A/n: Oh, hey, bet you thought you have seen the last of me, huh? Life is complicated and things happen. Let's just leave it at that. So it's been a while since I stepped foot into the Fairy Tail fandom, huh? I'm not going to sugarcoat the fact that I thought the ending was garbage and half-assed and that I'm not as fond of the story as I once was...that being said, it has brought me a lot of good memories and I do enjoy writing about the world and characters...so there's that, I guess. Obviously, this is not Heart of Ice. Will that continue? Yes and no. What I mean by this is that yes, Noelle will return, but not the way she was before. The DS storyline is boring to me now and I have no intention to continue with that. Instead with the help of my dearest friend TheCocoQueen who really did all the hard work. When will the story be published? That is unclear at the moment. There is still a lot to hammer out and get done, so for the time being, I will be working on this story that features characters I've grown very fond of and hope you will too.

As a note of mention, I'll be trying to get back into the swing of my other stories as well. I fully plan to revamp them and make them better than ever. I'm especially excited to be working once more on my Hero Academia stories! I'll never be able to explain how incredible that series is and how much joy it brings me.

But, this is Fairy Tail, so let's get into it!


It was a semi-average day in the rambunctious guild that is known as Fairy Tail. You had resident drunk Cana seated on her personal stool at the bar slurping down her twelfth barrel of beer of the last hour. Macao and Wakaba sat nearby playing a game of cards, and eyeing anything pretty that walked by in a skirt just a little too short. Loke was in a perpetual state of bliss with both his arms filled to the brim with pretty woman and more at his feet. What did they see in him? Well, no one really had the answer to that question, unfortunately.

Then, there was Elfman, berating the smaller male members of the guild for not being manly enough while those standing nearby cheered him on.

The only thing that seemed to be out of place was the lack of Natsu and Gray's fighting. The salmon-haired boy had left earlier in the day on a personal mission when hearing rumors that his father had been spotted in Hargeon, leaving Gray to find some other unfortunate victim to entertain him.

Or what is the other way around?

"Are you kidding me? I seriously lose again?!" Gray yelled looking down at his hand of cards and to the smug girl sitting across from him. "I thought for sure that I had you that time..." The wizard grumbled, not too happy that he had yet again been bested by a mere sixteen-year-old girl.

Gray glared at the girl.

A girl with short, boyish, messy white-blond hair and glimmering red eyes. Her complexion is lightly tanned, and her figure built like an adolescent boy rather than a young girl. She grinned toothily at him, revealing the gap in her teeth from her missing tooth. She was covered in bruises and scars and a colorful array of bandages - all of her own accord.

She wore a red and white cropped leather jacket with a black hood with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. A black, tattered shirt fit her loosely with a gold ace of spades on it. For bottoms, she wore black damaged skinny jeans that tucked into a pair of oversized black combat boots with chains wrapped around them. A golden belt with a roulette buckle was secured around her waist, and a pair of dice hung from around her neck on a flimsy chain; lastly, she wore a black fedora with a decorative red feather and card.

Her name is Vaega Gambelle.

Vaega grinned coyly at Gray. "What can I say? I'm a card sharp! Now fork over my money, Fullbuster. Or do you wanna up the stakes and try your luck?" Vaega asked, shuffling her cards with a raised brow. "I've got all day to rob you blind." She said grinning toothily and performing simple tricks with her cards as he watched with a twitching brow.

Gray clicked his tongue. "Take your money, brat." He said, sliding her 15,000 jewels. He has just earned that money, too. "Hey, Mira, can I get a drink?" Gray yelled back to the bar. "Extra strong." He added under his breath.

Normally Mirajane tended to the bar duties herself, but today she had an extra set of hands that came in the size of yet another sixteen-year-old girl named Monte-Reno Gambelle.

"I got it, Gray!" Monte-Reno called over the chaos. "Vaega! Stop bullying Gray! Give him back his money and go find something more productive to do with your time." Monte-Reno frowned, scolding her older twin sibling.

Monte-Reno has long, messy, black hair, and light blue eyes; the complete opposite of her older twin. She stood a couple inches taller than her younger twin, with a much more petite, and mature figure.

