"Everyone! Marco!" Ace shouted when he reappeared smack in the middle of the guild. Sabo landed next to him, falling on top of Droy. They all seemed confused and clueless. They didn't remember! That was good. But he grew worried when he didn't see the Edolas team anywhere in sight. It was still pouring outside, like it hadn't been a few days.

Ace was about to explain what happened, brag about Sabo being alive, and worry about the others not being there, safe and sound, when that deafening crack resounded as the curse on Ace appeared, the black magic circle bigger than the room, and making Ace scream in pain as a voice in his head spoke to him.

"You are not in control. Do not act like you are the one in control."

Ace grabbed his head, both eyes shut tightly, as the voice disappeared and left a violent ringing in his ears. Tears streamed down his face, and Marco and Sabo held his hands while everyone else made space for the Master to try and fix him. He couldn't, since the mark effect was over and gone.

Nobody but Ace had heard the words. It was only in his head, everyone else had only heard his screams of pain. He was asleep soon enough, needing a long rest after everything. He wasn't awake when the others, plus some returned. Ace was already in the infirmary bed, Sabo and Marco getting to know one another.

-x-

"Now you have Sabo to go with you," Ace encouraged Marco. "I want you both to get to know each other. I'll be fine, here." Marco was hesitant and Sabo didn't want to leave him. "I'm safe in the guild with Master. Nowhere is safer." He felt like a parent consoling their kids, or maybe an older brother.

"Ace will be fine here, both of you," Mira said kindly. "Besides, you gotta keep active this time of year."

Ace agreed. They should be doing their best. Ace had had some new information become apparent. Master called his curse an "active" spell. Meaning it was being monitored. A passive one reacted automatically to things. Like a rune that would only activate only certain circumstances.

Nobody but the Master knew about the fact that Ace had been spoken to in his head. A punishment for being too… confident? Independent? It was sad, to think he was punished for just being independent. So the spell was an active curse with a system of alerting its victim of it. A rare and powerful spell that had to take a lot of power and concentration to make. Meaning Ace had to have been unconscious for a long time for it to take root.

They had no idea about the origin of it still. It had been made by somebody in his missing time, but they still had no answers. There was also the issue that Ace had been punished for putting on a blind fold. It was a test, and by the end, the Master knew why he couldn't see through his left eye. Someone else was seeing through it instead.

Meaning someone was watching Ace's life through his left eye. It wasn't actually blind, it just wasn't sending the information to Ace's brain. When he was told this, he honestly expected to be kicked out of the guild immediately. He was pretty much a spy, wasn't he? For someone with clearly nefarious purposes.

But the Master shot down the notion of him leaving. After all, he was abducted right outside of the guild's own entrance. It was them that didn't find him in time, so it didn't make sense for him to have to leave. It also wasn't Ace's fault that the spell wasn't being broken.

"This is your home and family. You aren't like Laxus and even Ivan were. You've done nothing to wrong any of us on purpose, so there's absolutely no way I will remove you or force you to leave," Makarov said as tears poured through both of Ace's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Master!" Ace cried. He was afraid to close his eyes and be punished, but afraid to open them and see something that should be kept private. After Edolas, Ace wanted to celebrate the return of Sabo and Lisanna, but he couldn't. He was just overcome with regret and worry about what the curse would do in the future, and who was watching.

So he wasn't allowed to go on any jobs while he was constantly monitored. He stayed at the guild day and night. Sabo took over his bedroom at home for now. He wanted him and Marco to be friends, and was confident in their friendships that he wouldn't be left out or forgotten. Ace wanted to go back home and sleep in his own bed, but things just weren't easy right now.

But nobody knew he was a spy, unwillingly or not, so they weren't afraid to be themselves around him. If everyone knew, things would be so uncomfortable and wrong. It would all be so much worse, and he didn't want anyone to know. Nobody but the Master knew. Not even Gildarts. It was a secret Ace would forever keep.

