Fairy x Adventure Chapter 23: Adventure 023, a fairy tail fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's "Fairy Tail", but all original plots and characters are mine.

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

Last time, on Fairy Adventure, looks like Fairy Tail reached Margaret Town, the city of the Guardian Duo! It's so cool one city could be so in-touch with Magic and nature! Speaking of Magic, Lamia Scale is the home guild of Margaret Town and happens to have house the Vastia family—much to Gary's dismay of seeing his cousins. The Mamba Palace checked out for a lot of Fairy Tail members, but it looks like one person visiting wasn't a member—Peter was there to visit member Mary Jane. And, boy, did he ruffle Igneel's feathers or what? Looks like Ellie and Linus took turns cheering up Nashi, though still she refuses to talk to Gary about their own issues and Galileo needs someone to make him smile. Anyways, Guild Master Ooba Babasama might be onto something about changing the future by changing the present. With Peter introducing Mary Jane to his ragtag group of friends, he might have changed her future. Meanwhile, Luna finds herself lost in Margaret Town only to be found by the rare ikenga Syra! And, man, is she a cutie even if Gale might think otherwise… Members of Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale go out to a dinner that goes awry when Galileo decides to take an after-dinner stroll to the deck. Nash joins him for a good round of making up when it's Gary's turn to make up with Nashi. Later, looks like Luke, Elvin, Cane, and Amber take Igneel to the party of the century at Margaret Town when Igneel plays the knight-in-shining-armor to damsel-in-distress Ekho. Turns out Ekho is the friend of Peter who brought Mary Jane to the party. Small world, huh? But, she's not staying for long and Igneel chases after her for them to make-up as well. Well, make-up might be a bit of an overstatement… With Nashi and Gary reconciled, they head back to their hotel with a night of innocent fun in mind, but Ultear comes to ruin it with hurtful words and bad memories with Gary revealing his shared past with Ultear. Still, nothing deters Nashi from forgiving him and the two spend their night with not-so-innocent fun. Luna, Gale, and Syra return to the hotel, a happy family, and Gale reveals his dorky side. Who knew a guy so tough could be such a geek? But, no one is as much of geek as Luna when it comes to River City. Looks like she's not the only one to see the dorky side of people.

'Blondie… I wish you knew how happy you made people. And, how happy you make me.'

Aww, Gale, aren't you cute? I wonder if you knew how happy you made Luna.

And the explosion went off.

He was trapped. He was trapped in the center of fire and blood and smoke and chaos. He was trapped in the eye of the explosive storm, the belly of the fiery beast. He was trapped with the fear and flames and everything in-between.

And being trapped felt suffocating.

He could not breathe. He could not blink. He could only sink to his knees and break down as the heat scorched him. Was he falling? What was pain again? Everything felt so numbing and yet so torturously not.

And then…everything felt…light.

He was back in his bedroom. It was strange. Was he not elsewhere? He thought he was, but could not be certain.

Distant humming came from outside his bedroom door.

He was cautious as he got out of bed. He was cautious approaching the door. He was cautious as his hand went to the knob. He turned the handle and opened the door and…

Where was he?

He poked his head out of his room to see he was back in a place he had never seen. He was back in a place that was filled with the starry night sky and the aurora borealis. It was not just any festival of lights, but it celebrated the marriage of pink and blue and their daughter violet. The land was mandevillas, pink beauties that looked too pretty to touch, but the air was freezing cold—just the right temperature.

His eyes landed on the cabin puffing smoke from its chimney.

His feet moved toward it.

It seemed like a second past by as he was opened the door and stepping inside the cabin. It was not a cabin, but rather a condo that was not just his anymore. Someone else lived here.

"You're home!" came a cheer. "I've missed you!"

He turned his head to see…her.

The love of his life.

His salvation, his light.

And she was…pregnant?

She noticed his stare on her bloated stomach and laughed. "Pretty soon it'll be nine months and she'll be coming into the world," she breathed.

"It's…mine?" He could not help but ask.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah! Who else makes love to me, dog?"

He grinned. "I'm…going to be a dad?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes." She threw her arms around him. "We're going to be a family"—her hold tightened on him—"Gary."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gary's eyes cracked open. They did not want to open fully, but they did the best they could. There was no light, which was nice, and the darkness he was just in was more welcomed.

Someone sighed.

Gary looked down.

Nashi was curled against him.

Her back was to his front and her hair had been messily thrown into a bun for sleep. She snored a bit and had a little drool coming out of her mouth.

Gary smiled as a hand moved to tuck back a strand of hair.

She's perfect.

He wrapped his arms around her even more so. He was a bit surprised at what he felt. No shirt barrier or even a bra. He could feel her skin. He reveled in it.

"Good morning, Angel," he murmured into her ear.

Nashi sighed and mumbled something, but was ultimately put back to sleep.

Gary chuckled. "Angel, wake up," he coaxed. "I can't leave until you do."

Nashi groaned and turned over in her sleep. She was facing Gary with her slumbering face, but her eyes squeezed shut before trying to open. "Hmm?"

Gary gave her a kiss on her nose. "Good morning," he told her.

Nashi blinked again, then groaned. "You woke me up," she muttered. "You stupid dog."

"I don't want to leave Angel without saying my farewell," Gary told her.

Nashi peeked up at him and slight disappointment was in her eyes couched by amusement. "Running away so soon?"

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to stay?"

Nashi blushed. "I didn't say that," she denied. She tried to hide herself underneath the covers. "Do what you want. I don't care," she mumbled.

"Then, I will stay with Angel."

Nashi paused. "Really?"

Gary nodded. "Mmm-hmm. I like waking up in the morning next to Angel," he murmured. He pulled her close to him. "I want to always be this close to Angel."

Nashi came out from under the covers and found herself leaning closer to Gary, snuggling up in his arms. "This doesn't mean anything, okay?" she mumbled sleepily.

He kissed her forehead and sighed. "Yes, Angel," he murmured back.

And they were at peace. The Angel fell asleep in the Devil's arms. And it was g—

The door burst open with an impressive kick.

Gary was on his feet in an instant and Magic misted off of him. "Ice-Make: Beretta!" And an icy gun was locked in both of his hands as he glowered at the door.

Nashi took a little slower to react and managed to cover herself while an expression of annoyance was on her face. "What's going on?"

Her eyes widened.

A smirk. "I knew you'd go through them."

Nashi swallowed as a blush crept up her neck and to her cheeks and ears. "Ellie, please, it isn't—!"

Ellie looked Gary up and down, amused. "You're lucky a true woman like me was the one who came in to wake you up and not Justin or Honey. They wouldn't let you go in your state, Ice Devil," she teased. "You can drop the gun. I'm not here to kill you."

Gary blushed a little as he dispersed his gun. "Sorry. It was my first instinct to protect her," he said sheepishly.

"Your first instinct should be to wear clothes!" Nashi hissed at him.

Gary turned to face her and Nashi hid herself under her blankets. Gary snickered at her antics. "I don't understand why Angel is so embarrassed. She's seen everything, with or without last night or Halloween."

Ellie gasped. "Nashi, you slut!"

Nashi groaned. "Could this morning get any worse?"

Ellie shook her head and turned to Gary with apology and humor in her eyes and smile. "I just came in to get some clothes. Sorry to interrupt your morning," she apologized.

Gary shook his head, turning back to Ellie. "It is your room. Take as long as you need." He jerked his head to the bed. "I'll be handling this one."

Ellie chuckled and shook her head as she went to her suitcase.

Gary went back to bed and crawled under the covers to see Nashi curled away from him. He grinned and prodded her naked side. "Angel… Angel," he sang.

"Go 'way," Nashi mumbled.

Gary chuckled as he pulled Nashi into his arms. "What's wrong, Angel?"

Nashi gave a frustrated breath. "How could you…you know…let her see that?"

Gary raised an eyebrow. "What, us? Is Angel embarrassed about this?"

Nashi shook her head.

Gary frowned. "Face me."

Nashi shook her head again.

Gary turned her around for her. "Come on, Angel, tell me that's wrong," he coaxed.

Nashi sighed and opened her eyes, but looked down at Gary's Fairy Tail tattoo. "Nothing," she muttered. "It's just… How could you just get up and let her see…?" Her cheeks reddened. "You know…"

"I don't," Gary confessed.

"Your…you know… Your…" Nashi swallowed. "Your whole body like that, naked," she finished in a small voice.

Gary blinked at that. "I didn't really think of my nudity, I guess. The body is just the body. It's human anatomy and there's nothing to be ashamed of," he answered as though it were obvious.

Nashi bit her lip. "I know that… It's just…" She closed her eyes and vigorously shook her head. "Forget it," she called.

"No, Angel, tell me," Gary insisted. "What's so wrong? Is it because I was naked? You saw that last—"

"How could you let Ellie see you like that?" Nashi blurted. Then, she groaned and covered her face. "Dammit. I shouldn't have said that."

Gary was perplexed. "I didn't 'let' her see me like that," he explained. "I didn't know who was coming in, but I needed to protect Angel. Why does it matter if she's seen me? Fairy Tail doesn't really care when it comes to nudity."

"I know," Nashi bemoaned. "I don't care either. Bodies are just bodies, but…" She growled to herself. "I'm just being stupid," she told him.

Gary blinked twice. Then, a light bulb went off. "Was Angel…jealous?"

Nashi rolled her lips, but still a noise of discontent buzzed out. She opened her mouth. "I… No?"

Gary's lips twitched into a smirk. "Angel…wasn't jealous?" he supposed. "So, if I got up right now and Ellie saw all of me—"

"Okay, now you're just being an asshole," Nashi snapped. "Why would she need to see you anyways?"

Gary chuckled. "Angel, Ellie is already gone," he informed.

Nashi's face fell into one of surprise and abashment. "Oh…"

Gary kissed Nashi's forehead. "If it makes Angel feel better, I get jealous when other men see her body too," he murmured. He kissed her nose. "I want Angel's body, heart, mind, and soul to be mine."

Nashi closed her eyes and heaved a deep sigh. "Gary," she warned.

Gary smiled and kissed her upper lip. "Perhaps I will work on getting Angel's body to be mine," he whispered against her lips.

Nashi smiled a little. "You perverted dog." Though, she said the words out of fondness and contentment.

Gary shifted, moving the blankets down to his mid-back as he crawled atop Nashi. His lips ghosted over Nashi's own as they went straight to lining icy kisses on her jaw. Nashi allowed her hands to comb through Gary's hair as her eyes closed in sheer bliss from the wintry kisses she received.

Gary's lips trailed up to meet Nashi's. He did not press his into hers. He merely grinned. "See? There's no reason to be jealous, Angel. I only want your body," he promised.

"Shut up and kiss me," Nashi commanded.

Gary gave a quiet laugh. "Your wish is my command." His lips came closer and—

—he was kissing her.

It was a new sensation to kiss someone. For some, when you kissed and you were drunk, you could taste the beer and the kisses were sloppy and heated, but it was the alcohol fueling it. For two middle school students playing Seven Minutes in Heaven, their kisses were just pressed lips and awkwardness. For a man and wife, their kisses were stemmed from love, fueled by desire, and carried on by passion.

For Nashi and Gary, their kisses were something forbidden. An Angel and a Devil kissing. It was something never heard of. It was strange and new, but icy-hot as the winter of the Ice Devil was colliding with the summer of the Angel. There was no battling, no fighting for control. They would do that on the battlefield. No. The Angel surrendered herself to the Devil who had longed for her.

And she would not have it any other way.

Gary pulled away first, but they were both panting. Their eyes opened for dark cerulean to meet dark hickory.

Nashi gave a small nod.

Gary's lips moved to Nashi's throat in languid kisses meant to drive her crazy. His teeth nipped at skin and his mouth would suck it, startling her, but he would kiss away the pain as his promise of sorry.

Nashi found her eyes shutting as her fingernails raked Gary's hair and back. Pants and cries came off her lips, but not of anger or shame—out of sheer need.

Gary's lips moved lower and lower down her neck and to her collarbone until Gary was covered in the sheets.

And Nashi's eyes burst open with a cry. "Gary, wait!" she tried to stop, breathlessly.

"I have been," Gary replied to her. "I'm not waiting anymore."

Nashi's eyes closed as she hissed. "S-Senst-tive," she stammered before giving another cry.

When you were stuck like this, when you were wrapped up in your own pleasure, your senses became selfish. They were only in-tune with you and your partner, but no one else. Your body felt electrified and fragile at the same time. You wanted more, but you begged for less. Your mind was in turmoil. Your heart was beating too fast to keep up. And everything around y—

The door opened again and a body stepped in.

"Hey, sweetheart, your papa and I want to know if—"

Nashi's eyes shot open and to the door—

—and she comically froze in her panic.

Lucy's smile was frozen as well.

Nashi's hand went to hit Gary when he tried to shift and she got a groan as Gary came out from the sheets.

He pouted at her. "Angel," he whined. He turned to see what she was looking at. "What was that…?"

He froze.

No one moved.

Lucy did not lose her smile. "When you're ready, sweetheart, come downstairs and join us for breakfast." She nodded at Gary.

And she left with the door locking shut.

Neither moved.

Nashi's mouth opened. "I am in so much trouble."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As I close my eyes

Nokosu ato mo naku kobosu oto mo naku iku ate mo naku

I know that this is what I want, this is what I need

Ima mo kurikaeshiteku zanzou

•

Kizutsuita kako no bokura wa

Ienai mama de

Sonna karamawari kawaranai hibi wa

Mou tozashite ikun da

•

So now

Kore wa boku ga nozonda

My Nevereverland

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Rapallo Plaza was packed with people of all colors and all sizes. The people living in the residence buildings surrounding the plaza were out on the balconies with their own flags of their nation and the flags of the festival. For those who could not attend the plaza, Lacrima-Visions in every restaurant and home and store showed the exciting event. A stage had been set up with a wall of guards defending it. Guards were staked everywhere to ensure the rowdiness did not give way for misconduct.

The mayor stepped onto the stage along with the city council.

The entire plaza raved and hollered their glee at seeing the mayor and the council. Applause shattered the city and the howls rattled it. The mayor was a tall woman of tan skin and a hijab covering her and she dressed like the professional she always was.

⌜MARGARET TOWN

Name: Parina Sabozai

Age: 56

Occupation: Mayor of Margaret Town

Likes: red wine Dislikes: soy sauce

Special Note: Mayor Sabozai is one of the best mayor's Margaret Town has ever seen! She's been reelected into office and has a great relationship with Guild Master Ooba Babasama! ⌟

Mayor Sabozai took to the podium while her associates settled into chairs. She smiled at the crowd and ignored the flashes of camera. "Good morning to citizens of Margaret Town and our beloved guests," she welcomed diplomatically, the crowd quieting at her voice. "I welcome you to the anniversary of the Festival of Gratitude!"

Another burst of applause rounded from the people in their whistles and happiness.

Mayor Sabozai allowed the cheers to continue before she held up a hand. The noise simmered down.

"As such, this Festival of Gratitude will begin with the Tour de Marguerite," she continued. "The ancestors who came to this land entrusted the creatures of the water to guide them into the best fishing grounds as well as guide them back to their homes. To kick off this anniversary festival to celebrate our gratitude to nature, our families and friends, and to all the good in our lives, the Tour de Marguerite shall begin when the clock strikes eleven!"

Images appeared on every Lacrima screen of the clock tower as well as the starting line of the water chariot race. Competitors were given a standard water chariot, but had to use creatures of the water to pull them. Some had used Zaratans—grandiose sea turtles with a starfish draped on their heads—others used kelpies and merrows—cute, sea lion-like creatures that were gifted a unicorn horn, a mane, and a pearl they had to safeguard. One had a bunyip—a water fox with gills and a fishtail.

The clock tower had hit two minutes to eleven.

Mayor Sabozai began to explain: "The race will take place around all of Margaret Town, starting at the Mûre River and finishing there."

Lacrima screens showed the course itself.

"Racers will be going in a figure-eight, pulling a lap around the western half of Margaret before crossing the river and pulling a lap around the eastern half. We will have markers and guides for any and all racers. The first one whose creature of water touches the finish line will win the race and be our champion of the Guardian Duo!"

Everyone cheered for that.

Mayor Sabozai glanced at the clock.

Twenty seconds remaining.

"Racers, are you ready?" Mayor Sabozai called.

The racers on the Lacrima Screens cried for their victory.

"Let us could down!" Mayor Sabozai encouraged. "Ten… Night…"

"Eight," the crowd joined in. "Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One!"

"Go!" Mayor Sabozai shouted.

And everyone shouted as the racers and their creatures of water took off for their triumph.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 023

The Guardian Duo

ガーディアンデュオの帰還！時は変わるかもしれませんが、私たちは一緒に戦います！

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna and Syra were starry-eyed at the festival before them and gave noises of amazement.

"This…is so…cool!" Luna gasped.

"Brrr! Brrr!" Syra agreed, eagerly fluttering around Luna.

Margaret Town spared no expense in their festival. There came screams from roller coaster rides. A little girl shouted with glee as her older brother won her a teddy bear from a dart game. A man comically smashed his funnel cake onto his girlfriend when he tripped, though she laughed at the circumstance. A Ferris wheel had been put up as well near the water for those to overlook Margaret Town and the Mûre River. The stage had been changed as a local band played a cover of a rock ballad for their audience.

Gale grunted as he drank his coffee. "You're so damn happy," he grumbled.

"How can I not be? I want to do everything!" Luna gushed eagerly and Syra made noises of agreement.

Gale rolled his eyes and sipped his coffee. "It's too early in the morning for this shit."

Luna shot him an exasperated look. "It's eleven-thirty!"

Gale shot her a flat look. "Exactly. Too early." And, he drank more coffee.

Luna raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Don't you normally get up at six in the morning to train? I don't see what's so bad about being out at eleven-thirty."

Gale nearly choked on his coffee and shot a glare at Luna. "It matters to me when we go to bed at one in the freaking morning and I'm woken up at two in the freaking morning because your friggen bunny"—he pointed angrily at Syra—"starts whining away and won't shut up, and then you"—he pointed at Luna—"decide it's the perfect time to finish up season one of River City and for us to start the next season!"

Luna opened her mouth.

Gale beat her to it. "Oh, no, I'm not finished yet," he seethed. "You would think after we're all caught up with River City, I could sleep, right? No! We finished at six and I had to get my ass to my old man or else I would've stuck reorganizing my mom's library and having babysitting duty for the next month! You're the one who got to go back to sleep! I've been up longer than the sun has! Does that tell you why I'm not so goddamn happy?" He chugged the rest of his coffee before pitching it in a nearby trash can. He settled on a bench in a huff.

Luna and Syra exchanged guilty glances. Syra decided it was time to hide in Luna's hair while Luna crept forward towards the irate dragon. Luna settled on the bench, but Gale did not look at her and she not at him. She played with her fingers and stared at them.

"You can go back to the hotel and sleep," Luna proposed quietly. "Syra and I are sorry we kept you up that long. You should get some rest. I'd be exhausted too. I can hang out with E until you're rested. I just want you to enjoy our vacation."

Gale sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Sorry for snapping at you. Not your fault," he grunted.

"But, it is," Luna insisted. She looked at him in apology. "Please, go get some rest. We can have fun when you feel up to it."

Gale groaned. "You sure you're okay with that?" he wanted to check.

Luna nodded. "I want to have fun with you, but I can wait," she assured. "We have two more days anyways and this is our vacation. Go and sleep."

Gale gave Luna a tired smile. "Thanks, Blondie."

Luna smiled prettily. "Can't have the dragon this annoyed and exhausted. I might just beat him in a few games."

Gale chuckled and closed his eyes. "Nah. I could beat you with my eyes closed."

Luna puffed a cheek. "Jerk."

"Mmm, I love it when you talk dirty," Gale yawned.

Luna's expression grew concerned. "But, seriously. Go back to your room and sleep. I'll walk you back. You look like you could pass out at any moment."

Gale lazily waved off the offer. "I got this. Just give me a sec to motivate myself."

Luna opened her mouth, but someone, again, beat her to it.

"Hey, Cute Dragneel!"

Luna looked up to see Mary Jane marching towards her with a group of people. She was pleasantly surprised. "Mary Jane!" she called. "I didn't see you at breakfast!"

Mary Jane risked a half-smile. "These guys and I went to a café for breakfast," she explained. "You're just the girl I've been looking for, actually."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "I…am?"

Mary Jane nodded. "Bleu, come here," she commanded. Her eyes drifted to Gale. "Nice to see you're still breathing, Redfox. Looking like Sleeping Beauty without the beauty part."

"Piss off," Gale mumbled sleepily.

A boy named Bleu stepped forward. He looked dangerous but friendly, a combination that normally never worked. He sported shades and a backward cap with a jersey of his favored MagiCross team over a long-sleeved shirt and skinny jeans. He looked at Mary Jane. "'Sup, sweetheart?"

Mary Jane gestured to Luna. "Remember that question you asked me? Did I deliver or what?"

Bleu tilted his shades down to get a good look at Luna. A smile wove onto his face. "You did," he assured. "Damn, you so did."

Luna blinked her puzzlement. "I… E-Excuse me?" She turned to Mary Jane. "What did you deliver to him?"

Mary Jane shrugged. "He was looking for a nice cutie who was single and you're nice, cute, and single," she explained. "Luna, meet Bleu. Bleu, Luna."

Bleu whisked away Luna's hand bearing her guild mark and took off his shades. "A kiss for the lady," he purred. And he kissed her hand.

Luna blushed at that. "O-O-Oh, um…" She gave a strange smile. "Right, well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Luna, but, right, you, uh, knew that."

Syra popped out from Luna's hair to see Bleu. She fluttered closer to him and sniffed him, traveling in a circle.

Bleu was amused. "This yours?"

Luna shook her head. "No. This is Syra. She just came to Margaret Town to visit," she explained.

Bleu let go of Luna's hand to catch Syra. Syra gave a noise of surprise as Bleu brought her closer to him. He smiled at her. "Well then, it's very nice to meet you, Syra." He kissed her forehead.

Syra wriggled out of Bleu's hold to fly back to Luna. She snuck a look at Bleu, but any could tell the ikenga had been thoroughly embarrassed though smitten by Bleu.

