Chapter 39: A Belated Reunion

"Damn, Gajeel really did a number here." I whistled, half awe and half horrified at the wreckage of the Fairy Tail Guild being reduced into a porcupine.

"This is sad. This is so sad. If I had Alexa, I would ask her to play Despacito."

"Arf, Arf!" I cocked my head down, and the silver dog beside me barked in agreement. Unlike other dogs, its surface was smooth like polished metal instead of soothing soft fur. A red gem embedded on his head like a third eye. And it was a realistic shape of a Husky.

The entrance door of the guild opened, and two women came out. It was one thing to see one of them, but both Mirajane and Lucy? It took my dog biting my leg just so I could remember to breathe. But I breathed in too fast too soon and ended up choking my own air. The sound of it took notice of the two girls and all my muscles tensed, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights. I could tell my small companion sighing disappointedly at my cowering behavior, and I glared at him because I don't need to be judged by an animal-wannabee.

That small act was a mistake because now night-blue sky met with my own emerald pair, "Ah, hello there. Are you here to put up a job request." Mirajane was quick to address me with her signature smile. "My apologies, but the guild is close at the moment. Please come back tomorrow morning."

It took quite a resolve to ignore her and focused on my sister, "It's good to see you again."

Lucy, who was about to leave, froze and regarded me questioningly. "Do I know you?" Her gaze glancing up and down as she tried to put me in place. I couldn't blame her when I'm currently wearing a bowler hat and a pair of sunglasses. I was also draped with a gray coat over my white shirt, and blue jeans slipped in my steel-toed dark blue boots. Basically, I wore the stereotypical paparazzi-disguise.

However, my next words blew all her doubt away. "Have you forgotten me already, Goldilocks?"

The nickname caused an immediate reaction, knowing only one person would call her that with the familiar grin that spells trouble and a fond tone in my voice. Her mouth dropped as her eyes glazed in recognition, and I barely reacted fast enough before she threw herself at me, and I found myself twirling a blonde mage while being engulfed with her hug tight enough to make me groan.

I wasn't complaining. I hug back with as much acceptable force, letting my head rested on the crook of her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin and smell her very being. Proving she's here, and I can finally, finally see her.

"I'm so glad to see you, Ro–Captain," she quickly corrected herself.

By the gods, do I miss her, and by the looks of things, the feeling is mutual. At least, I thought that before she let me go and made a sharp punch to my gut that entirely knocked out the air from me. Damn, she's gotten stronger. Kind of regretting I taught her, now she knows how to kick my ass given a chance.

"Where have you been all this time?! What are you doing here? Are you okay? Where have you been all this time?" Tears started to break from her eyes, and I waved my hand in panic.

"Wow there Goldie, one question at a time." I tried to calm her down, but Lucy puffed her cheeks in an attempt to stop herself crying. A habit she secretly kept, and I laughed at her signature Puffer-face, which manage to loosen the tension. "First, why don't you introduce me to this–" I picked the barmaid's hand and politely kissed her the back of her hand, "–lovely lady here."

Mirajane blushed but smiled politely back while Lucy accepted the change of subject, "Ah, this is Mirajane Strauss. She is the barmaid-slash-receptionist of Fairy Tail. Mira-san, this is Captain, my brother."

Her lovely face scrunched in confusion, "Captain? Captain who?"

I tried to keep my smile, but instead, it's like pulling a muscle on my face, "Just the Captain, Deary. Now, while I would love to have a chat with you, I hope you don't mind stealing my sister for an overdue chat we have."

"Of course, family is very important, after all."

My heart twinge at her words but kept a steady mask on my face. Lucy and I left together, leaving Mirajane waving goodbye. Unknown to me, once we were out of sight, she had a contemplative look as she rested her chin on her hand, "I wonder why I can't help but think he looks familiar."

As Lucy walked at the edge of the canal and summoned Plue. The "dog" hobbled beside her before my own dog decided to lift the spirit on his back. Both of them seemed to enjoy each other's company.

Lucy looked down at their interaction with apparent fondness, "He's new, I thought you say you were a cat person."

"Well, she liked being a dog more so who am I to decide where on the species-spectrum he's supposed to be."

Lucy raised an eyebrow before bursting out in laughter, "Nothing and anything makes sense when you're around."

"I aim to please."

"Then can you please this dear sister of your where the hell have you been these past two years."

"Oh, here and there. Wherever the wind takes me, I supposed."

"You're not telling me anything, are you?'

"I might if you tell me yours. Starting by where did you get another pair of golden keys to your collection?"

The thought of Virgo made her smile and immediately spinning a tale of her adventures as one of a master storyteller. From the wacky forming of her team with a Shitty Exceed and a Destructive Dragon Slayer, the wrecking of the Pervert Aristocrat's mansion that she wasn't sorry while gushing about one of her favorite authors, to the climax where she ended up fighting Lullaby after meeting Titania.

"Not long after, Natsu then drag me to an S-Class Quest."

"Aren't you a little bit early to rake that considering you're a newbie?"

"Well…" Lucy nervously twirled her hair, "let's just say we didn't really take the quest legally."

"And you thought this was a good idea, why?" The clicked of tongue slipped as I shook my head in disappointment.

"...I was lured by the prize, okay!" That's not exactly a compelling reason, Dear Lucy. "More importantly, you never guess who helped took us home today after the quest."

