Darkness....that was what could be seen.....that was all that could be heard....that is what Mystia saw in her future. Unless she could somehow find her master. The strange mage stood in an empty dark room within the tallest tower of the palace of Fulmen. Her dark cape billowing in the wind from the open window and her green clothed mask obscuring the upper part of her face, her long midnight blue hair shined in the moonlight. On her back she had 4 magic staffs, a fifth she held in her right hand, the last things she had recieved from her master before he dissapeared years ago.
Mystia had been apprentice to who used to be a very well known yet not well known mage by the name of Mystogan. When she had just been a girl of about 5, the man name Jellal had helped her....taught her magic....and given her purpose. After she had reached around 7 years of age, Jellal, now taking the name Mystogan, had left, telling her she knew all she needed to survive.
Ever since that day, she had been searching for her master, using all the magic she had learned to track him. After a while, she had learned of Mystogan joining a guild called Fairy Tail...but by then it had been too late, Mystogan had dissapeared from the face of the Earth. When she had gone to the Grand Magic Games a year ago, she could tell the man who fought Jura Neekis was not Mystogan. When he performed and copied her master's magic, it had been a cheap version...the magic was so unskilled in it's use that she could tell it was borrowed....after watching that display, she didn't even wait to see the man's true magic whoever he was.
But she had not put Fairy Tail off the list quite yet. So she continued to investigate....sticking to Fairy Tail like fish to water.
"There is treachery riddled all over this place...." muttered Mystia as her midnight blue hair flowed in the wind. "Though it has nothing to do with my master......It would not do to let Fairy Tail face it alone...."
"So it was you.....and here I thought Mystogan had returned." Grimmix suddenly appeared within the room, like a dark breadth of wind. "He did quite the number on me.....my sight was taken because he just couldn't stand quietly while I had my fun....."
"Grimmix." breathed Mystia. "Your subordinates are losing their edge......I still remember when Oblitesco would have actually killed his prey without first being noticed...."
"The Railgun is rather skilled and powerful.." said Grimmix. "I thought you would have known that given you've watched Fairy Tail for quite some time. But you should now know that it's hopeless, you'll never find your master."
"That's not for you to decide.....whether I find him or not, I won't give up....even if it takes till I grow old and die....so save your petty idiocy." Mystia raised her staff.
"Sleep!!"
Energy glowed on the staff's large fin, but Grimmix merely laughed. "Do you have any idea how many times Mystogan has tried that on me!? I haven't slept in one thousand years....I havn't eaten, drank, or even aged...a curse I am forced to live with."
"A curse well deserved." Said Mystia. "But I've worked on my skills since we've last met."
Mystia hit the end of her staff against the floor. "2 Layered Magic Circle: Siren's Voice."
Two magic circles opened up on either side of Grimmix. Grimmix dissapeared in a flash as the two circles connected in a powerful horizontal column of light.
Grimmix reapeared behind Mystia and put a hand on her stunned shoulder. "Mystogan trained you well.....however, your magic is nowhere near that of his...."
"Shut up!!" growled Mystia. "SKYSCRAPER!!"
A massive light surrounded Grimmix and he shot through the cieling. The city below him grew smaller and smaller below him as he went higher and higher into the sky. A tear in space appeared above him, and a grinning monster reached out towards him, ready to devour all things.
"Illusion magic?" said Grimmix. "Fool, I invented illusion magic! And another thing.....as I am blind, it is quite easy to know it's an illusion...if I can actually see it!"
Grimmix waved a hand, and his surroundings dissolved to reveal he was still standing in the room. However, Mystia was gone.
Grimmix sniffed the air, noticing Mystia's absence through scent and vibrations in the floor.
"Keep running girl......Mystogan never was able to finish me...and niether will you."
That night, Mikoto had the worst nightmare she had ever experienced since she dreamed her teddy bear tried to eat her when she was five.
She was walking through Academy City wearing her Tokwadai uniform. The entire city was deserted, empty of all life. Drones lay around everywhere, demolished and sparking. The skyscrapers were torn at all sides, and the streets cracked and smoking from some recent epic battle. Littered all over the city were the burned and smoking skeletons of hundreds of people who had apparently been the casualty of the battles.
