Hello and welcome to the newly refurbished Episode 1, its a little different than the original so I hope you enjoy and find it just as enthralling as the last. Please let me know what you think when you review.


The Kingdom of Fiore. A neutral country of 17 million people. It is a world of magic.

Magic is bought and sold there every day. It is an integral part of people's lives.

And there are those who use magic as their occupation. These people are referred to as wizards.

The wizards belong to various guilds within the country, and in a certain city lies a certain guild.

A guild from which various legends were once born, or rather, will continue to be born long into the future. And its name is:

FAIRY TAIL!


MiraJane sighed and tucked her white hair behind an ear as she looked out at the undulating waves of Lake Sciliora. The mid-morning sun cast a blazing light across the perfectly blue water. The sight should have made MiraJane smile, even in the least, but she just couldn't. Her hand drifted down from her ear to cup the nape of her neck. Today was the last day of the Season, she couldn't help but wonder why Quil had left in such a rush a month ago. MiraJane's lip trembled and her eyes stung as more tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. She had hoped that coming to the beach they used to visit all the time would help lift her spirits, but it didn't. In fact, it had made her feel worse. Her other hand rose up to clutch at her stomach.

MiraJane wondered if it would be today or tomorrow that she would return. She could feel deep within her soul that she was on her way home but she was unsure how long it would actually take her, and MiraJane couldn't help the tiny pang of dislike towards her girlfriend. She immediately regretted it. Quil had left to protect her. She hadn't wanted to hurt Mira, and Mira was sure she thought she had. MiraJane just found herself wishing that Quil had stayed in Magnolia, she would have told her by now. They would have told everyone by now. MiraJane bit her lip and allowed the grief she had been bottling up to slide from her lips in a stifled sob.

How was she supposed to tell Quil now? How on earthland could she break the news to her girlfriend that she was pregnant? The thought of Quil's reaction scared MiraJane, it scared her so much that it ached. She sniffed wetly and her eyes felt heavy as she squinted in the sunlight. She was barely getting any sleep, kept awake with worry for what not only Quil would say but the guild. The guild was like family to MiraJane and she valued their opinions just as much as she valued Quil's or her brother Elfman's.

MiraJane sobbed again as she was slowly consumed by her grief and guilt. She could have told Quil as soon as she found out. It wouldn't have been too difficult to write a letter then post it. That way she wouldn't have to see or hear Quil's reaction straight away. She could then imagine that Quil would be happy. She could easily imagine Quil's face brighten into that childish grin of hers, her mismatched blue and brown eyes crinkling into an easy smile. But... That notion of "what if" had stilled MiraJane's hand every time she had sat to pen Quil a letter. But what if Quil wasn't happy about the surprising development? But what if she hated that she was going to be a mother?

Could MiraJane really allow Quil to sink into disarray and confusion? Could she really allow the curse to take over? There were times she hadn't wanted to tell Quil at all about the pregnancy. MiraJane only knew a small amount of Quil's past but what she did know was that she had been cast out by her violent father at the age of ten. It had been so traumatic for Quil that after joining Fairy Tail she had taken a potion to forget everything that had happened. Nobody else knew that about Quil and MiraJane found herself wishing she hadn't been burdened with the knowledge either. It had been many things that had stopped MiraJane from writing to Quil in the month since she had been gone and she had counted more against telling Quil than telling her. MiraJane hated feeling uncertain and she hated going through this alone, she couldn't tell anyone. That thought petrified her even more than telling Quil. They may be in a loving relationship but facing everyone and telling them was a whole other kettle of fish.

MiraJane bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. She just wished she knew what to do. She clutched tightly onto the magenta flounce of her dress as a breeze blew a voice her way. She turned and realised that a small group of people were standing outside of the guild hall. Brushing traces of her tears from her cheeks, Mira Jane began making her way slowly back up the sandy incline to the promenade.

The voice spoke again and MiraJane realised with a flush of bittersweet excitement that it was Lucy. That meant she and her new team had returned from their latest mission. Lucy, Erza, Gray, Happy and Natsu were staring up at the guild. MiraJane felt guilty again, they were another she could have sent a letter to, the guild hall had been destroyed the night before last so there had been plenty of time. She should have sent word to them somehow, that way they wouldn't have come home to such a devastating sight without being aware of it. MiraJane sighed, just add it to the pile of guilt building up inside her.

