The Crimson Wolf
Summary: A story about Mitsu, a swordsman that looks exactly like Natsu, and his fight alongside and for Fairy Tail, as well as his journey to recover his lost memory. But not all memories are meant to be remembered...
The Power of Earthland Magic
As Mitsu and Gajeel approached the town, they slowed their pace and rested behind a rock for a moment. "We should probably try and stay incognito for as long as we can," Mitsu said. "Too much attention could mean trouble for us, and for the guild."
"You're right," Gajeel said. "Both of us are pretty memorable, though. We might want to find something to disguise ourselves."
"Good idea," Mitsu said.
The pair snuck to the edge of town and climbed into the window of an abandoned building. Ransacking the place in search of something useful, Gajeel discovered two ragged cloaks, and handed the one without the hood to Mitsu. "My face is more memorable," he explained without Mitsu having to ask. "Metal studs in the face are fairly rare, for whatever reason. I think everyone should have them." Mitsu wondered if the Iron Dragon Slayer was being serious or not, since his monotone did absolutely nothing to indicate a joke.
"Alright," Mitsu said after he adjusted his sword so he could reach it if needed, "so we have to search an entire different world in order to find a lacrima."
"Mystogan's an asshole," Gajeel grumbled. "No hints, no clues, nothing."
"Well, we can assume it will be large, as the size of a lacrima is directly proportional to the amount of magic it holds, not considering the crystal's quality," Mitsu said. "And this thing holds all the power of Master Makarov, GIldarts, Erza, and the rest of Fairy Tail and Magnolia."
"Can't you do your magic sensing thing and find it?" Gajeel asked, irritated.
"That is something I considered, but there is a problem I didn't expect to encounter in a land that is supposedly running low on magic," Mitsu said.
"What's the problem?"
"Well, I find it disconcerting that a world that is having a magic deficiency problem has so much magic in it. We are up to our necks in the stuff here. It's not in the air, like the Eternano in our atmosphere. Their magic is fundamentally different. It is in lacrima, of course. But it is also in the ground beneath our feet. You wouldn't believe how much magic there is down there, Gajeel. If it was airborne Eternano, this place would be toxic. These people don't have a magic problem," Mitsu said, "they have a magic acquisition problem. They don't know how to access their magic."
"Frankly, the flying river should've been the first hint that they have no magic problem," Gajeel commented. "But tell Mystogan about it. I don't give a shit."
"Sorry," Mitsu said. "Anyway, I can't find the lacrima unless I were close, more than likely. Like I said, it will be large. Now, they will either have it somewhere hidden, for security, or it will be proudly displayed. I doubt they expect anyone to harm a great source of magic if everyone thinks there isn't enough to go around. Steal it maybe, but this thing will be big. Either way, it will be hard to find it, get to it, or both. It will definitely be guarded."
"Let's stick to finding the damn thing for now," Gajeel said gruffly.
"Of course," Mitsu said.
"We should split up and ask around town," Gajeel suggested. "We'll meet back here tonight with any info we find, and then make plans from there."
"Sounds good," Mitsu agreed with a nod of his head.
They walked out the door, Gajeel going toward the right side of town, Mitsu toward the left. Mitsu asked everyone he came up to, but every person he approached backed away. After around a dozen people seemed to nearly run from him, Mitsu looked at the ground, trying to sort out what was going on. His sword's handle reflected some the sun's light, and everything made sense. People likely did not go around Edolas armed like he was unless they meant trouble.
In order to solve the problem, Mitsu ducked into an alley to adjust his gear. Shedding the cloak for a moment, Mitsu shifted his sword from his hip to his back, and covered all but the hilt, which peeked over his right shoulder, with the cloak. The swordsman walked around a few paces to get used to having his sword on his back before drawing the blade several times to test out the new position. He practiced his draw attack until he felt confident in it, then dueled multiple imaginary opponents, being sure to utilize his draw attack often. Finished with the aggressive maneuvers, Mitsu sheathed his blade once more and muttered to himself, "I kind of like that."
