Happy: You got it all wrong! WE'RE FAIRY TAIL WIZARDS!!! WE DON'T WORK FOR YOU!!!

This caught the attention of the many Exceed guards as well.

Nichiya: Meow...?

Nabi:: My... Mr. Nichiya... do you think those two are...?

Happy wanted no time in grabbing Carla's hand and making a beat for it. 

Happy: Come on Carla! We're leaving!

Happy ran as fast as he could, dragging the still distraught Carla behind him.

Happy: Let em come after us! I'll never abandon my friends! I promise that I'm gonna save you!

Carla looked with teary eyes at her fellow Fairy Tail Exceed.

Nabi and Nichiya we're stunned beyond words at these actions. 

Nabi: Have they gone mad?!

Nichiya: They're fallen angels! Otherwise known as Fallens!" Nichiya declared, after taking a dramatic pose.

Nabi: I see they've been tainted by the abominable essence of Earthland and lost their divinity.

Nichiya gave overly dramatic tears at this. 

Nichiya: MEEOOOWWWW!

Nabi: Two Fallens are on the loose in the city!

Nichiya: Royal Guard! Hunt them down!

Edolas Royal Castle; Dungeon

Natsu and Wendy both sat dejected in their cell, with Dante and Modeus both in the cell right next to theirs.

Natsu: I don't believe this. Happy would never turn his back on us, that's impossible.

Dante: He was either brainwashed or manipulated, I don't think that it's his fault.

Modeus looked to Dante, who bore a scowl on his face as he gripped the bars of his cell; even with his strength, without his demonic power he couldn't pry them open. 

Modeus: Am I correct to assume you are blaming Carla for this?

That question also caught Wendy's attention

Dante: What do you think?

Modeus: Perhaps whatever influence that was placed on Happy was placed on her as well.

Dante: Yeah... I don't think so. This was probably her plan as well.

Wendy: (quietly) That can't be... She wouldn't....

Dante: (sighed) Wendy... I hate to tell you this, but it makes sense. She knew about Edolas the whole time, even when she claimed to not knowing the lay out, she knew about that mining tunnel where Nelo Angelo and Knightwalker ambushed us.

Modeus: But that still doesn't mean-

Dante: She knew this would happen. She might not have anything to do with Mundus and what he's planning, but she was with the Kingdom, she was with that Queen-Cat-Goddess-thing.

Wendy: I don't believe that. I've known Carla my whole life, she'd never do this!

Dante: Did she ever mention Edolas to you? Did any of this ever come to mind with her?

Modeus: Dante, whether she is to blame for this or not does not matter, it will not help us to escape.

Natsu: No, but breaking stuff will! (desperately and angrily tried to pull the bars off his cell door) Fire Dragon Roar! (Nothing came out)

Dante: (angrily) We can't use any of our powers here in this shithole world here, remember?!

Despite that, Natsu still attempted to break out. Modeus saw the angry Dante and looked with concern.

Dante: Not only do we have this, but now we got Mundus to worry about. Dammit!

Dante punched the brick wall, leaving cracks on it.

Modeus: We'll find a way. Your father taught me never to surrender, while I was his apprentice. He never gave up, not even in the face of Mundus himself, and neither shall we. An opportunity will present itself. We must be patient.

Dante: Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Natsu: (grumbled) Me neither.

Wendy meanwhile looked down as if hope had faded from the Sky Dragon Slayer's mind.

Meanwhile, in a separate cell; Lucy slowly began to wake up. She opened her eyes slowly to find herself in a dank cell, she attempted to get up but something was holding her down. Even when she tried to speak, something muffled her voice.

Lucy: Mmmph?

Lucy looked down and found herself bound in some sort of silk rope. Her hands we're bound behind her back, with the silk wrapping around to bind her arms to her body below her breasts, her ankles we're also tied together with the silk rope, and she even had some wrapped around her mouth to keep her from speaking.

Lucy: Whmmph!?

She instantly broke out in a struggle to get out of the bindings. As she struggled, she heard another moan that wasn't hers. She looked to the far corner of the cell to see Lisanna bound and gagged in the exact same fashion as her. Lisanna looked to Lucy with concern but couldn't speak to her at all.

Lisanna: Mmmph. Mmmph.

She tried to move, but couldn't get to far.

