Chapter 1: An Unknown Threat
Somewhere in a cave on Fiore's east cost
The waves crashed on the beach under the gray overcast sky of Fiore. A strange man goes up to a cave wall, engraved with a strange and unique magic circle.
"I didn't think it would come to this."
He holds his hand out, and a green portal starts swirling from the strange magic circle. The green light shines to reveal the mysterious man to be none other than Rusty Rose of kin of purgatory.
"This spell will give me the advantage I need to crush the Fairy Tail guild. I'll bring forth an adversary those flies could never imagine facing. Be afraid, Fairy Tail, be very afraid." Rusty said as he maliciously laughed, ready to at last week his revenge against those that destroyed his team and his life.
One Month Later
"It's been one month since Fairy Tail won the Great War against Alvarez, and a lot has happened. So many secrets were revealed, so many lives were shaken. Fairy Tail had at last captured the black wizard Zeref, and he was in a maximum security prison close to Magnolia."
"After we finally defeated Zeref by stripping him of his curse and power along with it, we also managed to save both his and Natsu's life. After reviewing much of the research written by Zeref himself I found a way to purify his power and blood using my own magic power, keeping Natsu alive, even after the ethernano in his body was destroyed. It was a big risk to take, but I had to do it, I love him."
"It wasn't long after the war was over that we realized that we shared the same feelings for each other. And after all that happened and all that we almost lost, we just couldn't hide it anymore. We shared a kiss that I don't think I'll ever forget for the rest of my life."
"And it seemed we weren't the only ones to finally admit our true feelings. Levy and Gajeel were officially a couple and couldn't have been closer than they were now."
"Gray and Juvia also joined in the love fest despite Gray's efforts to hide his feelings. Juvia at last got her Grey and he found the love of his life."
"So a happy end was brought to the terrible war despite the tragic losses. Unfortunately a lot of magnolia and fiore was destroyed during the war, so the council initiated the repair and restore act. All the guilds in fiore teamed up to start the needed repairs and fix the country. We all started on our guilds towns and worked our way through the rest of fiore. However, magnolia had the most damage of all the towns, so we were stuck still fixing our own home."
"Ugh, man writing all this down is making me so stiff." Lucy said as she finished up her writing and started to stretch.
Lucy then got up and started to get ready for her upcoming shift, she was supposed to help rebuild the town hall today.
"I'm just glad my house repairs are finished especially since I own the building now. After the war my landlady wanted to cut her loses and move, so sold it to me for 500,000 jewel. Luckily with the money I had saved up I could afford it, thank you Sorcerer Weekly job!"
"Unfortunately Fairy Hills was still under repair, which is where most of the fairy tail girls lived. I tried to insist that my house could wait, but no one would hear it, telling me I'd sacrificed enough for the guild and thus was the least they could do. I have the best guild mates and friends a girl could ask for."
As Lucy finished up getting dressed, a certain pink haired man barged in. He was about to announce his presence, but lost in her train of thought Lucy then instinctively gave him a Lucy kick to the face and screamed.
"Get out of my house!" Lucy screeched angrily.
For a moment Natsu layed comatose on the floor, groaning in pain from his girlfriend's kick. Lucy quickly noticed and ran to her boyfriend's side to try and revive him.
"Oh no Natsu that was you, I'm so sorry I didn't know!" she said very apologeticly as Lucy realized she kicked her new boyfriend in the face.
"Ughhhh Lucy, I thought we were over this!" Natsu groaned still in great pain.
"I know I'm sorry, but maybe this can make up for my mistake." Lucy said as she then kissed Natsu.
The two then shared in a simple but sweet kiss, their newly formed love blooming by the minute.
"I think that did just the trick." Natsu said with a wide smile.
"Ooh you're in looove!" Happy jeered at the happy couple as he sat on the windowsill.
"Shut up Happy." Natsu said with a frown as he blushed bright red.
"Awe no need to be embarrassed, I am in love with you." Lucy said as she snuggled against Natsu, who affectionately put his arm around her.
"I guess I am too then." Natsu said as he kissed Lucy's head, forgetting his initial embarrassment.
For a moment the two just laid together enjoying one another's embrace, even Happy joining in as he cuddled in between them. But eventually it came into Lucy's mind that Natsu must have had an initial purpose to come to her house.
"As much as I love the surprise visit.."
"My face would say otherwise." Natsu said pettily.
"Hahaha I'm sure, but as I was about to say… I know you came here for something else. What is it?" Lucy asked afraid something was wrong.
"Well Lucy, I came to tell you that I won't be able to help Erza rebuild the east side today because I'm going to talk to...him." Natsu said rather nervously.
