Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

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

33. Adventure 033

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.

---

Previously, on Fairy Adventure, in Mary Jane's dreams, she finds herself visited by a not-so-nice copy of herself and little girl "Emerald" who looks innocent enough, but what could be her true intentions? Looks like Igneel knows more about Mary Jane than he lets on too. Mary Jane and Emerald trudge deep into a forest filled with Lacrima-Visions that play memories, but that doesn't impress Mary Jane one bit. Neither does Emerald's plan for her: taking her to a musical. Gale wakes up back home to learn he and his Blondie are dating! Or, should I say 'Blonde-dyed'? His fantasy really comes to an end when he finds it impossible to get to Luna and—! Hey… Who's this other girl? Luke reminisces back a few years to when he remembered Nashi not looking her best. Those really looked like sad times. He and Nashi share a heart-to-heart, and Luke promises to at least try to get along with Gary for the sake of his sister. Mary Jane is dragged to the theater, but something seems a bit off. Turns out the play is the story Peter and Wendy, but with an added twist: Wendy's forgotten all about Peter Pan. Looks like she isn't the only one who has forgotten a lot. Gale wakes up again to find his life serene and in the middle of a date with his actual Blondie. Things start out soft and sweet only for it all to turn to Hell when Gale finds himself face to…back with the mysterious woman who left him a long time ago. Syra intervenes, forcing Luna into Gale's dream to calm him down from a panic attack. Nashi, Luke, and Gary are off to track down Igneel. Nashi has a vivid memory of a time when she put her faith in Luke and, in return, Luke promised to be her protect. The group makes it to the same hole Gabriel, Luna, and Ludvig once stood around, except, this time, Natsu, Taurus, Lelantos, and Gemini wait for them. But, what else waits for them down there?

"I do too. We have to have faith we'll all survive this just like you had faith in me to pull through. Okay, Angel?"

"Yeah. Okay."

Maybe "okay" will be their always. Oh, Luna… "See you later" is always better than saying, "good bye"…

---

STEP… STEP… STEP…

Between Natsu's flame and Luke and Nashi's light, the way down the spiral staircase was not as dark, but it was as dank. Actaeon and Lelantos sniffed ahead. They would stop every few steps and wait for the humans before bounding down more steps. Luke, Taurus, and Natsu were keeping their ears and noses alert while Horologium looked about ready to bring Nashi into his protection. Gem and Mini hovered close to each other, but they showed little fear. Gary looked into the darkness with half a sense of comfort and half a sense of concentration.

Nashi looked around and shivered. "Am I the only one who's getting the creeps being down here?" she whispered to Gary. "I feel like some vampire from one of that B-movie series is going to jump out and suck my blood."

Gary grinned and wrapped an arm around Nashi's shoulder. "I'll protect you from all the scary vampires, Angel," he teased.

Nashi nudged him a bit roughly, but her lips twitched into a grin. "Piss off, dog."

"And, don't touch my princess." Natsu did not even have to look back to see Gary's arm casually around Nashi's shoulder. "I see what you're doing, you little bastard."

Nashi blushed as Gary detangled his arm from her shoulders. "Papa!" she gasped.

"Uh-uh. Don't make me to be the bad guy here," Natsu refused to allow. He sniffed. "Your scents being as mixed as they are already pisses me off," he muttered, making both Gary and Nashi blush to the roots of their hair.

Crap. We forget to put on Mama's/Aunt Lucy's special perfume, they chorused in thought.

Nashi covered her mouth to keep herself from saying anything.

She gave it to me for this reason...

Nashi remembered it all too well.

°•°•°•°

Lucy looked at her daughter with an up-to-no-good glint in her eye in the teppanyaki restaurant. She held up a rather flashy perfume bottle with its atomizer and the grin on her face was positively sinful.

"Juvia and I had a feeling you and Gary would get together, but I know your papa is too overprotective, so, I had Ichiya make a little something for you. This is Ichiya's Eraser Perfume. It'll erase anything that isn't your natural scent. Isn't it cool?"

The focus began to blink rapidly. "U-U-Um… Y-Yeah, Mama… It's 'cool', but, did you and Aunt Juvia really assume Gary and I would…? Well, you know!"

Lucy waved a hand. "Oh, all the moms were placing bets"—she ignored Nashi's incoherent choking noises and cries of alarm—"but, anyways, Nashi, I think this will be the thing that helps you keep your secret love affair away from your papa." She passed it into Nashi's hands.

The focus looked down at the perfume bottle. "Wow, uh… Thanks, Mama," Nashi appreciated, though awkwardly.

"But, it doesn't come free."

The focus whipped up to see the devious look in Lucy's eyes increase tenfold. "What do you want?" Nashi asked warily.

Lucy leaned forward, and you could practically hear the maniacal laughter coming off her. "I want…"

°•°•°•°

Smoke was blowing out of Nashi's ears as she grew soulless.

And, I even gave her that… All for me to forget it this one time?!

"It's natural for the scents to mix since they're partners."

Nashi came back alive when she heard Luke's defense. She eyed her little brother who seemed tense when he said those words.

Luke…

Luke turned his head to grin at his father. "Besides, Dad, Igneel and I can smell you and Mom after you two come home from those quote-unquote 'fishing trips'," he jested with Nashi laughing and Natsu turning pink.

He looked away in an embarrassed pout twanged with annoyance. "Nosey brat," he muttered.

The rest of the walk was in silence. Lelantos hit the ground first with Actaeon bounding after his twin. Both dogs were on edge, growls in their throat, and tails firm and down. As Lelantos put his nose to the ground and took a good sniff around, Actaeon turned back to Luke, growling his words.

Luke nodded as he came onto ground level. "Actaeon and Lelantos say they have traces of Igneel's Spirit Scent, but it's a bit damaged," he informed. "Meaning Igneel was hurt while he was down here."

"All right then," Natsu breathed. His eyes shifted around. "Air's thick with bloodlust," he noted in a murmur. "I can't feel any presence, but you can't erase bloodlust." He moved forward and his flames lit up a wall filled with dusty runes etched into the earth.

Nashi's eyes widened as Natsu touched the runes. "Woah…"

"Runes," Luke exhaled. He, too, touched the ancient markings. "So, this tunneling system wasn't anything for storm weather or anything. These tunnels are ruins." He traced a rune. "Oh, Aunt Levy would go crazy if she saw this. Same with Sensei."

Natsu raised his flame up to see an unlit torch. He broke it off from its handle to smell the top of it. "No luck," he muttered. "Looks like these things are all burnt out." He put the torch back in its perch. "Good thing we can make our own light and fire or else we'd be screwed."

A howl.

Everyone turned to see that it was Lelantos who gave the call to the left.

"He's got a clear scent," Luke translated. He followed after the two hunting dog spirits. "This way."

As everyone followed after the spirits and Luke, Nashi muttered to Gary, "My souls don't like this."

"Being underground?" Gary guessed.

Nashi shook her head, her hand bumping against his. "No. Being around so much unnatural darkness," she said in admittance.

Gary frowned. "My Devil feels at home in the dark, but even he can tell something's not right about this," he confessed. He ever-so-nonchalantly laced his fingers with her.

Nashi's cheeks went red and her eyes furiously glanced at her father. "You stupid dog—!"

"Shhh," Gary hushed. He brought their joined hands up to quietly kiss her knuckles and give her a wink.

Nashi bit her lip. Slowly, ever-so-slowly, she let her fingers clasp around his in her own version of acceptance. Maybe she could not look him in the eye when she did it, but Gary visibly perked when she did. He let their hands fall in-between them, swinging with each step they took.

Nashi's eyes flickered to the passing runes. Hickory hardened in observation.

Still… I hate this feeling.

As they traveled further with their own light, they left behind unwanted shadows. In those shadows, a bloodshot eye awoke from slumber. It lazily followed the forms of those who dared stumble into the ruins.

This feeling that I'm being watched.

As the shadows faded back into the comfort of pure darkness, the eye closed, disappearing.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As I close my eyes

Nokosu ato naku kobosu oto naku iku ate mo naku

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

Ima mo kurikaeshite 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

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

They walked in silence down the tunnels. Lelantos would trot ahead into the darkness with Actaeon sticking close to Luke, his golden eye pulsing with information from his brother. Gem and Mini had a childlike curiosity for the runes. Nashi and Gary kept their hands locked even if the world did not know it. Horologium followed Nashi and wisely kept his mouth shut on what he saw between the daughter of his kind queen and her partner. Taurus seemed in-tune with the earth, ears twitching at every rock kicked and pebble turned. Natsu averted his eyes upfront, but he did not see into the everlasting darkness. He focused on the squared shoulders of his son.

He smells different. Not too different, but it's there. I can smell he had bloodlust a while ago. But, his scent… It has the hint of my Etherious King Mode.

His eyes narrowed.

What happened to you, Luke? Why can I still smell a bit of hatred?

Luke, on the other hand, was not preoccupied with such thoughts. His mind was solely on his twin brother and nothing more.

Igneel can keep himself together in the face of danger. We both can. But…

Emerald, feral, seeking comfort in Nature.

Luke's eyes began to glisten.

I haven't seen him like that in three years and even that was brief. That last real time I saw it was seven years ago when…

His eyes shimmered.

Whatever Bluenote and his friends are doing, they must've been researching us for a while. Does it have something to do with us being relatives of Zeref? Probably. Dad and Mom told me it's rare for people to know about our relation, but nothing impossible. But, I feel like it's not just about Zeref.

The shimmering in his eyes hardened.

But, just what is it? What makes all of us so special?

He thought about Nashi.

Well, Nashi's Divine Soul isn't something heard of, or at least that's what Aunt Mira said. Between Demon and Divine Soul, possessing such powerful souls is nearly impossible. It should be impossible for someone with Demon blood to have her Magic.

°•°•°•°

In the shadows the group created, a bloodshot eye opened.

°•°•°•°

He thought about Luna.

Luna's a mystery. Her Magic… It isn't anything I've ever felt. It has the power to destroy Demons. And with her being so young and untrained, it makes sense people will get to her first.

°•°•°•°

One by one, they came. The size varied, but the exhaustion and the dignified hatred never left.

°•°•°•°

He thought about his brother and himself.

And, Igneel and I—

Luke stopped.

The entire party stopped.

No one moved.

Not the humans.

Not the spirits.

Not the dozens of eyes that had settled behind them and waited for their movements.

Gemini stayed close together.

A trickle of sweat glided down Taurus' neck.

Gary's grip on Nashi's hand tightened.

Natsu closed his eyes.

Actaeon and Lelantos held still.

"Y'know," Natsu said slowly, "I'm gettin' this feeling…"—his eyes opened, glinting in onyx and red and emerald; all of him was alert—"that Bluenote's little friend is right behind us."

The eyes instantly closed and disappeared at that.

Silence.

Complete…silence.

The hairs on the back of Luke's head rose.

Lelantos and Actaeon began to snarl, growl, and bark like wild.

Nashi's eyes widened as goosebumps overtook her body.

Natsu whirled around and squinted his eyes into the darkness. He pricked his ears and he waited.

And he waited.

And he waited.

That was when he and Luke heard it.

That subtle CLICK.

"Horologium?" Natsu muttered. "Get—"

It was too late.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Already, everyone took off, following the direction of the gun fire.

Horologium ran with Nashi inside him who looked wide-eyed and was mouthing words he began to interpret. "'Who the Hell is that?' Lady Nashi pants in her confusion."

"I don't know," Gary growled. "But, they're shooting at us, so I don't think they're the good guys."

Taurus skidded to a halt and whirled around. "Youuuuu ain't gettin' close to Miss Luuuuuuucy's dauuuuuughter's rockin' bod!" he refused. He wielded his Labrys and swung it to the ground. "Aldebaran's Wall!"

The earth rose up to completely block the tunnel.

Taurus smirked.

BOOM!

Taurus tensed when something collided with his rock wall.

BOOM!

And it happened again.

BOOM!

Taurus prepared himself for his next attack. "Youuuu'll get a taste of this Golden Bull's Ramp—!"

It was too late.

The earth wall was destroyed, and darkness rushed out, overtaking the Golden Bull Spirit.

Nashi heard Taurus' moo of alarm.

"'Taurus!' Lady Nashi screams in devastation," Horologium translated.

"Don't worry, Nashi!" Luke shouted back. "He'll go back to the Celestial Spirit World to heal."

But, what's he healing from?

Lelantos let loose a loud howl.

Natsu grinned. "I can smell Igneel's Magic! It's getting stronger!"

The rush of darkness was increasing its speed with a bloodshot eye spearheading its excursion.

Luke squinted his eyes, then they brightened when he saw light at the end of the tunnel. "We're so close!"

Gary hissed when he felt something dig into his shoulder. A hand pawed at the object and pulled it put to see a knife had done the trick. He threw down the knife as Magic gathered around him. "Let's see how he likes this."

Just as his feet moved, blocks of ice sprouted up to make a barrier. The darkness had no shame in slipping through the cracks until it broke the ice.

Natsu halted in his tracks, letting Horologium and Gary pass him. He sucked in a deep breath. "Fire Dragon's…"—his flames roared in his cheeks and stomach—"Rooooooooooooooar!" His flames barreled down the tunnel with the head a of dragon leading the flames to flood the ruins. Natsu wasted no time when he finished his roar to sprint away.

That should've stalled them for now. I can't feel the presence. They might be invisible, but that doesn't mean they're invincible.

Natsu saw the light at the end of the tunnel get closer. He saw the twin hunting dog spirits burst into the light first with Luke and Gemini following close. Horologium and Nashi came after them and Gary came close to the entrance and waited for Natsu.

Natsu shook his head when he could feel that murderous intent pulsing from behind him. "Go, kid!" he shouted. "Protect them!"

Gary nodded without hesitation and rushed into the light.

Natsu continued his run with flames igniting his heels. In a burst of speed, he came closer to the light and lead a blazing trail behind him.

A frown.

Words whispered close to Natsu. "You may have lost Bluenote, brother of Zeref, but you're in my domain. I won't let you escape."

Natsu snarled. "I don't know who you are, bastard, but I won't let you anywhere near those kids!"

Gritted teeth. "How dare you call me such a name!" came snap.

Hands raised, poised to clap.

The light… Natsu was so close.

"For a beast like you, you deserve a cage," came wild hiss.

Hand descended on hand.

Natsu roared as he lunged into the light.

The hands came together.

CLAP.

Natsu rolled into this new chamber, groaning a bit as he hit the ground. He panted heavily and retracted his flames. "Everyone all right?"

Silence.

Natsu brushed himself off as he got up.

Luke's lips twitched. "Dad?"

Natsu looked in his direction.

His eyes widened.

There was Dimaria Yesta, older, far much older, than he had last seen her. Her body—oh, Lord, her body!—looked like something that was ready to crumble into ashes. She was not just touched by flames. Flames had ravaged her mercilessly, sweltering her skin into ugly black and red. Her eyes looked so out there, so traumatized.

"Monster," Dimaria chanted in a whisper. "Monster…"

Nashi's lips quivered. "P-Papa…"

Natsu turned.

There was his oldest son. Igneel held an unconscious Mary Jane in his arms with no intention of letting go of her. While Igneel seemed relatively unharmed with only a faint stomach scar and faded lines on his back, dried blood clung to Mary Jane's skin. She looked deathly pale under Igneel's touch, limp yet breathing. Behind the duo was the frozen Peter, his face not masking his fear of the situation.

"Igneel," Natsu murmured.

A feral grin. "Hey, Pops."

Igneel turned his head.

Luke and Natsu's eyes widened.

Feral emerald submitted to the will of Nature.

Igneel showed his pointed fangs, unbothered at the emerald showing in his eyes. "Came to join the party?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 033

It Was Then the Destruction Began

感謝の祭が始まった！私たちは過去と未来の怒りを止める方法を見つけなければなりません！

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Igneel," Nashi whispered, "what…happened in here?"

Dimaria's chanting was not forgotten.

Igneel's gaze went back to Mary Jane and his grin turned into a frown. "MJ went through a seizure," he admitted.

Nashi was on the move to Mary Jane. "Oh, my God! What happened?" She fell to her knees before Igneel and Mary Jane. "Does she have any physical wounds from her seizure?" She reached a hand. "Maybe I can—"

A loud snarl.

Nashi instantly retracted her hand when Igneel tried to bite it, hurt flooding into her eyes. "Igneel…"

Igneel's eyes grew more emerald the longer Nashi lingered. "Don't touch her," he snarled at his sister.

Nashi wanted to protest. "But, I…"

A hand landed on her shoulder.

Nashi looked up to see Luke staring down at his twin. "Luke, I…"

"Let Dad and I handle this," Luke murmured softly. "Once Mary Jane's away from him, you can heal her. For now, focus on the lady over there."

Nashi hesitated, but eventually she nodded. Gary came over to help her up while Natsu and Luke closed in on Igneel.

Something Igneel did not take lightly.

He bared his teeth at his own blood, the will of Nature triggering those instinct to defend what was yours, to protect, safeguard.

Natsu would not stand for his own son growling at him and flashed fang, emerald beginning to burn through his own eyes. "Igneel," he rumbled, "control."

Igneel growled even louder, curling Mary Jane closer to him. "She did this." His eyes wildly sought for Dimaria. It was the will of Nature to finish what was weaker than the strong, to commit reckoning to those who deserved it. "She wanted to kill her."

Luke blocked his vision to Dimaria. "You took care of Dimaria," he assured his brother. "She's no longer a threat."

"She's alive." Feral emerald smacked against serene honeyed-amber. "She could still hurt her."

"Check Dimaria with Nashi," Natsu advised, staring down at Igneel. "I'll get through to him."

Luke nodded before carrying his feet into the opposite direction.

Natsu crouched before Igneel. "You brat," he cursed. "You pulled the same thing I did, didn't you?" He raised a hand to put it on Igneel's hand.

Like a dog not wanting to be pet, Igneel snarled and tried to bite at the hand.

Natsu snarled back in response.

Igneel lowered his eyes and covered his fangs, the snarl leaving him.

Natsu rested his hand on Igneel's head and patted it. "Lucy was right," he muttered. "You get all your anger from me."

Igneel ignored his father's words and made sure the other hand would not come any closer to his charge.

"Protective brat." The corner of Natsu's lips twitched. "I went through the same thing when Dimaria hurt your mom. I went crazy. I had already lost her once. Well, lost her future self. But, to see I lost her again…" His eyes dimmed. "It turned me into something I'll never go back to," he narrated. "I could've killed Dimaria that day. I would've killed Zeref." He shook his head. "Erza helped me get out my state, but seeing your mom alive with her eyes open, it just… It took away the monster. She was safe. That was all that mattered." He took his hand off Igneel and slowly reached for Mary Jane.

Igneel tensed, but he did not let himself go any farther than that.

Natsu thumbed Mary Jane's cheek. "She's cold, but you're keeping her warm," he noted. "Your mom did the same to me. She kept me warm when my fire nearly died." He looked at his son. Igneel's focus was solely on Mary Jane's sleeping face. He could read the utter torment and self-blame written on his face. "Igneel, if you let Nashi heal her, Mary Jane's going to be okay," he promised.

Igneel sniffled. "She wouldn't have gotten a seizure if it wasn't for me," he whispered. "This is my fault."

Natsu sighed. "It happens."

"I should've done better," Igneel lamented. "Her parents trusted me. Uncle La-Laxus is going to hate me."

"He'll be angry," Natsu admitted, "but he won't disown you."

"He'll keep her away from me again." Igneel seemed worked up at the sheer mentioning of it. His eyes were increasing in emerald as Nature called to safeguard. He began to tremble at the wait of his own reprisal. "He'll take her away."

