Hey guys! I have great news: I've settled into a good schedule, so from now on, I should have an update every Saturday, though they might come earlier if people review, as those always help inspire me. Damn, was I happy with the feedback from the last one! You guys are amazing, and make it so much more fun to write for others! So, with pleasure, I give you your next chapter! Please review for quicker releases, and don't forget to follow/favorite!

A yell echoed throughout the stone halls as the bars of one of the dungeon's cells rattled, the metal shaking.

Guildless, or rather Ayrae, stood shaking, rolling her shoulder, muttering, "I can do this..." She charged at the bars, slamming her shoulder into it, immediately groaning in pain and staggering back, managing to stay on her feet.

Lucy ordered, "Stop it! You're only hurting yourself!"

Ayrae panted, "No... I can break through... Just... Watch..." She ran forward into the bars again, gasping at the impact and fell to her knees, hand grasping at her pained shoulder, choking for breath.

Gray, now leaning against the bars between himself and Ayrae, murmured, "Cut it out... Rae... We need... A better way..."

Ayrae closed her eyes, one hand reaching to her neck, brushing against the bandages. Shaking her head, she stood again, swaying on her feet. "Not yet..." She slammed into the bars yet again, the gate jolting. Yet again, Ayrae couldn't keep on her feet, falling to the ground, gasping for air.

Lucy yelled, "Stop hurting yourself! Please, we can find another way out!" Looking out into the hallway, she barked, "You jerks had better come and let us out! Hey, I'm talking to you! Don't ignore me!"

Lucy kept raging at the guards as Ayrae lay on her back, taking shaky breaths. Gray shook his head. "You never can give up..."

Ayrae smiled to the ceiling. "I guess... I picked it up from you..."

Footsteps echoed down the hall as three soldiers approached, spears in hand. "Quiet down in here! You'll meet your end soon enough, don't cause us anymore headache."

Lucy growled, "How can you do this? That lacrima, that's our friends! People!"

The soldier said, "We trust in our king, Earthlander."

Lucy scowled. "At least let me out of this thing! Otherwise, I'm going to keep yelling until I run out of air!"

The soldiers muttered to each other before one opened the gate, the other two filing in. One holding each of her arms, one soldier pulled her from the pillory and quickly put that strange white gel around her wrists. The soldiers left the cell, walking out, slamming the cell gate. "There, now quiet down! You'll be dead soon anyway."

Another soldier tapped his spear on the bars. "These two don't even look like they'll make it to execution."

"Oh, I hope they do." The soldiers whirled, Ayrae slowly sitting up as White Shadow, pale cloak scrapping the ground, walked forward, pausing outside Ayrae's cell.

A soldier apologized, "Sorry, we were-"

"Oh, it's nothing. Go on, back to your posts." The soldiers hurried off as Shadow leaned against the bars, smirking down at her doppelganger. "I never really got a good look at your face, though I don't know why I'd want another look at a face like yours. I've got to say... even if you took away the scars, you're nothing like me."

Ayrae glared at her. "... Well? What do you have to say, Ayrae?"

Shadow scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I changed my name from that a long time ago. I hope to Extalia that you changed it too. Ayrae... Such a horrible name."

Ayrae's glare grew. "... I'm going to give you one chance to let us escape before I have to use force."

Shadow laughed, smirking at her equivalent like she was an amusing child. "Oh, you're making threats from the wrong side of the prison bars, little girl. There's nothing you can do- you have no power, you have no weapons." Her green eyes lit with a dark light. "In fact... I think I can have a little fun. All of you are set to die anyway."

Ayrae scowled, ignoring her. "You have ten seconds to take my deal. Open the doors and I won't hurt you."

Shadow chuckled. "Oh, I think not. I want to let loose, get out my pent up energy."

Ayrae glared. "Ten."

Shadow's eyes landed on Gray, then tauntingly to Ayrae. "Ah, your world's Gray. However opposite you may be, I bet you're just as annoying."

