arms of her friends. I apologised and flew over to my friends.
"I'm sorry, but I heard that. I heard you say you were a member of the tribe who created Nirvana 400 years ago."
"I wasn't trying to hide it. It's time the truth was known." Raubaul replied.
He explained how the darkness Nirvana took from the world eventually corrupted it and it's people, causing them to go mad and kill each other. Only Raubaul survived. Raubaul sealed Nirvana, and swore he would eternally watch the machine until someone strong enough to destroy it came along. He stayed in solitude right up until a child brought Wendy to him, telling him to take care of her. When he described the child, it sounded near identical to Jellal. I looked at Erza and used my new telepaty to say, "Mystogan I assume." Erza, unsurprised by my method of communication, nodded.
Raubaul stated that to make Wendy feel at home, he created an entire illusionary guild, just for her.
Wendy burst into tears, she knew that Raubaul wasn't lying. He apologised to the young girl, while I looked away. The pain of loss was one I didn't want to see, I had enough of my own. Don't get me wrong though, I felt for Wendy.
Slowly, the guild members disapeared, followed by Raubaul himself. He said his final goodbyes as his spirit left this world, his purpose fufilled. Wendy continued crying as I heard what I assumed was her mark disapearing.
I bowed my head and let a tear fall from my right eye. She had just lost everyone she ever knew. I knew that pain. I knew it far too well.
I walked over to Wendy, got her to her feet, and hugged her. "I know what you're feeling. I've gone through the same."
Wendy hugged me back and continued crying, while I just rubbed the back of her head.
Erza came up behind her and put her hand on her shoulder, saying "I know too. I know how it feels to be alone. That's why I think you should join Fairy Tail. We could always use another Dragon Slayer!"
Wendy stopped crying for a minute, and turned to Erza, shocked at her proposition. She smiled as she started tearing up again, and accepted as tears fell from her eyes once more.
I smiled at this outcome, as did everyone present. This was the right thing to do, I'd think.
It struck me then, "Woah, hang on, she's a DRAGON SLAYER?"
Everyone burst out into laughter, Wendy included. Wendy regained her composure and told me, "Yep! Sky Dragon Slayer, Wendy, and faithful friend Carla, at your service!"
"Holy hell! Erza, how many is that now, four?"
"Five if you'd count Laxus."
"Holy hell!"
Everyone startd laughing again, Wendy was clearly pleased there were so many people like her at our guild, and on the way back, she started talking to me.
"Mar, is it? Mind if I ask you a few things? You seem to be the wise one in the group."
"Of course not, shoot. And I know. Scary isn't it?"
"Ha, anyway, what are the other Dragon Slayers like? I know Natsu is one, but Erza said we'd have four if I join, five if we include a 'Laxus'"
"Laxus was exiled. He wasn't a real Dragon Slayer either, he had the power implanted in him."
"And the others?"
"Well, there's Gajeel. He's a former enemy turned Fairy Tail Mage after his guild dissolved. He's a little self centered and dark, but he's a real nice guy when you get to know him."
"Wow, sounds like a regular tale of redemption! What about the last one?"
"You're looking at him."
"You!"
I sighed, then aimed overboard and let off a Lightning Dragon's Roar.
"Me." I replied while turning back around.
Eve started yelling at me, "Damnit Mar! You almost tilted the ship!"
"My bad!" I yelled back up.
Wendy started laughing, and I turned to her and said, "Yeah, I'm a spaz. What of it?"
Wendy stopped laughing and asked me another question, "You said you knew my pain, that you'd been through the same? I won't blame you if you don't want to talk about it, but I'm just curious."
"I meant what I said. You're going to join Fairy Tail, and let's face it, you're going to get accepted, so I figure theres no reason to hold my past back on ya. Ever heard of the scholar who created Archive?"
"I remember reading it in a book at Cait Shelter, he had the same name as you, Mar I also read he was only 16 when he died. He apparently commited suicide and left a note, causing his own creation to be banned as a tool of war."
