Deep within the ancient woods east of Magnolia, hidden among the tangled roots of giant trees, stood a small wooden cabin.
This was the home of Porlyusica.
She was a woman with pink hair, always draped in a crimson dragon-tooth cloak. In her youth, she had been close friends with Makarov, Bob, Rob, Goldmine, and Yajima—the golden generation of old mages.
She was a brilliant healer, perhaps the best in the kingdom, but she possessed a legendary hatred for humans.
She and Makarov were a bickering pair, like an old married couple who couldn't stand each other yet couldn't live without each other.
Raizel, Laxus, and Erza were "regular customers" here, often dragged to her doorstep half-dead after reckless training sessions.
They knew better than anyone that her sharp tongue was matched only by her miraculous medical skills.
Today, Porlyusica was sweeping the fallen leaves from her porch.
She paused while gripping her broom tightly. She sensed two unexpected guests approaching.
Or rather, one specific guest she had been avoiding.
Wendy Marvell.
Porlyusica sighed.
She knew Dragon Slayers possessed an overly keen sense of smell. She also knew that Grandeeney, the Sky Dragon, had already communicated with her telepathically about this child.
"Lady Porlyusica," Raizel called out.
He walked into the clearing, releasing his Take Over.
The white armor of Omegamon vanished, revealing Raizel holding Wendy's hand.
"What are you here for?" Porlyusica snapped without turning around. "If it's nothing important, leave immediately. Humans aren't welcome here. Their stench ruins the air."
Her expression was cold, designed to repel visitors instantly.
"Raizel-san..." Wendy shrank back, intimidated.
She looked up at Raizel with large, pleading eyes.
Raizel smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand. He knew Porlyusica well. She responded better to polite persistence than aggression.
"Apologies for the intrusion," Raizel said smoothly. "Wendy mentioned that your scent is very similar to her mother, Grandeeney. I brought her here just to see you. We won't stay long."
Porlyusica stiffened.
She turned around slowly, her face was full of cold indifference.
"I am not her mother," Porlyusica stated flatly. "And I don't know anyone by that name."
It was a lie, but a necessary one.
Sniff. Sniff.
Wendy took a step forward.
She closed her eyes and took two deep breaths, analyzing the air.
She opened her eyes with a look of confirmation settling on her face.
Then, she shook her head sadly.
"It's different," Wendy whispered to Raizel. "Her aura is indeed very similar... like a twin. But it's not Grandeeney. Grandeeney smells... older. Warmer."
Wendy had always suspected this.
The scent wasn't a perfect match, but she had held onto a sliver of hope.
She wondered if perhaps this woman was a relative, or if she had met the dragon.
"Um..." Wendy mustered her courage. She stepped out from behind Raizel. "Have you ever met Grandeeney? Even once?"
Porlyusica looked down at the small blue-haired girl. The child looked so hopeful, so fragile.
Porlyusica found it hard to maintain her anger.
The ice in her eyes melted just a fraction.
She furrowed her brows and pursed her lips.
"Sorry," she said, her voice softer than usual. "I haven't met her."
In her heart, she apologized.
'Grandeeney asked me not to tell you yet. I'm sorry, child.'
"Is that so?" Wendy lowered her head. "I understand."
Receiving the expected answer didn't make it hurt less.
It had been six months since July 7th, X777—the day the dragons vanished. She and Natsu hadn't found a single clue.
She was slowly getting used to the disappointment.
Since Porlyusica denied it, Raizel saw no point in pressing further.
He considered mentioning Edolas—the parallel world where Porlyusica was the human counterpart of the dragon Grandeeney—but decided against it.
It wasn't his secret to tell.
"Then..." Wendy looked up again, her eyes shining. "Can I come visit you when I'm free? Just to talk?"
Even though Porlyusica wasn't her mother, the familiar scent gave Wendy a sense of comfort she couldn't explain.
"NO!" Porlyusica shouted, reverting to her harsh persona. "Don't come here unless you're dying! I hate noise!"
