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!

34. Adventure 034

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

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

---

Last time, on Fairy Adventure, Natsu and his team headed down the steps into the tunnels. But, they had some company and not the nice kind. They found Igneel, Mary Jane, Dimaria, and Peter, but not in the state everyone was expecting. Dimaria was nearly friend, Mary Jane had a seizure, Igneel was acting more beast than man, and there was a runaway Spiritless among them too! Thankfully, Nashi could help heal them all and Gemini got the ball rolling with time, but even I'm suspecting there's more to Peter than meets the eye. Back in the past, Luna is forced to act like everything is normal. When that doesn't work, Gabriel ropes her in for a jig every Redfox knows—well, except for the present ones. Ludvig strikes a deal with his fiancé: once his work is done and the festival is over, he will return to his duties as a nobleman. Meira doesn't take kindly to this deal, but she's willing to put it aside if it means she can dance with her friend. Gale's finally up and moving with a few scars to prove of his fight against a Warlock. After reuniting with his mother and Lucy and spilling the beans about what's been going down, Gale ends up fighting with Levy over who stays and he goes. He might have to stay, but that doesn't mean he's happy about it. In fact, his will to leave inspires Syra to send him back in time! Levy and Lucy find a lone wolf Laxus with intel about his butterfly while Gale meets his ancestors Kiki, Jäger, and Eliza McGarden. He's made it all the way to—Minstrel?! Oh, no, he wasn't supposed to end up there! Well, either way, looks like the McGarden's are willing to help him out with a broomstick powerful enough to get them to Fiore under a day. Laxus, Lucy, and Levy are led by Lelantos to get to the others when Jacob Lessio stands in their way. Wait… What type of orders does he have for Lucy, anyways? The two teams combine in the chamber for Laxus to see what happened to his little butterfly. Accusations fly only for Igneel to admit he was at fault for Mary Jane's seizure. Natsu ends up calming both parties down for the sake of Mary Jane's condition only to learn his little girl is somewhere in the past. Speaking of the past, Luna, in the midst of her fun, is drawn back to her sadness of the inevitable. Gabriel tries to cheer her up only for the Warlock to appear to cause a ruckus. Gabriel, Luna, Hugo, and Icarus try to run down the Warlock, but it's too late. Nayda and Erion have returned to battle each other. Luna's plea for help reaches Gale.

'Don't worry, Blondie. Because you ain't leaving my sight the second I catch you.'

Guess it's time for the Dragon to steal back his princess! Say, Igneel, are sure you don't liiiiiiiike Mary Jane?

---

CRACK! CR-CRACK! CRACK-CRACK!

Light flashed into the store as rain pounded against the glass, wind whining to be let inside. The store was nothing more than fine glass and kitchenware, abandoned for the sake of the festival. Everything had been restocked and cleaned for the next time the shop would be in business. However, for now, the owners had left the shop.

CRACK!

Light flashed to reveal desolate chocolate eyes.

Luna laid huddled against a counter, knees drawn up to her chest and a jacket covering her back and shoulders. Hugo stood guard at the door, ensuring no one would ever barge in. Icarus lay near Luna, but he seemed anxious to be closer, his nose touching her thigh.

CRACK!

Luna felt like everything was heavy and, yet, felt like everything was nothing.

So, it happened again. And, there was nothing I could do to stop it.

She lay her forehead on her knees.

What was the point of coming to the past if I failed again? I thought I could find out what started all this. I thought I could stop it. But, now…

Her body trembled.

I was too late. Everyone here… They'll die and…and…

Icarus whined. He nosed his way between her legs and stomach, tail wagging. He whined again when Luna did nothing. Pup, please, he begged. I feel your sadness.

Luna raised her head to catch Icarus' big eyes. She sighed and loosened her stance to let Icarus nose his muzzle into her stomach. She stroked the side of his neck. "I'm sorry, Icarus," she whispered. "I came into the past to help. But, what help am I? Innocent people are going to get killed because of this just like the story goes in my present."

A frown. "I did not expect you to give up so easily."

Luna looked up and to the right.

Gabriel came out of the aisle with a crate of supplies in his hand.

"Gabriel…" Luna murmured.

Gabriel set down the crate and shoved aside its top. The contents were canned goods, blankets, bandages and alcohol, and jugs of water. "I found emergency supplies. We should be able to take it with us when we return to the hall," he told her as he rummaged through it. He let out an exhale through his nose. "Still, though…" He tipped his head at Luna. "I never thought the girl I grew so fond of would give up just like that."

"I'm not giving up," Luna countered. "But, I mean what was the point of me coming back into the past now? I didn't stop the Guardian Duo from returning! I can't stop people from dying—!"

"You can," Gabriel shot back, "but you are choosing to run away instead of facing what is right in front of you." He stood up. "The girl I know wanted to be a part of something greater than herself," he ranted. "She wanted to help people no matter the cost. She was willing to even accept a hated part of herself in order to move forward. Anyone has the power to make change, but they choose not to when they think everything is pointless."

Luna looked away. "And, what can we do?" she wanted to know quietly. "We're just tiny humans. The Guardian Duo… They're like gods or spirits. We can't win against them."

"Of course we can't," Gabriel agreed. "But, we can win against that Warlock. We can take him down—"

"How?" Luna demanded. "How can we take him down when he's disappeared?"

Gabriel stooped in front of Luna. "Think, Luna," he urged. "Think about it. This Warlock has a link to the happenings of the Guardian Dup. So, where would he disappear to?"

Luna was confused as she tried to figure this out. "I don't know," she insisted. "I mean, if he has the medium or if he's controlling it, he'd probably disappear…" Her eyes widened when she came to the stark realization. "The ruins," she whispered. "He probably went back to the ruins."

Gabriel nodded and stood back up. "It only makes logical sense he would return to the ruins once he ensured the Guardian Duo began their duel," he explained. "Which means—"

"Which means we're going." The dull look in Luna's eyes glinted into fierce resolve. "We'll have to go there if we want to stop him."

Gabriel nodded and smiled as Luna got to her feet, Icarus taking her lead. "We'll save as many lives as we can here," Gabriel promised. "Both in my timeline and yours."

Luna nodded her agreement as something dark schooled her features and chocolate steeled into a glare. "These Warlocks need to understand what happens when you mess with Fairy Tail and all of ours friends."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

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

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The cellar below the hall was large enough to hide nearly half of Margaret Town. It was rather accommodating with rugs and couches and bunker beds and shelves upon shelves of blankets and food and water. Guards and volunteers passed out the rations without fail and made sure each person got the same portion. A child's crying alleviated when his mother began to give him water. A juvenile girl and her friends giggled as an older boy handed them their food with a grin. A gang of older grumps settled in a circle to continue their poker game. They had made sure they saved their rum and whisky when they were forced into the cellar.

The guards Maria had brought with her took to helping with whatever they could, leaving Ludvig in charge of the countess. Maria clung to Ludvig desperately, looking afraid of being around so many commoners.

"I cannot believe this," Maria whispered. "First, I must deal with an adulterous woman, then I must be among commoners, and now I am shoved into this cellar?"

Ludvig sighed tiredly. "Maria, my darling, it is for your safety," he stressed. "We cannot have anyone leaving the cellar for their own good."

"Alarick is not here," Maria pointed out. "Neither is that Meira or Gabriel or Lucy."

"They have work that needs to be done to protect us all," Ludvig explained. "They'll be fine. Their Magic will guide them."

Maria nuzzled into Ludvig's arm. "I can't wait for you to leave this town and all this silly Magic behind," she sighed, closing her eyes.

Ludvig said nothing to that, allowing his eyes to drift away.

Alarick and Gabriel… Luna… Endymion…

Before his eyes, he could see a maiden of golden hair weaved into a braid and a laughing smile on her face.

Meira… I pray all of you come back to me alive with this storm over.

°•°•°•°

Meira looked comfortable on Endymion who was back to being in his stallion form. She did not wear her normal clothes under her cloak. The wind breezed back her cloak to reveal her green twin tail coat the and the tattoo of Sagittarius on her shoulder. Her braided her hand unwound into a high ponytail and she wielded a high ponytail. She had her celestial bow on her shoulder as she looked at the battling pixiu and suzaku in the sky.

"This is a dark day indeed, my friend," Meira noted. "I wish us not to harm our fellow family, but it must be done." She brought out her key ring and collected the twelve golden keys she was gifted. She closed her eyes as gold pulsed around her body.

Her keys hummed in response.

"I ask of you now, the Twelve Golden Knights of His Majesty, to assist me in battle," Meira chanted. "You may reject me if you so desire, but I need your help! Cross the gate at your own will!"

The twelve keys pulsed in their glory and sung their agreement.

DING-DONG!

POOF!

A warm smile. "You thought we would reject the call of you, my fair lady?"

Meira opened her eyes as a slow smile blossomed onto her face, a bit sheepish. "Well, this is not the most conventional fight," she supposed. "I did not know how all of you would take it." She turned her head to greet the twelve who considered her their queen. "My friends… I am sorry to gather you in this way."

The spirits gathered looked altered from their time in the future timeline. They adopted looks that befitted living four-hundred years in the past. Taurus looked more like a warrior with a solemn expression masking his face and his axe clenched in his hands. Virgo looked like an older styled maid with a longer dress. The twins Gem and Mini looked human in this time period like their Ecliptic forms, but older instead of children.

Taurus nearly broke rank if it was not for Capricorn holding him back with hearts in his eyes. "My beauuuuuuuutiful queen!" he mooed.

Sagittarius approached Meira. Rather than donning himself in a horse costume, he rode his own brown stallion with his quiver of arrows and his bow strapped to his back. His hair was lengthy and wavy and he had an archer's eyes, focused and attentive. "Do not be sorry, Meira," he soothed. "We will always come to your aid, hello-hello."

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Sagittarius

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Ability: Master Archery

Likes: being efficient Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: In this time period, Sagittarius looks a bit different, doesn't he?⌟

Leo stepped forward. He did not look like his present counterpart. His hair was longer in a dashing, roguish sort of way. He resembled his Ecliptic self with his golden armor, metallic lion heads as his pauldrons. His regalia, the Leonis, was strapped to his side, and his cat ears twitched under the rain. "I wish you had summoned us sooner," he scolded lightly.

Meira laughed. "My apologies. I did not mean to cause any trouble. I will do better in the future," she promised.

BOOM!

Meira turned her head to see Nayda had forced Erion to crash into a few buildings, coating them in dust and debris. "However, I cannot worry too much about the future when this present needs saving." She turned to her keys and began her chanting, Magic thrumming inside her. "Come, my friends, I need your help! I ask of thee to pass through to the Human Realm! Open! Gate of the Centaur! Centarus!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

A centaur appeared, female rather than male. She wore a breast plate and her thick brunette hair half down and half braided. Her horse half was a dark brunette with flicks of white around her hooves. Her dark eyes reflected how much her training had made her strong and she wielded her trusted twin blades. The symbol of the centaur was stained onto her cheek and she did not mind one bit. She bowed in the presence of Meira. "My moon, I have come to serve you," she said gravely. "I will fight every step of the way at your command."

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Hylonome

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Ability: Master Swordsmanship

Likes: sparring Dislikes: letting anyone ride her

Special Note: Hylonome named her swords after her twin sons Heimdrall and Siro! ⌟

Meira continued to chant: "Gate of the Snake! Serpens!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

A snake appeared, but not in the conventional way. The snake had a humanoid upper body and appeared to be male. His scales were a mixture of emeralds and jades, but his eyes were the greenest of all. He flicked his forked tongue to taste the air before his slitted eyes slid onto Meira. "Her Majesssssssssssty ssssssssssummonssssss her favorite," he teased, winking at her quite playfully. "I have misssssssssed you, but all thisssssssss cold weather makessssssssss me tired."

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Jörmungandr

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Magic: Hypnos Magic

Likes: seducing women who play hard-to-get Dislikes: cold weather

Special Note: Jörmungandr may have a silver tongue, but he loses it when a mongoose is near him!⌟

"Gate of the Eagle! Aquila!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

A humanoid eagle appeared in a tunic, his feather shining under the rain. He looked as bulky as Taurus, but not as perverse. He took a knee in honor of Meira, his fist over his heart in a sign of respect. "At your service, my queen, guru-guru," he rumbled.

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Apollo

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Magic: Eye Magic (Farsight)

Likes: blue roses Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: Apollo is a noble bird of prey and has never lost to an opponent twice!⌟

"Gate of the Southern Cross! Crux!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

Unlike Grandpa Crux, a little girl appeared, dark-skinned and innocent. On her face was tattooed an intricate cross and she even wore the symbol of her spirit as a charm on her necklace. She curtsied to Meira.

"Good afternoon, my queen," she greeted. "How may I assist you today?"

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Cristen

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Ability: Scanning

Likes: reading Dislikes: being asked her age

Special Note: Cristen is actually one the head librarians in the Celestial Spirit Realm!⌟

Meira pulled out her last key. The symbol looked like a cross between the number five and a T. "Now, my last friend, assist me! Gate of the Dragon!" She turned the key in mid-air. "Draco!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

The last spirit loomed larger than the rest and for good reason. A Dragoness landed on the cobblestone ground. Her scales glinted starlight and her blue eyes radiated the night sky. She looked different than an Earth Land Dragon in ways a normal person could not tell, but Dragons and highly-ranked Mages could identify. It was not just her scales, but it was the aura and scent she gave off. She pulsed stardust and a purity Celestial Spirit Mages carried with them. She let her tail swing around and offered a toothy grin to Meira.

"It has been some time you have summoned me, Veḷ'ḷae Lefela," she regarded.

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Staralia

Occupation: Celestial Spirit

Magic: Star Dragon Slayer Magic

Likes: teasing her mate Dislikes: being called "snake"

Special Note: Staralia is part of a unit of Dragons called "Dragons of the Heavens"! Their keys are really hard to come by in this time period as many Dragons have coveted the keys. Do they even exist in the future?⌟

Meira smiled. "Because you always cause a panic when I summon you," she teased. She turned to all her spirits, each and every one of them willing to lay down their life for her just as she would do the same.

These spirits were never my servants. They are my friends, my family. They and Mother have trained me, raised me, and loved me. I will never forget that.

She turned to Cristen. "Miss Cristen, can you tell me anymore information about the Guardian Duo? Can you tell me about their summoner?"

Cristen clutched her cross necklace as Magic surged within her. "As you know, they are most definitely spirits and ones higher than I have ever witnessed," she said. "But, I know nothing about Nayda's summoner nor where her own medium lies." She sighed. "As I told you, my Lady, finding information on a spirit and not a Star Spirit is quite difficult."

"I know, but I could not help but ask," Meira said. To her other spirits, she told them in a clear voice, "I know this battle will not be easy, but it is one we must do. Not because we have to, but because we cannot allow our own friends to tear each other apart in needless bloodshed and slaughter the lives of both human and beast." She looked into the storm, facing it head on. "We cannot face the Guardian Duo—not when there are lives at stake. We must protect these people—this town—from this atrocity. Will you fight by my side in the face of injustice?"

The answer came in a chorus of voices as each spirit knelt before their mistress. "Always, my Lady."

A touch of a smile was at Meira's face as she saw dark eyes.

'My Lady', huh?

"Meira?"

Meira looked down to see Endymion had lowered his head, giving her a concerned side glance. She rubbed his neck. "Don't worry, Demy," she soothed. "I will fight with everything I've got."

CRACK-CRACK!

A furious roar.

A resounding caw.

Meira frowned as she looked up. Nayda circled the sky with Erion before Nayda took charge. She tried to hurl herself at Erion, but Erion wrapped himself in clouds in defense.

His Majesty, Father Star himself, my mother Orah Heartfilia, and Fate told me I would play part in this war between sea and sky.

CRACK!

Lightning streaked the sky.

Resolve hardened in chocolate.

So, I will play my part…as the victor!

Meira kicked Endymion's side, making the black Pegasus rear up and neigh into the wind. "Now then! Let us protect the people!" she roared.

Endymion flapped his wings and allowed the winds to sail him and his rider into the air.

As a unit, Meira's Celestial Spirits departed. Some flew into the sky, some sprinted away, others slithered, but it made no difference. They responded to their queen's cry with their own: "Yes, my queen!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 034

Motives

さまざまな動機で新しい顔に会う！私たちは運命を交渉してきました！

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Peter looked at his new clothes. He had been given a bright loose button down that had the pattern of keys on them, similar to Caelaen shirts, and loose khakis that had the designer logo of the Maiden on them. He had even been given good hiking boots and a celestial jacket that had little keys as the zipper.

"Wow… This is really cool," he regarded. He looked up at the Maiden Spirit. "Thanks, Miss Virgo."

Virgo bowed. "I have been learning more and more about making clothes from Lady Ena and watching more fashion LV shows," she told him. "I have been trying to get Princess to wear more of my clothes, but she continuously refuses my offers."

Lucy sweatdropped. "That's because all the clothes you make look like they belong to a dominatrix," she muttered.

Virgo looked at her princess and cocked her head. "It is only fitting since you wish to punish myself and Master Natsu," she pointed out.

"I don't wish to 'punish' anyone!"

Natsu had a thoughtful frown on his face as he envisioned his own wife in thigh-high leather boots and her whip in her hands, a leather jumpsuit clinging to her figure and a naughty glint in her eye. "Not like wearin' that stuff's the worst idea in the world," he muttered.

"Lucy Kick!"

Natsu found himself on the ground, his leg twitching, with a seething Lucy shaking her fist at him, face red. "You pervert! Don't think about that at a time like this!"

Igneel had been given a tank-top to wear with all twelve Golden Zodiac keys in a circle, surrounding the Fairy Tail insignia wrapped in flames. He bore his red scarf and loose pants. He set his new sandals and hat—it was a snapback with chibi faces of each of Lucy's spirits with keys in-between them—aside since he still kept to Mary Jane's side. She had been given a halter sundress to wear in white with separate sleeves connecting all the way to her middle finger, wrapping around it. Her hair had been swept back up into her high ponytail with her ribbon.

Igneel's hand went to Mary Jane's neck.

He lifted up the acorn button she now sported. It glinted at him.

His own thimble glinted back.

"Are you…? Are you sure this is okay?" Igneel asked.

It was Laxus who answered. He sat at Mary Jane's other side, watching her carefully. "I don't know," he answered in truth. "Mest and Mara would know more than me."

Igneel observed Mary Jane's sleeping face.

I know she won't wake up until she's ready, but I just want to see her eyes open. I need to see them open.

Laxus cleared his throat. "Hey…"

A tick mark banged against his head.

"Do you mind..."—static sparked off Laxus—"not straddling my daughter?"

Igneel blinked and realized his position. He was on top of Mary Jane completely with their faces mere inches apart like he was about to gift her with a sweet kiss. A blush spread across Igneel's entire face as pink flames raged against his hair. He scrambled off her, waving his hands frantically at the electrified Laxus. "W-Wait, I di-di-didn't mean to d-d-do that!" he stammered in promise.

"Oh, so, you 'accidentally' were trying to get fresh with my little butterfly?" Laxus snarled.

"Y-Yes!" Igneel cried. He quickly realized his mistake. "Wait! That wasn't what I—!"

More lightning swirled around Laxus as scales rubbed against his skin. "Oh, so, you admit you have a thing for my little girl, do you, punk?"

"N-N-No!" Igneel desperately shouted, sweating bullets. "No, sir!" He tried to control his own scream when Laxus towered over him.

"Are you saying you think you're above having a thing for my daughter, Salamander?" Laxus hissed.

Igneel felt smaller than an ant. "I-I-I don't know how you want me to answer that!"

"You already tried seeing my own daughter naked—!"

"I ju-ju-ju-ju-just wanted to help bathe her—!"

"That's trying to see her naked, dipshit!"

Natsu offered meat to the twin hunting dogs who eagerly fought over the morsel. "Quit harassing my kid, Laxus," he called from his position around the pit. "Don't make him piss his pants! He gets scared easily!"

"What?! I do not!" Igneel exclaimed, glaring at his father. "Stop lying, Pops, and help me out!"

Natsu was already tearing into more of his food. As he chewed it, he said, voice muffled by his mouthful, "S'rry, c'n't h'r you, too busy e'tin'."

"What type of father are you?!"

