Yes yes, we're all terribly excited...
Enjoy!
Nashi understood perfectly well that the crowd was screaming their heads off, but it was all droned out by the spiraling she felt inside and her ears ringing.
31 years.
They'd jumped forward 31 years.
The future Nashi found herself in was 20 years on the dot after they had disappeared from the timeline originally. A future where they'd been missing for twenty years.
Her head spun again. This was all too much.
"This is insane..." She heard Ultear mumble behind her. "31 years ahead? How the fuck..." Nashi returned her attention to the boy in front of her, who claimed to be her little brother. Now that Nashi got a good look at him, it was extremely obvious. Not only by scent, but by how he looked it was blatantly obvious.
"So..." she said weakly, gaining his complete attention. "You are...?" He stared at her for a moment before realizing Nashi wanted an introduction.
"Luke." He said, smiling. "My name is Luke." Nashi nodded slowly.
"...Luke." She said. "Good...To see you I guess. For the first time." Luke nodded with a small laugh.
"Yeah, you to sis."
"ULTEAR!"
"Gah!" Nashi turned to find Juvia squeezing the life from her daughter. Although that could be a bit of an exaggeration usually, it was not this time. It was quite apparent Juvia was squeezing her daughters life away. The rain woman was wailing at the top of her lungs as she buried her face in Ultear's chest, who looked so stunned and out of breath she couldn't react properly.
All it took for their guild to storm the arena and find their missing children was Juvia going first. The whole guild flooded into the stadium and Nashi found herself and her friends surrounded by people elated to see her. The whole experience was throwing her off. Sure, it hadn't been long for her so she was a bit underwhelmed, but for them it had been twenty years.
"Nashi?" As if by magic, her name being spoken created a pathway between who had spoken and Nashi. Following the voice she knew so well, Nashi found a pair of people she knew very well. Her parents.
Both looked so old and worn out. Their hair was grey in areas, their faces were wrinkled, and they looked so tired. However, both her Mom and Dad were wide eyed as they stared at her. She couldn't help but smile at them.
"Hi." She said, giving a small wave. "Sorry for coming home so late...My mistake." That was all it took for her mother to surge forward and wrap her in the most meaningful hug Nashi had ever received. She squeezed her mother back as she felt the woman begin to cry. Nashi too felt tears threatening to fall.
"I can't b-believe it..." Her mother whispered. "My baby girl...My baby girl is home..." Nashi laughed weakly.
"Yeah..." As soon as her mother let go Nashi was enveloped into a hug by her father, who didn't speak a word. Nashi was willing to bet he didn't to prevent crying in front of her. She squeezed the old man back as he refused to let go of her.
"...Nashi?" Another path was created from the voice, and Nashi turned, eyes wide with surprise.
"...Elise?" Nashi regarded the thirty-something year old woman with surprise, and received the same look back. They stared at each other for a moment before Nashi smiled and giggled. You're so old. What happened to you?" Elise surged forth and hugged Nashi tightly, who happily accepted the affection.
"You're back..." The Iron Dragon whispered, voice shaky. "I can't believe it...You guys are home..."
"Yep." She said. "We're home."
"And after that we opened another portal with the malfunctioning magic and time jumped again." Drake finished, sitting between his mother and his sister Kaida, both of whom were hugging that respective side of him, the whole guild's attention on him as well. "Next thing I know we interrupted the closing ceremony. Sorry guys." This caused the guild to laugh, and Nashi smiled at this.
"We should've figured that." Laxus said, a hand on Damien's shoulder as Mira clung to him like there was no tomorrow. "Arc of Time malfunctioning and sending you all jumping through time was definitely not something we anticipated."
"Same." Damien agreed.
"Did you mess with anything in the past?" Gray asked his daughter, who could still barely move or breath. "Because that would be rather unfortunate to put it lightly." Ultear managed a shrug.
"Dunno." She croaked out past Juvia's death grip. "We might have on accident...Simply being there was a threat."
"Uh huh..." Damien muttered. "But we didn't! Right guys?! Right?!" Nashi wasn't sure why the big guy looked so dodgy and nervous, but she nodded.
"Sure didn't." She said, mind flashing back to the black blast of magic engulfing Steph. "Didn't stop anything from happening as it should've." Her father shifted, but kept his arm around her.
