Chapter 15
Who Are You?
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback / Dreams
Location / Date / Time Skip
Castle Dungeon
Natsu, Nicholas and Wendy were tossed into the cell with a grunt. The second he touched the ground, Natsu raced over to the closing cell doors. "Why you!" He reached the door as it closed and grabbed the bars. "Where are the others!?"
"Others?" Hughes asked.
"Lucy, Carla, Happy and Slate! Our friends!" Wendy shouted.
"Lucy? Oh, you mean the bimbo." Hughes chuckled. "She's pretty, but unfortunately useless. So were gonna chop her head off and mount it on a pike."
Hughes jumped back as Natsu grabbed the bars again. "You even think about killing my friend and I'll burn you all to ashes!"
"Oh, scary one, aren't you?" Hughes mockingly asked. "Tell me, are all Earthland wizards as violent as you?"
"This isn't going to hold us! Nicholas, start eating." Natsu said turning around, only to see the brunettes mouth covered in goop. "When did that happen?!"
"Fale took care of that the second he found out he could eat stone." Hughes said. "He comes up with some pretty cool stuff."
"What's gonna happen to Carla, Happy and Slate?" Wendy asked.
"No need to worry about the Exceeds." Hughes said.
"His name is Happy, get it right!" Natsu shouted back.
"The Exceeds accomplished their mission, so we brought them back home." Hughes told the glaring Natsu. "I bet the little guys are enjoying their rewards and having a feast in their honor right now."
"What mission?" Wendy asked before remembering what Carla told them before they left for Edolas. "I don't know what mission you're talking about, but I know Carla abandoned it!"
"That's not true, she pulled it off like a pro." Hughes said back.
"What did you make her do?" Wendy asked.
"You mean you haven figured it out?" He asked, chuckling.
Street Level
Guards surrounded the lacrima as the elite of Edolas went about their daily lives, blissfully ignorant of the truth of the crystal and where it came from. One glanced over his shoulder to find E. Gajeel writing something. "What are you doing?" The guard asked as he and his fellow cronies surrounded him.
"...Thanks for all your hard work." The reporter bluffed.
"Who are you?" The guard repeated.
"Just your average journalist." E. Gajeel answer. "I'm covering the ceremony, and I'd love to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind that is."
"I got no comment, now beat it." The guard said, starting to get angry.
"I've noticed the king has troops stationed on the north side of the plaza. Can I assume he's done the same for the south? He asked.
"Get out of here!" The guard shouted.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you gentlemen." E. Gajeel chuckled as he walked away. "Good luck." He glanced up to the top of the tower as his Earthland clone watched the scene.
"Just great, rushing in isn't an option with those people down there." Gajeel mumbled. "They'll end up getting hurt when the soilders attack. Now what?" He looked down to find E. Gajeel in the crowd and the two shared a look.
Extalia
Happy opened his eyes to find himself laying on a bed large enough for a human, next to him Carla laid, still sleeping. "Where am I?" He looked around the room briefly and found it a mess. "Carla, wake up." He nudged her arm and she woke up.
"Tomcat... what is this?" She looked around the mess.
"Where is it, where is it, where is it?" They looked over to the dresser to find Slate throwing things out of it.
"What are you doing?" Carla asked, causing him to stiffen.
"Looking for... something." He mumbled before jumping down. "So, do you know what happened after we were knocked out?"
"No, I've never been here before..." Happy mumbled before noticing the depressed look on Carla's face.
"The information... it was actually a trap." She mumbled.
"That's not true." Happy said back. "It was just a coincidence that they found us there. It wasn't your fault."
"...I've betrayed Wendy." She mumbled as she gripped the sheets. "I swore I would protect her... I can't ever face Wendy again... This is my fault..."
The door opened and the three were met with something that was supposed to look like a lion on two legs... keyword being 'supposed'. "I beg your pardon but... are you the ones who made this mess?"
"Ichiya!?" Happy shouted in horror. "Wait... why are you a cat?"
"Don't be silly, I'm not a cat. I'm an Exceed." The cat dressed like a soldier said back.
"Tail, ears, covered in fur. You're a cat if I've ever seen one." Slate said.
"Mister Nichiya." The four looked at the door way as a black cat with a long neck and a pumping paw entered the room. "I'm told this is the first time they've been to Edolas. In fact I've doubt they even know what Exceed means."
