(Hello everyone and Happy New Years! I know it's been some time since the last upload, but things haven't been easy for me. Oct.6 I had to put down my older dog and needed some time. Then all the holiday stuff happening. This is why I don't make scheduled chapters. Now I'm back and ready to get back to writing.)
Chapter 17: Punishments and Fairy History
Let it be known; I do not own Fairy Tail nor Pokémon which fully belong to their rightful owners. The only thing I own is my OC and this stories plotline.
"Someone speaking"
'Someone thinking'
"Someone/People in a flashback speaking"
"Someone with power talking/Someone using Moves or Magic"
*Someone doing something*
(Comedy effect)
(When I'm talking)
(Speaking through their minds)
-Pokémon speech-
(Last Chapter Gray tried to stop Lyon by sealing him in Iced Shell, much to his ally's protests and he was about to unleash it until Natsu stopped him with a punch to the face. Afterwards the temple was restored back to normal by Zalty using his magic, a Lost Magic called Time Ark. Natsu and Jason ran after Zalty while Gray delt with Lyon. What they didn't know was Zalty sent Toby to complete the Moon Drip Ritual. Natsu and Jay were able to catch up to Zalty and beat him at the same time as Gray beat Lyon. Erza, Lucy, Happy and the Pokémon raced to the top of the temple to stop Toby, but they were too late. Deliora was finally free from the Iced Shell, but it was short lived as Jason used the Icicle Plate and changed into his Ice Form to destroy the Demon's body since its soul was already gone due to being sealed in Iced Shell. Later after exiting the Temple, they found out two things; 1: the destroyed village was fully restored. 2: the villagers were still cursed. Erza had an idea and had Natsu helped her with "destroying the moon". They launched an attack towards the big rock in the sky, but what they really destroyed was a dome of condensed Moon Drip vapor that was affecting the villagers. However, it wasn't affecting their bodies but their minds. It was a village of demons. Bobo also turned out to still be alive, he just faked his death because his memories came back. They were also the ones that made the rumors about the island because they feared how people might react to them but not anymore. Watching all this happen was Zalty, who turned out to be Ultear in disguise. After a night of partying, the Fairy Tail wizards left the island to head back home… and to face the consequences of their choices.)
(Insert S.O.W. Sense Of Wonder opening here)
(third PoV)
(ERA)
Ultear had returned from the island and was telling Siegrain about what happened.
"What a shame about Deliora." Ultear said.
"Well, too bad, I suppose." Siegrain said, not all that bothered. "I didn't think it would've already been dead."
He then closed a book that was on his desk before it flew back to its place on a shelf.
"I thought that I'd be one step closer to my dream if I got my hands on Deliora." Siegrain admitted.
"I apologize, master Siegrain." Ultear said as she walked towards him. "I didn't expect that woman's magic to be so powerful."
"Should you really be talking about her that way?" the man asked. "Ur's daughter… Ultear. I respect your mother. If she had lived, she would've no doubt become one of the 10 Wizard Saints."
"You're exaggerating." Ultear scoffed. "My mother was a miserable woman so obsessed with magic that my father abandoned her."
"The more you lose, the more power you can obtain." Siegrain said.
"I was of little consequence to my mother." Ultear said.
"I wonder about that." Siegrain said. "Raising those two students was her lingering affection for you."
Before he could say more, Ultear put a finger to his lips.
"That's enough about that." she said. "Let us proceed to the next step."
"Hey, what's wrong with your face?" Siegrain asked.
Just then, Ultear's left cheek, where Natsu punched her, swelled up. (Cue *WOW* soundtrack)
"Ah! What the heck is this?!" Ultear screamed.
"Ha, ha, ha!" Siegrain laughed. "It swells up now?"
After the swelling went down a bit, Siegrain continued.
"Speaking of which, what are your impressions fighting Natsu?" he asked.
"I didn't even use half of my power, but it was impressive." Ultear admitted. "That kid's gonna get stronger and stronger…"
"Indeed…" Siegrain agreed. "The son of Igneel… He needs to keep burning bright, for my dream. What about Jason Nox?"
"I didn't get to fight him much, but he is incredibly smart." Ultear said. "Just by seeing the effects of my Time Ark, he was able to deduce it's type after seeing it once."
"I see." Siegrain said. "A shame you couldn't learn anything else, but it's better than nothing."
"Oh I wouldn't say that." Ultear smirked.
"What do you mean?" Siegrain asked.
"I learned something about his magic." Ultear said.
What neither person knew was that someone was listening to them.
(Jason's PoV)
(Magnolia)
After the pirates brought us back to the mainland, we took the train back to Magnolia.
