( To avoid any further confusion, this is a sequel to the story Trust Me, which can be found on my profile.)

It had been months.

Months since her and the other dragon slayers came out victorious in their battle against an Earth dragon. Months since her, Natsu, Happy, and Juvia had returned from their battles after missing for days. Everything was calm in Fiore. No trouble, no drama. The Fairy Tail wizards were free to vacation, relax, go on jobs to make jewels to pay their rents. Summer was long gone, but the world was speckled in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows because Autumn was upon them. The air was crisp and fresh and smelled of a camp fire.

Ember looked over to her right. Laxus was snoring soundly next to her, not yet up for the morning. She traced his shoulder and chest tattoo with her eyes, studied his face. From his messy blonde hair to the lightning bolt shaped scar over his right eye. At their feet her Hell Hound Nunu snored like a large bear. His gray and black fur twitched along with his dreams, the ram-like horns on his head making him look menacing. She smiled.

She had only been a member of Fairy Tail for a few months. She had joined in the summer. But it felt as if she had been a member for years. The guild was her family, plain and simple. Even despite her dark past of being birthed by Zeref and raised by Acnologia, everyone accepted her. She couldn't be happier.

Sitting up and stretching her arms over her head she let out a loud yawn. Laxus snorted and stirred in his sleep, obviously disturbed by the sudden noise. She looked down at him and waited for his eyes to open. They opened slowly, and he grunted when he saw that she was staring at him.

"Good morning." Ember smiled.

"Hmmmpphhh." Laxus grumbled.

"I'm going to get dressed and head down to the guild hall. Meet me down there when you wake up?" Ember asked, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

"Mmmmm." Laxus said without moving his mouth, and rolled over so his back was facing her.

He fell back to sleep quickly, she could tell by the shallow steadiness of his breaths. Waking up to his scent made her feel energized. Oncoming rain clouds and electricity. The smell of a thunder storm. She got up off the bed and got dressed into her street clothes. She gave Nunu a pat goodbye on his head and then grabbed her leather jacket off the coat rack and put it on. When her hooded cloak got destroyed in the battle against the Earth dragon she decided she needed an upgrade, and she went with a leather motor-bike coat.

Ember looked back at the sleeping Laxus and Nunu one more time and then left for the guild hall with a smile on her face.

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The Fairy Tail guild hall was quiet. The morning was still fresh and a lot of the wizards had not woken up yet, or had already gone out on jobs. Some wizards had been gone on jobs for days. It was unusual for the guild hall to be so quiet, even in the morning. There was always something going on at Fairy Tail. This made MiraJane feel uncomfortable. Of course she wouldn't let on to these feelings to just anyone, because she didn't want anyone else to feel uncomfortable. It was her job to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible.

She grabbed a cloth from under the counter and started wiping down the bar. There wasn't much else for her to do. She hummed sweetly as she did it, and was startled when a hand slammed down on the bar, demanding her attention. Mira looked up and saw her good friend Cana. Cana's wavy brown hair was barely brushed, and her purple eyes were still heavy with sleep. She let out a sigh and sat down in a bar stool, looking at Mira with tired eyes.

"Cana, you look so tired!" Mira gasped.

"Yeah. I didn't sleep very well. Had to much to drink last night when I went out with Baccus." Cana sighed.

"Are you guys official yet?" Mira smiled slyly.

"No. Can you just get me a drink?" Cana sneered.

"Isn't it a bit early for that? And what is he waiting for anyways? You two are always hanging out." Mira said as she filled a mug with ale and put it down on the bar in front of Cana.

Cana shrugged and then tilted her head back, chugging down her ale. The mug was almost empty. She slammed it down on the bar top and took in a deep breath, making the large breasts in her blue bikini top puff out. She let the breath out hard and long. Mira looked at her friend with sympathy. She knew that Cana liked Baccus as more than a friend. Her and the S-Class wizard of Quatro Cerberus had been spending time together since the Grand Magic Games. But nothing had come of it yet. Mira didn't understand why.

"Men are just allergic to me Mira." Cana sighed, laying her head on the bar.

"Oh no they are not! Maybe you should say something. Get the ball rolling." Mira suggested.

"Hm. Maybe."

Juvia walked into the guild hall wide awake and ready to take on the day. She smoothed down her black dress and straightened her russian style winter hat. Her aqua blue hair came down over her shoulders in slight waves, her eyes as blue as the ocean on a bright summer day. She spotted Gray, the love of her life, sitting at a table by himself. Natsu and the others hadn't shown up yet for the day. She walked over to the wooden table and took a seat next to Gray.