Soon a loud roar accompanied by screaming echoed across the town. Sensing a burst of magic power, Mitsu looked up at the sky when he felt the wind change drastically, and spotted a twister rising from the ground. He swore he saw people in it. As he rushed out of the alley toward the sudden whirlwind, he heard a booming crash. When he glanced at the sky again, the tornado was gone, and Mitsu realized it was created through magic, tying together its sudden appearance and disappearance with the spike in magic power.
Mitsu continued to rush in the direction he spied the twister, keeping a close watch for any more magic power expenditure. The pinkette somehow knew in his gut that Natsu was somehow involved in that. As he rushed down the street, opposite the direction of the few citizens in the streets, Mitsu felt a familiar magic presence. He picked up the pace, and when he turned the corner, he spotted Lucy wandering down the street. Didn't she see that thing?
"Lucy!" Mitsu called, backing into an alley and checking the streets for anyone that might be watching. Lucy spied him just before he was concealed by the shadow of the building next to him and sped over to him. Mitsu snatched her into the alley violently, covering her mouth to mute her squeal.
"What was that for?" Lucy asked, giving Mitsu a brief hug.
"Now that I think about it, I have no idea," Mitsu admitted.
"Whatever, I am so glad to see someone else from the guild," Lucy said. "I thought I would never find anybody." Mitsu chuckled a bit then smiled at his friend. "Come on," Lucy said, dragging Mitsu out of the alley, "it smells weird in there." Mitsu considered objecting, but decided it would accomplish nothing.
"I guess I should start talking?" Mitsu asked, still checking for any eavesdroppers. Lucy nodded her head with an expectant look on her face. "Well, how much did Mystogan tell you?"
"Practically nothing," Lucy said, "so tell me everything you know."
"Fair enough," Mitsu agreed. "I'm sure, even if Mystogan didn't tell you, that you know that Edolas is a world parallel to our own. Well, they think they are running out of magic power, and I can tell you they aren't, but that is something else entirely. In order to gather magic, the people of Edolas, presumably the leaders, created the Anima spell, which was designed to take magic from our world and deposit it in this world in a lacrima."
"Wait, that means our guild and all of Magnolia Town are inside some lacrima right now!" Lucy cried.
"Yes," Mitsu said. "I knew you were sharp. Anyway, Mystogan sent me and Gajeel here to find the lacrima and destroy it with our Dragon Magic, which would, somehow, free those inside."
"You have Dragon Slayer Magic?" Lucy asked.
"No, I have Dragon Magic, according to Mystogan," Mitsu said. "He is the one who broke me out of some guild called Raven Tail's prison. At some point, I met him when I had my memories and told him to find me and help me because I would lose my memories soon."
"Wait," Lucy began.
"We can discuss that later," Mitsu said, waving Lucy off. "I don't get it, but my magic is some form of Dragon Magic, but not Dragon Slayer Magic. What matters is I can free those trapped in the lacrima. Mystogan mentioned seeing Carla and Happy taking Wendy and Natsu through the Anima, so they're here somewhere too."
"Great, so we have to find them," Lucy said. "That doesn't sound easy."
"Fate can be cruel, but also kind," Mitsu said. "I feel as though Natsu is close. Maybe it's a clone thing. Anyway, Gajeel and I are looking for the lacrima, but we have no idea where to look. That is a real problem. I have a feeling that the king won't just let a massive source of magic sit in his backyard without tapping into it for long."
"It should go without saying, but I will do everything I can to help," Lucy said. Mitsu smiled, expecting nothing less.
"I don't know what you could do to help right now besides–"
Several Edolas soldiers ambushed them in the middle of the street. "Are you Lucy?" one of them demanded. Mitsu cursed himself for not paying attention as they held his arms behind his back.
"Yes, I'm Lucy! What is this about? Let me go!" Lucy cried.
