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!

16. Adventure 016

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.

---

Last time, on Fairy Adventure, looked like things were getting started in the cathedral. This imposter of Lance cracked into Gale's memories which wasn't too nice of him and Gale didn't take it too well. But hey, Fairy Tail will… Wait… That's right. Fake-Lance zapped the whole inside of the cathedral into another dimension! Meanwhile, Jay told about the Archaeological Society, but who knew there was a society dedicated to research an eye? Still, Fairy Tail's got more problems on their hands as now the cathedral looks worse than ever and they have enemies knocking on their doorstep! Back in the cathedral, looks like Gale and Igneel were able to get in a few hits on Fake-Lance…until Fake-Lance struck back—at Igneel for that matter! At the guild, Master Erza reins in support from Mayor Elric while Laxus helps Fairy Tail divide and conquer. But, it looks like Jay and Luna are told to stay on the sidelines which doesn't sit well with Jay. Gale ends up fighting a version of Luna and tries to overcome his emotions for her, eventually defeating her. But with Igneel down for the count and Gale fed-up, Gale decides to ditch the match to wait for help. Fake-Lance doesn't like that and ends up casting a darker side of Fairy Law.

"Seek out and destroy my enemies. Go! Fairy Law!"

You've got this, Gale! And I wonder what Jay and Mary Jane have up their sleeves for Luna…

---

There was so much tainted light.

It was not like the light of the sun that could imprint in your eyes if you were not too careful. It was not the light of your house that your eyes were accustomed to. It was a light that helped you more than hurt you. It was that painful light of an explosion. It was a light you wanted to leave alone, yet it chased you.

The tainted light faded.

Then, it disappeared altogether

The cathedral was thrown into chaos. While Fairy Law was only made to destroy enemies, the curse had altered such a pure spell. Some benches had been obliterated and turned into soot. The ground had scorch marks on it as a battle wound. The windows stayed the same, but the pillars had been chipped away and nearly broken.

Fake-Lance lost the glow in his eyes as he surveyed the destruction of a place of worship. His eyes looked at where Gale and Igneel had once been. Rubble was in their place, burying them dead or alive. Sick satisfaction traipsed on Fake-Lance. He smirked his victory.

"Now, this is fair," he justified. "Should've joined me while you had the chance. You would've made a great recruit for me." He yawned. "Whatever. Maybe it's time to wreak a little havoc before the new recruits join in." He flexed his arms. "Take this new form for a spin. I quite like it." He took his hand and tore through the fabric of space, recreating a hole of black. He saluted the pile of rubble. "See you later, humans." He was about to take a step into the hole when—

GRUMBLE.

Fake-Lance stopped to see the pile of rubble shifting. It kept moving and moving until black began to glow through the cracks.

BOOM.

The rubble burst off to reveal a panting and disheveled Gale and a well-protected Igneel. Ruby pierced emerald with pure hatred.

"I'm back, bastard," Gale sing-sang with a snarling grin. "Miss me?"

Fake-Lance groaned. "Why are you so hard to kill?" he complained. "Zagan said you smelled funny, but he said you were easy to kill."

"I'm a tough bastard, ain't I?" Gale growled. "Besides, not like you were really trying to kill me. That spell you casted? It was weak. You weren't trying to kill me. You were just trying to put on a show."

Fake-Lance took offense at that. "That spell should've destroyed something as delicate as you," he hissed. "I even tainted it with a Curse. Why—?"

"Am I still breathing?" Gale chuckled as he got to his feet. "Because the Lance I know is still in there and he's been fighting you every step of the way. He's the reason I'm alive. Why we're both alive."

Fake-Lance rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Who cares? I just want to talk to my new recruits so I can go home, okay? Could you just die already?"

"You're a real piece of work," Gale snapped. "You want me to 'die'. How about I break your pretty little face, you motherfu—?"

"Fenrir…!" Fake-Lance openly whined. "Can you come here please?"

Out of the black hole Fake-Lance had created stepped a shaggy wolf creature with piercing eyes and an iron collar. It took a sniff of the air before jerking its head onto Gale's form. It got into low crouch and bared its teeth into a snarl.

Fake-Lance chuckled and scratched in-between Fenrir's ears. "Such a good boy," he cooed. As he looked at Fenrir, he told Gale, "You know, he used to be just like you, evil dragon. Just as naïve. But he saw the way. And now, he's my favorite pet."

Gale spat at Fake-Lance. "Sorry, but I'm no one's 'pet', got that? And that little puppy used to be like me? Yeah, okay. I think you have one too many screws loose, demon."

Fake-Lance sighed. "Fenrir? Show him what you looked like when you were weak."

Fenrir ducked out of Fake-Lance's hand, but offered a lick in apology. He turned back to Gale with a firm glare, but closed his eyes as a growl trembled his body. Its fur began to recede if only a little while its ears began to flatten out and move. Its facial structure began to retract its muzzle. It fangs sunk back into its mouth and its back began to straight out as its whole form shrunk. Its tail shortened too.

Gale's eyes widened.

It was a rotting form of human, if it was even human anymore. Fenrir's wolf-like body was still there, but Gale saw the warped skin of man and his hollow eyes now lifeless. His skin was a burnt color with holes filled with maggots and black energy corroding the body. Half of the human's face was rotted off while the other half barely stayed intact. His jaw was exposed with black maggots eating away at him and his teeth an ugly rotting yellow. His head was at an odd angle, leaving a large flesh wound exposed and infect, puss and black blood spewing from it. His back was crooked and his hands still had claws, but it was obvious the man was sick and dying, probably dead. The human's empty eyes looked at Gale as though trying to tell him the pain he would soon endure.

Gale felt the color drain from his skin. "What…?" he whispered. "What is…?"

And he promptly threw up.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Maji desu ka SUKA!

•

Donna toki demo POJITIBU de

meccha KIRAKIRA hanasakasou

•

Kitto itsuka wa FAMIRII wo

Shoukai sasete ne

Urusakutte mo yurushite

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fake-Lance sniggered. "Aw, Fenrir, I think we're scaring the poor human," he jested.

Fenrir reverted to his wolfish form and dark amusement flitted in his eyes as he watched Gale wretch.

Gale coughed, spitting out anything remaining. "I ca—… What just—…? Wha—?" He doubled over and vomited again.

Fake-Lance rolled his eyes. "Ugh, stop being such a baby. It was just a rotting corpse. Nothing actually bad." He patted Fenrir's side. "Fenrir, you can go now. When I return, I better have new recruits."

Fenrir bowed his head to Fake-Lance and licked his hand as a sign of respect. He disappeared back into the black hole that closed at his departure.

Fake-Lance turned back to Gale who was shivering his disgust. He arched an eyebrow. "You done yet? I have so much to tell you," he explained.

"Y-You…" Gale hacked and coughed before spitting. "You monster," he rasped.

Fake-Lance had to nod at that. "Yes, I'm a monster. But, don't call me that. Only my lovers can call me that and, well…" He examined Gale head to toe with his nose wrinkled in disdain. "Even if I was into males, I'm not one to go for ones like you."

Gale tried to keep his nausea down. "What…did you do…to that…man?" he wheezed.

"Oh, what, Fenrir?" Fake-Lance hummed as he thought about the question. "Well… I, technically, didn't do anything to him. Zagan is more into that experimenting crap. And, so is Buer, now that I think about it. And, so is Foras, but Foras likes to experiment with food more—"

"What did you do to that man?" Gale snapped.

Fake-Lance rolled his eyes and huffed, a childish move indeed. "Like I said, I, technically, didn't do anything," he reiterated. "I didn't even want to come to this stupid realm. The prey here is extremely weak. But, stupid, little matriarch of the abbey said I had to come here or else she'd take away Fenrir." He waved that away. "Anyways, Zagan's the one that did that to Fenrir and isn't it super cool?" He back up the steps of the altar to sit in his chair. "It's like a virus. It gets the weaker species sick and then I'm stuck with new recruits. I mean, technically, not me. They don't trust me to train the new recruits. But, they promised me if I did this correctly, I'd be allowed to train this new batch recruits."

Gale shook his head. "No," he whispered. "No, no, no, no, no. This isn't happening."

Fake-Lance blinked. "It is. Want to check out the footage?" He snapped his fingers and multiple screens popped up, surrounding the two of them. Each covered a spot of Magnolia. Fake-Lance pressed his hands together before spreading them apart. A bucket full of mysterious, charred snacks appeared in his hands and he ate them heartily. "See?" he said with his mouth full. "Look at all of this."

Gale did just that. The screens showed locations of Magnolia that he knew like the back of his hand. But, the screens were not empty. He watched teams of his guild mates flooding the streets to battle against creatures of darkness that they had yet to ever see. Lucy was engaged in combat in her Star Dress: Aries Form and her team of Celestial Spirits and Fairy Tail Mages fighting hard at her side. Gray had taken his team elsewhere. He froze the entire street and the army of familiars coming for him. Genius—he was a young adult geared with a VR headset and a game controller—pressed a combination on his controller. A squadron of Vikings appeared, battle ready and with their HP bars above them. They slaughtered the statues of the frozen familiars and road into battle against the next wave. Mustang Marvel was a cowboy at heart with his own horse, a motorcycle he named Crimson. He was a gunslinger and a damn good one at that. He waved his hands and a series of percussion-locked muskets appeared, simultaneously shooting off at the familiars. Max came in from behind, riding on a wave of sand and used his sandstorms to sweep up leftover familiars. Thirteen was a mystery in his trench coat and a hat that showed none of his face besides his frown. Familiars charged at him, but all he did was snap his fingers and a large explosion came from his fingertips, killing familiars left and right.

The rescue squads were helping out those in need. Ghost—he was a known ghost only those of special sight and a member of Fairy Tail could see—phased through buildings that had been breached and rescued innocents. Justin used his Kinetic Magic to hold familiars in bubbles that would strengthen themselves the more the familiars struggled while his teammates rushed in to help evacuate lives. Number Five—a jittery girl of swirling eyes and chains on her legs—used her powerful feet to kick away debris and free two terrified sisters. Cade le Fay—a skater dude—reassured a hysterical mother with his board in one hand.

But…something was not right.

Dazzler was not as dazzling with her Magic and her sparkles looked dull. Juvia took a hit that should not have affected her body should she have turned herself into water. Mystogan's swordsmanship was sloppy, nothing like the rigorous technique Erza branded into him. Miss Robin—a powerful woman who could grow and shrink at will in her protective suit—looked weary in her large form. Max tripped off his sand and ended up on the ground. It took him longer than it should have to get up. Laki swung her wooden bat, yet, somehow the familiars predicted her once instinctual moves. Jet was not running as fast as he could while his son Dash seemed to be tiring out quicker than his hyper energy would allow him.

Gale shook his head. "But, how?" he managed to ask. "That shouldn't be possible. Last time, those people in the summit… They were infected—"

"Because Zagan poisoned the air in the tunnels," Fake-Lance recited. "A little hard to do that in an open-air environment, but I made it work." He swiveled in his chair. "Take a look around, little dragon. How else can you get sick?"

Gale began to add it all up. "If I came into contact with someone else who was sick," he realized.

Fake-Lance nodded as he popped more food into his mouth. "We have a winner!" he cheered. "You would be correct! But, some of you humans are more resilient than others and that's a little annoying. I mean come on. Your race is practically extinct and useless. Why are you things trying to actually survive?" He shook his head. "Anyways, they gave me back-up just in case my pets didn't bite as much as they bark." He pointed upwards. "See for yourself."

Gale looked up.

He wished he had not.

A sphere was floating in the sky on that screen. No one knew where its core lay, but you could easily tell what was inside it. Rotting souls—body-less creatures with unsightly faces and gouged-out eyes—wanted a way out and moaned for a host to claim them or a host for them to steal.

Fake-Lance nodded at the sphere, appreciating it. "Isn't it beautiful? Just some extra insurance all of you are turned into recruits." He took in another mouthful. "So, I'd say we've got under…twenty minutes until it detonates. Oh, and those little ruins covering the town buildings? Yeah, Zagan upped the virus so it seems not harmful. But, it actually is. So, until it goes off and turns all you love into my new recruits…" He looked back at Gale as he swallowed his mouthful and gave him a pleasant smile. "What say we get started in getting you sick?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 016

Awaken! Overcharging Thunder Rose

目覚めます！救助への通電落雷

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale's shoulders shook. "I'm going to kill you," he decided. "You're dead."

"Sorry, but, no, you can't kill me," Fake-Lance reminded. "Even if you did, wouldn't stop the plan. And, I'm pretty sure you'd be killing your guild mate too, so…" He popped in another mouthful. "Want to get started with the process now or…would you like to wait until the twenty minutes are up or…?"

