Fairy Adventure

by Magnafeana

Join Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail as they not only take on new challenges, but watch as their kids take on new adventures and face new challenges! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail for their never-ending adventure!

36. Adventure 036

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail nor any work professional associated with it. All original plots and characters are mine.

---

In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

---

Last time, on Fairy Adventure, Gale led the McGardens down the rabbit hole to meet Gabriel Redfox, Luna, and Ludvig in the shrine of the River Guardian. As everyone catches up, Eliza's secrecy of her extensive education is revealed and she is recruited to join Ludvig in translating ancient text while Gale catches Luna up on all she missed. In the future, everyone was shocked about Peter's ability to save Dimaria to come to the conclusion the Hunters and Warlocks are baiting them to use their gifts. Lucy tries her hand at purifying Nayda's tether to Earth Land, but everyone is stunned when the Curse tries to consume her. After Gary helps her much like his father did before him, Lucy and Luke work together to summon Nayda and Luke removes the Curse with his bare hands. Meanwhile, Gale and Gabriel's battle for Luna's attention end in vain when Eliza shuts them up. Ludvig and her have uncovered the truth about the tether and, with Luna's help, work together to unleash a latent Spirit Memory. This memory not reveals Faven Heartfilia, Stair Maiden and heir to the Church of the Moon—the Heartfilia Coven back then—as finding Nayda and Erion and giving them their names. She, with the help of Leo, raised them as her children to learn the true Nature of these God Spirits: Nayda is a Water God and Erion is a Sky God. After being joined by Lisandrus, Prince of Elves, and Selene, Endymion's Unicorn mate and Celestial Spirit herself, they are off to the Mûre River to stop the summoning of a true Demon…only it is too late! To save her children, Faven invokes Sacred Law to seal them away. In the real world, Luke, Lucy, Nashi, Igneel, and Luna meet with Faven in her Spirit Form as she imparts wisdom to them all. Though, the arrival of Bluenote in the past imparts near death with Ludvig shot and no one left to face the Mage Killer.

"…Bluenote Stinger…"

I guess Gale is about to enter his second battle with the Mage Killer! Too bad Nayda and Erion didn't get the little brothers and sisters they wanted…

---

"…Bluenote Stinger…"

Bluenote did not veil his surprise because he did not have any. "I see so much hatred in your eyes, fledgling, but there is so much fear," he noted, taking a few more comfortable steps.

Icarus snarled and bounded towards Bluenote with the Howl of War on his tongue.

Bluenote's eyes glowed. "Fall."

Gale watched as everyone around him was strapped to the ground due to the constraints of gravity. They choked and hissed and cried out as gravity pressed down on their bodies like they were mere ants under a boot. He saw Syra squeal on the ground. He saw Ludvig's wound ooze more blood the more gravity tightened around it. He saw Icarus struggling to get back to his paws and to his new mistress. He saw Luna's eyes shut in her terror of the situation and how tightly she clutched the medium against her stomach like a mother protecting her pregnant stomach.

Bluenote had no issue continuing his leisurely stroll. "I will give you the chance, then, fledgling. Will you try and stop me from getting what I want?" As he passed by Ludvig, he held out a finger and it beckoned. The bullet in Ludvig pulled itself back out and into Bluenote's hand.

A bead of sweat trickled down Gale's neck as he swallowed.

"Or will you let me take it and I will let your friends go?" Bluenote questioned.

"I didn't take you as one to bargain," Gale shot back, though he refused to move a muscle.

Bluenote lifted his chin. "I'm not." Words light, airy, meant for breeze conversation, not on the cusp of committing murder. "I only offer because I know what you'll pick." He climbed up the platform. "Because I know that look in your eye. That's the look of knowing you've lost." He came to Gale.

Gale's fists began to shake.

"You have so much fear of me," Bluenote acknowledged. "I must've shown you what true strength looks like if you can't even muster up a simple spell against me." He stopped in front of Gale and looked down at the young Earth Mage. He watched Gale's chest heave air. He watched as Gale did not even look him in the eye. He watched as he saw Gale's body shake. "So, fledgling, what will it be? Will you stop me?" He leaned forward so his lips were near Gale's ear. He heard Gale give a sharp intake of breath. "Or will you do the right thing?"

Silence.

Unreserved silence.

Bluenote leaned back. He ignored Gale as he went straight for Luna. He crouched down for Luna's eyes to open. Unfazed silver met wrathful and agonized chocolate. "Stupid girl," he admonished. He easily took the medium from her grasp. "If you weren't a necessity to my Lord, I would kill a weak thing like you on the spot." He stood back up and conjured his black post-horn. He put it to his lips and played a short fanfare.

Phasing from thin air came three familiars that could be mistaken as triplets. Like gargoyles, they shared claws and fangs and leathery wings as well for their less-than-beautiful rumpled skin. A fourth familiar appeared and took the shape of a bigger gargoyle mixed with man. Its knuckles dragged onto the ground and flexed its morbidly big wings. It even had a mane of hair it tossed back. It bowed to Bluenote and the rest followed. "What do you require, Master?" it asked in its snarl.

"Kill the remaining Heartfilia," Bluenote ordered as he let his post-horn disappear. "She'll smell like stardust and power. She's nearing her last two trials until she becomes queen. We can't let that happen."

The leader asked in a deadpan voice, "May we play with her?"

"I don't care. Just get the job done." Bluenote waved a hand. "Go."

The leader offered a leery grin. He picked himself off the floor and barreled down the tunnel with the trio following his movements.

Bluenote glanced at Luna, then Gale. "I look forward to seeing you two very soon." He shuffled back his cloak to pull out his pocket watch. He opened it to check the time. "Do enjoy your time here. Maybe if you're fortunate, you'll even die here." He snapped his pocket watch shut.

A ripple was created of blues and greens and golds and rubies with an alluring Magic power fabricating from its core. Bluenote cared about none of that. He walked straight into the ripple like he had always done it and the Magic trundles ensnared him, kidnapped him, and vanished like it was never there.

He was gone.

The moment he left and gravity was restored to her weak nature, Icarus was the first to rise and bounded back to Luna. Gabriel shook off his pain to attend back to Ludvig with Eliza's help. A sobbing Kiki was in the arms of her older brother as he looked conflicted over what just happened. Syra slowly rose to her paws and, for once, the ikenga was truly fearful and sought comfort of Luna.

Luna grunted as Icarus helped her up. "Gale," she gritted out. "Who…? What just happened?"

Gale said nothing.

Icarus showed his Teeth of War to Gale. Ignore the coward, he told Luna. We must attend to Ludvig.

Luna let Icarus guide her away, but she could not help glancing back at Gale.

Gale…

Luna eventually focused on Ludvig and tried to reign in the hysteria and panic she was feeling when she saw him bleeding. She got down on her knees as Gabriel explained everything to her. "It's okay. He was shot in the chest, but it did not hit anything major. We just need to stop the bleeding and put pressure on the wound."

Luna found herself nodding along jerkily and let out a shaky breath. "Okay… Okay…"

"Meira," Ludvig rasped, trying to move. "Have to…save her…"

Luna shook her head, though her heart cracked at Ludvig's desperate wish. "Shhh," she soothed. "I need to save you first." She closed her eyes as she raised her hands.

Please… I wish to heal Mister Ludvig…

She could feel that same strange and familiar warmth and light expand from her chest and heat up her entire body. Then, that same voice tickled the back of her mind.

May your wish be granted…

Luna cracked open her eyes as she watched white thread around her hands and fingers. She lowered her hands around Ludvig's wound. She could feel her Magic pour out of her skin to flood Ludvig's body. The bullet hole in his chest closed itself up in a matter of second. The blood would remain as a reminder of what happened, but the wound was closed and that was all that mattered.

When Luna finished, her Magic zapped back into her chest and she keeled over, panting. "Okay," she wheezed. "We just need to wash off the blood."

Eliza was amazed. "How did you do that?" she wanted to know. "Are you a Healer?"

Luna shook her head. "No, I'm n—"

"How could you let him get away?!"

Everyone—aside from Ludvig—turned to see Gabriel holding Gale by the collar with his fangs flashing and ruby eyes furious.

"You let him take the medium right from under our noses!" Gabriel roared. "You let him escape! You let him get away with shooting my friend! You let him get away with going after my master!"

Gale said nothing as his bangs hid his eyes.

Luna's eyes widened as she saw this and tried to stop it. "Gabriel—!"

Icarus growled at her and nudged her to sit back down.

Luna looked at the Clifford, shocked. "Icarus…"

Gabriel shoved Gale away from him in repulsion. "You do not deserve to be called a 'Redfox'," he sneered loudly for all to hear his declaration of disownment. "You let the enemy escape to save face, to save your own skin. You dare call yourself an 'Earth Mage'?" He took a long sniff and his scowl contorted into something more lethal. "Your fear scent disgusts me, coward. Because of you, the future is inevitable. You are the reason for this suffering!"

Luna felt confused at those last statements. "Wait, what? No, that can't be possible," she refused to believe. "How could Gale be the reason? It was Bluenote who did it!"

"You don't understand, do you?"

Luna turned to see Eliza's sad look.

"It is so obvious now that I think about," Eliza admitted. "The reason the man was able to control the River Guardian was for the reason of the medium he possessed." At Luna's deeply confounded expression, Eliza continued, "He took the medium from you to return to the past and begin this chaos. Don't you see?"

Realization coiled inside Luna and made her sick as Eliza said her next words.

"Gale is the reason the Warlock won."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As I close my eyes

Nokosu ato naku kobosu oto naku iku ate mo naku

I know that this is what I want, this is what I need

Ima mo kurikaeshite zanzou

•

Kizutsuita kako no bokura wa

Ienai mama de

Sonna karamawari kawaranai hibi wa

Mou tozashite ikun da

•

So now

Kore wa boku ga nozonda

My Nevereverland

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The office of the Magic Council Chairmen in Era was nothing to brag about. Draculos kept everything simplistic and ancient at the same time. Grays and blacks and whites were the common color scheme with the occasional pops of red. Iris managed to keep her part of the office alive and well with some plants she thought needed a home and pictures of her happy times in life. If you looked closely, you could even see a picture of the sweet and innocent young Iris with the crotchety Crawford Seam and a pair of adults who looked lovingly into each other's eyes.

Iris busied herself on her Archive Lacrima with her fingers flying to update Draculos' schedule for the next year and cross reference it with her written planner. The words to a break-up song in a foreign language softly came out from the one ear bud she had popped in and she bopped her head along to the song as she typed in:

MEETING WITH MARQUIS CARA-BIA

BIRDS OF EDEN

—when all of a sudden, the dual doors burst open.

Irish jumped, terrified, and gave a shrill shriek.

A growl demanding submission. "Quiet, woman. It's just me."

Irish held a hand over her heart and could feel her heart beating a mile a minute. She took in deep breaths as she studied the intruder. He was nothing more than an old man who looked like he chased children off his property with his flying fists for sport. Dark jade and white peppered his hair and beard. He had a slouch to him that made him shorter than he already was, but it was that scowl and the beastly look in his eyes that made Iris painfully aware he could take her out.

⌜MAGIC COUNCIL

Name: Wolfheim

Occupation: Councilman, Wizard Saint

Magic: Beast Transformation

Likes: N/A Dislikes: jokes

Special Note: They don't call Wolfheim the "Beast of the Council" for nothing! ⌟

"Oh. Councilman Wolfheim," Iris greeted breathlessly, "it's a pleasure to—!"

"You can stop with the niceties and let me through." Wolfheim waited for no one as he stormed to the other set of twin doors that looked like they belonged in the Victorian Era.

Irish panicked. "Sir, please, you're not scheduled for an appointme—"

"I don't need an appointment to talk to him!" Wolfheim barked. "Get that through your head!"

Iris stood up, wide-eyed. "W-Wait! Please, sir, you can't—!"

BAM.

Wolfheim strode into Draculos' office without preamble and saw the Chairman sitting at his desk with his goblet and a smile on his face. "Wolfheim," Draculos merrily greeted. "How can I—?"

"You let Hunters deliberately into Margaret Town knowing he would be there?" Wolfheim snarled in question. It really was not a question. More like an angered statement.

Draculos understood what Wolfheim was angry about and sighed. He set his goblet down and looked like a resigned parent trying to quell the tantrum of their child. "Wolfheim, I understand you have a fondness for the boy—"

"This isn't about me!" Wolfheim snapped. "This is about what Hunters will do to him! You know his case! I had his case! If the boy isn't ready, his MPD will—"

"Wolfheim."

Wolfheim stopped at the glint in Draculos' eyes.

"I know you have a fondness for the boy and don't deny it," Draculos warned when Wolfheim's temper flared. "You see so much of yourself in him. You understand his struggle and his fears. You can relate to his disorder."

Wolfheim's jaw ticked.

Draculos observed the Mage with care as he went on: "Magic Personality Disorder is rare disorder that has a preference to Soul Magic. Elvin's Magic is powerful and has been closely monitored since the incident years ago. He continues with his therapy, but"—he leaned forward—"Wolfheim, I'm afraid there is little you can do for the boy if he continues on his quest to distance himself of his Magic. You cannot protect him."

Wolfheim's nostrils flared. He could feel his Beast stalking about in his head at hearing how he was useless. "Let the boy train," he insisted. "He needs protection. Don't you dare try to take that right away from him, Chairman."

Draculos leaned back, a cool look on his face. "Wolfheim, if you knew me at all, you'd know I'd never revoke your right as a Councilman." He said his levelly as though trying hard not to make Wolfheim's Beast make an appearance. "Without your constant protection and resources, Elvin might have been uprooted by his Magic long ago. He would have been taken, arrested, and thrown into a rehabilitation center or worse, an asylum."

The Beast within Wolfheim snarled at the mere mention of the asylum and all the pain that rendered from a silly word.

"You've made it clear where you stand with Elvin and I have done all I could to make sure your movements were kept hidden," Draculos reminded, "but, my friend, how much more can you do for the boy when it is clear he is never going to accept his Magic?"

"He just needs training," Wolfheim insisted. "I can give him that training! I can give him that life!" He kept going when Draculos said nothing, "The boy's father is strong, but he isn't like his son or me. He can only teach the boy a fraction of what I can provide for him!" His eyes threaten to blacken as he said, "But, none of that will matter once the Hunters catch him!" His body shook as fangs protruded from his gums. He felt the Beast within him surface as their anger joined as one for the fate of their ward, their little beast, their juvenile.

Draculos narrowed his eyes. "Reign in your Beast, Wolfheim," he warned. "Don't make me do it for you again."

Wolfheim exercised control and snapped back at his Beast. Jade returned to his eyes and his fangs left him.

Draculos nodded his approval. "Good. Now, returning to Elvin's case, there is little I can do for you in this situation. Hunters have been government-issued to this case and I have given it my seal of approval."

"But, why?" Wolfheim had to know the answer. "You know what Hunters are, what they do! They may be under the thumb of the government, but they despise the Magic Council and everything we stand for. They will do their job, but they will commit treason. The Devil Child has already been provoked and you think it's a mere coincidence this happens when the Hunter who captured him was sent to the same city? And, you think they've forgotten my ward?" He snorted and his Beast shone through his eyes. "You know they certainly haven't forgotten about him because he hasn't forgotten about them."

Draculos looked like he already knew this. "As a representative of the Magic Community, there are certain responsibilities we must bear and sacrifices we must make. The world is constantly watching us. Those who are anti-Magic look for any opening it will take to prove we are nothing more than an outdated way of life and a hazard to those we are around. Protests and wars have broken out due to the existence of Magic which is why we monitor all Mages and all who show potential in becoming a Mage. But, it's worse for us, my friend, and worse for me. Anything we do could backfire at any given moment. If you were to come crashing into Margaret Town in your current state, I don't think you realize the repercussions of your actions and the risk of exposure to Elvin's case."

Wolfheim was quiet for once.

"You've asked me to give you time, to give you freedom to convince your ward," Draculos remembered, "but, officially, I can do nothing for you. The Hunters will continue their hunt with Mages as their prey. It is in their Nature just as hunting is in yours. But, you know the laws of Nature better than I." He picked up his goblet and took a nice sip.

Wolfheim's eyes were shadowed. "Thank you for the advice, Chairman." Surprisingly, he did not say the moniker scathingly. "I will take my leave." He pivoted and left the room in his small strides.

Draculos swallowed his sip.

I hope you know what you're doing, old friend.

Wolfheim barged out of the office—he successfully scared Iris all over again—and made his way for the outer doors. The Beast within him prowled in his mind, claws sheathed, and a rumble waiting to give his Howl of War.

The Law of the Jungle dictates a predator will only remain as such until a bigger predator makes it prey.

The Beast within Wolfheim left impressions of chanting for battle.

I will hunt for you, little beast. It's in—

Black raged amongst emerald.

—my Nature.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 036

Combating Against Time

時間との戦い！過去と現在の問題で、将来は何がありますか？

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Natsu looked around the next street. When he saw only debris and no creatures or Mages, he stepped aside. "All-clear."

Lucy came first with the medium stashed in her bag with Lelantos right at his mistress' side. Levy and Luke followed close after her. Gary took a protective stance with Nashi and kept her close to him. Nashi seemed protective of him too with a fierce look in her eye as she sought for any stray Hunters. Natsu followed the rear with his ears and flames on alert.

Levy looked at the sorry state of the town. "This is awful," she murmured. "How could this happen?"

"Bluenote and his buddies have Hell to pay for messing with this place," Natsu growled, punching a fist into a hand.

"Not just that. They messed with our children," Lucy added on, glancing back at her own two. "At least it's calm now, but… I wonder what happened to the Guardian Duo."

Luke understood his mother's worry. "I don't hear anything," he admitted. "It's like they vanished." He looked back at his sister. "Feel anything, Nashi?"

Nashi thought about it, then she shook her head. "Mmm-mmm."

Their walk was a relatively quiet one. Occasionally, Natsu would direct them away from a potential fight with a stray familiar, but that was all. Lucy had swept Luke under her arm when they witnessed the deceased bodies of Magic Council personnel and a few Mages. Nashi looked like she was going to be sick at the corpses and Gary hid her into the crook of his neck whilst rubbing her back (all things Natsu did not approve of). The first alive company they met was in the form of Thaddeus and the remains of his unit as they set up a small care station for their injured while covering the bodies of the dead. Saudade was amongst the injured Mages on a stretcher with her eyes closed. Majime kept close to her, holding her hand.

"Commander Thaddeus!" Levy called in relief.

Thaddeus turned back to Levy and blinked up at her and the rest of the group. "Misses Redfox," he greeted in his childish voice, "you're okay."

RUFF.

Thaddeus flinched when Lelantos pounced on him and covered him in licks.

Lucy hid her laughter with her hand. "Sorry, Commander, but you know how much my boys love you," she reminded.

Natsu gave a sharp whistle. Lelantos backed off Thaddeus with a whine, but he faithfully came to Natsu's side with the reward of a nice side scratch.

Thaddeus looked even more ridiculous with his hair standing in different directions, but he was unfazed. "Right," he drawled. He looked at Gary. "With the Hunters here, we didn't know if they had tried to take you."

"They tried," Nashi assured, locking her jaw. "They just didn't succeed." Her eyes went to an unconscious Saudade and attentive Majime and saddened. "What happened to Saudade?"

"Too much blood loss," Thaddeus diagnosed. "Her Blood Magic has its drawbacks, but the amount of injury she took was too much. If it wasn't for Majime and his Spider Magic, she might be more than unconscious."

Nashi gulped.

"That's horrible," Luke breathed.

"That's life," Thaddeus responded, monotone. "If life wasn't horrible, we wouldn't be here. This town would be on its second day of the festival, not shoved into a convention center." His eyes went around the group. "I don't see any injured among you guys…"

Levy shook her head. "We're heading back to the guild," she explained. "We have crucial information for the masters, but we have no idea how many familiars are still out there."

"The water creatures disappeared at the same time the suzaku went down," Thaddeus informed. "The familiars are in the shadows. Just be careful. Do you need an escort?"

