8

Chapter 8: Flames and FoliageSummary:

Ben vs Natsu have their match! Ben receives attention from two new women. Someone unexpected offers Ben a place to stay temporarily.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

In a matter of minutes, the bustling atmosphere of the Fairy Tail guild hall shifted to the open courtyard outside. Nearly every guild member had gathered, forming a wide semi-circle that served as an impromptu arena for the impending clash. Curious conversations buzzed through the air, filling the courtyard with a mix of excitement and concern.

Lucy, eager to gauge the mood, strained to eavesdrop on the snippets of dialogue around her.

"I can't figure out what Natsu's thinking," Macao remarked with a shake of his head.

Wakaba chimed in with a wry smile, "Well, he usually doesn't think, does he?"

"Come on, guys," Vijeeter interjected, his voice tinged with sympathy. "The new guy just mentioned he has amnesia, and Natsu wants to fight him? Seems a bit harsh."

Bisca, ever the pragmatist, offered a different perspective. "Maybe Natsu's just looking to blow off some steam after losing those three jobs. Fighting's his way of dealing with things."

Elfman, flexing his muscles, weighed in with a hint of machismo. "He should handle it like a real man!"

Another guild member pondered aloud, "Do you think the new guy stands a chance?"

A collective murmur of doubt rippled through the crowd. One voice chimed in, "I mean…don't get me wrong; that rocky Take-Over form from earlier was impressive. But Natsu's a tough nut to crack."

"True," another agreed. "Except when he's up against Erza or Laxus. Then he's toast!" Laughter erupted among the group.

Lucy couldn't shake her unease. Her thoughts echoed her earlier misgivings. 'I really don't think this fight is a good idea.'

Amidst the discussions, a voice cut through the chatter like a knife. "Bets! Place your bets here!"

Lucy's attention snapped to the source of the cry. Cana, positioned near the guild hall's entrance, was accepting money from eager guild members and keeping track of their wagers on a chalkboard.

Lucy scrutinized the board, her brow furrowing as she noticed every tally mark stacked on Natsu's side. It seemed not a single person was willing to bet on Ben.

Determined to show her support, Lucy stepped into the betting line, joining the last few individuals.

Cana, with her ever-present smirk, greeted her with playful teasing. "Let me guess, putting it all on your boyfriend, huh?"

Lucy's cheeks flushed bright pink. "N-No! I mean, yes! I mean…" She stumbled over her words, flustered. "H-here! All of this on Ben." She reached into her purse, producing a substantial stack of bills.

Cana raised an appreciative eyebrow as she counted the money with practiced ease. "Wow, carrying around all this cash, you must be loaded, honey."

Lucy's nerves kicked in. "N-No, not really! It's just...I had some left over from my last job." She waved her hands, trying to dispel any misconceptions.

Cana chuckled, her teasing tone melting into understanding. "Relax, I was just messing with you. No need to panic."

Lucy let out a relieved laugh. "Oh, thank goodness."

Arching an amused eyebrow, Cana placed Lucy's money in the barrel and marked a tally on Ben's side of the odds board. "So, Lucy, right?" When Lucy nodded, Cana continued, "Tell me more about this Ben. He's strong, isn't he?"

Lucy's expression turned determined. "Absolutely. Don't let his amnesia fool you. He's incredibly strong. I've seen him in action, and trust me, he's more than capable."

Cana studied Lucy for a moment, then broke into a sly grin. "Well, alright then!" She reached into her back pocket, producing a substantial wad of cash. Tossing it into the barrel, she marked yet another tally on Ben's side, surprising Lucy.

"Let's hope he comes through for us." Cana's mischievous smirk hinted at a shared belief.

Lucy smiled, grateful for the newfound support. "I have faith in him."

Meanwhile, Ben stood at one end of the makeshift ring, patiently awaiting the preparations for their impending battle. As the guild members settled into their positions, he couldn't help but notice Gray, the half-naked young man who seemed to have a certain degree of familiarity with Natsu from what he could tell.

Deciding to clear a lingering doubt in his mind, Ben approached Gray with a friendly nod. "Hey... Gray, right?"

Gray turned his attention to Ben, offering a curt nod in acknowledgment. "Yeah? What's up?"

Ben got straight to the point, his tone genuinely inquisitive. "It's about Natsu. He's strong, right?"

