Sorry for the wait everyone. Here's next chapter... Things were pretty damn busy, but I'm nearly finished with the next chapter and just finished this one.

I lost my original notes and drafts so there's going to be some changes because I don't remember the original plans, only the rough ideas and flows.

and lolz, I kept misspelling Gran-Doma. I've fixed that in this chapter :)

Happy reading guys. If you see any problems, just point them out. Say whatever you like in the review section.

If you don't then YOU DON'T KNO DA WAE. FOLLOW ME I KNO DE WAE OF DE DEVAL. Ugandan Knuckles


Silver glared his eyes at the strange abomination that was contained inside the glass cradle. He never asked what the fluid was made of, but he was certain it contained demon particles, but to see this kind of effects from it.

The fact that these demons can make these kinds of the beast without a though rendered him mentally sick, and abhorred them even more.

He had to try his best not to release his magic, but even then, he could feel his ether-nanos seeping away little by little.

Silver calmly redrew his breath, pointing his fingers at the creatures inside.

"These new breeds, how strong are they?" He glanced at the leotard demon, who was crossing her arms under her massive mounts because she had no alternatives. He briefly gave her that dirty look, and she returned with cold, calculative, indifferent eyes.

The avian demon, Kyouka's yellow eyes brightened as her lips curled up like a psychopath. "Ho strong are they, you ask Silver? You worry too much."

"But if you like, perhaps we can give him a small demonstration of their strength. Using one for testing is hardly considered as waste." She gazed at Franmalth, the cyclops.

The mutated-overgrown orange spoke as he gathered his to his center like a mad scientist. His grin matched hers, and his voice drooled with vicious deceptions, screeching with venoms below.

"Of course! It is hardly considered a waste!" Then his voice slithered like a python as it suddenly plunged down several octaves below, like more reminiscent of a sly coyote or a cunning weasel. "..but we'll need a test subject."

Silver narrowed his eyes, by their logic the test subject would be the weakest link inside Tartarus, and since everyone here was just as powerful as any others, he had no idea whom Kyouka will pick.

As soon as Kyouka attempted to speak, Sayla quickly voiced out her thoughts.

"We could use this testing opportunity to a tactical means?"

The eye of an avian demon sparked a bit. "Tactical means? Elaborate, Sayla."

"It is now quite obvious that Natsu Dragneel is leading the Magic Council's army, and he had been sending his machines to kill the demons. How about we use this test subject to show him that we are not something to be trifled with. He tried us all with that bomb, we will do the same thing. Retribution, a taste of our power. We should show him we can kill him easily if we wanted to; that we are not some rats in the sewer that can be easily exterminated."

"Ho? Like the idea…so who will be the target?" Asked Kyouka as she trailed her thorny fingers on her metallic helmet delicately.

"Natsu Dragneel is a member of the guild, Fairytail… and he has allied himself with the council. However, if what Crawford had reported us weren't lies, then they are not in very favorable terms with each other. We should seize this opportunity and crumble their relationship… We attack the council itself."

She added. "If, given the raw power of the new breed, one of them is on par with Ezel and Toranfuzar."

She implied something significant here, and by that time, Tempester had caught on.

"One of them will be more than enough to kill them all." Kyouka raised her hand pleasingly and motioned Franmalth.

"Wonderful! Yes, killing them all would be a perfect test to display our army's power! Franmalth! Prepare the demon for the test, now!"

but then, Sayla lifted her arm to motion them to stop, the Kyouka's glee instantly ceased along with everyone's laugh. After she had confirmed that she had their attention, she announced.

"There is still something that needs to be discussed. We have merely started, as the council's obviously watching us, we must find out means to distract them from us."

Kyouka traced her claw alongside her chin and hummed softly before gazing at Salya's form.

"Is that so? Hmm, I applaud for your concise and aggressive planning. Yes, one must make proper arrangement for our plans to work. With their attention gained on us, it would be rather difficult to annihilate them quickly."

She then focused her gaze on the rest of the room.

"Does anyone have a good proposition?"

It was Franmalth's venom dripping vile voice that answered. "What about our back-up, Kyouka-sama?"

The avian demon's brow lifted in interest. "Ah, yes the backup. Is there's a chance that this one is a fraud as well?"

The cyclops rubbed his hand together as he licked his lips. "No, can't possibly. He is a product of our… so proclaimed 'Allies'"

"The Balam Alliance…how amusing, for them to think we're their allies." Kyouka chuckled quietly as she toyed with their nails. Her crackles confirmed everything that Silver knew, that was: The rest of the so-called alliances were merely a part of their toy, and experiment bed.

It was him who tried to steer the conversation back to the original subject. "Hm, but they are still useful to us, aren't they? So, about this backup. What about him?"

"Oh, he is our last resort on directly influencing the council! That puppet also wants for lord Zeref's power, though… I find that part rather funny. Franmalth guffawed, and his laugh was unnecessarily loud and obnoxious. It made Silver wanted to slaughter that demon.

Sayla added. "Even though he is a puppet, he hasn't been contacted by us. I suspect he'll display some hostility."

"Don't we have that female human from Grimoire Heart? I believe she is part of the council." Kyouka pointed out half-heartedly.

"Unfortunately, since the Galuna Island incident, she has gone rogue from the guild and the alliance. I'm afraid she isn't an option, Kyouka-sama."

"Is that so?" "Then she marks herself a prey… I would imagine she is now part of Dragneel's army?"

She gestured to Franmalth, of whom gazed back to Silver for confirmation. Silver replied.

"Yeah, looked like it." He actually hasn't seen her in the council, he could only presume, so he just went along. To him, lying only made the chance of their destruction easier. Even if it was the truth, then he just guessed Natsu Dragneel had extra sidekick on his side. More the merrier.

"then, I shall contact him directly," Sayla concluded. "He will want something from us as in return. As long as we keep him happy, then everything should work to our intention."

She finalized her announcement, marking the last one comma to commence the plans. "Up until now, it had been nothing more than a mere preface… now we can officially start the tale. A prologue to annihilation, and it will make such a splendid story."

As others joined in and praised the plan, Silver could only muster a whisper. He was happy by their foolishness, to be exact. Already had felt the massive power of his, he knew that their plan will only bring their demise quicker. Perhaps this was an augury to something good— He will see his son again.

He chuckled silently as he whispered to himself.

"Huhu… Poor bastards."

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Prometheus

Chapter 48: Auguries of Destruction

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1P.M. Era, Council Building

Gran-Doma walked the corridor as the rest of the council scattered. Some were still shell-shocked from what happened, but the majorities were targeting their anger towards Natsu Dragneel. As for now, things were not looking great as he liked.

From the beginning of the council, he had a plan, and that plan was to siege every possible magic of this world and use it for his own power. Now he and the rest of the councils had that power, the only thing that remained to do was to utilize its full potential; to strike the head of the snake, and then becoming it.

Yes, A coup against the king. The council already had so much power, and the king was either too stupid or ignorant to notice that. This founded nation of Fiore already depended too much on the council, it was only a matter of time before they strike him down. The plan was already in its final stage.

However, all of sudden, this Natsu Dragneel shows up from nowhere and ends up destroying the entire nation with a sweep of his feet, even swallowing up their whole continent that they can rebuild upon.

To be frank, Gran-Doma was terrified by his obscene amount of unimaginable, uncontainable god-like power. He wasn't the only one who felt it the same way, as everyone did. What was worse, that man had no self-control, easily provoked. The strategy to make Irene Belserion, the former member of Spriggan of the destroyed nation as their watchdog seemed to have succeeded, as she was the only person Dragneel listened.

He had no care of what relationship were those in, but as long as it worked, then it worked for him and everyone else as well.

And yet, when Gran-Doma thought he had found a way to contain the unholy beast, he brings Tartarus to them.

There were simply way too many variables in the equations, now he was no longer that his plan would work at all. He feared that he may have to use all of their resources to prevent Tartarus from hindering their plan. Before their final plan to be set in motion, then all barricades and disturbances had to be eliminated no doubt.

"And even that Damnable guild Fairytail…"

He growled at that particular guild. The most powerful guild of all Ishgar… They were always the first to act when 'crisis' occurred. Yet, their delusional mind and their way would certainly interrupt the council's plan. Tartarus, Fairytail, they were both the same at the end.

