"Lisanna, can ya calm down?" Gajeel asked, watching the hairy beast make its thirty circle around him and the two females with him. She whined and tried to stand still but started to pace again.
"My readings do not show any enemies or other beings. You can relax Lisanna." Alfie stated and Lisanna whined. She lowered to the ground, looking away from everyone else and towards the twisted metal of the third shuttle. She whined as she stared at it.
"Something about that shuttle has her on edge." Alzack said as he got close and Lisanna nodded and kept staring at it. Alfie hummed at Gajeel's waist.
"I do not have any readings inside. It is as if the Fairy Law attack fried everything inside as well." Alfie stated. "I do not pick up any heat or cold readings that would show lifeforms inside it."
"I'll go." A male said and stepped forward. Alzack looked at him and he shrugged. "Mal'ray is gone, I may as well be the one to risk it."
"She wouldn't have wanted…" Alzack started to object but Gildarts put his hand on his shoulder and he nodded at the other male who walked towards the shuttle. The legs were gone from the front so it was titled downwards and to the side. The male approached, his weapon at the ready. Gildarts knelt beside Lisanna, put his hand on the back of her neck and she relaxed under his hand. His hand moved up to the top of her head and he petted it. She slowly tilted her head and growled.
"While I do not speak wolf, I do not think Lisanna appreciates being treated like a pet." Alfie said and Gildarts lifted his hand and chuckled ruefully. Lisanna turned back and tensed, watching with unease. PantherLilly was hovering over the male; his sword at the ready. Right as he reached shuttle, he froze and immediately pulled his weapon up and shifted into an offensive position.
"Whatever you are, come out slowly." He called out and waited. Lisanna rose up to her full height and leapt forward; her body glowing and the wolf form was gone and they stared. A large brown form; with huge paws stood in front of them. It stood taller than Gildarts who turned to stare in surprise at Gajeel who was shaking his head. He had no idea what he was looking at. The head looked almost small compared to the body; but as she threw her head back and roared; they all saw the many sharp teeth in a wide mouth.
"I believe that is called a bear. Very dangerous creature." Alfie stated. "Wendy, I believe that if you switch to solely focusing on Levy; we will be able to move both her and Gajeel sooner. Gajeel's body will be able to move even though he is not fully healed."
"Understood." Wendy said, interrupting her chanting and adjusting her tools and Gajeel sighed. Levy's face was healed, and while pale; she had more pink in her cheeks every second. Her freckles were even starting to appear again, which set many of his nerves aside.
"What is in there?" Alzack wondered, his fingers dancing on the butt of his weapon. His eyes danced between his clansman and the shuttle's empty door. He couldn't see anything and he couldn't hear anything.
"I'm coming in!" The male shouted after more silence met him. He inched closer and closer; and stuck his head in. He froze, and then his weapon dropped. Everyone watched as he propped it against the shuttle and climbed in. Lisanna dropped to all four and shuffled forward, her heavy breaths shaking the crispy grass in front of her.
The male came out, and his eyes looked over at everyone in the clearing. "They're all…gone. Dead. Every last one of them."
"Who?" Gildarts called out, asking with a heavy heart.
"It was…" He took a deep breath. "It was Nab's team."
"Damn it." Gildarts swore and shook his head.
"They're…." The male cleared his throat. "They're like Mal'Ray…they've been purified. I think it might be best to just raze the shuttle."
"Send them back to the atoms they were formed from." Gildarts murmured softly. The male nodded softly. Lisanna roared again and put her paws on the shuttle and rocked it. The male leapt back and everyone watched as Lisanna shook the shuttle. Suddenly something dark shot out. She caught it in her paws and they watched with bated breath.
"What the hell is that?" Gajeel asked, looking over his shoulder and tensing.
"No idea, but I saw some more incoming." PantherLilly said as he dropped down and grabbed the male and lifted him off of the ground, Lisanna barely missing them as she tossed the dark creature at the shuttle. It hit and the shuttle caved in on itself. The creature laid in the twisted metal, Lisanna stood there breathing hard. She roared and the creature twitched and then slowly pulled free.