Gale began to laugh. "You're out of your damn mind if you think your bullshit plan will work."

Fake-Lance shrugged. "Well, demons are technically 'crazy', but enlighten me on why I'm 'out of my damn mind'. It'd be fun to hear."

"Easy," Gale spat. "You think humans are some weak race? News flash: we're stubborn bastards that will survive through anything by any means. Beyond that, you messed with Fairy Tail and our home. You think we're going to sit on our asses and work for you?" He laughed again, louder, more sardonic. "Ha! Yeah, sure. My old man's already whipped for my mom. He doesn't need a new boss in his life and neither do any of us."

Fake-Lance shrugged again. "Doesn't really matter what you think you 'need'. It's about what I want."

"And I want you dead." Gale shot him a smirk. "Let's see if I can kill you in twenty minutes."

Fake-Lance yawned and leaned back in his chair. "You do realize I'm using your guild mates body, right? Kill me and you kill him." He barked a laugh. "What am I saying? You don't even have the power to kill me."

A broadening smirk. "That's where you're wrong."

Fake-Lance lifted his head to see Gale straightening.

"You made a fatal flaw with your plan," Gale revealed. "You picked a human host. As a full-out demon, you're right. I can't end you. But, in your human form?" His black Magic Circle bloomed beneath him, darkening his features. His ruby eyes glinted with something darker, something atrocious. His snarling smirk came off with more bloodlust than it should have. "I can kill you."

Fake-Lance furrowed his eyebrows. "You wouldn't kill me. What about your guild mate? You kill me and you're killing off your friend and expelling yourself from that guild of yours. I thought humans had that thing called…" He snapped his fingers as he tried to think of it. "What do you call it again? You call it 'honor'? Maybe it was 'morals'… I don't know. I don't speak this language and don't really care to learn it completely."

"'Morals'? 'Honor'?" Gale barked a deep laugh. "Some humans have that. But, at this moment right now, I wouldn't say I have any." He lifted his arm and black energy formed in his hand to create a gaseous staff. "I was taught how to survive." He gripped his hand and the gaseous staff solidified itself into onyx. He swirled the staff and slammed it on the ground. A surge of black energy climbed up the pole and reached the top to create a mass of black. "If surviving means I kill something like you? Well…" Gale tapped his staff. The mass of black above it turned solid and into a monstrous scythe blade. It had slicked back spikes with a streak of red onyx on the bottom of the blade. A red skull appeared atop the pole with eyes that were deadly and glowing.

Gale slung the scythe on his shoulder as he appraised Fake-Lance with that same feral looked he had pinned on him before. "…guess it means these next twenty minutes are about to get fun." He ran towards Fake-Lance in a black blur.

Fake-Lance was wide-eyed and paled. "Wait, y-y-y-you can't do that though," he complained. "They said you wouldn't do that!"

Gale appeared before Fake-Lance with his death scythe coming crashing down. "Surprise, bitch!"

Fake-Lance raised his hands as a ball of lightning forged in his palms.

And blade met lightning in a furious explosion.

---

Mystogan found himself being pushed back and jumped away. His breathing came in pants and sweat clung to his body. Dizziness wracked him as familiars jibed at him in their tongue. He narrowly managed to dodge their attacks, but just barely and not with the finesse he was taught.

This isn't good. My body is slowing down. I can feel it weighing me down. My reaction time has slowed significantly. And, to top it off, I can feel my grip on my sword and my Magic slipping.

Mystogan made a barrier to block an attack, but his barrier shattered upon contact and Mystogan staggered backwards.

That's never happened before. Why is my Magic and my body so weak? Even my thoughts are becoming disoriented.

Something connected to Mystogan. He pictured Zagan, the bull demon with his inky wings and wineglass filled with God-knows-what.

"You see, my little human, the bodies humans have are not viable. They are flimsy things with a weak immune system. Something your friends seem to realize. Amazing how quickly humans weaken. I had hoped you all would have been more entertainment, but you did well lasting this long. It took longer for you all to feel the effects. More data for me to collect."

Mystogan's eyes hardened.

The symptoms… They are exactly the same as last time… That means—

Mystogan's thoughts were cut off as he endured a black explosion to his back. He was forced into the air and back to the ground with a harsh thud. His sword clattered away from him as he grimaced, curling himself up as the pain became unbearable. His breathing grew faster. He was hyperventilating.

No, he thought in horror. I can't…let this happen again… Mother…! Freed…! Warren…! Does anyone read m—?

His thoughts were cut off as he was kicked onto his back. His eyes were barely open as he saw his attacker. A humanoid wolf stood over him with blood dripping from its muzzle and its claws dirty with torn flesh. When it spoke, its voice sounded disturbing and uncomfortable with Fioren or even human speech. Still, it spoke to him.

"We were told about you," the creature snarled. "Amongst your kin, you shall be the first to become worthy."

Mystogan tried weakly to reach into the telepathic link as the wolf raised his claws.

T-T-Team… Ma-a-ast-t-te—

Claws tore into his body and everything stopped.

---

"Lucy Wool Bomb!"

The familiars found themselves lulled into a state of relaxation as they floated on pink wool. In their severe state of relaxation, they managed to disappear into black smoke with drunken smiles on their faces.

Lucy smirked. "Ha! Take that!"

"Regulus Gatling Impact!" Loke punched away ten familiars trying to pounce on him with ease, watching them poof. He straightened his suit and glasses. "You know, princess, when I told you I was looking for a place for my anniversary with my darling Aries, I didn't mean on the battlefield."

Lucy punched wool at more familiars, forcing them to relax and forget their mission. She offered Loke a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Loke. You know I'll make it up to you both."

"How about some for me, Luuuuuuuucy?" came a lewd moo. Taurus hit his axe on the ground and a wave of earth lashed from his hit, killing off a wave of familiars. He stood up after the attack was complete and sung his battle axe like it was nothing.

Lucy rolled her eyes, though all in good-humor. "Don't make me put you out to pasture, Taurus," she warned.

Taurus pouted, swinging his axe to kill a familiar trying to get away. "Come on, Luuuuuuuucy! Why not a little sugar for your favorite bull?" he teased.

Lucy noticed familiars were slipping from the shadows and grinned. "Beat these guys up for me and maybe you'll get some later."

Taurus mooed happily. "Ooooooooo! Such a gooooooood deal from my hot master! I'll win for yoooooooooou!" And he bulldozed his way through familiars, swinging his axe with pinpoint precision.

"Lucy Wool Bomb!" Lucy casted. How's everyone else doing? she thought to her spirits.

Doing just fine, Lady Lucy, Capricorn affirmed.

I also say that I'm fine, princess, Virgo answered, monotone.

Aries and I are having some real fun, princess, Loke told her. Makes a great anniversary date, doesn't it, Aries?

Aries' voice was shy and quietly embarrassed. Y-Yes. I'm okay, Miss Lucy. Sorry for bothering you.

"Luck-Kick!" Lucy cried as she kicked away a small turtle-like thing snapping at her.

Loke, Aries, sorry for calling you both, but I promise I'll make it up to you, Lucy swore.

Don't sweat it, Lucy, Loke breezily thought as he punched away more familiars.

I-It's fine, Miss Lucy, Aries promised, sounding more soothing than anxious.

Just be grateful you didn't call out Aquarius or Scorpio or Aquarius would drown you, Loke chuckled.

Lucy groaned. Don't remind me. A jet of poison came at her and she rolled to the side, though some of the poison hit her shoulder. She gave a grunt of surprise and grasped her shoulder. She rolled to her knees and hissed as her shoulder pinched with pain. She slowly took her hand off the wound to see that it cut a little deeper into her shoulder.

Crap. That can't be good.

When Lucy tried to stand up, her eyes slid out of focus. She wobbled and fell back to the ground. "Whoa," she murmured. "What just happened?"

"Regulus Gatling Impact!" Loke found himself shielding Lucy from more attacks and rushed to her aid. His eyes were filled with worry as he held her. "You okay, Lucy?"

Lucy nodded, even if she felt disoriented. "Um, yeah," she breathed. 'Yeah, I'm… I'm fine. Just got a bit of a head rush, I guess. Didn't get too lucky with my shoulder."

Loke frowned as he inspected his shoulder. "This isn't just some flesh wound." To the spirits, he thoughts, Lucy is injured. Capricorn?

Capricorn was quick to dispatch his fair share of familiars and came to Lucy's aid. He tried to pick her up. "Lady Lucy, you must evaaaaaacuate at once," he insisted.

Lucy shook Capricorn off. "It's okay, guys. I'm fine. Just got a little disoriented. It happens," she assured. She turned to the wave of familiars sprinting towards them. "Now, come on. We've got some ass to kick!" She felt Magic rush within her. "Lucy Woo—!"

"Fire Dragon's Rooooooooooooar!"

Lucy frowned as flames swirled around her, Loke, and Capricorn. Familiars squealed and snarled as the flames consumed them and killed them off in the masses.

Loke's lips twitched into a smirk. "There's only one person I know with flames like that."

"Yeah," Lucy grumbled. "And only one person who can annoy me so quickly." She hissed as her shoulder hurt and put a hand on it once more.

The flames disappeared and so did the familiars. A body jumped down, sandals, scarf, and all, and cracked their joints.

A fanged grin. "Well, that was pretty fun!" The body twirled around to reveal a grinning Natsu. He raised a hand. "Yo, Lucy! Glad to see you made it!"

Lucy scowled at him. "I had them, Natsu," she muttered. "I didn't need your help—" She let out a hiss as she staggered, clutching her shoulder, and Loke and Capricorn helped her stand.

Natsu rushed to Lucy's aid with concern. "I know you don't need my help, but I'm going to be your back-up anytime, any place," he reminded her. He took over for both spirits and held Lucy. His hands automatically warmed themselves to soothe his mate. "What's going on, Lucy? Talk to me."

Lucy tried to shake off the dizziness. "Nothing, I just—" She groaned again as a wave of nausea hit her. "Ugh. I guess I don't feel too well and got a little unlucky with my shoulder," she confessed.

Capricorn pressed a hand on Lucy's forehead and his own creased. "She has a growing fever," he informed, fretting. "And that shoulder wound needs tending to. She needs to get back to the guild."

Natsu nodded and scooped Lucy into his arms like a groom carrying his bride. "I'll take her back," he decided.

Yo, metal-head, Erza, Laxus, Freed, he thought. I'm bringing Lucy back to the guild. She's not feeling so well.

Erza answered him. We have members on stand-by to take her.

Natsu looked down at a woozy Lucy in heavy worry. "Don't worry, Lucy," he murmured. "I won't let anything happen to you." He looked at Loke and Capricorn. "Can you give us some cover until we get to the guild?"

"We'd would be honored to, Maaaaaaaster Naaaaaatsu," Capricorn baahed. He looked at Loke. "Can she aaaaaafford to use any more Magic?"

"All of us are out on our own Magic," Loke assured. "If I feel anymore strain, I'll send everyone back." He looked around to see shadows flickering all around them. "Let's move. We don't have much time until the next wave."

Natsu nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

And the three of them took off for the safe haven they called their guild hall while Lucy groaned and snuggled against Natsu. Natsu could not help, but glance at Lucy. An unnatural blush fanned her cheeks and she had begun to sweat a little. It made him nervous to see her in such a state and not have answers.

Don't worry, Lucy. I promise you're going to be back out there, kickin' ass in no time.

---

"Freedom Arrow!"

"Ice-Make: Arrows!"

Nashi and Gary released their bowstrings at the same time. The arrow of light and the arrow of ice exploded into multitudes of arrows that pierced dozens of familiars and killed them off.

Nashi stood back-to-back with Gary in her Divine Soul Armor and did not lose her stride. She surged forward as she dismissed her bow and conjured her sword. Immediately, she took to slashing and hacking at familiars who had not died from the arrows.

There's so many of them. I can only imagine what the rest of the city is like. We can only keep them at bay until citizens are gone, but these little shits are coming faster than we can destroy them.

"Shit!"

Nashi looked back to see Gary gripping the side of his head. "You okay?" she asked.

Gary staggered a little. "Yeah… Just fine," he promised in a grunt.

Nashi nodded and turned back to her opponents. "All right then. Be careful, dog."

Gary grinned. "Keep it up and it'll seem like you're worried about me, Angel," he teased.

Nashi blushed a little. "Shut up and get to work."

Gary chuckled, wincing, as he conjured dual icy guns in his hands. "As my Angel wishes."

