Summary: 4th chapter of our mini arc. We continue where we left of. Zane and Gray had just decided to attack the mercenaries HQ. Hopefully the reward was worth the risk

Before reading the chapter take a second to read the title. Misfortune Followed By? As you read the story, try to guess what the misfortune is. But more important, what is the misfortune followed by? Tragedy? Shock? Hope? The answer to that is in the chapter itself. You might get it right, or you might be wrong. When you finish it tell me what you think it was. ENJOY!

Chapter XVI: Misfortune Followed By?

"Thanks for saving my neck back there, I owe you one, Fullbuster," Zane said as he and the Fairy Tail mage returned to Shuya's home after their battle against the mercenaries.

"You got lucky I managed to get there in time and freeze the guy before his greatsword cut you in half," Gray said. One more second, and Gray would have not been able to stop the merc with his Devil Slayer magic. "Everything about that mission was sheer luck. Only reason we got away without a scratch was the confusion we caused. A lot of them escaped instead of putting up a fight."

Zane agreed with him, "It is safe to say they might come back. I hope the damage we caused makes them hesitate."

"Hope so," Gray said. "So, did you find what you were looking for?"

"Found more than that. Not just medicine that might help Rei; those bastards had medical records in their possession."

"What use is that to a bunch of mercs?"

"I dunno. Probably to use it into blackmailing desperate folks with sick families."

"Scum."

"You said it." Zane found Rei's records inside the camp. Except those ones had far more detailed information regarding Rei's illness. "N-No, this can't be… That bastard doctor lied to me! Why didn't I see it? Stupid!"

"Hey, calm yourself. What happened?" Gray asked.

Zane was almost speechless, "Rei, she doesn't have just any kind of tumor, she has anti-ethernano tumors."

"She what? But that means she's a wizard," Gray said.

"I didn't know either of them were wizard," the Dragon Slayer said. "But those kinds of tumors take years of magical abuse to appear. And if she's been sick for a long time she should have been dead. It is possible…"

"What? Come on oven breath, don't keep me in the dark."

"It's the size of them. According to her chart they are small. Due to our levels of magic you and I could shrug them off with ease. It would take almost two years of abusing our magic to make them fatal."

"I'm sure there's but somewhere," the Devil Slayer said.

" But if she's a low tier mage with a low ethernano count even these types can finish her," Zane said. "She probably tried to train to get stronger, pushing way past her limits giving birth to this reaper. We need to get back to Shuya, now!"

"What?!" Shuya was devastated by the news. The hope he had for his sister's recovering was swept down the drain. "This can't be, Zane. Y-You must have made a mistake!"

"I wish that was the case, Shuya, but it ain't," Zane said. "Why didn't you tell me you guys were mages?"

"Are you even one?" Gray asked.

Shuya sighed, it was obvious he could not keep it a secret anymore. "A few years back I used to be part of the Royal Army's Magic Knight squadron, the King's elite unit. But due to a terrible action from my part I left it. I know Light Magic."

"And your sister?"

"She's a Celestial Spirit mage."

The eyes of the Dragon Slayer abandoned the worries it had been portraying. Instead they showed hatred and disgust. Of all the magics in the world, why did she have to know Celestial Spirit magic?

"She's an amateur mage, nothing like the famous Heartfilia girl," the Starwing brother said. "She only has two silver keys. But she trained day and night trying to be able to open both gates. I told her it would make her sick. It's my fault for not insisting harder," he punched the floor, "damn it!"

"Just stop crying, okay? That's not going to help her," Zane said.

"What can I do? Is there a way of treating anti-enthernano tumors?" Shuya asked.

"Zane-kun can do it." Atticus had been paying attention to the conversation. In his mind there was only one person that could treat any sort of illness. The man who saved his life. "He is a great medic. He can create all kinds of potion to heal wounds and ever restore magic."

"Yeah, didn't you heal Erza from all of her injuries after you two fought?" Gray mentioned.

A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of the desperate brother. Could Zane be the light at the end of the tunnel he needed with desperation? "Can you do it? Can you save my sister?"

"Zane-kun can do anything—"

"Stop it, Atticus!" Zane was furious, those words of praise made him snap. "Anti-ethernano tumors are not something that can be messed with. They are the most terrible ailment that can happen to a wizard. Even the most talented medical wizard will hesitate before trying to attempt to deal with them," he sighed, "neither one of my parents had to deal with something as terrible as that."

Shuya's hope, and the glimmer in his eyes had vanished without a trace.

