Joshawott
The Possibly Fake
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- Sep 25, 2005
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Note: This is set between the end of the Edolas arc and the beginning of the S-Class Promotion Arc. If you haven't seen the end of the Edolas Arc, stop reading NOW as it contains MASSIVE spoilers.
So a couple of days ago I was watching some recent Fairy Tail episodes, growing annoyed that Hiro Mashima has yet to delve deeper into what I felt was one of the series' most captivating elements - that of Lisanna and her return. So I thought "Why don't I write a one shot to try and fill the gaps?". I apologise if the characters aren't perfectly in character, but I think you'll agree with me that Mashima has made characters with such distinct personalities, that it's a tad harder to pull off than other franchises xD.
So, two days of spontaneous writing later, here we are! Please note though that the flashbacks featured here, are actually y'know, from the series - I just wrote them into the story.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Heavy rain was falling from the night sky’s gathering clouds onto the forest outskirts of Magnolia. It was a rather solemn moment as Charle and the other guild members had just bid farewell to the numerous exceeds whom had come to Earthland after their kingdom of Extalia was destroyed when Edolas was drained of its magical power. Everyone was surprised to see Pantherlily, the fierce commander of Edolas’ Magic Militia’s First Division in a small form similar to the average exceed; like a cross between a black cat and a teddy bear. However sudden the revelations about Extalia’s history and Pantherlily’s new appearance might have been, it was what would happen next that would strike the very core of the Fairy Tail guild.
“Now, about that other matter...I caught someone suspicious” Pantherlily stated, his left arm holding the end of a rope that reached behind a bush.
“A big catch right off the bat! That’s my cat for ya!” the rather rough and unkempt Gajeel cheered excitedly as Pantherlily yanked the rope. “Come here!” he shouted.
“W-wait!” a sweet sounding, familiar feminine voice pleaded. “I-I’m not anyone suspicious...hey!” a young woman with short white hair was pulled out from the bush, however, she stumbled and fell into a nearby puddle. “I’m a member of Fairy Tail too.” The young woman stated, with rope still tied around her wrists.
Natsu’s grey eyes widened in absolute disbelief at what he was seeing.
“Lisanna...” he said, shocked, wondering if he should be believing what was right before his eyes.
“But...that’s impossible...” Gray added, sharing a similar feeling to Natsu, albeit on a lesser scale.
“Lisanna!” Erza called out with a calmer composition than the others, although deep down she was just as surprised.
Lisanna, still kneeling down in the puddle, looked up at Natsu, who was still worn out from his recent battle with Faust. His bright pink hair acting like a beacon in the dark sky. She looked at him expectantly and with longing, while his look of shock was still on his face; he was speechless - the close friend he thought had died two years ago was right in front of him.
“Natsu!” Lisanna shouted excitedly as she flung herself up from the puddle and leapt for her long lost friend with such force that it sent Pantherlily, who was still holding onto the rope, into the air and pushed the two wizards onto the ground - everyone watching in awe. Lightning struck nearby, illuminating Lisanna’s large blue eyes as they welled up with tears of a joy so powerful that few people will truly experience it.
“Finally, I get to see you. I get to see the real Natsu.” She said happily.
That was a few days ago and after a tearful reunion with her brother and sister at Chaldea Cathedral, Lisanna was welcomed back to the Fairy Tail guild with joyous arms and the usual scenes of playful rowdiness. Although she had only been gone for two years, she could already see a lot of changes. The most striking one was her older sister Mirajane. Although Lisanna loved her sister very much, in the past she was a rather intimidating woman with a punkish fashion sense. Now, Mirajane was a gentle woman who wore very modest dresses and instead of tying her white hair up in a ponytail, she let it fall naturally. Rather than picking fights with the other members, she was now serving them at the bar with a smile and her jokes were now more playful than spiteful.
“You know Mira, you’re a lot like the Edolas Mira.” Lisanna said happily as she sat at the bar one day.
“Is everyone else really that different?” Mirajane chuckled as she cleaned a glass. Lisanna only had to turn around to answer Mirajane’s question; seeing Gray sitting at a table, shirtless as usual, as Juvia watched him from a nearby support beam, drool at her mouth.
“Y’see Gray and Juvia over there?” Lisanna asked her sister, trying to guide Mirajane to them without outright pointing. “In Edolas, it’s Gray who’s mad for Juvia.” Mirajane stared at Gray and Juvia for a moment, attracting their attention, before bursting out in laughter. Lisanna, having noticed Gray and Juvia staring at her, tried to calm down her sister.
