Jellal stood at the entrance of fairy Tail, his eyes skimming the now silent hall for that scarlet hair. There! He spotted her at the bar, slouched over, her armor glinting as rays of soft sunlight touched it. Small strands of scarlet danced gracefully in the light breeze as she sipped at the drink in her hand. She looked emotionally battered. Poor thing, he thought, making his way toward her quickly, this wasn't the time for a happy reunion.
"Erza." my love, he finished thoughtfully, taking the stool beside her. She jumped in surprise, but seemed to ease back down. Her guard was down? How rare, she must really be rattled tonight.
"Jellal? What do I owe the pleasure?" Her gentle voice slurred as she glanced in his direction, a smile creeping on her lips. Was she pleased to see him?
"We have a problem?" The eagerness in his tone aroused her attention, her eye brow arched as she peaked her ears in his direction waiting for him to continue. "There's a guild quickly on the rise and I need your help to stop them?"
"Oh?..Jellal, a new guild is hardly enough for us to get involved with just because they're rising in the ranks. " Erza giggled in her drunken state, waving her hand about as if to toss his worry away.
"Do you think I'd concern myself with an ordinary guild!?" Jellal slammed his fist down on the bar, hoping this would bring her to her senses, this was serious, he didn't have time for her drunkenness.
"I see." She responded, her voice some what returning to it's raspy self. She stood abruptly, swaying in her space. "Let's talk to the Master." She straightened herself, making her way up to the second floor to the the Masters room.
Erza knocked, propering herself on the door frame, booze still griping her mind. "Come in." His rustic voice echoed through the door. Jellal watched Erza steady herself, his heart aching for her, wondering what may have pushed her to drink so heavily. But first there were matters to attend to.
"I assume you are not here for just a friendly visit Jellal?" Makarov's face was stern, he knew Jellal's presence was bad news. He wouldn't risk himself being seen if it wasn't.
"There's a problem with an up rising dark guild that goes by the name Crimson Souls. They are on the hunt for the books of Zeref." Jellal explained alarming both Erza, knocking her out of her drunken state, and Makarov.
"What!? Don't they know Zeref has been defeated! The books have been scattered to avoid any more problems." Master began pacing, thinking to himself. What are people thinking? Why must everything be so complicated? Do they not understand the destruction these things could bring. There's no possible way for these demons to be controled! What are their motives?
"They want to control them, perhaps, but that's impossible." Makarov thought allowed." They can't be tamed, not with out Zeref or E.N.D. "
Jellal watched the old man pace, knowing he was correct. "They don't worry about that! They are insane for power and will do whatever it takes to obtain it. That's why they must be stopped!" Jellal roared, upset he hasn't been able to stop them yet, having to ask for help from the Fairies who have already done their fair share.
"So they don't have any books as of yet?" Makarov.
"Not as far as I'm aware."
"Good, that means we still have some time. What is their magic, we need too know how to counter it."
"Their master's name is Nyght, she has a magic finger print very similar to Zeref's, but she cast a dark soul magic."Jellal explained. " Ryn is a 12 year old boy that cast puppetry magic, I don't believe he's mastered it though, and the last member is Pipper, he controls his opponants emotions, he can make anyone turn on each other." Jellal hung his head, ashamed he was not able to handle the situation on his own.
"Hm, I'll start preparing a team, in the mean time, tell no one. We will be prepared to meet you tomorrow evening. For now, get some rest." Makarov led them out to leave him to think while Jellal and Erza rejoined in her quarters.
In the meantime Makarov paced his room worry lines forming on his brow.
"Why do people keep going after Zeref!" He thought with a sigh, there will always be bad people to do bad things. He needed a team to stop Zeref's left overs, a smile formed, he knew just who to send.
"Natsu, Gray, Mirajane, Bickslow, comer here!" Master roared through the hall.
Natsu and Gray locked in a brawl, froze, Bickslow tearing his way from the thunder legion joined Mirajane, who stood before Makarov. Natsu and Gray quickly joined. "Follow me." Makarov turned and made his way deeper into the hall, away from other members.
