The sun slowly begins to drown itself while the moon rises, covering the area with nightfall. The air was far colder than it was when they first arrived here. However, no one was bothered by it as something more important was going on.
"...Huh?" Carla was perplexed. "Did I hear that right child, you want to help them? The same people who kidnapped you?"
Wendy simply nodded, her eyes not focused on her friends.
"Out of the question." Erza declined, moving beside Natsu and Carla. "Not only was this request declined, but we cannot trust your client. Especially given everything we know." Her tone was blunt.
Wendy paused, lightly flinching at Erza's blunt tone. "B-but…this country, it's in danger…I'm the only one who can help…" She forced herself to look at Erza with desperation. "I can't just let their ruler die when I can help him!"
"If they wanted your help so badly, they shouldn't have kidnapped you in the first place." Erza argued, crossing her arms. "We were plenty open in helping out, however the one who brought you here was adamant in taking you in an unknown county alone."
"Besides…" Carla pointed at Wendy's hair. "Look at what those ruffians did to you! You shouldn't help those kinds of people!"
Gray placed his hands in his pockets and huffed. "Yeah. I hate to tell you this, but that ain't such a good idea."
"A-aye…the ruler here is pretty bad news…" Happy hesitated.
Wendy couldn't help but lower her head as she mumbled. "I know…"
"Okay, now you're just not making sense, Wendy." Perplexed Natsu as he casually placed his hands behind his head.
Erza continued to watch Wendy with growing suspicion. The girl kept showing nervous body mannerisms and avoided any direct eye contact. Despite the messy hair, this was the same Wendy they know. So what was going on?
The young dragon slayer could sense the doubtful tone her friends had. She took a deep breath. "You see…I *have* too." She clenched her fists. "If their god dies…then the clouds holding this place…will crumble. And the whole country will collapse and crash below…" Wendy revealed.
The group all gasped in unison and widened their eyes. It was at that moment they realized that their guild Fairy Tail is currently below the country in the sky. Erza narrowed her eyes away briefly, she had a feeling those holes in the clouds had to do with something regarding this situation.
"Woah, you serious?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Besides…" Wendy continued, twiddling her thumbs. "The people here don't seem to mind their ruler and how he runs things. Even with all the terrible laws he has…" Despite the clear cut explanation, the blunette was still acting nervous.
Natsu sighed before plopping himself on the ground and sitting cross legged. The cloud mist poofed a little after the pinkette sat down. "So, I guess that means you had no choice in this huh?"
Erza turned back to Wendy. "If that's the situation, then I suppose it's important to do this job despite the circumstances." She reluctantly allowed it, however there was one major thing that was still bothering her. "I would like to ask. If it's so important to have their god healed as soon as possible...then shouldn't it have been done by now? Were your healing powers not enough?"
Wendy began to now fidget her hands as she was able to look at her friends, albeit not in the eyes. "I wanted to come out here, to let you know that you were all discovered. I came to warn you all since they don't really want humans up here…"
"What?! So even after all of what happened we *still* got found out?!" Lucy lamented, facepalming. "This isn't good…"
Wendy bowed her upper body. "It was partially my fault you got found out! I'm sorry! I just got so excited when I heard you guys were here!"
Natsu chuckled while smiling. "Come on Wendy. You don't gotta apologize for that!"
Wendy lifted her head up and rubbed the back of her head. "There's also the Etherano up here…you see, it's actually-"
"We are already aware of the denser Etherano up here." Erza interrupted, having a feeling Wendy is trying to dodge her question. "We can handle it. We can wait it out until you finish this job. We actually have a place we're staying at. You can just let those at the castle know we won't do anything, but we're not leaving without you." She suggested.
Carla placed her paws on her hips. "I don't approve of this Wendy. If you're going to head back then I'm coming with you, I want to make sure those ruffians don't try anything funny!" She huffed.
"You *honestly* believe a miracle will happen? Don't be stupid!"
Wendy felt her head hurt, instinctively shutting her eyes tight and hanging her head low. She clenched her teeth and fidgeted her hands. She once again paused for a couple seconds before murmuring something. "...N-no…"
"Hm? What was that, child?" Carla raised an eyebrow.
Wendy grinds her teeth, forcing herself to look at her friends again with her body slightly shaky. Her hair shadow casts over her eyes. "There's no point in staying here...since I-I'm not coming b-back…"
Silence. Reactions were met with both concern and confusion. The one to break that silence was once again, Carla.
"W-what?! What are you even *saying?!*" Carla exclaimed.
