Hoping to take a break from their lives, the gang was driving into farm country in a place called Briar. The sun was going down and they were all looking forward to what they had to offer.
"Erza, it's really cool of your aunt and uncle to invite us for Briar's annual festival." Gray said.
"What's this festival for?" Lucy asked.
"It's Briar's annual Harvest Festival." Erza said. "It's around the time where most of the crops grow and everyone tries to sell them. It's actually one of the biggest events of this town. Happens at this time every year. It will also be great to see my aunt and uncle again. It's been a long time since I've been up here."
"So, it's basically just a flea market?" Natsu said as he and Happy didn't really seemed that excited about it.
"Don't worry. There will be lots of food, cute little stands, and some games to play." Erza said as they pulled up to a house near a cornfield. "It's going to be lots of fun. We'll have a great time." She said as they all climbed out of the van.
"Freeze, hooligans!" All of them got spooked when they saw angry towns people with pitchforks and everything. A woman with red hair and a farmer with a hat over his brown hair and glasses spotted Erza and knew her.
"Erza! Oh my goodness! We're so sorry!" The woman said.
"It's okay, everyone. It's just our niece and her friends." The man said.
"Aunt Jessie? Uncle Ben? What's going on?" Erza questioned.
"We're sorry, honey. We've been getting a lot of visitors from out of town lately." Jessie said as everyone else cleared out. "Some of them are troublemakers, and everyone is a little on edge." While they were talking, someone is in the cornfield and spying on them. "Let's all just move inside and we'll explain everything." All of them went inside their home with the mysterious figure moving away. Erza and the others made themselves comfortable as they had a look around the house.
"Erza, you remember your Cousin Mike, right?" Ben said as a guy about their age came over with brown hair, red shirt, and jeans.
"Mike! It's been a long time!" Erza said as she hugged her cousin.
"It really has, Erza. You look great." Mike said. "So does she." He said as he looked right at Lucy.
"So, what was all that about earlier? You said you've been getting a lot of visitors from out of town." Lucy said.
"Yes, we have. It's our biggest turnout for our annual Harvest Festival this year." Jessie said. "Of course, there've been some teenagers causing some trouble and everything. The townsfolk are just little on edge with everything that's going on."
"How come you have so many people this year?" Gray said.
"Well, if you want to know the truth, they're all hoping to get a look at The Phantom." Ben said.
"Phantom?!" The gang said. Just a mere mention of it gave Happy a spook as he jumped right on Natsu and Natsu flinching from the nails digging in.
"What's this about a phantom?" Erza said.
"It happened about fifty years ago." Ben said. "Down at our town theater, there was an actor named Richard Brooks. He thought he was the most gifted actor in the entire town. One day, Richard got cut from a part in a play where he was suppose to play the part of a phantom. He did not take it well, especially when he thought the town didn't seem to care."
"Sadly, there was an accident and Richard got caught in it." Jessie said. "He swore that one day he would return as the role he should have had. He would also have revenge on the town for ignoring his greatness."
"Actors. They can be such devas." Gray said.
"An actor returning from the grave? That is a way to get in a crowd." Natsu said.
"It's just a silly story, Pinky." Mike said like he was saying Natsu is dopy. "Of course, I be happy to show you around and protect you." He said as he got his arm around Lucy and Natsu getting annoyed.
"Well, there have been strange things going on, especially around the old theater." Ben said. "That's why everyone is on the edge of their seats. They don't know if it's some kids pulling pranks, an actual ghost, or something else."
"Sounds like another mystery." Erza said as she and her friends were getting interested. "It's not too late. How about we go check out that old theater and see if we can find this phantom." The others were in agreement with that.
"I don't know, Erza. We don't want you kids to get in any kind of trouble." Jessie said.
"We'll be fine, I promise." Erza said as the five of them were on their way out.
"I'll see you later, Blondie." Mike said in a flirty tone with Lucy. Natsu got annoyed, but Gray practically dragged him out of there before Natsu could do anything.
...
