The gathering of the demons of Tartaros occurs within their castle as the dark guild plans something with the deaths of the Council and its members.

"That's our Jackal! He really knows how to make an entrance!" Franmalth cackled, pressing his index fingers together. "I wonder how much? How much the lives of the nine council members are worth."

"Cease that uncouth laughter at once, Franmalth!" Torafuzar; a shark like demon demanded. "Have some respect for our dignity."

"We're demons! What 'dignity' is there to have?!" Ezel; a multi armed yet tentacle footed demon; retorted to his comrade. "Send me next, Kyoka! I'm ready to massacre those humans!"

"My dear Ezel, there is an order to every story." Sayla; a female human yet have horns demon informed. "We are only at the prologue…no, even before that. This is only the foreword."

"Sayla is right, Ezel." Kyoka said. "Do not be so hasty. You will have your own task to complete soon enough."

"But my body is itching for some action!" Ezel argued. "Why are Tempester and Jackal the only ones who get to do some killing?! It's not fair!"

Keyes tapped his staff against the stone floor, the ring's clangs echoing in the chamber in which they all stood. "Prayers…Murmurs…" He mumbled. "And may the blessings of the inferno be upon us."

"This is only the beginning of the hell we will unleash upon this world." Kyoka declared.

Silver stood in silence, watching the rest of his guild mates. He then turned his head to face the altar in front of them all.

Kyoka stepped forward, turning round to face her comrades. She held out her arms before speaking emphatically.

"We demons will bring a crushing blow down upon humanity. All for our master, Zeref!"


Meanwhile at Hargeon and in a branch of the 8island restaurant owned by a former council member; Yajima who is reading a newspaper while the Raijinshuu who are working part time as they are in the middle of cooking in the kitchen.

"This is terrible." Yajima muttered aloud as he sees the death of all the council members. "the Council is destroyed…this is terrible."

"its more horrible, actually." Said Freed while chopping vegetables nearby before he turns to look at Yajima. "everyone knows that the Magic Council is what holds order in the magic world; with them gone. Things are bound to go bad."

"no kidding," Bickslow stated in while frying some meat by the stove. "I heard all nine members were killed."

"That's not all." Yajima reported, his eyes narrowing in anger the more he read the article. "It says that there were 119 total casualties in the attack. This was no accident. This was mass murder. pure and simple."

"Then I guess it's a good thing you quit the council, right?" Bickslow laughed with his tongue sticking out.

"You fool!" Yajima scolded. "Learn some tact!"

"But he is right." Freed grinned. "There is a silver lining in this tragedy."

"Just because we are low on customers doesn't mean you can slack off." Evergreen chided. She walked into the kitchen, wearing the standard issue 8 Island waitress outfit. "Concentrate on your work!"

Both Freed and Bickslow stopped what they doing and stared at Evergreen perplexed.

"What?" she asked while giving them a hard look.

"That outfit looks terrible on you." Bickslow remarked as Freed nodded in agreement.

"I don't need to hear that from you of all people!" Evergreen shrieked all angry. "Just get back to work! You've been complaining about us taking so many heavy jobs since the Grand Magic Games. We're only here because you wanted light work."

"Yeah. Yeah." Bickslow waved off, returning to his cooking duties.

"We apologize, Evergreen." Freed said with an amused grin.

"Hey!" Yajima shouted in offense. "Restaurant work is not light."

"Regardless, I really feel that I possess quite the skill at cooking." Freed eagerly boasted as he began to chop the vegetables faster.

"And arranging the food is out specialty, right babies?" Bickslow said to his puppets.

"Arrange! Arrange!" the floating wooden dolls parroted as the set the food.

"And making it sexy is my specialty." Evergreen winked as she posed on her side.

"by the way, has Laxus returned yet?" Yajima asked as the Raijinshuu is always with the Lightning Dragon Slayer who is nowhere in sight.

"nope." Bickslow grinned. "He probably just got lost or something."

"Can't even do something as simple as shopping…" Freed chuckled. "Just what are we going to do with him?"

The bell above the entrance rang, signaling the arrival of someone.