“You think the idea of Juvia and Gray is funny?” Juvia asked as she abruptly appeared behind Lisanna, who looked at her nervously.
D-don’t tell me...she loves Gray too?! Juvia thought accusingly.
“Lisanna was just telling me how in Edolas, Gray likes Juvia.” Mirajane explained; causing Juvia’s face to turn beetroot red.
In Edolas...Gray...and Juvia? Her thoughts strayed to images of her and Gray embracing each other, then images of them marrying. Eventually, they became too much for her and she fell to the floor as her daydreams overwhelmed her, confusing the sisters and causing Gray to sink his head into his palm.
“So tell me,” Mirajane enquired, trying to divert attention away from Juvia. “What about the others? Like Natsu and Lucy?” It was only after she said it and a stern look from Elfman, her brother, that Mirajane realised what she had suggested. Lisanna’s eyes searched through the crowds of wizards for Natsu. She eventually found him and Happy laughing with Lucy, and her face became more sullen.
“In Edolas...” she began, before thinking back to how Lucy Ashley would often worry about Natsu Dragion and greet him with a leap and a hug when he’d return to the guild. Here Juvia likes Gray, in Edolas it’s the reverse. Alzack and Bisca like each other in Earthland too...so if Lucy likes Natsu in Edolas... As Lisanna thought about it more, tears started to fall from her eyes and run down her cheeks. Wanting to hide this from her siblings, she quickly got up and ran off. Mirajane and Elfman both moved towards Lisanna’s direction, but a man wearing a large brown cloak stood in front of Elfman, stopping them both.
“Leave this one to me.” Gildarts said as he turned to face the two siblings; a rather concerned look written across his experienced face.
“I’m all fired up! Let’s go!” Natsu proudly shouted, raising his fist to the air as he, Lucy and Happy walked towards the guild’s front door.
“Natsu!” Gildarts called out, stopping the trio in their tracks. Everyone in the guild fell silent and watched as Gildarts walked towards the pink haired boy.
You’re a good friend, so it’s only natural that as a friend, I put you back on the right path. The S-Class Mage thought as he approached Natsu.
“Oh? You want a piece of me?” the boy grinned as he pounded his fists together, activating a magic seal that engulfed his right hand in fierce flames. Natsu leapt for Gildarts, who without giving any verbal response or sign of hesitation, simply blocked the attack with one hand and threw Natsu into the air.
“Overboard!” Happy shouted in disbelief. Soon after, Natsu crashed down on one of the guild’s many wooden tables. He got himself back on his two feet and jumped for Gildarts again. This time, he dodged at the last second.
“Meet me outside. There’s something I need to talk to you about.” He said firmly as he walked out of the building, leaving Natsu and everyone else confused, except Lisanna, who was nervously shivering in the corner.
Natsu and Gildarts were stood on the same small beach where in years gone by the younger members of Fairy Tail, whom were still children then, watched as a pint-sized Natsu was effortlessly beaten by Gildarts. Small waves were slowly dragging themselves to the shore before going out to sea again and the amber evening sky only served to highlight the difference between Natsu’s bright, excitable pink hair and Gildart’s darker, more calm brown.
“So, you want us to go all out?!” Natsu jeered excitedly as he pounded his fists together again.
“Oh I’ll go all out.” Gildarts said in a rather monotone voice.
“That’s not how you say stuff like that!” Natsu shouted as he jumped at the rather dominating looking man, with flames boosting his ascent. Again, Gildarts didn’t move at all until the boy was close enough to receive a gut punch from the man’s armour-like prosthetic left arm, winding him.
“Tell me...what do you think of Lisanna?” he whispered into Natsu’s ear; the question striking Natsu.
“What do I think?” Natsu asked as he stumbled backwards. “I think she’s too young for you!” Natsu shouted with a playful smirk as he went to kick Gildarts, who sighed as he effortlessly blocked the attack.
“That’s not what I meant.” Gildarts replied as Natsu’s feet touched the sand once more. “I know I’ve been gone these last three years and I didn’t know she’d even disappeared, but how do you feel about it? And how do you feel about Lisanna now?”
Natsu didn’t know how to answer that. He just tilted his head towards the ground.