Luke sighed as he finished his bowl of rice. "Would you two keep it down?" He glanced over at Levy with her various journals and pens surrounding her as she tried to decrypt the wall in front of her. "Aunt Levy is trying to work, and Mary Jane is trying to sleep."

Nashi rolled her eyes as she fed Dimaria. "If Igneel would learn when to stop being an idiot, maybe we'd have peace and quiet," she muttered.

"I heard that, you bitchy sister!" Igneel cried.

"Good. You were meant to, you little shit!" Nashi shouted back, feeding Dimaria more rice. To her patient, she asked, "Would you like any water, Miss Yesta?"

Dimaria swallowed her mouthful and nodded. "Please, dear," she rasped.

Nashi set down the bowl and chopsticks and picked up the bottle of water. She brought it to Dimaria's lips and tipped it back for her to drink. "There you go," she murmured as Dimaria took to it. She glanced over at Gary who looked at Peter in interest. "Something wrong, dog?"

Gary shook his head. "It's nothing," he brushed off. "Just thinking."

Nashi brought down the bottle when Dimaria tapped her arm and capped it. "It's rare to see you thinking so hard," she teased.

Gary flashed her a grin. "I could think of all the ways to woo Angel for her love?" he suggested.

Nashi blushed and Natsu scowled, both crying, "Over my dead body!"

Gary chuckled and reached to pat Nashi's head. "Don't worry, Angel," he calmed. "Really. I wasn't thinking of anything."

Nashi's blush increased. "Stupid dog," she muttered.

"Get away from her!"

Tearful cerulean eyes.

"I won't fight you, just please, don't do that to her! She means everything to me!"

Nashi felt her shoulders slump.

"Please… Please don't hurt her."

I can't believe I was so weak, she thought. I'm his weakness.

Her eyes sought Igneel. She watched her little brother curl Mary Jane into his heat in attempts warm her. He took off his scarf to lay it on her, murmuring soft words to her. Laxus sat close, eating his own rice and meat, and opted pretending not to hear Igneel's words or watch his daughter be in the arms of Igneel.

Just like she's his weakness, Nashi compared.

Her fists clenched.

I need to get stronger. I can't let myself become so vulnerable that I become his weakness ever again.

"Angel?"

Nashi was startled out of her thoughts to see Gary worriedly looking at her.

"What's wrong, Angel?" Gary fretted. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Nashi blinked. Then, she looked away. "I… I just wanted to say, 'sorry'."

Gary raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Well…" Nashi glared at the ground. "What happened back in that bathroom… I'm sorry for that."

Gary's eyes widened. Then, they softened. "None of that was your fault," he promised lowly. "You did nothing wrong."

"I did, though," Nashi countered. "I was the reason you lost control. I was your weakness. I let myself become vulnerable."

Gary cupped her cheek and forced self-hating hickory to meet soothing cerulean. "You're right. You're my greatest weakness," he agreed. When Nashi tried to tear her chin out of her grasp, he added, "But, you're my greatest strength too. You're the reason I keep pushing myself to become stronger."

Nashi smiled weakly. "And, you're mine, even if I hate it," she murmured back. She found her eyes stinging. "I just wish I had been stronger."

"A Magic Hunter can't be beaten simply by Magic," Gary reminded. "Even if you had been at full power, one injection from that serum would've incapacitated you. Don't beat yourself up over it, okay?" He briefly glanced away. "I'm more mad at myself I lost control like that. I should've kept my cool."

Nashi scowled at him, poking his chest. "You idiot dog," she scolded. "You can't lose your shit if I get hurt like that again, got it? No more making blizzards and freezing my tits off."

Gary allowed himself a little smirk.

Nashi's cheeks pinkened and she increased her glare at Gary. "You – little – bitch," she curses quietly, pushing him away. "You need to learn some restraint in more ways than one."

Gary chuckled. "Whatever you say, little hood."

Nashi had steam practically pouring out of her ears. "Gary…!"

As Levy continued to process the runes and translate them, Lucy padded over to her with tea readily made. "I know you do better with Rooibos tea. Thank goodness I packed some," she said as she set the teacup and saucer down Levy.

Levy shot Lucy a smile. "Thanks, Lu," she appreciated. She took the teacup for a few relaxing sips.

Lucy scanned the scratched notes and her brow furrowed as she tried to figure them out. "Any progress yet?"

Levy took her last sip before sighing. "A little, but not too much," she admitted. "I'm starting to uncover at least the basics of the runes, but I have no idea who wrote them." She set down the cup to gesture to her notepad. "I've gathered, however, the words 'reveal' and 'blood', but I'm not sure as to what."

"Blood Magic?" Lucy looked surprised. "You think we have to use Blood Magic in here?"

Levy hummed. "Blood Magic is very powerful. If you use the right blood on something sealed, the result can be great," she explained. "But, if that's the case here, then what blood do we use? And, where do we use it?"

Lucy sighed as she stood up. "You've always been good at getting down to bottom of things, so I'm certain you'll get to it again."

"Thanks, Lu."

Lucy nodded and turned to wander around the cave. What specifically caught her interest were the two orbs that floated around each other. She watched them dance endlessly and found herself captivated by the movement.

Nothing about this place feels natural. It feels spiritual. I know some spirits will leave residue around the place where their medium is placed, but then…

Lucy slowly twirled in a slow circle as she surveyed the chamber.

If Blood Magic is hidden in the chamber, I can only wonder… What—?

Her thoughts were cut off when she tripped over something and landed on her butt with a grunt.

Natsu cracked up when he saw it while the twin hunting dogs rushed to their mistress, worried about her fall. "Only you could trip over nothing, Lucy," Natsu teased.

Lucy scowled at him as Lelantos and Actaeon sniffed her body to check for injuries. "Stupid Dragon," she muttered. She got herself onto her knees and let her hands shake Actaeon and Lelantos' fur a few times. "Really, you two, I'm absolutely fine, but thank you for your concern," she calmed. She turned around to check what she had tripped over. She noticed rings surrounded a picture rather than a rune and that fascinated her. "Hey… What's this?" She brushed off the picture to make sense of it. "It's so weird. I mean…" She let her fingers trace the odd symbol.

I feel like this is familiar to me, but… How could it if I've never seen it up until now?

Her palm lay flat against the picture.

Maybe I dreamt about it once? Or, maybe I—?

"Ah!" Lucy yelped, retracting her hand. She looked at her palm to see it had been cut to drawn blood. "What?"

Actaeon whined and licked at the wound to help heal it while Lelantos took to rubbing his fur all over his mistress to calm his anxiety over her wound.

Lucy laughed at their behavior. "Don't worry, you two, I'm fine," she soothed.

"Then, why did ya cut your hand?"

Lucy looked up to see Natsu crouched next to her. He examined the cut with a noticeable frown. "I didn't mean to cut it," she mumbled. "The floor just kind of…bit me."

Natsu quirked an eyebrow at his mate. "A floor 'bit' you?"

Lucy puffed a cheek and looked away. "Well, you don't have to sound so skeptical," she muttered.

The floor rumbled.

Everyone froze.

Nashi was the first to speak, slow. "What was—?"

One by one, each rune began to glow in a flurry of gold.

Natsu snuggled Lucy close to him. "Everyone, brace yourselves!" he shouted over the earth rumbling. He shut his eyes as the glowing runes began to shine brighter and brighter.

Gary was quick to shield Nashi with his body as he swallowed roughly. "The Magic pressure is becoming a lot," he wheezed.

Nashi held onto Gary, shutting her eyes. "What's happening?" she cried.

A snarl tore through Igneel as emerald threatened to emerge at the will of Nature to safeguard. He pulled Mary Jane closer, protecting her with his body. Laxus did his best to shield both Mary Jane and Igneel, turning his back on the vibrant of the runes to pull the children into his chest. Luke's instinct was to build a shield around himself, Peter, and Virgo without fail. Levy built a barrier to keep her and all her research safe.

And, just like that, the rumbling stopped and the glowing was gone.

Levy dispelled her barrier and took a look around.

She gasped.

Everyone seemed to understand the threat was gone and unraveled themselves to look around.

The chamber had changed.

The runes had shifted, each into a new place, a new row, a new column. But, that was not all. A circular platform had risen from the ground underneath Natsu, Lucy, and the twin hunting dogs with descending stairs. Five stones had appeared to surround the platform with their flat surfaces facing inward and reading foreign inscriptions. There was supposed to be a sixth one, but it had yet to show.

"Woah," Luke dropped.

"What is all this?" Peter murmured, confused.

"Entirely new runes," Levy whispered. "Everything is making a lot more sense now…" Her eyes snapped back to the notes she had scribbled down and flipped through them. "Yes, yes, yes! All of it makes sense now!" she squealed in her excitement. "Before, the statements were mere fragments that made no sense, but now? Everything makes sense!"

Lucy uncurled herself from Natsu to look around at the new chamber.

Did my blood…do that?

"Your hand okay?"

Lucy looked back at Natsu who offered her a measured look. She smiled teasingly. "Worried about me getting a small cut? That's not like you," she jested.

Natsu blushed a bit and tried to play it off. "Yeah, well, when you have that look on your face like you farted, I have to get worried."

A tick mark beat against Lucy's forehead. "Watch it," she growled.

Natsu snickered. "But, seriously, Lucy, what's got you all worried?" he wanted to know. He brought up her injured hand and inspected the cut. "Can't be because of this sucker."

Lucy rolled her eyes and took back her hand gently. "Of course not," she insisted. "I don't know. Between the whole thing with Luna and what Jacob said—"

Natsu visibly tensed. "What did that bastard say to you?" he demanded to know.

"Nothing bad," Lucy sated. "When he tried to kill Levy and Laxus, I told him to back off. And, the weird part was he did."

Natsu blinked his surprise. "He let you guys go just like that?"

Lucy nodded. "Weird, right? Then, he told me he had strict orders with me from his higher ups." Her eyes glinted in knowing. "And, with everything going on, it was easy for me to make an assumption."

Natsu hugged Lucy into his chest. He kissed her hair and nuzzled his nose into her temple. "I won't let anyone touch you," he murmured to her, promising. "I know you can fight your own battles, and I love it when you do. But—"

"I know," Lucy hushed. "I know, Natsu. I understand. I won't leave your side because we'll fight side-by-side." She ran her hands through his pink locks. "My Dragon King," she purred into his ear.

Natsu grinned. "Don't tease me like that unless I'm gettin' somethin' when we're out of this place," he warned good-naturedly.

Lucy's Cheshire smile was downright sinful. "Mmm… I could think of three things you really love, and they all start with a 'C'."

Natsu kissed Lucy's cheek as his grin broadened. "You sure you don't want anymore kids, Lucy?" he teased her.

"Yes, she is absolutely sure!" Luke called grumpily from his place near the firepit, trying to hold down his amusement when he saw his mother blush and hide her face into his father's chest. "Dad, I can hear you! Please wait until you're both away from your kids to do this," he begged.

Natsu chuckled, snuggling into Lucy. He shot Luke a wink. "You'll understand this when you're older, kiddo," he promised.

Luke made a show of rolling his eyes. "That's what you always say," he muttered.

Peter looked from parents to child in avid bewilderment. "Uh… What just happened?" He pointed at the loving Natsu murmuring to the rather abashed Lucy. "Does this happen a lot?"

Luke stoked the coal. "More than you think it would," he grunted. "I feel like I'm parenting my own parents."

Peter chuckled at that. "At least life is never boring, right?"

ZZZZZZZT.

Luke and Peter looked over to see a slightly electrified Igneel looked at his uncle, betrayed. "What was that for?" he demanded to know, voice cracking.

"I saw you touch my butterfly's butt when you moved her, you little shit," Laxus seethed, holding Mary Jane away from Igneel. Lightning cracked off him in his ire, reflecting in his eyes. "I told you to not get fresh with my daughter!"

Igneel let out a girlish scream when he was electrocuted.

Peter sweatdropped while Luke sighed. "Yeah," he agreed. "Life never gets boring."

---

In the convention center, they welcomed a new shipment of supplies from volunteers not only from the town but from others as well. Yukino spearheaded with supplies from her own city with other Sabertooth members helping. Other guilds came to help out in any way they could as they volunteered hours and supplies to ensuring the people who had given up their homes were more comfortable. Restaurants had come to set up stalls and gave away free food for those away from their time in Margaret Town. Lisanna laughed as her three hungry boys tore into their pasta. Bleu seemed highly interested on something on his phone as he drank lemonade on his mat while Bane surprised Ekho by setting down a quesarito.

Mira and Mara had taken a small room to themselves with Mara's holed bag quivering every once and a while. It looked like some sort of employee room with a vending machine, a sink, refrigerator, microwave, and even a coffee maker. Mara sat comfortably on her wheelchair with her eyes closed as she ate a cheesy omelet while Mira slowly paced around the room with her Compact in her ear.

"Uh-huh," Mira murmured. "Yes, I know. Mmm-hmm, that's right." She nodded. "Uh-huh. Okay. Thanks, Freed, I'll call you later. Good bye." She hung up the call and sighed.

Everything faring well in Magnolia? Mara wanted to know. How's everyone doing?

Mira settled across the table from Mara. "Everyone is doing great. Freed distracted a good chunk of the guild with demands they had," she informed. "But, it's the paparazzi we're worried about. Constantine and your mother are doing a great job of keeping them at bay, but it's only a matter of time when someone even outside our guild slips up."

The price we pay, Mara thought solemnly. Has Laxus answered any calls?

Mira shook her head. "Not one," she murmured. "I got through to some of our other friends. Jenny told me Smiley nearly got on a train to come here, but Henry stopped her before she could."

Mara opened her eyes, smiling at the mention of Smiley. Considering the circumstances, it makes sense she would do that, she supposed. And, how is the other two? How's everyone else?

Mira smiled softly. "She's doing well. Since she's in Pergrande, she doesn't know anything of what's going on and I don't want to bother her right now," she reasoned. "He's been watching the news and promises he'll come if I just say the word. And everyone else is fine. A few are on their way right now." Her smile dropped. "But, they're not the ones we should worry about."

Mara frowned as well. Agreed.

Mira flicked her eyes to observe Mara. "And, you're sure you don't have the slightest clue?"

Mara hesitated. Nothing is ever set in stone in these cases, she thought slowly, treading light on her words. We can't be certain what conditions were met since we are blind to the situation. Once I see her again, I'll be able to tell you more.

Mirajane nodded and settled her blue gaze onto the table.

"Mom… Can you promise me something?" The voice was too young to be asking for such a solemn request. "Can you give him this and tell him I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise, but I want to make it up to him when I can?"

Cerulean shimmered.

"But, don't tell him right now, okay? I don't want him unhappy. Wait until you think you should."

After all these years, I never said a word. Even when the first time came to pass, I felt he was too young to understand. But, now that it's happened again… Is he ready? Is now the time?

A subtle knock brought Mira out of her thoughts and she looked up at the door. The door opened with a Rune Knight being the one who did it. Mest Gryder filed inside with Aella following him, a briefcase in hand. Mest smiled somberly at Mira who stood up.

"Mira, it's been a while," he regarded.

Mira nodded, smiling at him teasingly. "That's because you never come home."

Mest brought her in for a quick hug. "And you know why I can't," he reminded lightly. He went to the other side to greet Mara. "And Mara… You look even more beautiful than before."

There's no need for the flattery, Commander, Mara chided lightly, threading a casual link between them. There was no real ire behind her words, but there was a bit of agitation. Not right now.

Mest raised his hands in surrender. "You're right, you're right." He took the briefcase from Aella and gave her a nod. She filed out of the room and the knight shut the door behind him. Mest's entire face dropped gravelly. "Both of you know why I'm here," he started. "Before we begin, have either of you been successful in figuring out the conditions met?"

Mira shook her head, and Mara answered, All I could feel was whatever remained from the last time. Her eyes softened. The mind is easy to trick, but the heart never forgets. It overrides all logic if it means it's emotionally sated.

Mest nodded his agreement as he opened his briefcase. "When I felt the change, I knew something powerful was the trigger." He took out photos and put them on the table one at a time. "I narrowed it down to these possibilities. Do any of them look like they condoned a powerful reaction?"

Both women took the time to sift through the photographs, studying each and every one of them carefully.

Mira's eyes flashed at a photo and she pointed at it. "This one." She picked it up. "These two… I remember now. They were the last gifts before that day."

Confusion donned on Mara. But, I thought you took them away? You confiscated every potential trigger.

"That's why I'm confused. We did take these away," Mira assured. "But, then again, it's possible he took them back when it first happened. Remember: he took back his scarf."

Mest gently took the picture out of Mira's hands fo study it. "Why would these trigger a reaction?"

"Those were the last gifts," Mira explained. "They each gave one to the other one their birthdays, but there was so much more to that."

"What do you mean?" Mest wanted to know.

Mira looked away. "As you know, Bixslow can use his soul for different things. And, before the triplets were born, you know he was arrested for using that power. Do you remember what warranted his arrest?"

Mest thought back on it. "It had something to do with a request he took. It was in an underground magical facility with an illegal Enchanter Guild, if I remember correctly."

Mira nodded. "He didn't realize the job was to help with different soul techniques until it was too late," she confessed. "They were making human golems. Making a golem was the easy part, but getting it to act human? Well… You need a human soul for that." She tensed. "Bixslow was used as a lab rat to chip off part of his soul into the golem. Thankfully, it didn't go any farther than that. Bixslow regained that part of his soul and defeated most of the Enchanters and scientists, but he got himself arrested for a near Taboo."

"What does this have to do with the triggers?" Mest had to ask.

"Commander, you knew how powerful they were at the time," Mira told him. "Those aren't anything ordinary. Both of them chipped a piece of their soul into those charms."

Mara and Mest's eyes widened.

This is bad, Mara whispered. Then, that means…

Mest knew where it was going. "It means we're going back to before," he finished decidedly. He gathered the pictures. "When everyone has returned back to Magnolia safe and sound, I will be in touch." He looked at Mara briefly. "Mara, I expect you to have had another session with notes we can go over."

Mara nodded. And, what about you?

Mest finished putting the photos back into the briefcase and closed it. "I'll make sure there isn't anything pursuing again," he vowed. "You have my word on that." He bowed to them. "I'll see you soon." He marched out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Mara looked at Mira who could not meet her eyes. You have to tell him, she reminded softly. If we're going to be successful, Mest needs to know.

Mira sighed. "I will," she promised. "After we understand the changes, I will." She stood up. "I'm going to call Freed to give him an update on everything." She swept herself out of the room, leaving Mara to dwell on her own thoughts.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And, in the past…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale cracked up. "Holy shit, your aunt Helen sounds like a badass, emphasis on the B!"

Jäger grinned. "She is quite the rebel," he agreed. "Our fathers were miffed at her for weeks, but she did not care. It was Grandfather of who she was frightened."

Kiki rolled her eyes. "Please. Grandfather might look scary, but he secretly supports Aunt Helen in her vices."

"What about your grandpa makes him look 'scary'?" Gale had to ask.

Eliza answered, "Grandfather used to be Lord Chancellor. Now, he is part of the elders of parliament. He looks so scary because he has a permanent mask of indifference on his face and you cannot tell whether he likes or hates you."

"He is more of a lover than a fighter," Jäger added. "He has a huge soft spot for his only daughter. He loves to gush over portraits of her and memorabilia when he thinks we're not around." He grimaced. "It is a bit disturbing to see him like that."

Gale smirked. "S'okay. I caught my dad flipping through my sister's baby book once and saw him crying and cooing. This man has probably fifteen piercings, a tattoo, and is over six-foot but gets all cringeworthy doting whenever my sister dresses up."

He could remember his big sister when she was ten and he was eight with her wild hair tamed and a red dress on her. He could see her blush when Gajeel cooed at her, taking pictures.

"Papa, stop it!" Olivia had whined.

Gajeel had taken another photo. "But, my Dragoness looks so cute!" he had cooed.

Gale sweatdropped, his eyebrow twitching.

Let's not forget Mom told me he would chase after cats trying to get them to love him. Geez. This man is my father?

"So," Kiki began, "is this 'Luna Dragneel' the one you plan to ask into marriage?"

Gale made an odd noise that crossed between a choke, an uncomfortable laugh, and a caught-off-guard cough. "No, no, no, no marriage or anything relatively close," he heavily clarified. "Nothing more than a partnership."