"I have a mission for you all, you will be later joined by Erza and Jellal, but you are to NOT tell any other members." He observed all their faces before continuing explaining everything Jellal had told him.
"We'll take care of it Gramps." Natsu roared, fired up for battle. The others "Yeah" in response, ready for anything.
Makarov smiled with pride, his children have grown so much.
The Next Morning...
Fairy Tail's guild hall was buzzing with voices eager and ready to take on the day ahead of them, that was until a loud crash of the guild's door banging against the wall as it swung open, stopping the members in their tracks.
"HELLO FAIRY TAIL!" A gentle voice thundered, all heads turned to find a woman, a boy, and a man standing at the halls entrance. "I am Eternal Nyght Dragneel." Her deep burgundy painted lips curled into a devilish grin as she bowed with one hand on her stomach and the other in the air. "It is such a pleasure to meet you darling fairies at long last."
Nyght Dragneel stood at a mere 5'1", her skin as white as the purest snow, long black hair grazing the floor of the hall as she swayed forward. The pitter-patter of her bare feet sounded in a nearly silent room; big round violet red eyes encased in lashes darted from side to side as she examined the room. Her slender bodice swayed as she walked, almost playfully, her black dress hugging her skin until it poofed at her waist, barley reaching her knees. A dragon branded on her outer thigh was pinkish, standing out against the rest of her skin.
The young boy, 12, stood at her right stand, tan and boyish, dressed in black pants and opened jacket, his black hair cut short and spiked high. Ryn was giddy, radiating with his masters mimicked emotions. The man on the other hand was tall, 6' 7', and a build for destruction, a scar crossed his face, almost as if he was struck by claws. His face was shaded under his black hooded cloak as it swayed in the light breeze, underneath he wore loose dark pants and large leather boots. He was quiet, almost to quiet, giving off an eery feeling to the members close by.
"I heard from a little birdy that you were going to be heading my way, so I thought I'd come to save you the trouble." Her voice was sweet and enchanting, long pearly white canines glinting in the morning rays.
"Good now I can just wipe you out right now!" Natsu howled, charging at her with a flaming fist.
Nyght giggled, a soft smile raised her cheek as she held out a single finger. "No, no my dear sweet Natsu Dragneel." she lifted a finger, a deep purple cloud engulf Natsu for a split second, sending him into a slumber, the guilds protest rattled the hall. "Oh, don't worry, he's only sleeping, he'll a rise soon." She tsched at them.
"What is it you want?" Gray interrupted a growing silence, half naked as he approached the situation. Nyght ignored his nakedness and focused souly on Makarov.
"What are you doing here Nyght?" Makarov stared her down,a calm anger washing over him.
"oh, master, I am just here to introduce myself officially and perhaps negotiate. Mirajane dear, get me a drink. " Nyght spoke sweetly as she approached the bar.
"Are you old enough?" Mirajane wasn't sure if the girl was legally able, not as if it mattered, Nyght was a small woman, appearing maybe in her early teens?
""I'll have you know my dear, I am over four hundred years old." Nyght replied sharply. Mirajane stood in awe, but quickly made her prized drink. "Let's chat love." Nyght spoke soundly to Makarov, nor his guild or hers moving an inch as they watched the two. Nyght sat close to Makarov in the stool, speaking loudly enough from most of the guild to hear, makarov having yet to reply.
"I already have the books love." She grinned, Makarov's jaw left a gape. "Oh, shut that mouth deary, I haven't done anything as of yet. I want to use them, not for anything like power or money, or anything of the sorts." She waved her hand about downing her drink. Smiling at Mirajane, " oh Sweet Mirajane, this is delightful."
"What are you planning exactly?" Makarov was horse, straining to hold back his rage.
"I can't tell you that now can I, that would spoil all the fun." She smiled his way, glancing at Mavis who sat next to Nyght, not expecting herself to be seen, hoping to get a closer look into this strangers head. "Mavis, staring is absolutely rude my dear."
"She can see Mavis."
"No way? How?"
The guild was in shock, how was an outsider able to see their first master, only guild members can see her, it didn't make any sense.
"Why are you here if you aren't going to tell us anything?" Mavis stood atop the bar, glaring down at her.