'Our guild!' Cried Natsu's voice.

MiraJane stepped up onto the promenade and looked up at the guild hall they had once called home. Large spires of darkest black steel had been plunged into the guild hall at every angle, through doors and windows. Giant splinters of wood had crashed through the walls. It was a mess and completely ruined. She couldn't see Natsu's face, they hadn't even realised she was standing behind them, but she could tell he was furious. MiraJane could see great waves of heat rolling from his body like a strong breeze across a desert. She could feel it wash over her like the break of a wave, imbued with magic it tingled her skin and sent a ripple of nausea through her body.

'What happened to our guild!' Natsu was yelling, MiraJane wished her body didn't react like this to magic, it really put a kink in her job as a barmaid to a wizards guild. Hiding her mouth behind a hand she tried to supress the sickness bubbling in the back of her throat. This was when she wished she had Quil beside her the most, to hold her and protect her. To tell Natsu to knock off his magical temper tantrum.

'But,' murmured Erza, she was gazing up at the guild and had apparently dropped the handle of her luggage cart in shock, 'who could do such a thing?'

MiraJane swallowed against the overwhelming nausea and took a step forward, groaning a little as the movement made the sickness swirl in her stomach.

'It-It was Phantom,' she whispered. Her voice wouldn't go any higher, if she did she was sure she would be sick, but everyone heard and they turned to stare at her. Lucy had sunk to her knees in shock, it seemed to take her a great deal of effort to rip her gaze away from the building. Gray, like Natsu, looked horrified and furious. His face was blank and his dark eyes were wide.

'Are you serious?' The Ice-Make wizard asked, his voice was so low that MiraJane could barely hear it. It was times like this that she was grateful that she had been Imprinted upon. It meant when she was struggling like she was now she didn't have to exert herself to hear what people were saying. Another pang of guilt rippled through her at that particular thought, all of her thoughts recently came back to Quil.

Natsu turned to glare at MiraJane, she was surprised at the sharp pang of fear that fluttered around her body, what was happening? Was it because she was pregnant? Or was it her Alpha status reacting to Natsu's dominant personality? But why was it happening now? She had been around Natsu a lot this last month, why was she only just reacting to him now? She could feel something shifting into place inside her soul. Maybe it was the baby? Maybe, but she couldn't let on that something was wrong. It wasn't the right time for people to find out her news. Lucy was already watching her with a curious expression.

'Are you saying Phantom Lord did this?' Natsu growled, his glare was so dark and aggressive that it made Mira take a step back in fear. None of them seemed to have noticed, except…

'Mira?' Lucy said in a quizzical tone, her thin brows had furrowed over her eyes. She was looking at MiraJane as though thinking hard. MiraJane hid a gasp of frustration, but it slipped quickly from her lips before she could stop it. She knew Lucy was a smart girl and had probably already deduced that something wasn't quite right with MiraJane and she cursed herself for allowing her questionable fear of Natsu to get the better of her. Lucy raised a hand and rested it at her clavicle, and Mira suddenly realised! Of course! It was so silly that she felt stupid for not noticing it sooner. Lucy had never seen the necklace she was wearing around her neck to hide the Mark, and MiraJane felt relief wash over her. Her secret was safe. For now at least.

'Here, Lucy,' MiraJane was pulled from her thankful thoughts at the sound of Erza's voice. She was leaning slightly over Lucy and offering a hand to help her to her feet. Lucy looked a little surprised by the gesture for a moment before smiling and allowing Erza to help her up. MiraJane found the interaction a little odd. MiraJane frowned, no, that couldn't be right. Once again, Mira was pulled from her wandering thoughts at the sound of Lucy's strappy wedge sandals clacking across the promenade. The sudden warmth of Lucy's body beside her pulled Mira fully into the present and a hand to her arm drew her gaze up to meet Lucy's smiling face. It looked a little forced but MiraJane couldn't blame her. Not in these circumstances.