Ayrae's eyes began to fill with rage as her hand moved to her neck. "Five."

Her hand moved to a black-jeweled ring on her finger, the girl walking straight through the bars as if she were a ghost. "I think you volunteered."

"One." Ayrae pulled on the edge of her bandages, pulling them from around her neck, her eyes immediately turning blood red, blood-encrusted lacrima glowing powerfully.

She stood easily, her pain seemingly gone, hand reaching out to the bars. Their own shadows rose, tearing the bars away into a hole that Ayrae easily could walk through. Shadow backed away, eyes wide in terror as Ayrae walked past Gray, both the ice mage and Celestial wizard staring in surprise at her.

Shadow moved for the bars, Ayrae's hand lashing out, grabbing her by the throat and shoving her against the wall, Shadow's head colliding with the wall. Ayrae pressed her hand around Shadow's throat, pinning her to the wall, her voice now smooth and elegant, rich as royalty. "Now, I'd like your pretty ring and the method by which you fixed your hand. I seem to remember stabbing that."

Shadow stared at Ayrae for a moment, reaching for her ringed finger as Ayrae's free hand snatched Shadow's, twisting and letting a soft crack echo. Shadow yelped as Ayrae coyly said, "I thought that we could get along, have a civil conversation like human beings. Apparently not. Now, if you'd like to be helpful, I won't have to gut you. I'd prefer not to end up staining my clothes."

Ayrae slipped the ring off of Shadow's hand, Shadow using her free hand to slowly reach into her cloak, dropping a dagger hilt on the ground. "There. Touch that to the wound."

Ayrae smiled slyly. "Why thank you." She raised her free, now ringed hand, black energy gathering in her palm. "Now, say hi to the gatekeeper of hell."

Shadow's eyes widened in panic as something strange happened.

Ayrae's left eye turned black again, her left hand slowly releasing Shadow, the girl taking her chance and lunging out of Ayrae's grasp. The mercenary pulled a gem-encrusted dagger from her pocket, slashing at the bars, easily dissolving them and running off down the hall.

Ayrae's left hand pulled out her bandages, quickly and messily wrapping them around her neck. The energy of her hand went out like a candle as soon as her neck was completely covered. Suddenly, the last of the red faded from her eyes as she collapsed against the wall, gasping for air, vision spinning.

Gray and Lucy still could only stare, pure confusion through their minds and dumbfounded by this behavior. What was this? She was so opposite to her usual actions.

Ayrae swayed on her feet, slowly lowering herself along the wall to her knees, sliding the knife hilt to Gray. She hoarsely groaned, "You heard her."

Gray slowly nodding, picking up the hilt and shakily touching to his wound, the cut instantly repairing itself. Gray slowly stood, walking over to Ayrae, offering a hand. "Thanks, now we're getting out of here."

Ayrae's listless eyes manage to look up to Gray, taking his hand. She smiled weakly as he helped her to her feet, needing to lean on him to keep standing. "Let's... Let's save the guild."

Gray smiled back. "Our guild."

He helped her walk out the hole Shadow had cut in the bars, the two making their way to the edge of Lucy's cell.

Lucy stared at Ayrae, breathlessly asking, "What was that?"

Ayrae shook her head, pulling the stolen ring from her finger and tossing it to Lucy. "No time. I'll explain later. For now... We have to escape."

Lucy nodded slowly, picking up the ring, slipping it onto her fingers. Standing, she hesitantly reached her hands out, her hands passing straight through the bars. She cautiously walked through, blinking as she stood in the aisle. Grinning, she excitedly said, "Let's do this! Natsu and Wendy need us!"

Suddenly, footsteps and yelling began to echo from the hall's end, where Shadow had run. Ayrae looked toward the entrance to the dungeon, eyes narrowed. "We need to go... Before they reach us."

A voice, too reminicent of Erza's powerful yell, echoed down the corridor. "Go, quickly! We mustn't fail the King!" A roar of angry voices responded as the footsteps power redoubled.

