The morning sun's rays arose the next morning. The woods and the fresh leaves covered in dew radiated the rays, keeping the sun from directly hitting the window of the abandoned base. Inside of the base, in the furnished attic, the bed had a mop of glistening red sprawled atop of another figure. In the peaceful tranquility of the morning was Erza as she opened her eyes, moaning as she shifted her head away from the sun.

She finally looked up and realized that she was awake and it was morning. "It's morning so soon? I didn't realize…"

She did, however, notice that she was atop of something as it rose and fell with soft breathing, quiet yet effective. Erza's attention drew towards Nic, who she was sprawled over. She scanned his naked upper body, and how massively toned it was. Not at all bulky, and not slender, but just…perfect. Overlooking his massive scar on his right waist, she trailed down to where she saw his pants were still on, as to where her upper body was exposed and she was in her underwear. She looked at Nic, still asleep and almost knocked out. He looked so at peace with a half-smile.

Erza smiled down at him and lowered herself so that her chin was on her arms on his chest. All she did was watch him sleep. The events of last night were what dawdled in her brain. Everything was bliss and a big blur. It was a lot of kissing, that's for sure, but everything else was unknown, but she gave no care. She never felt something like that before, and yet it wasn't bad, but…pleasant.

She wanted to watch him sleep and see him get well again, but alas her duties pulled her elsewhere. Relenting, she slowly crept out of the bed and instantly requipped into her fresh armor and clothing beneath. She knelt down and smiled to Nic as he was still sound asleep. "I'll be back soon, I promise." Erza thus backed away from Nic as he turned onto his stomach, adjusting to his new position as Erza walked down the steps. She honestly didn't want to leave him as such, but as a precaution, she did leave something behind.

As she exited the building, there was a little note sitting atop of the bar.

Nic, I'll be back soon today. I implore you, please take it easy and rest up. I love you.

Erza

Of course, the note in her opinion was legible…but it looked heavily illegible as it was scribbles.

At the same time elsewhere, there was another Pularis sibling snoozing. Vanessa's long black hair and single blonde bang was glistening in the sunlight of that morning. She was covered up by her sheets as she looked as sound as can be.

A sudden yank snapped her awake. The young Pularis sibling tumbled off of her bed and landed with a thud on her face. The blankets then fell atop of her, an overcoat that mimicked her figure's stirring form.

"Alright sleepyhead, get up. It's eight o' clock." Sophie announced.

Vanessa took a deep breath and gasped as she popped from beneath her blanket. She looked up at Sophie and gave a disgruntled huff, blowing away the blonde bang over her left eye. "I'm getting really tired of this." She groaned as she lethargically slumped back up.

"If you had just woken up sooner, then it wouldn't always be like this, now, would it?" Sophie asked patiently.

Sophie rolled her eyes and head away as she sighed. She always gets awoken this way, either that or Sophie yelling into her ear about Krokorok throwing morning craziness around. It was another day for Vanessa as she needed to get up. Finally awake, sadly in Vanessa's case, she got ready for the day that lied ahead. Getting her casual attire on, and making her bed, the Aura Magic user exited for the kitchen downstairs, where Sophie was already making pancakes.

Venusaur yawned as he was in the spacious living room. "Well, morning everyone." He sounded more refreshed compared to the others as the sun's rays went through the window and right onto him, making him feel alive and well.

Sliggoo looked a little shaken, but she stretched her little arms. "Mornin'. Is anyone else famished, or is it just me?"

Mawile's eyes looked heavy as she seemed in a less enthusiastic mood. "You're not alone. Hey, Sophie, whip up some more pancakes, will ya?!" She called out. Mawile was met with silence, and she knew the answer as she heard mixing of pancake batter. A smirk came across her face as she laid back. "That's music to my ears."

Krokorok was already up and pointed at Mawile. "Let me tell you something, Mawile! You being lazy is unproductive to the team!"

"And like you're shouting is not?" She raised a brow.

Braixen sighed. "Well, there's our wakeup call."

Magnezone shifted through the air, already up. "You're rather noisy enough for an alarm clock." He mused.

"The clock's timer's ticking, AND SO ARE MY PANCAKES!" Krokorok yelled.

Vanessa nervously smiled as her Pokémon were as ornery as can be. It wasn't anything new, but it wasn't a bad thing. To her, it was a sign of comfort. It was a sign that there was work to be done if they were to function in the future. Granted, they're all family, but of course there were family feuds, and Krokorok was all the feuding.

As she sat down with eggs and pancakes, with a whole bowl of sliced lemon on the side, Vanessa spoke. "So, what are we doing today?"

Sophie swallowed her pancakes and picked up her napkin. "A job. We need a well-pay job. We barely paid off the rent yesterday and we need to pay extra this month, plus as my memory serves, we're out of food funds."

Mawile factitiously raised her little hands into the air. "Oh don't go pointing fingers at us. We're the innocent victims of this crime."

"Please Mawile, not now." Vanessa asked nicely. Mawile sighed and resumed to eating the food given to her. The Aura Mage looked back at Sophie. "But I agree, we need to head out on a big job."

Sophie nodded as she wiped away the last bit of syrup on her mouth with her napkin. "Then it's settled. We set out after breakfast."

Krokorok swallowed and the sun rays made his eyes sting. "Grrraah!" He clawed at the rays beaming through the window and seemed annoyed. "Let me tell you something, stupid sun that is stinging Krokorok's eyes! Krokorok is gonna show you ultraviolent radiation…FROM MY WRATH!" He lunged for the blinds and reached, his claw grabbing it and bringing it down, blocking out the sun, and of course leaving Krokorok dangling an inch off the ground. "You see that? Krokorok knows what he's doi-!" The blinds suddenly yanked back up, and Krokorok hit his head on the rolled-up blinds and soared backwards, falling onto his back. He groaned as his head felt pain.

Mawile looked despondently at Krokorok. "I give that a 7 out of 10."

Braixen looked towards her. "In hilarity or for theatrics?"

"Hilarity."

Vanessa sighed as she chewed on her lemons. "Yup, that's my team alright."

The guild doors opened up, revealing Erza entering inside. As usual, she was greeted by Mira and the other guild members. They all had happy smiles as this was their second day back at work. "Good morning, Erza." Mirajane greeted with a smile. "I trust you checked up on Nic."

Erza nodded with a grin. "Yes, he's still sleeping."

Mira put a hand to her cheek. "Awww."

"Yes, I just hope he knows to keep today as another rest day." She had a small hint of worry, as Nic's exhausted condition was still evident. He needed to keep on relaxing, and recovering. He did save all of them from being erased from existence after all.

Mirajane, however, didn't show any signs of worry. "I wouldn't worry about it. Nic's smart enough to know when to stay down…" She sweat dropped. "Of course he never stays down."

Erza sighed. Knowing Nic, he may as well try and get away with a low-pay, nearby job or some exercise. It wasn't unexpected, but if that's what'll happen, then so be it. He can make his own decisions, it's just that she deeply cares for his well-being. Along the way to the guild hall, she decided that after returning today, she'll spend all the time in the world with him. If she was gone too long, who knows how worried she'd get.

"Where's Natsu and the rest of the team?" She asked, looking around the guild hall to find them absent.

"They took a job yesterday. They should be back later on today." Mira informed.

Erza looked at the request board. "…I see." More people entered the guild hall, and Erza took notice that they were Vanessa and Sophie, much to her subtle surprising out of the sheer coincidence of the situation. "Vanessa. Sophie."

