Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

NOTICE: This is a revision of the 2017 version, which is simul-posted to AO3. Episodes 001 through 030 are set to be replaced and other episodes edited. This may cause confusion. To read the 2022 revised edition as it is updated, you can go to AO3 and look for Fairy Adventure (2022 Revised Edition). Otherwise, all 144 (in counting) episodes will remain here and continue to be edited.

As of now, the count is off. 2017 episodes 006 and 007 are set to be combined to put the episode count back on track. Revised Episode 7 to come next Sunday (05/15/2022).

PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: after a tough job, Gary and Nashi are back in Magnolia Town—but their work isn't over yet. A summoned Demon and its contractor are nothing to sneeze at, so it's up to Fairy Tail to sort out this mystery and new potential enemies. Luna's prolonged sleep has everyone worried, but she's back and the world feels right again. But without a clue to what abilities Luna unlocked, it still gets her down she might not be a real Wizard after all. Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear: Magic or not, Fairy Tail has always been about the adventure, not power. And Luna still holds that Fairy Tail spirit.

'My wish…is to be with him/her on this grand adventure.'

'May your wish be granted.'

I guess wishing on a star does have some merit, huh? Although I think Nashi's wish would be for Gary to stop with all the anniversaries…

Chibi-Nashi pops up. "Hey, everyone! Ready for some more Fairy Adventure! To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting!"

She winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

The mountains were not for the faint of heart, and any professional mountaineer would tell you that. Were they as bad as Mount Hakobe? No. The weather here was much more natural with the snow caps the same as ever. But it was the caves that could confuse. Abandoned train tracks and dusty and dirtied material could come only so far into the mountains. Mining tunnels had nothing to show for it other than left-behind rigs and maybe a few old blunts, drinks, and condoms from a group of naughty teens chasing clout.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

The black candles cried waxy tears as flames burned from them. They stood through the enormous cavern and offered a subtle warmth to chase away the misty winter the mountains dwelled in.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

Blood, wine, fire, gold, sand—they polluted the cavern. Gloved hands had poured the blood-mixed sand into the crevices, but they had to be careful. If even one grain of sand was out of place, everything would be off, and nothing would work. Wine lit aflame in golden chalices. It was a balancing act. The fire could not come from Magic since that would defeat the purpose and the wine had to be nonmagical. Finding the right wine to work was a nightmare, but they had done it.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

The bloody sand obscured as each curve and sharp angle filled with something frothy and murky and devastatingly dark. This darker-than-black shade took control of the creation in the ground until it lit up and burst forth giggling and gurgling Curses that tempted and teased every insignificant creature with power beyond measure.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

The creation in the ground became a pool of void darkness that looked like what the edge of the universe would be—dark and distant. A spurt of Curses exploded from the pool with their laughter and whispers, gleeful to be let out for a walk.

And so was their master.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

He was…big.

The Curses that blasted now retracted. They misted and morphed as though arguing with each other which form would be right for their master. Such decisions to make! But they had all mutually agreed his stature would be tall and regal. Horns emerged from his large form. Furred hands cloaked in shadows started mindlessly flipping coins between his knuckles.

"Anay on ca secore Zagan tasa…"

The sigil snapped shut.

The Curses pressed together to firm up their master's form. His nose ring would be a beautiful cold with his neck rings each of a different regal color. The Curses still decided on how to handle the rest of his body, but it was no matter.

Glowing yellows pierced through the shadows.

And the candles went out.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And elsewhere…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A whistle went to lips—

PYUUUUUUUUU!

Why was endurance running Hell on earth?

Luke, Igneel, Nashi, and Luna ran as a unit through the woods on the path marked with Luke's glasses off and Igneel had to put a headband on to keep his matted bangs out of his face. You would think morning training meant a nice jog. But jogging—peace, honestly—was never an option, considering—

PYUUUUUUUUU!

Natsu ran backward as he dropped the whistle from his lips. "It's sad that I've seen Happy run faster than all of you! C'mon, slowpokes!" He turned back around and increased his pace. "Keep up!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Dragneel Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

04:36 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi muttered, irate, "He's only running like that because Mama meets us for a quick drink break."

"I want to die. I'm so tired."

Nashi had a flat look on her face at Luke's complaint considering his immaculate running posture, steady breathing, and minimal sweat. Yeah, you really look like you're dying.

"Four AMs are the worst," Luke lamented. "Someone, just kill me—or Dad."

"Oh, I'll kill him." Hellfire blazed on Igneel with his strides scorching the earth. He snarled, "Bastard interrupted my dream about MJ and Lu—and it was getting to the good part too."

Don't say that without context! Luke and Nashi wanted to cry.

"Nnngh…"

Nashi looked at poor Luna sweating bullets as she ran with the herd. "You doin' okay there, Lu?"

"Ha… I'm dying," Luna whined. "Igneel, can you carry—?"

"Not on my watch."

Luna looked scared out of her wits seeing the Leo Star Sprit running with them. "U-Uncle Loke?"

"Morning," Loke cheered with a grin. "Princess asked me to keep an eye on your guys' morning endurance run." His grin broadened at Luna's sweating. "She had a feeling someone wouldn't play fair."

Luna pouted, found out, and grumbled, "It's not my fault I can't keep up with Papa's cruel and unusual punishment."

Nashi glanced at Luna and checked her form. I know she's complaining, but she's been doing better keeping up with all of us just after a few weeks. And she made it a lot farther this time around before she asked Igneel to carry her.

"Igneel, please carry me?"

"Anything for my cute sister!"

Nashi looked away with a twitch in her eyebrow as she remembered Igneel carrying Luna bridal style as he sprinted down the woodland trail. I don't know if I should be impressed or concerned she's got him wrapped around her finger.

"Remember, Lu, make sure you're taking in your surroundings," Luke reminded. "Dad went easy on you week one, but you know he's going to make you do more dragon squats if you can't find at least three props he put out on the trail." He muttered, "And the rest of us have to come up with seven things that aren't duplicates of each other. Slavedriver."

Luna groaned, but she took the time to look around. "Why does he do this to us?"

"It's not cruel and unusual punishment for one thing," Loke assured. "As a Wizard, you're going to be in a lot of tough, fast-paced situations and battles. You need to react accordingly, but you also need to make sure you're checking your surroundings for anything useful, harmful, or in the way."

"Well, Papa's in the way of my sleep schedule," Luna grumbled.

Luke snickered. "It's not like we didn't see you try to sway him to get us to do a later start time."

Igneel barked a laugh. "Yeah! Pops was about to cave too!"

• — • — • — • — •

"Papa? Please?"

Natsu looked twitchy as a sleepy Luna hugged him. "Now, Luna," he started, trying and failing to be stern, "y-you know you have to take your tr-training seriously—"

"I will, Papa, but…" She looked up at her father with large and twinkling eyes as sparkles popped around her. "Can't we sleep in and start our training later? Pretty please?"

Natsu's eyebrow twitched. "L-Luna—"

"Papa?" Luna shimmered even more. "You're the best papa in the whole wide world."

DOKIDOKI!

Natsu looked visibly in pain as his heart spasmed. 'Dammit! She's so cute!' He could not take it anymore. "Of course, baby girl—"

"Natsu."

Father and daughter were stunned when a sharply-smiling Lucy interrupted with a heavy hand pressed down on her husband's shoulder. "I hope you weren't thinking of caving. And Luna, I hope you were trying to manipulate your father"—death reeked in her eyes—"were you?"

• — • — • — • — •

Luna flushed with annoyance and abashment. "I would've gotten away with it too if it wasn't from our meddling Mama." She muttered under her breath, "Maybe if I can have someone distract Mama and then I can get him alone and corner him. He won't be able to resist me."

Nashi sweatdropped as Luna kept mumbling her plans to pin down their father and overload him with her cuteness. That sounds horrible out of context.

"Come on, you guys!" Natsu hollered from afar. "First one there gets to sleep in tomorrow!"

Competitive grins flashed around. Game – on.

Nashi played dirty as she shoved Igneel aside and sprinted hard down the path. Luke was not about to be left out and made a break for it, but he and Nashi laughed when Igneel burst between both of them with Luna over his shoulder as she stuck out her tongue in victory.

Loke watched in fondness as they shouted at each other and egged each other on. The Heartfilia Can truly does live on.

The four burst free from the trees and trail to bump into each other and collapse in a fit of pants and laughter with Loke following up the rear after a few moments. Luna groaningly laughed, half atop Igneel. "So—who won?"

"You all did." Natsu hovered over his kids with his scarf used as a bandana and his whistle hanging from his neck. He offered his hand to his youngest and pulled her up. "Go on. Your mom has drinks waiting for you at the gazebo." He kissed Luna's forehead—

"Oh, ew, I'm sweaty!" Luna laughed, trying to get away. But she scream-laughed when he peppered her face in kisses. "Papa, you're so gross!"

Natsu grinned, but he stopped teasing her to tug on her ponytail. "Go get your drink." As she ran off, he helped the others up onto his feet with Luke and Nashi gripping either arm. He pulled them up with a yank. "Good job. Get a drink." He held out a hand for Igneel.

Igneel glared at it before sighing. "You're pure evil." He gripped his father's hand—

CLAP!

Natsu pulled him up. "Ah, don't be like that," he needled. He patted Igneel's back. "Go on. Your mom's waiting." He chuckled when Igneel perked and took off for the gazebo.

"And you were worried you'd be a terrible dad."

Natsu laughed as Loke joined him. "I wasn't worried I'd be a bad dad. I was worried I'd be a bad trainer," he corrected. "It's not like I had formal training on all this stuff anyway. But I knew I wanted to teach my kids. I just was worried I'd be a bad teacher." He scowled. "Stupid ice bastard kept rubbing it in my face how he was a better teacher than me when all my practice on Metalhead and Levy's kids had them give me the cold shoulder."

Loke snickered and clasped Natsu's shoulder. "Well, you're doing pretty great at being a trainer and a dad, Natsu."

"Well, duh. Of course I am." After all… His gaze flicked to the five ceremonial gravestones across the way, each tailored to represent the Dragon they had lost all those years ago. I had a great role model.

The space Natsu chose for the final destination of this morning's endurance run looked like a sacred burial ground and, in part, it was. The pond had been a happy accident he discovered in his youth, but he had no reason to come back to it outside bathing (no one tell Lucy he used to bathe in a pond). But after two wars and marrying the only woman brave enough to handle all of him with no reservations, he circled back to the pond and asked her if she wanted to do anything with it.

And she did.

Laki had been called in to build a gazebo on the water yet close to the edge of the pond with stone steps leading to it. The shed over yonder packed away all their seasonal gear. In the summer, they made a day of coming to the pond to swim and lounge about, and in the winter, Gray made sure the ice was hard enough to skate.

The burial ground for the fallen Dragons had been Lucy's idea as well. Saint Layla's would retain her mother's grave, but she had wanted to honor the five Dragons who chose to risk it all to kill the Black Dragon Acnologia. Anna and all five slayers with Dragon parents, touched, agreed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Dragon Pond, named in honor of the fallen Dragons. Shockingly enough, dragonflies and dragon lilies preoccupied the pond after the completion of the burial grounds. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lucy sat in the gazebo in her workout clothes as she watched her children down their drinks and take a minute to rest and decompress. "You all made some good time," she praised. "Better than me when I was your age. Running wasn't my forte."

"You used to complain so much if we had to run," Natsu cackled as he came inside and plopped down beside her on the bench. "I told ya wearin' those boots weren't gonna help you get away from our enemies."

Lucy flushed and sniffed in her defense, "W-Well, I was young! And now I know better, okay?" She turned away from him with a hmph!.

"Like wearing pants instead of skirts when we go on missions out in the cold?" Natsu chortled when Lucy turned bright red. He put an arm on the railing and leaned closer to her to grin and murmur, "Don't worry, Lucy." He nosed her neck and took a deep breath of her scent—moon-kissed skin and stardust. "I'll keep you warm—"

BAKI!

"Ow!" Natsu looked offended when a shoe hit him, and it was all Igneel's fault. "Hey!"

"Stop pervin' on Mom right in front of us!" Igneel scolded. "Act your age from once, Pops, you're not some horny teenager!"

Lucy mumbled, "He certainly acts like that."

Natsu snapped back, "She's my wife, jerk, I'm allowed to perv on her all I want!"

"Hey, pervert!" Igneel butted heads with his father. "Keep it in your pants, you pervert!"

"Jerk!" Natsu butted his head right back. "If I wanna flirt with my wife, I will!"

They growled at each other with lightning crackling between them.

Luke focused on his breathing as he sprawled out on his portion of the wraparound bench. "I'm too tired to deal with this nonsense," he bemoaned. He accepted the next drink his mother offered him. "Thanks, Mom."

"Sure, sweetie." Lucy retrieved two more drinks from the cooler (she dutifully ignored Natsu and Igneel's fighting escalating—If I wasn't a pervert, you wouldn't have been born, jerk! / And if I wasn't born, Mom wouldn't have someone to protect him from your pervy ass, pervert!) and went to sit between her daughters who happily used their Miniature Fan Lacrima to cool down. "Here you go."

Nashi instantly twisted the gap for a much-needed waterfall before swallowing. "Thanks, Mama."

"Of course, baby." Lucy simpered when Luna deflated against her shoulder and persisted with the drink. "Come on, now. You need to drink up and stay hydrated. This is just like your conditioning for gymnastics and dance."

"This is worse," Luna mumbled, but she did take a few sips of her drink. "How are you so awake?"

Lucy raised an amused eyebrow. "Who do you think ran this trail before you?"

Nashi and Luna could envision their poor mama being forced to endure their papa egging her on to run faster. Thank you for your sacrifice, Mama.

Lucy took hold of Luna's Miniature Fan Lacrima to keep her cool while her daughter drank up. "Well, regardless, you're doing great," she soothed. "You should be proud of how far you've come in these past few weeks."

Luna did not look at her mother as she murmured, "But I still can't cast any spells."

Oh, Luna. Lucy brushed back Luna's flyaways from her cheeks. "I know it's frustrating," she told her. "But you are improving. And with more practice and training, you'll get there someday. I promise."

Luna gave a noncommittal hum and closed her eyes.

Lucy shared a glance with Natsu before looking down at Luna. I know it's hard. But hold on a little longer. She looked at the gravestones. You'll understand someday.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Natsu ga hajimatta

Aizu ga shita

"kizutsuki tsukareru" kedo mo iin da

Tsugi no koi no yukue wa doko da

Eiga janai

Shuyaku wa dare da

Eiga janai

Bokura no ban da

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The guild hall opened unofficially at 6 AM to start with inventory and prep work, and a few bedraggled Wizards off to catch the early train could stop in and get a cup of tea or coffee. But 8 AM was when the crowd could officially pour in. Breakfast was served with neighboring civilians and Fairy Tail Mages stumbling in to enjoy eggs, meat, and hash and murmurous conversation.

Number Five finished making the tea before leaving the office with the cart. Erza took a sip of her tea and savored it before putting down her cuppa. Her eyes flicked to the three people in her office this morning. "Are you sure about this?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Master's Quarters, The Fairy Tail Guild

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

06:58 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Yes." Gary answered this, between the two others. "You know we wouldn't present this proposal to you without making sure it was airtight."

Erza was inclined to agree, but that did not mean she gave her approval. "And your team members? This is quite the gamble."

"It's not overkill. And it's not a gamble when you look at the power systems we need for success." The second man, next to Gary, further elaborated: "As of now, we can't assume the enemy is similar to your enemies from the war, not until Mister and Misses Dragneel return from their trip to the Mildian ruins. What we know is that the enemies received their powers from two different systems. And in this current source, an effective way to counter it requires all of the team members we've listed."

Erza leaned back and crossed her arms. "I see." She looked at the drafted proposal before her, already read covered to covered and revised on its fifth edition before it came to her desk. "I still have my concerns," she told the trio. "Until Natsu and Lucy return from their trip, perhaps it would be wise to simply monitor the situation—"

"Forgive me for speaking of turn, Master; however, that is out of the question."

Erza quirked an eyebrow at the third. "Oh?"

"We cannot afford to be idle when potential resources are waiting. This would be a crucial key to understanding our new enemies. The longer we monitor and stall our infiltration, the more time the enemy has to grow stronger in this world. Insofar, no deaths have been reported. But that doesn't mean there won't be future casualties," came the explanation. "We cannot be idle when we can take preventative measures."

Erza heaved a breath. "I understand." She closed her eyes for a brief beat, but when she reopened them, her browns were firm. "All right." She went for her stamp. "I gave provisional approval when you presented the case. Now, I'll make it official. You three shall carry out this mission with the utmost discretion. All your findings will be reported directly to me and the Chairman. You will be held directly responsible if you fail to heed this confidentiality."

"I understand, Master."

"Yes, Master."

"Agreed."

Erza raised her stamp. "Well then—"

PON!

When she lifted the stamp back up, the proposal's cover had the official Fairy Tail seal of approval with a subtle Magic Spell thrumming off it. "I hereby give you your approval and wish you all good luck." Browns sparked. "May Mavis' Spirit be with you."

"Yes, Master."

As the three filed out, Erza watched them all. Jellal… She glanced down at a picture on her desk—the guild picture taken when she became the next Guild Master. I pray your mission has Mavis' blessing as well.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 006

•

Arborea Mountains

•

アルボレア山地

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Again!"

"Ha!"

It always shocked people when Levy admitted Gajeel was the one to want their house in this neighborhood. The outskirts of Magnolia had a bit of a Minstrish flair to them. These suburbs were nothing like the normal suburbia with constant townhouses and lookalike homes. Most of the houses here were of all brick or Tudor-style and proud of it, old in age but still standing. The Magnolia Trolley still reached out here with its line running down the street. With a forest as your background and a good amount of property, parents eagerly moved here and brought plenty of children who all played together.

Maybe that was why people were surprised Gajeel picked this street for his family.

The Redfox house had been another Tudor-style home that "had character", according to the realtor, but Gajeel was more interested in how much he had to rip apart to make this a suitable home for his family and gift his smart wife a study and library she could call her own. A romantic, that Black Steel.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Redfox Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

7:48 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Break!"

