Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

9. Adventure 009

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.

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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.

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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.

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LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure: looks like this special assignment in the Arborea Mountains is becoming more dangerous than our heroes though, but let's hope Silver's prayers reach anyone listening to bring these Mages home. The Devil is up against Demon Zagan while Gale, Lance, and Nashi uncover a nest of rogue Chimaera out for blood and Mystogan and Sirius face these nightmares of monsters. But as these battles reach their climax, it's up to Luna to make the call: give herself over to Zagan or let Gary die.

'And I will find you again—my precious Eve.'

One Demon down—numerous more to possibly go. But don't worry. With Fairy Tail, they don't give up—they give their enemies Hell.

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Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting!"

Chibi-Nashi holds up a finger. "On a serious note—this episode will contain child-on-child sexual assault, so please read with what you are comfortable with."

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

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A researcher's personal laboratory was their sanctum.

That was why Sirius was almost muzzled in Mystogan's lab.

The laboratory felt like a functional home to a degree. It was his own pocket dimension within the Tower with his Dimension Doors heavily warded and spelled to keep out anyone but those he allowed. His personal library had been digitized, but it was easier for him to have all his books and tombs and scrolls in one area. He had decked the research laboratory portion in top-of-the-line equipment. A couple of potions were in the works and would take a few more days to months until they were ready. Ignore the living area. He certainly did. And no matter how many times he told Sirius do not touch me in my sleep, he always woke up on the couch.

He knew the Sorcerers and the Supreme were the reason his requests for a Dimension Door connected to his house in Magnolia were constantly denied or forgotten. It forced him to physically leave the Tower and get accosted with hopeful apprentices, elbow-rubbing scholars, and that Magician who he kept at arms'-length.

Why was everyone trying to make his life harder?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Mystogan's Laboratory, Tower of Learning

Academy City

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 09:29 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sirius leaned against a bookshelf as he watched the witch-boy.

Mystogan stood on top of a glowing Lacrima pad with a sleek black VR headset covering his eyes. Multiple Lacrima Screens created an almost-dome around him with each monitor providing crucial information. A few brought about charts and graphs while another was running a simulation until its test values destabilized and the formula no longer worked. His fingers typed on the hologram keyboard like he was gracefully working a piano, but he stopped to exchange on Lacrima Screen for another, then got back to typing.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« What Mystogan is using is called Full Drive Archive or an FD, invented by Fairy Tail Mage Genius. An FD is a complex and expensive system still in its BETA stage, but it allows users to connect to multiple systems via the Aradia Network—one of the biggest, securest, and intricate networks in the world that only the Council has access to. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sirius tilted his head as he studied Mystogan. The witch-boy's been working nonstop for the past few days ever since he was given his assignment. He frowned, adjusting his crossed arms. He looks exhausted. How long can he keep this up?

Mystogan pushed back his screen to pull another forward. It contained a fascinating blueprint of a dodecahedron and a significant amount of data showed on smaller screens. He spun the blueprint around before pushing it away.

Whatever Mystogan had done—it was finished. He dragged up a hand for a smaller screen to pop up.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO…

⟪ Save & Continue ⟫

⟪ Save & Send ⟫

⟪ Save & Close ⟫

⟪ Exit ⟫

Mystogan hit ⟪ Save & Send ⟫ and a few other prompts before saving and closing out his session. When he took off his headset, the FD went to ⟪ Sleep Mode ⟫ and he could breathe out. He frowned when his glasses were offered to him by a hand instead of a spell. "My condition on you entering my laboratory was that you sit quietly and do nothing, so I don't know you exist."

Sirius snorted as Mystogan took his glasses. "You have a funny way of saying 'thank you', witch-boy."

Mystogan sniffed. "Why are you still here? I thought you'd be far, far away from me." He stepped off the platform, but a bout of dizziness had him sway. He grunted when Sirius helped him stand. "I told you not to—"

"Where are you trying to go?" Sirius cut in.

Mystogan pinched the bridge of his nose and gave up scolding the Dog Star. "I need to go to my printer."

Sirius' gaze sharpened. "You finished it?"

"Yes." Mystogan tensed. "Now it's time to test it."

°•°•°•°

Sirius watched as Mystogan adjusted his lab coat in the laboratory before he started casting enchantments. Heat waves rippled as the spells took effect, the power enough to make Sirius' skin tickle and warm. One on counter, a clear rectangle contraption fizzled with Magic as various laser and cutting tools pulled from the three Lacrima crystals to create a masterpiece. The beginnings of the dodecahedron took shape with the tablet showing the percentage and timer to when it would be complete amongst all the magical diagnostics and analytics.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Reality Printer Lacrima also called a Forge Printer, made by The Forge. This printer permits the user to "forge" their blueprints or other materials and can even imbue Ether and various spells into them. Forge Printers, however, are only authorized in academia and still have severe limitations on what they can build. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sirius rumbled, "You've been pushing yourself too hard, witch-boy. You'll make yourself stick at this rate."

Mystogan ignored him as he finished his enchantments.

Sirius tched. Annoying witch.

Once the wards were set, Mystogan went to another counter that acted as a plexiglass cage overloaded with reams of spells and enchantments and charms. Two holds were there with thick gloves heavily enchanted already attached. Already tongs were inside with the side hatch on the cage unlatched and open. Mystogan retrieved a sealed and thick rectangular chest, but the sudden weight had him stumble—

He huffed when Sirius took the chest away from him. "I had it—"

"Yeah, yeah, sure you did, witch-boy."

Mystogan saved his biting grumbles when Sirius walked off to take the chest to the side hatch. Slipping the chest inside the protective glass was easy enough—

BEEEEEEEEEEP!

Dark oaks glinted. It's time.

Sirius observed Mystogan putting on his surgical gloves and checked, "Are you sure you can do this? You haven't slept in—"

"I didn't ask for your input or nagging," Mystogan bit as he went to his Forge Printer. "I'm completely capable of finishing my projects and I don't require external commentary." He turned a deaf ear to Sirius' growling as he skimmed through the logistics on the tablet and went through a few prompts. "I don't even understand why you chose to invade my space. I'm confident you have better things to do."

Sirius smirked. "Better things to do than watch you get pissy? Always."

"Good." Mystogan heard the beep! as the printer hatch popped open. "Go do them. I'm certainly not going to stop you. After all, one of our agreement stipulations permitted your lone wolf free ranging, so I insist." He skewered Sirius with a repulsed look. "Leave me alone."

Sirius's yellows darkened. Yeah, right. If I wasn't here, you wouldn't even remember to eat or drink. I'm the one who has been feeding you.

It was not like he wanted to shovel food down Mystogan's throat and bully the Wizard into taking care of himself—it agitated him he had to play maid to such an ungrateful witch-boy—but watching Mystogan exhaust himself served as a drawback than as a fun watch. His jaw clenched. Stubborn witch-boy.

Mystogan took hold of the completed dodecahedron with glyphs branded across all 12 sides and the hum of Ether still fresh and warm. This should be the right amount. I asked Genius to double-check my calculations and the schematics were approved by the Supreme. All I have to do is test it.

He went over to the Plexiglas cage and put the dodecahedron through the side latch. As he prepped himself, he commanded: "Room—Record."

His laboratory responded with popping up a Lacrima Screen that showed the glass cage and him clearly, the red light in the corner and the time and data showing he was being recorded.

Mystogan looked into the screen and stated, "This is Mystogan Fernandes, recording on September twenty-second at…"—he looked at his wristwatch—"nine-hundred fifty-one for the first trial of the container. In this trial, I have balanced the spatial and divine energy through First and Ancient Language and I have incorporated the Elder Rune for 'Contain'. This, in theory, should keep the flow of demonic energy compressed and prevent any leakage or influence on any holders of the container. We'll begin the experiment now."

Mystogan pushed his hands into the thick gloves of the glass cage. Opening the chest and the dodecahedron were nothing simple. Why? Why make opening such dangerous equipment simple in a world full of idiots? He unraveled the polyhedral prism when a Lock Sigil of his unmaking appeared and accepted the password. From there, the polyhedron came appeared to show its cushioned insides. The padded lock birthed a small Lock Sigil and opened just the same. Mist spewed from the top—an Ice Devil's doing—and Mystogan reached for his tongs to take out the object inside.

The zebra jasper.

Sirius tensed. Here we go.

With the steadiness of a surgeon, Mystogan moved the zebra jasper sphere from the chest and to the spread-out dodecahedron. But with the slow transfer, the tense silence in the room played tricks.

A whisper broke into Mystogan's ear in seductive darktongue.

As the zebra jasper moved closer to the polyhedron, more whispers swirled around Mystogan. They toyed with secrets, secrets that he never wanted the outside world to hear. They played with his desires that sounded so pretty and tempting, a lesser man would have latched on. He could feel that dread feather his mind. His shields were up and his traps set, but the dread still slithered in with its whispered chorus, trying to find a memory that could turn him to the darkness—

Mystogan placed the zebra jasper onto the base cushion before releasing. Automatically, the dodecahedron built itself back up. The whispers came urgently, threatening all the desires Mystogan had would never come to pass, but an angry hiss was all it left to the world once the prism closed its last side, and everything locked in place.

Silence.

Sirius prowled closer, watching the closed prism. "Did it work?"

Mystogan breathed out. "I believe so." He set down the tongue to close the chest. "Gary's powers were enough to dissuade the demonic energy from escaping, but it could only work for so long. But with this container, this is an indefinite solution to suppress the Demon in this form. I would've liked it better to make the container out of spiritual energy, but with Miss Heartfilia supervising a field trip out of the country, I was too pressed for time."

"Will you have to make another one?"

"No. This will suffice, but when Miss Heartfilia returns, I'll ask her permission for a basic spiritual pulse as added protection," Mystogan said. He took his hands out from the gloves. "Now, all I need to do is the write-up and—Nngh!"

Sirius growled when Mystogan stumbled, but he caught him in time. "You've done enough, witch-boy."

Irked, Mystogan gritted, "I don't require your assistance and you make me regret contracting you more so by the day. Unhand me so I can finish this." He chanted: "Room—End Session." Once the recording screen blipped away, he tried shoving Sirius off him, but the action made his body wrack with vertigo. "Sirius—"

"Shut it, witch-boy." Sirius grabbed Mystogan and hauled him over his shoulder to leave the lab.

Mystogan stiffened. "How dare you—!" He could not even come up with the scathing words to fling at the Dog Star, not when a headache was quickly oncoming. "I do not condone this behavior."

Sirius scoffed. "You barely condone caring for yourself."

He shouldered his way out of the lab doors and into the living area which he did not ignore. It had been a courtesy and almost a requirement for him to have one because of the League's Council of Sorcerers. They had provided a comfortable couch, a kitchenette, a bathroom—even a place for him to grow his own flora for his potions.

It still made Mystogan stiff-jawed when they kept offering a balcony. Why on Earth Land would he want a balcony for his personal lab?

Mystogan made his displeasure plain when Sirius dropped him on the couch and icily bit, "I could have walked."

"You're welcome," Sirius jeered.

"I didn't ask for you to assist me."

"Did anyone tell you your pride is your least attractive feature?"

"No, because I don't listen to such pointless chatter."

It tempted Sirius to take on his monstrous wolf form and snap his teeth right before Mystogan's face. "I'll let you back into your lab once you've rested."

Mystogan raised an eyebrow. "You'll 'let' me?"

Siris inched up his chin. "Or should I tell the Sorcerers and your Guild Master you've broken your promise about keeping to your project schedule so they can force you on a vacation? We both know your deadline isn't even close. And you gave your word you'd only work in increments, so you didn't tire yourself out."

"I am not tired," Mystogan sniffed. "I'm fine."

Siris's smirk broadened, showing his fangs. "You want to test their threats?"

The thought of being forced on a vacation—worse, the thought of being forced on a skyboat—made Mystogan's headache throb. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine," he said coolly, though he wanted to spit it. "If you insist on intruding, make yourself useful and get my potion—"

"You have a headache because you need to eat and drink, dumbass."

Mystogan grumbled as he cleaned his lenses with a handkerchief, "Congratulations. I now prefer 'witch-boy'." While Sirius snickered, Mystogan finished with his glasses and put them on. "I want my PAL." He sighed when Sirius narrowed his eyes. "I will not leave this couch, but this would be a good time to handle all my correspondence and speak to Doctor Geonard about Luke."

Sirius could agree to that. "Fine."

Mystogan quietly huffed when Sirius went away. I should have never asked Misses Dragneel to teach me her craft. Now I am stuck with such an agitating Star Spirit. At least Canopus nags me, but she can only turn into a small pixie.

He laid back against the couch with a long-suffering sigh. Well… I've completed it. It was a shock to all of us when Gale showed us the gem Luna had. Gary confirmed it was Zagan, but he was stuck—imprisoned. And he also confirmed all demonic energy was cleared, but it wasn't an Exorcism. Had it been an Exorcism, all that would have happened was converting the negative demonic energy into positive. But it had all been stripped. And the townspeople we checked in with… Many of them had gotten sick and are still recovering.

Dark oaks blackened. How curious the Demon's power leaves, and dozens of locals fall ill.

"Here."

Mystogan's eyebrow twitched when Sirius had the gall to flop into the seat next to him. "Must you sit so close?" He took his PAL.

Sirius winked. "I just want to get close to my bitchy master."

TICK!

Sirius sniggered at the volatile revulsion steaming off Mystogan. So annoying yet so amusing. His grin widened when Mystogan held his tongue seeing him put up his feet on the coffee table and make himself comfortable. "So what's the deal with your apprentice?"

Mystogan logged into his PAL. "Why? Are you asking because you care or are you asking so you can emotionally manipulate him to be affectionate towards you?"

"I don't emotionally manipulate anyone, witch-boy. Some people with a heart find me adorable as a dog, your apprentice included," Sirius said, smug. "It's not my fault you're heartless." He heard Mystogan's quiet huff and his grin twitched. "But really…" Yellows sharpened. "Is it time yet?"

Mystogan started typing. "It should be. Now that Mister and Misses Dragneel have returned and Misses Redfox had time to work on the texts, they'll be having a meeting today. I'm certain Mister and Misses Dragneel will make their decision today."

Sirius hiked up an eyebrow at how composed Mystogan looked.

Mystogan did not look up, but he muttered, "Stare elsewhere. I don't appreciate it."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I just thought someone so heartless would at least care about his own handpicked apprentice."

Mystogan's fingers paused. Dark oaks glinted. My apprentice…

• — • — • — • — •

"Please be my teacher!"

The sky orange and Aine needed me back at the hospital. But I looked down at this pink-haired boy still scrawny and scuffed up. And he looked back at me with such determined eyes as he hung onto my jacket.

"I know I'm not strong like Igneel," he told me. His bravery faltered at the reminder and his eyes lowered. "I know I'm not like him. You probably think I'm weak too. But…!" He let go of me to lift his chin. "I want to be strong too in my own way. I want to be someone Lu looks up to. And I want to be the one who saves her! So please!" He let me go to bow. "Be my teacher!"

• — • — • — • — •

Someone his sister looks up to. Fondness touched his eyes. How childish and sentimental…and understandable.

He restarted typing, but he said, tone even, "Of course I care. I will not apologize for displaying my emotions as vulgar as you, but I do care. I'm simply waiting."

Sirius' brow scrunched. "For what?"

A faint smile touched the corners of Mystogan's lips. "For him to trust his teacher."

Before Sirius could figure out what Mystogan meant, their attention was drawn when a screen popped near Mystogan to alert him he had a visitor requiring access. He grumbled, "It better not be that Magician again." He tapped a button ⟪ Show Video ⟫ to see who wanted access, but when he saw the person, his entire demeanor went frigid. "I believe I have nothing to say to you."

"So callous of you to say that to one of your advising Sorcerers, my boy," came an older gentleman's chuckle. "I understand you're quite protective. But I believe you and I have some important things to discuss over a nice meal. What do you say? I'll buy. And besides, you owe me a debt for allowing you to skip the meeting with our esteemed envoys of the Far East and Middle West. Everyone is already quite jealous."

Mystogan pursed his lips. He's not wrong. I've never saw reason to sate the envy of those at the Tower when they think the Supreme and the Council favor me. It's pointless chatter. But he's right about my debt, especially since those envoys specifically requested me. He sighed and closed his PAL. "Only if you stop with that ridiculous form."

"You don't like it? It shows my age, and the children liken me to Santa."

Mystogan somehow looked even more irritated.

Another chortle. "You never let me have my fun, do you?" Whips of light blue Magic filled the video and the guest's voice went from old man to young adult. "How about a younger, cuter model?" The result was done with a smile showing a prominent mole on the right side of his face. "Well?"

Mystogan twirled a lock of his bangs. "I accept." He raised a hand over the ⟪ Accept ⟫ button. "Don't make me regret this, Prospero." He pressed down—

BZZZZZZT!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

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

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

People said true mastery meant you could teach that subject. That was not a fact. However, if anyone could teach anyone anything, it was Luke.