I smirked at the sucker opening she gave me, "What? Did you get help from pirates by any chance?"

"How did you– nevermind, but it wasn't just any pirates. It was the crew from Siren Lagoon!"

I whipped my head at the revelation, "No, those guys?! They're still alive?!"

Lucy almost slipped from the ledge, "I know we left them the first time, but no need to state that heartless," she deadpanned, "Moreover, you'll never believe this. The Kelpie? Apparently, it's their pet now. Oh, and Lance told me to tell you that he's in your debt but will tie you up as his personal anchor the next time you show your face to him."

Her words were enough to make me tripped. Lucy showed her love by keeping her pace ever forward without looking back even when I faceplanted. "Say what now? Okay, we both lived through many crazy situations here, so you gotta admit it takes a lot for me to curiously ask 'How did that happen?' Or rather, how did you get a pirate to take you home anyway?"

So Lucy continued her story, this time of her first S-Class quest. From Natsu's 'persuasion' to getting a boat to Galuna Island along with Gray, meeting a cursed tribe before being confronted with an iced Deliora that has linkage to Gray's past she didn't elaborate much, then about the Moon Drip itself. Lucy's apartment was already in sight by the time she mentioned about 'destroying the moon' and revealed the truth about the 'cursed' tribe.

Listening to her first account, I couldn't but whistled, "That's quite a whirlwind of a ride just for a Golden Key."

Her smile fell quickly with a deadpan glare, "That's rich coming from you. Tell me, did the past two years didn't involve getting chased by soldiers, incarcerated, or fighting inhuman monsters or plain psychos?" The silence I took was answering enough for her. Lucy sighed, exasperated as she was amused, "Oh Roy, your death-defying stunts would have put half the Fairy Tail's antics to shame."

"And damn proud of it too," I grinned and jam both my thumbs on my chest, "Ain't no one can make a mess like me, except me."

"I'm not so sure about that." There was a slight challenge in her tone. "I have a feeling my team could one-up you one of these days."

"Ah, they might," I conceded, "How does it feel like being in the guild? Is it exactly how you hope it would be?"

I was careful in wording my question. There's no doubt that Fairy Tail is a worthy guild to be called the best and Team Natsu is even a worthier comrade to have. But still, I want to know what my Lucy's opinion was of the guild rather than just assuming, and it's no good basing their characters solely from an almost-forgotten manga in my head.

Lucy smiled soft and sweet at the reminder of the years she spent longing to be in the guild, and the times she worked hard to be accepted by them. She shook her head but answered, "It's beyond I ever dreamt it would be. I don't regret at all from joining, the members there all smile a lot as if they enjoy every moment in their life, the place felt warm and safe despite the chaos they made in their own guild, so there are no boring moments, and… they're all good people." The joy is her face was unmistakable and blinding. Every doubt and guilt that had been weighing on my heart seem to absolve itself.

"The Princess has certainly gone wild if you fit in with those rowdy kids just fine." She stuck her tongue out, and I rolled my eyes at her immature act. "But are you sure you can put your trust in them? Sounds to me like they're a bunch of loose cannons waiting to explode if you leave them for too long. Not to mention this Phantom Lord business you have going on is just a disaster waiting to happen."

"That's… not a far-apt description for them," Lucy sheepishly admitted. "But don't worry Roy, they might not sound much at first, but Natsu, Gray, and Erza are one of the bests Fairy Tail could offer, even if they could be a bit… or a lot violent, single-minded in their goal, and doesn't know how to hold back. The rest of the guild members are barely any better. Nevertheless, you don't have to worry about the guild itself. After all Fairy Tail is–" She opened the apartment door, lo and behold her rowdy kids were having a tea party as if they had been invited in. "–THE BEST!"

If she hadn't left her sentence unfinished, I'm pretty sure it would end with a much more expletive word.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Lucy proceeded to kick her nearest target (in this case, Natsu) and threw him right out of the window.

Erza, Gray, and I clapped at the grace of her kick even as Happy fruitlessly called his partner's name. Natsu was quick to latch on the ledge and climb back in though, much to Lucy's ire. But it was Erza that had been the one to answer, "Seeing as Phantom Lord came to this town, it's not out of the question to imagine they investigate our addresses."

Lucy shivered at the thought of anyone barging into her home, even my gaze hardened at the image. No matter how badass she is now, I still have a soft spot so anybody coming for her has to kiss my fist first.

"It's unlikely that would happen, but it's better safe than to be sorry so all of us to stay together for tonight… or so that's what Erza said."

Lucy looked long and hard at him, "You were coerced into this, weren't you?"

"No comment," Gray said even as he sweated and looked away. "Besides, everyone is doing this anyway."

"Meaning everyone was coerced by Erza."

"Sssh, do you want to say that to her face?"

That finally got her to clamp her mouth shut with her hands. Before she carefully addressed a question to the redhead in the room, "Erza-san, don't you think Natsu would have been enough? The room isn't really that big, and Natsu is strong enou–"

"OBJECTION!" I cried out from behind her, surprising her enough to jump but I barely care even as the group's attention was focused on me, "You are a young girl of marriageable age. I don't care if you're a legal adult I refuse to have you sleep along with a boy, and a flying cat barely counts as a chaperone."

Lucy had blushed redder than a tomato and most likely considering to summon Virgo to dig a hole for herself, "Oh my god, Ro-CAP! Stop! You are embarrassing me in front of my team! Also, you're not my parent!"

