"I knew it would be scary. But real dragons are worse than I imagined."
Lying on Chase's sofa, Lucy finally relaxed. Remembering Gandora's massive, glowing body, she looked at Wendy. "Is Grandeeney like that?"
"No! Grandeeney is the kindest dragon in the world!"
"Well, at least Gandora is on our side," Gray said.
He was glad. He did not want to fight that thing.
"Aye~ Chase, cook us something. I am hungry."
Happy tugged at Chase's pants.
"You do not care about Natsu at all," Carla said.
"We need to eat to have energy. Are you not hungry?"
"No."
Growl.
The room was quiet.
"We have not eaten since we left Edolas. Natsu is the one who stayed behind. Not Wendy!"
Carla's face was red.
Happy stared at her. Hearts in his eyes. "So cute, Carla."
"He looks full already," Lucy said.
"I am hungry too."
Chase patted his stomach. "Lucy, catch some fish. There is pickled cabbage left. We can make pickled fish."
"Good! Get a lot! Carla is hungry!"
Happy's eyes were bright. Drool dripped from his mouth.
"What is pickled fish? Why me?! Cat! And am I not hungry?!"
Carla stared at Happy.
"The river is right outside. Smart," Gray said.
"So, Gray, you can..."
"No. There are streetlights."
"I know!"
"Good luck, Lucy!" Wendy said.
"Why me?!"
"Aye~ Because you are close to fish and crabs!" Happy said.
What does that mean? Aquarius and Cancer are Spirits!
Lucy was about to explain. Again.
Erza stood up.
"I am going home."
Her armor clinked. She walked out.
"Is she sick?" Happy asked.
"She has been strange since we got back," Lucy said.
Chase had noticed too. He thought it was because of Knightwalker and Mystogan. Maybe not.
Lucy ran after her. "I will check on her!"
Gray and Happy followed.
"Are you sure? She looks upset," Chase said.
They froze. They knew an angry Erza was worse than a demon.
Wendy watched Lucy catch up.
Good luck, Lucy.
At Lucy's apartment. In the bath.
"So, Erza. What is wrong? Are you worried about Edolas?" Lucy asked.
Erza shook her head.
"The Fairy Hunter? Do not worry. She will be our friend."
Erza shook her head again.
She had been angry. Ashamed. But fighting Knightwalker had helped. She saw herself in the woman's eyes.
"Then what?"
Silence.
"Lucy. Are the relationships in Edolas the same as here?"
"What do you mean?"
Lucy thought. "Mirajane, Elfman, and Lisanna are siblings. Cana is Gildarts's daughter. Bisca and Alzack like each other."
"But Chase calling me 'big sister' is strange. And he and Mirajane are a couple."
"That is it."
"Huh?"
"The other Chase and Mirajane are together..."
Erza's voice was small.
"EH?!"
Lucy's eyes were wide. Her reasoning soul awakened.
The truth is one!
"Erza. Do you... like Chase?!"
"No!"
Her face was red. Steam came from her head.
"Really?"
Lucy's eyes narrowed.
Erza gave up. "I do not know. In Edolas, I was busy. Now, I am restless."
"Chase is a card freak who only loves to fight. But he is safe."
She loved him like a brother.
"And Mirajane likes him too," Erza said.
"So? Chase has not decided. Maybe he likes you."
"Really?"
"We cannot decide for him. So..."
Lucy stood up. "Let me be your wingman. I will ask him."
Erza looked up. "A bad feeling. It will go wrong."
"That is mean!"
"Thank you, Lucy. I will help you with Natsu."
"Why Natsu?!"
Elsewhere. The Strauss house.
Mirajane and Lisanna were talking.
"Does Mirajane like Chase?"
Mirajane was shy. She knew Erza felt the same.
Lisanna wanted to help her sister. Like Lucy.
A battle for brother-in-law had begun.
Chase was asleep. Happy was on his chest.
"World champion? Interesting. Come on."
"My turn! Draw!"
A good dream.
***
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