Vanessa smiled as she and Sophie walked towards Erza. "Erza, good morning."

"So Natsu and the others are gone today?" Sophie asked. "Well then, how about we all go out on a job? Just the three of us?"

Vanessa looked content. "Yeah, I think it's a great idea."

Erza looked at them both and nodded. "Agreed. I think some time with you two might seem a bit more…relaxing." She couldn't be mean about her own fair share of teamwork with Team Natsu. Natsu was loud and obnoxious, and Gray was stripping and bickering with the former on a constant basis. While she didn't see any ends to them bickering, even with them on a job without her, it was comforting seeing more relaxed figures such as Sophie and Nic's younger sister present. She turned and had the two in tow as she made it to the request board. "So, what job do you recommend, Vanessa?"

"Me?" Vanessa asked, slightly in shock.

Erza glanced at her. "Of course. I wanna see what's on your mind after all. Besides, we haven't had much time interacting as your brother and I do. Isn't that true?"

Vanessa could see Erza's point. It was tough to say, but the Pularis sibling had no qualms with Erza. A smile was on her lips as well. "Sure."

She turned and quickly scanned the board. After a few minutes of scanning, she found a suitable job. "How about this one?" She plucked the job from the board and showed Sophie and Erza the request.

Peace conference attendants require help! Insecurities of two families require mages as mediators.

Location of conference: Crocus

Family to escort: Lemits

Reward: 800,000 Jewel

"That's a high-pay. That'll last us for a while." Sophie explained.

"And it seems needed of some capable escorts, meaning they are worth of robbing." Erza contemplated. "Very well, we'll take it."

Vanessa nodded in understanding. "Great, then let's head out."

The job told them to meet the family in Freesia, and so they took a carriage ride there, which took them only a few hours to accomplish. After paying the driver and getting directions to the Lemits, they soon found themselves in front of the second grand building of the city. The city expanded some since their absence on Tenrou Island, so the mayor's building had been expanded further, and the town seemed prosperous, as was the architecture. The building's intricate appeal was the proof.

"So this is it." Sophie said. She turned left and right, looking at the buildings rather than the entrance. "I've heard awhile back that these buildings were manufactured by an architect in our absence. Whoever did these designs sure knows how to bring out Freesia's appeal."

"Yeah, I'll say." Erza remarked with equal awe. "What interesting features."

Vanessa smiled. "So, let's get going."

Both Erza and Sophie agreed and walked alongside Vanessa as they walked on in and instantly met with a butler at the end of a red carpet.

"A pleasure, and welcome to the home of the Lemits." He greeted. "To what do we owe of your company here today?"

Vanessa presented the job request to the butler. "Greeting. We've come for the acceptance of this job request."

The butler adjusted his thick-framed glasses. "Is that so…" He bowed towards them all and turned away. "Thank you. Please be patient, this shall only take a minute."

The butler walked away with a hurried step into the room over. As he left Erza and Vanessa and Sophie to be, the three girls looked around the entry room. Above were vaulted ceilings with rose petals engraved into the murals. A single marble column stood up on either side. Everything around looked so intricate, meaning they knew that their clients were a tall order kind of people.

"It's pretty classy." Sophie remarked.

The butler soon returned, with three people following him. He stopped and bowed. "May I present the Lemits. Do take their presence in kind if you will."

All three girls turned their attention to the three individuals. The mother, father, and child were all accounted for. The mother was roughly in her mid-thirties with little flaw in her stylish blonde hair with curls. The father had brown hair that was short, and he had glasses. Both had dresses and suites on, and the son was maybe around five, with short blonde hair. He seemed less amused with the whole ordeal.

The father welcomed them with open arms and a grin. "Ah, you must be the Fairy Tail mages. Correct? Welcome!"

The mother's pearls clanked on her wrists as she daintily gestured to herself. "We welcome you to our abode. My name is Julie Lemit, and this is John Lemit. And we'd like you to meet with our son, Joey."

"Hello." Joey said in a flat tone.

John put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Forgive our son. He's less enthusiastic as he seems."

"Shall we guide you to where we shall discuss our terms?" Julie turned and walked the group towards a small area opposite of the room the butler went to get them. Erza and the others found themselves in a smaller room with a small table with teacups. The butler poured out the fresh tea for the adults, and lemonade for the child…and Vanessa.

With themselves comfortable, the meeting had begun.

"So, what is this talk of a peace conference?" Sophie started. "Normally a peace conference refers to war, if I'm not interpreting right."

"In a sense, you're not wrong." John explained. "The Lemits have always been a charitable family who've always stayed out of competition. But this peace conference is at arms with a rival of ours: The Poliens."

Julie continued from that point on. "Unlike us, they're more forceful with clients, and that puts strain on their business. It's really more of an anger management issue, and we should know. We've been to conferences before physically, and we've gotten into a hefty amount of arguments." Her brow furrowed as the grip on her teacup enhanced. "Which led to yelling, and us having to exchange our own threats."

"Of course this news came to a shock, so clients of our own have been staying away. As a result, both of our businesses are targeting the other out." John finished.

Erza took a hand to her chin. "I see, so this peace conference is to end the dispute once and for all."

"Yeah, this is all annoying to me!" Joey huffed.

Vanessa smiled to the child. "If I were you, I think I'd be too."

Sophie looked towards Julie. "So what'll happen at the peace conference?"

"Once there, there'll be an establishment, a room where both parties shall enter. Once the meeting starts, it must never be disturbed." She sounded firm on that remark. "There'll be nothing but us discussing terms, and so at our last violent conference, we allowed mages to be our referee so that we can be fair. If neither of us get what we want out of this conference, we'll both go bankrupt."

Erza nodded in understanding. "We understand. We'll make sure that the conference is guarded and all runs smoothly."

John nodded. "Thanks. We appreciate it."

Joey looked up at his father. "Do I really have to go?"

John frowned, almost grimacing. "Sorry, but yes. Your babysitter's out of town."

"Aw man!"

Vanessa giggled a little, smiling.

Nic's eyes opened up. His head was feeling a number of things, mainly exhaustion. He woke up with his head facing the window as the sun's beam was on his face. Immediately he shut his eyes and stirred away. He looked at the blank wall instead, his mind light with his head trailing back to the events of last night. In a sense, it felt funny, but at the same time relaxing. He remembered Erza's taste. It was strawberry. The scent was still fresh in his mind, as was the mixture of vanilla from the scented candles she placed out for the supper she cooked up.

Getting on a fresh attire of a plain black t-shirt and casual purple pants rather than his trademark attire, Nic walked downstairs and looked around, seeing the run-down tavern vacant as can be. Just the way he liked it. "Erza?" To be sure, he called out, but no response. His attention drew towards the small note on the bar. "A note…?" Picking up the note, he began to read it, let alone discern to the best he could. His eyes narrowed at the terrible penmanship displayed. "Is that a 'b' or 'lo'?" It took a minute, but once he finally scrutinized the whole thing, he smiled.

"…okay." Nic finally said, acknowledging Erza's request. He then turned away, but had an uneasy frown. "Although I believe she needs some work on her…calligraphy."

The carriage carried the Lemits on the smooth trail towards Crocus, where their conference was to take place. Everyone was accounted for and the butler stayed behind to await their return. While the family was taking the carriage, Erza and the girls had to take the ankle express.