"No, I'm your brother-"

"BROTHER?!" exclaimed the rest of the group. Our quarrel was cut short by their outcry, and Lucy had to swallow her humiliation in place of indoctrinated manners.

"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Captain, my annoying overprotective big brother. Cap, these are the teammates I've mentioned."

"Yo." I waved a mock salute. The others didn't say anything back. Still too busy gawking back and forth between the cheery blonde mage wearing the trendiest clothes to the suspicious character who is painfully obvious in hiding his face and looked unkempt enough to be mistaken as a hobo, trying to find any resemblance between us.

"Captain?" Captain who?" asked the Exceed.

"Just the Captain."

"That's a weird name."

"Says the blue cat named Happy."

"Wait a minute," Erza stood from her chair and faced in front of me, "Did you say Captain?" Her face excruciating in thought, assessing if I was who I said I was. Lucy was barely keeping herself from eating her nails, thinking I must have wronged her or something. Gray and Natsu just looked confused, but their body posture suggested they were ready to jump and face me if Erza believed me to an enemy.

"What was Kreuz's first armor made for me?"

"The Heavenly Wheel Armor that enhanced your Telekinesis to wield multiple swords. Kreuz had been bitching the whole time that she barely had enough metal to forge a better one for you."

Erza still looked passive for a second or two before a gentle smile made her way on her lips, offering a hand for me to shake. "It's good to see you again, Captain. Has it been two years already?"

"And still an astonishing beauty you are Erza Scarlet," I kissed the back of her lips, and the other two boys gawked in shock at my treatment. Honestly, those two don't look like they know manner and tact even if it bites them in the ass.

"Erza, do you know him?" The gawking Lucy asked, pointing at me with shaky finger.

"Yes, he saved my life a couple of years back."

I couldn't help but blush as the Titania compliment me and admitted me on rescuing her. Objectively, there's no harm being proud of it but still, praised for good deeds have been in shortage for the past couple years, it was welcoming to hear those words. "Oh, stop. I think it's more accurate to say we both tried to keep each other alive."

Lucy looked between Erza and me and the camaraderie between us that could only be forged by fire, or in this case, near-death experience. She exhaled the air up to her ceiling, "Dare I ask?"

I was silent for a while, debating whether or not to tell her, and as always, decided to be a little shit. "It involves a dark guild kidnapping a fashion designer, an island hidden in another dimension, weaponizing the heart of a god and almost getting killed by said god–" I barely finished with my sister waving her arms to shut my mouth.

"Stop! Stop! I don't want to know anymore."

"Says you, tell us more! Tell us more!" Natsu bounced with an eager face that matched his cat.

"Yeah, tell us!"

"I'm also interested in this," Gray said, more subdued but no less interested, "Erza never told us about fighting a god? Is that right? You would think we would have heard about it."

"We did fight a demon. Twice!"

"Deliora doesn't count!"

"Besides, if it's Erza, then she could kick god's ass to a pulp and sent him crying with no mercy."

"No, no, no, this is Erza we're talking. She would put her feet on him and demand allegiance instead."

"You boys don't have anything to say about me, do you?!"

"AYE, SIR!" The pair of Happy #2 exclaimed.

Yet it was clear the Ice-Fire couple weren't convincing enough, which led Erza sticking her face close to examine any lies on her surrogate brother's sweating faces. Happy is sharing a lollipop with Plue from god-knows-where-he-got-it while playing with my dog. And Lucy kept looking up at her own ceiling as if a divine being would come down and gave her enlightenment.

Witnessing all the loud but chaotic dynamic between the occupants in a humble apartment room, I couldn't help but stretched out a grin for reaching to this point in life.

. . .

Everyone had calmed down soon enough, and they took turns bathing before they find themselves settling comfortably in her room. Even Erza had requipped into her pajamas while petting my little silver friend on her lap.

"As expected of a swordswoman, Rave likes you… or maybe he just misses you."

Erza stopped her caressed and shot a quizzing look between me and my weapon. "Rave… where have I heard… wait… so this is–?!"

I smirked at her surprise and in answer, shot an open arm where Rave began to wake up alert before shifting into a familiar broadsword I usually used.

I'd be lying if I wasn't a little smug at their open-mouthed expression. Lucy was the first one to break the silence with a laugher, "I can't even be surprised, you never did get tired of putting your runeworks in every little thing."

"Is that an insult I hear Lucy? Because you're smiling, but I'm pretty sure there's a slight insult in there."

That finally broke the shock as Natsu, Happy, Plue, and even Gray oohed in awe and wonder at the silver sword I had in hand. Thank God they were too busy with the shiny weapon to notice the hilt where there was a face of a smiling stuck-out-tongue dog, happy from the praise. But then the sword started to vibrate and I knew she was starting to bark, and immediately I had her face covered with my free hand. No way am I going to get caught with a barking sword in my first impression. Urgh, sentient sword is so overrated.

"Enough showing off Rave, heel!" Immediately she shifted once more, only this time she was perching on my shoulder as a stupid-looking parrot. My eyes twitched, conflicting between rolling or glaring at the bird.

"So!" Lucy clapped her hands to start talking business, "What's the deal with Phantom Lord here? It's a well-known fact that between the two of you there's been intense rivalry since forever. But why are they attacking us so open all of a sudden? Better question, why do they hate us in the first place?"