Lucy answered, "No, but thank you." Her eyes went to the dead soldiers covered in blankets before going back to Thaddeus. She stooped down to hug the boyish commander, surprising him. "You're an amazing commander, Thaddeus," she murmured to him. "You did everything right. Please, don't blame yourself." She pulled away and smiled gently at Thaddeus' astonished look before getting up and leading the group away.

Natsu jogged to catch up with his mate, grinning. "You keep surprising me, Lucy," he declared. "Never thought you'd hug one of the most powerful commanders of the Fiore Branch."

"He looked like he needed it," Lucy pointed out, frowning. "I don't know how I'd feel knowing men died under my watch."

Natsu slung an arm around Lucy and kissed her cheek. "I know," he breathed against her skin. "I can tell he needed it too." He pouted at her. "Still, though, did you have to hug him for that long?"

Lucy smiled and bopped Natsu's nose (much to his protest). "You weird, jealous Dragon Slayer," she teased him.

Nashi whispered to Gary as she eyed the injured and wounded, "Maybe I should stay back and help?"

Gary shook his head. "We need to get to Andele as soon as possible. They have a few trained staff to handle this. Mary Jane, Dimaria, and Peter have no one."

Nashi sighed. "I know, but I just feel so—"

"'Helpless'?" Gary rubbed down her shoulder and to her bicep. "I know. I do too. But we'll be the ones helping very soon, okay?"

Nashi adjusted her head against his hold. "Yeah, okay," she mumbled back.

A low snarl.

Nashi and Gary stopped when they saw Natsu's glare. Nashi looked away and blushed as she stepped out of Gary's hold while Gary looked down, clasping his hands together behind his back.

Lucy touched Natsu's shoulder. "Natsu…"

Natsu glanced at Lucy's warning stare and his shoulders dropped. He lost the volume of his snarl and some of his glare. "We'll split up here," he decided, grouchy. "Levy, Lucy, you're with me. Gary, Nashi, Luke, you guys find Andele. Bring her back to the ruins."

"Go with them, Lelantos," Lucy ordered her spirit. She bent down to pet her hound. "Protect them. Tell me if anything goes wrong."

Lelantos barked and licked the bridge of his mistress' nose.

Natsu eyed Gary, approaching the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail. He said his next words low and careful. "Stay in control. She needs you to be in control." He pulled back for a flash of green and red to meet with a flicker of silver and icy blue.

Gary nodded.

Natsu stepped back and held a hand out for Lucy to take. As she did so, Lucy said to her son and daughter, "Stay safe and stay together."

Nashi managed a nod while Luke glanced at his sister and said, "We will, Mom. You guys stay safe too."

After a few murmurs of good-bye, everyone parted ways. Nashi could feel her neck burn every time she felt her father glance back as though to check on her. "How do you think everyone is doing?" Nashi wanted to know, crossing her arms over her chest and her hands digging into her jacket.

Luke fell into step beside Nashi. "I hope Sensei isn't too mad about the note. Let's just hope everyone stayed there and didn't leave."

Nashi's shoulders dropped. "Dammit! We didn't think of that!"

Luke rested a hand on his sister's shoulder. "Don't worry," he soothed. "I can sense Sensei's vīrya. It's in the same direction as the place. They'll be there."

"I hope so," Nashi muttered. She tried to be discrete as she glanced over her shoulder to look at Gary. She saw his eyes glancing this way and that at the rooftops. She saddened.

He's on edge because of the Hunters.

She turned back and looked down the street.

They're still out there.

°•°•°•°

Deep panting.

Paws scrambling across pavement.

A tail swished in the air.

°•°•°•°

How many more of them are out there? Nashi wanted to know. How many have they hurt?

°•°•°•°

Quick steps skimmed across rooftops, sliding and jumping when necessary.

Clothes ruffled.

And not a sound was made against the whistling winds.

°•°•°•°

"Hey."

Nashi snapped out of her daze to see Luke giving her a firm look.

"I won't let them hurt you," Luke promised gravely. "I won't let anyone"—he casted a spiteful glare back at Gary—"hurt you."

°•°•°•°

Blood dripped onto the pavement as the paw steps stopped. It came from a lavender cheetah, a mallow feline with dark violet spots and eyes. It had sustained injury that made its right front paw wince with blood coming off its shoulder and back leg.

The lavender cheetah faltered and fumbled, landing badly on its injured paw.

°•°•°•°

"Luke," Nashi sighed, "you promised."

Luke held back a growl. "I don't like him near you and neither does Dad," he admitted. "I'm trying, sis, but it's going to take time." He looked at her stomach as though he saw her scars.

Nashi moved her hands to cover her midsection, flinching.

Luke's gaze darkened. "A lot of time."

°•°•°•°

The lavender cheetah forced itself up when its ear twitched. Its eyes dilated as it began to flee for daggers were pinned in the place it once stood.

Anti-Ethernano daggers.

°•°•°•°

Luke softened when he saw Nashi's expression of hurt and frustration. "Nashi…"

"No, Luke, it's fine," Nashi mumbled, turning away from him. She tried to swallow back the hurt she felt. "Really. It's okay. I get it." She picked up her pace. "C'mon. We really need to get going."

Luke tried to call to her, his movements stopping. "Nashi! I didn't mean to—…!" He groaned when his words would not placate the situation. He ruffled his hair. "Dammit," he cursed.

Gary stepped up to him and watched Nashi's brisk pace in worry. "Everything okay?" he wanted to know. "Should I—?"

"No." Luke snarled this at him with his honeyed-amber swirling into something darker and deep-seated. "You've done enough." He marched off to chase after his sister.

Gary sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Right…" And, he followed after the Dragneel siblings.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And, in the past…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Eliza watched as Ludvig breathed in an out with his eyes closed and the blood removed from his chest. "Thanks to Miss Luna's healing, he will recover phenomenally," she told Gabriel.

Gabriel flashed her a small smile. "I thank you for the examination you gave him," he said. "Did you study in the medical field?"

"My great aunt was a nurse in the war between Minstrel and Midi," Eliza explained. "She taught me everything I know to this day and I thank her for her service as often as I can."

As those two talked in hushed tones, Luna sat a bit away with Icarus curling around her to ensure she stayed put. She did not care that Kiki had fallen asleep against her brother who kept vigil. She kept her eyes on Gale who sat on the edge of the platform with his back to all of them. He had yet to even try to speak to anyone since Gabriel had shouted at him and it was unlikely he would.

Luna had a hand on her arm, top teeth worrying the side of her bottom lip.

Maybe if I just…

Icarus suddenly growled, tensing. Pup, you will stay here and away from that juvenile.

Luna's lips dropped into a scowl. Icarus—

Icarus lurched to his paws and settled in front of her. He tipped his nose down with his tail firm and his ears flattened. He made a show of his sharp teeth, but he made no move to bite. You are a pup blinded by his prestige, but we have seen his truth in his Nature. He is nothing more than a cowarding juvenile who does not deserve to gaze upon you or share your den.

Luna got to her feet. He's not a coward! she shouted back. You're being rude and mean!

Icarus let loose a snarl, pacing before her. You are acting even worse than a juvenile, Pup,he sneered. He does not deserve your consideration or affections when he is nothing more than a weak male.

Luna found her eyes welling up with tears as she whispered, And you're acting worse than me if you can't see how cruel and weak you're being.

She evaded Icarus as she scrambled onto the platform and left the Clifford to wallow in his own ire. She hurried over to Gale until she hesitated. She saw the tension in his back. She saw how closed off he looked. But, she reaffirmed her resolve and carried herself forward. She dropped down beside him. She looked away as a flicker of uncertainty coursed through her.

What am I supposed to say? I was so worried about him. I want to help him, but now I…

Self-disappointment settled in her eyes.

I wish I could be like Mama and have the answers to everything.

"I'm sorry."

Luna blinked rapidly and turned to Gale. His gaze had not left the wall, blank. So blank. "Huh?" was the intelligent response Luna mustered.

Gale swallowed like his throat was beyond parched. "I'm sorry you have such a weak partner like me." He still could not look at her. "You deserve someone who can protect and defend you with every ounce of Magic they have. Not someone who would be such a freaking weak ass joke and let you get hurt."

"Hey." Luna turned to Gale and her hand went to cover his. When he flinched, taking his hand away, she tried to hide her hurt. "I'm fine, Gale. I'm not hurt or bleeding—"

"But you could've been." Gale glanced at her for her to see how much he despised himself through those ruby pools. "He could've killed you. I've seen what he's done, Blondie. I've seen his power. He could've taken you from me so easily and I—!" He took a deep breath to control the choking in his voice.

Luna decided to broach a subject warily. "The scar… The bad one on your stomach…"

Gale sighed through his nose. "I nearly died," he admitted in whisper. "Bluenote crushed me under rocks. I remember turning my body to stone to fight him off, but he was too powerful. He tried to kill me." His hand went to his throat and rubbed it. "He could've—no, would've killed me. If it wasn't for my old man and yours, I'd be dead."

Luna blinked back her own tears at the statement. "Don't say that…"

"It's the truth," Gale pointed out. "He would've killed me. I'd be buried six-feet under because I was stupid enough to take on someone who was way beyond my level." He gave a humorless laugh. "I thought I was so big and bad taking on the Mage Killer. Thought I had a shot. But I was such a dumbass. He would've killed me and left my body there to rot."

"But, you're alive, right?"

Gale looked over to see tears running down Luna's face as she sniffled and sniffled.

"You're here with me and alive," Luna reminded him. "You're not six-feet under. He didn't kill you."

"He could've."

"But, he didn't," Luna insisted. "Why can't you see that?"

"Because I deserved to die!" Gale suddenly snapped. "I deserved it for being a coward! Blondie, I let him take the medium from us! Didn't you hear Gabriel? I'm the reason this all happened! I keep failing you because I'm too fucking weak!" He turned away from her in a huff with his arms crossed.

Luna withheld her own cry to control herself. She let her tears slip, but she would go no farther than that.

"Three times. Three fucking times, Blondie. I've been helpless three times. I couldn't protect you like I should've. I didn't have your back like a good partner should. I failed you three times."

Luna sniveled as she recomposed herself. "I know you're mad because you were powerless to stop him." Her eyes flicked up to Gale's tense back. "You're…afraid. And, I get that." She tentatively smoothed a hand onto his back. She flinched when she felt him tense, but she relaxed when he did not recoil. She scooted closer to put her forehead onto his back and sighed. "You know, I've never really seen you like this," she admitted. "I'm always the fraidy-cat. I cry and I don't know what I'm doing all the time. But, you… You were the one I always looked up to, just like my family. You were so fearless and brave and courageous and..."

Gale hunched his shoulders. "And, now, I'm not," he finished for her flatly. "No need to sugarcoat it. I'm an S-Class pussy who let the bad guy get away."

Luna shook her head against Gale's back. "No, you're not that," she disagreed. "You're afraid. You have fear. It's normal."

"I can't have fear when I have you."

Luna was surprised when Gale turned around. He grabbed her shoulders to keep her in place, wide and wary chocolate clashing with woeful and angry ruby.

"I can't be afraid when I have to protect you," Gale whispered to her. "I can't be afraid when I promised your old man I'd have your back every step of the way."

Luna wanted to cry just hearing those words. She swallowed her sobs, though. "Papa," she began shakily, "taught me that fear isn't something 'evil'. We shouldn't be afraid to be afraid because fear is something we need, isn't it? Isn't that what your papa taught you?"

Gale closed his eyes. "My old man taught me fear's here for me to conquer," he admitted. "It's there to make me a braver man." He dropped his head. "But I felt so damn pathetic back there," he confessed in a whimper. He never whimpered. "My old man would make me pay for what I just did. Gabriel's right. Icarus is right. I'm a coward."

"Gale, you have the right to be afraid of someone who nearly killed you," Luna admonished. "But, you're not a coward. A coward wouldn't go this far to find me. A coward wouldn't make a deal with a Dragon. A coward wouldn't have at least tried to fight back."

"I didn't fight back—"

Luna lifted Gale's shirt to put a hand on his grotesque scar. "You fought back," she said to him fiercely, "and you have the scars to prove it."

Gale reopened his eyes for woeful ruby to stare into argumentative chocolate. "I just don't want you paying for my shitty mistakes," he whispered. He lifted a hand to thumb her cheek. "I don't want you to see me for the pathetic mess I am."

"That's because you're not." Luna put a hand over his, leaning into his touch. "I'm your princess, your partner. You're my Dragon, my partner."

"Brrrr…"

Gale and Luna looked down to see Syra crawling into Luna's lap for her comfort. Luna smiled as Syra nuzzled into her stomach before yawning.

"You deserve better than a coward."

Luna looked into Gale's eyes, but he had turned away from her. He was physically pulling away from her. "Gale—"

"Blondie, save it," Gale cut her off harshly, eyes flicking to meet hers only once. "I'm a goddamn coward and you know it. What type of Fairy Tail Mage doesn't even put up a fight?" Now, he sounded like he was becoming more and more furious. "That's fucking pathetic! I couldn't even put a fist to punch the bastard in the face." He gripped his shoulder, covering his guild mark. "I don't deserve this mark."

Luna shed an involuntary tear, bottom lip trembling. "Gale, please," she begged. "I know you're upset—"

"How the Hell would you know what I feel?" Gale snarled at her. This time, seething ruby glared into chocolate. "This isn't some psychoanalysis, Luna. This is plain black and white. I was being a weak little shit when I should have fought. I should have avenged Ludvig."

Syra found herself curling more into Luna's stomach as her halo began to glow.

Luna tried not to let it show how hurt she felt when she heard her name. She made the mistake of trying to touch him to calm him down. "Gale, please—!"

Gale grabbed her wrist before she could lay a finger on him. The grip was not harsh, but it was firm. "Don't touch me," he growled at her. "I don't need your pity. I know what I am. I failed this guild. I failed you." He paused and said the most devastating words Luna heard. "This needs to end."

Syra's fur sparkled as Magic hummed inside her.

Luna's mouth dropped open. "You don't mean that," she tried to quell. "You're just upset and-and you're venting—"

"No, no, this isn't going to work!" Gale suddenly roared.

Icarus' head popped up at that. Much to his horror, he noticed Magic fizzle in the air and it made his hackles rise. He looked over to see an assortment of blues and greens and golds swirl around the maiden of flaxen and the rogue of black. He howled as he bounded over to them. No! Pup, leave him at once!

"You deserve someone who can fight for you and win," Gale told her, his voice cracking. "This was a mistake. I should've never asked you to be my partner."

Luna felt her cheeks wet with her tears. "Please, don't say that…" She closed her eyes. "Please…"

Gabriel sensed the Magic and when he looked over, his eyes widened to seeing Gale and Luna. "No!" He stood up. "Gale! Printzesa!"

Gale's hands were slow to let her go. "This is for the best," he told her, trying to keep his tone apathetic. "Find someone else who's stronger and not a weak link." His hand slipped away from her wri—

Luna's hand shot out to grab Gale's own wrist.

Surprised ruby clashed with teary, yet resolute chocolate.

"No!" Luna shouted at him. "I don't want to find someone else! I want—!"

But, the Magic was already snapping in place.

Gale and Luna felt nothing besides their own touch when their bodies were illuminating in blues and greens and golds. Icarus managed to leap into the field for the Magic to thread around him and...

…just like that, in a flash...

…all of them disappeared.

Kiki's jaw dropped.

Jäger was stupefied.

Eliza was intrigued, yet worried.

Gabriel dropped to his knees.

Kiki was the first to broach conversation. "What happened?"

Two beats.

"That was Time Magic, wasn't it?" Eliza assumed in a low voice to Gabriel. "It was the ikenga. They are time traveling."

Gabriel said nothing.

"Where did they end up?" Jäger wanted to know.

Everyone looked at Gabriel for answers. His shoulders shook as he gave one.

"I don't know."

°•°•°•°

This time, when Luna woke up, she did not feel as much pain as she had the first time. She felt something fluffy surrounding her as she groaned and turned.

Gentleness prodded her mind. Wake, Pup. You must wake.

Luna cracked open her eyes for darkness to still be her only companion. She rubbed her eyes and yawned as she got up. She had a few stiff joints, but it was nothing stretching could not fix. There was a low beam of light coming from the corner of her eye and she turned. She saw Gale standing with the God's Tear flower glowing inside its crystal ball.

"Wha…? Gale?" Luna yawned again, throwing up her hands in a stretch. "Wha…? What's going on?" She looked around. She noticed the low lighting touched blades of grass and looming trees. Confusion slowly comforted her. "Hey… Where are—?"

Everything fell into place as she gasped.

"Figure it out?" Gale muttered.

"But…" Luna struggled with her words. "But, how…?"

The ikenga's doing.

Luna jumped and was surprised to see Icarus curled behind her. "Icarus…"

The great Clifford moved his head to reveal an unconscious ikenga sleeping in the grass.

"Syra…" Luna whispered. "I can't believe it. We time traveled again, but why?" She looked at Gale for answers.

"Couldn't tell ya," Gale grunted. "I just know we're stuck in a forest. No idea what time period this is. No idea where we are. We are stuck with no way home."

Luna's gaze dropped into her lap.

How could this have happened? I know Gale and I might've been wishing to go back, but we wanted to go back to the festival. Why are we here? When are we?

"But, this time, things are gonna be different."

Luna tilted her head up. "What do you me—?" She inhaled sharply when she was practically nose-to-nose with Gale.

"You wanted me, right?" Gale snarled lowly to her, eyes like a predator. "You fucking got your wish. But, it's going to be on my terms." He leaned closer, uncaring of Luna's trembling and wide-eyed look. "Think of it as you being my prisoner, Luna, and me your warden. Don't run from me or I'll catch you. Get angry with me and I'll make sure you're punished. When we make it back to our present, I'll let you go." His hand captured her chin. "But, until then, you are not leaving my side." He let his lips lean towards her ear. "Understand?"

Luna licked her chapped lips, swallowed, then nodded, holding her breath. "Mmm-hmm."

"Good." Gale dropped his hand to stand up. "I'm lucky I had my shit with us before we time traveled. I sense a river's close by, so we'll set up camp here."

The God's Tear roared into a vibrant light as Gale set it down.

"And, Luna?"

Luna struggled to meet Gale's eyes.

"Don't worry." Gale's ruby eyes flickered with something darker. "I'm going to make sure we get home, no matter what."

Even though such words were supposed to be comforting, Luna could not help shivering at how chilling they sounded.

---

It was only before Natsu turned a street corner that he began to bristle, body tense. He held up a hand for silence and a halt while his other burst into flames. Lucy was silent was she took the handle of her Fleuve d'étoiles and let the Magic course through her veins as the whip came out as a flowing river of stars. Levy readied her hand.

°•°•°•°

Footsteps splashed against once-still puddles, all in a rush.

°•°•°•°

Natsu's ears twitched. His lips curled into a snarl and he shifted to protect Lucy and Levy.

°•°•°•°

Geta sandals stopped dead in the middle of the street. Then, with precision, continued a furious pace.

°•°•°•°

Natsu straightened. He killed his flame as a grin came over his face.

Lucy furrowed her eyebrows. "Natsu?"

"Don't worry, Lucy," Natsu soothed. "We've got good guys heading our way."

True to his word, a group of Mages rushed past them. Romeo led the group of them, but he did a double-take when he caught a glimpse of pink hair. He had everyone halt as his eyes widened and he smiled, breathing, "Natsu!"

Lucy and Levy stood down as Natsu walked over to the group. "Romeo!" He looked at the group of Mages. "Alzack! Pinky! And, uh…" He looked at the male and female Mage (the male was short with angular eyes and a lip ring and the female was a curvaceous woman of tan skin and a hibiscus in her hair) and a blank look came on his face. "Who are you two again?"

Comical tears came out of their eyes. "Nice to see you again, Mister Dragneel," they wept.

Cana came forth to meet Lucy and Levy. "Hey, you two. Didn't think I'd be seeing you run around this place."

