Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail. This version of Corvus, Belial and all the demonic world building is owned by my brain.

Sorry it took a few extra days, been busy AF this week with work and other things. Alas we have the weekend, good time to catch up on some shit and double check my stories to make sure I'm not winding too far away. Last thing anyone needs is a disjointed story to try and follow.

Natsu held his sleeping friend, ignoring the spot of drool forming on his bare chest. He gave a weak smile to Meredy who looked as if she was finally able to breathe. She took his hand and pressed a light kiss to it.

"You're okay," she whispered before turning her red eyes up at him. He could see a bit of puffiness still lingering around her face and dried tear marks crusted against pale skin.

"Thank you," he managed.

She sniffled, "I should have gotten there earlier."

Meredy dropped his hand and wiped her cheek capturing a wayward tear. Natsu rubbed Lucy's back with one hand and reached up to pull gently on a lock of her long pink hair. "You got there. You saved our butts." He saw movement as Corvus walked into the room followed by a frazzled doctor who was running a hand through his disheveled brown hair.

Corvus put a hand to Lucy's back, missing Natsu's slow moving one. "I can take care of Queenie."

Natsu chuckled, "Queenie?"

The Raven spirit grinned, "that was a total Queen move and you know it."

Meredy nodded and Natsu could only picture how Lucy would have stormed into the room and let them have twenty levels of hell if they got in her way. That was such a Lucy thing, no matter how hard something was, she never gave up and never let her own weaknesses define her. She'd been through so much and each time she came out of it harder but kinder at the same time. It always confused Natsu how she was built that way. Knock her down and she would get up to either hug you or kick you into the next year. Sometimes she'd do both.

"Where will you take her?" he asked as Corvus picked her up and held her in his arms. Lucy snored as she nuzzled against his shoulder and he stepped to the side to let the doctor come closer to the bed.

"Celestial Realm, she can recharge there in like an hour."

"Is that safe?" Meredy asked.

Natsu ignored the doctor who was checking his pulse and reeked of a few ounces of coffee mixed with cheap whiskey. "I trust ya Corvus, just get her back to Mard."

"I got this," Corvus nodded and turned to leave the room. Natsu watched them leave and refocused on Meredy who was strangely staring at the white speckled floor. She wrinkled her nose and curled her top lip in disgust.

"What?"

"This thing you threw up, gross. It looks like a black slime ball covered in fur," she jumped back and pointed at it, "it moved!"

Natsu pulled his arm away from the doctor and leaned over the small white bed. He watched the thing twitch and took a sniff, it smelt like his blood, a bit of something sweet and a lot like death. "Meredy, grab a cup or something, we gotta get that back to Mard."

"Huh?" she asked as she took another step back.

"He'll know what that is, he's a demon." Natsu looked back at the doctor, "we done here?"

The doctor nodded, "I can't explain it."

"Magic, Lucy used magic to heal me. That," he pointed at the black ball, "was a magical poison."

The doctor gulped and grumbled about freaking mages before he skulked out of the room. Natsu could hear him order some discharge papers, that made him smile a bit more. Hospitals sucked.

Meredy took the covered beige pitcher that was on the tray and popped off the lid. She watched the slow rolling black goo before she struck, scooping it up in the pitcher and putting the lid back on. Natsu swung his legs over the side of the bed, "see if you can find a bag or something to wrap that in."

"Get dressed, I should report this to Jellal."

"Do you have a personal communication lacrima?" he asked as he slid out of the bed, carefully testing his ability to stand before letting go of the plastic mattress.

"Yeah, we all do," she flushed and looked away. Natsu got it, those devices were expensive and not common. He bet Crime Sorcerie had stolen a few to keep their operation moving away from towns. He couldn't blame them, as a loose guild of former criminals every Rune Knight station had many of their pictures up on wanted boards.

It also meant that Meredy risked a lot by bringing the Rune Knights in on this and waiting at the hospital for him. If any of them recognized her… Natsu didn't want to think about that. Prison breaks were messy, and Gramps would own his ass for all the paperwork. After Laxus fried him because the big blonde would be the one stuck in the office doing said paperwork.

She was tying up a plastic bag with the pitcher in it as Natsu put his hand on her shoulder, making her jump. He leaned over, "I know you risked a lot for me. Thank you."

Meredy flushed, "you already thanked me."

"I don't think I've thanked you enough."

She turned around and looked up at him with a dusting of pink on her cheeks, "then can you explain to me what Cobra meant by mate?"