Sabo was tearful, and said he wanted to go on a job together after so many years. "I want to hang out with you. I like Marco, but I want to be with you," he said sadly. Ace smiled sadly and nodded. He felt the same. But he wanted them to be able to make money. Ace was still getting compensation for his accidental discovery and inspiration six years ago. Boodle was a great, loyal man.

Eventually, Sabo and Marco left. They went on their job together, and Ace wished them luck. He had his own solo job in Edolas. He was so happy to hear his actions didn't hinder anyone, and that they actually helped. Mystogan had been the one to return Magnolia town to its rightful place, not in a lacrima anymore.

Lily was now Gajeel's cat, like Happy and Carla. He seemed overjoyed with having his own talking cat, and Lily was a god guy. He was nice to Ace and everybody else. Ace walked to the kitchen and got out something to eat. The boy was like a zombie, face blank and looking down. Depressed. He was very depressed.

"Ace, come, I need to speak with you," Master said. Ace nodded, bringing his apple, and feeling worried. What if he changed his mind, and Ace was out of the guild? He was brought into the Master's office, and sat down on the couch at the wall. "I'm concerned about you leaving my sight. You know the time of year. We'll have the S-Class test soon. Everyone is already preparing."

Ace nodded. Everyone wanted to make the cut, so jobs were flying like crazy, everyone working their asses off to be the best, look the best and have the more impressive record. "I'm going to bring you along, too."

"But, I'll just be a burden."

"It's for everyones' safety that I'm bringing you, yours especially. But the place we're holding the test this time will be somewhere secret to Fairy Tail wizards. I'll have to put a spell over your curse. It shouldn't hurt or be reactive." Ace noticed he was holding his pinky finger up while he spoke. "This shows that I'm blocking your sense of sight in one eye. It's an advanced spell only I and some wizard saints know," he explained. "You'll need to stay by my side constantly when we get to the test."

Ace nodded, accepting this. "Since it will be stressful for you no doubt, I'll allow Marco and Sabo to come along, too. But you'll be spending most of the time with me," he warned.

"You're the best surrogate grandpa, Master," Ace said brightly. Makarov had tears sprout in his eyes, and smiled, wiping them, still keeping his pinky up.

"And you're a handful of a brat, but worth it anyday." Ace smiled back, so happy he appeared here. "Don't let that curse ruin your life. We'll break it some day," he vowed. Ace nodded, believing his words fully. He never broke a promise and always took care of them all. The curse would leave some day.

-x-

Ace sat at the table in the back of the crowd, already knowing who would be going to the S-Class test. Makarov had told him all about it. Ace didn't know how his pinky wasn't terribly cramped yet. He help it up everytime he mentioned Tenrou Island, never forgetting. Ace hadn't had any inclination that whoever was watching through him noticed the deceit. It was very impressive, and Ace was happy his guild Master was a wizard saint.

Nobody was surprised that Natsu and Gray made it, and Cana made it for many years in a row. Levy and Elfman were surprises. Juvia was strong, and usually overlooked, so her benig included wasn't too odd. Mest was included, but Ace didn't hang out with him much, so he didn't know if he was truly strong enough to make the cut if only one person was succeeding this year.

Everybody but Lucy, Wendy, Juvia and Gajeel had been there for the S-class announcements at least once, so hearing the rules about only one partner was nothing revolutionary. With the assistants and wizards participating in the event, a large chunk of the guild would be gone for the test. The others would need to hold up the guild while they were gone.

When the announcement was over, Ace, Marco and Sabo were excited to go. Though Ace would be glued to the Master's side the whole time. It was fine, he just hoped it didn't cause problems.

"Why are you going, too?!" Gajeel demanded of the three boys. Sabo smirked, and said they were lucky. Gajeel was angry about not being chosen when Juvia was and they were both from the same guild and came at the same time. The partners hadn't been chosen yet but for Happy and Natsu, which was not surprising.

The others did wonder why Ace and his two friends were going, since extras were never brought along before. And they'd all never been to Tenrou island, and were excited for it. Ace was still living at the guild, but he would be glad to get out of it and go somewhere, even if he would be constrained while being there.