Gray's eyes widened. "Move!" Ayrae still leaning against him for support, they ran as quickly as they could, Lucy still trying to pull the white gel from her wrists. Still, the pounding feet behind them were growing louder, closer.

And suddenly, they were fading away.

Lucy looked behind them, panting, "What happened? Where are they going?"

Gray huffed, "Who cares? They're leaving."

Ayrae shook her head. "They wouldn't give up... They know they have us... They're just using their advantage..."

Lucy's excitment turned to worry. "Advantage?"

"They know this palace. We don't."

Soon, they emerge out into daylight again, seemingly on an open corridor, a ceiling over the hall, though where the far wall should've been, there was only a waist-high stone railing. Over the railing, the entirety of the palace courtyard, much of the city in the distance.

Lucy looked between the two directions, the sloping hall going up and down, pointing up. "I bet they'll be this way!"

And before they could get very far, a swarm of soldiers rushed forward from another doorway, spears bristling, blocking their path. They tried to turn toward the other way, finding the other half of the soldiers had come behind them, a few moving to the doorway they'd come from, blocking all escape.

Knightwalker walked forward, only feet away, smiling with superiority in her eyes. "Thank you for walking yourselves to the chopping block."

Knightwalker would correct White Shadow's mistake with ease. She would regain her full title as the Fairy Hunter, and she would take pleasure in killing the mercenary.

Ayrae's hand reached for the bandages on her neck again, bracing herself for the red glow of her eyes to take over as Knightwalker's spear suddenly slammed into her chest, and Ayrae's hand fell loose from Gray's, falling over the railing.

"AYRAE!" Gray didn't think. He dove over the edge, Lucy yelling after him as he reached through the air for Ayrae, air whipping past.

Ayrae's black eyes met Gray's blue as their hands interlocked again, sharing a smile as they fell.

Suddenly, something was holding Gray by the belt, a blue flash going around to behind Ayrae, holding her by the shirt. No longer were they falling, but held in middair by Happy and Carla.

Gray looked between Carla and Happy, stammering, "Happy?"

Happy smiled, holding Ayrae. "Hey Gray!"

Ayrae blinked, staring. "You can fly again..."

Happy grinned. "Yep! Wait..." He looked closer at Ayrae's face, eyes widening. "Ayrae?!"

Ayrae smiled a bit. "Hey, cat.

"Ayrae!" He whooped, pressing his head against her back in a makeshift hug. "You're still alive! Wait, you were Guildless this whole time?!"

Carla frowned. "Whatever is happening, save it for later, tomcat! Remember Lucy is still up there."

Happy nodded a bit, yet still smiled at Ayrae, tears in his eyes.

The two cats flew upward, back up to the level by Erza and Lucy. Knightwalker and the soldiers stared at the Exceeds in absolute awe and terror, their redheaded leader stammering, "But... the queen. She ordered they be executed!"

Carla calmly replied, "The order has been rescinded."

Edolas Erza carefully said, "I'm sorry... Though you may be an Exceed, you do not have the power to terminate a directive from the queen herself. I respectfully ask that you hand them over."

Carla sniffed, putting her chin in the air. "Do you not know your place? Bow down! You are in the presence of royalty. I am the eldest daughter of Queen Shagot, but you may call me Divine Princess Carla."

Knightwalker's face twisted in horror and fear as Happy, Gray, and Lucy stared at the female cat is surprise. Ayrae however, looked at her with a small, knowing smile. She knew a bluff when she heard one.

Knightwalker and her soldiers quickly bowed down, Erza quickly amending, "I beg your forgiveness, Your Grace."

Carla ignored the plea, shortly asking, "Where is W- the Dragon Slayers?"

"In the basement of the West Tower."

Carla sharply ordered, "I command you to release them at once."

Erza bowed her head lower. "I'm afraid I can't, I don't have the authority. I'm truly sorry."

Carla snapped, "I won't accept your excuses!"

Knightwalker winced at her harsh tone. "Yes... I know it is unacceptable, but..."

