~*****~

Luckily, Lucy can't find me hiding all the way on top of the guild hall. I seriously did not want to get mixed up in that memento business. My eye slips open when I feel a surge of magic. Lightning cracks through the sky at a small piece of the forest. I hum delicately and leap off the roof. "So, you did return," I hum casually as I find the source. "What're you up to, Laxus? Skulking around like a creep?"

Laxus snorts at me. "Of course you'd show up." He mentions irritably. "That's good. I've been lookin' for a rematch since you got lucky that last time."

I lean against a tree. "Seriously?" I trail off. "It was total luck, you idiot, did you seriously think I overpowered you?" Laxus chokes on his breath as I completely agree. "Moron, my magic as an advantage over yours. On top of that, you were probably exhausted from your fight with Natsu and Gajeel."

"You seriously need therapy for that crippling self-doubt," Laxus commented dryly. My ear perks at the sound of Natsu and Gajeel fighting about something. "Who's beatin' who, again?" Laxus asks as we trail towards the noise.

"Laxus!" They gasp. "What the hell are you doin', hanging around him?!" They both bellow once I peer around Laxus' larger body.

"Whoa! That lightning really was him, after all!" Happy chirped.

"Laxus!" More familiar voices ring out. I turn and grimace at the Thunder Legion.

"It was seem that he's not alone, either," Freed hums.

"What's going on?" Bixlow asks.

"There's nothing goin' on here, is there?" Laxus asks the two idiots still staring dumbfounded.

"Having you been living out in the woods this entire time?" Natsu asks.

Laxus snorts. "I traveled around quite a bit, but I've been here for a little while."

Gajeel snorts. "If you're this close, you should just come back to the guild already," Gajeel comments.

"Why's that? Have you been missing me?" Laxus teases.

"I don't give a crap if you come back or not. But since we're here, I think we should throw down and see who comes out on top." Natsu suggests.

"Sounds good to me." Gajeel agrees.

"You guys really want me to take the bait, don't ya?" Laxus scoffs. "You wanna go and get me all riled up and ready to fight. Well, I got better things to do."

"Like run away?" Natsu asks.

Laxus turns his head slightly. "What?"

"You've never been the type of guy who backed down from a challenge. So what are you scared of?" Natsu asked.

I scoff. "Ever since I joined the guild, he's never backed up how tough he was, no matter how many times I urged him to." I mention lightly.

"That's rich, coming from miss self doubt," Laxus retorts irritably.

"You'd be wise to mind your tongues, you two," Freed mentions.

Laxus snorts as I swing my head up to him. "So you gonna do it or what? Cause they're just gonna bother you all day until you give in." I mention impishly.

Laxus grunts. "Okay, fine." He says as he turns his gaze onto Natsu and Gajeel.

"Now that's more like it!" They chirp.

"Sorry, but you ain't layin' a finger on him." Bixlow snapped.

"You'll have to go through the Thunder Legion!" Evergreen stated.

"Laxus' fate and our town shall never again be torn asunder!" Freed declared passionately.

"No, I'd actually love to teach these two clowns a lesson all by myself." Laxus declares. He juts his finger at me, nearly pressing onto my nose. "Then I'm gonna kick your butt in that rematch."

I snort and tilt my head away. "Sounds like fun to me!" Natsu chirps.

"All right, Natsu. Guess you're first in line." Laxus grinned.

I yawn and stretch my arms over head. "Wait, hold on!" I hear Wendy cry. I hum and tilt my head towards her.

"What for?" Natsu complains.

"If you guys are really gonna go through with this, you gotta make sure it's a special occasion!" Wendy exclaimed.

"I don't follow you." Natsu retorted.

"What are you talkin' about?" Gajeel asked.

"The match will take place tomorrow!" Wendy declared.

Natsu grunted. "Okay, if you insist. Have it your way. I can wait one more day to kick his butt! Meet me tomorrow under the big Sola tree in South Gate Park!"

"And when he's done, it'll be my turn." Gajeel sneered.