They were quickly joined by Erza, her armour clanged loudly as she strode across the street. Her gaze was set firm and her lips were drawn into a tense line, she had seen MiraJane's choker too. Her face was taut with apprehension. She, like everyone else at the guild, knew what the choker meant. The little amethyst crystal dangling from it had been carved into a howling wolf head by Quil. MiraJane only wore it during Mating season when Quil was around. To see that necklace around Mira's neck was a sign that Quil would be returning soon. MiraJane knew Erza understood the meaning, she was glancing from MiraJane's slowly steeling gaze to the necklace. Erza's brow twitched, it was a silent question, one that MiraJane did not need to reply to except to gently caress the pendant. That was all the answer Erza had needed.

MiraJane flinched in surprise when she felt Erza gently graze her fingers over her elbow. Mira glanced up to see Erza was watching her with a deep expression of concern. Apparently, Mira hadn't been as OK as she thought she had been.

'It's here isn't it?'

MiraJane stared up at her friend, gazing imploringly at her. Silently urging her to please leave the subject alone. Yes it was here and should be gone tomorrow. She hated seeing Erza during Mating season, it was as though Erza's soul died a little whenever she looked at Mira. It only lasted a month but it was the most torturous month for the both of them and their fragile friendship. It always seemed to mend a little just in time for the next Mating season where it would break a bit more. MiraJane could only wonder how long their friendship could last at this rate. As she gazed up at the slightly taller mage she could see the light dimming in her dark chocolate eyes. Erza's jaw was working as though biting her tongue. MiraJane couldn't help the sudden urge to look over Erza's shoulder to gaze longingly up the Central Path and she couldn't help but wonder why she was being drawn that way.

Erza's hand jerked against her elbow as she turned to follow MiraJane's gaze, she seemed to be piecing it together better than MiraJane was, admittedly though, she felt a little dizzy and light headed. She could feel Erza's magical power begin to swell from under her armour and MiraJane found herself wanting to pull away from her grasp. Erza's pent up emotions were churning violently as it sent out her magical aura, MiraJane felt her body go heavy as it began to change the gravity around them . Lucy squeaked in fear.

And suddenly all of MiraJane's guilt, grief and sadness melted away. In fact she couldn't feel anything. She had heard something on the small breeze that flickered passed her ear. She was sure the others hadn't heard it yet and it froze her to the spot. Her mind went blank. She had definitely heard it. It was her! She was home! A hand grasped at her bodice as excitement began to build inside her, it was amazing how happy one person could feel all at once. She felt as though someone had pulled her out of a dark cloud and she was looking above them for the first time, seeing the pink of the clouds and the sun. She could feel it in her skin, brightening her mood from her soul outwards. Everything felt good again. Felt right again. Her Mate was coming back to her.

'Did you hear that?' MiraJane asked breathlessly with excitement. She could see Lucy and Erza staring at her but it didn't matter.

'Hear what, Mira?'

Quil's voice, her howl- calling out to her. She was in Magnolia, Mira knew it! Warmth and excitement flooded through her body and MiraJane couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. A hand gripped at her bodice and her smile grew even more. Her cheeks were beginning to hurt.

It tingled her skin and warmed her fluttering heart. She could feel Quil tug tentatively on the bond they shared, asking if she was alright, Mira tugged back answering the question. Her heart flipped when she felt Quil's relief and excitement.

She was coming! Quil was coming home! Home to her and their baby.

'Mira?' Lucy's voice sounded muffled and far away despite the fact she was standing right beside MiraJane. She vaguely saw Lucy's hand wave in front of her eyes.

'Erza?' Lucy's voice asked Erza, her voice was trembling, 'what's wrong with her? Is it something to do with Phantom Lord?'

Erza shook her head and Lucy frowned a little, Erza didn't seem too concerned about MiraJane's strange trance. Erza was still staring at the same spot as Mira, she could feel anger writhing in the pit of her stomach like a wriggling ball of snakes, a whoosh of air forced itself from Erza's nose. Of course she would be coming home now. It was so like her to have a big flashy entrance, to have Mira fawning over her. She hated their innate love for each other, she hated watching them interact. They clearly loved each other very much. She hated hating it, she loved Mira and didn't particularly dislike Quil all that much, but she couldn't stand watching what she and Mira could have had. Nobody knew how Erza felt, of course, usually Erza herself spent a lot of time every Mating season out of jobs, this year however had been different what with Lullaby and then Galuna she had spent more time at the guild than normal. And of course she had to be back when Quil returned. Erza realised that she hadn't yet answered Lucy's question which was completely negligent of her, Lucy had no idea what was happening right now. It was her duty to protect her, if Quil was going to attack anyone whilst in that form it was going to be Lucy.

