"I can make your wildest dream come true, child. Let's talk."
- The Mysterious Voice

A/N: If you're enjoying the story so far, please consider writing a review!


Johannes ran. The boy didn't where he was going, but anywhere was better than his "home", with the monster. It was drinking again, and that never led to anything good. Usually, Jack just locked himself in his room and hid underneath the bed, but sometimes the monster would catch him before he had a chance to hide. The young Bolton remembered everything. Every drunken rampage, every beating, and every reminder that he killed his mother, which was something the monster brought up at every given opportunity.

She died in childbirth, but apparently, that didn't matter. Every time Jack's father looked at him, all he saw was the thing that murdered his wife. The boy prayed for the pain to stop. He prayed hard, every day for years, but no one seemed to listen. God turned his back on him. No. It was more likely God didn't exist in the first place.

There was no other logical possibility.

Today was Jack's birthday, he just turned seven. However, instead of being greeted with cheers and affection, he was regarded with disgust.

"Do you remember, Johannes? Do you? This is the day where you killed your fucking mama."

Those horrible words played back in his head over and over, he would never forget them. Tears and drops of blood ran down his cheeks as the young child sprinted through the dark. It was dangerous to be running around at night, you could easily be killed around these parts, but Jack wondered if that was what he wanted.

The monster used a knife this time, slashing him right across the face. It hurt, it hurt badly, but the cut was nothing in comparison to the painful fact that he would never be loved, or even accepted, by anyone. At first, Johannes felt sadness, anguish even, but lately he's been experiencing other emotions, something the usually gentle boy never felt until now.

Anger.

Savage, inhuman anger that was unheard of from a child his age. Why? Why was this happening to him alone? All the other children grew up in happy families with loving parents, so why not him? It wasn't fair. None of it was fair.

The name "Johannes" meant "unbridled joy" in old Antegrien, but that was just another cruel joke. Joy didn't exist within him. Only hate. Jack would return home one day, and he would end him. Slowly. Painfully. The boy already killed one parent, so why not complete the set? But for now, he would keep running. Keep moving forward.

"Johannnnnnessssss…"

Words echoed off the trees, causing the terrified Bolton to stop dead in his tracks. "Who's there?!" He turned around frantically, trying to pinpoint the source of that strange voice, but found nothing. All that could be heard was howling wind and the chirping of crickets, but then it spoke again.

"There's no need to be afraid, Johannes, I'm a friend. Everyone enjoys the company of friends, do they not?"

Jack shivered and grit his teeth. "H-How do you know my name? Where are you?" A soft chuckle reverberated throughout the trail.

"Young man, I know a soul in distress when I see one. Your heart bleeds, and those lovely blue eyes of yours are just screaming for help. That's why I'm here you see, to help."

The voice was feminine and quite pleasant to the ear. In fact, he never heard anything quite like it. This was probably some kind of magic.

"Help? What kind of help?"

"Oh, I'm simply going to steer you on the right path, little one, and as a gesture of goodwill…"

A crimson glow enveloped the gash on his cheek, causing Jack to yelp in surprise. As the light faded, he was astonished to feel no pain. The boy brought a hand to his face, only to discover that the wound had vanished into thin air. Something healed him.

"W-What are you?"

The moon shone brightly in the dark as that alluring voice continued.

"That's a very complicated question, Johannes. Some may call me the earth, some might say God, or perhaps the universe. I exist everywhere. I see all, hear all. To you, however, I'm nothing more than a friend. What say you, friend?"

Jack felt as if he'd been paralyzed as his pupils turned from blue to a dark shade of red.

He saw it, the life he desired above all else. Everyone loved, respected, and worshipped him. He saw himself swimming in riches, surrounded by family and admirers, but that wasn't even the best part.

Johannes saw his father, lying dead at his feet in a river of blood.

His fantasy subsided, and the boy found himself back in the forest, panting heavily in a mixture of confusion and excitement.

"Well? Did you enjoy what you saw? I can make your wildest dream come true, child. Let's talk."

So enthralled by what the mysterious voice had shown him, Jack couldn't possibly resist.

"-ton. Mr. Bolton? Helllllloooo?" The man's eyes widened as he was brought back to reality.

"Huh? W-What? What is it?"

Mirajane giggled as the four of them left the dig site. Despite acting so tough all the time, Johannes seemed quite easy to startle. "How's the wound? It's not getting worse, is it?" He forced himself not to snicker at the barmaid's concern. "Please. Sitting through one of my secretary's lectures is more painful than this."

