Before any more Imperials could come to the scene, if only to investigate the train's derailment, Mystogan shuffled them along to the next station. He wasn't able to begin applying any healing magic to the wounded until that point. Erza's injuries weren't quite as bad as the others. She sat in hollow silence while Gray and Mystogan idly chatted.
She was surprised when, as they arrived and moved to the small hideout Mystogan planted near the small station, she found she'd been holding Yukino's hand the entire time. Yukino said nothing of it, as she wore the same distant expression as Erza. No doubt, the root cause was the same: Minerva.
Mystogan's hideout was about what she'd expected from the man: meager, out of the way, and completely hidden to the naked eye. He'd somehow carved out space in a tree that led to a small bunker within the ground. Natsu helped light a few torches and Mystogan carefully set them about to provide everyone's light.
Wendy had come to, and though she had to focus a bit harder on it, she began healing the others. She focused on Juvia, first, while Mystogan applied healing medicine to Happy. He was the best suited for the job, given how well those Edolas knew of Exceeds.
"I was more shocked than anything to find all of you like this," Mystogan said as he stepped by Wendy to reach Erza. Natsu sat next to Happy, rubbing the healing ointment into his friend's fur. "I knew the Empire had powerful wizards among their ranks, but to have completely outdone you all?"
"They jumped us," Gray said.
"Right. Their Hunter's Division." Mystogan offered the healing ointment to Erza, who happily accepted it.
"You'll be okay with this, and Wendy's magic," Mystogan said. "Alright?"
"Yeah," Erza said, softly.
"I just wanna know how the hell they found us," Natsu said. "Think we've got a spy?"
"No," Erza said. "Even if there were a spy, they'd have a damn hard time finding out our precise route. We only just figured it out."
"If anything," Yukino said, "it was a matter of probability. They likely don't know we're headed for the Tower of Heaven, they may have thought we were simply going to Bosco, and the best way to get there is through the Clover Town terminus, or through stations along that track. We may have only encountered one team of Hunters."
"There have been several Imperials along the border," Mystogan said, which caught a nod from Yukino.
"How do you know this?" Erza asked.
"Well, it all makes sense now," Yukino said. "Seeing you here, Mystogan. I didn't know it was you, nobody in the Empire did. But as much of a headache as Hisui was causing in the countryside as the Jade Star, someone would continually make small attacks on Imperial outposts in Stella and Bosco, mostly near Fiore. People called him the Mist Walker since he came and went in a cloud of mist. So, uh, now it all clicks."
"You've been on Earth-land for a while?" Wendy asked. "Why not come find Fairy Tail?"
"Truth be told that's been my intent for some time now," Mystogan said. "For a while, I had to gather myself. I spent months collecting supplies and getting used to my magic again, but when I learned what the Empire had done and what they continued to do nearby, I had to act."
"Nearby?" Erza asked.
Mystogan nodded. "It's how I've come to this place, I believe. One moment I was in the halls of my castle, about to attend another meeting, when at once I was sucked in through an anima portal and found myself on the shores of a ruined tower, one matching the description you gave when you returned from it, Erza."
She nodded. "How long ago was that?"
"A year," Mystogan said.
"That's the same amount of time Jellal has been missing," Yukino said.
Erza imagined it was probably quite a shock for Yukino to see a man who perfectly matched Jellal's description yet was not at all him. Erza, and the others, probably saw the plain differences between Mystogan and Jellal. Despite the more mysterious appearance, Mystogan had a far softer and kinder sensibility about him.
Jellal was the type to jump in front of a moving train because he'd feel guilty that it'd hit someone else. Mystogan was the time to do the same because it meant preserving a life. In the way that Mystogan held himself, the way he gently moved over and patted Happy's head, that difference was clear as day.
"It's Jellal who brought me here, I have no doubt," Mystogan said.
Natsu's eyes widened first, and then the realization struck Erza.
