AN: Advanced chapters on my P-Word! You can get up to two chapters ahead for the Dark Swordsman if you're interested!
Cheers guys!
…
[X784, Edolas, New Magnolia]
— Dannis Martell —
"So this is where you all were."
That gravel-edged voice made all three of them turn at once.
Laxus Dreyar stood beneath the arch of the tent flap. He looked ruffled, as if he just came back from a battle. Parts of his clothes were singed, though there didn't seem to be any injury or fatigue marring his body.
He tossed a small burlap bag onto Dannis, who caught it from the air.
"Courtesy of Mystogan, Master Mavis, and the old hag." Laxus said.
Dannis untied the string. Inside were a dozen blood-red pills.
"What are they?" Levy asked, twisting one of the balls on her between her fingers as she studied them under the light.
"He called it X-balls. It should allow you to use magic while you're here." Laxus kind of grimaced. "One bite will do. Don't chew unless you like feeling your insides catch fire."
Dannis didn't need convincing. He took one, broke it with his teeth, and felt it burn down his throat like swallowing thunder. The world shifted almost instantly, his senses sharpened, his magic flaring alive beneath his skin.
His heart pounded once… twice… and then there it was. The hum of magic in his blood.
Levy gasped beside him, her hands glowing faintly blue as runes shimmered around her fingers. "I never thought I'd miss my magic this much."
"Juvia as well," the water mage breathed. Her arms dissolved into streams of glistening water, curling gracefully before reforming into flesh.
Dannis clenched his fists a few times before nodding. "Did Mystogan contact you?"
"Yeah, I got here with the other Dragon Slayers. They should be scattered around Edolas, waiting for the fuse to be lit."
"Then that settles it." Dannis straightened. "We're taking the fight to Faust."
Later that night, the four of them met in the war tent with Edo Dannis and his lieutenants.
A large map of Edolas covered the table, inked with red lines, arrows, and markers denoting patrol routes and fortifications. Dozens of candles flickered along the walls, casting long shadows across the gathered figures.
Edo Dannis stood at the head of the table, arms folded, cloak draped loosely over his shoulders, the black headband of his rebellion tied firmly around his brow. His raven perched silently atop a lantern behind him, its eyes glinting like shards of onyx.
He smirked as they entered. "Good to see you're joining the fight."
"We have our own reasons," Earthland Dannis replied coolly, stepping forward. The two shared a brief, knowing look, a silent acknowledgement that neither trusted the other completely. "With our magic back, it should be enough firepower to challenge the Kingdom."
"I'm glad to hear it," Edo Dannis said, leaning over the map. "I have the numbers, but Faust's army is still well-equipped and disciplined. He has his elite commanders, Erza Knightwalker among them. And there are rumors…" His voice dropped lower. "Rumors of a new weapon hidden within the capital. Something that channels the magic they've stolen."
Juvia's brows furrowed. "A weapon that uses the magic of Earthland?"
"That's what the scouts say," Edo Dannis replied grimly. "Whatever it is, Faust has been testing it on border towns. Places that no longer exist."
Laxus placed his hands on the table, his expression tightening. "Then we hit before he's ready."
The Edolas rebel nodded slowly, clearly pleased with the man's aggression. "Bold. I like that."
"Gajeel should be in the city already." Laxus continued. "He and I landed together here in Edolas and separated in search of you, Dannis."
Levy's eyes widened. "Gajeel's here?"
"If you have allies within the city, then that makes things simpler." He gestured toward the eastern edge of the map, where a small sigil marked the Royal City. "One of the things that makes sieging the royal capital difficult is that their walls are magically enhanced. Inside the main gatehouse, there exists a lacrima core that creates a magical barrier which prevents any solid object from entering. We've never been able to breach it."
He straightened then. "However, if your ally can reach that crystal and shut it down, then our armies can storm the city freely. Faust's army is spread thin across the provinces of Edolas. If we move fast, we can take the capital before he recalls his forces."
Dannis studied the map, tracing the routes with a finger. "Then that's our opening." He looked up at Levy. "Levy, that job falls to you. You're the only one who can move quietly enough to sneak into the city and link up with Gajeel. Juvia and Laxus's magics are too loud, and my face…" he smirked faintly, "let's just say it draws too much attention."
Edo Dannis rolled his eyes as Levy nodded. "Leave it to me."
Edo Dannis glanced around the table once more. "Then we have our plan. My men will begin preparing supply lines and assault formations. When the barrier falls, we strike from three fronts; the southern gate, the river crossing, and the mountain pass. I'll lead the main force."
