Kent Nelson was finally having an easy day. Spending a nice and comforting moment with his dear wife Inza near the chimney inside one of the big libraries of the Tower of Fate was always a beautiful moment.
Things in the Justice League were tense these few months. After Darkseid's attack on Earth and his and Lex Luthor's disappearance, the whole League went searching for any signals of their location. However, after finding nothing, they decide to continue with their duties of protecting the universe.
"Kent," said Inza while hugging Nelson, "I missed these times together. It sometimes gets lonely without you, now that dear Shayera is living with John and Amazo went to who knows where"
"I'm sorry my love, but since I became Dr. Fate, I have an obligation to the Lords of Order to impair fate" says Nelson. Being Dr. Fate means you're bound to the will of the Lords of Order, the one responsible for the magical problems across the universe and being the protector of the Tower of Fate and its various secrets inside it.
"I understand you, my dear. Remember that I also have worn that helmet" -she still remembers the authority Nabu has over any user of the Helmet of Fate- "but you must understand this old lady and her desire to be with her husband"
"My dear Inza, you call yourself old, but I just see the same sweet and young lady that stole my heart" says while lifting her chin.
Suddenly, Dr Fate feels... something. Like there was a shift in the world that the Tower tried to show him. At that same moment, he receives a call from the Justice League. Both things feel like they could be related so, after apologizing to Inza, he teleports to the Watchtower wondering what will be expecting him over there
Moments earlier
'I really needed this' thought Clark Kent, known to the world as Superman, the Last Son of Krypton and Earth's Mightiest Champion. Things were tense after Darkseid's invasion, mainly for him. Clark was still blaming himself for not ending things quickly as last time and for allowing Luthor giving him the Anti-Life Equation.
'If he managed to get it, he can reshape the universe as his will'
However, despite searching across the universe, even with the help of the Green Lantern Corps, he couldn't find neither Darkseid nor Luthor
After some counseling from his friends (and mainly Bruce, in his own way), he decided to focus on saving the people of Earth. If they return, he will fight until his last breath but now, he must continue his work being a beacon of hope for everyone.
Today's patrolling has been light: three bank robberies thwarted, a plane saved from falling and he helped Mrs. Croaker cross the street.
'And before lunch! That reminds me, where would Lois wou-'
BOOM
Suddenly, a portal appears in the sky near the Daily Planet. As his previous fears were returning to his mind, he went flying there as fast as he could.
When he was getting close, he saw two beings getting launch from the portal to the main offices, smashing Perry's office. He was getting worried when, with his super-vision, managed to see two beings: a little girl and a cat.
Arriving at the Planet, he saw that none of his colleagues were injured, however, they were concerned for the two beings that arrived so sudden. Near his now destroyed desk were a blue-haired girl with multiple contusions and holes in her clothes. Besides her was a white cat, also with multiple injuries across its body. Quickly, he covered them with his cape and was deciding taking them to a hospital when suddenly the cat started murmuring something.
"W-Wendy. Yo-you need t-to help Wendy" and after that, she fainted
'Wait, the cat talked' thought Clark, surprised. 'Maybe taking them to a common hospital wouldn't be helpful at all. I need to take them to the Watchtower. We are better equipped there for alien physiology'
"Terrific, I need transportation quickly for me and two other companions. And prepare the infirmary" said Superman while being teleported, leaving the Planet's journalist dumbfounded and Jimmy Olsen with his film roll full of new photos.
When Dr. Fate arrived at the Watchtower, he saw Superman and Mr. Terrific watching over a blue girl and a white cat, both covered in bandages and connected to some machines that were monitoring their vitals
"Fate. Thanks for arriving" exclaimed the Man of Steel.
"I assume that these two are the reason of the calling. It also can explain that strange shift in the energy of the Tower of Fate" responded Kent
"Shift? What are you talking about?" asked Superman "Did they caused that?"
