"I can't believe the trial was just for show!" Lucy exclaimed. She sat at one of the many tables within the Guild Hall, surrounded by her friends.

"I can. This stuff used to happen to Mira nearly every other week, back in the day." Lisanna said beside her.

"You mean I might have to go to more of those stupid things?!" Natsu barked, pausing from his meal in horror.

"Are you kidding? Considering the average level of destruction you cause, the Council will probably start charging you rent for that jail cell." Grey mocked, ignoring the glare the Dragon Slayer sent his way.

"Both of you need to work on your collateral damage, or you'll never be responsible enough to become an S-Class Mage." Erza lectured to the two men present.

"Um, Sis? Wasn't that your third visit this month?" Wendy pointed out, receiving a betrayed look from her older sister and laughs from the others present.

The five of them were finally enjoying a day off after the chaos of both Eisenwald and the Council. While they received a reward from the Council for their efforts, they technically weren't the ones to defeat Lullaby, meaning Fairy Tail only received credit for capturing Eisenwald. That said, putting down an entire Dark Guild, on top of a man as notorious as Eligor, gave quite the hefty sum between the five of them. Even if the Council took a cut due to 'excessive damages'.

"I gotta say, despite getting along terribly, you and Grey work together great. I bet between the two of you and Erza, you could take on any job the Guild has posted!" Lisanna said.

"I don't know about that…" Lucy pondered.

Natsu looked at her in annoyance. "What, do you doubt me?"

Lucy shot a look back. "I doubt your ability to actually work together with Gray. The only one here I've seen you work well with is Happy."

"Aye!" The blue feline shouted from the bar where he was trying to chat up Carla.

Erza nodded in agreement. "I have to agree with Lucy on this one. I bet two of you would never be able to complete a mission by yourselves with all the bickering."

"And what exactly are you willing to bet?" Grey questioned.

"Hmm?" Erza raised an eyebrow at his comment.

Grey and Natsu glanced between each other, and though some unknown means, understood exactly what the other was thinking. They both grew a grin that sent a shiver down the spines of the women watching them, before turning back to Erza.

"If you think it's our teamwork that's holding us back," Grey started. "Then pick any job from the board. I bet the two of us will be able to accomplish the job without a single complaint."

Erza considered the two men cautiously. "And what exactly is being bet here?"

Natsu spoke up. "If we mess up, then… the two of us will take nothing but bin jobs for 3 weeks!"

The proclamation sent gasps up from everyone present except for Lucy, who leaned over and whispered to Lisanna. "What's a bin job?"

"They're the jobs no one wants to take. They've been on the board for so long they've fallen off and into the bin under it. It's one of the Master's favorite punishments." Lisanna whispered back.

"That's what it's for? I thought it was a recycling bin…" Lucy muttered. 'I should probably go take out the stuff I've been throwing in it…'

"And if you accomplish this miracle?" Erza asked.

"Then you'll take us out on an S-Class Job!" Natsu demanded.

There was silence at the table, as Erza studied Natsu and Grey. Everyone nearby had also heard the declaration and had turned to watch them. Eventually, Erza let out a deep sigh and got up from her seat on the bench. "Alright. If it'll help improve your teamwork, then I accept your bet."

There was an uproar in the Guild Hall as everyone shouted in shock. Lisanna looked gobsmacked at the S-Class Mage. "Are you serious Erza? You never go on S-Class jobs with Mages that aren't also S-Class!"

"You're the one who said they're strong enough to take on any job in the Guild. S-Class jobs require perfect cooperation between teammates though, so if the two can complete a job of my choice without complaint, then I'll consider it." Erza declared. But before she could start walking, she suddenly fell to one knee.

"Erza? Are you…Okay?" Lucy tried asking, starting to nod off.

"Oh great… He's here." Grey said between yawns.

"Of all the times-" Natsu tried to gripe, before planting his face onto the table in slumber.

Pretty soon the Guild Hall was completely silent as nearly everyone within it had fallen asleep. Only Master Makarov had the strength to resist such a spell. After a few moments, two sets of footsteps could be heard, and the old man looked up to see the familiar masked face of Mystogen. Beside him stood another cloaked figure, this one slightly armored, but identity still hidden. Mystogan himself wordlessly walked up to the second floor to grab an S-Class job as he always did, while the armored figure simply stood there.

The armored figure glanced around the Guild Hall, before setting their eyes on Erza, who was know lying on the floor of the Guild Hall. Makarov could see the figure shake their head, before picking the armored mage up with ease and sitting her at a table like the others. They continued searching the Guild for something or someone, until they walked over to Makarov himself. Makarov looked up at the individual with tired eyes and could see the indecisiveness in their eyes.

Makarov just sighed. "Are you looking for someone?"

The figure simply stared at him for a few more moments, before replying in a quiet but feminine voice. "Where's Jane?"