A fleeting shadow of hesitation passed over Gray's face before he let out a heavy sigh, as though it pained him to admit it. "Yeah... He's tough." He leveled a serious gaze at Ben, his words carrying a sense of earnestness. "Look, I don't know what other Take-Overs you have, but if you want a chance to win, don't hold back. You'll need something that can handle fire too."

Ben responded with a grateful nod. "Thanks."

Gray offered a reassuring smirk, the tension easing from his features. "Don't mention it. Anyway, I'll be rooting for you," he added. "Really hoping you can give charcoal-breath a good butt kicking."

'Charcoal-breath, huh?' Ben briefly pondered over the meaning behind the curious nickname.

With everything settled, Ben and Natsu found their positions at the center of the ring. The onlookers wisely maintained a safe distance, keen to avoid any potential collateral damage.

Ben flashed a confident grin at Natsu. "You ready for this, Natsu? You can still back out, you know."

Despite his initial reluctance, Ben couldn't deny the rising excitement within him. This marked the first time since awakening in the Worth Woodsea that he'd engage in a friendly, competitive bout with someone who clearly knew their way around a fight. Plus, there was the tantalizing prospect that this match might trigger a lost memory, as Natsu had suggested.

Natsu responded with a characteristic burst of enthusiasm, igniting both of his hands in flames. "Are you kidding?! No way am I ever backing down from a fight!" he exclaimed. "I'M FIRED UP!"

Their spirited banter came to an abrupt halt as Makarov stepped forward to officiate the match. With a raised hand, he declared, "Let the match...begin!" His hand sliced down through the air in a definitive motion.

Makarov quickly retreated to his place within the crowd, leaving the two combatants to prepare themselves. Natsu ignited his hands, flames dancing around his excited grin. Meanwhile, Ben activated his Ultimatrix, scrolling through the playlist until he found the transformation he sought.

As Ben pondered his next move, he couldn't help but think, 'If Natsu is what I think he is, this form should be the perfect one to confirm that…AND beat him!' With determination in his eyes, he slammed his palm down onto the Ultimatrix core.

A brilliant emerald flash enveloped him, leaving the onlookers in the crowd awestruck as they bore witness to the emergence of a towering, humanoid figure with plant-like features. Its skin had a predominantly pale green hue, except for two small patches of black on its shoulders, one beneath its chin leading down to its neck, and large ones on either side, extending from its hips to its arms. The head displayed a flame-like pattern, with red petals adorning the sides and a single yellow petal protruding upwards from its forehead. The face, like the rest of the form, was predominantly black. Its feet resembled roots, and red, plant-like growths sprouted from its shoulders, while pale green ones adorned its forearms. The Ultimatrix dial proudly adorned its chest, and its green eyes had black slits for pupils.

In a deep, nasally voice, the creature identified itself, proclaiming, "Swampfire."

Among the crowd, there was a chorus of murmurs, filled with both amazement and intrigue.

"Whoa! What on earth is that?"

"Could it be some kind of plant monster he transformed into?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I've never seen a creature like that before."

Curiosity piqued, Levy retrieved a notebook and pen from her bag, jotting down a few notes about Swampfire's appearance. 'This could be quite interesting,' she thought to herself.

Lucy blinked twice in curiosity. 'I don't recall any articles mentioning a transformation like this.'

Mirajane watched Ben's Swampfire form with rapt attention, eager to discern the extent of its capabilities.

Natsu, fueled by excitement, leaped forward as his flames intensified. "Let's see what you can do, Bend! HRRAGGHH!"

Swampfire's lithe, plant-like body moved with unexpected agility as he effortlessly sidestepped Natsu's fiery right hook. The blazing punch sailed harmlessly by him, and with a fluidity that hinted at ingrained instincts, Swampfire retaliated with a well-aimed body shot. Natsu grimaced as the forceful blow landed, as though he hadn't anticipated the power behind it, and was sent skidding backward on his feet.

"It's Ben." Swampfire corrected. "Now, why don't ya show me what you can really do!"

Natsu's grin widened, excited that Ben seemed to know his way around a fight, and charged back into the fray, engaging in a rapid exchange of close-quarters combat with Swampfire. Despite Natsu's fiery attacks, Swampfire adeptly dodged and parried most of the strikes, showing no sign of intimidation in the face of the flames that danced on his pink-haired adversary's limbs. As Natsu geared up for a blazing cross punch, Swampfire raised his right forearm to intercept it.