"Where there's danger, there's Fairy Tail," Lucy said with a playful air. She nodded at the card in Cana's hand. "Aren't those Gajeel and Cane's cards?"

Cana frowned and nodded. The cards she held in her hands were a pair of cards with different chibi versions of Mages. Chibi-Gajeel's card was shining as the character waved his little arms. Chibi-Cane was relatively calm with the smirk on his face.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« These are Help Cards, a type of Magic Card that allows the person holding the card to know if someone specific is in danger. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Gajeel's card started glowing like crazy, so we've been trying to follow it ever since," Cana explained, "but the glow's been getting weaker. Something tells me he was moved a long distance away."

"Can you still find him?" Levy fretted.

Cana smirked. "As long as the bastard's still alive, my card will track him down with no problem." She looked at her Help Cane Card as though wishing it would shine. "Cane hasn't turned up in the guild since he went out to that party two nights and I've been worried about him. I thought the card would start glowing, but it hasn't."

Lucy touched Cana's shoulder with a soft look in her eye. "We'll find him and save our children."

As Cana nodded back, Panther Lily went up to Natsu and Levy with his Pager Lacrima. "Before I realized Gajeel went missing, my pager went off," he explained. "He said he would only ever use it if he found a situation too difficult for even him to manage alone."

"Meaning his old team has been summoned," Levy realized. "Will they track his signal?"

Panther Lily pulled out another Pager Lacrima with cracked glass and scratches. "They will," he said with a grimace. "And, it'll lead straight to us."

"The Help Card helps a great deal," Romeo put in to soothe a downtrodden Levy.

"But, why would Gajeel even use that hunk-of-junk?" Natsu wondered. "Isn't that the fail-safe?"

Panther Lily nodded. "He must have discovered something big to call the team here without clearance. And, with the com towers down, this was his last choice."

"Then, we need to find a place for them to land without getting caught," Levy decided. She put on her Captain Face of resolution. "With them being ex-Council, they'll have some leniency if they're arrested. But, we can't afford that."

Lucy nodded. "I agree." She looked at Cana. "Do you have a Call Card with you for Erza? Can you call her?

Cana twirled a hand and one appeared. "Call Erza," she chanted. The card began to vibrate, pulsing every two seconds.

"Hello? Cana?" came Erza's voice, the card pulsing at each syllable.

"It's Lucy," Lucy answered. "We met up with Cana and the others. We have some news for you, but we need you to check with Chrome and Opera if there is anywhere outside the city where MCPs aren't around."

"Of course," Erza agreed. "What happened?"

"Gajeel sent out a signal on his pager," Levy piped up.

Four beats of silence.

"Opera found a place a few kilometers away. Chrome hasn't detected any incoming from the sky, but that Asuna has a foolproof cloning system," Erza regarded. "A drone is coming by now to guide you. Do you need any further assistance?"

"No," Panther Lily rumbled. "Less of us, the better."

"Very well," Erza said. "Keep in-touch."

The Call Card stopped glowing.

Miss Pink raised a hand. "Not to point out something obvious, but does anyone know what happened to the Guardian Duo? It's like they just…vanished."

"We need to figure that out too," Lucy said. "We have the River Guardian's medium with us. But something tells me…"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Thunder rumbled in the graying sky.

Lucy's eyes hardened. "…that everything got a lot more complicated."

---

It was relatively quiet in the ruins. Laxus said nothing. Peter and Mary Jane were unconscious. Dimaria was drifting in and out. Igneel was deep into thought as his eyes watched Mary Jane breathe. His eyes held a shadow of emerald, but his onyx was prominent and that counted for something. His thoughts kept drifting to the cool way Faven stared him down, unafraid of his flames.

"You already failed as her protector on two accounts that I will gladly bring up."

Igneel's eyes became half-lidded as those words echoed deep within his subconscious. They mocked him because they were true. They racked up memories he dug deep within himself because of how much he shamed himself for them and the deep-seated guilt they weighed on him.

I failed MJ two times already. I couldn't save her from herself twice. I can't let a third time happen. I can't.

"I know your deepest desire—the entire Coven knows your deepest desire and your perverse way of attaining it. I am here to warn you that it – will not – work."

His lips tipped down into a frown biting back a snarl. It has to work, he told himself. I can't let her get to me. I can protect her. I will protect her.

"You may shape your destiny, but it is in your fate to lose her. You do not deserve her with your childish games and the need to play God. Fate was right. You two must separate."

His nails went to his exposed scar and raked across flesh. He was tempted to break skin, tempted to itch, but his nails digging into flesh was enough.

"Fate will do as she said. She will force you to separate from Mary Jane for the good of both of you."

His flames thrummed beneath his skin. Instead of their fiery essence wanting to battle and feel the trill, they called for the flood of the one who dared say such words. His chest rumbled as the onyx lightened into emerald, disturbed. Nails began to itch skin with the threat to break it and scar tissue even more. Lips pressed so tight the pink on his lips began to turn white.

She can't leave me again. I won't let her. No one can take her away from me. No one will take her away from me.

"Igneel."

Emerald darted onto Mary Jane's sleeping figure. They examined how pale she had gotten. They studied her chest rising and falling. Delicate ears listened for a faint but steady heartbeat. The urge for his fangs to break skin was an even greater temptation than to itch his scratch. His gave curved onto Mary Jane's unguarded neck.

"Igneel."

A tongue darted out to lip a bottom lip. Hungry. He felt impressively hungry. His belly, however, did not feel it. Something in his mind did. This hunger was familiar and long overdue. It needed to be sated.

It's been…so long…

Dilation. Eyes like a predator on buttermilk flesh.

"Igneel?"

The rumble in his chest sounded like a lawn mower. He could feel his own flames growling, ravenous. His body shifted. Something was stirring again. That ache he never felt on that medication was burning at his insides.

Just….one taste…

His lips split open to reveal sharpened canines, his Teeth of Nature.

One taste… One—

"Igneel!"

That feeling of hunger abandoned Igneel and his flames retreated into harmless embers. His eyes snapped onto the interruption: Laxus. The Thunder God of Fairy Tail eyed him with his gray-emerald eyes. His nostrils flared and that was all it took for his stare to sharpen into a scowl. Humiliation flooded through Igneel and he dropped his stare, nails scraping skin. He shifted himself, but even that burned him in more shame for his actions, especially in front of her father.

"You need to cool down, Firecracker," Laxus warned. The brogue in his growl came from a father protective of his youngest, a Male protecting his female heir from another juvenile. When he saw his firm warning got to Igneel, he let go of his scowl. "I get it's hard to keep the flames under wraps—Natsu had that same problem—but you can't lose it in an underground cave." A lift of an eyebrow. "You take your pills yet?"

Igneel swallowed, gaze low, and shook his head.

Laxus grunted. "Take your meds, kid," he advised. "Mary Jane doesn't you going batshit when she wakes up and I certainly don't need it now."

Igneel did not argue, but he did not agree either. His eyes went to Mary Jane filled with remorse. "I'm sorry about what happened," he finally whooshed out in apology.

Laxus grunted again. "How long have you been hoarding those necklaces, boy?"

Igneel winced and took to rubbing his scar instead of scratching. "You're not going to like the answer…"

"Figured," Laxus sighed. "I'm not mad you kept them, though Mira's gonna be pissed. She looked all over for those necklaces and spent months thinking Mary Jane had hid them. And it's not like you forced my butterfly to touch the damn things." His eyes swept over Igneel's frame. "I'll be straight with you, Igneel. Yeah, we worry about Mary Jane, Mira and me. What our youngest daughter went through is more than anything I've ever faced. She doesn't deserve this, but neither do you."

Wise emerald-gray clashed with sad onyx.

"It was my fault," Igneel lamented. "I shouldn't have broken into your house that day. I should've stayed away."

"The entire family doesn't blame you for what you did." Laxus' lips twitched. "Actually, we thank you for what you did. Sure, you broke into the house and stole from her, but that was the best thing you could've done. You gave her what she didn't have—a friend. You gave her joy and laughter."

"And now I can't give her any of that," Igneel muttered, tone bitter. "I can't make her smile. I can't make her laugh. The only thing I do is make things worse."

"But you know why, Igneel, it's nothing you're doing. It's just that—"

"That I'm a high risk which means I was top priority." Igneel spat the damn words like he memorized the excuse and he did. "I know what I am, Uncle Laxus, you don't have to sugarcoat it. I'm a 'risk' just like they said I am. I messed up, okay?" Nails dug into flesh. Rumbling of flames burned in his chest. "I screwed up and I'm being punished for it. Doesn't get any simpler than that."

"Save the 'woe is me' bullshit for someone who actually cares," Laxus snorted. "Don't think I'll pity you when you whine like that. Mistakes were made and you aren't proud of them. Own up to the fact like a man. It's not fair what happened to any of us, but don't think you're the only one being punished. We all are in our own way and it's cruel. But she's not coming back, Igneel. Doesn't matter how badly we want her to. They made sure she'll never come back and did a damn good job of it."

"I know!" Igneel blurted. "I know, okay? I know she'll never come back, but I…!" He hung his head. "I," he tried again, tone low, "just want to keep my promise. I made a promise to her."

"You made a promise to the old her," Laxus pointed out.

"And that promise was conditioned I'm still here regardless of what changes," Igneel countered. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here where I promised to be. I don't care what Mara says—I can't break the promise we made."

Laxus ruffled his hair. "Kid, you're gonna give me gray hair at this point," he muttered. "Do what you want. It makes no difference to me. Hurt my butterfly and I'll make sure no one finds your remains. But if you really do want to keep your promise"—his eyes washed over Mary Jane—"then do me a favor: get this one to smile."

Igneel was taken back at such a request. He found himself nodding to it, however. "I'll do my best just like I've been doing."

Laxus tipped his head in acknowledgement, but he could not help the darker thoughts hanging in the back of his head. They were weighing down on him. He almost felt bad they were in his subconscious, but he could not help his thinking.

He made a promise to her and we all see that…but how long will it take for him to realize he needs to break it to her to heal? Will he ever even notice?

---

The camp set up was menial, but it worked. Gale had made a tent out of earth for them for shelter and built a small barrier to ensure no creatures thought they could trespass. God's Tear remained in the middle with the flower glowing proudly. Luna sat in the tent with Icarus and with Gale's jacket covering her and Icarus curled around her. Syra lay on Icarus' back, still breathing, still sleeping. Luna could not keep her stare off Gale who had his back to her as he took up watch with an earthy, spiked bat in his possession.

Luna glanced back to see Icarus' eyes closed. As quietly as she could, she tried to get up.

…until she heard a low growl.

Luna sighed. Icarus…

Icarus stopped growling to sigh. He nosed her shoulder. You may go, if you wish. I smell his anger in waves. He may need comfort.

Luna turned to kiss Icarus' nose, shooting him a grateful smile. Thank you. She stood up and abandoned the tent to make her way to Gale.

Gale had taken to looking up at the night sky. You could not see the moon where he sat, but you could see playful stars. Luna settled beside him and said nothing. She tilted her head to try and gaze at the stars as Gale did. "Remember when I felt my Magic for the first time?" she wondered. "You and Igneel got into a huge fight. You were both so mad." She smiled a little. "I didn't mean to get that upset, but I did. And, then? I felt it. I could feel Magic."

Gale contributed nothing.

"It's weird, y'know?" Luna lowered her stare. "Months ago, I thought becoming a Mage and heading into danger was impossible for me. Now look at me. I'm traveling through time and I have a partner."

Gale gritted his teeth.

"I can't believe I'm training again," Luna confessed. "It's so weird for Papa to wake me up for endurance training or Mama and I to work on my flexibility." She laughed. "And with all my homework, it's definitely not easy."

Gale gripped his bat even tighter.

"A couple months probably don't seem like a lot to someone like you, but they mean a lot to me," Luna said.

"Someone like me?"

Luna looked up.

Gale refused to look at her. His head was tipped up, but his hand covered his eyes. "I'm shit at keeping you out of trouble," he realized.

Luna tried to touch him. "Gale—"

Gale sucked in a wet breath. "No, Luna, please, just…" He sniffed and shook his head. "Sleep, okay? I'll keep watch."

Luna could not hide the hurt when she heard her name rather than moniker. "Gale…"

"Luna, please." Gale's voice cracked. "Please, just sleep and leave me alone."

Luna blinked back the burn in her eyes as she slunk off like a wounded animal. She wiped her own eyes and crawled back into the tent. In a burst of childish anger, she tore Gale's jacket off her and threw it outside.

Icarus let his own curious sadness thread between their link. Pup…

"Let it go, okay?" Luna blubbered, sniffling. She swallowed as she curled into a ball on the grass. She quickly wiped a tear and closed her eyes.

Icarus whined, nudging her with his nose. He lapped at her hair. I smell sadness off you and the juvenile. Sleep. When you rise, I pray your sadness is gone.

And Luna was out.

---

Dazzler paced through the room, arms crossed. "I still say we should leave and look for Cade and T," she said yet again.

"Before we do that, we need to get back to the guild hall," Mystogan insisted, still sitting. "We have most likely come up as missing. We need to make sure the masters know we are alive and well."

"Besides, T'oree and Cade could already be at the guild hall, Miss Lafayette," Mustang pointed out, trying to be optimistic. "Don't rule that out."

Normally, Dazzler would fall for whatever Mustang said. But she was too agitated to swoon. "The fact that Gary, Nashi, and Luke are gone still pisses me off," she growled. She stood in front of Mystogan. "Read the letter again one more time."

Mystogan already had the letter folded in hand and unfolded it. He read aloud: "'Dear Misty, we regret to inform you that by the time you're reading this, we will have been long gone. Time stopped within Margaret Town. Myself, Nashi, and Luke, however, did not stop with it. As such, we decided to search for Igneel, Luna, and Mary Jane while we could and took Actaeon with us. Dear Sparkles, stop freaking out. We're fine and okay. No need for you to come look for us. Gary'." He folded the note again. "And, that is all they wrote and I feel like we should stick to their advice."

Dazzler cackled sarcastically. "Oh, please, you think I'm going to listen to that after Luke tries to kill my best friend?" She beckoned to Julia. "C'mon, Lady J, back me up on this."

Julia hesitated. "Well…"

Dazzler glared at Julia. "Oh, don't tell me you're actually siding with him! Come on, Lady J, that's bullshit!"

Linus glared back at Dazzler in Julia's stead. "Don't get an attitude now, Lafayette," he warned with a protective edge in his voice, "and don't take it out on Jewel."

"I'm just shook you're taking attempted murder rather calmly rather than freaking the fuck out," Dazzler snapped back. "I love Luke, but what he did was wrong on basic human standards!"

"We get that," Julia smoothed over quickly. "None of us are saying what he did was right, but…" Her eyes flashed down. There was that regret in her eyes and that knowing. "I mean, by that logic… I should be arrested and so should Gary."

Dazzler made a noise of frustration. "That's not the—!"

"No, we should." Julia did not have the heart to look at anyone and began to curl in on herself. She looked less murderous and furious than she had before and more like a helpless victim. "Look, we can say it. I've tried to kill before. Gary nearly killed Nashi. Luke nearly killed Gary. By your logic, we should all be arrested for attempted murder. If it wasn't for Nashi's insistence, Gary would have turned himself in. And, I'm guessing the same goes for Luke." She managed to raise her head for her level eyes to meet Dazzler's own. "Are you willing to turn my brother and I in?"

Dazzler looked like she wanted to cry and curse at the same time, but she ultimately turned away at such an absurd question.

Mystogan sighed and turned to Andele. "Andele, what are your thoughts?"

Andele frowned with Spirit's head in her lap. "It's not something we should think on. Going to the guild makes more sense. I need to go back to my father and help those in need," she answered. "I understand why Dazzler wants to look for our friends, but the thing is, until we know for sure the familiars are gone, we're stuck."

A door opened.

"Well said, Andy."

Everyone looked up to see Nashi jogging down the steps with Luke, Gary, and Lelantos. Spirit did not perk when Lelantos was insight, but his tail began to wag even more as Lelantos approached the guide dog.

"Gary!"

"Nashi!"

"Gare-bear!"

"Luke!"

Gary nearly fell on his back from the sheer force of Dazzler's hug. She latched onto him with every fiber of her being. "Oh, you dumb-fuck, don't ever leave like that again!" she scolded into his skin.

Gary breathed his laughter as he helped get her off him. "Damn, Sparkles, don't kill me so soon," he joked.

Dazzler showed him the middle finger even as she sniffled and her eyes watered. "God, I hate you, Gare-bear," she confessed.

Gary smiled as he brought her in for a hug. "Missed you too, Sparkles."

Nashi found Mustang giving her a welcoming hug and gladly accepted it. "Welcome back, Nashi," he greeted in his drawl. He drew back to examine her with brotherly eyes. "You're lookin' nice and healthy. You sure you're feelin' all right?"

Nashi smiled prettily. "I am, Mustang, thank you." She looked around the room. "It's really good to see you guys."

"Where have you been?" Mystogan questioned the trio, but his eyes landed on his student. When he saw how Luke avoided his stare, he settled his gaze on Gary. "Actually, let's not ask unimportant questions unless you want to add something. You wouldn't have come back just to make sure we knew you were safe."

Gary had to agree with a nod, letting Dazzler go and glancing to see Nashi's odd look. "You're right." He looked at Andele. "Andy, we need you to come with us. We have two unconscious and three in total injured. We could really use your help. Also, we have someone who practiced something more than Alchemy and Alkahestry."

Andele turned an ear to Gary. "Lead the way," she urged. "My patients need me."

"We still need to look for T'oree and Cade," Dazzler insisted. "We can't just—!"

"Check the guild," Luke suggested kindly. "Maybe they—"

"I don't need advice from you, asshat," Dazzler snapped, glaring down at Luke. "Not from someone who tried to kill my best friend."

"Sparkles," Gary began to scold, "play nice."

Dazzler glanced at Gary before returning her glower on Luke. "Why should I?" she spat. "He tried to kill you. Don't defend his sorry ass for that!"

Luke looked down at the reminder when Nashi stepped in front of her little brother like a protective shield to Dazzler's harsh treatment. She lifted her chin and took up a contempt look. "Don't start anything with him or I will finish it," she lightly threatened. "He was being helpful. He doesn't need you to bitch at him."

Dazzler advanced towards Nashi with her eyes becoming icier. "Wow," she whistled. "The fact you can still support him after he nearly kills your partner goes to show how much you really care about Gary," she remarked snidely. "Oh, wait, you two just screw when it's convenient for you."

Nashi flinched at the attack when Julia rose to her feet, furious. "That's enough!" she thundered. "You don't—!"

Gary got in Dazzler's face with his left eye that of a human and his right eye that of a Devil. He stared down at Dazzler like she was the enemy and startled her. "Don't talk to her like that," he breathed, frost traipsing out of his mouth as his Devil merged with human voice. "Don't you ever say that to her when you've never been put in her position."

Dazzler worked her mouth as she felt her eyes sting. Never had Gary used his Devil on her. "I-I… I'm sorry," she got out.

Gary seemed to realize what he was doing and lost the physical edge he had with only human in his eyes. He looked sorry his Devil surfaced, but not sorry at all with the words he said. Cerulean was cold as they stared down Dazzler. "You should be." He refused to deny that fact. "I didn't mean for my Devil to slip out, but you shouldn't have said any of that to her. You don't have the right to say that to her."

Dazzler blinked back her tears. Her glimmering eyes looked around the room and she felt small in comparison to the amount of disapproval she felt weighing down on her. Even Penelope was giving a prominent frown. "You're right," she whispered. "I shouldn't have gone after her like that. She didn't do anything wrong and you're right. I might've been there to see the end result, but I had no idea what you two went through." She looked back up at Gary as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm sorry, Gare-bear."

Gary did not falter with his cold glare. "Don't apologize to me," he hissed. "I'm not the one you bullshitted."

"Gary." Nashi's little voice sounded from behind him. She was hugging herself within his jacket and her eyes were on the floor. "Gary, it's okay," she hushed. "Let's just forget about it, okay?"

