"I'M GONNA RIP YOUR FREAKING HEART OUT!"

As Kaze screamed her declaration, her rage manifested into a sphere of darkness in her right hand, the hint of teal in her eyes burning with intent on obliterating the Fire Dragon Slayer who shattered her mask. The collision of the dark sphere and Natsu's Fire Dragon's Iron Fist created a vortex of fire and darkness that illuminated Magnolia amidst the dark storm. The houses and buildings barely missed the maelstrom, and many sported significant degrees of damage. Natsu and Kaze clashed fists and knees against each other, the two colors emitted from each blow set aflutter. After a clash, Kaze slid backwards, using her hand to stand her ground while melting the streets behind her, and fired a multitude of crimson bullets from her Soul Eaters in Revolver Mode. Natsu destroyed the projectiles with Fire Dragon's Roar, then accelerated to deliver a string of rapid fire punches, the last blow another Fire Dragon's Iron Fist that launched her back. Kaze recovered with a Shadow Step, and when she reappeared in the air, she channeled more magic into her Soul Eaters, two giant orbs surging. The orbs launched and collided with the ground, summoning an array of massive pillars of fire that consumed anything in its path. The pillars approached the Fire Dragon Slayer, who braced himself as the flames licked away at him, and he emerged from the inferno unscathed, absorbing the fire to rejuvenate himself. Combining her Soul Eaters to form Lance Mode, Kaze slammed the base onto the cobbled road, emitting sparks of violet. As if responding to her gesture, the storm spewed lightning upon Magnolia, providing more light for the grisly scene.

Hundreds of purple thunderbolts rained down, tearing away any infrastructure within range. Natsu shot himself like a flaming bullet, instantly avoiding any bolt attempting to reach him. He struck Kaze with a Fire Dragon's Sword Horn to the chest, a Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow to the cheek, and a Fire Dragon's Claw to the chin. Kaze performed three Shadow Steps, then leapt forward with a spiraling Storm Ring attack that slashed the Fire Dragon Slayer away. A second Storm Ring came after two Shadow Steps, and a third following five Dark Sparks and four Dark Thundaga spells. Despite his injuries, Natsu continued his assault. When Kaze summoned three Dark Thundaga bolts and missed, she was hit by Natsu's Fire Dragon's Wing Attack, but made a quick recovery with two Shadow Steps and reverted her Soul Eaters to Blade Mode. She executed a Cold Cross sonic slash, followed by various combination attacks that sent the Fire Dragon Slayer reeling back. Next, she transformed her Soul Eaters into a Frozen Silk, a thin beam that molded into something of a cage trapping Natsu inside; in the process, he was bombarded by the piercing thread. In retaliation, Natsu destroyed the Frozen Silk with a burning aura, having focused his magic between his muscles to generate a barrier around himself. He shot forward and hit Kaze with another Fire Dragon's Sword Horn, sending himself and his opponent flying straight into the gates of Kardia Cathedral.

Soon, the majestic pride of Magnolia choked with ash and shadow, turned into a battlefield for the first time since the climax of the infamous Fighting Festival hosted by Laxus Dreyar.

At the Fairy Tail guildhall...

From the wreckage, the Headless Horsemen could see a savage war between two lone warriors raging on. One of the Horsemen, Zeppelin, decided to break the ice with a demented cackle, "Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee! This is truly a spectacle to behold! Just picture this, the greatest death match in the history of Earth-land! The all-time undisputed reigning champion of darkness versus the burning dragon legend who melted mountains with a single punch!"

Diva commented, "You don't say? It looked like Natsu Dragneel had it on the ropes with Master Viriniam. He even delivered a punch straight to the face! For a sideshow freak, he's earned himself a standing ovation."

Wrecker retorted, "Preposterous! Master Viriniam would never lose to a scumbag Dragon Slayer. She mastered the dark arts at a young age. She will bring him down."

Zeppelin quipped, "Nothing is impossible. There are no guarantees in battle. At the moment, we don't know who will emerge the victor in this epic gladiator contest between two ferocious dragons... Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee... It actually sounds like fun! Who will live? Who will die? So many possibilities! In the end, there will be blood! Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!"

Silver asked, "How shall we proceed? Must we simply stand and watch our Master fight him alone? If it pleases her, we can involve ourselves."

Diva smiled proudly, "Are you kidding me? It's Master Viriniam we're talking about! Let her have her time in the spotlight. It's the role she's born to play." She then giggled mischievously, "I can imagine the look on Natsu's face now. He hasn't the slightest idea what's coming to him faster than Bahamut's Mega Flare. He's in for a big surprise!"

Zeppelin beamed, "Have you ever thought of the possibilities? Anyone in favor of seeing the Dark Sky Dragon KO'ing Salamander in the headlines? Better yet, would anyone like to see her tear off his head and hang it on the wall? Or is it the heart? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Diva cringed, "Gross! A literal head is a terrible idea for a decoration! And who says we're really gonna tear it off? He's vital for the big plan."

Silver reminded, "Natsu Dragneel is the key. He inherits the destructive magic of a pure dragon. And a pure dragon's magic is the only thing that can destroy the seal that bars the door. The door to wisdom untold and power eternal..."

Diva shook excitedly, "Oh, I can't wait! When we open the door, this is where we're gonna hit the big time!"

Wrecker smirked, "Rest assured, Master Viriniam will immobilize that half-witted baboon for the sake of the plan. All she has to do is—"

Zeppelin cut him off, "I don't think it'll be as simple as that, Wrecker."

Wrecker asked, "What do you mean?"

Zeppelin pointed out, "Can't you see the look on Kaze's face before the battle began? You said it yourself, she's a master in the art of darkness..." He paused to let his message take effect, "...but that darkness left a severe effect on her mental state. Every time she's overcome by feelings of aggression, her dark powers grow like a flower sprouting from a seed. A wildflower, that is! It keeps growing and growing until it grows unstable, and its petals scatter to the empty winds. Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee... There's a old saying, 'The more powerful your magic grows, the more difficult it is to control.' Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee... Oh, if she hadn't gone on that wonderful journey throughout that "dark realm" all these years ago..."

Diva interjected, "Hey, as much as we love reminiscing the Master's backstory and all, she's still playing with the pyrotechnics." She pointed a thumb at Kardia Cathedral.

Zeppelin sighed, "How boring. Every Fairy Tail wizard is rounded up, and we're left with a corny fireworks display. There's nothing left to fight anymore. I want more fun. More blood. More action."

"You want action? You will have it!"

The Headless Horsemen turned to the source of the thunderous cry, and were met with a shocking sight. Dozens of Sleepy Hollow wizards were sprawled throughout the guildhall, their unconscious bodies lacerated with cuts and bruises. Perhaps if they had been more attentive, they would have noticed the crimson-haired woman who survived Silver's assault and decimated every Sleepy Hollow member present in the guildhall. Erza Scarlet, in her Heaven's Wheel Armor, confronted the Horsemen with a vicious glare, two swords gripped in her hand. "WHAT?!" they all screamed. "HOW DID YOU—"

"I never thought that another Fairy Tail wizard besides that insipid Dragon Slayer would rise against us," Wrecker snarled. "Not just any wizard, but the great Titania Erza!"

"How did you get back on stage?" Diva demanded. "Silver's Eradication Fist should've turned your stomach inside out when he shattered your armor!"

"Do you think armor is what makes me capable of holding my own against the likes of you? Even with a trivial technique like that?" Erza responded. "I survived because my friends have filled my heart with strength. I will withstand any physical pain to protect the ones that I love!"

"You were able to endure my furious flurry of justice? Through the power of connection between yourself and your comrades?" Silver questioned. When he received no answer, he let out a laugh of sheer amusement for the crimson-haired woman's incredible feat. "Highly impressive, Titania! You're exactly what the stories foretold in lands far and wide. You are a radiant armored fairy in the eyes of those who live on the battlefield." He folded his arms, "I've heard many tales of your skill and valor. I believe you and I are cut from the same cloth. We're both warriors, seeking to hone our strength for a common vision."

"Silver, is it?" Erza asked. "I see that you, too, possess a noble spirit. You destroyed my Black Wing Armor and caught me off guard. I'm impressed. However, whatever your intentions are, it's unwise for you to kidnap my friends."

"Then I suppose your utter dedication to your comrades compelled you to stand back up again," Silver assumed. "Is that the base of your overwhelming power? You fight to satisfy your guild's every need?"

"I fight only to defend those I hold close to my heart," Erza clarified. "If I have to give it my all to guarantee their safety, then so be it."

"So what?" Wrecker scoffed. "You've made a grave mistake threatening us like that. We are the Headless Horsemen, the strongest in the Sleepy Hollow guild, and scum like you are no match for the four of us!"

"Such fire, such anger, such exquisite beauty..." Zeppelin cackled evilly. "A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. But the beauty of a flower pales in comparison to the beauty of blood. A garden of blood blossoming in the darkness... I like it..."

"Oh, joy," Diva rolled her eyes. "Let's just skip to the part where we beat her like a drumstick. I have plans for the rest of the day."

"You captured my Fairy Tail friends," Erza declared, a ring of swords magically appearing behind her. "To save them, I must defeat you all."

"A pleasure to meet someone of your stature, Erza Scarlet," Silver admired. "Now we'll see if the woman can live up to the legend!" He then took on a defensive fighting stance, before turning to his fellow Horsemen. "Wrecker, Diva, Zeppelin, leave Titania to me. I shall deliver a swift judgment for her transgressions."

"No, Silver. We will work together," Wrecker suggested, prepping up his spiked wrecking ball. "The four Headless Horsemen of Sleepy Hollow unites against Titania. With our combined strength, she won't stand a chance!"

"Ready for an encore, sunshine?" Diva smirked, crossing her hips. "You will submit to the glamorous power of Diva plus the other Horsemen!"

"Oh, goody, goody! One more target to destroy!" Wrecker cried gleefully, brandishing his machine gun arm. "Let me take a quarter slice of her flesh. You can have the rest!"

"Come at me!" Erza taunted. "All four of you will fall by my blades!"

"LET'S GET HER!" The Headless Horsemen roared in unison, and charged with their respective magics at the ready. With the multitude of magical swords in tow, Erza braced herself for the oncoming assault. Fists and swords clashed, creating another vortex considerably brighter than Natsu and Kaze's trade of fire and darkness...


Kardia Cathedral

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu delivered a fire-induced punch that sent Kaze flying throughout the wide hallway of Magnolia's cherished monument.

"Cold Cross!" Kaze clanged her Soul Eaters together after a quick recovery, and summoned a cross-shaped sonic slash that knocked Natsu to the ground.

The battle lines had long since blurred, and both fighters sustained moderate injuries, each struggling to keep up the pace. The hallway was heavily damaged by the raging intensity of their duel, shattering the cathedral. From the holes of stone walls, the thunder and lightning sounded in an orchestra of turmoil, imbued with an unending motion and a horrific stench.

"Hey, Natsu!" Happy entered the scene with his wings, not wanting to miss his best friend in action. His face was a mixture of relief, joy, and concern. "Sorry to keep you waiting, buddy. I'm not gonna miss you give Kaze the what for. How're you doin'?"

"I got her on the ropes, but it's just a matter of time. I'll beat her in no time flat," Natsu replied to his Exceed companion. "We'll help the others as soon as I burn this loonie here to a crisp."

"Oh, so a runt from the litter decided to watch us go at it?" Kaze noticed Happy's arrival. "Guess it's not too hard to catch a better seat for an epic spectacle."

"Natsu and I are pals," Happy reminded. "And pals stick together like glue."

