Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Main Pairing(s): Natsu Dragneal x Zeref (eventual), , Jellal Fernandes x Erza Scarlet (established)

Other Mentioned Pairing(s): Gajeel Redfox x Levy McGarden (established), Loke x Lucy Heartfilia (eventual)

WARNINGS: AU , eventual Shounan ai (boy/boy pairing), you have been warned

Modern Fantasy

By V. Shalyr

10. Capture

Natsu excavated himself from the rubble on the practice grounds with a burst of fire.

"I'll beat you next time, Erza, just you wait!"

The older wizard banished her battle armor with a flick of her wrist. "You're welcome to try, but that's it for today. I've got a meeting in ten minutes."

"Tomorrow then."

"We'll see."

Zeraf leaned back against the wall where he sat beside one of the arena doors. He wasn't the only person on the wooden benches, although all their other occupants had chosen spots some distance from his own. Some of them were cleaning minor injuries while others waited for their own turns out on the packed dirt floor.

The book he had brought with him lay mostly forgotten in his hands. He'd stopped reading it awhile ago in favor of watching Natsu fight. It had been some time since he had last seen a Dragon Slayer in action, and he had always found Slayer Magic rather remarkable.

Natsu certainly seemed to love his magic, and he obviously enjoyed fighting a lot. All the same, the grin had faded from his face by the time he made his way over to him.

"Is something wrong?" the Black Wizard asked, confused.

The Fire Wizard took a moment to answer. "I... kind of wish you hadn't seen me lose."

"Why?"

He had also watched Natsu win half a dozen times in a row before challenging the scarlet-haired division leader.

Natsu scratched the back of his head, looking away. "I guess I just sort of want you to think that I'm awesome."

"You do not have to impress me."

The Dragon Slayer shrugged. "I know I don't have to, but maybe I want to."

Zeraf was at a loss as to how to respond to that. It would have made more sense if what Natsu wanted was to defeat him in battle. From what he had seen, the Fire Dragon Slayer obviously had a huge competitive streak. But impress him?

Standing at a window overlooking the training grounds, Jellal wondered what the two wizards were talking about.

"Spying?"

He started and turned to find Erza walking down the corridor towards him, combing her fingers through her hair to make sure everything was in order.

"I'm just trying to understand them."

He had to admit also to a certain desire to talk to the quiet, dark-haired wizard. Just how much knowledge was stored in that head of his? Jellal himself had been called a genius more than once, but his reputation paled in comparison to that of the wizard Natsu was currently dragging out of the arena.

Erza's lips quirked in amusement, and he had the feeling she knew what he was thinking. After all, he was still a researcher at heart. That was one aspect of himself that he had brought with him from his career as a dark wizard to his job as a university professor.

"If you're that curious, you should just go ahead and ask him your questions. It's creepy when you just stare at people from a distance, and god knows he seems paranoid enough as it is."

"You make it sound like I do this a lot," he protested.

She shrugged. "I'll let you think about that one. So, are you coming? You did say you wanted to take part in this meeting, didn't you? Really, with everything you've been doing around here, you might as well put yourself on the payroll."

.

The man on the screen was one that both of them knew well, although it remained to be seen if it was a fortunate thing that the Magic Council had chosen someone familiar with them to handle relations with their department.

The Rune Knight captain adjusted his glasses and regarded them grimly. "Is it true? You've found Zeraf?"

"One of my agents did anyway," Erza said. "I'm glad to see that you're doing well, Lahar."

The last time she'd seen him, his men had been carrying him into an ambulance on a stretcher with the stench of smoke in the air and sirens blaring in their ears. Now that had been some messy business.

"Well enough." His violet eyes flickered towards Jellal, but he made no comment on his presence. "Several units have already been dispatched to your city. I will be leaving later this afternoon to join them. In the meantime, we've set up a rudimentary containment field around Magnolia and its immediate surroundings that should deter people with magical powers arriving in and leaving the city. We'll take it down once this business has been concluded, of course."

"We appreciate the help."

Lahar shrugged, the motion only just visible on the computer screen. "It's our job. It would help if you could tell me more about the situation."