Lucy felt around with her bound hands behind her back. She groaned in frustration, but felt some relief when she felt her keys. Only one issue though, she could not feel any magic power.

Lucy: Mmmph?! Cmmmph Onmmph!

She moaned in aggravation. She then comically began to struggle in the silk restraints trying to get out.

Lisanna tried to struggle a bit, but she knew these restraitns all to well. She saw them in use while the guilds of Edolas we're being attacked. The Royal Soldiers would use them to jam the weapons and drain them of their magic power, and apparently it also made good restraints as she was now in them. As she saw Lucy continue to comically get out, Lisanna let out a moan as her thoughts fell onto one certain individual.

Lisanna's mind: Natsu. Where are you?

Extalia

Meanwhile, in the town where all the Exceeds continue about their daily business, as before, they heard the sound of what appeared to be a stampede, which caught many of their attentions.

Exceed 1: What's all that ruckus about? 

They all looked to see a dust cloud moving towards them.

Exceed 2: Whatever it is, it's coming from the castle?

Exceed 3: Wait I think I see someone."

Happy continued to run, still holding Carla's hand and dragging her with him. 

Happy: Everybody get out of the way!

Not too far behind them we're at least two-dozen Exceed Royal Guards, all chasing them with swords. They all ran past the Exceed civilians as they went to the side and got out of the way.

Exceed 4: Aren't those two the heroes from before? And... the Royal Guard?!

Nichiya: Don't let them escape! Meow!

Happy swerved with Carla to the side to avoid a sword-slash from one of the guards and continued to run as fast as his feet could carry him. Happy then saw a large wooden wheel-barrel full of hay and dove into it with Carla. They hid in their for about a minute.

The squad of guards completely ran past the basket, completely oblivious to those who hid inside it. But the last one accidentally kicked one of the wooden blocks that kept the right wheel in place, causing it to tip slightly. A bit further behind the guards was a very tired and exhausted Nichiya, who was clearly out of shape.

He ran and tripped on the last wooden block of the wheel-barrel. As soon as he hit the ground his tongue stuck out in exhaustion. 

Nichiya: (panting) Not tired yet... Not at all... I must apprehend the Fallens at once... And live up to the Queen's expectations... It shouldn't be a problem.. I'm a strong and healthy young man...

As he spoke in denial, the wheel-barrel Happy and Carla we're hiding in began to move downward as they we're on a declined elevation. It completely ran over Nichiya before moving down at high speeds. Happy and Carla then both began to comically scream as the wheel-barrel rolled down through the entire town, leaving a trail of dust behind.

They rode down out into the town's outskirts and began to hit the bumps as they bumped up and down repeatedly. As they did, Carla lost her grip and almost went flying out of the moving cart.

Happy: (reach his paw) Carla I'll save you!

Carla: Happy!

They reached out and Happy was able to grab onto her paw.

Happy: Don't worry, I won't let you go again!

They continued to roll down. He turned around and saw something that made his eyes go wide. The cart rolled off a cliff and gravity took over soon after.

Both Exceeds screamed as they fell down. The cart took the brunt of the impact as it shattered, and the hay did soften their landing, but it wasn't exactly pleasant for the both of them as they both groaned laying flat on the ground.

Happy: (groans with swirls in his eyes) Hey? Are you okay...? Is the ground spinning for you too?

Carla strenuously got up. 

Carla: Well, nothing seems to be broken. 

She then saw something that made her eyes widen. 

Carla: Happy! Look at that!

Happy got up to see a giant floating island with a massive lacrima crystal on top of it, even larger than the one they saw before. 

Happy: A giant lacrima floating in the sky!

Carla: It's even bigger than the one in the Royal City!

Happy: Our friends must be inside that one. I thought the one in the city looked too small.

Carla: Speaking of which...

Carla pointed down near the edge of the floating island that they, and the kingdom of Extalia were inhabiting. There they could see the Edolas Royal City.

Happy: Whoa! What's the Capital doing so far below us?! It's tiny!

Carla: Extalia must be built on one of the floating islands! In other words, this is how everything is positioned.

Happy: But how are we supposed to get down to the city?

Carla: Until we can use our magic, I'm afraid that we may be stuck up here.

Happy: (sighs) Hey Carla... (caught her attention) What do you think Nelo Angelo was talking about?