Those dark blue eyes narrowed. "Now, what's your end goal here, Strauss?" Elfman and Lisanna huffed disapprovingly at his tone but chose not to comment. The oligarch was clearly still bitter from losing their bet from earlier. Mira just tilted her head cutely and smiled back at him. "My end goal, Jack-Jack?" His nostrils flared. Bolton didn't know why that nickname pissed him off so much. He'd been called much worse in the past, so why did Jack-Jack hit such a nerve?

"Yeah, your end goal. I don't understand. Why do you care if I make it to the clinic or not? No one goes out of their way to help someone they hate without certain assurances. So what're you really after? Jewels? Publicity? A peek at my sexy pecs? What?"

Mira's cheery expression faltered. Any form of dislike she felt for the man evaporated, only to be replaced with pity. He must have grown up in a world where everyone fended for themselves, and truthfully, that depressed her. Johannes probably spent a lengthy amount of time by himself, how else could someone develop such a cynical mindset? She was lucky enough to have a brother and sister that loved her very much, but Jack, he wasn't as fortunate.

"I never said I hated you, and I don't have any other motive. Being kind feels good, Mr. Bolton, maybe you should try it?" The oligarch sneered. What nonsense. "Stick to modeling, barmaid. You wouldn't make it as an executive. The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man." She shot him a coy look. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not a man then. After you visit the medical office, we'll be on our way."

Elfman grunted as he was forced to listen in on their conversation. It almost sounded like flirting.

"Why're we still following this guy, sis? Bolton can make it there on his own. Let's get the reward money from that Burnside guy and head back to Magnolia." She wagged a finger at him. "And leave him to the springtails? The queen's gone, but there could still be some stragglers hanging around town. We don't want our future king becoming a midday snack now, do we?"

Johannes blinked. Maybe this wasn't a scam. Maybe this Mirajane chick was telling the truth. She appeared to be a lovely girl, with both a beautiful smile and a heart of gold. Black Jack suddenly felt an emotion that he didn't feel in a very long time. Guilt. The oligarch used her to provoke Salamander at the Grand Banquet last night, in a way that crossed a line. It was petty, stupid, and unnecessary.

This young woman didn't deserve that, she wasn't just a toy for him to discard. Wow, he felt like a douche, but why? Bolton had done far worse things in the past to further his financial and political agendas, so why did this leave such a bad taste in his mouth?

Without thinking too much about it, Jack did the unexpected.

"I'm sorry."

All three siblings turned towards him in utter silence. "For what happened at the Banquet, I apologize. What I said to Salamander, Titania, Makarov, I didn't mean any of it. Not a word. We don't have to be pals or anything, but can we pretend that none of that ever happened?"

Elfman let out a surly grunt of disapproval, and Lisanna just stood there, unsure what to think of the situation. Their big sister, however, beamed at Jack's sudden change in attitude.

"Why thank you, Johannes. Apology accepted. I'm sure Natsu and Erza will be thrilled to hear it."

Well, that was easy.

"But if you ever touch me like that again, I'll break your hand."

Bolton opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out. No snappy comeback, nothing. Mira wouldn't really do that to him, would she? Her voice was sickeningly sweet, which concerned him more than anything else. Back when she was going on jobs for Fairy Tail, Mirajane Strauss, a.k.a. the Demon, was feared by criminals and commoners alike. Apparently, the woman hadn't lost her charm. S-Class wizards were freaking mental, regardless of how pretty they looked.

Maybe she was bluffing, maybe not. It sure as hell didn't sound like a joke, so Johannes made a note never to pull a stunt like that again, just in case.

The four continued their walk in silence. It was midday by then, and Mira could see the sun shining brightly in the distance above Oak Town's main square. Protecting the city from monsters felt good, but it felt even better watching that nervous expression come and go on Jack's face.

She hoped the oligarch learned something here today, that Fairy Tail wizards weren't the disappointments he made them out to be. At worst, this would just strengthen Jack's resolve to crush them, but at best, his staff would think twice before messing with their guild in the future. Macao told them of his visits and the promises he made to rid them of Twilight Ogre. What would things be like now if they accepted his aid? The Take Over mage grimaced just thinking about it.

How much more debt would have been racked up? How violent would Johannes have been in getting his money back?