“T-That’s none of your business...” Natsu replied timidly. A slight breeze swept across the beach, and at the same time Gildarts smiled contently, as if the wind lifted his straight face into the smirk.
“I knew it.” Gildarts said confidently. “You’re problem is you never open up.” Natsu gave Gildarts a confused stare.
“Ain’t nothing to open up about.” He said, however, Gildarts could see straight through him.
“Okay, let’s make this fun. If you can move me from where I stand, you don’t have to talk, but if you can’t, you have to spill. Deal?” he smiled confidently, knowing how to manipulate the hyperactive boy.
“You’re on!” Natsu shouted excitedly as he leapt into the air, fire wrapped around his hands.
Back at the guild, some of the members were rather confused by Gildart’s sudden request. Lisanna was embarrassed, knowing that the two would be talking about her. However, she did have her doubts as well. She was leant against one of the guild’s support beams.
“What do you think of Lucy?” she asked Juvia, who was standing nearby.
“Huh?” was Juvia’s first response. After all, she had no idea who Lisanna was, so why would she be talking to her? The look on her face made her thoughts clear to Lisanna.
“Sorry, it’s just I got on well with Edolas’ Juvia.” Lisanna explained, blushing. Having heard about Lisanna from the others, the blue-haired woman sympathised.
“Lucy’s nice, but...” she paused as she glared in Lucy’s direction. “She’s a rival in love!” she stated angrily.
“I see...” Lisanna said, taken aback. “So there’s no chance she’d like Natsu.” She said to herself with a sigh of relief.
“Lucy and Natsu are close though.” Juvia stated, completely unaware that such a statement would cause Lisanna to panic. Why are you asking me anyway? Trying to hide your love for Gray from Juvia?!
Gray, who had been eavesdropping, shot a small shard of ice towards the two, making sure Juvia noticed it, causing her to look over at him - his hand gesturing for her to come to him. I-is this a love confession?! Juvia thought, jumping to conclusions yet again as she went red, which was made even more evident by her deep blue coat. However, once she was at Gray’s side, he whispered something in her air, causing her to apologise to him profusely.
“Maybe you should ask them yourself?.”
Lisanna turned her attention away from Gray and Juvia to see Erza standing next to her. Despite only being a little older than Lisanna, Erza definitely gave off an aura of an older, respectable woman; someone who it was easy to look up to, although her armour made her look a lot less approachable for some. “After all, Juvia isn’t the best person to talk to about love.” She chuckled somewhat evilly.
“Me and Natsu?!” Lucy laughed hysterically as she sat at a table with Lisanna and Erza; both of them looking at each other, finding Lucy’s response more over the top than expected. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice guy and we’re close friends, but that?” she continued laughing. Lisanna could tell that Lucy’s reaction was not from malice; she had a very warm, happy feeling about her that made it hard for Lisanna to feel anything negative about the girl.
“That’s cruel Lucy.” Happy said as he floated behind her, his cute cat-like appearance putting Lisanna more at ease.
“Shut up cat! Lucy shouted as she lashed out in Happy’s direction; the exceed however, easily dodged the blonde girl’s random strikes. Lisanna just laughed this off.
Erza noticed how Lisanna was more relaxed around Lucy now and felt confident that she was ready for deeper waters.
“So, shall we see what Natsu thinks?” she advised, but Lisanna’s face suddenly became bright red.
“B-but it’s been so long...I wouldn’t know what to say.” She said nervously, twiddling her thumbs.
“Maybe that’s how Natsu feels too?” Lucy asked, tilting her head, indicating that she was also unsure. The thought hadn’t crossed Lisanna’s mind, however, she was reminded of when Natsu and Happy first saw her in Edolas.
Natsu, Happy, Wendy and Charle had only just arrived in Edolas, the strange world that existed parallel to Earthland, the world they were used to. The Fairy Tail guild they found there was very strange to them, with members acting completely out of character compared to their Earthland counterparts. A rougher, meaner Lucy was holding Natsu by his scarf when Lisanna thought it best to intervene.
“Lucy...bullying Natsu again? Stop it already.” She instructed. Natsu was completely frozen as he looked directly at Lisanna; whom he had thought died two years ago.
“No way...” Happy said as he too was shocked at the sight; his eyes filling themselves with joyful tears.
“Li-Lisanna...” Natsu said shaking, although Lisanna was rather confused by this reaction, having mistaken Natsu for his Edolas counterpart.