She wears a cropped, leather, purple vest with golden buttons. Her top is a fitted white shirt with a gold ace of clubs on it. A black pleated skirt falls above her knees with a belt matching her vest. Black and purple pinstriped leggings decorated her legs, and a pair of white and gold-platinum boots adorned her feet. She wore black fingerless gloves on her hands and wore a gold flapper headband with a purple and gold feather.

"But where's the fun in that, Monte?" Vaega pouted. "Gray makes up half of our income! You and I both know he's not exactly playing with a full deck of cards - catch my drift?"

"Hey!"

"Now, Vaega," Monte-Reno said leaving no room for objection.

Despite being the younger twin it was she who always stepped up to plate when it came to responsibilities, while her sister set off to the side draining their friends of their financial funds.

Vaega stuck her tongue out at her younger twin. "No way! A deal is a deal." She huffed and turned back to Gray. "Come on stripper boy, double or nothing!" Vaega said, leaning across the table and having her cards in his face.

Gray sighed and gave in. He was going to have to work twice as hard this week to earn back the money that he was sure to lose.

Monte-Reno sighed ignoring the chaos around her and focused on helping Mirajane prepare food and drinks for the other, non-violent people who only wanted to eat in peace. Some of the people at the bar tried striking up a conversation with her but she would politely excuse herself and focus on her work. It was nothing personal, but Monte-Reno wasn't comfortable conversing with those outside of her personal circle.

Monte-Reno nearly dropped the dish she was carrying when the doors were kicked open by a salmon-haired boy, followed by a little blue cat, and a pretty, curvaceous blonde-haired girl who was left completely stupified by the guild.

"WE MADE IT BACK ALIVE!" Natsu announced to the guild.

The guild hooted and hollered, welcoming him back with open arms.

"Natsu, Happy, welcome back." Mirajane, who was busy serving a member of the guild greeted Natsu with a smile.

Another member of the guild named Krov was laughing his head off at the sight of the salmon-haired boy.

"You overdid it again, huh Natsu? I heard all about the Hargeon incident in the newspaper -"

Krov was cut off by a kick to the face, sending him flying across the guild.

"BASTARD! THAT INFO YOU FAVE ME ABOUT SALAMANDER WAS FAKE!" Natsu roared.

Monte-Reno groaned quietly as a massive fight broke out. There were bodies and furniture being thrown all over the damn place, knocking the dishes she had just spent time cleaning into the floor. Monte-Reno frowned. Didn't these people have any ounce of respect for the guild they called their home? Figures, that only Natsu could bring out the most violent side of people. It only gets worse, when Gray decides to join in.

Was one day of blissful peace really too much to ask for?

Monte-Reno couldn't help but notice the blonde-haired girl standing all by her lonesome in the middle of the guild. She seemed to be in a state of petrified wonder; how naive. She was honestly amazed to see that she hadn't run out of the guild in fear yet. A fan, by chance? They were a popular guild and had many people come stumbling to their guild with the hopes of joining their own personal chaos.

"Natsu's back, huh?!" Gray shouted.

When he stood he knocked Vaega's cards and winnings into the floor - or rather, into a puddled of beer that had sloshed all over in the midst of the fight.

Vaega gasped and dropped to the ground to pick up her ruined cards and useless jewel. She cradled them like a child with tears in her eyes; Vaega was an oddball, but Monte-Reno loved her regardless.

"Gray! Your clothes." The resident drunk Cana yelled in a slur.

Monte-Reno sighed, again. Where had his clothes gone this time? She never met anyone in her life that was unable to keep their clothing on before. It was such a simple task, and yet, Gray managed to lose everything but his underwear - if they were lucky.

"SHIT!" Gray yelled but didn't bother looking for his clothes. Go figure.

"You men are all the same." Cana scoffed. "That's why I don't date any of you losers."

Monte-Reno turned her back to the chaos. She could already feel another headache coming on, and she had just gotten over her last one, too. Sighing she handed Cana yet another mug of beer, but she merely waved it away.

Monte-Reno blinked.

Cana turning away booze? Oh, she must be mad.

