I wonder how many of you I have fooled already.

Just barely made it over 3k with this one. The parts with Wendy helped.

zoro99, for some reason, I really enjoy your reviews.


Chapter 9 - In a Sense


"I never thought I'd say this," Gajeel grumbled. "But why aren't you guys talking?"

Neither Lucy nor Levy looked up. Their stares were intense and concentrated on the floor of the train's cabin. They had been like that since they departed from Era hours ago, and showed little sign of changing their hunched-over positions.

Gajeel snorted. "You know, it's creepy when you guys don't talk for a while. I ain't used to it."

"Tough," Levy muttered. "I'm trying to sort things out in my head."

"What things?"

"About Irien."

"I figured that. Would it kill ya to elaborate?" Levy sighed, and gazed over at Gajeel's sweating form. Even when he had motion sickness, he still managed to be blunt and rude.

"Sol said some interesting things back there," she said. "Like how the magic Irien was supposed to be able to use and his own affinity were different from each other."

"Yeah, I heard," Gajeel replied sourly. "The hell does that mean, though?"

"It means Irien was never meant to be a lightning user. He was meant to command another element – And from what Sol said, it would've been a natural one." Levy twiddled her thumbs. "Fate obviously had something else in store for Irien, for his magic and his core element to not match up…"

"You believe in that fate crap?" Gajeel would've laughed, if not for him being sick to his stomach at the moment.

"Just because it seems ridiculous to you doesn't mean it's not correct, Gajeel," Levy murmured irritably. "Fate and the universe are the reasons why the particular mages I mentioned earlier are able to find their element and survive if their lives are in danger."

"I don't get it."

"I didn't think you would." Levy sat back in her seat, her shoulders getting tired from leaning. "Being drawn to your element is never as straightforward as it seems. A wizard associated with water might not come across a river or stream… But they might come across a dropped canteen filled with water and then find the person who lost it. Said person would be grateful and invite the person to their house for a meal of gratitude."

"That story is a load of bull."

"It was meant to be an example, but if you want a realistic case, then fine. Take me for example. Sol may have been a joking, psychotic murderer… But I think he was correct when trying to guess our affinities, because I already knew my affinity before today; and it is wood. " Levy twirled a piece of hair between her fingers. "My survival may stem from knowledge, but it's only because I've been lead to my core element in times of stress."

"How the hell does wood help you?" Gajeel asked disbelievingly.

"Like I said, it's indirect." Levy patted her backpack, which sat next to her. "I wasn't actually led to wood, per say… I was led to books – A form of my element. Paper is a product of wood." The bluenette used her head to gesture to the blonde in front of her. "Better yet, look at Lu-chan." Lucy looked up in surprise.

"Me…?" Levy nodded.

"Sol said your affinity was light that had to do with the moon, Lu-chan." Levy pointed to the keys at her friend's waist. "Your spirits are related to constellations, which is another product of the night sky. They are your reason for survival – Sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally."

Lucy looked to her keys instinctively. That was true. Her spirits were her emotional crutches for the longest time, keeping her close to her mom and helping her deal with her father's cold treatment of her. They were the reason she'd been strong enough to get up and leave the Heartfilia residence. They were the reason she was in the Fairy Tail guild.

They really were what helped her survive.

"So what's this talk got to do with the kid?" Gajeel grunted, breaking Lucy's thought pattern. Levy folded her arms.

"Because, I was thinking that if Irien wasn't a lightning user… And if we're really going to investigate whether or not Natsu is Irien…" She paused. "Just think about this. What if Irien's core element was fire?"

Lucy instantly sat up. Levy continued.

"If Natsu is Irien and his affinity were fire, then it comes together. Natsu had been specifically drawn to the area of the forest he was in where Igneel lied. Igneel is a fire dragon, remember?"

"You're saying that Natsu was led to Igneel… As a means of survival?" Lucy gasped. Levy nodded.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. That's about as indirect it gets, for the survival instict to work… But it makes sense. Plus, Natsu's magic is fire-related, and he's extremely capable with it."