"Oh, I had no idea." The yellow cat said back. "Greeting, I'm the captain if the Extalia royal guard, Nichiya."
"And I'm Nabi, and I'm the minister of state here." The taller cast said back. "Congratulations on your successful mission."
"Mission?" Happy asked back as Carla sunk her head. "We'll be okay, I promise Carla."
"I know this is sudden, but the queen would like an audience with you." Nichiya said, heading towards the door. "Follow me."
"The queen!?" Slate and Happy asked at the same time. Carla seemed less than enthusiastic about the experience.
"Leave it to us." Happy said. "First we'll get the lay of the land. I promise I'll protect you Carla." The two jumped off the bed and followed the two out the door, which was guarded by bigger cats. "There are cats everywhere..."
"I bet you're all excited." Nadi said singsongy.
"Maybe if you told us what was going on." Slate said back. They walked through a bright light and were met with a sight to behold.
All around them were cats of all colors, walking and talking just like they were. One pair was a fish monger and a woman shopping, there was one that was trying to pick up a girl with milk, but the one that stuck out was an old cat next to a chalkboard. "In other words, the king under the Exceeds control just like any other human."
"I suddenly feel a lot less unique." Slate said as he looked around.
The citizens started greeting Nadi and Nichiya as they started mumbling about the 'heroes' next to them. "This place is filled with cats." Happy mumbled.
"You're wrong, my friend." Nadi said. "We're all Exceeds here. We stand above humans, and must therefor guide them, each and everyday."
"I've never heard of you." Happy said back.
"And that beautiful sight before you is the Exceed kingdom, Extalia." Nadi said, pointing to the large castle before them.
Edolas Royal City
The crowd gathered around the crystal in excitement and nationalism as the extraction was about to begin. E. Gajeel walked through the crowd and stopped next to a guard. "Looks like the event is finally starting."
"Yes... the kingdom will become more stable with this." The guard nodded back.
"We're on the south side of the plaza, right?" The reporter asked. "Let me ask you, is security as tight on eastern and western sides as is here."
"No, but that's only because there's little room for someone to hide there." The guard answered.
"Is that so?" E. Gajeel asked, scaring the guard.
"Please don't write that. It'll get me in trouble." The guard begged.
"I would never do such a thing." E. Gajeel said back. "Let me assure you, I'm completely aware of what appropriate to right. I strive to be a fair journalist."
"Yeah..." The guard said, sweat dropping as the reporter walked away.
E. Gajeel stopped in the middle of the crowd and looked at the lacrima. 'They're are troops stationed along the north and south, but the north side is undermanned. My source says the ritual will be held south of the lacrima.' He looked up and tipped his hat before randomly pointing to the side.
Gajeel followed the finger and saw the circle of guards cut short at the south before his counter part walked over. "I see... well here goes nothing." He discreetly jumped down and landed in the crowd before locking eyes with his counterpart. The crowd was cheering madly as the extractors were about to start the process.
The lacrima glowed as E. Gajeel reached into his pocket and pulled out a flare. "Hey, is that a firework?" One onlooker asked.
"...Yes, that's it." He nodded back. "See." He held it high and pressed the button, sending the into the sky. The guards saw this and realizing something was wrong. "Okay let's try them all!" He said as more were shot up, spelling 'north' in glitter. "And the rest is on you, my friend."
"Soldiers!" Gajeel said, doing his best to disguise his voice. "That's some kinda warning. We must protect the lacrima. I suspect someone is trying to attack from the northern side of the plaza."
"We need to do something." One soldier said. "Thats the rearside. We don't have a lot of men there."
"Keep your men here." Another soldier said. "I'll take the rest north. Push the crowd back for safety."
"Yessir." As the other guards ran to the north, the few that remained pushed the crowd back.
Only Gajeel stayed in place. "Time for me to make my move."
"Didn't you hear me, I said move!?" The guard asked as Gajeel spun around, flung his cloak off and charged.
"That Mystogan might be a freaky weirdo, but I've got no choice but to trust him." He said as he pulled his fist back. "Iron Dragon Club!" He launched it forward and the beam wiped out some guards.
"Precisely as planned." E. Gajeel said, looking out from behind a pillar.
"Iron Dragon Sword!" Gajeel jumped into the air, turned his arm into its sword form and struck the lacrima. "Just try and stop me!" He hit it again and the crystal glowed before it exploded into a bright light. The crowd stared in shock as he landed, looking right into the light. "What the?"