Just like today.

"Ha! Ha!"

The temperature dropped from 12° to 20° in the last week of semester, but it served as the perfect weather of an outdoor training session. The mats had been set up on the grass in the backyard as Luke pushed Luna through the basics of hand-to-hand combat. He spoke her language, equating martial arts to her dance as best as he could, and with each reset, Luna steadily improved her posture to match his fluidity with her own grace.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Dragneel Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 10:11 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lucy watched as she sat on the deck steps with the dogs sunning behind her. It made her smile when Luna stopped them because she wanted an explanation and Luke had a response ready for her. I knew he'd be a great teacher for her. I'm so glad we encouraged her to continue dance. Now… I hope she won't feel like she's behind us. She's been right by our side this entire time.

The kitchen backdoor opened. "Hey, Ma? We're getting low on meat again."

"Again?" Lucy sighed. "Geez. No one ever told me buying groceries weekly for kids with Natsu's stomach is more expensive than my old apartment's rent." She added in a mutter, "Three times my rent." But she smiled when Igneel sat beside her and leaned on her. "Sometimes, you make me wish I went into the supermarket business, y'know that?"

Igneel grinned, mischief sparking in his eyes. "I could—"

"You are not stealing any food from anywhere."

He pouted. "C'mon, Ma, have a little more faith in me than that!"

Lucy raised an amused eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Says the kid who robbed a grocery store over blind of all their cookie dough ice cream right after I told Lu she couldn't have any because that was her punishment."

"That could've been anyone," Igneel nervously laughed in his defense. "And it was such a long time ago, Ma, you might not remember it all that well since you're—" He slapped a hand over his mouth, wide-eyed. Shit.

"Say it." Lucy radiated dark energy over her sweating son. "I dare you to say it."

"Since you're so young!" Igneel quickly cooed. "My ma is the most beautiful woman in the world that people practically think you're my sister!"

"Really?" Lucy beamed as a flowery aura consumed her. "I knew this new cream was working! Doesn't my skin look so young and smooth? I know Anna told me it takes a while until Heartfilia's show any age, but people call me your sister?"

"Ah, yeah…" Igneel's eyebrow twitched. "It's great, Ma." His smile twitched as he remembered the countless bodies he and his father set on fire. Maybe now isn't a good time to tell her most of those comments came from sick freaks.

Lucy hummed and went to stroke Igneel's hair. "I'm glad you're home. How was your camping trip with your friend?"

"He's not my friend," Igneel denied hotly. When his mother simpered behind a hand, he flushed and insisted, "He's not! The only reason I keep him around is to make sure he stays away from Lu!"

"Of course." Lucy smiled. "You'll always be your sister's fierce protector."

"That's right." Igneel puffed his chest. "This world is filled with bad guys and perverts, and I'm gonna make sure you and Lu stay away from them." A gleam of rivalry sparked in his eyes. "Starting with Dad. Don't worry, Ma, I won't let him seduce you again. That bastard won't stand a chance against me!"

Lucy wanted to cry. Not this again! "Igneel, I married him—"

"Mom, it's okay." Igneel looked dead-serious as he took her by the shoulders. "I know the bad man trapped you and brainwashed you. But I'll rescue you from him."

Someone rescue me from this situation! Lucy sighed, "Well, how did your camping trip go with your not friend?"

Igneel shrugged as he let her go. "Fine," he supposed. "Didn't really do much. We just set up the site, hunted, and didn't really talk." He leaned against her and she went back to combing through his hair. "Pretty boring, honestly. He's not entertaining on his birthday."

"And yet, you've been camping with him for almost five years now on his birthday," Lucy gently reminded.

"It's not that big a deal," Igneel wrote off.

Lucy's browns shimmered. We both know it is a big deal. But I won't press him for more. She went back to watching Luke and Luna. Luke moved like a Selan martial artist, with flexible but firm, while Luna's style had taken all the powerful elegance from her years of dancing. It would seem all my kids are maturing now. Yesterday, they were so small and now… Now, they're growing into young adults. Browns twinged with hesitance. I guess that means I have to…

"Ma?"

Lucy blinked away from her thoughts. "Ah, yes?"

Igneel shook his head. "Nothing." He lowered his lashes as she went back to scratching his hair. "I'm just glad you're home too. Did your special assignment with Dad in Alakitasia go well?"

Lucy gradually pulled her hand to a stop. "Yes. It…did." Slowly, she went back to combing his hair, but she sat in disquiet.

Igneel's onyxes darkened. Something important feels like it's coming. He watched Luke. Can you feel it too…Black Prince?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure009

•

The Black Wizard, The History of

•

ブラックマジシャン、その歴史

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The meeting would be kept small for today—Erza made sure of that.

Number Five stood behind Erza with her tablet close to her chest. She would be the eyes and ears of today's minutes. Natsu, Gray, and Levy were involved in this affair, and they were the only ones who needed to know for now.

Erza clasped her hands on her desk. "All right. Everyone that should be here is here. So let's not waste any more time."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Master's Quarters, Fairy Tail Guild

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 10:41 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Levy." Erza looked at the Solid Script Mage. "Your findings?"

"It's incredible," Levy breathed. She held out her tablet and tapped to protect all the scans she had taken of glyphs and texts. "To be honest, the Archaeology Society has a Black Arts section that's highly privatized and severely limited, but from what I have read, they were only poor translations. But now I understand why. Zeref must have done all he could to track down Black Texts and recreated walls and scrolls full of hieroglyphs from ruins a millennia ago. He was brilliant."

Gray snorted. "I wouldn't call a mass murderer 'brilliant', Lev."

Levy did not flinch nor did she back down. "I'd never deny his atrocities aren't great and inhumane. But in his youth when he was a scholar, he was revolutionary in his research." She ignored Gray's shaking head to turn back to Erza. "The fact that he had his knowledge that was lost after the first and second Black War is almost impossible to believe if I hadn't seen all of this."

"Explain it to me," Erza asked.

Levy nodded. "After the end of the Second Black War, for around two hundred years, Earth Land was in what we call now the Calamity Era. Instability ran rampant around the world. The lost races made their decisions to close their veils with us and return to their realms. Most of the Gods abandoned us which meant the Dragon Age was setting in. Spiritless blamed Wizards for both wars and Dragons started their plot against humans, but more importantly, Wizards. We lost crucial grimoires, cities—even countries—during the Calamity Era.

"That's why grimoires we have now are so rare and have to go through thorough research," she continued. "The texts we have now are mental and oral recounts of information we lost long ago which means things can get lost in translation and powers aren't the same as they were before. But Zeref… He somehow cultivated masses of black texts. That's how he was able to make new races of Demons."

"But he didn't summon one?" Erza questioned.

Levy shook her head. "I don't think so." She placed her chin between her thumb and fist. "We have to remember while Zeref exhausted many options regarding Natsu's revival, it's possible he wasn't aware summoning a Demon wasn't an option. Several of these texts have multiple interpretations. And when I read Zeref's notes and equations, it would seem he took one interpretation of these texts as creating Demons instead of summoning them."

"And how were you able to decipher Zeref's notes and the black texts?"

"Me." Natsu looked at Erza. "It was me." He looked at his hand. "I'm not sure why, but when I saw those texts and Zeref's notes, I could read and understand them." He clenched his fist. "Like he had programmed me for it."

Gray clapped Natsu's shoulder as he looked at Erza. "I couldn't make out the bastard's notes. But I could read some of those texts too." He showed his arm as black cloaked his flesh with those devilish silver markings before he let them fade away. "My Devil Slayer power grants me that much. I'm sure if Gary had those texts in front of him, he'd be able to read it all, but…" He looked away, tense.

Even Levy humbled in slight grief. "He just…needs time right now. I did ask him, but he let me know he would in the future. He just needs to be alone, and I didn't want to push."

Erza nodded, delicate. "I understand. Natsu and Gray's assistance in decoding these works should be enough." Kobichas gleamed. "Regarding the Demons—these texts do say how to summon them?"

Levy frowned. "It's much more complicated than that," she alluded. "The reason Zeref had different grimoires and artifacts for his Demons is that each Demon type requires its own orchestration and triggers. To put it frankly, demonic summonings are individualistic. From what I gathered, each Demon has its own crest for activation and conditions and requirements for summoning. But I need more time to decipher if Zeref had anything on a specific Demon."

Erza considered this. Certain terms and conditions… I see… "Natsu." She looked at him. "Hypothetically speaking, could you Command the Demon we have trapped and force it to tell you how it was summoned?"

Levy slightly raised a hand. "I have a theory about that. Natsu wouldn't have the capacity to Command any Demons like the one Luna imprisoned solely because they aren't of the same generation and maker. Etherious Demons and those below them aren't the same as the one we have captured."

"She's right," Natsu agreed. "I was around that marble for a little bit." Black smoke emitted from his hand before he crushed it. "That Demon is stronger than me for sure. I could fight it and speak its language, but that's about it."

"But that's another thing." Shadows crossed Gray's face. "Gary said both the Demons he's faced have had an interest in him being a Natural. My Devil Slayer power might be a threat to Demons Zeref made, but it's a lot weaker than Gary's. Which means he's gonna have a target on his back so long as these fuckers keep popping up."

"Not necessarily."

Everyone looked at Number Five.

She spoke with that airy disinterest, "It would seem, from Gary's accounts, both Demons he encountered have separate goals, but their interest in him acting as a pawn in their goals is great. And yet, neither of these Demons have attempted to kidnap him in all nineteen years he's been alive or even the past nine years since the Polar Calamity. Unless Gary is hiding he met a Demon during his three-year kidnapping, it can be assumed he is only a target when he is in a Demon's range."

"Number Five is right," Erza agreed. "Unlike Zeref's Demons, these summoned Demons are restricted." She lifted a finger. "The first Demon was rooted to Mallow Town." Another finger. "And the second was to the Arborea Mountains—specifically the area around Arfaj Town." She leaned back to cross her legs and her arms. "It would seem their contractors' locations prohibit them from having free will to roam about. And that would explain why Gary never encountered a Demon like that. And also"—browns pierced Natsu—"why others haven't as well."

Natsu's cheek twinged.

"But now that we have encountered two Demons, we can't afford to wait for a third," Erza told them all. "We still have no idea if Demons this caliber are endemic to Fiore, and we shouldn't think that's the case. Instead, we need to be proactive at this time." She shifted. "I've already spoken with Rogue and Minerva. Charlemagne and Helena are already aware, but they agree it's time for their youngest to know. Even if those children have diluted blood, they must be prepared."

Sparks of red tinged Natsu's eyes—

"Natsu."

Onyx and brown clashed.

Erza lifted her chin. "It's time."

Natsu glanced at Gray, who nodded, before drawing in a deep breath. "Yeah. I know."

°•°•°•°

Erza watched as everyone left with Number Five bowing and closing the doors behind her after her departure. Erza sighed and leaned back in her chair to close her eyes. And so it continues—Makarov's nightmares come to light.

She spoke, "So—does this interest you enough to leave your house?"

Silence.

"Nah, not really." A monitor popped up with a black screen that showed a typical silhouette for an unchosen profile. "But things are certainly getting exciting."

Erza smiled. "'Exciting', you say. I was under the impression not much excited you. Well, outside a certain J-Pop group." She opened her eyes and sat up. "But whether or not this excited you, your help will be needed." Her hands tensed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Will you help?"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KUCHAKUCHA!

Believe it or not, ojingeochae bokkeum (spicy dried squid strips) was tasty and popular in Josea.

The room looked like a recluse's sanctum with no windows required. Littered with figurines, perfect and functional recreated weapons from popular fandoms, mounted framed and signed trading cards, set props, posters, and artwork, and shelves stacked with lacrimagames dating back to the first lacrimagame invented—how could it not be perfect? Blue backlights were not the only light, however.

KUCHAKUCHA!

Multiple screens spawned from his hand-built DAL. Merchandise from EMPHASIS loaded his desk and no one could tell him it was too much. He made his bias apparent, and he was proud of that fact.

"Hmm… Will I help…"

His chair needed no help standing upright as it levitated, a sleek black with white streams across its back. He brought more strips up to snack on with his glossy black VR headset reflecting one of his screens. He swallowed. "Well… She did tell me to help you."

He lifted his headset to look at the poster of a gorgeous woman. This comeback era had been queendom-themed, and she looked like a true empress with her gold regal ensemble against her dark skin. Angelic wings had spread out, and with her body partially turned, it was apparent those wings were ones she was born with. Reddish-orange hair curled over half her face, but it made her fans much more in love with her visible heather gray eye.

"Then you will?"

"Hmph. Guess so"—he brought up more dried squid strips as his smile widened—"Ninth Master."

KUCHAKUCHA!

---

"Get your one-and-half kilograms for twenty-four hundred!"

"Hey, watch it!"

"Has anyone seen Miss Mittens?"

Tuesdays and Wednesdays were the lightest days in Magnolia, but Mondays were not that bad either. A few market stalls were normally on a sabbatical on a Monday, but the shops and restaurants saw plenty of business. A daycare center had the teachers hyping the children up for lunchtime and a walk to Lillian's for ice cream. A couple stay-at-home moms decided it was a five o'clock somewhere.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

West Magnolia

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 11:13 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi came out of a café and happily sipped on her latte with her school PDP on her back and her hair half down, the other half in a ponytail. Call her crazy, but the weather felt perfect for nice shorts and a crop top. Then again, inheriting her papa's warmth made her think a regular winter was her autumn. She loved her mama, but she was secretly grateful she did not inherit the Heartfilia freeze baby gene.

Luke and Luna had to suffer though—pity.

Nashi trailed through the street as she bopped along to EMPHASIS' new hit Psycho from their comeback stage. This time next year, I guess I'll be in uni with Ellie. Her eyebrow twitched as she remembered her papa's clinginess when she had offhandedly reminded him of her plans to attend university. I can only hope Papa survives.

She looked down at her latte. I can't believe my parents never had to think about this.

Her mother's words came back to her. "When I was your age, it wasn't common for Guild Mages to receive a formal education. At my all-girls academy, we talked about the wizarding schools, but they were a taboo subject to bring around. And Guild Mages just needed a GED. But now, this Current Era has changed so much."

Nashi turned down another street. But I guess the world has changed for the better. Hickories swirled with bad memories. And for the worse. We still haven't learned anything about those Demons and what they were after. At least that first Demon—Orias—was for sure summoned by that woman. But Zagan… Her hand tightened around her drink. We have no idea why or how he came here or who summoned him. And more than that…

Help me!

Save my son!

Kill us, please!

Nashi's frown darkened, more prominent. Those voices… They all sounded in agony, but then…

That relieved breath. Thank Her for us.

Her brow knitted together as she stopped. I still don't understand it. Those voices… Their pain and their thanks… And then those poor Chimaera. Anger fueled her. How could their deaths be considered a 'mercy'? That Demon must've been controlling them. Those things are pure evil. All they do is cause more suffering to innocent people and creatures. And—

Vulnerable blues.

Hickories ignited with pure hatred. All they've done is make him suffer more. Next time, I won't hesitate. If my Divine Souls can handle them, then I'll use my power so no one has to suffer under those monsters.

Those blues came back to mind.

Hickories shimmered. I wonder…how he's doing. We haven't really spoken since we came home from the assignment. She thumbed her drink. Is he okay? Is he…still worried?

"What does she see when she looks at me? A human?" Broken blues. "A Devil?"

Nashi went back to walking. What's so bad about being a Devil? It would never change how I see him. Is he still wondering about it? She sighed. I wish…I could take those worries away. I hope he's okay. She stopped again to look up. Maybe…it couldn't hurt to check? But… She blinked in realization. Where does he even live?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Did you find it?"

"Um…"

Nashi gawked with her Compact displaying her call. Oh my gods…

The building before her felt like it was both a historical landmark and a modern masterpiece. The detailing on the stone architecture looked too immaculate and price for decorative purposes. On the first floor, floor-to-ceiling windows exposed a pretty bistro for the residents and for outsiders. The rooftop greenhouse could be seen across the street, but the rooftop pool and the courthouse gardens were still hidden from the naked eye.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is The Mill, a remodeled condominium complex that used to be Mills & Sons Fish Factory. Residences are part of an international hospitality and residency program valid in eight continents and receive multiple benefits and perks. The price for a one-bedroom condo at The Mill is around 46,170,000 jewel. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi could not stop her gaping. He… He lives here?

"Nashi?"

"Ah, right, uh-huh, yep, found it," Nashi wheezed. She whisper-hissed, "Why didn't you tell me he lived in the rich district?"

Julia laughed. "That's not the 'rich district'. And besides, did you forget my brother is a big shot?" She muttered, "But the bitch climbs me like a fucking tree if he accidentally sees a butterfly picture. Doesn't he have any shame?" She sighed. "Anyway, I gotta go. My friend is trying to get her boyfriend to come for a quick suck and blow—yes, I see you texting him, Tesla, you fucking ho! Any who, his security code is one-six-three. Call him up and he'll let you in. Bye!"