"Doesn't matter." He stated flatly. "What does matter if you're here now. And safely." The guild raised their mugs and cheered, making Nashi smile. Even after twenty years Fairy Tail knew the best answer for everything was liquor. Nashi got her own mug and drained it, still trying to wrap her mind around the whole situation. They were twenty years in their future.
"Nashi." Nashi looked up as her mother said her name, looking to the woman sitting on her right. "I know you fell on your brother, but did you say anything to him?"
"No, not really." She replied. "I didn't get the chance." Her mother nodded at this and turned, calling the boy over. Luke walked over to them and smiled at Nashi, who returned his smile.
"Formal introduction." Lucy said. "Luke, this is your sister Nashi. Nashi, this is your little brother, Luke." Nashi stood and hugged the boy, even though he'd been going for a handshake. He laughed and returned her gesture, making her smile.
"I don't think it's appropriate to refer to you as the younger brother." Nashi said. "You're older than me." Luke made a face, but nodded.
"I guess you're right." He said. "That means I get to be the older sibling!" Nashi wasn't sure how excited he was was a good thing, but she let it slide. She sat back down in between her parents, and Luke pulled up a chair. "So, you were jumping through time?" He asked. "That's so cool!"
"Sure, on paper maybe." Nashi said. "Kind of scarier doing it. No idea when you're going to end up, no idea how you're going to get around if it;s too far forwards or backwards...Scary man." Luke nodded and shrugged.
"Still, it's awesome that I actually got to meet you." He said. "I...I didn't think I'd get the chance." Nashi knew his tone. It was one used when they were pushing down the pain inside. Nashi had a feeling Luke often used that tone if she was the subject. "So good to meet you."
"Likewise." She said. "Last I saw you were still inconveniencing our mother by making her back and feet hurt." Their mother laughed at this, and Luke just rubbed his neck sheepishly.
"I'm not apologizing." Luke stated. "She made the choice to carry me to term. I have no responsibility for that."
"As if I'd have gotten rid of you!" Their mother said. "I'm not your father!"
"For the last time Luce, I didn't say anything like that!" Their father said angrily.
"Sure you didn't, pops." Luke retorted. "If Elise was any indication, pregnant women are a nightmare. I felt so bad for Keita." Nashi grew silent at this. It was quite surprising to hear that Elise and Keita were together, and even had a daughter. Nashi had yet to meet the girl, but only because Elise was going around to the others first, it seemed.
"Hey, Nashi." Nashi looked over as Luke called her name. His smile had faded, and he knew looked very serious.
"You guys can still jump around time, right?" He asked. Nashi nodded.
"I can't fathom why we couldn't." She replied. "Why?" Luke looked down at the floor, not saying anything more at first. eventually though, he looked back at and met her gaze again.
"Are you guys going to leave?" He asked. "To try and go back to your own time?" Nashi stared at her brother for a moment, unsure as to what her answer was. She hadn't actually gotten to talk to the other yet about trying to get back to their own time, so she honestly couldn't answer that question.
"Let's not think about that or anything." She said. "That's not important right now. What is important is, like dad said, we're here now. So let's enjoy it." Luke smiled.
"Good idea."
"Wow, really?!" Kaida asked, Drake nodding as he sipped his beer. "That sounds awesome. I wish I'd have seen that."
"it wasn't that cool." Drake replied. "All I did was stand up after a God Slayer Secret Art and beat her to a pulp."
"Yeah exactly! That's awesome!" Drake made a face at his sister, but didn't say anything more. He then turned to his mother.
"She always so excitable?" He asked. He hadn't been at all surprised to learn his parents had had another child. In fact he'd kind of expected it. His mother shook her head.
"No, usually she's calm and collected like you and your father. She's probably just excited cause you're here."
"Where is dad?" Drake asked, sipping his beer again. "Deadbeat shithead didn't show for his daughters showing in the Games?"
"He showed up for a bit." Kaida answered him. "He cheered me on and everything, but Jellal and them had to leave so he's been gone a few days." Drake stared at his sister, dumbfounded.