Kiki frowned. "Explain to me what a partnership is in your time because, here, it means you are to be wed in Holy Matrimony."

"In a guild, be it a mercenary one, a Magic one, a Treasure Hunter one, you can assemble partnerships between you and another person," Gale explained. "Basically, it's a work relationship. You tackle jobs together and split the reward. I was riding solo for a while, but I'm happy I got Blondie as my partner."

"Then, she poses no threat," Kiki muttered under her breath.

Eliza piped up in her curiosity. "So, she is a Heartfilia, but she took on the surname 'Dragneel'? Does she not adopt the ways of the Heartfilia Clan?"

Gale's mouth twisted into a frown. "I don't know too much about the Clan business, but I promise you none of the Dragneel kids or Mama Heart turned their back on their ancestry. I don't know why Aunt Luce didn't keep her last name."

I'll have to ask her when I see her again and apologize.

"So, just to be clear, you are not affianced?"

"Kiki!" Jäger scolded.

"What? I just wanted to be clear," Kiki insisted. She eyed Gale. "Well?"

"Technically? No, no I'm not," Gale confirmed. "Why, though? Is it surprising that I'm not?"

Eliza replied: "Most men at sixteen have a fiancé or at least lady they are courting. Some even married." She gestured to Jäger. "Jäger happens to elude his father and mother's pleas for him to wed so they have a grandchild and future heir to the estate."

Jäger immediately whined. "I hate it when they throw those balls to introduce me to all the young women in their circle! Can they not see I would much rather go into the army than be chained to the estate?" He pointed accusingly at Eliza. "And, you are no better! You have yet to find yourself a husband!" At Eliza's pinkening cheeks, Jäger smirked in triumph. "Ah-ha! I knew it!"

Gale raised an eyebrow and glanced over his shoulder at Eliza. "No luck with men, huh?"

Eliza sighed. "There are suitable offers, but none I take seriously," she explained. "There is no pressure for me to get married by parents. I have an older brother who married a quite lovely lady."

"I like Lavender," Kiki interjected. "She's far too good for awkward Ambrose. She knows a thing or two about horse racing. So rebellious."

Eliza smiled at the mention of her sister-in-law. "Ambrose has always been too awkward and serious. He needs Lavender's free spirit to loosen him up." To Gale, she added, "They just had their second son, Levi. Quite the ladies' man already." She exhaled loudly. "But," she continued, "in society, marriage at at least twenty years of age is expected."

"So, then, what's the hold up?" Gale wondered.

"None of the marriage offers Eliza received are from men who would respect her being a physicist," Kiki confessed. "Men are delicate creatures who thrive off their superiority."

"I object to that!" Jäger snapped. "I respect women and their ideals thoroughly!"

Kiki snorted. "You also respected your maid's ideals in the barn thoroughly," she retorted, making Gale and Eliza belt in laughter and Jäger blush and splutter.

"Ignoring that, Kiki is right," Eliza agreed, taking over Jäger's many excuses. "Many men in this day and age find women teaching and reading and growing with knowledge to be an insufferable woman. The fact that I earn my own money through research and not planning socials with other ladies and learning to tend to my future husband's needs is something that no man likes to see."

"That's just utter bullshit," Gale grumbled. "Like, yeah, sexism like that—that a woman is just only 'housewife material' with a side order of 'has model body'—still exists in my time, but that's a load of crap. I've had my ass handed to me on numerous occasions by women. A lot of the time I'm afraid of my own mother because she certainly didn't raise a bitch." He took a hand and absently ran it down Syra's spine. "If a man can't accept that you might be smarter than him, don't do it."

Eliza smiled softly. "If only such promising thinking was in this time period," she said wishfully. "Think of the progress we could be in."

"I promise it does get better," Gale vowed. "It got better to the point where my country has a queen regent who is a Mage, a woman started and mastered my guild, and we have, I think, two women holding councilmen seats for the Magic Council. Oh! And, ladies get free drinks at parties while guys have to pay, so, y'know, there's that."

"May I please travel to your future?" Kiki begged. "That sounds splendid if it means I can quit all these lady lessons and be equal with men!"

Gale laughed. "Let's not get too carried away," he chided. "I mean, yeah, women have it better in my time, but equality is a very loose term I would use."

Jäger frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Gale scratched the back of his head. "Well…" He tried to explain as best as he could. "We still have a lot of problems with people disrespecting people. Doesn't matter the gender, race, or sexuality—it's just a lot of blatant disrespect, intolerance, and ignorance." He held up a hand. "Now, don't get me wrong. People have a lot more freedom in Fiore's present at least, but we have a long way to go until people have a lot more respect for others." He turned his head, scrunching his eyebrows together. "Does that make sense?"

Eliza stared at him intently. Then, she laughed. "It does, it does, but ignore my laughter. You sound exactly like a 'McGarden'! Does he not, Jäger?"

Jäger nodded his approval, grinning. "He does," he agreed. "He's just missing the hazel eyes and brown hair."

Gale laughed awkward and turned back to the front. "Ha-ha… Yeah… Well, I'm a Redfox, so…"

"Your parents have taught you to respect all people." Kiki leaned forward to purr into Gale's ear, "I like that in a man."

Gale nearly tipped the entire Mobula onto its side at that, shivering. "Mmm-mmm. Yep, okay, well, you'll find someone in your present who will live up to that," he assured.

And someone who isn't your descendant. This is worse than incest.

He thought about it.

Maybe if I tell them who I am…

He crossed the thought out of his mind.

No. I can't now. Not when I'm already risking enough to meet the Redfoxes in Fiore. Blondie had to tell her ancestor about her. I'll tell the Redfoxes I'm one of theres. But, for the McGardens… I need to keep my blood with them a secret.

"Gale?" Eliza called. "Would you mind telling us more about your timeline?"

"Is the drinking age reduced in Minstrel?" Kiki wanted to know.

"I heard talks of war starting in the east. Is that true?" Jäger checked.

"What's the New World like?" Eliza questioned. "The one to the northwest of us. Is it as grand as everyone thinks it will be?"

Gale barked a laugh. "Okay, maybe we should tone it down with any future discovery questions," he decided. "I can tell you about some of my adventures in Fairy Tail, though."

"Ooo! Tell us about your family!" Kiki pleaded.

Gale smiled. "Sure, why not? I have two parents, a mom and a dad, siblings, and a walking, talking cat for an uncle. Where should I start?"

"Your mother," Eliza requested, "if you'd please."

Gale dipped his head. "N'kay. We'll start with my mom. If there's one thing I really know about my mom is that she knows how to swear in five dead languages…"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And, into the present!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The town may have been small, but it was tiny but mighty. It buried itself in nature, in a forest in a mountainous area. The people made an earnest living and had no issues navigating the landscape to do so. An airedale terrier helped out his little master run errands for an elderly lady. A baker waved good bye to two of his regulars. A wagon pulled by two stallions came down the mountain trail while a single-horse wagon came the opposite directions. The drivers waved in respect to each other and moseyed on their way.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Clover Town. Masters of Legal Guilds meet here to discuss various guild business regarding all of Fiore from job dispersal to international aid. This is different from Provincial Guild Leagues wherein Guild Masters in neighboring areas get together for informal socials. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A house was in the picture. It was a cross between a cabin, a bungalow, and chalet-style with the way it looked with a large and nearly-always-open garage attached to it with a few motorcycles, cars, and a couple of broomsticks that were on the mend. The house was not quite on the outskirts of town—the house lived on a rather forgiving and wide cul-de-sac—but there was a fair bit of forest as a yard and mountain as a backdrop.

The inside of the house was messy. Not "messy" messy, but it had its chaotic order. It was not suitable for children of any kind, that was for sure. The basement was a full-blown laboratory while the dining room and office had been combined into a gigantic study filled to the brim with MagiTech.

Oswald busied himself on his multiple Archive Lacrima and Lacrima Screens as he sipped his Windy's cup. His jersey was there and his hat, but what was different was the white bunny he had on his lap, a little thing that enjoyed his warmth. What he was particularly studying was footage from the last guild meeting.

Asuna came into the study with her coveralls unzipped, exposing her tank-top, and her goggles on her head. Dirty and grease stained her cheeks, but she was far too used to it. "Still the same?" she checked in.

Oswald did not look at her as he responded. "Yeah. Nothing more than arguing over the decision for the Hunters." He pushed his rolling chair to another screen that was running excessive decryption. "The program has been running since the order on Margaret Town was called, but it hasn't found a single thing on the Hunters still." He sounded a tiny bit frustrated with his words.

Asuna dipped her hands into Oswald's lap to take the bunny whose nose twitched at change of owner ship. "Hi, Bailey," she cooed. To Oswald, she assured, "Give it some more time. You know sometimes a program may take a day or two."

Oswald pointed at the old Pager Lacrima with the symbol of the gray jaguar lighting up the screen. "With a message like that from Captain, we don't have more time to spare."

Asuna pouted. "Oz, look at me."

Oswald swiveled in his chair for his apathetic eyes to meet Asuna's vibrant ones.

"You've been more on edge since Halloween," Asuna noticed. The way she slid into Oswald's lap was so natural, so fluid, it was like it was a regular occurrence. She scratched Bailey's back as she pleaded, "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Oswald's stare dropped to Bailey. "Do you remember Coeus?"

Asuna frowned. "Drives that classic Zusuki TLS?"

Oswald nodded.

"Yeah, what about him?" Asuna wanted to know.

"Last night," Oswald began, reaching an arm around Asuna's back to keep her on his lap, "he sent an email out to a few of us. He encrypted it. I cracked it."

Asuna understood. "Whatever you decrypted really has you freaked," she told him. "You sure you'll be able to handle this?"

"Captain needs us." Oswald looked back into Asuna's eyes. "He needs all of us. I'll go wherever he tells me to go."

Asuna hummed, smiling bitterly. "The perfect soldier."

Oswald changed the subject. "Did you finish the new bikes?"

Asuna nodded, grinning at the thought of her work. "Yeah and just in time too. Gave us a little bit more of a kick with my new invention." Her grin broadened, obviously proud of her work. "I think everyone's going to love it."

Oswald hummed. "Mm. They always do."

BAM!

"Y'all better have your clothes on!" came teasing howl accompanied by the sounds of paw scraping and barking.

"We're in the study!" Asuna called back. "Bailey's the only naked one!"

Walt and Roy were the first to bound into the room. They took to Asuna and Oswald instantly, demanding pats while they sniffed and licked the two. When they saw Bailey, all their attention went to the frightened rabbit who stood still in Asuna's hold.

Riza came in next with Jackson and Delgado following after her. She opened her arms when she saw her two teammates. "My favorite couple," she teased.

Asuna threw back her head and laughed, standing up. "I'm married to my shop, Ree." She let Riza hug her, leaning on the therapist. "Good to see you."

"Wish it wasn't under these circumstances," Riza muttered before releasing her. She visibly brightened when she saw Bailey and scooped the bunny into her arms. "Hiya, Bailey," she cooed. She scratched the bunny's neck.

Bailey closed her eyes, purring at the touch.

BE-BE-BE-BEEP! BE-BE-BE-BEEP!

Oswald moved back to one of his Lacrima Screens. He watched as information was pulled on Magic Hunters and scanned it all as quickly as he could.

Delgado came over to observe. "What's all this?"

"Hunters," Oswald said. "It took me a while to understand what angle to find them under. Magic Hunters have nothing on their personal lives or families or anything. But, that doesn't mean they don't have files elsewhere." He took his mouse and clicked on a picture of Lee Gavrilo. The file pulled up Lee's criminal records and affiliations, but it had nothing personal, not even his age.

"It got me thinking," Oswald continued. "The Ministry of Defense has Task Force Ninety-Three working for them loosely. They have some form of arrangement going on that I still don't know. But, what I got out of it was that the Magic Hunters won't be incriminated. That doesn't necessarily mean their records are wiped clean."

Riza studied Lee. "Why does his name ring a bell?"

"He was associated with the laboratory Gary Fullbuster was kidnapped in." Oswald pulled up a list of transactions. "These Hunters are smart. There's no sudden deposits of large sums of money. Any card transactions are for groceries and clothes."

"Who are the targets?" Delgado wanted to know. "We all know Hunters. They have their own agenda even when they get a job."

Oswald rolled his chair to his other screen. He pulled up images of the following members: "Gary Fullbuster, Julia Fullbuster, Mary Jane Dreyar, Luna Dragneel, Cade le Fay, T'oree Denv'rz, and Elvin Strauss." He pointed at Cade and T'oree. "Knowing Hunters, these two were taken somewhere else. Because the record shows they are from another world, it would make sense Hunters would take them to the House of O for extra money." He pointed at Elvin. "Elvin Strauss has an uncontrollable Take-Over Magic no one has ever seen. Councilman Wolfheim has been interested in making him his disciple for a while."

"What, would they take him for a bargaining chip?" Riza asked.

"No. Elvin would be captured for the sake of having a beast like him under their thumb to train as a killer. An untamable power like his needs a master and the Hunters want to be that master." Oswald pointed at Nashi. "She's the bargaining chip for Gary Fullbuster's arrest. You saw that sudden blizzard on the news, right?"

"It makes sense with his powers," Asuna murmured. "Of course they see his love interest as his weakness."

Jackson pointed at Luna. "We get her"—he pointed at Mary Jane—"and her"—-he pointed at Julia—"but her? Isn't she the Spiritless of Fairy Tail?"

Oswald pulled up Julia's public records, transactions, her social media, and images of her. "She was once a Water and Ice Mage of Fairy Tail," he told everyone. "She possessed both powers. When I learned she was Spiritless, it got me curious." He pulled up a slightly out of focus picture of Julia heading into—

Delgado's eyes widened. "Dios mío," he whispered. "She went all the way there?"

"Based on the large transactions and the surveillance cameras catching her with bags, I believe so," Oswald said. "She is in possession of Anti-Ethernano regalia. Hunters take notice in that." He leaned back in his chair. "I'm certain the heads of the task force have their targets all figured out and told the other Hunters."

Jackson crossed his arms. "You think that's what Cap sent the message for? For the Hunters?" he wanted to know. "We're the only chance against them when it comes for Magic Hunter, so it would make sense."

At this, Oswald tensed. "It's not just us," he began, turning around in his chair.

CRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…

Footsteps resounded.

"As you all know, there was never just us seven," Oswald told them.

Riza's eyes widened. "You called—?"

"Pager Lacrima," Oswald answered for her. "We all got one. It's only natural."

The footsteps turned.

Delgado snorted. "This is going to be one touching reuniã," he muttered.

A hard frown. "Well, it's wonderful to see you too, Delgado."

Everyone turned around to see a curvaceous woman leaning on the entryway, dark skin, dark hair. An abnormal cat wound around her legs. It had no fur, but it was made up of swirling black and silver energy with pure white eyes. The woman looked comfortable in her own skin and the leather she wore, amber eyes flicking slowly on each individual. She carried herself like a warrior ready to strike at any moment.

"You're looking well," she decided. "Fit. I can tell being out of the battlefield isn't something any of you wished for."

Riza glared at the woman. "Don't talk to us like you know about our lives," she hissed, her dogs bristling as well.

"Riza," the woman sighed. "There you go again with your temper."

Jackson growled. "Believe me, sweetheart, your attitude isn't the best, so sorry we aren't so welcoming."

The woman rolled her eyes as she dug out her Pager Lacrima. "Look, I got the message," she told them. "And then the call to meet up here." Her eyes went to Asuna and Oswald. They tinged with amusement. "Ozzy, I didn't realize you went for young blood," she teased. There was no menace in her voice, just playfulness. "Whatever happened to you and me? I thought you were into older women."

Much to Asuna's surprise, a harden glint showed in Oswald's eyes. For once, he showed a glint of anger. His nose tipped up to meet her eyes. "It was a mistake," he assured, voice flint. "One I won't ever make again."

The woman nodded and turned to Asuna. "So, you must be Asuna Freeman, then, the mechanic? Or, I should say a highly-skilled Enchanter," she named.

Asuna nodded slowly. "Yeah, that's me. Who are you?"

"That's right. You wouldn't remember me." The woman came forward. "I was never officially part of Gray Jaguar, but I helped on a few missions, did some intel, nothing fun like your job." When she got before Asuna, she held out a hand. "My name is Zelda, S-Class Magic Hunter and daughter of one of the worst Magic Hunters this world has to offer. Nice to make your acquaintance."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Asuna found herself working on the finishing touches on the last project. She panted when she finished fine-tuning and got onto her knees in the garage.

"My name is Zelda, S-Class Magic Hunter and daughter of one of the worst Magic Hunters this world has to offer. Nice to make your acquaintance."

Asuna coughed into the crook of her elbow. She grabbed her water and chugged a few gulps.

"How come I don't remember you?" Asuna had asked.

"Because you were far too young for the missions I was assigned on," Zelda had answered without a care. "Your mind was not ready for it. Your captain made that call."

Asuna set down her water.

Captain didn't think I was ready? Were there other missions I couldn't take on? How much did Captain hide from me?

"Don't think on it too hard."

Asuna nearly jumped out of her skin at Oswald's intrusion. She turned her head to see him leaning on the door that separated home and garage. Then, she turned away. "I feel so lied to," she admitted. "How can I not think about it?"

"You were young, Asuna," Oswald stressed. "There was much you couldn't see back then."

"So, Captain really did treat me like a kid," Asuna muttered. "We were part of the Magic Council. No one deserves coddling."

"Maybe he coddled you, but for good reason," Oswald justified. "There were things we all saw that we have a gag order on and we'll remember to our graves. We had to do things that would make you never want to see us again. Captain didn't want you to grow up with that haunted look in your eye."

"That wasn't his call to make," Asuna seethed. "I was a soldier. Even if my hands got dirty, I knew the cost—"

"And he knew you lied about your age."

Asuna kept quiet.

Oswald watched her. "He knew you lied about being sixteen. He knew all of your papers and documents weren't about you, but they were about your sister who went missing and was pronounced 'dead'. He knew, but he kept it to himself."

Asuna had nothing to say for a while. Then, her voice spoke, cracked, "Then, why didn't he court martial me if he knew…?"

"Because you showed him your strength," Oswald revealed. "You showed him how hard you would push yourself. You were young, but a highly-valuable asset to the force. He kept you on a tighter leash than the others and might've babied you because of your age, but he still kept you around."

Asuna swallowed.

Captain…

"So," Asuna said as she stood up, "you and Zelda, huh?"

"A mistake," Oswald said in his nonchalant air, less angry than before. "One that happened over a job in another country. I was young, she had more experience, and it happened once. The next time we met, she assumed we would be under some sort of arrangement." Oswald closed his eyes, sighing. "It didn't come to that. I rejected her."

Asuna chuckled. "Honestly, I'm surprised you would do that. Even I'd say, 'yes' to a woman like that." She turned around to grin at Oswald. "You can't possibly tell me you didn't at least do it once more."

Oswald opened his eyes. "It never even crossed my mind after the first time. I didn't see reason to continue."

Asuna sighed. "And to think I thought your sexual awakening was right then and there. Must've been an awful first time." She grimaced. "My first time wasn't that great either, so I can understand that."

Oswald hummed.

Asuna knelt back to her projects. "Anyways, I'm literally just about done. I'm being a perfectionist now," she told him. "Give me, like, twenty minutes to shower and get ready and we can—"

"You know, you get the craziest look in your eye when you look at your mech."

Asuna jumped a bit, not expecting Oswald to be right behind her.

"And, you're so jumpy. More than Bailey," Oswald observed.

Asuna huffed. "Yeah, well, you shouldn't sneak up on a girl in the middle of a love affair with her work," she said tartly. "Besides, you get all starry-eyed when you get a new piece of tech, so I don't want to hear it from you."

Oswald hummed again and got up. Sinking his hands into his pockets, he walked away and back to the door, listening to the sounds of Asuna using her wrench. He was about to open the door when he paused. "You shouldn't be so surprised why I rejected Zelda."

Asuna grunted when she tightened one of the bolts to as far as it could possibly go. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?"

Silence.

"You know why."

Asuna heard the door open and shut just as she finished tightening the bolt. She set down her wrench to pant for a bit. She grabbed her water.

A small smile toyed on her lips before she drank.

