~*****~

Just as I finally manage to sniff out Natsu and the others, I hear Lucy's voice echo above us. "What're they talking about? I didn't go anywhere, I'm right here!" I peer around as I stroll into the room, looking for her. "Whoa, wait a sec! Don't tell me that I'm... YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!" Lucy bellows.

"Who was that?" Elfman wondered.

"Are you just dumb, or do you seriously not know?" Cooper retorts plainly.

"Is Lucy here somewhere?" Romeo asks.

"That's weird, I can smell her all around us." Natsu commented.

I begin giggling. "She's--- oh my gosh, it's not funny, I swear--" I keep giggling. "She's the Infinity Castle."

"Wait, wait-- lemme get this straight, you're saying that Lucy turned into a humongous fish?" Happy asked.

"So, in a way, this is her body now, huh?" Natsu asked.

"Wow, she sure put on weight," I mention impishly.

"NO!" Lucy wails. "I can't believe this is happening to me. One minute, I'm normal and the next I'm Happy food?!"

"Don't worry, I won't eat ya!" Happy chirps.

"It's gonna be okay!" Warren's voice shouted. "Unfortunately, you sped up the merging whenever you used the Real Nightmare to save Natsu."

"Way to go, Natsu," I complain.

"Hey, don't blame me for this!" Natsu exclaimed, shaking his fists at me.

"It's absolutely your fault, you told me to try and save Lucy instead of nullifying that freaks magic." Cooper retorted irritably.

"Look, I'm just glad I finally got through to you!" Warren explains. "Listen up, everyone! I've got some news from the team back at the guild hall. Jean-Luc and the others have figured out a way for us to save Lucy!" Warren explains.

"One question!" I chirp. "Who's Jean-Luc?"

"Yeah, I don't know who the hell that is either!" Natsu agreed.

"He's the guy who always says actually!" Happy beamed.

Natsu and I hum as we share a surprised look. "If the seals aren't removed from the Infinity Clock before the merging process is complete, the person who has been merged can only be freed if they focus their mind and actually control the Real Nightmare spell." Jean-Luc explains.

"According to what is says here, the clock is remaining in this world because of the magic power it's absorbing from the Celestial Wizards who are serving as body links." Levy hums.

"They're stuck in chrysalis form, so we need lift the curse that's been placed on them. Luckily, it should be pretty simple." Warren mentioned.

"Lucy's gotta alter their perception of time to one hundred years in the future!" Coco adds.

"Yep, you got it!" Warren agrees. "If she does that, then the clock will break apart, and all the pieces will scatter themselves."

"Are you sure?" Wendy asks meekly.

"Wait-- but what about Lucy?" Gray asks.

"How is this going to affect her?" Erza adds.

"I wish I could tell you," Jean-Luc sighed. "All we know for sure is this will undo the merging."

"Yeah, but it could also send her flying along with the clock pieces!" Elfman snaps.

"What'll we do?" Romeo whimpers.

"C'mon, there's gotta be another way!" Natsu exclaims.

I swat his shoulder. "Don't lose faith in her just like that!" I exclaim. "You got this, Lucy?"

"You bet I do!" Lucy agrees immediately. "The other celestial wizards need me! If I don't pull it off, they'll sleep for a hundred years! So what if I get sent flying off somewhere? I think that it's worth the risk! I'm not scared because I'm a Fairy Tail Wizard! Jude and Layla Heartfilia's daughter. Lucy... Michelle's big sister! I can do this!" A bright, ethereal glow escapes from the orb, filling the chamber with light.

~*****~

"C'mon, quit gettin' so close to her face like that!" Natsu shouts at someone as I come to. I grumble irritably, rubbing at my throbbing head. Natsu jostles me around, angling my body against his chest and away from whoever the hell is trying to inch closer.

"I just want another whiff of that magnificent parfum!" Ichiya's voice echoes out.