Natsu’s emotions started to take over, his eyes also filling with tears as precious memories flooded back into his mind. Lisanna was deeply concerned with the way Natsu was looking at her.
“I’ve found you.” Was all Natsu could say before his emotions ran wild and he and Happy leapt for the young girl, causing her to flinch. Unfortunately, they were stopped by a kick from Lucy, but it was as Natsu was being held by the wild woman that the tears streamed down his cheeks.
“Since when did you start acting like an animal?” Edolas Lucy asked Natsu accusingly.
“But...Lisanna is alive...right over there.” He tried to explain, still pointing at Lisanna.
It was night time when Lisanna walked to the top of the hill overlooking the beach where he and Natsu had first met shortly after he arrived at the guild when they were both still small children. Natsu took an instant liking to Lisanna when she didn’t make fun of his claims to having been raised by a dragon. On the beach below, Natsu was lying down looking like he had received quite the heavy beating while Gildarts was stood in the same position he was in when he and Natsu arrived there. Lisanna wanted to rush down the steep hill and speak to Natsu, but she could see that he was in a deep conversation.
“It’s just...hard to believe she’s really back.” Natsu said with a solemn voice one wouldn’t associate with such a hot-headed young man. “Years ago, when me and her got separated, she made me promise to find her if she ever disappeared again. Although we never found her body, I thought there was no way I could find her. I had to give up on that promise.” He explained as he too thought back to the past.
One memory in particular stuck out. When a young Lisanna was tending to the grave of Elfman’s parakeet, she turned to Natsu and cheerfully asked “Then, you’ll make my grave for me, right Natsu?” without knowing that just a few years later, Natsu would do just that outside of the straw hut where the two had cared for Happy’s egg. It was at that same grave that Natsu reminded himself of that promise.
“I see.” Gildarts said as Natsu’s words sank in. He wasn’t really experienced enough to know how to answer, but he was glad that the boy was finally sharing his innermost thoughts. “But you did find her. Natsu, you kept your promise.” He said with a proud smile. Natsu cried as he heard those words. He managed to find the strength to push himself up, so he was sat looking at the S-Class wizard.
“I kept my promise?” he asked. His question was met with a confirming nod. Natsu wiped away the tears and beamed.
“So, what does she mean to you now?” Gildarts enquired.
“Lisanna’s Lisanna!” Natsu shouted proudly.
“That’s not answering my question...” Gildarts said with annoyed clenched teeth. To Natsu though, that answer made perfect sense.
“Before and after Happy was born, Lisanna would say the three of us were family. Every member of Fairy Tail, including Lucy, is like family to me, but Lisanna and Happy are my family!” he stated loudly without hesitation. “It may take a while to return to that point; but a Fairy Tail wizard keeps his word!” Gildarts was impressed with the maturity that was hidden inside Natsu, while Lisanna, who was still watching from above, was in tears.
I’ve...I’ve been such a fool. She thought as she fell to her knees and continued to cry.
The guild was dark, empty and quiet; all the members had retired to their homes for the night. The normally muted sound of the guild’s front doors opening filled the empty space. A small ray of light spread into the room; Lisanna was carrying a lantern. She walked in, followed by Reedus, a rather tall man who wasn’t fat but his torso was made to be much wider with magic. Reedus had a rather long, defined jaw and curly light orange hair which was mostly hidden under the large, pointed standard witch’s hat.
“Thanks for agreeing to this.” Lisanna thanked Reedus as the man lifted up his large white shirt and using the paint brush in his right hand and a palette in his left he started to paint a scene on his stomach. In no time at all, the empty guild hall was transformed into a large white church, with the pews filled with Fairy Tail members. Lisanna was stood in the isle, with the eyes of all her friends on her. Letting herself get absorbed in the fantasy, she started to walk towards the alter, taking in the beautiful architecture of the building and the thrilled looks on her comrades faces’ on her way. When she reached the focal point of the church, with light streaming through the various stained glass windows, highlighting the man waiting for her - Natsu, who was wearing a majestic suit rather than his usual rough attire. She took a deep breath as she stood in front of her groom, with Happy at his side in a matching suit with two rings presented on a velvet cushion. She turned to the congregation and let out a smile that stretched across her face. She then looked at Reedus, who was stood at the guild’s doors on the edge of where reality broke away from the Pict Magic.
“Reedus!” Lisanna called out happily.
“Oui?” he asked curiously.