"Salmon boy's your friend?" Kaze jeered. "Ha! Why does he think a puny little cat like you is even worth the time?"

"Don't let the size fool ya. Both Happy and I come from the same guild," Natsu pointed out. "Sure, he's just a cat, but he's got spirit like every other member in the guild. Am I right, Happy?"

"Aye to that!" Happy agreed. "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but names can't! I'm more than just a runt from the litter. I'm Natsu's wings, and it's my job to fly him outta any mess. So chew on that, Pinky!"

"Pinky? Now that's a sweet compliment. You'd make both a fine spectator and backup for salmon boy," Kaze chuckled. "But just so we're clear, whatever happens to you or him isn't my fault." She turned to the Fire Dragon Slayer, "And as for you... I guess the man is bigger than the stories. I'm pretty amazed. You're one of the strongest wizards in our time. Lots of weirdos and criminals are practically afraid of your terrifying strength and your Dragon Slayer Magic. Ask anyone on the street, and they know you by your nickname or your real name... Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander..."

"Gee, congratulations on doing your homework, Kaze," Natsu rolled his eyes. "But what's the point in all this? What's your reason for attacking our guildhall?"

"I thought it was obvious, Natsu," Kaze grinned. "We came for you. You and your guild. I never would've guessed someone like you had the aptitude to become the sacrificial lamb for Armageddon. Or does it have something to do with these flames?"

"Shut up!" Natsu snapped. "Look, I've got a ton of questions I wanna ask you. But..."

"But what?" Kaze asked.

"I think I'll beat the answers outta you instead!" Natsu continued.

"You wish..." Kaze said smugly. "You have no idea who you're messing with. You're talking to the leader of the greatest band of mercenaries to have ever graced Earth-land! I could squash you like a bug right now... but I'm being generous today. Why don't you be a good boy and come with me? There's a special seat reserved just for you. The whole gang's waiting. We're going on a trip." Her eyes were slowly turning into a shade, "Who knows what's gonna happen if you don't..."

"You must be dreaming if you think Fairy Tail's gonna rub the salt on whatever master plan you've cooked up," Natsu retorted. "We're not muscle for some band of demented punks, least of all a crazy lady like you!"

"You hear that? We're not gonna follow you!" Happy shouted. "And you can't make us!"

"So, are we gonna get back to the fight?" Natsu cracked his knuckles. "Or are we just gonna sit around and chat all day?"

"Give it your best shot, salmon boy... I'll be happy to wrap you up!" Kaze smirked. "You know, it's been a long time since I've fought someone in the same level as me. I underestimated you, Natsu. This time, I won't go so easy on you." She assumed a fighting stance with her Soul Eaters, "Ready for Round 2?"

"You bet! I'm fired up now!" Natsu announced. Without looking back, he instructed Happy, "Stay back. This could get ugly."

"Whenever you need wings, I'm your cat," Happy nodded with a confident grin.

"Soul Eaters! Chain Release!" Right on cue, the twin rainguards sounded with a loud click. They snapped open into miniature hatches, revealing a closer outline of the blades' sharp edges. The edges stretched, revealing their true form as chain blades, astral energy surrounding the steel.

"Kaze's blades turned into chains!" Happy alerted. "And they're coming for you, Natsu!"

"I'm on it!" Natsu leaned to his right to dodge the Soul Eaters. The glowing blades sent shockwaves through the field, creating a small crack.

"You wanna dance? Let's dance!" Kaze twisted the Soul Eaters in a cyclone of chaos that sent the chained edges dancing in multiple directions. With precise accuracy, Natsu managed to dodge every attack. Upon retracting the Soul Eaters back to their hilts, Kaze blocked an incoming Fire Dragon's Iron Fist with a defensive blade guard, and pushed it away. She then hurled the Soul Eaters and wrapped them around the Fire Dragon Slayer's chest. With that, she rotated the chains, slamming the Fire Dragon Slayer against any rough surface on impact. Afterwards, when she retracted the first Soul Eater, Kaze kept her grip on the second, the chain tied around Natsu's stomach. With a flick of her wrist, the chain emitted an electromagnetic pulse, torturing the salmon-haired youth with astral jolts. The last jolt was a detonation spell that blew him away.

"C'mon, Natsu! This isn't the time to lie around!" Happy encouraged. Those words bolstered the salmon-haired boy, who pushed himself back to his feet with a growl.

"Zero Wave!" Kaze flicked her Soul Eaters, releasing a barrage of crescent-shaped waves that homed in on Natsu.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu countered with a massive breath of fire, destroying many of the Zero Waves that approached him, although a few succeeded in damaging his body. At the same time, the Fire Dragon's Roar immolated a distracted Kaze.

"Shadow Step!" Kaze vanished in a flutter of petals, and then reappeared in front of the Fire Dragon Slayer. "Spinning Frost!" The next minute, she performed a spiraling astral energy slash, cutting him by the chest.

"Fire Dragon's Claw!" Natsu retaliated with his flame-pulsated legs, knocking Kaze in the air.

"Astral Wheel!" Kaze executed a spinning aerial astral energy slash that smacked the Fire Dragon Slayer away.

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu swung his flame-imbued arms, crashing the Sleepy Hollow wizard to the floor.

"Soul Eaters: Lance Mode!" Kaze mixed her weapons to form a spear, and Shadow Stepped in circles to distract Natsu. "Dark Spark! Dark Thundaga! Storm Ring!" She then decimated him with a string of lightning-based attacks.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu delivered a swift flaming punch to the jaw when Kaze reappeared from another Shadow Step, having detected her presence with his keen smell. He proceeded to pummel her with various Fire Dragon Slayer Magic spells. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn! Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow!"

"Soul Eaters: Revolver Mode! Fire Serpent!" Kaze made a quick recovery from a Shadow Step, then released a horizontal beam of fire assuming the form of a serpent seeking to hunt its prey.

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" Natsu generated a massive fireball from both hands and shot it against the Fire Serpent, the collision emitting a small explosion.

When the smoke cleared, the Fire Dragon Slayer and the Sleepy Hollow leader stared eye to eye, unable to stop themselves from panting after an arduous struggle. For a time, in terms of battling with their individual abilities and combat prowesses, the two seemed evenly matched and were able to counter blow for blow. Stretching from the Fairy Tail guildhall to Kardia Cathedral, the ensuing brawl had taken a toll on their physical health. Natsu and Kaze were drained from dealing so many attacks, but they did not care right now. Both were fiercely determined to ensure the other falls, so that they would proceed to the next phase. Only one would emerge victorious, as per the rules of an epic duel.

"YOU'RE GOING DOWN!" Natsu and Kaze screamed in unison, rage and adrenaline fueling their voices. They surged forth and clashed in a mixture of massive blows and magical techniques. Between Natsu's Fire Dragon Slayer Magic and Kaze's transformable Soul Eater abilities, the two held each other at bay, resulting in an energy outburst that magnified itself in the cathedral. Happy could only sit back and watch the remainder of the fight, anxious of what was bound to happen next. A moment later, the two leapt at one another until their foreheads collided with a loud smack, unflinching at one skull bashing the other.

"Storm Ring!" Authorizing use of Lance Mode, Kaze pushed Natsu away with a leaping spiral attack. "Deadly Fireworks!" Quickly reverting her Soul Eaters to Revolver Mode, she bombarded him with a volley of energized bullets. "Zero Wave!" In Blade Mode, she added seven crescent-shaped projectiles to the combo. After a few Shadow Steps, she was about to deliver the final blow to the salmon-haired youth at his most vulnerable. "Wild Arca—"

Before Kaze could act, Natsu reared his arm and punched her chest. The cathedral was silent for a second, save for the booming thunder outside, until the powers of fire and dark shrouding both forms increased. Remarkably, the radiant flames triumphed over the darkness, burning away the fabric surrounding Kaze's body.

"Natsu..." Kaze's eyes went wide in shock. "You..."

"Do it now, Natsu!" Happy cheered.

"Gotcha now, Kaze!" Natsu smirked, the inferno getting hotter and more intense as his eyes shined a bright gold. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon Fists!" He devastated Kaze with a lightning-fast barrage of punches enhanced with Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, ending with a powerful uppercut that sent her flying back. The salmon-haired youth's instincts burned for battle as he let out a loud roar, accompanied by his increase in power, before he continued the onslaught with another barrage of Fire Dragon Fists. "You picked a fight with the wrong guild, lady! This is what happens when you mess with Fairy Tail!" The last punch was so powerful that it shook the entire cathedral, ripped apart the altar in an explosion, and caused the towers to break apart. To avoid being crushed under tons of rubble, Happy grabbed Natsu and hoisted him up with his wings. As they landed, they looked around the ruined architecture, and noticed a body at the altar. A badly bruised and thoroughly beaten Kaze Viriniam lay in a bed of debris, groaning in pain.

"Alright! You did it, Natsu!" Happy cried happily. "You just took down the leader of Sleepy Hollow!"

"Like I said, she picked the wrong fight," Natsu smiled proudly. "I can imagine the look on their faces when they see their boss fried to a crisp. Rescuing our friends is gonna be a piece of..." A flash of black lightning sparked from the altar. In an instant, the optimism came to a grinding halt. "...cake?"

"What's going on?" Happy wondered.

The hallway groaned, and was ominously wrapped in a blanket of darkness. The black lightning grew to such proportions, and added more black to the curtain. Natsu and Happy had their eyes fixed on the altar, cautious of whatever the downed leader of Sleepy Hollow had left up her sleeve.

Except that she wasn't down at all.

Natsu and Happy were horrified to discover that Kaze had regained consciousness, acting as if the Fire Dragon Slayer's attacks were nothing short of a bunch of bee stings. She advanced with a pitch black aura of dark magic engulfing her body, her eyes virtually glowing the same color. Her body was littered with countless bruises, and her clothes received a few tears, but thanks to the incredible power she channeled, the searing pain meant nothing to her. Each step she took was heavy and slow, prompting a small tremor to shake the earth beneath her.

"Uh-oh..." Happy shivered. "She's completely PO'd..."

"YOU DARE?!" Kaze roared, as thoughts of rage and a horrid desire to win inflamed her mind, the rest of the world disintegrating from her memory. Every time her anger increased, it provided an additional boost to the darkness swallowing her figure. Within seconds, the injuries were instantly mended.

"Yikes!" Happy exclaimed. "Her wounds healed super-fast!"

"How did she do that?" Natsu asked incredulously. "It looks so familiar, like Sherria's healing powers... Or it is Wendy's...?"

"Kill... you..." Kaze's body trembled with an all-consuming malice that backed her voice. "I'll... kill you... Kill you... Kill you..."

Natsu tried to move a muscle, but only forced himself on one knee. Realizing that he exhausted most of his Magic Energy during the battle, he banged a fist on the ground in frustration. Happy walked over to check on the salmon-haired boy's condition, "You okay, Natsu? Can you still fight?"

Natsu growled, "I can't. I've used up all my magic..."

Happy whined, "You gotta be kidding me!"

"Kill you... Kill you... Kill... Kill... Kill..."

Natsu yelled, "Get us outta here, Happy! She's gonna lose it!"

Happy spread his wings, "Aye!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill you! Kill you! KILL YOU! KILL YOU! KILL YOOOOOOOUUUU!"