°•°•°•°

Asuna stood ready in the garage, dressed in her goggles and her gear. She beamed at everyone as she held the end of the tarp that hid her project. "Okay. Everyone ready?" When everyone nodded, Asuna's beam widened. "I present to you…our new rides!"

She yanked the tarp away.

The entire crew—aside from Oswald, Zelda, and Bailey—fell into happy shock at the surprise for in front of them were motorcycles, but a bit more than that. They were a cross between motorcycle and Magic Broomstick with a motorbike body, but with a broomstick tail that would power the entire thing into flight. Each varied in appearance with special helmets on the seat of each one.

"You made these," Jackson spoke, "for us?"

Asuna nodded eagerly. "I call them 'Broom Bikes'," she introduced. "I combined my engineering knowledge of motorcycles with my enchanting knowledge of broomsticks to make faster Sky Bikes than the ones the Council issues us." She went down the line. "Each one is unique to the person I built them for." She went to one Broom Bike that had a sidecar on either side with little helmets placed in the seats. "Riza, this is yours. I made sure Walt and Roy had seating too. Any medical supplies you could think of?" She tapped the back of the Broom Bike. "Pocket dimension has all of it stored for you. In fact"—she gestured to her creations—"each bike has a pocket dimension under the seats."

Delgado frowned. "If this is imbedded with not just Broomstick Magic but with pocket dimensions, how can we fly these?"

Asuna grinned like a maniac. "I'm so glad you asked, Avolito!"

"I'm not that old," Delgado muttered.

Asuna pulled out a silver key from her pocket and dangled it. It was obviously hers with a keychain of a Chibi-Bailey and a famed giant robot from her favorite show attached. "These are your new keys. I created them straight from Lacrima, so they have boundless Magic. But, I recommend you charge them over night. Just letting them sit out and absorb the Ethernano in the air is good enough."

Jackson folded his arms, impressed. "You really outdid yourself, Freeman." He smirked. "C'mon. You sure you don't want to go out on a date with me?"

"Knock it off, Summers," Oswald butted in.

Jackson held his hands up in surrender as Riza nodded her approval. "When did you come up with this idea? How long did this all take?"

Asuna thought on it. "Building each one of these didn't take me long. Maybe…seven to eight weeks each?"

"Riza's and mine took a full twelve," Oswald put in. "And the patent took a full one and a half years for approval."

Asuna bemoaned. "Don't remind me," she whined. "I've never been in so many meetings with such stupid people."

"Still, though," Delgado piped up, "the fact that you did this all for us… What made you want to?"

Asuna shrugged. "I had the idea a while back, but my knowledge was a bit restricted. I wanted to make them, but I'm more inspired on my projects when I make them for people. So, I thought of my extended family." She adjusted her goggles. "Glad you like 'em, though. I'd cry if you didn't and hide with Bailey in my room." She pointedly glanced at Oswald.

Oswald sighed. "I didn't mean to offend you," he tried to explain.

Asuna hmphed.

Delgado chuckled. "Well, I say we get to moving," he decided. "Kaptãoz needs us now more than ever. Can you point us to which bike is ours?"

Asuna seemed more than happy to do so. "Sure! Delgado, this one is yours…"

Zelda stepped up to Oswald with her odd cat in hand. "She's impressive," she had to admit. "I can see why your captain kept her around. She makes for a valuable asset."

"She does," Oswald agreed. "She's been inventive since I first saw her. She's passionate about her work and more about the people she does it for."

Zelda hummed. "Humor me. Is there a reason you would be living with her in this town?" she wondered. "Last time I saw you, you were a city kid not in the force for making friends. I imagine living in a town so ingrained in nature isn't natural for you."

"I get by," Oswald said. "I needed away from the big city noise. I found my answer here. Simple as that."

Zelda studied Oswald for two beats. "I think you found more here," she decided. "I've never been one who wanted a relationship just like you haven't either. But, neither of you will stay young. And, with all you've seen, perhaps you should remember that." She brushed past Oswald and left him alone.

---

Gabriel and Luna bounced with each bound Icarus took. Hugo easily watched their backs. Any incoming attack he deflected with Earth Magic in the same style his creator would. Icarus bounded across a bridge, growling when he heard the beasts of sky and sea battle.

This brings me great sadness, Icarus told Luna. The Spirit of Sea and Storm may display hatred, but she cries for help on the inside.

And, we will help her, Luna promised. We will.

Icarus nodded his agreement as he turned down another winding street.

Luna looked up at the storm, watching how lightning crawled through the clouds with its electrifying light to draw attention. Her head twisted around to watch as Erion was swatted down from the sky and Nayda followed up her attack with Water Slicers.

Hold on a little longer, Erion. Just a little longer.

Icarus jumped into an alleyway and maneuvered down it. To Luna, he thought, We must send word to Ludvig of our plan. He must know in order for him to come outside and meet us. He will need a ride of his own. I can only carry two passengers.

Luna yelled to Gabriel, "How far away did you tie up Himeros and Anteros?"

"Too far," Gabriel admitted. "My father will have let one of them go to let them run back to our land. The other he uses in battle."

Luna wanted to curse, but she held her tongue. Her mother taught her better. "We have to send a message to Mister Ludvig!" she shouted. "With him in the cellar, we don't have time to stop and search for him!"

"How about I offer assistance?"

Icarus skidded all-too-suddenly to a stop when a Dragoness landed right in front of the group. Icarus, Hugo, and Gabriel were unfazed at such an arrival, but it was Luna who gasped and nearly fell off Icarus' back in her shock. The Dragoness looked entertained at Luna's reaction, smirking and showing her fangs.

"Little star, you are shocked at the mere presence of a Dragon of the Heavens?" Staralia teased. "My, my… The Heartfilia Clan is slacking in teaching their hatchlings."

Icarus hunkered down to let Gabriel off, shooting a thought in both Luna and Staralia's mind, You are aware of the pup's situation. Do not tease her, Sister Dragon. Be gentle. She is in need of no claws or fangs, only tongues.

Staralia rolled her eyes.

Gabriel helped Luna off, but she was still in disbelief. "Oh, my gosh, that's a Dragon," she whispered. "Oh, my gosh… Oh, my gosh, it's alive and it's right in front of me…"

Staralia craned her neck to touch her nose to Luna's brow, forcing the blonde maiden to still. "Calm thyself, little star," she soothed. "You must rise above such surprise." She reeled back to gaze affectionately at Luna. "I will fly you to the place of which you seek. There is no price for this service." She settled down and lowered her head to the ground. "Climb onto my back."

Luna tried to work her mouth. She swallowed back her blatant astonishment as Gabriel guided her forth. "Yeah, okay, this is happening. This is real. I'm doing this," she told herself. "Oh, Papa is going to be so jealous when I get home." Gabriel boosted himself and Luna up as he rose the earth beneath their feet. He seated himself before seating Luna and helping her form the right grip.

Icarus got to his feet. I shall find Ludvig, he announced. I will meet you at the tunnel entrance. Venture no further without me.

"You go with Icarus, Hugo," Gabriel instructed. "Watch his back."

Hugo nodded and, once Icarus turned tail and sprinted, he was at the Clifford's heels.

Staralia turned her head for her nighty-sky eye to meet Gabriel and Luna. She offered a hearty smirk. "You must navigate me, little rock and little star, or we will be sitting eggs all day," she teased.

"We need to get to the outskirts by the Mûre River," Gabriel instructed.

Staralia hunkered down, flexing her wings. "Then, it shall be so." She gave a great flap of her wings once to lift herself off the ground. The second was for the sake of the winds to carry her higher into the storm. Unbothered by the rain, she did not let the winds control her as she tamed them to do her bidding. She ignored the furious caws and roars of the two battling guardians to get closer to her own goal.

Luna felt her thighs burn and the hard scales did not agree with her crotch, but she would not have it any other way. She looked around her to see her surroundings grow smaller and smaller as the battle of storm and sea roar in her ears. Her hair was sopping wet, her dress was beyond repair, and she felt like the cold was seeping into her bones. But, nothing compared to the utter feeling of flight, of liberation, of freedom.

Gabriel's voice tickled her ear. "Like it?"

"'Like it'?" Luna echoed. She let out a disbelieving laugh. "If I wasn't too busy freaking out, I'd be loving this one-hundred percent! This is even better than Poko Season Two!"

"What's 'Poko'?" Gabriel questioned.

Luna, then, belted a wholehearted guffaw. "It's just like this—awesome!" She rose her hands into the air like a tightrope walker balancing herself. "This is so awesome!" she howled. "Woohoo…!"

Staralia's chest rumbled in her laugh that sounded like twinkling stars and a full moon. "Brace yourself, little star," she urged, mischief glinting in her eyes, "for you have not seen the full extent of freedom my wings can give you." Letting loose her own roar that pitted itself against the clash of brothers thunder and lighting, she gave a large flap of her wings and jetted forward with Luna's cries of wonder drowned out in another clap from the storm.

°•°•°•°

Ludvig ground his teeth together. "For the last time, my darling, you cannot order for your own safe room." He tried his very best not to let his agitation show as he looked at the frustrated Maria. "We are safest in this cellar and far more protected."

"You are all the protection I need," Maria insisted. "Your adorable Magic will be enough for me. Do you not think you will be enough?"

"I don't," Ludvig admitted without a lick of embarrassment. "I know my limitations, Maria. I was never trained properly in combat. You know this. My parents did not enforce use of the sword."

"No, they allowed you to carry on becoming a scholar," Maria said, tad bitterly. She huffed. "As a count, I expect you to take up the art of the sword. You cannot continue being defenseless, Ludvig. What would Father think when he saw you only wanting to carry on with his Magic nonsense and become one of those…those…"

"Sorcerers," Ludvig put in sharply. "They are called 'Sorcerers', highly-respected and scholarly Mages." He could not hold back his glare. "Magic and my research will always be a part of me, Maria. Why can you not accept that?"

"Because a proper noble would not resort to using Magic," Maria reminded pointedly. "It is so barbaric and unpractical…"

Ludvig was fully ready to put in that Magic was not either of those words and had many uses in this world when he felt something pressing against his mind, needing his attention. He lowered the wards around his mind to feel out the source. It radiated stardust and nobility with a touch of urgency. He lowered his shields even further to let the link establish.

Sir Ludvig, come quick!

Ludvig straightened. Icarus?

Yes, it is I. Gabriel and Luna are headed back to the ruins, Icarus informed.

Why? Ludvig felt his alarm pulse through the mental link. What happened? Where is Alarick and the Warlock?

The Warlock eluded us. We believed he headed back to the ruins. We must go there quickly. We need your help.

Ludvig abruptly stood up and let Icarus feel his firm nod. I am on my way. He turned to Maria. "I must go. They need my help."

Maria stopped her rambling on the nonsense that was Magic for her eyes to widen. "What?!" she shrieked. She latched onto Ludvig's arm so he could not escape her. "You dare leave me alone among such commoners?" she whispered, looking around in horror. "Ludvig, I need you here with me to protect me!"

"And, I must rush to the aid of my friends," Ludvig growled. "They require my services and I am eager to lend them."

Something boiled in Maria's eyes and hardened her eyes into a glower. "It is that Meira, isn't it?" she hissed at him. Her nails dug into his arm. "I knew something was off about you when she came along. She seduced you into her adulterous ways and now you are blindly devoted to her." She shook her head in disappointment and anger. "She will never love you like I do, Ludvig," she tried to explain.

"You never loved me!" Ludvig finally burst, jerking his arm away from her.

Maria's eyes went round like saucers.

Ludvig closed his eyes. Shaky inhale. Slow exhale. "Maria, you never loved me," he repeated. "Because, if you had ever loved me, you would not have belittled the one thing I love in this world: my research."

"I do love you," Maria insisted. "I do, Ludvig, I—!"

Ludvig opened his eyes, a softness in them and a bittersweet smile on his face. "No, my dear friend, you never did," he told her. "You never did because you hated the idea of marrying the noble who rejected his claim to study. You wanted a strong man who was bred to become the count, who would be your firm hand, who would make you boast about him to your friends at your socials. Instead, our parents promised us to each other and you always hated me."

Maria's eyes glinted, but she said nothing.

Ludvig sighed. "I wish I could stay and we could talk this out, but I must go." He bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek. There was no love or warmth in the kiss, just a promise of return. "Good bye, Maria."

And, he left.

And, Maria felt a tear slip down her cheek.

In a matter of minutes, Ludvig burst out of the reception hall. He cared little for his locks becoming soaked and the chills that gave him goosebumps. He looked up at the lightning-streaked storm and witnessed the awesome powers of the pixiu and the suzaku. He saw them wrestle into the earth for control.

Gadzooks… This is madness…

A loud howl.

Ludvig looked to see Icarus bounding down the street with the golem in tow. The great Clifford only slowed when Ludvig was near and stopped completely to crouch down. Ludvig hurried onto Icarus' back and Icarus bounded away once more with Hugo matching him stride for stride.

Ludvig was used to the feeling of muscles rippling beneath his legs. His hands clutched fur to keep himself grounded. "We must stop by my house," he insisted. "I must gather all my research notes. If the Warlock has yet to appear in the chambers, I might be able to decipher more of the text."

Icarus growled, but he changed course to match Ludvig's desire.

BOOM.

Something broke in the sky, and Ludvig looked up to see flying chunks of debris raining down onto the ground. His eyes widened when he saw all the homes they would hit. "No!" he shouted.

A hand held onto a string, gathering green energy. "Star Shot!"

Black wings gathered golden Magic. "Matar Wing!"

Ludvig's eyes widened when he saw explosions of green and gold go off on the debris. The debris was broken down into harmless dust and pebbles, helping avoid a less-than-kind fate. He caught a glimpse of a Pegasus with pelt darker than black and his rider, a maiden of flaxen hair and a bow grasped in her hands. She looked like a fierce goddess as lightning flashed, highlighting her features. A hard resolve settled in her eyes. She had to fight not to survive, but to protect others.

She's…beautiful, Ludvig murmured. Lady of the Night Sky, Queen of the Stars with a goddess' ferocity… Truly perfect…

Meira seemed to feel eyes watching her. Her head turned slightly.

Chocolate caught onto dark.

Meira offered a nod in his direction. Then, she barked orders to Endymion who took off in another direction with a neigh.

Ludvig tried to not let his eyes stray on her retreating figure, but he could not help it.

She has her part to play in this…

His eyes looked forward with a reinvigorating resolve.

…and so do I.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And, in the present…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Nashi told you—!"

"No! Luke says, 'That doesn't count'!"

"What?! Yes, it does! Look at that!" Nashi showed Luke her pair of an Ace and a One of Clubs. "It's a tree!"

Luke rolled his eyes as he took a penalty card. "This is a library," he scolded.

Nashi growled and swiped the card. "Thank you," she grumbled in heavy spite.

Luke smirked. "Point of disorder. Cards up. Bow to Her Majesty or eat cake."

Natsu, Gary, Nashi, Luke, and Peter had thrown themselves into an inventive game to shed their cards. The four Mages looked intense as they played, each taking only five to ten seconds to play their card. Peter had gradually caught on, but the amount of penalty cards he had was plain amusing. The card everyone was trying to match was a Queen of Spades.

Natsu matched Her Majesty with an eight of Spades in a heartbeat. Gary came in next. He knocked on the ground before picking up a new card. Peter uncertainly laid down a seven of Spades. Nashi groaned as Luke handed her a penalty card and shot Peter a side glare.

Peter's eyes widened when Luke handed him one as well. He opened his mouth to question it, but Luke said, "Isn't today a nice one?"

Peter was completely lost. "Um, yeah…" He took the card and tilted his head. "Thank you…right?" He earned an approving nod from Luke and he sighed in relief.

Laxus watched the game from afar leant against the wall near Mary Jane. He snorted as he watched Peter study the Mages around him, trying to understand the rules. "Can't believe the kid never played Grand Master," he muttered. "You said the kid is interested in Mary Jane?"

"I think so?" Igneel was confused about it too. "I don't really know. I could smell his Scent of Interest around her, but I don't smell it now."

Laxus grunted.

Igneel lowered his eyes. "Do you think someone could make her happy?" he wondered. "Someone that could make her smile? Do you think Peter could do it?"

Laxus looked over at Igneel. He had laid down next to Mary Jane like a dog warming his master. She had subconsciously turned to him as her body sought warmth and Igneel gladly gave it to her, curling around her protectively. He looked at her sleeping face like he was thinking deeply.

Laxus smirked. "Whatever happened to that selfish firecracker that punched boys older than him when they made his girl smile?"

Igneel flushed. "I was just a kid," he said in his own defense.

"Still are one, firecracker," Laxus murmured. "I didn't even think you liked the boy."

"I didn't," Igneel regretfully admitted. "But, after all this… It's weird. I don't not like him anymore. He might've freaked when Mary Jane had her seizure, but a lot of people do when they don't know what's happening. He was really worried about her. He didn't care when she pushed him away." He brushed back Mary Jane's bangs. "If he's gonna treat her right, who am I to stand in the way? I just want her happy and smiling again."

Laxus' eyes softened.

Geez, firecracker… You say that now, but you're just like your mom. You'll be happy for her, but how much of your happiness will you give up?

Peter's eyes flickered from the game to the sight of Mary Jane cuddled into Igneel's chest. His jaw locked and his eyes swept back to his hand.

I know she said he didn't mean anything to her. Maybe they're just really close friends. Still though…

When it was Peter's turn, he knocked on the ground and received another card.

I don't get it. Why am I getting so jealous?

His eyes strayed back to Mary Jane.

I've known her since Halloween. We said we'd just roll with it, make a friendship if we want a label. So, then, why—?

His eyes closed and he dropped his hand completely as an excruciating migraine pounded against his head. His hands dug into his temple to quell the migraine, but it did not work. It just increased.

Luke called, "Point of order." To Peter, he fretted, "What's wrong? You okay?"

Peter shut his eyes at the pain. "Y-Yeah," he wheezed. "It's just a headache." He cracked open his eyes as he lowered his hands. In a haze, he saw those same symbols—a circle inside square inside a triangle inside a circle—etched into his palms bleedingly. His eyes widened. "What the Hell?" he whispered. "What the Hell are these?"

"Peter," Nashi soothed, "you're okay."

"But… My hands…" Peter blinked, and the symbols were still there. "What's on my hands?"

Natsu and Gary exchanged looks while Luke said, "Nothing's on your hands. Your hands are clean."

The migraine pounding away at Peter faded second by second. He blinked again, and the symbols were gone from his hands. He looked at his shaking palms in mass confusion.

What the…? What was that?

"Do you need to lie down?" Nashi asked. "We can get you some calming tea—"

"No!" Peter declined quickly. "No, uh…" He put down his hands to gather his cards. "Sorry. Just a headache, but I'm fine now. Let's keep playing. I think I'm getting the hang of Grand Master."

Luke eyed Peter, unconvinced, but called, "Point of disorder. Cards up. Go clubbing."

The game continued.

Levy had moved her work into the center of the risen platform as she tried to make heads or tails of the context with Lucy helping her along the way. Levy gave a noise of frustration, ripping off her glasses.

"What am I missing?" Levy demanded to know. "What could I possibly be missing? Even with all my knowledge, it feels like the answer is just one step out of my reach."

"We'll figure it out, Levy," Lucy assured. She turned to the blank space where the sixth stone should have been placed. "Think it's because we're missing a stone?"

"I've been trying to see how to summon it," Levy admitted, "but, nothing works. There's no spells or incantations that I can think of, and nothing adds up here." She pointed at a few of her translations. "I understand enough that the sixth stone will unlock something. I thought it would be the medium—which would explain how Dimaria has it—but there's more to it. I just don't understand it."

"Then, perhaps we can be of assistance."

Everyone was caught off guard when two they did not expect crossed into the chamber.

Bluenote Stinger and Jacob Lessio.

Laxus moved to protect both Igneel and Mary Jane while Igneel shielded Mary Jane with his body with flames replacing the edges of his hair. Natsu moved to the front, anger in his eyes, while Lelantos and Actaeon protected their mistress, deadly snarls hounding their throats. Gary had taken to shielding Nashi, Peter, and Luke with his own body and Levy was on-guard, her Magic swirling around her. Dimaria dropped back from her euphoria to sneer at the two men.