"I said." Wendy took a deep breath. "I'm not coming back, I want to stay here."
"What's gotten into you Wendy?!" Carla flew at Wendy and placed a paw on one of her shoulders. "You want to stay here?! The same place that did *this* to your hair?! I demand an explanation!" Carla pointed at Wendy's hair, demanding angrily. Wendy once again, turned her head away from Carla. "Look at me!" The Exceed growled.
"If your friends learn the truth, they will definitely ruin everything. They *have* to leave."
Wendy was the next to growl, clenching her fists tightly again. She was able to look Carla in the eyes this time, albeit with an angry expression. "It's because it's my responsibility! I can't come back!" She shouted, which caught her companion off guard.
"Wendy…" Carla shuddered.
"B-but how come you can't come back!?" Worried Lucy. "Fairy Tail is your home!"
Wendy's body continued to shake as she lowered her head. "I'll…I'll be fine!" She tried assuring, narrowing her eyes from the group. "I'm able to take care of myself now..." She mumbled.
"Why Wendy?!" Happy exclaimed. "All you have to do is heal someone right?!"
Erza clenched her teeth, something was clearly up. She started to march towards the girl, but was stopped by Natsu who abruptly stood up and approached Wendy. He passes by Carla who glanced up at him. They realized Natsu had yet to show any signs of shock from Wendy's statements.
"Natsu?" Carla wondered what he was doing.
Natsu bent down on his knees and placed one hand on Wendy's head, smiling softly. "Come on Wendy, what's up?" He comforted. "You can trust us y'know?" The touch of his palm was warm, almost comforting to the girl.
Wendy slowly looked up at Natsu and noticed he cracked his usual toothy grin. Whenever the young dragon slayer would see that confident and friendly face, she would always feel comfort from it. Like everything was going to be okay. However this time, it caused her eyes to sink and body to tremble. Natsu squinted his eyes, seeing that Wendy was too nervous to answer.
"This is the only possible way, do you want to protect them or not?!"
"Wendy!" Natsu gripped Wendy's shoulders which caused her to jump. His expression was now serious and full of concern. "What. Happened. In that castle?!"
"Remove it. Prove to us you'll follow through to our demands."
"I-I…" Wendy stuttered, slowly shutting her eyes. The memories of earlier kept playing in her head during this entire conversation, pounding at her mind.
Natsu clenched the younger dragon slayer's shoulders tighter. "We can help you! Just tell us what's really going on! Wendy!"
Wendy's eyes began to water up, trying her best to hold them back.
"They'll die."
Carla then recalled one of the visions she saw earlier today, causing her eyes to sink immediately. "Natsu! Get back!" She shouted in panic.
"PLEASE! JUST GO HOME!" Wendy shrieked, shoving Natsu away. But a harsh tornado came exploding out of her palms, striking right at the fire dragon slayer's chest. The Fairy Tail mages all quickly got out of the way as Natsu flew and crashed right into the stone bridge, the back of his head making a direct hit at it. His plastic wings and halo flew off in the process. The five looked at Natsu with widened eyes.
"Wha-"
"W-Wendy?!"
"Natsu!"
Gray, Lucy and Happy all yelled out. The three went over to Natsu and saw several cuts on the front of his body. Natsu began coughing as the mist spreaded out from the attack. Gray quickly pulled the pinkette off the ground by wrapping one arm around his shoulder.
"Natsu! Are you okay?!" Worried Lucy.
"What's going on with her?!" Exclaimed Gray as he examined Natsu's wounds.
Wendy covered her mouth and widened her eyes. Her heart began to race, seeing the damage done. "I-I didn't…I didn't mean to…" She spoke quietly, taking a few steps back. However, after her initial attack, she didn't realize that it tore her cloak. Causing it to slide off her body.
The Fairy Tail mages focused back at Wendy and saw something that caused their eyes to sink. Wendy noticed their expressions before following their gaze slowly. She then realized that they saw that her Fairy Tail guild mark on her right shoulder was gone. Wendy immediately tried to cover her shoulder with her left hand, breathing at a rapid pace.
"Ch-child…why did you…?" Carla shivered.
Erza soon stepped in as she stood right in between Wendy and Natsu. She clenched her teeth and shot a harsh glare. "Wendy! You need to tell us what's going on!" She demanded before swinging one arm. "What the *hell* did they do to you!?"
Realizing that she cannot hide anymore, Wendy collapsed on her knees and covered her face with both palms. Her entire body trembled as she began to break down. "I-I'm so s-s-sorry!" She clawed at her face, filled with instant regret.