Mirajane never met a man like Jack Bolton before. Billionaires don't usually take such a crude, hands-on approach when dealing with problems. It was… interesting, to say the least. The girl's curiosity got the better of her, and she struck up a conversation as they made their way into town.

"So, where are you from, Jack-Jack? That's not a Fioren accent you have there." Bolton inhaled sharply. He didn't like reminiscing about his past, but the barmaid seemed easy to talk to. There wasn't really any harm in it.

"Ah, sharp you are. I wasn't born here in Ishgar, or anywhere else on Earth Land. I'm from Antegria, across the sea."

The United States of Antegria, the land of promise, freedom, and liberty. She always wanted to visit, but never found the time. The mention of Jack's homeland caught Lisanna's attention. "Really? That's cool! They don't have kings or queens there, right? What's it like over there?" Johannes just shrugged dismissively. "Well, we do basically the same thing you guys do, just with more booze in the mix. Oh, and guns. Can't forget the guns." Elfman turned towards him with a questioning look. "What, they don't have steel mills where you come from? Why'd you set up shop in Fiore?"

Another shrug. "There was nothing for me in the U.S. No opportunity, nothing. They're obsessed with liberty and the Antegrien Dream, you know, with a wife and kids. It used to mean something, but look where it led them."

Bolton put a hand over his chest wound. "I moved here, got the first mining job I could find, and started my own company. That's the short version, at least. I'm Fioren now, and that's all that matters."

Mira vaguely remembered Levy talking about the States once or twice. That's where Bisca and Alzack were from. How could an immigrant come here with nothing and rise to the top in such little time? Johannes was sharp, much sharper than he looked.

"You must think I'd be a shit king, but just you wait. I'll make this backwater country better than it ever was. Just you wait."

Mirajane hummed in acknowledgment. She was sure Princess Hisui would steer him away from any careless decisions.

"WOW, IS THAT THE NOTORIOUS BLACK JACK?! SO COOOOOOOOL!"

A loud, high-pitched yell caught the attention of everyone within a ten-mile radius.

"Oh, fuck no. Not again!"

The oligarch tried to hide, but it was no use. A yellow blur zipped across the street like a child on crack, causing nearby townspeople to stare quizzically in their direction. "Mr. Bolton! Jason here from Sorcery Weekly! It's been a while since we've had an interview! Word on the street is that you threw down with Natsu the Salamander back in Crocus! Fans are eager to know your thoughts on the subject!"

Lisanna and Elfman cringed, but the barmaid just giggled as Bolton put on the most uncomfortable-looking smile she'd ever seen. Mirajane didn't expect Jason to be here, someone must have tipped him off. The reporter pulled out a pen and notepad, eagerly waiting for a response as he bounced up and down in excitement.

"Oh, that was just a friendly sparring match between wizards. I wanted to see a Dragon Slayer in action, that's all. Friendly competition is what Black Jack's all about."

This wasn't the first time Bolton was harassed by the journalist. "God, I would do fucking anything to get out of this." Jason nodded furiously as he scribbled some words down. "And what are you doing in Oak Town with the great Take Over Siblings? You had some beef with Fairy Tail in the past, is this meeting strictly business," he looked at Mira and then back at Johannes with a teasing smirk, "or pleasure?"

The man wanted to bring out his revolver and fill his guts with lead.

Aside from Ichiya, this vulture was the most irritating prick he ever had the displeasure of meeting. What, did it look like he was taking the barmaid out on a date? Now that's a headline Toma didn't have to see. "Business, as always. Listen, pal, these brave souls just risked their lives for my men, so you're going to make Fairy Tail look good in your next article, and you're going to mention how we took down a springtail queen. Let me tell you all about it."

The blonde man just pumped his fist hysterically in the air. "SPRINGTAILS?! COOOOL! How many were there? Ms. Mira, will your guild be entering the Grand Magic Games next year? Jack, what caused that wound on your chest? And what are your thoughts on Antegria's political climate? GOD, THIS IS AMAZING!"

While Johannes did his best to answer the reporter's ridiculous questions, he didn't notice the tiny figure coming up behind him.

His attention was caught by a small yet insistent tug on the back of his shirt. Confused, he turned around and was met with the shy expression of a timid little girl, who really couldn't have been any older than six.

"H-Hi…"

Mirajane and Lisanna thought their hearts were going to melt. She was just the cutest thing!