Everyone's face grew solemn. "I don't know," the requip mage admitted, "Ever since we entered the guild, we've been warned countless times to avoid them if possible. Our rivalry is something I've come to learn to accept without question but to think they've been pushed to attack us so directly."

"Who cares. It'd be better if Jii-chan quit being scared and just blow them away already."

"You know that's not true. Jii-chan is one the Ten Saints after all– I can't believe this cliffhanger, what's going to happen with Iris?"

"But isn't that the same case with Phantom Lord's master?" Lucy refuted before suddenly jumping out and snatched the papers of Gray's hand, "Don't read that!"

"Oi, I'm curious about what happened next!"

"No! It's already decided that Levy-chan would be my first reader."

"Nevertheless," Erza tone came dangerously low that put any oncoming rowdiness to stop, "All the more reason why an all-out war won't be favorable without casualties on both sides. Between both of us, our power is potentially in balance at the moment."

"So what? He's just scared because they only have numbers on their sides!"

"Natsu!" Lucy berated his careless remark.

"Haven't you been listening?" Gray scoffed, not surprised at the Dragon Slayer's short attention span, "Use your head, Idiot. You think Master is happy having his guild attacked? He's trying to keep the peace and order of the Magic World."

A solemn silence fell on the group, and I felt like an intruder in their midst. I wasn't a member of their guild, and considering the plan I have in store, it would only burden them unnecessarily after the harsh battle of the first war they'll face once they get too involved with me.

Well, war might be an exaggeration. Skirmish is more accurate when you look at the bigger picture.

"Furthermore," Erza continued, giving more weight to the seriousness and danger in confronting the guild that could barely pass as a legal guild in their operation, "Phantom Lord has the Elemental Four, the elite among elites of their guild's force. With the addition to 'Black Iron' Gajeel, the most formidable mage of them all, the Iron Dragon Slayer."

"Dragon Slayer?! There's more of them beside Natsu and Ni–" I cleared my throat a bit loudly and shook my head, cutting Lucy off. Erza noticed this but didn't say anything. "Do...does that mean he eats iron and stuff?" She cringed at the image, and can't help but wonder of magic that literally changes the biological makeup to bite and digest iron.

Rave squawked at the idea of being eaten and turned into a mice where she could hide within my shirt.

"Don't be a baby Rave, it's not like you can't regenerate. Besides, do I look like the type that brings a knife to a gunfight?" The silver mouse slipped out, shook her head, but then slipped back in.

The other Dragon Slayer clicked his tongue, looking annoyed at having a kinship as fellow slayers to a Phantom Mage, but more so for the stands, they're taking. "So because of these 'order' the other party disturbed in the first place, we're going to let them get away humiliating and harming us?! I say that's a lot of bull!"

"Are you intending to defy Master again, Natsu?" The underlying threat in the requip mage tone quell his rage but not enough to put out the tense air around him.

"He's not entirely wrong, you know?" I managed to get my input out. "Phantom made the first move so there are no promises they won't make a second one as well. There's importance in keeping a stable society and let the authorities do their jobs." I heard Lucy scoffed, but I ignored her. "But we also need to prepare for any retaliation from their side. To paraphrase a wise arse once said, 'Don't start a war, but always prepare for it.'"

"A wise arse?"

"He's a wise king, but doesn't make him any less of an arse."

I heavily stared down Natsu, not as bad as Erza but enough to make him uncomfortable. Just because it was funny seeing his hot-headed side through the story, but it was much more difficult to handle him acting like a kid. War is too delicate of a battle to be treated as any other fistfight, and having never faced war, none of the people here would understand that the fight would not end just by beating the other down.

"Natsu, a few words of advice, I can understand wanting to claim Fairy Tail as a strong guild, then you need to know when not to use that strength."

"Haaa?! What does that suppose to mean?"

I sighed, not surprised at his simple-mindedness. Honestly, I have difficulties handling Natsu's type of character. "Guess you're still a kid after all."

"What did you say?!" He smashed his hand against the table, and look ready to leap on me. A bit of spitfire sparked out from his mouth, but I didn't react to his intimidation.

"Natsu, if you burn my furniture, I will drown your house, is that clear?"

"Aye, Sir." The poor boy meekly said, his fire dying as he planted his butt back on his seat.

I snickered at his submissive act from Lucy's feral side. But the humor quickly subsides as I glanced out the window. I've been stretching out my senses, waiting for any magic fights that would trigger the events to come. Yet, the night was drawn out long enough that for the Shadow Gear to be attacked by now, so why is it so quiet?

Alarm bells began to ring in my head, and my stomach clench at the what-ifs.

"Rave, stay with Lucy!" I barked out. I ignored their questions as I opened the window and jumping away. I couldn't fully use my Teleport when I barely scour the town (I'm good, but not that good yet), but a good look onto the horizon was enough to know where I needed to go.

It turns out, finding the right park wasn't easy. Magnolia is a merchant city of 60,000, and they have lots of parks around. The Westside Park, Cherry Blossom Park, Cathedral Park, Sunny Lake Park. I wasted time checking through the town, but the gut-churning just turn worse for every second there was no sign of skirmish. Which should have been impossible! Levy may not be one of the powerhouses of the guild, but she is S-Class Mage material, and Gajeel is a sadistic-mage who loves overwhelming his opponent with sheer power. Unless he didn't use magic then–

My breath hitched in realization. Shit. That's it, isn't it? Gajeel should have had ambush the Shadow Gear, and there's a chance he could beat them easily in a surprise attack. My Senses wouldn't register anything less than flashy magic. Otherwise, I would be sensing every appliance that uses lachrima, and that only leaves a headache.