"We're back!" Natsu cheered.
"Back!" Happy echoed.
"But man… All that hard work, and one key is all we get?" Gray complained.
"And it was a full-blown S class quest, too." Happy said.
"It wasn't a proper job." Erza reminded them. "This much is just about right."
"I say you're lucky to have gotten it at all." I said.
"Yup, yup! No complaints!" Lucy said happily.
"You're the only one it's of any use to, Lucy!" Happy pointed out. "Let's sell it!"
"You thieving cat!" Lucy said. "Besides, there are only 12 of the golden "Zodiac" keys in the whole world! They're super-duper rare, see."
"That cow and maid?" Natsu asked cheekily.
"As I progress, my Spirits will get way stronger!" Lucy argued.
"They're like Legendary and Mythical Pokémon." I summarized. "There are only a handful of certain types of some and even less of others."
"So, what's the key we got this time?" Gray asked.
"The Archer, Sagittarius!" Lucy revealed with a thumbs up.
"Isn't that half man, half horse?!" Gray exclaimed with a mental image of horse man.
"No, I think it's the other way around." Lucy said as a mental image of a centaur shot Grays with an arrow.
For some reason Natsu was picturing a flower with a human face and tentacles.
"Dude, I don't know what the hell that is, but I'm damn sure that's not a man nor a horse." I said creeped out.
"Easy going, aren't we?" Erza asked. "You haven't forgotten that you'll be punished when we get back, have you?"
Natsu, Lucy and Gray looked back at Erza in shock.
"Punishment?" Natsu asked.
"I thought we'd dropped that already!" Lucy said.
"Don't be silly." Erza retorted. "Accepting your actions was a field decision on my part. You still must receive your punishment."
"She's right." I said. "Even if we completed the quest, we still had no approval to go on it."
"Oh, no!" Lucy whined.
"I think you should be mostly forgiven for what happened this time." Erza said. "However, your judge will be the master and I have no intention of defending you. So be prepared to take your punishment."
"Makes sense." I said. "He is the one in charge of everything."
"He's not gonna make us do that, is he?" Happy asked scared.
"Wait a sec! I never want to do that again!" Gray yelled in panic.
"What is that?!" Lucy asked.
"Don't sweat it." Natsu said with a smile. "We did a good job, so gramps'll be impressed!"
"How frightening positive of you…" Lucy said.
"Uh, huh." I said with skepticism. "Erza?"
"No, I think it's pretty much decided already." Erza said. "I look forward to it."
As she finished off with a chuckle. Natsu, still smiling, began to sweat. Before he could run away, Erza grabbed him by the back of his scarf and dragged him towards the guild.
"Nooo!" Natsu screamed in terror. "Not that! Anything but that! Nooo!"
Lucy watched them walking away, looked at the quivering Gray and back again.
"Like I said, what the heck is that?!" Lucy snapped. "Tell me!"
Afterwards we all made our way back to Fairy Tail and Erza wasted no time as she dragged Natsu, Lucy and Gray inside while I simply walked in normally.
"Is the master in?" Erza called out.
"Welcome back." Mirajane greeted walking towards us. "How was the island? Did you have a little swim in the ocean?"
"If you call getting swept up in a tidal wave "swimming", then yes." I said.
Mira looked at me with a smile, but it wasn't the sweet kind. I looked away feeling guilty. She must've been worried.
"It wasn't that kind of trip." Erza said sternly.
"Whoa, Mira… Now is not the time…" Lucy said.
"Where is the master?!" Erza demanded.
"He had some kind of council something-or-other meeting, or whatever…" Macao answered. "He's been gone since yesterday."
Natsu, Lucy, Gray and Happy let out sighs of relief.
"We're safe for now!" Natsu said.
"All right!" Gray said with a fist pump. "None of that until gramps gets back!"
"Thank goodness!" Happy cheered while crying. "We can put off staring into the gates of hell for a while longer!"
"Tell me what that is already!" Lucy begged. "I wanna know so bad! It's freaking me out!"
"I wouldn't get too comfortable." I advised. "Since master left yesterday, he'll probably be back soon."
"Be quiet!" Erza snapped at us, but I was the only one not scared. "When will the master return?"
"Like Jason, it shouldn't be long now." Mira said.
'"Jason"? Not Jay?' I thought with a flinch. 'Oof, guess I am in trouble.'
Erza then turned to us.
"When the master returns, I will immediately ask for his decision." Erza said. "Going on an S class quest without permission is against the rules, period. Prepared for the consequences."
Natsu, Gray and Happy hugged each other in fear.
"And what consequences should I be prepared for, exactly?!" Lucy asked.
