Departure

(A/N. Double release is for this weekend only, as a welcome back and to get us out of Edolas. Future releases will go back to being on Sundays.

Completely unrelated to all that though, I have a question. What would be the ideal world to follow up with in a 'multi-verse' fic that started in Game of Thrones world? A little context to the story would be, that it is violent as hell with questionable morals. Thanks in advance.)

Alex found the lab easily enough and as an added bonus, the creepy little scientist was also there. Not wanting to hear the man talk, or make his creepy little laugh Alex remembered from the anime, Alex chose to knock him out. Instead of using magic to knock him out like he usually did, he used physical force. Everything he knew about this person, from the show and his stolen memories, said he likes inflicting pain on people. Knowing what the plans were for his friends also added to him wanting this man to suffer. It took two really good punches, delivered from {Stealth}, to knock the man out cold. His body had been under the effects of a constant enhancement potion or whatever kind of magic this man used and he hadn't been rendered unconscious with the first hit. For some reason, this also made Alex smile.

Tying the man up so he couldn't move, and also removing anything magical from his person, Alex set about studying the room. Anything magical he found, he destroyed the lacrimas and any magical formations he found were completely destroyed. Once the room was in rubble he spared only a passing glance to the bound and unconscious form on the ground before leaving the room. His destination now was the tower that housed the spell formation for the Anima.

As he was running through the palace he marveled at the destruction he found. His friends were going all out and he passed many unconscious guards laying around the halls. The first fight he found that was still in progress was between Gajeel and a towering humanoid Exceed. 'Panther-Lily', Alex realised. They were having an overly exaggerated 'sword' fight, destroying a great deal of the palace as they did. He didn't miss the wide smile on Gajeel's face or the serious expression on Lily's.

Not paying them any more attention he continued to the tower, eventually leaving the destroyed area his friends were fighting in. On his way up the tower he ran into someone he had almost forgotten about, and decided to stop for a chat.

"Mystogan! What are you doing here?" Alex asked, even though he already knew. They had not formally met, but both knew of each other.

"Alex? How did you get here?" he replied with his own question.

"Flew through the portal after Wendy and Natsu. It's been a little chaotic since then", Alex said before asking his question again.

"I am going to reverse the Anima to send all the magic out of this world. It has been a constant point of conflict for the people here. As the prince of this kingdom it is my duty to protect the people", Mystogan said.

"Ahh, so you are the missing Prince Jellal I have heard so much about?" Alex lied. He hadn't heard anything about a missing prince. "If that is the case, I will not try to stop you. It was actually what I came here to do as well", Alex said. Not letting Jellal ask any questions about how he knew him.

Jellal looked conflicted but he eventually removed his mask. Alex could tell he wanted to ask more questions but reminded him they needed to hurry. Not knowing that most of the threats the king could employ had already been taken care of, Jellal agreed and they made their way to the tower.

Jellal made short work of reversing the Anima spell and it started sucking the magic out of Edolas at a rapid rate. At the rate it was going, Alex guessed they only had a couple minutes left. Ten at most. When Jellal told him he was going to confess to the citizens about getting rid of the magic and making himself the villain, it reminded Alex of Natsu playing that part in the anime. With a mental sigh Alex resolved himself to play that part. Natsu didn't even know Jellal was here or that he was a prince. In fact, none of his friends did. 'It is a pretty good thing I already enjoy being overly dramatic.. Or this might be a chore', Alex thought with a lite chuckle.

"I'll play the villain young princeling", Alex said with a smile. "After all, you will be stuck here while the Anima forces us all out", he finished. Jellal wanted to refute him and refuse, but realized he couldn't. Truth was truth after all.

"Fine, but how are we going to do it?", Jellal asked curiously.