"You guys are too damn loud! How's a girl to drink in peace?" Cana said, pulling out a glowing card. "I suggest you knock it off."

"Cana is right you jerks!" Vaega yelled. "One of you jokers better replace my playing cards and pay me back Gray's money! I'm not the one you want to try your luck against, fuckers!" Vaega growled pulling out her own set of glowing cards.

Monte-Reno cringed. Her sister was so vulgar.

"I've had it!" Gray yelled. He got into an odd stance with a serious expression.

Elfman's arm turned to stone as he let out a beastly yell and Loke twisted a ring on his finger, looking confident as ever.

And then there was Natsu, shooting fire from his fist, and laughing maniacally.

Monte-Reno didn't understand this guild one bit. Only here, was it acceptable to beat the crap out of the ones you called your family and friends?

It was then that heavy footsteps rocked the guild and a large shadow loomed over every mage within. Monte-Reno smirked and returned to washing dishes. It was about time that he showed up.

"CUT IT OUT, YOU FOOLS!"

Everyone froze. No one dared to cross the Master of the Fairy Tail guild. The blonde-haired girl was terrified; shaking in her boots. Monte-Reno laughed, knowing quite the surprise she was in for.

"Oh, hello Master." Mirajane greeted, pleasantly as ever.

"HAHAHA! YOU ALL GOT SCARED! THAT MEANS I WIN -" Natsu was cut off by being crushed beneath the Master's boot. Monte-Reno chuckled wiping down the bar.

"A guest?" The Master addressed the blonde, shrinking back down to his original size of a tiny, old man, which she rightfully freaked out about. The Master jumped up high so that he was looking down at everyone in the guild. He held up a thick stack of papers for all of them to see, a frown on his wrinkled face. "You've gone and done it again, you fools! Look at all this paperwork I received from the Magic Council. They're all complaints!"

Monte-Reno couldn't help but snort. What else was new? This guild was home to destruction and trouble.

"Gray! Good job on sweeping out that smuggling organization, but you walked around naked in town afterward and ran away after stealing underwear that was being dried!"

"It would have been worse if I were naked, right?" Gray asked not really seeing the big deal.

"Then don't be naked in the first place," Elfman told him.

Vaega laughed loudly and fist bumped Gray. Monte-Reno smiled. Despite all their bickering, the two got along well...when Vaega wasn't trying to rob him blind, that is.

"Elfman! You had a mission to escort a VIP, but assaulted him during the mission."

Elfman looked ashamed. "He said 'Men are all about education,' so..."

The Master sighed. Monte-Reno felt pity for him.

"Cana Alberona! You guzzled down fifteen barrels of beer, and charged it to the council!"

"They found out about that?" Cana gulped.

"Loke, flirting with Elder Reiji's granddaughter. A certain talent agency charged us for damage compensation, too."

The Master paused before addressing the next person.

"Monte-Reno Gambelle!" The Master shouted loudly.

Mother above. Monte-Reno froze, sweating under the attention that had placed on her. The guild was in shock to know that her name had been called. It was no surprise, considering how rarely she ever went on jobs. The only time she was ever willing to go was when Vaega or Erza were involved. Other than that, she stayed behind the bar helping Mirajane and minding her own business.

"On your last mission, you were assigned to keep Vaega in check, but she ended up causing massive damage to the city you were supposed to be protecting! The bill we received from them is going to take years to pay off!"

Monte-Reno shrunk down behind the bar. Why did she have to be the one to get blamed?! Vaega is perfectly capable of not destroying a city, right? So why was she the one to always have to take the blame for her destructiveness?!

"Vaega! Don't think I don't see you over there hiding behind Gray!" Makarov barked. Vaega, who had in fact been hiding, squeaked and only stepped further behind the ice mage. "Not only did you cause massive damage to the city, but you completely dismantled the Mayor's house, and then viciously assaulted him!"

Vaega angrily puffed her cheeks out. "Well, he deserved it! That guy was a massive creep, Master! In my defense, I warned him that if he didn't keep his grubby hands to himself that I would break his wrist; I tried to warn him!"