Upon contact, the flames reacted with Swampfire's green arm, generating a pungent odor that gradually filled the air, growing more pronounced with each passing moment. Natsu's enthusiasm quickly dwindled, and he leaped several meters backward, using his scarf to cover his nose.

"Pee-yoo! You stink, man!" Natsu exclaimed, his nose wrinkling.

Swampfire couldn't help but emit a raspy, nasally chuckle."That's rude, don't you think? It's not that bad."

"Yes, it is!" Natsu retorted, his face contorted in disgust as he averted his gaze, the beginnings of a gag reflex emerging. "Oh man! I've never smelled anything so bad!"

Swampfire arched a brow, glancing at the crowd who seemed equally affected by his apparent foul smell. Some had tears in their eyes as they struggled not to vomit. Swampfire frowned slightly. "Seriously? Is it really that—" His words trailed off as a sudden rush of memories flooded his mind.

In an abandoned train station alongside his cousin Gwen and a fish-like humanoid in an advanced suit, Ben bore witness to an illicit weapons deal. When a brawl erupted, he tried to activate the bulky, blackish-grey device on his left arm, only to find the dial turning an unexpected shade of blue and failing to respond. Escaping from the knights and squid-faced monsters, he soon noticed the device had transformed into a sleeker green-and-black version.

With determination, he activated it, and selected one of the unfamiliar transformations. "Swampfire!" he exclaimed before a peculiar odor caught his attention. He sniffed at his armpit but quickly realized he had no nose to smell. "Is that me?"

Another memory then resurfaced…

Swampfire moved through a metal cage into a vast, open throne room. He landed a sucker-punch on a humanoid wearing purple-black armor and advanced weaponry, damaging the mask and sending the individual fleeing in fear. Subsequently, a frog-like humanoid, armed with an advanced gun, succumbed comically to Swampfire's noxious odor.

"Now that's just rude. I don't smell that bad, do I?" Swampfire quipped as more frog-soldiers surrounding him were similarly repulsed and rendered unconscious. "Hmph! Fine."

The memories then stopped and Swampfire paused in contemplation, his thoughts racing. 'Guys in knight armor, squid-monsters, and frog soldiers? What kind of life was I living before?'

As Swampfire stood still, processing the rush of memories, the onlookers not affected by his unpleasant smell watched him with bewilderment.

Lucy, noticing his unusual behavior, wondered, 'What's going on with him? Is he remembering something?'

Meanwhile, Natsu adjusted his scarf to cover his lower face, ensuring he breathed only through his mouth. 'Don't use your nose,' he reminded himself, his determination clear.

He crouched low and lunged towards Swampfire, flames blazing intensely around him. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He exclaimed.

This drew a perplexed expression from Lucy. 'Fire Dragon's what?'

Swampfire, still lost in his sudden rush of memories, remained motionless. By the time he regained his focus, Natsu's attack was already upon him. The crowd, along with Natsu, gasped in shock as the pink-haired wizard's fiery fist seemingly pierced right through Swampfire's torso!

Fearful cries erupted from the onlookers, with some believing Natsu had just killed Ben.

Lucy's eyes widened in horror as she cried out, "BEN?!"

Even Natsu began to panic. "OH CRAP! OH MAN, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"

His apologies ceased when he felt something tap his head. Looking up, he saw Swampfire gazing down at him with a mischievous grin. Strangely, Swampfire seemed unfazed, despite Natsu's arm appearing to impale his body.

In the blink of an eye, Swampfire clapped both sides of Natsu's ears, ringing his head. He then kicked him away and sent him tumbling across the courtyard before coming to a stop on his frontside.

Pushing himself up, Natsu stared at Swampfire in astonishment. His eyes widened further when he observed the gaping hole in Swampfire's torso miraculously closing and healing within seconds.

The crowd shared Natsu's amazement, with Lucy exhaling a sigh of relief to see her friend unharmed. "Oh, thank goodness." She placed her hands over her chest to steady her heart.

"Whoa... He's really okay after taking a hit like that?" Wakaba whistled, impressed.

"That's some impressive healing magic," another member commented.