Mitsu kicked backward, connecting with with someone's knee and folding his leg. Obviously, the soldier was too busy falling to the ground and screaming to hold Mitsu's right arm anymore. Mitsu spun around, leading with his fist, and sent the other man restraining him into a crumpled mess on the ground. "Open! Gate of the Scorpion! Scorpio!" Lucy yelled, using Mitsu's distraction to wrench free. Well, so much for keeping a tight lid on magic. As he drew his sword, Mitsu cut through several of the guard's weapons. His crimson magic collected on his blade and radiated off the edge menacingly. He cupped his left hand and his magic swirled into a ball within it. The red ball began to change shape.
"Crimson Wolf's Fang!" Mitsu shouted with a devilish look in his eyes. An intricate magic seal appeared in front of his cupped left hand and the ball of energy morphed into a wolf's head, jaw wide open to attack. The spell bolted forward, hitting a guard and slamming him into two others. "Glad I thought to lower the spell strength," Mitsu muttered before ducking into the crowd with his sword flashing as it disabled soldier after soldier.
"WE ARE!" a new voice yelled. Mitsu turned to see Scorpio, one of Lucy's more powerful Celestial Spirits. "Sand Buster!" Scorpio cried, aiming his tail at the remaining soldiers. An incredible amount of sand magic shot from the tail, and Mitsu barely had time to jump out of the way before he was swept away with the overwhelmed soldiers.
"Nice job, Scorpio! Thanks!" Lucy said.
"I gotta go," Scorpio said. "I've got a date with Aquarius." Then the spirit disappeared in a flash of light.
"That was impressive, Lucy," Mitsu commented, resheathing his katana. "You're not one to mess with." Lucy blushed a bit, but thanked him.
"See, Wendy? I told you that those soldiers didn't stand a chance against both of them." Mitsu and Lucy turned to see Natsu walking out of a nearby building, followed by Wendy, Happy, Carla, and a girl that looked just like Lucy.
"You guys are okay!" Lucy cried. Then she spotted her doppelganger, and pointed at her slackjawed. The two look-alike stared at each other in silence, barely blinking.
"So this is the Edolas version of me?"
"That is Earthland's me?" they asked at the same time. Mitsu rubbed his forehead and laughed.
"Now you know how me and Natsu feel," he commented, wrapping his arm around the beaming Natsu's shoulder.
"That's Lucy Ashley from Edolas' Fairy Tail," Wendy said with a smile.
"Scary Lucy," Happy said.
"Lucy Ashley, huh?" Mitsu asked.
"That's me," Edolas Lucy said, turning to see the doppelgangers. Her jaw dropped again. "Not one, not two, but three Natsu's," she mumbled. "Why do you guys get two?"
"Actually, this is Mitsu," Natsu said. "He's my twin. Or maybe my clone. Or maybe he is from a different world than Edolas and Earthland."
"How do you know that you aren't my clone?" Mitsu asked with a grin.
"If anyone's a clone, it's you," Natsu argued. "I'm the original, no doubt about it."
"The alternate world thing seems more likely at this point," Lucy Heartfilia said.
"How can you two use your magic here in Edolas?" Wendy asked.
"I have no idea," Earthland Lucy said with a shrug. "Maybe we're prophesied heroes!"
Mitsu outright laughed at Lucy's absurd idea. "That sounds like something a writer would say," he chuckled. Lucy laughed a little bit with him. "I know how we have magic."
"How?" Natsu demanded. Lucy Ashley was standing in the background listening to everything and wrapping her head around seeing herself and yet another Natsu.
"Mystogan gave Lucy, Gajeel, and me these," Mitsu said, producing the X-Balls from his coat pocket. "This is a medicine that allows Earthland mages to use their magic in Edolas." Mitsu pulled out two X-Balls and tossed them into Wendy and Natsu's mouths.
"Where is Jellal now?" Wendy asked as she felt her magic rising within her.
"He is going to see the king of Edolas to see what he can do using his influence," Mitsu answered.
"What influence would this Mystogan guy, or Jellal, or whatever his name is, have with Faust?" Lucy Ashley asked with narrowed eyes.