Extalia
"You see, humans here are foolish and feeble creatures. So it is our duty as Exceed to control them." Nadi explained as he lead the three cats from Earthland.
"In case you haven't noticed, they're rather smelly creatures." Nichiya added.
"Our beloved queen watches over the humans from this castle and governs them." The fist pumper explained.
"Our queen has an absolutely delightful aroma." Nichiya added.
"It would be dangerous if the humans were to get out of hand, so our queen determains which humans aren't necessary and has them executed." Nabi added.
"Why would she do that?" Happy asked.
"To restore the magic power that dwindling from our world. At least that's what the queen says." Nadi elaborated. "You see our queen not only governs the humans in this world, but she also governs the ones in Earthland."
"And she decides who lives and dies?" Slate asked.
"Our queen alone has that authority." Nichiya said. "After all, she is a goddess."
"A goddess?" Happy asked.
"...I remember now." Carla said, coming to a stop. "It's coming back to me. This mission has been within me since I was born." The two Edolas cats shared a look. "The queen chose me to help control the human population. I was ordered to kill the Dragon Slayer Wendy."
Happy stared in shock of the revelation. "Huh!? What's that supposed to mean, Carla?"
"Please don't ask any questions." Carla begged.
"Tell me what you mean by kill Wendy!?" Happy shouted in shock. "No way... then does that mean... my mission was..."
"I'd thought it be better if you didn't know." She answered before turning to Slate. "I'm sure you can figure out what yours was."
"My mission was to kill Natsu!?" Happy shouted in horror.
"Would you just calm down, tomcat?!" Carla shouted. "Let me make this clear, we didn't accomplish our mission nor do we ever intent to! So why is everyone treating us like we did?"
"Do you think it's amnesia?" Nichiya asked.
"Perhaps. They're countless side effects of overwriting that are unknown." Nadi nodded.
"Answer me!" Carla shouted.
"Of course, let me explain." Nadi nodded. "Six years ago our beloved queen sent 100 hundred eggs to Earthland, to help control the human population. After they hatch, the information they had implanted in them would lead the to seek out and kill the Dragon Slayers. Then, one day, the situation changed.
"When the humans created Anima, we were presented with a new opportunity. With it, instead of simply killing humans, we could convert them into magic power. And it's well known that Dragon Slayers are the most powerful wizards in Earthland. Therefor, instead of eliminating them, you were ordered to bring them back here with you."
Roayl City Dungeon
Natsu, Nicholas and Wendy stared in complete shock at the bomb droppped on them. "That can't be right..." Natsu mumbled.
"No way..." Wendy gasped out.
"This is so cool." Hughes said with a sick smile. "We finally got our hands on you. You three have so much of that awesome Dragon Slayer magic. All we need to do now is suck it out, and thanks to Fale, that won't be a problem."
Extalia
Carla dropped to her knees in shock as she and Happy started crying harder while Slate seemed stoic. "Judging by your reactions, overwriting you're orders from remote distance might not have been the best idea." Nadi said.
"Regardless, it all worked out." Nichiya said, giving the thumbs up. "You delivered the Dragon Slayers to us, well done. The humans have been tasked magical conversion, since they're much more proficient in it than us."
"It can't be..." Carla mumbled. "We came to Edolas of our own free will..."
"Afraid not." Nadi said, shaking his hand no. "You were acting on the will of the queen."
"I lead everyone under ground... try and save them..." She whimpered out.
"It may have appeared that way, but actually we were the ones guiding you." Nadi said.
"No, it can't be..." She mumbled. "All I ever wanted was to protect Wendy..."
"What you experienced was a form of self-delusion." Nadi said. "When the orders changed from kill to capture, your mission became protect the Dragon Slayers to ensure that they were not killed."
"That's not true!" Carla shouted back.
"Wether you like it or not, your every move has been decided by us." Nichiya said as Slate walked forward. "At least one of you has accepted-"
"Piss off..." Slate growled out, shocking the two. "I don't know who you think I am, but I'm not that person! I am Slate, the bounty hunting cat, and no one can take that away from me! I do what I want for me, not for some damn goddess I've never heard of!"
"You're right..." Happy mumbled as he stood up and walked in front of Carla. "Let's get one thing straight! Me and Carla are not your puppets! We're Fairy Tail Wizards! We don't work for you!"
