Angel Rose

Chapter 1

I woke up bright and early in the morning and put on my cosplay for the day. I really hope I'm doing Cana justice. It took me ages to put this cosplay together. I stepped out of my room with a pep in my step, glacing down at my ininerary to see what to start with. Well, no Fairy War Event, which sucks. But there is a drinking contest tonight. And the karaoke event isnt for a couple hourse, so I guess I could go get some breakfast and check out all the cosplays. My temporary plan decided, I made my way out of the dorms and to the main square of the 'town'. Didn't I see Team Natsu ear there once? Taking a chance, I stepped into the restuarant and lookd for a seat. "A Fairy Tail wizard! Please, order whatever you'd like, on the house." A small woman spoke up from beside my seat.

"Oh, no, ma'am. I intend to pay for my meal. Could I just get some eggs and bacon, please?" I declined.

"Take the offer, Cana. You know you're going to need the money later." A deep voice suggested over my head. I looked up to see a brilliant cosplayer of Laxus Dreyar.

"Why don't you join me for breakfast, 'Laxus'?" I offered. If he's going to use my character name, I'll use his. 

"Don't mind if I do. You're paying."

"I made the offer, of course I'm paying." Man, if that isn't prosthetics, this guy is amazingly good looking and good with makeup.

"So, why are you up so early, Cana?"

"Wanted to get a jump start on the day. It's been... a while since I've been able to enjoy myself and realx."

"You're not drinking." The way he said it - confused, but not a question - intrigued me.

"No. I think I'll save the drinking for a bit later. Are you going to enter the drinking contest tonight?"

"Maybe. There's something different about you today, Cana." Different? Am I not in character?  A plate of food was set in front of me and smiled at the waitress.

"Can I get one more plate for my companion, please?" I asked sweetly.

"Of course. I'll get that right out for you."

"Thank you." With a smile to myself, I dug into my breakfast as the waitress left. 'Laxus' sat across from me, staring as I ate.

"What is that around your neck? I've never seen you wear it before." He spoke up, breaking the silence of our table.

"My badge? Come on, I know you're in character, but really?"

"Are you already drunk?"

"And now I'm being insulted. Thanks for the company, but I think I'm full. This," I pulled some cash out of my pocket, "should cover the price plus tip. See ya." I slapped the money on the table and walked out, intent on keeping the rest of the day, and my mood, intact. Oh, a Happy. How did they get it to fly? Is it a new prototype of drone they're demonstrationg? It's got to be that guy's. He's the only Natsu I see around. "Hey, 'Natsu'!" I called as I jogged up to yet anouther eerie look alike.

"What's up, Cana? I didn't think you woke up this early."

"Can I see Happy for a second?" I requested.

"What do you need me for, Cana?" The little machine spoke. Whoa. This is really advanced tech. Maybe if I find the access panel, I can convince this guy to let me tinker with his mechanics.

"May I?" I requested, holding out my arms to the prototype. It landed in my arms with ease, no dropping of weight or bruising metal. Wow. What alloy did he use for the skeleton? It's not heavy at all. The main circuit should be in the head. I ran my fingers over 'Happy's' head, searching for the release panel. Instead, the fur felt soft and warm. Wow. The animatronics are amazing.

"Hey, you don't smell like Cana. Who are you?" 'Natsu' demanded, his fists lighting on fire.

"Wow... such amazing pyrotechnics. You have to show me the designs behind your tech. Lord knows my company is still stuck in the stone age." I said, excited.

"Seriously. Who are you? Tell me!" He demanded, gripping my arms and lifting me off my feet.

"Hey, put me down!" I kicked out at him and missed.

"Natsu, drop her." 'Laxus' spoke, coming up beside us. I just barely managed to land on my feet when Natsu dropped my arms.

"Jeez, what is with you guys? You act like you're actually Natsu Dragneel and Laxus Dreyar. It's just a convention. Don't get so crazy into character that you abuse people. Look," I sighed, rubbing my sore arms, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Angel Rose, and as you can see, I'm cosplaying as Cana. What are your names?"

"Natsu Dragneel." 'Natsu' said.

"Laxus Dreyar." 'Laxus' asserted.

"Ha! Very funny. Seriously, who are you in real life? Outside of the convention."

"What's a convention?" 'Natsu' asked.

"Uh... you're at it. They built Magnolia City as the location theme. Tell me your real names or I'm going to call security." I threatened.

"Rune Knights aren't going to arrest us because you're a drunk, confused, imposter."

"I am not drunk or confused. I am a fan of Fairy Tail in cosplay at an event I paid a lot of money to attend. Do not insult me, you ass!" I asserted, poking my finger into 'Laxus's' chest.

"Don't poke me, shorty." He threatened.

"You think I'm scared of you? You're bigger than me, sure. But I'm smaller and faster," I took a deep breath to center mysel before taking a step back. "Look, we all love Fairy Tail. That's why we're here. I wish it was real; living in Fiore would be a welcome change to my life. But it's not. So drop the act for a minute. Okay?"

"You think we're not real? I'll show you real." 'Natsu' declared, running off. I blinked in surprise when he showed back up a minute later with a Lucy cosplayer. "Lucy, summon one of your spirits, will ya? This girl thinks we're not real." 'Natsu' demnaded.

"Because Fairy Tail is just a show." I argued.

"Open: Gate of the Lion, Leo!" I saw 'Lucy' slash a key around and with a puff of bright light and glitter, a 'Leo' cosplayer appeared.

"Okay, how is that supposed to prove anything? Seriously, do you all need mental help?"

"My, my. Fiesty and beautiful. What a wonderful combination. I'm-"

"Yeah, yeah. Leo the Lion, leader of the zodiac. Look, I'm just gonna forget this ever happened, forget how much I spent to get here, and go home. You guys are way too hard core, even for me. So, it was nice to meet you. Bye." I turned to leave and a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of me, sending me on my ass. That was real. "It's not possible. That was rela lightning." I whispered.

"That was my lightning. Still think we aren't real?" Laxus spoke up.

"I'm dead. I died in my sleep and I'm in heaven. So it really is personalized for every soul."

"Hey, snap out of it. You're not dead." A forceful blow to my back knocked the breath out of me.

"I thought you weren't supposed to feel pain in heaven..."

"Hey," I glanced over at Laxus as he kneeled by my side, "You're not dead. People who are dead don't feel anything. You're alive and we're real."

"I... uh... but if I'm not dead, then how-"