When I reached Magnolia Southgate Park, I was bracing myself for the inevitable. However, even knowing the possibility, the manga didn't do reality justice of the horror-stricken scene that awaited me.

The three Fairy Tail mages were hung on the tree, crucified like they were sacrifices made to be an example. At a glance, I would think they were left to die, considering their battered form that left no uninjured space. The guild mark of Phantom Lord branded on them, and I couldn't help but look upon it in disgust at the act of violation it symbolized as if their body, their beating, is a claim worth to be proud of. So stricken I was by the sight, I was left staring wordlessly until my name was called.

Lucy and gang came to stand beside me, they must have asked Rave to track me in his dog-form, and they were stunned by the same sight. There was no need for me to turn and find the quivering Erza, the shocked teary-eyed Lucy, or Natsu's gritting teeth as rage blazed behind his eyes.

"Phantom." A growl so deep, he sounded ready to literally ripped them with his bare teeth.

"Gray," I called the most level-headed of the group, "Do you think you can shoot magic big enough to get the attention of your guild?"

In answer, he shot his hand out, and a burst of white ice went straight to the sky and burst into glittering ice pieces that shone from his magic, "Ice Make: Firework."

One job done, I teleported to their side, sticking my feet on the tree bark. The rune word Strength already on my hand. It's not effective in battle when you're up against mage who has strength-enhanced magic like a Dragon Slayer, but it does help in pulling out metal bolt around from a tree with ease.

Erza and Gray were there to help and make sure they were safely laying on the ground without aggravating their injuries more. Lucy summoned Amalthea, they have too many injuries to heal all at once with her Milk Potion, but the Spirit of Nurse has more than one trick when it comes to healing. I looked over to Natsu as he only watched, his strength has no part in helping his precious guildmates.

It wasn't long before the rest of the guild members came in lieu of Gray's magic. They came running in pajamas, but the stir of their magic showed they were ready to rumble at any point, only to grow somber by the sight of Shadow Gear looking close to death.

"What happened?" A black-haired woman, who smelled of booze and first arriving on the scene, asked first.

Erza didn't even look at her, head still tucks down from looking at the slowly healing figure of her friends, but the frustration was unmistakable in her tone, "It was Phantom."

They began to raise their voices at one another, each of them expressing their fear and anger at the act against them.

Yet it says something that the moment a short man with a staff stepped to the crowd did they quieted down. I froze in place, I couldn't even dare to look back as the Giant Mage's magic seemed to roar within the confines of its body. I pulled my Senses because of the scorching ethernano Makarov was emitting that felt like a giant was approaching from behind when he hadn't even used his magic. Even others without my ability gulped at his presence.

The Master stopped next to Natsu, looking down at the beaten members of his people.

"Are we going to stand aside this time too, Jii-chan?" Natsu bitterly asked.

The old man's form shook, "I can hold back when it's just wrecking a bar or two… but no parent would stand aside when anyone touches their children!" He broke his staff with his bare hands, and Lucy flinched. The others reflected Makarov's unshakable will as he proclaimed for all to hear. "THIS. MEANS. WAR!"

. . .

The members then scattered before they will rendezvous within the guild again. Some to arm with their Holder-type magic, others to call up the missing members, and some helped Lucy getting Team Shadow Gear to the hospital for proper treatment.

I would have helped her along if Makarov hadn't halt me and requested me to stay.

I'm not going to lie, I feel like shitting myself when the man who had only just been demand bloody murder with that oppressive show of his ethernano before asking for my presence. It was only out of habit, and his comical pajama wear that I managed to plaster a smile without so much as twitching.

…

Well…

Maybe a bit of twitching.

Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by a significantly calmer old man that looks at me with just a hint of curiosity and a welcoming air around him. "Pardon me for asking, but you're not one of my kids, aren't you?"

"While it's an honor to be in your guild, sadly I'm not one of yours. Just a stranger passing by who figured he could lend a hand."

"Hmm, then thank you for helping us when we need it. Though I can't help but ask," Master's eyes widen slightly to show the light brown pair of orbs that bore its gaze on me, and I feel like being pinned down so he could examine my very soul.

"Who are you, boy?" He asked me. The same four worded question when I had barged in the Guild Master Meeting. It was a common enough question, yet the way he said it, the tone he took, and the same gaze he had shot me that time. There was little doubt he knew who I was despite my petty disguise.

Still, I kept my composure as I introduced myself. The best strategy in this case? 'When there's no proof, deny, deny.'

"Greetings Master Makarov," I said with a flourishing bow, "I'm Lucy's brother, you can call me Captain."

"Hmm, Lucy's brother, you say? Then it's nice to meet you, Captain. A family of one of my children is always welcome in Fairy Tail."

My eyes widen. Not at all expecting that response from him and… I… sort of… blank out? I mean, it's not everyday anyone just accepts me being called Captain, but for Makarov to be genuinely welcoming despite knowing nothing of me, even willing to take me into his wing just like that, it was refreshing. The faux smile I wear turned more genuine.