"Happy..." She mumbled.
"What's wrong with them?" Nichiya asked in a whisper.
"Must be a side effect of living in Earthland for so long." Nadi whispered back. "We just need to make sure they don't do anything rash."
"When I give the signal, start running." Slate whispered to Carla and Happy as he reached into his pants.
"Please, come with us and see the queen." Nadi said as the two stepped forward. "She can explain everyth-"
"Run!" Slate pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it, making explode on the ground. The three from Earthland turned and started running.
"Where were you keeping that?" Happy asked.
"Do you really wanna know?" Slate asked back as the smoke cleared.
"They've gone mad." Nichiya coughed out. "They've lost all divinity and are fallen."
"They're heading towards the city." Nadi said. "Gather the guards and chase them."
One guard caught up with them and swung his sword, but Slate ducked and jumped up, head butting the guard unconscious. "Go! I'll hold them off!" He told the other two as they kept running.
"But what will they do to you?" Happy asked.
"You can't worry about that!" The three came to a corner as slate stopped. "Get going! Save everyone!" Slate shouted before running down the corner. Half of the guards ran after him, and the others went after Happy and Carla.
'I can't keep fighting like this.' Slate thought to himself as stared at his paws. He hid around a corner and watched as a guard ran out of a room before sneaking in. "There you are." He looked at the pedestal in the room at the one thing attatched to his egg when he was born: a magic satchel. 'Now that I think about it, it probably came from this world too. Doesn't matter, though.' He threw the bag over his shoulder and it turned invisible. 'Earthland is where I belong.'
"He's in here!" One guard shouted, bursting open the door.
Slate turned around and pulled out two kunais as his wings grew out of his back "Let's jitterbug!"
Royal City
Natsu, Nicholas and Wendy sat in their cell depressed after the revelation. "I don't believe it..." Natsu mumbled aloud. "There's no way any of this is true. What'd you jerks do to my friend!? Tell me!" He raced over to the bars and started punching them.
"Natsu..." Wendy mumbled as he had enough of the metal.
"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu brought his hands to his mouth and blew out a torrent of flames... at least in his head.
"I could have told you that wouldn't have worked." Wendy said as Nicholas face palmed.
"Stupid no magic crap!" He shouted back angry.
"Where are you, Carla?" Wendy asked herself.
A few cells down, Lucy woke up in stocks connected to chains that kept it off the floor. "Wait, when did this happen? This better not be a joke! If I'm not out of this thing, someone's head is gonna roll!" She stopped flailing about and remembered what happened. "That's right. We were all captured in the mines. We got so close... and now it's over. They took us away. If you jerks hurt my friends, I'll rip you a new one! Do you hear me!?"
"Unfortunately, yes." One guard sighed out in annoyance.
Extalia
The cat people of the city were going about their daily business before Happy and Carla ran by, over a dozen guards behind them. "Everyone get out of the way!" He shouted as the guards chased them.
Ducking into a hay bale on wheels after they went around a corner, the guards ran right past them before Nichiya tripped over the blocks keeping it in place. Mumbling random gibberish, he missed the cart rolling right past him with the 'fallen' in it. The ride down the hill was bumpy and uncomfortable and that was before they reached the left the pavement of the city.
The cart hit a big rock and Carla flew out of the cart. "Carla!" Happy shouted before reaching out and grabbing her hand. "Don't worry. I won't let go!" He glanced over his shoulder just as the cart flew off a cliff and crashed into the ground. "Is the ground still spinning for you?"
"Nothing seems to be broken..." Carla groaned as she stood up before letting out a gasp. "Happy look!"
He followed her gaze and found himself staring at a lacrima bigger that the palace itself. "A giant lacrima in the sky."
"It's even bigger than the one in the royal city." Carla declared.
"Our friends must be inside that one." Happy guessed. "Looks like it really was cut from a bigger one."
"Speaking of the royal city." Carla looked down and stared at the aforementioned city.
"Why's the capital so far below us?" Happy asked.
"We must be on one of these floating islands." Carla guessed.
"So, how do we get to there?" Happy asked.
"Until we can use our magic, I think we might be stuck up here." She answered, earning a sigh.
"You little varmints!" An angry voice shouted. "Wat the blazes are you doing here?!"