Peter stepped from the ranks to wave at Luna. "Mary Jane's talked about you. Hi, I'm Peter. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Luna smiled. "You too! Mary Jane never talks about people, so when she mentioned your name, I knew you were someone important!"

Peter looked at Mary Jane slyly. "She talks about me, does she?"

Mary Jane rolled her eyes. "Not in that way. She asked why her brother was sulking or whatever and I told her I was out with you. Big deal."

A pretty girl with an Idarian betrothal necklace stepped forward to examine Luna. "Wait, so you're Igneel's little sister?"

Luna nodded. "Yup. I have him, Luke, and Nashi." She furrowed her eyebrows. "Why? How do you know him?"

The girl laughed. "He saved me when I was being a damsel in distress," she explained. "My name's Ekho like the Encan demigod. Your brother is a great guy."

Mary Jane snorted. "Great at being a pain in my ass."

Bleu cleared his throat and Luna turned to him. "So, Luna, do you want to come join us? We're going to hit some of the games."

Luna brightened. "Yeah! That sounds fun!" She glanced back at the snoozing Gale. "Just hold on a second." She went back to the bench and hovered over Gale. She prodded his cheek. "Gale… Gale, wake up!"

Gale groaned. "Go away," he whined.

"Gale, come on, you need to get back to your room," Luna whined at him.

Gale blinked open his eyes wearily to stare up at Luna. "Wha…?"

Luna rolled her eyes and straightened. She turned back to the group. "How about I meet up with you guys? I have to get this one back to his room before he makes the bench his new bed."

Mary Jane smirked. "Oh, don't worry about that. Someone already volunteered." She flicked lighting at a tree.

The lightning hit something in the tree and hisses of alarm and the sound of electrocution made everyone surprised. Soon, a body fell from the tree.

Luna raised her eyebrows. "Igneel?"

Igneel shook out the leaves in his hair and patted off the dirt. "Hey, Lu!" He pouted at Mary Jane. "You didn't need to shock me!" he complained.

Mary Jane had bored look on her face as she inspected her hands. "What? I shocked someone? Wonder who…"

Everyone laughed as Igneel comically cried. "MJ is so cruel!"

Mary Jane pointed over to Gale who was trying to wake himself up. "Why don't you be useful for once in your life and help Redfox to his room?" she suggested. "He's about to fall asleep on his feet and it gets you away from me. Perfect combination."

Igneel examined Gale to see he really was falling asleep. He snickered. "Does Sleeping Beauty need a kiss to wake up?" he teased.

Gale grunted as he sat up. His arms instantly reached for Luna and brought her onto his knee. He nuzzled his way onto her back and mumbled something incoherent.

Luna's cheeks were flaming, but she smiled at Gale's sleepiness. "So cute," she cooed quietly. She turned to Igneel. "Please make sure he gets back safely and he sleeps," she instructed.

Igneel rolled his eyes as he lumbered forward. "Yeah, yeah, whatever, I will," he grumbled.

Luna smiled and turned back to Gale. She tried to pry his hands from her. "Come on. Let go," she said softly. "You're going to go to bed."

Gale groaned and mumbled into her back.

Igneel went to his sister and tried to tug her away from Gale. "Dude, let go. Let's get you back to the hotel."

Gale growled something and tightened his hold on Luna. "Mine," he grumbled, voice muffled by Luna's jacket.

Luna wriggled her way out of Gale's grip. "Let go, Gale. We'll hang out later," she promised serenely.

Gale grumbled, but his hold loosened on Luna. She got off Gale only for Igneel to swoop in and jerk Gale to his feet, none-too-gentle.

"C'mon, fat ass," Igneel grunted. He slung Gale's arm around his shoulder and supported Gale with an arm curled around his back. "Quicker I tuck you in, quicker I can leave you alone." He struggled getting Gale to move on his own without swaying, but Gale, slightly awake, seemed to understand what was happening and began to help Igneel out and stumble forwards.

Syra poked out of Luna's hair as Luna sighed after Gale. "I hope he gets enough sleep," she fretted.

Mary Jane waved the concern away. "Forget him and join us," she recommended. She nudged Bleu forward. "Bleu, here, has agreed to be your escort Prince Charming version while the mean dragon snoozes away. Didn't you, Bleu?"

Luna blinked up at Bleu as he smiled down at her, though a bit nervously. "Err, sure," he tentatively agreed. "I mean…if you want me to be."

Luna gave a delighted smile. "I'd love you to," she decided. "Just a warning: I'll probably beat you at any game."

A spark of challenge glinted in Bleu's eyes. "Oh, really?"

Luna gave a mock nod of sadness. "I'm afraid so."

Bleu held out his arm to Luna and she took it, looping her own arm around his. "You just might beat me, then. 'Course I'll have to let you win first," he jested.

Luna made a show of putting a hand over her heart. "Wow, a real gentleman. Mama says I have to lock one down the second I see one. For marriage and money purposes," she explained with a hint of amusement.

"Please, lock me down." Bleu winked at her. "If any girl is going to catch me, I should hope it's someone as cute as you."

Luna burst into a fit of laughter. "That's so cheesy!"

Bleu gave her a sheepish smile. "Thought I was going for more flirty than that," he admitted.

"Keep on trying and I'm sure you'll get there," Luna chuckled.

As Bleu and Luna strolled along with Syra watching Bleu curiously from her place in Luna's hair, Ekho blinked in total astonishment. "Did Bleu just…flirt?" she wanted to check.

Bane smirked. "Look at him. He's acting like a normal boy for once."

Nolan fanned himself, observing the trio. "I like her," he declared. "She's cute and makes Bleu act normal. I would like to instate kidnapping."

NJ nudged her step-brother. "Did you see the dude she was with though? How are we going to keep her if we have to go through him?"

Nolan grinned. "I'll distract him while you guys make a run for it," he proposed. "I mean did anyone not see those muscles? That jawline?" He groaned as he fanned himself vigorously. "When he grows up, I'm calling 'daddy' right here, right now."

Mary Jane gagged. "Ugh, gross, no thank you." She shook her head. "Don't worry about Redfox. He's not going to be a problem."

Peter tilted his head at Mary Jane, though a smirk grew on his lips. "You're about to cause a whole bunch of chaos. You know that, right?"

Mary Jane's lips twitched and she strutted forward. "I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, she's a free agent." She glanced back at Peter with a small smirk. "For now, anyways."

Lucy stared at Nashi.

Nashi stared at Lucy.

Flames erupted in the restaurant.

The two were seated in a teppanyaki steakhouse. Chefs cooked the meals in front of their guests and used fancy techniques. A family clapped as a chef made a flaming onion volcano. Another chef spun both of his spatulas before shopping up the scallops in front of him. The chef for Lucy and Nashi had prepared their dishes already and was entertaining three children and their uncle. The place had floating lanterns as well as magical creatures who effortlessly made light and were paid in food. Two Domovoi—bearded, grandfatherly creatures with little horns and tails—had taken to donning chefs hats as well and cooked as their masters had taught them.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Benibana is a popular teppanyaki chain restaurant all over Ishgar in which chefs cook right in front of their guests! »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lucy picked up her chopsticks. "Let's eat, shall we?" she suggested.

Nashi swallowed and looked down at her food. "Mmm-hmm," she agreed, picking up her chopsticks and cracking them apart.

Lucy heartily dug into her food. She had filet mignon with mushroom and a side order of fried shrimp and a little pick-me-up drink to get her through the day. Nashi, on the other hand, allowed her chopsticks to pluck at her rice. Her teriyaki steak and shrimp looked delicious, but her heart and stomach did not want food.

Lucy noticed this and swallowed her portion. She frowned at her daughter. "What's wrong, Nashi? You normally finish your food and start asking me for mine," she reminded amusedly.

Nashi shrugged and tapped the corner of her mouth, signaling Lucy to wipe her corresponding corner. "I'm just not into eating right now, I guess," she mumbled.

Lucy wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Why not?" she probed. "You've been acting strange since Halloween, sweetheart. I wish you would tell me why."

"It's…nothing, Mama," Nashi dismissed in a lie. "Just teenage drama you don't care about it."

Lucy furrowed her eyebrows at that. "I do care about it," she argued. "You and everything you're going through—I care about it. God knows I've been in the same position as my kids have."

"No, you haven't," Nashi countered. "You and Papa were made for each other. You were in-love with each other from day one and only had fun when you were my age."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Is that what you think?" She covered her mouth as she chortled. "Oh, God, Nashi, that is so not what happened!" When she calmed down, she tried to explain to her confused daughter, "Your papa and I were not in-love with each other at first sight. I mean, sure, we thought the other was nice, but we were friends and then best friends before anything. And, if you think it was all fun and games, it really wasn't. We had our fair share of drama."

"How come you never mentioned it?" Nashi demanded.

Lucy's shoulders shook as she chuckled. "Because, as you get older, I guess you remember more of the good times then the bad." She picked at her food. "You forget how hard everything was and how much you thought the world would end. All the troubles you went through are outshone by all the smiles and laughs you got. That doesn't mean I don't remember the bad times." Her smile grew sad. "I remember when I lost both my parents and Natsu lost your grandfather Igneel. I remember my battles with enemies and with friends. But, what I really remember is what I learned from them."

Nashi thought on her mother's words. "I see…"

Lucy set down her chopsticks to pick up her drink. "Does your mood have anything to deal with Galileo's mood?" she wondered before taking a sip.

Nashi's eyes widened and she turned back to her mother. "How did you know?"

Lucy swallowed her sip. "Levy," she answered simply. "She said Galileo's been moping around the house and takes more solo missions now."

Nashi lowered her head, her eyes trailing back to her food. She gathered some rice, some steak and shrimp and blew on it. "Yeah. I mean, it has to deal with it a little, but we kind of sorted it out yesterday," she said as she brought her food to her lips and took it in.

"Does it have to deal with what I saw this morning?"

Nashi choked at that. She slammed down her chopsticks to take her lemonade and chug down gulps. After four, she swallowed with a pant on her lips.

Lucy chuckled. "I see then."

Nashi put down her cup and gather her wits. "What you saw," she breathed, "it wasn't—!"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "What it looked like?" she finished. She shook her head in hilarity. "I don't know how many times I've used that excuse on Gray when he used to see your father and I stealing kisses," she murmured. "What was more embarrassing was when your father and I were trying things and Mira, out of all people, found us."

Nashi cringed. "Okay. That wasn't on a need-to-know basis," she muttered.

"My point is I feel like it was exactly what it looked like this morning," Lucy told.

Nashi sighed, though could not look at her mother.

Lucy tried to catch her daughter's eye. "Nashi?" she called softly. "What's going on?"

Nashi heaved a heavy exhale. "I-I mean Gary dressed as the big, bad wolf. And Justin had us as partners. And, then, I—!"

"Woah, woah, slow down," Lucy advised. "Breathe, sweetheart."

Nashi did as he mother instructed. Inhale. Exhale.

"Now," Lucy began, "what's this I hear about a 'big, bad wolf'? Was this Halloween?"

Nashi hesitated, then she nodded.

"Did all this start on Halloween?" Lucy wanted to know.

Nashi hesitated. "Well—"

"No excuses, Nashi Layla," Lucy warned.

Nashi gulped and bowed her head in shame. "It did and didn't," she answered in a mumble. "We… I… It's…complicated."

"Oh, sweetheart…" Lucy pulled Nashi's head onto her shoulder and gave gentle scratches on Nashi's hair while Nashi took comfort in her mother's hold. Lucy sighed. "It always is complicated," she murmured. "Your papa would disagree. That guy can somehow make the most complex problem in the world seem like the easiest, simplest thing. And, sometimes, I agree with him. We make things overcomplicated."

"I inherited that from you," Nashi muttered.

Lucy smiled. "Guilty," she pleaded. "I always used to overcomplicate everything. My imagination would run while and only your papa would keep up with it. But"—she looked down at Nashi—"he's right. Maybe it's not as complicated as you think."

Nashi let out a shaky exhale. "I don't know," she bellyached. "I don't… I'm not…in-love with him or anything. We're partners and love just…" She closed her eyes. "Men don't love," she said softly.

Lucy's eyes saddened though did so knowingly. "It all relates to two years ago." She said it as a gentle fact, a statement. No question needed.

Nashi sniffed and nodded her head.

"Does he know?" Lucy wondered.

Nashi shook her head. "N-No, but… He saw…you know…"

Lucy did. "Did he ask?"

Nashi shook her head. "He says he'll wait for me to tell him, but…" She buried her head into Lucy's shoulder. "I don't know if I want to," she whispered. "It's embarrassing."

"What you do is your choice, sweetheart," Lucy promised. "No one has the power to tell him but yourself."

"I didn't have any nightmares last night," Nashi whispered into her mother's shoulder. "He told me he gets them too about when he was captured."

Lucy remembered that all too well. "I'm not surprised," she murmured. "Sometimes, I get nightmares from the past. So does your papa."

Nashi pulled away a little from her mother to look up at her with watery, helpless hickory. "You do?"

Lucy nodded, her eyes darkening at the painful memories. "It's hard to just forget tragic events. But, with help from someone else and your papa and I helping each other, we accept the past. And when we relapse and we're back in the past, we're there to pull each other out."

DRIP.

A tear streaked Nashi's cheek.

DROP.

"I don't want him to know," Nashi cried her mother.

"It's always your choice, Nashi," Lucy promised. "Always. No one has the right to take that away from you."

Nashi only sniffled.

"Now, let's eat, okay?" Lucy suggested. "Or, we can skip food and we can go back to the hotel and watch LV?"

Nashi shook her head and rubbed her eyes as she lifted her head. "Let's eat. I'm not passing on free food," she sniffed. She gave Lucy a watery smile. "But…maybe we could go back afterwards?"

"Whatever you'd like," Lucy said. "There's no rush. Besides, your papa has to walk Lelantos and Actaeon today."

Nashi laughed. "So, he's lost them by now?"

"Yup," Lucy confirmed. "Lelantos is trying to bribe a little girl for cotton candy using his broken paw routine and Actaeon is on the Ferris wheel." She sighed. "And God knows where my husband is. He's probably stuffing his face instead of looking after my hunting dogs."

Nashi's laughter increased. "Can't trust a dragon to do the job of a queen, can you?"

Lucy smirked as she raised her glass and gestured for Nashi to do the same. "Of course not. But, I love him. And, that's what matters."

Nashi raised her glass as well. "Here, here!"

And their glasses clinked in toast.

Cade's eyebrows twitched. "Tor…" They twitched again. "Is this really necessary?"

T'oree spun around in her new outfit. "Lady Dazzler tells me it is crucial to adopt the looks of the people for this Festival of Gratitude. I must do my best to fit in with humans," she reminded.

Cade sunk a little lower in his seat when he heard the various whistles and murmurs of appreciation. "Yeah, but… Can you, maybe, sit down?"

T'oree frowned at Cade. "What is the matter, Lord Cadorius? Is this not appealing? Does it not make me fit in?"

Cade grasped for his words. "No, it's… It's not that, but…" He blushed as his eyes flickered everywhere else. "You just might want to sit," was all he got out. His eyes glanced back at her and tried to give her a onceover, but he pulled them away quickly before he could.

Damn, she really looks good.

"Lord Cadorius? Did I do something wrong?"

Cade was taken back when T'oree hovered over him, an innocent look of hurt and confusion in her strange eyes. He could not help but look her over. She had been given an off-the-shoulder button-down in black and white stripes, but the shirt showed such an amount of cleavage that left every person to wonder what she wore beneath. She had been tricked into wearing a short skirt that caked to her body and was dangerously close to exposing her panties. And, to top it off, she had been given black high-heeled boots, giving off a powerful look.

Steam poured out of Cade's ears.

So hot…

"Lord Cadorius, your nose is bleeding," T'oree pointed out.

Cade quickly covered his nose, cursing himself.

Shit, shit, shit! What is wrong with me?

T'oree backed up with a look of hurt and guilt. She bowed her head. "My apologies, Lord Cadorius. In my attempts to fit in, I have offended you thusly," she said mopily. "On Vanhalla, I am accustomed to tunics and armor. When I first came to Earth Land, I was told such apparel was not customary here. I wanted to be like the humans and dress like them. However, I, apparently, cannot even do that." She turned her back on Cade. "I will go now."

Cade reached out for her. "Wait! Tor!"

She turned her head, hopeful. "Yes?"

Cade swallowed.

She's so pretty…

He coughed and tried to come off as arrogant. "Look, Tor, you look just fine! Just like every other girl here," he complimented.

Y'know, just with orange skin and fire for hair…

T'oree took the compliment eagerly. "You mean that?"

A smirk. "Of course he doesn't, T'oree."

Dazzler popped up behind T'oree with a smug look on her face. "Nice nosebleed, le Fay. Thinking some naughty thoughts?" she taunted.

Cade hid his nose once again to glare at Dazzler. "You put her up to this," he accused.

Dazzler gave a shrug. "Did I? I was just lending T'oree some clothes." She grinned. "Don't they look good on her?"

Mustang came up to the table dressed in laidback clothes and his cowboy hat. "You look mighty fine, Miss T'oree," he said politely.

T'oree beamed. "Thank you, Lord Mustang!"

Cade smirked at Dazzler. "Did you give Mustang a striptease again, D?"

Dazzler blushed at that, though gave him an evil eye. "For your information, we went to have brunch and went for a walk," she snapped. "That's it."

"It was fun," Mustang admitted. He flashed his southern smile at Dazzler. "We should do it again, Miss Lafayette. You make for some good company."

Dazzler practically melted at that. "Yeah, okay," she said dreamily.

Cade rolled his eyes. "Anyone catch anyone doing the walk of shame this morning?" he asked. "I was waiting for Thirteen to come out of Vinyl's room."

Dazzler shook her head and settled down at the table with T'oree and Mustang joining her. She flagged down the waiter. "Nah. Thirteen is all about that age difference, remember? Besides, he has the whole 'has tragic past, will travel' thing going on. But, they were having breakfast together, so who knows?"

A waiter came around with menus as T'oree remembered, "I believed I saw a Mage from Lamia Scale leaving Lord Cane's room this morning."

Cade snorted. "Little guy's got some game," he chuckled. "I was so sure Galileo had some girl in his room, but he came home completely wasted. Imagine my surprise when T'oree and I had to get him back to his room."

Mustang sighed as he looked over the menu. "Poor fella. Classic case of heartbreak."

Dazzler pouted. "He and Nashi made up and all, but he's still all down and depressed. I feel like we need to hire him a female stripper or something to bring back Flirty Leo."

"We'll just send you," Cade said dryly.

Dazzler gave Cade a sarcastic smile and sharply turned the page in her menu. "I would, but, unlike you, Cadorius, I don't take advantage of innocent people."

Cade growled at that while T'oree blinked questioningly. "What does Lady Dazzler mean, Lord Cadorius?"

Dazzler leaned forward, batting her eyelashes. "Yes, Lord Cadorius, what does Lady Dazzler mean?"

Cade vigorously opened his menu. "T'oree and I just watched horror movies and one rom-com. That's all," he said in defense of himself.

T'oree furrowed her eyebrows. "Lord Cadorius, we did more than that," she reminded.

"Oh! Did you really?" Dazzler asked with fake enthusiasm. "Tell me, T, what did you two do last night?"

Cade blushed, but the anger was there, not the embarrassment. "Dazzler…"

T'oree had a small blush on her cheeks as she grew wistful. "Lord Cadorius introduced me to the show Teen Justice, a graphic book and show I believe Lord Igneel takes delight in. I found myself comparing myself to one of the characters. Like she, I, too, am away from my home and must adjust to the customs of Earth Land. So, Lord Cadorius and I spent the night talking of our old homes." She beamed gratefully at Cade. "I thank you for such a night of nostalgic and pleasant conversation. It was most…'fun', I believe you say?"

Dazzler grew bewildered at that. She turned to Cade. "Wow, Cade, I didn't think you could be thoughtful," she confessed. "That was sweet of you."

Cade rolled his eyes. "I don't really care what you think." He turned to T'oree and gave her a smile. "It's no prob, Tor. Just let me know when you get homesick again, okay?"

T'oree nodded and Dazzler sighed. "Whatever. Anyone seen Nashi and Gary?"

Mustang spoke up. "I thought Miss Ellie said somethin' 'bout them needin' time to talk?"

Dazzler hummed. "She knows something," she declared. "My dazzle senses tingle. They either did it or they actually talked."

"Or both," Cade suggested as the waiter approached them.

The waiter bowed. "May I start you off with any drinks?"

"Pinot noir for me," Dazzler decided.

"I'll take the same," Mustang ordered.

Cade hummed. "How about a bottle for the table?" he decided. He looked up at T'oree nervously. "That okay?"

T'oree nodded. "Most okay."

The waiter smiled. "I will be back with the wine. Can I get you anything else?"

As everyone shook their heads, the waiter excused himself.

Dazzler hummed. "I wonder… You think there was something more between Leo and Nashi?"

Mustang raised an eyebrow. "How do ya figure that?"

Dazzler shrugged. "I don't know. I mean all three of them were in rotten moods. Couldn't that mean something?"

"You're overthinking it, D. Then again, you might just be thinking, which I know is hard for you," Cade jested.

Dazzler was about to snap back something when Mustang forced her not to. "Now, now, let's not get into any fightin'. Miss Lafayette, want to share an appetizer with me?"

Dazzler was practically dazzling at that and nodded eagerly. "Yeah, sure! Whatever you want!"

Cade snorted. "Pfft. Desperate," he coughed out, earning a small giggle from T'oree. "How 'bout it , Tor? Share with me?"

"Of course, Lord Cadorius! It would be my honor!" T'oree gushed.

And as talk of appetizers passed long between the four, the thoughts of Nashi and Gary were forgotten.

Silver groaned from his place on the merry-go-round. He looked practically deflated with the creature of the sea painted on his cheek and a balloon of the Guardian Duo and the champion tied to his wrist.

Paige prodded Silver's cheek. "What's with you? You've been all gloomy since this morning."

Penelope was riding the head of a horse instead of sitting in the saddle. "He is sick," she diagnosed logically. "It may be physical or Magic related."