If Mystogan was here, it was likely due to a swap, just like how Lisanna had switched places with her Edolas persona after the Edolas one passed away.
If the opposite could be true, then…
"Prying open the Anima the way he did forced the swap," Mystogan said.
Everyone in the know sighed at that. Erza's heart even skipped a bit, knowing that, indeed, Jellal was alive.
He was just trapped in another world.
"Alright, then the solution is pretty obvious!" Gray said. "Let's just open the door again and you and Jellal can switch spots, easy as that."
"I already tried," Mystogan said. "But now that the doorway is opened, the magic is used to this having happened already. Now, we have to travel back into Edolas if you want to see Jellal."
Gray must have told them all about the plan, Erza thought, which was wise of him to do. She mentally kicked herself for staying in her funk as she had and not approaching Mystogan, not taking charge as she was supposed to.
Natsu stood, Happy in his arms. The Exceed looked much better, but the wariness on Happy's part was more than understandable.
"So then it's still pretty obvious what we've gotta do," Natsu said.
Mystogan approached Wendy while Juvia roused. Yukino knelt by Juvia to help her catch her bearings, having been unconscious for the ride over. Wendy happily accepted the healing ointment from her old guardian. Carla beamed at him.
"I agree," Erza said, "when everyone's ready."
"It's still a long way to go to get to the beach," Mystogan said. "The next train will arrive in a few hours. Rest here, and I'll keep an eye out for the train."
Mystogan strolled out of the room while everyone else tended to their wounds, and to one another. Natsu set Happy down so he and Carla could chat about seeing Mystogan again, and both were more than a little excited at the chance to go home, even if all of their kin were still on Earth-land.
Erza lamented that Lily wasn't with them, certainly that he wasn't there to get the chance to see Mystogan again.
While Gray continued to catch Yukino up on just who Mystogan was, Erza took the chance to rectify her mistake from earlier.
Mystogan stood at the maw of the hollow's tunnel, where the station was quite visible. He leaned against the threshold, his staves all behind him, not looking ready for attack.
She brushed some hair out of her face and stood next to him, folding her arms.
"On Edolas we've found a way to harness similar technology across the various islands," Mystogan said. "A lot of them are now connected, in some way, by powerful bridges. There was a time when a lot of people were afraid of our potential advancement."
"And now?"
"They're even more afraid of what we could become," Mystogan said. "But even more of what we were. How at one another's throats we were, particularly as it came to the Exceeds. What my father did to our people in the end was nothing short of absolute evil. He would have led us into a prosperous new era on the blood and backs of thousands of dead."
"Do you ever wonder if you'd do things differently?"
"Every day. But every day I'm reminded that I don't get to go back, I only get to move forward and improve so that nobody else needs to be in my position." Mystogan's smile cracked a little on his lips. "I'm sure you'd be happy to know your dear Knightwalker counterpart is doing well. Very well, in fact."
"Very well?" Erza asked.
Mystogan laughed. "Quite. She's become one of the great members of our kingdom."
"And court?"
Mystogan nodded. "If you see her, you may need to bow to her."
Erza softened and leaned against the wall opposite Mystogan. "I'm happy for you, old friend. I know you'll persevere through whatever challenges come your way."
"If there's one great lesson Fairy Tail endowed me with," Mystogan said, gesturing toward the rest of the world, "it is that."
"Indeed."
They spoke, then, of the others. Mystogan was more than happy to know that Laxus not only came back to save the guild in their time of need on Tenrou Island, but had committed himself to training with the guild and, moreover, being with his grandfather.
He lamented their seven lost years, and that in that time the world cracked in half, and naught but evil had come forth to fill in the gaps. He'd heard of the dead by name, having gathered that information over time, and informed Erza of the graves he set aside for them among the other fallen in Bosco.
"Let the Empire never forget their names, nor any of those I saw who had no tombs or names by which we can remember," Mystogan said. "Got it?"
"Got it."