The raven haired Ice-make wizard looked at Juvia with a smile. He was sipping from a glass of ice water, and his shirt was off, showing off his Fairy Tail guild mark on his chest. Gray being shirtless was not out of the ordinary. It was common for him to strip his clothes in times of stress, or even boredom. Any time really. It was a habit he picked up when he was being trained by his mentor Ur with Lyon of Lamia Scale.

"Good morning Gray." Juvia said with a smile.

"Juvia. You seem to be in good spirits today." Gray nodded at her.

"Yes. Juvia is in a very good mood today. The day is lovely." Juvia said.

"It is a really nice day. Quiet. Crisp and cool. Aaahhh I love Autumn. Not as much as Winter, but close enough." Gray smiled.

Juvia smiled happily and nodded in agreement. Before she could speak to Gray about anything else the doors to the guild hall opened. A short white haired old man and an attractive redhead in armor walked in. It was Master Makarov and Erza. Makarov went straight for the bar and Erza sent a smile and nod over in Gray and Juvia's direction. They smiled and nodded back.

"Oh good morning Master! Erza!" Mira chirped happily.

"Good morning Mira." The Master smiled. Erza smiled as well.

Makarov crawled onto the top of the bar and waited for Mira to hand him a mug. When she filled a mug and handed it to him he drank it steadily, and when he pulled it from his lips he closed his eyes and let out an 'aaahhh' with a smile. Erza shook her head and took a seat next to Cana on one of the bar stools.

"Why are you guys here so early?" Cana asked.

"We are expecting guests." Makarov answered.

"Who?" Mira asked excitedly.

"Crime Sorciere." Erza said, with a smile on her face.

Mira and Cana raised their eyebrows. They had no idea why Crime Sorciere would be coming for an official visit. One that would get the Master out of bed early and down to the guild hall. But they knew why Erza was smiling about it. Jellal was the leader of Crime Sorciere, an unofficial guild that's mission was to stop dark guilds. He was also one of Erza's oldest friends, and at one time enemy. They were now very close. Not just in a friendly way but in a romantic one. No one knew for sure exactly how far their relationship went, but all you had to do was look at them, or stand close enough, and you could feel their connection and love for one another.

Ember walked into the guild hall and sat down on the other side of Cana. Everyone wished her a good morning and she wished them one back. She was also in a good mood that day. The beautiful weather and crisp Autumn air was rubbing off on everyone that day.

"Master, why are you here so early?" Ember asked.

"Guests." Makarov repeated.

"Oh, Okay." Ember said with a nod and left it alone. She turned to Cana and started having a conversation about her night with Baccus, and about her feelings on the matter. Mira joined them and the three of them sank into a deep girl talk. Makarov and Erza just sat at the bar, and waited.

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He watched them.

The pink haired fire dragon slayer, and the blonde celestial wizard. He watched them as they walked down the cobblestone road towards the Fairy Tail guild hall. He ran a calloused hand through his spiked fire red hair. His gray eyes grew wide with interest.

He watched them intently.

He watched them until they disappeared out of his view.

"Soon, Salamander. Soon." He snickered.

They were now gone in the distance.

He disappeared into the shadows.

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Natsu and Lucy arrived at the guild hall, the blue furred cat Happy flying above them. The two wizards and the exceed entered the building and went straight for their usual table. Gray and Juvia were already sitting there and conversating.

Lucy shook off the weird feeling she had been having on the way to the guild hall. She had felt like they were being watched, but every time she looked around there was no one to be seen. She decided it was probably just paranoia and pushed all the negative thoughts to the back of her mind. She sat down next to Natsu.

"Why is gramps here so early?" Natsu asked.

"No idea." Gray shrugged.

"Erza is here too. But she isn't over here. I wonder why." Lucy wondered out loud.

"Who cares. Gray, go get me some food. I'm so hungry." Natsu said rubbing his growling belly.

"Aye!" Happy cheered.

"Are you shitting me? Go get your own food! Since when am I your butler fire breath?" Gray snapped.

"I'm too hungry to move." Natsu sighed.

"Sucks for you then doesn't it?" Gray laughed.

"If I wasn't so hungry, I would toast you. Actually, maybe I will. I wonder what you would taste like?" Natsu said with a huge grin on his face.

"You'll be an ice cube before you can even try it! Creepy!" Gray said balling his hands into fists.

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She looked through the window.

She watched as the pink haired dunce fought with an angry looking dark haired male of similar age. She sneered at their immaturity and rolled her eyes. But she could sense someone coming, and she couldn't linger there much longer. She couldn't get caught.