The Master eyed her. "Then you should have come to me, child, and I would have dealt with it. While I understand your frustrations you've gone and caused the guild unnecessary trouble." The Master sighed and moved on.

Monte-Reno frowned. She might not have agreed with Vaega's course of action, but she did think the Master was being a little too harsh about it.

"Natsu..." He spoke lowly. "You destroyed the Devon thief family, but also destroyed seven other houses that belonged to the townspeople. Not to mention you leveled a historical clock tower in Tully Village, burned down a church in Freesia, damaging parts of Lupinus Castle, Nazuna Ravine Observatory collapsed and thus stopped its operations, and you destroyed half of Hargeon's port!"

Vaega whistled lowly. That was a lot of damage even for Natsu.

Master continued to scold almost everyone in the guild for their recklessness; the shame was heavy in the air.

Even Monte-Reno was feeling sorry for not being more responsible.

"However...the Council is just a piece of shit!" Makarov declared, burning the complaints to a crisp, and feeding them to an eager Natsu.

"Listen up! The power to overcome reason is born from a reasoning. Magic is not a miracle. When the "spirits flow within us" and the "spirits" flow in nature connect, they will form an embodiment for the first time. It requires will-power and concentration. I mean, pouring all of your soul into whatever you do is magic. If you keep worrying about the watchful eyes of the higher-ups, your magic won't improve. Do not fear the fools of the Council. Follow the path that you believe in, that's the way of the Fairy Tail mages!"

The guild erupted into cheers, and the guild symbol was thrown into the air all around; the pointer finger and thumb.

Monte-Reno sighed and held up the guilds signature salute with a small smile on her face. From across the room Vaega watching her with a wide, jovial grin.


Time had gone by and Fairy Tail had gained a new member by the name of Lucy Heartfilia; the curvaceous blonde that Natsu had brought with him. She appeared to be a pretty cheerful girl and a huge fan of Fairy Tail. A celestial wizard, and the only woman that people had seen Loke go out of his way to avoid; what a blessing that must be. Monte-Reno had asked Mira about it and she had told her that Loke had a bad relationship with a Celestial wizard, and that's why he avoided them.

In other news, Erza had returned to the guild, and formed a team with Natsu, Gray, and Lucy, to take on some dark guild. Monte-Reno didn't know much about it, other than that fact they had somehow destroyed the Guild Masters conference and formed a team. Then, Erza and Natsu had fought briefly, which ended with Erza being arrested. Honestly, she really couldn't be bothered to keep up with everything that happened within this crazy guild. It was bad enough she had to listen to Vaega complain the whole time Erza was away that she hadn't taken them with her.

The Thunder Legion had also returned home after being away for some time. Monte-Reno wasn't exactly ecstatic to see their return as they gave her bad vibes, and were quite rude and unappreciative. Vaega adored the Thunder Legion and found them to be really cool - well, not so much Freed, or Evergreen - she especially adored Bickslow and Laxus. Vaega practically worshipped Laxus and kissed his boots whenever given the chance, despite how much he looked down on her. On the rare occasions that Laxus was in a somewhat decent mood, they got along well. Monte-Reno wasn't comfortable around them, and never tagged along with Vaega when Laxus "graced" her with the opportunity to come on a job with him.

Monte-Reno was terrified of Laxus.

The lightning mage rubbed her the wrong way and he knew that. It was as if he got some kind of sick pleasure out of watching her squirm under those paralyzing eyes of his. But Vaega loved the guy, even with his garbage attitude. Still, Monte-Reno tried to play nice, knowing that Laxus was incredibly strong and could turn her into a burnt stain on the ground if he really wanted to.

Monte-Reno forced the thoughts from her mind and focused on her work. Things were relatively peaceful today, a couple brawls here and there, but nothing of the usual caliber. Monte-Reno realized it was because Natsu was nowhere in sight. She half expected him to burst through the doors any moment now, but he never did. It was weird, considering that she hadn't seen him or Happy take a job. Come to think of it, Happy and Lucy were missing, too.

What were those three up to? Not only that - where was Vaega? Monte-Reno was sure that she had left before her today, so she should have been here by now, right?

What exactly were those nimrods up to?

"OH NO!"