Carla: Pardon?

Happy: Back in the mines, where we were ambushed, he said that Mundus sends his thanks. What do you think he meant by that?

Carla: Well as we can already guess, Nelo Angelo is a demon. However, demons are not native to Edolas, hence the reason we haven't seen an Edolas counterpart to Dante, Trish, Vergil, or the others. So if I had to take a wild guess, I'd say Mundus must have sent Nelo Angelo to Edolas.

Happy: But I thought Mundus was trapped in the Demon World. And didn't Sparda and the dragons put up a barrier around the Demon World?

Carla: Sparda put one up that kept the Demon World separate from Earthland. But we're in Edolas, a completely different realm entirely. While it is true that Mundus may indeed be trapped in the Demon World with all his forces, the line between his world and this one must be much thinner than the one between his realm and Earthland.

Happy: You think Mundus is using Nelo Angelo to try and get into Edolas?

Carla: It seems quite likely. And this would present quite the opportunity for him. Unlike Earthland, Edolas is severely lacking in Magic Power, so the people of Edolas wouldn't be able to defend themselves from such a malevolent force.

Happy: But what about the Queen here in Extalia? Isn't she supposed to be a goddess?

Carla: Whether that is true remains to be seen. And besides, the Exceeds have never seen demons before, so it is highly likely that the king of demons may overpower even them. It would seem that our situation no longer involves just rescuing our friends, it's got quite a lot more complicated.

Happy: Aye. So now what?

Before an answer could be given, they heard a gruff old voice speak out. 

???: Hey you little varmints! What in the Queen's britches are ya'll doing in my field!

They both turned around to see another Exceed, quite different from the ones they've seen before. He had white fur with a black uni-brow and beard. He also had a straw hat with his ears pointing out, old green pants, a light brown old shirt with a blue sleeveless-jacket over it. He also carried a spade and had a deep scowl on his face.

Old Exceed: I was expecting a couple of dead-beats but I caught trouble-makers instead. You're them Fallens, ain't ya?

Happy growled slightly and took up his fists, while Carla looked quite concerned. He made eye contact with Happy, his face turned red with an anger mark on his head; he then began to comically wave his spade around angrily, chasing Happy.

Old Exceed: Now get on outta here!

Happy: Fine! Just quit screaming at us!

Meanwhile, on the cliff they fell off of, Nichiya and a few of his Royal Guards were still searching. 

Nichiya: Meow! Keep you're peepers peeled for that cart! It's here somewhere, so find it at once! Meow!

Happy, Carla, and the old male Exceed heard all of this, but were too far out of sight for the guards to see them.

Happy: They're already on our tails.

Carla looked even more depressed.

Old Exceed: NYAAA! I told you two to scram!

Happy: Yes sir! Okay, we're scramming right now!

Old Exceed: Then come over to my place!

That caught the two Exceeds by surprise.

A few moments later, the two were in front of the farmer Exceed's house, which looked quite a lot like his face.

Happy: But what about those soldiers? Oh I get it, you already reported us, didn't you?

Farmer: Nooo!

He branded his spade, while Happy had wide pupil-less eyes of shock.

Happy: AHH!!! I was just asking a question!

A middle-aged, blue female Exceed then walked up, she had a white dress, a yellow apron, with a green hood over her head, and a friendly smile on her face. She was carrying a basket full of vegetables. She was clearly the farmer's wife.

Blue Exceed: Hello dear, did you finish working out in the fields already? (noticed Happy and Carla) Oh, I see we have some guests.

Happy and Carla both gave slight bows. 

Happy and Carla: Yeah, sorry to trouble you.

Blue Exceed: Oh its no trouble.

Happy: Thanks. I'm Happy.

Carla: And I'm Carla.

The farmer walked inside as they introduced themselves. 

Blue Exceed: My, those are some wonderful names. Now why don't you come inside and wash up?

After some minutes; Happy and Carla got cleaned up a bit and sat at the table. They learned the names of the farmer and his wife; Lucky was the man, and Marl was the woman. Marl noticed the condition they we're in and knew they we're the ones being labeled as 'Fallens'.

Marl: You poor things, it sounds like you had a rough day.

She brought a plate of fish to the table. Happy instantly smiled as his favorite food came towards him, while Carla just looked up in acknowledgment while still in her state of depression.