"I have a bad feeling about that thing." Gajeel said eyeing it, his hands tightening on Levy.
"You and me both kid." Gildarts frowned. The creature attacked, but Lisanna caught it and threw it down, swiping at it repeatedly with her large clawed paws. Hunks of it went flying; it's black blood sizzling as it landed on organic material. Lisanna wailed as some got on her fur and she waddled backwards, using her claws to try and flip off the blood.
"Look out!" Alzack screamed and Lisanna threw herself to the right, her body shifting and she landed on two powerful legs and a large tail. She braced back on the tail; lifting both legs and caught the creature in its center of mass and kicked. It was propelled into the air, and Lisanna shifted again, flying up towards it; her leathery wings flapped, as scales deflected the acid blood. She spun, and her barbed tail caught it in the back and forced it down towards the ground. She shifted again; becoming a large snowape and landing on it with a loud crunching sound. She leapt off of it and spun, her body shining brightly.
Her legs were large bird legs, her body small and round, fluffed out with soft gray feathers; and a long slender neck. But her head wasn't an animal head, it was her own. She made eye contact with everyone; "RUN!"
As her scream echoed, her face shifted into a bald-ish avian head and she started to run towards them. The sniper core and Gildarts' crew raced for their shuttles and Alfie activated their protective shields. Gajeel leapt to his feet, wrapping one of his arms around Wendy and pulling her in close to Levy and running for PantherLilly's shuttle. The shuttle was also moving towards them and it turned; the way it twisted helped to scoop Gajeel and the girls as he attempted to leap but barely got his feet off of the ground. But it was enough for Alfie to slide some paneling under him and pull them in with it. PantherLilly, Gildarts, Alzack and the male PantherLilly had grabbed also leapt in after them and the shuttle righted itself.
Through the cleared walls; they watched as Lisanna ran past the shuttle; outpacing the other two that were moving in the same direction as her. Their brows furrowed; and Alzack turned and put his hand on a panel at the back of the shuttle and it became transparent. He groaned and they looked back and swore. There were ten of the dark creatures chasing them; and gaining. Suddenly Lisanna appeared; shifting into a large creature with long quills rustling along its body. The browns and grays and blacks glistened in the lightening as she spun; presenting her back to the creatures. Gajeel swore and Gildarts started to pull on the paneling near the door.
"Stop…watch." Levy said and they froze. And they gasped as the quills went rigid and then flew away from her body and pierced all of the creatures. They reared back, screaming in pain. Lisanna, again shifted and became a bright red and yellow winged creature; that took off instantly. She flew towards the shuttles, catching up quickly.
"She's so pretty." Levy said, watching as the reds and yellows blurred as if they were flames.
"That's a splumrich; a flame bird from the Cynde System. They fly by turning oxygen into fuel for the small flames that lives within their wings." Gildarts said watching as she turned on her side, exposing her stomach to their shuttle while squeezing between their shuttle and Alzack's shuttle. Alzack whooped as she wove around the shuttles effortlessly.
"I've never seen such fluidity or mastery of Takeoverian shifting." He murmured and Gildarts nodded. PantherLilly, back to his minuscule scale, was sitting on the console and watching in rapt awe.
"It is as if Lisanna is one with the animals she's turned into." He murmured and watched as she shifted; this time; to everyone's surprise; into an Exceed; her fur was purple with large white wings; with a white mane and one white paw. She landed on the roof of Gildarts' shuttle and used her claws to brace and hold her position. They watched as she scanned the surroundings and then she lunged herself at their shuttle. The panel opened and she careened in, shifting into a smaller Exceed and Alzack caught her against his chest as the panel slammed shut.
"So…cold." Lisanna whimpered, convulsing against Alzack; her voice high and squeaky.
"Here is a warmed blanket." Alfie said, producing one of the larger fluffy blankets from storage. As the AI settled it around her trembling frame; she started to glow and shift. Alzack suddenly found himself with a full female form in his arms. He set her down; and she wrapped the blanket around herself.