"Igneel, breathe," Natsu soothed. "You can't get yourself worked up. Would she want to see you like this?"

Igneel barely managed to shake his head.

"Now, I promise he won't do that to you. He learned his lesson the first time." Natsu truly meant that. Laxus would not dare pull the stunt again. "But, if we don't get her healed now, how do you think he'll feel seeing his daughter like this?"

Igneel swallowed roughly. "I just wanted to protect her." He looked pitifully into his dad's eyes. "It's hard, Pops," he admitted. "It's so hard."

Natsu did not disagree. "It's hard, but it'll be worth it," he promised. "I know you believe that. I know it's hard right now. But, just think of what would happen if you gave up."

Igneel shut his eyes, sniffling.

"The second you give up, the second you stop running, you let her die." Natsu spoke the truth, albeit harsh truth, but he could not be subtle. "Are you just going to stop running? Are you going to just give up?"

"No," warbled from Igneel's mouth, small and defeated. He opened his tearful onyx eyes onto Mary Jane. "I'm sorry"—he sniveled loudly—"MJ. I didn't mean to… I'm sorry, Pops." He held back a sob as he buried his head into Mary Jane's shoulder.

"Everyone wavers, Igneel," Natsu soothed. He ran a warm hand up and down Igneel's back. "It's hard bearing such a burden alone. But, you're never alone. When you're in this guild, Fairy Tail takes care of each other. You know that. We're here to help you so you don't have to cry on your own."

"I-I know," Igneel mumbled.

Natsu looked over his shoulder. He met Nashi's eyes and gave her a faint nod. She nodded back and moved over to them. Natsu turned back to Igneel and moved to settle beside him. "Nashi's going to heal her, okay?" Natsu murmured, quietly asking for permission.

Igneel picked up his head and nodded. "Okay," he mumbled.

Nashi got on her knees in front of Igneel and Mary Jane and a bag in hand, setting it down. She closed her eyes. "Transform… Divine Soul!" In a flurry of pink, she ascended into her Divine Soul armor. She looked at Mary Jane like she would look at Luna in times of her little sister's injuries. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a tarp. As she set it up, she said, "I'll have to take off her shirt. So, can you both go on the other side?"

Natsu obliged, but Igneel stayed rooted to the ground.

"I'm not leaving her." It was not a statement. It was a threat.

Nashi knew better than to fight with him on this and nodded, finished with her work. "Is it okay if we put her on her side?"

Igneel nodded.

Together, Igneel and Nashi put Mary Jane onto the tarp and onto her side.

Nashi began her immediate check over for any gaping injuries. "I can only heal physical injuries," she murmured, "so are there any I should know about?"

"Her back," Igneel muttered. "She has bad scars on her back."

Nashi nodded and moved onto the other side of Mary Jane. She lifted up her shirt and kept a calm expression when she saw the ugly wounds on such delicate skin that threatened to reopen. She conjured her Healing Teapot into her hands and poured golden sand onto the wounds. "Anywhere else?"

Igneel thought about it. "I don't think so."

Nashi hummed, watching the Magic soak into Mary Jane's skin and heal it. "I'll give her some of my Divine Tea. It helps heal any internal wounds, but Aunt Wendy and Doctor Mothersbaugh still need to check her over."

Igneel nodded and lowered his head. "Thanks, Nashi."

"Don't mention it," Nashi dismissed. "She's guild. She's family." She tipped up her teapot to stop the sand from falling and glanced back at Igneel. "She's your friend meaning she's mine. I won't let a friend die on me." She put a hand on the bottom of the teapot and let a faint pulse of pink glow from her palm.

Meanwhile, Natsu kept a safe distance away from Dimaria. He catalogued each scorch mark on her body. "He did a number on her," he breathed to Gary.

"He nearly killed her," Gary remarked. "We're lucky she's still breathing." He pointed at the orb in her chest. "What I'm more concerned about is that thing. It looks like it can't be moved."

Natsu crossed his arms, grumbling to himself. "Damn, this sucks. I came here for a decent fight. Not to solve a mystery."

"Dad!"

Natsu and Gary turned as Luke approached them with a bottle in his hand, Lelantos and Actaeon at each flank. Luke showed the bottle to his father. "Dad, smell this."

Natsu took the bottle and took a careful whiff. His nose wrinkled, and he pulled back the bottle to eye it. "Poison."

"A hallucinogenic and sedative," Luke named. "I don't think Miss Yesta's been in her right mind for quite a while now." He glanced back at Nashi and Igneel as they hovered over Mary Jane. "That might've been the reason she stopped time and attacked Mary Jane."

"But, that doesn't explain that thing in her chest," Gary murmured. "Someone put it there for a reason. Was she to protect it?"

Luke crossed his arms. "Probably to keep it away from anyone else," he figured. "This orb must be pretty important to attach it to a person. The person must not want anyone else to take the orb or do anything else with it. But, why?"

Gary moved closer to Dimaria at a slow pace, breaking into a low crouch. "Miss Yesta?" he called softly. "Can you understand me, Miss Yesta?"

"Monster," Dimaria whimpered. "Monster…"

"There's no monster," Gary soothed. "Miss Yesta, you are safe now."

"Monster." Dimaria's breathing turned into rapid pants. "Monster… Monster! Monster!"

Luke lurched forward with his hands glowing. He put a hand on either side of Dimaria's head and closed his eyes. Gold pulsed from his hands and, when his eyes opened, they were covered in gold.

"You must understand you are in no danger." Luke's voice sounded like it would ensnare you to do its bidding. "You are safe. You are fine."

Dimaria's fast breathing slowed down into nice, interval breaths. The glazed look in her haunted eyes slipped back into focus. "Monster… Monster is…gone," she whispered. "I'm…fine…"

The glow faded from Luke's eyes and he took away his hands. He stepped back to give Dimaria room as the Time Mage blinked sluggishly. She took a look around. Her gaze stopped on Luke, then narrowed.

"I…know you," Dimaria stated, though it came out as a question.

Luke dubbed a confused look when Natsu stepped to his son, clapping his shoulder. "Dimaria, this is my son, Luke," Natsu introduced. "Do you remember me?"

Dimaria squinted at him. She tried to focus on him. "Lord Zeref," she rasped. "He spoke of his younger brother. Are…? Are you him?"

Natsu's smile was a bit tight. "I'm Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail," he greeted. "We were enemies, then friends. You're a commander for the Alvarez Empire military, Dimaria." He let go of Luke to go to Dimaria. "Can you tell me why you're here?"

Dimaria coughed. "I do-don't know…"

Nashi broke through the ranks with her teapot. "Let me through. I can help her." She settled down near Dimaria. "Miss Yesta, my name is Nashi Dragneel." She showed Dimaria the teapot. "Is it okay if I heal you?"

Dimaria gave an absent nod.

Nashi began to pour the golden sand on Dimaria's burn marks and wounds. Dimaria did not even flinch as the Magic sunk into her skin, as her burn marks faded and her wounds closed.

"Mary Jane will be fine in a few hours, give or take," Nashi diagnosed. "The Divine Tea helps with any internal bleeding or tearing she might have. She'll just need to rest and get into a bath to clean off the blood. I gave Igneel a blanket to keep her warm. She's too cold."

"He'll keep her warm, blanket or not," Natsu assured. "It's just not his way to let a friend be cold around him."

"What happened to her in the first place?" Gary wondered.

"Seizure." Natsu grimaced. "She had a seizure."

Luke's eyebrows shot up. "Are you serious?"

Gary turned. His eyes flocked onto Mary Jane. She lay still underneath the thin blanket brought to her with Igneel laying with her, trying to keep her warm.

Natsu nodded at Luke. "Yeah. That's what Igneel said."

Luke's eyes flashed, and he gritted his teeth. "What was the tri…?"

Natsu subtly shook his head.

Luke locked his jaw and swallowed back his question. He glanced back at his brother. Igneel looked so helpless as he stayed by Mary Jane. He gathered her into his naked chest and even Luke could feel the comfortable heat Igneel was giving off to sustain Mary Jane's body temperature. There was worry and grief in those onyx eyes and perhaps some would find it a type of grandeur sweet seeing him stress so much over Mary Jane, but Luke knew his brother and he knew what Igneel was masking.

Guilt.

What did you do, Igneel? Luke wanted to know. And, why did you do it?

"All done."

Luke turned back to see Dimaria with her flesh restored. Nashi took the teapot away from Dimaria's lips and moved away from her.

"The Divine Tea should correct any internal stuff, but she'll be fine," Nashi assured. She dismissed her teapot and descended back into her civilian form. "That's all I can do for now." She looked at Luke. "You have the food in your bag?"

Luke nodded and shouldered off his pack. "Yeah. We should have enough rice—"

"Hold on."

Gary, Nashi, and Luke watched as Natsu approached Dimaria deliberately. He squatted before her with eyes intense and a frown on his face.

"Dimaria," Natsu started, "I need you to start time again."

Dimaria's gaze swiveled to Natsu. "Why?" Her voice sounded old, older than it should have been.

"Because we have to—"

"No." Dimaria shook her head. "Why did you help me?" she wanted to know. "I tried to kill Lucy. Why would you help me?"

Natsu saddened. Not out of the memory, but out of Dimaria's state. "Dimaria, that was a long time ago," he told her. "It's been almost three decades since then."

Dimaria's eyes widened. "Thirty years?" she whispered. "But, just last week, Lord Zeref was telling us…"

"Zeref is dead." Natsu did not sugarcoat the truth. "The Alvarez Empire you once knew is gone. The cause you had to invade Fiore is gone. You are now a commander and military advisor for the current emperor."

Dimaria tried to understand his words. She looked at Nashi and Luke. Then, she looked at them closer. A warm smile broke onto her face. "I know you too!" she exclaimed. "Oh, I remember seeing baby pictures of you too." She examined them up and down. "You two have gotten so big!"

Natsu smiled as Nashi blushed and Luke looked away, uneasy. "They have, haven't they? I think the last time they saw you, Luna wasn't even born yet."

"Luna…" Dimaria said the name dreamily. "She looks just like her mother." A frown touched her face. "Don't you have another son?"

Natsu nodded and gestured over to Igneel. "He's over there. That's Igneel."

Dimaria found the eldest son and smiled again. "He's gotten so big too!" She laughed a little like an old soul would. "He's got his mother's hair, doesn't he? But…" She pointed at Mary Jane. "Who is that?"

"That's the girl you tried to kill," Luke growled.

"Luke," Nashi warned.

Dimaria's eyes widened. "I tried to kill her?" she gasped. "Why would I…?" Her eyes dulled. "It was all part of the plan."

Natsu sharpened. "What 'plan'?"

Dimaria tipped her head up. "I… I remember being taken away," she recounted. "The Mage Killer… He took me away. He took brought me here as his pawn and his prisoner."

"Why you?" Gary had to ask. "Because of your Time Magic?"

Dimaria nodded. "He needed to go back in time. A Time Ripple. He needed one."

"'Time Ripple'?" Nashi echoed.

"But, those are only theoretical," Luke said, disbelieving.

Dimaria shook her head. "Not when a god gives you Magic," she pointed out.

"What's a 'Time Ripple'?" Nashi asked.

"It's a tear in the fabric of time," Luke explained. "It's all in theory that a strong enough Time Mage can make a ripple in time to travel back and forth into the past and future. But, no one can prove a Time Mage has done it before since any changes can't be documented for fixed timelines." He looked at Dimaria in wonder. "But, you did? You sent Bluenote into the past or future?"

"To the past." Dimaria sniffled, then coughed. "He needed to go into the past. I don't know why."

Nashi nodded slowly. "So, then, why did you try to kill Mary Jane?" she wanted to know. "You said it's part of some plan. What plan?"

Dimaria's eyes drifted to Igneel. "That other man… They call him the 'Invisible Assassin'… He was in charge of testing Igneel." Something strange overtook her eyes and a sinister smile snuck onto her face. "It's cute you think none of this happened for a reason. You think Igneel getting here was just a coincidence?" She laughed. "He wouldn't have even made it here if it wasn't for me. He wouldn't have had that torch if it wasn't for me. He wouldn't have found this place if it wasn't for…" The strange looked faded back into one of over-the-top euphoria. "Much better," she purred.

"She's insane!" Nashi cried. "Just look at her!"

"No, Angel, she's drugged," Gary corrected. "She's not in her right state of mind."

"Well, she has to snap out of it soon." Natsu snapped in Dimaria's face. "Dimaria. Can you can hear me?"

Dimaria slowly turned her head to Natsu. "Yes…"

Natsu sighed. "We need you to start time again."

Dimaria slowly tilted her head. "Why…?"

"Because we're going to need all of our friends to help us out if we want any chance of things returning to how it was," Natsu reasoned.

Dimaria closed her eyes, still smiling like a loon. "You'll never make it," she sung.

"We still have to try," Natsu argued firmly. "Will you do it or not, Dimaria?"

Dimaria kept her eyes closed. She said nothing in response.

Gem and Mini came forth. "We can help! Piri-piri!"

Gem spoke first. "We can turn into Dimaria."

"Yes!" Mini agreed. "Miss Lucy is stronger than her, so it should be no problem!"

Natsu smiled his relief. "Thanks, you guys."

The Twins hovered over to Dimaria and each touched her shoulder. Gold overtook the tiny forms and they backed away to converged into one single entity.

BONG!

In a fit of smoke and Magic, Gemini transcended into Dimaria Yesta right down to the scar on her leg. The only thing they could not get right was the glowing orb sunken into her chest.

Gemini-Dimaria looked down at her chest and frowned. "The power coming off the orb is too strong, so we couldn't copy it," they told the group. "But, we know how to restart time."

Natsu nodded. "Show's all yours."

Gemini-Dimaria nodded.

Then, their teeth clicked.

°•°•°•°

It happened so suddenly that no one even knew it.

CRACK! CR-CRACK!

Lightning streaked the sky again.

Rain poured down from the Heavens.

Magic thrummed in the air as it battled against ugly Curses.

°•°•°•°

In the bunker, Mustang gulped down more water as Linus finished saying, "—ames, but maybe—"

"Crap!"

Dazzler landed on her hands and knees in a low groan.

Julia simpered. "Nice going, D."

Dazzler showed her middle finger as she got back up. "Damn do—" She looked at the ground and her eyes widened. "Okay, I could've sworn I tripped over a dog," she promised

Mystogan looked down at his chest to see a note taped to it. He tore it off himself to look at it. "What's this?" He began to read the note.

His eyes widened.

Mustang noticed and frowned. "What's wrong, Misty?"

Mystogan swallowed. "Well… None of you will believe what just happened…"

°•°•°•°

The storm went wild outside and splattered against the windows of Lamia Scale. Doctor Mothersbaugh and Wendy helped along the healing process for several others with Aceso helping as much as he could. Erza and Ooba looked a bit disturbed from the place on the stage.

"Did you feel that?" Erza murmured.

Ooba nodded. "Something happened, but I can't sense what."

Erza gave a noise of agreement and looked up at the ceiling.

It felt like something I felt a long time ago. But, what? What was it?

°•°•°•°

Gajeel led the team down the street, teeth gritted. "Dammit, Salamander, the Hell did you up and disappear to?" he growled.

Pantherlily easily matched pace with his Chosen. "Did you sense that, Gajeel?" he rumbled. "Something felt off for just a split second."

Gajeel grunted his agreement. "I felt it. Maybe it explains why Salamander up and ditched us."

"But, it doesn't make sense how he could just vanish in a second," Pantherlily countered. His eyes narrowed. "Unless…"

Gajeel understood where Pantherlily was going.

Only two possibilities about this. And one of them I know I really, really hate.

°•°•°•°

Back in the chamber, Nashi looked around. "Did it work?" she wondered. "Is time working again?"

Gary dug out his Compact and woke it up. He watched as the time glitched to catch up with the time around it. "Yeah. Time is back on again."

Natsu flashed Gemini-Dimaria a grin. "Thanks, Gemini."

Gemini-Dimaria smiled. "It's no problem, but…" They turned to the original Dimaria. "We have access to her memories, but they're very hazy. The orb placed in her chest wasn't placed by someone we recognize. Since she's not of sound mind, we can't access too many memories." Gemini-Dimaria turned to Igneel and Mary Jane. "But, she told Mary Jane something. She talked about Igneel and Luke, gold and black, and prin—"

"Wh-Who are you people?" came a shriek.

Everyone turned to see the frantic Peter backed into the wall. His eyes darted to catch all their startled faces, but it freaked him out even more when he saw two versions of Dimaria. He backed himself further into the wall. "Wh-What's going on?" he cried. His eyes flashed down to Mary Jane. He turned a deathly tint of pale when he saw her limp body. "Oh, my God, is she dead?!" he whispered. He peeled himself off the wall to crawl to her. "Shit, Mary Jane!"

Nashi's eyes widened, and she lunged forward to try and stop Peter. "Wait, Peter, you shouldn't—!"

Peter certainly stopped when flames came between him and the makeshift bed of Igneel and Mary Jane. He screamed a little, eyes widened with terror at the sight of them.

"Igneel," Natsu snapped.

Igneel was slow in extinguishing his flames, but his grip on Mary Jane tightened as though wary Peter would take her away. "She went through a seizure, Peter, but she'll be fine," he rumbled, voice thick in annoyance of being disturbed.

"How do you know that?" Peter snapped. Anger overtook his logical fear. "We need to get her to a doctor!"

"Peter, please calm down," Nashi pleaded. She raised her hands to show peace when Peter's frightened glare snapped onto her. She tried a gentle smile. "Hi there. My name is Nashi Dragneel. I'm Igneel's older sister and the Angel Princess of Fairy Tail," she greeted. She gestured to Luke. "That's Luke, Igneel's brother, the Zen of Fairy Tail" She gestured to her partner. "That's Gary Fullbuster, my partner, the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail." She gestured to her father.

"I'm Natsu Dragneel, their old man," Natsu introduced. "I'm what'cha call a 'Dragon Slayer'. I'm the Dragon King of Fairy Tail."

Gemini-Dimaria poofed back into their twin form and waved. "And we're Gemini! Piri-piri!"

Lelantos and Actaeon wagged their tails, paws itching to go over to Peter and sniff him.

"Those two are Lelantos and Actaeon," Luke explained. "They're our mom's hunting dog spirits." To the twin dogs, he murmured, "You can go, but be gentle. He's Spiritless."

The hunting dogs whined and padded up to Peter. They were delicate, treating him like a newborn pup, and prodded him with their noses, sniffing hum curiously. They licked at his face and perked when he laughed.

"Sorry for freaking out," Peter apologized. He pushed away the snouts of the hunting dogs as he got his bearings together. "So much was happening and…"

"We understand," Nashi assured. "But, what I don't understand"—an accusatory glare was thrown Igneel's way—"is why a Spiritless was down here where he shouldn't be?"

Igneel groaned. "Not my fault he stalked us all the way out here," he muttered.

Peter was confused. "What's a 'Spiritless'?"

"Someone that doesn't practice Magic," Gary explained as Natsu approached Peter, sniffing the air.

Natsu cast Peter a suspicious look. "You sure you don't use Magic?"

Peter shook his head. "No, sir, none at all."

Natsu frowned to himself. "Huh…" He shook his head. "Well, kid, sorry you got dragged into this mess, but don't worry anymore. Fairy Tail's here to keep you safe."

"Thank you," Peter rasped. He looked down at Mary Jane. "Sorry, again, for freaking out. I'm just really worried about her."

"We all are," Nashi assured. "No need for the 'sorries', okay?" She nodded at Luke and went over to her own pack. "Let's get out the food first," she instructed. "All of us could use some decent food now that time is flowing again. We brought new clothes, but we'll see what we can do about a bath for you guys. How does that sound?"

