Kyôka and Sayla stood inside the laboratory, both of them staring at the chamber that housed Hela. The girl floated in the cool waters, her knees clutched tightly to her chest.

"Have you still not found a name for her, mistress?" Sayla asked.

"That will be the last thing we add." Kyôka replied. "She still has yet to be completed." She walked to the chamber and placed her hand against it. "It is time to bring our last guest here, Sayla."

"Yes, Mistress. " She turned on her heel and walked out of the laboratory.

"Accompany her, Lamy." Kyôka added.

"Ok!" the bunny girl saluted before eagerly following behind Sayla.


Natsu and Jackal glared at one another, the dust caused from the latter's explosion blowing away in the wind. The demon smirked at the angered dragon slayer. "I'm gonna pay?" he chuckled. Natsu gave no answer. "You're pretty funny for a human."

"Who is this scoundrel?!" Michello shouted, angrily waving his fist in the air. "Look what he did to our house! I knew Fairy Tail was nothing but trouble!"

"Grandfather!" Michelia scolded.

"He's from Tartaros!" Happy realized.

"He must be the one Erza spoke of." Carla recalled. "The one who destroyed the council in Era."

"You guys get the old man and his granddaughter out of here!" Natsu ordered his comrades. "I'll take care of this guy!"

"He's after you!" Lucy shouted to Michello. "We have to get you out of here!"

"You don't think I know that?!" the former councilman snapped. He hobbled to Wendy and Lucy, his leg still hurting from the explosion.

"We should do as Natsu says and leave this fight to him." Wendy reminded. She and the others moved to the exit.

Jackal grinned at their attempt to escape. Suddenly he swiped his arm, setting off a chain of explosions that circled around the city. The people began to run around in a panic.

"What was that?!"

"Something just exploded!"

"What's happening?!"

"The buildings are all falling apart!"

"Help~!"

"The town has nothing to do with this!" Lucy yelled to the smirking demon. "Stop!"

Natsu's rage only grew at the display. "You rotten…" he trailed off, using his flames to propel himself towards Jackal.

The demon thrust his arm towards Natsu. "Explode!" In an instant, Natsu's body was engulfed by intense flames.

"He got him!" Michello shouted in fear.

"It's all right." Happy reassured. "Natsu uses fire-magic, so something like that won't work on him!"

As Happy said this, Natsu inhaled the flames around him, surprising Jackal.

"What's the deal with this guy? He ate my explosion?"

Natsu knocked Jackal off of his wooden platform with a hard punch to the face. The demon fell to the ground below and Natsu followed, using the wooden rafter to springboard himself. Just as Natsu was about to make impact, Jackal moved out of the way. "That was close." He then grinned in intrigue. "That guy's like a fireball or something." He tried to gain distance, but was soon caught off guard when he noticed something moving under the floor. "You gotta be kidding me!"

Natsu emerged from the ground, striking Jackal under the chin with a flaming knee that sent the demon reeling.

Michello looked on in disbelief. This is first time I've seen a Fairy Tail wizard fight up close. He shakily tightened the grip on his cane. I had no idea they were so…

Jackal cackled as he slid on all fours along the broken floor. "You're pretty fun." He complimented. "But there's one thing I need to tell ya." Before he could begin, Natsu's fist was in his face. "Wait…"

The dragon slayer punched the demon dead on, Jackal's body becoming engulfed in flames. "Hold on!" the dragon slayer shouted. He ran after Jackal, grabbing him by his neck and slamming him on the ground. He drew back his fist. "I'm not done with you yet!" he declared before raining down punches on him until he was unconscious.

"Incredible…" Michello gasped.

"N-Natsu…" Wendy nervously called. "He's already…"

"He always goes overboard." Lucy sighed in annoyance. "Wasn't he trying to say something earlier?"

"Well that's what happens when you mess with Erza while Natsu's around." Happy pointed out.

"Still, he could have held back just a little." Carla commented.

Natsu let up, looking at the bloodied, unconscious Jackal. "Oh yeah." He realized. "Wasn't I supposed to get information out of him or something? What was he going to say earlier? Something about their secret base maybe?"

"And their goal!" Carla reminded.

Michello began to sweat even more as the second passed. If Tartaros is truly after Face…then this will only end terribly. Only a handful of council members know about the White Inheritance. How is it that they were able to find out…? His pupils shrank the more his terror set in. I have to hide myself! He began to storm off, much to everyone's confusion and suspicion. "I'll leave you wizards to clean this up! I will check on the former council members!"

"Grandpa?" Michelia called with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Come along, Michelia! Now!"

"Hey!" Natsu said, stopping the frightened old man in his tracks. He was clearly suspicious of his behavior. He could smell that Michello was hiding something. "If you know something about why they're after you, old guy, you better tell us now."

"I don't know anything!" Michello denied forcefully.

"Is that right?" Jackal sighed, to the surprise of everyone he was still conscious after the beating Natsu gave him. He sat up, rotating his shoulder to get the stiffness out. "Are you sure? If you tell me what I wanna know, I may just let you live."

"You…" Natsu growled.

"I don't know anything!" Michello lied again. "Honest! Ask someone else! Really, I know nothing!"

Jackal looked back at the old man, a sadistic grin on his lips. "I get it. I guess that means you gotta die then, right?"

"Hey!" Michello shouted at the Fairy Tail wizards. "What are you lot doing?! He's up again, you know! Take him down, you nitwits! Aren't you supposed to be my bodyguards?!"

"Old man…" Natsu grumbled in irritation.

"You!" Jackal stood up, pointing at Natsu. "Next time listen when a guy's talking, would ya?!"

Before Natsu could question him, his right knee and right hand began to glow with strange markings. "What's going on?"

"My curse power." Jackal informed. "Whoever touches me becomes a bomb. The more they do it, the stronger the bomb becomes. Refresh my memory, how many times did you hit me again?"

The strange light began to cover Natsu's body.

"Natsu!" Happy called out.

"Everyone, get away from me!" Natsu commanded, he could feel the dark energies building within him.

"But…" Lucy began to protest.

"Just go!" Natsu's body then exploded, rocking the area they were standing in. Happy flew back from the explosion, while Lucy dived out of the way, clutching Wendy close to her.

Jackal laughed manically at the scene, watching with sadistic glee as Natsu fell to the ground in defeat.

"No way…" Lucy gasped, still holding onto Wendy.

"Natsu!" the young dragon slayer reached out.

Natsu laid supine on the ground, his body scuffed up and his eyes completely white and avoid of pupils. This amused Jackal even more.

"Wow, how about that?! His body didn't even blow up! You can't help but be impressed with that!" he cackled. "That's a fireball for ya!"

Lucy glared at the demon, clenching her teeth as she reached for her gate keys.

Michello looked at the scene wide-eyed, his entire body shaking. "I'm done for…"

Jackal looked at the old man, his sadistic grin widening to a sick smile. "If you hand over the info, the only one I'll kill will be your granddaughter. See? I can be a nice guy after all."