"Well, shit," Gajeel massaged his forehead. "This could actually be right…" He'd taken the words right out of Lucy's mouth.

"We don't know yet, Gajeel," Levy replied before gazing back to Lucy. "Lu-chan, is that profile of Irien almost done?"

"Uhh… Yeah," the Celestial Spirit mage answered uncertainly. She blinked. "Why?"

"That's going to be our guideline. We're going to go down that profile and mark off whatever matches with Natsu."

"But… What if we don't know something specific about him? I know for a fact that nobody knows what his blood type is…" Levy shrugged.

"Whatever we don't know off the top of our head, we'll investigate."

"Count me out," Gajeel muttered.

"I wasn't including you, anyway," the Solid Script mage muttered back. "Anyway, Lu-chan… Blood type will be the first thing we look into, since we can get Porlyusica-san to tell us. We might as well, while she's here."

"Good idea… But…" Lucy frowned. "Porlyusica-san might not give us that information without a reason. What are we supposed to tell her?"

"Umm… I'll think of something in the morning when I'm less tired."


It had to be past midnight when Wendy heard the voice.

The smallest Dragonslayer opened her eyes slowly, rubbing them with her wrist tiredly. She looked out of the infirmary's window, spotting the moon still high in the night sky. She'd fallen asleep on a chair beside Erza's bed, with her head resting on the window sill.

Wendy looked to Erza and Natsu, both of them sound asleep aside from Natsu's snoring. Charle was still snoozing on her lap. The Sky Maiden blinked confusedly. If everyone was sleeping, then where did that voice come from? Had she been dreaming?

Small child. I apologize for having awoken you.

Wendy promptly sat up, now fully awake. She looked around again, confused as to where the voice was coming from. A shiver of fear sent a chill down her spine. What if it's a ghost!? She panicked inwardly.

I am not a ghost, small child. I am but a mere psychic.

Wendy gasped. The voice was inside her head! What a strange feeling… But why was a psychic contacting her at this time of night? And why her?

Because you are the purest soul in the guild at the moment, and I can only make contact with those not stained by hatred or lies. In her head, Wendy heard the voice take in a breath. I wish to speak with your master, Makarov Dreyar. It concerns the scarlet-haired mage whom lies beside you.

Instinctively, the Sky Dragonslayer looked to Erza in alarm.

You… How do you know about Erza-san?

Forgive me, small child, but I perused through your thoughts before contacting you. It was to make sure you could be trusted. Again, I apologize.

So you didn't know about Erza-san before coming here?

No. I came for a different reason. Your friend just happens to be related to the topic, in such a way that I may have possibly found a way to convince your guild master to talk with me peacefully.

Wendy cocked her head to one side. Peacefully? That implied that Makarov wouldn't want to speak to this psychic without a very good reason… And Erza had become that reason.

Can… Can I trust you? she asked the voice.

You will have to. I don't have much time to explain, and I don't want to keep you from your dreams any longer, so I will make my explanation quick and to the point. Your guild's strongest members are being targeted, and I fear it is for one very specific reason.

A sharp intake of breath could be heard from the blue-haired Dragonslayer.

We're… We're being targeted?

I am sorry I did not contact you with better news, but I speak the truth.

By who? Who are we being targeted by!?

Unfortunately, that is not for your ears, small child. It is for Makarov Dreyar's and his only. The voice paused. I wish not to disturb you anymore tonight. I shall take my leave now, and will return tomorrow morning. Can I count on you to relay my message to your guild master, small child?

I… I will try, Wendy replied in her thoughts. But please, can't you at least tell me your name?

You will learn my full name tomorrow. For now, you may refer to me as Madilia.

I-I see… Thank you, Madilia-san. I will make sure the master gets your message before you arrive tomorrow.

I am in your debt, small child. I bid you good night.

Wendy waited for Madilia to speak more, but her mind was met with silence. The woman must've left already. The Sky Maiden was left sitting on her chair, confused and scared. She would have to make sure she saw Makarov first thing in the morning. If Fairy Tail's strongest members were being targeted, he should know as soon as possible.