Erza paused, taking a deep breath. She began to approach the girl slowly. Natsu raised his head, ignoring his injuries to focus on Wendy. The rest didn't say anything, as their faces were filled with worry for the young mage. Natsu then caught a familiar scent coming their way.
Wendy hiccuped through her cries as she took a deep breath and removed her hands from her face. She looked up, face soaked with tears. Even though her vision was blurry, she could still recognize Erza's red hair. "Th-they're going to s-"
"This has gone long enough!" A familiar voice boomed as a gust of wind came crashing down right in front of Erza, causing her to leap back, already on guard. The individual swung one arm as the gusts of winds spreaded out and vanished instantly. The one responsible for all of this, Hahlos, revealed himself as he gave a threatening glare at the swordswoman.
"It's…him!" Natsu growled.
Erza immediately summoned two swords and pointed one directly at Hahlos' face. The sword was inches away from his nose, but the angel didn't even flinch at the sight. "Move it. Now." Erza scowled, giving a harsher glare at the green haired angel.
Hahlos stared down at Titania, not moving an inch. His eyes narrowed as he observed the situation. He saw the stone bridge damaged with Natsu being helped to stand. He noticed marks on the cloudy surface. All the Fairy Tail mages were glaring right at him, looking like they could attack anytime.
"I said. Move it." Erza demanded with a harsh tone of voice. She noticed him looking away earlier so she pointed the blade closer to his face.
Hahlos gripped the blade tightly with his gloved hand. His grip caused the blade to crack. "Don't forget, Scarlet, you're in my territory now." He shot, the tip of the blade cracking even more. "There is nothing you can do to me, I demand you all leave at once. I won't let mere wizards like you take away our future!"
"Why you! Scum!" Erza threw her broken sword away as it instantly vanished before readying her other sword to attack. She then witness Hahlos' eyes flash blue, before turning his attention past the swordswoman.
Natsu shoved Gray off of him before launching himself towards Hahlos. His body erupted into bright yellow flames, followed by electricity flickering. The green haired angel saw the same dark glare from Natsu he remembered well. Erza hopped out of the way.
"WE WON'T LET YOU TAKE HER, BASTARD!" Natsu roared before slamming right into Hahlos. He blocked the attack with his arms coated with wind. The impact caused some of the cloudy mist to blow away.
Hahlos slid back slightly as Natsu tried to charge through. Hahlos began to feel pain as his gloves began to melt. However, before the fire dragon slayer could break though, he abruptly gagged as he felt immense pain on his chest.
Taking the chance, Hahlos broke out of Natsu's attack by swinging his coated arms out. The green haired angel proceeded to slide one foot back and one foreword and landed a punching blow right at Natsu's jaw. He slammed on the ground and slid back.
"Natsu!" Lucy and Happy yelled out as the former caught the pinkette before he could slide any further.
Erza thrusts her sword directly at Hahlos' head. He tilts his head to the side, avoiding the attack. Erza proceeds to repeatedly thrust at a quicker pace. The angel was able to avoid each thrust with ease. She takes a quick leap back and instantly switches her broadsword to a claymore. She charges back at the angel, twirling her body around to boost her attack, and swung the sword with all her might.
Hahlos summons a white broadsword with shiny blue streaks and manages to block the attack. The material of the sword appeared to be of much higher quality.
"Do not forget, I can see all." Hahlos scoffed before his eyes flashed blue again.
Gray began to charge at Hahlos while he slammed his fist on his palm. An icey mist began to conjure around his palm. Ice Make…Cold Excalibur!" He forges a large blade made out of ice, dragging it through the ground and upper swings it towards Hahlos.
Hahlos gives a more focused glare and parried Erza's blade and kicking it up in the air. He quickly turns to Gray and slices through the ice sword clean with his broadsword. The ice sword splits in half, causing it to melt, with Hahlos releasing his broadsword as well. Gray loses his balance due to his chest beginning to burn. Hahlos places both palms directly at Gray and Erza.
"Your magic is weaker up here it seems. Wind Palm." Hahlos noted, his palms unleash a shock of wind which blows the two back. Erza backflips and lands on her feet while Gray stops himself by dragging his palm on the ground. The two didn't appear too hurt by the attack, but they began to breathe slowly.
Hahlos places his hands behind his back and frowns. "It's like I said, you're in *my* territory. You've reached your physical limits already. It's impossible for you to adapt to our air." He briefly glances back and sees Wendy on her knees, looking at her friends with a distressed expression. Hahlos turns his attention back to the Fairy Tail wizards and sighs. "It's about time...I end this ugly situation."