Sophie huffed, letting one of her many bangs whisk. "Well this is ironic in a sense."

"You leave Crocus only to come back the next day. How…fortunate." Vanessa remarked in a confused tone.

Erza kept the front of the carriage checked, while Vanessa and Sophie had the sides accounted for. The family inside the carriage seemed placid, and yet they dreaded this upcoming conference. Still, nonetheless, they all embarked further with the horses carrying the carriage off.

The redhead knight maintained focus, but in the back of her mind, she wanted to be with Nic. The talk with Mirajane earlier didn't seem to leave her with any levity, but she had to remain faithful and keep herself on the task at hand. 'Nic, I promised that after I return I won't leave you until you're better. I'll stay to that promise.'

Vanessa walked on the right side of the ongoing carriage, pacing herself as she and the others were almost jogging. She looked inside of the carriage's window, seeing the family in their activities. John was talking on his lacrima with another client, Julie was looking into her pocket mirror and applied makeup to her face, and Joey was looking bored as heck.

Joey leaned on the side of the window, sighing as he watched the landscape go on and on.

"You bored?" Vanessa asked.

"Huh?" Joey took notice of Vanessa's inquiry and his eyes blinked. He gave a small pout. "Yes." He mumbled.

Through his cute pout, Vanessa kept a grin. "So Joey, what do you do for entertainment?"

Joey sat his elbows on the windowsill, resting his hands on his cheeks, scrunching them together. "I never get to have fun."

"Oh?"

"Mommy and Daddy are always busy, and out on work trips. My babysitter just reads Sorcerer's Weekly, going on and on with her friends about the boys in the magazines." His eyes cascaded to the ground as it moved along. "I wanna have a hobby, or a real buddy, but I'm just stuck in this…monkey suit."

Vanessa giggled at the irony of the situation. She seemed relaxed for knowing someone of a seemingly similar style of life.

"You remind me a lot of myself, you know that?" Vanessa said. Joey's head looked towards her, his attention piqued as Vanessa went on while looking up to the road ahead. "I never had much hobbies when I was young. My parents hovered around me, pampering their 'little princess'. I never really got time for myself. It's frustrating." She preferred to not go into detail, and she didn't as it'd be too gruesome for the five-year-old to handle. "In short, I hated it. When it came time, I just stepped up and told them how I felt. I didn't care, despite what they did."

"What did they do?" He asked with wonder.

Vanessa's smile turned hollow as she looked at him. "We'll label it as 'bad influence'. What I'm saying is, if you're forced to do something you don't like, don't hesitate to say or do anything. It's your own life, you'd rather not have people shape it for you."

Joey looked at Vanessa, still as a Nosepass. He blinked once as he stared at her. He then broke into a cheeky smile. "Okay! You're a super fun person to talk to, you know that?"

Vanessa looked content with Joey complimenting her. "Thank you. Tell you what, how about I tell you of some adventures I've had?"

"Story time?" Joey asked energetically. "I love story time!"

Vanessa had her eyes set forward. "Okay, so where do I start? I was fourteen when I embarked for a small town, where I first met-!" Vanessa suddenly cut herself off when her magic was acting up. Her aura was picking up strong traces of others close by, which was not a good thing.

Immediately she took action. "Everyone, stop!" She yelled. The horses of the carriage came to a roaring stop as the driver was settling them down. The Lemits were caught perplexed by this sudden stop, as were Erza and Sophie.

Sophie looked through the other side of the carriage at Sophie. "What is it?"

Erza requipped a fellow sword and gripped it. "An enemy at hand?"

Vanessa scrutinized the tails of bushes and trees on either side. The thick brush meant nothing to her as her aura was able to easily pluck out the individuals. "They got us surrounded. Thirty at most." She analyzed.

Erza took a stance as Sophie took her own as well. "Prepare yourselves!"

The Lemits inside the carriage huddled right by the other as they looked out the windows, seeing bandits jump out of the bushes and shrubs and went right for them. As the family inside was being caught with surprise, in Joey's case fear, the three girls immediately took action.

Erza lunged ahead at three right off the back. She slashed her single sword and cut them down right on the spot. She blocked using her sword against some spears and weaponry pit against her. Sophie was faring the same level. Using her Memory-Make spells, she extended her arm in a swipe and blasted seven away at one time. Vanessa swiped her arm across, creating a translucent teal barrier following the arc and blocked crappy swords. Using an Emanation Beam, she took down three at once.

"Crap! These ladies aren't foolin' around!" A bandit called out.

"Come on! We aren't scared of some chicks!" A bandit pointed a sword ahead. "Charge!"

The bandits all secured a perimeter as they gained ground. Half of their numbers were down as Vanessa was blasting left and right, including Sophie applying her Baryon Lightning Impact, which made many get away or retreat. Erza requipped into her Black Wing Armor, passing four with a slashed pose.

Three bandits closed in on the carriage's rear, where it was open. The dirty bandits closed on in, leaving the Lemits inside to panic.

"The back!" Erza shouted, but she wasn't able at the moment as she was blocking off more bandits coming.

Vanessa fired a large bullet of her aura that exploded upon impact. She pulled out a Poke Ball and tossed it towards the back of the carriage. "Krokorok, we need your help!"

As the bandits were so close to reaching the door, Krokorok emerged from white energy of the Poke Ball. The bandits immediately backed off in shock as Krokorok bared his teeth at them.

"Let me tell you something, dirty bandits who are cowards and sneak up behind girls and families! Hitting behind, IS A DIRTY TRICK!" The Desert Croc Pokémon roared.

Joey looked outside to see Krokorok, and noticed how loud he was. "Whooaa."

A bandit got the guts and went for the attack. He slashed his bisento at Krokorok from the side, and would've dealt some damage if not for Krokorok turning his head and his fangs glowing and elongating. Using Crunch, he snapped down on the bisento, stopping it cold.

"What?!" The bandit nervously exclaimed.

"Back at you!" Krokorok raised his head and swung the weapon and the bandit around in circles. Krokorok let go as the weapon and bisento went soaring off and away. The two other bandits cowered away a step and Krokorok looked towards them, his body flashing a red aura and his Moxie Ability kicked up his power.

"Shadow Claw!" His arms and claws were coated in black shadows with purple outlining to make the impression of shadows. The Desert Croc Pokémon slashed at them both, immediately knocking them down.

All of the bandits around were scared, and Krokorok's Moxie Ability activated yet again, amplifying his Attack. Seeing Vanessa, Sophie, and Erza make quick work of them was but of a shocking surprise as they clearly were dumb enough to go and be reckless.

"Whoa! These chicks and their pet are crazy!"

"I ain't stickin' around! I'm getting' out of here!"

"Me too!"

The bandits all retreated back into the woods, jumping over fallen allies and scattering around out of terror. Of course Krokorok stepped forward and raised his clenched claws. "COME ON, I WAS JUST GETTING WARMED UP!"

Erza smiled. "Well, that wasn't so hard."

"A close call if you ask me." Sophie mentioned.

Erza turned towards her. "Perhaps." She turned towards Vanessa. "Vanessa, well done on that call."

Vanessa nodded at Erza turned towards Krokorok. She looked down at him and smiled. "Thanks, Krokorok. That was close."

Krokorok folded his arms, huffing. "Yeah, whatever."

"That was a close one." Julie commented. "Thank you, thank you. We appreciate your protection."