"Where the hell are we?!" I exclaim as I feel the rough, jumbling vibration under me.

"We're on the octopus!" Ballad chirps.

"Yes, there's no need to panic. Kanaloa and I are now bound by the parfum of eternal friendship!" Ichiya exclaims.

"So you guys are buddies now?" Natsu asks.

"Hey, Natsu? Aria? Listen..." Happy says sadly.

"Where's Lucy!?" Natsu barks. "We gotta get out there and find her!"

"We're already working on it," Erza explains.

"Yeah, Warren's team is lookin' for her." Gray hums.

"Well, that ain't good enough!" Natsu exclaims.

"Will you chill out and use your nose?" I ask irritably, my nose twitching. "Now, Kanaloa, I know you kinda don't like Natsu and I, but can you go that direction?" I ask the giant octopus. It gives an irritated gurgle before launching into the air.

When I see her, my skin ripples almost violently as I launch off of the back of the octopus, ignoring the shouts of surprise behind me. My overcoat rips from my back, scattering it along the wind as I loop my arms underneath Lucy's body, folding her to my front and sailing towards the ground. My feet dig into the hard ground, making my teeth buzz uncomfortably as I skid along the rocky terrain until we come to a stop, my body shaking as Lucy just stares up at me in utter relief.

"You're heavier than you look, you know that?" I ask irritably, my legs still shaking.

Lucy giggles. "I know, you mention it constantly." She loops her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. "Thanks... for believing in me."

I chuckle as I flop onto my butt, sighing out in relief. "You're Lucy of Fairy Tail. Of course I'd believe in ya!"

~*****~

I peer at the Legion Platoon skeptically, skin crawling at the aspect of Dan going banana's again. But apparently, Gray said he's over me and into Angel, so perhaps he wouldn't? "As leader of the Legion Platoon, I offer my deepest and sincerest apologies to the members of Fairy Tail." Byro says humbly, head hung low.

"There's no room for remorse, just progress," Makarov mentioned. "Let's move beyond this crisis. We may have fought before, but that doesn't mean we have to be enemies now. What do you say we start anew?"

"You're as gracious as you are wise," Byro hums.

They shake hands, and Makarov says his usual spiel. "Now that that's settled, let's party!"

"All right! Let's start this off right! It's Natsu versus Dan in a winner-eats-all food race-a-thon!" Happy bellows.

"Time to get in my belly, meat!" Natsu cheers.

"I'm winning this one for sure!" Dan shouts.

I sigh loudly as I perch onto one of the tables. "And here I was hoping on getting a little alone time." I mention to Lucy.

She giggles. "I'm sure you'll get your wish much later tonight!" Lucy laughed as I hum in response, my fingers clutching my chin in thought.

My gaze slides over to the bar, watching Kinana closely. A smile spreads on my face as her expression falters just a bit. "Oh, Ri-Ri Princess!" I flinch in my spot, skin crawling as I stare at Dan racing towards me with a wide grin on his face. "Wanna ditch this party and go cudd--"

A stool cracks him upside the head. "If she's cuddlin' with anybody, it ain't gonna be you, pal!" Natsu roars as he kicks at Dan's leg like he's kicking at a stubborn rock in the ground.

"Goodness, Natsu's never that vocal about his crush on you~" Lucy teases as I stare at them.

I sigh delicately and press my hand to my cheek. "Don't get me wrong, staking a claim like that is askin' for a butt whooping, but damn, did it do something for me."

"And we're back to being totally insane." Lucy sighs.

The Legion Platoon left later that day, bidding their goodbyes, considering that we'd probably won't be seeing each other again. It felt nice to finally see common ground after all that bad business with the Infinity Clock.

Ballad heaved a delicate sigh as we sat in the tub that night, soaking up the hot water before we went down for the night. "Miss, how did you hear Cobra's true name?"