Ena was riding a unicorn with Liberty as James the black cat took to riding on the saddle of Penelope's Pegasus. Ena sniffed. "Maybe it's his lovesickness. Finally caught up to him."

"Damn…wench," Silver muttered mutinously with the merry-go-round slowing down.

The lady manning the merry-go-round spoke into the microphone. "Please go to the nearest exit on the merry-go-round or use the arrows provided to guide you. Have a wonderful day!"

Silver practically melted off his noble steed and sank to the floor of the merry-go-round, groaning. "My beloved…" His hand shakily reached for her. "I think I'm dying…"

Paige huffed as she went over to him and scooped up his deflated form. "You're not dying. You're just feeling sick," she assured, taking him off the ride.

Penelope slipped off the ride with Liberty who had James perched on her shoulder like the poised cat he was and Ena who looked fed-up. The small group planted themselves near a bench where Penelope set down a feverish Silver. She gave him a small look of concern when she saw his body glistening with sweat and his breath becoming more and more labored.

"I think it's time we bring you to the First Aid Center," Paige decided. "You look pathetic."

Silver gave her a feeble smile. "No. I want…to spend the day…with my beloved," he panted out.

Ena sniffed at him, eying his condition. "Can't do that when you look like a badly-done vampire," she pointed out snidely. "Listen to Paige and go to the First Aid Center."

Silver shook his head as he tried to sit up. Keyword being tried. He fell back against the bench with a cough. "I'm fine," he stressed. "I want to have fun with my beloved."

Penelope hovered over Silver and gave him that blank-eyed stare that was mighty intimidating. They looked soulless as they blinked and observed. "Symptoms: unnatural. Labored breathing. Fever. Cold sweats. Unfocused eyes. Slight hallucinations. Dry mouth," she diagnosed. Her odd eyes glowed as she scanned Silver. "Soul Reading: normal. Magic Reading: unnatural. Weak and fading." Her eyes stopped glowing and she looked back at her sister. "He has a magical illness. We must deliver him to Aunt Wendy at once."

"Finally. Some sense has been made," Ena muttered.

Liberty pouted as she looked up at Ena. "So… No more fun today?"

Ena smiled down at Liberty. "How about I take you to Eloise and the triplets at Kids' Corner?" she suggested. "And, maybe along the way, we can call Uncle Freed!"

Liberty brightened at that. "Baba!" she exclaimed happily. Here was the thing about Liberty. She was darker than most from Fiore. Her skin was a nice milk chocolate color that many were jealous of as how smooth and soft it was. Her hair was a snow-white in a short bob with lengthy braids framing her face and going to her chest. She has colorful beads in her hair as well. What made her most unique other than her skin were her eyes. They were a honey-gold and quite pretty too.

⌜Fairy Tail

Name: Liberty Justine

Age: 9

Occupation: Mage

Magic: Luck

Likes: cats Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: She may be 9 years-old, but don't count her out just yet! She's a freedom fighter till the end if her name doesn't give it away!⌟

She began to tug Ena away. "Let's go! I want to call him!"

Ena glanced back at the Strauss twins. "I'll go find Lu then meet you at the First Aid Center," she promised over her shoulder. "Good luck with the water boy!"

Paige sighed. "Well, that's just great," she muttered. She looked at Silver who had closed his eyes for a moment. "C'mon, creep. Let's get you to Aunt Wen. She'll know how to fix you."

Silver cracked open his eyes and lifted his arms like a child would do to his mother. "Carry me, my beloved?"

"Hell no!" Paige, cheeks pink, coughed and turned to Penelope. "Nelly, you do the honors, 'kay?"

Penelope nodded and turned to Silver. She pointed a finger at him and her eyes glowed once.

Silver found himself panicking when he felt himself being lifted off the bench and into the air. "Woah, woah, woah!" he shouted as his hands and feet flailed. He was trying to find solid ground. "What's going on?"

"Gravity Magic. I have defied the gravitational pull and altered it to make you float," Penelope said blankly. She walked away. "Come. Let us go."

Silver floated behind Penelope, though still flailed like a kitten being held when it did not want to be held. "Wait, I can walk! Penelope! My beloved! Help me!" he whined.

Paige only smirked as she followed after him. "You were the one who wanted to be carried," she re-mentioned ever-so-smugly. "So, you're being carried."

"My beloved…!"

°•°•°•°

The First Aid Center was a cool-down station planted near the town hall, a giant building that was hosting special press conferences. Nurses, both volunteer and professional, had come out to help as well as doctors who worked in rotational shifts, working with patients who were dehydrated to those who had eaten too much.

An older Mage of Lamia Scale had come as a volunteer to help. He had tan skin and shoulder-length hair that had salt-and-peppered. His mustache and beard were kept healthily trimmed and his eyes were dark. He looked like a stern man in his lab coat, but the mark of Lamia Scale as on his left palm. He finished checking over another patient, a young boy on the verge of tears while his mother looked worn out from worry.

"All right. Just a minor case of dehydration, but, other than that, you are fine," he promised. "A nurse will be by to get you some water."

⌜LAMIA SCALE

Name: Noah Mothersbaugh

Age: 58

Occupation: Mage, Doctor

Ability: Alkahestry

Likes: botany Dislikes: Feng shui

Special Note: Doctor Mothersbaugh is the primary healer of Lamia Scale and world-renown for his studies in Alkahestry! Andele has a lot to live up to! ⌟

The young boy sniffled and rubbed his eyes. "Thanks, Doctor," he mumbled.

Doctor Mothersbaugh nodded sternly. "Stay hydrated, young man, or you'll worry your mother sick," he instructed.

"Ull…"

Surprise took the young boy and mother when a Borvo materialized next to the makeshift hospital bed. It was a coyote-like creature with rings on its ankles. Its fur was dipped in orange, but its paws were dipped in white with flames coming off the back of its paws. One ear had been pierced with a silver earring and it had even been given white scarf with tiger-like black stripes to hold onto forever. The Borvo nuzzled the young boy, causing him to laugh.

Doctor Mothersbaugh sighed. "Excuse my Borvo. Aceso likes to interact with the patients without permission."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« A Borvo is a healing-type creature known to share deep roots with Alkahestry. Some say a Borvo taught Paracelsus Alkahestry! »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The mother laughed. "It's quite all right. My Neon is trying to convince me to get him a crocotta puppy," she informed. "But, I think he's a bit too young to have one."

Doctor Mothersbaugh watched as Neon petted Aceso's head. Aceso barked and licked Neon's face, making the boy giggle. "Have some faith in him," the doctor grunted to the mother. "He just might surprise you." He turned back to the mother and bowed. "Your son will be just fine, ma'am. Have a great day."

"Oh. You too," the mother wished, though still startled at the words of advice.

Doctor Mothersbaugh turned and walked away. He whistled. "Aceso!"

Neon was shocked as Aceso disappeared from him. "Where did he go?" he wondered.

Doctor Mothersbaugh kept walking and Aceso materialized by his side, tongue hanging and tail wagging. He did not need a leash to keep close to his master nor did he want to separate from his master.

"You cured his asthma, didn't you?" Doctor Mothersbaugh did not say it as an accusation. He said it as a gruff fact.

"Ull… Ull-ull," Aceso barked, his ears flattening.

In the thoughts of Doctor Mothersbaugh, he heard a voice speak guilty. My apologies, Master. I could not help it.

Doctor Mothersbaugh went to the center of the center and took a clipboard lying out on the desk. He picked up a pen and began checking things off. "You can't continue this behavior, Aceso. You know if you cure something he can live with, he'll be struck with something much worse," he reminded.

Aceso sat at the doctor's feet and lowered his head. His tail wrapped around his paws and he gave a low whine. I am sorry, Master.

Doctors Mothersbaugh sighed as he set the clipboard down. He looked down at the crestfallen Borvo. His hand went to scratch Aceso' head. "Your father would be proud to see you wanting to be so helpful," he assured. "When we were young, we wanted to save everyone. But, just like my daughter, you must learn the nature of balance. Asclepius and I learned that the hard way. I don't want you going through the same."

Aceso looked up at the doctor with pure of eyes of regret. I will learn, Master. I promise.

Doctor Mothersbaugh nodded. "Good boy."

And, just like that, Aceso's tail went wagging and the happy glint in his eye returned.

"Doctor Mothersbaugh," came a soft call of a nurse. "A patient at station fifteen is ready for you."

"Thank you," Doctor Mothersbaugh said curtly. He began to walk in that direction. "Come, Aceso."

Aceso was right beside the doctor as they maneuvered through filled stations and found station fifteen. Doctor Mothersbaugh's eyes narrowed when he saw who was at station fifteen. Silver lay there, panting and sweating, and his eyes closed. He had been given a cold compress and water to drink, but it did nothing for him. Two others stood at his side while a nurse did her best to keep him comfortable.

Doctor Mothersbaugh swiped the clipboard from the station desk and reviewed it. He was not surprised. "So, we've got a magical illness, do we?" he muttered. He looked at Silver. "A Water Mage. Juvia's son and protégé. Prince of the Sea is what you're called."

"Can you get on with it, Old Man?" Paige snapped impatiently. "What's wrong with him?"

Doctor Mothersbaugh glanced at Paige and gave a notable hum before lumbering to Silver. His left hand grabbed his right wrist as he allowed his palm to hover over Silver's chest. He closed his eyes. A golden symbol seared onto his palm. It was a circle with a perfect diamond, each tip having one of the four elements. The fifth element appeared at the center, burning brighter. Everyone watched quietly as the doctor worked.

It took Doctor Mothersbaugh no more than ten seconds to come to a conclusion. The symbol on his palm vanished and he lowered his hands. His eyes opened to stare at Silver. "His connection to the element of water has been poisoned," he gave in prognosis.

Paige arched an eyebrow. "Meaning what?"

Doctor Mothersbaugh opened his mouth, but someone else spoke for him and indignantly so. "How could you not know what that means?"

Everyone but the doctor and Penelope had their eyes widen in surprise as Aceso jumped onto the bed to stare at Paige with haughtiness.

Paige was taken back. "Di-Did you just…?"

Aceso preached, "All Mages are connected to the elements, but the ones who practice a straight and pure element have more powerful bond with that element. Your friend, here, is a Water Mage and the connection has been poisoned. That means the water in Margaret Town has been effected negatively." He sniffed. "And you call yourself a 'Mage'?"

"Hey, I'm not the talking dog here!" Paige snapped.

Aceso growled. "I'm a Borvo, you ungrateful wench! How dare you—!"

"Aceso…"

Aceso swallowed heavily when he turned his head to see Doctor Mothersbaugh looming over him. He tried to smile. "I mean… Ull?"

Doctor Mothersbaugh lost his initial anger to sigh. "We'll talk of your punishment when this day is over," he grunted. "Now, on the matter of Mister Fullbuster, I've seen cases today just like him."

"Does this mean Aunt Wendy, Aunt Sherria, and Aunt Juvia have been affected?" Penelope wanted to know.

Doctor Mothersbaugh nodded. "Both Misses Blendy-Marvels have been moved to another facility with fresh air pumping through it, but both have reported they felt something wrong in the air. Misses Fullbuster as well has been moved to a pool. She does not have the symptoms as her son, but she has shown signs of fever, dilated pupils, lack of focus, and cough as well as her magical energy has wavered significantly." He nodded at Silver. "Was he not notified?"

Paige was the one to fish out Silver's Compact. She saw the missed calls and messages he had received just by waking his Compact. "I think he was," she murmured. "His Compact must've been on silent."

Doctor Mothersbaugh hummed noncommittally as he whipped out his pen to sign off on the clipboard. "Well, his parents and your guild master have been notified of Mister Fullbuster's arrival. He will be moved to the same pool as Misses Fullbuster." He finished writing and handed the clipboard back to the nurse. "Ensure to keep Mister Fullbuster hydrated at all costs and comfortable," he instructed to the nurse.

"Understood, Doctor."

"Aceso," Doctor Mothersbaugh called before walking away.

The Borvo leapt off the bed and followed his master.

Paige huffed, crossing her arms. "He was a total grump," she insulted. "What's Aunt Wen and Aunt Sherrie have to do with this anyways?"

"The sky."

Paige looked at her twin who looked up at the ceiling. "What now?"

"'And, so, they polluted the air and water with their greed and sin and killed creatures for the sake of the kill'," Penelope quoted.

"What are you talking about, Nelly?" Paige questioned, confused and intrigued at the same time.

"Last night, at exactly two p-m, did you feel a disturbance?" Penelope asked. "And, now, do you feel something wrong?"

Paige held up her hands to show her surrender. "Woah, woah, slow down, Nelly. A disturbance?" She thought back to it. "Two in the morning… I think I woke up at around that time."

"Your Magic connects you to the souls of animals," Penelope pointed out. "What about monsters?"

Paige furrowed her eyebrows. "'Monsters'? I mean, not really. Weaker magical creatures, sure, but…" Something donned on her. "Wait… When we first came to Margaret Town, I felt two souls like I had never felt before. They were old and powerful and it was only for a second, but a felt them. And, I think… No, I know! I felt them again for just a second at two in the morning." She looked at her twin sister with a wrinkled frown. "But, what's this got to do with anything?"

"Because that means she felt it as well."

"Who?" Paige wanted to know. "Nelly, what's going on?"

Penelope shook her head as her hand went to the bridge of her glasses. "If everything I know is correct, then I know she must have felt it," she murmured. "The past and the present determine the future. The duo and their champion. It all makes sense." She turned and walked away.

Paige wanted to stop her sister, but something held her back. "Where are you going?"

"I'm sorry, sister"—Penelope's eyes glinted—"but there is something I must find."

°•°•°•°

Doctor Mothersbaugh had ended up on the side of town hall. Aceso lay at his feet, eyes closed. The good doctor himself had a Compact to his ears as he leaned against the building.

"Are you certain?" came Ooba Babasama's crackling voice.

"Yes, Master," Doctor Mothersbaugh confirmed. "The water has been poisoned."

"Just like all those centuries ago," Ooba murmured.

Doctor Mothersbaugh closed his eyes. "What do we do now?"

"I will notify the mayor as well as Guild Master Erza," Ooba planned. "From there, all Mages connected to water and air will be removed from town. This place will be toxic if they remain any longer. Can you go to the river and take a sample?"

"Consider it done," Doctor Mothersbaugh promised. "What of the girl?"

"Don't worry, Doctor. From what I hear, she's the miracle we'll need."

The call ended.

Doctor Mothersbaugh put his Compact back in his coat pocket. He let out an exhale. He looked down at the snoozing Borvo. "You know, there's text they didn't put in the museum to save the people from fearing it to come to pass," he murmured. "It was said that a man of the future came to change the past." He tilted his head to the sky. "And, through his abuse of time, he destroyed the present."

DING! DING! DING!

"We have a winner!" the carny called.

Luna was proud as he handed her the stuffed panda of her choosing. She looked over at Bleu with a smug smirk and made the panda's hand wave. "Would Bleu like to have me forever?" she asked in a baby tone.

Bleu laughed and took the panda. "First time a girl has won me a prize," he commented.

"Good thing or bad thing?" Luna asked.

Bleu looked at her up and down and grinned when he saw her blush. "Definitely a good thing," he chuckled. "Is it time for me to win you something now so you'll remember me always?"

Luna threw back her head to give a carefree laugh. "How could I forget a guy named 'Bleu'?" she teased. "Besides, this is my first Festival of Gratitude, so you'll be stuck in my memories forever now."

"And, our grandkids will ask us how we met and I'll tell them their granny whooped my ass at festival games," Bleu jested.

Luna tried not to grow flustered at that, but could not help it as her blush deepened. "Already went to grandkids, huh? Who said anything about me marrying you?"

Bleu managed a smirk. "I mean if you want to have kids without marriage, I'm down too," he agreed.

Syra poked her way out of Luna's hair to eye Bleu. "Brrr… Brrr-brrr," she murmured to Luna.

Luna hummed her amusement. "Syra wants to know if she could come too," she informed.

Bleu lifted a finger to scratch in-between Syra's ears. "Sure can. Can't separate a mom from her kid, right?"

Syra made a purring noise of happiness at that.

°•°•°•°

Mary Jane had a devious grin on her face as she watched Bleu, Syra, and Luna.

Well, how about that?

Peter eyed Mary Jane's expression with a grin of his own. "You're an evil genius," he told her.

Mary Jane shrugged. "I know that and I love that about me." She turned her head to look at the group. "Your friends seem to be having…fun."

And, they were. NJ had disappeared, but Nolan was enthusiastically speaking to two girls over their heel choice for the day. Ekho was engaged in pleasant conversation with a young worker at a balloon-popping game. Bane, irate, stomped over to the game and tugged a surprised Ekho away.

"Yeah," Peter sighed. "Too bad NJ had to leave, but her troupe has to practice for their concert. Didn't expect Bane to stick around, but he's claiming he has to escort Ekho everywhere she goes while she's here as it's 'Idarian custom'."

Mary Jane snorted as she watched Ekho rip away her wrist and hiss words at Bane. "I believe it, but I think there's more to it," she murmured. She turned back to Luna and Bleu who had taken to paying attention to Syra. "There's a lot to people. You just have to notice it," she said mysteriously.

Peter had to nod in agreement at that. "For someone who doesn't give a shit about others, looks like you have a handle on how to read them," he mentioned.

Mary Jane snorted. "I give a shit about the right people. Maybe not a lot, but still." She tilted her head for her eyes to swing at Peter. "But, don't consider yourself lucky. You're still on thin ice," she gave in warning.

Peter smiled and winked at Mary Jane. "I like to live life on the edge."

Mary Jane rolled her eyes and strutted away. "Whatever."

°•°•°•°

Luna held her cotton candy and offered some to Bleu. "Want some?"

Bleu took some in his hands and popped it into his mouth. "Thanks," he murmured. He swallowed. "You know, here I thought the dude gets cotton candy for the girl. More romantic that way."

Luna cocked her eyebrow. "Are you trying to say something, Mister?" she teased.

Bleu only winked. "I'll let you interpret what you want."

Luna gave a playful roll of her eyes and took a little cotton candy off her mound. "Yeah, yeah," she tittered. She turned to Syra. "Hey, Syra. Do you want any?"

"Brrr…" Syra said lethargically. And she fluttered to the ground.

Luna's eyes widened. "Syra?" She handed the cotton candy to Bleu and quickly ate what was in her hands to tend to the fallen ikenga. She scooped Syra in her arms only for Syra to give a groan and squirm a bit in Luna's arm. Luna put a hand on Syra's forehead. "She's really warm," she noted. "She has a fever, but…" She looked up at Bleu in worry. "Bleu, I think she's sick."

Bleu hardened at that. "Right. Let's get her to the First Aid Center," he decided. His eyes went behind Luna and he shouted, "Pete!"

Peter padded over to the duo with Mary Jane trailing behind him. He frowned at Bleu. "What's up, man?"

Bleu shoved the cotton candy and panda into Peter's arms. "Luna and I will be back. We're taking Syra to the First Aid Center." He nudged Luna away. "Let's go," he said softly.

Luna's eyes had drifted down to look at Syra in motherly concern. "Yeah," she agreed. "Let's go." She was careful carrying Syra and could not get the worrisome thoughts out of her mind.

Syra… Please, someone, let her be all right.

And the focus ran.

The forest was dark and ominous. It was like the trees were cheering for the side of evil to win and put obstacles in the focus way to make him falter. Torn hands shoved aside low-hanging branches and brushes. Panicked breaths panted.

He had to get away.

He had to find her.

The focus emerged from the forest to see he had found a small cabin. Nothing extravagant. It was enough for maybe two people to live in a comfortable and frugal lifestyle.

And there was distant humming inside.

So, the focus ran.

It came up to the porch and a hand opened the door. It opened for him automatically and the focus took a step in.

The cabin was full of color and distinct humming.

The focus looked around. There was no one there but him. No one there are all.

But that humming…

"Hello?" came an empty question for confirmation of companionship. "Hello? Someone there?"

The humming grew louder.

The focus stepped towards the living room. There was nothing there but paintings of blank faces and books with blank titles.

"Hello?" came faint whisper.

Silence.

The humming stopped.

ERRRRRRR.

The focus whipped around and widened to see someone coming out of the other room. They looked a bit frazzled with their golden dressed thrown back into a fishtail braid and a raggedy dress was their clothing for the day, but what was weirder—

He could not see her eyes.

Her smile brightened as she rushed forward. "You have returned early!"

There was a grunt as she hugged him fiercely. She pulled back to give quick kisses to his cheeks and lips and a sunny smile. "Goodness, I came to believe I would not see you so soon! I am happy you are home!"

The focus blinked.

"Who are you?" A question. An innocent question.

She giggled as though the question were a joke. "You were always funny." She tugged him to the kitchen. "Come! Let us start dinner so we may talk of your day!"

He ripped his arm away from her, stopping in his tracks.

She did as well, but for the reason he had done it first. "Darling?"

The focus narrowed. "Who the Hell are you?" came a command of knowledge.

She frowned. "Darling, why are you acting so strange? It is I. Do you not see it in my eyes?"

"You don't have eyes," came a snap. "I see nothing but some random chick. Who are you?"

She opened her mouth when a wind blew into the home. The focus and she turned to see the door was wide open still and wind was blowing in.

"You didn't close the door."

The focus turned to see her horrified smile.

"He's coming," she whispered.

"Who?" came a demand.

It was too late.

The winds of grayscale fluttered into the cabin. The color that drenched the cabin deteriorated into a black and white and anything in-between. The focus watched as his tan arms were soaked in gray.

A screech.

The focus looked up, but was shocked. The entire cabin was being ripped away into the eternal darkness of black. Board by board was taken. Colors were stripped.

She looked at him as darkness consumed her, her smile still there. "You killed me," she let out in a tremor.

A hand reached out for her, but she disappeared into the darkness.

He was alone.

He was alone in the darkness.

Is this my life? Is this what I'm cursed with?

A sniffle.

The focus widened and turned.

There was Luna. She wept with her hands on her face and her shoulders shaking.

"Why did you do it?" she whispered. "Why did you let them die?"