Bluenote lifted an eyebrow. "I suppose we aren't as welcome as we thought we'd be, Jacob." His eyes flashed over to Mary Jane, and something glinted in those silver orbs. "You didn't kill the girl, Dimaria? I thought it would've been in your innate instinct to do so."

"She doesn't deserve death," Dimaria spat at him.

"Oh, but you did," Bluenote observed. He tilted his head at Igneel. "So, another fledgling," he mused. "Why didn't you kill her, fledgling? She was after the life of the one in your arms. She was about to kill her before you in cold blood with no regret." Interest peeked in his eyes when he saw emerald begin to shine in Igneel's eyes. "You remember, don't you? Remember how the girl's life was about to slip away from you."

Igneel's eyes darted onto Dimaria and narrowed. The call of Nature was stronger than control. He had been left unsatisfied with his prey staying alive. He did not want to be denied any longer.

"Igneel," Natsu snarled harshly, "stop it."

"Let the boy continue," Jacob insisted. "After all, Natsu, you nearly killed Dimaria yourself when Madame Lucy was thought to be dead, didn't you?" His eyes slid to Nashi. "You have no issue exchanging life for a life. Why not let the boy do the same?"

"I learned my lesson," Natsu assured, teeth gritted. Flames licked his clenched fists. "I will never let one of my kids know the pain of having blood stain their hands."

Bluenote let a chuckle slip. "I see they haven't told you yet, have they?" Silver clashed with guilt-ridden honeyed-amber. "Does the prince feel ashamed?" he asked, hinting at a sneer. "I see the guilt in your eyes, boy, so don't deny it."

Natsu glanced at Luke who looked away. His flames roared, crawling up his arms, as he threw a glare in Bluenote's direction. "Don't talk to my son," he seethed. "Don't talk to any of them. This fight is between you and me, Bluenote."

"But, mine isn't." Jacob looked over at Igneel. "Child, grow angry with Dimaria all you want, but she isn't the one you should kill." He opened his arms. "Come try to kill me," he desired. "Don't you remember how I was the one to put the whip marks on her back?"

Igneel's wild green eyes sharply went to Jacob's figure.

"I like this game," Bluenote purred. "I'll play too. Igneel, don't let Jacob take all the credit. If it wasn't for me, Jacob wouldn't have targeted her. I gave the order for him to do as he pleased with the girl." He shamelessly scanned Mary Jane's form. "Shame she's still alive. I'd like to see what you would have done if she were dead."

"That's enough!" Laxus roared. Scales grew under his eyes as his golden bolts zapped about him, preparing for battle. "Igneel, stay out of this! You need to watch over her!" He glanced down at the young Fire Mage. "I can—"

His eyes widened.

Igneel had laced himself in his own flames. His flames were not red, but they were a burning gold of justice. They seemed aware enough to not melt off the clothes on his body or anything around him, but that did not mean their heat was not intense. Laxus, even, had to back away when he felt his skin blistering, hating the sweltering warmth it was being exposed to. A vein protruded from Igneel's neck. His eyes… They were not normal. They were filled with intense emerald that threatened to even overtake his pupils.

"Igneel," Lucy choked. "Igneel, baby, please don't do this."

"Igneel, you have to calm down," Natsu commanded. His body swiveled so he faced his son completely. "Luke?"

Luke swallowed. "Right." He closed his eyes as golden Magic pulsed around his body. He held out an arm with the palm facing the ceiling. The other hand had two fingers out and circle them around the opened hand. Magic swirled within the palm and, like a thread, wove its way over to Igneel. Igneel flinched when the thread hid his chest and closed his eyes, groaning.

"Wh…?" Nashi's throat was unbearable dry. "What's going on?" she whispered. "What's wrong with Igneel?" She turned to Luke. "What are you doing to him?"

"Calming him down," Luke told her through clenched teeth. Tears sprung free from his closed eyes. "He's grieving so deeply, and his anger is strong, but I can keep him calm."

Bluenote sighed. "You just don't get it, do you?" He raised a hand in front of him. "Fall."

Cries were heard all about the chamber as everyone fell. Dimaria had crumbled to her side, gasping in pain. Nashi restrained her tears from the pressure cracking down on her spine. Luke had lost touch with his Magic as he landed badly on his back, grunting his pain. Peter had succumbed immediately, trembling and trying hard not to make a sound. Gary, Lucy, and Levy kept it together on all-fours, but they coughed and shook at the pressure. Natsu and Laxus stood tall, but it was just barely.

What was truly astonishing was that Igneel had not even flinched.

That captured Bluenote's interest. "He can fly," he commented. "At least, in this state. Impressive. Jacob, I think it's time to see how well he can fly."

Jacob could not agree more. "Of course." He looked straight at Igneel. "You want to know the real reason I put that girl into a cage?" he asked mockingly. "Disrespectful girl. How dare she reject advances from such an accomplished man."

Laxus' blood went cold. "What did you say?" he managed to whisper out.

Jacob kept his eyes on Igneel. "I found her crying and angry. She kept repeating a name I had never heard and how sorry she was," he narrated. "Like the gentleman I am to women, I offered my services to…alleviate her pain." His eyes drifted to Mary Jane. "She does have such lovely skin." Darkness shadowed in his bloodshot stare. "But, her lips were much softer."

Natsu felt sick to his stomach hearing such words and it made him all the angrier. "You sick bastard," he hissed. "I'm going to—"

"Lightning Dragon's Rooooooooooooooar!"

Everyone was shocked when the torrid of lightning disintegrated just with a snap of Bluenote's fingers. Bluenote pointed at Laxus and Natsu. "Down."

Both Natsu and Laxus fell to their knees under a more intense pressure than they had anticipated. Laxus' face was red and eyes glittering. It was a confusing mess of needing to cry, hate, and self-loathing that draped over Laxus. He fought against gravity, but gravity was a heartless bitch and chained him down. He glared at Jacob with as much anger as he could muster with his being.

"I'll kill you!" Laxus shouted. His bottom lip trembled, but he was far too angry to turn mournful. "I'll kill you for this!"

Jacob shrugged. "I don't really care about you," he dismissed. "I only want—"

It happened so fast.

Natsu wished he could have predicted it.

Igneel had Jacob Lessio captured in his flames. It did not matter than the man was older than him, taller, had more skill. Igneel cared for none of that. It was the will of Nature for the fittest to survive, to make judgment and collect reprisal. He did not think. He just acted. The sheer ferocity of his flames caused Jacob to fall to his knees at the pain. That was all Igneel needed. He had Jacob locked into a choke hold. Sharp teeth gritted as a snarl rumbled in his chest. This was his chance for reckoning. This was his chance to adhere to the will of Nature.

"Ah-ah-ah…"

Igneel froze before he could kill Jacob.

Not because of that noise.

But, because of what was in front of him.

Mary Jane's limp body floated before him at the hands of Bluenote. Bluenote kept close to her with a hand near her heart.

"Kill him and I kill her," Bluenote said simply. "It would be so easy for me to change the gravity of her heart. Perhaps make her lungs collapse. I had planned to do that all to the other fledgling, but I guess she will do."

"Get away from my daughter!" Laxus roared.

Bluenote flicked a hand in his direction. "Quiet, worthless human."

Laxus was slammed down onto his side, forced under the weight of Bluenote's Magic.

Bluenote kept his eyes on Igneel. "Now," he said quietly, deliberately, "will you let him live or should I let her die?"

Igneel did not even hesitate to drop Jacob, but his eyes never left Mary Jane's body. "Give her to me," he growled. Feral peeked in his words, distorting them just a little bit. Enough for Natsu to recognize it.

"Patience, fledgling," Bluenote chided. "You've done a great service to me. You let one of her attempted murderers go even when you desire his blood on your hands and his soul yours for the taking." He put a palm out to Dimaria. "So, let me at least kill one of them for you in my gratitude." His eyes narrowed. "Come."

Dimaria's eyes widened.

Nashi could not believe it.

Levy felt like she was going to throw up.

For in Bluenote's hands was the orb in Dimaria's chest, sleek with her blood and bits of torn muscle. He seemed unbothered by it as he held it out for Igneel. "Here. Now, you can rest easy knowing one of your female's attackers is dead," he said casually. "The medium is a gift to you. Call it a 'truce'." He walked over to Igneel and deposited Mary Jane's body at his feet. He set down the orb as Igneel quickly dropped to his knees to wrap himself around Mary Jane.

Igneel tilted his head up at Bluenote to catch the sliver of a smirk on the Warlock's face.

"I'll keep in touch," Bluenote assured. "You intrigue me." His eyes went to Luke and Nashi. "As do you too. Now, if only the forth was here." His eyes gleamed. "She put up quite a challenge for me in the past. I wonder how she'll ever get home."

"Where's my daughter?" Lucy growled, choking out the words. "What did you do to my baby?"

Bluenote shrugged while Jacob got up, dusting himself off. "Nothing," Bluenote said. "Your children are far more valuable alive than dead, Misses Dragneel, and so are you." He walked away like he had not ripped the medium out of Dimaria's chest, like he had not threatened Mary Jane's life. "Jacob, I believe it's time for us to take our leave."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "Don't try and follow us," he warned, following Bluenote. "We'd like to enjoy the rest of our time in peace and quiet."

And the two disappeared out of the chamber and into darkness.

It took a few seconds for the pressure to be lifted, and everyone to get back to their feet. Gary ignored his own pain to help Nashi up. Lelantos and Actaeon nudged and whimpered as they helped Lucy with Natsu stumbling over her. Laxus grunted to his feet. Luke helped Peter who coughed and spluttered while Levy picked herself up. Igneel ignored everyone, even the bleeding medium, when his focus was only on Mary Jane.

And Dimaria had blood trickling out of her mouth as her chest heaved it.

"Miss Yesta," Nashi panted. She staggered over to Dimaria before dropping to her knees. "Oh, my God, there's so much blood…" She took off her own jacket to put pressure on the wound. "Mama…" Her vision blurred as red stained her jacket. "Mama! Mama, we have to help her!" She turned back to her mother to see Lucy covering her mouth in soft grief, leaning on her husband. Nashi's bottom lip trembled. "Mama…" she whispered beseechingly. "Mama, please…"

"Angel." It was Gary's whisper and a cold hand on her shoulder. "Angel… You have to let her go."

Nashi felt her eyes burn. "No!" she refused. "No, she can be saved!" Her eyes shut tight. "Transform! Divine Soul!" In a flash of pink, Nashi was thrown back into her Divine Soul Armor. She conjured her Healing Teapot. "I-I-I can heal her," she insisted. "Just let me heal her and I—!"

"Not even your Magic can heal her, Nashi," Lucy said softly as she tried not to sob. "She has little time left."

Nashi shook her head. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, but she refused to acknowledge them. "N-No, she… She can't die, she…" Her eyes caught her father's gaze. Knowing onyx connected with frantic hickory. "Papa, we have to help," she croaked. "We have to help her."

"Angel."

Nashi turned her head for gleaming hickory to meet gentle cerulean.

"Gary, you can freeze the wound," Nashi suddenly planned. "You can help her! C'mon! She doesn't have time for—!"

Gary placed a cold hand on her cheek to wipe her tears. "Angel"—his voice cracked—"you have to stop this."

Nashi's bottom lip trembled. "No…" She refused to accept this. "No, she can't…" Her eyes wildly looked around. "Aunt Levy?"

Levy had her hands cupping her mouth, tears fleeing from her eyes as she held back sniffles.

"Uncle Laxus?"

Even if Laxus detested Dimaria for her crimes against his daughter, he could not bear to look the dying woman in the eye.

"Luke?"

Luke kept a hand on Peter's shoulder and his eyes on the ground.

Nashi slowly shook her head. "No, please," she pleaded. "Oh God, please don't let this woman die." Her words slurred, high-pitched, as unprecedented sadness stained into her soul. Her hands trembled too much to support the teapot. The entire thing dropped, shattering back into pink particles, as her hands went up to her mouth and nose. "No, no, no, please no!" she begged. "She can't die!"

Luke quietly relinquished his hold on Peter to step forward. "I can make her journey peaceful," he offered. "It's the least I can do." He glanced at his father for approval.

Natsu, however, looked at Igneel. "Igneel?"

Igneel's emerald eyes flickered to Dimaria. He watched closely as her eyes teared water and blood and were losing life. Nature caught up to her. Control seeped through and displayed unwanted sadness at her death. "She doesn't deserve a slow death," he acknowledged.

That was all Luke needed to move forward. He knelt beside Nashi, trying to nudge her away. "Nashi, you need to move," he coaxed.

"No!" Nashi shouted. "She's not going to die, dammit!"

"I've got her," Gary promised. He held Nashi and tugged her away. "Come, Angel. Let Luke help Dimaria go in peace."

Nashi thrashed against Gary. "No! No, please, just let me heal her! Please, I can save her! I can save her!"

Peter watched as Nashi tried in vain to get Gary to release her. He watched her beg and shout to her god that this woman did not deserve death for her wrongdoings. No one did. He watched as Luke summoned his Magic. Ancient tongue fell off his lips, the Enlightened Code. His legs went crisscrosssd as he floated just half a foot off the ground. His arms and hands swayed like a shaman as he sung his spell to bring peace to the one who would journey to the Otherworld.

Peter glanced around. He saw Levy breaking down onto her knees in her sobs. He saw Lucy showing strength for her children, but Natsu was no fool and hid her face into his shirt. Actaeon and Lelantos sat down to add their spiritual howls to Luke's song, glowing in their Magic. He saw Laxus bow his head, accepting death, and whispering a soft prayer the Church had taught him.

Peter felt his eyes sting a bit and he looked away, feeling remorse for something he had no part in.

I feel so guilty I'm so helpless. But, what can I do? I don't have any Magic.

It was weird when something weaseled into your mind. It was weird when it kept coming back to remind you that it was there.

We can help her.

The thought, the words, were not Peter's own. They sounded rougher than his voice, deeper, and with a bit of an accent he never heard, yet it sounded so familiar, just barely out of reach.

How? Peter wondered mournfully. She's dying. There's nothing I can do.

There is always something you can do, came firm assurance. Your hands… They were meant to help.

Peter looked down at his blank palms. My hands?

Yes, came quiet confirmation. Your hands can save her life, if you want them to.

Peter looked up. He saw Dimaria giving up on her life. He could see her Magic was sucking away at her life until she was nothing more than Ethernano itself.

His eyes hardened.

I want to save her. I want her to live.

Something burned into his palms.

Luke found his ritual stopped altogether when a hand touched his back. The hums of his Magic was sapped back into his chest and he was back to being on solid ground. He looked up to see Peter hovering over him and Dimaria.

"I'll take it from here."

Luke blinked in his shock as he looked at Peter's face. The gleam in his eyes was not one of sadness but of something else. The way he carried himself, the way he spoke—it was nothing like the boy from before.

And there was something else…

His spirit, Luke thought to himself as he watched Peter, it's… Something about it has changed… Something's emerging…

Peter knelt before Dimaria and observed her body. It had gone deathly pale. Her white hair had thinned drastically. Wrinkles marred her skin. Her body was aging rapidly and preparing for death.

"I don't have a lot of time, so let's make this short," Peter said. He lifted his hands.

Luke saw the symbols on the palms.

Peter clapped his hands. "Transmute!"

CRACK. CRACK.

Light struck down and around Peter, illuminating his features. The lightning was nothing like magical lightning. Magical lightning was drawn from a Mage. These scarlet lightning bolts acted like thread, drawing its source from the ground. Beneath Peter blossomed he same symbol embedded into his palms—a circle inside square inside a triangle inside a circle. Though, there was a difference. A two-headed Dragon lay at the core.

Levy could not believe her eyes as she withstood the sheer power radiating off Peter.

This isn't just Magic. It's drawing power through the symbol, but it's not just from the Ethernano in the air… What is he?

Peter broke apart his hands and let out a yell as he shot them down towards Dimaria's chest. Lightning coursed around him, increasing in number and strength. The circle below Peter grew brighter and brighter and brighter until…

Everything disappeared into light.

Laxus blinked the glare away, groaning. "What happened?"

Everyone else rubbed their eyes—Actaeon and Lelantos whined, pawing at their muzzles—as Lucy called, "Everyone okay?"

Mutters of affirmation filled the room, but they were stopped at the tremors in Luke's voice. "Peter… What did you do?"

Nashi untangled herself from Gary, rubbing away tears. "What do you—?"

She saw it.

She gulped.

"The hole in her chest," Nashi whispered, "it's gone…"

It was true. Dimaria still looked like death could come in the form of a hard breeze, but the bleeding of her chest was completely gone. There was no scaring or scabbing or anything. It was like the medium had never been implanted in Dimaria. Dimaria herself had fainted from lack of blood and energy, but her lethal wound was no more.

The power threading to Peter vanquished itself. He panted as his hands hit the ground to steady himself.

Luke looked at Peter in wonder.

What type of Magic was that? No, that couldn't be just Magic. It didn't feel like just Magic.

Peter, on the other hand, felt like his entire body was draining him of whatever energy he had left.

What…was that? he wheezed within his mind.

You wanted to help her, came reminder, and so, we did.

But… But, I didn't think I had Magic, Peter argued, swaying. He tried to straight up, but all that did was make him fall to his side with shallow breaths. I couldn't even make anything when they drew a simple Magic Circle for me, so then why…?

Peter vaguely heard worried tones talking over him with no doubt questions, but he only cared from the voice in his head.

Because you were never meant to be just a Mage, came soft tell.

Peter's eyes felt heavy. He did not fight it when his eyelid fell shut, and the world was coming to a close.

What am I? he wanted to know before sleep overtook him. I'm more than a Mage?

The answer to his question never came when sleep joined with him and left his vulnerable body at the hands of Fairy Tail.

---

Jäger and Kiki were gasping from laughter while Eliza wiped away her own tears. "And, your friend Dash did what?"

Gale snickered. "He dyed his hair pink because he thought it would make him higher." He shook his head. "Oh, my God, you should've seen him! He's just lying on my basement couch with pink hair and his high-ass self. He's lucky he stayed the night and my mom didn't find him. She's really against drugs, but she was out with my aunt Luce and aunt C at the time."

"Your friends and present sound positively riveting," Kiki commented. "You have such lively adventures."

Gale snorted. "I don't know if you'd call them 'adventures', but they're something," he had to admit. "When we really want to go on an adventure, we hike it up to Karma Creek."

"What place is that?" Jäger asked.

Gale had that sort of I'm-basking-in-the-good-ole-days smile about him. "Old Man Karma owns a huge camping ground, but he saved us a special part of it by a really nice creek," he explained. "Long story short: he's kind of a family friend of the old master and wanted a place for us second gens to have to relax. At least once a month, a group of us go up and help him clear out trails, tag wildlife, test the water, etcetera. In return, we meet up with him at his cabin for the keys to one of the Rangers to drive up to the site. It's like our private getaway when life gets out of hand. We pitch tents, max and chill out, hunt and gather—sounds fun, doesn't it?"

"Aye," Eliza softly agreed. "That it does." She readjusted herself. "You sound very close to these people. More like brothers and sisters than mere friends."

Gale bobbed his head along in agreement. "Yeah, we're family. We get into bitch-fights and make a lot of stupid mistakes, but, in the end, we've got each other's backs." His lips twitched. "Actually, Cane, Dash, and I are saving up for our own place when we turn seventeen. Nothing fancy, but we don't want to live at home for much longer."

Kiki rolled her eyes. "Spare me," she bemoaned. "Daddy says I must live at home until I find a suitable fiancé."

Gale turned his head to cock his eyebrow at her. "I thought your old man was against all that traditionalist shit?"

"He is," Kiki assured quickly. "But, that does not mean society is. I have slowly been working to earn Marks on my own, but I have nothing near buying my own land nor is my salary high enough to afford rent and groceries." She grinned slyly at Gale. "Besides, I would not mind having such a fit gentleman gaining my hand," she purred, making Gale's cheeks pinken and his eyes sharply look back at the sky.

"Don't scare the poor bloke with your forwardness," Jäger hissed at his sister. "He's a taken man."

"No ring, no guilt," Kiki chirped back, making Gale's cheeks darken. She giggled when she saw how red he was becoming. "And, he's blushing! How adorable," she cooed.

I'm blushing like this because my ancestor is hitting on me, and I don't know what the Hell to do, Gale thought to himself. He looked down when he felt Syra shift. The ikenga had sprawled across his lap, looking like the picture perfect happy bunny.