Wait, this ankle-biter looked familiar. Yes, Jack remembered. She was the child he rescued from the monster that came out of the sewage system. "My name's Hailey. You saved me and my mama from the springtail! I just wanted to… I just…" The kid's mother, who was watching from nearby, gently urged her to continue. "Go on, Hailey. I'm sure Mr. Bolton won't bite."

Mustering up her courage, the girl wrapped her tiny arms around Jack in a hug, looking up at him with a pair of adorable, beady eyes. "Thank you for saving us!" Bolton chuckled as the mother gave him a look of gratitude. He ruffled Hailey's wavy brown hair and knelt down to her level. "Well, I didn't do much. Your mom's the one who saved the day, kiddo. Always remember that she was there to protect you. Don't ever forget about her, because she's going to need your help one day. Can you do that for me, Hailey?"

After a nod and another quick hug, the girl skipped off happily to rejoin her mother. "Wow, you're a man of the people! COOOOL!" Mira shot Jason an irritated look for ruining the moment. "Can I get some pictures of you all together? I can see the headlines now: Unlikely Heroes Unite!" Before any of the siblings had a chance to respond, Johannes pounced on the opportunity like a ravenous lion.

"Course you can! I don't know if you can get this big lug smiling though. He's a surly fella."

Elfman huffed. They all lined up and let the reporter do his thing. Mirajane assumed that this would be beneficial to the oligarch. The public would see this rich guy out in the fray, getting dirty, and helping people, which was everything a commoner would want in his king. Reluctantly, she played along. Bolton was glad the springtail queen split his chest open, him looking injured was just icing on the cake.

Jack casually threw an arm around Mira's shoulder as Jason took another photo. He really hoped Natsu and the rest of the boys from Fairy Tail read Sorcery Weekly. This should piss 'em off real good.


"Wrong. Footwork."

The boy yelped as he was knocked back to the ground for what must have been the eighth time that day, his wooden practice sword rattled against the stone flooring next to him as he exhaled deeply in frustration. Looking up, all he saw was a pair of unimpressed green eyes. "Pirates and elves don't reward incompetence with mercy. An admiral should never stay down for long. Get back to your feet."

Gripping the hilt of his weapon, Baylon angrily did as he was told and turned to face his instructor, positioning himself in what he believed was an optimal fighting stance.

"Now attack."

The novice lunged, but he was no match for his opponent's superior speed. Seeing a clear opening, the man effortlessly swept him off his feet once more. Lord Rainfall leaned down condescendingly, pressing the tip of his own training blade into the young lad's chest. "Never grimace, you're giving yourself away. If I can knock you over with a stick, how will you fare against a cutlass?"

Baylon felt small pinned beneath Arlon's piercing gaze, as many others have, he simply couldn't help it. The lord's emerald irises practically gleamed with cruelty, and now he had the displeasure of being on the receiving end of a death glare, or worse, a lecture. "That wasn't my best effort! I can-" The sword tip was pressed deeper into his tunic, silencing him.

"Beggars and children fabricate excuses," Arlon's grip tightened, "you are a Rainfall."

There was no response. After letting those words sink in, the Lord Admiral motioned for him to stand. "I thought we were practicing water magic today. Do we really have to keep relearning the basics? You insist that I'm not ready, but I've never felt more prepared in my entire life!"

Rainfall sighed internally. Baylon was strong for his age, but unfortunately, he's fallen victim to one of the deadliest sins known to man. Arrogance.

"How can I trust you to control magic if you can't control yourself? Rage has overcome you, I can see it in your face. Tell me, little cousin, is this how you intend to rule our lands? Is this the driving force behind all your decisions? Emotion?"

Again, there was no answer. Arlon's powerful voice reverberated throughout the sparring hall as he patiently waited for a response, which of course never came.

"Hm. Thought so. Boys are sent off to war at your age, and yet you've never seen a battle. If you're so confident in your skills, I'll bring Lucilia in here. Last two minutes, and then we can discuss magic." Baylon gulped and shuddered. He could barely handle being in the same room with that woman, let alone fight her. Getting his ass kicked by a girl would be just a bit too much for his pride to handle.

"You know what, cousin Arlon, I think your right. My swordplay still needs work in some areas." Nodding in amused approval, the man discarded his practice sword on a nearby table. "Good. After you master the cutlass, you'll move on to the pistol. Study hard, Baylon, I'm expecting results when next we meet."