'Jane? Does she mean Mirajane?' Before Makarov could answer her question, a job flyer was thrown down in front of him on the bar. Mystogan stood there, presenting an S-Class job before him.

"I'm going." Mystogan said, voice muffled behind his bandana. He then took the flyer and began walking back the way he came, the armored woman, Makarov now knew, following wordlessly.

"… Your friend, would she like to join Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked before they could pass the gates.

The armored figure froze and looked around at the Guild Members with a hidden expression. She then shook her head and continued walking. Mystogan swept his cloak up over the two of them, and they faded away like mist. A few seconds later, everyone in the Guild shot up and started speaking at once.

"This feeling… Was it Mystogan?!"

"That Jerk!"

"That guy's sleep spell hasn't lost any of its power!"

'Well it was nice while it lasted.' Makarov sighed again, reaching for his drink.

Erza looked around from her seat in confusion. 'Wasn't I on my way to the job board when Mystogan came in?'

Lucy was looking around bug-eyed, completely confused. "What the hell just happened?!"

"Mystogan came by for a quest is what happened." Lisanna said annoyed.

"Mystogan?! Like the mystery S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail?" Lucy said, excitement creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, he put's everyone to sleep when he grabs a mission, so no one but the master knows what he looks like." Grey explained.

"And not without trying…" Erza added, thinking back to the incident with her 'mysteriously stolen' sleep-negating helmet.

Lucy looked around in surprise. "Seriously, I thought that was just some tabloid rumour! is there really no one in the Guild that knows what he looks like other than the Master?"

"I do." Said a voice that Lucy didn't recognize. She looked up at the source, along with the rest of the Guild, to see a large man with lightning blonde hair leaning on the railing to the second floor.

"Hey Laxus, what are you doing here?"

"Yeah, you barely ever show up anymore!"

Lucy looked up in surprise at the nearby guildmates proclamation. "Laxus?! Isn't he the Master's grandson and an S-Class Mage?"

"Yep, not that you can tell by his attitude." Lisanna declared.

"You'll have to forgive Mystogan, he can be a bit shy. Though I wouldn't expect him of all people to come to the Guild with a girl on his arm!" Laxus laughed.

This declaration sent murmurs through the crowd. Erza looked out the doors to the Guild in shock. "He isn't working alone anymore?" She muttered.

The commotion caused Natsu to finally stir from his seemingly deeper slumber. Looking up at the source of the excitement, he hopped up on the table enthusiastically. "Laxus! Come down her and fight me!" Natsu shouted up at the man.

"How about you come up here instead?" Laxus challenged.

"You asked for it!" Natsu yelled, leaping off the table up towards Laxus. Before he could fly very far Makarovs hand grew dramatically, snatching the Dragon Slayer out of the air and slamming him onto the ground. "Gyahh!"

"Natsu, you can't go to the second floor yet. Not until you're an S-Class Mage." Makarov said seriously.

Laxus let out a laugh at his fellow guildmates expense. "Oh well, guess we'll have to settle this another time Natsu. See all you weaklings some other time!"

A moment later there was a flash of light, and a boom echoed across the hall like a bolt of lightning. Everyone shielded their eyes from the burst of light, and when they looked back, Laxus was gone.

"Bastard, I'll be up there in no time, just you wait!" Natsu declared as Makarov finally released him. "Hey Erza, hurry up and pick a job for us. I need to be an S-Class Mage as soon as possible."

"Uh? Oh, right." Erza snapped out of her thinking and got up from her seat, but as she was crossing the Guild Hall, Makarov coughed, getting her attention. "Is there something wrong sir?"

"Where's Jane?"

"Hmm…" Makarov hummed, thinking about the words of Mystogan's mysterious friend. "Erza, I have an S-Class job for you."

Erza looked at Makarov. "Did someone request me specifically?"

"No, this is just a personal request." Makarov clarified. "Mirajane went on an S-Class job by herself about a week ago and hasn't come back. I want you to go and make sure everything is alright."

"I thought she had been gone a while. Do you think she's okay?" Erza asked, worry creeping into her voice.

Makarov just laughed. "I'm sure she's perfectly fine. This isn't her first solo mission. It's just my job to worry about you kids, is all."

Lisanna and Elfman walked over to the Guild Master as well. "What kind of mission did she take?" Lisanna asked.

"She took a mission to 'Save Galuna Island'. There wasn't much else to go on, but apparently it had something to do with demons, so Mira went to check it out. There hasn't been any word since, so I'd like another S-Class Mage to make sure everything is alright." Makarov explained.

Erza thought deeply about what Makarov had said. "If it's taken Mira this long then I should probably take some backup with me. But all the other S-Class Mages are out right now…" She turned back to the table. "Natsu, Grey, looks like the two of you get to go on an S-Class job sooner than expected."

