Hey guys! How are you enjoying the story so far? Feel free to leave comments below, I would love to hear what you guys have to say :) Sorry if the new characters are confusing, but hopefully you'll get to know them a lot more in the next chapter!

Chapter Four : DNA

Lucy's P.O.V -

We all rushed downstairs to see what the noise came from. Nothing appeared to be broken, and the cell was still closed. At that moment, we saw the five strangers sitting and staring at us.

"What was that noise?" I asked.

"I apologize, that was me," the white haired boy (Tanoshi) said. "I was trying to get your attention."

"Oh umm well do you need anything?" Mira smiled.

He shook his head, "It's just that Nakina here wanted to ask you something."

We all turned towards the girl he gestured to. My mouth dropped open. She was absolutely stunning. I looked at all of them and noticed their strange and intense beauty.

"Erza," she whispered, "is she alright?"

"Oh, yes," Mira nodded. "You were the one fighting her, weren't you?"

"Yes. You should tell her to get some rest, she could barely even throw a straight punch," Nakina said. "I'm glad to hear that she's alright."

"Mhm," Mira agreed sweetly. "She's sleeping upstairs right now."

"Sorry about the fight earlier," the boy apologized to Mira. "We were unsure how to go about getting help…"

"Oh no harm no foul!" Mira laughed.

He smiled, flashing his perfect teeth, "Alright, we'll let you guys rest up. Thanks for coming down and sorry for the scare!"

We all said goodnight and headed back up.

Natsu's P.O.V -

I barely managed to make it out of the room before dropping the act. My fake smile disappeared as soon as I was out of Lucy's sight.

"Natsu…." Happy cried. "Natsu…"

I turned my expressionless face towards Happy, "What?"

"Natsu you need help!" Happy screamed at the top of his lungs. "You need to tell them so you can be happy again."

"Be quiet, Happy," I said. "And I'm fine. Just give it some time."

"But you've been like this since Igne-"

"Happy!" I snapped. "Don't…don't finish that sentence."

He hung his head down, "I don't want to keep lying to Lucy."

"Me neither, but I'm going to be fine, Happy," I lied. "Just...just give me more time."

"Okay Natsu~" Happy cuddled against my shoulder, but I didn't feel his warmth.

I went back home and jumped onto my bed. Today was a lot rougher than before. I didn't want to go to that stupid party, I did not want to fight with Gray, and I did not want to fake a smile for Luce. I threw the blankets over me and tried to hide from the world.

Juvia's P.O.V -

I followed Gray-sama back to his house.

"Juvia, come out already!" Gray-sama groaned.

"Gray-sama is always aware of Juvia's presence!" I played with my fingers. "Does that mean Gray-sama loves Juvia?"

"No, I can feel you breathing down my neck," Gray-sama chuckled.

"Well if Juvia was caught, then there is no reason for Juvia to hide," I grabbed onto his arm. "Gray-sama smells like winter."

Gray-sama looked at me, "Is that bad?"

"No, that's Juvia's favorite smell," I could just barely see Gray-sama's face turn a little pink. But maybe that was just my imagination.

Gray-sama turned towards me, "Do you want to go to the mall, Juvia? We could get some coffee."

"Juvia would love that," I squeezed his arm. "Juvia loves to do anything as long as it's with Gray-sama."

"Hey Juvia," Gray-sama stopped as we neared the cafe.

"Yes, Gray-sama?" I asked. "What is it?"

Gray-sama looked up at the sky and then back down at the floor, "Well, I just wanted to say…thank you."

"For what, Gray-sama?"

"Umm...I was thinking about what happened last year and I just," Gray-sama looked deeply into my eyes. "I want you to know that I really… appreciate you. There's no stalker I would rather have."

Tears filled my eyes as I embraced him. For the first time, Gray-sama hugged me back.

Levy's P.O.V -

"Welcome back, Gajeel!" I ran to him and hugged him.