"Wait, Archive was BANNED?"
"Yeah, why are you so surprised?"
"That would certainly explain why it's only recently re surfaced, everyone probably stopped practacing it when I died, out of respect for my wishes."
"That sounds about right. Wait, what do you mean 'I' and 'My wishes'?"
"I mean what I said."
"You don't mean..."
"Yep. Archive was wreaking havoc in wars throughout the age, MY CREATION was killing untold thousands of people. I was so ashamed that I abandoned everyone I knew back then and shot myself two hundred years into the future. I guess Mavis and Leo covered for me and told everyone I was dead. I did leave a note though, I guess it could have been interpreted that way."
"A-amazing! Wait, what did the note say? And who are Mavis and Leo?"
"Mavis was an old friend, pretty much the sister I never had. Incidentally, she was also the first master of Fairy Tail. Leo was a damn fine friend. Hell, he still is."
"He's still alive?"
"He's a Zodiac spirit. You know, Leo the Lion?"
"W-wow! You know alot of fascinating people Mar!"
"Bah, it comes naturaly with being famous in two different times. Mind you, meeting Mavis was mostly luck."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Wendy, know I've never told anyone this, not even my wife. I'm telling you because, honestly? I like you. I know you're going through alot right now, and it helps to have friends who know how you feel. Now, I was a war orphan, I don't remember my parents. I didn't have a name for god knows how long. I would break into whatever house I could to get a decent place to sleep, and some food. I couldn't have been any older then 4, and I could already pick locks. Shameful, I know. One day, I was busted breaking into a house, I was sure I would be killed."
"It was Mavis who found you, wasn't it?"
"No, it was her mother. She took pity on me and helped me back to health from the horrid state I was in. In my recovery time, I was introduced to Mavis, and we became friends rather swiftly. She was the most caring person I'd ever known."
"You loved her, didn't you?"
"As a sister, yes. I wouldn't permit a wretch like myself to defile her romanticly."
"But you said you were married!"
"I had reedemed myself by then in my own eyes, but as I was saying. When I hit the age of nine, I heard a rumour of a dragon outside the town, up in the mountains."
"The Thunder Dragon?"
"Raiden. I left for the mountain without a word, leaving a note for Mavis. What happened there will stay with me for now, but I returned with Thunder Dragon Slayer magic and my name five years later."
"Another note? What did they read Mar?"
"The one I just told you about read 'The wretch once living here choses death.'"
"That's...dark. Did they think you were actually dead?"
"I'd hope so. I wanted them to think I was dead in case I didn't come back. By the time I left, I was very familiar to everyone in the small town. My return heralded a parade."
"A whole parade for one person!"
"Yeah, weird I know. When I announced that I had not only returned alive, but had mastered what was widely thought as the most difficult Magic in existence at the time, I was a regular celebrety in the town. They even called all their relatives, and before I knew it, I was swarmed by journalists, all wanting an interview from the kid who became a dragon."
"Wow!"
"But that's off topic. I officially met Mavis that day, when I came back to the folks that raised me. I walked through the front door as if nothing had happened, and started looking for Mavis and her parents. I found Mavis in the back, kneeling in front of two recently dug graves."
"Oh no..."
"Yeah, her parents had both passed on the day of my return. I never got to thank them for their hospitality. One of my major regrets. I swore then and there that I would care for Mavis as they cared for me. It was the least I could do. I remember the moment very clearly. I walked up to Mavis while she was crying heavily, and I kneeled down beside her, bowing my head and crying at the loss as well. Mavis turned to me and said 'Thank you stranger, it always helps to have company.' I just smiled through my tears and waited until Mavis stood up. Must have taken hours, at least. As she was walking away, I said to her, 'Stranger? I'm hurt Mavis.' Mavis clearly recognised my voice, despite me having hit puberty while I was gone. She turned with a shocked look on her face, and cryed once she saw into my eyes. She knew it was me."
"Just from your eyes and a changed voice?"