"They found us." Happy said as they turned around... only to be meet with an angry white farmer.
"I was expecting some deadbeats, not troublemakers." The farmer mumbled. "You them fallens, ain't ya?" Happy prepared to fight while Carla hung her head. "Gaaah! Get on out of here!" He shouted, swinging his hoe.
"Okay, just stop screaming." Happy begged.
"Look for that cart. The other two were inside, so look for it!" Nichiya shouted from the top of the cliff.
"They've already found us..." Happy mumbled.
"Kyaaah!" The farmer screamed, scaring them again. "I told you two to get lost!"
"Yessir. We're getting lost right now." Happy said.
"Then come over to mah home." The farmer shouted, confusing the two. He started marching away and the two followed him to a house that was eerily similar to his face.
"What about the army?" Happy asked. "Oh I get it. You're holding us for a reward, aren't you?" The farmer screamed in his face, scaring Happy again. "I just asked a question!"
"Hello dear." A blue female cat asked, walking over. "Oh, I see we have some company."
"Sorry." Happy apologized.
"Oh, it's not trouble at all." She said back.
"Thank you. I'm Happy." He introduced himself.
"And I'm Carla." The white female added.
"Such wonderful names." The older woman said as the white male walked into the house with a huff. "Now come inside and wash up. You can join us for lunch." Once inside, the two Earthland natives took turns explaining everything that happened. "It sounds like you've had a rough day." Marl, the female said as she placed a tray of fish in the table.
"Mister Lucky, Miss Marl, thanks for letting us stay here for a while." Happy said.
"Kaah!" Lucky screamed, scaring Happy again. "Just shut up and eat."
"Yessir." Happy nodded.
"You're very kind." Carla said.
"You must forgive my husband." Marl said, walking over with drinks. "He doesn't exactly get along with everyone from the kingdom. He's so vocal about, they kicked us out. And we've been living in this little farm ever since."
"Kaaah! Why'd you tell them that?" Lucky shouted.
"Oh, no reason." She teased.
"I get it, that's why helped us out." Happy realized.
"Believe what ever you want kid." Lucky said back. "If you wanna stay here, you gotta work here, ya hear?!"
"Yessir!" Happy said fearfully.
"So ya better eat! You're gonna need your strength!" Lucky shouted. "So munch!"
Hours later, Happy was standing in the fields tilling as best he could, which was that well. "Kah! Put your back into it! You wanna be a man, right?"
"I don't get it... what does this have to do with being a man?" Happy asked back.
"No backtalk!" The white male shouted back. "So less crowing and more hoeing!"
"Yessir, hoeing at will!" Happy nodded, just digging into the garden. Minutes later, he stopped hoeing and wipped the sweat from his brow. "Do you really work with these heavy tools every day? I feel like my back is gonna break."
"That just means your doing the job right." Lucky said back. "So get back to work!"
"This guy is even ridiculous when he's working." Happy mumbled. "He'd kill me if I said anything out loud, so I should keep my fish-hole shut."
"Damn right you should!" Lucky shouted, having heard everyword.
"I'm sorry!" Happy shouted before going back to hoeing. At the house, Carla was pressing some yellow Edolas plant as Marl walked out.
"No! You're doing it wrong!" Lucky shouted before hoeing like a mad man. "This is how a real man tills the field! See!? Put your back into it!"
"A real man?" Happy repeated, thinking of Elfman.
"See!? That's how you tend the field!" The farmer said, standing over his handy work.
"Wow, that's amazing." Happy said impressed.
"Quit qawking!" Lucky shouted.
"Did he forget that he told me to watch him?" Happy asked himself. "He's got some issues. But he'll get mad if I point that out, so I'll just keep my mouth shut."
"Did you seriously forget I can hear you?" Lucky shouted.
"I'm sorry!" Happy shouted back.
Calra pressed the tool on the lemon like plant, creating little yellow balls. "My, your quite skilled." Marl said, walking over with a bowl.
"Its very simple. All done." She said.
"Thank you, dear." Marl held out the bowl and Carla poured the lemon balls in as Lucky yelled at Happy again. "Well, they're certainly getting along." She joked, but didn't even get a chuckle from Carla.
"Can't we take a break?" Happy asked. "I'm dying here."
"If you can talk, you can work." Lucky said back.
"Why don't you strong men take a break?" Marl asked. "We made some cool drinks."