Gran-Doma ceased his thoughts as he faced someone he recognized. The familiar face he observed, he soon realized the man wasn't at the meeting. It was a male with blue hair, but his clothes tattered and his body damaged. The head-master exclaimed.

"Siegrain." Then he scanned his condition and furrowed, stroking his overgrown beard.

"Hmm, I see that you are alive and well, and yet were missing during the meeting. Your lack of presence… I found it quite disturbing."

Siegrain growled as dragged his left feet. He lumped to the side of the wall sliding down to the ground to set himself somewhat stable and angrily remarked. "Disturbing? You didn't let me enter the vault." "All I could get from you is that you tried to murder me…argh!" He winced at the sudden jolt pain in his leg.

Gran-Doma intentionally ignored that claim, and questioned, "Where were you during the collapse?"

`The blue haired man answered it without missing a beat, and almost aggressively. "Second in command died, and his secretive friend vanished without a trace. Every troop that charged into his location were all dead."

"Second in command?" The headmaster's brow lifted before stoking his beard again. "Crawford Seem was killed? By whom?" His voice lacked soul, and his wrinkled face began to crawl up, especially around his lips. As if he was holding down his surging joy. To that, Siegrain screamed. Veins started to extrude on his neck as he did, and his eyes reddened with his entire face engorged into something disgusting.

"WHAT do you mean, death by whom! Guess who it was!" He calmed down a bit. "Natsu Dragneel, and I've seen it with my own eyes!"

Gran-Doma's smile faltered, his eyes showed a small hint of anger. "Is your source reliable? Is he really killed by that monster?"

Siegrain spread his arms. "Are you ignoring the state that I'm in? While you were fleeing, I took my time to investigate what was going on!"

Gran-Doma groaned as he walked past him, and his serpentine staff followed with incessant thumps. His groan was weak and inconsistent, his steps were growing unsteady, and his grips whitened as his fingers shook uncontrollably. Then he halted middle of the way and turned back. His old face was crumbled up into something unrecognizable, his skin was red slowly transitioning to purple. At last, he screamed in rage.

"He killed Crawford!" Then his voice plunged down. "He killed Crawford, this! IS a crime!"

"He is mocking us! Humiliating my authority! I put him into _and, yet he decides to murder one of our most esteemed members!" His breathing was only getting louder, and his voice was starting to crack.

"This is a direct threat and crime against the council, and he must be punished! We must eliminate this atrocity-!"

Siegrain stood up. "The question is how? If we direct all our force against Natsu Dragneel, then we lose our original directive."

"What do you suggest, then?"

"I believe this calls for a meeting…" However, the headmaster slammed his staff to the ground, and the soundwave echoed throughout the demolished hallway.

"No! This matter cannot be delayed any longer! We must set our plans before he makes the next move! Right now, we have all the reasons to drag him down and destroy him!"

"The others won't like this very much.."

"Then I'll do my job as their headmaster and have them persuaded. I am certain they will agree." Gran-Doma reasoned.

A sly smirk smeared onto Siegrain's lips as he heard his answer. Something flared in his eyes, yet not enough to get the old man noticed.

"I see…well then. I do have a plan. Actually, A plan to kill two birds with one stone." Which was, more than enough to get Gran-Doma interested.

"Let's hear it, then."

And Siegrain was happy to answer.

"We plan to get your coup together and eliminate all opposing forces… You know this includes FairyTail. With the recent demon occurrences, we know for sure that he is a part of something dangerous."

Gran-Doma interrupted. "Tartarus! The rest of the council and I have concluded that he may be related to Tartarus, but none are certain."

Siegrain continued as he responded to his claim.

"Yes, none are certain. Even though he is not part of Tartarus, his relationship with demons cannot go unnoticed. This also includes FairyTail's recent attempt at retrieving a certain artifact from Galuna… I know that they had intentionally helped Natsu Dragneel, which means they had a part in it."

"That would not be enough to disband them… Get them suspended from taking request for a while perhaps, but they're like weeds that are overgrown!"

"Which is why it is necessary to get your eyes and ears out there."

"You have something else," Gran-Doma questioned suggestively as he approached the younger man with the dangerous look in his eyes. Like a hyena, he closed in with eyes of a blood-crazy rabid chimp was more like a confirmation of some sorts. Suddenly, Siegrain looked up into the air and gazed at it, before looking at the surrounding. His smile formed again as he looked back at Gran-Doma. His smile was venomous, sly and serpentine as ever.

"Looks like its time to mark my leave then."

The headmaster growled at his lack of response. "How ridiculous, don't you dare leave me here without a proper answer!"

"Ah, it seems your answer is actually coming right at you, Headmaster. The courier will answer everything. FairyTail had done something that would provide us more than enough reason to disband them forever."

Siegrain turned then began to stroll away to the other end. That part had no lights shining in, just pitch darkness. He waved at the elderly man and signaled his leave.

"Well, then. I and rest of the council shall be waiting for your decision."

Gran-Doma shouted, "What about Tartarus?!" after that scream, he had to pant out loudly as his spit exploded from his lips. He tried to reach for the blue-haired man, but he was already too far away.

"That isn't certain yet, is it? Whatever it is, It all begins and ends with Natsu Dragneel." Siegrain answered as he turned, spreading his arms open before disappearing into the shadow.

As Siegrain walked passed the shadowed area, the tattered clothes and scars on his body began to disappear. Like an illusion, they simply evaporated into nothingness and left nothing but a man in his perfect condition.

His limping leg straightened and started to match the step of his right leg. Then it became faster and faster and faster… He reached for his temple and quietly muttered to the void.

"I did it as you've asked…now, where is it?"

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Gran-Doma's jaw dropped by Siegrain's overconfidence and scoffed at him distastefully. He never liked him, for a child to become equal among the councils, that was simply ridiculous. Yet, he just waited as is, wondering if there's really a courier walking straight to him.

Soon, the sounds of running could be heard from afar. Just like that young man said, it was the messenger, urgently rushing at him with a sense of danger written on his face. He shouted, panting and huffing mixed into it.

"Head-Master! Headmaster! I… I have grave news! It is urgent! FairyTail! F…fairyTail!"

The elderly man's eye snapped wide open before his eyes dilated into a speck. He bellowed out, his saliva spitting out everywhere through his dense aging facial hair.

"How absurd and ludicrous! To see that that child's word is actually right!" He exclaimed to himself before motioning to him.

"Yes! Come! Quick! Tell me all about that miserable guild, now!" Messenger materialized an envelope from his sleeve and handed it over to the old man. Of which, Gran-Doma snatched it faster than an eagle's hunting its prey. He ripped the envelope opened and pulled the content out. He growled out of shock and excitement and screamed top of his lung like a maniac.

"YES! YES!" His fingers trembled as his brain started to work out the plans to destroy both Natsu Dragneel and Fairytail.

He read the content out loud as he had gotten even more excited by the report.

"Demon in FairyTail! Mirajane Strauss?! Yes! Galuna…Tartarus…100 dead, and another 100 missing, 1000 injured! Disappointing number but this should do!"

He then was overjoyed by the bright future he saw from his plan, and he aimlessly started to walk around in a circle, muttering and humming as he finalized his thought.

Everything made sense now, and all parts just conveniently fit into form a perfect picture. IT was just beautiful. What was even more beautiful was the fact that it didn't need to be a truth.

Magic council was the representation of the law, and his words were the truth no matter what the other mages said. This now called for the bane of the guild.

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1 P.M. Gray's House

Gray felt sick. Mentally, he felt his mind was going numb from the fight he pulled out together with his mentor and her daughter. The battle was victory no doubt, and it already passed a day since, but the weak mentality he had was still pushing him down on his both shoulders. Like a pair of the meteor, like a pair of chains dangled by million anchors.

He thought he was strong, perhaps, not as strong as Laxus or Erza, and perhaps Mirajane, now that she had awakened her true power, but he believed he was on a comparable level.

Hell, he believed he was miles better than that pink haired retard named Natsu Dragneel. But now, he was deeply concerned that he may have been wrong. He still thought he was better than that pink haired Re-equip lowly C-class, but…

After that triple unison raid, he had seen how Ultear and Ur moved about as nothing happened, while he was seconds away from drying from exhaustion and deprivation.

