House in the Woods

(one year later)

Lucy poked her head above the rocks, and saw the Sabertooth pack gathering up on the rock the eagles had set them down on. While she did not have a clear view of MInerva's face in the dim light of the rising sign, her body language was enough to indicate that she not happy. She kicked the side of her tiger, and they charged down the rocks. Deciding that it was safe, Lucy began move down, when she heard some kind of growl. But if it was a growl, it wasn't like one she heard before.

She peaked around the rocks, and that was when she saw some kind of creature. It was very large, easily dwarfing even the giant tigers that Minerva and her followers rode. At first glance, Lucy thought it was a bear, but it was nothing even close to the sort. The only word that could describe it was: bestial, like some amalgamation of several monsters, with hair, fangs, scales, claws, and more features Lucy couldn't really identify

Lucy quickly got back to where the rest of the group is. Laxus was the first to speak.

"How close are they?" he asked.

"Way to close!" Lucy answered, "But we've got another problem on our hands!"

"Have the tigers smelt us?" Cana quickly asked.

"No, but that's not it," Lucy responded.

"They didn't see you did they?" Mavis answered, from her perch atop a tree branch.

"No, but…"

"Like I told you," Mavis said with a smile, "She's perfect thief material." As the other mages agreed, Lucy gritted her teeth in impatience.

"Just listen!" she all but yelled, quieting them, "There is something new now out there!"

"What was it?" Levy asked.

"I don't know," Lucy answered, "But it looked something like a…. honestly I don't know how to describe it, it looked so weird."

"I know what you're talking about," Mavis said, as her face turned grim.

"You knew about this?" Gray asked.

"Yes, but I was hoping we wouldn't get involved with it," Mavis answered, as she stood up straight, and looked out into the distance.

"What do we do now?" Lisanna asked.

"I say we double back," Elfman said.

"Which would lead us right into the claws of Minerva," Bixlow said, "We should make a run for it!"

"You think we can outrun a pack of tigers?" Erza said.

"There is a house not far from here," Mavis suddenly said, turning back. Everyone looked at her, her face completely serious.

"What kind of house?" Laxus asked, stepping forward, "Friend or foe?"

"He could be either," Mavis answered, as she hopped down, "Either he helps, or he destroys us." The mages looked at each other nervously.

"We don't have much choice do we?" Laxus said, with a scowl. There was then another bellowing cry in the not so far distance, which rattled the bone.

"No," Mavis said, "Now run!" With that, the entire group broke into a run with Mavis in the lead.

They ran for what Lucy thought was forever, as the sun rose completely over them.

(with the Sabertooths)

Meanwhile, the Sabertooths were still chasing them.

"After them!" Minerva roared, as she pointed onward. There was then another roar, and the enemy abruptly stopped. Minerva knowing that whatever that was, she could not face it, abruptly ended the chase.

(with the group)

The Fairy Tail members kept running, as they heard the roar. Elfman stopped, and he looked into the distance, as the roar echoed again.

"Come on Elfman!" Mirajane said, as she grabbed her brother's arm, and pulled him along. Eventually, they broke the treelike, and straight ahead was a house.

"There it is!" Mavis said, "Keep moving!"

They burst through a gate, and into the yard. It was covered with greenery, with what almost seemed like tiny forests gathered around the house, which itself looked completely overgrown with vegetation.

Mavis stopped at the gate, and looked back, as the others ran past her. From the trees, burst the beast. It let out another bellow, as it charged at them.

"Get inside!" Mavis ordered, as she jumped forward. Elfman crashed into the door, though it did not budge.

"Get that thing opened!" Laxus ordered, as they began punching at it. Juvia pulled the latch off, and the door burst open. Everyone then piled inside, and they shut it, just as the beast slammed into the door. Just in time, they blocked the door, preventing it from getting in. Inside, the house was made almost entirely of wood, everything from the eating utensils, to the plates. There was even any stone or brick.

"That was too close," Freed said.

"What the hell was that?" Evergreen demanded. Mavis took a breath, as she sat on a table.

"His name is Wolfheim," she explained, "And he's our host."

"What are you talking about?" Gray asked.

"He's a Beast Mage," Mavis answered, "He's practically an embodiment of all beasts of the world."

"Sounds like he's leaving," Juvia said, her ear pressed to the door.

"Good, then we should be safe," Mavis said, "Now get some sleep, we need to strike out as soon as possible."

(with the Sabertooths)

Minerva clenched her fists, as she watched the wood monster patrol the lines of the house.

"What are we waiting for?" Rufus said, "We should attack now!"

"Not while that beast stands guard," Minerva said, before walking back to the others.

"What now?" Orga asked.

"They will not be able to stay forever," Minerva answered, "and when they emerge, we will attack."

Note: Here we have part two. I chose this cast, based on lack of other characters. Let's see if you can pick out the cast at this point.