The two worked as a unit. It was easy to see how well their partnership worked for them. When Nashi did not see a familiar on top of her, Gary shot it before it could hurt her. Nashi was quick to throw out a stream of light when a group of familiars tried to creep in on Gary's blind spot. The Angel and the Devil were never more in-synch with each other's movements.

Nashi dispersed her sword quickly. "God's Hammer!" she chanted. The large sledgehammer came to her aid and she grasped it in her hand. She lifted it in the air. "Earthquake…"—she slammed down the hammer—"of Heaven!"

Once the hammer hit the ground, it did not make the earth shake. Ripples of heavenly light came off the hammer. The moment it touched the familiars, they were killed in waves. When the spell finished, Nashi's hammer shattered as she fell to her hands and knees, panting.

"I've been using too much Magic," she noted. "We need to head back to the main team."

Silence.

Nashi pushed herself up and wiped her mouth. "Gary?" she called. "What do you think?"

Silence.

Nashi rolled her eyes as she turned around. "You stupid dog. You can't even—" Her words stopped when she saw it was no longer Gary among her. It was his Devil with his back to her, silvery-white hair and all. She cocked her head. "Oh. I didn't realized you two switched." She shrugged and approached him. "Anyways, we need to reconnect with everyone. What do you think?"

Silence.

Nashi frowned as she stopped. "The least you could do is answer me."

Silence.

"Nasssssssshi," came a drawling hiss.

Nashi arched a wary eyebrow. "Um… Devil, what's wrong

Devil-Gary flexed his hands. "Musssssst kill," he hissed. He turned around.

Nashi's eyes widened.

Devil-Gary looked at Nashi with glowing eyes and ice claws around his hands. Frost panted from his lips. "Kill," he snarled. His next words were in a tongue Nashi could not decipher.

Nashi took a step back. "What's up with you?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

Devil-Gary hunched over like a deranged predator. He flexed his icy claws as his words gurgled in an odd tongue that made the body shudder. "Ke tla u bolaea, ta m malã'ika," he swore.

Nashi took more steps back and a scowl was on her face. "What the Hell is the matter with you?" she snapped. "Cut it out. This isn't funny anymore."

Devil-Gary merely snarled frost.

Nashi growled back.

This isn't like him. He's never been violent with me.

A thought occurred to her. She remembered Devil-Gary kneeling before Orias.

That's because he isn't him. The Devil… He must be—

Her thoughts stopped when Devil-Gary appeared before her, towering over her. He flashed his jagged teeth at her as his glinting eyes looked at her as though he wanted to ravenously tear her piece by piece.

"Bolaea," he repeated in a snarl. His icy claws went to Nashi's neck as his lips went to the junction between neck and shoulder. "Bolaea!"

Nashi's eyes widened frantically.

No… No, please, no!

"Gary, please," came her whimper.

The Devil paused. Not paused. He struggled to carry on with his mission. He struggled to pierce Nashi's skin with his claws. He struggled to sink his teeth into her flesh. It was like something was pulling him back from doing his job.

When he spoke words, they were terse and stressed. "An…gel…"

Nashi tried to look down to see one eye of black and a glinting iris glowering at her while another eye of white and a cerulean iris torn in anguish gazed at her.

"Gary," Nashi whimpered.

"You have…to…kill me," Gary choked out. His words ended with a loud snarl as he rapidly shook his head. "No, no, no! Bolaea! Ke tlameha ho mo bolaea! O tla shoa, mutum!" He rolled his head as he let out a frightening growl. He jerked his head to look at Nashi and the normal eye returned, gazing at Nashi's terrified face. "Angel, please!" he begged. "Kill me! I don't…" He let out a grunt of pain. "I don't want t-t-to…kill you!"

"Gary," Nashi whimpered. "What's…? What's going on?"

"Run!" Gary let out an agonized moan as he pushed himself away from her. He fell to his knees as he clawed at his throat. Blotches of black appeared on his skin as he hissed and growled. He looked at Nashi with a broken expression mixed with pain. "Run, Angel!"

Nashi could feel her eyes watering as she tried to take a step back. "Gary—"

"Go!" Gary roared. His head whipped around as more snarls blurted out of his mouth.

Nashi found herself backing away from Gary. She turned heel and began to sprint down the street.

Why? Why is this happening?

°•°•°•°

Gary found his body convulsing. His head whipped up to see Nashi sprinting from his. A jagged smirk lit his face as his eyes blackened and his blue irises gleamed with bloodlust. He licked his lips. "Ke thabela ho lelekisa phofu ea ka."

°•°•°•°

Nashi kept running.

Why did it have to happen this way? You stupid dog. Just… Just why?

°•°•°•°

A black blur the shape of a four-legged animal jetted down the street with gleaming blue eyes. It opened its mouth for frost to breathe from it and jagged teeth to be shown.

°•°•°•°

Nashi was about to turn down the street with ice claws grabbed onto her leg. They went to her raked through her armor and pierced her skin, tearing into her leg. Nashi let out a shriek as her armor shattered off her. She tried to run, but stumbled and fell to the ground. Her watery eyes looked at her torn leg as blood dripped onto the pavement.

No… Please, no…

An amused snarl. "Ta da kyau, kadan malã'ika ne."

Nashi looked up to see the Devil standing over her. His lips were curled in such a smirk that it looked fearful. Half his face was burnt with black while the other half stayed his human flesh. He looked at her like the amused hunter looking at frightened prey.

Nashi flinched back as the Devil straddled her. His icy claws went to Nashi's chin and forced her to look at him through her tears and anger. He laughed. "Kahoo, Malã'ika le na le mollo ho eena. Tse thahasellisang."

Nashi found tears streaming down her face. "Gary, please," she pleaded. "You're stronger than this."

The Devil leaned his face closer, sniffing his. His tongue went to her cheek to lick away a tear and Nashi found a sob bubbling from her throat. He swallowed and let out a sigh. "E monate," he breathed. His icy claws made their way down Nashi's throat, fluttering.

Nashi reached a hand to Devil-Gary's cheek or at least tried. "Gary," she pleaded. "Please."

The Devil only frowned at her. His icy claws went to her stomach and, within a heartbeat, slashed her clothes and collected blood.

Nashi let out a sob mixed with a scream.

The Devil relaxed at her scream of pain. "Ho molemo," he sighed. He brought up his claws to lap the blood off them.

Nashi found her focus slipping from the pain and anguish she felt coursing through her.

Gary… I'm sorry…

Nashi lifted a trembling hand that glowed pink. It went to Devil-Gary's chest and he stopped to watch her, intrigued.

DRIP.

Nashi's lips trembled.

DROP.

"I'm sorry," came a whisper.

Pink shot from Nashi's hand and jolted Devil-Gary.

His eyes widened. Then, went dull. He fell from Nashi with the black fading from his skin. His hair blackened as his claws vanished. He returned to a human with his body unconscious.

Nashi pushed herself to sit up, but winced as she covered her bleeding stomach. She looked at Gary's still body. Tears streaked her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gary," she cried. "I'm so sorry…"

And Nashi sobbed over Gary as the street stood still and blood dripped between her fingers.

---

Freed on the stage of the guild and another man—he went by Constantine. Constantine and Freed worked together in a flurry of ruins and screens with a map floating. Symbols of guild members moved about the grid while the common symbol for civilians all went for the center near the city hall.

Freed moved his symbols and replaced them with others. "Constantine, give me status on the western sector."

Now, Constantine was a man with a face no one ever saw behind the hard mask of blue. But, that was because Constantine was no man. He was made of a pure metal, creating an android. His body was made of blue metal and looked like the body of a man. The crest of Fairy Tail was on his chest in white with black outlining it. He had arrows tattooing his body, from his head and down his back to his arms and legs. He worked swiftly on his job and did not show a hint of fatigue.

⌜FAIRY TAIL

Name: Constantine

Occupation: Mage, Intelligence

Magic: N/A

Likes: learning about humans Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: Constantine may be an android, but he shows more humanity than any Mage out there!⌟

"Status update: sixty-three percent had been taken over by the enemy," Constantine answered in his monotone voice. "Update: sixty-five. Update: seventy."

Erza came from downstairs and joined the man and android. "What's happening?"

Freed responded to her. "Things are not looking well, Master. We are being overrun quicker than we can defeat them. Requests for back-up have been pouring in. As such, we have had many Mages have to retreat due to an oncoming sickness."

Erza sighed. "I have answered each request, but it seems like it's not enough." She looked at her guild hall. It had turned into an extension of the infirmary. Sick beds and cots had replaced the benches and tables. Wendy and Porlyusica were working hard with aid from other Mages who volunteered as healers. Elvin had been called back to help out and Aisha, Aine, and Kinana had been brought upstairs for their extensive healing training. Erza stepped down from the stage as she watched Porlyusica go from one cot to the next with Elvin at her side.

"Apply the poultice on the leg wound," Porlyusica snapped. "I'm going to the next idiot human." She stood up and nearly ran into Erza.

"Porlyusica," Erza breathed, "how is everything?"

"I'll need to restock my medicine cabinets for this," Porlyusica grunted. "There's not enough medicine to go around and the hospital is too far."

Erza hardened. "Whatever supplies you need, we will get it. Give me a list and I will send out three Mages to get them for you."

Porlyusica came prepared and whipped out a list from her robe. "Here." She slammed it into Erza's chest. "Take it." She stormed off to the next groaning patient and got started.

Erza looked at the extensive list and nodded. "Okay," she murmured. "We can do this."

°•°•°•°

The door to the recreation room slammed open with Erza the cause and the list in her hand. "I need three volunteers to collect more medicine!" she bellowed.

"We'll do it!"

Erza looked to see Mary Jane standing up with Luna and Jay. She narrowed her eyes as she saw Luna's uneasy expression. "Are you sure?" she wanted to know. "Mary Jane, you're still recovering. And Luna—"

"We can do this, Aunt Erza," Mary Jane said firmly. "Trust us."

Erza looked at her for a moment, then nodded. She looked at Luna. "Luna, I'm trusting you with the list. I know you have a bit of medical training." She looked at Jay. "Jay, you will stay here," she commanded, leaving no room for argument. "Your third will be Bruno." She whisked away and left the room.

Luna looked at Jay. "Sorry," she apologized. "If the master says—"

"Here. Do exactly this." Mary Jane put a thumb on Jay's head and a pulse of violet Magic rippled across his skin.

Jay slapped Mary Jane's hand away with his eyes wide. "What was that for?" he demanded.

Mary Jane slowly retracted her hand with her eyes narrowed. "Nothing," she said, oddly slow. "I gave you the directions to a secret door leading outside Fairy Tail. After ten seconds, follow them." She whirled away with her hand taking Luna's wrist. "Let's go."

Luna managed to give Jay a hesitant smile, but ultimately followed Mary Jane. The two climbed the steps to see Erza waiting for them with a yawning Great Dane. He was had a gray coat with white-tipped paws and a white chest. He wore a collar that was just a brown, leather belt. His guild mark was a solid, dark grey with a white outline on his left flank.

Erza nodded at that. "Bruno can guide you to the forest safely," she promised.

Bruno yawned again. "Which direction am I heading in, Master?"

⌜FAIRY TAIL

Name: Bruno

Age: 4 (28 in dog years)

Occupation: Mage

Magic: Howling Magic

Likes: playing fetch Dislikes: squirrels

Special Note: Bruno might be a talking dog, but even he likes to play tug-a-war once and a while!⌟

"East," Erza commanded. "Freed and Constantine say the area isn't flooding with familiars. You should be in the clear." She gave them a hard stare. "Porlyusica is really counting on you to get the medicine back to her. Once you return, I want Mary Jane and Luna working with her and Wendy on patients, understood?"

Mary Jane nodded, and Luna verbally answered, "Yes, Master."

Erza gave a short nod. "Good. Be safe, all of you. I know you can do this." She allowed a small smile. "After all, you two are my nieces." And she whirled away.

Mary Jane grabbed Luna's wrist and pulled her away. "Let's go, Bruno!"

Bruno yawned, but followed her with his massive paws. "Okay," he said groggily.

Mary Jane, Luna, and Bruno made it outside where two Mages guarded the doors. Luna gave them a hesitant smile that turned into a cry of alarm as Mary Jane pulled her along the guild building.

"Mary Jane?" Luna whispered. Her eyes flickered up to see guild members stationed around Fairy Tail, making sure their home was well-protected. "Mary Jane, where are we going?"