"Great." It took no fool to see no matter how relieved Peter sounded, he was emotionally and physically exhausted. "Thank you."

Nashi waved off the gratitude as Natsu squinted his eyes at Peter. "It's no problem," she chuckled. "You won't be thanking me if Luke's the one who's cooking since he's a horrible chef."

Luke feigned a look of indignation as he began to bring out the nonperishables and water they brought. "Me?!" he gasped. "I'm not the one who burned rice!"

As Peter laughed, Nashi cried, "That was one time, Luke! Get over it!"

Gary sidled to Natsu's side and kept his gaze cool as he watched the Spiritless among them. "I'm finding it hard to believe he's just a Spiritless," he murmured to Natsu. "If he was, I wouldn't be sensing some type of Magic inside him."

"He might be unaware of it," Natsu proposed. "We've all seen it with kids. Sometimes, they just don't realize the potential they have."

Gary glanced at the elder Mage, raising an eyebrow. "But, even you don't think he's just a late bloomer, do you, Uncle Natsu?"

Natsu was silent.

Gary jerked his head towards Nashi and Luke as they were setting up a firepit and the coals and were debating over the best method to cook the food. "I better help them," he decided. "Knowing them, they may just burn through all of our food." He left Natsu without another word with a teasing remark to Nashi already on his lips and Luke's wary gaze latched onto him.

Natsu watched Peter's stare flicker back to Mary Jane. It would seem he was not the only one who noticed for Igneel's entire body tensed out of agitation.

There's something about that kid I can't put my finger on.

A low whine.

Natsu looked down to see Lelantos sitting at his side faithfully. He looked rather impatient, his head gesturing towards where the food was and whining.

Natsu grinned and lowered his hand to ruffle the top of Lelantos' head. "Yeah, yeah, you greedy mutt, I hear ya." He began to walk over to the rest with an eager hound at his side. "We'll get ya fed."

Lelantos barked his happiness.

And, as everyone gathered to help prepare the food, Dimaria stayed rooted to her spot with her eyes becoming more and more glazed over. A dreamy smile adorned her face as her head went side-to-side to a listless beat. She hummed something eerily family, and yet, it sounded entirely original.

And, just for split second, the orb thrown into her chest showed a different color than watery blues.

Just for a split second, it showed black.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Time to blast to the past!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

POP! POP! POP!

The firecrackers went off in a wild display.

Meira laughed as she playfully allowed Endymion to feed her rye bred paired with cheese and pinot noir (an obvious and delicious combination) at a table. Alarick masked his jealousy as he played Eros to several women all offering him wine and grapes. Ludvig played the part of dutiful betrothed as he offered plated food to Maria. She insisted she be the one to feed her betrothed and did so happily. Ludvig smiled at her joy, but even his eyes would stray to the Heartfilia who shoved back Endymion for his teasing advances and stuck out her tongue in her retaliation.

Luna sat away from the group with her food untouched and her mind somewhere.

The main parts of the festival had been moved to a rather large hall built for public gatherings. Children ran amuck with their toys and chants. The adults festered together in casual conversation and sincere smiles. And those in-betweens, the adolescents, tried to act "cool" with the boys using their wit and charm on their schoolboy crushes and the girls playing dumb and coy.

Luna did not care.

Icarus settled next to her chair like the loyal dog he was. His plate of food was finished and Lost curled into his side, sleeping. Hugo looked ridiculous sitting next to Luna. He loomed over her still. If the golem had any emotions, heavy concern would be for his ward.

Luna sighed.

How can I smile when I know what's about to happen? People will die. Their town will be destroyed. And, there's nothing I can do to stop it.

"My Lady, I see you have barely touched your food."

Luna's eyes flickered up to see Gabriel had taken the seat to her free side. She looked back at her untouched plate and shrugged. "Guess I'm just not hungry," she supposed.

Gabriel raised a mirthful eyebrow. "Really? Because, from what I have learned from you, you have an unhealthy love affair with breakfast, lunch, and dinner," he teased.

Luna sighed heavily and turned away from Gabriel.

Gabriel frowned. "Luna," he murmured softly, "I understand our conversation troubles you, but as we spoke before, we must keep calm—"

"How can I keep calm when I know people are going to die?" Luna finally snapped. When she raised her voice, Gabriel subtly held up a hand for her to lower it. She huffed, but she did as she was asked. "We have to warn everyone," she insisted, eyes angering when Gabriel was already shaking his head. "Gabriel, we can't just let this play out—!"

"We have to," Gabriel argued back to her. "Come. Tell me in good faith people would believe your word if you told them the Guardian Duo were about to awaken and terrorize the town." He stared her down at his demand. "Tell me. Tell me who would believe such folly."

"We have to make them believe!" Luna cried when she could not find the answer. She shook her head. "In my time, the story goes that so many people died because of what's going to happen." Pain stung her eyes. "I feel like I'm about to be at fault for so many people dying."

Gabriel softened. "It's hard to make sacrifices," he had to admit.

Luna's eyes widened in disbelief. "'Sacrifices'?" she echoed, whispering. "You want me to call these people 'sacrifices'?" Her eyes narrowed in her own disgust. "What is wrong with you?"

"I'm not saying they are the sacrifice," Gabriel soothed. "However, printzesa, telling the truth right now would bring unwanted consequences. You could be arrested for being insane. I would say being a Heartfilia would keep you from arrest, but we cannot risk the guard knowing of your existence. Already too many people know. Imagine if word got out to reporters. Imagine the chaos it would ensue."

Luna scowled. "Is this supposed to make me feel better about people dying?" she snapped.

Gabriel sighed. He took her hands into his and was relieved she did not reject his touch. "You have to understand why we cannot interfere," he told her. "These people… They will not believe what they cannot see. Would you abandon your entire home based off the word of a child?"

Luna saw where he was coming from. "No," she admitted, "but that doesn't—!"

"Exactly. You wouldn't," Gabriel pointed out. "You cannot expect these people to believe something so outlandish." He squeezed her hands. "When the time comes, we will ensure every man, woman, and child is spared from the wrath of the Guardians. We will protect and defend them. But, for now, we must play our parts."

Luna really wanted to keep being upset, but she let out a sigh instead. "I know," she mumbled.

Gabriel looked up when two fiddlers began play that type of earthy beat that made you want to stomp your feet and clap. A flute, tambourine, and a lute player joined in on the fun.

Gabriel let go of one of her hands to brush his own against her cheek, grinning like a fool. "How about I provide for you a distraction?"

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Meaning…?"

Gabriel stood up. "If you would allow me, I would like to teach you a jig every Redfox knows."

Now, Luna offered her own grin. "Funny. Because the Redfoxes I know have never taught me any jig."

Gabriel bowed forward to whisper, "Then, you will have to teach my descendants this very one when you return, won't you?"

Luna laughed and stood up, allowing Gabriel to lead her over to the dance floor. Men goofed off with their women, dancing around them for attention and laughs. Some women caved with generous smiles and pearls of laughter. Other made their man work harder to capture her eye, turning away from him and biting back her own grin. Gabriel brought Luna into the fun and let go of her. He began to circle her, eyeing her like a hunter.

"Now, I should hope you will keep your eyes on me, printzesa," Gabriel purred. "This jig is not one I perform regularly, so I suggest you feel honored."

Luna kept back her own giggle and lifted her chin stubbornly. "Impress me all you want. It won't work," she singsang.

Gabriel stopped behind her. "It will," he murmured into her ear. "Take notes…little blonde."

Before Luna could even react, Gabriel whirled around her and danced away. She watched him as he gallivanted over to his friend Hero and Sebastian who had made it onto the dance floor. He murmured something to them. Sebastian smirked like a maniac while Hero managed a small smile. The two nodded and were off.

Gabriel spun back around.

Impish ruby clashed with intrigued chocolate.

And, Gabriel began to move.

From where Alarick sat, he took his eyes off the red head who had caught his eye to witness the actions of his son. A grin caked his face as he puffed a laugh. "Well, I'll be," he murmured. "He's doin' it."

"'Doing' what?"

Alarick did not need to know Meira and Endymion had come to his table. Both spirit and Mage looked onto the dance floor in their own confusion.

"We call it 'The King's Jig'," Alarick explained. "Taught the boy every move myself, but I never thought he'd ever dance it for someone."

"It's a partner dance?" Meira inquired.

Alarick shrugged, grinning even more ad Gabriel's movements attracted the attention of several more women. "It can be," he supposed. "It is based off a male dragon's own dance to his Marked female. Been passed down for generations." He took a swig of his wine. "The basics of the steps of the same, but we can each interpret it differently."

Meira looked a bit worried. "It doesn't mean anything for the children, right? Just harmless dancing?"

"For your niece, of course," Alarick assured. "She doesn't know any better."

"And your son?" Meira pressed.

Alarick was silent.

The crowd roared as Gabriel decided to show off as he leapt into a handstand, his feet still dancing as his hands carried him back and forth.

"Alarick," Meira warned.

Alarick sighed and lifted his glass to his lips. "Between you and I, let's hope it means nothing," he murmured and took a sip.

Gabriel launched himself back to his feet and the crowd applauded him. He fixed his shirt and flashed Luna a smirk. He gave her a dramatic bow, low to the ground.

Luna awarded him with a laugh as she grabbed her skirt and lifted it. The audience gasped as she took off her flats. But, what surprised them more was when Luna returned Gabriel's preening with her own movement. There was nothing to it. In freestyle, you moved to a story that could flow from anything your imagination desired. This was your story. This was your moment to show the world what you wanted to say when you could not gather it into words.

Luna's steps were not as cocky and juvenile as Gabriel. She told all who would listen that while Gabriel might have been acting like a fool, she was a lady and would move like one. A twirl here, an arabesque there. She flashed a pretty smile to Gabriel who watched her with a cocked eyebrow and cocky smirk. She twirled her way over to Sebastian and took his hand.

Now the audience clapped for this retaliation.

Luna led Sebastian with their hands joined into a few skips together and Sebastian happily twirled her. Much to Luna's surprise, he lifted her into the air and spun her around, the duo laughing at the joy of it all.

When Sebastian lowered Luna to the ground, an envious Phoebe stormed over to him and hit him with her fan. The audience crowed as Sebastian grinned and tugged Phoebe into a gentle dance, ignoring her objections. Luna laughed as well, watching as more pairs entered the dance floor and followed the steps of the couple jig.

This… I miss this… Dancing like this at the guild with all my friends...

She could see the guild hall before her. She could see Silver roping Paige into a dance, spewing another soliloquy about his love for her. She could see Lance and Aine swaying together while Mystogan was preoccupied. She could see her father belting in a deep chortle as he and her mother failed to get the steps right.

A twinge of sadness twisted Luna's heart.

My family, my friends… I just…

Luna was quite literally tugged out of her thoughts as Gabriel twirled her into him. He had a hand on her waist and the other hand leading her own. "Hello."

Luna giggled and placed her free hand on his shoulder. "Hi there."

And, they were off.

Their dancing was not perfect, but it was theirs. They reacted to each other's whims with ease, like they had been doing it for years. Gabriel took pleasure of surprising Luna with something new, whether it be an unexpected twirl, a lift, or even releasing her briefly to spin around her.

Ludvig watched the dancing of the two in his own merriment. "Gabriel certainly is a good dancer," he admitted. "So is Miss Lucy." He smiled as Luna whisked herself away into the arms of another, basking in Gabriel's exaggeration of heart break. "He certainly is fond of her."

Maria frowned her disdain. "Such crass and boorish dancing." She lifted her nose. "I cannot believe people are condoning this behavior."

Ludvig turned to Maria, his own frown appearing. "What is wrong with a bit of fun?" he wondered, a bit defensive. "This dancing is a way of bringing people together. See how much joy it brings them."

Maria hummed, agitated. "Yes. Commoners." She hissed the very word like it was filth. "We are not commoners, Ludvig. You are a lord and I am a countess. We do not belong in such a place." She pouted at him. "We should have taken my father's offer in traveling to his private home in the east."

Ludvig sighed. "Maria, my research here is very important," he stressed. "Lady Meira has asked me—"

"Oh, that woman!" Maria cried. She glared at the Heartfilia woman who engaged in pleasant conversation with a few respected adults. "Can you believe she is adulterous? Having her own male version of a mistress to tend to her needs when she should be tending to her own husband's needs?" She made a noise of contempt. "I cannot wait for you to leave this wretched place and that woman behind," she muttered fiercely. "There is no need for you to be around her any much longer." She thought about it. "Perhaps you should move back—"

"No," Ludvig said suddenly. "My apologies, Maria, but I just cannot. My work here is important."

Maria frowned at him. "But, you have so much to learn in the ways of becoming a count," she protested in complaint.

Ludvig sighed. "Would it make you happy if I promised once the Festival of Gratitude was over I would…?" His eyes glinted in heavy sadness. "If I would leave to return to the estate?"

Maria looked at Ludvig with sparkling eyes of shock and of hope. "You will?"

Ludvig swallowed and nodded. "Anything to make my betrothed happy." Even as he said those words, they sounded so hollow and full of misery like he did not want to say them.

Maria beamed. "Oh, thank you, Ludvig!" she gushed. "Our parents will be most pleased to hear of your return! I shall have Ximena send letter to them at once!" She fanned herself happily. "Once we have returned, Father will begin your training. You will not have time for such silly things like Magic."

A dark frown. "Well, I think Magic is anything besides 'silly', Contessa."

Maria and Ludvig looked up to see Meira standing before them with an inclined chin and something storming in her eyes. Maria turned red at being caught while Ludvig looked visibly relieved at seeing her.

"L-Lady Meira," Maria stammered. "I did not mean—!"

Meira held up a hand for silence. "Oh, I think I know exactly what you meant," she assured calmly. "Please, you need not explain more and look like a fool." She turned to Ludvig and her gaze considerably softened. "Ludvig, my dear friend"—she extended her hand—"will you join me for dance?"

Ludvig looked ready to accept, but he hesitated. He glanced at Maria to see the countess glaring elsewhere. "I would hate to leave my fiancé while she is upset," he began.

"Then, allow me to cheer her up!"

Maria looked surprised when Alarick knelt before her. He took her hand and boldly pressed a kiss onto her knuckles. "Oh!" she gasped. "Sir Alarick…"

"Will the countess care to dance with a broken man like me?" Alarick tapped his earthly prosthetic leg. "You will have to excuse this thing. I'm not as agile as I once was."

Maria bit her lip. She looked back at Ludvig who nodded encouragingly at her. "I suppose one dance would not hurt…"

"Splendid!" Alarick stood up and brought Maria to her feet. He led her to the dance floor eagerly.

Ludvig's shoulders sagged in relief. "Gadzooks! Thank you, my Lady, for the rescue."

Meira chuckled. "It is no problem, Ludvig," she assured. "You looked so obviously unhappy, I just had to step in."

Ludvig managed a weak smile. "I really must have been obvious," he supposed. "Still, I thank you. But, are you sure you want to dance with me?" He looked pointedly at the other men around the room trying their best to capture Meira's eye. "There are many other contenders…"

Meira waved that away. "A dance with a nameless man will never compare to a dance with a friend."

Ludvig blushed a bit. "And, Sir Endymion?"

Meira snorted. "Demy cannot dance to save his life! Besides, I let him wander back into the woods to change form. He needs to stretch his hooves." She offered her hand again. "Now, Ludvig. I cannot stand to see you look so miserable. Please, let me render it."

Ludvig stood up and gently took Meira's hand. "I suppose a dance from a beautiful lady may put a smile on my face," he said cheekily.

Meira barked her laughter as a waltz washed over the entire hall. "How you tease me, sir," she jested. "If that is the only thing that shall make you smile, then so be it."

Ludvig led Meira over to the dance floor. They did not take the center. The center seemed reserved for Gabriel and Luna who cracked jokes and teased each other harmlessly as they moved in-sync. No, the duo took to the outskirts instead. They did not follow the traditional steps of the waltz where partners would be switched, and the only contact was a wisp of hands touching. Ludvig took the lead with his hand grasping Meira's and his hand carefully on her waist. Meira returned with a hand on his shoulder.

And they swayed.

Meira had to ask. "So, what did your betrothed say that put you in a rather foul mood? You looked like Gabriel whenever I tell him we ran out of jam."

Ludvig guffawed at that. "He does look rather sad when he cannot have jam, doesn't he?" His amusement dimmed. "It was really nothing, my Lady," he brushed off. "Maria made a valid point. I have yet to learn the proper ways of being a count due to my research. I know my parents understand my work and my Magic are important, but I have a duty to fulfill."

"And is that duty obligation to the future made for you or is that duty to your heart?" Meira questioned.

Ludvig smiled bitterly. "Unfortunately, nobles cannot afford to listen to their heart's desire. Our future is paved for us." He looked down. "What I would not give to just be a regular man and be able to journey and see all the world has to offer."

Meira touched Ludvig's cheek. "My dear Ludvig, I have always been a believer in following your heart," she told him. "Doing so has guided me all these years."

"It is never that simple, my Lady," Ludvig whispered. Dark stared deeply into chocolate. "There are so many things I wish I could do, but I am restricted from doing so."

Meira tilted her head. "Like what?" she dared to whisper back.

It seemed time stopped between them. There was no need for words when a gaze was all it took for conversation to occur.

Ludvig swallowed back his words and looked away, breaking the spell. "They are simply dreams I cannot attain, my Lady," he muttered, a bit despondent. "Thoughts I should not be having when I am engaged."

Meira closed her eyes as a sad smile graced her features. "I understand." She did. "You are a good man, Ludvig. Too good for that contessa."

Ludvig smiled a little. "She is not all bad," he promised. "She has been a good friend to me all these years."

Meira opened her eyes. "She just has little respect for Magic," she added on. "Something dear to you. It's cruel and insulting to hear her belittle your passion for your work."

"But, just as you know, nobility has no room for Magic," Ludvig reminded.

Meira growled and they stopped swaying. "Ah, yes. Something Anna enjoyed telling Mother." She shook her head and her eyes fond Maria. They narrowed in anger as Maria looked enchanted as Alarick led her in gentle dance. "I cannot allow you to be bullied like this, Ludvig. She deserves to see how accomplished you are! She should learn to fully appreciate you and see how wonderful your Magic truly is—!"

"Please, my Lady, do not get so upset," Ludvig pleaded. His plea tugged Meira's gaze back to him. "I want to spend my last days here in pe—"

"Your 'last days'?" Meira echoed. "What do you mean by that?"

"I… I have agreed to leave for the estate once the festival is over," Ludvig revealed quietly.

"You did what?!" Meira began to shake her head. "You only have two days left! That is not nearly enough time—!"

"It is." Ludvig could not shake off his own grief. "At that point, we will have saved this town from damnation, Luna will return to her own time, and my work here will be finished. There is no need for me here."

"But—!"

"And, you will have moved on somewhere else," Ludvig tacked on. "Don't think I don't know your plans to leave." He looked knowingly at Meira without any hurt.

"I would have waited," Meira tried to counter. "Ludvig, I—"

"I know you must leave, my Lady. Dangerous people seem to flock if you grow careless and stay in one place," Ludvig pointed out to her. "There is no need to wait."

Meira's eyes began to sting. "Ludvig…"

"So, let us enjoy this dance," Ludvig decided, "and these next three days. For me," he added when Meira opened her mouth to protest.

Meira bit her bottom lip and nodded.

Ludvig brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Thank you, my Lady," he murmured.

Meira gave a crying laugh. "When will you stop calling me such titles?" she teased. "I am simply 'Meira'. I do not own an abundance of land or have servants or run a business."