Natsu swallowed hard, which wasn't much considering that death left him with a dry throat. Death. He died. Natsu Dragneel was dead. The realization hit him like one of Gray's ice attacks, hard and brutally cold. He shivered before he pulled Meredy in a hug.

He almost missed this chance. Almost didn't get to take this step. So very close to leaving a life with a couple regrets. Going up against something nasty like Future Rogue was easy, answering his very heart and soul was difficult. He owed her his life. He owed this second chance to her and Lucy. That meant he'd have to overcome his own fears and honor his word to Mard. Natsu recalled that chat, despite the amount of liquor in his system at the time.

"Why do females turn us weak?" Mard had opined over his third glass of wine. They were sitting at the usual table in the Guild, Mard had rushed in here a complete mess, looking for Natsu.

"Boobs," Natsu answered, his face flush from the alcohol and the conversation.

"Nope," Cana added before guzzling more beer, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Then what, Cana?" Natsu asked. Cana had this cool trick; she could turn into this sage of love and life with the more booze she drank. Often when people were stuck, it wasn't always Mira everyone talked to, it was Cana.

"When you love someone, it strips you naked. Not physically, it's like they see who you really are, and you're scared of being judged. Then they accept you naked and it all becomes clear," she looked up and stared over Natsu's bare shoulder to Mira who was flittering around the bar serving guildmates.

"I despise being judged, as a demon it happens too often. I understand the point," Mard said as he lightly touched the pink Fairy Tail mark on his chest.

"I don't," Natsu added pushing away his empty mug and trying to gather his drunken brain bits.

"We have mates, Natsu. Nature already judged us, now all we have to do is bare ourselves to our mates."

He snorted, "it's that easy. Just jump on our mates and get naked."

Mard and Cana laughed before Mard put a strong bare arm around Natsu's shoulders. The demon whispered, "that comes later, but first we have to be brave enough to tell our mates who they are and what they mean. That takes, as you humans say, guts."

"I can't do that," Natsu flushed and buried his head in his arms so Cana wouldn't laugh at the fact he was the same color as Mira's dress.

"Make you a deal, if I can do it with Lucy, you will do it with your mate. Come on, you cannot let me be stronger than you."

Natsu had chuckled and held out his pinky, Mard curled his around it. There under the influence of booze and wise Cana words, Natsu had made a promise with a demon.

He sighed, letting the memory drain away as Meredy shifted in his hold. "A mate is the other half of your soul. For a dragon or dragon slayer it's the person who fills in the gaps, their equal and opposite. You're my calm, my laughter, my kindness, my intelligence," he took her hand and put it over his rapidly beating heart.

Meredy looked up at him, her bottom lip trembling, "N-Natsu?"

"I'm scared, Meredy. When I died my last regret was that I didn't tell you. I'm reckless, kind of childish and really bad with plans. I'm all tough up against monsters but you scare the fuck out of me."

Meredy giggled, her eyes going soft, "you scare me too. It's okay, I still like you."

Natsu tilted his head down and out of character for himself but making his inner dragon happy, he kissed his mate.

Mard was taking a mental calculation of everything happening around him. Cobra and Belial were sequestered away, smoking and talking, they looked oddly comfortable around each other. The demons under her charge were standing around, looking confused as to what they should be doing. The humans were in the farm house, drinking and trying to sort out what was happening.

As much as he would like to spend time worrying about his mate and Natsu, he had to bring back some order to the situation. Mard pursed his lips and felt his right cat ear twitch, absent mindedly he scratched behind it, feeling a bit of satisfaction in the feeling. He stood there and mapped out the best plan for handling things. What he wouldn't give for Rosebud to be here, she would have a clue as to how to handle the humans.

For now, they appeared physically fine but mentally unhinged, their fear could be scented even from where he was. Not that he could blame them, some of the demons that came with Belial did not even try to have a human appearance. The Klaueluerschlag was particularly fearsome with is elongated black talons and prominent blood red beak on an inhuman angular face. They were fast and efficient killers; their talons could spark lightning cauterizing a wound as they tore through flesh like paper.

Mard left Cobra and Belial to their little conversation and decided that handling the demons would be best. Even if they worked under a Prince of Hell, they would still listen to the Underworld King. Though within reason, they would not take any order that went contrary to their masters and they could not be swayed to turn against Hell.

He approached them and they all gave him a small bow, he nodded in return acknowledging their hierarchy. "While your mistress is busy, I suggest we have a discussion about this situation." Mard said in Infernai.