Lucy's eyes widened like two saucers, knowing exactly who Natsu was talking about.
"Oh I see, do you want me to come with you?" she asked with much concern in her voice.
"No, I'll be...fine, just ...make sure to tell Erza ok. I don't want her thinking I got lazy." Natsu tried to joke despite the overwhelming feelings of fear and anger.
"Alright...just...be safe, you know what he's done. And I'm sure he'll do it all over again." Lucy said as she traced the bruises and healing wounds left from the war.
Lucy knew exactly who Natsu was going to, Zeref, the man who hurt the one she loved the most. How could she just let him go alone, how could she not go there to be by his side when she knew he'd need her? As she thought it was then Natsu came over and embraced her once more, holding her right in his strong arms.
"I promise I'll be fine Lucy, I have questions I need answers too and I'm afraid no one can give them to me like him." Natsu said gently in his lovers ear knowing it hurt her to see him sad.
"I know, just promise me to be careful, I can't lose you again." Lucy said, grasping Natsu's shirt out of fear for him.
"I will, I promise." Natsu said grasping his girlfriend close for the strength he needed.
For a moment the two just held each other, knowing their love against all odds was going to get them through anything.
The East Side of Fiore.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Fairy Tail guild was continuing the repairs in Magnolia. As this went on and lunch grew closer, Lucy and Happy were busy making food for all the citizens who lost their homes during the war or those working on the repairs. Soon after she started this Erza came walking up to her booth looking for some answers.
"Lucy Happy, do you know where Natsu is? He was supposed to be helping me rebuild the Eastside of town." Erza asked in her no funny business voice, meaning she was unhappy.
Both Lucy and Happy gulped and shakily tried to answer the powerful mages question.
"Oh, well… he went to go talk to…..Zeref." Lucy eventually answered rather timidly.
Erza got a shocked expression on her face as she processed her friend's answer.
"Oh, I see, then I'll return to my work till he returns. Make sure to send him my way when he's returned." Erza said knowing Natsu had some business to take care of.
Magnolia Prison
As the repairs went on in a special cell in the high security Magnolia prison sat the ex-black wizard Zeref, who after all this time was finally rid of his death curse, but as a result lost every last drop of his magic power. As Natsu approached his brother he felt all the anger inside him build up, a natural instinct, a direct result of being one of the ex wizard's demons. The sulking Zeref raised his head and smiled at his brother.
"Hello, Natsu. How are you?" He asked, giving the fire Mage a slight smirk.
"Cut the crap Zeref! I've got a few questions for you. That's the only reason I'm here!" Natsu snapped around the dark wizard ready to rip his brother to shreds.
"Then by all means ask away." Zeref answered coily with a devious smile.
Magnolia
Back in magnolia, Erza was back to work on the east side of the city, when what looked like a large group of shadows was behind her. She turned around and saw a large group of cloaked people, but not just any cloaked people, the independent guild known as Crime Sorciere. Their leader, Jellal, a childhood friend of the redhead, approached from the middle of the group.
"Hello Erza." Jellal said as he lifted up his cloak, and smiled.
"Hello Je..eh...eh." Erza responded as she froze up from seeing her friend.
"I see you have recovered quickly from the war." Jellal responded just as nervously.
"Yes, thanks to Miss Porliusica. I heard you came to help us in the war, but I didn't know if the rumour was true... and Meredy! You're here!"
"Hi Erza, we all came to help!" The link Mage responded excitedly.
The cell was dark but it didn't bother Natsu. He was only focused on the task at hand.
"What exactly would you like to know little brother?" Zeref responded slyly and gave the dragon slayer a smirk.
"You know why I'm here…!" Natsu snapped angrily.
Zeref rolled his eyes at his brother's impertinence.
"I may be the emperor of a country but you know I don't have any power here. I'm no longer the powerful wizard I once was. If you don't believe me let me prove it."
Zeref opened the palm of his hand, as if he were attempting magic.
"So no, I have no idea why you are here."
Natsu began to tell Zeref about all the recent dark guild activity that had spiked after the war had ended. For the last week many guilds were attacked as they reconstructed their towns and left more decimated than before. But as he did so Zeref continued to act as if he had no idea what the dragon slayer was talking about, angering Natsu more.
"Cut the act! You may have no power here, but I can't say the same for your Spriggans… This has Alvarez written all over it!"
Zeref smiled, and Natsu almost burnt his brother to a crisp.
"No, they wouldn't. I may however have some information on the subject, but for a price."
The East Side of Magnolia
On the east side of Magnolia, Erza, along with Crime Sorciere, were rebuilding the neighbourhood. All of Crime Sorciere lent a hand wanting to help out as much as possible
"Racer pass me that hammer!" Hoteye asked politely.
