According to the original plan, after successfully arriving in Edolas, they should have first acclimated to the other world's environment. Then they would head to the capital to wait for further instructions.
Mystogan, as the prince, would go negotiate with the king. If he could convince him to terminate the Anima project, that would be ideal. No need for conflict. If he failed, they would resort to force.
However, Chase knew exactly what kind of person King Faust was and how rotten the royal army was. He knew that any negotiation was pointless.
It would be much simpler and more direct to just beat some sense into these people who were drunk on their magical dreams.
The only ones in the entire kingdom who were even remotely worth worrying about were the captain of the Second Magical Warfare Unit, Erza Knightwalker, and the kingdom's forbidden weapon, the Dragon Knight. Neither posed a real threat to the Fairy Tail team.
So, Chase was in no hurry to reach the capital. He wanted to find this world's version of Fairy Tail first. He was curious to see if he had a counterpart here. And experience a guild environment that was, by all accounts, the complete opposite.
That was why he had spontaneously proposed a race through this other world.
"There is nothing we can do. I will go ahead to the capital, as planned."
Mystogan sighed. He looked at Lucy. "Once Chase and the others have had their fun, Lucy, you can lead everyone to follow. There should still be enough time."
Before the mission began, he had drawn a rough map of Edolas. Though some places might have changed over the years, the general directions should still be accurate.
"Lead everyone? Me?!" Lucy's eyes went wide. She thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
"That is right. You are the only one who can do this. I believe in you, Captain," Mystogan said with a serious nod.
"Captain? Me?!"
Being called that by an S-Class mage like Mystogan, Lucy was over the moon. Her head filled with fantasies of bossing around Chase, Natsu, and Gray.
Snapping out of it, she puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips. Her pretty face radiated confidence. In a steady voice, she said, "You can count on me, Mystogan. Leave this trivial matter to your captain!"
"Just as the master said. Lucy really is easy to fool..."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing. I am just glad to have such a reliable comrade."
"Ahaha! You flatter me~"
Feeling herself floating on air, Lucy showed unprecedented enthusiasm. She jumped off the floating island just as Chase had done.
And then...
CRACK.
She landed wrong. The reliable captain had thrown out her back.
Seeing her down below, acting as if nothing had happened, waving at him, Mystogan's eye could not help but twitch.
Unable to watch any longer, he turned and left. He vanished from the island, beginning his journey back to the capital.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch."
The moment he was gone, Lucy dropped the act. She clutched her back, hissing in pain.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away, in a forest.
Birds and beasts fled in terror. Giant trees snapped. Strange creatures flew through the air, foaming at the mouth.
Chase was like a human bulldozer. He left a trail of destruction in his wake.
Since no one in Edolas had any magic power, he could not find them by their presence. So he had to make a lot of noise to get the attention of the Edolas Fairy Tail guild, which was hiding somewhere in the forest.
It also let his friends know where he was.
The trees blurred past. Suddenly, the forest opened up.
Chase stepped off a ledge. He landed in a pumpkin-shaped wooden hut nestled in the branches of a giant tree. Inside, books and objects were piled everywhere. His landing kicked up a cloud of dust.
"Oh, lucky. That was fast."
He recognized the building. He chuckled.
Stepping out, he looked up. Surrounded by giant mushrooms and strange plants, the uniquely designed vine building came into view.
A Fairy Tail flag hung from a vine twisted into the shape of a heart. The words "FAIRY TAIL" were clearly displayed on the small wooden door below.
This was definitely the Edolas Fairy Tail guild.
"So. How should I greet them?"
Chase dusted himself off and walked slowly toward the guild.
As he approached, even though the door was closed, he could hear shouting and yelling from inside.
In that respect, it was just like Earthland.
Chuckling to himself, Chase slowly raised his right leg.
BOOM.
The door was kicked in.
"Hey! Good afternoon, Fairy Tail!"
The sudden noise started everyone inside.
They put down their drinks and food. They grabbed their magical weapons. They stared at the figure in the doorway, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
Unlike the peaceful Fairy Tail of Earthland, they had been in hiding, branded a dark guild by the king. They were more on edge.
The atmosphere was tense and silent.
It was clear no one here knew who he was.
Seeing their shocked and confused expressions, Chase was trying to
think of a way to show he meant no harm, when two heavy objects came flying at him.
His fingers twitched out of instinct. But he held himself back.
He sensed no hostility.
"Chase! You idiot! Why did you come back without saying anything?! I missed you so much!"
Edo Lucy tackled him, shoving his head into her chest and rubbing it vigorously. She was beaming.
Chase went blind. He could barely breathe.
But that was nothing compared to his confusion.
Brother? Sister? What is going on?
"Hey, is that really Skinny Dog Chase? He looks so buff!"
"His face is definitely the same. He just looks a lot more mature."