Both Mages stared blankly at Erza for a few moments, before launching out of their seats in excitement.

"Seriously?!"

"Hell Yeah! Let's go-"

"Quiet, both of you." Erza declared seriously, shooting them both a glare that had them whimpering. "This is a serious mission where lives are on the line, including those of your guildmates. I expect you two to not act like rowdy drunkards throughout it, got it?"

Grey and Natsu quickly snapped to attention, Erza's declaration passing her seriousness onto them.

"R-Right, of course." Grey said.

"Yeah, super serious time." Natsu agreed.

Erza studied them carefully for a few more moments, keeping her serious glare. After the two remained unflinching for a time, she finally relented. "Glad you two understand. Meet me at the station in an hour, we're heading to Hargeon Town for a ride."

"Yes Ma'am!" They both shouted, saluting dramatically and running out the door to gather their things. As Erza went to do the same however, Lisanna moved in front of her.

"Take me with you as well!" Lisanna pleaded.

"No." Erza responded immediately.

"But-"

"Lisanna, I know you're worried about Mira, but you're not ready for S-Class missions." Erza said.

"And Natsu and Grey are?" Lisanna asked.

Erza sighed at her insistence. "Yes. Like you said, the two of them are some of the most talented Mages and you-"

"And I what?" Lisanna challenged, getting more heated.

Elfman put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Sis, maybe you should take a breath. I'm sure Erza can handle it."

Lisanna changed her glare from Erza to Elfman, but her anger only seemed to grow. From her seat next to the three, Lucy thought another argument was about to begin. However, Lisanna just let out a deep sigh and knocked her brothers hand off her arm.

"Whatever…" Lisanna muttered, turning and walking out of the Guild Hall. Lucy just stared after her, completely lost.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Erza said to her.

Lucy snapped back from where Lisanna had disappeared from and looked up at Erza. "It's okay, I'd be worried if I had a sister too."

Elfman looked down at her, still seemingly sad at his sister's reaction. "Do you think you can come by later, maybe try to get her to go on a job with you? I think that might calm her down."

"Why don't you go on a job with her? You're her brother, aren't you?" Lucy asked innocently.

Elfman got a dark look in his eyes, turning away. "I-I can't. Sorry. I hope you can come by later." He then walked out of the Guild Hall like Lisanna had.

"… Well, guess I should get ready. We'll be back in a few days." Erza said somberly, exiting and leaving Lucy alone with Wendy, who was sinking into her seat like she didn't want to be there. Lucy glanced around the Guild, and everyone was suddenly a lot quieter. She felt like everyone knew something she didn't.

'What the hell just happened?'

Lucy walked back to her apartment an hour later. She thought about going straight to the Strauss's house, but figured she should give Lisanna a bit more time to cool down. Entering her apartment, Lucy looked around at the empty room. As much as it annoyed her, she was going to miss not having the others visit unannounced for the next few days. She went to sit down on her coach, but there was a sudden banging on her door that made her jump. "Gah?! Who in the world?"

She walked over to the door and opened it quickly, only to see a giant fist flying down at her head. She lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. "Ahh!"

"S-Sorry!" A familiar voice apologized. Lucy looked up to see Elfman standing in the doorway awkwardly. "I was just trying to knock on the door."

"Really? Because It sounded like you were trying to knock it down to me." Lucy replied sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't very Manly." Elfman repeated, as he offered Lucy a hand to pull her up. "But I was in a bit of a rush."

"Why? Did something happen?" Lucy asked as Elfman pulled her up onto her feet.

"I think so. Did Lisanna talk to you about going on a mission together?" He asked worriedly.

Lucy was surprised by the question. "N-No. I haven't seen her since we were at the Guild. I was planning on giving her time to cool down."

"Oh no, she really did it…" Elfman mumbled, pacing around her apartment, his steps thudding loudly on the hardwood floor.

"Did what?" Lucy asked, and Elfman held a note out for her to read. She recognized the writing on it as Lisanna's almost immediately.

'Dear Elfman,

I'm going out on a mission with Lucy. I'll be back soon, so don't worry.

Love, Lisanna.'

Lucy stared at the letter with a growing dread. "But I never talked to her."

"I figured as much. The note was there as soon as I got home. I checked the Guild just in case, but no one had seen either of you." Elfman revealed.

Lucy looked up from the letter at Elfman. "She went after Erza and the others, didn't she?"

Elfman nodded. "This is serious. We need to find her before she goes to far."

"Shouldn't we tell the Master?" Lucy suggested.

"No!" Elfman shouted. "The punishment for going on S-Class missions without permission is super severe! She could be excommunicated!"

"Excommunicated?!" Lucy exclaimed. "Why the hell would she risk that?!"

Elfman looked like he was about to respond, but eventually shook his head. "It's a long story. Can you help me track her down?"