One tall, slim young man with unusual hair disagreed. His most distinctive feature was a tuft of hair that stood upright on the top of his head, resembling a plant's stem. Droy, as he was known, wore a white long-sleeved t-shirt with golden belts crossing his chest and dark green, checkered pants. His magic allowed him to create and control plant life through magical seeds.

Droy shared his insights. "That Take-Over is some kind of plant monster. So maybe that healing is natural for... whatever he is."

Levy nodded thoughtfully, jotting down notes in her notebook as she observed Swampfire's regenerative abilities.

Mirajane looked at Swampfire closely. 'What kind of creature could he be? I don't sense any demonic energy coming from… Or any magical energy for that matter. So peculiar.'

Natsu shot up to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Swampfire. "How?"

Swampfire smirked confidently. "Regeneration, one of the many perks this Take-Over has." He then added, "But let me show you why I call this form Swampfire!"

Without wasting any time, Swampfire ignited balls of fire in his hands and directed a blazing torrent toward his opponent. However, Natsu didn't flinch in the face of the fiery onslaught; instead, a hungry smile spread across his face.

"Now we're talking! COME TO PAPA!" Natsu exclaimed, pulling back his head comically as he took an unusually deep breath. In response, the flames that were about to strike the ground in front of him suddenly soared into the air in multiple small streaks and then straight into his open mouth.

Lucy's eyes widened in astonishment as she comically gawked at the spectacle. "Is he... eating fire?"

Hovering near Lucy at head level, Happy couldn't help but smile knowingly. "Aye! Since you're both new here, there's no way you could've known, but as a Dragon Slayer, Natsu can devour fire to replenish his strength and magic energy."

Lucy gasped in shock. "Are you serious? Natsu's a WHAT?!"

"People don't call him Salamander for nothing," Macao chimed in with a chuckle.

Lucy turned her gaze back to Natsu, who was still consuming Swampfire's flames. "He's the real Salamander?!" She was beginning to feel like her heart couldn't handle any more surprises.

Swampfire ceased his fiery assault and narrowed his eyes. 'He's eating the fire? That means he has to be one too, just like Wendy!'

Natsu let out a loud burp and wiped his mouth. "HOO, boy! You gotta work on your appetizers, man!" He grinned mischievously. "Even so... thanks for the grub! Now I've got a fire in my belly that's ragin' to get out!" He playfully puffed out his cheeks.

Swampfire immediately recognized the attack, having seen Wendy perform it several times at Cait Shelter. He knew what was coming.

"Fire... Dragon's...  ROOOAAARRR! "

Natsu spit out a large torrent of flames, much larger than the one Swampfire had unleashed. The flames approached Swampfire incredibly fast, but he didn't flinch as a grin adorned his blackened face.

After several agonizing seconds of Swampfire being completely engulfed in flames, Natsu's fiery assault finally died down. The pink-haired young man scanned the area, fully expecting to find Swampfire lying immobilized on the ground. To his bewilderment, and that of everyone else, Swampfire had vanished.

"Huh? Where'd he go?" Natsu muttered, unease creeping into his stomach. He looked around, finding no trace of his opponent, but he couldn't ignore the implications of Swampfire's disappearance. He didn't want to voice it, knowing what it could mean.

Confusion spread through the crowd of wizards, some starting to worry until they noticed several vines emerging from the ground behind Natsu. These vines began to weave together, forming a familiar figure.

With heightened senses, Natsu detected a presence behind him and quickly turned around. "Wait, wha–?"

"Peekaboo!" Swampfire exclaimed, using both fists to deliver a swift punch to Natsu's face, causing him to stumble backward.

Natsu halted and shook off the impact, flames igniting around his fists. With Swampfire so close, he made a conscious effort to breathe through his mouth and raised his scarf to shield his nose. However, the pungent odor still made his eyes water involuntarily.

"I get it," Natsu muttered, narrowing his gaze. "You can heal from anything I throw at you."

"Glad you're catching on," Swampfire replied. "And you can use Dragon Slayer magic."

Natsu's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Swampfire's knowledge. Most people outside the guild were taken aback when they discovered his Fire Dragon Slayer magic.

Swampfire nodded knowingly. "You're not the first Dragon Slayer I've encountered. Which means," his grin turned more mischievous, "I know your weakness."

"No," Natsu said, fear creeping into his voice as he took a hesitant step back, "you don't mean... transportation, do you?"