"Sweet mercy!" Happy praised.
"I'm getting the first drink, not you!" Lucky said back.
Royal City
Lucy was out of the stocks and now hand bound by white goo by her wrists. "Glad they let me out of that piece of junk, but did thy have to put me in this stuff instead?" She glanced over to the door as she stretched her arms. "Hello! Can you two do something about this goop? Seems excessive to me, don't you think? I mean its not like I can escape."
She went on ranting, much to the chagrin of the two guards outside her cell. "Can't we put some on her mouth?" A guard asked.
"Are Earthland men deaf or something?" The over guard asked. "How do they put with this stuff?"
Lucy reached into her pocket and grabbed one of her keys, but couldn't summon a spirit. 'They aren't working anymore. Maybe that's why they put this gunk on me. Must be canceling out my magic somehow.' "Man, this sucks. I hope the others are doing okay."
Desert
The Fireball drove through the desert before stopping at the thumbing Lucy Ashely, behind her was E. Brianna. "I knew we could count on you. Now get us back to the guild, we got work to do." The two climbed in and the car took off again.
"I did what you said, Lucy." E. Natsu said. "I dropped the lot of them off at the royal city backyard. They're pretty serious about taking on the royal army. Crazy right?"
"Yeah... better than running though." E. Lucy mumbled.
"So, you get this things lacrima refilled?" E. Brianna asked from the back.
"Negative." E. Natsu shock his head. "The army raided the all black markets I could think of. What you see in this car is what you get. Hope we can make it back to the guild, but we may be walking the last mile. Thanks again for sending me on that little errand. Someone's gone soft. Not that I mind."
E. Lucy chuckled a little before ripping him out of the car and trapping him in a hold. "Was that what you called flirting? In your dreams!"
"I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" E. Natsu begged.
"Can we please get going?" E. Brianna asked. "The engine is still running."
Extalia
Lucky & Marl's Farm
"I'm thankful that the old timer is letting us hide here, but does he have to work me like a dog?" Happy asked, sweeping the roof.
"You wanna try your luck with the soldiers?!" Lucky shouted, hearing the whole thing. "Then sweep the roof!"
"Aye sir!" Happy shouted back in a panic. "How'd he hear me from there?" He stopped for a second before almost slipping off the roof.
"Keep getting distracted, and you'll clean the toilets!" Lucky warned, making Happy pull himself up. "Once the roof is finished, you're chopping firewood, got it!?"
Inside the house, Carla was sipping tea as Marl was making some clothing. "You haven't smiled once since you've been here." Marl said aloud. "Are things really so bad that you can't smile?"
"I'm just not in a smiling mood, that's all." Carla said.
"Sounds like something painful must happened to you." Marl said, catching Carla's attention. "It might seem bad now, but you'll smile again."
"I find that idea unlikely." Carla said, looking up at the ceiling.
"You say that, but trust me." Marl said before returning to her machine. Carla turned back to her tea in thought and shame.
Outside, Happy split a piece of wood and was happy with himself. "Now that's more like it."
"Quit dautaling or you'll never catch up!" Lucky said, making Happy look at the massive pile of split wood next to the white cat.
"So fast!" He shouted. Not wanting to be outdone, the tow engaged in a log splitting contest. On their last pieces, both missed, sending vibrations that forced them to let go of the axes. The two looked at each other before they started laughing a little.
"Why you laughing?!" Lucky shouted, killing the mood before turning to the piles. "Eh, suppose that's enough firewood for one day. Take a rest, kid."
"I'm pooped, and I smell like a bad fish." Happy said, sitting against the stump.
"Then take a bath!" Lucky shouted.
"I'm going!" Happy shouted, scared for his life.
Soon, the workday was done and the Earthland cats sat on the porch of the house. "That was the best bath of my life." Happy said as Carla sat in silence.
"Excellent job today, you two." Marl said, walking out of the house. "Feels nice to relax after bath and a hard day's work and a bath, right?"
"Yeah, I needed that." Happy nodded.
"So tell me, were you hatched in Earthland?" She asked. "Did someone give you your names?"
"Yeah, Natsu, my friend." Happy answered.
"Me too..." Carla mumbled. "A friend gave me my name."
"But now they're being held captive in the royal city." Happy explained. "We gotta save them!"
"You're going to rescue the humans?" Marl asked confused.