"Well, too bad for you!" Wakaba said. "Although… it's one thing for Natsu and Gray to experience that, but for Lucy and Jay it's just… You poor things!"
"Poor things?" Lucy parroted.
"Hey, you jerk!" Natsu snapped. "Whaddaya mean, "It's one thing for?" Huh, Wakaba?"
"Yeah!" Gray said. "Don't lump me in with Natsu!"
The two proceed to gang up on Wakaba.
"And what do you mean by that, huh?" Natsu asked Gray.
"Exactly what I said!" Gray answered. "You just don't take a hint, do you?"
"A man takes responsibility for his actions." Elfman said. "You're men, right? Then show it."
"That's mean!" Happy cried as he floated past. "Why wasn't I put into the "it's one thing for" list?"
"And what is this "experience" anyway?!" Lucy asked.
I simply sighed. Then I noticed Mira walking up to me.
"Jason, I would like to have a word with you in private." Mirajane said.
"…Okay." I said.
Mira led us to an empty room. After stepping into it and she closed the door, there was silence. When Mira faced me, she had a look of disappointment.
"Well?" Mira asked. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I'm not going to apologize or make excuses." I responded. "I do however want let the record show; I didn't do it for the rewards or fame."
"I told you it was against the rules for someone to go on an S class quest without the master's approval." Mira said. "You and Gray were told to bring them back, so why did you go with them?"
"I didn't plan on going in the first place, but when I learned that there were innocent villagers living on Galuna island I couldn't just let them suffer." I said. "That request was up for three years and on one bothered to check what was happening. Like I said when we first met, I never turn my back on people who need help. Even if it means getting or leading into trouble."
"It was incredibly dangerous!" Mira argued.
"I was extra cautious, and I wasn't alone." I said.
"That's besides the point!" Mira said.
"Then what is the point?!" I asked.
"You could've been killed!" Mira yelled.
I froze when she said that. Mira had tears gathering in her eyes, threatening to spill. My memories of her explanation to me and Lucy about the S class came up and it all clicked.
"You've… lost someone close to you due to an S class quest, didn't you?" I asked softly.
Mira gasped and looked away.
"…Yes I did." Mira said. "And it was my fault it happened."
"Your fault?" I asked.
She then sat down on a chair.
"I overheard Elfman telling you about our parents." Mira admitted. "But it wasn't just the two of us all the time. We… had a little sister."
"A sister?" I asked shocked.
I took a seat beside her as she continued.
"Her name was Lisanna." Mirajane said. "In the beginning the three of us lived in a small village, but it was then attacked by a demon that took over the church. However, at the time I had no idea of my magical power and had unintentionally absorbed the demon. My arm had transformed, and the townspeople scorned me, believing I was possessed. They harassed us constantly, giving us no choice but to leave. Eventually we arrived in Magnolia and found ourselves in front of Fairy Tail. Master had seen us and invited us in. He told us that I wasn't possessed, but rather had the powers of the demon that resides in me. At the time I hated it, both magic and demons. Soon one month had passed since joining the guild. Both Elfman and Lisanna had really taken to the place, but not me. Honestly, I had planned on leaving the guild, knowing they would be taken good care of."
"But you didn't." I stated.
"No I didn't." Mira said with a smile. "Just as I was walking away, Elfman and Lisanna came running out to show they had been learning Take Over magic from the other members. All so I wouldn't feel lonely anymore. The three of us made a team, so we would always protect each other. I even made it to S rank."
"S rank?!" I gasped. "You're one of the five that's S rank?"
"That's right." Mirajane confirmed.
'Guess that's why she was allowed to go to the second floor.' I thought. "Wait, if that's true then why did you have such a hard time with that forest Vulcan?"
At my question Mira frowned.
"It's because I can't use my Take Over magic anymore." Mirajane revealed. "One day an S class emergency quest came in to get rid of a monster called the beast king named "The Beast" and I was confident I could do it. Elfman and Lisanna came with me as support. I even asked Natsu if he wanted to come but Elfman was against it. I was joking about it at the time, but now I wish he did come, even if he followed us. The Beast was strong, and my right arm ended up broken. Elfman, in a desperate attempt to protect me, tried a Full Body Take Over to absorb it but the monster was too strong, and Elfman lost control. Lisanna tried to call out to Elfman and wake him up but… it attacked Lisanna and…"
Mira started to cry. Not sure what do to, I gave her a hug for comfort. I remembered my own failings in saving others from my past.
"Elfman was able to suppress the beast king, but the damage was too late." Mira said. "Afterwards, I could no longer use my true magic anymore and retired. We didn't even have a body to bury her with."
