"Oh hey, check it out, Erza, sounds like Fairy Tail's got a new member."

Kai Hope sat upon the ruins of a boulder that'd been crushed beneath Erza Scarlet's attack that brought down the great horned beast. Erza wiped some of its blood of her armor. Kai shifted to show her the magazine article featuring the young woman standing next to Mirajane.

"A Celestial Spirit Wizard?" Erza asked. "That's quite interesting."

A little red cat meandered onto Kai's head and purred, then said, "Lucy Heartfilia? Heartfilia…the name sounds familiar, not sure where I've heard it before."

Kai reached up and patted Iggy on the head. "Some rich guy out in the country. Lucy must be loaded, wonder if she'll bother taking any jobs."

Erza chuckled and started sealing the massive horn into a net she could drag around. Kai just snapped his fingers and encased the thing in a net of ice. Erza smiled and nodded to thank him. Kai tried to hold back his blush.

"We should head back to the guild soon to meet her," Erza said. "What'd you think?"

"Let's go."

Erza shoved the massive horn down the mountainside, then dropped along with it. Iggy gave Kai a knowing look which he waved off and slid down the mountain with her. Iggy spread his wings and flew after them.

There was a tavern not too far from the mountainside, and the louder Kai's stomach growled, the more he nagged Erza about eating. At last, Titania caved. Kai also gleamed a little victory out of it: not often did he get to go on jobs with Erza, and even less often did he have the opportunity to have a sit down meal with her and just…talk.

Erza led the way in, silencing everyone in the tavern with the massive monster horn she carried behind him. The white-haired wizard with the flying red cat normally drew a crowd's attention, but, the red-haired woman in armor and a skirt did the job this time.

"We just want a meal," Kai said, holding his hands up.

The tavern-keep obliged, quickly moving to set aside a table for them while the rest of the patrons in the inn spoke low. A few looked their eyes on Kai's guild mark on his forearem.

"Heard Fairy Tail blew up part of Hargeon…"

"Caused some big problems in Onibas."

"Don't know how Magnolia is still standing with all of their—"

Erza turned to face the crowd but Kai stepped in their way.

"We just want a meal," Kai said, but the fire in Erza's eyes did not dwindle until they settled on a spindly little woman approaching them.

"You're guild wizards?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," Erza said.

"Just looking for a meal."

"I…I've been looking for a good wizard for a while, since my village was attacked and something was stolen from us."'

Oh, great. They'd never get to eat now. Erza patted her hand on the giant monster horn.

"Whatever it is, we can handle it," Erza said. "What's the situation?"

"A Dark Guild, Eisenwald, came through and ravaged my home," she said. "We…we had some survivors. And they stole something from us but I-I dare not speak it's name."

"Please," Erza said, and knelt to be level with the woman. "It would help us greatly if we knew what we were looking for so we can return it."

"If you have the power to defeat this guild, then you'll have the power to destroy what was lost, and you must. It's called Lullaby."

"What does it look like?" Kai asked.

She shook her head. "It haunts my dreams, turns sleep into unrest. It…it is a curse, guild wizards, and if Eisenwald has it? All of Fiore is in danger."

"Then all of Fiore is about to be saved," Kai said. "But not on—"

"Kai, come. We have to hurry back to Fairy Tail and warn the others. I suspect we'll need help if we're to take Eisenwald on directly."

The old woman beamed and even Iggy followed Erza and her horned prize out the door. Kai looked to the kitchen, back to Erza, then caved. He couldn't hate her, though. Not by a long shot. And she was right.

Erza was always right. Just right for him, too, and he blushed at the thought of it.

They arrived back at Fairy Tail not soon enough, much to Kai's relief. His stomach had done cartwheels on the train back, and Erza had them moving almost just as fast down the streets of Magnolia. Kai hung from her shoulder for a good bit of it until he could get his feet back. Motion sickness…the worst part of about being a Dragon Slayer, hands down.