"Um…" Swampfire sweat-dropped, arching a brow. "That sounds like a personal problem."

Natsu engulfed his entire body in flames, his resolve unwavering. "Well, whatever it is, come at me! I ain't backing down!" He crouched down, ready to launch himself at Swampfire, his right fist primed for an attack. "Fire Dragon Ir–"

Without warning, Swampfire held up his hand, releasing a cloud of noxious, green-colored gas from ports in his palms. Natsu inhaled the pungent fumes, causing his concentration to shatter. He tumbled to the ground, unable to maintain his focus.

"W-what...did you..." Natsu's eyelids grew heavier, and his energy levels plummeted rapidly.

"Nighty night, Natsu."

Within moments, Natsu went limp, his eyes rolling up into his head as consciousness abandoned him. Silence hung in the air for several tense seconds as everyone stared in shock at Natsu lying motionless on the ground.

The gravity of the situation dissipated when Natsu began to emit comical snores.

"Is he...asleep?" Someone in the crowd voiced the question that was on many minds.

"Looks like it," Wakaba responded, nonchalantly puffing on his cigarette.

In the midst of the spectators, Makarov had been observing the fight with keen interest. He couldn't help but be impressed by Ben's power and the intelligence he displayed in combat. However, this match had raised several questions in the old wizard's mind.

Despite his discomfort due to Swampfire's pungent presence, Makarov entered the ring, positioning himself next to the slumbering Natsu and the victorious Swampfire.

"This fight is over!" Makarov declared. "And the winner is Ben!"

A wave of disbelief rippled through the gathered wizards. While there had been instances where Natsu had been bested before, the fact that an amnesiac newcomer had achieved this feat left them all astounded. Furthermore, no one had ever exploited Natsu's heightened sense of smell as a vulnerability in combat until now.

Swampfire lightly tapped the Ultimatrix dial on his chest, and with another emerald flash, he transformed back into his human form. Turning towards the crowd, he braced himself for their reactions, uncertain if they'd be angry about his victory over their comrade. However, to his surprise…

Gray and Elfman erupted into contagious laughter.

"Ben, you freaking nailed it!" Gray chuckled, holding his sides. "Great show, dude!"

"You really showed your mettle out there!" Elfman chimed in, still laughing.

While many were left speechless, especially those who had lost money in their wagers against Ben, the overall atmosphere began to shift from shock to enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Droy, standing nearby, couldn't hide his disbelief. "Wait... So Natsu got beat by a plant that uses fire?"

Next to Droy, there was another man, of average height with distinctive orange hair slicked backward at the sides. He wore an open, light brown coat with white fur trims, a high-collared, light purple shirt, dark baggy pants, and unique headwear, a large hat matching his coat.

This man was known as "Jet," and his magic granted him extraordinary speed.

"Quite an unusual combination, don't you think?" Jet quipped, raising an eyebrow. "A plant using fire?"

"It looked like he expelled a gas that was too much for Natsu's enhanced olfactory to handle." Levy noted with her eyes glued to her notebook.

"It was too much for some of us to handle." Droy remarked.

Levy gasped as she had an epiphany and couldn't contain her excitement. "I've got it! Swampfire's flames might be linked to his terrible smell, like swamp gas—it's highly flammable!" She feverishly scribbled down her newfound knowledge.

Both Droy and Jet glanced down at Levy, mildly surprised by her sudden interest in Ben's Take-Over forms.

As most of the crowd began to cheer, Lucy couldn't contain her excitement. She rushed forward, her heart pounding with a blend of pride and relief.

Embracing Ben in a tight hug, she couldn't help but gush, "Ben, you were amazing out there! I knew you could do it!" Her genuine joy was infectious, and she wore a bright smile.

Cana, equally ecstatic about her unexpected windfall, couldn't resist joining in the celebration. She approached Ben, her grin mischievous, and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug that caught him off guard. "Well done, kid! You just made me and Lucy a whole lot richer!" She chuckled, her excitement evident.

Ben found himself in an overwhelming situation, sandwiched between Lucy and Cana's huge assets, unable to utter a word. As their embrace tightened, his face turned a deep shade of crimson, and he couldn't help but think, 'I... can't... breathe...' With swirling eyes, his oxygen levels dwindled as he endured their affectionate smothering.