Mary Jane did not answer Luna's question as she led Bruno and Luna down a sharp right. It was a small alley between Fairy Tail and a small clothing store that was right next door. It was a clean alleyway with a clear shot to the great ocean, but that was not all. A shadow waited for them, leaning against a wall.

"Took you long enough," came a tease.

Luna squinted her eyes as she and Mary Jane stopped. "Jay?" she questioned.

Jay stepped from the shadows with a smirk on his face. "Duchess," he acknowledged. He eyed Mary Jane. "Crazy lady." He looked at Bruno in confusion. "Dog."

Bruno only lopped to Luna and nudged her hand. "Can I have good boy pats now?" he whined.

Luna chuckled as she obliged giving Bruno scratches behind his ears. She looked at Jay and Mary Jane. "Okay. So, now, what do we do?"

Mary Jane crossed her arms. "Well, Constantine and Uncle Freed are surveying every member and citizen and familiar here," she started. "But, we can outsmart them."

Luna furrowed her eyebrows. "How? No one can get past Uncle Freed's ruins or Constantine's watch."

Mary Jane shook her head. "It's not easy, but it's possible," she informed. "It was Justin who taught me. Whenever he wanted to sneak out of the house without activating Uncle Freed's ruins, he'd use it. It doesn't work for long, but, hopefully, we won't need it for long." She put her hands together and a violet aura covered them. She rubbed her hands together before pulling them apart. Three wind-up toy mice appeared in-between her hands, all a light tint of blue. They lowered to the ground.

Jay arched an eyebrow. "And we're using toys to do this? Great."

Mary Jane lost her violet aura, but staggered a little. She groaned. "I thought I healed," she grumbled.

Luna abandoned Bruno to keep Mary Jane upright. Her eyes flooded with worry. "This was a bad idea," she fretted. "You're hurt. We should just do as the master said and pick herbs for Granny and Aunt Wendy."

Mary Jane shook her head. "No. We're doing this." She shook her head out of dizziness and pointed at the toy mice. "Look, Justin made them. They're called J-Bots. All we have to do is write our names on them. It'll trick them long enough, but we have to hurry." She conjured a Magic Pen and bent down. She wrote her name. The characters glowed, but then sunk into the mouse. She gave the pen to Luna.

Luna looked at the Magic Pen in unease. "And, this is…okay?"

Mary Jane nodded and her eyes hardened. "You want to save Gale, Igneel, and Lance, right?"

Luna was taken back, paling. "How did you know about them?"

Mary Jane offered her a cold smirk. "Not until you confirmed it," she responded. "I heard something about Lance being in trouble. But, when I saw you get even more upset, I knew it had to be something more personal than my brother."

Luna worried her lip as she wrote her name on the J-bot. "I-I see," she murmured. She finished signing her name and gave the pen to Jay. As Jay stooped to right his name, Luna played with her fingers. "I still don't know if we should be doing this. Everyone needs those herbs. If we go to the cathedral, what will happen to everyone else?"

"They'll get their medicine," Mary Jane promised. Her ruthless tone had dialed down to something more soothing, something more assuring to lift Luna's unease. She took Luna's hand and helped her up as she stood herself. "I wasn't lying to our master when I said we could do it. We will."

"But, how?" Luna needed to know as Mary. "Mary Jane, we can't—!"

Her words were halted in her throat as she watched Mary Jane's body turn a glowing violet. A copy of Mary Jane stepped from the aura and soon, the aura shattered to reveal two Mary Janes. The real Mary Jane groaned and stumbled and Luna caught her, making sure she did not fall.

"See? That's how we do it," Mary Jane said shakily.

"You shouldn't be using so much Magic," Luna scolded, though not unkindly. "I heard you were injured in your fight with Elvin. Take it easy, Mary Jane. Please."

Mary Jane grunted as she pushed herself away from Luna. Her eyes went to her Thought Projection and held out the list for her to read. "Follow Bruno. These are the herbs you need to point out to him. He can pick them himself."

The Thought Projection nodded and looked at Bruno for further instruction.

Bruno looked up at Luna with his droopy eyes. "Luna?"

Luna gave Bruno a gentle smile and scratched behind his ears. "Be a good boy and go to the eastern forest, okay? And, when you get back, I promise you'll get a special treat."

Bruno's ears perked at that. "Okay. Be careful." He ducked from Luna's hand and padded away with the Thought Projection following him stoically.

Jay capped the pen and stood up. He handed the pen back to Mary Jane who dismissed it. "Well, it's obvious Mary Jane's the one with the plan," he spoke. "So, what next?"

Mary Jane shot him a harsh glare, but she was plotting behind it. "Now, we get Luna to that cathedral. She's the one with the power to stop it. Our job is basically being our favorite blonde's bodyguards. We make sure she's safe and sound and goes unnoticed." Her eyes narrowed at Jay. "That won't be a problem, right?"

Jay arched an eyebrow, but met the challenge in her gaze. "It won't. Cross my heart and hope to die."

Mary Jane turned a little, but her eyes stuck to Jay. She grabbed Luna's hand. "Come on," she commanded. She turned her back on Jay as she pulled Luna down the alleyway. "We've got some ground to cover and a limited time to do it."

"Wait, Mary Jane, slow down!" Luna pleaded. "I can't go that fast!"

Jay watched as the two left. He smirked. "Heh. She doesn't trust me as far as she can throw me." He walked after them with his hands shoved in his pockets. "Smart chick."

And his shadow stretched out as he walked forward.

---

Natsu, Loke, and Capricorn burst through the guild doors and were surprised at what they saw. The guild itself had turned into an infirmary with members varying from symptoms. Some members had undergone nausea and a few were violently throwing up into buckets. Others lay in their own sweat and shouted and twitched like they were having a bad dream. Other members had lighter symptoms and looked like they had mere headaches. Still, Natsu was taken back.

"What's happened to my family?" he murmured.

"Natsu!" came a shout.

Wendy rushed over to the party with a basket of medical supplies, but her eyes were specifically on the feverish Lucy. Her hands went to Lucy's temples and rubbed them, her thumbs glowing a light blue. "Fever. Headache. Nausea. Dizziness. No other symptoms," she diagnosed. She swiftly turned away from them. "Come on. I have an empty cot for her."

Natsu, Loke, and Capricorn flooded down the steps and hurried after Wendy. She kneeled before an empty cot and gestured to it. Natsu laid Lucy on the cot with extra care. She grunted, but did not wake from her slumber. Natsu knelt at Lucy's side and stroked her hair. Capricorn and Loke hovered over their lady, concern etched on their faces.

"Will she be okay?" Loke needed to know. "What's wrong with Lucy?" He looked around the guild. "What's wrong with everyone?"

Wendy sighed as she took a look at Lucy's shoulder, wincing. "We don't know," she admitted. She readied herself to clean the wound. "The sickness is spreading, but not one we can diagnose. We're giving medicine for any symptoms we find. But, the actually sickness nor the cause has been found."

Capricorn toughened. "This caaaaaaan't be a coincidence."

Natsu nodded. "Yeah. The negative energy in the cathedral… The familiars attack… And now, our family is getting sick?" He hardened. "This is unacceptable."

Loke put a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Look after her, okay? Capricorn and I have to head back out to the battlefield to assist our fellow spirits."

Natsu gave him a little grin. "You know I will."

Loke gave him a firm nod and he and Capricorn left after giving Lucy one last concerned glance.

Natsu looked at his sleeping Lucy and his body visibly relaxed. His hand ran through her silky locks without fail and his eyes took note of perfect imperfection.

A demon, familiars flooding the streets, and a virus that we can't cure. It's all connected, but how? Dammit. I'm not good at this type of stuff. Lucy always knows what to do. And, if she doesn't, at least—

His eyes widened.

"Wendy," Natsu said urgently, "where's Mystogan?"

Much to his surprise, Wendy looked especially saddened at the mention of the S-Class Mage. "Mystogan… He's…" How could she put it to him? "He's not himself right now."

Natsu felt his senses spiking at that, alarm battling through him. "What do you mean?"

Wendy sighed as she stood up. "This…you need to see for yourself."

°•°•°•°

Wendy had taken Natsu to the door to Erza's office. She sighed as she put a hand on the door knob. "I have to warn you, Natsu. He isn't stable right now."

Natsu's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?" he wondered. "And why is he in Erza's office?"

Wendy looked away. "Just…see for yourself. And be careful." She opened the door a little.

Natsu glanced at Wendy, trying to gauge her expression. When he could not decipher it, he headed into the office. The first sight he saw—

—completely started him.

"Mystogan," he whispered as the door closed.

A ragged growl. "Natssssssssu…"

There was Mystogan trapped in a cube prison of Freed's ruins. His shirt and jacket had been removed as he was hunched over the floor. His hands dug into his arms as though trying to pierce flesh and ground him. Blotches covered his skin, all black and painful looking. Two humps bubbled on his back and tried to break free. His glasses had fallen outside of the prison, leaving his eyes exposed. He lifted his head up to reveal his face. Blotches of black burned his skin and his teeth had elongated into shark teeth. His left eye glistened in agony. But, his right eye was no longer a strong brown. The entire eye had been consumed in a glowing red. An expression of unmatched hatred was printed on his face as he looked at his uncle.

"Etheriousssss king," Mystogan hissed. "You—!" His words stopped as he hunched over and wretched.

Natsu was still stuck in his shock.

Mystogan coughed as he finished and his expression shifted from murderous to exhausted and vulnerable. He looked at Natsu in pleading, in weariness. "Uncle Natsu," he pleaded, "please…help me."

Natsu found himself walking towards Mystogan. He was not as wary as he was worried. "Mystogan… What happened to you, buddy?"

Mystogan panted, his shoulders shaking up and down. "Familiars," he wheezed. "They… It's the same as the summit. Sickness…! They—!" He let out a small growl as he tried to keep himself in-check.

Natsu rushed to the prison and pressed his hands on it. "Mystogan!"

Mystogan shook his head as his teeth gritted. "I'm…fine," he got out. "Nnngh! Get to the cathedral…! Lancccccccce…. He'ssssssssss there! Help them! Help everyone!"

"Stay with me, Mystogan," Natsu commanded. He sounded gruff, but he was just worried. "Come on! Fight it! You're stronger than this!"

Mystogan stumbled back and hit the ground as he let out a series of hisses and grunts and yells as he tried hard to fight against what he felt. The two lumps on his back bubbled even more. In a painful crack and snap, to large bat wings burst from his skin. Mystogan howled in pain.

"Mystogan!" Natsu yelled.

Mystogan let out a feral growl as his eyes opened. His brown eye was gone and was covered with glowing red. He looked up at Natsu with a snarl on his lips. "Etheriousssssss king," he hissed. His voice had dropped into something rough and dirty. It was nothing near the composed voice of the nephew Natsu loved. He was gone. Replacing him was something darker and with less restraint. In a sudden movement, he flew to his prison wall and head-butted it.

Natsu was startled and staggered back.

Mystogan let out a boisterous cackle. "Rauni!" he laughed. "Etherioussssss king issssssss weak!"

Natsu furrowed his eyebrows. "Mystogan, we're going to fix this," he promised his nephew. "You're in there somewhere. Fight it! We're going to save everyone here! Just hold on!" He walked back to the door.

"Massssssster will sssssssslay them," came an ominous warning. "You are too late, Etherioussssssss king! Morao nakong!"

Natsu's hand paused on the door. "You're wrong. Fairy Tail is going to win." He turned his head to give Mystogan a grin. "You can't count on that, Mystogan." He opened the door and stepped out.

"You ssssssstupid, Etherioussssss!" came Mystogan's hiss.

And the door closed.

Natsu closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Metal-head, Laxus, he thought, we've got a problem.

Yeah, well, we've got one of our own, Salamander, came Gajeel's mutter.

Natsu's eyes opened. What's the problem?

It's the cathedral, Laxus grumbled. There's a force field around it. We can't get in.

Natsu hardened as he moved from the door and to the steps. All right. I'm on my way. He made quick work of going down the steps and maneuvered through sick beds and Mages. He stopped at Lucy's cot to see her still sound asleep. Her flush had worsened and her breathing was more sporadic, but no other symptoms were detected. He crouched down for a hand to caress Lucy's cheek.

She's warm. Warmer than usual.

Natsu planted a kiss on Lucy's forehead and rested his own against hers, closing his eyes. "Don't worry, Lucy. We're going to make sure everyone comes home safely. I promise," he murmured to her.

Lucy's nose twitched, but she did not say a word.