Quickly, she pulled a dark hood over her dark green hair. The hood was large enough to hide her face. The cloak large enough to hide her form.

She disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the citizens of Magnolia.

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Crime Sorciere arrived at Fairy Tail punctually. They came in the front doors of the guild hall with grace and looked at no one. Only three members had come. Jellal, their leader, a red tattoo over his right eye and his blue hair in his face. Meredy, his second in command, her wavy pink hair up in a high ponytail that fell down her back. And Cobra, the poison dragon slayer and former member of Oracion Seis and also Ember's brother, a large scar over the right eye that he sacrificed in order to use his super hearing more efficiently. Their presence silenced the wizards of Fairy Tail that were present, but they paid no mind. They went straight to Master Makarov.

"Master Makarov, good morning." Jellal said with a courteous nod.

"Hello Jellal. I take it you are not here for a simple friendly visit?" Makarov asked.

"No sir. Official business, and it's quite important." Jellal said seriously.

"That doesn't sound good." Cana grumbled.

"Sssshhhhh." Mira hissed.

"Can we speak in private?" Jellal asked, giving a sideways glance at Cana, Ember and Mira.

Makarov nodded and jumped off the bar. Erza followed right behind him, and Jellal, Meredy, and Cobra silently followed after her. Ember slammed her fist down on the bar.

"Way to say hi to your sister you jerk!" Ember yelled after Cobra.

"Ember!" Mira gasped, but she hid a giggle with her hand.

Cobra glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her, but he didn't say anything. He was following strict orders. Ember smiled back at him, she had only been teasing. She watched as her Master, Erza, and the members of Crime Sorciere disappeared. A knot formed in her stomach. Something didn't feel right. Something in the air didn't smell right.

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Makarov sat behind a dark mahogany desk in an oversized plush chair. Erza stood next to him with her arms crossed over her chest, a serious expression on her face that only softened when she made eye contact with Jellal. Jellal, Meredy, and Cobra stood in a row in front of the desk in uniform fashion.

"You can sit down you know." Makarov said.

The three wizards looked at each other. The tension in their bodies eased and they each took a seat. But Erza still stood next to her Master, looking like his number one soldier. Jellal looked at Meredy, speaking to her with his eyes, and she nodded, then turned to Makarov.

"There's a new dark guild in Fiore. For the most part they are pretty mysterious, since we don't know their goals. But we have dug up information, and we have sensed their magic power." Meredy said in a steady voice.

"A new dark guild huh? We haven't had much issues from the dark guilds any time recently." Makarov said with a raised eyebrow.

"No. None of them have acted out in any dramatic way. After Grimoire Heart was taken down years ago by Fairy Tail at Tenrou Island, none of them have gone to the extra length to cause much trouble." Jellal nodded.

"The situation at the Grand Magic games wasn't the doing of a dark guild. So that disaster can't be penned on them. Unfortunately we lost Ultear in that battle. But she is forever remembered." Meredy sighed.

"Of course she is." Makarov nodded.

"Anyways, we are getting off track. This guild specifically isn't something we can sit by and ignore. We need to take them down before they start something that will be harder to finish." Jellal said, his face going dark.

"Well, get on with it. Tell us what you know." Makarov grumbled.

"They are called Apocalypse Keyes. They are made up of 7 strong wizards. They call themselves the Seven Deadly Sins."

"You mean like Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Pride, Wrath, and Greed?"

"Correct. So it is to be assumed that each member aligns themselves with one sin. Kind of like how Phantom Lord's Element 4 members aligned with the main four elements."

"Hmm. Okay. So we team together and take them down, is that your plan?"

"It's not that simple. From the information we have dug up, for one of the Sins to be defeated, they must be defeated by a wizard that embodies one of the 7 Heavenly Virtues. Each sin has a corresponding virtue."

"I don't understand. How do we know if a wizard embodies one of the Virtues?"

"That is up to you to find out. We came to Fairy Tail because we knew that if any Guild in Fiore had 7 wizards that would embody these Virtues, it would be you guys. But it is up to you to figure out which of your children will be going into this fight."

"Master, it sounds almost like we will have to have a trial. Like the S-class exam." Erza joined into the conversation. Everyone looked at her.

"These Virtues are not based on battle strength. This is someones soul we are talking about. The Sin's power comes from their inner soul, therefore the wizard going against them needs to have that Virtue in theirs. That's the only way of defeat. So a battle royale is not going to give you any answers." Meredy said.

"Then it will have to be a trial of Virtue then. Not of battle strength. You three will help me with this, correct?"