Michello took a few steps back before turning and running away at top speed. Leaving the Fairy Tail wizards, as well as his own granddaughter, to fend for themselves.

"Elder Michello!" Lucy shouted.

"Grandpa!" Michelia called after.

Jackal took off after the fleeing old man. "You're not getting away."

Lucy and Wendy moved to intercept him, the former grabbing one of her gate keys. Wendy sucked in the air around her.

SKY DRAGON'S ROAR

Jackal smirked. "Think that'll stop me?" he held out his hand towards the tornado, summoning an explosion that was able to dissipate it.

Wendy looked on in disbelief at the feat. "He used an explosion to counter my roar?"

Lucy held her gold key as it began to glow.

OPEN GATE OF THE SCORPION PALACE: SCORPIO

"Wicked!" The scorpion man emerged from his gate on all fours, sand swirling around his tail.

SAND BUSTER

Jackal swiped his hand in the air, once again countering an attack with his explosions. He looked at the wounded Wendy and Lucy and began to laugh again. "I guess I forgot to tell ya! Me and the others in Tartaros don't even bother with all that magic crap! We use curses! They make magic look like kid's stuff!"

"Curses?!" Lucy repeated.

Jackal raised his arm into the air, his power swelling. "No wizard can compete with us!" He then swung his arm downward.

SPIRAL BLAST

A huge spinning explosion erupted from the floor, engulfing both Wendy and Lucy and sending them flying in different directions amongst the debris of the destroyed home.

"Lucy!" Happy shouted.

"Wendy!" Carla yelled in worry.

His opponents down for the count, Jackal used the opportunity to chase after Michello. He ran into the city. "See ya!"

Michelia walked to Lucy, who was struggling to make it to her feet. "I'm so sorry." She apologized, tears stinging her eyes. "This…this is all Grandpa's fault. If he just-"

"No! It's not his fault!" Lucy interrupted. "This is a fight about our honor!" She briefly looked back to Wendy, who had also made it to her feet. "Wendy, go check on Natsu! I'll follow Jackal!"

"Right!" The young dragon slayer acknowledged.


Michello ran into the middle of town, his exhausted breaths echoing through the near empty streets. Have to get away! Have to get away! "He's trying to kill me!" he shouted into the streets to anyone who would listen. "Somebody help me!" Luckily his words made some of the bystanders curious.

"What's that sound?" One of the townspeople asked.

"Who is that old guy? I've never seen him before."

"He looks really scared. Does this have to do with those explosions from earlier?"

Michello stopped at the first man who happened to cross his path. "Hey you!" he shouted. "Find me a place to hide!"

"What are you talking about?" the man asked in confusion.

"Someone is trying to kill me, you dolt!"

"How is that my problem?"

"Listen, you! I was in the magic council! That means I have been protecting your sorry hides this whole time! Now it's your turn to protect mine!"

"Game's up, old man!" Jackal shouted from a nearby rooftop. Michello screeched in fright and took off running once again. Unfortunately he barely made it two steps before tripping and falling to his knees.

He looked back at the demon, his eyes watering from fear. "I don't know anything! I swear! I got nothing to do with any of it!" He scurried away, jumping into a nearby river and attempting to swim away. "I just want to live a peaceful life with my granddaughter!"

"You mean the granddaughter you left high and dry?" Jackal reminded with mocking laughter.

Lucy rounded a corner, seeing Jackal atop one of the houses. "There he is!" when she was close enough she grabbed a gate key. "Open…!" Before she could finish, Lucy found herself standing in the middle of a strange magic circle.

"I wouldn't budge if I were you." Jackal sarcastically advised.

"What is this?" Lucy questioned.

Jackal looked to the blonde. "It's my landmine curse. The instant you move…boom!"

The townspeople were more confused than frightened at the scene playing out before them.

"What's going on?"

"It looks like some kind of wizard fight."

"You're all in danger!" Lucy warned the spectators. "You have to get out of here now! Get away from here!" Once again the townsfolk seemed unfazed by the danger around them.

"Haven't I seen her before?" one of the men asked about Lucy.

"She was in the Grand Magic Games!" Another one marveled.

"There's lots of humans around here." Jackal pondered. "I think I have an idea." He stood up and pointed towards Michello, lifting him up in a translucent purple ball.

"No! Let me go!" Michello flailed around uselessly.

Next Jackal pointed at a random woman in the crowd, lifting her in a ball just as he did Michello. His victims chosen, the demon began to explain his terms. "I have two bombs here."

"Did he say bomb?!" A bystander asked.

"I'm not sticking around for this!"

Suddenly the crowd began to disperse, leaving only Lucy, Jackal, and his two victims. "Why did everyone run away?" Jackal wondered with a taunting smirk. Next he turned his attention to the still stunned Lucy. "They were just about to see just how heartless humans can be." He then pointed his index finger at the captured blonde. "Here's the game, I'll only make one explode, but you have to choose which one."

Lucy's eyes went wide in shock. "What?" she managed.

"Help me, please!" the woman pleaded. "I'm pregnant!"

Michello frantically pounded on the inside of the bomb. "Your job is to protect me isn't it?!" He shouted to Lucy. "Hurry up and get me outta here!"

"Why are you doing this?!" Lucy demanded of Jackal. "What could you possibly have to gain from torturing people like this?!"

Jackal jumped down from the roof of the building. "Gain? Nothing. This is all just for fun. It's a game. You humans are nothing but toys to me."

"Why can't you just release me and fight fair, and-"

"Ten seconds." Jackal interrupted with a sadistic smirk. "Clock's ticking."

Lucy felt her body shake in fear. The choice was impossible to make. Her job was to protect Michello, but she couldn't allow an innocent woman to die, especially not a soon to be mother.

The captured woman began to sob. "Why is this happening to me?"

"Why are you hesitating?!" Michello screamed at Lucy. "I'm a former member of the council! My life is much more important than some random woman!"

"Don't forget…" Jackal reminded. "You move from that circle you go kaboom! As will they."

The woman clutched her stomach, internally praying for some sort of miracle to save her and her baby from this terrible fate. "Don't worry..." she reassured her unborn child. "Mommy will not let anything happen to you."

"You have to save me!" Michello shouted. "That's your job! Protect me! Which of the two of us has done more good in this world?! There shouldn't even be a need to think about it!"

Lucy clenched her teeth in frustration and she looked away in shame.

"Well?!" Jackal prodded with a sadistic smile. "Who is going to be saved…Fairy Tail?!"

"How about both?!" A fireball descended from the sky, revealing itself to be a revived Natsu. The dragon slayer elbowed the cackling demon in the neck, sending him rolling along the ground.

"Natsu?!" Lucy called out in disbelief, but also relief.

"Are you ok, Lucy?!" Wendy asked, running towards her friend.

The two orbs disappeared, dropping both the woman and Michello to the ground. The circle beneath Lucy went away as well. "The bombs have all been disarmed!" she noted.