Gale wiped the sweat from his face as he faced Panther Lily, both shirtless for their sparring match. Gajeel served as the referee. But one thing was different about the sparring match.

They were blindfolded.

He blew his whistle and barked, "Again!"

Exhausted or not, Gale drew himself up and went for instant offense. He took one step forward, then two—

FWOOM!

The cloth might have blinded him, but he could feel the faint shivers of the earth. Vibrations crawled up his body as he tried to pinpoint what vibration belonged to what and get a sense of what was around. He stepped again to try and cast his net wide in sensing—

THWACK!

Gale bit back a grin. There. He kicked himself into a spin as he uprooted earth from the ground and speared them for Panther Lily. The Black Panther Exceed's ears pricked, and he spun his staff to break down the earthen spheres trying to attack him before rushing forward. Gale raised his arms to build a shield, but Panther Lily used his sprint to scale the wall and jump over it.

BAKI!

Gale crossed his wrists as rose quartz guards shielded him from the staff trying to beat him. He dropped one hand and his Magic built around it only to shatter off and leave him with an oversized, fisted glove of topaz. He made his move to punch Panther Lily in the gut a few times before Panther Lily was forced to leap away.

And Gale gave chase.

The fight was part-Magic on Gale's side, but he and Panther Lily were forced to use their senses and martial combat. At one point, Gale gritted his teeth when Panther Lily used his staff to swing around and kick him in the side, but he made a padparadscha chain mace and growled as he swung the spiked ball to his target. Panther Lily was no fool and kept dodging every attempt the mace made for him until he backflipped into one of the trees that bordered the forest.

Gale stopped with his nose coming upwards to scent, but Panther Lily made his move all too quickly. Gale snarled when a heavy body pounced on him and pinned him to the ground with the staff at his throat and his legs pinned down. But he did not give up on the fight yet. He dismissed his gem weapons and dug his hands into the ground—

Panther Lily's ear twitched and his fur raised when he felt Magic splurge into the ground, but the spell vanished quicker than it had been summoned.

Gale tossed his head on the ground and seethed, "Dammit!"

Gajeel blew his whistle. "Break."

Panther Lily pulled off Gale, and the moment he was free, Gale angrily took off his blindfold. "Fuck! I was so close!" He sat up and glared at his measly creation of a pile of rubble. "Those were supposed to be golems, not dirt."

"Ran wasn't conquered in a day, as the saying goes." Panther Lily shoved up his blindfold and used his staff to point at the pointless rubble. "Silent spell work is difficult to conquer. The fact that you can use your Secret Art wordlessly is impressive enough."

Gale snorted as he got to his feet and bitterly muttered, "Not impressive enough to win."

"Don't be such a sore loser." Gajeel tussled Gale's hair and cracked a grin when his son growled at him, flashing fang. "Ya wanna fight me too?" Chilling brutality glinted in those sanguine reds. "You flash those teeth at me, you better back it up, Pipsqueak."

Gale looked away, but he bit, "Well excuse me for being pissy I got my ass handed to me—again. Sorry I'm not a prodigy."

"Who the fuck said anything about being a 'prodigy'?" Gajeel asked. "You lost. You train. End of story. Doesn't matter if you're a genius or a dumbass. You know the rules of the ring. You get up or shut up."

Gale snapped, "I am getting up, every single day, Old Man. It's not my fault you're a shitty trainer and I've gotten practically nowhere these past few weeks—"

"Don't throw a pity party for yourself and think I'm going to come to it, Pipsqueak," Gajeel sharply growled. "You're an adult. You wanna go somewhere else, to someone else for training? That's on you. I don't have to train you."

"Like you even have been," Gale retorted. "You pawn me off to everyone else while you, what, 'supervise'? And we both know why you don't even fight me. Because I'm the only one in the family who didn't—"

Gajeel cut in, "I don't fight you because you've proven time and time again you aren't ready to fight me." Sanguine reds burned. "And at this rate, I doubt you'd ever be ready."

That made Gale recoil for a beat before rage exploded on his face. "Fuck you—"

He should have seen it coming.

Panther Lily's fighting always had a sort of nobility to it, a trained warrior of honor and justice because of his upbringing. But Gajeel had been raised by a crass Iron Dragon. He fought with animalistic brutality.

And he gave a perfect effort.

Gale could protect himself all he wanted to, but never could he dodge his father's ferocity. He had no time to think, no time to breathe, no time to give a perfect effort. The fact no Magic had been used and the blows had been softened to leave lingering agony but no bruises were mockeries. Gale got pushed to the ground and turned onto his stomach with his arms pinned behind his back and a heavy weight on the back of his knees. He thrashed, but that snarl in his ear made him be still.

His mind blanked, but his body reacted with a high-pitched whine—a declaration of submission.

Gajeel kept him pinned as he hissed, "You aren't ready to growl at me and back it up, Pipsqueak. You – aren't – ready to fight me. The only reason Salamander lets Igneel fight him is because Igneel does what it takes to give a perfect effort, you understand me?" He got off Gale.

Gale shakily got onto all fours then to his feet before turning around, but he did not meet his father's eyes with anger his time. All three could smell submission and humiliation waft off him in response to Gajeel's aggression.

Gajeel looked down at his son. "You've always had an attitude problem, but you don't bring that shit in the ring. You know better than that."

"Yes, sir," mumbled Gale.

Gajeel showed his teeth, but he lessened his aggression. "Run until you hit the waterfall. Go for a swim. You stink." They both knew he meant the submission and humiliation burning from Gale. He gave his son his back and growled, "Go."

And Gale took off for the woods with hints of anger leaving behind a trail.

Gajeel tracked Gale's run as Panther Lily came up to him. But before the Exceed could get in a word edgewise, Gajeel grunted, "Yeah, I know. He always gets this pissy in September, but he's gotta learn he can't growl like that if he can't defend it."

"I agree," Panther Lily responded. "I was wondering when you would do something about it."

Gajeel sighed, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, well, after that whole thing with Salamander and the little prince, I wanted to hold off until he was older."

"That was a special case," Panther Lily reminded, the tip of his tail flicking. "Igneel was…"

"I know."

Angered flames that nearly reached the Heavens and glowing emeralds thriving within them.

Gajeel ticked his jaw. He was a monster.

"So." Panther Lily mindlessly twirled his staff. "It's September. Perhaps it would be best to set aside his training until October."

"You're starting to sound like Levy," Gajeel huffed. "I told you. The answer is 'no'."

Panther Lily glanced at Gajeel. "It's almost cruel."

"Maybe. But I'm not doing it for sick kicks and you know that."

"Then why do it at all?"

Gajeel did not answer aloud. Because if he doesn't work past this, I got a feeling something worse will happen if he's set off. His ears twitched and he felt a tingling throughout his skin. "We've got guests." He walked away.

Panther Lily did not join him. "I'll wait for him."

"Ha! Tell him to hit the showers if he comes back," Gajeel called. Maybe you're right, Old Man. That kid… His lips twitched. He has the same vile look in his eyes as me.

°•°•°•°

"Thank you for having me, Misses Redfox."

Levy simpered as she smoothed out her skirt to sit. "Lance, I think you're old enough to call me 'Levy'. None of that 'misses'."

"I understand." Lance Dreyar helped himself to the tea poured. "I hope I'm not interrupting?" Everyone said out of all his siblings, he was the only one who inherited Mira's disposition. His white hair stood out in a crowd, but no one ever thought his age contributed to the color. He got deep oranges eyes and a colossal frame from his father.

⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD

Name: Lance Dreyar

Age: 20

Occupation: S-Class Mage, Military Defense Advisor

Magic: Lightning

Likes: baking Dislikes: caterpillars

Special Note: Son of Mira and Laxus, Lance helps Her Majesty's Royal Military with optimizing their defenses, but he's all for making love and not war! ⌟

"Oh, not at all," Levy waved away with a smile. "I'm one of the lucky associates at U of C who has later lectures, so you're not troubling me at all. I hope you like the tea!"

Lance smiled as he raised his cup. "Thank you." He took a sip—

PIKA!

He blanked. This…can't be tea.

Levy raved on (oblivious to Lance's minefield), "I've been taking some tea classes with Lu over the past few years, all thanks to Her Majesty inviting us to tea ceremony lessons with some of the higher nobility. And I believe I've really nailed it this time!"

Lance's eyebrow twitched. "I… I can honestly say I've never tasted anything like it."

"Really?" Levy brightened, pleased. "That's great! The ladies said the same thing too!" She pouted. "But it didn't impress Mira at all."

• — • — • — • — •

"Y-Y'know what, Levy?" Lucy's smile twitched as she held up her teacup with the ladies gathered in the Redfox sunroom. "I-I've never had such an…interesting flavor of tea before."

"Agreed." Erza looked composed as she took another sip with Number Five dutifully standing behind her. "Not even my poisoned drinks have ever had such a flavor. Very intriguing."

"J-Juvia…" Juvia's eyes swirled from her one sip. "J-Juvia thinks Levy has a…unique talent for teamaking. M-Maybe even more unique than Juvia."

"Oh, my word!" Mira cupped her cheek as she smiled like an Angel. "This tea still needs some work."

• — • — • — • — •

Levy glinted her triumph. "And now that I've mastered tea, Gajeel will have to let me use the kitchen again."

"You don't say?" Lance internally sweated. This is 'mastered tea'?

She scratched her cheek and confided, "Admittedly, I was a bit of a wreck in the kitchen before…"

• — • — • — • — •

"I made dinner!"

Gajeel gawked and Panther Lily looked like his soul left his body when they saw the kitchen. Levy looked proud of her what looked to be some charred-beyond-repair meat and grainy quinoa, but the number of bowls, pans, and utensils dirtied with questionable and nauseating combinations of spices and liquids would have burnt off Gajeel's eyebrows if they were not studs.

Levy beamed as she gestured to the plates (and Panther Lily thought something moved on his). "Enjoy!"

• — • — • — • — •

Levy laughed. "Gajeel thought I was an absolute mess in the kitchen that he kicked me out. Can you believe that?"

"No, I can't believe it." Shadows covered Lance's eyes. I totally believe that.

"Talkin' shit about me, Shorty?" Gajeel came into the room, fresh from a shower and change, but with a sniff, he froze and looked at the tea kettle and cups. Shit. Not again.

Levy tittered. "I'm always talking about you," she teased and patted the spot beside her. "Come sit! Lance came by to speak to us and I made us some tea. I even poured you a cup."

"You"—Gajeel's eyebrow twitched—"did?" Fuck me, not again. He recoiled seeing the shimmer in Levy's eyes. Dammit.

Levy beamed when he sat beside her and had his teacup all ready for him. "Here! I even made sure to add a little honey, just how you like it." She pressed it into his hands, eager, and prompted, "So?"

"Ah…" Gajeel smiled at his wife, eyebrow still twitching. "This smells…great, Shorty." Yeah. He tried not to grimace smelling death from black tea inside the cup. If Death smelled good. He tentatively took a sip—

PIKA!

Levy could not help it, too excited, and burst, "So? How was it? Lance told me he's never had tea like it before! It's a pretty good improvement from last time, right?"

Lance kept on his smiling façade as he freaked out on the inside. This was an improvement?!

"So?" She nudged her husband. "Are my kitchen privileges back?"

Shadows covered Gajeel's eyes. I should just tell her the truth. It's been years. I can't just not say anything. He turned to her—

"Gajeel?" Levy looked positively angelic with her puppy hazel eyes as she peered up at him. "Wasn't it good?"

DOKIDOKI!

Gajeel gave a rickety grin and lied through his teeth, "It was an improvement, Shortstack. Maybe just a little more practice and we can talk about the kitchen."

"Really?" Levy jumped him for a hug and nuzzled his side. "Oh, I knew you'd like it, Gajeel!"

"Of course." Gajeel's fingers tightened on his teacup. "I…love it."

Lance caught Gajeel's ashen, sweating face, and he wanted to cry, You look like you need a hospital! He set down his teacup instead and maintained his composure. "Mister and Misses Redfox, thank you for meeting me on such a short notice. I have a proposal for both of you." Sunset oranges darkened. "Well, more for Gale."

Levy pulled away to frown at Lance. "I mean, of course you can talk to us about it, but Gale's a Legal Mage and an adult. You don't need our approval. If you'd like us to get him—"

"In this case, I do need you here." Lance took out his leather folder from his backpack PDP and presented it on the coffee table to the mister and missus. "This proposal has been approved by Master with a few stipulations we agreed upon. And one of those stipulations was that non-S-Class Mages had to receive permission not from their parents but their teachers."

Gajeel set down the cup to pick up the folder and opened it for him and Levy to read.

As they did, Lance continued his pitch. "As of now, our team consists of six Mages, three of which are S-Class including myself. We have outlined the nature of our special assignment, including all potential risks, assignment aftercare, and extra protections for all non-S-Class team members. We also offer this as an opportunity to test Gale's skills in a hostile environment, of which Mystogan is the only qualified and licensed examiner. And finally, we've listed the payout and a confidentiality agreement."

Gajeel read the fine print and asked, "And if they break it?"

"Their broken confidentiality reflects on all S-Class team members," Lance told them. "Like I said, we have multiple protections and clauses in place for all non-S-Class team members. They shouldn't be punished for our proposal, especially when they don't know protocol."

"A 'learning' special assignment," Levy murmured. She glanced at Gajeel. "This would be a good opportunity for Gale, but it's already so late and…" She whispered, "His birthday is a week away."

Gajeel's jaw ticked, but he looked at Lance. "If this is a 'learning' assignment for him, he'll take it. But I want to add some things to his test."

Lance nodded. "Of course."

Levy could not agree with this. "Gajeel—"

"I know it's close." Gajeel looked down at her. "But trust me with this, Shorty."

"Would he even agree?" Levy asked him. "You know what he gets like—" Her gaze dropped. "A-After his tenth birthday…"

Gajeel took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Trust me."

Levy lifted her gaze for hazel and sanguine to meet, but she conceded with a nod.

"And"—Gajeel put down the proposal to point—"did you miss one of the teammates?"

Levy's eyebrows knitted together, but as she examined the list, it clicked for her. Oh. I see. She smiled, shaking her head. Then he'll definitely go.

Lucy really did try to get Natsu involved with cooking early in their relationship, but she had to face facts.

Natsu was a horrible chef.

That left Lucy to train rigorously under Mira, Capricorn, and Virgo's guidance to be the chef between them.

KOTOKOTO!

TOROTORO!

Though she never anticipated she would feed four others with Natsu's stomach in the future.

TOROTORO!

Breakfast together as a family was once in a while, but today seemed perfect for it. Lucy had made seasoned scrambled eggs that could feed an entire outfit and had to use different utensils for two pounds of bacon, Natsu and Igneel's steaks, one pound of tofu bacon, and Nashi's fish sausages before getting to the hash. The dogs were more than happy with breakfast, wagging their tail when Lucy would throw them a slab of bacon and they would snap it up.

Lucy shook her head as Actaeon and Lelantos downed their bacon strips with Plue careful to eat his share. "You know you three don't need to eat human food, right?"

The dogs barked and wagged their tails for more (Plue let out an excited pun! and trembled like a chihuahua).

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Dragneel Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

08:26 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lucy called out to the house, "Breakfast will be ready in five!" She sighed as she turned down the burner for the eggs to check on the croissants. After seeing the magnitude of Gajeel and Levy's kitchen, she had no shame in asking Gajeel for his opinions and he was right—a double oven was better. "Honestly, it feels like I'm making enough food for an army."

"Lucy!" Natsu called down from the stairs that bled into the kitchen. "Ya want me to pack you a swimsuit?"

Lucy's nose wrinkled. "Natsu, we're doing to Alakitasia and most of that continent is a desert!"

Silence.

Then footsteps clomped down the stairs and Natsu poked his head into the kitchen from the staircase railing with a grin. "Yeah, but it's gonna be hot," he reminded. "And you like wearing less clothes when you're getting all sweaty, right?"

Lucy narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "I guess…"

"Good!" Natsu beamed, but the look in his eyes was predatory. "Because I know which one you should wear."

"Wait, Natsu—!" Lucy groaned into her hands with her face pink as he ran back upstairs. "I should've known that's where his mind was going," she lamented. With almost all the food needing a few minutes to simmer and bake, she turned her attention to the dishes. I was so sure he wouldn't be like this when we got together, but…

"Lucy!"

"Na—? Natsu!"

"C'mon, Lucy, it's Lucy-Time and I'm all fired up!"

Lucy's face warmed, but she tried to be upset about her husband constantly accosting her with sunny words and a sharp gaze. Dummy. I was supposed to be the one in charge! Her eyebrow twitched. But instead, he just…

Suffice to say, every time Lucy thought she would get the drop on Natsu, he was happily one step ahead. All her protests switched to pleas for him to keep going and all her plans somehow were subverted for her to be a prisoner of pleasure.

He just… Just…!

The dogs cocked their head seeing their mister turn bright red with steam puffing from her ears. Their mistress was quite cute.

°•°•°•°

Luna watched The Grand Adventures of Poko in the living room as she went about a few flexibility exercises on the floor. She had laid out her mat to do the splits and kept watch of the LV as she stretched to her right side, held for thirty seconds, then switched to the left side.

Igneel came into the living room from the side door that led out to the deck, still sweaty. "Lu, lemme shower and we'll head to the library." He dreamily sighed. And MJ will be there as a bonus. Sweet.

"Kay!" Luna switched to lying her arms before her and walking herself out until she was flat on the floor, still watching her show. Her Compact buzzed as she tended to it as she rolled her hips to close her legs. She rolled to her back to make a one-handed bridge and checked her notifications. Her ⟪ U-VERSE ⟫ app showed an announcement:

[ NOTICE ] YOUNG NATION PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – SILLA Online Streaming

Luna pouted as she looked at the information about the seven Josean artist group performing in Silla and looked at the prices for online streaming. Well, I guess I'll have to settle for online streaming with Silver again. Even if I really want to see it in theaters with other ARMY…

She kicked her feet to go into a one-handed handstand and exited the app to check other notifications. Nothing caught her interest, so she tossed her Compact and focused on her handstand. It's been weeks. Aunt Wendy and Granny Porlyusica said I'm a Wizard, but… I still can't cast spells. And Mama and Papa still want me within Magnolia limits.