"Very well, I have come to retrieve the book of E.N.D, I know you have it, so do not lie. You wouldn't risk sending that book into the world without proper protection." Nyght stared at her empty glass waiting for the reply she already knew was coming.
"NO! I would never give something like that to you! What do you want with it any way?"
"I want to harness it. But that's fine, I just figured that I would be polite enough to ask, I'll take it eventually love." She spoke softly, turning her eyes toward him, "I will not harm any of you, I will tell you that. You and your fairies are much adored. " With this Nyght stood and made her way toward the slumberous Natsu. "I will need to speak with the famed Salamander, he will not be harmed." Snagging Natsu by his collar, she dragged him outside, master gesturing for Mest to spy, the rest of the guild shaking with anger and shock.
Bending down, Nyght spoke softly to the sleeping Natsu..."E.N.D, Natsu Dragneel, You will be a great danger to your family if that book is still so very close to you. You are death and despair, heed my warning my sweet Natsu, be safe." With this, she lifted Natsu with her magic and coasted him gently into the guild setting him down. Mest quietly on her trails. Her boys joined her side.
"Did you manage to find it?" Nyght spoke with ease as she led them away from the guild.
"Yes master Nyght, will you now reveal what you plan to do with this?" Ryn skipped beside her, his light heart and care free attitude leaving a sweet smile on Nyghts lips. He always filled her heart with joy since the day she found him orphaned in the rumble of one of Tartorus attacks.
"In due time my son. Would you like to go to the park while we are in town?" She watched as Ryn jumped with impatience and raced his way ahead of the two, leaving her giggling.
"Not harm the fairies? That will be difficult being they will be coming after us once they find it missing." Pipper's voice was deep and harsh, interrupting her vision of watching Ryn play about.
"They will be coming after us either way. And I am sure it won't be an easy task, but no harm will come to those fairies, if so you or Ryn will have me to deal with. I am rather fond of them you see?" Nyght stared up at Pipper, his black eyes boring into her, searching her expression. His skin burdened with the scars of his past, pinking his bronzed color, silver hair long and braided swayed outside of his hood as he walked beside her. He was a quiet, pained fellow, mostly keeping to himself other than always standing guard by her side, whether he spoke or not she always felt a kind of closeness to him. He stood as if he was her guardian angel.
"Hm, as you wish. Are we to return home?" He glanced down at her as they walked up to the park, Ryn already playing with the children there.
"Yes, but lets give the boy some time to play, we will stay her tonight, he needs this time outside." Nyght leaned on Pipper while they watched Ryn play tag with other children, the sun painting the sky in pinks and blue as it drawn near the horizon.
Mest eyed them, listening closely to their conversation, knowing they won't be leaving until tomorrow, he made his way back to the guild to inform Makarov. Appearing at the entrance of the guild he rushed to the short old man.
"Well? What did you find out?" Makarov examined Mest's alarmed face.
"Master, there's a problem, you need to locate that book. They wont be leaving town until tomorrow, but they were talking like they retrieved something." Mest spoke quickly. The Master rushed to his room.
"What's going on Mest?" Lucy asked, confused as she shook the still sleeping Natsu as she tried in attempt to wake him up.
"I'm not a hundred percent yet." Mest thought quietly to himself, knowing that if what he heard was true, then things were about to get ugly.
Master rushed down the stares, alarmed and fuming with rage. Erza quickly rushed to his side.
"What is it?" She rested a hand on his shoulder, wanting to provide some sort of stability.
"I don't know how, but they took it, E.N.D is missing!" Makarov roared, leaving the guild at a stand still. Natsu began to stir, easing into his angered state.
"WHAT!? I thought you had that thing guarded!" Erza
"I did, that's what I don't understand. Its just gone!" Master began pacing, mumbling rants under his breathe, the rest of guild involve themselves in panicked chatter. Mavis stood at the bar, still in shock as she quickly thought of different strategies that'll play in their favor.
"They want us to go after them." Jellal stated, stopping Makarov in his place. "And that's exactly what we'll do." Makarov eye's gleamed with mischief, Mavis smiled in unison as she devised a devious plan that set everything in motion.