Lucy just rolled her eyes as the vines yanked them back to their starting spot. They plopped onto the mattress again, and down they went—zooming through the air until they landed nice and easy on Cat Town's ground.
They waved goodbye to Millianna, who was waiting there, and the trio (two girls, one pup) hit the road north again.
Millianna watched them vanish down the path, let out a huge sigh of relief, and pulled out the two slices of cake Erza had given her earlier. She swallowed hard, eyes locked on the treats.
"Our parts are finally done, meow! Now we can explore this crazy world~"
She stared at the cake like it was treasure. "But I'm dying to know—what does the best cake in the kingdom even taste like? Wally, wanna try, meow?"
"I'm curious too," Wally said, taking the other slice. "Didn't dare eat during the scene—just in case something went wrong."
They grinned at each other and chomped down.
Two chews in—their faces froze. Eyes popped wide. Hands flew to their throats.
"SO! SWEET!!"
"This is bitter sweet, meow!!! Is this really the kingdom's best?!" Millianna's tongue felt numb.
Then the dizziness hit. Millianna clutched her head, wobbling like she'd downed a barrel of booze, spinning in circles.
"Weird, meow—I feel… floaty… like I'm gonna fly—"
THUD. Both face-planted. Eyes swirled into spirals, foam dribbling from their mouths.
A few minutes later, their bodies faded—turning transparent, then dissolving into sparkly light particles.
Match Girl and her bodyguard: KO'd.
Cause of death: Cake overdose.
---
Meanwhile, on the road north, Erza and Lucy noticed Fluffy sniffing like crazy.
The little dog looked blissed out, nose twitching at some invisible scent, legs autopilot-steering him into a grove on the right.
"Did Fluffy smell something good?" Lucy asked, watching him zone out. She glanced at Erza.
Erza's lips curved into a tiny, knowing smile. "Only one person in the world can make Fluffy act like this."
"?" Lucy was lost but followed anyway.
Erza's mood had flipped—she was practically bouncing, steps light and happy.
They trailed Fluffy through the trees until Lucy's nose twitched too.
"Whoa—this smells amazing! Is someone grilling meat?!"
She inhaled deeply, eyes half-closing in bliss. "How is it this good?! I'm drooling just from the smell!"
"Of course," Erza said, a hint of pride sneaking in. "His cooking's always been incredible—especially barbecue."
"Even Fluffy can't resist. Sometimes he'll trot over just to beg for scraps."
"He?" Lucy started, but then—there, under a big tree, sat a super familiar back.
The guy heard them, turned slowly, and flashed a warm grin, waving. "Yo~ So nice to see you ladies~"
He wiggled a sizzling, oil-dripping skewer. "You look beat. Wanna join me for some grub?"
Lucy's eyes went O: "ROGER?! What are you doing barbecuing in the middle of nowhere?!"
He tore off a cooled piece and handed it to Fluffy, who sat there like a total suck-up. "Just testing if food here actually tastes like something."
Fluffy gently grabbed the meat, waited for Roger to let go, then chomp—eyes squinted in pure joy, purring little happy growls.
Roger chuckled at the pup's greed, stood, dusted his hands, and switched to fancy-prince mode:
"First time meeting you all—I'm a prince from a neighboring kingdom, also a wandering mage."
"I heard a crimson-haired princess was setting out to slay an evil dragon."
He bowed gracefully, eyes on Erza. "May I have the honor of joining your party and lending what little strength I have?"
"Absolutely!" Erza answered instantly.
Lucy's eye twitched. She facepalmed. "You said yes that fast?! At least think about it—maybe question his story!!"
She jabbed a finger at Roger. "He just appeared in the wilderness! Why aren't you suspicious?!"
Erza blinked, totally confused. "Roger's not a bad guy. He's obviously good."
"=_= So I'm the only potential villain here?"
Lucy sighed, giving up. "Whatever. I'm the idiot for trying to logic this fairy tale…"
Then the meat smell intensified—like tiny hooks yanking at her stomach. It growled loudly.
"Uh… R-Roger—Prince, I mean," she mumbled, pointing at the fire. "What is that meat? It smells insane."
"Gala-gator tenderloin," Roger said, thumbs-up, nodding at a pile of meat on giant green leaves.
Marbled perfectly, fat like snowflakes. "Supposedly blends wagyu richness, premium tuna belly freshness, and a wild game kick."
(Kana added gourmet details to the script—didn't expect it to work this well.)
"Telepathy?!" Lucy jumped, but hunger dragged her back.
"I'm actually starving. This world's too real…"
Erza was already chowing down, face shiny with grease and bliss. Fluffy was buried in his share.
Lucy ditched dignity, grabbed a skewer, blew on it, and took a bite.
The second her teeth hit—it melted like tender tofu. Juice exploded in her mouth, a flavor symphony.
"SO GOOD!!!" Her eyes sparkled. "I've never had anything this amazing!"
She turned to praise Roger—and saw the once-mountain of meat was down to crumbs.
Erza lounged against him, totally stuffed and unbothered by manners.
". _ . You ate it ALL?! How are you so fast?!"
Lucy yelped, then dove in—inhaling the rest like a tornado.