Mikoto put her hands to her mouth in horror. Some of the skeletons were small.....the skeletons of children. What had happened here.......?
Mikoto then saw something even more terrifying.....on the wall of one of the skyscrapers, written in giant letters of blood were the words: Railgun....Railgun.....Railgun....Railgun.....Railgun.
In fact, now that she looked around, every single skyscraper and the road were covered in that one word written in human blood. Everywhere...like some sort of inhuman message to her.....telling her how she failed to save everyone..
The ground beneath her immediately began to rumble, and a massive fissure opened in the ground before her. Gazing from the darkness of the fissure was the massive purple eye of Dravis. His tremendous frightening voice reverbrated throughout multiple planes of reality, activating Mikoto's deepest fears within herself.
"Why so fearful....? Little Fledgling Dragon...." said Dravis. "Why not come and enjoy my victory? Is it not beautiful, the results of my power? Come and join me Fledgling Dragon...As all your friends and loved ones have already."
As if on cue, Natsu's scaly scarf fluttered past Mikoto into the wind, burned, smoking, shredded, and soaked with blood.
The ground beneath Mikoto opened further, and she fell into the abyss screaming as multiple undead dragons opened their jaws to recieve her.
Mikoto opened her eyes and sat up in her bed with cold sweat all over her face. A few black sparks of electricity jumped from her bangs...but thankfully, she didn't blast anything apart like she did back at Lucy's place. Next to her, Elli was curled up in the pillow, snoozing peacefully.
"It was just a dream....." muttered Mikoto to herself. "Just a dream.....just a dream....just a dream...."
Mikoto pulled aside the curtains of her massive bed to find that bright sunlight was coming through the window.
Mikoto moved her hand over to her bedside table until she found her Gekota themed cellphone. While there was definitely no service in Earthland, Mikoto could still tell time with it. (She had actually figured out how to keep it charged with her electric powers.)
It was around 8:00. If Mikoto remembered correctly, Erza and Chelia were sleeping inside Hope's room. Nobody wanted to leave her alone that night.....especially after the soup. In fact, nobody even wanted to leave Mikoto alone that night either, but she had told everyone that she wasn't afraid, and she could handle herself.
That had been a lie, she could tell everyone was concerned and scared for her, but she didn't want anyone to worry. Mikoto got up from the bed yawning widely and stretching, at least those maids hadn't taken her Gekota pajamas.....not that she ever wore them in public.
Mikoto walked around over to the foot of her bed only to almost accidentally trip over Natsu, Happy, and Lucy, who were all sound asleep on the floor. Natsu was punching around in his sleep with a goofy grin on his face saying "Heh....hehe.....take that Gray...."
Mikoto smiled. Only her friends would do somthing like this.
Lucy stirred and sat up rubbing her eyes. "Ehh....? Morning Mikoto...."
"Morning.." said Mikoto. "You know, you guys could have told me you were sleeping here tonight."
"You wouldn't have let us." said Lucy with a grin. "You know you don't have to pretend you're not scared. Even Erza gets scared."
"Er....yeah...."
"Mikoto... Are you okay? You look terrible."
"Had a nightmare." said Mikoto. "At least I didn't tear apart the cieling this time."
"You wanna talk about it?"
Before Mikoto could respond, the door opened, and three maids walked in and bowed. "M'lady, we're ready whenever you are."
"Eh?" Mikoto. "Ready for what?"
"Master Constantine has booked for 12 public appearances." said one maid. "We are to help you and Ms. Ellendiel get ready..."
"What!?" said Mikoto. "Firstly, what makes you people think I'm going to act all princessy for you? And secondly, I thought Hope wasn't allowed to leave the palace anymore."
"Actually.." Lucy whispered. "It might not be such a bad idea, if you go along with this, you can keep an eye on Hope."
Mikoto thought about this plan for a moment. She didn't find it tasteful, but Lucy had a point. If Hope was suddenly having to go out in public, she would obviously be surrounded by tons of people, making it hard for everyone to keep up with her.....if Mikoto was at her side at all times...it would make things easier.