Racer did so speedily and then returned to his previous job. All the while Erza and Jellal awkwardly worked alongside each other, unsure of what to do.
"So..Jellal..you've been going around Fiore lately...correct?" Erza asked, just trying to cut the awkwardness.
"Um.. yes...I have. Why do you ask?"
"Well I've heard there has been a large rise of Dark Guild activity lately. Particularly on attacks on guild halls. You wouldn't happen to know why or who, do you?" Erza asked, actually concerned and curious.
"I think I may know who is causing this based on the destruction we have seen, the former members from the Oracion Seis recognized a certain quality about the attacks. They're extremely similarly to when they were attacking churches and there's a familiar pattern to them as well. A pattern that has started at the closest allies of Fairy Tail and moves closer to Magnolia."
"And based on the rumors of how this dark guild destroyed the places they've attacked we can only assume it's someone who has a vendetta against Fairy Tail as well." Meredy chimed in.
"Then that leaves one simple question, who wants to destroy us that badly?" Erza asked out loud unsure who was against them now.
It was then as the wizards thought, a large boom went off behind them. There was suddenly smoke and debris everywhere, as if a sort of explosion went off. As it finally cleared all of them saw before them the already ruined Cardia Cathedral more wrecked than before and engulfed in flames. All the citizens of Magnolia and the members of Fairy Tail gasped in absolute body freezing shock, unable to process what they were seeing.
As all stood in awe of the horrific explosion, six shadows started to appear out of the middle of it. Amongst the six figures was none other than the ex-dark guild wizard Rusty Rose.
"Hello fairies, it is I! The malevolent Rusty Rose!" Rusty said as he bowed dramatically.
"Rusty!" Jellal whispered in disbelief.
"Yes it is I but you know me of course. But allow me to introduce to you the new devilishly wicked and most infamous dark guild ever to exist ARATA GRIMOIRE HEART and the now six kin of purgatory." Rusty proclaimed as he motioned to the other five figures behind him.
All five of the figures stood and stared very menacingly at the people below them, each looking like they were ready to commit murder. But that wasn't the only focus for many couldn't believe what they all were seeing their church destroyed, a dark guild reformed, and an enemy returned. It was almost as if they were in fir a second wave of the war, an even no one wanted.
"Rusty, what are you doing here?" Meredy asked rather callously, recovered from her initial shock.
"Well, well,Meredy! Long time no see!" Rusty snapped snarkily.
"Cut the pleasantries, and answer my question!" The pink-haired Mage demanded in a threatening tone.
"Well, would t you like to know. I guess you could say I thought this pathetic village could use some redecorating. Not to mention it hold the guild I wish to destroy most of all." Rusty said snarkily.
"So it's you who's been destroying guilds around Fiore!" Erza acussed the arrogant wizard.
"Oh looks like you caught me, Titania. It was in fact me who has been playing around with your fellow wizards guilds. Though I didn't do it alone, meet my new members of my guild!" Rustsaid with clear arrogance.
Everyone's attention turned to the five wizards standing behind him. He first went behind a man and a woman standing next to each other.
"These lovelies are my terror twins Kōri and Ameonna, their quite a pair and powerful water and ice mages."
The man he referred to was a shirtsless rather muscular boy dresssed in a tight leather pants, a steely grey trench coat, and covered in large black markings with spike bluish-black hair. Then the a girl on his right, assumed to be his twin, had long same color hair and long bangs that covered her eyes. She wore a tight strapless midnight blue dress lined with black fur around the bodis and slit starting mid thigh. She also had a rather creepy and erie smile on her rather hidden face, leaving an uneasy feeling about her.
"My unstoppable knight Zeken!"
Next to Ameonna was a girl wearing a rather limber yet full body armor as well as a rather fancy helmet with long purple feathers coming out the top. Around the waist was long dark purple fabric forming a skirt and tough steel boots.
"Our hellacious and demonic Hitodama!"
Rusty then pointed another girl who looked like a straight up demon from hell. She had red scales everywhere on her body even what seamed to form almost a mask on her face and her silted red eyes. She also had tall dual horns on her head, clawed hands and feet, large black and red wings, along with a long black scarf that covered up to her nose.
"Then last but certainly not least the most cruel and brutal Tetsu Shadō." Rusty finished.
The last one came out with a long black cloak which covered their entire body. So you couldn't quite determine what they were or looked like.
"Well well well sister it seems we have a bunch of puny little fairies mad about their little church being blown up." Kōri said condescendingly.
"I'd say they should thank us, this boring church could use some wild renovations!" Ameonna yelled as she stuck her tongue out in a bixlow like fashion.