Before either Natsu or Happy knew what was going on, the revitalized Kaze shot herself like a black cloud, sending the Fire Dragon Slayer flying backwards, the latter straddling his chest upon hitting the ground. Flames of pure darkness wrapped around each of her clenched fists, and she began slugging the defenseless Natsu in a fashion similar to the Fire Dragon Fists. Every punch was fast and explosive, and it drained the salmon-haired youth's health by the minute, even prompted a choke of blood from his mouth. Her emotions, her behavior, and her mind were all swallowed up by her own rage. She just dealt blow after blow, as if her own magic had stolen her humanity and regressed her to savagery. With each blow landed, the black lightning exploded in unison with the storm outside.

Tears were filling Happy's eyes as he witnessed Kaze beating his best friend to a bloody pulp. Utilizing his Max Speed ability, he flew to the rescue. "I'LL SAVE YOU, NATSU!" Unfortunately, he was socked in the face by Kaze's right hand clenched into a powerful darkness-fueled fist, the other wrapped around Natsu's neck. The blue Exceed was sent crashing against a pillar, the impact splitting it in two, before he slipped into unconsciousness.

"Happy...!" Natsu's terrified cry was drowned by his own chokehold.

Kaze's temper quickly picked up the darkness and caressed it, fed it, let it grow into an inferno.

It took the form of a dragon with eyes red as blood.

In his weakened state, Natsu took notice of this sudden spike of energy. His nose caught the scent, and all at once, a deep revelation dawned upon him.

"No way... Kaze, you're a—"

"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! KILL! KILL! KILL YOU!"

The aura of darkness, which had assumed the shape of the red-eyed dragon, popped into a storm of black thunder and infected the entire cathedral. The walls, the architecture, the hallway, were all smothered by the darkness. Natsu struggled to break Kaze's hold over him, just as she towered over him. He shielded his face with his arms, expecting the worst. She demolished him with another series of dark-powered punches, jabbing the face, and then the stomach. If slugging the Fire Dragon Slayer wasn't enough for her, she grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up. Kaze raised her free hand, which had been morphed into a claw of darkness. Her teeth gritted, her eyes flaming with rage, she drove her claw straight into Natsu's chest.

"AAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH! IT HURTS! AAAGGGHHH!"

The salmon-haired boy's scream was incomprehensible that it exceeded the sound of thunder, as he had been impaled all the way through. He could feel a powerful force reaching its tendrils to the deepest parts of his body, slithering all the way to the source. Kaze relished at the thought of destroying her enemies, never to rest until her foe had writhed before her. This could be the end. Natsu clenched his eyes shut, and he demanded his fear to subside. He remembered his friends, the ones who stood by his side, the ones he risked his life to save. Lucy, Happy, Wendy, Gray, Makarov, Macao, Romeo...

"No... I won't give up... I'll fight to the very end...!"

With a snarl of rage, Natsu seized the arm where it plunged the dark claw, fueled by an overwhelming desire to live for the sake of his Fairy Tail friends. Not paying attention to the heat of darkness burning his palms, he began to twist the arm with all his strength.

Then light.

The Fire Dragon Slayer glowed in a flash of crimson fire, a feral roar escaping his mouth. His body shone through the darkness, cutting a small fabric silhouetting the hallway. The light was growing. The darkness was torn. Kaze was blinded. Two hateful screams, the shining beacon, the radiant flame...

And finally, Kardia Cathedral detonated in a massive explosion, a cloud of flames swallowing the entire structure. Only when the inferno subsided did the building emerge, reduced to smoldering ruins.

Nothing remained, except for one body standing in the rubble, and another lying before the victor.


Guildhall

The Headless Horsemen couldn't believe their eyes. Even with their combined destructive powers, they were overwhelmed by Erza Scarlet's formidable Requip Magic. For someone with a reputation of an S-Class wizard, a fairy who danced her way through impossible odds, Titania somehow trumped over Sleepy Hollow's mightiest enforcers in a mere few minutes. Both sides sustained major injuries following the aftermath; the victorious side looked over the defeated with pride.

"Impossible...!" Wrecker groaned, bent on one knee amidst a pile of broken steel that once served as his armor. He grasped his humped wrist, shaking with fury. "The Headless Horsemen of Sleepy Hollow, beaten by a woman?! None has ever surpassed our unified strength just once! She even fought me in my Ashura Soul form and won!"

"Oh, how ironic fate can be!" Zeppelin laughed weakly, slouching between two slabs of rock. "I never imagined we would be playthings for this fine woman. This was a painful experience for us, but to me, it was fun. We are the ragdolls, and Titania is the little toddler who swings and breaks us into spare parts! Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee! This is thrilling! It's like we're the stars of a musical!"

"How can something this horrendous BE a musical?!" Diva whined, leaning against a nearby wall. "Erza packs a wallop! She defeated all of us at once, just to hog the spotlight for herself! She exhausted more than half of Wrecker's magic to de-power his Ashura Soul, disarmed your weapons, and tore down my supporting actors! Like cotton candy! COTTON CANDY, you hear me?! My Aeons never failed me! How could they fail me?! I'm the star of the show! And they call themselves my extras?!"

"Yes, that is unfortunate," Zeppelin nodded. "How surprising that Titania ripped us apart like sandpaper! But all of a sudden, there is one amongst us who walked it off like it was nothing... You see Silver?" He gestured to the side where the superhero-like Horsemen was facing Erza. "How convenient of our dear friend to have lasted long in battle with Erza. Does it have something to do with the noble spirit flowing through him? After all, it's one of the traits that earned him the title God of Victory. Another accolade in the collection. I think he deserves one for enduring the beauty of crimson, and another for splattering her head all over the walls... Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee..."

"Sometimes I question why you're a part of this team," Diva grumbled. "For all your random speeches about violence and death written all over them, you had to be the weirdest wizard we'd ever pair up with."

"Says the rookie fashion model who never made the cover of Sorcerer Weekly," Zeppelin teased.

"Shut up!" Diva snapped.

Dressed in her Infinity Robe Armor, Erza confronted the only Horseman standing before her. Despite the wounds inflicted by the wizard in armor, a powerful force in his body enabled Silver to shake away the pain, and he acted as though they were a nuisance. He started to take fascination in the crimson-haired woman, and his face brimmed not with shock at how strong she was like the other Horsemen were showing, but with interest.

Erza pointed her naginata at Silver and asked, "What do you hope to gain from capturing my comrades? Speak!"

Crossing his arms, Silver floated above the ground with his falcon wings. "You certainly have skill, Titania. I expect nothing less from the great Queen of the Fairies."

Erza replied, "You would be wise not to underestimate me. Every opponent has a weakness, and you are no different. People like you who boast of power easily fall in the end. And Silver..." She paused for a change in the subject, "It's interesting how you continued to put up a fight, unlike the other three. It felt as though..." Another pause, then she continued, "...you possess the same power as I."

Silver stated, "With mastery of these sacred abilities, I've sharpened myself into the ultimate weapon. All for the purpose of fighting opponents worthy of my strength! Many have tested their might against me. All have failed. Though I have removed all obstacles in my path, my thirst for battle is never satisfied. No other warrior has rivaled my invincible light of justice. With each passing moment, my thirst grows. I seek enemies equal in strength or beyond, and I have never found someone until now."

Erza questioned, "What do you want, Silver?"

Silver smirked, "I've waited a long time for this day. Erza Scarlet, you are the definition of a true warrior, a worthy opponent!" He pumped a fist in the air, "Our battle will be legendary!"

Erza gripped her spear, "You wish to fight me again? My apologies, but I'm going to make sure you won't succeed."

Silver chuckled, "We were destined to fight the moment this encounter took place. How I've longed to clash with the likes of you! Unfortunately, as much as I am looking forward to our duel, circumstances have changed. Your interference has merely postponed the inevitable. Therefore, I have little time to waste. The plan must be set in motion."

Erza asked, "What do you mean?"

Silver answered, "You asked us of our intention for capturing your comrades, correct? Very well, I'll tell you... Your guild is a collection of powerful hearts, and only a few among you are the key to completing the puzzle. It requires nine pure of heart and one bright of fire. Gather them together, and the puzzle is complete. It will reveal a door to the source of all knowledge, the heart of all worlds."

Erza wondered, "The heart of all worlds? Why do you seek such a power so desperately?"

Silver replied, "We are connected by a common purpose. We dreamed of paradise, power untold, our deepest wishes fulfilled..."

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! A loud explosion erupted outside, harmonizing with the storm looming over Magnolia. Everyone turned to the main entrance. From a distance, they could see Kardia Cathedral vaporized by a pillar of flame.

Diva cried out, "The church! It exploded!"

Zeppelin questioned, "More fireworks?"

Wrecker exclaimed, "Master Viriniam!"

Silver wondered, "Has the Master won?"

Erza theorized, "It came from Kardia Cathedral... Could it be Natsu? Did he escape somehow? Only he could cause a ruckus like that... Or did he? I have to get there fast!" With that, she sped out of the ruins of the guildhall and into the darkness of Magnolia.

Silver watched the crimson-haired woman fade against the black with a grin. The other Horsemen just stood there, baffled.


Kardia Cathedral Ruins

Kaze stood over the pile of rubble that was once the cathedral, trembling at the ecstasy of victory. At the same time, it was with utter disbelief. Her left hand was shaking even more so, as it was stained crimson red for her actions. The formidable power of darkness within her was a manifestation of her wrath, and by the time it took over, she was already lost. Kaze's rasping breaths were stolen by the wind, carrying the scent of a bittersweet aftermath. Every time Kaze looked at her bloodstained hand, she was reminded of the line she didn't mean to cross. She whispered, "Did I go... too far...?"

She stared down at Natsu Dragneel, whose body lay bare against the dirt. A pool of blood filled his chest, and air no longer filled his lungs. Happy was lying a few feet apart from Natsu, sustaining injuries less severe than the Fire Dragon Slayer's.

Kaze muttered, "I'm supposed to bring him alive. He's very important. He's the key. I didn't mean to kill him. Or did I? Did I kill him? On purpose... Did I do it? Did I... I... I..." As she struggled for words, she looked back at her trembling hand, left to dry from taking Natsu's blood. Her composure was breaking, and her face was a mixture of outrage and fear. "What is WRONG with me?!" She violently jiggled her left hand and rubbed it on her skirt, wiping off most of the stain. She held a clean hand close to her heart to stop herself from losing it. "Once again, the dark powers are taking advantage of me. I gotta stop overreacting. I gotta get it together. I gotta keep calm." Taking slow and steady breaths, she looked back at Natsu's body, "He's taken care of, at least..."

Kaze jumped from the small mountain of debris and walked over to Natsu. Before she could touch him, the sharp end of a naginata swiped at her. Anticipating this, she grabbed the edge of the spear, before kicking away the one holding it. The leader of Sleepy Hollow confronted a crimson-haired woman wearing a revealing kimono.

Erza declared, "Kaze Viriniam! I should've known you were behind this."

Kaze groaned, "What do you want, Strawberry Hair? Can't you see I'm taking a breather?"

Erza shot back, "I won't stop until my guild is safe from your hands." She paused for a shift in topic, "Back at the guildhall, I saw an explosion coming from Kardia Cathedral. A pillar of flame rose from it. Is Natsu behind this? Did you fight him?"

Kaze replied nonchalantly, "What if I did?" A nod of her head gestured the crimson-haired woman to look down.

Erza gasped in horror, taking two steps away from the scene of the crime. "Natsu!" The salmon-haired youth was lying on the ground, unconscious with a bleeding chest. It stunned her to see one of Fairy Tail's best, a true friend and comrade, in such a horrible state. Was Natsu dead? Or was he knocked out cold, left with a serious injury? Erza shook her head, refusing to believe her friend would fall, and turned to Kaze with outrage. "What have you done to him?!"