Laxus huffs and turns on his heel. "Sounds like a plan to me." He grasps onto the back of my overcoat and hauls me upwards. "You're comin' with me. I wanna sparring partner who can keep up with me."

"Hey, don't go grabbin' her!" Natsu bellowed as I got dragged along. "C'mon, Aria! Fight back!"

I wave my hand dismissively. "What's the point, he's clearly stronger--"

"STOP WITH THE SELF-DOUBT ALREADY!" Natsu bellowed.

~*****~

I felt like dying. He's as strong as ever. I groan irritably as Laxus continues his onslaught. "Come on, fight back! I saw that fancy transformation on Tenrou Island! Now bring it!"

"You're like a kid, give a girl time to breathe, would you?" I complain as I sit on my haunch. "It's not like training with me is gonna make you any stronger." I wave my hand in front of my face. "Why's it so hot?" I complain louder.

Laxus squatted in front of me, peering at me irritably. "What's the big deal, you're acting like a big baby."

I huff and cross my arms over my chest. "Did you ever think I didn't wanna fight you? It's mostly because I don't want to fight someone I've still got bitter feelings about? Look, if I fight you seriously, I'm not gonna think straight cause I'm only gonna think about you tryin' to level Magnolia." I explain delicately. Laxus' brow quirks. "I've gotten stronger, too. My body is much more durable now more than ever, and I'm afraid that I might unintentionally hurt you to where you can't fight tomorrow."

"So now you're suddenly self-confidence?" Laxus drones.

"Just because I say I might hurt you doesn't mean I'll win." I explain seriously. "If you truly regret what you've done in the past, I will fight you with the enthusiasm you're looking for. I want to hear you say it."

Laxus sits on his haunch, staring at me with an irritated expression. "I regret what I did at the Magnolia Harvest Parade." He says seriously. "And I apologize for any pain I've caused."

I stare at him for a moment longer before humming. "You know, you're kinda cute when you're all serious like that." I tease.

"IS THAT ALL YOU WANTED TO DO, YOU FREAK!" Laxus barks as me as I stand up.

"You gonna fight, or what?" I ask, my skin rippling with the scales pushing up. "It's not like you need training to beat Natsu and Gajeel."

Laxus stares at me for a long moment before grunting and standing up. "I get why all those fools are looking at you all the time." Laxus comments. "Don't come cryin' to me when I suddenly look cool to you."

I laugh. "You got it, buddy!" I chirp.

~*****~

"Cool!" Jason screeches from the stage. "Laxus is so cool and collected, it's terrifying!" He turns his attention on Gajeel with an unmatched enthusiastic grin. "Sweet! Black Steel Gajeel is ready to throw down! The two heroes stare down their opponent. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife!" There's a flush of heat up my back as I turn my gaze onto Natsu as he approaches, looking calm. "Natsu has arrived! All three warriors are in their places!"

"Now check this out, Aria--" Natsu grins.

"If you say so," I say lightly.

"Laxus stands up! Looks like Natsu is getting first crack at him!" Jason declares, causing me to swing my gaze back onto Laxus.

"Let's do this thing." Laxus says.

"Bring it!" Natsu grins.

"But I gotta warn you, that I'm not gonna hold back." Laxus states firmly.

"I don't blame ya." Natsu snorted.

"You understand? If you don't survive this, it ain't my fault." Laxus explains.

"I could say the same for you, big guy!" Natsu chirps. "Keep your eyes on me, got it, Aria?" Natsu calls back.

I huff as a flush crawls up my neck. "Sure." I nod after a moment. "Good luck."

My body thrums with the magical intensity surging from the two of them. Natsu launches forward, only to get knocked to the ground by a single punch. I bellow with laughter, my head thrown back as I point. "TKO!" Jason declares loudly.

"Told you it would take a single punch," Laxus mentions to me as he trails over. I guffaw again. "So, are you ready for round two?" He asks, turning his head towards Gajeel.

"He's gone--" Lisanna chirps, causing me to laugh even harder.