"Mystogan said he is a prince here in Edolas," Mitsu said. Lucy mouthed the word prince silently.
"Wait, Prince Jellal? The Prince Jellal? He has been missing for years!" Lucy Ashley said.
"He's been in Earthland trying to stop the Anima spell from stealing our magic," Mitsu said.
"As long as Faust doesn't steal towns like he did with your Magnolia Town, what's the problem with taking your magic? You have tons of it, and we are running out," Edolas Lucy said.
"Hold on just one moment," Carla interrupted. "When will you give Happy and me our X-Balls?" Mitsu's brow furrowed.
"The two of you don't need them," he said. "You have your magic, so if I gave you two some, it would waste it."
"Of course we need it, you buffoon! We cannot fly!" Carla cried. Mitsu's eyes became thin slits, and almost seemed sinister.
"Carla!" Wendy shouted, shocked at her friend's actions.
"No, Wendy," Mitsu said. "Listen here, cat. I am very attuned to magical forces. It is intrinsic to my very being and magic. I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that you and Happy still have your magic.
"You do not want to test me," Mitsu growled. "I have been and will continue to be well-mannered. However, you have no right to belittle me or act as though I am a fool. You are a member of Fairy Tail, just as I am. You hold no seniority over me beyond a slightly longer membership. You have no right to be so haughty. Check your attitude." Mitsu noted Natsu completely ignoring everything around him as he played with his magic, which included, but was not limited to, torrents of flame rocketing through the air.
Carla was taken aback by Mitsu's words, and Earthland Lucy looked back and forth between the two, wondering what else would be said. Of course, Wendy was upset with both of them, but silently thought that Carla needed to hear that. Finally, the perturbed Carla hmpfed and turned from Mitsu, unable to rebuke his words.
"I'm glad we cleared that up," Mitsu mumbled. "Now, as I was about to say Lucy–"
A large contingent of guards ran into the area, likely the entire town's regiment bolstered by reinforcements judging by the number. "OH YEAH! I'M ALL FIRED UP!" Natsu screamed. "I'VE GOT THESE GUYS! TIME FOR SOME EARTHLAND MAGIC!"
"As if I would let you take all of them for yourself," Mitsu said with a smirk. Steel sung as his sword was pulled from its sheathe. The next instant, Mitsu waded into the sea of soldiers, disabling them with his swift sword strikes and brutal magical attacks.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu yelled, leaping for a cluster of soldiers.
"Don't destroy the town, Natsu!" Lucy pleaded.
Mitsu reacted on instinct, encompassing the area in a field of nullifying magic, effectively stopping Natsu's flames dead before they could incinerate the surrounding area.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Fire surged across the area, bathing the battlefield in searing heat. Mitsu and Natsu continued to dominate the enemy soldiers as more and more poured in. Already several were considering running in fear. Another devastating strike from Mitsu followed quickly by Natsu's next attack sent them running.
"Crimson Wolf's Fang!" Mitsu yelled.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu shouted.
But they had nowhere to run.
"Iron Dragon's Roar!"
Gajeel was in the way, a feral, terrifying grin on his face. The few remaining Edolas soldiers fell to their combined might. Some tried to surrender, but between Natsu's battle-enraptured mind, Mitsu's honorable warrior spirit, and Gajeel's ruthless nature, they all ended up unconscious with a few on the brink of death.
"This is the power of Earthland magic?" Lucy Ashley wondered aloud, a mix of awe and fear on her face.
"Aw man, was that all of them?" Natsu complained. "I still wanna fight!"
"Later, away from town," Mitsu said, gulping in air after restraining Natsu's spells.
"Me and you?" Natsu asked, eyes wide. "YEA! REMATCH!"
"He said later, idiot," Gajeel muttered.
"What'd you say, Gajeel?!" Natsu yelled.
"Not here," Mitsu said. "We've brought the people of this town more than enough trouble already."
"You gonna make us?" Gajeel growled. And there is the dragon inside.