"Hey, Shrimp!" he patted my head. "How's our little Mave?"

"She's been good today, thank goodness," I sighed.

"Hehe," he lifted me and carried me to the sofa.

I snuggled next to him, "How was your day?"

"Good," he stroked my hair. "How about you?"

"There was a fight at the guild today," I explained. "Luckily I left with Mave a few minutes before the outbreak."

Gajeel tensed up, "Levy."

"Yes?"

"If there is every a fight in the guild when I'm not there and you're with Mave-"

"Gajeel," I whispered. "Don't worry, I can fight for myself."

"I know," he chuckled. "But just in case, I want you to run. I don't care what's happening. I don't want you to be the hero I know you are. Look out for your skin first and foremost along with Mave. I know the others will understand your choice."

"Okay," I sighed. "Okay."

"Thank you Levy," he rested his head against mine. "Love you."

"I love you Gajeel,"

Makarov's P.O.V -

Porlyusica called me to her office, frantic. She tried to explain it over the phone, but I had no idea what she was talking about. DNA…artificial magic…three stages of power…and many other things I had no clue about.

"Makarov," she pulled up a 3D model on her computer. "Look at this."

"So that is a…"

"A chromosome. These normally only have four bases, but their DNA has been replaced with different magic bases!" she smiled creepily. "I mean look at this. This isn't even raw magic. It's more like limitless, artificial power contained in every strand…with about three breaking points."

"What does that even mean?" I squinted at the chart. "Three what?"

"Let's take a regular mage. They have two breaking points. One is when they use all of their magic. Their second breaking point is when they use their adrenaline and convert it into magic for a temporary time," Porlyusica explained. "They, however, split their power to three separate parts."

"Okay…" I scratched my head. "But what does that mean?"

"Basically they were implanted with intense and strong magic," she laughed. "It's amazing. I mean…this is revolutionary!"

I nodded as if I understood what she was saying, "So they are telling the truth?"

"Yes," she said.

"Alright, thank you," I waved goodbye. "Time to let them out of the cell."

"Makarov!" she warned, "Be careful. Get on their wrong side and even you will have trouble dealing with these...hybrids."

"They're kids, not hybrids," I corrected her.

"Well whoever gave them these were using them as lab rats," she noted. "They aren't human anymore."

With that, I went back to the guild.

Tanoshi (white haired boy) greeted me, "You've come one day early!"

"Yes, it appears you were telling the truth," I smiled. "So here's the deal. Two weeks of cooking with Mira and serving the members and then you will join?"

"Would that be alright with you?" Tanoshi said happily. "We've decided that we want to join this family of yours. All of your members have incredible amounts of power. Surely they could help protect us!"

I nodded, "Yes, yes perhaps."

"Have you told anyone about us?" Tabiki (grey haired boy) grumbled. "About the tower?"

"No," I shook my head. "That is for you to say at your own time."

"Thank you," Hikari (brown haired girl) beamed. "I can't wait! When do we start working?"

"Now," I unlocked the cell and guided them upstairs. "Mira!"
"Yes master?" Mira waltzed out merrily.

I introduced her to all the new members, "They'll be working in the kitchen with you for two weeks."

"Grand!" she jumped excitedly. "I'm Mira!"

"Hello!" Hikari hugged Mira. "It's so nice to meet you!"

I bid goodbye and walked back to my office.

Mira's P.O.V -

Hikari was such a wonderful woman. Her smile lit up the whole room and she had a bubbly personality. The others were very kind too. Tabiki and Nakina (white haired girl), however, were very quiet. When I said hi, they just bowed.

Tanoshi, Tabiki, and Kagayaku (purple haired boy) were all naturals in the kitchen. Hikari, on the other hand, was struggling while Nakina just stared at the food.

"So this is an egg?" Kagayaku held it with wonder. "And that's flour?"

"Yup!" I laughed, "You're very quick to learn!"

