Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

Su Yan turned to Edolas Lucy and spoke gently: 

"It was never magic that held the guild together, but the bond forged by everyone's shared experiences and relationships. If you can't make a living as wizards, then find another way to stay together. Fairy Tail has never been so fragile that losing magic would break it."

Edolas Lucy paused, taking his words to heart, while Natsu and the others smiled knowingly.

Meanwhile, in the streets below, chaos gripped the citizens of the capital. A small boy stared out a window.

"Dad, the islands in the sky have fallen!"

The man addressed as 'Dad' clutched his head in distress. "It's all over…"

Shouts filled the streets as people ran about in confusion, though nothing tangible chased them:

"The fire crystal just shattered—how do we cook now?!"

"All the lacrima street lamps died at once!"

"The water crystal for the fountain is gone—no more water!"

"The wind crystal for our vehicles isn't working!"

Elsewhere in Edolas, residents outside the capital stayed relatively calm. They had never been allowed to use magic in the first place, so their daily lives continued much as before.

Erza Knightwalker looked on, remembering all the nightmares she'd had of exactly this scenario. Yet seeing it unfold for real left her feeling oddly still. After all, the people outside the capital, who had been stripped of magic, had still found ways to survive.

Pantherlily trembled in disbelief. "I never expected this day would really come… I suppose there won't be any more wars, but still…"

Mystogan spoke up. "I understand the people are in turmoil. No one has the power to adapt this world instantly. But I believe they'll get used to it soon. Over in Earthland, I saw that while they do have nearly infinite magic, normal, non-magic folk still make up the majority. This world can adapt, too.

"Right now, what Edolas needs is a new leader—someone who can bring these confused people together, someone who'll be a guide as we rebuild. A new king for a new world."

Pantherlily's face lit with realization. "So then, Prince…that means you—"

"No, not me." Mystogan shook his head firmly. "I can't fill that role. I came here only after the worst of it happened—and, truthfully, I abandoned this kingdom once. Bringing order to chaos demands both a villain and a hero."

"A villain and a hero?" the others repeated, puzzled.

Mystogan nodded. "We need someone to frame as the villain—the one who toppled Edolas and took its magic away—and a hero who 'punishes' them and leads the people. Once the villain is publicly 'executed' for these deeds, the hero becomes the unifying force. That hero ascends as king."

"So who would be the villain and the hero?" someone asked.

Mystogan looked at Pantherlily. "It's simple: I overthrew Edolas's king and siphoned away the world's magic. That makes me the so-called 'evil' one. You, Lily, who can mend prejudices and misunderstandings between races, are perfectly suited to be the 'hero.' You'd be the one who executes me—thereby earning the people's trust and unifying them as king."

Pantherlily fumed. "This is nonsense, Prince! I won't do it! If you think you can't lead, why would you think I can?!"

"You can," Mystogan insisted.

"You barely know me!"

"That's why you must step up," Mystogan replied. "You're exactly who Edolas needs. If I truly destroyed this world, then let me bear that responsibility—but not by dying. By giving it to someone who can guide this land to its future!"

Pantherlily clenched his fists. "If anyone's the villain, it should be me—let me be the evil one everyone blames, the one who's executed."

Mystogan's eyes went wide. "Absolutely not! You're my benefactor! I won't allow you to die. You deserve happiness!"

Suddenly, Su Yan's calm voice cut through their argument. "Pardon me…but have either of you considered the feelings of the one who really wrecked the Edolas Kingdom?"

Mystogan and Pantherlily stopped in their tracks. Indeed, their plan to label someone else as "evil" couldn't hold a candle to the reality that Su Yan—towering in his dragon form—had openly demolished the palace in full view of the entire capital. No matter how they might try to spin it, people had seen the truth.

Su Yan turned to Mystogan. "Mystogan, you're part of our Fairy Tail back in Earthland. Have you decided to stay in this world for good?"

In Fairy Tail, Su Yan was second only to Master Makarov—he'd been an S-class wizard for longer than most, and the entire guild recognized him as effectively second-in-command. When Makarov was absent, Su Yan's word carried the same weight as the master's.

Mystogan's expression grew serious. "Yes. Even if it means I betrayed this place before…Edolas is still my homeland. I want to rebuild it now."

Hearing this, the others shared faint smiles. Edolas Lucy, meanwhile, finally calmed. She had been worried about what would become of her Fairy Tail in a world without magic, but listening to Su Yan's words gave her a reason to plan for their future.

Su Yan looked at Mystogan and grinned. "All right, if you've made up your mind…then you be the protagonist."