"Probably, that's something I will investigate further. A rapid scan tells me that a strange energy is coursing through their bodies" said Dr Fate as he started chanting spells. A yellow glow starts emerging from each of their bodies. "I cannot pinpoint exactly what is this energy, but it fells magical in origin"
"Well, whatever is that energy, it seems that it's pretty low" said Mr. Terrific, signaling a screen. "Curiously, the cat is producing it, little by little. I can't assume if that's normal or not in them. Additionally, the machines are picking up some kind of cellular degradation, confirmed by Superman. It's not that problematic now but if we don't stop it eventually, it can become dangerous. We need more info now"
"And we shall. I am going to enter their minds and search whatever information I can find. Mr. Terrific, I request that you watch over us. I think I speak for the three of us that a "Lex Luthor/Flash" incident cannot be repeated, don't I?
The memory of the body-swap incident months ago was still fresh in everyone's mind, so they nodded.
Kent started to concentrate and proceed to enter the mind of the two individuals in front of him, hoping to find the answers they need.
"Dang it, now I don't see any heroes at all"
Things weren't going good for Klarion, the Witch Boy. With Teekl dead and the Child ruining his fun, he knew that, despite not wanting to admit it, he needs help from those pesky heroes. If only he can find them! The screams of the humans inside his temporary vessel didn't help either.
He needs more jumps. He was getting closer. He jus-
SMACK
"What was that? What did I hit?" asked the Lord of Chaos.
Apparently, he hit a weird guy and a cat with... wings? Well, that's new.
"Hey, get out of my way, I need to- "
"What do you mean 'get out of my way'? You just appeared from nowhere and hit me" answered angrily the boy, with fire in his fist?
"Natsu, we also appeared out of nowhere" answered the winged cat. "Wait. Maybe you know how to get out of here. We were trying to reach those guys in that rock before you hit us bu-"
"I DON'T CARE. I REALLY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THI-" at that moment, he managed to see those strangers. The girl he didn't know about and frankly he doesn't care. But the other one...
"Hey, you're Superboy!"
"Dupertoy?"
"Superboy, Natsu"
Conner would never thank Klarion. The two of them have a lot of history and this wasn't something he was doing for some kind of redemption. But he was grateful for taking him out of that place along with the girl that apparently saved him in Mars.
He was, however, pretty preoccupied about his new companions
A bunch of kids along with a bus driver apparently brought from the past. Curiously, he remembered that bus.
A pink-haired teen dress... oddily to say the least that couldn't handle being in a bus.
And a blue-talking cat.
He really needs some vacations. Hopefully after the wedding.
"So, let me understand this" says Conner, "while I was gone, a new Lord of Chaos appeared. Beats Zatanna and her protégées along with Doctor Fate and kicks your butt"
"HEY. Beat it, SuperTurd. I could just leave you here and let you suffer eternally in the Phantom Zone"
"Yeah, but you need us, Klarion. As much as we need you apparently"
He really didn't like Klarion. But better him that this Child that wants to destroy Earth and kill Dr Fate.
"At least, can you help these two? They probably can help us" he said signaling the fallen "comrades"
"You have healers on your team. Don't push your luck"
"Hey, goody-ten-shoes! Been looking for you ev-"
"LAAAND! FINALLY! LET ME OUT!"
Zatanna had a very long day. She was tired of everything involved with the Child.
They just lost the Tower of Fate.
Fate's helmet is now with a giant crack.
Despite their best efforts, the world is going into chaos.
And she still needs to talk with Mary about her last decisions.
She knows her team needs help. But a sudden Klarion-talking-bus and a pink-haired guy isn't what she was hoping.
She thought the unexpected surprises ended there but then...
"Conner!"
And there he was. Conner Kent a.k.a. Superboy with a little child hugging him
She thought that Conner died in Mars saving everyone, but, somehow, Klarion managed to find him.
"How are you here? Are you from the past? What's the last thing you remember?" asked Zatanna. "And who are they?" she said signaling the kids, the weird guy kissing the dirt and... is that a blue cat talking to him?
Conner looked a bit confused himself. He explained about the bomb in Mars, his unconscious savior and Klarion finding him and Natsu and Happy (their names according to the blue cat) in that weird dimension called the Phantom Zone by Klarion.
"So, that's about it. I was meaning to ask if you can heal us four. And yes, I'm including the cat"
"It would be easy. Lluf laeh" said Zatanna, healing everyone there.