"Oh, right. My eyes were odd back then. One was golden, the other red. They changed to both golden after I implemented Archive into myself, but that's another story altogether. Mavis ran to me, and tripped as she was just about to reach me. I used my Lighting Magic to zip under her at a high speed to break her fall. She fell on top of me and we both hit the dirt. She stared into my eyes once more, and began crying again. 'You! I thought you were dead! I thought I was alone!' she screamed in my face. I hugged her while she was laying on top of me and pulled her head to my chest, saying 'I'm sorry I left you alone, you can be damn sure it's never happening again. I will never leave your side so long as I live. By the way, my name is Mar.'"
"Wow! What happened after that!"
"Ha, I'm glad to finally get this out. Thanks for listening Wendy."
"No problem!"
"We stayed in Mavis' house for awile, but once we had some money roll in from those journalists seeking me and various jobs, we moved to the big city. I became infatuated with the idea of 'A central point of Magic that links all other Magic together', and as a result, ended up creating Archive. In my time in the city, I fought a celestial mage, just for the heck of it, with Mavis cheering me on. The mage actually had Leo's key, and used him against me. I ended up becoming good friends with Leo as a result, and he became a part of our family when he wasn't being summoned. He even tried to ask Mavis out shortly before I 'Died' again!"
"Ha! How'd that turn out?"
"A couple of broken noses and a few smashed ribs between us is how! We went at it at full power! Hell, if Mavis hadn't stopped us we would have likely beat each other unconcious!"
"Haha!...Mar, earlier you said you left another note before you jumped through time, what did it say?"
"Inventor and former wretch Mar chooses death as well."
"Oh, I get it, so Mavis would get that you weren't actually dead!"
"More or less. She would have explained it to Leo as well, he wasn't there when the damage report came in."
"Damage report?"
"An army officer came to our house to pin medals on my chest because my Archive had been used for war. Effectively. There were apparently an estimated two million casualties at the hand of my greatest creation. Not all of them were soldiers either. Women, children, the sick and the elderly. Entire towns were burned to the ground from my Magic. I almost immediatly buried myself in books, trying to find a way to undo my shame, to destroy the monster I had created. I found no such solution, instead, I read of an incomplete Magic Formula for time travel. If my shame could not be destroyed, I would bury it under the very sands of time. The rest is history."
"Wow...You really have been through alot."
"Bah, my last life was a load of crap Wendy. This one is infinitly better."
"An amazing attitude! Hang on though, if you are so opposed to your own magic, why'd you keep it?"
"A reminder. That, and I really didn't have much of a choice. It's stuck with me. Before you ask about Hibiki too, I have faith in him. I can tell he is one of pure heart, and will use Archive responsibly."
"You really shouldn't beat yourself up so much Mar, we all make mistakes, but yours were the fault of the people who perverted your creation, they weren't yours."
I smiled at the small blue haired woman, that was essentially what I wanted to hear from someone, ANYONE for nearly 5 years. "Thanks Wendy, that means a lot."
"Anytime!" the Dragon Slayer replied with a smile.
We touched down at Fairy Tail shortly afterwards, and all my friends jumped out of the ship, with me flying Wendy down personally.
We opened the doors to an amazing sight. Jellal was drinking against Cana, with the entire guild cheering him on! He was also not wearing anything to cover his face, and had a sizable black Fairy Tail mark on his shoulder.
Makarov waved me over and said, "Hey Mar! Check it out! 'Mystogan' decided to take his mask off for once!"
I laughed at the emphasis on Mystogan's name. Good to see even Jellal would be so readily accepted.
"Incidentally Makarov, I have ANOTHER recruit for us!"
"Good god Mar, we're going to need to renevate again at this rate!"
"Ha, the young one over there with the long blue hair, that's her. And the white cat that appears to have caught Happy's eye."
"Haha, they have your personal reccomendation?" Makarov said while taking a drink.
"As an S class mage, I feel that we can never have enough cats or Dragon Slayers."