Monte-Reno nearly dropped the glass she was cleaning when she heard Mirajane's panicked cry. Her eyes darted to the second floor where Mirajane appeared looking extremely worried.

"Master! One of the requests on the second floor is missing!"

The guild collectively gasped. Monte-Reno's eyes narrowed. The second floor? That was reserved for S-Class mages, like Mirajane, Erza, and Laxus.

Laxus, as well as Erza and Mirajane, were all accounted for.

So who had taken a quest and not told anyone?

It was then it clicked in her head.

Natsu.

Did that mean that?...no, surely, she wouldn't be that stupid?

Monte-Reno frowned. Yes. Her sister was that stupid.

Sighing she finished the meal she was preparing with dread. Loading it on to a tray with a large bottle of extra strong booze, she made her way to the second floor. Monte-Reno was only allowed on the second floor if she were serving one of the S-Class mages, or cleaning up; she frowned seeing Laxus waiting for her with a wide smirk on his face. The lightning mage rubbed her the wrong way - he knew that. He got some kind of sick pleasure out of watching her squirm under those paralyzing eyes of his.

"Laxus." She stiffly greeted the giant. "Here's your food and drink," Monte-Reno said, setting the tray on the table before him.

Monte-Reno turned around and quickly tried to run back down to the first floor but Laxus had roughly grabbed her by the back of her vest and pulled her into his lap. Monte-Reno whimpered loudly from the force of the collision and glared at him, her cheeks turning a brilliant crimson from the position he had put her in.

"What's the rush, Reo? Don't tell me that you're still afraid of me." Laxus grinned devilishly.

There was no teasing to his words. He knew damn well that he scared the living shit out of her and was exploiting it. Monte-Ren shrunk under his hard stare. Her hands folded in her lap as he eyes searched for some kind of escape route. She stared longingly down at the first floor, where everyone was too focused on trying to figure out who had snatched the S-Class job.

A frown formed on her face hearing Laxus chuckling. The lightning mage leaned his head over her shoulder to look down on the first floor where everyone was staring up at them. Monte-Reno felt incredibly uncomfortable with all the attention suddenly locked onto her. She met eyes with Mirajane, pleading for her to save her from the torture; Mirajane smiled sadly and mouth an apology.

Great. That meant she was on her own.

"Oh, yesterday, I saw a cat stealing one of the jobs. The cat with wings, yeah." Laxus snickered.

"Happy?!" The guild yelled.

Laxus smirked, pulling a cigar from his pocket and lighting it. Monte-Reno scowled and batted the smoke from her face. Laxus chuckled, purposely blowing a cloud of smoke directly into her face with a cocksure smile.

She gagged and ferociously fanned the air around herself. She frowned feeling a heaviness settle into her chest. The smell of smoke brought back memories of someone she'd tried to forget but never succeeded in doing, because she didn't want to forget them.

"That means that Lucy and Natsu are also responsible!"

"What are they thinking?" Alzack groaned.

"I knew they were stupid, but not this stupid," Bisca said.

"He just went ahead and took one of the S-Class jobs?!" Yelled Jet and Droy.

Laxus looked down at Master Makarov. "Hey old man, they just broke a principal rule. When they return, they'll get expelled, right?" Laxus said arrogantly.

Monte-Reno glared at Laxus. How could he possibly be related to someone as kind as Master Makarov?

"But I doubt that they'll be coming back alive. I mean, taking on an S-Class job with their skills is pathetic." Laxus laughed. "Oh, yeah, I think Vaega was with them too...she's gotta be sitting around on pretty thin ice by now, right, old man?" Laxus hummed tapping his chin.

Monte-Reno's eyes widened. "Vaega really is with them?!" She yelled jumping up from her his lap. "Why did you let her go - why didn't you stop her?!" Monte-Reno yelled, poking Laxus in the chest. "You know how dangerous S-Class jobs are, Laxus! And you also know how reckless Vaega can be, so why would you ever let her do something so stupid?! Why didn't you try to stop them?!" Monte-Reno demanded.