That meant those two were a lot strong than him by miles margin, and he had a lot to catch up. Was it admiration? In a sense, it was, but at the same time, it was overwhelming guilt that was clouding him.

He had failed again, thus put his master in danger. Ultear had warned him because of that, and because of it, he felt even iller. Repeating the mistake he had done over a decade ago, once foolishly believed that he had redeemed himself from it (which turned out to be wrong), he couldn't help to cower in despair as he now saw that was nothing but of his delusions.

The realization of his fault struck him hard.

Ultear gave him a third chance to save himself from his failure, but by this rate, he knew he was going to be trouble again. That meant, no matter what happens, in the end, he will end up killing Ur because of his stupidity. Losing her master once was enough, but twice…. That was something unforgivable.

"Perhaps it was best for me to leave in the first place…"

He muttered as he sat up from his bed. He was alone in his room, like how it always was. His master wanted to stay in his home, but he quickly denied it. He couldn't bear the thought of staying with someone he nearly killed for the second time and pretend that never happened.

From his window, he could see the guild. It was already noon, and the outside world was still struggling with the chaos created by the battle.

People were surrounding his guild. Wielding pitchforks, fire, and some preparing a spell that ought to do some damage to the building. Then he saw two figures running towards it blissfully ignorant of what happened. He instantly recognized who they were, one was that blonde haired, golden priestess, and the other was Ultear's adopted daughter.

Gray growled softly at their happiness. Just watching smiling in amidst of crisis turned his gut upside down.

Then he narrowed his eyes at the angry crowd again and drew his breath. Thus finally he made up his mind.

"I guess this is the end."

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Same time, In front of Fairy Tail

Dimaria's brow raised at the mass rallied around the guild building. Instantly, she could see this had something to do with the battle. Meredy however, didn't seem to understand it. She pointed her wooden staff at the blaring crowds and declared—

"Listen up you filthy pigs! How dare— hmph! Hmph!" Dimaria quickly got onto her knee and muffled Meredy's meaningless ranting, but that alone was enough to catch some of them's attention. Soon, one by one, the massive crowd turned their attention to her.

"What is this! Who is this woman?"

"She is a priest!"

And such words came and went. Dimaria was thankful that she still had her priest robe with her, and her hair covered with her hood. She retained that elegant and radiant form as much as possible. Dimaria had to stand up for the crowd, and that was the purpose of a priest.

At this point, she was probably seen as a vicar in their eyes. The time mage questioned.

"Good evening everyone. May I ask what the problem is?"

One of the folk shouted as he raised the pitchfork high up in the air. "Problem! This guild is nothing more than a problem! Look around us! How are we supposed to live!"

Another walked on the front with a baffled expression, but just as angry as the former.

"The Magnolia is now reduced to a ruin! We lost our jobs, families, and houses! What are we supposed to do!"

"My son is missing! How can my son even go missing! It's that damn guild!"

"They took away my family! I cannot go live on like this…!"

A soft frown formed on her gentle, golden face. Their claim was justified, but…

"I understand…" She bowed deeply at the mob. "…I am deeply saddened by your loses. Losing families and friends is something that mustn't be overlooked, I ensure you, by the name of my lord, I promise to give them my blessing as soon as possible. However, despite the Fairytail's action, please understand that they did not intend to be this way…"

"Bullshit! I saw it with my own eyes! They summoned demons! And…" A man disrupted her, but Dimaria quickly corrected. "I am certain Fairytail did not purposely summon the demons, please understand, This is just a big misunderstanding."

She tried to reason, of course, but none listened to her.

"Big Misunderstanding? That's a lie! Tell me, then what summoned a demon, huh? At least you know that much, huh! C'mon! Tell me!"

Frustration slowly built up from her core, but she knew how to suppress it. It has been too long she dealt with this kind of thing, she was still adjusting. But she redrew her breath deeply and spoke as slow as she could,

"I do not know what caused it, but it was an artifact uncovered from Galuna island…"

"Island of demons!" Someone exclaimed in horror. "So, they were responsible!" Then followed by another shouting, bad mouthing… one by one, the whole scene turned louder than a marketplace but filled with words that were unspeakable.

"Those demons and that white haired bitch-"

"Everyone, please! Stop this immediately!" Finally, Dimaria snapped. There was no longer a soft and motherly look on her face, but someone who wasn't going to tolerate anything in her sight. Then on her back, a golden clock materialized in the form of magical runes. Its arms turned every second with a long and loud, definite mechanical sound.

Tick- Tick- Tick- The energy expended in unison with the clock's arm. From a mere radius of her body, grew even larger than the guild building itself, and in less than 10 seconds, it covered the entire town, draping it with golden light.

Then as if the world was glitching, the time reversed. The collapse of buildings and roads healed itself like nothing happened, dust and fragments returned to the earth. The broken, shattered rooted trees stood up themselves, and the massive crater in the center of the lake shallowed down itself, flattening the bedrock underneath.

Everything had become the way it should be, and the effect of a battle was no longer to be seen other than pristine, and immaculate streets and infrastructures.

This was a shrunken down version of her ultimate magic- The Age of Denial, the ultimate form of spell that can reverse the space-time itself, revert the effect of diseases and wounds, growth of life, all except resurrection.

Reversing time and its correlation with magic had to do with footprints of event that has been occurred. Every event in the thread of space-time left a footprint, larger it was, more impact it had, and harder— or required more magic to restore. Other factors came into play, such as reversing destination; the final time or event that the user wished to reverse to… there were others, but they were trivial.

For mage like Dimaria, who had a massive ether-nano reserve, this was relatively an easy thing. Reversing time in a small town like this look no more than 5% of her power.

She sharply refilled her lung to finally suppress her frustration, and thanks to her magic, most of them were vented. After calm gasping, she spoke quietly to the crowd.

"I've restored your town." She paused as she observed everyone's reaction. It was filled with awe, surprise, and large shift of emotions. Some even gazed at her with admiration. To her, it was almost laughable, yet she kept that thought to herself.

"I'll give deceased my blessings soon. After I take care of this child." Then she motioned Meredy to come closer and grabbed her hand before taking her to the guild. Meredy didn't see the whole situation, but she understood that things were bad enough to just obey Dimaria.

The door swung open, and the priest quickly closed it back. She had no intention of dealing with them anytime soon, even more so looking at them. Meredy spoke beside her, and her personality during her time on grimoire heart resurfaced.

"Maybe Zancrow was right to some extent."

Dimaria gave him an inquisitive look.

"What do you mean?"

"He said it's not worth helping these people. Knowing who he is, I doubt he knew this was going to happen but still…" She paused, hesitating a bit whether she should say the word.

"Maybe we should have let them die for being ungrateful."

The priestess sighed by her reply and knitted her brows as she glanced at her with surprise. However, it died down quickly when she realized herself wasn't too different some time ago.

"You shouldn't say that, Meredy. I'm certain this is all just a bad misunderstanding. There's no need to get upset."

"You say that, but aren't you angry as well?"

What Meredy said was true. But she believed her anger wasn't directed to the crowd alone, but many things. She knew who was truly responsible here, her revered senpai had entrusted her to safe keep 'The Well of the Dead.' As it turned out, it was a key to opening the 'Other Dimension.' That was what Irene speculated, but the idea was clearly up there. If that gem was that significant, she was the one who should have been most vigilant, yet she didn't. She had no idea when that gem slipped and ended up in Levy's hand, nor destroying it would lay such devastating misunderstanding as this…

Yet, it was apparent that the people were blaming on Mirajane instead. She knew she was the responsible here and will have to do anything to make amends for her mistake. And above all, she had to apologize Mirajane the most.

Her mind was heavier than normal, but that was relieved when familiarity crept into her body. It wasn't the bar-like aura that place gave off, no. In fact, the place looks even grimmer than a graveyard. Naturally, she found that odd for she wasn't still very knowledgeable about the guild itself, but realized the overwhelming sensation was coming from elsewhere.

"W…wait…" She mumbled. "He is here?!" She nearly shrieked, and her voice cracked an octave higher.

There was no mistaking it, she knew this energy! It was… It was… She turned her head to the upstairs and instantly, all her frustration cleansed away like a pile of rubble washed away by a giant tsunami. His presence was more effective than everything else, here, and so overpowering that it dwarfed all. Anger and concern were no longer there as she fully accepted his existential magical aura.