I simply remained quiet, thinking over all that was said.
"That means the room I'm currently living in was Lisanna's, right?" I asked her.
"That's right." she answered.
"Why?" I asked. "Doesn't it mean so much to you both?"
"It's the same thing I told Elfman." Mira said with a kind smile. "It's because I know Lisanna would've loved to meet you, the Pokémon and would want to help you. Plus after you told everyone about your dad, Elfman had no arguments."
I looked at Mira in surprise before chuckling.
"I see." I said. "Now I really feel bad about making you worried *rubs back of head*."
"A part of me is glad to hear that." Mira giggled while standing up. "The master is probably back by now."
"Time to face the music." I said while getting up. "Hope it won't be too bad, considering we stopped a demon being resurrected and all."
Mira was heading towards the door but stopped and looked at me in surprise when I said that.
"Well, sounds like a lot happened on that island." she said.
"You have no idea." I said as we exited.
(Third PoV)
When Jason and Mirajane had returned to the grand hall, they were questioning what they were seeing. Gray, Lucy, Happy, Erza and Loke were all acting strange.
"What's happening?" Mira asked.
"And where's Natsu?" Jay followed up.
Grey was shivering. Lucy looked like she was having back pain. Loke was acting like he couldn't see. Happy seemed like he was going through a midlife crisis. Erza was… groping herself…
"Big sis and Jay." Elfman spoke up.
Upon hearing him, Happy looked towards them.
"Mirajane and Jason!" Happy said with a commanding tone. "Where have you both been?"
"What does it matter to you furball?" Jay asked. "We were having a private discussion."
"What in the world is going on?" Gray asked in a high voice. "It's so damn cold! And why is there someone here that looks just like me?"
"Huh? What are you talkin' about?" Lucy asked in a lower tone.
"Can someone tell me why it's so dark?" Loke asked.
Erza stopped playing with her boobs and was eating raw fish.
"Seriously, what the fuck is going on here?" Jason asked with a sweat drop.
"Haven't you realized yet?" Happy asked. "Our minds and bodies have switched places!"
Everyone looked at Happy(?) in shock at what he(?) said.
"HUH?" they exclaimed.
"What do you mean, Happy?" Loke(?) asked.
"I am Erza!" Happy(Erza) responded.
Loke(?) was even more confused.
"I'm Happy!" Erza(Happy) spoke up. "You're so mean, Loke…"
"Be quiet!" Happy(Erza) snapped.
"Okay, this is really getting confusing." Jason said. "Are you guys messing with us?"
Before anyone could retort, a light fired out of Jay's pocket to reveal Kyra.
"Kyra." Jason said.
"Apologize master, something had happened, but I didn't want to interrupt your talk with Mirajane." Kyra said. "I'm afraid they are not "messing" with you."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked.
Everyone's attention was directed at her.
"During your conversation, I had felt a surge of energy that had effected multiple aura's." Kyra explained. "Six to be exact."
Kyra looks at the weirdos and closes her eyes with a paw towards them. Focusing on her aura, she saw the aura of the people who they're supposed to be.
"What Erza had said is true, they somehow have swapped bodies." Kyra confirmed. "Erza is in Happy's body and vice versa. Where's Lucy and Gray swapped. And the one currently in Loke's body is Natsu."
Kyra lowers her paw and opens her eyes.
"Meaning Loke is in Natsu's body." Kyra finished. "Wherever he is."
"Ehh?!" Jason exclaimed. "How did this happen?!"
"Magical words of ancient Umpera-ese." a familiar voice answered.
Everyone looked towards the entrance of the guild to see Makarov.
"You have activated Changeling." Makarov said.
"Master!" Happy(Erza) said as the effected group ran up to him.
"Gramps!" Loke(Natsu) said.
"That request is the cause." Makarov said.
"Request?" Jason asked.
He then looks at the table to see a request poster on it. Giving it a quick read, he sees that it asks someone to figure out what the wording translates too and whoever does gets 500,000 jewels.
"When you read that spell, the people nearby swap minds." Makarov explained. "That is Changeling."
'With a reward that high anyone would jump at the chance to do it.' Jay thought. 'Which is probably how people get suckered into reading the spell out loud.'
"Changeling?" Gray(Lucy) gasped.
"You're Natsu, right?" Lucy(Gray) asked Loke(Natsu).
"Yeah." Loke(Natsu) answered.
"What the hell have you done?" Lucy(Gray) angerly demanded as he grabbed Loke(Natsu) by the collar.
"Don't ask me!" Loke(Natsu) snapped. "All I did was try and read the request a little! And would someone turn on the lights?!"