Erza flung the doors of the Fairy Tail guild hall open and Kai slid in next to her. She slammed the horn down, and Kai watched the ruckus that was started probably by Natsu cease. Only Mirajane smiled brightly at them.

"Loke just warned us you were coming," she said.

Warned us. Kai almost laugh.

"Hey, Freezer Breath is back," Gray said, and Natsu slammed him on the head.

"I've heard word on the street that our guild has been acting quite unseemly of late," Erza said. She tapped the giant monster horn and approached. "That is has been a bit disgraceful, that it has caused a lot of destruction in the wake of several missions. Is this true?"

Kai glanced at Natsu and Gray. The two stepped back for every step Erza took forward. A blonde girl stood next to them while Happy floated around them. That was probably Lucy.

"Natsu, Gray," Erza declared, and the guild clenched up. Kai rolled his eyes. Oh, here we go…

"You're coming with me," Erza said. "We have a quest to complete."

Mirajane's eyes lit up. Kai's spirit did as well.

"Really?" Kai asked, stepping forward. "We get to quest with Natsu and Gray?"

"My oh my!" Mirajane exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Two Dragon Slayers on the same quest? It must be serious."

"Eisenwald has attacked," Erza said. "We have to repel them. They're posing a dangerous threat to Fiore and I won't stand for it. Kai has already agreed to help me, but against a Dark Guild like this, I need more reinforcements. Natsu, Gray, you're perfect for the job."

Natsu shook off his cowardice and pointed right at Erza. His confidence came as easily as his fists. "Fine! But if I go, Erza, you better promise me one thing: When we get back, we're going at it. Been a while since you and I went toe-to-toe, I've got a thing or two I can show you."

Some of the guild laughed. Kai didn't, but some amusing memories of Natsu trying and failing to fight Erza rolled through his mind. Kai stepped forward.

"I've got a few tricks too, Natsu," Kai said, forming some ice in his hands. His hair floated up, as it always did with his activated magic. "After Erza, let's see if ice is better than fire."

"You're damn right it is!" Gray shouted.

"Shut up," Natsu said.

"It's settled then. Pack your things, we're leaving now. This is a time sensitive mission. If we can't complete it, several folks in Fiore are in grave danger."

"What is it?" Warren asked from across the room.

"Dangerous," Erza said. "Come along."

"Oh, Erza, wait!" Mirajane called. Kai was already preparing to leave but Mira's words stopped them. Iggy floated in circles over Kai's head, then Happy joined her, the two chatting idly about fish or something.

"Bring Lucy with you. She needs the experience."

"Excellent point, Mira. We could use the wide-range of magic a Celestial Spirit wizard has."

The color vanished from Lucy's face. "Oh, I…um…"

Kai approached, and Lucy froze up. Everyone had their eyes on Kai.

Erza was intimidating. Beyond Siegrain, Laxus, Gildarts, Mira, and the Master, there were few other good wizards in the world that weren't afraid of her—then again, good was a bit of a stretch when it came to Laxus, Master Makarov's grandson.

It was only natural for Lucy to lock up on suggestion of going on a mission with Erza. Kai held his hand out to Lucy, who gingerly accepted it.

"She's not that bad," he said, kind of low. "And we'll keep you safe. Trust me."

"Wh—who are you?"

"Kai Hope. Fairy Tail's Ice Dragon Slayer."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Another Dragon Slayer, like Natsu?"

"Just like me," Natsu said. "Missing parents, flying cat, cool hair."

"I just wear a better outfit," Kai said, gesturing to his blue hooded short cloak and pants and black boots, as well as the katana at his side. He wiped the hair out of his face and smiled, cooling Lucy down just a bit.

"Guess we're not all crazy, then," Lucy said.

"Oh no," Kai said, nudging Lucy forward, where Natsu caught her. "We're nuts."

Kai walked with Erza to Magnolia Station while Natsu, Gray, and Lucy were slated to meet with them. Mirajane had pulled Lucy aside later to tell her more about how she could help, especially in the downtime: keep Natsu and Gray separate, or, at the very least, just try to babysit them. Normally, that was Kai's responsibility, but this way they would have one Dragon Slayer completely occupied on the task at hand.