"ah. speak of the devil." Said Evergreen as she turns with a smile in thinking that the one who came is Laxus. However, the person that walked to kitchen was not the lightning Dragon Slayer. Instead it was a man wearing a jacket with a hood that concealed his face from view.

"Who is this weirdo?" Bickslow asked. "A customer?"

Freed felt an ominous energy emanating from the man, instantly putting him on alert.

The hooded man pursed his lips, letting out a high-pitched whistle. Suddenly a tornado formed in the kitchen, destroying the entire restaurant.

"w-what the!?" Yajima shouted in shock as he and the Thunder Legion members were blown around by the fierce winds.

The hooded man then summoned a tornado around himself, using the force to propel towards Yajima.

"Who is this guy?!" the former council member shouted.

"Yajima-san!" Evergreen yelled.

Freed and Bickslow immediately moved to Yajima's defense, but their intervention was rendered useless when the hooded man pressed his hands against their chests. He swung his arms, creating gusts of wind that blew both away. His protectors gone, Yajima was forced into action.

"Bad manners, boy!" he flattened his body and swirled around the hooded man's arm.

The mysterious attacker let out another whistle, this one low, and blew Yajima away with another gust of wind.

"Yajima-san!" Freed called out, struggling to his feet.

"I'll take care of him!" Evergreen declared. She jumped into the air, holding her fan to her head. "Yosei Kijuu! Reburahon!" She swung her fan, the tiny bullets of light summoned from it shooting towards the hooded attacker, but another whistle from him created another tornado that both intercepted the blasts as well as sent the Evergreen flying. She crashed through a pile of wood, letting out a grunt of pain.

"Ever!" Freed shouted.

"You damn jerk." Bickslow growled as he tried to get up but failed.

Both men were too weak to move, allowing their attacker to approach Yajima with no interference.

He stood over the weakened old man, who looked up at him in defiance.

"Who are you?" Yajima demanded.

"I have no name, but I have been told that it was once Tempester." the man answered. "I am one of the Nine Demon Gates and my coming heralds' calamity for all of humanity."

"Dammit…" Freed cursed. "What is with this guy's magic? For some reason I can't move my body."

Tempester grabbed Yajima by the throat and lifted him in the air.

"The gate of the underworld has opened!" the hooded man declared as he summoned small tornados around his tight grip, further driving the air from the struggling Yajima's lungs. "We are delivering mankind's rightful judgement!"

"Yajima-san!" Evergreen screamed out

"The gate to the underworld…?" Bickslow grunted. "Does he mean Tartaros?!"

"i-it can't be…these guys…" Freed muttered out in shock. "they're not just after the council! But even the former ones?!" the Rune mage slowly gets up and looks at the hooded man in anger. "What are you after?!"

Tempester didn't replyas he tightens his grip on Yajima's neck and caused the old man to scream in pain.

"Stop!" Bickslow shouted.

"Yajima-san!" Evergreen cried out before a lightning bolt strikes at Tempester as Yajima falls down the ground while the Raijinshuu looks in joy for Laxus had arrived.

"I might get lost on the road…" Laxus clenched his fist, lightning cackling around it. "But when it comes to taking you down, I'm right on course."

"Laxus." Yajima sighed in relief.

"We're saved." Freed smiled.

"Bout time you showed up, boss." Bickslow grinned.

"What's the deal with this guy?" Laxus asked about Tempester.

The hooded man looked at Laxus, his eyes showing his anger at the lighting wizard's interference in his work.

"He's a member of Tartaros!" Evergreen informed Laxus. "He's here to kill Yajima-san!"

"Oh really?" Laxus questioned.

Tempester reached for his cloak, ripping it apart and revealing his form to his opponents. He was of massive size and height. His long yellow hair was shaggy and flowed down his massive back. Tied to his shoulders were two armored shoulder plates. He glared at Laxus, exhaling through his dog-like nose.

"He's not human?!" Laxus wondered in shock before Tempester dashes at him in a whirlwind.

Laxus using his quick instinct to jump up and then quickly dodge a strike from Tempester who was soon kicked on the back when the blonde lightning Dragon Slayer came behind in a flash of lightning.

Tempester crashed to some rubble as he soon picked himself up and then turns to glare at Laxus.