"This may be true," Ludvig agreed, "but in my eyes, you are the one who owns the stars and night sky in the palm of your hand. You have loyal spirits dedicated to your cause. You will always be my Lady."

Meira shed a tear. "You charmer," she teases. "I swear you are doing this on purpose to make me blush and cry."

Ludvig laughed quietly and used his thumb to wipe away her tear. "There will be a time for tears later. For now, I only hope to make my Lady smile."

Meira gifted him with a beautiful one at that. "Then, you are succeeding."

From the center, as Luna turned, she caught Ludvig and Meira murmuring as they swayed to the beat. Her brow furrowed. "I didn't even know Auntie was out dancing," she commented.

Gabriel glanced in the direction she stared at and a small smile played on his lips. "She most likely did not want to cause a scene for Sir Ludvig," he proposed. "His betrothed might not like seeing them so close." He glanced at his father to see him successfully sweeping Maria off her feet and snorted. "Although, my father is doing a fantastic job keeping her distracted."

Luna grinned. "Just like you're distracting me?"

Gabriel grinned back and tugged Luna into his arms. "Exactly." And, together, they swayed to the music.

Gabriel glanced back at Meira and Ludvig.

Master, Ludvig… My heart aches for both of you.

Maria blushed a bit at Alarick. "Where did you learn such dancing, good sir?"

"My mother was strict in making sure her children knew how to be proper ladies and gentlemen," Alarick explained. "Dance lessons were a necessity."

Maria laughed. "I remember during one of my own dance lessons…"

As they turned, Alarick caught sight of Meira and Ludvig on the edge of the crowd, swaying. His red eyes softened.

All right, Ludvig, I'll let you have her just this once…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Back to the future!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The clock of Master Ooba's desk went from 2:34 to 2:35 in the afternoon.

A storm raged outside of the window.

CRACK. CR-CRACK. CRACK.

Lightning struck and flashed the room, showing Gale's face. He was left alone in the room with Syra huddled on top of his chest and Hugo watching over him.

CRACK. CR-CRACK. CRACK.

Gale's face twitched.

CRACK…. CRACK-CRACK! CRACK…

A groan left his lips.

Syra's ears pricked before she lifted her head. Surprised excitement glowed in her eyes when she saw Gale stirring underneath his bandages. She hopped off him and paced around his head, too impatient for him to wake up to lay in one spot. She sat up quickly when Gale's eyes squeezed shut before cracking open.

A low groan was dragged out of him. "Wha…?" He hummed and shut his eyes again. His hands twitched and moved on their own accord. They went to the mask and felt around it. The hand grasped it and began to tug at it. A choking sound left Gale as he pulled the mask. A tube left his throat at the cost of him hacking and coughing. He looked at the oxygen mask in confusion. "The Hell…?"

"Brrr!"

Gale was given a minor fright when Syra leapt onto his chest and snuggled against him. He chuckled as she spoke to him eagerly in her high-pitched thrums and lapped at his face eagerly. "Okay, okay, fur-ball, cut it out with the licking and being cute and shit," he tried to stop in a rasping voice.

Syra fluttered above him as Gale moved to sit up. His muscles ached, but it was not like he was in pain. It was more like the type of ache of sleeping too long and trying to relearn how to move. He looked at his new surroundings. "Where am I?" he grunted.

A cup of water was offered to him.

Gale looked up to see it was Lag who offered it. Gale took the cup. "Thanks, Lag."

Lag blinked and retreated.

Gale took a couple gulps of the water until the cup was emptied. He sighed his relief and wiped his mouth, setting the cup down. "That's better," he figured, his voice sounding much more like himself. "But, just… What happened to me?"

"I'm sorry, pipsqueak."

"Please tell my family I'm okay. I miss them. And I love them."

'It would be wise to remember where your scars have come from.'

"I miss you too."

"So, you won't have to worry about me, at least. Maybe we'll have to be alone, but we'll come back to each other."

Gale's eyes softened.

I remember… That dream was real… Blondie…

The focus shifted on shimmering chocolate.

Gale's hands tightened. His eyes darted to Syra who had landed on the floor to groom her floor. When she realized she was being watched by unfriendly eyes, her ears pinned back, and she made her body as small as possible, looking up at Gale's angry eyes in fear.

"You sent her into the past with no way of getting back," Gale seethed. "If she doesn't come back to me, it will be your fault."

Syra lowered her eyes. "Brrr…"

Gale looked down at his bandaged body.

It's just weird. I don't feel like I'm dying or in pain.

His eyes went to the digital clock in the room to see the time and the date.

And, it's only been a day since I've been here, right? The wounds I had… They should be taking weeks to months to heal naturally. So, how…?

Gale looked at Syra, astonished. "Did you use Restoration on me?"

"Brrr… Brr-brr," Syra told him, pricking her ears.

Gale looked back at his body. His hands went to tear the bandages on his arms. His eyes widened when he saw very little traces of his battle with Bluenote besides faint scars only he could see. "No way…" he breathed. He was quick to tear off the rest of his dressings and was amazed to see the scars on his body without any tender skin making him flinch. There were no bruises on his body, just plain flesh. He hesitated at his biggest wound on his abdomen. He took a deep breath.

Now or never…

Gale was careful when he picked off the dressings. Maybe it was out of fear or what he would find or maybe not, but he was. He peeled back the final layer and winced, only to see dark skin greeted him. Shocked, Gale peeled the rest of the dressing off him. The wound that would have been the death of him had been reduced to an ugly scar. It definitely stood out amongst his skin—he knew everyone in a five-mile radius would see the monstrous scar—but he preferred it over the mess before.

"Damn," Gale swore softly. "You did a nice job, fur-ball." He smoothed a hand over the skin and he flinched at how sensitive his skin was. It was not that his body flat-out rejected his touch; it was just a bit jumpy and touchy. "A little tender, but nothing I can't manage."

Syra made a noise of surprised rise when Gale picked her up by her scruff. She cowered back in fear.

Gale rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, so you did something good for a change," he supposed. He set her down in his lap and stroked the top of her head.

Syra peeked up at him warily. "Brrr?"

Gale tossed her a grin. "And, yes, fur-ball, I mean it," he vowed, stroking in-between her ears.

Syra lapped up in the attention, practically purring as she arched into Gale's gentle touch.

Gale was taken back when Lag nudged him. He looked at his golem to see three big bags and his personal belongings being cradled in those rocky hands. Gale blinked when the label of the first bag being OUTFIT #1. "A new outfit… What happened to my old clothes?" he wondered. He sighed his annoyance. "No, let me guess. They had to cut them off me. Dammit. I actually liked those clothes." He grabbed Syra as he made a move to stand up. It took a lot of grunting, light-headedness, and he nearly fell-over twice, but he stood up in the end and damn, did doing that feel good.

Syra flew out of his hands as Gale reached for the first bag. "So, I get options on my first wardrobe, huh?" Gale muttered. He broke open the bag before glancing at his golem. "Well. Here goes nothing, I guess."

°•°•°•°

Gale looked at himself through. Master Ooba's full-length mirror, unimpressed of his new attire. "How in the Hell is this practical?" he grumbled, trying to move in his cape. He had been given loose pants in black with white designs crossing them and boots. But, it was the constricting cape that wrapped around his chest and the strange armguards that agitated him. He finally wrestled the buttons off to take off the cape.

"Who the Hell would ever fight in this?" he snapped. "Maybe if I was on vacation, sure, but not when a storm is going on." He held out his hand. "Lag."

Lag handed him the second bag.

Gale broke open the bag. "Here's to hoping outfit number two is better than the last one."

°•°•°•°

"This is worse than the last one!"

Gale glared at his new outfit. He looked the equivalent of the son of a businessman, completed with a snug suit the color of his hair. There were pops of red with his tie matching his eyes and same with the handkerchief in his breast pocket. He had even been given fake glasses to play the part and his hair had been slicked back.

Gale ripped off his fake glasses and ruffled his hair. "I just need something normal, dammit!" he growled, aggravate. He stomped over to Lag and swiped the last bag. "This better be something I can actually wear outside!"

And, he ripped the bag open.

°•°•°•°

Gale nodded at his reflection approvingly as he looked over his outfit. "Okay, this isn't too shabby," he had to admit.

He stared at a boy his age wearing combat boots tied tightly and a loose pair of dark blue pants. He was given an overcoat with a sweatshirt hoodie attached to it. The shirt he wore was different than he had seen before. It had the symbol of a dragon on it in blaring red. That was the only pop of color he was given. Everything else had matched in black, even his fingerless gloves.

Gale rolled his lips. "A lot more emo, but better suited for this shitty weather," he supposed. He fixed his cuffs as he went over to Lag. He took his wallet first and had to check inside. Relief flooded his face when he saw the picture in his wallet.

Thank God. You're still here.

Gale deposited his wallet into his coat pocket before grabbing his Compact. The screen had nearly shattered with unfixable cracks in the glass, but the Compact awakened at his beck and call. He saw he still had no service, but, with his Wi-Fi Connection still intact, his notification screen was blown up with stories revolving around the horrors of Margaret Town. From the Twit feed to THE NEW AZALEA TIMES, everyone ranted and raved about the atrocities that were occurring in the City of the Guardian Duo with prayers being sent to the Mages and soldiers fighting valiantly.

What really blew Gale away was when he saw an alarming title that read:

MAGIC HUNTERS SENT IN TO CLEAN-UP THE MESS…BUT WILL THEY START ONE IN THE PROCESS?

Gale shut off his Compact as he growled to himself. "Shit," he cursed. He pocketed his Compact. "Fricken Hunters were here? What else did I miss?" He shook his head. "Forget it. We have to get to the ruins." He turned around to stride to the door. "Syra, Lag—let's roll," he ordered.

Syra happily nuzzled onto Gale's shoulder while Lag followed his master.

Gale got to the door and was all set to open it—

—but, he hesitated.

I can't just go out the front door. Someone's probably guarding the front door right now. They see me up and running and I'll never leave without Aunt Wen checking my vitals and telling me to take it easy and rest. I could bust out the window and hit the ground running, but my guess is there are Mages outside. They'd just capture me. That and I'd have glass all-over me and I only deal with that if I have no other option.

Gale's hand tightened on the knob.

So, I guess I have to take the front—

WHAM!

The door burst inward as a refreshed Levy and Lucy came into the room.

Levy gave a weak smile to Lucy. "Thanks for lunch, Lu, but you really didn't have to," she tried to remind.

Lucy dismissed the thought. "Don't worry about it, Levy. Besides, we both needed to leave the room for a little whil—" Her eyes widened.

Levy frowned. "Lu?" she called. She followed Lucy's gaze. "Lu, what's wr—?" Her jaw dropped.

There was Gale, crouched away from them as he nursed a comically-huge bump on his head, with his eyes looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Levy just gawked.

Her eye twitched.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

~ Wow… ~

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale tentatively smiled. "Hey, Mom. I'm awake."

Silence.

Levy's mouth closed.

Her jaw ticked.

She strode forth to her son.

Gale panicked and sweat poured profusely from his forehead. "D-Don't get mad, okay? I-I-I-I didn't mean to worry you and Dad! An-And-And what you're looking at right now isn't what you—!" His words stopped.

Because Levy was hugging him.

Gale blinked his surprise when he felt Levy tremble against him. "Mom…"

Levy clutched him even tighter. "Never worry me like that again, young man, or you're coming to church with me on Sundays again," she threatened, even if it came out in a ragged sob.

Gale smiled slightly as he hugged back his mother. "You know I can't promise shit like that, Mom," he reminded. "Kind of part of the most reckless guild in Fiore and I'm half of Dad. I'm bound to play on the fine line of life and death."

Levy sniffled as she tried not to laugh. She pulled back for her tearful hazel to meet Gale's affectionate ruby. She smoothed his messy hair before placing a hand on his cheek. "You just have a smart-aleck reply to everything, don't you?"

"Wouldn't be your son if I didn't," Gale teased cheekily.

This time, that did draw out a wholehearted laugh from Levy, tears and all. "Goodness, you scared me, Gale," she told him. "You had everyone so worried about you."

Gale scratched his cheek in his sheepishness. "Sorry 'bout that," he apologized. He brushed a knuckle against Levy's cheek to wipe away her tears. "Didn't mean to make you cry, Mom. Honest."

"You're my baby, Gale," Levy murmured to him. "Even if you frustrate me with your language, you're my baby boy. I don't want to lose you. Ever."

"And, you won't," Gale promised. "C'mon, Ma, have some faith in your prodigy son here. I told you you'll be pushing one-hundred and living with me out in the country. And, you'll still try to get me to go to church and I'll still annoy the shit out of you, but you'll love me anyways."

"Don't forget about my grandkids," Levy reminded.

Gale groaned. "Mom…" he whined. "You have other kids for that. Can't you be satisfied with me and my five cats?"

Levy bubbled in her chortles, flicking her son's forehead. "You know I'll be happy as long as you're healthy and happy," she promised. "I'd just prefer it if that happiness came in the form of a cute wife who might be blonde—"

Gale's cheeks burned as he glared at Levy, half in embarrassment and half in mortification. "Mom…" he warned.

"Just… How are you standing like this?" Levy had to know, changing the subject. "You were passed out just a half an hour ago and…"

"Brrr!"

Levy and Gale both looked up as Syra made a nest in Gale's hair. She circled her new sleeping spot before plopping down and curling up.

Gale snorted. "Glad to see the fur-ball is getting comfortable," he said dryly.

Levy understood everything. "So, it used Restoration on you," she presumed. She smiled and lifted a hand to run a finger down the back of the ikenga. "Thank you," she appreciated softly. "You saved my son. I'm in your debt."

Syra merely purred.

Gale peered over Levy to smile at Lucy. "Hey, Aunt Luce," he greeted. "What's shakin'?" He opened an arm for her. "Don't tell me I'm not getting a hug from my fav auntie."

Lucy laughed as she came forward to hug Gale. "Don't tell your other aunts that," she let him know. "They might attack me if they found out I'm your favorite."

Gale kissed Lucy on the cheek. "Wait. I think Aunt Cana is my favorite," he decided.

Lucy scowled at Gale. "Why her?"

Gale shrugged. "She gave me my first beer when I was, like, twelve."

Levy gasped. "Gale Metalicana Redfox, you drank illegally?!" she cried, making Gale wince.

"You let me drink liquor at communion, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal?" Gale tried to reason, though it came out with a questioning lilt.

"That's the blood of Christ, not just 'liquor'!" Levy lectured. She narrowed her eyes at her son. "Don't tell me you're into edibles and vaping and—!"

Gale's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No, Mom, no drugs, I swear," he vowed vehemently. "Look, you both can question me later. I have to get going."

"Young man," Levy started, making Gale groan and let both women go, "you aren't taking another step out of this room." She watched as Gale sat on the ground. "I don't care if Restoration was used on you. It is dangerous out there with Bluenote still on the loose. You're staying right here."

"Mom, I can't stay in here," Gale argued. "Igneel and Mary Jane need help."

Lucy's eyes widened at the name of her son. "Wait. Igneel?" she wanted to knock. "What's going on? What's wrong with both of them?"

Gale sighed and looked between his mother and his aunt. "Look, I have some stuff to tell you. And, some of it, you might not believe."

Levy crossed her arms and she and Lucy exchanged a look. Levy raised an eyebrow defiantly at her son. "Try us."

°•°•°•°

Lucy was sitting on the couch while Levy paced in front of her and Gale sat in a chair with Syra in his lap. "Wow," Lucy commented quietly after the tale was finished. "I'm not saying I don't believe you, but to just hear this…"

"We have to get to them," Gale decided firmly. "They need medical attention and stat. The longer we sit here, the more they could be at risk."

"Oh, we'll go and get them," Levy agreed. "But, you're not coming with us."

Gale growled. "But, Mom—!"

"Don't you 'but, Mom' me!" Levy snapped. "You have no business going out there right now! You need to—! I'm sorry, but did you just roll your eyes at me?"

Gale huffed. "No, ma'am," he grumbled. "You're just being completely ridiculous."

That triggered something in Levy to give her youngest the coldest look. "Excuse me?"

Gale sighed heavily. "Mom, how exactly are you going to get down there?" he challenged. "You need me to get down there."

"We don't," Levy fought back. "Lu can use Earth Magic with her Star Dress: Virgo or Taurus. I can dig with my Magic. You're staying – here."

Gale met his mother's glare head on. "I'm leaving," he snarled at her. "You can't make me stay here! Not when my friends are out there and could be dying for all we know! For fuck sake's, Mom—!"

"You will use respectful language—"

Gale sprang up, cradling Syra. "Mom, Blondie literally was blasted into the past with no way back to the future!" he shouted at her. "I can't do a damn thing to help her! I don't know what's happening or what will happen to her! I don't even know how she's going to get back and that fucking kills me, but I can actually do something about my friends down there! Don't you get that?"

Levy was already shaking her head. "No. No. This isn't up for debate and, if it was, your dad would agree with me."

"Oh, yeah, Mom, great fucking debate," Gale congratulated, sardonic. "Really decided to listen to the other side of the argument, didn't you?"

Levy was about to bite back with something fierce when she calmed herself, closing her eyes. "Gale, I'm doing this because I love you," she promised. She raised a finger as her Magic Circle appeared.

Gale's eyes widened, then they narrowed in his rage. "Mom!" he shouted at her. He leapt to his feet, but he was unable to move when he found the words SHACKLES latched onto his legs. He jerked and kicks his legs, but no matter what he did, they would not budge. "Mom, don't you dare do this to me!" he roared at her.

Levy began to write with her finger in the air. "I'm keeping you safe," she told him. "I just lost you. I'm not taking that risk again."

"You're about to lose me if you do this!" Gale jerked even harder, glaring at his mother all the while. "You can't do this! Mom, don't do this!"

Levy gave a shaky breath. "I command these runes," she chanted. "No life shall be able to leave beyond this point."

Gale's bottom lip trembled. He looked at his shackles in his seething wrath and conjured a gem-based dagger. He hacked at the shackles until the words dissolved. He rushed forward only for an invisible wall to stop him. In his agonized ire, he saw violet runes appear with the same words Levy had spoken. "No…" He punched the barrier. "Mom, no! I'll hate you for this!"

Levy looked at her son in a mixture of a mother's love and a mother's sorrow. "I know you will, but this is to protect you," she promised him. "We'll make sure Igneel, Mary Jane, and Peter get the attention they need."

"Mom!" Gale's voice broke a bit as he kept punching the barrier. His body shook. "Mom, please!"

Levy's eyes began to sting with unshed tears. "I love you," she confessed to him. "I love you so much, baby."

Gale shut his eyes. "I…" His trembling stopped. His eyes opened to sear Levy with a glare that could freeze ocean. "Fuck you, Mom."

Levy gasped before her hands covered her mouth. A tear was shed before she turned and made a dash for leaving the office.

Gale punched the barrier one more time and gave a cry of just pure rage before dropping to his knees. "Dammit!" he yelled.

Lucy stepped up the barrier and placed a hand on it. She crouched down so she was Gale's level, even if he did not want to meet her eyes. "I know you said that because you're hurt, but Gale, she really is doing what she thinks is best for you," she assured.

Silence.

Lucy sighed as she stood up. "We'll bring them home, Gale," she promised. "Luna, too. Everyone. We'll bring everyone home." She turned on her heel and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Gale let out a terse breath as his eyes stung. "Shit. Dammit," he cursed to himself. "Why the fuck did I have to say that? Why couldn't she just let me go?"

I'm so damn helpless. I can't sit on the sidelines.

The focus shifted on a blonde maiden full of laughter and joy.

Is this what she felt like? This feeling of despair… Is this what she felt?