The pregnant woman fell to her knees and covered her face, tears of relief flowing from her eyes. "Oh god…" she cried.

"You're ok now." Happy reassured.

"We will take you somewhere safe." Carla offered.

"Well done!" Michello praised. "I'm alive! I'm really alive! I can't believe you-"Natsu punched Michello on the top of his head, knocking the old man out. While irritated, his team was not surprised, save for Wendy.

"You get on my nerves." Natsu said to the unconscious Michello. "Shut up for a bit will ya?" He then looked to Jackal, cracking his knuckles. "Threatening to blow up a pregnant woman? You just keep finding new ways to piss me off."

Jackal rose from the ground, wiping the blood from his mouth. "You're a real slow learner, aren't ya? You already forgot about my curse?!"

Natsu gripped his elbow tightly and held his arm over his face as the light from the marking grew. "I figured that trick out already."

"What are you talking about?" Jackal questioned.

When the bomb exploded, Natsu opened his mouth, eating the fire that it had created. When the smoke from the explosion settled, Natsu was completely fine, save for his now frizzy hair and the scorch marks covering his body. Nonetheless he grinned, eager to resume the fight. "See?" he asked the surprised Jackal.

Jackal was floored by the display. "No way! That's impossible!"

Natsu smirked eagerly at the stunned demon. Exhaling steam through his nose. "I'm all fired up."

"What in the world…are you…" Jackal stared at Natsu in utter awe, feeling something…familiar about the dragon slayer.

Natsu pushed off of his foot towards Jackal, hitting him the face with a solid right hook that knocked the demon loopy. "I'm Natsu!" he declared.

Jackal fell to the ground, but once again rose with a smirk. "You hit me again! Ready to go boom?!"

Natsu looked at his glowing fist, unfazed by the imminent explosion. When he felt the blast coming, he shoved his fist into his mouth, eating the explosion as it went off. Once again the others were surprised by this action. Natsu laughed at Jackal. "I told ya I figured it out! That won't work on me anymore!"

Jackal was at a loss for words for the first time in quite a while. He stared at Natsu in disbelief, his eyes going wide. What the hell is with this guy…? He looked down to his hand. It was shaking. He clenched his fist, but that didn't serve to help his shaking. How can a human make me shiver? He looked at the malevolent glare in Natsu's eyes and his fear only increased. Is this guy even human? There's no way he's human! He can't be! Jackal let out a fierce roar and his body began to change. His height increased by several meters, his muscle mass increasing as well. The hair on his head began to cover his body, his face morphing to represent the animal he was named after.

Wendy, feeling the huge surge of energy from the demon, called out to her fellow dragon slayer. "Natsu, watch out! There's something wrong with him!"

"Huh?" Natsu watched as Jackal finished his transformation. He was now more beast than man.

The demon lunged towards Natsu, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he drew back his clawed hand.

"He turned into a monster?" Natsu questioned in shock.

Jackal closed his fist and punched Natsu, but the dragon slayer managed to block. Damn. He hits hard. Wait, what's going on? Natsu's eyes widened when another explosion went off at the point of impact from Jackal's punch. This explosion was much bigger than of his previous ones, destroying many of the buildings in town. Wendy and Lucy dived for cover, while Michello was blown into a building by the debris-laden winds.

Natsu managed to slide away before the blast engulfed him. "What's his problem?!" he angrily asked, running back to his out of control opponent. "Is he trying to destroy the entire town?!"

Jackal raised his fist into the air and brought it down on Natsu, who once again guarded. "You humans should learn your place!" he roared. "You should know better than to pick a fight with us demons!"

"Demons?!" Natsu questioned, nearly falling to one knee from both the impact of Jackal's strike, as well as the explosions going off around him. "You guys are seriously demons?!"

Jackal raised his other fist into the air, igniting it with fire. "This is the end for all humans!"

"Is that the reason you're fighting us?!" Natsu demanded. "Because we're humans?!" He lifted his leg into the air, catching Jackal under the chin with a flaming kick. "We're not like you! We're fighting for our wounded friends! It doesn't matter if we have to fight humans, demons, or even gods!" Natsu drew back his fist, igniting with lightning infused flames. "Help me out here, Laxus!"

THUNDER FLAME DRAGON'S FIRING HAMMER

Natsu lunged forward, his punch engulfing Jackal in torrent of lightning-coated flame that ripped through the city and sent the demon crashing into the wall that borders the town.

"He got carried away again." Lucy shook her head with a smile.

"I'll say." Wendy sighed.

Natsu felt his fists glowing, and once again he exploded.

"Natsu!" Lucy shouted, she and Wendy running to his side.

"Not even he could handle all of those explosions." Wendy commented.

"Are you all ok?" Happy asked. He and Carla flew down overhead.

"We managed to evacuate all of the people in town." Carla informed. "What happened here?"

"That Jackal guy was a really tough opponent. It took everything Natsu had to fight him to a draw." Lucy answered.

"No…" Natsu argued from his supine position. All of his muscles ached but he still managed to raise a victory sign into the air. "I won." He managed. "I got revenge for Erza."

"So you say." Wendy laughed.

"You beat him?" Happy asked. He and Carla touched down on the ground near their friends.

"We still have to get information out of him. " Carla irritably reminded.

Jackal laid on his stomach in the rubble of his defeat, but he still managed a laugh. Everyone looked at him in surprise. "Yeah, he got me pretty good." He praised Natsu. "No one's ever gotten this far with me before." The ground beneath him began to erupt. The early stages of an explosion. One that was proving to be his biggest one yet. Soon pillars of light sprang up all over town. "Sorry, Kyôka." Jackal apologized. "I failed my mission, but at least I can take all of these humans with me when I go!"

"Wh-what's going on?" Lucy feared as she looked around the glowing city.

"What's he doing?" Wendy asked, equally frightened.

Natsu tried to move, but his body was too weak due to the amount of power he used as well as Jackal's bombs. Dammit!

"Is he trying to blow up the entire town?!" Carla worried.

"Don't do this!" Wendy implored.

"No…can do." Jackal smirked, still prone. "It's too late to stop it. My body itself is the bomb. You could kill me now, but that wouldn't stop it from going off." The rumbling increased its intensity, rocking the entire town. "I'll see you all in hell!"

"What are we going to do?" Lucy asked. "At this rate the entire town will…"

"That's not going to happen." Happy – to the shock of everyone – grabbed Jackal by his neckerchief and flew him into the air at top speed.

"Wha-!" Jackal gasped.

"Happy!" Natsu shouted as he watched his friend fly higher into the air. "Get back here now!"

"Wait…!" Carla gasped.

"Stop!" Lucy yelled.

"Get away from him!" Wendy screamed.

"You little…" Jackal growled. "Let go of me!"

Happy grinned at the weakened demon. "We're not gonna let a big jerk like you beat us." He said.

Jackal felt the pressure in his body building, the explosion would happen any second. "Dammit~!" Jackal bellowed before his body exploded high in the sky.