"You dare…" the demon man growled out but Laxus suddenly appeared behind him in a flash of lightning.

"You picked the wrong opponent to mess with." Laxus said as his fist was covered in lightning.

Tempester was about to strike back but Laxus beats him to it.

"Rairyuu no Agito!" Laxus hammers down Tempester as the demon was sent crashing down to the ground and caused a powerful shocking explosion that pummels his opponent straight through the dirt.

With Laxus taking Tempester down and out cold; everyone let out a sigh of relief as the battle was decided in the Dragon Slayer's victory.

"you're great, Laxus!" Freed stated with a smile.

"yeah!" Bickslow called out in agreement while picking himself up.

"you're the MAN!" Evergreen swooned out as this made a certain bulky man at Fairy Tail sneeze.

"hey, old man" Laxus called to Yajima before he looks down at Tempester. "What do we do with him?"

"Hm…" Yajima pondered. "With the council out of commission there isn't much we can do right now."

"Maybe we can't take him to the main office," Bickslow inquired. "but the branches are still up, right?"

"The body can do nothing if the head has been cut off." Yajima replied, gritting his teeth in irritation. "The council was always bound to topple with that type of mentality."

"What if we take him back to the guild for questioning?" Freed suggested.

"Oh I would enjoy that." Evergreen said as she takes a coil of sausages and use it like a whip

"They took out the council, and now they seem to be targeting former members as well." Freed speculated. "I can only worry as to what their ultimate goal is."

"Sounds like something we should concerned about, huh?" Bickslow acknowledged.

"Fairy Tail…" Tempester muttered out as this caused Laxus to be in surprise. "Is that all you have?"

"you…" Laxus muttered out

"I underestimated you." Tempester spoke out before he glanced up at Laxus. "I was unaware that a human could be this strong. I've taken more damage than I expected I would. Perhaps I should go ahead and die."

"Die?" Laxus spoke out as he looks a bit confused. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I believe that it is you who chose the 'wrong opponent to mess with' as you put it, human." Tempester stated before his body explodes and leaves behind a black mist.

"What the hell?!" Laxus questioned.

"What happened?" Yajima asked

"He blew himself up?!" Evergreen blurted out before she coughed lightly. "What is with this black mist?"

"It's spreading fast!" Bickslow called.

"Mankind cannot defeat natural disasters," Tempester said, his disembodied voice trailing in the wind. "These are anti-magic Devil particles. They pollute the air, eradicating the ethernanos within it!"

The black mist grew denser and became more thicker by the passing second.

"It creates an anti-ethernano zone?" Freed questioned. The mist entered his nose and mouth, causing him to cough violently along with the others.

"What you are feeling right now is magic anemia…" Tempester explained. "The onset of Magic Deficiency Disease! The disease itself is fatal to wizards!"

The coughs of Yajima and the others became more and more frequent. They felt themselves beginning to pass out due to the pain brought upon them by the mist.

"My one weakness is that I cannot regenerate my body until I return to my main guild hall." Tempester informed. "But you are all good as dead now. Perhaps we will meet again in the underworld."

Freed covered his mouth, trying to limit the amount of mist he was exposed to.

"Don't breathe in!" Freed told the others while trying his best to stay conscious.

"If we don't do something…" Evergreen coughed. "We'll all…"

"The whole town's gonna be polluted at this rate!" Bickslow shouted.

"The only thing we can do now is run!" Yajima pointed towards the clearest path through the rubble of 8 Island. "Hurry! Get away from the mist!"

The old man tried to make a run for it, but he collapsed due to exhaustion.

"Yajima-san…"Evergreen's voice trailed off as she passed out and fell to the ground. Bickslow succumbed to the mist's effects soon after.

"Ever! Bickslow!" Freed called. "Get up! We have to escape or else we'll…!"

"I won't let anybody die!" Laxus announced as he opened his mouth. "No one's dying here today!"

"Laxus, cover your mouth!" Freed shouted to his leader.

Laxus hunched over and inhaled, sucking in a small amount of the mist.

"What are you doing?!" Freed shouted with shocked wide eyes.