The younger Rainfall grimaced as he rubbed a sore spot on his arm. "Is this what all the high lords go through at my age? Beatings? This isn't teaching me anything about how to rule."

"Oh really? And what do you think it means," he took a menacing step forward, "to rule?"

Realizing that he fell out of line, Baylon immediately regretted that questioning statement.

"Forgive me, Lord Arlon, I-"

"No, don't apologize, answer the question. What does it mean to rule? What is a leader's single most important quality?"

The Admiralty has fended off pirates, kings, and other undesirables countless times throughout the centuries. Blood and steel won the Cobalt Sea. They ruled the waves with an iron fist and washed away anyone foolish enough to oppose them. What makes a good leader? Considering their family's history, Baylon thought the answer was obvious.

"Strength. Sailor's Hill needs a strong ruler to protect our people and legacy."

Lord Rainfall said nothing and gave no indication that his guess was right or wrong, building up suspense until he finally gave a reply. "Strength." The man slowly walked towards him until they were only a few feet apart. "Yes. In a way, you're correct. A good leader must always remain strong." Arlon slowly began pacing back and forth in front of him, a clear sign that he was in for an earful.

"Precht Gaebolg was strong. Not to mention ambitious. So strong in fact that Mavis Vermillion named him the Second Master of Fairy Tail. Following his defection, he founded Grimoire Heart, and transformed it into one of the most powerful guilds in history." Rainfall stopped to lock eyes with his student. "His obsession for strength and power led him to the shores of Tenrou. This "strong" leader died there, killed by the very thing he wasted his whole life pursuing. Is that the kind of mindset you wish to emulate?"

Baylon did his best to look sincere while he answered.

"No."

The lord hummed.

"Well, go on, what's your second guess?"

Fine, warriors didn't necessarily make good rulers. The boy should have seen that trap coming from a mile away. Cousin Arlon was firm but fair. He was just and only made decisions that would better the lives of his subjects. Fairness… impartiality… yes, he knew the answer now.

"Justice."

Rainfall let out an ahhh in acknowledgment.

"Of course. A good leader must be just. Marcellus Washington was just. He won the Antegrien Revolution and established a thriving republic. His people prospered in agriculture, science, medicine, and yet they didn't thrive for long. All men were equal in this war hero's eyes, and to him, that meant they were all equally dangerous. He grew paranoid, descended into madness, and saw adversaries at every turn. Thousands of suspected enemies were hunted, trialed, and murdered. Washington was the final victim of the terror he created." Lord Rainfall paused and looked down on him.

"Was that just of him, Baylon? To oppress the freedom and liberty he worked oh so hard to protect?"

Baylon was speechless. His older cousin was playing chess while he was stuck playing checkers. It didn't matter what the boy said, Arlon would never be satisfied.

"No."

"No. Of course not."

The eerie silence that followed signaled Baylon to give his question another go. Brute force wasn't the answer, nor was a black-and-white feeling towards justice. Precht and Washington only seemed interested in furthering their own goals. Power bred selfishness, which would eventually lead to complete and utter destruction. His subjects, his people, were what truly mattered. They were what Baylon was supposed to protect.

Gathering up some courage, the young Rainfall looked him in the eye and gave his final answer.

"Benevolence."

An unreadable look passed Arlon's face. That was what truly terrified those who met him, no one ever knew what he was thinking. However, the boy could tell he hit a nerve. There was a fire in those emerald irises that Baylon hasn't seen for a very long time. Seconds passed, and the boy wondered if his older cousin was dead, but then finally, he spoke.

"Benevolence? Yes. An admirable trait in any leader."

The lord started pacing yet again.

"Your uncle, Ryhard, was benevolent. Everyone supported his ascension from the Stormwall to Rose Garden. He fought with the navy, drank with the commoners, and even danced with the court ladies. That's how he proposed to my mother, through a song and dance. She used to sing it to me every night when I was a child."

Suddenly, that controlled expression twisted.

"But above all else, Ryhard was a fool."

A twinge of sadness shot through Baylon's veins. Uncle Ryhard made some mistakes throughout his reign, but to hear the son that he loved more than anything curse his name… it was just wrong.

"Let the elves in he said, and that's exactly what they did. Just take a look around you. Banditry has reached record rates, and now that terrorist whore, Rayne Clover, is killing our soldiers as we speak. Brave men, good men, slaughtered. The rats that call themselves 'defenders of freedom' loot our granaries, burn our ships, and rape our women. All of this chaos, all of this death, is his doing. The elves don't deserve to breathe the same air as we do, walk on the same ground as we walk. They don't deserve to live."