Kaze snarled, "I'm not in the mood to tell you. Get lost!"

Erza countered, "Never! I will not let you get away for committing such a travesty!" She took a fighting stance with her naginata, "All those who do harm upon any member of Fairy Tail will be dealt with accordingly. And as I am bound by this creed, I will end this chaos myself!"

That declaration seemed to push Kaze over the edge once more. And it worked. Her body sparked with darkness, and her eyes reverted back to venomous black.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Kaze flew forth with a fist of black flame and slugged Erza's face.

"Curse you!" Erza yelled, and she counterattacked with a naginata swipe that slashed Kaze's chest.

And thus, a new brawl took place in the ruins of Kardia Cathedral between one of Fairy Tail's prestigious S-Class wizards and the leader of Sleepy Hollow. In the same style as the previous battle, the two were matched in strength and physical endurance. Kaze didn't rely on her Soul Eaters for defense, for she was supported by the dark magic flowing through her. She easily shattered a fair amount of Erza's garments, but with each she wrecked, another took its place. Erza fought valiantly against Kaze's violent rampage, requipping from one armor to another as she tried to exploit her enemy's weakness. The destructive conflict between the fog of darkness and the sea of swords lasted for a few minutes.

Later, the two were almost at their limits. They stared at each other in exhaustion, vowing to end this fight as soon as possible. With an inhuman roar, Kaze charged with her dark fists and tried to inflict many hits, but all were ended up countered. Erza, in her Nakagami Armor, threw the Sleepy Hollow wizard against a large slab of rock. The slab popped in pieces of rock, only for Kaze to fly back and unleash an arc of black fire. The crimson-haired woman sliced through the stream with a single swing of her halberd. When Kaze charged with a dark punch, Erza countered with her halberd, the clash creating a shockwave that cancelled both attacks out. The two jumped away, and Kaze resorted to use her trusty Soul Eaters as an additional offense. They charged once more, the clash of twin blades and a mighty spear resounding in the violent storm. At the end, Erza knocked the Soul Eaters off Kaze's hands, but the Sleepy Hollow wizard retaliated with a body torpedo charge encased in an dark aura. Erza surged forth as well, enveloped in an aura of light.

The two wizards collided, dual forces of energy struggling to overcome one another. A furious clash of fists and blades ensued, until an ill-timed swipe from Erza was blocked by Kaze, who returned the favor with a vicious hook to the gut. Specks of blood flew out of Erza's mouth as she doubled over. Clenching both fists, Kaze unleashed a rapid-fire combination of dark punches that tore the Nakagami Armor down the middle and split the halberd in half. The last punch sent Erza crashing to the ground, and she was left to groan at the explosive firepower.

The crimson-haired woman was disabled, her Nakagami Armor destroyed. She couldn't move her body, as she had exhausted both her magic and her collection of armors. All she could do was cringe from the stump of her severe wounds. "What kind of person is she? She stood on her feet despite the damage I've inflicted... Even my Nakagami Starlight couldn't bring her down. It's almost as if she was fueled by drawing energy from an infinite source of magic..." At that moment, her eyes widened in surprise. "Wait! Could that really be it?!"

Kaze walked tauntingly in front of Erza, and knelt down with her legs on both sides of the chest. Her laugh was that of an insane person who had escaped an asylum. It was similar in tone to Zeppelin's laughter, but more sinister. She proceeded to thrash Erza with an onslaught of dark magic-powered fists, tearing her piece by piece. Soon, Kaze was tired after landing countless blows. She grabbed Erza's throat with both hands and squeezed it tightly, intent on ripping her head off.

"Now you die!" Kaze's maniacal laughter festered. The aura of darkness manifested into a dragon that sent its roar to the heavens, a sign of a reckoning upon the less fortunate.

"No... Not yet... I'm not finished..." Erza croaked, the air almost leaving her lungs. Although her armor was destroyed, the greatest defense was her connection with the Fairy Tail guild. True to her words, she would withstand any physical pain to protect her guildmates, even a magic that could take one life at an instant. The thought of her comrades steeled her resolve, gave her strength. She was bound by her obligation to fight to her last breath, to see it through to the very end. "I'll keep on fighting... For my guild... For my friends..."

It was at that exact moment when the wizard in armor glowed with a brilliant light. She transformed into a beacon that caused the repugnant darkness to dissolve. The image of the dark dragon screeched in agony, before it was felled by the scorching light. It wasn't long before the heat reached into Kaze's hands. Before noticing her fingers were put in the frying pan, she stared wide-eyed at this sudden new development. "Huh? What the—"

KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! With a mighty roar, an enormous pillar of light erupted from Erza's body; the blazing brightness caught Kaze in its folds, pushing her away with great force. At the same time, it seared her with an absolute torture, for the darkness had flowed around her skin, making it susceptible to light. Several parts of Kaze's body were marked by the scorching gleam, with her left arm taking the worst damage, rendered immobile and shaky. She grasped her disabled arm with a functioning hand, unable to stop herself from shrieking. Her bones were aching, as though someone had placed a curse and made them unable to move.

Only when the pillar of light had subsided did Erza lose consciousness. When her eyes returned to their normal color, Kaze stared at the crimson-haired woman's body. She recognized that form of light- it was the kind of light that even the slightest darkness couldn't touch. Although Kaze didn't fully understand how Erza managed to channel such a powerful force, it piqued her interest. If she was one of them, then the Alliance's master plan would progress smoothly and without delay. She got to her feet with one single arm, before fastening her fizzled other. The full extent of her injuries was starting to settle in, but she tried not to falter.

"Master Viriniam!" The Headless Horseman called out, as they entered the cathedral wreckage site, relieved that their young guild master was alive, albeit in a total mess.

Kaze wheezed, "Hey, you guys... What took you so long... Urk!"

Diva asked worriedly, "Master, are you alright?"

Silver breathed, "Incredible! She defeated Salamander and Titania single-handedly!"

Wrecker remarked, "Now I'm certain that Fairy Tail fodder is no match for our leader." He then laughed mockingly, "Those deluded fools! They cannot defeat the power of Sleepy Hollow!"

Zeppelin groaned, "Oh, great. There goes my entertainment. Now I have no one to play with."

Silver confirmed, "I suppose my long-awaited duel with Titania will have to wait."

Diva pointed out, "Master, you're badly injured. And..." Her eyes shifted to Natsu's bleeding chest, and a gasp escaped her mouth. "Jumping Gilgamesh! He's spraying tomatoes! We gotta do something! If he fizzles out—"

Kaze interrupted in an angered and exhausted tone, "Take those three..." She gestured to Natsu, Happy, and Erza's motionless bodies, "...and put them with the others. When we get back..." She began walking past the Horsemen, "...get Natsu patched up. I want him fully healed. And I want to have that red-haired lady studied."

Diva reached out her hand in concern. "Master, your arm!"

Kaze swatted it away in irritation, "Never mind me! Withdraw from Earth-land. Pick them up and prepare for take-off. I'll join you as soon as I can. Withdraw now! That's an order!" She cringed as she was forced to hold her left arm. "And get me an Elixir!"

Diva immediately complied, "Y-Yes, ma'am!"

And with that, Kaze and her henchmen made their exit from the cathedral, never noticing a tiny orb wrapped in flames floating in the sky, providing a small light through the dark clouds.

Later...

Sitting on the edge of a rooftop belonging to a desolate building, Kaze looked around the destroyed town of Magnolia, the town mixed in a shallow stupor of rubble and shadow. Not a single soul was found, especially the Sleepy Hollow agents who had departed with the captive Fairy Tail wizards. Still feeling the effects of her battles with Natsu and Erza, Kaze found it nearly impossible to move an inch of her immolated left arm. She looked down at a small, fashioned bottle of green liquid in her hand, fully aware of the side effects. "Just one drink of this Elixir, and I'm as healthy as a horse." Without hesitation, she removed the cork with a swipe of her fingers and downed the bottle's contents in one swallow. The magic coursed through every fiber of her being. In three seconds time, all her cuts, burns, and bruises were mended, and her left arm was able to function again.

Kaze breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied that the ordeal was over and done with. She was about to regroup with her guildmates, but she had something else in mind. She needed some time alone. Rather than revel in the success of the mission, she was pondering with her arms crossed, her head bowed. She felt her stomach flip at the memory, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Aside from Erza's radiation of pure light, she replayed the dreaded thought of being degraded into a primitive being by the dark magic she mastered. If she hadn't lost her cool, if she hadn't given in, Natsu wouldn't be left to bleed. Her heart demanded that the Fire Dragon Slayer was breathing after that little setback, and her mind did everything to keep that hope alive. The debate drove her to distress, and occasionally to frustration. She couldn't have gone too far...

Letting out a groan, Kaze rubbed her face, wiping a few specks of sweat from the surface. It wasn't enough to remove the feeling of incense, though. She remembered her early teachings, when she became one with the darkness and learned to control it, her early rise to prominence as head of a mercenary guild, and the price of losing her humanity. Again and again, she reminded herself to uphold that moral code.

Kaze sighed again, somewhat relaxed from being caught up in her mind for a short while. Now that the most difficult part was over, the rest was easy. Natsu and Erza would be valuable assets in the grand scheme of things. But once she returned to headquarters, she had to make sure that the pieces fit the puzzle correctly. She leaned back with her hands pressed against the rooftop, smiling to herself. For now, she was back to her cheery self. Until...

"Guys! Take a look at this!"

A voice snapped Kaze out of her leisure. She looked down to find a 12-year old girl, a 13-year old boy, and an Exceed walking along the darkened streets. Curious of their arrival to this devastated town, she widened her scope. Most of the attention was focused on the girl, her hair sparkling with the color of a blueberry. Kaze tried harder to expand her view, trying to get a hint on the young girl's adorable face.

For a drawn-out moment, Kaze felt dizzy upon seeing that face. The face of a child who entered the fray with two others to assess the damage done to Magnolia. A face so cuddly, so fair, so... nostalgic... That face... Those eyes... That soft tone of voice... Why did she have her face?

"Who are you? Do I know you from somewhere?" Kaze whispered, as if she was in a trance. It felt like she had no control over her will. An unknown desire festered, compelling her to meet this girl with dark blue hair, talk to her, learn a lot about her... For inexplicable reasons, that girl looked and sounded awfully familiar, like someone Kaze used to know in her past. She felt like a wandering zombie as she reached her hand, about to hop off the rooftop.

The trance was broken when the 12-year old girl and her friends grew alarmed at the presence of Shadows. Kaze never expected the Heartless to emerge in Magnolia when she intended to have a conversation with the little girl without any hostilities. Fortunately, the girl with dark blue hair was capable of holding her own, for she was also a wizard, a Dragon Slayer, just like Natsu. Curiosity and intrigue drawing her even closer, Kaze watched the young Dragon Slayer go into action.

From that point onward, she observed the chain of events unfolding: the group of three cutting through the swarm of Shadows on their way to the ruined Fairy Tail guildhall, their short-lived talk with Makarov Dreyar, their bodies diving into a sea of darkness...

The icing on the cake was a shining white light. When it cleared, the girl with dark blue hair emerged with a key-shaped sword fastened in her hand. Immediately, Kaze's interest was replaced with absolute shock.

"Could it be?!"


AFTER THE EVENTS IN EARTH-LAND...