"Find the virus, destroy," a slight demon said as he adjusted his lab coat, subtly pointing to the twisted black and silver caduceus logo upon it.

"I understand that is how we handle things in our worlds. Human world is different. As creatures of balances and laws, we must respect such things." Mard crossed his arms over his chest and kept his weight even on his feet. It was a posture of authority and one that left him ready to move if battle was needed.

"Medical protocol supersedes, your majesty," another demon, this one slightly translucent with a thin face and hollow eyes. A Ghast with a more pronounced form, that meant it was old and had stolen enough flesh to give itself a body of sorts. Mard knew to be weary around that one, it could destroy its frame and enter him before he could snap his fingers.

"What does Hell know about this?"

The Ghast looked at the others before stepping forward, "only what you have told the Prince. We used the Natterschlagift to track a source in this area based on where she met with you."

"You found the blood," he stated looking at the pestilence snake demon who was putting fresh cotton in his mouth to handle the bleeding tongue. The snake demon nodded, keeping his eyes away from making contact with Mard's. "I should have been notified of this plan before you acted."

"Earth Land does not recognize demonic hierarchy. We would have notified you, your grace, if this was the Underworld."

Mard tapped his chin, it made sense and he should have anticipated that Belial would move on this threat quickly. Patience was not one of her stronger suits and every demon knew firsthand the damage Corpsotirits could cause. Had this been a human plague, no demon would have cared and would have enjoyed the abundance of souls. This was a cross species problem and it would have eventually made its way back into their realms.

No one wanted that, not after the last outbreak. Mard could kick himself for not moving faster on this. He, more so than Belial, understood how dangerous this plague was and what the toll was on a species. Even now he could still see the lost look in Jackal's eyes as he remembered his own horror at the hands of Corpsotirits.

"My personal demons from the Underworld are now on Earth Land and we have one of the most powerful Guilds working beside us. I appreciate the Daemisortium's contributions to our societies, but we need to let the inhabitants of this world lead."

"You mean the pretty little human who keeps you on a leash," the Klaueluerschlag whispered, making the demon next to him chuckle.

Mard uncrossed his arms and walked up to the ever so funny demon. He got into it's personal space and glared down at him, "my mate and future Queen of the Underworld. You will address her with respect."

The demon's black eyes went wide as it let out a distressed noise before taking three steps back. "Forgive me, I did not know."

Mard looked around at the demons, they backed away, giving the monarch space and keeping their heads bowed. "Now you all know. I, Mard Geer Tartaros, Definitive Demon, King of the Underworld, have taken the Starnienangel, Lucy, as a life mate. To insult her is a slight to my person and all slights against the person of King Mard Geer Tartaros is met with Underworld Wrath."

There was a slow clap and Mard refused to look back at it, instead keeping his gaze measured upon the demons who were now simpering. He knew Rosebud would not quite understand this interaction but for the demons this was necessary. In time as the news spread, it would make her acceptance in the Underworld a bit easier to deal with.

"I have zero fucking clue what you said Munchkin, but shit that was badass."

"I do not require your praise," Mard replied curtly.

"Yeah, but ya gonna get it. So, suck it," he added and Mard broke his command of the area by rolling his eyes.

"Lucky me."

Cobra walked up to him and stood beside him, he leaned over, "so what are we staring at?"

"An idiot who thought it wise to say something thoughtless about my mate."

"Right. Okay pick on Munchkin, be nice to Sunshine. Got it." Cobra added and Mard looked at him, the idiot was smiling his white teeth out in force of his grin.

Mard's eye twitched and he held himself back from punching this asshole. Later he was going to have a chat with Rosebud about her idea of friends. "What is it you want?"

"My own island, besides that, come on. We gotta talk about this badass plan Belle and I came up with." He said, "dude, don't look at me that way. You get used to my personality and if not, ask me what the magic number of fucks is."

Mard snorted, "less than zero. Either you are brave or have no idea just how quickly your life can end."

"Column A, column B. It's just life, ya can't take shit seriously. No one gets out alive," he said as he ran a hand through his maroon hair and winked at him. Mard shook his head and covered his mouth as he quietly chuckled. Maybe the Asshole wasn't that horrible of a human. "There ya go," Cobra added, slapping Mard on the back.

"Medizeine, return to Hell. Review the data collected and regrow Larry's tongue." Belial said as Mard and Cobra stepped away from the group.

"Larry? Seriously? Damn the tongue was tasty, he could have had a better name." Cobra added.