Mikoto sighed. "Fine, lets go..."
The maids looked rather surprised but pleased. "Yes, well if you would come with us, we will help you get dressed-"
"Hey!" Mikoto interupted. "If any of you dare try to remove my guildmark...I will turn you into smoking ashes."
"O-of course M'lady."
10 minutes later, Mikoto was gritting her teeth as countless maids were fitting her into a dress. "I.....hate.....this..."
Standing next to her, also being fitted, was Hope who looked at Mikoto and smiled. "You get used to it eventually. Just try to relax a bit, and it'll go by quicker."
Mikoto took a deep breath and calmed herself down. After that, she was surprised to find that Hope had been right, it did go by quicker when she wasn't so tense.
Mikoto looked down at herself. She was wearing a similar dress to what she had been wearing the other day, except this time it was green, and the dragon design was more intricate. Hope also wore a matching dress.
"You look great!" said Hope cheerfuly. However Mikoto merely looked down slightly. She didn't know what to think at the moment.
"Cheer up." said Hope. "At least we get to go out for some fresh air."
"That's right." Said Mikoto. "How long has it been since you were allowed outside?"
"3 years, that's when my father died and Constantine became steward.
"You've been stuck in here for 3 years!?" said Mikoto. "That's completely unfair!! Haven't you ever snuck out or anything?"3
"I've tried." said Hope. "But Constantine is always watching me."
"Excuse me M'ladies..." interrupted one of the maids. "But could you please hold your heads still?"
Two of the maids each put a delicate beautiful crown on the heads of Hope and Mikoto. Mikoto's crown was silver with pure white jewels in it. Hope's crown was golden with blue jewels.
Mikoto stared at herself in the mirror. This DEFINITELY wasn't an image she was used to. Instead of normal ol' Mikoto Misaka, Princess Mikoto Misaka stared out at her from the mirror.2
"So what are we doing now?" Asked Mikoto.
"Well...." said Hope. "Here's where things go by really, really slowly."
Mikoto wished Hope had been wrong about that, because everything she had to do afterwords was amazingly dull even though it was so festive and extravagent. First, she had to sit in a carriage and pretend to smile as she waved at people while being paraded through town.
Then she had to give out a speech to some sort of commitee she never even heard of or knew what they did. ("And I commend you for......er.....whatever it is you do here......seriously, what the heck do you do here?")
Mikoto and Hope then had to sit in during a diplomatic meeting between a foreign trade company and Fulmen's own trading company. Not to actually provide imput, but just make it look like the steward actually had an interest in affairs. Mikoto was forced to sit through 3 hours of the most boring crap she ever heard of. Even Erza (The other guildmembers were always nearby watching them) who was usually so vigilant, fell asleep after the first hour.
It wasn't as if she hadn't been through simmilar issues before. Tokwadai was constantly getting Mikoto to act as some sort of 'face' to the school given she was one their only Level 5s. But it never had been stuff this stupid, and at least Tokwadai didn't make her feel like some sort of showcase in a museum.3
And yet, even throughout all that most boring and stupid things she had to do, Hope Ellendiel continued to look completely cheerful. Just being able to go out and see the sun after 3 years, seemed to breathe new life into her. Just looking at the face made Mikoto feel sad and happy at the same time.
Finally, after 3 hours of "uggghhh", Mikoto made it to one of those fancy cocktail parties that they just seemed to throw for rich and famous people. As she and Hope were only 15, they wern't allowed any of the cocktails, which was fine by Mikoto. In Academy City, a cocktail party was held for one of two reasons she had seen so far. Firstly, it was for all the stupid scientists to boast about their latest break throughs. Secondly, it was an excuse for all the rich people to get drunk. She knew, she had to go to several of them.
So far, Mikoto could definitely tell that this party was almost in the same mode. Not that it didn't have its perks. At least Natsu and Happy weren't hungry anymore. The snack table should have been called the banquet table instead considering Natsu was actually biting into an entire rotesseri chicken and Happy was eating several pounds of smoked salmon.
