Ethereal was one way to describe Elentear. However, that word did not fit present Elentear as the once cloudy and white skies of the magically abundant lands whipped, swirled, and unleashed outputs of thunder and lightning throughout the skies. Yet, no one paid attention to such violent acts of nature because their eyes and minds tunnel-visioned on the giant cracks above the clouds that glowed over the storming, dark clouds. Elentear's surplus magic spun around the cracks—almost like a black hole—yet never entered through. But with each passing second, space strained under the pressure of these growing cracks in the sky and teetered on the brink of shattering.
She watched from afar. All though she was worlds away, she felt the energy as if it was right in front of her, and she wished she couldn't. Perhaps being the most powerful being in the world did have flaws because it felt like energy screaming in agony, and when magic itself screams in pain, even gods tremble.
"Lady Selene!" The Moon Dragon turned to her personal bodyguards. "What is going on!?"
The Dragon God turned back to the view before her. Pieces of Elentear gravitated towards small tears of time and space, attracted to the absorbing energies of Elven Magic.
"A word is dying, and it seems like the cause intends to drag nearby worlds along with it. Elenntear included." Selene watched as clouds swirled around distortions but didn't fully enter through. She could feel the winds themselves trying to escape but unable to do anything but flow around the weakening walls. She could hear traces of glass breaking mixed with paper torn on a grand scale. The dimensional walls held up, but barely. At the rate things were going, they wouldn't last any longer.
"My Lady, shouldn't you do something about this? Even we can tell this bodes horribly," An elegant woman raised a covered hand to her lips.
"... I cannot risk catching the attention of an Elf at this point in my plans." Selene waved her hand, creating an orb that allowed her to peek into Edolas.
However, she smiled as she saw a red speck. "Luckily for us: when magic fails, heroes rise." She said the following words in a whisper. "Godspeed, Descendant of Horus. If there were beings above me, I'd pray to them for your victory."
"How are we gonna win, Kain!?" Natsu yelled over to the Dorma Anim bot as green thunder crackled around them, and roots defied even anime physics as they rose dangerously toward Fairy Tail.
"Staying alive is part one!" Kain's robot looked down before he slashed a blade beam that cut the first few roots reaching for them. But it didn't stop the others from overtaking and speeding toward the fliers. The fairies scattered, with most of the roots chasing after Dorma Anim.
Kain gritted his teeth as he saw the roots catch up. He suddenly turned mid-air and flew forward to land/slide on the widest of the roots. The robot swung his blades akin to clockwork, efficient and elegant in attacking. However, no matter how many he hacked, the roots grew back and swarmed in places outside of where Dorma Anim lacerated.
The few but still powerful roots that went for Carla and Happy got shot down by lasers and different fireballs.
"Pla!" "Ignis!" Wendy and Natsu yelled as the two Fairy Tail supporters flew up to help them.
Wendy in particular found herself utterly relieved when she saw the robot return to her. "I thought you were destroyed!" When she asked this, her attention and Carla's went away for one critical second. A single, small root rushed with the intent to skewer the young dragon slayer. Luckily for the two, Pla reacted first, moving in to protect the two at the price of its arm being pierced by the speed of the root before being cut off by its laser. Wendy called out to the old guardian, only seeing that the wound inflicted started to... fill up?
"The Last Exemplar must have self-healing magic. Nirvana's makers were quite efficient in making him. I suppose it took a while to heal after being attacked earlier." Carla mused aloud.
However, even with these two returning to the fold, their situation still looked dire.
"Kain!" Mystogan yelled as the mecha flew past another cut root. "We need to find the Elf's body! That's the only way to stop this madness!"
"Well, does Dorma Anim have scanners!?" When Kain screamed it, a screen appeared before his left eye. It did not take him more than a second to realize he answered his question. "Okay? Uh, find central power source!"
Kain watched as the screen scanned the sight before him as he motioned Dorma Anim to avoid incoming attacks. Kain watched as the screen scanned the site before him as he motioned Dorma Anim to avoid incoming attacks. After several seconds of slashing and flying away, the screen showed an image of...
"What the?" Kain's voice sounded surprised from Anim Dorma. "I'm getting energy reading below the roots?"
"The roots?" Gajeel looked down. "Back in that crappy place again?"
"I-I've never been down to the castle basements. I think it was the one of places I wasn't allowed to go to." Hisui remarked.
"With respect," Dorma Anim jinked to avoid the eleven lightning before Laxus went on. "I don't think anyone will mind you there now. Brat! Make your way there!"
Dorma Anim blurred towards the ground, only to back off when over a dozen swipes of roots forced him back. Kain narrowed his eyes as he readied the tail blades. This time, he was ready to push on and dashed in once more.
Another root came in, and Kain did not hesitate to bring his blades down—
"Aaaahh!?"
Kain motioned his wings and forced himself back. Inside his mech, he stared in horror before everyone else did the same.
It was a person. They hoped. A person was screaming in pain as parts of their body sunk into the wood. Had Kain followed through, he would have killed a scared little boy.
But that wasn't the worst part. Soon, the surface of the root bubbled almost like liquid. More people—from all walks and forms of life—came screaming and gasping for air as pieces of their trapped bodies came out of the roots.