"Brrrr…"

Gale focus on Syra who put her paws on his chest. Her ears were pulled back as her nose twitched in her worry for him. He lifted a hand to stroke her neck. "Don't worry, fur-ball. I don't plan on staying here for very much longer." He picked himself up and turned around.

He faced the giant glass window.

Gale opened his jacket and helped Syra into an inner jacket pocket. "We're leaving," he decided in a snarl. "Lag, you're with me." He nodded towards the window. "I want you to get a running start and break the window, got me?"

Lag nodded and took off into a sprint for the window.

Gale ran after him.

I'm not about to stay back here like a princess locked in a damn tower.

CRASH.

Lag leapt through the window, breaking it.

Gale followed after him with glass flying everywhere.

PITTER-PATTER. PITTER-PATTER.

Rain and wind hit Gale's face as he fell.

I've got friends out there who need all the help they can get.

Lag turned, and his arms opened to catch his master.

I've got a blonde out there who is counting on me to figure shit out on this end for her.

If Gale had noticed closer, he would see Syra's body warming itself with her Magic with her halo burning a bright blue.

So, Hell no am I staying in that office. I'm getting out there and fighting for them.

"Brrrr…"

Gale looked to see Syra glowing. "What are you…?" His eyes widened when he felt Syra's Magic expand and entrap him and Lag. It was electrifying and freeing to feel such powerful Magic flow through his body—he almost felt like he was going to explode if it was not spent. "Oh, no… No, no, Syra, don't! Wait a minute!"

It was too late.

Sparkles surrounded Gale and Lag as they inched closer to the ground. The sparkles brightened and brightened until they completely exploded in a flash of brilliant light right before Lag's back could hit the ground.

And, just like that, they were gone.

°•°•°•°

It was the sound of panicked murmurs that really stirred Gale.

The first inhale he took through his nose, his body nearly rejected the scents being given to him. They smelt earthy, and not the good type. They smelt rotten with an odd odor of power mixing into it all. He could vaguely smell burnt food coming from some direction. A man had been where he was two days ago, and he had been sexually sated along with an equally sated female. He smelled two females close to his body. Young. One was about to enter her cycle.

Gale groaned.

"He is waking," came hiss with a Minstrish accent. "Have the cooks prepare a meal and one of the maids draw a bath."

Footsteps scuttled away in a hurry.

Gale fluttered his eyes open. The first thing he noticed was that something bright was shining down on him. He lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the brightness.

"Excuse me, sir, but are you all right?" came fret in a soft pitch.

Gale grunted as he took to righting himself.

"Oh, no, wait, sir, please do not strain yourself," came insistent plea.

Gale ignored it as he sat up. He took a look at where he was. It seemed that he had landed in some sort of barn that only had old antiques and hay to offer. His gaze continued to turn to see Lag was guarding his body very carefully. He looked down to see Syra was still tucked away in his jacket pocket, though she looked too scared to venture out. Gale's eyes finally went in front of him.

A woman with hazel eyes greeted him.

Such strikingly familiar hazel eyes…

Though, what really got Gale's attention was the clothes she wore. She wore a common, frilly dress that was suitable and durable enough for long walks and horse-riding, but it was a dress nonetheless. The woman looked like she had never heard of a Lacrima-Vision, let along knew what the term "LacriNet" meant.

"I'm in the past, aren't I?" Gale asked in that dreamy type of loopy.

The woman blinked at him. "Excuse me?"

Gale fell back and covered his face as he groaned. One last word escaped his lips.

"Fuck."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!

Levy and Lucy's feet splashed against puddles as they dashed through the streets. They ducked into an alley when the sounds of fierce chanting and feral hisses headed their way and waited for it all to pass. When it did, they ducked back out and kept running with rain ponchos covering their body and packs on their back.

Lucy glanced at the firm look in Levy's eyes. But, behind that firmness was nothing more than sorrow.

Poor Levy…

Magic and roars and the sounds of explosions forced Levy's hand and she wrote the word BARRIER in the air. The words formed a wall for the falling debris and dust to hit.

Lucy decided now was the right time to ask. "Levy, we can go back if you want—"

"My niece and nephew are somewhere, and they aren't safe at all, Lu," Levy cut in. "Gale will understand I'm doing what's best for him. We have to keep moving."

Lucy softened, but she did not protest. "You know he loves you," she assured. "His temper is just like Gajeel's when he was younger, but he loves you, Levy."

"I know he does, Lu," Levy said quietly. She dispelled her barrier when there was nothing more from which to shelter. "He's just frustrated right now, and I understand what it's like to not be able to help his friends. But, with Bluenote on the loose still…"

Lucy knew what Levy was going to say. "You don't want Bluenote to find him and repeat what he did." She put a hand on Levy's shoulder. "Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale will make Bluenote and Jacob regret messing with our children."

Levy nodded. "Come on. We have to keep moving."

They kept up their running and dodging with the occasional retaliation to familiars and water creatures. Lucy kept her whip handy and was unafraid to use it while Levy would write SUN and burn away those devilish creatures trying to kill them. It was a system that worked for them and them alone.

But it was when they confronted a bigger familiar than they had ever seen did their system need adjusting.

It was a slimy one with a frowning face strapped onto it. It crawled around and oozed acid, but that did not stop it when it smelt Levy and Lucy. A mouth opened full of shark teeth and saliva, all but begging to eat two human souls. It let out a rabid shriek.

Levy and Lucy covered their ears.

Lucy turned to Levy. "Get back!"

Levy nodded and retreated a few steps.

Lucy took her hands off her ears to glare at the creature. "Star Dress! Sagittarius!" she chanted as gold wrapped around her. When it cracked ofd, she was pulling back the string to her bow with her high ponytail and twin tailcoat. A glowing star immersed in green charged itself as an arrow and Lucy chanted, "Star Shot!"

She let the string go.

The creature looked annoyed as star-bound arrows sunk into its skin. Sunk in. It absorbed each arrow without flaw. It caught a few in its mouth and munched out them. Disgust grew onto its face, however, at the taste of the stars and it hacked black vomit.

Lucy gritted her teeth. "Not a fan, huh?" She let her Star Dress leave her to take on a new form. "All right! Star—!"

"Lightning Dragon's Rooooooooooooooar!"

The creature shrieked as hordes of lightning decimated its body and forced it to explode.

Levy rushed forward. "Barrier!" she chanted, writing the word. It was made just in time as singed acid splattered against it.

When the display was over, Levy dispelled her word as soon as Laxus dropped to the ground. He wrinkled his nose in blatant revulsion. "Damn thing smells worse than Bixslow's cooking," he muttered. He turned to the two women and eyed them. "You two all—?"

"Listen here, Mister!"

Laxus' eyes widened when Lucy threw a finger at him.

"You can't just come here and steal my thunder! I would've had him, but no…! You just come waltzing in here with your little roar and steal my opponent!" Lucy raved.

Levy sweatdropped behind her. "Years of being with Natsu really did rub off on you, Lu…"

"And, how come you haven't been answering the masters, huh?" Lucy demanded to know. "Do you know how worried we all were about you?"

Laxus groaned his annoyance, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah, Blondie, I get it." He looked away. "Annoying bimbo."

A tick mark raged against Lucy's forehead. "Lucy Kick!"

BANG!

Laxus sat on the ground with a bump on his head and curses falling off his lips.

Levy had to hold an angry Lucy back from clawing Laxus.

"Levy, let me go! I'm not done with him!" Lucy snarled, thrashing her arms.

Levy smiled nervously. "You're so fired up, Lu…"

Laxus shot Lucy a glare as he got up. "You're that pissed off I took your prey?" he asked, voice flat. "Jesus, Blondie, I thought you had more class than th—"

Lucy huffed and interrupted him. "I'm pissed off because we've been trying to contact you about information on Mary Jane and Igneel, you idiot," she seethed.

Laxus' eyes widened. "You found them?"

Levy let Lucy go so she could explain. "We did," Lucy confirmed. "And where were you when we were figuring this out? Running around blindly!"

Laxus sighed. He stepped up to Lucy and put a hand on her head. "Sorry," he grunted. "I didn't mean to make you worry, Blondie."

Lucy frowned up at him, but her anger was gone. "I know you're worried about Mary Jane, but please. Don't just run off like that," she implored. "My son's missing too. I get you want to look for her, but we need to stick together."

Laxus had to agree and nodded. "Where are they?"

Lucy looked back to exchange a glance with Levy. "We're on our way there now. It's better if we explain on the way.

Laxus nodded. "Sure. Lead the way."

And, so, they did.

Lucy and Levy took off with Laxus guarding their backs. Renewed resolve coursed through his green eyes.

I'm coming for you, Butterfly. We're coming.

---

Teeth tore into a biscuit smothered in jam.

The private dining room Gale sat in was a spectacle. It was a large hall built for nobility and spared no expense for everything to be perfect. Light poured through the large windows and caressed large paintings and busts displayed for all to see.

Water was chugged down.

Gale sat at the end with a smorgasbord of food at his disposal. Cobbler, Shepherd's Pie, potted shrimp, pork pies, pasties, and puddings—the food never ended.

Imagine the surprise of those who sat next to Gale their surprise of seeing him eat a meal for an army all by himself.

Nonetheless, the ikenga helped herself to a biscuit and the golem stood in the corner as a guard.

Hands picked up meat.

Gale had changed out of his black clothing in exchange for something fitting for this time period. A loose linen shirt a bit big on him was on his person and tan breeches on his legs. He opted for no shoes and did not seem bothered he did not have any on.

The woman of hazel eyes watched Gale to the right of him in a combination of wonder and befuddlement of his ravenous appetite. To the right of the woman was another around Gale's age, petite in stature and quite breakable looking. She shared the hazel eyes, but her dark brunette hair was pinned into a decorative bun. She used a fan to cover the lower half of her face, but she still watched Gale in utter fascination.

And, then, there was a male to Gale's left. He looked uncomfortably suspicious with everything with his hazel eyes and his dark brunette hair pulled down into a royal ponytail. He did not seat like a young lord should and did not even dress the part. His shirt and pants were loose, and he had a knack for no shoes.

"So," the woman Gale first saw started, "you're…from the future?"

Gale swallowed his mouthful of Shepherd's pie. "Mmm-mmm."

She pointed to Syra. "And, that is an 'ikenga', a creature that uses Time Magic, and it brought you back here?"

Gale nodded. "Pretty much."

The man frowned. "This sounds like a bunch of bollocks."

The youngest gasped and looked at the man. "Jäger! Language at the table!"

Jäger merely glared at Gale. "I find it a bit suspicious a strange boy falls from the sky when we are at the tail end of our border wars with Desierto and Midi." He leaned close to Gale. "Why, he could be a spy for all we know, and we could be playing right into his trap!" He flinched when the younger of the two women hit him with her fan. "Ow! Kiki…!"

Kiki huffed and fanned herself. "Honestly, Jäger, you have no honor," she admonished. She smiled sweetly at Gale. "Pay no mind to him, Lord Gale. Jäger has been this suspicious since birth."

Gale quirked an eyebrow. "Right…" he supposed. "I'm not a 'lord', y'know. Just a regular dude who crashed into your stables."

Kiki laughed, blushing. "Yes, I know, but it would be rather improper to not give a guest as handsome as you a title."

"Uh…" Gale picked his brain for a response. "Touché?"

Jäger scoffed. "Don't get any ideas, Kiki. This 'guest' will not be one for much longer." He looked at the other woman who seemed deep in thought. "Come, Eliza. Surely you agree with common sense? We cannot keep this strange boy here."

Gale growled. "Keep callin' me 'boy' and we'll see which one of us starts crying like a little bitch," he posed in threat.

"A time traveler…" Eliza murmured. "He's a time traveler…"

Jäger looked plain agitated Eliza ignored his claims. "Eliza, focus on the boy over here."

Gale clenched his fists. "Call me 'boy' one more time—!"

"My goodness, this is fascinating!" Eliza burst. Her hazel eyes gleamed as she swept them over Gale as if he were a spectacle. "I must collect more data on you! The use of Time Magic to create a Time Ripple and travel back and forth through the flow of the space-time continuum is something only theoretical, but I never dreamed it would actually work!"

Jäger growled. "Eliza—"

Eliza peered curiously at Syra. "And this is an 'ikenga'?" She slowly offered her hand for Syra to sniff.

Syra instantly noticed Eliza's hand and backed away and into Gale, curling into the Earth Mage for protection.

Gale grinned and patted Syra's side. "She's not normally this shy, so don't mind the little fur-ball," he said in amusement.

"She's beautiful," Eliza complimented. "And she looks so young. It amazes me she brought you into the past." She frowned. "Though, that does leave the trouble of how a paradox can concur."

Jäger tried to get noticed again. "Eli—!"

"In my time, we know when an ikenga is set to fix the time stream," Gale explained, "paradoxes aren't something to worry about."

"E—!"

Eliza frowned and held her chin. "If that is the case, then what type of present will you return to?" she wondered. "You are in a past that will change your future. But, will it change my future or yo—?"

"Eliza!"

Eliza looked at the heavily-breathing Jäger in confusion. "What?"

Jäger pointed at Gale. "We cannot cavort with this spy!" he insisted.

Gale snorted. "Who says, 'cavort'?"

Jäger ignored him and leaned closer to the two women. "He must know by now of our family line! Pretending to be a confused time traveler? This is some elaborate ploy to destroy the McGarden na—!"

Gale's eyes widened. "Hold on a second!" He looked at the trio. "You're all…'McGardens'?"

Kiki answered eagerly. "Of course!" She gestured to Jäger with her fan. "Jäger is my brother and this mansion is our home."

"I'm simply the first cousin," Eliza explained. "I am only here for a fair bit of research before I head to my next sighting."

Gale tried to tame the shock on his face when he heard that and tipped his head in interest. "Interesting…" he murmured. "What do you research? What type of scientist are you?"

"I am a theoretical physicist and dabble in linguistics," Eliza confessed, her smile widening with pride.

"Eliza is one of the first women to be a theoretical physicist," Kiki told Gale like it was a huge secret. She scoffed. "Men these days cannot simply have all the fun."

Gale raised an eyebrow. "A theoretical physicist, huh? And a part-time linguist at that."

Gotta give it to her. She's pretty ballsy. Maybe in my time, women are equal, but in this present, women are forced to be the subs. She's one impressive ancestor of mine.

"As of now, my main focus in languages is Elvish and Ancient Language," Eliza revealed, eyes shining as she spoke of her work. "I am in the works of learning Olden Fae."

Gale's eyebrows shot up. "Woah. Ancient Language and Elvish? And, Olden Fae on top of that?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Damn. That's incredible someone is still speaking those dead languages."

As Eliza blushed even more, Kiki added, "Eliza is just being modest. She is very fluent on every language in Ishgar. Sometimes, she will interpret for our family's foreign guests." She nudged her cousin. "You are quite the catch, Eliza."

Eliza messed with her dark hair, stroking it. "Oh, I would not say that," she tried to dismiss.

"I agree." Gale meant it. "That's pretty far out, Miss Eliza."

Eliza's lips twisted into a frown. "'Far…out'? What is the meaning of that word?"

Gale laughed. "It means that's really spectacular," he translated. "So, what type of physics do you—?"

Jäger had it up to here and banged on the table. He glowered fiercely at Gale. "You see! He asks all these questions and you think him not to be a spy?" He stood up abruptly. "I will not tolerate a Desiertan spy under our roof!"

"He asks of questions because he is rather curious of our lives, you dolt," Eliza countered. "A spy would—!"

"A spy would play dumb to get right what they wanted!" Jäger insisted. "We must hand him over to the Minstrish authorities at once or we could all be—!"

"Wait! 'Minstrish authorities'?"

Everyone looked at Gale's incredulous face.

"I'm not…" Gale swallowed. "I'm not in Fiore?"

The three relatives blinked at each other at that question.

Kiki slowly shook her head. "No, Lord Gale," she confirmed. "You are in Chestford, Minstrel."

Gale's eyes widened

Then, they steeled over.

He gritted his teeth.

"Chestford," he repeated, "Minstrel. I'm in Minstrel." He looked down at Syra who automatically pinned back her ears and tried to make herself look smaller. "Did you hear that, fur-ball? We're in Minstrel." He picked her up by her scruff. He did not care she shrunk away from him, shaking when she saw the amount of rage on his face. He bared fang. "That's not Fiore," he snarled at her. "We're four hundred years in the past where the first train still has yet to be made. Do you know how long of a journey it is to get to Fiore?"

Syra trembled. "Brr—"

"A whole fucking month by foot!" Gale snapped. He set down Syra—he did not drop her—and rudely pushed himself from the table. He let out a ragged roar as he got up and stalked away, Lag loping behind him.

Eliza stood up at once and followed after him. "Wait! Sir, where are you going?" She picked up the skirt of her dress to catch up to Gale as he looked around with a chip on his shoulder.

"Finding an exit," Gale snarled to her. "I'm supposed to be in Margaret Town in Fiore! Not – Minstrel!"

Eliza put a hand on Gale's shoulder to stop him from storming this way and that. "You must calm down," she pleaded. "Working yourself up will only—"

"I can't do that!" Gale snapped, seething. "My partner—the best fucking thing that's happened to me—is five hundred kilometers away from me, living in her own personal Hell, and where do I end up? Away from her!"

"Are you saying another one from the future was brought into the past?" Eliza's eyes widened at that. "But, for what reason?"

Gale shrugged off Eliza's hand and took a few steps away from her, crossing his arms. "I don't know and that's what triggers me the most," he growled, turning his back to her. "She's in Margaret Town, scared she'll never come back to the future—our present. I promised her I wouldn't let her say her—die here. I promised her I'd protect her." He gave off a sarcastic laugh and flopped his arms to his sides. "Yeah. Great job I'm doing," he praised himself falsely.

Eliza tried again and put a hand on Gale's shoulder. When he made no attempt to shrug it off, she relaxed. "You said the ikenga brought you here on a whim. No rhyme or reason." Not a question. Just a desire for verification.

Gale sighed. "Yeah."

"I do not hold that as truth."

Gale turned to Eliza, furrowing his brow. "What do you mean?"

"From what I am to understand of this breed based on your tale, an ikenga will use whatever life around it necessary to correct time," Eliza began. "Your lady, wherever she may be, was brought into the past for what reason?"

Guilt flashed over Gale's eyes as he remembered. "In our present, two beings more powerful than anything are at war," he said in narrative. "Blondie, she… She wanted to help. She wanted to stop them. She has this crazy idea that no one thinks she can make a difference or that I'm just playing her out to be weak, but that's not it."

"So, she was brought into the past due to her desire to correct something," Eliza summed up. "I think I may understand now." She led Gale towards a set of closed doors larger than Elfman. She opened them up and stepped inside.

Gale trailed after her and looked around. It seemed this was the piano room filled with scores among scores and a grand piano without a speck of dust. Regal chairs were provided for spectators when they came to listen to a sonata. Eliza promptly sat on one and patted the one next to her. Gale took it slowly.

When Gale settled down, Eliza took in a breath. "Now. I am not a biologist or magizoologist in the slightest nor am I a Mage, but I did do a semester of theoretical Magic," she confided. "I understand this when it comes to Magic. When it senses something a Mage strongly desires, it grants the wish without thinking of the repercussions. I believe Syra sensed the same on both you and your lady. A desire so strong, it met all the criteria and Syra reacted in a way she thought proper. She granted your wish."

"But, I'm in Minstrel," Gale countered in a hiss. "How is that helping me? I'm five hundred kilometers from my Blondie!"