The focus was taken back. "Wait… What are you—?"

She pointed. "Look," she cried.

The focus turned around.

He could not take what he saw.

Dead.

Everyone around him was dead.

He saw his father on the ground. His eyes were wide and stained with eternal shock and hatred. Blood dried from his mouth and eyes and from his chest. His mother was draped over his father, a spear to the back and dried tears stained her cheeks.

He looked at the fiery and bloody battlefield. There was Cane, his body crucified to a rock. There was Mira, her head in one black and body in another. There was Mystogan, his leg at an odd angle and a slit mark on his neck.

Dead.

Fairy Tail was gone.

The focus grew watery and wide in disbelief.

There were wheezing pants.

"No…" came a whisper. "No, I didn't…"

The focus looked down to see the blood on his clawed hands. He was no longer human. He had scales on his arms. Unsteady feet staggered to Erza's shield. It had been thrown away from her, leaving her defenseless from an attack that ended her life. Hands shakily took the shield to let it face the focus.

He was horrified.

Half his face had been burned into that of a scale creature. He had horns and black scales and a leathery wing to greet him. He was not man. He was monster. He was a murderer. He was the bane of Fairy Tail.

He dropped the shield out of disgust and nausea. He was sick with himself. He was sick of the scent of blood and fear and hate.

"I didn't… I couldn't…"

"But, you did."

The focus whipped around. The battlefield had disappeared into a graveyard. Tombstones were that awful reminder of the end of life and a remembrance of the person who was on the other side. The scent of dirt and decay crammed up his nose in that unpleasant way that a sterilized hospital scent clung to you.

The focus looked at the girl of golden hair dressed in black to honor the fallen. She knelt before a tombstone with her head bowed.

He joined her.

The focus looked at the tombstone.

Here lies

LUCY HEARTFILIA-DRAGNEEL

The brightest star in the northern sky and queen of the celestial heavens. Mother of four and queen of the Dragon King.

May your star shine forever

"She's dead."

The focus looked at a calm Luna who looked at her mother's grave.

"She died fighting for what she believed in," Luna further explained. "In the end, my papa was the one to feel her die. He lost control and had to be killed." She let out a tremored sigh. "My family is dead."

"I'm sorry." Two of the most unwelcomed words in a time of grief rolled off his tongue, but he could not help it. That was all he could say.

"They're dead," she repeated, "because you killed them."

The focus widened.

"And I'm dead"—Luna turned to reveal the hole in her chest—"because of you."

A ragged cry. "No, I didn't! I want to protect you!"

Luna pointed at the tombstone. "What does it say now?"

The focus turned to the tombstone.

He was shook.

Here lies

LUNA DRAGNEEL

Loved by all and with a heart as white as snow.

May you find a world full of adventure.

"No, I…"

DRIP.

The focus blurred.

DROP.

His hand touched the tombstone as though trying to decipher if it was real. "You… You can't be gone…"

"But, she is."

He did not even look up as someone else knelt beside him.

It was him, but someone else entirely. His hair was longer, yet tamed into a nice mane. He bore a black suit in respect of the dead. You had to wear black. It was principal. His gloves were black as well, but what as in them were not. He laid down two flowers at the gravestone. One was a glowing moonflower that pulsed with life and light. The other was the striped flower of courage, the tiger lily that stood for honor and bravery.

"She's gone," the other him said softly. "We didn't protect her."

He said nothing.

The other him did. "She believed in us when no one did, and we failed her. The one person we wanted to keep safe."

Silence.

"Gale…"

Gale looked up at his counterpart with nothing more than eyes dulled in grief.

"We're dead."

And everything was gone.

He was back in that drowning plain. He was back atop the train tracks. He was back in a world of black and white and gray. He was half-naked, only given loose pants and a scarf to hold them up. His bare feet touched the thin layer of water atop the train tracks.

He was alone.

"What is this place?" he wanted to know.

It is the place you go when you have nowhere to go, came a deep response.

Gale turned back to see the black dragon within his sights, looming over him. The dragon had the courtesy to lay down, but was still taller than Gale by a mile. He looked down at Gale with his glinted eyes and free-flowing whiskers.

Gale looked back to see the train station a distance away. He looked forward to see the forest was a distance away as well.

"So… I have nowhere else to go, huh?" Gale snorted. He shook his head. "Figured. Shitty place for a shitty person."

You are not meant to be here, the dragon spoke. The nightmares are not nightmares. They are warnings.

Gale furrowed his eyebrows. "'Warnings'?" he questioned. "What do you mean?"

The great dragon shifted to his feet. Your place is not here, brother. You have long to go in your journey.

Gale snarled. "What the Hell does that mean?"

Your place is not here. You are not ready. The great dragon unfurled his wings. He flapped them a few times, but the water did not ripple. The time will come, brother, when you must make a choice. Will you accept the power or will you let it consume you?

"Wait," Gale commanded. "Tell me what that means!"

The great dragon pushed off from the ground with a flap of his wings and took to the sky. We will meet again, brother. I am sure.

Gale reached out a hand, frustration and desperation blatant on his face. "Wait! Wait, stop! Come back!"

°•°•°•°

Gale woke up from his nap with eyes sharply opened. They glowed red before backing down to his normal ruby. He gave a grunt as he turned onto his back. He looked around. He was in a hotel room, one bed his and another his roommates which was Cane.

Right. I'm back in my hotel room.

Golden hair.

A breezy smile.

Gale groaned as he rubbed his face. "She's really screwing with my mind," he muttered. "Bad thing is I'm loving the torture." He sat up to crack his back and threw his legs off the bed. He had slept in only his pants, too lazy to change into anything else. His eyes caught his Compact on the nightstand and the number of messages he had missed and he picked it up. He scrolled through the messages.

Arsonist 2hr 5min ago

⌜you owe me⌟

Principessa 2hr 3 min ago

⌜ I know you're asleep, but just wanted to remind you I'm with Mary Jane and her friends! Get some rest! ⌟

Mom in Family 1hr 2min ago

⟨ How about Captain 600 for dinner? ⟩

Liv in Family 1hr 4min ago

[ Sure ]

Stupid Older Bro in Family 1hr 4min ago

⎣ Yeah! That place has some awesome cheesy bread! ⎦

Gale scrolled through the feed he had received to stop on another message.

Fucker with Cards 30min ago

{624}

Gale's eyebrow twitched.

What the Hell? Already found another chick?

Gale kept scrolling until he came upon a new text from Luna.

Principessa 2min ago

⌜ Syra's sick, so Bleu and I are taking her to the First Aid Center. Hopefully when you wake up, she'll be better! ⌟

Gale ran a hand through his tussled hair. "Damn bunny. More trouble than it's worth," he muttered. "And who the Hell is 'Bleu'? A friend of hers?"

He opened up his messages between Luna and responded to her.

(Omw)

He arched his back to crack it and gave a groan of relief. "All right. Let's get a move on, buddy." A smirk of his own dominated his face. "I've got a princess to kidnap."

°•°•°•°

Gale wound up walking to the First Aid Center in nothing less than a jacket and thrown on pants and socks with sandals. The weather had changed a bit with the blue sky graying out and the sun becoming a ball of dimmer light. He sipped his drink as he kept checking his Compact, keeping up with his family group chat. He was an expert of multitasking and ensuring he maneuvered through pedestrians and pets alike.

His thumb stopped scrolling when he saw an article.

ANNIVERSARY OF GRATITUDE OR GUILT?

"The Hell?" he muttered, taking another sip as he read it.

It went:

Margaret Town celebrates its annual Festival of Gratitude and today marks an anniversary of such an auspicious event. But, is it celebrated out of gratitude or the guilt the people feel for the grief they brought centuries ago?

"Pah. Bull-friggen-shit to that," he muttered. "Fricken conspiracy theories." As he came closer to the First Aid Center, he heard a familiar sigh, long and stressed.

"I really hope she's okay," came a weary murmur.

A deeper, soothing tone answered. "She will be, Luna. You did everything you can do."

Gale clenched his jaw at the male voice.

The Hell is that?

He finished the rest of his drink and threw it away. He stormed his way into the First Aid Center, rudely ignoring a nurse who wanted to know if he needed help.

Another long-winded sigh. "I know, but…"

"Shhh, Ace," came a hush.

Gale's left ear twitched and his nostrils flared. His eyes zoned in on his prey and a threat to his hunt: Luna in the consoling arms of a strange boy.

His lips curled into a growl, but he killed it to march forward towards Luna and the boy.

Luna seemed to sense Gale and looked up from the cot. Her eyes went into a surprise type of relief when she saw him. "Gale," she breathed, shifting a little from her friend. "You're awake! Do you feel better?"

Gale's eyes flickered to Luna's companion who kept his hands to himself. "Yeah. Fine," he grunted. "Who's this?"

Luna smiled as she glanced up at her friend. "This is Bleu," she introduced. "You were probably too out of to remember him and Mary Jane's friends."

Bleu gave a grin and stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you, man."

Gale's stare went to Luna. "Where's the Devil Woman anyways?"

Luna frowned at Gale's behavior as Bleu put down his hand. "She's with everyone else. Pretty sure Igneel found her," she informed.

Gale snorted as his eyes went to the cot. "What a shocker," he said sarcastically. His eyes softened at a shivering Syra, her eyes closed in her destress and her ears flat. Even her halo had dulled. "The bunny smells sick," he said bluntly. "What gives?"

"I don't know," Luna said honestly. Her eyes fell to Syra sadly. "She was faint all of a sudden and…" She bit her lip. "Maybe this is my fault. Maybe ikengas can't be fed something and I gave it to her. Or maybe they can't handle the cold well. Or maybe—"

Gale reached for her. "Blondie—"

"Ace," Bleu said at the same time, rubbing her shoulders, "worrying like this won't help Syra. Staying calm will."

Gale felt annoyance rising in his throat when he saw Luna visibly relax at Bleu's touch.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I just hope they figure it out soon." Her hand went to stroke Syra's stomach. Syra calmed a little under her touch.

Gale smirked. "Mamacita seems to have her magic touch with her daughter," he teased.

Luna offered him a playful smile back. "Papa does too," she teased back.

"Heh." Gale allowed a hand to drape onto Syra with fingers stroking her head. She gave a little sigh at that. "Guess Daddy has a magic touch too," he supposed.

"So, you're the other parent of this cutie," Bleu chuckled.

"Yup. This little bunny is mine and Blondie's." Gale flicked his eyes to meet Jay's and narrowed them. "Just ours."

Bleu met Gale's glare with an unintimidated stare. "You two make great parents," he complimented. His eyes slipped back to Luna's and he nudged her. "Especially you, Ace. You didn't tell me you had kids," he jested.

Luna gave a shrug and a smile. "I didn't know how you felt about kids, so I thought I'd give you a little more time first. Is this a deal breaker?"

Bleu snickered and shook his head. "No way. She's a total cutie." He peered at Syra with kind eyes. "Besides, since her mom is great, she's great."

Luna blushed a little at that and turned back to Syra.

Gale tried to hold back his growl as he shot daggers at Bleu.

Who the Hell does this guy think he is?

A soft voice floated over to the group. "Is this my next patient?"

Everyone looked up to see Andele walking over with her cane and her labradoodle guiding her gently. They all scooted away from Syra for Andele to get to her.

"Miss Andele," Luna addressed, "it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Andele smiled, though her eyes could not directly find Luna. She gave a nod. "You as well. Are you Luna Dragneel? Nashi's little sister?"

Luna nodded, though remembered to answer. "Yeah, that's me."

"I've been waiting to meet you," Andele informed.

Luna was taken back. "Me?"

Andele nodded. "Mmm-hmm. Your sister really liked to talk about you and show us a lot of your work and photos of you," she explained.

Luna looked like she did not know whether to be ecstatic or uncomfortable at that. "I see… She told me about you, but she calls you 'Andy'." Her eyes went to the labradoodle. "And she said your guide dog's name is 'Spirit'?"

Andele gave a pleased hum. "Yes. I owe Spirit a lot for taking care of me." Her hands let go of the leash and put the cane next to the cot for her to reach her hands. "Now… Let's see what I'm working with." She kept her eyes open as her hands hovered around Syra. An insignia glowed from her right palm as an aura of something other than Magic pulsed around her.

"Woah," Luna murmured.

It doesn't feel like Magic. It feels purer than Magic… Lighter, even…

Andele finished her scan as the symbol disappeared and her aura left her in a quiet wisp. She frowned. "Hmm… It seems like this is a magical illness," she diagnosed.

"'Magical illness'?" Luna repeated.

Andele nodded. "We've had a lot of cases like that today," she explained. "Like all bodies, a virus can infect it, weaken the immune system, and, subsequently, cause a sickness. When it comes to Mages, even our Magic is susceptible to magical viruses." Her eyes tried to find the ikenga. "The ikenga's Magic has been infected. Other magical creatures and Mages alike of water and air have been getting ill too."

Something clicked to Luna. "The dream…"

Gale spoke up. "The bunny's basically the bunny of Time. How is it gettin' affected when it's not an elemental creature?"

Andele did not know the answer to that so she made a humming sound to contemplate. "I can't really give a clear answer to that. Logically speaking, she should be fine. But…" She sighed. "Her connection has been poisoned. I just can't understand how."

Syra gave a high-pitched noise and twitched and Luna and Gale instantly surged forward to soothe her with gentle strokes of their fingers.

"Miss Mothersbaugh," came a soft call.

Andele turned her head slightly as a nurse approached her.

"Guild Master Ooba would like to see you," the nurse informed.

Andele nodded and smiled. "Okay. I'll be there soon," she promised. She turned her head and addressed Luna. "Our resident Tamer is out of town. She'd be able to help more than us, but I'll give her a quick call and see how soon she can come, okay?" Her hand tried to reach for her cane.

Spirit sensed it and got up. He grabbed the cane and did his best to give it to his master.

Andele took the cane with a grateful smile and her labradoodle was quick to give her leash up to his master. "I am really sorry I couldn't do more," she apologized.

Luna smiled. "It's okay. You did enough," she assured. "Calling your Tamer will really help, so thank you!"

Andele nodded. "Mmm. Come, Hush."

Spirit the labradoodle helped his master navigate through the center and leave the patient and three visitors behind.

Luna sighed as her eyes drifted to Syra who calmed only by Luna and Gale's combine touches. "I hope the Tamer isn't too busy this week," she wished.

"Me too," Gale desired. "May not like the fur-ball, but I don't like her sick. She's even more pathetic."

"Gale!"

Gale raised an eyebrow to Luna. "What?"

"Be nice," Luna growled.

"I am being 'nice'," Gale defended.

A pinging sound came from Bleu's Compact and he took it out to look at it while Luna snapped, "And don't call her a 'fur-ball'! She has a name!"

"Who cares? It's not like I'm calling her anything bad!" Gale growled back as Bleu's eyes narrowed at his screen.

"I care," Luna retorted, Bleu sighing and putting his Compact away. "I know you aren't her biggest fan, but could you please be a little nicer to her?"

Gale growled even louder. "Yo, what's your problem, Blondie? What the Hell did I do to you?"

Luna looked away from him. "Nothing," she remarked bitterly.

Gale felt fury raise in his glare. "Don't—!"

"Ace, I have to take off."

Both Gale and Luna snapped out of their rising tempers when they realized a third was amongst them.

Luna looked up at an apologetic Bleu. "Oh… Is everything okay?"

Bleu scratched the back of his neck. "In a sense. Just some family business I have to take care of," he answered quite vaguely. He gave Luna a grin that spelt sorry. "I can't ignore orders. Sorry for this."

Luna smiled softly at him. "Hey, don't worry about it," she soothed. "Do what you have to. Ask Mary Jane for my number and we can catch up when you're free! Oh! Um…" A blush caught her cheeks. "If…that's okay?"

"More than okay," Bleu affirmed. "It was nice to meet you, Ace."

Luna let go of Syra to turn around and give Bleu a quick hug. "You too, Bleu," she murmured. "See you later."

"Later, Ace," Bleu murmured, embracing her back. He let her go to give Gale a nod and a grin. "Catch ya later, man," he farewelled. And he was off without a backwards glance.

Gale curled his lips into a snarl as he glared after Bleu. "Why's he callin' you 'Ace'? Close enough for nicknames?"

Luna laughed a little. "He calls me 'Ace' because of the number of games I won first try," she explained. "He's really nice."

Gale rolled his eyes. "If you consider being a douche 'nice'," he muttered.

Luna scowled at Gale's attitude. "What did he do to you? He's been nice and kind and—"

"They all start that way, don't they?" Gale gave her a sarcastic grin for all the wrong reasons. "They're so 'nice' and 'kind' and 'sweet'. Didn't think your type was a bunch of lame ass pushovers."

"Well, what's it to you?" Luna bit. "You told me you don't care who I go out with, right? So, what does this matter to you?"

Gale opened his mouth, but his words were caught. His mouth closed for his jaw to lock in anger, anger at himself.

Luna huffed and sat down on the chair beside Syra's cot. "If all I do is make such stupid decisions and all you're going to be is a jerk, be free to find someone else to tolerate," she muttered. She gave a weary sigh as her frustration fell into exhaustion as she watched Syra struggled for comfort. Her fingers stroked Syra's soft underbelly. "I'm not in the mood to keep dealing with this," she said quietly.

Gale settled down on the chair opposite from Luna's and pointedly looked away.

She's right. How the Hell is this partnership supposed to work if I lose my shit and she tries to claw my eyes out?

He sighed.

Ugh… And she's right again… I said that bullshit about not caring about who she sees, but I'm such a goddamn liar.

His hand clenched around his knee.

Why can't I just be honest? My mom didn't raise a hypocrite, but…

"I'm sorry."

Gale looked up, surfacing from his inner turmoil, to see Luna looking at Syra with such an expression of love and delicacy.

"What I said, I…didn't mean," Luna admitted. "I was just being mean and cruel and that's unfair to you."

Gale raised a confused eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Luna looked up at Gale in her own puzzlement.

"Just shut up, you do not need to apologize," Gale told. "Trust me, Blondie. You being 'mean and cruel'? Yeah, okay, like you're that capable." He shook his head. "You might get a little annoying and you get upset way to easily, but you're not mean."

Luna's eyebrow twitched.

Is this an apology or a backhanded compliment?

"I really do hope Syra gets better," Gale murmured. "But…you said something about a dream?"

Luna was caught off her guard. "Wh-Wha…? I…" Her eyes blinked around. "You…heard that?"

Gale nodded. "So…? Want to elaborate?"

Luna looked away, her upper lip rolling her bottom. "I mean… It probably meant nothing…"

Gale gave her a flat look.

Luna exhaled loudly. "Look, it was nothing. It was just… I don't know… I dreamt of some sort of…library…"

"A 'library'?"

Luna nodded. "Mmm. It was weird. A book was given to me and it was like I fell into it. And I fell into the past… The people there were so kind and nice and loving, but… It was like something changed. There was a storm and…" She shut her eyes. "I can't remember much after that."

"A storm, huh?" Gale murmured. "Do you remember how it felt?"

"Unnatural," Luna supposed. "It was like it wasn't supposed to be there." She opened her eyes. "But, does that even make sense?"

Gale hummed as he looked down at Syra.

It does. I can smell it and feel it in my bones.

He glanced around. He noticed a Doberman hankering down into a crouch. A grown Kumiho seemed uneasy with its ears flat and paws restless.

I'm not the only one. These mutts feel it too. The storm coming…

Syra's paw twitched as she swallowed roughly.

…is a storm no one has seen since centuries ago.

Natsu's ear twitched and he looked up with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Lucy stopped walking alongside Mira and Laxus to notice Natsu had paused. She looked at her husband in minor concern. "Natsu? You okay?"

Natsu hummed again. "Yeah… But, don't you feel that?"

Lucy blinked her confusion. "'Feel' what?"

"Yeah," Laxus grunted. "I feel it." His static sparked. "This isn't natural."

Mira grew uncharacteristically somber. "No. It isn't."

Lucy was the only one perplexed. "What's going on? What do you mean?"

Mira turned to Lucy, contemplative. "Maybe you can't feel it because it's subtle and dark," she reasoned.

"What do you all feel?" Lucy wanted to know.

"A storm."

Everyone looked at Laxus.

"And this storm isn't just a storm," Laxus carried on saying. "This storm…is a declaration of war."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gary watched over Rose as she had fun in the bouncy castle with Liberty and Eloise. He smiled as Rose, Eloise, and Liberty got along swimmingly, their cats respectively sitting on either side of Gary and carefully watching their partners.

It must be nice to be so carefree…

A hand ruffled Gary's hair and he flinched. "Hey! Watch it!"

A smirk. "You were lost in thought. Had to wake you up."

Gary watched as Gray came around the bench. He picked up James in one hand to sit down and the black cat had no complaints, purring at the attention.

Gray watched Rose, Eloise, and Liberty take turns showing off their gymnastics skills. "So, you took babysitting duty?"

Gary shrugged. "Needed something to get my mind off things," he responded.

Gray frowned. "A lot on your mind, huh?"

"Yeah…"

"Hmm…"

Rose and Eloise clapped as Liberty did two tucks in the air.

"How'd it go with Nashi?" Gray wanted to know.

Gary paused for a second. "We talked and it went fine," was all he gave in detail. "I haven't seen her since this morning. She's with Ellie and Livy, but we made plans for dinner tonight."

Gray gave his son a wry smile. "Already winning over your girl?"

Gary smiled a little. "Something like that," he supposed.

Gray turned back to the girls. "Well, Julia and Meredy are watching over your mom and Silver. I came to get you."

Gary frowned at that. "How are they?"

"Not good," Gray admitted. "Their condition is getting worse. The pool helps a little, but…" He shook his head. "The doctor says we might have to consider taking them away from Margaret Town." He gave Gary a side-glance. "Has your Devil felt anything?"

Gary gave a careless shrug and looked off to the side.

"You're going to have to speak to him," Gray reprimanded. "He can't be ignored forever. He's a part of you."

"Yeah?" Gary snorted. "Well, I didn't ask him to be."

Gray sighed, closing his eyes. "Even if you didn't, he's a part of you and you have to acknowledge that. Don't you remember the last time you even tried to shut him out?"