"WHOA! GAJEEL JUST GHOSTED!" Jason cheered.

"You mean that lousy coward ran away?!" Wakaba shouted.

"What?!" Panther Lily cried.

"All right, you guys! Let's track him down!" Macao ordered.

"It's a man hunt!" Elfman roars. "That sounds so manly!"

"I always thought you had the heart of a warrior, Gajeel!" Panther Lily shouted.

I kneel down to Natsu and poke at his back with Happy. "Can you stand up?" I ask through my giggling. "Man, that was so uncool!"

Natsu groans and presses his face into the earth. I turn my gaze over my shoulder as Makarov and Wendy arrive. For a moment, there's a tense silence between the two. Laxus eventually turns on his heel and walks off. "You're just gonna take off again?" Bixlow asks.

"Please! Come back to Fairy Tail!" Evergreen cried.

"Master!" Freed exclaimed. "Hasn't his expulsion from the guild lasted long enough? Take him back!"

Makarov doesn't say a word as he stares after his grandson. Natsu eventually gets up long after everyone leaves. "He rattled your brains, huh?" I comment dryly.

"I've had much worse headaches," Natsu grimaces as he holds onto his head. "I wonder where that scaredy-cat Gajeel is hiding himself."

"Macao and the others went looking for him," I mention as I lean against the Sola Tree. "Even Happy and Ballad went flying, chatting about wanting to see how big of a baby Gajeel was. Unfortunately, no one knows where he is."

"I got a bone to pick with you, you know!" Natsu exclaims. "What gives, since when were you all chummy with Laxus? I thought you hated the guy!"

I laugh and rub at my head. "Hate is such a strong word. I just didn't like his attitude. Besides, we had a heart to heart and we found even ground. I wouldn't say we were friends, though." I hum as I peer up at the sky. "He's got a long way to go to forgive himself for what he's done, but he's taking the right steps. Perhaps he'll become the man worthy enough to follow in his grandfather's foot steps."

Natsu stares at me for a long moment before jutting his finger out at me. "Don't tell me you think that jerk is cool!" Natsu cries.

I laugh. "Sure, I think he's cool!" I exclaim. Natsu freezes and it looks like his world is crumbling. "Don't get so riled up, Natsu, sheesh." I wave my hand at him. "If I wanted to be with him, I'd have to get a wheelchair. I come up to his chest, I might be killed."

"Killed how?" Natsu asks.

I flush and wave my hand again. "Never mind. Don't think so much into it. I'm more into the slim guys, like you." I explain. Natsu perks up. I nod my head towards the stairs and trail off. Natsu grasps my hand and eagerly follows after me.

~*****~

"I'll beat that jerk next time," Natsu complains as I perch on his back, dangling my arms over his shoulders.

"I can't believe Gajeel hightailed it like a big baby." I mention irritably. "I wonder how he would've done against Laxus."

"Maybe you can ask him when he comes crawling out of his hiding spot." Elfman snapped.

"We've got visitors," Max mentioned.

I perked up, my gaze peering over Natsu's wild hair. "Oh, customers!" Mira chirped.

"Hey, look--" I hum as I lean upwards. "These guys look like those people we met in Edolas!" I mention to Wendy.

"Yeah... Queen Chagot, right?" Natsu asked.

"Wrong." I say immediately. "That's a cat."

"Coco?" Lucy hummed curiously."Long time no see! But how'd you get to Earthland from Edolas?"

The woman in the middle chuckles. "Sugarboy, these tools totes think we're like old chums of theirs." The woman mentions.

Sugarboy hums. "Well, I'd have to say that sounds like their problem, Mary Hughes."

"Let's finish this up before they invite us to stay for dinner," Coco retorts.

"Mary Hughes?" Natsu echoes.

"And Sugarboy?" I ask. "Wait, wait--" I stammer as I point at them. "They're the weido's we fought in Edolas!" I exclaim.

"What's with the lady clothes, pervert!" Natsu suddenly shouted. "You tryin' to fool me or somethin'?"