"This is beyond what I can do."

"Damn," that was all the Ice Devil Slayer could say.

"Please, Zane. If what the cat is saying is true then help her. Rei is the only one I have left."

"Zane-kun, you have use your fire and potions to destroy infections. Can't you use it to destroy the tumors? You can control your fire to burn anything and nothing."

"Hey, Shuya, I know you are desperate, nobody can blame you, but do you realize what you are asking? It is a massive burden you are putting on Zane," Gray said.

Shuya knew the Fairy Tail wizard was right. He should feel ashamed of asking that to someone he just met. "I'm sorry, Zane—"

"It might be possible," the Dragon Slayer whispered.

"What?"

"I cannot age, but I am not unkillable. There is a reason why I have not died from disease, and why I'm immune to stuff like poison or gases. My flames. They can burn through anything. They do that to keep me alive. They serve as a shield, and as a filter, that's why I am still alive, why I don't get sick."

"What are you getting at?" Gray said.

"What I am trying to say is that my flames can burn anything, even ailments. In theory it is possible they can burn even tumors. In theory ," Zane said. "It would be nothing more than an experiment, one with great risks because I have never attempted to use my magic on someone in such a manner."

"But how can you use magic against tumors that destroy it?" Gray asked.

"That's why I said in theory. If we are lucky, her tumors are small enough only to affect her. I'm willing to try it because it is better than doing nothing," Zane looked at Shuya, he showed him concern but also hope, "but this is your decision Shuya."

"What happens if you can't do it?" Shuya needed to be sure. He was willing to try anything to save his dear sister, even sell his soul to a demon. But he needed to be sure.

"Worse case scenario my magic does not work, she stays the same, and then dies," he answered without holding back.

Shuya thought about it, it would be his most difficult decision ever. Zane was his last ray of hope, nothing more was waiting for them at the end of the tunnel. He either took it, risk it, or let her die without putting a fight.

"I'll leave her in you hands."

Zane headed outside to prepare himself, "then get me Rin. I'll need his healing magic for this."

Zane had a blank stare as he looked at the cloudy sky. He needed to prepare himself, not just about tools and the like but mentally and emotionally.

"I've never done something like what I'm about to do. Rei's life is in my hands. So is Shuya's. I'm afraid of failing. Of what will happen if I don't succeed," he sighed. "Mama, Papa, Nii-san, you guys were the best. I'm sure you could succeed doing this. Please, give me the strength to help her. Let the knowledge you three passed on to me be enough. Darakina, with your magic I want to save someone's life instead of taking it. Wherever you are, stand next to me."

It had started. Zane and Rin were in Rei's room. There had been no time to do proper cleaning, so instead Zane did what he knew best, use his Dragon Slayer magic to burn. He used to 'cleanse' the room, an improvised way of sterilizing it.

The problem was the actual surgery. The anti-ethernano tumors were small, less than four centimeters. It would take all of his willpower and concentration to get rid of them while making sure not to harm her. Even a small lapse in judgement, even a second, could cause her damage from his ever hungry flames. Rin was there not so much to heal a possible injury, but to use his healing magic to keep her stamina and magic stable. Forest Dragon Healing magic was amazing, as it could heal injuries and restore magic, though it took its toll on him.

"Thanks for lending me a hand, Rin," Zane said.

"I'm doing this for Rei and Shuya," the boy said as he kept a steady flow of healing magic. "They have been good to be, and Rei is like a big sister."

Zane smiled at his comment. He was a kind kid. Even if he had attacked him under a rather baseless assumption. But that mattered not. Rei did. If Zane ever needed the sharpness of his eyes to not fail him then it was at that precise moment. He focused his magic on his good eye to see the small tumors. Once located he began the process of destroying them, slow and steady. He thought how it had to be the most unorthodox surgery in Earth Land.

"Do you not like me, Rin?" Zane asked.

Rin was quiet before answering, "It's the forest that said you were dangerous."

"I'm sorry for giving that impression. True, my fire is destructive," one tumor gone, "and it could burn the whole forest down and nothing could be done about it. But I would never do that."

"I guess. And Shuya likes you, and you are helping Rei. I like that. Sorry for attacking you."

"No problem. I blocked it in time, anyways. That was a good Roar."

"I've never met another Dragon Slayer. You are pretty strong, Zane."

"I'm sure you will become strong too." Another one destroyed.

Gray and Shuya waited outside. Gray was sitting down, observing as Shuya paced back and forth, back and forth. If he was planning on imprinting his boot steps on the floor then he was succeeding.