I peer down at her, then to the little clip holding up all her fur from her face before going back down to her curious gaze. I hum in response as I lean back. "I dunno. Something just kinda spoke to me, like I was hearing someone call out to me from far away." I comment. "Something inside of Cobra was dying to tell his real name to his one, special friend. And I could hear it clear as day when he'd heard Kinana's thoughts." I push my finger into my ear as a gentle breeze sweeps through the window. "I don't doubt that there is some good in Cobra. Misguided, sure, but with the knowledge that his Cubellios is not dead, and free from pain, he might turn over a new leaf-- if he's ever released."

I sigh loudly as Ballad sinks back against my chest. "D'you think you'll ever see him again?"

I shrug. "Anything's possible."

~*****~

"Sabertooth?" I echo. "Is that a new guild?"

"Who's Sabertooth again?" Natsu wondered.

"They're incredibly strong. Like majorly! They surpassed Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale a while back, so now they're the strongest wizard guild around." Romeo explains.

"I've never heard of them 'til today," Gray commented.

"That's because seven years ago, nobody had heard of 'em." Alzack mentioned.

"Then what?" Gray asked. "They just started growing like crazy all of a sudden?"

"It started once they got a new master. After he took over, five incredibly strong wizards joined, and that was all she wrote." Max explained.

"Wow, five new members made that much of a difference?" Lucy gasps.

"Sounds like these guys gave some serious guts." Natsu hums.

"If they're the number one guild in Fiore, does that mean Fairy Tail's number two?" Wendy asks innocently.

"Are you serious?" Happy asked.

"Wendy," Carla sighed. "Would you take a look around you, child?"

I giggled. "Wendy, we're dead last, remember?"

Cooper snorted. "No kidding, I barely make enough to pay rent nowadays with the jobs you guys get compared to what I got in Blue Pegasus."

Marko laughed. "I'm broke!" He chanted while holding up a mug of ale.

"They call us Wimpy Fail," Alzack sighed.

"You just had to ask, didn't you?" Bisca hummed.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Wendy gasped.

"Wow, we're in last place?" Natsu laughed. "That's perfect! This is gonna be fun!"

"For who?" I ask dryly.

"Just think about it, Aria! It's gonna be awesome clawin' our way back up to the top all over again!" Natsu exclaimed. "I can't wait!"

I sighed as I reached up and scrubbed at his hair affectionately. "And that's why we all love you, Natsu, there's no keeping you down!"

Natsu beams and starts bouncing in his seat as if the excitement of the challenge is too much to bear. "Sorry to interrupt your cute little display of affection," Cana hums. "But have you seen Gildarts anywhere?"

"I think I'd notice if your hot dad was missing," I mention dryly. Cana just glares at me, but I wave my hand at her dismissively. "Just kidding, goodness, you sure get riled up when I mention how hot he is. Anyway, Gildarts and Master Makarov just left. They're going to visit the old guild hall."

"Halle-freakin'- lujah!" Cana exclaimed. "I'm going on a job before he realizes I'm gone!"

"Gildarts does go overboard with the mushy feelings when it comes to Cana!" Happy chirped.

"And yet he's the most powerful wizard we have at our disposal," Carla retorts. "What a strange little guild we are."

I pluck her off the ground, earning squeaks of surprise and irritation. "Don't be so aloof, being affectionate is a good thing!"

"I'd rather not have anyone squeeze me, thank you very much!" Carla complains as I hold her against me.

"It's better not to fight it," Happy mentions as I release Carla.

Panther Lily nods. "Yes, it is quite nice to be held by someone as affectionate as Aria." He mentions. "A hug can melt away the stress." I give a small chuckle before releasing Carla-- who's very irritated-- and turn to Natsu.

"C'mon, let's go on a job! We're not gonna crawl back up sittin' on our butts!" I exclaim.

"You got it, buddy!" Natsu cheers loudly.

~*****~

"I can't believe we nearly got done in by that freak in a tutu," I mention tiredly, dragging Natsu along the road. "Will you walk normally? I'm tired, too."