Arlon took a brief moment to compose himself.

"So, we have a guildmaster who believed the lies he told himself, a misguided president who terrorized those he governed, and a man who thought that kindness and leadership went hand in hand. What do they all lack?"

Baylon shrugged his shoulders in perplexity. "Common sense?" Lord Rainfall just sighed. "You'll understand when you're older. If the tides turn for the worse and I bear no children, you will be expected to take my place. Until then, you will train. You will get stronger. A storm is brewing, and a new king will soon hold power in Crocus."

Arlon surprised the boy by putting his hand on his cheek. "Aside from two unruly sisters and a few scheming advisors, you're all I have. Johannes Bolton will help usher in a new age for the Admiralty. I need you. Your people need you. Do you understand, Baylon?"

Furrowing his brows and putting on a brave face, Baylon replied with the tenacity of a raging sea serpent.

"Yes, Lord Admiral. I do."


"Bandages aren't manly!"

"Up yours, Elfman."

After answering Jason's stupid questions and getting patched up at the clinic, Jack was ready to head on home. The wound wasn't nearly as serious as it looked, and the doctor bandaged his chest area with practiced ease. The businessman always hated hospitals. Back when he was working in the mines, injuries were an everyday occurrence. The atmosphere was just so… depressing.

"I hope you'll think twice before running off on one of your adventures, Mr. Bolton. Don't remove the bandages until a full week has passed, and no drinking." The blonde woman that treated him was young for a doctor, and Johannes couldn't help but notice how attractive she looked in her lab coat. That pissy attitude was annoying, but at least he had a pleasant view.

"Call me Jack, sugar lips. Give me another check-up and I'll do anything you want."

Mirajane scowled from her seat on the other side of the room.

"Johannes! She just stitched you up and that's how you behave?"

The oligarch just chuckled and shot the barmaid a cocky look. "C'mon, Luv, it was only a joke." Doctor Belle watched on curiously as the pair locked gazes. What kind of relationship did those two have? "Well, the injury is far from fatal. It looks like we're done here." She smiled at him. "You're a very lucky man to have someone like her in your life. I hope you keep that lovely girlfriend of yours safe, Mr. Bolton."

Both Jack and Mira spluttered.

"Girlfriend?!"

Elfman looked utterly disgusted, and Lisanna just laughed. Johannes quickly hopped off the examination table in evident surprise. "Look, doc, the two of us hardly know each other. We're no couple." The albino nodded frantically in support of his claim. Much to their frustration, the medical worker didn't seem convinced. "Really? My apologies. The amount of concern she showed for your health was… misleading."

"I'm sure it was. See you around, doc."

A fuming Bolton marched out of the clinic, followed by a blushing Mirajane and her two siblings. Belle smirked as she waved them goodbye. To her, it was obvious the pair were more than friends.

The walk back to the train station was awkward, to say the least. They avoided eye contact and barely uttered a word. Lisanna found it cute, this was like a scene from a romance novel. There's a famous Antegrien fairy tale that Levy was always reading in their younger years, Beauty and the Beast. The girl wondered if Jack kept a magic rose hidden somewhere in his attic. Deciding to break the silence, Elfman gruffly began another conversation.

"Burnside's money will keep us afloat for a while, sis. We can take a couple of weeks off and help you around the guildhall." His dark eyes suddenly lit up in realization. "Hey, that reminds me, Bolton, when do plan on swinging by? A real man sticks to his word. We're moving to a brand new building, you just have to see it." The oligarch snorted as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, yeah, I didn't forget. I'll be sure to grace you with my presence soon enough. Although, I'm not sure your pet dragon will be thrilled to see me."

"Stop referring to Natsu as our pet, Jack. He's our friend."

Brushing off Mirajane's indignant claim, Johannes just kept walking. Oak Town Station was certainly livelier now than it was during their arrival. Travelers and tourists alike could be seen stepping on and off the trains as they prepared to depart. There were so many people here, talking, laughing, it disturbed his sensitive eardrums, which only served to darken his mood.

Bolton arrived just in time to catch the next train back to New Everton, but he wasn't looking forward to the ride. There was only so much transportation one man could take.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye, Jack-Jack. I hope we meet again soon!" Bolton didn't want to admit it, but he was kind of bummed that they were splitting up. This woman, she was different, she was fun to be around, and now she was leaving. Oh, well. Marrying the Princess of Fiore should fill the void in his chest.