The Briar Theater
The gang headed out to the Briar Theater to see if they could find this so-called Phantom. They were in luck when they approached the door and saw that it wasn't luck.
"What luck. The door is open." Gray said. All of them moved inside the theater, but the place looked like it could be haunted. "People use to perform in this dump?"
"It's not so bad. They décor is a little questionable, but everything is fine. They hold off on performances for the past few months or so for the festival." Erza said. "Country life probably isn't as easy as you guys might think."
"Let's focus and have a look around to see if there's really any truth to this phantom." Lucy said. "Let's make it fast, too. This place gives me the creeps."
"I say we take our time. It's not like anyone is waiting for us." Natsu said when he just didn't want Lucy near Mike again. What none of them saw was there was someone else in the theater. A man that was all dressed up, but his face was hidden with the help of a hat and cape. There really is someone roaming around this theater
...
An Hour Later
The gang looked around for any clues or anything that could tell them about this phantom. So far, they haven't really found much of anything and they've been looking for about an hour. They're starting to think that maybe the story of that phantom really is just a story, but they aren't aware of the trouble they could be in.
"Nothing. I don't even know what we're looking for." Natsu said as he was getting annoyed with the search. Suddenly a light came on from behind him. He wondered about that, but got spooked when he saw some sort of shadow emerging where it looked like he was wearing a hat. "Oh boy..." Thinking that was him, Natsu turned around. To his irritation, it was just Happy trying to pull a prank on him with how he held his ears to make it look like he was wearing a hat. "Not funny, Happy." Happy sure thought it was.
"Quit fooling around." Gray said. The girls searched around the stage and weren't having much luck either.
"I wish we knew what we're looking for." Erza said as they walked passed the prop box and just missed him inside.
"Maybe there's really nothing here." Lucy said as they were sure of it. Suddenly, the phantom began laughing before he ducked back inside with Lucy spotting him. "I saw him!"
"You did?!" Gray said as they all hurried to the stage.
"I did see him. He was in that prop box." Lucy said.
"I wonder what's down there. Happy, go and check it out." Gray said, but Happy refused to do so.
"Here's a fishy treat. No strings attached." Erza said as she held out a piece she tossed it, but Happy missed it and dived after it in the box.
"Do you see anything down there, Happy?" Gray asked. Happy looked around, but there was really nothing down there. That's what he told the others. "Nothing?" Lucy had a look herself and saw it.
"Happy's right. There's nothing but a few boxes and cases." Lucy said.
"Where'd he go?" Natsu said.
"I'm not sure, but I think it might be best we get out of here." Erza said with the others agreeing. They all hurried out of there, but they're not done with that phantom, and he's not done with them.
...
The Next Day
Despite what's going on with that phantom, the festival went on. It was early in the morning and it already looked like the festival was a hit. Lots of people, food, games and more. The rest of the gang found ways to enjoy themselves, but everyone is expecting that phantom to show.
"It looks like it's a big hit, Uncle Ben." Erza said as she walked around with her uncle.
"Sure is, but I'm sure everyone is here to see that phantom." Ben said.
"They can see whatever they like. That phantom is really doing the town proud." They were both met with a man having curly black hair and a mustache. "This kind of money coming in will be great for the town."
"Mayor Drasin, this is my niece. Erza, this is the mayor of our fine little town." Ben said as the two of them shook hands.
"A pleasure. You sound a little happy that this phantom could be around." Erza said.
"It certainly bringing in a crowd. All the money we make from this will be great for the town, especially since the Harvest Festival will go on all day." Mayor Drasin said with Erza finding it a little suspicious. However, she couldn't ask more about that because everyone heard a woman scream. Erza and the gang hurried to check it out and saw there was writing all over a sign that says "This town and this festival will suffer".
"Looks like our phantom is making it clear that he's not on the town's side." Lucy said.
"We've got to figure this out. Sounds like this phantom might have something planned for the festival, and it's already started." Gray said.
"But who could do this?" Lucy questioned with all of them trying to think of suspects.
"Mike." Natsu stated, but the others didn't buy it.
