~*****~

I groan loudly as the guild hall finally came to a screeching halt. "That was close, but we made it," I hear Lucy sigh.

"Thank goodness," Macao mutters.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that thing," Wakaba agrees.

"Is anybody hurt?" Max calls.

"Just my pride." Warren snaps.

"I'll feel that next week," Droy comments.

"Okay, I'm lost," Natsu mentions as he leans up, his torso digging into my belly.

"I think the guild changed location," I mutter.

"So did my stomach." Wendy retorted.

"See, my lovely Juvia, wearing lots of clothes can come in handy." Gray chirps affectionately.

"Yeah, thanks I guess," Juvia retorts irritably.

"Never a dull moment in this place," Max chuckles.

"You weren't hurt, were you, Miss Cana?" Wakaba and Macao ask.

"Oh, no, I'm quite all right," Cana retorts politely.

"Lisanna. Nothing's broken, is it?" Elfman asked as he helped his sister up.

"No, big brother. I'm still in one piece," She murmured with a slight smile.

"You took your sweet time firing that thing up! She was almost on top of us!" Lucy barked at Levy.

"Shut up! And what exactly did you do to help us?!" Levy barked.

"Can't you at least do something about all the annoying shaking?!" Lucy bellowed.

"It wouldn't do it so much if you weren't such a cow!" Levy retorted loudly.

"You're jealous of my body!" Lucy shouted.

Natsu grunted as he finally got up and held out his hand for me to take. I gratefully took it, my head throbbing at the constant arguing of Lucy and Levy. "Who was at the reigns of that monster earlier?" Natsu asked.

"Have you seriously forgotten? You must've hit your head when we landed," Mira mentioned softly.

"HE'S JUST AN IDIOT!" Reedus shouts.

"That was one of the captains of the Royal City's Magic Warfare units. Erza Knightwalker." Mira said. "She's also known as the Fairy Hunter."

"It can't be--" I gasp. "Erza... is our enemy?" I rub at my head angrily for a moment, blow out an irritated huff. "Anyone want to explain what's going on?" I ask Wendy and Natsu.

Wendy nods and goes into explanation.

~*****~

"Wait, wait," Droy starts. "You're saying you guys are from another world called Earthland?" Droy asked.

"And you came all the way here to try and save your friends?" Jet added.

"Yeah," Natsu shrugs.

"You're telling me there's a Fairy Tail guild in your world, too?" Jet asks.

"And Erza is actually one of your allies there?" Droy asks.

"You seem to be surprised," Carla comments.

"Aye," Happy says.

"You would be, too. That's a pretty tall tale." Macao states.

"Yeah, no kidding. It sounds crazy." Max nods. "That said, this is definitely not the Natsu and Aria we know."

"They do look like them, though." Mira smiles.

"You can say that again." Max chuckles, earning a laugh from the guild.

"You mean this little girl is the other world's me?" Adult Wendy asked incredulously.

Wendy grasps at my hand nervously and pushes into me, stammering to her older self. "Wow, she's a pipsqueak of our Wendy!" Nab beams.

"I hate to interrupt, but could someone tell us how to get to the Royal City?" Natsu asks.

A murmur of disbelief runs through the hall. "Your king was the one who pulled our friends into this world," Wendy cries. "And now we have to save them. Otherwise, they're gonna be converted into magic power. If that happens, they'll be gone forever."

"I know this is the last thing you wanna hear, little me, but I think it's best if you forget them." Adult Wendy states. "Anyone who would defy the king of Edolas is as good as dead. He has a mighty army at his beck and call."

"There's only so much magic power in our world. There's not much left of it. It won't be too long before we've completely run out." Elfman explains.

"It's the king's greatest fear, so he tries to keep all of the magic power to himself." Gray explains. "Doesn't he, Juvia, dear?" Gray coos immediately.

She nods regardless. "That's correct. Which is why he ordered that all magical guilds be disbanded."

"At first, everybody tried to ignore the order." Max says with a downcast expression.

"But the royal army's magic warfare units started wiping them out one after the other," Warren says.

"Our guild is the only one left," Jet states.

"It's not like we escaped unscathed," Max says softly.

"We've lost half of our comrades to the royal army," Warren says tearfully.

"And our master. They killed him." Jet says as he wipes at his eyes.

"We've got our hands full just trying to stay safe," Gray states.

"I'd stay away from the king if I were you guys," Droy says. "Go back to your world while you still can."