I won't allow anyone to get hurt even more, Natsu swore. We can't let them down. And in the name of Fairy Tail—his eyes opened to reveal glowing irises—we won't.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Hi-yah!" Mary Jane successfully kicked away a doggish familiar, causing it to let out a sharp yip of pain. She did not rest as she slammed a palm down on its head, then quickly whirled around in a roundhouse kick. She slammed her foot down on its head, replacing her palm, and the doggish familiar let out an agonizing howl before it vanished. She looked at Luna and Jay behind her and took Luna's hand. "Let's go!"

"Wait, Mary Jane!" Luna tried to stop as Mary Jane pulled her into a run. The three of them sprinted through the network of back roads. The sounds of battle rattled around them with obvious spell-chanting coming from guild members.

At one intersection, Mary Jane had paused them. Incantations and their results blew past them with the obvious cries from the dying familiars. She gritted her teeth as she whirled around. "This way."

Luna blinked. "But, wait… Mary Ja—ane!" She let out a little cry as Mary Jane pulled her into another direction.

Mary Jane ignored Luna as her eyes hardened, trying to map a way to their destination. A bead of sweat streamed down the curve of her streak.

We have to get her to the cathedral. I don't know why. But, I've got that feeling I have to… And 'feelings' piss me off…

Mary Jane turned them down another street, pulling Luna and leading Jay. They stopped when they saw a small gang of familiars with arms like capuchins and bodies as so, but their faces were of malicious tikkis. They were having fun as they ransacked garbage cans and scaled the fire escapes. They all stopped once they realized humans were among them. Within seconds, they made noises of monkey squawks and headed for them.

Mary Jane growled as she let go of Luna. "We don't have time for this crap." She rolled her hands forwards before pushing them out in front of her. A wave of violet shot up from the ground and moved forward.

The capuchin familiars headed straight for the wall of violet without a hitch. But, the minute the Magic hit them, they let of squeals as they disappeared into black particles.

Mary Jane let down her arms and set them on her knees as she hunched over to catch her breath. "Damn," she wheezed. "Can't believe I'm this weak…"

Luna did not hesitate to crouch near Mary Jane and rub her back. She peered down at Mary Jane's flushed face. "Um, we can go back if you aren't feeling well," she assured. "We don't have to go to the church. I mean…" She bit her lip and looked away.

What difference can we do against a demon?

"Drop the attitude, will you?" Mary Jane panted. "It's not cute. And, as much as it pains me to say it, being cute is kind of your thing."

Luna did not know what to say as she watched Mary Jane regain her breath. "I… What do you…?"

"You have doubts and I get that. We all do. But…" Mary Jane turned her head for a blue eye to meet Luna's chocolate ones. "You can't afford to be in self-doubt when your friends and family are in trouble. Get your ass in gear and your mind in check." She took a final breath as she stood up. She turned to look at Luna with a serious glare, not that icy, scowl she gave everyone else. "Don't give into the idea you're weak and can't make a difference. Anyone can make a difference. I know that's cliché, but you need that right now."

Luna was, again, not able to say anything besides her name. "Mary Jane…"

Mary Jane took Luna's hand and squeezed it. "I want to strangle your brother and throw him out a window, but I'm not about to sit back and let some stupid monster do it for me," she said with no amusement. "Gale is nothing but your stalker in my eyes and some guy with a 'bad boy' complex and a lot of anger, but I can't let him take his anger issues out on something that will clearly kill him. And Lance?" She let out a frustrated noise through her breath. "He may be Fairy Tail's 'Golden Boy' and annoys the Hell out of me, but he's my brother, even if I don't like it. If anyone is going to kick his ass, it'll be his sister." She gestured to herself. "I am barely holding myself together, I have issues, I hate people, and I have a better attitude about this than you. And you're you. You're the chick with freaky powers that'll work maybe once or twice? You're the one with that smile that makes everyone want to smile and even I'll admit you've won my respect and I find you a decent human being I wouldn't mind tolerating for more than five minutes." She pulled Luna closer as though to embed her solemn, cerulean stare into Luna's mind. "Give me one, solid reason you feel the need to doubt yourself and I'll let you go back. I'll go to the stupid cathedral myself and, in my state, won't last longer than two minutes. Give me one reason you're about to turn your back on three people you obviously care about."

Luna bit her lip and found it trembling. Her eyes went to the ground. "I—"

"Look at me and tell me to my face," came a snap.

Luna snapped her eyes onto Mary Jane. It was hard to look at her straight in the eye, especially when she pinned her with those cerulean eyes that tolerated no bullshit. "I—… I just…" Luna swallowed. "I love them all, Mary Jane. I really do."

"Then, stop acting like a victim I know you aren't and start acting like the badass I know you are," Mary Jane hissed. At Luna's uncertain look, Mary Jane sighed. "Look, it's okay to be scared," she soothed. Her voice was uncharacteristically soft for someone who was gruff in her words. "You're allowed to be. Unfortunately for us, we're human. We have…"—she shuddered—"feelings." The word came out as though it was like acid. "But, if there's anything I learned from my mom besides how to basically be the perfect housewife, it's this: 'there's a time to be scared, but there's a time to be brave'. You're scared. You have a right to be scared. But, you have to push past being scared and be brave for those who need you to be."

This time, Luna was speechless over the thoughtfulness of Mary Jane's words. "I… Mary Jane…"

"I'm on the verge of passing out," Mary Jane pointed out, deadpan. "You're barely know how to use your Magic. And together? We're going to take down a demon and save those assholes one of us cares about."

Luna blinked. Then, her eyes shone with determination as a smile grew on her face. "Yeah. Together," she agreed.

Jay poked his head up and looked between the two. "Well, I hate to ruin such a cute moment, but we have friends behind us that want a piece of us, and, to be honest, I'd like to have Duchess all to myself."

Mary Jane and Luna looked down the back street to see a vengeful horse-like creature with black energy for a mane, bat wings on its flanks, and a crocodile snout, looking at them. It whinnied for support as it galloped down the street.

Mary Jane pulled Luna towards the opposite end of the street. "Come on! I've got a plan!" she yelled.

Jay kept to rearguard as the familiars were nearing them. "Um, would you care to share it now or wait until after we're killed?"

"When I say, 'jump', jump and take a deep breath, got it?" Mary Jane barked as they ran towards the exit of the back street and towards blinding light.

Jay looked at Mary Jane incredulously. "You can't expect us to—!"

"Three," Mary Jane counted down.

"Hey, crazy lady!" Jay called. He noticed the sides of the building they were one were being overtaken with little familiars laughing at their predicament.

"Two," Mary Jane went on as they were beginning to be consumed in bright light.

The horse familiar snapped at Jay and he ran faster. "Hey, wait—!"

"One!" Mary Jane pulled the three of them into blinding light and shouted, "Jump!"

As they burst into the light, all three of them jumped into the air.

SPLASH.

All three were submerged in the canal of Magnolia.

The familiars that tried to get to them scrambled to a halt at the edge of the walk. They waited for any signs of the humans to reappear. Any bubbles. Any shadows. Anything.

Nothing happened.

They waited more. Bubbles would appear. Something would happen.

Nothing did.

But, still they waited.

On the other side of the canal, three shadows appeared in the water and neared the shore. Luna popped up, gasping for air, and Mary Jane and Jay quickly followed. Luna hauled herself onto the shore and the others followed in suit. She was on all-fours, Jay was on his back, and Mary Jane had sat, leaning back as she allowed her breath to find her again.

Jay panted, "What the heck was that for?"

Mary Jane coughed a little. "We had to get to the center of Magnolia somehow," she wheezed. "This…was the most efficient way to get across." She pushed herself into a squatting position, then rolled herself to stand up-right. She offered a hand to Luna as Jay rolled himself to his stomach, then pushed himself onto all-fours. When Luna was up on her feet, Mary Jane let her go to move to the wall near the shore. An old sewage pipe was on the wall and lined with stone. She walked up to it and Luna and Jay followed her, Luna confused and Jay curious.

"So, mind telling me why we're here?" Jay took a sniff and instantly recoiled, holding his nose. "Oh, God! What is that smell?"

Luna had an uneasy smile on her face as she covered her nose. "Magnolia has storm sewers. Whenever a huge storm comes in, most of the water is drained out and back into the canals." She averted her eyes as she felt disgust make her body shiver. "But, the smell isn't the great…"

Mary Jane had no issue jumping into the sewer. There were sidewalks lining up against the walls and she climbed onto a sidewalk. She lit up her hand with an aura of violet. "Suck it up and move your ass. We've got some ground to cover," she muttered as she surged forward.

Jay and Luna exchanged glances before Jay chuckled and Luna shrugged. He helped Luna into the sewer before going in himself. The three of them journeyed in silence. They could hear the sounds of the ongoing fight through the small vents above them. They could hear the snarls of the enemy and the chants of their allies. They could feel Magic and despair vibrate through the air. Still, Mary Jane fearlessly led them through the storm sewers.

Then, she stopped.

Luna cocked her head. "What—?"

Mary Jane raised a slow finger to her lips.

Silence befell on them.

KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.

Jay tensed.

Luna's eyes widened.

Mary Jane stayed still.

KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.

A glow of reddish orange appeared in the storm sewer.

KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.

Jay shifted in front of Luna, shielding her.

Mary Jane narrowed her eyes.

KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.

The reddish orange glow came closer.

And closer.

And closer.

A shape was formed with the glow that had Luna move around Jay.

Wait a second, Luna thought. Is that…?

KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.

The steps became louder and the figure was clearer.

"Hey!" came a call. "Lu? MJ? That you guys?"

Luna's hand dropped from her face as relief flooded her features. "It's you," she sighed. She moved forward. "Thank God you're okay!"

A fanged grin. "Come on. You think some asshole demon will keep me down?"

The footsteps stopped.

Igneel stood in front of them with his messy blonde hair and red scarf. "Nothing can beat the awesome Igneel Dragneel!" he promised. "I'm just glad you guys are okay!"

Luna let out a sobbing laugh as she went towards her brother. "Oh, thank goodness you're—!" A hand on her shoulder made her stop her words and motion. She looked back to see Mary Jane staring indifferently at Igneel. "Mary Jane, it's okay," Luna soothed. "It's Igneel."

Mary Jane ignored her in favor of staring at Igneel. "When's my birthday?" she asked.

Igneel arched an eyebrow. "May sixth," he answered.

"Do I celebrate it?" Mary Jane pressed.

Igneel shook his head. "I know you hate birthdays, but your family throws you one every year. And you sneak off, but I always find you with your favorite flavor of ice cream because you hate cake and I give you your present." He let out a nervous laugh. "Come on, MJ. What's going on? We really have to keep moving if—"

"Where's my guild mark?" Mary Jane asked.

Luna looked at Mary Jane incredulously. "Mary Jane—"

"Back of your neck," Igneel answered, though he sounded confused about it all. "MJ, we really have to get going. There's a bunch of familiars in these sewers. Gale and Lance are waiting—"

"Wait, they're okay too?" Luna sighed in happiness. "That's a relief that you three are okay. I was so worried." She slipped out of Mary Jane's hand to run to her brother. Tears gathered in her eyes. "I'm so happy you're okay!"

Igneel softened as he opened his arms to his sister. "I'm happy you're safe too," he murmured.

Luna barreled straight into Igneel's embrace. "Oh, Igneel—!"

But, the second Luna touched him, Igneel recoiled with an audible hiss. He staggered back from Luna as his arms clutched his side in comfort while Luna looked at her brother in heavy concern.

"Igneel, you okay?" Luna wondered, reaching to touch him.

Igneel shifted away from Luna and gave her a tentative smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just some injuries bothering me, but I should be good to go after Aunt Wen takes care of me. I'll be fine." He stood up straight and beckoned them towards him. "Come on. I'll lead you back to everyone and we can head to the guild together," he promised.

Luna nodded. "Yeah. Let's head back to the guild together!"

Igneel turned and began walking. Luna was quick to follow her older brother. Jay passed Mary Jane, though did offer her a glance before catching up to Luna. Mary Jane was the last to follow with her eyes narrowing. The three of them became four of them and they went as fast as they could. Luna had a brighter look in her eye as she followed after her brother.

"So, how is everyone?" Luna wanted to know. "When I heard you three were in the cathedral, I…" Her eyes flickered downwards. "I was really worried."

"No need to be, sis, we're fine," Igneel promised as he turned them down to the next storm sewer. "Lance is pretty out of it and Gale and I have some bruises, but, hey! It'll make an awesome story!"

"Well, that's good, I guess. I'm glad all three of you are okay," Luna sighed. "Mama and Papa and Nashi and Luke will be so happy to see you."

"Oh, right. I'm sure they will be," Igneel murmured, though absently.