Footsteps pounded, armor clinked as a new wave of soldiers approached, lead seemingly by a massive Exceed. "Erza! Those two are Fallen Exceeds! They've been officially banished from the kingdom of Extalia!"

Suddenly, the ruse was over. Ayrae ordered Happy, "Drop me, grab Lucy!"

Happy's eyes widened. "But-"

"Trust me!"

Happy cautiously let go, Ayrae now prepared for her fall. Her arm lashed out, grabbing onto the support of the next railing down, pulling herself into the hallway a single floor down. Happy quickly grabbed the blonde as Carla moved to Ayrae, the group immediately taking off as fast as they could toward the West Tower.

A bell began to chime as the Earthlanders raced down the corridor, the hall quickly opening up to the plaza of the palace. Unable to turn back, they started their charge across the open area. Exceeds were closing in from above, one of them yelling obnoxiously to the others.

Ayrae, vision dancing as she forced her numbed legs to run, muttered, "How'd you send all these guys into a hissy fit?" Stumbling, she started falling before Happy grabbed one arm, Gray the other, helping her back to her feet.

Happy smiled. "I guess it's a Fairy Tail thing."

Yet the smiles were disappearing as soldiers flooded into the courtyard, surrounding the group as the Exceeds descended from above.

Stopping in the center, Lucy exclaimed, "We're trapped!"

Yet every head turned to an enraged yell from above: "Activate Code ETD! Right away!"

Suddenly, horns were bellowing, soldiers forgetting the prisoners as they rushed about. Ayrae looked to Carla. "Any idea what this is?"

Carla shook her head, looking about worriedly. "No, but it can't be good."

Several pieces of machinery moved up on the castle walls, all aimed... At the incoming Exceeds. Blue light flooded the plaza as the group silently agreed this was the perfect moment to slip away, running to a side door to the west.

Ayrae panted, "Whatever that was, we need to stay clear of it."

Gray agreed, "I'm with you, nothing about this ETD thing sounds good."

Lucy asked, "Is this the way to the West Tower?"

Ayrae looked behind them, seeing several soldiers flooding in their direction. "Well, they're sending more soldiers, so I'm assuming this is the right way."

Diving through halls, racing down steps, no one had breath to spare, running to their friends' aid.

Yet at the base of a staircase, they stopped in their tracks as a spear raced to greet them, shattering the stone it embedded itself in. Skidding to a stop, Lucy demanded of its owner, "I thought you had better things to do than deal with us!"

Erza Knightwalker smirked as a spark of electricity grew on her spear, suddenly spiraling outward in a wave. Ayrae threw herself in front of Gray as it hit, knocking them all back, tumbling across the stone floor. All scattered across the floor, stiff with pain, it couldn't be called a fight.

"Impressive. You just took a direct hit from my magic... And yet you're still breathing. But not for much longer."

Knightwalker's armor crunched over the rubble as she walked forward, standing over Ayrae, spear now in her hand once more, raised for the kill. "My orders said nothing about taking you alive, so it seems there's only one option." The tip of the spear became electrified again, and as she pulled back her arm to strike, a shirtless man crashed into her, tackling her into the wall.

"No one hurts Ayrae! MY Ayrae!"

Ayrae's black eyes opened to see Gray having shoved Knightwalker into the wall as her spear tip touched the ground, its destructive power obliterating the floor. The Earthlanders fell through the hole, Ayrae pushing through her pain to reach out for the falling Gray. Grabbing him by the arm, she smiled. "And no one touches my Gray." The influx of emotion flowed through her, filling her with just enough power to summon a single wing of darkness, managing to glide the two of them to the floor, though they crashed gracelessly.

Happy having caught Lucy, Ayrae now laying barely conscious on the ground, Carla ordered, "We must hurry!"

Gray stood slowly, nodding as he slung one of Ayrae's arms over his neck, holding her up. "Let's move, Ayrae can't take much more of this."

Ayrae muttered weakly, "No... I'm fine... I can... Keep going..."