"Hey, Blueberry! The party's about to start, and you're the V.I.P.! Don't miss it!" Kaze shouted her message to the sky with enthusiasm in her words. While Wendy Marvell, the chosen wielder of the Keyblade, would someday pose a potential threat to the Alliance of Evil, the "blueberry" was a source of personal entertainment and pleasure to Kaze. She simply couldn't wait to once again cross paths with the little girl she fought on the boat. Shortly before returning to the Alliance's base of operations, several Fairy Tail wizards somehow made their escape to other worlds, leaving Sleepy Hollow with no choice but to gather whatever was left. By a stroke of luck, Erza and Mirajane were counted among the collected. Natsu had been taken into the castle by the time they arrived, and was treated medically. If he had already died, the Alliance's master plan would fall into disarray, and they would have to start over. Collecting a Fire Dragon Slayer was an item on the list, but they still had a long way to go.

Sitting at the edge of the floating platform overseeing the Rising Falls, Kaze turned to see the Fairy Tail ensemble treated as slaves, pushed around by the Sleepy Hollow aggressors. When she spotted Erza from the crowd, her cheeriness turned to steel.

There was something she wanted to learn about the wizard in armor. A strand of red hair she picked up from Kardia Cathedral may serve as a clue. Once everyone was inside, she would begin her analysis.

After a few hours...

In her own private quarters, Kaze dropped a sample of Erza's hair in a small container. The second step of the experiment was to pour a liquid of darkness from a chemical. As she did, it filled the container, engulfing the strand of hair in black.

Suddenly, the color of the liquid turned yellow. The container popped like a bubble, breaking it into pieces.

Kaze was startled, but a confident smile crept onto her lips. Erza Scarlet was definitely the perfect pick.

"Six down, three to go."

And so...

In the castle dungeon, the Fairy Tail wizards tried furiously to shake the bars of their individual cells, but they refused to move. The metal was also outmoded by anti-magic material, preventing the usage of spells. Shouts of anger and resentment wormed their way throughout the dimly lit area, demanding their freedom. Erza and Mirajane, however, kept calm at this, as if they were formulating a plan of escape. Kaze entered with a squadron of Sleepy Hollow guards in tow, accompanied by holographic projections of the Headless Horsemen in four homing magic circles, since they were assigned to other worlds. They looked at the sight of Fiore's strongest guild lashing out from the confines of their cells.

"Settle down, everybody! Settle down!" Kaze cut them off with a loud and clear voice, making steady motions of her hands. The ruckus died down, and the Fairy Tail guildmates turned their anger on the ringleader behind the ambush. Clearing her throat, Kaze continued, "Sorry for the rough welcome, ladies and germs, but I don't want any of you to miss the party. You've all been invited to participate in the greatest festival the universe has ever seen! There's lots of food, lots of games, and the grand finale is coming up in a few days or so."

"Party?" Erza asked suspiciously. "If you wanted us so much, why haven't we resolved this differently?"

"We're simply trying to make sure the schedule goes as planned, that's all," Kaze replied casually. "We don't want to start the party without you. And we don't want to kick off late."

"You wrecked our guildhall and left us in a heap! If you wanted us to come to your party, you should've asked nicely, like a real man!" Elfman retorted, and a rush of booing from his fellow guildmates poured out.

"And even if it is, we're not coming to any party you're the host of," Lisanna stated. She paused to hear the overwhelming positive response.

"Oh, don't be so whinny, you second-rate actors!" Diva pouted. "Why don't you do us all a favor and admit it? You're in our hands, and now you'll have to do exactly as we say."

"And if we don't?" Cana gritted her teeth.

"We promise, you will be happy in our service. If not, well..." Zeppelin trailed off, before he went into a fit of maniacal laughter. The Fairy Tail wizards felt disgusted at that.

"Take it from Zeppelin, there's a logical explanation for all this," Kaze interjected. "My Sleepy Hollow guild is not the host of this show; our job was to give the invitations, but you're too rude to accept them! You had to come with us for the celebration, one way or another."

"The Sleepy Hollow bandits are a magical guild?" Mirajane blinked.

"Indeed we are," Zeppelin nodded. "Sleepy Hollow is a mercenary magical guild from Bosco with an impressive record. Over the years, we've plundered dozens of cities and villages around the world, usually for the highest bidder. We're an elite corps of bandits, assassins, and strategists of the highest order. At one time, we overthrew a large city with only three blind mice armed with plastic spoons!" He added with a demented giggle, "Oh, the look on the faces of those hapless citizens in Stella! A swimming pool of red, decorative bodies everywhere!" Again, the maniacal laughter.

"This is ludicrous, I tell ya!" Wakaba Mine exclaimed. "Sleepy Hollow, a dark guild workin' behind the scenes?"

"Hey, what he said about those guys toppling cities and stuff..." Nab Lasaro spoke up. "It's the definition of a dark guild's dirty work."

"That's insane!" Laki Olietta protested. "They've got a track record of making puddles out of cities!"

"Insane doesn't even begin to describe it," Diva rolled her eyes. "Swimming pools of red? Body decorations? This is completely loco!"

"You said it," Lisanna agreed. "It's totally scary."

"Diva, are you communicating with the prisoners?" Wrecker raised an eyebrow.

"Duh!" Kaze replied. "Somebody's gotta make a point!"

"Relax, guys. Nobody wants to start a riot," Kaze eased. "Besides, they're not our prisoners. They're our guests. It's our job to make them feel welcome here."

"Diva certainly knows how to make a point across, especially the Master," Silver remarked.

"How are we going to treat our guests? Should we whip them? Maim them? Bloody them? Your pick!" Zeppelin chortled.

"Shut up, Zeppelin," Diva muttered.

"Well, if you're a mercenary guild, then who is in charge?" Erza questioned. "Who hired you?"

"Our benefactor is a sorceress from the Enchanted Dominion named Maleficent," Silver explained. "She is building an army of warriors to conquer the universe. There are many dark guilds who joined the cause: Poacher Fang, Desert Cobra, Neptune Trident, Poker Face, Tamer Coat, Neon Insecticide, Scuttle Edge, and Rooster Metal."

"Two dark guilds, Lantern Viscera and Jester Jugular, were already destroyed by a rebellion instigated by slugs," Wrecker added with a smug grin. "We'll see to it that this puny resistance is squashed."

"There's a resistance? They're fighting against you?" Mirajane wondered. "Who is responsible?"

"It's a blueberry girl chosen by a mystical weapon called the Keyblade," Kaze answered. "Her name is Wendy Marvell."

"WENDY?!" Every Fairy Tail member exclaimed at the mention of the guild's cherished Sky Maiden.

"Wendy's alive?!" Cana screamed.

"I can't believe it!" Mirajane cried.

"She's fighting the bad guys? All by herself?" Lisanna questioned.

"She took down not one, but two dark guilds? Sweet!" Laki grinned.

"Wow, must've been a new record for our cuddly Sky Dragon Slayer," Wakaba remarked.

"She may be small, but she's one manly girl," Elfman admired.

"If she's out there fighting the dark guilds, then that means..." Nab realized.

"She's coming to save us! I'm so happy, I could dance!" Vijeeter Ecor cheered.

"Thank goodness... Wendy survived! She's safe!" Erza breathed.

All at once, the Fairy Tail wizards erupted in rapturous cheers, elated that one of their own was safe and coming to their rescue. Kaze couldn't help but smile, while the images of the Horsemen stared in confusion.

"I take it Blueberry's a member of your guild, too," Kaze guessed. "She's one adorable bomb of cuteness! You should've seen her in action, fighting tons of Heartless and taking down guild masters... I guess you could say I watched the whole thing."

"Well, that's good news," Cana smiled. "At least one of us is stepping up to play the game."

"Can't wait to see the look on your faces," Elfman smirked. "You're in for a manly rude awakening."

"Fairy Tail wizards never give up," Lisanna beamed. "Not by a long shot."

"We're so relieved that Wendy is safe out there," Erza confirmed. "Do you know where she is now?"

"Honestly, I have no idea," Kaze shrugged. "She's probably gathering an army of missing Fairy Tail wizards who stowed away to other worlds."

"Missing Fairy Tail wizards?" Mirajane gasped. "You mean there are others who made it out, too?"

"That's what I'm worried about," Kaze replied. "But save the friendly conversations for later. We gotta get things ready for the biggest party ever!" She then smiled proudly, "Like Silver said, Maleficent's building an army from a collection of dark guilds. We'll have a legion whose power makes the heavens look like a clubhouse! And we want you to lead it with us." She paused to let this sink in, "One of you."

"One of us?" Mirajane questioned. "What do you mean?"

"To lead the legion, we're gonna need someone with more than just mighty magic," Kaze explained. "We need someone with strategic genius, strong leadership, and a higher rank to boot. Short and sweet, it's S-Class!" Everyone didn't like the sound of that. She was referring to either Erza or Mirajane. "Now, who's it gonna be?" She randomly pointed her finger, "Eenie... Meenie... Miney..." Finally, she directed it towards the nearest cell. "You."

Elfman and Lisanna gasped when they noticed Kaze pointing her finger at Mirajane. The thought of seeing their older sister becoming a pawn for the Alliance of Evil was something undesirable.

Lisanna worried, "You're not gonna do something to Mira, are you?"

Elfman growled, "If you lay one finger on her..."

Ignoring the two, Kaze's attention was on the cell Mirajane was in. "You'd make the perfect commander for the Alliance of Evil's unstoppable army. What do you say, White Berry? You're in?" With a wide smile, she extended a hand between the bars. "Follow us, and you won't be disappointed. You will be rewarded."

Mirajane crossed her arms and looked Kaze straight in the eye. "Never."

Lisanna tried to back up her sister. "Mira would never work for people like you!"

Elfman beamed with pride. "That's right! You mess with her, you mess with all of us!"

Erza declared, "No matter how formidable your army is, we'll never be swayed by your false promises of power and control. You would be wise to heed this warning." She paused to twist her face into an unforgiving glare, "Making an enemy of Fairy Tail will be the worst mistake of your life."

The dungeon was once again immersed in cheers. No one made an attempt to stop them. Kaze was still smiling, as if she was respecting the Fairy Tail guild's obligation. Unfortunately, she wasn't going to buy that excuse. In a flash, she summoned one of her Soul Eaters in Revolver Mode, and fired a magical round at Mirajane. The bullet struck her chest faster than she had anticipated, before she crumpled into a heap. Lisanna squeezed her eyes shut and turned away, not wanting to look at her sister lying on the concrete. Elfman stared, his mouth agape, shaking with outrage. The other Fairy Tail wizards vibrated with the same feeling.

"Wrong answer..." Kaze snapped her fingers, signaling the Sleepy Hollow wizards at attention. "Bring her to Maleficent! The red-haired lady, too!"

Soon, the dungeon boiled with a new wave of malice and terror. The only thing the Fairy Tail guildmates could do was scream as they tried to break their cells with little success, desperate to save themselves. The guards opened Mirajane and Erza's cells, and were successful in retrieving the only prisoner unconscious.

However, five men were thrown like rag dolls before they could retrieve the other.

Dismay quickly melted into ecstasy, then excitement. The Fairy Tail members rejoiced as Erza valiantly repelled the Sleepy Hollow grunts who tried to restrain her. Guards began swarming into the dungeon, first one by one, then in pairs, then in droves. Anyone who confronted the crimson-haired woman was easily torn down. A full-scale uprising was at hand; it was a reprisal of the Tower of Heaven.

But it didn't last long. Kaze delivered a swift fist of black flame to Erza's chest, forcing her to reel back. Another batch of guards entered the fray and beat her to submission, some coming along with anti-magic chains. Her face was pressed against the floor, and her guildmates' chants gave way to screams. Through the crowd, she could see Sleepy Hollow wizards with their magical guns, and her comrades screaming in agony, and smoke, and particles...