Walking was silent after that. Igneel led them down another storm sewer. None had any objections to it and followed obediently.

Luna felt something brush against her shoulder and turned to see Mary Jane stalking passed her. She opened her mouth, but a hand covered it. Her eyes darted to see Jay beside her. He watched Mary Jane and put a finger to his lips to quell Luna's inquiries. Luna watched as Mary Jane went towards Igneel. Her hand reached out for his scarf and—

—she ripped it away from him.

Igneel stopped.

Luna's eyes widened.

Jay observed.

Mary Jane allowed the scarf to flutter to the ground.

Silence.

"What was that for, MJ?" Igneel wondered, but not turning to face her.

Mary Jane was silent.

Then…

"Your neck."

Igneel still did not turn. "What about it?"

Mary Jane's eyes were unreadable. "It's bare."

Igneel nodded. "I know. What about it?"

Luna pushed aside Jay's hand to look at her brother in slight horror. "Igneel… What happened to the burn mark on the back of your neck?"

Everyone fell silent.

A smirk. "Wow. Humans have a little more intelligence then I give them credit for," came a snicker.

Luna's eyes widened.

Jay's eyes narrowed.

Mary Jane did nothing.

Fake-Igneel whirled around with an odd smirk on his lips. It was so out of place. It was the smirk of a monkey. He gave a monkey-like snicker. "Still, this race is pretty stupid. Master was right. Only good for mating and having as pets."

"Igneel," Luna whispered. "I… I don't understand…"

"He was never your idiot brother."

Luna looked at Mary Jane whose focus was on Fake-Igneel.

"I knew it couldn't be," Mary Jane spoke. "I could feel something wrong the minute we entered these sewers. He's a familiar. And he was going to lead us to a bunch more waiting to kill Jay and myself and take you back to their master."

Luna felt something sick in the pit of her stomach. "Why didn't I feel anything? I should've…" She did not understand. "I didn't…" Now, she could feel that shivering sensation of dread and despair bouncing off the sewer walls. It was choking her as she inhaled it. It was trying to corrupt her.

I can feel so much negative energy now. But, why…? Why couldn't I before? Why couldn't I tell this Igneel wasn't my brother?

Fake-Igneel's chortle snapped Luna into attention. His eyes shifted onto hers, feigning onyx. "Master says humans have that thing called 'love'. It blinds humans from seeing the truth in things." His eyes went back to Mary Jane. "But, you… Master never said anything about you. I can sense so much darkness in you." He licked his lips. "I bet it tastes delicious."

Mary Jane narrowed her eyes. "I didn't think you could be more disgusting than now," she spat.

"You're so unnatural," Fake-Igneel went on. "I don't know which I want to do more: eat your darkness and kill you or keep you alive longer as a little pet for me."

Mary Jane curled her lip in a snarl. "Jay, I'm trusting you with Luna. The first storm sewer tunnel back to the surface you see? Take it. Get her to the cathedral. Make sure you protect her." Her eyes sharply looked back to Jay as though giving him a warning. "Let something happen to her and I will kill you."

Jay nodded firmly. "I'll protect her."

Mary Jane snapped her free fingers and a bolt of violet came from it. It was an aura that drifted over to Jay, making a purple haze of light.

"Take this. It'll disappear the second it sees light," Mary Jane said.

Jay took Luna's hand and tried to tug her away. "Come on, Duchess."

Luna did not want to leave. "But… Mary Jane…"

"I've fought your idiot brother and I've won every single time. Fighting a little clone of him will be nothing," Mary Jane assured. "Injuries or not, I can still kick his ass. Go find the real one, okay? And make sure he's alive enough for me to beat him up."

Luna bit her lip and nodded. She allowed Jay to tug her away and the two of them disappeared down the hall with the purple light following them.

Mary Jane's eyes slid to Fake-Igneel. She lifted her chin in contempt. "You've got some balls to try and trick us. It pisses me off you think you could get away with it."

Fake-Igneel gives another monkey-like snicker. "So cold. So delicious."

Mary Jane gritted her teeth as her Magic Circle appeared beneath her. "See? Now, that just pisses me off even more." A staff came out of the Magic Circle and covered in a violet glow. Mary Jane pulled the weapon out of its home and wielded it with ease, spinning it around her body. She gripped her staff with both hands and pointed it at Fake-Igneel. The glow and her Magic Circle shattered to reveal the staff was a modular spear. The staff was pitch-black, but the spearhead was a deep purple. Mary Jane kept her firm grip, but shook a little.

I can't keep using more Magic. But, I'm taking this bastard down whatever it takes.

"How about this?" Fake-Igneel proposed. "If I win, I'll take you to my master and you will be my pet. Your death will be by my hand. And if you win—" His words were cut off when the spear attacked him. He narrowly avoided it and was surprised at what happened. The staff itself had severed into several parts that were connected through a violet chain.

"I'm not in the mood for games. They pissed me off." Mary Jane lashed her handle and her staff came together as one. She glowered at Fake-Igneel. "So, hello." She surged forward. With her other hand, she reached out. Violet chains came out of her palm and shot forward. Like a snake, the chains wrapped around Fake-Igneel and ensnared him. He wriggled around, though it was useless. He could not escape.

"And, goodbye!"

Fake-Igneel's eyes widened.

And all you could see was the reflection of the spearhead.

---

Luke came staggering into the guild with an injured guild mate leaning on him. He was taller than Luke and broader with a backwards cap and a hoodie-jacket on. He carried his skateboard with him as he hauled his body into the guild. Gashes and claw marks raked through his clothes and marred his skin. His skin—once, a healthy tan—was quickly graying.

"He needs help!" Luke cried.

It was Aisha who rushed to Luke's aid with her medical supplies and took to the other side of the guild mate. She pulled down her medical mask to speak. "I got him. Come on. There's an empty cot over there," Aisha said.

Luke nodded and allowed Aisha to guide him and his guild mate. She got them to an empty cot and Luke and she worked together to set down the guild mate. She was quick to pull out a rag and set it on his forehead.

"You have a slight fever and your heartbeat is becoming irregular," Aisha diagnosed. "I can give you medicine for your mortal wounds, Mister—?"

"Cade," came a rasp. He turned to look at Aisha with gray eyes. "Call me 'Cade'."

⌜FAIRY TAIL

Name: Cadorius "Cade" le Fay

Age: 21

Occupation: Mage

Magic: Take-Over (Knight Soul)

Likes: skateboarding Dislikes: libraries

Special Note: You should see Cade on his skateboard—it's wild! But, the story of him coming to Fairy Tail is even wilder!⌟

Aisha softened. "Mister Cade, then," she murmured. "I need you to take off your jacket, your hat, and your shirt, if you're okay with that."

Cade groaned, but did as she asked with Luke's help. His jacket and shirt were taken off to reveal even more grievous wounds and his hat was set on the ground. As Cade laid back down, Aisha took out jars and gauze pre-made for the occasion. She brought out a cloth and poured a bit of solution in it. She looked at Cade gently.

"I'm going to clean your wounds. Is that okay?" Aisha asked.

Cade nodded. "Do whatever you have to do."

Aisha nodded at him and went straight to work. She was careful as she cleaned his wounds, trying not to damage his skin. He would hiss and fidget, and, at times, Aisha would flinch as well, but she would push past it to keep working.

Luke came a realization. "You're Nashi's friend," he noted. "Aisha, right?"

Aisha nodded, but did not look at him. "Mmm-hmm. You must be Luke. She said you had pink hair like her that was a few shades lighter."

Luke touched his hair on instinct. "Yeah. That's me. It's nice to meet you," he greeted. "She told me you're a healer, but I didn't think you'd be so good."

Aisha stuttered in her cleaning, but kept going. "I'm not really," she confessed. "To be completely honest, I still think Miss Marvel and Miss Porlyusica shouldn't have had me go on my own yet. There's so much for me to learn."

"You have plenty of time to learn and grow," Luke soothed. "Don't doubt their judgment. Especially Granny Porlyusica. She'll hit you with her broom if you try."

Aisha laughed a little. "She does seem a little grumpy at times."

Luke snorted. "More than 'a little'." His eyes trailed back to Cade and hardened. "You going to be okay, Cade?"

Cade cracked open his eyes to give Luke a lopsided grin. "Come on, Luke, don't give me that worried look. I'll be out of here in no time," he promised.

Luke patted Cade's shoulder as he stood up. "Be careful, still. I'm going to report in. I'll come back to check on you," he vowed. He left Aisha to heal Cade as he made his way through the guild hall. He noticed how many guild mates were running sicker by the minute. The ones tending to their guild mates had donned medical masks, but even they were starting to come down with symptoms.

The guild is turning more into a hospital than ever. Everyone's sick. And the ones who aren't, it'll only be a matter of time.

His ears caught sniffling. "Mama," came a weep. "Oh, Mama…"

Luke turned his head to catch blonde and pink hair. His stomach dropped. "No," he whispered. He found himself moving towards them. His first steps were sluggish, then the next were in a walk, then he broke into a run.

No, please… Please, not her…

But, it was.

Lucy lay on her cot drenched in sweat. Her skin had paled, graying out into something unhealthy. Her shining, golden locks were reduced to a sun-dried yellow that looked like it was sick. Her hands that were strong and fierce and had callouses from hard work had been reduced to frail things, showing more bone than ever.

"Mom…" That was the only word that came out of Luke's mouth. He dropped to Lucy's side. He could hear Nashi's sniffles and heard her prayers, but he could only focus on the state of his mother. He watched as she fidgeted. He heard her heart rate increase. He heard her little gasps and growls.

His mom…was not his mom anymore.

Warm hands wrapped around Luke. He could feel himself being pressed into the chest of his sister. He could feel her rest her chin on his head as she rubbed his back. He could feel her sadness and smell her fear.

"She's going to fight this and she's going to win," Nashi whispered to him. "Everyone is. They have to."

Luke did not know what to say. "But… Mom…"

"We've seen her face worse," Nashi tried to remind him. "She'll get through this. We just have to have a little faith, that's all."

Luke sniffled and his nose picked up something he hated that he recognized: blood. Not just any blood—Nashi's blood. He lifted his head to look at Nashi. She looked at him with a soft smile and tearing hickory eyes, but her body was in a ragged state. She was not pale, but was exhausted. Her wounds on her arms and stomach had been wrapped, but some blood was seeping through. Her left leg had the most gauze on it and it was frightening with the amount.

Luke's eyes widened. "Nashi…" he whispered. "What…happened to you?"

Nashi noticed his stare as on her leg. "Oh, some asshole messed up my leg pretty badly, but it's okay. I'm healing," she assured.

"Where's your team?" Luke wondered. "Did you come here alone?"

Nashi shook her head, but could not look her brother in the eye. "Most of my team is still fighting. Only Gary and I had to fall back."

"Oh. Then, where is he?"

Nashi's fingers tangled together.

She bit her bottom lip.

"He's, uh… He's in the confinement area," she confessed.

"What?" Luke was certainly shocked at that. "But…why? What happ—?"

"It was his Devil," Nashi explained. "We were fighting against familiars. Gary had been feeling a little sick, but I didn't think anything of it. But, then… But, then…" Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I don't know," she whispered. "I don't really know how to explain what happened, but… Something inside him…snapped. His Devil wasn't just the Devil anymore. He was something else. Gary, he—… H-H-He begged for me to kill him but I couldn't, and—…" She let out a small sob as her hands covered her face. "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be crying. You don't need this right now," she wept.

This time, it was Luke's turn to give comfort to his sister. He brought her in for a hug and she wailed into his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm s-s-sorry," Nashi hiccupped. "I'm supposed to be the strong, big sister."

"You're the strongest, big sister I know and love," Luke promised into Nashi's shoulder. "Who cares if you're crying? Everyone's allowed a good cry."

Nashi gave a wet laugh. "Hanging around Misty is making you a little too wise."

Luke smiled a little. "Don't let Sensei take all the credit. I have you, and Mom and Dad to thank." He stroked her hair. "I'm here for you, Nash. Just like I know you're here for me."

Nashi could not respond to that as she wept into Luke's chest. He kept stroking her hair as he held her close. He sighed a little.

I can't believe this is happening. This is insane. But, it just… It doesn't make sense what's really going on.

"…'re sure this will be okay, Porlyusica?"

"Don't doubt me, human. I know what I'm doing."

Luke's ear twitched as he looked to see Erza and Porlyusica speaking in low tones near the infirmary.

What's going on over there?

°•°•°•°

"The infirmary should hold all those who cause a threat," Porlyusica said gruffly. "Anyone else on the verge has been discreetly taken to the lower levels."