"Can't... got hit... too many times... in the gut..." Natsu groaned, his cheeks swelling as if he were on a train.

I rolled my eyes and slumped forward. "There's so many strong wizards now, it's kinda strange. That seven year gap really set us behind."

"You got that right," Ballad sighed. "D'you think there's a way for us to become stronger with a potion?"

I hum in thought, halting on the road. "Now that you mention it..." I murmur. "We should head back to the guild and see what the others have to say."

Natsu just groans. When we reach the guild, Natsu is back to normal, and it makes it easier to explain our predicament to Lucy and the others. Which is how we ended up at Porlyusica's place. And she did not look happy to see us standing outside. That much was apparent from the door being slammed in our faces. "SCRAM!" She bellows.

"S-Sorry to bother you, ma'am!" Lucy stammered. "But we were wondering if you had any potions that could help us!"

"Like maybe something that can make us all a million times stronger?" Natsu added.

"There's probably no way it'd be that easy," I mention lightly.

"Wendy? Are you okay? You look like you're sucking on a lemon," Ballad hummed delicately.

Wendy shakes her head sullenly. I just stare down at her. My gaze snaps back up when the door reopens. "You know I hate people, so get lost!" Porlyusica shouted. "Shoo! Shoo!" She barked as she swatted at us with a broom.

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH BROOMS ALREADY!" Natsu cried.

"Sorry to bother you!" Lucy called.

"Why does she hate us?!" I shout.

"Is it 'cause she and Gramps used to date?" Gray asked.

"We weren't a couple, you fool!" Porlyusica exclaimed.

~*****~

"Who woulda thought running away from ol' grumpy drawers would tire me out so much," I comment dryly as I lean against a large tree. "Who's brilliant idea was it to visit Porlyusica's in the first place?"

"That would be Lucy," Happy sighed.

"And she's usually so sweet and charming," Gray commented.

"I'd always heard she wasn't fond of people, but I never expected all that." Carla sighed.

"Apparently, she's not too keen on cats, either," Happy mentioned.

My ears twitch at the sound of Wendy's sniffling and I immediately feel on edge. "What's wrong?!" I exclaim as I kneel down to her, my hand bracing on her back. "She didn't scare you, did she?"

"That witch made Wendy cry?" Natsu snapped. "She'll pay for that!"

Wendy shook her head as she braced her palms against her eyes. "It's not like that. She's just so familiar."

"How so?" I ask softly.

"I don't really know how to explain it, exactly. It sounds strange, but it's the truth. Her voice and her scent. They're so much like Grandina's." Wendy sniffled.

"Are you tryin' to tell us she's Grandina?" Gray asked.

"How could a regular person have the same voice and scent as a dragon?" Lucy added.

"Is that really even possible?" Happy wonders.

"I haven't the foggiest," Carla sighs.

"Yeah, Wendy, whaddya mean?" Natsu asks.

Wendy sniffles again. "I don't know... But she's so familiar. It's confusing. She sounds and smells exactly like my mother, the Sky Dragon Grandina."

"I say we go back there and ask her what's goin' on." Natsu mentioned.

"Hold up, Natsu," I order. "If she's the human version of Grandina, there are a few things that don't add up. Just think about it for a second. First of all, all of our dragons vanished at the same time. And don't forget the dragon that raised Gajeel also disappeared on the exact same day. All in the year 777, which was about fourteen years ago. But Master Makarov has known Porlyusica way longer than that. They were friends when they were both fairly young. So that means she and Grandina were around at the same time. It just doesn't add up. Wendy, I hate to say it, but there's no way that they could be one and the same."

"I guess that counts out any kind of reincarnation or transformation." Gray hums.

Lucy nods in response. "You know, when you stop and explain it all like that, it really doesn't make any sense. Besides her voice and the way she smells, her attitude is completely different." Wendy comments lightly.