Kain felt the air shift and sensed a root coming for him. He moved Dorma Anim to counterattack—then backed off, barely dodging the strike as he saw more people on the surface of the roots.
"I-I can't fight back." Kain watched in horror as he watched and heard more people's faces rising to the surface of the roots, all screaming in pain mixed with cries of help towards him and the other Fairy Tail members.
Natsu and Gajeel specifically saw the faces of Edolas Lucy and Levy trapped and in pain before they both looked up and shouted, "YOU BASTARD! FIGHT FAIR!"
Laxus felt horrified but kept his mind focused on the task at hand. "Brat! Keep fighting and keep the tree's focus out here!" He started to climb towards Mystogan. "And let go of the prince here!"
"What are you doing?" Mystogan asked.
"You have the weapon to kill him, right?" Laxus looked down as Kain moved Dorma Anim away from more attacks. "The brat can't get in, but I can bring one more person and slip through."
Mystogan's eyes widened before he gripped the sword tighter. "Right," He nodded. "When Kain lets me go, I'll be ready."
"Wait, take me with you!" Pantherlily looked over at the two.
Laxus responded by pointing at Dormin Anima. "Stay with the brat. He's gonna need help in everything else." The latches on Jellal's feet came off. Laxus, embodying his element, sped past the giant roots that barred Kain's path.
Yet, even with him speeding deeper, Laxus saw increasing resistance in the form of roots attempting to stop him and Mystogan. Laxus was indeed fast, but he descended into the earth of the animated tree, and attacks shot out at him from all directions. Laxus struggled to find openings the deeper they went.
"Head to the right!" A voice in his head made Laxus realize Mystogan linked his mind to him. He was faster than sound, so using magic to send his voice in a one-way direction helped.
But even with the speed of lightning, Laxus found it harder to move as he dove deeper into the tree. The roots struck from all directions in narrow hallways and paths, making it impossible for an inexperienced speedster. The 4th Guild master wasn't a slouch, moving and narrowly avoiding roots attempting to stop him. However, the lower he went, the more difficult things became. The frequency of the attack increased, as did the angles where they struck from. Laxus could feel his stamina draining as he both sped up and blasted away incoming roots attempting to stop him.
With Mystogan's directions, Laxus sped down a hallway blocked by continually layering roots thicker than even the giant roots up above. Laxus sent a blast of thunder—that dissipated the instant it made contact with the thick wall.
"Don't stop!" Mystogan linked out to the Guildmaster of Fairy Tail. Laxus didn't know what the prince was doing...but it looked like the brat and his gramps finally rubbed off on him. He trusted the focused look in Mystogan's eyes.
The prodigal knew they were rushing straight into an impenetrable wall at near-light speed. The most likely outcome would be their bodies exploding in a squall of gore from their own velocity without even denting the laced and enhanced roots. But Mystogan, moving fast before they reached the barrier, grabbed the handle of Ivan Redray's Hail Mary, the katana.
Time slowed down as they were less than a second away from facing death.
As he unleashed the weapon created by Anima, the very instrument of destruction that caused this madness, a single word crossed Mystogan's mind: a name. The sword was asking to forsake its predecessor's actions by calling it a new name to save this dying world.
"Yato!"
In one indescribable but almost beautiful slash, the impenetrable wall rend in two creating a path for Laxus and Mystogan to speed through, entering the ruins that once drained both Gajeel and Wendy.
In the center, stood the Last Elf, staring in utter disbelief that two of the mortals bypassed the thickest roots of the tree.
"How?" The being narrowed his eyes at the cerulean katana wielded by Mystogan. "Even a hundred dragons could barely break through the deepest roots of the World Tree! How was its magic not absorbed!?"
"I've figured you out," Mystogan gave an odd response after Laxus let go. He moved forward a step and pointed the blade at the Last Elf before explaining further. "For centuries, possibly millenniums, Edolas has always been having a magical energy crisis despite humanity's best attempts to fix the world's magic. You're the one stealing this world of its magic and have been forcing us for all that time to make up for your incessant hunger. Your hunger even forced us to invade other worlds for their magic, making us create Anima after hearing about our plans!"
The Elf became silent.
"But your gluttony has also been your undoing! With the creation of Anima, Redray saw a potential magic beyond simply stealing!" Mystogan let the blade gleam in the underground, almost symbolizing a spark of hope in the darkness. "This piece of refined Anima can cut through even space and time!"
Mystogan felt the blade stir in his hands. He launched an overhead swing faster than the Elf expected, making the ancient race barely avoid a sword beam.
However, the speed of the attack cut off a piece of the Elf's right ear.
Yet, the most alarming thing was that, unlike dragon magic and even lesser magic, the wound WAS NOT HEALING.
The Elf only stared at the piece of flesh on the ground. He thought his natural healing factor would heal the cut, but his body felt... a void... where the cut happened. And it was like even his form refused to heal or go near where the injury took place.
Mystogan took a fighting stance, prompting Laxus to start as well. "You act surprised when you are the one who created your own demise. Today, Edolas will be free of elves for the first time in ages!"
"NEVER!" In an instant, the Elf's eyes brightened with unbelievable fury. Laxus always saw this opponent going on the defensive, using his skill and patience to beat out what was essentially a 5-on-1. That is why the Lightning Dragon Slayer made the horrible mistake of blinking in confusion, as when Laxus opened his eyes, the Elf already closed the distance and was in motion of stabbing his spear into Mystogan's chest.