Ace watched and listened as unlikely matches were made, while some were also very predictable. Two of the five S-Class wizards were gone. Mystogan and Laxus were no longer part of the guild. The only ones left were Erza, Mira and Gildarts. Ace wished he was strong enough to be S-class some day, but his magic had not returned in years, so he wasn't expecting to ever be big time.

It wasn't too big of a disappointment, and he was glad he wasn't holding back his best friends, who weren't aiming at being the top either. He just had fun and loved his life with his guild, even if he wasn't one of the heavy hitters. Ace was excited, and wondered what Tenrou island would be like, and what made it so special that Ace's spy behind his eye shouldn't know anything about it.

"So, do you know why we're going?" Sabo asked in the basement. Ace's fort was still there, gathering dust and too small for anyone but the exceeds to fit inside. Even Romeo was too big.

"To keep me company," Ace said honestly. "Master is bringing me along to keep me safe about my curse and all." Marco seemed surprised, and Sabo sad. "Don't worry, I'm glad to be leaving the guild. I've been trapped here for weeks! Besides, I'll feel better being with strong people than alone here," he explained.

The other two nodded, and they all fell asleep on the couches, wondering what would happen, and who would win this year. Everyone was strong or had strong partners. It should be interesting!

A week later, they were all gathered at Hargeon port, things packed for a week of stay on Tenrou island. Ace had his backpack on, not having used it in too long. The sixteen plus the three were gathered, along with the S-Class wizards who would take part. Then there was the Master, waiting on the ship.

The moment they got on the ship, the old man's pinky went up. So it began. But Ace didn't think it would bother him, since it was a necessity. Ace was just happy he was included to be protected despite the possibility that important information would be given to an outsider. When they got on, the ship departed immediately.

For the whole trip, the Master did not need to use the spell. Nobody mentioned the island's name, and he just got to be on the sea. He was glad he wasn't affected by riding on vehicles like dragon slayers were. He wondered why, since he, as a dragon, was unaffected. He stayed inside much of the time when it got very hot outside, playing cards or talking with his two friends.

Ace did wonder why Gray didn't use his ice powers to stay cool, instead opting to be butt naked. Everyone was baking in the heat and direct sun, but he was the only one naked. It took two days to get to the island, so it wasn't too bad. He didn't think it was as far from land as the prison had been when Ace was abducted.

Luckily, there were no sea monsters in this sea. He didn't need to worry abut it, which was a relief. There was a knock on the door, and Loke came in. "Time to go, the island is in view," he said. The boys put the deck of cards away, and put their backpacks on. Walking out after him, they saw the strange looking island for the first time.

It almost looked like a giant tree, with the tree top being another island. Ace wondered how it stayed balanced like that with land on the top and not just leaves. Marco and Sabo were just as surprised and amazed.

"They said that fairies once lived on this island," the Master said, standing on the cabin of the ship, his pinky finger up while he crossed his arms. "And this place is also where the first Master, Mavis Vermillion, now rests!" He was wearing vacation clothing, which was odd but not surprising given how hot it was. "Now I shall reveal the nature of the first test."

The contestants and their partners all held their breaths. Ace and his friends didn't know either. He wasn't told much about how things would be for the others, only about how his time there would be. He was happy to learn with the others and share in the interest and experience. "You see where that stream of rising smoke is at the shore? Your first order of business is making your way there."

Ace looked and saw there was indeed a smoke signal coming from the island. "Once you get there, there will be eight paths. You will only be allowed one path per pair. And the paths will proceed like this." He explained that they would either be fighting the other S-class wizards, each other, and one path with nobody to fight. That one would make it through safe and soundly. Those who made it through the path would advance to the next round. "The first round is a test of toughness and luck!" So, it was possible six groups at most would pass if they all made it past Erza, Mira and Gildarts.

"Now begin! The test starts now!" Immediately, Freed activated the runes he'd made in an instant, trapping the others on the ship until the smarter members broke out and made their way to the shore, either flying or swimming. Seemed exciting. Once they were all gone, the ship went to the island, and docked at the shore.