"From all the stories that you've told me, your dragon was actually quite kind to people." Carla mentions.

"Wait a second. You think maybe it's because she hates cats?" Happy asks.

"Grandina was nice. She didn't hate anybody!" Wendy exclaimed.

"Sorry, but it's kinda hard for me to picture a nice dragon," Gray stated.

"Especially after our run-in with Acnologia." Lucy snorts.

"Igneel was usually pretty nice!" Natsu mentions.

I snort. "Everest made it a habit to freeze wandering people if they ventured towards our little cave. She was only ever loving to me." I shrug.

I flinch upwards when I hear Porlyusica's voice. "I'm sorry if my attitude offends you!" She snaps.

"Ms. Porlyusica!" Lucy stammered.

"You scared the crap outta me!" Gray exclaimed.

Wendy timidly approached her. "There's really no use in hiding it anymore," Porlyusica commented. "So I might as well tell you my big secret. I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm not the dragon that you seek. I'm just a human being, same as you."

"But why the human hate?" I ask.

Porlyusica groaned. "Because they ask too many stupid questions."

I chuckle. "You got me there!" I chirp in a friendly manner.

"I'm afraid that I can't tell you where your dragon is. I simply don't know. The fact of the matter is, we have no connection whatsoever." Porlyusica explained.

"Then how do you explain your similarities?" Lucy asked.

I hum in response before exclaiming in surprise. "That would explain the hatred for cats!" Porlyusica just looks peeved. "You're from Edolas, then?"

"Wait, hold on--" Natsu stammered.

"You're the Edolas version of Grandina, aren't you?" I conclude.

Porlyusica just sighs through her nose. "That is correct. I am not from this world. But I found myself here several decades ago." The others screech in response.

"You're the Edolas version of Grandina?!" Carla gasped.

"Like a human version of a dragon?" Ballad stammered.

Porlyusica continued. "I was disoriented when I arrived, but Makarov came to my aid. The peacefulness and beauty that I discovered here quickly endeared me to Earth Land. So even though I had several opportunities to return to Edolas, I had made the decision to call your world my new home."

"Does this mean Igneel, Everest, and Metallicana have human versions back in Edolas, too?" Natsu suddenly asked. "Maybe they crossed over just like you did!"

"I have no idea," Porlyusica retorted. "I've never encountered them. However, I did have the chance to speak with the Sky Dragon." Wendy gasped in surprise. "Although we didn't meet in a traditional sense, it was more mysterious. She spoke directly into my mind, by way of telepathy. You originally came here seeking out a means to gain power. I may be able to help Wendy in that regard. But only her." She pulls out a small, hand written book. "The Sky Dragon dictated this book of spells to me. It contains, among other things, the Sky Dragon spells Milky Way and Shattering Light: Sky Drill. Two Dragon Slayer Arts she never got a chance to teach you."

Wendy peers down at the book nervously. "I don't know what to say. Grandina really did this?"

"She asked me to give it to you should you ever come to visit," Porlyusica explained. "Those are powerful spells. Extremely dangerous. So be sure to exercise great caution."

Wendy took a step towards the retreating woman. "Thank you so much, Ms. Porlyusica!" She exclaimed fondly. "Ms. Grandina!"

~*****~

When we arrive back at the guild, Romeo and Macao are in a full blown argument. "Yo guys, were home!" Natsu calls.

"Hey," Max hums. "So, how did it go? Did you guys pick up anything worthwhile?"

"Well, Wendy sure did," I comment as I ruffle her hair.

She giggles. "You don't make the rules anymore, so just get over it!" Romeo exclaims. "It's up to Makarov!"

"I'm expressing myself as a member of the guild!" Macao roared back.

"What's all the fuss about this time?" I ask dryly.

"Seems like typical teenage rebellion to me," Carla sighed. "Clothing, Gray!"

"Those of you with me, say Aye!" Macao shouted. Almost everyone in the guild held up their hands and chanted.