Gray shook his head as they started walking. "You never could understand what limits are, Rae."

Ayrae half-heartedly asked, "What are those again?"

"They're the place your about to hit, Rae."

After awhile of walking, the group took shelter in a small storage room, tucking themselves away in the farthest corner. Gray gently propped Ayrae against the wall, sitting beside her as Lucy sat with Happy in her lap. Spirits low, no one could manage a smile now.

Carla paced in front of the mages. "As it stands... We're trapped in here like rats."

Lucy gloomily said, "They probably have a ton of soldiers near where they have Natsu and Wendy. We won't be able to get anywhere near it."

Gray insisted, "We'll save that idiot somehow. We just need a plan..."

Ayrae's half open eyes stared at her hands. "If only... I had any magic left... I could do something..." She sighed. "I used up everything I had just to keep us alive."

Carla stopped, bowing her head, tears in her eyes. "We came so close, but... Wendy..." She sniffed, trying to keep her hopes alive, yet it was no use.

They didn't have a prayer.

"We're not giving up."

All eyes turned to Happy, who looked with determination at the ground. "We owe it to Natsu to keep fighting until our last breath! That's what he would do for us! We just have to believe like he does! If we can't honor his belief and fighting spirit, we don't even deserve to survive!"

Lucy looked at the Exceed with surprise. "Do you have any idea what we should do?"

Happy's eyes looked to the bags of flour surrounding them. "I have an idea. We'll use the flour as a distraction to get in! I'll distract them and you guys can sneak in."

Lucy grinned. "You're a genius, Happy!"

Gray nodded. "We can still win this!"

Ayrae smiled, attempting to stand. "Let's go." Yet she immediately felt splitting pain attacking her body, making her wince and fall back into place against the wall.

Gray shook his head. "Stay here, Rae. We'll get Natsu and Wendy, then come back."

Ayrae's obsidian gaze met Gray's. "No! I won't stay back... I won't hide while you fight."

Gray insisted, "And all you could do is hurt yourself further."

"... I'm willing to go to all ends to save my friends."

Gray sighed. "You won't listen, will you?"

"Absolutely not."

Lucy smiled a bit. "Then I guess she's coming."

The plan started perfectly. Happy flung flour in the guards area, then dove into a side corridor, the guards chasing after him. Ayrae leaning against the wall for support while Carla flew over Lucy, the rest of them ran straight for the source of the Dragon Slayers painful screams.

They didn't make it far.

Another blast racked the group, knocking them down the hall as Erza Knightwalker and her small group of soldiers approached again. "Creating a diversion to draw away our forces is the most predictable strategy you could've chosen. Do you honestly take us for complete amateurs?"

Ayrae lay on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling. No! If I could only reach my neck... I don't know if I could take releasing her twice in one day, but if I could save the others...

Gray crouched, panting and staring at Knightwalker, waiting for the chance to attack. He couldn't waste any opportunity anymore, not without risking the lives of his friends. A few soldiers returned, tossing Happy to the ground next to Carla, surrounding them completely.

More screams racked the air, Lucy demanding, "What are you doing to them?!"

Knightwalker coolly explained, "To initiate Code ETD, we need magical energy."

Wendy's voice echoed the halls, Carla's tears dripping on the floor. "Please... Please, let her go!"

Ayrae's mind suddenly tuned out everything.

Everything but the screams.

No. Not again. I won't let my life repeat itself. I won't let the people around me feel this pain! I don't care if this kills me... Her hand slowly moved to her neck, shakily pulling at the bandages as Erza stepped forward, towering over Carla.

She gloated, "And with that, your devil's luck has run dry."

Happy staggered to his feet, managing to walk in front of Carla protectively. "No... I won't. I won't let you hurt Carla! Not while I'm alive! You'll have to kill me first!"

Carla breathed, "Happy..."

Ayrae's hands were shaking too much, her hasty knots in the bandages too much for her to untie in her state. No no no! NO!

Knightwalker smiled cruelly. "Very well then, your wish is my command."