"That's the sole reason why we're fallen." Carla mumbled. "Caring about humans seems to be bizarre here."
"I don't think it's bizarre at all." The older female said back, confusing the two. "It doesn't matter what two friends look like, be they human or Exceed. After all, even though we look different, our hearts are the same."
"I don't follow, I'm afraid." Carla mumbled back.
"What I'm trying to say is that love is the same no matter what you look like." Marl continued.
Carla merely huffed and turned back to the farm. "I wish that applied to me... regardless of my hearts shape, the love I feel is not mine. I can't even be sure that the words I'm speaking are mine."
"I know they're you're words!" Happy shouted. "And they're your feelings too! You're too strong to be controlled! And our hearts want the same thing, to save our friends!"
"You think we can?" She asked back.
"I know you can. Things might seem a little list now, but you mustn't give up hope." Marl said. "Besides, you have a knight here to help you." Happy turned solid crimson at being called a knight. "I know you feel like you've lost your heart, but I think you found it long ago. Now you just have to learn to embrace your feelings."
Carla looked in thought for a second before giving off a smile. "You surprise me, miss Marl." Carla said. "The Exceeds we met all think of themselves as angels and that their queen is divine, not to mention their look on humans."
"Truth be told, I used to think be like that too, but our beloved queen stole our children from us." Marl confessed. "One hundred children still in their eggs really were taken from their homes. They gave us no warning and we were told to accept it. The queen had chosen them to kill the dragon slayers. They were all sent to Earthland against our wishes."
The two listened to the conversation with shock and interest. "Because we opposed that cruel plan, we were exiled. After that, I realized the lie told to us... she wasn't a god and we weren't angels. We were just parents. After that, the lines between humans and Exceeds vanished for us. My husband may seem opinionated, but he feels the same as I do."
"Kah! Quit yappin to these kids!" Lucky shouted as he walked forward. "How long are you kids staying here!?"
"Oh, you." Marl brushed it off.
"I'm sick of that sad look!" He shouted at Happy. "You're alive, ain't ya? Now grow a pair and get out!"
"Dear, this is much to suddenly..." Mark said.
"No... he's right." Happy spoke up. "We have to go and save everyone." Carla nodded in agreement.
"You finally get it." Lucky huffed. "Scaredy cats can't do anything! Kids these days are getting dumber and dumber."
The two Fairy Tail cats raced over to the edge of the island before turning around and waving goodbye. "Thanks oldtimer!" Happy shouted.
"Don't come back!" Lucky shouted.
"Take care of each other!" Marl shouted.
The two nodded and kept running towards the edge. "Carla, do you feel like we were destined to meet those two?" Happy asked.
"Yes, I feel the same." She nodded.
"When we first came to Edolas, I felt a lot of things, like I was lost." He said.
"As did I." Carla nodded as they reached the edge. "But now the path is clear!" They jumped off the edge and entered a free fall.
"We need to move forward!" Happy shouted as they gripped each other's hands.
'Happy, Slate and I are Exceeds. The only race in Edolas capable of using natural magical powers.' Carla told herself. 'The reason we couldn't use magic before was because our identity.' Both activated their magic and flew into the sky. 'But now, we know that being an Exceed doesn't define us. Our hearts will tell us where to go and our wings will take us there.' "Lets get going. We have to save everyone!"
The two faded into the sky as Lucky and Marl looked on. "Look at that, the boy can fly after all." Lucky said, fighting back the tears.
"You look a lot like him when you fly, Lucky." Marl said back.
"Don't lie, the lazy bumb is nothing like me." He retorted.
"Whatever you say." She chucked out through her tears. "His got such a wonderful girlfriend with him now."
"GahM It's a hundred years early before he can bring a girl back home!" Lucky bawled out.
"He's grown inot a fine boy who cares for his friends. I'm so proud of him." Marl weeped out.
"Aye!" Lucky shouted.
Cats take center stage in this chapter and, honestly, I'm very greatful for these chapters. Just shoving action onto paper every chapter doesn't make a good story, no matter what dragon ball says otherwise.
Now, I'm sure manya comic fan recognizes the term 'magic satchel'. For those who aren't familiar with the term, it's basically a writing element used to explain how someone can pull things out of absolutely no where. I just decided to make it literal. It's important to not that this is Edolas magic, not Earthland.
Beta read by JamesFreki.