The Prodigal Prince was no slouch. During Laxus's early reign of Fairy Tail, Mystogan trained against natural lighting—to at least react to light-speed attacks in the likely chance he had to face off against the current guild master. He was glad it didn't technically come to that, and even more so when it helped him use the blade to block the spear from tearing through his heart. However, while the blade saved him from a lethal attack, it did nothing to stop the weight of an entire meteor crashing down into Mystogan as the Elf rushed him through a wall thick with the tree's vines.
Laxus didn't even have time to curse as he bolted—in a literal sense—after the two.
Mystogan crashed into a different part of the amusement park like a skipped stone but flipped in time to evade another thrust that was aimed right for his head by the spear of the Elf. The prodigal prince didn't even get a chance to breathe properly as he avoided three thrusts of the spear in under a second. Laxus sped in, diving down into the exposed back of the Elf. But the apex parasite twisted and shielded himself from the thundering strike, causing Laxus's attack to disperse in every direction except where it counted. Mystogan saw an opening at last and unleashed a rising slash at the opponent. However, the sound of a musical clang echoed throughout the floor as the Elf used his spear to clash with the blade.
Sparks flew as the blade, and the Elven Spear made contact. It looked like the spear was attempting to siphon the magic of the blade—
But the Yato was more than just simple magic.
Mystogan unleashed a war cry as he felt a slight shift in his favor. He followed through and did the impossible: he cut through the wood made of the first tree with the Anima Blade and unleashed a sundering cut across the Elf's chest.
Both Laxus and Mystogan were momentarily surprised that Elf's blood was green instead of red. But the moment passed as the two warriors saw a weakness in their opponent that they did not hesitate to exploit. The speed of lightning and the force of thunder weaved along with a blade that could tear through the fabric space and time.
It was odd in a cosmic sort of way. With Gildarts leaving the guild, the title of Fairy Tail's strongest mage was debated between both Laxus and Mystogan. Both distrusted the other and were more than active in creating countermeasures for the inevitable clash between them. Yet here they were, in another world altogether, fighting as long-time battle-sworn brothers would: every opening was covered by the other, and each attack only bolstered the position and strike of the next.
Though, in hindsight, who better to know and cover your weaknesses...
…than your rival?
Laxus and Mystogan yelled as they pushed through with their assault. Laxus flashed forward, making the Elf raise his shield. However, it was a feint as the Guild Master froze his stance while Mystogan slipped past him, using Yato to cleave the elven shield in two, even causing a gash across the arm of the Elf.
This was it. Both Laxus and Mystogan dove in—
Only for the Elf to stomp hard on the ground and defend himself with a counterattack. He dashed forward with blurring speed, smashing his injured arms into the necks of both S-class mages and knocking them into the stone floor with enough force to cause cracks in the impact. The Elf leapt across the end of the hallway before his body started to glow with symbols that neither Fairy Tail mage recognized. After the winding roots broke through the walls and some remaining rides, circling the Elf before pointing against the two mages as if to protect him.
The Elf gasped for air, as did Laxus and Mystogan as they forced themselves to stand.
But it did not stop all three from rushing each other. Roots bulleted toward the two Fairy Tail mages with intent to skewer them. Mystogan rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of slashes to turn the roots into pieces of driftwood. Lightning flashed past the Prodigal Prince as Laxus blitzed into smashing his fist into the face of the Elf. The Anima blade had dampened the Elf's healing factor, allowing Laxus to press the offensive akin to a dam breaking.
"Lightning Dragon's Typhoon!" He screamed as he unleashed a flurry of fists and kicks empowered by lightning. Each strike held speed and power to the point that it looked like the Elf was attacked by clones of Laxus when they were just after images. While Laxus was unleashing his assault, Mystogan rushed in—only to suddenly get snagged in the legs by tree roots he didn't see.
That distracted Laxus enough for the Elf to suddenly move and catch Laxus' fist and crush it into a vice grip. The Lightning dragon slayer grunted as he tried to pull away. However, he wasn't expecting the ground behind him to erupt. But it wasn't a root; instead, one of the Anti-Dragon Plates that drained both Gajeel and Wendy shot up from the ground and opened its restraints. Laxus didn't have time to react as the Elf punched him toward the tablet. As he slammed into it, the anti-dragon tablet glowed, trapping Laxus and instantly draining his magic to power up the tree.
Up above, Fairy Tail watched in horror as they felt the entire world of Edolas... dying. Roots grew and sprouted into trees even farther than the sight of the Dragon Slayers. Even in the sky, they could see buildings and the earth collapsing on itself as more of these new trees began to outgrow previous skyscrapers. The most horrific fact was how the hostages among the roots screamed as their bodies sunk into the tree before utter silence aside from the sounds of a dying world around them.
Back down, Mystogan acted fast, seeing more roots incoming as he grabbed Yato and slashed away the incoming roots after escaping from the initial snare. However, as he did so, he found himself clashing again with the Elf wielding two blades fashioned from The Great Tree.
The momentum shifted drastically. Mystogan was now alone against the Elf as more roots broke through the floor to assist the first species of Edolas.