"I just met him and I wanna kill him." Mary Hughes grunts irritably.

"Something's very wrong here," Wendy stammered.

"If you folks aren't here to hire us--" Max trails off.

"Then you can march right back where you came from!" Laki exclaims.

"We ain't takin' no orders from slobs with no style, darlin'," Sugarboy retorted.

"Say what?!" Natsu bellowed.

"I'm only saying this once, so listen." Mary Hughes hums as she pushes her hair back. "I demand you give me Lucy Heartfilia, like, now!"

I slide down Natsu's back and hum delicately, my hands propping on my hips. "Sorry, lady, but Lucy isn't into chicks."

"That was very forward," Michelle agreed. "My heart skipped a beat!"

"Oh, wow. I've never seen a real proposal in person!" Happy said while rubbing his paws together.

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Lucy barked.

"CAN IT, FUR BALL!" Mary shouted at the same time.

"There's no point hiding her from us!" Coco commented.

"We, like, totes know the spoiled little twerp's a member of your guild." Mary mentioned.

Sugarboy posed and hummed. "Why dontcha make is easy on everyone and shimmy on over here, baby?"

"What's going on here?" Levy asked.

"Why are these rude people looking for you?" Michelle wondered.

"Believe me, I wish I knew why." Lucy hummed.

"You got some guts, showing up outta the blue and disrespectin' us like this," Wakaba commented irritably.

"I'm the Master of Fairy Tail. Your request is denied, so I suggest you get outta here." Macao snapped. "We're not known for our patience when it comes to cocky punks."

"Especially when those punk're shouting orders." Max adds. "Rubs us the wrong way, y'know?"

"Like we'd run from kids, old men, and their cats." Mary snorted.

"All of those churches that have been burned down the past few weeks. It's you," Kinana stammered. "You're behind them."

"Makes sense to me." Ballad hums.

"Even without proof, the timing is too convenient." Panther Lily mentions. "They must be the culprits!"

"Spicy~" Sugarboy hummed. He began gyrating his hips. "They're trying to serve up some guilt, uh-huh!"

"Well, I'm not bitin' it!" Coco snapped.

"Keep on playin' the blame game if it'll help you sleep better at night." Mary hummed. "Now hand over Heartfilia before we decide to get nasty with you!"

"We're gonna rock your world!" Sugarboy exclaims as he passes a small carving between his hands. "I'd like to start with this little ditty!" It transformed into a long staff. He began singing horribly, making me cringe.

"He needs to be put down," Max comments.

"No kidding," I grunt as I rub at my ear.

"Next up on the request line!" Sugarboy exclaims as his body inflates and starts oozing strange green slime. I felt a tug on my overcoat and I'm being lifted away from the strange sludge.

"I got ya, Miss!" Ballad chirped loudly.

"What's it doing to them?!" Wendy cried while Carla and Panther Lily hoist her upwards.

"It appears to have a will of its own," Panther Lily states.

"Well, whatever it is, don't let it touch you!" Carla exclaims. "Run away!"

"Natsu! What are you doing! Roast the freakin' slime, it's sucking everyone in!" I shout down at him. I gape at him. "C'mon, Laxus didn't hit you that hard, did he?!"

"All right little hound dogs-- Come home to papa~" Sugarboy suddenly chirped, sucking the ooze back into his body. Everyone was on the ground unharmed from the looks of it.

"Game set and match!" Coco delcared. "You ready to give up yet?"

"They weren't this strong last time," Happy hummed.

"That's because these people are completely different from the ones you met in Edolas!" Panther Lily explained.

"They're the Coco, Hughes, and Sugarboy who had livegd here in Earthland from the very beginning!" Carla exclaimed.

"I see..." Wendy trailed off. "It's just like how Edolas has it's own crazy versions of us."

"Guess we should've expected to run into someone sooner or later," Lucy mentioned.

"You're wasting too much time, Lucy." Mary snorted. "Hurry up, or we'll show your little friends what we're really capable of. Sugarboy would love to play another solo." She cackled.