"Just take the shades off you idiot." Jay sighed as he approached the group with Kyra beside him. "Also, you knock it off to Lu- er Gray. Is there anything else we should know about Changeling master?"
"Yes there is." Makarov replied. "It's not just your minds that swap… your magic swaps as well."
"Huh?!" they asked.
"I believe what he means is you can all still use your normal magic." Kyra explained. "However, your current bodies aren't adapted to using it. An example being why Lucy is cold in Gray's body."
"Is this the reason you had to go to a meeting for?" Jason asked.
"That's right." Makarov said. "One last thing. If you don't undo the spell within 30 minutes of activation… you will never be able to return to normal. Or so the legend goes."
"How long has it been since then?" Loke(Natsu) asked.
"I had sensed the change happen 16 minutes ago." Kyra answered.
"So you have 14 minutes left." Mira finished as Plue held up a sign that read 14 minutes on it.
The swapped group freaked out.
"Gramps! What's the spell to return us too normal?" Loke(Natsu) asked.
"Well, it is an ancient magic…" Makarov said while scratching his nose. "When it comes to something this old… I have no clue!"
The group's jaws dropped.
"And I was so looking forward to punishing you for going on that S class quest…" Makarov lamented. "That's out of the question now!"
He walked past the distort group.
"Well, give it your best shot." Makarov said. "But Jason, *glances at said person* you will still be punished. I'll just wait until this whole debacle is delt with."
"Understood master." Jay said as he looked at Makarov before returning his attention to his friends.
As Makarov walks to the bar, Mirajane approaches him.
"Master, about Jay's punishment." Mira starts to speak.
"Jason has already accepted his fate, Mirajane." Makarov cut her off. "You can see it in his eyes."
"I know Master." Mira said. "It's just before you arrived, I was having a private talk with him, and he said he didn't join Natsu for the rewards or fame but rather wanting to help the villagers on the island."
"Hmm, I see." Makarov said.
"I just thought you would've like to know." Mira explained.
"Thank you my dear." the old master said.
After Makarov told them he had no idea how to fix the situation, they weren't taking it well.
"What the hell?!" Lucy(Gray) yelled while grabbing his shirt. "I'm gonna do it!"
Some of the guys were watching her(him) excitedly. Gray(Lucy) screamed and quickly stopped Lucy(Gray).
"P-Please, don't do that!" Gray(Lucy) begged.
"What the hell are you all looking at?!" Jay asked the guys. "Did you forget that's Gray?"
"Oh, I see." Erza(Happy) said. "Since that's Gray in there, he still has his stripping fetish. Hey, that's right!"
"Happy?" Happy(Erza) said. "What are you…"
He(She) quickly realized what she(he) was about to do.
"This'll be fun! I wanna try!" Erza(Happy) exclaimed.
"Don't!" Happy(Erza) ordered.
Erza(Happy) started to change outfits with Requip magic and ended up wearing a one piece swimsuit while holding a fishing rod.
"Now that's something!" the guys exclaimed.
"That's the damn cat you baka's!" Jason snapped.
"Stop that!" Happy(Erza) yelled.
Erza(Happy) then elbowed him(her) in the face.
'Guess their bodies still remember their moves.' Jay cringed.
"What has happened to my pride as an S class wizard?" Happy(Erza) cried.
"Huh? This is strange…" Erza(Happy) said. "I wanted to show people some cool armor, but this…"
"I get it!" Loke(Natsu) said. "It's true we've swapped techniques, but now we're all crappy at them!"
"Hey, Loke!" Wakaba called out. "Er, wait! The dude that's inside 'im."
"Don't call me "the dude inside him"!" Loke(Natsu) snapped. "What?"
"What is your magic anyway?" Wakaba asked.
"Yeah, that's right." Elfman said. "What kind of magic is it? Show it to us."
"Doesn't Loke use some kind of ring magic?" Jason asked.
"Naw, those are just magic items." Macao answered. "Honestly, no one's ever seen what magic Loke uses."
'That's weird.' Jay thought.
"I dunno…" Loke(Natsu) said. "I can't feel anything. Nothing's happening. I just feel sort of hazy…"
"Huh?" the three asked.
"What is with this nervous feeling?!" Loke(Natsu) exclaimed.
"Someone do something!" a voice cried out.
Looking to the entrance, everyone saw Natsu running inside with fire running down his mouth.
"What's with that fire?" Macao asked.
"Looks more like drool…" Elfman observed.
"Least now we don't have to track Loke down." Jason said.
"Yup, definitely quite crappy." Mira agreed.