"I will not stand for it!" The Elf shouted as he pressed the offensive despite taking permanent damage from Mystogan. He swung the blades, even as blood spilled from his lacerated arms. Yet each clash parried and swipe barely avoided only made Mystogan wonder how strong elves truly... no...?
His movements were dangerous, but there was desperation in his voice along with such an enormous...sadness?
"End it!? I won't let you end them! Not now, not when I'm so close!" The Elf screamed as Mystogan backed away. Yet, the blonde monster pursued, using a combination of slashes in tandem with roots attempting to strike at Mystogan from every angle, forcing the prodigal into an intense defense he struggled to keep up. "I've waited centuries for this! All this time—and I am on the cusp of returning the great race to its former glory!"
Mystogan thought he failed as the Elf rushed up—and winced in pain as blood spilled from the wound on his arm spurted blood. The prince did not waste a second as he dodged and slid two fingers across the flat side of Yato, creating multi-colored magical circles on its surface that thrummed with power.
"Sacred Song: Blade Storm!" Mystogan unleashed a single swipe that created a typhoon of elemental slashes that pierced through and cut all of the surrounding roots with Yato's signature energy. The Elf barely dodged the sword beams coming his way before he saw Mystogan rushing in to stab him. The parasite of Edolas dodged the blow—only to realize that he was never the intended target.
Mystogan dashed forward and jumped before unleashing a flurry of slashes on the tablet that held Laxus prisoner.
"Took your damn time," Laxus huffed as he slowly got back up to his feet. "I didn't know that blade could channel your staff's magic."
"Honestly, I was just guessing. Thankfully, Redray designed the blade with me in mind," Mystogan, beaten and bruised, raised the weapon back to fighting position as he stood beside the guild master.
With Laxus freed, the attacks above slowed significantly, but the destruction and growing forests did not stop. The giant tree roots rushed again for Laxus and Mystogan. However, with Laxus no longer powering them up, they moved much slower than they did before, enough for the two to break through the incoming attacks.
The Elf tried to get back up, but gripping his blades had the opposite effect: his hand with Yato's slash dropped his weapon, no longer responsive to his commands.
As the single blade dropped, a sonic boom of thunder, followed by a tempest of energy slashes destroyed the roots. And The Elf saw it: he was no longer fighting against two humans. The flash of lightning and blade almost made a figure to him.
His mind showed a legion of dragons blanketing the sky. He heard the last breath of his brothers and sisters as even their healing could not withstand elements at their pinnacle. He smelled the air itself electrifying as dragons of different elements combined to turn nature itself against them. But the present and past melded together in a way a person's life flashes before their eyes before their dea...
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Laxus and Mystogan unleashed a warcry unlike either had ever belted before as they unleashed the full brunt of their weapon/magic down on the Elf.
Although down below the castle and Great Tree, there was nothing but darkness. For one moment, light banished both it and the parasite festering deep within the roots of the world.
The swarming roots suddenly writhed as the face of the Great Tree yelled before calming down. Those above watched as the roots chasing after them slowed to a stop.
"Heh," Gajeel smirked as even he could hear the sounds of those giant roots starting to slow down far away. "About damn time."
However, even though the two won, the ground beneath the two S-class mages started to shake violently as the ceiling above them started to collapse.
"Right, let's get out of here." Laxus grabbed Mystogan's shoulder before getting both of them out of the area as boulders and debris started falling onto the battlefield.
Neither saw the split corpse twitching in the fingers.
Dorma Anim and the others landed as they saw lightning escape the castle grounds.
"You did it! You did it!" Hisui cried out as she jumped down from Ignis and ran up to hug her brother. "I thought you were going to die again!" She said with teary eyes.
Mystogan was too tired to argue, instead opting to hug back his sister. "It wasn't easy. Someone got captured, and I had to save him."
Laxus narrowed his eyes before scoffing. "Says the guy who fell flat on his face when the asshole clotheslined him."
"I seem to recall him doing that to someone else." Mystogan didn't move his face in the direction of the Guildmaster's voice.
"I recall the only reason we got to him was because of me."
"I recall we wouldn't have reached him at all if it weren't for me."
"No, it was Redray who gave you the weapon. Heck, I should have had the weapon, and I could have soloed the blonde bastard."
"Says the current blond bastard."
"Oh no!" Kain's voice came from Dorma Anim. "I have to deal with Gajeel and Natsu's daily BS; I refuse to handle you two as well!"
Unfortunately for Kain, Gajeel had to open his mouth. "What do you mean BS? I beat up Salamander easy!"
"You wish, rustbucket!" Natsu fired back.
Inside Dorma Anim, Kain's eyelid twitched as he watched the two pairs argue with each other. "I must not crush them both with my new mech. I must not crush them both with my new mech. I must not crush them both with my new mech. No matter how cathartic it would be to do so—what? They're anime characters; they could survive a punch from a robot. Probably. ...Really...really want to..."
"Uh? Kain?" Sweet Wendy looked at the robot. "You said all aloud."
Kain didn't mean for that to come out but rolled with it, "Yes, in the hopes those four would listen."
Laxus and Mystogan were mature enough to drop their argument. However, Kain knew that they would continue later. (Huh, Kain thought, so Mystogan did have some Fairy Tail Pride after all.) The same could not be said about Natsu and Gajeel currently punching each other.