'N-no,' she forced herself to reply, 'this is something different. I suggest you stay close to me, by the severity of Mira's reaction it's likely she has Shifted.'

'Shifted?' She heard Lucy murmur against the storming winds and blinding snow, she could hear the fear in Lucy's voice, her pitch had risen shrilly. Erza pulled the Celestial mage towards her, she felt Lucy flinch at her touch but relaxed into Erza's side. Erza frowned and materialised a sword from her dimensional armoury. Quil would not be able to be reasoned with if she had Shifted and wolves were difficult to fight.

'She's coming.' Erza said.

She? Lucy thought in fright, who was coming? What was going on? She glanced to MiraJane who was still staring down the Central Path, her dazzling smile was starting to put Lucy even more on edge. Lucy clutched at her head, stopping her hair from lashing her face as the wind kicked up fiercer than ever stinging everyone's faces. Across the street Natsu had Happy safely in his arms as he battled to stay on his feet. Gray had created a small shield but even he was having trouble against the strong gusts of wind. Then, Lucy heard something that made her blood run cold.

A howl.

Lucy's heart hammered painfully in her chest and her mouth ran dry. A wolf?!

Why was there a wolf in Magnolia? Why was nobody rushing to kill it?! Beside her, Erza was frozen her hand was placed protectively on Lucy's lower back. She was still staring down the road, her eye were wide and fearful. Lucy's heart leapt into her throat at the sight. She had never seen Erza look so spooked. Erza was the strongest female wizard in all of Fairy Tail, hell, in all of Fiore! Lucy could tell Erza wasn't shaking but she was scared. She stepped closer to Erza, momentarily taking solace in the warmth radiating from the red head despite the armour encompassing her body.

The wolf howled again. This time it sounded much closer. Lucy jumped in fright and cracked her head on Erza's chin.

'Ouch!' Lucy squeaked, wailing in pain she grasped the bump on her head, tears spilling down her cheeks, 'sorry, Erza.' Lucy groaned through her pain.

Erza barely shifted, 'It's not a problem, Lucy, just stay close to my side please.'

Lucy's eyes widened when she saw a large red bruise forming on Erza's chin but she either didn't feel it or did not care. Lucy stood, hiding herself behind Erza who seemed to be determined to keep her safe. Lucy couldn't blame her, she was definitely the weakest of their team so it made sense. But the strange looks and chaste touches made Lucy wonder. Lucy yelped, Erza's red hair had smacked Lucy in the face. Karma? Lucy thought drily as she wiped it away, spluttering against Erza's surprisingly soft hair and snow. Lucy shuddered.

They all heard the howl again. It was vibrating the air around them and the ground trembled. It sounded beautiful and melodious, yet terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Lucy quaked in fear, she wasn't sure if she wanted to hug closer to Erza or just run away shrieking. She could feel her heart beat thrashing in her neck and hear the wind rushing in her ears. The sound of the wind alone was terrifying but the howl was so long and loud, Lucy wondered if it would ever end. Erza's grasp tightened around Lucy's waist.

'Stay still,' Erza yelled sharply through the snowstorm, 'she's Shifted.'

Shifted? Lucy peeked around Erza and screamed in terror.

A huge, ginormous dark purple wolf, its fur almost black in the freak storm, stood the end of the road. Its large head was lowered watching them with a soul piercing stare. Lucy was sure it was staring right at her. Could it sense fear? Could it see the pulse as it banged away underneath her skin, or maybe it could smell her? Could animals smell fear? Animals could smell fear, right? She had heard that somewhere, hadn't she? The wolf moved its head slightly and Lucy realised it was staring at Mira! A stitch was beginning to form in her side and her throat felt raw as though it had been torn to bits. Her eyes were wide and wild with fear.

What was happening?

Why couldn't she look away?