"No way. I ain't afraid of your king," Natsu snapped. "And I ain't leaving without my friends. I promise you that."

"Yeah, we didn't come all this way to turn tail and hide." I mention.

~*****~

I fan at my face irritably as Natsu chases after a small frog in the desert as we make our way through it. "Just what does he think he's doing?" Carla asks me.

I shrug irritably and tug at the collar of the cloak I'd put on. "I have no clue..."

"How much longer is it gonna take us to get to the capital?" Ballad asks.

"We just left, and you're already asking that?" Carla complained.

"They said it'll take five days to walk there," Wendy says with a smile.

"That's just great. With our aera magic acting up, I guess we've got no choice but to walk." Carla sighs.

"This stinks. Do you think we'll ever be able to use our magic again?" Happy asked.

"I wish I knew. This certainly doesn't bode well for us." Carla mentions.

Natsu makes another wild leap at the weird frog. "Hey, you wanna lend me a hand here? I've never seen a frog like this before!" Natsu complained. "Don't you think this thing is cool, Aria?!"

I laugh. "Sure, but why don't we just leave it here, where it's comfortable." I mention as he makes another grab for it, only to slam into a very large version of it.

"HOLY MOLY, IT'S HUGE!" Happy cries. "Natsu! I think it's about to attack us!"

"No way, Fire Dragon--"

I grasp at Natsu's cloak and start running. "WE CAN'T USE MAGIC, STUPID!" I shout at him as the giant frog gives chase.

"I totally forgot!" Natsu cried. "I'm sorry!"

"I hate to admit it, but I'm completely helpless without my magic!" Wendy shouted.

"Then I guess its up to me--" Natsu says as he whirls around. "I'm gonna take you down with my bare fist, you croaker!"

He punches it's gut, but it just sucks in before slapping Natsu back. "Oh no--" Happy exclaimed as Natsu flew through the air. The frog makes a leap for him, but just at the last second, Lucy comes in, attacking the frog with a cool looking electric whip.

"Yay Scary Lucy!" Happy cheered.

"Thank you, Scary Lucy!" Ballad and Wendy chirped.

"QUIT ADDING SCARY TO MY NAME, IT'S RUDE!" Lucy barked.

"That's the Lucy we remember," I laugh as the frog hops away.

"You'd think something like that would put up a fight," Lucy huffs.

"May I ask what brings you here?" Carla asks.

Lucy gazes at us for a moment before flushing. "I wasn't worried about you guys, just so we're clear."

I laugh and hug her. "Yep, there's no mistaking it! You're definitely Lucy!"

"Yeah, thanks a lot!" Natsu cheered.

"Hang on, what's that supposed to mean?!" Lucy barked.

"There's the attitude we all know and love!" Natsu and I chirp.

"I wish we could introduce our Lucy to Scary Lucy," Happy says as we huddle away from her.

"Yeah, I wonder what kind of reaction the real one would have," Natsu giggles.

"YOU SAY THAT LIKE I'M THE FAKE ONE!" Lucy barks as I duck to the ground, avoiding the savage kick she hits Happy and Natsu with.

"You are!" Natsu and Happy cry. Lucy picks him up and throws him over her shoulder.

"Technique number twelve, Bone Snap Bridge! How's that feel, buddy!" She snaps "You like that?! I bet you do!"

"She really is scary..." Wendy murmurs.

"How long as they going to keep this up?" Carla complains. "As if we don't have enough to worry about already."

"Can you show me how to do that?" I ask Scary Lucy.

She hums and a delighted flush crawls up her neck before she literally heaves Natsu over my back. "OW! COME ON, ARIA! DON'T JOIN IN ON THIS CRAP!" Natsu cries as Scary Lucy and I start barking out technique number twelve.

"Get him in the choke hold, miss!" Ballad chants.

~*****~

We finally manage to explain to Lucy our dilemma. "Oh, I see. They caught wind of you guys, 'cause the townspeople mistook you for exceeds and reported you." Lucy says as she gazes at the three cats.

"That's why everyone was surprised when we told them we're friends with Erza," Happy says.

"Guess she's just as scary here as she is back at home," Natsu hums.

"Excuse me?" Lucy asked angrily.

"I didn't mean you, I'm talking about Erza!" Natsu complained.

"Well, I don't know what she's like in your world, but it's hard for us to believe she'd ever align herself with Fairy Tail." Lucy snaps.

"She seems pretty bad here," Wendy says. "Oh, now you're crying again, I'm sorry." Wendy says to me as I sniffle.