The Fairy Tail wizards were stunned silent. Happy had sacrificed his life to save them, as well as the entire town. Carla began to tear up, before the debris in the air was blown away, revealing Happy! With a frizzy afro no less!

"That was a close one." The exceed smiled nervously. "I thought I was done for."

Everyone sighed in relief. Natsu smiled wide. "We did it."

"We should find Elder Michello." Wendy suggested.

"You're right." Lucy nodded.

"I'll go look for his granddaughter." Happy volunteered.

"I'll go with you." Carla said. The two exceeds flew off in search of the girl.

"Now, where did he run off to?" Lucy wondered.

"H-here…" A quaking voice answered.

The three Fairy Tail wizards looked ahead, seeing Michello sitting against the remains of a destroyed building a couple centimeters ahead of them. He looked terrible. His hair was disheveled and covered in soot from the explosions, his body was shaking and covered in sweat, and his skin was pale white out of fear. He didn't look at the wizards, keeping his gaze on the ground. "It can't be…" he muttered. "It just can't be…"

Lucy and the others looked at one another in confusion at the man's state. It was clear that he was hiding something. Something dangerous.


"This is horrible." Alana stated sadly as she walked through the destroyed remains of Elder Hogg's home along with Juvia and Gray.

"Do you think whoever did this is still here?" Juvia worried.

"I doubt it." Gray answered. "This looks like this was done days ago. The culprit's long gone by now."

Alana looked over the body of Elder Hogg. It was riddled with both deep and shallow cuts. It looked as if the man was repeatedly cut into with a sharp blade. In fact the entire town where his house was located looked the same, incongruent cuts in buildings and other structures. "Who in the world could do such a thing?"

"Hey, guys." Gray called to the girls. "I got the lacrima set up."

Alana and Juvia – who was checking over the slashes at the Elder's front door – walked to the Ice wizard. The communication lacrima was set up on a surprisingly untouched table. Master Makarov could already be seen within the orb.

"What happened?" he asked.

"No good." Gray reported. "We were too late."

"What?!" Makarov shouted. "What of Elder Hogg?!"

Juvia looked away in shame. "He's already…" she moved out of the way so their Master and others could take a good look at this body. The sight horrified them.

"We heard someone went on a rampage in the town." Alana said. "The entire area is a mess."

"Yes." Juvia nodded. "It is a horrible sight."

"Is there any trace of the culprit?" Makarov asked.

Gray shook his head again. "None."

"How is this possible?" The old man questioned.

"What about your group, Gajeel?" Cana asked. "What's going on with Elder Belno?"

The communication switched over to Gajeel's group, but Gray and his group were still able to see what was going on.

"We arrived too late." Gajeel regretfully reported.

"But there's no signs of anything out of the ordinary." Levy added.

"We suspect it was an assassination." Pantherlily informed. "Yukino is currently looking outside for any signs of who may have done this."

"Do you smell anything, Polaris?" Yukino asked. The mechanical pink bear stood up on his hind legs and shook it's head. "I see. Thank you for your help." She closed his gate and walked back into the house.

"Did you find anything, Yukino?" Levy asked.

The celestial wizard shook her head regrettably. "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to find any trace of who did this."

"Dammit!" Gajeel clenched his fist in anger. "We should have got here sooner…"

"Gajeel…" Levy called with concern.

Cana's brow furrowed in frustration. "So they got to both Elder Hogg and Elder Belno before us. Our only hope now is that Erza and the others were able to make it to their stations in time."


In a small village secluded within a mountain range was where Lisanna and Elfman were sent to find Elder Yuri. The older Strauss sibling looked around the village, his sister holding the map they were given beforehand.

"The entire place is deserted." He said. "Where's this guy's house to supposed to be, Lisanna?"

"There." She pointed to a hut near a cave entrance. "His house should be there."

The two entered the home. "Elder Yuri?!" Elfman called into the silent hut.

"We're here from Fairy Tail!" Lisanna informed. "You're in grave danger! Tartaros is-"

"Lisanna, I found him!" Elfman declared.

She ran to her brother, who was holding up the body of an old man. "Is he ok?" she asked, fearing that she already knew the answer.

Elfman shook his head sadly. "No good. He's gone."

"Oh no…" Lisanna gasped. "We were too late."

"Get the communication lacrima out. We have to report this to the Master."

"Right." Lisanna reached into the bag hanging from her shoulder, pulling out the large blue orb.

"How was he killed?" Elfman inquired to no one. "I don't see any signs of an attack on him. Was it poison?" Suddenly the thought dead councilman opened his eyes and rose up, surprising both Strauss siblings. "He's alive!" Elfman exclaimed.

Yuri turned his head towards Lisanna and pointed at the lacrima, using his magic to shatter it.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Elfman shouted. "That was our communications lacrima!"

Yuri offered no answer. Instead he fell to his knees then onto his stomach, his eyes still open. Elfman and Lisanna looked on in confusion. "What just happened?" Elfman asked.

"I don't know…" Lisanna answered worriedly.

"Just as I thought." A voice lamented from behind the two. "The Macro of the Mortified does not work well at all." this person let out a disgruntled sigh, turning the page in the book they were reading. The Strauss siblings turned the mysterious voice, seeing a girl with long black hair and golden horns sitting in a chair in the was a bored expression on her face.

"Who are you?!" Elfman questioned.

"What did you do to Elder Yuri?!" Lisanna demanded.

Sayla retained her dull face, eyes still on her book. "I simply aided him in his trip to the underworld." She said plainly.

"You're from Tartaros?!" Elfman interrogated.

Sayla flipped one more page before closing the book and placing it on the table in the library. "You humans write such dull stories." She sighed. "Shall I spin for you my own tale? One of demons?"

"Heads up, Lisanna!" Elfman warned. "She's about to attack."

"Right." Lisanna nodded.

Suddenly, Elfman gripped his sister by the neck and began choking her. He looked at Lisanna, completely surprised at his actions. "Wha-"

"Elf…" Lisanna gasped out, her hands on his massive fingers. She felt him squeeze tighter.

"My hand's moving on its own!" Elfman argued to his struggling sister. He tried to loosen up, but his body was not listening to him. He watched in horror as his little sister struggled to breathe. "Lisanna!"

"I…can't…breathe…" she gasped.

Elfman angrily looked to Sayla, who simply stood in front of them. "What are you doing to me?! Stop it now!"

"In the story of demons, there is no such thing as the word…'mercy'." Sayla retorted coldly.

"Dammit~!" Elfman wailed. "Stop! Stop making me do this!"

"Elf…" Lisanna was beginning to fade.

"Hang in there, Lisanna!" he pleaded. "Please!" He shouted to Sayla. "I'm begging you! Make this stop!"

"Begging?" Sayla's glare narrowed. "Only a human seeks boon from begging. The only way a human can truly benefit from begging a demon, is by selling their soul. Will you sell me yours?"