Gary's hand clenched. "I don't need the reminder," he snapped quietly.

Gray opened an eye at Gary's hostility. "No need for the anger. I'm not gonna scold you. You're nineteen, an adult. You make your own choices." His other eye opened to narrow at the sky. "That being said, you're still my kid, frostbite. I'm never gonna stop worrying about you."

Gary said nothing.

"How about we go find Justin?" Gray proposed. "And, then, we can visit your mom and your brother." He got up with James cradled in his arms. He paused. "What's going on in your mind—your mom and I are always here to help you. You don't have to go through this alone. Don't make the same mistake as I did and turn your heart into ice. You've got people around to help you keep warm. Keep that in mind."

Gray walked away and left a tense Gary in his wake.

Ooba Babasama blew out another ring of smoke. "Now, then," she sighed, "is it true, Tamer List?"

The room she was in looked like a conference room. Mayor Sabozai sat at the head with her personal assistant. To her right was the commissioner of the Margaret Guard Division. He was not a man, but an Exceed in his humanoid form. He resembled a cheetah with a bushy mustache and an eye patch, his uniform neat. He had his aralez with him in her canine gear and sat dutifully behind him. Doctor Noah Mothersbaugh sat to the left of the mayor with Aceso who sat by the aralez, but could not help making love-struck eyes at her. Erza had made it to the meeting as well, though did not bring any guild mates with her. Andele was there with her labradoodle ensuring his master was situated properly. Lastly, a hologram of a woman was put on the table. She looked a bit older with crow's feet and some white in her hair, but she had spirit and that was all she needed.

The woman nodded. "Yes, Master. As the guild historian and the guild tamer, I can confirm it."

⌜LAMIA SCALE

Name: List Galan

Age: 53

Occupation: S-Class Tamer, Mage, Professor

Ability: Monster Taming, Beast Taming, Animal Taming, Master in Veterinary Sciences

Likes: history Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: List is one of the few tamers in the world who work with any genre of creature, let alone is S-Class! As a side job, she even teaches veterinary sciences and tamer classes at universities and high schools! ⌟

"An ikenga," the commissioner sighed out. "How peculiar."

⌜MARGARET TOWN

Name: Eckart

Age: N/A

Occupation: Commissioner of the Guard Division of Margaret Town

Magic: Aera

Likes: gelato Dislikes: mice

Special Note: Eckart is the first Exceed to ever how such a high power of position in the guard! ⌟

His good eye looked at List. "It's hard to believe a species we thought to become extinct with the fall of Mildian still exists," he rumbled.

"It's here," Andele confirmed. "Its name is Syra, a female. From what I gathered, she's a young one." She smiled. "It looks like she has a connection to Luna Dragneel and Gale Redfox."

Erza contemplated those words. "But, how did those two come into contact with her?" she wondered. "And, what's an ikenga doing in Margaret Town?"

"Excuse me," Mayor Sabozai interrupted, "but please, explain. I took a magical studies course in my days of university as well as a magizoology introduction course, and I'm quite familiar with many magical creatures due to the nature of this town, but I'm not sure what this 'ikenga' is."

List turned to the mayor. "An ikenga is a small creature related to time," she explained. "They were most common when Mildian still existed, a capital city of an empire that died more than four centuries ago. Ikengas were known to be like helpers of time. They appeared in places where the time stream was being manipulated." She looked down to pick up a book and flipped through it. "Little is known about them. Theories suggest ikengas have the power to heal the time stream and even travel back and forth through it."

"So, by this 'ikenga' coming into Margaret Town, the time stream has been altered," Mayor Sabozai figured.

List nodded.

"But, how are we to know that for sure?" Mayor Sabozai demanded.

Doctor Mothersbaugh pointed out to the window behind him. "Check outside," he muttered.

Mayor Sabozai and her assistant peered out the window.

And, they were both taken back.

The sky had darkened into a solemn gray, light but ever present. It was like it was becoming despondent and did not cheer up over the Festival of Gratitude.

Mayor Sabozai's eyes narrowed. "So, I see," she murmured. "The weather change is an indicator, then?"

"It's not just about the weather," Erza informed, "but the feeling behind it. The storm is unnatural. It has magical properties behind it."

"All Mages connected to air and water have been effected," Doctor Mothersbaugh put in. "Water Mages have been put into the Lamia Scale healing pool while all Air Mages have been contained in a room with a constant air purifier."

"Magical creatures should be feeling the effects as well," List added. "Animals are notorious for sensing dangerous change. Those connected to water and air will be feeling more restless. And, this ikenga is sick, meaning time itself has been altered successfully and for vile reasoning."

Mayor Sabozai turned to Commissioner Eckart. "Commissioner, you said that the urn had been stolen from the museum at around one-forty-seven this morning, correct?"

Commissioner Eckart nodded. "Correct, although the urn was put back at a little around three in the morning."

"Will you tell them what you shared this morning?" Mayor Sabozai encouraged.

Commissioner Eckart nodded and turned to look at the rest of the party. "The Urn of Achlys was stolen this morning. Achlys was famed to be an Encan goddess of poison and deadly-mist. Her urn looked empty to those who looked at it, but Achlys was a trickster and would fill her urn with poison in exchange for her blood. Legend has it the urn can only work with the pure-blood of an Encan. One of my guards theorized that the reason it was stolen as to be used to poison the Mûre River."

Erza hardened. "If that's the case, then we must evacuate the town at once."

Commissioner Eckart shook his head. "No, Guild Master Erza, you fail to understand. The poison could only poison its target," he explained. "And, I am sure you know the legend of this town? The legend of the Guardian Duo?"

Erza's eyes widened. "So, you think that…?"

"It's possible that whoever stole the urn is using the poison to draw out the two guardians," List confirmed. "Yes."

"Then, why the ikenga?" Andele had to know. "Why would an ikenga show up if the present is being messed with?"

"Because it isn't just the present being messed with," Ooba Babasama spoke up. She took a puff of her hookah pen and blew it out. "The news came into me today from an underground source."

"What 'news'?" Mayor Sabozai questioned.

"That reformed Commander Dimaria Yesta, the self-proclaimed vessel of time whom retired, was stolen from the reformed Alvarez Empire," Ooba Babasama dropped casually. "Tell me… How long does it take to get to Margaret Town from Alvarez?"

Lance looked disturbed as he, Aine, and two others from Lamia Scale. They were on a double date, or so it would seem, and were sharing ice cream. The other couple looked laidback, the girlfriend headstrong and the boyfriend a bit awkward. Both had tan skin, the girlfriend darker than her boyfriend, and she looked a little more confident with him. The thing that stood out with them was their absurd height different.

Lance looked at the sky. It had begun to protest, its stomach rumbling and wanting to get rid of whatever it ate. Static pulsed around Lance's head.

A Magic storm? And an unwarranted one at that…

"Lance?"

Lance pulled away from his thoughts to look back at Aine and the two. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Aine blinked at him. "Are you okay?" she wondered. "You seem a little out of it."

The girlfriend nodded. "Yeah. You look like you're thinking about how bad you did on your last Calculus test."

⌜LAMIA SCALE

Name: Saudade Mixa

Age: 20

Occupation: Mage, 3rd-Year University Student

Magic: Blood

Likes: superhero movies Dislikes: cheese pizza

Special Note: Saudade is in-training to become a hematologist! That means she's going to become a blood researcher! ⌟

Lance smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Something just caught me off-guard, I guess," he supposed.

The boyfriend looked at Lance, curious, as he tried to take his girlfriend's ice cream. "Well, what's up? I know I'm stressing over my final coming up."

⌜LAMIA SCALE

Name: Majime Scott-Kimura

Age: 20

Occupation: Mage, 3rd-Year University Student

Magic: Spider Magic

Likes: cartoons Dislikes: sweets

Special Note: Majime is double-majoring as a forensic scientist as well as biotechnology! And, after all that, he plays Lacrima games in his spare time! ⌟

Saudade swatted Majime away from her ice cream. "Hands off, you little shit. You know I love ice cream."

Majime cracked his awkward, yet charming grin. "But, how can someone only like vanilla? That's just not right!"

Saudade growled at him. "I'm not playing Legends with you tonight just for that comment," she decided sassily. As Majime spluttered an apology, Saudade turned to Lance. "Now, what's got you so thoughtful, Railgun?"

Lance furrowed his eyebrows as his eyes traveled back to the sky. "Nothing, it's just… The weather feels off," he commented.

Majime put in, "Yeah, I felt that too. My spidey senses are tingling."

Saudade nudged her boyfriend. "Stop being a nerd," she teased.

Majime chuckled. "Yeah, fine, let me just turn into a douche of a boyfriend then. I'm sure you'll love that."

Saudade grinned. "Anyways, what else about the weather?" The question was to Lance. "Feel anything ominous coming in?"

"Nothing's coming in to Margaret Town."

Saudade, Majime, and Aine shared puzzled looks at that.

"It's more like," Lance tried to describe, "something is already here and someone just woke it up. And that 'it' hates being woken up."

Paige frowned as she rolled around her half-melted ice cream. "Man, this sucks," she complained. "We couldn't even be in the same room as Fullbuster and now Nelly's gone and run away."

A terse breath. "Yeah… It…sucks…"

Paige looked up with an eyebrow inquisitively raised. "You okay, Elvin? You look a little…restless."

Elvin did, indeed. His eyes constantly shifted from the sky to the ground and all over as though confused and seeking out what was confusing him. He rolled his shoulders a bit and his leg was bouncing almost as if he had eaten too much sugar.

"Sorry about this," Elvin apologized. "Nnngh. I don't know what's going on with me."

Paige had an idea. "Might be those animal instincts, coz," she predicted. She looked around at the other creatures. A cocker spaniel whimpered as she kneaded her paws on the ground. A kitten was mewing and winding around its mother who was hissing at the graying sky. "You're not the only one who's feeling it."

A wild growl.

Paige turned back Elvin who had bitten his lip as though to keep hold of himself. "Elvin?" she called warily. "What's going on? What's up?"

Elvin growled a little. "Sorry," he got out in a feral rumble. "Dammit!" He abandoned his food to jump up from the table. "I have to get out of here!" he yelped. And he took off without anything else to say.

Paige stood up and reached for him. "Elvin, wait!" she pleaded. With him too far, she lowered her arm. "Oh, great. Another family member ran off." She pulled out crumpled jewels and slammed them on the table. "I can handle Nelly running off, but he looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown." She braced herself. "Soul of the Cheetah!" she chanted.

Her legs burst into yellow aura with corresponding cheetah spots.

Paige took off running as fast as the soul could carry her to follow Elvin.

I'm not letting you get away, Elvin. Not like this.

Nashi walked away from the food stand in laughter with Ellie and Olivia, all of them with baked macaroni and cheese and cups.

"Livy, that guy was totally into you," Nashi jested.

Olivia rolled her eyes and gave a snort. "More like into me for my title," she muttered. "Besides, did you smell that guy's scent? He needs to shower twice a day if he wants to smell decent."

"Sorry, but us true women don't have noses like you," Ellie teased. "He was cute, Livy!"

"I like being single, Ellie," Olivia reminded, mocking Ellie's tone.

Ellie blinked as her grin turned large. "Oh, I'm sorry, but who spent Halloween with Chi-chi again?"

"His best friend—that's 'who'," Olivia countered. "Not everyone needs to be shipped together, Ellie."

Nashi finished a spoonful of macaroni and cheese and pointed her spoon at Olivia. "Livy's right, El-bell. Some people are just best friends in the fairytale and nothing more and we should be satisfied with that."

Ellie pouted. "Oh, come on! You can't honestly tell me I shouldn't be shipping you and Gary!" she whined. "You two are so soul-mate-y, it's not even funny!"

Nashi blushed a bit at that. "First of all, 'soul-mate-y' isn't a word," she defied. "And, secondly, we aren't. The dog is my dog and I'm his master and that is all she wrote. The end."

Olivia smirked. "Come on, Nashi, don't act all innocent. His scent is still on you."

Lightning struck Nashi as she went slack-jawed.

Crap. I forgot about that detail. Did I forget to put on my special perfume? Crap, crap, crap! If Papa smells me, then…!

Olivia and Ellie broke into chortles while Nashi snapped out of her thoughts to look at them in confusion. "Hey. What's so funny?" she wanted to know.

"Nothing," Olivia brushed off amusedly. "It's just…" She cleared her throat. "'You stupid dog! We're never going to be anything else'!" she mocked.

Ellie lowered her voice and pouted her lips. "'But, Angel… I love you'!" she mimicked.

"'I love you too, you stupid dog'!" Olivia confessed. "'Let's get married and have thirty babies'!"

The duo burst into tumultuous laughter while a furiously red Nashi stamped her foot, shaking her fist. "Quit making fun of me! I don't sound like that!" she snapped. She angrily ate more macaroni and cheese. "Geez. I don't get why you guys make it such a big deal anyways. He and I aren't going to happen," she muttered through her mouthful of food.

"Actually, you guys did happen," Olivia jested. "Is he good?"

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Well, duh, he has to be if they went through half my thirty-six pack of Mag—"

"Eliana!" Nashi gasped, mortified. She looked like she could melt at any moment.

Olivia was snickering—that was the best she could do than dying from laughter—while Ellie gave Nashi an amused smile. "You've been withholding vital information from us, Dragneel," she pointed out. "True women share these types of secrets. Especially if they're big secrets."

Nashi groaned as steam poured from her ears. "Stop making this weird," she whined.

"When I saw him naked this morning, though…" Ellie gave a delicious moan. "Oh, God, you got yourself a freaking stallion."

Nashi found herself melting to the ground. "I want to die…" she bellyached.

Olivia gave a mock serious look as she studied Ellie. "Miss, could you please describe said 'stallion'?" she interrogated.

Ellie batted her eyelashes. "Why, yes, of course! The stallion had himself a big—"

"El-bell, please, spare me!" Nashi bemoaned, grabbing onto Ellie's jacket. "I don't need this right now!"

Ellie and Olivia shared hilarious looks and nodded. Olivia took another mouthful of macaroni and cheese while Ellie looked at Nashi. "Fine. No more teasing," she promised.

Nashi gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"But, seriously, Nashi, how was it?"

Nashi groaned. "Ellie…"

"Well?" Ellie pressed.

Nashi reverted back to a somewhat shy look. Her cheeks were dusted pink and there was a look in her eye. A look that said it all. "I mean, he… He wasn't bad, if that's what you mean," she tried to skirt around.

"How not bad was he then?" Olivia probed.

"Well…" Nashi said slowly.

Ellie and Olivia moved closer. "'Well'…" they echoed.

"He was…"

Ellie and Olivia nodded eagerly. "'He was…'?" they prompted.

Nashi opened her mouth.

Ellie and Olivia leaned in closer.

Nashi took in a deep breath.

Ellie and Olivia leaned even closer.

Nashi comically shook her head as her free hand pressed against her cheek. "I can't talk about it," she whimpered.

Ellie and Olivia nearly fell over.

That's what that build up was for?

"I don't know how to describe it," Nashi tried to explain to her friends. She guided them to a nearby table.

"Is it going to become a thing?" Ellie wanted to know as they took their places. "I mean are you guys going to keep doing dot-dot-dot?"

Nashi exhaled loudly. "I don't know," she bemoaned truthfully. "I mean… Is it even worth it? It's not going to lead anywhere and…" She closed her eyes as she put her spoon in her cup. "I don't want him to ask too many questions."

Olivia softened. "He won't, Nashi. Gary knows when to stop and not push you."

Nashi ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah, but… It's still embarrassing," she mumbled.

Ellie set down her spoon and cup to bring Nashi's head onto her shoulder. "You don't have to tell him what you don't want to," she soothed. "And, if you ever want to, do it on your own terms, okay? No one's going to force you."

Nashi nodded meekly. "I know…"

"Ask Mara," Olivia recommended. "You normally see her twice a week? Ask her for her opinion."

Nashi sighed. "I will," she said. "Promise."

To the people in and of Margaret Town, the Festival of Gratitude was a success. While the sky was bleak, their moods were spirited and full of happiness.

The boardwalk had been decorated in festive cheer with venders streaked across the it. Boats still had their work to do and went back and forth under the bridge and across the Mûre River. Two little kids and their Kumiho cub and Nachtkrapp—a raven made only of shadows and darkness with glowing violet eyes—laughed as they raced across the boardwalk with the parents strolling along. A group of friends had gotten to the shore of the river and skipped stones for the fun of it all.

One girl tried her very best, but, alas, the stone just fell into the water.

"Nice try, Mimi," came the cocky voice of a guy.

Mimi stuck her tongue at him as the rock went deeper. "Shut up!"

The rock found itself subjected to the coolness of the Mûre River and all its signs of life. Gudgeon and pikes were swimming about and avoided the rock. A school of bream diverged away from the sinking rock. But magical creatures shared the water as well. Abaia were huge eels made entirely out of lightning and electricity, never once faltering in their stride. Bradán feasa was a type of magical salmon that was quite large and had mosaic tiles for scales. They came with fast knowledge and looked as the stone floated even more-so down. A few Chen—giant clams—and Akkorokamui—giant octopus monsters who wheezed bubbles—who had hidden in the deeper part of the river appeared intrigued at the falling stone as nothing ever came so far down.

What was most intriguing about the Mûre River is the depth of it all. The rock had sunken so far deep, it went into the next level of water that separated itself by looking even darker and ominous than its counterpart. The rock disappeared into the darker water.

It was forever gone.

Two glowing eyes glared through the depths and a call shaking the depths of the water vibrated.

Luna stood up instantly as her eyes widened. "No…"

Gale looked at her, bewildered. "You okay, Blondie?"

It seemed Luna did not hear him. Instead, all she heard was the rumble of the sky. But, her mind heard something else.

That noise… That couldn't be…

Luna took a sweep of the First Aid Center. The magical creatures had all become faint or restless, each having their eyes flickering to the sky or to the ground. They were waiting for something to happen.

Gale stood up as well, peering at Luna in worry. "Talk to me, Blondie," he urged. "What's going on?"

"It's just like before."

Gale was taken back. "'Just like before'?"

"She's coming," Luna murmured. "They're coming."

The healing pool Lamia Scale offered to all and any Water Mages and creatures of the sea was filled with grunts of pain and turmoil. Caretakers frettingly looked after their charges, but their hovering and assistance did not help.

Gray held his wife as she gave hisses of pain, her body sweating profusely. He looked at Silver who was being held by Julia and Gary as he groaned and pleaded for the pain to stop. "Just hold on a little longer," Gray whispered in encouragement. "Hold on for me."

Meredy arrived with Lyon and both had merrow pups and a Kumiho who looked awfully ill. They handed them to the volunteers.

"We have more for you," Lyon declared. His eyes swept across the healing pool. "My God…" He watched as nurses and doctors and volunteers and even healing magical creatures were overwhelmed at the masses of patients they had received.

Andele approached Lyon and Meredy. "It's worse than you think," she said in a no-nonsense tone. "The Air Mages might not be as bad, but they're worsening."

"How can this be happening?" Lyon wanted to know.

"I sense so much pain and sadness and fear," Meredy lamented. "Who would do this?"

"Obviously, someone with a vendetta," Lyon predicted.

"Or," came another voice, "perhaps not."

Lyon and Meredy turned to see Yuka coming toward them with his eyes believably serious. Yuka glanced about the healing pool and while his sobriety did not fade, there was sadness.

"What are you talking about?" Meredy asked.

"Maybe we're looking at this too closely," Yuka proposed. "A vendetta against Margaret Town might be too little. Think of the bigger picture. Think of what's been happening these past few months."

Lyon was beginning to understand. "The attacks…" he murmured.

Yuka nodded.

"But, we would have felt something like that," Meredy assured. "We would've—"

"I'm not saying it's on the same scale as that," Yuka soothed. "What I am saying is this person doesn't have a vendetta against Margaret Town. They might be working with someone who does, but the boss doesn't. No." He began to walk away. "The person doing this has a love affair with chaos."

Meredy blinked. "'Chaos'… Chaos…" Something clicked to her. "Chaos!" She turned to Lyon. "Lee, I'll be back soon, okay? I need to check something. Stay with our family."

Lyon tried to stop her. "Where are you going?"

"It's about my past," Meredy told him. "It might not be much, but it can help!" And, she ran off.

"Meredy!" Lyon called, but it was too late. She still sprinted away. He frowned as he watched his wife.

Please, find what you're looking for and come back to me.

Nolan had stars in his eyes as he practically drooled at Justin and Honey. "Oh, my goddess," he whispered. "This is happening. This is real. This isn't a drill."

Justin gave a big smile to Nolan. "Yes, this is real. It's very nice to meet you, Nolan."

"He knows my name. Miss Fortune knows my name," Nolan whispered. He let out a girlish squeal of delight. "Oh, my God, I'm dead! This is Heaven right now! This is amazing!"

Ekho, Bane, Peter, and Mary Jane watched Nolan gawk and prod his idols and gush over them with stars and light radiating off him. Justin and Honey took it all in amusement and were more than delighted to greet their fan.

Ekho smiled. "I've never seen him so happy since that Lady B.B. concert and we got backstage passes," she admitted. She turned to Mary Jane. "You just made his wildest dream come true. You're like his Fairy Godmother now."

Mary Jane had a disturbed look on her face. "Yeah, no, I'm fine with just being Mary Jane, thanks."

"More like a bitch," Bane muttered.

Ekho elbowed him roughly. "Stop being such an ass. You should be considered 'lucky' you met her anyways. She's been great!" she defended.

Bane rolled his eyes. "At what, exactly? Being a pain in my ass? Oh, wait, that's your job!"

Ekho allowed her eyes to water, but did not let it go any further than that. She huffed her frustration and turned to glower at Mary Jane and Peter. "I'm going back. Don't wait up," she growled. And, she stomped off.

Bane cursed and chased after her. "Dammit, Ekho, you can't go anywhere without me!" he shouted after her.

Peter hummed his laughter. "And, then there were three."

"Two," Mary Jane corrected. "I'm out."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Where to?"