Nashi barely registered the call dropped as she kept staring at the building then she gulped. Well. Since I'm already here…

She made her way inside and she would have gone for the telecom, but a jogger came out and held the door open and now she was inside. Holy… She tried not to stare like an idiot at the lobby. It looked like something out of a movie set for a high-rise hotel, considering the intricate chandeliers, the marble floors, and the tile walls that looked straight out of a mosque with all the Alakitasian influences.

He lives in a place this fancy? Nashi swallowed. How much does he make? She quickly shook her head. Wait. That's not why I'm here. Then she gasped. Wait, I'm inside and Julia didn't tell me which door is his. Shit! She fished back out her Compact and brought up Gary's contact only to hesitate. It's not too late. I could just leave and he'd never know, but…

Sad blues.

Hickories glinted. I just… She pressed the ⟪ CALL ⟫ button and placed her Compact to her ear. I just need to know he's okay. And she listened to it ring.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PIRURURURURURU!

PIRURURURURURU!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

His Compact lit up to show Nashi's contact, a picture of her laughing as cherry blossoms covered her. For a moment, the call would have been forwarded to voicemail. But slow fingers grabbed the Compact to slide to ⟪ ACCEPT ⟫.

The Compact came to his ear. "Angel?"

"Ah, hey," Nashi greeted albeit awkwardly. "So, I, um… Listen, I-I just…! Well, I-I was in the neighborhood, so…!" A long sigh. Then she murmured, "Hey, um… I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know we haven't really talked since the assignment and, well… I just… I came to your building just to see if you were okay, and I…!" She groaned. "Never mind. Forget everything—"

He stiffened "Angel is…here?"

"I, um, well… Yeah? B-But I can leave! I'm sorry—this wasn't a good idea. I'm sure you're busy an-an-and we'll see each other at the guildhall, and I can just leave—"

"Angel."

Nashi stopped her rambling. "Um, yeah?"

A smile. "Would Angel like me to come down to her or would she like to come to me?"

"I, um…" She cleared her throat. "I-I can come to you if you give me a room number. I won't stay long, I promise. Sorry for bothering you…"

"It's fine. I'm in six-D. Make sure Angel reads the signs for the elevators. There's an elevator for the first five floors, the second five floors, the maintenance and moving elevator—"

"Okay, okay, I get it. You live in a fancy complex with your own stupid elevators," Nashi grumbled.

A chuckle. "Make sure Angel uses my security code. The elevators require my key or a security code. And I'll let Angel in when she's here."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming up. Stupid rich dog." The call ended.

Gary set down the Compact and leaned back in his office chair. He might not have had the same elaborate space as Mystogan, but his study was comfortable and creative, filled with art studies, models, biographies, and design books. He sighed with his closed-lipped smile touched. You truly are my Guardian Angel.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

KONKON!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi could not look up when the door opened, red brushing her cheeks. "S-So, um—" She cleared her throat and bucked up. "Well, I, um…" She lifted her head. "I just came—" But she stopped.

"Angel." Gary looked down at her with a tired smile. "Hi." He stepped back. "Please. Come in—" Now he stopped when her fingers touched his cheek.

"You look tired," murmured Nashi, searching his face.

Gary cupped her hand and leaned into her touch. "I haven't been sleeping that great," he admitted.

Nashi frowned as she looked at the darkish hues beneath his eyes. He doesn't look like he's been sleeping at all—or eating. She thumbed his cheek with her heart sinking. "I should've come by sooner."

"It's fine."

Nashi's eyes widened when Gary pressed a kiss onto her palm and a flush flamed her neck. "Wh-What—!"

"I'm just happy Angel cares for me so deeply." Gary's smile broadened. "She truly is amazing."

LUBDUBLUBDUB!

Nashi cradled her other hand close to her pounding heart and had to look away. "I-I just came to check on you. It's not that big a deal," she dismissed. "I can't exactly fight my rival when you're nowhere to be found."

"Does that mean Angel's been thinking about me and looking for me?"

Nashi felt Gary's wagging-tail-aura would blind her. He's too bright! She snapped, "Of course I wasn't!"

"Angel's so cute when she's in denial—"

"I'm not in denial!"

As Nashi fumed, Gary chuckled. You really are adorable. He pulled Nashi's hand from his cheek, but he kept a loose grip on her fingers. "Would Angel like to officially come inside?" He beamed. "This is the first time Angel's come to my home! How about we make this an anniversary—?"

"No! Just—! Ugh, go inside!"

Gary obliged and brought Nashi inside his home, letting her go to close his door and reset the wards. "Welcome."

"Thank you for having me." Nashi took off her shoes and felt heat pinched her cheeks when Gary brushed past her. Busying herself with her shoes, she asked, "Where do you—? Oh."

"Here." Gary took her shoes and set pink house slippers at her feet. "I've always had these for Angel." He scratched his cheek with an abashed smile. "I always hoped Angel would want to come over. So I made sure she'd be comfortable here." A subtle pink adorned his cheeks. "Is that okay?"

LUBDUBLUBDUB!

Nashi turned away, panicked, and had to cover her nose when it tingled. Dammit! That sort of face should be illegal!

Controlling herself, she croaked, "I-It's fine. Thanks for the slippers." She put them on and noted the little wings on them. They're even angel-themed.

Once Gary stored her shoes, he led her up the entryway step and to the right. Nashi's expression gradually widened as Gary gestured. "I'm sorry my place is a bit of a mess, but… This is it."

"You call this a 'mess'?" Nashi really needed to stop gawking, but how was she supposed to when he lived in a place like this? Forget the entryway with its step and the shoe cupboard—the living room was something out of a dream. Black, white, and silver marked much of the furniture with blue accents. The kitchen bled into the living room with two islands—one for prep and one for entertainment. It was cute he had a bunch of refrigerator magnets from all the places he had been, but my word. Yes, the furniture was impressive—how big was his LV?—but it was not what caught Nashi's attention.

It was the art.

Profound pieces presented themselves around the living area and into the den too. If she were being frank, these masterpieces belonged at a museum. All were originals where you had the honor and privilege of seeing every brushstroke, every paint bump, and every little mistake. One piece had come from the blue period, despairingly monochromatic and expressive. A post-impressionist oil-on-canvas painting of a grove in summertime made you smell the wood and the earth and the warmth. A pointillistic painting of some sort of dreamy dimension could make you stare for hours as you looked at every single dot to better understand the parts of the sum.

How beautiful.

Nashi felt like such an interloper as she came over to study the paintings. Framed sketches had made the cut, rough storyboards that used Animate Pict. She recognized those anthropomorphic cats Nicky-nyan and Nina-nyan getting in their jalopy on a Sunday afternoon. And she saw the date and signature. "You have one of the original storyboards for Magia's best-known characters?"

Gary looked quite humble and shy. "It's not that much…"

Nashi wanted to argue, but she chokingly laughed when she saw another Animate Pict storyboard of the famous catbus. "You have the original storyboard from Totoro too? And this?" She pointed at signed concept art of an alien realm and looked at Gary with a disbelieving grin. "You have concept art from this movie, and it's signed and dated? Are you for real?"

"All of the work is authenticated," Gary told her, rubbing his neck. "The signatures and dates were done with an Author Pen. But it's really not that great—"

"'Not that great'? This is amazing!" Nashi whooshed. She spun around. "Where did you get all of this? How could you afford all of this?"

"I didn't buy these."

Nashi smacked him with a shocked look. "You didn't?" Her eyes narrowed. "You stole them, didn't you?"

Gary chortled. "No." He regarded all the art in his home with fondness. "I've met the original artists. And if they weren't alive, I met the owners. I didn't have to pay for these." Blues twinkled. "All they asked…is I show them my best work."

"And what's that?" Nashi felt rude when Gary's lashes fell. "Oh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"Angel didn't ask anything wrong," Gary soothed. "I'm happy she likes my home." He glanced around. "I like to keep all my collections in my place to inspire me for my next work." He nodded to the den. "I'll be presenting my next piece in my collection soon. I've been asked to open my own gallery, but I'm content with what I have." Blues looked to the side. "My work isn't something for others to see constantly. It feels a little too…" He trailed off.

He blinked when Nashi touched his hand with a small smile. Angel…

"I'm sure your work is beautiful and wonderful," she murmured. "And when you're ready…I'd like to see it." She saw Gary go rigid, but she sated, "Only when you're ready. If you ever wanted an audience." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I can't judge art to save my life, though. So I'm sure you wouldn't want me to—" Her words died when her chin was lifted and she met his gaze.

"One day," was all Gary could offer her, "I'll show Angel everything."

Nashi searched those tragic blues. "Are you really okay?" She had to know. "Are you really just tired?" She tried to meet his eyes again when he looked away. "Gary—"

VRRT-VRRT-VRRRRRT!

Gary pulled away first and all that adoration and affection hid behind something much more brittle and sunken. "Angel should get that." Before her argument could hit the ground running, he shook his head. "It's all right. Please, Angel." And he moved away.

Nashi could not help watching him with her heart heavy. Gary… Another insistent vibration made her get her Compact, but she allowed a beat of confusion seeing the caller ID. Mama? She took the call. "Hey. What's up?

"Hey, baby. Would you mind coming home soon?"

Now Nashi's worries switched from Gary to her mother's heavy tone. "Mama, what's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"No one hurts—everyone's fine," Lucy soothed. "Your papa and I just have an announcement to make, but no one is dying, sick, or injured, I promise. Do you think you could come home soon?"

"I, um…" Nashi glanced at Gary, but he had his back to her as he worked in the kitchen. "I…" She closed her eyes. A deep breath. In and out. "Yeah." She opened her eyes and ignored the stinging defeat. "I'll come home right now and take my broom."

"All right. See you soon. Love you."

"Love you too." Nashi ended the call. Great. What's this about? She internally sweated. Oh gods, don't tell me Papa wore Mama down for a fifth kid? She quickly shook off the thought and went to Gary, but it felt like her tongue twisted and remorse beat her like a drum. "Gary… I—"

"I heard." Gary did not face her. "It's all right, Angel. Thanks for coming by my home. I feel better already."

Liar. Nashi did not say it aloud. You can't even look at me. Her fingers reached for them only to retract. "I… I could come back?" Even she knew her suggestion sounded so weak and futile. "If you want, I-I could…"

"It's okay." Gary showed her that feeble smile. "Angel should do what she needs to do. I'll be all right here." His smile gentled when Nashi's lips pursed. "Really. I will be," he promised. "I just need some sleep, that's all." He crossed the distance between them to pick up her chin with a finger before curling his hand on her cheek. "I'm happy Angel was pitying me a little."

"I wasn't pitying you," Nashi told him. "That's not what this—I wasn't—this wasn't pity."

"Then Angel admits to being worried over me again?" Gary teased. "I feel so lucky. Maybe next, Angel could—?"

A gnashing frown. "This isn't a joke!" Nashi clutched her Compact and glared at him, even if they both knew behind her sudden fit of anger was despair. "This isn't supposed to be funny. And this isn't pity, okay? I don't pity you."

"I know," Gary murmured. He pulled away. "I'll walk Angel out."

Nashi stewed as she followed him back to the entryway, a dark cloud of thoughts and all the wrong words hanging in her mind. I just want him to know he's not being pitied. I just want to say I… She held in her frustrated sigh as she exchanged her slippers for her shoes. Even so, she needed to give it one more try.

"Gary, I—" But her bottom lip trembled, face pinched, and all she managed to say was, "Please get some rest. And make sure you eat too."

Gary nodded. "I will."

Damn her for not knowing what more to say. A "goodbye" felt so wrong, so all she did was nod back and open the door to leave—

His hand reached. "Angel—"

She turned back to him. "Yeah?"

Now he was the one with thoughts to articulate without the words to express them. He lowered his hand. "Angel can come here any time," he said instead. "My home is always welcome for her if she ever needs it."

Nashi responded with a minute nod. "Thanks." Her eyes cut away. "I'll see you later." And she left.

Gary sighed as his door closed and rested his forehead on it. I'm sorry, Angel. He closed his eyes. I'm not as strong as people think I am.

---

Seeing your smiling mother and happy-go-lucky father looked so solemn was never a good sign.

Nashi was the last to come home, and she hurriedly kicked off her shoes to come down the hall and scope the living room. Luna sat on the ground, changed from her training session, with Plue scooped into her lap and Actaeon earning nice side scratches as he curled beside her. Luke and Igneel had taken either loveseat, but their parents took the couch together. Between Lucy's pensive look as she leaned into Natsu, and Natsu's tension, Nashi could not help but feel worried.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Dragneel Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 12:04 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Is everything okay?" Nashi asked as she slipped into the seat next to Luke.

Anyone could tell Lucy's smile had no strength. "We're okay. No one's hurt, I promise. We just…had some things to explain to you all, and we thought it was best to do it as a family."

Luna hugged Plue tighter. "Mama, you're scaring us."

"I'm sorry." And Lucy meant that. "I don't mean to." She looked at Natsu and sighed when he could not lift his gaze to hers. "Since everyone's here, I guess we can start." She looked at all four of her children. "Last week, your father and I took a trip to Alakitasia to investigate ruins. And those ruins revolved around the Black Wizard."

Luke tensed.

Igneel's eyes tinted green.

Nashi grew taken aback. "'The Black Wizard'?"

"The evil Mage?" Luna asked.

Lucy tightened her hand on Natsu's knee. "First, what do you know about the Black Wizard?"

"That he was pure evil," Nashi answered like it was obvious. "He was the worst Wizard in history. I mean, he was the father of Demons and pretty much the master of the Black Arts. He was the one who killed First Master. He massacred people for fun—"

"But he was a great Wizard."

Nashi gaped at Luke. "What?"

Luke pressed his hands together and murmured, "The Black and White Wizards were both unethical and unconventional in their own rights, considering their goals. But, in wizarding academia, they both accomplished spells and Curses that were so complex and ancient that they would kill in average person. The White Arts and the Black Arts weren't meant to be mastered with that much corruption, but they accomplished the impossible." He lifted his head to his parents. "The Black Wizard was a killer and earned his name. But… We can't deny his power."

"What is wrong with you?" Nashi gasped, enraged. "Did Misty brainwash you? How could you say that—!"

"Nashi." Natsu had been the one to interrupt, but he need not say more.

She backed down, clenching her teeth.

Lucy continued: "It's true. The Black Wizard was a cruel man with little regard for the life around him. But… He was once a human just like us. He had a family…"—she threaded her fingers through Natsu's own—"and people he loved." Dark browns flickered. "What people don't know about the Black Wizard was that he witnessed his die right in front of his eyes when he was extremely young. Dragons had slaughtered them, and he was left all alone."

Nashi growled, "So that makes it okay for him to murder innocent people?"

"There isn't an excuse when it comes to using your grief as a weapon and hurting people, no," Lucy softly put. "There's never been an excuse for that. And I'm happy you know that. This is only an explanation."

Luna looked down. "He must've been lonely."

"Don't pity him, Lu," Nashi scolded. "He doesn't deserve that sort of pity."

Luna put her chin atop Plue's head. "I know, but… If I lost all of you, I'd be really sad too. I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be all alone and…" She closed her eyes when Igneel rubbed her head and Plue nuzzled her.

"That's right," Lucy said. "No one should be put in that position, of losing someone they love." A beat. "When I lost my mama—when I lost Aquarius—there was a time I had given up everything. People process their grief differently. But there are healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with it." She looked at Nashi. "The woman who summoned that Demon, Orias—it would seem she summoned it out of grief for losing her child. She wasn't even allowed to hold her baby."

"And that Demon preyed upon her grief," Nashi conceded, "but it doesn't absolve her from murdering those children and robbing families of their loved ones."

"It doesn't," Lucy agreed. "But there are explanations for everything, whether we like them or not, and whether they're acceptable or not. The Black Wizard's grief from losing his family caused him to do things that affect us to this day." She sighed. "And even now, we haven't uncovered all of his forces. Many in the Avatar cults had carefully crafted fake identities, but now isn't the time to talk about that."

"Why are we here, Ma?" Igneel asked, words dark.

"Well." Lucy rested another hand on top Natsu's. "As you know, Demons have been summoned to Earth Land—Demons different from the ones the Black Wizard created. Even so, these summoned Demons are a threat to everyone, but they're a threat especially to…certain people—people who these Demons will actively pursue once they figure out identities."

That made Nashi think about those dejected blues. Like Gary.

"When we fought against Tartaros and against the Black Wizard, certain people were affected," Lucy explained. "Mira devoured every demonic soul there. Those with Curses were stripped of them and arrested. But we had allies who were turned to partially into Demons and it stayed with them. Do you remember Misses Cheney?"

Luna did and smiled. "Of course! She helps me with all my etiquette lessons, but…" Her smile faded for worry. "Did…? Did something happen to her?"

"She's one of them." Igneel said this as he looked at his parents. "So is Charlie." He looked down at Luna. "Remember Charlie? You might not. He used to come over to help me train, but you were really small. But you knew him. You liked walking with him. He carried you on his shoulders all the time."

