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Chapter 174

To Settle Business

I don't know when it happened, but at some point, I had fallen asleep. I've heard of some people crying themselves to sleep, but I didn't expect to be doing it myself. When I opened my eyes, it was already morning. When I woke up, I felt somewhat refreshed, like I finally had a good night's sleep. Even the pain lessened somewhat.

At first, I wondered what I experienced last night was nothing more but a dream, but as I became more awake, I felt the presence of something a bit heavy on top of my lap. I then sat up, wondering what it could have been on me, and what I saw almost made me gasp out loud in surprise. Laying on top of my lap while sitting next to my bed was Mira, who was still fast asleep.

At that moment, I could hear Porlyusica coming down the stairs, and I feel worry filling up my face. After all, she said herself that she wasn't a people person, and as soon as she saw Mira, she was probably going to get upset. Sure enough, Porlyusica came into view, and she looked towards me and saw the sleeping Mira.

"Um, please excuse her, ma'am," I said, trying to come up with an excuse. "Mira is... Well... she's... she kind of..."

But Porylusica strolled past me as if she didn't notice, walking towards the table in the corner. She opened a large thick book and began turning through the pages until she stopped at a particular one.

I remained where I was, feeling confused as well as wary, waiting for the moment she would flip her lid, not making any noise or sudden noises.

"So, how are you feeling?" asked Porlyusica.

"U-Um, pretty good today, I guess," I responded. "I... got plenty of sleep if that's what you mean."

"There's no need to be so formal, you know," said Porlyusica. "I'm well aware that Mira snuck her way in here. Normally, I hate having people in here, much less someone sneaking around into my home..." She looked back at me, her expression stern yet softened. "But I'll make an exception this one time."

Now, this surprised me. Was this the same woman who whacked me with a broom yesterday? She was like a short-fused lacrima bomb back then, but now she seemed a lot kinder and more mellow, which made me wonder if she was really the same person from before. Then, I felt Mira start to stir on my lap, which brought my attention to her, believing that she was about to wake up. But then, a small whimper escaped from her mouth as she clenched the sheets, her face slightly contorting. Then, I heard her murmurs.

"Willy... I will protect you... I won't... let anyone take you away again..."

"She was worried sick about you, you know, along with her brother and sister," Porlyusica went on. "So much that it took quite a bit of convincing for her to leave. She never wanted to leave your side, even for a moment. The poor girl couldn't stop crying."

"S-Seriously?" I stuttered in bewilderment as I looked towards her and then back at Mira. "I... I had no idea."

"Well, it is your fault she's like this," Porylusica said. "After all, you did go and quit the guild and then ended up a crazed monster."

I was about to argue back, but I quickly kept my mouth shut, knowing full well that she was right.

"I understand that you wanted to keep everyone out of your problems, hoping that it would keep them safe, but all that did was have the opposite effect," went on Porlyusica. "And if you intend to continue on your own, you would still end up hurting everyone, and that says a lot coming from an old hermit like me. Fairy Tail isn't the kind of group that would never abandon one of their own even if they left the guild themselves. If you continue to push them away, you'll not only be harming yourself, but you'll also be hurting the people you're trying to protect."

I remained silent, not even rebutting or denying Porlyusica's words. Everything she said was pretty much true because that's exactly what happened. I then placed a hand on Mira's gently squeezing, and that seemed to help put her at ease as she continued to sleep.

"Don't worry. After everything that's happened up till now, I don't think I'll be going anywhere any time soon," I said quietly. "Besides, the last thing I want is to cause more trouble for everyone. Especially her. Although, I'm not so sure if anyone's going to be as welcoming after... you know.

"If that's what you're concerned about, then own up to what you did," said Porlyusica. "I can't speak for anyone like Mira or Makarov, but the others in the guild may not be as forgiving. But you needn't worry. I'm sure that they wouldn't be as cruel as to kick you out."

Without looking at Porlyusica, I started to pet Mira's head, trying to mimic the way she did with me. Then, Mira began to stir, and her eyes slowly began to open, causing me to retract my hand instinctively.

"G-Good morning, Mira," I said, trying to act natural.

Mira slowly sat up and let out a cute yawn. "Good morning," she mumbled sleepily as she rubbed the tiredness out of her eyes. She then realized where she was and couldn't help but gasp as she looked across to Porlyusica. "Oh no! I must have fallen asleep!" she squeaked. "And it seems as though I got caught. Sorry, Porlyusica."

"Don't worry about it. Just make sure not to do it again," said Porlyusica. "The next time you want to see your boyfriend, try to wait until the next day."