The three boys and Master left, the old man's pinky raised. Ace didn't feel the spell on him at all, but it was clearly working because the curse didn't activate. "Ace, I want to warn you that the curse will react if you process where you are." Ace nodded, but trusted him to keep him safe. He was unafraid.

When they stepped foot on the island, Ace felt magic flow through him. "What's this?" he asked in shock.

"Whoa, Ace has magic!" Sabo said in shock, never seeing him use it up close. Makarov said the island was a magical place, so it was expected to affect all the others' magic in some way. "I don't feel anything, though," the younger blonde said honestly. Marco agreed.

"It's the weaker magics that react. I would assume Lisanna and Levy will feel it," he said. They went to the shore and deeper into the forest to a rendezvous point where the paths would all meet. The three looked around at all the scenery, the island actually very colorful and beautiful. Ace was leaking off magic, but it didn't damage anything around him. He had no lacrimas with him, since apparently lacrima didn't work here, absorbing too much magic from just the land.

They put their things down, the food made sure to be in an enclosed chest so that no animals got to it. Ace could hear all sorts of animals around them. But none approached the humans. Well, three humans and dragon. Ace wondered if he could turn into a dragon here. He wouldn't try, there was really no point.

When they got to the meeting point, Natsu, Gray, Elfman, Cana and Levy's groups made it through. Juvia, Mest and Freed's groups lost in the first round. Natsu seemed a bit sad, but wasn't really, and was excited. Ace wondered how he got past Gildarts. And how Elfman got past Mira. But nobody could explain their battles before the Master announced the second test. Everyone was pumped, off of a high from making it through the first test. It did seem Elfman and Evergreen were the ones who were in the worst state, both injured and tired.

"So, the second test is a hunt for Master Mavis's grave! You have six hours to find it before you're disqualified. Those who make it will advance to the next test! Good luck, you'll need it," he said with a laugh at the end. The three boys who weren't participating followed Makarov through the island and forest, all three still taking in the beautiful sights.

"This place is really pretty. If I didn't want my friends to be able to visit me, it'd be cool to be buried here," Sabo mused. Ace smiled and Marco said he wouldn't want to be all isolated. The Master still had a pinky up. "By the way, Master, why do you have your pinky up?"

Ace decided to answer, and said it was to make sure his curse didn't act up and interfere with the test. It was true in a sense, but leaving out a big part. From this, the old man knew Ace didn't want his friends to know the whole story. He didn't want anybody to. They arrived at the grave, and it really was magical. Ace's magic started to seep out faster.

Despite being cursed twice, his magic didn't destroy this place. Instead, some flowers grew where his magic dripped. It seeped into the ground, and glowing flowers came out. "Aw, so pretty," Sabo said. Ace flushed.

They sat at the grave for awhile, all for playing cards. Makarov won every round. Ace looked up suddenly, and Marco asked if something was wrong. "No, nothing. I just felt something weird."

"It is a magic island, after all," Sabo pointed out. "There must be weird feelings for everybody, right?" Ace nodded. But the Master asked what he felt. "I can't explain it. Something kind of cold? Maybe it's just getting chilly." The man looked skeptical, but not at Ace. Maybe with his explanation.

They returned to the card game. "I wonder if anyone will find it."

"Probably not. Not unless they're very smart. Mavis's grave is very difficult to locate, being in the more hidden part of the island. Though the pure amount of magic coming from it should be able to attract Loke, at least. I wouldn't be surprised if they're the first to come."

"Well, Lucy is pretty smart," Marco commented. "She might figure it out. Natsu could probably only find it by luck. Elfman probably won't find it very easily. Then there's Levy, but Gajeel is probably making it hard for her to do anything productive. He only came to show he's strong, even if he won't become an S-class wizard despite how powerful he seems."

"What are you, a professor?"

"Shut it."

Suddenly, a red flare was sent up in the air, and the four stood up immediately. Distracted though he was, Makarov didn't loosen the spell over Ace. "Intruders?! On this island?!" the Master asked in horror and shock. The three boys grew nervous, and unconsciously moved to a more huddle like position.