Vanessa looked over her shoulder back at Joey, seeing the awe on his face as he stared at Krokorok. It was a sign alright. He saw how cool Krokorok was. The awe on his face, it was no different from her when she was his age and she was watching the Pokémon League on TV, though she forgot which one it was located. It could've been Sinnoh. Whatever the case, Vanessa smiled. "Krokorok, safeguard the back, okay?"

"Alright, but not because you told me too!" Krokorok pointed out. As the carriage started moving, everyone had begun taking positions and resuming their mission of escort and confrontation. As Krokorok took up the rear, he looked as agitated as ever, but as Joey poked his head out the window, looking at Krokorok, the Ground and Dark-type.

"What?" Krokorok shouted.

Joey looked surprised and retreated behind the windowsill, with Krokorok shaking his head at the annoyance as they trudged on.

As Nic was laying on his bed, there was silence, but not the dreadful kind of silence; the silence you get when it's lonesome, but placid. Like peace. He acknowledged Erza's request, no matter how atrocious the penmanship. All he did was lay down and nod off on occasion. After a hardy meal yesterday that still rolled around in his stomach, he chose a light brunch revolving around leftover fruit and salad. That was really all he needed, because he elected, along with his Pokémon, to not do anything for the day but lay down and sleep.

As he turned over, Nic felt hot. It was July, and it didn't help that he was right next to the window. He pushed the blanket off of his upper body, letting some hot air escape. As good measure, and no different from how he usually slept, he pulled off his black shirt, leaving him in the spare purple pants. His bare upper body was exposed, but it mattered not as he pulled away from the sun.

As he nodded off again, a soft thought lingered. 'I wonder how Erza and Vanessa are?'

The walk was getting longer and longer, and Krokorok was groaning. He growled and finally pointed down at the ongoing trail. "Let me tell you something, trail! Krokorok is sick of you never ending! Your time will come!" He stomped, banging hard on the trail as he went on with the others. As he raged on, Sophie peeked from around the carriage to look at Vanessa.

"Vanessa? Can you explain how Krokorok stops?" She asks.

Vanessa glanced over. "He doesn't." She grinned. "He's powerful and all…along with argumentative, and extremely…"

"Aggressive?"

"Tip of the iceberg. Anything can be solved just by biting it, in his case." Vanessa didn't at all seem discomforted by Krokorok's nature, "But still, he's a good Pokémon."

Krokorok trudged on, and again his eyes caught a whiff of little Joey looking down at him with awe. He's been terrified a few days back from Lysandre's infinite power all across Earth Land, but seeing other creatures than humans fighting was an interesting concept. Krokorok was a prime example of awe that left Joey all the more curious.

His curiosity peaked, and he tried reaching out at Krokorok's snout.

Krokorok notice Joey reaching for him, and he seemed startled as he declined the touchy hand. He noticed the kid looking at him all the time since he's been saved, and it irritated Krokorok greatly. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM KID?!"

Joey reeled back again, his head poking out from behind the windowsill.

Krokorok blinked, seeing the startled kid not huddling away. "Er…whatever." He waved the kid off and continued the course onwards with arms crossed. He faced forward and looked despondent and vacant as Joey poked out from the windowsill, again attempting to reach a hand out.

Little Joey smiled as he finally rubbed his hand on Krokorok's snout. It was scaly, but it felt like soft sand. It was funny, but he liked it. He looked to be enjoying himself, and a small grin appeared on Krokorok as well.

The Pokémon chuckled as he felt his snout petted by soft hands. "Hehe, guess you are a little…" His eyes widened and he trailed off. Behind Joey, the parents were giving raised brows, and Sophie and Erza looked behind at Krokorok. Vanessa smirked at Krokorok at the little friend he's starting to make. The Ground and Dark-type retreated away a step out of reach. "WHAT?!"

"We've arrived!" The driver announced. The horses again stopped, and everyone turned their attention towards the last stretch of trail that led to the city of Crocus. The city was as grand as it was yesterday, and they saw the sea sway along the coastline.

Joey immediately looked towards the ocean. "Crocus! The ocean looks so pretty!"

Julie chuckled. "Yes, Joey, I agree."

Erza picked up her pace. "I must say, the location for such a peace conference is most…peaceful."

"You can say that again." Sophie said.

About forty-five minutes later, soon within the streets of Crocus, in an avenue, there was a prestige building, and it seemed pleasant on the outside with all of the windows set around the location. Everyone stood beneath the towering structure, looking straight up.

"So, this is the place, huh?" Vanessa wondered.

"Indeed." John said. "Welcome to the Conference Hall. This is where the top business owners come on weekends and discuss plans, socialize, and negotiate. Between all of them and us, this conference rents out the whole sanctum."

Everyone went inside of the doorway, which was the rotation doors. They all made way through, however, Krokorok was the one who was unlucky.

His tail stuck between the door and wall, he yanked hard to free himself. "Grr! Gaah! Let me tell you something rotation door! Krokorok is not being wedged today! Or next week! Or this month!" He pulled harder and harder, eventually getting to yank violently hard. Of course that yank freed himself, but he went tumbling along the floor and flopped onto his stomach and groaned.

Accustomed to his faults, everyone groaned, save Joey who laughed at the funniness of Krokorok.

They all entered a room with a set of doors. The doors had silver lining and green lacrima on the outside as means of designs. The knob was turned by Erza as she walked inside. Inside of the room, there was yellow lighting compared to the black high roofs. The room was extremely spacious, almost theater-sized. In the center of the room, which also had a massive window view of the outside Crocus below from the second floor, there was a long table with chairs.

Erza looked around while admiring the solidarity of the room. "Well, this is something."

"Very open." Sophie said.

"The Poliens should be here any minute now. Once the conference begins, there is no interruption. No one can leave nor exit the room. This is a very crucial moment for all of us, is everyone aware?"

Erza nodded. "Understood."

Julie looked towards the doorway, hearing solid footsteps. "…our other guests have arrived."

Erza and the others took their positions. The four corners of the table were positioned by them all as they were on watch. They all looked at the opening doors, revealing another man and woman in suit and dress. The dress for long brown-haired woman was brown rather than magenta. The man had brown hair like John, but he had narrowed eyes and a discerning facial expression.

All four sat down, with Joey having to sit on the far end of the conference table, occupied with only a small pout and with only space to look into.

"Seymour." John growled.

"John."

"Daisy."

"Julie."

All four had a vicious venom in their tones, almost acidic to the very syllable. They all had to suppress themselves for the conference that was to unfold. They knew they agreed to not quarrel, as there were mages to spectate and hold them off as watch hounds. They sat comfortably in their seats, readied their inside voices, and begun.

"I'm glad we could come to terms with a settlement, Seymour." John said. "I will say that it'll be a relief knowing we shall be off the others back."

"Indeed." Seymour growled. "But you just called me a parasite, you rich overlord!"

"This can be solved instantly." Daisy said. "We want an apology."

Julie glared at her. "Us? Apologize? You're the ones who came to us, demanding for a profit!"

"That's how business works! You just stay out of everyone's business and let them rise and fall, and then you get the spotlight once the smoke clears!"

"It's called a fair opportunity!"

Erza stepped forward. "Everyone, enough!" She sternly announced. The four individuals stopped their vicious snarling at one another and allowed Erza to talk. "You four, relax, stay calm. Everyone, just use your inside voices, and get along…please."

The four backed off, but their glaring was never ceasing.

"This isn't so different from Natsu and Gray after all." Vanessa muttered.