"W-Wait a minute! I'm not her boyfriend!" I protested. "W-We're-"

"Childhood friends! Yeah! We've known each other for a while, so it's only natural that well... friends are there for each other!" Mira cut in with flushed cheeks. "Isn't that right, Willy?"

"Y-Yeah! What she said!" I concurred. "Childhood friends!"

But Porlyusica didn't seem to pay attention as she continued about her way, mixing a few strange liquids. "If you're feeling this energetic, then perhaps it's time for you to get going," she said. "The antidote will take a while to make, so there's no reason for you to stick around. Besides, don't you have some business to attend to?"

I was puzzled at first, but then I realized what she meant. "Yeah, you're right about one thing. I do have something I need to do," I said. "But, I don't exactly have the proper attire to go anywhere. I mean, I can't exactly go parading around like this."

"There's a change of clothes next to your bed," said Porlyusica. "Make sure you put those on, or else someone might mistake you for a pervert."

I got out of bed and looked next to me, and on the desk was a stack of folded clothes. I got out of bed and then left the room to get dressed and came back shortly. I was now wearing a white t-shirt, a pair of red shorts, and a pair of sandals.

"Are you sure you're okay to be walking around?" asked Mira. "You're still pretty banged up."

"Don't worry. I'm fine now," I replied. "Just like she said, I've got something I need to do, and it'll be a while before she can finish the antidote." I turned toward Porlyusica. "Thank you for everything, Porlyusica. I appreciate it. And I'm sorry that I called you a suspicious old lady."

"Don't worry about it," said Porlyusica. "Just get going already. I want to do my work in peace if you don't mind."

I gave her a grateful bow in respect, and Mira and I left the house. At first, I was a little blinded when my eyes met the sun, but I could see fine again after a few seconds of adjusting. I took a few steps away from the house, looked back, wondering what the place looked like, and was surprised to see that it looked like any other tree. You wouldn't have believed it if the tree had someone living inside of it.

"Wow. I'll say this much; she's got quite the hideaway," I said. "It's perfect for someone like her."

"I guess so," said Mira. "So, I take it this business you both were talking about has something to with the other guildmates?"

"Pretty much," I replied, my gaze focused on the ground. "After everything that's happened, I have to do to make things right. And there's only one thing I can do so."

"Well, whatever you do, you know I got your back," said Mira. "I'm behind you all the way."

I looked over to Mira and gave a tiny smile despite feeling uneasy inside. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I could use all the help I could get right now, so... if you don't mind, could you please go over something with me?"

"I'm listening," said Mira. "Whatever you need."

NO POV

On a grassy plain in an unknown area, two young men stood amongst some ruins of a dark guild. Bodies lay everywhere, with only the two boys the only ones that remained.

One of them was fair-skinned, had spikey blonde hair, slanted and slitted deep blue eyes with a diagonal scar on the right, and wore a crystalline-like earring on his left ear. His attire consisted of a blue vest top of a short, cream top, and a boa made of fur. His arms were covered by blue gloves reaching up to his mid-bicep, adorned by light gray bands hanging down. He also had loose cream-colored pants held up by suspenders and dark blue boot-like shoes that went to his thighs. He also had a white unknown symbol on his shoulder.

The other was also fair-skinned, had messy black hair and red eyes, with the pupils being slit. He wore a black cape that went all the way to his feet, held by a white ribbon around his neck, bearing the same as did the other young man with a simple gray t-shirt underneath. Around his waist was a blue waistband with four long cloth pieces having a big red cross with fan-shaped arms. He also wore a pair of baggy pair of black pants with a pair of armored boots.

"Hey, you hear gossip that's been going around?" asked the blonde. "From what I heard, they're finally back."

"Who's "they"?" asked the black-haired boy.

"The Fairy Tail members that went missing along with Tenrou Island seven years ago," replied the blonde.

The black-haired boy scowled. "I couldn't care less," he scoffed.

"Don't play to play it cool with me, Rogue," chuckled the blonde. "You used to look up to Natsu like crazy."

"Yes. Used to," said the black-haired boy.

"You know, it really takes you back, huh?" said the blonde as he looked up at the sky. "Seven years ago, we were scrawny little guys." He then held up his hand just above Rogue's knee. "and the last time we saw them, you came up to here on Gajeel. You were a pretty big fan of his back then. I never really did care for the guy cause he was so scary. Not to mention I don't like that other guy who's called "The Traitor of the Balam Alliance."

"Stop bringing up the past, Sting," the black-haired boy spoke curtly. "We chose to follow a different path than them."