Carla pleading scream mixed with Knightwalker's attacking cry as the wall beside them suddenly exploded outward, a single figure standing in the dust. A familiar, commanding voice growled, "You're quite audacious. Knowing these people are with me, yet still attacking them. Anyone who would lay a hand on our fellow guild members will be dealt with accordingly."

Carla stared in awe at the now visible figure. "But how? I thought you were gone!"

Erza Scarlet smiled at her guildmates. "I would never let my friends down." She looked over shocked faces, her eyes meeting black ones, yet recognition flared in both. Erza's eyes widened, staring at the injured girl. "Ayrae?"

Ayrae managed to prop herself up on one arm, waving weakly. "Ey, Red. Long time, no see huh?"

Before the reunion could go any further, Edolas Erza's shock of seeing her doppelganger wore off as she swung her spear viciously at her lookalike. Erza easily caught it with her blade, the two glaring off as their weapons clashed. Erza glanced back to the others cautiously. "We can all exchange explanations later, but for now, save Natsu and Wendy! If any of you know where a large lacrima is, find Gajeel in the streets and bring him to it!" She freed one hand to quickly throw something to Gray, which he caught carefully. "Eat those, now go!"

Gray looked down at the few red balls Erza had thrown him, nodding. "Good luck." He knew well that she could defeat Knightwalker. It wouldn't even be a challenge for her, if he knew Erza. "Let's go!" He pulled Ayrae up again as Lucy and the Exceeds led the way, racing down the hall.

He popped a ball into his mouth as they rounded a corner, suddenly skidding to a stop, Ayrae blearily looking at him. "What is it?"

Gray looked at his hands in wonder. "I-I feel my magic again." Grinning, he held a hand out to Lucy. "Hey, gimme your hands." Lucy seemed surprised, yet didn't hesitate to reach out. Gray's hand rested on the gel holding her wrists captive, immediately freezing it with his touch, the ice shattering. "Yes! I'm back!" He offered a ball to Ayrae. "These seem to give us our magic back!"

Ayrae's eyes lit as she took the ball, flicking it in her mouth. Suddenly, her body felt invigorated, though her wounds remained. The surge of strength, of simply having power back, was enough to allow her to stand on her own again. Grinning, she looked to Gray. "No more sneaking around."

Happy smiled, looking around the corner where the sounds of the Erzas clashing came from. "She said something about Gajeel and a lacrima... We saw one leaving Extalia. I should go tell him."

Ayrae nodded, rubbing his head. "Go, Happy. I swear, Natsu's gonna be fine."

The blue Exceed nodded. "Save him for me." And with that, he took off, flying through another doorway.

Ayrae looked at the others. "Well? Natsu and Wendy need us." And with that, they were moving again. As they went, Ayrae carefully rewrapped the bandages around her neck, knotting them tightly. I won't risk that now. I have magic energy, I don't need to tempt fate. Still, her power would be helpful... Looking at her wrists and the pockets she'd stashed her bandages in, she knew she couldn't replace them yet. She'd need every inch of power she had.

After a few turns, a massive set of double doors stood at the end of the hall, Lucy announcing, "That must be where they have Natsu!" Gray swiftly kicked down the door, finding the Dragon Slayers slumped against pillars of stone.

"Natsu!"

"Wendy!"

The group split off, Carla and Gray at Wendy's side, Lucy and Ayrae at Natsu's. Gray gently held Wendy, urging, "Are you alright? Come on, say something!"

Carla whimpered, "Wendy..."

Lucy carefully held Natsu, worry flooding her eyes. "Hey, can you hear me?"

Gray gently set Wendy back down. "She's out cold, I can't wake her up!"

"Yeah, so is he."

Ayrae looked between them in concern. "They're alive, at least. We'll get them up."

Carla leaned against Wendy, crying. "Wendy... I'm so sorry, Wendy! Please forgive me!"

Gray had moved to Natsu, taking a... different approach, shaking him violently. "Hey! This is no time to be sleeping on the job! Wake up already, you lazy pyromaniac!"

