Ladies and Gentlemen, I am back! Sorry for the long wait. It's been what, three months since I last updated this. I'm sorry it took so long, but here is chapter 57. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Chapter 57

Nirvana Arc – Start

Lucy

"It was amazing!" Natsu exclaimed, "Wendy absolutely destroyed that other girl."

Lisanna, Happy, and I sweat dropped while Gray rolled his eyes. Although I haven't known their relationship for very long, it was clear that Natsu and Wendy had a very close relationship and the two of them looked up to each other.

"Natsu, that really isn't much to be excited about." I told him, "Those kids are nowhere near the level of an official mage."

It was the truth. The vast majority of students at Mildian weren't anything special. Not even the popular kids were very special. The only student I knew when I went to Mildian, who everyone knew was special, was Siegrain. To be honest, I was about as gifted as Katja when I went there. Obviously, I had improved significantly though.

Speaking of Siegrain, I wondered what was going on with him. Master Makarov returned from the Guild Masters' Meeting and immediately called Siegrain in for a meeting. In the short time I had been here, I learned that Master had always made a point of informing the guild of what happened at the meeting. It's never been anything important, at least to me, but it made more than a few people anxious that he immediately went to Siegrain instead of talking to us. I heard a few people muttering that we got into trouble and Master needs Siegrain's help.

I was pulled from my thoughts by Master Makarov and Siegrain coming out into the guild hall proper. The entire guild fell silent, waiting to hear the news. I tried to read their faces, but both men wore a stoic expression. Whatever they were discussing, it was serious business.

"I apologize for the delay." Master began, "I was made aware of a situation at the Guild Masters' Meeting."

A couple of people fidgeted in place. Master Makarov sounded too serious for this to not be big news.

"The activity of a certain Dark Guild has caught the attention of several government agencies. They are calling for a coalition of four Legal Guilds to deal with this Dark Guild." Master continued, "Siegrain has graciously agreed to lead the team representing Fairy Tail on this mission."

The guild went quiet. This was certainly...news. The way Master phrased it, it didn't actually sound all that bad.

"What Dark Guild is it?" Lisanna asked.

Master Makarov paused for a second before he said, "Oracion Seis."

A few people in the guild began muttering to themselves, while others just stood in shock. It was clear some people understood what kind of a threat Oracion Seis was, while others had never even heard of them. Unfortunately, I was a member of the latter.

Fortunately, Master Makarov went on to explain who Oracion Seis were, "For those of you not in the know, Oracion Seis is one of three dark guilds that make up the infamous Balam Alliance. As you may know, the Balam Alliance is a coalition of three extremely powerful Dark Guilds and the guilds that fall under their control. The three main members are known for having extremely powerful mages, maybe even Wizard Saint level powerful. Regardless, we will not be taking this threat lightly. It is for that reason that I have placed a Wizard Saint himself in charge of this mission."

Master Makarov completed his speech by explaining that Siegrain had been given permission to chose whoever he wanted to accompany him on the mission. Many of the guild members approached Master to discuss this revelation, while others seemed to hide from Siegrain. The Wizard Saint himself, approached us.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I asked.

I didn't know much of anything about Oracion Seis, but I had heard of the Balam Alliance and rumor has it that the guilds that make up the alliance are extremely powerful. So powerful that the average legal guild would even consider going against them.

"That depends, will you be accompanying me?"

I looked at Siegrain with confusion, which then transformed into shock, "Wait, are you asking me to go with you!?"

"Hehe, way to go, Lucy!" Natsu said, slapping me on the back.

"Natsu!" Lisanna said, shushing her boyfriend.

"I am. I've seen what you've been able to do since you joined Fairy Tail. Between the Tower of Heaven and taking on an accomplished mage such as Evergreen, I think you would be a valuable asset to the team. Plus, our sources indicate that a Celestial Spirit Mage is among their ranks. Having someone familiar with the workings of that magic would be useful."

I was still too in shock to make a response. I couldn't really argue either. What I did in the Tower of Heaven and the Fantasia Festival were above and beyond anything I ever dreamed of doing. At the same time though, this would be a mission unlike any I've undertaken before.