Happy: Mr. Lucky, Ms. Marl, thanks for letting us hide out here for a while.

Lucky: Yaaah! Use that mouth for chewin, not yapin!

Happy: Aye!

Carla: You're very kind.

Marl: Please excuse my husband. He doesn't exactly see eye-to-eye with the Kingdom. He's so vocal about it, they kicked us out. And we've been living on this little farm ever since.

Lucky: (got comically angry, again) Yaahh! What you go and tell em that for?!

Marl: (kind smile) Oh no reason.

Happy: (realized) I get it! That's why you helped us escape!

Lucky crossed his arms in a stubborn-fashion. 

Lucky: Believe what you want kid.

Happy: (laughed a bit) Yeah.

Lucky slammed his hands on the table in comic anger. 

Lucky: If you're gonna stay here, you're gonna work here! Got it?!

Happy: Aye sir!

Lucky: Right! So you better eat! You're gonna need the energy! You hear me!? Munch!

Marl gave an amused laugh.

Some time later, Happy was in a pale shirt with red pants with overall straps. He had a spade and attempted to soften the soil with it as Lucky watched.

Lucky: Yaaah! Put you're back into it kid! You wanna be a man right!?

Happy: I don't get it. What does this have to do with becoming a man?

Lucky: Yaaah! No back-talk! Now less yappin and more howin'!

Happy: Aye sir! Howing away! (picked up the pace)

The two had been working for quite some time out in the fields, and Happy was already getting quite tired as he rubbed his forehead.

Happy: Mr. Lucky, do you really work with these heavy tools every day? I feel like I'm gonna break my back.

Lucky: That means you're one with the tool. Its weight comes from the heaviness of you're heart and soul. Got it?!

Happy: Yeah I see. (speak to himself) This guy's over the top even when he's working. Its time like these that I envy Dante's laziness. He'd blow a gasket if he heard me say that, so I should watch my fish-hole.

Lucky heard that however. 

Lucky: (massive red head) YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, KID!!! GAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Happy: AHH!!!! (going back to work) I'm sorry!

As they worked in the fields, Carla, who now wore a blue dress with black leggings and a red tie was working on cutting some fruit on the front deck of the house. Marl came out and saw the work in the fields and gave an amused chuckle.

Lucky: YAAAH! You're doing it wrong!

He then began to demonstrate it the 'proper way' to Happy. 

Lucky: (A real man would do it like this! (plowed many holes) See? You gotta put your back into it!

Those last words caught Happy's attention. 

Happy: A real man?

Happy was instantly reminded of a certain wizard back in Earthland who says that same thing. Lucky finished his demonstration. 

Lucky: There! Now that's how you plow a field, ya see?!

Happy: (awe) Whoa! That's amazing Mister!

Lucky: Quit gawking!

Happy then began to talk to himself, again. 

Happy: He already forgot he told me to watch him? Man, Dante would get a real kick out of this if he saw me now. I should probably keep my trap shut though.

Lucky got comically mad again, with the giant red head again. 

Lucky: YAAH!!!!!!!! YOU ALREADY FORGOT I COULD HEAR YA?!?!?! YAAAH!!!!!!!!!!

Happy comically panicked, again. 

Happy: AHHHHH!!!!!!! Sorry again!

Meanwhile, Carla continued to work on the fruit. Marl soon approached her. 

Marl: My, my, you're quite skilled.

Carla: It's pretty simple. All done.

Marl: Thank you dear.

Marl held out a bowl of some form of orange liquid. Carla poured the fruit slices into it. They both watched the work outside as the comically angry Lucky continued to yell at Happy. 

Marl: Well they're getting along.

She looked towards Carla and noticed the sad look still present on her face.

Happy: Can't we take a break? Come on I'm dying over here!

Lucky: If you can talk, you can work kid.

Marl: Why don't you two strong men take a break?! We made some cold drinks!

That was all Happy needed to hear. 

Happy: Sweet mercy!

Lucky: Stop! You better not be thinking of drinking that before me!

Happy: Uh... no sir!

Royal City

King Faust sat on his throne, along in his chamber. An intense look present on his face as no doubt his greedy mind was thinking of something sinister. However, he failed to notice in the shadows, Nelo Angelo looking towards him with a knowing smirk.

