Chapter XX: Gildarts & Teilanne; Clive Family Reunited!
The massive doors of the Fairy Tail guild hall swung open with their characteristic groan, revealing the chaotic warmth that had become legendary throughout Fiore. Tables overturned from impromptu arm-wrestling contests, scorch marks decorating the walls from magical accidents, and the persistent aroma of ale and cooking food-it was exactly as Natsu had described, and somehow more overwhelming than Wendy had imagined.
"FAIRY TAIL!" Natsu bellowed as he burst through the entrance, flames dancing around his fists in pure excitement. "WE'RE BACK!"
The response was immediate and deafening. Voices rose in greeting, questions about the mission flew from every corner, and somewhere in the back, the unmistakable sound of Cana challenging someone to a drinking contest echoed above the din.
Wendy hung back slightly, overwhelmed by the sensory assault. Beside her, Cumber's expression had shifted to one of wary alertness, his warrior instincts clearly on edge in the face of such seemingly uncontrolled chaos.
"It's always like this," Lucy assured them, raising her voice to be heard. "You get used to it!"
"Do you, though?" Gine murmured to Uruk, who was observing the scene with the fascination of a scholar studying an alien culture.
"The social dynamics are... complex," Uruk replied diplomatically.
Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of a petite figure with blue hair styled in an elaborate updo. Levy McGarden pushed through the crowd with determined efficiency, a stack of books balanced precariously in her arms.
"Lu-chan!" she called out, embracing Lucy warmly. "Thank goodness you're all safe! When we heard about Nirvana and the Oración Seis..." She trailed off, noticing the newcomers. Her eyes widened as she took in the Saiyan siblings, then softened as they settled on Wendy.
"This is Wendy," Lucy explained, gently drawing the younger girl forward. "She's joining the guild."
"The Sky Dragon Slayer from Cait Shelter," Levy nodded, her smile genuine and welcoming. "I've read about Sky Magic in theoretical texts, but I've never seen it practiced. I'm Levy-I specialize in Solid Script magic and research."
"It's nice to meet you," Wendy replied, some of her nervousness easing at Levy's friendly demeanor.
"And these are the Saiyan warriors who helped with the mission," Erza interjected, stepping up beside them. "Cumber, Gine, and Uruk."
Levy's eyes lit up with scholarly interest. "Saiyans? I've never encountered that classification of magic before. Is it geographical? Hereditary? Oh, the research possibilities-"
"Levy," a gruff voice interrupted from nearby. "Let them breathe before you interrogate them about their magical heritage."
The speaker was a tall man with wild orange hair and multiple piercings, his muscular frame covered in a fur-trimmed coat. Gajeel Redfox approached with his characteristic slouch, iron studs decorating his clothes glinting in the guild hall's warm light.
"Says the man who tried to eat Lucy's keys when he first joined," Levy retorted with fond exasperation.
Gajeel snorted. "That was different. I was testing their iron content." His dark eyes shifted to Wendy, and his expression grew surprisingly gentle. "So you're the Sky Dragon Slayer. Heard you can heal people with your magic."
Wendy nodded, still somewhat intimidated by the imposing Iron Dragon Slayer. "Yes, though I'm still learning."
"Healing's useful," Gajeel acknowledged. "Welcome to the guild, kid."
The simple acceptance in his words seemed to open floodgates. Suddenly, Wendy found herself surrounded by guild members eager to introduce themselves-Wakaba with his pipe magic, Macao and his purple flames, Reedus sketching rapidly in his notepad, and dozens of others whose names blurred together in a whirlwind of handshakes and friendly greetings.
Through it all, Cumber remained close to her side, his presence a steady anchor in the social storm. She noticed how the guild members' reactions to him and his siblings were mixed-curiosity about their unfamiliar fighting style, wariness about their obvious power, but also genuine respect for their role in defeating the Oración Seis.
"Wendy!" A new voice cut through the crowd, and the sea of people parted to reveal Master Makarov making his way toward them, his diminutive stature commanding absolute attention despite-or perhaps because of-his size.
The guild master stopped before her, his weathered face creased in a warm smile. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, child. I've heard remarkable things about your courage and skill."
"Thank you, Master," Wendy replied, bowing respectfully. "I'm honored to be here."
Makarov's gaze shifted to the Saiyan siblings, studying them with the sharp eyes of someone who had led a guild for decades. "And you three have been invited to remain as our guests for as long as you wish. Any allies of Fairy Tail are welcome in our home."
Gine stepped forward, inclining her head politely. "We appreciate the hospitality, Master Makarov. Your guild's reputation for strength and loyalty is well-deserved."
"Bah!" Makarov waved dismissively. "Reputation means nothing compared to the bonds we forge with those who fight beside us." His expression grew more serious. "I understand one of you was controlled by Brain's magic?"