Luna tried to remember, but she could not. "So… He's a Demon? Him and Misses Cheney?" She looked at her parents for answers. "They're part-Demon is what you mean?"

"And that'd make Archie and Hela part Demon," Igneel presumed.

Lucy nodded. "Minerva is only half a Demon, so her children are a quarter," she explained. "Charlemagne and Helena know about being a fourth Demon, but it's not well-known about their status or Minerva's status either, all things considered. And Archie is being told today."

"Will he be okay?" Luna wondered. "Why doesn't he know already?"

Lucy half-smiled. "I think he'll adjust fine, but… The subject of being part-Demon is hard for Minerva because of how she was turned into one. And they wanted to wait until their kids were old enough since kids tend to spill secrets. And if people knew they were part Demon, it would've been hard for them to live in normal society."

Igneel bent down to tell Luna with a grin, "Like when Dad said he's the Dragon King, so you told everyone you knew no one could screw with you unless you wanted him to kick their ass."

Luna colored.

"Exactly." Lucy's mirth quieted. "So it goes without saying that Minerva's race and her children's are a secret, just like Gary's…ability is still a secret to outsiders."

Luna nodded. "Sure—"

"Mom." Luke looked at his mother. "You didn't need to gather us all to tell us that, right?"

Lucy grimaced. "No," she said, "I suppose not. Facing the Black Wizard gave us multiple obstacles and realizations. He had many creations we had to face. And"—she took a breath—"we also had to come to terms with his strongest creation, END."

"Yeah, and he was killed, wasn't he?" Nashi remembered. "He turned against his creator, the Black Wizard, and help assist in his death. But Emperor Spriggan was the one to kill the Black Wizard."

"No one ever said END died," Luke said. "Isn't that right"—honeyed-ambers narrowed on his father—"Dad?"

"What's going on?" Luna asked, baffled. "So END isn't dead? B-But I thought…"

"He's not dead." Natsu had finally spoken. "It's true he fought the Black Wizard and the emperor. He turned against his programming. But he didn't die in battle. But at the time, it was something we thought was best to say."

Wait. Nashi frowned. 'We'?

"END was—is—the king of Demons, the Demons the Black Wizard made. The Demons"—Natsu turned to Lucy—"that his older brother made. Because END wasn't just a normal Demon. He was created from the body of the Black Wizard's dead younger brother. And he was named END for two reasons The first was because he was supposed to be the Black Wizard's 'end'. And the second…"

Lucy cupped his cheek. "Natsu…"

He gently shook his head. "It's okay." He kissed her temple.

Nashi felt her heart pick up the pace. "Papa?"

"The second reason was because of END's initials." Red grew prominent in Natsu's eyes. "Because of my initials."

Nashi felt cold.

Luna's eyes widened.

But Igneel and Luke looked unmoved.

"Papa." Nashi tried to keep her voice calm. "What are you saying right now?" But every bone in her body froze when she saw those gleaming reds baring into her soul. No…

"My name is Natsu." He rose to his feet and let go of Lucy's hand. Black teemed across his skin, forging forbidden glyphs in darktongue. Sleek blackened horns curved from his hair as blood-red flames tipped in black danced across his arms. The tips of his fingers blackened and converged into sharp claws. He took a deep breath and then out to show his fangs had grown. "Etherious Natsu Dragneel."

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

There was no Hell breaking loose, no screaming and crying and running away. No one moved. No one spoke.

Natsu was END.

Natsu quelled his demonic flames, but his Etherious Form stayed. "My older brother's name was Zeref, the Black Wizard."

Luke's eyes flashed. I knew it.

"I can't remember my life four hundred years ago," Natsu went on, "but I did die in a Dragon raid. My dad told me that much and so did your Granny Anna. Zeref…" He accepted Lucy slipping her fingers between his clawed ones. "Zeref…couldn't cope with our family dying. From his journals, he didn't revive our parents because he felt it was all right to let them pass on. But he couldn't let me go…and his ambitions had a price." Gleaming reds darkened. "He created a lot of horrible things to revive me. And because he tampered with life and death, a God cursed him."

"The Curse of Contradictions," Luke breathed.

Natsu nodded. "That Curse granted him immortality and invincibility and drove him into a dark place. And when he made me as END, it was so that I could be the one to kill him." Rather than bitterness and hatred spewed towards such a fate, it boiled down to tired resignation and quiet sadness. "I never killed him. I couldn't. Even for all the pain he caused me, my friend, my family—I couldn't kill him. But he still died." Reds shifted. "And…he was still my brother once. The Black Wizard wasn't my family; Zeref was. And sometimes, I wonder what would've happened if…"

He shook his head, giving Lucy's hand a squeeze. "But I did fight the Black Wizard. And I was there…to see him die. After the war, we had a lot of decisions we had to make and…my decision was to make END disappear."

"You have to understand," Lucy added, "that the Black Wizard's Demons would always be regarded as evil. Even Mira's decision to devour the remaining Etherious had arguments. People had wanted the Etherious to be brutally killed, considering all their atrocities. This was the only way we could keep your father safe from those decisions."

"Who else knows?" Igneel questioned.

"Not even all of Fairy Tail knows," Lucy said, "just like how not everyone is aware of Gary's ability. But for now, most of your aunts and uncle, your grandmama, Master, Number Five, the Dragon Slayers, Her Majesty, and the current Council chairs know. And of course Minerva, Charlemagne, and Helena know." She added for Luke's benefit, "And Mystogan has known."

Luke gritted his teeth.

"And Gary?" Heat stung Nashi's eyes. "Did he know about this? Did he know about you?" She looked at her father and her pain turned into anger. "Did he know what you've done? Did he know what you are? What we all are? Was he laughing behind my back about me facing these hellspawns when I was one of them?"

Lucy tried to stop her. "Nashi—"

"No, this is bullshit," Nashi hissed, voice cracking. "This is fucked up. This is absolute bullshit." She stood up and pointed at her father to accuse him, "END was a monster. Okay? You couldn't even say he was a terrorist because that would mean he was just making some fucking point, but the only point he made was that we deserved to die. You – killed – hundreds of people for your 'brother', and I'm supposed to be okay with this? I'm supposed to be happy my papa is one of the vilest Demons to have walked this earth and everything's fine."

"Nashi—"

"Do you know what your kind is doing out there?" Nashi nearly shouted at her father as she pointed outside. Tears and hatred clouded her eyes. "Do you know what I had to see? Your kind killed children—babies. I had to see babies with their heads bashed in, with their hearts taken out, with their throats slit because of your kind." The tears came like a storm now. "I had to be the one who showed those parents what that monster did to their children—I had to carry dead children to parents and tell them what happened because of your kind! Your fucking kind! And I'm supposed to feel fucking relieved at this big revelation my mama had kids with a creature like that?"

Igneel growled when he saw Luna's eyes gloss over and her bottom lip tremble. "Hey."

"Nashi, please," Lucy begged. "It's not like that—"

"Then what is it like?" Nashi exploded. "What is it like, Mama What did you think I'd say? 'Thanks for making me part of this race that massacres people as a DNA trait'?" She brought her hands up to her temples as she took labored breaths with anguish as her gravity. "I can't… I can't even…" She wetly laughed, a twisted sound. "I can't even comprehend how fucked up this is. I just…!" She shook her head and walked out of the living room. "Fuck everything."

"No, wait!" Lucy let go of Natsu as Nashi ripped open one of the sliding doors to rush outside. "Nashi, please, come back!"

"Seraph Soul!"

"Nashi!"

Natsu turned away when he heard Lucy's desperate pleas for Nashi's return mix with cries. "I can't blame that reaction. I know this is a lot to take in," he told the other three. "And I understand if this changes how you view me. But don't let this change how you view your mom. She had nothing to do with my actions. My being END, everything about who I am—that's all on me, not her. You can hate me, but…" Hearing Lucy's sobs cracked his heart. "Don't hate her. Please."

The trio were silent.

Then Luna set a worried Plue down and rose to her feet. Unlike Nashi, she did not flee for outside. She stood before her father with her bangs curtaining her face. And she asked him a question. "Did you do it? Did you really kill all those people?"

Gleaming reds shone, wavering, before Natsu told her honestly, "No."

Luna's fingers twitched. Her bottom lip wobbled.

Natsu went rigid when Luna slowly drew him into a hug, her body shaking. Luna…

Luna held him taut as hot tears slipped from her cheeks and got onto her father. But her ear pressed to his chest, and she could hear that lub-dub-lub-dub as steady as a drum. His heart beats just like mine. She said in a muffled and watery against him, "It must've been so hard." She looked up at him—

Wide reds connected with teary browns.

"I'm sorry," Luna sniffled, "that it was really hard for you, Papa."

Natsu's lips twitched, threatening to cave, but he broke into a soft smile as he stroked her hair with one hand and wrapped an arm around her. "It wasn't that hard," he soothed. "Because I met some amazing people. And now, I have all of you. So it's okay. I'll be fine as long as we're all in this together."

Luna's shoulders shook and she broke into a sniveling cry against her father.

Natsu kept his strokes, reds soft and loving. She cries over how hard my life must've been. All that did was remind him of Lucy's tears. She's just like her mom. He offered a look to one of his sons. "Luke?"

Luke rose, but he avoided his father's eyes. "Would it be okay if I left for the library?"

Natsu nodded. "Yeah."

"Thanks." And Luke departed without saying another word.

Natsu looked at Igneel. "And you?"

Igneel cocked his head. "What about me, Pops?"

"You don't want to leave too?" Natsu asked.

Igneel cracked his neck before getting to his feet. "I mean, I was gonna." He jerked a thumb at his chest. "I haven't bothered MJ all day, and it's my duty as her best friend to visit her every day," he declared with pride.

"Do you hate me too?"

Igneel blinked at his father's quiet question before shrugging. "Nah. This doesn't really change anything for me," he dismissed. "Human or Demon—you're still the pervert who hogs Ma all the time."

"Hey!"

Igneel snickered before his onyx regard caught Luna's trembling form. He turned around, spinning a finger around. "So it's whatever. Thanks for spewing your guts, but this doesn't change anything." His hands lowered to his side. "I'm going to get stronger than you." Voice low and emotionless. "Nothing about what I am or you are changes that. So my uncle was the Black Wizard. This wouldn't be the first time I had a villain for an uncle. But"—tipping his head back, he showed a feral green eye with a sliver of his profile—"I think I have a favorite."

Green and red mixed in Natsu's eyes.

Igneel turned and waved a hand. "Luke might be stressed, but he'll come 'round. And don't worry about Nashi. She just needs to scream into the void. She knows you're still our dad. Because if she can't accept who you are, then she can't accept Gary. It's as simple as that. So if that's all, I'm gonna be bother MJ. That means I'm leavin' Ma and Lu to you, so take good care of 'em or I'm fighting you when I get home. So catch ya later"—he raised a hand for a mock salute—"Your Majesty."

Natsu mentally chuckled. I really can't hide anything from you. You get your smarts from Lucy. Green-reds glinted. I'm sure I'll see you later, Dragon Prince. He looked down at his daughter and tried to move away, but he laughed aloud when she clung to him. "I don't want to change back and hurt you, baby girl."

"You wouldn't hurt me."

A father's love divided between unabashed relief and scarred memories from Luna's mumble. "You don't know that."

"Yes, I do." Luna sniffed. "Because you're still the papa I've always known. And you've never hurt me."

Onyx took over green-reds, wide.

• — • — • — • — •

"Lucy… Tell me… What do I look like?"

That gorgeous smile and brown eyes that held swirls of lighter tints and traces of gold. Not the blood on my hands, not the battlefield around, not even the scratches on her body could take away from her celestial beauty.

A film of tears was over those beautiful eyes as she answered the question that kept haunting my every step. "Like the Natsu I've always known."

• — • — • — • — •

DRIP…

A glowing tear fell.

DROP.

And it disappeared into Ethernano.

Natsu's claws trembled as he cupped the back of Luna's head before he surrendered himself to this embrace—the first hug they shared beyond father and daughter but as END the Etherious King and his baby girl.

I get it now, Dad, about my future. He nestled his nose in Luna's hair with a deep breath. This is my will to live.

---

Mary Jane was not an introvert; she simply hated everything outside her bedroom.

With her mother working at the guild hall and her father out for business, Mary Jane sought refuge in this coveted quiet. She could listen to a power ballad on her speakers instead other headphones and comfortably read.

But she knew peace never lasted long.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Dreyar Residence

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 13:57 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

GOROGORO!

Her window opened its mouth, and a beaming Igneel ducked inside. "MJ—!"

SHING!

Three blue shurikens stuck to the neighbor's house.

Igneel sat up to whistle at the handiwork. "Wow… You really are quick with those, MJ! And your aim is so accurate!"

"Not quick and accurate enough to kill a moron apparently," Mary Jane grumbled as she waved a hand. Blue misted from her fingers and her shurikens evaporated, and she snarked, "Oh, please, come on in. Make yourself at home."

SNIFFLE!

Igneel's eyes comically watered as he held his hands to his mouth. "MJ… Has the day come you've finally accepted I'm your best friend?"

"No way in Hell!" Mary Jane exhaled her frustration as she marked her page and shut her book. "Don't you have anything—I don't know—better to do than piss me off? Like join a circus?" She added in a grumble, "Or get fitted for a straitjacket?"

Igneel laughed as he launched off the windowsill. "You're so funny, MJ!"

"I'm never funny." Mary Jane sat up and got out of bed, still in comfy fall pajamas. "I should've taken Ellie up on that offer of sage," she muttered. "Maybe you're a Demon sent to haunt me so I never have a moment of peace." She went to her little bookshelf to put back her novel—

A fading grin. "Would you care if I was a Demon?"

Mary Jane snorted as she put back her book and skimmed her titles. "Why would I?" She flipped her hair over a shoulder. "Somehow, it occurs to me that no matter what race you are, you'd still be the same moron who invades my personal space and pisses me off. For all I care, you could die, and your ghost would still cling to me." She shuddered. "What a nightmare—Ah!" She snarled when Igneel pounced on her with the most disgusting thing on the planet—a hug. "You moron—!"

"You're truly my bestie, MJ," Igneel cooed, nuzzling her. "If what I am doesn't matter to you, then it doesn't matter to me either. You're so awesome. I feel like this really brought us closer as friends!"

A tick mark twinged Mary Jane's cheek as she prepared blue kunai. "Hey, moron. If you don't let me go in five seconds, I'm gonna—!"

"Thank you, MJ."

Mary Jane's justified fury stalled for confusion at Igneel's quiet tone. "Huh?" She blinked when Igneel slid off her, and she lost her construct to face him only to be bewildered at his soft look. What is he…?

"You really are good to me," Igneel murmured. "I'm just the same person to you no matter what I am." He smiled with a pinch of pink on his cheeks. "I'm really lucky to have a friend like you, MJ."

Blues glinted.

FLICK!

Igneel's good moon traded for a pout as he covered his forehead. "Hey… What was that for? I thought we were having a moment."

"No wonder they tell psych patients to take their meds daily. They instantly become delusional," Mary Jane said dryly.

"MJ…!"

She frowned as she studied him all sulky and mumbling how cruel his best friend was (she ignored his comment about how he liked her being mean). This isn't the first time he's acted weird. It started when…

• — • — • — • — •

"Do you think Luna would ever hate me?"

My breath caught in my throat when I saw him under the moonlight. He had always looked so annoyingly happy about everything to the point I thought he needed professional help. But tonight, in my bed, with the moon on his back, his smile looked sad and those shining tears moved…something in me.

"Thanks for saying that, MJ." He looked at me and maybe the moon played tricks because I could have sworn he had some green in those dark eyes. "You just…reminded me of someone long ago."

• — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane's frown sunk lower. I don't get it. Why has he been acting so weird? Her hands fisted. It's pissing me off.

"Hey."

Igneel's complaints halted when he saw Mary Jane's scowl. "Uh, yeah?"

"What's with you?" Mary Jane brashly demanded to know. No point in subtleties. "You've been acting weird—even for you. And it's annoying me you act weird when you're taking up my time already pissing me off. So what's your deal? Is something going on?"

Igneel was nonplussed. MJ…

SNIFFLE!

His eyes comically rounded and watered again with his hands to his mouth. "You really do care about me, don't you?"

"Would you stop that!" Mary Jane stood up and flipped her hair before crossing her arms. "Look. If you came here for a shoulder to cry on, I'm not doing that," she told him point-blank. "I don't have the energy to deal with all your…feelings. You'd be better off looking for another place to break and enter. I'm not gonna comfort you like that."

Igneel looked down with a bittersweet smile. "I know that."

"But if you need a quiet space to crash…then fine."

Onyxes widened, and Igneel looked up at her, dumbfounded. MJ?

Mary Jane huffed. "If you promise to shut up so I forget you're even breaking into my room…then whatever. You can stay for a limited amount of time—thirty minutes tops," she decided.

Igneel raised a hand. "Two hours."