"Will you two stop acting like fools and get with the program!" The armored Zeken yelled in a furiously metallic voice.
"No need to be so harsh Zeken…." Kōri said swavly as if he to flirt with her.
But Zeken then summoned a halberd out of nowhere and threw it at Kōri causing him to stiffen up as the weapon landed an inch from his face.
"You ever speak to me that way again I won't miss next time!" Zeken said as she got close to his face.
"Both of you shut up, no need to act like children in front of our enemies!" Rusty yelled at the two bickering members.
Both the members quickly shut up and got back in line. As the villains stood there Lucy and Happy, whom had ran to her friends during the explosion, noticed bew Grimewar mark. It was still the same heart except it had a devils tail and horns, but despite this being the first time they met, something was familiar about these members of the new grimewar heart.
"Well fairies it's been nice catching up but we have more of your friends to terrorize. However if you wish to face us for our crimes then meet us in Web Valley at sunset. Have fun your newly renovated cathedral, I'm sure you can fit even more people inside!" Rusty laughed maliciously.
With that said the smoke from the fire expanded and swirled around them causing the six to disappear without a trace. Paranoid everyone looked around to see if there was any sign of them,but much to their relief they were gone. Yet they still so shocked at how this could happen and at such a time when they already had so much on their plates. It was then Mirajane flew down from above having heard the explosion.
"What happened, what was that…"
Mira put her hands over mouth and her eyes widened and began to fill with tears as she saw in horror the now obliterated Cardia Cathedral. This was where she and Elfman buried their once dead sister as well as where they reunited. How could this happen she thought to herself, how could someone destroy something so sacred. As Mira cried her eyes out, Natsu then walked in and growled out of pure rage.
"No! We won't let them get away with this, they're going to pay! Natsu bellowed, flames in his fists.
Gray and Juvia, who had ran in to the scene earlier had a similar reaction.
"I agree with flame brain no one does this to our city and gets away with it!" Gray responded with similar fury.
"If my darling Gray is going then, I must go too Magnolia is my home as well. And I won't let anyone else destroy it anymore!" Juvia said passionately.
"I will join you as well, Meredy and the rest of Crime Sorciere will stay behind and finish the repairs to your city." Jellal said calmly but with determination.
"If you're all going I'm coming too" Lucy said wishing to be included and defend her home..
"No!" Natsu said sternly.
"What! Of course I'm coming" Lucy responded angrily.
"No you're not!" Natsu yelled intensely.
Everyone was quite as Natsu looked only at the ground unable to face his Lucy.
"Remember the last time we fought together?" Natsu turned to her, his voice frantic.
"Yes, and that changes nothing! We aren't fighting Zeref anymore! He can't control you..." Lucy tried to reason with Natsu.
"I don't care…."
There was more silence as Natsu traced his fingers over the scars on Lucy's arm, claw marks, his claw marks.
"Lucy... I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hurt you again."
"It wasn't your fault! You can't keep blaming yourself for something I've forgiven you for. Throughout all the time I've known you, you would never intentionally hurt, you've come to my rescue in every possible crisis. Now let me share the fight with you, you can't do everything alone, and I won't let you." Lucy said as she took both of Natsu's hands in hers and looked him dead in the eyes.
For a moment the two just looked at each other, Natsu understanding he had someone who would stay with him no matter what.
"You're right, I'm sorry Luc you just mean so much to me." Natsu said tenderly as he traced her scar one more time.
"I'm your partner in life as well as on the battlefield, and most importantly, I love you." Lucy said with deep love and tenderness.
"I love you too." Natsu said as he embraced her tightly, wishing he didn't have to let go.
"Hey don't forget me, I'm comin too Natsu!" Happy declared loudly not about to be left out.
"Haha I wouldn't imagin leaving you buddy, of course you're coming along!" Natsu told his best friend happily.
"Aye!" Happy said in his usual cheerful way.
But then as the couple embraced Gajeel came storming in, Levy and Pantherlily following close behind.
"I want in too, you ain't leaving without me!" Gajeel bellowed loudly.
"What makes you think you can barge in on our plans like that, metal head?!" Natsu bellowed back starting the twos usual squabble.
The two dragons clashed until Levy and Lucyat last pulled them away.
"Well you four aren't the only inseparable team. If Gajeel's going, so am I!" Levy explained after she managed to pry Gajeel away.
"I will join as well, Magnolia is just as much my home as anyone elses!" Pantherlily announced quite proudly.
"Alright now that we have everything settled let us march into battle and not come back until this threat is finished!" Erza yelled triumphantly.
The party responded with a similar cry, ready to go and face the enemy. But little did they know they marched into what would be one of their hardest and most grueling battles, a battle that would reveal mire to them than they ever expected.