I sighed as I collected some plates from the tables Erza had been serving. We had agreed to take a request from Mr. Yajima, a former magic council member, and an old fairy tail member. However, I had refused to wear the waitress's uniform, causing Erza to plop me on bussing and dishes duty. Stella was floating around, helping Lucy take orders. I let out a laugh as Lucy nailed Natsu with a plate, only for them to be distracted by Erza's… unique method of persuading the customers to buy more food. I rolled my eyes and finished bringing the plates back to the kitchen.
At the end of the day, Yajima thanked us. Erza interrupted him, and asked about the magic council. "Well, after Sieg and Ultear through everything into disarray. I parted ways with the organization. I'm not one to listen to gossip, but here have been rumours later there there is a plan to reestablish the magic council in the works," Yajima informed us. "Our ignorance and misguided actions caused you an awful lot of trouble. I'm truly sorry."
"It's fine, they say you stood your ground in opposition to firing the etherion until the very end. Your conviction is admirable." Erza said with a soft smile. I kept quiet, watching Erza carefully. She insisted that she was back to full strength but I wasn't so sure her heart had fully recovered from Jellal's final betrayal, and somehow, I doubted it ever would. Some wounds ran too deep.
I snickered as Yajima glared at Natsu and Gray and began to lecture them on how he was lax on Fairy Tail before but we shouldn't test the new council's patience. Erza merely rolled her eyes before announcing that it was time to leave. We all loaded into the wagon though Natsu had a bit of reluctance (read as, tried to flee for his life). I managed a half-hearted wave to Mr. Yajima, before turning green and rolling back into the wagon. I was ready to be back at the guild.
A couple of days after arriving back at the guild, I walked in to find Mira creating a list of all the dark guilds. "What's with the long list of dark and depressing?" I asked as I stood next to Erza and Cana. "Unfortunately, they've been noticeably more active as of late. That means we need to strengthen our relations with our fellow guilds." Mira explained to Lucy.
"It's troubling, that's for sure." I added.
"What's with the big circle in the middle?" Gray asked, and I turned to hear Juvia pipe up with an answer.
"It's the Baram alliance of dark guilds. The three major players in that alliance are the Oracion Seis, Tartaros, and Grimoire Heart. All powerful in their own right, but together they're the strongest force in the shadowy guild underworld." Juvia explained."Each controls lesser guilds, that carry out the dirty work they don't wish to do themselves. However, there is one on this chart that remains independent. Raven Tail."
I ground my teeth together at the mention of Ivan's treacherous guild. " Oh man, I recognize the name Eisenwald." Lucy spoke up and Erza nodded.
"I'm sure. That's the guild Erigor belonged to."
"So Eisenwald was actually just a kind of sub-guild that worked under this Oracion Seis?" Gray asked.
"That's about the gist of it, yeah." I confirmed, staring at the very few x's on the board. There were too few. Something was going to have to be done about this and soon.
The other members of the guild began to debate the various strengths of the dark guilds. I shook my head. "Something the matter?" Erza asked me quietly.
"They don't get it. It's not about the brute strength of these guilds, it's about how far they're willing to go." I responded just as quietly. Erza nodded, her expression just as serious as mine.
"Speaking of the Oracion Seis…" Master stepped into the guild hall and we turned to greet him. "Word has come down, we must destroy them."
"WHAT?" the cry echoed in unison from every member's mouth.
"Welcome back Master, I hope you had a good time at the conference." Mirajane responded without pause, causing everyone to stare at her in shock.
"Master, what do you mean by that?" Erza strode forward, her face troubled.
"What exactly are you proposing here?" I strode forward to join my partner, intent on discovering what exactly the master was up to.
"Oracion Seis activity was a heavy topic of discussion at the conference. They pose an urgent threat that can no longer be ignored. Therefore, they must be dealt with immediately. We will take them down before they can harm any of our fellow guilds we are sworn to protect."
"And we have to do all the heavy lifting, am I right?" Gray asked, his tone sarcastic.
"It's a sad truth Ice Princess, but we're about the only ones that can get things done." I said in mock sympathy.
"Fairy Tail will be taking them on by ourselves?" Juvia stated, her eyes wide with shock.
"This enemy is far more powerful than any we've ever faced before. To fight them alone would be too attack would surely ensure the wrath of the entire Baram Alliance in no time." Master paused and looked each member in the eye. "Which is why, Fairy Tail will join a coalition of magical guilds." Ignoring the outcry of shock, master continued." Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter. These Four guilds will select members to represent them in the allied force. Together we will work to bring down the enemy!"
"We can handle it ourselves Gramps, in fact, I could probably even do it alone!" Natsu declared only for Erza to punch him from one side as I smacked him form the other.
"Don't be a fool! The master is wise to consider the long term consequences." Erza lectured Natsu as Lucy began to panic from the idea that a force this large would be required for six people.
"Enough. The wizards to represent Fairy Tail have already been selected. Natsu. Erza. Aquila. Gray, and Lucy. You will rendezvous with the other members of the alliance at a location provided by the Blue Pegasus guild. Pack your things, and move out." Master declared before passing us to enter his office.
"This isn't going to be easy." Gray commented.
"We'll be fine. We always come out on top." I responded, before coming face to face with a petulant Stella.
"I'm going!" She argued.
"Not in a million years." was my unphased response. "Bisca can look after you while I'm gone. These guys are bad news Stella, I don't want you getting hurt."
"Please take me Aquila, what if you need me?" Stella cried as she threw herself into my arms.