Meanwhile, back in the cell that Lucy and Lisanna we're stuck in, they remained bound and gagged as before. Lucy had struggled for a couple of hours but she wasn't even able to get loose. Eventually, she rested against the wall to catch her breath.

Lisanna: Lccmmph!

She turned and saw Lisanna wiggle a bit closer to her. She turned around and arched her bound hands up as best as she could. 

Lisanna: Mmmph!

She gestured with her fingers for Lucy to come closer.

Lucy: Mmmph.

Lucy scooted closer to Lisanna, as she knew what she was trying to tell her. Lucy lowered her head closer to Lisanna's fingers as she tried to pick off the gag. Lisanna was able to get a bit of a grip on it and was able to pick a hole in it, letting it fall of Lucy, who took a huge breath from her mouth.

Lucy: Thanks. (Lisanna nodded) Now turn around so I can do you.

Lisanna turned back around, facing towards Lucy, who scooted herself so her fingers faced the gag that Lisanna was slowly lowering towards. Lucy used her nails to pick a hole in that gag as well, which let it fall off, letting Lisanna breath a bit easier now.

Lisanna: Thanks Lucy.

Lucy: Yeah, so what is this stuff exactly? I can't even find a not in all this?

Lisanna: Some kind of anti-magic fluid. Royal Soldiers would use it to grab a hold of a magic weapon and it would suppress its power. And apparently, (sweatdrop) it's also good for tying up prisoners.

Lucy: Where are the others?

Lisanna: No clue, taken somewhere else. We're in the prison tower right now.

Lucy: (looks around) There's gotta be a way outta here.

Lisanna: Even if we do manage to somehow get untied, the cell is locked with several guards outside, and I don't have the first clue about how to even get out.

Lucy: So what? We just give up?

Lisanna: I'm not saying that. Can't you use your keys to try and cut through this?

Lucy: I've been trying, but it feels like sticky web and I can't even summon my spirits to help. And if this surprises magic, then they likely can't come through by themselves either.

Both bound girls looked out the only cell window behind them. They had to think of a plan and fast.

Meanwhile, in the desert, far on the outskirts of the Royal City, the car that was known as the Fireball rode, driven by the Edolas Natsu, with the Edolas Eva in the passenger seat.

Edolas Eva: Hey, (points forward) looks like we got a hitch-hiker. 

Edolas Natsu looked in the direction she was pointing where a certain blonde was holding up her thumb to hitch a ride.

Edolas Lucy: (smile) I knew I could count on you guys. Now get me back to the guild, we got work to do.

She got in and the three rode off to the Edolas Fairy Tail guildhall.

Edolas Eva: We should be able to get back to the others soon, but that may be all the fuel we can spare for the Fireball.

Edolas Natsu: We did manage to drop off the lot of them in the Royal City's backyard, sounds like they're serious about taking on the Royal Army too.

Edolas Lucy: What about Lisanna?

Edolas Eva: She went with them. She really wants to help them.

Edolas Natsu: Of course she does, who can blame her? You think we should have told her that we know about her already?

Edolas Eva: I feel like Mirajane and Elfman should be the ones to do that.

Edolas Lucy: So, Aunt Eva, what do you think of that Dante-guy?

Edolas Eva: Well, he's very interesting, I'll say that. But there's something about him...

Edolas Natsu: What?

Edolas Eva: I don't know. I just can't help but get this feeling about him. For some reason, I also feel concerned... Like I'm worried about how he's doing. I'm worried about all of them, believe me, but with him... it just feels... odd.

Edolas Lucy: I wouldn't worry. I've seen what that guy can do, anyone who can take down a whole squad of royal soldiers, and can deck the Black Angel himself has gotta have some power to him. And he's got a pretty good sense of style too.

Edolas Eva: What... (smirk) you like him?

Edolas Eva gave a mischievous-looking-smirk in her niece's direction as Edolas Lucy's face went red. 

Edolas Lucy: (blushing) Not like that! Okay!? He's cool, alright?! But I don't have a crush! I'm not that kind of girl!

Edolas Natsu: Got that right. You're more like the girl who does the actual crushing.

Edolas Lucy gave a certain look towards him, where as Edolas Eva sighed and put a hand to her face. 