"What do we do?" Ace asked.

"This is my fault, for attracting enemies to Fairy Tail's sacred ground. I am sorry, first Master. I take responsibility. So please, protect the young'uns," he muttered to the grave, almost like a prayer. Then he walked to the beach nearby, into the water. "Stay back, kids!" he shouted. "Stay by the grave!"

The boys followed his words, and ran into the cave and hid behind the grave stones, crouched down. "Do you think I attracted them?" Ace asked, voice shaking. The other two were confused, and wondered why he'd think that. "Master… he holds his pinky like that because he has a spell on me, to keep my curse from working. What if it attracted bad people?" the eleven year old asked in fear and worry.

"There's no way! If the Master is using a spell to keep it from working, surely you wouldn't attract them!" Marco said heatedly. They saw the old man's form grow in size, massive, bigger than the guild, as he was to defend what Ace heard coming. A thrumming noise, like a machine. He'd never heard something sounding exactly like this, though. They were distracted by a huge crashing sound, and Makarov's booming voice, telling the enemy to be gone. Then there was the sound of a blast, and all of them grew completely silent, before Sabo whispered a question about what had happened.

But before they could answer, there were more sounds, and Ace could hear the Master starting to use a big Fairy Tail only spell, called Fairy Law. Marco recognized it, and said it was a strong blast that was used only once before in front of them all. While Ace was gone for the four months. Ace wished he'd been there to share in all of those experiences.

"Do you think we'll make it off the island alive?" Sabo whispered. Neither knew the answer, so there was no reply. Just worried and fearful silence. Ace was distracted from hearing the old man's battle with the enemy when people started falling from the sky. But when they came near the grave, their bodies turned golden and dissolved.

"It looks like this might be the safest spot on the island," Ace mumbled. "But maybe they're attracted to my magic, since it would be hard for people to find this."

"All the more reason to stay."

Marco frowned. "I'm worried about everyone else, but we're probably the weakest ones on the island right now. We weren't chosen due to strength, only necessity." Ace looked ashamed and apologized for taking them along.

"We'll never lose you again," both blonde best friends said firmly. Sabo insisted they were all in this together. Tears fell from Ace's eyes, and he nodded firmly. He was less afraid when they were all together, but that didn't mean he wasn't scared at all. When they heard some crashes, Ace knew immediately that the Master couldn't keep up the spell, and Ace felt very sick.

Ace stumbled away from the grave, not wanting to hurt it or damage the sacred place. "Ace! Where are you going?!" Marco demanded, running after him, Sabo coming third.

"GET AWAY!" he screamed and fell to his knees, face facing up as the black magic circle erupted, covering the whole clearing. Unlike Edolas, it didn't fizzle away, despite being in a holy place. Ace felt control leave his body, and he was possessed. He could see what was happening. Fooling me didn't work. I've known all along. How dare you defy me?! Ace turned to his friends, and he ran at them, knowing his body was planning on hurting them. They were frozen in shock before Sabo grabbed Marco and dove to the side when Ace attempted to attack, his arms with dragon hands and talons.

"Friends are not welcome!" Ace's voice called.

"Ace, stop it! Don't let it take you over!" But he couldn't break free. It was like he was a puppet, strings controlling his body, but expertly. But then a root sprouted out of the ground, and tripped him, grabbing his leg and making him fall down. But he cut apart the root with his talon fingers. The other two were torn about leaving the area. They were safe there from the other enemies, but Ace was also there and trying to hurt them.

Immediately after Ace broke free, more roots shot out of the ground and wrapped around him. He struggled, but his magic didn't destroy them, but seemed to strengthen him. No matter if he was being controlled, his magic seeping from him was still his own, and made the roots more and more powerful as it was secreted from his body.

He struggled to get out, but the roots were covering him completely, trapping him as if he were in clay. Not wood. It was magic wood, and unbreakable. He felt it in his face, felt it force its way down his throat. He choked, but breathed through his nose. The roots covered both eyes, which angered the curse, whoever was behind it watching.