It was truly astonishing. Her heart skipped a million beats as she quickly turned to Meredy.

"Meredy! Would.. would you mind waiting for a bit? He is here! I must see him!"

The said comical child tilted her head. "Who?" "Your fiancé?"

There was no salvation for Dimaria anymore at this point, and her face was brighter than the sun. "My my my my my Fiancé?! I… no! That's not it! He is just my senpai…"

"Ah! So you are a dere!" The little girl threw her index at her as if she had made the greatest discovery. Her voice echoed the entire hallway. Dimaria quickly defended herself.

"Huh?! Th…that's not it! I haven't even declared my love for him yet properly!"

"Isn't that what men are supposed to do, not the other way around?" Pink haired loli pointed out.

"Huh? You…you are right! I… but you don't mind waiting for a while, right? Pretty please?"

Meredy raised her hand to her chin and glared at her. Her mind seemed deeply indulged in thoughts, contemplating it would be okay or not. Seeing that she is not responding. Dimaria tried to persuade her better.

"You see… he is someone really improve—" Though, she was rudely interrupted by Meredy's shout. She roared like a spartan charging for one-sided slaughter, and her youthful face shifted into macho-like. Dimaria took a step back in terror.

"Daga KOTOWARU!"

"Eh?"

"This senpai is your fiancé right?! He is Natsu Dragneel right? In that case, I can't let you see him without me because I am his daughter! I was born form thousands of dark flames, and that power flows through our pink hair—"

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Meredy sat on a table with a large hump swelling on top of her head. Her limbs dangled motionlessly like a doll with strings cut. Her shoulder slumped down, and her pink locks covering her majority of her face, she looked defeated and nearly tear-inducing.

She mumbled to herself. "I got rejected…"

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As Erza got up, she readied herself from moving out of the patient room. With white- golden flash, she reappeared as her armored foot touched the floor with sounds of metals sliding each other, her fiery red hair flared like a wave as she did so, before resting on her curves that still was visible even though her thick layers armor.

Light from the window leaked through the curtain, cocooning her body from the back and her sides. Irene stood aside from her with her sacred white cloak dazzling with thousands of color, with her draconic phoenix wings quietly blazing in brilliant flames. Her dark royal leather wrappings underneath crossed in double X, one on her breast and on her belly and emanated the nigh- godly presence. Unlike Erza who had the look of a knight, Irene had the vista of an enchantress, of that she was.

Then in front of them, Natsu stood with his usual clothes on. He still held the eyes of an apex predator, but that gaze became mellow when met with two siblings' gorgeous look. He couldn't take his eyes off of them, and for that, there were many reasons.

Of course, there was this bewitching sensation as he carefully observed them, but there was something greater than that. Off from his face, a hint of concern flashed whenever he imagined Erza bleeding. Thus, he silently clicked his teeth when he thought of her being hurt.

Things had become calm and quiet, despite what was going on outside. Natsu and Irene knew, but there was no way for Erza to know. That was why Natsu wanted to her away from this place, possibly to the new mansion was built.

The halcyon gentleness shattered as he spoke. "This place doesn't suit you, Erza. I can't bear the thought of seeing you here, sick and ill."

He added. "I fault myself for that."

Both siblings gazed at him slowly. Especially, the knightess. "You couldn't have possibly known…I trust you for everything, and you came." She spoke. Natsu answered.

"Come on. Let's get out of here-"

However, Natsu's concentration shattered when woods shrieked with a painful high pitch. The door opened wildly and revealed a priestess with a familiar look, yet at the same time, so much different. Erza, who hadn't seen Dimaria yet, held the same expression. The time priestess held back sudden as her golden eyes were met with the scarlet duo.

Yet the trio sensed that she wanted to rush towards him. Especially for Natsu. He could see it in her eyes. The girl was practically screaming, 'oh my god omagod omagod' hundreds of times in her head. Her wide struck glimmering eyes showed everything. If it were previous Dimaria, she would have shamelessly stormed at him and beg for his attention, but this time she wasn't.

She was calm, reserved, but at the same time, sacred. Natsu watched her raise her hand to her chest. His voice shuttered.

"Dimaria?"

Erza visibly twitched but stopped by Irene, who gave her a reassuring smile. Natsu turned his eyes to read the scarlet sibling's face. The elder sister gave him an understanding nod. Then she rushed out to greet the priest girl. She exclaimed, "Dimaria!"

The priest's attention broke as the scarlet enchantress closed in. The priest spoke. "Irene… Erza!" Then she walked passed Natsu and rushed to the knightess. She asked in a concerned tone. "How are you feeling, now?"

Both girls could sense pain in Dimaria's voice. Irene gave a suggestive look at Natsu, yet all he could do was to stare at the scene, hesitant and unsure

Erza responded to her as she wasn't quite aware of what was going on between him and her. "I am doing fine…? Thanks for asking."

Dimaria forced out a smile. "Good."

Irene tapped Erza's shoulder and announced. "Erza, why don't we go for a walk a little bit? There are lots of things to catch up while you were unconscious."

"Oh, Um.. sure sister?" She stammered. "I can certainly move, it would be nice to be briefed of the situation. Is it bad?"

"Come on, let's go outside." Irene lead Erza to the door. "I'm sure the rest of the guilds will be happy to see you." Then she shot another hint at Natsu. She moved her mouth to the motion to do something about Dimaria. Obviously, she noticed something important between the two and realized that it has to be resolved.

Natsu had caught her meaning. Before he left, he made a promise and swore to himself, and to her that he would love her like he does to Erza and Irene. He cared about her, and before he knew, he realized that he loved her just like the siblings. The change had shocked him, and the sudden appearance of her rendered him paralyzed as everything he knew about her just flooded in.

He just didn't know how to handle the situation like this. Dragon customs stated that it did not matter if he kissed her right in front of here and now, where the scarlet sisters stood. Yet, the recent knowledge of humans and his experiences told him no.

Irene had just removed that question and provided him to be with her alone. The door clicked behind him, indicating the both had siblings left.

And watching her changed this much, that annoying girl he once knew was no longer there. Instead, there stood a stunning woman with unrivaled golden beauty.

So he shouted out her name. "Dimaria."

The girl's stature shattered when he stormed over her. Her grip on her chest tightened, and her fingers curled into her alabaster- gold etched fabric. She tried to hold down the excitement, but it failed as she yelped at the end, eventually releasing a river of tears.

She squeaked. "N…natsu senpai…"

He returned with whisper this time, before pulling her into his embrace. "Dimaria…."

And she let herself be as her hood fell behind and revealing cascading golden curls. His fingers dived in, and her forehead touched his clavicle, her nose burying deep into his chest. Her hot steaming tears soaked his shirt as she brought herself closer to him.

Neither Natsu, as he pushed her to his body deeper with no intention to let her go. Dimaria whispered.

"I'm sorry Senpai…. I'm so sorry… I'm…

"No, Do not apologize to me ever." He paused as lifted her chin. "I wish to keep my promise."

A smile formed on her lips like broad daylight as she replied. "I've longed for you to say that, senpai… The kiss, however, perhaps it's better for us to save it for the…."

Before she could end her sentence, Natsu pushed his lips against her. It was so abrupt that she lost control of her footing and stumbled back. The pinkette grabbed her armored forearm and guided her to the wall. His hand crept its way onto her hand, interlocking each other as they touched the barrier behind.

Dimaria squeaked helplessly as she was pushed against the wall. Shock, pleasure, and happiness soared from her heart within. His lips tasted hers, and she tasted his. They shared their breath. She decided to fight back and implored to enter his mouth. Her tongue knocked on his teeth, and he let her in, allowing her to explore every part of his as he did with hers.

They danced as they shared their fluids and their heartbeat in sync. Their heart roared in their ears like a bellowing of the sun 'til they departed. A thin line of the bridge formed between their lips, that, shattered at the end.

Dimaria's golden eyes shimmered as she looked up at him with profound emotion, and her irises were enriched further with them. She tried to speak, but she suffocated in her own thickening ecstasy.

Natsu broke the eye contact, and Dimaria quickly did as well with her face beat red. She muttered under her own breath, "You really have no shame…"

"Shame? What's that?"