“Thank you for this. It may take a while, but please remember this image, as it will be reality some day!” Lisanna shouted joyfully; her face reddened after exhausting themselves with happy crying.
So a couple of days ago I was watching some recent Fairy Tail episodes, growing annoyed that Hiro Mashima has yet to delve deeper into what I felt was one of the series' most captivating elements - that of Lisanna and her return. So I thought "Why don't I write a one shot to try and fill the gaps?". I apologise if the characters aren't perfectly in character, but I think you'll agree with me that Mashima has made characters with such distinct personalities, that it's a tad harder to pull off than other franchises xD.
So, two days of spontaneous writing later, here we are! Please note though that the flashbacks featured here, are actually y'know, from the series - I just wrote them into the story.
________________________________________________________________________________________
"Don't Think, Feel!"
Heavy rain was falling from the night sky’s gathering clouds onto the forest outskirts of Magnolia. It was a rather solemn moment as Charle and the other guild members had just bid farewell to the numerous exceeds whom had come to Earthland after their kingdom of Extalia was destroyed when Edolas was drained of its magical power. Everyone was surprised to see Pantherlily, the fierce commander of Edolas’ Magic Militia’s First Division in a small form similar to the average exceed; like a cross between a black cat and a teddy bear. However sudden the revelations about Extalia’s history and Pantherlily’s new appearance might have been, it was what would happen next that would strike the very core of the Fairy Tail guild.
“Now, about that other matter...I caught someone suspicious” Pantherlily stated, his left arm holding the end of a rope that reached behind a bush.
“A big catch right off the bat! That’s my cat for ya!” the rather rough and unkempt Gajeel cheered excitedly as Pantherlily yanked the rope. “Come here!” he shouted.
“W-wait!” a sweet sounding, familiar feminine voice pleaded. “I-I’m not anyone suspicious...hey!” a young woman with short white hair was pulled out from the bush, however, she stumbled and fell into a nearby puddle. “I’m a member of Fairy Tail too.” The young woman stated, with rope still tied around her wrists.
Natsu’s grey eyes widened in absolute disbelief at what he was seeing.
“Lisanna...” he said, shocked, wondering if he should be believing what was right before his eyes.
“But...that’s impossible...” Gray added, sharing a similar feeling to Natsu, albeit on a lesser scale.
“Lisanna!” Erza called out with a calmer composition than the others, although deep down she was just as surprised.
Lisanna, still kneeling down in the puddle, looked up at Natsu, who was still worn out from his recent battle with Faust. His bright pink hair acting like a beacon in the dark sky. She looked at him expectantly and with longing, while his look of shock was still on his face; he was speechless - the close friend he thought had died two years ago was right in front of him.
“Natsu!” Lisanna shouted excitedly as she flung herself up from the puddle and leapt for her long lost friend with such force that it sent Pantherlily, who was still holding onto the rope, into the air and pushed the two wizards onto the ground - everyone watching in awe. Lightning struck nearby, illuminating Lisanna’s large blue eyes as they welled up with tears of a joy so powerful that few people will truly experience it.
“Finally, I get to see you. I get to see the real Natsu.” She said happily.
That was a few days ago and after a tearful reunion with her brother and sister at Chaldea Cathedral, Lisanna was welcomed back to the Fairy Tail guild with joyous arms and the usual scenes of playful rowdiness. Although she had only been gone for two years, she could already see a lot of changes. The most striking one was her older sister Mirajane. Although Lisanna loved her sister very much, in the past she was a rather intimidating woman with a punkish fashion sense. Now, Mirajane was a gentle woman who wore very modest dresses and instead of tying her white hair up in a ponytail, she let it fall naturally. Rather than picking fights with the other members, she was now serving them at the bar with a smile and her jokes were now more playful than spiteful.
“You know Mira, you’re a lot like the Edolas Mira.” Lisanna said happily as she sat at the bar one day.
“Is everyone else really that different?” Mirajane chuckled as she cleaned a glass. Lisanna only had to turn around to answer Mirajane’s question; seeing Gray sitting at a table, shirtless as usual, as Juvia watched him from a nearby support beam, drool at her mouth.
“Y’see Gray and Juvia over there?” Lisanna asked her sister, trying to guide Mirajane to them without outright pointing. “In Edolas, it’s Gray who’s mad for Juvia.” Mirajane stared at Gray and Juvia for a moment, attracting their attention, before bursting out in laughter. Lisanna, having noticed Gray and Juvia staring at her, tried to calm down her sister.