"Nakina is the best at memorization though," he complimented her. "But I guess she isn't used to cooking."

"It's alright!" I encouraged. "How about Nakina and Hikari work as waitresses?"

"Sure!" Hikari tugged at Nakina's sleeve. "Isn't this going to be fun?"
Nakina nodded slowly, "Yeah…"

All three of us walked outside. I searched the guild for an easy group of people for them to train on. Hmm…my eyes landed on Wendy.

"Alright, just follow my lead," I walked up to her table. "Hello Wendy!"

"Hi, Mira-san!" she waved.

"Hello Wendy-chan, I'm Hikari!" Hikari reached out to shake Wendy's hand.

"H-Hi Hikari-san!" Wendy shook her hand warmly. "Are you the new members?"

"Yes!" Hikari naturally continued the conversation. "This is Nakina."

"Hi Nakina-san," Wendy held out her hand, but Nakina just stared at it.

Hikari awkwardly elbowed Nakina, who looked puzzled. Then, she hesitantly took Wendy's hand and shook it. She seemed nervous.

"Sorry," Nakina whispered. Her voice was soft and low. "It's nice to meet you."

"N-No, I'm sorry," Wendy's face was pink.

"What do we do now Mira-san?" Hikari asked.

I smiled, "Ask her what she would like to order."

"What would you like to order, Wendy-chan?" Hikari repeated.

"I'd like some soup please," Wendy ordered. "Oh actually can you make that two? I'll take one for Erza-san."

"Two soups," Hikari said. "On it. I'll go tell the boys, Nakina. Do you want to get the next table?"
Nakina involeterally nodded, "Alright."

I watched her as she went over to Lucy. For a moment, she just stood there.

"H-Hello," Lucy waved. "Sorry but...who are you?"

"Nakina," she replied.

"Nakina!" Lucy said. "That's a really pretty name. I'm Lucy."

"What would you like?" Nakina asked.

Lucy thought for a second, "Can I have some water?"

Nakina nodded and walked back to the kitchen. Nakina reminded me of Erza in a way. She's pretty quiet, but still carries herself in a very confident manner.

"Mira-san," Nakina asked.

"Oh! Yes?" I hadn't even heard her walk behind me.

"The boys need your assistance," she said.

I smiled, "Okay!"

After one week, Nakina opened up a little more. She smiled a bit when I said hi, she spoke louder than before, and she even laughed a bit with members of the guild. Tabiki remained reserved though. Hikari and Tanoshi were as talkative and friendly as ever.

Erza walked into the guild and sat at one of the tables. Just as Hikari walked over to take her order, Kagayaku tapped her shoulder. I couldn't hear him, but Hikari moved on to the next table while Kagayaku walked up to Erza. I scooted closer to listen.

"Hi," he said. "I'm Kagayaku, one of the new members."

Erza looked up tiredly, "Hi."

"Umm….what would you like today?" he smiled.

"Nothing," she rubbed her head. "Thanks though."

Kagayaku walked back into the kitchen and placed a glass of water in front of Erza.

"Hmm?" she glanced up at him.

"Just in case you get thirsty," Kagayaku said. "Let me know if you need anything, Erza."

She nodded and thanked him for the drink. Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.

"Mira-san~" Hikari sang.

I laughed, "Yes?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with Nakina and I after our shifts today?" Hikari asked.

"Of course!" I nodded happily. "I'd love that!"

"Should we invite some other girls? I'd love to get to know them!" Hikari suggested.

"Yes, I'll tell them to meet us back here after hours. We can hang out here all night!"

That day I invited Erza, Lucy, Wendy, Juvia, and Levy. I had also heard that the boys were meeting at Natsu's house to party. Tanoshi, Tabiki, Kagayaku, and Gray were all invited. Gajeel couldn't go because he wanted to watch Mave.

Little did I know that tonight would be the start of a journey with our new companions.