Laxus continued to inhale, sucking up more of the mist. "We dragon slayers have special lungs made for this sort of thing." He boasted. "I'm gonna suck up all of this crap!"

"No! Stop!" Freed pleaded. "Your body won't be able to take it!"

Laxus looks at Freed as he smirked.

"Your job is to get them all home!" Laxus ordered. "Don't let me down, alright!" with that he inhaled one last time, effectively sucking up all the black mist in the area before collapsing on his stomach.

Freed's eyes went wide with horror. "Laxus!"


about a few hours later at Fairy Tail. A crisis was at hand as Porlyusica was called to the guild's infirmary where she exited and looks rather grim while facing Makarov and some members of the guild gathered with him.

"Porlyusica! How are Laxus and the others?! Are they alright?! Tell me!" Makarov demanded from the guild medic with a frantic and worried face.

"They're alive." Porlyusica stated "but they have been infected with Anti-Ethernano Particles that are mixed with their blood."

"Anti Ethernano..?" Lucy asked while not familiar with the word.

"it's a strong poison that is fatal even in the small of doses." Porlyusica explained while looking down. "The case for Laxus is extremely grave; it's a miracle he's still alive."

"c-can they be saved?" Wendy asked. "with my magic.."

"it won't work." Porlyusica replied while shaking her head. "The Anti-Ethernano in their blood will instantly erase your magic the moment you try to use it; we need an antidote."

"then let me be of assistance." A voice spoke as everyone turns to the side and sees Genbu appearing in a flash while in his small Hermit form. "I cannot truly give them a perfect antidote; but I can give a concoction that would soothe their pain momentarily."

"Please! Do your best, Genbu!" Makarov asked while begging the turtle spirit. "anything that can help Laxus and the others."

"do not worry." Said Genbu as he nodded. "I will return to the spirit world to retrieve the herbs and medicine needed." He then looks at Porlyusica. "I shall also be needing your assistance for this."

Porlyusica merely nodded in reply before Genbu disappears into sparkles and back to the Celestial Spirit World.

"Porlyusica, is anyone still conscious?" Erza asked the guild medic. "I know it's a bad time; but we need to know who or what harmed them."

"Freed is the only one still conscious." Porlyusica replied. "he's still weak; so make it quick."

Everyone nodded as a small group entered the infirmary and sees Laxus and the others who are on beds while looking weak, pale, and sweating furiously.

They went to Freed as the Rune Mage looks very sick, but he was strong enough to be still conscious.

The Rune Mage quickly told them of the culprit behind the attack at Hargeon as it is Tartaros.

"Master…" Freed muttered out. "t-the town…Laxus…saved it…he…if he wasn't there…the town.."

"I know, Freed." Makarov replied while nodding. "you did your best to take everyone back."

"is…the town…safe?" Freed asked. "is…it?"

"yes" Makarov nodded as he lied because in truth; the town is in chaos as it is succumbed in the black mist of Anti-Ethernano particles. "the town is safe; Natsu is there getting rid of the rest of the Anti-Ethernano particles. The town has been evacuated and there are no victims. The town is safe, Freed."

"I see…" Freed muttered out as he looks glad while shedding some tears. "I'm…glad…"

Everyone looks sad and angered as to see their friends and allies hurt badly.

"Tartaros…" Levy muttered out as Jet and Droy are holding back their anger.

'if their objective is to kill the Council members and their former members…' Erza thought as she looks stern yet worried. 'that would mean Jellal as well.'

"so cruel…" Lucy muttered while gripping her fists very tight.

"gramps…" Gray called out to the old man who nodded.

"we're going to war!" Makarov growled out as he looks very enraged.


meanwhile; at Tartaros. Inside the laboratory of Tartaros' guildhall, Tempester's body regenerated inside one of the many liquid chambers strewn about the room.

"I am sorry to bother you with such a task, Kyoka." The healing demon apologized.

"Be at ease, Tempester," Kyoka said. "There is no need to worry about this one."

"Tempester? Is that my name?" The regenerating demon asked "Whenever I regenerate, I forget my name. Thus naming me makes no sense."

"So you say." Kyoka nodded. "But it is still a necessary measure."