Browns glinted. Gale was wrong. Nothing has changed.

DING-DONG!

"Can someone get that?"

"I got it, Mama!" Luna fell back onto her feet and smoothed out her ponytail as she skipped out of the living room, down the hall, and to the front door. But when she swung open the door and went for the screen door, utter surprise splashed on her face. "What are you going here?"

°•°•°•°

"Sorry to bother you like this, Misses Dragneel—"

"Gary."

"I know, I know. Aunt Lucy."

"That's better. Did you want any more hash?"

Eating outside on a September morning felt like the right amount of warmth, considering they were in the 10s. A later Fall was nothing to be concerned about since Fiore liked to stretch out its warm weather, but now the seasons amiably changed and spells could be cast to keep out any bugs, having breakfast on the deck felt like a good idea.

Well, to everyone except Nashi.

Nashi buzzed with agitation as she watched Gary charm her mama with his manners and smile. She stabbed her eggs and grumpily chewed on them. What's he plotting? He'd never come over here for something innocent. All the times Gary bombarded her in the morning circled those damned anniversaries. Is he looking for a fight?

"Y'know, Aunt Lucy, I'd thought I'd had good cooking, but every time I come over here…" He gave her a chef's kiss. "It's like I'm getting a whole new delicious experience."

Lucy giggled. "Oh, stop it, you'll make me blush!"

"I'm serious. Just when I think you can't top your last dish, you end up blowing me away more."

"Oh, you're so sweet, Gary. Thank you!"

TICK!

A tick mark twinged Nashi's cheeks as she stabbed fish sausage with anger seething off her as Gary kept talking and his charisma was highly effective against Lucy. Mama, get away from that dog, he's deceiving you!

GUSA!

Nashi sweatdropped as undiluted wrath heated around her papa as he muttered things under his breath and nearly broke his plate from his knife stabbing clear into his steak. Or maybe get away before Papa goes nuclear! And if Papa's going to go nuclear—she turned her head—then Igneel is—

She saw an outline of Igneel and his plate of food, but he was gone. He was okay to leave things like this?!

A sigh. "Well, as much as this breakfast has been satisfactory, I believe we should get to why we were called here."

"Ah, right." Gary's smile turned sheepish. "Sorry. I just had to give my compliments to the chef." And he winked.

Nashi wilted while Lucy blushed. He's so creepy/amazing!

Gary's smile faded for a solemn frown to batten down and he pushed his plate away. "We didn't come here today for pleasantries, unfortunately. We came because we have a proposal we would like to discuss with you."

Someone flourished their hand.

Lucy blinked when a leather folder was before her for the taking. "A 'proposal'?"

Natsu nodded to his daughters. "Luna, Nashi—why don't you guys finish breakfast inside?"

"Oh." Luna moved to rise. "Sure, Papa—"

"Actually, I believe it would be more appropriate for them to hear what we're about to say," came tactful statement. "This does pertain to the both of them, after all."

Luna slowly sat back down. "The both of us?"

Gary presented, "Right now, we've been investigating for potential sightings of another enemy within Fiore. And one that we could find the most circumstantial evidence on would be in the Arborea Mountains, inward of Fiore's borders."

Nashi tried to follow along. 'Sightings of another enemy'? Hickories widened. "Wait. Do you mean—?"

"That's correct." Gloved fingers pushed up glasses. "We suspect there is another Demon and its Labyrinth inside the Arborea Mountains."

Natsu tensed and Lucy rubbed the back of his hand as she looked at both men. "You're certain about this?"

"I checked the perimeter myself," Gary told her. "I made sure to stay out of range, but that dark energy I felt from the Demon before was coming in the direction of the Arborea Mountains. And that's not all. It would seem there are protections in place to subtly manipulate people from coming closer. It gave me a minor headache, but it looks like this Demon isn't interested in attaining more human lives."

"Hold on. A Demon?" Luna did not comprehend this situation. "You mean like those Demons are parents fought in the war? The evil ones made from the Black Wizard?"

"No." Natsu answered this with his stare steady on his wife before looking at his youngest. "These Demons are different from…"—he looked away, jaw flexing—"different from them."

"The Black Wizard didn't make these Demons," Lucy told Luna.

"Correct." Arms folded and gloves tapped against a bicep. "The Black Wizard did create many Demons and could be considered 'Father of Demons' from the Middle Era. But he received the knowledge in creating Demons from Black Arts books thought to be last after the First and Second Black War over a millennia ago."

Luna echoed, "'The First and Second Black War'?"

"Yes," came reply. "Both wars so volatile that the world was stuck in chaos for two centuries before the X-system began—the First Era. The Black Wizard managed to create monsters and Demons and Curses based upon knowledge from the Old Era, but that knowledge has carefully been preserved and protected since his rather unfortunate demise—"

"How can you say 'unfortunate'?" Nashi snapped. "That man was pure evil!" She clenched her fork. "He made all those monsters and killed people for fun—for a game! What's so unfortunate about him dying? His death is the reason we're all alive!"

Natsu's jaw went taut.

"Whether you comprehend this or not, the Black Wizard was a great Wizard," came swift rebuttal. "Only a fool would disagree. Did he commit atrocities? Of course. I can't deny that someone like him deserves to be in The Grave. But his accomplishments were on par with the White Wizard, another great Wizard lost. Had the Black Wizard stayed alive and with proper interrogation, we would have been able to understand his thought process—"

Nashi smirked, shaking her head. "Everything is always psychoanalyzing and researching with you. Why would we need to 'understand' him when he tried to kill our entire country because he thought it'd be fun—?"

"Nashi. That's enough."

She looked at her father who stopped her and argued, "But Papa—"

"Let's just hear what they have to say," Lucy soothed. "Okay?"

Nashi huffed, but she sat back, quiet.

"Right." Fingers tapped against a bicep again. "With the Black Wizard gone and Demons taken care of, that should have been the end of that. But following Gary and Nashi's discovery of a human summoner to a Demon and its Labyrinth, we believe someone else has been offering Black Texts from the First Era to people and bringing back the Demons the Black Wizard poorly based his creations on."

"A second Black Wizard," Lucy whispered.

"Not necessarily," Gary eased. "We can only give speculative guesses, but that's not why we're here today. We're here to present our proposal about the sighting we have evidence on. Three of us have decided to go to the mountains and investigate. But as such, we will be taking three additional members." He looked at Luna and Nashi. "Including you two, if you want to join us."

Luna's expression showed it all. "You want me to come with you?"

"No."

Lucy sighed when Natsu laid down the rejection. "Natsu—"

But he looked directly at Gary. "We should talk."

Gary straightened up. "Yes, sir."

Nashi frowned when Natsu and Gary left to descend the deck and cross the lawn, tension across their backs. What's that about?

Lucy turned. "Perhaps you'd reconsider—"

"If you'd take a look at the proposal, you'll find all the terms are most agreeable and protect both your daughters," came statement.

Luna was still reeling. "But… You want me? I-I'm not…" She rubbed her arm. "I mean… I can't even cast a spell. I'm sorry, but…" she lowered her head. "I… I think you should choose someone else. I'm sorry."

Nashi's frown deepened with sympathy as she watched Luna curl and make herself smaller. Lu…

"I'm aware of the nature of your Awakening," came firm assurance. "When this proposal was in its early drafts, however, you still maintained your spot on this team, Luna. You might not be able to cast spells for rudimentary Magic, but what's important is that you are willing to test yourself and push forward against the odds."

Luna opened her mouth, but then she closed it.

"And Nashi, I'm certain you know why we chose you."

And she did. "Because of my Divine Souls."

"Precisely. From Gary's report, your divinity worked well to eliminate the woman summoner and the Labyrinth. And as for now, your divinity and Gary's devilhood are the only two facts we know for certain can overpower these Demons. If you're willing, we would like you to come with us, provided you leave our witness or witnesses intact for proper cross-examination."

Nashi swallowed back her guilt.

Lucy glanced at her daughter before reminding the young man, "She did a great and brave thing saving those children."

"And I understand that, Misses Dragneel, I really do. But even you have to admit, had we had the summoner in our custody, we would have much more intel to work off of rather than speculative hypotheses."

Lucy gave, "Maybe or maybe not. But the past is done now. We can only look at the future—"

"I'll go." Nashi looked at the person across from her. "I'll go. And I won't make another mistake."

"Very well." Arms shifted. "And you, Luna?"

Luna wanted to be as confident as her sister, but she shied away. "W-Well, I… I mean…" She rubbed her arm. "I—"

"Sorry I'm late!" Luke came out with his breakfast plate and looked like a proper student with his oversized cardigan and a shirt with some strange physicist saying that must have sounded funny to, well, physicists. He sat down where Igneel was once and yanked off his messenger bag. "Sorry I have to run." He hurriedly went through his breakfast. "Yuu's meeting me at the train station and—"

He looked up and froze mid-chew. "S-Sensei?"

His sensei sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Maybe I really have been gone for so long that you couldn't even sense my presence."

"I-I-I—!" Luke quickly stood and bowed. "G-G-Good morning, Sensei! I, er, I didn't—"

"Save me your excuses." Gloves hands scraped off the cloak's hood to show that stunning scarlet hair. For all he inherited from his mother, he bore the same diplomatic detachment as his father once did, brown eyes laced with judgment behind his glasses. "I need an accountable apprentice, not one who tries to worm his way out of his manners and responsibilities."

⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD

Name: Mystogan Fernandes

Age: 21

Occupation: S-Class Mage, Institutional Research Specialist

Magic: Heavenly Body Magic

Likes: chocolate cake Dislikes: incompetence

Special Note: Son of Jellal and Erza, Mystogan is on the track to becoming a Sorcerer and is Luke's private teacher! But for as powerful as he is, not even Luke knows all the cards in his sensei's hand! ⌟

Luke hid his pout and mumbled, "Yes, Sensei." Can't he give me one little break? I was up late last night because of him—

"If you are trying to blame me for your early morning incompetence"—Mystogan adjusted his glasses, making the lenses gleam—"perhaps I should work you so hard you become incompetent."

"N-No, Sensei!" Luke wanted to cry. Why is he so cruel to me!

Sweatdropping, Lucy's smile twitched as she waved her hands. "Now, now, let's not be too hasty…"

"You're right," Mystogan conceded. "I was being too hasty." Before Luke could sigh in relief, Mystogan picked up his tea and said, "I should slowly increase his workload so his competence is enforced. Thank you for the reminder, Misses Dragneel."

Luke, Nashi, Luna, and Lucy had dreary auras around them. How cruel can you be?

Mystogan sipped his tea as Luke sat down (and mourned the loss of his free time to game). "Luke, I understand your syllabus has an optional paper regarding coven studies and their magiethics surrounding initiation and community. I expect you to be treating that paper as if it were required."

Luke mopily pushed around his food. "Yes, Sensei."

Shadows hovered Nashi and Lucy's eyes. Why does he feel like more of a parent than a teacher?

Mystogan caught Luke's downcast expression before his next sip of tea. Was I too harsh? I suppose it couldn't hurt to compliment him. So he said, "But I've heard nothing but praises from your professors, and the students you tutored are steadily improving your marks. I suppose that's a cause for praise."

Luke perked. "Really?"

"Don't overthink it," Mystogan sighed. "I said I suppose it is. Your students still need to pass this semester in the second mark. But…you've been adequate with your lesson plans for students significantly your senior. Well done."

Luke beamed. "Thank you, Sensei!"

"Mm."

Nashi sweatdropped as Luke heartily dug into his breakfast while Mystogan looked like the pinnacle of ice-cold grace, even if he was quietly happy. How does Luke deal with a guy like that as a teacher?

"Now, Luna."

Luna met Mystogan's eyes.

"I understand your concerns," Mystogan said, "but as I said before, this would be a good opportunity for you to explore your power and its limitations. Practicing in a controlled environment may breed adequate results, but some abilities require live testing to showcase their prowess."

'Live…testing'? Luna echoed.

• — • — • — • — •

"Magic can act on its own." Aunt Wendy looked at me as we were locked away in my clinical room. And when its user is in danger, it might make a Wizard do something they have no recollection of."

Aunt Wendy's eyes darkened. "But people in power or maybe even that child might consider them a Latent, someone who simply has their abilities dormant. And so"—browns weathered—"Latents will put themselves in life-or-death situations to kickstart their powers. And many of them die."

• — • — • — • — •

Luna's gaze flashed to her breakfast. "But… Isn't that dangerous? 'Testing' my abilities when I don't even know what they are?"

"It's a considerable risk that I fully acknowledge," Mystogan told her. "I'm sure Healer Wendy told you about Latents. In the League, people without powers are called Potentials or Latents, both of whom can act recklessly to acquire their abilities. Many of them use lethal methods like Enhancer injections or put themselves in hostile environments for this. But that's not what I'm referring to.

"Your powers have already Awakened, but now it's a matter of utilizing your new abilities. And in that, while not going into such an extreme, entering a live environment with certain protections in place and with supervisors may benefit you." He glanced at Lucy and the noticeable uncertainty written on her. "Misses Dragneel? Do you disagree?"

"I…" Lucy hesitated. "Not…necessarily." She thumbed the proposal. "To be honest, I'm both for it and worried about it. I saw all the protections in place and Master approved, but…" She sighed and looked at Luna. "What do you want to do?"

Luna retreated. "Aren't you the one deciding?"

"You're a Legal Mage, Lu," Luke kindly reminded. "To the Council, you're an adult. Unless you're under a special circumstance, Mom and Dad can't choose which jobs you go on. It's up to you. What do you want to do?"

"And I'll be there too," Nashi supplied. "It's your choice."

Luna looked between their siblings before looking at her mother. "Mama?"

Lucy softened. "I admit I'm worried, but with your team, I know you'll be in good hands. This is your decision. You're a Wizard now. These are the choices you'll have to make for yourself." She placed the proposal before Luna. "Whatever you decide, we're with you."

Luna frowned as she looked at the leather folder. It's my choice now. This is what it takes to be a Wizard. She opened her mouth—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

SHUUUUUUUUUUN!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Westerners did not know what they were missing with train stations.

Ishgaran train systems were easier than ever, but it was always amusing to see foreigners express hesitation about using a train instead of a car. People packed the station with headphones and EarPods as they skimmed their Compacts and papers. A few giant clocks told the hour in Fiore and a few other big cities across the time zones, but the FNN and other news channels on large, cubed Lacrima Screens were talking about the exams in Giltena, the war on drugs, and independence in Valchestria, and, in other news, about famous girl group EMPHASIS coming to Pergrande.

"The fast train now approaching platform five does not stop here. Stand back from the platform edge and hold on to pushchairs and wheelchairs. This message will now repeat. The fast train now approaching platform five does not stop here. Stand back from the platform edge and hold on to pushchairs and wheelchairs."

It took a moment, but people barely looked up as the fast train speak through the station.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Magnolia Train Station

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

08:01 FST

The next day…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna took it all in as she stuck close to Nashi. Her sister was handling getting them snacks, but Luna could not help but take out her Compact and take pictures. Whoa… This is so cool.

"Lu?"

Luna flushed under Nashi's amused smile and hurriedly put away her Compact. "Um, yes?"

"It's nothing. I just thought it was cool you were taking pictures again." Nashi nodded for them to head out. "C'mon. We have to wait for the train this way."

"Okay." Luna helped carry some of the snacks.

Nashi commented, "I mean, it's just been a while since I've seen you do your photography." She snickered. "You used to take pictures of everything and Papa would treat it like a prize winner. I think he has all your photos from your kiddie cam he got you when you were little."

"Don't remind me," Luna lamented. "I told him he could throw them away, but he just told me…"

"What? Throw away your art?" Her father had looked like she suggested murder. "I can't do that! These are my baby girl's first pictures and I wanna remember them!"

Luna muttered, "They weren't even good pictures. I don't get why he was so insistent about keeping them."

"He kept Igneel's disturbing drawings when they tried putting him and Luke in preschool, remember?" Nashi sweated a little remembering the framed picture that Igneel had drawn in his youth of their house on fire, but he had rescued all but Natsu who was drowning in flames (and Natsu still looked like a proud papa of his son's work while Lucy tried to calm down the preschool teacher calling for a specialist). I can't believe he drew our house burning down—and Papa still boasts about it.

She shook her head as she nudged Luna this way and that. "I'm just saying, you know how Papa is. Anything he thinks could be a cherished memory, he keeps it and he won't give it up no matter what we do or say. Just like he has all your old photo albums."

Luna froze.

Nashi stopped as well, confused. "Lu?"

"But… I—" Luna frowned. "I threw all those away when I—" She looked at the snacks. "When I…was told there wasn't a chance I had Magic." She gripped the snacks, browns glinting. Everything just seemed so pointless. Why take pictures if I was stuck inside Magnolia? She blinked up when Nashi rubbed her head. Nashi…

"I think Papa had a feeling you'd want your photo albums back," Nashi presumed. She guided Luna back to their path. "I remember when you threw him away." She chuckled. "No one had ever seen you get so upset before. Not even Mama or Igneel could calm you down. I think that was the first time anyone had heard you yell. You sounded like a chipmunk."

Pink touched Luna's cheeks and she mumbled, "Don't be mean."

Nashi hummed her laughter. "I'm serious. None of us were expecting you to blow up like that." Hickories glossed over with memories. "You only ate dinner because Igneel said he wouldn't eat until you ate. I remember you didn't even come downstairs. To be honest… I was originally going to get your albums."

Bewilderment caught Luna. "You did?"

"Mmm." Nashi nodded, eyes soft. "But Papa beat me to it."

• — • — • — • — •

12-year-old-Nashi tiptoed out of her room with an old Camp Fairy Tail shirt on and her hair in a ponytail plait. She peeked into Luna's room to catch her curled up with Igneel, a swarm of stuffed animals around them. When she was certain Luna was dead asleep, she crept further down the hall to climb down the steps that led to the kitchen. Virgo and Ares had offered to clean the kitchen to give their princess time to console Luna, so everything was sparkling clean.

She checked the garbage back and faltered seeing it clean. 'Papa must've taken out the trash. I need to get Lu's albums back.' She blinked when she realized the dining room light was on and muted. 'Who is…?'

She followed the light to check inside. 'Wait… Papa'?