But Kain sighed in relief. "Well, at least this nightmare is finally over."
Not even a millisecond after he said this, the ground started to shake violently.
"Why do I even bother?!" Dorma Anim facepalmed with a metal clang before Kain pointed to Ignis. "Non-fliers, get on the wyvern!"
No one knew what was going to happen, but they were not prepared for the Great Tree of Edolas... to writhe and shape, taking in and melding with the metallic star ports attached to its many branches.
It was no longer a giant, beyond-mountain-sized tree.
Or rather, it still was a giant, beyond-mountain-sized tree. It just changed the top half into a being described only in mythology: a Titan. A humanoid figure eclipsed the sky, making even the skyscrapers of Edolas equal the size of pencils compared to it.
All the branches and leaves above coiled together, creating a face: one that everyone recognized as the Elf.
A voice projected itself across the lands, making those even without heightened senses cover their ears in a vain attempt to shut out the pain in their ears. "Humans! I acknowledge your strength! But you will not stop me! I will revive the Elven Race! I. WILL. RETURN. HOME!"
The Tree Titan's right side formed, creating over a dozen arms that rivaled the size and speed of crashing meteors down on the last of Fairy Tail. All fliers scattered through the gaps, but Kain swung Dorma Anim's blades back and cut through one of the fists at the edge to give Wendy, Carla, and Pla room to dodge.
"Dammit all, why isn't this asshole dead!?" Laxus yelled as Ignis started to ascend. "We even got a weapon that was supposed to kill him!"
"Annoyingly, our opponent is as stubborn as we are. I imagine that if the situation switched, we'd never give up until we won as well," Mystogan gritted his teeth as he looked up at the glaring face of the tree. "With how connected he was with the tree, he must have used the last of his essence to transfer himself into it."
"All that means is that we gotta burn him down for good!" Natsu shouted out loud.
"Wait!" Hisui looked over to the fire dragon slayer. "We still haven't gotten the others out of the tree yet!"
While Fairy Tail talked to each other, the Tree Titan did not hesitate to create arms by the dozens-hundreds, rivaling that of Kain's Hindu Pantheon.
"I've suffered you all enough! Become the seeds of my people's rebirth!"
The voice boomed throughout the world. Even Dorma Anim didn't look like it would survive the onslaught of kinetic energy about to be unleashed into them.
Yet, Carla felt something off. As the barrage of fists bulleted toward Fairy Tail, they just as quickly froze.
Despite wielding great power, the Tree Titan writhed as it used some of its large arms to palm at the area where its heart would be.
"Heroes of Edolas!"
"Wait a second," Kain looked up as the voice spread across the last free minds. "Isn't that Queen Shagotte?"
"Listen, for there is little time left. This message should be reaching you as I sent it the moment Laxus and Prince Jellal slayed the Elf, and before he fused with the tree. He may be using the humans as energy to revive the tree, but he is storing the captured Exceed within its core—where you should be seeing him attempting to stop me."
True enough, everyone spotted the part of the titan's torso glowing white instead of the usual green of the tree.
"In its focused anger, I regained some control over its attempt to siphon my people. However, it will not be long before control and the flow of eternano returns to the Elf."
"While I hold the flow of all Eternano stolen from Edolas, you must kill me."
Pantherlily gasped as he heard that. "No, my queen! We can still save you and everyone else!"
"This is a message sent from the past, Pantherlily. I know what you will say and what you will reject. But for all to live, I must die as its heart... I thank you for all your service to both my husband and me... Lost Prince, this is my final message! I do not understand, but climb upon the head of Dorma Anim! You and all the dragon slayers! That weapon your crimson knight wields, I've seen it—"
The Tree Titan roared as it punched its chest, cracking it and using three arms to pry itself open. When it did so, the message abruptly stopped.
"What!? No!" Carla yelled.
Jellal looked over to Dorma Anim. "Kain!" His name was all that needed to be said as the lawyer moved closer to Ignis. Natsu and Wendy climbed on top of Dorma Anim's head as Gajeel, Laxus, and Mystogan did as well.
When all five Fairy Tail Mages did so, Kain suddenly felt something. The machine's core felt more...alive? Outside, everyone else could see the symbol of Fairy Tail on both Dorma Anim's chest and back starting to glow.
The mages all felt it: a connection with the machine. Or rather, a connection with Kain's Morpher. By channeling their magic into Dorma Anim...
The Titan Tree regained some of its control, moving several hands out to Dorma Anim.
"Alright! Now we're really fired up!" Natsu and Gajeel yelled as Dorma Anim's blades ignited and doubled in size within an instant. Even though the weight and height increased, it didn't stop Dorma Anim from unleashing a flurry of slashes even faster than it did before. Not only that, sword beams of pure flame cut through a dozen arms, searing and breaking them before exploding some distance away from the mecha.
"WHoOOOaaa! That was awesome!" Natsu yelled as he and Gajeel smiled at the counterattack.
The Titan decided on a different tactic. Instead of growing more arms, far-away roots raced through Edolas, attaching to all guns in the castle, starports, and all fallen airships. Over ten thousand guns were aimed at Dorma Anim before firing from every angle below.