Edolas Eva: Oh boy.

Two seconds later

They were outside the car as Edolas Lucy was on Edolas Natsu's back, pulling his arms back and twisting them at the same time.

Edolas Lucy: (sadistic/playful joy) What was that about crushing?!

Edolas Lucy began her 'torture session' with Edolas Natsu.

Edolas Natsu: I didn't mean to, please forgive me!

Edolas Eva: (lightly scolded, while at the same time trying to hide her laughter) Lucy, come on, the poor guy's practically crying.

Edolas Lucy: Hey, you're not my mom!

Edolas Eva: No, but I am you're aunt young lady!

Edolas Natsu: Please listen to her! I can't take much more of this!

Lucky and Marl's farm.

After a drink, Happy instantly went back to his work, much to his dismay. His job this time was cleaning the roof.

Happy: (sighed) I'm grateful the old timer is letting us hide here, but does he have to work me like a dog the whole time?

Lucky heard all that. 

Lucky: Wanna take your chances with the soldiers?! (Happy stiffened up) Then sweep the roof spot-less!"

Happy: I'll sweep! (got back to work) How did he hear me from there? (stopped for a moment) This really isn't the time for me to do this, come on, you're friends need you!

As he set the broom down, he slipped and almost fell of, but was able to grab the edge in time.

Lucky: Yaaah! Quit getting distracted or you'll hand-scrub the toilet!

Happy: NOOO!!!!!

Lucky: After you finish the roof, you're chopping firewood for an hour, got it?!

Happy: Aye sir!

Inside the house

Carla was sitting with a warm drink, presumably tea. She looked into it, and couldn't help but feel guilty. Marl noticed the look on her face.

Marl: You haven't smiled at all this whole time, I'm sure you can brighten up the entire room. Are things really so bad that you can't crack a smile?

Carla: (looked into her drink) I'm just not in a smiling mood, that's all.

Marl: It sounds like something painful must have happened. (Carla was genially surprised) It may seem bad now, but you'll smile again.

Carla: I doubt it.

Marl: You may say that, but trust me, it'll happen.

But even after that, Carla still couldn't get the look she get from Dante out of her head. The look he gave he when they were captured. He didn't trust her since they got to Edolas, and she couldn't blame him for it.

Outside

Happy cut a small log in half with an axe. He had done so with quite a few logs. He gave a contentful sigh. 

Happy: Now that's more like it.

Lucky: Yaaah! You taking a nap there?! Quit dawdling or you'll never catch up!

Happy saw the large stacks of firewood Lucky had already chopped up. 

Happy: WHOA!!! So fast! Fine I'll show you I can do it! 

Happy immediately got to work, chopping firewood at an even faster rate. 

Happy: You're not gonna win this one! (chopped up another one)

From there, the two began a race of cutting up the most firewood, Lucky yelled with each chop, while Happy exclaimed 'Aye Sir!' with all his chops. This continued for quite some time.

Lucky: You can't beat me kid!

Happy: We'll just see about that old timer!

Lucky: Yaahh! I ain't old yet!

After about a minute or two of chopping, Happy saw the last log in his pile. 

Happy: Kay, I'm down to one more!

Lucky: Yeah, that makes two of us!

They both reeled back hard with their respective axes and slammed hard, and cut the logs in half at the exact same time. They both gave triumphant yells.

Happy: Yeah! Jackpot!

Lucky: Huh? 'Jackpot'? What the hell does that mean?!

Happy: Oh, just something a really cool friend of mine says.

After a second or two, they both laughed quite a bit at the whole thing. But the laughing stopped after a minute and the yelling resumed.

Lucky: YAAAH!!!!!!!! WHY YOU LAUGHING?!?!?!

Happy: I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky: Well, I suppose that's enough firewood for one day kid, you got off easy.

Happy sat down and leaned back on the chopping log. 

Happy: I'm pooped, and I smell like a three-day-old salmon.

Lucky yelled with a large head yet again. 

Lucky: YAAH!!!!! THEN TAKE A BATH!!!

Happy: RIGHT I'M GOING!!!

Back inside

Carla still looked into her drink with guilt, in addition to Dante's mistrust in her; she remembered her early days with Wendy in Cait Shelter. She never expected to be friends with her, and it still happened. 