"Are you serious?" Gary asked in disbelief. He turned his back on Dazzler to face Nashi. "Angel, didn't you hear what she said to you? You deserve an apology and you'll get one."

Nashi's lips lifted into a humorless smile. "No need to be my knight in shining armor, dog," she teased. Her hand reached to comb his hair and he relaxed under his touch, him and his Devil. "I'm fine. Words are just words. I've been hurt worse." Her eyes flicked to Dazzler and their eyes met for a nanosecond before Dazzler looked away, stricken. Nashi looked back at Gary. She could see him warring with himself over his next action. To make it easier for him to choose, she stepped closer for her hands to capture his face. She guided his lips to hers for a chaste kiss. "There. You kissed me better," she whispered to him. "No need to be angry, okay? Let's just go back to how things were." She pulled her head back and hickory searched unsure cerulean. "Okay?"

Before Gary could even answer, Mystogan was spouting orders and in no mood for emotional bullshit. "Gary, Nashi, Luke, I will accompany you and Andy to her patients. Everyone else should make it back to the guild. If T'oree and Cade are anywhere, they would be there." He said this specifically Dazzler. "But we've got to move. Now."

No one wasted time gathering any belongings they could carry. Paige and Julia helped Penelope get up the steps who was still a bit weak form the strain of using her soul. Dazzler could not even face Mustang's disappointment and rushed up the steps without a mumble. Nashi—after sharing a private look with Mystogan—surprised Linus as she grabbed his wrist to hold him back. Gary and Luke both noticed this and made a move to stay behind until Nashi shook her head. Both of them frowned at her choice—Gary threw a warning glare at Linus—before turning away and abandoning the safe house.

Once everyone was clearly on the first floor, Nashi began to speak. "I wanted to thank you—privately," she added at Linus' questioning gaze.

"For what?"

Nashi glanced at the stairwell as she answered. "Well… You really reached him." When she turned back to Linus, she clarified at his puzzlement, "Back then, you know, during the storm and all, you really reached him."

Linus snorted, sarcastic. "Ha. Yeah. That." He shook his head. "Listen, I didn't do a thing. It was you who got him to calm it down to go back to being himself again. I just pissed off the Devil and nearly died for it."

"The Devil is a part of him, Linus," Nashi had to make in point. "You managed to talk him down whether you realize it or not. It doesn't matter if he has some sort of vendetta against you. You got him to calm down. I just finished your handiwork."

Linus' hand went from the back of his hand to his nape. His head hung for a couple of moments as an exhale of defeat was drawn from him. "Yeah, Storm really doesn't like me," he admitted to the relationship. "But how am I supposed to blame him for that? I never gave him a reason to like me."

"You two are basically family—"

"I still never gave him a reason to like me," Linus talked over her excuse. "I mean, Nashi, when we trained together when we were kids, we pretty much hated the other's guts and had a full-on rivalry until, you know, that day…" He scratched at the side of his nose as he really thought about it. "We spent months trying to one-up each other like my dad tells me he did with Uncle Gray. Then, he turned into his Devil and he screwed me up pretty badly after I said pretty shitty things about him."

Nashi scoffed at that. "Linus, you were kids! Kids are little shits who say mean things without even knowing what they're saying!"

"That wasn't how Gary or his Devil interpreted it and I'm not going to make excuses for myself." Linus poked at the wrinkle in between Nashi's eyebrows. "Don't stress over my mistakes and my relationship with Storm. It's my problem. He hasn't forgiven me and I'm okay with that. It's something he and I have to figure out ourselves. No meddling kids allowed."

A smile broke out onto Nashi's face as she crossed her arms under her bosom. She tilted her chin up to stare directly into Linus' eyes, not backing down an inch. "Lady J told me you two were obsessed with that show back when you were young," she ribbed, earning Linus' chortle as she mocked his age.

"And I am still young, child," Linus jested right back. He measured Nashi with a searching look. "Y'know, you're good for him."

Pink heated Nashi's cheeks. "What do you mean by that?"

All that was offered was a one-shouldered shrug and an eyeroll. "Think about it. The Angel and the Devil, forces of light and dark, good and evil." Linus smirked. "It's like you guys are fated to be together. A star-crossed lovers sort of thing, you know? Like Romeo and Juliet?"

No matter how red Nashi was, she gave Linus a flat stare. "I read the book, ass-swipe, and they both die in the end," she deadpanned. "Unlike you, I have a whole future ahead of me and I refuse to die over some guy, thank you very much." She huffed, shaking out her hair. "I'm not that desperate."

Linus wiped the corner of his lips with a hand and he could not hide his widening smirk. "I don't know," he drawled. "Considering how many condoms I'm going to have to replace, you did seem a little desperate."

The mortification blaring on Nashi's face was priceless. Her utter horror transcended into a blushing scowl. Odd syllables were her only form of rebuttal until she growled and had enough. She punched his shoulder and grew even more irate when he simpered at her lame attempt for retribution. She shot him the middle finger. "I don't have to put up this, you dick," she snapped at him. With a flip of her hair, she whirled away from him and to the stairs.

Linus' kept grinning like his life depended on it. "If I knew you had that much stamina, I would've flirted with you a lot more, Angel!" he hollered good-humoredly.

Nashi had only taken two steps up when she stopped. Hands at her sides and fists clenched, she tipped her head back for Linus to hear her take a deep breath in and an exhale out. She rounded again to face him with an obviously fake smile on her lips. "Linus…?" she sang. "I'm going to overlook that little comment you just made and not kick you in the balls and you want to know why?"

Linus swept forward to lean on the railing. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued at the turn of this conversation, and leaned closer. "Why is that, ma chère?" he played along.

Nashi suppressed an eyeroll to answer. "Because I'm thanking you for that little talk you gave me when I first got to Margaret Town, so thank you." Now she gave the eyeroll and turned around. "Sick fuck," she muttered loud enough for Linus to hear.

Linus did not even hear the insult as he tried to wrap his head around the meaning of Nashi's words. "We had a talk?" he questioned as he followed her up the steps. "You sure? Was it on our way to your hotel?"

"Um, no?" Nashi glanced back at Linus to see his frown. "Wow. Gee, I feel so loved and touched you can't even remember our conversation," she spat at him. She hastened her climbing. "Way to make a girl feel special, Vastia!"

"Hey, it's been a long weekend!" Linus said in his defense as he kept up with her pace. The pair of them made it to the outside with Nashi's annoyed commenting and Linus' confused questions still going at it in conversation. Nashi waited with him as he locked up the house while everyone else had divided into their groups. Crimson was happy its rider was back, though Dazzler stayed silent in her seat. Luke had his chariot and three hares as his team's ride. Andy and Spirit were safely on-board while Gary sat on the back of the chariot and gave attention to Lelantos. Mystogan was off to the side, murmuring things to his student.

Gary saw Nashi and Linus walking down with their mouths flying and instantly jumped off the chariot, ignoring Lelantos' whine for attention. He stopped them in their tracks with his eyes quickly checking Nashi before looking at Linus in apprehension. They had suddenly stopped their chatter when he arrived and it did not sit well with him. "Everything okay?" he inquired.

Linus shrugged and patted Nashi's shoulder. "The child's PMSing so be careful with her." He took off when Nashi's jaw dropped in horror, then rage.

"Next time, I'll let him kill you!" Nashi shouted after Linus while he cackled. She smoothed her hair down as she shuttered out a calming breath. Clear hickory clashed with questioning cerulean. "It was nothing," she dismissed. "Just Linus being…well, you know."

"An asshole?" Gary suggested.

Nashi mulled the word over in her head. "Yes, but not in the way you see it. I'd say more like a jerk character." She fixed the collar on Gary's shirt. "He's not the villain in your story, Gary. He doesn't have to be, anyways. He's a good guy."

"He puts on a great front," Gary muttered in near growl as he watched Nashi smooth down his shirt. "Seriously. I don't know why you're defending him all the time."

"Because he's a decent human being and you're the one with beef with him, Gare-bear, not me." Nashi looked up at Gary when she saw him tense at the name. She huffed at his attitude. "And don't even think about getting pissed with Dazzler. It's between me and her, not me, her, and you."

"I know you can fight your own battles," Gary assured, though his jaw ticked. "You just don't deserve that sort of treatment." He closed his eyes when Nashi's fingers massaged his neck. This Devil rumbled in his chest in some sort of weird purr at the soothing contact. "We divvied up everyone. You'll be on the chariot with Luke, so don't even think about flying right now. Leave that to Misty and I. We'll scout a path for us since we need to get there are quick as we can." His eyes opened as his hands covered her own to take them off him as much as he and his Devil mourned the loss of touch.

Nashi's brow furrowed as she watched him let her go. "What are you—?" Red burned her face and she turned around with hands on her face. "Why are you stripping?!"

Gary paused tugging off his shirt. "Well, I'm not conjuring my wings with my shirt on," he deadpanned. His shirt came off in one fluid motion. He let it drop as his back curved and let all see the black tattoo etched onto his skin. Teeth gritted, Gary felt only needles of pain wash over him as his angel wings of death manifested. When the transformation was over, he flapped them experimentally. Tone gruff, he told, "You can look now."

Nashi slowly turned around and peeked. When she saw his wings, she let her hands leave her face. "Okay, one, next time warn me when you're stripping," she told him. When he smirked all cocky, she stopped him with a finger to his lips. "And, as happy I am about helping Mary Jane and Peter and Dimaria, I'm really worried about Igneel and Luna," she confessed. Her finger left his lips when he intertwined their hands and pressed kisses onto her knuckles. "Luna's stuck in the past with no way out and I can't protect her. And Igneel, well, you saw him. He wanted to kill me just for trying to help Mary Jane and Luna—"

"Angel," Gary tried to interrupt.

"And then, what Dazzler said, I—!" Nashi sniffed with the threat of breaking down. The barrier keeping her emotions in-check was on the brink of collapse. "You have to know I do care about you, right? Please know that," she begged.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey," Gary soothed. He ran a hand through Nashi's hair before it settled on her cheek and another wrapped around her waist. "Look at me, Angel, look at me."

Nashi did so with watery hickory meeting calm cerulean.

"We are going to get through this," Gary promised her. He kissed her brow, then her eyebrow, then her nose. "And we are going to be stronger for it, okay? You just have to believe that."

Nashi closed her eyes to exhale through her nose. "I believe you."

Gary kissed a closed eyelid. "And I know you care about me," he whispered into her skin. "I know that. You forget about what Dazzler said." He stroked her jaw. "I'll talk to her later."

Nashi pulled away from him to shake her head and open her eyes. "Don't do that, Gary, please, it'll just make things worse," she stressed. "I told you this is between her and me."

"And it will be," Gary vowed. "I promise I won't make things worse, but she's my best friend, she knows I'm in-love with you"—he gave a sort of soft smile at Nashi's ridiculous blush—"and she still said all of that. That is not okay and she needs to know that. She overstepped her boundaries." A kiss went to her forehead. "So don't worry, okay? You have nothing to prove and nothing to worry about."

Nashi tilted up her head with a small smile about her. "Thanks, dog."

Gary cheekily grinned. "Anything for my little hood," he teased back.

A loud throat clearing.

It seemed they finally realized they were not alone. Dazzler and Linus looked like gamblers who won the pot while Penelope was in the middle of taking photos. Luke scowled, looking away. Andele and Paige both grinned. Mystogan and Mustang shared amusement, but no one was smirking as much as Julia.

"Well, well, would ya look at that?" Julia drawled. "The little angel is gettin' sinful with the devil. Ain't it romantic?"

And it looked like things were back to normal again.

Nashi blushed as Gary threw a warning, yet good-natured glare at Julia and flipped her off. "Don't live vicariously through me, Lady J, just because you're a loner," he scolded.

Julia's smirk dropped into a scowl. "You're lucky we're siblings or I would say something you would regret," she muttered.

"Hurry it up, you two!" Mystogan called as he lifted himself into the sky. "If you two are going to kiss, then make it fast! We need to get moving!"

Nashi noticed her brother scowl deeply at that and turn his back on her as though trying to control his anger. Her face fell. Luke…

Gary shielded Nashi from everyone with his wings enclosing around her. "Don't focus on anyone but me, little hood," he rumbled in a low voice.

Nashi could not meet his eyes. "Stop calling me that," she muttered in whine. "It's embarrassing."

"It's cute, Angel," Gary corrected, his nose brushing against hers. His lips teased her with being only a breath away. He did not move any farther and watched in dark amusement at Nashi's closed eyes and frustrated eyebrows. "What do you want me to do, Angel?" he breathed. His hands snaked around her back, massaging it. "Tell me."

"N-No," Nashi whispered in weak defiance. She leaned forward just to steal what she wanted, but Gary danced away before she could even. She made a noise of discontent. "Gary—"

"Say it." Gary's order came in a guttural deep tone that nearly sounded like his Devil.

Nashi found her resistance not worth it. "Kiss m—mmm…" She sank into the overwhelming kiss as her hands came up to cup Gary's cheeks and pull him closer. Her knees buckled a bit when Gary teased her bottom lip. She tried to keep him close to her as her hand wound up in his hair, but he pulled away before she could. She instantly groaned her annoyance. "Wait," she pleaded.

Gary smirked and gave her a kiss on the nose, something that made her open her eyes in half-annoyance and half-desperation. "I told you there would be a day when you were begging for me to kiss you, didn't I?" he jested. "Don't give me that look, Angel. I think your brother hates me even more for this." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Besides, we don't have the time for this devil to satisfy his little angel," he purred. He hugged her to kiss her forehead. "But, when this is over, I'm going to worship the angel who saved me," he growled into her skin.

Nashi was taken back at the darkness seeping in Gary's voice. "Gary…"

Gary let her go to flex his wings. He took a couple steps away from her and did his best to keep his hands to himself. His Devil peeked through his eyes and sent her a wolfish grin. Without a word, he spread his wings, gave a flap to burst into the sky, and left Nashi to watch him soar into the air.

"Well, someone's all hot, bothered, and horny."

Nashi's whole body began flushed when she realized how many eyes she had on her. "Shut up," she threw weakly at a mighty-smug Julia. She pulled the jacket tighter around her and flipped up the hood to scurry to Luke's chariot.

"Aww, it's so cute you're even wearing his jacket! When are we going to see the ring?"

Nashi flipped Julia off for that one.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna had never been to this place before.

She had landed herself in a dark forest with no hopes of escape. But what intrigued her was that these trees did not just grow leaves. Lacrima-Visions sprouted, some old, some modern. They were all one, but none of them showed any channels. It was all a bright white with the words WE APOLOGIZE FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE. PLEASE STANDBY on their screens.

She looked around. "Hello?"

Her voice did not echo.

Luna took a step forward, but she took no farther. "Hello? Is…? Is anyone there?"

No answer.

'What is this place?' Luna wondered. 'Am I dreaming? How can I dream of a place I've never been to?'

SNAP.

Luna held her breath.

SNAP.

Luna shakily called, "Is someone out there?"

Something rustled.

Luna tried not to show her panic and put on a brave front. "D-D-Don't even think about sneaking up on me!" she warned. "I know you're there!"

SNAP.

Something rustled again.

Luna swallowed and tried to control her rapid heart beat. Even she could smell her own fear and knew she had to quell it before—

A gasp. "Luna?"

Luna found a little girl tumbling out of the trees with lengthy blonde hair, a cute dress over her long sleeves, and an awed expression. What made her unusual was how her form was translucent and ghostlike. But, what really caught Luna's eye was just that—the girl's eyes.

"Wait, who are…?" Luna squinted as the girl came closer. "Wait… I know you…"

The girl was quick to grab Luna's hand and pull her forward into a run. "C'mon! Now that you're here, you can help her!"

Luna ran with the girl, but familiarity and confusion boggled her mind. "But, wait!" she called. "Don't I know you?"

The girl said nothing.

Luna was about to repeat her question when she got an answer.

"No. Not anymore."

Luna yearned for an elaboration, but she decided now was not the time. She let the girl lead her in silence, weaving between such odd trees and jumping over bushes and fallen leaves. It was even more strange that Luna felt no real fear of this odd forest. It might have been dark and dreary, but there was no cause for alarm. Instead, she felt like she was waiting for something, but she was confused as to what and for what reason.

It surprised Luna when the girl led her to some sort of wall of rock. A dark tunnel was the only way to continue, but the girl stopped before the entryway. She let go of Luna's hand with a frown on her face. "This is as far as I'm allowed to go," she admitted. "I can't go any farther." For effect, she tried to take a step forward, but it seemed like something was repelling her as though disgusted by her presence.

"And…you want me to go in there?" Luna checked.

The girl looked at Luna.

Luna found herself taking a step back. "I… I don't know," she had to admit. "If you want me to fight something—"

"Not fight," the girl said. "Meet. I just need you to meet the person in there. They might be a little scared and confused, but please tell them it's normal, okay? For me."

Luna looked back into the tunnel and squinted as though to try and understand.

'Who could be in there anyways?'

She turned back to the girl. "Who—?"

The girl was gone.

Luna blinked her surprise. "Freaky," she whispered. She turned back to the tunnel and gulped. "Well, I guess I could meet someone new…" Unsteadily, she took a step toward the tunnel, then another. There was that moment when her footstep went incredibly slow as she crossed into the tunnel, as though waiting for rejection. But, instead, she was allowed to stroll in without a care in the world. After one more glance back just to see if the girl was there, Luna carried on in the dark tunnel.

There was nothing frightening about the dark tunnel. There was bumpy stone beneath her feet, sure, but there was not the same fear instilled in her as there had been when she was in the tunnels of the Arborea Summit. She glanced around, but not a lick of light was there.

'What is this place? And, who could I be meeting?'

She flinched when she saw a light at the end of the tunnel. She stood to squint at it.

'That must be the place where I'm going.'

With a renewed vigor, she strode closer to the light. It took her a short while until the light consumed an entryway. She stopped before it as she came to the conclusion this was not normal light. This was a violet light.

And, it felt familiar.

Luna slowly approached the light. "This is so weird," she admitted. "It kind of reminds me of…" She shook her head. "No. That's impossible." She glanced back down the tunnel.

'A small part of me wants to leave. But, a bigger part of me wants to meet whoever is in there.'

Luna looked back into the light. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "All right," she told herself. "I can do this."

With a certain foot forward, she stepped into the light.

When Luna opened her eyes, she was blown away about where she was.

She had landed herself in a clearing that looked like it could go on for miles and miles with luscious grass. There was no sun that would give you a glare in your eye, but you felt its warmth from wherever it hid. There was a tree that lay in the center of it all with two swings attached to it, side-by-side. A girl of pale blonde hair sat on the swing in a pale violet sundress that hugged her growing curves and looked playfully innocent at the same time. A part of her hair was let down in long locks.

Luna looked behind her to be astounded that the tunnel had disappeared. She looked down on herself to see she had been given a white sundress with no shoes to comfort her feet. She looked back at the girl who sat limply on the swing.

'She looks…familiar…'

Luna waded through the grass to approach the girl on the swing.

The breeze blew.

Pale blonde hair shuffled to the side to reveal a white Fairy Tail guild mark.

Luna's eyes softened. She stood a bit behind Mary Jane. Not because she was unsure as to what to do. But because she knew how to play this game.

"I'm a horrible person, aren't I?" were the first words murmured out of Mary Jane's mouth. "You should hate me for so many things."

Luna came forth and to the swing beside Mary Jane. She took a—

A hand shot out. "Wait, don't!"

Luna froze. "I'm sorry," she rushed out. She turned to look at Mary Jane. "Who was this fo—?" She gasped.

A bottom lip trembled. "I don't know," she whispered. "I… I don't know why I said. I'm sorry. Please. Sit."

Luna hesitantly took the seat on the tree swing, but she could not stop looking at Mary Jane's face. "Mary Jane… Your eyes…"

Mary Jane quickly turned her face away. "I know," she whimpered. "I-I saw them, an-and…" She sniffled as she covered them up with her hands. "I deserve to be ugly after all the pain I caused everyone."