Uruk nodded, his jaw tightening slightly. "The experience was... educational. Your guild members showed remarkable dedication in helping to free me from his influence."
"That's what family does," Makarov replied simply. "Now, let's get this young lady properly inducted into our ranks!"
What followed was a ceremony unlike anything Wendy had experienced. No solemn oaths or formal declarations-instead, Makarov simply climbed onto the bar, enlarged himself to his giant form, and bellowed for everyone's attention.
"LISTEN UP, YOU BRATS!" His voice boomed through the hall, instantly silencing even the most boisterous conversations. "We have a new member joining our family today! Wendy Marvell, Sky Dragon Slayer and healer extraordinaire!"
Cheers erupted from every corner of the guild, and Wendy felt tears prick her eyes at the genuine warmth of their welcome.
"As is tradition," Makarov continued, shrinking back to normal size and hopping down from the bar, "you may choose the location and color of your guild mark."
Wendy looked around at the various guild marks displayed throughout the hall-on shoulders, hands, backs, even Levy's thigh. After a moment's consideration, she pointed to her right shoulder.
"Here, please. In light blue."
Makarov nodded approvingly and pressed the guild stamp to her shoulder. The mark appeared with a brief flash of magical light, and suddenly Wendy felt it-a connection, warm and encompassing, linking her to every person in the hall.
"Welcome to the family," Makarov said softly, his words meant for her ears alone.
The celebration that followed was everything chaotic and joyful that Wendy had expected from her brief glimpse of Fairy Tail's culture. Tables groaned under platters of food, alcohol flowed freely (though she noticed Cumber and his siblings stuck to water and juice), and the noise level rose to nearly deafening proportions.
She found herself swept into conversation after conversation, guild members eager to share stories and learn about her magic. Through it all, Cumber remained nearby-not hovering, but present, ready to step in if she became overwhelmed.
"He's very protective of you," Mirajane observed, appearing beside Wendy during a brief lull in the socializing. The white-haired S-Class mage carried a tray of drinks, her smile as gentle as her reputation suggested.
"Cumber saved my life during the mission," Wendy replied, accepting a cup of fruit juice gratefully. "He and his siblings risked themselves to rescue me from Brain."
"Mmm," Mirajane hummed knowingly. "And how do you feel about him?"
The direct question caught Wendy off-guard, heat rising to her cheeks. "I... he's... he's a good friend."
Mirajane's smile widened, taking on a slightly mischievous quality that reminded Wendy of her reputation as a matchmaker within the guild. "I see. Well, if you need any advice about navigating relationships with strong, complicated men, you know where to find me."
Before Wendy could ask what she meant by that, Mirajane had glided away to serve other guild members, leaving Wendy with burning cheeks and racing thoughts.
Across the hall, Cumber was engaged in a surprisingly civil conversation with Gajeel about training techniques, while Gine had somehow ended up in an animated discussion with Cana about alcohol tolerance among different species. Uruk, predictably, had gravitated toward Levy's book collection and was deep in conversation with both her and Freed about magical theory.
"They're fitting in well," Erza commented, joining Wendy at her small table near the wall.
"Better than I expected," Wendy agreed. "Cumber isn't usually so... social."
"Extreme circumstances have a way of bringing out hidden aspects of personality," Erza observed. "The bonds forged in battle often reveal truths that peace cannot."
Wendy glanced at the scarlet-haired knight. "Is that what happened with you and Jellal?"
Erza's expression grew complex, pain and understanding mingling in her eyes. "In a way. Though our path was far more complicated." She paused, studying Wendy's face. "You care for him."
It wasn't a question, and Wendy found she couldn't deny it. "I don't know if what I feel is... I mean, I've never..."
"You've never experienced romantic feelings before," Erza finished gently. "That's natural for someone your age. But be careful not to mistake gratitude and admiration for something deeper, or to rush into emotions you're not ready to handle."
"How do I know the difference?" Wendy asked, her voice small.
Erza smiled, the expression transforming her usually stern features. "Time will tell you. True feelings grow stronger with knowledge and understanding, not weaker. If what you feel for Cumber deepens as you learn more about who he truly is, then you'll have your answer."
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion near the guild's main entrance. The massive doors burst open with enough force to rattle the nearby tables, and a figure strode in that immediately commanded every eye in the hall.
He was tall and powerfully built, with shoulder-length orange hair and a stubbled jaw. His long coat billowed behind him as he walked, and magical energy seemed to radiate from him in waves that made the air itself feel heavier. But what truly marked him as someone extraordinary was the awed silence that fell over the usually boisterous guild.
"Gildarts," Makarov breathed, his voice carrying a mixture of joy and exasperation. "You're early."
"Old man!" the newcomer boomed, his grin infectious as he spread his arms wide. "Miss me?"