Papa had taken up his seat with eight albums on the table. From the wipes, it looked like he had been careful in cleaning every single one of them and leaving all of Luna's glitter and stickers intact. He leafed through one of them with a smile. "Someone's out of bed."

Nashi hid behind the wall, found out.

Papa softly laughed. "Nah, it's fine. Get in here, princess."

Nashi crept in and leaned against Papa's chair to survey all the albums. "What are you doing?" She frowned at him. "You didn't take out the trash?"

"I did. But I couldn't throw away Lu's art." Papa snorted when he saw a picture of him and Uncle Gray begrudgingly wearing make-up and dresses at Silver and Luna's behest they had to make them beautiful. "I don't know if this is art, though."

Nashi giggled. "Lu's gonna be so happy you saved them. I know she didn't mean to throw them out. Are you gonna give them back to her?" At Papa's long silence, she studied his thoughtful face. "Papa?"

Papa swung an arm around her and pressed a kiss on her hairline. "Sorry, princess, just thinkin'."

"About what?"

"Well…" Papa scratched his head. "I think we should keep this a secret, y'know?"

Nashi misunderstood and narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you're gonna take out all the pictures you don't like?"

"No!" Papa chuckled. "No, I wouldn't!" He squinted at the picture of him and Uncle Gray. "Well, maybe…"

"Papa!"

He grinned and nuzzled her, making her laugh. "Nah, I wouldn't do that." When he looked at all the albums, affection twinkled in his eyes and his softer smile. "I know your sister's pretty upset right now. But these are all her memories. And this is something she really loves. She just…lost sight of that. So I'm gonna hold onto this a little longer for her. Maybe she'll fall in love with it again. Maybe she won't. But I want her to have that choice."

Nashi looked at Papa in a new light. "Papa, you're…"—her face fell flat—"really sappy."

Natsu could have fallen over, flustered. "Hey! C'mon, that sounded pretty deep, right?"

"Like you could sound deep if you tried!"

"You little—! C'mere, princess, grrr!"

"Papa—hahaha!—no!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

SHUUUUUUUUUUN!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fondness for her father softened Nashi's features. "He's been keeping them in his collector's room all this time. Just like he kept all your ballet shoes from when you were little, even the ones that got really wrecked." She looked up to see their steam train and saw people lined up with their Compacts out to get their tickets scanned. She urged, "Come on! We have priority boarding and we're about to miss it!"

"Ah, r-right!" Luna kept in time with Nashi, but her mind hung on her sister's words. Papa kept all my stuff this whole time? But why—?

"Lu!"

"Ah, coming!"

As they boarded, Nashi had told Luna about the horror stories her parents had to face before Compacts were a thing. No notifications, no E-tickets—they had to hurry, have a physical pass, and either wait around or hope they were not late. They slid into the compartment carriage and had to squeeze past a few old ladies before Nashi found their compartment and unlocked it with her Compact.

KRR!

"We're here." Nashi held up the snacks. "And we got everyone's food, so pay up."

Lance chuckled. "Didn't you get those snacks for yourself?"

"Wha—? I—! No!"

Gary beamed. "I don't mind Angel's a glutton! I can buy her an entire grocery store—"

"Don't even think about it!"

The six-person compartment was roomy enough as Luna and Nashi came inside with Nashi trying hard to drill into Gary's mind stop being weird. The table was already embedded into the floor, but with a quick latch pull and flip, they would have a nice table for six.

Luna sat down near the window with a relieved sigh. I'm actually on a train. Mama said I was on one before to visit Granny and Godmama, but still… She offered snacks to her neighbor. "Do you want anything, Gale?"

Gale sat back with his eyes closed and his EarPods on, but he grunted, "No."

"Oh, okay." Luna tore into her trail mix and tried to control her excitement. I'm finally doing it. She fought down the creeping worry. I can do this. Maybe Misty's right. If I don't try, I'll never know what my powers are good for. Fighting away the fear, she steeled her resolve. This is my first job as a Fairy Tail Wizard. I can't let anyone down.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

SHUUUUUUUUUUN!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The conductor made their way giving the signal, the doctors locked, the train hissed, and off they went.

Pulling out of the station made Luna press a hand against the glass and watch the scenery rush by with Lance, Gary, and Nashi quietly amused at her wonder before unraveling their possessions. Mystogan kept to his book titled Lost in Time: Old Era while Gale had his head back and music in his ears. Lance used a spell to keep his PAL a good height and balanced as he read emails from the military. Gary had lost the battle in convincing Nashi to sit with him, but he had his own work to do on his tablet while Nashi read her Josean assigned reading. And Luna kept busy as she munched on trail mix and listened to music when she saw texts pop in from Silver and Ena wishing her good luck and swearing her to a sleepover to tell them all about it.

She truly had won the lottery with them, even if they fought like an old married couple.

Longer train rides were nothing to sneeze at, but the scenery was to die for. Leaving the residential and commercial districts to chug through the rural plains of Fiore was something anyone had to experience once. The shades of green and cold patched the countryside expanse. A horse herd of both regular horses and magical were running and bonding together. An old horse and carriage with a farmer and his son traveled over a hill and disappeared out of few. And in the distance, mountains tipped into the clouds, misting and mysterious.

Luna stretched, her trail mix finished. This really is a long ride.

Gary looked at her and offered, "We will have a lot of time left if you want to explore the train. The ride's around four hours with one change, so…"

Luna lit up. "I could really go exploring?"

Gary fed Mystogan a sly look. "If our fearless leader says so."

Mystogan had a flat look when Luna's pleading eyes looked like a golden retriever. She really is Luke's sister. Remembering his apprentice with his puppy eyes would give him a headache. He sighed. "Very well. We don't need to discuss our plan of action until we transfer trains anyway, but I ask you to conduct yourself properly and that you have someone here accompany you."

"I will, I promise!"

Mystogan squinted against Luna's radiant light and compared it to Luke's brilliance when he threw his apprentice a compliment. She really does remind me of Luke.

Luna turned to Gale, eager. "Do you want to explore with me?" She played with her fingers, pink creeping up her neck. "I-I just mean, since it's my first job and—"

"Sure." Gale took out his EarPods. "Whatever."

"Great!" Luna got up and strained herself trying to reach the grated shelf above to keep her stuff. A little...more…! She pinkened when Gale stood behind her and grabbed her stuff to situate it on the shield. "A-Ah, thank—"

"Whatever." He pulled away to slide open the door and exited.

"—you…" Luna frowned a little. Is he okay? She pushed away the thought to make sure she had her Compact. "Hey, wait for me! Nashi, I'll be back!"

"Sure, but just don't—!" Nashi sighingly laughed when Luna darted out and the door slid shut. "I was going to tell her to not spend her money at the dining car since our parents gave her money." She rolled her eyes. "She's still building up her Wizard reservoir."

Lance raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you rebuilding your reservoir after spending all your jewel on EMPHASIS merch?"

Nashi comically flinched at the reminder and stammered out a defense, "You have to act fast to get their stuff and money isn't an option, okay?"

"Angel should've just told me," Gary complained. But then he brightened and whipped out his Compact. "I should buy Angel stock for the EMPHASIS' company as another anniversary present—!"

"No more anniversaries, you stupid dog!"

Lance laughed under his breath. "Well—we're going to have an interesting trip."

"Thank goodness I had the foresight to pack Mute Headphones so I wouldn't have to suffer from their infernal flirting," Mystogan said dryly.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Misty," Lance ribbed. "You've missed this too."

"I don't know what you're talking about and enough with that insufferable nickname," Mystogan sniffed. He wanted to go back to his book, but his eyes fled to the compartment door. "Are you sure Gale was a good addition? He doesn't seem in the right state of mind."

Lance took out his PAL. "Gajeel insisted. I trust his judgment."

"Hm. I'm going to be keeping an eye on him." Mystogan went back to his book. I don't have a particularly good feeling he'll make the right choices today.

°•°•°•°

This is so cool!

Luna could relate to Ariel looking at human objects in wonder. Being on a locomotive might have felt—and most likely was—monotonous to everyone in the other carriages, but it felt like a brand-new adventure. Two clinicians talked shop with their Crocus Clinic shirts present. A little boy kicked his feet as he played on his MagiSwitch with his great aunt a traditional woman with ice-blonde-white hair and incredible cheekbones. A service dog lay at his ward's feet, a blind young lady with her boyfriend.

So many people, Luna breathed. This is so amazing. As she and Gale moved to the next carriage, she caught sight of a group of university students talking about their trip to New Azalea and somehow it made her long. Maybe I…

She could imagine taking a trip with her friends. Silver would try winning Paige's attention, but he would be in bitter banter with Ena instead. And Penelope would leaf through cosplay magazines, sipping her strange juice box, and marking down the ones she wanted Luna to try on. Such imagery made her smile. Someday… That could be us—"Ah!"

Luna stumbled back and rubbed her nose. "Ow…" She realized she had smacked into Gale. "Ah, sorry—"

"Watch where you're going next time."

Luna recoiled from the warning bite. "I… I'm sorry." She lowered her gaze. "I-I didn't—"

Gale walked on.

Luna rubbed her arm. What's with him? He seems to be in a bad mood today. Still, she followed him into the next carriage. I want to ask him, but if he just gets angry—

She let out a noise of surprise when a sudden hand gripped her arm, and she was unceremoniously yanked to the side. But before she got punt out a question, she realized she had been moved out of the way so a lady in her Mobile Lacrima Wheelchair could come through with a grateful smile. "I… I didn't see her." She looked up at Gale. "Thank y—"

"Maybe try looking where you're going."

She winced. "I'm sorry—"

"It's fine." He went ahead and opened the next carriage door.

Luna hesitated before following him in. My arm… She tried to ignore the subtle sting and went inside.

The next carriage was nothing like the ones before. Instead of walls and windows and compartment seats, the entire carriage was domed with a thick, transparent glass-like structure. No one had come in the carriage, but it was obvious with the lined-up recliners and nailed down side tables what such a car was for. Eyes wide, she raced for the glass and watched as the plains and the sky crossed like she was in a living painting.

"Wow…" she breathed. "This… This is amazing!"

Gale stood beside her, disinterested. "Not really."

"Well, yeah, maybe for you, but…" Luna pressed her hands onto the glass. "For me… This is all I ever wanted. It's silly, I know, but riding trains like this, seeing Fiore go by, being on a team and going on a job…" Browns glowed. "This is what I wanted. This is freedom."

Gale snorted. "You have a pretty shit way of viewing freedom, Blondie. It's just a job. It's not that special."

"Well, yeah, but I mean…" Luna's glow started fading. "I mean, I know, but it's just… This is all new to me—"

"'New' or not, you're on this team and it doesn't matter how 'new' this is to you," Gale bit. "Don't slow the rest of us down."

Luna flinched and rubbed her arm. "I-I didn't mean—I mean I—!" She peered up at him and tried, "Is everything okay?"

Gale's hackles raised. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! I-I just mean—!" Luna felt her words were slipping away from her and ended up looking at the floor. "You just…seem upset about something. I was just worried—"

"I don't need you to worry about me," Gale growled. "Worry about yourself. You're the one who agreed to be on this team and you're practically dead weight."

Luna's eyes stung. "I just thought that—"

"What? That's you'd be the lucky fuck who finally gets a big power up when you're fighting for your life?" Gale sneered, glaring down at her. "So I'm risking my ass out there just so you can feel better about yourself?"

"N-No," Luna rushed to say as she rapidly blinked. "I just—I just wanted to make sure you were okay—"

"Like I said"—Gale stepped closer with his growl close to her ear—"worry about yourself. I don't need dead weight dragging me down."

"I won't," Luna promised, tone wobbly. "I-If you could just tell me what's wrong—?"

Gale reared back and roared, "I'm fine—!"

Rubies clashed with teary chocolates.

Gale snapped his mouth shut as he scented her overwhelming distress and he raked through his hair. "Sorry," he muttered. "I just… Leave me alone." He passed her by.

Luna blinked back tears and tried not to shake too badly. Did I make him mad? I didn't mean to… She whirled around, "Gale, wait!"

SLAM!

Luna was alone.

She sniffed and refused to let any tears fall. I thought we were fine. Is he mad at me for something? She hurried for the door and scrubbed her cheeks. I should go say sorry before he gets more upset. She sniffled again and opened the door, but she stumbled on the first step and bumped into someone. Hysterical and tears falling, she sniffed, "I-I'm so sorry, I—!" She looked up at a young man—

Browns connected with a kaleidoscopic array of sea-greens flicked in violet.

His eyes… Luna felt all her fear collapse for something akin to déjà vu. They're so—

GATON-GATON!

The bump on the train snapped her out of it. Gale. I have to find him. She spat out a quick "sorry" before rushing away.

His mouth opened and his hand reached for her—

"Hey!" came an annoyed call. "Come on. You promised you'd by at the diner."

He closed his mouth and turned toward the source—

—and a small smile lit his face.

Did anyone tell you transportation was the bane of Natsu's existence?

September was not the time to travel since summer holiday had ended and the next holiday would not be until October. But that did not stop teams of athletes, businesspeople, and familiars from swarming the hub with their luggage and E-boarding passes. One lady had been found out her EPA animal did not qualify for free boarding and she flushed red as she was lectured about dishonesty. A large extended family was sounding off since, no, they would not leave behind their one stubborn son this trip around, dammit. An older gentleman shuttled in a wheelchair recounted his old tales of wizardry to a bored associate.

But outside was where the real magic happened.

The ships looked like commercialized pirate ships, according to a little kid who knew exactly how the world worked, thank you very much, and explained thus so to his little brother as they watched the boats sink and fall with people helping guide the levitating ships to their docks. One larger skyboat floated on the runway before gaining traction to raise the bowsprit and fly into the air.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« The is the Cedar International Skyport (CDX). Skyports are the aerodrome for airships, skyboats, and other civil skycraft. They use complex enchantments and Lacrima to help facilitate the takeoffs, landings, and maintenance of the ships you see and their invention came from the Wright Wizards. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Lucy…"

Dock 11 would be headed to Caracole Island and the waiting area already had a tone of ready vacationers while Dock 12 across the hall boarded for a city all the way across the country. Lucy had meant to check emails and then dive into the next book she was reading, but instead—

"Lucy…!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Cedar International Skyport

Cedar Town

Fiore, Ishgar

10:26 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She sighed with a sickly Natsu groaning as he laid his head in her lap. "Natsu, we're not even in the air," she told him, exasperated. "You're psyching yourself out again and even with Wendy's Troia patch, you're going to get airsick."

"I don't get air—! Ergh…!" Natsu turned an alarming shade of green as he covered his mouth.

Igneel smirked and prodded his father's forehead from the other side of his mother. "See, Mom? He's practically useless. But I could go with you—"

"No!" Natsu shot up and hugged Lucy to him. "You can't have her. You've been hogging her, but I've had it! It's my turn from Lucy-Time!"

"Stop being selfish!" Igneel latched onto Lucy's arm. "She's my mom and I'm a growing boy! She doesn't get to see me grow up every day, but she's stuck with you."

Natsu butted heads with him. "She chose me, jerk, she's stuck with you!"

Igneel pressed back. "She can replace you, but she can never replace me, pervert!"

"What d'you say?!"

"Can't hear me, old man?!"

Lucy's smile twitched as Igneel and Natsu argued. Somehow, I preferred it when Natsu and Gray fought. She cleared her throat. "I think I'm a little thirsty—"

"I'll get it!"

Father and son glared at each other as the lightning of rivalry crackled.

Lucy pretended to be faint as she laid a dramatic hand on her head. "I might die of thirst—"

"I'll get it, Ma—get out of my way, you old fart!"

"Don't shove me, ya jerk!"

Lucy could finally breathe as Igneel and Natsu tore down the corridor bickering (and several Fairy Tail fans were more excited to see their favorite Wizard rather than alarmed he was threatening to throttle his son). "Finally. I'd thought they'd never leave." She sagged into her chair. "Honestly. I can't take those two anywhere. Luke, how did it get like this?"

Luke kept reading his book, but he answered dryly, "Do you mean purposefully marrying a greedy Dragon and not realizing those your offspring would inherit those traits?"

Lucy puffed a cheek and mumbled, "Hey, no own asked for a literal reason." She blinked when she recognized the book Luke was reading was none other than Adventures of Iris. "You're reading my book again?"

Luke ducked his head, shy. "Yeah. I just felt like reading the trilogy again."

"Aw, why are you so adorable?"

It startled Luke when his mother came to his bench and pinched his cheek. "M-Mom—!"

"You're my sweet prince, aren't you?" Lucy cooed teasingly; the flowery aura of motherhood strong with her. "I never want you to grow up. You can just stay my sweet little prince forever, okay?"

Luke flushed when he realized eyes were turning to them in curiosity and amusement. "Mom…"

Lucy pulled back with a titter and Luke quickly fixed his glasses. "Even with your pink hair, you're definitely my kid. But instead of writing speculative fiction, I get to boast about all the awards you win for all your published academic papers—"

Luke pinkened even more. "Mom…"

"—and you even did STAT Chats—"

"Mom—"

"—oh! And at Saint Layla's, the students even watched the one documentary you were in and you were so cute in your lab coat—"

"Mom!"

Lucy simpered as Luke turned as pink as his hair. She combed back his tresses, noting how it was the same thickness as Natsu's, but he had inherited her fast-growing length. He would need a cut soon. "I'm just saying I'm proud of you." She checked, "And you're sure you're happy?"

Luke sighed, but it came with a smile. "I told you. I'm okay," he stressed in promise. "I like doing this type of work. It's really fun and fascinating!" He pouted. "Even if Sensei doesn't care he works me to the ground."

"Yes, but I know you look forward to all the work he gives you." Lucy continued fixing his hair; motherhenning with this one, always. "After you left breakfast yesterday, he talked to your papa and me about you. He really is proud of you. He just…doesn't show it as much."

Luke snickered. "Yeah, that's Sensei. But I don't mind." Honeyed-ambers gleamed. "I'm going to do all I can and learn all I can, so I can be just as great as him someday. One day, I'm going to be his official apprentice when he's a Sorcerer. And then, I'll be a Sorcerer too. And I could work with you—! Ah…" He scratched his cheek with a finger. "I mean…" He turned red when his mother kissed his cheek. "Mom!"