Elfman looked to the demon woman, tears streaming down his eyes in fear for what he may do to Lisanna if he didn't comply. He had flashbacks of when he was first possessed by the beast, more specifically how he thought he killed Lisanna back then. Even though that wasn't true in the end, he knew he wasn't fortunate enough to avoid that event a second time. He nodded begrudgingly in acceptance of Sayla's offer.

"Very well." Sayla snapped her fingers, and Elfman let go of Lisanna, her unconscious body falling to the floor.

"Lisanna!" Elfman wanted to reach for her, but his body was still not his own. "What's wrong with my body?"

"That is my curse. Macro." Sayla explained. "It allows me to manipulate any person as I see fit by giving specific 'orders'."

"That's what you did to me?" Elfman questioned. He looked down to his sister, seeing that she was being grabbed by a smiling bunny girl. "Leave her alone!"

"Remember that your soul now belongs to me." Sayla reminded Elfman. Lamy walked back to Sayla, Lisanna slung over her shoulder. "We will hold on to your sister until your debt is paid. Do not fret, her story will not end prematurely as long as you see things through to the final chapter."

"Yep!" Lamy chirped. "If you just listen to us, we'll give her back to you no problem!"

Elfman gritted his teeth. He hated this situation but he had no choice if he wanted Lisanna to live. "Fine. What do I have to do?"

Sayla walked to him, and reached into her kimono sleeve, revealing a lacrima with an intricate design on it. She placed it on a table between herself and Elfman. "You must complete only two assignments, and your debt will be paid."


"Come on, you stupid thing." Lucy grumbled as she repeatedly smacked the top of the communication lacrima.

"It seems it was damaged during the battle." Carla observed.

"How will we contact everyone at the guild?" Wendy fretted.

"We can just fly back." Natsu suggested.

"Aye!" Happy chirped.

"I think I got it!" Lucy exclaimed. The picture in the lacrima began to come into view, showing Makarov and the others. "Master!"

"Lucy?!" the old man ran to the table the lacrima sat on in the guild. "How are things with your group?! Did you succeed in finding Michello?!"

"Yeah we found him. We also fought the guy who destroyed the magic council. Natsu's in pretty bad shape, too."

"But I still won the fight." Natsu shouted.

"He also managed to destroy the town." Carla added.

"Aye. My hair is destroyed too." The exceed rubbed his paw on his afro.

"Were you able to get anything from Michello?" Makarov frantically asked.

"Well…" Lucy trailed off. She turned the lacrima towards the still shaking elder.

Michelia was at his side, worriedly rubbing his back. "Grandfather…" she muttered.

"White inheritance…" Michello muttered. "Face…I know nothing I swear…I don't know anything."

Makarov raised an eyebrow. "Face?"

"Face…is one of the weapons belonging to the magic council." Michello explained to the shock of everyone.

Natsu – feeling much better thanks to Wendy – rose up and turned his head to Michello. "A weapon?!" he irritably repeated. "What's the council doing with something like that?"

"I imagine that it's to keep some sort of order within the magic world." Carla hypothesized with a perplexed expression. "I have some reservations about this, but please continue with your explanation."

"Depending on how destructive the weapons are, there are special measures in order to keep them safe from misuse." Michello explained. "For example, Etherion is an enormous magical cannon with the power to wipe out an entire kingdom in an instant, but in order to be fired its use needs to be approved by all nine members of the council, as well as use the codes provided by ten of the highest-level wizards within the bureaucracy."

"So since all the council members are dead…" Jet began.

"That means Tartaros can't fire Etherion." Droy finished.

"Removing Etherion might have been one of the enemies' objectives." Pantherlily guessed.

"What kind of weapon is this 'Face'?!" Makarov interrogated the shivering Michello.

The elder bit his lip, hesitating to answer.

"I know you were sworn to secrecy, but billons of lives are at stake! Tell us what we need to know!" Makarov demanded.

Michello's lip quivered more before he finally relented and spoke. "Face is magic pulse bomb. It has the power to eliminate all magic on the continent."

"What?!" Gray shouted.

"All magic on the continent…?" Levy gasped.

"Is such a thing even possible?" Yukino asked in disbelief.

"Why would the council create a weapon like that?" Alana inquired.

"Every wizard in Ishgal would suffer from Magic Deficiency Disease!" Cana pointed out.

"That's not all!" Lucy informed. "Tartaros doesn't use magic! They refer to their abilities as curses!"

"An entire continent filled with ailing wizards, all while Tartaros is free to use their abilities without fear of resistance." Pantherlily deduced.

"What possible purpose could there be to create such a weapon?" Makarov questioned in fear.

Natsu grabbed Michello by the collar of his tattered shirt. "Where is this 'Face' bomb?! We'll destroy it before they have a chance to activate it!"

"I…I really don't know…" Michello whimpered. "I once heard that it is sealed via organic link magic between three council members, but only the former chairman knows who those individuals were!"

"Organic link magic…" Happy repeated.

"That means that the key to unlocking face is the lives of those three council members." Wendy revealed.

"So that's why they're just killing members of the council without questioning them." Gray realized.

"They don't know who is conected to Face." Alana added. "But isn't killing them all indiscriminately counterproductive? I mean just because they know how to activate the bomb, that doesn't necessarily mean they know where it's located."

"Who is to say that they don't already know Face's location?" Juvia proposed. "If they already know where the bomb is located, then they don't need to question the members they kill."

"That makes sense." Levy agreed.

Gajeel turned towards the lacrima in his group's location. "If they manage to kill those three council members then Face will fall right into their hands and go off, old man! We gotta hurry and find them!"

"Gajeel's right!" Makarov said to the guild, he then turned back to Michello. "You said the former chairman knows where they are located?!"

"I-it's possible…" Michello stammered.

Makarov turned back to the guild. "What is the status on the other council members?!"

"We found sixteen more former councilmen." Warren reported. "We also got some of the other guilds to help us out in protecting them."

"Where are Erza and Mirajane?! They were supposed to be heading towards the former chairman's home!"

"They should be arriving there any minute now!" Laki said. "We already informed them of the situation."

"Good! With those two, we're sure to stay ahead of Tartaros. Alright, everyone! We have to hurry!"

"Yes sir!" the guild shouted in unison as they frantically searched through papers and maps.

"We're gonna need all hands on deck if we want to stop Tartaros!" Cana shouted. She looked around the guild, noticing that a few people were missing. "Where are Alzack and Bisca?!"

"They went home." Nab informed. "They said they wanted to keep the Asuka and Aura safe."

"Well we need them here with us. Flare can watch the girls." She looked over the guild once more. "Max! Warren! Laki!"

The three wizards assembled in front of the fortuneteller. "What's going on, Cana?" Max asked.

"Can you three go tell and Alzack and Bisca what's going on? We need them here with us."

"You got it!" Warren nodded. "Come on, guys!" the three ran out of the guild hall towards the Connell home.

Cana watched them as they faded from view. "Something doesn't feel right."