Before Makarov could answer, a blur of motion launched itself from across the hall. "DADDY!"
The reunion between Gildarts Clive and his daughter Cana was explosive in every sense-literally, as their collision sent out a shockwave of magical energy that knocked over several chairs and caused the chandeliers to sway ominously.
Wendy watched in amazement as the gruff, perpetually drunk Cana Alberona transformed into an emotional young woman, clinging to her father with tears streaming down her face.
"There's my girl," Gildarts said softly, his voice thick with emotion as he held her tight. "I'm sorry I was away so long."
"You missed everything," Cana sobbed against his chest. "The Phantom Lord attack, the Tower of Heaven, Laxus's rebellion, and now the Oración Seis-"
"I know, sweetheart," Gildarts interrupted gently. "And I'm sorry. But I'm here now."
The tender moment was interrupted by another voice from the doorway-softer, more mature, but carrying warmth that seemed to light up the entire hall.
"Gildarts?"
All eyes turned to see a woman with long black hair and piercing black eyes that held both strength and compassion. A brown Saiyan tail swayed behind her as she moved, and she wore elegant traveling robes that spoke of both practicality and refinement. Despite the dust of long travel, she carried herself with the natural grace of a warrior. Behind her stood three younger figures-all bearing the distinctive features of their Saiyan heritage, their own tails visible as they entered the guild hall.
Gildarts's face transformed completely, years seeming to fall away as recognition dawned. "Teilanne? You're... but how did you...?"
"I heard about the troubles here," she said softly, stepping into the guild hall as the crowd parted respectfully. "And our children insisted we come to help."
The revelation sent murmurs rippling through the guild. Gildarts had a wife? And children?
"Everyone," Gildarts announced, his voice thick with emotion as he released Cana, "I'd like you to meet my wife, Teilanne." His gaze shifted to the three figures behind her. "And our children-Kizuna, and..." His eyes found the familiar faces of the Saiyan siblings with sudden understanding. "Uruk and Gine."
The silence that followed was deafening. Wendy felt Cumber tense beside her, his expression shifting to something between shock and carefully controlled emotion.
"Mom," Gine said quietly, stepping forward to embrace the woman who had clearly traveled far to reach them. "We weren't expecting you."
"When word reached me that my children were involved in battles against dark guilds, did you think I would simply wait at home?" Teilanne replied with gentle reproach, though her eyes sparkled with pride. "And you, Uruk-I heard you were captured and controlled. Are you well?"
Uruk nodded, his usual analytical composure softened by genuine affection. "I'm fine, Mother. Gine and Cumber saw to that."
All eyes then turned to Cumber, who stood frozen as Teilanne's gaze found him across the crowded hall. For a moment, mother and son simply looked at each other, seven years of separation hanging between them like a tangible weight.
Wendy felt tears prick her own eyes at the scene, the pain of losing her own father figure in Master Roubaul still fresh. But there was also joy-joy at witnessing a family reunited, love overcoming years of separation and misunderstanding.
Beside her, she noticed that Cumber was watching the reunion with an unreadable expression, his jaw tight with what might have been emotion or pain. She remembered that he had lost his own parents at a young age, raised alongside his siblings in circumstances far different from the warmth of family love being displayed before them.
Without thinking, she reached out and gently touched his arm. "Are you alright?"
Cumber glanced down at her, surprise flickering across his features before his expression softened slightly. "It's... good that they've found each other again."
"But difficult to watch," Wendy guessed, understanding.
"Sometimes," he admitted quietly. "Family bonds are... precious. Not everyone is fortunate enough to maintain them."
As if sensing the weight of the moment, Gildarts finally released his daughters and turned to address the guild as a whole. His gaze swept the hall, taking in familiar faces and noting the newcomers with sharp attention.
"I apologize for the dramatic entrance," he announced, his voice carrying easily through the hall. "But when I heard about the recent troubles, I decided to cut my latest job short and return home."
"What job?" Natsu called out, bouncing with curiosity. "Did you complete the Century Quest?"
Gildarts laughed, shaking his head. "Not even close, flame-brain. But I learned some interesting things during my travels-including news about certain powerful warriors from distant lands who've been making quite an impression in our region."
His eyes settled on the Saiyan siblings, and Wendy felt Cumber tense slightly beside her.
"Gildarts Clive," the orange-haired man introduced himself, approaching their table with confident strides. "I've heard remarkable things about your contributions to stopping the Oración Seis."
Gine rose smoothly, her posture respectful but not deferential. "We were simply repaying debts owed to Fairy Tail members. I am Gine, and these are my brothers, Cumber and Uruk."
"Brothers?" Gildarts raised an eyebrow, his magical senses clearly detecting the power radiating from all three siblings. "Interesting family dynamics you must have."
"We've learned to work well together," Uruk replied diplomatically.