"Oh, I see!" Happy(Erza) awed as he(she) floated down. "So this is what it's like to fly! Wait, this is no time to be impressed! We don't have time to spare!"
"What in the world should we do?" Gray(Lucy) asked.
She then sighed and ice started coming out her mouth.
"Gray… I mean, Lucy…" Mira said. "Ice is coming out your mouth."
Upon hearing Mirajane, Gray(Lucy) covered her mouth.
"Eww! I hate this!" Gray(Lucy) cried.
"Leave this to me, Lucy!" a voice spoke up.
Suddenly appearing was team Shadow Gear, which was Levy, Jet and Droy.
"Levy, it's you!" Gray(Lucy) said happily.
"Levy!" Loke(Natsu) said.
"With Team Shadow Gear here, we'll make sure to turn you back to normal!" Droy said.
"Yeah! Don't sweat it." Jet said. "So without further ado."
"Do it, Levy!" both guys cheered."
"In other words, Levy is going to handle it herself." Mirajane summed up.
Jet and Droy simply chuckled nervously.
"Thank you, Levy!" Gray(Lucy) said.
"I'll do my best for you, Lucy!" Levy promised before whispering. "I want to be the first person to read your novel, 'kay, Lucy?"
Gray(Lucy) nodded.
"What should we do?" Loke(Natsu) asked.
"I'll need books about ancient writing." Levy said.
"We'll go get them." Jason said with Kyra nodding.
"I'll help you." Mirajane said.
Quickly, the three had gathered as many books about ancient writing as they could find and brought them back.
"I know a thing or two about ancient writing." Levy said. "First thing to do is examine the request carefully."
"We don't have any time!" Lucy(Gray) said. "Will you make it?"
"Anyway, let's trust this to Levy!" Happy(Erza) said… while having a fish in her mouth.
"Erza." Jason points at the fish.
"Why am I eating a fish?" Happy(Erza) asks in dismay.
"They're delicious!" Erza(Happy) said.
"Not to put anymore pressure on you, but please fix things Levy!" Jay said.
Levy put on the wind-reader glasses; the same glasses Lucy wore during the whole book request. She starts to read through the books to help her figure out a counter spell.
"Um… "Uugo deru…" Levy muttered to herself.
"Only 10 minutes to go!" Natsu(Loke) said.
"You can read the words safely, Levy?" Lucy(Gray) asked.
"It's safe to read the ancient spell writing as long as it isn't read in order." Levy explained.
"There's no time!" Loke(Natsu) exclaimed. "Ah, everything's so hazy! I can't stand being like this forever!"
Kyra looks at Natsu. When she was looking at it earlier, she noticed something was wrong, like something was interfering with his aura. Turning her attention to Loke, she used her aura sense to see his. Upon doing so, she was surprised.
'His aura is…!' Kyra gasped in her thoughts. 'Should I tell Jason? No, there is already enough going on as is. Besides, it's still strong enough.'
"Well, I kind of like this." Erza(Happy) said. "One more time. Requip!"
"I said stop it!" Happy(Erza) snapped, stopping the cat from doing anything.
Shortly afterwards, Levy closed her book and looked at the poster.
"So, Levy?" Gray(Lucy) asked.
"Have you figured anything out?" Loke(Natsu) asked.
"Not a thing!" Levy exclaimed.
"I see… so from now on I'll exist as an odd winged cat?" Happy(Erza) lamented while floating by.
"I am not odd!" Erza(Happy) argued with a fish in his mouth.
Gray, as some sort of coping, tries to strip again. With the guys looking.
"Please, stop it!" Gray(Lucy) screamed.
"I'm so hazy…" Loke(Natsu) whined.
"Will I never be able to go out on a date again?" Natsu(Loke) asked with fire drooling out.
"I wanna switch bodies, too!" Romeo said excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah, you're Macao's son all right." Cana said while chugging a barrel of booze.
"Now calm down everyone!" Levy said. "I'm still thinking!"
"Calm down!" Jason said. "There's still time left."
"Macao, the time!" Loke(Natsu) asked.
"8 minutes to go." he answered. "Guess it's time to prepare for the worst."
"This can't be happening!" Gray(Lucy) cried.
Jet and Droy started to cheer Levy on with drums and paper fans.
"So they're nothing but a cheering squad?" Wakaba asked.
"Least their doing something now." Jay commented.