"They sure are close. If that were Natsu, Lucy would have killed him by now."
"Hey, you idiot! You are going to kill him!!"
Edo Levy's shout snapped Edo Lucy out of it. She quickly let go.
"Oh, sorry. I could not help myself. It has been so long! Chase, have you been bullied these past two years? Tell me who it is, and I will beat them up!"
"The one who just bullied him was you!" Edo Levy said.
Chase did not answer Edo Lucy immediately. Instead, he walked over to Edo Jet.
"Jet. Explain to me. What exactly does 'Skinny Dog Chase' mean?" He grabbed Edo Jet by the collar and pulled him to his feet.
Everyone's jaws dropped. "Nani?! That Chase dares to treat Jet, the guild's strongest candidate, like that?!"
In Edolas, Jet and Droy, who were always hanging around Levy, were the undisputed strongest pair in the guild.
"Nonsense. Welcome back, Chase~" Edo Mirajane said.
"This is not the time for that!!" everyone shouted.
"If he knows Jet, then he must be the Chase we know," Edo Mirajane said, tilting her head.
"That is exactly why it is so wrong!!" everyone shouted again.
"Hey, Jet. My little brother just got back. If you so much as touch a hair on his head, I will not let you off!" Edo Lucy warned.
"No, it is just... this Chase is..." Edo Jet was sweating.
He had been trying to fight back since Chase grabbed him.
But Chase was far too strong. The pressure in his eyes made his heart race.
"Hmm?" Chase grunted.
"S-sorry. I was just joking. I am the skinny dog," Edo Jet said, raising his hands.
"That is better~" Chase smiled.
He let go of Edo Jet and sat down nearby. He picked up a mug and downed the cold, sweet juice inside.
He had suspected that the timelines of Earthland and Edolas did not perfectly overlap. He had thought it was possible his counterpart existed in this world.
But this was different. This world's Chase was a member of Fairy Tail. And from their reactions, he was a softie.
"So, Chase. What happened in the two years you were gone? Where are Gildarts and Laxus?"
Edo Mirajane walked over, her face full of concern.
Even if the face was the same, the changes in this Chase were too great. He seemed like a stranger.
Edo Lucy clicked her tongue. "That is a question for a girlfriend. Her brother should ask it." She had also noticed something was wrong. She thought something terrible must have happened.
"Well..."
Chase scratched his head. He looked around. "I have a lot of questions too. But let us start with introductions."
"I am from another world called Earthland. I am not the Chase you know."
At first, there was silence. Then, laughter.
"Way to kill the mood. I thought something had happened to Dad and the others."
"Not bad, Chase. You have gotten stronger and funnier."
"Yeah, right. Another world called Earthland. That almost sounded convincing."
It was no surprise. No one believed him.
Chase sighed. He stood up and began to channel his magic power.
No amount of explaining would be as effective as a demonstration. The best way to convince them was to show them what he could do.
A wave of magical pressure filled the small space. His cape fluttered.
The ground began to shake. Glasses and plates fell to the floor and shattered.
"Ahaha! Look, Wendy! There is a Fairy Tail here too!"
"Wait, Natsu! We cannot just barge in..."
A voice from the door interrupted Chase.
With Happy and Carla's help, Natsu and Wendy had followed the trail and found the guild.
"Hey! Is this Fairy Tail?!"
Before anyone could react, Natsu ignored Wendy's protests and kicked in the door Edo Elfman had just closed.
The door took another hit.
"Nani?! Lucy, Gray! How did you get here so fast?!"
Natsu spotted Lucy and Gray at the door and groaned. "Darn it! I did not even get second place!"
He was talking about the race.
"Aye~ It is all because Natsu is too heavy!" Happy said.
"Now is not the time for that!"
Carla scolded him. Then she pointed at the people in the guild. "Why are there so many others?"
"The master must have sent them to help us, now that the town is safe," Wendy said.
"Look at your surroundings! That is not possible!" Carla said.
"Sorry, sorry," Wendy said weakly, tears in her eyes.
The Edolas Fairy Tail members were on edge again.
"Are those... Exceeds?!"
"Hey, Natsu. Why did you bring Exceeds here? And who is that girl who looks like Wendy?!"
In Edolas,Exceeds, talking cats like Happy and Carla, were considered gods. To defy them was to invite death. Even the king and his army kept their distance.
"Do not worry. They are Exceeds, but they are also trusted comrades. They are from Fairy Tail in Earthland, just like me."
Chase's explanation eased the tension.
Seeing Edo Mirajane and the others still looked confused, he raised his arm and waved at Natsu. "Let us settle this, Natsu."
"Hehe. You said it, Chase!"
Confused as he was, Natsu forgot all his questions at the thought of a fight.
WHIR.
A red magic circle appeared. Fire erupted.
Clashing his fists together, Natsu charged at Chase.
"Take this! Fire Dragon's Iron... "
***
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