"The girl looks like she's just tired. We should let her rest and-"
"Wow! You healed us. Do you have Sky Dragon Slayer Magic like Wendy? But you don't smell like a dragon. Then that means you have other spells like Troia. Do you think you can apply it to me to not get motion sickness anymore?" Natsu said while grabbing Zatanna by her shoulders
"Natsu. She's not Lucy. She'll get uncomfortable of all those questions" said Happy
"ENOUGH. We have some business with that little pain in the ass" exclaimed Klarion. "She killed Teekl. She must pay for all of this"
"Well, this is perfect. We have two more helpers and you two can team up" said Zatanna
"Out of the question. The Witch Boy cannot be trusted" refuted Fate
"Ugh, agreed. But right now, you need each other" answered Zatanna. Klarion would never be trusted, but they need his help.
"Hey, Naboobie. I don't like it any better than you. But Child has the backing of all the Lord of Chaos"
After a moment, Dr Fate conceded and agrees to fight along Klarion. As much as he hates it, he's right. They need every help possible.
"Well, it's settled. Get in the bus. We need to find me a new familiar"
"WAIT" said Natsu. "I'm not going inside any method of transportation. I still need to find how we got transported there and I'm not in the mood of another Edolas situation"
Ignoring the "Edolas" part, Zatanna asks "We can help you with that. But we have our own problems now. If you want to help, welcome aboard. If not, we won't force you"
"Wait, you can help me? Well, why didn't you start there. Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel and Fire Dragon Slayer of the Fairy Tail guild. If you have a spell that can let me inside that machine without me vomiting, then I can help you"
Everyone was very confused and probably would have started to ask questions, but they knew they need to finish this quickly. So, after a simple spell and a happy Natsu, they went inside the bus to search for Klarion's new familiar. Fortunately, that gave them a little time to talk
Happy managed to explain what happened to the two of them (because Natsu couldn't explain anything coherent even without his motion sickness). About the trap, the plans of that scientist and how they got transported into the Phantom Zone waking there suddenly. He also managed to briefly explain how their magic works and Natsu's fighting capabilities. After that, they were grateful for including him if he's as strong as Happy told them.
Arriving at Salem Animal Shelter, Klarion started to search within every cat inside the selter... only to pick a stray cat and calling her Teekl, despite him insisting it was a new name.
Despite Natsu's plan to fight head on, Zatanna's idea to hide and a surprise attack won. So, after Fate and Klarion called the Child and start battling the two Lords, Zatanna orders Mary to syphon the Child's power enough for a surprise attack from Khalid. At that moment, Superboy and Natsu show themselves and started fighting Flaw in an attempt to destroy him and releasing Child from the mortal plane.
However, after a boost from the other Lords of Order, she managed to push them away, ending the surprise attack. Fortunately, unknown to all of them at that moment, Vandal Savage and the Phantom Stranger managed to remove the aid from the Lords of Chaos to the Child, making her stumble and realizing that she no longer has outside help. Furiously, she conjures a fire rain in hopes of debilitating her foes.
"Burn! Burn!" exclaimed Child while laughing. "You all must bu-" Suddenly, something weird happened. All the fire started focusing on a single point
Or, more specifically, a single person.
Natsu, like a sponge, starts sucking all the fire like it was a whirlpool. The team, using this as an advantage, starts their counterattack.
"Keep it like that Natsu. Guys, quickly. Beat her while she's weakened" exclaimed Zatanna. Superboy went to fight Flaw with Mary, Traci and Khalid backing him up and Zatanna helping Fate and Klarion against Child.
Fortunately, Thirteen manages to expand Flaw's flaw and with a mighty punch from Superboy, destroys him, making the Child return to the astral plane.
After Klarion disappears and Natsu absorbs the last of the fire ("Too much fire, I think I'm gonna vomit. Zapato, help me!"), Zatanna and her protegees talk about the issue with Fate's helmet. They decide that the power and responsability of the Helmet of Fate is too much for a single mortal and it will be rotating it between the four of them and his father Zatara, despite him disagreeing with her plans.
"So, who should be wearing it first?" asked Zatanna
Just as Khalid was to offer himself to wear the helmet, Natsu grabs it and asks "What's the issue with this thing. It really doesn't look that important" and puts the helmet.
"Natsu, don't!"
Too late, after a quick flash, Natsu Dragneel now dons the mantle of Doctor Fate. But something weird happens. He remains immobile and, suddenly, Zatara, Zatanna and Happy faints.