"Everyone! I'm com—" Erza was cut off when the surrounding guards slapped her back with shock sticks, designed with the ability to drain a small portion of a wizard's magic. The shots kept firing.

"S-Stop...!" The crimson-haired woman could feel her Magic Energy slipping away, yet she still strived to put up a fight. She could see the line of Sleepy Hollow wizards, still shooting at the prisoners as a precautionary measure should they try to escape. The shock sticks kept landing. The shots kept firing. "I won't... let you..." Erza's arms were cuffed with anti-magic chains before she could requip. She could only watch helplessly as she was dragged away along with Mirajane out of the dungeon.

There was Lisanna, shrieking for help. Elfman, trying to endure the ecstatic pops. Cana, still clutching the bars of her cell. The screams. The pain. The howls. The sound of bullets and tormented yells mingled with Kaze's sinister chuckle, as she departed from the dungeon, leaving her minions to continue the torture. The magic circles projecting the Headless Horsemen switched off, and their presence was no longer found.

When the storm ended, every prisoner was reeling in agony, unable to take action.

Hours later...

When Mirajane's eyes opened, they were stung by a bright light shining directly on her face. She cringed and instantly tried to bring up her hands to cover her eyes, only to discover that they were shackled in place by metal cuffs, bound to a large table bent upwards. Her legs were also in the same state. Upon realizing the situation she was in, Mirajane knew she had no choice but to stay still. Her only option was to meet the one who sent the mercenaries to attack the Fairy Tail guildhall.

"Greetings, Mirajane Strauss..." The image of a horned witch entered Mirajane's vision, speaking in a calm and courteous manner. "The Fairy Tail guild is quite a glittering assemblage of wizards, as Kaze described it. The dregs of society coalesced into a band of warriors with bizarre powers, powers said to transcend the heavens. Such a feat I find most intriguing. You must forgive me for not giving you a proper welcome. I hope the accommodations are up for your taste."

"So you're the one behind all this!" Mirajane narrowed her eyes. "Why did you attack our guild? And how do you know my name?"

"Your friends are generous enough to disclose everything about you," Maleficent explained. "Mirajane, the fabled She-Devil, with the power to transform into all manner of frightening beast. You truly are an elite wizard. Perhaps you can be of some use to me."

"No!" Mirajane's voice was sharp, but the horned witch was not fazed. "I told you before, I'm not working for any of you. None of us will. My loyalty is with my guild, and I'll never desert them for anything you promise me."

"There is no need to be so hostile, my dear. In fact, you should be proud," Maleficent grinned. "You are moments away from becoming something more of your worth."

"What do you want with us?!" Mirajane gritted her teeth.

"How shall I explain this..." Maleficent rubbed her chin. "I'm simply gifting you with my knowledge. It will make you the most powerful wizard all worlds have ever known..." She paused to let her declaration take effect, "...and you will answer to no one but me." She motioned her fingers around the green orb adorning her staff, and in response, it glowed with a light brighter than its color. "I can see your heart. It belies an unshakable will, driven by utter devotion to your comrades, who you came to value as your family. But deep within the bowels of your body, there are souls of demons just waiting to be released. You merge with the demon's soul, and your body takes on a very horrifying appearance. A feat that truly fits the title of She-Devil. But with my help, you can be so much more..." A sickly green aura surrounded both the horned witch and Mirajane, who was feeling wheezy from the effects. "I shall take your mind, your consciousness, and mold you into a new obedient servant. In exchange for your servitude, I will grant your every wish. I will make your desires become reality..."

Through the grogginess, Mirajane's eyes widened in horror, as she understood what Maleficent was planning to do. Unwilling to accept that fate, she closed her eyes shut, bracing herself from the aura that consumed her completely. She remembered everyone in Fairy Tail, mostly her younger siblings. She didn't want to lose or forget any of them... She could feel the changes seeping in...

...Or did she?


AT PRESENT TIME...

The council of villains was silent as Mirajane entered the castle chapel. Her eyes, once a brilliant blue, were now a dulled fiery red, two dots that stained the beauty of her face. Maleficent grinned to herself, hoping to find a suitable use for the wizard who would become the commander of the Alliance's armies.

Mirajane looked over the group with emotionless eyes. She spoke up, her voice a quiet and timid murmur, "...Maleficent. You called for me?"

Maleficent replied, "Yes, dearest Mirajane. I trust you are armed with the knowledge I bestowed upon you? More importantly, are you ready for the trails ahead?"

Mirajane nodded, "Of course. You have shown me the truth. I am destined to be the leader of the most powerful army in existence. Today, I will fulfill my destiny. Today, I will follow the path set for me."

Kaze smirked, "You passed all the exams with flying colors. Congratulations, Mira! Now that you've graduated, you're ready for the big time. You're ready to take on the worlds. Are you pumped up? It's time for some fun and games. Just follow the rules, and you'll do fine, 'kay?"

Mirajane growled, her red eyes flashed violently at Kaze. "Let's make this clear, Kaze Viriniam. I'm not a pawn for anyone. I made the decision to help Maleficent because she made a promise. A promise that everyone in Fairy Tail is safe and secure. She'd never go back on her word."

Maleficent smiled, "Precisely. If you cooperate with me, I shall see to it that you are rewarded beyond comprehension. Rest assured, your guild— your family— is in good hands."

Mirajane stated, "My duty is to protect Fairy Tail. At all costs."

Satisfied, Maleficent strode past Mirajane and stopped behind her. "You would sacrifice your very life for the good of your guild, wouldn't you?" A nod answered her, and she took a few more steps to the left. "And you would destroy all those who threaten the safety of your guild?" Another nod. "Excellent." Mirajane's mental condition seemed to have taken effect. Maleficent knew deep inside that the innocent young lady was still in there, weeping and trying to escape this torturous hell. But that hell made it all the more pleasurable. The horned witch leaned over so that she could hiss in Mirajane's ear, "The one you call Wendy is a member of the same guild you belonged to, correct? She has in her possession a dangerous weapon. A weapon that could put your loved ones at risk. You're not going to let her keep it... are you?"

Mirajane gave no response. She remained cold, but no one ever noticed a twitch on the right side of her lips. Maleficent took the time to discuss a new topic, "In a few hours, you will accompany me to monitor that girl. In time, you will see where her loyalties truly lie."

Mirajane complied, "Understood. I'll be on my way now." With that, she turned for the exit and walked out of the chapel. The Alliance of Evil were in need of a commander who would keep the dark guilds in check, to supervise the creation of an army great enough to launch an assault on other worlds. Mirajane was selected to lead, and thanks to Maleficent's machinations, she had been brainwashed into a puppet bound to the will of the evil sorceress. The most disturbing part? She actually allowed herself to be a puppet. It was the price she was willing to pay for Fairy Tail's protection.

However...

Only when she was outside the chapel did her eyes revert back to their original color. She looked back at the entrance with a confident, playful smirk.

"I sure had them fooled!" Mirajane thought to herself. "Maleficent and the others didn't suspect that I pretended to be their pawn. That witch thought she had me under her spell, but she was wrong. My Take-Over Magic makes me immune to all kinds of hypnotism." She could barely stifle a giggle, as she walked a few feet away to make sure no one found out about her deception. "If Wendy's still out there, she may be our only hope. I'll just have to play along for now, and give my support when the time's right. It won't be long before we expose Maleficent for the villain she is... It's up to a Fairy Tail wizard like myself to set things right. This is it... Everyone's depending on me... It's all or nothing!"

The seeds of dissent planted by the renowned She-Devil of Fairy Tail were taking root. The secret rebellion within the Alliance of Evil was about to begin...


BACK IN THE DEEP JUNGLE...

Wendy, Donald, Goofy, Tarzan, Carla, Sherria, and the Connells gathered at the beachside to see the Porters make their long-awaited departure. Jane was wearing her favorite yellow dress, before joining her father for one last goodbye to the heroes who saved the jungle. It was fitting for Jane to wear the same dress Terkina snatched and donned as per a small role in yesterday's fiasco; this was the outfit she wore in her first encounter with Tarzan, and that it would be the outfit she would wear for her last. For Wendy and the others, however, this farewell was out of respect and gratitude.

Professor Porter smiled, "Words cannot express how much we appreciate everything you've done for us, our otherworldly friends. You made this expedition the best we've ever had. Thank you all so much!"

Wendy smiled back, "We're just doing our job, Professor. And we want to thank you, too, for bringing Asuka and her family back to us. They're members of Fairy Tail, and I can't imagine how life would be without them."

Goofy beamed, "Friends gotta stick together like glue. Keep ourselves sticky, and we're doin' fine."

Donald agreed, "Leave it to a group of professionals. We always have an eye for anyone in need of help."

Porter turned to Alzack and Bisca, "Well, Mr. and Mrs. Connell, it appears that your services are no longer required. Over the course of events, you've proven yourselves loyal friends and bodyguards, unlike that turncoat Mr. Clayton. Is there anything we can give you in return for your generosity and your assistance?"

Alzack chuckled, "No thanks. This adventure we've had, and reuniting with our guildmates, is reward enough for us."

Bisca stated, "We're goin' with Wendy and the others. I reckon the rest of the guys are waitin' for us in worlds different than this one."

Carla added, "Rest assured, Professor Porter, your gratitude is more than sufficient."

Porter chortled, "Oh, I see. Well, we wish you good luck on your search for the rest of your missing friends. A pity we cannot come with you to this outstanding interstellar trip of yours, because we have a life to return to, just as you have a quest to look forward to completing. I wonder how it will end?"

Carla shrugged, "We don't know where the journey will lead, but I know we'll see it through."

Wendy agreed, "That's right. We're not gonna stop until we find our Fairy Tail friends and King Mickey."

Jane spoke up, "Our home outside the jungle is a great place to live, but..." She trailed off, before she gestured to the jungle, not meeting Tarzan's eyes. "...it will seem so small compared to all this. Especially the other worlds you're about to visit."

Sherria stated, "I'm gonna miss this place. It's full of friendly animals and bigger sights."

Wendy asked, "Like the waterfall we saw on the cliff, right?"

Goofy offered, "Hey, maybe you can bring your Fairy Tail buddies for a tour in the Deep Jungle. They'd be so surprised!"

Donald reminded, "Just as long as you stay on your toes. And play it cool. You got that?"

Wendy accepted, "Sure!"

Donald affirmed, "Well, I'm glad everything's back to normal. We saved the gorillas and collected lots of gummi blocks. The least I like about this place are those hippos in the lagoon." He shuddered upon remembering that little accident when he tried to jump over the river. "I don't wanna go near 'em. They're big, scary, and pink."

Sherria smiled, "So is Cousin Sherry's messy hairdo when she wakes up in the morning, but hippos don't look that scary."

Donald argued, "Yes, they are! You saw that mama hippo trying to eat me!"

Sherria reasoned, "She's just trying to protect her babies."

Donald countered, "From me! They think I'm a baby stealer or something!"

Carla implied, "If you had jumped farther, you wouldn't have incurred that hippo's aggression. Or perhaps you wished you had wings like I have?"

Donald frowned, "Easy for you to say. If I had wings like yours, I wouldn't be near those scary animals. If it were up to me, I'd make a spell that'll make me grow my own wings."

Carla confirmed, "You may have a point. Wings grant you an increase in speed, and therefore give you an advantage in battle. Are you willing to take such a bold risk?"

Donald retorted, "Why not? I make it my job to work hard and do the impossible, or my name isn't Donald Duck." He then smirked at the white Exceed, "Hey, if I had wings, maybe I can fly faster than you!"