Marco and Sabo cried his name in worry. Ace then broke free after turning into a dragon in an instant, roaring and making birds flee the area. Ace and Sabo finally ran from the clearing. The curse was still in control.

First Master! Help me! Ace cried in his mind. If Makarov trusted her to help protect the island, surely she could help only Ace! Stop me! I'll hurt them!

He took off, flying away and off to find the others to harm. The voice in his head that wasn't his own was laughing at Ace's desperation. But suddenly, he was a human again, losing all his magic power as gold engulfed him, glitter forming all over his body. He fell from the sky, and landed in a pool of water. He was immobile, but face down, and unable to breathe. He heard someone approaching, and a root came out of the ground and pushed him on his back, where he gasped for air, still immobile. His eyes slid to the side, and he saw a stranger. He scared Ace, even if he looked harmless and non-violent. Looked mostly sad.

Ace couldn't move, couldn't run. Was a sitting duck. "You poor child. Once again, the world hurts the innocent," the black haired man said. He looked young, and just so sad. "I wish I could help you, but I can't. I'm sorry. It's my fault." Ace was baffled, and wondered if he was the one to curse him.

He managed to stutter out a question of whether this man cursed him. "No… it wasn't me, not this time." Ace was forced upright, the curse activating again, doing its absolute best to keep control over him. He stood, facing the black haired man. Ace managed to tell him to run away. "You can't possibly harm me."

Don't approach him! Run! the voice in his head commanded. Ace backed away, and ran far from him. He was even more scared when the person in his head was scared of him, too. Ace got away as fast as he could. But he caught the scent of Erza, and started running towards her, for a violent way, Ace not in control.

He fought so hard, but it was all for naught. He begged for help from the island again, and was caught by roots once again, them doing their best to hold him down. They shot from trees and the ground to surround him in them. It covered his whole body until he was blinded. It was like a casing was around him, forcing him to stay in human form.

The roots felt soft, they didn't hurt, even though they were firm to keep him in place.

While he was in there, he heard a voice. A female voice. I will protect you, she said, voice soft, sounding young. Ace relaxed, feeling she would protect him from and others from himself. For now, I will shut you down. Do not worry, it won't hurt. Ace felt the roots pushing him down, and he was underground, completely safe from outside, but also completely unable to escape.

While he was down there, he could see everyone battling. There were many enemies, and many were strong. He was unable to help, and would do more harm than good here. He was scared for his friends and family, but focused mostly on Marco and Sabo, who were climbing the trunk of the giant tree like figure in the middle of the island. They found a hidden spot in between the huge root like structures, and squeezed themselves inside. Both were crying about leaving Ace behind, but the freckled boy was just glad they were safe.

It was unlikely anyone would follow them up there. Ace saw that nobody could really fly, and were all busy with the other, stronger members. Ace hated being weak. He would never be strong. He was useless. No, worse than useless. He was a complete liability. He hoped whoever cursed him would die and leave him alone.

He was under there for a long time, but able to breathe despite being trapped completely, with no way for air to get to him. As his family fought, he started to drift to sleep, unable to help it. But he woke up maybe ten minutes later, leaving the ground, being pushed back up as the roots left him, freeing him from the constraints.

Ace looked to the side and saw someone he didn't recognize again, but was not scary. She had very long blonde hair, and a soft face and demeanor. Ace couldn't smell her, and knew she wasn't actually there. He was hallucinating.

"This is the best I can do with the time I have," she said, and formed magic in her hand, a magic sphere. It was golden, so bright like the sun. it shot at him, aimed straight for his left eye, thrusted through it and past the black magic circle that formed as if in defense, like a shield. Ace fell on his back, feeling the scary presence inside of his fading.

It was still there, but very faint, and almost like background noise. Like the sounds you tuned out when in nature. Mostly unnoticeable. When he sat up, still unable to see in that eye, she was gone. Tears were down his face, and he curled in a ball. He was a mess, a walking disaster. But for now, he felt he was safe from himself.