Mary Jane's eyebrow twitched. "Twenty minutes."

"Three hours."

"Fifteen minutes."

"Twenty-four hours—"

"What the—! No! Fine, an hour."

"I'll take it!"

Mary Jane keeled over with a violet, dreary aura clinging to her while Igneel sparkled in victory. Why does it feel like I played right into that moron's hands? She whirled around him to shove a finger onto his nose. "But listen. Don't cry again, got it? Don't you know how awkward that is? And worse, you were crying in my bed."

"But it's a natural biological reaction," Igneel chirped. "And crying helps connect people and bring them closer, so we could be closer if you cried too—"

Pure bloodlust reeked off Mary Jane. "Not a chance." As Igneel deflated in another childish pout, Mary Jane sighed and combed her hair to one side. "I guess I can't force you to not cry even if it's inconvenient," she supposed, reluctantly resigned. "If you feel like you're gonna cry, then…" She looked down at him, blues not soft but something else. "Then don't just run away and pretend it didn't happen. Own up to it. Nothing pisses me off more than some moron trying to hide something so obvious, 'kay?"

Igneel blinked, mystified. MJ…

• — • — • — • — •

Fingers so soft touched his cheeks with the moon's light shining between them. "You don't have to need to cry alone. You have me now, right? And you let me cry all the time. So you can cry with me too."

That toothy smile. "Okay?"

• — • — • — • — •

His smile gentled. She really…

Mary Jane scowled at him. "Did you—?"

"Oh, MJ!"

Mary Jane stiffened when Igneel assaulted her with another hug, but somehow this felt worse. He snuggled her, rubbing her cheek with his nose like a purring kitty-cat, ad he cooed, "You're so good to me! I'll never want another best friend for as long as I live now that I have you. We're gonna stay best friends forever."

Mary Jane's eye twitched. 'Forever'? She imagined such fresh Hell meaning certain doom. "Okay, nope, that's enough." Peeling herself off him was futile, but she kept trying. "All right, yeah, no, you can let go of me now—"

"Hugging brings people closer too, MJ." He squeezed her tighter. "And you told me not to hide, so I'm not gonna hide how much I wanna hug you!"

"Okay, okay, you've hugged me enough," Mary Jane gasped. How strong is he!

Igneel beamed. "But you have to hug me back too or it doesn't count!"

A doom spiral wound up Mary Jane's mind while Igneel glowed like a happy puppy. Is he serious? Awkwardly, she patted his head. "All right, yes, look, I did it—let me go." That extra squeeze before he released cracked her back (and she gave it a rub). "Don't ever do that to me again, moron." She shivered and held back a gag. "Maybe I should invest in a water sprayer and hose you down every time you try to attack me."

"Aw, don't be like that, MJ! Everyone loves a warm hug, yeah?"

"Everyone loves a restraining order, yeah?"

Igneel laughed. "You're funny, MJ!"

I'm not joking. Mary Jane frowned when Igneel perused her bookshelf. "You read?"

"Manga and comic books, but I like sci-fi and fantasy." Igneel nabbed a book for himself and read the title. "'Анна Каренина'."

Mary Jane raised an eyebrow and asked, "Говоришь ли ты на гилтенанском?"

"Да." Igneel looked at the title, but fond memories shone in his eyes. "Someone taught me the basics a long time ago. So I kept learning on my own."

Mary Jane's fingers curled. That someone again…

Igneel held up the book. "Is it okay if I—?"

"Who were they?" Mary questioned. "That person. You mentioned it before—about someone else. So—who were they?"

Igneel lowered the book and his eyes. "She…"

Mary Jane's brow furrowed. 'She'?

He looked to the side. "Is that something I have to answer?"

She tensed. He's not going to tell me? She pushed, "Yeah. It is."

Igneel still would not look at her, shying away further. "I…" His fingers clenched the novel. "I…can't answer that."

Blues widened. He can't say her name?

Mary Jane quickly retrieved the book she had shelved and walked away. "Forget it. It's fine if you wanna read that book, but don't disturb me if you need me to translate it, got it?" She settled back into her bed, opened her book, and blocked him out.

Igneel got up and looked at the hardcover book featuring a lady in the mourning colors of black. I'm sorry, MJ. He came over to the bed to lay beside her and start the dark historical romance epic. But…

He opened the book and pushed back the hardcover shell to reveal scrawled Gordost:

Моей Венди

He made sure the shell was back in place and the Cyrillic characters hid from the naked eye. His heart sighed and he dove into the first part of the tale. This was the only way.

---

Sometimes, Luke was convinced he was the only person who used the private study rooms to study.

Many hard-working university students sought the library for refuge from irritating dorm mates and unwelcomed distractions, but Monday evenings were a tossup for foot traffic. Autumn meant football and MagiCross were in full swing, and the pubs and bars would be swarming with students and neighbors wanting to catch a match. But the library had a fair share of people tonight. Midterms would not be for another month, but projects were starting up.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Health Sciences Library and Student Success Center

Orchid City

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 16:25 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke boxed himself in a study room with his headphones on, and he focused on his paper about covens from the First Era. Consolidating his materials was normally easy—so easy his professor sent students to him for essay writing help—but every word he typed felt too off, too opinionated, or too similar to the source, and he ended up deleting his last paragraph.

"My name is Natsu—Etherious Natsu Dragneel."

Honeyed-ambers wavered.

"My older brother's name was Zeref, the Black Wizard."

He tensed and drew his hands away from his PAL.

"And Mystogan has known."

His teeth gritted. Sensei…

Long scarlet hair. Impenetrable dark oaks.

Luke shoveled off his headphones and his glasses to rub his eyes. So—you really have always been ten steps ahead. You knew. You knew all this time. He wanted to laugh. All your lessons and essays make sense now. You were just mocking me with the truth. Was it fun for you, Sensei? Watching me be so ignorant? Did you enjoy laughing at me when I did all this research?

He buried his head in his hands as he hid his stinging eyes and tried to hold tight the anger flaming in his heart instead of caving to gray grief. I knew this was coming. I figured it out. I thought I was ready for this. I'm supposed to be logical about this. So why…? One hand dropped to clutch the material over his heart, and his vision became wetter and blurrier than before. Why does it still make me feel like this?

• — • — • — • — •

"You wouldn't hurt me."

I sat on the steps by the front door and tried to control my shaking. All I could do was hold myself and numb myself and listen to Mom crying outside as she plead to empty air for Nashi to come back and talk. Listen to Luna hold tight to Dad.

"You don't know that."

I closed my eyes hearing Dad's voice. Maybe Luna heard him being soft, but I knew better. He was breaking. Nashi was breaking. Mom was breaking.

We were all breaking.

"Yes, I do." Luna sniffed. "Because you're still the papa I've always known. And you've never hurt me."

My lips trembled as I refused for these stubborn tears to fall. My heart felt heavy yet fragile, such a burden. I knew if I kept padding myself with layers of numbness, I could keep everything in place. But why did it feel like I was one step away from shattering?

"You hear that?"

I looked at my brother as he sat on the steps with me, but he looked straight ahead with that serious look.

"Lu's right. He's the same dad we've always known." He put his hand on my head and looked at me with green eyes. "And you're still my little brother—the same Luke I've always known. Don't forget that."

I hated how much I wanted to cry. I hated it so much. I didn't want him to comfort me like this because I wasn't supposed to want comfort. I was supposed to be reasonable about this. I wasn't supposed to cry over something I already knew.

I wasn't going to break.

• — • — • — • — •

Luke made sure his face was dry before putting back on his glasses. Gathering his Compact, he saw the regular messages from his friends and student-led group chats. But he saw a message from his mother a little while ago.

⌜Mom

Message

Take all the time you need, hon. We love you. Please be safe ⌟

Luke thumbed the message, about to dismiss it, but he left it unopened and unread on his lock screen. Guilt festered for ignoring his mother's message but bringing himself to reply felt too…too much. Still, he had to try. Forcing the energy, he opened the text and his thumbs hovered as he figured out what to say. Then he typed the only thing he could say:

« I love you too »

He switched to Luna's contact and asked:

« Has Nashi come home? »

Luna's typing bubble popped up soon enough.

« No. She's still out. Mama sent out Rasalas and the dogs to look for her. She's not with any of her friends »

« I'm really worried »

Luke responded:

« She'll be okay once she has some time to herself »

Luna's bubble blipped in and out of existence. Then she messaged:

« And you? »

« Will you be okay? »

Luke hesitated, but Luna messaged:

« I'm really worried about you too »

He warmed. Lu… He replied:

« I'll be okay. Just need some time to deal »

« You still at home »

« No. I'm at E's place. I wanted to give Papa and Mama some time »

Luke frowned.

« What do you mean? »

« Well… »

« It's just »

« This was really hard for them to tell us. And I know how bad they feel. I just thought they needed some time too. »

« I know we learned Papa's secret and all, but it felt like he needed to process it too if that makes sense? »

Luke could not hold back his astonishment. She was worried more about him than herself? He typed:

« Stay safe with Bambi then. I love you and I'll see you at home »

« KK. Love you too 💜 »

Luke smiled a little when Luna sent him a gif of T from Young Nation blowing a kiss with his finger hearts. She can be so strange sometimes. I can understand Igneel rolling this off his back, but… I guess thought she'd need time. And instead, she's more concerned about Mom and Dad and the rest of us. But… His smile faded as darkness took over his expression. Would she still be this calm if she knew the rest of the story?

He blinked when Mystogan's contact came on screen. He went to accept it—

"And Mystogan has known."

He held back.

"And Mystogan has known."

Slowly, he tapped ⟪ ACCEPT ⟫ and put on his headphones. What would he do: greet his teacher with respect or stew in fuming silence towards an object of his distress?

He stayed silent.

Neither one broke the quiet.

And then…

"I see you've lost trust in your teacher." Mystogan's inflection gave nothing away.

Luke countered evenly, "I see you never trusted your student at all."

"Is that what you think?"

"I don't know what to think anymore, Sensei." Luke's words gradually turned to flint. "Am I supposed to think you taught me because you wanted me as your student? Or did you teach me as another one of your experiments you could take down if I turned into a villain like the rest of my kind?"

Three beats.

"I think this conversation would be better in person."

"Why? So you have time to come up with excuses?"

"No. So none of my words get misconstrued. Sirius is waiting for you. Follow him."

Luke snapped, "Why did you take me as your student if you thought I was just like the rest of them?"

Six beats.

"I never saw you like them." Mystogan's voice has considerably softened. "I saw you as more." And the call dropped.

Luke did not understand. He saw me as more?

KONKONKON!

He hung his headphones around his neck to look behind him—

Sirius stood outside as a human, though he looked out of place with his unapologetically savage look. He shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step back. "Are you coming?"

Luke wanted to reject it. This was his moment. This was his chance to throw a tantrum, scream, say fuck you like Nashi had. Or maybe this was his chance to be like his twin, roll all this off, and keep about a cool indifference as he turned around and ignored it.

"Yeah."

But he did neither.

°•°•°•°

HYU…

Luke still remembered when Igneel told him the world looked like one giant playset from up on high. And it still rang true.

Flying over streets and cars and buildings was nothing to ooo and aah over anymore. It lost its luster after a while. But Luke still glanced down at the land below with his peripherals in the sky as he rose side-saddle on his broom. His granny told him Heartfilias had ridden side-saddle on brooms for generations, so they would keep tradition. He kept his broomstick steady as he followed the horde of burning stardust guiding him. With it being night, his Lantern Lacrima hung on the tip of his broom with the intricate brush cap having its jewels glowing for others to notice him.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« What Luke is riding is a Magic Broom, a popular mode of transportation for Wizards in Wizard-heavy cities like Rose Garden City. Independent Wizards can attain a Broom License at 16, but Legal Wizards part of a guild or an academy can get their provisional license at 10. Some say brooms have their own personalities. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke took stock in his surroundings, but his mind was on this meeting. Is he going to give me an excuse? That he was just testing me? That my heritage was just one big test and I failed? Is he…? He tightened his hold on his broomstick. Is he going to release me as his student now that he's forced to acknowledge I'm just a vile monster?

Sirius took him down, and Luke followed with him, but it stunned him about the location. He wants to meet here?

Mystogan looked out of place at the park. No one else came inside, leaving the playground and pavilions entirely empty. But still, seeing the unshakable Sir Heaven of Fairy Tail with his League cloak on felt like the start of a bad joke.

Sirius landed and turned human again to stand beside Mystogan, and they both watched Luke elegantly come down. He dismounted and his trusty broom shrunk back into a harmless keychain he hooked with his house keys.

"All right." Luke looked at his teacher with that same cool mask he had seen Mystogan wear constantly. "What do you want to say to me?"

Mystogan did not cross the distance, nor did he expect Luke to. He pushed up his glasses. "I've made sure to ward this park, so anything we say here won't be exposed to anyone else," he said. "It would seem there are misunderstandings regarding my role in your heritage. And I think it's best for me to clear up those misunderstandings now."

Luke tensed. "Fine. Go ahead."

"Certainly." Mystogan gestured to the park around him. "Do you remember this place?"

Luke would not let a strange question dislodge his façade. "I do."

"As do I."

Luke blinked, surprised when he saw a fond smile on Mystogan's face. Sensei…

"This was the place you asked me to be your teacher," Mystogan recalled. "Do you remember?"

Luke looked at the park as the memory forged before him. "Of course I do." How could I forget that day? And how could I forget…how big of a fool I was?

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Eight years ago…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

Whenever Igneel went with Natsu for special training, Luke finally got time with his mother.

So why did she have to bring him to a park?

North Gate Park had its own charm. Out of all five parks, while Central Gate Park was the biggest, North Gate Park had two playgrounds. They were both built like castles and on a good day, the kids would round up, pick teams, and have a "battle" between kingdoms. Luna and Silver held hands as they played together, but Luke preferred sitting next to his mother and reading one of the advanced books she gifted him.

Lucy broke from speaking to a few of the moms to comb his hair. "You don't want to go play?"

Seven-year-old Luke shook his head and focused on his book. "No thank you."

"My word!" One of the mothers laughed. "He's so well behaved. I wish my sons were like him!"

Juvia tittered and nudged Lucy. "Juvia thinks Luke takes after Lucy instead of Natsu."

Lucy simpered. "I think he takes after both of us. He's always been my sweet boy." She thumbed Luke's cheek. "You don't have to play, but will you go check on your sister and Silver for me?"

Luke grimaced seeing the chaos of the park and drew up his book. "Do I have to?"

"For a little bit?" Lucy compromised. "We'll be leaving soon and then we'll get to go home so you can play that new Magimon game on your DS. And we'll go stargazing tonight, okay?"

Luke brightened. "Okay!" He put down his book to scoot off the bench with a pep in his step. We get to go stargazing tonight. I learned a whole bunch of more star names from Uncle Capricorn. I hope I—

"Go away!"

Luke's ears pricked and his stomach dropped. Lu? He dashed through the park and his heart pounded when he heard more of Luna's cries. "Luna!" He ducked under the bars and realized the source came from inside one of the castle playgrounds. He ran through one of the entryways and the sight he stumbled upon made him freeze.

A gang of older boys cornered Silver and Luna with Silver putting his best friend him her.

"Go away!" Luna spat, holding onto Silver's arm.

"Why don't you play with us?" one of the boys offered. "You didn't wanna play with us when you came here last time. And we were having fun." He laughed with his mates before jerking his chin to Silver. "Come off it, mate. Didn't like the kiss from last time?"

Silver paled, but he held back Luna when she surged forward. Still, she yelled, "You're mean and you're horrible!"

A thicker boy snickered. "C'mon, it was just a joke. So let's go and play." He reached for Luna—

SMACK!

Silver was responsible for smacking the boy's hands away, even if he was shaking. "D-Don't touch Lulu."

"Don't be such a faggot, faggot," one of the other boys sneered. "My sister said you're a gay little bitch." He smacked his lips and made kissing noises. "Does the little faggot want a kissy again?" As his friends laughed, none of them expected Luna to rush forward and hit him. Rage morphed on his face. "Bitch!"

"Don't call Silver names," Luna growled. "Go away. And say sorry to Silver, you jerks!" She screamed when a boy grabbed her wrist. "Let go—!"

"Let her go!"

The boy looked at Luke, and it made him swallow they were bigger than here, but he bucked up his chin and steeled his nerves. "Let them go," he repeated and tried to mimic his father's stern tone. "You're being mean. So let them go."

The boys laughed and a red-haired boy with freckles—the ringleader—stepped up with his eyebrows raised and a smirk on his lips. "Oh, yeah? And whatcha gonna do about it?" He shoved Luke. "Gonna punch me?" He shoved again and Luke tripped backward and fell to the ground. "Kick me?" He wrestled Luke's glasses away from him—

"H-Hey!" Luke blindly chased for his glasses with the world a blur. "I-I can't see without those! Give 'em back!"

"Let go!" Luna started screaming, "Mama! Mama—Mmmph!"