Lucy gasped. She had read many books about wolves in her childhood. They were just as magical and elusive as dragons. But the books that she had read with illustrations never showed one that looked like this one. Its eyes were two different colors that cut through the darkness of the storm like brilliant lights. A puff of air materialised from its snarling muzzle and it crouched, ready to pounce. It leaped high into the air and galloped towards them at a blinding speed. It seemed to jump meters at a time with every blink Lucy took. Lucy screamed again, it was heading straight for MiraJane! She had to do something before it was upon them and ripping them to shreds! She had the flap of her key pouch open when Erza's hand flashed out of the semi-darkness and grabbed her wrist.

'What are you doing?' Erza cried.

'What am I doing?' Lucy yelled back, 'what are you doing!? That wolf is heading straight for us!' Lucy glared at Erza, wrenching her hand free of Erza's she tried again to reach for her strongest key, Taurus the Golden Bull, but Erza caught both of Lucy's hands and raised them above her head. Something in Lucy's stomach fluttered. Had they not been fighting for survival, Lucy would have found this rather erotic.

'Trust me,' Erza yelled over the ferocious howling of wind, 'doing nothing is the best course of action! In this state she may not be able to control herself. I don't want to lose you!'

Lucy went limp in Erza's sturdy yet gently grip, what?

The clatter of claws on the promenade suddenly went quiet and Lucy turned in Erza's grasp. The wolf had launched itself into the air and was sailing through the snowstorm like a ship through a maelstrom. Its large yellowy white fangs flashed in the darkness and Lucy could see saliva dripping from its jowls. It's eyes flashed dangerously, its piercing stare never left MiraJane.

'Mira!' Cried Lucy.

The wolf landed, its large front paws the size of trashcan lids dug into the ground mere inches from MiraJane. A hot unpleasant odour hazed from its large mouth as its gaze shifted for a moment that seemed to go on forever to stare at Lucy. Lucy felt her heart drop away from her body and ice infiltrate her veins at the wolfs gaze rooting her to the spot. Her eyes widened painfully in their sockets. The wolf turned its gaze back to Mira and Lucy felt the weird trance break like a jolt of electricity smashing through her body. The wolfs large haunches crashed into Lucy and she and Erza were sent tumbling down over rocks and pebbles onto the beach.

Lucy could hear Erza wince and groan in pain as one of her hands protected Lucy's head whilst the other clawed at the sand trying to slow them down. They rolled a little way until they stopped. Erza was draped over her, both women were breathing heavily through gritted teeth, their breasts rising and falling with quick heavy gasps. Erza's hand shifted down to rest at Lucy's shoulder blades whilst the other hand was braced against the sand. Their legs were tangled. For a brief moment, Lucy thought she felt Erza's warm centre pressed precariously against her knee. But she couldn't be sure as soon as she felt it Erza was rolling off her and flipping to her feet. Erza stood proudly, her long red hair fluttered stunningly over her shoulder as she leaned forward to offer Lucy a gauntleted hand.

Lucy hesitantly took it, her mind was swirling with hundreds of thoughts and emotions, some of which she didn't quite understand. She allowed Erza to pull her tenderly yet quickly to her feet. As usual Erza was wearing her poker face perfectly. Lucy gazed up at the Requip mage for a moment. There was no hint of awkwardness or embarrassment on her face or in her smooth chocolate brown eyes and reality suddenly came crashing down around her. Lucy staggered and whimpered as a white hot pain shot up her leg.

'Lucy? Are you alright?' Erza's voice was deep with concern and her fingers feathered across her arm, drawing Lucy's attention. Her eyes widened. Lucy had never stood so close to Erza in the month since she had joined Fairy Tail. Her nostrils flared when a sweet comforting smell filled her nose. It smelled like the strawberry cakes Erza always ate. Erza was looking at Lucy with such intensity and concern that she felt that she would felt into a river of chocolate if she were to keep staring into Erza's eyes. It was almost as though she was swooning, but that couldn't be right. Lucy Heartfilia did not swoon.

'Uh, yea- yeah…' Lucy stammered feeling a warm trickling down her leg and felt her stomach churn sickeningly. Blood was oozing from a deep gash across her thigh. Lucy's throat burned with bile as her stomach lurched at the sight. Her legs wobbled and gave out, and she fell forward in Erza's arms. She clutched Erza's forearms tightly, whimpering in pain.

Maybe the swooning feel was her body reacting to the deep slash in her leg.

'I- I'm fine, but what about Mira?' Lucy turned and sprinted back up to the promenade, stumbling in the soft white sand. Lucy gritted her teeth against the throbbing pain from her thigh.