"Thank you, Master Makarov. I wish we could have met in better circumstances, but I see you have a war to prepare."

My words spiked the tension up in the air, and I mentally slapped myself on the head. "Indeed, I must go and meet with my brats in the guild. Where will you be in the meantime?"

Despite the oppressive atmosphere, my lips quirked up at his words. Again, it was refreshing to see someone not at all expecting me to join in and fight with the rest. He knew this was a guild matter, and didn't even consider asking to add manpower, something I planned to do in the beginning anyway. It was still gratifying to find people with a sense of shame.

"Well, first, I'm going to catch up with my sister in the hospital. Take care of her emotional well being before bringing her back to the guild. I think she'd very much want to be a part of the war meeting."

The little old man nodded, "Understood. Do you know where the hospital is perchance?"

My mouth stopped halfway from answering him that I had my ways of getting there when a sudden idea struck me, "This is my second time in Magnolia so a guide would be helpful. Maybe it would help him cool down in the meantime."

Makarov gazed thoughtfully between me and the only unmoving mage still fixated at the tree that had harbored his crucified family and looking halfway close from burning it down. "Very well, NATSU!"

The Fire Dragon Slayer jolted out of his anger and dazedly looked back to his Second Father.

"Help this fellow, Captain here, and guide him to the hospital. Considering how close Levy was with her, Lucy might need the company of her family."

The pinkette nodded and ushered me along through the town alongside his blue exceed. The boisterous man I had come to know in the last hour was nowhere to be seen. It was truly disorienting to find the person you've known all your life as a bit of arrogant yet stubborn, loud fire mage that doesn't know when to quit to be this solemn. Happy followed his partner's example, but the cat looked more perplexed when being faced with a quiet Natsu.

When the silence was becoming borderline awkward, I thought it's time I lay out my intention to him. "So… Natsu Dragneel, it's a bit late, but I have to say that it is nice to have a face to match the name. I've meant to talk you with you one-on-one."

My roundabout words cause him to halt, and I held back a giggle when he narrowed his eyes at me the same way when he thought Lucy was being a 'Weirdo.'

"I meant to say that your reputation is truly impeccable. Imagine my surprise to hear Lucy teaming up with Fairy Tail's infamous Salamander."

A slight blush colored his cheeks as he sniffed proudly. However, Happy thought otherwise as he pointed out, "Natsu… he said infamous, not famous. He's not complimenting you."

"Is there a difference?" He asked, to which Happy face pawed at the Dragon Slayer's idiocy.

"Knowing that, I couldn't help, you see, to know the kind of man Lucy had entrusted her life with. She's my family you see, though we're not blood-related we've more or less shed blood for another, so I suppose she's been more of a family to me than my own father and brother. Not like I can blame them when I kept part of myself a secret. Oh, I'm rambling, am I? Sorry, force of habit. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is… I love Lucy to death, so it's my duty as her surrogate brother to vet anyone who Lucy could trust her life with. I mean… it's no good if her teammate… let's say… stupid enough to attack her spirit and making her invulnerable–"

"Err… yeah… I guess…"

"–or if you were to... I don't know... gave her a sexist job, or worse, get her involved with a pervert that has a history of sexual harassment–" My words came out between gritted teeth.

Natsu started backing away as he began to sweatdrop, "Um… Umm… I doubt anyone does that."

"–at least that I could forgive that if it was a job. However, I would certainly be pissed enough to skin you alive and hung you dry for the Vulcans to make dinner out of you if you had tricked her into an S-Class Quest thinking that risking a Newbie's life would actually make you a respectable Fairy Tail Mage. I'm sure you're not the type to disrespect my sister like that."

By this point, Natsu and Happy had held on with one another, shaking in their boots as they were faced with my cheery face yet tone that was coated with venom, words were struck like bite after bite striking in hope to make them writhe.

"I…I…I'm...sorry?" The tone, in the end, sounded more like a question, as if unsure the response I wanted from them.

"Are you?" I took off my sunglasses and shot him my stone-cold glare, making them squeak embarrassingly high pitch.

At that point, I couldn't hold it any longer.

My tensed frame shook, my belly clenched, and my lips keep twitching upward before the laughter burst out of me. "By Usain's, that was hilarious. You should have seen your faaaaaahaHAHAHAAHA!"

The Duo Fairy Tail Mage was still gawking as if they were the personification of Error:404 computer, and I couldn't help but laugh some more at the face of his until tears started to blind me.

"Sorry, sorry, don't worry about what I said. I know Lucy enough that she wouldn't have let you do half those things if the girl senses any malevolent intention from you."

The two boys sighed relievedly, glad they didn't invoke The ire of a family friend.

"Besides," I continued with a devil may care grin, "Lucy is already used to almost getting killed. The last time I took her out, she almost got thrown into a volcano as a sacrifice to a local tribe's god. Compared to what you've dragged her into, that's tame."

The pair froze in their steps, and they kept staring long and hard at my back even as I kept on walking, leaving them behind. Though I was still close enough to hear them whispering among themselves.

"Natsu, what should I do? We ended up being with a crazy person!"

"I know Happy, I didn't think there'd be anyone weirder than Lucy. As expected of her brother."

Rude!

I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less from them.

"Also, there's a reason why I asked Makarov to have you guide me." He perked up curiously from my words but whatever he expected wasn't me giving a 90-degree bow to him. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Since I had my head down, I could only hear the confused spluttering they had, and I could only imagine the weird dance they have when encountered with a bowing benefactor. I'm not surprised If I was the first for him.