"I thought it was just a thieving cat running away with a piece of paper in its mouth. I had no idea it was Happy, and that Natsu would run off with the S-Class job, or that Vaega would tag alone. I guess I should have known better. That's all she's good for." Laxus snorted.

Monte-Reno's fist balled at her side as tears filled her eyes. "You - you bastard!" She seethed. "Don't you have an empathy in that thick head of yours?! What if something happens to her?!" Monte-Reno's voice cracked as she pictured something terrible happening to her older twin.

Laxus was silent, only glaring at her.

Monte-Reno suddenly shivered, feeling the rage rolling off of Erza, Fairy Tail's strongest - and scariest - female mage.

"Whoa, haven't seen that look in a while." Laxus grinned.

"This is bad," Makarov grumbled. "Which job is missing?"

"The cursed Galuna Island job," Mirajane answered.

"THE ISLAND OF DEMONS?!" Makarov yelled.

Monte-Reno didn't know much about Galuna Island, other than it was supposedly cursed and that anyone who traveled to that island never returned; her heart dropped in her stomach.

'Oh Vaega, what have you gotten yourself into this time?' Monte-Reno thought to herself.

"Laxus, bring them back!" Master ordered.

"Don't be ridiculous. I have another job to take care of." He smirked. "There isn't a single mage that can't take care of his own stuff, right?"

"WHO ELSE CAN FORCE NATSU TO COME BACK?!" Makarov barked. His patience was thinning.

Gray scoffed. "That's an insult, Gramps. I'll go bring them back!" Gray declared. "If anyone is going to get through those two idiots, it's me."

Vaega thought that to be true. Gray was usually able to talk some sense into Vaega when it came down to the thick of it all.

The Master thought for a minute and sighed. "Very well, but at least take someone with you, for extra precaution."

Monte-Reno's attention was pulled back to Laxus who had once again taken her prisoner in his lap, with a tight hold of her chin. Oh look, there's that smirk again. Monte-Reno tried her best to look intimidating, but it was hard to come as threatening with her face squished between his macho hands - but she was trying, damn it!

"What's gotten you so riled up today, Reo? You never get this roused up for me. I'm jealous." He squeezed her cheeks harder. "You're going to come with me on my job, right? The Thunder Legion isn't around to entertain me today and neither is the runt, so you'll have to do."

Monte-Reno's face paled. Gods' above, please, save her! She had never been on a job with Laxus before - she never wanted to be! She can't even begin to think of all the horrible things he would make her do without anyone else around!


Gray was looking for someone to take with him to go get Natsu. Most looked away or pretended not to notice and others were yelling for him to pick them. But Gray had made his decision the moment his eyes landed on the second floor, to the girl trapped and pleading for someone to save her.

"Hey, Gramps! I'm taking Monte-Reno with me, alright?"

The guild gave a collective "WHAT?!". Monte-Reno rarely left the guild and only a few lucky people had ever caught a glimpse of her magic before, so no one really knew what she was capable of if anything at all.

It seemed like a gamble when traveling to a cursed death island.

The Master chuckled softly and nodded. "Very well then. Monte-Reno, Mirajane will cover for you. Be on your way now, girl."

Monte-Reno's eyes widened before she breathed a sigh of relief. She head Laxus growl lowly and was worried he was going to try and keep her...but to her surprise, he shoved her off of his lap. Monte-Reno stood still for a momentunsure of what to do, before awkwardly rushing down the stairs trying to ignore Laxus glaring at the back of her head.

She grabbed Gray by the hand and ran out of the guild.


Monte-Reno and Gray have taken the quickest train to Hargeon's port in heavy silence. Monte-Reno wasn't sure what to say since she hadn't spent much time with Gray alone, and had always been accompanied by her sister - she has nothing against Gray, it's just that Vaega is closer to him than her.

Monte-Reno sighed thinking of all the ways she was going to scold her sister after the day that she's had. When the two arrived in Hargeon they set out to find their meddling guildmates. They walked together in a comfortable silence side-by-side. Truly, Monte-Reno wasn't the type of person to strike up a conversation with someone when she felt the need for one not to be had, usually, but Gray did save her from being forced on a tag-along mission with Laxus of all people, so she felt she owed him something.