"Absolutely."

"One more question before we go into details on how to deal with this problem. Are the 7 Sin's the only members?"

"No. There are four elite wizards as well. Their version of S-class. The leaders. They won't even show their faces as long as the 7 Sin's are around."

"And who are these four wizards?"

"They are called The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

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While Makarov, Erza, and the Crime Sorciere wizards were talking privately somewhere else in the guild hall, more Fairy Tail wizards had shown their faces in the guild hall. Like everyone else before them, they had shown up in good spirits and in good moods, but once news spread that Crime Sorciere was in a meeting with the Master, everyone's moods changed. They knew it couldn't be good news if the conversation had to be done in private. Everything had been going so well lately that the wizards had totally forgotten that they lived in a world where problems could arise any second.

The group at the bar had grown exponentially in size. Freed, Evergreen, Elfman, Laxus, and Bickslow had joined Mira, Cana, and Ember. Lisanna sat at a table with Wendy, Levy, and Gajeel, as the black exceed Pantherlily and the white exceed Carla socialized with Happy. Romeo sat with his father Macao and also Wakaba at another table, but he kept looking over at Wendy, both of them blushing anytime they made eye contact.

"I hope it isn't anything to serious. Can I get you another drink Freed?" Mira said calmly.

"Yes. Thank you MiraJane." Freed said politely, and a slight blush graced his cheeks. He tried hiding it behind his long pale green hair.

"Grow some balls, Freed." Evergreen chuckled when Mira walked away to refill Freed's mug. Everyone knew he had a crush on Mira, but he still wouldn't do anything about it.

"Be a real man!" Elfman hooted.

"Aw leave him alone guys. He will say something when he feels the time is right." Ember cooed, nudging Freed in the shoulder. He shot her a smile.

"Yeah right!" Bickslow laughed creepily. The floating dolls that followed him everywhere, his babies, repeated after him in the bone chilling way they usually did.

"Like you can talk. Freak." Cana said under her breath. Laxus snorted trying to hold back a laugh.

"Here you go Freed." Mira said with a smile, handing Freed his drink. The conversation abruptly stopped at her return.

"I swear if we have to fight another dragon I'm going to be pissed." Laxus grunted.

"I will have to agree with that." Ember nodded.

Lisanna giggled as she noticed Wendy blushing every time her and Romeo's eyes met. They were both so young, so innocent. She thought it was absolutely adorable. She remembered what it was like to be young and in puppy love. Her and Natsu had pretended to be a family, raising Happy as if he was their very own child. So much time had passed since then. They had both changed so much. She let out a sigh.

She still hadn't resolved the issues that were clearly there between her and Natsu. And her and Lucy. It was an awkward love triangle and she didn't know how to deal with it. Before Natsu had left to fight the Earth dragon she had lost it, crying and thinking she would lose him forever. She had told him she loved him as more than a friend. But now, after time passed and she had more time to think, she was starting to think she had only felt that way in the moment. And it made her feel guilty. She had no idea how Natsu felt, he hadn't even attempted a discussion. But she knew Lucy currently hatred her. And she couldn't exactly blame her.

Levy had on a pair of red wind reading glasses and her face buried in a book, as usual. She pushed her light blue hair out of her face and made 'hmm's and 'mmmms' every once in awhile. Gajeel didn't even try to comprehend what Levy was reading about. He just sat and ate off of a plate that was stacked with various pieces of metal. Lisanna had always thought it was weird that he ate metal, but Natsu ate fire, so it wasn't out of the ordinary.

"You know, dragon slayers are weird." Lisanna said.

"What did you say?" Gajeel barked at her.

"I'm not saying it in a bad way. It's just funny how you each eat weird things. You eat metal, Natsu eats fire, Wendy air, Laxus lightning…..I have no idea what Ember eats." Lisanna laughed.

"Hey, me neither!" Wendy chirped.

"I'm going to have to ask about that. Now I'm curious." Gajeel smirked.

"What are you guys going on about?" Levy asked, looking up from her book.

"Nothing." Lisanna, Gajeel, and Wendy all said in unison.

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The Master and the other wizards finally showed their faces again. Makarov didn't go back to his seat on top of the bar, he walked up the stairs and to the balcony of the second floor, the rest following him. They all stood against the railing, looking down at the Fairy Tail wizards. They studied them, laughed at them, felt bad for them. None of them wanted to ruin anyones mood, but it had to be done. Important matters were at hand, and nothing could wait.

"Children, can I have your attention please." Makarov called out.