“You think the idea of Juvia and Gray is funny?” Juvia asked as she abruptly appeared behind Lisanna, who looked at her nervously.
D-don’t tell me...she loves Gray too?! Juvia thought accusingly.
“Lisanna was just telling me how in Edolas, Gray likes Juvia.” Mirajane explained; causing Juvia’s face to turn beetroot red.
In Edolas...Gray...and Juvia? Her thoughts strayed to images of her and Gray embracing each other, then images of them marrying. Eventually, they became too much for her and she fell to the floor as her daydreams overwhelmed her, confusing the sisters and causing Gray to sink his head into his palm.
“So tell me,” Mirajane enquired, trying to divert attention away from Juvia. “What about the others? Like Natsu and Lucy?” It was only after she said it and a stern look from Elfman, her brother, that Mirajane realised what she had suggested. Lisanna’s eyes searched through the crowds of wizards for Natsu. She eventually found him and Happy laughing with Lucy, and her face became more sullen.
“In Edolas...” she began, before thinking back to how Lucy Ashley would often worry about Natsu Dragion and greet him with a leap and a hug when he’d return to the guild. Here Juvia likes Gray, in Edolas it’s the reverse. Alzack and Bisca like each other in Earthland too...so if Lucy likes Natsu in Edolas... As Lisanna thought about it more, tears started to fall from her eyes and run down her cheeks. Wanting to hide this from her siblings, she quickly got up and ran off. Mirajane and Elfman both moved towards Lisanna’s direction, but a man wearing a large brown cloak stood in front of Elfman, stopping them both.
“Leave this one to me.” Gildarts said as he turned to face the two siblings; a rather concerned look written across his experienced face.
“I’m all fired up! Let’s go!” Natsu proudly shouted, raising his fist to the air as he, Lucy and Happy walked towards the guild’s front door.
“Natsu!” Gildarts called out, stopping the trio in their tracks. Everyone in the guild fell silent and watched as Gildarts walked towards the pink haired boy.
You’re a good friend, so it’s only natural that as a friend, I put you back on the right path. The S-Class Mage thought as he approached Natsu.
“Oh? You want a piece of me?” the boy grinned as he pounded his fists together, activating a magic seal that engulfed his right hand in fierce flames. Natsu leapt for Gildarts, who without giving any verbal response or sign of hesitation, simply blocked the attack with one hand and threw Natsu into the air.
“Overboard!” Happy shouted in disbelief. Soon after, Natsu crashed down on one of the guild’s many wooden tables. He got himself back on his two feet and jumped for Gildarts again. This time, he dodged at the last second.
“Meet me outside. There’s something I need to talk to you about.” He said firmly as he walked out of the building, leaving Natsu and everyone else confused, except Lisanna, who was nervously shivering in the corner.
Natsu and Gildarts were stood on the same small beach where in years gone by the younger members of Fairy Tail, whom were still children then, watched as a pint-sized Natsu was effortlessly beaten by Gildarts. Small waves were slowly dragging themselves to the shore before going out to sea again and the amber evening sky only served to highlight the difference between Natsu’s bright, excitable pink hair and Gildart’s darker, more calm brown.
“So, you want us to go all out?!” Natsu jeered excitedly as he pounded his fists together again.
“Oh I’ll go all out.” Gildarts said in a rather monotone voice.
“That’s not how you say stuff like that!” Natsu shouted as he jumped at the rather dominating looking man, with flames boosting his ascent. Again, Gildarts didn’t move at all until the boy was close enough to receive a gut punch from the man’s armour-like prosthetic left arm, winding him.
“Tell me...what do you think of Lisanna?” he whispered into Natsu’s ear; the question striking Natsu.
“What do I think?” Natsu asked as he stumbled backwards. “I think she’s too young for you!” Natsu shouted with a playful smirk as he went to kick Gildarts, who sighed as he effortlessly blocked the attack.
“That’s not what I meant.” Gildarts replied as Natsu’s feet touched the sand once more. “I know I’ve been gone these last three years and I didn’t know she’d even disappeared, but how do you feel about it? And how do you feel about Lisanna now?”
Natsu didn’t know how to answer that. He just tilted his head towards the ground.
“T-That’s none of your business...” Natsu replied timidly. A slight breeze swept across the beach, and at the same time Gildarts smiled contently, as if the wind lifted his straight face into the smirk.