Gildarts nodded, then his attention shifted to Wendy. "And you must be our newest member. Welcome to Fairy Tail, Wendy Marvell."
"Thank you, Master Gildarts," Wendy replied, unsure of proper protocol when addressing an S-Class mage.
"Just Gildarts," he corrected with a warm smile. "Master is the old man's title, and he's cranky enough about sharing it."
"I heard that!" Makarov called from across the hall, though his tone held more affection than annoyance.
As the evening wore on, Wendy found herself gradually relaxing into the rhythm of guild life. The initial overwhelming chaos had settled into something more manageable-conversations flowed around shared meals, minor magical accidents were resolved with good humor, and the underlying current of familial affection that bound everyone together became increasingly apparent.
She was particularly touched by how naturally Teilanne was accepted into the fold, despite being Gildarts's previously unknown wife. There were no awkward questions or suspicious glances-merely warm welcomes and immediate inclusion in conversations and activities.
"That's the Fairy Tail way," Lucy explained when Wendy commented on it. "Family is about choice and acceptance, not just blood. Teilanne is Gildarts's daughter, which makes her one of us automatically."
"And the fact that she seems genuinely kind doesn't hurt," Levy added, glancing toward where Teilanne was shyly accepting a card game lesson from Cana. "Though I suspect she is more like her husband than she realizes."
As if to prove the point, Teilanne accidentally snapped the wooden table edge while trying to pick up her cards, her face flushing crimson at the accident.
"Definitely Gildarts's wife." Gray observed dryly.
The celebration was winding down when an unexpected commotion arose near the guild's job board. Freed had been organizing request forms when he suddenly stiffened, his runes crackling with alarm.
"Master!" he called out urgently. "I'm detecting multiple magical signatures approaching the guild-powerful ones, and moving fast!"
The relaxed atmosphere evaporated instantly. Erza was on her feet and armored within seconds, while Natsu's flames sparked to life around his fists. Even the newer members-Wendy included-found themselves automatically shifting into defensive positions.
"How many?" Makarov demanded, his voice sharp with authority.
"At least six," Freed replied, his runes spreading in complex patterns as he gathered information. "Their magical signatures are... unusual. Not quite human, but not entirely foreign either."
Cumber stepped forward, his ki already beginning to rise. "Could they be remnants of the Oración Seis? Other dark guilds looking for revenge?"
Before anyone could answer, the guild doors exploded inward-not with the dramatic flair of Gildarts's entrance, but with malevolent force that sent splinters of wood flying across the hall.
Through the ruined doorway stepped six figures clad in dark robes, their faces hidden by elaborate masks that seemed to shift and writhe in the hall's lighting. The magical energy radiating from them was unmistakably hostile, and several guild members immediately began preparing for battle.
"Fairy Tail," the lead figure spoke, their voice distorted by whatever magic animated their mask. "We have come to collect what was stolen from us."
"Nobody's stolen anything from you!" Natsu snarled, flames roaring around his entire body. "But if you want a fight-"
"Silence, Dragon Slayer," another figure interrupted, their attention turning toward Wendy. "Our business is with the Sky Maiden and her protectors."
Wendy felt ice form in her stomach as six pairs of eyes-or at least, six mask-obscured faces-focused on her with predatory intensity.
"You're not taking her anywhere," Cumber stated flatly, moving to stand between Wendy and the intruders. His ki flared to life, golden energy crackling around his form.
The lead figure tilted their head, something like amusement in their posture. "Ah, the young Saiyan. How devoted. Tell me, warrior-are you prepared to die for her?"
"If necessary," Cumber replied without hesitation, his power continuing to climb.
"How romantic," the figure mused. "And how futile."
Before anyone could react, the six intruders moved with inhuman speed, their forms blurring as they spread throughout the hall. The battle for Wendy's freedom-and perhaps her life-had begun.
The Council of Shadows Arc
Three Days Later
The repaired guild hall buzzed with its usual chaotic energy, but beneath the surface, tension ran high. Master Makarov had called an emergency meeting after reports came in of mysterious attacks on allied guilds across Fiore—each targeting Dragon Slayers or those with rare magical abilities.
"Blue Pegasus reported three attempts to kidnap Wendy Heartfilia before they realized she wasn't actually there," Levy read from the intelligence reports scattered across the table. "Lamia Scale had their entire building surrounded by masked figures demanding they hand over 'the Sky Maiden.'"
"And Sabertooth?" Erza asked grimly.
"Refused to cooperate with the investigation," Makarov replied with obvious frustration. "Typical."
Gildarts leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "This Council of Shadows is either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid to keep pressing after Teilanne's... demonstration."
"Stupid," Teilanne said simply from where she sat beside him, absently braiding Wendy's hair as the younger girl reviewed her healing spell configurations. The domestic scene was almost surreal given the deadly display they'd witnessed three days prior. "Intelligence would have told them to retreat permanently."