"I'm sorry. You're just too sweet," Lucy laughed. "I'll support whatever path you choose. And you're always welcome to come be a Sorcerer for Saint Layla's. I'm sure your granny Anna would be overjoyed. We could make running the school a family business."

Luke put a bookmark in his novel. "You know we don't need Granny to come and check on us while you're gone, right?"

Lucy lifted an eyebrow. "You think I trust you to handle Igneel if he gets too hyper?"

"Fair point," Luke conceded. He frowned and deftly smacked his mother's hands away when she tried fixing his shirt. "Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore."

Lucy chortled and raised her hands in surrender. "I know. I'm sorry. It's a force of habit."

"Mmm." Luke hemmed and hawed as Lucy situated herself, but he decided to go for it. "So… Why do you and Dad need to go to Alakitasia? I mean, it's not like Dad's been bragging to Igneel he gets you for a week and a half all alone or anything."

The image of a gloating Natsu on a pedestal like an Encan god and a defeated Igneel on the ground like a dirty plebeian hung over their heads. What father brags about that to their son?

Lucy fiddled with the wedding ring she kept on her necklace. "It's not all for fun. Your father and I have a special mission. Gray wanted to come with us, but…" The past glinted like a ghost in her eyes. "I thought it'd be best if he didn't. So it's just the two of us."

"I see." Luke probed, careful, "Where are you guys going?"

"We'll be landing in the Kingdom of Magar and meeting a friend," Lucy explained, "and then we'll be investigating some ruins. It's all boring."

Luke watched as she kept toying with her ring. "Right." He glanced away before commenting, flippant, "Sensei had me read more about the Black Wizard for my studies."

Lucy's fidgeting stopped. "Oh?"

"Yeah." Luke thumbed his book. "He was evil and cruel, Cursed or not. But he accomplished things no normal Wizard could accomplish without crossing a line." He added, "Sensei told me the Black Arts are addicting, like a drug. It's why Curse-casting is illegal. When you start casting Curses, it's almost like they speak to you and keep encouraging you to do more and more until you've gone mad. But the Black Wizard somehow lived in that madness. That's how he was able to stay somewhat sane creating Demons and monsters."

Lucy used her nail to spin her ring on the chain. "That's true," she murmured. "And when the Black Wizard couldn't live in that madness anymore…he passed away."

"Right." Three beats. "And Emperor Spriggan was responsible for his death, right?"

Lucy stopped again.

Luke continued: "It's in our history books during the war. The Black Wizard wanted to rid the world of everything good. Ultimately, his Curse consumed him."

"And with him, he took First Master," Luke quietly concluded, "and Emperor Spriggan."

Lucy's gaze grew distant. "Yes."

"Or I guess I should say"—honeyed-ambers sharpened—"Emperor Zeref."

That snapped Lucy to attention, and she looked at Luke, but his stare was on his book. What did—?

"We're back!"

Natsu and Igneel returned with plenty of drink and food as they sat on the opposite bench. Natsu held up cold lemonade. "Got you your favorite. C'mon!"

"Oh. Right."

Natsu swung an arm over the back of Lucy's seat beside him and offered up the bottle. His mouth parted to taste her distinct worry and slight distress, and he nosed her cheek on instinct. "You okay?"

"Mhm. I'm fine." Lucy flashed him a quick smile and a peck. "Thanks for the drink. I just needed something to keep me awake. I feel like I'll fall asleep on the flight."

Natsu did not see the problem. "Go ahead and fall asleep." He grinned and stretched her cheek with a pinch. "Just don't drool on me this time."

"What! I-I don't drool!"

As Lucy squawked in her defense, Natsu glanced at Luke as he adamantly stuck to reading his novel. I was lucky I kept Igneel preoccupied. I'm sure Luke has questions, but… Onyx flashed red for a moment. I'm not sure how much he'll like the answers.

The notion every town had a train station was an unfortunate misconception.

When Mystogan led his team off their train, they would see the Arborea Mountains in the distance, but they still had a ways to go until they could get there. But Lance had already prepared a car to come for them at the station. They loaded up into the SUV and off they went.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Central Fiore

Ishgar

14:05 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi kept to her book, but she glanced at Luna. Sure, the tinted windows took away from the clear hues of blue and green surrounding them, but the outside world was just as beautiful as ever. Autumn agreed with the lay of the land with the humbled mountains layered in thick greens and some splotches of burnt red. The valley fertile and the sky cloudless—this was the opportune time to fawn.

But Luna laid her head against the window and kept quiet.

Nashi's worry deepened. She's been so quiet since she and Gale came back from exploring. And I can't use my Soul Sight without everyone in the car being aware. She looked ahead to see Gale sitting next to Gary with his EarPods in. And Gale's been quiet since we've boarded. I could see Gary, Lance, and Misty glancing at him. She gripped her book tighter and went back to her Josean reading assignment. I hope we can figure this out.

A sign came up:

WELCOME TO ARFAJ TOWN

POP 6,779 ELEV 1,224

CITY LIMITS

The SUV passed the sign—

Gary bristled as icy-blue flashed over his eyes and Gale's hackles raised with a growl at his throat. A flick of lightning came off Lance as he gripped the steering wheel. Mystogan's eyes darkened behind his glasses.

Nashi stiffened as a wave of dread pricked her skin. I can feel it. She looked ahead to the mountains. It's that presence again. But it didn't start until we got into city limits. Chancing a look at Luna, her sister seemed to be unaffected as she listlessly looked out the window. Can she not feel anything?

"Angel?"

Nashi saw Gary's stiffness and leaned forward to put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm just…tense," Gary gritted.

Mystogan looked at Gary through the mirror. "What are you sensing? Is there a potential Demon in town?"

"No." Gary knew that for certain. "I can still feel it in the mountains. But that feeling in the town got stronger."

"Strong enough for our powers to react," Lance mulled over.

Nashi questioned, "Is our cover blown?"

"Nope." Lance looked at her through the rearview mirror. "This car is a prototype I've been working on with the military and Council. Genius helped come up with the design. It'll shield us and we'll be Spiritless-passing. But if we want to get out of the car, we need to conceal our Magic."

Luna piped up, "How do we do that? I mean…" She tugged at her shirt. "I've never been taught how to…"

Gale snorted.

Luna winced.

Mystogan and Lance shared a glance before Mystogan reached for this bag. "Fortunately, I brought a solution on the off-chance someone wasn't able to control themselves." He brought out a case and held it back for Gary to pass to Luna. "This should suffice and be fashionable."

Luna took the case, curious, and opened it up. Frowning, she showed the black bracelet. "What's this—?"

"You're making her wear sealstone?" Gale growled.

Lance wisely said, "It's not ideal, but it's a temporary solution to any magical influxes. We're under covert operations for the mountains, and we have to stop into town to make our initial interviews. A sealstone bracelet is all we could come up with as short notice as a plan—"

"It's a shit plan," Gale snapped. "She's not wearing that."

"She can make her own choices." Gary kept his tone firm. "We'll only be in town until sundown. Then we'll be making our way up the mountain—"

Gale rounded on Luna. "You're not wearing that."

Before she could reply, Nashi snapped back, "It's her choice. What's your damage, Redfox?"

"I'm fine," Gale growled back. "What's your—?"

"I'll wear it."

Gale snarled at Luna's timid reply. "Like Hell you—!"

"Wise choice," Mystogan said. "Then I suggest you slip it on now. We'll be inside town soon enough."

Luna nodded and avoided Gale's glower. "Okay." She slipped the bracelet on and waited for an effect, but none came. "I don't feel any different."

"That's fine," Gary assured. "For Wizards, you'd feel a sense of loss, like you were incomplete when someone puts sealstone on you. Your powers are still fluctuating, so they may not respond dramatically to sealstone. Either way, you'll be protected." He jostled his bag and got out ring boxes. "In any case, we received permission for Glamour Rings." He offered one to Gale.

Gale took it, but he did not look pleased.

Nashi frowned when Gary had one for her as well. "Why do I need one? I can just transform."

"That's too much Magic," Mystogan told her. "Glamours might be complex spell work, but they are about perception and emit a small magical frequency. When you transform any part of your body or your whole body, you're actively using that spell throughout your person, giving yourself a bigger magical frequency. Unless there is an S-Class Wizard here, no one will notice your glamour."

Luna saw Gary only had five boxes, but none have been passed to her. "I'm not getting one?"

"Did you just forget you're wearing a sealstone?"

Somehow, Gale's question stung her. "Well, I…" She looked down. "I'm sorry."

Nashi narrowed her eyes on Gale and would have yelled had it not been for Gary's slight shake of the head.

Lance explained, "You won't need one, Luna. Partly because of your sealstone and another part because, until you better understand your powers, none of us knows how you'll react to foreign spells. And you're the only person in your family that's not a public figure, so you still have anonymity on your side. But you'll need to cover your guild mark. Did you bring the gloves like we asked?"

Luna jerked her head to nod. "Um, yeah."

Lance smiled. "Then you should be fine. But you'll still need to stay with someone while we're investigating and make sure not to use your real name. Since you've never done convert ops, just make sure to shadow any one of us and we'll explain to you what we did once we're back at the hotel, okay?"

Luna nodded and looked at her lap. "All right."

Gale rolled his eyes and turned to look out the window.

And the car kept moving.

The alpine town glowed with excited road trippers, tourists, and natives. Big, bright, beautiful, and beer seemed to be the running theme as the team headed into the town. The Bellish Oktoberfest would not be until next month, but September was still meant for a good drink and good weather. From the bars to the bistros, locals and tourists packed them all. An old-timey Christmas store with iconic ornaments and snow globes still had quite the popular crowd. A futuristic tech story had opened with guests coming in with the hope to try new products.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Arfaj Town is a thriving mountain municipality people travel far and wide to come to for all the summer and winter resorts, beautiful arcades, its old cathedral, and the summertime beer festivals. Arfaj Town is one of the five towns of the Arborea Mountains! At one point, the mountains were mined and dug for a train station, but a horrific accident shut down the production. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was not long until Lance's ⟪ Maps ⟫ showed him their cozy domicile—the Grand Ole Hotel—and they pulled up with a mutual agreement to slip on their glamour rings. The entire affair of valet, unloading, and checking in felt authentic enough. Though Lance got a kick that the receptionist thought he and Mystogan were a couple.

Mystogan was not amused.

"Ha…" Nashi set down her bag in her and Luna's hotel room—a double queen with a shared balcony—and she twisted her glamour ring. "I can't believe we're using these. They're almost impossible to buy legally since they're so expensive and to top that, they were Enchanted so anyone with a Fairy Tail guild mark can see their ally. Gods." She wanted to say more, but seeing a dejected Luna sitting on the bed stopped her.

She sat beside her sister. "Hey." A shoulder nudge. "Is everything going okay?"

"Mhm." Luna toyed with her sealstone bracelet.

Nashi hesitated. "The way Gale was acting—"

"O-Oh! It's fine!" Luna flashed Nashi a waning smile. "I think I said something earlier than made him upset. I'll apologize and I promise I won't bring down this team."

Nashi's brow furrowed. "You're not bringing down this team, Lu."

"I mean, I don't really have anything useful," Luna laughed as she scratched her cheek. "I just don't want to be dead weight. All of you got chosen for a reason. I can't really do much."

"You were chosen too, Lu," Nashi reminded, hugging Luna to her side. "Don't forget that, okay? You were chosen to be here with us. And you should feel proud of that."

Luna hummed, but she did not lift her gaze.

Lu… Nashi brushed Luna's hair back. "You—"

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!

Nashi and Luna exchanged a glance before Nashi made sure her glamour ring was in place to tend to the door. "Hello—?"

"My beautiful Angel!" There Gary stood with hearts all around him. "It's been too long, Angel, I missed her—!"

Nashi quickly got out of Gary's range when he tried to sweep her into an embrace, cheeks rosy, and she barked at him, "Control yourself, you perverted dog! Don't make me put you on a leash."

Gary's smile faded. "A 'leash'?"

Nashi paused when Gary's bangs fell over his eyes. Did I take it too far? Guilty, she wanted to apologize, "Gary—"

"Ha…" A puff of frost. Gary's fingers combed back his bangs and those blues sharpened like a primed predator. "Angel really knows how to make me want to lose control."

DOKIDOKI!

Luna had question marks going around her while a red-from-top-to-bottom Nashi turned away to cover her nose and shush her beating heart. Why does he have to make that sort of face!

"I hope we're not interrupting your mating dance." Mystogan and Lance were at the door with Gale behind them. Mystogan adjusted his glasses. "We're not here for sport. We have a mission to complete." Dark browns glinted. "So let's get to work."

°•°•°•°

The entire team stood in Nashi and Luna's room with Mystogan taking hold of the meeting. "As we could all sense, something ominous is in the mountains—presumably our demonic mark and their summoner. But traces of demonic energy are throughout the town."

"Is it like that woman from before?" Nashi asked Gary. "The trails?"

Gary shook his head. "No. Mallow had one trail. But when I looked at this place, it's not just one." Icy-blue flashed over cerulean. "I could see multiple traces."

"So that means there are multiple summoners?" Luna did not understand this. "Like how multiple people can summon a Celestial Spirit?"

"Similar but different," Mystogan claimed. "A Star Spirit Key can elicit multiple summoners, but it can only commit to one viable contract. In the First Era, according to books and theories, cults could summon a Demon, but that Demon could offer multiple contracts. Those contracts don't necessarily mean it could be brought into this world. It could mean that their contractors are granted a portion of the Demon's power."

Nashi remembered. "That woman—the one from Mallow Town. She turned into a Lamia and she could summon cursed snakes."

"That would be a portion of the Demon's power," Mystogan affirmed. "It's similar to how your mother can channel her Spirits' powers into her body."

Lance crossed his arms. "It's suspicious that his town has multiple traces of demonic energy, yet nothing seems out of the ordinary from the locals. From what I saw while we came in, everything is relatively normal. And that's not something that should be possible."

Nashi's eyes darkened as she remembered Mallow Town. Just like before. The citizens of Mallow Town were all pretty much drained and no one talked or anything. That demonic energy was slowly driving them into darkness. So for these people to not feel anything at all…

Gale beat Nashi to it as he narrowed his eyes at the three S-Class Mages. "You think the locals are behind this."

"It's not far of a stretch to assume, but we have no evidence to accuse them," Gary told. "Without approaching them, I can't tell if demonic energy is clinging to them. But what we do know is that the Demon's energy is encompassing the entire town and up to the mountains. And, as of now, it seems like the energy has compressed to one area."

"Right." Mystogan snapped his fingers and a map appeared to show the area. "It's strange to me we couldn't feel a thing was off, but the moment we crossed into city limits, all of us were impacted in some way. That means one of two things. Either the Demon is trying to keep a low profile or that the contractor is trying to use their newfound powers for or against the people in this town."

"For," Lance voted, "considering the mental state of these people is intact."

"Okay, but why?" Nashi questioned. "What are they trying to do?"

"Or"—Gary's blues flickered—"what are they trying to hide?"

No one knew the answer. Guess, maybe, but no answer.

Mystogan peered at the map. "We'll need to go and investigate the town. Keep your senses sharp and your Magic concealed. This is a nonmagical town, but a few tourists are barely Independents with very little magical training. We can't afford to alert the Demon or its potential multiple contractors of our presence here. Act like tourists. Be believable. And once it's sundown"—he pushed up his glasses—"we're heading for the source of this corruption."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lance nodded. "All right. We'll split into teams of three. I did some research on Arfaj and it seems most tourists who come here are in a group of two or more. We need to get our stories straight."

Gale stood beside Luna. "Blondie's coming with me."

"I don't think so," Nashi sniffed. "I think you need some time apart."

Gale's eyes shifted, rubies agitated. "What'd you say?"

"It's okay," Luna cut in with a quick smile, even as her hand rubbed her arm. "I'm okay to go with Gale."

"No."

Gale's icy reds darted to Gary. "'No'?"

"One S-Class Mage with one non-S-Class Mage—those were our stipulations," Gary patiently cited. "So, no. Luna can't go with you."

Gale fisted his hands, but he said nothing.

Lance looked down softly at Luna. "You'll come with me. My glamour gives me blonde hair and brown eyes, so it'll be easy for us to pass as siblings."

Luna glanced at Gale before trying to smile at Lance. "That sounds good."

Nashi looked startled when Gary hugged and nuzzled her from behind. "And I'll go with my darling Angel, of course!"

"H-Hey! Get off me, you dumb dog!"

Mystogan spared a look at Gale. "And I'll be accompanying Gale." He observed Gale's scowl. Hmm… To the group, he addressed, "Keep your questions as harmless as possible. If we can conceal our powers, a contractor could conceal theirs. In the event one of us gets into trouble, I have asked the Enchantress to add a Sound the Alarm charm. Turn your ring thrice and we'll all be notified where to go."

'Enchantress'? Luna asked, "You mean Ena? E reworked the Enchanted on our rings?"

Mystogan stiffened. "That's what I said." He left with a flutter of his cloak. "Prepare to depart with your party."

Luna frowned. What was that about? When Gale turned away, she caught up to him. "Gale, I, um…"

Gale stopped and barely glanced at her. "What?"

"Um, well, I just…!" Luna took a deep breath and sounded out, "I just wanted you to know I would've liked partnering with you too because I…" A bit of pink dusted her cheeks. "Well… This would be our first time to—"

Gale cut in, "You stopped me just to tell me that?"

Luna's heart flutters stilled, and her smile fell piece by piece. "I just…" She rubbed her arm. "If I made you angry, I'm sorry—"

"Did you think not everything's about you?"

Luna recoiled from Gale's growl. "I-I… I didn't mean to—"

"Luna, why don't we head out?" Lance suggested. Sunset oranges raked Gale's sneer and watched him walk away before turning to Luna. "If you're ready, of course."

She watched Gale leave, crestfallen, before lowering her head. "Yeah. I'm ready to go." She could feel her eyes cloud over, but she tucked it all away. I'm not going to drag anyone down. I can do this. She caught the concern on Nashi's face and turned away.

Nashi tried to intervene when Luna grabbed her Compact. "Lu, wait—"

"I'm fine," Luna told her, timbre demure. "Lance, I'm ready to go."