"ACHOO!" Both Natsu and Gray sneezed, which resulted in them falling over.

"Oh, bless you." Wendy said.

Natsu rubbed his nose and grinned. "Yeah, thanks."

Gray got up from the grass and wiped his pants. "That was a coincidence."

Lucy nervously smiled. "Maybe someone's talking about you?"

Natsu puffed out his chest. "Ha! Probably how awesome I am!"

Gray turned towards him. "Yeah right. You just burn everything up."

Natsu got into Gray's face, both glaring harshly. "Say what?! At least I don't go picking fights!"

"That's you as well, you hypocrite!"

The talk was organized and well-mannered for the most part. Everyone looked either formal or bored. There were close calls when they looked like they were gonna break out into tiffs, but Erza took care of them. Everyone powered through the discussion, even Krokorok, no matter how exceedingly bored to death he was.

"So we can agree that section 5-7 through 5-19, that our individual profits will not get mistaken for another's identity." Seymour stated. "And that now brings us to article 6-2…" He scrolled announced the various definitions set in paper, and the more he spoke, the more everyone seemed distressed. The conference seemed well and all, and the terms were being negotiated, but Daisy and Julie were having sayings of their own.

"And on that accord." Daisy intervened. "We want no more than ten percent of your income."

"And why would we do such a thing?" Julie boasted. "Why would we give you our money? Let's make this clear, you are not having our company, and your bargaining shall not suffice."

"If I recall on article 3-5, you said in terms of low income we not watch the other fall. So why not save the trouble in the future and just spare the income while you still can?"

"You greedy little-!"

Seymour stood up, having his negotiations set on paper being pressed on. "I agree."

John raised a brow. "Seymour? Why must you go back on your terms? How would you like it if we asked for twenty-five percent?"

"You dare raise an income on us? This is an outrage!"

All sides were up on their feet, ready to break out in any moment. This was the umpteenth time in over an hour. The conference was set for two hours, but alas they could only go halfway before things looked ugly.

"The economy works by taking out the weak!" Seymour stated, of which John readied a rebuff.

"Last I checked, and that was as we were arriving, our profits are two percent greater! You're a coward!"

Krokorok jumped onto the table, startling everyone. "Let me tell you something, Lemits and Poliens! Krokorok is sick of you not working! I don't know what you're saying, BUT I DON'T LIKE IT!"

"As do I."

Krokorok turned his head. "Huh?" In fact, everyone turned their attention towards the doorway. The door was open, and they saw the Lemits' butler there. To say he was present would be the biggest surprise of them all. Nobody could tell what was going on anymore.

"Jergens, what are you doing here?" John wondered. "No interruptions, sorry, but I'm afraid that whatever business you have, it'll have to wait."

Jergens adjusted his glasses. "So sorry, dear sir, but this can't wait. Do hope that you'll forgive me." He reached into his pocket, pulling out some form of sphere.

Erza's eyes widened. "Everyone, get away now!"

Jergens threw the lacrima onto the ground, causing a tremendous smoke cloud to erupt and everyone was caught up in the growing smoke. The gray field was making everyone cough as the air was hard to breath, and they had to cover their mouths. They all had no time for questions as they heard papers being folded and footsteps retreating. The next thing they all heard, aside from their own coughing, was the sound of bars coming down.

After the smoke arose into the air vents to the outside at long last, they all opened their eyes at long last, with Vanessa's Aura Guard managing to shield Krokorok and little Joey from the smoke. The shield lifted, and everyone saw the table full of documents and articles gone.

"What's the meaning of this, Jergens-?!" John was caught stiff when turning towards the doorway. Instead of doors, there were iron bars, teeming with green lacrima inside and out of it. Jergens was on the other side, out of the room.

Jergens smirked. "So sorry about this, but I believe that there can be a much more – how do I put this? – appropriate way to handle this dilemma." He held up the stack of documents in hand.

"Those are…" Julie trailed doff as her eyes widened.

Erza requipped a sword, heading right for the iron bars. "What's the meaning of this?!" She slashed at the iron bars, and yet they didn't even brake. Her sword actually bounced off. The redhead slid back and saw the lacrima on the iron bars crackling with green static. "What's this?"

Vanessa's hand was in teal aura, and she fired a bullet of aura at the bars. The attack made contact with the iron bars again, and the green static emerged before the bullet was deflected off towards another spot in the room, bursting upon colliding with the table that broke into pieces.

"Do you like my little surprise trap? I had a feeling that you'd call for mages, so I placed an order – anti-magic lacrima. This should keep you all situated until I have things arranged in court. With the current documents signed and negotiated, I can gain power and establish my own fusion of companies, tripling the profits."

"We were tricked!" Sophie exclaimed.

Joey looked around, having little understanding of what the documents were about, but he knew they had to be important because his parents were freaking out. He looked distressed, but Vanessa's words rolled around in his head. He was young, he needed to do something, though he was a child. Krokorok looked up, seeing the air vent. Joey looked up as well, his eyes widening further and getting a plan.

Seymour gripped the bars, furious at Jergens. "Let us out right now! I'll pay you a million jewel!"

"Make that two million!" Daisy added.

Jergens turned away, adjusting his glasses with his index finger. "Your deals and scantling is why nobody wants to buy from you. You naïve fools, Poliens are incompetent and frightened by everyone else's money. You clearly have no self-worth, hence why your money values will never be acknowledged." He smirked as he saw the shocked expressions the Poliens had. "So, I thus make way to court to settle this fusion. Ta-ta~." He made way down the hall, disregarding the shouting transpiring in the conference room. They all fell on deaf ears and watched Jergens turn the corner.

"Damn you!" Erza punched the iron bars out of frustration, but they didn't break.

Julie looked distressed. "Our companies, we put our life's work into them! He's gonna tarnish everything we've built, and all those jobs we've made!"

Vanessa stepped forward. "We can't overreact! We have to stay calm and work on a plan of escape. Krokorok, can you-!" She turned towards Krokorok, but she found the spot right beside her desolate. "Krokorok? Where did you…?"

Erza looked around, shocked as the rest of them. "Joey's gone too."

Sophie looked around, startled. "A fiver-year-old and a talking crocodile with severe anger issues lost? This is far from good." She glanced over, seeing something on the floor. It looked like an air duct cover. The piece of metal looked like it was bit on and removed, and then that's when it all made sense. Sophie's eyes showed her uneasy nerves trembling. "Oh dear."

Jergens made way down towards the lobby, where he was seen with a straight face. He had the documents tucked away in his pockets, and was making sure they remained safe as long as he made it to court with them. "Well this is a nice turn of events. For Fairy Tail's mightiest, they're pretty worthless when you shut down their magic."

The ducts inside the walls rattled, catching Jergen's attention. "Hm? He heard the ducts rattle harder, almost banging as he heard something moving, and it was sounding brash and rushed. "What on earth could possibly be going on-!"

The air duct cover flew off and clanged on the ground. Jergen's backed away as he watched a crocodile emerge from the ducts. Krokorok stood tall and crossed his arms. Above, Joey dangled from the air duct, trying to get down. The little five-year-old fell and plopped onto Krokorok's head, surprisingly sitting on his non-existent shoulders.

"Master Joey?" Jergens raised a brow.

Joey pointed at Jergens. "Return my parents' papers!"

"LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, BUTLER JERGENS OF THE LEMITS HOUSEHOLD! YOU'RE NOT TAKING ANOTHER STEP FORWARD!"