"I'm afraid we may run into some serious danger on this task," Erza said. "I looked further into Eisenwald around town. They have an assassin in their ranks, and a powerful one at that: Erigor the Shinigami."

"Anything in particular that should concern us?"

"He's a master of Wind Magic and has a twisted mind. He takes on assassination requests as easily as we do fetch quests. We have to be incredibly careful with him, especially if he gets the power that woman was talking about."

"And his guild?"

"Dark Wizards don't play by any rules. We have to remember that we are an honest guild, one that fights for light. If we stoop to their level, it doesn't matter if we defeat them or not. We'll still lose in the eyes of the council."

Kai nodded. Erza was still hung up on the whole thing about Fairy Tail being a lot more destructive and chaotic of late. That, or she was talking directly to Kai in an…indirect manner. He kept silent about it, figuring that would be best. Iggy floated over his head, trying to catch sight of anyone.

However, if Kai were to lose control, both he and Erza knew she would be able to regain it for him. Kai grimaced. No, maybe not now. If Erigor was as dangerous as they thought, Erza may not have the time to contend with Kai in such a way that would distract her from the Shinigami.

They arrived at the station. Kai's contemplative face must've stayed strong on his face, as Lucy approached him with a cocked eyebrow.

"Something the matter?"

"Nothing, just thinking," Kai said, blowing hair out of his face.

Happy and Iggy talked while Erza set down her massive load of things for the trip.

"We'll wait for the train here," Erza said. "And discuss our plan aboard the train."

"We'll discuss?" Gray asked.

Natsu shook his head quite worriedly, and Kai pretended he didn't just hear the word train.

They stood in silence while the train came. Kai stole several looks at Erza, who was lost in her own thoughts. He couldn't help it. He both wanted to try and say something to her, to reassure her that thing would be okay and he wouldn't lose control, but he also just couldn't help looking at the woman. The ideal image of beauty, grace, and power.

The train arrived. Natsu groaned. Lucy must've silently questioned it because she went to say something but Erza ushered them onto the train. Kai nestled into his seat and Erza sat next to him, her arms crossed. Kai opened the window immediately. Natsu did the same, sitting nearest to the window. Happy and Iggy sat on their respective Dragon Slayers' lap. Gray sat and shut his eyes to get some rest, while Lucy just looked about, still confused.

"Am I missing something?"

"Just you wait," Gray said.

"Shut up, Gray," Kai and Natsu groaned, and the train kicked off, shooting discomfort all throughout Kai's body.

He tried doing several of the mental exercises that Erza had taught him over the years to ward off the discomfort. Counting to a hundred and back, thinking of all the different ways he could spell his name, thinking of all the different ways people had said his name. He couldn't think of his magic and new spells he could do because that only made things worse.

Erza chatted about the quest, about Lullaby, and had to knock Natsu out just to shut him up so she could properly explain things. Kai already had the run down and didn't want t focus on anything other than the mental gymnastics he put on in his head to think of anything but the motion sickness.

Then, great heavens, the train came to a stop, and Kai was the first off the train, followed swiftly by Erza.

"Did you see something?" she asked.

"No," Kai said, gasping. "I just…we're not moving."

Lucy rolled her eyes and she and Gray came off the train. Gray stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"You Dragon Slayers are something else, you know that?" he said.

"Thanks," Kai said, and reached a hand out. Gray clasped it and pulled him straight up. Kai stretched his stomach. The train started off again, all the passengers getting off.

"We need to find the Eisenwald Guild," Erza said. "I heard there was activity around here."

"Eisenwald?" someone asked, creeping closer to them as the train started off behind them. "No, Eisenwald is at Oshibana. They almost came through here, but, didn't want any guild attention."

"Cowards," Gray muttered. "They're dodging us."

"To be expected of Dark Guilds, honestly," Kai said. "We need to get to Oshibana."