"He cheered for you?" Drake turned to their mother. "You and Dad didn't get a divorce right? We have the same Dad?" His mother rolled her eyes.
"Of course you do, Drake." She said. "Erik just...acted a lot differently with Kaida. Maybe you disappearing caused him to have some sort of epiphany, I don't know, but he was there if she needed him. Always."
"Asshole." Drake muttered, making his mother slap his arm. "What?"
"Drake and I know you and you're dad didn't have the greatest relationship but seriously, he did his best. I'm sure he'd come as soon as he could if he knew you were back."
"That a fact?"
"Yeah, I'll show you." Their mother stood, and looked at Drake with a defiant smirk on her face. "I'm going to go and talk to Erza, and we'll get a hold of Jellal."
"Yeah I'm sure Jellal will come racing back." Drake joked, making his mother roll her eyes before going to find the Scarlet haired woman. This left Drake and Kaida alone, and he turned back to her, looking right into her bright purple eyes.
"So," She said.
"So," Drake said as well. "How's life now? Good?"
"I guess." She said, head resting in Drake's lap, looking up at him. "Always good for some fun."
"Good, good." He said. "You always get into life threatening situations too?"
"No, not really."
"Must skip a generation then." This made Kaida laugh, and Drake smiled.
"I've always heard a lot about you." This made Drake look down at her as she smiled up at him. "I can't count how many times I've wished we could talk like this."
"Wish. Granted." Drake replied.
"Seriously." Kaida said, sitting up and getting closer to him. "Talking about you and the others was always off limits...So to meet you like this is like a dream come true." She hugged him, spreading warmth through Drake's upper being. "So welcome home, big brother." Kaida laughed. "Holy shit I got a buzz from saying that to an actual human being and not my mirror or anything." Drake laughed at this, making his sister laugh.
"Good to meet you to, little sister." he said, feeling a jolt go down his spine as she smiled at him. He wasn't saying a word about it, though.
"Drake?" Drake looked past his little sister to see a woman standing there. A woman that had already squeezed him half to death and cried into him, and he smiled at her.
"Elise." he replied. "It's good to see you...Even if you aren't looking good."
"Oh shut up." The woman replied, wiping her face of the tears. "I'm just so happy...Sorry I lost it."
"It's fine." Drake replied. "What's up?" Elise smiled.
"I wanted you to meet someone. Ready?" Drake nodded, and Elise brought her hand behind her back, and patted something. "Go on Lana, he doesn't bite." Drake watched, bewildered, as a small girl resembling his friend appeared there, watching him timidly.
"Hi Lana!" Kaida said. "How are you?"
"G-Good..." Lana whispered, still staring at Drake, who raised an eyebrow at her.
"What's wrong?" He asked. Lana just gripped her mothers pants and looked away.
"Sky man is scary." She mumbled, making Drake choke on his own saliva.
"Sky man?!" He demanded, Kaida giggling her head off and Elise rolling her eyes.
"Your appearance must've scared her." She said. "It wasn't exactly quiet."
"Quiet and falling out of the sky with a horrible screeching sound and explosions are totally the same." Drake replied bluntly.
"Whatever you say, Drake." Elise said absentmindedly. "It's okay Lana, he's your mom's friend." Lana approached slowly, and Drake stayed where he was and smiled at the girl
"Hi." He said. "I'm Drake, your moms old friend."
"H-Hi." She said. Drake too advantage of how close the girl had shuffled and scooped her up, making her freak out at first, but soon her freak out was replaced with laughter as Drake guessed exactly what she was thinking. It seemed like a game, and it certainly entertained the girl.
"What now?!" She asked. Drake listened carefully.
"You're wondering why Kaida isn't as good at this game as I am." He said, making Kaida choke on her drink.
"I can do it too!" She said, looking at Lana. "You're wondering what I'm talking about."
"Lucky guess." Lana said, shrugging her off and making Kaida fall backwards.
"Sorry Kaida," Drake said. "Guess you're just lucky."
"Guess so..."
Simon jerked awake and looked around in the near jet black darkness of the bar. He quickly assessed what he remembered, and dictated that everyone had fallen asleep in the bar celebrating their return. He smiled as he leaned back and realized his mother was using him as a pillow. He looked over in her general direction and could sort of make out her figure in the darkness, but only just. She seemed to be smiling in her sleep, which made Simon smile to himself.