Kizuna looked up from where he'd been quietly discussing strategy with Mirajane. "Which means they either have something that makes them confident they can handle us, or they're desperate enough not to care about casualties."
"Both possibilities are concerning," Uruk observed, his analytical mind already working through scenarios. "Desperation breeds unpredictability, and unknown advantages could prove decisive in combat."
Gine nodded agreement. "We should assume they've studied our fighting styles from the first encounter. They'll come prepared this time."
"Let them come," Cumber said quietly, his hand resting protectively on the back of Wendy's chair. "We'll be ready."
The moment of relative calm shattered as Freed's barrier runes began shrieking alarms throughout the guild hall.
"Multiple high-level magical signatures approaching!" he announced, his voice tight with concentration. "At least twenty this time, and they're not trying to hide their approach!"
Through the large windows, dark shapes could be seen moving through Magnolia's streets—not the six from before, but an entire army of masked figures advancing on the guild with military precision.
"Well," Gildarts said, standing and cracking his knuckles, "looks like we don't have to wait long for answers."
Makarov's expression hardened. "This is an act of war against Fairy Tail. Defend the guild!"
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Natsu's flames roared to life as he charged toward the doors, while Gray's ice magic began coating the windows in defensive barriers. Erza requipped into her standard armor, weapons materializing in her hands with practiced ease.
But it was the Clive family's response that truly commanded attention.
Gildarts stepped forward, his crash magic beginning to radiate outward in barely controlled waves. "They want a fight? Let's give them one they'll never forget."
Beside him, Teilanne's crimson ki flared to life, more controlled than her earlier display but no less intimidating. "Children," she said calmly to her offspring, "remember your training."
Kizuna grinned, his own power beginning to manifest as golden energy that seemed somehow different from his siblings' ki—rawer, more primal. "Finally, a real workout."
The guild doors exploded inward once again, but this time the Fairy Tail wizards were ready. The first wave of masked intruders found themselves facing the full might of one of Fiore's strongest guilds.
What followed was less a battle than a demonstration of overwhelming power.
Gildarts moved through the attackers like a force of nature, his crash magic disintegrating weapons, armor, and magical barriers with casual gestures. Each swing of his fist sent shockwaves that knocked multiple opponents unconscious.
Teilanne was poetry in motion, her centuries of combat experience evident in every precise strike. She moved with lethal grace, her Saiyan tail acting as a fifth limb to trip attackers while her hands delivered devastating blows that sent grown men flying across the hall.
But it was Kizuna who truly stole the show. As more enemies poured through the entrance, his golden ki began to shift, taking on an almost molten quality. His hair flickered between black and gold, and his power output climbed to levels that made even his mother take notice.
"Kizuna," Mirajane called out, concern evident in her voice as she watched her boyfriend struggle with something internal.
"I'm fine, Mira," he replied through gritted teeth, though sweat beaded on his forehead from the effort of controlling whatever was building inside him. "Just... feeling a bit more energized than usual."
One of the Council's agents, apparently their leader based on the more elaborate mask and robes, raised a staff crackling with dark energy. "Enough! We did not come here to fight your entire guild! Surrender the Sky Dragon Slayer and we will withdraw!"
"Counter-offer," Cana said, stepping forward with her cards glowing with magical energy. She didn't know Gildarts was her father, but the protective instincts she'd inherited from him were evident as she positioned herself between the enemies and Wendy. "You leave now, and we don't let my family show you exactly why that's a terrible idea."
The leader's masked face turned toward her. "Family? You're not a Clive."
"Blood isn't the only thing that makes family," Gine interjected, moving to stand beside Cana. "Something you'd understand if you had any."
Uruk joined them, his ki flaring in controlled bursts. "The tactical situation has shifted beyond your favor. Withdrawal would be the logical choice."
"And I'm the baby of the family," Cumber added, his own golden energy beginning to match his brother Kizuna's intensity, "but even I can see this isn't going to end well for you."
The leader looked around the guild hall, taking in the sight of his forces being systematically dismantled by the combined might of Fairy Tail and the Clive family. More than half his agents were already unconscious or fleeing, and those still standing were clearly outmatched.
"This isn't over," he snarled, raising his staff high. "The Council of Shadows has resources you cannot imagine! We will have the Sky Dragon Slayer!"
"No," Teilanne said simply, appearing behind him with speed that defied perception. Her hand closed around the staff, and dark energy began crackling up her arm. "You won't."
She didn't crush the weapon or deliver a devastating blow. Instead, she simply absorbed the dark magic flowing through the staff, her crimson ki neutralizing it completely before she casually snapped the artifact in half.