With a grimace, she sucked up her pride.

"Hey, Gray..."

Gray gave a glance surprised she was talking to him.

"What's up, Monnie?

Monte-Reno groaned. Why did everyone in the guild have to give her such ridiculous pet names?

"Thanks...for getting me away from Laxus. That was, uh, nice of you, I guess."

Gray shrugged. "Don't mention it. You looked really uncomfortable. Is he always like that?"

"He's a lot worse when Vaega and the others aren't around," Monte-Reno said. "It's some stupid game to him. He knows he makes me uncomfortable, and likes to see how far he can push that. He doesn't really care about boundaries, or others feeling." Monte-Reno frowned recalling all the times that Laxus crossed the line with no regard of how she felt.

"He wasn't always like that, but he's changed over the years. Trust me, it's not just you that he does that too." Gray nodded sympathetically.

She guessed that made her feel somewhat better.

"Well, that's good to know, I suppose." Monte-Reno sighed. "He's just a lot easier to deal with when Vaega is around. She's really feisty, ya know? And that's enough to keep Laxus entertained since Vaega isn't one to back down for a challenge. Their just really close, I guess, in their own complex way. Though, that doesn't mean that Laxus isn't a jerk to Vaega - just a lesser, jerk. Plus the Thunder Legion keeps him pretty grounded, too."

Monte-Reno waited for Gray to say something, only to find him standing there completely shellshocked. Did she say something wrong or something?

"Gray, why did you stop walking?" Monte-Reno asked. "We're supposed to be finding Natsu and Vaega, remember?"

"You just spoke more than a sentence to me." Gray was shocked. "In fact, that's the most you've ever talked to someone outside of your little circle. And, you called me by my name! Are you feeling alright, Monnie?" His shock had faded and was replaced with a playful smirk.

Monte-Reno's face turned tomato red. Wordlessly she spun around and continued the search. Gray was quick to catch up to her but she refused to look at him. Of course, she had to go and open her big mouth! She was going against her own rule of keeping to herself for heaven's sake!

Why allow herself to grow close to others if they're destined to leave in the end?

The sight of pink and blonde hair mixed with a tinge of blue caught Monte-Reno's attention. She smirked pointing it out to Gray. He smirked too, and together they crept up on the unsuspecting mages.

"Found ya!" Gray sang teasingly, grabbing them by the shoulders.

It was hard not to laugh at how high they jumped.

"Gray!" Lucy yelled.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Natsu demanded. He then spotted Monte-Reno, bored off to the side. "Eh?! Repo?! You're here too?!"

Monte-Reno's face dropped to a frown. "My name is Monte-Reno. Honestly, it's not that hard to remember." Monte-Reno said. "We're here because the master ordered us to bring you, hooligans, back to the guild to be punished."

"What? Seriously! We were found out already?" Natsu asked.

Monte-Reno's hand dropped to her hips as she peaked behind Natsu to find her older sister nervously starting back at her with wide, crimson eyes that screamed: "I'm guilty!". Monte-Reno's eyes narrowed as she pushed Natsu aside to grab Vaega by the ear, tightly.

"OW, OW, OWWIEEEE! Let go, Monte! That really hurts! Come on, we didn't do anything wrong!...yet!"

"Vaega Gambelle what on Gods' earth is wrong with you!?" Monte-Reno yelled. "You and I know very well that taking an S-Class quest without permission and without being accompanied by a proper mage of ranking is a serious breach of the rules!" Monte-Reno pulled her ear tighter; Vaega slunk to the ground with tears in her eyes. "Not only have you worried everyone senseless and put me through hell - you've gone and caused Master unnecessary trouble and worry, and have put your guildmates in a needlessly complicated situation for your own selfishness!"

Vaega pouted and swatted Monte-Reno's hands away. "That wasn't what I was trying to do, Reno! But how the heck am I supposed to prove my worth to the guild if I'm always stuck doing kiddie work?!" Vaega scowled rubbing her ear.

"And you think this is the way to do that?" Monte-Reno frowned. "You're only contradicting yourself, Vaega! When are you ever going to grow up?!"

"The day that you learn to stop being such baby!"