In a forest far away from Magnolia, Erza and Mirajane disembarked their ride, a giant elk. Erza petted the animal down the side of its fur, offering it berries that it gladly ate. "Good boy." She complimented.

"Erza…" Mirajane began.

"Yes?" She answered, not looking at the barmaid.

"Are you sure that you wanted to take this job?"

"What do you mean?"

"Wouldn't you have preferred to go with Natsu's team?"

Erza chuckled lightly at the question. "I'm Natsu's wife, Mirajane. Not his mother. He is perfectly capable of taking care of himself without me hovering over him."

"There's also Jellal." Mirajane mentioned. "He's a former councilman isn't he? They're probably targeting him as well."

"Most likely, but just like Natsu, Jellal can take care of himself. Besides I have no idea where he is, and the former chairman is more important right now anyway. He has information on which members of the council are linked to Face."

"I suppose you're right." Mirajane conceded. "This position could possibly be the most single outpost in the entire magic world."

"Then let's be on our way." Erza lead Mirajane to a clearing in the middle of the forest. Atop a small hill at the end of a dirt path was the house of Crawford Seam, former chairman of the magic council. The two women walked to the door, Erza lightly tapping her knuckles against the worn wood.

"Yes? Who is it?" a voice echoed from the other side.

"Chairman Crawford, my name is Erza Dragneel. My companion Mirajane Strauss and I have urgent news from the Fairy Tail guild."

"Please let us in." Mirajane implored. "You're life is in serious danger."

There was a brief silence before the locks on the door clicked. It opened, revealing a rather burly man with a large white beard that split and tied into buns at the ends. He also had a small bun of white hair at the top of his head. He stared at the two young women before offering them a smile. "Please, come in."

Erza and Mirajane walked into the rather spacious house. Taking in all of the wooden furniture. Crawford walked the two to a large round table in the middle of the foyer. "Please, have a seat." He instructed. "I was just in the middle of making tea."

"Thank you." Erza accepted as she and Mirajane took their seats.

"Your home is very lovely, Chairman Crawford." Mirajane complimented.

"Thank you." The old man chuckled. "Being retired does have its benefits." He poured tea into two cups and placed them in front of the Fairy Tail wizards. "Here you are." He then turned to pour his own cup.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Mirajane bowed her head.

"This tea smells lovely." Erza complimented, smelling the liquid's rich aroma.

"Many have called it 'earth's apple'." Crawford explained. "I started cultivating these herbs after I retired. There is also chamomile from my garden in there as well." When he finished pouring his tea he turned and took his seat at the table. "I don't mean to be rude. I don't receive many visitors, so I appreciate the gesture, but…how do you know where I live?"

"We apologize for invading your privacy in this manner…" Mirajane began, "But this is a serious emergency. We received your location through a network of information exclusive to our guild."

"Then I must praise your network." Crawford sighed with a smile. "My address was to remain top secret."

"We beg your forgiveness." Erza bowed in apology.

"It's fine." Crawford laughed. "I'm retired. So I won't be punishing you. However…" he pointed to Erza. "I seem to recall meeting you before." He rubbed his beard as he tried to recall the memory, his eyes widened in realization. "Ah yes! Erza Scarlet! I remember seven years ago when you were on trial for the destruction caused during the Eisenwald incident. We were interrupted by that rambunctious Salamander fellow." Crawford laughed fondly at the moment. "But your name is no longer Scarlet, is it?"

Erza shook her head. "No. The man who barged in on the trial…is now my husband." The redhead sunk into her chair, thoroughly embarrassed by the incident. "I'm so sorry for what happened back then. I cannot begin to describe how embarrassed I am by that."

Mirajane stifled her laughter by sipping her tea.

"There is no need to worry." Crawford laughed again. "That is quite a fond memory of mine. Rumor has it you were frozen on an island for seven years not long after that, correct?"

"Chairman Crawford…" Mirajane's tone suggested they return to the task at hand. "The reason we came here…"

"Ah yes. You said my life was in danger correct?"

"Yes." Erza nodded. "We came to see if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Face."

The former chairman huffed in exhaustion, dredging up memories of a time best forgotten. "Face. I heard what has happened to my former colleagues, and it just breaks my heart. I must say I admire the heroism you all show now that the council is no longer functioning. It makes my old bones smile to know that wizards are stepping up to protect this country."

"We believe that stopping Tartaros starts with destroying Face." Erza informed.

"Would you please provide us with any information that would help us locate it?" Mirajane asked.

Crawford sighed regretfully. "Sad to say that I don't know where Face is currently being kept."

Both Erza and Mirajane gave him skeptical looks, prompting the former chairman to explain himself.

"I'm not trying to be secretive. I honestly have no idea where it is. Even though I was once the chairman, there was never a real need for me to know Face's location."

"How could Tartaros possess information that even the former chairman of the council is unaware of?" Erza interrogated. Something didn't add up.

"I have no earthly idea." Crawford answered. He scratched his head. "That is quite the mystery."

"Well could you at least tell us the identities of the council members protecting Face?" Mirajane inquired.

"We'll protect them with all the power at our disposal." Erza declared.

Crawford scratched the top of his head again. "Unfortunately, I was not given that information either."

"How is that possible?" Erza questioned.

"Face itself was…disavowed." The former chairman explained. "It was forbidden to even acknowledge that it existed at all. It was for this reason that the three keys to face, didn't actually know they were keys. This was thought as the best way to keep the weapon protected from enemies."

"The keys don't know themselves?" Mirajane blurted.

"Then Tartaros must really plan on killing every past council member…" Erza guessed. Suddenly the two felt an evil presence outside, prompting them to both stand up.

'Wh-what's happening?" A startled Crawford asked the two.

"Looks like they've arrived." Mirajane said.

"Your house is surrounded." Erza told Crawford. "From the sound of their footfalls, I estimate at least twenty men."

"Get to a secure room, chairman!" Mirajane ordered.

"Who is it?" the frightened man asked. "Is it Tartaros?"

"They're coming, Mira." Erza informed.

"I can hear them." The barmaid acknowledged.

The wall broke down, revealing a horde of armored soldiers. Erza requipped into her Blackwing armor while Mirajane transformed into her Satan Soul form. Together they pushed the advancing soldiers out of the house and into the clearing. They stood on the hill, their angered glares focused on the men below them.

"You will not lay a hand on the chairman." Erza declared.

The soldiers said nothing as they circled the two strongest women in Fairy Tail. Erza looked to Mirajane, a small smirk appearing on her lips. "This is first time we've teamed up in a while isn't it?"

Mirajane returned Erza's smirk with one of her own. "It is. Let's show them who it is they're messing with."

The two raced in opposite directions, defeating the armored attackers with ease and quickly thinning out their numbers. After about an hour, all of their enemies lie defeated.

"Was that the last one?" Erza asked.

"I believe so." Mirajane answered. "You did a good job, Erza."

"You as well."