Something about this whole thing didn't sit right with Wendy. Who was Madilia exactly, and how did she know their guild was being targeted when even they didn't know? Did she know who was doing this, and why they were?

Questions without answers sat in her head. The psychic may have left so Wendy could sleep, but the young girl had a feeling she would be getting very little of it that night.


True to her word, when Lucy and her teammates got back to the guild, she went back to the infirmary to talk to Natsu.

As far as she could see, he was healing up fine. The blemishes that once adorned the right side of his face had faded almost entirely, leaving behind some peeling skin and discoloration. According to him, Porlyusica said that he'd probably be fine within the next day.

That was good, considering he'd be likely to go stir-crazy like Macao had joked about if he had to sit in the infirmary any longer.

When she looked to Wendy though, the girl looked less spirited than she normally did. She had bags under her eyes and was keeping her head up by leaning on her arm.

"Wendy, are you alright?" Lucy asked worriedly, walking over and tapping the twelve-year-old on her shoulder. Wendy jumped a little, but smiled up at her friend as if she hadn't had a late night conversation with an unknown person in her mind.

"I'm fine, Lucy-san," she said cheerfully. "I'm just very tired… I… Something happened last night… And I couldn't sleep."

"What? What happened?"

"Someone spoke to her," Charle answered. "Telepathically." Lucy's brown eyes widened.

"They did? Who?"

"A woman named Madilia," Wendy replied. "At least, I think that was her name… She told me to give a message to Master Makarov. She said she had to speak with him today – That whatever she said was for his ears only."

"That's… odd," Lucy murmured. "And has she come yet?" Wendy shook her head.

"No… But I can feel her, somehow. She's in the area… I guess she's waiting for the right time to come." The Sky Maiden played with her fingers. "I've got a bad feeling, though… Madilia-san said something that worried me. About the guild."

"Fairy Tail?" Natsu piped up. Now he was concerned. When something involved Fairy Tail and this type of premonition, it never led to something good. "What about it?"

"What did Madilia-san say?" Lucy asked.

"I… I can't tell you, Lucy-san," Wendy refused gently. "I can't tell anyone else. Not unless the master wants me to."

"Why?"

"It would just cause more worries… And I don't want everyone to be troubled."

"Come on, Wendy!" Natsu begged loudly. "Just tell us! Me and Luce can keep things secret!" Charle rolled her eyes.

"Somehow, I can't see you keeping a secret," she replied in her usual condescending tone. "You're too loud and too abrasive."

"Aww, shut up!"

"The cat is right, though." The room's residents turned to the door, where Porlyusica was entering again. She sent a glare at Natsu, though it wasn't a particularly hateful one. "You wouldn't be able to keep a secret if you wanted to."

"I could too, you damn witch!" Natsu snapped.

"Shut up before I purposely rub that pollen in your face." The healing mage sat on the stool and took a jar out from her cloak. She removed the lid, causing Natsu to reel back instantly.

"Oh, man!" he yelled. "That stuff smells disgusting!"

"I realize. However, if you want the rest of your face cleared up by tomorrow, I'll have to apply this salve to the area where your skin is peeling."

"No way!"

"Natsu, just listen to her for once," Lucy snapped exasperatedly. "If you do, I'll take you out and buy you lunch when you're better." Natsu seemed to perk up at this.

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. Mind you, I'll only pay up to a certain amount of Jewels, but it's still a free meal for you." Natsu folded his arms and frowned, weighing the options in his head. Free food or nasty medicine? Odds are the old witch would find a way to slather that junk on his face anyway, bribe or no bribe. Might as well go with the beneficial option.

"Fine…" he muttered. "How many times do you have to put that crap on my face?"

"Just once." Porlyusica dipped her fingers into the jar of blue salve, and touched it to Natsu's cheek. The fire-eater winced, from the smell and the coldness of the medicine.

"This is just nasty…" he grumbled.