"Tell me no one saw anything." She begged, her face bright red.
"Alfie had you covered well." PantherLilly reassured her and she nodded; snuggling into the warmth of the blanket. "You must be exhausted."
"I am…Can I sleep now?" She asked and looked over at Wendy. "You safe Wendy?"
"Yes. And thank you." Wendy said and Lisanna nodded three times before her eyes rolled back into her head and she pitched out of the chair. Gildarts caught her, tossing her up into his arms and he stared down at her.
"How was she able to change into all those forms; when she's this…light and frail?" He asked, her weight so light he'd nearly tossed her into the ceiling panels.
"She was pushing herself." Alfie muttered, her hum low and dark. "I tried to warn her, but I am not sure if she heard me. She does not have her health tracker in yet; so I am unable to read all of her metrics."
"Put her in a room; I'm nearly done with Levy for now." Wendy said and Gajeel looked at her. "I'll see to her next."
"Okay." Gildarts turned and headed for the rooms. Gajeel looked back at Wendy but was surprised to see that she looked fresh. She was pulling the blocks off of Levy and putting them in her pack. She held her hands out; one over her core and one over her forehead. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. As she slowly released the breath, Levy's expression smoothed out; the last of the strain leaving her expression. Wendy pulled her hands away and smiled at the older girl.
"You'll be fine. But you need to stop being reckless. I don't think everyone can take the panic anymore."
"I'll try." Levy said as she opened her eyes. "But I can't promise."
"Uh huh." Wendy rolled her eyes and flashed a fang at Levy who giggled. She looked at Gajeel. "I'll come back to you after I check on Lisanna."
"Don't worry about it." Gajeel waved his hand at her she caught it. He looked down at her. "What Wen?"
"You are worth healing as much as anyone, so don't act like you don't need it." They stared into each others eyes and after a few heartbeats he nodded and ruffled her hair.
"Go take care of Lisanna. If you leave her alone with Gildarts too long he may flirt with…" Wendy took off down the length of the shuttle and Gajeel chortled and shook his head. "Too easy."
"You are so sneaky." Levy said and yawned.
"I like to keep everyone on their toes." He shrugged and knelt beside her and she looked up at him. Her brown eyes were clear, and he reached up and pushed some of her hair behind her ear. Her face was back to its normal color and texture; her freckles present and accounted for. He leaned back and she lifted her right hand to push more of her hair out of her face and he grabbed it. She gasped and followed his gaze and immediately tried to pull her hand out of his. But he held on too tightly for her pull free. His thumb slowly ran along one of the scars that ran from her fingers up her arms.
"Gaj…" She hated that she felt the tears stinging at the back of her eyes. She hadn't realized that she had scars. She wondered if he thought they were ugly. She felt shame start to creep up and she tugged harder.
"Shut up Levy." His voice was low and she froze, she almost hadn't heard him.
"What?" She looked at him from under her lashes, the urge to sob choking her.
"Don'tcha dare feel ashamed of these scars." He said and lifted her hand higher and with his free hand grabbed her other one. He lifted it too, turning them this way and that in the light of the shuttle. The lines were silvery and thin; almost invisible but obvious up close; or if you were to touch her forearms.
"Gajeel?" She asked and her gasp startled even herself when he pulled her arms and hands closer and placed them on his face, cupping his hands around hers. His eyes were closed; and she couldn't stop her fingers from splaying out over his cheekbones and into his hair.
"Yer thinkin' the scars are something to be shamed of. But they aren't. These scars, these hands; did what no one else could. They saved everyone that was present from that stuff." He opened his eyes and stared into hers. He turned his head ever so slightly and pulled her hand closer. She watched as brushed his nose along the inside of her wrist; making her shiver from head to toe. "You've gotta start realizing that you are more than enough just how you are."