"You're not 'ugly', Mary Jane," Luna soothed. "Does that mean Ellie is ugly because she has one blue and one brown eye? Does that mean Justin's ugly because of his cross pupils?"

Mary Jane shook her head.

"Then, it doesn't make you ugly either," Luna reasoned. "Please. I'd really like to talk to your face."

Mary Jane was hesitant and uneasy lowering her hands from her face. She bravely kept her eyes open, but anyone could see she desperately wanted to close them and not show the world her eyes.

Luna gave an encouraging smile. "Thank you," she appreciated.

Mary Jane glanced at Luna, then looked away. "Please don't be so nice to me," she pleaded. "I don't deserve it." Her hand gripped the rope of the swing tightly. "I hurt so many people. I hurt my own family. And, I…" She inhaled sharply like she was trying not to cry. "I didn't feel anything wrong about it. Do you know how horrible that is? How horrible of a person that makes me?"

Luna kept quiet.

Mary Jane gave a shaky exhale. "I know I hurt my family badly when I didn't talk to them or tell them I loved them," she started. "I barely felt any guilt about it. All they wanted to do was love me and I hurt them. Nice people don't do that. Good people don't do that." Her eyes began to sting with tears. "I was such a rude person to Igneel," she nearly cried. "I said so many mean things to him and did so many mean things when he just wanted to be my friend."

DRIP.

Her first tear slipped.

DROP.

"He was so ki-ki-kind to me," Mary Jane whimpered. "He was always smiling and trying to make me smile too and I hurt him." More tears skidded onto her cheek. "I want to say, 'sorry' so badly, but he'll never forgive me for the things I've done and I know you won't either." She closed her eyes and heaved a wet cry. "And, Peter…" She shook her head. "He's going to think I'm such a freak." With the butt of her palm, she rubbed away her tears. "But, I am sorry, Luna," she croaked. "I am sorry I was such a bad person and I'm sorry you can't forgive and I'm just… I'm just really sorry." She hiccuped as she tried to hold back in her own sobs.

Silence dwelled between them with Mary Jane's shoulders shaking and the quiet cries she gave.

Luna sat up. "Are you done?" There was no anger or judgement in her tone. Just quiet curiosity.

Mary Jane sniveled and nodded.

A sigh. "Okay, then." A deep breath in. "Mary Jane, may you please look at me?"

Mary Jane tried to rub away as many tears as she could before she did. When she did, she was surprised to see fondness in Luna's chocolate eyes and a patient frown.

"You really did hurt a lot of people," Luna admitted and gauged her reaction.

Mary Jane winced, then nodded. She would not deny her actions or justify them.

Luna proceeded as she wrapped her hands onto the swing. She kicked her legs forward to set a gentle rhythm. "Y'know, Nashi and Igneel got into it once over you. Nashi didn't understand why he was always trying with you. It wasn't that Nashi had anything against you or anything," she quickly cleared up when she saw Mary Jane's pained expression. "But, she knew you didn't want friends. She couldn't understand why Igneel didn't respect your boundaries." She gave Mary Jane a side glance when she saw Mary Jane's confusion and smiled a little. "We understand you said hurtful things to him and it wasn't right, but we also knew there were times Igneel overstepped his boundaries and provoked you." She turned back to the front, still swinging. "Anyways, Igneel got mad—like super-duper mad about it. He left the house to go to our treehouse. I followed him because I didn't want him upset. When I sat next to him, you know what he told me?"

Mary Jane was silent as she tilted her head in interest, sniffling and rubbing away any leftover tears.

"He told me he kept trying because everyone needed someone to fight for them," Luna revealed. "For your dad, it was your great-grandpa. For Uncle Gajeel, it was Aunt Levy. For my papa, it was Mama. And, for you, it was him." She kicked a bit higher to gain some altitude and grunted as she did so. "Igneel doesn't do anything halfway. He's either full-in or full-out. You would think with his ADHD, he'd lose attention on a task quickly. I mean, don't get me wrong. He forgets a lot of his homework"—she remembered seeing a sheepishly-grinning Igneel with blank worksheets as he showed them to an incensed Capricorn—"and interrupts lessons a lot"—she remembered Aquarius nearly drowning Igneel for interrupting her—"and definitely does some weird fidgety things"—she remembered Igneel playing on his MS while pacing back and forth—"but, he's never once lost concentration on being your friend."

Something forced Luna's liveliness to dim a bit. "To be honest, Nashi told me when Igneel was little, he was diagnosed with ODD, then CD. Basically, he had a lot of trouble following rules and would get into fights a lot. There was a time when he was little that he would steal things and would set stuff on fire when he was mad."

Mary Jane's eyes went wide. "Oh, dear…"

Luna closed her eyes. "I know he's not proud of it. No one ever talks about it. So, I guess, if we're basing how people are by their past, he's a bad person."

"But he's not!" Mary Jane insisted. "Igneel is so kind and friendly…! He's been so nice to me and I've been so mean to him!"

Luna abruptly stopped swinging to face Mary Jane. "Because he's changed."

"How?"

Luna shrugged. "Luke told me it was because of some childhood friend, I think?" She began to swing again. "She brought him to Fairy Tail, apparently. Luke told me when Igneel met her, he was actually trying to steal from her."

Mary Jane's eyebrows rose in part shock and part amusement. "Are you serious? No way."

Luna pressed her lips so laughter would not bubble out, but she was still smiling. "Way," she confirmed. "Luke said once Igneel saw her, he actually wasn't going to go through with it. But she started to wake up and he took off with something."

Mary Jane chuckled. "Romantic," she jested. "Wait, so, how did they become friends? When did he change?"

"I mean I only know bits and pieces since Igneel doesn't really like to talk about her," Luna mentioned. When she noticed Mary Jane's downtrodden expression, she grew worried and stopped swinging. "What's wrong?" she fretted.

"No, it's just…" Mary Jane sighed and looked away. "Igneel told me she was dead."

"What?!"

Mary Jane tipped her head back to Luna in confusion to see Luna trying to make sense of something. "What?"

"But…" Luna shook her head. "But I mean… She's—" She stopped herself.

That intrigued Mary Jane. "'She's' what?"

Luna slowly turned to face the front. "Uh… It's nothing," she broke to her, unsure. "Uh, so, anyways…" She kicked her legs to start swinging gently. "Why not ask Igneel for the story about his friend? I'm sure he'd really like it if you'd ask considering you never wanted to know anything about him. He'd literally be over the moon if you did. Or die from shock."

Mary Jane worried her bottom lip with her teeth. "I'm not sure if he'd want to talk to me," she said sadly. "You don't get how much I hurt him. How much I hurt everyone."

"And, you don't get how much they forgive you," Luna stressed. "No one has ever hated you back for anything that you did. That's not what your family is for—what Fairy Tail is for. We're all about second chances. Maybe you should start by at least trying to apologize."

"And then…?" Mary Jane looked up to Luna for guidance. "And then what?"

Luna frowned as she thought about it. "I don't know," she admitted. "Whenever Papa wants Mama to forgive him, he says, 'sorry' and then does stuff to make it up to her." She crossed her feet. "To be honest, I still have some apologizing to do too," she admitted. She offered Mary Jane a smile. "So, I guess we're both going to be learning stuff together, huh?"

Mary Jane could not smile back, but she nodded along. "I guess so," she supposed.

"And… Mary Jane?"

Mary Jane looked back at Luna.

"I don't know why you're like this," Luna began. "I don't know what happened. But even though I like seeing you like this, I admired you back then, too. You were fearless and didn't care what people thought about you. You never gave in and you never gave up. I'm not saying to go back to being totally that person, but…" She stood swinging again to give Mary Jane a look. "Keep on being that fearless person who never quits, okay?"

Mary Jane's eyes glimmered. "Okay," she whispered.

The wind blew, shaking both manes of flaxen hair. Mary Jane and Luna both looked behind them to see the tunnel had reappeared. They knew what that meant. It was time.

Luna rose from her seat. "Looks like it's time for me to go," she figured. She glanced at Mary Jane. "Everything okay in the present?"

Mary Jane frowned. "I don't know," she said, honest. "I remember saying really mean things to your brother—" She flinched.

Luna softened. "It's okay," she soothed. She looked down to notice the acorn button and the russet necklace she wore. "Woah. Where'd you get that necklace?"

Mary Jane looked down with a hand automatically coming up to play with her acorn button. She looked troubled as she tried to find the answer. "I'm…not too sure, actually," she realized herself. "Feels like I've had it for forever, y'know? It feels important, though. Whoever gave it to me must have been someone important." Her frown deepened. "Too bad I can't really remember who gave it to me…"

Luna waved off that detail as she walked away. "I get like that all the time. Maybe it'll come back to you in a dream or something!" She paused when she heard words slip out of Mary Jane's mouth.

"'Dreams do come true, if'…"

Luna turned around, perplexed. "What was that?" she yelled to Mary Jane.

Mary Jane looked rather perplexed herself. "No, I just…" Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked down at her lap. "No, it was nothing," she dismissed quietly. "I'm sorry. I just thought I…" She shook her head again.

Luna decided to drop it and ask, "Who's the swing for anyways?"

Mary Jane blinked and there was some type of deep-seated sadness in her eyes. "I don't know," she admitted, "but I know it's for them. When they get here, everything will make sense." She blinked away her sadness for hope. "Please be safe," she called. "Both you and Gale." She winced. "I'll have to apologize to him too."

Luna snorted and kept walking. She muttered, "He's the one person who needs to do the apologizing." She was about to cross into the tunnel when something struck her.

'Was she quoting…?'

She shook her head.

'There's no way. Mary Jane hates that.'

And she crossed into the tunnel.

°•°•°•°

Luna woke up in that way where you open your eyes and there was no exhaustion and wanting to get back to sleep. You open your eyes and you are ready and awake for the day. She sat up to see Icarus had abandoned her and left her with Syra curled in the grass. She crawled out of the tent to see Icarus had taking to sitting next to Gale—Gale sat on the rocky ledge while Icarus sat on the grass. Gale rumbled low words and would pause in silence, meaning Icarus was communicated with him in Telepathy.

Luna got up and wiped the grass off her dress. She cleared her throat to make her presence known.

Icarus turned back to her, not at all surprised by her waking, while Gale did not look at her.

Pup. Icarus sounded pleased she was awake. Good. You are up. I was just about to switch with the juvenile on watch duty.

Luna nodded, keeping her gaze firmly on Icarus. How long have I been asleep for?

Icarus shook out his fur. Not long. Less than half-an-hour, he answered. But the juvenile could use a good sleep from all the shock he has gone through, don't you think?

Luna let her stare flicker to Gale. Gale seemed to realize Luna was watching him and squared his shoulders. Luna huffed and crossed her arms, turning away. "I don't care what he does," she said aloud as though to make sure Gale heard her displeasure with him.

Icarus chuckled and said something to Gale directly. Gale nodded and got off his perch to head into the night. He disappeared, cloaked in darkness, and left Icarus and Luna to themselves. Luna found herself falling into the trap of shock and rushing over to Icarus.

What is he doing? she fretted. I didn't make him that mad, did I?

Icarus laughed. You did not, Pup. The juvenile knows a river is close by and will retrieve some water for us. He prodded her with his nose. No need to act angry. He smells your displeasure with him and as do I. He knows he has wronged you and I suspect he shall come back with his tail between his legs and crouch before you.

Whatever, Luna grunted. She made herself comfortable on the ledge with Icarus. I'll stay up here with you. I don't want to be by him anyways.

Icarus did not seem to believe her. Is he not the one you share your nest with at night? he asked, making Luna freeze up as she blushed. You have mentioned your enjoyment of sharing furs and nesting with him for the night.

Luna coughed. W-Well, I'm not going to since he's deciding to be a jerk, she decided firmly. So I'm staying here with you.

Icarus slowly turned away from her. If that is your wish.

It is, Luna thought back with an edge in her voice. She crossed her arms. Nothing can make me change my mind.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Five minutes later…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna's teeth shattered as she rubbed her arms. "H-How are you so wa-wa-wa…wa-wa…warm?" she stuttered, puffing out her own breath.

My fur keeps me warm, Icarus replied. He glanced behind him. Perhaps you should go back into the tent and cover yourself in the juvenile's fur, he proposed.

"N-N-No way," Luna refused. "I slept without his stu-stu-stupid jacket."

Because I kept you warm with my fur, Icarus pointed out. Pup, you are not built for cold nights. Sleep in his furs.

Luna growled at Icarus and shot him a glare. "I won't!"

"But you really should."

Luna jumped when she heard Gale's rumble. She was about to whirl around, but she thought the better of it and defiantly kept her eyes forward. "I'm not talking to you, but, if I was, I'd tell you to shut up and go away," she snapped.

Gale sighed. "Blondie—"

"Oh, so, I'm 'Blondie' now?" Luna could not help questioning snarkily. She felt a sting in her eyes. "I th-th-thought I was just 'Luna'." She coughed and sniffled. "I mean that's what I'd say if I was talking to you, but I'm not."

Gale restrained his growl of irritation to groan. "I don't care if you're deciding to be a damn kid, just put on the—!"

At that, Luna did whirl around on him with so much fury shaking her little body. "I'm the one acting like a kid?" she nearly-screamed. "You're the one who blew up at me when all I was trying to do was be nice to you!" She left her perch to jab his chest with her finger. "You decided to be mean and yell at me! That was all you! You were the one calling yourself a 'coward'!" For each sentence, she jabbed his chest with her finger, not noticing how glassy her eyes were becoming. "You're just—! You're such an…! An…!"

"Asshole?" Gale helped.

"Yes!" Luna cried. "You're a jerk and…! And, you are a coward! Yeah, that's right! You're a coward for wanting to stop being my partner when we haven't even gotten to all the good stuff yet! You're—!" She gave a wheezing sniffle. "Y-Y-Y-You're a coward for not accepting people are allowed to be afraid! I get afraid all the time! I'm not a coward! And…!" She sniffled again and tried to ignore all her angry tears. "You…" She closed her hands into fists. "You…" She closed her eyes. "You…asshole!"

She punched his chest.

"You idiot!"

Another punch.

"You dumb, stupid jerk!"

Another punch.

"You annoying, cowardly fraidy-cat!"

Another punch.

"You…! You…!" Luna put both of her fists on his chest with her shoulders shaking from her cries. "How could you want to quit now?" she sobbed. "I wanted to train with you and E and Silver and the twins. I wanted to go on jobs an-and special requests. I was going to complain whenever we accidentally got one room, but it was going to be fine since we could share a bed and E was going to interrogate your intentions and you and Silver were going to not get along because I know you don't really like him, but he's my best friend, so I know you really try to not show, even if it's so obvious." She wheezed again. "And, then you… You…" She gave a choking gasp of an inhale, nearly hiccupping. "You called me by my name an-and…"

Ruby softened.

"I'm scared too," Luna whispered. "How could I not be? I don't want to wake up and find out I never joined Fairy Tail or not even exist. But I knew as long as you were with me, I didn't have to be afraid alone and then you just…" She sniffled.

A sigh. "C'mon. Let's get you back in the tent."

Luna felt herself being picked up, but she did not dare try and fight it. She let her hair stick to her face in efforts to keep Gale from seeing her red face and grotesque tears. She curled into him for the little comfort he provided. She felt herself be put onto the grass. She felt something warm cover her body. And, then she felt Gale's warmth draw away.

She could not help her next words.

"Please don't go."

Silence.

A deep sigh. "Go to sleep. You're tired and emotional. You have my jacket. You don't need me around."

Luna opened her eyes and brushed the hair off her face to look up at him even if he did not look at her. "Just until I fall asleep again," she begged. "I don't want to sleep alone."

"Icarus can—"

"I don't want someone else," Luna butted in. "I just want you."

Gale tensed.

Luna quickly put in, "We don't have to talk or anything. We don't have to cuddle. We can just lay next to each other. And, wh-when I wake up and we get home—" She swallowed. "We can… You can go back to being a solo Mage and I'll partner with E and Silver, okay?" she whispered in condition. "We don't have to even be friends"—she started to cry again—"just please don't leave me alone right now."

Silence.

Then, Gale sighed again, shoulders sagging. "Just until you sleep," he decided quietly. "Lay down."

Luna did as she was told and curled onto her side. She tried to hide part of her face as Gale settled down next to her. He did not touch her or even try to make a move towards her. She felt his warmth, but it was away from her.

And that hurt.

"Pray to God we get out of this shithole," Gale muttered to her as he turned onto his side, his back to her back. "We'll be back at the festival with you and your precious Bleu."

Oh goodness, Luna had forgotten about Bleu. She bit her lip to say anything and closed her eyes as tears squeezed out. "Good night," she wished in a wet voice.

Silence.

Luna curled more into herself as she willed for sleep to come. The amount of emotion she felt in just under twenty minutes was enough to drain her and tug her into a dreamless slumber. She controlled her breathing as she felt herself passing out.

Something warmth curled against her. Arms encircled her as hands pulled down the coat and brushed wet strands from her face.

Another sigh. "You blondes… So emotional…"

Gale looked down at the passed-out Luna with something soft and unreadable in his eyes. "All I ever do is make you cry," he commented. "You shouldn't want me for a friend. Find someone who will wipe away your tears. Find someone else…principessa." He let her go and made sure not to jostle her as he got up.

Is she asleep?

Gale nodded and left the tent. She is.

Then, let us finish our discussion, drake.

---

When Crimson arrived in front of Lamia Scale, Dazzler was the first to hop off. She did not want to feel Julia's disapproval, Mustang's disappointment, or Penelope blatantly ignoring her existence. She stormed towards the building unceremoniously and yanked open one of the doors—

—and was immediately taken back.

"Oh, my God…"

Mages and Magic Council Personnel (MCP) were laid about on blankets and tarps. A woman cried at the loss of her arm, telling Doctor Mothersbaugh that she could not feel it. There was a man who had a leg being eaten by a Curse. A belt was tightened around his thigh to stop it from spreading until further notice. Blisters covered a young non-binary, but they refused to let it stop them from helping. The entire guild had transformed into the same treatment center Fairy Tail was only a month ago. The most morbid part was seeing the more religious members gather over covered bodies to perform a sendoff ritual and prayer for the dead. That meant lives were actually taken. That meant this war was really a war and death was part of it.

As the others came in, they too were taken back with how much had happened. Julia took one look at a covered corpse and gasped. Linus quickly curled her into his chest and smoothed down her hand with calming words, even if he was deeply sickened at what he was seeing. Paige's eyes shimmered as she dug her nails into her palms. Mustang did not offer Dazzler any more than a hand on her shoulder as her shock made her desensitized to the tears running down her face.

"This is horrible," Julia whispered.

"This"—Linus' gaze darkened—"is the price we pay when someone else controls the game."

With Linus taking the lead, the team ventured further inside with pardons falling off their lips to healers and injured alike. Julia and Paige could not hold back their grimaces when they saw a covered body while Dazzler tried to avoid eye contact with the heavily burned and Cursed. A cry of relief was what made her lift her eyes to see Ellie helping Justin across the room to get to them. Ellie's bun had fallen to reveal she inherited her mother's thick and curly hair. Justin had pulled his hair into a bun, eyes tired, and his right arm in a sling.

"You guys are okay!" Ellie cried happily when she was close enough. She let go of Justin to hug Dazzler. "I was so worried!"

Mustang noticed the cast on Justin's arm and frowned. "Justin, your arm…"

Justin shrugged it off with his opposite shoulder, but even that action made him wince. "Happened while I was protecting Chika. With Liberty's luck, it'll heal fast." He searched the group before looking defeated. "He's not here," he said to Ellie.

Ellie drew away from Dazzler with hope leaving her eyes. "I know."

"Who's not here?" Linus wanted to know.

Ellie sighed. "It's Elvin," she admitted. "I haven't seen him since the battle started and I'm getting worried."

Paige, Penelope, Linus, and Julia all exchanged glances before Paige was the one to confront her cousin. "Listen… Ellie…" she began. "Elvin… Well, he shifted."

Ellie's eyes widened. "He did what?"