Lucy chided, "Geez, you don't have to be so rough with him, Gray!"

Ayrae gave a quick backhand to Gray's head. "Hey, he's gone through hell, ya idiot! Stop that!"

The blow didn't hurt in the slightest, but it got the ice mage's attention. He admitted, "Alright, maybe I was a little harsh. Come on, I still have some of these red ball things. Maybe a bit of magic will help them wake up."

He shoved a ball into Natsu's mouth, the Dragon Slayer immediately rolling onto his side, coughing. Lucy cried, "Natsu!"

Gray looked to the little girl. "Let's get one to Wendy now." As he gave Wendy a pill, Natsu groaned, sitting up. Ayrae turned her head away, allowing only for her hair to be seen from Natsu perspective.

Lucy asked, "Are you feeling better? You scared me."

Suddenly, Natsu's fist slammed into the ground, bursting into flame. Rage was all the emotion in his eyes as he growled, "Yeah. But we've got to hurry and stop them."

Lucy frowned, crouching next to him. "Stop who?"

Natsu suddenly threw his head up, roaring a forge-worth of flame into the air before taking off running out the doors. Lucy yelled, "Natsu!"

Gray demanded, "Come back here!" Yet it was too late, as he was already gone.

At the same time, Wendy slowly coughed, bringing their attention back to the girl. Carla inquired, "Wendy?"

"What's wrong?"

"Are you okay?"

"Give her a second, guys."

Wendy slowly opened her eyes. "Oh hey... Carla..."

Carla, still near tears, begged, "Are you hurt?"

Wendy softly said, "No, I'm fine but..." She sniffed. "The others are in trouble. It's horrible... The Royal Army, they're going to destroy Extalia by crashing that giant lacrima into it!"

Eyes widened as breath was taken from their very lungs in horror.

"All of our friends in Fairy Tail and everyone in Magnolia is in danger because the King is going to use them as a bomb!"

Ayrae stepped forward, kneeling next to Wendy, helping her sit up. Wendy looked in surprise at Ayrae's true appearance, knowing from her clothes and bandages it was her, despite her marred features. "It's alright, Wendy. We'll protect Fairy Tail."

Wendy opened her mouth to reply as her eyes fell on the blue Fairy Tail mark on Ayrae's chest. Eyes bulging, she stammered, "Y-You're a Fairy Tail wizard?!"

Ayrae smiled sadly. "Yeah, kid. I'll explain later, but for now... My name is actually Ayrae. Now, tell us more about this plan."

Wendy took a moment to overcome her shock, nodding slowly. "They- They want to crash the giant lacrima into Extalia by hitting it with Dragon Slayer magic. Then... The magic will fuse together, and magic power will rain down on Edolas... Forever."

Lucy's eyes reflected her horror. "But that means..."

"Our guildmates will be lost forever," Gray finished.

Pounding feet began to echo, resounding toward their chamber. Everyone took an offensive stance as Lucy asked, "Guards?"

Ayrae raised her arms, lacrima now dim from overuse, but her own, fresh magic still strong. "Whatever it is, we'll deal with it."

And a screaming Natsu returned in complete panic. "Did you see that?! THERE ARE TWO ERZAS! As if one wasn't enough, it's terrifying! A showdown between those two monsters, if that's the case, THE WORLD IS DOOMED!"

A slap hit the back of his head. "Calm down, Dragneel!"

Natsu whirled, prepared to turn his panic into fire as he came face to face with yet another face he thought he'd never see again. Yet his panic didn't fade. "Crap, it's Evil Ayrae!"

Ayrae glared at Natsu. "Actually, it's Earthland Ayrae. Edolas Ayrae doesn't have scars like these."

Natsu's raging emotion suddenly seemed to disappear, like a candle in a hurricane. Eyes wide and shaking, he stared at Ayrae for a moment. "No way... You died..." He slowly reached out... and poked her in the forehead.