"Grin and bear it, Natsu," Lucy chuckled. "Free food, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah… Doesn't make this any better, though." Lucy sighed. Guess there's no use in trying to stop his complaining… On the outside, she was smiling at her friend's childishness. In her head, though, she had already taken on a serious disposition.

As soon as Porlyusica was done applying the salve to the afflicted areas of Natsu's face, she'd ask to meet with the woman in the hallway for a small 'favor'. With Natsu healing up and there being nothing more she could do for Erza, the old healer would be leaving very soon. The chances of talking with her were little. It was best to do it now while she had the chance.


"Levy! Gajeel!"

The bookworm and the Dragonslayer looked up from their table, and saw Makarov walking towards them. Another envelope was in his hand. This one was much thicker, likely filled with more than just a single piece of paper.

"Yes, master?" Levy blinked. "What's that?" Makarov hopped onto the table and handed the mail to her.

"It's from that couple you took the job request from. I believe this is your daily payment."

"Oh!" Levy turned the envelope over to read the address. Indeed, it had been sent from Altivian City. It could only be from Cobalt and Ervana. "Thanks, master!"

"Not a problem, child." Makarov smiled. "How goes the search, by the way? Any breakthroughs yet?" Levy flinched at the question. It was slight, but Makarov caught it. His brow rose at her reaction. "Something wrong?"

"N-No, master!" Levy shook her head. "It's just… It's taking so long to find Irien. I didn't expect it to be this difficult."

"Well, no use getting upset over it." Makarov patted Levy on her shoulder in reassurance. "Job requests like these tend to lean towards the difficult side. There's a lot of work involved, but I'm sure with your knowledge, Lucy's instincts, and Gajeel's Bloodhound nose, you'll be able to pull this off." Gajeel's vein pulsed at the dog comparison. Levy smiled at the Wizard Saint gratefully.

"Thank you, master."

"Any time, my chi-" Makarov broke off, catching something odd out of the corner of his eye. He leaned his head to the right as to not be cut off my Levy's mass of blue hair. His eyes widened in surprise. The guild members on the floor level were also staring at something in shock. Levy and Gajeel, not wanting to be left in the dark, turned in the same direction.

Someone was phasing right through the guild entrance's closed doors as if they weren't even there.

Levy shared her guild mate's sentiment. Her mouth dropped open at the sight. Gajeel was mostly indifferent, other than the fact that his studded eyebrows were now raised. Makarov quickly regained his composure and jumped down from the table. As he approached their sudden guest, the cloaked figure made no other move aside from looking down at the master.

"I'm all for surprise visits from friends," Makarov started. "But mind you, I have no idea who you are, and it is more than rude to just step into the guild of your own accord. Identify yourself."

The figure pulled back its dark green hood, revealing a woman with long, metallic silver hair and sharp green eyes. Her face had not one wrinkle on it, showing that she had most likely not even hit forty yet.

"Makarov Dreyar," she began. "This is hardly a surprise visit. I assume the small blue-haired child alerted you to my presence?" Makarov's eyebrows rose.

"Wendy did mention a psychic by the name of Madilia would want to talk with me, though I was skeptical when I heard…" He kept his tone even. "Am I to presume that you are this psychic?"

"I am she. I have much to discuss with you, Makarov Dreyar." Makarov narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Your whole being speaks the past, does it not? I feel as though I know you from somewhere…"

"It would not surprise me that you know my appearance," Madilia said. "After all, you were in Era the day my trial was in session." Makarov's face became very stern at this.

"So you are a criminal."

"I would not say that. I was found innocent that day." The psychic shuffled her cloak over her shoulders, revealing a pure white dress underneath. "Since it would be useless to lie to a Wizard Saint, I will clarify my identity. I am Madilia Cienny, and I was once an S-Class mage of the dark guild Discord Palette."


Bet'cha didn't see that coming, huh?

I'm sorry I didn't upload this earlier today, guys. Today was just not good for me. Migraine, cramps, poison ivy, and bleeding from my vagina do not make me a pleasant person. (inb4 'TMI'.)

But I needed to get this chapter out, so meh.