Carla had become quite protective of Wendy, serving something of a mother figure, perhaps in a subconscious effort to fill the void left behind by Grandeeney. 

Her main desire was to protect her from that point forward, but now she practically handed Wendy to the Royal Kingdom of Edolas, or worse, to the likes of Mundus.

A few moments later, Happy and Carla both sat on the front porch of the house. Happy gave a sigh of relaxation. 

Happy: That was the most relaxing bath of my life.

Carla however still had her look of depression clearly present on her face, the memory of her betrayal still etched right in. 

Carla's mind: I betrayed her. You were right Dante.

Marl walked outside to join them. 

Marl: Good work out there young man. Feels great to relax after a hard days work and a long bath, doesn't it?

Happy: Sure does. I needed that.

Marl: So tell me Happy and Carla, you're not from here. Were you hatched in Earthland by any chance, we're you given names by someone from there?

Happy: Uh huh. I got mine from my friend Natsu.

Carla: I too... was named... By a friend.

Happy: But now they're being held captive in the Royal City below. We gotta save them! Because it's our fault they're there.

Marl: So you intend to rescue the humans?

Carla: That's why we're Fallens. Caring about humans seems to be a bizarre concept here.

Marl: (smile) I don't think it's bizarre at all, in fact it's wonderful. If someone is your friend, it shouldn't matter if they're human or exceed, after all, even though we may look different on the outside, internally our hearts share the same shape.

Happy: That's right. There's this other friend named Dante, and someone else named Modeus; they're pretty different themselves in a way, but they're still our friends. They're always there for us, so we'll be there for them too!

Carla: But I'm afraid, I don't follow that logic.

Marl: Well, what I'm trying to say is love is the same no matter who you are.

While Happy took these words to heart, he remembered how Dante has half human and half demon. His father was a demon and fell in love with a human woman. It now made sense to him. However, Carla still had a look of grief.

Carla: I wish that applied to me. Regardless of the shape of my heart, or the love it has to give, it's not under my control.

She remembered when she was told she was under the Exceed's control as she lured Wendy and the others into that trap. 

Carla: Even know, I can't be sure if the words I'm using right now are mine, or part of someone else's plan.

Happy: (serious) I know their your words Carla! You're too strong to let someone control you!

Carla was quite surprised at that. Marl gave a smile as Happy continued. 

Happy: And I know our hearts want the same thing: to defeat the Royal Army, stop whatever Nelo Angelo is planning, and save our friends!

Carla: You think we can?

Marl: I know you can. You may seem confused now, but you mustn't give up on hope. You've got a wonderful knight who will be at your side every step of the journey.

Happy stiffened up as soon as he heard that. His cheeks turned red as his heart beat repeatedly.

Happy's mind: Is she talking about me?

Marl: I understand that you may feel like you've lost you're heart... But, I think you found it long ago.

Carla's eyes quivered as she let those words sink in. 

Marl: Now all you have to do is learn to embrace it, believe in it, and trust your feelings of love.

It was with those touching words that Carla was able to give just a very small smile; a small, but sincere one.

Marl: There you see, a wonderful smile was just waiting to come out. I'm glad I got to see it.

Carla: (smile) You surprise me Ms. Marl.

Marl: What makes you say that?

Carla: Because, all the other Exceeds we've met so far all think of themselves as celestial beings, and their queen is divine. They even called humans an inferior species.

Marl's smile slightly faded. 

Marl: Ah yes. Truth be told, I used to believe the same thing, then one day, our 'beloved queen' took our children from us. One hundred children still in their eggs we're taken from their homes, they gave us no warning, and we we're told just to accept it.

Happy and Carla were both surprised to hear that.

Marl: The queen had chosen them to eliminate the Dragon Slayers. They were all sent to Earthland against our wishes.

Happy and Carla both looked to each other at that. 

Marl: When we opposed the cruelty of the project, we were exiled. We never even got to see our children's faces. After that, everything changed; we realized the lie we had been subjected to. She wasn't a god, and the rest of us certainly weren't angels, we were just parents. (her eyes began to quiver) Once we realized this, the lines between human and Exceed all but vanished for us. It didn't matter anymore.

Carla's mind: Is this how Sparda felt? Did the lines between human and demon vanish for him as well? He fell in love with a human woman, and bore twin sons, and even stood against the demon emperor.

