If you've been keeping track of what I've been writing lately, you'll know that I recently started another story for Fate/ Stay Night. But I'm not going to go into too much detail, that's not why you're here.

If you noticed in the last chapter, I mentioned a wolf that was able to survive the attack on its pack. When I was writing that chapter, I was inspired by a book titled Lobo, King of currumpaw, I had also been playing a bit of Fate: Grand Order at the time and ran across the Avenger of Shinjuku. So, there's the inspiration behind what I plan on being one of the antagonists in this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, I only own MY OC

I hope you enjoy chapter 4!

Why do guild mages go on jobs? The common answer is that's how they earn a living. They do jobs that ordinary people, those without access to magic, couldn't do. But is that the case, or is it something else entirely? The answer is something that lies squarely within the realm of speculation. Due to the existence of Guilds, everything that could have happened is nothing more than a bunch of "What-ifs". Its fun to think about the possible alternate histories.

But back to the topic at hand, mages and the jobs they take. Every single human has a type of magic they specialize in. Some are fire mages, others sky or earth mages. Magic for these humans is unique in that unlike me, they're not limited and can learn any type of magic they set their mind to. That's what I love about humanity as a whole, they have limitless potential.

Here's hoping that humanity will continue to strive well into the future. That they will create an era where magic is only capable of being used by a select few. What a wonderful world that would be, wouldn't it?

~Excerpt from Serandiel's Journal

(Magnolia, two years later)

Magnolia itself hadn't changed in the past two years, but its residents have. Fairy Tail had become more rowdy than usual with the addition of some new members. One was a young Ice mage by the name of Gray Fullbuster. At first, he mainly kept to himself. Training alone in the forest surrounding Magnolia to increase his strength. The reason as to why he did so was talked about widely in the guild, but he would never confirm nor deny anything. Thankfully in just a couple of days, the more charismatic members of the guild managed to get him to open up to the rest of them.

Around a couple of days after that, the news of Laxus and Serandiel's return would reach the Fairy Tail Guild. It was one that took place in one of the nearby towns, a couple of bandits had been raiding the camp for a few days. Looting and pillaging anything they deemed valuable. As a result, the affected towns had put out a request that Fairy Tail help them. After considering the situation closely, Makarov considered that Laxus would be the best one for the job. But Serandiel also needed experience in the various types of jobs, and what exactly mages could do. This would be a good opportunity to knock out two current issues in one stroke. At least that's what he wanted to happen anyway. Only time would tell if it would play out like that.

The mission went almost exactly as he thought it would, with the raw power of Laxus's lighting combined with the versatility of Serandiel's two different types of magic. The two of them were able to defeat enough to where the others would then begin to think twice about raiding. Proving to all of Fiore, that anyone who attempted to raid anywhere would have to think twice before committing to such an act.

(Flashback)

People were being lined up, bandits and other slavers were collecting their numerous prizes. It was quite the gamble, attacking a town so close to a guild. But it was a risk they were willing to take; the payoff would have been more than worth it.

Hiding in the bushes, not too far from the outskirts of the small town, were the two Fairies. Their mission was simple, defeat the slavers and recuse those they had captured. On the surface, it was quite a simple mission. But simple is only true on the surface, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy. This was true for both sides of any potential fight. Only time would tell if the saying holds for this moment or not.

"Hey boss, you sure there aren't any more around here?" one of the slavers would ask. "This seems to be unusually light compared to the amount of product we normally catch." There wasn't much here, as the town itself was only home to just over a couple thousand residents.

Back where the two fairies were hiding, the younger hybrid was beyond livid. This was the exact opposite of what he had come to expect from humanity.

Thankfully, Laxus was able to calm his younger brother down just enough to where they would be able to proceed as they had initially planned. Beating the group of bandits and slavers in a precise and methodical manner.

It started with little warning, merely the sudden arrival of storm clouds overhead. Some of the bandits would look to the sky in confusion, the weather reports claimed that it was supposed to be clear skies. The arrival of these clouds was entirely unexpected, even the one in charge of the operation was puzzled by them. But there was no need for that to be of any concern, the job here was almost done.

Everything would change course soon after. The bandits and slavers that took the entire town by surprise, were themselves caught by surprise as the two Fairies descended upon them. One with self-contained fury and anger, the other with a look of serious determination. Both light and lightning descended from the heavens as the two mages fought against the raiders.

Desperately the bandits tried to fight back against the young mages, but their power was far eclipsed. The skirmish ended just as fast as it had begun. The slavers defeated and arrested, the many prisoners freed and allowed to return to their families.

While the two mages waited for the magic council to arrive and take care of everything else, the two Fairies decided to do some interrogation of their own.

(Flashback end)

"I see, so that's what happened. Good work, both of you!" With that situation successfully resolved, the area around magnolia was safe for the time being. He would then dismiss them back to the rest of the guild, there were still somethings he needed to attend to and think over.