"What? But he seems nice." Lucy said.
"And he's my cousin." Erza said.
"Why do you think it's him?" Gray questioned.
"Call it a hunch." Natsu said, but Happy could easily see the real reason.
"Well, I think the mayor might have something to do with this." Erza said. "This whole thing with the phantom seems to bring the town quite the publicity."
"Well, if we're going to solve this mystery, we need to learn more about this phantom." Lucy said as she led the way.
...
The Library
The gang hit the library and tried finding anything they could about the phantom, but they weren't having much luck.
"Any got anything?" Natsu questioned.
"I think I do." Lucy said as she was on the computer. "It looks like the phantom is being used in actual advertisement for the town. If the mayor really is the one behind this, he's sure reeling in all he can fish out of this."
"Erza! There you are!" All of them looked to see Mike walking in to greet them. "Happy, Gray, Lucy, Neddy."
"It's Natsu."
"Whatever. What are all of you doing here? Why aren't you enjoying the festival?" Mike questioned.
"Trying to solve this phantom mystery. What are you doing here?" Gray asked.
"Just returning a few books." Mike said. "I was going to hit the festival and find a way to celebrate my birthday."
"I wasn't aware today was your birthday, Mike." Erza said.
"Yeah. It's the same as the festival every year." Mike said. "It was fine and fun when I was a kid, but it got tiring when I got older. Good luck trying to solve the mystery. I know one thing I want for my birthday." He said as he winked at Lucy before walking out of there.
"Can we please get back to solving this mystery." Natsu said.
"Natsu's right. Time is running out." Gray said. "I say we head back to that prop box and see if we can figure out where our phantom went the other night." With what appears to be time running out, they need to figure out who is the phantom before something happens.
...
Briar Theater
The gang went back to the theater and made their way down to the prop box. It might seem like there's nothing down there, but that might only be what it looks like.
"Anyone see anything?" Gray questioned as they gave the room a quick scan until Lucy spotted something.
"Hold on. What's that harp case doing down here?" Lucy questioned. "It sure does look big enough to hide something." Natsu moved closer to it and got a look at it.
"I think there's something behind here." Natsu said. Gray gave him a hand as they moved it and saw what was behind it.
"A hidden passage." Gray said as they all stepped inside. "This must be how that phantom gave us the slip." They looked around until Erza spotted something.
"Look here." Erza said as she found a bunch of marked books and papers. "This stuff is from the library, and they're all about Richard Brooks, the supposed phantom himself."
"Someone must be trying to bring that story to life." Gray said as this mystery was starting to come together. Suddenly, they heard laughter coming from behind them and saw he was there.
"It's him!" Natsu said as the phantom was standing right there.
"Run for it!" Gray said. Since he was blocking the exit, the gang ran down the hall in hopes of escaping him.
"Hahahah! You will never escape my wrath!" The Phantom called.
"He finds this funny?" Natsu complained.
"He's a nutcase. What did you expect?" Gray said. They kept running for what felt like a little while until they came to the end of the passage with a ladder. "Dead-end. This ladder is our only way out, but it's too dark to see where it goes."
"We don't have a choice. He could be here any minute." Natsu said. With no other choice, the five of them started climbing in hopes it leads to a way to escape. It was too dark, but when Gray felt the top being blocked he pushed and was able to move out with the others following.
"Where are we?" Lucy questioned as they had a look around.
"We're back in the cornfield." Erza said.
"Hold on for a second. Erza, look at this." Gray said. Erza pushed through the cornfield and was shocked they were near her relatives' house.
"Has that creep been coming near my family?" Erza said as she was getting mad.
"I don't see the creep dressed in black chasing after us." Natsu said. "I guess he just wanted us out of there."
"We better hurry back to the festival. I have a feeling he's about to unleash whatever he has planned." Erza said. Seeing this isn't going to go well, the gang hurried back.
...
The Harvest Festival
The festival went on all day with it becoming dark and everyone still having a great time. The gang was able to make it back and found her Aunt Jessie and Uncle Ben.