"Deru, deru…" Levy muttered to herself. "Ah, that's it! Then…"
While the group had no choice but to wait, Gray brought up the question if they'd stay like that forever. Natsu was confused about what Gray meant so he pointed out doing jobs. Natsu didn't see the problem since they wouldn't have a choice on the matter. Happy didn't mind since he wouldn't talk, and no one would know the difference. Lucy, on the other hand, minded a lot as she didn't want to be stuck in a guy's body. She, along with Loke, sighed causing their elements to fall out of their mouths. Natsu commented on how gross it was for Lucy to be doing that. Lucy snapped at Natsu that it wasn't her choice. It was then Lucy realized something and Erza asked her what was wrong.
"Even if we go out on a job, we couldn't do it right!" Gray(Lucy) said. "Since our magic is all messed up!"
"Which means…" Loke(Natsu) started.
"Right now…" Lucy(Gray) continued.
"We're…" Happy(Erza) continued.
"The weakest team in all of Fairy Tail!" the six yelled in horror.
"Crap! When you put it that way, we're screwed!" Loke(Natsu) exclaimed.
"Why couldn't I realize this basic fact earlier?" Happy(Erza) shouted. "It must be because I've turned into a cat…"
"How cruel!" Erza(Happy) said. "Body-swapped Erza keeps insulting me!"
Then for some reason, Happy jumped towards Erza for a body slam. Luckily Jason scooped her up before she got hurt and Happy landed on the floor.
"My thanks Jason." Happy(Erza) said.
"You're welcome." Jason said.
"What were you just trying to do, Erza? Or I mean, Happy?" Macao asked.
"She said something awful to me, so I wanted to say "I'm out of here!" and tried to fly away…" Erza(Happy) explained. "But I don't have wings… I don't have wings, so I fell!"
"Now do you see the problem about this body-swap?" Jay asked.
"AYE!" Erza(Happy) cried.
"I got it!" Levy exclaimed.
"All right!" Loke(Natsu) said. "You can undo the spell, right?"
"Hurry, Levy!" Lucy(Gray) demanded.
It turns out Levy only figured out what the words translate to and not how to turn them back to normal. Something about the swapped people will live together in happiness forever. Levy was glad she figured it out, the other though…
"Wait, doesn't that mean we'll stay like this?!" Loke(Natsu) snapped.
"So you only figured out what the request said, Levy?" Lucy(Gray) asked.
"You're right!" Levy gasped. "What am I to do?"
"Levy, we've got to undo the magic!" Gray(Lucy) said. "There should be a way…"
"Have you tried reading the words backwards?" Jason asked.
"That's it!" Levy said. "Jay you're a genius!"
Without explaining further, Levy got right back to it. Her teammates cheering her on, even Elfman got in on it. As time was running out, Erza was starting to have a nervous breakdown. Happy, as always, was not helping matters at all.
"Oh we're in trouble now…" Macao commented. "We're at the one-minute mark!"
"Why, you…" Loke(Natsu) growled. "You've been really damn amused by this!"
"T-That's not really…" Macao tried to deny the accusation.
"I got it!" Levy cried as she stood up. "It's like this! Let me explain!"
"Explain after you fix everyone!" Jason said. "We got less than 50 seconds!"
"Oh right!" Levy said. "Aruboroya tesura rugi gouu!"
Bright lights began shining with letters flying around. When it died down Lucy spoke up.
"I'm back to normal!" Lucy(Lucy) exclaimed.
"Me too!" Gray(Gray) said before sighing in relief… causing ice to fall out of his mouth.
"If you're back to normal, stop that!" Wakaba said.
"Levy, thank you!" Lucy said as she hugged Levy.
"All right!" Levy cheered.
"See?" Droy said.
"The cheering squad works!" Jet said.
"How'd you do it?" Lucy asked. "Tell us!"
"It's just like Jay suggested." Levy explained. "There aren't many characters in ancient writing, so in order to express extra meaning, reading them backwards can activate a different effect. When I read the spell in the opposite direction, the magic was lifted!"
"I see!" Lucy said. "Thanks a bunch!"
"You saved us there, Levy and Jay."
"It was all for Lucy…" Levy said.
"Glad that everything's back to normal." Jason said.
"About that." Kyra said. "There's a slight problem."
"What do you mean?" Jay asked.
"It's not lifted!" both Natsu and Loke cried.
"Huh?!" Levy and Lucy exclaimed in shock.
"Me, also!" Happy(Erza) revealed. "I'm still a cat!"
"I don't care one way or the other, though." Erza(Happy) said.
"But why?!" Levy asked.
"It's because only one pair can be undone at a time." Makarov spoke up.
"And you're telling us now?!" Loke(Natsu) exclaimed.
"I just remembered." Makarov shrugged.
"How much time is left?" Jay asked.
"30 seconds." Macao answered.