"Don't listen to her, Lu," Levy warned.

"You can't give yourself up!" Michelle exclaimed.

Ballad sets me on the ground. "Yeah, they seriously don't know who Lucy is yet," I comment. "I want you guys to go try to find Makarov. Natsu and I will deal with them--" I say as I cast a glance over at Natsu, who's struggling to stand. "Somehow... Don't keep us waiting, got it?"

"We can't--" Lucy started.

"We'll stay and fight with you!" Levy exclaimed.

"Don't leave now. Don't you wanna play with us, too?" Mary chirped.

"Natsu. Take this!" Romeo exclaimed as he launched a yellow fireball towards him.

Natsu caught it and huffed. "Thanks, Romeo."

I pinched my nose as he ate it. "Did you have to use that one?" I ask irritably at the giggling boy.

"Sorry about, wrong flame!" Romeo giggled as Natsu gagged at the taste.

"Whatever, it'll do the trick for now," Natsu exclaims. "Feel the burn!" Natsu bellowed.

I vaguely hear Mary shout conducting art, and the flames lash out at the others. "Natsu!" I hiss as he tries again, and it's once again moved away, knocking the girls around. "Stop, idiot!" I hiss again as I grasp his cheek and pull.

"Nothing like a little friendly fire," Mary chirped as she dangled her strange looking wand. "Give us Lucy or the rest of your guild gets cooked." She flinches in surprise as a rock cracks against her head. I peer over at Kinana, mouth gaping.

"Sorry to break it to you, sweet heart, but things are gonna get real cruel." Sugarboy comments.

"Totally. Get ready, top heavy," Mary growls. "I'm about to make you eat those rocks."

"Run away, Kinana!" Panther Lily cries, trying to swoop in and save her. Coco intercepts him and cracks her heel againsth is face.

"Sky Dragon Wing Attack!" Wendy cries, slamming her arms downwards at them.

"Bad move, kid!" Mary shouts and redirects it. I feel my coat ruffle before I'm launched into the air. I shout in surprise and my stomach does a nose dive. I grimace as I land on the ground, trying to make my head stop spinning.

"Natsu, Aria!" Wendy cried.

"It's because of that weird stick!" Happy cried.

"You may be right," Carla nods. "Perhaps it can take control of people?"

"What the hell do you want with Lucy?!" I shout as I roll onto my front.

"None of your business, caveman!" Coco snaps at me.

"Show yourself, Lucy." Mary ordered. "We're, like, totes getting bored!"

"Just stop it!" Lucy barked. "You have what you want now! Okay--"

"I'm the Lucy Heartfilia you're looking for!" Michelle suddenly declares.

Sugarboy hums. "You, huh?"

"Be a good girl and park it right here," Mary orders.

"Don't do this!" Lucy hisses as Michelle steps forward.

"I think there's been enough violence for one day." Michelle states firmly as she approaches the trio. "What exactly do you want with me?"

"That's her, mama," Sugarboy nods. "You know a little darlin' like this one grew up playin' house at the Heartfilia Mansion. Uh-huh."

"She certainly looks the part." Coco snorts.

"Well, this is, like, disappointing. I was expecting a total ditz." Mary commented. She sighs loudly. "Lucy Heartfilia. Once the daughter of the Heartfilia Concern, and now a Celestial Wizard for the Fairy Tail guild. That about right?"

"Indeed, that is correct," Michelle hummed. "I am the girl of which you speak."

"What is she doin'?" Natsu wondered.

"What if Michelle was the real Lucy all along?" Happy gasped. Ballad swatted him upside the head.

"THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'M THE REAL LUCY!" Lucy cried.

Michelle grasped Lucy's hands and kept playing the part perfectly. "Miss Michelle, it means the world to me that you're willing to protect me from them." Michelle says with a small tear in her eye. "But it's far too late for such a deception to help us now."

"Have you gone completely crazy?!" Lucy barked.