"Not only did you save her from almost being catered as a slave, but you help realized her dream and made a path for her to join Fairy Tail. I can't express my gratitude enough for giving her the family she needed."

Oddly, silence reigned on the duo, and I found it awkward to raise my head without any word for them as cue.

"What's with that? Raise your head, Weirdo." His tone sounded agitated but wistful. I was hesitant to look up since his reaction was not what I expected. "You're her brother, which means you're the most important person to her. Fairy Tail can't replace you, so there's nothing for you to thank for."

There wasn't much I could say other than blinking like malfunctioning lamp. All this time, I think of Fairy Tail as this Haven Guild for mages where they would always feel a sense of belonging. The kind of guild everybody wants to be a part of even from people from my former world. So for Natsu to point out my existence weighed as much if not more than the dream guild, Lucy always wanted to join. It's a humbling thought.

Damn, I'm going to bawl at this rate.

"As nice as those thoughts are, I can't be there for her as much as I want to."

"What's that supposed to mean? You're here, aren't you?"

A single twinge of guilt hit my chest, but I bit out a smile, "Shouldn't we be at the hospital by now?" I turned my heel and went ahead toward the hospital. Even as Natsu and Happy were complaining about the fact that I knew the way the whole time, but I ignored them until we arrived at our destination.

"You should go back to your guild. They'll be getting ready a war meeting by now."

The Hotheaded mage grumbled, "Why do even need a meeting. Let's just go out and burn some Phantom butts."

"You think that now, but you don't think the same by the end of the day."

"Again, what are you talking about? You keep spouting things that don't make sense."

I smirked and teleported in front of the receptionist desk, so I failed to watch a startled and cursing Natsu. The nurse jumped at my sudden appearance, but living in a town with a mage guild made her quicker to adjust with my sudden appearance.

"Welcome, may I help you, Sir?"

"Ah, yes, would you mind showing me where Levy McGarden is being taken care off, Miss… Bloombatt." I squinted at her nametag.

The nurse nodded and using the lachrima that held an Archive Magic. Her fingers glide through the golden words that holographically displayed in the air. "She's currently in the ICU along with her two friends. Her guildmate is there as a visitor, would you like me to guide you to her?"

"Yes, please."

Lucy was looking exactly as I imagined her to be; gazing forlornly at her twiddling thumbs, her blond hair curtaining her face as she waited for any news concerning her injured friend. I was there just in time for the doctor to come out, and my sister practically jumped at him.

"How is she, Dr. Ribbon?"

The man, still wearing his surgeon mask and hairnet, and has a wicked eye bag, blew a massive and rather unnecessarily long sigh.

Like, really long.

It's really dragged out.

He's still not finished.

Damn, Lucy's getting a tick mark.

"Your friend's err… condition is stable," he explained, freaking finally! "Err...your magic managed to heal the worst of their brunt err… so it makes my job easier."

Lucy breathed out with a relieved smile while blinking the tears away, "Thank goodness she's okay. When can I see her?"

"Err… she hasn't gained consciousness, and err… she'd be moved to the general ward until there's further progress. I think it's err… someone's here to see you."

"Captain!" She turned, surprised to see me but didn't waste time before she burrowed her face to my chest. Hugging me tightly enough to knock the air out of me. I returned her hug with a gentle pat on her head.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay, Lu. Didn't you hear? Thanks to you, they'll be on their feet in no time." She shook her head and gripped the back of my shirt tighter. "Lucy?"

"Amalthea told me of Levy's condition when she diagnosed her. She said… she said Levy-chan was beaten repeatedly before she lost consciousness."

My expression darkened at her words and had to hold back a snarl. If I hadn't known the kind of guy Gajeel would be, I would have blasted my way to the guild and beat him up myself at the implication of torture he gave to Levy.

"I won't forgive him," she admitted through angry tears now shedding, "I definitely won't let him get away from this."

The door to the emergency room opened and being pushed on their beds were the Shadow Gear. The heat in her eyes was gone, replacing vengeance with compassionate empathy.

"I know you want to stay and look out for your friends, but there's nothing any of us can do but letting the doctors do their job."

"It's not always doing something for them, Roy," she whispered my real name, "It's about being there for them. How can I leave them be after what they've been through?"

"You'll be there for them, don't worry. But right now, they may not be the only one who needs you."

"What? you're saying Fairy Tail needs me?" Lucy frowned, trying to discern my meaning only to scoff, "That's ridiculous, they have tons of better mages than me for the fight."

"What? You hadn't figured it out? And I thought I taught you better than that."

Lucy didn't get to ask further questions before I grabbed her hand and teleported at the top of the makeshift receptionist table. I didn't take account of Makarov and ended up landing on top of him. Considering all the guild members have crowded around with their grrr face on, I must have interrupted some kind of motivational speech before they go to war.

Not the best first impression I was going for.

"Oops?"

In any other occasion, Lucy would have pretended not to know me, "This is an awfully good start."

"Shut it, do you think I don't know that?"

"If you do, then you can start getting off me," mumbled the face-planted Master. I cursed and immediately jumped off while checking the old man for any injury. Not like something as being stepped on would have done anything. The tense air shifted slightly so, enough for them to start voicing their questions my appearance since don't know me. They look ready to throw magic at me from the slightest sign I was an enemy to them, and I can't blame their wariness. In fact, I commend them.