Jergens reached into his pocket inside of his suit. "I can't handle violence with a mere insufficient child like Master Joey, granted, but you on the other hand, sir…" He pulled out what seemed to be a weapon, charged with lacrima all around. It looked like a blaster with a container full of lacrima. "Are expendable."

Joey's eyes widened as Krokorok put him down. He brushed Joey back, keeping the young kid out of range as he turned back to face his adversary.

"You don't know what the Lemits and Poliens do for their companies? They manufacture these finds of lacrima weaponry for self-defense. People who aren't mages can find these tools very convenient if they don't have magic themselves, but I find it a profit if the Magic Council finds a grand price for these contraptions. So, I'm afraid you're at a disadvantage."

"Krokorok, doesn't know the meaning of disadvantage!" Krokorok retorted. He lunged ahead, heading off to attack Jergens. He opened up his mouth, with the teeth glowing and elongating. "Crunch!"

He snapped down, but Jergens's leg, hurting the butler's limb. Through his anguish cries, the reluctant butler pointed the blaster down at Krokorok as he still had his jaws snapped down onto him.

"Sorry, but you are denied!" The container flashed a fiery orange, and a beam of fire blasted Krokorok. A heated burst erupted, sending the Ground and Dark-Type sliding backwards on his back.

Krokorok snapped back up and crouched. "Then how about this?! Dig!" He jumped and dove into the flooring. He broke through the spotless floors and went underground. Joey and Jergens were shocked to say the least. They had no idea where he ventured off to.

The ground erupted behind Jergens, and Krokorok sprung up and struck him in the back with his tail. The butler fell forward, while Krokorok landed on the ground.

"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!" Krokorok yelled. He charged again at Jergens as he tumbled onto his back and aimed the weapon at the Desert Croc Pokémon. The fire changed to a swirling blue. The blaster fired a pressurized beam of water at Krokorok, scoring not only a close-range direct hit, but strong enough to shoot him up the first flight of stairs and crashed right into the wall.

"No!" Joey shouted.

Jergens held the blaster to Krokorok, the tip dripping with water. "Ah. So fire isn't that effective, but you can't suppress water, is that it?" His smirk turned venomous as Krokorok shook his head and stood back up. "This should be fun."

Erza banged her sword against the iron bars, but no matter what she tried nothing worked. Each blow was repulsed, and she soon backed off. "It's no good. We can't get through." She mentally cursed for being played as a fool, and she relied on her magic all too much.

"This is terrible." Sophie frowned. "If we don't break down those bars, we can't get to Krokorok or Joey before that so-called butler does."

"OH! My sweet little Joey!" Julie wailed.

Daisy looked remorseful, but she never had a child of her own, so she was in no position to say. All she could really do was hope for the very best and that Krokorok will take care of them all…who was she kidding? She was panicking herself, as she did not trust her own life with a walking crocodile.

John turned towards Seymour, seeing his distraught expression. "Hey, you okay?"

Seymour took in a big breath and looked directly into John's eyes. "Look, I'm…sorry we let things get this far. We are at fault for what's happening right now."

John blinked, but he seemed alright for the time being. "I am sorry as well. We should've been aware it's all based on insecurity."

The two shook hands, their feud having been put down.

A blast of water struck the wall, and everyone turned their attention and bodies towards the iron bars. They heard a massive slam and Krokorok hit the floor, groaning as he had sustained a lot of damage as it seems.

"Krokorok!" Vanessa shouted.

Sophie looked at Jergens emerging from around the corner, holding his blaster at Krokorok. "Wait, that blaster, that's an uncertified weapon!"

Erza turned towards her. "What?"

"That is known as a multi-verse lacrima-infused magic blaster. There's no mention of it in the papers, it's only in the prototype stage though, but on the job yesterday, Vanessa and I encounter some goons with those on hand."

"But if they are already out, then who's distributing them?" Vanessa inquired.

John and Julie stared blankly outwards, their shock all but certain. Erza saw the looks on their faces. They got their answer, and it was not a happy one. The redhead's brown eyes pierced into John, Julie, Seymour, and Daisy.

"We're gonna have a word with you all later." Erza's tone was not a pleasing one.

Krokorok stood back up and his body was outlined in gray. "Rock Tomb!" Gray rocks materialized and formed overhead and spun in a ring. The ring of rocks went flying at Jergens, and the butler pointed his blaster at the incoming rocks.

"You won't win this time!" He adjusted the nozzle, making the swirling water become yellow static inside, meaning a lightning blast. He fired a blast of lightning at the Rock Tomb. Thunder roared through the halls as the Rock Tomb and lightning collided in the middle, cancelling the other out. Not even gravel fell to the ground.

Jergens adjusted the blaster's settings again, making it set to fire and set it onto Krokorok. "So, burn-!"

A sudden shove from behind caused Jergens to lose balance. He faltered, and as a result the blaster's trail went of course. The blast of fire and time slowed down as it redirected several feet to Krokorok's right, cindering the paint on the smooth wall.

Everyone's mouth gaped, and no amount of shock was paramount compared to Krokorok as he was saved in the nick of time. Everything around them seemed meaningless as Jergen's adjusted his glasses again, his confusion turning towards the small boy who deliberately pushed him. His eyes dilated in anger. "Master Joey?"

Joey panted as he stood behind Jerges, looking up with a beating heart that moved faster than lightning.

"Joey! What do you think you're doing?!" Julie scolded.

"Son, get out of there right now!" John yelled.

Jerges adjusted the blaster, the caliber set on lightning again. "Master Joey, so glad you could join me today. What might this heroic act be about, hm?"

"I can't take it anymore!" Joey barked out. "My mommy and daddy don't pay attention to me, and I have no fun! I don't just wanna hear stories, I wanna make them!"

Vanessa's eyes were fixed on Joey. "Joey."

"If my mommy and daddy won't let me make adventures, I'll start my own. I don't want anything with their stupid company, it's tearing us apart!"

The parents were startled and left shocked at their son's plea. They could not even fabricate what they were feeling right now. Apparently their peachy little life was nothing but washed up messes, at least to Joey. They didn't even know he was there sometimes, they just make sure he's there on site, dawdling around and doing whatever. Apparently his thoughts of a bright future with their money was not what he had in mind.

"Well then, perhaps you can tell a tale of how you survived at the age of five against a lightning blast…or not. Adieu, Master Joey." He aimed the blaster at Joey, the tip charging up a big bolt of lightning. Joey was scared stiff, but he didn't cower away. He stood his ground as everything became yellow.

"JOEY!" Julie and John shouted.

Thunder roared as static filled the air. Erza and Sophie were left speechless, as was everybody else. The burst of lightning crackled and diminished, revealing the damage done.

"Hm?" Jergens raised a brow.

With his back turned to Jergens, Krokorok was still. He hovered over little Joey as the boy was in shock. He was saved by the skin of his teeth, and Krokorok was the savior. His body crackled in static as his nerves tingled.

"Crocodile man?" Joey wondered.

Vanessa smiled with joy. "Krokorok!"

Krokorok backed away from Joey and stood back up. He turned and faced Jergens, his neck cracking. He growled, and there was a pressure emitting from him.

Jergens looked shocked as he looked at his blaster. "What on earth? No effect?"

"Shooting…kids…is so not…" Krokorok's eyes flashed red, and the pressure around him began to increase. "OKAAAAAAYYY!"