With a grim nod, Paige repeated, "He shifted. Ya see, we were up against Hunters and I wasn't in the condition to use my souls. Elvin shifted to—"

"To protect her."

Paige looked at her twin in befuddlement. "Nelly—"

"He protected her by shifting," Penelope told Ellie, covering up the lie in her voice. "But we haven't seen him since he led the Hunter astray. We can only pray for his safety now."

"So he's still in trouble." Ellie looked right about to cry at the hopeless revelation. "I promised Mom I'd keep an eye on him. Dad's in recovery right now and I was supposed to be making sure he was okay." She grabbed her cheeks. "I'm a horrible big sister."

Justin slipped his free around Ellie's shoulders. He ignored his pain to hold her close. "You are not a 'horrible big sister', El-bell," he soothed. "This is a war-zone. You couldn't know all of his movements or even if he would shift even if you tried."

"But his MPD…" Ellie started. "He can't control himself. And with Hunters after him—!"

"If it's any consolation, they won't hurt him," Linus put in. "Government Hunters don't kill to kill. They hurt, yes, but very rarely do they kill."

Ellie shot Linus an unappreciative glower. "Yeah, great news. I care that they're targeting him still, Linus."

"Honestly, killing him is the kindest fate they could do," Penelope suddenly droned.

Dazzler looked shocked at such a blunt statement. "Penelope—!"

"Elvin is sought for the power he possesses," Penelope went on like Dazzler had not tried to shush her. "But rather than be killed for it, he will be forced to become a slave to the Hunters themselves. They will turn him into a hunting dog through any means necessary. In short"—she adjusted her glasses—"it would be kinder if they were trying to end his life. It would result him in a better fate."

No one could really speak after that.

It was Justin who found his voice again. "So, um…" He coughed. "Where's Gary and Nashi? And I don't see T or C here either. Where are they?"

"Gary and Nashi took Andy and Misty with them to help out some injured, but—"

Dazzler cut Julia off, too caught up on Justin's words. "T'oree and Cade aren't here?" she checked.

Justin shook his head as Genius approached them in his hover chair. "According to Chrome and Opera"—Genius pressed the « View Button » on his controller and the right button and a screen popped up—"these are the remaining Mages that haven't been spotted on any security cameras Chrome and Opera set up within the past twenty-four hours." He flipped the screen for everyone to see.

Linus was the one to step up and scroll through it like he was scrolling through his Compact. Names matching their genders and guild were on the missing-in-action list. It updated itself automatically with small crosses appearing to those who were found dead.

Julia blinked, then her eyes narrowed at three names. She put a hand on Linus' shoulder to stop him from scrolling and pointed at the list. "My mom and dad and Silver… They're missing," she reported. Astonishment took over her features. "That means Dad didn't make it. They got to him."

"Lance is on the list," Mustang noticed with a heavy frown. "Same to Luna. Makes no sense to me since them Hunters seem to be targetin' Water Mages."

"And T," Dazzler added, tone absent. "T's gone."

Linus scrolled through more names and catalogued a vast majority. "Gajeel, Cade, Gale—all are missing along with countless others."

Genius pressed « Right Bumper » and the screen disappeared. "Rumor has it we have a special visitor in the basement of this place who might have a tie to these Hunters," he explained. He sat back in his chair to munch on his beloved chips. "Some interrogation is goin' on, but this guy is sticking to his guns."

Linus hummed, contemplative. "If he has a connection to these hunting dogs, getting him to talk will be impossible without any Truth Serum and we don't have that in stock or the ingredients to make them. Best thing to do is find any dirt on this guy, any blackmail."

"Chrome is working on a background check as we speak," Genius put out there. "Dude's actually tangled with this guild way back when he was part of Orochi Fin, apparently. He's a high-ranking Tamer, but pretty much blacklisted after the stunt his rogue ass pulled. That alone should be enough to put him behind bars, but not enough to get the dude to crack."

"In the meantime, we have to go after them." Dazzler looked around the team and became desperate at their faces. "Guys, c'mon, we're seriously just going to sit here while our friends and family are prisoners somewhere? We need to haul ass and make sure everyone's okay or at least alive!"

A low grunt. "I wouldn't do that."

Orochi helped Galileo. His metal arm had been partially destroyed, his side was bandaged even with blood staining the gauze, and his right leg was broken with a splint on it. Sweat shined on his forehead as he overworked himself to walk, relying heavily on Orochi. Mustang was quick to come onto Galileo's other side and help him walk.

"What happened?" Mustang pressed. "Who did this?"

Galileo grunted again. "Hunters and those dumbass familiars. We were surrounded when a Hunter got to me. A familiar took advantage of my distraction and chewed off my arm." He looked at the broken appendage with a tentative grin. "Nothin' to really worry about. At least it wasn't my real arm. My doc will fix it up in no time." He froze, then shivered, suddenly looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. "Oh crap, that means I actually have to go see her again…"

Linus looked at Orochi who looked unreasonably healthy. "How are you so well-off?"

"Mainly luck," Orochi managed in educated guess. "Honestly, I think it was all just luck. I guess the Hunters knew touching me wouldn't work because of my skin secreting poison. That's not Magic; just a biological side effect. Since the ones we were facing were pretty much close-combat only, getting close to me to strike a hit and get poisoned wasn't worth their time."

"And Liv?" Mustang fretted. "She all right?"

Galileo pshed. "Short stack is fine," he drawled in assurance. "She healed herself up and forced herself to be a tank and CCing in one of the raiding parties to flesh out any unwanted company." He shook his head at his twin sister's actions. "She'll be even shorter than me if she keeps working herself like this."

Genius explained further when the incoming team looked genuinely puzzled at Galileo's explanation. "Master has a few parties going out there. Some of them are clearers and just taking out enemies on the streets. Rest are raiders and are going inside buildings to make sure not a single familiar remains. My idea, of course, with all the roles. I mean, seriously, have they ever played League or D and C? Smh." With a heavy sigh, he shook his head and popped in more chips. "Hunters went all vamoose after the River Guardian went down, so, fill in the blanks."

"We sit and wait," Linus presumed even if the answer did not sit well with him.

Dazzler ground her teeth together. With everyone either ignoring her, disapproving her, or giving her disappointed looks… "This is just great," she growled and she shouldered past the group to stalk further into the guild.

---

The hole to the ruins was just as they left it and well-protected. Mystogan took point and casted a spell for a thing of light to be made, moving like a ghost at its own volition. Nashi helped Andele with Spirit and Lelantos down the steps. Luke trailed after them with Gary taking the rear. The system worked with Nashi, Mystogan, and Luke making light to keep the shadows from enclosing them. Nashi made the choice of them going left when they touched the ground and they did so in silence. Andele never stumbled or faltered with Spirit watching her every move and keeping her close. Mystogan showed no signs of being uncomfortable in such a cramp environment. He was S-Class. This was something he had been trained to withstand.

Luke continued to watch Nashi for any signs she was fatigued.

I hope she doesn't push herself. With Igneel being like this and Luna missing, we can't afford anything. Mom and Dad are worried enough as it is.

His lips turned into a sneer as he thought about the person behind him.

It doesn't help we're letting him near her. I don't get it. How can she even trust him after seeing what he is?

Something tickled the back of his mind, petite and feminine. Maybe he Charmed her.

No way, Luke refuted. Charming is illegal.

You can't put it past him, came giggle. He nearly killed her. You know he'll do it again.

Luke tried to hold back his snarl. He will, won't he? He felt something dark build in his mind and flood down to the tips of his toes.

The giggle came again. Maybe it would be better if he just died.

Luke stopped.

Gary was forced to stop behind him while everyone else continued. He raised an eyebrow at the frozen Luke. "You okay?" he asked. "Did you hear something?" He looked around. "Is it Bluenote and Jacob?"

Luke slowly turned around.

Gary turned back to him. "Did—?" His eyes widened.

Furious red clashed against shocked cerulean.

"Luke," Gary whispered nervously, eyes flicking towards the group. "Luke, please, don't do this with Angel so clo—"

"You don't deserve to call her 'Angel'," Luke sneered at him.

Gary tried to think of a way out of this. Nothing I say will calm him down. I can't use Magic on him. He's my guild mate and Angel's brother. He clenched his fists. But I can't let him kill me.

His Devil murmured, Little monk hears the voices too.

Gary's blood went cold. What?

I sense same darkness on him that is in us, the Devil explained. We have better control. It is weak, but it is there. Little monk has no control. Too young. Too unexperienced.

Luke took a possessed step towards Gary.

Gary swallowed. What are we supposed to do?

Luke took another one.

We can't let him attack us, but we can't very well attack him, Gary went on. Angel is upset as it is. I don't want her to be even more so.

Luke loped towards Gary and forced the Ice Devil to take steps back in self-preservation.

Remind him of family, the Devil insisted. He has no Angel, but he has family.

"Luke, think of your family," Gary insisted. "Think of your parents who love you. Think of Igneel and Luna and Angel—"

"I'll be protecting her from you once I kill you," Luke swore. He produced a Star Coin from his pocket. "She'll see you aren't worthy to even look at her after you decided to hurt her."

Gary flinched. "I'm not worthy of her, period," he murmured. "There's not enough sorries in the world for me to give her or you or your family. You can hate me all you want, but please, don't make her unhappy. She wants us to get along."

"She doesn't know any better," Luke said harshly. "You seduced her to make her think she has to forgive you just like everyone else."

The voices grow stronger, the Devil warned in a growl. He will pounce soon. Stop him.

I can't! Gary cried. To him, I'm the enemy! He's not going to listen to me!

A hand touched Luke's shoulder to stop him. "Momentai."

Luke's red retreated for a foggy honeyed-amber.

Gary looked to see Mystogan standing behind his student and relief flooded through him. "Misty…"

Luke blinked as though he was waking up. He groaned, rubbing an eye. "Sensei…?"

Mystogan let Luke go to eye his student. "You two were lagging behind," he told Luke, giving Gary a sharp look to shut up and thank him for the quick cover. "Nashi and Andele are up ahead." He nudged Luke. "Keep up with me. I'll give you another oral test." He walked away. "Example one, situation one, listen and repeat…"

Luke groaned and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. "Sensei, we're on vacation!"

"All Mages must be on guard whether on or off-duty," Mystogan lectured without breaking stride, earning Luke's mutters. "Or does that mean you don't want to take your training seriously?"

Luke physically deflated when he realized he was essentially being guilt-tripped. "No, Sensei," he muttered, dragging his feet after his teacher.

Gary was slow to follow after them. That was close, he breathed.

But, what if sire-less human is not there next time? the Devil questioned. What then?

Gary had no answer.

They made it to the chamber in record timing without any more incidents. Gary was the last to cross and saw Nashi already trying to talk down an incensed Igneel who coveted Mary Jane's body like a Dragon greedy with their gold and his eyes a wild emerald.

"Andy just needs to check Mary Jane," Nashi repeated, exasperated.

"Why?" Igneel snapped. "You already did."

"I'm not an actual Healer or doctor," Nashi said yet again. "I healed as much as I could, but Andele can do a much better job than me to make sure Mary Jane's one-hundred percent okay." It sounded like she had rehearsed this speech just for this moment.

"Let her go, boy," Laxus growled. His patience was worn thin at Igneel's petulant behavior and static clacked off him. "The help my daughter gets isn't your choice to make. So, step away or I will make you."

Igneel was set to defy Laxus when Andele suddenly moved. His attention was drawn to her and he bared his teeth in threat. Hot flames danced along his skin in not-so-subtle warning to back the fuck away.

Nashi gasped, appalled at his display. "Igneel!" she scolded.

Andele gave a soft smile. "It's all right, Nashi," she soothed. "He's just worried. My father told me your own was like this with your mother." She settled with Spirit just out of range. "Igneel," she began softly, "Mary Jane needs to be looked at so she can wake up. If you don't want me to look at her, then fine. But," she added, voice steeling over, "it'll be your fault if she doesn't wake up."

Luke and Nashi were taken back at such a statement.

Igneel assessed Andele while he bristled. But his flames snapped back under control and under his skin. He gave a subtle bow of his head and shuffled away to make room for Andele. That was as far as he would go, however.

Spirit guided Andele forward to Mary Jane's body. The second Andele's hand touched Mary Jane's face, Spirit sat to let his mistress work though he eyed Igneel warily when the boy let out a rumble in his throat as though to ensure Andele knew she was watched carefully. Andele ignored the threat, but she said aloud, "If he begins to get in my way, I'll need someone to restrain him."

"He won't get in the way," Laxus assured. He caught Igneel's eye and growled his own warning—it was a declaration of challenge—enforcing it with his lightning. Igneel curled his upper lip in his agitation, but he dared not challenge the Thunder God and looked away.

Andele nodded and proceeded. Her hands went to Mary Jane's temples and frowned. "I feel a blockage," she admitted. "Not one I can heal. Mara or Ultear could unblock it." Her hands drifted down to Mary Jane's neck. "Throat is a bit swollen…"

Nashi had slipped beside Gary to whisper to him. "So what happened back there? Misty had to go back since you and Luke stopped." She looked at him in worry. "Luke wasn't giving you trouble, was he? Do you need me to talk to him?"

Gary wrapped an arm around Nashi to peck her cheek, delighted at her quiet squeak and blush. "Nah, don't worry about it. He just heard something," he made up on the spot, trying to cover the guilt of his lie. "We thought Jacob or Bluenote was still here." He guided Nashi's head onto his shoulder and let his fingers run through her hair. "Guess we were wrong."

Nashi sighed and her shoulders slumped. "Good. I was worried Luke was about to do something stupid." She smiled a little when Gary kissed her temple and closed her eyes.

Gary caught Luke's eyes by accident and quickly looked away when he saw that same anger burning in his eyes. "You worry too much, Angel," he teased feebly.

Andele finished checking Mary Jane and turned her head as though searching for someone. "Nashi, you did a great job. Physically, I find no immediate problems with Mary Jane."

"What about mentally?" Laxus questioned.

"I'm not the one to answer that accurately," Andele had to admit. "But," she added, "there is something strange." She turned her head in Igneel's direction. "Igneel, I'm to understand you've been keeping Mary Jane warm ever since she passed out."

"Yeah," Igneel said when he belatedly realized nodding would not help.

Andele frowned. "That can't be right."

Apprehension clouded Laxus' judgement. "Why? What's wrong?"

Andele tried to word it correctly. "At the very root of it, Alkahestry doesn't heal the body directly. It heals the soul which reflects onto the body. So, Nashi, you healed her physical wounds. But, the ones on her soul run deep."

"Is that why she hasn't woken up?" Mystogan asked, though the look on his face said he knew the answer.

Andele hummed positively. "Something happened with her soul and her mind. It's trapping her into a stasis, but she can't continue in it. Her soul isn't the same as an Ice Mage, so it shouldn't be this cold."

Laxus' static was the result of how worked up he was getting over his youngest daughter. "How do we wake her up?" he demanded to know. "Do I need to shock her?"

"We don't wake her," Andele said. Her voice had gone monotone, much like how a doctor would keep emotion out of their voice when delivering hard news. "It's like coming out of a coma. She has to fight to come out on her own, or…"

Igneel's eyes threatened to turn. "Or what?"

Andele did not hesitate to say the words.

…and the next few moments were a blur.

Igneel's entire body ignited into flames as feral struck his eyes in wild emerald. He was about to use his flames and show his Nature to Andele when Mystogan shielded her and Luke got in-between them, shouting at his brother to calm down. Laxus' hands curled into his hair as he took ragged breaths. His lightning curled around him, frazzled beyond belief and ready to lash out. Nashi transformed into her Divine Soul as she ran to protect Peter and Dimaria's bodies. Gary worked with Luke to try and restrain Igneel, but it was no point.

Control had lost to the will of Nature.

Gary's Devil showed himself as his hair grew into a silvery-white and his eyes changed into that icy blue. He was a match for the gold flames that mourned and wept and were white hot in fury. He ignored the sensation of burning to envelop the Fire Mage in his wintery presence. Smoke came off them as it would when fire clashed with ice, but the Devil was unmoved, growling words. Igneel thrashed with an animalistic snarl leaving him and his eyes trying to keep Mary Jane in his sight.

Everything caught up in real time.

"Fight it," the Devil snarled at Igneel. "Fight against your anger! You must keep in control for her!"

Igneel continued to rake his nails across the Devil's sides for freedom.

The Devil held his tongue for the pained grunts. "You fight and snarl, but I feel what you feel! You feel like you are the cause! You feel like you are grieving because you are helpless!"

Igneel slowly stopped his thrashing, but his ragged pants stayed.

The Devil could sense Igneel's fight was leaving him. "You are not alone," he murmured. "Your grief and self-anger is not felt alone. We feel it too."

Feral emerald showed signs of that same agony as Igneel sniffed.

"Why do you hurt?" the Devil asked in a soft tone. This was new. He sounded almost…caring. "Why do you grieve, Fiery One?"

"Be-Be-Be-Because I did this."

DRIP.

Tears rolled down Igneel's cheeks.

DROP.

Feral emerald gave into grief-stricken onyx.

"It's all my fault," Igneel hiccuped. "It's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault…" He gave a heartbreaking cry as he fell to his knees. "I stole them"—he hiccuped—"when I shouldn't have and I'm s-sorr-r-ry…"

When Igneel moved, the Devil let him go. Igneel crawled back to Mary Jane and Laxus in this hysteria and sniveling and tears to posture himself before them. Feral was too busy grieving to show itself. "Please wake up," he begged. "Please wake up, please, God…" His cries were jumbled and wet as he whispered them to Mary Jane like she could hear his pleas and she would wake up right this second.

The Devil relinquished control the same time Laxus hollowly asked, "Is there anything we can do at this point?"

Andele nodded. "Positivity alone helps a great deal with a person in a coma. I'm not sure if Mary Jane can hear us or if she's even aware of us, so be careful what you say," she advised. "Talk to her about happy memories. Hold her hand. Keep her warm. She is breathing fine on her own due to the magical energy flowing through her. Due to self-preservation, a Mage can keep their vitals and breathing stable due to their Magic working overtime to keep them alive. Magic doesn't want the Mage to die. But Magic can only work for so long before it exhausts itself."

"My butterfly is on a time limit." Laxus gave a humorless chuckle. "I can't believe this."

BANG.

Nashi flinched as Laxus punched the ground, forcing his knuckles to bleed.

"She's my little girl," Laxus said hoarsely. "I'm her damn father and I can't even protect her from this." He sucked in a gasp as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm supposed to be her protector," he croaked. His shoulders shook. "I'm supposed to be the one that shields her from this! And, I can't even do that!" The first tear rolled down his cheek.

It was difficult to see the gruff and intimidating Laxus on the verge of a breakdown. He was always the one with a fierce snarl and sharp eyes that could electrocute you before you blinked. He was a god of lightning, a Dragon of lightning, and the tamer of an ever-powerful demoness. He was one of Fairy Tail's pillars of strength even the master relied on. And, now, they saw him in his mortal form. They saw a Dragon at his weakest.

…a god on his knees.

Nashi had started forward to reach the god who had fallen and the flame that was burning out when Gary stopped her. He gave a subtle shake of his head. Nashi looked over at Mystogan and Luke. Luke was staring at the ground with a broken expression. Tears swam in his eyes, but his twin was doing enough crying for the both of them. Lelantos and Actaeon nuzzled into his body to comfort him. They knew better to approach Igneel, knew he could turn on them. Mystogan had that stoic face like his mother had when times were tough, but Nashi knew better. It was killing him his own guild mate was in this situation and he was helpless.

Nashi found a cold thumb wiping her cheek and it was then she realized she was crying.

Andele spoke to her guide dog. "Take me to the boy," she commanded. Spirit was gentle in guiding his mistress over to Peter. Andele thanked him with a kind pat on the head before she focused on her next patient. The second Andele touched Peter, she became surprised. "Oh!"

Mystogan drifted towards Andele. "Oh?"

"I sense Alchemy." Andele stopped. "No, it feels like Alkahestry is here too." She frowned. "Oh. That's never happened before."