"I don't know all the answers," Eliza reminded gently. "But, I can assume it is because you're helping fix the time stream. You not only met all the criteria for your desire to be met, but you met the criteria it took for Time Magic to work on you and deliberately bring you here. Time and Space Magic don't make mistakes."

Gale made a noise of frustration. "Okay, okay, I get that, but…" He hunched over. "I just—I…" He gathered himself and looked at Eliza. "I wanted so badly to be there for her," he told her. "I wanted to save her. To protect her. But, how can I do that from all the way here? I have to get to Fiore before the past kills her."

STEP… STEP…

"Then, you best move fast."

Gale and Eliza looked up to see Jäger leaning on the entryway, a pensive from on his face.

"Jäger…" Eliza murmured

Gale sneered at him. "What made you so gung-ho about helping me?" he spat. "I thought I was just another spy?"

Jäger sighed and moved into the room. "I don't know what 'gung-ho' means, but Kiki gave me an earful after you stormed out and rather dramatically, may I add," he muttered. His lips curled into a teasing smirk. "I don't think spies would act like such a thespian. Not unless they were truly pitiful."

Eliza laughed behind her hand while Gale let a hand cup his cheek and rolled his eyes. "Oh, gee. Please, go on," he insisted, tone acidic.

Jäger belted a laugh and settled into a chair next to Gale. "I do see my little sister's point," he had to admit. "When you came to, you did sound out-of-sorts. And, your vocabulary is quite inventive. And, perhaps you didn't know us for our family name," he supposed.

Gale begrudgingly gave Jäger some side-eye. "What's it mean to be a 'McGarden' anyways?"

Eliza decided it was best if she explained. "We come from a long line of scholars and high-ranking military officials. My father is in the navy as an admiral and my mother is in Andüsa to learn more of its indigenous people. She's a nurse, but she is also a cultural anthropologist. She'll be heading to the New World on its first journey soon." She gestured to Jäger. "His father is a famed engineer for His Majesty's Royal Air Force, and his mother happens to teach art and drawing at Edinborough University."

"Mother holds many private sessions in the house, though," Jäger added. "When she can, she teaches political science to her female students here every Tuesday and political philosophy every Thursday."

"And then our Aunt Helen is the most rebellious," Eliza let Gale in. "She happens to write books under a pseudonym male alias."

Jäger rolled his eyes Heavenward. "That's our aunt Helen for you," he sighed. "She is an activist in women's rights and has nearly been arrested more times than any of us can count." He snorted. "It is a wonder that John Mill fellow is leaping through our fathers' hoops just to lock her into marriage."

Gale cocked his head. "Who's he?"

"Youngest member of the parliament and quite the philosopher," Jäger clarified. "He's been after our aunt Helen ever since she protested outside the Palace of Dexter. Told us it was love at first sight." He shook his head. "I don't know what's worse: the fact that he is contributing generous backing for the suffrage movement to catch Aunt Helen's eye or the fact that our fathers are willing to hand over our own aunt if he does them favors."

Eliza rolled her eyes. "I'll say," she muttered. "The day Aunt Helen marries is the day I give up being a physicist."

Gale grinned. "Okay, this family sounds pretty awesome."

Damn. I didn't realize my ancestors were this legit.

Eliza smiled. "We're happy you think so…I think." She turned to Jäger. "All right. We need to help him get to Fiore as fast as we can. It is the least we can do."

Jäger sported a Cheshire grin. "Kiki went to fetch exactly what he's going to need."

Eliza seemed to understand and grinned as well.

Gale looked back and forth between the cousins. "Am I missing something here?" he wanted to know.

Eliza stood up and held out her hand for Gale. "Come! You shall see Uncle's inventions firsthand! And, you will not be disappointed," she assured.

Gale eyed the hand suspiciously, but he eventually placed his hand in hers. As he got to his feet, he muttered, "All right. But, I swear to God this better be—"

°•°•°•°

"—the awesomest thing I've ever seen!" Gale's eyes sparkled as he looked at the invention. "Holy shit, are you serious right now?" He pointed at the invention. "I'm taking that?!"

Eliza gave a closed-mouth smile as she hummed, nodding. "I see that it is to your liking?" she jested.

"'Liking'?" Gale barked a laugh. "How about 'loving'?" He moved around the invention. "Oh, this is so sweet!"

The invention that had Gale besotted was none other than a broomstick. But, it was not just any broomstick. The entire witch's broom had been created in the same way of a motorcycle. Bullhorns were used as handlebars and glistened in gold polishing. The saddle looked like a cross between a bike seat and an elephant saddle chair. The emblem of Minstrel and His Majesty's military were painted on the sides and the end of the broom was large and fire-powered. It sat on the ground, waiting for a Mage to command it.

Jäger crossed his arms, obviously pleased with Gale's reaction. "My father has been experimenting for the Royal Air Force," he explained. "As of now, Mages make up the Air Force by use of broomsticks and magical creatures. My father wanted to maximize passengers on a broomstick and came up with the Mobula, prototype seventeen."

Gale tentatively touched the handlebars and let out a shaky breath when he felt them underneath his fingertips. "This is A-one amazing," he exhaled. "Your old man made something like this and you haven't even tested it out yet?"

Kiki answered this one. "Since we aren't Mages, flying a broom raises a challenge. Our father may be a magiaeronautic engineer, but that does not mean he is a Mage himself. He is simply an Enchanter."

Gale raised his eyebrows at that and looked at Kiki. "For real? That's awesome!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« An Enchanter is a person who uses specialized magical equipment in order to put Magic into their creations. Magical Engineers or Magic Smiths are known to be Enchanters. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Jäger frowned. "Yes, but that means we cannot ride this broom as we are not Mages," he said. "Only a Mage can ride carpets and brooms." He pointed at Gale. "That is where you come in. This may be a prototype, but it can get you to Fiore faster than any stallion could ever. You should take it."

Acceptance was on Gale's tongue at once, but he swallowed it back. "Are you sure about this?" he wanted to check. "I mean this is your father's invention. Won't he be mad if I took it to Fiore?"

Kiki waved off Gale's concerns with her fan. "Father will be happy a Mage took it for a test run," she assured. She winked at Gale. "Just send a letter to us about how well it worked, all right?"

Gale nodded. "I will," he promised.

Kiki gestured to the maid behind her who had a pack all packed for Gale. As the maid came forth to Gale, Kiki explained, "I made sure your old clothes and some provisions were packed away for you. You'll have to excuse me if I overlooked anything."

Gale took the pack. "No, this is really great." He bowed to the maid. "Thank you, but…" He went to set the pack on the saddle before he looked back at the McGarden's and his lips turned down. "I mean this is really cool of you to do, but I mean… I don't…" He struggled to find the right words.

Eliza found them for him. "I wish we had more time too," she confessed, "but your fate lies in Fiore." She stepped forward to bring Gale into a warm embrace. "But, I wish you the best of luck on your quest," she whispered to him. She rubbed his back. "May you find your lady and help her in any way you can."

Gale's eyes widened. Then, they softened and shimmered. "Thanks," he appreciated in a mumble.

She smells just like Mom.

Slowly, Gale hugged her back.

I wish I hadn't… I shouldn't have…

"Brrrr…"

Gale and Eliza pulled apart to see Syra hiding behind Lag's leg. She ducked back when curious eyes set upon her. She thought she was being stealthy.

Gale hung his head, chuckling. "C'mere, fur-ball," he called. "You're terrible at hiding."

Syra took a few hesitant paw steps towards Gale. She glanced nervously at the McGardens before slinking off to Gale. When he stooped low, she tried to lower herself even more to the ground and squeaked when Gale used both hands to cradle her.

"We'll get back your mama soon," Gale cooed to her in assurance. He scratched under Syra's chin and smiled when she began to purr. "Troublesome blonde. She's gonna make me get gray hair before I reach twenty."

As Gale got up, Jäger could not help himself. "This lady you are rescuing… Is she your fiancé?"

Gale stood up as he gave one of those shoulders-shaking laughs. "Nah. Way too young and way too disinterested to think of marriage."

Kiki beamed at that. "So, you're not claimed, then?" she wanted to confirm. Her eyes traced him up and down and something playful glinted in them.

"I'm claimed all right," Gale assured. He got to his feet and to the broom. "Just without the rings and matrimony."

Kiki pouted. "Pity."

"So, then, this lady," Jäger persevered, "who is she?"

Gale paused. "Well… She's definitely not a lady," he had to admit. "She's… She's my Blondie, I guess. She's pretty much the good girl with some attitude to her." He laughed to himself. "And don't get in-between her and her five meals a day."

Jäger's lips quirked into a healthy grin. "She sounds like a handful."

"She's something," Gale had to agree.

"What be her name?" Jäger wondered. "This girl of yours?"

"Luna," Gale named. "Luna Dragneel. Oh!" His eyes widened as he snapped his fingers. "You guys probably know her mom's side of the family!"

Eliza tilted her head. "Why would that be?"

Gale offered a fangy grin. "Does the surname 'Heartfilia' ring any bells?"

Kiki gasped.

Jäger looked lovestruck merely hearing the name.

Eliza's face could not contain her excited beam.

"You know the Heartfilia Clan?" Kiki gaped, Jäger sighed, and Eliza shrieked.

"I take it that's a 'yes'," Gale supposed in a chortle.

Kiki's pout grew more prominent. "I could never compare with a Heartfilia lady," she lamented. "They're all so powerful and perfect."

"Aren't they?" Jäger smiled, intoxicated off the thought of the clan. "Such women of high beauty rivaling the moon and stars… What I would not give to be with a Heartfilia lady and take on her last name…"

Eliza looked like she was bouncing off the walls. "Oh, this settles it! I must come with you!"

At that, Gale grew alarmed. "What? Why?"

"Because it is rare for just anyone to meet a Heartfilia, let alone speak to one!" Eliza stressed. She clapped her hands in her eagerness. "I have so many questions for the Clan Leader. Where do I begin? She will have so many stories to tell."

Gale laughed, though a bit nervously. "Well, this isn't exactly a 'shits and giggles' trip, so could you not—?"

"If Eliza is going, then I'm going too," Kiki decided stubbornly. "I'm not staying behind while Eliza gets all the fun again. Besides…"—she shielded her mouth with her fan—"I can meet the girl I will duel."

Gale sweatdropped. "Yo, listen, this isn't something—"

"And, of course, as a gentleman, it would be wrong for me not to accompany my sister and favorite cousin," Jäger said chivalrously. He placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "I would not be able to live with myself if my own relatives went off with a strange man. I am the lord of the house without Father around after all. Where they go, I go."

A devious glint entered his eyes as he looked away.

And, I might be able to get a chance to meet a single Heartfilia. If my charm works like it normally does, I may have a bride before tea time tomorrow.

Gale grimaced and held his nose.

Aw, dude, your Scent of Interest is really hurtin' my sniffer.

Eliza let out a little squeak of happiness and turned to her maid. "Regina, pack adequate clothing and supplies for all of us and make it light." She turned to Jäger in thought. "Do you remember the exchange rate from Minstrish Marks to Fioren Liras?"

Jäger thought on it. "I think the Mark is weaker than the Lira, isn't it?"

Eliza hummed. "Hmm. Yes, I thought so too." She began to walk away with her maid in tow and Jäger and Kiki fell into step. "Perhaps we should bring a letter of recommendation? We could be meeting the Clan Leader for all we know."

Gale weakly reached out. "Wait… Hold on a sec…" He sighed when he went ignored. "Well, damn. Guess my fam are coming too."

STOMP. STOMP.

Gale looked up at Lag. "Lag," he told the golem glumly, "I think we're in deeper shit than I thought we were. My family is coming along to meet…my family. Isn't this just perfect?"

And Lag just blinked.

---

Lucy, Levy, and Laxus gathered around the hole on the outskirts of Magnolia. Laxus looked skeptical as he stared into it.

"And this is where that Gajeel mini-me said they were?" Laxus grunted. He sniffed around. "If it weren't for this damn rain, I could get a whiff of what's going on."

Levy wrote the word LIGHT. The word appeared and floated in Levy's hand. "Well, since the hole is open, we can assume at least someone went down," she supposed. "Gale said Mary Jane told him Jacob Lessio is down there. If he still is using his Assassin Magic, the light I created will be enough to keep him at bay."

"I'm not saying I don't believe the mini-me," Laxus grunted, "but if what he's saying is true, then we have to worry about Dimaria. She's not in her right mind. Which means—"

"Which means we have to exercise even more caution," Lucy cut in. "We can't afford to let her stop time." Her eyes darkened. "I won't let any of us be put in a situation like that."

Levy touched Lucy's shoulder to relax her. "We won't let you in that situation either," she assured.

"We'll make sure Dimaria doesn't get the chance to get a hit on us," Laxus promised. "Same to Lessio. If I see him, the bastard has Hell to pay for messing with my butterfly."

Levy nodded at Laxus, then looked at Lucy. "You ready, Lu?"

"Anything for the kids," Lucy said, adamant. "Let's go."

The walk down was in an apprehensive silence. None of them knew what awaited at the bottom. All they had to go on was Gale's word alone. Jacob Lessio could be waiting for them, ready to clap them onto another dimension. Dimaria could be there, back to her arrogant ways with her backsword and clicking teeth. Anything could happen.

Laxus waited for both women to get to the floor before he followed after them. Lightning sparked ofd him and caused him to growl. "I hate being underground," he rumbled. "Only thing I can get is we're in some sort of maze of tunnels, but…"

Levy shed her light on the runes. She felt them with her free hand. "These runes… They're so ancient," she breathed. "And the Magic in the air… It feels like the same spells we cast on the confinement level of the guild."

"Which means there are certain conditions we have to meet to be able to get where we want to go." Lucy sighed. "We need some sort of guide or—"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

In a poof of smoke and Magic, Lelantos appeared before Lucy. He eagerly greeted his mistress, barking and getting up on his hind legs. He licked her face as his tail wagged a mile a minute.

Lucy laughed and ruffled his fur. "Hey, Lelantos! Yes, I know, I know, I missed you too!"

Lelantos dropped back to four paws and sat before his mistress. He barked his sentences to her.

Lucy's eyes widened. "Really?"

Lelantos dipped his head and gave a mixture of a yawn and a bark.

"What's the hair-ball saying?" Laxus wanted to know.

Lucy interpreted as Lelantos kept barking. "Natsu, Nashi, Gary, Luke, Gemini, and Actaeon are all with Igneel, Mary Jane, and Peter and…" She listened to Lelantos' side of the story before translating. "He says we shouldn't be too worried since Nashi healed everyone."

Levy twisted her face in confusion. "But, that doesn't explain why everyone is down here," she pointed out. "How could they have possibly known?"

Lucy crouched down to give affection to a patient Lelantos. His eyes closed in bliss and he fell onto his back for belly rubs. "Lelantos and Actaeon are trained to sniff out a spiritual scent. They know mine, Natsu's and the kids' by heart," she explained. "Since Actaeon was with Nashi and Luke, I guess Lelantos found where Igneel was and Actaeon led them here." She frowned. "But, I don't get how Natsu got roped in."

"We can ask him when we get there," Laxus said rather impatiently. "Can the hound get us there or not?"

Lelantos scrambled to his feet. He pointed to the left with his nose and whined before traipsing away.

Lucy gestured for Laxus. "There's your answer." She walked after Lelantos.

Levy and Laxus exchanged glances before following.

Lelantos was confident in his paw steps and did not stray from his path. Lucy trusted her spirit and, in turn, Levy and Laxus trusted Lucy. Laxus kept his jaw locked as his static occasionally clacked in unrest.

"I hate this," Laxus muttered. "It's like I can feel him watching."

"Don't do anything rash," Levy instructed firmly. "If we don't provoke him, maybe we can get to the chamber safely."

Laxus clenched his fists. "And maybe he attacks us like the little shit he is," he groused. "We know Warlocks don't play fair."

A frown. "That's not very kind to say, Mister Dreyar."

Lelantos stopped, hackles raised as he pulled back his lips into a deadly snarl. He would protect his mistress no matter what.

Lucy conjured her whip in an instant.

A deadly glare mounted Levy's face.

Lightning wrapped around Laxus' body.

For Jacob Lessio cloaked in shadows stood before them.

Jacob's eyes slid onto Lucy. "Ah, yes. You were much younger when we last crossed paths, Misses Dragneel. You have certainly grown into a refined young lady." His gaze drifted to Levy. "Gajeel's wife, yes? Bluenote had an interest in your youngest son. Tell me: is he still alive?"

"You monster!" Levy cried. "You nearly killed my son!"

Jacob shrugged. "Bluenote did that. Not me," he reminded. "However…" His stare slid onto Laxus. "Right. You're that girl's father. How can you say you're properly raising her when she lacks manners or any respect for her elders?"

"If you mean she kicked your sorry ass, then I raised my daughter right," Laxus fired back.

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "Impudent man," he snapped. "Since you nor Misses Redfox are necessary"—there was a distinctive clicking sound—"you can leave this world."

Bloodshot eyes opened in the midst of the shadows. Darkness sharp as a knife appeared against the light, eagerly waiting to sink itself into flesh.

Levy's eyes widened.

Laxus was quick to protect her as his lightning wound around his body.

Lucy shielded them before the gun could go off. "Hey, wait!"

Jacob stopped.

"You can't kill them!" Lucy insisted. "And, if you think you can"—she stretched out her whip—"you'll have to go through me."

Lelantos growled his agreement.

Jacob frowned grimly. "Very well."

The bloodshot eyes closed.

The darkness mellowed out.

Levy blinked her surprise. "What…"

Even Lucy was startled at how complacent Jacob was being. "Wait… Really?"

Jacob kept his bloodshot stare on her. "Don't think I am being this cooperative just because of your asking," he warned. "But, I have strict orders based around you, Misses Dragneel. So, I will let them live for now."

Now, Lucy was rightfully suspicious. "What type of 'orders'?" she demanded to know.

Jacob faded back into the shadows. "Until we meet again." And just like that, he was gone.

Levy let out a breath. "What was that?" she whispered.

Laxus eyed Lucy. "I don't know whether to be thankful Lucy saved us or pissed I didn't get to practice shock therapy on the bastard."

"Let's go with thankful," Lucy decided, dismissing her whip. "Lelantos?"

Lelantos barked and continued to lead them down the tunnel.

Now more than ever were all three S-Class Mages on guard. Laxus took the rearguard with his static on alert and his ears pricked. Levy and Lucy kept close together with both of them looking out for the other. But, Lucy could not shake off Jacob's words.

"But, I have strict orders based around you, Misses Dragneel. So, I will let them live for now."

What could he possibly mean by that? she wondered. 'Orders'? Is someone after me? A demon? Another Warlock? But, for what reason besides—?

It clicked.

Of course. It has to be.

"I see the light!"

Levy's exclamation brought Lucy out of her revere with Lelantos barking. He picked up his speed and the three Mages followed with ease, racing towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Lelantos broke through it first, then Lucy, then Levy, then Laxus.

"Mama!"

"Lucy?!"

"Aunt Levy! Uncle Laxus!"

"Miss Lucy is here! Piri-piri!"

And happy barking.

Lucy was taken back when Nashi threw herself at her mother in a large hug. She laughed and hugged her daughter back. "Hi, my little star."

"Hey, Mama," Nashi mumbled. She pulled back with a wet smile and teary eyes. "It's good to see you."

"Mom…"

Lucy looked at Luke and opened an arm for him to hug her. "My sweet prince," she murmured. "You protected your sister, didn't you?" She ran a hand through Luke's scalp. "Thank you for being so brave."

"Lucy…"

Lucy looked up.

Onyx connected with chocolate.

Lucy tossed Natsu a soft smile. "Fancy seeing you here, huh?"

Natsu replied with a toothy grin. "Guess we really can't be apart for too long. Talk about being clingy."