…

Later, the Fairy Tail guild hall was abuzz with excitement following the unexpected showdown between Natsu and Ben. The tension had dissolved into cheers and friendly chatter as guild members gathered around Ben at the bar area, eager to offer their congratulations and good wishes for his quest to recover his memories.

Gray slapped him on the back, a broad grin on his face. "You sure made an entrance, dude. Seeing Flame-for-brains get humbled is always a pleasure."

Elfman flexed his muscles and delivered an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "A manly battle, indeed!"

Ben scratched the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly under the attention. "I'm just glad it was entertaining for everyone," he replied, humbled by their warm reception. 'Even though it wasn't a drawn-out match or anything,' he thought to himself.

Levy, notebook in hand, approached with an intrigued expression. "Your Take-Over forms are fascinating, Ben. You mentioned you could change into more, right?"

Ben hesitated for a moment, considering his response. "Yeah, there are a few more," he replied vaguely.

Levy nodded. "Would you mind if I take some notes on your Take-Overs for my research?" She held open her notebook, displaying entries for Gravattack and Swampfire.

Ben shrugged, offering a casual smile. "Sure, no problem. Feel free to jot down what you need."

Levy's face lit up with gratitude as she thanked Ben and wandered off, a newfound spring in her step. Ben knew that allowing Levy to take notes on his transformations might eventually unveil his identity as the Take-Over Master from the news, but he also recognized that it was impossible to keep his identity concealed indefinitely.

As Ben continued to accept praise and congratulations from various guild members, his attention was drawn to Cana, who had sashayed her way over to the bar. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in closer. "You know, Ben," she purred, "you've been a real lifesaver today. Thanks to my winnings, I can pay off my tab and still have plenty left to spare."

Ben felt his cheeks flush as he stammered, "I, uh, I'm glad I could help then."

Cana chuckled and gave him a playful wink before sauntering away, leaving Ben feeling a bit flustered in her wake.

His green eyes were glued to her swaying hips and rear tightly concealed in her brown jeans. Ben couldn't help but gulp at the enticing sight.

Mirajane soon stood in front of him behind the bar counter. She, too, had been captivated by Ben's mysterious presence. "Congratulations on your victory," Mirajane said with a warm smile. "You've truly left a strong impression on everyone."

"Thanks, Miss Mirajane," Ben replied, feeling more at ease around her. "I didn't expect all this attention."

Mirajane beamed. "Please, call me Mira. By the way, have you and Lucy found a place to stay in town yet?"

"Lucy mentioned she found an apartment earlier and left to handle the paperwork," Ben replied. "As for me, I was thinking of looking for a hotel or something."

Mirajane leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "That could get expensive. How about this: why don't you stay with me while you're in Magnolia? I have an extra bedroom available."

Ben blinked in surprise at the unexpected gesture. "Really? Are you sure that's alright?"

Mirajane's smile was reassuring as she nodded. "Absolutely! Think of it as your warm welcome to Fairy Tail."

Ben's mind raced as he weighed his options. His finances were dwindling, and he had been contemplating where to find affordable accommodation in Magnolia.

On one hand, Mirajane's beauty was undeniable, and he feared he might become flustered sharing a roof with her. On the other hand, practicality urged him not to exhaust his funds on a hotel. Moreover, he didn't want to inconvenience Lucy while she was settling into her new apartment.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ben nodded, a grateful smile playing on his lips. "Alright, Mirajane. I'll accept your kind offer. Thank you for helping me out."

Mirajane beamed with delight. "Wonderful! You won't regret it."

…

Later that same evening, after sharing a hearty meal at the guild hall, Ben found himself walking alongside Mirajane and Elfman through the dimly lit streets of Magnolia. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting a soft, ethereal glow on the quaint town. As they strolled along, Elfman appeared to be wrestling with something, and Ben couldn't help but notice his unease.

"Is something bothering you, Elfman?" Mirajane asked gently, her voice a soothing presence in the quiet night.

Elfman glanced over his shoulder at Ben, his expression filled with inner conflict. "Well, it's just... I'm not entirely sure about this. Having a complete stranger stay at our place."

Feeling the weight of Elfman's hesitation, Ben awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. He couldn't fault Elfman for his reservations. After all, he was a newcomer to the guild, and they barely knew each other. Maybe it would be better for him to find alternative accommodations?