"Fine, fight each other here then," Mitsu consented before blasting the pair with his magic. "But it will be a fist fight."
"Works for me!" Natsu yelled, jumping toward Gajeel with his arm cocked back and a grin on his face.
"Wait, your magic gets rid of other magic?" Lucy Ashley asked, covering her magic whip with her hand.
"More like suppresses it, or nullifies it," Mitsu said. "But the general effect is the same: no magic for them. Good thing is, I'm getting better at it, so I can stop it on a whim. Stopping Natsu's flames without cutting his magic off was hard though."
"What are you people?" Lucy Ashley asked, watching Natsu and Gajeel happily beat the crap out of each other, grins on their faces.
"They're monsters," Lucy Heartfilia answered. "Those two," she pointed at Gajeel and Natsu, "are Dragon Slayers, along with Wendy here. We don't know what Mitsu is exactly."
"How do you not know?"
"I have a bit of a memory problem," Mitsu answered, rubbing the back of his head with a coy smile.
"You forgot!?" Edolas Lucy cried.
"He has amnesia," Wendy spoke up. Lucy seemed to calm down at this, while Lucy laughed at her Edolas version.
"Hey! We should take on the king and beat all those guys up so everyone can have magic!" Natsu yelled, breaking from his fight for a moment before Gajeel knock him over.
"That's a dumb idea, Natsu," both Lucys said at the same time. Mitsu looked over and saw them standing next to each other, exact copies, including their movement.
"Oh," Mitsu groaned, holding his forehead. "That's gonna give me a headache. I'm seeing double."
Natsu and Gajeel finally stopped their brawl, calling it a draw for now. "But Mitsu can just zap their magic and they'll be helpless," the Fire Dragon Slayer argued.
"You can do that?" Lucy Ashley asked.
"Maybe," Mitsu said, "but I doubt I could control my magic precisely enough to avoid my allies. Even then, their sheer numbers will be hard to conquer, I'm sure"
"Yea, Faust's army is massive," Lucy said, "and they have all the magic to themselves."
"If you guys figure out how to harness the magic around you, you have far more magic at your disposal," Mitsu said.
"We have no magic in comparison to the army. What are you talking about?" Edolas Lucy asked.
"You know something about Earthland," Mitsu began with a shake of his head. "We have no floating islands or flying rivers. That may sound odd to someone who sees them every day, but it's true. You see, our magic is in the air. Mages in our world have a limitless supply because when we use our magic, it releases back into the air, eventually becoming Eternano for mages to absorb. It's similar to water. It gets picked up, then used, then it returns to the sea to be picked up again."
"Our magic is nothing like that," Lucy Ashley argued.
"No, it isn't like that," Mitsu agreed. "You magic isn't in the air."
"Exactly, it's in lacrima," Edolas Lucy said.
"Some of it, yes," Mitsu said.
"Some of it?
"Yes, some of it. But most of it is in the ground," Mitsu said. "Of course, you don't know how to use it, or even get to it, but it is there."
"So how do we get to it?" Lucy Ashley asked.
"I don't know," Mitsu said with a shrug. "I pointed out the power, you and your people have to find out how to use it."
Lucy Ashley acted as though she were going to argue or complain, but then said instead, "Of course."
"Anyway, my point was that we should prioritize saving our nakama before we do anything else," Mitsu said.
"Sounds like the original plan," Gajeel grunted.
"That's because it is," Mitsu deadpanned. "We just have help now."
"Fair enough," Gajeel said.
"So what do we have to do?" Natsu asked.
Mitsu was prepared to do his long-winded explanation again, but Earthland Lucy cut him off. "You, Mitsu, Wendy, and Gajeel need to find a giant lacrima and smash it with your magic. That will free our nakama," she said.
"So I smash it? I can do that!" Natsu said, a ball of swirling flames in his hand and a maniacal grin on his face.
AN: Hey all! Thanks for reading! I've got more coming at you soon! Look out for a new story. It will be a much stronger AU