"I've been patient," she continued conversationally, as if discussing dinner plans rather than threatening a terrorist leader. "I allowed you to retreat once. I gave you the opportunity to reconsider your choices. But you've made it clear that threats and negotiations are meaningless to you."
Her power began to climb again, but this time there was something different about it—something that made even Gildarts step back slightly.
"So let me be absolutely clear about your situation," Teilanne said, her voice carrying to every corner of the now-silent guild hall. "I am a Saiyan warrior who has fought across multiple star systems. I have ended wars, toppled tyrants, and reduced entire armies to dust. The only reason you and your organization still exist is because I choose to show restraint."
She leaned closer to the leader, her black eyes reflecting depths of power that had been honed across decades of combat. "But if you threaten my family again—if you so much as speak Wendy's name in anything other than respectful tones—I will remind the universe why my people were feared across the galaxy."
The silence that followed was absolute. Even Natsu, never known for his restraint, stood frozen as he witnessed a level of controlled lethality that put his own battles into stark perspective.
"Choose wisely," Teilanne finished, stepping back and crossing her arms. "Because this is the last warning you'll receive."
The leader of the Council agents looked around the devastated guild hall one final time, then gestured sharply to his remaining forces. Without another word, they began their retreat, carrying their unconscious comrades and leaving behind only the memory of their crushing defeat.
As the last of them disappeared into the night, the guild collectively released the breath they'd been holding.
"Well," Makarov said into the quiet, "I think it's safe to say they won't be back anytime soon."
"They'll be back," Kizuna said grimly, his golden ki finally stabilizing as whatever internal struggle he'd been fighting subsided. "But not directly. They'll try different tactics next time."
Mirajane moved to his side, concerned by the lingering tension in his posture. "Are you alright? Your power felt... different tonight."
Kizuna nodded, though uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "Just adrenaline, probably. Nothing to worry about."
But across the hall, Teilanne was watching her eldest son with knowing eyes, recognizing signs that he himself had yet to understand.
The legendary transformation was beginning to awaken.
The Calm Before Anima
Three weeks had passed since the Council of Shadows' failed assault on Fairy Tail. The guild had settled into a deceptively peaceful routine, with repairs completed and members gradually returning to their usual jobs and activities. The Clive family had integrated seamlessly into guild life—Teilanne often helped Mirajane with cooking, while Kizuna had become a regular fixture at the S-Class missions board despite Makarov's pointed reminders about proper advancement procedures.
It was during one of these quiet afternoons that Wendy found herself at a corner table with Lucy and Carla, their conversation having drifted to a topic that always brought a mixture of sadness and hope to the young Dragon Slayer's heart.
"July 7th, X777," Wendy said softly, tracing patterns on the wooden table with her finger. "That's when Grandeeney disappeared. I remember because I had picked flowers for her that morning, and when I came back to our usual spot..."
"She was gone," Lucy finished gently, having heard similar stories from Natsu and Gajeel. "Igneel and Metalicana vanished the same day. It can't be a coincidence."
Carla, perched on the table beside them, maintained her usual stoic expression. "Dragons are mysterious creatures. Perhaps they simply decided their teaching was complete."
"But why all on the same day?" Wendy pressed. "And why didn't they say goodbye? Grandeeney always told me she'd explain everything when I was older, but..."
"Maybe they had to leave quickly," Lucy suggested, though her tone indicated she found her own theory lacking. "Some kind of emergency that affected all dragons?"
Their contemplation was interrupted by the arrival of Happy, who approached with his characteristic cheer and a carefully wrapped package in his paws.
"Carla!" he announced brightly, setting the package on the table. "I caught this fish myself! It's a special one—really fresh and I made sure to wrap it properly so it wouldn't get cold!"
Carla's expression immediately soured. "I don't want your fish, Happy. Take it away."
Happy's face fell. "But... I thought you might be hungry, and fish is really good for—"
"I said no!" Carla snapped, her tail bristling with irritation. "Stop bringing me things I don't want!"
She launched herself into the air and flew toward the guild's upper levels, leaving Happy staring after her with confusion and hurt written across his features.
"Did I... did I do something wrong?" Happy asked, looking between Wendy and Lucy for guidance. "I just wanted to make her happy."
"Maybe try talking to her instead of bringing gifts?" Lucy suggested gently.
Happy nodded eagerly and took flight after Carla. "Carla! Wait! If I did something to make you mad, I'm sorry!"
From the upper level came Carla's sharp reply: "You can't even protect Natsu properly! How can you be so clueless?"
"I can protect Natsu!" Happy called back, hurt evident in his voice. "I'm his partner! We look out for each other!"
"You can't protect anyone," Carla's voice grew colder. "You don't even know what you really are."
The cryptic statement hung in the air as Carla flew out of the guild entirely, leaving Happy hovering near the ceiling with tears in his eyes.