Levy quickly did the reverse changeling spell two more times. Which worked and restored Natsu, Happy, Erza and Loke back to normal, but in her haste accidentally swapped other people's bodies. After sorting everything out (and burning the request poster thanks to Natsu), everyone began to relax.
"Glad that's done with." Natsu said.
"Aye!" Happy agreed with his wings out. "I'm glad to be able to fly again."
"Indeed." Erza said with a nod.
"Now I won't have to worry about drooling flames forever." Loke said relieved.
"That was certainly quite the event, yes." Makarov said. "But now that it's over and done with, there is something of importance that needs to be addressed."
"Wait… we're still going to be punished?" Lucy asked.
"After all that?" Gray asked.
"No, not you five." Makarov said. "That changeling was punishment enough."
"Thank goodness." Lucy sighed in relief.
"But Jay didn't get swapped." Happy spoke up.
"Then that means…!" Lucy said.
"Yes." the Fairy master said. "Jason still needs to receive his punishment."
The guilty party, along with Erza, looks at their friend.
"Let's get this over with." Jay said.
"Hold it gramps! Jay's innocent." Natsu spoke up. "It's my fault he went to the island!"
"Hey, Natsu." Gray said.
"Jason made his choice and must pay the price." Makarov said sternly.
"But-!" Natsu tried to argue but was stopped.
"Natsu." Jay said as he placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "It's okay. I knew this would happen."
Seeing the look in the Trainer's eyes, Natsu reluctantly stepped back. Jay gave him an appreciative smile and stepped towards his guild master.
"Jason Nox." Makarov started speaking. "You have broken the rules of the guild by undertaking an S class quest without the guild master's approval. Normally I would've banished you from Fairy Tail…"
Natsu was about to speak up when he was stopped by Makarov continuing.
"However!" Makarov continued. "I was informed that you didn't do it out of fame or fortune, but rather the desire to help the innocents."
Jay looks at Mirajane and sees her smile at him.
"Therefore, you will be forbidden to do any guild quests for one month." Makarov said. "That is all."
"All right!" Natsu cheered. "So Jay gets to stay!"
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
"Thank goodness." Lucy said.
"He's lucky." Gray said, also relieved.
Jay let out a breath he was holding in.
"A month, eh?" Jason said. "Then I guess I'll see everyone in a month."
Everyone stopped cheering and looked at Jay in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Erza asked.
"Since I'm not gonna be allowed to do guild work, I'm going to take the opportunity and do something I've been wanting to do for a while." Jay explained.
"And that is?" Makarov asked.
"Explore Fiore and try to find the Plates." Jason answered.
Everyone was surprised by his explanation. Though it did make sense he would want to do those things. Jason was an outsider that's never been to their lands before, and he still had his own personal mission to do.
"I see." Makarov said. "I cannot stop you if that is your choice. Besides, I think this is a good opportunity to do so."
Jason returned Kyra to her ball and grabbed his bag before heading to the door.
"Jay!" Natsu called out.
Turning around, Jay saw Natsu, Makarov and the other members (besides Lucy) doing the same hand sign after Makarov made his speech about magic.
"I don't even know what that means." Jay said.
"It means even if we can't see you… no matter how far away you may be… we will always be watching you." Makarov explained.
Eye's widening at the explanation, Jay smiled.
"I see." Jay said and he returned the sign. "That's pretty cool."
After he exited the guild and left the town. As he was walking down the road, Jay was making a mental list.
"The whole island incident made me realize I need to train more in learning my moves." Jay said. "Maybe I can even do more with them."
As he was thinking out loud, Rotom popped up.
"Bzzt! Jay, you have a call coming in. Bzzt!" Rotom said.
"Oh. Thank you Rotom." Jay said. "Put it through."
"Bzzt! Understood. Bzzt!" Rotom said.
The screen on Rotom changed to show Jason's mom.
"Jay sweety!" his mom said.
"Hey mom." Jay said.
"Oh? Did you dye your hair?" his mom asked.
"No it's what happened after accepting Arcues's power." Jay explained.
"I see." Jay's mom said. "So how's the new world like. What have you been doing? Do you have a girlfriend or girlfriends yet?"
"Mom…" Jay grunted with a tick mark on his head at the last question before taking a breath. "It's a bit of a long story."
"And I can't wait to hear all about it!" his mom said.
'It's after you hear it is what I'm worried about.' Jay thought. 'Both good and bad parts.'
(Insert Tsuioku Merry-Go-Round)
(TO BE CONTINUED)
(That's the chapter everyone. Next one will be the start of the Phantom Lord Arc. Sorry again for the long wait. As always, feel free to write a review on your thoughts about the story.)