"What? Something like that happened?" After hearing Zorn's account, the master frowned deeply and quickly went over it in his head. "Another world—Edolas?"
As far as he knew, Porlyusica and Mystogan came from that world. He hadn't expected "Lisanna," a member of Fairy Tail from the other world, to have come over as well, but he didn't know much about that world.
As for why Mystogan had been able to join Fairy Tail, Porlyusica had vouched for him, putting the master at ease. After all, Bob, the master of Blue Pegasus, former Council Member Yajima, Porlyusica, Rob, and the others had been his close friends since those days, like family to him.
"Master, we should report this to the Magic Council. With both of us being among the Ten Wizard Saints, they're sure to take the report seriously."
"Yes, all right." The master nodded, his expression grave and serious.
He would see this matter through to the end. Even now, he shuddered at the thought of what might have happened. If Zorn hadn't followed Mirajane there, there was no telling how much worse the outcome might have been. Whenever he thought that this mission might have led to the children's deaths... his heart ached.
Seeing the master trembling slightly with self-reproach, Zorn realized that he might not be as calm as he appeared.
It was just that he was the head of the whole family, and he had to hold everything up.
"Master, we've grown up now. Leave things to us from now on. How about handing the master's position over to me instead of Laxus? I'm stronger than him anyway. What do you say? Think about it, Master."
Zorn leaned close to whisper in the master's ear.
"You little brat. If Laxus heard you say that, he'd definitely challenge you to a duel."
"Hmph, I'm not afraid of him."
"Don't worry. I can still hold up the sky for all of you. There's no need for you to stand at the front just yet."
The two exchanged smiles, the master's eyes full of gratification.
At the cabin in the eastern forest... the next day.
After a thorough examination, Porlyusica told everyone that "Lisanna" would likely wake up sometime that day. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, smiles returning to their faces.
Cana, Levy, and the others stayed inside to look after her.
Unfortunately, Mirajane, Natsu, and the others wouldn't be able to return until the next day.
So that Mirajane, Natsu, and the others could get back in time, Zorn planned to fetch them once his Magic Power had recovered sufficiently. But the moment he spread out his Observation Haki, he froze in shock, one hand still held out level, with no reaction from his Magic Power at all.
"What's wrong, Zorn? Haven't you recovered yet?" the master asked worriedly as he watched Zorn stand motionless.
Zorn's Observation Haki could now cover the entire Fiore Kingdom. Its range had expanded enormously, and he sensed Mirajane and the others in an instant.
"I'm fine, Master. I'll be right back." As soon as Zorn finished speaking, he vanished. Before the master could collect himself, a ball of light appeared in the same spot.
Mirajane, Natsu, and the others appeared with it. Though the sudden trip left them a little bewildered, they saw that they were back at the cabin and paid no attention to their shock. They rushed inside at once, desperate to know how Lisanna was doing.
Has this boy gotten stronger again? the master wondered.
In a daze, "Lisanna" murmured, "Onee-chan, big brother, watch out..." and other things.
"We're here. We're here."
Mirajane and Elfman sat on either side of Lisanna, each holding one of her hands tightly in both of theirs as they answered her with aching hearts.
Natsu and Lisanna also stood nearby, watching the Lisanna in bed with concern.
They stayed by her bedside, and that afternoon, "Lisanna" woke up just as Granny Porlyusica had said she would.
Though she was awake, her personality was completely different from this world's Lisanna. She was somewhat reserved and spoke little.
When she first saw Sister Mira and Brother Elfman, so familiar yet so strange, and the others, who were even more different from those in her own world, she gazed at them in confusion without saying a word.
It was only when Zorn stepped forward and explained the situation that "Lisanna" came to understand a little of what had happened. But the unfamiliar look Lisanna gave him made Zorn realize that he might not know whether he existed in the other world, or whether he simply hadn't joined Fairy Tail yet.
Lisanna composed herself and softly told everyone about the personalities of the people in the other world, leaving them amazed.
Natsu and Gray, who had been standing together, heard about their other selves' personalities and the relationship between them. They exchanged a glance, shuddered, and hurriedly jumped apart, turning their heads away from each other.
Mirajane watched Lisanna speak about the Fairy Tail members of the other world, a smile at the corners of her eyes and deep longing in her gaze, and made a decision.
When Lisanna saw this world's Erza, she immediately ducked behind Mirajane, clung to her shoulder, and stared at Erza in terror.
Her reaction caught everyone by surprise. After hearing her explanation, they learned that Erza was actually their enemy in the other world.
After hearing this, Erza squatted by the door, silently grieving by herself. Zorn stood beside her, patting her shoulder in silent comfort.
With the guild members' preparations complete, the banquet began as planned in the clearing before the cabin. Everyone chatted and laughed around the bonfire in the middle.
But Mirajane had said she had something to take care of and still hadn't returned. Elfman and the two Lisannas kept looking outside, a little worried.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mirajane, what are you wearing?"
A member standing near the edge stared in disbelief at Mirajane. She wore a pink dress, her hair falling to her shoulders except for one small tuft standing up on her head. She looked much more demure and smiled gently at him.
"Just my usual clothes. Not bad, right?"
After replying sweetly, Mirajane walked over to Elfman and the two Lisannas, who were still a little stunned, and wrapped her brother and sisters in her arms. "I'm so glad you're all okay."
She nestled against them, her face full of happiness.
But just as she let go and straightened up, a bowl of ice landed upside down on Mirajane's face. Nearby, Natsu and Gray could be heard roughhousing. "Haha, you missed, Gray! Looks like you need more target practice!"
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you shocked by your own lousy aim?"
"Natsu, could you stop talking...?" Gray stammered, staring fearfully behind Natsu.
"You two... I can put up with your usual roughhousing, but now, of all times... Do you want to die?"
Even her pink dress couldn't suppress the dark Magic Power surging out of Mirajane. She sent them both flying with a punch, and they landed headfirst in the dirt.
Mirajane took a few deep breaths where she stood and calmed herself. When she turned to the others, she looked sweet again.
Everyone burst out laughing, unable to stop at the sight of Natsu and Gray.
"Pfft."
Lisanna laughed at the scene. She felt that even though the people in the two worlds had different personalities, Fairy Tail was still Fairy Tail, and family was still family. That much hadn't changed.
"Onee-chan, no matter what your personality is like, you're still my sister."
"I just... I just wanted you to..."
"I know. Thank you, Onee-chan."
Laxus stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene with a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Mirajane's sweet smile.