Lucy nodded. "Of course! Erza said they were heading to Hargeon Town, so let's start there."

It was evening by the time the two Fairy Tail Mages reached the ports of Hargeon Town. Lucy and Elfman started searching for Lisanna and asking the sailors if anyone matching her description had been taken to Galuna Island. They quickly found that most sailors wouldn't even entertain the idea of sailing there. When questioned why, the sailors simply said it was cursed. At first, they believed it was related to the quest, but if their words were anything to go off of, people have been avoiding the island for decades.

"This doesn't make sense. If no man here has set foot on the island in years, then who sent the request?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know. But at least that means Lisanna likely didn't go there." Elfman said relieved.

Lucy shook her head in disagreement. "Then where did she go? And what about Erza's team? If Lisanna couldn't find a boat, then they likely didn't either. Yet none of them are here." She looked around the port again, searching for some sort of clue. "They must have found some way to Galuna Island."

"Did you say you wish to go to Galuna Island?"

The two of them turned at the sound of another person joining their conversation. Behind them stood a man on a small boat. He was just pulling into the harbour, having gotten back from some sort of journey.

Lucy looked at the man suspiciously. Most sailors avoided saying the name of that place like the plague. "Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just surprised is all. This is the third time today someone's come looking for a ride." The man said amicably.

"Third? Who else did you take?" Lucy asked.

"Hmm? Well the first was a group of three. Some redhead wearing armour, some hothead with a scarf, and a man who kept losing his shirt overboard!" The mysterious sailor laughed.

Lucy and Elfman shot each other a knowing look. They both easily recognized the descriptions as Erza's team. "And the second group?" Lucy asked, hoping it wasn't who she thought it was.

"It wasn't a group per say. Just this one lass. Said she was with the others but got left behind by accident. I found it hard to believe, but they had the same guild mark as them, so I gave her a ride as well."

"Damn!" Elfman swore. "She really did go and do it."

Lucy turned to Elfman. "What do we do now?"

Elfman stood silently for a time, before stepping toward the boatman. "Go back and tell Master Makarov what happened. I'm going after her."

"Wait!" Lucy yelled, putting herself between the Elfman and the boat. "You just said that going there could get you kicked out. Shouldn't we both head back?"

"Sorry Lucy, but it wouldn't be very Manly of me to leave my sisters out there on their own. I'll accept any punishment for them, but you don't need to get dragged into this anymore than you already have." Elfman declared.

"She may be your sister, but she's my friend, so I'll come too." Lucy said, stepping into the boat. "Whether you want me to or not."

Elfman looked shocked for a moment, before casting his gaze downwards. "To think, you'd be willing to give up so much for my sister…" he suddenly looked back up with tears in his eyes, holding a clenched fist to his chest. "To think Lisanna had such a MANLY friend!"

"Don't call me manly! Just get on the boat already." Lucy sighed in exasperation.

The boatman laughed gently at the display. "Alright then. One more trip to Galuna Island, coming right up. It might get a bit bumpy though, so don't say I didn't warn you." He finished darkly.

Lucy rolled her eyes at the man's dramatic tone. 'He's done this three times already today, hasn't he? How bad could it really be?'

"Uh…" Lucy moaned, laying down on something wet and gritty. "Where am I?"

Her head felt like it was spinning, and she tried to think back to the last thing she remembered. She remembered… Talking to the boatman (A local of the place) about the demon curse and being shown his monstrous arm. She remembered seeing the island off in the distance, moonlight shining down on it ominously. She remembered the boatman disappearing and a giant wave appearing, leading to…

Her lying face first on the beach apparently. This mission was off to a great start already. Lucy pushed herself off the sand and tried to stand up, ignoring how weird her soaked clothes felt on her. "Elfman!" She called, looking around the beach she had washed up on. A quick glance around revealed plenty of driftwood from the boat they took. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar body lying face down in the sand like she had. "Oh, thank god."

Lucy began to walk towards the unconscious Elfman but tripped on her soaked pants. "Gah!" Luckily it was a soft fall with all the sand around, but the damage to her dignity was more than enough. She got up in a huff and tried to pull up her pants but felt something weird. Her arms didn't feel long enough, and now that she looked around everything seemed taller than it should. Most importantly though, her back wasn't killing her anymore. She looked down at herself and notice something missing.

Two somethings, in fact.

"What?" Lucy muttered. Her notably large bust was seemingly missing. She checked out the rest of her body, and noticed it wasn't just her chest which had been changed. It wasn't that she had simply shrunk. She had… de-aged? She quickly hobbled over in her now-loose clothes to Elfman and noticed that he was also under the same effects.

'I thought the curse on this Island turned people into demons?' Lucy thought frantically. 'Why the heck am I a kid now?!'

Next Chapter: Lord of the Flies