In minutes, three humans and one dog wiped the plate clean.
After a quick breather, the squad hit the road again. A bit later, a familiar scream echoed through the trees.
"HELP! Somebody save me!"
"Kagura?" Erza frowned and bolted.
Roger and Lucy followed. Soon, in a clearing, stood Kagura—red velvet hood, round basket on her arm.
She spotted them, panicked relief flooding her face, and ran over, panting.
"Please help! There's a big bad wolf—he wants my stuff and me!"
Right on cue, a creepy laugh: "Gi hee~ Give it up, Little Red! Scream all you want—no one's coming! Hand over the Water Spirit Orb!"
Out stepped Gajeel—hair longer and messier, skin dark, rocking full villain smirk.
Kagura sucked in a breath for her next line—when a tiny "squeak" came from her basket.
She froze. Head creaked like rusty gears toward the basket.
The cloth lifted—a dusty gray mouse head poked out, beady eyes blinking at her.
"Squeak?" It tilted its head.
"MOUSE!!!!" Kagura's pupils shrank to pins. She shrieked—a sonic boom of terror.
Everyone (and the mouse) flinched.
The mouse zoomed out to flee.
Mid-air—Kagura's hand flashed to her waist, drew a wooden sword, and slash—
[Gravity Slash · Type 1 · Falling Star]
A silver crescent blade erupted, nailing the mouse—splitting it clean in half! The arc kept going, rocketing toward Gajeel.
"Hey! That's not in the script! Red's the attacker now?!" Gajeel squawked, raising an arm to metal-block—
Magic surged… but instead of iron, his arm sprouted thick black fur.
He stared at his wolf-paw. "Crap—I forgot my magic's wolf mode here!"
BOOM. The slash slammed him. He flew like a ragdoll, screaming into the sky: "Curse you, Red Riding Hood! I'll be baaaack!!!"
Silence.
Kagura's face went beet-red. She hung her head, twisting her skirt in shame.
Lucy opened her mouth to roast—then swallowed it, internally screaming:
With one swing you yeet the wolf—YOU need saving?!
And why does Red Riding Hood carry a wooden sword and know god-tier swordsmanship?!
"S-sorry!!" Kagura squeaked. "I got bored on the way… carved a wooden sword from a branch to play…"
"The mouse probably snuck in then—I didn't mean—"
Clap clap clap—
Everyone turned.
Roger, grinning, applauded. "Brilliant! Masterful! As expected of the princess destined to slay the dragon!"
He stepped beside Erza, voice dripping awe: "By secretly guiding and empowering Little Red, you let her defeat the Big Bad Wolf herself!"
"Not only did you intimidate the enemy, ensuring he won't target her again—"
"But you helped her conquer her fear with her own strength! A flawless, wise move!"
"???" Everyone blinked, brains buffering the galaxy-level spin.
Kagura snapped out first—grabbed the lifeline, nodding frantically, looping her arm through Erza's.
"Y-yes! Exactly! Thank you, noble princess! Thanks to you controlling my sword, I beat that wolf myself!"
"Who knew a wooden sword could be that strong! You're amazing!!"
"Oh… uh, yeah," Erza mumbled, nodding along in a daze.
Lucy: == He just retconned reality?!
Roger, you absolute legend—
"Speaking of," Roger pivoted smoothly, "that 'Water Spirit Orb' the wolf mentioned—what's that?"
Kagura pulled a glowing aqua-blue gem from her pocket. Inside, water seemed to flow; the air cooled and moistened.
"My grandma gave it to me," she explained softly. "It suppresses intense fire energy."
She gazed into the distance, worried. "My home, Springwater Village, was full of hot springs and clear streams…"
"But two days ago, a vicious fire dragon took over. Its heat evaporated nearly all the water."
"Life's been awful. Grandma secretly gave me this orb to protect me and sneak out without alerting the dragon."
"She told me to find the kind, brave princess from the prophecy—beg her to defeat the dragon and save our home."
Erza placed a hand over her heart, smiling. "Helping those in need is a princess's duty. I'd be happy to save your village."
She stood tall. "We will bring back peace!"
"Really?! Thank you!!" Kagura beamed, nodding like a bobblehead. "Follow me—it's not far!"
They trekked through withered woods to a village. The sight was grim: cracked earth, leafless trees, air shimmering with heat.
Lucy fanned herself, sweating bullets. "It's a furnace! One dragon did this?"
She looked around, stunned. "You can't even tell this was Springwater Village…"
Kagura raised the orb—a translucent blue shield bloomed, enveloping them in cool relief.
"So nice!" Lucy poked the barrier; it felt like cool silk. "This blocks the heat completely!"
"For a little while," Kagura sighed. "It can't last long—that's why Grandma sent me to find the princess fast."
She led them down a narrow alley. "This way—a shortcut to our house."
Soon, a rundown little home. Kagura knocked three times.
"Grandma, I brought the princess!"
Creak. The door opened.
Out shuffled Makarov—in a floral shirt, fanning himself.
"Welcome back, Little Red!" He grinned, eyes on Erza. "And this must be the princess from the prophecy?"
Lucy stared at his outfit, lips twitching. "Is… that the local fashion?"