.

.

.

That evening

"What did you do?" Erza dangerously narrowed her eyes at Natsu as she leaned towards him. "You and her alone in the room… you couldn't possibly do something lewd and inappropriate, right Onii-chan!"

Her face beat red like Dimaria's, yet mixed with anger and lust, her brain ultimately swirled down itself into a confusion. However, Irene only grinned at him, giving him a proud look. Natsu's devilish smile spread as his sharp eyes narrowed down to her red-beat face.

"Erza, did you just realized that she and I were alone in the room?"

The knightess exclaimed. "O...Of course not! I knew it all from the beginning!" She paused, her eyes momentarily shifting to Dimaria. Her lips pouted, her cheeks expanded like a hamster full of seeds.

"So, you did something lewd!" She declared, her voice raising several octaves. Natsu 's answer was firm and blunt.

"I kissed Dimaria."

"W..w…wah?!" Erza stammered. "Ho…how dare…." She threw her index at Dimaria with a maddening blush. "How dare you kiss my onii-chan behind my back!"

She rushed towards her with her each step heavier than giant's trembling the floor with her lust and jealousy. Dimaria however, returned with a smug, declaring her achievement, rubbing it to Erza's face.

Erza roared, "Dimaria! He and I even shared the bed!" Dimaria shrugged, her old persona returning obliviously to herself.

"Then you shouldn't even be angry at me for his kiss…take it up with him, he kissed me without shame."

Erza's eye flared as he faced Natsu. "Onii-chan! How could you kiss her so boldly when you have me!"

However, Natsu was calm. "Lesson number one to my little dragon slayer." And lifted her chin up to meet his dark onyx gaze.

"I haven't told you about my status as a dragon, no?" Erza held her breath and shook her head.

"I don't think you did, onii-chan..."

"My father is Fire Dragon King, Igneel… And often dragon kings have many mates."

Erza whispered back. "King…? Then does that mean onii-chan is a prince…? But… But…"

Her face glowed even brighter by those words, her iris shuttered by its implications. Knowing that he is actually a royalty, and the fact that she was dating him without knowing it... it just made her feel millions times embarrassed than what she first felt. Then Irene approached from the back. "He is a prince indeed, and perhaps a first in a line of succession? It is only reasonable for someone like Natsu-sama to have many wives."

Erza had to take a step back and look from a wider perspective. She thought Natsu was hers as first, then her sister came in second. Alas, that was already too late when he made first love to both of them already. Before she knew it, she and her sister were sharing Natsu equally in a way.

Was Erza too selfish, pretending as if Natsu was solely hers? She exclaimed,

"but onii-chan! Then what about me? You loved me, didn't you? You are not trying to justify polygamy by using your status that I only just knew? Even that's real, how can I believe that?"

"I love you Erza." He answered. "I love you for a very specific reason, love, even more so than anyone."

Irene nodded from behind, as she already accepted that as reality. That, and she already knew why he loved Erza. She and Dimaria watched him calm her sister down.

"Erza, you may think I am someone amazing, someone who is powerful, beyond of human comprehension. There's some truth in that, but in reality, I am not any better than a senile old man who's life wasted on one measly goal.

I'm tainted Erza. My magic has been corrupted far too long ago, and this magic I have is a combination of many forms of magic, a form that shouldn't exist. But you, Erza. When I first met you, I felt something profound and deep, yet so pure as the first snowfall in November."

Erza's head fell, with her eyes on the floor. She gazed at it for long without a single breath escaping in between. Finally, she drew in her breath and looked up at her man. White light, and a gentle wind breeze from the window, gently caressing everything in the room, connected her, and him, and everyone else in unity.

"Please say it again," Erza whispered.

"Please say that you love me again… I want to hear-"

"I love you." Natsu interrupted her, but his eyes were locked firm into her gaze. Erza didn't respond, and her gaze was still on the floor. As if his word didn't travel to hers, he repeated.

"I love you, Erza."

She looked up at him and responded with a faint smile. "That's enough for now. I've felt it. Perhaps we can do it all over again when this battle settles." She then shifted to the time priest.

"This time, with her. That intimate yet primal moment we shared on that ship, we can do it all over again." Natsu's face heated up, yet look on Dimaria and Irene had a different story, as if they were anticipating her to say that.

"Dimaria," Erza called. The priestess answered. "Yes, Erza?"

Then she reached out her hand to her. Knowing that what it was, the blonde grabbed it and performed a handshake.

"I heard what you did during the battle. You saved my life, and you have my thanks." The handshake of what? Perhaps this handshake had a deeper meaning. Natsu didn't know, but Irene knew exactly what this meant in multiple levels. Thus, she smiled. When Natsu asked her what they were, she just kept her mouth shut, smiling at that Natsu's adorable ignorance.

"Considering his status as a prince, I suppose it is plausible for him to have many wives… but remember, I'll still be his favorite."

Erza exclaimed as her eyes unconsciously veered off to the side, obvious jealousy flared a bit from her tone. There was still an uncomfortable tone beneath, especially when she said, 'plausible.'

Dimaria smiled back, and their handshake broke away. "Is it really, Mrs. Dragneel? You and your sister didn't seem to mind sharing him… My addition wouldn't make much of a difference, don't you think?" And she bowed as the corner of her lips crawled up. The knight's face flared up in red and folded her arm to pretend she wasn't affected by her words.

"T…that's right! That's why I said, it's plausible!"

As he stared back at them, Natsu finally caught up and realized what Irene was smiling about. Irene spoke from the side.

"I guess it all worked out at the end, Natsu-sama? Or was this all part of your great scheme?"

Natsu finally allowed him to smile and pulled Irene to his side closer before landing a small peck on her forehead, causing her to let out a lovely giggle.

"I may not know about human custom, but dragon's and I go way back… and this…"

He reached his finger to her wing and scratched it below the fiery fur. Irene's persona broke instantly as she yelped without control.

"Eeep!- N…Natsu-sama!"

The pinkette's smile was already predatory. "I may know a thing or two when it comes to dragon physiology."

The enchantress's eyes were mixed with shock and lust already. Her brain was already working out the possibilities of this new sensation she had just gained… "Hmmmm~ You and I need to talk about this when things are over. I must ask you to educate me thoroughly."

She almost whispered, and her words were carried away by the faint breeze in the room- to Natsu's ear, of which he beamed in return.

"Oh, I would love to teach you everything… but I am afraid that the admission fee is too high."

She motioned the two girls bickering on the other side. "How about with them?"

"Hmm… then I'll have to reconsider."

"Natsu-sama is a greedy pervert." She jested, "One woman isn't enough to satisfy him, so he chooses to have a harem."

"Dragon Kings really do have many wives, you know? Besides, wasn't it you who taught me on this kind of feelings?"

"Does it matter, Natsu-sama? You are obviously enjoying it way too much."

He chucked at the end. "I guess not."

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Gray closed the door behind leaving behind a small room; a room that he rented near the guild. His pay was good, and the job he took was well-rewarded. Thus the room he had wasn't too bad for his class. Wooden furnishings, and navy colored walls to match his element, it suited him more than enough.

He held the key in his pocket and toyed it around aimlessly around his fingers. Occasional clattering sounds occurred, but the sound ceased as he pulled it out of his pocket.

He reached to the counter and placed the key there wordlessly. The woman didn't seem to get the meaning of that. Gray sighed and explained tersely.

"I'm moving out. You guys can do whatever you want with my stuff."

The woman behind the counter eyed the young teen. Other than his white coat, he didn't have anything with him. She asked, her voice hoarse and dry.

"You sure about that? I can have your stuff moved to your place… with an extra fee of course."

Gray shook his head. "There won't be any place for them."

She narrowed his vision but shrugged anyway. She took the keys and placed a paper on the desk.

"Alright, if you can sign your name here and here, then you're good to go."

He obliged, pulling a pen from the side and signing them quickly as possible. He wasn't planning to stay here any longer. Faster he got out, better.

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.

.

Gray looked up the clock above.

6:00 P.M.

The train station was closed because of the battle. Even though it was restored by Dimaria's magic, the people simply weren't ready for that. Magnolia needed time to recover, as in whole. He growled softly at his luck.