"Erza is so nice and sweet back home, I just want to see her again!" I sob. "We even had plans to go get some cake!"

Natsu snorts and pats my head. "There, there."

"There's not a wizard in Edolas who isn't afraid of her," Lucy murmurs. "When you see her face, you're as good as dead."

"Definitely don't want to run into her. She's scary enough already," Natsu commented.

I grimace. "She is not." I retort irritably.

"Says you, the person crazy enough to back talk her." Natsu grumbled. I snapped my head towards him, eyes narrowed. "Got it."

"Well, here we are. The city's down there." Lucy said as we stopped at the cliff edge.

"Check it out, Happy!" Natsu chirped.

"Thank goodness. It felt like we were never gonna make it here." Happy sighs.

"It's all very round, isn't it?" Wendy asks.

Carla sighs. "Well, let's get going."

"Hey, thank you for coming with us, Lucy," Wendy says.

Lucy flinches and turns her nose up. "Sure. Just follow me. You're gonna need some magic weaponry, otherwise you're not gonna be able to make it very far."

"Thanks a lot, Scary Lucy!" Natsu and I chirp.

"Thanks, Scary Lucy!" Happy and Ballad echo.

"YOU GUYS ARE CRUISING FOR A BRUISING!" Lucy barks at us.

I palm my heart and sigh. "Ah, so refreshing. Scary Lucy is just as adorable as Regular Lucy."

Lucy snorts at me before leading us into the city of Louen. "It wasn't that long ago that you could buy and sell magic here just like anything else," Lucy mentions as we walk through town. "But then, the royal army started hunting down guilds and now buying and selling magic is strictly forbidden. What's even worse is that just possessing it is a crime."

"Seriously? You can get in trouble for having it?" Natsu asked.

"What about people who've always been able to use it?" Wendy asks.

"What? Hold on. I don't know how to explain it to you any more clearly," Lucy hummed. "If you have magic, you just have to get rid of it. Or else you'll get busted, or worse."

"I could be mistaken, but it seems as if Magic spells are treated like objects in this world," Carla comments.

"That's weird." I hum. "I guess in a place where Magic is very limited, wizards don't have magical power inside them, like we do. So, you guys just use Lacrima's for everything?"

"So, these wizards can't cast spells, they just use magic tools?" Natsu asked, scratching his head.

I grunt. "Basically."

"Well, we're here. There's a black market for magic just down this stairwell." Lucy says as we approach a boarded off staircase. "Trust me, you'll need this stuff if you're gonna travel."

"A black market?" Wendy echoes.

"Let's see it! Guess we might as well play by this world's rules for using magic." Natsu mentioned.

"Aye!" Happy cheered.

"My, my, how adaptable." Carla hums.

~*****~

"Whoa, miss, look at all the stuff they got on sale here!" Ballad cooes as she pads around.

"This has to be the mustiest shop I've ever been in." Carla retorts irritably.

"That's because it's full of priceless historical antiques, my dear!" The shopowner laughs. "The mold, scratches, and unpleasant smells are what sets my items apart from the rest. They have flavor!"

"That's great, but we don't care about flavor," Lucy retorts irritably. "Usability is what matters most to us. There are lots of counterfeits, so be sure to double check everything before you buy."

"Excuse me, mister. You got any fire magic?" Natsu asked eagerly.

The man just laughed. "I think I may have just what you're looking for." He pulls up a strange looking device. "This contraption strike your fancy? This is the Edolas Magic Sealed Flame Sword. You just put this in here, and voila! Pretty cool, huh?" He hums as fire spouted from the top.

"That flame looks awfully weak, but it's better than nothing." Natsu commented.

"What a keen eye you have, sir!" The shop keep cooed.

"Can we get this one, please?" Wendy asks.

"Why do you want that?" Carla hums.

"Look how cute and tiny it is!" She exclaims.

I laugh. "Come now, you know better than to choose based on cuteness, child." Carla sighed.

"This pretty little gizmo's called an air cleft cannon. All you have to do is pull these two pieces apart to open it and then watch it work its magic!" I felt a ruffle along my cloak as the man demonstrated the item for Wendy.

"Oh wow, it's wind magic! This will be perfect for me!" Wendy chirped.

"What a keen eye you have, miss!" The shop owner beamed.

"You gettin' anything, Aria?" Natsu asked eagerly.

I hum delicately and sigh. "No, nothing here really screams somethin' that I could use. Besides, it's not like I have an issue goin' bare knuckles." I explain.