"Shouldn't you be saying that to yourself?" She asked and his eyes narrowed onto hers. Before she could open her mouth and explain herself, he turned and nipped at her fingers, causing her to squeal and pull her hands back while kicking out. He caught her foot however, chortling. She held her hands close to her chest and glared at him.
"Quit trying to treat me like I'm broken." He stood up and curled his forefinger under her chin. "Do yourself a favor and go rest. I need to get online with the other shuttles and start planning a defense strategy against these…things."
"They've fallen back." PantherLilly interjected; having kept an eye on the back view of the shuttle while listening to their conversation.
"Don't mean nuthin'." Gajeel said and crossed his arms as he walked over and looked at the world passing them by.
Levy sat there looking at his back for a few seconds before standing up and looking at PantherLilly. He edged closer and she looked up at him. "Keep an eye on him, and if he needs anything…"
"I'll get Alfie to notify you." The Exceed promised and she nodded and walked down towards her room. Alzack watched her walk away before getting up beside PantherLilly.
"Are they a…couple?" He asked looking over at Gajeel's back and then jerking his head towards Levy's retreating back.
"It's…complicated." PantherLilly sighed and looked at the male beside him. "But for now…consider it so."
"Good. Gajeel needs someone to keep him grounded." Alzack said and headed for the table near the front. He pulled out his weapon and set his bag on the table and took out cleaning supplies and started to clean and check his weapon.
"What are those? Can we not get a break?" Erza swore while looking at the screen. They were re-watching the surveillance videos sent back from the ones of the shuttles. They'd watched Lisanna battle the creature; and once she was inside the shuttle; they'd fallen back.
"They've fallen back though." Sting said and Erza shook her head. "What?"
"Don't you think it's strange they fell back once Lisanna went inside?" Cana piped up from her card. He looked over at her blankly and she shook her head. "They're after her you half-lit candlestick."
"Lis…" Mirajean closed her eyes and looked up at Elfman who put his hand on her shoulder.
"She'll be okay. She's with Levy and Gajeel and those other Fairy Tail members."
"Yeah…" Mira tried to look convinced but they saw the worry etched around her mouth.
"Get some rest." Erza turned and put her hands on both of the other girl's shoulders. "If anything happens we'll come get you. You need to rest. It's been a long day. We all should."
"I'll take first watch." Gray offered and stood up, stretching as he did.
"No…I will notify all if anything happens." Alfie objected. "Everyone should rest while we can. I believe; if my readings are accurate; the the storm will last a bit longer but then will have worn itself out. Once it does; I'll start preparing for us to move and intercept the convoy that Gajeel and Levy are heading."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Meredy said and got to her feet and yawned before turning and starting to trudge down the hall.
"She's lost all proper protocol training." Ultear said and shook her head.
"I think she just feels really safe here." Jellal objected and Ultear rolled her eyes and followed her friend. Jellal turned and looked at everyone who smiled sleepily at him. Lucy was asleep, curled into Natsu's chest as he held her and stroked her back, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his lips. Juvia was curled up in a corner, Gray's shirt draped over her like a blanket while Romeo was seated on the floor next to her, his head bobbing up and down. Jellal walked over and picked up Romeo and straightened slowly.
"Follow the yellow lights." Alfie offered and he nodded and followed them to Romeo's cot. He was sharing a room with Sting and Rouge. Sting looked over at Rouge and he leaning against the opening to the exterior shelter; having been keeping an eye on the hybrids. He walked over and shook his friend who snarled but they quieted as soft chirps could be heard on the other side of the wall. Sting motioned with his head and Rouge nodded and the two left the room.
"Wish I could sleep." Cana mused watching as everyone yawned and she crossed her arms.
"I'd trade you." Evergreen said and shook her head, removing her glasses to rub her eyes.
"Keep an eye out for us Cana." Elfman said and let Evergreen and Mirajean lean against him as they all headed for their assigned sleeping quarters. Eve, Habiki and Ren trailed behind them while Eve tapped on the screen in his hands.