Erza sighed as she looked down. "It feels wrong to treat my guild like prisoners. They're my family, my sisters and brothers and children." Her hand clenched. "This is wrong. It's wrong to see them suffering like this."

"It's wrong of them to be using all my good medicine," Porlyusica groused. "I don't run a hospital." Her red eyes softened just a little. "I cannot speak for what that idiot Makarov would do, but, in my opinion, you're making the right choice," she voiced. "I would do this if any disease broke out amongst these idiot humans. The worst cases and the ones about to turn into the worst cases would be separate from those with only slight symptoms." She appraised Erza." Have you figured out what has triggered this virus?"

Erza nodded. "From what we were able to get out of Mystogan and deduce from Gary's case, it's in the air and the familiars. There's a virus spreading in the air and the familiars are the ones bred from this virus. From the status report, we've managed to evacuate most of the city to the center and we have Mages getting them out of the city as we speak. I've made the call for all Mages to retreat and tried to let them know the case that any flesh wound can cause a sickness, but they won't listen to me. They keep fighting."

"It's called 'stupidity' and this guild is full of it," Porlyusica muttered. "Idiots, all of them. Fighting to protect even more humans?" She hmphed. "The nerve."

Erza smiled at that. "We certainly are resilient," she agreed. "We know the risks, but we brave through them. But whether it's called 'bravery' or 'recklessness' is well beyond me." She looked at her guild mates, her family, with heavy concern. "That being said… It was reckless of Gale and Igneel to try and take on a demon alone in the cathedral. I have Natsu, Gajeel, and Laxus working on it all as we speak, but… I can't imagine what those two boys are going through. Even with Lance trapped with them, it makes me uneasy. I'd switch places with them in a heartbeat if I could."

"Have some faith, young master," Porlyusica murmured. "Lance has always been a strong one. That Igneel, well, he's a stupid as they come, for a human. But, he won't give up, even if he is a little scared of shots. And that Gale…" She shook her head. "Something tells me the demon should be more afraid of him than anything."

"Aye. That may be," Erza agreed. "Gajeel and Natsu taught their sons well, even if they both have different morals. Igneel's strength and willpower comes from his like to feel victory and his love for his family. But, Gale…" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "His strength and willpower doesn't come from wanting mere victory. He keeps fighting only to survive."

°•°•°•°

Luke looked back at Nashi and his eyes held graveness.

So… Lance, Gale, and Igneel are in the cathedral, huh? And all that about us turning… Sensei mentioned something like this happened on the Summit mission and so did Lu and Nashi. Zagan tried turning people into his tools. That mean it's the same thing. But, how? Zagan's been defeated and Luna has the gemstone. So, how…?

Nashi shuddered and Luke held her closer.

Whatever's happening, it's affecting the whole town. Which means we should be expecting company soon. Dammit, Igneel. Just what did you get yourself into?

---

Natsu sucked in a breath as flames danced around his person. "Fire Dragon's….!"

Gajeel tensed his muscles as gray made him glow, taking in a deep breath. "Iron Dragon's…!"

Static crackled off Laxus as he took in a large inhale. "Lightning Dragon's…!"

"…Rooooooooooooooar!"

All three let out their roars onto the cathedral. Tornados of flames, iron shards, and lightning barreled at the cathedral. It was a direct hit, but the cathedral was not affected. Instead, black covered the cathedral in a shield and deflected the attacks on back onto their masters. The trio was quick in evading their own attacks, but were made frustrated when their attacks did nothing and the cathedral was in its dark state.

"Dammit!" Gajeel cursed. "Why the Hell can't we get through this?"

"I don't know," Laxus groused, "but it's becoming obvious we aren't alone."

Natsu noticed the familiars scaling buildings to face him once more. "Who cares about them? The demon in there is way more important anyways." His eyes could not stop glaring at the building.

This isn't right. My sniffer's telling me there's a demon inside, but I can smell another demon-like energy. But, where?

His eyes flickered upwards as he watched the sky. Sure, there were familiars taking to the sky, but none of them were what he was looking at.

Come on, come on… Why can't I see it?

Gajeel put his hand straight forward as his green Magic Circle appeared in front of him. He put his free hand on his extended arm. "Iron Dragon's Lance: Demon Logs!" he chanted. Spears were rapid-fired onto the familiars trying to kill them. Much to their horror, the familiars found their lives ending all-too-soon.

Laxus clapped his hands together and pulled them apart. Lines of lightning connected his fingers to its opposing counterpart and static raged off Laxus's body. "Lightning Dragon's Claws!" He broke his hands apart and held them out on either side of himself. Those lines of lightning lashed out into lightning bolts failing about. The claws of lightning raked through familiars, making them vanish left and right. "Hey, Natsu!" he called. "The Hell could you be thinking about at a time like this?"

Natsu ignored him.

Where is it? Where is it?

His eyes skimmed the clouds until they stopped. He witnessed a small part of the sky that was different than the others. It looked as though this part was just reflecting what was around it and not part of the actual sky.

Natsu grinned.

I've found you.

"Hey, Gajeel, Laxus! I need you both to cover me!" Natsu shouted. "I'm going to try something!"

Gajeel held up his other hand and another Magic Circle appeared. More spears fired from his fingertips. "Knowing you, it's going to be stupid and crazy!" he yowled at him.

Laxus gave a laugh. "When was Natsu supposed to be anything less than stupid and crazy?" To Natsu, he shouted, "We've got you covered, Natsu! Do what you have to do!"

Natsu gave him a thumbs-up and a wink. "Thanks, Laxus!" His eyes locked on the ball in the sky that was clearly different. "All right. You're not getting away from me!" His reddish-orange Magic Circle appeared beneath him. Flame symbols were the circle while the head of a dragon itself was the center. "Fire Dragon…" he chanted.

Familiars were closing in on him.

"…King's Mode!" Natsu shouted.

The dragon at the center of the Magic Circle had its eyes glow as it opened his mouth in a resounding roar. Flames burst from Natsu's Magic Circle and engulfed him. The familiars closest to him were vanquished from so much heat while the others backed away, snarling in unease.

There was Natsu at the center of the whirlwind of reddish-orange flames with gold dancing in there. His clothes were burned from him as his eyes reflected the swirling fire. He closed his eyes, but they snapped open right afterwards with emerald making them glow. His mouth opened in a painful roar as his body was shifted. The outline of scales patterned across his body and his canines grew longer and sharper. His nails became to grow into talons. From his head sprouted two horns a deep burgundy. Flames consumed Natsu's body. When the flames left him, he was no longer in his human skin. Burgundy scales had covered him instead of human flesh. His arms had lengthened and his hands had thickened with his nails turning into white claws. His feet were no longer five two, but three talons with white claws. Wings sprouted on his back. They were like enlarged bat wings, each one with their own set of talons. A tail emerged, flicking back and forth, with fire tipping it. This fire was not the same reddish-orange fire. It was a deeper, redder fire with gold outlining it. No longer was he in his regular clothes and sandals, but only wore loose black pants. His eyes had faded back into their normal color, but his irises glinted a raging emerald instead of onyx. He no longer looked human. He looked like he was a warrior. He looked like a dragon.

The flames circling him were banished at a swipe of his hand. He stood atop the roof and let out a roar to let his enemies know, "It is I, the Dragon King!".

Gajeel smirked at Natsu's theatrics. "Geez, Salamander, no need to get so dramatic. But, I hear ya, Your Highness, loud and clear."

Laxus had a smirk of our own. "That's our Natsu. The king of dragons. And he's been royally pissed off."

Natsu finished his battle roar and his eyes focused on the strange part of the sky.

You messed with the wrong town, asshole. And you're not getting away with it.

His wings stretched. He hunkered his body down. And, within seconds, he took off from the building and into the sky. He lit his fists aflame and the fire on his tail burned even brighter and bigger.

Because we…

"Fire Dragon King's...!" Natsu chanted as he approached the spot.

…are Fairy Tail!

"…Demolition Fist!" Natsu let out a loud growl as he was right on top of the spot. He combined his fists in the air, then slammed it down.

And out came a wave of fire only the sun could compete with.

---

Mayor Elric oversaw the evacuation of his citizens from the center. He watched as Fairy Tail members and calm civilians alike helped those who were terrified. He saw Misses Davis, a simple florist and one of the elders of Magnolia, soothing members of her activities club who were nervous about leaving their home. A young girl was crying about how she had lost her tabby cat in the chaos and a Fairy Tail member promised her he would find the tabby, leaving to go hunt down the family pet. The Takanashi's stayed together with their children holding onto their pets. Happy was sending his wife and their eggs with the evacuation group, though Charla made Happy promise to be safe for the sake of their unborn kits.

Mayor Elric sighed.

This is not how I had hoped things would go.

"Mayor Elric, sir, a call from the Fiore Guard Unit."

Mayor Elric turned to see his executive assistant holding up his Compact. The mayor coughed and took the Compact with a nod of appreciation. He accepted the call and put the Compact to his ear. "Hello?" he coughed.

"Is this Mayor Elric of Magnolia Town?" came a female question.

"The one and the same," Mayor Elric confirmed. "May I ask whom I am speaking to?"

"Good day, Mayor Elric, I am Captain Brika Armstrong of the Wisteria First Guard Division," came formal introduction. "My division has received disturbing calls about strange creatures trying to take over your town and injure your citizens. I kindly ask for permission for the barrier around your town to be taken down so we may continue. I would like to meet you and your resident guild master and ask for any information regarding the situation."

Mayor Elric coughed. "My apologies, Captain Armstrong, but I cannot allow that," he rejected.

"Oh?" The word was only one syllable, but sounded even more dangerous. "And, why is that, Mayor?"

"The Fairy Tail Guild is taking care of these creatures as we speak," Mayor Elric informed. "They have told me they need no aid."

"Think of your citizens, Mayor," Captain Armstrong urged coldly. "What of them?"

"Being evacuated as we speak," Mayor Elric calmed.

"Hmm. Very well," Captain Armstrong grumbled. "I shall not press you for permission to enter, but know this, Mayor Elric, the Anti-Magic Unit will not be as generous as me. Tell that to Titania as well."

Mayor Elric coughed. "The advice has been noted and appreciated, Captain Armstrong. Though, I must ask you a favor."

"And what might that be?"

"Should the Anti-Magic Unit arrive, I need a way for them to be occupied."

A pause.

"The captain of the closet Anti-Magic Unit is my idiot brother," Captain Armstrong said. It was not a reminder, but more as though she were just telling a fact. "Very well. I accept your request, Mayor." And the line went dead.

Mayor Elric coughed as he let out a relieved sigh, pulling the Compact from his ear. "I leave the rest up to you, Captain Armstrong," he murmured.

And I leave the fate of this town up to you, Fairy Tail.

---

Jay and Luna ran down the storm sewer with the violet light following quickly behind. There were a few tunnels sticking out from the walls with water spewing out of them and into the sewer. Pipes lined the sewers as they went all-over the place.

Luna found her head elsewhere.

What's really happening to them? What's going on? Igneel, Gale, Lance… What's happening to all of you?

Jay found a tunnel with no water running through it and ran to it. "There! We've found it!" He pulled Luna to it. It was a large tunnel with a few steps to get to it. "Here. We should be good with this," he said. He pushed Luna forward. "Climb up. I'll come right after you."

Luna shook her head out of her thoughts. "Um, right. Okay." She took Jay's hand and climbed into the tunnel. It was still as foul-smelling as the storm sewers, but more intense.

SKITTER. SKITTER. SKITTER.

Jay tensed as his eyes looked around. "Did you hear that?"

Both were silent.

SKITTER. SKITTER. SKITTER.

Luna let out a sharp gasp. "What was that?" she whispered.

"Familiars, no doubt," Jay assumed. He offered Luna a little shove into the tunnel. "Get to the cathedral, okay, Duchess? I'll be right behind you."

Luna wanted to protest, but only nodded. "Okay…"

Jay smiled at her. "Don't worry, Duchess. Have some faith, trust, and—"

"Don't say it. That's not going to be comforting at all," Luna warned.

Jay chuckled as he brought Luna close to her and kissed her forehead. "How about this: if I come back alive, I get a date with you?" he reasoned as he pulled away.

Luna flushed at that, her eyes widened. "Wh-Wh-What?" she stammered. "Wait! I don't—!"

Jay sent her wink and shoved her more up the tunnel. "Better get going, Duchess."