During the reports, some of the slavers claimed that everyone they captured would serve as a sacrifice. but apparently, he didn't reveal exactly who it was for. Makarov had some theories as to who it might have been, but the evidence on the entire thing was small. There were still many things which still didn't have answers. But that could wait for the moment, there were far more important things to take care of right now than mere speculation.

Back in the guild proper, Laxus and Serandiel were sitting tables close to the bar. Most of their conversation was about how the mission played out. Laughing to themselves about some of the opponents they went up against. Cana was close by, wanting to listen in on what the two had accomplished.

Their conversation would be cut short, but a frozen projectile hitting Serandiel square in the back of the head. All conversation would stop at that moment, all eyes would focus squarely on Gray. Why did he just attack one of his guildmates out of the blue?

"You don't look that tough, I bet I could beat you easily!" Laxus, as well as Cana, simply glared at the ice mages with looks that would have had anyone else cowering and begging for forgiveness. But that's not what scared the other members the most. It was Serandiel, the same mage Gray had recently attacked.

"You think so?" There was a silvery demonic tone to his voice. "If it's a challenge you want, then it's a challenge you'll get." There was nothing else that needed to be said. Serandiel would walk out of the guild soon after. Gray looked on in a mix of fear, excitement, and determination. He had felt the need to prove his strength to the rest of the guild. This would be the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Although something within him kept telling him that the one he was about to face needed to be defeated. And then summarily killed.

Makarov could hear the common from inside his office. Knowing Fairy Tail as well as he did, there was likely a brawl happening soon. From what he could hear, someone was attacked and a challenge was issued shortly after. Normally he would have expected a brawl to start, but a challenge? That was rare but not too uncommon, especially for his guild.

(Challenge Grounds)

It took the aging guild master a couple of minutes but eventually, he caught up with the rest of the guild. They were standing in an ovular shape around the two competing mages. Both of which he easily recognized. Everyone he asked gave him the same response, that Gray had just attacked him for no specified reason and then challenged him to a fight.

A couple of minutes would pass until the commotion would quiet just enough to where Makarov could referee the fight properly.

"This match is between Gray Fullbuster and Serandiel Dreyar!" He would announce. "there are to be no lethal blows, first one unconscious loses." Anyone on one spar for fairy tail was akin to a horse race, with many of the mages placing bets on who would come out victorious.

"Before we begin anything. I want you to pick a number, 1 or 2?" Laxus could only look on and smile, this new mage had no idea what he was getting into. It seemed as though his little brother was making it easier than it otherwise would have been.

Gray didn't look fazed by the question, looking more confident than ever. He had convinced himself that everything he saw from this kid was a façade. A slight meant to get him off of his game.

"Won't bother," he would respond, "you're going to need all your magic to beat me!" this would earn a sigh from both Laxus and Cana. Did gray not know what he was getting himself into? His overconfidence might very well be the end of him.

This was not how he wanted his day to go about. First, his faith in humanity is shaken by the acts he witnessed earlier, now someone new to the guild thinks he's superior to him. he believed that if something like this kept happening, he might lose what control of his powers he had.

Makarov could also sense his growing frustration and silently prayed to himself that this spar would be over quickly. He could easily sense the growing anger and tension within his adopted grandson. This was something that the two of them would have to talk about once this was over. But for now, all he could do was watch as the spar would soon be underway.

(somewhere in Fiore)

A lone wolf had been stalking its prey throughout the night. A human child who had run out of their home and far into the wilderness. the child was scared, hungry and exhausted. Aware that they had a pursuer, but unable to see where it was. The child would cry out into the night, hoping that anyone would be able to hear them, but it was of no use. The wolf pounced before a single syllable was even screamed. Its claws more than enough to maim and kill the child in one swipe. The lone wolf would feast tonight, then continue its hunt for more.

For the past couple of years, this had been the life of the lone wolf. Hunting its prey, feasting upon the kill and then running again so that it wouldn't be spotted by anyone who would see the victim. This was what the mighty leader of that once great pack of wolves had been reduced to and it could be seen. The wolf was thinner than it used to be, its muscles more defined through constant use.

The only thing which kept it going throughout the past couple of years was the ever-present hatred for humanity. A hatred born out of revenge for the devastation brought onto its pack by humans. The wolf was primarily looking for the one who brought its pack to ruin, so it could have its revenge. No matter what the price.

We're starting to get into the meat of the story now, Serandiel slowly starting to change from the idealistic child into someone else. But I don't want to spoil too much now, it would just ruin the fun.

I wonder what's going to happen to Gray now that he's made his first challenge. Will he succeed or fail? Or is he just trying to stoke his ego, and satiate his pride? I'll never understand what goes on in the minds of Ice mages. (Don't tell them I said that though. Please?)

I hope you all have a wonderful day and I'll see you all in the next upload!