Mary Jane gave an unknowing shrug. "Don't know, don't care," she said bluntly. "It's about that time I go off, listen to my music, and be in isolation." Her hands shifted to her headphones. "Gives me life and all that inspirational crap."

"Well, how about I join you?" Peter offered. "You can't expect me to let you wander around town without an escort, can you?"

"I do expect that and you will respect it," Mary Jane told him with a fake smile. "Make sure Nolan doesn't get to handsy and you should be fine." She put on her headphones. "Bye."

"Wait."

Mary Jane was stopped when a hand captured her arm. She looked up at Peter with a raised eyebrow. "Yes…?"

"Look, I know you said I had one chance and, so far, I should hope it's been as great for you as it has for me," Peter started.

Mary Jane held up a hand. "Stop right there," she commanded. "Whatever talk I'm about to receive, I personally don't care about nor want to hear it. Whatever we did these last two days was chill. You're a decent human being. I can't promise we will see each other again frankly because I have Magic, you don't, and I don't really know where my jobs take me. You have my number. Use it, but don't abuse it or lose it. Do not call me. Ever." She cocked her head. "That about cover everything?"

Peter had to chuckle as he released Mary Jane. "I have never met a more straight-forward person than you," he confessed. "You're one of a kind."

Mary Jane rolled her eyes. "All right. Have fun with Nolan," she farewelled as she took out her Sound Pod and walked away. She chose another rock song and slipped her Sound Pod back in her pocket. She heaved a breath.

He might not have ever met someone so straight-forward, but I've met a bunch of people who try to weasel their way into my heart and be my friend.

Her eyes saddened just a bit.

They're great people. But, I'm not the one they deserve as a friend.

In the depths of the Mûre River, two glowing eyes sought freedom from their despair and anguish.

And the call of the sea echoed throughout the water.

Mary Jane flinched, her static sparking, as a sudden migraine overtook her body. She was forced to stop walking as one step made the migraine even worse. Her eyes stung as tears gathered as the pain wracked through her head. Dizziness overwhelmed and brought her to her knees. It was like she was Atlas and the world was pressing upon on point in her temple.

She could hear someone trying to call her. It sounded like they were calling her "ma'am". So, it was someone unfamiliar to her. She tried to garner the strength to get up and keep moving as though she were fine, but the migraine demanded she fell pain and pain she felt. She gave a cry as hot tears ran down her face. The pain was agonizing. She wanted to scream and cry and vomit and curl into a ball all at the same time. She did not know what to feel.

Warm hands—familiar hands—touched her back.

Mary Jane's watery eyes opened slightly. She was confused at first. For the person she saw before her was not familiar in a sense. He held swagger and a look not seen in ages.

"MJ…?" he called, fretting. "MJ…!"

Mary Jane's eyes shut as her migraine clamped down on her head even more. She gave a sob of agony.

She felt her body being lifted by hands she had felt before. The hold she was in jostled her, made her cry even more, but she took comfort in the warm she felt. Her eyes cracked open again, still crying, still blurry, but they opened a little. She looked at her saving grace. She could only see a pair of lips pulled into a heavy frown.

Dark eyes flicked down to meet hers.

A mouth opened. "I've got you," came a sincere promise. "I'm here, MJ."

That was all Mary Jane heard until the pain stabbed at her again. And, when it all came too much to bear, her body froze, numb, her mind stopped its tracked, and everything shut down.

For a storm to get better, it had to get worse.

And worse it got.

The rumbling gray clouds had darkened haphazardly. They rumbled like a timpani and bass drum giving ode to a score that would lead to the darkest part of the film. Lightning had not made its appearance yet, but everyone knew it was time. There was that notorious scent of oncoming rain, that ugly smell everyone wrinkled their nose at and yet took comfort in when they were sad.

Those without Magic could now sense the oddity of this newborn weather. They looked at the sky in fear and confusion. The peaceful day had turned gloomy and restless.

On Lacrima Screens, Mayor Sabozai appeared, looking like she was inside her own office. "Attention, citizens and guests of Margaret Town," she announced, garnering attention from any near a Lacrima Screen. "This is not a drill. Commissioner Eckart and myself issue a non-mandatory evacuation to all citizens and guests. An unnatural and magical storm has been sited over Margaret Town without reason and could endanger lives should it become active. Guards have been stationed at every block to provide help for families and will help guide everyone to the train station to the evacuation center just thirty-minutes away from the city. I would highly encourage everyone to take this opportunity…"

A few people at a bar looked at the screen in puzzlement.

"Tch. It's just a storm," one of the men said. "Not like we haven't gotten anything bad before. I'm stayin' right here."

A woman watched the broadcast within her master bedroom as she folded laundry. Her eyes were filled with worry as Mayor Sabozai's message repeated. "Honey!" she called. "Get the suitcases ready!"

The Margaret Town train station was already becoming filled with those who were ready to evacuate. Guards in the town were helping the elderly from a retirement home leave with their last belongings as well as helping families and those with special needs. The Margaret Town Clinic was transferring residents out with extra care. Still, most ignored the issued warning and carried on with their lives, some even hunkering down in their homes to comfortably wade out the storm.

Lamia Scale was filled with guild members of Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale. The Mages were chattering with one another, equally concerned about the nature of the storm.

Orochi, Mara, and Amani had all taken to sitting together with Amani's djembe on one side of him and his own vrykolaka that had become a grown adult.

Orochi sighed. "I'm not liking the sense of things here," he commented.

Mara signed to the both of them, From what it feels like, this storm is about to get worse.

Amani nodded, petting his vrykolaka. "I agree. I wish the evacuation was mandatory, but not even a mayor can force an evacuation. It has to be completely optional."

"Hey, Oreo!"

Orochi picked up his head to see Olivia scampering towards him and was surprised. "Ollie… What's up?"

Olivia scanned the guild hall. "Have you seen Leo? He hasn't been responding to my texts or calls."

Orochi shook his head and Olivia frowned. To console her, he offered, "He might be helping with the evacuation."

Olivia rolled her lips at the possibility. "True…"

Lance had parted from Aine when he saw his mother whispering frantically to anyone in the vicinity. He shouldered his way towards her to stop her. "Mom!" he called. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Mira looked at her eldest's bewildered emerald with distraught cerulean. "I can't find Mary Jane," she blurted.

"Mom, calm down," Lance tried to soothe. "Mary Jane might be with—"

"No, you don't understand," Mira whispered. "Every time I call, it says her Compact is disconnected. I can't get through to her with messages. And…" She pulled out something in her pocket.

Lance's eyes widened.

It was Mary Jane's Sound Pod. A bit scratched, but not broken.

"No…" Lance whispered. "We have to find her!"

Mira held back a sob. "Your father is trying to track her now, but with the storm…" She held herself in an embrace. "I need to find her!"

Lance brought Mira into a hug both she and he needed. He kept her close as his eyes closed. "Don't worry, Mom. We'll find her. She can't have gone too far," he assured.

We'll find you, Mary Jane, Lance thought. I promise you.

"Attention, Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale!"

Everyone looked up at the stage to see Ooba and Erza staring them all down like the powerful guild masters they were. Ooba had made the call and Erza was slightly behind her. It was Ooba's territory, her guild, and she had the right of authority.

"As you may have sensed, a magical storm has come to Margaret Town for reasons we have yet to confirm," Ooba announced. "However, we have reasons to believe the Guardian Duo are awakening and not for the better."

The guild hall dispersed into murmurs of frets and disbelief.

Ooba calmed them with a hand. "As so, Guild Master Erza and myself will be dividing you all into evacuation teams and those to help prepare for the arrival of two angry deities," she continued. She gestured for Erza to step forward.

Erza did so and spoke to the crowd, "As this is Ooba's territory, she will be the commanding voice in this, Fairy Tail. I will be of assistance, but I ask you to proceed to Guild Master Ooba for any further instructions."

Ooba nodded at that. "Now, here are your assignments…"

Gale grunted from his place against a pillar. "Such bullshit," he spat. "The air is thick with dread and we're here, sittin' on our asses with nothing to show for it than worry in our eyes."

"It's the best we can do."

Gale looked over at Luna who had taken to sitting away from the masses and near a wall. Syra had settled down under Luna's care. She was still distressed, but seemed relatively calm with Luna keeping up casual pets and coos.

"Think about it," Luna asked for softly. "No one can force a person to leave their home and we can't do anything without viable proof."

"Look at the weather," Gale grumbled. "That enough proof?"

"Not nearly enough and you know that," Luna chided.

Gale sighed and pushed himself off the pillar to go to her. "Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean I'm happy about it." He sat next to Luna and took his turn scratching Syra's stomach. "And with the bunny on the fritz, makes me even more worried. And you…"

"I'm fine," Luna cut off sharply.

Gale seared her with a glare. "You're not 'fine', Blondie," he growled. "Your dream—"

"Means nothing right now." Luna looked up at Gale with soulful eyes. "Please, let it go. It could've been just a dream."

Gale softened and shook his head. "We both know your dreams mean so much more," he murmured. "You should get out of here with her." He nodded at Syra.

"Not without my family and Fairy Tail," Luna negated. "I'm staying if they're staying."

Gale growled his frustration. "You're so stubborn, Blondie."

Luna gave him a little smile. "You wouldn't like me if I wasn't."

Gale froze at that. Then, he broke into a guffaw. "Nah. Probably wouldn't," he agreed. He looked back at Syra. "Can you promise me you'll stay somewhere safe? Stay with Syra. Protect her."

"I will," Luna promised. "But, you have to promise you'll be safe too."

"Ha!" Gale laughed. "Like that'll happen!"

Luna laughed herself. "Okay, okay, so maybe you can't promise that, but… Promise me…you'll at least come back for more adventures."

Gale raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, after all, our fairytale is just beginning, right?" Luna smiled fondly at that. "The story of the princess who was locked away in a tower and the jerk dragon who freed her for a life of adventure!" She looked up at Gale to wink at him. "Sounds pretty good, huh?"

Gale smirked as a tick mark pounded against his forehead. "A 'jerk dragon', huh? I'll show you what it takes to be a jerk. But…" His smirk melded into a smile. "Yeah… Sounds pretty a'ight to me, principessa."

°•°•°•°

The storm had worsened. The clouds were stirring black and thundering, thundering, thundering without missing a beat. Lightning was beginning to snake about the clouds, never striking but reminding people how much it could. The winds blew and howled as though restless and knowing of the upcoming battle.

The Mûre River was becoming rough and volatile. Waves crashed to and fro without fail. Boats signaled to each other about ports for them to dock at. Magical creatures of the sea either came to shore or buried themselves farther down to withstand such strong currents. Red flags were put up for all to see that the water was no longer allowed to be used publicly.

The Festival of Gratitude quickly was taken down. Vendors and carnies had abandoned their stands to take shelter. Many had retreated to their homes or took the aid guards offered to go to the train station. Mages of the home and away guild were helping as well. Telekinetic Mages had been sent to keep the waters calm as well as put up walls to keep the treacherous waters from reaching unimaginable levels. Some Mages were helping tear down the festival and others were helping with the evacuation issue.

Laxus sniffed about and sifted through the chaos. He growled to himself.

Dammit. Where could she be?

"Laxus!"

Laxus turned to see Natsu running towards him. "Busy, Natsu," he grunted.

"I checked that spot you last saw Mary Jane and Igneel's scent was there too," Natsu informed. "He could be with her."

"But, we don't know that," Laxus snapped. "They could be anywhere!"

Natsu put a hand on Laxus' shoulder. "We'll find them," he promised. "You raised Mary Jane to be tough as lightning and Igneel was trained to handle this type of weather. They'll be fine together or separated." He looked around. "Gajeel, Galileo, and Luke are trying to sniff them out, Olivia's going to be sent out, and Lisanna is using her Soul Sight to track down their souls." He looked at Laxus and took his hand off his shoulder. "Our brats are just that—ours. We trained them to be fighters just like us. Don't forget that."

Laxus blinked. Then, he smirked. "Well, well… When the Hell did you get so smart?"

Natsu grinned as he rubbed underneath his nose. "Heh heh. They don't call me the 'Fire Dragon King' for nothin'!"

Laxus walked away, snorting. "I thought it was you doing Lucy that gave you some intelligence."

Natsu went slack-jawed at that. "Hey, that's…that's not fair…"

°•°•°•°

Nashi was on guard as she patrolled the skies in her Seraphim armor. Ellie had joined her to as a sylph with an array of kaleidoscopic wings, white hair, and an enchanted bow as her weapon. Nashi looked around to see the water churning, unsettled and queasy.

I have a bad feeling about all this. Something's down there.

Seraphim voiced his own concerns. The soul down there is powerful and ancient. The seal on it has been broken through its animosity. It is trying to wake and breach back into the surface.

Do we have a chance to stop it? Nashi wanted to know.

It is not just that soul we should fear. It is its counterpart, Seraphim reminded. We cannot afford to face both. Even with the combined might of all Mages in this town, the ancient souls will win with chaos and destruction on their side.

How could this happen? Nashi growled. How could we let this happen? And this wasn't even a demon, was it?

No, it was not, Seraphim confirmed. We would have felt a soul full of wrath and sin. All I can feel are two ancient souls.

I tried sensing a disturbance in time, Nashi admitted. But, so far, I can't pinpoint a location.

"Nashi!"

Nashi looked over to see Ellie floating towards her. "What is it, Ellie?"

Ellie shivered a bit as she looked around the skies. "It's just… Even I'm starting to feel a little sick from the amount of Magic energy I feel," she confessed. "The two souls I feel…" She looked at the river and pointed. "Especially the one down there… It feels wrong."

"I know the feeling," Nashi agreed. "And we can't afford to just sit around and do nothing." She turned to the river as she clenched her fists. "But, what more can we do?" she muttered.

I wish we weren't sitting on our asses like this, but we can't do anything besides wait. And I hate waiting.

Patient, little one, Seraphim soothed. Continue your sky patrol. We must be prepared.

Nashi nodded. Right.

A new voice shouted, "Come on, you too!"

Nashi and Ellie looked to see a male Mage riding side-saddle on a scythe that kept him afloat using fire coming out of the staff of his scythe. He was not human, but a humanoid rabbit, large and buff in size, and wore a tailored butler uniform. His fur was a patchwork brown and his eyes had reading glasses to shield them.

⌜LAMIA SCALE

Name: Sir Briocoso the Second

Age: 43

Occupation: S-Class Mage

Magic: Scythe Magic

Likes: tea Dislikes: boy bands

Special Note: Sir Briocoso isn't any rabbit – he actually used to be human, but was cursed with this body! ⌟

Briocoso continued, "We might as well keep patrolling. Anything pops up and we'll be the first one to know."

Ellie and Nashi nodded, "Right."

The three took off in different directions, scouting around Margaret Town. Nashi searched about and made sure the evacuation was going smoothly as well as making sure the enemy did not appear at any moment.

I just hope, Nashi prayed, that whatever happens, we can save these people.

DRIP.

Nashi flinched, then looked up.

DROP.

Rain droplets were falling down. Not in pelts, but in a gentle rush.

Huh? Rain?

Margaret Town continued in its calm chaos. Some people left the city in a flurry of panic, splashing through puddles that were being formed. Others stayed put as watched the news as their mayor and commissioner gave them detailed instructions. Mages and guards did their civic duty to protect the innocent and lead them to safety.

But, one Mage strayed from the path.

He was closer to the shore than any Mage. He did not care how high the tide was or how dangerous it was. He continued his stroll.

Then, he stopped.

His hand went to his cigarette and took it out. He puffed harmful smoke before dropping the cigarette on the shore. He squashed it with his shoe.

A sigh. "And, now, for the final piece…" He reached into his coat pocket and took it out. It was a small cube that did not look like much. "This should get the ball rolling…" He threw back his arm, then he launched it forward, letting go of the cube.

PLOP.

The cube sunk into the river as the stone had. It continued to sink and sink and sink. Magical beasts and regular creatures alike hid their gazes away from the cube. It possessed something dangerous, something cruel, something none of them wanted to touch. It continued to sink and sink and sink until it had reached the bottom of the first level of the river and was about to go to the second level.

The man smirked. "Now… Activate…"

In correspondence, the cube emitted a scarlet aura. It pulsed once, then breached into the next level of the river, forever to disappear.

Nothing happened.

Then, the echoing cry of the sea shook the entire river.

WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH.

A young worker who had fallen asleep eating his takeout food woke up from his light slumber at the sound of his alarms. His eyes frantically looked around at the Lacrima screens that had been set off by severe storm and hurricane warnings. He set down his takeout in order to grab the emergency Lacrima communicator. He dialed one number and it did not take long for someone to answer. "No time! We have a code F-L-U-S-four-four and W-F-U-S-five-four! Repeat! F-L-U-S-four-four and W-F-U-S-five-four!"

°•°•°•°

Commissioner Eckart was leaving his office when he heard beeping go off. He looked to see his emergency Lacrima communicator had gone off. He was quick to answer it. "Status report," he snapped. He paused. One beat. Two beats. Three beats. His eyes hardened. "Say that again?" he growled.

Syra let out mewls of distress as Luna held her in the guild hall.

Gale became alarmed. "What's going on?" he fretted. "Why's she freaking out?"

Luna let out a low grunt. "Something's…wrong…"

Gale looked at Luna to see her in equal pain. "Blondie…"

Luna cracked open her eyes to give Gale a desperate look. "We…have to…get out there," she urged.

"No." Gale was quick to deny her. "We're getting you to that healing pool. You need to look after Syra." He tried to help her to her feet. "Come on. We'll get you safe."

Luna shook her head and jerked out of Gale's arms. "You're not listening to me," she hissed. She gave another moan of hurt. "She…needs me…!"

"And I'll make sure Syra stays here," Gale promised.

"No," Luna gasped. "Not…Syra… She…needs me… She's hurt… She…needs…help… The…river…" She wobbled forward, unsteady on her feet.

Gale caught her without a second thought. "I don't get it," he grumbled. "Who needs you?"

Luna gave another grunt of pain as the storm gave a roar of anger. "Nay…da…" she gasped out.

Gale was befuddled at that. "Who the Hell is that?"

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER.

"Attention, citizens. We apologize for the interruption in normal programming," came an announcement.

Gale looked up alongside the other Mages that had been stationed at the guild hall to except those who needed shelter. The Lacrima-Visions showed two news broadcasters with their ever-so-somber looks.

"However, recently, there have been reports several cyclones that have come from the Mûre River," one of the news casters spoke. The screen changed to see the watery cyclones that swayed to the beat of the storm's drum.

The Mages of the guild were taken back at such an awful sight and murmured to themselves.

°•°•°•°

People from all across Margaret Town saw the news broadcast and stared at the screens in horror and disbelief. This was happening to their city, their town, their home. A mother gathered her children in her arms while the family salawa lay at their feet. Two brothers living together stopped their sandwich-making to look at the LV.

°•°•°•°

"We are on watch for flash flooding and issue a warning for severe thunderstorms. We ask all in Margaret Town to consider evacuating the town for their own safety," the other news caster reported. "As of now, Mages have been sent out along with a request for an Anti-Magic Unit to keep the cyclones contained, but now is the time to act."

°•°•°•°

One man snapped at guards as he held his two cats and argued they help him take his last cat. Another family had guards help move the eldest of the family, a grandmother in a wheelchair and little memory left.

°•°•°•°

"For those who wish to stay in their homes, we implore you to turn off all electrical items in your household. Stay in your bathrooms near the center of your house and reinforce it with anything you can find. You can also stay in a windowless hallway, a walk-in closet, or under the stairwell."

°•°•°•°

Commissioner Eckhart and his aralez led teams of guards to build more barricades while Erza led team of Mages to reinforce homes with protective barriers. Nolan and NJ were huddled at the train station together as they called their parents to let them know the situation. Bane kept Ekho close. Perhaps he did not notice how he held her and how soft his expression was, but his caretaker certainly did. Bleu was on his Compact, but Peter looked around the station as though looking for someone.

"You okay, man?" Bleu asked, though distracted.

Peter nodded. "Yeah…" He began walking. "Make sure everyone gets on the train. I'll be back!"

Bleu looked up from his Compact, alarmed at Peter's leaving. "Dude, we gotta go!" he shouted.

Peter broke into a job. "I'll be back!" he promised. He maneuvered his way through the crowd of finicky people with one though set on his mind.

Something's not right. Don't worry, baby girl, I'm coming.

°•°•°•°

"Emergency supplies for you to bring include any food, a can opener, and water. Bring a flashlight, batteries if possible, a mattress, a blanket, a Compact, any protective clothing available, tools, and crate your pets should you have any."

°•°•°•°

The Mages and creatures connected to water hissed and groaned at the utter pain they all felt. Gray could only watch helplessly as Juvia thrashed and cried for someone to relieve her from her anguish. Julia did everything in her power to keep Silver calm, but nothing would work. Gary watched his family suffer with a clenched jaw and stormy eyes that threatened to turn. He turned on his heel and left the pool.

°•°•°•°

"For those who would like to evacuate the town, please only bring the necessities. Food, water, and supplies will be provided for you at the evacuation center.

°•°•°•°

Elvin flinched and gritted his teeth together as he leaned against an alleyway wall. The rain had been unkind to him and so had the wind, but he forced himself to keep going no matter what. His glasses dropped and he stepped on them, breaking him as he kept going.

°•°•°•°

"But, please, people, we must leave the town now," the news caster pleaded. "Leave now before it's too late!"

°•°•°•°

Paige slowed down as she hit the same alleyway Elvin had. She hardened as she swiped the broken glasses and studied them. She shook, angered, and took off after her cousin.

°•°•°•°

The other news caster put a hand on his fellow anchor. She looked away angrily and allowed her co-host to take over. He coughed and addressed the public. "The mayor has asked all to keep calm and to not leave the town in a panic. We must keep this evacuation in an orderly fashion. So, stay safe, Margaret Town. And," he added, "stay calm."

ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

The screen faded to a bright blue as the alarm tone went off. An automatic tone voiced over it. "Please leave the area at once. We are on watch for flash flood warnings and have cited several cyclones. Severe thunderstorms are on the way. Please use the evacuation arrows and guards to guide yourself to the train station. This message will now repeat."

