For those who are curious, this story is set before the Sun Village Arc.

~Jura Neekis' POV~

I sorted through the report papers passed to us. Draculos and Wolfheim went out to check on some things while Warrod was cheerfully tending his plants. Most of them were about the latest activities of different guilds. I smiled as I read through another infamous destruction caused by the Fairy Tail wizards. Those kids never change. I looked over as a knock came from the door. A council employee entered and bowed.

"Jura-sama, Warrod-sama, we received a report that a certain dark guild was causing havoc. A couple of witnesses saw that the guild broke into some forbidden places and wiped out the ones guarding the places. Their purpose is yet to be known but it seemed they had stolen some important artifacts. The identities of the stolen items will be reported as soon as the investigation team come back."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Another dark guild?" I looked at Warrod who didn't seem to have heard the report. I sighed and turned back to the employee. "Give us the full report of the incident as soon as possible. Do not let any detail miss your eyes."

"Of course."

"You may go."

He bowed and went out. I looked at the calendar hanging by the wall. June. I tapped my fingers on the desk. A dark guild at a time like this. What are they up to this time?

~Lucy Heartifilia's POV~

"Alright! Listen up brats!" Master Makarov called out and we immediately turned their attention to him. "The Grand Magic Games will be coming up within a month. We will be participating to show we're still the number one guild despite the disbandment a year ago. I decided to have two teams competing for the Games. Train up and win this once again!"

Loud cheerings erupted, shaking the guild hall.

"Alright!" Natsu cracked his knuckles. "I get to kick the butts of strong wizards once again!"

"Too bad that Jura won't be able to participate in this year's Grand Magic Games." Erza said.

"Yeah." I agreed. "But let's think of it as luck. It will be tough if we go against him. He's one of the Ten Wizard Saints, after all."

"Lamia Scale have Lyon so I don't think this year's Games would be a letdown." Gray said.

"Cheria too." Wendy said. "And Sabertooth."

"Don't forget about Kagura of Mermaid Heel." Carla added. She glanced at Erza. "She will be a tough customer just like before. But with a year that had passed, she may have grown stronger. "

"That doesn't matter." Natsu grinned. "We'll win this one."

"Yeah." Erza nodded. "But of course, we'll have to train."

"What are we waiting for?" Gray asked as he stood up.

"To the beach!" We cheered.

~Akura Goldston's POV~

I looked over at the documents scattered on my desk. I gingerly picked up one of the photos. I held it between two fingers, studying the photo. On it was an image of an ancient bronze sundial piece. Carved all over it were ancient writings and images of death. Without much of a thought, I immediately concluded it as another work of Zeref. The Apocalypse. I sighed and stood up. I gazed out at the huge window overlooking the mansion's gardens. The huge mahogany doors creaked as it opened slowly. A female white Exceed with black markings similar to a tiger entered. She eyed the paperwork on my desk.

"Zeref and some dark guild stirring up trouble, I supposed?" She asked.

I tapped at one of documents on the desk. "Yes." I lifted up the paper with two fingers. "One of our agents in the council sent a copy of original report a few hours ago. Apparently, a dark guild that goes by the name of Inferno Deck had stolen ancient artifacts that are actually parts of one of the works of Zeref."

Seras landed on the table and picked up one of the photos. "What is this? A piece of some voodoo disk?"

I chuckled. "Actually, it's a piece of a sundial. Well, a magical sundial. If my memory serves me right, it will only work during an eclipse."

"Eclipse again, huh? What dark masterpiece are we talking about here?"

"The Apocalypse." I said quietly.

She dropped the photo. Her eyes wide in horror. "D-Don't tell me..."

I nodded gravely. "Yes. It is. Perhaps one of the most dangerous works of Zeref and undoubtedly befitting its destructive power, the incarnation of human plagues, The Apocalypse."

Seras stared down at the photos. A sweat drop trickled down her face. "Are you planning to keep your hands off this just like the rest?"

I turned toward the huge glass windows. "I would if I can. But, that's not the case." I walked toward a vase near the doors. I plucked up the pink and white stargazer lily given to me by Asuka. "Master came by an hour ago. She personally came to ask for help. She wants me to compete in the upcoming Grand Magic Games and of course, investigate the matter. I guessed she, too, felt the tremors of danger travelling on the earth." I put back the flower on the vase.

"Are you going to comply?" Seras asked.

I smiled at her. "Why not? And you're going with me."