"I finally found you!" shouted a voice. "Now I got you right where I want you!"

Both boys looked up and saw a wizard wearing strange garb and armor running towards them while holding a bow and arrow. The wizard aimed, stringing the arrow while pulling it back, and let it fly, aiming squarely at the black-haired man's back. But before it could hit the mark, the blonde reached up and caught it, snatching it straight for the air. Then, to the shock of the wizard, the blonde started munching away on the arrow, starting at the head.

"H-He's eating the arrow?!" exclaimed the wizard in disbelief. Then, horror and realization began to fill his face as he realized what this meant. "N-No way! Don't tell me that it's him!"

The blonde soon finished his snack and let out a small puff of breath, which turned into a powerful blast of white light. The blast narrowly missed the wizard and blasted the wall that was just behind him, reducing it to rubble in seconds. The wizard was now so frightened that he was frozen with fear, ready to pee his pants.

"Aw, damn it all," complained the blonde. "It looks like I missed. I must be out of practice."

"T-That power! Those guild marks! I-It is them!" the wizard squawked with terror. "The twin dragons of the Sabertooth guild! The Dragon Slayer duo, White Dragon String and Shadow Dragon Rogue!"

And not wanting to stick around, the wizard took off running as fast as his feet could carry him.

"Well, that's a bit harsh," said Sting as he looked back at the unconscious bodies. "He's gone and ditched all of his buddies. Not cool."

"What did you expect?" huffed Rogue in disgust. "He's from a dark guild."

"Geez, Sting. You don't know when to hold back, do you?" said a voice. "You went all out on those guys!"

Two exceeds then came up to them. One of them had red fur with his face, belly, paws, and the tip of his tail being pink, and also wore a blue, sleeveless vest with three-button on one side. He also had pointed ears and little tufts of fur close to his cheekbones. The other wore a pink frog outfit leaving only its face exposed, showing that the creature had green fur, large eyes, and rosy cheeks.

"Hey. It's Lector and Frosch," chuckled Sting upon recognizing them. "Where have you two been?"

"Oh, you know, just some recon stuff," said Lector. "We thought that we'd find the enemy before they ambushed us, but it looks like the two of you already took care of them. They got what they deserved for messing with you guys."

"I think so, too," agreed Frosch.

Sting and Lector then high-fived each other, the white dragon slayer smiling with pride.

"You're the man to beat! The greatest dragon slayer of all time!" went on Lector proudly. "Not even a fire, iron, sky, or water dragon could ever hope to stand a chance against you!"

"Thanks, man," smiled Sting. "You know with how strong I am now; I bet could even beat Natsu if I had a chance." He looked over at Rogue. "Whadaya think? Should we find out for ourselves and challenge them sometime?"

"I think I'll pass," replied Rogue. "For now, let's report back to the master. He'll want to know about how the mission went."

"I agree," concurred Frosch.

The four then set off for home, leaving the carnage from the twin dragon's rampage behind them.

WILLY'S POV

I found myself standing in front of the pathway that led to the tavern. I knew that all of the other Fairy Tail members had to be inside, but I couldn't help but hesitate out of fear.

"Mira. I'm not so sure about this," I said. "I know I said that I have to, but... I can't help feel nervous."

"It's okay, Willy. It'll be fine," reassured Mira. "Besides, it's too late to back down now, and everyone else is worried about you."

"Or they probably want to give me a piece of their minds," I said flatly. But, I took a deep breath and steadied my nerves. "But... your right. I have to do this, and I can't turn tail now. I just have to go it."

"Remember, just tell them everything, and I'm sure they'll understand," said Mira touching my shoulder in comfort. "And if anyone's mad at you, I'll stay with you."

I gave Mira a nod and looked up towards the path that led to the tavern. Then, I started walking, my eyes staying focused on the building. However, the closer the tavern got, the more nervous and tense I became. Soon, I found myself standing in front of the doors, the sounds of laughter and talking being heard inside. I looked back at Mira, and she gestured her hands, telling me to go on inside.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and plucked up courage. Then I pushed the doors open and entered. No sooner than I did, everyone that was inside all stopped and looked up in my direction. As soon as they saw me, most of them were surprised, their eyes staring straight at me. Their stares alone made me all the more uncomfortable, but I tried my best not to show it as I stepped forward and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear me.

"Hello, everyone. There's something that I need to talk to you guys about. And... it's something that I've been keeping from you for far too long, and it's time... you all knew about what was going on. Why everything... happened."

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And as always, thank you so much for reading! I hope to see you for the next chapter!

Dragomaster, signing off!