"But the train's leaving!" Lucy exclaimed as the train headed out of the station.

"It's fine," Erza said. "Let it go. We have a faster method of transportation available to us, though I don't think Kai or Natsu will like it."

"I don't like any transportation," Kai muttered. He paused, looking about. "Wait, where is the flamethrower, anyway?"

Happy looked about, as did Iggy. Lucy slapped her forehead.

"Oh…Natsu."

"We need to catch up with the train and stop it, then!" Erza exclaimed. "We'll need Natsu if we're to fight Eisenwald head on."

"Aye!" Happy exclaimed, and Erza yanked Kai forward. Iggy flew after them, and Gray and Lucy raced after Erza and Kai.

Erza's mode of transportation, though, was arguably worse than the train. The Magic Four-Wheeler, lethal to all Dragon Slayers, and a vehicle that accelerated based on a user's magic power. Erza took the stick and sat right down.

Kai clambered in at the back and braced himself. It would be fast. It would be fast. It would be over soon…

They blasted off, chasing quickly after the train. However, the road was far less generous than Erza's speed, as they bounced up and down the plains heading after the train.

"Once we get to the train I'll activate the emergency stop! Gray, Lucy, you both need to use your magic power to propel it forward, understand?"

"Got it!" Lucy exclaimed, and readied herself.

The train was insight, and vomit was in Kai's gut. Two trips like this in a row? Oh, hell no.

Erza readied herself as they zipped toward the train that only seemed to be going slower. Then, with a single bound, she leapt onto the back of the train. Lucy and Gray lunged forward and took hold of the Magic Four-Wheeler, only barely keeping it at the same speed Erza had it at. Kai, when Erza leapt away, accidentally kicked him, and he had no force to push back with.

Kai slammed on the ground and rolled away, hitting the ground hard while Gray and Lucy surged forward. Only Iggy jumped off and flew back to him.

"Kai, what are you doing, it's not play time!" Iggy exclaimed.

The Dragon Slayer pushed himself to his feet, trying to regain a sense of equilibrium and shake off the vertigo.

"I'm done with vehicles," he muttered. "Iggy, take me to Oshibana."

"That's…" Iggy pointed in the direction of the train. "That way?"

"We'll scout out any signs of Eisenwald while Erza and the others catch up," Kai said. "Come on!"

Iggy lifted Kai by the back of his cloak and they cut through the sky, lancing through the clear blue air toward the station edging into existence over the horizon. Erza and the others would be quick to catch up, and if Kai could gather some information, maybe Erza could drop the whole thing about him needing to lose control, and they would have valuable intel on their enemy.

Oshibana Station was particularly large, with no trains running in or out of it as it came into view. Kai's senses did pick up something, though, something quite foul. Dark magic, no doubt. Or, maybe Lullaby.

"It might be there, Iggy," Kai said. "I might be able to end all of this right now."

"Kai, don't be dumb," Iggy said. "If even Erza is scared of Lullaby, you should be super scared of it."

"You're right. Just information it is, then."

Iggy dropped Kai onto the roof, and, sealing his feet with ice to the roof, he walked across it until he came to a window.

Royal guards lay sprawled out on the steps leading into the interior of the station, but with few signs of actual damage like there was a battle. Someone came through and cleaned house pretty thoroughly…someone with expert skills.

Someone like an assassin.

"Erigor," Kai muttered.

"Still thinking of going in without everyone else?"

"No. We'll need to ambush him somehow. I have no idea where he is, or where he might be, but I'm sure he's in here."

Kai glanced over his shoulder. The others were on their way, he could smell Erza pretty potently. Kai nodded to Iggy and the two dropped down to the entrance of the station. Erza pulled the Four-Wheeler up to them and blitzed over.

"What were you thinking?" she asked, her face red.

"I was thinking I would see what was going on here. Sounds like Erigor is here."

"Yeah, with Lullaby," Gray said.