Hahlos proceeds to swing one arm as one of his fingers glows. He began to quickly draw a magic circle in front of him. Erza summoned another claymore while Gray began to ready up an ice shield. The circle shined in a black aura.
"...Black Gale." Hahlos said while pointing at the group. The magic circle unleashed an eruption of black winds that went directly towards the wizards. Right at that moment, his eyes flashed blue as he foresaw something unexpected.
"PLEASE STOP IT!" Wendy begged.
Right before the winds could hit their target, a bright yellow flash came crashing down as Jellal appeared. He was surrounded with a yellow cloak aura as he conjured a Hexagon Barrier which effortlessly blocked the attack.
Hahlos raised an eyebrow as the barrier vanished alongside the winds. Hahlos dusted himself off as the cloudy mist subsided, staring at the three wizards who were prepared to attack. Hahlos takes a step forward, but is stopped when he feels his leg grabbed by one of Wendy's hands. He narrowed her eyes at the bluenette, noticing her glaring right at him.
"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't hurt them…" Wendy growled.
Hahlos paused for a moment before closing his eyes and sighing. "I was merely defending myself, but very well." He looked back at the wizards, before noticing two more people running their way towards them.
"Everyone! What's going on?!" Juvia asked, with Chelia behind her. The latter widened her eyes, spotting her best friend as they stopped at the foot of the bridge.
"W-Wendy?!" Chelia reached an arm out.
The tall angel then smirks at all of them. "How about this then?" He moved to the side slightly and gestured his hand towards Wendy. She proceeded to stand up as Hahlos continued. "Why don't we let the Sky Sorceress decide? Whether to stay here or go back, it's her choice."
"W-what?!" Carla squeaked, not sure what to make of this offer.
"Seems like a fair deal wouldn't you say?" Hahlos gave a friendly smile this time.
The three facing Hahlos dropped their guards, Erza squinting her eyes in suspicion. "Just what are you getting at?"
Hahlos looked down at Wendy, who was looking down the entire time stone silent. He slightly bent his upper body down and gestured his hand directly at her friends. "I won't interfere, feel free to make your decision, Wendy."
Wendy flinched, clenching her teeth hard. She hid her eyes away from everyone, she didn't want them to see her expression right now.
"Wendy…" Lucy said, fearing for what her friend was about to say.
"D-don't fall for it…Wendy!" Natsu coughed as he tried to pull himself up.
Chelia wasn't sure what was going on. But she curled her fists and raised them towards her chin, looking fearful. "P-please…"
Wendy clenched her fists, before facing her body towards Hahlos. She didn't want to see her friend's faces for what she was about to say. "...I'll go with you." She decided, looking at Hahlos.
Hahlos chuckled and cracked a smirk. "Well, there you have it." Hahlos concluded, glancing at the group. Her friends couldn't believe what she just said, they all growled and glared right at the angel.
Carla couldn't take it anymore, she wanted to get to Wendy. She shut her eyes tight and flew right at the two. Chelia shoved Jellal out of the way as she began to run at her friend.
"W-wait! It's too dangerous for you two!" Jellal warned, reaching his hand out.
"Stop it! Please!" Wendy begged, she finally looked at all of her friends which caused the Exceed and former god slayer to stop in their tracks. Her face looked extremely desperate.
Wendy paused, wiping her eyes with her arm before taking a deep breath. She forced a smile with her eyes closed and bowed her upper body. "Everyone…thank you…for taking care of me…" She raised her head up. "But it's my turn…to make sure you are all safe…"
"N-no!" Carla and Chelia cried out.
Natsu slammed his fist and forced himself off the ground. "Is this really how you want this to end?! Wendy!" He scowled. However, Wendy did not respond as she turned her back and went towards Hahlos. The fire dragon slayer growled. "No matter what! You're still one of us!"
"N-Natsu…please…" Happy begged. "You're hurt…"
Hahlos stood in front of Wendy, blocking her from the rest. "She has made her decision. It is time for you all to leave." He pointed at all of her friends. "I will give you until morning, my associates will do a full scale search of all of Exahelm tomorrow. We know your faces. If any one of you is spotted, you'll be banished immediately!"
Natsu, Gray, Erza, Juvia and Jellal all scowl at the angel while Lucy, Happy, Carla and Chelia are on the verge of tears. Hahlos turns towards Wendy and offers his hand to her. "Let's go." He says.