"You're going to need one to survive," Lucy reminds me.

I shrug again. "As someone who relies on a specific type of magic, I've made do without it from time to time. I'll be fine. We'll take the two." I say to the shop owner.

"Great! Thank you for your business!" He chirps. "Together, they'll cost you twenty thousand. But I'll knock the price down to eighteen just because I like you, how does that sound?"

"That sounds really expensive," Natsu mentioned.

"Well, these items are incredibly hard to come by, sir." The Shop Owner explained.

"Wait a sec. Probably should've asked this first. But do you have any money?" Lucy asked.

I shrug. "Depends. What kinda currency do you use here?"

"What do you have?" Lucy asks as I tug out my bag. I open it up and peer it.

"Turns out, all I got are my ice diamonds, and I'm not giving those up. So go ahead and pay the guy, Lucy!" I chirp happily.

She flushes a bit before grimacing. "Fine, I'll pick up the tab for you just this once!"

"No, I couldn't take your money after all you've done for me, Miss Lucy!" The shop owner cried. "My shop'd be closed if you hadn't helped me when the royal army searched it."

"Come on, that was no big deal. I was just lending you a hand." Lucy smiles.

"In any case, I would be delighted if you'd take them as a present from me." The shop owner beamed.

"You sure? Thanks, I really appreciate it!" Lucy hums happily.

"No joke? Thanks a lot, pops!" Natsu beamed.

"Yes, thank you." I smile.

~*****~

"Scary Lucy's much more dependable than the Lucy we're stuck with," Happy comments. "Don't ya think?"

"I told you to drop the Scary, fur ball!" Lucy snapped.

"From the way that guy was talking, it sounds like you're a pretty big deal around here." Natsu beamed.

"Is there some way we can pay you back?" I ask.

Lucy hummed. "Well, there's one thing. If you guys wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear more about this other Lucy of yours."

"Oh, boy do we have stories for you!" I beam as I loop my arm through hers. "Let's go talk over food!"

Natsu heartily agreed. We stopped at the Mon Mon Cafe and Lucy was cracking up at the stories we were telling her. "Wait, you're kidding, I'm writing a novel?!" She laughed. "And I'm some rich girl who does magic with spirits and keys?"

"You're certainly just as obnoxious as she is." Natsu laughs.

"No kidding," I nod.

"Don't call me obnoxious!" Lucy snapped.

"I can't seem to remember how to use this thing, do you?" Wendy asked as she held up her little wind device.

"Dummy!" Lucy hisses. "Don't go pulling that out in public!" She puts it away hastily. "Like I told you. Magic is banned in our world. You can get in big trouble just for having that thing."

"Sorry about that..." Wendy murmurs.

"So, magic used to be a part of everyday life here like it is in our world?" Carla asked.

"It used to. But now things've changed. The kingdom went and stole a part of our culture from us." Lucy explains sullenly.

"Why'd they wanna do that?" Happy asks.

"Because they wanna keep the magic power all to themselves!" Lucy snaps angrily.

"Well, if those royal jerk-wads aren't gonna give the people their magic back, then I guess we'll just gave to go beat them up for it!" Natsu beamed.

"Sounds like a great time," I mention as I sip at my drink.

Lucy, however, did not think the idea was so great. "What? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! There's no way we'd stand a chance against the massive royal army."

"If that's true, then why're you tagging along with us?" I ask as I tilt my head.

"What're you talking about? You said you guys needed an escort to the capital. I didn't come out here to fight anybody." Lucy explains.

"Okay, if you say so." I hum.

"There they are!" Someone shouts.

"Cover the area!" Another man shouts.

"The Royal Army!" Lucy gasps.

"You're Fairy Tail wizards, aren't you?" A guard barks.

"Stay right where you are!" Another snaps.

"How'd they find us?" Carla asks.

"Aw yeah! It's time to try out my new magic!" Natsu cheers.

"No!" Lucy barks at him, but it's too late.

Fire swarms the area as Wendy desperately tries to use her object. "Hey, Carla do you remember how to use this?" She whines.

"How should I know?" Carla exclaims.

"That's how we roast them back where I'm from! They've got shields?!" He yelps as the fire dies down. "Another blast coming at you!" Natsu barks, trying to use his sword again.

"I told you that magic is limited here," Lucy snaps at him. "There's only a certain number of times that you're able to use it!"

"It's only good for one blast?!" Natsu bellowed at the piece of junk.