Erza sighed. "Unfortunately, there isn't much more to tell. We've confirmed the presence of at least one of Grimoire Heart's main leaders, but that's not to say there can't be others. It also seems like they may have coerced a number of wizards around the city to do small side jobs for them, the entire purpose of which is still unclear. They've never been very friendly with other dark wizard groups, but they are powerful and might have struck bargains in exchange for more unique talents."

"That would make sense, considering who they're after." The captain paused then added, "So the Black Wizard isn't giving you any trouble? Because we can provide more assistance if you need it."

"That won't be necessary. He's been very cooperative. Whatever he used to be like, as he is now, I don't think he's much of a threat to anyone."

Lahar frowned. "I don't know what you plan to do with him, but I feel that I should let you know. We've been given orders to take him into custody should we come across him. Of course, if we don't cross paths with him, that can't be helped..."

After the screen went dark, Jellal looked at Erza.

"Did he just...?"

Erza was just as surprised as he was. "He's changed a lot from the first time we met him. My guess is that he feels like he owes you for saving his life. If you hadn't pulled him out of that building when you did, he would very likely have died there."

"Perhaps. Or he's finally decided that he can trust our judgment."

"Now we just have to make sure that we can trust our judgment."

.

Lucy flipped through the pages of the notebook, mouthing the words quietly to herself. "These are really good, Levy. I can't wait to hear how they sound matched up to the music."

"It's exciting," Levy agreed. "But I'm also kind of nervous. He asked me to sing some of the parts."

"I thought some of those lyrics were written for two people."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've sung with him for fun a couple times, but I've never performed before. I don't want to let anyone down."

"I'm sure you'll do great," Lucy said, offering her an encouraging smile and handing the notebook back to her. "I'll be cheering you on from the audience."

"You'll be writing the show review then?"

"Yup, it's settled. My editor's really interested in new art groups. Don't worry, I promise that I'll be nice."

The Rune Wizard laughed and picked up her lemonade glass. "I know you will."

Around them, the other customers of the Tenrou Coffee Shop chatted or didn't chat over drinks and half filled plates. Lucy took a bite of her pizza and chewed thoughtfully. It was a new item and had met with general approval from her colleagues at the magazine. The crust was stuffed with cheese and the layer of cheese on top felt half an inch thick. She'd forgotten how much they loved cheese.

"So how have you been?" Levy asked, switching gears. The notebook vanished into her bag.

The two women had met because of that notebook, Lucy remembered. The journalist had the exact same one on her own bookshelf back home, bright blue with yellow edging.

"I've been all right. Busy though."

"Lending a couple helping hands to Erza's department?"

"Yeah."

As if on cue, the door of the coffee shop swung open and four familiar figures entered, making their way to an empty table near the counter.

.

Zeraf glanced around the interior of the coffee shop with a slight frown.

"Something the matter?" Natsu asked.

"Something is... different."

"You're probably sensing the new wards around here and some of the new staff," Erza said. "Well, I say new, but really, they're old staff. They just haven't been working in the shop as much lately. The woman who owns this place used to be part of our department. Her name's Mirajane, and she was a pretty formidable wizard herself before she retired due to injury. She doesn't really do much magic anymore, but she can protect her staff well enough if push comes to shove. We updated her on the situation, so she should be around here somewhere."

"I see."

That would explain the change in the aura of the place. He tried not to let it bother him. It took time for him to get used to things, and he'd grown accustomed to steering clear of other wizards.

"Don't think about it," Natsu advised, having guessed his thoughts. "So what do you want? Your usual?"

Zeraf nodded. He hadn't even picked up the menu. On another day, Natsu might have tried to get him to try something different. But as things stood, how quickly everything around them was changing seemed to trouble him enough. The Dragon Slayer supposed that when a person had seen as much as Zeraf had, witnessed as many things come and go, it was unsurprising that he would find comfort in constancy.

Natsu wondered what that meant for the future though. Would Zeraf leave Magnolia like he had all those other cities he had passed through—just passing through on his way to nowhere? Would he just keep on wandering, staying exactly as he was while the rest of the world left him even further behind?

The thought was unsettling.

"I wanted to speak with you two in regards to the Magic Council," Erza said after all their orders had been placed. "You should be aware that they know we've made contact with you."

She inclined her head towards Zeraf.

"Now, I don't believe they intend to do anything about that just yet, but they might—as soon as this dark wizard business is over. What steps they plan to take, it's hard to say, but they most likely won't like the idea of just letting you go. Especially now that it's been confirmed that you're still very much alive and well."