"Sorry for the entrance, still working on that. But since I've got all of your attention, I say it's mission accomplished."

"Captain," Erza called out, "I appreciate you're willing to take arms with us against this injustice, but this is a matter between guilds. We can't have you involved in this war."

My brows scrunched before her words hit me, "Oh, no, no, no. Sorry, but I'm not here to join you. I'm here to stop you."

Should have started with a better choice of words, the guild practically exploded at my declaration. Natsu was practically the loudest, saying if we shouldn't avenge what they did to our family. Gray accused me of butting in businesses I don't belong. And I couldn't stop the flinch as Elfman point how unmanly I was for taking the coward's way. The only people I caught not screaming their heads off were Erza, Makarov, and Lucy. While the former two were clearly displeased, the blonde mage patiently waited for my reasoning, but that was becoming difficult with all the screaming.

Makarov showed me the regal of a guild master than by turning his torso into a giant and shut the whole guild up. As scary was that off, the tiny head kind of made him ridiculous. He turned back into his smaller form and faced me, "I think you need to elaborate, Boy, because we don't intend to leave them be once they touch one of ours. We're not that forgiving."

"It's not about forgiveness, it's about strategy," I replied. "You are the guild that took my baby sister into their wing. I'm not going to let you rush off to their doorstep only to fail miserably."

"Don't underestimate Fairy Tail!" Someone from the crowd cried.

"That's right, that's right, a guild like Phantom is no match for us!"

"Rather, who the fuck are you supposed to be to tell us what to do?"

I sighed, not surprising but still exasperate none was willing to listen to me. "Hey, take it with a grain of salt. I'd be lying if I say I don't care, but…" I pointed a finger at Lucy, "She can convince you otherwise."

From the dropped jaw on her face, she didn't appreciate the spotlight I pushed her in. "Me? Captain, what are you talking about?" She hissed.

A light smile came on as I sat next to the Guild Master, my presence became impossible to ignore. "Two guilds are known for feuding for decades, maybe up to a hundred years. No one knows why and people accept it at face value. Yet, this is the first time they strike and ruin the building." The guild quiets down, feeling much more caught off guard by my sudden rambling, but as long as they listen, then it works. "Why did they attack, any ideas Goldilocks?"

There was a sudden shift in her expression, as the familiar exchange between us put her mind to work. "Obviously, there was a goal. At a glance, you would this is just the next of the feud, which makes sense if they were just destroying our building or blocking us from doing our work. But what they did to Levy-cha– to Shadow Gear can't be anything but a declaration of war."

"If a war is what they want, then why attack one group instead of spreading out and ambushed us all at once? Why make a declaration?" I asked aloud.

It only took a second of mulling before she has her answer, "Because they want us to react. They want to take the fight to their home turf. A trap possibly set up for us there."

"Who's the trap for?"

"All of us? One of us? That's still a bit unclear. But in a war between equals, it makes sense they either set a trap to deal with us all at once or to take out our strongest powerhouse. In this case; Erza or Master." Is it wrong to find myself relishing the ghost-pale faces stricken by most of the guild members as it finally dawned on them what they were marching to? Master, especially, looked graver. The wrinkles seemed to add up on his face to make him look older too.

"Then… once they won the war. How do they get the Council off their back? It's clear as day Phantom took the fight to you first, what stops the Council from disbanding the guild altogether and revoking Jose's title as the Ten Holy Saint?"

This time the seconds ticked longer, but when she got it, she gasped, "They have a sponsor. Guild war is illegal, but that doesn't mean they can't pay bail. Though it's a substantial amount, it won't matter if someone pays for them. Even worse if it's a noble behind all this, they can influence the Council to let them go."

"Wha...what does that mean?" Natsu asked. The fire long faded from his eyes. He didn't seem to understand everything said, but enough to grasp that it's bad.

"It means," Erza continued for her in her grim voice, "In the case that a guild war between us happened and the Council intervened. It's more than likely that Phantom Lord will get away scot-free…"

"...while Fairy Tail might get disband for participating in a guild war," Makarov gravely finished.

"THEY CAN DO THAT?!" Natsu exclaimed, disbelieve at the unfairness of it all and he wasn't the only one. The crowd began to chatter among themselves, unsure if they should proceed to fight with Phantom. Some were even clenching their fists tight, their knuckles went white. Yet amid their mass confusion, I was the only one who had a smug face at Lucy's skill being shown like this. Feeling proud as if I was the one to piece it together.

"Are you saying we should let them get away with what they did to Levy, Jet, and Droy?" Another voiced out, followed by a course of agreements.

Master didn't have anything to say, but that's when I stepped in. "We never say that. I'm just stating the consequences if you had gone off in a bull-headed rush, there are other ways to crush Phantom Lord."

Makarov raised an eyebrow at my bold words, "You sound certain."

"Obviously because I am." I didn't try to hide the arrogant tone, and I waited for everyone to either reluctantly or not reluctantly hear my plan for them, "After all, Lucy will think of everything."

The unexpected throw off caused a blatant confused "HUH?!" cried by every member of Fairy Tail, looking as comical as a shocked anime characters would be. Lucy seemed one second away from strangling me as I kept piling up her work, "Dammit, Captain!"

"Love you too, Goldie."

Ah… It really is good to be back.