Everyone starts panicking and quickly transports themselves to the Premiere Building as Superboy's request to get medical aid from the Outsiders.
Things weren't going easy for Stephen Strange. He was battling former friend and ally Wanda Maximoff while dreamwalking inside his dead alternate counterpart alongside America Chavez, a teenager with the power to open portals across the Multiverse, and Wong, his best friend and current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth, despite Stephen insisting he was still Sorcerer Supreme.
It's actually surprising that these kinds of things don't surprise him anymore, but it's more indicative that he needs a vacation. If Wong insists on taking up the title, he can use that to relax a bit.
Suddenly, while Chavez is punching Wanda, something weird happens. A black-haired guy with questionable clothing and a black cat were suddenly launched out of one of the star-shaped portals America was creating, falling near Wong.
After defeating Maximoff. Wong retreats alongside Chavez and the two probable-otherwordly visitors to Kamar Taj while Stephen waits to return to their dimension.
If the Edolas event didn't happen before, Gajeel would've been very confused and alarmed.
Well, more confused and alarmed. He still didn't know exactly where here was but the fact that he had been bandaged means someone is at least helping Lily and him and he can wait for some answers before escaping.
Before he could worry about anything else, three people entered the room. Two men and a girl, all wearing weird clothes.
"Well, you're finally awake" said one of them. "Let me present me first. My name is Wong. Sorcerer Supreme of Earth-"
"Supposedly" said the other one
"Master of the Mystic Arts, and Librarian of Kamar Taj, where you are right now. Alongside me is Doctor Stephen Strange, former Sorcerer Supreme-"
"Supposedly"
"Could you stop, please? As I was saying, he's also a Master of the Mystic Arts and the Master of the New York Sanctum"
"At least I still have that"
"And, finally, here is America Chavez, our newest recruit and probably the reason you arrived here in our dimension. But before explaining more of this, we need to learn who are you and what happened to you. And to avoid any conflict..."
Suddenly, Wong activates a button and a magic circle appeared on the floor under both Lily and Gajeel, alarming the last one and waking Lily
"Don't worry, that circle only prevents you and your familiar from using magic. And yes, we feel the magic flowing from both of you and I would be very naïve for believing that your familiar wouldn't attempt something against us"
"Well, at least it's beter than the last time. First of all, Lily is not my familiar, he's my partner. And second, thanks for healing us. The last time I travelled to another dimension I wasn't knocked out or injured but at least that experience helps me to not freak out in this moment" said Gajeel.
"I'm Gajeel Redfox, Iron Dragon Slayer of the Fairy Tail Guild and here is Pantherlily, or Lily as I call him. My partner"
"Greetings everyone" said the newly presented Lily. "As my partner mentioned, I'm Lily. Mage of the Fairy Tail Guild and an Exceed, a species native of the dimension of Edolas. To make things short, after an altercation with a villain that tried to send us to another dimension, we were launched to unknown places and somehow arrived here. However, we weren't alone in this endeavor. Four of our friends were also attacked. As we are the only ones here, I could assume that we're the only ones that arrived through that portal"
"That would be correct, Mr. Lily" says Stephen. "Ms. Chavez here is capable of opening portals through the multiverse. However, she doesn't control her powers so it would be a bit difficult finding you both a way home without finding your dimension. So, I would like to perform a simple mind-reading spell on both of you to obtain as much info about your home to help America in finding your home. Is that ok?" Stephen wasn't technically lying. The spell would let him read their minds to help America into recognizing their dimension but also, it was a precautionary method to knew more about their recent visitors and to recognize if they were a danger to them or not
Lily accepted without problems.
Gajeel, however...
"Are you going to search everything? There are things I want to keep secret and-"
"Oh, come on, Gajeel" exclaimed Lily. "Your only secret is your relationship with Levy, what more do you have to hide?"
"HEY! The fact that you don't have a love life is your problem, not mine"
And with that, Stephen relaxes a bit. If they can joke about that, then they couldn't be that bad.
"Anyway, I'm going to perform the spell. America, grab my shoulder. That will allow you to watch what I'll be watching" Stephen said as he began chanting the spell, making both Gajeel and Lily starts glowing. Unknown to everyone, at the same time over two different dimensions, their friends were exposed to a similar spell and a weird phenomenon occurred.