I did tell Blondie we'd have some kickass fun, but I didn't think going into the past was gonna be one of them. Still, though… I can—

His whole body went rigid.

Eliza noticed this and frowned. "Are you all right?" she asked, worried.

Gale locked his jaw. "Peachy."

Shit. I feel strong Magic Power coming up, but I can't tell if it's aggressive or not.

Gale angled himself down and the broomstick followed him willingly. "I'm taking us down low," he called. "I sensed a lot of Magic coming—"

BOOM.

The McGardens had their eyes wide while Gale narrowed them when he saw a cannonball shoot into the forest, unsuccessful in its hunt.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

"Hold on!" Gale shouted.

Jäger threw himself over both women to protect them while Lag braced himself and Syra climbed into Gale's jacket pocket.

BOOM.

Gale veered to the right when cannon fire came from the front. He dipped them down lower to the trees when he was under more cannon fire. He tried to dive deeper, but it was not meant to be when something exploded right before him. His jaw locked when he abruptly pulled the broomstick up, jolting everyone. He kept veered left, then right, but he kept going higher.

Gale looked back to notice the canon fire had stopped. "All right, guys, here we go!" he shouted. "Lag? Make sure they stay on!"

The golem surprised the family when it extended its arms to wrap around them and bolted itself into the seating using diamonds.

Gale raised a hand and let a finger draw out a star. "Aéras Presidium," he chanted.

There. Enforcing the charm should make this a helluva lot easier.

Gale leveled the broomstick in mid-air before raking a nosedive and allowing the whole thing to drop. He ignored Kiki's screams to pay attention to any fire he was under. He avoided the cannons for as much as he could, but he did his very best to keep the broomstick from shaking and breaking under severe pressure.

C'mon, c'mon, just a little more and…

A shrieking cry.

Gale's heart jumped up to his throat.

Shadows flew out of the forest.

Then, he saw them.

Oh, shit…

Wyverns had taken up the sky. It was not an entire nest of them, but it was their fighters. Their eyes angrily locked onto the broomstick that dared fly in their territory. The bulky leader let out a roar as he soared faster to get to the broomstick and its human riders.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« These are Wyverns, ferocious and resourceful reptiles related to Dragons. For each biome comes a different type of Wyvern. These are Green Wyverns who live temperate forests. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale felt Syra tremble within his pocket. "We aren't going to die here," he promised. "We have too much to do to die now." He kept the broomstick steady.

I know you feel it too, Mobula. Work with me. Just a little faster.

In response, the Mobula-17 increased its speed.

But the Wyverns were gaining sky faster than a broomstick ever could.

Gale clenched his teeth as he saw land rapidly approaching.

Please, I can't die here. Not here. Fate, Karma—whatever—don't let me die here.

The largest Wyvern was only one more wing flap away—

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR.

Gale nearly lost balance on the broom when he heard that heart-shaking noise. Every instinct made him want to lower his head and freeze.

The largest Wyvern held back from snapping its teeth, alarmed and whining.

What the—?

What came next was a whirlwind of emerald and jades. Energy trapped leaves into a powerful tornado that blasted at the flock of Wyverns daring to prey upon humans. The Wyverns were efficiently beaten at that, some knocked back down to earth and others cut up and bleeding. Gale watched the leader cry to its brethren, flying back to them.

Woah, Gale thought, watching the Wyverns. All of that… It sounded like a...

"Gale! Look out!" Kiki cried.

Gale looked back and his eyes widened. He was about to hit the forest to fast. He growled ad he tried to pull the broomstick up, ignoring its resistance to such a move. It was too late when they hit the canopy, crashing downwards, but Gale righted the broomstick enough before they touched ground to jet forward. He slowed the broomstick down gradually until he stopped it. He turned his head back with a frazzled green, leaves in his hair and his clothes effectively cut up.

"Thank you for joining us on the top thrill broomstick," Gale joked weakly. "You can let them go, Lag."

Lag did so. Jäger fell out of the golem's hold immediately and scrambled off the broomstick. When he was away enough, he doubled over to vomit. Eliza was slower in getting off, swaying this way and that. Kiki clung to Lag, far too terrified to let go.

Gale lowered the broomstick to the ground before getting off his seat. He stretched out to crack his back before rubbing his sore butt. "Sorry for that," he apologized. He looked piteously at Jäger. "You okay, man?"

Jäger coughed and hacked. "I'm fi-fin—" He gagged again.

Eliza shook her head clear of the dizziness. "My word," she panted. "How did you learn to fly like that?"

Gale rolled his shoulders. "In my time, getting a broomstick permit is, like, at…twelve. You have to have been flying for six months, going to training classes, then you can get your license." He plucked leaves from his hair. "I was shit at Magic Carpet flying, so I'm not getting one of those. But, I have a license for broomsticks, flying beasts, and a Sky Boat permit that I really need to take the test for."

Jäger cleared his throat, looking considerably paler. "That was extraordinary flying, given the circumstances," he admitted in a rasp. "Who taught you how to fly?"

"My mom," Gale told. "She doesn't fly a lot since my old man gets motion sickness, but she taught me." He added on, "That and, I mean, it sort of helps when you might get into broom-racing. All legal, of course," he tacked on nervously when Eliza shot him a reproachful look.

Legal as in 'illegal'… She makes me so nervous like my own mom does.

Lag was off the broomstick and plucked Kiki off him. She smoothed her skirt and fanned herself. "Well, flying there is not an option," she decided. She turned to Jäger. "Do you happen to know where we are?"

Jäger coughed and pointed shakily at the broomstick. "Check the broom," he told Gale. "Tap the broom and ask us for our location."

Gale's eyebrows rose, but he obeyed. He walked over to the broom and put a hand on its next. "Location, please," he commanded.

The broomstick glowed as it produced a handwritten map for Gale. Gale's eyes widened as he looked over it. "Shit… So, this is like the early-day GPS," he figured. He saw that the estate had been dotted red and a golden trail followed their fly path. He tapped the red dot they were at and read the title of the forest. "We're in…" He squinted his eyes. "It says 'Black Kiniver Forest'." He did not notice the horrified looks on the McGarden faces as he nodded to himself. "Looks like we keep heading north-northwest in this direction and we should hit Fiore." He got up and as the broom took back its map, Gale noticed their looks and grew wary. "What's with the faces?"

"Gale," Kiki whispered, "this forest is rumored to be the home of a Dragon's nest."

Gale said nothing, so Eliza supplied him with context. "We should be okay," she assured. "A nest is not nearly as bad as a thunder of Dragons. A nest only means a Dragon, his queen, and their young are amongst us along with their hoard. If we had a whole thunder of Dragons, we would not even be alive."

Gale, however, listened absently as he thought back to the roar and the whirlwind of emerald he saw.

So, then… That really was a Dragon's roar. It makes sense why the Wyverns were scared and stopped. This is Dragon territory. That first roar must've been to tell them to knock it off, and that second was a punishment for ignorance.

Aloud, Gale said, "If a nest is here, flying is out of the option. Honestly, I forgot about the Dragons, but I don't want to fly over anybody's territory if it means we get shot down and eaten." He looked into the forest.

I can't sense anything that powerful close by, but the old man told me Dragons can hide their presence in whatever element they were born with. They could be watching us right now. As long as we lay low and don't spill any blood here, we should be fine.

"Gale?"

Gale got out of his thoughts to tell them his plan. "We need to keep heading northwest," he explained, walking back to the broomstick. "We can fly this close to the ground. It beats walking." He turned to Lag. "Lag, you'll run at least fifteen yards in front of me."

Lag nodded and began to pace himself.

Gale spat in the earth. He ignored the gawking as the earth bubbled and grew to form a golem similar to Lag. "Changer, you will always fifteen yard behind me. Watch my back."

The golem—Changer—was fully created and nodded at Gale. He moved to his position.

"Everyone else, get on," Gale instructed. He opened his jacket to see Syra tucked in his pocket. "You want to stay in there or look around?"

"Brrrr!" Syra bolted out of the pocket and floated onto Gale's head. She made her nest there before curling up.

Jäger walked back to the broomstick, looking considerably less pale. He helped Kiki onto the broomstick. "What of the Dragon's nest? We have no protection from a Dragon."

"We don't," Gale agreed. "But, I can make it so we don't go down easy." He waited for Eliza and Jäger to settle in. He slipped his Compact out of his pocket and woke it up.

And Luna's smiling face beamed up at him.

Gale's hands grazed his screen, almost like he was trying to reach her.

I'm not giving up on you, Blondie. So, don't you give up on me. You've got some nerve to try and say, 'good bye'. Then again…

He faintly smiled.

…you have to have some nerve to want to the partner of a huge jerk with issues.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder and made him tense.

"Gale?" It was Eliza. She looked at him in a mixture of uncertainty and familial worry. "Will you be all right?"

Gale nodded and roughly pocketed his Compact. Clearing his throat through a cough, he said, "Yeah. Yeah, just… Just getting my head in the zone." He flashed her a forced grin. "Don't you worry. I'll make sure we get to Fiore in one piece."

It was not that Eliza did not believe they would not get to Fiore. But, the look in Gale's eyes and the edge his grin presented made her unconvinced at his personal condition. Still, she retreated and nodded her head, jolting a bit when the broomstick started and zoomed forward.

Lag and Changer kept their fifteen-yard perimeter with ease, ensuring their master was safe. Jäger tucked Kiki under his arm, murmuring assurances to her. Eliza let the wind flow through her hair, but her eyes kept drifting back to Gale and his squared shoulders. She opened her mouth to say something, but she thought the better of it. She kept her mouth shut.

So, they kept moving forward.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And, some time later…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The ride was a silent one. Like a puppy seeing a backyard for the first time, Kiki was staring wide-eyed at everything around her, intrigued at the prospect of a nature that was not groomed. Jäger looked at the greenery with a deep expression of contemplation. Eliza enjoyed the ride for the most part, but continuously glanced at Gale for a sign of him wanting to talk, even if it would never come. Syra dozed off on top of Gale's head. She was unconcerned in any matters surrounding her. Gale kept firm hands on the handlebars and never looked back.

Kiki blushed when her stomach rumbled. She covered her stomach while Jäger snorted his laughter. "Well, I suppose someone is hungry," he teased.

Kiki glared at him. "How is it my fault for my hunger?" She huffed and looked away pointedly. "Besides, we have been going through this forest for what feels like an eternity. Can we not stop to eat?" She batted her eyes in Gale's direction. "What do you think, Lord Gale? Don't you think some afternoon tea would do us all good?"

"Can't stop," came Gale's short reply. "We don't know how close the Dragons or the Wyverns are, and we have to get to Fiore as fast as possible."

Kiki pouted and looked away. "But, I'm hungry," she whined. "And, I desire to stretch my legs."

"I could stretch my legs too," Jäger agreed.

Eliza looked over at Gale, though hesitant. "Perhaps a nice break would do us some good," she proposed. "We have been flying for a while. A break for food and water would not be the worst thing in the world."

Gale's hands tightened around the handlebars. "Fine," he groused out, pulling the broom to a stop. He turned back to the group. "Five minutes," he warned. "No more, no less, okay?"

Kiki was eagerly got off the broom with one of the packs. "Yes, sir!" she saluted. She was already taking out a picnic blanket. "Perhaps we should take out a few biscuits, Jäger." She wrinkled her nose. "Oh, they'll be so cold…"

Jäger was off the broom and walking in an opposite direction. "Get out the food. I need to take a piss," he said crudely.

Once Eliza was off, she turned back to Gale, watching him dismount. "Gale," she called, "there is something that I—"

"I'm going for a walk," Gale muttered. He plucked the ikenga off his head to cradle her in his arms. "Changer, Lag, watch the perimeter," he ordered before trudging into the forest without so much as a good-bye.

Eliza watched him walk away with a sad look. "Gale…"

Syra woke up in Gale's arms, ears alert. She peeked up at the agitated Earth Mage. "Brrr… Brr-brr-brrr…"

"I know, I know, I should've been nicer," Gale grunted. "But, I'm annoyed, okay? I have a right to be."

Syra cocked her head. "Brrr?"

Gale growled. "I'm just pissed I was so close to helping Blondie, and now look where we end up," he muttered. "In Minstrel."

Syra lowered her ears in her shame. "Brrr… Brr-brrrr…"

Gale's eyes flashed down to Syra and softened. He found an arched root to plop himself on. "Aww, fur-ball, I'm not mad at you," he promised. "Sorry I was pissy. You did your best, and you brought me into the past, the same one she's in." He gingerly petted her muzzle. "Thanks for that, fur-ball," he murmured lowly, smiling. "You did good."

Syra closed her eyes, arching into his touch with a wild purr.

Gale chuckled. His hand dug into his pocket to take out his Compact. He unlocked it to see the image of Luna's goofy smile and his jacket embracing her figure. His smile was tinged with sadness.

No time to get all angry at the world.

He heaved a sigh, his thumb caressing over his protector screen. "Just hold on a little longer, Blondie," he murmured. "We'll be going home soon enough."

And just when the peace started—

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR.

A piercing scream.

Gale's eyes widened.

Syra let out a noise of fright and cowered in Gale's arms.

—it shattered.

Gale was quick on his feet and bolted towards the screams as fast as he could. His eyes hardened when he heard angry snarls and felt the pressure of immeasurable Magic. He opened his jacket pocket and slid Syra and his Compact inside. "Hold on, Syra," he murmured to the ikenga. His arms hit each other into an X-formation, his Magic Circle appearing before his knuckles. As he pulled his arms back, his Magic Circles came over his hands and arms. Earth engulfed his limps in the form of gauntlets. "This won't take long."

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR.

Gale burst through the tree line and back to the temporary camp. He immediately saw Changer and Lag protecting the three humans with their bodies. Jäger was trying to hide Kiki into a tree while Eliza pressed herself against the trunk in her wide-eyed terror. But, what really drew Gale in was the predator trying to kill them.

It was a Dragon.

This Dragon was no small fry and incomparable to the Wyvern race. Its scales did not resemble scales. It had the wildest of emeralds clinging to its body, though its underbelly was that type of sundried gold. Vines acted as its whiskers, wiggling this way and that to feel out the environment. Coming off the back of its head were blossoming petals that forged a tidy mane. The spikes lining down its back looked like leaves from a distance. Even its wings looked like leaves with webbing in-between. Two horns were on its snout, both made out of impenetrable bark. The violet eyes of this Dragon could petrify a human with a single glance and it worked effectively against Eliza.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Dragon, part of a highly powerful and intelligent race of magical creatures. Some say Dragons are similar to Gods in such they offer such divine power, can kill without raising a claw, and have the religion Dracon worshipping their existence. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The Dragon bore its teeth—the bases were a bit off-colored, but the teeth were sharpened and very white—as Magic throttled in the back of its throat. Magic of jades and emerald was begging to be released and hurtled at the trespassers.

Gale's eyes narrowed.

Oh, Hell no.

Gale wasted no time jumping with his Magic Circle blossoming before him. "Diver!" And, he dove into the ground. He rocketed through the earth like it was nothing before yanking himself back up.

Surprised violet smacked against angry ruby.

Gale slammed his hands into the ground.

This one's for you, Aunt Virgo.

"Spica Lock!" Gale chanted.

The Dragon had enough sense to whip away the rocks trying to crush it, but a few rocks hit its scales. It shook off the attack, but it reared onto its hind legs in its fury. It stamped back onto the ground. Its claws turned into vines that dug into the earth.

When screams tore through, Gale glanced back to see the vines had popped up and grabbed hold of Jäger and Eliza. His eyes widened before turning back to the Dragon, locking his jaw. "Oh. So, that's how you want to play?" he snarled. He crossed his arm in front of himself, both palms facing the side. "Terrain Effect: Lava Zone!" he chanted.

The earth gurgled and rumbled underneath the Dragon. Its eyes widened when the earth cracked and its feet were dipped into scalding hot lava. It snarled at the pain, wincing as one foot got out of the lava.

Gale's eyes narrowed at the action.

Bingo bongo.

He curled his knuckles together before ripping them apart, chanting, "Terra Tomb!"

The Dragon gave a noise of surprise as the entire pool of lava gave out beneath it into a bottomless tomb. With such suddenness of attack, it fell into the pit with its vines coming along with it.

Gale whipped around and chanted, "Garnet Twin Daggers!" Just as the daggers appeared, Jäger and Eliza were flailing towards him, screaming at their misfortune. Gale twisted the daggers in his hands, fully ready to cut through the vines when—

WHOOSH.

Gale's eyes widened when the two he was about to free were yanked up. His head tipped up to see the Dragon had regained its bearings for its wings to expand and to carry it into the air.

"Eliza!" Kiki shrieked. "Jäger!"

Gale gritted his teeth, letting his daggers dissipated. "Let's play a game of chase," he decided. He held out his hand for the broomstick. "Co—!"

His words were cut off into a strangle.

Kiki looked at Gale in horror. "Gale!" she gasped. "Gale!"

The earth attached to Gale's limps collapsed into a fit of black and gold. His hands grabbed at the vines that wound around his body like a snake coiling around weak prey. They had ensnared his torso to wrap around his neck. They tightened as he struggled, clawing at his way for freedom. He shakily gasped when the air was being taken from him. He had no say, no choice in this matter. This was what was going to happen.

WHOOSH.

The Dragon landed before Gale, chin inclined and tail swinging. It gazed down at the little mortal who dared tried to best it at combat like an amused teacher staring down at a student who tried to back talk them.

Gale tried to glare at the Dragon. "St-Stupid…snake—Ah!" His eyes shut at the pain, the burning of the vines on his neck. His arms shook from the effort it took to try and pull the vines away from him.

Sadistic fucker…

He remembered warm chocolate eyes.

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

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

Jäger's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he passed out. Whether it was from stress, from the pressure of the vines, or from being in the presence of a powerful being—there was no answer. Eliza had tears in her eyes as she thought of impending death—of Gale's impending's death. Kiki screamed for her brother. She screamed for her cousin. She screamed for Gale.

Everything was muted for Gale.

Everything felt so much better when you stopped struggling, stopped caring, stopped fighting.

Memories overlapped Gale. He was back to being immersed in water. He was trying to swim to get out, but no matter what he did, the water would always be there. He looked down to see those same damn ice cuffs refused to let him go. He was back to feeling so liberated. He was back to feeling like he was flying to the moon.

Gale's hands fell limp to his side.

He tried to keep his eyes open. He could vaguely see the Dragon lash out another vine to capture Kiki. He could vaguely hear Eliza trying to shout assurances to her screaming cousin who desperately wanted her brother to open her eyes. A bit of drool came out of his open mouth.

"Blo…" Gale mumbled. "Blon…"

Chocolate eyes.

"Ma… Ma…"

Hazel eyes. A loving smile. Wild blue hair.

Tear welled up in Gale's eyes. What he would not give to turn back time to before any of this happened. What he would not give to apologize to his mother. He felt his eyes close on their own, but he got out those last words. "I'm…sorry…"

He could feel himself slip onto the other side, that side that was pulling him to go over the moon.

Silver eyes.

"Tell me, fledgling, can you fly?"

A jaw locked.

"Why do you defy me, fledgling?"

Shaky hands raised themselves.

"Doesn't matter. It might not be willing, but you'll give in. Now."

"N-N-N-N… No…"

Hands grabbed onto the vines.

"No," Gale rasped. His fingers dug into the vines to try and yank them off his person. "I'll…n-n-never…give in…" His eyes squeezed shut tight. "I…"

The grating sound was back between his ears, that rumbling and grumbling he had heard so many times before. It grew louder in-between his ears. Black pulsed around him, but something metallic outlined it this time.

The Dragon stopped what it was doing (about to kill Jäger) to look at the puny human.

Gale felt power surge through him as the grating carried on from a growl to a roar. Something seared against Gale's chest. It felt cool and familiar as it burned. It was a Magic Circle woven of black. The symbol of it was the same as his father had, of a Dragon.

The Dragon's eyes widened when it saw the symbol.

"I…" Gale's eyes opened, pupils dilated into slits as ruby laced itself in Magic. "I'm the son of Gajeel!" he roared. "I'm the grandson of the Iron Dragon!"

Emerald pierced the draconic head of the Dragon as it roared.