In Lamia Scale, Ooba Babasama barked, "Kazari! Come here!"

Kazari—she was a young girl with pigtails and a flower crown—came to the stage. "Yes, Master!"

Ooba Babasama put a hand on the child's shoulder. "Establish a link with not only this guild but Fairy Tail. Can you do it?"

Kazari gave an obedient nod. "Whatever needs doing, Master," she promised. She closed her eyes. Her Magic Circle bloomed beneath her and an aura of silver misted around her, fluttering her hair. "The link is now established, Master," she murmured.

Ooba Babasama bowed her head and closed her eyes. This is a message to all guild members and Mages alike, she thought. This is Guild Master Ooba Babasama. Hear me.

°•°•°•°

Mages across Margaret Town paused what they were doing when they head the voice of the eldest guild master in Fiore. Liberty was at the station with Ellie, the triplets, Evergreen, and Lisanna and paused when she heard the great master's voice. Linus was shouting to keep people in a calm and orderly line as they left the town and stopped when he heard his master's voice. Gajeel stopped his searching alongside Galileo to close their eyes at Ooba's voice. Saudade, Toby, Meredy, Ultear—they all bowed their heads.

°•°•°•°

Ooba thought to the Mages. Ensure the evacuation of every single citizen. Go door to door if you must. I want scanners on every single building and house. Protective measures must be in place. For those who can afford it, find any stray animals and take them to the train station. No life goes unnoticed and no house unturned.

°•°•°•°

Erza began changing direction in her leading and sent out Mages in teams to go to streets. Mages knocked on doors while some went to higher ground to scan the vicinity.

°•°•°•°

We will make sure Margaret Town will stay safe and its people as well, Ooba promised. We are Mages sworn to protect the peace and this is no exception. I have faith in all of you, children, make no mistake. Today, we are not just Fairy Tail or Lamia Scale. We are a unit.

°•°•°•°

No one noticed an unfamiliar figure slipped into the evacuated museum. He stepped inside without any guards to stop him. He looked around with empty place of history with a smirk. "Well, well… This will make my job a whole lot easier."

°•°•°•°

We are the upholders of magical peace. We are the ones to commit justice when it is Magic that is at fault.

°•°•°•°

Elvin continued to run, but something pulled at him. He passed by a window, but had to backtrack. He looked at his blurry reflection to see his ears had elongated into pointed tips like that of a canine. He opened his mouth to see his canines had become pointier. Disgusted with himself, he ran off at his own horror and anguish.

°•°•°•°

We all knows these cyclones and this thunderstorm is not the work of nature but of Magic itself.

°•°•°•°

Yuka instructed Mages who worked together to put up barrier around the river. Amani played his djembe to the tune of the earth and barriers erupted to keep the tide at bay. Lance used his lightning to gather iron-sand and build wall upon wall. A pair of twin sisters used their telekinetic prowess to keep the tides at bay while a mole-like creature dug trenches.

°•°•°•°

And only we have the capabilities to stop this. The Anti-Magic Unit will shortly arrive, but their help will only ease the public. It is us that will get the job done.

°•°•°•°

Luna jerked out of Gale's hold in the guild hall. "I'm sorry…" She began to run away with Syra in her arms. "I have to go!"

Gale was stunned for a moment, but that was enough for Luna to gain distance. He snapped out of his confusion to chase after her. "Blondie! Blondie, wait!" he shouted.

°•°•°•°

So, Mages inside Margaret Town, heed the words of an old bat like me. Ooba's eyes opened with hard years of determination laying into them. We will continue to uphold the peace!

°•°•°•°

The Mages in and out of the guild hall roared their agreement to Ooba's inspirational words. They could not help but for their spirits to be lifted at that. Erza gave a smile of approval at the elder guild master's encouragement.

All except Luna.

She burst out of the guild hall and into the heavying rain. Thunder snarled and lightning snaked in-between clouds, making Luna flinch. But, she jetted down the street with no delay.

Gale rushed out after her and caught her when she moved down another street. "Blondie, wait!" he tried to halt. He growled when she disappeared. "You and your running off…" He sprinted after her without a second thought.

Luna continued to race down the streets, crossing bridges and cutting corners. It was like she knew where to go, yet could not tell you. It was that feeling you get when you knew a pathway, but not the direct name of the destination. She cradled an irritable Syra in her arms and looked down. Syra nuzzled against Luna as though she could cure her of her distress.

Don't worry. I get how you feel. I feel it too. Just a little furth—

"Hey! Miss!"

Luna skidded to a halt and looked up in surprise. Two guards had spotted her and were already headed in her direction. She took steps back.

No, no… I have to go…

"Ma'am, are you all right?" one guard asked. "You seem a bit distressed."

Luna shook her head. "I'm…fine. Please, no need to worry. I just have to keep going," she insisted.

"Where are your parents?" the other guard asked. "Were you separated?"

"No, we weren't," Luna assured. "I'm a member of—"

The guards came closer to her.

"Ma'am, we'll have to ask you to come with us," a guard spoke. "We're sorry, but we have to get all civilians out of this area. Come on. We'll help you find your parents."

When one of the guards reached for Luna, she backed away. "No, you don't understand. I have to go," she insisted. She was desperate for them to understand, for them to let her go.

"Ma'am, please cooperate," one of the guards warned. "We need to get you out of this town."

Luna shook her head. "You don't get it," she said with a trembling lip. "None of you get it." She took off and ran the opposite direction.

The guards were on her tail in an instant. "Hey! Come back here!" they called to her.

Luna turned down another street to avoid them, but they continued to be on her tail. They were bigger than her with longer strides and better speed and were bound to catch up with someone as small as her. She continued to splash through the puddles and go through the rain and thunder.

Please, I can't let them get me. I have to go.

In the darkness of it all, something sparked.

Luna looked down at the distressed Syra.

We have to get there. We have to go. We have to help her.

In the darkness of it all, the spark began to bloom into something more.

Please, Luna pleaded, squeezing her eyes shut, help us.

In the darkness of it all, the rain faded, the thunder stopped growling, and the lightning was gone. In the darkness of it all, the spark blossomed and grew in the silence until it consumed the darkness and turned it into light.

Something responded back to Luna, gentle and strong. Your wish has been granted.

Luna's eyes opened wide only to see a growing portal made of white energy. It was summoned a bit away from her, but at the rate she was going, she would run into it.

The guards reached out to her, ready to catch her.

"Ma'am, please, get back here!" one of the guards demanded.

Luna squeezed her eyes shut and held Syra close. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "But, we have to help her." She opened her eyes as the portal came closer. "This…is for her!" She ran straight into the portal without any hesitation and disappeared.

And the portal closed right before the guards could even try and follow her.

They skidded to a halt, exasperated. Their eyes glanced around to look for their escaped victim.

"Ma'am!" one of the guards called over the growls of thunder, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Ma'am, please! We have to get you out of here! Ma'am!"

Gale slowed down as he approached the street. His eyes caught sight of the two guards and, rather than confront them, he hid in an alleyway to eavesdrop on their conversation.

The guard put down his hands and sighed. "Looks like she and that pet of hers are gone," he presumed. "I hope she's okay. She looked young."

"We'll keep searching for her," the other guard promised. "She couldn't have gone far. Didn't see her using that teleport-thing though."

Gale's eyes narrowed.

"Kids these days," the guard sighed. He broke into a jog. "Well, let's get a move on!"

"Yes, sir!"

Gale looked up at the sky as he heard the splashes of the guards' retreating steps. "So, she made a portal, huh? She must've been desperate. And she'll be a bit tired."

Lightning finally cracked, striking at its prey and lighting up the sky in a series of flashes.

Blondie… Gale thought. Where could you have gone?

"She…needs…help…"

Gale remembered Luna's pained expression at the guild.

"The…river…"

Gale's eyes widened.

That's it!

Gale turned on the wall and dug his hands into the brick. They sunk in as though the brick was nothing more than clay. Hauling himself up, Gale climbed up the wall and onto the roof of the building. It took no effort to get himself onto the roof and steady himself. His line of vision was zeroed onto the river becoming filled with watery cyclones.

You're there. I know it.

Gale began his sprint to the river with no regrets looking him in the eye.

I just need to know… Who's…'Nayda'?

°•°•°•°

When Luna reappeared, she tumbled out of the portal and nearly staggered onto her stomach. She caught herself, however, and kept herself upright as the portal diminished behind her. Wind and rain whipped around her and dangerously so, but that was okay. She looked around to see she had made it.

The river… I'm here…

"Brrr…!"

Luna looked down to see Syra shivering in her hold. She did her best to stroke Syra's wet fur and keep her calm. "It's okay," she shushed. "We're here, just like I promised we would be."

BOOM. B-B-BOOM. BOOM.

Luna looked onto the river to see the cyclones dancing about on the water. She stared into the river with eyes full of grief and affliction.

And, you… I feel your pain… I feel your anger… Please, don't be so hurt. I'm here.

She flinched as the storm pulsed even more-so. She looked up as it exploded louder and rougher. It was a storm that was the master of storms. The cyclones grew more violent, spraying water as they grew stronger and bigger and angrier.

Nayda… Please…

It was at the bottom of the river, where the river split into two levels, that the glowing eyes seethed with an unsettling amount of rage.

Nayda… It heard echo in its mind. Please…

They narrowed.

The cry of the sea was turning into a roar as the lower level began to bubble.

Nashi continued her patrol of the skies, regardless of the brash thunderstorm.

I can't feel any civilian souls left in this area, she reported in. Section A-Eleven has been cleared.

Good work, Briocoso thought back to her. Report back to the guild hall for further instruction.

Nashi nodded and adjusted his flight path. Understood. On my way.

"Angel!" came a howl over the storm.

Nashi halted in her path to see Gary running down a street to catch up with her. "What? Gary?" She lowered herself to the ground as her Magic flowed around her.

Gary slowed into a walk as Nashi landed before him, her Seraphim armor gone. "Angel," he breathed. "I was getting worried when I couldn't get a hold of you."

Nashi smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry. I left my Compact back at the guild so it wouldn't get wet," she confessed. "Why? Is something's up?"

Gary grew somber at that. "Yeah. Mary Jane and Igneel are missing," he explained.

Nashi's eyes widened. "Wait. What? They're missing?" She could not believe it.

Gary looked on. "Your dad, Uncle Laxus, Uncle Gajeel, Leo, Panther Lily, and Livy are trying to hunt them down, but all they found was Mary Jane's broken Sound Pod."

Nashi gritted her teeth. "Dammit. Especially at a time like this, we can't afford for anyone to go missing," she growled.

"And, that's not the worst of it."

Nashi looked up at Gary with a glare. "What else is there?"

Gary could not look at Nashi straight in the eye. "It's Luna and Gale… They're missing too," he broke to her.

Nashi's eyes widened at that. Then, they narrowed in her sadness. "No… We have to…" She looked at the ground as her fists clenched. "We have to… This can't have…" She dug the heel of her palms into her eyes and shook her head. "Dammit," she cursed. "Why now?"

Gary took off his jacket to put it over Nashi. He drew her into his chest. It was not much, but it was all the comfort he could provide. "We'll find them, Angel," he promised over the thunder, her frustration, his own. "We're not leaving until everyone in this town is safe." And his eyes fell up to the sky and he watched as lightning cracked, snapping at thunder for the atrocious noise.

Erza nodded at the last round of guards. "That's the last of them. Get yourselves out of here," she ordered.

The guards nodded. "Yes, ma'am," they obeyed. They marched away as Panther Lily and Happy fluttered down to greet their master.

Erza looked at the two Exceeds, one in Battle Mode and the other in his regular form. "Well? Any progress?"

Happy frowned. "Still no sign of Mary Jane or Igneel," he reported glumly.

"And Luna and Gale remain missing as well," Panther Lily reported. He wrinkled his nose and his tail twitched as thunder boomed and the rain soaked his fur. "It's hard to scent a thing in this storm. Any remaining scent must have been washed away."

Erza frowned. "Mira is a bit too distraught to scout for their souls, so I've put her on a train with Lisanna." She crossed her arms and sighed. "We won't give up this hunt. Continue the search."

"And the Anti-Magic Unit has arrived."

Erza, Panther Lily, and Happy looked over to see Commissioner Eckart leading a team of troops with the commander of the Anti-Magic Unit walking alongside him. The commander looked like a little boy dressed in the clothing of a priest. With him, he carried a holy text and had a cross necklace as well and a kippah on his head.

Erza straightened at the sight of them. "Commissioner Eckart," she greeted. Her eyes went down to the young boy. "And Commander Thaddaeus Berenbaum," she addressed with a note of admiration in her tone. "It is good to see you, Commander. I wish this visit was on more pleasant circumstances."

Thaddaeus looked up at Erza with his ever-passive face. "As do I," he agreed, his tone very much the same as a young child's, "but it couldn't be helped."

⌜ANTI-UNIT SECOND UNIT

Name: Thaddeus Berenbaum

Age: N/A

Occupation: Commander

Magic: Sacred Prayer

Likes: Poko Dislikes: plain cheese

Special Note: Commander Thaddeus is a mysterious boy with even more mysterious Magic! Ask him the story of how he became commander and you won't believe it!⌟

He looked up at the sky and held his cross charm. He closed his eyes. "O Lord… Hallowed be thine name… May your watch over your subjects on this dark day," he prayed. He bowed his head. "Now, I have my soldiers cutting Margaret Town off from the rest of Fiore. Once the last train has disembarked, the barrier will be in-place. Soldiers are making sure to do a full sweep of the town and will be heading to barricade the river."

Commissioner Eckart nodded to Thaddeus. "Thank you for arriving so soon, Commander," he appreciated.

Thaddeus thumbed his cross. "It is the duty of the closest Anti-Magic Unit to assist in dispelling any and all magical anomalies," he reminded. He walked off with his soldiers following him.

Commissioner Eckart's eyes flickered to Happy. "Your mate and eggs have both made it onto a train that has already left. I have left two of my own to protect your family," he assured.

Happy smiled at the commissioner. "Thanks, Commissioner. I really appreciate it."

Commissioner Eckart gave a gruff nod. "While we may differ in status, we are still Exceeds in a human world. We must stick together." He spoke such words with honor and respect.

Panther Lily gave Commissioner Eckart a smirk of admiration. "And, with Exceeds like you in high places, we are seen more as warriors than glorified cats. You have my respect, brother."

Commissioner Eckart nodded and while he did not smile, his eyes did. He turned around. "Come along, Jazz. We have work to attend to," he reminded.

His aralez barked at that and dutifully stayed at the side of her master.

Erza sighed. "He's right. There's work to be done." She began to walk in the way that Thaddaeus had went. "Continue your search. None of us rest until we all come home!"

Panther Lily and Happy conjured their angelic wings. "Yes, Master!" And, they took to the sky.

Gale continued his race to the river, but was taken back as the weather worsened. He gritted his teeth as he kept leaping from rooftop to rooftop. "What the Hell is going on here?" he muttered over the roar of the storm. The amount of buildings stopped right before the boarded boardwalk and he leapt off his last roof before landing on the ground in a tumble that fell into a crouch.

The thunderstorm snarled as it picked up tempo.

Gale gritted his teeth as he staggered into a stand. "Goddammit," he cursed. "This storm is seriously pissing me off." He took to walking along the abandoned boardwalk and cupped his hands over his mouth. "Blondie!" he shouted. "Blondie, where are you?"

The bubbling of the lower level of the river grew and grew and grew into something that could not be contained for much longer.

Gale slid down a little hill in his search for Luna. He stumbled when the rain pelted against him and forced him off course. He righted himself and continued on his journey to find her. "Blondie!" he shouted. "Dammit, Blondie, where are y—?" He choked on his words when he sensed something.

Wha…? Is that…?

Gale wasted no time gathering the earth below him and raising it into a small hill to improve his view. He brightened when he saw a catatonic Luna standing on the tetrapod barriers that were to help control the waves of the river. "Blondie!" He used the earth to his advantage and rode it like a wave to get to past the barriers Mages had put up. He jumped over the barrier to land on the tetrapod barriers. He led from one to the other as relief flooded through his bones.

"Blondie," he sighed. "Goddammit, Blondie-girl, you're giving me a heart attack with your running off…" His words trailed off when he saw Luna's face. His own face dropped. "Blondie?" he cracked. "Blondie, what's wrong?"

Luna's blank face could only settle upon the river.

"Blondie," Gale called softly. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Blondie… What's going on? Why'd you run away?"

"She's coming."

Gale was surprised at her words. "Who?" he questioned. "Who's coming?"

Luna's eyes fell, crestfallen. "She's coming… She's coming…"

The bubbling threatened to explode. It threatened to release itself. It threatened to give into anger.

"But, she can't," Luna whispered. "She can't… This is wrong…"

"What's 'wrong'?" Gale wanted to know. He was getting annoyed with her avoidance of his questions. "What the Hell is going on? Who's 'she'? You have to explain shit to me so I can understand."

Luna's eyes began to water. "No, please… You can't," she begged. "You can't do this…Nayda…"

The bubbling could not keep it together anymore. The anger, the rage, the glory of giving into seething madness—it was too much.

And it burst into a cyclone that spiraled to get out.

Gale furrowed his eyebrows. "Who is 'Nayda'?" he pressed. "Come on, Blondie, work with me here. I need to know what's going on."

Luna's eyes widened suddenly. "No, please!" she begged frantically. "Please, don't!"

Gale growled. "Blondie, what are you—?"

His words were cut off when a cyclone spiraled out of the water and into open air. Gale whipped around to see this spiral was bigger than the others. It was the largest and the most unstable as it combined the other cyclones into its madness. The storm pounded and thundered in agreement with such chaos. Everything was going according to plan.

Gale shielded Luna with his body, but could not help but to glare at the massive cyclone. "What the Hell is that?" he bellowed over the noise.

"It's her."

Gale looked down at Luna who had sparkling eyes at the massive cyclone. "It's who?" he wanted to know.

"She's here." Luna sounded so defeated with just two words. "She's here…"

"What?" Gale whispered.

The roar of the sea and storm vibrated through the air, shaking the earth to its very core. Gale held onto Luna as he allowed the stone from the tetrapod barriers to rise up and keep them grounded. The Lamia Scale guild hall shook a bit as the Mages inside held onto whatever they could to keep themselves steady. Gajeel was quick to bolt himself the ground and the Iron Twins did the same. Thaddaeus bowed his head in prayer as the earth shook and his soldiers protected their commander.

The cyclone spiraled even faster before it was dispelled.

Gale opened his eyes to take a look.

His eyes widened.

In the place of the cyclone was a creature like no other.

It was a sea monster mixed with a plesiosaur. Its large wings had expanded to keep it afloat and it craned its slender neck. Its face was that of the crane with a horned crown on its head and blue eyes maddened with ire. It looked like a phoenix, but rather than it being red and fiery, it harbored light blue energy and was that of the sea and storm. It tilted its head to let out another cry of the sea and storm.

"What the…?" Gale breathed.

"It's her… She's here…"

Gale could not believe it as he watched the majestic creature. "That's… That's the…"

"A suzaku," Luna named. "The beast of storm and sea… Nayda…"

Nayda let out another cry of her madness.

Luna's eyes filled with grief. "She's hurt," she mumbled. "She's…in pain… And, she's calling to him."

Gale looked down at Luna in incredulity. "There's a 'him' now?"

Nayda gave a final cry before she flapped her big wings. Along her spine, flaps appeared and Nayda took to the sky with ease. She circled the river as she gave cries of her anguish. Her Magic pulsed around her, powerful and ancient and that of water. From her mouth spewed water. It was aimed at the thunderstorm above.

Gale was confused. "What is she doing? That water will just—"

Rather than the water gushing through the thunderclouds, the water directly hit the thunderclouds. It was like the clouds had solidified and were being personally attacked, something that seemed—

"Impossible," Gale whispered. "What is going on?"

"Brrr! Brr-brr-brrrr!" Syra gave in her distress.

"She's calling to him," Luna responded. "She's calling…to Erion."

"'Erion'?" Gale questioned. He flinched when the impact of Nayda's Magic fizzled throughout the air. "How do you know this?" he demanded to know. "Not even archaeologists could dig out their names! Hell! I didn't think magical deities had genders!"

Luna squeezed her eyes shut as she grunted. "I don't…know," she admitted as though giving that much was agonizing. "But, they… She can't…" She gave a cry as she fell slack against Gale.

Gale was brought down to his knees as he held Luna who would not let go of Syra. He shook Luna slightly as alarm clawed at his chest, suffocating him nearly. "Blondie! Blondie, come on!" he fretted. "You can't pass out on me like this! Blondie!"

And Nayda gave another great cry to the thunderstorm as she charged more magical energy at the storm clouds.

Nashi skidded to a halt in the midst of her running. Her eyes widened. "Oh, no…"

Gary stopped beside her. "What? What's wrong, Angel?" he wanted to know.

"I can feel it… The soul is awoken," Nashi whispered. "And it's…angry…"

Gary did not pretend he understood that. "What soul? What's angry?"

"It's not just angry," Nashi amended. "It's mad… It's like something is driving it into madness. And, in its madness, it's calling for the other soul."

BOOM. B-B-B-BOOM.

Lightning cracked.

The wind whistled and howled.

The storm grew intense.

"Gary…" Nashi turned to her partner with eyes full of solicited fear. "The Guardian Duo…is returning."

Juvia gave a squeal of her torture as she thrashed in the healing pool. Her body had broken into a cold sweat and full of twitches and aches and pains. For the first time, she did not want Gray to hold her. She wanted the torment to stop. She wanted everything to stop as she cried and scream with her brethren of the water.

"I know, Juvia, I know," Gray soothed. He had gotten in the pool to hold her closer to him. "Let it out. I'm not leaving your side."

Juvia threw back her head to give another scream, kicking her legs.

Gray gritted her teeth.

I would give anything to trade places with her. I can't just sit and let her suffer like this, but…

His bangs shadowed his eyes.

What else can I do besides hold her? Nothing. And that's what's making me angry.

Another familiar grunt made Gray turn to see his own son clawing at his own body as though to get out of it.

What kind of husband and father am I if I can't even protect them?

Voice breached his innermost thoughts. But, you can be there for them.