"That's pretty easy. You could survive a fall from the tower right?" Alex asked cryptically. Scarcely had Jellal said that he could when Alex blasted a hole through the wall before punching Jellal out of it. The spectacle of all the magic leaving the city had stopped any fighting and everyone was easily drawn to the tower being blasted and the figure falling. Before leaving the tower himself, Alex made sure nobody could stop the anima before transforming into his full demon form and flying after Jellal.

Laughing maniacally Alex roared out over the city. "You are too late to stop me young prince! I have claimed the magic of this world and there is nothing you can do about it!" Alex laughed as evilly as he could. The crowd was starting to come to the support of Jellal when they realized the demon's words and noticed the figure struggling to get up. Jellal tried to retaliate after Alex's cheap-shot but found his staves had already lost their magic. Alex made a show of landing near him and laughing, all while monologuing about his evil plan to steal this world's magic.

Jellal made a great show of trying to fight Alex even though he was massively outclassed. His resistance against this 'Demon', futile though it may be, greatly moved the hearts of the people. They were all screaming in support of him and Jellal used this opportunity to give a speech 'directed' to the demon that his people would not be defeated just from the loss of magic. That they would persevere and be stronger for it. The citizens, after 'overhearing' the conversation, were once more ignited with passion for their prince.

Alex had been using massive shows of magic while taunting Jellal. His goal was to let the people know his efforts were futile and making it all that much more impressive that he was standing up to this monster. When Anima started sucking his friends and the Exceeds out of Edolas, Alex made a show of flying above the city. "The last of your magic now belongs to the Great Demon Stormrage! Enjoy suffering in this desolate world for eternity!" He shouted, making sure the whole city heard him. The light of Anima eventually wrapped him up too and started forcing him out of the world. He gave one last pointed look to Jellal before he disappeared.

Once the anima portal had closed, the magic formation collapsed on itself, rendering it impossible to ever be started again as it needed magic to operate. The city sat in complete silence before Jellal started giving a speech about how they would rebuild this world together. How they didn't need magic to function as a society, and how they would not be defeated that easily. Already having the support of the people after his battle with the great demon, he was met with a massive show of support from his people. Jellal knew there would be issues in the future, but had no doubts Edolas would survive. No, it would thrive!

Back in Earth-land, Alex and his group found themselves in a forest just outside of Magnolia. Everyone wanted to know what all the drama and theatrics was all about before they left the city. Alex explained who Mystogan was and how he had run into him in the tower. He told them how he had played the villain so Mystogan would have a plausible reason for the disappearance of magic while cementing in his people's hearts that he would fight for them no matter the odds. It was all so he would be able to help his people move on from this calamity class event.

The group was interrupted by Gajeel screaming about his cat. He had apparently made a bet with the former Exceed Captain that would make him agree to be his companion if Gajeel won, and he had. The black cat showed up moments later in a different form, being followed by hundreds of scared and confused looking Exceeds. The two groups chatted for a little while before splitting up. Carla and Happy stayed with the group of Exceeds for the time being, they had some unresolved issues with them that needed sorting out. Carla had learned through her own magic that she was actually the daughter of the queen. If the way she had been glaring at the queen was anything to go by, Alex didn't doubt they would have a serious chat.

They made their way back to the guild-hall. Nobody had even been able to tell that anything had happened and it took a lot of explaining. Once story-time was over, the guild celebrated the fact that Lisanna was alive and had returned to them. The party was way wilder than usual and most of the guild didn't even make it back to their beds before they were passed out in piles around the guild-hall. All good things must end though, and the first rays of morning light brought with it many complaints and groans from the very sore and very hungover wizards. Alex being the only exception as his passive healing kept him free of hangovers and lingering muscle pains from poor sleeping conditions.

Waking up in a tangle of bodies, Alex looked around. The guild was a mess, broken furniture lay scattered everywhere. Mira was lying on one side of him with Lisanna and Elfman beside her, Wendy was on the other side with Liam, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Juvia sprawled out beside her. 'Wild night!' Alex laughed. Casting healing magic on those around him that started groaning with his movements.