"I don't ever wanna go through that crap again." Alzack commented.

"That has got to be the most embarrassing thing in the world," Bisca agrees.

"But we've got the Tenrou Team with us this time!" Romeo argues. "Natsu, Aria, and Erza and all those guys! There's no way we're gonna lose with them on our side!"

"Haven't you been paying attention?" Warren asks. "They all missed out on seven years of training!"

"You're awesome, Levy, don't listen to those jerks," Droy reassures her.

"What the hell are we talking about anyway?" I ask in an irritated tone.

"While you guys were all stuck on Tenrou Island, a tournament started to determine Fiore's number one guild!" Romeo explained.

Ballad immediately cooed in interest. "Sounds like whole lotta fun to me, don't it, Aria?" Natsu chirped excitedly.

"You bet!" I agree.

"Guilds from all over the country face against each other in magic events. They call it; The Grand Magic Games!" Romeo declares.

"Oh yeah!" Natsu cheered.

"That sounds awesome!" I exclaim.

"Yeah, I'd love to play some games!" Wendy agreed.

"So it's more like a kind of magic festival?" Gray asked.

"I understand. Sabertooth is known as the top guild in Fiore these days because they won the last go-round." Erza mentioned.

"That's right! But if we can beat them and win the games this time, we'll be number on instead!" Romeo exclaims.

Makarov hummed, clutching his chin in thought. "That would be nice." He commented. "But I'm not entirely convinced we can win given our current state of disarray."

"That's my point exactly!" Macao adds.

"Yeah, but if we do win, the guild will get, like, thirty million jewel in prize money!" Romeo exclaimed.

I palm at my cheek tenderly. "Such a small prize, huh?" I sigh.

"Rich chicks aside, we're in!" Makarov immediately exclaims.

"Seriously?" Macao complains.

"But master, it's gonna be really hard!" Droy whines.

"There are tons of powerful guilds that compete each year!" Warren adds.

"And don't forget that we've come in dead freakin' last every single time we've entered." Jet mentions.

"That's just pitiful," Elfman comments.

"Well, this year we'll just have to beat all those other guilds to a pulp!" Makarov chanted.

"Sabertooth thinks they're hot stuff? We'll just see about that!" Natsu agrees.

"Put a cork in it!" Jet complains.

"So when does this thing go down, anyway?" I ask curiously.

"It kicks off in three months!" Romeo exclaims.

"That's plenty of time!" I grin. "Let's get started training, ASAP! Fairy Tail's gonna be soarin' to the top in no time!"

"Yeah! Ain't no one gettin' in our way!" Natsu agreed.

"Let's go!" Gray hummed.

"Yeah!" Lucy chirped. "And if all of us start working together as a guild--"

"There will be no stopping us." Erza finishes.

"I better start studying these new spells Grandina wanted me to learn, huh?" Wendy beamed.

"It's about time we got a chance to cut loose!" Happy cheered.

"Yeah, we're gonna wreck things up!" Ballad exclaimed.

"It seems like this guild is always looking to party," Carla sighed.

"FIGHT PARTY!" Elfman roared. "This is gonna be so freakin' manly!"

"Gildarts may get his wish." Cana mentioned. "We could be the top dogs in Fiore very soon."

"This is gonna suck..." Droy complained.

"Please tell me you're joking," Jet whines.

"C'mon guys! Where's your team spirit?" Levy chirped.

"Um... This is really not a good idea," Alzack mentioned.

"I don't think you guys understand; the games are not your typical kind of fighting tournament." Bisca states.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Natsu asks.

"It's absolute hell!" Warren exclaims.

"Now the final decision has been made, there's no need for all this moaning and groaning!" Makarov exclaimed. "So let's get to work! Let's win that thirty million jewel, and the title of Fiore's number one guild! Fairy Tail is entering the Grand Magic Games and aiming for the top!"

We all cheered in response.