“I knew it.” Gildarts said confidently. “You’re problem is you never open up.” Natsu gave Gildarts a confused stare.
“Ain’t nothing to open up about.” He said, however, Gildarts could see straight through him.
“Okay, let’s make this fun. If you can move me from where I stand, you don’t have to talk, but if you can’t, you have to spill. Deal?” he smiled confidently, knowing how to manipulate the hyperactive boy.
“You’re on!” Natsu shouted excitedly as he leapt into the air, fire wrapped around his hands.
Back at the guild, some of the members were rather confused by Gildart’s sudden request. Lisanna was embarrassed, knowing that the two would be talking about her. However, she did have her doubts as well. She was leant against one of the guild’s support beams.
“What do you think of Lucy?” she asked Juvia, who was standing nearby.
“Huh?” was Juvia’s first response. After all, she had no idea who Lisanna was, so why would she be talking to her? The look on her face made her thoughts clear to Lisanna.
“Sorry, it’s just I got on well with Edolas’ Juvia.” Lisanna explained, blushing. Having heard about Lisanna from the others, the blue-haired woman sympathised.
“Lucy’s nice, but...” she paused as she glared in Lucy’s direction. “She’s a rival in love!” she stated angrily.
“I see...” Lisanna said, taken aback. “So there’s no chance she’d like Natsu.” She said to herself with a sigh of relief.
“Lucy and Natsu are close though.” Juvia stated, completely unaware that such a statement would cause Lisanna to panic. Why are you asking me anyway? Trying to hide your love for Gray from Juvia?!
Gray, who had been eavesdropping, shot a small shard of ice towards the two, making sure Juvia noticed it, causing her to look over at him - his hand gesturing for her to come to him. I-is this a love confession?! Juvia thought, jumping to conclusions yet again as she went red, which was made even more evident by her deep blue coat. However, once she was at Gray’s side, he whispered something in her air, causing her to apologise to him profusely.
“Maybe you should ask them yourself?.”
Lisanna turned her attention away from Gray and Juvia to see Erza standing next to her. Despite only being a little older than Lisanna, Erza definitely gave off an aura of an older, respectable woman; someone who it was easy to look up to, although her armour made her look a lot less approachable for some. “After all, Juvia isn’t the best person to talk to about love.” She chuckled somewhat evilly.
“Me and Natsu?!” Lucy laughed hysterically as she sat at a table with Lisanna and Erza; both of them looking at each other, finding Lucy’s response more over the top than expected. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice guy and we’re close friends, but that?” she continued laughing. Lisanna could tell that Lucy’s reaction was not from malice; she had a very warm, happy feeling about her that made it hard for Lisanna to feel anything negative about the girl.
“That’s cruel Lucy.” Happy said as he floated behind her, his cute cat-like appearance putting Lisanna more at ease.
“Shut up cat! Lucy shouted as she lashed out in Happy’s direction; the exceed however, easily dodged the blonde girl’s random strikes. Lisanna just laughed this off.
Erza noticed how Lisanna was more relaxed around Lucy now and felt confident that she was ready for deeper waters.
“So, shall we see what Natsu thinks?” she advised, but Lisanna’s face suddenly became bright red.
“B-but it’s been so long...I wouldn’t know what to say.” She said nervously, twiddling her thumbs.
“Maybe that’s how Natsu feels too?” Lucy asked, tilting her head, indicating that she was also unsure. The thought hadn’t crossed Lisanna’s mind, however, she was reminded of when Natsu and Happy first saw her in Edolas.
Natsu, Happy, Wendy and Charle had only just arrived in Edolas, the strange world that existed parallel to Earthland, the world they were used to. The Fairy Tail guild they found there was very strange to them, with members acting completely out of character compared to their Earthland counterparts. A rougher, meaner Lucy was holding Natsu by his scarf when Lisanna thought it best to intervene.
“Lucy...bullying Natsu again? Stop it already.” She instructed. Natsu was completely frozen as he looked directly at Lisanna; whom he had thought died two years ago.
“No way...” Happy said as he too was shocked at the sight; his eyes filling themselves with joyful tears.
“Li-Lisanna...” Natsu said shaking, although Lisanna was rather confused by this reaction, having mistaken Natsu for his Edolas counterpart.
Natsu’s emotions started to take over, his eyes also filling with tears as precious memories flooded back into his mind. Lisanna was deeply concerned with the way Natsu was looking at her.