He looked to his counterpart. "And you, help me make sure this doesn't turn into a slaughter. I want Faust's regime crushed, but I refuse to spill more blood than necessary."
"You have my word. We're not here for a massacre." Dannis nodded.
Edo Dannis Gave a curt nod, gathering his cloak. "Then we prepare. Tomorrow, New Magnolia marches."
The rebel commander turned on his heel, his raven taking flight above him as he exited the tent, leaving the sound of its fading wings behind.
…
[X784, Royal City, a week later]
— Gajeel Redfox —
Deep within the Capital City of Edolas, a shadow moved.
Gajeel darted through the narrow arteries of the royal district, his boots soundless on the cobblestone as he slipped through alleys bathed in the sickly blue glow of the city's lacrima lamps.
Patrols were doubling by the hour. He could smell that acrid scent of magic from their weapons and armor, practically putrid in this strange world of Edolas.
"They sure are persistent," he muttered, pressing himself against a wall as two Edolas soldiers marched past, the lacrima on their staves glowing.
He waited until they turned the corner before moving again, his form vanishing into the next shadowed alley.
After several turns, he finally found it.
A massive chamber lay open before him, an enormous circular plaza ringed by guard towers and barrier pylons. They were definitely magical, judging from the slow pulsing lights coming from their cores.
At its center stood a mountain-sized lacrima. The sight made Gajeel's blood run cold.
He could feel his jaw clench instinctively. The amount of magic within it was staggering. This must be the entire guild, he realized.
He crouched lower, studying the perimeter. Dozens of soldiers were stationed around it, rotating in shifts, their armor engraved with the insignia of the Royal Guard. He counted at least fifty, each one with gear emanating magic levels that rivaled a B-Class wizard back in Earth Land.
"High-grade gear," he noted, narrowing his eyes. "These ain't your run-of-the-mill tin cans."
Then, he froze.
A familiar scent suddenly cut through his nostrils. Sweet ink, parchment dust… and something faintly floral.
'Shrimp?'
His lips curved into a smirk. "Heh. I knew you'd find your way here."
He sprang up onto a nearby rooftop and moved, his boots barely tapping the shingles as he followed the trail. The scent grew stronger until finally, down one narrow alley, he saw her.
She was crouching by the lip of the alley, hair tied back and her brow furrowed in focus. On her wrist glowed a sort of compass made entirely of magical words, pointing and rotating.
The moment Gajeel leaned forward, the compass spun and pointed upward, straight at him.
Levy looked up and their eyes met. "Gajeel!"
He dropped from the roof, landing with a soft thud. "Shrimp, you alright? You already got your magic back? Who did you meet?"
"Laxus, but never mind that!" Levy said urgently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We've got a job to do."
Her tone left no room for argument, so Gajeel folded his arms and listened as she explained everything. How they met with the Edo version of Dannis and were currently organizing an assault, how they met Laxus, and how Dannis and the others were making their way toward the city from the outskirts.
When she finished, Gajeel nodded grimly and shared what he'd found. The massive lacrima, the tight security, and the sheer impossibility of breaking it without alerting every soldier in the capital. "How're we supposed to know when the others get here? If we move too soon, we'll have the whole damn Royal Army breathing down our necks."
"With this," Levy said, raising her hand. Her fingers glowed as glowing script spun to life. "Solid Script: Message Dannis."
Words shimmered in the air, forming a luminous thread of text that hovered between them. Levy spoke to it, her voice steady and confident as she relayed Gajeel's findings. When she finished, the message burst upward in a streak of light, vanishing into the sky.
"Dannis will get the warning," she said, letting out a soft breath. "We just have to buy them time."
"Nice," Gajeel grinned, his metal fangs catching the light. "Guess it's time to get movin' then. I've got a good guess which gate that barrier lacrima's anchored near."
Levy looked up at him, determination glinting in her eyes. "Then lead the way."
Gajeel nodded once, scanning the rooftops. "Stay close. I've got the pattern down on how these guards patrol."
Levy formed a quick Solid Script: Silence, wrapping them both in a faint shimmer of magic. Everywhere they stepped, not a single sound came out.
Gajeel grinned. "You're magic is bullshit, you know that right?"
However, no sound came out of his mouth, which made Gajeel blink.
Looking at Levy, she just raised an eyebrow at him before shrugging.
Releasing a soundless sigh, they turned and broke into a run.
…
AN: Another Fairy Tail update!
Anyways, I hope this chapter was fun. I surprisingly enjoyed the whole part where Gajeel stealthed through the city. Levy with her magic comes clutching once again. I swear her magic is so broken.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, cheers guys!