Minerva was pissed. Even though Lucy and the dragon slayers finally returned from training, they wouldn't leave their room. Lucy was still resting while Rogue and Sting watched over her. Sting had informed Minerva that they met Fairy Tail's Natsu, who wanted to bring Lucy back. Of course it would be his fault. Even after two years, mentioning his name was enough to paralyze Lucy. A full on confrontation could have been fatal. After hearing how Lucy stunned Natsu though, Minerva was quite proud. The little blonde mage that she had raised was now fierce and powerful, mentally and physically.

However, there were other matters to be dealt with. Sabertooth had the opportunity to meet with Grimoire Heart, one of the strongest Dark Guilds. This was an once-in-a-lifetime chance that would allow the Sabertooth members to train with and become the best. Minerva was not about to let this chance slide by. Grimoire Heart agreed after hearing about the situation with Lucy. Since both guilds harbored a hatred for the fairies, the Master, Hades, wanted to see if Sabertooth would provide entertainment. Unfortunately, the meeting day was today, and their reminder soon came bursting through the door.

As the Sabertooth members turned their heads towards the explosion, a black-haired woman stood in the midst of the dust. "My, my. To think that you would waste such a precious opportunity… Have I overestimated you Sabertooths, or should I say kittens?"

Only Minerva bravely walked up. "We were perfectly aware that today was the meeting day, but circumstances on our side have arisen. Lucy, the one you so eagerly wish to meet, is currently bed-ridden after a stressful experience with the fairies."

The black-haired woman smiled. "Don't give me excuses. Your small guild does not deserve such privileges. We even came out of our way just to see you. I expected better of you." Minerva bowed her head, but the woman continued to destroy the base. The supports on the ceiling crumbled down and fell near Yukino. The woman approached and lifted her by her collar. "Heh. So this is your level. If it's like this, you wouldn't stand even a minute against Fairy Tail."

Anger boiled inside Minerva; she wanted the guild to be the best, the most powerful, number one in Fiore. Losing, especially to Fairy Tail, would be unacceptable. But now was not the right time, she couldn't defeat this woman with her current magic ability.

"Staying silent, huh. Well, if you won't bring Lucy to me, I'll just find her myself." The woman slowly walked towards the closed-door, and no one obstructed her path.

When the door rotted away, Rogue and Sting stood protectively in front of Lucy. "Who are you?" They asked, glaring.

She smirked. "Hemph. You three seem to have much potential. I am Ultear, of Grimoire Heart, and your new master."

That was as much as Minerva could take. She neared Ultear, casting her territory magic. The latter was surrounded by wave-like plasma but suddenly disappeared.

"Ah. You just had to destroy my projection." Ultear reappeared in between the guild doors. "But no matter. I've seen enough of your skills. Minerva. Sting. Rogue. And Lucy, she will be useful in her own way."

"So that was just a test?" Minerva turned towards Ultear.

"No need to glare at me so much. After all, I can give you power, enough power to defeat Fairy Tail. You just have to accept my offer."

Rogue and Sting looked at each other, nodded, and looked at Minerva.

Sigh. "Alright, we accept your offer... new Master…" Minerva mumbled.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you." Ultear jeered sadistically.

"Master" Minerva spoke louder.

Ultear ran up to Minerva and pushed her head down. Putting her foot on Minerva's head, she looked at the other members and asked again, "What did you say?"

Sting and Rogue reluctantly sank to their knees, and the others followed suit. "Master." They shook in humiliation and anger.

A few days later, Lucy awoke to darkness. Scared, she quickly sat up and looked for Rogue or Sting. The cloak covering her slipped off. She picked it up, realizing it was Rogue's. But where was he? Or any member for that matter. Sensing no movement or sign of life, she slid off the bed and opened the door to the guild's main hall. Her eyes widened at the sight: among the memebrs of Sabertooth, Yukino, Rufus, and Orga laid face down unconscious, bleeding. How were they defeated, despite being as strong as Minerva, Rogue and Sting, who were missing? Lucy panicked and ran up the stairs to find her teammates.

"Look who finally woke up." Ultear blocked Lucy's path.

"Who…"

"Why don't you look inside?" Ultear walked around Lucy and smiled, placing her hands on Lucy's face.

"Huh?" Lucy opened the door, quickly trying to look away. Ultear's hands, however, held her head in place.

The room was utterly destroyed, and in the center, Sting and Rogue were fighting each other in Dragon Force. Both were covered in scratches, staggering toward each other. Sting weakly swung his fist at Rogue, who didn't block. Their momentum, though, pulled them toward the ground. Lucy expected them to stay on the floor panting, drained of all their power, but they struggled to stand up.

"W-why are they fighting each other?" Tears fell from Lucy's face as she turned towards Ultear.

Ultear studied Lucy's face for a bit, and then pushed her to the ground. "I heard you wanted to get revenge on Fairy Tail. Is that wrong?"

"Well, yes, but… What does that have to do with Rogue and Sting beating each other up?"

"To get stronger of course. Why is that bad?"

"They don't need to kill each other! Aren't they nakama?!"

"Hah, don't make me laugh. In order to beat Fairy Tail, you need to throw away those useless feelings. Only fairies need that kind of "nakama" bond."

"Wha- Where is Minerva… or the Master?!"

"Heh… Because you were asleep, you don't know yet. I am now the ruler of Sabertooth, and under my rule, Sabertooth will be a dictatorship."