Krokorok violently screamed up to the ceiling. His cry emitted so loud that it echoed through the whole building. His body glowed and gave off a vibrant blue color. An energy field surrounded him, almost like a veil.

"What's this?!" Jergens exclaimed.

Erza's eyes widened. "What's happening to Krokorok?"

Vanessa's eyes widened in surmounting surprise. Her eyes were perplexed, and at the same time in deep, bewildered awe. "Krokorok…he's evolving!"

"He's what?" Erza asked. "Like what happened to Sliggoo? When she was a Goomy?"

Vanessa smiled. "Yes."

Everyone witnessed Krokorok beginning to undergo a change. His body was significantly growing in size. His legs were getting stubby, but at the same time his tail and claws enlarged and thickened. His snout and jaws had gotten exceedingly huge, and his eyes had a curved shape.

The light exploded, sending blue sparkles in the air. Joey, Vanessa, and everyone bared to witness a monstrous crocodile that was dark red. His snout had a black stripe on it, and the stripes were also along the tail and back, slightly overlapping the milky white underside. He had thick claws and teeth, with an angry look to boot.

The evolved Pokémon curled up a little before releasing an intimidating roar, one that bellowed and reached out through the entire building, rattling the walls. His roar petrified Jergens, leaving him trembling.

"Oh god." Sophie's eyes dilated. "That's Krokorok's evolved form?"

"I've never seen anything like it." Erza said, heavily impressed.

Vanessa reached into her bag. She pulled out her Pokedex and Erza and Sophie saw the device open up, revealing the image of Krokorok's evolved form.

"Krookodile, the Intimidation Pokémon. They never allow prey to escape. Their jaws are so powerful, they can crush the body of an automobile."

"Krookodile." Vanessa repeated.

Jergens recovered from his shock. "So, you've tried powering up to foil my futures, eh? Well, let's see what happens when I set the blaster…" He adjusted the knob, where the fire and water inside were swirling inside. "When I set it to dual mode."

John gripped the bars. "No you fool! That'll exhaust too much power! That's in the case of dire emergencies!"

But the butler did not listen, and he fired the fusion attack at Krookodile. The intensive blast shot a blast of fire and water side by side as they traveled towards Krookodile. Krookodile, however, made no attempt at moving. Instead, he opened his massive jaws, which were extremely gargantuan. The fangs inside glowed and elongated, meaning Crunch. As the attacks went at him, Krookodile snapped his Crunch down. An explosion of steam erupted that surrounded Krookodile, and Joey looked startled as his savior remained still.

The steam cleared, and Krookodile looked unscathed. He opened his mouth, releasing smoke from inside. "IS THAT ALL?!" He yelled, his voice slightly scruffier since he now was Krookodile. "TREMBLE BEFORE KROOKODILE!" He ran at Jergens, his black eyes dilating. "THIS IF FOR TRYING TO SHOOT JOEY!" He swatted his tail at Jergens, and the butler dodged as the tail swing left an intent in the wall. "THIS IS FOR SHOOTING ME!" He raised his arms overhead and pounded the ground, making it rumble and Jergens barely had hold.

Jergens adjusted his glasses, albeit heavily shaken. He had no aim and the dual blaster was set to lightning. He fired at Krookodile, his focus completely off as he was scared stiff. The lightning blast struck Krookodile, but the static all around him only dispersed.

"Really? YOU WANTED TO TAKE OVER SOME RIGGED PROFITS AND SHOOT SOME STUFF, AND THIS IS HOW YOU ACT?!" Krookodile's eyes flashed red, and a red aura encased him. There was an overwhelming sense of wrath coming from him, and it wasn't looking good. "BLASTING PEOPLE IS ONE THING, BUT BLASTING GOOD PEOPLE, MAKES ME MAD!" He let out another violent bellow, and his eyes were glowing bright red, and a bright red aura was around his body.

"Krookodile is angry." Sophie muttered.

"He's more than that, despite his anger being impressive." Vanessa frowned. "That look like Outrage."

Erza looked shocked. "A new move?"

Krookodile lunged after Jergens, his violent assault making him duck as Krookodile stopped in front of the iron bars imprisoning everyone. "GIVE UP IRON BARS, YOU ALL HOLD THESE!" He grabbed the bars in his violent rage, completely ripped them off. Erza and everyone saw the bars fly right over their heads, clanging against the ground.

Jergens's eyes widened. "Inconceivable! Those bars are anti-magic efficient!"

Vanessa glared at the stunned butler. "But it doesn't work with Pokémon moves! Go, Krookodile! Outrage!"

Krookodile turned and roared out at Jergens once more. He rushed with quick feet, much faster than when he was Krokorok, and brought his claws and knees back. The butler screamed in agony as the weapon was ready to fire, but Krookodile viciously attacked with slashing his claws, ripping the prototype to shreds. "No!" Jergens screamed. Krookodile then t=violently and swiftly unleashed a barrage of kicks and punches, each blow strong enough the numb the muscle, and more powerful ones that could fracture bone. The numerous beatings by the Krookodile finished with a crushing slash across the butler's destroyed suit, blasting the butler into the wall.

The butler was distraught and barely conscious, and Krookodile loomed overhead. All he could do was choke as Krookodile grabbed him by the collar.

"LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, DISORIENTED EX-BUTLER TURNED BAD! I JUST BROKE YOUR BONES! YOU STEAL PROFITS, AND I WILL DO IT AGAIN! ONLY I'LL BREAK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!"

Krookodile backed off, his anger fuming off and he banged his head against a nearby wall. Vanessa didn't see it as a shock, since she did know Outrage's additional effect was confusion. But after that single display, Krookodile's red aura subsided, and he huffed.

"Yay!" Joey cheered. "Crocodile man just saved the day!"

Everyone was left dazed at the display set, even Erza was left with shock as equal as Sophie as they were outdone by a Pokémon with serious anger issues. This was certainly a tale to tell.

Not long has passed since the incident. The butler, albeit in intensive care, was indeed gonna be pressed serious charges, and was in custody at the time. There was gonna be some questions concerning what'll happen with the documents later on considering that Krookodile reduced them to shreds and all, plus some property damage was going towards the conference building.

"Thank you all for that you have done." Julie thanked with a nod.

Everyone, despite their smiles, only played it off as a façade. They weren't pleased with what their individual companies were selling to make money.

John smiled with glee. "We would like to show your appreciation. We have indeed paid you well as negotiated in the job. It's because o you that the Poliens and us have achieved and understanding of our own community-"

"DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WERE MANUFACTURING UNCERTIFIED WEAPONS?!" Krookodile said, arms crossed.

The couple blinked, and started stuttering. John cleared his throat. "Er-hem, uh, well, we weren't certain…as to permission with-!" He was cut off again with Krookodile holding a claw towards him. They were caught stiff and silent as Rune Knights and authorities surrounded the couple, and the Poliens.

Krookodile's growling was vibrating harshly. "Don't ever do business with us…ever again." He threatened.

"Sir, ma'am, I'm afraid that you'll have to come with us." A Rune Knight ordered. "There are felonies that prohibit unlicensed self-defense tools. Looks like you and the Poliens are going to have a long time to handle that in court."

Though saddened that they might and most likely will lose a large sum of profit, they put up no fight. The Poliens easily surrendered to the Rune Knights, confessing on the spot. To that they were promised to be let off easier than the more reluctant Lemits, but Joey seemed happy.