The boy clamping down on her wrist roughly covered her mouth and struggled to restrain her. "Hold still!" he snarled. But he yelped when teeth clamped on his skin and he let her go in both anger and disbelief. "She bit me!" Rage took over as he grabbed her. "You stupid bitch!"

BAKI!

Luke's blood went cold when he heard Luna's shriek. "Lu!"

Silver looked wide-eyed when he saw Luna's mouth bleed as she tumbled into him. "Lulu…"

Both boys knew nothing more than pure hatred.

Luna's screaming played as the soundtrack to all the blows and kicks. It did not matter these boys were bigger and taller than Silver and Luke. Height made no difference to them in this fight. But numbers did. The surprise launch had the boys stunned long enough for Silver to kick another boy between the legs and Luke to punch the ringleader, but when the boys collected themselves, they worked as a unit to give back everything they dished. Luna cried when Silver was held down and was punched in the face while others ganged up on Luke to shove him to the ground and take turns kicking him.

"Stop it!" Luna screamed. She tried getting between, but she was shoved into a wall with a hand on her throat. "Mama—!"

"Shut up!" The boy slammed a hand on her mouth and did not care she bit him. A thought had him grinning. "Y'know, you look kinda like the girl I saw on one of my dad's videos." He forced open her mouth to stick two fingers in. "And the guy in the video did something like this."

Luna bit down hard, glaring through her tears.

But the boy only laughed. "C'mon! Don't be such a bitch." He shook his fingers from her mouth to grab the skirt of her dress. "I just wanna take a peek—" But he choked on his words when a strange tingling sensation crawled up his body until—

POOF!

Luna flattened herself against the wall as she looked at her assaulter. But he was no longer a human—he was a rat.

Luke and Silver saw no more blows and pain and tentatively looked about. Silver saw their attackers had turned into squealing rats as well. "What…?"

A deep frown. "Pity. I was trying to turn them into worms." A hand flourished.

All the rats were forcibly put into one cage with them squeaking and running amuck.

Luke winced as he unraveled himself from his fetal position. "What happened?" He blindly felt around the mulch. "My glasses… I-I can't find them. Lu? Are you okay?"

Footsteps slowly stepped in. "She'll be fine. As for your glasses, I have them. They're broken, but I can mend them. Silver, can you keep Luna company? She's looked like she's about to throw up."

"U-Um, s-sure," Silver squeaked. But his voice softened as he comforted his shivering friend. "It's okay, Lulu. Do you want a hug?"

"Now." Magic rippled through the air. "Let's fix your glasses."

Luke kept feeling the ground before him. "Th-Thank you." He scented the air, but his nose wrinkled when too many layers of Magic kept him from smelling this new person's natural perfume. Who's in here? Are Lu and Silver okay? I need to get Mom.

"Here." Fingers came to Luke to put on his glasses. "This should be adequate."

Luke blinked, vision restored. He adjusted his glasses and looked up to see— "Mystogan?"

"Hello." 13-year-old Mystogan looked down at Luke with his long scarlet hair tamed in a loose, low ponytail that hung over his shoulder. "I heard Misses Dragneel had come to this park. I had an"—his jaw ticked—"annoying matter to discuss with her. But I saw this first." He looked at Luna as she shook in Silver's hold while he used his sleeve to clean her mouth. Carefully, he approached the pair. "You're both feeling a lot of things right now," he murmured. "Would it be all right if I healed your injuries?"

"Heal Lulu first." Silver would not budge on this.

Mystogan nodded. "Of course." He took off his messenger bag, but he did not open it up. He announced, "I'm going to cast a diagnostic spell so I know what your injuries are, Luna. If you feel weird, it's just me. And Silver will hold you the entire time, okay?"

Luna nodded.

Luke watched with keen interest as Mystogan's eyes lit up with Magic. A screen popped up before him, and Luke could not help toeing over to peek. Mystogan noticed him as he read the screen and he explained, "This is just a simple diagnostic spell Healer Wendy teaches during first aid training. It shows you your patient's vitals like their pulse and breath rate." He tapped the two images of a heat scan and X-ray with green eras around Luna's wrist and mouth. "See this? This tells me where the injuries are. And if I touch them…" He did so.

Luke's eyes widened when more data pulled up. Whoa…

"This tells me more about her injuries." Mystogan swung his stare back to Luna. "I can do something about the pain. And I can heal your mouth. It might pinch a little. Silver, can you make sure you hold Luna's hand?"

Silver nodded and secured his hold on her.

"All right." Mystogan went to touch Luna, but her flinch gave him pause. He went slower this time to touch her wrist and inspect it before he went to his messenger PDP. He tapped the clasp for an inventory screen to populate and he sifted through his categories. Before cruising again, he snapped on surgical gloves. He explained to Luke, "Since Luna's small and young and I'm not specialized in potionry for kids, I can only give her a small thing of Violet's Essence."

He picked the potion and brought it out. The cap to this one doubled as a dropper, and he extracted exactly three drops. Cradling Luna's wrist, he strategically placed each drop before rubbing them in two delicate fingers. He told Luna, "This will help with the pain in your wrist and should prevent a bruise from forming, okay?"

Luna squeezed Silver's hand and nodded.

"Okay." Mystogan finished the message and put away Violet's Essence. "All right. Now your mouth." Making sure Luna was comfortable, he touched her cheek. "Can you open your mouth?"

Luna did so.

Mystogan peeked inside. "It looks like your mouth wasn't injured. You might've cut your lip on your new growing tooth. That should be easy to fix." He went back to his inventory and pulled out what looked to be a lip balm. "This is Palmer's Balm. It's a lot safer for me to fix the cut instead of trying a spell. Do you want me to put it on?"

Luna sniffled and nodded again.

"Okay." Mystogan gently tapped her chin. "Stay really still for me." Luna did so as Mystogan placed the balm on her cut lip and made sure to thoroughly apply a first and second coat. "There. All better." He dismissed the cap and took a good look at Luna. "That boy touched you," he murmured. "Did he lift your dress?"

Luna shook her head.

"Are you sure?" Mystogan checked.

Luna nodded.

Mystogan studied her. "All right." He went back into his inventory and pulled out something surprising.

Suckers.

Mystogan half-smiled. "These are my own recipe. I'm not experienced in children's potionry, but I made these for…for someone." He let Luna in on a little secret. "She thinks medicine is yucky, so I've been making suckers. She doesn't know her suckers are medicine. Funny, right? She's playing right into my hand."

Luna smiled and accepted the sucker.

Mystogan softened before looking at Silver. "Gary told me enough." Silver flinched back, but Mystogan persisted, "But I'll ask: do you want me to tell your mother?"

Silver hurriedly shook his head.

"All right." Mystogan readied his hands. "Then let me look at your injuries."

Luke kept looking over Mystogan's shoulder and watched his every move, from how he casted a spell to how he knew which potion to use and how much of it to distribute. He's so cool. He always helps Nashi out when she's stuck on spells. He cast a wayward look to the cage of anxious rats. And he saved Lu and Silver. And me. He looked at his feet. Igneel could've saved everyone. I couldn't do anything.

Shoes came into his vision. "And you."

Luke looked up at Mystogan.

Magic flared in Mystogan's eyes, and he waved his hands. "I'll begin to check your injuries."

"Okay." Luke tugged on his now dirty shirt. I wanna be…

°•°•°•°

"Oh, there you are—! What's wrong?"

Lucy and Juvia frowned as their daughter and son respectively looked downtrodden and quiet with Luke and Mystogan in tow. Silver and Luna suckled on their lollipops, holding hands, but neither looked at their mothers.

"Misses Dragneel, Misses Fullbuster." Mystogan came forward with his cage of rats. "There's something I'd like to tell you."

Luke hung back with one ear listening to Mystogan's recounts and explanations. He really is cool. He came over to his sister to check her over. "Are you he didn't do anything to you?" he had to ask.

Luna nodded and popped out her sucker to mutter, "They just kept calling Silver mean names. I wanted to beat 'em up like Igneel beats up all those bad guys."

Luke sweatdropped. But he also beats up good guys too…

Silver looked at the ground. "Lulu—you shouldn't have made them mad."

"No way!"

Silver was startled when Luna lifted her chin, fierce.

"They said really mean things to you," Luna argued. "And you're my best friend. No one says mean things about you. And if they do, I'll beat 'em up for you." She let him go to put her hands on her hips. "My papa says you never let anyone hurt your friends. So no one's gonna hurt you, okay? Gah!" She flailed when Silver stretched her cheeks. "Silver!"

He let go of her cheeks with a giggle. "Lulu, you're really cute!" He puffed his chest. "And I'm not gonna let those bad guys hurt you too since you're my best friend."

Such simple logic made the pair fall into fits of giggles and smiles, like their terrified moments were a thing of the past. They joined hands again and would have skipped off together, but—

"Luna."

Luna beamed up at her worried mother. "What's wrong, Mama?"

"It's time for us to go, baby," Lucy said, opening her arms.

Luna clung to Silver's arm. "Can Silver come too? I wanna have a sleepover."

Juvia came beside Lucy and kept as much concern from her smile as she could. "Juvia and Silver were going to come over to Luna's house, but if Juvia's Precious Prince wants to have a sleepover—"

"Yes!" Silver looked excited. "Let's go to your house, Lulu!"

"Okay!"

As the two talked over each other about their plans, Lucy turned to Mystogan and murmured, "Thank you. We'll talk later."

"Of course." Mystogan gestured to his cage. "I'll get the information from their guardians and send them to you."

"Juvia thanks Mystogan so very much," Juvia sincerely appreciated.

Mystogan dismissed the gratitude not unkindly. "It's no problem. Please, have a good night." He lifted the cage and coldly skimmed each of the rats. Maybe rats were the better option since I get to see their fear. Mother might scold me, but she'll understand. He walked away—

Luke kneaded his shirt. This could be my chance. He surged forward, reaching out. "W-Wait!"

Mystogan frowned when he realized Luke held him back with fingers pinching his jacket. "Yes?"

"Um…! Well, I…! I…!" Luke looked down as he tried to push out his words. "I-I, um…" I can't say it. All his confidence and yearning faltered for fear and doubt, and his fingers slipped away to knead his shirt again. He'd probably laugh at me. I can't do anything. I'm not Igneel.

Mystogan faced Luke, observing. "You always seem to have something to say to me, but you never say it."

Luke flinched and ducked his head.

Mystogan twirled a lock of his bangs. "If you keep wasting time worrying, you'll never get what you want," he asserted. "That's a key difference you and Igneel have."

Luke stiffened. Does he…?

Mystogan went on: "When Igneel wants something, he has no issue to reach for it. He might be aggressive about it, but he's an opportunist. And that's why he may appear stronger—because he doesn't hesitate. But you always seem to wait too long until your opportunity is gone and you back down. If you want something, don't back down." He partially turned away. "Maybe next time, you'll finally have something to say." He walked away.

Luke's fingers shook into fists.

Mystogan thought on his words. Was I too harsh? I only gave him the same advice I gave her.

Long scarlet hair. Wide brown eyes.

Dark oaks glinted. If she could just… A tug to his jacket cut off his thoughts. What—?

"Please be my teacher!"

Dark eyes widened.

Mystogan turned—

Determined honeyed-ambers clashed with startled dark oaks.

Luke mustered up all his courage. I… I just have to say it. "I know I'm not strong like Igneel." But saying it made some of his valor waver, and his eyes lowered as a result. "I know I'm not like him. You probably think I'm weak too. But…!" He fisted his shirt. I… I wanna be…

He let go of Mystogan to stand his own ground. "I want to be strong too in my own way. I want to be someone Lu looks up to. And I want to be the one who saves her! So please!" He bowed. "Be my teacher!"

A wind swirled between both boys.

Mystogan's lips parted. His sister… A coolness masked his face and he challenged, "I don't like incompetence. Which means I won't slow down for you. Everyone in the League tells me I don't work well with others because of that. So you would find me as a teacher unbearable since I don't slow my pace for a student."

"N-No!" Luke stood up and looked Mystogan square in the eyes. "I won't complain if you don't slow down. I'll…! I'll just work twice as hard to keep up with you!"

Mystogan threw out another challenge. "You'd have to study every day just like me. And I don't focus on Mage training. I learn all different sorts of Ether and non-Ether types and Rudimentary Magic and potionry. A lot of Guild Mages think it's tedious work and unnecessary. You'd want to learn that?"

Luke sharply nodded. "I do."

Mystogan narrowed his eyes. "If you trained under me, you wouldn't have a lot of time for fun. Which means you wouldn't have a lot of time to be with your friends and family or with Luna." He caught Luke's surprised. "Are you sure that's something you want to handle?" He watched closely as Luke drop his gaze. What will you say now, Luke?

Luke tried not to fist his shirt again. If he taught me…I wouldn't be around everyone as much anymore. I don't want to be away from them. But I… He took a deep breath and then looked up with a clear regard. "That's okay," he determined.

Mystogan raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"

Luke nodded. "Mm-hm."

"And why is it okay to give up the people you love just to train?"

"I'm not giving them up."

Mystogan blinked at Luke's fired-up smile.

"Because my dad told me as long as they believe in me"—Luke beamed—"we're all in this together."

Mystogan opened his mouth only for his lips to twitch.

Luke panicked when he saw Mystogan's shoulders shake with his bangs covering his eyes. Oh, no! Did I say something wrong? He spiraled trying to figure out where he said something bad. Is he mad? Was that…not the right answer? Will he not teach me?

"You… You're very determined."

Luke blinked at the smile on Mystogan's face and the twinkle in his eyes and it finally registered. He…was laughing?

Mystogan pivoted. "Since I'm in the League as a researcher, the Sorcerers have been repeatedly bothering me with mentoring something else. I suppose your request came at an optimal time. I'll register you as my apprentice. I no longer need to deal with those irritating requests, and you will learn everything you need to be someone your sister looks up to. We both win, wouldn't you say?"

Luke blinked. Then his eyes widened as a smile gradually grew. "So I…?"

"I'll need to speak with your parents," Mystogan told him, putting his chin between his thumb and fist. "And there will be plenty of paperwork. But I suppose if that goes smoothly, then yes. I'd be your teacher."

Luke felt like he would burst from excitement. "Thanks, Misty!"

Mystogan scowled. "That insufferable nickname follows me everywhere." He gave Luke his back and waved a hand. "Run along to your mother. I'll be by later. But I expect the next time we meet, if you truly want to be my apprentice, you'll have an appropriate name for me." And he walked without looking back.

Luke watched Mystogan leave with his eyes shining. "See you soon!" The perfect word came up, and he tacked on, "Sensei!"

Mystogan's step paused for a beat. 'Sensei'. The corner of his lips curled upwards. Hmph. And he lifted a hand in farewell and kept his stride.

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Present Day

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

Mystogan and Luke stood at the park that held their memories—their history.

"You told me you had wanted to learn to protect someone and be someone they admire," Mystogan recounted.

Luke muttered, "It was stupid."

"It wasn't," Mystogan disagreed. "People learn for various reasons, but it always comes down to seeking and acquiring knowledge gives them some sort of power. Whether people like it or not, they display various amounts of greed."

"But you told me that greed can have positive and negative sides," Luke recalled.

Mystogan lifted his chin in approval. "You'd be right. Just as sins and virtues aren't as disconnect from each other with good and evil, greed doesn't need to be a sin and ambition doesn't need to be a virtue. Some have greed for knowledge to better their lives and save others. Others can have ambition, but it can be used for hurting others. What people believe are separate concepts are incorrect. There has never been any other divide than personal perception."

He twirled a lock of his bangs. "When I joined the League, there were expectations. I would become a Sorcerer, but the criteria involved education—mentorship. I wasn't interested. Possible apprentices have ambition and greed, but it was for things I disagreed with. Others in the League often took apprentices to better their standing. Their relationships were mutually beneficial, I admit, but…it wasn't what I wanted out of a mentorship. And because of my so-called high standards, I was about to be mandated an apprentice by the League."

"You never told me that," murmured Luke.

"I never saw the reason," Mystogan supposed.

"So…" Luke looked at his teacher. "What happened then?"

"What do you think?" Mystogan looked at the playgrounds. "I ignored their warnings, of course. Mandated or not, I would not accept whoever they shoved in my direction. And I had no intention of actively searchinng for an apprentice when I had more important matters for my research. However…" He looked back at his student. "It would seem my apprentice found me. And his greed matched my own."

"And did you know?" Luke needed to ask. "Did you know what I was this whole time?"

Mystogan nodded. "I did."

Luke tensed. "How? And when?"

"Being S-Class allotted me to certain information and certain realities."

"So you knew about all of this and what? What was I to you really?" Luke's hands shook. "Was I just another part of your research? Was I something for you to study? So you could better understand Demons? Was that it?" Each word had his words grow louder. "Was I just something you wanted to look under the microscope? I was just an experiment like the rest of your projects? I'd just blindly follow you and think you really could teach me while you thought of me of just data? Tell me! What was I to you, Mystogan! No." Honeyed-ambers darkened. "Oberon."