Wendy turned and faced her friends one final time. She proceeded to grab Hahlos' hand. She smiled softly at them, her tears subsided.
"Thank you, for loving me…I love you all. And…I'm sorry…"
The two vanished instantly in a gust of wind.
Natsu collapsed on the ground and slammed both his fists on the cloudy surface, shaking furiously. He dragged his fingers through the clouds and cried out in despair.
Minutes passed by as Natsu was finished being patched up from his injuries. He laid his back on the foot of the stone bridge. Gajeel, Sting and Rogue arrived earlier and everyone was filled in at what just happened. The clouds they stood on changed from white to dark gray.
"I don't get it!" Chelia cried. "Wendy wouldn't just give up like that!"
Lucy nodded, wiping her face with her arm. "I couldn't believe it either…"
"It's pretty obvious she chose to leave in order to protect not just us, but the civilians here too. She was left with no other option." Jellal commented before he lightly grabbed his chin. "Although, perhaps there is something more sinister about all of this." He turned his head towards Erza, who had her back turned at everyone and was staring off in the distance. "Did you notice anything, Erza?"
Erza held the end of the handle of her two handed sword as the blade was buried in the dark clouds below. Her red hair blew in the cold wind while she stood in silence. She recalled something at that moment.
"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't hurt them…"
"I was able to catch on pretty quickly that Wendy was acting off." Erza started. "There was also the fact that she was able to reach us so easily in the first place, like it was planned." She clenched her weapon tightly. "There's a very clear possibility...that she was blackmailed in some way."
"Blackmail her?!" Juvia exclaimed as she stood by Gray, checking his injuries. "Why did they have the need to blackmail her into staying here if all she needs to do is heal their ruler?!"
Erza's body shook in anger, she bit her lip hard where it drew blood. "Before that angel appeared, she was about to reveal something. It was like he prevented that sentence from being said, but I've already figured out what the truth of all of this is." The sound of rain was heard below them as the cloudy surface began to feel mushy.
Everyone paused, all staring at Erza. The only noise being heard is the rain. The swordswoman lifted her sword and swung it down, creating a large gash on the dark clouds. Her face, seething in anger.
"In order to revive this country's god, they're going to use her as a sacrificial pawn."
No one said a word, they came to the same conclusion as well. Reactions were mixed with sadness or anger.
"I don't like this." Gajeel stated, veins on his head beginning to appear and bulge.
Rogue closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He looked up at everyone. "So, what would Fairy Tail do in this situation then?" He asked before glancing at Sting. The Sabertooth master gave a smirk and clenched a fist.
Carla took a deep breath and transformed into her human form. Juvia took off her hat and clenched it tightly. Lucy tied the back of her hair into a ponytail. Gray took off his jacket and threw it away, letting the wind carry it. Happy nodded his head and flew up, adjusting his backpack. Erza dropped her sword as it vanished. She turned around and approached Natsu. She reached out to him and the pinkette looked up. He firmly grabbed it and was pulled up. Natsu looked down and saw the plastic wings and halo that fell off of him. He proceeded to crush them both with his foot.
"We're through, following their rules." Natsu stated.
The rest of the group proceeded to remove their disguises as they either tossed them or destroyed them.
Jellal looked at his hand which was still holding the plastic. He looked up at the Fairy Tail wizards. "If we're doing this...then you must know the risks and consequences right?" He double checked as he dropped his disguise.
"I don't care." Erza said, looking at the town ahead. "They made a mockery and an enemy of the one guild they shouldn't have angered. We'll find our own way to protect the lives of the civilians here after this."
Jellal saw everyone else looking ahead at the town as he sighed and smirked. "Guess a war was unavoidable then?"
"No." Erza replied, looking directly at the castle now. "Fiore won't have another war. The Tenhei made this personal...by hurting our pride."
The clouds below them flashed brightly as thunder boomed.
~~~Author's Notes~~~
It may sound like a selfish decision, but keep it mind: Edolas lost all their magic after Fairy Tail saved their guild from being turned into magic for that world. Plus it's stated multiple times in the series that they don't care if their enemy is evil or good, all that matters to them if they're an enemy of the guild or not. They just so happen to mainly come across villians.
As for Wendy. Trust me, in the older version she was *way* out of character. I made many notes and looked back to make sure it made sense for her to make this decision. Plus more will obviously be revealed later down the road. But if you still find it odd I totally understand, I'm not exactly perfect at this lol.
Thank you for reading, I'm probably gonna take a bit of a break. Maybe do one more chapter as I already have notes for it but we'll see. Have a good one!