"Kain!" "Brat!" Winds gathered behind Dorma Anim's wings as lightning danced around the body. In less than a second, over ten thousand laser beams and cannon fire hit... an afterimage. With wind and electricity, Dorma Anim flashed-stepped toward the whitened core with intent to pierce through.
Instead, a barrier of green energy blocked the mecha's attempt to skewer. Giant arms attempted to crush and grab Dorma Anim, but with more flash steps of wind and thunder, the crimson mech avoided each arm and attacked the torso from different angles. However, each strike, even when using different combinations of dragon magic, failed to make a dent in the barrier.
Time was running out, the white glow started to fail, and more and more arms alongside laser blasts shot and attacked Dorma Anim.
"We have to get through that barrier!" Laxus yelled as the four braced themselves on top of Dorma Anim's head.
Mystogan felt a pulse. He drew Yato from his blade and stabbed it into the surface of Dorma Anim's head. Kain felt a quick shock of pain before he suddenly felt a fifth energy wrap around Dorma Anim.
Kain only grinned for the first time in a VERY long time. "Alright! Everyone, pour everything into one shot! This time, WE get to use the Power of Friendship! And I'm gonna make sure it'll be a big one!"
The dragon slayers were confused, except for Natsu as he started to pour his magic into Dorma Anim, making the others quickly do the same.
Two extra wings sprouted out of Dorma Anim's back, one made of electricity and one of gales. His original two had the right side set aflame with the other changing color.
The new burst of power made Dorma Anim unleash a shockwave roar that obliterated lasers that attempted to attack it.
Kain made the Mecha combine both its previous tail blades into one that ignited with a glow similar to that of the Yato.
"Finish it, Kain!" "You better not miss, nerd!" "You can do it, Kain!" "Brat, if you screw this up!" "This is it! Ages of this secret parasite will be severed forevermore!"
Natsu supported, Gajeel yelled, Wendy cheered, Laxus chided, and Mystogan held the Yato with determined eyes.
The Tree Titan saw the extreme boost of magic laced with four different dragon energies. It took enough control over the flow of magic to unleash a beam of energy with the intent to turn the weapon into ash.
"Alright, I suppose it's finally time!" Kain smiled as he made the mecha fly into the giant magic beam of death sword-first. Like an arrow, the sword cut through the beam even piercing through the barrier that stopped them.
The members of Fairy Tail unleashed a warcry as they pierced through the wooden torso and flew right to—
...
One vision transferred into Mystogan's mind. It was different than how Carla and the others always received them as Mystogan found himself atop Dorma Anim mid-strike, but everything refused to move. The prince of Edolas found time frozen? No, it wasn't a time freeze. It felt more like this was a vision of the future, but it was frozen in one moment. And he could see it fully: Dorma Anim was halfway cutting through the heart of the Tree Titan. Its blade was mere inches away from cutting the "heart" of a parasite seeking the destruction of two worlds.
But that "heart" was Queen Shagotte herself, imprisoned by a multitude of tree vines that dug underneath her empowered form.
Mytogan frowned as he saw the blade, mid-freeze of breaking another sound barrier, inches away from her neck.
"It is funny when one thinks about it."
Mystogan turned to his right, seeing an Exceed he had never seen before, one with only a single wing and looked like an older version of Carla. It took him a second to realize it was Queen Shagotte in her true form.
The Exceed continued. "I always wondered why the distant future was blind to me. Ever since my husband died, I tried to see what was in store for the future, but a majority of the time, all I saw was darkness. I suppose, in the back of my mind, with Zabi dead, it was only a matter of time before death took me as well. Perhaps that is why my future sight failed because I could not see beyond my death."
"You majesty," Mystogan began before he frowned. He gripped his fist and said, "I-I'm sorry we couldn't save you."
The queen turned to the prodigal. "Raise your head, lost prince. You should be happy. Our families have done their duty splendidly: protecting the people of Edolas at all costs."
At that, Mystogan only frowned more. "My father... all that time... all those harsh words... it's still hard to believe that he did all of that..."
"To protect you? Your father and my husband made many secrets to protect all they loved. You are free to think whatever you wish. Freedom... that was the very thing your father sacrificed himself for. And now, here? I understand what my husband and he did what they had to," Queen Shagotte's voice was noble, full of admiration for her lover. However, Mystogan noticed the tears coming down her face or projection.
Her attempts to stay strong fell through as she sniffed and failed to wipe the endless tears from her form. "I-I'm sorry. Now that this is my final vision, I'm sacred. When I end it, all I'll see is darkness."
Mystogan knew he may not even be tangibly real in this shared vision, but it didn't stop him from kneeling to the Queen of the Exceeds and hugging her.
The winged cat sobbed as she held Mystogan's form. "I-I know I have to, but I don't want to go... I never got to see my child grow up. I wanted to find them after thinking I sent them to safety. I have so many regrets..."
Mystogan let the queen say all that she needed to. It took a few seconds, but the queen separated herself.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't be spoiling your victory like this."
"No. We wouldn't have won if not for you," Mystogan kept himself kneeling before he bowed his head in honor. "As a man born in Edolas and raised in Earthland, I declare you—Queen Shagotte—a hero of the highest order," He raised his head to meet eyes with her. "I'll make sure no one forgets you."
Tears continued to fall as the vision started to fade into black. However, the Exceed's tears were not of fear but of appreciation and joy. The darkness ate more of the vision; as it swallowed Shagotte and Mystogan, the queen said two final words.