The two returned to their normal forms, but something didn't quite right with the situation. "That was odd." Erza commented.

"You thought so too?" Mirajane inquired.

Erza nodded. "The former chairman should be considered a high-profile target, but these grunts were taken down way too easily. One would think Tartaros would send its stronger members for an assignment like this. Something is definitely wrong here."

"You're right…" Mirajane trailed off. She blinked, her vision starting to go blurry. She then felt her body go numb. "Erza…"

"What is it, Mira?" Erza turned her head, seeing her friend's tired state.

"I…I don't…" Mirajane trialed off again before falling to the ground.

"Mira!" Erza called. She tried to run to her aid, but soon she also felt exhausted. In a matter of seconds she too was on the ground.

"My, oh my. What do we have here?" Crawford said creepily as he approached the unconscious duo. He picked them both up. "This is no place to be sleeping." He walked back to his home, standing in front of a communications lacrima. "This is Crawford." He reported. "I managed to capture two of them still intact. It seems a change of plans is in order."

The person he was talking to in the lacrima, was none other than Kyôka. "An admirable feat indeed." She praised. "Befitting of a former chairman. If you would, please make a swift return to the guild hall."

"As you wish ma'am."


Natsu and the others sat and pondered what their next move would be. Well to be more accurate, Lucy and Wendy wondered what to do, Natsu was lost in thought about other things.

"What's wrong, Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"Are you still hurt?" Wendy inquired.

Natsu shook his head. "No. I'm just confused."

"Aren't you always?" Carla pointed out.

Natsu ignored the tabby's jab and continued to think.

"Natsu?' Happy called.

How does Tartaros know where all of the council members are? If that stuff was supposed to be kept secret, then there was no way they could have known ahead of time where to be. His eyes then widened. Unless…! He ran to Michello, lifting the old man up by the collar. "The former chairman's house! Where is it?!"

"Natsu, what are you doing?! Put him down!" Lucy shouted.

The dragon slayer ignored his friend and continued his interrogation. "Where is it?!"

"It's in the middle of forest just west of here." Michello stammered out.

Natsu dropped Michello to the ground. "We have to hurry, Happy!"

"Aye!" the exceed grabbed his partner and took off into the air, leaving their stunned comrades behind.

"Natsu!" Wendy called.

"Where are you going?!" Lucy shouted, but they were already out of earshot.

"What's going on?" Happy asked.

"Dammit!" Natsu cursed. "Why didn't I figure it out sooner?!"

"Figure what out?"

"Nobody, not even anyone in the current council knows where Face is hidden, or where the past members live! So why does Tartaros?!"

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm saying that someone must have leaked the info to Tartaros! Someone in the council!"

"But who?"

"I'm not sure, but it's gotta be someone high up in the council! I don't want to believe it's him but…" Natsu gritted his teeth in anger, thinking of the danger both his wife and Mirajane were in. "Hurry, Happy! Mira and Erza are in major trouble!"

"Aye! Max speed!" the exceed's wings began to glow, his acceleration propelling he and Natsu faster through the air.

Hang on, Erza. I'm coming. Natsu thought.


Aura stared out of the window of the Connell home. Ever since her parents left on their respective missions, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. It didn't help her nerves that now Atlas was more active than ever.

We have to find Igneel's son, child. The dragon ordered. I sense that he is in grave danger. As are we.

"I don't know where Mama and Papa are, Atty." Aura argued. "I just have to wait until they come back….they promised. Besides Mr. Alzack, Ms. Bisca, and Ms. Flare will protect us."

This is no time for childish optimism. Atlas retorted. If I must possess your body, I will!

"Aura!" Asuka called. "Lunch is done!"

"Ok!" Aura hopped off of the chair she was sitting on and walked to the kitchen table. She sat in front of her plate, which housed a simple ham sandwich. She looked to Asuka, who was happily eating her meal.

"I know you're worried about your parents, Aura." Bisca sympathized. "But you don't need to be, they'll be back."

"Right." Alzack nodded. "They're two of the strongest wizards in the entire guild. They'll return safe and sound along with the others."

"Yeah!" Asuka nodded, bread crumbs on her smiling face. "You'll see! They'll be back!"

Aura smiled at her friend and nodded in agreement. "Yeah! Mama and Papa will be back soon!" Before she could take a bite into her sandwich, Atlas called to her, his voice much more frantic than before.

Aura! We have to evacuate this place now!

"Huh? But why? I said Mama and Papa will be back."

It's not that. Something is approaching from the outside. Something…demonic…

Before Aura could question him further, Flare burst threw the front door, crashing into the kitchen table. Her body was covered in cuts and bruises as she lay unconscious in the rubble.

"Flare?!" Alzack called.

"What happened to her?!" Bisca asked frantically.

"Ms. Flare!" Aura cried.

Everyone turned their heads to the doorway and a figure entered the home, with heavy footsteps stomping on the wood.

Run, Aura! Now! Atlas shouted.


Natsu and Happy soon reached the location that Michello spoke of, seeing Crawford's house in the distance. "There, Happy!" Natsu pointed.

"Aye!" Happy acknowledged.

The two descended to the dirt path to the house, Natsu noticing the swords stuck in ground along with the disturbed bedrock and trees. "There was a battle here." He noted. "Come on, Happy. Let's check the house."

"Aye, sir."

The pair entered the home through the large hole in the wall. "Mira?! Erza?!" Natsu called into the empty space.

Happy landed on the ground. "They're not here, huh?"

"No…" Natsu grimaced. He sniffed the air, his nose catching faint whiffs of strawberry and vanilla. "But I can still smell them a little bit. What the hell happened here?"

A foul smell assaulted Happy's nose, forcing him to cover up. "I smell some really strong herbs."

"Herbs?" Natsu took more whiffs of the air. Catching something, he ran to the overturned teacup. "Here it is." He smelled the liquid that spilled from the cup.

'What do you smell?" Happy asked.

"Some kind of knockout drug…I think."

"Do you think he gave it to Mira and Erza without them realizing it?"

"Probably." Natsu stood up, his hand shaking the more he clenched his fist in anger. They were fooled again by their enemies, but this time they went too far. Not only did they kidnap one of his closest friends, they also kidnapped his wife. "Dammit~!" in his rage, the dragon slayer punched the ground. The shockwave caused the entire house to collapse and crumble around him and Happy.

"What are you doing, Natsu!" Happy exclaimed in fear. "Look what you did to the former chairman's house!"

"That chairman guy is working for Tartaros!" Natsu accused.

Happy emerged from a small pile of rubble he was buried under. "Is that why Tartaros knows where Face is, and why they know the addresses of all the former council members? "Did he take Erza and Mira too?"

"Yeah." Natsu nodded, clenching his teeth in anger. "But I'm going to find them and bring them home." He pressed his forehead on the ground, looking for traces of Erza and Mirajane's scents. That must be why those herbs were all burnt up. He was trying to hide his trail. Sneaky bastard. Once he got the scent he pressed his hands on the ground. "You shouldn't underestimate a dragon's nose! Let's go, Happy!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy summoned his wings and grabbed onto Natsu, their next stop was the Tartaros guild hall.