Happy: You're right. She sounds more like a devil to me. That Dante guy I told you about, his favorite hobby is hunting devils. Maybe I should introduce him to the queen and see what happens.

Marl: Be careful young man. Your heart may be in the right place, but revenge doesn't solve anything. All it does is poison us and before we know it, we become just as bad as the ones we fight.

Happy: (looked down) Yeah, I see your point.

Marl: So this Dante-fellow hunts devils, does he? That's quite an interesting profession, I'd might like to meet him sometime.

Happy: (smiled a bit) Aye, I bet Mr. Lucky would get a real kick out of that.

Lucky: (stepped outside) I CAN HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW?!?! (frightening Happy) HOW LONG YOU KIDS PLANNING ON STAYING HERE ANYWAY!??!?!

Marl: (smile) Calm down dear.

Lucky continued to comically yell at the comically frightened Happy. 

Lucky: I'm sick of that look on your face! Don't you realize you're happy to be alive!? Now grow a pair! I want ya out of my house! NOW!!!

Marl: Oh but dear, this is much too sudden.

Happy and Carla both stood up. 

Happy: No he's right, we don't have time to lounge around anymore. Our friends are down there, and we gotta do everything we can to make sure they get home.

Carla had a look of determination on her face as she nodded in agreement with Happy.

Marl smiled at this, while Lucky looks like he's pouting. 

Lucky: At least you finally get it. Scardey cats can't do nothing. I swear, these stupid kids these days need it spelled out for them.

That's when Happy realized what Lucky was trying to do with all the hard work he made him do.

The two then began to take their leave as they waved to the elder cats that gave them the help and support they needed.

Happy: Thanks old timer! You to ma'am! We'll never forget you!

Marl waved back, while Lucky was still comically angry. 

Lucky: YAAA!!! Don't come back you brats!

Marl: Take care of each other, you hear?!

Happy and Carla then both began running through the fields. 

Happy: Hey Carla, don't know about you, but I feel like we we're destined to meet those two today.

Carla: Yes, I feel the same way.

Happy: When we first came to Edolas, I wasn't sure about a lot of things. I felt like I was lost.

Carla: So did I. But now...

Happy: The path is all too clear!

The two neared the edge of the floating island, with the Royal City just down below. They both jumped off and let themselves fall quite a bit. They joined hands.

Happy: We won't let our past hold us back! We're gonna fly forward and protect our friends!

Carla's mind: Happy and I are Exceeds. The only race in Edolas that's born with magic power pulsing through our veins. The only reason we couldn't use our magic before, was because we lost our sense of who we were.

A blue glow came from Happy as he sprouted his wings, while a pink glow came from Carla as she sprouted her wings as well. The two then took flight.

Carla's mind: Now we know that being Exceeds doesn't define us. Just as being part human and part demon doesn't define Dante. Just like him, and his father before him, our hearts are telling us what path to follow and our wings will take us there. It doesn't matter, even if we face to fight Mundus, we will not give up on our friends!

Happy and Carla exchanged determine smiles as they flew towards the Royal City, and to battle.

Carla: Let's go, we can't keep everyone waiting!

Happy: Right behind ya!

Meanwhile, Lucky and Marl both saw the young exceeds take flight from their farm and down to the landmass below.

Lucky: Yaaah! Would you look at that Marl, the boy can fly after all.

Marl: The way he does remind me of you Lucky.

Lucky: What are you blabbering about... (voice crack) lazy bum ain't nothing like me.

Marl held her dress tighter. 

Marl: (voice crack) Whatever you say.

As they watched Happy and Carla fly off, tears began to flow from both their eyes. Their minds flashed back several years ago as several guards held them back, watching their egg get taken and put with all the other eggs that were to be sent away to Earthland.

Happy may not have known it, but those two Exceeds who just helped him are his parents. Marl reached out to the son she never knew with tears of both sadness and joy flowing down.

Marl: And he found... such a wonderful girlfriend.

Lucky had the same kind of tears flowing down his eyes as well. 

Lucky: YAAA!!! It's a hundred years too early to bring a girl back to the house, ya hear?!

Marl: He's grown into such a fine boy that cares deeply for his friends.

Lucky: YAAAH AYE!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 30 ended.