Makarov's drink was swiftly splattered on the wall across from him, then he yelled, "Dragon Slayer? That cute little thing?"
"Hard to believe I know. She focuses mainly on support and healing Magic however, she has only a few destructive capabilities."
"Well, collateral damage is something we can spare, she's in!"
A party was held to herald the joining of two members, and lasted long into the night. Even my battle weary friends took part, with Natsu even break dancing! (After I spiked a few of his drinks anyway.)
After hot head finally passed out, I started looking for Jellal and Wendy to congratulate them. Wendy was off in her own world, dancing with Carla and various members of the guild, so I decided to leave her alone for now. I found Jellal right where he was before, sitting across from Cana matching her drink for drink. The only difference now being only Erza was cheering him on, to his apparent joy. He was absolutely straight faced as well, meanwhile Cana was starting to sway back and forth. I watched out of amazement as Cana fell backwards, unconcious. Jellal stood up to celebrate, but fell flat on his face on the table, also out like a light.
I walked over to Erza and asked, "Cana lives in Fairy Hills up the road right?"
"Yep, she lives right near me actually."
"You live up there too? Excellent, we'll take these drunken fools up together then. I'll grab Cana."
"Wait, what makes you think Jellal lives there? It's a womans dorm!"
"I'm fully aware, but he just arrived today, he doesn't have a place, period. And, to be honest, I think it would do him a world of good to stay with you, if not just to keep his outlook bright."
We hoisted the unconcious Mages onto our backs and continued out the door, quiet as a couple of mice, so as not to disrupt the celebration.
On the way to Fairy Hills, I began to wonder exactly what kind of relationship Jellal would share with Erza from here on out. I know they had been close, possibly romanticly before Jellal went mad, but that was years ago. I decided it would be best to just ask Scarlet herself.
"So, Erza, how exactly do you feel about your old Jellal coming back? For real I mean, not what you tell everyone to calm them."
Erza laughed at my matter of fact questioning, then said, "Honestly? I'm happy beyond anything I've ever felt before. Not only is the Jellal I remember back to me, he's going to be with me every day of my life from here on in."
"You sound like a school girl in love, Erza."
"Ha, maybe I am."
"You don't know?"
"Not for sure, but I'm pretty confident that I am. It's really more or less a matter of if he likes me back in that way."
"Want me to talk to him? I seem to have an ungodly lucky streak going for this sort of thing."
"Ha! I heard about Juvia and Grey, good work on that! But no, I'd rather do this myself."
"You forgot about Bisca and Alzack, I was the one who gave them that last push. Plus I consider Mirajane and I as counting as well. Also, if that is your wish, then so be it, I'll stay out unless one of you comes to me."
We arrived at the dorm, and realising the land lady probably wouldn't even let Jellal or me in the door, we decided to sneak in through a window instead.
We jumped into Erza's room, and I was immediatly struck by how huge it was. At least four rooms were mashed together to form a large armory, with a bedroom on one side and a bathroom on the other.
"Wow. Now I know where you keep all that crap when you're not using it." I said.
"Ha! Cana's room is 225, down the hall from here, on the right."
"You visit her often?"
"I visit everyone often. Cana always reads my fortune, and I can be a real sucker for that sort of thing."
"That, and acting aparently." I said, reminding us both of the time our team had to put on an entire play.
Erza smiled and nudged me in the shoulder, "Shut up and get Cana back to her room already!"
I walked out just as Erza layed Jellal on her bed on his side, then layed on the floor to pass out herself. Poor girl, she must be working too hard.
I got to Cana's room and realised something wrong. The door needed a key. I thought of my options, A: Leave Cana outside. Unaceptable. B: Pat Cana down for a key. Also unaceptable. She might wake up and take it the wrong way, and would likely scream. C: Bash the door down. Even more unaceptable. I wasn't just going to break a damn door down, it's not right. I finally went with option D: Screw the hinges off the door and replace it on the way out.