Carla laughed slyly, "This should be interesting. I'm looking forward to that."

Sherria exclaimed, "Wait, don't tell me you're going at it again!"

Goofy clarified, "Nope, it's a friendly competition. With friends like these, it's all fun and games. A-hyuck!"

Wendy giggled, "At least they agreed on something. Carla and Donald would make great friends."

Bisca smirked, "Well, would ya look at that? The cat and the duck are playin' nice."

Alzack confirmed, "I have a feeling they're getting along just fine."

Asuka beamed, "I like Mr. Duck! He's so funny!"

Wendy turned to face the Porters, "Well, guess we better get going."

Jane asked, "Where is your ship, anyway?"

Donald answered, "Uh... Not too far."

Porter hoped, "You'll come visit us sometime, won't you?"

Wendy nodded, "We'll be back. We promise. And next time, we'll bring the whole guild."

Donald suggested, "Sure. But don't make a habit out of it, okay?"

Tarzan looked at the Sky Maiden and gave a wide smile. "Wendy, Tarzan, friends."

Wendy felt warmth from the ape man's compliment. "Yes. We will always be friends."

Alzack smiled, "It's been a long trip, Tarzan. Thanks for everything."

Bisca added, "If it weren't for you, we never would've come this far."

Asuka grinned, "You're the best, Uncle Tarzan."

Tarzan replied, "Alzack and Bisca very brave. I'll never forget you."

Sherria encouraged, "Hey, good luck being king of the jungle. We'll see you around."

Porter interrupted, "Wait a moment!" Catching the group's attention, he reached for his pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a small chain with a token. The first link was a silver carabiner, while the rest was a strand of creeper vine. The token resembled a blue butterfly with orange wingtips, the same type of butterfly that covered the Deep Jungle's Keyhole. Porter threw the chain, and Wendy was quick to catch it in her palm. "It's something to remember us by. We want you to keep it."

Wendy peered at the chain, examining it from all sides and taking time to admire the intricate carvings. "Huh? It's some kind of keychain... Somebody must've put a lot of effort into making it."

Goofy glanced over at Wendy, sharing her gaze. "A-hyuck, you're right. The design sure is crafty." Just then, a thought occurred to him, "Hey, maybe you can use it for somethin'."

Wendy wondered, "How?"

Goofy recalled, "Last we checked, your Keyblade has a chain with an emblem of a fairy with a tail, right?"

Wendy answered, "You mean my guild's symbol? The Blue Mistral came to me at the night of the storm, when the Heartless appeared in Magnolia."

Goofy questioned, "Blue Mistral? That's the name of your Keyblade?"

Wendy nodded, "Uh-huh. I named it before Carla and I arrived on Tenrou Island."

Goofy commented, "You sure are good with names, Wendy. Cute, even!"

Wendy laughed slightly, "I guess so..."

Goofy suggested, "So if I'm right, how's about you remove that old keychain and attach the new one?"

Not wanting to argue, Wendy summoned the Blue Mistral into her hands and examined it carefully. There, attached to the top of the handle, was the keychain that bore the Fairy Tail emblem. The Sky Dragon Slayer unclasped the old keychain and replaced it with the new. Satisfied with her work, she lifted the Keyblade and turned back to Goofy. "I guess that when you're right, you're right."

"Uh, Wendy?" Donald stammered. "Don't look now, but... I think there's more to this keychain thing!"

"Huh?" Wendy grew confused. "What—"

All of a sudden, the Keyblade began to glow and tremble in Wendy's grasp. Everyone gazed in alarm as the whole of the key-shaped sword underwent a mysterious transformation. When the gleam surrounding the blade vanished, it was taking on an entirely different appearance. The design appeared to be composed of wood and other materials from nature. Its handle was orange and surrounded by a circular tan guard with two spikes near its top. The guard was almost entirely covered by a dark purple material wrapped around it. The shaft was very thin, tan, and long, to the point that the Keyblade had reached a few inches above its original length. Its teeth were made of five blunt spikes separated by the same dark purple material from the guard. "WHOOOOAAAA!" The group was utterly surprised at the Keyblade's recent design.

"The Keyblade... It's changed!" Wendy breathed. "It's taken on a different look!"

"How interesting," Carla rubbed her chin. "Every time you switch a keychain, the Keyblade itself takes on a new appearance."

"That's fantastic!" Donald marveled. "The Keyblade just gets better-looking every time!"

"And you're the chosen one," Goofy added. "We're lucky to have someone like you to figure this whole thing out!"

"So if I change keychains, so does the Keyblade?" Wendy wondered. "Never thought about that before..."

"Keychains are magical pieces of equipment that modify the appearance and abilities of the Keyblade."

"That voice again!" Wendy paused upon recognizing the mysterious voice that guided her in the past. "It's telling me something about that keychain... What is it?"

"When a Keychain is installed, the Keyblade takes on a different form. It also adds a powerful effect to the weapon's strength. The new Keychain in your possession extends the length of your Keyblade. It now has a long reach, but critical blows are seldom."

"Does it have a Command Style?" Wendy asked. She wasn't talking to anyone in particular, but the voice ringing in her head.

"Yes, and each form of the Keyblade has its own Command Style. Activate it in this form, and the Keyblade's power will make the earth tremble. Whatever that power is, you'll need to discover it on your own."

"Can I still use my Blue Mistral Keyblade?" Wendy questioned.

"Yes, of course. The Keychains are yours to use as you wish. Transform the Keyblade into whatever design suits you. Oh, and here's a piece of advice: the enemies you face each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Study them carefully, and figure out which form is best. Use different strengths to exploit your enemies to the utmost."

"I'll keep that in mind," Wendy smiled. "Thank you."

"Good luck, Wendy. And remember... you are the one who will open the door."

"The door? Wait a minute!" Before Wendy could ask another question, the mysterious voice was no longer heard inside her mind. "What door?"

"Huh?" Donald took notice of the Sky Dragon Slayer's predicament. "Wendy, what's wrong?"

"Um..." Wendy hesitated at first. "There's this voice in my head, telling me something about the Keychains. If it put it on, the Keyblade takes on a new form. And each form has its own Command Style. I think..."

"You know the answer because of a voice in your head?" Donald raised his eyebrow. "Maybe you need a nap."

"No thanks, I'm good." Wendy shook her head. She then focused on the modified Keyblade in her hand, "It looked like it's made out of something from the jungle. I think I'm gonna call this one... Jungle King."

"Jungle King?" Goofy wondered. "Where'd you come up with that name?"

"It fits the new look," Wendy explained. "I named it after Tarzan."

"Because he's the king of the jungle, right?" Donald guessed.

"You could say that," Wendy admitted.

"He may indeed be the king of the jungle because of his strength and boundless courage," Carla pointed out.

"Not to mention his sweet reflexes. Tarzan's the best," Sherria added, to which the ape man's only response was a blush.

"Another cute name for your Keyblade," Goofy remarked. "You're a smart gal, Wendy!"

"This Keychain could come in handy for later," Wendy confirmed. She pocketed the Blue Mistral Keychain just in case she had a need for it, before turning to Jane and her father. "It's time for us to go. We'll never forget you guys." She then faced the ape man, "You too, Tarzan."

"I'll miss you, Wendy," Tarzan nodded, before turning to face Jane. This was his only opportunity to see her off. He always wanted a mate to share the rest of his life with, and Jane was the obvious choice. As much as he wanted to come with her, he had to stay true to his devotion to protect the gorilla troop. Jane felt the same way; although she made her decision to leave, she was still caught in the gap. They both knew they would never see each other again.

"Miss Porter!" The captain called out from the rowboat, still needing to keep a tight schedule.

"I know, I'm coming," Jane struggled over her words. She turned back to Tarzan, letting out a sharp sigh and looking him in the eyes. "Well, I suppose we should say goodbye." She held out her hand to him.

Tarzan glanced at the hand and extended his own to hers. Rather than a shake or a tight squeeze for departure, their fingers went upright together. It was very symbolic to both, but mysterious to others. It was no mystery for those two since it symbolized their very first meeting, thought it was destined to be.

"Goodbye," Tarzan uttered, his voice laced with heartbreak.

And just like that, Jane's emotions were getting the better of her. Fighting back her tears, she couldn't find it in herself to talk back. She hastily raced to the boat with her father onboard, and the captain rowed the wooden vessel away from the beach and towards the large ship.

Professor Porter waved to Wendy and company, "Goodbye, Tarzan! Farewell, Miss Marvell! Good luck, everyone!" He then sat across from his daughter, letting out a regretful sigh, "Oh, I'm going to miss those people."

Asuka waved back, "Bye, Professor Porter! Bye, Jane! I'll miss you!"

Alzack called out, "Take care of yourselves, alright?"

Bisca cheered, "See ya soon!"

Sherria sighed, "I guess it can't be helped. There's no going back now. She made her choice."

Carla affirmed, "It must've been difficult, but I believe it's for the best."

Wendy questioned, "Was it? Jane thought she made the right decision, but... I don't think she's sure."

At the rowboat, Jane glanced at her palm, which had been caressed by Tarzan's touch. Her heart longed to feel the smoothness of his skin against hers one last time, but thoughts suggested that she had to move on and forget about life in the wild. She put one of her gloves on when Professor Porter placed his hand on hers, interrupting her train of thought. He sympathized, "Jane, dear, I can't help feeling that you should stay."

Jane's voice cracked, "Daddy, please don't. We've been through all this. I couldn't possibly... I... I belong in civilized society with you and people and... Ah!"

The wind suddenly snatched her other glove and sent it flying onto the shore. Jane leaned over to see that Tarzan had bent down to pick up the only remainder of the time they spent together in the Deep Jungle.

Porter responded, "Perhaps, but where does your heart belong? You love him, didn't you?" Jane froze as the question sunk in. Her father was willing to support this decision, even if it meant leaving behind the only life she ever knew. He just wanted his daughter to be happy. "Go on."

That was the finality. With a heartfelt smile, Jane leaned over to share a comforting hug with her father. She dove into the water and swam her way back to shore, effectively undoing her hair from the bun it was in. Despite her heavy yellow dress stained with soak that slowed her down, Jane paddled through the waves as fast as she could. After all her troubles, she discovered her greatest desire to stay with the jungle man she fell in love with. The consequences never mattered; she was just following her heart.

In stunned silence, Wendy and her friends watched Jane returning to the beachside. The Sky Maiden was the first to speak her reaction, "She's doing it... She's actually doing it!"

Goofy cried happily, "She's comin' back! She wants to stay with Tarzan!"

Sherria sobbed emotionally, "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! THEY'RE IN LOVE!"

Goofy yelled out, "C'MON, JANE! RUN FREE! RUN WILD! RUN LIKE THE WIND!"

Sherria encouraged, "FOLLOW YOUR HEART! BE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE!"

Wendy couldn't express words on how she felt for Jane's feelings with Tarzan. A single tear trailed down her cheek, and her voice came in a soft whisper. "You're doing it..."

In the end, Jane tackled Tarzan into the water and squeezed him in a passionate embrace. Wendy, Goofy, Sherria, and Asuka cheered with joy, while Carla, Donald, Alzack, and Bisca simply smiled. Jane couldn't stop herself from laughing, so she forcefully pressed her lips against the ape man's, though she quickly pulled away, embarrassed by her actions. On the other hand, Tarzan was both surprised and happy about her decision. With that, he gave her back the glove that flew out of her grasp. "Oh, thank you," Jane accepted. "Thanks for getting my glove. Thank you..." Tarzan then pulled her into a kiss, now confirming his suspicions about having a mate. Unfortunately for them, in a very awkward twist, Wendy and company were watching them kiss and make out, much to their amusement. They couldn't help but laugh to themselves.