"You don't need to reply right now, just get back to me as soon as possible." He then turned his attention to the other four mages with me, "I would also like to extend my invitation to you four, and of course Mirajane and Elfman as well."

Lisanna was the first to reply saying, "Mira and Elfman are off on a mission right now. I doubt they'll be back before you have to leave."

"I understand. What about you?"

Lisanna shook her head no, "Mira freaked out on me when she found out about the Tower of Heaven. There's no way I could put her through that again. I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to decline."

Siegrain nodded his head in a somber understanding

"You can count me in!" Natsu cried.

"Aye sir!"

"Well, I can't let flame-brain have all the fun!"

"So, then you three are in?"

"Yeah!" Natsu, Gray, and Happy exclaimed.

I don't think Natsu noticed, but I did. Lisanna looked horrified to hear Natsu say he would go on the mission.

"Natsu!" She cried.

"What?"

"After everything with the Tower of Heaven, you're seriously going to do this?" She asked, "I was worried sick about you, and there's no way Erza would even approve of this."

"Aw, come on Lisanna!" Natsu gave her a pleading look, "I got better!"

Lisanna growled at her boyfriend and grabbed his wrist, "Would you excuse us for a minute?"

Siegrain gave them a dismissive gesture, "By all means."

Lisanna proceeded to drag Natsu off, the two of them arguing the whole way out of the guild.

"I suppose that I could inquire with the Thunder God Tribe, but Freed is out on a mission, Evergreen's been sulking ever since Laxus got kicked, and Bickslow's…"

We all looked over to Bickslow to watch him do a weird…thing with his tongue. He looked like he was trying to entertain Romeo, but all it managed to do was scare the poor kid.

"I'll give it a thought." I told him.

I still wasn't all that confident in my abilities, but I trusted Siegrain's judgement. He wouldn't have chosen me if he thought I couldn't handle it.

"And you've still got me." Gray added.

"Thank you, both of you."

I went about my day in serious contemplation about going on the mission. I didn't see Natsu and Lisanna after they left the conversation. Happy told me that he would only be going if Natsu was going. Gray also talked to me about whether or not I should go or not. He didn't seem opposed to the idea, but he did point out that my overall lack of experience in high tension situations could be problematic.

In the end, I went home having a pretty good idea of what I was going to do.

The Next Day

It was at the border of Magnolia Town where Siegrain was waiting. To no one's surprise, Gray was there with him. He approached me with a smile and took some of my bags off of me.

"I'm glad you're coming." He told me.

"I'm trusting you, Siegrain." I remind him, "Don't let me down."

After he loads my bags into the carriage, he pats my shoulder, "I won't let anything bad happen, I promise."

"You better." I nudged his arm playfully.

"So, is anyone else gonna be joining us?" Gray asked.

"Bickslow said he's been having trouble fitting in at the guild, and his performance in missions have suffered as a result." Siegrain explained, "So I highly doubt that he'll be joining us. He seems intelligent enough to know not to risk it."

"No way Lisanna's going to let the Pyro Maniac come either." Gray said.

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her, Ice Princess!"

I turned around and to my amazement, found Natsu and Happy flying in our direction! The two landed right in front of us.

"I told you I'd be coming!"

"But, what about Lisanna?" I asked.

Natsu chuckled sheepishly, "Don't worry about her, it's fine."

"Dude, she's going to kill you if you go." Gray tells him.

Natsu gave Gray a stern expression, "Hey, she's my girlfriend. I know her better than you."

"Regardless, I'm in no position to deny you participation in this mission." Siegrain says, "Though, and this goes for everyone, I'd like to remind you all that I am not liable for any injuries incurred during this mission. Including death."

I gulped. I knew that was a risk going in, but it wasn't any easier to hear.

Natsu and Gray cracked their knuckles in excitement though.

"I'm all fired up!" Natsu said, "Let's kick some Oracion Seis butt!"

Thank you for reading. Let me know what you thought about this chapter in a review. I really do appreciate any feedback I can get.