"Luna—" Nashi sighed when her sister swiftly left the room. Her only consolation was Lance's nod before he left as well. The moment the door closed, she growled, "What the Hell is his deal? I thought he liked Lu, but now he's doing a one-eighty and treating her like crap? If he thinks he can do this the entire job, I'm gonna—"

"Angel. I think Angel should go with Misty."

That dispelled some of Nashi's anger for shock and a little hurt. "What?"

Gary caught on and smiled brightly. "Was Angel looking forward to partnering with me?"

Nashi reddened, chagrinned, as she stammered, "Wh-What—! I—!"

Gary shined with the power of love. "My darling Angel is so adorable! I should put this on my calendar—"

"No more anniversaries!" Nashi tried to cool her cheeks. Why do I get stuck with such a weird person clinging to me? Shaking off her embarrassment, she crossed her arms and huffed, "Fine. Have fun with Gale. Not that I care."

Gary chuckled as Nashi grabbed her keycard and Compact before storming out and muttering under her breath. Sorry, Angel. I want to partner with you, but… Ceruleans glimmered. It is September after all.

°•°•°•°

Gale waited in the lobby as he mindlessly scrolled through his Compact and had heavy metal blasting in his ears. The scents around him made him want to snap, but he kept his growl in his chest to keep scrolling on Instagraph. One photo from his feed showed friends of his with the girl on her boyfriend's back for a piggyback. She stuck out her tongue between her fingers, but her boyfriend had a ghost of a smile as he looked up at her—

A sleepy smile. "I missed you."

Teary browns. "I'm sorry."

Gale stopped scrolling and could see his faint reflection, an ass with a chip on his shoulder. I…shouldn't have yelled at her like that. He stood his scrolling to go to his ⟪ Messages ⟫ and found Luna's contact under Blondie. He typed:

« Hey look I didn't mean »

He backpedaled and went again:

« It's not your fault I'm »

He deleted it. Third time was the charm:

« I'm sorry if I »

He locked down his Compact and ruffled his hair. Shit.

Downcast browns. "I'm sorry."

Reds shimmered. I shouldn't have… I just…

He blinked when he scented winter waft to him. He looked up, bemused to see Gary before him, and stopped his music. "Where's my partner?" he asked as he took out his EarPods.

"He'll be accompanying someone else," Gary said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I guess you're stuck with me." His lips tugged. "Unless you prefer to snap at me too?"

Shame and guilt clung to Gale desperately. "I… I didn't…" He flinched at the cold hand on his head.

"Come on. Let's head into town," Gary said, staying in character. "We have a lot to see before dinner tonight. After all"—blues sparked—"September is a special time of year."

Gale's lips moved, but no words came out. Yeah. He clutched his Compact. Special.

"And that should wrap up for today, everyone. Good work and I'll see you Sunday."

Luke watched as the students packed up for the evening from the spacious conference room. It never bothered him that most of the students were years his senior, and it barely bothered any of them that he was years their junior. As long as he could tutor them and bump them up to pass second, his age was but a number.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Sciences Library

Orchid City

Fiore, Ishgar

16:25 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke worried over his PAL as he saved and shut down files. Hmm, maybe I could stop at the Roundhouse for dinner tonight. Garlic tofu, rice, and veggies sound good. He salivated over such a glorious meal. So hungry…

"Um, Luke?"

He perked to see a student slightly older than him come up with a shy grin on her face. "Yes?"

"So, ah…" She brushed her hair behind her ear. "Um, my friends are going to a rave down at the flats—a friend of a friend is DJing—but you should totally check it out." She flushed. "If you want, y'know. But if you're free this weekend, you should come. I could give you their Insta and Twit if you wanna check out their stuff?"

"Oh." Luke's smile turned sheepish as he scratched his head. "I'm sorry. I don't have social media. It's not really for me."

"No, that's totally cool!" she insisted with a nervous laugh. "But you should still come if you, you know, want to. Not with me," she added in a ramble. "I mean, we could go together, but, y'know, we don't have to."

Luke sniffed a prickling embarrassment perfume from her and another scent he did not recognize. I wonder why she smells like that. He shrugged it off and told her kindly, "I'm sorry, but I probably wouldn't be able to go. I have extracurricular studies to work through." The thought of going through all his assigned reading his sensei dropped onto him made him want to weep. Sensei can be so cruel sometimes…

"O-Oh! No problem!" She flushed even more. "Well, um, if you change your mind, um…"

Luke nearly staggered back when a folded note was thrust onto his chest with her squeaking out a farewell. "Ah, wait—!" But he stopped, confused when she hurried out of the room and a group of girls was waiting for her. What was that about? He fixed his glasses. Well, she was nice. I feel like I've really improved my relationship with other students.

"Luke…!"

That shit warning was all he got when someone body slammed into him and nearly knocked off his glasses. "Ow!" He knew that smoke and ash scent anywhere. "Igneel!" He righted his glasses with a scowl. "I'm not Dad. You can't just do that to me and expect me to be ready."

Igneel grinned and hopped up on the conference table. "Don't be such a baby. I thought you being all zen meant you were ready for everything."

"I practice Zen Magic; I'm not a martial monk," Luke sniffed. "And don't you—Hey!" He tried to reach for the paper when Igneel swiped it from him. "Don't you have anyone else to bother?"

"No." Igneel looked dead serious. "MJ told me if I bothered her before tomorrow, she'd call the Guard."

So you come and bother me? Luke sighed as he gathered his materials. "Maybe you shouldn't bother Mary Jane as much. Don't you think maybe her calling the Guard on you for your arrest is a sign?"

"Of course it's a sign." Igneel glinted determination. "It's a sign she feels strongly about me."

But in a bad way! Luke sighed drearily as he finished packing up. Why do I even try?

Igneel opened the note and a quick skim had him whistle. "Dude… You got asked out!" He wrapped an arm around Luke, much to Luke's squawking protests, and ruffled his hair. "I'm so proud of you, little bro!" He pretended to wipe a tear. "I was so worried you'd be living in a nunnery and becoming a man of the church, taking on a vow of abstinence—"

"Let go!" Luke looked properly frazzled shoving his twin off him. "And I wouldn't live in a nunnery as a man; I'd live in a monastery—"

"Look! She gave you her Com number!"

Luke wrinkled his nose at the note shoved in his face, but he plucked it from Igneel's grip, adjusted his glasses, and frowned at the note. "But why?" He squinted when he saw the XOX. "And why did she write X-O-X?"

"Luke." Igneel put a hand on his brother's shoulders, solemn. "I think it's time for me to speak as your big bro and give you the talk."

TICK!

Luke nearly crumpled the note as a tick mark pulsed on his temple. "You're two hours older than me. That hardly constitutes as—"

"Exactly." Igneel swung his arm around Luke's neck. "And as your big bro, there are things you need to know about women that you can't read from a biology book."

Luke hotly blushed and said defensively, "I know plenty about women!"

"My poor suppressed little bro—"

"It's repressed, which I am not, and you're two hours older—"

"There is this action called 'flirting' that happens between two people," Igneel lectured like he was a highly profound scholar and Luke his dumb pupil, "and when that happens, it means someone likes someone else. And that girl"—he tapped the note—"likes you."

Luke blinked. He blinked again. And then he pointed at himself. "Me?" He looked at the note with fresh eyes. So then… She was trying to…

Igneel snickered when Luke's face matched his hair as the steam of embarrassment puffed from the top of his head. Rubbing under his nose, he smugly teased, "I knew you had it in you. After all, you take after your big bro and I've got pretty good game."

Luke withered. Doesn't that 'game' end up with you behind bars every week? He glanced at the note, feeling hot again, and quickly folded it again. "Let's never talk about this again and go get dinner."

Igneel cackled. "Don't be so embarrassed! We should go celebrate that you don't have to go be a nun—"

Luke bit as he got on his messenger bag, "And you're buying dinner."

"Wha—? Aw, c'mon, I was just jokin' around—! Wait, don't leave me behind! Luke! Luke!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"You should've seen the explosion I made in the lab! It was epic!"

"Uh-huh."

This was how their post-class walks to get food would go: Igneel would ramble nonsensically from one topic to the next, normally starting about him proudly starting an explosion in his lab block—this semester was university honors physics—and then him cooing about some anime and then he would launch into a story about a new attack he conquered, all while Luke would active listening and somehow understand the 15 tangents Igneel went on diverting from his main topic.

Did most people find that exhaustion? Certainly. But it worked when one person was a hyper arsonist and the other was a reserved (not) nerd.

Igneel's wide movements with his arms would have killed someone. "And it totally reminded me of—! Wait, so did I tell you about what happens, like, mid-season of that isekai I was watching? So what happened was…!"

Luke tried hard to listen and ask questions, but all he could offer were hums at the wrong times. His mind fell back to this morning. Mom… I'm certain I caught her off-guard using Emperor Spriggan's name—or, at least, that's what my studies were pulling towards. Honeyed-ambers darkened. Emperor Spriggan—one of the most remembered and praised emperors since Immortal Yang's rise to power in West Zhōnguá when the Sì Xiàng Dynasty ended. For 400 years, Emperor Spriggan brought up the Alvarez Empire and helped uplift the entire western continent of Alakitasia. And for him to die fighting the Black Wizard…

He gripped the strap on his messenger PDP. I didn't understand Sensei's assignment. Or maybe…I didn't want to understand it. 'Zeref'—it's not a name you'd find unless you had access to restricted journals from the Old-Middle Era and could understand the dialect. Some people had used that name, but they kept saying 'the western sage'. But they also talked about the Warlock of the Wastes who also came from the west. And their accounts started matching up.

Honeyed-ambers glinted. Alakitasia… We hear about all the ongoing war going on there now that Emperor Spriggan is gone. People talk about how the emperor always opted for peace, but he died fighting the Black Wizard, a being who lived for war. On one hand, the emperor died and his vision for peace never came to light. On the other, the Black Wizard dies and so do all the monsters and philosophies. Their deaths were a contradiction to their lives.

His lips thinned. Mom, Dad… Why are you really going to Alakitasia?

"Luke?"

He blinked to realize he stood in the middle of the sidewalk with Igneel offering him a frown of concern. "Oh. Ah, sorry." He moved. "What were you talking about?"

Igneel pouted. "You didn't hear any of that?"

"Sorry." Luke scratched his cheek with an awkward smile twisting his lips. "I guess my mind was preoccupied. But I'm listening now."

"Nah, it's fine." Igneel locked his hands behind his head. "What'cha thinkin' about?"

Luke mused about his next decision. I know it's been a few weeks. But now is as good of a time as any to ask. So he answered with his own question. "Why did Cane provoke you?"

Igneel did not freeze or stop walking. His lips tugged into a half-grin. "Huh. Thought you'd ask me about that sooner rather than later." He winked. "My little bro really is a top student."

Ears and neck hot, Luke grumbled, "Just answer the question." He pushed up his glasses, but he slowed on the release. "I know you," he murmured. "I know you have a temper. But I also know you don't show it around Lu, not like that. You lied when you had to give your account of what happened. And I'm sure Master and Mom and Dad know you did."

Igneel snickered. 'You can be real scary when you wanna be with your detective work; y'know that? He sighed and looked up to the dimming sky. That lackadaisical air dropped to something reserved and shadowed. "You're right." Cold. "I don't want Lu to see that side of me. And I'm happy I still held back. Because in that moment"—emeralds showed in his eyes with a need for blood—"I wanted him to die."

Luke adjusted his strap and ignored the gooseflesh crawling up his arms. I know he and Gale have a rivalry, but… I never thought it would come to this.

Igneel continued, apathetic: "I'm not sure why. But it felt like everything inside me told me if he was dead, Luna would be safe. So I reacted right then and there to take out the threat."

Luke asked the dreaded question, "And now? Would you do it again now?"

Igneel stopped. His fingers came apart and his hands dropped to his sides.

Luke stopped as well.

"I don't think the who or what matters," Igneel said. "I don't really care." He turned his head—

Emotionless emeralds clashed with honeyed ambers.

A stray autumn breeze ruffled through their hair as the dying sun gleaned Igneel's blonde tresses as though he were an Angel of War. "I won't let anyone touch her," he said. "I'll burn every threat to ash."

A stronger zephyr blustered through.

No fear or recoil took hold of Luke; a ruminative feeling washed him. That…wasn't a threat. That sounded like a plan of action. While the sun favored Igneel, shadows touched Luke. This is the side he always keeps away from her. I don't even think Mom knows. But both of those sides to him are authentic. It's not a question of which one of them is him. But if Cane provoked him…how long will it be until he stops hiding this face?

He walked up to Igneel. I know you mean that, but…

FLICK!

"Ow!" Igneel flinched away and covered his nose from the flick. "Hey! Sneak attacks aren't nice! A little warning next time, jerk."

"That would defeat the purpose of a sneak attack," Luke said dryly as he and Igneel fell into a walking rhythm again. "Don't go saying that sort of thing in public. I can only do so much to stop you from being detained. And stop letting people provoke you. Do you know how much worse it could've been for Lu if she hadn't had her Awakening? And another thing, you can't just…!"

Igneel's eyebrow twitched under Luke's fierce chastisement. There he goes, scolding me again. And I thought I was the big brother. His smile faded. "Luke."

Luke stopped, mid-word.

Igneel asked, "Do you believe in fortune-telling?"

"No." Luke did not have to think about it. "Sensei says that true Fortune Telling prowess stemmed from Dukkering from the Roaming People. But those people died off long ago. Now, fortune-telling is too far off the path and is too vague for an accurate understanding in regard to timeframe and interpretation. It's not something we should believe in."

"I see…"

Luke glanced at his brother. "What did Cane's cards show you?"

"Something…unpleasant." Igneel's thumb kept flicking in and out of his fist to create and demolish a flame. "For some reason, he chose to show me that unpleasant thing. I confronted him about it." The flames on his thumb tinged gold. "It felt like he forced me to be a pawn in his game—a game he won't stop even with my warning."

"He knew Luna would Awaken," Luke breathed, thinking fast. But… No one can predict an Awakening. I know he cares about Lu, so for him to take a gamble… It clicked. "It wasn't a game or a gamble; he had one-hundred percent certainty if you and Gale fought like you were killing each other, Luna would Awaken."

Igneel's jaw clenched.

"But that still doesn't makesense why," Luke murmured, musing. "What would he benefit from something like that?" Was he just trying to be a good Samaritan? He knew Lu was unhappy she had no powers. But his fortune-telling wouldn't be able to tell him under what conditions her possible Awakening would happen, not unless Luna asked him a specific question, and I don't think she did. So why tell us? And also… His frown deepened. Why make it so obvious he wants us to figure it out?

"So." Luke raised an eyebrow at Igneel. "What are you going to do?"

"I dunno." Igneel watched the little flame on his thumb come in and out of existence. Straight—flame. Bent—gone. "I don't like that he used me. But now that I've seen his first hand"—his flame's glow reflected in his eyes—"I'm curious how far his fortune-telling goes."

And he blew out the flame.

Sunset was the perfect time to pregame.

Arfaj Town had its fair share of little ones, but it was more commonplace to see teens and adults popping in and out of stores and bars with a drink in their hand. Only a few tourists were messy, giggling and stumbling about, but most were nursing their drinks to wait for the official moonrise for the real fun to begin.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Arfaj Town

Fiore, Ishgar

18:06 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

To Luna, Lance looked as he had always been, but to the couple he spoke to, he was a blonde-haired, brown-eyed gentleman with nothing notable about him. He asked them, "I'm so sorry to bother you. It's just—my sister and I came here as a pitstop to Crocus." He glanced at the Arborea Mountains. "Honestly, we were hoping to just cut through and drive through the mountains…"

"Oh! Are you guys Meidilandians?" the wife presumed. "The train is much faster." She shook her head at the mountains. "And honestly, I wouldn't bother trying to drive through. We're not from here either; we just came on a quick holiday from New Azalea. But some bartender was telling us construction or something was happening down the highway."

Her husband jumped in. "He told us the winter ski resort shut down for repairs and the highway had major parts of it blocked off because a Wyvern caused an avalanche, I think," he recalled. "But none of the townies are afraid to lose business. Still, it's a shame."

Lance sympathized. "It is." He sighed, rubbing his neck, and looked down at Luna. "Well, I guess we'll just take the long way around. I'm sorry. I know you wanted to get to Crocus as soon as possible."

"That's okay." Luna latched onto his arm with a beam. "I'm just happy we get to see each other." She pouted. "You've been so busy with uni that you're never home."

Lance laughed, rueful. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"What are you going to Crocus for?" the husband asked, curious.

Luna turned her smile to the couple. "They're having public fall sit-in sessions with the National Ballet of Fiore and the prima ballerina Diana is doing one of those days where we get to ask questions and learn their warmups."

Lance raised an eyebrow. "Aren't those warmups the same warmups you're supposed to be doing every day? And here I thought you wanted to be a professional, slacker."

Luna puffed a cheek. "You're so mean to me." She broke into a giggle. "But I guess you're right." She told the couple, "I have been a bit of a slacker, but…" Her beam shone. "I just wanted to spend time with my big brother."

DOKIDOKI!

The couple keeled over. She's so cute!

The wife cleared her throat. "Well, I think you'll go to wonderful new heights, young lady."

"Just no wandering off from your brother tonight," the husband ribbed. "Overheard it from a few townies how a couple people sneak up to the mountains to take advantage of less foot traffic." He wiggled his hands and deepened his voice. "And they never come out…!"

Lance chuckled. "She's stuck with me tonight, so we won't have to worry about that, but thank you. And you guys have a good night."

"You too."

"Best of luck to you!"

Lance and Luna turned to walk away. His smile faded for sobriety. Their stories match up with what's on the website for the ski resort. But I don't recall anything about construction. Falsifying ski resort repairs is easier when it's a family business. But construction on a national highway requires notarized permits and certifications and registration. I'm sure if we went to the highway, we'd see roadblocks, but that doesn't make it legal.

He glanced down at Luna and took in her downcast regard and slumped shoulders. "Anna?" When Luna did not respond, he nudged her and whispered, "That's you."

"Oh!" Luna perked, startled. "Um, yes, Lan—er, Yuri?"