"Are you sure the Spiritless has Magic at all?" Mystogan wondered, skeptical. "I didn't feel anything with him."

"I guess you wouldn't," Andele admitted. "The spirit is the same as how most babies start out. It's small and barely there, but I sense it. It's just not heard of for an Alchemist to possess Alkahestry or vice versa."

"Isn't it the same with people learning different Magic types?" Nashi piped up. She sniffed and wiped away her tears. "Like how a Mage with Wind Magic can know Thought Projection?"

Andele shook her head. "It's not like that at all," she explained. "Every Mage has a specific Magic they practice. Types like Thought Projection and Flight aren't really Magic types as they are Magic Spells. Alkahestry might be under Alchemy, but you are either an Alkahest or an Alchemist. Both take decades of different kinds of studying. But, for him to possess both is an anomaly."

Nashi was about to say something when Gary came over to stop her. "Come on, Angel. Let's let Andele work in peace."

Nashi let Gary guide her away, but her eyes flickered back to Mary Jane's rather pale form. "This wasn't how any of this was supposed to go," she whispered to him. She could feel even how pained her souls were over this outcome. "None of this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to be here on vacation, dammit." She looked down. "Luna and I were going to get our faces painted. Luke and Igneel and my papa were supposed to enter the eating contest."

"And, you were going to avoid me?" Gary added in light joking.

Nashi blushed a bit. "You know what I mean."

Gary sighed and tilted Nashi's chin up. "I heard what you told Luke about Mitchie."

Nashi's eyes widened in alarm. "You heard all of that?"

Gary nodded. "You were right. We could've had normal lives. We wouldn't be here. We'd be part of the clueless populace terrified for Mages putting their lives on the line. I wouldn't have this Devil inside me and you wouldn't have your Divine Souls. Maybe we wouldn't have met, maybe we would have." His thumb caressed her bottom lip. "But, I'm honestly glad we have this life because you're in mine. Things didn't go as expected just like the Harvest Festival and Halloween. But, even if nothing is fair, I'm glad I at least have you with me."

Nashi could have died from the abashment she felt and did her best not to look into his eyes. They were too intense for her. She played with her fingers instead. "Would you stop it?" she grumbled, shielding her tone for her obvious embarrassment. "I swear you're trying to seduce me."

Gary's memory flashed to Luke's accusations. "Do you really think I'd do that?"

Nashi looked up when she heard the trepidation trickle into Gary's voice.

He's looking for an honest answer this time.

"No," Nashi said, truthful. "I don't think you're seducing me. You're cheering me up"—she gestured to her red cheeks—"and conveniently making me a mess at the same time."

"I would never try to make you forget all the wrong things I did to you," Gary told her fervently. "I don't want to make love to you just so you can forget. I can't apologize enough—"

"Shhh," Nashi hushed, touching his cheek. "Don't even say that. I know you and I know you wouldn't do that to me." Something flickered in her eyes, but it was gone before Gary could process it. "Besides"—she looked down as she dropped her hand to play with her fingers—"wh-who said we were making love anyways? That's such a grandparent term for it anyways."

Gary blinked at Nashi. "What, did you think we were just fu—?"

"Well, don't say that either!" Nashi hissed at him.

Gary was thoughtful. "I guess we haven't technically fucked."

Nashi stiffened. "What?" dropped from her mouth so quietly, it was nearly inaudible.

"Think about it," Gary urged. "We've been going pretty slow and tender. Did you want to—?"

"No!"

Gary paused at the hurried rejection out of Nashi's mouth and the panic that flew into her eyes. "Angel?"

Nashi let out a loud breath and stepped away from him. "No," she repeated in a calmer tone. "No, we're fine. Everything's fine." She hugged herself and licked her lips. "I like what we're doing now. Slow is nice. We can control slow." She averted her stare. "I… I should comfort Igneel."

Alarm bells rang in Gary's ear at that. "Angel"—he reached for her—"did I say something wrong?"

Nashi stepped out of his reach, shook her head, and shot him a weak smile. "No. Sorry, I just…" She took a step back. "I'll just check on Uncle Laxus." The Angel scurried away—

—and left a Devil staring after her in longing.

---

Gale felt it before he heard it.

It was the type of presence that made your hair stand on end, your body cover in goosebumps, and your heart hurt. Gale and Icarus shared a look. Icarus nodded and leapt over the barrier to stalk into the night while Gale went into the camp. He set down his bat as he approached the tent. Luna slept curled in his jacket with Syra with her. The ikenga was already awake and began to flutter when Gale jerked his head at her. His attention then landed solely on the blonde maiden peacefully asleep.

I don't want to wake her up, but I have no choice.

"Blondie," Gale whispered. His hand was gentle in shaking her awake. "Hey. Blondie, c'mon, wake up."

Luna groaned and cracked open her eyes to adjust. "Mmm…?" She yawned and rubbed an eye. A piece of grass and a little drool stained her cheek. "Gale? Wha's goin' on?"

Gale had to fight his blush.

Shit, she looks so cute!

Gale furiously shook off his blush. "We gotta go," he told her. He wiped off the grass and drool with his jacket. "Icarus is scouting ahead, but we need to move." He helped her up.

Luna gradually became more alert. "Wait, 'move'? Gale, what's going on?"

Gale guided her out of the tent before gathering all of his belongings with Syra perching on his shoulder. "Something dangerous is close by. If we hurry, we can avoid it." He crouched to get God's Tear in one hand before getting Luna. "C'mon!" He took her wrist and began to run.

As the camp sunk back into the earth, Luna staggered to catch up, still partially asleep. "Wait! Slow down!" she pleaded.

"There's no time!" Gale shouted.

Dammit. If we were in a clearer section, I could use Earth Magic. But, with it being too dark, I don't want to risk knocking down trees or waking up something.

And, just like that, the God's Tear flower began to grow.

Gale hissed when the Magic Power exerted from the flower overwhelmed him. He was forced to stutter-step when he accidentally dropped the ball of tourmaline. Much to his disbelief, it shattered.

The God's Tear dug roots into the ground.

"What's it doing?" Luna wondered.

"I don't know," Gale answered honestly. "But I think…"

What happened next was a spectacle.

The flower radiated light for all to see as it brought down trees in its path. Nothing was cut down. Everything was simply moved aside to make a clear dirt path.

Gale grinned. "…it made us a path to our freedom."

Once the God's Tear stopped, it retracted its own roots and waited to be picked up.

Gale swooped down to get the flower and put in his breast pocket. "C'mon!" He took off down the path with Luna in his grasp. They ran and they ran without the trouble of weaving between trees and hoping over roots. The God's Tear provided enough light, but it was odd there was no moon to give them a bit of visibility.

Luna looked around. "Hey," she panted. "Where's Icarus? Shouldn't he have caught up to us?"

Gale did not answer.

Luna furrowed her eyebrows. "Where's Icarus?" she demanded to know.

Gale locked his jaw.

Luna ripped her wrist out of Gale's grip and refused to move when he stopped. "Gale," she gritted out, "where – is – Icarus?"

"He'll – catch – up," Gale answered as he matched her tone. He reached for her as Syra decided to hover in the air. "We need to move—!"

"Not without him," Luna argued. She moved out of his reach. "We can't just leave him!"

"And, we can't stay here either, so come on!" Gale grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward, uncaring at her cry. "Let's go." He began to drag her forth as he anxiously looked about their surroundings. "We can't fight here. It's unsafe as it is and—"

"No!" Luna shouted. She did everything in her power to fight him step for step. "I'm not leaving without Icarus!" She began to hit his arm in a vain attempt to get him to release her. "Get off me, you jerk! I'm not going anywhere with you! Just leave me here!"

"I am not leaving you here defenseless! You're basically asking for suicide!" Gale snapped as he kept his voice quiet and marched down the dirt path. He was grinding his teeth with how difficult Luna was to him. "Quit arguing and just do what I say for once in your life!"

"Well, you're fine with leaving this partnership, so you can leave me alone too!" Luna snarled at him.

"Would you just listen to me and stop being so fucking petty?" Gale demanded. He swung her around and halted. A bit of satisfaction glinted in his eyes when he suddenly leaned down to her level and she stopped resisting for her eyes to widen. "Drop – the attitude," he told her in a low growl. "Jesus, I don't have time to deal with you acting like a fucking four-year-old. Read my lips: we – cannot – stay here. It isn't safe."

"Then, we need to get Icarus," Luna persisted stubbornly. "If we can't stay here, then neither should he! He's my friend!" Then, she added sassily just to spite him, "Unlike you."

If Luna was hoping for Gale to be hurt by that, she was sorely mistaken. All Gale did was roll his eyes like she had said something stupid and muttered, "Christ Almighty, I can't wait to get the Hell away from this."

Now, that. That stung Luna. She recoiled for a couple moments, but her ire hit her full force with the accompaniment of furious tears. "Well, fine!" she blurted. "I can't wait to get away from you too! So, just…! Just leave me and Icarus alone!" She was successful in wriggling out of Gale's hold and took off running—

—and only got two steps when a wall of earth stopped her.

"I said to drop the attitude."

Luna was whirled around as the wall of earth fell back into the ground. A fury-filled Gale stood before her with too many emotions raging in his eyes.

Luna thought tall and lifted her chin. "You—!"

A gloved hand was slapped over her mouth.

Gale raised his other hand, but it slowly curled into a shaking fist. He closed his eyes and let out a terse breath. "Would you just shut the fuck up for ten seconds?" he hissed quietly to her. He opened his eyes. Ruby searched chocolate. "Eh? Just be quiet for ten seconds—no, twenty?—and listen to me. Okay? Do you understand me? Can you do that much?"

Luna glared at him.

Gale slowly released his hold on her face. "Look," he said flatly, "we don't have to like each other, but you need me to get out of this forest and to safety." His eyes flicked around. "There's something out there and it bugs the Hell out of me I don't know what. So, we just need to…" His eyes went back to her and he was confused when he saw her ticking off finger after finger. "What—? What are you doing?"

Luna ignored him as she ticked off her fourteen.

Gale narrowed his glare at her. "Oh, you are such a piece of fucking work, you know that? How mature," he insulted, growing more and more aggravated at her silence and counting. "Did you not hear a word I was saying? We need to stay together if we want to make it out alive. You need me."

Luna got to twenty before she tipped up her head.

Cold chocolate clashed with furious ruby.

Luna flashed him a sarcastic smile full of teeth. "I – don't – need – you."

Gale snorted like she told a joke. "Oh, is that right?" He was amused and angry at the same time. There needed to be an emotion name for that. "Blondie-girl, you couldn't even last two seconds walking around in a city."

Luna turned livid at that. She pressed her lips together in a deep frown then gave a hmph! as she turned away. She stalked down the path with her hands balled into fists. Syra glanced back at Gale before following after her alleged mother.

Gale raised an eyebrow and shoved a hand in a pocket. "Oh-ho, what's this? Silent treatment? But, you had so much to say before," he mocked as he followed her. "Well, thank fuck for that. Your voice was giving me a headache." He smirked when he saw how rigid her shoulders were. "Don't worry, Blondie. I think all your whining scared away the thing that was after us. Not like you would've won against it."

Luna stopped meaning Gale stopped. He heard her inhale deeply.

Then, she did something he did not expect.

"Help! Someone save me from this maniac!"

°•°•°•°

Trees ruffled as eyes peaked to watch the show of two humans. They were a curious bunch. The male looked tainted in darkness with dark looks and gleaming eyes. The female was opposite in almost every way. She was bright and colorful looking and with dark eyes.

"Help me!" the female kept screaming as she waved her hands around. "I know you're out there!"

The male panicked and stomped over to the female. He grabbed her wrist and whirled her around to face him. "The Hell is wrong with you, woman?" he snapped at her in a low voice. "We are in the middle of a crisis! You can't start screaming!"

The female smirked. "Help!" she screamed in his face. "This maniac is trying to take me away!"

Such interesting prey.

°•°•°•°

"Blondie, would you cut it out?" Gale said through gritted teeth. "Seriously! You're going to get us both killed!"

Luna shot him one of those looks of disbelief Gale knew his mother would give him if he said something out of line. He hated that look. "I'm going to kill us killed? I – am?" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "You're the one who doesn't even care if Icarus is killed! You don't even care about me! You're so—!"

"We are not having this conversation right now," Gale snapped, yanking her towards him. "Stop being such a brat before whatever it is decides to kill us both!"

Luna gave him the most disgusted look he had ever seen. "I would rather take my chances with whatever is than stay with you, asshole."

Gale straightened. The fury in his eyes was replaced with an unsettling coldness. "You're right," he admitted.

Luna was taken back. "I… I am?" she said in a small voice.

Gale shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah. I'm an asshole. I'm sure death is the better option than putting up with me and my bullshit," he supposed. He grabbed her chin and let his head drop. Their eyes met as Luna squirmed, suddenly more afraid. "But this asshole will make sure we both make it out alive," he whispered. He let go of her roughly—he ignored how heavy she panted and how fearful and anguished she looked—and stepped around her. "Don't make things difficult. I'm warning you," he snarled. "You want to act like a bitch? Fine. Act like a bitch that wants to live, Luna."

°•°•°•°

Eyes watched the female visibly harden.

"I'm not leaving without Icarus for the last time," she hissed at the male.

"Here we go again," the male muttered under his breath as he turned around. He looked at Syra who hovered over the couple as though not wanting to get in the middle of the fight. "Fur-ball? Tell this little girl"—the female gasped—"that she's being unreasonable and needs to listen to me because I know best."

The female crossed her arms and sniffed. She looked at Syra with a warm smile that did not really feel all that warm. "Syra?" she sang prettily. "Can you tell this pathetic loser"—the male growled, clenching his fist—"that he's being a complete and total jerk and I refuse to leave until Icarus is present?"

"You're on thin ice, Dragneel," the male snarled with obvious menace in his tone. "Or should I say, 'Miss Lucy Heartfilia'?"

A low growl like an approaching thunderstorm rumbled through the trees.

°•°•°•°

Luna glowered at him. "Well, you're—!"

Gale suddenly advanced on her and put a finger to her lips, ear towards the forest. "Shut up," he panted.

Luna bristled. "Don't tell me what to—!"

Gale covered her mouth was his glove. "Shhh-shhh-shhh!"

Luna was about to argue until she saw Gale's ears prick as his head slowly turned. She stopped fighting him as fear replaced her anger. She tried to hold in her pants as her eyes darted around. Nothing but darkness aided them with light comforting them. But just because you did not see something does not mean there was nothing there.

Gale jerked his head down the path with a finger to his lips.

Luna gulped and nodded. She raised her hands and Syra fluttered back in them for safety.

Gale and Luna took a few quiet steps down the path. One after another. Left. Right. Lef—

RUSTLE.

Luna nearly screamed, but Gale slapped a hand over her mouth with all his senses alert. However, there was nothing to be afraid of when Icarus' body was the thing that tumbled into the path and fell over.

Luna gasped her relief. "Icarus…" She slipped through Gale's grip to rush towards the Canis Major. "Icarus!"

Syra perked when she saw Icarus and zipped out of Luna's hands to the spirit. "Brrr!"

Gale sighed and shuffled his pack. "She better watch it or else she's going to give our position away." He shook his head as he stepped towards them.

Luna dropped next to Icarus with a big smile. "Icarus, are you—?" She noticed the Clifford's eyes were shut along with the deep wounds it had. Worry overtook her. "Icarus?" she fretted. "Icarus, wake up!"

Gale stopped when he heard that.

He's hurt that badly? Then, how did he—?

Gale's eyes widened.

"When our dads were training us on how to get predators to be prey, what did we do?"

Gale broke into a run.

"Those who refuse Law are known as Rogues. They have no territory for they believe the world is theirs. They kill without question."

"Blondie!" Gale shouted. "Blondie, get away from him! It's a trap!"

Luna turned to Gale in confusion. "What?!" She shot him a glare and shook her head. "No! Icarus needs me!" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay, now I just have to focus and heal him."

"Well, we made ourselves prey. We used ourselves to lure them into a cage. And, once they were caged in…"

Luna put her hands on Icarus.

I wish—

BOOM.

Luna's eyes flew open—

—and she was immediately petrified.

Gale stopped. "Oh, shit," he cursed.

A Dragon had crouched in front of them with teeth as yellow as the rising sun and eyes as red as blood. Its scale were impossible to find as they blended with the darkness. Even as light touched them, they did not look like solid scales.

Luna trembled. She could not stop staring into the sanguine eyes that captured her and drowned her in her own fears and misery.

Syra fainted once again.

Gale could not find the strength to move.

My body… It won't stop shaking… I can't move…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This move is something Dragons and Gods can do called Transfixation in which anything lower than their species has their mind and body completely transfixed in terror. This move does not work on others on their rank such as Spirits or Devils, high-ranking Demons, their Slayers, Shadow Charmers, and the effect is lessened 50% by powerful Mages. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale tried hard to move his body, but he could not. No matter what he did, he could not move. He was powerless.

I have…to look…away, but… Why can't I look away?

A hand clasped Gale's.

Gale found himself able to look down at a shaking Luna onto him for dear life even if her stare could not leave the Dragon's.

How…? How did she…?

Gale noticed the Silver Key in Luna's other hand that burned gray under her touch. He looked up to see Icarus had vanished and so had Syra.

What's going on? What's happening?

The Black Dragon puffed something vile onto them and displayed its teeth. "Little mice," he hissed, tongue rough and distorted and deep like a storm. "Little mice have come to me and begged to be eaten."

Gale gave a dry swallow before trying to speak up. "W-W-We're not mice!" he argued.

Intrigue and amusement filtered through bloody pools. "Little mouse speaks the Old Ways." The Black Dragon dare sounded impressed. He leaned closer to inhale the scents of his prey, basking in how Luna shivered and whimpered. "The fear of mice is desirable." His muzzle came close to Luna.

Luna jumped and almost screamed when the Dragon's nose touched her flesh.

In his chuckles, the Black Dragon showed his sharp teeth. "Innocent mouse with virtue in tack." The Black Dragon chortled. "Good. Best mice have their virtue."

Gale thought of something. "A-Are you…?" He cursed himself for stammering. "Are you…Obscuritan?"

The Black Dragon gave a snarling laugh that nearly made Luna wet herself and Gale want to get on his knees in submission. "So the little mice know me." He seemed pleased at the attention and not in a good way.

Gale could not even lock his jaw.

What do we do? What can we do? I don't have Dragon Slayer Magic. I was lucky with Sycaña. She matched my element. But this sick freak can do God knows what with us. Eat us. Enslave us.

A drop of sweat curved his brow.

"I will give you the chance, then, fledgling. Will you try and stop me from getting what I want?"

Gale wished he could shut his eyes when he saw the disgraced look of Gabriel.

"You do not deserve to be called a 'Redfox'. You let the enemy escape to save face, to save your own skin. You dare call yourself an 'Earth Mage'? Your fear scent disgusts me, coward. Because of you, the future is inevitable. You are the reason for this suffering!"

He could see Luna trembling before him in her anguish.

"I'm scared too. How could I not be? I don't want to wake up and find out I never joined Fairy Tail or not even exist. But I knew as long as you were with me, I didn't have to be afraid alone."

Gale tried to look at Luna, but he could not. He was stuck being frozen for the Dragon. She's not alone. We're never alone. But, there's no way out of this.

Something burned into his hand as something burst into his mind.

On my signal, Luna, summon me. Gale. Be sure to keep her close.

Gale found himself able to look down at Luna who peeked up at him and subtly shook her head. Icarus? Gale guessed.

Do not act like you hear me, Icarus scolded. Keep the Black Dragon stalled.

Gale subtly nodded his head at Luna and glared at the Black Dragon. "How could you kill all of Sycaña's nest?" he demanded to know.

The Black Dragon was unfazed. "Her mother was meant to be my slave and she defied me, little mouse." He sounded quite bored. "Her punishment was the death of her nest. Her eggs, however…" He licked his lips. "I found them most delicious as I enjoyed their meat and Magic. The hatred I felt from her mate made the most delectable meal."