"Damn it… If it wasn't that battle…"

Everything was going down a hill since the faught that monster. He looked back where the guild was and put his hands in his pocket.

"Should I at least tell Ur and Ultear…?"

But he quickly shook away that thought. There was no use of telling them anyways. Ur would only try to stop him, and Ultear will hate him no matter what he did. Ultear may have forgiven him, but he knew it would be a matter of time until she decided to blame everything on him again.

Besides, he couldn't dare to meet them again for what he had done. His reckless actions were a fault for all that.

So, he concluded it was better for him to not to tell anyone of his departure, even to his mentor, and to his guild. From the state it was in, they didn't need to know if one of his members was leaving.

Going up to Master Makarov and declaring his termination ship the guild required courage, and from his perspective, it seemed the master wouldn't fair well with that knowledge. For Gray, silently removing his relationship with the guild was last respect he could give to his masters, and his nakamas.

From what he knew, the guild was already collapsing. His chain of thought ceased when he heard a faint sound from afar.

It sounded moving, and fast, but slowing down at the same time. A horrendous shriek of steels roared as it came closer, only then, he realized what it was.

It was a train. Gray thought he was losing his mind. He rubbed his eyes, looked around and cleaned his ears. The train was still there, but it wasn't a regular train it seemed. With the only single engine and only two cabins, this was specialized. Even the lavish decorations around it told him that this train wasn't meant for common passengers. It was clearly built for someone important. Then the second cabin was constructed completely out of steel, and very old one at that.

Someone was here to capture something or someone. Perhaps to contain a dangerous criminal or some sort.

Gray could tell who and what it was meant for already. The train stopped, the door opened. A man in a clown china mask walked out of the cabin holding a metal staff. It had an obsidian shard embedded at its tip that seemed to glow in ominous hue. It reeked venoms and misfortune, even looking at it made Gray felt sick to his stomach.

The masked man had a white hooded coat hanging on his shoulder that held the bold sign of the Magic Council. However, the mask he wore didn't help Gray identify him, nor the white hood he wore. The man was covered in white clothing, to a certain extent to remind him of a skeleton, or a walking corpse.

Behind the man from the council, two women stood. They, too, wore similar clothing similar to his, but without masks and hoods. Both had a similar physique, but their beauty was near perfect. With jet black locks falling down to their back, they almost seemed to glow with cold, pale light. Yet, there was something unnatural about them. As if someone purposely changed their appearance…

The man spoke as he spread his arms. His serpentine voice with deep crackling baritone chuckled, Gray could feel his lips stretching like a python behind his profoundly disturbing mask.

"Ah… Magnolia… Home of that accursed FairyTail…. Pathetic."

Gray looked away as they passed by, he even closed his eyes. A woman behind him commented.

"Indeed Master, A pathetic town fit pathetic guild. The council should have sent us long before this happened."

He clicked his teeth but listened in intendedly. 'Who the fuck are they and why are they here?' He asked silently to himself.

The other woman asked aloud to her leader. "Odd. Master, the place should have been demolished… yet the damage seems to be nonexistent."

Their leader acknowledged, yet he merely responded to her nonchalantly. "Demolished or not, does it really matter, dear?" he inhaled the air deeply. "Hmm… no scent of fire either. Yet, I sense a magnificent residue of ether-nano scattered across…and curse power at the same time."

He then swung his staff in the air joyfully before clapping his hands like a Circus master. "Well, now ladies. Get to work. Chop chop."

The women nodded as in acknowledgment and rushed past him. Which left the masked man and Gray alone. The ice mage didn't even want to start a conversation with that man, despite the fact that man's words left him in question. It was him who spoke first.

"Is there anything I can help you with, boy?" The man looked to his side.

Gray didn't respond. He just decided to walk to the other side. He had no desire to be part of it, whatever his scheme was.

"I couldn't help to notice you when you are standing there next to me eve dropping." The man added.

Gray stopped in his track and looked back at him. His both hands were in his pocket as if he tried to look indifferent about it.

"You guys from the Council?" He asked back.

The man pulled up his white coat, clearly signaling the truth to his question. Gray responded that. "Eve dropping? Sorry, you were literally announcing to the whole station."

The masked man abruptly looked around like a drunken man and exclaimed. "Ah!" His voice went several octaves higher, before going down to his slithering voice.

"Does it matter? Everyones… poof!" He spread his hands at the same time. "Poof! Gone… Which reminds me, what business does FairyTail mage have…. To the closed down station, hm?"

Gray looked the masked man to his eyes, before looking away. "That guild has nothing to do with me anymore."

The masked man hunched back as he placed his hand to his heart. "Oh?" he exclaimed. "That's sad."

Yet, Gray could tell that his tone and his word mismatched greatly, and could smell his sarcasm dripping from miles away. "So, a rouge then. Yet, you still bear the sign of that guild." He pointed out with his slender, elongated twig-like fingers, and his nails as sharp as fangs. Then his next words flew out of his mouth.

"Battle occurs and a something goes terribly wrong because of someone, and that man couldn't bear to live another day with that weight of the guilt pushing down… and alas! He fled from the guild, away from the others so that he can simply just… forget about it and leave everything behind…" He paused. "I believe the story goes something like that?"

Gray impulsively growled, his senses going numb and stupid. It struck him in the form of a shock on how much that this man knew. It almost seemed he knew little too much than what Gray would consider as 'comfortable.'

"Don't you dare pretend you know everything!"

The clown swayed his arm almost mockingly, exclaiming as he spun his head around and forth like he was telling something obvious.

"Oh, I've met a bunch lot like you, you literally have a sign written all over your face."

The man paused before his tone turned into malice. "Now I would like to know what's your business here… you were here before us… almost knowing, as if we're going to arrive. Should I say it a coincidence? I think not."

Gray scoffed. "Why am I here? It's none of your business."

The man raised his both hand in the air. "Ah, coincidence, then."

The ice mage asked this time. "Then why are you here?"

"Well, I would love to tell you all about it, but then again…" He collected his hands. "It's no longer of your business, is it?"

Gray stared at him for a while, baffled that the man would use his words like this around… The clown spun his staff as he walked off to where his followers were headed.

"Well, then I must be off then. It was good to see you."

Gray glared at his back. He knew something sinister of that man, and if left alone, something terrible would indeed happen. He liked nothing of it, but should he be concerned about it? He could just return to his guild and tell everyone, but that would simply ruin everything he had planned. He just needed to be away from this place, far away. Then suddenly, ma stopped in his track and turned to face Gray again.

"By the way, I haven't caught your name yet." Gray remained silent. "Is a simple name too much to ask?"

Gray felt he sly smile behind his mask. So he responded anyway. "Fullbuster. Just Fullbuster."

"Ah!" He exclaimed. "I see, I am Jacques…."

"Jacques and?" The ice mage raised his brow. Jacques responded.

"Just Jacques… the friend. We should meet again at this station at midnight."

"Why is that? Why should I even trust you?"

Jacques waved his scrawny finger at him. "That name of yours rings a bell…" He approached the man.

"You see, I've also met a man named… Fullbuster while back. He and I didn't meet under the best circumstances, but he had the similar talent of mine." He shrugged.

Gray's eye went wide, and his dark eyes dilated into a speck of dot. He clenched his teeth before an attempt to lunge at him. However, he found himself paralyzed completely. It felt like something was grasping on his soul.

"Ah ah ah~ Not so fast. Tonight, 12 O'clock. On this same station." He then swiftly turned by his heels and strolled away. Soon, his figure dissipated into thin air, leaving only Gray behind.

Finally, he was able to move again. Gray glared at where the man once stood numbly. He found himself in a situation she didn't know how to explain. What was clear was that mention of that name, Fullbuster, ringing in his brain constantly.

He muttered under his breath.

"What the hell…"

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Same time, Fairy Tail

Arnstrid growled softly inside as she felt the disturbing source of power. The power was disturbing not in the sense of dark energy, but the oddity of its nature. It was strangely similar to her own, but terribly modified, and shifted to something different. It almost felt as if someone had violated her magic to create an abomination. She looked around to see if anyone else were having a similar reaction, but there was none. It seemed like she was the only one who felt the disturbance… was it because of the familiarity of her own magic?