"They're so perceptive, I'm sure they'd figure it out instantly!" Michelle sobbed. "And I'd hate for anything to happen to you on my account! Please, don't try to be a hero!"

"She's nod bad, but her performance is a little over-the-top." Mira comments dryly.

I clutch my chin. "Maybe Happy's on to something," I mention.

Natsu nods eagerly. "Yeah, I think we've been hanging out with Michelle this whole time."

Ballad sighs loudly and shrugs her shoulders. The two continue to try and say that they're the real Lucy. It's going on so long that I'm seriously having doubts. The trio of weirdos discuss for a moment before snapping his fingers. "The real Lucy Heartfilia is supposed to be over twenty years old, ain't that right? Isn't pigtails a little on the young side?"

Michelle nods eagerly. "That's because we spent seven years sealedd away on an island!" Lucy cried.

"Lucy! Get back! I'll make sure they don't lay finger on ya!" Natsu shouts at me.

"U-Uh--" I stammer. "Right! Because I'm Lucy!" I shout.

"You mean her name's Lucy, too?!" Coco exclaims.

"You ready for another round, Lucy?" Max asks Laki.

"Yep! Let's do this!" Laki nods.

"What's going on here?!" The trio exclaims.

"Can you stand up on your own, Lucy?" Macao asks Levy.

"Yeah, I think so," Levy grunts.

"Just take it easy for a bit." Wakaba hums.

"There's another one?!" Coco yelped. "I can't tell which is the real one!" Coco cries. "What are we gonna do?! Come on!"

"This is so stupid!" Mary growls.

"Is your magic back, too, Lucy?" Mira asks Lisanna.

"Yep, fresh as a daisy, Lucy!" Lisanna giggles.

"The Devil in Disguise," Sugarboy snorts.

All of a sudden Elfman roars. "GAME OVER, I'M LUCY!"

"NO YOU'RE NOT!" Lucy shouts.

"They're totes annoying," Mary complains. "Why don't we just capture the lot of 'em and sort 'em out later?"

Sugarboy releases his stupid ooze again. "They're not going anywhere!" Natsu and I shout as we leap overhead. "Unison Raid: Steam Roll!" We slam our arms down before we're captured in the horrible ooze.

"LUCY! Leave now!" I shout.

Everyone attacks, trying to distract them from getting to Lucy and Michelle. "On the other hand, you could walk a mile in my shoes," Sugarboy comments as Natsu finally tugs me out of the ooze. "What's your star sign? It's no fun bein' lonely."

"Why the hell do you wanna know his star sign?" I ask irritably. "And he's not lonely." I snap as I tug down his collar and shove his head to the side. "He gets plenty of company!"

"That's how we roll, baby~" Sugarboy praises.

We continue to fight against them and I have to stop and shout. "God! All these control spells are totes pissing me off!" I bellow.

"Hey, totes is my word, caveman!" Mary exclaimed as she pointed her stick at me. "So, like, find your own slang!"

"Like, learn to fight fair instead of using live boogers and a stick!" Natsu shouts.

"Let's get this show on the road," Sugarboy hums. "I got a feelin' that Coco's chasin' after the real deal Lucy."

"You hear that, poser?" Mary chirped. "Your friend is totes as good as ours!"

"We're not lettin' you get away!" I exclaim.

"You're funny. You aren't gonna have a choice in the matter. My Conducting Art lets me control anyone!" Mary exclaims as a strange flush runs through my body.

My arms struggle to stay downwards. I slam my arms upwards and feel the familiar chill ripple through my body. My wings rip through my overcoat and my tail lashes against the ground, my internals freezing over. "You? Control me?" I spit angrily. I sling my fist upwards, gripping my arm angrily. "Prepare to have your ass beaten, you shit heads!"

"She's totally lost it--" I hear Elfman bark.

"Ice Dragon-- Lariat Strike!" I bellow, using my tail as leverage to slam against her.

When the dust settles, I whirl around, trying to find her and stamp my foot on the ground. "You coward! Come back and fight me!" I bellow. My wings spread wide and I take to the sky to search for them.