"In terms of output, you just used it over a hundred times, you idiot!" Lucy barked. My feet are literally swept out from under me, and we land somewhere else in the city. Lucy ushers us into a strange house. "Well, we got away from the Royal Army, but we're stuck in this city." She sighs once they rush past.

"Man, the magic here really blows." Natsu complained.

"No kidding," Wendy nods.

"What do we do now?" Happy asks.

"Isn't there another way out of here?" Ballad asks.

"Not that I know of," Lucy sighs.

"We found you, Fairy Tail!" I hear someone bark.

"Hey, let go of me!" A familiar voice snaps.

"Get over here! You're Lucy, aren't you?!" The man barks.

We slip the door open just a bit to see our Lucy being apprehended by two strange guards. "Yeah, I'm Lucy, now get your grubby hands off me, you jerk!" She snaps.

"Lucy?!" We hiss.

"The other me?!" Scary Lucy exclaims.

"Cut it out, that hurts!" Lucy cries again.

"Hold on, what's Lucy doing here?" Happy asks.

"I-- I have no idea." Carla stammers.

"We've got to save her!" I snap before shoving the door open.

"Wait--" Scary Lucy barks at me.

Just as I run out, she's already got a key in her hand. "Open, gate of the scorpion!" Lucy exclaims.

"Wait, Lucy, that won't help 'cause our magic doesn't work here!" Wendy cried.

"Scorpio!" She chants, and by all that is crazy, he arrives.

"WICKED!" Scorpio bellows. "Sand Buster!" He shouts as he literally decimates the army.

"No way!" I cheer.

"Sorry to skip out on you, but I gotta hot date with Aquarius tonight. Later!" Scorpio hums cheerfully before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Lucy!" I cheer louder and tackle her.

"Aria! Oh my god-- I missed you!" Lucy cried as she hugged me tight.

"Now, I'm thoroughly confused," Natsu comments as he scratches at his head.

"Aye." Ballad nods.

She stops hugging me when she notices Scary Lucy. "That's me!" She exclaims in shock.

I giggle. "Lucy, meet Scary Lucy!" I chirp happily.

"Wow... I knew we'd look alike, but seeing her is freaking me out," Scary Lucy comments.

"Is she the Edolas version of me?" Lucy asks.

"There they are!" Screams someone from the royal army.

I grasp at Lucy's hand and start tugging. "We'll go into detail later!"

"Why don't you and Natsu do what you do best!" Lucy chirped.

"With what, exactly?" Natsu and I drone.

"With your magic, obviously. You're wizards, right?" Lucy asked.

I wave my hand at her. "No dice. We haven't been able to use magic since we got here. Speaking of-- how come you can still use yours?"

"I have no idea--" She stammers.

"Lucy, you're our only hope!" Happy chants.

"Give those brutes what for!" Carla agrees.

"If we get captured, then all our friends are as good as dead." Wendy adds.

"So, this means, I'm the strongest one in Fairy Tail." Lucy says, suddenly full of determination.

"QUIT FANTASIZING AND TAKE THEM OUT!" Natsu bellows.

Lucy waves her hand at him before producing a new key. "Now open! Gate of the White Ram! Aries!"

In a cloud of white smoke, Aries appeared looking as shy and bashful as I remember her. "Um. Hello. Leave everything to me. I'll do my best."

"The fluffy one!" Happy cried.

"Whoa, what kind of magic is that?" Scary Lucy wondered.

"That girl came out of thing air!" One guard shouted.

"It's a demon!" The other cried.

"Does magic like that exist?!" Another yelped.

"All right, Aries, you think you can take these guys?" Lucy asks.

"Well, I-- I'll certainly try. Wool bomb!" Aries launches a cloud of pink wool towards the guards.

"Is this an attack?" One guard asks.

"So comfy~" Another coos.

"Oh, no. I don't think it's working, Lucy. I'm useless, after all..." Aries murmured delicately.

"Oh, it's working all right!" Lucy beamed. "Let them have another volley!"

"Go, Wool Shot!" Aries shouted, sending out little clouds towards the guards, incapacitating them easily. They were all cooing in content.

"This is our chance to run!" Lucy declared.

"Was that to your liking? I'll be sure to do better next time." Aries murmured. "Take care of yourself, Lucy."

"Great job, Aries!" I chirped as we began running from the guards.

"That's one way to take out an army," Natsu laughed.

"Wow! I'm strong, for real. This rocks!" Lucy cooed.