"You'll find out what those creatures are later." Habiki chided Eve as he walked into the wall while distracted. The blonde male shook his head and put the tablet away and followed his friends.
Erza pointed at Juvia and looked Gray who rolled his eyes and went over and picked her up. He grumbled under his breath while Erza walked behind him, telling him to support Juvia's neck and head more so it didn't hurt her. Cana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She turned her head as much as the card allowed her to and stared at Natsu and Lucy. They were curled up together and she sighed as she watched them. Natsu opened one eye and looked around before slowly standing up with Lucy in his arms.
"Sweet dreams Natsu." Cana called as he walked out of the main part of the Magi-Hover. He nodded and shuffled down the elongated hall. At this point the Magi-Hover was almost the size of a shuttle. He'd never know them to expand to this length or width, but he was grateful for the ability to change as needed. He settled Lucy into the nest of blankets on their bed and she yawned as she snuggled into them. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead and sat back. She had a smile on her face. He got up and went to shower.
"You good?" Laxus asked eyeing Mickey who had just come out of the community washing room and she nodded. She leaned against a wall and wrapped her arms around her middle and scrunched up her face.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. Wasn't expecting all of that." She shook her head and looked at him. "But I'm still willing to fight. When it happens, I won't get sick. Promise."
"It's hard, especially as you aren't a warrior. But I appreciate your willingness to step up into the role." He said and she nodded. "You are welcome…"
"I'm not going to hang back. Protect these people." She shook her head. "I'm going to fight. I said I will, and I am going to."
"It's not that I…"
"You aren't trying to be insulting. You aren't trying to be rude. I get it. But I've made up my mind."
"Why are you so adamant to risk everything?" He asked and she gave him a sad smile.
"Shame." Mickey said and he furrowed his brows. "Shame is a powerful motivator."
"I don't understand."
"Last year…I was in a small…I don't know what to call it. Maybe a village? Of sorts." She shook her head and licked her lips before speaking again. "We had crops and tried to protect each other. Then one day I was out gathering stuff, looking for things left behind in buildings. When I was coming back I could see smoke. So I carefully got closer and realized that raiders had struck."
"Raiders…" Laxus growled in disgust and she nodded.
"I watched as they dragged everyone out; men, women and the few children we had. There was one girl; she didn't know much English; she was an exchange student from another country when the dragnoids attacked. She clung to me, I was teaching her English but she was shy. I watched as three men starting arguing and then one grabbed her and carried her off. I just watched." She looked up at him. "I watched as a seventeen year old girl was carried off; and I knew what was going to happen. But I was so scared of being in the same position; I did nothing to help her."
Laxus closed his eyes. "So yeah…Shame is my motivator. I'll fight. Because if I don't…I can never atone for being too scared last year. I can never live the rest of my life without constantly being guilty and disgusted with myself."
"You don't have to atone. Taking care of yourself is normal." He argued and she laughed dryly.
"Laxus…if you watched that Mira girl get carried off; knowing what someone would do to her. Would you feel like you wouldn't have anything to atone for?" She asked and he stared at her and he snarled. "Didn't think so. Just because I'm weak, and I know I am. Doesn't mean I don't have the right to fight. It's my choice. If my life or death changes someone's fate for the better; to atone for not protecting Katya; then it's worth it. I'd rather die trying to right the wrongs my cowardice caused; then live forever hating myself everyday."
"Alfie." Laxus' voice was deep when he finally spoke and the AI hummed. Mickey raised a brow as he straightened. "Outfit Mickey in some armor. If she wants to be a brash fool; let's try to ensure she lives through it."
"Very well. I will work on it." Alfie said and Mickey dropped her arms.
"Thank you Alfie, and you too Laxus." She said. She pushed off of the wall and headed for her room, stopping when she was side by side with him. "And I'm sorry for using her as an example."
"Don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness." He scolded and she rolled her eyes.
"I know you aren't a big baddie. You don't have to try and act like it." She said and his eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "Big softie."