Luna sighed and turned to the tunnel. "You better be careful," she muttered. She was thankful the tunnel had grooves for her to climb on. She was careful climbing up the tunnel. She recoiled at some of the wet dirt she met and leftover, murky water, but she had to keep going. When she finally reached the top, she hauled herself into the basin the water was collected into before going down the tunnel. She heard snarls and words some distance away as she approached the grate drain cover. It looked more like prison cellar bars than anything and she was grateful for it. She gripped two of the bars and did her level best to push. It took one, two, three tries for the grate drain cover to finally dislodge itself from its home. Luna grunted a little as she shifted it even more so away. Then, she jumped and hauled her body up. It was a difficult task, but she did it nonetheless. She landed on her stomach when she was finally out and panted.

"Maybe I should lay off thirds at dinner," Luna wheezed. She pushed herself into a stand position and dusted herself off. She wrinkled her nose at her smell. "Oh, yuck. I totally smell like Dad when he comes home from a long mission," she compared. "I'm definitely stealing most of the hot water tonight." She looked around to see she was not on a main street. It was something caught between a back road and an alleyway. There were two barriers up so no carriages or Lacrima Cars or any other transportations could come down the brick road. A few shops had been set up with apartments living atop them. She looked out into the street to see a corner of the cathedral.

Wow. I made it.

She steeled herself.

All right. I can't be afraid anymore. I have to be brave. I came here because I have people I want to protect. So, that's what I'm going to do.

Luna crept forward to get a better look. But with each passing step she took, it was her confidence that wavered. It was not because of her.

Luna's footsteps stopped.

Her eyes widened.

Oh, no…

But it was because of the army of familiars surrounding the cathedral from every angle. Tall, big, short, fat—they were here and there and everywhere. There was no crevice, no angle, they left untouched. They rigidly kept to their posts as though waiting for something to happen. Anything to happen. They were waiting for their orders.

There's…so many of them, Luna whispered.

She took a step back as her body began to tremble.

I… I didn't… No, no, I can't be a coward now. I have to be brave. But, I… I…

Her eyes squeezed shut.

I'm not that strong.

"Give me one, solid reason you feel the need to doubt yourself and I'll let you go back." Glaring cerulean eyes forced their way into the focus. "I'll go to the stupid cathedral myself and, in my state, won't last longer than two minutes. Give me one reason you're about to turn your back on three people you obviously care about."

I'm scared, Luna admitted. I'm not strong enough. They need help stronger than me.

"Look, it's okay to be scared." Mary Jane's soft voice and softer eyes carried into the focus. "You're allowed to be. Unfortunately for us, we're human. We have…feelings. But, if there's anything I learned from my mom besides how to basically be the perfect housewife, it's this: 'there's a time to be scared, but there's a time to be brave'. You're scared. You have a right to be scared. But, you have to push past being scared and be brave for those who need you to be."

"'There's a time to be scared, but there's a time to be brave'," Luna quoted. "I'm strong. I'm strong."

"You are strong." Burning rubies pierced the focus and a voice carrying conviction rang in Luna's ears. "You have so much strength and you don't even know it! You keep going strong every day! Even with everyone else using their Magic, you kept your head up. You're kind. You are nicer than practicallyanyone and you always give people the benefit of the doubt. You are such a caring person to worry about everyone else before yourself. You would go through Hell if it meant your family and your friends were safe. So what if people have to protect you? You protect people too! We watch each other's backs. It's what we do. And with your new powers, you can protect even more people. Your Magic should be a blessing for you. Your Magic allows you to protect the people you love even more than before."

"Thing is, Blondie, I wasn't your hero." The focus switched to looking up at a softer Gale. His gaze was just as intense, but carried something she still did not understand. "You were mine." A hand came towards the focus and thumbed below it. "So, thank you, Luna, from the bottom of my heart."

He's right. I have powers. It'll take time, but I'll be able to use them at their full strength one day. But, right now, I have people I have to protect.

Luna closed her eyes as her guild mark began to glow. Her hand went to her chest, clutching over her heart.

I won't leave until we all come home together and that's a promise.

White illuminate around Luna and outlined her person. Her hair began to shift, blowing in a nonexistent wind.

It's time for me to be brave and strong for the people I love. So, please…

Her eyes opened.

They were covered in glowing white.

…grant me my wish.

She took her first step.

It was then the voice she thought was lost answered her. May your wish be granted.

°•°•°•°

Besides the battle on the rooftops with Gajeel and Laxus and Natsu hammering away at the spot in the sky, there was no others that came close to the cathedral.

STEP. STEP. STEP.

Familiars looked up to see the source of it.

STEP. STEP. STEP.

Laxus caught a break in his fighting to see the person walking across the courtyard and towards the cathedral. His eyes widened. "What the…?"

Gajeel slashed away another mangy familiar with his hand changed into a chainsaw. He smirked. "Anyone else?" he boasted. But, when his ears caught footsteps, he looked down at the courtyard to see someone he had never seen before. "Oh, shit…"

Natsu continued to slam his flaming fists into the spot, gritting his teeth in frustration when his methods would not work. "Dammit! Why won't it—?" His words stopped when his eyes caught who was walking in the courtyard. They widened. "Is that…?"

STEP. STEP. STEP.

Luna walked through the courtyard without a hitch in her step. White radiated from her and her footsteps rippled with white as though she were walking across an ocean. She did not look like just a girl. She looked like she was a force to be reckoned with and would not back down.

"Luna?" Natsu whispered.

Luna continued her walk without any regard to the familiars surrounding the cathedral. Much to Laxus, Natsu, and Gajeel's surprise, she did not have any trouble with familiars. Rather than attack her, they lowered their heads and backed away from her. It was not out of respect that they did it. She was not their master and she never would be. It was out of safety and fear. They could feel the amount of power radiating from her, pure and just and everything they stood against. But, one touch from her would mean death for them.

Natsu could not believe it.

They're just…letting her be… Her power… It's incredible…

Luna made her way to the cathedral steps and walked them. Each step was bathed in white as she climbed them and the white disappeared once her foot left them. She walked to the cathedral door where two hulking familiars—one looked like it was a giant with no mouth, but plenty of eyes and the other looked like a bear with tusks—guarded the doors. The familiars slid out of her way, but watched her with equal hate and wariness. Luna went straight to the doors and pressed the hand with her glowing guild mark on it.

If… If you're still with me… Can you tell me what to do?

The voice answered her back, serene and soothing. I'm always with you, came assurance.

Why couldn't I hear you before? Luna wondered.

A sigh. You can only hear me when your heart wants you to, came vague explanation. As for your question, you know the answer to that.

I only made two portals like this before, Luna reminded. But… I'm kind of remembering how I made them.

Her eyes closed.

I have to think about the ones I'm protecting. I'm not being brave for me. I'm being brave for them. For Lance…

She could see Lance clearly. She could see his tussled hair of snow white and his emerald eyes soft and droopy. She could feel how friendly he was to everyone and how accepting he was.

For Gale…

She could see Gale clearly. She could see his tanned skin and his raven hair that was never combed. His ruby eyes that were always intense, no matter what emotion he displayed. She could feel the torn emotions in him. She could feel the softness in his heart.

And for Igneel…

Seeing and feeling Igneel was as easy as breathing. She could see Igneel's clear smile and blonde hair. She could hear his boisterous laughter. She could feel his warmth and kindness as he surrounded her in his rainbow of flames and happiness.

The spot beneath Luna's hand began to glow.

I'm doing this, not just for them, but for everyone. For my guild, for the people in this town, for my family…

The spot grew until it became a sizable circle. It looked like a doorway she could easily slip into. She retracted her hand and the glow of white faded from her eyes for her chocolate irises to shine through. She looked at the portal in surprise.

I did it… I made it…

Luna nodded to herself.

Right. Now, please, at least tell me… How are they doing?

The portal rippled as the white was no longer the only color. Darkness flooded into the portal to show what should have been a cathedral interior, but what looked like something that stepped out of a horror film. The stain glass photos were showing stories from Hell. The marble that used to be walked upon during worship and prayer were torn up into something disgusting and not as sacred.

Her eyes widened at what she saw.

There was Gale, panting. In his hands was a scythe meant for Death that dripped with blood. His clothes had been ripped and blood dripped from his forehead and right leg, but he was still standing. He gave a ruby glare to Lance who did not look like Lance. The black static crackled around him and his eyes were all wrong. They might have been green, but there were not Lance's eyes. Lance held out his hands for a trident of black lightning to be forged in front of him. He smirked as he cast the spell and the trident sprang forward.

"No," was all Luna could say.

Gale lifted his scythe, but anyone could see it was too late to block the shot.

Luna was already moving forwards. "No…" Her body entered the portal and white surrounded her. "No…!"

---

Gale tried hard to get his scythe in the air, but it was hard. It was hard for him to move. It was hard for him to breathe. A smirk crawled on his face when he realized it was pointless. His eyes softened as he let his scythe drop instead of rise.

I survived this long, even if I did a pretty shitty job.

The trident of black lightning burst into rotten souls crying for a new host. Eagerly, they raced for Gale. They moaned in glee for a new body to carry them around. They may have been rotting and forgotten, but a body was a body and they needed one.

Not like I went through life with many regrets or anything.

A picture of a laughing Luna flashed through his memory.

So, I did have one regret. Big deal. Not like it was ever going to happen anyways.

The uproar of fallen souls reflected in his eyes. They were a frightening horde reeking of despair and grief and all things that made you keep your eyes open in the night.

His eyes dropped.

He could feel darkness begin to overtake him.

I just wish I had a little more time with her, but I have to face facts. I'm a monster. Not the knight she deserves.

His eyes closed.

See ya later…princess.

And the darkness overtook him.

"No!"

Gale's eyes flew open.

He did not know how to understand what was happening. Out of thin air, Luna entered the church and came between him and the horde of rotting souls screaming for his body to be their next host. She did not look real. She looked ethereal. She looked like the guardian angel that rushed to your difference in your time of need. Her eyes were wide with a fire lit in them as she held out a hand to the rotting souls.

Gale's eyes widened.

Blondie…?

Fake-Lance's eyes widened as he saw her body enter the cathedral.

It's her…

Luna's eyes filled with tears as her teeth gritted. "No!" she shouted.

It was too late to stop anything as Luna's body filled with glowing white.

And she exploded.

And the world became white.

No… Please, no…

---

Yea, Baby!

Dance with me! Dance with me! Just dance with me now!

Odorou

motto Party! Party! Like we just don't care!

Sawagou

•

Yea, Baby!

Dance with me! Dance with me! Just dance with me now!

Odorou

motto Party! Party! Like we just don't care!

Sawagou Yay!

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

Hang in there, guys! Luna's here to save the day, um, maybe? Nashi, you're strong! But, with Gary and Mystogan down for the count... Well, here's to hoping things start looking better in the next episode! See you next time on Fairy Adventure!

---

Fairy Lesson

Chibi-Luna sniffles as she appears on screen with her nose red and a comforter wrapped around her. "Hello, everyone!" She sniffles again and blows her nose into a tissue. "Sorry I've been gone for so long, but I came down with a little cold."

"Which is why I'm taking over," comes a new voice. Chibi-Ena steps out with her famed rapier at her side. She gives Chibi-Luna a consoling pat and a concerned look. "Go rest, L. I'll take it from here."

Chibi-Luna sniffles and shivers as she gives a nod. "Okay. Thanks, E." And she shuffles away.

Chibi-Ena looks at you. "Well, hello there. Pardon the delay. Today, I'll be teaching you about my rapier." She grasps the handle and unsheathes it, allowing it to glint in the light. It is a shining rapier of white and gold. The hilt has intricate writing on it, something that only Levy and Freed and Constantine could read. Chibi-Ena smiles as she slashes her rapier around. "This right here is Lunagr'an. In Ancient Language, that means the Saber of Moonbane. My mother gifted it to me. She said it came from the greatest blacksmith she knows who makes her own swords and makes her special armor."

Chibi-Ena allows her rapier to charge with glowing scarlet energy and smirks. "My rapier is special. Not only was it my first sword, but it responds to my emotions and my summoning. We're linked through Organic Link Magic. If it feels I'm in danger and it's not near me, it'll appear at my side. I can trust my rapier to protect me and vice versa."

Chibi-Ena sheathes Lunagr'an and looks at you. "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: INTERNAL STRIFE - ENTER FORNEUS, THE SEA SERPENT! And hopefully, this whole battle will be over soon." Her expression darkens into a scowl. "If this demon forces us to cancel the Fantasia Parade, it will wish it had never set foot in Magnolia!"

Chibi-Luna pokes her head onto the screen with a sweat drop and awkward smile. "Well, I guess E's always thinking of the bigger picture - Achoo!"