Lance smiled. "I didn't mean to shock you. I just was going to say you're doing great," he praised, dulcet. "You're maintaining consistently fluently. Not everyone can do that."

She tried for a grateful smile, but her eyes cut to the side. "Thank you." Her hands clasped together. I'm sure he's just saying that to make me feel better.

"I couldn't do it when I was younger than you."

That made her stare fly back up to him. "Seriously?"

Lance nodded with a sighing laugh. "I was pretty terrible. Not even Misty wanted to be with me when things required stealth," he said in good humor. "Everyone tells me I got a lot of things from Mom, but I think I was more of a black sheep before Janie was born. I was a bit of a goody-two-shoes and really shy." He scratched his cheek with a finger. "I could barely talk to anyone outside of my cousins, my partner, and Misty. And I definitely couldn't tell a lie to save my life." Sunset oranges glistened. "But…things changed when Janie was a little older."

Because of Mary Jane? Luna echoed. "How come?"

"Well…"

A small hand holding another covered in bandages. A manuscript drenched in the moon's glow that the title disappeared, but it hinted at the first word "P" and the last word "ENDY".

Luna blinked when he stopped walking, halting with him. "Yuri?"

His smile touched with grief. "Let's just say, I lied because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time." Sunset oranges glimmered. And now… I don't know what the right thing was anymore.

"Yuri?"

He looked back at Luna with worry prominent in her frown, and he could not resist rubbing her head. "You remind me a lot of her." Then he laughed. "Only she'd probably spear me if I ever tried to do this to her."

Luna giggled. "Yeah. That's her. I don't know how she handles a certain someone. He can get a bit hyper sometimes, but she handles him so easily."

"Let's be friends, MJ!"

"I'd rather drown, moron."

Luna felt a bit bad with how grumpy Mary Jane looked all the time versus a happy-go-lucky Igneel constantly invading her space. Poor Mary Jane. She's a saint to deal with him.

(In her bedroom, Mary Jane sneezed.)

Lance retracted his hand. 'Handle him', huh? His lips parted—

PIKA!

Luna fretted when Lance put an arm out before her. "What is it?"

"Hold my hand." As Luna did so, Lance pulled them into a stroll and whispered, "Talk to me."

"Ah, er, um—" Luna blurted, "I'm really bummed I won't be able to see the Young Nation concert in theaters. One of my best friends and I really want to go see them in concert, but, well, it's not going to happen since…" Even as she kept rambling, the fear would not retreat. What's going on? Is someone after us?

"Anna."

Luna saw Lance's fake smile.

"Let's go to the hotel," Lance planned, squeezing her hand twice.

Deep browns darkened. Two squeezes—that means someone is following us. She threw a puffed cheek at him. "But you promised we'd get to walk around, and you'd let me have a drink!"

"You have two years left," Lance assuaged, guiding them. "You'll be fine." He simpered at Luna's grumbling. She's doing great. No panicking. His eyes flashed to windows to watch reflections. That presence I sensed. It's gone. But it was here. His jaw grew taut. Someone's scouting.

°•°•°•°

Everyone reconvened inside Nashi and Luna's room, each one tense.

Mystogan pulled out what looked to be some sort of time turner, a spherical bobble with multiple ringlets and one button.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Mute Lacrima that mutes any noise within a certain area for a limited time and is often offered at libraries to love hotels to academic testing sites. Mute Lacrima became more expensive when someone wants a bigger range it can cover and for a longer timeframe. The largest area it can do is 7,140 square meters and the largest timeframe is 4 hours. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mystogan pressed the button and it looked like one ringlet passed for seconds, another was for minutes, and the next was for an hour. As the Mute Lacrima marked the time, he looked at his team. "Your findings?"

"We spoke to both locals and tourists," Gary reported. "But they said the same thing about the ski resort being shut down and construction underway."

Mystogan folded his arms. "The same to us. Lance?"

"Same, but we had a complication." Lance looked at Mystogan and Gary. "It looks like someone with demonic energy came into town or were exposing themselves. I thought they were following us, but our disguises were still present."

"So they were scouting," Gary theorized as Gale's brow furrowed. "But what?"

"Or perhaps they were searching for something," Mystogan considered. "But that still begs the question. What would they be looking for that they would risk their identity?"

Luna saw Gale meander away from the conversation and go to the window. Gale?

Gale parted the curtains. What am I…? He closed his eyes and blocked away the bedroom conversation to concentrate.

A distant voice picked up, "…sure none of those creatures came here?"

"Positive." A woman's voice, an old crone. "We're safe now. We have the town protected from those monsters."

"But what if one of them comes back—?"

"Shut up," the crone cut through the other person's hysteria. "The barrier should dissuade those monsters from trying to attack our home and you know what happens to the ones trying to close in."

"But the mountain—"

"Shut up! Honestly, get out of here and go get a drink to get your nerves under control."

"Gale?"

The conversation between the crone and their partner fizzled out, so Gale pulled back and opened his eyes. He caught Luna's worry before he turned to the group and announced, "I think I know what they were looking for, but it's vague."

Mystogan nodded. "Go on."

"Two people were having a conversation about monsters," Gale informed. "One of them was worried about monsters returning. The other talked about a barrier protecting the town."

It registered in Gary. "That's what I sensed when I first approached the town. There was a thin layer of energy." He frowned. "I'd have to actively touch the barrier to see what it was for, though. A protective barrier against monsters?"

"The tourists mentioned a rampaging Wyvern caused an avalanche," Lance brought up. "I'm not too familiar with magizoology, but Mountainverns aren't common in Fiore, right? Forestverns shouldn't be in the Appalachians. And I don't think the summits of the mountains are cold enough for a Blizzardvern."

Mystogan brought out his Compact and started typing. When he found what he was looking for, he projected a hologram of a Forestvern, a Blizzardvern, and a Mountainvern, the three draconic and fierce with their talons and wings. The Forestvern had green scales like camouflage, but the Mountainvern looked more gray-beige with fewer spikes and a thicker hide. The Blizzardvern had pale white gray scales, but the Mountainvern had the smallest eyes out of all three.

"Let's see here," Mystogan drawled. "Forestverns are said to like temperate forests liked the mixed forest in the mountains. Mountainverns tend to live in rockier areas with less vegetation and they also prefer hiding in darkness, so people rarely see them. And you're right. Blizzardverns wouldn't be able to successfully live in the mountains since it's too warm."

"But it still checks out that a Forestvern very well could've caused the avalanche," Lance reminded. "They're covering their tracks well with believability."

"But not legality." Mystogan ended the projection. "If a Forestvern were to rampage, Tamers from the Ministry of Magical Creatures would have immediately been sent out to de-escalate the situation and rehome it into a sanctuary until its aggression faded."

Nashi frowned. "But this isn't a Wizard Town, right? So how would that even work?"

"Legally, they still have to call the Ministry," Gary told her. "The Ministry works with the Council and with Fiore. It's magical animal control, essentially. So the mayor would still have a responsibility to prioritize their citizens' safety and bring in an official Tamer."

"I couldn't smell a Tamer pass through here," Gale inserted. "When a Tamer comes through, so does their Partner, and that makes a distinct smell. But there wasn't even a scent trail unless this happened too far back ago." Rubies weathered. But what were those two trying to say?

Mystogan probed, "Did you hear anything else?"

"I think so." Gale looked up at the group. "One of them said something like 'you know what happens to the ones trying to close in'. The other one mentioned the mountain, but that was where the conversation ended."

"That doesn't sound like they were talking about Wyverns," Gary murmured. He looked at Mystogan. "So?"

"We'll stick to the plan," Mystogan determined. "We'll go up the mountain at moonrise and keep a low profile. Once we get to the mountain, using Magic won't be preventable, but we'll cut corners on as much as we can. No lights. Lance, Gale, Gary—we're going to need your senses. Gale, you especially with your nose and ears. You'll be the only one permitted to use Magic but only if we need our path cleared. Nashi, Luna—stay close and in the center. Make sure everyone is wearing their stealth suits and earpieces but avoid separation at all costs."

He looked out the window and to the mountains. "Because we aren't leaving until we get to the bottom of this investigation."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And that night…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

HOO… HOO…

SAYA… SAYA…

The moon claimed the sky, but she was uninterested in the affairs of humans with clouds occasionally blocking her sight. The last bar closed at 11 with the streetlamps turned on and most people retreated to their homes with the occasional mischief-makers out on the hunt for some quick fun. The Arborea Mountains did not have that luxury with the gondolas empty and in their sheds. A few animals were out on the prowl for their breakfast or late dinner, depending. A lone wolf found a den for the evening. A strange fox creature with seven tails disappeared with a plump albino rabbit in its jaws.

Shadows moved through the brush.

Gary and Gale led the charge with masks and hoods drawn up. Gale sniffed the air, ears pricked, and Gary could feel that dread thicken the air and tempt him. Luna and Nashi were quick to follow their steps, leaving nary a sound behind, and Mystogan and Lance brought out the rear.

Gale stopped them all when the group encountered rubble. Magic glowed in his eyes as he took a stance. His arms moved, rigid, but the earth before him responded with irritated grumbles as he parted the rocks and boulders safely.

He's so cool. Luna watched as Gale strategically made sure every movement would not further disturb the environment. She whispered to Nashi, "But won't we be found out every time he does this?"

"No." Mystogan answered this. "As long as he's simply clearing a path, we'll be fine. Earth Magic in a forest and mountainous area is common since the magical creatures here normally have Earth Magic. No one would be able to tell the difference between him clearing a path and a creature."

"Oh, I see." Luna could not help feeling warm admiration watching Gale. His Magic is so useful. She looked at her black sealstone bracelet. And my Magic…

Gale exhaled as he finished. "All right. We should be good to go."

"Right." Gary adjusted his mask. "Let's move."

And the group kept on as a unit.

Gary looked up at the looming mountains hard. I can feel it the closer we get. Blues flashed. Is this Demon strong?

I am unsure, the Devil answered. Its stench is the same as Orias, but it puts limitations on its influence. Either way, we can kill it with ease.

Gary aborted his flinch. Not everything is about killing.

We kill to ensure Malã'ika's safety. If it threatens her safety, we will act accordingly.

You kill, Gary reminded, bitter. I don't.

The Devil sneered. You—me—there is no difference. We will eliminate all threats. It retreated with a growl, but there was no heat to it. I have never acted unless you have wanted me to. Don't forget that.

Gary could feel himself alone in his mind and puffed frost through his mask. I'm not the Devil, he told himself. His hands tightened. I'm not.

They kept bounding up the mountainside, but Gale was the one who abruptly stopped and held out an arm. "Hold on."

Everyone halted.

Gale took off one glove as he went down on one knee. His fingers threaded the grass, and he closed his eyes. The robust sounds of nature turned down into white noise the more he listened. Muted lub-dub-lub-dub-lub-dub pulsated with faint dota-dota-dota-dota. But his brow puckered when an echo of ugyaaa.

"I can hear heartbeats, footsteps…and screaming," Gale reported.

Mystogan asked, "Human or Inhuman?"

"I'm not sure." Gale tried to make out the difference, but he shook his head. "It's too far away to tell." He stood up. "But those mountains are carrying a lot of whatever is inside."

"Are there any tunnels ground level that you can sense?" Mystogan asked.

Gale tensed. "I don't know."

"We'll go on the assumption there aren't on ground level," Lance decided. "And the mountains are too big for us to look for it on the ground. We'll need to get higher ground to one of the more apparent caves. Gale, do you think you could get us to one if I point on out to you?"

"Yeah. That's fine."

"Good." Lance narrowed his eyes. "Because I think I found our mark."

°•°•°•°

When the group got to the rocky portion of the mountains, Magic wafted off Gale and he called, "Everyone, stick close."

"Hold on." Mystogan closed his eyes before they widened with a flash of pale yellow. His lips moved and he mumbled a language too foreign to decipher, but a heatwave settled in the air, his spell complete. He brought out his Muta Lacrima and clicked it on before nodding to Gale.

When everyone was in position, Gale slashed his hands down—

GRRRR!

The ground broke into a rectangle—

Gale grunted as he lifted his arms—

GRRR!

The earthen platform jerked upwards, and Luna held onto Nashi's arm as she steadied herself. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Nashi laughed a little when Luna tucked into her side with her eyes squeezed shut. "You're not going to see anything with your closed." She nudged her sister. "Go on. Look."

Luna cracked her eyes open before they widened, sparkling. Oh, wow…

It felt like a dream to see the forest and valley below like they had created such things and stood above all others. The moon might not have been impressed, but the stars showered the blue-violet sky with their intricate dances of sparkles and glimmers. The land dipped into an expanse of luscious greens and faraway towns that were still trying to stay awake. And the outside world would never know a group of Wizards was surveying them.

"Well?" Nashi prompted.

"It's beautiful," Luna breathed.

"Beautiful enough to take a picture?"

Luna wavered before letting her gaze stray. "Maybe."

Gale glanced at her before flourishing his hands and pushing them up the mountainside.

Lance had been the one to spot a small cave entrance on a precarious ledge. "There. We can enter here."

Gale stopped them as close as he could to the ledge before rotating his arms and jutting out earth to make a bridge. Mystogan crossed it first to scout the cave before waving the rest across.

Gary could see Luna's unease and offered his hand. "Here. I can—"

"I got her."

Luna let out a noise of surprise when Gale picked her up. "W-Wait—!" But her protests turned into a hitched breath when Gale hopped across the rocky steps, and she squeezed him as she tried not to look down.

Gary's blues sparked. Hm. He eagerly rounded on Nashi and opened his arms. "Angel—"

"Not on your life."

Gary pouted as she hopped onto the step-bridge. "How mean."

Gale was careful to set Luna back on her feet when they got to the other side., and she managed to catch her breath. "Thank you." Her cheeks heated in humiliation. "But you didn't need to carry me." She rubbed her arm. "I don't want to be dead weight."

Guilt curled inside Gale. "Blondie, I—"

Lance landed on the other side and clasped Gale's shoulder. "Why don't you finish putting everything back? We're burning moonlight."

Gale swallowed his frustration. "Right."

"Come on, Lu." Nashi took hold of Luna's hand and tugged her forward, but she could not ignore Luna's glance back as Gale moved his arms to put the earth back where it belonged.

The cave entrance lying in the creases of the mountain looked tall and wide enough for humans to fit, but anything bigger would have to find another way in. Mystogan made sure the group was gathered before calling, "Gary."

Gary nodded and came forward. Winter vibrated in his chest as he took a deep breath. Dread caressed his skin and his throat flexed as he held back from swiping his bottom lip and salivating. "A Demon's Labyrinth. It's not here, but… If we walk further in, we'll have wandered inside it."

Mystogan understood. "Very well. Everyone, flashlights." He made sure everyone had them in hand. "Do not turn them on until we can't see anymore. We can't run the risk of outsiders. Stay close and stay together. We shouldn't be near the abandoned mines or train tracks. Gary, you'll be in the vanguard with Nashi. Lance and I will take rearguard. Gale, Luna—you will be in the center since you're the most vulnerable. Spot each other, understand?"

Everyone nodded and reshuffled to their positions.

Gary saw Nashi's tension and teased, "Angel can hold my hand if she's scared." When she did not respond, he had meant to drop it, but it surprised him to see her fingers pinch the wrist of his sleeve. He blinked at her. "Angel?"

"I'm only hanging on to you so you don't do something stupid and face a Demon alone again," Nashi reasoned in an irked grumble, refusing to look at him. "You can't run off on your own this time, got it? I'm going with you or you don't go at all."

Blues glinted. Angel…

Nashi stiffened when Gary shook her off to clamp her hand with his own. "H-Hold on—!" She paused at Gary's soft look.

"There." Gary lifted their joined hands, blues twinkling. "Now Angel has her own leash on me." He hooked down his mask and pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"Y-You…!"

He looked up, amused when Nashi could not look at him and was trying to hide her blush. How did I get so lucky to have such an adorable Angel?

"Ahem."

Mystogan crossed his arms while Lance and Gale grinned and Luna sparkled seeing the wonder of young adult romance before her and not in a book. Mystogan pitched up an eyebrow and said, bone-dry, "Anytime you two are ready, we'll proceed."

Nothing Nashi could say would be any help, so she weakly nodded. "R-Right. We'll just, uh, go then."

Putting back up his mask, Gary went inside with Nashi toeing in after him. Luna made sure to keep close and followed Nashi's footsteps. When Mystogan was the last inside, he took a distrusting sweep of the outside before following inside. The narrow entrance did not stay skinny for much longer as the tunnel abruptly opened up with curves of rock and stalactites present. The glow from outside was enough to adjust and see they had to follow the tunnel's curves.

Mystogan could see the light from outside would be of little use further in. Strange. I feel eyes on us, but there is no specific source. He continued to walk, but he kept one look over his shoulder as he watched the light from the entrance tunnel fade the further they traveled. Wait.

Something flickered in the light.

Magic charged Mystogan. "They know!" Pale yellow glowed around him as he chanted, "Sirius!"

A bright light raced out of Mystogan's hand and raced down the tunnel just as something moved to cover the light. For a moment, it looked like Sirius would make it back to the entrance as the shadows recoiled from such obnoxious light, but they moved with a vengeance to cover up the cavern entrance until—

Sirius was too late.

The shadows won.

Unless you were at the bars in the city, the outskirts of Magnolia Town winded down at around 11. With the semester starting up again and the weekend a few days away, no one was willing to throw Calabash Avenue into any sort of ungodly chaos. The lights at the Dreyar house had all been flicked off with dishes done, leftovers put away, and all the wards reset to alert the masters of the house at the first sign of trouble.

Mary Jane thought it was a shame those wards could not detect certain moronic arsonists.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Dreyar Household

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

00:05 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She lay in her bed with her hair stuffed up into twin buns and decided to watch some YouView videos in the darkness of her bedroom. It felt like the right choice, even if the content was nothing special. But to be fair, watching a musty carpet be cleaned felt oddly satisfying.

GATAGATA!

She took off her headphone, suspicious.

GATAGATA!

Mary Jane silenced her huff as she stopped her video. She quickly hid her headphones and Compact and turned on her side, comforter over her head. If any gods are out there, please pity me a little and make sure the lock on my window works.