"Oi, doing that ain't helping anyone," Gray said.

"I know, I know, I know," Shuya said as he only accelerated his pacing, "but I'm nervous. They have been there for three hours. They haven't said anything."

"This ain't a hospital, man. No one is going to come out and keep you up to date. It's just the two of them," the slayer said.

"I just want to know—" Shuya's heart stopped when he heard the door to his younger sister's room open. He turned and saw Zane and Rin coming out."How is she?"

"Well—"

Crash! The window of the living room was shattered by an object thrown from the outside. It looked like some sort of brown, round bag, something was glowing inside, and it grew in intensity with every passing second.

"The hell is that?" Gray asked.

"Out of the way!" Zane shouted.

The bag exploded. It rocketed the house, and it destroyed one of the walls of the living room. But the explosion that should have destroyed the entire house became smaller and smaller.

"That ain't gonna work on me," Zane said as he ate the explosion. "Explosions can't hurt me. Anyone injured?"

"Shuya! Shuya you bastard come out so we can end you and your accursed buddies."

Shuya, followed by Gray and Zane, went outside to meet the ones that trashed his house. It was surrounded by dozens of armed men and wizards. It was the mercenaries. They had returned.

"What do you guys want?" Shuya asked.

"Revenge. You sent your wizard buddies to attack us, now we are going to destroy everything you have, Shuya," one of the mercs replied.

"What are you talking about? I didn't send anyone," he looked at the guilty faces of Zane and Gray, "what did you guys do?"

"We attacked their base. A preemptive strike," Gray said.

"They were going to come back and attack you, sooner or late. We just did it sooner," Zane said.

"You guys did something so stupid like that! You put my sister's life in danger."

"On the contrary. Thanks to our stupid action we managed to find something important. More detailed records of Rei's illness. With that I was able to get her out of danger and save her."

"Can't believe you would do something like that without… Save her life?" Shuya cried. "Out of danger?"

"Yeah. I was able to destroy the tumors. She's weak, but should be fine. I can't tell you everything because I doubt they'll give us the chance. Go to her and protect her. Rin?"

Rin was standing behind the door, "Y-Yes?"

"Go with Shuya. If you still have the strength please keep using your magic on her, she's still delicate," the Dragon Slayer said. "Gray and I can take care of this clowns, right?"

The Ice Make wizard froze his right fist, "Damn right. Don't worry you two. Just keep yourselves safe inside."

"You two idiots think you can take on all of us? Ha! Kill them!"

All of the mercenaries charged at once, shouting a warcry.

But the two slayers charged faster, and with more determination. Zane swept them away with his searing flames, while Gray froze them solid on their spot.

"You will not set a single foot in Shuya's home!"

Shuya held his sister's small and delicate hand, she was sleeping, she looked so at peace despite the commotion outside. Knowing she was out of danger made him feel happier than ever. In a long time.

"They won't get inside, right?" Rin asked, despite attacking Zane, he was not much of a fighter.

"Don't worry. I am sure those two are more than capable of handling them," Shuya said. "And I'm here, I will protect you both. I swear."

Zane wa kicked on the stomach, tumbling him, and falling on his butt. Most of the guys were pushovers, but a few of the mercs were more than capable. Numbers were a problem too, and Zane could not fight like his usual manner knowing that a second of distraction could mean danger to Shuya's home.

"Dark Flame Dragon's Wing Attack!" he sent the enemy flying. "Damn it, did I fell on something? My rear hurts." He massaged it to make the pain go away, but he felt something hard, solid but thin. He took that item out.

There was no way. He had forgotten all about it. It was a silver key; the key he took when he killed that Celestial Spirit mage in Andwerb.

The symbol on the key's bow looked like the silhouette from the head of a dog or wolf. Too bad he killed the owner before he could find out the spirit of the key… Wait! The owner is dead, meaning he could give the key to Rei. A get well present.

"Open...uh… Spirit Gate!"

The silver key released a blinding, bright light. A loud howl followed the light. And out came what looked like a man, with the head of a dog? He was standing straight, like a human. Wearing a navy blue nobleman's coat, with a pair of black pants and fine, brown boots.

"What service can I provide you today, master?" he looked at Zane, not the person he was expecting. "I see, it appears my master has been slain."

"It means the contract you had with him is over, right?" Zane said.

"Correct. Does it mean you want to set up a contract with me?" the spirit asked.