The high-speed train arrived at the station. Erza hollered for the others, who, one-by-one, and looking a bit better, clambered out of the hollow. Erza gave them new disguises—merely haphazard ones that fit the regional wear as she understood it, and Mystogan guided them to the station.
Instantly, those waiting for the train stood woozily, their eyes glazing over with an inability to perceive the world around them, giving the Fairies ample time to slip onto the train.
Erza didn't allow herself a moment to catch up to its grandeur and splendor as they took their seats on the second level of the great train. Yukino sat across from her and Mystogan. Natsu quickly joined them and begged Mystogan for anything to help with his nausea.
"I'm sorry, Natsu," Mystogan said. "Afraid I'm all out."
It was then Happy's turn to console the dear Dragon Slayer.
Yukino stared out the window as the world whirred by at an imperceptible pace. Mystogan sat next to her with his arms crossed while Natsu's head rested unconscious in Erza's lap—she gave him a swift swing on the noggin and it was lights out for the fearsome Dragon Slayer. Happy was, Yukino could see through the cracks in the seats, sitting next to Carla in their own seat. Wendy was rubbing her somewhat upset stomach while Gray continually nudged Juvia away.
While it probably would've been prudent to speak with Mystogan or Erza, regarding their plan or this Edolas place, she kept to herself.
The thought of standing opposite Minerva on the battlefield lived in her mind without issue. It held her tight, not allowing her any semblance of freedom. Indeed, she'd been surrounded on all sides by fearsome opponents. Orga, too—another member of Sabertooth.
Minerva's eyes, it felt, pierced Yukino's soul. They looked through her and stripped her bare until Yukino could feel nothing else but a stab of fear.
And, in the aftermath, guilt.
With Lessio captive, the Fairies had a chance to completely obliterate the Hunter's Division from the Empire. Taking out Minerva was the key; Orga would likely take her place but he was no leader like Minerva. He couldn't instill fear on a fundamental level, only a base, surface one because of his build and power.
Minerva could twist and torment her enemies, she could wriggle into their minds and rip out all that was good in their minds. She was a key contributor to the Breaking process, after all.
Yukino didn't realize her fist until she took a breather.
What irked her further was whoever it was that was with Minerva, Orga, and, evidently, Dobengal. She'd spotted Briar, but, she was being used in a way Yukino didn't recall before. She was ruthless, coming after Gray with her clones in the way an assassin would. Not only that, but Yukino, even with Pisces looking, couldn't even get a whiff of those assaulting the minds and bodies of her allies.
That wasn't a tactic Minerva would use. She liked the sneaky approach, sure, but a direct one. She wanted her enemies to know it was her before they were wiped off the map.
Perhaps she'd changed her mind, adapted a new gameplan to throw off Yukino—or those two had orders from a higher authority.
August.
Yukino leaned her head against the window. It was a surprisingly smooth ride, considering the speed. She'd ridden high-speed trains quite often with the Empire but she always anticipated a bumpy ride, as that'd been the experience she was used to before the Empire brought its technological leaps to Ishgar.
It had to be August, Yukino thought. Traitors to the Empire were practically meaningless to him. They could offer information to an enemy, yes, but if they defected it was likely because they didn't have the strength or gumption to stick around.
There was only one, ever, high-profile defector of the Empire. But everyone assumed her dead, not missing as August said. He had nothing to gain from presuming her missing.
Yukino was a drop in the puddle compared to her, so, if he didn't pursue that woman, why bother with Yukino?
Fairy Tail was a whole different breed. They were symbols of hope, symbols of rebellion, and a chance for the small folk to rise up. They had to be taken out in a way that wasn't orthodox, and he'd nearly succeeded.
Much as Yukino was focused on Akane Beach and Tenrou Island beyond, she knew they had to anticipate a rematch the moment they returned to Earth-land.
Her stomach lurched. Leaving Earth-land. What a curious thing to think about. How was that even possible? What was this anima that Mystogan and the others referred to?