Mirajane sensed Elfman's concerns and placed a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder. "Elfman, you know, showing kindness to strangers is what she would do."

Elfman pondered his older sister's words, memories of the past echoing in his thoughts. After a moment, he nodded slowly, a reluctant but genuine acceptance gleaming in his eyes. Ben couldn't help but appreciate Elfman's willingness to extend his trust, even in the face of uncertainty.

As they continued their journey, the trio eventually arrived at a cozy cottage situated at the edge of town. The inside exuded warmth and comfort, with rustic decorations that added to its quaint charm.

Guided by Mirajane, Ben explored the cottage, his gaze drawn to the photographs adorning the walls. Among the images of a young Mirajane and Elfman, he noticed a short, white-haired girl with a warm smile, her face frozen in moments of pure joy. 'Must be their little sister,' Ben thought, puzzled. 'I don't recall seeing her at the guild. Perhaps she's away?'

His attention then shifted to two adults with white hair featured in the photographs, their resemblance to the three children unmistakable. 'Their parents,' he surmised, noticing their absence in the present. 'Perhaps they are away as well...?'

Mirajane led Ben to his room, which had a serene, girlish decor featuring soft colors and tasteful decorations. Grateful for the generosity of his hosts, Ben expressed his gratitude. "Thank you again for offering me a place to stay, Mirajane," he said sincerely. "I really appreciate your kindness."

Mirajane smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Ben. Get a good night's rest. If you need anything, just let us know."

After she left, Ben settled into his new surroundings and lay down on the comfortable bed, closing his eyes as he reflected on the day's events. 'What a day it has been,' he thought, exhaustion tugging at his consciousness as he drifted into slumber in this unfamiliar, yet strangely welcoming place.

As Ben succumbed to slumber, he descended once more into a vivid dream world.

A surreal expanse painted in shades of pink, where pathways floated like ethereal bridges connecting islands of mystic wonder.

Within this bizarre realm, a peculiar entity resembling Terraspin, its head engulfed in a pink, flaming blaze, floated gracefully in the air. Its laughter echoed madly, resonating with raw, untamed power that rippled through the environment.

Suddenly, the figure turned, casting an annoyed glare that pierced through Ben's very being. With unwavering determination, it declared,  "All Mana belongs to me! No one will stop me from claiming what is rightfully mine!"

Following this ominous proclamation, the entity began to chant in an incomprehensible tongue, uttering words that seemed to defy Ben's understanding:  "Yam eht ssenkrad fo riapsed egavar ruoy luos, dna reviled uoy otnu noivilibo!"

Amidst this surreal spectacle, a familiar albino-haired woman materialized in Ben's view, her gaze filled with genuine concern. She felt oddly familiar, though her identity remained elusive.

The dream then shifted, transporting Ben to a different scene within the same surreal, pink-tinged landscape.

Ten gems of diverse colors manifested before him, arranging themselves in a precise decagon formation.

Among these gems, the same four from before were still glowing:

Black…

Navy Blue…

Light Green…

Violet…

Beside them, four additional gems now gleamed brightly:

Turquoise…

Yellow…

White…

Orange…

Two gems still lingered in a state of ashen gray, their secrets and significance shrouded in mystery.

The dream left Ben feeling disoriented and restless, unable to make sense of the cryptic visions.

Notes:

A shorter chapter than what we're used to. I wanted to continue this, but realized I'd be better off doing it in its own dedicated chapter; otherwise, this chapter would seem bloated.

Though it was short, I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Ben only had to use one transformation this time around in his first match against Natsu. In comparison to Ultimate Fairy, this Ben, after spending time with Wendy, was aware of Dragon Slayer's strengths and weaknesses and used the perfect counter to handle Natsu: Swampfire's nauseous gas!

Ben is temporarily staying under the same roof as Fairy Tail's pinup girl. This should end well.

We also see some more insight on Ben's enigmatic dream. Wonder what all that could mean?

Next chapter: Ben visits Lucy's new apartment and promises to reward him. Celestial wizards don't break their promises. Mirajane and Cana express their interest in the otherworldly hero. Makarov requests Ben to join him on a trip that may shed insight on potentially curing his amnesia.

As always, I appreciate the support and feedback I've received so far!

Please leave any comments, critique, and suggestions in the review box. Until next time!