Maybe that was the scent, then, Kai thought. He nodded. "We need to be careful. All of us together can probably take him down, right?"

"We'll be more than enough," Erza said. "If we can ambush him, he'll be cornered, and he'll have nowhere to go."

She stole a glance, one so fast Kai barely noticed, down to her hands. They were shaking. The Four-Wheeler used up more magic than she was anticipating.

"We'll be fine," Kai said, "as long as we can ambush him, like you said."
"Let's go, then!" Natsu exclaimed, and burst forward, using his flames like a propeller.

"Natsu, no!" Erza shouted, and chased after him.

"Why does he always do this?" Gray rushed after them, too.

"Lucy, stay with me, you'll be safe," Kai said, and jogged after them with Lucy, who couldn't run as fast as Gray or Erza, and definitely not Natsu.

Iggy flew by overhead while they rushed throughout the station. Lucy couldn't look to all the downed soldiers that littered the floor. Kai just clenched his fist and tried to remember one single word: Control.

They came upon the innermost part of the station, a massive room bathed primarily in shadow behind a cloud. Kai stopped just short of the entrance. Natsu was already in a battle stance and Erza summoned a sword to her side.

Standing on the railing, in the only part of the room without shadow, was a man with a long scythe over his shoulder and a sash over his otherwise bare chest. He had a hood over his head, too, and a long nose protruding out of his face.

"Erigor," Kai muttered.

The sunshine hit the room and bathed several others in light. Eisenwald. Lucy gasped. Kai looked all about the room.

"I saw your little friend earlier," Erigor said. "And heard from a little birdie that there were other authorized guild wizards snooping about. My boys were more than happy to hear that."

"Give us Lullaby, Erigor," Erza said. "And I'll make your arrest that much easier."

"Lullaby is the key to showing those that would oppress perfectly fine wizards that they have committed grave sin!" Erigor declared.

"What's your goal here?" Erza asked. "Just petty revenge?"

"I will use this station's broadcasting system to ensure that all those who hear the tune of death will understand the pain they have brought upon myself and my guild," Erigor said. "And I dare you to stop us."

He flashed something in his hand. A flute.

"Lullaby!" Lucy exclaimed.

Kai braced himself. Erigor stood near an open window. He straightened his back and some gusts of wind started to form. Kai placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Kageyama!" Erigor shouted, and, from the shadows, a man jumped out toward Lucy.

The entire room sprang into action. Natsu dove backward to save Lucy as Kai stepped forward, unleashing his blade and cutting a thin slice of magic through the air that slammed onto Erigor's hand, but encased the Lullaby in ice.

"Gray, block Erigor!" Kai yelled, still moving forward.

"Ice-Make: Wall!" the Maker wizard cast.

Erigor spun to leave but slammed into a wall of ice.

"Rayule, deal with the Ice Wizard! Everyone else, kill the women!" Erigor roared.

His eyes locked on the rushing Kai, who resheathed his blade and leapt up. Erigor swiped with his scythe but Iggy came and yanked Kai up, dodging the wind slice. Kai grabbed Erigor and slammed him onto the wall.

Kai, then, jutted his hand into the ice wall and grabbed a nice chunk of it, gobbling it down. He rubbed his mouth as Erigor lunged at him, and Kai allowed him to tackle him out the windo. Kai grabbed him by his long nose and threw him at the ground.

Erigor slammed to the ground outside of the station while Kai landed and unsheathed his blade.

"You…" Erigor muttered. "You dare challenge me alone?"

"I do," Kai said. "You've been trying to dodge Fairy Tail. Sorry to say we caught up with you!"

Kai took hold of his shirt, one that weighed him down, and ripped it free, revealing the guild brand over his heart.

Erigor swiped with his scythe and Kai blocked with his sword, then spun about and turned the floor to ice. Erigor leapt up and cast wind magic, but Kai had a wall up to block it, then sliced up the ice and forced it at Erigor, who easily deflected them with the window.

"Come on," Kai said. "Let's see what a Death God can do to a Dragon Slayer."