Max and his group arrived at the Connell house and were shocked at what they saw. The small house was completely destroyed. Rubble was littered everywhere the three looked. They cautiously walked to the destruction.

"What happened here?" Max asked.

"This is horrible." Laki gasped.

"Guys!" Warren called. Max and Laki ran over to thier friend, seeing an unconscious Flare.

"Is she ok?" Max asked.

"She looks like she's just unconscious." Warren answered.

"Well that's good."

"I've found Alzack!" Laki called. She sat next to the gunman, who she pulled from the rubble. He looked no better than Flare. "What happened to them?"

"I don't know." Max shook his head. He looked to the forest, seeing a glimmer in the sun. He walked to it, shocked to see an unconscious Bisca, cradling Asuka in her arms. "Oh no..." he gasped. He leaned down, relieved to see that they were both still breathing.

After a few more minutes of checking out the scene, they decided to report what they found to Cana. Warren pressed his fingers against his temple, activating his telepathy magic. Cana! We've got a problem.

What happened? She asked. Did you find Alzack and Bisca?

We did...but they and Flare were attacked.

Cana's eyes widened. Attacked? By Tartaros?!

We think so. They're alive, but in pretty bad shape. We're gonna bring them back to the guild to heal.

Ok, sounds good. I'll see you all when you get back.

Wait, Cana...there's something else...


Erza slowly felt herself coming to. Groaning as the last bits of fatigue faded away she opened her eyes, seeing the strange sight of a woman in a mask.

"Have you finally awakened?" She grinned.

"Wha…Who are…?" Erza looked down, her eyes widening upon realizing her newly naked state. She gasped in embarrassment. "What is-?!" She tried to move, but felt herself restrained along with a clanging sound. Looking up, she saw that her wrists were chained, forcing her arms up towards the ceiling of the dungeon she was being kept in. Her feet were chained to the floor as well.

"Welcome to Tartaros." Kyôka greeted.

Erza looked back to her jailer. "Tartaros?!" I was captured? But how? I remember fighting off those men with Mirajane, then everything went blank. Her eyes went wide in realization upon noticing that she was alone in her cell. "Where's Mirajane?! And the chairman?!" she demanded.

"The former chairman has joined us." Kyôka revealed. "Once our plans our complete he will most likely return to his position of power. Unfortunately you and your friend fell prey to his trap, and now you are our prisoner."

"That's impossible!" Erza protested. "The chairman would never betray his people like that!" She tried to break free from her chains, but it was no use. Her energy was drained.

"It is futile to resist." Kyôka advised. "The chains that bind you were created with a magic-blocking ore. While bound you are unable to use magic."

Even with this fact Erza continued to struggle. "Where is my friend?! Where is Mira?!"

"She still lives." Kyôka grinned. "She will be of use to this one as a subordinate, but first her flesh must be…altered."

"No! Don't!" Erza interjected.

Kyôka clutched Erza's chin between her index finger and thumb, tilting her head upward to face her. "Cease your wails. You have knowledge important to this one."

"What are you talking about?" Erza implored. "What knowledge?"

"The whereabouts of Jellal Fernandes."

Erza's eyes widened in shock. She was right in her earlier hunch. "Jellal?"

"We know of the relationship you two share."

"What do you want with him?"

"Where is he?" Kyôka interrogated. "Speak!" she pinched Erza in the side, and an intense pain shot through the redhead's body. She felt as if she had just been stabbed by a blade. She cried out in pain, much to the delight of the demon. "This one's curse is able to alter human sensation. The shock you felt is due to your pain receptors being changed to maximum sensitivity. Is it not a pleasant feeling?"

Erza's body twitched in pain.

"Speak." Kyôka ordered.

"I…don't know…where he is." Erza answered through haggard breaths.

"Hmph." Kyôka's index finger extended into a whip that she lashed across Erza's abdomen. Once again the knight screamed in pain. Kyôka grabbed Erza by the hair, forcing the knight to look at her. "At first we intended to kill every member of the council in order to obtain the means to Face, but thanks to the chairman we were able to figure out the three who held the keys to the seal. We have already killed two, which only leaves one…"

"You mean…Jellal…is…."

"Yes." Kyôka inched her face closer to Erza's. "Once Jellal is dead, the safeguards around Face will fall."

"No…" Erza's eyes widened in horror.

"Oh my…" Kyôka feigned surprise. "It seems this one revealed too much information? Now you will be less willing to talk."

"I am telling the truth!" Erza insisted. "I have no idea where Jellal is!"

Kyôka whipped her again, sending another shock through her body. "You last saw one another in Pergrande, correct? You must have spoken since then."

Erza's eyes narrowed at her jailer. "How do you know what happened in Pergrande."

"It is a simple answer. Fenrir's Fang, Yggdrasil, the draining machine, it was all a plan devised by this one."

Erza's eyes went wide again. "You? Tartaros was behind all of that chaos?!"

"It was an experiment. One that, despite your interference, went as planned."

"An experiment?!" Erza thought back to all the pain and the suffering that she and the others went through during and after the campaign in Pergrande. " You warped and manipulated innocent people! Lives were lost! Why would you do something so-?!" Erza's yells were interrupted by another lash from Kyôka's whip.

"This one has no obligation to tell you. Where is Jellal?"

Erza shook her head, her breaths nearly gone. "I honestly don't know…"

"Perhaps this will earn your cooperation." Kyôka surmised with a pleased grin. "If you disclose Jellal's location…we will release all three of you."

Erza managed to raise an eyebrow at Kyôka's bargain. "Three? Who else have you captured besides Mirajane and I?"

Kyôka stepped back, fully analyzing Erza's facial features. "The resemblance is uncanny. Especially in the eyes. This one is intrigued."

"Who is it!" Erza demanded.

"There is no reason to yell. This one will gladly tell you." Kyôka walked to back Erza and whispered in her ear. As she told Erza just who she was speaking of, the redhead's eyes widened in horror. When she finished talking, Kyôka stepped back. "Will that persuade you to reveal his location to me?"

Erza looked down at the ground, her long bangs flowing over her eyes. Slowly she tightened her fists, her body shaking with rage. "Let her go…" she muttered.

"What was that?" Kyôka teased, knowing full well what Erza said.

"Let her go…" the angered knight repeated.

"This one does not know how you are referring to." Kyôka smirked.

Erza looked up at Kyôka, her eyes filled with hate for the demon. She thrashed about violently in her restraints, bellowing: "RELEASE MY DAUGHTER!"


Next chapter up. Sorry if its a bit long, I really wanted to get this one out since I had been planning it for a while. Things will only escalate from here so hopefully you will all stay tuned for future chapters.

As always leave a comment and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading! :)

A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews on this story. Over 400 reviews! I can't thank you guys enough!