Mard shrugged, "not all demonic names are lengthy or overly complex in their sound."

"Yeah but Larry?"

"I knew a Bob once," Mard replied as Cobra looked at him in amusement, "he was a massive ogre who like to use the skins of his enemies to make dolls for little ogre girls."

"No shit?" Cobra said with a laugh.

"I shit you not. Ogres from far and wide went to see Bob to have dolls made for their children. Bob's Doll House, it is a major cultural icon in the small village of Nactherstein." As Cobra laughed, Mard realized just how silly this sounded and it also sounded normal. He recalled how Rosebud had pointed out to him that perhaps their worlds were not as different as he thought. Even here they had toy makers.

"What is so funny?" Belial asked as she flicked away her cigarette and approached them. Mard watched how the demons were leaving through a personal portal and let out a small breath of relief. Now he had to handle these two and then the humans. So far this was relatively productive, even without Rosebud.

"Bob's Doll House," Cobra replied.

"Oh! Is he taking commissions again? Asmodai just had twins with his mate, both girls." The demoness said with a smile and a twinkle in her eyes as she looked at a laughing Cobra. Mard pinched his forehead, that pairing had to be Nature having a laugh.

"Extend my congratulations to Asmodai on his fortune," Mard said, "however, this Asshole assures me you have a plan."

"We do, Cobra's physiology is more compatible with the pestilence snake demon. His affinity to poison amplifies the gift I offered to your mate. As long as he is with you and if I heard correctly the Nine of Underworld, I will stay back in Hell."

"Eight, they left Lamy to watch the throne." Mard said, trying to not mentally picture the bunny eared demoness doing horrible things in his bed.

Belial's cheeks puffed and her body shook before she finally let out a guffaw. The demoness took off her glass and doubled over, laughing loud and long enough for tears to splash over her shiny black dress shoes. Mard rolled his eyes.

"She drew the short straw."

"I… I will… I will say so," she managed in the middle of her laughing fit.

"Yo, what is up with her?" Cobra whispered.

"You have to meet Lamy to understand. If she is doing what I suspect she is doing unmonitored in the castle, I may take my time with her next flaying." Mard said as he looked at Cobra whose expression changed to the same look on his face that demonlings get when they are offered blood candy.

"That sounds like fun, go all Ramsay Bolton on someone's ass."

"Who?"

"Dude, you need to read more. It's cool, Sunshine and I can teach ya, she can keep up with me pretty well." Cobra added as Belial finally stopped laughing and was drawing in gulps of air to catch her breath.

"Finished, Belial?" Mard asked as she nodded, her long inky hair swaying to the movements before she stood up and put her glasses back on.

"Yes, yes. Cobra, I shall be in touch. Remember Mard, you have one lunar cycle before the effect wears off from Cobra. I suggest you use a bit more urgency." She said and Mard nodded to her, he got the hint and aware of the fact that they had wasted too much time already.

"I understand, before you go Belial. One favor," he said.

"The humans? I can handle their memories; it is a specialty."

"Thank you. Cobra we should wait here for Rosebud to get back."

Cobra shrugged as the men watched Belial move towards the house. Mard knew she was going to implant some new memories into the humans, making it so that they would remember the fire but not the demons. After all a good lie was what she did best.

"So, Munchkin..." He started as he kicked at a small pebble on the ground.

"Mard or Mard Geer," the demon replied completely annoyed with this Munchkin business. It was one thing for Mard to have nicknames for people, but another to have someone use one against him. He knew this was completely hypocritical, but it was his right as a king and self-respecting demon.

"Right, Munchkin," Cobra said and Mard groaned, he was going to have to just deal with this Asshole. "Yeah, we gotta talk about this fucking dark guild that attacked Corvus and Natsu."

Mard arched a brow, Cobra's voice was laced with seriousness and that could not be good for anyone involved. "Talk."

Please remember to review, fave and follow or send me a PM and let me know what you think. I'm always appreciative of reader feedback and enjoy talking to new people about stories, life or Fairy Tail in general. However, if your only goal is to troll/insult me or send me another PM about how I need Jesus (seriously, that shit had me laughing like Cobra), please understand I won't respond. Open and honest discussions between writer and reader are really one of the only ways we writers can tell if something is resonating with our audience and if it isn't. So without you, I'm a bit in the dark here.

Big cup of coffee and warm hugs to this story's super reviewer, Joanne Frances Tiano Cajilig! Much love and thanks for taking the time, with every chapter.