"Thank you."
...
—Dorma Anim pierced through the Tree Titan's core.
"Let it rip!" Laxus yelled as the dragon slayers poured their magic into Dorma Anim. A swirl of Fire, Metal, Wind, and Thunder gathered around Dorma Anim's blade, causing it to create an extension that made it four times bigger than it already was.
"Fairy Tail Style: Sword of Liberation!" All Fairy Tail members, including Kain and Mystogan, cried out the name of the Union Raid as Dorma Anim unleashed a dragonic roar with its wings flaring. It swung the blade down on the great tree, splitting it in half down to the ground.
For a second... silence...
Until the "face" of the tree titan screamed and yelled, its hands failing and falling off as a withering tree would. As this happened, the people captured and absorbed into the roots fell out, no longer stolen by the tree to be made its nutrients.
The Titan had one remaining hand as it tried to reach for Dorma Anim. Everyone was ready to strike it down before even it faded away.
"No..." Only the dragon slayers and Kain could hear a soft whimper riding the winds. "My home... my people... I... failed you..."
And with that, the lights flickered into nothing.
Meanwhile, all the way in Elentear, Selene smiled as she saw the magic returning to its previous state.
"Ahh, humans. You never cease to amaze me."
{Three days later.}
"Kaaaaaiiiinnnnn!" Lissana waved her light signals. "Mooovvee it to the riiiggghhht!"
"You heard her, Kain!" "Aye! Aye!" Both Natsu and Happy shouted through the speaker phones they were "given"—read as "took without permission"—as Dorma Anim moved another broken Sky Fortress into the proper discard pile.
"Natsu, you don't need that. I could ALREADY hear you two without that," Dorma Anim pointed at the two as the lawyer's voice projected to them. "I swear I will find whoever taught you how to use those!"
Despite saving two worlds from death, it did not fix the destruction wrought by the Elf. Edolas' capital looked more like ancient ruins despite only being destroyed within two hours. But thanks to the former Rebels, the remains of the Exceed Army, and the beaten Edolas forces working together, the rebuilding process went better than expected. Sure, there was dissent and long-held grudges, but Princess Hisui, Ivan Redray, and Mystogan led people in a time of darkness.
So what was Kain doing? Well, considering the city was littered with broken star ships and building debris that blocked important roads, guess what machine could easily pick up skyships and buildings as if it weighed like paper cardboard?
Kain was conflicted. On one hand, he could keep using the mecha as he was the only one who could pilot it in its changed form. On the other, he never expected to use a Gundam for clean-up duty.
"Brat! You too, Natsu and Strauss!" The Fairy Tail members looked over to see Laxus shouting at them from a broken wall. "We're being called."
Kain, Natsu, Happy, and Lissana followed Laxus into the remains of the Auditorium. There, Lissana smiled and waved over. "Mira! Commander!"
Mirajane Rhea, Gajeel, Pantherlily, Wendy, Pla, Carla, Ignis, and Ivan Redray turned around. Well, most of them did. The Elf made sure to cripple Ivan as he drained magic from him. Despite their best medicine and machines, his legs were left unresponsive. Yet, it didn't deter the Leader of the Rebellion as he still had his mind intact and had fashioned himself a floating wheelchair similar to Professor Charles of the X-men in Kain's world.
"Lissana, there you are," Ivan Redray turned to the machine behind him. "I think you'll want to hear this from the King himself."
"Ivan, please stop calling me that," Mystogan-no. Jellal Nagotsym rounded a corner as Natsu Dragion followed after him. Both sported labcoats, which Kain never imagined to see Natsu's face holding any position of high study. "Why are people naming me the king when Hisui can take over the throne?"
"I already told you why you should accept, but if I must repeat myself. One: All sides respect you for saving all of Edolas. That makes you the best middleman to assuage any bias that WILL come out during the recovery and reformation process. Two: people love stories. Yours in particular will be told long after. Who wouldn't eat up a story of a banished prince coming back in the land's darkest hour to save it? That political power behind your story will help fact one. And the third major reason," Ivan Redray was interrupted.
"I don't want to be Queen. Especially with the new Council of Edolas starting to form," Hisui walked in with Erza Knightwalker, Coco, and Acradios. The younger sister of Edolas Jellal smiled over to her brother. "Could you imagine all the paperwork I'd have to do? If anything, think of it as catching up on all those royal lessons you had to miss."
"Oh, now you get to be shrewd!" Jellal said before groaning into his hand. But everyone else couldn't help but laugh.
Jellal coughed into his hand, stopping the easy air. "Now then, is everyone from Earthland here?" He scanned the area. "Alright, I have some news. We've remade the part of Anima that allows us to cross other worlds, specifically Earthland. I can send all of you home."
Kain noticed that even though it was great news, Jellal didn't look too happy. "But we have a problem. Dragion, Redray, and I have been doing tests opening the portals near Magnolia after we restored it over here. Yet, with each attempt, it gets harder and Anima needs more power to simply open a small hole. Ivan has working theories that our battle with the Elf stabilized not only Edolas' flow of magic but perhaps revitalized its dimensional barriers."
Kain didn't even need to look over to the confused Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy. "When we freed Edolas from the Elf and the tree, it made Edolas strong again, strong enough to stop letting easy travel between our worlds."