The five-year old looked up at the three girls and smiled.

"So what will you do now?" Sophie asked.

Joey smiled. "My mommy and daddy are still a little upset. But they're thinking of having me move with my uncle until they figure stud out."

"Is your uncle nice?"

"Yeah, he loves to fish, and he even showed me a fish the size of me once!" He extended his arms out to exaggerate the length.

Vanessa knelt down and petted the kid's head. "I'm sure you'll have it fun from here on. Be safe."

"Best of luck to you." Erza said.

Joey nodded happily. He then turned towards Krookodile, who had crossed arms and was looking away. Little Joey looked up at him with a big smile. The three girls all looked on as Krookodile glanced down, staring right into Joey's face. "WHAT?!" He barked, his snout in his face.

A sudden warm touch was against Krookodile's snout. His eyes widened and he was left shocked. Little Joey was having a big smile as he was hugging Krookodile's snout. The tender hug from an innocent child left Krookodile with a sense of calm. Through his agitation, it wasn't there. He grinned as Joey was parting with him. The little boy backed away with a wave back to Krookodile.

"Thank you! Bye-bye crocodile man!" Joey thanked before he took off with a Rune Knight to an escort towards his uncle's.

Krookodile gave a small wave back and his grin remained on his face. He looked back at the three girls; they all smirked. A blush came across Krookodile's face and he held his claws up at them. "What are you staring at?!" He barked.

Sophie chuckled at Krookodile's soft spot, and Erza couldn't help but feel a chuckle passing as well. It was like Natsu, only it wasn't.

Vanessa smiled. "Krookodile, I'm proud of you." She praised. "You did well today."

Krookodile looked towards his trainer before raising his head. "…fine, BUT IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE I EVOLVED AND LEARNED OUTRAGE, ALRIGHT?!"

Vanessa smiled, looking relaxed. "Nope, it was all you."

"Okay! Just being sure!"

It was a long day full of twists and turns, especially greed. It's times like these that she just wanted to unwind and settle into her bed. Erza instead chose an alternative motif. She progressed to the guild hall to check in with Mirajane, declaring their job a success. She of course had a run-in with her team, to which they told of their tale. They went on a monster hunt on the outskirts of Cedar, but the catch was that it was drawn into the city, and Natsu's explosive demeanor went and wrecked more than a few buildings in whole. Long story short was them only getting paid ten percent of what they were promised, not even enough for transportation home. They were all on their knees and fell over by the time they arrived home the same time as Erza and the others. Vanessa told of Krokorok evolving as well, and how Natsu wanted to get into a scuffle, but backed off due to Erza's insistence - or in Natsu's case threats. It was dusk by the time Erza said goodnight to Vanessa and Sophie, but instead she went to the abandoned second building of Fairy Tail, Nic's run-down hideout.

She went inside and made way upstairs towards the attic. She looked around to find everything as she left it and then some. She smiled as she saw Nic sleeping on his side, the thin blanket covering his sleeping form. She approached the chair that was right across from him, but she was met with something on it.

"Hm?" Curious, she picked up the paper, but it was hard to discern with the poor lighting and the darkness of the room. "A note…or a chore list…?" Given Nic's nature, it wouldn't be all that surprising if he made something as such to remember by. She lurked through the darkness until her forehead hit a thin chain. Realizing she found the switch, she pulled it. The light bulb turned on, illuminating the attic.

The redhead could now see what Nic made, but what she saw was not something she'd expect. What she saw was what pulled at her heart.

It was a drawing. A pencil drawing. A drawing Nic made while Erza was away all day. The drawing was about her and her serious gaze as she stared to the upper left of the page, standing tall and proud in her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Behind her was a number of her intricate swords. It looks almost exactly real, only in black and white with numerous shading all around. A detailed drawing like this could rival Reedus's paintings. Nic's signature was in cursive and on the lower right. She could only describe it in one word: Beautiful.

She turned back towards Nic, smiling down at him. He was productive in a way, but at least he was able to keep his word in the end and rest. She requipped into her pajamas and gently placed the picture back on the chair and gently crawled into bed.

The weight gain made Nic groggily open his eyes. "Mmm, Erza…?" He groaned, turning around so that his shoulder was to her chin. "You got back?"

Erza smiled towards him and gently kissed his cheek. She parted away, but kept the close proximity. "Yeah."

"How was your job?"

"I'll tell you in the morning." She mumbled. "For now, just let me be here, with you."

Nic smiled, happily accepting Erza as her arms draped around Nic's ribs, holding him as they laid on their sides, her breasts to his back. As the redhead let sleep and warmth succumb her, Nic fell right behind her, a grin creeping onto his face. "Welcome home…" He finally went back to resting, having to sleep another peaceful night with Erza holding him.

The isle's shores swayed left and right. The bits of dusk remaining showed the seagulls on the cliffs settling back into their nests. The sea waves seemed like eternal dark waters as they went up and down the rocky shores and bay terrain.

Inland, there was a secluded location. It looked cavernous as the walls were rock, and the ceiling had spikes looking down. Water dripped down, plopping onto the ground, reverberating through the tunnels, but never reaching the isles. There was a gargantuan chamber that was located inside of the cavernous domain, and in the dead center was what a lone figure brought from the shoreline.

A silhouette of a figure looked down at the raft, seeing the intricate pictures. "What's this about?" He sounded displeased to say the least. His silhouette revealed some form of half-rings floating behind his back with a full circle center.

"Forgive me, but this I found this on the shores the other night." The man from before announced. He used the tip of the conical straw hat and covered his right eye, and yet a little bit of his very short spikey orange hair showed. "I am aware of your discomfort, but I figured it pays no harm to share some curiosity, am I wrong?"

The silhouette looked stared down at the raft. When he really looked at it, it did indeed have a certain memorial charm to it. The phone and earbuds in front of the picture of Nic Pularis perked interest. His lips showed a smirk.

"No, perhaps you are right, Crowhaw." He said. "You have to admit the intricate commitment put into this."

"So would you have us reveal it to the others? They might want to have a look and place their opinion."

The figure revealed himself out of the shadows. He had short bangs and short black hair that went down, barely touching his collar bone. His forehead had an indigo diamond mark on it. His hollow gray eyes were a compliment to the dark whole body cloak he wore, like Crowhaw was. He had sandals that were almost like boots. As he walked, the half-rings and full sphere followed behind.

"Well, Imaci?" Crowhaw questioned.

Imaci smiled as his eyes narrowed. "…yes, let's discuss this little artifact with the others. I'm sure Alpha will definitely want to see this."

As he pointed at Nic and Vanessa's pictures, he and Crowhaw had an ominous appeal to the siblings.

New chapter update! So as I said before, this chapter was more really about Vanessa and Erza than it was about Nic. Also, I figured it was time to also establish an evolution of one of Vanessa's Pokémon. Since the whole prequel had more of Nic and his six, I figure a whole chapter revolving around Vanessa's point of view would be a good break.

As far as I intend it to be, next chapter may be a mix of the two siblings, though maybe a little more about Nic and his Pokémon. Also, while I'm speaking of the next chapter, I should also say that the first major arc will NOT be the Eclipse Celestial Spirit Arc. I'm scraping that entirely and doing something better, my own original arc I have planned out that you guys will love, just like the Kalos and Celestial Siege Arc.

As always, review and comment what you liked! I really appreciate that, and thanks for reading!