Diamond claws burst from Gale's knuckles and slashed at the vines with ease. He was dropped in a matter of seconds, but he was not finished yet. He drew in his claws to conjure his Rose Quartz Shield and his Crystal Lance. He glared dead-straight into the Dragon's eyes without a lick of fear in such bloody eyes. "I don't have enough patience to deal with this bullshit," he hissed at the Dragon with as much venom as he could muster. "I've been abandoned; I've been nearly killed; my partner is in another country, probably in trouble; I'm stuck four-hundred years in the past; and I'm pretty sure I fucked up with my mom." He lashed his lance. "Fortunately, I'm a Fairy Tail Mage. Even if you try and kill me now, I'm too pissed off and too loyal to break easily. Got that, snake?"

The Dragon curled its lips into a snarl. It dropped the humans in its possession unceremoniously—Kiki fell with a cry onto her side; Jäger bounced, still unconscious; Eliza fell on all-fours, trembling—to turn its full attention onto Gale. Its nose tipped down to glower at the tiny mortal who dared defy it and yammer at it.

Gale, however, did not care. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead and down his temple and cheek.

If this Dragon decides to eat me, I'm done for. But, the least I can do is make sure I don't go down easy. And, I get a way cooler death than Cane.

The Dragon made a rumbling noise in the back of its throat.

Gale tensed, the symbol on his person gone.

The Dragon's muzzle came forward. Warm puffs of air scented like a meadow draped of Gale as whiffs of his own scent was taken in. The Dragon recoiled in utter astonishment once it got a good sniff of Gale's scent.

"You smell of earth," the Dragon said. The voice was undoubtedly female. A bit rough around the edges, but it still had the soothing quality. "You smell strongly of nature, of earth and metal." She peered closer at Gale. "Who are you, human?"

Gale straightened, holding his head up high. "I am Gale Redfox, the son of Gajeel and Levy Redfox."

"You claim lineage to an Iron Dragon," the Dragoness mentioned. "Of which thunder do you hail? Or, do you belong only to a nest?"

Gale schooled his features into emotionless. "I don't come from any thunder or nest," he assured. "But, to the Iron Dragon I belong to…" He raised his chin in a defiant motion. "His name is Metalicana."

The Dragoness' eyes widened. "Your blood lies with the Landrus Thunder?" she breathed. She looked at him up and down, then let her tongue tasted the air. She snorted as she nodded. "The aura that came from you was one only a fool would not recognize. You carry earth in your veins." She nodded towards his weapons. "You forge gems. You must be of the Landrus Thunder."

"Is it safe for me to assume you won't eat me then?" Gale broached.

The Dragoness snorted her amusement. "I will pass that judgment depending on your reason for trespassing on my territory," she decided. "Explain your reasonings. Should they be honorable, I shall let you and your little humans live." She grinned toothily. "You would make great nest-mates for my horde."

Gale swallowed roughly. "We didn't mean to upset you," he promised. "We're just passing through. See, I got kinda caught up with time and was sent back here from the future—"

The Dragoness' gaze sharpened. "You are from the future?"

Gale slowly nodded.

"And, there is another of you, yes?" the Dragoness quickly questioned with no patience about her. "Another—a human girl—has fallen into this time, but she lies just beyond your reach."

Gale's eyes narrowed. "Okay, yeah, that's a little freaky, but you're pretty much right," he gave to her. "Do Dragons have Future Visions too?"

The Dragoness shook her head. "No, little rock"—her voice was fonder now, softer now—"at least, no Dragon who presides on this realm has such a thing. Dragons who drift from other realms may have such Sight, but I do not." She dipped her head to Gale. "My name is Sycaña, little rock. I reside in this forest alongside my mate and our drakes and one hatchling." She raised her head to meet Gale's suspicious stare gravelly. "You must journey with me to my nest. There is much to discuss."

°•°•°•°

When Jäger came too, he felt like he was thrown off his favored horse. The world was blurry, the noises made no sense, and he had an unbearable crick in his neck. He grunted and groaned as he tried to stir himself. He heard gasps of surprise and happiness and felt hands help him sit up. Something was brought to his lips and a cool liquid—water—flooded down his throat. He took a few gulps before he pushed the hand who fed him away, coughing.

"Take it ease, brother," came plea. "You have only just woken up."

Jäger blinked open his eyes, licking at his chapped lips. "Wha…? What happened?" His eyes adjusted to the light to see Eliza and Kiki worried huddled before him.

Eliza answered. "We were caught unaware in a surprise attack," she informed. "You passed out."

"I see," Jäger rasped. Now that he could a hang back on his sight, he took a look around. He had been given leaves to lay on and was in the shade of a kind tree. He found that he was still very much in the Black Kiniver Forest. Changer and Lag had been guarding the three humans while the Mobula-17 sat near-by. Without a Mage to command it, it looked so lifeless. But, something was missing from this picture. "Where is Gale?" he wondered.

Eliza and Kiki exchanged uncertain glances.

"Well," Kiki drawled, "he told us to wait here. Since Sycaña does not trust humans, it was better for us to stay behind."

Jäger's brow furrowed. "'Stay behind'?" he echoed, confused. "And, who is…'Sycaña'?"

"You might want to lay back down," Eliza tried to offer. "We don't want you to get worked up."

Jäger found himself more alert at such a statement. "What? For what reason?" he demanded to know. "What is going on? Where is Gale?"

Kiki looked away, so Eliza was left to explain. "Gale is with Sycaña. He's safe, if you're worried about such a thing. He really will be right ba—"

"And, this 'Sycaña' is?" Jäger grew irritated when neither lady deigned him a response. "If this is the part where he actually is a spy for our enemies, then we need to run—!"

"'Sycaña' is a Dragon, brother," Kiki whispered in confession. "She was the one who attacked us. And, she's the one Gale's with now."

Jäger blinked once, twice, three times. He was slow to lay back down. "Bloody Hell," he bemoaned. "I think I preferred it when I thought he was a spy."

°•°•°•°

Gale was in pure wonder where he was. His eyes glistened as he slowly twirled around to take it all in. "This is so fricken cool!"

He had landed himself underground, but in a spacious cavern that could house five guilds if need be. Bark gripped the sides of the cavern to steady it, but there was no need for that. Magic in the form of an upside-down tree with glowing petals shed warming light everywhere it touched. The cavern was not an empty cavern, but effectively molded into the nesting section of a hoard. Large leaves and petals created a large nest fit for a Dragon and his queen with branches and vines banding together to make a sizable border. Three smaller nests were around the bigger one with patches of furs to make them more comfortable. They were not as beautiful as the larger nest, but you could tell they were getting there.

What made all this unique was the amount of gold, jewelry, and other treasures. There was not too much of it, but enough to make Gale shocked. Three piles were built effectively, all three different sizes. While the three had stolen gold and jewelry, they varied in taste. The biggest pile had a collection of silk clothing and mirrors. The second biggest had heavily invested in human tools, both magical and natural. If you looked closely, a couple of broomsticks were hidden in the pile. The last pile had no direct taste. It claimed furs and silk and magical items, but there was not rhyme or reason to its tastes.

"This is your nest?" Gale asked.

Sycaña's laugh made him smile. "In a way, yes and no, little rock," she responded. "You have stepped into the hoard of my nest. This is just the nesting area where we will stay until our drakes are ready to leave the nest and find land to build their own hoard."

Gale wandered over to the nests. He peeked at the smallest one, but he did not dare touch them. "So, you have kids," he got out. "Three of them?"

"Four," Sycaña corrected. "I have a horde of drakes and one hatchling. My hatchling did not feel ready to hatch when her siblings did, but I do not fault her for such a thing. She is well-loved." She watched Gale circle one of the nests. "Once she is big enough, I will teach her to build her own nest. As my drakes grow, they add more to their nest and their hoard."

Gale nodded. "I see." He turned back to Sycaña curiously. "There's so much I don't know about Dragons," he admitted honestly. "It's amazing to see all this."

The brightness in Sycaña's eyes dimmed. "We are not normal Dragons," she confessed.

Gale grew intrigued. "What do you mean by that?"

Sycaña settled down and gestured for Gale to sit before her. Gale did so, sitting crisscross before the great Dragon.

"If you had met any other Dragons, you would be dead." Sycaña said the words sincerely, not harshly. "There are Dragons who despise humans and Dragons who ignore or tolerate them."

"You didn't seem to like humans that much when you nearly killed my friends," Gale cut in, unafraid to use annoyance in his tone.

Sycaña seemed tickled. "In truth, I hold no ill-will towards humans. I, myself, have never tasted human flesh and neither shall my horde." Her eyes slitted as anger took over them. "Humans have been trying to invade this forest," she explained. "They see reason to conquer every inch of the nature they disrespect with their own fire and claws. My mate and I have been patrolling our territory more frequently, but we are both on edge." She dipped her head to Gale. "I apologize for trying to kill you, little rock, and your friends."

Gale shrugged with a dismissive flick of the wrist. "It's whatever, I guess."

Sycaña hummed. "Not many Dragons who refuse Law would stoop to such a level and apologize."

"What are other Dragons like?" Gale had to ask.

"Those who refuse Law are known as Rogues," Sycaña educated. "They speak in tongues of the Old Ways and have no ability to speak in the tongues of other creatures. They have no clear territory for they believe the world is theirs. They kill without question, even their own kind. They are egg-stealers and oath breakers." Her eyes narrowed to slit in her ire against them. "I despise them with every ounce of blood and Magic running through my veins."

Gale shivered. "Jesus. I'm glad we ran into you, then."

"I am too, little rock."

"So, what type of Dragon are you?" Gale wanted to know.

Sycaña straightened. "I am a Plant Dragon of the Landrus Thunder, Dragons who hail from Earth."

"How come you're not with them, then?"

Sycaña chuckled. "I have not abandoned my thunder," she assured. "Unlike humans, Dragons do not live in a constant community. We gather when our king calls us to touch noses, to meet other nests, and to honor Dragons who will retire into eternal sleep. My mate is not of a thunder, but he respects Law. He is an Outsider." Her eyes were filled with overwhelming love. "Sorrelo honored Law in challenging my sire for the right to Mark me. He swore a Blood Oath to my king to allow myself to return to the thunder when necessary."

"He sounds like a great guy," Gale complimented. "Perfect gentleman."

"He amuses me," Sycaña put in. "He has had many adventures. When I met him, he interrupted my first Hunt. I was angry at an unknown male stealing my prey. He offered me a good portion." Her tail flicked and her vine whiskers rattled. "How dare he insult me. If it was not for the white stag, I would have failed my first Hunt."

A rumbling chuckle made Gale jump. "And you remind me so every chance you get, my flower."

Gale turned around to see a different Dragon behind him. He was larger than Sycaña by a long shot with green fur rather than scales. His beard consisted of grass well-kept and his eyes were a light green, jovial and wise. He had an impressive set of bark antlers with leaves growing off them. His wings were tucked in, but you could see his underbelly of hardened jade scales. He eyed Gale in interest rather than apathy.

"I see you have brought a human," Sorrelo acknowledged. "If Sycaña can trust you, so may I." He dipped his head. "I am Sorrelo, the Grass Dragon." He lifted his head to look at his mate with a glint of mirth. "You tell this human the story of how you could not catch a Fire Boar?"

"I would have if you had not interfered," Sycaña argued.

Sorrelo shook his head as he came forth. He settled beside Gale to sniff the newest addition to the hoard. Once he identified the scent, recognition jolted him. "You smell of earth and gems," he spoke.

"He is the grand-drake of Metalicana," Sycaña explained. "He is the one she had told us about."

As Sorrelo nodded, Gale cut in, "Wait, so, how do you know me exactly?"

"Fate, little rock," Sorrelo informed. "Fate willed it so and told us of a peculiar arrival of a human with lineage to Terrakeon."

Gale raised an eyebrow. "Who now?"

Sorrelo explained, "Terrakeon is—"

"Attack!"

Gale's heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he witnessed three Dragons swarm Sorrelo. They might not have been big, but they looked little like the greater Dragons. The eldest had a pinkish red tint to her scales with bushel of rose blossoms as her growing mane and a horn on her nose. Another bigger than her had brown scales that had a swirl to them like a tree would, nearly looking like bark. Rings of leaves surrounded each ankle and he was already growing his own antlers, gold and emerald in his eyes. The third was a bit smaller than the two, but he was just as mighty. He looked the earthiest with rocky scales all over him and a soft underbelly.

A high-pitched purr caught Gale unaware and he froze when he felt a nose sniffing him. He slowly turned his head to see a very small Dragon trying to cram her horned nose into his armpit. She differed from her siblings with fur like her father and eyes of her mother. She had little vines for whiskers and carried with her cherry blossom petals for her mane.

"H-Hello," Gale murmured in a bout of nerves of awkwardness.

The hatchling clambered onto Gale to sniff his jacket. She made a noise as she tried to nose her way into it. Gale opened his jacket, and, immediately, Syra burst out of it. Rather than running off in fright, she touched noses with the hatchling and purred. The hatchling purred back, and Gale watched gobsmacked as ikenga chased hatchling in a game.

"What the Hell?" Gale whispered.

Sorrelo shook off the drakes with ease. "We have guests, my little ones." He nodded towards Gale. "He hails from your mother's thunder. Introduce yourselves."

Gale broke into a sweat when the three Dragons turned to him. They narrowed their eyes at him in assessment.

Gale swallowed.

If they kill me, Leo, you better not steal my guitar or I'm haunting your ass.

They stared.

Gale stared back.

Silence.

Gale found himself nearly knocked over by curious noses and gleaming eyes.

"Wow!" the female drake gasped. "You're a human!"

The rocky drake raised a claw to Gale's jacket to pick at it. "What type of fur is this? Are they scales?"

The other male drake took interest in Gale's chin, prodding it with his nose. "You don't have a beard, so you can't be old."

"Roserary, Cyper, Granulas," Sycaña snapped, "you are to introduce yourselves properly."

The three drakes backed up at their mother's words and sat poised in front of Gale.

The female went first. "I'm Roserary, the Rose Dragon," she said proudly, puffing her chest.

Her brother—the one of bark-like scales—rolled his eyes at her. "I'm Cyper, the Tree Dragon," he muttered.

"And, I'm Granulas, the Rock Dragon!" the rock drake said cheerfully. He took one step closer to Gale. "How come humans don't have scales? What's your roar like?"

Roserary scared Gale when she sniffed the crook of his neck curiously. "You smell strong," she purred. "Does the Magic in your belly match mine?"

Sycaña nudged Granulas and Roserary away. "Let the human speak," she chided.

Gale cleared his throat and gave a semi-awkward wave. "Uh … Hi there… I'm Gale Redfox," he greeted. He jerked a thumb at Syra who was playing a game of peek-a-boo with the hatchling. "That fur-ball is Syra." He looked at Sorrelo. "Your daughter isn't going to…you know…"

Sorrelo chuckled. "No, little rock. Floridia has no taste for meat. Forgive her enthusiasm. She is young."

"It's fine. Completely fine. One-hundred percent fine," Gale assured. He was trying to wrap his mind around everything. "I'm just… Wow, I don't know… Wow…" He put his cheeks into his hands, eyes wide and processing. "I'm sorry, I'm just… I'm just…" He let out a little laugh. "Oh, my God, I've officially become speechless—emphasis on the 'less'."

Sorrelo nudged Gale's nape, startling the poor boy. "Many humans react the same to Dragons," he admitted. "But, your shock must wear off soon." He met the eyes of his mate. "We have more important matters to attend to."

Sycaña nodded. She lowered her head to her drakes. "Little ones, we must speak to this human alone," she told them. "Entertain Floridia further in the hoard. Keep her safe and keep her close."

"But, I want to play with the human!" Roserary whined.

Granulas had a wagging tail like a dog. "It could play 'Rock or Roll' with me!"

"No way!" Cyper shouldered his brother out of the way. "I want it to tell me what it's called when humans do that weird lip touching. Why don't they touch noses like we do?" He swung his hungry-for-knowledge stare at Gale. "Where do humans come from, anyways? Do you hatch from eggs?"

"Can humans even mate properly?" Roserary wondered aloud, making Gale blush into a frenzy. She eyed his neck. "Where's your Mark? Did you find your mate already?" She whispered loudly to her brother, "He doesn't smell Marked or mated."

"Little ones," Sorrelo chided, raising an eyebrow, "do as your mother says."

The three drakes sighed and grumbled as they stalked away. They nudged their littlest sister away from the ikenga. She whined, wanting her friend, but she was tugged away. Syra purred unhappily at the loss of a playmate and sulked back over to Gale. She landed in his lap and curled into a ball.

Sycaña sighed. "Now, little rock, there is something you must know," she told. "My mate and I were approached by a human. They told us a female would arrive from a timeline distant to this own. She would need the help of her partner who would fall into the past. He would lose the ability to soar. I would have to become his wings."

"Who told you that?" Gale wanted to know. "Wings? What's going on?"

"You must be there to assist your human partner," Sorrelo insisted. "For where she is, a war between sea and sky commence. She needs your aid if she is to stop such bloodshed."

"Yeah, I get that, but…" Gale let out a breath. "Okay. So, someone told you I was coming. They told you I'd need help." He looked between the two Dragons. "Then, who was it?"

"Fate," Sorrelo rumbled.

Gale was not impressed. "Oh…kay," he drawled. "So, 'Fate' told you this. How are you going to help me?"

Sycaña replied: "Dragons are not just hunters, little rock, or sources of immense Magic. We act as portals and guides." Her vine whiskers wriggled. "I will take you to your partner as Nature and Fate will it so."

Gale's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?" he wanted to know. "My old man told me Dragons do jack shit for free. I don't care if you were told to help me. You have a price. Name it."

Sorrelo snorted. "Smart human."

"For I to will us towards you partner, you must listen and obey the words left to you," Sycaña conditioned. "Will you listen?"

Gale crossed his arms. "Fire away."

Sycaña nodded. "There will come a time when you have lost that of which you love and you have the choice to keep on the path you are on or stray unto a narrow path that will guide you in the right direction. You must practice abandon and walk the narrow path," she recited.

Gale raised an eyebrow. "That's it?" he questioned. "Seriously?"

"There is one more requirement for me," Sycaña added. "You will return to me something that was stolen long ago."

Gale blinked his shock. "What? Now?"

Sycaña shook her head. "You will know when," she said, words cryptic.

Gale let out an exasperated chuckle. "But… Okay, so, like…" He ran his hands down his face. "Oh, boy… Oh, dear Mother Mary," he groaned. He sucked in a deep breath, dragging his hands into a clap. "Okay, okay, let's say I somehow do get back to you. What am I getting and who am I stealing it from?"

Sycaña lifted her chin. "Return to me the first flower I ever blossomed."

Gale nodded slowly, still in disbelief. "Sure. Fine. You got it. Name of the stealer?"

Sycaña's eyes hardened. "He goes by many names in Old Tongue. But, the name all thunders know him as is Obscuritan the Black or the Black Dragon," she named.

Sorrelo abruptly got to his claws, lips curling back into a feral snarl at the name. He paced behind Gale, tail swinging back and forth in agitation.

Sycaña paid her mate no mind as she looked only at Gale. "You must promise to bring forth the flower I first blossomed as a drake. I created a flower called Dragon's Tongue. He has coveted this flower. You will return it to me alive."

Gale nodded, covering his mouth. "Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, okay, I hear you." He pointed at her. "And on the off-chance I don't?"

Sycaña's eyes narrowed. "I will ensure your future be filled with misery and despair. A Dragon's Curse is more potent than a human should ever know," she warned.

Gale pursed his lips, nodding. "Yup. I figured a Curse might be the punishment." He ruffled his hair. "Okay, I'm down. If this is the way things have to be, I accept the deal."

Sycaña craned her neck touch Gale's brow. "Thank you, little rock. You have done a kind service…for a human."

Gale grinned. "Like to think of myself as better than the average bear," he jested. He got up onto his feet with Syra in his hands. "But, how come you can't get your flower back from this Dragon? Is he stronger than you?"

Gale yelped when he found himself trapped underneath razor claws. He curled Syra into his stomach as terrified ruby stared up at Sorrelo's furious face.

"How dare you insult my mate with such a foul question!" Sorrelo roared. "Insolent human! My mate is plenty strong! The Magic in her belly matches mine and her claws are sharper than any I have seen!"