Then with a sound of a door opened, she was able to catch a glimpse of this individual. From the power that this person emitted, and how he entered told her that he wanted to imprint a certain impression. For now, she decided to listen in and figure out what was going on.

IT was actually a group of people who just entered the guild, but Arnstrid could tell that there was only one real person, and other two women had no sensible vitality coming from them. Whatever it was, it was being disrupted or hidden away. Arnstrid had to furrow her brows deeply at that.

One of the women presented the masked individual.

"May I present to you, Lord Alphonse Donatien Jean-Jacques de Lamort, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Death."

Arnstrid's eye opened at that name.

She choked as she repeated. She had heard of the organization before from the mouth of Crawford himself. Just like her, they were one of many black ops crops of the council. Every each member had one. Crawford had him, and connection to Tartarus. Gran-Doma had Four Horsemen of Apocalypse. She had heard of them but never met them in real-life.

"Four Horsemen of Apocalypse… if Jacques is here, then the others aren't too far away." "To imagine Gran-Doma to send one of his black ops, and then presented out to the public so boldly… what is going?"

She reached out and pulled one of the man's sleeve to catch his attention. Her emotionless loli face was a perfect tool to draw his attention instantly.

"I apologize for my lack of knowledge… but what exactly happened here?"

It was the navy haired middle aged man who answered. "You just arrived, didn't you? With that pink haired useless bastard… Kid, there was a war against demons here, and I don't think the council's not too happy with us, and the whole town's got their teeth on our throat."

Arnstrid questioned. "You knew the Horsemen was a part of the council?"

The man's brow raised in confusion. "Huh? What are you talking about kid?"

"Please ignore what I just said… look, Jacques is speaking again."

Just like she said, the masked man spoke. "I am all very aware that the masses and public haven't heard our titles. To simplify, I am the part of many special forces of the Magic Council. As for why I am here, well, is quite simple." "Retrieve Natsu Dragneel."

An aging voice shouted from the second stair.

"And why do you need him?" Arnstrid turned to the side of the new voice, it was Master Makarov, guild master of this place. He looked even older than what he already was.

Jacques answered. "Because, the council said so, Master Makarov. They want him immediately after what happened to Era. They demand answers." He walked forward casually as he spread out his right hand to the guild master. The members cascaded aside as Jacques walked, like Moses splitting the ocean.

"And you know you cannot disobey the council, no matter what position you are in."

The guild master didn't say anything, and all eyes landed on his figure. He closed his eyes and seemed to contemplate for very long time. He tucked his hands to his sides, before crossing his arms. Finally, he stepped to the side, revealing a door behind him.

Arnstrid gasped at how easily he had given up. She knew of his reputations and infamy, and it exceeded of his reputation of his own powers. Then why did he gave up so quickly?

The gothic twin tail quietly observed everyone's eyes. Their eyes were filled with hatred towards the pink haired legend. It seemed that presence of Jacques was a god sent to them. They were all waiting to Master Makarov to give up on that legendary man… and from that perspective, it seemed reasonable.

Yet, it just didn't make sense at all at the same time.

Jacques clapped his hand loudly and announced with joy.

"Ah! Splendid! Then I must retrieve him immediately. Ladies, if you will?"

Two women moved forward, yet before they stepped their feet on the staircase, Makarov Bellowed, his aging brows furrowing down deeper, his eyes glowing almost.

"But It is forbidden to climb the staircase without an S-class mage…and you see, there are no S-classes present here."

Jacques's chin lifted in annoyance as he stared at the old geezer. He breathed in deeply before exhaling to fume off his emotions. His joyful voice instantly delved into the abyss, and it made him look like a maniac, psychopath, unstable. Arnstrid quietly clicked her tongue. As if she expected anything from that odd-looking man, his clothing was even abnormal.

"So you like to play games with me, Master Makarov?"

Master Makarov argued back. "Listen, if you are really from the council, then you know that the town's destruction had nothing to do with Natsu Drangeel! He is innocent of all this!"

"Oh, I'm sure wants you to believe it that way," Jacques responded. "Several weeks ago, Mr. Dragneel reported a presence of demons in Galuna Island…and confirmed that they are from Tartarus. Then demon scourge erupted in inland, without reason what so ever. The strange thing is, this demon appearance always occurred whenever was around… Don't you find that… odd?"

Makarov barked.

"Nonsense! Natsu wasn't even here! How dare you say that he is related to Tartarus!"

"I didn't say he was," Jacques added tentatively, and every syllable his speech had gotten a step faster. He did, however, tried to keep his calm posture.

"That is why the council is requesting him for an investigation, now would you kindly step away from that staircase, so that we can retrieve him. You wouldn't want for an awful misunderstanding, would you?"

Arnstrid saw Master Makarov scoff by the baffling action of this man, and she knew things were about to turn very ugly here. Which, she wanted no part of it. There was no reason for her to get in their way, and become another problem. For now, she had a choice. Either pretend she doesn't know or report to Dragneel right away.

Master Makarov responded, "What kind of misunderstanding? You wouldn't attack unassuming mages and innocent people here."

"Oh, you are right. Not yet, they haven't declared in public. So, of course, I wouldn't dare. But I have authority to apprehend any uncooperative citizens and mages alike."

The rest of the mages in the surrounding started to speak their mind out loud to Makarov.

"Master Makarov! Just let him take that bastard!" then the whole guild erupted into mass chaos and anger. It was like they were rioting against their guild master, and their hatred was already beyond saving. From Arnstrid's point, there was no saving without revenge.

"Where was he when the guild needed him?!" People cried in agreement. "Right!" "Where was he when demons started to attack us! I say we let the council have him!" "What's point of joining the guild when he's not even a part of it?!"

Arnstrid began to squeeze herself out of the angry mob. She could have stayed there and declared herself a victim of his cause, but she didn't. There was no real gain from it as she already tasted the very tiny glimpse of what infinity was like. Besides, she was hopelessly outsmarted by him from the start. There was no telling what he was scheming, and there was no limit to his power.

So let's assume the council did manage to retrieve him. Then what? The council will never be able to contain him anyways. If they thought they were making the Dragneel play by their rule, then they were gravely mistaken. She knew the only reason why he would play by their rule is that of amusement he felt from those who confuse themselves with a role of hierarchy.

To put it simply, Natsu Drangeel was a god, and every threat the council made to him was nothing more than a badly assembled joke.

It was mind-shuddering, terrifying.

It also meant whatever she did, there was never an escape from him. No matter what. It was better for her to stay quiet then take action.

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Mirajane choked when this Horseman declared to retrieve Natsu Dragneel. She knew it was only a matter of time until council to take action, and they did. They were here to take Natsu Dragneel away again. This time, as a real criminal.

They only seemed to think he was related to Tartarus, and she knew nothing of that. However, she knew the Real Natsu Dragneel. The monster, murderer, vile, heartless beast, the demon god, ruthless savage that walked the earth with destruction and death.

Beneath that smiling mask of the pinkette, beneath his god-like physique, there lied a god of holocaust, slaughter, and chaos. That was the undying, inevitable truth. Compared to that, what her guildmates were complaining about were trivial. She felt pity and jealousy from those who were blissfully ignorant, but that was that.

But now, she had her chance to reveal them the truth and lead this mob to kick Natsu Dragneel out of this community. However, is that what truly wanted? She remembered how Erza looked happy around him, for who never smiled, so strict and domineering to act like a love-struck schoolgirl was a significant turn of event that could not be ignored.

She held dangerous information, and she was perfectly aware of that.

Mirajane was smart. However, she wasn't smart enough to know what to do with it. She watched the man Jacques waving his hand. "Very well them. I'll just have to stand here until you move aside. "

She had hoped she could gain insight from him, but watching their conversation didn't help at all. It only added dangerous tension that she'd rather not have. Yet, she muttered out loudly, but not loud enough to be heard by anyone else. Their angry cries were all that filled the entire hall.

"Master Makarov…?"

She didn't know. She simply didn't know. She looked up her master's strained face, exhaustion filled his aging eyes. She knew how tiresome he could be, managing the entire guild, then trying to fend off anyone who's trying to steal their member.

His tired look only added concern to her confusion. Maybe "steal" was a bit wrong to describe it.