"What did she mean by that?" Wendy wondered aloud, but before anyone could speculate further, the peaceful afternoon was interrupted by an ominous rumble of thunder.
Outside, dark clouds were gathering with unnatural speed, forming patterns that defied normal weather systems. The temperature began to drop, and an oppressive feeling settled over Magnolia like a heavy blanket.
"That's strange," Lucy observed, moving to one of the large windows. "It was clear skies just a few minutes ago."
Wendy felt an odd tingling in her magical senses, something familiar yet wrong. "I should find Carla," she said, rising from her seat. "She seemed upset, and with this storm coming..."
"Be careful," Lucy cautioned. "That weather doesn't look natural."
As Wendy made her way through Magnolia's streets, the storm clouds continued to thicken overhead. The rain began as a light drizzle, but within minutes had intensified to a steady downpour that sent civilians hurrying for shelter.
She found Carla perched on a small bridge overlooking one of the city's canals, her white fur already damp from the rain.
"Carla," Wendy called softly, approaching with careful steps. "Are you alright? You seemed upset with Happy..."
"Happy is a fool," Carla replied without looking at her. "He flits around pretending everything is fine, acting like he can protect Natsu when he doesn't understand the first thing about what's really happening in this world."
Wendy settled beside her friend, ignoring the cold rain soaking through her clothes. "What do you mean? Happy and Natsu have been partners for years. They—"
"Have been living a lie," a new voice interrupted.
Both Wendy and Carla turned to see a familiar figure emerging from the rain—tall, blue-haired, and wearing the distinctive staff and robes that had been seared into Wendy's memory from childhood.
"Jellal?" Wendy breathed, though something about him seemed different. Older, perhaps, and carrying himself with a weariness that spoke of great burdens.
"Not Jellal," the figure corrected gently. "My name is Mystogan. I am the Jellal you knew seven years ago, Wendy. The one who guided you to Cait Shelter."
Wendy's eyes filled with tears—joy, confusion, and relief warring in her expression. "You're alive! I thought... after Master Roubaul told me the truth about Cait Shelter, I wondered if you had been an illusion too."
"I'm very real," Mystogan assured her, but his expression remained grave. "And I've come to warn you. You need to leave Magnolia immediately—both of you."
"Leave?" Wendy stood, alarm replacing her joy. "Why? What's happening?"
Mystogan gestured toward the swirling clouds above them, which had begun to form a distinct circular pattern. "The Anima has grown beyond my ability to suppress it. The barrier between our world and Edolas is failing."
"Edolas?" Carla had gone very still, her eyes wide with what looked like recognition.
"What's an Anima?" Wendy asked, though dread was already settling in her stomach.
"A gateway between worlds," Mystogan explained, his voice tight with urgency. "And when it fully opens, everything in Magnolia—every building, every person—will be drawn through to the other side. The magical energy of this city will be consumed to sustain Edolas."
Above them, lightning began to flash within the circular formation of clouds, and the rain turned torrential.
"Everyone will die?" Wendy gasped.
"Fairy Tail, your friends, everyone you care about," Mystogan confirmed grimly. "That's why you need to leave. I can save you, but only if we go now."
"No!" Wendy turned toward the city center, where the guild hall stood. "I have to warn them! I have to help!"
"Wendy, stop!" Mystogan called as she began running through the rain-slicked streets. "There's no time! The Anima is already beginning to activate!"
But Wendy was already sprinting toward Fairy Tail, her feet splashing through rapidly forming puddles as the storm intensified overhead. Behind her, she could hear Carla and Mystogan following, but her focus was entirely on reaching the guild before whatever this Anima was could hurt her friends.
She had just found her place with Fairy Tail, just begun to understand what family truly meant. She wouldn't—couldn't—lose them all without at least trying to help.
As she ran, the circular formation in the clouds grew more defined, and the lightning within it began to pulse with a rhythm that felt disturbingly alive. The very air around her seemed to vibrate with building energy.
Whatever was coming, Magnolia was running out of time.
The Anima Opens
The guild hall was bustling with its usual evening activity when the first signs of true danger became apparent. Gildarts was regaling a group of younger members with tales from his latest mission, while Teilanne helped Mirajane distribute dinner to the various tables. The Saiyan siblings were engaged in their own conversations—Kizuna discussing training techniques with Elfman, while Uruk and Gine debated magical theory with Levy near the bookshelf.
None of them noticed the subtle shift in the air pressure, or the way their lacrima lights began to flicker with increasing frequency.
It was Freed who first sensed the magnitude of what was approaching. His barrier runes, constantly monitoring the guild's perimeter for threats, suddenly erupted in a cacophony of warning signals that sent him stumbling backward from their intensity.
"Master!" he called out, his voice cutting through the dinner conversations. "Something massive is building above the city! The magical readings are off every scale I have!"