Natsu shifted restlessly in his chair, but didn't interrupt her.

"I don't know what you intend to do after this," she continued, "but it seems only fair to give you some time to consider your options."

Options. The Black Wizard let out a soft sigh. It never did seem like he had many of those. Like the world was determined to drive him into a corner eventually. Then again, eventually could be a long way off.

Zeraf gave half his sandwich to Natsu like he always did and listened in silence to the slightly stilted conversation. A few of the other customers stopped by to greet them before departing for the night. Gradually, the other tables emptied. The sky beyond the windows had gone from gray to black and the streetlights turned on, casting pools of yellow brilliance at regular intervals along the pavement.

Zeraf liked street lights. They were one of the few new inventions that he appreciated, an attempt to make the darkness a little less dark.

"So... You worked for the government before?"

It took Zeraf a moment to realize that Jellal had addressed him, and another moment to remember what he had been asked.

"That was... a long time ago. When humans were just beginning to really develop their own brands of magic. I'd... rather not talk about it."

"Ah, I understand. Maybe another time then."

The man looked... disappointed? Zeraf glanced at Natsu, wondering if he'd said something wrong, but the Dragon Slayer just shrugged, seemingly preoccupied with his own thoughts. Zeraf wanted to ask him what was on his mind, but he wasn't sure if he should with Erza and Jellal seated across the table from them. He struggled with the question for awhile, but before he could come to a decision, the coffee shop door opened once more.

The man and woman across from them glanced at the newcomers like they had every newcomer that evening. But unlike every other time it had happened, this time, they both tensed and stood up, sending their chairs skittering back.

Confused but wary, Natsu and Zeraf got to their feet as well.

Without a word, the one waitress still in the front of the shop began ushering the other few remaining customers out the door. As soon as they were gone, she vanished into the back without bothering to retrieve any of the dirty dishes or utensils.

"Ultear," the blue-haired man greeted coldly. "And you're not alone this time. I suppose this means you're not here to talk."

"No," the dark-haired woman agreed. "I don't really have anything more to say to you. Zancrow?"

"About time," the other dark wizard said with a toothy grin that made him look a bit mad. Black fire flickered about him, making the air shimmer with heat. "I thought I was going to die of boredom."

Natsu started forward, but both Jellal and Erza moved to block his way.

"Take Z and get out of here," Jellal said, his hands beginning to glow gold.

"What? I'm not going to run away!"

"Jellal's right," Erza cut in, already dressed in her Fire Empress armor. "This isn't about winning or losing a single battle, Natsu. Now get going. Jellal and I will handle these two."

The Dragon Slayer looked like he wanted to protest, but one look back at Zeraf changed his mind. They were right. It was more important that he got him out of there.

"Come on," he said, grabbing Zeraf's wrist and pulling him after him around the shop counter, through the kitchen, and out the back door.

"We're going to the office," Natsu said tersely. "The wards there should help."

Zeraf started to say something, but the words cut off in a gasp. His arm jerked out of Natsu's grasp, and he fell back like he'd run into an invisible wall—which was pretty much what it had felt like.

The Dragon Slayer skidded to a halt and turned around just in time to see lines of white light race across the walls and floor of the alley, tracing an oddly familiar pattern upon the bricks. A transportation circle?

"Oh no you don't!"

Natsu threw himself forward just as the magic circle blazed. Light flooded the alley for an instant, and then both of them disappeared.

Back inside the coffee shop, Jellal frowned. "Something's wrong. They're gone. I can't sense either of them anymore."

"What did you do?" Erza demanded, leveling her sword at the two dark wizards.

The glint in Ultear's eyes was distinctly triumphant. "Only an idiot would try to deal with a powerful target head on when she has other resources at her disposal. Zeraf will be at our headquarters by tomorrow morning. The Rune Knights' barrier will cause some delays, but it won't stop the transfer."

"In other words," Jellal said, "this all went according to your plan."

"That's certainly how it appears, isn't it?"

He should have known. They had let the duo leave too easily.

"Still, you miscalculated one thing," Erza said grimly.

"Oh, did I? And what's that?"

"You two won't be getting away."

TBC...

AN: Happy Thanksgiving:)

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