Quiet.

She heard quiet.

She tensed when she heard her window jiggle, but when the quiet was back, she breathed in relief—

SHHRT!

Mary Jane wanted to give the fuck you middle finger to the sky. Dammit. I knew I should go to mass. Maybe if I keep quiet, he'll leave.

Shifting happened before the window shut again. A dip in the bed told her he had made it inside (much to her annoyance) and he kneeled on the available side of her bed. "MJ?" came soft call. "Are you asleep?"

Mary Jane kept quiet, scowling. Great. The moron just going to bug me the entire night. Irritably, she grumbled, Well, it's not like he can't tell I'm not actually asleep with those freaky senses. I'm sure he'll start jumping on my bed once he realizes I'm faking it.

Silence.

Mary Jane frowned as the silence persisted. Is he actually not gonna bother me? Her frown deepened when the weight on the bed left, and she heard her window open again. Seriously? Unable to take it, she ripped off her comforter to sit up and growl, "If you were just going to bust in here without doing anything, why didn't you—?"

She stopped.

The moon shone on him, and she could see a deep-seated sadness on his face.

Igneel drummed up half a grin when he realized he had her attention. "Hey, MJ. I could tell you weren't sleeping, but I thought you wouldn't want to be bothered." He sat on the windowsill. "I'll just go. Sorry." He ducked out of the window—

"Tomorrow."

Confused, Igneel ducked back in to frown at her.

"It's tomorrow," Mary Jane said, awkward. "I didn't want you bothering me yesterday because I had things to do and I wanted to do them with a clear mind for once, but unfortunately, it's tomorrow."

Igneel grew taken aback until he half-heartedly laughed. "Yeah. It's tomorrow."

When he could not move for the window, Mary Jane rolled her eyes and went back to bed. "I'm too tired to deal with your moronic tendencies. So either get in and shut my damn window or get out."

Silence.

"MJ…" Igneel looked comically touched. "Are we having a moment?"

TICK!

Mary Jane looked ready for a bloodbath. "Get – out."

"Nope!" Igneel leaped onto the bed (Mary Jane felt her tick mark twitch) and made a show of getting comfortable. "You gave permission for me to come inside, so there's no takebacks now!"

Mary Jane grumbled and tried to get comfortable again. "What are you, a vampire now?"

"That is a total myth that vampires needed permission to come outside," Igneel told her, matter-of-factly. "Nightwalkers needed permission to come into someone's home, but they could come into any commercial building. But Daywalker Vampires were like us, so they didn't need any permission. Isn't that cool?"

"Yes. Charming," Mary Jane bit.

Igneel let his laugh fade away.

The silence brewed again.

Mary Jane closed her eyes, but it disgruntled her with all this quiet. Ugh. Now I can't sleep. Irate, she grumbled like it was all his fault, "Hey. Why aren't you being your usual annoying self? You're too quiet. It's annoying."

Igneel chuckled, but it did not sound right. "Sorry. I'll be annoying tomorrow, promise."

"Well, why aren't you annoying now?"

Silence.

Mary Jane withheld her huff and had half a mind to tell him his lack of an answer was irritating—

"Didn't you…hear about what happened?"

Mary Jane frowned at both the question and how small his voice came out. "About what?"

"Y'know." Some shifting. "Lu's Awakening."

"Oh. Right." She remembered now. "I did."

Quiet.

She prompted, irked, "What about it? It's been weeks since she Awakened. I was there at the party, remember?" A surge of protection rushed her and she sat up to glare at him. "Did something happen to her?" Her power crafted a blade ready for slaughter. "Who do I need to take down? Tell me now."

Igneel blinked before bursting into laughter. "Wow, MJ, you can be super scary!"

Mary Jane growled and disbanded her blade. "Stop laughing and tell me what happened to her, moron," she demanded.

He ridded himself of his laughter, but residual mirth remained. "Nothing happened. She's fine."

"Good." Mary Jane rolled over and pulled up her comforter. "If that's all you had to say, good night." And she felt that was that.

The hush trickled back in.

She tried shutting her eyes and counting, but the more time ticked by, the angrier she was sleep stayed out of her willing grasp. She ground out, "Why did you bring up Luna's Awakening?"

Six beats.

"Do you think Luna would ever hate me?"

That question was too out of character of her to simply write off. She turned on her other side to face him while he looked up at the ceiling. "No. She would never hate you." There was no reluctance or bitterness; this was the truth. "Somehow, despite all of your flaws, she thinks the world of you. Congratulations on brainwashing her."

Igneel puffed something like a laugh. "Yeah."

Mary Jane felt she would get wrinkles from all this frowning. "Why would she ever hate you?"

It felt like he was sifting through his thoughts to figure out what to articulate. "I saw something," he murmured to her, a secret between them. "And what I saw… I just couldn't take it. And even though I try not to, I showed her a side of me I didn't want her to see. She forgave me for it. But what I saw… If it came true, I don't think I could hold back. Because I want her safe. But at the same time…I don't think I could handle it if she hated me." His fangy smile looked pathetic and ready to crumble. "I know. I'm not making any sense. You can just ignore me."

But she could not, not when he unpacked all of that. She studied him, truly studied him, and said, "In my opinion, if she's someone you want to protect, then her hatred is a small price to pay for her safety." Blues flickered to the ceiling. "Maybe she will hate you, but at least she's safe. The alternative is worse." Blues darkened. "Then she's gone. And you'll never feel another thing from her at all."

DRIP…

Blues flashed to him and widened—

DROP…

They rolled silently, those heated tears. But in all the years she had known him, she had never seen him with genuine tears. Awkward and uncertain, she murmured an intelligible, "Uh…"

Igneel rubbed away those pesky tears. "Sorry. Thanks for saying that, MJ." Onyx tendered as he looked at you. "You just…reminded me of someone long ago."

I…reminded him of someone? Mary Jane did not understand. "Who did I—?"

"Anyway," Igneel cut in, looking away, "thank you, MJ. I needed to hear that." He turned his back to her. "Good night."

Baffled, Mary Jane watched his back. "Uh… Right." She slowly turned over and mentally went back over that conversation. That was weird—even for him. Was I not supposed to say that? She threw away the thought as she wriggled for a sweet spot to lay in on her side. Whatever. Not my problem.

That damn silence made its nest in the room again.

Mary Jane could not take it anymore and sat up, rubbing her head. "Okay, look, why are you—?" But her question was moot when she realized Igneel had already curled up and fallen asleep on his side of the bed. She glared at him. You're in my bed. Why do you get to sleep like a baby, and I'm pissed off? How is this far?

The moon's light peeked into her room and bathed his face. For all the unhinged chaos he gave, he looked almost angelic as he slept.

Mary Jane laid back down, but she watched him this time. Why come over here if you're not even going to annoy me? she wanted to grouse. Using me and my bed like we're at your personal disposal to make yourself feel better. Even in your sleep, you still piss me off. She turned on her back. Well. At least he's asleep. It can't get any worse.

Never jinx yourself with such audacious words.

Igneel turned onto his other side to curl into hers.

TICK!

Mary Jane restrained the urge to wake up at knifepoint. This little…! She looked down at him with a scowl while he curled into her, oblivious, and still slept silently. The more she looked at him, the grumpier she felt, and she hissed, "This is all your fault. If you hadn't come in here, I could be sleeping."

Igneel sighed.

Mary Jane ran a hand down her face. Ha… You're lucky I'm too tired to deal with you and you aren't doing anything that warrants me calling the Guard. She had meant to pull her arms close to her, but she nearly recoiled when she realized her left arm's only option for a comfortable position was resting on his side. She muted her agitation. Comfort took priority over it for now.

"You just…reminded me of someone long ago."

She flashed her gaze down on him. Who did I remind him of?

Igneel kept sleeping.

She sighed and closed her eyes. How annoying.

KIRAKIRA!

Nashi cast her Heaven's Light as flashlights clicked on and Mystogan's Sirius flashed back to float in the palm of his hand. Lance showed his flashlight into the tunnel, but he frowned when the bright light barely made a dent in the darkness. "Looks like we won't be able to use our flashlights." He flicked off his flashlight.

Nashi peered at Gary when she saw his shoulders shaking. "Gary?"

Whispers and giggles slunk closer to him with their language seductive and sinful. He could feel dread compress around him with its unwanted touches trying to make him nothing more than a puppet to its desire. Winter howled in his ears and icy-blue consumed ceruleans—

"Gary?"

He froze when she held his hand.

Nashi squeezed his fingers. "I'm right here," she promised him. "I'm your anchor, remember?"

Closing his eyes, he shakily exhaled frost. When he opened his eyes, they were a clear blue, and he squeezed back her hand. "I know." His smile was feeble, but it was genuine. "I'm grateful to Angel."

Nashi looked around. Cael? Seraphim? Anything?

'You are within a Demon's Labyrinth,' Seraphim reported. 'I am unfamiliar with which Demon this Labyrinth belongs to. Ishim Cael, you must stay close. I cannot emerge unless we desire instant aggression from the Demon.'

Nashi saw her Heaven's Light brighten as Cael took control of it.

Mystogan examined the group. "Is everyone all right?"

"Not really." Gale could feel that unsettling feeling make him want to show his teeth. "This entire place reeks."

"What does it smell like?" Luna asked, curious.

"Addicting."

Everyone looked at Gary when he answered.

He looked into the abyss, distant. "It smells addicting, but it's not heavy. It gives you just enough to want to keep going until you reach the source. It's very"—his nostrils flared—"sweet."

"I can't smell that," Gale muttered. "It's bothering my nose and it's thick, like blood almost. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"Either way, we can't stay here," Lance determined. "We need to keep moving for our investigation, even if the Demon or its contractors know we're here. Which means we need to stick close and stick together."

Mystogan looked at his bright light. "Siris, light the way."

The bright light disembarked to float down the tunnel, curious about every crack and crevice it encountered.

"Gale." Mystogan turned. "You said you hear multiple footsteps and screaming."

Gale nodded.

"Well, then, let's hope they were human." Mystogan looked down the tunnel and everyone else did as well. "Or well, a Demon might be the least of our problems."

°•°•°•°

Sirius the Light always made sure to keep within a certain radius of its caster. It would bounce around, scoping the floors and ceiling, wait for its caster, then would bob away once Mystogan was back in range. Nashi's Heaven's Light hovered over the group, but Nashi could feel Cael subtly pulse Calm around them.

Luna had noticed it a few times, but when Gale stopped again and put his hand on the tunnel wall, she watched the phenomenon. A flash of Magic later, and he pulled back his hand to show he had embedded a gemstone into the earth. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Marking our steps." Gale got back to walking, and she matched his pace. "We need to know how to come back the way we came." He stopped and embedded another gemstone. "The gems I'm making make a pretty bright light if you flash light on them or if Lance uses his lightning."

Luna looked away, thoughtful. "Huh…"

With his mask on, his furrowed brow was all to indicate he was frowning. "What?"

"Nothing." Luna looked at him and her smile reflected in her eyes. "It's just that you're amazing." She toyed with her fingers. "You've been so useful to the mission. You could move all those boulders and got us up the mountain. You even overheard that conversation. And now…this. You're just…wow."

That took Gale aback, but he looked away from her. "It's not much," he brushed off. "It's nothing to write home about. Earth Magic's useful when you want to play in dirt. My gemstones are the only useful thing about me, but it's not like I can use them all the time."

"How come?"

Gale saw the stalagmite and pulled Luna to him to get her out of the way. "Because I'm creating them from scratch. It takes a lot of energy to make more complex gemstones and what effect on want on them."

Luna blinked when he pulled out a protein bar.

"That's why I always carry these." He hooked down his mask and pulled off part of the wrapper to chow down. "I get crazy hungry after I make a lot of gemstones. It sucks."

Luna giggled behind a hand. "You're normally a bottomless pit to begin with," she said in good jest.

"Oh, yeah? Pot meet kettle." Gale took another bite as she glared at him with a puffed cheek. He meant to take another bite, but he stopped himself. I… He gripped his protein bar. I should…

Stalagmites in the ground reached up to touch stalactites and made a partition in the tunnel. Gale went one way while Luna went the other, Heaven's Light illuminating the way.

Gale could see Luna through the gaps and watched as she looked around in kiddish awe. She's still like this, even after I was an ass to her. He finished his protein bar—his appetite needed a buffalo to be satisfied, but this would do for now—and put the wrapper in his utility pocket. As he wiped his mouth, rubies dimmed. I shouldn't have snapped at her like that. It's not her fault. She didn't do anything wrong; I just… His hands dropped. It's just…

They reconverged when the partition ended, but the tunnel wall dropped on one side to show a large cavern. A still pool sat at the bottom, horribly recluse, but the bioluminescent glow of the glow warms clinging to the ceiling and rocky pillars were something to behold.

Luna brought down her mask, her amazement naked on her face. So pretty…

The blue glow lit up her eyes, and Gale felt like he was the only one who noticed her shine. He could feel his heart throb and it felt nice he was the only one on the team with sensitive ears. Had he been at home, he knew Igneel would be fighting him if he took a sniff of interest wafting the air.

Another few pillars of thick stalagmite and stalactite separated them. He hard-swallowed, both his remorse and that awkwardness bubbling up. I… He flexed his hands. I should… When the pillars were gone and the paths reconverged, he looked at her and cleared his throat. "Blondie?"

She absently hummed.

"Look, I…" Gale rubbed his neck. "I just… About today, I… I didn't mean…"

"Yes. That's nice."

"Well, I—" Gale stopped and looked at Luna, perplexed. I didn't say anything. He delicately took hold of her hand to tug her to him, "Blondie, are you—?"

Vague browns.

Gale stopped them both when he saw Luna did not look all there to him, a distant film clouding her eyes. "Blondie? Hey." He turned her to him, but her absent face kept looking at the pool of water. "Blondie, c'mon, look at him." He brought her jaw to him and tried to see a spark of life in her eyes, but it was to no avail. "Blondie? Blondie! C'mon, answer me, please! Blondie!"

That vague look in her eyes would not leave her.

"Blondie! Hey!" Gale shook her, frantic. "Blondie, look at me! Nashi—something's wrong with…!" But when he looked around, it was only him and Luna and nothing made sense. Nashi's Heaven's Light nor Mystogan's eager Sirius were around them. "What the…? Guys!" he shouted. "Where are you?"

The shadows moved.

Gale, heart pounding, turned back to Luna and kept her close. "Blondie, I know you're pissed at me for being a dick, but please, talk to me," he implored with his voice cracking. "I just need to know you're okay. Talk to me, please!"

A silhouette hand emerged from the shadows.

"Blondie!" Gale begged, searching her eyes for any sign of life. "Look at me! Talk to me—!"

His words were lost when a shove hit his back.

Gale instinctively wrapped around Luna as they toppled over the edge, and he twisted around to take the brunt of the fall into the—

BASHA!

The water pierced him like a thousand needles, but he could not afford to gasp out his chilling pain. He opened his eyes to make sure he had Luna firmly in his grasp, so he could kick them up to the surface, but—

Luna was gone.

Panicked, Gale whirled this way and that in the water and accidentally cried BLONDIE only to realize his mistake. The water felt like stinging nettles, but he fought through the pain to keep searching the murky depths. For a mountainous pool, its depth steeped lower than he could have imagined. But it did not matter how many times his gaze darted around; Luna was nowhere in sight.

Shit, I need air! I'll get air and go back down for her. Gale kicked hard as he swam to the surface—

BAKI!

He bobbed back down into the water from the hit. Panicked and puzzled, he came up and his hands knocked against a thick material. He touched it before hitting it, but that all shed for pounding against this transparent covering as he started screaming into the water. Magic coats his hands to make diamond knuckles, and he punched against the thick material with animalistic desperation. He needed air; he needed Luna; he needed them both to get out.

But for all his adrenaline and fury, that could not stop the inevitable. Every ounce of energy surging to beat his way out of his prison turned against him, weighing him down with exhaustion. He felt weightless, lifeless, and his diamond knuckles shattered off him as his head swam. His muscles tensed as though gearing for a fight before they forcibly relaxed. He was floating.

He was drowning.

He watched as his own air bubbles escaped him, as water shoved him away from the surface. He expected an unreal bout of insanity to hit him, for his body to rattle and flail as it overrode the sleepiness in his mind and tried to fight a losing battle. But he could feel his own body weigh him down as though giving in.

SHUWASUHWASHUWA…

Drowsily, his eyes started closing, but he pushed out one last word that only the water selfishly stole.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Luna."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She stopped.

Never had she felt so alone in this darkness. Her flashlight was her lifeline, even if it could not pierce these thick shadows. She was supposed to be fearless and brave like her family, but she was shivering and holding back a well-earned cry. No one else was with her.

But then she heard it.

Luna turned around; cheeks stained with tears.

"Gale?"

— • — • — • —

Mezasu mirai wa omae shidai da

Te wo kakagete Everybody MOMI DANCE

Hi ni natte Cool & Fresh daijoubu sore de Let's Go!

(LOVE ni nareru mono sagase M.O.M.I Yeah)

•

Yukeba ii no sa shinjita yume ga

Real naraba Everybody MOMI DANCE

Dare mo kare mo Let's get, are you ready?

•

MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

MOMI MOMI

Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)

— • — • — • —

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkorn

Nashi Dragneel – Lauren Landa

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Loke – Eric Vale

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

Lance Dreyar – Johnny Young Bosch

Mystogan Fernandes – J. Michael Tatum

Gajeel Redfox – David Wald

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Panther Lily – Rick Keeling

Levy Redfox – Kristi Kang

Wendy Marvel-Blendy – Britney Karbowski

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck

The Devil – Sean Schemmel

Seraphim – Jameison Pierce

— • — • — • —

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING THEME

⟪ Ao To Natsu! ⟫

Mrs. Green Apple

Lyrics by & Composed by

Motoki Ohmori⌟

•

⌜ENDING THEME

⟪ MOMI MOMI Fantastic Feat. Ai Haruna ⟫

ASIA ENGINEER

Lyrics by & Composed by

Takashi Yanase, Asia Engineer⌟

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•

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— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 007

•

THE FOOL AND THE WISE MAN

— • — • — • —

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•

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ARE YOU IN A LABYRINTH?