Wendy knew that being a Fairy Tail mage will bring unexpected experiences.
Unbelievable things that will make other people crazy.
But floating in an unknown black-and-starry void alongside her fellow dragon slayers, their partners, Carla, her Exceed partner, and a few more people was a new one.
"Where have you brought us, Redfox? We treat yours and your partner's wounds and your betray us like that?" said a man with a red cape and blue clothes that was near a girl with weird clothing
"Hey, this isn't me. If you remember you put us inside a magic-cancelling circle. We can't do squat! Maybe all of this is your-"
"Gajeel, is that you?" asked Wendy, trying to avoid more conflict
"Wendy? Is that you?" asked Lily. "By the prince, it is you. And Carla is with you too"
"Caaarlaaaa" cried Happy. "I was worried. I thought I'll never see you again"
"Happy! Don't worry, we are fine. Well, we fell unconscious after falling from one of those portals but now we're fine" said Carla
"Yeah, but where are we exactly? We were battling a weird kid with powerful abilities. Natsu put a golden helmet and suddenly we're here"
"Of course, this all must be Flame Brain's fault" said Gajeel. "Hey, Fire Breath, what happened?"
…
"Hey, Dragneel. I made you a question. And what are you wearing by the way?"
Still, no answer from him
"HEY, DON'T IGNORE-"
"SILENCE!" said 'Natsu'. "I'm trying to comprehend where did your idiotic partner brought me"
Gajeel was confused. Natsu is never this serious. Or have a vast vocabulary
This isn't the same Dragon Slayer that he knew
"Hey! What the hell did you do to Flame Brain?" asked Gajeel, trying to gather his magic power to summon an attack but he couldn't feel his magic. Maybe Strange's magic was still in effect. But before he could ask more, a man with blue clothes, golden cape and a golden helmet appeared
"Perhaps I can help you with that"
"Wait, that's Doctor Fate" said a girl with what looks like a weird outfit. 'Well, at this point, everyone has a weird outfit' thought Gajeel. "But I thought Nabu was holding Natsu's conciousness"
"Wait what? What do you mean by that, kid?" asked Gajeel
"Hey, I'm 24. I'm not a kid"
"Whatever you said, kid "
"I see" said 'Natsu'. "We were apparently transported to another dimension. That explain why is there another doppelganger of me"
"Not quite but similar. I'm Kent Nelson. The one in possession of the Helmet of Fate, Sorcerer Supreme of my Earth and a member of the Justice League of America"
"I'm Nabu. A Lord of Order, the Sorcerer Supreme of my Earth and also a reserve member of the Justice League. For now, the person wearing my helmet is Natsu Dragneel, native from Earthland, but my usual user is Giovanni Zatara who somehow appeared alongside his daughter Zatanna Zatara"
"If everyone is presenting themselves" interrupted Stephen, "I think it would be properly to present us. I'm Doctor Stephen Strange. Master of the Mystic Arts, Sorcerer Supreme of my Earth and a member of the Avengers. Alongside me is America Chavez. A new recruit and, despite not controlling properly her powers, can open portals through the Multiverse. In fact, I was thinking that, wherever we are, we can use her powers to return to our dimensions"
"That would be something very useful… if we were transported to another universe" said Nelson
"Wait" said Carla, "isn't "here" another dimension? If not, where are we?"
"Do not fret, cat. As Doctor Fate, I have access to the Tower of Fate. A nexus between some universes and spells related to multiversal travel. This is different. What apparently happened is that, at the same moment, each of us tried a mind reading spell in each of you. That, somehow, connected our minds across the multiverse. Our consciousness are here but our bodies are still on our Earths respectively"
"So, what now? We are still trapped in another dimension apart from ours. Can you help us?" asked Wendy
"Fortunately" said 'Natsu' or Nabu, as he's the one controlling him, "as the one you call Natsu is wearing my helmet, I could read his memories. You were transported with a universe-travelling spell called 'Anima', but a malfunction broke the 'lacrimas' that powered the magic. Each of you have a part of that lacrima like this one" and, from a pocket of his pants, he pulled a fractured lacrima. At the same time, Wendy and Gajeel noticed that they too have a part of the lacrima.