Sirius tensed.

Mystogan adjusted his glasses.

Luke panted as anger heated his chest and his lungs.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Mystogan closed the gap between apprentice and master. But instead of looking down at Luke from the bridge of his nose, his chin lowered and he met his student's eyes plain as day. "It would seem I'm failing as a teacher if my own student can't remember the fundamentals. Don't you recall the paper I gave you?"

Luke's nostrils flared. "Yes."

"And what did you learn?"

Luke hated how obedient he was, but he reluctantly surmised the message. "That the First and Second Black War were international atrocities. And that there was one clear protagonist and antagonist in those wars. And lucky for us, the protagonists won."

Mystogan cocked his head. "But that wasn't what I asked you to research. I asked you to find a correlation between the two."

"But—!" Luke closed his mouth and harshly combed through all his knowledge on both wars. What does he mean, a correlation? What did both wars have in common? "Well… They were wars fought all over world. They both happened before the Calamity Era. They were wars that the lost races fought in before they left our realm."

Mystogan quietly prompted, "Go on."

"They were power struggles that every race was involved in," Luke continued. The point was there—he knew it—but he needed to sound it out. "Dragons fought against Dragons. Races fought against their own kind for power. The battles in the war escalated because of that. Pureblood superiority, intraracial superiority, holy wars—they all worsened the fighting and broke races even further from each other. But there was no point in that. Because they were all just one people with different—"

He looked up at Mystogan like it all clicked, like it all made sense. "With different perceptions."

Mystogan tilted his head.

Luke lost all his wrath for thoughtful wonder. "You told me it's our personal perceptions that divide us. No concept can be cemented as good or evil because it's subjective. So we have to look at it from how a concept is used. That even chaos has its place in the universe to help us grow and change."

"For a long time, especially during the Calamity Era, when the lost races fled our realm, Ether was targeted in its many forms," Mystogan said. "Because correlated wielding Ether as power as a cause for more war and bloodshed. But correlation provides an explanation instead of implying causation. Ether was never the true enemy in those wars. How people used their abilities was. Even now, the Black Arts and their users are under heavy surveillance as Wizards shifted the narrative that Black Wizards are evil, thus giving your uncle the title of 'Black Wizard'. But as you have seen first-hand, that's not true."

"No, it's not," Luke agreed in a murmur. "Penelope is a Black Witch, but she's brilliant and kind. And Misses Dreyar has Demon Souls, but she's always been good to us."

"Many true Black Wizards are," Mystogan conveyed. "Just as many White Wizards can carry negative feelings in them like the White Wizard had. Anyone can perverse a power, Luke. That goes for you. And that goes for me. You're a Demon, I know. But I've never thought you would intentionally perverse your abilities. You were never a question I had. You were the answer. You and your family are living proof we cannot assume where negativity lies. Light and shadow are in all of us. And you are the answer as to how they can live positively."

DRIP.

A tear splattered between them.

DROP.

"So… You really knew all this time," Luke breathed. Tears cornered his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me, Sensei?"

Mystogan sighed. "There are certain conditions you will learn to accept as you grow and advance as a Mage," he explained. "Certain knowledge can grant you unfathomable power. You'll learn secrets that could dismantle a government. You'll see things that could change you. I willingly made those sacrifices for my knowledge. All I could do was hope you understood my teachings on the day your parents told you the truth. That you are more than what history tells you you are."

He put a firm hand on Luke's shoulder. "You are my student, Luke. What you are does not change that." A small smile touched his lips. "You will always be more. You will always be the answer. So trust your teacher will continue to see you that way. And trust in yourself. After all, you are the sole apprentice of a future Sorcerer. And one day, you will become a great Sorcerer." Dark oaks twinkled. "Perhaps even better than me."

Luke sniffed and laughed as he took off his glasses to rub his eyes with the back of his wrist. "I don't think I could be as good as you, Sensei."

"You're absolutely right." Mystogan tipped up Luke's chin. "Because I am training you to be better in your own way."

Luke sniffled and kept rubbing his cheeks when more tears rained down. "Yes, Sensei."

"Good." Mystogan looked up. "I didn't expect there to be rain."

Luke sniffed and squinted when all he saw were clear skies. "B-But there isn't…" He sniffed. "There's no…"

"I believe there is a downpour today," Mystogan decided. "So it shouldn't matter how wet your face gets as it's raining so hard. I'm sure your teacher would understand." He extended his hand. "Here. I'll keep your glasses dry from the rain."

Honeyed-ambers rounded. Luke looked at the ground as his face pinched, trying to hold it all back. I don't want to cry. I'm supposed to be better than that. But I… Trembling, he put his glasses in his teacher's hand. I just… One hand dropped to fist the end of his shirt. I don't want to hold it in anymore.

Mystogan looked toward the sky as he listened to his apprentice cry. Emotional, sentimental, overthinking—that is my student. Others in the League would ridicule me for taking in such an apprentice. However…

"I want to be someone Lu looks up to. And I want to be the one who saves her!"

A little girl of scarlet hair and iridescent monarch wings drooping down her back.

He closed his eyes. He makes me just as sentimental.

Luke hiccupped between his cries. "I-I'm s-s-sorry, Sensei—!" He broke into a soul-shaking sob.

"It's fine," Mystogan dismissed. He opened his eyes to look at that open, blue sky. "It's truly a terribly rainy day."

Sirius crossed his arms as he shook his head with an internal snicker. This witch-boy… Yellows softened before looking up at the sky. He really does know how to keep me surprised.

---

People underestimated how large a forest could be.

The sun's dying light tinged the sky in a romantic orange-gold with twilight keeping steady with her pacing. Scared trees started shedding their leaves early, already naked, but the dyed colors of burgundies and oranges and faded greens looked like a fall nature quilt. Hibernation would not start for another few weeks, but already a few creatures roamed to fatten up for a short winter. The birds rounded their flocks to get a move on. They could feel the seasons change in their feathers. It was time to move on.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Forest

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 18:31 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

HITAHITAHITA…

Nashi curled up on the edge of the cliff as Lake Sciliora's waves lapped at the earth. The wind brushed her hair as though soothingly stroking it. Red tagged her eyes as she dropped her chin to her knees. Her eyes might have looked out before her, but she saw nothing.

"My name is Natsu—Etherious Natsu Dragneel."

She curled in further.

SHIKUSHIKU!

Nashi blinked when noses prodded her and tried to weasel into her hold. From those whines and sniffs, she knew the culprits and kept her ball. "Go away." She sighed when the dogs kept whining. "Guys, stop it." Their persistence made her want to snap, but exhaustion held her back. She uncurled and let Actaeon and Lelantos sniff her over before nuzzling against her. Actaeon sat beside her, licking her jaw, and Lelantos put his head in her lap. "You two are jerks." But she still offered them pets and attention.

HYU…

HITAHITAHITA…

Nashi kept looking to the horizon.

DOTA… DOTA… DOTA…

Lucy sat down beside her.

HYU…

HITAHITAHITA…

"I don't want to talk right now," Nashi muttered.

Lucy placed her hands in her lap. "Then don't talk. If it's okay, please just listen." She looked out at the horizon as well. "It was Natsu's choice to always be regarded as a villain in history books. I was the one who fought against it. The Etherious Demons united under END and did things per 'his will'. Or so…that's how history puts it. When in reality, Natsu never knew his name was being used as a cause for all that bloodshed."

Actaeon circled to his mistress' other side to lay his head on her lap.

Lucy massaged Actaeon's forehead. "We had heard horrible things about END—how he was responsible for the death of a few of our friends' parents or orchestrating their entire cities and guilds to be wiped out. Gray told us he would kill END at all costs. And… At one point"—chocolates sparked with memories—"he did try to kill him."

Nashi tensed.

"Your papa endured a lot after the war," Lucy continued. "Him being END was, thankfully, a closed-circuit realization. Even so, it had to be discussed. And he looked so strong during those meetings. No one ever saw him fall apart." A sad smile lifted the corner of her lips. "Even me. There were times he didn't even want me to see him vulnerable. I could tell he was struggling, but he'd smile it off and tell me how lame and boring all the meetings were, how he was just tired. But I knew better."

Nashi's jaw rolled.

"It's okay." A feeble smile. "Angel should do what she needs to do. I'll be all right here. I just need some sleep"—dim blues—"that's all."

Lucy went on: "It hurt a little when he wouldn't tell me. But I couldn't bring myself to press him because…well, because I was afraid if I did, he'd break."

Nashi lowered her head.

"He took on a lot by himself," Lucy remembered. "Because his name had been used for so much destruction, he wanted to see it for himself. He came and left a lot during that time. It feels like yesterday when I'd only see him for a few hours before he had to go again. And it worried me so much how much he kept inside. I just… I didn't need him to tell me everything. I just… I needed him to know I was here for him.

"It took a lot of hard work between all of us," she told Nashi. "Gray and Gajeel helped whenever they could, and Erza and Levy and Juvia. Mira and Freed always went with him to the countless meetings he had to be in. I did what I could. At the time, Anna and I were buying back my old home and converting it to Saint Layla's campus, but Natsu let me come with him to visit towns and cities the Etherious Demons had wreaked havoc on. Somedays, Natsu would talk to the locals, and we'd plan ways to help the town anonymously. Other visits… He was just quiet. And all I could do was hold his hand.

"We heard so many stories of the Etherious slaughtering people in the name of END. People would tell your papa all the ways they would hunt END down and kill him. And he just listened. He paid respect to so many graves. And we'd go home, and we'd just lay together. He knew he'd be a villain in every story. But I knew how much it hurt him. And how much he was terrified something would go wrong and he'd become the END the Black Wizard planned for him to be. That he'd hurt innocent people." She closed her eyes. "That he'd hurt me. And that he wouldn't be my Natsu anymore."

Lucy opened her eyes and looked at the sky. "You know something? I know he can be a bit of clinger, but he always wanted a family—all of you. And we joke how we would've had kids sooner if I hadn't wanted to do things the 'proper way'. But that's not true at all. I know how jealous he was when Gajeel and Levy had the twins and when Mira and Laxus had Nik and Veronika—a lot of people were starting their families. I saw it in his eyes how much he wanted to be a father."

Nashi could not help but ask, "So then… Why didn't you guys…?"

"It wasn't because I wanted to wait," Lucy told her. "It was because…he was afraid."

"Of what?"

Lucy looked at her daughter. "That our children would be Demons…and that you'd hate him for it." She looked away. "That I'd hate him for it."

Nashi swallowed.

"When I was pregnant, he was so happy and terrified," Lucy confessed. "We didn't even know if it was possible for him and I to have you. You were our miracle, Nashi. I promise that. But your papa… He was so scared and worried. He kept hoping you'd take after me, even when I told him I wanted you to take after him. And when you were born, he fell in love with you." Tears filmed her eyes. "But he was so scared of holding you."

Nashi breathed, "Why?"

"Because I was afraid you'd cry being held by a monster."

A jolt went through Nashi. Lelantos got up as she shifted to rise to her feet. She turned around—

And there stood Natsu with those human onyx eyes.

"You were so small," Natsu remembered, "and so beautiful." He looked at his hands. "And I wanted to hold you and love the moment I saw you in your mom's arms. But I was still END. I was still Zeref's creation. I'd become that monster before." He looked at his daughter. "I didn't want to become it again. I didn't want you to have END as your dad."

He touched his scarf. "When you met your Divine Soul, I was happy. Because it meant you didn't take after me. You wouldn't have to deal with this. And that's all I wanted for you and Igneel and Luke and Luna. I wanted you to be free from the mistakes my brother made." He clutched his scarf. "From me."

Nashi's fingers curled and her nail dented her palms.

Natsu grinned. "And lucky for me, you all took after your mom. Just like I wanted."

Lucy curled a hand over her heart. Natsu…

Nashi's shoulders shook. Why…? Why does he…?

"Then Angel admits to being worried over me again?" Teasing blues and a smile that hid pain. "I feel so lucky."

Natsu scratched his cheek with a finger. "I'd be nice if Igneel got more from your mom, but it's pretty shitty he's a lot more like Ignia than me—"

Nashi's fists shook. "This isn't a joke!"

Natsu froze when he saw the rage on Nashi's face, but it was her glassy eyes and angry tears that moved him. Nashi…

"This isn't some funny trick or something, Papa!" Nashi shouted at him. "It's not funny, it's… It's cruel!" Her brow twitched as the urge to break threatened to drown her. "And it's not fair! It's not fair that this is even real! I-It's not fair that anyone this happened! It's not fair that you think you're a mistake or that you want us to take after Mama because we don't just love Mama—we love you too! It's not fair that you're a Demon! And it's not fair that those kids…!"

Her anger cracked into grief. "Those kids… They were so small, Papa. Some of them had just been born. So why…?" She took a step, knees shaking. "Why did they have to die? Why did I have they have to…?" Her legs gave out—

Natsu was quick to catch her and hold his daughter close as she trembled against him with the heat of her tears brushing down his scarf and shirt.

Nashi hooked onto his shirt as a cry stammered out. "Why did they have to die because of that woman? And that Demon?" she begged to know. "Why did they have to do something so horrible?"

Natsu hugged her tight. "I don't know, princess."

Nashi hiccupped and strangled out another sob. "If Demons are always the villains… If they create that sort of pain… Is that what we're destined to do? Is being a Demon supposed to be like that? We're just supposed to cause that much sadness?"

Natsu rested his jaw on her temple. "No, princess."

Nashi sniffled. "I know you're good," she told him thickly. "And…I know you're not a murderer. You're not a mistake or a burden. And I… I know you're not a monster."

"Wouldn't have to worry about her boyfriend turning into a monster."

"I'm sorry Angel has to put up with this."

"But I figured…it was better for me to fight the Demon."

"What does Angel see me as? What does she see when she looks at me? A human? A Devil?"

Nashi pulled back to look at her father through a watery gaze. She searched his eyes. He's just like Gary. Her lips quivered. "You're my papa," she croaked. That's all you are to me. Is that okay?"

Onyx shimmered before flickering to Lucy.

She wiped a tear and smiled at him before giving him a nod.

Natsu kissed Nashi's temple and pulled her back into a hug. "Yeah." His voice had gone hoarse. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent as he tried to keep the shake from his hands. "That's okay, princess."

Lucy watched father and daughter with her smile pressed with relief and tears gathering in her eyes. Thank goodness. She tucked a lock behind her ear as a feral wind picked up. Natsu… You kept your promise. She touched her heart. That this power won't bring us sorrow.

---

Night bled into the sky. This side of Magnolia Town had pedestrians out and about as they stopped into the high-rise bars for a nice cocktail and some venting about work and life. A couple of residents off shift from the Crocus Clinic decided some good hibachi would cure the nightmare of a head surgeon they had to deal with. Teenagers drunk with love skittered out of their parents' sharp gazes to go through the motions of young romance.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

Sept 27 21:01 FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"By the way, you bought me some new heels and my boy toy loved them."

Gary chuckled as he walked down the street. The locals offered silent helloes and greetings, and he smiled and nodded. "I'm glad to see my social media manager enjoys all the perks of the job. Such as draining my bank account."

Female laughter met such a quip. "Please. You make more money every time you breathe. I think you can afford generously buying me heels after all the stress I go through for you. Do you know how hard it is to manage someone's SNS when they're photophobic? Scratch that. SNS-repulsed?"

Gary saw his building come up. "I'm sorry, Sparkles. The only reason I have any of those accounts was that Fairy Tail's PR team encourages it." He sighed. "Even Misty has accounts, though he puts all the work on his handler too." He jiggled out his key fob as he walked up the sidewalk to the front doors.

A snort. "And bless his handler too. Aradia knows he has the personality of frat beer." As Gary let himself into the building and held open the door for a struggling mother, this "Sparkles" questioned, "So listen. I know you hate hearing this, but you have another offer for an exhibit—"

"My art isn't for an exhibit or a gallery or for collectors," Gary patiently reminded.

A long sigh. "I know, I know, but you know I always have to ask. Did the frame your latest piece? Is it ready for your latest client? I can't believe you won't even let me see and post about it!"

Gary laughed as he went to his elevator. A few people rolled out, and he had it all to himself. As he pressed his floor, he told her, "You know how it is, Sparkles." Blues glinted. "Some of my clients prefer our relationships to be private." He held up his cross necklace and regarded it fondly. "And this client in particular is a very private person. So we should respect that."

"Yeah, yeah, I know—Oo! Wanna buy me some killer earrings that make my eyes pop?"

"Not in particular."

"Damn."

DING!

Gary stepped off the elevator and said, "I told you every successful sell gets you one gift, Sparkles, so you—"

He stopped.

"Hello? Did you cut out? Everything okay?"

Gary caught his breath. "I… I'll call you back, okay? See you when you come home. I'll pick you up from the skyport." He knew she was confusedly farewelling him, but he ended the call. Why is…? He trailed closer to his door until he stood before it and the person leaning against it. "Angel?"