She had to help Mira!

With legs burning Lucy pushed herself to go faster, she hadn't realised how far she and Erza had fallen, they were practically down by the water.

'Mira!' Lucy screamed harshly through the storm.

'Lucy!' Erza pelted after her, hand out stretched as she snatched up the sword that lay a few feet away. Lucy stopped dead, a small wave of sand was send over her toes as she skidded to a stop. A surprised yelp slipped through her throat as Erza's weight crashed at full speed into her.

'Lucy?' Erza gasped as she struggled to straighten up, 'what's wrong?'

Lucy felt Erza's breath flutter against her ear and it sent a torrent of butterflies exploding around her stomach but she shook the odd feeling away. She was frozen to the spot with astonishment at sight that greeted her on the promenade.

'The wolf's gone!'

The dark snowstorm had disappeared as though it had never happened. The sun blazed down about and Lucy felt suddenly hot like she were standing in a desert. She shielded her wide eyes as she gazed up.

Erza followed Lucy's gaze. A girl with sun-kissed skin was hugging MiraJane as tightly as she could as though she never wanted to let her go. Both girls were crying at the top of their lungs. The girl clutched MiraJane's arms and sunk to the floor pulling Mira with her, burying her face against MiraJane's stomach and sobbed.

'Mira!' I thought something bad had happened!' The stranger gulped between each wail and sniffle, her voice muffled by the fabric of MiraJane's bodice.

MiraJane was smiling sadly, caressing the girls purple hair from her side ponytail to run a hand through the shaved undercut by her right ear, 'It's OK, I'm OK, no-one was hurt. They didn't get us.'

The tanned girl sat bolt upright leaning her weight back on her toes, her hands tightened around MiraJane's forearms. The girl blinked and her tears stilled. Her face looked blank and Lucy saw her stunned gaze flick down to MiraJane's bodice but Lucy blinked and she was back to staring at Mira's nervous smiling face. MiraJane leaned forward and whispered in the girls small elven ear.

Lucy ached with curiosity as the girls whole demeanour changed. She was shaking as though she had been dunked in ice cold water and fresh tears were welling in her eyes. Her fingers were white against MiraJane's arms.

'Are you sure?' The girl asked, her voice was barely a whisper. Her face was glowing with happiness as though Mira had given her all of her wishes. MiraJane nodded, tears of joy shimmered down her face. She squeezed the girls biceps tighter.

'Oh, Mira! I'm so happy! I'm sorry I was gone for so long. The Gorian just didn't want to die and I didn't want to hurt you. It's the first time...' the girls eyes flashed to Lucy and Erza and back again, '...you know.'

Mira nodded, beaming as tears trickled down her cheeks, 'I know, I'm just glad you're OK with it.''

'OK with it?1' The girl repeated sounding ecstatic, 'it's brilliant!'

'Oh!' MiraJane's lips trembled and she collapsed into the girls chest and wailed with happiness.

'I don't understand,' Lucy said as the strange girl stood up lifting Mira into the air, spinning her excitedly, 'where did the wolf go?'

'You're looking at her,' replied Erza as she stood beside Lucy with her hands on hips and a strange expression on her face. It was stony as though Erza was trying to fight away bad feelings as she watched MiraJane pepper the girls face with butterfly kisses, 'that is Quil the Wolf.'

'Quil the Wolf?' Lucy repeated slowly as her brain began to catch up with what was going on, 'wait that's the Wolf?! I thought it was her gimmick for Sorcerer Weekly!'

Erza chuckled, 'no, it's not. Well, she's not a real wolf, but it's difficult to explain and far too long a tale for right now.'

Erza placed an arm around Lucy's shoulder's and glanced down at the blondes leg, 'we shall get that looked at.'

Lucy, face flushed at Erza's uncharacteristic gesture, nodded and allowed the Requip mage to lead back up to the promenade where Quil suddenly turn on her heel as Natsu's excitedly below echoed from across the promenade.

'Yo, Wolf-girl. Where ya been, man?' Natsu cried barrelling across the street. Flames licked at his heels as he propelled himself towards Quil, fist stretched back behind his head. His pink hair flourished out behind him as hot waves of air rolled out from his body. Quil slipped her hands from MiraJane's arms and she stepped away from the white-haired mage.