"I'm a little busy at the moment." Zane used his roar to attack a merc that had charged at him.

"I see. Very well, we can set up a contract later. What do you ask of me?"

"See that house? I can't go all out knowing I have to guard that place. Guard it for me. Do not let a single one of these mercenaries get close. You can fight, right?"

The canine spirit unsheathed his blade, it was a thin rapier, "Of course. My main role has been that of a guard, Master," the spirit jumped high, and landed in front of the house's door, "I shall do as you ask and fulfill my duty."

"Who's the dog?" Gray asked.

"A spirit from a Celestial key," Zane replied. After he kicked an enemy using his burning foot.

Gray froze the sword of a merc that tried to stab him, and punched him right in the nose, breaking it. "I thought you hated Celestial Spirit Magic."

"It's a long story. Just be happy we can go all out against these clowns."

The Devil Slayer's body began to blacken, "Time to teach this idiots the power of Fairy Tail."

"You fools are going to regret messing with a Dragon Slayer." Zane released even more of his dark flames. This time he was angry, making his fire more wild and destructive.

Meanwhile the two slayers fought the spirit guarded the house, not moving an inch. "I see, so it was a Dragon Slayer that killed my previous master. Frightening and impressive."

"Let's go kill Shuya while those two are distracted," one merc said.

"Who the hell is this dog-thing?" another merc asked.

"Don't matter. If he won't move then we kill him." Both mercs charged, sword and axe in hand.

Using swift and elegants strikes the spirit defeated those two. He sheathed back his rapier. "My master was clear on his order of not letting any of you brutes pass. As a Celestial Spirit I shall carry on his orders with honor."

It was not long before the mercenary soldiers and wizards were defeated. The floor was covered with burnt, frozen or unconscious bodies. Overwhelmed by the combined might of Fairy Tail's Ice Make mage, and the Dark Flame Dragon Slayer.

"Thanks for not killing them," Gray said.

"I didn't feel like tainting the saving of a life by taking one," Zane said.

"Every time I meet you you sound more and more human."

"Thanks," Zane smiled a little smile. But his expression became serious again. "Now, unless you idiots want to get your asses handed to you again, I suggest you never return!" he roared, spitting some fire.

The soldiers and mages did not need to be told again. They all ran away, like a giant, desperate mob.

"We need to go back and see how Shuya and his sister are doing."

"H-Hey man, wanna take it easy?"

"Y-Yeah, what you are doing is unnecessary."

Both Gray and Zane said. Shuya was on his knees, bowing to them without stopping, crying his heart out to them, and thanking them to the point that his voice began to fade.

"Shuya, don't do that, you'll get hurt," Rin said. He used what little magic he had to comfort Shuya's throat.

"Thank you all. The three of you. I owe you everything. I—"

"Stop," Gray said. "Thank the slayer. If he would have not asked me to help him I would be halfway to Magnolia by now. Don't waste them on me."

"Gray…" Zane almost blushed by his ice counterpart's words. He did good, and he should be proud of it. "Rin played his part. Thanks to his magic Rei was stable during the entire time. But, I cannot guarantee the tumors won't return. But now that she's stable taking her to the hospital would be no problem."

"You two, I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you this. Never thought involving two Dragon Slayers into our lives would give me such a gift. Thanks," Shuya said.

"Enough man, you owe me nothing. Remember, you saved me and took care of me," Zane reminded him.

"Yeah, but I don't think that's good enough. In the meantime you two can stay with us for as long as you want, as a form of gratitude, at least until I can think of a proper way to thank you two. I'll go and check on my sister." Shuya walked towards Rei's room, his fingers touched the handle when he turned, smiled and said, "Thank you, uh… Damn, what was your last name again?" The last thank you from the bottom of his heart was ruined by struggle with last names.

"Darkfang!"

Both Zane and Rin said at the exact same time.

Shuya found himself paralyzed by their coordinated response. While Gray looked just as confused.

Not as much as Zane and Rin. They simply started at each other. Words failing to come out of their mouths, not knowing what to say.

"What did you say?"

Were you surprised?

Sorry for taking so long to add the following chapter. I was busy working on a new Fairy Tail fanfic, called Fairy Tail's Mages of Sin, which you can find here: s/12598493/1/Fairy-Tail-s-Mages-of-Sin
And this chapter took longer than I had expected, as I could not make it as short compared to the other 3. And I started my own Fairy Tail forum, which has also kept me busy: forum/Fairy-Tail-Universe/204259/