Ayrae sighed, closing her eyes as Natsu yelped, "You're not a ghost! You're real!"

Ayrae smirked, still slightly annoyed. "Yeah, Natsu, I'm real. I've been Guildless for the past month, but it's me."

Natsu's eyes bulged as he clutched his head. "What's happening?! Two Erzas, two Ayraes even though one was dead!" He suddenly say Gray. "And now weird Gray is here!"

Gray sighed. "I'm Earthland Gray, you dumbass."

Natsu looked around, completely bewildered. "Wait... If you're not a ghost... Am I?! Did I die?!"

Another cuff to the head from Ayrae. "No, Natsu! I simply never died! In fact, I don't know why you all seem to think I was dead, but we can talk about that later! For now, I'm alive and I'm here to help my guild."

Natsu seemed to calm down again, the overwhelming stress on his brain fading as he saw the guild mark on her chest. "It really is you." He suddenly hugged her, eyes closed. "Don't you ever fucking disappear like that again, alright? And you're going to tell us what the hell happened that day, too."

Ayrae blinked, then nodded slowly, worry in her gaze. "Yeah, Natsu. I know. I'm glad you're happy to see me." She pulled away. "But for now, we need to save the rest of the guild. Apparently, Erza and Gajeel are here too, but we need to free everyone else."

Wendy blinked. "Wait... You're the real Gray? Why didn't you say so?"

Gray deadpanned, head hanging. "Y-You didn't know? It's just because it's dark down here, right?"

Natsu looked around. "Wait, did you guys just come down here and save us a minute ago? Thanks! Oh, you're okay, Lucy!"

Lucy glared at the pinkette. "Apparently, all Dragon Slayers are oblivious to more than just returning guildmates."

Wendy rapidly apologized, "I'm so sorry Gray, I didn't mean to forget!" She turned to Carla. "I didn't forget you, Carla."

She hugged her small friend as Natsu snorted. "You're shirtless in front of the kid, Gray. Not cool."

Gray looked down. "Wait, I am? When did this happen?"

Ayrae cut in, "About twelve hours ago, now let's get to fixing our little giant lacrima problem."

Running into the hallway, Natsu stopped just out the door. "No! We can't go that way! That's where the two monsters are fighting!"

Lucy insisted, "We can't just leave Erza to fend for herself!"

Gray rebuked, "Do you want to get in the middle of that?"

Lucy nodded slowly. "You make a good point."

"Oh, I think it would be interesting to watch. Unfortunately," At the end of the hall, White Shadow had returned, seemingly recovered from the terror that had gripped her before. "I've been assigned to killing all of you."

Lucy and Wendy backed away nervously as Natsu and Gray shifted into fighting stances, Ayrae staying still.

Shadow glared at her doppelganger, growling, "I don't know what devil magic you worked before, but I guarantee it won't work again. I'm prepared for any little tricks now."

Gray hissed, "You're not coming anywhere near her!"

Ayrae sharply said, "Gray, stop." She looked to Shadow. "I won't need magic of that regard this time around."

The ice mage faltered, staring at her. "Rae, you-"

"Can take this now." Stepping forward, she slammed her fists together, smiling at the rush of energy she felt. "I may not be at full strength again, but I can take on this knockoff. You guys go, I can handle this on my own."

Shadow smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that. I'd hate for our faceoff to be interrupted."

Lucy worried, "But you're still hurt!"

Ayrae smiled back at her friends. "Don't worry, I'm stronger than I look."

Shadow smirked cruelly. "You'd better be, or you won't give me much entertainment before I kill your precious friends."

Ayrae's smile didn't waver. Her confidence was back in spades and she was well aware. "Go on, guys. This will be over before you're down the hall."

Most of them didn't take much convincing, though Gray hesitated. He called, "Kick her ass, Rae. Then come right back to us."

Ayrae nodded. "I always will." And with that, Gray raced after the others, Ayrae glaring at Shadow with a grin. "Now, I think I owe you a few broken bones for your insults to my guild."