Nashi rested her head on his door. "I said I'd come back." She stood up and looked at him with red touching around her gaunt eyes and wetness on her cheeks, hair in disarray. She sniffed and rubbed her nose. "I'm back."

"Ah…" Gary rapidly blinked. "Angel… Is Angel okay?" He moved to touch her only to hold back at the last moment. "I… We should get Angel inside. Excuse me." His Lacrima Door Lock Deadbolt required his fingerprint or a combination, but he quickly pressed his thumb. A pleasant hum and a green lash meant his door unlocked, and he opened it to usher Nashi inside. "Come inside. Angel must've been waiting for a while."

The moment they were both inside, Gary shut the door and would worry about his wards later. "L-Let me get Angel some slippers." He felt harried as he tried to find the angel-themed slippers again. What's she doing here? She looks like she's been crying.

In all his frazzled thoughts, he gestured to his entryway step. "Please sit, Angel. I'll put on Angel's slipper for her."

Nashi silently sat on the step, and Gary carefully removed her shoes for her. I should make her tea, so she doesn't get sick. Should I call her parents? He put on her slippers delicately and probed, "Is Angel—?"

"What do you see…when you look at me?"

Blues widened.

Gary looked up to see Nashi staring at him, not an emotion to her name. Angel?

"What do I look like to you?" Nashi asked him. "What do you see me as? A human?" Hickories swirled. "A Demon?"

Gary's mouth opened, but his mind had not caught up. His fingers retreated from her other slipper as he sat back on the heels of his feet.

Her lips pulled back to show clenched teeth. "Hey. Answer me." Her hand came up to fist his shirt. "I know you've known this whole time. You've known what my papa is—what I am. You've known and you never said anything. So tell me now"—her grip tightened—"what did you ever see in me?"

Gary did not answer.

She ticked her jaw and twisted her grasp on his shirt. "You knew. You knew this whole time my papa is END. And my uncle was the Black Wizard. You knew this entire time, didn't you?"

He stayed silent.

Nashi's nostrils flared. "You know something? I called my papa a murderer him. I called him the vilest monster that's ever been on this planet. I told him all of that, but…" Her grip loosened. "I… I didn't mean it. Because he's never been a monster. He's not like them. He's my papa and I love him. He's not a monster. He's not. I don't care that he's not human. Because all I need him to be is my papa. That's all I see him as." A beat. "Just like I only see you as you."

His lips trembled.

"I told you what I see in you. So tell me now." Pink hair curtained her face as she hung her head. "What do I look like to you?"

Quiet.

His fingers held hesitance in his every movement forward, but he brushed past her hair to slide his hand on her cheek, his winter to her summer. She could not help it when she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch that sent gooseflesh along her skin. He guided her head up until her eyes opened and cloudy hickories met loving blues.

"Angel…" Gary smiled. "Angel has always looked like my Guardian Angel—then, now"—he flexed his hand across her skin with his eyes sparkling—"and always."

Hickories glinted.

Gary could expect many things from his adorable Angel. When she was awfully shy and embarrassed, she had a tendency to deny everything and try to put distance between them. When she was happy, she glowed even more brilliantly than the sun with a smile so beautiful, he would give anything to make it last forever. And when she was sad, she would fall into him and pour out her heart, but she would not speak about it again.

So he expected many things. But this…

Nashi moved.

Blues widened and then fluttered shut.

Because she had kissed him.

…was not one of them.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Toki wa doko he

Kimi no namida wo

Tsuretekuno

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna learned to pick and choose her battles when it came to her friends—if only they could do the same.

Silver and Ena were biting insults at each other as the trio ate dinner together. The argument was childish, but all their arguments were childish. Silver's snippy comment on Ena's neat chicken meal turned into Ena snidely remarking his two double deluxe burgers with bacon would most certainly shorten his lifespan, and now they were going back and forth in insulting each other's taste in foods.

Luna giggled as she munched on her fries when her Compact lit up. She tended to it only to smile when she saw a message from Gale.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Soko de itsuka

Kimi no egao ni

Aeruno

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A Monday night did not mean there were not any parties—it just meant they were lowkey.

A bonfire in a big city was a normal night for this friend group. Cane had brought over a conquest, a ditzy thing who was harmlessly amazed at "common people" things. Julia had to keep her friend from launching into her boyfriend's lap. The others circling the bonfire were all good friends, the type of friends who could say three words and everyone instantly understood the context.

Gale nursed his beer as he looked at his Compact. And his lips pulled into a half-smile seeing Luna's message back.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Itsumo mieta

Sora ga yokuiuyo

Yume no tsuzuki

Keshite owaranai

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mystogan wanted to kill Sirius.

Going out to restaurants felt below Mystogan. It detracted from his research and wasted precious time, but he supposed he could suck it up and treat his apprentice to a quiet meal. But one trip to the bathroom later, and Mystogan was murderous that his apprentice had a red face and eyes swirling after downing whatever alcoholic brew Sirius coxed him to drink. And Sirius had taken it upon himself to order more entrees and eat them all for himself.

A scared server offered Mystogan the bill.

And that was how Sirius learned Mystogan was serious about a shock collar.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Zutto Zutto

Omoide wa yasashii kara

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Perhaps Aine thought her sickness would drive Lance away. But she was dead wrong.

Lance did not mind one bit as he kept Aine's hair out of her face as she retched and rubbed her back. Concern touched his features and as she finished, he had her Anti-Nausea potion and some water ready. He helped bring the glasses to her lips and made sure she got in enough swallows before she crumbled into him, sweaty and gray. Had she been in better health with a voice to her, she might have tried to dismiss the severity, but he held her and nabbed the damp face towel to dab her hairline.

He was not going anywhere.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kitto Kitto

Yuku yo tsugi no mirai

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It rotated which house Gajeel, Levy, Juvia, and Gray would meet at. Since Gajeel and Juvia were pseudo-siblings, Gray had to put up with Gajeel's awful personality and snarkiness for his wife's sake.

And he also had to deal when that son of a bitch cheated at poker.

Gajeel laughed in Gray's face when he won the hand, but Gray had enough and looked ready to start a brawl in the Redfox house with Levy and Juvia too tipsy to stop their husbands from breaking into war. And no, Gajeel would never admit that he cheated.

It was more fun to watch Gray lose his shit than to admit that.

°•°•°•°

"Lucy."

Considering everyone in the house operated on their own schedule, Lucy and Natsuu had the house to themselves more often these days. Nonmagical parents might have felt jarred their children anywhere but home, but Wizards were used to conflicting schedules. On nights like these, the pair would have spent an evening reminiscing and romancing. But right now…

"Nnngh…"

She could feel every heated kiss peppering her skin. Seductive heat licked up her stomach and bade her breathless. She shivered when he delivered the next kiss to her throat. "Natsu…" She turned to catch his lips for a chaste kiss before slowly pulling away. "It's okay." She slid her hand upon the scar on his cheek. "We don't have to…"

"I know." He mouthed a kiss on her temple, then her nose, then dragged one on her bottom lip. When he pulled away, he pressed his forehead to hers. "Thanks for being with me. I didn't know how hard it was gonna be."

"Of course." She slid a hand onto his chest, the hand that held her pink guild stamp. "And you're wrong by the way."

"With what?"

"It's just, I feel lucky." She smiled. "Because to me…they take after you."

Natsu could feel his flames thrum beneath his skin. "Don't leave me." Vulnerable words, a hushed plea between them. "I can't do this without you."

"I won't." She thumbed the scar on his cheek again. "We'll always be in this together." She accepted his intense kiss and knew little else than his warmth when he guided her down onto the bed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Zutto Zutto

Tokimeki wa kienai kara

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane had no clue when she had fallen asleep, but she knew when she woke up, it was late at night and someone was cuddling her.

She blearily opened her eyes and rubbed them with a yawn. Shifting around for a comfortable spot went down the drain when a weight clung to her. She observed Igneel loosely curled into her side again, sleeping like a baby. Had she been more awake, she could have rolled him off and scolded him. But she was too tired to shove him away. So she let him stay—for now. And she fell asleep with his head buried beneath her chest and her arms loosely around his shoulders.

And the Giltenan novel Анна Каренина revealed the hidden message scrawled behind the hard cover shell beneath the moonlight.

Моей Венди

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kitto Kitto

Yuku yo tsugi no mirai

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Tonight felt right to break open a drink and listen to an old song.

The old Gramophone Lacrima had been a gift from Makarov, and to this day, Erza used it to play her favorite song on nights like tonight.

She had poured a glass full of red from the same bottle Cana had commissioned for her wedding with Jellal. Robe hung on her person; Erza sat in a rocking chair with the moon's light blazing those scarlet locks. She swirled her wine around with one foot on the ground to set her in a lilting sway, back and forth. And on the accent table beside her, photos adorned it.

These pictures had come from long ago, back when Mystogan went by his first name and Aine had been of good health. Ena deserved her photos on this mantle. One showed when she took up fencing and won her first competition. Another showed when Ena was much more smiley, and she and Erza had matching outfits. But the last three were her favorites. One frame had all three photos of when Jellal first held his children. Another showed an awkward first date photo with both of them young and blushing and still unsure about their place in each other's lives.

But the last showed them as man and wife as they shared their first dance together.

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Zutto Kitto kimi to

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Erza closed her eyes as she listened to that song—the jazz waltz played for their first wedding song—and she kept swirling her wine and rocking. I suppose it's time for a change as you predicted, Makarov. But I have faith in my fairies. She opened her eyes and looked up at the starry sky. Just as I have faith in you…Jellal.

Erza raised her glass in a toast with the moon and her stars before downing the rest of her wine. Glass finished, she took it with her as she got up to depart for the kitchen. And she never saw the splendor of one star streaking across the sky.

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The architecture of the Middle West could make people slack-jawed.

Preserving their rich culture and history was important, of course, but this new era—the Current Era—required modern influences and finesse. Ultramodern skyscrapers pierced through blocks of sturdy stone buildings. One futuristic wind catcher that towered high and came with its own elevator and viewing deck also had engrained a statue of the previous founder and emperor of this glorious land in his tunic and scarves as he meditated.

Bands of cloth helped shaded an active bazaar with calls for dates and fresh meat. Shading umbrellas blossomed as people dressed in their scarves and turbans crossed the plaza pavement. A couple of foreigners—you could tell by their fashion style—tried out their Modern Standard Alasahk with the locals to find the mosque they wanted to visit. A servant accompanied her ma'am as she strolled with her friends with their various head coverings and gossiped about dipping into the red light district a good time.

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« This is the city of Vistarion, capital to the Alvarez Empire and one of the largest cities in Alakitasia with a population of 8.233 million. While Modern Standard Alasahk is the official dialect of Alvarez, Vistarion has its own unique dialect that is still mutually intelligible with its sister language. »

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Dimaria strode through the corridor with her mandatory governor shoulder cloak stained with the crown insignia of the empire crossed with her district symbol. Chin high, she passed the Machias guards stationed. They could become cold stone killers with the right command. But she was not worried about them.

She had been summoned after all.

Doors bigger than life were her destination. The crest of the empire etched into the impressive wood with every district's personal symbol infused along the edges. One guard stationed outside slipped inside to make her presence known. Once all had been sorted, the doors parted officially to grant her access to the inside.

To the throne room.

The extravagant throne room had minor changes from the previous emperor. The flags of every district and UAA country mounted around the room. Vast windows showed the kingdom in all its glory, a kingdom the former emperor united and tamed. Stone pillars showed hieroglyph tellings of all the glorious deeds Emperor Spriggan had accomplished. How he had changed the Middle West and brought peace to an entire continent.

The doors shut as Dimaria strode to her position before the raised platform and throne. She took a knee, bowed her head, and pleased her fist over her heart out of respect. She greeted in the empire dialect of Alasahk, "I humbly greet the empire's rising sun—May He Shine Forever—Your Majesty. And I have come in return to your summons. How may I be of service to you?"

Quiet.

Dark shoes stepped to the balcony's edge. "You've been busy, Lieutenant Governor Yesta."

Dimaria could not lift her head without permission, but she tensed all the same. I knew it. She evenly replied with a something-smile, "I suppose I have. When I agreed to govern one of our most prosperous agricultural districts thirty years ago, I had assumed I would live a life in peace. But there is always something or other for me to look after."

"I see."

"However," Dimaria continued, "living out in the agricultural districts does not make me ignorant to speculation and rumors."

Frost expelled with an exhale. "Then I believe you understand the reason for your summons." Dark shoes moved forward to stand beside the throne. "Let's not make this difficult, Dimaria. After all, we are allies who once served His Majesty."

Dimaria's fist tightened as her lips twitched into that signature smirk. "We were. And now we serve a new king."

Another sigh with a puff of frost. "I didn't wish for us to argue, but I am losing my patience. Please be reasonable. I'm being quite merciful right now because we are still friends. And we both care about his legacy, Dimaria."

"No." Dimaria got to her feet. "I have seen what your 'care' has done. I've seen what you've been allowing to happen, you and Jacob. I know what you did to Minister Yajeel." Emblazoned golds shimmered with Magic. "And what you plan to do with me."

Lips pressed into a frown before a hand lifted and twirled around.

Dimaria clicked her teeth—

The birds outside froze in place.

Thin lips chanted: "Fall."

SHING!

Dimaria choked as heinous gravity slammed her to the ground. She gagged and spasmed when she felt every atom inside her burn. Her lungs and heart gained weight with gravity trying to yank them free from her body. My body… What is…this? My powers… I froze time, so how…?

"Dimaria." Black shoes trailed down the steps. "I have been lenient towards your neutrality. But you cannot forget the debt you owe His Majesty. When your powers threatened to corrupt you as you learned the truth behind a God's Blessing, when the people you traveled with abused your power for greed—it was His Majesty who freed you and gave you purpose. He taught you how to control your ability. He gave you life. And he gave us all life. And we will eternally be grateful."

Black shoes landed on the platform. The hand twitched.

Gravity's oppressive hold dropped so suddenly that Dimaria could not help that greedy wheeze to suck in air. She clutched her throat as she coughed with her head dizzy and her body needing time to catch up with her mind. As the burning agony peeled back layer after layer, she could feel bitter resignation fill her. I knew the risks. I have no one to blame but myself. She briefly closed her eyes. I'm sorry, Brandish. Lucy—please show her what I told you.

Black shoes were on the move again. "Minister Yajeel was old and senile. He will be missed. His death was a great loss for our empire with his vast amount of knowledge and contributions. Just as you have contributed to His Majesty's legacy. And you will contribute it again."

Dimaria's next shuddered breath clouded before her. The cold came on like a sickness. She did not know she was cold until her lips felt fragile and her skin bristled, chilly. Every pant puffed a cloud, and the tips of her fingers flamed with an icy heat. Her nails scraped the carpet. "What we contributed to was slaughter," she got out. "We are not the heroes our people celebrate. We are the ones they should fear. And we need to atone. Don't…do this. You know this is wrong."

Those black boots entered her peripherals.

"No, Dimaria. What's wrong is that he's gone and we remain. I'm being very merciful towards your blatant disrespect of His Majesty. So I will ask you this once as a sign of me being merciful." Frost and ice blossomed beneath those black shoes. "Bring them – and my son – to me."

Dimaria's chilling breath made room for her smile. She lifted her head to look at him. "You will fail, Reeve," she told him through winter's breath. "And you'll lose everything."

Ice crawled up her body and took its time to sink its teeth into her skin.

The birds outside moved again.

The Reeve did not watch Dimaria succumb to winter as he walked up the steps. "Considering he's dead and I remain…" He came before the gilded throne. "I believe I already have." He sighed frost and stepped to glide a hand along the throne. He dismissively commanded, "Please take Lieutenant Governor Yesta to the Catacombs. I'm still granting her mercy."

He did not watch as Machias came from the shadows to collect a frozen Dimaria. He looked up to the tapestry hanging from the balcony, the tapestry that showed the empire's crown. After all… He adjusted his thin-framed glasses, and the lenses reflected that black and gold insignia. We are still Zeref's Spriggans.

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Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

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Sirius – Travis Willingham

Mystogan Fernandes – J. Michael Tatum

Prospero (Old Man) – Mark Stoddard

Prospero (Young Man) – Brandon McInnis

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh

Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Levy Redfox – Kristi Kang

Gray Fullbuster – Newton Pittman

Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkorn

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Ladna

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck

Silver Fullbuster (Child) – Brina Palencia

Mystogan Fernandes (Teenager) – Maxey Whitehead

Dimaria Yesta – Meli Grant

The Reeve – Clay Wheeler

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Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

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⌜OPENING THEME

⟪ Ao To Natsu! ⟫

Mrs. Green Apple

Lyrics by & Composed by

Motoki Ohmori⌟

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⌜ENDING THEME

⟪ Zutto Kitto ⟫

Aya Hirano

Lyrics by & Composed by

Matsui Gorou and Uematsu Nobuo⌟

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Next time, on Fairy Adventure

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Episode 010

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THE IRON TWINS

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WHO AM I?