"How long will my rebirth take?" Tempester asked

"Hm…" Kyoka wondered. "Normally it would only take a day, but now that you have company in here, it will be a little longer."

"Company?" Tempester inquired. "Is someone else injured?"

"No." Kyoka smirked. "It is merely my child, a new demon" the green haired demoness looks to the chamber besides Tempester as within it is Minerva and she had black tentacles attached to her body. "Minerva. She has the potential to become one of us."

"Hopefully she won't turn out like that dud Doriate." Franmalth cackled as he appears into the scene.

"Franmalth." Kyoka stated while crossing her arms and turning to look at the cyclops demon.

"how much? I wonder how much we wasted on him?" Franmalth chuckled before he walked towards Tempester's chamber "Tempester-san, your regeneration isn't free! Don't go spreading Devil particles without good reason!"

"Fairy Tail…" Tempester snarled, remembering his defeat. "If they hadn't intervened, none of this would have happened."

"Fairy Tail again, huh?" Kyoka muttered before she heard bubbling and turned her head, pleasantly surprised to see Minerva thrashing about, a look of hate on her features.

"Look, the little girl is reacting." Franmalth jeered.

"Fairy Tail is the guild that took down both the Oracion Seis and Grimoire Heart." Kyoka spoke out before she smirks in amusement. "It seems they intend to defy us. This one is amused."


back upon Fairy Tail; everyone is gathered together at the hall as they are discussing their plan against Tartaros.

Natsu came back as he had just finished cleaning up the Anti-Ethernano Particles with Chitetsu's help. He got informed of everything as he is furious to know what Tartaros did to Laxus and the others.

"we must find Tartaros and stop whatever they're planning" Makarov stated while sitting by the bar and having his arms and legs crossed.

"but where do we find them?" Levy asked. "no one, not even the council knows where their guild is."

"we lack information." Said Erza while crossing her arms.

"but we know that they are after the Council and their members." Mira stated while pointing a finger out. "may they be current or former."

"the current members were all assassinated." Gray spoke out "then this means that they are going after the ex-members next."

"they won't go after Yajima-san directly since we're here to protect him." Said Charla.

"looks like we have to split up and go to other ex-council members' home to protect them against Tartaros." Lily stated as everyone nodded in agreement.

"But the addresses of the council members were never revealed to the public." Macao reminded. "even we don't know where they are."

"I know a few" Natsu said as everyone looks at him. "my time at the Council wasn't a waste back then."

"me too." A voice added in as everyone turned to see Loke making his way through the crowd. "I know where some of the older members are holding up."

"When did you get here, Loke?" Lucy questioned.

"How do you know all of this, Loke-san?" Wendy asked and she got her reply when Loke kneeled beside her and started whispering to her. the Sky Dragon Slayer's face soon went red and steaming.

"it's a girl, right." Lucy stated in knowing the Lion Spirit's playboy characteristic.

Loke soon revealed the names and locations of four ex-council members as Natsu also pointed out some several more.

"with this information provided by Natsu and Loke; we find four ex-council members' addresses and locations. Plus with the former chairman as well" Porlyusica stated as she looks at several needles marked on a map. "split up into teams and protect the council members."

Everyone nodded as Natsu is with Lucy, Wendy, Charla and Kiara, Erza with Mira, Gajeel and Lily with Team Shadow Gear, Gray with Juvia, Elfman, and Lisanna

"do remember that if you meet the one who uses the Anti-Ethernano particles. Get a sample of their blood." Porlyusica stated. "I and Genbu needs the blood so that we can make a perfect antidote to cure Laxus and the others."

"got it." The formed up teams replied while nodding.


A moment at the infirmary; Mira and Elfman are in as they are looking over Laxus and the others.

Elfman stood over Evergreen's bed, watching as she writhed in pain.

"I'll avenge you, Ever." Said Elfman as he grips his fists tight. "I swear as a man."

Mirajane watched Laxus struggle through his labored breaths.

"you were a smug bastard back then." said Mira before she smiles. "but now that you've changed and putting your family over yourself. You're a great man now, Laxus." The Majin then leans down and pecks Laxus' cheek. "rest well. We'll pummel those bastard who done and hurt you."