Everyone was so happy we're back...As expected.
Slowly getting up as to not disturb his mother and wake her, Simon escaped her grasp and made for the door of the bar, seeking the colder outside air to relieve the stuffy feeling he had. He moved past Damien, Drake, Ultear and Nashi, all of which were sleeping in different kinds of piles with their families as well, which made him smile even wider. Once he'd made it outside he yawned and stretched in the darkness, looking around the empty street.
Simon took time to assess the fact that they were twenty years past where they had intended to return. By no means was this what they had intended to happen, but this was their future. Their family, and the result of their actions.
And even given how their families had reacted, Simon wasn't sure they could stay. If he could stay.
"Simon?" Simon turned to find Ultear standing in the doorway o the bar, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Sorry." He said. "Did I wake you up when I left?"
"No, I was already awake." She stood next to him, and a breeze rolled past them. "Something bothering you?"
"No." He answered immediately. "I'm okay."
"You sure?" Simon didn't answer right away, and Ultear giggled. "You can tell me, you know. I won't tell anyone else if you don't want me to."
"It's not anything like that." Simon said. "I'm just...Thinking."
"About?"
"This." He answered. "Twenty years ahead of our original target. And if we're staying here." Ultear nodded at this, making a face.
"Do you want to?" She asked. "Stay here, I mean."
"I don't know." He said. "Part of me is happy our families got to see us again, but..."
"...We could reduce the time they didn't to basically nothing if we managed to get back to our own time." Simon nodded, and Ultear looked out into the street as the lamps burned.
"It's not that big of a deal, really." Simon said. "Nothing to stay up about."
"We should just give it a few days." Ultear told him. "To gauge if we want to stay in this time or not." Simon considered this for a moment before he nodded.
"That's a good idea. Who knows, maybe we'll prefer this time over our own."
"Maybe." Ultear agreed, and another breeze rolled past them. "Man, it's so nice out."
"Yeah," Simon agreed, looking over at the girl as her hair blew around in the breeze. "Sure is." She looked over at him and smiled, which made him blush slightly.
"Whatever we do, we do it as a team." She told him. "So don't sweat it right now. Okay?"
"Okay." Ultear moved closer and hugged him, surprising him a little. He returned the gesture, and she laughed.
"Don't be so awkward, it's just a hug."
"I'm not being awkward."
"Sure you aren't."
"Am I interrupting something?" Simon looked over towards the door to find Damien standing there, looking a little confused.
"Nope." he said, releasing Ultear. "Nothing." Damien narrowed his eyes at Simon, who hoped to God the boy didn't pursue his suspicions. He'd get red and that wouldn't help anything.
"Whatever." Damien said, shrugging as he slowly shut the door to the bar.
"Needed some air?" Ultear asked. Damien shook his head.
"No. I need to go and do something."
"What?" Simon asked, but Damien ignored him as he passed them both and began to walk down the street.
"Don't worry about it." he answered, waving to them over his shoulder. "I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon. Say I'll be fine, My mom might be a bit difficult."
"Understandable, it's been twenty years for them..." Ultear muttered. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing."
"Damien!" Simon hissed, slightly louder but not to loud so that he'd wake up anyone else. "What are you doing?!"
"Don't worry about it!" Damien replied, still not stopping. "Just say I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon!" Damien's wings unfurled from his back, and he took off into the open air away from Simon and Ultear.
"Jeez that guy..." Ultear said, keeping her hair out of her face from the air Damien disturbed by taking flight. "What is he doing?"
"No idea." Simon replied. "Let's hope he knows."
Damien couldn't tell the others what he was doing, but he knew full well where he was going and what he was doing.
"I plan to be back before twelve years pass."
Damien's words from thirty-one years rang clear in his mind. It was the promise he'd made to the villager who had promised to take Steph in. He'd said twelve years.
Thirty-one and twelve were no where near each other.
Damien had no idea what he was going to find returning to that village, but he had to know. He had to know what had become of his sister in the twenty years that passed since his promise was overdue.
For the love of God...Please have nothing bad have happened.
Jinxing things as per usual, I see. I hope you guys enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!