"If I'm not mistaken, you need to reform the lacrimas to return to your world. However, since all of you are apart, you will need to 'jump' between universes until you find each other"
"Wait" said Happy, "if we're here, can't we just put together the lacrimas?"
"It's no use, Happy. We're not really here. Only our minds" answered Carla. 'Things aren't easy with this guild, is it?'
"So, you need to find yourselves through the entire Multiverse" said Strange. "Can't say I envy your positions, but I think I can help in a way" and chanted a spell making their otherworldly companions glowing.
"Dude, what's with you and your glowing spells? Is that normal?" asked Gajeel.
"Don't look at me. I'm the new girl here" said Chavez. "Does your magic also glows?" she asked to Zatanna
"Yes, but it's part of the show. It's like a plus to get a better "Ohhh" from the audience."
"There" finished Strange. "I applied to you a written and speaking translation spell within you. Should be helpful for a few months"
"If my fellow Sorcerer Supreme is helping you, I can't be getting behind" said Nelson and transformed the shape of the lacrimas. "Now, the lacrimas are more akin to a cellular phone from my world. It will let you know when their magic is full and allow you three to hop to another universe"
"Well, those phones look useful but I think I can give it a boost" said Zatanna before chanting "Mrofsnart mhet otni senohptrams"
At that moment, the phones transformed into just a screen, making the Fairy Tail mages even more confused. Fortunately, Zatanna explained "I just transformed them into smartphones. Now, it also will allow you to obtain information of the universe you would be. Just put it near a computer or whatever similar equipment exist over there and you will have any info. And, it has a sort of artificial intelligence that will help you understand how does it work and other things"
"You really need to spend less time with Dick Grayson, Zatanna" said a mild infuriated Zatara while his daughter only smiles and blushes
"Wait, so we need to recharge the lacrimas?" asked Carla, "With what? Ethernano only exists in our world. In fact, how can we use our magic? We replenish our magic from the Ethernano from the atmosphere". People from Earthland, even if they weren't wizards, have Ethernano inside them. If not, they would suffer from Magic Deficiency Disease like Master Makarov all the way back with the Fairy-Phantom war.
Fortunately, Nabu had an answer. "From what I saw, you Exceed create Ethernano from inside your bodies. In Edolas, despite having practically no magic, you were fine. That means you can produce within your bodies if given the time. As for the Dragon Slayers, they can replenish their energies absorbing their respective elements". That managed to relax the Earthlanders and the Exceeds
"As for the Lacri-phones" and a spell hit the newly dubbed Lacri-phones
"There's now a detector that will guide you to whatever energy more similar to Ethernano. The phones will convert that energy and recharge themselves and let you travel. If there are dire events, you can recharge those lacrimas yourselves. However, I must advise you to don't do it. It requires a lot of magic, and your bodies can't supply them of enough energy to recharge it fully. It's only for emergencies"
"Mr. Nabu, I'm really helpful and everything but, can you release Natsu?" asked Happy. "If he doesn't hear this he would be lost and won't know what to do"
"Do not fret blue cat. I'm transmitting everything subconsciously and I'm certain my companions can explain everything" he said while Zatara and Zatanna nod.
"Finally, I will apply a final spell onto you. Universal travel can be harmful to those without protection and some friends on my Earth detected some kind of cellular degradation on Wendy Marvell and Carla. This spell shall let you travel without issues" announced Nelson
"If that's all, we should return to our worlds" said Zatanna. Their friends are probably in a panic state so it's better if they return.
"Agreed. We still need to talk about my future wielders" said Nabu
"Perhaps we can talk another time. I would like to share experiences with fellow Sorcerers Supreme" requested Strange
"Indeed, Dr. Strange. For now, we go on our own ways" said Kent Nelson
"Be careful, Carla. I'll find you eventually" said Happy
"Hmpf. We'll be fine… But be careful you too" answer Carla while blushing.
"Good luck, Gajeel and Lily" said Wendy
"Geehee, don't worry about us. We're the strongest combo of cat and man. See ya everyone!"
"Be careful you three. And thanks to all of you, Sorcerers Supreme to help us. If our paths aligned again, remember that Fairy Tail will have your back" announced Lily while every member of the guild agreed on that statement
And with that, everyone returned to their respective bodies. A new adventure is in front of the Dragon Slayers of Fairy Tail and their Exceed companions. What will happen now?