So is lying or pretend she doesn't know a thing a right choice here? If she did, she knew she could quietly move away from all these chaos, and blames from the town folks. Her guildmates will do their best to keep her safe, that she knew. However, Mirajane wasn't a terrible person, who would use her guildmates to her advantage.

Or she could just tell them the truth and destroy Natsu and Erza's relationship, antagonize Natsu Dragneel's publicity, and put an end to everything else. From it, Irene and Dimaria will be idolized, Fairytail could manage to escape from its current bad reputation…however, she knew Erza will hate her for this.

She needed guidance, and she knew she'll need many of it… Her blue eyes turned pale as they darted towards Master Makarov. She thought to herself as she squeezed her hands tight.

'The council can't take away him now. At least… Not until I know everything, and what to do with it…'

Then she exhaled her long-held breath. ' To achieve its goal, one must confront its greatest enemy… Master Makarov will hate me for this…'

She eventually shouted, announcing to the whole room to present herself to the Horseman.

"I am the S-class here. My name is Mirajane Strauss! I can lead you upstairs!"

Master Makarov shouted. "Mirajane!" the shout had a tone of anger in it, and a hint of unexpected surprise. But one stood out of the most, and that was fear. It was almost as if he was staring at her looking betrayed. Mirajane felt great guilt in that- but she needed this.

Jacques exclaimed happily as he threw his staff to grab it again like a circus master. "Ah ha! The beautiful lady here! Or should I say… beautiful demon? Isn't this wonderful? Well then! If you would please…"

The platinum-haired girl furrowed her brow almost like a reflex. She felt her stomach churning. 'Something is wrong… I don't like him…'

Yet, she forced out a smile. It was that one smile that was honed and practiced way too many times. Alas, it was a skill that she mastered over the course of two years.

"Now this way… follow me."

She felt a hundred eyes following her back, including Master Makarov's. She felt a small struggle to pull herself back, but she continued to push forward.

Jacques followed her, and when she reached the infirmary, she grabbed the doorknob and swung it open. Yet, there was no one inside. Not even a trace of living soul was to be seen, other than the window left ajar, curtains wavering under a calm breeze. Mirajane spoke.

"He's not here." She politely responded to everyone, then addressing to the guild master. "Master, it isn't nice to keep our council delegate waiting when the desired isn't available?"

Then to the masked man, "Natsu Dragneel isn't here, respected lord. Perhaps staying nearby is more preferable?"

Jacques and his two subordinates were standing silently for a while, staring back the demon soul mage before breaking eye contact. Jacques shuffled for a bit before straightening his white coat as he entered the room. He scanned the entire place with beady dark eyes through the slit of his mask. Then he lightly threw his cane in the air before catching it, he announced as he lifted his chin.

"Ah! It seems like I've made a grievous mistake. I have some business to attend to anyway. I shall return when he is here." He motioned the women. "Come on ladies. We still have a job to do. Mister Dragneel isn't here."

Mirajane watched Jacques walking down the stairs, and to the door. Two women held the door opened for him, and as soon as he walked out, the duo followed. The place had gone dead silent then. The take-over mage watched her guild master approaching her with cold sweat covering his entire forehead. Her eyes left him and returned to the people below. They scattered, with their face clearly written with signs of great disappointments. However, one by one, they started to applaud her as if she was some kind of a hero. Then the claps filled the hall to the brim.

Master Makarov spoke as he watched the sight next to her. He grimaced painfully. Mirajane could see that even though she wasn't looking at him.

"They are way too happy to see him gone… You stood up for them. I am not certain if that's a good deed."

Mirajane answered as she gathered her hands to collect her mind.

"I didn't stand up for them, Master."

"Did you stand up for Natsu, then?" He asked.

"I… stood up for my selfish reason, Master."

That was her answer, but Makarov returned none. They stood silent for a while as they soaked themselves uncomfortably in the applaud of the guild. Finally, he broke the silence first.

"May I know what your reason was?"

Mirajane had to recollect her words to say that. She didn't expect him to ask her so quickly. But perhaps, she had seen that coming. At this point, she longer knew as she only cared about one thing.

"Master." She paused, hesitating a bit. "I… know someone who knows something… something dangerous and painful. But the most terrible part is that it's the truth. Do you think… do you think it is alright for her to tell the truth or lie to everyone else… to her friends?"

The guild master's eye froze and stared at Mirajane for a long time. He questioned as he looked back at the crowds.

"It really depends on what kind of truth that is. May I know a little more about it?"

Mirajane swallowed down her saliva. She felt like she was crying, breaking down from so much pressure up her shoulder. Like her response was automated, words flew out of her mouth to an extent she didn't intend to.

"Is that her friend's fiancé has done… horrible things, and the fact that he had joined her guild for his own gain."

Mirajane tried her best to suppress her emotion, but that was a hard thing to do.

She had to punch herself mentally as she spewed out the information, but she needed that. She still didn't tell him about how many people he had murdered, and that would be unthinkable.

Master Makarov hummed as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"So her friend's fiancé is a monster? Has he done any crimes recently? More importantly, has he moved away from his past?"

Mirajane was quick to answer. "I… some of the people who knows him told me he's trying to change, Master."

The guild master reached for his staff as he unfolded his arm. His old mustache wiggled a bit before he made his response.

"Well, I am not sure if this old fool can give you much of advice, but whatever he's done it, it's all in the past. Tell me child, how many of these people do you think were pure and innocent before they joined the guild here?"

Mirajane didn't answer as she looked down at the crowd. A smile formed on Makarov's lips.

"Thieves, salarymen, burglars and city guards… Murderers and priests, and every saints and sinner… those who seek refuge from their past, and those who seek for their redemption… and those who seek to become a hero, or perhaps those who are already a hero. But most importantly, those who join the guild to seek for a family. In the end, these truths of what they were, become irrelevant from the moment they joined this guild. Whatever they were, they are here now. With us as one unified community. A family. If he truly is changing from what he was, then that man is walking a right path."

The silver-haired girl chocked at her own breath. She had difficulty properly responding, but at the end, she managed.

"So… she should just… tell her everything then?"

Makarov groaned lightly as he stretched his back, patting it several times.

"She'll have to be careful with her words, but yes. When it's not too late. Anyways, that was just an old man's advice." Then his voice raised octaves higher.

"The best thing is just doing the right thing. Of course, one could just lie, but lies only can you get you so far. Truth always prevails." Makarov groaned again in relief as his back pain disappeared.

"If she truly loves him and he loves her back equally, I am sure they'll come to an understanding."

Mirajane didn't reply for a while. She kept on staring at the old man walking away with her baby blue eyes. She closed them as she tried to calm her swirling emotions down.

"I understand, master. Thank you… I think I know what to do."

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"So the council decides to send their toys." Natsu chuckled. He then looked at the rest of his gang. Things had gotten quiet, and apologies and acceptances were made already. Both Erza and Irene, including Dimaria, were standing idle, gazing at him waiting for his command. Irene spoke with a confident smile on her face.

"My enchantments do work 100 percent. Please applaud me, Natsu-sama." The field that she summoned to hide their presence vanished and Irene pushed her chest out proudly as she awaited Natsu's praise.

However, he raised his hand to pet her hair, Irene quickly denied. "I know you'll ruffle my hair. No no, I decline." However, he ignored her and just did that, gaining angry complaints from her.

Erza questioned. "Onii-chan… who was that? Horseman of the Apocalypse?"

Dimaria furrowed her brows. "Senpai, I believe his magic is demonic in its nature." Then added, "I do not like his power… It feels impure."

Irene thought out loud. "Even with my affiliations with the council, I have never heard of them."

Natsu quipped. "That's because you just became the First God of Isghar?"

"Natsu-sama!" The enchantress's face heated up, her cheeks had gotten rosier from his sudden fact attack. "Just because you've hacked-"

Natsu stoked under one of her wings.

"Ahng~!"

Which caused her to moan loudly, making her breathe heavily under sudden jolt of pleasure. That served as a great Irene detergent.

He questioned everyone in the room, "Where's Ultear?"

Dimaria answered. "I believe she returned to the mansion to treat her mother herself. Is she required, Senpai?"

Pinkette replied as he opened up his portal. "Yeah, and that stupid ass shit Arkhamsam's fuck toy. Come on. I'll explain as soon as we get out of here."

He added. "Somethings are not going as I expected, and I intend to remedy that."