"Does everyone know their assignments?" Makarov asked. Everyone nodded in confirmation, getting ready for their respective journeys. "good"

Makarov returned to the front as he went up the stage where everyone looks at him.

"Remember! The enemy is Tartaros!" Makarov hollered out as everyone looks stern and serious. "While they may be the head of the Baram Alliance, we already beat both Oracion Seis as well as Grimoire Heart! They will be no different!" the old man then raises his fist and clenched it hard. "We will take Tartaros down just as we did those two! They will regret making enemies of us! They harmed our friends! Our family! We one sheds blood, we all bleed! Take that pain and suffering in your hearts, and use it to fuel your rage against Tartaros! This is not a fight for law and order! This is a fight we chose!" he raises his fist very high and has the most serious and angered face. "They forced our hand by testing the bonds we share! In return, we will obliterate the enemies of our family!"

Everyone roared in unison, their collected determination fueling their resolve.

Natsu looks at Makarov and the rest of the guild before he turns and went to Ikaruga as she is with their children by the bar.

"this is a war beginning." Said Natsu to Ikaruga. "go back home till it subsides."

"yes" Ikaruga replied with an understanding nod while holding Ikki close.

Natsu nodded before he looks down upon Haruka and Haruo who look ready to deny their father's wishes for them to stay with their mother.

"Protect your mother and little brother." Said Natsu.

"but we want to help!" Haruo exclaimed. "Laxus-niichan and the others got hurt! We want to get back at the jerks who hurt them!"

"yeah! They're Family and no one hurts our Family!" Haruka added in. "whoever they are; we'll beat them up!"

"then if you leave, who will protect those who stay behind in the guild?" said Natsu while hardening his gaze. "I will leave, you two will leave, who will protect your mother and little brother if we three have left? Must we depend it all upon our friends and family?"

"t-that's!" Haruo retorted but came out with no other word. "that…"

"Haruo, Haruka. You two are still young." Said Natsu as he kneels before his son and daughter. "you both lack experience and strength to fight foes far more stronger than you are, but.." the father gently held their shoulders while smiling. "both of you are strong in protecting those you care and love. So that is why I am entrusting you two to protect your mother, little brother, and the guild."

"still…" Haruka spoke out before Natsu presented them with two white and black sheathed katanas that appeared in his grasps. "that's…?"

"take these." Said Natsu as he handed the white Katana to Haruo while the black katana to Haruka. "I planned to give them to you for your birthday, but I believe it's time for them to be in your hands."

Haruka and Haruo takes the katanas from their fathers who soon pulled them into a hug.

"listen, do not use your blade for vengeance." Natsu spoke out in a soft and gentle voice. "for a swordsmen born from Lingyue; you must take arms of your steel and might for the sake of your loved ones. Never for revenge as it will lower you to the level of your underhanded enemies. That is a life's teaching of Lingyue."

Natsu then separates before he patted his children's head.

"understand?" Natsu asked as Haruka and Haruo looks at their father for a moment before they nodded vigorously which made him smile then nod. "good."

Natsu stands back up as he went to Ikaruga who gave him a good luck and safe trip kiss on the lips.

"protect the lives of many from the darkness of evil." Said Ikaruga as she smiles before she and Natsu gets enveloped in a hug. "and come home safely."

"I will." Natsu replied as he pecks Ikaruga's forehead before the parents look down to their youngest child.

Ikki yawns as he leans close to Ikaruga before getting several loving strokes from his father that made him turn towards him.

"Papa~!" Ikki called out with a smile as Natsu smiled back before he pecks his youngest son's forehead and got him to giggle.

"Papa will be going, Ikki." Said Natsu while ruffling his little boy's hair. "be a good boy for Mama, alright?"

Ikki merely babbles and giggles in response as this made Natsu smile.

"Natsu, it's time." Erza called out as the man turns to see the teams prepared and standing by the doorway of the guild.

Natsu nodded before he turns and gave one last kiss to Ikaruga, after that he leaves his family to join his team.

"have a safe trip." Ikaruga spoke out as she and her children watches the salmon haired mage/father leaves the guild.


That's a wrap!

Bye bye