Before Makarov could respond, the building shuddered. Not from an impact, but from some invisible force that seemed to pull at the very foundations of reality.
Through the large windows, they could see the storm had reached apocalyptic proportions. The circular cloud formation now dominated the entire sky above Magnolia, and within it, space itself seemed to be... bending.
"What in the world..." Makarov breathed, moving to get a better view.
That's when they saw Wendy, running through the guild's front courtyard with Carla flying beside her. Even through the rain and wind, her desperation was clearly visible.
The doors burst open as she reached them, and Wendy stumbled inside, soaked and breathing hard.
"Everyone has to leave!" she gasped, scanning the confused faces around her. "Right now! The whole city is going to be—"
Her words were cut off as the guild building lurched. Not an earthquake—something far more disturbing. The very structure seemed to bend upward, as if being pulled by an invisible hand toward the storm clouds above.
"Wendy!" Cumber was at her side immediately, steadying her as another wave of that pulling force washed over them. "What's happening?"
"Anima," Carla said grimly, landing on a nearby table. "It's too late. The absorption has begun."
As if to confirm her words, objects throughout the guild began to vibrate. Chairs, tables, even the massive wooden beams supporting the ceiling started to emit a strange humming sound.
Outside, the first buildings began to disintegrate.
It started slowly—individual stones lifting from walls, roof tiles spinning away into the storm. But then the process accelerated with terrifying speed. Entire structures began to break apart, their component pieces streaming upward in defiance of gravity, forming spiraling columns of debris that fed into the swirling vortex above.
"Everyone out!" Makarov commanded, his voice carrying the authority of decades of leadership. "Emergency evacuation procedures! Move!"
But even as guild members began to respond, the building around them started to come apart. The floor beneath their feet tilted at impossible angles, and cracks appeared in the walls as structural integrity failed under the otherworldly forces.
Gildarts grabbed Teilanne's hand, his crash magic instinctively trying to counter whatever was happening to their surroundings. "What kind of magic is this?"
"Not magic," Teilanne replied, her Saiyan senses detecting something beyond their usual experience. "This is dimensional manipulation. Someone is tearing holes in reality itself."
Kizuna felt his power spike in response to the crisis, that strange golden energy he'd been struggling with lately flaring to unprecedented levels. "Can we fight it?"
"You can't fight physics," Uruk said grimly, his analytical mind quickly grasping the hopelessness of their situation. "If space itself is being distorted..."
The answer came as the guild hall's main support beam finally gave way. With a groaning sound like the death of some great beast, the entire structure began to fold upward, wood and stone separating into component atoms that joined the massive column of debris spiraling toward the vortex above.
In the space of heartbeats, everything they had called home was gone, consumed by forces beyond their comprehension or ability to resist.
When the disorientation finally passed, Wendy found herself standing on bare earth where Magnolia had existed moments before. The storm was already clearing, the circular formation in the clouds dissipating as if it had never been. Where a thriving city had stood, only empty foundations and scattered debris remained.
"The whole city," she whispered, turning slowly to take in the devastation. "Everyone... they're all gone."
"Hey, where are we?"
Wendy spun around to find Natsu emerging from behind what had once been a market stall, looking confused and oddly refreshed.
"Natsu!" Relief flooded through her as she ran to him. "Thank goodness! I thought you were absorbed with everyone else!"
"Absorbed?" Natsu scratched his head, looking around at the empty landscape. "What are you talking about? I was taking a nap in the guild hall, and now... where is the guild hall?"
"It's gone," Wendy said, tears streaming down her face. "The whole city was pulled into something called Anima. Everyone from Fairy Tail, all the people who lived here... they've been taken to another world."
Natsu stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. "That's crazy talk, Wendy. Cities don't just disappear."
"But they do," Carla interjected, landing near them with unusual solemnity. "And Wendy is correct about one thing—only Dragon Slayers seem to have been left behind."
As if summoned by her words, Happy appeared from behind a pile of rubble, looking around with the same confusion as Natsu.
"What happened to everything?" he asked plaintively. "Where's the guild? Where's Lucy?"
Carla looked at him with an expression that mixed pity with something deeper—knowledge, perhaps, or guilt.
"The hole in the sky was called Anima," she explained, her voice carefully controlled. "It's a gateway between our world, Earthland, and another world called Edolas. Everything that was absorbed has been transported there."
Happy's eyes widened. "Another world? But why—"
"Because," Carla interrupted, her composure finally cracking, "Happy and I come from Edolas. We are Exceed—members of a race that serves as scouts and agents for the royal government there. The reason Magnolia disappeared, the reason your friends are gone..." She closed her eyes, as if the words physically pained her. "It's because of us."
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the wind whistling through the empty foundations of what had once been their home.
To be Continued in Chapter 21: Edolas