"Stella, I'm going to be just fine, I promise. Now give me a smile, please?" I asked my exceed who gave me a watery smile, then flew off to Bisca crying about how unfair I was. I made eye contact with the gun mage, who smiled and nodded, indicating that she would watch Stella for me.
"We're going to be fine." I murmured under my breath, as I turned to return to my house to pack for the journey. "Just fine."
"I want to die." I moaned as I wretched over the back of Erza's wagon.
"I know I've said this before, but I've got a really bad feeling about this." Lucy stated, ignoring my cries for someone to end me and my misery both. We'd been on the road for about two days, and would hopefully arrive at the rendezvous point shortly, which was already too long in my opinion. I ignored Lucy's crisis in favor of throwing up some more.
"Look, this ain't no picnic for me either. So quit pouting would you?" Gray said softly, to which Lucy responded with a more defined pout. I rolled my eyes and wished for Erza, Cana or hell, even Juvia's company. Gray obsessed she may be, but the girl was a sweet one.
"We're here for one reason. Because master put his faith in us, so let's not disappoint him." Erza stated in a sharp tone.
"You'll be fine Lucy." I whimpered out, before upchucking once again.
"I know but Gajeel and Juvia are better fighters." Lucy mumbled.
"Yeah, but they can't go because master sent them on another mission." Happy called form the front, where he was driving them wagon.
I could've cried with joy when Happy announced we were at the rendezvous spot. I slipped out form the cart and laid happily on the ground.
"Jeez, do you need me to carry you again?" Gray rolled his eyes, as I cast him a dirty look.
"No, thank you. Goodness knows where you've been." was my prim response, prompting a scoffl from Gray. I swept past him, and into the hall, followed by Erza and the rest of them.
"Great, another creepy old mansion." Lucy groaned as the doors swung open with a creak.
"It's the second home of Blue Pegasus's master, Bob." Erza explained. Gray went pale at the memory of Master Bob, who always greeted gentleman with a certain… excitement. The mere thought of his reaction to Bob caused me to snicker.
"Yes they're here at last!" A voice echoed from atop the staircase. Not these clowns, I grimaced as the Trimens glided into the main hall, glittering and all that crap. As Lucy started to gush, I rolled my eyes, then noticed Erza looking as though she was preparing for war. As Lates began to prattle on, I stiffened as I felt an arm twirl through mine.
"Please, come sit with me." It was the brat, Eve, and I yanked my arm out of his and began to back up. God this kid loved to flirt with me, proclaiming we were meant to be because I was ice and he was snow. He was almost as irritating as… oh shit.
As a voice echoed from the top of the stairs I knew. Ichiya was here. Man oh man, this house was about to be a crater. The little troll had a sick obsession with Erza and didn't take no for an answer. "Him, oh dear." I heard Erza mumble, as though she was about to be ill.
"It's been a long time, Miss Scarlet." Ichiya stated and I groaned. This was about to get ugly. I sidled up to Gray and grabbed his arm.
"What the hell are you doing?" He asked staring down at me with a bewildered expression, though it almost looked as if he were blushing. I elected to ignore that, in favor of protection from the little brat.
"Do not the little blonde one near me or there will be an icicle large enough to split a mountain brought down on this place." I ordered as I hid behind Gray. His eyes narrowed as he watched Ichiya start sniffing near Erza and Lucy. They practically disappeared when he veered in my direction.
"Alright listen up you playboy wannabes. You'd be wise to keep your hands off our girls! We clear?" Gray growled out.
"Clear as crystal. Now take your leave." Ichiya dismissed Gray, setting off his temper.
"Thanks for dropping by." The Trimens echoed and waved goodbye to Gray.
"We're here on serious business, you know. Can you pretty boys even fight?" Gray taunted. As the Trimens expressions blackened, I sighed. This was about to go real bad.
Erza tried to reestablish order, only to end by socking Ichiya, sending him flying to the door, where he was waylaid by an icy hand.
"You dare greet us with a flying buffoon. Lamia Scale deserves more respect." a familiar voice echoed and Gray's eyes widened.
"It's you!" Lyon and Gray cried out in shock at seeing each other.
"Well well well, if it isn't the guy I beat to a pulp. How you doing, has your pride healed yet?" I taunted. Lyon merely snorted at me, and sent Ichiya flying back at us.
"What is wrong with you?!" Gray cried out.
"He was the one who attacked me, Gray."Lyon responded with a cold tone.
The Trimens were now antagonized and Lyon only continued to taunt Gray. Sherry added to the drama, by attacking Lucy. I guess not all was resolved on Galuna Island.
The room devolved into chaos. Sherry and Lucy were about to face off as were Lyon and Gray. Natsu and the Trimens were prepared to fight and I groaned. Oh, this was such a bad idea.
"SHUT IT!" I yelled, and the entire room went quiet. "Good, now get your goddamned acts together."
"She's right. That's enough. We're here to work together as a group, to destroy the Oracion Seis. This is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves." Into the room stepped Jura Neekis. One of the Ten wizard saints, Iron-rock Jura.
"So, we have representatives from three guilds here. The representative from Cait shelter has yet to arrive." Jura declared.
"What do you mean representative?" I asked, turning to Jura.
"I mean exactly that. Cait Shelter is sending only one member." Jura confirmed.
The room broke out into chatter, only for a young girl to run in and trip. "Ow." She murmured, as she stood and dusted herself off.
The room turned to face her and I was stunned to see a little girl, only about 12 stand there. "Hi, I- uh, I'm sorry I got here so late. I've come form the Cait Shelter guild. My name is Wendy. It's nice to meet all of you." Hmm, Wendy, now where have I heard that name before…