“I’ve found you.” Was all Natsu could say before his emotions ran wild and he and Happy leapt for the young girl, causing her to flinch. Unfortunately, they were stopped by a kick from Lucy, but it was as Natsu was being held by the wild woman that the tears streamed down his cheeks.
“Since when did you start acting like an animal?” Edolas Lucy asked Natsu accusingly.
“But...Lisanna is alive...right over there.” He tried to explain, still pointing at Lisanna.
It was night time when Lisanna walked to the top of the hill overlooking the beach where he and Natsu had first met shortly after he arrived at the guild when they were both still small children. Natsu took an instant liking to Lisanna when she didn’t make fun of his claims to having been raised by a dragon. On the beach below, Natsu was lying down looking like he had received quite the heavy beating while Gildarts was stood in the same position he was in when he and Natsu arrived there. Lisanna wanted to rush down the steep hill and speak to Natsu, but she could see that he was in a deep conversation.
“It’s just...hard to believe she’s really back.” Natsu said with a solemn voice one wouldn’t associate with such a hot-headed young man. “Years ago, when me and her got separated, she made me promise to find her if she ever disappeared again. Although we never found her body, I thought there was no way I could find her. I had to give up on that promise.” He explained as he too thought back to the past.
One memory in particular stuck out. When a young Lisanna was tending to the grave of Elfman’s parakeet, she turned to Natsu and cheerfully asked “Then, you’ll make my grave for me, right Natsu?” without knowing that just a few years later, Natsu would do just that outside of the straw hut where the two had cared for Happy’s egg. It was at that same grave that Natsu reminded himself of that promise.
“I see.” Gildarts said as Natsu’s words sank in. He wasn’t really experienced enough to know how to answer, but he was glad that the boy was finally sharing his innermost thoughts. “But you did find her. Natsu, you kept your promise.” He said with a proud smile. Natsu cried as he heard those words. He managed to find the strength to push himself up, so he was sat looking at the S-Class wizard.
“I kept my promise?” he asked. His question was met with a confirming nod. Natsu wiped away the tears and beamed.
“So, what does she mean to you now?” Gildarts enquired.
“Lisanna’s Lisanna!” Natsu shouted proudly.
“That’s not answering my question...” Gildarts said with annoyed clenched teeth. To Natsu though, that answer made perfect sense.
“Before and after Happy was born, Lisanna would say the three of us were family. Every member of Fairy Tail, including Lucy, is like family to me, but Lisanna and Happy are my family!” he stated loudly without hesitation. “It may take a while to return to that point; but a Fairy Tail wizard keeps his word!” Gildarts was impressed with the maturity that was hidden inside Natsu, while Lisanna, who was still watching from above, was in tears.
I’ve...I’ve been such a fool. She thought as she fell to her knees and continued to cry.
The guild was dark, empty and quiet; all the members had retired to their homes for the night. The normally muted sound of the guild’s front doors opening filled the empty space. A small ray of light spread into the room; Lisanna was carrying a lantern. She walked in, followed by Reedus, a rather tall man who wasn’t fat but his torso was made to be much wider with magic. Reedus had a rather long, defined jaw and curly light orange hair which was mostly hidden under the large, pointed standard witch’s hat.
“Thanks for agreeing to this.” Lisanna thanked Reedus as the man lifted up his large white shirt and using the paint brush in his right hand and a palette in his left he started to paint a scene on his stomach. In no time at all, the empty guild hall was transformed into a large white church, with the pews filled with Fairy Tail members. Lisanna was stood in the isle, with the eyes of all her friends on her. Letting herself get absorbed in the fantasy, she started to walk towards the alter, taking in the beautiful architecture of the building and the thrilled looks on her comrades faces’ on her way. When she reached the focal point of the church, with light streaming through the various stained glass windows, highlighting the man waiting for her - Natsu, who was wearing a majestic suit rather than his usual rough attire. She took a deep breath as she stood in front of her groom, with Happy at his side in a matching suit with two rings presented on a velvet cushion. She turned to the congregation and let out a smile that stretched across her face. She then looked at Reedus, who was stood at the guild’s doors on the edge of where reality broke away from the Pict Magic.
“Reedus!” Lisanna called out happily.
“Oui?” he asked curiously.
“Thank you for this. It may take a while, but please remember this image, as it will be reality some day!” Lisanna shouted joyfully; her face reddened after exhausting themselves with happy crying.
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