Of course, they weren't the only ones watching. They never expected the entire gorilla troop to emerge from the trees and join the audience. Terkina witnessed the kiss with a sly grin on her face, while Kerchak shook his head with a sigh. Jane chuckled, as Tarzan helped her up.

Bisca quipped, "So much for privacy, but what the heck? Those two are perfect for each other."

Alzack commented, "Two people from two different worlds on the same roof."

Sherria dried her tears, "I'm so proud of them. They're meant to be together."

Goofy sniffled, "Ain't that the prettiest thing you've ever seen?"

Asuka cheered, "Tarzan and Jane are together!"

Watching from the boat, Professor Porter was also deciding to stay as well, realizing that he wanted to spend a lifetime with the gorillas as much as his daughter. He chuckled to himself, "What am I doing?" He turned towards the ship's captain with a request, "Captain, tell them you never found us, eh? After all, people get lost in the jungle every day! Toodle-pip!" With that, he unfastened his tie and made a splash. The captain blinked in confusion. These passengers were so strange.

Back on the beach, Kala approached Jane with a warm smile, silently approving of the human's sweet nature. She gently grabbed Jane's hand, leading her to the family of gorillas, each member greeting her with excited hoots. Kerchak just stood still, sensing the potential within the young woman who would become Tarzan's mate. Wendy asked Jane, "Why did you come back? Don't you want to go home?"

Jane turned back with a smile, "This is my home now. I said before that my homeland will seem so small compared to all this, and I meant it. This is the kind of world I want to live in. For the first time in my life, I'm going to live free, to be more than what I was born for. And I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Carla grinned, "I have a feeling that you would do the right thing."

Sherria stated, "You just gotta follow your heart. In the name of love."

Goofy smiled, "Welcome to your new home, Jane. You deserve it."

Before Tarzan could speak to the gorilla family on Jane's behalf, the latter stopped him, preferring to give the answer in the only way they knew how- in their language. "Ooh-ooh-ee-ah-ooh."

The gorilla troop cheered loudly in the presence of their hero and his new lover.

Bisca whooped, "Yee-haw! It's official! Jane's a part of the family!"

Alzack stated, "The way Fairy Tail welcomes any new member."

Carla agreed, "Indeed."

Sherria cheered, "Good luck out there, Jane!"

Goofy encouraged, "Enjoy your freedom!"

Donald beamed, "We'll see you soon!"

"Wait!" The celebration was cut short by Wendy's alerting voice. She approached Tarzan, her eyes suggesting one final request before she and the others would board the Gummi Ship. "Before we go, there's something I wanna ask you."

"Hm?" Tarzan tilted his head in curiosity.

Wendy leaned in and explained something to Tarzan in a whisper. As soon as he understood what it meant, he whispered back to her ear. Soon, the Sky Dragon Slayer faced the gorilla troop and delivered a message so that they would remember her. She cleared her throat and uttered something for posterity:

"Ee-ooh-ah-ah-ooo."

Another wild cheer welcomed the Sky Maiden's declaration in gorilla language. Praise was showered on the compassionate dark blue-haired stranger who joined forces with Tarzan to repel the invasion of the Heartless. Wendy smiled in gratitude for their positive response. In the midst of this respite, a small bunch of gorillas trotted over to give pats and hugs as a sign of friendship. Wendy laughed when she felt the tickles attacking her body. "H-H-Hey, that tickles! No, stop! S-S-Stop! I... I..." Her words were drowned out by her continuous laughter, and everyone joined in.

However, this wasn't a good sign for Donald. He gasped when he saw Terkina, Flynt, and Mungo staring at him with playful smiles, and his fear of being ridiculed in front of Daisy was starting to kick in. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" With a horrified scream, he scurried across the beach, with the three young gorillas giving chase.

Sherria asked, "Hey, about that word Wendy said in gorilla... What does it mean?"

Carla guessed, "I suppose it translates to 'Tarzan and Wendy are friends.' She wanted to remind the gorillas of her friendship with Tarzan."

Alzack chuckled, "She is one of a kind, isn't she?"

Bisca grinned, "Always lookin' on the bright side of things."

Goofy stated, "She sure does."

Asuka jumped excitedly, "Yay! Fluffy monkeys!"

For a moment, the beach was a party where civilization and nature prospered in harmony. All that existed was the gorilla troop and their protector, the group of eight from other worlds, two souls starting their new lives in the wild, and sweet bliss.

In the meantime, the Gummi Ship was completely restored. Once the celebration was over and farewells were made, Goofy would teleport the group back to the vessel, with Alzack, Bisca, and Asuka inducted as the party's newest members.


Gummi Ship Engine Lounge

The hot steaming plates of pasta, topped with a rich tomato sauce, were a welcoming meal for the Connells after their long adventure in the Deep Jungle. Sherria served Alzack, Bisca, Asuka, and then herself. Bisca spoke her reaction, "Okay, we knew you're a God Slayer for Lamia Scale and all, but we had no idea you're a cook as well."

Sherria explained, "God Slayer Magic isn't the only thing I'm good at, you know. There's arts and crafts, dancing, making music, and the list goes on. Cousin Sherry showed me the ropes on how to make a meal, and I did a great job at it."

Alzack chuckled, "No kidding what they said about you being a young prodigy. You're a natural."

Sherria giggled, "I know, right? Anyway, lunch is served! Nana Blendy's secret recipe pasta is the best! It's sure to load your tummies for lasting so long in the great outdoors. Hope you like it."

Alzack and Bisca took a bite out of a mixture of pasta strings wrapped in their forks, while giving Asuka a small batch. They savored the taste of the red sauce immersing the food, and Sherria eagerly expected the results.

Alzack acknowledged, "This is really good!"

Bisca commented, "You sure know how to make a decent meal."

Asuka beamed, "Yummy! Can I have some more?"

Sherria grinned, "Well, what are we all sitting around here for? We can't go find the rest of your guildmates on an empty stomach. Let's dig in!"

The four sat on the same sofa, indulging themselves in Nana Blendy's special pasta. The feast soon gave way to a conversation, with news and gossip and jokes being passed around. All the while, the Gummi Ship breached from the Deep Jungle's atmosphere and stretched out into the cosmos on a endless search for the next world.

Gummi Ship Cockpit

Donald and Goofy steered the Gummi Ship from the comfort of their respective seats, while keeping a lookout on any world within the sea of stars. From the middle seat, Wendy had slipped into a train of thought with Carla secured in her arms, her mind wandering over everything that transpired. Three dark guilds were destroyed, Wrecker and Clayton's attempt at stealing the gorillas had failed, and two Keyholes were sealed. Speaking of, two unfamiliar gummi blocks popped out of those two glowing holes; one in Wonderland and the other in the Deep Jungle. Wendy thought out loud, "The gummi block that came out of that glowing keyhole... It's just like the one we found in Wonderland."

Carla speculated, "These two pieces are quite different than the other designs. What do you think they could be used for?"

Donald shrugged, "I have no idea. We haven't seen anything like that before."

Wendy asked, "Did you ask Chip and Dale about it?"

Goofy responded, "We did. We sent a picture of those weird gummi blocks, and they gave a reply sayin' they're not familiar with 'em. They don't even know what they're used for."

Donald questioned, "They don't know everything about gummi blocks? I thought they're the experts."

Carla pointed out, "There are some mysteries never meant to be solved by conventional means. Since Chip and Dale cannot find the answer, we'll have to find it someplace else."

Goofy beamed with an idea, "Hey, we should go visit some other expert in gummi blocks. That fella could be in anywhere in other worlds."

Wendy suggested, "Maybe Leon knows. He helped us before. He's the reason we were brought together and started this whole adventure. If we can ask him..."

Donald confirmed, "Hmm... Good point. Back to Traverse town, then?"

It was unanimous. Donald pulled at the steering wheel, making a sharp turn to start the journey back to Traverse Town. An excited grin suddenly crossed Wendy's face, as she began unfastening her seatbelt. Having freed herself, she stood up and walked over to the control panel. Wendy requested, "If it's alright with you, can I pilot the ship?"

Donald quacked, "WAK! What did you say? Pilot the ship?"

Wendy cried eagerly, "I wanna be pilot!"

Donald protested, "You must be joking! The Gummi Ship is a delicate piece of work. Only the best know how to fly this thing. Do you really wanna do that? Are you serious?"

Wendy reasoned, "Ever since you asked me to come with you, I felt like I was given a role to play. Come on, there are other things I can do besides fighting, too!" She then gave a pleading look at Donald, "So, Donald, can you teach me to ride the Gummi Ship? Please?" The duck hesitated at first, so she folded her hands, begging some more. "Pretty please? You can do this, right? I'm the Keyblade master! You're supposed to help me! Pleeeeeeeease?"

Donald stammered, "Well, uh, yeah, but..." As much as he wanted to refuse Wendy's plea, he couldn't find a way because it was backed up by her cuteness. The Sky Maiden's adorable face was impossible for most to ignore, and seeing that he had no other choice in the matter, he eventually complied. Donald chuckled with a blush, "I guess I can't refuse an adorable little girl. Okay, I'll show you the ropes."

Wendy cheered, "Hooray! Thank you so much, Donald! You won't regret this!" She rushed over and gave Donald a warm hug from behind the co-pilot's seat, prompting a sigh from his beak.

Goofy beamed, "It sure is excitin' to have three pilots instead of two!"

Carla stated, "Wendy's imaginative mind has done wonders. It often leads to greater results."

Donald offered, "Here, I'll hand you the controls so you can give it a test run. I'll show you how it works."

Wendy nodded happily, "Okay!"

However, before the Sky Dragon Slayer could begin her first lesson in piloting the ship, Sherria stormed into the cockpit with an ecstatic expression that matched Wendy's. "I wanna be pilot!"

Wendy gasped, "Sherria! You, too?!"

Sherria asked politely, "Can I ride this thing? Just this once? I haven't gotten used to the controls since we landed."

Donald snapped, "Oh, no, you don't! After what happened last time? Forget it!"

Sherria pleaded, "Come on! Please? Pretty please with a sugar on top?"

Donald refused, "No way, no how! I'm not letting a crazy girl like you run this ship!"

Sherria whined, "Oh, come on! I'm Wendy's best friend!"

Donald argued, "I don't care if you're the queen of cheese; I still won't let you drive!"

"Yes, you will!"

"No, I won't!"

"Yes, you will!"

"No, I won't!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"No!"

"Don't pull that old trick on me!"

"No, I wasn't!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

As the argument escalated, Wendy, Goofy, and Carla sighed heavily in unison. "Here we go again..."

This could go on for a while.


Author's Note:
Phew, glad that's over! The Deep Jungle arc is finally finished, and it's back to Traverse Town! The group is about to unravel a new mystery and make new discoveries, especially with Maleficent and Kaze plotting in the works. Also, the big surprise was revealed; Erza was a Princess of Heart, and Mirajane was going undercover. Oh, the irony of plot twists... I'm a sucker for plot twists! Oh, well - that's my style.

We're in the middle of the story - the big moment when Wendy and company will reunite with more Fairy Tail friends. One will make an appearance in the second Traverse Town visit. I'm not gonna spoil; this is gonna be interesting. Also, I hope you all enjoyed the epic battle between Natsu and Kaze.

I'm out for now! This is TheSavageMan100, signing out. Give me more love and support, guys. Until next time!