I layed Cana down on her matress and turned to fix the door. As I was putting the last screw back in, a voice came from behind me.
"Thank you for not trying anything funny, you're an honest man Mar."
"Cana! How long have you been awake?"
"Since around 8ish this morning."
"But you were passed out!"
"Faked it. I was curious about our new member, and wanted to see what his tolerance level was. I decided to let him win because no one has ever got so far with me."
"Hey, you know I could put you under the table if I wanted to Cana."
"Yeah, but you cheat!"
"Can it really be called cheating if I can't help it?"
"I don't know, but I'm calling it that anyway!"
I smiled and made sure the door wasn't squeeking, then walked out with a, "Good night Cana, pleasent dreams to ya. I might ask you to read my fortune in the morning, so get some rest."
I walked back to Erza's room to exit the same way I came in, luckily the door was ajar when I got there, so I only needed to slip in.
As I was about to jump out the window, I took a look back at Erza sleeping on the floor. Poor girl was already out cold.
I decided I couldn't let her sleep on the floor, and walked over to her. She had re equiped into some cloth pajamas before she had nodded off apparently, which I took as a blessing. Her armor would have made it difficult.
I picked up Erza bridal style and layed her behind Jellal in her bed, just in case Jellal had to vomit, then covering her with the sheets. As I was leaving, I could have sworn I heard her mutter Jellal's name, and she wrapped an arm around him in her sleep. Might be a tad awkward when they wake up, but I had an odd feeling it would work out.
I flew back to Fairy Tail and snuck behind the counter with my Mirajane.
"Where have you been, stranger?" she asked me with a large grin.
I aproached her from behind and pulled her toward me in an embrace, resting my head on her shoulder, and saying, "Fixing Cana's door mainly. I didn't want to pat her down for a key."
"You knocked her door down? It's late! Did you wake anyone up?"
"Oh, no no. I THOUGHT about it, but then I just uscrewed it off the hinges. Easy stuff, just hard to get it back on."
"Ha!"
I looked up to the dance floor, and saw that someone had busted out an odd machine that played the sound of a song, but not the words. Instead, it showed text to go along with the song, and Bisca was singing instead.
"Hey Mira?"
"Yes?"
"What's that thing?"
"It's called a karaoke machine. People sing into the microphones alongside modified tracks from famous musicians. And we're on next!"
"Woah, I can't sing that well Mira."
"You'll do fine, your voice is perfect for the song I picked out for you. Besides, I'll go first to put your nerves at ease, I'm not too good either, haha."
"Ha, that I know is wrong Mira. Your voice sounds like an angels."
"Why, thank you! Now come on, Bisca just finished, let's go!"
Mira got me up on stage with her, and the crowd went nuts. Probably mainly for Mirajane, but I really didn't mind thinking that at least part of it was for me.
A slow song came on, and Mira began singing.
"Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars, let me see what Spring is like, on Jupiter and Mars..."
By the time she was done, the entire guild, myself included, were absolutely entranced. Mira really DID have the voice of an angel. She smiled at everyone, then kissed me and handed the microphone.
"I warmed them up, knock em dead! It's a country blues song, so use a deeper voice." she advised me.
I put the microphone to my mouth and waited, partially nervous, partially excited.
"I hear the train a comin, it's rollin round the bend, and I ain't see the sunshine since, I don't know when..."
When I had finished, every woman still present was going absolutely nuts, and the guys were cheering. Clearly, it was a song the guys knew, and my voice was apparently well recieved.
Mira came back up next to me and hugged me. "That was brilliant Mar! Who the devil told you that you can't sing?"
"Myself! I thought my voice sounded a bit annoying through there actually."
"Mar, your voice sounds different to everyone else then it does to yourself. Heck, we'll record this next one for you. You got it Master?"
"Got it!" he yelled back
"Oh? Thank you!" I said to the two of them.
"It's another song by the same artist, and it's a duet!"
"A duet?"
"We'll both sing!"
"Oh! Most excellent!"