Gray tensed at that. Meredy? he guessed.

Meredy gave a sad, little laugh. Sorry. I could hear your despair and I feel so much pain. There's nothing more we can do for them then be there for them.

I know that, but—

Juvia gave another sob.

As Gray tightened his embrace, he thought, But, even so, whoever is making my family suffer like this…I want to be the one to take them down.

Eloise watched from the train window as the storm grew more intense. "It's so angry," she commented.

Evergreen had to agree as she looked out the window. "Just a big, scary storm," she tried sooth. "But, we'll be fine! You'll see."

"I didn't mean the storm, Mom."

Evergreen blinked down at her daughter. "You didn't?"

Eloise shook her head. "Mmm-mmm. There's a flying thingy that's really mad."

"'A flying thingy'?" Evergreen repeated.

"I… I see it too…"

Evergreen turned to the booth across from her own to see Mira leaning against the window with Laxus' coat around her shoulders. Her blank cerulean eyes looked at the rain-splattered window.

"It's not mad by choice. Something provoked it," Mira explained blandly. "It's out there, alone and frustrated. And nothing we can do will stop that."

Lisanna noted the worried looked the triplets and Liberty had at that and tried to soothe them with a sunny smile. "Don't worry, kids. You know Mages like us don't give up no matter what!"

They cheered up immediately at that. "Yeah!" they chorused.

Lisanna used their upbeat attitudes as a platform to steer them into conversation of what they want to play at the evacuation center. Her eyes still could not help but to glance at her older sister who looked completely withdrawn from reality. Her eyes dimmed.

Mira… We'll find her. I promise.

"Do you think Dad will want to too, Mom?"

Lisanna was drawn back to the conversation and gave a playful nod. "Of course he will! I guarantee it!"

And the trains continued down their path as the storm brewed and howled.

Nayda continued her assault on the storm. She gathered her own magical power and condensed them into three balls of energy that formed a triangle in front of her. From there, jets of Magic exploded from them in efforts to wreak even more havoc.

The storm only rumbled and growl, but did not retaliate in the slightest.

Gale could not believe what he was seeing. He watched as Nayda retreated from one attack and switched tactics. She flapped her wings and allowed beams of high pressured water to gush from them. They hit the storm clouds, but it was lightning that simmered the water and counteracted the attack.

No way… Gale thought to himself. I mean… I knew the Guardian Duo existed and all, but this?

"Nay…da…"

Gale looked down to see Luna struggling in his arms. "Woah. Take it easy, Blondie," he tried to warn.

Luna moved out of Gale's arms to give him Syra. "Have to…stop her," she tried to explain to Gale.

Gale collected Syra in his arms and watched Luna forced herself onto her feet. "Blondie," he tried to stop. She brushed past him in staggering steps without any regards to his words. "Blondie, stop!" he pleaded.

Luna ignored him. She continued her lone tumble to get closer to the river. "Nayda…" she murmured. "Nayda, stop…"

Nayda flapped her wings to get away when lightning tried to strike her. She gave a seething caw as she circled around to gather Magic power for her next attack.

Luna flinched as she looked up at the flying deity. Her eyes watered, angst-ridden, but she shut them to keep her tears at bay.

Nayda… Please, don't do this…

In the darkness of it all, something sparked.

Gale's eyes widened when he saw white pulsed around Luna. It was pure and warn and bright and flowed around her body like it was second nature. He could feel the nature of her prowess. How innocent it was. How wholesome it was.

She's using it… It's just like how it was…

The focus blurrily remembered the cathedral. It blurrily remembered a fearless Luna with white glorifying her existence.

"Blondie…" Gale said softly.

Luna's eyes opened. The watery look was gone as she steeled them over. She looked up at Nayda. She forgot her Magic shimmering around her. She forgot the state Margaret Town was forced in. She forgot the dangerous situation she put herself in. She only cared about Nayda and only Nayda at the moment.

Nayda, Luna thought, I can feel your pain. But, your fight is with the wrong person. Please, Nayda… Hear me.

The great beast of sea and storm gave another cry of her seething rage. However, as though responded to Luna's thoughts, she stopped herself. She turned her body to face the human girl of golden hair and an essence of purity about her. She gave a low call as she flapped her wings to keep herself in the air.

Luna took a step forward. "Nayda, please," she begged, "the person you're mad at shouldn't be him!" Her hand went to her heart and clutched the material over it. "A human did this. They were the ones to hurt you. So, please…" Her eyes widened, beseeching for the great beast to understand. "Don't do this!"

Nayda flapped her wings as she stared at Luna. Her eyes lost the vengeful look. The madness she had stored seemed to dispel for the moment. She was back to being Nayda, the suzaku of storm and sea, a guardian of Margaret Town. She was back to being a beast of justice. She was back.

Luna smiled a little at her triumph. "Nayda," she murmured, "you understand."

Nayda gave low noises to Luna as though trying to communicate and her eyes scanned the town she was sworn to protect.

Luna chuckled. "Yes. The city has changed since you were last awake," she agreed.

Gale was slack-jawed. "Okay, first some sea horses, then a sea king, then an ikenga, and now she's talking to this thing?" He shook his head at the amusing irony of it all. "Damn, Blondie-girl. You really are amazing."

"Brrr…! Brr-brr!"

Gale looked down to see Syra trying to move about in his arms. "Hey, there, bunny, slow it down," he snapped as Syra kept wriggling. "What's your problem?"

Syra shook her head as she put her front paws on Gale's chest. "Brrr! Brrr-brr-brr!" she tried to explain.

Gale growled. "I can't understand a damn thing you're saying, bunny."

Syra seemed to get worked up as she fluffed her fur. She beat against Gale's chest with her ears. "Brrr!" she squeaked. "Brrr! Brr-brr! Brr-brr-brrr!"

Gale shook his head. "Speak clearly, fur-ball!" he demanded. "What are you trying to tell me?"

The lone figure had made it to the top of the museum. They watched as the great beast of sea and storm had calmed from her vengeful path.

A smirk as a hand drew into a pocket. "Well… Can't have that, can we?" The hand brought out a cigarette pack and took one out. It set it back in the pocket to take out a lighter. "I swear… You people keep on getting more and more interesting."

The hand lit up the cigarette with the lighter without a flaw. After putting back the lighter, the hand removed the cigarette for the mouth to give a puff of smoke. The hand put back the cigarette between two chapped lips.

"All right… He predicted this might happen," came a sigh. "But, luckily, that little cube will do all the work for me…"

The hand came in front.

"Tamer Circle," came a commanding chant.

A Tamer Circle activated. It was different from a Magic Circle. Instead, the Tamer Circle looked more like a cerulean target board. The suzaku in the sky was in the center of the circle and did not appear to know it was the target.

A finger went to the top-right of the circle. "Now…"—he zigzagged his fingers across the Tamer Circle, leaving behind a line of blue—"Tamer Code: Command-Option. Activate."

The Tamer Circle glowed as it zeroed in on its target.

Nayda's eyes widened as something from inside her clawed for a way out, a way to torment her. Shocks of red lightning pulsed through her and made her caw her distress.

Luna's expression dropped. "Oh, no… Nayda!" she yelled.

Nayda flapped her wings as she gave into her despair. The torment of such madness was ripping her apart. She threw back her head, desperate for it all to go away.

Luna flinched as the sounds of Nayda's agony. "Nayda, please!" she beseeched. "Fight it!"

Gale flinched as well. "Man, that shit hurts my ears," he groaned.

But, I think I feel it. Whatever's hurting it—I mean, her… It's nothing like I've ever felt before. It's tainted Magic.

Nayda gave another cry as the red lightning consumed her existence. She could cry and thrash all she wanted, but it would only drag out the pain even more.

Gale locked his jaw.

I know the feeling, Nayda. The feeling of being helpless and in pain… But, you have to fight it.

A smirk.

Eyes watched as the great beast of the sea and storm tried to fight against the control.

The hand over the Tamer Circle tensed.

"Oh, I see…"

The hand tapped the Tamer Circle for a button to appear. The numbers 56 came up in the middle of the button. It seemed like it was a meter of gauge of some sort. The hand pressed its pointer and thumb on the gauge and began to shift it clockwise. The numbers went up in response.

"How about an increase in control?"

The hands stopped when the gauge hit 89.

Nayda panted as the pain was dropped. She could breathe again and was grateful for the break. She gave a relieved flap of her wings to keep her in the air.

Gale smiled as though proud at the deity.

Nayda… You overcame it…

"No…"

Gale looked over at Luna who wore such a look of pure horror on her face. "What's wrong?" he wanted to know. "What's going on?"

Luna staggered back as she lost touch with her Magic. "No, no… It's not over," she whispered. "It's not over yet…"

Gale could not wrap his head around it. "What do you m—?"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

Gale covered an ear with a hand at the sound of such a thundering cry. "The Hell?" he groaned. "What's going on?"

LUB-DUB.

Gale's eyes widened as he clutched the material over his heart. He panted. "Shit," he cursed. "The Hell was that? It's like my whole body froze. Like I could feel something's pissed off. And, it's coming from—" His eyes widened and he looked to the sky.

Nayda did not look like the same Nayda.

A power energy of red surrounded her and all her majesty. Her blue eyes that had calmed from the stormy madness had glowed in ruby hot anger. Her sclera had blackened and her irises were a gleaming and ugly color of sanguineous red. She gave off waves of searing madness as she panted. She was not the calm deity of water. She was the implacable deity of storms.

"Nayda…" Gale mumbled. "Crap, she's pissed."

Luna felt futility rein down on her. "Nayda…" She shook her head at her own falling misery to harden herself. "Nayda!" she called. "Listen to me! This isn't you!"

Nayda's blood-red eyes turned onto the small human who dare spoke to her.

Luna took a step forward. She had no Magic. She only had her willpower and faith alone to strengthen her. "Nayda, please, don't do this!" She was imploring for reason. "You are not a subject to anger! You are the suzaku of this river, the beast of the water and of the storm!" Her eyes stung with unshed tears. "Please, don't do this!"

Nayda continued to stare at the small human. The want to destroy her was there, but something held her back. Something made her not want to outright attack the small human of golden hair and eyes full of desperation. Something. But, what was it?

A smirk. "So, I see we're still having some doubts."

The hand put the thumb and pointer fingers on the dial to turn it.

"I've never had to go this high before," came a careless comment. "But, oh well."

The two fingers turned the dial all the way to 100.

"I do have a job to do after all…"

Something glinted in Nayda's eyes. Something malicious and dark. Something controlling. Something that broke all restraints she had.

"Nayda!" Luna gave it all she could. "Nayda, please! Don't do this!"

Nayda made a low noise. Three balls of her own magical power gathered in front of her in the form of an upside-down triangle. They were made of sloshing water, but red energy outlined them and dirtied them with insanity.

Luna's eyes widened. Her bottom lip trembled. "No," dropped from her mouth.

Nayda did not waste a second as jet streams of searing water burst from the three balls and headed straight for the small human of golden hair.

Gale reacted swiftly. "Blondie!" he roared. He punched a fist into the ground and the earth snaked its way to Luna.

Luna's eyes reflected the upcoming attack. "Nayda…"

Earth shifted around Luna in Gale's protective barrier. He tried to raise it up quick enough, but it was too late.

He was too late.

Gale found his own eyes consumed from the attack. His mouth opened in a ragged roar.

Luna could not even take a step back. "Eri…"

The lightning in the sky simmered, restless and upset. It broiled over in the clouds. As it became too much, it shot down from the Heavens and towards the earth.

The attack was close to the trio on the shoreline.

Luna could only get out the last syllable. "…on…"

Lightning struck and the attack hit.

And the world exploded in a mass of smoke and flames.

"Hey! Did you see that?"

"Oh, my!"

"Woah! That's really big!"

Mara looked out of the window to see an explosion had gone off, leaving clouds of smoke to join the thunderclouds. The explosion looked gigantic and violent and was created out of hatred. Her eyes softened as she looked out of the rain-splattered window. While the Margaret Town was being left behind, the feeling of uncertainty carried with her.

I can feel such manipulative anger. I wonder how this will all play out?

There was shuffling in the bag Mara held. She used a hand to sooth it.

There, there. We'll be out of harm's way soon.

Her eyes narrowed in her uneasiness.

Or, so I can only pray for.

Gale had crouched down to shield Syra from the oncoming assault. It took him a few moments to realize, however, neither one of them had been injured and his protectiveness was unnecessary. Instead, he found himself and Luna and Syra wrapped in a protective barrier of sky blue that transitioned into light gold.

"No way," he mumbled. "A barrier? But, from what?"

"Brrrr…"

Gale looked down at the weak Syra.

"Brrrr…" she tried to tell him.

Gale raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're saying," he admitted flatly. "But…" He looked up. "I get the feeling you're telling me someone else came to join the party."

°•°•°•°

Nayda let out a low cry as she scooted herself backwards. She did not take her eyes off the explosion. It was a rookie mistake to always assume the first shot was a kill shot. And it was a rookie mistake to turn your back on the enemy. You always had to make sure your enemy was for sure down before continuing with your plans.

Still, nothing happened.

Nayda glanced about, but made sure at least one eye was on the smoke.

Still, nothing happened.

Nayda threw back her head as she gave a cry of victory. She had done it. She had made her first kill. And the pleasure she felt, the reward, was staggering.

A beam of silver lightning wrapped in a tornado shot out of the cloud of smoke and ashes and fire.

The beam hit Nayda and forced her back. She was electrocuted in the most unpleasant way, but was forced to dispel a wave of water to keep herself from being completely taken by the attack. She gave a low noise of anger at the one who dared to defy her and her eyes sought her enemy.

°•°•°•°

If there was anything that could shock Gale, it was this. His eyes befell on a sight he had only read in stories. "It's here," he spoke. "The beast of wind and sky…"

The beast flexed his claws. Its flowing tail was that of clouds that would endlessly flow and it whipped it around.

"The deity that controls the clouds and watches Margaret Town from above," Luna continued.

Large fangs were bared in an act of defiance. Its dog-like nose sniffed the air filled with fear and hatred. Its wings flexed, large and a golden brown.

"It is said to be the guardian of the other half," Gale went on. "The rare pixiu…"

The winged canid-lion had made its appearance. It had been gifted with slicked back horns that shined like gold and had written inscriptions on them. It had been gifted a Holy Ring on its back-right leg and its paws were dipped in white clouds. Its fur was a shining golden, but the scales running down its chest were a vibrant white. It looked like the true beast of wind and sky.

Luna smiled at the sight of the great beast. "Erion…"

Erion gave a might roar. He was staking his claim. He was giving Nayda a fair warning to back off and return to her slumber. He was protecting the two humans and the creature of time.

Nayda gave a loud cry back. She would not heed his warning. She would do as she pleased with the power she owned.

DRIP.

Luna shed a tear.

DROP.

"No," she whispered. "Not again…"

And in the darkness of it all, the tear dropped into it. And the darkness rippled.

Not again…

And so, let it be written, on this day, centuries later,

the Guardian Duo had returned.

Love you Love you Love you

himitsu no I love you

naisho no kisu wa imitation?

toke nai mahō mitai ni torawarete so crazy for you

•

kimi wa marude illusion

shibireru love session

aimai na sono motion

sō sa konya wa fiction

kimi wa marude illusion

tame rau love session

gōin na sono motion

Unbreakable magic

TO BE CONTINUED…

Woah-ho! So, the great Guardian Duo have showed up, one looking for a fight and one looking for peace. Let's hope they figure it out soon! And, what's the deal with Mary Jane? Aw, man! Guess you'll have to tune into the next Fairy Adventure to find out!

Meredy flicked on the light. She had ended up in a reclusive place in the house—the attic. They had stored much unneeded furniture and antiques and even some of Lyon and herself's personal items from their teen-hood.

It has to be here. I know it does.

Meredy was quick to rummage through the old trunks and drawers. She was searching like a madwoman, but kept herself composed. She sifted through old papers and clippings and old outfits to find what she needed.

I know it's here, she thought as she opened another trunk. But, where—?

Meredy paused when she looked into the contents of the trunk. Her eyes hardened. They were not relieved. It was more like she found a dark secret she wished she had not had to find. She reached into the trunk to bring out a series of paper clippings. The first was from the New Azalea Times. The headline read:

GRIMOIRE HEART DISBANDED AT LAST

Meredy continued to go through the clippings. Some came from the Crocus Street Journal, some came from the Fioren Times, some came from Ishgar Today, but all was related back to one main topic: Grimoire Heart. Some of the articles were not headliners, but had still made the news. Robberies and kidnappings were most common associated with the ex-dark guild. But, then, the headlines grew darker. Murders popped up, but not by the Dark Mages themselves. They were of the Dark Mages.

THE IMAGINEER MAGICIAN HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED

DYNAMIC MAMMAL DUO KILLED IN CIRCUS

GREAT PUPPETEER MURDERED IN HOTEL ROOM

Meredy's stop at one clipping in particular. It was in the list of death and obituaries of a newspaper.

Madame Ur, 89. A beloved friend passed away on August 6, XXXX. Memorial donations may be made in Madame Ur's name.

Meredy's eyes glistened as she read such a simple sentence. It did not draw attention away. It was not a headliner. It was nothing special. But, it meant everything to her.

Mother… You were everything to me… And you were reduced to a simple sentence…

She shook off such negative thoughts.

I can't focus on that right now.

She took out all the clipping to spread them on the ground. She made sure each one corresponded with the dates they had been produced. She studied them as she thought for a pattern or a sign.

Okay… All of these have to relate to Grimoire Heart… When Yuka said, 'chaos', all I could think about Grimoire Heart. We were bound by Zeref's will and chaos in itself. But… One of us was even more bound to it than the others… And, he's the only one who is still alive…

Meredy shifted to another news article from Ishgar Today. A blurred shot of a Mage had appeared on the page.

LAST MAN STANDING: THE FINAL REMNANT OF THE BALAM ALLIANCE APPEARS

B-B-B-B-BOOM.

Lightning struck and illuminated a figure hiding in the shadows.

Bluenote Stinger, Meredy named. Could you be alive after all this time?

CRACK. CRACK.

Lightning struck again and illuminated the figure. Their wide, restless eyes stared onto the oncoming chaos with a glint of contentment of it all.

And it was Bluenote.

"I've done it," he whispered. "I changed the past and the present for your own future."

CRACK. CR-CRACK.

BOOM. B-B-BOOM.

He brought out something from his coat pocket. It was a pocket watch. On the seal was the seal of griffin sergeant. It was supposed to mean something only the beholder and not to anyone else. He opened the pocket watch. The clock had permanently stopped at the time 9:51. His eyes traveled to the date December 30, X774 that had been carved onto the top part of the pocket watch. A date that would forever be remembered and ingrained in his mind.

Yes… After this, the future will be secured.

CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.

He shut the pocket watch as his eyes trailed back up to the storm

And, after this battle…

His eyes glinted.

…my last guild-mate will have vanished.

It's a circus and its wonderful and colorful and full of laughter and light. The people scream their joy and the love for the thrill, the rush of seeing performers. Colors are flying everywhere with balloons and streamers and lights. It looks like a grand time at the circus.

The lights center at the circus floor to reveal Luna as the ring master. She smiles at her audience with her top hat and all and waves her baton. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls—children of all ages! I welcome you to the Fairy Circus!" she introduces in grandeur tone.

The audience applauses like no tomorrow, jumping in their seats with such excitement.

Ring Master Luna gestures Heavenward. "Introducing our high-flying act, Amazing Justin!"

Everyone looks up with splendor as they see Justin Justine. He is dressed in nothing more than loose bands and given cuffs as he slithers his way down the two silk scarves. He is upside-down and gives the audience his charming smile.

The crowd goes wild at his appearance.

Justin begins showing off his skills as an aerialist. Like its nobody's business, he spins around in a slow turn, winking at a little girl fascinated with his body movement.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen," Luna begins to narrate, "Justin Justine was born into the circus. He was trained to be an acrobat from the moment he could walk."

Everyone gasps as Justin pulls himself into a push-up position using his scarves. He does not even shake, used to such strain on his body. Instead, he sits up and brings his legs forwards.

"But, life in the circus wasn't meant for the amazing Justin," Luna relays, though sad. "His circus was traveling to their next event when raiders stopped their train. A massacre of the circus ensued."

The audience let out gasps and sighs of their own sympathy.

Luna nods her head as though agreeing with their pity. "To save him, Justin's parents put him in a kinetic bubble and threw him off the train and down the mountainside," she continues. She looks up as Justin moves to a handstand, spreading his legs into a Y-formation. "He survived, but his family didn't. He broke free from his bubble and continued to travel in the direction to his event. But, he wasn't alone." She throws up her baton to Justin.

With expertise, Justin caught the baton in his teeth.

"Freed Justine," Luna names, "or Dark Eye of Fairy Tail had learned about the train massacre and was sent to find and follow the raiders. In his journey, he found a cold and alone Justin in the snow."

Justin allowed his body to twist as he slithered down his silk scarves.

"At first, Justin refused to come with Freed," Luna goes on. "But, with time, Justin became the newest Justine and the newest member of Fairy Tail!"

Justin lands on the ground and takes the baton out of his mouth. He gives the crowd a loving smile as he raises his hands and the audience whoops and exclaims their happiness for the performance and the story. Justin steps over to Luna and the two bow together, completing their act. The audience gets to their feet. This deserves a standing ovation.

Justin and Luna rise up once again and proclaim, "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: MY PAST, MY ANCESTORS!" They wave their hands. "Good night, everyone!"

And the audience screams and chants as the curtain closes on the circus.

Voices of New Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Cindy Robinson as Parina Sabozai

2. Brian Mathis as Noah Mothersbaugh

3. D.C. Douglas as Aceso

4. Brynn Apprill as Nameless Woman

5. Kyle Hebert as Dragon

6. Anastasia Muñoz as List Galan

7. Chris Ryan as Commissioner Eckart

8. Jill Harris as Saudade Mixa

9. Kyle Philips as Majime Scott-Kimura

10. Jalen K. Cassell as Sir Briocoso the Second

11. Mariela Ortiz as Commander Thaddeus Berenbaum