So, we did go back in time farther than we were, Gale realized.

"Then, why keep Sycaña alive?" he had to know.

Obscuritan gave a throaty chuckle that rattled your bones and made you weak in a bad sense. "Interesting drake. She could have been an excellent slave to me. But she defied me." He flashed his teeth. "Her blood sits fresh on my tongue. I hope to taste more of it." His eyes flashed to Luna and he eyed her in vague interest. "Strange. This little mouse…" He inhaled her scent deeply and Gale gripped Luna's hand even more to keep her from her hysteria. "She smells like my little mouse."

This was new information. "You're little mouse?"

Obscuritan shuffled his wings and Gale recognized excitement in the eyes of the Black Dragon. It was not a natural excitement like when you saw your best friend. It was not the excitement of seeing your girlfriend or husband or lover. It was desire, lust in its rawest of forms. Gale felt sick to his stomach when he smelt such arousal wafting off the great Dragon.

"My little mouse smells of the moon and stars," Obscuritan purred darkly. He lifted a claw and huffed his amusement when both Gale and Luna stiffened as he began to draw a circle around them. "She loves to think herself powerful enough to stop me. I enjoy letting her play her games."

Now? Gale pleaded to Icarus.

Stall him for a little longer, Icarus grunted.

How? Gale demanded.

A timid voice answered, Talk about his little mouse.

Gale's eyes flickered to Luna. Blondie?

He's just like my papa and your papa, kind of, Luna compared. If you talk about his mate, he might take the bait, right?

Gale came to that realization and rolled with it. "What if she is powerful enough to stop you?" he humored.

The Black Dragon laughed heartily even if it sounded dark and murderous. "My little mouse holds no power to stop me," he assured. "She was once the owner of amusing little pets. Their chains were keys."

Luna paled.

"Little mouse disobeyed me when she tried to kill me." Obscuritan's lust increased and Gale wanted to vomit. "She was so beautiful when she and her pets tried to kill me. Her pets are now mine, but she still tries." He purred. "She may be a little mouse, but her defiance entertains me. She will die when she outlives her usefulness to me."

Obscuritan's claw raked against Luna's back daintily, not breaking clothing or skin. He took in her fright with glee. "Perhaps you can be my little mouse next," he decided.

Icarus, Luna sobbed. Icarus!

Almost…there…Icarus promised, sounding out of breath.

Gale found himself blurting, "She's already mine!"

Obscuritan snapped his eyes onto Gale. "Oh?" he questioned. He sounded like he wanted to laugh at the declaration like when a parent finds it cute their child wants to be wedded. "This little mouse is unmarked, her virtue intact. She smells of innocence. Yet, you want to lay claim on her." He was even more amused. "I have claimed my little mouse time after time when I walk on two legs. She is used. Before I kill you, I will let you have her. She is used to being used for pleasure." His claw dragged onto Luna's front with her tears splattering them. "Oh, little mouse, your tears and your innocence… I shall enjoy my claim on you until I sink my claws in you and tear you apart. Young blood. Fresh blood."

I am ready, Icarus howled. Luna, now!

Luna whimpered and hiccupped as she tried to restrain her tears.

Gale glanced at her. Blondie?

Luna's chest heaved as she tried to control her breathing.

"But I knew as long as you were with me, I didn't have to be afraid alone."

She might be afraid…

Gale gave her hand a squeeze.

Terrified chocolate connected with understanding ruby.

…but she doesn't have to be afraid alone.

Gale nodded at her.

Luna bit her lip and nodded back. She gave Gale's hand one more squeeze before closing her eyes. When she opened them, resolve hardened inside her stare. She ripped her hand from Gale's to chant, "Open! Gate of the Canis Minor! Clifford!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

Icarus appeared with his wounds healed, a snarl on his lips, and a saddle on his back with Syra tucked inside it. Get on!

Luna grabbed Gale's hand and both could function. Gale tore his gaze from the surprised Obscuritan as he ushered Luna onto the saddle.

Obscuritan snarled at Icarus. "Little dog, you will not steal my prey!" He swiped a claw.

Gale and Icarus were forced apart as Icarus broke into a run in the opposite direction with Gale quickly following with the God's Tear in his possession. Both could hear Obscuritan thunder after them with his claws missing both by the wisps of hair. Gale gritted his teeth as the earth moved with each of his strides to catch up to the Clifford. He found himself on Icarus' flank. Icarus ducked a bit while Luna stuck out her hand. Gale took it when the timing was right and jumped onto the Canis Minor, nearly making Icarus falter.

Be gentler next time, Icarus grunted. I am not as young as you think.

Never mind that! Gale cried. Step on it, doggy!

Icarus growled and picked up his speed.

Luna glanced back to see Obscuritan nearly on top of them. He's gaining on us!

Put out that flower, Icarus commanded.

What?! Gale cried. Then, we can't see!

We have to immerse ourselves in the darkness and rely on our senses or we will be eaten! Icarus shouted.

Gale refused to believe that. But—!

Luna shot him a look.

"You're afraid. You have fear. It's normal."

"But I knew as long as you were with me, I didn't have to be afraid alone."

Luna nodded at him.

Gale exhaled loudly and closed his eyes.

The God's Tear flower darkened and left them running without a light.

And running.

And running.

They all listened to Obscuritan. The Black Dragon found them not worth the chase and they could feel the air from his wings as he took off into the night sky.

Luna and Gale let out sighs of relief.

"Thank you," Luna murmured to Gale.

Gale was lost. "For what?"

"You were afraid," Luna told him, "and you conquered your fear. Thank you."

Silence dwelled between them.

Uncomfortable silence.

Gale awkwardly started, "Y'know, uh… Back there… I mean back then… That shit I said…"

"I know." Luna said those two words smugly. "Aunt Levy told me you'd be overdramatic and really vulgar just like your papa."

Gale was slack-jawed. He coughed and rubbed his nose to rid himself of his accursed blush. "Y-Yeah? Well, Aunt Lucy told me you'd act like a little kid kicking and screaming if you didn't get your way," he insulted. "So there."

Luna giggled into her hand. "I think you mean my big sis," she corrected. "Nashi gets totally whiny with Papa when things don't go her way. But, then again, Papa doesn't last too long saying, 'no' to her and pretty much caves."

Gale comically sobbed as he envisioned his sinister aunt.

Aunt Luce… You did me so dirty with that…

"That being said…"

Gale snapped out of his thoughts to see a pained expression on Luna's face.

"It really hurt to hear you say things like that," Luna confessed, quiet. "Do you really think I'm the b-word?"

Gale sighed and dropped his chin on Luna's shoulder. "No, I don't," he exhaled. "I was just… I was frustrated, all right? It's a shit excuse, I know, but I was. All the pressure from not stopping Bluenote and being zapped in time and being so wound up about what was going on in the present…"

"I'm here too, y'know," Luna reminded.

Gale ran a hand through his hair. "Blondie, it's different," he tried to tell her.

Luna scrunched her face. "Is this one of those sexist things Mama gets on Papa's case about?"

"I guess it is, but it's not like I mean it to be," Gale quickly amended. "It's just… You're you, Blondie. I'm supposed to protect you. I'm supposed to be the fierce Dragon of the plot that doesn't take shit from anyone and defeats whatever it wants. And… To see I couldn't even do that…"

Luna rested her hand against Gale's own against her stomach. "Don't be such a drama queen," she chided with teasing in her voice. "I'll admit it. Even though I didn't want to believe it at first, I really do need you. My Magic is uncontrollable. I can manage it to heal if I'm lucky, but I need to train a lot more until I can protect myself and you too." She stiffened. "By the way…" She turned her head.

Gale grew nervous at her death stare.

"Don't think I won't forget all the rude things you said to me, Redfox," Luna said in a deadly tone. "You have a lot of food to buy me if you even think we have a chance of keeping this partnership."

Gale gulped and nodded. He knew better than to tease her when she looked like this. "Yes, ma'am."

Luna turned her head back with a self-satisfied smirk. "Good. Princess gets the point for this round."

Gale snorted and prodded Luna's stomach. At her jolt, squirm, and forced gasp, he smirked. "Dragon gets a point for this round," he mocked her.

Luna chuckled before it fell to silence.

Comfortable silence.

"I hope everyone's all right," Luna blurted. "Our ancestors, our friends, our families… I really hope they're okay."

Gale frowned. "Yeah."

"I had a dream about Mary Jane, actually."

Gale groaned. "Not that bitch again."

"Don't call her that," Luna admonished. "She was…different. She looked so lost and sad… She wasn't angry or even annoyed. She even said she had to apologize to you and Igneel."

Gale's eyebrows rose. "Shit. She really was different."

Luna sighed. "You think we'll ever get home?"

Gale leaned his chin on her shoulder and his hands covered hers. "Home is where the heart is, right?"

Luna lightly shoved him. "Gale, I mean it."

"I think we will," Gale told her. "Do you one better—I know we will. Because we're Fairy Tail. We make the impossible happen."

Luna leaned into Gale and closed her eyes. All she could feel was Icarus' movements, Gale's breathing, and her own heartbeat. She was content with that. "Even if all this is really crappy, I'm glad you were with me through it."

"Ditto, Blondie," Gale mumbled. "Ditto."

This time there was no warning.

This time there was no slow feeling of Magic Power.

It happened all in one burst of greens and blues and gold.

One moment, Luna and Gale basked in the ambiance of their contentment with Icarus keeping quiet as he laid tracks…

…the next moment, Icarus was tumbling and throttled his riders off him.

Luna bounced as she landed and felt an excruciating pain in her right wrist. Gale landed face first into the ground and nearly got a broken nose from the impact. He dug his hands into the earth to get himself up. He saw Icarus was struggling to his paws. His pack had been thrown, but his God's Tear was still in his hand. But he cared none for that. He cared for Luna who could not move properly.

"Blondie," Gale rushed out, crawling to her. "What's wrong?"

Luna withheld tears as she cradled her hand. "My wrist," she gasped out. "I think I broke it."

Gale was careful to touch the wrist. When he heard Luna's hiss, he backed away. "You definitely have a fracture, but no sprain," he diagnosed. "You're talkin' to someone who has had a lot of fractures due to training." He looked around. "I could make a splint, but…" Something donned on him and he looked at the flower in his hands.

Luna saw where this was going and shook her head. "Gale, no." She was firm in her choice. "We need to use it all when we really need to. I'll be fine."

Gale frowned. "I see your point," he admitted, a tad reluctant.

Luna grinned. "Princess wins again."

Icarus crept over to them on his belly. Hush, he hissed. People lie over those bushes.

Luna and Gale raised their eyebrows. "Who?"

In no time at all, Gale, Luna, and Icarus were peeking over the bushes with Gale's pack on. Gale was in disbelief when he saw what was going on. Two people and a noble beast stood next to a noticeable crack in thin air. The crack was crystallized green and blue and sparkled, but it remained just a crack.

"No way," he whispered. "That's a Time Ripple?"

"A what?" Luna whispered back.

"A Time Ripple is all theoretical," Gale told her. "It's supposed to prove Time Mages could actually time travel. Syra makes one every time we travel, but I've never heard of a Mage doing it."

Luna put the pieces together as she watched the woman who controlled such power. "So, is she that Dimaria Yesta lady you were talking about?"

"Looks like it," Gale supposed. "But she's supposed to be in Alvarez, so why is she in Fiore?" His eyes went to the stubbled man who had a sated smirk and a Royal Chimera at his side. "I've never seen him before." His eyes widened. "Oh, no shit!"

"What?" Luna wanted to know.

"That's the Spezi!" Gale told her. He broke into a breathing laugh of awe and excitement. "Dude, he is the Chimera Tamer of the century! The old man told me the guy is a criminal, but we are actually seeing him up close! Far ou—Ow!" He saw Luna's glare and gave a sheepish, yet ashamed grin. "Eh-heh… Sorry?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Well, why do you think he's here?"

"Truth be told, I haven't got a clue," Gale grunted. "I don't remember squat about Chimeras runnin' around."

Luna's eyes rounded. "You think he's a Warlock?"

"Maybe," Gale supposed. "Would make sense."

The Royal Chimera looked in their direction.

Everyone ducked down.

Gale was the brave one to look up. He watched the Time Ripple as it just threaded in mid-air with nothing triggering it. What are they doing?

Then, the Time Ripple rippled.

At Gale's sharp intake, Luna grew impatient and peeked. "What? What's happened?"

Icarus observed the surroundings as the Time Ripple expanded a bit and power zapped from its core. It appears a traveler is coming through the Ripple.

A dark shadow stepped through the ripple in a cloak. They were larger than Dimaria and Spezi.

"Whoa," Luna whispered. "Who's that?"

Spezi said something that Gale and Icarus picked up on. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Spezi inquired.

The cloaked man nodded. "I did."

Gale's eyes widened. That voice…

A hand shuffled out of the cloak to reveal—

"It's Nayda's medium!" Luna gasped, but she mouthed a sheepish sorry when Gale viciously held his finger to his lips.

Spezi hummed and closed his eyes. "And the kid?"

"Nothing more than a simple fear tactic just like he said," came assurance. A hand reached into a pocket and took out a pocket watch. It snapped open for a quick time check. "Looks like he was as weak as they came. Same with the girl."

Gale gritted his teeth.

Spezi sighed. "I wish you would have let me handle them," he grumbled. "I would've loved for my chimeras to have a taste of them." He rubbed the jaw of his Royal Chimera. "Isn't that right?"

The Royal Chimera chuffed.

Luna noticed how Gale's fists shook.

"So, where to now?" Spezi asked, glancing at his companion.

"Jacob has the ruins covered," the man explained. "Once you drop the activation cube, we should be able to fly."

Gale was about to stand up, but Luna shoved him down. "Gale, we can't!" she scolded. "We have to stay here and make a plan!"

The cloaked man turned to Dimaria. "Close the Time Ripple."

Dimaria had a trickle of blood race down her nose and she shook as she tried to collect back the Magic she released.

Luna became worried. "Is she okay? I know Time Magic has its consequences, but…"

Luna's voice was lost in the static of Gale's mind as he looked at the man in the cloak.

"I will give you the chance, then, fledgling. Will you try and stop me from getting what I want?"

KURRRRRRRRRRR.

"Or, will you let me take it and I will let your friends go?"

KURRRRRRRRRRR.

"You have so much fear of me. I must've shown you what true strength looks like if you can't even muster up a simple spell against me. So, fledgling, what will it be? Will you stop me? Or, will you do the right thing?"

KURRRRRRRRRRR.

"Fear isn't something a good Mage doesn't have."

Gale found himself sitting across from his father in their backyard, the pair of them on the ground and taking in nature. Relief came from seeing him. "Old Man…"

"Some Mages… No, scratch that. Some people like to think they're hot shit when they try to instill fear into their supposedly weak opponent," Gajeel lectured. "They think having fear is a weakness." He jerked a thumb at himself. "I think fear is a strength," he said with a smirk. "You have to have fear if you want to become stronger."

"At the time, I didn't get what you meant," Gale admitted. "I thought you were crazy. Thought I had to be fearless all the time."

Gajeel went on: "Conquering your fear is the best form of strength I've seen. We've all had fear before. Maybe for someone else, something else, or for ourselves. But we pushed ourselves to get over that fear with the strength we didn't think we had."

Gale looked at his hands. "I was so afraid of being afraid, I never thought of fear being possible," he admitted. "I was so wrong to think that."

"You're afraid. You have fear. It's normal."

Gale looked up to see Luna standing before him in that sea of gray with her sundress blowing in the wind. He stood with their eyes connected and ankles deep into the water.

"You tried to tell me, but I just wouldn't listen," Gale confessed. "I'm scared as shit, but… I'm not going to let this fear control me. And neither should you."

Luna's smile softened as she held out a hand to him. "But I knew as long as you were with me, I didn't have to be afraid alone."

Gale reached—

KURRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Gale opened his eyes. He felt everything slow down as the vacuum of time and space was closing and the cloaked man was moving away.

ge made a split-second decision.

He crashed through the bushes and towards the Time Ripple.

Luna's eyes widened as she stood up. "Gale!"

Icarus was on his paws in no time and leapt over the bushes. Let's go, Pup!

Gale felt himself moving slow as he tried to rush toward the cloaked man. In the corner of his eye, he saw Icarus bound over to the Royal Chimera to stall it. His eyes, however, were only on the cloaked man. I just need to remember that I might be afraid, but I need to conquer this fear.

Luna sprinted after Gale, looking like she wanted to shout his name.

Gale charged ahead. This time, I won't let you get away…

Gale slammed into the cloaked man and towards the Time Ripple. He looked up.

Seething ruby clashed with shocked silver.

…Mage Killer!

Gale and Bluenote crashed through the Time Ripple. Luna saw the Ripple was close to closing and fumbled with her Silver Key.

"Icarus!" Luna cried.

Icarus stopped fighting the Royal Chimera to disappear into the Celestial Spirit Realm.

Luna managed to jump into the Time Ripple—

—and it disappeared.

Spezi's eyes were wide. "What the Hell?"

DROP.

Spezi looked over at Dimaria. A low breath escaped lips as they progressed into aged and chapped. Refreshed and toned skin became dotted with sunspots as tan dried out into sun-bleach and clung to bone. That bronze sheen mellowed and whitened. The final byproduct was Dimaria hunched over on the ground with ragged moans sounding from her as she shivered beneath her cloak.

Spezi sighed, scratching his stubble. "Well, Miss Yesta, guess it's just you and me." He moved over to her. "You look so parched. How about a nice glass of fresh booze?"

---

Love you Love you Love you

himitsu no I love you

naisho no kisu wa imitation?

toke nai mahō mitai ni torawarete so crazy for you

•

kimi wa marude illusion

shibireru love session

aimai na sono motion

sō sa konya wa fiction

kimi wa marude illusion

tame rau love session

gōin na sono motion

Unbreakable magic

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

Woah! Where are Luna and Gale going to end up in time this time? To find out more, tune in to the next Fairy Adventure!

---

Chibi-Luna waves at all of her students as she settles into the classroom. "Hello, class! Are you ready for today's Fairy Lesson?"

The entire class raises their hands with eager grins. "Aye, sir!"

Chibi-Luna giggles. "I'm afraid it's a short lesson, but make sure you take your notes, okay?"

"Okay…!"

Chibi-Luna clicks a button on her remote for a projection to pop up on the chalkboard. It shows Orochi smiling politely in his regular dress. Statics analyze him from his Ethernano Out-put to his Magic Power gauge to footnotes on his epidermis and fangs. "All right! Today, we're learning more about Fairy Tail Mage Orochi, also known as King Cobra. Orochi supposedly adopted the same Poison Magic as both his mama and papa with some unpredicted side effects." She points at the area studying his skin. "For example, Orochi's skin naturally secrets poison that only affects living organisms. Since he's too toxic to touch, he wears special gloves so he can go about his day. Still, even without his gloves, he can still touch his older sister Mara and his mama Kinana."

The projection zooms in on his mouth, showing his fangs. Chibi-Luna educates, "Something surprising about Orochi is the venom in his fangs. In nature, many creatures are poisonous or venomous, but there are a handful of cases in which they can be both. From testing, Orochi's venom's top side effect is its muscle paralysis. If he wants to be more dangerous, he can even cause blood coagulation." As the projection zooms on his gloved hands, Chibi-Luna says, "His fingers nails and toe nails are also venomous, but Orochi makes sure to keep them trimmed, so he doesn't accidentally hurt someone."

The projection switches to another slide. Orochi's image flickers between him fighting with eyes slitted and a forked tongue and his Magic swirling around him.

Chibi-Luna explains: "Orochi's most interesting feature is his snake-like features that appear on will, something he shares with Mara. His Magic, too, is interesting as, while his spells are fueled by Magic Power and can be negated, any poison or venom within him is a biological effect and not even Hunters can withstand him, giving him an advantage."

RIIIIING. RIIIIING.

As the class begins to pack up, Chibi-Luna calls out, "Remember, class. Next time, on Fairy Adventure: A CHANCE TO FIGHT BACK! Have a good day!"