"I'm counting on it. Stay safe, barmaid."

With a casual wave of his hand, Johannes stepped on the train without looking back, allowing the doors to close behind him with a resounding thud. Lisanna bumped her older sister lightly with an elbow as they took a seat on a nearby bench. "So what do you think, Mira? Think he's boyfriend material?" The model just rolled her eyes and smiled. "Well, I'm not sure Lisanna." She put a finger to her chin in mock consideration. "He doesn't seem all that bad. Maybe I should invite him over to our house, make him some dinner, and see where the evening takes us. He is handsome, after all."

Elfman looked as if he was about to blow a gasket.

"HELL NO!"

The sisters just laughed at their brother's gullible nature as they waited for the next train to arrive, eager to rejoin their guildmates in Magnolia.


Whistling carelessly, Johannes seated himself in the most deserted cart he could find. He looked to his left, and then to his right, not a soul could be seen. Perfect. He didn't want anyone to witness him in his nauseous state. Motion sickness was the fucking worst. Plopping himself down in a seat at the very back, Bolton closed his eyes as the train started moving.

Sleep was usually the best way to get through these long, miserable voyages. He was already starting to feel his stomach turn. "Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep…" Through some miracle, the man felt himself drifting out of consciousness. "Go to sleep. Go to… sleep. G-Go… to…"

Blackness overcame his vision, and all sound faded into the background.

"…sleep."

Johannes almost never remembered his dreams. He didn't really know why, he just didn't. The man saw nothing when he blew out the candle at night, nothing but darkness. Ever since his adoptive mother found him lost in the woods all those years ago, this is what Bolton had grown accustomed to. It was comforting, in a way, to know what you can expect. Nightmares were non-existent here. No monsters, no tragedies, just peace and quiet.

Of course, there was the odd time that they popped in, disturbing his slumber.

"Johannes."

Unfortunately, this seemed like one of those times.

"I know you can hear us, Johannes. Answer me."

"Oh, it's been too long, sweetheart. Shame I don't have any bone marrow you can suck on. Come in, make yourselves comfortable."

"Insolent whelp! The Blood Queen has grown tired of your antics! You-"

"Let me just stop you riiiiight there, you ice cold bitch. I'm right where Draclana needs me. So skip your petty bullshit and tell me what needs to be done."

"He's so impatient. I love it! Forget the Hisui girl, Master Bolton, run away with me! I'll give you all that you could want and more…"

"Listen, you're not my type. None of you are. Now talk."

"You were never one to mince words, Bolton. Even after all of these years you still have no respect for your elders. My, what would your mother think?"

"She would pat me on the back and say what a fucking awesome son she has. Look, I did everything you told me, and nothing's changed. Draclana still rots in a cage, and frankly, the three of you have been doing FUCK ALL!"

"Temper, temper. Do you think we've just been knitting by the fire while you slithered about? Be patient, the Blood Queen's return is just around the corner. In the meantime, we have a small task for you. If you can handle it, of course."

"I'm the world's greatest Dragon Slayer, not an errand boy."

"More like the greatest imbecile! You're not the only one with dragon blood in his veins! There are seven others just like you. They are the key, Johannes! The key to our salvation, the key to Draclana's freedom! You will hunt them done and bring them to us!"

"Oh, you make it sound so fucking simple. One of them's in jail! It'll take forever to bust him out!"

"Darling, we don't need all of him. A drop of blood is all we require. Seven blood samples from seven Dragon Slayers. This is nothing compared to what you've accomplished in the past. You have no choice. This is the only way you can see your mother again."

Salamander was a Slayer, so was "Black Steel" Gajeel, and there was that little blue-haired girl, Wendy Marvell. This wasn't going to be fun, this wasn't going to be easy, but the witch was right, he didn't have a choice. Johannes would do this for her, his beloved Draclana, no one else mattered. Magnolia was the most obvious place to start on this little scavenger hunt, Fairy Tail was just crawling with dragons.

"Fine. I'll get the blood, but if I find out your lying, or hiding something from me, I'll hunt you down and feed you to my fucking dogs."

"Duly noted. Sleep tight, Johannes. Sleep. Tight."

The voices faded, leaving Jack to seethe in the darkness.

Alone.

Just like always.