Jellal nodded. "Thank you for putting it that way. The longer you are here, the higher the chance of you becoming permanent residents here in Edolas with our world regaining its lost magic," His face fell. "Unfortunately, we have to send you all home without a proper goodbye."
"Any chance I can keep Dorma Anim?" Kain thumbed in the direction he left the giant mecha. "That thing is gonna help in SOOOO many future fights."
Natsu Dragion smiled. "Sadly, the gateway we made isn't big enough for a building-sized super mecha. You already had me working overtime to get it to have your wyvern fit in." He then gave a thumbs up. "Don't worry! The Fireball can't wait to figure out how to work those new controls and give it for a spin!"
Kain sighed. "Well, it was fun while it lasted."
Laxus looked over to Jellal. "So, you really aren't coming back after all?"
Prince Jellal smiled sadly as he looked at Fairy Tail, then Wendy specifically. Despite how busy Mystogan became, he and the blue-haired girl did have some time to properly meet and learn they were the ones who met with each other before.
"... I thought about staying in Earthland after we overthrew my father. But that was before I knew what happened to him. Now? I... want to see what he saw. See this land that he was willing to sacrifice everything on," Mystogan gave a small smile. "Besides, you already gave me the official Fairy Tail goodbye when you heard I was taking the position of King of Edolas."
Edolas Mira walked up next. She picked up Lissana's hands, held them close, and then gave her a great big hug.
"You should go too. I'm ready now. Thank you for being there... when I lost my sister," The tough biker girl let go, her eyes watering. "Now, there's another family that needs their baby sister back."
"I won't forget you, any of you," Lisanna said as she gave her sister of another world a big hug.
"So we aren't saying goodbye to the others?" Natsu asked, wanting to see more of this world's Fairy Tail.
"Sadly, I have them helping out in the recovery effort. Even if I gave the call, it would take too long for them to respond and come over." Mytogan said.
"Which means everyone here will have to make do," Ivan moved forward with his hover-chair. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. If not for any of you, none of us would be here at this very moment."
"Just don't let this happen again," Laxus looked away. "This entire adventure has been a hassle."
"..." Ivan smiled as he looked specifically at Laxus. "You're a fine young man. An incredibly strong one too. If I was your father, I'd be so proud of you."
Laxus stilled. He knew it wasn't technically his father. However, hearing the sincerity and words of acknowledgment that he so desperately wished to hear when he was young from someone he long gave up on working for...
"Thanks." Laxus exhaled, feeling an old wound finally lift off his shoulders.
However, not one for feelings, Laxus walked up to Jellal.
"Do we have to go now? Or can we wait for five more minutes?"
Jellal raised his brow. "I'd prefer it to be now, but five minutes shouldn't be that drastic to our calculations. Why?"
"If this is the last time we'll see each other, then it's time to settle the score once and for all. You or I? Which one of us is the Strongest S-Class mage of Fairy Tail?"
"Isn't that Gil-" Kain wisely cupped over Wendy's mouth. She looked up to see the brunette give a wink.
However, no one quite expected Jellal to smile in return. He took off his labcoat, threw it to the side, and with a snap of his fingers, his staves appeared on his back with the Yato sheathed to his side.
"Five minutes is perfect then. I'll beat you in one and have Wendy spend the rest healing you."
Electricity crackled around Laxus. "Please. The moment you blink, I'll win."
"Get him, Mystogan!" "Laxus totally got has in the bag." Natsu rooted for Mystogan while Gajeel was confident for their fellow dragonslayer.
"You two ARE going to fight in a safer area, right?" Kain removed his hand from Wendy before folding his arms. "The last thing we need is you two breaking our only way home."
And so, after finding a safe space, everyone watched the battle between Laxus and Mystogan.
It truly was a sight to behold as magic, swords, and thunder clashed that day. However, if one was paying attention, despite the skill and power the two mages unleashed, there was a hidden message with each fist thrown.
"Don't you dare get weaker once I leave!"
They began as enemies, worked as rivals, and for now...
They ended their fighting as equals.
For who won that day... well... I'll leave it to your imagination.
Fairy Tail jumped out of the portal, seeing Magnolia restored to its former glory.
"Wow," Lissanna gasped as she looked at the city. "I-It's been so long since I've seen this place."
"We gotta get you to Mira and Elfman!" Natsu smiled as he gave a thumbs up to his old lost friend.
The fire dragon slayer turned around. "Alright, Kain, let's go!"
...
"Kain? Where'd ya go?" It took a second for everyone else to look behind them.
Where there should have been a brown-haired, brown-eyed, and plain-looking young adult man standing next to a wyvern, there was only empty air.
"Wait, didn't he go ahead of me?" Gajeel asked.
"He did," Laxus raised his brow. "Where the hell is the brat?"
{?}
"WHERE THE HELL AM I!?"
{Author Notes}
OH. MY. GOD.
I finally finished the Edolas Arc. I was so excited when starting out and then. Life.
It's amazing that this story managed to keep up even today. But I am so glad I finally finished this arc.
The next few arcs are something I'm excited about. but for now, a filler arc is coming right up. Hopefully should be a lot shorter and pretty fun.
And with that, peace out guys. Thanks for somehow reading this.