"There you all are!" Jessie said.
"Where have you been? The festival is suppose to be over soon." Ben said.
"Trying to find that phantom. Has anything happened yet?" Lucy asked. Nothing did until just now. All the lights in the festival went out and everyone was getting a little spooked with it so dark. Suddenly, actual ghosts started appearing and flew around the area. There weren't just ghosts either. It appeared that monsters and other creatures were appearing and was giving everyone a good scare. Everyone was going into a panic on what was happening and thinking this isn't part of the fun with the stands getting ruined and anything that might show this isn't part of the festival.
"What's happening?!" Lucy said.
"Up there!" Gray said as he pointed to the top of the theater and they saw the ghost up there as he laughed evilly. Everyone was getting spooked from what was going on and was trying to run for cover. The gang weren't sure what to do. When a ghost came at them, Erza tried swatting it away, but her hand just went right through it. She did notice something strange about it.
"What the...?" Erza reached her hand through it and saw a light reflecting off her hand. She followed the light into a plant and found a hidden projector there. "It's just an image from projector! These ghosts are fake!" When she pointed that out, the gang had a closer look at all the scary stuff and made an important discovery.
"None of this is real! It's all just special effects!" Lucy said as the crowd was beginning to calm down. All of them looked at the phantom and saw him trying to make a run for it.
"He's getting away!" Gray said.
"I don't get it. Who would go to such lengths just to ruin this little festival?" Natsu questioned.
"That's it!" Erza said for that question put all the pieces together. "I know who is behind all this! He's heading for that hidden passage and we know where that passage comes out."
...
The Cornfield
The gang went back to the cornfield with most of the townsfolk following them. Erza believes she has this mystery solved. When they got to her relatives' house, they spotted the phantom's cape and hat discarded away.
"If my hunch is right, it's..." Erza said as she went around back and grabbed the culprit with her pulling him out.
"Mike?!" Everyone said with them shocked it was him.
"I knew it! I knew he was no good!" Natsu said.
"Mike... Why?" Ben said as his parents were the most shocked.
"How could you do something like this?" Jessie said with such disapproval.
"Why? Do you even know what today is?" Mike questioned.
"Of course. It's the Harvest Festival." Jessie said.
"And my birthday, Mom. How would you feel that your birthday was overshadowed by some stupid festival your whole life?" Mike said as the police were putting him in handcuffs.
"When Natsu asked who would want to ruin the Harvest Festival, I figured it had to be Mike since he's the only one with a reason to." Erza said. "He knew about the story of Richard Brooks and hoped to use it to ruin the festival, and probably spent years planning this. To help in his cause, he placed those special effects all over the town. He also was able to make a passage that lead to his house so he could get back and forth between it and the theater quickly in hopes that no one would suspect a thing."
"I just wanted to scare everyone so no one would want to celebrate that dumb festival again." Mike said as he was being taken to the police car.
"This is all our fault." Jessie said as she and Ben felt so guilty. "How could we let a mere festival come over the birth of our own son?"
"Well, he didn't really do anything illegal and no one got hurt. He'll probably just get off with community service or something." Erza said to give her aunt and uncle some hope. Before being taken away, Mike gave Lucy one more look.
"Don't worry, Blondie. I'll be out soon." Mike said as he gave her one more wink before being taken away with Lucy just getting annoyed this time.
...
The Next Day
Since the mystery was solved and the festival was over, the gang hit the road and was heading on home as they drove by with the mess getting cleaned up.
"Well, the phantom stuff aside, this ended up being a lot of fun." Gray said.
"I do admit that I do feel bad for Mike. He only did this because his own birthday kept getting overlooked." Lucy said.
"Well, I'm sure he'll be okay." Erza said as they spotted Mike in the middle of his community service. "He always did had an active imagination ever since we were kids. An actor coming back from the grave to be a phantom? Please..." The rest of them thought that was silly, but Happy spotted something as they passed by the theater. When they drove by, Happy saw a shadow of a person and the person just disappeared with Happy getting a little spooked. Some stories do have some truth to them.
