Panther Lily

Panther Lily (パンサー・リリー Pansā Rirī) is an Exceed that originally worked for the kingdom of Edolas as the Magic Militia's First Division Commander of the Royal Army.[3] He is a member of the Fairy Tail Guild and is Gajeel Redfox's companion. During the time Fairy Tail was disbanded he was a member of the Magic Council. However, he rejoined Fairy Tail after the guild returned.[6]

Appearance
His head is that of a black panther's, but he has a tall, muscular build similar to that of a human's. Later, this body is called his battle form. He has a white muzzle, small red eyes, and a scar running down across his left eye. Like his fellow commanders (except Hughes), he wore a personal set of battle armor with a long cape draped around his body, as well as a helmet vaguely similar to that of Lyon Vastia.

However, when he reached Earth Land, he took a form which is more typical for Exceeds, as a small, bipedal black cat with round ears. His facial features are retained, albeit in a very deformed manner. Although he can return to his former form, he can only do so for a very limited amount of time. His guild tattoo is on his back in the same place as Happy and Carla's,[4] and is gray in color.

Alvarez Empire arc
During Fairy Tail's reconstruction effort, Panther Lily tells Wendy and Carla that he, Gajeel and Levy have been laying the foundation for the day that Fairy Tail could be properly revived. When the topic of who will succeed Makarov arises, Panther Lily implies that anyone should do, as they would only be a temporary guild master.[208] Later, as Gajeel listens in on the conversation taking place between Mest Gryder and others underground, Panther Lily asks him if anything is wrong. Then, when Gajeel says he's going to form the "B-Team," and that they're going to hunt down the one who uses lightning, the word "lightning" puts Panther Lily at unease.[209]

When the team reaches their destination, after Mirajane questions if they are doing the right thing by splitting the teams, Panther Lily states that this is an infiltration mission and thus it's definitely right thing to do.[210] Later, Panther Lily and the others all head to the Pegasus Village hot springs to relax. While there, they meet up with Ichiya, who tells them that Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe have joined Blue Pegasus, and Panther Lily watches Gajeel get infuriated for not getting to reveal the information himself.[211] He later boards Christina along with the others, as they head towards the Alvarez Empire's capital of Vistarion. After rescuing their master and friends from Spriggan 12's Ajeel Ramal, Panther Lily informs the astounded Team Natsu, as well as Mest, that they are still in enemy territory.[212]

Back in the guild, after a short while of partying, Panther Lily listens to Makarov's apology and smiles when Natsu states that no matter what happens, they will fight against Alvarez in order to survive. He then pays attention as Makarov begins talking about Fairy Heart, however, Mavis suddenly appears. Panther Lily listens as the First Master prepares to explain why Zeref is after Fairy Tail's greatest secret.[213] After Mavis finishes her story, Panther Lily is shocked to learn that Fairy Heart is an infinite supply of Magic Power. The First Master then gets upset over dragging everyone into battle, but everyone agrees that it's not her fault. Afterwards, the topic of Zeref's immortality is brought up,[214] and Natsu mentions that his right arm is something that can do the job, but he refuses to tell what it is. Panther Lily immediately notices that Happy is aware of Natsu's secret technique. Shortly after, he listens when Makarov goes over all the information he gathered about the Alvarez Empire.[215] Later, Lily sits outside as he notices Alvarez's invasion beginning.[216]

With the attack in full force, Lily flies high with Gajeel as part of the Flying Dragon Squad. Using their swift speed and maneuverability, they are able to take out several of the Empire's ships. After Ajeel knocks away the shot of the Magical Convergent Cannon: Jupiter, Lily is shocked anyone could do so, but Gajeel says they will just have to do things the old fashioned way and commandeer the ship. They then fly aboard Ajeel's ship but the dragons slayers are quickly put down due to landing on transportation. Lily tells Wendy to cast Troia, but she is unable to.[217] After Erza bails out the dragon slayers, Natsu is hesitant to leave her behind, but Gajeel states that the have to and Lily replies that its Erza, so she will be fine.[218] After fighting the Empire's ground force, Lily looks to the skies and states that they are still coming.[219] As Ajeel whips up a sandstorm that covers the entire town, Lily says he cannot see, but worries because more ships are coming.[220]

After Erza falls from the sky, injured after defeating Ajeel, Natsu and Wendy go to help her while Lily states that he and Gajeel have things handled.[221] As the Thunder God Tribe fights Wall Eehto, Lily stands with as Natsu announces that they have taken down most of the enemy forces.[222] A day after Alvarez's initial assault, Lily, along with Gajeel and others are assigned to meet up with Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus in the north. Gajeel states he has wanted to arrest Sabertooth and Lily tells him to get his priorities straight.[223] Resting up before battle, Lily watches and smiles on from behind a rock as Gajeel and Levy have a tender moment.[224]

Arriving in the north, Lily states they have found the enemy's main forces as he transforms to prepare for battle; however, before the group can take action, the defeated members of Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus are paraded before them on crosses, angering and shocking Lily.[225] They rush to battle, Lily picking up Hibiki and Eve as to carry them somewhere to receive proper treatment.[226] Soon after, the group prepares to battle three great enemies.[227] As Panther Lily and the others prepare to battle the enemy troops once more, he tells Gajeel that the enemy's numbers are high and that there are too many of them to fight, which Gajeel says he heard the first time as he attacks the troops with a giant sword.[228] Later, following Gajeel's fight with Bloodman and during his impending death, Panther Lily arrives on the scene and grabs Levy to stop her from approaching Gajeel and dying alongside him. Lily then painfully listens to Gajeel say his heartfelt goodbyes to Levy, and tearfully swears to Gajeel, when asked, that he will bring Levy back to the guild safely, before he disappears completely. His friend gone, Lily holds a sobbing Levy as she screams Gajeel's name.[229]

Some time later, Lily is caught in the light of Irene Belserion's Universe One,[230] and warped somewhere alongside Levy. In their new location, he hears the voice of Zera telepathically telling him and other Fairy Tail members to head towards the guild and protect Mavis.[231] Alongside the voice of Zera, Lily hears Gajeel's voice as well, his being alive shocking the Exceed.[232] Not so long thereafter, Lily arrives to assist Gajeel in clearing a wave of enemy troops. After he, among others, witnesses Levy and the Dragon Slayer reunite, Lily hears the voice of Zera, who introduces herself in person to the group. Noticing her ethereal appearance, she explains how she's merely an illusion of Mavis' subconscious, explaining how she'll disappear next time Mavis thinks of her.[233] And as predicted, the girl disappears very soon, earning nothing but gratitude from the Fairy Tail Mages for her help, Lily adding how they'll all get to hear from Mavis about her adventures with Zera after their victory.[234] The group continues to fight; Lily and the others are caught in the light of Makarov's final Fairy Law, which leaves them confused following its subsiding.[235]

A bit later, due to Irene's death, Universe One is undone, and Panther Lily is caught in the light that returns the country to its original shape.[236]