'Hey, hey Dragon-boy, you still as much of a little bitch as when I left?' Quil yelled tauntingly as she shifted a leg backwards and dropped into a ready stance. Their magical aura slammed together sending waves of heat and ice cold air crashing around the promenade. Lucy grunted against the force and shielded her eyes as the force kicked up dust, dirt and sand. Her hair flourished around her face. Lucy could feel Erza tensing herself against the power of their auras. Natsu smashed against Quil, his arms wrapped around her middle in a grapple. Grinning wildly, Quil wound the backs of her arms around his and locked her fingers against Natsu's chest, reversing his grapple and sending him flying behind her.

Natsu laughed aloud as he was sent sailing over Erza and Lucy, he twisted in the air and propelled himself off the soft sand and leaped back over Lucy and Erza, his fist was raised again and lit by hot flames aiming for Quil's face. But suddenly, Natsu was out of the air and struggling in Quil's grasp, her arms were around his neck in a headlock.

'Take it easy, Natsu,' said Gray in a mildly pissed off tone as he plucked Natsu from the fray, 'she's just got home from a long ass mission.'

'Hey, asshole,' grumbled Natsu swinging a fist at him, 'lemme go! We just got back from a quest ourselves and I'm fine!'

'Ice Princess!' Cried Quil, greeting Gray with open arms, grinning at him with a taunting smirk. He dropped Natsu and glared at her.

'I ain't no princess, Princess,' Gray retorted back. Quil didn't reply but flicked a hand almost lazily and Gray's lack of clothes transformed into a poufy princess dress made of ice.

Erza sighed dejectedly and rested her fingers against the bridge of her nose.

'You will have to excuse Quil, Lucy,' Erza said irritably, her deep and icy voice cut through Quil's reunion with Happy, frozen mid-swing with the blue cat high above her head, 'she likes to think herself "one-of-the-boys", and negates any decent manners- OOF!'

SMACK! Happy landed smack in the middle of Erza's face sending her flying backwards at the explosive force. Lucy shrieked in fear and leapt out of the way, yelling, 'everyone in this guild is CRAZY!'

'What did you say, Red?!' Quil snarled advancing on Erza who was sprawled on the ground a little ways a way, 'you wanna say that to my face?'

Erza jumped to her feet and threw Happy back at Quil with such a blinding force that the poor cat was just a blue streak whistling through the air. Quil caught him with one hand as if he were nothing more than a baseball thrown by a child. Happy groaned, his eyes spinning in dizzying circles.

Quil suddenly began to roar and howl with laughter clutching at her sides as she bent double, her eyes were streaming with tears of mirth.

'What?' Erza asked, astounded at Quil's sudden laughing fit.

Quil raised a shaky hand and pointed directly at Erza's face. Her finger was so close that it made Erza crossed her eyes, 'you've- you've got a Happy shaped impression on your face!'

Erza lightly touched her reddened face and grunted impatiently, 'never mind. I was just simply stating facts. For a young woman you are just as unmannered as Natsu and Gray!'

'What!' Cried Quil furiously as she and Erza butted heads, sparks flew between them as they fought.

'Hey!' Natsu cried indignantly.

'Whaddya mean unmannered like Gray?!' Gray yelled stomping towards the bickering girls in just his boxes. He grunted loudly as Quil's fist sucker punched him into the air and flung him backwards all without breaking her glare with Erza.

'You're just jealous I won. It's been, what, three years? Get over it already!'

Erza opened her mouth to bite back but Quil was pulled backwards by delicately strong hands. Quil twisted to see MiraJane glaring lightly at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her sumptuous lips were pursed into a pout.

'Mira!'

'Please don't fight,' MiraJane whined tugging on the sleeve of Quil's purple leather jacket. Tears were welling in the corner of Mira's eyes, 'fighting's not what we need right now.'

Quil's eyes flashed downwards again and she sighed, nodding, 'of course. I'm sorry.'

Mira learned forward, up on tiptoes and placed a delicate chaste kiss on Quil's lips, smiling warmly at the wolf girl as she took her hand and swung it like a love-sick teenager. The blonde girl she had seen Erza protect so dedicatedly stepped forward, watching Quil apprehensively. She saw the girl flick her somehow familiar brown eyes to Mira who smiled encouragingly.