The next song started up, and I caught the name on the screen. "Walk the Line, by Johnny Cash." I had an odd feeling that Cash would become a new favourite for me.
"You're first love!" Mira said to me.
"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time, I keep the ends out for the tie that binds, Because you're mine, I walk the line"
Mira jumped in, "I find it very, very easy to be true, I find myself alone when each day is through, Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you, Because you're mine, I walk the line"
I came back in, "As sure as night is dark and day is light, I keep you on my mind both day and night, And happiness I've known proves that it's right, Because you're mine, I walk the line"
Mira took the fourth verse, "You've got a way to keep me on your side, You give me cause for love that I can't hide, For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide, Because you're mine, I walk the line"
We both sang the last verse, the crowd already screaming in excitement, "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time, I keep the ends out for the tie that binds, Because you're mine, I walk the line"
As we finished, the crowd went absolutely insane. I couldn't even hear my own thoughts over the roar of the crowd. I even noticed a couple of Celestial Spirits that had probably come through their gates of their own accord. Leo, Virgo, and a small pink sheep lady I had never seen before. Huh, Lucy must have picked up some new keys on that Oracion Seis mission. Mira and I took a bow, then Mira French kissed me right on stage, causing the crowd to get even louder!
I carried Mira off the stage, still joined at the lips, and slid us back behind the bar across the room.
As we settled down, Makarov handed Mira what I would later learn was a cassete tape he had used to record us. She gave it to me and I slipped it into a pocket.
"Maybe we should get home, it's getting awfully late." Mirajane said playfully, still cradled in my arms.
"I like where this is going, let's go!"
We arrived at Mirajane's, and she pulled me straight to her bedroom, reminding me of our first night once more.
Around an hour and a half later, my wife rolled off me, both of us spent to our fullest extents, and she cuddled up next to me, placing her head on my chest and embracing me.
I was almost immediatly lost in thought, just enjoying the moment.
I finally decided to speak up. I felt it was something that needed to be said. "Mira?"
"Yes, my love?"
"Ha, stop calling me that, it's embarassing."
She thought for a moment, even putting a finger to her lips, and then smiled at me and said, "Nope, that I can't do."
"Haha, oh well I tried. Anyway, thank you."
"For what?"
"For giving me a purpose in life. A damn good one at that."
"Mar?"
"Let me finish. If we hadn't become one like this, and I went to Galuna Island without a reason to return, I likely wouldn't have. Archive requires a level of consent for me to absorb a magic, and that is consent I would not have givin if I hadn't been with you."
"Mar...what do you mean, what about your friends?"
"I mean I would have died at Deliora's hands. Willingly. I was still in a great amount of grief back then, and I joined Fairy Tail to die. I hoped a mission dangerous enough would come along that I would get the oppurtunity to die for my crimes. I wasn't very good friends with everyone back then, and if you think about it, I really only started branching out after we became a couple."
"...My god, you're right!"
"I know. I knew. I knew the moment we became one that I wouldn't be checking out any time soon, and it was your face in fact that saved me from Deliora. Well, sort of."
"Sort of?"
"I saw your face in this picture." I said, pulling my locket out of the pile of discarded clothes by the side of the bed, then opening it for Mira.
"Who is this? She certainly looks a bit like me."
"That Mira, is Mavis. The two of you were with me in my darkest hour, and you both pulled me out of the fire. So for that, I thank you."
"Oh Mar!" Mira yelled, tears in her eyes, as she kissed me. "Thank you Mar, thank you so much."
"For what?"
"For telling me the truth. And for letting me be your saving grace. I'm more then happy to help. And honestly? I need happiness this time of year."
"Right. I know Mira, no need to explain. For the record, I'll be going with you tommorow as well. She's as much my sister as she is yours now."
"...Thank you Mar. Thank you so much."
We fell asleep shortly afterwards, and the next morning, I felt a massive Magical Power coming closer to town. I had forgotten in all the chaos, Gildarts was due back today!