Currently, a man who seemed very important, was babbling cheerfully about something Mikoto could not even comprehend, (though it sounded political.)
"Er....right...hahahah..." said Mikoto pretending to laugh at what apparently must have been a joke. Mikoto leaned in to Hope and whispered into her ear. "Do you have any idea what the heck this guy is talking about?"
Hope just shrugged. "When I was 13, I pretty much just did what you did just now."
"Pretend to listen and then laugh when they do?"
"Yep."
"Hey." said Hope. "Why is that guy staring at you like that?"
Mikoto looked to where Hope was refering and then rolled her eyes when she saw Lyon staring at her with his jaw open. "That's Lyon.....he's always like that when he's around me....pervert."
"Actually I was talking about that guy....."
Mikoto looked again and saw a tall man in a dark suit. His hair was pure white and his eyes were silver and unfocused. A scar could be seen near the base of his neck.
"I don't think he's looking at us or anything." said Mikoto. "He seems like he's blind."
The man walked over to the twosome and bowed. "Blind I may be, but all my senses are not completely forgotten."
The man took Mikoto and Hope's hands one by one and kissed each. "Grimmix Darkrealm, procurer of rare and priceless artifacts. I hope I have not frightened either of you with my eyes's unnatural appearence."
"Er....no.....we're good." said Mikoto. "Ummm....how.....er...?"
"Can I see you?" said Grimmix. "Well I don't actually see. More like I can use magic to gather the vibrations and scents around me and form them into an image.....like a roll of film in my head...it was a necesity I had to develop so I could continue my line of work."
"And what exactly do you do?" said Hope curiously.
"Well I search for many dangerous artifacts and seal them away for safe keeping." said Grimmix. "I've been on the tail of many objects.....the Infinity Clock, The Rave Stones, alas, those two particular ventures are not of interest anymore due to a change in circumstances."2
"Oh....okay..."
"May I?" said Grimmix. Without waiting for Mikoto's permission he took the necklace that Nicole had given her in his hand and felt it. "Yes...one of the last dragon made items to ever exist. It is said that Phasmaticana even gave it the ability to detect ghosts."
Mikoto snatched the necklace from Grimmix's hand feeling extremely uneasy. "A friend gave that to me....."
"My appologies." Said Grimmix. "Actually I came here to invite the two of you to a little reception I'm having tonight involving my discoveries....if you two could come....I would really appreciate it."
"Why of course they would be delighted to come!" Constantine had just joined the three wearing his his usual clothing, his glasses glinting sinisterly. "Wouldn't you my dears?"2
"No." said Mikoto.
Constantine glared at Mikoto with a look that actually made her jump a little. "Yes you would....I will even let you take those charming friends with you...if you behave. If not.....well, maybe I'll get myself a new pink animal fur blanket for my study."1
Constantine nodded in the direction of Elli, who was currently happily sharing a salmon with Happy.
A spark jumped out of Mikoto's bangs, but she didn't say anything. It would look pretty bad for Fairy Tail if she fried the steward right here.2
"Then I'll expect to see you two tonight." said Grimmix bowing low again. "Now if you will excuse me..."
Grimmix left with Constantine following close behind, both of them discussing something in low hushed voices.
"If I had a penny for every single volt I wanted put into that guy's spine." said Mikoto. "I'd cause a universal inflation."1
"Well at least you get to bring your friends with you.." said Hope. "That way it will be more bearable."
"Bearable? How is any kind of trap bearable?"
Mikoto and Hope whirled around to find an unfamiliar girl standing behind them. The girl had midnight blue hair and a dress that matched that color. Her eyes were a radiant green color.
"Do you not see?" said the girl. "Don't you notice the treachery that is soon to take place? Keep on your gaurd Misaka. Everything is not black and white when involving that of the governed and the governors.....watch your back."
And like that, the girl walked off, not even bothering to say her name or tell how she knew of Mikoto.
Mikoto stared after the girl for a while. Suddenly, things were feeling more dangerous then they were irritating.