Mystogan was an intimidating presence. He was a king, too, in his world, and had an aura as potent as any of the powerful wizards of the Twilight Division. He'd handily defeated their opponents, too, and for someone who apparently didn't have real magic power?
He was incredible. The rebellion could use him—well, they had but didn't even know it.
She shuddered at the thought of the Empire finding out about Edolas. Zeref had to have known about it, he was the ruler of space and time.
What awaited them in this mysterious place, this land of duplicates? Yukino sighed and closed her eyes.
It wouldn't be long until she found out, but there was no taking her mind off of their near-death experience… or what sort of deadly foe was still waiting for them.
In the Empire, she was safe from strife and hardship in the way of battle, yet had nothing in the way of love or liberty. In the world, she was in constant danger, but at least Fairy Tail was still there, still not giving up on her or calling her a traitor. She could only hope to keep that up.
August arrived in the throne room through the normal means—the grand double doors leading into the massive, sprawling room. Sonya sat on the smaller, yet still magnificent, stellanium throne next to the one billowing, even in his absence, with incredible dark power. Guards flanked the room, magically hidden from view.
August stopped a few feet from the throne, eyes and expression bored as ever.
"You summoned me, Queen Sonya?" August said.
Sonya leaned forward. She'd seen attendants all morning long, all with the same usual demeanor and requests of her. The duty of a queen was not one so unfamiliar. Animus, in the back of her mind, quite enjoyed themselves.
"I want you to tell me," Sonya said, "what happened the night I fell asleep one year ago."
Since she awoke, Sonya found sleep nearly impossible. Part of it was Animus prodding her to continue collecting power, accruing allies to the cause of the Empire, and building that which Zeref set out to complete. Yet each time she considered that train of thought, she could only wonder where Zeref had gone and, further, what happened to her.
Sonya had plenty of allies all around her—August was as bound to her as anyone. The Empire fell to her ultimate discretion. With each passing day, she learned more of their threats, but there weren't many new solutions that she'd bother offering. Everyone else had things under control. So, she spent even more time practicing her magic, utilizing the strategies that Zeref taught her in their brief time together.
"If I'm to have a wife," he told her one, his voice still sharp as ever even in her memory, "I'd have one who is not a puppet, but a warrior."
She had latent Dragon Slayer magic, Zeref told her, as a result of her bonding with Animus. The Dragon Seed within her had been hidden, stuffed beneath her repressed memories. Zeref taught her to tap into it and unlock her Gem Dragon Slayer magic, which she fondly referred to as Stellanium Dragon Slayer magic.
Even August was partly aware of her abilities, but not to the extent of them. She knew she was close to Dragon Force, for what good that would ever do her, as nobody would ever allow her to see the battlefield as queen.
Then again, though August never stood against her, he also never quite stood with her, as evident by his response,
"I cannot."
"Why?"
August set his staff down. "That day, before those events transpired, I was sworn to secrecy."
"By whom?"
"Emperor Zeref."
Sonya set her jaw. August didn't have to clarify further. A vow to Zeref was not one her inertial husband would ever take lightly—he was likely magically bound.
She sat back in her seat.
"Do not fear what happened," August said. He turned to leave. "You are safe now, Queen Sonya. Isn't that enough?"
"You have no concerns for the whereabouts of Zeref?" she asked. "Your own father?"
Kill her if he dared, Sonya thought. Perhaps he could cover it up, perhaps he could get away with it. But the commoners would find out—Hisui would spread the word. In that way, she had a safety net. Perhaps it'd draw ire from Zeref and get him out of hiding. What then would August do? Surrender the power he'd become so accustomed to?
"No," August said. "He's safe."
"How do you know?"
"Because any good son would know when his father is in danger. Perhaps, should you have ever sired children, you'd know the feeling."
Sonya kept her composure but said nothing as August vanished from the room, leaving her alone to wait for her next attendant. She rubbed her face, feeling the anger settle deep within her, sating a snarling Animus.