"That's enough!" Gray yelled shoving the bickering siblings away from one another. "You two!" He pointed to Natsu and Lucy. "If you come back quietly, you might be able to avoid being booted out of the guild."

"Kicked out?!" Lucy shrieked and back away.

"As if I give a damn! I'm going on this S-Class quest!" Natsu barked. "Right, Vaega?!"

"That's right!" Vaega cheered. "You bottom dealers can wallow in your misery while Natsu and I are kicked back with Laxus on the upper floor!"

"That's not happening, Vaega!" Monte-Reno yelled. "I'll bring you back to the guild even if I have to drag you back there by force! I'm not letting you run off to some dangerous island when you have no idea what you're getting yourself into! You're lucky that Big Bertha isn't here right now or else she would beat the living daylights out of for even thinking of doing something so stupid!"

Vaega's face paled. "That's a cheap shot, Monte-Reno!" Vaega yelled back. The thought of said woman looming over her shoulder sent a chill down her spine.

"It's called S-Class because your skills suck!" Gray yelled. "Just imagine what's going to happen when Erza finds out!"

They all shivered fearfully. This wasn't going to end well, was it?

"Gray, Monte-Reno, you have to save me!" Happy cried. "Those three forced me to come!" He whined, clinging to Monte-Reno's shoulder.

She didn't mind, too much. He got her name right, and he was one of the most adorable animals she had ever seen in her life.

"I'll show Erza what I'm made of! There's no way that I'm leaving now!" Natsu roared.

"Master ordered us to bring you back! I'll drag your ass back, even if I have to use force!" Gray roared back.

Monte-Reno stood by Lucy with a tight hold on Vaega who had simmered down with the threat of a woman possibly scarier than Erza suddenly appearing. The group watched the mages square against one another and prepare an attack on their respective element; ice versus fire.

"Magic?"

At the sound of the new voice, they turned to see a man in a small boat, wearing a plain cloak.

"Are you mages?" He asked. "You want to go to Galuna Island to lift the curse?"

"Yeah!" Natsu said enthusiastically.

"Y-Yeah, kinda sorta...though, I'm not that confident anymore." Lucy sweatdropped.

"Hell yeah! There ain't nothing a Fairy Tail mage can't do!" Vaega pumped a fist. "Just point the way, old dude!"

"We're not letting you go!" Gray yelled and Monte-Reno yelled. Well, they weren't doing a good job of getting them back, were they?

"Please get on board!" The man said while pointing to his boat.

"What?" Monte-Reno's eyebrow rose. "Why should we?"

A shiver ran down her spine when seeing a twinkle in Natsu's eye. As predicted, he kicked Gray square in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Natsu threw Gray over his shoulder and grinned at Monte-Reno slyly. "What about you, Monte? You want to fight it out?"

Her face deadpanned. "Oh, so now you remember my name? How kind of you." Monte-Reno scuffed and pushed aside the wizard and her older sibling who was grinning.

"Still going to tell on me? Vaega asked climbing in the boat beside Monte-Reno.

They took the seats farthest in the back. Thankfully, Lucy was the one to sit by them, and not Natsu. Monte-RENO didn't mind her too much, since she was new, and still trying to figure things out. That doesn't mean she wasn't disappointed in her for going against the rules of the guild, and doing something as idiotic as taking on an S-Class job.

"Oh, no, I'm not," Vaega said.

"Seriously?! That's the best thing I've heard you say all day Mo-"

"I'll be telling Booker, instead, who I'm sure will also inform Vegas and Deuce," Monte-Reno smirked. "We'll see how you fair under the punishment of our older brothers, big sister."

Vaega froze on spot. Big Bertha was terrifying...but Vaega had ways of sweet talking her, and getting her attention elsewhere - "I know what I did was wrong, Bertie, but it's nothing compared to what Macao did!".

However, her brothers weren't ones to fall into her hands so easily - especially Booker! Monte-Reno knew of all people that they would deal her some kind of cruel punishment that makes her want to go into hiding for months!

Oh, her little sister is clever, very clever indeed.

But at the end of the day life is nothing more than one big gamble and Vaega is here to call out its bluff.