'Um, you're Quil, aren't you?' She asked, 'Quil the Wolf.'

Quil's blood froze in her veins, she knew that voice, but how? The girl smelled familiar but Quil couldn't place how she knew her, Quil noticed a neon pink guild mark on the back of her hand. A new member? Quil perked an eyebrow. She was an inch or two shorter than Quil and her breasts were almost the same size as MiraJane's. Impressive thought Quil, she could feel a small blush heat her cheeks as she stared at the girl. She wore an orange vest top lined with white trimmings, a blue skirt that was similar to Erza's and brown boots. There was a thick brown belt secured loosely around her waist that had a brown leather pouch hanging from it.

A Celestial wizard?

Wasn't my mother a Celestial wizard? Quil found herself thinking. Quil's vision suddenly blurred. She blinked a few times to clear it but instead she felt pain thrumming in her head. She wobbled and stumbled into Erza who caught her easily.

Erza frowned in concern, 'are you OK, Quil?'

'I'm fine!' Snapped Quil, batting Erza's hands away and wrenching herself out of Erza's worried grip. Her head throbbed again and the world began to spin. There was a sudden blaze of pain that made Quil stumble again and clutch at her head. She felt as though she had been hit by a train. She blinked, dazed as white spots appeared in her vision. She groaned and stilled herself, bracing herself by grasping for Mira's arms. A wave of sickness rolled up her throat and she groaned against the urge to pass out or throw up. But in the split second the strange pain started, it disappeared like fog rolling off a terrible lake.

'Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's me,' Quil said to the blonde girl rather breathlessly, 'sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. I've been out of town for a month. I'm sorry if I frightened you, too, I know seeing that must have been terrifying for you.'

Lucy stared, the girls eyes were just as eerily beautiful up close as the wolf. Lucy shook herself a little and smiled warmly, there was something about this girl that made her feel at ease. Maybe it was something about Fairy Tail wizards as a whole. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. Quil reached out and put a hand on Lucy's shoulder, grinning at her. Lucy saw Quil was wearing her signature purple leather jacket, she wore it all the time. It had a silver zipper down the right hand side and the lapels were tastefully lined with black metal studs. The back of it had a large white Fairy Tail guild mark and shone and glittered iridescently in the mid-morning sun.

'Uh, yeah it was a little bit but it's OK. I completely understand how you must have been feeling,' Lucy glanced to Erza and back, 'we've only just come home from a mission ourselves. This is the first time we've seen the guild hall like this too.'

'Do we know you did this?' Quil asked looking at Mira as she wound an arm around Mira's waist pulling her close in a protective side-ways embrace.

Everyone sighed miserably, staring at the ground. Lucy wished it would just swallow her up.

'It was Phantom Lord,'' Mira replied softly, sniffing against the tears welling in her eyes and coughing against the lump in her throat.

'That scum bag guild that's got that's stupid rivalry with the old man?' Asked Quil perplexed, frowning.

MiraJane nodded.

'Is the guild down in the basement?' Quil asked and MiraJane nodded again. Quil muttered under her breath and began towards the destroyed guild hall. Quil clenched her jaws angrily, hopefully the master would have a plan to get back at these assholes. A noise behind her made Quil spin on her heel and glare at her rival.

'What?' Quil sneered, glaring at the red-headed mage. Erza didn't reply but casually nudged the blonde wizard forward with an elbow. She yelped as she stumbled forward.

'Oh, um… my- my name's Lucy, sorry I forgot to introduce myself,' she extended a shaky hand and smiled anxiously at Quil who felt her body dissipate the anger that had fizzled through her at Erza's voice. She cast Erza a derisive look, why was she acting so weird around this girl? Could she—

'Quil,' replied Quil flashing Lucy's hand. As soon as Quil clasped Lucy's hand and shook it she felt a shock like electricity blister through her hand at the touch. The electrified jolt fizzed up Quil's arm and exploded behind her eyes. It was as though her head was being crushed by Elfman's beast arm.

T he world spun around her and felt vaguely felt her hand slip from Lucy's grasp and the world went black.


Aaand... done. Wow, what a secret, eh? Just how will Mira's big secret affect the events to come? Keep reading to find out.

And as usual, don't forget to R&R.