Wendy flinched.
But then, seeing the girl's timid reaction, Porlyusica sighed.
She crossed her arms and looked away.
"However..." she mumbled. "Come find me when you've actually mastered your Dragon Slayer Magic. Don't waste my time until then."
Wendy blinked.
"Okay!" she nodded vigorously, a bright smile breaking across her face. "I promise! I'll work hard!"
She didn't mind the harsh tone at all.
She only heard the hidden permission: Come back when you're stronger.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, get lost!" Porlyusica waved her broom at them. "You're disturbing the squirrels!"
She was terrified she might accidentally reveal the truth if they stayed longer.
"We'll take our leave then. Have a wonderful day," Raizel bowed politely.
"Goodbye, Ms. Porlyusica!" Wendy waved enthusiastically.
"Hmph!" Porlyusica closed her eyes and turned her back on them.
Raizel chuckled. He picked Wendy up and placed her on his shoulder.
"Take Over: Omegamon."
The white knight reappeared, and they walked back into the treeline.
Once they were gone, Porlyusica slumped against her doorframe.
"Whew~" She let out a heavy breath.
"Damn it!" she hissed, glaring at the empty clearing. "I clearly hate humans! Why did I bother being nice to that brat?!"
She gritted her teeth and began sweeping the porch with furious, aggressive strokes.
...
"Raizel-san, thank you for bringing me here," Wendy said softly, resting her chin on Raizel's armored pauldron.
They walked slowly through the dappled sunlight of the afternoon forest.
"Regardless of the outcome... at least I know now," Wendy continued. "It settles the question."
"It's nothing," Raizel replied, his voice echoing slightly inside the armor. "There's no one here anyway, and honestly, I needed to hide from the fans in town. You did me a favor."
He felt a twinge of guilt for keeping the Edolas secret, but he knew Grandeeney had her reasons.
'Grandeeney has probably already transferred the knowledge of the Dragon Slayer Secret Arts to Porlyusica telepathically,' Raizel mused.
'But Wendy isn't ready for that yet. She hasn't even learned the basic Roar or Wing Attack spells. She's purely a support mage right now.'
He decided to let things take their natural course.
In the nurturing environment of Fairy Tail, Wendy would grow much stronger than she would have in the isolated Cait Shelter.
"Let's stay here for a while," Raizel suggested. "I can't go back to town until dark."
"Okay!" Wendy chirped.
They spent the afternoon wandering.
Compared to the bustling, dusty town, Wendy preferred the forest. As a Sky Dragon Slayer, the clean, crisp air was like fuel for her magic.
By 3:00 PM, they arrived at Raizel's usual training spot by the lake.
"Shall we meditate?" Raizel asked.
"Yes! I want to get stronger so I can visit Ms. Porlyusica again!" Wendy said, pumping a small fist.
She sat cross-legged on a flat stone near the water's edge.
She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.
Whoosh.
Within minutes, a phenomenon occurred.
A small, gentle whirlwind formed around Wendy's body.
The breeze lifted her blue hair and caressed her skin, spinning in harmony with her breath. The wind element particles in the air seemed to rush toward her, eager to be absorbed.
Raizel watched in awe.
'Incredible.'
He had never seen Natsu or Gray enter such a deep state of resonance with their elements.
This single session was likely more effective than ten normal ones. Wendy's talent for communion with the atmosphere was terrifyingly high.
As the sun set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Raizel broke the meditation.
"Good work, Wendy."
He spent the next hour teaching her writing and reading her fairy tales by the lakeside. It was a peaceful end to a chaotic few days.
"Ready to go back?"
"Yes."
"Teleport."
Flash.
They appeared in the alleyway near the Girls' Dormitory, avoiding the main streets where fans might still be lurking.
Raizel walked Wendy to the door.
"Goodnight, Raizel-san!" Wendy hugged him.
"Goodnight, Wendy."
He waited until she was safely inside Fairy Hills before turning away.