Everyone looked up to the balcony. If they had been seated with their back turned, they turned around. If they were somewhere out of view, they came into view. Fairy Tail was now on it's toes. They all knew something was up. They were all waiting. All hoping it wasn't really that bad. Something low brow and stupid.

"There's a new dark guild in Fiore. And while no one knows of their plans, they cannot be ignored. They have immense magic power, and they need to be stopped before it's too late to do so." Makarov announced.

Murmurs spread through the guild hall. Gray and Natsu gritted their teeth. Lucy and Juvia sighed heavily and looked down. Levy scooted closer to Gajeel, his warmth making her feel safe. Wendy and Romeo looked at each other from across the room. Lisanna for some reason, looked for Bickslow, they made eye contact. Elfman pulled Evergreen close, and Ember glanced at Laxus with a sigh. Freed and Cana rolled their eyes. Mira put her hand to her mouth in a dramatic display of shock.

"Who are they?" Gray called out.

"They are called Apocalypse Keyes. The main members are seven wizards that go by the title The Seven Deadly Sins." Makarov answered.

"Dark guilds have such weird themes. Element 4. Oracion Seis. The Children of Purgatory." Levy sighed.

"Lame." Gajeel huffed.

"So why don't we just go find them and beat them? Right now?" Natsu shouted with a raised fire engulfed fist.

"I'm game for that!" Gray said jumping out of his seat.

"Calm down guys, it's not that simple." Erza said and smiled down at her friends.

"Please listen carefully while I explain this. Each Sin's power is rooted in their soul, connecting to one of the Deadly Sins. It's what fuels their power, and what makes them so dangerous. Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, Envy, Pride, and Lust." Makarov said.

"Those don't sound scary at all!" Gajeel yelled.

"Why would I be scared of a sloth?" Natsu shouted.

"Not an actual sloth Natsu…..It's….nevermind." Ember laughed and just shook her head.

"The only way to defeat each member, is for their opponent to embody one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues in their soul. The Virtue itself fuels their power, and gives them their strength. Each Sin has a corresponding Virtue that is meant to defeat it, to overcome it. So only seven wizards, each embodying one of the Virtues, can defeat these wizards." Makarov explained.

"So who are these seven wizards then?" Cana asked.

"We don't know yet." Erza sighed.

"What do you mean you don't know yet?" Laxus yelled up at his grandfather.

"Quiet child." Makarov snapped at him.

"We know what the Virtues are. Chastity, Diligence, Temperance, Charity, Patience, Kindness and Humility." Erza said.

"Uh…." Gajeel balked.

"I don't know half those words." Natsu said shaking his head.

"Chastity? It looks like Wendy and Romeo are your only options for that one Master!" Cana laughed hysterically. Romeo and Wendy blushed.

"It's not meant literally miss Alberona! Get your head out of the gutter and back on your neck!" Makarov yelled at her.

"If it isn't literal, then how will we ever know who holds these Virtues?" Ember asked.

"Well, every one of you holds at least some of them. But we need to find who it is that actually embodies the Virtue. It being their essence, their strength. And to do this, I'm sorry to tell you, but we are going to have to do a trial exam. It's the only way." Makarov sighed.

"Yes! We get to fight each other? I will beat you all!" Natsu cheered.

"No, this isn't a battle based on physical strength and magic power. Or fighting. It's on a different level." Erza explained.

"A pre-selected group of you will be tested at random. You won't know when the test is happening, but we will, and we will be judging. For example, say one day you are walking home and witness someone rob a store. The way you handle that situation will be judged, and you won't even know it. Those kinds of things." Makarov said.

"This is so stupid!" Natsu growled.

"I agree." Gajeel nodded.

"Oh suck it up! Babies." Cana chuckled.

"So, which of us are going to be being tested for however long?" Levy asked.

"Ember, Laxus, Cana, Levy, Gajeel, Freed, Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Lisanna, and MiraJane." Makarov listed.

"Really?" Mira gasped. She was not expecting her name to be called.

"Yes. Now, we have dumped a lot on you all for today. Go enjoy yourselves. This meeting is over." Makarov said, and with that he turned and walked away.

Now that business was over, Jellal and Erza went off and sat together so they could catch up. Meredy ran down the stairs and jumped into a hug with Juvia, the two of them getting into a long conversation. Cobra went to the bar and joined his sister and her friends. Most of the guild members were still confused about the situation. They didn't understand how they were supposed to be going through a trial if they wouldn't be fighting. But others got it, and it made them nervous and feel like they were walking on eggshells. One thing they all knew, is that things would get pretty interesting for awhile.