Lucy was about to reply when Laxus outraged cry stopped her.

"What the Hell happened to my butterfly?!"

Everyone looked to see Laxus on his knees near his beloved daughter. So many emotions raged in his emerald eyes. Pain for her sake. Self-loathing for not protecting her. And grief that his own daughter had blood marring her cold skin.

Nashi frowned. "She had a seizure, Uncle Laxus," she explained. "But, she's okay now. I healed her wounds and gave her some—"

"A 'seizure'?" Laxus tugged at his hair. "How could she have a…?" His eyes instantly snapped to Igneel and narrowed in his rage. "You," he spat, acidic. "You did this."

Igneel at least had the audacity to look away, ashamed and unable to meet the Thunder God's eyes. "I—"

"I don't need excuses!" Laxus snarled. His body charged with gold lightning threatening to show red. "I need a damn confession! It was you, wasn't it? You did this to my daughter!"

"Laxus," Levy tried to soothe, "you need to calm down."

Nashi tried to tell him, "Uncle Laxus, anything can start a seizure. Lack of sleep or maybe low blood sugar or—"

"I did it."

Everyone grew silent at that.

Three words.

A single confession.

Laxus panted heavily. "Look me in the eye," he whispered, tone deadly, "and say it to my face, boy."

Lucy tried to stop him. "Laxus, wait—!" A warm hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned to see Natsu staring at the interaction unreadably. "Natsu…"

"It was me."

Igneel's voice cracked when he spoke those words, those guilt-infested words.

He lifted his head.

Remorseful onyx clashed with vengeful emerald.

"I'm sorry," Igneel whispered. "I-I didn't mean to—"

"You selfish bitch."

Igneel winced.

Laxus was not done. "You never 'mean to', do you?" he snarled. "My daughter is unconscious because of you! Because of what you did! Again! And, you think you can get away with an 'I'm sorry'?"

Igneel lowered his eyes and swallowed harshly. "N-N-No—!"

"You better believe that's a 'no'!" Laxus roared. "You don't deserve to be even near her for this! This is the second time you've pulled this! All for what, Igneel? What did you think you'd accomplish?"

"Hey!" Peter snapped. "It's not his fault she went through a seizure…" He faltered a bit when Laxus' glower as on him. He coughed and tried to keep going. "Sir, it really wasn't Igneel's fault," he defended. "He was going to get her pain medication when she went to grab some necklaces he was showing me—"

Igneel wanted a hole to swallow him when Laxus gave him such a murderous glare, his own flames were quelling.

"You – did – what?!"

Igneel scrambled for something to say, anything really. "I-I-I—!"

Laxus closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Don't ever come near me daughter again." He said the words quietly, but you could tell he was restraining himself to be this calm.

Igneel's eyes widened. "What?" he whispered.

Laxus opened his eyes. Lightning passed through them. "Stay away from her," he hissed.

Igneel began to blink rapidly. "Wh-What?" he stammered. His eyes stung as tears began to fill them. "N-No, please! I-I-I didn't m-me-mean to…! N-No, I… I…"

The change was quicker than flying a switch.

Emerald invaded onyx, feral and refusing reprisal, refusing reckoning.

"No!" Igneel snarled back. He pulled Mary Jane closer as flames danced on his skin. "No, no, no!"

Natsu was quick to intervene. "Igneel!" he shouted. "You need to calm down!"

Dimaria's wild laughter startled Nashi. "Uh-oh…! The cat's come out to play!" she sang.

"What is going on?" Nashi blurted. She looked at Igneel in blatant shock wrapped in confusion. "Igneel? What's wrong with you?"

Lucy was already herding away Actaeon and Lelantos with Luke while Levy quietly grabbed Peter. "Nashi, get over here," Lucy commanded.

Nashi shook her head. "No," she refused. "We need to help Igneel."

Gary latched onto her hand and tugged her in the opposite direction. "Angel, let your dad deal with this," he pleaded.

Nashi shot Gary a glare. "He's my brother," she snapped. "I can't just—!"

"Nashi, please," Lucy beseechingly whispered. "Come over here. Please."

With a request like that, Nashi could not refuse her mother's wishes. But, she still glanced back at the flaming Igneel and electrified Laxus.

Igneel… What's wrong with you?

Luke brushed against Nashi's arm, drawing her attention back to him. "He'll be fine," he assured. "Dad can handle him."

Nashi bit her lip, but she ultimately looked away and nodded.

Levy turned around and wrote the words MUTED WALL. Within seconds, a wall erected itself between the group and Laxus, Natsu, Igneel, and Mary Jane, blocking conversation.

Natsu turned to Laxus and put a hand on his shoulder, unfazed at the lightning snapping at his skin. "Laxus," he growled quietly, "you can't do this. You know what triggers him."

"'Triggers' him?" Laxus snarled. "He's the reason my daughter goes through a goddamn seizure and you want me to have pity on him?"

Natsu shook his head. "He doesn't need any pitying," he assured. "That first time was wrong, and he knew that. But, this was just an accident. He learnt his lesson the first time."

"Look at her!" Laxus shouted. "Look at Mary Jane!"

"And look at yourself!" Natsu snapped back. "You really think Mira would want to see you like this?"

Laxus stopped. He ground his teeth together and his wild lightning calmed to static.

"Look at him," Natsu said softly. "He didn't mean to make the same mistake twice. He's already angry at himself for letting this happen. But, he was willing to kill Dimaria if it meant Mary Jane was kept safe."

Laxus' eyes widened. Then, they narrowed as they shimmered.

Natsu turned to Igneel. He watched one of his sons struggle to keep himself in check, holding the limp Dark Empress close to himself. Natsu softened. "Igneel," he called, "it's okay. He won't take her away."

Igneel shut his eyes as he wrestled with understanding those words. The flames on his skin seeped back into his flesh and settle themselves down.

Laxus looked at the unconscious Mary Jane.

My butterfly… I'm so, so sorry Daddy couldn't protect you.

"I…tr-tried to…protect her."

Laxus' eyes flicked back to Igneel.

"Ja-Jacob hurt he-her," Igneel whimpered. "He whipped her, b-b-but I wouldn't let her hu-hu-hurt anym-m-more."

Laxus watched Igneel now. The anger had been reduced significantly to make room for intent. "You would've killed for her," he made in observation. "You would've killed Dimaria for her."

Igneel shrunk at that. "I don't want anyone to die," he murmured. "I di-didn't mean to do it."

"We just have to work on your control, buddy," Natsu told his son. "And maybe up your prescription a little bit." He glanced over to Laxus like he was urging the Thunder God to say something.

So, Laxus did. "Just because you would've killed for her, don't think I'm not gonna let this go."

Igneel flinched, and Natsu growled, "Laxus…"

"But," Laxus went on, "I won't lie and say I'm not grateful you protected my butterfly." He gave his nod of approval. "I know it's hard for you. And, I'm sorry for you that is has to be this way. Believe me, I know. But, you have to know this is serious and it has to be this way. We can't afford to let this go any farther."

"I know," Igneel mumbled.

Laxus let out a deep sigh. "I won't stop you from seeing her."

Igneel perked at that. "Really?"

"I can't really punish you when you look that pathetic," Laxus muttered. "Besides, you were punished enough from witnessing her seizure and seeing her bleed. You've had enough." He ran a hand through his locks. "You've proven you'll protect her, even if it means you'll stain your own hands with blood. I appreciate you'll go that far, but I never want you to, understand? A life isn't worth another life." Something flashed in his eyes, and Natsu looked away. "That's something we've all had to learn the hard way. You're too young to have a body count."

Igneel nodded. "Yes, sir."

Laxus hummed. "Good." He looked lovingly at his daughter. "Thank you, though," he murmured softly, "for protecting her when I couldn't. I owe you for saving her life."

Igneel's eyes widened. "No, no, it was nothing!" he assured, waving a hand frantically. When Mary Jane slipped, Igneel adjusted her in his arms and made sure she did not fall again. "Seriously, Uncle Laxus, you don't owe me anything," he promised softly. "I didn't save her so I could be indebted or anything."

An idea struck Natsu and made him grin like a fool. "Maybe it's because you like her," he purred teasingly.

Igneel blushed, flustered, as Laxus and Natsu belted in laughter. "N-No! It's not like that!" he protested. "Sh-She-She's just friend! No! Quit laughing at me!"

"I should hope that's all she is to you," Laxus said, suddenly serious. "Because, if I find out you have a thing for my little butterfly…" His veins bulged from his skin as his scales appeared on his skin. Lightning zapped around his entire body and made his eyes glow. "I will electrocute you with my bare hands, understand?"

A shiver wracked through Igneel's body and he nearly melted into a nervous puddle. "A-Aye, sir," he squeaked out.

A low groan made all of them freeze and snap their gazes onto Mary Jane. She still lay sleeping, but she shifted a little.

"We should get you all cleaned up," Laxus decided. "You two and that other kid. What's his name?"

"Peter," Igneel told him. "He's pretty cool. I think he likes MJ."

Laxus snorted. "Of course the little shit does," he muttered. He got up. "Well, let's get you all cleaned up. I'll deal with the run later." He lumbered to the wall. "Hey, book nerd! Can you hear me?"

Natsu let out a breath. "At least he didn't kill you," he supposed. He noticed the pained frown on Igneel's face as he looked at Mary Jane. Natsu reached over to ruffle Igneel's hair. "She'll wake up when she's good and ready," he promised.

"But, what's going to change?"

Natsu stopped and retracted his hand.

"What's going to happen when she wakes up?" Igneel whispered. "What'll change? Will she hate me even more?"

Natsu softened. "Igneel…"

Igneel forced a grin on his face, flashing his fangs. "Well, here's hoping she might hate me a little less, right?" He gestured for his father to go to the other side. The barrier had been taken down, and Lucy and Levy were examining the orb in Dimaria's chest. "Go see Ma, Pops. I'll be fine here."

Natsu shot his son a look and got to his feet. "You really are my kid," he deduced.

A tick mark pounded on Igneel's head as he scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're about as stupid as I was when I was your age," Natsu cackled as he walked away.

"Say that to my face, you old bastard, and we'll see who's stupid!"

Natsu chuckled as he came onto the other side and near his wife. Levy moved away due to Laxus roping her in to a conversation and the kids and spirits gave the duo some privacy. Natsu noticed the look on Lucy's face and grew concerned. "What's wrong, Lucy?"

Lucy hesitated. "It's just…" She pointed at the orb in Dimaria's chest. "It's just this," she confessed. "This isn't something normal. The essence I feel around it…" She thumbed her Celestial Spirit Keys. "It feels like one of my keys, but more powerful and pure, yet I can tell it's been tampered." She shook her head as she stood up. "Gale and Luna were right. It's a medium. I can tell that much. Whether it's connected to the suzaku or not is up for debate, but it's powerful enough for it to be connected to an equally powerful spirit." She let her chin be captured by her thumb and pointer finger. "I'm just trying to gather as to why it was put into her chest."

Something tugged at Natsu's mind. "Wait. You said, 'Gale and Luna', but… Gale's out cold and Luna…"

Lucy's eyes widened as she looked at Natsu.

Natsu's brow furrowed. "What?"

Lucy's hand covered her mouth. "Oh, Natsu…"

Natsu grew impatient. "What is it?"

"It's about Luna," Lucy started. "She's not here, Natsu."

"Then, where is she?" Natsu demanded to know. His flames went on the unrest just knowing Luna was elsewhere. "Don't tell me Bluenote took her."

Lucy shook her head. "Mmm-mmm." She could not meet his eyes. "Natsu, she's… She's was taken four hundred years into the past.

Natsu's eyes widened as his jaw dropped. "What?!"

---

Luna had to clap along as a troupe of jesters made right fools of themselves on stage to the music they followed. She laughed along with the others as two court jesters pulled an innocent bystander onto the stage and engaged them into their silly acts.

"This is so much fun!" Luna told Gabriel over the clapping and crowing. "Is it like this every year?"

"I have no idea! This would be my first time too!" Gabriel shouted into her ear, clapping as well. "How are you liking it?"

"I'm loving it!" Luna shouted back.

The troupe of fools finished their skit with applause and howls of approval and an encore to go around. Flowers were thrown onto the stage as such and the fools bowed before the audience with hearty grins. As the curtain closed, the announcer came on stage.

"Next, we shall have the play dedicated to the guardian spirits who watch over us!" the announcer cried.

Luna's eyes widened.

As the crowd cheered for this annual, Gabriel laughed. "I'm happy you're loving it!" His smile dropped when he saw the horror struck in Luna's eyes. "Luna," he murmured under his breath. "Luna, what is wrong?"

"How could have forgotten?" Luna whispered. "How could I…?" Her dropped her head into her hands. "I'm a horrible person… How could I just forget this?"

Gabriel touched her shoulder. "Luna—"

Luna abruptly got up. She hiked up her skirt and began to move out of the row with excuses muttered off her tongue.

Gabriel stood up to go after her. "Miss Lucy!" he cried louder. "Miss Lucy, wait!"

Luna, however, ignored his commands as she rushed out of the row and down the aisle. She went back to the tables and hurried past a table Meira, Ludvig, Maria, Alarick, Hugo, and Endymion preoccupied with Icarus and Lost on the floor. Hugo was quick to get up and dash after his charge.

Meira stood up out of worry for her descendant. "Little star?" she called. She saw Gabriel race after Luna. "Gabriel?" She gritted her teeth when she went ignored. "Those two…" She started after them. "Just where are they—?"

Endymion held her back. "Let them go," he soothed. He looked down at Icarus and nodded.

Icarus was on his paws in a second and sprinted after the duo without needing much more prompting.

°•°•°•°

Luna burst out of the hall and into the reception area. Older people took up the lounge with their tea and cakes and pleasant conversation. A guard charmed two ladies with his smile and impressive tales, though he looked young enough that he had never seen the front lines. A fatherly gentleman introduced his son to a potential investor.

Luna cared little.

She tried to make a break for the doors when arms swept her up.

Instantly, Luna squirmed and wriggled. "Hey! Let me go, Hugo!"

Hugo did not hesitate to put down Luna only for Luna to be picked up and thrown over a shoulder. She growled loudly. "Gabriel, let me go!"

"Not possible," Gabriel growled through gritted teeth as he carried her away. "I will not allow you to go outside in this storm."

"Gabriel, put me down!" Luna screamed.

Gabriel waited until he got them into a private room. He deposited Luna onto a couch before stopping the golem from entering. "Hugo, stand guard," he ordered. "Make sure no one disturbs us unless it's my father or Master Meira."

The golem nodded and took to staying out of the room when Icarus showed up. The lesser dog spirit poked his head into the room to see Luna curling in on herself on the couch.

Pup, Icarus whined.

"I have this situation handled," Gabriel promised. "Please wait with Hugo."

Icarus growled at the command, but he began to turn around. I shall be outside, he projected to Gabriel. But, should you take too long, I will return for her.

Gabriel nodded and closed the door. He sighed, closing his eyes momentarily. "For a moment, I thought he would reject my words." His eyes opened and turned onto Luna's crumpled form. He made his way over to her and sat on the far end of the couch. His mouth opened. He was ready to say something, anything, but, in the end, his mouth closed, and he looked away. Where would he start with this?

"Sorry."

Gabriel snapped his eyes back onto Luna. She had her knees up to her chest with her arms circled around them. Her had was buried into her knees. She did not have the courage to look up.

"I'm sorry for running away like that," Luna apologized.

"It's all right," Gabriel dismissed. "You are upset, and I can understand why."

Luna's arms tensed. "I went to become a Fairy Tail Mage not just for the amazing adventures," she murmured. "I became one because I wanted to help people."

Gabriel lifted an eyebrow. "Surely you can do that in any guild?"

Luna lifted her head, but her eyes dropped onto the ornate carpet. "Mmm-mmm," she answered. "It's not as common as you think for guilds to go out of their way to help people. There's jobs and requests we go on, sure. Most of the time, people do them for the reward at the end of it. It doesn't matter if you're in a Mercenary Guild, a Workmen Guild, a Treasure Hunter Guild, or a Magic Guild. You go on a job to get money for it. Sometimes, you'll meet people who will reject the reward money because they just wanted to help people, but you'll never see an entire guild doing that."

"Fairy Tail will help the innocent as a whole without wanting a reward?"

Luna nodded. "Don't get me wrong. There are a few other guilds who would do the same, but none of them as legendary as Fairy Tail," she explained. "We're known for being the 'Hero Guild', saving people with a smile on our face." She buried her head back into her knees. "My parents would be so disappointed in me," she whispered. "I mean look at me. I should be doing everything I can to save this people. I should force them to believe me. And all I can do is sit here?"

Gabriel scooted closer. "Luna—"

"I won't cry," Luna told him. "I won't. Not when people are going to need me."

Gabriel shook his head, smiling. "You Heartfilia's," he sighed. "A Clan of strong women filled with compassion. If I am to be frank, Master's reaction was the same as yours."

Luna lifted her head at that. "Really?"

Gabriel nodded. "Well, of course. If there is any time of trouble, Master will stop at nothing to help it. But, it was Sir Ludvig who calmed her with these words. 'We know what is to come, but what means do we have to stop it yet? We must bide our time. Wait for the opportune moment. And, then, we will strike'."

"He said all that without stuttering at her?" Luna teased.

Gabriel laughed, rubbing his neck. "Sir Ludvig does have a tendency to lose nerve around Master," he supposed. "But, his words speak truth. We must wait until the Warlock presents himself to us. As he has demonic connections, he could Curse us if we shove him into a corner. We will wait."

"But, I hate waiting!" Luna whined childishly.

Gabriel shook his head in amusement as claw scratches hurtled against the door. "You're such a child."

Luna laughed. "Me? You're a—!"

Pup!

Luna winced and held her head at the telepathic intrusion. Ow! Icarus!

Gabriel's mirth switched to fretting. "Luna?"

"M'fine," Luna muttered. "It's just Icarus."

Pup, you must come at once, Icarus insisted. The T'zolkin man has made his presence known!

Luna's eyes widened.

°•°•°•°

Gabriel, Luna, Icarus, and Hugo burst into the hall once more to see for themselves the disruption. The stage had been set to show the beginning of Margaret Town when it was divided into two. The main characters and the chorus were divided, but their theatrics were interrupted by the cloaked man holding out his pocket watch for all to see with the audience effectively booing and yelling their rage.

"You must leave at once!" he cried. "You are all being damned! The Guardians shall rise again and destroy all whom they see!"

A woman got up and pointed accusingly at him. "Guards! Guards! Take this man away!"

The guards were already moving in, but the man was not deterred. He continued his preachings. "You must listen to my word for I have seen the future! Your time will come to an end just like it had when they first arrived. The Guardians should not be celebrated! They should be feared!"

The crowd clapped and cheered when the guards cuffed the man and confiscated his pocket watch, dragging him away.

"You fools!" the man cried. "Let it be known you have been warned and you chose to ignore! The storm is the first sign! The hurricane shall be the next!"

Meira sat back in her seat, crossing her arms. "I am itching to get my dagger."

"Patience, my Lady," Ludvig murmured to her. "We are biding are time."

"Auntie!"

Meira looked up to see Luna coming over to her with Gabriel, Icarus, and Hugo following her. She sprang to her feet to embrace Luna. "Are you okay? You left in such a hurry and you seemed so upset!"

Luna smiled. "I'm okay, Auntie," she soothed. "I was just upset, but I'm fine."

CRACK! CR-CRACK!

Luna and Meira looked up, their gazes darkening as they heard the whips of lightning and the neighs of the winds.

"I'll be better once this storm passes," Luna muttered. "Is there really nothing we can do?"