"Shuddup." She grinned as she resumed walking. He pushed off of the wall himself and headed for the control panel. They were close to the bank now and he had work to do. He knew that the three shuttles would hit Bixlow's Magi-Hover shortly and then they'd all be heading for the bank. And he wanted it outfitted sooner rather than later.
"She's good?" Bixlow asked and Gildarts nodded. He had messaged the shuttle and Gildarts had been the one to answer it.
"Lisanna is fine. Asleep. Wendy has tended to her." He said and was in the process of rewrapping his forearms. Bixlow sighed in relief and pulled off his visor and ran a hand through his hair. Gildarts glanced up at him through hooded eyes before clearing his throat.
"Heard something about her not having a health tracker?"
"Yeah…Alfie will most likely be producing those soon." Bixlow dropped his hands. "I need to put mine in too. Not looking forward to it though."
"Why?"
"It burrows into your body like a parasite." Gildarts winced and screwed up his face before collecting himself.
"If it's important than it's what we have to do."
"Yeah. Just about everyone else who has been here on Earth-land has one." Bixlow admitted. "Lis and I were holding off because we didn't want to make the female uncomfortable if she heard us…reacting."
"Female?"
"We have a female from this world; young with a hatchling. She doesn't speak much, and she's been hurt bad."
"Monsters lurk everywhere huh?" Gildarts flipped the hair hanging in front of his face back and sighed as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yeah. And they can look like allies."
"Is the hatchling good? They're few and far between; and with the Guild Station…"
"Yeah…the Guild Station." Bixlow cleared his throat. "Alexander is the name of the hatchling. And he is well. Surprisingly strong per Lector."
"Lector?"
"An Exceed that was with PantherLilly and his allies."
"Ah." Gildarts nodded and he grinned softly.
"What?"
"I heard once, of a great warrior named Alexander. So great was he, that it was part of his name."
"How so?" Bixlow unfurled his tongue tilted his head to the side.
"Alexander the Great was his name. Known by most of the world as such."
"Which world?" Bixlow furrowed his brow and scratched the side of his head. "I've never heard of anyone by that name. This hatchling is the first time I have heard the name Alexander."
"This world."
"This…you've been here before?" Bixlow asked and Gildarts flushed as he nodded.
"A few times; almost a quark ago. Don't tell anyone. I never let them know about this planet. It was untouched and I didn't…"
"Want it polluted?" Bixlow guessed and Gildarts nodded. "What was it like then?"
"Ah man… It was an awesome place. Everything was lively, bright, and full of sounds and smells and sounds. This planet is primitive compared to most of ours; but at the same time; so wonderfully advanced. Hundred and thousands of people made livings entertaining each other. There were people who sustained families on art and books and even by cooking food. Hatchlings were educated and allowed to choose their own paths."
"Wow." Bixlow closed his eyes, smiling. "I can kinda see that. Hopefully we can help them get back to that one day."
"I don't say it often, but I can say it now. I am sure that we will save this planet and right the sins of the past." Gildarts uncrossed his arms and shook his head while looking up. "There has always be such a…confidence around this planet. I don't believe it would ever be ran over by anyone else."
"If the rest of the population was anything like the inhabitants we've met; the good ones at least; then I'm sure that's true."
"Have you only really met females?"
"And one male."
"A hatchling?"
"No…Elfman, Lisanna's brother." Bixlow grinned. "He got Beast TakeOverian genetics."
"Gesh…that's a powerful duo."
"They have an older sister, Mirajean. She has Demon TakeOverian genes." Gildarts' mouth fell open and Bixlow nodded. "She's the sweetest thing too. Even had Laxus minding his scales and claws."
"No…really?"
"Oh yeah. Tiny thing too." Bixlow held his hand up and grinned. "But when she gets mad…get out of her way."
"Hahaha…That's great!" Gildarts chuckled and Bixlow nodded. The two shared a look. "I got one more question."
"What's that?"
"How do you feel about Lisanna?" Bixlow's face started to darken and Gildarts' eyes narrowed while his lips quirked up at the edges.