"I'm sorry!" Gale shouted. "I didn't mean to sound like a dick! It was a mistake!"

Sycaña rose to her claws, nudging her mate off Gale. "Come, my king, you must calm yourself," she begged. "This human knows nothing of Law or of the Old Ways. He meant no harm."

Sorrelo backed off with a growl, but he stalked further into the hoard with a puff of smoke leaving his nose.

Gale shakily got back to his feet. "Wh-What was that?!"

Sycaña sighed. "The Black Dragon is one we seldom speak of for what he has done to wrong me," she told.

Gale warily looked at the Plant Dragon. "What did he do? I mean if I can ask," he added hurriedly. "No offense. I didn't mean to intrude or anything."

Sycaña chuckled at Gale's rambling. "It is fine, little rock," she assured. "The Black Dragon destroyed my entire nest when I was just a hatchling."

Gale's eyes rounded into secondhand sadness. "Oh… I see." He scratched his nape. "Thought I'd say, 'sorry', but I don't think you'd like that."

"I still mourn for the loss of my nest-mates and my parents, but I was not alone in this word," Sycaña assured. "My King found my sister who would help raise me through drake-hood. I weaned off other queens before my sister took to raising me."

Gale noted the fondness in Sycaña's eyes and his own softened. "What is her name?" he murmured.

"Pomonana," Sycaña named. "She was an Outsider. She respected Law, but she enjoyed a life on her own, answering to no one. She trained me to Hunt, helping me integrate into the thunder. And, then…" Her eyes dimmed. "She disappeared without a trace."

Gale looked away. "I'll get back your flower. You have my word," he vowed.

Sycaña nodded. "Thank you, little rock." She stood back on her claws. "Now. Let us return to your human companions." She smirked, showing fang. "Let us see if they have the nerve to look a Dragon in the eye."

°•°•°•°

"Oh, my sweet Mary!"

"Gorblimey!"

"Ah!"

Gale sighed as he saw Jäger, Kiki, and Eliza band together, Jäger trying to shield the two women from the Dragon before them. He held his nose. "Guys, you could at least try to hide your fear," he muttered. "Jesus, it's stronger than when Leo's when he accidentally broke Livy's PAL."

Sycaña stepped forward, annoyance in her violet eyes as she surveyed the frightened mortals. "Silence, humans!" she snapped.

All three McGarden's had their mouths open, but they quit their screaming.

Sycaña snorted. "Better," she supposed. She nodded towards Gale. "Your human leader has agreed to my bargain. As such, I have agreed to take all of you to the destination you seek."

Eliza looked over at Gale in astonishment. "You bartered with a Dragon?" she gasped.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Jäger hissed, eyes flicking from Gale to Sycaña. "We must leave at once. We will find a better way to get there—"

"If you are to continue on the path you so desperately wish to follow, humans will suffer due to your error," Sycaña sneered. She had enough of such intolerance. "The offer I have so graciously given little rock does not extend to you if you continuously treat me with disrespect. I have no desire to taste human flesh. You are all ugly and far too skinny. But, I know Rogues who would happily accept humans as their meal."

Kiki's eyebrow twitched. "Did it just call us 'ugly'?" she whispered.

Gale turned to Sycaña, wide-eyed. "Woah, woah, wait a tick. I thought you were taking all four of us to Margaret Town?"

"These humans annoy me with their fear and cowardice," Sycaña growled to him. "If they were not your companions, I would have killed them and offered them to the Rogues."

"They're just a little scared of you," Gale explained. "I mean can you blame them? You're freaking huge and powerful. That would scare the shit out of anyone!"

Sycaña's tail flicked. "The flattery is unneeded, but it is appreciated, little rock," she rumbled. "Should they apologize not only for trespassing on my territory and for insulting me, I may let them come with you. But, they must barter for my Magic."

Gale sighed. "Yeah, sure. I should've known."

Sycaña looked back at the McGarden's. "Ungrateful humans," she hissed, "you have not only trespassed on my territory but you have insulted me. I have so graciously extended a claw in which you denied. Should you desire to join your companion, I demand an apology and an offer I cannot refuse." She settled beside Gale and inclined her chin, ready and waiting.

Jäger glanced at Gale.

Gale nodded.

Jäger nodded and took a tentative step forward. He knelt before the Plant Dragon, blinking as he bowed his head. "Honorable Dragoness, I apologize on the behalf of my cousin, my sister, and myself," he began. "We came into this forest full-well knowing this to be the territory of a Dragon, but we proved foolish for attempting to cross it. We ask for your forgiveness, though, we do not deserve asking for such a thing from such a wise creature that owns the forest as well as sky."

Eliza and Kiki glanced at each other before giving a low curtsy. "We humbly request your forgiveness, Dragoness," they chorused.

Gale looked over at Sycaña who contemplated such words. "Will that do?" he wondered.

Sycaña stared down the three relatives with a levelheaded gaze. "What can a mere human possibly offer a Dragon in exchange for a service?" she wondered. "You cannot expect me to like gold or jewelry or desire your life. I need none of those for I can take them easily."

Jäger swallowed. "Ask and you shall receive, Dragoness," he murmured.

A glint of interest sparked in Sycaña's eyes. "An amiable offer indeed," she mused. She glanced up at the sun. "Time is of the essence, so I will ask of this to be done once the war waged between sea and sky has dissolved." She looked solely at Jäger. "Humans have been trying to stalk into the forest. I feel their footsteps in the earth. My mate and myself continuously patrol to pluck off humans too close to our hoard. However, I see you may help. See to it these humans back away from this land within a week's time. Should this not happen, I will not hesitate to kill every last one of you and those you hold dear." She bent her nose forward to puff breath onto Jäger's head. "Do you agree, human?" she purred.

"It shall be done," Jäger committed. "We thank you for such an opportunity. We will not take it for granted."

Sycaña snorted and looked at Gale. "Your humans are quite amusing," she murmured. "Perhaps I should consider taking them as slaves."

"Now, now, I need them, so let's not do that, please," Gale pleaded. He walked over to Jäger and clapped him on the back. "Dude, cut it out with the fear scent. I can smell it a mile away," he murmured. "She ain't gonna kill us." He turned back around to face the Plant Dragon. "All right. It's just us four plus the fur-ball plus the broomstick. Think that's doable?"

Sycaña rumbled in laughter. "You mock me, little rock." She got to her claws and came forth. "Touch noses with me, little rock," she commanded, "so I may lock onto the aura of your partner through your own memories."

Gale came back over to the Plant Dragon who lowered her own nose. He craned his neck to touch noses with her. He felt something soothing that felt of nature and earth and all things green filter through his mind with little pressure. He could feel Sycaña going through his memories to understand and feel Luna. When she got a lock onto her aura, her vine whiskers dug into the earth.

"I feel your partner," Sycaña spoke. "Come! We must go to her!"

Kiki found herself panicking when vines with blossoms sprouted from the ground. The vines wove like a quilt into a large sphere, compacting over the humans and golems. Gale found himself submitting to the darkness as he felt Sycaña's presence all around him. She felt cleansing and motherly with a bit of a strictness to her. It was nothing like Gale had ever felt before, but he knew he would remember this feeling for a long time to come.

Close your eyes, little rock, came gentle thought brushing against his mind. I will be right beside you.

°•°•°•°

It stormed religiously in Margaret Town. The outskirts of the forest were drenched in rain and in mud. There was no hope for the sun to come to the rescue, for the gray clouds to diminish. It was a storm that would stick around until it wreaked its havoc. Then, she would leave without a note in the morning and move on to the next village. The river had moved up, hiking up the hills with every raindrop.

The grass began to heighten itself in a large area. Vines burst from the dirt, tangling themselves into a giant ball that gained more and more substance. The giant sphere of plants grew over the size of the trees before they dispersed and slunk back into the ground. They left, however, humans, two golems, one ikenga, a broomstick, and a Dragon behind as they slid away. Sycaña did not even bat an eye at the rain, but it certainly caused problems for the others. Jäger tucked a whining Kiki under his arm while Eliza tried to cover herself.

Gale looked up, shielding his eyes. "This storm is a shitty one," he yelled over the lightning claps. "You sure this is it? I don't see Blondie anywhere."

"She is near-by," Sycaña assured. "You will have the strength to find her."

Gale twisted to look up at the Plant Dragon. "How do you know that?"

Sycaña lowered her head for a large violet eye to meet Gale's two ruby eyes. "Because you always have, little rock." She closed her eyes. "Now, hold out your hand."

Gale did as commanded and cupped his hands before himself.

Sycaña gave him no warning when she exhaled warm breath into his hands. He was surprised when Magic swirled in his palms to piece together something he had never seen. It was a flower from the receptacle up in every way with petals overlapping each other. It was a cross between a lily, a rose, and a snapdragon with an opaque color. To be honest, the entire flower look sickly and would die within the span of a day or so.

"Uh…" Gale raised an eyebrow. "I'm not being mean or anything, but is this flower okay?"

Sycaña opened her eyes to look at the delicacy she created. "It is perfectly healthy," she assured. "Consider it a parting gift to you, though I advise you protect it from his rain."

Gale let achroite tourmaline—a clear gem—wrap around and curl around the flower. It encased it into a ball. Gale dug his hands into the ball like he would a bowling ball and held up to admire the flower inside. "So, what is this thing anyways?"

"This is called 'A God's Tear'," Sycaña explained. "It will aid you in whatever you desire under the pretenses you believe in it."

Gale grimaced. "Yeah, that's gonna be a bit hard for an atheist, but I'll try," he supposed.

Sycaña pulled away and took a few steps back. Vines and grass alike coiled around her body to sink her back into the earth. "Your little star needs you now. I must go," she told him.

"Hey, wait!" Gale called. "How do you know I'll come back to you?"

Something strange gleamed in Sycaña's eyes. "Because Fate wills it so, little rock."

"And, what's up with you callin' me 'little rock'?" Gale pressed.

"Some are Earth-touched," Sycaña told him. "Others are Earth-born. All are children of Earth. All start as little rocks." Only her eyes were uncovered, lingering on Gale's form. "Perhaps I misname you for you smell not only of earth." The vines and grass pulled her into the ground, but they left nothing behind. The grass had grown back to match the land before it. Sycaña was gone.

But, something brushed against Gale's mind. He could feel a gentle prodding. The connection was distant, but it felt like the purring was close-by.

This not farewell. Find her and be safe, little gem.

Gale found himself silent just to process the new nickname. His eyes closed as a smile came across his face.

That's a promise, Mother Dragon.

"Um… Gale?"

Gale opened his eyes and turned his head to see Eliza staring worriedly at him. She looked into the sky and pointed. "Those are the creatures?"

Gale turned his head. He watched as the suzaku was driven into three building. The pixiu roared at her and puffed clouds to chain her down, but the suzaku thrashed and threw her weight to get out of her restraints.

Gale's eyes narrowed. "Yup. We're definitely in Margaret Town."

Looks just like the shithole I left. Figures.

Gale surveyed the land he was left in which to survive.

Now… She dropped me off near Blondie. But, where exactly would she…?

Gale found his answer when one of his golems standing guard.

Bingo bongo.

Gale began to run. "Follow me!" he roared over the storm, though he did not wait for his companions. When close enough, he garnered the attention of Hugo.

If Hugo had emotions, he would have been relatively pleased to see his brethren golems and his master. But, he had no emotions, no soul, just Magic running through him. But, even Magic understood when its wielder drew near. Hugo knelt in submission, bowing his head.

"It's good to see you too, Hugo," Gale said fondly. He raised a finger. "You may speak your truth. Tell me where she is and with whom," he chanted.

A mouth appeared on Hugo as he stood to his full height. His voice came out gravelly, like it was its own rumbling avalanche. "Luna resides deep with the tunnels. She has brought along her companions Sir Ludvig Krause, a runologist for the Archaeological Society, Gabriel Redfox, an apprentice of Meira Heartfilia and your ancestor, Master, and Icarus, the Canis Minor Spirit of Meira Heartfilia."

Gale nodded and spun around. He saw the McGarden's had trudged to keep up with them with both Eliza and Kiki hiking up their skirts and sloshing through rainwater. Changer had grabbed the broomstick while Lag held the packs in his hands.

"I know you've been through enough shit to last you till the end of next year," Gale started, "so I get if you don't want to come with me into a deep, dark tunnel where we could face another threat."

Jäger shook his head. "We are with you until the end," he promised strongly.

Gale smirked and nodded his appreciation. "Good. Just wanted to give you some warning on how freaky it's going to get. But, if you're Hell-bent on walking into the unknown…" He turned around to face the abyss dug into the ground with earthly steps disappearing into the darkness.

CRACK! CR-CRACK! CRACK!

Lightning reflected the darkness in ruby eyes.

"…then I guess it's time to get a little freaky."

[]

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…

Okay, first another Hunter, but she's a good guy, Igneel nearly turns into a bad guy and a Dragon that isn't even a guy? Boy, my head is hurting from all these twists! Guess I'll have to tune into the next episode of Fairy Adventure if I want to get all my questions answered.

---

To Gajeel, waking up this way was far worse than any hangover he ever received and that was saying something.

He felt his arms move first as tried to crack his eyes open. Everything was blurry and he felt groggy as Hell, but he had to wake up. He could distantly hear the sound of murmured conversation as an assortment of grays and blacks and low lighting filtered through his vision.

Levy… was his first thought. My…rugrats… Fairy Tail…

"…aven't you found it yet?" came demanding growl.

"We are sorry, Major, but the animal child has been eluding even our best," came quiet explanation.

Gajeel softly grunted as he tried to pull himself up to his elbows.

"Well, find him," came snarl. "We don't know the next time when he'll let his guard down and his Magic take over. If we reason with it, we'll gain another slave better than those stupid Hellhounds."

"Sir, yes, sir."

Gajeel blinked and blinked until everything slid into focus. Prison bars were the first thing he registered, but then he looked outside the prison bars. He saw two familiar figures trapped in cages like they were animals. One looked unconscious with chains around his wrists and a collar on his neck while the other had curled in on herself, biding her time in her shackles. Navy blue clashed with ruby.

"Juvia," Gajeel breathed. He reached for the bars. "Juvi—!"

CLANK.

Gajeel looked down to see the same odd cuffs chaining him. The cuffs were metallic, but they burned infinitesimally. A string of odd energy swirled between the cuffs to keep them from separating and keep the prisoner from moving freely.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« These are Anti-Ethernano Hand-cuffs, made to not only keep a Mage from using their Magic, but to gradually drain them of their Magic. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"We're trapped."

Gajeel looked over to Juvia who stared at him with glistening eyes.

"Silver is unconscious," Juvia explained. "Juvia believes Hunters have brought us to their holding facilities."

Gajeel gritted his teeth. "I feel like a damn criminal with these things on," he growled. "I don't get why the Ministry brought out the Hunters and their damn hounds. We had everything under control."

Sadness glinted in Juvia's eyes. "Juvia feels the Ministry felt threatened with Water Mages going on a rampage," she confessed. "Juvia knows she heard her beloved Gray." She shut her eyes. "She wants to see her beloved so badly."

"Where is the stripper anyways?" Gajeel wanted to know. He shuffled himself closer to his bars, but he was careful not to touch them. He peeked around. He saw other Mages, some unconscious but most awake and withdrawn. "I don't see his ugly mug anywhere."

"Juvia doesn't know where her beloved is." Juvia sounded distraught at the admittance. "Juvia was lucky Silver was placed next to her, but her beloved isn't anywhere in here."

Gajeel softened at Juvia's broken tone. "Don't worry, Rain Woman, we'll bust out of her and find your man," he promised.

Juvia shook her head. "Juvia is not too worried about her beloved," she told him. "She knows he can take care of himself. But, it is the other members Juvia fear for." She shifted closer to her bars. "The wardens were talking about T'oree and Cade being taken to a strange place called the House of O."

Gajeel's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Juvia gulped and nodded, her body shifting nervously. "Juvia tried to overhear more, but they walked away before she could. But, Juvia thinks T'oree and Cade are in great danger." When she saw the ugly glint in Gajeel's eyes, she grew even more worried. "Gajeel knows something," she insisted. "Tell Juvia."

Gajeel ground his teeth. "You're not gonna like it," he warned.

Juvia frowned stubbornly.

Gajeel growled. "Lily and I know about the House of O," he confided. "Stands for 'Other World'. The place is an auction house for things we call 'mutants' or 'aliens'." He found himself tensing the more he went on. "There was a case about it a while ago. The twins had just been born, so I passed it on to another captain. But, the place is crawling with criminals and rich bitches alike trying to get their hands on illegal tech and things that wind up on Earth Land. As for any intelligent life that winds up there"—Gajeel had to lower his snarl—"they always end up as slaves for the wicked."

Juvia paled. "How are Juvia and Gajeel going to get them out when we are in these?" she demanded to know. "Juvia and Gajeel must find T'oree and Cade before they are sold! Juvia does not want the children to ever experience slavery!"

"We can't do shit in these chains," Gajeel reminded her much to his own irritation, rattling his own for effect. "I paged my task force just before I was put under. Had a feeling they'd be needed as of now. If they can just get to Lily, they'll be able to find us and we can go after T'oree and Cade."

"What if they don't?" Juvia pressed. "What happens then?"

Gajeel locked his jaw when he hated the only answer he had. "I don't know."

---

Chibi-Luke appears in his bow tie and suspenders and glasses that need to be pushed up. "Ahem," he clears his throat. "Good day, class. Welcome to your next Fairy Lesson."

"Good day, Mister Dragneel!" the class cheers. "What are we learning today?"

Chibi-Luke smiles. "Today, we're learning about the Magic Council," he educates. He conjures a remote and steps out of the way. He presses a button and a projection of the regal Magic Council building is on the board. "The Magic Council rules over the entire body of Magic on Earth Land," he begins. "The headquarters are located in Era, a neutral town in a neutral country to maintain balance."

He flicks a button the remote and the screen projects a video taking you through the Magic Council building. "The Magic Council is comprised into the jury, the seats, and the chairman. The jury is every Guild Master all over Earth Land. At random, they are selected for jury duty, but, in times of crisis will all masters be summoned. The seats are the nine members that make up the Council. These seats were hand-chosen by Chairman Draculos Hyberion and are made up of Mages around the world."

Chibi-Luke clicks the button and there is a picture of Draculos walking through the halls with Iris struggling to catch up with her paperwork in hand. "This is the Chairman. Not only is the head of the Magic Council, but he holds title Lord Magic-Speaker, President of the Magical Union, and highest magical military rank. While he has auditors, he will, at times, personal come to a country to audit their facilities. The only way to overpower the Chairman is to have a general consensus from every seat to have him removed."

Chibi-Luke clicks the button and next comes a picture of Draculos alongside Hisui. "Draculos is known to have good relationships with many world leaders, especially Queen Hisui. Before he steps down from chairman, it's imperative he find the right replacement who can befriend the different leaders and understand multiple languages and cultures." He shuts down the projection. "All right, class, that's all for today. Any questions?"

A female student raises her hand. "Who do you think we'll be the next Chairman?"

Chibi-Luke smiles in that sort of way like he's withholding a big secret. "I'll let the next Chairman decide that." He looks at you. "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: THE STORY OF THE GUARDIAN DUO: NOW SLEEP, DEAR FRIENDS, UNTIL YOU NEED TO WAKE!" He shuts down the projection. "See you next—"

CRASH.

"Wait! Don't pick up that chair!" comes Chibi-Igneel's distant scream.

"You absolute moron!" comes Chibi-Mary Jane's seethe. "You thought I wouldn't notice what you tried to do to me in this episode! Bathe me? Are you serious?!"

"I was just trying to help—Ah-ha! No, wait! Stop chasing me!"

"Come back here, you coward, and fight like a man!"

BOOM.

Chibi-Luke sweatdrops. "Life really never gets boring…"

---

Voices of New Characters in Order of Appearance

Tara Platt as Hylonome

Michael Dobson as Jörmungandr

Chris Guererro as Apollo

Xanthe Huynh as Cristen

Katelyn Gault as Staralia

Mona Marshall as Zelda

Chritsen Auten as Sycaña

Greg Dulcie as Sorrelo

N/A as Roserary

N/A as Granulas

N/A as Cyper