Meira shook her head. "The Guardians are too powerful of beings for us to fight them alone," she told Luna. "But, that Warlock…" She glared in the direction the T'zolkin/Warlock was taken. "We can overpower him. He used a Curse to tamper with the medium of the Guardians. He cannot be allowed to continue such a way."

Luna raptly nodded her agreement. "So, what's the plan? What are we going to do?"

"There is a cellar beneath this hall," Meira murmured. "It will hold all of the people here. However, I shall stay outside. I will do what I can do defend the people. Endymion has agreed to be my steed into battle."

Luna's eyes widened. "You'll fight alone?"

Meira smiled. "Do not fear for me, little star, for I am never truly alone." Her hand went to her keys and they hummed, glowing under her touch. "My friends are by my side every step of the way. We shall ensure any attack gone wrong does not affect the people." She glanced at Alarick who was weaving a tale for Maria who latched onto every word. "You and Gabriel will accompany Alarick in his interrogation of the Warlock. If your power holds true, you may be the only one who can sever his connection to the demon. And, should you find the medium, you will be able to purify it." Her eyes went to Ludvig and something glimmered in them. "Sir Ludvig must protect his fiancé at all costs and will do so. He will not partake in this operation."

"What?" Luna whispered, scandalized. "But, we need Mister Ludvig!"

Meira nodded solemnly. "His fiancé needs him more. She is a Spiritless and cannot properly defend herself with Magic. Ludvig can provide her that protection. We must accept that."

Luna's lips twisted into a frown. "I guess so," she supposed. "It just doesn't seem right."

Meira patted Luna's cheek. "It may not, but it is what it is." She looked up and at Gabriel, nodding at her apprentice. "Now, Gabriel has promised me should the Warlock try anything, he will protect you at all costs. I want you to be careful dealing with that man, okay? He is highly dangerous."

"I will," Luna promised. "You be careful too."

Meira nodded and stepped back. "Go."

Gabriel came forth and offered his arm. Luna took it and allowed herself to be led away. Alarick excused himself to follow with Icarus, Lost, and Hugo.

Alarick sidled next to his son and murmured, "One of the guards was informed of the Warlock's arrival and already told me what room he will be held in. He will allow us access in."

Luna and Gabriel nodded.

Alarick took the lead out of the hall and into back hallway. These hallways were filled with doors for lavatories and powder rooms, kitchen prep and storage rooms. But, the one room they needed had guards on either door looking alert.

Alarick approached and looked at one of the guards

The guard nodded and opened the door.

Alarick led everyone inside. It was another private room with nice couches and chairs and even a fireplace. It smelt old, like a grandmother's house.

And sitting in the room was the T'zolkin.

The guards inside the room filed out and closed the door.

The man grinned toothily. "Well, now. I didn't realize they would give me guests," he jested.

"Trust me," Alarick growled, "this won't take long."

The man noticed Luna and his grin widened. "Miss Lucy," he greeted, "It is wonderful to see my believer. I take it you have yet to convert them? Can you not do anything right?"

Gabriel put Luna behind him. "You do not speak to a lady that way!" he scolded.

The man chuckled. "My apologies. As this town has shown me its rude manners, it seems such things have rubbed off on me."

Alarick ignored such a comment. "There is no use pretending to be a prophet, Warlock," he spat. "We know what you are and what you have come to do. Now, you can tell us where the medium is the easy way or I can beat the shit out of you and let your bleeding mouth gasp it to me."

Luna was taken back at the coldness in Alarick's tone. "Mister Alarick…"

The Warlock laughed boldly. "Did all that dragon researching finally give you the viciousness of one, Alarick? I'm surprised losing your beloved wife hasn't driven you mad yet." His eyes slid onto Gabriel. "Though, perhaps it has something to do with the little fledgling. Doesn't he look a lot like Gale, Luna?"

Luna's eyes widened. "How do you…? How do you know that name?"

The man stood up. "To see such flightless ones try and corner me is amusing. You think you can get to me through means of violence?" He held up his hand. "Fall."

The pressure in the room became so insurmountable that everyone fell onto their stomachs, even Hugo. Alarick had enough strengths to be on all-fours and Icarus was in a low crouch, but Luna, Gabriel, Hugo, and Lost were entirely flattened to the ground.

The man stepped closer to them. "Ones who cannot fly cannot touch me," he said calmly. "None of you are worthy. Except…"

He stopped.

Luna turned her head.

Silver hit chocolate.

"Luna Dragneel," the man named, "daughter of Natsu and Lucy Dragneel. You have the ability to fly, but it is not your time yet."

Luna tried to speak. "Wh-Wh-Who…are you?"

The man turned around. "Nothing more than a prophet." He went to a window and opened it. "Consider yourselves fortunate your lives have been spared. I have no time for ones who cannot fly." And, just like that, the man slipped out the window and into the storm.

The pressure was gone in a matter of seconds, and everyone shakily got back to their feet. Gabriel helped steady his father while Luna dusted off the skirt of her dress.

Alarick panted, "Luna, did you recognize that man?"

Luna shook her head. "No. Not at all," she responded. "But, he knows who my parents are, so he must be from my present."

"All the more reason to follow him." Gabriel ran to the window and gestured for everyone to follow. "Come! We must go after him before we lose him in the storm!"

Luna nodded and darted to the window. She slipped out with Icarus and Hugo following after her. Gabriel looked at his father for him to be next.

Alarick shook his head. "In this, I cannot go with you."

"What? Why not?" Gabriel demanded.

"I am not as quick on my feet as I had once been," Alarick pointed out. "You must go. I shall stay here with Lost and protect the people."

Gabriel's eyes raged to argue, to insist his father come, but he saw too much reason and ducked out of the window. He pelted into the crashing rain and made a mad dash after the hulking golem.

Be safe, Alarick prayed. Take care of Luna.

Luna ran as fast as she could go in her dress, following the Warlock down the winding streets and small bridges. She cared not people stared at them through the windows and confusion.

I just need to catch up to him.

"Hugo!" Luna shouted. "Can you carry me and get me to the guy faster?"

She was answered when Hugo picked her up and carried her close his chest. His strides quickened as he tried to catch up with the Warlock.

The Warlock cackled. "Try to keep up, Luna! Keep up!" He disappeared down another street.

Hugo carried Luna down the same street when Luna's eyes widened.

Oh, no…

They had made it to a ledge overlooking the Mûre River, but that was not all. The edges of the river had expanded, eating the earth around it and sinking it into it. Waves crashed and crashed, sloshing onto buildings. Already guards were stationed with people digging trenches, trying to build a barrier in the rain. But, it was pointless. For each attempt, the water took another victim.

This is just like before… All of it… She's coming…

"Excuse me! Miss!"

Luna looked to see three guards approaching the opposite direction.

No…

The main guard waved at her. "Miss, please, turn around! You must get inside at all costs!"

Luna shut her eyes.

No, no… Come on, Luna, just think. I have to get down there.

She felt Icarus' mind brush onto hers.

Pup, what are you doing? he demanded. Return at once! This is not safe for you!

Luna shook. I'm sorry, Icarus, she whispered.

She thought of the grinning faces of Dazzler and Cade as they teased Gary and Nashi senseless. She thought of Ena and Silver yelling at each other while Penelope emotionlessly tried to stop the fighting. She thought of Gale, Cane, Dash, and Igneel placing bets in a pool Luke ran while Elvin discouraged such behavior. She thought of her parents, her father running away laughing while her mother chased him with crude drawings on her face.

Luna felt something expand within her. Something pure and good and bright.

I have to do this, Luna told Icarus.

Pup, no!

But, it was too late.

A voice cooed to Luna, soft and sweet. Your wish has been granted.

White appeared before Hugo and Luna in the form of a portal. Hugo did not stop. He dashed right into it—

—and they appeared right before the Mûre River.

"You can stop here, Hugo," Luna commanded.

Hugo stopped and let down his ward. Luna looked around, not caring that the trimmings on her skirt were utterly ruined, that her teeth were chattering, and she was soaked to the very bone. She looked to see how the river roared and lashed out against anything it touched. She could see the starts of whirlpools in the water. They grew more violent like they were getting angry they were awoken.

"My gosh," Luna whispered. "Just what—?" She was blown back when three cyclones burst from the water and made a connection with the Heavens. Hugo held her down on the off-chance she flew away, but Luna was too traumatized to realize that. She looked at the swirling cyclones in pure fear.

This is just like in my present. She's coming. I can feel her anger. Nayda… I'm so sorry.

°•°•°•°

"Everyone, please file neatly into the cellar!" came a guard's call as he and several others helped civilians down the steps. "We will be safe from the severe storms down here."

Maria clung to Ludvig. "I knew we should have left this place while we could have," she whined. "Now, we are stuck!"

Ludvig patted her back consolingly. "Don't worry, Maria. I will personally protect you with everything I have," he soothed.

"I cannot believe you!"

Ludvig looked up to see Endymion holding Meira back from lunging at Alarick.

"They are mere children and you let them escape?!" Meira snarled.

"They went after the Warlock, Meira," Alarick relayed calmly. "We both know I would have slowed them down and how prepared you have trained Gabriel."

"But, not Luna!" Meira snapped. "She is just barely making her way into womanhood! Her Magic is too untamed and under-trained! She could die out there!"

"Meira," Endymion said softly, "we need to get on with the plan. We must be ready."

Meira shook off Endymion. With a final glare to Alarick, she stormed off with her Pegasus quickly following her to sate some of her anger.

Alarick sighed, sinking into a chair. "Oh, she could've killed me!" he bemoaned with Lost yipping in agreement.

"Will you be okay, Alarick?" Ludvig asked.

Alarick smirked. "Don't you worry about me, philomath. This old man has got a few tricks up his sleeves." He stood back up and saluted the betrothed couple. "When I see you again, let's hope we'll be a bit drunker, ay?" And, he walked off with Lost weaving between his legs.

Ludvig smiled faintly.

Good look, friend.

He tugged Maria towards the line of people going towards the cellar. "Come, Maria. Let us procure a space for ourselves and you can tell me about your father's villa," he suggested.

Maria's eyes lit up. "Oh, there is so much to tell you!" And, she began to gush.

Ludvig could not help looking over his shoulder to the opened doorways.

Meira… Please, may the stars keep you well.

°•°•°•°

"Miss Lucy!"

Luna barely registered Icarus and Gabriel were upon her, Icarus sniffing and rubbing his scent all over her like a wolf does to a member of their pack, and Gabriel bringing her into his arms.

"Luna, you cannot run off like that!" Gabriel snarled to her. "We need to leave! This is dangerous for you—!"

"I can't," Luna whimpered. "She's coming." She grasped Gabriel's arms. "Gabriel, she's coming. She's so angry and hurt. I can feel it."

Gabriel was taken back at the agony raging in Luna's eyes. "Luna…"

Icarus whined and lowered himself to the ground.

"Icarus feels it too," Luna explained. "It's so powerful, and she's so hurt." Her eyes teared up. "Nayda… I'm so sorry I couldn't save you again."

Gabriel gritted his teeth. "Still, we must get back," he insisted. "We must return to the hall! We cannot—!"

That was when it happened.

The mother of all cyclones rose from the river, connecting sea and storm. Wind wailed and lightning thunder of the arrival of the cyclone, excited for the prospect of what came next.

Luna's eyes widened.

Glaring red eyes shown through the whirls of water.

"No," Luna whispered. "Nayda…"

The cyclone got faster and faster before it dissipated.

Gabriel's eyes widened. "My God…"

Nayda, the beast of sea and storm, had arrived with her great wings spread and her glowing red eyes. She opened her jaw and shrieked her fierce cry, calling to the wind and storm.

Gabriel covered Luna's ears, wincing at the volume of the shriek. He was nearly blown back, but Hugo stood his ground and held down his charges. Icarus rolled onto his back, whining and whimpering.

Nayda, Luna cried. Nayda, why…?

Nayda threw back her head as she gathered Magic into her mouth, a swirling mess of darkness. She roared the sloshing water into the thunderstorm.

Gabriel was confused. "Why is it—?"

It was a direct hit.

The black water hit the thunderclouds, ignoring the agitated lightning and claps of thunders.

Luna felt something warm drip down her cold skin. It was her own tears. "We're too late," she sobbed. "It's happening."

Nayda would not let up on her attacking. She switched from her powerful roar to flapping her wings and let slices of poisoned water hit the storm clouds in her ire.

"Is this what happened in your time?" Gabriel shouted over the rage of the storm. "Can you tell me what she's doing now?"

Luna shook her head, weeping. "Sh-She's calling to Erion," she whimpered. "He's coming. I can feel it."

Nayda collected energy and condensed them into three balls before her. At her command, she let them loose to throw at the thunderstorm.

Lightning pulsed in the thunderclouds. Energy fizzled in the air. In a mass of clouds and lightning, something emerged from the storm to take one the brunt of the attack.

BOOM.

Gabriel covered Luna even more, but Luna fought to keep her eyes on the sky.

They widened.

Then they glimmered as another tear slid out.

Gabriel looked up and he paled. "Is that…?"

A warning roar.

Nayda flapped her wings as she looked at her other half. The great pixiu of wind and sky seemed unhappy he left his domain at the will of his angered counterpart. He growled at her, snapping words.

"Erion," Luna whispered. "I'm so sorry, but she won't understand."

Nayda charged herself with murderous red as she opened her mouth. Peals of red and black gathered in her mouth in the form of a sphere.

Erion let lightning flow over him as he lashed his clouded tail.

"This is the beginning of the war between gods," Gabriel realized. "And, we have no way to stop it."

Nayda whipped her head. Her attack spiraled at Erion.

Luna closed her eyes.

This can't be happening again…

Erion roared lightning wound into a hurricane to match the sphere.

Gale…

The two attacks met.

Luna's lips parted to say two words. "Help me."

---

Gale's ears twitched.

Syra perked an ear and looked up at him.

The McGarden family sat comfortably in the back of the seating with Jäger and Kiki in another toxic debate over if it were ethical or not what their father and uncle were doing regarding their aunt Helen and John's situation. Eliza had her nose in a book, but she seemed to realize something happened and looked at Gale.

Gale glared ahead, his grip tightening over the horned handlebars and his jaw locked.

"Gale?" Eliza called softly. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Gale groused out. "Just thinkin' of a bad memory."

Right before. I heard her. I could hear her asking me to help her.

"Brrrr…"

Gale glanced down to see Syra nuzzling into his stomach for attention. When she caught it, her nose twitched, and she adopted a look akin to sadness. Gale rolled his shoulders and looked back to skies. He was flying over extensive green with patches of mansions and villas and cathedrals, but it did not matter.

"We'll get her back, fur-ball," Gale promised in a low voice. "We'll find her."

Syra purred pleasantly at that and settled down for a nap.

You idiot. This is way happens when the princess leaves her tower.

Gale's knuckles turned white when he gripped the handlebars.

Don't worry, Blondie.

Rage bled through ruby.

Because you ain't leaving my sight the second I catch you.

---

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…

I didn't expect that to happen. Oh, Syra, just what have you gotten these Mages into? Find out on the next Fairy Adventure!

---

Gajeel led the team down another street before stopping. He beckoned them to keep going. "Keep going! Stay in a unit!" he barked in command.

Pantherlily lagged behind, eyeing Gajeel. "What are you trying to pull, Gajeel?" he wanted to know.

"Reinforcements," Gajeel answered vaguely. But, that was all Pantherlily needed to know. "Lead them. I'll catch up."

Pantherlily nodded and dashed away to catch up with the rest of the team.

Gajeel searched his pockets like he had lost his keys and needed them desperately.

C'mon, c'mon… Where did I…?

Gajeel's eyes widened. He rolled up his left pant leg to see he had strapped it onto his skin with a band. He yanked it off to take a look at it. It was very old school with it being chipped and a bit worse-for-the-wear. But, it was fully functional in its little rectangular form with time displaying on the green screen and the date.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Pager Lacrima, part of the Lacrima Cmmunications Unit. While used widely decades ago, they are still used today—if, a bit sparingly—in emergency services for use of critical messaging. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gajeel smiled, relieved.

Thank God. I thought I didn't—

His eyes widened.

Then, they rolled to the back of his head.

The Pager Lacrima flew out of his hands and skidded a bit away from his body.

And a large dart protruded from his back.

Faye stood there with the little girl beside her. She looked dismissively at the fallen Gajeel like he was not even worth her time. She pulled up her Compact and unlocked it for it to scan over Gajeel. Information about him poured onto her Compact and she briefly looked over the details.

"Gajeel Redfox, Black Steel of Fairy Tail," Faye named, "consider yourself 'hunted'." She put her Compact away and whirled around. "Let's move."

The little girl wasted no time walking over to Gajeel. Rather than drag him by his feet, she hunched over and forced his upper body to be supported by her back. Making sure his arms were around her neck, she effortlessly dragged him away from the scene of the crime like it was nothing. Like he was not bigger than her and she was not a little girl. It looked like nothing happened.

Except, the Page Lacrima was…

SENDING… SENDING… SENDING…

The Pager Lacrima went blank for a moment.

An image suddenly popped up. The entire screen turned white.

Except for the head of a gray jaguar that stood out amongst the screen.

---

Chibi-Luna waves at her class. "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Miss Dragneel!" her students answer back. "What are we learning today?"

Chibi-Luna beams. "I'm happy you asked that! Today, I've brought a special guest!"

The door slides open.

"Presenting Lord Draculos Hyberion!" Chibi-Luna introduces when Draculos steps into the room with a small smile.

Draculos bows to the class. "I am honored to be in all of your presences," he says humbly.

"Chairman Draculos, can you tell us about yourself?" Chibi-Luna asks.

Draculos' smile widens and he nods. "Certainly," he assures. "My name is Draculos Hyberion and I am the Magic Council Chairman as well as a Wizard Saint," he begins, explaining himself. "My expertise is in Vampire Magic, but I have extensive training in Telepathy and Illusion Magic. My job is basically to not only oversee the Magic Council, but I also preserve the peace between the Magic and Non-Magic Society. I have a place in the parliament as Lord Magic-Speaker to help negotiate terms between the Mages of Fiore and the Non-Magic Society in Fiore."

A student raises their hand and boldly asks, "Do you know who you want to give your position to once you retire?"

Draculos only chuckles. "I have a few ideas in mind, but, rest assured, I don't plan to retire all that soon," he informs.

Chibi-Luna smiles. "Chairman Draculos also visits Magic Schools all over the world to make sure the rules and regulations are being carried out, has to approve of an S-Class Trial a year in advance before its placement, and he is a delegate in the United Legions to speak for the Magic World. Isn't that cool?"

Draculos laughs as the students murmur. "I wouldn't go that far," he responded. "It might all sound impressive, but it isn't, really. It's the paperwork that drives me—"

"Sir?!" comes frantic shouting. "Sir, where are you? We have a meeting in thirty minutes, and it takes us forty minutes to get there!"

"That would be my assistant," Draculos explains nicely. "I happen to wander quite a bit. She's getting better at finding me."

Everyone sweatdrops at that.

We feel like that isn't a normal thing to say, so don't say it so casually…

Draculos walks over to the window and opens it. "Well. I'm off." He nods at the students before jumping through the window.

Chibi-Luna's eyes widen at that and she cannot stop looking at the open window. "Um… Next time, on Fairy Adventure: next episode!" She keeps staring at the window like Draculos will pop back up. "He does know that we're on the third floor, right?" she murmured to herself.

No one knows the answer.

---

Voices of New Characters in Order of Appearance

Jessica Calvello as Eliza McGarden

Eddy Lee as Jäger McGarden

Briana Knickerbocker as Kiki McGarden